Elder Kenton Durfee is Home!

Tue, May 17, 2011 at 3:58 PM

Email #33 – Meridian, ID

Dear Bevell family,

I have been praying specifically that Dad would get better and that the car would get fixed quickly, so to hear that Dad was better and that the car is getting fixed so soon gave me so much peace. My testimony has grown and I know even more now that God answers prayers. Thank you for such wonderful news!!

I also loved hearing about Kenton’s talk! He does sound like he has changed a lot and I can't wait to see him and Ryan again. And Justin’s call sounds so exciting!! Give him my congratulations for me!!!

So now for some interesting news on my companion. He possibly has a fractured ankle! We sometimes go play basket ball early in the morning with one of the wards we cover and yesterday Elder Mattei went to make a shot and landed wrong. He said he heard a crack and then felt a lot of pain. He hasn't called President about this yet because he got special permission from President to play ball in the morning and he doesn't want to hear "I told you so". Just a little prideful. lol Right now he has been keeping his foot elevated and as such we have been indoors a lot. But we did go and teach another lesson to a new investigator! Yes another new investigator - this time an 18 year old girl named Lindsey. She's already had the lessons two years ago and wants to get baptized so were just teaching the lessons again since it’s been awhile since she last had the lessons. She also plays the guitar and piano and is a very good singer!

That’s all that has happened this week; I’ve already sent you all snail mail about last week so you should get that soon. I'm glad that all is looking better, and I will continue to pray for you all. I love you all, stay cool!

-Elder Bevell-

Trust in God

Tue, May 10, 2011 at 12:35 PM

Email #32 – Meridian ID

Dear family,

I'm sorry to hear that things are getting tough. But I am even more pleased that you all are looking at the bright side of things and just letting God shape you into who he wants you to be. After all that's what God does doesn't he? He works us in a "refiner’s fire" Till we are a perfect tool for him to use. I felt this as I read your email, and my spirit just sank as I read about everything that has happened in less than a day. But as I read how you just prayed for understanding and strength Mom, I felt peace. Everything WILL be alright. God will always take care of his people. It makes me think of the story when Alma, who was once a Priest for the evil King Noah, had led the people he had baptized away from the armies of the evil king, but they suddenly became slaves to the Lamonites, and the rest of king Noah's priests. Why had God let this happen? Alma and the people had promised to obey God, and had done just that! Then we see that God helped them escape by putting the Lamonite guards to sleep. I thought about that story real hard and came to this conclusion. God will not always stop bad things from happening, but he will always save those who believe and trust in him. So keep trusting in God guys, and I will continue to pray and work hard for you. =)

Today for P-day we got together with most of the zone and played DODGE BALL!!! I haven't had that much fun in a long time! The balls were small, maybe bigger than a softball, and it didn't hurt when you got hit, no matter how hard it was thrown. I was pretty good at dodging, but a terrible aim when throwing. lol, After that the elders decided they wanted sushi for lunch, but I didn’t want to spend my money on that so I had just decided to go with them and just talk as they ate. Then one of the zone leaders elder Nunley (who actually graduated from Red Mountain when I was a Freshmen) said he didn't want to spend money either, so we took the car and decided to go email. And that's where I am right now! lol, After this we will probably go shopping, I'm going to have to use my personal card, (sorry Mom) But I'm not buying much. We're out of milk and cereal, and eggs, so that's all I'm getting. AS to the $70 from Grandma, just put it on the card and I will just have it there for emergencies. Tell her thank you for me as well, I feel bad for not doing it when I was on the phone with her the other day.

That's all I got for now, I hope things get better with you all, as a matter of fact, I know they will. OH! Thank you for Matthews last letter, I really like the 6 D's and plan on sharing them in some way with my district. I'm also trying to apply them in my own life. =)

I love you all, thanks for your prayers and support! Stay cool!

-Elder Bevell-

District Blitz

Tue, May 3, 2011 at 12:00 PM

Email #31 – Meridian ID

Hey FAM!

Things are beginning to look very bright here in meridian Idaho! President Cannon did a survey of how the work has been coming along in the mission and sadly everything is slowing down. So he has asked that all the missionaries work harder on finding new people to teach. Our district has decided to help by doing a "blitz" which means that all the elders in our district will take one day to work in the area that is having the hardest time. lol, right now that is mine and Elder Mattei's area. So tomorrow, Wednesday, the whole district will be helping improve our area. I am very excited and grateful for this; I feel that my companion and I have been working very hard for the past few weeks with only a little success.

Some good new though, this last Sunday there was a man who is considering learning more about the church. His name is Chris, he's a Marine and apart from that we know very little about him. His Mom got him interested in the Church and he has been visiting different wards for the past few weeks. This was his first week going to the ward that is actually his. We gave him our number and told him to call us if he would like to take the lessons. I hope he calls back. lol, I feel like the Greene from the movie “The Best Two Years” as he sat and waited by the phone for the man to call back, hopefully it ends as good as it did for him.

Also this Sunday was very good for me. It was fast Sunday, and I just loved hearing all the children's testimonies. They are so pure and sincere, the spirit just couldn't be ignored, and I to got up and bore my testimony. I felt the spirit the strongest though as we sang the sacrament hymn, hymn number 169. Sadly I can’t remember the name, lol, I only remember the number because I wrote it down. Whichever hymn it is though it brought great peace to my soul.

The start of this week is looking good! We have already had two lessons on Monday, The first was with our friend Darrell. We taught him about the plan of salvation and he shared with us some very interesting concerns. He knows that Christ died for him, and that he can repent, but he still feels bad for what he has done. In his mind the only way he can truly repent is to wait till he dies so he can apologize to God face to face, and after that just take whatever punishment comes with his mistakes. We did our best to explain that because Christ died for us we don't have to go to those extremes to be forgiven. We reminded him that when we truly repent, God remembers our sins no more. And he doesn't only judge us on our works, but by the desires of our hearts as well. The last bit helped him a lot I think. It seemed to make him feel better to know that his desires have been good desires, better than his past actions. That truth has also helped me a lot.

The second lesson was with Bob who has decided to get baptized in October so that one of his sons can baptize him and the other confirms him! It’s a while away but we are very happy that he is taking this step. We talked with him for a while on enduring to the end, and how if we slip up we can always repent. But that only works if we are trying our best.

We have also set a new goal for this transfer, and that is to find one new investigator a week. We have this goal set in each ward and hopefully they will pull through. Please pray that we will be able to meet this goal, your prayers always seem to help. =)

Thanks for all you do, your prayers, love and support. I pray for you all the time and hope all is well. I love you all so very much! Stay cool!

-Elder Bevell-