What time to call for Mom's Day?

Tue, Apr 26, 2011 at 3:14 PM

Email #28 – Meridian ID

Hi Elder Bevell,

I wanted to make sure you are not being transferred before I send Matt's letter to you. It is a really good one. Please let me know so I know which address to use. Thanks

Smiles

Mom

P.s... Oh and let's coordinate the time you will be calling on Mother's Day. I can't wait to visit with you. Our church is from 11 - 2 so with drive time you can plan from 10:00 to 3pm... that is when it will be hard for me to talk. Let me know... :)

Hey Mom!

No I am not being transferred! So you can go ahead and send the letter to the same address! As to the time to talk, let’s shoot for around 3:30 to 4ish. That sounds good to me. Love ya!

-Elder Bevell-

Visit from Elder Ballard & Elder Uchtdorf

Tue, Apr 26, 2011 at 3:11 PM

Email #29 – Meridian ID

Dear Mom,

I'm glad that Easter was good for you all! I loved your egg puzzle letters! I got the final pieces yesterday and was able to read them! I guessed pretty well what they would say! You would have loved my reaction to receiving them, as I opened the package and the eggs I got a little frustrated. I don't consider myself very good with puzzles, even little ones. So I was thinking "What is this!? This is going to take forever for me to Finish!" And 20 minutes later I sat with four puzzles all put together except for one piece on each. lol, I had to laugh at my own reaction as well, and so did my companion. Thanks for the laugh guys!

On Easter our stake had stake conference and we got to hear from Elder Ballard of the twelve and Elder Uchtdorf of the first presidency! It was great to hear from them. Elder Ballard talked about Christ's atonement and how it strengthens families and brings them closer together. He said that no one should feel unwelcome in their own home, but constantly supported. Elder Uchtdorf spoke for a whole HOUR! I didn't hear most of his talk because we were asked to help set up more chairs in the building. There were so many people there that they had to borrow chairs from another building!! We ended up sitting on the stage with our feet hanging down. It was very fun! After that we spent some time over at the Wilson's again and painted eggs! I only colored five eggs but we had a great time talking, making jokes and laughing. The Wilson's are a fun family. Sis Wilson always tells us that when we come to her house we can just be kids again! She knows we work hard and wants us to be able to relax once in a while. Once done there we walked over to Darrell's, an older man who doesn't get many visitors. We talked with him for a bit on the atonement, and then we went home for the night. And that was my Easter! lol.

Today has been pretty normal so far. We did our laundry, and played some basket ball with four other elders. We had three really good games with them; I even made a few baskets! (Beams with pride) I can feel a huge change in my physic, I'm much stronger and even better at sports, and my asthma hasn't given me grief when I play. And the weird part of that is that I have less problems with my asthma when I don't take the pills......? I'm not sure why but when I take the pills in the morning I use my inhaler a lot those days, and when I don't, I have no need for the inhaler at all. Weird huh?

That's all that has happened thus far today. I feel much better now. I have been thinking a lot Mom on who I really am: Soul searching. I know I am a child of God, but I want to know more. I'll let you know more when I find it. In the mean time I will keep busy! President wants us all to find two new investigators a week! Please pray for us to come up with ideas, and that we will have success!

Thanks for all you guys do! I feel your prayers and love, and hope you can feel my own for you. You guys are awesome! And tell Ryan I said hi and Kenton also that I can't wait to hang out with them again! Stay cool! -Elder Bevell-

Happy Easter 2011

Tue, Apr 19, 2011 at 11:25 AM

Email #27 – Meridian ID

Hello Bevell Family!!

Yes I am staying here another transfer so you can continue to write me at my current address. I'm glad I'm staying, things are showing signs of picking up and I still haven't finished passing out all the packets yet. I hope those get the members excited about missionary work. Its funny how a lot of the time we as missionaries get frustrated with members for not helping us out. To us there is no more important work than bringing people

to the gospel! We seem to forget that we don't have to deal with everyday life like everyone else does.

Wow! Easter all ready!? Time sure is starting to go by faster. This Easter so far our only plan is to go over to the Wilson's house (Sis. Wilson cuts our hair) and paint Easter eggs with them. Her son just got off his mission from Dallas Texas. He's a cool guy. And as far as I know, they don't do any pageant like things down here for Easter. Kind of a bummer I

think the pageant is a huge missionary tool.

Br Gibbons, I have seen his office. It’s actually close to where I am staying right now! I will have to drop in and say hi at some point. We usually go to a man in one of the wards who adjusts our backs for free as well. There are several places that do chiropractic work here. Luckily though, my back doesn't give me too much trouble.

Breck and Izaak, sorry I don't email you guys as much. I'll try to do better. Most of the

time when I email I put down everything I did the past week, and that can get a little annoying to write over and over. But know I will email you guys as often as I can and also know that the letters I write will have more emotion, feelings, and advice than an email will. I love you guys!

And with that love for you all - I too will end this email with my testimony.

I know that God lives and loves us. That his son Jesus Christ is our savior, that through him we can be perfected and forgiven of our sins and mistakes. We don't have to carry those

burdens or walk alone. I also know that the Christ lives today just as much as he did when he walked this earth. He loves us all. I know that the Bible and the Book of Mormon are the word of God. That by studying them we can grow closer to our Savior, and strengthen our testimonies of him. I know that Joseph Smith was called of God to restore this wonderful church to the earth. That by following its standards, and God commandments we can find peace in this life, and joy in the next. This is my humble testimony, and I say these things in the name of our Lord and savior, Jesus Christ, amen.

-Elder Bevell-

p.s. Here is a picture of me and the Thompsons. I gave them your email Mom

.

6 Months Tomorrow!

Tue, Apr 12, 2011 at 1:32 PM

Email #26 – Meridian ID

Bevell family,

I am still amazed at how fast time has gone by! It still feels like I just left you guys. lol. You all have changed so much already, I'm going to have a lot to catch up on when I get home.

I do feel different. I feel more mature and grown up. Though keeping the room clean is still a difficulty. But I am so content with what I have and even more grateful for what has been provided for me. Just this last week I was putting together some packets that I could give to members so they would feel better about sharing the gospel. The packets have things such as; a Book of Mormon, pamphlets of the lessons we teach, and a few other items that are useful. Well I had forgotten to buy some gallon bags to put them in, and we could not find anyone to give us a ride to the nearest store which is out of our area. Five miles away to be exact. But one night as we had dinner with a member family they gave us a box of gallon bags! And on top of that when they learned I could play guitar the insisted that I borrow their guitar because no one knew how to play it and wanted me to enjoy playing one for a while!! AWESOME!!! It feels good to play an instrument again, but I don't let it get in the way of my work.

I am very glad to hear that the Cases are doing fine. I still keep them in my prayers. I'm hoping they stay in AZ so Aaron and I can still hang out when I get back. You can tell him for me that I was wishing for some man-burgers the other day. lol.

As for my clothes, they are doing just fine. My pants have ripped at the seams a few times but we as missionaries get very good deals with dry-cleaners. My shirts are also still white and in great condition. My asthma has been a little weird lately but I am still taking the medication and my inhalers are holding up as well. One is still unopened, and I keep one in my bag and another by my bed just in case. We get fed everyday and I have food back at the Dow's house as well. (They are the people we live with.)

The family who helped me and Watson a lot was the Thompsons. I gave you their email a while back. They are amazing Mom, you and Dad will love them. I very much consider them family. Izaak would like their son Kegan as well, he is a crazy kid! As for the address I don't have it on me so I will mail it to you with snail mail.

Transfer callsare this Friday and Transfers on Monday!! I will let you know the outcome when I hear! I'm not really sure if I want to stay or leave this area yet. I guess I will be ok with it either way. lol.

I am glad to hear Breck and Izaak are doing so well and am very proud of them both. Keep up the good work guys!! And I am glad Mom that you and Dad are doing good as well. I love you both so much and miss you guys. Thanks for everything you have done for me and for putting up with me.

I went on exchanges on Monday and was with an Elder Fulmmer for a day. He's a good kid. I've been out a month longer than him, so I expect to be seeing more of him in the future. We visited a part member family and had a good talk with them. We laughed a lot- telling jokes and talked about our families. I then shared a spiritual message on Christ's parable of the sower. I love that one, it’s my favorite. You should read it as a family one of these days! I would recommend that. While I shared this parable then my testimony of the church, everyone felt the spirit. It was a great experience.

Thanks again for your prayers and all that you guys do. I love you and pray for you everyday. Stay cool!

-Elder Bevell-

p.s. Can you send me a few copies of my CD? There are a few people who want one. Just 5 will do. Thanks

Temple Announced for Meridian ID

Tue, Apr 5, 2011 at 4:15 PM

Email #25 - Meridian, ID

Dear family!

Wow, conference was awesome and yes we are so excited about the temple being built here in Meridian. That will make three temples in the Idaho Boise mission!

I am also glad to hear that conference was good for you as well. I missed sitting with you all, taking notes, eating junk food and all that crazy stuff. lol. All the families we watched with didn't even have a bottle of water out. They just sat there and stared at the tv. I was the only one taking notes in all of the sessions. (And you will be proud to learn that I took notes on every speaker! I didn't fall asleep once!)

But it was fun, definitely the highlight of my week.

We have been biking more since the weather has gotten warmer. And we don't have to wear suit coats anymore!! I am very happy about that. We might have a new family to teach if, they keep their appointment for next Tuesday. The Dad is an inactive and the Mom is Jewish I think.

Sorry I keep forgetting to tell you about where I am staying Mom, lol. We are living with members, an older couple who are very quiet, and are out of the house most of the day. Their last name is Dow, and they are very nice.

I like how you all are starting to talk about the needs of others before praying. I will join you all in that but for the people I am teaching. I do that every once in a while but not all the time, so I will make a habit of it. How is the Case family doing?

The area is improving, and so is my outlook on my situation. Things are good, very good for me right now. I find that I'm not even worried about what I will eat when I leave the house. I just trust that God will provide, and I just go to work. It seems to be working so far. lol.

I love you all and thank you for your prayers and efforts to support me and each other, I look forward to when I can be with you all again. Keep up the good work, and stay cool!

-Elder Bevell-