Goals, Obedience, & Blessings

Elder Beal,
We have seen so many sites this week, I can't even begin to name them all. Right now we are at the brand new Priesthood Restoration site in Harmony, PA right on the Susquehanna River where Joseph and Oliver received the priesthood and were baptized. This is our final church history site. The rest will just be American History. I really pray that this trip will help solidify the testimony of Nauvoo & Malachi that they will become converted and  when the storms of life come with all their tumultuous rain, they will stand firm in their testimony of the love of God and the Savior's role in their life. The sister who gave us the tour has a sister serving in your mission. Hermana Cheret is her name. She is between you and Vigo. I will send a picture you can show her oh her sister. It is on my big camera not my phone so it will be a few weeks.  When I talk to dad and the older girls they sound like life is going well. I know we are super blessed and are seeing some amazing things. Malachi is only 13 months away from getting the priesthood. I know all the blessings of the gospel are made possible because of the priesthood. I am so grateful your dad has always honored it and is always ready to serve. I am glad you are following in your Savior's footsteps. I love you.

How do you like your new area?
What is your companions name?
Have you bought a new pair of shoes yet?
Sunglasses?
Why do I hear country music in your hat video?
Are you obeying the rules of the mission?
I love you!!!!
Love,
Mom

Hey Mom, 
This week has been very good! I've enjoyed Gijón a lot, it's a lot different than Fuerteventura, there's actually trees here, it's a big city and it's going to take a while to figure it out, but I think it just comes with time. My companion is Elder Lords, a wrestler from Boise Idaho, and his family lives on a Ranch he's really obedient and loves to serve. I have learned a lot from already and we have had a some really amazing talks about our goals and how we want to be 4/4 obedient Missionary's, and to become best friends. We had a Zone Conference last Friday and we were asked to do a 20-30 minute discussion about unity. Even though we had only been together for 5 days. We planned prayerful and we both taught with complete unity through the power of the Holy Ghost. I still haven't bought some new shoes but I might get some next week I didn't get sunglasses either. Look this up and you can check out the new clothes for missionaries https://missionary.lds.org/clothing/elder/dress/coats?lang=eng. Anyways it's been pretty hot up here and it hasn't rained once, so I'm pretty sure that the lord is helping me because he knows that my shoes are all messed up and he's blessing me with rays of sunshine and not with drops of water. My week was very good and the time is running, I'm almost at ten months. The card that I sent you is how we are trying to be 4/4 missionary's the ones with the * are what we are focusing on everyday. Im trying my best to be obedient mom. I was just kidding with the video. I love you and I miss and I am doing really good. 
Love Moroni

Goodbye Islands... Hello Gijon!

Elder Beal,

I have so much to share and so little time!! 

   Dad's last 4 day motorcycle ride went perfectly as planned.  He took videos on his new camera that he got for Father's Day.  I think it is kind of like yours. They are still working on compiling one video. 

Nauvoo, Malachi, & I are on a crazy cross-country road trip. I wanted to see the grand babies, Malachi the Smithsonian, and Nauvoo wanted to drive. She is a great chauffeur, I like relaxing and she likes driving really fast. I will share a few pictures of our trip in a separate email from my phone. We are having a great time!   Sariah and Camilla stayed home with dad.  They are all busy working. 

   I am reading along with Gospel Doctrine class in Alma right now and every chapter reminds me of you and the labor of love that every missionary offers.  Alma the younger, Ammon, and their companions are the perfect examples of great missionaries.  They serve out of love, make great sacrifices to serve, meet people where they are in gospel knowledge and add upon it, humble, willing to do hard things, and rejoice in sharing the love of God. 

   Christian has been having the missionaries over the last several weeks each Sunday evening and they came tonight while we are here. One of the Elders reminded Nauvoo and I of you, just his personality while he taught.  It was wonderful to hear Christian share his testimony that he knows without doubt that the church is true.  Each of us in this life struggle with something, Satan uses those struggles to tell us we aren't good enough.  We must find ways to help people understand and believe that we are good enough to be loved by God and reap the blessings that come from obedience to His commands.  His ward seems really great, I do hope he will find himself walking back into those doors again soon. I am really impressed with his maturity and especially how he doesn't hold grudges. He is also really good on the guitar.  The babies are so sweet!  I just can't get enough of them!!  Their little voices are music to my ears. 

   It is great that you can wear hats and sunglasses now.  I bet you look smashing!  I am happy to hear you are writing in your journal.  My journal writing ebbs and flows.  I am always grateful when I go back and read something from the past that I had since forgotten and it is just what I need to be reminded of at that time.  They are almost like your very own set of scriptures.  Do you stand in need of anything?  

   On our way to Christian's we drove through New Mexico.  We were only 25 minutes south of Rick.  It was so tempting to swing by his place.  It was way too late at night though so we remained obedient to the rules of the mission.  He will be home in three months and then I will send you a picture of him.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE your emails, pictures, and videos. I will end this so I can send you a few from my phone right now.  Keep up the good work!  

Love,

Mom

Hey Momma,
Your week looked awesome! I miss Christian I haven't seen him in forever. The nephews look so cute and Darren's naked body was really funny. Guess what??  I got transferred again, I'm going to Gijon, I'm in the train right now. I'm actually almost there, and it's so green. Fuerteventura is like a desert and this place looks like a mountainous Amazon. It's awesome. And it's raining and I got holes in the bottom of my shoes so I might have to get some new ones soon. But it's alright, I don't mind washing my socks a lot. Anyways my week has been awesome and I have been loving my mission I'm just glad the I have time until I have to leave. I mean I'm missing home but I don't mind waiting. Thanks mom for everything and for all the fotos of Christian and the kids.

                    🇪🇸 Élder Moroni S. Beal 🇪🇸

                              Madrid,  España 

                                Fuerteventura 

                                          

Moroni~Get new shoes! If you don't you'll put holes in your socks! I'll have dad put some money on your account. I love you!

Imperfect People in a Perfect Gospel

My Favorito Missionary,

          It makes me so happy to hear you are hosting activities in your ward and people are bringing friends.  I am most happy to hear that your ward family welcomes them as they are.  It sounds like they are amazing and know how to look upon the heart of a person and see their potential.  This world would be a better place if we all practiced that a little bit more.  I also thought of that part of your blessing a few times since you have been out. Specifically, when France and Belgium were attacked and most recently with Brexit. Each time my quick moment of concern is immediately washed away and I know that the promises given in your blessing remain in force. I have no worries or fears about you out serving.  I know many blessings will flow into your life from now unto eternity because of your mission.

         President and Sister Wright were guest speakers for spiritual hour one day this past week at girls camp.  The theme of the week was the Game of Life, and the theme for their day was Go Fish as in Fishers of Men.  Anyway they are always such amazing people and when they testify, it is so powerful. They spoke about their missions.  He shared a few stories of people who he shared the gospel with 30 years ago that now have children serving missions. Of course, he had no idea as a young missionary the ripple effect his service would have.  Well one of the converts from his mission had a daughter turn in her papers to serve her mission while the Wright's were serving as mission President. He said to his wife "Wouldn't it be crazy if she was called to serve in our mission?"   He doesn't know which apostle made the assignment for her, but by a miracle of inspiration she was called to serve in their mission.  Isn't that amazing? The Lord knows all things, he sets us in places and peoples lives at precise moments to assist in His perfect plan.

          I am learning to trust Him more fully and completely than ever before.  It can be difficult for me to let go and let somebody else be in charge, but I know He loves me and has a plan for me so why wouldn't I want Him to be in charge?  I am learning that I am WAY more happier because I am replacing my fear with faith.  

         Sorin turned 4 on the 2nd, Malachi, Nauvoo, and I are going to take a road trip and visit them for a couple of days later this week.  Tomorrow is Independence Day and Malachi, Nauvoo, and I are going to go with Gpa & Gma to blow glass. I will take pictures for next weeks letter. 

         Are you keeping a journal?  I hope that you will take the time to frequently write in it, especially the tender mercies of the Lord.  Read Elder Eyring's talk if you need a refresher, it is really good. 

         What is transportation like on the islands? I assume you walk most places that are near you, what about further out?

         Are things still well with your companionship? Do you seek ways to serve each other?  When Alma the younger was serving in Ammonihah, they treated him very poorly and he left.  As he was on his way to the next city, an angel of the Lord (the same one that visited him when he was young and struck dumb) told him to go back.  He returned through a new gate where he met his new missionary companion, Amulek.  At the end of Alma 15 we read that Alma ministered unto Amulek.  You see they taught in cities where people did flock unto them to be baptized and also they preached in cities where they witnessed tragic events, filled with much sorrow and unimaginable heartache during that 6 month period of time.  Anyway my point is I love that he ministered to his companion.  I am going to try and be more aware of my role in that this week. That is my goal.  

       I am glad you did well on your goals last week.  Did you end up winning?

       I will send a couple of pictures from my phone in a separate email.

I love you forever and always,

Mom

   Hey y'all,

this week was really hard but for a good reason, I think that the most spiritual part of my week was yesterday when Nelido stood up and bore his testimony about the Book of Mormon. He is still trying to quit smoking but, besides that he is ready for baptism. We have a lot of other people preparing for baptism too, one of them is homosexual and it will be hard to teach him the law of chastity. But we have treated him like any other person that is struggling with this commandment. It is really easy for him to feel the spirit, and he knows that the church is true, he just doesn't have that much self-esteem because he's a little big and knows that what he does is wicked and I think that he doesn't want to be like that, he wants to feel and be normal. Anyways besides a couple of things everything is really good, and the work is good and hard which makes me happy because I'm not bored, I love it here.

 

I need to work on my writing in my journal it's been awhile but I'll start tonight. 

On Fuerteventura we only have GuaGuas (Bus's) and taxis. But in the peninsula there is also the Metro and the Train, and in Tenerife they have the Tranvia  which is an above and below ground metro pretty much, it was awesome to use it when I was there. My companion, Elder Morris, and I are are good. He's taught me a lot and that's why I think that the work here is so good. Today we went to Gran Tarajal and did an island tour it was awesome, it was really nice to relax and to not have to worry about anything for a day. Everything is good and I'm loving my mission. I love you mom and I  really liked the photos. Moroni

                    🇪🇸 Élder Moroni S. Beal 🇪🇸

                              Madrid,  España 

                                Fuerteventura 

ps. We are now allowed to wear hats!

                                          

Safe on the Island

Elder Beal,
My prayers are with the efforts of Nelido as he struggles to overcome the natural man and become a disciple of Christ. I know it is not easy nor does it happen overnight but over the course of a lifetime we can achieve our goal. He should follow the wise counsel found time and again in the scriptures to "Lift up your head and be of good cheer. "  This advice is always preceded in the scriptures by some form of sorrow, trial, or heartache. I have faith that he can do it! Let him know that I believe in his ability to overcome any obstacle. I know God always provides a way for us to be obedient. Sometimes we have to try several different approaches to be successful like Nephi and the brass plates. Or Alma and the city of Ammonihah. Just don't give up!
Drunk people can be funny at times, others not so much. Unfortunately, all who suffer from alcoholism are destructive to their lives to varying degrees.  It is interesting that the very thing Satan can never have is what he constantly tempts us to abuse.
Sariah was switched back to days at Walmart, they are really pleased with how quickly she learns and what a hard worker she is.
Camilla bought her first car. See picture. She worked long and hard to save enough money. And she waited patiently to find the right car that we approved of. It has dents on the drivers side but low miles and came from a decent owner. She loves it and I know it could get her through college.
Nauvoo spent a few days volunteering at the humane society for a project. They think she is amazing and would love to have her come back. She is getting ready for girls camp which is later this week. Camp is always a spiritual highlight I am so glad to be able to go with my girls.
Malachi and I had a fantastic time at the Forest and Range day camp we attended. I will send a few pics.
I just applied for BYU-I online. I have to receive Ecclesiastical Endorsement from Bishop then meet with President Thompson and get his endorsement also, before they will look at my application. I am excited to finally have the opportunity to take this step!
Dad has a 4 day ride planned this weekend. There was a large group of them who planned on going but it has dwindled down to the final three amigos. They always seem to have a wonderful time adventure riding. Taking in all the majestic beauty of the earth.
When dad and I were in the temple this week, I felt like there was such an incredible amount of knowledge about the Earth that we all still need to learn before we can become creators. Today President Thompson said "I am glad we do not have to rely on our gardens for all of our substance, for mine is sad."  He gave an incredible talk one statement I will share with you. "The seed of remembering grows into gratitude which produces generosity."  Ponder and study that this week and let me know what comes of it. I love you forever and always!
Love,
Mom

   Hey Momma,

this week was really good and very successful, to me. We didn't have a baptism but that's coming up. But everything else number wise was really good, every week we have a challenge in our District, and whoever wins gets candy or something from every set of missionaries, last week we chose to do the companionship with the the highest number of references received and I'm pretty sure we are going to win we had 24, but you never know, someone else could beat us. Also we put on an activity for the branch called "Día de los Países", "Nations Day",      It was awesome every one brought food from where they were and Decorations or a flag of their country. It was really good we had music playing and people eating and Dancing, everyone did a dance from their country. We also invited this guy that we met in the street, he said that he was taking the lessons from the missionaries when he was in Tenerife, and he came but he brought 2 of his friends, They came to the activity, drunk, and first of the guy who stopped us wanted to preach to everyone at the activity about how the BoM changed his life (I'm not sure if I was excited or scared about that.) We told him not to. His other two friends were from the Sahara, and a guy gave him a little plate of food and told him that it was really good, but the guy freaked for some reason. Luckily he just walked outside instead, so we walk outside to talk to him and he is freaking out and yelling in Spanglish, I have no idea what happened. The guy who gave him a plate walked out to say sorry for whatever happened. Turns out he got mad cause he thought he was saying the food he gave him was better than the food from his country. So he was yelling at  him, "tú crees que that food es mejor que toda the food in my county?! Have you comido un buffalo? Un Gazelle? Un Kamel? Y tú me dices that that is mejor?" He ended up just walking away with his friends super angry. Me and my companion died, I wonder what was going through this dudes head. Anyways were all good and safe, it actually says in my Patriarchal Blessing that I will be safe in my mission and I feel that God has kept me safe so far, even though I'm in this crazy island that I love. The work is good I'm good and I feel blessed, I love you Mom and the family. Que tenga una buena semana, Your favorito Missionary Moroni 

                    🇪🇸 Élder Moroni S. Beal 🇪🇸

                              Madrid,  España 

                                Fuerteventura 

                                          

Happy Father's Day

Elder Beal,
We had the family over to celebrate and made a super short video which my phone kept complaining about being too large so I had to cut it into 3!! Ridiculous!!

Sariah and Nauvoo went to youth conference this weekend at Klamath Falls. They met someone who reminded them of you a little. He is also the darkest kid in his family. Sariah is working at Walmart. She trained last week in produce. 5am-1:30 pm. Tomorrow she starts nights 10pm-7am yikes!

Friday was my last day of work till the Fall. No time to chill though, I have packed my summer schedule tight! This week Malachi and I will be at a water and soil day camp. It might sound lame but will be lots of fun!

I love the phrase in your last letter that you don't baptize less active members. Brilliant! The first talk President Hunter gave after being sustained Prophet, he said (paraphrased) "To the less active come back, let us stand by you, if your hurt let us wipe your tears." That really strikes a chord in my heart. We the 90 and 9 should have our arms open wide to love and accept all. I am going to try harder at that. The process of becoming a disciple of Christ is a long one for me but I just keep trying. So grateful for the Atonement! Every day, every day, every day! I love you!
Love,
Mom

Hey Momma, tell Dad !!!HAPPY FATHERS DAY!!!! this week is been pretty good, our friend Nelido who was going to have his interview with President Pack but he could not stop smoking so we had to change his baptism date and give him another interview.  It's ok because we want him to be ready. It was good to see the Family, it's been awhile. I also had the opportunity to give a hug to a Drunk guy, that was interesting man Drunk dudes love the Missionaries. I hope that you guys are enjoying your summer I'm excited to hear of your plans. I love you Mom and I am so happy that I'm here and I can't wait to talk to you next week! Love Elder Beal

                    🇪🇸 Élder Moroni S. Beal 🇪🇸

                              Madrid,  España 

                                Fuerteventura 

                                          

Amazing companion

Elder Beal,
Another landmark day has passed. Sariah's graduation ceremony was Friday night. We are super proud of her. We enjoyed an ice cream social to celebrate this afternoon. She has been working at Walmart for a week or so now. Her real training starts tomorrow 5 am to 1:30.
Spencer, Jill, & Emerson & Emma (both HS and AA) all graduated as well. Look who else was there!  Karly flew out to watch Katie walk. It was so great to see her. When I hug her it feels like I am hugging a part of you. Their family spent the weekend at the beach house.
Trudi let us swim in her pool while she is visiting her grandkids up north. It has been such a lovely treat! Can you believe it was 108 last weekend?!? Thankfully, it was much cooler this weekend for the ceremony.
Tonight at a girls camp meeting, Sister Hill did such a powerful lesson. She blind folded each of us, turned off the lights, played songs that represented different parts of the Savior's life. She asked us to have our hands open to be able to feel. As the music played, an object would be paced in hands to represent the words of the song. There were 5 songs. Sometimes we would smell vinegar or see light or feel our arm be wiped down with soft cloth or feel tears drop on our hands. Straw, thorns, wooden beam, thorns, nail & sacrament cup are the items that were strategically placed in our hands.  My words don't do it justice. It was really touching.
My studies this week in the Book of Mormon find me really impressed with how great the Lord strengthens us to meet the task or battle evil.  The war continues to rage and we must prayer earnestly and continually to gain the lords strength. With His strength we can do all things. I love you.
Love,
Mom

Hey Mom,

 that experience that you had with Hermana Hill had me flipando. (Watch the video). Anyways this Week was really good because we didn't almost get punched by a dude. But really it was an amazing, our friend Nelido, change his date of baptism to the 25th of this month, because he wanted to be spiritually prepared. But it's alright. We don't baptize a less active. The work is going fast here and so is the time. I have been in the islands for almost 4 1/2 months, mucho tiempo! I've learned a lot of things on my mission especially for my amazing companion Heavenly Father, no it's a joke Elder Morris. I'm really glad that I'm here and I really appreciate the chance that God has given me. I really liked the experience that you had with Jennifer that would have been cool to see, I mean touch. I have been reading in the New Testament and I have learned a lot about the life of Jesus Christ. And what he did for us. I love you mom and miss sitting by the table and chatting with your friends while y'all were scrap booking. I love you Mom and I'm excited to hear from you next week. Love Elder Beal

                    🇪🇸 Élder Moroni S. Beal 🇪🇸

                              Madrid,  España 

                                Fuerteventura 

                                          

He said to watch the video, but we did not get one...

8 Months

I just realized today that you have been out serving the Lord for eight months.  That is fantastic!  Time flies by so quickly!  I really love your words, photos, and video clips, they help shorten the distance and allow us to catch a glimpse of your mission life.  You are experiencing so many wonderful things, especially the people.  How was your Island tour with your less active friend?  The fact that he wants to share his time and knowledge about the Islands with missionaries speaks volumes.  Always be filled with hope, no matter how the long the journey of conversion appears, be filled with hope.  

I learned my lesson about being unprepared for Gospel Doctrine, and came prepared today. We sit in a circle and it facilitates and environment where participation is more welcome.  I love all the wisdom and testimony of the class. Today we talked about Alma's conversion. I love how explicitly he explains the depths of his sorrow for his sins compared his joy being exceedingly great beyond measure when he is forgiven and converted to the Lord.  It is rare that repentance and conversion happen so instantly, usually it is a gradual process over time. I love that he became a mighty missionary.  I want to be a mighty missionary.

Satan will attempt to deceive us by whispering doubt into our minds.   All good promptings come from the Lord and all negative thoughts are lies from Satan. This point was brought up by a fellow classmate and I thought to myself  "Why do I EVER give heed to the lies of Satan?"  I am going to try harder to recognize his voice and kick him to the curb.  I am tired of believing his garbage and I am not going to carry it around with me anymore. Here is a quote I liked:

Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the First Presidency:“Satan will try to make us believe that our sins are not forgiven because we can remember them. Satan is a liar; he tries to blur our vision and lead us away from the path of repentance and forgiveness. God did not promise that we would not remember our sins. Remembering will help us avoid making the same mistakes again. But if we stay true and faithful, the memory of our sins will be softened over time. This will be part of the needed healing and sanctification process. Alma testified that after he cried out to Jesus for mercy, he could still remember his sins, but the memory of his sins no longer distressed and tortured him, because he knew he had been forgiven (see Alma 36:17–19).

Earlier this week Sariah was awarded three small scholarships.  Every little bit helps!  She will graduate this Friday. We are super proud of her. She also did her first day of training at Walmart last Friday.  On Monday, she will complete her training and get her schedule.  Camilla has been working lots of hours at Subway and is saving to buy a car.  She turned 17 yesterday.  I am not sure how my kids are all getting so old while I remain so youthful ;)   She had a dozen friends over, we went swimming, ate pizza, and played games.  They were a great group of youth.  

I love you and am so proud of you!  Keep working hard, listen to the promptings of the Holy Ghost and obey them.  Smile brightly, your smile is contagious, it will soften hearts and brighten weary souls.  Let the light and hope of Christ radiate from you. I will smile brightly this week and think of you smiling in the islands of Spain.

Love Always,

MOM

ps. Please forgive me, I have no photos to send, they were all wiped off my phone, I will take some this week for sure!

Hey Mom and Family, this past week was pretty good I think that the gnarliest part was that some big ol'  baracho dude freaked out on us because we wouldn't give his friend some money, then he started yelling at us and telling us to ¡VALLA TE ANTES DE LES PEGO! After that he kicked a wall as hard as he could and started running after us, but we took off to the church and he didn't find us. But other than that thing is all good. The baptism that we have for Nelido is set for the 18th of this month. But I'm pretty sure that Nelido is going to move to a different Island, so he will probably be baptized there, but we will be able to teach him so that's good. I can't believe that I've been out for 8 months that's loco. In four months I'll have a year, I'm getting old!. I'm having a lot of fun, we are hanging out with one of our investigators named Jaier he's from Argentina and he speaks really good English we ate some barbecue and it was bomb. I love you mom and I miss the fam and my friends and the ward. I love serving here and I know that the lord is watching over me. Love Moroni.

                    🇪🇸 Élder Moroni S. Beal 🇪🇸

                              Madrid,  España 

                                Fuerteventura