The work goes forward

Moving on! Things here are amazing. We've met so many people. One man we met is named Malaki (prounounced jush like in the Book of Mormon). We tracted into him and had a couple good conversations at the door and he requested to keep the Book of Mormon we gave him. He is very knowledgeable and is always seeking to expand that knowledge.

We also met another man named Ronan. We tracted into his house and taught him the restoration when he let us in (the first time we've been let in right off the street to teach). It turns out that he was married but it didn't work out and (he says) his wife basically fell out of love with him. It's a hard life; he has epilepsy and takes 15 drugs to keep himself "normal". He has a bible but has never read it because of how hard it is with his epilepsy. When we taught him he seemed to soak up the truth and was not only amazed but believed much of what we taught him. I have confidence that God will continue to bless him so that he can develop in the gospel.

Another person we met was named Allan. He answered the door and we spoke for a brief moment. He didn’t seem all that interested but luckily, his "special" brother-in-law came over and introduced us and wanted to show us his medals. So while we were waiting I felt prompted (though it was awkward) to ask if it was okay if we stepped inside while we waited, he said yes. So it turned out that Phillip (his bro-in-law) had performed in the Special Olympics and won a gold and silver medal. It was really cool to shake a gold medalist's hand. After we had developed a friendship based off of that we testified of the importance of our message and how it unified the family and then we asked if we could come back to which he replied we could (an uncommon occurrence in Ireland). However I have no doubt the spirit will touch their hearts when we teach the restoration.

Well, I think that's all I have to say. The work is going forward. I am learning much about my strengths, and even more about my weaknesses. I hope to come back a better person than I left.

I've arrived safely in Ireland!

Hello everyone!

Well, I made it to Ireland. I had a great time at the MTC for those two weeks I was there. But I'm very excited to be in the mission now. I have been assigned a companion. He'll be training me. He's from Kaysville, Utah and his name is Elder Austin Johnson.

I have a new address y'all can write to me at if you like (It's been updated on the blog).

My mission preparation days are on Wednesdays so I'll be able to work on writing letters those days. I would love to hear from people, so please send me a letter if you have some time.

Here are some pictures of me and my companion and my mission president and his wife:

Companion change

So... picking up where I left off. Elder Metsaranta was my companion and then I was asked to be companions with Elder Jankowsky which is tough, because he's obsessed with his girlfriend and doesn't really like to work, but God is pulling me through this earthly test safe and sound on the other side. I have grown and experienced a lot since I've been here. I've seen several miracles too. It's an exciting place the Missionary Training Center (MTC). The spirit of the lord is always present and it makes me hope and pray that the field is like this too (meaning, even if I get an interesting companion, the spirit can still be there).

I've also learned some interesting things about doctrine, in studying about why bad things happen to good people. I learned a very curious fact: God loves his children so much he's willing to hit them with an 18-wheeler if that's what it takes to get their attention. The human concept of what is "bad" is completely off when it comes to death. I was studying in the Word of Wisdom (Doctrine & Covenants 89) and in the last verse it talks about how if you keep and do these sayings, the destroying angel would pass by you. I looked at the foot note and it led me to exodus where it talks about Moses and the children of Egypt. It talked about how the destroying angel came down and smote the first born, and I realized something very profound. When God smote the firstborn of Egypt he saved them from the wicked traditions of their fathers! He was able to take them to the spirit world where God could teach them the right way. It's a vastly important work that is going on here.

Another very interesting thing I learned. God doesn't want us to be sitting on the fence our whole lives, especially not as missionaries. He wants our best or nothing at all. It doesn't matter what the person next to you is doing. You could be studying twice as much as them, but if you're not doing your best, then you don't understand what God expects of you.

The trip to England & my first companion

Hope you guys are well. The MTC here is amazing. I arrived here in England around 8am on Monday. We disembarked the plane, went to customs and, OH NO! I'd forgotten the paper I was supposed to print off to get me through customs! I walked up to the lady and gave her my passport and at first it seemed that I may not be getting through. I explained to her that I was a missionary that would be living in England for just three weeks and then be leaving for Ireland. I was as nice as could be, but she didn’t seem to care. About the time that I was unsure of what else to do, Elder Richardson (one of the other Elders on his way to Ireland-what a life saver), came to my rescue. When the customs lady began to act as if she wouldn’t let me through Elder Richardson said "Oh he's with me", and handed her his passport and a paper with HIS name on it and she let me go through. I mean, she wasn't going to let me through when I was being all nice, yet she let me through on SOMEONE ELSE'S credentials? The lord really needs me here, I know that.

Anyway, after that I got picked up, along with all of the other Elders, from the airport and we rode the 35 minutes to the Preston MTC, which is on the same land as the Preston Temple. I was fortunate to be able to attend the Preston Temple today.

Then later on jet lag set in and it was pretty bad. I stayed up all through that day, meaning I went 3 days on 2 hours of sleep.

But! I learned how to say good morning in Finnish from my 1st companion (who is Finnish) Elder Metsaranta (there's 2 dots over the 1st "a").

So it’s myself and Elder Metsaranta: My first companionship.

Love you all!

Elder Beacham

The last supper and off to England

My last meal with my family at Olive Garden

And... I'm off to the Missionary Training Center!

MAN!

My sister jacked all my information off my computer and started a blog in my account! How crazy is that!