Hola mi querida familia!!
How are things going up in the states? Great I hope :) This week has been a good week....but not so much to write about like last week.
Happy Birthday Grandma Beck!! I love you and hope you have a great day!!!!
Today we had interviews with President Gamboa here in Salinas. Everything went great in the interview. It was kinda fun cause it was just our zone and he was more relaxed and joking around a bit and stuff :)
Yesterday, we had a really neat experience at church. First, on Saturday we passed by an investigator's house for an appointment. The lady (Luisa) has had a lot of problems in her life. She moved in with her husband when she was almost 15 years old. Her husband has never worked, he only drinks. He has mistreated her almost all of their time together. Her oldest son died a few years ago. And the list goes on and on....it's really sad :( But when we got there on Saturday she opened the door and looked really distressed. We asked her if something was wrong and she said she didn't want to listen anymore and that we shouldn't come again. We asked if something had happened and she said she just didn't feel any difference when she was listening to us. She believed that everything was true, but just didn't feel any difference or peace or anything. We told her that we wanted to keep coming because we knew that this Gospel would change her life for the better, that it would bless her, that it would help her family, etc. She still didn't want us to keep coming though. So, we told her that she is always welcome to come to church but she said no thanks. So we left, knowing that we had done our part and now she had to make the choice. And we doubted that she would come to church on Sunday.
Come Sunday, there were no investigators that were able to come to church...until about 50 mins into Sacrament meeting. Guess who arrived...Luisa! We were so surprised and she walked in and sat right down with some members. We talked to her after Sacrament meeting and she said she just kept feeling like she should come, so she came. In Gospel Principles, she was the only person there, so we decided to watch On The Way Home (the video I mentioned last week, I think). When the family got baptized the spirit was so strong and she started crying. We talked a little bit after the video and she said she wanted us to keep visiting and that she knew the Gospel would help her. And then she said "Can you guys like bless people or something?" (I don't know what made her ask that, but she was referring to Priesthood blessings of comfort). So we explained about those blessings and then she asked for a blessing. My comp gave her the blessing and it was such a spiritual experience.
I am so thankful for experiences like that! This Gospel is amazing and the only true Gospel on the face of the earth. I truly know that it blesses peoples' lives. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet called of God. I know that he saw our Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ and that Christ's church was restored through him. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and that it contains the answers to all of our questions in life. I know that God loves each and every one of us and that we are his children. He wants us to return to live with him and thanks to the Atonement of Jesus Christ, that is possible. We will be able to live as an eternal family with God and Jesus Christ. I know that the power of the Priesthood is real and the miracles still happen.
I love you family!!!!! You are the best in the world! Thanks for your support. Thanks for your letters. Thanks for pictures. Thanks for all of the prayers! I LOVE YOU!!!!!!
Love, Elder Beck
Monday, June 28, 2010
Fotos
The service that we did last week cutting weeds with machetes
Oh yeah, we did service this week too...we cut a giant branch off a tree..but with a saw. Something that I know how to use lol.
A street sign that says United States :)
A big paper maché (I dunno how you spell that) whale
Me and my new friend parrot lol.
Love ya! Love, Elder Beck
FOTOS DEL CONSEJO DE LÍDERES
Here are the pics that Hermana Gamboa took in the leaders' meeting a couple weeks ago in Guayaquil :) Love ya! Elder Beck
Monday, June 21, 2010
11 Months...
Hola mi querida familia!
So, another week has already passed...and once again, time is going faster than I can believe. Tomorrow is my 11-month mark in the mission! I can't believe it...and today is the 22-month mark for Elder Estrada! It's a big week for both of us haha.
First, thanks for the PACKAGE I got this week mom and dad :) Church News, cheez-its, sour candy, peanut butter, letters, deodorant, and propel powder. I love opening up packages and seeing all of the stuff you guys stuff in those boxes or envelopes lol.
This week I ate squid. It was rolled in cracker crumbs and fried...so naturally, I liked it. Who wouldn't like something rolled in cracker crumbs and fried lol.
Everything here in Ecuador right now is all about the World Cup. I heard that the US is in it...are you guys watching? Also, Shakira has a song that is for the world cup and that song is almost constantly playing in peoples' houses and in the streets and in the buses and everything lol. Is it popular up there too? I think it's called Waka Waka or something like that. The only part I've been able to understand is when she says This time for Africa..it sounds like a cool song...for someone that's not a missionary, of course! haha
Have you guys seen the video from the Church called On the Way Home? I don't remember ever having seen it before the mission...but it is SO great! I think it's one of my new favorites now. It's great for part-member families too because the whole family gets baptized and their lives change. It always makes me smile to see that video :) I recommend that you watch it.
I did a baptism interview this week..and I had to tell candidate that she couldn't get baptized still. (Long story short, she had an abortion when she was 14 and Pres. Gamboa said she had to wait a while longer and keep coming to church to show a true repentance). I felt bad for her cause she looked so sad. But the great part is that we really can repent and be forgiven of all of our sins, thanks to our Savior Jesus Christ and his Atonement! I am so thankful for that...and that is what I tried to help her understand :) I'm sure she'll get baptized soon.
This week we helped 2 of the Sister Missionaries in our district with some service. I'll send pics next week cause right now I'm out of time, but we cleaned up a whole bunch of weeds around somebody's house...with machetes :) So that was fun...and I'm no good at using a machete lol.
Our ward did a 'Talent show' this week. There were a total of 2 'talents.' One guy sang a song about how he would do everything for his kids. And Elder Estrada and I did 'The morning routine of a mini-missionary.' lol It was like what Cameron, Kevin, Thomas, and I did in like 6th grade with the person in front with shoes on the hands, and the person standing behind is the hands of the person. I was behind and got to squirt shaving cream all over my comp's face and funny stuff like that. It was mostly just to make the members laugh a bit. During 'personal study' he was studying the scriptures and then we turned the scriptures around for the audience to see and there were pics of his 'girlfriends' taped in his scriptures (that we cut out from Liahonas hahaha). It was pretty fun and funny.
Well, that's all for this week.
I love you all SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much!!!! I hope your week goes great. Thanks for everything you all do for me :)
Love you!!!!!Love, Elder Beck
So, another week has already passed...and once again, time is going faster than I can believe. Tomorrow is my 11-month mark in the mission! I can't believe it...and today is the 22-month mark for Elder Estrada! It's a big week for both of us haha.
First, thanks for the PACKAGE I got this week mom and dad :) Church News, cheez-its, sour candy, peanut butter, letters, deodorant, and propel powder. I love opening up packages and seeing all of the stuff you guys stuff in those boxes or envelopes lol.
This week I ate squid. It was rolled in cracker crumbs and fried...so naturally, I liked it. Who wouldn't like something rolled in cracker crumbs and fried lol.
Everything here in Ecuador right now is all about the World Cup. I heard that the US is in it...are you guys watching? Also, Shakira has a song that is for the world cup and that song is almost constantly playing in peoples' houses and in the streets and in the buses and everything lol. Is it popular up there too? I think it's called Waka Waka or something like that. The only part I've been able to understand is when she says This time for Africa..it sounds like a cool song...for someone that's not a missionary, of course! haha
Have you guys seen the video from the Church called On the Way Home? I don't remember ever having seen it before the mission...but it is SO great! I think it's one of my new favorites now. It's great for part-member families too because the whole family gets baptized and their lives change. It always makes me smile to see that video :) I recommend that you watch it.
I did a baptism interview this week..and I had to tell candidate that she couldn't get baptized still. (Long story short, she had an abortion when she was 14 and Pres. Gamboa said she had to wait a while longer and keep coming to church to show a true repentance). I felt bad for her cause she looked so sad. But the great part is that we really can repent and be forgiven of all of our sins, thanks to our Savior Jesus Christ and his Atonement! I am so thankful for that...and that is what I tried to help her understand :) I'm sure she'll get baptized soon.
This week we helped 2 of the Sister Missionaries in our district with some service. I'll send pics next week cause right now I'm out of time, but we cleaned up a whole bunch of weeds around somebody's house...with machetes :) So that was fun...and I'm no good at using a machete lol.
Our ward did a 'Talent show' this week. There were a total of 2 'talents.' One guy sang a song about how he would do everything for his kids. And Elder Estrada and I did 'The morning routine of a mini-missionary.' lol It was like what Cameron, Kevin, Thomas, and I did in like 6th grade with the person in front with shoes on the hands, and the person standing behind is the hands of the person. I was behind and got to squirt shaving cream all over my comp's face and funny stuff like that. It was mostly just to make the members laugh a bit. During 'personal study' he was studying the scriptures and then we turned the scriptures around for the audience to see and there were pics of his 'girlfriends' taped in his scriptures (that we cut out from Liahonas hahaha). It was pretty fun and funny.
Well, that's all for this week.
I love you all SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much!!!! I hope your week goes great. Thanks for everything you all do for me :)
Love you!!!!!Love, Elder Beck
Monday, June 14, 2010
ugh.
Hey family!
This week, all of the comps at the place where we usually go to write were being used so we found another place. But this is the first and last time we are going to come here lol. I've written my letter to the fam 3 times and it's been lost :P And Nicole, I sent your letter and then checked the sent mail and your letter wasn't there...so I don't know what happened there and sorry. Next week, we should be back in our normal Cyber and hopefully there aren't any problemos next week! I'm glad I got to send some pics and a video though before the computer started freaking out lol. I hope you enjoy those. Sorry about no letter to everyone :( I don't like it, and I'm pretty sure you don't either lol. But, know that I LOVE you all SOOOOOO much! We didn't do traveling this week, thankfully lol. I ate OCTOPUS! And it was really good....with the little suckers on the tentacles and everything lol.
And, if the US is the same as Ecuador....HAPPY FATHER'S DAY THIS SUNDAY, DAD!!!!!! I love you!
I love you all!
Love, Elder Beck
This week, all of the comps at the place where we usually go to write were being used so we found another place. But this is the first and last time we are going to come here lol. I've written my letter to the fam 3 times and it's been lost :P And Nicole, I sent your letter and then checked the sent mail and your letter wasn't there...so I don't know what happened there and sorry. Next week, we should be back in our normal Cyber and hopefully there aren't any problemos next week! I'm glad I got to send some pics and a video though before the computer started freaking out lol. I hope you enjoy those. Sorry about no letter to everyone :( I don't like it, and I'm pretty sure you don't either lol. But, know that I LOVE you all SOOOOOO much! We didn't do traveling this week, thankfully lol. I ate OCTOPUS! And it was really good....with the little suckers on the tentacles and everything lol.
And, if the US is the same as Ecuador....HAPPY FATHER'S DAY THIS SUNDAY, DAD!!!!!! I love you!
I love you all!
Love, Elder Beck
Monday, June 7, 2010
pics...
Me and my comp Elder Estrada...and a bright red chair in the foreground lol
French fries, chicken, and a cold glass of cola on my last week in Vinces
The zone in Vinces
Love you all!!!
Love, Elder Beck
p.s. Next week, I think I'll have ocean pics (hopefully :) )
French fries, chicken, and a cold glass of cola on my last week in Vinces
The zone in Vinces
Love you all!!!
Love, Elder Beck
p.s. Next week, I think I'll have ocean pics (hopefully :) )
WOWZERS!!!
Hola mi querida familia!
How's everybody doing up north? Great, I hope :)
Things here in Salinas are going great and life as ZL is a little bit crazy lol. This week we have done so muc traveling and I kinda feel more like a tourist than a missionary!
First, on Tuesday we had the District Meeting in the morning. It was nice to not have to teach the class haha. But afterwards every missionary has questions for the ZLs so it is crazy! haha
On Wednesday, we went to a sector called Playas de Villamil. It is about 2 hours from here. We went there to do the house inspection. We have to inspect all the missionaries' houses in our zone and make sure they are clean and report any damage, etc. That house is great. It is about 2 blocks from the beach and has a view of the ocean from the bedroom! b e a YOU tiful. And then my comp showed them around the sector cause they are both new there (like Elder Estrada and me here in Salinas) but Elder Estrada was there a while back. So we walked all over the sector seeing where members and old investigators live.
On Friday we went to Mission Leadership Council in Guayaquil. That was the meeting I went to back in November when I ate 11 pieces of pizza lol. This time the DLs came too and we talked alot about how District meetings should be. They want alot of practices and participation and less DL teaching. In this meeting they ALWAYS give pizza or hamburgers, so I was excited to eat either thing. But, since the DLs came too, they just gave crackers, juice, and an apple. Just my luck! lol I'll have to wait till next time...haha
On Saturday we finally got to stay in Salinas and have a full day of work. We met a lot of members, part member families, and some new investigators. We walked a lot lol. We saw the ocean a few times though, so everything is ok :) haha I'm excited to see how things progress here in Salinas.
On Sunday we had Stake Conference. Elder Pino from the 70 came...2nd counselor of the area. All of the talks were focused on the family and it was really great. A lot about appreciating your parents your WHOLE life and not just when they're not here anymore. I LOVE YOU MOM AND DAD and thanks for EVERYTHING you do and have done for me. Before Elder Pino spoke he asked 3 people to bear their testimonies. One of those 3 people was Elder Beck............ I don't remember a word I said but I felt the Spirit so I imagine it was ok haha.
Gossip from Ecuador : There is an elder in my zone from Queen Creek (Elder Parkinson) and he told me they haven't started building the Gilbert temple yet cause they are going to make it a lot bigger. And when it is finished, they are going to close the Mesa Temple for a while to do some major foundation reconstruction cause it is built on a fault line...is this stuff true??? xoxo Gossip Elder (LOL)
We found investigators that are MARRIED!!! I hope they progress cause they are the first couple I've met here that is already married lol.
The toilet flushes the other way in our house here.....haha
HAPPY 4th BIRTHDAY TOMORROW GAVIN!!!!! I love ya!!!
We heard that it is whale season here!!!!!!!! So today we are going to a beach called Mar Bravo where we heard that it is common to see whales. I will most definitely be telling you how that goes.
I think I ate Sushi yesterday....me and my companion aren't sure what it was. We just know it was fish and it was cold. GROSS!! lol
One time you asked for more gross stories...so I hope you enjoy this one. A kid near me in Stake Conf yesterday threw up like 4 times during the meeting and the mom just kept throwing paper towels on the bright orange throw up. GAG..it was gross. lol
Last but not least, THANKS FOR THE PACKAGE mom and dad! I got one this week that had a green angel moroni tie, GC Liahonas and Ensign, tasty granola bars, art (good tilapia drawing alexa haha), letters, and the most HILARIOUS limericks that I have ever read in my life! I was laughing so hard...and still am when I think about them lol. Thanks for that!
Well that's the news this week. What a busy and exciting and crazy week! I love you all SOOOO much! Thanks for being amazing!
Love ya!!!
Love, Elder Beck
How's everybody doing up north? Great, I hope :)
Things here in Salinas are going great and life as ZL is a little bit crazy lol. This week we have done so muc traveling and I kinda feel more like a tourist than a missionary!
First, on Tuesday we had the District Meeting in the morning. It was nice to not have to teach the class haha. But afterwards every missionary has questions for the ZLs so it is crazy! haha
On Wednesday, we went to a sector called Playas de Villamil. It is about 2 hours from here. We went there to do the house inspection. We have to inspect all the missionaries' houses in our zone and make sure they are clean and report any damage, etc. That house is great. It is about 2 blocks from the beach and has a view of the ocean from the bedroom! b e a YOU tiful. And then my comp showed them around the sector cause they are both new there (like Elder Estrada and me here in Salinas) but Elder Estrada was there a while back. So we walked all over the sector seeing where members and old investigators live.
On Friday we went to Mission Leadership Council in Guayaquil. That was the meeting I went to back in November when I ate 11 pieces of pizza lol. This time the DLs came too and we talked alot about how District meetings should be. They want alot of practices and participation and less DL teaching. In this meeting they ALWAYS give pizza or hamburgers, so I was excited to eat either thing. But, since the DLs came too, they just gave crackers, juice, and an apple. Just my luck! lol I'll have to wait till next time...haha
On Saturday we finally got to stay in Salinas and have a full day of work. We met a lot of members, part member families, and some new investigators. We walked a lot lol. We saw the ocean a few times though, so everything is ok :) haha I'm excited to see how things progress here in Salinas.
On Sunday we had Stake Conference. Elder Pino from the 70 came...2nd counselor of the area. All of the talks were focused on the family and it was really great. A lot about appreciating your parents your WHOLE life and not just when they're not here anymore. I LOVE YOU MOM AND DAD and thanks for EVERYTHING you do and have done for me. Before Elder Pino spoke he asked 3 people to bear their testimonies. One of those 3 people was Elder Beck............ I don't remember a word I said but I felt the Spirit so I imagine it was ok haha.
Gossip from Ecuador : There is an elder in my zone from Queen Creek (Elder Parkinson) and he told me they haven't started building the Gilbert temple yet cause they are going to make it a lot bigger. And when it is finished, they are going to close the Mesa Temple for a while to do some major foundation reconstruction cause it is built on a fault line...is this stuff true??? xoxo Gossip Elder (LOL)
We found investigators that are MARRIED!!! I hope they progress cause they are the first couple I've met here that is already married lol.
The toilet flushes the other way in our house here.....haha
HAPPY 4th BIRTHDAY TOMORROW GAVIN!!!!! I love ya!!!
We heard that it is whale season here!!!!!!!! So today we are going to a beach called Mar Bravo where we heard that it is common to see whales. I will most definitely be telling you how that goes.
I think I ate Sushi yesterday....me and my companion aren't sure what it was. We just know it was fish and it was cold. GROSS!! lol
One time you asked for more gross stories...so I hope you enjoy this one. A kid near me in Stake Conf yesterday threw up like 4 times during the meeting and the mom just kept throwing paper towels on the bright orange throw up. GAG..it was gross. lol
Last but not least, THANKS FOR THE PACKAGE mom and dad! I got one this week that had a green angel moroni tie, GC Liahonas and Ensign, tasty granola bars, art (good tilapia drawing alexa haha), letters, and the most HILARIOUS limericks that I have ever read in my life! I was laughing so hard...and still am when I think about them lol. Thanks for that!
Well that's the news this week. What a busy and exciting and crazy week! I love you all SOOOO much! Thanks for being amazing!
Love ya!!!
Love, Elder Beck
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