February 9, 2015

The Easy Bake Chicken Dinner I made turned out really well! It was funny, they (The Francoms and Elder Lindley) were like, "We didn't know you could cook so well!" Then Elder Lindley said, "Why haven't you cooked yet?! I've been cooking all this time and you didn't say anything!?" haha :D Well looks like I got caught...

Here's the recipe:

Easy Bake Chicken

Serves 4 - Double and Triple as necessary for extra sauce

2 Cans Cream of Mushroom Soup

1 Can Evaporated Milk

4 Chicken Breasts

Salt/Pepper/Paprika

Whisk together the soup and milk.  Spray a 9x13 pan with cooking spray.  Spread a thin layer of soup mixture in bottom of pan.  Place the chicken in the pan and sprinkle with spices. Pour the rest of the soup mixture over the chicken.  Bake at 350 degrees for 60-90 minutes until chicken is cooked.  Serve with Rice or Noodles and Veggies.  ENJOY!

Our new Zone Leader is Elder Parker, so I of course stole his name tag to take a picture smile emoticon 

Teddy's baptism with his brother-in-law Patrick baptizing him

A Recent-Convert got home on Wednesday and we made a sign for him. I free handed the Super Man symbol. I was very surprised that it came out that well. (I guess I did get some of my Mom's artistic ability)

In the game of life, God the coach, doesn't care whether you signed a big contract or got your name in the record books. All He cares about is getting people home and winning this game! He weeps for anyone who is “stranded on base”. In sports…only your pride is on the line, but in the game of life…souls are on the line. The team that establishes a camaraderie and a love for each other wants to win for each other and for the coach. They become willing to do anything for each other in order to accomplish the purposes of the team. They “forget themselves” as individuals and unite around the common goal. They do the little things right and everything else falls into place.

Happy Happy Day! February 2, 2015

Momma Beach's BFF & Elder Beach's 2nd Mom was called to be a Relief Soceity Teacher.  This was his reply to his father's email:

Heather will do fine!  The Lord qualifies the called!  He doesn't call the qualified. He makes us into what we need to be so we can help out all those who need us!

I accept your challenge!  I actually want to try to finish it at least two more times before I come home.

This last week was great!  I had my first baptism!  He is going to make such a great member!  Every time we would teach him, he would say, it feels like I have already known these things... and then it hit me.

Missionary work isn't about teaching new principles to people. It is re-teaching and helping them remember what they already knew at one point in life!

I am so excited for this upcoming week! Oh yeah, on the 20th, Elder Christofferson is coming to visit and speak to the mission!

That is all that really happened this week!  Hope you have a great day!  Love you! Stay safe!

Love,
Elder Beach

A few of Elder Beach's Facebook post from the previous weeks:

February 1, 2015

From my parent's wedding in 1992.  

Grandpa Beach passed away February 1, 1995.

Today marks the 20th year that my Grandpa, Gary Alan Beach passed away. He passed away 4 months before I was born. Although I never had the chance to meet him, he has made such an impact in my life. All the stories I have heard about him makes me so excited to meet him in Heaven! I know he has been a guardian angel, especially on my mission! I love you grandpa! See you soon!
#FamiliesAreForever

We Always have time to share the good news that 

our Savior and Redeemer lives! 

It's the best news that we can share!

Greatness is only achieved in the absence of fear.

YOU can achieve anything! 

Nothing is stopping you, but yourself from doing whatever your heart desires!

Don't be afraid to be yourself! You are special in your own way! You are here to make a difference. 

"There is no one alive who is you-er than YOU" -Dr. Suess
"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light"

January 26, 2015

This last week was really great!

We met with one of our investigators, Teddy, on Thursday.  He's the one trying to quit smoking.  The first thing he said when we sat down was "I want to set my baptism date. I'm done smoking, I'm ready for baptism!"

He's gone two weeks with no smoking. We set a baptismal date on the 31st, this Saturday.  So this will officially be my 1st baptism!  I couldn't be more excited for him.  He's married to a member and they are already looking forward to going to the temple in a year to be sealed!

Then, the day before, on Wednesday we received two referrals.  Bill  was one of them.  We stopped by that day and met with him and his daughter.  Bill is about 80 years old.  He has a brother who lives in West Valley. (Oh yeah, side track real fast. What ward were we in when we lived in West Valley? The new senior missionaries who are coming to replace the Abney's are from West Valley and he has been the Stake President. Their names are the Brooks. I don't know if their name sounds familiar. That would be pretty neat if we know them.)  Anywho, So we were talking and saying that would be neat if the Brooks know his brother.  That would be a super small world.  Bill and his daughter Molly are very interested in the Book of Mormon.  We're in the middle of trying to find a larger print BoM for them both since they are a bit older.  

It really hit me this last week at a Zone Conference.  At the Zone Conferences, The missionaries going home that month bare their testimonies and one of the sisters that I came out with, Sister Smith, gave hers.  It hit me that I will be doing that in 6 months.  No bueno.  You know me.  I don't cry.  I started to cry at Zone Conference and then also, yesterday was the last day that the Abney's (The senior couple, the man in the ladder picture) would be here in North Carolina.  They spoke in Sacrament meeting.  I started crying when Elder Abney was concluding his talk.  They are like my parents here.  We've grown so much together.  I wrote them a letter and gave it to them before they left. They said they're going to miss me the most ;D It feels so weird with them not here but the mission has made me a freakin’ softy!

Uhh, I think that's all the major things that happened this week!  It was a great week!  I hope this one will be just as good if not better!

Love you! Stay Safe!

Love,

Elder Beach

Excerpt from his Dad's Email:   I'm still working and doing my best and I am definitely not wishing my time away. It freaks the heck out of me that I have 6 months left. Next month I get permission to start applying to schools and scholarships. I really do not want to come home.  (This last sentence brings tears to Momma Beach's eyes and JOY in my heart!)

Momma Beach says: 

ONLY

DAYS LEFT 

in the Missionary Field

Planning, Quidditch and Vadering

We had a great week last week. We met with T*, on Thursday. He has had a word of wisdom problem. But when we stopped by, he was 4 days without smoking! It's super exciting! He's really close to baptism! So is Darren! We just need to meet his parents but they are so busy! I'll send some pics. Love you!

Love,

Elder Beach

Our window one morning after having it open over night

Elder Steingraber stole my camera on exchanges and took a bunch of pictures and videos with Elder Lindley

My new shoes I bought (thank you Carsons and Grandpa for the money!)

We had a little fun after planning one night. We had a quidditch match.

 Believe it or not, I am eating really healthy now. I have oatmeal with a protein shake and Bananas or Strawberries every morning.

Being the Star Wars nerd that Elder Lindley is, I was surprised he had never heard of "Vadering"... 

so he was pretty excited when I introduced it to him.

I found this shirt in the apartment! It fits perfectly. I think I might keep it!

 So I found out that in a few weeks, I find out the exact date I come home and at 18 months. I get to start applying to colleges and scholarships and what not.... WHERE DID THE TIME GO!?

I Like HEIGHTS!

I just got done with a service project choppin’ down a tree, it was so fun!  I became squirrel boy and was climbing through the branches and tying the rope to the big branches so we could pull them as they start to fall.  It was so much fun! I love doing that kind of stuff!  

So on New Years Eve, we did another service project for the church. I had to climb to the top of the flag pole in front of our church and get the flag down cause the pulley system got messed up.  So we got a really, really tall ladder and up I went!

Here are some pictures!  It was so much fun!  I love service!

Elder Abney (senior couple), my comp - Elder Lindley from Wellsville, UT and me up top!

How was your Christmas and New Year's?  Everything went great!  I did get sick on the 26th though :(

I made a "pact", I guess you could say, with one of my investigators. I quit eating candy and sweets and sugars and drinking soda for however long it takes him to stop smoking, to give him that motivation.  Man it is hard!  I can't imagine giving up smoking!

I have a new career idea/goal. Life Flight Paramedic! I think it would be really awesome.  I already love helping people, so what better than to do that for my career!

uhhh let's see what else is new.....Oh =( The baptism didn't happen last night.  He failed to mention to his parents that he was getting baptized.  His parents aren't against him getting baptized, they just want to know a little bit about the church. So hopefully we can teach them too :D I think that is all for this week... I'll send more pictures.

More pictures of the Flag Pole Adventure! :D It was such a blast! I really love heights. It made me miss rock climbing so much... oh well 7 more months!

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!