Week 44

This week was nuts. To sum up a few things that happened. 

Friday we ran out of matches and were freaking out because nothing works here if you don't start it with a match. So we left the house at 7 am in search for a match and NO ONE helped us. We came back to the house pretty discouraged thinking of cold showers and no breakfast when my companion had the brilliant idea of putting paper in the microwave to start a fire. I don't know why I went a long with it because its something the elders do, not hermanas. But we put a pile of paper in the microwave and waited til it exploded to start the shower and stove. Our house was filled with smoke and everything smelled like campfire for a good two days but you've gotta do what you've gotta do. 

I am learning all about Pokemon thanks to Hermana Alcantara. Sometimes I wake up to her saying,"pika pika pikachu" She knows every character monster guy and has a collection going on. 

We bought pizza to celebrate her 3 months in the mish and my 10 MONTHS. 

It poured this whole weekend and no one let us in but I am proud to say we didn't cry. hahaha 

It was a roller coaster of a week filled with ups and downs but I really only remember the ups looking back on the week. I love the mission! I am so grateful to be here and experience miracles and work til my clock runs out. I know we all have a purpose here and that we are all loved by our Father in Heaven. Have a great week!

 

 

                                   

 

 

 Hermana Gonsalves

 

Hermana Alcantara

 

My Zone

 

Pizza 

My new poncho!

 

Teaching English

 

Week 43

I didn't too so well this week. In fact, I really struggled. My faith was tried and tested so much. To give you some details, I almost have 6 months here in Los Heroes and I am incredibly grateful for the time I have had here. But after a while, everyone starts to know you and remember you when you knock on their door for the 8th time. This Saturday we spent almost the whole day contacting and didn't enter a single house. We did however receive a lot of horrible comments about Joseph Smith and how I need to catch a hint that they aren't interested. I would be lying if I said I didn't want to pack my bags and catch the first flight home this week. But it was a great experience to sit back and think ...."Do I really have a testimony of Joseph Smith and what he did/saw? Because if not, I am wasting my time, the people of Chiles time, and the Lords time." I got home Saturday and began to watch The Restoration, a 20 minute movie about Joseph Smith, and I will never deny what I felt while watching it. Due to the restoration, I have the knowledge of a forever family. Due to the restoration, the priesthood was restored and I was raised with the power of God in my home. Due to the restoration, I am here in Maipu, Chile sharing a message of love and hope! 

 
I KNOW this church is true with all my heart and soul. Like I said, its the only thing that can make every person in the world happy. Because not even a snickers can do that. 

Please pray for missionaries this week because we need your help. I love you all.

Hermana Beardall

 

 

 

 

 Hermana Alcantara and Hermana Bedoya

 

Hermana Alcantara 

 Pamela and Felipe

Week 42

I am so grateful to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ and even more grateful to be a missionary. This gospel is so beautiful! This last weekend I went into General Conference with so many questions, one of which was, Why did I come to Chile? Why am I here? I have never received such a direct answer in all of my life as I listened to the talk of Kazuhiko Yamashita. He answered my exact question and helped me realize I am not here in Chile for me. I am here to bring souls unto Christ, to help complete families, to comfort the sick and the weary, and I am here to do it with a good attitude! I haven't always had a great attitude in the mission and I was so grateful to receive that little slap in the face to get up and get going. 

I really am so grateful for the emphasis conference gave on Saturday about missionary work. Basically we all have work to do. I can promise you all I have never been so happy as when I am helping others know more about their Savior. I beg all of you to help us missionaries out in the work. We can't do it alone! I know the Lord knows each of our hearts and He knows who needs us/the gospel. I am so grateful for a living prophet who lives and guides us and for his apostles. I am grateful that if we do our best here, we can return and live with God. 

To catch you up on cambios. My companion left this morning and I received Hermana Alcantara who has 2 months in the mission and is from Bolivia. She is known as Hermana Dora by basically everyone because she looks exactly like her and talks exactly like her...haha I also have been called as a sister training leader for my zone and although I feel completely inadequate, I know with God I can do anything. I testify we really are all here to have joy and to prepare to meet God again.

I LOVE YOU

Hermana Beardall

 

P-day

 

 Transfers-Saying goodbye to Hermana Reina

 

 

Old companion vs. new companion

 

My Zone

 

Week 41

'Who am I, saith the Lord, that have promised and have not fulfilled?' 

Doctrine and Covenants 58:31

Something I am struggling with on the mission is patience in waiting for blessings to arrive. On the weeks where I feel like I am killing it as a missionary, I sometimes feel the most afflicted. But then I am reminded of my new favorite scripture, when the Lord promises, the Lord fulfills. 

I know many of you are experiencing hard times, dark times, or not so fun times. I know many of you are pushing forward and doing what's right but you are still having difficulties. For those who are wanting to quit like I have the past few days, hang in there! "Some blessings come late, and some don't come until heaven. But to those who live faithfully, they come!" 

I know the Lord qualifies whom He calls because I am 5000 miles away from home speaking Spanish and living alone which is a miracle on its own. I love this gospel! I love the mission. And I love all of you. Keep on swimming! 

Hermana Beardall

 

P-day!

 

 

'White house'

 

 

Our bishop!

 

Week 40

This last weekend I hit my halfway mark on the mission and I am filled with so many mixed emotions! But the emotion I have felt the most is complete gratitude. I had no idea the effect a mission would have on me when I made the decision to serve. I can honestly say that the mission has been the best decision I have ever made and I am so grateful that I took the leap of faith and just did it. And this is basically the purpose of my email today. To all of you who are wondering if the mission is for you, just do it. Start your papers now and go! I promise that you will never regret it. I am not saying it is going to be easy or even fun at times. You are going to be cold, and rejected, and exhausted. But you also are going to laugh, feel the Spirit, find friends for life, and gain a testimony that will change your life. I can honestly say I am the happiest I have ever been! I have had companions from Argentina, Colombia, and the US. who will forever be some of my best friends. I have seen many of my friends enter the waters of baptism and change their lives for the better. I have a whole other family here with the ward members who have taken me in like a daughter. And most importantly, I have truly gotten to know my Savior through reading my scriptures and praying to Him more than I ever have before. I hope all of you can read "The Miracle of a Mission" from Jeffrey R. Holland in 2000. 

 

"This is hard work. Its the hardest work you will ever do. That's why I say its the most important work you will ever do. I think these two go together. Its hard work, but every day, in every way, it will get better and you will feel the Spirit of the Lord. You will know He loves you and the language will come, and baptisms will come, and you will make new friendships, both with your companions and with investigators and with ward members."

 

Like what you read? That's just a sample... Go read this talk!

 

On another note, this weekend was the 18th of September which is like the 4th of July for us. But these Chileans start Friday and party hard til Sunday. I have to say, this was the funnest weekend of my whole mission. I ate more meat and empanadas than I would like to admit. Then Saturday night I was washing my feet when a Rincon spider (Chilean Recluse) bit my foot.. The most poisonous spider here. I left to the emergency room at 11 at night and spent most of the night at the hospital with my mission president and his wife. I have a testimony that God protects His missionaries because I am perfectly fine. Just a mear flesh wound..ha 

THANK YOU ALL FOR THE SUPPORT THIS PAST 9 MONTHS. For all the letters, emails, and packages I have received. I miss you all but there is no place I would rather be. 

Love Hermana Beardall

Indapendencia De Chile!!

 

 

 

 

My New Chilean dress!

 

 

 

 

 Our festive little abode.

 Packages!

 

 

 Viva Chile!

 

 

 

 

It was only a matter of time before something bit me here.