Sprint to the Finish

Elder Beal,
Oh how I love Missionary Mondays! I love receiving updates from you. Perhaps this tradition can continue on after your mission. As I prepared for gospel doctrine class this week. I thought a lot about how Mormon must have felt writing to his son and how Moroni must have felt receiving the letters. How Moroni considered what would be of the most value as he wrote his final letter to us in the latter days as he wrapped up the Book of Mormon. I have so many thoughts and emotions that are all just jumbled up inside of me. I am struggling to know what is the one needful thing. (Martha and Mary) Know that I love you and am proud of you. Know that Heavenly Father will see us through the storms of life. That through these storms he blesses us beyond our comprehension. Know that all your friends, family and sweetheart are here anxiously awaiting your arrival. The Lord has his hand in this timing. Bishop invited the ward to join in a fast for you. My heart aches for your sorrows and pumps for your joys. Enjoy serving in whatever capacity you are permitted as you sprint to the finish of this marathon. Smile often, laugh often, light up a room, and love always. I am so excited to talk to you on Christmas. Do you know what time? Will it be Facetime?
Your birthday present arrived back here today. Attached is a picture of the package. I figured it was long gone! Gavin returned on Wednesday and gave a wonderful fireside message at his house around the fire. Jared returned Saturday, soon for a short season you will all be together again. I love you. Mom

To keep me from worrying, he sent this video about why he won't be able to write until Wednesday.  

On Wednesday, I received his weekly letter.

Beunos días Padres, 

We went to the temple this morning. It was really spiritual and I felt really lifted from the circumstances that were around me. I've been reading and praying a lot and I've received a lot of amazing impressions about the future. There is so many things that I want and need in my future and I'm glad that God loves me and wants me to happy here on this earth. I have been hanging with the Assistants this last week because if I go in shock they can get me to the hospital. One of them is Elder Boyd whom I've already served with before, in Fuerteventura and so now again it's pretty much just us two working together and it really makes me feel like I'm going hard to the end. On Sunday we will be FaceTiming and I hope that y'all would be able to do it at 6:00pm my time and 9:00 am your time. If you can. I would like to see every one if it's possible. I am coming home as I know now on Tuesday at night, but I'll let y'all know in case it changes. I'm super excited to see y'all on Sunday and in person next week.

Muchas love, 

Moroni 

By the way did y'all pay for the rest of my mission already? 

I owe the mission 100 euros and I need to pay for it before I leave.

I'll be home for Christmas...or a few days late.

Upon learning from Sister Pack on Friday, that Moroni's health would not permit him to continue his mission, I simply sent him this scripture found in the Book of Mormon:
Alma 17
Then patiently waited for Monday when we could exchange emails, however on Saturday he sent me this email plus video:
Hey Mom I know that it's weird getting this Email because it's Saturday but I just wanted to give you a weeks notice:

New Haircut & Comrades RWH

Elder Beal,

How wonderful that you were able to visit with Enrique! I love him and I haven't even met him in person :)  Some people brighten the world immensely and he is one of them.

We had a family over for dinner who is new to our ward, they have a few little ones. The little boys reminded me so much of you and Christian when you were small. Christian turned 24 last week, as I hung up my treasured ornaments with all your little faces, I reveled in the memories of all of you when you were young. 

Today was the primary program, they are all so sweet! It is one of my favorite Sacraments every year I look forward to it.  Their spirits are amazing!  Malachi gave such a great talk about missionary work and what our job is as member missionaries. He got a new suit for it and looked so handsome. He even let Nauvoo cut his hair. She did a nice job. I realized it is probably his last primary program and shed a tear.  Time flies ever so quickly!

Speaking of time flying by quickly, Gavin, I mean Elder Mapel returns with honor this Thursday! And Jared, ahem Elder Dabel on Saturday, mind blown! I know it feels like you still have a ways to go, but I promise you will blink twice and it will be time to come home and you will wish to stay and tarry a little longer. 

I am glad you were able to attend the temple last week.  I will work on names for the temple after this week passes.  I have finals for school and it is the last week of work before Christmas break.  It would be super awesome to have our ancestors from Spain done in Spain.

I have been posting the Light the World campaigns everyday on FB and trying to consider each particular one of the day. It is great to have a focus on making the world brighter. Thank you for extending the challenge to us.  I am really looking forward to our Christmas phone call!  I hope we don't get cut short again, that was tragic! I love you!

Love, 

Mom

Hey y'all. Today I got a haircut by a Ecuadorian and I look like a Spaniard, but it's alright. We have a Christmas party tomorrow as a zone. We are doing a white elephant party, and then lots of food. I'm jealous that Rick, Gavin, Jared, and Donavaghn are home but I'm glad that they all returned with honor. I can't wait to talk to you and them on the 25th. At the beginning of this next month I'm gonna have 8 months left. I can't wait to get home and spend time with all the family and the ward. This week we had a Noche del Hogar and we made some Salchi Papas. Which is hot dogs with French fries, with a ton of sauce. We almost got in a fight with the Relief Society President, because she made an activity at the same time as us, but it's all worked out. By the way I am feeling better and I'm going to be going to the hospital in the coming week. I hope that y'all have a white Christmas that would be sweet. Tell the guys to make some videos and send them to me. I really do miss all y'all and I'm super excited to see y'all on Christmas. Karly told me that she's gonna be in Oregon so you'll have to invite her. I love you guys a lot and I'll talk to you next week. 
Love Moroni.



(He sent a video for the boys,which I shared with them.)

A couple of days later when I learned he was admitted to the hospital:

Moroni,
I just wanted to take a moment and send some extra love your way. I am so grateful to be your mom! You are always in my thoughts and prayers.
Much Love,
Mom

Madrid Temple-Families are Forever

Elder Beal,
Thank you so much for the wonderful letter last week! I loved every word! I knew leaving Gijon was going to be hard for you. I also know that you will fall in love with every ward you serve.  I am glad you will have an easier form of transportation while you are building your strength back up. Good to hear your potassium level has balanced out.
I am glad you like your companion. It is fascinating that you are both from Oregon, what part is he from? Where is his Spanish ancestry from? Your grandfather's is just southwest from where you are now. I wonder if there are any Mendoza's or Perez's where you are serving now?
I love the light the world campaign, it really helps me to focus everyday on what the Savior did and how I can 'go and do likewise'.   The First Presidency Christmas Devotional is on right now. I love hearing the words of our prophet and apostles.
We went and got some trees yesterday. It was so much fun, even though there wasn't snow.

Here is a beautiful picture of your sister with her quote "Nothing has brought me more joy than to learn of my Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ."

Rick is a temple worker right now, I thought you'd like this one:

How wonderful you were able to go to the temple this week, I hope we get a picture! I just found a FB page for the parents of missionaries in your mission. It is great to see all their smiling faces.  I love you with all my heart! Have an amazing week!
Love,
Mom

Hey Mom and Dad,

I hope that you had a good week this week. I loved your email about ilumina the world. Our p-day was moved to Wednesday because we went to the temple today it was so spiritual. I went there fasting for Brandon, Greg and Wayne, I know that the lord will protect them. We did the session in Spanish, it was super fun. By the way, I need the names and birth dates of ancestors names and dates so that I can go to the temple and do their work. I'm super excited to do names for my ancestors. I already have like 30 names to do, but I can't do sealing, so I'll send you them. I love God so much, I'm so glad that I can repent of my sins and be worthy to go to the temple. I really love Madrid. It's super easy to get around. I called Enrique today and it made me cry. I also talked to one of my old investigators from Fuerteventura. I read these scriptures last week and it really takes me back to my family and friends. I love you Mom Dad and my amazing family. 

With all my love, 

Moroni

Alma 27

16 And it came to pass that as Ammon was going forth into the land, that he and his brethren met Alma, over in the place of which has been spoken; and behold, this was a joyful meeting.

17 Now the joy of Ammon was so great even that he was full; yea, he was swallowed up in the joy of his God, even to the exhausting of his strength; and he fell again to the earth.

 18 Now was not this exceeding joy? Behold, this is joy which none receiveth save it be the truly penitent and humble seeker of happiness.