Work Hard Being All In

Mah famiry and friends how are we? So yesterday the power was out all day till late so we're writing today! 

Also shout-out to my nephew Koa for being born yesterday! That's right ladies and gentlemen I'm an uncle!

This week we were back in business and the first day or two we were basically going around visiting and setting appointments with people that we couldn't visit the last week. It was a lot of walking.

Tuesday we did exchanges with the Elders here in Trujillo. Elder White came here with me and it was good. A lot of the appointments fell through and Elder White kept saying it was his fault for having bad luck. The funny thing is that's normally me when I'm on exchanges in other areas. But it was good and we were able to find some good people. We'll see if they'll progress in these next few weeks.

On Wednesday we had an interesting experience. So it was hour for dinner so we get to the Bishop's house (that's were we eat on Wednesday in case you were wondering) and his wife opens the door, looks at us for 5 seconds and tells us she forgot it was Wednesday haha. She tells us she'll make something quick but we told he we could come back in a little bit so she could have time to prepare something so she wasn't rushed. We start out and we contact a house with a lady outside and we start talking to her and she tells us "I don't like your religion. I don't like the Mormon's religion." We quickly tell her that we aren't Mormons and say we're from The Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints. She then accepts us to talk to her because we weren't "Mormons". We talked to her a little and she liked what we had to share. It was kinda funny because after she kinda started to bash on the church and later on she realized that the Church is the same and then was making excuses for when she was available and all that jazz. It's interesting how people judge us right off the bat. But as my companion and I have been following the prophet, doors have been opened and we've been able to help more people understand about the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. We have a return appointment this week so we'll see. Oh and the dinner that night was delicious :)

On Friday we went to go help Jerson cut down weeds on a property they have. We went as a district (only 4 of us but still haha) because they told us it was pretty big. We get there and we find a JUNGLE! They hadn't gone to clean it up since January so there were some big plants. Some of them were even taller than me! They also were the type of weed that has thorns all the way down the stem and the leaves have little thorns. When we finished my knuckles were bleeding haha. Oh yeah It was because we were using machetes to cut all of it down so that's why my hands got shredded. But we got it done in about 2ish hours. It was hard work and after my forearms were SORE! If you wanna workout your forearms go swing a machete around for a while haha but remember to be safe kiddos!

Oh that same day we were contacting and we contacted a Gringo and his family. We were there for 2 hours and my comp just chilling there wishing the Gift of Tongues would work a lot more than it did because they were speaking English. Their daughter is in the school here and she's been learning Spanish so what she could say she was talking to my comp and the were playing haha. It was interesting and in the end the lesson didn't go as well as I thought it would. He basically said that we weren't Christians and we had lots of fundamentally wrong principles and said he and his wife had already been saved because the spirit changed their hearts. It was interesting but frustrating. I don't think we'll be returning.

In my studies this week I came across a talk titled "Stand up Inside and Be All In" by Elder Gary B. Sabin of the Seventy. Something I loved was this: "We don’t hold back to see what the minimum is we can get by with. The Lord requires the heart and a willing mind." Are we going through life just doing the minimum to float on by? My mom would frequently say "go the extra mile" when I was growing up and it has been maintained in my mind all this time. The extra mile brings miracles. The extra mile brings extra blessings. If you're doing what you've been told, great job! But there's more to do. Commit today to not hold back and be All In. There are many people with needs that we can help. Be committed. Be all in.

Elder Beardall

Semana Santa

I am so grateful for the sacrifice Christ suffered for us. Our older brother giving us the greatest gift a man could give. I love him so much. This week was such a blessing to be able to really focus on Him.

In the Catholic culture Easter season isn't just a weekend of a bunny coming (although shout-out to the Easter Bunny for hooking my comp and I up!) and then Sunday remember the sacrifice Christ did for us. The week of the events leading up to His crucifixion are reenacted every year to remember all that He did. It's a national "holiday" so everyone (except for people in touristic places like here) have vacations. It's basically like spring break. Although it's time for people to be home and enjoy vacation, NOBODY was home this week. Better said everybody was here but on the beach and HOLY MOLY there were a ton of people. Lots of tourists and traffic. We also live like 3 blocks from central park here so people drive by and all the parties and events that were happening we could hear and man it was CRAZY! Makes me glad that I don't live in a touristic place at home! We tried to find people but we didn't find anyone. Luckily on Tuesday and Wednesday we had exchanges with the Zone Leaders so we were able to go to Olanchito where there were people who received us but let me tell you, that place is an oven. All of Honduras is but there it was 40 degrees Celsius which is about 105 Fahrenheit with humidity which is GNARLY! But we're blessed to he here on the coast with the ocean which brings the breeze. We're blessed.

So for Semana Santa we were with members and we looked for service. Friday we helped Hna. Thomas move A TON of sand that was left over from building their house. We could've filled an entire sandbox with all that we moved. We basically made a sandbox but they won't be using as one. Good exercise. 

Sorry that was just a long blurb but other than all that not much happened. We weren't able to visit any of our investigators which stunk. Nobody came to church so it was a rough week. Awesome if we were tourists but as missionaries it's one of the hardest here. But with all that happening I read a cool talk this week that helped me a lot titled "The Ministry of Angels" by Elder Holland. I loved it because it talked about how God never leaves alone. He sends angels to comfort and protect us. He talks about how even the Savior was comforted by angels during the Atonement. Heavenly angels as well as earthly angels are sent by our loving Heavenly Father so we never are alone. While reading about earthly angels I sat there reflecting on my life and all the angels Heavenly Father has sent to comfort and protect me. Although some are visible and others not so much I have been very blessed. If only I could thank every single one of them because they really have helped me in this life. They help all. The trick is open our eyes to see them blessing our lives. Ask Heavenly Father in prayer to have him open your eyes and I promise you'll be able to recognize blessing your lives. God loves you. He will never leave you alone.

Elder Beardall

The Beginning of New Lives

Many big things happened this week. We were so busy that time flew by rápidamente! (quickly)

Wednesday we went to the hospital to visit a member that was in intensive care due to her heart. We weren't able to talk with her because she was sedated but we talked to her mom and it was a good experience. It made me appreciate my health. The sad thing is her condition didn't improve and late Friday night she passed away. Saturday we went to her funeral which was super quick! Apparently they don't normally prepare the body's so they do the funeral super quick. There were a lot of people to support the family in their lost. My comp was asked to give a spiritual thought and I liked what he said. He shared the idea that when we die we are heading out of the dark and headed to the light of a new world if we do what's right. Also another member shared that death is just another step in the journey on the steps of life. Although death is sad and is hard it's a good time to ponder on where we are in life and what we can improve on.

Friday we had Zone Conference which was good. President talked about 7 habits of a highly successful missionary. I feel like I've heard of something like that but it was good. I felt inspired. Here's some of the things he shared: 

Habit 1: Be Proactive- evaluate and improve situatuons

Habit 2: Begin with the end in mind- Don't get lost in NOT doing the small things

Habit 3: Do the most important things first

Those are just 3 habits but they're good advice. They can be applied to normal life too so you can apply them too ;)

Thursday we had the Zone Leaders come to help is with a baptismal interview. Saturday mah boy Jerson got baptized. We've been working with this guy for the whole time I've been here so it was awesome to see him progress and finally be baptized. We put so many baptismal dates with him but sometimes the Lord has different plans in mind. He knows us and the timing in which we need things so we just need to be patient and trust in Him. It was an interesting baptismal service and he had us stressing yesterday because he didn't show up at first to church and we called him so many times asking if he was coming and he kept saying he was on his way. It took him 1 hour to walk a 20 min distance. But we love our buddy Jerson :)

My sister shared a talk with me titled "Notwithstanding My Weakness" by Elder Neal A. Maxwell. It's super good. Here's 2 reasons why:

1) "Feet are made to move forward- not backward!"

2) "The spirit can drive the flesh beyond where the body first agrees to go."

We all have our weaknesses and maybe sometimes we feel like these weaknesses make us a failure. Our feet were made to help us move forward. To keep going. When we are weak, if we keep moving forward,  God will help us transform our weaknesses to strengths. We may feel like we are physically limited but our spirit allows us to push those limits and become like our Heavenly Father. So don't give up. He's there for you. Just keep trying!

Elder Beardall

Do Better, Be Better

First item of business..... SAN PEDRO SULA IS GETTING A TEMPLE!! Hahaha my buddy Elder White and I were watching in English in the ward secretary's office and although it was asked of us to not burst out..... We couldn't help it haha. We were so pumped. If you've seen the movie The Best Two Years (if not go watch it) we had a moment like when Elder Rogers and Calhoun have their investigator say he wants to be baptized. The part right as the guy leaves their apartment they shut the door and do that freak out and then the really weird hug haha Yeah Elder White and I did something like that. I'm so pumped for the members here because they sacrifice so much (lots of money and 8 hours in bus one way) to go to the temple. I kept telling the members that they were gonna announce a temple in San Pedro last conference and they didn't so I said this conf and now ITS TRUE! Man I love the temple so much. It's been a while since I've been and I feel partially empty. Imagine that. Not going to the temple can make us feel empty. Take advantage of the temple because they really do have an impact on your life. It brings peace and happiness and lots of blessings in your lives!

This week we've been working hard to find more people like last week. We've been looking for part member families and asking for references. One day we asked a member for a house to go contact and they give us a house so we go to see what's up. We get to the house and they answer through the window and say they're busy and to come the next day. We ask for his name and he says Barry. My comp looks at me with a big grin on his face and says "Barry happy". Hahahaha I was trying so hard not to laugh! My comp even wrote in his agenda for the appointment "very happy" at the time that he said to come back. My comp is a goon but I love the guy! 

We also find people through their little kids. Normally the kids are out playing in the street and we talk to them and usually ask if they can bring their parents. Kids never reject/lie to us and their parents are now "obligated" to come out. We did it with this awesome family that the missionaries were teaching but they moved so they stopped for a while. But this family is awesome and they like hearing. It's a single mom with four boys so my respect goes to this lady! She has a cute little kid. He's like a mini Maui from Moana. I'll send a pic so you can see haha.

So conference was delicious. I feel full (obviously on the spiritually side). I didn't go in with a set question but came out with a few questions answered. Crazy huh? Conference is such a great time of year! I love hearing about the gems you have found and I'd like to share some that I found :)

"Don't give up, people change." "No one is too far gone" -Elder Waddell

"All Heavenly Father asks of us is to do our very best everyday." "Let's not complicate things." -Elder Ballard 

"Convenience rarely leads to things that matter." "Stay out of the spiritual 'death zone'." "Proceed with trust." -Elder Homer

"Great coaches know the strengths and weaknesses of their players." "Do you feel weak? Congratulations! You made the lineup." -Elder Stevenson

"I've prayed for you.... And I know everything will work out." -Elder Eyring 

AND MY FAVORITES: "Repentance is a change of mind." "Do better, Be better." "Make it easy for her to want to be yours" (SO GOOD!) "Be the MAN the Lord wants you to be." -President Russell M. Nelson 

Man I loved the whole Priesthood session because there was many good reminders of how I as a Son of God need to improve. The Prophet and Apostles are truly guided by our loving Heavenly Father. Study their councils. Live Happier.

Elder Beardall

Nowhere to Go

Man this week was awesome! 

So my new comp is Elder Chitop. I love the dude. He's from Guatemala, 20 years old, 2nd of 5 kids, phobia of cats, he's been out for 13 months but you can't tell cuz he's such a hard worker. We started right in this week. We've been able to find lots of people and we invited them all to church and they were all excited to go but only 3 out of about 10 came. Some had good reasons why but this week we're gonna work some more with them.

It rained a little bit for 2 days which cooled things down. It was nice but the heats back. It's like mother nature's teasing us.

On Friday this week we were out finding people when we saw a big group of kids playing in the street so we went up to them to see what was up and to maybe play with them. We got there and said hi and a few minutes later about 3 of them were chasing my comp around with a cat while the rest are fighting over on who gets to hang on my arms and back. I felt like a little playground! We were messing around with them for a good minute when we decided we needed to go but they wouldn't let us. They had my comp partially cornered off with the cat and I had all the kids dragging on my back and pulling my arms. I had to shake them off and just haul off once I was free. My comp and I were booking it for a good minute before we got free because these kids just kept following us haha. It was super fun because the routine sometimes gets old but to play with the little kids and to laugh a little was nice. Little kids are a good time.

This week we had Ward Conference. I think it was good but couldn't tell you because we were sitting close to these kids that I'm pretty sure half of them have ADHD so they were all over the place. But everyone else seemed into it so it was probably good. All of the stake leaders came and they're all from far away (olanchito, sonaguera) so there were lots of people but about half were from the stake. I just hope that our investigators enjoyed it and that they could feel the spirit. 

Here's a scripture for ya:

1 Timothy 4:8 

For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come

At first it seems like it says exercise doesn't do much and it's OK to not do it. But if you read the footnotes little means a little while. Now it's flipped. We should maintain a healthy routine of exercise to maintain strength. As we study the scriptures more in depth we will be able to have a better understanding as to what God really wants us to understand. So study the scriptures and keep exercising. Summer is coming :)

Elder Beardall

Changes

So last week everyone took up the time to write and I was almost done with this letter when we had to go so here's last weeks letter:

We had so much to do this week but the bummer was that I didn't work much in the area. But it was a good week and I learned a lot.

Wednesday we headed to Olanchito for exchanges with the ZLs. We had another successful trip which I was pretty pumped about. God really does help with the details of our lives. I learned a lot from Elder De La Rosa and he's helped me with having the desire to give it all in the last minutes because he's going home tomorrow but with the way he worked you couldnt really tell. Such a good guy. Love em! He also made a drink from the Dominican Republic called "morir soñando" which means "to die dreaming" which kinda explains it. It's super good and I'll have to make it when I get back. I'll be taking orders June 2019 for those who want to try "Morir Soñando".

Oh yeah so this week got transfer calls annnnnnnndddddd........ My comp is leaving. I'm pretty pumped for him because he's headed to where I was born. He's going to MEZAPA!! He doesn't seem to pumped because he won't be by the ocean and it's known as a hard area but it'll be good for him. Also my boy Elder Beck is headed out too which is sad but he's pumped because he's headed to Roatan which for those who don't know it's probably the prettiest area here in the mission because it's the island and yeah just go look it up and you'll understand haha. I'm pretty jealous cuz its a beautiful paradise. But Elder Chitop is going to be my companion and I'm pumped. He'll probably be my last comp but I'm excited! I've already met him and talked to him a little before so he's a cool dude haha

Some sad news is my Uncle Thomas here is heading out tomorrow for work and won't be back for another 6 months so I'm bummed because he's such a good guy and he helped so much here in the ward and also motivated me a ton. He will be missed a lot! 

When we were on exchanges with the ZLs I heard this scripture and I love it! 

Alma 48:17 Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men. 

Now re-read that scripture putting your name where it says Moroni. We are capable of achieving so much! We can have power over evil, over temptations, over our fears. We are promised this as we obey and strive to be worthy. The scriptures describe what kind of person Moroni was. As we serve and become "like unto Moroni" our lives will be simplified and full of peace and happiness and power over Evil. Become like Moroni.

Elder Beardall