THE RICE FIELDS ARE WHITE ALREADY TO HARVEST

Wow! I can't believe it's already P-day again! Didn't I just write you all two days ago? 

First, my rash is no more! Sorry to leave you hanging about that. It went away the Tuesday after I wrote you about it. It was an answer to many prayers! Heavenly Father is so wonderful! Someday, I send you the pictures so you can see why we had to go to the doctor. (As long as you don't post it to my blog, haha!) It looks pretty... unfortunate. I'm actually writing a letter to you with more detail about it today. Anyway, all is well now! 

So, this week I decided to focus on our investigators- real missionary life. I realized as I read through my last emails that I haven't really talked about that yet! Pshh! That's why I'm out here, right? We have 9 progressing investigators right now, seven of them with a baptismal date. It's pretty amazing! The people are so ready here and our schedule is so tight next week, that we've already been scheduling for two weeks from now. 

We have two youth investigators, both of which will hopefully be baptized March 15th. They are ready and have almost all the lessons, they just need to keep coming to church. One of them is 12, and her little sister is the cute Filipino child I was telling you about. Last time we taught, her little sister was begging for attention so I gave her my plan of salvation to play with. Um, yeah. She took it and ran into another room, shutting the door behind her. I'm pretty sure she thought I was giving it to her. I tried really hard not to get up and chase after her... and thankfully she came back with it five minutes later. She didn't really know what to do with it I think. She sucked on the ziplock bag a lot. Haha, oh well. As long as it kept her busy.Anyway, both of our youth investigators are great!  

On the other end of the spectrum is our 84 year old investigator, whom we all call Lola. (Grandma) She actually reads, prays, and comes to church! She's been three times now. She is a pretty tough old lady too. She still does all the ironing and cooking and cleaning. Seriously, I want to be her when I grow up! She doesn't have a baptismal date yet, but she committed to being baptized once she knows it's true. Awesome. Oh, speaking of "awesome", that's like, one of the top phrases here. EVERYONE says it. They think it's such a cool American word. Haha! 

One of my favorite investigators to visit right now is 29. She's the one that put on her door, "pick a religion, decide now." Well, she decided! She knows it's true! She told us last lesson and I almost cried, I was so happy and full of love for her! It's like witnessing a miracle. It is witnessing a miracle!! Especially for her because she really took the time to know- through diligent study and prayer. She doesn't just have a testimony, she's converted! Yay! I love missionary work! 

Ano pa? We had a really cool youth activity in our ward this week- one I think y'all back home should do! It was focused on "A day in the Life of  a Missionary." They got to the church at nine in the morning and were out teaching less-actives in groups of 3, I think. At one, they met up with us and taught some of our investigators with us, as member presents. Then at five, we went back to the church for a baptismal service, (the other sister's investigator). Afterward they had a testimony meeting. It was so wonderful! How cool for those youth!  Our 12 year old investigator came along and it made her even more excited to baptized!! Yes! 

This week we are having a missionary fireside and during it, we are going to have the members practice giving away pamphlets to their friends. We have a chart to give them where they make "missionary goals" as to how many people they are going to share the gospel with! What a really great idea! And what a great ward I live in here! Seriously, they are ON FIRE about missionary work! 

Oh yes, and guess who came back to church this week? All those "Jesus Loves You" boys. Seriously, all of them came!  They were wearing much nicer clothes this week, with their hair all gelled back. They stayed the whole time and were very reverent! Can you believe it?!!!!!!!! If they come again, we might start teaching them! 

Well, I really miss you all out here sometimes! Frozen was already out on DVD when I got here and so people are always watching it. Karaoke is pretty big here and I always here children doing "Let it go" at the top of their lungs. The other day, I heard "Do you want to build a Snowman?" I literally started crying!  It made me miss my little sister sooooo much! Yeah, but I don't miss you all enough to come home!!!!! I love it too much here! 

Wow, I don't know what else to write! I love it here- always! The lifestyle is very different, but so fun and exciting! The people are wonderful- members and investigators alike! And of course, the food is pretty great too! I've learned the magic words that will get you a meal around here, haha. It's, "What is your favorite Filipino dish?" That always follows with, "Awesome, I'll make it for you!" I love these people!!!!!!!!! They know how to keep us well fed.

Till next week  

Sister Beaumont

From the Other Side of the World- Hello!

Week three in the Philippines starts- NOW! Can you believe it? I'm already three weeks in! It feels like a day and a month all at once. Sometimes I try to picture the US. I literally can't. Sorry People. The Philippines is the only real place now. But seriously. Are you all frozen in time, waiting for me to come home? That's what it feels like. Haha- Life on the flip-side.
So I have so, so, much to tell you! Like always. I'm going to do my best to fit it all in. Like always.
First off, congrats to dad for his mission experience and congrats to mom for the clean carpets! Congrats, congrats to Trevor for his papers. Oh and Nathan, my favorite food is mango- of course! But I like their peanut butter and I pretty much eat a jar a week. Not much has changed, has it? I also like this filippino dish called sinigang. Yum, yum. Oh yes, and of course, I can't forget the Tinipay. (bread) We stop at the street bakeries like every day. I just can't get enough of it. They have great pastries! Who knew, right?
So now, Monday. We went to the Palanke! (Market, probably spelled wrong.) It was really fun and I have pictures to show you! They have everything you can think of there. I bought a moo moo- all the sister missionaries have to get one. It's like a rite of passage or something. I actually have the same one as my companion's. Um... I'm not sure how she feels about that. But that's okay. I love her so much and we have the most fun together! I never knew missionaries were allowed to laugh as hard as we do! They probably aren't, actually. 
The best part of the Palanke was getting the fresh fruit and vegetables! Yummy! I made some delicious food this week with our fresh food! The Philippines is a little harder than America to find fresh food, but aparently not if you are at the Palanke! Yes! Finally! Seriously though. It was wonderful.
As we were heading back from the Palanke, we found out that our appointment fell through. Darn. So we were left with a Monday night and no appointment. Monday is a hard day to re-schedule, folks. So after about a half hour of literally sitting there trying to decide who to teach, going through EVERYONE, we thought of this Policeman we met that day at the Palanke. He came running up to us while we were looking around. At first I was a little worried, haha, but then he said, "I'm mormon too!" I love meeting other mormons! Yay! Anyway, he told us that he was baptized about ten years ago, but then two years ago he moved and got a new job. His new job, "policeman" made it impossible to go to church because he was always working. He asked us if we had a Book of Mormon. We felt awful because we didn't! We didn't think about pamplets or BOM's because we were shopping and it was P-Day. Heavenly Father taught us to be prepared, even on P-Days.
We thought of him as we were struggling to know where to go and decided that he was perfect. We took him a Book of Mormon and man- his face. After two years, he was finally able to read it again! Happy is an understatement. As we drove away, we watched him reading the Book of Mormon by the small light overhead near the Palanke. Seriously, five minutes later, he was reading it. Amazing. Heavenly Father knows what he's doing when your appointments cancel.
This week was one long train of canceled appointments, actually. Not always did amazing things like that happen. But we had so many opportunities to OYM. (Open your mouth). We also met some pretty weird people. One- two Americans! They were actually really nice and friendly. We were excited- until it turned out that they were missionaries too, for another faith. Whoops. Um, we couldn't really get anywhere after that. Second- a very crazy lady who followed us for about a mile, telling us all about how she was catholic and born again and Jehovah witness and Mormon and she needed help. She had a letter that she had written to herself, explaining why too. It was really hard to shake her. 
Lastly, a stalker for Sister Williams. We were walking down the street and he called out, "Hey sweet girl! Where you going?" to her. She didn't hear him and was really excited when this guy came up behind us and asked," Going to seminary?" I knew exactly who this fellow was and I could totally tell he was more interested in a date than a missionary lesson. We got his information though and invited him to church. So far so good, I guess. Who knows. Maybe one day this eighteen year old chap will be bearing his testimony about how he was converted because he chased down this cute american missionary. Um, nope. We were half-way through a first-time investigator lesson when he turned up on the doorstep, like some lost puppy. He hung around for a while, staring at us awkwardly. Finally the member shooed him away while the investigator teased us about future dates. Awkward, awkward, awkward. He came to church though. We thought, "Okay maybe." But then when we tried to reschedule a time for us to visit him and teach a lesson he told us that he was ONLY free 9-12 Sunday mornings. Um, yeah right bucko.
We also had 8 boys about the age of ten show up to church wearing Jesus Loves You t-shirts. They were really rowdy in the main entrance for a while and countless members went out trying to get them to behave or leave. (during sacrament meeting.) Finally, a very wise sister lead them all by the hand INTO sacrament meeting and scattered them among the members. She made them stay the whole time, even for primary. She's so smart! They all came up to me afterward and asked, "Can we come again next week?" Wow, I don't think anyone expected that.
As far as investigators go, we have a new woman who lives in the jungle side of our area! Yay! Finally get to see the jungle! This is what the Philippines is all about!  She literally has a bamboo house, with bamboo everything inside. Bamboo chairs, bamboo staircase, everything. They feed us so much, even though they are very poor. Awe, I just love these people.
The other main investigator was really awesome and progressing! He was actually going to be baptized this week. Last week we were supposed to teach him on Friday, but he never showed. Saturday, the morning of his interview he texts us and says, "Thanks for making me a better person. I've moved to Isabella Permanently." Darn. It was really rough. Sister Williams had worked with him for a long time and he really, truly was golden. He did everything he was supposed to and was so excited to receive the priesthood. I think though, he just had some hard times in his family that caused him to move. Darn, darn.
Anyway, I've got to go now. Love you all!!
-Sister Beaumont

Kumusta, Kumusta

Kumusta, kumusta everyone! 
So week two in the Philippines is officially over! I seriously feel like it's been three weeks since I got here, not two! Time is so crazy! But I love every second of it. So, I don't really have enough time to write everything I want to but I'm definitely going to try! 
So, onto my week. I might not get to send pictures this week either, I'm going to try though. First off, is the mosquito. There me and my companion were, just studying peacefully when this huge mosquito wandered in. I swatted it away from me for like 15 minutes. I've actually been really fortunate to only have a few bites out here so far, so I wasn't to worried. Finally Sister Williams said, "Just smash it!" It flew over to her and she took a whack at it, succeeding, and smearing it across the wall. So yes, mosquito guts and grossness all over... and human blood. Yep, that's right. The mosquito had just bit a victim. We later found out that the victim was... me. I had two fresh mosquito bites on my neck. Basically, my companion had my blood on her hands. We took lots of pictures and had a good laugh about it. Haha, those moments.
Onto more spiritual stories, we taught our first FHE together, which was so, so fun! We talked about temple sealings (they are working toward it). After the lesson, I taught everyone how to play Simon Says. It was so fun and they were so enthusiastic. The adults were more into it than the kids, actually! Haha! Then we had rice cupcakes. Delicious.
We've had so many wonderful lessons this week and we now have 9 investigators with a baptism date. They are all scheduled to be baptized this transfer, but I don't think they all will be. I know that at least four will though. It's so wonderful to be in such a great area and have such a wonderful companion!
Wow, what to talk about??? Um, the Philippines is very different than America, that is for sure. I love it all though, even the.... um strange stuff that I see on a regular basis. For example, it is perfectly okay for people to walk around with a towel draped over their shoulder and their swimming trunks on, ready for a bath in the street. It's okay to pee in your neighbors yard if it's nighttime, and if it's too hot here, the men like to lift their shirts up above their stomachs. Children run free all the day long if they aren't in school and I'm pretty sure their parents only know where they are at dinner time. And of course, there is poverty like you wouldn't believe sometimes. It really helps me appreciate the simplicity of what we have! Clean water, a flushable toilet, tables and chairs and even healthcare.
We took a trip to the hospital. (don't worry, I'm fine. I just got a weird rash on my foot last week, which looks like I might have an allergy to dirt...) The hospital is so sad. There are benches along every hallway with people just crammed together, coughing and sneezing... the hospital is in an refurbished apartment that doesn't have proper patient rooms. You just sit at the front desk with everyone watching as you tell your doctor about what is wrong with you- haha, it's a little embarrassing if you have to tell everyone in the Emergency room that you have a rash. But I guess that's normal here. Haha, when in the Philippines, be a Filipino!
Most of all, I'm am struck by the absolute love, kindness, and charity of these people. We have been fed several times after a lesson and one time, a woman gave us her dinner that she had just bought. We insisted she have it like twenty times, but she kept saying, "I'll make something else."
And then last night we went to teach a family. Their poverty was literally astounding to me. They don't have electricity. They have a one room shack and sleep on the floor. We were teaching them in the dark last night, by the light of cellphones from the members who came with us. They have one "bench" a slab of wood. They insisted that we sit on it. As we taught them, a member's daughter fanned us with a piece of cardboard so that we weren't bit by any bugs.
I really hope it doesn't seem like I'm complaining or trying to be dramatic. If anything I want everyone to understand what I have come to realize- that we are so, so blessed. You don't realize how amazing it is to have sanitized hospitals until you see one that isn't and you don't realize how amazing it is to have electricity or a bathroom until you see those that don't. And despite their poverty, they love Jesus Christ and their Heavenly Father. They have testimonies and a desire to know God.
The church is true, no matter where you are and no matter who you are! His religion is for everyone! I have really come to see that Heavenly Father really does love us, all of us!

-Sister Beaumont

Week One in the Philippines!

Week one in the Philippines is officially over! It's crazy how time is here! Each day feels as long as week, and each week feels as short as a day! Haha, but I love every second of it!
There is seriously so much to tell you, but I don't know if I can remember it all! I'm going to try though!
So, plane ride first. It wasn't as bad as I was expecting it to be- at all! I slept a lot of the time. The other part of the time I talked to this man from Laoz who had never heard of the church! First missionary experience-whoot! It was really fun and he had SO many questions for me. I tried my best to answer them like a good missionary should- I hope he's interested to know more. It sort of seemed like he became interested in me towards the end... good luck finding me in the Philippines, mister! Haha!
The plane food wasn't too bad either. My brothers would be sobrang jealous! I had salmon, a chinese rice soup with chicken, and some delicious tropical fruit! My only mistake was thinking that the grapefruit slices were watermelon! Whew, that was pretty tangy!
So then, getting to the mission home. We got off the plane and literally, I felt like I just climbed out of a swimming pool. It's actually been pretty nice weather here so it wasn't too bad. But the humility, man. It's intense. I'm always wet, I feel like! Anyway, we got off the plane and exchanged money- for just under a hundred dollars I got 4,200 pesos. They are so poor here! Then we started the trek out of manila on some church authorized cars. It was pretty intense. Manila drivers are crazy! At one time our little bus was sharing the lane with a bigger bus and a motorcycle- no joke. Oh yes, and many of the policemen carry around machine guns- no biggy. After that bus ride of near-death experiences, we got onto a bigger bus for about 2 hours. I was so tired but I couldn't manage to fall asleep so I spent most of my time trying hard not to look at the movie playing on the big screen at the front-haha.
Just when I thought that I wasn't going to make it, we got there. I love the president! He's so amazing! He's very understanding,humble, but also bold. One of his many mottos is, if you want to go home- you can't, I've got your passport. Haha, don't even worry president. There is NO WAY I want to do that! Anyway, they fed us and dropped us off at a hotel for the night. The hotel was a little comical and I had my first experience with a non flushing toilet. It was the classic bucket full of water action- just my luck to because I had to go to the bathroom like 6 times that night! I drank SOOO much water because I was afraid of dehydrating- probably didn't need quite that much.
We took our first jeepeny ride which was just the coolest thing ever! I really love jeepenys! They are just so fun! Then we had breakfast at the Presidents house and met our trainers.... so, guess who mine is????? Sister Williams from my MTC district!!!!!! Crazy, right? Yes, she's wonderful and we were both just so shocked to be companions. My mtc kasama was there and she just kept staring at us and shaking her head. And guess what else? President didn't even know that we were in the same district when he assigned us! Crazy, right? Heavenly Father's plan, in the works.
So my area is Batangas City and it's in the City. It's not as bad as you would think- nothing like Manila. It's actually clumps of houses and stores everywhere with palm trees and jungle life in between. The only city like trace is the smog- which unfortunately is pretty thick. They burn garbage here- plastic, paper, everything. It always smells like burning garbage, sewer, and plant life- it's a strange combination. The water tastes like cloride in our apartment but I think I'm already used to it.
Oh, my apartment!! It's really nice actually. It's blue on the inside and has two rooms upstairs, a kitchen, laundry area, and bathroom. And... drum roll.... flushing toilets and shower water! The shower water is bitter cold though. I always have to work up the courage to jump in- just like a cold swimming pool. It's not very pleasant, despite the humility. Hopefully, I'll get used to it.
The food is really, really good! I love it all! Actually, except their sweet spaghetti. Literally, it's sweet. It reminds me of the spaghetti on Elf. Ewww. Sister Williams made fun of me forever when I told her how much I dislike it. Apparently, they serve that a lot here. Along with food, our bishop is the greatest. He's fed us twice and gave us a ride home from the store. His food is really, really good. Hmmhmm.
So now, the people. I really, really love the people here. They are so friendly and sociable. They always stare at us because we're so white. I still don't see how we stand out, but according to them, we are very very white. Everyone really stares at us, and everyone can't wait to say, Hello Po or Morning Po! We always try to respond in Tagalog and it shocks them. They really can't believe we know it. Everyone always stares with big eyes!
Speaking of big eyes, I think I made a little Filipino wet his pants. He was just staring at me, not moving as we passed, so I smiled. I looked away, and then I looked back and he was standing in exactly the same position, with even bigger eyes- and he had peed his pants. So then I smile again, and made a face like "Ooops!" And then he started balling. Poor thing. But the kids here are so cute, family! I just love them all! There is this little girl named Ashley that is just my favorite. She always comes up to me and shakes my hand really hard. I always act surprised and say, "Malakas Ka!" (You are strong!) She always giggles at that. And she was just itching to see what curly hair felt like, because as soon as I bent over, she grabbed some and started running her fingers through it. Then she took a piece and let it boing. Haha, cute.
Oh yes, and before I forget- there was this family from India that we ran into. They invited us into their street shop and gave us soda. They weren't interested in hearing the gospel- they have a Sikh temple they own- but they were really interested in us. We left really soon afterward, because it was potentially going the wrong way. Anyway, one of them was drunk and took hold of my hand and kissed me saying, "I love you so much. You are so beautiful."
Afterward, we went to the COMPLETE opposite side of town. Don't worry too much family, everyone says we're beautiful here because we are white and I have tight curly hair. And lots of people even tell us that they love us on the street- mostly boys as a joke. Anyway, it's pretty common here. One man, actually from Africa, even went into deep detail on why I was beautiful- "beautiful skin and hair- I love your eyes. Your eyes are the best feature." Yep. It happens all the time, so don't worry. It was more funny than anything.
Okay, last but not least- the investigators. This area is a really, really good area- apparently one of the best in the mission. We have 8 investigators with a potential baptismal date- they are just so ready here! Almost everyone that we talk to is interested in hearing more. Finding time to see them is the issue. There is the wonderful investigator that we taught yesterday who wrote on her door "Pick a religion, decide now." She is so close to knowing that this is true and it's wonderful. She really has a strong desire and is diligent in reading her scriptures. Haha, but when we were teaching her it was so hot that I was sticky from it all night! She has a one room house so it was already tight with air and a blocked window. The door was shut and the fan was literally two inches from my face. Whew, I thought I might die during the lesson. But don't worry- all is well now.
So, that's all I have for now I guess. I love my companion, love the area, and seriously love, love the Philippines. It's so beautiful here- even the rundown city life of Batangas. I wish you could be here to see it. So come and pick me up in 17 months, okay?
Love you all so much! Hope you are having an amazing week at home, everyone!
Mahal ko kayo!-Sister Beaumont

Onward, Ever Onward

When you first open your call, you can't wait to go. You start counting down days until you leave. Then, the final week hits and you start counting down the days you have left until you go. This isn't a refection on your desire or dedication, it merely means that you really start to understand the sacrifice you are about to make. You begin to realize just how long a mission is and the immense responsibility that is about to be placed on your shoulders.
I'm in the final countdown now. I've started counting the days until I go -five. This is the day I've waited for for almost five months and now that it is here... I wish it was just a little farther away. 
The blessing and curse about coming home early is that you come incredibly close to your family and your friends. Saying goodbye is so much harder the second time. But, I don't want this final blog post before I enter the mission field to be just about myself. Funny, isn't? After all, this is my blog. 
I've thought for a long time what I wanted to post. The only thing that really mattered to me is that I share my testimony. As a future missionary, I'm going to need all the practice I can get. And besides, this is probably the last testimony that I bear in English for a while. So, here it goes. 

I know that God is our loving Heavenly Father. He has a plan for each of us. He listens to every prayer. I know he does answer, even if it's not when or how you expect. He provided a way for us to return to him and be made clean from the sins of the world. This way is Jesus Christ, our brother. He came to this earth and atoned for our sins. I know that through repentance we can be made clean. 
I know that Jesus Christ understands. He is always there, ready to lift, to comfort, and to love us. I know that his priesthood authority administered to the apostles is real. We have that priesthood authority on this earth today because it was restored to the prophet Joseph Smith. Joseph Smith did translate the Book of Mormon, which is the word of God. I know that through Joseph Smith, the true church was restored. 
I know that we have modern revelation, which is given to each person personally, through the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost will testify of truth to those who diligently seek it. 

And now, I speak specifically to those who have been sent home or those who are going through a trial. I know it hurts and I know it's hard. I know that you'll often feel ashamed, downhearted, and many doubts will enter your mind. Do not let those doubts consume you. Always remember this, Heavenly Father has a plan. He does. He knows the beginning of your life to the end. Though you may not see the reason now, I know one day you will. I know that there is always light to be found, joy to be felt, and love to be spread. Despite the great darkness of the world, there is incredible light. This light is Jesus Christ. Regardless of what we are going through, our circumstances and pains, that light is always there. 
Be of good cheer and remember that you are loved by Heavenly Father; your Heavenly Father. Have the faith and the endurance to continue on- never give up. Whatever we do by following Heavenly Father's plan for us, no matter how hard or how long we endure it, will always be worth it. 

In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Until You Loose It

When people find out that I broke my thumb and had to be released, there is always this look in their eyes. They tilt their heads for a moment and their eyes seem to search my face, trying to decide if I am okay with it. They want to know if I spend every day eating ice cream in my bedroom, looking at my old mission photos or if I've moved on. 
When I first came home, I struggled so much. I didn't eat ice cream or spend all day dwelling on the idea of it. For the most part, I was happy and confident that Heavenly Father had a plan for me. But there was always something that I couldn't let go. It was the idea that everyone was ahead. Not only was my district ahead of me now, but so were all of my friends. When I put in my papers, I was among all the thousands of eager nineteen and eighteen year olds, readily accepting the call to hasten the work. 
When President Monson announced the age change, I didn't need a moment to think about it. The spirit immediately told me what I needed to do. The call to hasten the work filled the missing puzzle piece I had growing inside. 
So coming home? I felt like the puzzle piece had been thrown across the room. I couldn't get over it. Sure, I was positive and happy on the outside, but on the inside I felt like I'd just pulled a "move back three spaces" card from the game of life. Of all the misunderstandings I had from coming home, the thought that I took one giant step backward was by far the biggest.
There are NO "move backward" cards in Heavenly Father's plan. Every single step we take is a step forward, though we may not see it at the time. 
By coming home, I have had incredible experiences I couldn't have otherwise. Every single day since being home, I've woke up wishing I was in the Philippines. By the end of every day, I lay back and think, "I'm so grateful I was here for this." 
I've often compared myself to the currant bush from Hugh G. Brown's message. For a long time I was distraught. I kept thinking, "Why would this happen to me? I was becoming such a great missionary! Now everyone will look at me differently." Heavenly Father would always answer, "I am the gardener here. I didn't intend you to be on a mission right now. You have amazing experiences waiting for you at home. Someday, you will look back on this experience and say, "Thank you, Heavenly Father, for loving me enough to send me home." And I already have. I have come to realize what I would have truly missed if I hadn't come home. 
I wouldn't have the trust in my Heavenly Father that I do now. I wouldn't have the understanding of His time and His plan for each one of us. I wouldn't have the rock-solid testimony I have gained through so much prayer and fasting to understand the meaning in all of this. I wouldn't have been able to serve in the ways that I have, or know the people I have come to know and cherish.
Most of all though, I wouldn't have the deep appreciation and unbending desire for a mission that I do now. Perhaps the most famous of any phrase is "You don't know what you have until you loose it."
Loosing my status as a missionary has given me the opportunity to be outside, looking in. 
I took so much for granted as a missionary. The irreplaceable time we have to study the scriptures as a missionary for example. NEVER can you study the scriptures the way you do on a mission. Or most importantly, I took for granted the constant, strong companionship and guidance of the Holy Ghost. As baptized members, we have the gift of the Holy Ghost. As a missionary, the Holy Ghost becomes your best friend. I loved so much deeper than I ever knew was possible as a missionary. I worked harder than I ever did in my life and each morning I woke up anxious to prove myself further. 
When I become a missionary again, I will never take for granted what I did the first time. I will never want to waste a single second of my mission because I will always think of being home and how desperately I wanted to be out there. 
I was once told by a mentor of mine that every trial we have is a gift. When you are in the midst of a trial, remember to stop and think, "What is this trial giving me?" 
Heavenly Father always gives so much more than he ever expects.Though it is hard to see at first, our trials are gifts from Him. As someone once said to me, "He really is too good to us."

The Currant Bush message by Hugh G. Brown can be viewed in this Mormon Message. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rr8xvw0cgw0

Home for the Holidays

One of my favorite quotes of all time is the one that pretty much everyone has hanging in their homes- "Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain." Being home has been like a ongoing storm and the only thing I can do is dance. Dancing isn't ignoring the rain, its accepting it. There is no way to stop the rain but there is a way to make the most of it. 

So it's been a long time since I last "blogged" and I had a nagging voice in the back of my head for about 2 weeks to write. I hate backtracking to the past, even when I'm trying to record experiences in my journal. However, despite any grumbling and inner angst that may come from finishing the story, I'm going to backtrack to the MTC. I last wrote about Friday, right? 

So then, Saturday. Saturday I woke up with the most incredible sense of peace. It was stronger than just an average, "I think everything will be okay" peace. This was hardcore, overwhelming peace- Heavenly Father gently telling me that everything is in His hands. And, okay, if I have learned ANYTHING while being home, it's that Heavenly Father is in control. I have truly come to love the scripture words, "Be still, and know that I am God."

However, I am in NO WAY saying I got over the idea of coming home. I don't think I ever will "get over" the idea. I accepted it though. I knew it was what God had planned for me and I decided I couldn't stop the rain now. I could only dance. 

Honestly though, there were several times throughout that day that I really, truly believed I was dreaming. I would try to wake myself up somehow and realize that it was true. In 2 days, I wouldn't be a missionary. 

I did all the p-day stuff and then went over to talk with the district president because I STILL hadn’t heard anything from my parents. (Talk about stress!) I went to the front desk and my conversation went something like this.

“Hi, my name is Sister Beaumont and my district is leaving in a day but I’m not going with them because I broke my thumb three days ago and need surgery for it and I need to speak to my parents so I know when they are picking me up and I don’t know who to talk to because the district office is closed. (deep breath) And… I lost my ctr ring. It’s white. With flowers.”

The man eyes popped for a second. Then he regained composure and said, “Let’s see what we can do.”

I got in really fast, probably because I was beginning to look on the wild side. (No idea what was going on with going home, GOING home, broken thumb, not being able to do my hair or make-up, etc) The district president immediately brought me into another room and called my mom for me. Then he took my kasama out so I could talk to them alone. After some tears and some reassurance, it was decided that they would pick me up at 5:30am Monday, right after my district left. 

We went back for district lunch. As we ate, I felt like a fly on the wall. I wasn’t a part of those excited and scared out of their minds missionaries anymore- I was in a group of some of the best friends I ever had and never had I felt so alone. The temple couldn’t have come sooner.

I hoped to feel peace and have a revelation of why I needed to go home while in the temple. I was surprised by a strong feeling of detachment. I think that the "mantel" of a missionary was leaving me and I could feel it. My heart was so heavy and my mind kept racing and racing. With tears I silently prayed. “I want to be thy servant, Father. I’ve only ever wanted to be thy servant. Please, please let me serve thee.”

All the feelings of discouragement and detachment left and my mind emptied. Suddenly the words of I’ll Go Where You Want Me To Go came to me. It may not be on the mountain height or over the stormy sea, it may not be at the battle front my Lord will have need of me… I’ll go where you want me to go, dear Lord… I’ll be what you want me to be.

Tears streaming I realized that I was still a servant of God. Through my desire to serve Him, He was placing me where I was needed most.

On our way back, a sister in my zone stopped me and told me she had been fasting for me all day. Another sister stopped me and said, “So… I think your name ended up on the temple roll over 5 times.” I looked at my own district and saw their deep love for me in their eyes. I felt their prayers and knew it was their prayers that brought such strong peace to me that day. 

Sunday came and went like the space of a few hours. There were a few hard moments but my district always supported me. In relief society, the president had all the missionaries entering the field that week stand. I watched, heart-broken, as all the sisters around me stood- all except me… and my companion. She smiled at me and said, “I don’t feel like standing.” I found out that a few of my elders fasted for me that day too.

For our district musical number in sacrament meeting we sung our favorite song, “Nearer my God to thee” and then with the other departing district, “God be with you till we meet again”. Just as the tears started, my district goofed the song horribly and I was too busy trying to contain my laughter to cry. I realized more and more, I wasn't alone at all. I was supported by so many and most importantly, I was supported by God. 

The next morning came too fast. Suddenly it was 4:30 and I was standing with my district in a long line, waiting for their buses. A few sisters from my zone woke up to say goodbye and stick with me. It didn't hit me until my district started to load. Sister Burt came to me first for the hug. I realized this was it. This was the moment I dreaded for so long. The final moment, when we would part ways. I broke down. I sobbed into everyone’s shoulder as I hugged them goodbye for the last time. The elders all shook my hand with their reassuring smiles, and I just sobbed. Sister Williams was the last of my district to board and she called back to me, “See you in a few weeks Sister Beaumont!” I was so relieved that the other sisters had come, because I sobbed into their shoulders until I regained composure. I took a deep breath and told myself, “Time to start your next adventure.”

We took my suitcases to the front, a long parade of about 12 people following who had all come to say goodbye. We called my dad and less than 5 minutes later, he was there. 

With a heavy heart but faith in God that this was all His plan, I got into the car and drove away. And that was it. I wasn't a missionary. I was just plain me again. 

You know though, I think that was exactly what Heavenly Father wanted me to know all along. It isn't about the nametag or the title, it's about the service. Since being home, I have served Heavenly Father in so many unique and unexpected ways. Though not a missionary, I am a child of God and further, I am still his servant. I am going to serve a mission, and hopefully the waiting is almost up. I'm crossing my fingers to leave by the first week of December. But a missionary isn't what Heavenly Father expects right now.

Just plain me is all He needs. 

Last day as a district (Left to right, back to front: President Anderson, Elder Burbidge, Elder Matina, Elder Sailsbury, Elder Johnston, Elder Creager, Elder Jenkins, Sister Martinez, Sister Williams, Sister Gaspar De Alba, Sister Beaumont, Sister Seastrand, Sister Burt)

Sisters in the Zone- Last night in the MTC 

Last Devo- Kasamas! (With Elder Jenkins, photo bombing!)