Happy Easter! And... Anniversary Mom & Dad! =)

Wow, what a scary thing to hear about Grandpa Beckett. It's really interesting... even though I didn't find out anything from you this past week until now, the Spirit was directing my thoughts to him since about Thursday. He will continue to be in my prayers, and I know that no matter what happens the Lord's hand is in it. Grandpa is a wonderful person; a true disciple of Jesus Christ. As scary as learning about what happened yesterday was, I am thankful for the knowledge and testimony I have of the Savior and what He has done for all of us. I know that no matter how scary or intense situations and events may get in this life, we don't need to stress or worry too much because we know the end result! How thankful I am that Grandpa is a righteous man; an example to us all of how the Lord would be if he were here. With that being said, I fully intend to give him a big hug when I get back, just like I do all of you! =] Although whatever the Lord wills is best, come what may.

This week has been a miracle! The only way that I can describe it is as a miracle. We have been blessed with so much success from the Lord. It has been amazing; He truly hears and answers our prayers. We were blessed to teach a lot of lessons, have some solid investigators, and have 4 people at church! Super cool. A & J, a brother and sister, are super neat. They live with their mom, who is a less-active coming back into the church full-swing! We are teaching them and having dinner tomorrow, when we will set baptismal dates for them. B, our awesome friend who was originally Grandpa (Bro. A's) friend, is getting baptized on May 7th. He is awesome, and it is so much fun to watch him and Grandpa go back and forth with each other! B was a businessman from New-York, and super successful. He is 80 now, and is still as sharp as a tack. Cool fact: Elder Larsen and I will get to go to the temple with him 1 year from then when he goes through! And it will be like 1 month before I go home. What better way to finish up right before completing my mission than seeing a convert go through the temple?!? Woo hoo!

We also have an investigator who is really nice and seems very sincere. He is in his 50's. We have been working with him, and he came to church with us this last Sunday. We only have one problem.. we have heard from our sources (ha ha we know stuff... ;) that he owns a certain business that is involved with some not-so-good things. A "house of ill-repute" as one person words it. Stupid Satan... But, he hasn't mentioned anything about it yet, and so we are giving him the benefit of the doubt. We are proceeding with caution though, that's for sure. I just hope it's not true. :/ And, if it is, I just hope he has the courage to let the Atonement of Christ change him enough to completely change his ways; even if that means giving up his whole lifestyle! That is what the message we share with others does - it doesn't just change their eating habits, exercise patterns, sleeping, friends, or any one thing in particular; it literally changes their life! Everything... in a matter of a month to a few months, a person who accepts and lives the gospel of Jesus Christ can completely change their life for the eternities. It is quite a miracle to be able to see that occur.

Good news - I feel like I'm in the best shape of my life. With all of the biking all day long, walking, going to the gym in the mornings, and just missionary life in general, I am probably more fit than I've ever been. Hopefully I can keep it this way, because Daytona Beach is known throughout the ward as the most well-fed area. Most missionaries gain a lot of weight here. I am running a 5k every other morning though to help out with that lol. Hopefully I won't be too plump when I see you again ;) That would be pretty funny though if I was super chubby the next time I have the opportunity to send pictures home! Make sure you tell me if you notice a difference in me :)

I've been working on a tape to send to you - I'll do some more today. I feel like I have been just terrible at keeping in contact with you guys besides email each week :S. Oh! Mother's day phone call - I'll call the home phone again, unless you want me to call on something else. What time would be good for you? We need to get that all figured out too so that I'm not calling you in church or anything. Although that could be fun to "accidentally" call you while you are at church, just so I could hear the answering machine and leave a quick message :P Jk ha ha.

Yesterday at church (and a couple times in the past), we had a blind man play a musical number on the organ. It is one of the most amazing things I have ever seen; especially on Easter Sunday. He sat up there and played a beautiful rendition of an Easter hymn, and just smiled the whole time. I was thinking how incredible that is first of all, and then also about how neat of an example of the joy of the Resurrection that was. Even though he can't see now, he will be able to someday because of Jesus Christ. Truly that is a message of peace and hope worth sharing with the world :)

Any crazy news about anyone on the mission or in the family? Hopefully nothing too crazy like with Grandpa :/ I haven't heard anything from Nolan, or gotten his emails mailed from you in a few weeks. Is he doing ok? I keep him in my prayers. I try to keep all of my missionary brothers and sisters in my prayers, my family (ha, you've got everyone beat), and other friends and loved ones.

I want to let you know how thankful I am for the Spirit, the Comforter. We truly can't do this work without heeding His voice. That is how the Lord speaks to us! I am learning to recognize when the Lord is guiding my thoughts a lot more through the Spirit, and how to receive revelation for myself. Reading the Book of Mormon with questions, and praying sincerely for answers is a wonderful way to draw close to the Lord. This is His work! We are blessed to be able to choose to be a part of it; to choose the path in life that we take. We really are masters of our fates; captains of our souls. I love you all, keep being wonderful! Thanks for your prayers and support. I feel close to you, even though we don't get to talk much. The Spirit can keep us all close :) Have the best week of your lives yet!