Hey 8] (bug eyes...HA)

Hi ya'll! What a fun and fantastic week it has been! Things are going great here in the land of Florida. I'm lovin' it. Great news of the week... P was baptized! As you already know thanks to the awesome people in the ward. It went great, we had it right after church, and there was tons of support there!

It was kind of crazy getting everything set up and ready to go in time (we planned on starting it 15 mins after church got out), but the ward helped out and we got things rolling. Another great thing - P's NM mom and sister came too to support him! They came for all of church as well =] I was just praying that they didn't get too worn out to never come back; by the time everyone was leaving after clean up they had been at the church from noon to about 5:30 or so! That's a lot of time to mingle with members and feel the Spirit! It was great. I think they really enjoyed it, and they said they'd be back. They'll join before you know it =]

The fellowship of P is the daughter of the B's, an AWESOME family in our ward. They are so missionary minded. Bro. B has general authority written all over him. Just wait. But seriously, they are a great family. Their son T is at BYU right now; he used to come out with us when he was here. They are from Brazil and speak Portuguese! I want to learn that language some day.

Things are going well in the zone; our numbers seem like they've been getting lower, but our baptisms have been staying fairly consistent which is good. I guess that means our quality is going up? Lol but now we just have to figure out how to continue to improve and reach even higher! We've kind of broke out of the rut that the zone has been stuck in for the past bit, and so we're hoping and praying that we can just continue onward and upward to where the Lord wants this zone. We are definitely seeing some miracles though and I love it! Right now our area is kind of struggling to find some solid investigators. Please pray for M (ready to be baptized, just needs the ok from mom), as well as that we can find some more solid people to work with. We are working with a guy named K who is great. He is progressing, but slowly. It's hard being a missionary because time is really one thing you don't have, yet we have to work with people at their pace and help them keep on going. We want to help them accept the gospel as fast as they can, but it doesn't always work out just perfectly.

So Allie. That is way funny that Mr. Richardson really told that story ha ha. I don't think I remember ALL of the details, so you should tell me what he said! I'd be excited to remember the good ol' days of Grantsville High! I love Mr. Richardson. Please tell him hi for me, and that me and James McClatchy are here in Orlando and both of us miss and remember him. We were talking about him the other day. Good things of course :)

Like you probably saw in the picture, I got to go on exchanges with Elder Chance Potter from Wyoming this past week! He is the man. He served in Sumterville, and was the VP for State Officers in FFA in Utah (he went to high school in UT). He is an amazing missionary and I learned a lot from him. I think the best part was reminiscing (sp?) about Sumterville and getting an update on everybody there! It was so much fun. He loved it there too, just as much as me! I will always remember those wonderful days there; we saw so many miracles and my faith really grew a lot.

Once upon a time, on a Saturday night, Elder Jensen and I were having our daily planning session. Suddenly, we hear a knock on the door. Huh? That's weird. We have only had one knock on the door, and that was the carpet cleaning guy - who we were expecting. Well, I got up to go answer it and I look through the peep-hole when suddenly I see someone outside that looks an awful lot like Uncle Paul. I look at his shirt, and it says, "Brigham Young University" on it. It IS Uncle Paul! Wow ha ha! Oh man it was so crazy. I was like, "What the? My uncle is outside!" And then I opened the door and greeted him and gave him a big hug and we talked for a bit and got a picture. It was great :) I definitely wasn't expecting that surprise! I think that now the only thing that could top all of the surprises on my mission are if you, my immediate family, were to visit lol. Ummm don't get any ideas ;) It was so fun to see him though.

Well, sorry the email is late today. We were in Ocoee cleaning out an old missionary apartment in the zone with President Hall. Man, that thing is clean. And it was SO dirty before. Disgusting. I don't know how all of the Elders were living there. So nasty... but that was way fun! We got to work side-by-side with President and Sister Hall and talk with them and it was just great. I love them a bunch, they are so fun to be with and really are great people!

Well, I love you all a ton! Thanks for your support and prayers. Thanks for who you are =] Congrats Nate on becoming a Teacher! That is so awesome. Please tell the Goodworths thank you so much for the invite and for the prayers! They are just the best neighbors anyone could ask for. I am way sad they will be moved! That's alright, they'll just be our "across-town" neighbors :)

HAve a great week 8]

love, Elder Andrew Beckett

The Lord Brings Us Low to Lift Us Higher

Hey! I love you all family! Happy Birthday tomorrow Allie Lorraine! Spesh =] I was thinking about it yesterday and I can't even believe that you are 16 already! Aaah. Wow. I was thinking about the youth here in the Lake Reams ward, and those who are yours and Nate's ages, and it sort of hit me just how grown up you guys are getting. Crazy lol. I guess life does go on back home even though it doesn't really seem like it while being away.

This has been another great week! P will be getting baptized this coming Sunday, the 18th. He is such a stud. Him and G are awesome. P is 17 and from Rio, Brazil. He is good friends with the B family. We have been meeting with him for a little while now, and he is so excited to get baptized! He gets a huge smile on his face everytime we talk about it. We get to meet with him tonight to finish going over some things with him. By the way, I have met so many cool people from Brazil since being here; it makes me want to learn Portuguese someday. And spanish, because hey, that will be extremely useful in the coming years.

Man, this morning I was reading in the book of Moses about lots of different things. There is so much written in the scriptures; little details that I didn't even catch before. And there is still so much left to learn.. just little things I'll read in the wording jump out at me sometimes. They are like little treasures :) Anyway, it was really sad what I was reading about Cain and Abel. It made me so sad to read about the poor choices Cain made, and how all because of pride he allowed the devil to continue to lead him away, step by step, until he was eventually cursed by God. I was thinking about how much I love my brothers, and how I need to repent when I get back and show that to them so much more. Nate & Seth, you guys are the best. I love you. I'm here to help you any way that I can, so let me know if you ever need anything! =]

Hmm, how random. Well, hey Dad, I have a scripture for ya - 1 Nephi 5:20 ;) That's us, your sons, and you! Thanks for teaching us. Also, congrats on being in Texas! I enjoyed your description of it ha ha. How is the weather? Is it humid there? Still blazing hot? It's starting to cool off a tiny, tiny bit here, but it's about to get to be where it's SUPER nice all day; just perfect. You would love the Florida winters. I also really enjoyed learning more about what you do! What do you like about it? What are the hard parts? What does it consist of on a day-to-day basis?

Mindy, congrats on your new job! That's such a blessing. Wow, you will definitely have to help me figure out a job I can do when I get back. You seem to be a pro (with the Lord helping you of course ;). I have been praying a lot for you about your job. How is school going? I hope really good =] Have you ever been to J-dawgs? I hear it's delicious. Do you still run every day? Or go to the gym there? We get to use the gym here and it is nice. I'm trying to run/do abs every other day and lift weights in between. I started a tape for you and everyone a while back, but haven't had time to finish it yet. I will be working on it today though!

This week we had leadership training, which was awesome! I learned so much. I had some neat experiences with just feeling Heavenly Father's love. I'll share one quick story... We were asked to help out with a role-play for inviting our investigators to church. Well, Elder Jensen and I were up there in front of all of the leadership of the mission, and we did our best. They stopped us, and one Sister just picked us apart. I mean it wasn't even like, "Hey, you guys are doing really good at this, but maybe you could improve at this..." it was pretty much just getting after us... ouch. I really didn't know how to react, but we just nodded our heads and started the practice again. We did nearly the same thing, but apparently this time it was somewhat better. We sat down. I was pretty frustrated inside, for several reasons. I think my pride was hurt, and I felt like it was an unfair situation. They wanted us to focus on teaching one part, so we did, then they got mad at us (structively critiqued us - I wouldn't say it was destructive, but not really constructive either heh) because we weren't teaching another that they hadn't mentioned they wanted us to... yada yada. Anyway, I was just like thinking to myself, "Yeah, we get the point that we can work on those areas, but I don't think that's how the Savior necessarily would've gone about that one.." Anyway. I was just praying that day and night and asking Heavenly Father why things happened that way (there was also another experience that day that was similar), and I think I learned that I need to just know that Heavenly Father loves me. No matter what other people say or critique or whatever else, this is His work, and if we have His spirit then things will work out alright. Strangely enough, although it seemed like it would've done damage, those experiences built my self-confidence and helped me come out of my shell more. I am a naturally shy person.

Elder McClatchy and Sister Allen and I all got to eat lunch together and it was just wonderful. I love them so much.

The training was an awesome experience though; we learned tons about helping people make and keep commitments. Well, my time is up, but I love you all! Hope you have a great week and a very happy birthday Allie! I love you all =]

love,

Elder Beckett

The Tooele County Buddies!
Righteous Spazoids. ;)
Awwww.
Elder Beckett and President Hall.


LOVE IT!

Happy birfday Nate Chad!

Happy birthday to my studly manly brother Nate (you are studly and manly too Seth ;)! Ha ha wow, you are growing up so fast. I can't believe that it's already your birthday again! I hope it goes great and you get to eat some delicious mock eclaire or something :D

Hey, thanks so much for the cards & money! I got a card from you guys as well as Paul and Melissa and their family with some letters and money. What a lucky week ha ha! Thank you all so much. I hope I didn't make everyone think I am starving or really poor or anything like that in one of my past emails, because both the card and letter had money in them! If I accidentally misled, I am sorry. I am really doing fine though and have all of my needs well provided for! In fact, I am really trying to learn to be thrifty and cost-effective. Today when we went shopping I only spent $21 for the weekly groceries, and that includes my buying some fancy 3D whitening toothpaste. Aren't you proud Mom? =] One of the things I have loved about the mission is that you find some really cheap, easy things that you can buy from week to week. For example: a loaf of wheat bread, eggs, ramen, rice, spaghetti, milk, tuna, etc. Things like that. Well, that's probably enough about all of that food stuff.

I am so thankful to be here. I am thankful for apostles. When Elder Bednar came a while back, he invited us to get a missionary (standard blue hand-out ones) copy of the BOM and read it, marking and looking for the Atonement. Well, I finally started (I wanted to finish reading it in my quad first). I am on chapter 5 in 1 Nephi, and let me tell you - I have probably learned more about the Atonement of Jesus Christ in the Book of Mormon so far than I have ever learned before. The Book of Mormon is full of the power of the Atonement in all of the lives of the prophets, and the people around them! I am beginning to realize just how important and true the scriptures are. There is always more to learn from them, always more connections to make. I heard from someone that Bruce R. McConkie said something about how the teachings in the scriptures are all spider-webbed together, and he made a "map" or wrote a description of that once. Have you heard anything about it? I also heard he memorized the scriptures... wha? I don't know if that's true or not either, but if so... kudos to him! He was an amazing man. But hey, if you learn more about Elder McConkie, and his studies of the BOM & other scriptures in his life, and would love to impart it to your brother/son who can't really do any research outside of the scriptures, pmg, and 4 other missionary-approved books, then I'm ok with you telling me what you learn ;)

But, despite my tangent, I just wanted to say that it really does change things in the Book of Mormon when you specifically read it looking in every verse, every sentence, for the Atonement. You find things you never knew where there. You ask yourself questions you'd never thought about. You gain insights and feelings of the stories that you probably never had before, and it really does come to life. Mom, I don't know if you remember, but you sent me a letter a while back that had a clip from the Meridian Magazine thing. I saved it, it was a letter from the Washington D.C. mission president or something like that. Anyway, the letter someone sent to one of his missionaries told him to "look for the Atonement and you will find it in everything. Write down what you learn." I have really been trying to do that.

So Dad, heh, sorry about that call. Hopefully it didn't have you worried or anything like that. We were in the mission office after ZLC, and we had our baptism record there to turn in. Well, the Lake Reams ward is still really new, and so as we were calling around, we couldn't get a hold of anyone that knew the ward unit number. I jokingly said, "Hey, we could just call my dad. He could probably help us with that.. he works in the church office building, etc..." Anyway, Elder & Sister James, the AWESOME office missionaries, were like, "Sure, why not? What's his number?" And so I gave it to them and they called. I heard them get your voicemail. It was way intense watching them to see if you would pick up! Oh man. I think if that happens again I'll definitely have to just get out of there ha ha. But anyway, if they didn't explain, that's what that was all about :)

I am so thankful again to be here serving; this is truly the best experience of my life. I know that the gospel is true. I have no doubts in my mind or heart. Now my mission is just to learn as much as I can, become the best I can be, and give my all to serving the Lord throughout the rest of my life. I know that I am weak and small and nothing without God, but thankfully He is there to lift and strengthen me.

Yesterday we got to go on exchanges with the Assistants, Elders Gregson and Engemann. I love them! They are so much fun and we had an awesome time. My faith and testimony and desire to do better grew a lot. I want to be better after just being around them. I love this work =]

Well, I love you all! Have a great week, and I'll keep in touch. I'm planning on sending that tape I'm still working on, along with some other things if I can ever get the time to finish it ha ha. Today for P-day we had to go help clean out an old missionary apartment and then we have an appointment at 4, so not much we can do there. I love you though, and hopefully you know that =] Love ya bye! ;)

-Elder Andrew Beckett

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!

G is Getting Baptized =]

Hey family! Happy Birthday tomorrow Mindy! Wow... 19 years old?!? Aaaah. Hopefully I got your age right and you aren't actually 18... I mean come on, in Seth's case it WAS only a year.. ;) It's probably just because you seem so mature that I thought you were 11 Seth. Anyway. It has been a great week, for many different reasons. Well, first off, G is getting baptized this Saturday! Woot! I am so excited for him. He is solid. It has been such an inspiring and miraculous experience to be able to work with him. Also, B from Daytona Beach (Grandpa's best friend) was baptized yesterday =] How awesome is that?!? I'll tell you more about that in a bit though.

So this past week has been great; we were able to set 3 new baptismal dates. Tuesday we were on transfers and I stayed here with Elders Sharp & Day from our zone. We didn't have any real teaching appointments, so our day was mostly doing a lot of finding. Well, I had been praying for a miracle and that morning we found a lady that said we could come back that night. Her name is N. We went back that night, taught them the Restoration, and it went picture-perfect. It was amazing! The Spirit was there, we asked inspired questions, and the Spirit was the one doing the teaching. N and her husband talked way more than we did, but we guided the discussion through questions from heaven. It was so awesome to see the light come on in them! We invited them to be baptized on Sep. 17, and they said that if they come to know it is true then they will. We are going back to teach them tomorrow. I am super excited! One of the main reasons they were interested in learning more about our message is to help their sons out. I promised them that even though their sons weren't interested now (they were invited to the lesson but chose not to come), if they (P & N) were to learn about it first themselves and apply these things, then it will eventually change their sons as well. It was truly a miracle though to be able to find and teach them in the same day! We were going to go back on Sat to help P with a service project, but he ended up getting it all done before we had scheduled to come over so he called and canceled. That's ok, we'll find something else to help him with.

We also had a great lesson with P and the B family! They are such an amazing family; super missionary minded! It has been great working with them. This whole ward is chuck full of member missionaries! Anyway, we taught P the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and he comitted to be baptized on Sep. 10. At church we talked to him again and he said his family is planning on coming, and he has some cousins that may be interested in learning more. Way cool!

Transfers are tomorrow, and I will be staying here for another 6 weeks! I am so thankful, and hopefully I have even longer than that. I love it here in the Lake Reams ward and am learning so much. It is cool to be working with a brand new ward; we get to kind of set up the missionary program here. I am also way excited to still be working with Elder Jensen! He is a great missionary and this last transfer has flown by way too fast.

Thank you so much for the tape Dad! I loved listening to it =] I'm working on a tape to send to you guys right now. Hopefully it won't get lost in Hurricane Irene or whatever =]

This week I learned a lot about putting the Lord's will first. I had asked and received special permission from President Hall to go up to B's baptism. He told me it was fine if I go, but that I should pray about it and see if that's where the Lord wants me. Well, I prayed, and prayed, and prayed some more. I figured that of course I was going, it would be great! Why wouldn't He want me there? However, as the week progressed, I just didn't feel quite comfortable about it. I didn't know why, I just felt like I didn't need to be there and the Lord wanted me here. Well, it was really really hard, but I stayed and worked here in our area instead. We didn't have any miraculous appointments, find any amazing people, or anything like that. In fact, the plans that we did have for Saturday all fell through. However, I know that for some reason, the Lord wanted me to stay here. I was able to call B and tell him congratulations, but he didn't answer so I just left a message. But the lesson that I learned was that sometimes we don't know how or why we should follow promptings, but we need to do it. I may never know why I felt like I was supposed to be here, but at least I know I did what I felt I should do. And sometimes that's hardest when we really want otherwise, but the Holy Ghost quietly, gently, but firmly lets us know what the Lord wants. I am thankful for revelation.

G and P were able to make it to church yesterday and it went well. They are pretty solid! We are super excited to be working here and the baptisms should start rolling now. It seems like it takes a few months once an area has been "dead" (like the last 2 I've whitewashed) when you get there, but then good things start happening. I'm just waiting to see if I get to see the fruits of our labors start coming around next transfer as well or not ha ha. Whatever the Lord wants =] Well, I love you all! Thanks for your prayers and faith. You are all the BEST!

love,

Elder Andrew Beckett

Look, We are NOT Soliciting

Hey Mom! Dad! Mindy! Allie! Nate! Seth! Love ya'll =]

I hope you are all doing great =] That is so weird that Isaac and Brian are back already! Aaah man 2 years really does fly by. I am excited to hear that they are doing well. We had a great week this week; we got to do temple service and had Zone Conference! It was lots of fun. For temple service we all showed up (all 37 of us) because they were originally planning on having us do a big project outside planting tons of flowers, mulching, etc, but then it started raining. So instead, we got to go into the shop and clean it extra good from top to bottom! The shop is the building in the back of the temple grounds where they keep all of the equipment and machines used to keep everything looking beautiful. I always love doing temple service; you can just feel that you really are working at the Lord's house.

Zone Conference went awesome! I love the missionaries in this mission. We were with the Hunter's Creek zone, and so I got to see Elder McClatchy again. Conducting went well, I learned a lot about how to do that. There are so many things in the church behind what all happens that I never even thought of them... conducting being one of them. I am gaining more and more respect for all of the church leaders and all the work that goes into everything. I was thinking about that the other day - just how blessed I was to be in the ward I was, with the youth and leaders that we had. It was so much fun and those were the times where my testimony really grew and was strengthened! As I was reading about Allie on her trek, I reflected on when I got to go on the trek, and I can still remember the amazing spirit that was felt there. The church is truly a miracle.

Mom, just fyi, I bought some garments with my debit card this past week. Is everything still ok with that? Thank you so much for taking care of all that.

So yesterday at church L, J, and J came as well as G! It was so great. Man, G is a stud ha ha I love that guy. I gain more and more respect for him the better I get to know him. We were meeting with him this week, and brought up the YSA ward (he's 18, so technically that's where he should be going; we were planning on passing him off to the YSA Sisters) to invite him to go there so he can be with YSA's. Well, turns out he'd rather come to our ward. And for a good reason :) Every Sunday morning is like set family time in his home. G gets up, makes breakfast for his whole family, and then they enjoy it together. How cool is that?!? I was thinking, "Wow, he's like Mindy or Allie! Except a guy. Which is extra rare to be that good." So, we've brought it up several times to him to go to the YSA ward, but he plans on just attending with us. Which I am fine with ha ha :P He is getting baptized on the 27th =] Lol but he really is solid as can be - the lessons in Gospel principles and Elders quorum have been Eternal Marriage, Tithing, and the Law of Chastity. And we hadn't had the opportunity to talk with him about any of those things yet. But he loves church and wants to keep coming back =]

Here is the cool miracle about how L, J and J came - we had kind of lost contact for a while; we knew they were going through some hard times and we felt like we were almost more of a burden than a help. So we gave them some space for a while. Their good friends in the ward kept supporting and helping them of course in the meantime. Well, Elder Jensen and I were out doing some finding the other night, and we just happened to be walking up the street as they drove by. They stopped, reversed, and drove up to us to say hi. We were all excited, asked how they were doing and all that, and she was like, "Yeah, we're planning on coming to church tomorrow." WOOHOO! We tried to keep our excitement contained, but inside we were both just happy as can be. I had been praying specifically that day that we would be able to find a new family that would come to church with us tomorrow. The Lord provided; they hadn't been to church before! We will be meeting with them this week.

Another interesting thing about church yesterday - there was a camera crew there from Salt Lake! They were interviewing the G twins (K & H) and A K for the new For the Strength of Youth DVD. It was cool to see!

Oh, if you are wondering about the subject of the email, we were tracting this gated community (pretty much everywhere you go here has "no soliciting" signs, even if it's not a gated community), and we had these 2 people just yell at us. If only they knew... Anyway, from what I've heard soliciting by Florida law is considered to be 1) selling something 2) asking for donations, or 3) leaving something behind (which we only do if they want us to). So, we are not solicitors. We've had cops called on us time after time, and missionary after missionary is told by them (as the stories go.. ha ha) that we aren't soliciting. Anyway, I was wondering Mom or Dad, if you knew anything about Florida law, or had any friends that did that could clarify? What can or can't we get in trouble for? Obviously we don't want to just walk around ticking people off, but sometimes people try to tell us to leave when they really have no authority to do that. What advice do you have about that? I say fear God and not man... ha ha but at the same time we believe in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law. Anyway, if you have any input that would be appreciated.

Well, my time is up, but I wish you all the best! THank you so much Mom for taking the time to write me even though you had a crazy late night and everything! Have a great week and good luck with moving out Mindy! I'm glad your 1/2 marathon went well - I was praying for you each day. Have you heard about that job? OH! And thanks Allie and Mindy for the postcards! I loved them =] Good luck with your test Allie! You'll do awesome! I will keep you in my prayers =] I love you!

-Elder Andrew Beckett

p.s. I got a wedding invite from Lancaster =] What a stud! Ha ha

Grantsville, UT is in the Hymn book

Hey everybody! I love ya'll =] Hope life is fantastic! It is here. Things have been crazy, but crazy good! Too blessed to be stressed, as one of our good friends in the ward here put it ha ha. It has been a good week. Some areas have been slower, yet it has also been one of those break-through weeks of my mission. So many things happen in a week when you are a missionary, that it feels like it was a month we are actually talking about. Yet, when it comes to how fast it went by, it seems like I was writing you my last email just yesterday! Time sure is flying.

First of all, G is doing amazing! He has been reading, praying, and has comitted to be baptized on August 27th. He has been such a blessing from the Lord. However, I almost feel like the Lord is testing us... he is 18 so we are going to have to refer him to the YSA Sisters. Bummer :( That's alright though, the harvest really is the Lord's. Funny how that works though - JUST when we find the most elect person I've met out here, we have to give him up. Kind of ironic. I'm just so happy for him though! He knows it is true. Solid =] His family goes to another church, yet he feels that this is truly from God. Alright! I am always so amazed at the faith our investigators have... a lot of times I feel like maybe that's why I was so blessed to be born into a family that already had the gospel - I don't know if I would have the faith that it takes for investigators to accept the restored gospel. It is so humbling to see them come unto Christ and learn for themselves through the Holy Ghost that these things are true.

Ok.. and also M came to church yesterday with the H family! He is so cool! M is 14 years old, and has been good friends with the H's for a while. He has been to church quite a few times back in the WIndermere ward, but this is the first time he has come to Lake Reams. We saw him, greeted him, and asked him if we could meet with him for a minute after church (to set up an appointment and have a short lesson). Well, after church was just hectic and we were running around trying to get appointments set up and everything, and it turns out that M had to leave. We felt SO bad because he was planning on meeting us, and then we couldn't find him, and then he was gone. We prayed and asked for Heavenly Father to forgive us, and to give us another chance, and we had the thought to call his friend A. We did, and he was over at his house until about 7 that night, so we got to go teach him! We had such a powerful lesson, and he knows that it is all TRUE! He knows it, and recognized it. He believes this to be the Lord's church on the earth today. We talked to him about what may be holding him back from being baptized, and the only thing is his mom. She wants him to make sure he knows what he is doing, and he said for him that probably means he will have to wait until he is 18. We talked to him about miracles, and invited him to set a goal to work towards (Sep 3rd). We promised him that if he prays and does everything that he can, then the Lord would provide a way (if it is His will). He said the closing prayer, pleading with the Lord that the Lord would give him a miracle and let him be baptized. Please please please pray for M's mom to have her heart softened and be open to the gospel! We are going to see a miracle =]

We also had the B's friend, P, at church! He is a pretty solid guy too. We are trying to really help him gain his own testimony. We were able to meet with him this past Monday evening and had a great lesson. He felt the Spirit, and understood everything well. He committed to be baptized if he finds out this is true. We are excited to continue to work with him this week.

We have still been keeping in contact with the Cs and J & L, but Satan has really been working hard on them :( We feel like they don't understand the importance of this message, and we've been praying hard and fasting to know how we can help them know. Perhaps it just isn't their time; we can't drag people into the gospel. That is something we have been working on; trusting that the Lord does have people prepared to hear the gospel now, and then going to find them.

So, apparently there is some crazy underground organization that is called the Luminatti or something? Have you heard of it? I don't know, we have had some investigators who are all worked up about it and the new world order. It's interesting how the devil has his organizations to combat the Lord's way. Anyway, I don't know if you know or have heard much about that? But it would be interesting if you could fill me in any.

COol fact! In the hymn book, there is a tune named Grantsville (#35), and a tune named Utah (#33). So basically we are in the hymnbook. How did I find that? I do not know lol. I was just randomly flipping through the back of the hymnbook during companionship study and learned that. Hey, I hope the trenches are going great! You are too nice to be so appreciative :) It felt good when I did that, so if nothing else I got some good exercise and practice! Let me know how putting in the sprinkler system and everything goes.

Sam Paul! You are the man! Ha ha that's so cool... Eagle Scout, Elder ordination, and heading off to BYU! WOot! You are going to have so stinking much fun. Enjoy your time there! What classes are you taking, and where are you living and all that? Do you know your roomates? I'm going to need your address man! That's super cool. I can't believe that Sam is already in college now. I still feel like I just graduated high school yesterday.. and Blake Johnson here is Sam's age, going to BYU in just a bit as well. And now Mindy is a big tough sophomore. Ha ha crazy sauce aaaaaaah.

That's so sad about the Archers moving! Aah man, please tell them I love them and will miss them a lot. They have helped me out so much, and were one of my very favorite people to visit in the ward. I will always cherish the memories I have of going into their home on Sunday afternoons, giving them the sacrament and sharing some of the things we learned at church. I hope the young men in the ward really appreciate the opportunities they have to serve and exercise the priesthood like that; you really don't understand how much of a blessing that was to do that until you are gone and moved out.

Congrats to Shineah! I wish you a long, happy, married life =] That is awesome! And what was her new last name again? You'll have to send me the announcement so I can see! Mindy - don't get any ideas with all of these people getting married so recently. Also, good luck with your moonlight marathon friday! You will continue to be in my prayers each day & night!

Well, I hope I haven't bored you all to sleep. I have been typing like a maniac today. I love typing. It is fun. Anyway, the church is true :) I know it! There is power that comes from doing the "small things" - going to church each week, reading the Book of Mormon & praying each day, loving & serving your family, etc. They will lead us to our Heavenly Father. I love you all so much, and hope you have a great week! Thanks for everything =]

love, Elder Beckett

p.s. We also had ZLC (zone leader council) and I got to go on exchanges with Elder Gregsen (the AP) this week. It was so awesome and I learned so much! I love Elder Gregsen. I'll have to tell you more about him another time, but who knows, we may be rooming together at the Y after the mission. Maybe along with James, David, Nolan, and whoever else wants to ha ha. I've still got forever though until that comes thankfully =] Love ya!

p.p.s. Please pray for me to do a good job conducting zone conference this week =] I know that sounds dumb, but I've never been much of a public speaker ha ha. Love ya!