This week was transfers and I got moved to the TCYSA ward in Minneapolis. It is a party. My companions are Elder Johnston, who played kicker at Bingham and is playing at U of U next fall, and Elder Liaga, who played at UNLV for a year and will be at USU or BYU when he gets home. So we are a football oriented tri-panionship for sure haha. They are awesome and are a little crazy, but I'm learning how to be really good at contacting with them!
My first day here we met with Teli who has a date set here for baptism. His girlfriend is a member but he isn't. He plays rugby and is really good. He took us to Tepanyaki buffet and it was soooo good!! Teli is really quiet but has a pretty firm belief in the gospel and his baptism is coming up soon. We had some concerns with him and the word of wisdom but he didn't even go out with his buddies on the rugby team because he knew they would go drinking. So that is awesome! He is holding strong to what we taught him! We went to his rugby game to support him on Saturday and it was so fun. Rugby is a cool sport.
Another investigator we have here is named Emma. She is way cool and loves the gospel. She has only been taught for 2 weeks and already set a date and is really solid with that date. She is doing really well and came to church yesterday for the first time and loved it. I'm so excited for her baptism.
We hang out with the Spanish Elders a lot at the institute and I love them haha! Elder Porter and Elder Cardwell are the coolest guys. Elder Cardwell and myself are really good friends already because he loves CrossFit too, and we have like the same personality, so it's pretty cool. Elder Porter is hilariousl We do personal and comp studies at our apartment and then walk to the institute building and spend all day there and on campus contacting, then walk home at night. So we aren't ever home during the day!
Yesterday afternoon we went contacting out on campus and talked to like 10 people in 2 hours. It is crazy how many people will stop and talk to you. We share simple doctrines about the gospel with them and give them a pass along card with our info and the institute info on it and try to set up return appointments. It's really all we do and the Elders said they usually teach 20-30 lessons a week which is crazy haha.
The ward is really great and I'm still getting to know everyone. There are some really cool people here though. On Wednesday we took some investigators and played soccer with the ward at a park. It was way fun and a good workout to get out and run around. Me and Elder Johnston owned it cuz he played soccer in high school so we had the give and go down pat. It was way fun. Elder Liaga got tripped by this girl who is super teeny and face planted and we died laughing. It was so funny haha.
Elder Johnston and Liaga are the ZLs for the St Paul zone, so I get to kind of be a zone leader with them. They wanted the zone focus to be football related, so we made this sweet plan of scoring points and TDs for lessons and stuff. The focus is basically strive to teach 15 lessons a week so your investigator pool is larger, which in turn will make all your other numbers or key indicators increase as well. We used a photo of the SV captains from last year as the background photo and it was pretty cool. I attached a pic of it in the email.
Even though this is kind of the party of the mission, I'm really trying even harder to pray more earnestly and study harder. It's helped me a lot with my confidence in talking to people on campus. I pray every day for the Lord to help put words in my mouth so I can speak with the Spirit. It's amazing how much better I am getting at talking to strangers about the gospel in like 4 days. Alma 26:12 "Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever." I love this because I know it is true with all my heart. We as individuals are not good enough to preach the gospel and be successful. We need God to help us and give us the power to teach those who are ready to listen. It's been a great week and I love my new area and companions. They are good guys and will do anything for me. Family, I love all of you and thanks for all your support, it means the world to me. I pray for you every day and hope things are well for you! My brothers at college and on missions, I also pray for y'all every day and pray you will have the Spirit with you always. I love you guys and I hope y'all know that! Thanks to everyone else supporting me on my mission. I couldn't be out here without the support of everyone, no matter how big or small. I appreciate all you have done for me!
We are going to the State Fair today and it is one of the biggest in the nation, so I will send some more photos tonight! Love you all and God be with you this week.
Much love,
Elder Beach
#10 #MavUp
Panorama of where they live in Minneapolis.
At the rugby game.
Rugby!
More rugby!
When three college-bound football players are companions, this is the focus of the zone goals!
Elder Beach, Elder Liaga, and Elder Johnston at the State Fair.
Missionaries at the Minnesota State Fair.
Another one at the State Fair.
"Mazda Speed Cam" at the Minnesota State Fair.
Elder Liaga, Elder Johnston and Elder Beach with the Minneapolis skyline behind them.
