Tessa in Zimbabwe: April 2017

Power of PRAYER.

4/24/17

Hello family and friends,

This week my companion and I prayed for new investigators and Heavenly Father miraculously answered us. We went to go teach Bruce (recent convert who just got baptized on Saturday) and he had seriously 7 friends there for us to teach, all very interested in the gospel.We didn't even ask for referrals, they all just randomly showed up. Anyways, we taught them "The Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ" and at the end of the lesson, told them to pray about it. Later in the week we followed up and went and asked them how they felt when they prayed. Ladin answered, "when I prayed Heavenly Father put all those things you taught us in my remembrance again then I thought it must be true if I am remembering all this again through the spirit." POWERFUL. Heavenly Father wants to bless us!!!!! Ask for help!!!!!!

I just finished The Book of Mormon and it seems each time I do, my gratitude and testimony of it grows. I know it is true every time I read it. I am trying my very best to follow Thomas S. Monson's counsel and read it every single day, and I encourage you to too!

I had a big smile on my face in sacrament meeting yesterday. We were singing the opening hymn and I look outside the window and there I see Bruce running to church fast so he wouldn't miss his confirmation. Love that kid and his obedience and righteous desires.

I love you all! :) Everything is great out here in Zimbabwe, can't complain!!

Pic 1- cute kids

Pic 2- How sadza milie meal is made:Dry the corn out, take it to a grinding mill and make sadza!!

Pic 3- First paragraph of my email.... Bruce and his friends we are teaching.

Pic 4 & 5- baptisms

Pic 6- chicken feet and intestines.

Pic 7- nature

Love,

Sister Beckstead

I Know That My Redeemer Lives!

4/17/17

Hello family and friends,

#BecauseHeLives

It was one moment in a hundred million. It was a choice made out of the greatest love. It was a morning following the darkest of days. It was the most magnificent miracle. It was the greatest event in all history.

It was for you.

It was because He loves us. It was because we couldn't return on our own. It was because it was part of the Plan.

Because He lives.

We will live again. We can be happy. We can be clean. Because He lives, we can be free.... of sin, from death and we will live with our Father again.

Mosiah 16:6-8

6 And now if Christ had not come into the world, speaking of things to come as though they had already come, there could have been no redemption.

7 And if Christ had not risen from the dead, or have broken the bands of death that the grave should have no victory, and that death should have no sting, there could have been no resurrection.

8 But there is a resurrection, therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ.

I know that Jesus Christ paid the price for each and every one of us. His grace is sufficient for all, so we must repent. We should not act like repentance is a chore, it is a gift. He suffered so we don't have to suffer as much! Through His Atonement we can also be comforted by the assurance that we too, will rise again. We will be forever families as long as each and every one of us stays true to their temple covenants. I know that our Savior Jesus Christ lives. He loves us.

He lives, my kind, wise heav'nly Friend.

He lives and loves me to the end.

He lives, and while he lives, I'll sing.

He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.

He lives and grants me daily breath.

He lives, and I shall conquer death.

He lives my mansion to prepare.

He lives to bring me safely there.

Hymn #136

I love and miss you all. I hope you had a fabulous Easter Sunday and had time to reflect on our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Love,

Sister Beckstead

Standing Up Inside

4/10/17

Hello family and friends,

Transfer news came on Saturday and I am staying here in Bindura with Sister Nafula!! This will be Sister Nafula's last transfer on her mission before she leaves to go home so I am very happy I get to be with her.

I love two of our investigators Sister Faith and Eunice. They are very faithful daughters and always coming to church every single Sunday. They both will be baptized soon. We started teaching them in English only, and to our surprise it has been better this way. We used to teach them with a translator but we decided to lead by example and as we have gone to teach them in faith, praying for a spirit of understanding, they have been able to understand our words and the message. I know this because they are able to recite back to us what they learned from the message in English. It truly is a miracle.

Bruce and Lloyd are also some of my favorite young men. They are so humble and pure in heart. Lloyd cracked me up a couple weeks ago. He asked me if I would be the one to baptize him... then I realized we need to teach him about the priesthood! haha!

Diligence is currently a Christlike attribute I am working on. Being diligent is deeper than just doing what you are supposed to do all the time. It is staying on one path and not wavering, being sincere deep in our hearts when we keep the commandments. Throughout our lives, we need to prayerfully realign ourselves & reflect and improve. It is a constant effort to live the gospel... we must know the gospel and LIVE it!

General Conference was powerful. I noticed it talked a lot about the Holy Ghost, charity & love and reading the Book of Mormon every day.was able to watch all sessions except the Priesthood on Saturday and Sunday. I absolutely loved Renlund's talk... that was my favorite. Also, Grant S. Palmer about loving each other and "Then, Jesus beholding Him, loved Him." I think I also loved that one so much and am kind of biased because I have met him here in Zimbabwe at a stake conference and he is SO kind.

Well this next week we have many baptisms to prepare for this Saturday. Very, very excited for these precious souls to make sacred covenants by taking upon themselves the name of Jesus Christ. I know that He lives. He suffered those pains so that we could repent and not feel pain so long as we come unto Him. Even after we have been baptized, we must continue to follow the Gospel of Jesus Christ and have faith, repent of our sins, and partake of the sacrament weekly. It is important to do so. This is how we can endure to the end and be welcomed into our loving Father's arms.

I love you all! Have a wonderful week.

Pictures:

1: This baby has cried every time he has seen me since I first came to Bindura. He finally let me hold him this week. I am happy Sister Faith allowed us to continue teaching her even though her baby thinks I am evil. Hahaha.

2. went a little crazy with pass- along cards this week! woohoo!

3. It was sister anyango's birthday this week!

4 & 5: The Fabulous District.

6: Had a blast washing cars this morning. Lets say I sprayed my companion just a few times with the hose... :)

Love,

Sister Beckstead