Had a great visit on Christmas ... 2011

Date: Mon, Dec 26, 2011 at 2:09 PM

Email #64 – Jerome, ID

   Gosh it was so very good to hear all your voices and speak with you. You all have changed in amazing ways. Thanks for being such an awesome family. I did get to speak to Danielle and Braylon they sound very excited for their upcoming child. I told Dan when I was coming home and straight way she marked it on her calendar. I think she is more excited about me coming home then I am. lol.

   I hope everything goes good for our new guest at the ranch, and I hope you enjoyed your day off Mom cause you deserved it! You deserve one as well Dad!

   Not much has happened since yesterday so this is a short email, just know that I love you all.  It was so good to talk with you. You are always in my prayers, stay cool!

Merry Christmas

Date: Mon, Dec 19, 2011 at 10:49 AM

Email #63 - Jerome, ID

Dear Bevell Family,

   MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!! Holy cow what a great year it has been! And my birthday was just perfect! Thanks for thinking of me in having someone bring me cake and balloons! The rest of that day went as follows; we had lunch at Applebee’s where I got to see the Thompson's again! They are doing great.  We then went to the temple, that was awesome! After the temple we had a lesson with Mary who is trying to come back to the fold. We had a good talk with her about the Atonement. After that we had one more lesson with Shayden and then he had his baptism interview. And we finished the day off with running at the school track. We've been doing that every night since the second week of the transfer btw. I'm getting better at it. lol.

   And that was my birthday!

   Now for this last weekend. The baptism of Gary and Shayden was perfect! I baptized Shayden and Bailey baptized Gary. On the following Sunday I confirmed Gary and Bailey confirmed Shayden. The spirit was very strong and I am so excited for both of them. With Gary I felt really amazed when the thought came to me that Gary changed his life because he believed what Elder Bailey and I told him. He also had the confirmation of the Holy Ghost, but to think that people are willing to put so much trust in what I say that they just get up and change their whole life style is amazing. That is true faith in my eyes.

   As for this week things look like they are really going to slow down. They always do on Christmas week. This Wednesday though the mission is having a talent show! And of course on Christmas we will be going to several members homes because everyone wants us to come over.  

   That's it for now. I can't wait to talk to you all on Christmas.  Gosh I love you guys, I miss you and hope you have a wonderful Christmas! God bless you, every one!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol. Stay cool!

HAPPY 21st BIRTHDAY!!!

Date: Mon, Dec 12, 2011 at 10:49 AM

Email #62 - Jerome, ID

My fellow Bevells,

   It is now 3 days till my birthday. It's a little weird to me that I will soon be 21. I almost feel old. almost. lol. Apart from that things are looking good here in Jerome. Things are slowing down a little because of the holidays but we are managing to stay busy. The baptism didn't happen this last Saturday we decided to move it to the 17th. What makes this even cooler is that we will be baptizing two people that day! I will be baptizing Shaydon Kuper who is 11 and confirming him the following Sunday and Elder Bailey will be baptizing Gary who is in his 20s and will be confirming him on Sunday! ALSO our zone leaders have a baptism on that day as well!! AND we set a new baptism date with a new investigator for the 23!! Looks like we will be having a very white Christmas!! lol.

   Now I know you are wanting to know what I am planning on doing for my B-day so here is the plan. That is going to be a busy day for us, our district is going to the temple that day, we will be having lunch before that with the Thompsons! That's the family that Elder Watson and I reactivated in Twin. I am very excited to see them!  After that we have two lessons planned for the evening. I can't think of a better birthday.

   Now back to the past week. Elder Bailey and I spoke in church this last Sunday. We both spoke on missionary work. Mine was more like Elder Hollands talk at priesthood session. In it I talked about agency. I told how there are three steps to making a choice;

    1. Decide

      Decide to serve a mission or not.

    2. Prepare

     Prepare yourself by gaining a testimony of the Book of Mormon, study Preach My Gospel, and repent if you need to.

    3. Go

     Once you have prepared, "go and do!" and be happy with whatever comes.

The ward really liked it and I hope it helped influence the young men to want to serve missions.

   I am very happy to know that You got my card on your birthday! I was trying very hard to time it just right. And Izaak, I like your creative thinking and timing!! Way to go bro!! lol. And I am glad you had a good birthday Mom. I LOVE YOU!! And I didn't know the Farnsworths called you! That is so cool. I love the Farnsworths, did I tell you that Sis Farnsworth makes us breakfast every morning. We helped them set up and decorate their tree last night as well.

   Anyway, It's good to hear that all is going well with you all, Thanks again for all you do. I have the best family. I want you to know again that I have a testimony of this work. God is real and this is the church that his son Jesus Christ set up on the earth. We are led by a prophet who holds all the keys required to help us return to our Heavely Father. I know the Book of Mormon is true and It, along with the bible, testify of the Saviors divine mission to redeem us from our faults. How grateful I am for these truths that give me hope and strength every day. Thank you again Mom, and Dad for teaching me these truths in my youth. You are the best. Take care and stay cool!

p.s. Here are some pictures of Elder Bailey and I decorating the Christmas tree at the Kupers home. IT'S A REAL TREE!!

It's a Small World

Date: Mon, Dec 5, 2011 at 11:03 AM

Email #61 - Jerome, ID

Hello again Bevell family,

   Yes, this last week has been very fun from missionary work to meeting old friends, or friends of old friends. lol.

   Our appointments this last week went really good. We set a baptism date with a young man named Shayden Kuper. I don't know if I've told you about the Kupers yet. They are a less active family that missionaries have been trying to reactivate for a long time. Shayden is a very lively kid and is also very smart. We taught him the plan of salvation on Sunday and committed him to be baptized on the tenth next Saturday! He asked me to baptize him and Elder Bailey to confirm. (Ok he actually flipped a coin.)

   We are also having some success with an older woman named Charlene (Shar-lean). She has been looking for a faith for a while and was studying with the Jehovah witnesses for a while, but didn't find their teachings to be for her. Us on the other hand she likes a lot and is trying very hard to get work off on Sundays so she can come to church. We have the Relief Society President come with us to a lesson and they are like to old high school girls. They look like Aunt Bea and her friends at tea on the Andy Griffith show!!! lol.

   Gary, for lack of a better word is AWESOME!! lol. We committed him to be baptized on the 17th! It's crazy we only see him twice a week, for our lesson and at church. He doesn't ask questions in lessons he just sits and listens to what we say and agrees with us! I've said it many times but I am going to say it again. Gary has been prepared to recieve this gospel and he is receiving it!!

   Now to your small questions. Yes, I am in a car. My bike is packed away in it's box. My asthma is acting up but that's only cause it's cold here. (There I said it. It's COLD!!) But my inhaler is still pretty full and I still have one more just in case. The dietary pills are helping a ton. I'm on the last bottle and That might run out pretty soon. I hope they are not too expensive. As for the insight I shared at dinner, I will write that to you in snail mail. You will love it.

   Sounds like you all have been having fun again. lol. I am super jealous of Izaak for his scout camp out. Lucky punk! I bet they have a video game merit badge now! If they do you better get it little bro. For me if nothing else! lol.  And Breck I loved your winter formal pictures. I am glad you had a safe group and fun. You are turning out to be quite the party animal. But I guess you learned that from me. lol.

   Oh! I almost forgot! Elder bailey and I found a member who has a work out room and they are letting us use it! We get up at about 5:30 and get there around 5:50. We work out benching, doing push-ups and all that jazz. They even have a basket ball court and racket ball! We are also running at night with our zone leaders. I am getting way into shape now! lol. Maybe You will want pictures of the results. lol.

   Well that's me for this week. I love you all and look forward to hearing form you again soon! Take care and stay cool!

                                                          -Elder Bevell-

p.s. Have you gotten Tyler's mailing address yet? Just wondering.

Loved the Package...

Date: Mon, Nov 28, 2011 at 10:36 AM

Email #60 - Jerome, ID

Good morning Bevell Family,

   Or probably good afternoon by the time you read this. lol. Wow so much happens at the ranch! I love hearing about it all. I'm sure your all tired at the end of the day but I am also sure that you are having a blast! And I'm glad your Thanksgiving was great as well. I am so jealous that I missed seeing Tyler!! You need to write me his address asap so I can write him. Actually tell him to write me! That is probably easier. Tell him I miss him and hope to see him at my homecoming! It's also good to know that Ethen ans Shar are doing good. (Did they get married yet? I haven't heard anything about it.)

   Well I was surprised at your email as all your questions cover a part of my week!  Yes I loved the package! I am eating a grapefruit in the mornings and the people we live with love them as well! Yes I am sharing it all. I only got to meet br. Schneiderman when I picked it up. He seems like a really nice guy and he told me that he LOVED his stay up at the ranch and he loves you guys as well. I really do have the best family. lol. Elder Bailey and I are getting along just great. To answer your question he is from Hastings Michigan. Its a small town from what I 've heard, and he is 6,6. We work really well together. This last Saturday we taught Gary the first lesson and committed him to baptism! He truly has been prepared. He's also been coming to church for a whole month before meeting with us. He has a good amount of LDS friends who are a good influence on him. It was funny, he told us that when he told his friends that he was listing to the missionaries they were very surprised. lol.  We also had a surprise on Sunday when another investigator, Charlene came to church as well! Elder Bailey and His last companion have been trying hard to get her to come to church. We were happy and very pleased as the ward welcomed her in with open arms.  Also the Kuper family came to church as well. They have a nine year old son who we are teaching. We helped them to church by going over to their house before church and helped get the kids ready. It was fun, the kids love the missionaries and do what we tell them without complaint. Now if we can just get them to do that for their parents. lol. So we had three investigators at church this last Sunday. The fruit of our labors were very apparent in our numbers as well. Last week we had only two lessons. This week we had seven, and we got a list of 15 people who the wards want us to visit!

   I have not seen anyone that knows people from home yet. If I do I will let you know.

   Yes, I love it here.

   Yes, Its very pretty.

    The people are wonderful, and my GPS is helping. I actually don't really need to use the GPS here. The way the town is set up is a grid, so it’s easy to find your way around.

   As for my birthday and Christmas, all I want is my Grinch tie, my two front teeth and a hippo! lol.

   More details on the past week are in the letters that I just mailed off this morning. Sorry for the wait. You wouldn't believe how much mail Elder Bailey gets. He gets mail every day from his family and about three other girls! Its crazy! Just the other day we came home and there was a package and five letters....all for him!!! lol. I have gotten used to it though...somewhat. lol.

   Anyway, Thank you all for everything! I was looking at your pictures last night and wished so bad that I could hug you all. I love you and pray for you often. Take care, and stay cool!

                      -Elder Bevell-   

Guest from Jerome ID visit the Ranch

Preface to this week’s email from Brant – Excerpt from Mom to Elder Bevell.

Hello Elder Bevell,

First off --- Please call Lynn Schneidermann.  His business is located in Jerome Idaho and he has a box from home for you!  How fun is that.  Now for the story.   He and two of his boys (Asa and Alex) stayed at the ranch this last Tues - Saturday.  They were attending a fishing tournament on Saguaro Lake.  Well the cool thing is that when Lynn called in the reservation I had told him that I had a son serving a mission in the Boise, ID mission.  He asked where you were at and I laughed and said "well, actually he is in LaGrande, OR right now".  Then you emailed us last Monday about your transfer and when he came on Tuesday I told him that you had been transferred.  He doesn't live in Jerome, so I didn't know if you were even close to where he was.  But when I told him Jerome, ID --- he said "That is where my business is!"  I was amazed.  He and his boys are sooooo nice.  He offered to take a box back with him since he was driving and we were all excited about that.  I hope you and your companion enjoy what we sent up.  Also --- the boys (Asa & Alex) are really cool youth.  Asa is the taller one in the pics with Breck.  He is 19 - your age.  I also gave them one of your cd's. 

Schneidermann Family From Jerome Idaho visits the Ranch

Alex, Emily, Breck & Asa

November 21, 2011 @ 10:33 AM 

Email #59 – Jerome, ID

Dear Bevells,

   First off, I am very excited to find out what you sent me!! I have been feeling kinda forgotten due to the fact that elder Bailey gets mail and packages EVERY DAY!! No joke! It's crazy! lol. So I am very excited to get something from you.

   Well it's my second Thanksgiving in the mission. I'm glad to hear the ranch will have some business that day. I have found that one of the best ways to celebrate most holidays is to give service. After all, the best part of Christmas is the giving not the getting.  One thing our mission president has asked us to do for Thanksgiving is to make a thank you note to someone. I plan on making one for the family we live with, the Farnsworths. Every morning Sister Farnsworth gets up early to make Elder Bailey and I breakfast. I'm going to take a picture of Elder Bailey and I, cut our faces out, draw cartoon versions of us and glue our heads to them then write a big THANK YOU in a word bubble. I'll send you a picture when it's finished. And that's how I am celebrating this Thanksgiving. (as well as eating a bunch of food and spending time with some families in the wards. lol.)

   This last week was one of the slowest I have had on the mission. Sadly this area was not in the best condition when I came in. So now Elder Bailey and I are working very hard to get the area back up to par. And we have seen a little success. We have received about five referrals from the members already, and one from Mormon. org. We contacted that one. His name is Greg, and he is GOLDEN! he has several good LDS friends and is really interested to learn about our faith. He has no religious background. He has also had an amazing experience. Apparently he was in a motorcycle accident. He was hit by a truck as he was going 60, he didn't break any bones. Yet another example of how God prepares his children to accept the message when they hear it.

   Now to comment on what the kids are doing! Breck, it seems like every time I hear about you you are going to a dance with some guy! What happened to the girl I used to know who said "I'm not ready to deal with boys yet."? lol, jk. I'm glad to see you going out and having fun. Just be sure to let all the guys know that if anything happens I will find them after my mission. THERE IS NO PLACE THEY CAN HIDE!!!!

   Izaak getting buff eh. I need to get back to working out as well. Did I tell you. I got on a scale last night and guess what it read. 184!!!!! I've gained weight and I am FAT! ok not to fat, I've actually always wanted to be about 180. Now I just need to turn it into muscle.

   How's Dan and Braylon doing? Have they found out if it's a boy or girl yet? Let me know.

That's it for me today. I've started a few letters to all of you so be looking for them by the end of this week or the beginning of next week. I will try to see if we can find the people you said are here, but no promises. lol. I hope we can find them.

   I love you all, I pray for you every night. Take care and stay cool!

                            -Elder Bevell-

p.s. Here's a picture of me and Bailey. HES TALL!! lol.

Elder Bailey & Elder Bevell - Jerome ID

Transferred to Jerome, Idaho

Monday November 14, 2011 3:21 PM

Email # 59 – Jerome, ID

Hey there Family!

   Gosh! Much has happened in the past two days. To start off, I was transferred to Jerome ID. It's right next to Twin Falls my first area! My new companion is Elder Baily who has been out for 8 months now. He's from Michigan and is much taller than me. I will send you a picture next week.

   I am really going to miss La Grande though. I have had such a good time up there and made many friends in the wards. On Sunday the bishops announced that I was leaving and everyone I walked by shook my hand and told me how much they appreciated the hard work I have done and that I would be sorely missed. It feels so good to know that the work I did had a positive influence on the members. How grateful I am to have served in La Grande.

   It sounds like a lot has happened back home as well. I loved the pictures of Breck and Izaak at the play! Izaak looks so much older!!! I can't wait to be in another play when I get home! lol. Glad you guys are having fun!

   Breck and Izaak. I was so very glad to hear that you guys are getting along better. You are brother and sister. Family to each other. Keep building that relationship because it will be a strength to you both in hard times. I love you guys!

   So the last thing to happen in La Grande was a baptism! The baptism of Brendon Beusey! I was so happy to be there for that. It was wonderful. Brendon even bore his testimony. He spoke of how when he first started reading from the Book of Mormon he was very sceptical and tried to find fault in it. But as he kept reading it he couldn't find any!! He read it several times and each time he began to believe in it more and more till he Finally could not deny that it was true. He is going to be a great member. I also got to confirm him a member that Sunday.

   Now to your questions. Yes we are aloud to listen to talks so please do send the CD! I am eager to hear it. I did get my new shoes, thank you so much for that! Right now I am using them as my Sunday pare till my old ones are completely useless. My cloths are holding out just fine. My pants are getting a little tight though. lol. I haven't been working out lately but that will likely change as Elder Baily is very physical and likes to work out. I am also in a car area. My funny moment happened this morning as Elder Reinsch and I got to the transfer spot. The whole drive over I just had this feeling that I had forgotten something. I wasn't sure what though. I found out as Elder Sanders texted us asking if I meant to leave my ties in La Grande!! I have only the tie that I am wearing!!! I don't know how I forgot to pack them but I did. lol. They will be sending them to me ASAP.  As for a faith building moment, that was when I talked with Brendon just before his baptism. I asked him how he was doing and he said that this was all still very new to him, that he didn't really understand it all. As we talked I could literally see his faith. He didn't understand anything we had taught him. It all made since, but it was very new, yet he had felt the spirit testify to him that it was true and he was acting on that feeling. Pure faith. I was amazed and my testimony of the gospel grew. How grateful I am to be a part of this great work.

   Well, that's all I got for now. I'll write you soon and email you next Monday. I love you all and pray for you every day. Take care, and stay cool!

                      -Elder Bevell-

One of the Best!

Driving in town...- I (mom) knew I was going to miss getting an email to Elder Bevell.  Thanks to Aunt Erika - he had an email in his inbox --- Elder Bevell wrote back to the family thru her... Sweet!

Mon, 7 Nov 2011 11:57:25 -0800

Email #58 - La Grande, OR

Hey Aunt Erika! Thanks for letting me know about what's happening. Its also good to hear from you and know that you guys are doing well. I am so excited to hear about the upcoming baby! Do you guys have a name planned out for him yet?

   Hows Sarah Zephrah and Jacob doing? I miss you guys so much and can't wait to see you all again. Hows good ol Dave doing as well?

   Sadly I will not have an opportunity to check my email later today, So I will just tell you what I've been doing and you can forward it to my Family! lol, Consider yourself an email carrier! lol.

   I have been doing great! This past week has been one of the best weeks I have had on my mission. Work has gone back up a little but not as good as it has been. But that's not what made it so great. This week was stake conference, and I loved hearing the talks on Sunday. It felt like an actual general conference! I had my note book out and the talks were very inspired. One man who got up was actually a convert of six years and told the members what fears he had and how they can help future converts with similar fears. He talk about how different a world the church is. He literally had nothing to relate to down to the structure of the meeting house. The thing that helped him stay was a kind bishop who reached out to him in love and invited him to stay. One thing he said really stood out to me. He said," If converts do not have support and love from the members they will leave, even if they know it is true. We who are true followers of Christ can not let this happen." How powerful.

   My favorite talk though was given by a man named David Westenskow in the 4th ward. He only talked for 5 minutes, but it was powerful! He talked directly to the young men and how Satan is doing everything he can to get them to mess up. He said, "Satan is literally putting things in the path of your mission."  He encouraged the young men to try their best to not give into temptation, and if they have to go home and repent! "Wake up young men! Don't be fooled!" is what he said. His closed with this thought as well,"It is no coincidence that all these things, parties,school and girls pop up right before your mission. Satan planned that to keep you from finding those people that only you can find." How true is that. I hope you find that helpful Breck with that boy at school. Just be an example like you always are and bear testimony of the blessings that come from serving a mission. Not only for the missionary, but for the missionaries family as well. After that it is all up to him.

   So transfer calls are this Friday and I am pretty sure that I will be leaving. I will be sad to leave, this has been the best part of my misison. I will always remember the amazing people here in La Grande and I plan on visiting here after the mission. Hopefully with all of you guys as well. 

   Thank you all for all the love and prayers you give me. I feel it every day and it gives me the strength to move on during the hard times. I love you all and you are constantly in my heart and prayers. Stay cool!

                   -Elder Bevell-

M.I.B - "Missionaries in Black"

Mon, Oct 31, 2011 at 11:26 AM

Email #57 - La Grande, OR

Hello again everyone!

   I am glad to see that you got my mail informing you about our change in pdays! It's actually a very nice change. It is very relaxing to have the new week start off slow, giving us time to really prepare for the rest of the week instead of taking a break in the middle of things.

   Well we did have a better week. We gave a few blessings this week to some of our investigators. With winter on its way it seems like everyone is catching the bug. Elder Reinsch even caught it again on Sunday so we had to spend another day indoors. We gave him a blessing just last night and he is doing much better today.

   Elder Bowen was so good! We first heard a short message from his wife and she talked about how important it is to decide now what we will do in certain situations. She told a story of a friend who was watching TV one night when a picture of a beautiful girl came up on the screen. She learned that the girl had been forced into a car and found dead the next day. Sister Bowen's friend decided then and there that she would not let someone force her into a car. A few days later as she was putting her baby in the car seat at the grocery store a man came up, put a gun in her back and told her to get in the car or he would kill her and her baby. Looking down she saw a small umbrella on the floor of the car. She grabbed it, turned around and began beating the guy over the head with it! The man was so surprised that he dropped his gun. Some people nearby saw what was happening and started running over to help her and the man ran away. He was later found and put in jail. Because Sister Bowen's friend had decided early that she would not be forced into a car, when the moment came she didn't have to think, she just reacted. Sister Bowen then encouraged us to choose now to do our best and be obedient. She said "decide now that tomorrow morning at 6:30 you will get up on time. Then when your alarm goes off you won’t have to decide if you’re going to get up with it. You just will!"

   Elder Bowen's talk was my favorite. He talked to us about the baptism covenant, the Abrahamic covenant, the house of Israel, and the Oath and covenant of the Priesthood and how we learn from them who we truly are and what we are expected to do. He spoke of how because of the covenants we have made "there are certain places you cannot go, certain clicks on a mouse you cannot click." He said "When you make a covenant with God you are placing a portion of your agency on the altar." How powerful that was to me. It's so true. When we covenant with God to obey his will and commandments it really does make us more accountable for what we do. Especially those who hold the priesthood. To us with the priesthood he said "Your priesthood will either exalt you, or damn you."

   So what did I learn from this? I learned that I am not only a child of God, but a child that holds his priesthood, the very power that created the earth. And I have promised him that I will serve him all my life, and if I should break from this covenant he can do with me as he sees fit. I think of when Moroni made the title of liberty, and the people tore their cloths and cast them at Moroni's feet and said, as we have torn our cloths and cast them at your feet even so will God, if we fall into transgression, tear us and cast us at the feet of our enemies. What an Eye opener. lol.

   But the most wonderful thing this new knowledge gives me is an even stronger ability to resist temptation. I realize more fully now the weight that is on my shoulders and how I cannot let myself fall into dark paths. Whenever I feel tempted to do wrong or think evil thoughts I just remind myself of the covenants I have made with God, pray for strength an did feel the spirit within me burn, and I know that I am not alone, and that I can "come off conqueror."

   So you want to know more about my companion! Well Elder Reinsch's nick name is "the candy man!" He got this nick name when he first came out in the mission. at a lesson his trainer turned to him and asked him to pull his scriptures out. Elder Reinsch responded that he didn't have his scriptures. "What? But your back pack is heavy. What’s in there?" They opened it up to find it FULL of candy. lol. We have a lot of fun together, and he no longer fills his bag with candy, at least not worldly candy. Now it's spiritual candy. lol.

   Speaking of candy, we were privileged to go to the ward trunk or treat on Saturday! It was very fun. We found some old headphones, and Nerf guns, so we put one head phone in our ears and took the guns. 

We were the M.I.B. (missionaries in black)  We got a picture with the bishop which is attached to this email. I am also sending you a picture of the necklace I made out of the zipper pull! I thought you might enjoy that as well.

   I haven't checked mail today so I don't know yet if my shoes are here but I ill be sure to let you know when I do get them. Thanks again for sending them!

   Thanks for all you do! I pray for you all every night, I miss you and look forward to hugging you all when I get home. Btw, a thought came to me the other day, when I get home the first thing I want to do is sit down with you all and watch a dick van dyke!! lol. Take care and stay cool!

                                       -Elder Bevell-

Monday - P-day

Date: Tue, Oct 25, 2011 at 4:33 PM

Email #56 - La Grande, OR

     Dear Bevell Family,

   I'm over in Baker city right now for Pday and it’s about an hour drive back to La Grande so this is going to be a short email this week. Sorry.

   I loved all the pictures! Thank you so much for them it's so good to see your faces and share in a small amount of the fun. Dayson and Dustin look so different! They have really grown up. And Izaak is definitely buffer than I was at his age. lol. And it sounds like the ranch had a lot happening. I hope the damage to the roof from the helicopter was paid for by the company that used the helicopter. I also hope the damage wasn't to bad. And Breck! You look ssoooooo beautiful in your homecoming pictures! I am glad you had a good time and that you had a great guy to take you. I can't wait to hear more about it.

   So, we had a slow week in La Grande. Elder Reinsch got sick and we had to cancel all our appointments that day. So I just read my scriptures and cleaned the house. The next two days, most of our appointments fell through. It was a very frustrating time, so we filled it up by talking to the bishops, and even doing a little tracting. Sunday was the best day. It was the primary program in 3rd and 4th ward and the kids were so cute as they sang to us. I really felt the spirit, especially when I saw the daughter of Sister Webber who we baptized a few months ago. Or maybe it was last month. Anyway it felt good to see how the gospel has affected their family for the better. That night we also had a missionary fireside in Elgin which is just 19 miles north of La Grande I think. That was very fun. We were asked to speak on how we had prepared to serve a mission and what advice we had for those wanting to serve. Elder Reinsch spoke first and told of his experiences in gaining a testimony of the Book of Mormon, and learning how to take care of himself (cooking grooming etc.) Then I got up, and told them how my preparation had been a little last minute. lol. So to help them I pulled up a chalk board and taught them about the Armor of God, and how it can help us not only prepare for a mission but for life as well. I drew a stick man on the board and we drew each piece of the armor on it and talked about them. The ward loved it and we had a lot of thank-yous afterwards. I was glad to have been able to help them feel the spirit enough to be inspired on how to better put on the armor of God.

      So that's me in a few words this past week. Thank you guys for all you do! I am still in the process of writing you guys. You know how I like to send all your letters in one envelope. I love and miss you all and hope you have a great week! Fight the good fight, and stay cool!

Good things in Enterprise & Elgin

Date: Tue, Oct 18, 2011 at 12:56 PM

Email #55 – La Grande, OR

Subject: Re: The temple was amazing.

Dear Bevells,

   I am doing great!! This last week has been a mix of fun and frustration as usual, but more of the fun.

   The fun is the work of course. Turns out that referral Michael lives in Enterprize! I was very surprised and pleased about this. The only down fall is that we can't make it up there to often. So we just called our ward mission leader up there and he said he would contact him. He's tried a few times; each time Michael is not home. But it feels good to know that good is beginning to happen in Enterprize.

   More good is coming from Elgin as well. This last Sunday we presented our family mission plan to the ward council and the bishop is very excited about this plan. He told us that their home teaching is at 30% and that this plan will help to raise that. He's going to be working very hard on the members to use this plan. I loved the words he used on Sunday when talking to the priesthood, "Brethren, why are we denying ourselves these blessings?" What power! I really like Bishop Livingston.

   I am also glad at how positive the members are when we give them the FMPs (family mission plans) Over all we are expecting to see more referrals from all the wards.

   A frustrating moment, Brendon actually moved his baptism date back again. For a good reason though. There's a friend who wants to be there who couldn't make it on the last date set. I plan on keeping in contact with Brendon to help him keep the testimony he has just found and to help him in any way at all. After all what are friends for?

   I did get the package and I loved it! Especially Breck's story, I read it to the other Elders even though I was slightly embarrassed. I hope the class got just as good a laugh as the other elders had. Good job sis and sorry for putting you through that. lol.. I just sent Carsten a letter with some pictures of me and my comp. I cannot describe how amazing it feels to have a friend on a mission. I look forward to hearing and sharing stories with him.

   I am so glad the temple trip went so well. It makes me feel so much joy to know that my family can go to the temple together. I really do have the best family.  And Brittany's baby is beautiful!! Congratulations to the Soper family! And do keep me updated on my sister’s baby; I am so excited to be an uncle!! Same with Aunt Erika's baby, I am excited to have a new cousin!! Please tell them I miss and love them all.

       Well, take care of each other. Breck, have fun at Homecoming and don't let any boy push you around cause if they try they will have me to deal with when I get back, and I do not fight fair. You tell them that!! lol. I love ya. And Izaak, I love ya bro and am so very proud of you. Keep up the good work and enjoy the blessings that come from living this gospel. You are years ahead of me from when I was your age. Mom and Dad, thank you for all the sacrifices you make on all of our behalves. I love you, and am proud to be your son. (don't cry Mom.) Take care, and stay cool!

                     -Elder Bevell-  

Milestone --- 1 Year!

Date: Tue, Oct 11, 2011 at 1:29 PM

Email #54 – La Grande, OR

Dear Bevell Family,

  On the 13 of this month of October the year 2011, I Brant Standage Bevell son of John Nance Bevell Jr will have been serving as a missionary for the Lord our God for a full year!!!! I am amazed at how fast the time has gone by and how much I have grown. When I left I was a boy looking for answers and seeking how to help others find the truths I have found. Now I have grown more into the man that my Father in Heaven wants me to be. I feel better about myself and my abilities, and I am able to see the blessings that I receive from God on a daily basis.

  Looking back on my life I feel so embarrassed at how foolish and vain I was and some of the choices I have made. I see how if I had simply lived the principles how most of those mistakes could have been easily avoided. Yet I also see how those trials have helped lead me to who I am today. I wish I hadn't had to go through those trials, but I am grateful for what I have learned. So thank you dear family for your patience with me. I love you all so very much.

  Now enough with the mushy stuff, on to the fun!! It is the second week of the transfer and Elder Reinsch and I are getting along great. We are seeing great success in our work as well as some hardships. I will start with a hardship. It came yesterday at a dinner appointment with a new investigator. His name is Theren.  When I set up the dinner appointment he told me that we couldn't share anything from the Book of Mormon, yet his first question for us was why do we need the Book of Mormon? lol. Throughout the whole meal and lesson he kept trying to bash with us. What really frustrated me was that we gave him answers to his questions but he just wouldn't accept them. His biggest question was What is in the Book of Mormon that isn't in the Bible? I challenged him to find out by reading and praying about it, to which he responded "I can't bring myself to read it but I will pray about it." He made me think about Oliver Cowdery when he wanted to translate the plates and all he did was ask. I even read that scripture to him "...you have supposed that I would give it unto you when you took no thought save it was to ask me. But behold,..you must study it out in your mind, then you must ask me if it be right, and if it be right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right." D&C 9:7-8. To this he said "Oh I always study it out before I ask."........NO!!!! It doesn't work like that! You have to READ, and then ASK!! Gosh it’s frustrating. lol.

  Anyway, some good things that happened were that we got some referrals!! One from the other elders and one form the MTC. The one form the MTC sounds like a golden investigator. His name is Michael, he has recently had a positive experience with a priesthood blessing and has also come to church and now wants to meet with the missionaries. I am super excited for this! We also have the baptism of Brendon Beucey this Saturday at 11:00. I am also excited for this; Brendon has made some amazing changes in his life. He has quit smoking and drinking, and he is planning on quitting one of his jobs so he can come to church on Sundays. I am always amazed at the changes that people make when they come into this gospel. That's probably because I was raised in the church and that was just my life style. lol.

  Now to your questions. Shoes, I like my hush puppies a lot so go ahead and send me those. I would love to have two pair. Thank you. For pday our plans thus far are to email, shop and probably do some archery! Spiritually I am doing great, we have some seminary teachers in one of our wards who gave me manuals for the old and new testament, the Book of Mormon, D&C and church history. I am working on the New Testament first, so I will keep you posted on how that goes. I am also becoming more detailed in my journal writing. This began happening when as I was writing I thought that my children are going to read this someday and I want them to have something fun to read!! And yes we are very tired when we get back to our apartment at night. The bed never felt better. lol.

  I just knew you would like the family mission plan, and I look forward to hearing how you guys use it! One thing it should do is help you to really get to know the missionaries in our ward. There's always one family in every ward that the missionaries think are awesome because of how much they help out, and I want my family to be that! (no pressure. lol.)

  Also please let me know how the family temple trip goes. I am so excited for Izaak, you’re going to love it little brother!

  I know I didn't answer all your questions, but the other elders are waiting on me now. I take the longest to email, but that's because I just love you all so much and want to tell you as much as I can. I will write you as soon as I get the package; I am assuming there are letters in it. Here's a picture of Elder Reinsch and I that I think you will enjoy. Put it on the blog!

  I love you all, I still pray for you every night and I thank my Father in Heaven for giving me such a loving and wonderful family.

Stay cool!!

                             -Elder Bevell-

Date: Tue, Oct 4, 2011 at 12:48 PM

Email #53 - La Grande, OR

Dear Bevell Family,

  I am amazed at all that has happened in the last few days. This last weekend was so spiritually uplifting with conference and transfers. I will start with transfers. Now I have been in La Grande for about 5 months, and Elder Zerbe 1. So it only makes sense that Elder Zerbe be called to go to Meridian Idaho and I stay another transfer! Yep, I am still here! lol. I was very surprised at this, as was everyone. But its good, I can continue the work I started up here a little longer. My new companion is Elder Reinsch from Cali. He's been out about 20 months, is a year older than me and is very fun! We are having fun already and it's only day two of the transfer.

  I loved General Conference! I took so many notes and got answers to my questions. I too loved the emotion seen with President Eyring, and the wonderful humor of our Beloved Prophet. One talk that touched me was the one about the Elder who was called to Arizona and met the man who had baptized his father. The man had become inactive because he felt he had failed the Lord and not done a good job while on his mission. This Elder was then able to tell him how because he had baptized his Dad, him and all his brothers had served missions, all that were married had been married in the temple, and the family was enjoying all the blessings of living the restored gospel. That is exactly what every missionary wants to hear about their converts. It helped me to think of the long term effects of my actions today in helping invite others to come closer to Christ.   I have many notes but not with me. So I guess I will be writing to you all my feelings on conference in snail mail.

Speaking of snail mail, you say you have something for me? AWESOME! I mean.. That’s great! lol. As to things that I need did you say that you would be sending me money for shoes or are you sending me new shoes? Didn't they have a warranty on them? I can't remember!!!! lol.

  So about our investigators. We once again had to move Brendon's baptism date back a week. We still need to set up a baptism interview yet Brendon can't meet sooner than Friday, and we are asked to have interviews at least a week before the baptism. So we had to move it back.

We've been making some progress with Charlie up in Elgin as well. I think I told you about him, He didn't really grow up with religion in his life, so when we taught him he didn't even know or understand who Jesus was. He had heard his name but that was about it! I was amazed! So we taught him who Christ was, what He did, and Why we need him. Its slow work but I think he is starting to understand. As for the rest of our teaching I will fill you in with snail mail. lol.

  Man how I wish I could have been with you guys for conference! Thank you so much for the pictures it looks like you all had such a fun time!! And I was so excited for Izaak's first Priesthood session! I look forward to being with him at those in the future. And Breck I simply love the woman you are changing into. Thanks for taking good care of my guitar "Babe". I do miss her ever so much! How's that coming along? It looks like you are actually reading the sheet music which is something I have a lot of trouble doing. Keep up the good work! I should send Dan and Braylon an email as well, they are so funny. And Dan got a hair cut!!!!! Holly cow its short!! lol. Looks good sis! ;D   Well, there’s not enough space in any email, nor enough paper in the world for me to write how much I love you all. Tell the Sopers and Horejs that I love and miss them and I am glad they were able to spend conference with you guys! I am especially sad that I missed out on Soper cookies.:,( . I pray for you all every night, and you are in my thoughts many times during the day. Take care, stay safe, and above all, stay cool!

                                      -Elder Bevell-

 p.s.s. The picture is of me and Elder Zerbe on our last day together.

Breck Playing Elder Bevell's Guitar "Babe" with Guy

Tue, Sept 27, 2011 at 1:34pm

Email #52 – La Grande, OR

Dear Bevell family,

  I will begin by answering your last questions. Yes, I did get Kenton's letter and I will be writing him. I just can't not respond to a letter cause I really do apreciate it when I get them. lol. Carsten and I have been writing back and forth since he can't email me from the MTC, but he will once he is out in the field. He sounds like he is having a blast! Im really excited for him. I also responded to Teasha, with my last envelope actually. lol So snail mail will be on hold till next month.. Also, as to Libby not calling you yet we found out that she has laryngitis. lol.

Transfer calls come this Friday and I really Really REALLY hope I do not get moved! I still feel like I have stuff to do here and that there are people who need my help and fellowship.  Which brings me to the past week! This last week has been a really good week. We have been passing out "family mission plans" to the ward members to help them help us. We checked up on a few of them on Sunday and I was pleased to hear that most of them have some people in mind all ready. The members really like this plan, I will send you guys one as soon as I can. I'm getting ready to mail a package home to you guys. ;)

  We also have some new investigators! The first one is Vern. Great guy, he's met with missionaries in the past but doesn't remember to much from before.  We taught him the restoration yesterday and the spirit was strong. We told him about how Christ set up his church while here on the earth, called twelve men and gave them Priesthood authority to do miracles in his name. How after those twelve men were killed or disappeared that the Priesthood was no longer on the earth and important parts to Christ's gospel were lost, and needed to be restored, and that it was restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith. We then watched the Restoration DVD. Afterwards, we bore our witness that Jesus is the Christ, that his church has been restored to the earth once more and that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. I love having so many opportunities to bare witness of the Savior, and watching as the Holy Ghost touches those peoples hearts. This truly is the greatest work in the world.

  The second new investigator is Brian (unpronounceable last name!!) lol. We met with him briefly to set an actual appointment, he seems very cool.

  Now about you guys, Izaak, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! Wow, my little brother now holds the Priesthood. That is so cool man and I am so proud and excited for ya! The power that you now have will be a great tool in helping you grow. Always seek little brother to be worthy of that power, you may not understand it fully now (and I sure as heck don't understand it fully as well) but it is one of the greatest gifts your Father in Heaven can give you. Welcome to the ranks!!

  I too am very excited for Conference this weekend! We are planning on watching the Saturday morning session at a member’s house where we will be provided with breakfast! That is all we have planned so far. lol. It's going to be fun. To prepare my self for conference I went on lds.org and printed off a talk by President Uchtdorf titled "No Ordinary Blessing". In it he tells us three ways we can prepare for General Conference. I am very excited to read it and encourage you all to do the same.

 Now Breck, don't think I have forgotten you. You GO girl! I don't think I sold that many entertainment books when I was in high school and I definitely didn't sell them by going door to door! Now you have an idea on how I feel when I work! lol. I am very proud to hear that you handled it so very well. It can be hard, especially when you KNOW that what you have to offer can truly help that person. Way to go sis!

  The temple trip sounds like so much fun. The Boise temple is under renovations and won't be open again for probably a YEAR! The last time I went to the temple was when I was in Twin Falls! I really want to go but being in La Grande, there is no way we can make the trip. I'm making it a prioritiy to go as soon as I can. You guys have fun, and I look forward to hearing how it goes.

  I loved the pictures! It makes me laugh as I see the ones with Braylon in them. He looks like a GIANT compared to the rest of us. (That’s cause he is!!) Especially Dan! lol I am still a little baffled on how they ended up together. I did not see that coming. I remember coming home one night and I see Dan sitting on the couch and Braylon sitting next to her with his arm around her, and I was thinking "What, are you doing in my home next to my sister?" lol. Know though Braylon that I am very glad to have you in the family now.

  Well Golly gee! What more can I say? I love you all. I miss you all. I pray for you all. And I think of you all often. Thank you for all your prayers and support, and your love. Take care, and stay cool.

                                    -Elder Bevell-

p.s. I got to see Elder Jones today, my companion from the MTC!

Izaak is now a Deacon in the Priesthood.  

Love Tuesday!

Tue, Sept 20, 2011 at 11:59 am

Email #51 – La Grande, OR

Dear Bevell Family,

  To start off, I too like Tuesday! It's the one day when I can just sit back and take a breath before plunging back into the work at 6:00 pm. I love getting to hear about you all and telling you about my week. This week did have some bummer moments but some really good ones too! I will start with the bummer ones. So two weeks ago while looking at our dinner calendar on Sunday I for some strange reason looked at the wrong day and set up dinner with the family who had signed up for the next week. Yeah. So about an hour before we were going to head over we get a call from the people who had signed up to feed us that night asking us if we still wanted to come over for dinner. lol, I felt so ridiculous as I explained what happened. They were really good about it though and just said, "We'll just feed you next Sunday then." Well, next sunday came and we were called up last minute to go to Enterprise because there were some families that wanted to meet with us! (We didn't find out on Sunday but during the week) So we went up to Enterprise and what happens...they all cancel on us!!  Luckily we had caught a ride with some members so we didn't waste any miles (thanks for the small blessings right?) so we just sat and talked with our Ward Mission Leader about what he and the ward could do to help get the mission work going up there. We gave him some family mission plans we had made and also talked about the 555 program which is a program that helps the ward have at least 15 people/families the missionaries can be teaching. Very effective when done properly. So we then caught a ride back to La Grande with some members and worked on planning what we would do the next day. It was then that I realized that I had not called our dinner to tell them that we wouldn't be able to come that night......yeah. I felt even more silly for having missed dinner with the same family TWICE!!! They were great about it. When I called to apologize they just laughed and said it was ok and they would just catch us on a different night. I love the members up here and how Christ like they are. The family we missed are the Bonds, the same bond who does chiropractic work on us Elders every Tuesday!  So that was the craziness of our week.

The good stuff that happened was that we got a call from the Bishop in 4th ward telling us that he had two new people who wanted to meet with us!! And while at one of those people's place we got a third person who wanted to hear the lessons! It feels so good to have new people to teach!  Brendon is doing great. He asked us to move his baptism back to Oct 8 so he could really digest all that we taught him so he could "feel"ready. He's doing so good, and his Dad might even start meeting with us!

  The inspection didn’t happen!! We cleaned the whole place and he didn't come! And on top of that the apartment is a mess again!!!  oh well. I'm just grateful that we have food and a roof over our heads. lol.

  As to tracting, yeah that is the most ineffective way to do missionary work here. Most people are already members, and the rest don't want us knocking on their doors. We use the members to find new people to teach, and that is the best way to do missionary work! Elder Bednar put it beautifully when he said “Missionaries are full time teachers, while you and I (aka the members) are full time finders." Remember that now ok and help out the elders near you!   We don't go on splits to often now, we are actually discouraged to go on splits! President Cannon talked to us on how we can teach more powerfully as a companionship, and that splits should only be used if appointments overlap each other. I like that better anyway cause it's sometimes hard to teach when the person you are with doesn't know how you teach or what the person you are teaching really needs. It can get frustrating at times to say the least. lol.

  Well I am glad you enjoyed the pictures, I loved the ones you sent last week! I'm glad the ranch is doing well and I really do look forward to working with you all there again!  Only 13 months left!!!!!...not that I'm counting or anything. lol. I love you all, I still pray for you every night and I look forward to hearing from you in snail mail! Take care and stay cool!!

                                   -Elder Bevell-

11 Months

Tue, Sept 13, 2011 at 12:55 pm

Email #50 – La Grande, OR

Dear Bevell Family,

  Holy cow!! It looks like a lot of fun happened this last week! And thank you for all the pictures, I loved them. Especially the ones of Izaak asleep! You must have been exhausted! lol.

  So just yesterday Mom, I gave your cell number to Libby Davis. I don't know if she has called you yet but she wanted to get a hold of ya so expect a call. You will love her!! Elder Zerbe and I are still getting a long great, and we are starting to see a little improvement in the work. Apparently there is a family in Enterprise that wants to meet with us, so we are planning on going up there this Sunday. Hopefully someone can give us a ride because we don't have enough miles for that! lol.

  Our apartment is getting inspected today which means that we spent a lot of time cleaning it. Yes it is finally CLEAN!! I have been trying so hard to keep it clean but the other three Elders just don't seem to care if they live in a pig hole! Mom, you have made me somewhat a clean freak! lol.

  So today is my 11 month mark!!! I can't believe it has almost been a year! To celebrate we are going to do some laser tag today! It's only 5 bucks a person and it's PIRATE themed! lol. It's going to be a fun pday.

  Well, we finally set a baptism date with one of our investigators! Brendon! I think I told you about him. He's friends with Trisha Takahashi who was baptized two months ago and is now living in Hawaii. He's been a little tough to teach mainly because he is skeptical of everything. But he finally told us that he knows the Book of Mormon is true, and we set the 24th of this month as his baptism date. Pray that it will happen.  I am glad you are all doing good, I pray for you all every night. I love you all. Take care and stay cool!!

                    -Elder Bevell-