Hey there!
Well there hasn't been a whole heap that has happened in the last 4
days. I'll start with a bunch of random things about serving a mission
or that I've learned about Australia.
1. While listening to a slight anti-American talk we got on the
topic of gun control. In Australia only cops and farmers are allowed to
own or carry a gun. The cops were just recently allowed to because bad
people were figuring out how to get guns so the cops have them now to
protect and enforce the law. Farmers are allowed to have them to fight
off extra kangaroos that invade their farms and for excess rabbits that multiply at too fast of a rate to get rid of them otherwise. That is
something I never thought I would ever hear.
2. When you drive a car as a missionary you are allotted a certain
amount of kilometers a month. If you are about to run out you end up
using your bikes a lot more. We try to keep a pretty good balance
throughout the month so that we stay in shape and have plenty of ks at
the end of the month. It's been weird to think in the mindset of
watching our ks instead of having to worry about paying for petrol
(gas).
3. Finishing a pen is like a major accomplishment. When a pen
finally runs out of ink and I have to toss it out I always feel like
I've been busy.
4. Teaching people from other countries makes your English super
fresh. You leave appointments speaking to your companion like, "I
really happy." It really makes us laugh.
On the topic of people from other countries, we went over on
Tuesday to visit with Sadaf and Monia. When we walked in we went in
their room and they had all of their stuff packed like they were going
for a holiday. We asked them what was happening and Monia said, "We're
moving." We asked when and they said that their friend was on their way
to come pick them up. We asked where they were moving to and explained
that we would send missionaries to their new home. It was all really
confusing and we know that we didn't get to talk to them like we would
have liked to. We ended up calling them on Friday to get the address of
their new home. They had originally told us that they were moving to
Armendale. When we told our Relief Society President, Sister Michelle
Dunlop, that she instantly started calling sisters in the ward to see if
any of them could house these 2 wonderful girls so that they could stay
in our ward. When we called them they were able to give us their
address. We used the address to figure out what area they were in and
made a few phone calls to reach the missionaries there. We finally go a
hold of Elder Cook and told him that we have 2 recent converts that he
needs to take care of. He asked us about them so we gave him their
entire background story. When I finished talking about them all he said
was, "This is amazing." I asked what and he told us that in their ward
they are baptizing soo many Persian people that every Friday night they
have 'Persian Night' at the chapel so that the recent converts can get
together and other members can come to get to know them and strengthen
them. That made me want to cry tears of joy and then he said, "Wait it
gets better! We also have a normal English gospel principles class and
then Ben (one of their recent converts of about 7 months) teaches
a Persian speaking gospel principles class so that they can learn the
basics of the gospel in their own language!" How cool is that?! God
always knows what He is doing. We might not know why things happen but
He always has something bigger and better up His sleeve.
On Sunday I was reviewing our numbers and goals for this week. It's
been a really hard week. We haven't had much success in finding new
people to teach and the people that we do have to teach either weren't
home or were busy and couldn't find time to have a lesson. I got really
down right before church and had kind of hardened my heart trying to
think about how we could have improved our week and what we can change
for next week. I was frustrated over little things. Testimony meeting
was exactly what I needed. There were testimonies born that just moved
me. I haven't felt that kind of power in a meeting for a long while.
Our closing hymn was, I believe in Christ. I listened to the words but
didn't think too much about it. Then in Relief Society we had a lesson
based around Joel 2:25 "And I will restore
to you the years that the locust hath eaten". It was a really good
lesson. I was fasting that I would be more humble and that I would
regain the faith in my finding. That I might be able to continue the
great work that we've done in this area. We closed RS by singing I
believe in Christ again. This time the line, "I believe in Christ, so
come what may." hit me like a ton of bricks. I went home and read
across Mosiah 4:11-12. I've never seen answers from fasting come so
immediately before.
The Lord knows that there is a mighty work to do
down here and He knows that I can do it. I'm grateful for the times
that I get down because I bounce back with more enthusiasm for the work
and a more determination to make it happen. I love this work. I love
being here in Australia. I'm so incredibly excited to hear General
Conference this weekend. It's weird to think it's already happened. I
can't believe it's been a year since the age drop. I love seeing mom's
blog every week. Dad good job on the marathon! It sounds like everyone
had a really good year this year. Soph it's always a joy to talk to
you every week. Josh I loved the pictures from your birthday! Looks
like it was a blast! David way to score 2 touchdowns this week! That's
awesome. Ben go get em this week in your game. It's a bummer that you
didn't get to play this week but I know that you will do great when you
play on Saturday. I hope you all are doing awesome. I love and miss
you all! :) Have and awesome week!
Much love,
Sister Beckstrand
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