Letter #2 - MTC

Letter #2
From: MTC – Provo Utah

October 29, 2010

Dear Family,

Thank you so much for sending my Ammon figure, an my CTR ring! (We are loving the “Corruption” as well. lol) AKA – the Candy!

Here at the MTC there’s this thing called “Narnia Holes”, which are holes in the walls and cabinets where light switches or some sort of wiring used to be. So what most elders do is they leave something in a “Narnia Hole” when they leave the MTC. We have found candy, a guitar pick, even a self portrait from 1991. We also found testimonies. What I’m going to do is write my testimony of mission work and place it in a “Narnia Hole” with my Ammon figure. I will also leave a letter, inviting any missionaries who find this to write down their own testimony and place it with Ammon back in the “Narnia Hole”. It will be interesting to see how long it stays.

I got to go into the temple again today. I love the temple. I basically fell asleep in the Celestial Room because of the peace I felt. Sometimes I wish we could just stay there. But we can’t, so now I’m back in my room on a Pday, writing this letter.

Thanks for your letters that came with the candy. I loved reading them and hearin about how you all are doing. I’m so grateful to God that you were protected – Mom – from the scorpion. As soon as I read that word in your letter my heart skipped a beat. I thank God for his protection over you, and for you allowing that protection by being obedient to your covenants.

And Breck, I’m so glad you were able to chill and have fun with all those Scottish Teenagers. I laughed out loud about the “which accent is better” moment! I told Elder Redpath (who is from England) and he was like “dang right!”

Izaak, Elder Jones says thank you for your concern with his leg. It’s feeling a lot better. How have you been bud? Are you doing good in school? Are you still reading the scriptures every day and praying? I am and I can feel the blessings from it. Keep doing that so you can have those blessings too! I love you little bro.

Now Dad, Your last letter made me laugh. I know Halloween isn’t your favorite holiday, but I blame that on the people who make it a “Satan” holiday. It would be a better holiday if people just dressed up, and gave out candy with a smile, instead of trying to make people cry. I hope you’re doing well, and I love ya!

And now the moment you all have been waiting for. PICTURES!!!! Here is my first card full of fun moments. I made a list with the pictures numbers, and a brief description of what’s happening. You will love these!

I love you all, and thank you for your prayers and support. You are the Best!

With lots of love,
Elder Bevell

P.S. Tell Danielle & Braylon that I love them both and hope they are doing well.


MTC Companions - Elder Jones & Elder Bevell




The Elders!




My District:
Back Row: Sister Deschler, Sister Cooper, Sister Lord, Elder Redpath, Elder Olivais, Elder Gale & Elder Orton
Front Row: Elder Jones & Elder Bevell

Mission

Email #3
MTC - Provo Utah

October 29, 2010

Hello everyone! Thanks again for your letters and love. I really am feeling the power of all your prayers.
So, its Pday today, we started it off by going through the Provo Temple at 7 am. I couldn't think of a better way to start off the day. I love the feeling of just sitting in the celestial room, I almost fell asleep!
The other day in class we learned a great lesson on humility. We tried to teach our teacher the first lesson but it just didn't work out. We were all feeling pretty depressed about it. We then began talking about what could we have done better. Someone then said, "We didn't have the spirit to help us teach." This realization is very important, because we as missionaries are not the ones who convert people, The spirit does. Which is were humility comes in. If we are prideful and think that we can teach an investigator so well cause we feel like we have a good knowledge of the gospel and convert them, the spirit cannot enter the conversation and testify of our words. President Brigham Young told about his conversion story, How the missionaries spoke of the gospel with very elegant language, but when a simple member got up, and simply testified of what he knew to be true, he felt the spirit testify to him in such a way that he believed the man.
As missionary it is my job to invite the spirit into the lessons so that it can speak to me, and guide me, and also testify to the investigator of the truth of my words. What a humbling experience.
I am so excited to get out of the MTC and start applying what I've learned! Don't get me wrong, i love the MTC but I'm just feeling "ready" and itching to go!
And mom, yes, Elder Jones will be on the plane with me, as well as all the elders in my district here! I am so glad for that because i have grown to love them all and consider them to be some of my best friends! I really do love them!
Well that's all for now. I love and miss you all, family and friends included.
Elder Bevell
p.s. How you doing Zach? (Zach Green)

1st Letter from MTC - Provo Utah

October 22, 2010

Dear Family
WOW! I am so overwhelmed by all the letters! What are you all doing, writing everyday!? lol But I love it! I love reading about you guys and how God is already blessing you. So to answer you all, I’m going to just address you individually. I’ll go from youngest to oldest.

Izaak,
I miss you too little bro. Your last letter made me tear up a bit as I can see how you’re letting God change you. I love that you are reading the scriptures, and actually studying them! Breck also told me that you are now the one getting everyone ready for scripture study. I’m so proud of you. I promise you Izaak, that as you keep reading the scriptures, and think about what you read in your heart, and you pray to Heavenly Father to know that what you read is true, God will answer you through the Holy Ghost. I love you Izaak, stay cool!

Breck,
First of all… I would like to say…I’m using a red pen!! Lol =P
I love your letters Breck, You have such a way with writing and I’m frankly very jealous of that. I miss your hugs too btw. So, everyone in choir missed me already? I really didn’t know I had an impact of that many people. People really are watching us Breck and not to make you paranoid or anything, but heir watching you now. So be the daughter of God you know you are, be a friend to anyone and everyone, and your high school experience will be awesome.
Now about Elder Jones. He really is an awesome guy, he like to write screenplays for movies and he’s also writing his own book! It’s a Sci-Fi, but he’s not working on it while on his mission. The other day in gym he tore a muscle on his left leg, so now has to do these stretches for 3 months. He’s doing a lot better now, and hasn’t complained once! He really is the best companion to have. And Elder Redpath, our roommate, (one of them anyway). He is from England with the accent and all. He said my accent sounds completely fake =(. And he HATES American Chocolate!!... says it tastes like the cheap stuff from home. And our last Elder in our room, Elder Olivas… He is a convert for about a year and a half. He has one of the strongest testimonies I’ve ever heard, and love the hymns. Sings one every morning.
Well, that’s all from me to you. Keep me posted on your dates and stuff, the blind date you and Alec had made me laugh! I loved it. Stay cool Breck, I love you.

Mom,
My first Sunday at the MTC was perfect, on Sundays the spirit is even stronger. I love that you post my letters on a blog, because even as I write to you my family… I hope others who read them will be able to learn from my experiences.
Speaking of experiences – On Tuesday the 19 of this month we had a huge fireside, and guess who spoke… Elder Russle M. Nelson!!! It was so awesome. As he walked into the room you could feel him enter. The spirit was so strong, and everyone paid closer attention as he spoke on how to be better missionaries. He told us that after we convert and baptize someone, that we should stay in touch with them. “Remember your converts, and keep track of them.” This way they are sure to stay strong in the church. He also explained our true purpose as missionaries. Our main goal isn’t to baptize or teach,(both are important) but our main purpose is to establish the Lord’s church. Wow – it was amazing!
I haven’t seen Matthew yet. There are so many new missionaries. But when I do I will let you know. I also found a machine that will print my pictures from my cards!! So I can just mail you some. I’ll send a picture of my companion (Elder Jones), and Elder Redpath, and Elder Olivas! I love you mom, Keep me updated on how you are. =) <3

Dad,
Thank you for the info on the Tea Party. I’m sorry I missed the 17 yr old, and I’m glad to thing that some youth are getting involved. I realized a funny thing the other day, I’m the youngest one in my zone!! Everyone else is 20, 21 and even 22. It’s weird!! lol Also, thank you for taking the time to teach me about your vies of the gospel, they have helped me so much. You spoiled me with truth, and I thank you for that. You’re the best Dad… I love you.

And to all my friends reading this, and family, --- Thank you all for your letters of love and support. I miss you all, and hope and pray that you are doing well! You are all awesome.
Thank you,
Sincerely,
Elder Bevell

P.S. Breck, tell Zach I miss him too, and hope he writes me… thanks

START OF WEEK 2!

Email #2 - MTC

From: Brant Bevell
Date: Fri, Oct 22, 2010 at 1:51 PM
Subject: Start of Week 2
To: seanalee68@gmail.com

So another week has gone by and everything is going swell, just swell. I got to go through the temple on Friday morning, that was the best way for me to start my day! The Provo Temple is just beautiful. I got a picture of me and Elder Jones standing in front of the Temple so i will be sending that so you can post it on the blog.

Now something funny. It's Pday today, so i grabbed my new pants that i haven't even worn yet and they were kinda tight on me. I have gained almost ten pounds already just at the MTC!!!!!!!! So mom, if you could send me some pants with the waist around 34, that would be nice. lol OH! and please send me my brown coat, with the fur on the inside. I'm going to be needing that for pdays in Idaho. lol.

Now about what I'm learning… The other day we reviewed the first lesson, which is about the restoration with Joseph Smith and the first vision. Our teacher then asked us to teach as if we were talking to a nine year old. It was here that i am so grateful for all the times mom that you asked me to teach your class. It was so easy for me, and now i really wish that i get a nine year old investigator. Its not impossible, one of the teachers here at the MTC actually had one! She said it was the best investigator she had ever had. Also when i teach as if to a child, the spirit speaks so much louder! I'm not sure why but it does. I loved it.

We have some new elders who arrived to the MTC this last Wednesday. They are loving it so far except one. he was so home sick that he really got sick. Today would have been his second day but he decided to go home. All of us in his district are broken hearted about it. We all wanted to get to know him and be his friend, and make him feel welcome here. But he didn't give us that chance. We all are praying for him. I love my family, and i miss you guys, but I'm also aware that there are people out there who hate their families, and the truths of the gospel can help bring them together. I know what it's like to have a loving family united in the gospel, and i want as many families as i can help to have that as well.

Thank you all for your letters, support, and love. It really makes my day when i hear from you all. Kara, i hope your classes go well, good luck! I'm sure you will do great! Cousins Sarah and Zephra, i love you both so much! thank you for writing me! And good luck at your new school Sarah! you are going to have so much fun learning, i just know it!

(Mom, i will answer both by email and by letter so if you want to you can type up my letters to the blog as well. Thanks for everything, i love ya!)
I love you all!!!
Elder Bevell

Week One!

Email # 1 - MTC

October 16, 2010

Dear Family,

First off I want you all to know that i miss you all. But at the same time I am so glad to be on my mission. Like you said mom I can already feel the blessings of being a missionary in my heart.

I have very little time so here are the details. The MTC is very fun! i wake up at 6 every morning, shower, brush my teeth (and floss) say my morning prayer then off to class! We start class with a song and prayer and end the same way. we are just starting to work on the first discussion, and I am really feeling the spirit as I learn how to apply the lessons to the lives of who we will be teaching. The best way we teach is by testimony, and my testimony has done nothing but grow up here.

My companion is awesome! his name is Elder Jones, he's from Branson Missouri. He writes screen plays for movies and loves to draw. Most importantly though; he has a strong testimony of the gospel. I am so glad to have him as my first companion.

Oh and here is something for Carsten! Tell him that at the air port I had the honor of being on the same flight with Ben Smith, and that were both at the MTC here together!! He will like that. OH, and also tell him that I met the person who made the crazy triple kill on Halo that he told me about. He's from England and is in our room as well! lol.

I’m almost out of time so I have to say goodbye. I love you all and pray for you every night! Izaak, you may use my blue scriptures, and Mom please mail me my book of mormon figure Ammon from the old house! Thanks and I love you all. Stay cool!

Mom & Dad love you Elder Bevell.

Elder Brant Bevell with Izaak , Danielle & Braylon & both his sisters, Danielle & Breck. Saying goodbye at 5:30 am - Sky Harbor Airport.

Brant told us he has always wanted to serve a mission. It has been a goal achieved. Tues evening we enjoyed some picture time, then off to see President Whimpey to be set apart as a Full-time Missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

After that we enjoyed some more quiet visiting time with Grandma and Aunt Erika at the ranch house as they took in their last few moments with Brant. I could not get enough of Brant that night and finally he sang one last time for me. Prayers were said and then off to bed ... yes that rhymes... just for Brant.

Alarm went off at 3:30 am as we got up, read scriptures as a family and headed to the airport. Was it hard to say goodbye? yes, of course... but we were all so proud of him that the tears came later after being home.

Brant left us with a visual of a young man walking in confidence of a decision he had made many years prior! May he be blessed and watched over is our faith in prayers... as we know he is where he should be!

Bye Everyone... See ya in 2!

I've got my walking shoes on! READY TO GO...

Once thru Security it is Bye Bye Arizona - Hello Provo and then on to Idaho.

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