Week 2 in the MTC!

Again, I only have thirty minutes, let's see if I can do this!

Well, this week went by in the blink of an eye. 7 more days left in the MTC and I am off to Zimbabwe. I have learned so much by being here and my testimony has grown more than ever. I can confidently say that I believe every word that comes out of my mouth.

Highlights of the Week:

1. We watched "The Best 2 years."

2. Kit Kats here taste better. The chocolate is thicker and really creamy!

3. Feedback I got from a lesson was, "Good job on being bold!" That is exactly what Sister Park and I were working on.

4. Only ate Sadza twice this week!!!!

5. Played "Liar's Dice" with the MTC President and his wife. They love us ;)

Cultural Discoveries:

1. Lobola- bride money. If a man wants to "marry" a woman, he has to pay a certain amount of money which varies... for example, if this woman is well-educated, has a degree, is chaste and has no kids then it gets very expensive. The church discourages this because it's against the law of chastity- it's a traditional African marriage but not a legal marriage.

2. The South African president has six wives... polygamy is common here.

Because South Africa is so dangerous, we only left the MTC once to go to the Johannesburg temple. It is amazing how no matter where you are, the church is the same! I sent some pictures in a separate email!

So, here at the South Africa MTC there are 37 missionaries total. There are eight sisters total, five of us are going to Zimbabwe. Our mission president has been asking for more American missionaries because, "we get things done!!" I am so ready to go out there and get to work. This week I have been filled with gratitude. Heavenly Father sent me all the way to Africa to teach people the truths of the gospel. Over 50% of new members of the church are right here in Africa. These people are "looking for the truth but know not where to find it." I can't wait to be a light in the darkness and bring joy to God's children.

Enjoy your week, I love you all!

Love,

Sister Beckstead 

Greetings From South Africa!

Hey everyone! I am so sorry if I could not get back to everyone, I only have 30 minutes to email today but I love you all. 

Some funny things that happened this week:

Last Thursday I was just relaxing, watching a video about Jeffery R. Holland at the MTC and President Ashton announces that we are all getting shots... what??? I thought I already got the shots I needed. Well everyone had to get four more shots, I guess it makes sense I mean we are in Africa! 

My district is amazing, I love them all. Yesterday during free time we beatboxed/rapped/sang to songs in the Children's Songbook and performed it to President Ashton. He laughed and said we should perform it at FHE, haha.

President Ashton makes the MTC more enjoyable, for example last night he volunteered to lead the music and he practically just danced around the room doing so... Sister Ashton was hiding her face with a hymn book.

On Sunday for sacrament meeting I gave a talk about my commitment to my mission. I basically talked about how we cannot give these people we are serving food, clothing, etc but we can give them the gospel which is the best gift of all!! I felt the spirit testify to me and let me know that what I was saying was true. I have had many experiences like that already here and I am so grateful for that.

Also, my companion is Sister Park. She is a super cute Korean girl from Southern California. We get along pretty great! 

Pictures to come next week hopefully. I love you and all hope you are doing well!

Love,

Sister Beckstead

My Call to Zimbabwe!

I decided to create a blog for family and friends to keep up with my life while I am in Zimbabwe, Harare for 18 months. I will be on an 18 month mission to teach people about the gospel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and also to serve my Lord. I am beyond excited to serve in Africa. As many of you already know, I have been to Zambia the past two summers (2014&2015) for Humanitarian service. I told my stake president I would go anywhere, but I would enjoy going somewhere stricken with poverty. I waited for four whole weeks, and while I was waiting I told my Heavenly Father that I would go wherever in the world He wanted me to go as long as He confirmed it to me that it was where I was needed to be.

The four weeks passed (very slowly) as I was waiting for my mission call. I was working, but every day all that I could think about was where in the world I was going! Finally my mission call arrived to my house and as we were driving home to open it, my mother asked me where I thought that I was going to go. I told her that Africa had been on my mind for the past two days.  I got all of my family gathered around in the kitchen right after the mail man delivered the envelope. I was super impatient. I quickly opened up my call and it said "You will report to the South Africa MTC." So where was the paper saying "You are hereby called to serve." ??? Turns out that it got lost in the mail and this was the travel packet!! We quickly searched through the packet to figure out where the heck in Africa I was going. I was jumping up and down with excitement (literally.) It felt like the best day in my life. When I had been to Africa before, I only got to stay for three weeks. This meant 18 months in one of my favorite places ever! I could not express how much gratitude I have towards my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ for trusting me enough to send me somewhere so far away from family and friends to preach the gospel. I felt an overwhelming feeling of trust, love and peace with this mission call. Heavenly Father really does know us best. He wants us to be happy! If we do what He wants us to do He will make it obvious, and He will make it pretty clear if we are doing something against His will as well. I love you all! Thanks for reading.