7/8/13

 

So I have officially met with President Francis. We had a little Zone get together with him and his family. It was pretty fun. We were all able to interview with him and kind of get to know one another. He is very spiritual. I would say he is a spiritual Giant but he is also a physical Giant. He is at least 6 foot 8 inches. I only thought I was short.

On the way home from meeting with President Francis, is when the excitement happened. We had just started our hour long drive back to lewiston from Amherst. We were in bumper to bumper traffic and I decided to be nice and let some guy go in front of me to turn left. As he did so an old lady going about 40 mph takes out his front end. I was really caught off guard and hardly even blinked when it happened. There was wreckage everywhere but suprisingly our car was untouched. This collision happened only two feet away from our car. We were definitely protected because we were on the Lords errand.

The Fourth of July was a pretty fun day up here. We got permission to stay out late and watch the fireworks. They had quite the show out here. We could basically watch them from the balcony of our apartment they were right over us.

As for teaching this week there was not much progression with our investigators, we did find some more promising people to teach! Judy is one of them. She is about 60 years old and single (of course) she recently had a death in her family so she is really looking for answers which we just happen to have. She is very spiritual and is very fond of our religion. We are very excited to keep meeting with her.

That really is about it for this week!

Elder Bevan

7/15/13 

Not too much has happened since last week. Our investigators have been busy so it has been very slow. I will give you highlights for the week. Most memorable, was that we almost got struck by lightning. We were doing service in the back yard of one of the members. They have a monstrous field where we were digging a trench, all the sudden this big storm rolls in and it just starts going crazy. We thought at first that the rain felt good, and then this bright flash engulfed us and the thunder cracked louder than I have ever heard. It may have been more scary than the time clay and I almost got eaten by a bear ha ha ha. We quickly ran to the house and decided that were done for the day.

 

Another highlight was that we were able to experience the Hill Cumorah Pageant. It was awesome! I was really amazed at how big everything was and that even with over 5,000 people you were still able to feel the Spirit testify that what was being depicted really happened. It was definitely worth the 3 hour drive! 

The last highlight was a fireside yesterday with Vernon Law, he is a member and was a pitcher for the Pittsburg Pirates. It was pretty cool. We were able to hear his life story and get a signed baseball card. We are supposed to be going to a minor league baseball game tonight but we couldn't get a ride. I am pretty disappointed. Oh well.

Well all is well here in Lewiston. I can not believe that transfers are only two weeks away!

Elder Bevan

July 1, 2013 

Thanks for your emails. I am glad to be updated on all that has been going on at home. Sometimes, I feel very much out of the loop, but hey that is not necessarily a bad thing. I have yet to get homesick except for Mom's food. I don't know how I did not put on more weight when I was home, eating as much as I did.

 

That is pretty awesome that you guys are being so missionary minded and inviting people over! I am impressed. I was also very impressed last night when I received a phone call from my MTC companion telling me that some lady from Texas was asking about me. They said that this woman came up to them on the street and asked if they knew an Elder Bevan. I don't think it is coincidence that she happened to find my MTC companion of all people. They said that they taught her a little and gave her a Book of Mormon and committed her to read it and pray. She was in Texas when Dad went to your training I guess. I did not catch her name but I assume you know who I am talking about! Well good job being a missionary my MTC companion was giving you props.

 

We love refferals out here! Well I hope that all is going well. I agree with you mom, about not wishing your life away because it really does just vanish right before your eyes. Things are way good right now we just need to enjoy the moment (and make sure we are still looking for missionary opportunities).

 

Thanks again for everything you do. I really look forward to your letters!

Elder Bevan

Steven with new shoes and bag

 

June 24, 2014

What an awesome week, so much has happened. I want to make sure and include the stuff that really matters. 

 

The best thing that happened this week was with our new investigator John. He came to the strawberry social last week and he expressed interest in the church. We met with him at the church building and taught him about the restoration. He received it really well and accepted the invitation to read and pray about the Book of Mormon! We were so excited and encouraged, because he was just so interested in what we had to say.

 

The next morning about 9 am we got a text from him telling us about his experience reading and praying! He told us he went home that night and read about four chapters and prayed before he went to bed. He said as he was laying down trying to go to sleep, for some reason he could not fall asleep! He took it that he needed to read more of the book! So he read the entire book of 1 Nephi! We were shocked.

 

He said that while he was reading he received an answer to a questions he has had for a while. He knows the book is true and he text us yesterday that he had something to tell us!!! We are very excited to meet with him and will be meeting with him in 4 hours! Isn't it amazing what can happen with just a little faith and diligence. This gospel is true and it is a blessing to all that will accept it! Thanks for all of your prayers in my behalf!

Love Elder Bevan

Steven & Companions at Niagara Falls

 

June 17,2013 

So I got transfer calls this week and guess what? We are staying as is. I am very excited about that because I have been feeling like I still have some work to do here. 

This week has been another great week! We had some really good lessons with our investigators and they are starting to progress more and more. We had a Strawberry Social last Friday which was a great success. Only two of our investigators were able to come which was disappointing but there was nothing we could do. But our investigator (Ashley) who is scheduled to get baptized brought one of her friends (John) along. He has been wanting to meet with us and learn more about our religion! So we met and talked with him at the social which was awesome. He seems very interested and loves the way our church is run and the people that he has met. We found out after the meeting that a member asked if he was a member and he said, "No, I am not but I will be soon" !!!!!! I was like what???!!!! Ha it was pretty funny. So we are super stoked about talking with him (John) and teaching him so that he can become a member.

Another awesome experience happened after church yesterday. We are running low on miles for the month, and we are trying to not drive at all! So we have been hitching rides with members and basically anyone that will drive us. After church we were talking with one of the Senior missionary couples in our ward about some of the people they have been meeting with, and we asked if they would like to come and meet Bonnie with us? (we needed a ride haha). They said of course so we went out there and no one was home except for her son Charlie. We were a little down and started to drive out of their driveway, when Bonnie, her husband Larry, and a friend Regina (from Utah a church member) pull in. We hop out and begin to talk to them and they invite us in their home. It was a great visit and we were definitely inspired to invite the Senior couple to visit. They meshed so well and now they will feel even more comfortable when they come to church. It is pretty crazy some of the connections we have been making. I guess Bonnies brother is John, the owner of Milanos music in Mesa and his last name is Linton (Crazy right). He has been a stake president or bishop and is coming up soon!!! She is so ready to accept the Gospel, now and her husband is slowly deciding to come back to church. We are pretty excited to be a part of this and we are really praying that all will work out.

Thanks for all of your support I could not do this without you.