This has been a good week, as all are in the mission field. Hard, yes, but missions never were easy I suppose. I'll admit I was having a downer few days; I think the devil was working extra hard to keep me discouraged. I had some awesome experiences though that definitely strengthened my testimony, and received some really great letters from family and friends. One thing I continually learn to have more faith in is the power of prayer. Sister McNeill invited me to find people to teach ASAP (through Always Saying A Prayer). Even if it's just at the doorstep or whatever. The first door we went to the lady opened and I told her we were sharing a message about Jesus Christ and asked if she had a second to listen. She invited us in and then we had a prayer, taught a lesson, and left her with a Book of Mormon and Moroni's promise. Throughout the rest of the day we implemented prayer into our contacting as often as possible, and it was WAY more effective than not. We didn't even tract a whole lot of area, but we taught a lot more lessons than we usually would be able to when contacting the same amount of people. Prayer really does work, especially when we are sincere and have faith.
We met a guy who used to work in Area 51 this week.. it was definitely interesting. I asked him if he had ever seen an alien or anything and he said, "What does it matter? You wouldn't believe me anyway." We told him to try us and so he began his story.
Apparently they had him out in the wilderness area by Area 51 on a 5 day shift near some mountains or hills or something. He didn't say waht his job was. On the Sunday evening when his shift started, he met a "man" named Herman. Herman was an alien apparently - Bill (the guy we met) said he had very white skin. He talked to him about a lot of things, and saw him each night of the 5 days. Here are some of the things he said:- Herman's people (they look like man except they are white white, and become more gray skinned as they get older) were like a team of scinetists who had crashed there in the mountain and were repairing their flying saucer.
- They went and were using nuclear waste to fix their spaceship, digging it up somewhere nearby
-Their people were really weak physically, but extremely smart
-They didn't have blood, but something else. It was too hot to have blood from where Herman was from
Anyway you get the idea. There were more details but I have no time for it ha ha. It was definitely interesting because he seemed dead serious as he said everything. There were no pauses to answer any of the questions I asked; he just answered straight forward. Aliens?!? Who knows lol. Unfortunately he was set in his ways and didn't want to hear more about the Gospel.
Ok, the neatest thing of my week happened this morning during my personal study. I want you all to know that I have a testimony of the scriptures! They are the word of God. Especially the Book of Mormon; I get more and more out of that book everytime I read it. How important it is to be studying from teh Book of Mormon often! It is a blessing in all of our lives. Anyway, I was reading and kind of feeling discouraged, and I read Alma chapters 32 and 33. Chapter 32 is pretty "famous" in the church, about faith and Alma comparing it to a seed. It's a wonderful chapter. Chapter 34 is also another "famous" one, with Amulek teaching the people. Anyway, I think chapter 33 often gets sandwiched between these two and doesn't receive the needed attention lol. At least that's how it was for me (until today) I was reading, and Alma quotes Zenos and Zenock. We don't have a whole lot from them in the scriptures, but what we do have is awesome! I loved Alma 33:11. Go read it, and really think about it! I learned that we really do get our joy and happiness from God, and our prayers are much more effective when they are sincere. Sometimes God gives us afflictions and trials to help us be more sincere; to come closer to Him and refine us. The central message is that this is all possible through Jesus Christ :) A new favorite scripture of mine? I think so! It is neat how the Lord can teach us many different ways, especially through the scriptures.
Well, my time is up, but I love you all! Good luck at college Mindy! GOod luck with school everyone else! Thanks for all your prayers and support; I can feel the Lord's help through the hard times. Keep living the Gospel and studying the scriptures (especially the Book of Mormon)! Christ truly is our Savior and Redeemer. The Lord loves me and each one of you. He is our Father, and how great that is! He has a plan for us =]
Be safe (physically and especially spiritually!)
Love,
Elder Andrew Beckett
P.S. I caught a turtle! We were tracting and I saw it on the side of the road and said, "Elder Creer! I'm going to hold that while you take a picture ok?" So we stopped and I held it :) It was hissing at me before I picked it up but I think he got over that. He tried to bite and claw me too while I was holding him so that's why I"m laughing and look all funny :) Then there is a beautiful sky picture - the clouds here are just incredible! Some of the sunsets are as well, I just haven't had my camera around when I see them. I'll send you some asap though :) The next ones are of my sweet tan line lol, then Elder Creer and I riding in the car. The last one we just thought was funny because this house had no stairs or anything. Pretty podunk in a lot of areas here... :P
That last picture is way freaking funny!!!!! Short up high door.
ReplyDeleteI loved the Florida skies. They were always beautiful and blue and billowing clouds (when it was downpouring)!
And Andrew is way brave to hold that hissing wild turtle!
I wonder how interested John is in Andrews Alien/Area 51 story!!!!!
Haha, I totally thought of John and the alien story too! :) Maybe Bigfoot is near Andrew?! Great letters, Andrew! And thanks for giving us scriptures to look up.. I'm writing these down and will go check!
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