Monday, March 3, 2014 "Letter to the President"

Helloooo!!!

 

Well... Looks like I'm going to be a Utah Ute ha ha. We'll see what happens with it all! Things are going super great over here! No complaints... For my email today, I'm just going to copy and paste my letter to President Scott for today because that's the same thing that I want to be telling you anyways!

 

 

President Scott,

Well, President. I guess the time has finally come for me to write you about what my mission truly means to me. Its one of the most bitter sweet feelings that I've ever experienced in my life but all I can say is I'm very excited to begin the next portion of my life. Before I begin I just want to express my gratitude for all that Sister Scott and yourself have done for me. I really am in debt to you for the knowledge and wisdom that you have shared with me and for the wonderful friendship we've had. Thank you so much.

WHAT DOES MY MISSION MEAN TO ME?

To sum that question up into one word would be EVERYTHING. I really don't know how to explain the 'what', but I can definitely share the 'how' and the 'why'.

My plan in high school was never to serve a mission. I remember many of my friends and peers begin to prepare but I never felt like it was for me. I always thought that it was a long portion of time that could be better spent in university or other causes. But I will never forget the time that I actually used my agency and desire to try and find out if everything I had been taught, since youth, was true. I still remember the feelings I felt as I read the Book of Mormon and went to the Temple for the first couple of times. I will never forget the first time being "embraced" by the Spirit as I read that I would be serving in the Canada Toronto Mission. Ever since that day, I have known that this is where I needed to be.

"Our most significant opportunities will be found in times of greatest difficulty" President Thomas S. Monson. This quote sums up what my mission was like. It was HARD. There were times where I felt complete joy rush from me after a contact screams at me, or after a door was slammed on my face. There were times where my companion and I didn't get along or where our investigators just wouldn't, for the life of them, progress. I have come to know though, with everything, that "if we want to know our Savior, then we have to walk the path He walked". My mission means so much to me because I have literally felt the Savior walk with me at times and pull me through. His Atonement has redeemed and enabled me to become someone that I NEVER could have become without His divine help. Through my trials, I have seen many of my weaknesses formed into strengths (Ether 12:27), and have felt the Hand of the Lord push me onward in those dark times. I have come to know that "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Phil 4:13) and that there is no name, way nor means by which salvation can come but through Christ (Mosiah 3:17). My mission means so much to me because its taught me to rely on my Savior more than myself.

One of the coolest things to me is reflecting back on my Patriarchal Blessing about my mission. The incredible thing is that the biggest paragraph in the whole thing is when it speaks of my mission. The whole Blessing relies and relates back to my mission more than anything else. The things that it says I will learn, have been learned. The things which will carry me through the remainder of my days have come through this 2 year ministry. President, I wanted to thank you and the Lord for the opportunities that I have had to serve in leadership for the time that I have. The transfers that I have been privileged enough to lead and serve others, have been the ones that I have learned the most from. They have taught me how to really care for others. To have genuine concern for them and for their well being. As well, to acquire true Christ-like charity for them through service. I've added up an estimation of how many companion exchanges I've been fortunate enough to go on and it roughly adds to about 60. Those were some incredible learning moments for me. I remember my first one as a District Leader when a missionary told me to “be Elder Beyer, not just another leader”. I've worked on that every single day since then. I really do know that true leadership comes when you and the Lord work together in love to inspire the people you serve. There is nothing that I cherish more than looking out into a crowd of missionaries and bearing my witness of Christ and inviting them to help others gain the same. I have loved being able to influence others and feel of their love, and support, as I have been serving amongst them. Its been the greatest honor for me.

I may not have baptized the most on my mission, but I have definitely baptized the people who I was sent here for. Each of them have impacted my life in such a way that I will never be able to explain it to anyone because each moment I spent with them was so sacred that I can't express my feelings through words. Being able to do the baptismal interviews for so many people has influenced me to know that this work is real. Hearing people, who only have know the Restored Gospel of Christ for such a short time, bear a strong witness of what they know has made me really understand that this is true. There is no way that it's not.

One of my favorite memories about my own testimony though came at one point when I reflected one night in Toronto. I remember looking across the city and seeing the beautiful lights and sight and thinking to myself “E. Beyer... Do you really believe in this?”.. I thought about it again and again and I realized “You know what... Yes. I absolutely do!” There have been times where I have felt my testimony wasn't as strong as it should be and the remedy for it was bearing my testimony to every person I came in contact with. My testimony has grown so much, and my favorite thing about being a missionary has been sharing mine and promising blessings to those who try and cultivate their own.

Overall President, my concluding thoughts are simple. My mission means so much to me because I have come to gain a stronger testimony of the Truth. I know that God lives and that He is our Loving Heavenly Father. I know that He is perfect in every way. I know with all of my heart that He wants us all to return to Him and its only through His Son, Jesus Christ, that we can. I can't even fathom the love Jesus Christ has for me and yet I long for it because I know that He died to make me whole. His Atonement is real and its applicable to anyone that wants to feel of it. I know that His Gospel is perfect and that we, as imperfect beings, can one day become as He is through it. I know that the Truth that He brought was lost after His death and that there was indeed a great apostasy, but as firmly as I believe that it was lost, I know without a shadow of doubt that it has been restored onto the earth again. I know Joseph Smith is a Prophet of God and that he truly “saw a pillar of light” and that through him the Truth has been restored. I know this because I have a unwavering faith in the Book of Mormon as the Word of God. It has taught me more about the Atonement of Christ than any other book I've ever read. I know families can be forever, and that Gods work is hastening now. I love being a missionary and know that His work brings eternal joy. My mission has been the most fulfilling thing I've ever done and I thank God daily that I served.

Again President, I want to thank you and Sister Scott for all you have done for me. I love you both immensely and consider you as parents in my life. Thank you again.

Love,

Elder B. Beyer

I love this picture below because its of my first day in the field ha ha I look like a baby!!

 

Well everyone... With everything I just want you to know this much... I LOVE my Savior Jesus Christ. Over the past couple weeks I have just come to feel at complete ease and stress free as I have served Him the remainder of my days, because I know that I gave Him and God my all. I tried my best. I wasn't perfect but through my imperfections I felt the Lord "cover the rest" and make up for my mistakes. I truly have felt His cleansing power as Ive gone out and served others and have felt His love. I have felt my Heavenly Father say "well done thou good and faithful servant" and I've never been happier or more at peace.

I love you all so much. I'm STOKED to see you next week :) I love you. Until then, BE HAPPY. GET STOKED ABOUT LIFE. STRENGTHEN YOUR FAITH IN GOD, because He's real.

Forever and Always,

 

Elder Brock Stephen Beyer

Monday, February 24, 2014 "A Week of Growth"

Family!!!

 

No I have not gotten the package yet. I have not gone to Brampton still. We will be going there tomorrow though so no worries haha! I'll get it then. Hey and FYI don't send anything else by mail. I got this letter from the Mission Office saying to tell you guys that so that I wouldn't still be getting things when I wasn't here haha!

 

It sounds like you had a great week last week and that you are celebrating in the best of ways! That's super great to hear!

 

I'm doing so great right now! Ive been really praying and just focusing on the precious time that I have left and its been incredible to just work hard and feel the Lord in my life. The more I draw near to the end, the more I feel the Lord thanking me for what I have done and for everything that has been accomplished in my 2 year ministry out here in Ontario. Its been a great feeling to feel of His love and appreciation in letting me know that my time that I have spent has not been in vain, wasted nor unsuccessful in His eyes. I'm grateful to feel of His love because its the only thing that keeps me moving and going and helps me to really focus on whats really important in life. It actually brings me to think of Pres. Monson's talk "I Will Not Fail Thee Nor Forsake Thee" when he says about the obstacles that he faced after the death of his wife:

"Of utmost comfort to me during this tender time of parting have been my testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the knowledge I have that my dear Frances lives still. I know that our separation is temporary. We were sealed in the house of God by one having authority to bind on earth and in heaven. I know that we will be reunited one day and will never again be separated. This is the knowledge that sustains me."

The Thing that has helped me more than anything over the last little while has been my testimony that I know that God lives and that His plan is of perfection. He really does have so much more to offer if we just rely on Him and His timing with everything. More often than not, we fall short of what we want to accomplish but I know that through the Lord we can be brought up to the point that God wants us to be at if we just rely on Him with it all.

 

This last week was quite a week of growth. We saw some incredible things come our way and saw the missionaries really catch hold on whats really important. In all my time as a missionary Ive never seen so much growth and so much help from the Lord. He is really moving the needle and pushing for growth out here in the field and I know that He is doing it in all of the world right now. I was watching a clip for Hastening the Work in Europe and Elder Dallin H. Oaks said something that really stood out to me. He said:

"When you are involved in the work of the Lord, the power behind you is always greater than the obstacles before you"

 

I have really come to know that that is true. I don't doubt it for a single second. I know that even in the HARDEST of times, that the Lord will enable us to overcome it. Its real. The Atonement works, i know this because I have felt it in my life.

 

We are seeing some great things happening here in London. If everything works out according to plan we should see a few people being baptized on March 9. We have been working hard and the Lords been placing the people in our paths. Its been ideal. I love this work. I love God and love all that He's done for me. I'm so grateful for my mission! I feel like we are working so hard that everything is blending together and I cant think of anything specific to tell you ha ha other than the fact that we are busting and pounding the pavement and really just finishing strong!

 

I love you all so much! Forever and Always,

 

Elder B. Beyer

Tuesday, February 18, 2014 "Happy Birthday Elder Beyer"

HEY THERE!!

 

This week has been a pretty great one here in London! We've seen some great leaps on the Progression scale! There is no doubt about that! We have been trying to get the Zone focused on the right now and find the gaps and fix them. We have gone on a step by step scale on how to really change this zone and make it better and have implemented some crazy things to help them do that. Its been sweet to see that if we make a big focus on finding then everything else just falls into play and its been really working out to our benefit this last little while. Its been great.

 

Right now we are teaching some solid people and its been really fun to help them. We are teaching a mother and son named Sarah and Christopher! They are working towards baptism on the 9th of March. Its been so funny to teach them. Christopher is 8 and he asked us to find him a suit so that he could look like a missionary and come to church. From then on out we searched high and low to be able to find someone who had one ha ha it took a few weeks and a LOT of time but we got one and he came to church wearing this sweet tiny suit ha ha he was STOKED. They are some really incredible people who are seriously interested in the Gospel and have been truly receptive to the messages that we have shared with them. It was really fun to be able to help them understand that Gods plan is perfect and let them understand that through baptism and being obedient to the commandments would insure that they would be able to live together forever and always! They are some of the most prepared people ever, like when we extended the invitation to be baptized they were just like "yeah for sure" haha it was really sweet! We'll see what happens with them! I hope that everything works out to where they can be baptized!! 

 

As well we are teaching this guy named Chris who is working towards the 2nd of March, he is a super chill guy too from Ireland! Its funny because he looks like what Parker Bass will in like 30 years hahah its funny stuff but he is really cool. He just really wants to follow the Lord and is doing all that he can to do that! Its been really great to see him!

 

Honestly, I have been really loving everything right now. We are working hard and really trying to do the best that we can! I love you all so much! Have an awesome week!

 

Love,

 

Elder B. Beyer

Monday, February 11, 2014 "Zone Training Meeting"

 HEY HEY HEY!

 

 

How's everything been? Things here are super good for me on the Canadian front! We are starting to see some wonderful things and are picking up the pace with the Work! The Lord has placed some super prepared people in our paths and we are seeing the fruits of it for sure! Its been super awesome! This one day we were just so sick of not having investigators haha I mean, every single one we found would bail on us and it would just turn super sour and not work out at all... so from there we just went and tracted some apartments.. there we found some decent people nothing special and found this lady who wasn't interested but told us to go upstairs to her friend.. so we go up there and met Sarah. She is like the most solid person in the world! She is looking for a church for her son, and is really trying to understand Gods purpose with everything... I mean.. incredible person! Its been really great to teach her and to get people in there to meet her, but we are really looking forward to what the future has in store for her and her son Christopher! As well we went down a couple floors and found this guy named Chris.. He is just looking for a peace of mind and conscience and everything! It was like a testimony in itself that the Lord is really preparing people to receive the Truth of this Gospel. Its been super fun just running around and working our hardest but at the same time really focusing on what the Zone needs and trying to get them to feel the blessings of working hard. The Zone has taken a HUGE step forward and has maintained the Growth that has been established since E' Bramwell and I arrived. Its great to see the zone average 50 new investigators a week and have plenty of them progressing towards baptism. I love to see what the Lord is doing and how He works!

 

Zone training meeting this week was great. For the opening portion of the meeting, Elder Bramwell and I instructed on how to set expectations with investigators of coming to church three times before they can be baptized, prior to picking a specific baptismal date. In order to demonstrate this to the zone, Elder Bramwell and I bought a bag of candy and held it up at the beginning of the demonstration. We asked Elder Hewitt (one of our District Leaders from England) to come up. Once he was up, we asked if he wanted the bag of candy, in which he responded Yes. We told him that he would have to run around the pews in the chapel a few times and we would give it to him. Being Elder Hewitt, he said never mind and sat down :P. So we asked for a volunteer and Elder Williams, who has only been in the mission field for two weeks, threw his hand up with greenie fire. As he came up, we gave the same instructions. Elder Williams ran around the pews twice and then stopped with expectations of receiving the candy. I turned to Elder Bramwell confused and asked him if we forgot anything. Elder Bramwell quickly remembered that we meant for him to do it three times. So off Elder Williams went, running around the pews three times. When he returned, we forgot one more thing. On the second round, he was suppose to do it backwards.We repeated this process, two or three more times. Hoping on one leg, counterclockwise, and crawling. In some ways good, some ways bad...Elder Williams did anything we asked for the bag of candy, however it was frustrating that we kept changing the requirements.This demonstration represents how missionaries often set baptismal dates. Often times, the investigator will have no clue that they need to come to church three times before they can be baptized. Investigators will select a specific date for baptism, and then are disappointed in the weeks to come to find out that because of scheduling conflicts or previous arrangements they cannot make it to church and then are disappointed at the fact that they cant be baptized. Then the date needs to be reset and will most likely be soft. It was good because Elder Williams kept going and was "elect" in the sense that whatever changed in the equation, he was willing to comply so he could receive the incentive. However, it was bad because it did not truly represent how normal investigators would act. If we as missionaries kept changing the expectations, they would give up and quit just as Elder Hewitt did, because in their mind, the reward is not worth the effort. We should instead, let the investigator know of the church attendance requirement, and then pick a baptismal date that works with them.The zone loved it and brought some good energy to start off the meeting! The rest of it turned out really well and it helped set the tone for the rest of it. My favorite part about all of those meetings is when I get the chance to bear my testimony at the end. I really know that what we share has changed my life.

 

I really love being a missionary its the greatest thing ever. I hope you all are well.. I'm sorry if my letters suck, I'll be honest my desire to write them is pretty low hahah I love you still I promise!

 

Forever and Always,

Elder B. Beyer

 

Monday, February 3, 2014 "It's a Miracle"

HEY HEY!

Hate to burst the bubble but I really doubt I get that package before the 17th ha ha we just went to Brampton and wont be going back for a while! (His birthday package!)

Troy looks great I'm super happy for the character! I hope that they are doing well.

Things this week were good! We really didn't see the great results that I would have liked to see but it was still really great to see what happened. We had a Leadership meeting in Brampton and it went really well for us, the thing that is crazy about everything is that we had only a few days to be able to go out and work in our own area.. but it was a great learning opportunity in itself ha ha. We just pounded the pavement again and went out searching for the elect day after day and really didn't find anything but Muslims... I love how firm they are in their faith, but its so closed off to what God really wants to the point that its beyond blind faith! And they are very... stubborn and set in their ways.. so that's all that we had day after day after day...and it was a bummer because we weren't teaching lessons, we weren't finding people who would listen and we weren't seeing the success that we wanted.. SO.. we just kept on trying our best and kept going. Sunday comes around and really haven't found anyone too prepared that week, and we both fasted and fasted that we would find someone prepared to be baptized this transfer.. and we got home from church, ended the fast and went on our way. Well within the hour we ended up knocking on some random guys door who was beyond incredible. We talked about why we go to church and how we need to base ourselves in Christ and the Restoration etc, and he said "You know, the only thing I don't believe in as of right now is Joseph Smith... But who am I to say he's not a prophet when I don't know anything about him right? As long as you believe in God as our Father, and Christ as the Son, I'm more than willing to hear what you have to say." It was a MIRACLE. I hope that we can see some great things in the upcoming weeks here in London!

Things are going great right now, still working my butt off and really trying to do my  best. There have been a few times where I've been pretty cheesed at my performance, but the thing that I have come to know is that the Lord doesn't necessarily want us to be exactly perfect... He just wants us to understand when we aren't and then make the change and start fresh. I love repentance, and the joy that it really does bring into the lives of the people I meet as well as in my own life. I love being able to partake the sacrament and feel that cleansing power of the Atonement. I know this work is true and love helping others to be clean of their sins through the grace and mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ. I love you all, let me know if there is anything I can do to help you out!

Forever and Always,

Elder B. Beyer :)

Monday, January 27, 2014 "Final Transfer!"

HOLY COW!!! I can not believe that at all. Man, I LOVE Caden and Hayden. They just look like they should be best friends haha. That is really so weird for me to see everyone just like normal but this time they look more mature and changed. Its really cool to see that.

Did you get to work with Spanish investigators this week?

Yes I did, it was really weird. There was a few times where I forgot how to say somethings and forgot how to teach in Spanish haha. It was really weird to me. But it went really well I really enjoyed that tender mercy. haha I don't know if the old grammar is as perfect as Lando says haha but its coming along for sure.

Any leadership meetings?

Not this week, we will this week though. I'm really excited.
What was the funniest thing that happened this week?

Hmm... I don't know. Great question haha. I don't know... I know that we are constantly laughing and having a good time but I really can't think of anything that stands out right now.

 How do you like your ward?

Great ward. We have a lot of really great people in it and they have been really helpful in supporting and feeding us. Its been hard to lose weight because they feed us so much haha
Have you gotten pretty close to your bishop?

Yeah he is the man. He has been out of town for a little while but he is really great and wants to do the work of the Lord.
How is Issac progressing?
Great but really slowly. Its a process for sure, but its awesome. It takes everyone their own time to be able to do stuff right? Its going really well though.

So with your other question. I'M STAYING HERE. I'm excited! I'm with E Bramwell again! I just realized something really crazy haha, that I served in Spanish work for 12 and 4 in English.. and half the time I served in Spanish was in Toronto haha. Pretty Long time if you think about it like that, I think that is maybe why I love it so much!

We have been really pounding the pavement like crazy. We are trying to switch some things up for this next transfer to be able to work Hard and Smart at the same time! Its going to be a lot of fun. We have had quite the amount of changes in the Zone and are hoping to see some real miracles coming up from that! I'm really excited!

 

I don't have a whole lot to say! Its been busy busy busy that's about it! We are just working hard and will hopefully see some great things soon! I love you all so much. I love this gospel its so true and I really love being a missionary! The Canada Toronto Mission is the best one ever!

Forever and Always,

Elder B. Beyer

Monday, January 20, 2014 "Next Door Neighbors to Detroit"

AH! I cant believe they said YES ha ha. That's pretty crazy! Yeah that Elder is Carsen's new companion. I cant believe that about Riker! That is SO cool! Tell him I love him and that I'm SO excited for him! He is the man. That's really so great to hear about that!

Ha ha yeah there are tons of videos on there. I have tried to get a lot so that I will be able to remember lots more than just a picture! but yeah so they stayed in the same room as us when we were all there. SO it was 4 missionaries in the bed room and their study room was where the weight room was. It was SO crowded. I have lots of pictures on this card I think. Its super funny!

Detroit!

What is the funniest thing that happened this week?

Well, I went on an exchange this week with the Elder from Farmington Elder Cowley ha ha... and we went out tracting on a "First Nation Reserve" aka Native American Indians ha ha.. Well it was pretty intense. They are super spread out houses and some are like log cabins. Well we went out and were tracting and trying to get in and out there, there is like no rules basically. Its their land and whatever they want to do they basically can.. So all the dogs out there are not on leashes and they roam around wherever. So this one wolf looking one goes up and pees on our car first off, and we go and see some little tiny baby puppies and were like AWW so cute! So E Cowley whips out his camera to take a picture.. well as he did the momma dog FLIPS and starts charging us.. Well in the mean time we are backing up and standing our ground at the same time, and then out of the corner of our eyes this white wolf thing that's tattered up with bloody wounds comes into the picture and was surrounding us. Then the first one that peed on the car was behind us and was DEATH calling some more dogs/wolves to help KILL us.. during this whole time I was like DON'T RUN, STAY CALM, TAKE OFF YOUR BACKPACK AND IF THEY CHARGE CLOCK ITS NOGGIN.. hahaha I thought
we were going to die.. ha ha but we got out safe and what not. We were laughing so hard!

What have you and Elder Bramwell done for fun on P-Days? 

Nothing really.. there is not too much to do in London. We play sports, get food with other missionaries, umm... nothing too intense haha.

How are you liking the Subaru?

Oh LOVE it. Its so fun, its a pretty quick small little car. Its the newest car I've ever driven in my life. when we first got it, it had like 20 miles on it haha pretty cool stuff!

Do you get to teach Spanish since being in London?

I have contacted lots of Spanish people since being here yes, but I have not taught a single soul yet. I'm going on an exchange with our Spanish district leader though and we are going to :) I'm excited!

Did you have any leadership meetings this week?

Nope, not this week! But we will in like 2 more.

 

The hands down best part about this week was going on a 2 hour both ways trip to Windsor! aka... NEXT DOOR NEIGHBORS TO DETROIT!!!!!!

GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!! :) :) I love it so much! I think the initial reaction of Elder Bramwell and I both was just SCREAMING and saying AMERICA!! ha ha I couldn't stop talking about it, I was like "I cant believe we are so close to the holy land" or "Man I love America" hahaha. It was great stuff! I will send some great pictures of that this week no worries.

 

I'm super happy about Carsen. He is a BOSS. I really know that he is one of the best missionaries that I have come in contact with. I think he is the man.

 

I had the opportunity to do 2 baptismal interviews this week, it was incredible. I love doing that. I think overall that is my favorite responsibility I have right now. Its really remarkable being able to sit down with someone who has been through it all, and to see where they came from and where they are at right now! Its my favorite thing ever. I think the best part about it all is hearing them share their testimony with me and say that they know God is their Father, Jesus is His Son and that the Church and Gospel of Jesus Christ have been restored through the prophet Joseph Smith. Its a testimony builder of mine to see humble seekers of truth find it.

 

I know this is the Truth. Read your scrips and pray and you'll be happy! I promise! I love you all. I hope that you are happy and are constantly trying to help others find or return to the pathway of God.

Forever and Always,

 

Elder B. Beyer