Friends and Family, as we come to the close of another transfer, I have some news for y'all. Elder Vanderhoff will be leaving Attalla tomorrow, and I have been asked to train again. Some aspects of training a new missionary I am very much looking forward to, others not so much, but it should be another adventure and hopefully a couple more transfers for the books!
Unfortunately we did not have a whole lot of teaching opportunities this week, but there are a few experiences and stories and testimonies that I would like to share with y'all.
First off, Daniel continues to progress nicely. We were worried because he was late to church on Sunday, but he did eventually show up. Our Sacrament Service started, and he wasn't there, so we assumed he had slept in (as he has done a couple times before haha). But after the service was over, we looked back and there he was sitting in the back, chatting it up with a member. It was also the branch Primary Program this week, and he loved it, so I'm glad he came. He continues to dig into the gospel library and read anything that he can find. He told us that he finished reading the Gospel Principles book this week, and that he often takes time at the end of each chapter to check out the additional scriptures and notes to the chapter. The notes have the scriptural references which provide the doctrinal basis for the chapter. Anyway, he told us that doing that has been really helpful to help him understand things that he previously hadn't. He has such a strong testimony of the Restoration, and of all of the true doctrine that is unique to our church. He said, "The more I read, the more I believe. The more I read, the more it makes sense." He's miles ahead of almost everybody that I have ever taught on my mission, and it is such a privilege to be a part of his conversion process. One side note on Daniel: we moved his baptismal date to the 20th instead of the 13th, just so that we could announce it in church on the Sunday before. His baptism will be that day, and there seems to be no reason that it won't happen.
A week or so ago I started reading Saints, the new book that the Church recently released. I finished it yesterday, and it was a great book. There were lots of stories that I hadn't heard before, and it was great to kind of dive into the lives of the early Saints. Life was rough for them. Really rough. There were many who fell away because of hardships or trials or differences of opinion. However, there were many more who stayed and were valiant in their efforts to serve God and their fellow men. For their faith and their example I am grateful. I often wondered while reading the Book what my reaction would have been to certain circumstances and events. I hope that I would have been able to stand strong with the rest and, when asked if I was going to leave or stay, respond as Peter did and say, "To whom shall I go?" I know as well as the Saints did in the early days of the Church, and as Peter did 2,000 years ago, that if I leave this Church and the Gospel that is taught in it, there is truly nowhere else to go. This Church, and the Savior who is at its head, offers everything that you and I and they could ever need. We cannot go anywhere else in the world for that, and I am grateful for it.
Ruby also continues to be awesome. We had dinner at her place on Sunday, and she always just takes time to tell us how excited she is for her upcoming baptism, and how much it means to her. Because she was previously a member, had her records removed, and is coming back to the Church, she is not technically a convert in statistical terms. As such, we aren't responsible as missionaries for her baptism and the process leading up to it. However, she has asked that we play a role in it, and we are happy to give in to her request. She is "so awesome" (that's her favorite phrase), and we are so excited for her to regain her membership in the Church of Jesus Christ.
Unfortunately we did not have a whole lot of teaching opportunities this week, but there are a few experiences and stories and testimonies that I would like to share with y'all.
First off, Daniel continues to progress nicely. We were worried because he was late to church on Sunday, but he did eventually show up. Our Sacrament Service started, and he wasn't there, so we assumed he had slept in (as he has done a couple times before haha). But after the service was over, we looked back and there he was sitting in the back, chatting it up with a member. It was also the branch Primary Program this week, and he loved it, so I'm glad he came. He continues to dig into the gospel library and read anything that he can find. He told us that he finished reading the Gospel Principles book this week, and that he often takes time at the end of each chapter to check out the additional scriptures and notes to the chapter. The notes have the scriptural references which provide the doctrinal basis for the chapter. Anyway, he told us that doing that has been really helpful to help him understand things that he previously hadn't. He has such a strong testimony of the Restoration, and of all of the true doctrine that is unique to our church. He said, "The more I read, the more I believe. The more I read, the more it makes sense." He's miles ahead of almost everybody that I have ever taught on my mission, and it is such a privilege to be a part of his conversion process. One side note on Daniel: we moved his baptismal date to the 20th instead of the 13th, just so that we could announce it in church on the Sunday before. His baptism will be that day, and there seems to be no reason that it won't happen.
A week or so ago I started reading Saints, the new book that the Church recently released. I finished it yesterday, and it was a great book. There were lots of stories that I hadn't heard before, and it was great to kind of dive into the lives of the early Saints. Life was rough for them. Really rough. There were many who fell away because of hardships or trials or differences of opinion. However, there were many more who stayed and were valiant in their efforts to serve God and their fellow men. For their faith and their example I am grateful. I often wondered while reading the Book what my reaction would have been to certain circumstances and events. I hope that I would have been able to stand strong with the rest and, when asked if I was going to leave or stay, respond as Peter did and say, "To whom shall I go?" I know as well as the Saints did in the early days of the Church, and as Peter did 2,000 years ago, that if I leave this Church and the Gospel that is taught in it, there is truly nowhere else to go. This Church, and the Savior who is at its head, offers everything that you and I and they could ever need. We cannot go anywhere else in the world for that, and I am grateful for it.
Ruby also continues to be awesome. We had dinner at her place on Sunday, and she always just takes time to tell us how excited she is for her upcoming baptism, and how much it means to her. Because she was previously a member, had her records removed, and is coming back to the Church, she is not technically a convert in statistical terms. As such, we aren't responsible as missionaries for her baptism and the process leading up to it. However, she has asked that we play a role in it, and we are happy to give in to her request. She is "so awesome" (that's her favorite phrase), and we are so excited for her to regain her membership in the Church of Jesus Christ.
I am also very much looking forward to General Conference, and I hope y'all are as well. It is truly a wonderful time that we have to listen to God's mouthpiece(s) on the earth, and it has been a great opportunity for me the last couple of weeks to testify of President Russell M. Nelson and his prophetic calling. He truly is a prophet of God. I have invited many people to "come listen to a prophet's voice," and I hope and pray that many heed the calling. It's such a blessing to be able to hear and to learn from living prophets and apostles. It saddens me that so many people here in the south and throughout the world find that doctrine of living prophet blasphemous. However, I know and testify that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. I know that He has organized His Church in our day, and that it is truly "built upon the foundation of apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone." What a blessing that is.
Well, I do look forward to another transfer of being in Attalla, and for the chance I have to train again. I love the branch here, and all that they do for us. I also love y'all and all of your thoughts and prayers. Know always that you are in mine. Have a great week!
Love,
Elder Beach
#RollTide
#5-0
#WinningIsTooEasy
#Future2018CFPChamps
PS, here is some stuff I forgot about:
Adrea, whose husband was going to have the Skype lessons with us, is kind of out of the loop for now. We asked her if we were still on for a lesson yesterday evening, and she replied: "Sorry, on indefinite hold. Will keep in touch." Not sure what the deal is, but hopefully we can hear from them soon.
Also, Elder Maness texted me a couple days ago with his flight information. He is rejoining the ABM tomorrow. Yeah boy! I love that kid.
The "diskrict" (that's how they say it in the South...)
A black Jesus.
#4EyesOnTheScreen
Daniel - We love this guy!
Eutaw, Alabama. It is pronounced "Utah"! :)
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