Last Few Days at the MTC

O! I don't even know where to start! 

I guess I'll start with Christmas: On Christmas day we started out with the typical breakfast in the cafeteria (which is in itself cool because that means that they kept the kitchens open for us even during Christmas morning!). After breakfast our district went to our classroom and opened gifts from our families. It was soo fun! All the gifts that I got were reminders of home and family, the best gifts that I could get. Then we had the chance to email home, which was nice. 

After email we had an awesome program that the missionaries participated in as performers (like a talent show). There were tons of amazing musical performances and amazing acts. One of the acts was a magic show, which was astounding. Mormons have so much combined talent and skill!

Then, after lunch, we had a fireside with Elder Bednar. It was AWESOME!!!! He for the first time ever used cellphones (which he passed out to the missionaries) by having us text our questions to him via his iPad. It was very cool, and very instructive. One thing in particular that I took from it was his blessing on us. He said: "as you sincerely seek to understand the strengthening power of Christ's Atonement" we would be given what we needed as we did the Lord's work (or that we would know that we had what we needed)... that is, at least, very close to the wording he used. I decided that I wanted that blessing, and have begun to search out the strengthening power of the Atonement of Christ.After that we had a district meeting where we all felt the Spirit, and I was taught a lot about how the Lord wants me to work and how He will direct and guide me. I was so blessed.

After another Christmas program and dinner we watched a recording of last year's M.Tab Christmas Concert. It also brought the Spirit, and helped me to look outside of myself and kind-of just enjoy the Christmas Spirit! I was Such a blessing! That closed the day for me, and we went dutifully to bed at 10:30.

Yesterday was "In Field Orientation". It was fantastic too! I am super nervous to be going on Monday, but you couldn't find a more excited person I think! It's a good sort of terrified I think :) I am so excited!!!!!!

During "in field' I thought a lot about the things that I have experienced, and learned before now. Things from back home, and from APC. I didn't understand how much APC meant to me until I came here! It has given me so much! One of the sections of it was about faith, and they talked about Grant, Kimbal, and Huntington. As always for me, I was greatly touched. In many other instances I was reminded of APC and home. I am so grateful for my leaders, and my friends, and my family, for all the many ways that they helped prepare me for this mission and for this work. I am, more than anything, grateful that the Lord gave me what He has given me, and for the relationship that I have with Him. I know He lives and this is His church.

 With all my love,

Elder Bevan

Merry Christmas from the MTC

I have like fifteen minutes today to write you. Your gifts were perfect, Mom, thank you. I think that the best of it all was hearing from you. I loved your little canvases and the easel, and I loved the pictures even more. Those pictures mean a lot to me. You mean a lot to me. Thank you.

I didn't even know we had pictures of when I opened my call! That was awesome!

I also loved having that chain, it meant a lot to hear from you, and all of my friends. Thank you.

I love you.

I have five days until we leave for Japan. (btw I'll be able to talk to you on the phone around 10:00-11:30 from the Dallas TX airport on the 30th). I know that the Savior loves me. I know that He guides this church. I know that He lives. I am grateful for His power, and His grace. I am grateful to serve Him. I am so ready to go, I want to be out and serving Him in Japan. I love Him, and love to serve Him.

I love you!

Elder Bevan

Christmas Time (9 days untill departure!)

OK There are a billion things that I want to say, but only a few are of the first importance.

First, thank you, everyone for your support! I had no idea how many people were/are reading these letters, or even just thinking about me! Thank you! When Mom sent me a count down chain with your words of support and love on it, I was supprised to see so many people willing to do that for me. Thank you again!

Second, this is the last p-day before Christmas! Merry Christmas!!!!!!! In new ways I have been learning about Christ, and about the importance of "remembering Him always. He is the center and hope of our lives. I know that His words are true and this church is His church. I know that through His Atonement we can have a hope for a bright future. I love Him dearly.

Third, about the life here at the MTC, it is hard for me only when I forget the promises made to me, or the hope we have reason to have through Christ. Whenever I turn to Him, and think of Him I am helped and lifted up. I love Him, and am gratefull for Him. I relish the opportunity to testify of His work, and His Gospel, and His truth. Through His word I am kept in peace, and through it I have joy!

Also, 9 more days untill we leave for Japan!!!!! Really that is almost all we care about. 

My love to all.

Merry Christmas!!!!

-Elder Bevan 

Dec. 14, 2013

This week was awsome! It is increadable to see the Lord work through us as missionaries despite our many imperfections. This week, as weird as this may seem, or as small, I have been learning how to study. Whatever isn't spent in mealtime or exersize is more or less supposed to be spent in study. We study language, and then we study Preach My Gospel, and then we study the language, on the computer, and then we learn how to use Preach My Gospel, and then we study some more language. :) Actually that's not untrue at all. Our most precious time of all, though, is personal study time. 

My companionship just had a coaching on personal study that came as an answer to prayer. The Sensei said that personal study time is a time to recieve revelation, and I thought he was exactally right. I had been pondering how I sould study for all that past week, and what he said seemed to catch everything I learned in one word. When we study, and we seek with real intent, it is inevitable that we will recieve revelation. Of course it depends on where you study, and what your surroundings are like, and you have to be worthy, but if you seek revelation in your comunnication with God, and you do what is required, it will come. 

I also learned that you are also entitled to revelation for those over whom you have stewardship. I have thought a lot about Melchizidic in the past days. About his ordination to the high priesthood, and what it meant that he exersized mighty faith. He had a stewardship of those he served, and he was given the ability to meet his peoples needs, through faith, and through the priesthood. That has given me some hope and some understanding of my calling as a missionary. As I study now I seek revelation for myself, just in my own improvement as a son of God, and then in my calling as a missionary. I am also now a district leader, so I seek revelation for that too. 

 I am out of time so I'll close, 

I know that this is the Living Savior's Church.

-Elder Bevan 

MTC during the holidays

The MTC doesn't slow down during the holidays. Things just keep going at the same pace. We can all feel Christmas coming though. 

Provo Utah got a good eight inches of snow, in the past week, and lights deck all of the trees. The temperature has kept pretty well down below freezing and we all run to our classes through the biting air. We can see our breath, and my glasses fog up.

I am learning in ways that I never knew that I could. The lessons I am taught seem to go deeper, and have a more lasting impact. I learn from the other Elders as they instruct and help me. I learn from the Teachers as they work to make us more effective servants of God. I learn from the scriptures, and from our lessons. I learn from God in prayer, and know him better now than I ever have before.

This week's letter is short, I know, but I have to close. 

I love you all and am thankful for all that you do, 

Elder Bevan

I'm glad I came from Idaho

This week has been great. Thanksgiving wasn't like home, but that didn't bother me. 

my companions are great. We all work hard and try our best.

There is one particular thing that made me proud to be from Emmett.

Because of Thanksgiving two of our district's normal teachers are not here, and we have had substitutes. One of the Substitutes has served here for a comparatively long time, and for quite a while as a "state side" instructor. That means that he has seen a lot of missionaries come and go. When I said I was from Emmett, he stopped me and said "there are a lot of Mormons there aren't there". I said yes, and asked how he knew. He answered by saying that he had seen a lot of missionaries come from Emmett. He couldn't remember any names of course, but I was struck that he would remember hearing of Emmett. 

No one here knows where Emmett Idaho is. Not unless their from Boise or something. No one does. 

I think that if we are known only for the fact that we send out missionaries, and that they work hard, then we are in good shape. How cool it is that we are! I hope that I leave behind that same legacy here and in the mission field. I hope that I can impress the people that I serve with the work ethic and the diligence of Idaho Missionaries, and that no one remembers my name.  If there ever was a cause in all the world more worthy of all of our sweat, and all of our effort, and all of our heart, and mind, then I do not know it. I am so pleased to be doing this work. I love to do it. I love to lay down at night knowing that I worked hard all day for God's work, I love it. I love to put my faults before Him, and I love asking Him to help me. I would be utterly lost if I could not, or to receive His answers.

Speaking of Idaho Missionaries. I have been in touch with three other missionaries from Emmett. Sister Kelsey Donohue and Elder Rashe Elliot left early this week for their missions. Sister Mia Davis will leave Monday morning. 

I love this work, I love the MTC, I love God.

Love to all,

Elder Bevan