Thursday, December 22, 2016

Week 53

This last week I hit 1 YEAR in the mission and I can't begin to describe what the mission means to me. I have never done something so difficult yet SO rewarding in my whole life. Nothing has ever brought me so much joy. 

"Long before leaving our earthly home to serve a full time mission, we left heavenly parents to fulfill our mortal mission. We have a Father in Heaven who knows us-our strengths and weaknesses, our abilities and our potential. He knows which mission president and companions and which members and investigators we need in order to become the missionary, wife, and mother we are capable of becoming.
Just as with missionaries past and present, the Lord knows you and has a mission experience prepared for you. He knows each of your companions and what you will learn from each of them. He knows each area in which you will labor, the members you will meet, the people you will teach, and the lives you will impact for eternity. Through your devoted service and willing sacrifice, your mission will become holy ground to you."-Christopher Waddell
 
The mission truly is holy ground for me. It's here in the streets of Chile where I have found myself and have found my Savior. It's here in Chile that I have gained another family. It's here in Chile where my life has been changed forever! 
I am very aware that the mission would be impossible without God and His help. 
"Yeah I know that I am nothing, as to my strength I am weak. Therefore I will not boast of myself but I will boast of my God for in His strength I have been able to do all things. Behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land Chile for which I will praise His name forever." Alma 26:12
I love my Father in Heaven and my Savior Jesus Christ. I have felt His help and love every day in my mission. I hope you all have an amazing Christmas and help lighten the load of another. 
Eat some pie for me.
Hermana Beardall
 
 
Saying goodbye to Hermana Bohling


Starting to celebrate early

Hermana Mariaca




Our apartment

Training

 
 
UN ANO!

 



 

Week 52

This week Elder Teixeira who is president of our area and a seventy came to visit our mission and it was amazing! They testified of the Book of Mormon and the power it has to change lives and I left feeling so excited to share this gospel with everyone. Especially with all that is happening in the world. We heard that 8 earthquakes happened in the past week and I have no doubt that the second coming is getting closer and closer. I have never been so motivated to talk with everyone!

This week we found 2 Haitians in the street and ended up teaching them a lot in the past few days. We were able to receive a Book of Mormon in Creole and in Spanish and promised that if they read the two together they would learn Spanish. Yesterday they came to church and told us that they know the Book of Mormon has power because they are learning more and more Spanish every day. I feel so incredibly blessed for this book and for the impact it has made on my life. I haven't missed a single day in almost 6 years and I feel like I wont be able to miss a single day for the rest of my life. I know without a doubt that God loves us and wants the very best for us. He wants us to be happy and knows that the only true happiness is found in this gospel. I am so incredibly happy to be a missionary at this time in my life and don't want my time to run out. I am so grateful for you all and pray you have an amazing week and lighten the load of another.

Hermana Beardall

Rainy days with my companions
 

 
 
 
My daughter in the mission- I miss her so much!
 
 The city - Los Condes (This is where the Mission President lives)
We got to travel there to get my companions Visa.


Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Week 51

Okay being a missionary during Christmas time is the best! Our mission has gotten so excited for #illuminatetheworld and we have been sharing it with everyone! If you haven't seen the video I beg of you to go watch it and share it with everyone you possibly can. I am really trying to lose myself in the service of others this month to not think about home and invite you all to serve every day before Christmas too.
This week we found a family that began progressing so fast! We had a family home evening with them this Saturday and they assisted Sunday. There is a happiness I can't describe in teaching a family and watching them change drastically. I feel overwhelmed with gratitude for my family and the life I have had with them thanks to this gospel. Yesterday marked 12 years since I was baptized and even though I didn't fully understand the decision I was making, I am so grateful I did. And also so grateful for my parents for raising me with the gospel in our home. 
I know this life is not easy but with Christ, it is more than doable.
He lives.
He loves us.
He knows us.
He understands us.
He knows the silent pleadings of our hearts.
He will never abandon us.

I love you all and pray for you daily. Have a stellar week you hooligans. 
Hermana Beardall 
 
#Illuminatetheworld - My friend Patricia


Having Family Home Evening with an investigator family.


STL Training

 
 
It's been a LONG LONG Day! Gift from Pamela and Felipe. 


My companions and our new apartment.
 
 
My desk. :)

 

Thursday, December 1, 2016

Week 50

I cannot believe I am in the cyber sending yet another letter. Time is flying by. This week was filled with ups and downs just like every week in the mission but I am so grateful to be here in Talagante with 2 companions. There is never a dull moment with Hermana Henriquez and Hermana Bohling. Never. Yesterday we were heading to our sector when a 50 year man stopped us and began talking to us. We got excited thinking that he was interested in the gospel when he touched my arm and said,"Diga mama guapa" translation. "Say hot mama" hahaha we basically ran away and started dying laughing. Flippin Raul.

Thursday was Thanksgiving as you all know and its always super hard during holidays knowing your family is together while you are alone in another country. We all got home Thursday night kind of bummed so I decided with Hermana Bohling to make our own Thanksgiving. We cooked a ton of breakfast food and ate till we were sick. I will never forget my Thanksgiving in Chile. 
I often think of my life without the mission and just feel so grateful to be here. I am so grateful for my companions from all over the world, for converts, ward members, everything. The mission is my MTC for life!
Thank you so much for your prayers and support. I love you all.
Hermana Alexandra Kay Beardall
 
Beautiful Talagante!
 
 
 
 
 This week we bought many things.. toilet paper. plunger. laxatives.
 The people here feed us gooood....reallll good!



 Our Thanksgiving FEAST!


Week 49

This week I hit my 20th birthday in my new sector and I have got to be honest, it wasn't all that great. Nobody in my ward knew it was my birthday, we worked all day in the hot sun, and I wasn't with my family. I was kind of feeling sorry for myself when I thought of my 20 years of life and all the blessings I have received. I have had so many good memories, learning experiences, and have received so much help from my Savior. To sacrifice a birthday wasn't easy but I was happy to do so for my Savior! 
Talagante is absolutely beautiful and I feel SO blessed to serve here. I miss Los Heroes a ton but I know its my time to help others here. I am loving having 2 comps and I am loving getting to know so many people here. My companions were so annoyed with me this last week because I couldn't stop talking about how green and pretty it is here. They don't understand I am from the desert...haha I cannot believe I am making my way to a year in the mission. I love this country more than I can say and am so honored to serve here. Thank you for all the birthday wishes! I love you all.
Hermana Beardall