Wow. This week has just been a great one. We are already moving on to week 6 of this transfer and it makes me sad to think that I only have one transfer left with my sweet little trainee Sister Reidhead. We have just been loving the work here.
On Tuesday we had full day exchanges with the sisters. I got to leave my area and spend the day in Ft. Laud English. It was a crazy day. We started the day at District Training and talked all about love. Everything in this world and especially in missionary work comes back to love. The love we have for ourselves, for others, for the work, and most importantly for God. When we love our Savior we will be willing to do anything he asks of us. We went out to visit some people after that but no one was home and most of our plans were just falling through. We did talk to one lady for a few minutes and gave us some soda that "will make you go burp burp burp!" We laughed pretty hard. After a lesson we had we went to go knock doors. I had been pretty down on myself lately and having everything fall through that day was not helping. The first door we knocked on got mad at us for walking on his property. The next door: we knocked, she opened, we introduced ourselves, and she said, "Not today Satan!!" and literally slammed the door. I thought to myself, "You're right. Not today Satan." Then we laughed as we left and went and got dinner instead. It was a good reminder to me that day to not let Satan ruin our day.
Wednesday was a pretty normal day in the life of missionary work. That night for dinner Sister Reidhead tried to make banana pancakes that ended up looking like mush but tasted good nonetheless. We headed to Book of Mormon class after that. Not a lot of people came but we still had a good night and got through quite a bit of Isaiah. After class Shernette pulled us aside and told us about an experience she had during the week. She had been having a rough time and really wasn't in the mood for God when she got a call from her Visiting Teacher. She said by the end of their 10 minute conversation they were both crying and she felt so much better. She testified that those callings are inspired. So my invitation is, if you haven't done your home teaching or visiting teaching yet this month, do it now!! It's a new month. Don't wait until the end of the month to get it out of the way. Listen to the spirit and I promise you will help someone who is struggling.
Thursday we started to make some flashcards to help us start to memorize more scriptures. As we went about our day we were constantly trying to learn them and use them whenever we could. We definitely saw how as we focused on principles we found more opportunities throughout the day to use them and testify of the truths that we know. We have also noticed that we have become more sensitive to the scriptures as we read them and find times during the day to apply our personal study which has been cool to see and grow a testimony of. I know that the scriptures have been given to us to use every day of our lives and it is an ongoing path of learning and growing every day as we read them.
Friday morning we had our normal studies and then went to service. I was in a box trying to get some cans out of the bottom that no one could reach and a fat cockroach just started climbing up the side of the box. I only freaked a little and then it was a fight to it's death. It was huge and I didn't want to step on it so I used the smaller box that was in the big box with me. I smashed it like 12 times and thought I had come out victorious. But then 5 minutes later I go to look at it and it was gone. Jokes on me. Then I turn around and it is climbing up the other side of the box. Moral of the story, cockroaches in So Flo are more indestructible than a Nikia phone and there is nothing we can do about it. That night while we were knocking I had a proud mom moment when Sister Reidhead totally took over a lesson and just knew exactly what to say. She also figured the guy wasn't interested, ended the lesson, and politely told him goodbye. I was so proud of her. *tear* But about 15 minutes later we were walking up to a house when we see a side winder snake pass in front of us. Sister Reidhead almost peed her pants and I almost peed my pants for laughing. Ah good times as a missionary.
Saturday we had a lesson with Jamie. We went over a lot of stuff but she is just so excited to be baptized and we are excited for her. She had her last cigarette that day and is looking forward to getting baptized on Sunday the 11th!! We are so stoked for her. We went over to Shernette's house later and we sat down and Shernette told us she wanted to give us a lesson so she started with a prayer, we read James 2, she testified of faith, and told us she wanted her Patriarchal Blessing. We were so happy. It has been so fun to see new converts progress in the church. Probably one of my favorite parts about missionary work. So my second commitment to you all, if you haven't had your Patriarchal Blessing, please consider it and talk to your Heavenly Father about it. I have seen it help me so much out here in Florida. That night we had dinner with the Sisters on Las Olas in downtown Ft. Laud. They were having an art show down there so it was fun to walk down the street to get some ice cream. Las Olas is definitely a place you have to go to if you ever visit Ft. Lauderdale.
Church yesterday was awesome. We had our investigator Bill show up out of nowhere which was cool. We weren't really expecting him but now I know to expect the unexpected. He loved it and can't wait to come back next week. We taught Gospel Principles again last minute on the sacrament and the importance of taking it each week. I know that we are cleansed through taking it every week. Then after church we came home and made a box of cigarettes for Jamie. We took 30 little pieces of paper and wrote down our favorite strengthening scriptures and then rolled them up and stuck then in a little cigarette box we made with a picture of Christ on it (thanks Uncle Jared!). We took it over to her and explained that if she is ever stressed and wants to smoke that she needs to use one of ours and read a scripture. We all know that it is going to help her and she can't wait till next Sunday!!
That's about it for this week. Lots of changes have been happening at home. Josh has his call to Canada and dad is now in the Stake Presidency! The love I have in my heart right now for everyone at home is explainable. I am so proud of you all and love you all more than I can say. Keep being awesome and keep doing the things the Lord would have you do. "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:5-6. Go to the temple, read your scriptures, say your prayers. I love you all!!
All my love,
Sister Beckstrand
Florida Sunshine: God Is Good.
We went to Las Olas last week for P-day. They are getting ready for volleyball champs here.
Only time we can be on the sand
Also, our cigarette box we made for Jamie with scriptures inside.
Penny's side note- I love this picture! It sums her up perfectly. Her scripture's, her Sweetart candies, her Conch Shell from Hurricane Irma and creativity, her love of Christ and family with this amazing box for her investigator brings me to tears.
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