July 9, 2017

Hello hello my family! How was the 4th of july? We went to an American style buffet last week for the 4th :) Yum.  I LOVE the 4th of July actually... maybe more than Christmas??  I forgot my camera cord in my last area, so I need to get it from the other missionaries... sad. That is why I haven't sent pictures in a while.

So! Youngdo!

This week we visited a few different investigators! One is named G_ K_. We visited his office; he is a border patrol guy and seems pretty high up in the work. His family all moved to Provo Utah a while ago and got baptized! I gave him Allie's contact info, cause his daughter might need help applying to BYU and she is Korean!  While we were visiting, we could see in the bay right outside his office, the coast guard was doing a pirate drill. So there were 2 huge boats, one destroying the other's visibility with water, and a bunch of little ones circling the big one with sirens, as well as helicopters with swat teams. It was pretty sweet. 

The sad part is that Brother K_ said he is not ready for the Gospel. He is uncomfortable/ pressured by it and doesn't want to do it now. We really want to help make this family eternal, so we are going to visit him again next week. And he lets us play soccer with all the other coast guard people, so it is a great way to meet new people and build relationships with them! They are all what are called Guneens, which just means they are in the middle of their obligatory military service. Please pray for his heart to soften!

We also visited this art teacher we met one morning, and taught him a little about the restoration. He wasn't very receptive to a lot of it, because he is just too busy to go to church, but when we taught him how to pray and prayed with him, it was really spiritual! We are going to visit him again this week.

Last week the General Authority 70 over our area, Elder Choi Yoon Hwan, visited our little Youngdo church randomly one day to inspect the building with a few other people. We were nervous, and just had 3 or 4 hours notice, just a normal weekday, so we had no idea why he was coming, just that he was coming. We hurry and vacuumed and cleaned the church, got there like an hour or so early. Haha but Elder Choi and his group came, looked at a few things, and left within about 5-10 minutes of coming. The cool part is, although they were very busy visiting a lot of churches, Elder Choi took the time to ask us about our investigators. He encouraged us to "Look Up and set high expectations!" Which is what he talked about last general conference. I love Elder Choi!

The weather here is pretty wet-- lots and lots of fog and rain! But it is kind of fun! I love love love the ocean and water in general, so it is a great place to be. Plus it is totally a mountain that we live on, so it is like we are hiking around all day. I am getting thighs of steel, haha!

Yesterday we saw a couple miracles-- a girl in our ward who became less active (she is about 20) came to church yesterday, with her boyfriend. I spoke yesterday on the sacrament, and her boyfriend seemed to listen pretty intently. Anyway, after the meeting I ran to say hello to him and we talked a bit. Super nice kid. I asked where he was from, and he said Daegu. I was excited, and I told him I had lived in Daegu too! Well, I asked him where he lived in Daegu (it is a pretty huge city, hours across by driving) and he told me Hwawon. I was mind blown! I lived in Jincheon, and if you take the subway like 2 stops away (each stop is only a 10 minute walk apart) you get to Hwawon! So he was living in my last area! For reference, it would be like attending church in Idaho, having a less active woman come with her non-member boyfriend, talking to him, and finding out he lives in Erda! Haha. Also the kid loves basketball-- not too common in Korea. So I told him about my last companion, Elder Seely, who is still in that area! He was super excited when I told him they should play together sometime.

I know that God guided us and this transfer! Other missionaries probably wouldn't have known where that kid was from and maybe not have been able to get his contact to refer to the other missionaries, but because I served there my last area I was able to. I know that was God guiding and helping us!

I love my great family! I better go, but before I do, I want to share something.

I have been thinking about patience lately. I am working on patience as a Christlike attribute right now. In Mosiah 23-24, which I think I shared a few weeks ago, it says:

21 Nevertheless the Lord seeth fit to chasten his people; yea, he trieth their patience and their faith.

22 Nevertheless—whosoever putteth his trust in him the same shall be lifted up at the last day. Yea, and thus it was with this people.

I think it is interesting that patience and faith are grouped together. How do you think they are connected? Here are some of my thoughts: 

When we have faith, we trust the lord. We believe in Him, and we believe Him. When our lives get hard, our faith can waver. We can wonder if the Lord really will fulfill all that is promised. We get impatient. But when we trust in the Lord and His timing, when our faith is strong, our patience increases! We are able to endure due to the stamina that comes from faith that the Lord will fulfill all that He has promised.

In the case of the people of Alma, this is what happened: 

15 And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.

16 And it came to pass that so great was their faith and their patience that the voice of the Lord came unto them again, saying: Be of good comfort, for on the morrow I will deliver you out of bondage.

I know there are great blessings from patience.  How can we be more patient with ourselves and those around us? 

Love you all!

Elder Beckett

One Year Mark! (July 2, 2017)

Wow-- my year mark hits this week! I can't believe it. I just wanted to let you all know I love you and say hello before you go to bed-- but we are going somewhere else and so I will have to email in 3 or 4 hours probably. Anyway, feel free to go to sleep!  I just wanted to say hello. I will be on for about 10 minutes.  My new area is by far the most beautiful area geographically! The ocean is right there! It is super cool.  Ugh, I can't get pictures to work today, though, sorry.

This week in 영도 was great. We found two new investigators, one of whom is a young father with a wife and child. Elder A, my companion, and Elder M, the previous missionary serving in this area, had met the man a few times and had built good trust with him. This week one day in morning 전도 we were kind of drawn to his area, and we payed him a quick visit. He ended up sharing with us that he had felt like there were so many churches and he didn't know which one was right. We taught the restoration, gave him a Book of Mormon, and he agreed to take the lessons! A great miracle.

Also, yesterday we had a big schedule of street proselyting while we were fasting. Not easy, but at least the weather was fairly cool, as it often is here in 영도. Nobody really wanted to talk to us. We ate dinner, and then went back out, staying this time on our side of the island. We went down by a college, and then we felt like we should go by the coast of the island, but there were only a few fisherman and no one really to talk to. I was a little discouraged because I felt like I had just followed my thoughts and not the spirit, and there were some spiritually dangerous places down there. We left that little area with a rather heavy feeling. I was feeling discouraged and a little frustrated, opposite of the motivation and hope I had when I first arrived in this area.

We kept walking and talking to people. We met this amazing couple from china, very kind, who agreed to meet again, but seemed more interested in friendship than the church. As we continued on, a young man, 25 years old, stopped us, and asked us to take a picture with him. Of course we agreed, and then he asked us why we were in Korea. We sat down there at the little convenience story and taught him about the plan of Salvation (using the pamphlet :) ). He told us how happy he felt as we talked. He said he wanted to think over the message and then call us to meet again the next meet. He was so genuine and kind. I know that, although Satan tried to discourage us, tempt us, and get us down, as we continued forward, God prepared the miracle there at the end of the night for us. God loves us and wants to help us, but we need to work to get a reward, and that is something I saw yesterday. 

I love this new area! And our new mission president came-- what a kind man. Love you all!

Elder Beckett

Here's my spiritual thought for the week.

In the book of Mosiah, we read the story of Alma, a once-wicked priest of King Noah who converted to Jesus Christ. This changed his life completely. He went from being rich in the wealth of the world, with a perfect job, servants to attend him, and, I am sure, any worldly pleasure he desired, to hiding in the forest from others seeking to kill him. Yet now he had the Gospel, and he had happiness- real joy, the kind that lasts longer than the fun of a video game, tennis match, or a dinner with friends.

 While Alma was in the wilderness, he shared that Gospel that had brought him so much joy. Although it is true that his repentance was, I am sure, painful and difficult, (he said that ""I myself was caught in a snare, and did many things which were abominable in the sight of the Lord, which caused me sore repentance; Nevertheless, after much tribulation, the Lord did hear my cries, and did answer my prayers, and has made me an instrument in his hands in bringing so many of you to a knowledge of his truth." It was worth it, and he risked his very life to share that same Gospel which had strengthened him. It is this time period that is depicted in the painting in the front of the Book of Mormon, Alma baptizing at the waters of Mormon. We still believe today that baptism by water, as Christ received, is essential to be truly happy now, and until eternity.

Many people converted and followed Alma. In fact, these people wanted him to be their king, but he refused. He simple served as their religious leader, literally serving and teaching them. These people were such a joyous people, and began to "prosper exceedingly."

However, "the Lord seeth fit to chasten his people; yea, he trieth their patience and their faith."

It is that this time that the Nephites' feared enemies, the Lamanites, come into the land. The Lamanites loathe the Nephites, a grudge passed down from their fathers, and their father's fathers. They delight in stealing from, plundering, and killing the Nephites. The people of Alma are devastated. They had worked so hard-- they had repented of their sins, been baptized, kept the commandments, and sought to follow their leader-- and now it would all go to waste. There was no way they could fight the Lamanites. But why? Had they done something wrong? Was it their fault? Did they deserve it?

Honestly, I don't have the answer to that. I don't know why God didn't just let them live there happily. I have some speculations-- but I don't think they are important or 100% correct.

We all have these times in our lives-- why did this go wrong? Why did this hardship come upon me? Whether it is the death of a loved one, a lost job, problems with your spouse, or your testimony, or your schooling, or whatever it is-- life is hard. And sometimes we don't know why.

I have met some wonderful people on my mission. I have met some people whose testimonies were far stronger than mine, people who were purer than me, people who were more Christlike, selfless, patient, understanding than me-- yet whose circumstances were far harder than mine. I love Brother S, who was a blind man in Sangin who sang praises to God at the top of his lungs. I love brother J, who is faithful in the church when all of his family is against him. I love Sister C, whose husband left her and who has a walking disability, but is faithful and kind to the missionaries, and trusts that God has a better plan. 

Why do they have to suffer?

I don't know. But I do know that God knows. And I do know that God is far more knowledgeable than me. "Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend." Mos. 4:9

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Prov. 3:5-6

I am grateful for the hardships in my life. I am grateful for what they teach me. I know that I am so blessed and my "challenges" do not compare to what many other people, better people, are going through. However, through my troubles I have learned the wisdom of a God who I believe in, who I have faith in. I don't understand everything, nor do I pretend to. Wouldn't it be strange if we did understand everything? Wouldn't it be strange if we knew why everything was the way it was, or if we perfectly understood God? There wouldn't be much point of a God if we knew as much as Him right now.

Although I don't know exactly why we have trials, except that it is for our betterment, I do know two things: 1)God helps us through trials, and 2) The best is yet to come.

Back to the story of Alma: Alma's people were protected from the Lamanites; God didn't allow the Lamanites to kill them, but they did become their slaves. The Lamanites were ruthlessly cruel to the people of Alma, and it became so severe that Alma's people would be killed if they were seen doing so much as praying.

It was at this time that God came to them, and commandment "lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage. And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions. And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord."

I know that God is with us in our trials. I also know that He understands exactly how we feel. He doesn't send us aimless or pointless hardships. He has a reason for everything. After all, anything we feel, God has already felt. " The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?"

As we seek to turn to the Lord, even when things don't make sense to us, even when we feel that we are abandoned or that there is no benefit in our trial, we will see God's hand in our lives. One day, though it may not be today, we will look back with gratitude and praise to God upon those challenges he lovingly allowed to come into our life.

This past year on my mission has been amazing. I have learned so much, and one of the greatest things I have learned is how little I know in this great big world full of knowledge. I am do know that I am in the hands of He who created it all.

As we continue forward day to day, I hope we remember that " Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him."

I love you all! I love the Lord. I love the Gospel. My heart is filled with love. I share that in the name of He whose love is perfect, even Jesus Christ, amen.

That was pretty long! But just some of my thoughts lately.

Love,

Elder Beckett

Yeongdo Island! Transfer time! (June 26, 2017)

I got transferred to an island--- in Korean 영도. I think in English... Tahiti? Or maybe Yeongdo-gu ;)

(Photo by mom from Google Maps)

I am really going to miss Sangin! We were meeting some great people there-- I will miss especially brother S, but I feel like we will be friends forever! He is Andy's age, and is going to live in Philippines for a couple months, but I bet when he gets back to Sangin he will be baptized! He is a great guy. We were finally able to teach him the Plan of Salvation, and he had some good questions!  I love the Plan of Salvation. There is so much to learn from the wonderful Plan of Happiness! The Plan of Happiness is the "why" of the Gospel, and as we focus on that, we will find more desire, hope, and motivation in our lives. 

My new area is called Yeongdo-gu, it is an island not far from the coast of the mainland, and is connected by a couple bridges back over. We are surrounded by water, but aside from that the area looks normal! The branch here is very small, with only 2 Melchezidek priesthood holders besides me and my amazing new companion, Elder A. Elder A is from Australia, but his heritage is Chilean! He has been out 2 transfers less than me. Super fun-loving kid and I look forward to working with him here!

This area is kind of small-- whereas in Sangin we were super busy, meeting less actives, members, investigators, etc, here is quite small. We will probably be spending a lot of time finding in the hot sun. Pray for us! It is times like these that I really have to remind myself of my missionary purpose-- why am I sharing the Gospel? Why am I on a mission? 

We share the Gospel for a variety of reasons. First off-- living according to the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the only way that our brothers and sisters on this earth can return to live with their Heavenly Father and families forever in eternal happiness!

Why?

I don't think it is some mean God trying to set a high standard to prevent his children from reaching Him. Would any loving Father do that? No. But perhaps because, as it says in Doctrine and Covenants 121  "That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness." Perhaps the reason God instituted the Gospel is because we literally cannot fulfill our spiritual or physical potential any other way! Some way, beyond our understanding, like the rigorous training of a professional athlete, the Gospel prepares us for what lies ahead-- something far more important than an athletic competition.

Also-- I have seen the blessings of the Gospel. I have seen the strength, joy, real peace it brings into our lives.

I love you all! Thank you for your wonderful emails. We got back really late after transfers, so I only could email for a short time-- sorry about that! I love you all so much!

Elder Beckett

Happy Father's Day, Dad! (June 18)

Hey Family! How are you all? HAPPY FATHER'S DAY, DAD!

I got a Korean style haircut. I look so Asian!

We saw some great miracles this week! Here's an excerpt from my letter to my mission president:

"I absolutely love serving in this threesome. Thank you so much for the privilege of serving here with Elder S and Elder K. We are having a lot of fun, and seeing great things happen.

Last family night in Sangin was AWESOME! 2 investigators, and a less active came. We all read the Book of Mormon together, showed a video about repentance, and had a fun time, too! 

We saw a miracle this week on Tuesday-- met a man from Columbia who was only in Korea for a short time. He wants to be closer to God and met missionaries briefly on the street in New York and received a BOM. We gave him one in Spanish and English, and he expressed the desire to read more and decide for himself! He had read some, but been turned away by the part about cursing the Lamanites skin. We shared personal testimonies of the BOM, and he said he wants to give it a try!

Also this week I learned a lot as me, Elder S, and Elder K did a teaching practice for a less active visit, then when we visited the lesson went SO WELL and similar to what we practiced! I learned a lot from Elder K's boldness, his testimony, and trust in the Lord's commandments. I too want the Lord to count on me as someone to be BOLD in teaching. The less active seemed touched-- he revealed that he thinks about how he needs to start coming to church, and said he would bring his little son (who comes every week), say hello and then sit down. He didn't end up doing that, but we will try to visit him again.

Thanks for everything President! We are meeting with great people... but we need to find those who are white and ready to harvest.

Elder K is a stellar missionary, and it is a shame we are sending him to California rather than staying here!. Me and Elder S are really growing to love him."

Here's a picture from our mission conference!

That was from my mission president's email.  Also! Don't worry. But this week we got a call to take our 72 hour emergency kits and go the the mission home immediately! We jumped on a train and headed down. Turned out to be a drill, but things are getting cool! Haha that is when we all met as a mission and did zone conference! I sure am going to miss President and Sister Barrow-- what good good people.

Getting pictures with families I love.

We played ping pong on p-day--I beat Elder K once. Then he destroyed me!

I love this family!

Our threesome

The threesome is SO MUCH FUN. Threesomes are super fun, I love it! Elder K is really great. He keeps saying "oh no" when something goes wrong, in this funny Korean accent, haha. Cute English.

The language is... alright. But it is kind of crazy how hard Korean is. I have been out almost a year, and I still sit down sometimes and have absolutely no idea what people are talking about... Korean is crazy. And a lot of times we speak and people have no idea what we say. But that's alright! I can talk to people, joke with people, teach. But not comfortable yet.

The weather is SO HOT. CRAZY HOT!

Before I go, I want to share a cool story you are all familiar with. 

34 And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.

35 And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, This is a desert place, and now the time is far passed:

36 Send them away, that they may go into the country round about, and into the villages, and buy themselves bread: for they have nothing to eat.

37 He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat?

38 He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes.

39 And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass.

40 And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties.

41 And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all.

42 And they did all eat, and were filled.

43 And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes.

44 And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men."

Why do I love this? There are a lot of lessons to learn.

We all feel like we have to do more, that we are inadequate and insufficient, that we can't do it on our own. Guess what? We can't.

In this story-- 5,000 men? Not including women and children... and only 5 loves and two fishes.

The Savior tells us what we need to do. He asks for what we have. If we are humble enough to submit to it, to try even when we know there is no way to do it on our own, He then magnifies it to somehow accomplish what he needs. 

The pattern is there for everything in our life.

May we always be humble enough to trust and rely on Jesus Christ, to do our best when we know it won't be enough by itself, and rely on God's Grace to magnify and help us accomplish what we need to!

Love

Elder B

New Companion! (June 11, 2017)

Hey y'all! We got a call from President this week that said that there was a missionary who's hometown is Busan, waiting for a Visa to America, but they felt it would be best for him to start his mission while he waited! So he had gone to the Seoul South mission, gotten pneumonia, and went home for a couple weeks. After getting better, they decided to keep him close to home, cause he only has two weeks to wait, so they sent him here to the Busan Mission. President prayed about it and felt like he should come to be with me and Elder S in Daegu for the last two weeks of the transfer! His name is Elder J K. Super great new missionary, and a ton of fun!

Here's an excerpt of my letter to President:

We saw miracles come again through priesthood keys. 

We told you about the bodybuilder who we met through a member of our bishopric's referral a few weeks ago! Well we met again this week! And he brought a classmate (both are 42 though, and one is the mother of 3 children!). The bodybuilder, Brother Y, is a student of Brother K, who is a professor at a nearby college. Anyway, because of that Brother K, who referred him wants to stay out of it until Brother Y wants to decided to learn for himself and not be influenced by school matters. So we called Brother Y independently of Brother K this week, and then met without Brother K. It was a great meeting!We ate together, and were able to talk about our church, about God, and Jesus Christ, and peace, and the Book of Mormon. Afterward, we gave them a church tour. When we arrived at the church, the bishopric, including Brother K, were all there! It was great, because Brother Y and his friend he brought both LOVE "Professor" K, so they were so honored and happy to say hello to him AT THE CHURCH before we gave a tour! I have never seen the Bishopric at the church before, so it was so inspired that Bishop called a bishopric meeting at the time. I know he received revelation to do it! Brother Y and his friend were both very impressed by the beautiful simplicity of our church. We testified of the Saviour and told them they were always welcome at our church.

Things are going great in the trio! We love love love Elder 김. He is a very hardworking, obedient missionary, willing to jump in and go for it! Also very positive and down to earth. We were able to do a split yesterday and jundo for 1 1/2 hours with an elder in our ward, 김동훈, who is preparing for his mission! I think it was good preparation for him, and we knocked twice as many doors! Elder S and Elder 김재민 went together, and I went with the brother in our ward. Elder S and Elder K were able to go sit inside and talk with somebody! Me and Brother K got a lot of rejection, but it turned out alright cause we were able to talk with each other more about missions and things. He is working on his papers now!

P-day fun!

I love you all! Got to go, but I want to just share one story I love with you.

21 And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea.

22 And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet,

23 And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.

24 And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.

35 While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?...

...36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.

37 And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.

38 And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.

39 And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.

40 And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.

41 And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.

42 And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment."

I love this story-- even when all seemed lost to Jairus, that people told him his daughter was dead, when people "laughed [Jesus's promise] to scorn" he believe. He still had faith in the Maker of the World, the Lord, God! I know that we can too be like Jairus, even when other things seem uncertain, that God is always certain; His promises are sure.

Love you!

June 4, 2017

Aloha! Hello from Hawaii! I mean Korea!  We just ate some great pizza for lunch from E-Mart. Yeah, it is like an expensive small Costco. But the pizza is a decent deal compared to other Korean pizzas.

I ate stingray this week! I don't recommend it.  Ok the first picture: I will tell you the story in a sec but basically we were taken by a member who brought his awesome nonmember associate to the top of a mountain to eat this food including stingray. The stingray is on the left side of the white plate, it is red. It is so rough, and rubbery. And it kind of caves in when you eat it. On the right side of the plate is some pork pieces, there is also some acorn paste (top left) kimchi (top) and other veggies. You take a leaf and put the different stuff in it then eat it all together!

Then Me and Elder S! It was his birthday this week! I love Elder S! We ate pineapple and ordered chicken for his birthday. Here in Korea the favorite food among missionaries is fried chicken. In Korea they just have these good little sauces with it. Allie did you have fried chicken much?

Last- we went to a sushi buffet with a sweet member and her son who is a recently returned missionary this week. 

Next, here's a picture of a funny huge caveman figure on top of a sign advertising a prehistoric park nearby. The funny thing is that the park only has a few kind of normal looking rocks. It is by our house and sometimes we go do our studies there. President Barrow asked us to try and get out more to see the people by doing studies and things outside! We have met some great people that way!

Me and Elder S with Brother S! He is a new AWESOME investigator. I don't know if I told you about him? I met him about 3 months ago on the subway. He was studying English, so I struck up a conversation with him and invited him to our free English class. He said he had attended in Seoul but wasn't sure if he would come. So I gave him a card. Fast forward 2 months and he walks into church during Sunday school!

He is super nice. And really good at English. And he loves swimming! He came to church again yesterday, and we are so grateful to have the opportunity to meet him and share the gospel with him.

This is the stuff we ate with Brother S. It is called nangmyun. It is like cold noodles with vinegar and beef! It is not bad!

Ok! This week was awesome. Elder Oaks came to Korea a couple weeks ago, and visited our mission! He is so funny, just a loveable, good man. So wise and knowledgeable. Anyway, in the broadcast to all of Korea, he taught, "Korea is in condition that is ready for missionary work to be done. Pray to God and ask him what YOU can do, in your individual circumstances, to share the gospel. If you promise to God to act on any promptings that you receive, he will speak to you."

Last Sunday night a man in our ward, named Brother S K needed to get into the church to get his bag he had left. So we opened it up. On his way out, he invited us to go to his college to have lunch with them the next friday. He said he wanted to talk about missionary work! Brother S K is a member of our Bishopric, and he went to college in Ohio. He is a college professor. His college isn't in our area, so I was a little concerned about travel times and things, but we got permission from our Zone Leaders and things.

On Friday morning we took the subway for 35 minutes and then he picked us up at the subway station. He took us on a brief drive through of the college campus, called 경북 대학교 I think, and then parked his car. He told us that he had invited a friend of his to eat with us. The friend arrived, he was a very kind man. His name is Mr. Y. We got to know him a little bit, he like sports, in his 40s. We started going to this Korean Grill, but they saw that it was super busy so they decided to go to this other restaurant that Brother K's friend liked. It ended up being on top of a nearby mountain... I was stressed some more because of time! I felt like we weren't using the Lord's time effectively, and got a little pit in my stomach... But we were able to get to know the friend really well on the way up. 

Then we ate! The food was really good-- super cultural experience. Very traditional. Pork, sam (leaf wrappings), kimchi, special rice with pine nuts and other vegetables, etc.

On the way back, Mr. Y asked us about missionary work. How we fund it, etc. We used it as an opportunity to testify of the truth of our message, why we were on missions. He seemed to listen really intently. We asked brother K how he had been converted, and he shared about how he had wondered in Junior High about death a lot, about his life's purpose. He loved Alma 34:32. At that point, the Book of Mormon had been brought up, and Mr. Y was glancing through it, and it had some passalong cards that I had stuck in it to give out to people. One of them happened to be in Alma, so Mr. Y flipped and read about this life being the time to prepare to meet God. He really liked it, and so he asked me what my favorite scripture was. I shared Moroni 7:45-47. We then told him we wanted to give him the Book as a gift! He accepted gratefully, and asked me and Elder S to write him a short note in it. Nice! I wrote my testimony. 

After we parted, he texted us later that day telling us thank you-- that he had really enjoyed meeting with us, saying (in Korean) "Seely, Beckett, it was a pleasure to meet you. It was a time to feel your good hearts, your warm humanity (i think?) and your bright and clear power. I hope we can meet again. Have a happy day!" Sorry if the translation is a little off-- he used some big words. Anyway, SUPER AWESOME!

Yesterday at church brother S K shared his testimony about how he had been wanted to do missionary work. He had heard Elder Oaks' advice, and wanted to follow it. He said that he had the feeling to invite Mr Y to eat with us, but was nervous to do it, but did it anyway, and in turned out to be a great experience. He said that after we left, Mr Y kept saying "in the world of people it is hard to find just good people like the missionaries" and "how pure they are, how good, how smart, how good looking" Hahaha. In Korea that is not weird. He also said he had other friends he wanted to introduce to us. But I was so grateful for this good man Mr Y. He felt like a very pure soul who could recognize the spirit. Last night we called him to ask if he would like to meet again this week. He said he would love to! And he has another friend who he would like to bring to eat with us! Miracles! 

Point of the story-- God is preparing people around every one of you! Pray to know how to do missionary work in your sphere, and He will guide you. commit to Him that you will follow your promptings, and pray for courage to act. Then do it! Miracles happen when members and missionaries work together and follow the spirit!

Also-- when we were sharing our testimonies on the drive home after eating together with Brother K and Mr. Y, I had a thought come to me. It was "Don't worry. I know what I am doing. I know the end from the beginning." It turned out to be a great day, but I had been really stressing about time and things. I am grateful that God took care of it!

Ok! I have had a couple thoughts about a little message this week. As missionaries we are always supposed to use our time effectively. I am starting to realize how quick the time is going... tomorrow is 11 months. And soon I will be halfway :'(. 

One thing that stuck out in general conference to me was Elder M Russell Ballard's talk: Return and Receive. I encourage you all to listen to it, perhaps during family night, and then discuss what you learned and felt.

He started off with something that was an obvious but much needed reminder: "Over the years, I have observed that those who accomplish the most in this world are those with a vision for their lives, with goals to keep them focused on their vision and tactical plans for how to achieve them. Knowing where you are going and how you expect to get there can bring meaning, purpose, and accomplishment to life."

I have been thinking-- how am I doing on my mission? Am I doing everything that God wants me to do?

And as I thought, I thought about three principles, two of which Elder Ballard emphasized, and all three of which are in Preach My Gospel:   Setting Goals, Planning, and Accountability.

Each week we do a weekly planning session that takes around 3 hours. Preach My Gospel outlines what you need to do in a 13 step guide to weekly planning. In every single step it says, "set goals and make plans to..." etc. I am pretty good at making goals. I think everyone likes goals. We learn a lot about goals in school. People set goals like "I want to become a doctor." "I want to learn to play the piano" "I want to learn a language". All great, and difficult goals. Goals give us vision. They help us see somewhere we could be, and help us to be motivated to act. But without plans, goals have little effectiveness.

Elder Ballard said, "Some have difficulty differentiating between a goal and a plan until they learn that a goal is a destination or an end, while a plan is the route by which you get there."

I think that is perfect! A plan is absolutely necessary. A goal is like a picture of a destination you'd like to visit. But without making travel plans, all it will EVER be is a nice picture of a faraway place.

So you want to learn a language? How are you going to do it? What are you going to do every day to work towards it? "Ok, each day I will learn 10 vocabulary words. I will review them for 30 minutes each morning, and if I don't have time then then I will do it before bed." "I will study from my grammar materials each Wednesday." "I will practice listening by watching the news in Korean".

Without plans, goals don't go very far. 

What do you want to do? Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Where do you WANT to see yourself in 10 years? 5 Years? 6 months? What are you going to do TODAY to work towards it?

Lastly, I think accountability is absolutely essential when making goals and setting plans. As missionaries, we are accountable to God and priesthood leaders. I also encourage you to talk about your goals with God. He knows far better than me, or you, or any worldly expert or scientist how to achieve your goals. Tell Him your plans. Then report back to Him on how you are doing. He will guide you.

I also encourage you to tell someone else: a friend, spouse, or family member. Being accountable brings motivation and desire to do better. President Monson said, "When performance is measured, performance improves. When performance is measured and reported, the rate of improvement accelerates."

I know that is true! I invite you all to set goals, to make plans, and to account to someone! How are we using this precious time God has given us? I know we can live our lives to the fullest as we use these principles that an apostle of the Lord taught.

Love, 

Elder Beckett

Tennis! (May 28, 2017)

Hey family, how are ya'all? Sorry for emailing so late! I just went and got whooped in tennis by a bunch of middle-aged Koreans! It was awesome!  A man in our ward took us to play tennis--he is just learning. Anyway, we played a bit, but only had two racquets. When it was my turn to switch out, I went to talk to the people on the court next to us, who were seriously SUPER GOOD. Like they would beat 95% of the high school players good. Me and Isaac...probably...okay, most likely would have beat them together. They were 50-ish, with one 70 year old-ish guy. When I first started, all were around 50. Anyway, I introduced myself and told them I played in high school. They liked practicing their English with me, and invited me to jump in to doubles. So I did! I couldn't keep the ball in at all. I was embarrassed! Anyway, I kept praying to play good so I could win their hearts like Ammon!  Haha...funny but true. The first set we got creamed. Second set it was so weird--first off, they changed who was in and out (the people who came in weren't as good as the others, but still pretty good! Still could beat most high schoolers--they just don't miss)--and then suddenly I warmed up or something, because I could keep it in and control the ball, and we came back from behind and won the set! At that point they all commented, "He really was a tennis player!" Haha. I had some pretty good shots at the end. One of the guys followed me wherever I went and took a bunch of cool pictures of me, haha! He said, "Your form....good!" And I exchanged numbers with him. I think he wants to learn English. Anyway, I was soooo exhausted after that set, because I haven't had intense exercise in a while. But it was so fun!!

One of my miracles I saw this week happened yesterday. We have been praying and working to find a family lately, but it is pretty hard! So far, we haven't found one yet. Last week we tried to seek the Bishop's guidance asking him which less actives we should visit, and then after he told us, we went to find their apartment yesterday. We almost ended up coming back right before because of something else we had to do, but we decided to find the apartment. We had a list of 3 of them we needed to visit, but this guy was the one with the address that happened to be the one the people who were pointing the directions to us seemed to know. While we were on the way, we talked to people on the street who were there, and I met one guy, explained who we were and what we were doing.  He literally said, "Gwanshim eesumneeda!" Which means "I have interest!" I was a little surprised. We kept talking to him, he told us he was walking to the park. We have him a Prince of Peace pass along card, and he gave us his phone number. And then he pointed out his family who he was going to meet--he has a wife and 3 little boys! He seems really interested in learning. I am so excited to meet him this week! I know that God helps us and magnifies our efforts. Please pray for this family to accept the Gospel and that we will be able to meet them alright.

Also, we met with Brother S__--he is a 30/30 program guy who we meet with pretty regularly. We had a great great meeting with him. He is curious about our church--he reads all the pamphlets he can get his hands on, and started the Book of Mormon! But it hasn't felt super sincere with him. But then this week he really opened up, and after the appointment we were kind of just in awe, grateful to have been a part of it. We started with the English. That was probably the best day of English we have had with him. We spoke almost all English, just really slowly because he is a beginner. But he really seemed to enjoy it and do well.

When we switched to the 30 minutes of Gospel, he immediately asked about baptism versus sprinkling water. Why do we do it by immersion? We taught that that is how Christ did it, we cited the Bible as well as living prophets, and taught the symbolism therin. He also wanted to know about commandments, so we briefly touched on it. Then we switched to what we felt was the missing link: prayer. Our mission president had mentioned this before in the transfer periodical newsletter. We followed our beloved President Barrow's advice on teaching prayer. Brother S__ had already been praying with us during lessons, very beautiful prayers. But he didn't pray at home, and we felt it would be a great benefit to him. Our ward mission leader felt the same.

We told him we wanted to talk about prayer. We asked the question, "If Heavenly Father stood in this room, what would you thank him for?" He responded a meaningful answer--his family, his health, his opportunity to meet with us. We then asked him, "If Heavenly Father were standing in this room, what would you ask him?" He thought for a second, and then spoke. "I would ask him to bless and unite my family. I would ask him for forgiveness; I haven't been keeping his commandments." And he continued a little more. We then asked him to pray in that kind of prayer, really speaking what is in his heart. We also asked him to pray to God to know if our message and the Book of Mormon were true.

And then he prayed. It was a beautiful prayer--it was a heartfelt prayer. It as talking with God. He asked God for forgiveness and resolved to do better and to pray every day. He asked God to help his family. He thanked God that he could meet with us missionaries. He asked God to help him know if what we were teaching were true. He really seemed to open up, to be sincere. It was wonderful. We meet with him again tomorrow!

Well, that's all for now. Have a great week!  Love,

Elder Beckett