7.30.12

Good Morning Family,

The vacation to Arizona sounds AWESOME!!! I’m pretty jealous – ha. I love Arizona. It's a great state for sure. That’s awesome that Allison and Jacob are leaving so soon! Make sure you tell them good luck for me. And that they need to take advantage of the MTC. It's a great place to learn about the gospel, and especially how to teach people. Make sure you guys take advantage of it, because it will bless you LOADS, out here in the field.

Brianna is pregnant!? WOOOHOOO, that’s awesome! Do we know what it is yet? Good for them! And Brayden is engaged to Remmington?! WHOOOHOOO, that’s awesome! And yes I know I said the same thing - ha. That’s how I roll. Make sure I get to see pictures of these awesome things that are happening.

Well speaking of pictures, I’m sorry, but I haven't taken any photos since the last time I sent some. But no need to worry, Elder Harris and I plan to take some today, hopefully - ha. I’m sorry, but I will get some out hopefully next week to you guys.

Not to point fingers at anyone, but DAD?? What’s going on with sports man!? Ha. The summer Olympics are going, and baseball is still going and I don't have a clue who is winning and how anyone is doing. I’m telling you, it’s hard not to know these things -ha. I’m just kidding. It’s not soooooo important that I have to know. But seriously, do it - ha ha ha.

So this week had a couple of ups and some downs. I'll tell you about it... Well the beginning of the week was awesome. We were teaching people great lessons and things were going great. I got packages from Amy, and Aspen, and then finally I got Shea's -ha. Thank you guys so much for those packages. They really do make my day. So things were awesome. But the family we were teaching said that they didn't want to commit to the church right now, which kind of stunk. They said they love us, but now just wasn't a good time anymore. I really think they will get baptized someday, but just not right now, which is okay, and I’m okay with it. I know that Elder Harris and I planted the seed and they will eventually know what to do with it. The lady we are teaching though is doing awesome still. She's going to church and loves it. So that’s really happy :). We’re meeting cool people so that’s really cool!

Elder Harris and I had to give talks on Sunday.... the bishop called us on Saturday and told us. Man oh man; I don't like talking in church - ha. Well I did and it went okay, I guess. I talked about faith and read from Alma 32, because it rocks!! I shared that we need to have faith in missionary work and to share what we know and share that with everyone. I shared that quote you gave me, Elder Holland’s quote. It’s a great quote and I really wanted to share it - ha. So the talk went good. I’m getting better at it so that’s a good thing - ha.

I’m into my 2nd Transfer! -- new missionary planner and everything. 14 missionaries went home and 10 came out. They had to close down 3 areas in the mission. but I’m excited to keep on going! Thank you guys for all that you do -- and for the prayers! Oh and Mom, don't be surprised if something pops up on my card. I’m going to buy another suit one of these days. I just need another one. Don't know how much I’m going to spend.... But you pretty much know me so don't be surprised :) he-he.

But seriously, thank you guys for what you do, and keep working hard in school and in life. I love you all so very much. And I’ll talk to you next week!!

Love, Elder Beckert

7.23.2012

Dear Family,

Hola!! It sounds like you guys are having a lot of fun and staying safe.  I bet Yellowstone was really fun! Loved the pictures! I won't lie, I miss you guys - ha.  Didn't know I would so much.  But don't worry I’m glad to be here serving a mission and helping the people here.  This is where I’m meant to be. I've already seen that in so many ways. One way is that in my Patriarchal Blessing, Grandpa was so wonderful to do for me; it says that my testimony will help others that I meet.  I had a great opportunity to bear my testimony to the family about the Atonement of Jesus Christ and all that He did for us to be able to be with our Father in Heaven again.  I hope that even this little paragraph will help someone who is reading this, whoever it may be, that the Savior is there for us. All we need to do is trust in him and turn to him.  I know that you will be happier by doing this. Sorry to sound so sappy - ha.  That just helped me this week.

I had the opportunity to go on exchanges with my zone leader here in Caribou. His name is Elder Bowen.  He is leaving in November and he helped me in my teaching efforts. It was great to get to know him. I've been on 2 exchanges so far and they really do help me increase my knowledge of different ways to bring the gospel up.  It was really nice to have that.  I even have the opportunity to go on another this week. 

It's the end of the transfer on Wednesday. Elder Harris and I are staying here in Caribou.  Phew - ha.  I still need some more training, even though everyone is saying that I’m doing good and all. I still feel like I need to know way more.  I definitely do.  But it's amazing how much I’ve already come to know about teaching. It’s pretty cool - ha.  

Well  both people we are teaching came to church yesterday, and they seem to be doing really well.  It's been an honor to teach them and to see how much the gospel makes their lives better.  We met some nice people this week that we are hoping will let us keep coming so we can teach them more.  It’s crazy how I’ve come to love everyone I meet.  I can’t wait to teach them more! 

And I would love to hear form Caleb, Ella and Aunt Janeen, (I told him I sent your letters) I think that’s awesome that they want to write ME a letter :)

Thank you for all that you guys do for me.  Thank you for your examples to me, and thank you mom for that quote from Elder Holland. Being thankful is definitely important to show. 

I love you all so much!!!

Love, Elder Beckert

7.16.12

Dear Family,

It's great to hear about your week and the stuff you guys have been doing.  I'm glad to hear you guys are staying busy. 

Well, both the people we are teaching didn't make it church, but they are still doing good and the will get there at some point.  Elder Harris and I just need to be patient with them and they will get there.  We met someone in Washburn yesterday on Sunday, and he was a nice guy who let us teach him. He said yes and yup a lot so sometimes that’s a good thing, and sometimes it’s not. I guess we will see as time goes on.  He's the same age as me, so it was cool to talk to him. 

And Carlie had a question about if there was a temple in Caribou? Umm, no there is not -  ha.  The closest one is in Halifax Canada, and the Boston temple. As missionaries we can only go to the one in Halifax because we have to stay in our mission boundaries.  So we don't go to the temple at all, really, unless we’re in an area in Halifax. 

Things are going really good. I’m having a good time doing this work.  I do miss you guys a lot. Thanks for the family picture. It is awesome to have.  The hardest part is just being away from everyone and everything I’m used to. But I know I’m here for a reason and I can’t wait to see where it takes me. 

And yes there's always something for you guys to do:).  You can send more treats and goodies - ha.  Um and, actually, I would really love more CD's.  If you guys could do that it would be AWESOME.

Thank you guys for all you do and thank you for supporting me.

Love,

Elder Beckert

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

7.2.2012

Hello everyone,

I’m glad everything is going good! I'm sorry that my emails haven't had all the information you guys want in them. There's just so much stuff going on, it’s hard to sit down and write it all down.  I don't mean to leave out stuff it's just whatever comes to my mind when I’m writhing it all down.  And you guys know me, I’m not good at explaining everything.  

Well Dad, I'm not even sure how much money we get right now. I think it’s like 200 or something like that, and we do get a card we can use for that.  They put the money on there each month and we spend it on food and stuff.  A normal day here, I guess, is wake up at 6:30, personal study at 8, companionship study at 9, and because I’m getting trained right now our companionship study is 2 hours long, but usually it is 1 hour.  Then we go and do missionary work, either lessons we have set up or knocking or calling people.  I’m not sure what else I can say, it all depends on the day. 

That’s cool that the Dale and Diane came over. That was nice of them.  I’m glad Dustin is doing well.  And thank you for the chapters in Alma; I’m actually reading in the same spot so that’s pretty weird ha.  But I like Alma and Amulek. They are pretty good missionaries. 

{I think this is his companion...Elder Harris}

But yeah, things this week have been going good. We met this old guy yesterday, his name is William and he is a cool old man. He works hard and is very spiritual, and we gave him a Book of Mormon. He seemed very happy with that, and we're probably going to see him next Sunday, so that’s exciting.  We didn't have any baptisms in the month of June, but we have 5 lined up so far in July and they seem pretty solid right now. 4 of them are a family, the Stride family. They are really cool and are progressing really far. Hopefully they will start coming to church. They weren't there last week, but hopefully they will start coming. The other one a guy named Kenny who is sick all the time. He has something wrong with his liver, I think. He said he had like Hepatitis C or something, and he had to go get a shot. It is kind of like chemo for the liver. He said that his hair was going to fall out and that he was going to be bed ridden for a while.  I will be good in the long run, but he so desperately wants to come to church. He can't until he can actually get off his bed.  

We are teaching some other people who are close to getting a baptismal date. I’m excited about that. I’ll tell you more about them when they get a baptismal date.  One's Mari and she's cool. She's started reading the Book of Mormon right when we gave it to her and she likes it. There are a few more who are not progressing as much as they could, but are still trying to do good and stuff.  I do have to be sensitive about how much information I do give everyone about the investigators here. I hope you understand, but yeah,  I can tell you some stuff, just not everything.  

I’m having a real fun time here in Caribou. Elder Harris and I are working hard.  On Tuesday and Wednesday we get to meet our new mission president and his wife, President and Sister Levitt. So I’m way excited for that.  Also there was a huge rain storm on Friday last week. It was huge!!! Huge lightning and lots and lots of rain. It was actually pretty cool. 

Also I’m sending some pictures of Caribou and I think there’s one of Elder Harris. But yeah. I’m sending those.  

And in the package you’re going to send, can you put in some candy and some treats? :) hehe 

Thank you all for the prayers and good thoughts you send.  I love you all!

Love, 
Elder Beckert

6.25.12

Dear Family,

Well I guess first I’ll answer some of Dad’s questions.  Well, thank you so much, Dad for the letters you have been sending. They do mean a lot to me. Everything is going good here in Caribou and yes I do live above a store. The store is called The Cubby. It's a thrift store, kinda. A member, Bro. Johnson, owns it. So yes that’s where I live. It is a nice apartment, not dirty, not too small and it is a nice place to live.  

And yes everyone we do have a car - ha.  It’s a Suburo Impreza 2011. It’s a nice car. I haven't driven it yet. Elder Harris is kinda prone to driving it I guess - ha.  But someday I’ll drive it and I’ll make him let me - ha.  Elder Harris is a great companion, He is from Smithfield Utah, and has been out a little over a year and a half. He has just like 6 months left. Caribou is nice and very spread out. Our area goes to Preque Isle, and Fort Fairfield and Limestone and even Ft. Kent is in our area, but we hardly ever go up there. There is just one ward here for that huge area, so some people drive an hour or more to get to church in Caribou. The members are awesome. They help out so much!  We are the only missionaries in the Caribou area, the nearest missionaries are in Houlton, and actually I think I’m going on an exchange with them on Tuesday.

So, things here are going well. We had an investigator family come to church yesterday and they seem ready to be baptized. The parents do drink coffee but we haven't talked to them about it yet.  They are very nice and have 3 girls who are 12, 10, and 7.  I love teaching them.  We also meet with this girl is so funny and so happy all the time. We've only had a couple lessons with her and things are going pretty smoothly there. So we'll see on that one.  There’s also some more that we are teaching and its fun and they seem to be accepting the gospel well. The people here are nice and fun to talk. Most are set in their ways and hard to teach.  There are a bunch of hicks here, and they don't really have a thick accent, but some do say words like, idea, as idear, which is weird and stuff.  So some do talk like hillbillies, but pretty much the accents and the way they talk is pretty similar to me, so it’s not that hard to talk to people. 

I am getting better at the lessons. I’m not the best yet but I keep trying and I’ll get it done sooner or later - ha.  Our mission president is actually getting switched this week, I believe. So I’ll have a new Mission president, President Levett or something like that.   So that’s kinda cool, I guess.  Well I’ll talk to you guys later.  Thank you for your prayers and thank you for all that you guys do!!

I love you all,

Elder Beckert

6.18.12

Dear Family,

 

Haha wow! I can't beleive that your guy's tent blew away at the Trek! Thats Hilarious, i wish i was there to see that ha. And if it was me i would have just slept in the car the whole time and not even in the tent ha.  Sleeping outside is not my forte ha. 

 

At the MTC we watch a movie about the Pioneers, i think it was called The Legacy of Faith or something like that.  It was amazing to see what those people went though and how hard the times were and im so happy that you guys had the oppertuninty to go and see what that was like first hand, and i hope it was a great experience for everyone. 

 

I love that quote from Elder Holland as well, it is an honor to be out here serving my mission and i know that if i live the teachings of Christ and if i am exactly obeident then i will find those who want to come to the Gospel and are ready to be baptized, i know that with all my heart, and am trying my hardest to work as hard as i can and to be exactly obeident so i may find those who need the Gospel in their lives. 

 

Well life in the mission feild is great! Theres so much to do everyday and sometimes i just want to lay down ha. But i love every minunte of it! It is exciting to be here and to be doing the lords work everyday, i cant think of a better way to be spending my time. 

 

The people here in Caribou are great! They are awesome in every way, some are very colorful ha.  But they love talking to us, but most here are very set in their catholic ways.  Some don't even know why they are, but some are afraid of change and have a hard time comminting to another church where they grew up their whole life in one church.  So sometimes it gets pretty difficult and hard.  But these last few months the Elders here have been working hard and have found alot of people ready to here the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and its a blessing to be able to teach some of those people. 

 

Elder Harris is a great guy, he works hard and keeps me being obiedient, he is an amazing companion, and hopefully i will get some pictures out to you guys sortly, but he is great to be around and is training me well. 

 

I do need some things from you guys.  I need another suit, i guess that the call packet was supposed to say like 2 suits, and so i do need another one, because we do wear jackets alot, so if you could send me another suit that would be lovely, I don't really care what color, maybe just a black one, but you guys can make that call.    I also need some CD's, some spirtually inhancing, lovely to hear, feel good music.  I was on LDS.org at the MTC and i saw this music, i think it was under the youth section or something, and it was called ARISE, i think.  It was awesome!!! I want that music and other music that sounds like that. Music that lifts the soul, but doesn't make me fall asleep haha.  So please if you could send me that stuff, and anything else you think i may need or want.  

 

YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!!!!!
love you all, and miss you all, but mostly love you all very very very very much.