It's crazy that it has already been a week (or almost). That being said, it has been amazing but it has also been tough. I have missed you guys like crazy, but am doing good. The first day was definitely the hardest. My companion is Sister Haymore and she is from Tucson, AZ and is going to be heading to Boise with me! We have six girls in our room, so that's kind of hectic, but I love them all. We have 12 missionaries in my district: 6 Elders, and 6 Sisters. Two of the sisters are going to be heading to the St.George Temple Visitors' Center! I have got to talk to them a lot about our temple and they are excited to be heading down there. Four of our Elders are going to the Utica/Rochester, NY mission. One of the Elders is from Casa Grande but he does not know the Beutler's down there. I love my district and already feel like they are my MTC family. The weather is not as cold as I thought it would be. There was lots of snow when I got here, but now it is actually starting to melt. To tell the truth, I am kind of enjoying it. Of course, I still miss our Hurricane weather.
I thought of dad this week. We had a devotional and our President's wife shared this insight she had on the hymn "Come Come Ye Saints" (which I think dad sang as a musical number last Sunday). She told us to replace "ye saints" with our name.
Come, come, _________, no toil nor labor fear;
but with joy wend your way.
Though hard to you this journey may appear,
Grace shall be as your day
'Tis better far for us to strive
Our useless cares from us to drive;
Do this, and joy your hearts will swell-
All is well! All is well!
I loved this! It really has brought me strength and peace as I have been learning how to be a better missionary and serve the Lord.
Sister Haymore and I were just called this last Sunday to be the music coordinators for our branch and we start this week. It's an easy job, but I am glad that I still get to use music and keep it as a part of my life even though I don't get to play as often. They also have resources so that I can check out a violin to play while I'm here! I haven't had any time yet to play, but I am hoping to find time for that sometime I am here.
We got to teach our first lesson on Saturday all on our own. It was tough, but so rewarding. We were given 15 minutes to teach anything we wanted. We decided to teach that God is our loving Heavenly Father and how the Gospel blesses individuals and families. I truly have found that sharing my testimony with others has increased my faith. From here on out, we are set to teach someone every day. We met one girl, Nicole, and have an appointment set up with her for tomorrow. I am excited to talk to her and get to know her better.
I think having technology in the mission field is hard because we can read any emails we get throughout the week, but we are not allowed to reply until our P-day. I love that an Elder in my district pointed out that we are learning how to master technology, not to avoid it. I have truly felt this and am so grateful for this opportunity I have to grow in so many ways. I have already learned so much and feel like there is not enough time in the day. Time is flying by and every time the alarm goes off at 6:30 I can't believe another day has gone by! In church with our branch we are to have 5 talks prepared on specific topics, but they don't announce until that morning in sacrament meeting who will be speaking. This keeps me prepared for whatever is coming my way. I thought that I would be more nervous about this, but I haven't felt as scared as I know I usually would. I know that this is the Lord blessing me and giving me strength.
I have seen a few people I knew from Hurricane, but the most surprising was that I ran into Terryl Staples (Elder Staples)! He seems like he is doing great and is so excited to serve his mission. I also ran into one Elder who was in my mission prep class who reminds me so much of Cameron! They look so much alike and talk the same way. This made me laugh. One of the things I love most about the MTC is the murals they have in our classroom/study building. They are so huge that they take up almost an entire wall! There are 12 of them throughout the building. I don't know how you would even make them, but they have some sort of light behind them so the pictures seem to almost glow. They each depict someone from the scriptures and the opposite wall facing it has a scripture to match. I love stopping to read them. They have given me so much to reflect on and makes me feel as if I was there with them. I sent a few pictures of a few of them. I haven't been able to pick out a favorite yet, but I love seeing them every time I pass by.
I loved hearing about Kaoru! That is so amazing that you got to share so much with him. You guys are so great at being a good example of families and I believe he has been touched by learning from you and getting to know each one of you. I truly know how powerful teaching about families can be. I am so grateful for all of my family and for everyone supporting me and giving me their love. I can't wait for this week and for the things I am going to learn. I want to share one last thing and leave you all with a challenge. We watched one talk given by Elder Bednar called "The Character of Christ." I encourage everyone to find it and read it, but in total it talks about how this life is not about us. We need to strive to turn away from the natural man and instead turn out in love, compassion, and service towards others. I want to do better at thinking more about others and striving to forget myself. I know in doing this, I will become a better servant to the Lord and will be able to effectively help those I come in contact with. I love you all so much and can't wait to hear from you again!!!
Love, Sister Beutler
