Dear Family,
First things first, since when did Hansen start wearing V-necks. Y'all have become more California than I have. Well, anyways now onto the less important matters. It sounds like this week was one to remember, i am surprised everyone survived. I am glad that BYU won, and the mavericks, and that you got to hug a six foot Elmo. It sounded like the real highlight of the trip. I did hear that the BYU game was a thriller, and in fact got invited to watch it with a couple of members that we had to stop by that morning. They said surely if missionaries were allowed to go to the game, surely we would be allowed to watch. Unfortunately our mission president is not as cool as president Durant, and didn't give us permission. Something about salvation of souls taking priority over football, or something along those lines was his reasoning. Oh well. I can't believe its already 2012 and that it has only been about a week from Christmas, somehow it seems like a lifetime. But now that the holidays are over, things should start going faster again.
Part of the reason for how long this week was though was the fact that it was so good. The main highlight was that we picked up some new people to teach. One was a family of six, a single mom trying to raise five kids. She said that she only realized a couple of months ago that in order to do it, she would need to learn how to forgive and allow God into her life. She said she was interested in our church and even asked what we do for people who want to start investigating it. We were all to happy to tell her. Her name is Tammy, and she is about as gracious as could be, meaning she actually invites us in. We are pretty excited and are going over tomorrow to teach them again and they should be going to church with us this Sunday.
We also started teaching a kid named Bubba. He is a senior in high school and has moved in with some members in the ward. He comes from a very hard background. His dad died when he was little and so he was raised by a very abusive step father. Finally just a couple of months ago he decided he had had enough and just ran away. His member friend found out about it and took him in. He has been going to seminary for the past couple of weeks, and young men. Well anyways the highlight of it all was this week we were able to teach him about the plan of salvation. Before we got half way into it he started asking questions about his dad, where he was and was there hope for him. We were able to teach him about the spirit world and about baptisms for the dead. Before we had finished the lesson he had probably asked three or four times whether we would help him go and get baptized for his father. He expressed how he had always been worried about him, and how he knew his real father was one of the only people that had actually loved him. Well needless to say he is pretty amped about the gospel, and has committed to getting baptized. We should set a date for him in the coming week. It was one of those moments where i became very thankful to come out on a mission to have experiences like this.
After that everything kind of pales in comparison. Especially our new years. We came in at 6:30 and were in bed at 10. We were able to make it fun though. Transfers are a week from today, and all indications are that i will probably stay in Temecula but get a new companion. So we will see how things go but I am optimistic that things will continue to go forward here in Temecula. Thanks again for everything. It is exciting to know that 2012 will be spent in the service of our Lord. Love you all.
Elder Blake
PS. I cant think of anything for my birthday except that calender and yeah that's all I got. Good luck shopping with that direction.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Dec. 27, 2011
Dear Family,
It was so good to see everyone last week. Everyone looked like they had almost recovered from Christmas morning, and church. Which was surprising. That is exciting to know that y'all will be eating with Elmo today, something that has been on my bucket list for a long time, and going to BYU and mavericks games. I'm sorry I will be missing all of it.
Well there isn't too much for me to report to y'all since Christmas. But there are a couple of highlights. First after we talked we went to two Christmas dinners. One with Bryce's family, and then one also with the Hombs and family in the ward. I wouldn't suggest it, I fulfilled my calories for the rest of the year, into new years. But it was lots of fun, and it felt like home which was nice. Also on Christmas eve night, we got a bunch of presents dropped off to us, from all of the missionary moms in the ward. It was really fun, and i don't think we will have to go grocery shopping for a good two weeks. The other exciting news is that we had a lesson with brother Lum last night which was awesome. He had done all of his reading, and more. We were able to tentatively set a date for baptism and will be going by next week to talk more about it. Prayers would be appreciated. Oh also we received the best present we could have ever hoped for by a lady in the ward. Foot massage things. Studies have never been more enjoyable.
Well thank you so much for everything, it was an amazing Christmas. Hope that everyone has a wonderful new year. Love you all, and talk to you in five months. Love Bevan
It was so good to see everyone last week. Everyone looked like they had almost recovered from Christmas morning, and church. Which was surprising. That is exciting to know that y'all will be eating with Elmo today, something that has been on my bucket list for a long time, and going to BYU and mavericks games. I'm sorry I will be missing all of it.
Well there isn't too much for me to report to y'all since Christmas. But there are a couple of highlights. First after we talked we went to two Christmas dinners. One with Bryce's family, and then one also with the Hombs and family in the ward. I wouldn't suggest it, I fulfilled my calories for the rest of the year, into new years. But it was lots of fun, and it felt like home which was nice. Also on Christmas eve night, we got a bunch of presents dropped off to us, from all of the missionary moms in the ward. It was really fun, and i don't think we will have to go grocery shopping for a good two weeks. The other exciting news is that we had a lesson with brother Lum last night which was awesome. He had done all of his reading, and more. We were able to tentatively set a date for baptism and will be going by next week to talk more about it. Prayers would be appreciated. Oh also we received the best present we could have ever hoped for by a lady in the ward. Foot massage things. Studies have never been more enjoyable.
Well thank you so much for everything, it was an amazing Christmas. Hope that everyone has a wonderful new year. Love you all, and talk to you in five months. Love Bevan
Dec. 20. 2011
Dear Family,
I am glad that everyone is doing well, and that the Ryggs made it back to Dallas safely, and still have a place there. Mom i haven't gotten my box yet, but that is because the mission office holds all of the Christmas packages until Christmas eve, when we have a mission wide gathering. So i am sure I will get it then. I guess they have learned by experience that no matter how much of a refiners fire the mission may be, it still doesn't have the power to instill in nineteen year old boys the patience to wait until Christmas to open the presents. So is everyone ready for the pandemonium and crowds of Christmas?
Well as you have heard i will be skyping on Christmas, i am glad the Tenneys were able to get a hold of y'all. I will be calling about two my time so about four y'alls time, so be ready. The Tenneys are awesome, they just sent off their son on a mission and have a daughter out as well. They say they are adopting us as their children this holiday season.
Well as you can see this week was highlighted by an award winning performance at the ward Christmas party. We are now forever legends in the ward, and have sufficiently embarrassed ourselves. It was a lot of fun though and definitely was a highlight of the mission.
Other than that this week has been a great one. We were able to pick up a new investigator named Shane. He is nineteen years old, and is willing to believe everything that we teach him. The only trick will be to get him to act accordingly, you know those nineteen year old boys, so hard to deal with.
Everything with all of the other investigators is going well too. We are teaching Anna, which continues to be fun. She says that she loves the doctrine, and that it is great to finally hear that God is actually fair, she just isn't quite willing to make the commitment yet. But we continue to have great lessons, and I'm confident that as she continues to feel the spirit one day it will finally click. It has been amazing to see the change that has already taken place. Bryce, the ten year old kid, continues to be as excited as ever. He showed up on church this Sunday in his suit, and told us that dressing us in his suit has become one of his favorite things. He also declared Wednesday to be his favorite day, that is the day we do our lessons with him. We are also teaching Bro. Lum, who is making some good progress. When we first started teaching him, he seemed to always have his guard up and never opened up, but now he is opening up and we can tell he is finally starting to ponder and study about the gospel. Hopefully he keeps it up, and chooses to commit to it, that would mean everything to his family. Please pray for him. That is pretty much it investigator wise. We also have a couple more prospects that we will hopefully start teaching soon.
Well in terms of stories, I simply cannot top eating cobra. But I will be eating Christmas eve dinner with the browns so there is that. Truly stateside missions are a blessing. I know that this gospel is true, and that obedience to it is what is going to bring peace in this world and eternal life in the world to come. Blessings that surpass everything else that i know about. It is a great privilege of mine, the opportunity to devote all that i am to declare this gospel and pray that there will be soft hearts to receive it. This Christmas season I am thankful for the Savior, for his ultimate love and condescension, in coming to earth to bring us true hope. I glory that i with the angels of old get to declare glad tidings of great joy, of peace on earth and good will to men. I am grateful for those many that have already received this message like the shepherds of old. And i pray that many more will be able to receive this remarkable message. Thank you all for the many prayers of support, and love. This gospel is true. God does live, and Jesus Christ is our savior. Joseph Smith is his prophet, and the Book of Mormon is true. Love you all, and I can't wait to talk to you on Sunday.
Love Bevan.
PS, I know that inquires of what I want for my birthday will soon be coming. So i will try to fill those early. I need new shoe laces.
I am glad that everyone is doing well, and that the Ryggs made it back to Dallas safely, and still have a place there. Mom i haven't gotten my box yet, but that is because the mission office holds all of the Christmas packages until Christmas eve, when we have a mission wide gathering. So i am sure I will get it then. I guess they have learned by experience that no matter how much of a refiners fire the mission may be, it still doesn't have the power to instill in nineteen year old boys the patience to wait until Christmas to open the presents. So is everyone ready for the pandemonium and crowds of Christmas?
Well as you have heard i will be skyping on Christmas, i am glad the Tenneys were able to get a hold of y'all. I will be calling about two my time so about four y'alls time, so be ready. The Tenneys are awesome, they just sent off their son on a mission and have a daughter out as well. They say they are adopting us as their children this holiday season.
Well as you can see this week was highlighted by an award winning performance at the ward Christmas party. We are now forever legends in the ward, and have sufficiently embarrassed ourselves. It was a lot of fun though and definitely was a highlight of the mission.
Other than that this week has been a great one. We were able to pick up a new investigator named Shane. He is nineteen years old, and is willing to believe everything that we teach him. The only trick will be to get him to act accordingly, you know those nineteen year old boys, so hard to deal with.
Everything with all of the other investigators is going well too. We are teaching Anna, which continues to be fun. She says that she loves the doctrine, and that it is great to finally hear that God is actually fair, she just isn't quite willing to make the commitment yet. But we continue to have great lessons, and I'm confident that as she continues to feel the spirit one day it will finally click. It has been amazing to see the change that has already taken place. Bryce, the ten year old kid, continues to be as excited as ever. He showed up on church this Sunday in his suit, and told us that dressing us in his suit has become one of his favorite things. He also declared Wednesday to be his favorite day, that is the day we do our lessons with him. We are also teaching Bro. Lum, who is making some good progress. When we first started teaching him, he seemed to always have his guard up and never opened up, but now he is opening up and we can tell he is finally starting to ponder and study about the gospel. Hopefully he keeps it up, and chooses to commit to it, that would mean everything to his family. Please pray for him. That is pretty much it investigator wise. We also have a couple more prospects that we will hopefully start teaching soon.
Well in terms of stories, I simply cannot top eating cobra. But I will be eating Christmas eve dinner with the browns so there is that. Truly stateside missions are a blessing. I know that this gospel is true, and that obedience to it is what is going to bring peace in this world and eternal life in the world to come. Blessings that surpass everything else that i know about. It is a great privilege of mine, the opportunity to devote all that i am to declare this gospel and pray that there will be soft hearts to receive it. This Christmas season I am thankful for the Savior, for his ultimate love and condescension, in coming to earth to bring us true hope. I glory that i with the angels of old get to declare glad tidings of great joy, of peace on earth and good will to men. I am grateful for those many that have already received this message like the shepherds of old. And i pray that many more will be able to receive this remarkable message. Thank you all for the many prayers of support, and love. This gospel is true. God does live, and Jesus Christ is our savior. Joseph Smith is his prophet, and the Book of Mormon is true. Love you all, and I can't wait to talk to you on Sunday.
Love Bevan.
PS, I know that inquires of what I want for my birthday will soon be coming. So i will try to fill those early. I need new shoe laces.
Dec. 13, 2011
Dear Family,
I am glad to hear that everyone is doing well, and that stake conference is over. For mom, i have seen Amy Browns parents a couple of times, and the next time i see them i will be sure to extend a personal hello from y'all. That is cool that you invited all the missionaries in the zone over for breakfast. We actually did the exact same thing over here. The stake president tries to do it every transfer, so it has become quite the tradition over here. What does our zone consist of, and where do the different missionaries serve. Just curious to see how things are going over there. I will see when i can send more pictures home. I am still not sure about Christmas yet, but my educated guess will be that we will be calling about two or three here, so five or six there. I will try to have more details next week, and then have the person that we will be calling from contact you to give you the specifics and what you should watch out for and such.
Tell Brother Anderson congratulations by the way, and that i am still disappointed that I didn't get to take seminary from him. Oh well, all things happen for a reason. Also fill me in on who the next councilor in the bishopric is.
Things here in Temecula continue to roll along. We were able to get Denise confirmed on Sunday. It almost killed her to get up in front of the whole ward but she was able to do it like a champ. We have also started teaching a couple of new people. The first is Anna, she is a friend of Nico and Naomi and has started coming to church with them. She is extremely smart, and loves to ask questions that are intended to trip you up. I really like it, it is like the dinner table with Malan all over again. Don't worry there is an element of the spirit in the teaching and is not all contention based. It really does go well, and she is reading the Book of Mormon. It feels sincere. We have also started teaching a lady named Alisha lee. She is the daughter of a member in the ward. She went less active but is now returning. Her husband is not a member is currently deployed in Afghanistan. She wants to have him take the lessons when he gets back though and so we are giving her a run through before we do that. Just as a side note, she has a little brother named Robert E. Lee. Take that how you will. Everyone else here continues to go well. Bryce is just as excited as ever. And the ward seems to be getting behind the work as well.
So just for humor sakes, i guess it is time to fill you in on some of the funny events that have happened here. So this past Sunday was a missionary farewell, for a kid in the ward, and for some reason, the entire stake presidency decided to show up to sacrament meeting. During the midst of this guys talk he tells a story from N. Eldon Tanner, and prefaces it by saying "I would like to tell a story by some guy names N. Eldon Tanner, I guess he was in the first presidency like a really long time ago or something." I have never seen a stake presidency laugh so hard. Well I love you all, and i know this gospel is true, it is such a privilege to be playing a small part in this great work. I grow more and more grateful for the gospel in my life everyday and for the people who played such a big role in teaching it to me. Love you and good luck with all the holiday craziness.
Love Elder Blake
I am glad to hear that everyone is doing well, and that stake conference is over. For mom, i have seen Amy Browns parents a couple of times, and the next time i see them i will be sure to extend a personal hello from y'all. That is cool that you invited all the missionaries in the zone over for breakfast. We actually did the exact same thing over here. The stake president tries to do it every transfer, so it has become quite the tradition over here. What does our zone consist of, and where do the different missionaries serve. Just curious to see how things are going over there. I will see when i can send more pictures home. I am still not sure about Christmas yet, but my educated guess will be that we will be calling about two or three here, so five or six there. I will try to have more details next week, and then have the person that we will be calling from contact you to give you the specifics and what you should watch out for and such.
Tell Brother Anderson congratulations by the way, and that i am still disappointed that I didn't get to take seminary from him. Oh well, all things happen for a reason. Also fill me in on who the next councilor in the bishopric is.
Things here in Temecula continue to roll along. We were able to get Denise confirmed on Sunday. It almost killed her to get up in front of the whole ward but she was able to do it like a champ. We have also started teaching a couple of new people. The first is Anna, she is a friend of Nico and Naomi and has started coming to church with them. She is extremely smart, and loves to ask questions that are intended to trip you up. I really like it, it is like the dinner table with Malan all over again. Don't worry there is an element of the spirit in the teaching and is not all contention based. It really does go well, and she is reading the Book of Mormon. It feels sincere. We have also started teaching a lady named Alisha lee. She is the daughter of a member in the ward. She went less active but is now returning. Her husband is not a member is currently deployed in Afghanistan. She wants to have him take the lessons when he gets back though and so we are giving her a run through before we do that. Just as a side note, she has a little brother named Robert E. Lee. Take that how you will. Everyone else here continues to go well. Bryce is just as excited as ever. And the ward seems to be getting behind the work as well.
So just for humor sakes, i guess it is time to fill you in on some of the funny events that have happened here. So this past Sunday was a missionary farewell, for a kid in the ward, and for some reason, the entire stake presidency decided to show up to sacrament meeting. During the midst of this guys talk he tells a story from N. Eldon Tanner, and prefaces it by saying "I would like to tell a story by some guy names N. Eldon Tanner, I guess he was in the first presidency like a really long time ago or something." I have never seen a stake presidency laugh so hard. Well I love you all, and i know this gospel is true, it is such a privilege to be playing a small part in this great work. I grow more and more grateful for the gospel in my life everyday and for the people who played such a big role in teaching it to me. Love you and good luck with all the holiday craziness.
Love Elder Blake
Dec. 6, 2011
Dear Family,
I am glad to hear that the nativity went well. And that you got to see the NBA Championship trophy. That is cool that Mr. Parks came, you will have to tell him hi from me Hansen. It sounds like it will be another typical crazy Blake Christmas. I did get the package, don't worry mom. And our tree is proudly taped up on our window and is even decorated. It definitely adds to the Christmas spirit. Thanks for all of the candy as well.
Well here in Temecula we are getting some pretty chilly weather too. Occasionally in the 40's at night. It is really tough serving in southern California. We had a great day two days ago with being able to watch the Christmas devotional. It is always great to hear the prophet, and have an hour to sit down. I felt like I was in priesthood session, having to keep my companion awake.
This week has been pretty slow missionary wise. Not really that no one wants to listen to us, but rather everyone who wants to listen to us, seems to have the flu of pneumonia. Luckily both my companion and I are healthy and don't so much have the sniffles. We were able to start teaching someone who wants to get baptized. He is a ten year old kid whose name is Bryce Grabau. He is the son of a less active lady. His older sister who was baptized but then went inactive, just moved back from college and reactivated herself. She has been bringing Bryce to church with her, and we get the privilege of teaching him. I am excited because if it all works out the way it is supposed to, he will be first person i get to find, teach, and baptize. I will finally go the whole nine yard with an investigator. It is really exciting. Other than that things just keep rolling along here in Temecula. Oh I did get a new roommate. His name is Elder Blakely. We are hoping that we eventually get to be companions, just for the word play.
I love this gospel, and have gained a much deeper understanding of it out here on my mission. I also have gained a stronger testimony of the priesthood. Of its authority, of its function, of its role in the eternities, and of its power. I am truly humbled to realize that i get to be a priesthood holder, and hope that i will always be worthy of it. I love you all, and thanks for the box again. Hope that everyone has a great week, and that you don't freeze.
Elder Blake
I am glad to hear that the nativity went well. And that you got to see the NBA Championship trophy. That is cool that Mr. Parks came, you will have to tell him hi from me Hansen. It sounds like it will be another typical crazy Blake Christmas. I did get the package, don't worry mom. And our tree is proudly taped up on our window and is even decorated. It definitely adds to the Christmas spirit. Thanks for all of the candy as well.
Well here in Temecula we are getting some pretty chilly weather too. Occasionally in the 40's at night. It is really tough serving in southern California. We had a great day two days ago with being able to watch the Christmas devotional. It is always great to hear the prophet, and have an hour to sit down. I felt like I was in priesthood session, having to keep my companion awake.
This week has been pretty slow missionary wise. Not really that no one wants to listen to us, but rather everyone who wants to listen to us, seems to have the flu of pneumonia. Luckily both my companion and I are healthy and don't so much have the sniffles. We were able to start teaching someone who wants to get baptized. He is a ten year old kid whose name is Bryce Grabau. He is the son of a less active lady. His older sister who was baptized but then went inactive, just moved back from college and reactivated herself. She has been bringing Bryce to church with her, and we get the privilege of teaching him. I am excited because if it all works out the way it is supposed to, he will be first person i get to find, teach, and baptize. I will finally go the whole nine yard with an investigator. It is really exciting. Other than that things just keep rolling along here in Temecula. Oh I did get a new roommate. His name is Elder Blakely. We are hoping that we eventually get to be companions, just for the word play.
I love this gospel, and have gained a much deeper understanding of it out here on my mission. I also have gained a stronger testimony of the priesthood. Of its authority, of its function, of its role in the eternities, and of its power. I am truly humbled to realize that i get to be a priesthood holder, and hope that i will always be worthy of it. I love you all, and thanks for the box again. Hope that everyone has a great week, and that you don't freeze.
Elder Blake
Nov. 29, 2011
Dear Family,
Thanks for the letter, another thing to add to the lengthy list of things i am thankful for is e-mail and a loving family that spares no effort in filling up my in box. Congratulations to Malan for getting into BYU, and for Hansen for being on the Scouting committee. Way to keep up the family legacy. Well my thanksgiving was wonderful, as i am sure it was reported to you from the browns. And it was great to see Zach again. He did look really good, and if Jared would ever give him a day off, we just might be able to get him to come out with us.
Just a couple of bulletins. First, and this one is for mom, Temecula was recently rated as the second safest city in the us with a population over 100,000. I believe the same thing could be said of Malang too, so don't worry too much.
Second, and this one is for Malan, I recently read a talk by Elder Maxwell where he used the word Swagger. It was a testimony builder to me that the apostles really are prophets for him to be using swagger twenty years before the curve.
Third, and this one is for dad, In yet another weird connection there is a family in the ward that just moved in. We went over to have dinner with them and proceeded to find out that the dad served his mission with none other than Brother Harris. Turns out Brother Harris was way too smart for his own good even when he was on his mission. He told us this story about how Brother Harris kidnapped a teddy bear from one of the elders who was living with him and proceeded to hold it for ransom. Randomly mailing him pictures of said Teddy Bear in precarious situations. Whether drowning in members pools, or getting held up. I now understand the raising of the bar more fully.
The other exciting news was that Denise was finally able to be baptized this Sunday. It was a great service, and we had a great turnout and the spirit was really strong. It has been a long time coming but it has been fun to share in the adventure with her. We also had a great lesson with Lilly, a 77 year old lady whose full name is actually Lillian. I just threw that in there for you Deborah. But she has said that she wants to get baptized, just after she is done with all of her chemo treatments. She has been really fun to teach, because every lesson includes at least two stories from her life. They have been fun to listen too. Well that is pretty much it in terms of investigator news i will keep you updated though. Thanks for all that you do, and are. This Gospel is true, and I love serving the Lord. Especially in this holiday season. Love you all.
Elder Blake.
PS, I am not sure about Christmas yet, but i do know we have church til noon. Also i have not recieved my package yet, but should this evening. Also Tell Bishop Chatwin hello, and thanks for being such a great home teaching companion and mentor.
Thanks for the letter, another thing to add to the lengthy list of things i am thankful for is e-mail and a loving family that spares no effort in filling up my in box. Congratulations to Malan for getting into BYU, and for Hansen for being on the Scouting committee. Way to keep up the family legacy. Well my thanksgiving was wonderful, as i am sure it was reported to you from the browns. And it was great to see Zach again. He did look really good, and if Jared would ever give him a day off, we just might be able to get him to come out with us.
Just a couple of bulletins. First, and this one is for mom, Temecula was recently rated as the second safest city in the us with a population over 100,000. I believe the same thing could be said of Malang too, so don't worry too much.
Second, and this one is for Malan, I recently read a talk by Elder Maxwell where he used the word Swagger. It was a testimony builder to me that the apostles really are prophets for him to be using swagger twenty years before the curve.
Third, and this one is for dad, In yet another weird connection there is a family in the ward that just moved in. We went over to have dinner with them and proceeded to find out that the dad served his mission with none other than Brother Harris. Turns out Brother Harris was way too smart for his own good even when he was on his mission. He told us this story about how Brother Harris kidnapped a teddy bear from one of the elders who was living with him and proceeded to hold it for ransom. Randomly mailing him pictures of said Teddy Bear in precarious situations. Whether drowning in members pools, or getting held up. I now understand the raising of the bar more fully.
The other exciting news was that Denise was finally able to be baptized this Sunday. It was a great service, and we had a great turnout and the spirit was really strong. It has been a long time coming but it has been fun to share in the adventure with her. We also had a great lesson with Lilly, a 77 year old lady whose full name is actually Lillian. I just threw that in there for you Deborah. But she has said that she wants to get baptized, just after she is done with all of her chemo treatments. She has been really fun to teach, because every lesson includes at least two stories from her life. They have been fun to listen too. Well that is pretty much it in terms of investigator news i will keep you updated though. Thanks for all that you do, and are. This Gospel is true, and I love serving the Lord. Especially in this holiday season. Love you all.
Elder Blake.
PS, I am not sure about Christmas yet, but i do know we have church til noon. Also i have not recieved my package yet, but should this evening. Also Tell Bishop Chatwin hello, and thanks for being such a great home teaching companion and mentor.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
November 22, 2011
Dear Family,
First of all, thanks mom for the hug. Brother Brown was able to give it to me this past Sunday. I am glad that the surgery went well, and hope and pray that you continue to improve. Also, the bandaging is very impressive. Thank you also for the care package, especially for the letters. My companion said before we opened it that he hoped the tie wasn't red. I told him if the ties were from my dad, he could bet on them being red. And sure enough. We look forward to matching ties, at all future ward/christmas events. Thank you very much.
Well besides being with the Browns this past Sunday, and having the opportunity to be with them this Thanksgiving, the big news is that we just got back from the San Diego Temple. It was absolutely amazing, and even though i know all temples are equal in the sight of God, it put the dallas temple to shame. It was definitely one of the highlights of my mission so far. The best part about it was that it was enjoyed in 70 degree weather, in the middle of November.
The disappointing news this week was that we were supposed to have a baptism this past sunday for a women named Denise. Unfortunately we got a text about an hour before church saying that she wasn't ready and would have to think about it some more. We went over after church and it seems like it was just nerves, so it should be good this week. Your prayers would be much appreciated. We did however get a couple more people to teach this week, so overall it was a good one. We went by a couple of former investigators and they said they would be willing to resume taking the lessons. One of them is an eighty year old lady whose twin sister just died a couple weeks ago. We were able to teach her about the plan of salvation and bear testimony to her that her sister is patiently waiting for her in the spirit world and that she was most likely taking the lessons from some missionaries as well. I am so thankful for the gospel in our lives and for the perspective that it gives us. Other than that nothing too exciting, although we did get to walk right next to the Indian reservation out here, definitely another highlight. The work continues to progress and perhaps most exciting is that a spirit of missionary work here in the ward has seemed to take root. I give Joe and Sue Brown all of the credit. Here all of three days and they already have the ward on fire, not too surprising though.
Besides Mom's surgery going well, hearing about Brother Ramirez baptism was about the best news I could receive. I do know Jonatan, he is a great kid, and I would be happy to share my testimony with him. That is so exciting, and is an amazing feeling. Tell Brother Ramirez congratulations from me.
Well, keep up all of the great work, and hope that you have a Happy Thanksgiving and that the cowboys continue their streak. I am extremely grateful this week, for the goodness of God. That he would see fit to send his only begotten Son to perform the atonement to complete the plan of salvation on our behalf. Closely behind it, I am grateful for the opportunity to have been raised in the best home ever. To have been taught the gospel in both word and deed at home all of my life and for the wonderful example everyone is to me. Thanks for everything and all that you do.
Love Bevan
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