Sister Sophia's Florida Fun: Goodbye Snapper Creek

What a week, what a week. Quite the roller coaster of emotions for this Sister Missionary. You'll understand as you read on...

Tuesday we didn't do much because our day was full of meetings. We did learn cool stuff though like learning how to use the spiritual gifts that you have been given. I invite you all to figure it out for yourself as well! We had dinner with Michael Pinate that night. This time it was kale soup. Was a little nervous but it was honestly so good and we all had a really good time. That night we met up with the Coral Reef sisters for exchange number three of this transfer.

Wednesday, Sister Dalton joined me in Snapper Creek YSA. We spent the morning at their house because they had some plumping issues and the plumber had to come by. It was a really funny story actually but not anything I'm going to put on here for all of your sakes. We ordered Papa Johns for lunch because we couldn't leave while he was there snaking our house but we had a great time nonetheless. Then we headed up to Miami Dade and UM. We spent time on both and met some really cool people. We had dinner with Grant at 5 guys for one last time *tear*. Good as always, and then headed to institute. The sisters showed up later so we could exchange back.

Thursday morning we had a lot of studies and planning to get done but then we headed to UM for our lesson with Sharae! It was literally so awesome. We talked about the Book of Mormon a little more and the Restoration. I had no idea, honestly, where we were the entire lesson but at one point I asked, " Do you believe God would answer your prayers?" Her response: "The more I read from the Book of Mormon the more I believe he would." Guys. The Book of Mormon holds so much power. Please read it. It doesn't take that long. I'm positive you can all find at least 5 minutes in your day to read the Book of Mormon instead of being on your phone. I promise you will never regret it. That night we went to visit Javan. We read out of Mosiah 2 and talked about General Conference and he was just so blown away at how many people came to listen to the prophets voice. Now just think for a second, if these were Book of Mormon times and you listened to conference this weekend, you would've got a shout out in the greatest book the world has. Isn't that neat? I think so :)

Friday we woke up nice and early to head up to Plantation for MLC. It was really nice. We talked about how we can have more effective studies. It's one thing to just read the scriptures but it is an entirely different thing to actually study them. If you don't have time to read the scriptures or pray, your life is far busier than God intended it to be. Schedule your priorities, don't prioritize your schedule. We hit traffic coming home but luckily still had time to head over to Miami Dade for a little bit and we ended the night knocking with some Elders. We met the cutest little family that night! If the missionaries ever knock on your door, please let them in a give them a glass of water. You wont regret it.

Saturday morning we went to service at the food pantry and then headed straight from there up to a comp study with the Assistants and the Zone Leaders. We talked about the 7 Habits of Highly Effective Missionaries. It was a good reminder of the things we've got to work on as missionaries, and people in general, so w we can reach our full potential. Then we went home and got ready for the day and then stationed ourselves at the church for GENERAL CONFERENCE!!!! Wow. Just wow. If you didn't watch it, please find a way to watch it soon. Even if it's only a talk a day. My favorites were Elder Davies talk on going to the temple, and Elder Gong's talk on being creative. If you need suggestions for which ones to watch, I say those two. But it was all really really good. So just watch all of it :)

Sunday morning we had a brunch at the Nilsen's house and watched the first session of conference there while Katee did my nails :) Then after that session we ate with Andrea and then went to the church for the last session. WASHINGTON IS GETTING A TEMPLE!!! Wow. Just wow. I was literally crying. I am so excited. Now that we will have two temples, that means you have to go just as often if not more ;) I loved Elder Stevenson's talk. We have all got to Shepherd those around us in their own ways. That night we went home to study and we got a call from the AP's. I was expecting to get transferred but in this call they confirmed it. It broke my heart to hear that I was leaving Snapper Creek YSA. But it will be in good hands.

Monday morning we had to take our car to Firestone for an oil change and they did it so fast! I was impressed. Then we had lunch with our district and headed over to UM for another lesson with Sharae. We reset her date to November 10th so she can learn all the lessons and we said our goodbyes. It was my last time on UM campus and as fate would have it, the marching band was out practicing. *tear* After our lesson with Sharae we headed down to Homestead to have dinner with Grant's family. I am going to miss that home and all who live there. As we were heading out, I ran over a tree stump in my attempt to make a U-turn and we instantly heard a rattling noise. Nice Sister Beckstrand. So we called Grant and he brought his neighbor over to look at it. We just bent something so the exhaust pipe kept hitting it but we got to FHE safely :) (just had to take it to Firestone again this morning) It was really nice to see everyone one last time. I am going to miss the branch. I will be heading up to Boynton Beach tomorrow. My new companion will be Sister Oliveira. I am super excited to continue the work up there but am sad to leave my family here.

The church is true. Never forget it. Keep reading and praying and please go to the temple! Keep being awesome.

All my love,

Sister Beckstrand

Florida Sunshine: Lime bikes! You pay a dollar and can take it anywhere and when you're done the bike locks itself up! Pretty cool.