Wednesday, July 11, 2012

7.9.2012

Howdy Family,

It's been about a month that I have been here in lovely Caribou.  Doesn't really seem like it.  You really do get lost in the work, and I’m glad for that.  Sounds like you all had a wonderful week :).  That really is cool how you guys fasted for rain for the fires and it came!!! That’s awesome.

Our 4th of July consisted of a mtg. with the President Leavitt, where we learned more about him and Sister Leavitt.  President Leavitt is from Canada, actually grew up in Halifax, but moved to BC.  Sister Leavitt is also from Halifax, and she told us her conversion story and it was really cool to see how far people can come.  She grew up with not much in Halifax. The city was pretty much split from rich people and poor people. She met this girl at school and Sister Leavitt looked up to this girl, because it looked like she had everything. She was wealthy and had friends everywhere and was liked by everyone.  So Sister Leavitt decided she wanted to be friends with this girl.  And it turns out that they became so close and were best friends for a long time.  Both Sister Leavitt and the friend weren't members of the church.  So after being friends for years they kind of went separate ways for school, but still kept in touch.  Turns out that the friend died in a car accident and it really tore Sister Leavitt up.  Then one day not too long after all that happened, missionaries showed up at her door, and she knows that they were there for a reason, and that reason was that she needed to know she would see her friend again.  Long story short, she got baptized into the church and even did her friend’s temple work for her, first getting permission from the friend’s family (of course).  But yeah, I really liked that story she told because that’s what I’m here to do. I am here to find those people who need the gospel and teach them and bring them closer to Christ. 

I really liked that quote from Elder Holland, I’m actually going to print it out and put it on my wall, right next to the tower of sprit cans I’m making.  Thank you for that quote.

("Now, I did not sail with the brother of Jared in crossing an ocean, settling in a new world. I did not hear King Benjamin speak his angelically delivered sermon. I did not proselyte with Alma and Amulek nor witness the fiery death of innocent believers. I was not among the Nephite crowd who touched the wounds of the resurrected Lord, nor did I weep with Mormon and Moroni over the destruction of an entire civilization. But my testimony of this record and the peace it brings to the human heart is as binding and unequivocal as was theirs. Like them, “[I] give [my name] unto the world, to witness unto the world that which [I] have seen.” And like them, “[I] lie not, God bearing witness of it. Brothers and sisters, God always provides safety for the soul, and with the Book of Mormon, He has again done that in our time. Remember this declaration by Jesus Himself: “Whoso treasureth up my word, shall not be deceived”  —and in the last days neither your heart nor your faith will fail you.")

Well work here is expanding pretty well.  We met another family this week and they went to church! Yes! The Strides didn't make it to church again this week, but we went over there Sunday night and talked to them about it and they grew 2 notches. So they will come next week I’m 98 percent sure :). We had to push back their baptismal date because they didn't make it to church.  

I think I talked about Mari last week, but anyways, we got her on date for the 28th of July along with the Strides. It’s hard for Mari to come to church because she works a lot, I mean like a lot. So that’s going to be a trail, but she has that desire to do it, and she is amazing at reading the Book of Mormon and she loves it.  So that’s good.

The members here in Caribou do work a lot and help us with our missionary work.  Something interesting is that the Caribou ward has the most members attending church, but also has the most members who are less active. We have 350 people on the roster for church but only like 70 come, or something like that. So that has to get better.

Things are awesome here.  I’m having a good time. It’s hard for sure, but worth it. 

And no I have not got a package yet???? I wish I did.  Don't know what’s going on there, but I haven't received a package yet. 

Thank you for all your prayers and I hope the fires in Utah will stop! I definitely will pray for that and for all of you. Thank you all. I love you all.

Love,
Elder Beckert

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