The CiuCiu Family

Dear Family & Friends

This week we baptized a Family of 4 children - The Ciuciu Family (pronounced choo choo like a train). They are Florin, Stelian Jr., Lorena Miriam, & Lavinia Jennifer Ciuciu. They are an absolute brilliant family. I'm so excited for them to join the church and live the gospel in their lives. The Clondalkin Ward is perfect for them as well. There is such a vibrant feeling of love and mutual respect for all. A General willingness to help with whatever a need may be, and a joy in service. The Ciuciu's carry that same joy of service and have insisted on sewing up the holes in my trousers and white shirts (Miriam and Jennifer, that is).
It's funny because Florin always talks about how great "Gypsy Women" are (as they are a family of travellers AKA Gypsys). He's always saying stuff like "Gypsy Women are the best cleaners" and "Gypsy women can do anything!". It's pretty comical, but I'm starting to believe him more and more. He actually insisted on them coming to clean the baptismal font themselves before their baptism... I've never seen a cleaner font in all my life!
Anyway, just so you know, they're 20, 18, and 17 (Miriam and Jennifer are twins) as named above, Eldest to youngest.

But it's been impressed even more upon my mind as of late the importance of this gift of the Holy Ghost which we have in our lives. When interrogated by the U.S. President and asked where our church differed from the religions of the day; Joseph Smith Jr. stated that we differed primarily in mode of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost, and that all other appendages could be summed up in the latter.
In teaching the Ciuciu's, I have enjoyed the Spirit's testifying witness, even when they have prayed in their native Gypsy tongue (Roma).
Elder Crittenden (my companion) had a friend who got excommunicated and stated that he had never been more scared in his entire life than when he no longer had the gift of the constant companionship of that third member of the Godhead.
I wonder, if we, who, being baptized from a young age and are use to the constant companionship of the Holy Spirit, ever take it for granted in our lives? I mean, do we realize just how much peace we feel from day to day is a part of that gift? Even when we don't necessarily pray for it?

Is it any wonder that the Lord spoke to us in D&C 58:26-27 and counseled us not be slothful but to be anxiously engaged. I mean, the Spirit gives us peace from the stresses of life, but do we sometimes let that slip into casualness? I don't know.

I've read recently Alma 5 where Alma asks us if we can feel to sing the song of redeeming love now? I try to think of who Alma would have been speaking to? Would he have been speaking to the mother with 3 children? The Fatherless house? The motherless home? The content family? or the anxious Priesthood holder?
I think he would have been speaking to everyone.. and.. the more I read this chapter the less I think Alma was rebuking them harshly, I think he was giving them counsel by which they could live their lives in a happier way. I mean, do we wake each morning appreciating that first full breath of air? Do we prepare ourselves Spiritually, Mentally, & Physically, to go out an make others' days better as a result of our influence there? Do we feel to sing the Song of Redeeming Love?

A speaker in Dumfries said it is the Love of God and Others that makes us Redeemable.
I think if it's hard for us to sing the Song of Redeeming Love in our lives, their might be just a few things that need changing.

Nevertheless, I have currently 30 29 28 27 26 seconds left on this computer.

I love you all so very much and pray for your continued well being and success.

Elder Stephen C Beacham

4 Baptisms!

Dear Family & Friends

I'm a bit stuck as for what to write home about this week. There are some amazing things happening. We have 4 people getting baptized on the 13th! It's been really exciting to teach them. They are a romanian family (actually travellers) from Romania (go figure) and they really are just so excited about the gospel. They are so obedient and willing to keep every commitment from the moment we extend it. It's actually caused me to re-evaulate my own personal commitment to the Savior, and how willing I am to keep the things he asks of me.

Something they've talked a lot about in the mission lately (and something that really hatched for me in Greenock) is that I have to do what the Lord wants me to do, and be who the Lord wants me to be.

Something to go along with that is our personal desire to do something. I've found often times I've prayed to be able to do something, when what I really need to be praying for is the desire to do that thing. I've found that as I've done that it's made a big difference in my life.

Anyway, that's all for now, Love you all!

-Elder Stephen C Beacham

Clickety click OR adjustments are essential

Dear Family,

I have become increasingly aware the great import of taking care of ALL that the Lord blesses us with, most especially of which is our body. Elder Crittenden and myself's conversations have recently turned towards that of Faith, in relation to all things, not just the principle of Gospel related Faith. Our Faith is a driving forth towards any worthwhile goal in our lives. It is the Fuel that spurns us on towards Repentance. It's the fruit of the Repentance that brings the lasting commitment (i.e. Baptism) to that change. Which gives us a bedrock upon which to continually build upon the changes we make in our lives.

Often time though, a person may experience Sin, change, and feel the blessings from it, through baptism becoming completely clean with no repercussions. However, Some people may experience Sin, change, and feel the blessings from it, through baptism, becoming completely clean... but still experience repercussions, or some lasting effect as a result of the original Sin.

But the Beauty of the Atonement is that we don't need to be harrowed up by repercussions, or lasting effects from our Sins. The beauty of the Atonement is that those things are taken away in Christ. Just as feelings of anger, or regret, at a situation can be taken away, so too, in both spiritual and physical ways, can we be healed, by surrendering fully to the Spirit, and allowing the Atonement to have full sway in our lives.

So by now you're wondering where the head-click comes in?

Today we went to see the leading Chiropractor in ALL of Ireland. He's a member and works on missionaries problems for free :D. So, naturally, as Elder Crittenden was experiencing some ankle pain (and I was just looking for a check up) we went to see him. As he began to work on Elder Crittenden he began to tell us about the great impact that our neck has on our spine, and how a slight mis-alignment in the neck can cause all sorts of problems in the spine. My mind drew the comparison of the boat being off by a single degree, thereby causing it to land much farther than originally intended.

As he began to work on me he said; "Oh, you've definitely had a neck injury". So which I said "What?!". As our conversation ensued (and as he began to "tweak" my neck) I recalled an experience about 3 years back where I had tripped and slid, upside-down, on my neck (and shoulder blades), for about 3 feet (hearing 3 sequential pops), before dropping over on my back. I tried to ask him if that could have been the direct cause of the injury. He asked me how long my head had been tilting to the side...

How long as my head been tilting to one side?!?

Anyway, Long story shorter, I realized that the reason when I did P90X and my head clicked, was actually because I had a bone out of joint (go figure) and the reason I had a slight tilt in my head was not (only) because of my personality, rather I had developed this habit so as not to aggravate the misaligned bone. For 3 years I had been constantly pulling muscles in my neck, because when I worked out (if I pushed myself really hard) I had a misaligned bone which couldn't support the muscle in my neck. Hence at sometimes in my life I've walked around with an extreme head-tilt, but this was due to actual injury, not just my querkyness (<- definitely not a work)

So, fusing my two stories here together. We all do stupid things in life, like playing football and sliding on your neck for 3 feet (maybe not that stupid). But these "Sins", though paid for by the Atonement of Jesus Christ, can cause lasting problems. Though our guilt may fade, we may not have complete resolution, part of which we may not be fully privy to. We might just think "That's just the way things are". When, perhaps they aren't supposed to be?

For 3 years I've been having a clicky neck and a tilting head, thinking that everything was all "hunky dory". Now, a clicking neck and a tilting head are not that bad... but let me mention one more thing he said. He turned to Elder Crittenden and told him if he kept sleeping on his stomach that his back would wear out extra fast and by the time he was 50 and he would have a 75 year old back. He then turned to me and talk me that if I had not got my neck readjusted (as he had just done) about the time I was 35 I would have had my back go out completely, leaving me disabled (a truly pleasant thought isn't it?).

Now bringing this down into a more basic and practical way; Perhaps we may see in our own lives, little things which, for all we can remember, we have always done, which aren't that bad. But the lasting effect of these can be a devastating thing. Alma taught: "By small and simple things, are great things brought to pass".

It is the small and simple things which will lead us to greatness.

Likewise, we may know by the small and simple pains we experience, that perhaps we are not on the right path, or perhaps we need to change (repent of) something in order to "realign" ourselves with God :D

Comparison complete.

-Elder Stephen C Beacham

Faith

Dear Friends & Family

This District Leader stuff is quite interesting. I won't say that there's a direct correlation between my call to district leader and success, but I feel in some ways that the Lord is blessing me purely because I'm a leader and am supposed to be an example. Maybe, Maybe not.

Either way this week has been extremely blessed. As far as a District, I think we're working well together. I feel there are a few issues with Faith to keep certain Commitments, which I believe come from shattered expectations and an experience gained from original entry into the mission field. I won't lie, I was disappointed with my mission for the first 6 months (and quite possibly even discouraged)... but I've seen how my faith grew out of that, and I'm hoping to lead the district out of a world of doubt and into a world of faith. I mean, I remember coming out into the mission field expecting everyone to know nothing about what I was sharing with them and for them to be extremely delighted and just astounded to hear what I had to tell them. I expected thousands of baptisms, and for the land of Ireland (& Scotland, now) to take drastic turns in spirituality as a result of my influence there. Now, I'm not saying that I don't still have these expectations, because I do, but I think when you first hit the mission field, you miss just important principles of how to work with people, and you feel like your success isn't good enough (taking for granted what the Lord blesses you with is never a good thing). So... I believe the Lord is waiting to just throw down mountains of blessings upon us... but, we have to believe that, and we have to believe that even when the rest of the world may not, even when our experience we're having may seem to the contrary. I believe that's a big part of Faith in Christ, rather than Faith in our current experience. If we believe in what we've always got, then we'll never change what we've done, and if we don't change what we've done, we'll never change what we've got.

I mean, if I Believe (Faith) in a thing, then I will follow that thing and I will never Change (Repent) to following something else, therefore my path will remain my same with the results the same.
Like if I chose to place my Faith in my experience here in Ireland, and say "Oh you don't baptize in Ireland" then of course I won't baptize. But If I chose to place my Faith in God's words which tell us that it doesn't matter where you go, that every missionary in every mission can baptize (President Uchtdorf said something to this effect)/ or in the Bible that tells us "With God, nothing is impossible, and continue to put my Faith in that, despite my experience... then God will bless me with that.

Think about the basic principles of the Gospel: Faith, Repentance, Baptism

When we have Faith, we Believe we can do something

When we Repent, we Change according to our belief

When we are Baptized, we Commit to the change we have made

I think it's easier for us to see when we Sin and tell a Lie about something, and then through the process of Faith and Repentance, believe we can change, perform the change (stop lying), and then commit ourselves to that change (by never lying again).

But...have you ever thought you were applying the basic principles of the gospel when you believed you could change your weight, started making changes in your diet & exercise, and then committed yourself to that program?

The scriptures are clear concerning the power of true belief (Faith): "And whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you." (3 Nephi 18:20)

It is our Faith in the Lord's promises that will obtain us the righteous desires of our heart. It is our Change or Repentance that we make which will allow us to reach our Desire, and it is our Commitment to that change (Baptism) which will keep us in that right road.

Anyway, enough for now :D

Love you all!

-Elder Stephen C Beacham

I'm District Leader

Dear Family & Friends

It is good to be back in Dublin. I love this city so much. It's been kind of amazing to come back and realize just how few people I remember. There was a stake activity just last Saturday and so I saw a lot of people from the Terenure ward. To my chagrin however, the meeting went more like "... hey... I think I know you, I remember your face kind of, what is your name again?". But... anyway- that's me! Memory of a goldfish!

Anyway, my new companion is Elder Crittenden and he is great! He has a crazy story. He was originally called to the Poland Mission... but as his time there progressed he felt he should be serving somewhere else, and as he prayed about it, he had a miraculous experience where he asked God if he were meant to move to another mission then he wanted God to have President Kapischke interview him (which Elder Kapischke did) and it turned out to be an amazing experience. He's actually been reassigned to the London South Mission, but he is having Visa issues, so he's serving in the Republic of Ireland for now, with me! He has submitted his paperwork for his visa so it should be just a matter of days before he gets it (afterwhich He will go on to London South and I will get a new companion halfway through transfers (probably a mini missionary).

Clondalkin is a wonderful place. If I ever told you about Elder Querubin (my district leader for a move in Glasgow), His parents live here, and are quite good people. There are actually quite a few phillipino families. It's interesting because I'm meeting a lot of people who are related to people that are members in Terenure. It's good fun. We're currently teaching a few people... the area was left rather.... dead! No real teaching pool, but that's okay... that's what I'm here for! I've found a trend on my mission thus far... pretty much as soon as I get a teaching pool of about 20 people, I'm moved :D.

Anyway, I can't really focus on too much to talk about, I suppose this week has been kind of a shock to the system, becoming District Leader and all... that's really crazy, I've traveled from Scotland to Ireland, then to Scotland and back to Ireland in a 72 hour period... I'm pooped.

Love you all so very much,
-Elder Stephen C Beacham

I was called as a district leader & I'm going back to Ireland!

Dear Family & Friends

I am not quite packed, but I will be prepared to be shipped off to Clondalkin, County Dublin, Ireland -This Wednesday! It's exciting to go back to Ireland, I feel a connection with it as the place where I started my mission. At the same time, some of the best months of my mission have been here in Scotland. I've been assigned to be District Leader (which I always found odd, moving to a place where you know nothing and then becoming DL) but I'm sure it's God's will, as the Spirit bore witness to it as President told me.

I'm sad to leave Dumfries as this has become a place very near and dear to my heart. Even some of the investigators whom we've struggled with for a long while have begun to make steady steps towards baptism and have even set their own date. It's always a bit heart wrenching to leave at times like this (as was the case with Glasgow) but I feel that this is more the case with the Lord's plans for me :D

Anyway, I can't really report much for things because I've just recovered from sickness (last Thursday) so we've only been out since Friday.

However, I suppose one miracle of note would be with Robert Kerr, a member here. We went to see a woman who wasn't in. However we saw a man walking down the street whom we had spoken to earlier and were able to go speak with him - turns out Robert Kerr knew him. After that Robert Kerr said "ah, that's funny, I was thinking about him just a couple weeks ago!"

After this we went back to the door of the woman's house and I began writing a note to say "sorry we missed you... blah blah blah blah.. give us a call.." Whilst I did this, Elder Stoica asked Robert Kerr about a man he has referred several years ago to the missionaries. Robert Kerr said he knew the man had moved, but had no clue where to. We then jumped in the car to go by a Less Active lady and as we got out of Robert's car someone yelled "Hey Robbie!" and it was the man we had just been speaking about no more than 5 minutes earlier!

We were able to go in, teach them, and invite them to be taught again, to which they both agreed!

So that's the miracle report for this week.

Love you all so much,

-Elder Stephen C Beacham

new companion, now in dumfries

Dear Family & Friends

Things are going well here in Dumfries. Not that we've taught an amazing number of lessons this week, or any such thing, but rather that we've finally got some people to teach. The lead people we're teaching right now are Gavin McDonald, Meghan O-Donnel, Her Mother, Andrew, Michael, Liam, Jack Simons, Charmaine, Ricky, and Carol.
We had 5 scheduled for baptism but those dates fell through as they missed church. But it's okay, because we'll get them right back on track, and hopefully find those who are truly interested.

This week has been a bit hectic with Elder Parker leaving. We ended up doing a lot of "saying goodbye's" and packing, rather than much real teaching. But Elder Stoica and I are settled in great and ready to go. Oh right! My new companion/trainee is Elder Stoica, from Romania! It's actually funny because I made a joke to member about getting a Romanian Trainee and Vuala!

We get along great and work well together too. I am repeatedly impressed with his ability to teach. Anyway, that's all for now. Love you ever so much!


-Elder Stephen C Beacham