Finally a letter from the President.

 WOO HOO!  Look at Shayne hanging out with Bruce Lindsay and his wife!

 

This is Shayne's companion Sister Peivi.  We got to meet her via Skype on Mother's Day.  She was very nice.  They seem a lot alike so I hope they don't fight to much.

What a Week!

Family!!!

 

Man there has been so much that has happened this week.  I printed off Sophie's email to read later.  I had to do that with a couple and I'll respond next week.  I have a couple lessons that I've learned this week that I want to start with.

 

1. Trust your companion.  I've been getting frustrated because she can't read my mind while we are sharing lessons. Haha it's dumb I know but I realized what was wrong.  When we practice for lessons we teach to each other during comp study and then when we go to a lesson we teach together.  We are going to start teaching to pictures during comp study.  I was getting frustrated because I would want her to finish my thoughts but then she would go a different way.  Basically I'm just relying more on the spirit everyday.  If I'm doing what I'm supposed to and trusting that my comp is intune with the spirit as well then whatever we share with the person we are teaching is going to be exactly what they need to hear.

2. Follow spiritual promtings.  One day we had knocked on several doors with no success.  We had an appointment fall through and I could tell Sister Peivi was getting a little discouraged.  She wanted to go get something to eat to just take a break.  We were one street away from a super less active family and so I felt like we should visit them before we do anything else.  We did and it was a major blessing for the family.  The mom, Kelly, does antiquing on furniture and her person who helps her quit on her that morning.  She was actually on the phone crying to a friend about how she was ever going to finish the 5 projects that she had to take care of that day.  She was completely lost when low and behold the sisters knocked on her door :D We ended up painting a huge piece of furniture for her and it was a blast.  She was soo grateful that we stopped by and could help out.  It was awesome! I'm so glad I acted on that promting.

 

A couple things have happened this week that I want to tell you about as well. 

1. We are completeing a challenge from President Lindsay to read 5 pages of the Book of Mormon everyday and highlight everything that mentions Christ or his him speaking.  There are HEAPS of things.  There is no doubt that the Book of Mormon is really another testament of Jesus Christ!  I have learned soo much already from it.  I can't wait until we get to the end and I can look back on the whole book and really see how much I mark everyday.  Elder Cook one of our Zone Leaders called it our "BOM-a-thon". I thought it was a clever title. 

2. We take public transport everywhere! I've never been on a train or bus before coming here.  Even the trax in SLC I don't ever remember riding.  It's been fun.  We just have a card that we scan when we get on and off.  It's so great. 

3.  We were able to be part of a celebration this week called Matariki.  It is basically a Maori New Year.  It was incredibly fun to learn about and be a part of.  The Maori's have an incredible knowledge about their family history and we went around the room and shared somthing about our family history.  I never felt more at home with people that I barely know.  I felt like that hole I felt in my heart those months before I came out was filled.  I finally felt like I was at home.  There were tears as we all shared how much we felt like we really were family.  Bishop mentioned that we are literally family in God's Kindgom.  I loved every mintue of being there.  This ward is awesome and I am glad that I was assigned here first.  It's been a major blessing.

 

Again I'm coming to an end of time with this computer but I love you all.  I wish I could write more.  Good thing I'm keeping a journal as well as these emails, right?  Keep up the faith.  I  pray for you all daily.  I hope summer break is awesome and I can't wait to hear more about it!

 

Much love,

Sister Shayne! :)

Crazy Happenings

Hi family!

Okay so I don't know how long this email is going to be but I'm going to try and get in as much as possible.  The library where we email only gives us an hour to email.  It's frustrating becuase you don't really ever get the full hour and it kicks you off at the top of the hour whether you send your message or not.  They updated their system this weekend and the computers where still down yesterday (monday) so we are writing today.  My computer is still acting super wierd so I'm waiting for it or someone else to kick me off.  It's really obnoxious and frustrating but I'm thankful that it is here for me even if it's a struggle.  I LOVED reading all of your emails this week.  It nearly brought me to tears to just be able to read through everything.  I'm excited for Jessie and Anna. I totally forgot they were both getting married.  Weird.  It's still weird that they will be married when I get home.  And Nikki.  I'm sad coach Vince is moving.  That really bites but he will do awesome at Westlake.
Mom, you and I were really on the same wavelength on that letter thing.  I read that update from dad last week and wrote a letter and sent it to Bishop about the concerns for the girls yesterday.  I hope it helps. 

Dad, I hope whoever is in charge of the ward list keeps it well updated.  We've biked this whole area to just find out that addresses don't even exist.  I made a special note to have someone check ours at home for the sanity and comfort to help and support the missionaries serving in our ward. 

Soph, I loved your email.  I laughed throug the whole thing and especially at your ps's at the end.  You are great and I can't wait to hear how everything goes this summer.  It's sounds like you are all in for an awesome break! 

Josh! You got an email! Woohoo! That made me happy.  I also want you to start studying Preach My Gospel now.  I'm serious.  It will make your mission so much easier if you know that book forwards and backwards before you start serving your full-tme mission.  I want to hear about those mission calls that you won't tell me.  I don't get emails from any of my boys exept the ones that I email that are already out serving.  (Even then they aren't the best writers haha)

 

Well my spiritual message this week is that prayers really do get answered and humility is key.  The Spirit works differently for everyone and we just have to accept that.  There were a few very specific times this week where I was so stressed/frustrated/confussed that I didn't know what else to do but to pray.  I would go into my room and just pray for humility, guidence and forgiveness.  It is always after those prayers when I am fully relying on Him and His will that we see success and miracles happen.  Turn to the Lord in prayer over anything!  He wants to hear from us and He wants to guide us.  I know that is true from the very depths of my soul. 

 

I pray for you all constantly.  It sounds like all is well and that you are all in for the best summer yet!  I can't wait to hear all of the crazy stories about what happens.  There is so much more I want to share but I think I'm about out of time.  I love you all.  I hope that the appointments we have set for this week work out so that I can share some great success with you next week.  I've been trying to figure out pictures on this darn thing but I either never have time or just can't figure it out.  I promise I'll figure this emailing thing out sooner or later so that you can hear more from me and get pictures.  Until then know that I love you and that I am working hard.  I feel all the prayers that you send my direction.  Tell Ben and David that I love them and to stay out of trouble.  You are the best support a missionary could ask for. 

Keep the faith and have fun doing it :)

All my love,
Sister Shayne

 

P.s. The 3rd is Western Australia Day so my p-day will be on the 5th because the library is closed on the 3rd and the zone leaders where told that p-day will the on wednesday. 

Miracles and Bike Riding‏

Family!

Wow Australia is amazing!  It's totally different than what I expected and exactly what I expected at the same time.  It's crazy.  The sky goes on forever.  Not a mountain in sight.  The sunsets and sunrises are remarkable.  Clarkson is remarkable!  The town is soo pretty.  I've been blessed to start in this area.  The ward members and leaders are so into the work and are very loving and supportive.  I've loved getting to know the members.  Our ward is very diverse.  We have heaps of Kiwis in our ward.  I can't tell if I'm picking up the Aussie slang or the Kiwi slang sometimes.  It's fun. 

I have to make a point as to how the bike riding goes. 

1. Riding a bike in a skirt is really quite challenging.

2. The wind is every sister missionaries worst enemy. 

3. Bike shorts are the greatest invention known to man.

4. You can never sit on the bike the perfect way.  You always have to adjust your skirt as you ride to keep modest. 

5. The cars here drive on the left side of the road.  The significance of that is that when you approach a road you have to look to the right to see oncoming traffic, not the left like you would at home.  Sister Peivi keeps laughing at me as I look the wrong way.  She kept laughing until I almost got hit because of it.  Luckily I was almost stopped and I have awesome breaks on my bike. 

6. Riding in the rain is awesome.  Poor Sister Peivi however totally got pedal slapped by her bike the other night.  She went off a curb in the rain and it was dark.  The pedal slammed into her calf and gave her a nasty bruise.  She's been wearing her long skirts the last couple of days to cover it up.

 7.  Blessings of being a bike missionary is that your legs are going to be fit but your tush is always going to be sore.  I don't think that will ever go away.  haha

8.  Gears are the 2nd greatest invention created after the bike shorts.  I don't know how those gears work but when you hit a hill they are a life saver.  We have nothing but hills in our area.  The view though is totally worth the pain of the uphill.  

I found out that Sister Peivi's last name is actually Nanai.  She changed it right before her mission.  Peivi is her dad's first name.  He has 15 siblings and she wanted to be special and not be just another 'Sister Nanai".  Kind of interesting. 

Alright miracles from this week.  On Tuesday we went to visit a less-active named Madi.  She was baptized about 3 years ago and has a 7 year old son.  When we visited, we met Dominic.  He is a boarder at her house.  He ended up talking to us for about 30 minutes and asked us heaps of questions.  We were able to testify and answer all of his questions.  He ended up saying, "You know, how about you come back and we will talk more."  So we set up a return appointment for today.  Hopefully we will have another good lesson with him and start teaching him.  Fingers crossed.  The other mircale that happened on Tuesday was with another less active.  Her name is Alexis.  She has two daughters.  When we pulled up to the house her 8 year old ran in to get her mom.  Alexis came to the door and said, "Go away, I'm not interested."  Sister Peivi asked is she was Alexis.  She said she was but didn't care for what we had to talk about.  We were impressed to tell her that we were new in the area and that did it.  Her heart was like instantly softened.  Apparently being a member wasn't her choice.  She said she was "forced to be baptized" and didn't care for the church.  We were able to visit with her for about 20 minutes.  As we left she told us that we could stop by and chat anytime we wanted to.  It was crazy how one little statement changed her entire demenor. 

On Friday our district came over to our flat at 1 to do a district blitz.  I love our leaders (district and zone).  We had mentioned that we were struggleing and they pulled forces and our whole district tracted different parts of our area for 2 hours.  It was a huge blessing! We ended up recieving about 10 different potential investigators from it.  I love tracting.  Dead serious.  I absolutely love it.  Sometimes you get nice people who listen, sometimes you get nice people who chat and politely decline, you meet people that open the door listen and shut the door, you have people that open the door see the badge and slam the door, and you hit a lot of empty houses.  It's all a challenge but you really get to see the power of the spirt guiding you to the home of those that are truely ready and prepared to have the gospel in their lives.  It's awesome.  I wouldn't trade tracting hours for anything.  I appreciate being a lifeguard at the top of the slide as I tract.  When you knock on a door you count to 15, knock again, count to 15 and then leave if no one answers.  It's like sending kids down the top of the slide.  Not that counting to 15 is hard but it just made me laugh when I realized the similarity the other day while we were tracting. 

I'm learing some incredible self control.  I really know the different between needs and wants when it comes to shopping.  My wants never get bought.  I think that is a major blessing that I'm learning on my mission.  Every teenager should go on a mission to learn how to budget. 

We got a text from President Lindsay Saturday night about President Monsons wife.  It was a really tender text to read.  We got it right as we got home for the night.  I know that every missionary over here was praying for President Monson in a special way that night. 

Sunday we were able to teach sharing time in the primary.  I loved it! I got choked up when the little kid gave the opening prayer in junior primary.  There is a very special love and spirit with those little kids.  We made the connection with the senior primary that when they get paid to do their chores and then pay their tithing they are helping build temples because the money from tithing helps builds temples.  I think a lot of chores are going to be done this week at the homes in our ward hahaha it was great to see the lightbulb go off in their heads.  I loved it.  

I hope all is well with all of you.  I think about you daily and pray for you all the time.  Keep the faith,

Sister Shayne

ps I can't figure out pictures so I will try again next week.

Our library is closed on the 3rd so we should be writing home on the 4th so don't freak out if the next email gets to you late on monday if not tuesday like at 1am or whatever.

From WA to WA

Our MASSIVE airplane!

Hello Family!!!

So after 30+ hours of travel I made it safely to Western Australia!!!  I flew from Spokane to Seattle (1hour flight), Seattle to LAX (2.5 hour flight),  LAX to Sydney (nonstop 15 hour flight), and then Sydney to Perth (5 hour flight).  That's just flying time.  We had at least 2 hour layovers at each airport.  The 15 hour flight really wasn't bad.  It was probably my favorite flight.  I got up every couple of hours and walked the length of the plane.  From Seattle to LA I sat by an Indian lady who actually lives in Arizona.  We had an awesome 2 hour conversation about God and religion in general.  When we got off the plane I asked her if she would like a Book of Mormon.  I had read some scriptures out of it.  She said she would love one.  When I gave it to her she gave me a big hug and wished me the best of luck for the rest of my mission.  It was super sweet!  I hope everything works out for her. 

These screens were on the back of every chair on the airplane.  It tracked our entire flight from LA to Sydney.

First view of Australia from the plane.

Descending into Sydney.

A very happy Sister Ellsworth and Sister Beckstrand when they announced our decent to PERTH!

Once we finally landed in Perth I couldn't wait to get off the plane.  The 5 hours from Sydney to Perth were brutal.  We were so anxious to finally get there.  When I walked into the terminal the first person I saw was President Lindsay's smiling face.  I walked right to him and he gave me a hand shake and said, "Welcome Sister Beckstrand to the Australia Perth Mission.  It's so good to finally have you here.  We've been waiting a long time to have you!"  I instantly felt at home. 

The first day we got our bikes, had interviews at the mission home, had dinner and slept.  The next day we drove to the mission office.  The mission office, chapel and temple all share a parking lot.  I was nearly in shock to finally see the Temple in person.  It's been my cover picture on Facebook for so long that I couldn't believe that I was actually seeing it for myself.  We then met our companions.  My companion is Sister Naumati Peivi.  She is from Samoa.  She is the 6th of 7 kids and the first to serve a mission.  She is 25 years old.  I am her first companion from America and the first 19 year old sister she's met.  It's fun to stand out for being 19 and from America haha.  After training the Zone Leaders picked us up and took us to our flat.  After I was unpacked the District Leader and companion picked us up so we could go to the store.  Well the Elders needed to be at the church so they drove there, got out and threw me the keys.  To drive here all you need is a current licence from anywhere.  Sister Peivi doesn't have one so I was set as driver!  They drive not only on the left side of the road but the driver is on the right side of the car!  I have only seen like 3 stop lights.  Nearly every intersection is a round-about.  But the traffic flows to the left around the round-about.  It's bizzarre.  It was the craziest, most thrilling, and most terrifying experience I've ever had.  I am in a biking area so the last couple of days we have done nothing but bike our entire area finding people to visit.  They just split our area and added Elders to our ward.  All of the investigators that were progressing are now in their area and we are left with no one.  I'm excited to start from the very bottom and see this area grow.  It has some incredible potential.  I'm in a family ward which I really miss.  Everyone here is super friendly.  They greet you with a hug and a kiss everytime they see you.  I'm still getting used to that.  If someone is an Aussie they are from the East coast of the continent (Brisbane, Sydney, Melborne).  Over here in Perth you mainly have a big toss salad of people.  Our Bishop is from the Philipines, 1st councelor is from South Africa, and 2nd from New Zealand or something.  We have a ton of people from New Zealand here.  Heaps of Kiwi's and Maory's.  They are fanastic people.  I'm still trying to keep up on all of the fun words that they say and the slang they use but it's great.  At church on Sunday I was the first speaker.  They had me introduce myself and then share a thought.  It was soo cool to hear all of the different accents of people just in the ward.  Everyone is a little different but everyone is a child of God and shares in the faith of the restored gospel.  It's incredible.  The gospel is true no matter where you go.  The Lord is definitely hastening His work and knows where we need to be to help it move along.  I love it here in Australia and am excited to see what the Lord has in store from here on out.  Keep praying for missionary oppotunities.  They will come and you can always help. 

I love you all!  Sending you all my love form down under :)

Sister Shayne

P.S Yes the water runs the opposite way down the drain!

This is our picture from our Mother's Day Skype

PERTH!!!

I am here!  I made it to the mission home!  President and Sister Lindsay are absolutely perfect.  I feel soo at home and comfortable.  I have yet to feel the jet lag.  I'm about the only one that feels great.  I'm sorry that our phone call cut yesterday.  The card timed out and then we had to board our flight.  The flights were wonderful.  I'll tell you more about them when I talk to you on Mothers Day.  I will get my new companion tomorrow morning.  Once I find out what the plan is as far as talking on Mothers Day I will be able to send another email home with all the information.  I love you all sooo much!  Can't wait to talk to you in a few days :)

Much love,

Sister Shayne

VISA!

Right after we read this weeks letter we opened up a letter from the Mission Home that revealed her Fight Itinerary.  We were shocked.  She had no idea and come to find out they didn't tell the sister's that they were leaving until THURSDAY!  So we had know for 4 days before she had any idea.

She called us at 11:00pm on Monday and we were able to talk for an hour until her phone card died and she had to board the plane.  From there it was 14:50 hours until they hit Sydney and then after a couple hours there they got on another plane and flew almost 5 more hours to Perth.  She left Spokane on Monday May 6th and arrived in Perth on Wednesday May 8th.  Time Travel!  She'll make up that day on the way home. 

I had emailed her President, BRUCE LINSAY, a couple days in advance to see if we'd hear from her when they got there or have to wait until her P-day and he assured me that I'd get a short email.  I was excited.  So we got online to the flight tracker and you can actually watch the plane fly across the sky.  When she was finally headed to Perth we checked on her every half hour or so but then the last 45 minutes we just sat and watched the plane, zoomed in on the city,  watched it circle, TWICE and finally start it's decent into the Perth airport.  We watched it pull up to the gate and stop.  Then we knew she was there and safe and could finally get some sleep.

What an incredible journey.  I can't wait to hear all about it on Sunday for Mother's day!

Below is the email we received from the Spokane Mission about her departure.

From: Washington Spokane Mission
Sent: Monday, April 29, 2013 4:41 PM
To: 'pennybeckstrand@hotmail.com'; 'joel@rrrtc.com'; 'nanandfam@prodigy.net'; 'run4life65@gmail.com'; 'brownsanta60@gmail.com'
Subject: Sister Shayne Beckstrand, Jennifer Ellsworth, and Kelsie Hadlock - Travel Itinerary

Sister Beckstrand, Sister Ellsworth, and Sister Hadlock’s visas have been approved to travel to Australia.  They will be leaving Spokane on Monday, May 6^th at 3pm via Alaska Airlines #2225.  I have included their travel itinerary for your information.  They will have permission to call home at the airport.

We have thoroughly enjoyed having them serve in Spokane.  We will miss them and their contribution to the work, but we know they will do well and be welcomed in the Australia Perth Mission. 

Sister Dean

WASHINGTON SPOKANE MISSION

BECKSTRAND/SHAYNE  342682-I

FAX      : 801-240-5115                    ELLSWORTH/JENNIFER  345154-I

                                           HADLOCK/KELSIE MARI 339190-I

  MISSIONARY TRAVEL

  AUSTRALIA PERTH MISSION

SERVICE               DATE  FROM           TO             DEPART  ARRIVE

_____________________ _____ ______________ ______________ _______ ______

ALASKA AIRLINES       06MAY SPOKANE WA     SEATTLE WA     300P    400P

AS 2225              MONDAY SPOKANE INTL   SEATTLE TACOMA

T ECONOMY

                                                          NON STOP

                            RESERVATION CONFIRMED         1:00 DURATION

                            FLIGHT OPERATED BY HORIZON AIR AS ALASKA

            AIRCRAFT OWNER: QX  HORIZON AIR

                  AIRCRAFT: DE HAVILLAND DHC-8 400 SERIES

ALASKA AIRLINES       06MAY SEATTLE WA     LOS ANGELES CA 555P    825P    

AS 464               MONDAY SEATTLE TACOMA LOS ANGELES IN

T ECONOMY                                  TERMINAL 6

                            FOOD FOR PURCHASE/            NON STOP

                            FOOD FOR PURCHASE

                            RESERVATION CONFIRMED         2:30 DURATION

                  AIRCRAFT: BOEING 737-900

QANTAS AIRWAYS        06MAY LOS ANGELES CA SYDNEY AU      1150P   740A

QF 108               MONDAY LOS ANGELES IN KINGSFORD SMIT         08MAY

N ECONOMY                   TERMINAL B     TERMINAL 1

           NON SMOKING      REFRESHMENTS/MEAL             NON STOP

                            RESERVATION CONFIRMED         14:50 DURATION

                  AIRCRAFT: BOEING 747-400

QANTAS AIRWAYS        08MAY SYDNEY AU      PERTH WA       1010A   105P

QF 581            WEDNESDAY KINGSFORD SMIT PERTH

N ECONOMY                   TERMINAL 3     TERMINAL 4

           NON SMOKING      LUNCH                         NON STOP

                            RESERVATION CONFIRMED         4:55 DURATION

                  AIRCRAFT: AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A330-200

RESERVATION NUMBER(S)  AS/FANCRJ  QF/4ZPC65    

BECKSTRAND/SHAYNE  342682-I

     ETKT:QF/081 7243879736

ELLSWORTH/JENNIFER  345154-I

     ETKT:QF/081 7243879737

HADLOCK/KELSIE MARIAH  339190-I

     ETKT:QF/081 7243879738

**IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, FLIGHT CHANGES ENROUTE

OR SIGNIFICANT DELAYS, IMMEDIATELY TELEPHONE

CHURCH TRAVEL (801-240-5111 OR 1-800-537-3537)

.

CHURCH TRAVEL IS AVAILABLE 24/7

.

TERRI GATHERUM - EXT 26973

MISSION PRESIDENT BRUCE LINDSAY

PH 011 61 89/ 375-0000 OFFICE 375-2880 HOME