Lake Reams' First Baptism!

First off, Happy Birthday to my Mother that I love so much! =]

Hey family! It was a fantastic week because... G got baptized! It was amazing. The ward was super supportive, G loved it and was really happy, and it was just all-around great. So much fun. Hopefully you got the pictures I just sent; if not it sounds like you got some from Sis. H (Jake's mom). Things went really good though, it all went smooth, and Jake baptized him. Bro. W got to confirm him the next day in church and that went awesome too.

This past week was great, but we struggled with finding new investigators. We had a good amount of appointments set up with potentials, but for one reason or another they all just fell through. That was kind of a bummer. P is doing fantastic, and he will be baptized on the 10th of September. We are super excited about that, and he is too. Plus he will have some of his nonmember family there to support him, so we will be praying that we can share the gospel with them too soon enough.

We had the opportunity to teach P & N this past week, and it went great! The Spirit was there so strong. Unfortunately they weren't able to make it to the baptism or church, and we aren't sure why yet. Please keep them in your prayers. One thing they seem to be struggling with is receiving an answer from God that the Book of Mormon is true. We went over and had an amazing lesson with Bro. B, and that is all we talked about the whole time. I know that they felt it too! Now it's just a matter of helping them recognize it, and continuing to act in faith. They are really good people, and I have no doubt that they will join the church someday. We're just praying it will be while we are here, because we really feel like they are some of the specific people we were meant to find while in this area.

I finished the Book of Mormon on the same day that G got baptized! I sure am thankful for the Book of Mormon. I know that it is the word of God, and it is such a pure, sacred, beautiful record. I started it over again the next day. This time as I read it I got a new blue copy (the kind we give out), and I am marking in red every reference to Jesus Christ, and marking in green the passages that I find the Atonement in. Elder Bednar invited us to do that when he came and visited the mission a while ago. I'm just a little late getting around to it... heh (I just wanted to finish first you know?). Anyway, I'm only still in the very beginning, but it is plain to see that it truly is another testament of the Savior! I would highly recommend trying that sometime with a new copy.

I have discovered that I am finally coming to love people in general :) I think I'm finally starting to get a little bit of charity in my life for those around me. I know I have struggled with that in my mission; it's hard feeling love towards someone who yells at you or slams a door in your face. But, as we were sharing messages this past week, one in particular called "In the Spirit of Thanksgiving" (it's a Mormon message - you should watch it), I just felt a huge outpouring of love for people! We are all different, we all have our little quirks and beliefs and talents and weaknesses, but we are truly all children of God. I know that is true, and I am thankful to be here serving the Lord and His children. I also love what Elder Oaks says about thanking the Lord in all things; particular when he mentions Tevya in "Fiddler on the Roof" - I'm not gonna say though, so you'd better just look it up and watch it ;) Also, watch for his laugh, I love that part. I know that the Apostles are truly special witnesses of the name of Jesus Christ. Their words are so powerful! We need to constantly be reviewing what was taught in General Conference, and having it be a part of our daily lives. The living prophet is even more vital to us than the past prophets (there were a couple talks on that in recent GC's). That's something that I need to repent of - becoming more familiar with the specific things President Monson has been teaching us.

I want to share my testimony with you that I know that as we follow the prophets, we will be led to know our Savior Jesus Christ. This gospel is the only way to true happiness! Satan is filling the world with lies, and it breaks my heart. Please do all you can to spread the redeeming and joyful message of the gospel! I love what President Uchtdorf talked about in his recent talk, "Waiting on the Road to Damascus" - how we don't need to expect some great experience to become converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Rather, our testimony and knowledge of the Savior will come more in small pieces, almost as the pieces of a puzzle, which when we look back in the end, we will realize that He has been right beside us all along the way. I love you, my family, so much. I love you who aren't of my family as well :) But thank you all for your examples and goodness! As I reflect each day on what has shaped me to be who I am today, my heart fills with gratitude and joy to think of your valiant examples to me. The Spirit often brings to my mind memories that I didn't know I had, small things that help me appreciate life and why we are here. I think I am finding a lot more about my purpose. I know I couldn't have made it this far without each of you. Take care, and know that I love you! :)

Elder Andrew Beckett

p.s. Thanks Mindy for a letter a while back that you sent, perhaps it was a paper from BYU last year, but I never thanked you for reminding me of that example of the stick-man and his mind, heart, and feet. I use that all the time and think of you ;) Anyway, just thought I'd say thanks because I'd forgotten about it until you reminded me! Love ya!