So the good times in TCYSA are quickly over. President Forbes called me on Tuesday night at 9 pm and said I was getting transferred to Minnetonka. I was pretty upset to say the least, and I was mad at President Forbes and I was mad at God. I just went and sat on my bed for a while and thought about moving. The lyrics from the song, "I'll go where you want me to go dear Lord" kept coming into my head. I realized I was being an idiot and that I needed to just make the most of it. I offered up one of the most sincere prayers I've offered in my life to God to just help me with this transfer.
Wednesday morning the APs came and picked me up and took me to Minnetonka. Elder Long and his companion had opened the area and then Elder Long's companion was going home for some medical stuff he had going on.
We had zero investigators and when I got there I just thought, "What the heck? This is gonna suck!" My attitude was awful and my first two days were a little rough.
We haven't been able to teach a lot of non-members or less actives but we have been working with members quite a bit. This ward is really missionary minded and I love it. The bishop is the coolest guy and he is awesome! Our ward mission leader is about as good as they come as far as having a vision of ward mission plans. Our ward mission plan is like 4 pages long and encompasses all aspects of missionary work. I'm so pumped to work with him these next few transfers.
I've really grown a lot in the last 5 days spiritually and in my desire to serve the Lord and just rely on him in everything I do. I did not want to come to the area, but I knew this is where I needed to be. I knew there was something the Lord needed me here for. I've never prayed as hard and sincerely as I have the last 5 days, just pouring my heart out to God to put people in our path to find and teach. It hasn't happened yet, but I know miracles will happen as we put our trust in him and believe miracles will happen here. I can't really explain what happened, but my desires to serve have really increased and I feel like God is giving me strength and abilities I have never had before. Talking to complete strangers about the Gospel is getting so much easier for me and something I want to do now. I want people to have the message and the happiness that comes with it. I hadn't really had that up to this point in my mission. I don't know if it's just because my own testimony and conviction of the gospel and Book of Mormon is so much stronger than it's ever been or what. I just know that I truly want to share the gospel with people. There's a song in "Creed" when he is driving into Philly and it goes, "There's something in your heart, and it's in your eyes, it's the fire, inside you." I feel like I have that fire burning inside me stronger than ever and I just want to share it with the world. I was listening to a song about Joseph Smith that Elder Long had and as I was listening, I just knew that he was a prophet and that the message of the restoration is real. It was a profound experience for me.
We haven't had a lot of lessons, just active member lessons mostly. We went tracting in this apartment complex yesterday and pretty much everyone we talked to only spoke Russian or was Jewish or Muslim. This one Russian couple I think gave us a blessing because he started yelling at me in Russian then said Amen! And smiled at me, so I was like Amen! Haha it was funny. So I just gave him a mormon.org card and told him to check it out!
We are really working hard to find people and I know that God will put people in our path. We have a few people that want to meet with us but are just super busy. Please keep Elder Long and me in your prayers and thoughts. I really appreciate all you do to support me! It means the world to me. I love you all and I pray for my Band of Brothers every day. I love all you and miss you but I know we are doing the Lord's work. My bros at college, keep kicking some butt and killing it. I love you all so much!
My scripture for the week is John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
This scripture got me through the hardest day of my mission so far, where I was questioning why I was in this area, and even my own testimony. I had to go into the bedroom during personal study because I was getting emotional when I read this and I just prayed to God and thanked him for letting me find this scripture and how much it helped me. It was great! Well, tonight we are back at work and I'm excited to share my testimony with the people of Minnetonka!
Much love,
Elder Beach
#10 #MavUp
It must be "Missionary Mustache Monday..."
Elders Beach, Liaga and Johnston before the transfer.
Wishful thinking...
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