NCRM - December 2014

Beach Squared

We got to go to the Beach last Monday, December 15, 2014

Serving in the Land of Manners

This week was really great! We had a lesson with a referral we received from the Abney's (Senior mission couple). We taught a lesson to T. He is getting married to a member on Saturday.  He wants to be baptized really bad.  They are already planning to go to the temple as soon as they can.  He is just really solid!  But it gets even better!  His friend, C, was there too.  He was very interested and wants to learn more.  We left a baptismal date with both of them for January 3rd, they both accepted.  I am really excited about this!  Finally seeing fruits of my labor!

Elder Lindley is my new companion and from Wellsville, Utah.  He is definitely a better cook than I am.  

I wish I didn't have to shave. I did a little experiment I went two days without shaving.  Man! I had a full-on beard.  Keith would be so proud.

It is hilarious here.  If someone sneezes, like the WHOLE library right away says "Bless you", like in unison (that's right I used a big word. Dex would be so proud.) I just sneezed and that happened. Then Elder Steingraber sneezed like one minute later and got the same response.

Love you!

Love,

Elder Beach

Facebook Posts October 2014

My favorite scripture recently is Mormon 9:27

O then despise not, and wonder not, but hearken unto the words of the Lord, and ask the Father in the name of Jesus for things whatsoever ye shall stand in need. Doubt not, but be believing, and begin as in times of old, and come unto the Lord with all your heart, and work out your own salvation with fear and trembling before him.

Remember to keep in mind the things that truly do matter! So many of us lose our perspective for the long term things, thinking that some of the shorter term things are better.

Trish Gardner Johnson Thanks for the uplifting thought, Elder Parker Beach. Hope you know that you are a "long-term" family member! Our short-term issues will never be as important as our two favorite Elders...even if one went home already! Wishing the best to you and Elder Carson Buckner!

Since it is Halloween, I thought I would share another Family History Story.
One of my ancestors, Lydia Gilbert, was convicted of witchcraft and sentenced to death by hanging. Lydia Gilbert, the wife of Thomas Gilbert was living in Windsor, Connecticut when Lydia was the fifth person to be accused of being a Witch in the area of Hartford. Thomas & Lydia were living with Henry Stiles at the time of his death. Lydia was watching the house for him when on November 3, 1651 Henry & a neighbor ,Thomas Allyn, went hunting. Thomas Allyn's gun discharged hitting Henry Stiles which resulted in his death. Thomas Allyn was charged & found guilty of Homicide by misadventure. He was to pay a fine & not bear arms for at least a year.
Three years later Lydia was charged with bewitching them & other signs of witchcraft. She disappeared shortly after her trial. So there is no record of her death.
My family is really big into Halloween and so one year, we made a tomb stone in memory of Lydia. There is even a book written about her called, " The Trial of Goody Gilbert"

I was challenged by Elder Anthony Allen to share my favorite talk from this past LDS General Conference!

I loved Elder D. Todd Christofferson's talk, Free Forever, to Act for Themselves. One of the greatest gifts our Heavenly Father gave us was Agency, the ability to make our own decisions. Because He loves us so much. He will never take that precious privilege away from us.

Free Forever, to Act for Themselves by Elder D. Todd Christofferson

Missionary Mommas: P-Day = Preparation Day III: I know missionaries look forward to P-Day... but I think a Missionary Momma looks forward to P-day even more!!! I know that I do! 

Elder Beach is the VERY last image in this video...

CHRISTmas Means:

#sharethegift
#heisthegift

November Communications

Nothing much to write about this week, just Elder Burrell is getting transferred. I will be sending your Christmas Present sometime this week or next Monday.  The missionaries call Jacksonville the "Land of Milk and Honey" there are so many people here who are ready to receive the Gospel.  On Saturday, we had a total of five baptisms in the District!  I didn't have one.  But we will be having one in January, hopefully a few.  The people we have recently found are really solid and want to be baptized!  Hope you have a great week!  Love you!

Love,

Elder Beach

November 24

All the missionaries spoke in Sacrament meeting yesterday. We each spoke on one of the 4 missions of the church:

·         Proclaiming the Gospel

·         Redeeming the Dead

·         Helping the Poor and Needy

·         and Perfecting the Saints

I spoke on Redeeming the Dead.  I must be getting really good at speaking now.  I was supposed to talk for a lot longer than I had written my talk to last, but I ended going a little bit over. But here is my talk:

Redeeming the Dead

1.  What does it mean?

          There are many ways to redeem the dead, one of which is Baptism for the dead.  Now to those who are unfamiliar with that phrase, we do not baptize dead bodies.  We stand in proxy, or substitute for our ancestor or someone else who has died.

2.  Why do we redeem the dead?

          Paul talks about Baptisms for the Dead in 1 Corinthians 15. In verse 29 it says:

          "Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all?           why are they then baptized for the dead?"

                   We are baptized for the dead because we know that they will rise again, just as Christ did.  By performing these ordinances, we give them an opportunity to receive the gospel.

3.  How do we redeem the dead?

Doing work for others is accomplished in two steps:

          First, by family history research to find our ancestors; and second, by performing the temple ordinances

          3a. Do family history work

                   We are lucky enough to have a Family History Center here at the building and to receive any help from a Family History Consultant.  We as members of the church have the opportunity to have free accounts with FamilySearch.org, Ancestor.com and other Family Search sites.

          3b. Baptism for the dead 

                   After you have found your Ancestors you can then get the paper work to take to the temple to perform the Baptism.

          3c. Other Temple work

          There are other ordinances to be performed in the temple like being sealed to your family for all time and eternity!  Where with the Priesthood Authority, a couple is married to each other forever, even after death.

Temple and family history work is one work divided into two parts. They are connected together like the ordinances of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost.

My Dad is very big into Family History.  He has traced our family back to the 1500's.  You learn so much about your ancestors.  I have a relative who was convicted in the Salem Witch Trials for witchcraft.  I think it is so amazing that we have the technology to kinda see what it was like in the early years of the church and what our ancestors did.  I have had the opportunity to research some of my own ancestors and stand in proxy for some of the ordinances they needed.  Family History work is definitely a testimony builder that our Heavenly Father is a Just God, and Loves all of his children.  He loves us so much he gives us a second chance to receive the Gospel if those who haven't or didn't have a chance.

Genealogical work is something that we can do here on earth, and it will remain in heaven.  So instead of playing video games for a few hours, take at least one hour of whatever you are doing and find something new about your ancestors.

This week went pretty great. We found 2 new investigators. One of which just makes me sad.  He has completely given up on himself and in God.  He has definitely been through a lot, but we are doing our best to help him.  He is homeless right now. We met with him at a Gas Station, I asked if he had any food and he just stayed quiet.  I then asked again and he said he did.  Then I asked if that was true? and he didn't say anything again.  So I bought him a few things that I could, cause I mean it was a gas station.  I got him some milk, chips and some chili.  It just makes me so sad that there are really so many people out there that are homeless and do not have food.  I definitely want to try to make a change in that when I get home.

But that was pretty much all that happened this week. Hope you have a great week! love you!

Love,

Elder Beach

November 17, 2014

Yeup, so I just found out I have bed bugs... My arms and legs are covered in mosquito-like bites. Well at least I think they're bed bugs?  Only reasonable thing. I'm going to call the housing coordinator...

Momma Beach told Elder Beach that it was FREEZING in Salt Lake!  “…it is 23 degrees right now!”

Elder Beach’s reply:  That's not freezing mom. Try 23 degree weather WITH 75-80% humidity! I hate humidity...Love ya!

Found this gem on Elder Steingraber's FB page

November 10, 2014

We have one investigator right now, who was a referral we received when I was transferred to Jacksonville.  So I don't think Elder Kilborne would know anyone we're teaching right now and YES I LOVE THE ABNEY'S! (senior couple)  They are so awesome!  Elder Abney is a retired marine.  He is such a stud.  I hope to turn out at least half the man he is.  He teaches Institute here.  He is just so spiritual.  I can definitely see him being a General Authority in the near future! Sister Abney is awesome too!  She makes sure we don't go hungry!  She gave us potatoes the other day.

You are not going to like this.

So, this member in the ward owns a MMA Gym. He's teaching us Ju Jitsu, I kinda really like it. He said I would be really good at it since I am smaller and fast. :D What if I started competing in Ju Jitsu when I get back? :D

Also, I have fallen in love..... in love with the southern accent. Like, It's just so freaking attractive!  I need to marry a Southern Belle.

We had the awesome opportunity and privilege of attending Elder Carson Buckner's Homecoming!!!  Elder Buckner was Elder Beach's Trainer!  and he was there to nurse Elder Beach back to health during his accident.  I don't know why but this Momma Beach didn't prepare herself or think that the newly returned E.B. would talk about my E.B. but it sure was a pleasant surprise and really started the water works.

Excerpt from Email:  

Elder Parker Beach wrote:  haha you are such a cry baby....

and this is why:
On Mon, Nov 10, 2014, Tasha Beach wrote: 

Elder Bucker spoke on service and his experiences with service – service to members and investigators and his companions.  He started out by saying that “…it began in August of 2013, August 27th to be exact” (that's when I started to cry because I knew he was going to talk about you.)  He explained the crash, how it happened and about you jumping up and giving the 2 thumbs up sign and then going to the library and you getting really light headed and calling the Johnson's… the hospital, doctors visits and having to stay indoors. Also about how you were really discouraged and asking why did this happen to me and that he told you about the currant bush and God tears us down so that we can grow and become stronger.

Photos from Elder Carson Buckner's Homecoming - November 9, 2014 - Cedar Hills

Elder Buckner was Elder Beach's Trainer and they were companions for 6 months!!  We sure love Elder Buckner and it's just weird to call him Carson now!

Buckner, Young and Kilborne

Elder Buckner had a NC Flag and had each of his comps sign it... I just about burst into tears when I saw this!

Carson's Mom, Sheryl is very talented and made a NC Flag Quilt for her son.  Life Goals - I want to be like Sheryl!!  She is amazing and so loving and treated us just like family.  I'm so upset I forgot to get a picture with her.

When I met Elder Kilborne (Kameron) at the Homecoming, I KNEW I had seen him before!  Here's my proof!

59th Annual Jacksonville Holiday Parade

Elder Beach and the Jacksonville 2nd Ward were in a parade on Saturday, November 22!!

Who is that ridiculously good looking man in a Santa Hat starting at 15:21? (Click on the Link, then go to Part 3)

59th Annual Jacksonville Holiday Parade

Before the Parade

Sure must have warmed up?

P Day = Preparation Day Video

Thanks again Heidi Chapman!  You always make the best missionary videos!

You can catch Elder Beach at 2:26 and 2:32, along with Elder Buckner!

October 20, 2014

I actually just received an email from Elder Rawlings.  One of the investigators that we found and started to teach is getting baptized next week!  I am so excited and glad to hear that he is finally getting baptized!  

Enduring to the End

Since I like to run, I see Enduring to the End like I see running.  In order to gain our fullest potential we must, Endure to the End.  Unfortunately it is not all easy.  In Cross Country, you have to run a 5K. In order to be successful you have to set a comfortable and steady race, you don't want to go too fast in the beginning and hit a wall in the middle but you also don't want to go too slow and miss the opportunity you would have had if you went your "perfect" pace.  Now, it takes a lot of practice to build "endurance" to get that perfect pace, but as we practice to be better, we run into obstacles on our path, a fallen branch, you twist your ankle, you trip and fall. Because of those obstacles you get off the path and lose your pace. Enduring is all about getting back up and continuing to try your hardest.

Elder Buckner (my trainer) goes home in 2 days!  He is seriously like the older brother I never had.  I love that kid! or MAN, I guess I should say.

My District (notice our matching ties)

Elder Mood, Elder Burrell, Sister McDonald, Elder McDonald, Elder Abney, Sister Abney, me, Elder Steingraber (District leader). 

Front row: Sister Golden, Sister Arave, Sister Smith and Sister Jones.

I came out with Elder Steingraber and Sister Smith! It's a fun District!

How Is Your Scripture Reading Going?

It really is not easy to stay in the boat in the time that we are living in today. But our Heavenly Father knew hard times would come so he gave us resources to help us stay in the boat like scriptures and praying! Things will get shaky, but we will always be able to ride through the storm.

The choice is OURS. It's what we make of the hard things we go through.

Some Early Halloween Fun!

October 13, 2014 Email Correspondence

Well, we went to the Temple this last Friday and had Zone Training on Wednesday.  I put the Ridgeways on the prayer roll.  Because of those two events, it was a really slow week to do missionary work.  It's about an hour and a half drive to Zone Training so that took all day Wednesday.  Then it is a 2 hour drive to the Temple.  So that took all day Friday.

We met again with our investigator, he is really on board to be baptized.  He just has to ask his parents permission.  After that it's all downhill from there.

We didn't have a chance to do any service this week.  Which is sad, I like doing service because it gives me an opportunity to get into shorts.;)

We were stuck at the church a few times due to the pouring rain, and did not want to walk home in the rain in our suits.

I don't really remember what I've had to eat this week. We did have tacos on Wednesday though.

New apartment is nice and big.  Well bigger than the tiny one in Fayetteville.  I'll send pics next week.

We as a District wore our District ties to Zone Conference, and everyone got a kick out of that.

(Mom sends matching ties for each new companionship… apparently I really liked this certain tie because I had already sent it.  Elder Beach suggested that if I send one more of the same tie, he would have enough for his District – Win! Win!)

October 6, 2014

This week went pretty good. We found a new investigator from a Recent-Convert. He seems very solid and wants to be baptized really bad. He comes to church with his friend, all the time, and has recognized that there is a different spirit when coming to the LDS church than going to any other. We asked him to pray about the Book of Mormon and to pray what day he thinks he should be baptized. 

General Conference is just a few hours away! Who are you looking forward to hearing from?

This Conference was really great! I really enjoyed all the talks. I liked D. Todd Christofferson's and Elder Holland’s, of course. I was starting to worry that Elder Bednar wasn't going to speak at all cause I love him too. In the chapel, when they announced he would be the second to last speaker, I said in a loud voice, " It's about time! I was starting to worry!" It was pretty much just the missionaries in the chapel and a few members and they all turned around and started laughing. 

Oh, I don't know if I told you. We had a pre-screening of Meet the Mormons. One of the Sisters in the mission, her Dad was the Director. It is really good! Brought tears to my eyes. I don't know if I like this mission thing… It's makin’ me soft.

We sometimes have to make small sacrifices now in this life to bring big blessings for our future. (Like Flu Shots)

(Elder Beach and his brother actually got their shots the very same day and we didn't realize it until we saw this pic---aaaah special brother bond!)

As we read the scriptures and listen to our Modern Day Prophet's with all our heart and mind, the Lord will help us understand how we can live up to our fullest potential.

"Have I done any good in the world today?" Random acts of kindness go a long way! You don't have to do something big, just by saying "Hello" or "Good Afternoon" to someone can change their whole outlook on the day!

Thank You for the Rain!

Awesome Missionary Momma's put together awesome videos of our most favorite missionaries - Enjoy! You may recognize someone at 1:20

 

Choices

Good almost afternoon!

I've noticed something this past week.  Our choices - When a tough choice is placed before us, there are two ways to deal with it:  Nephi's way and the Children of Israel when being lead out of Egypt's way.

The Children of Israel had it pretty easy.  Miracles were happening all around them and they were still moping around complaining how hard it was.  After all that Moses does for them they still just complain.

Nephi didn't have it so easy.  When he was commanded to build a boat, his brother's were giving him a hard time.  Hurting him, making him feel like he can't do it.  But Nephi stuck it out.  He knew that Heavenly Father does not give us any choices that we cannot handle! He stuck it out and was able to perform a miracle himself, he was able to build a ship and sail across the sea to the Promise Land. 

So hopefully we all will take every hard choice, every hard thing that we have to go through, Nephi's way.

I don't really know much about my new Ward because it was Stake Conference yesterday and Saturday.  It was pretty great seeing other missionaries there.  YSA ward is good.   Members are a lot of fun! They are mostly super young since it is a Marine Base.  I really love it here.

Yes I am super relaxed now! I feel like I sleep a lot better! We actually went to the mall last Monday, I didn't spend a penny in the mall!!! I was so proud of myself. 

Mich is already leaving!?  Holy Smokes.  Time just flies!  Anything else new in the 801?

Elder Beach

We all have fears. Some may be bigger than others. For me, it's spiders. Especially spiders in North Carolina... But we need to face our fears! To defeat our fears we have to go through it and not run away. (But I most definitely did in this case)

My best friend turns 17 tomorrow. Dexter is my brother, believe it or not, we have the same parents. Even though we are complete opposites I love him so much! He has been such a great example to everyone around him, including me. He is the perfect example of loving everyone and just being himself! I love you Dex! Have a great birthday!

"Have we not reason to be filled with gratitude, regardless of the circumstances in which we find ourselves?" There is always a brighter side to things. Even in our darkest times. We need to be thankful, because someone, somewhere, has it worse. So count the small victories and forget about the losses.

Things Only Mormon Missionaries Will Understand

Things Only Mormon Missionaries Will Understand

Goodbye Fayetteville - Hello JACKSONVILLE!!

INVESTIGATORS AND MEMBERS

You  already know these two good looking men!

The Carolina Beaches, minus Rex who was in bed for school.

Elder Jensen (District Leader) and Elder Kallas - Best Missionaries!

Elders Buckner and Kilbourne... Kilborne went home last Tuesday.

Elder Knight - I love this man.  He is so great!

Oscar and the Reinhardt's - a senior couple serving in the ward.

Last District Photo before I got transferred.

REUNITED!... and it feels so GOOD!!

Elder Buckner returns home in one month :(