Welcome Home BEAU!!!

Endlessness

Dear Family and Friends,

This is my last week here in the Missouri Independence Mission and my beloved home of Kansas City. What a whirlwind of adventure. Friends have been coming out of the woodwork from all over the mission to come and see me as my sojourn comes to a close. And people have been shoveling meals down our throats every hour. It couldn't be an update from me without some mention of food, right? It's been wonderfully painful.

Elder Spencer, who served in St. Joe near me, and I had the most exciting of exchanges this week. I took our small town boy through the daunting skyline of KC. We ate pupusas, Arthur Bryant's BBQ, and Bulgarian breakfast casserole. Good thing my hill-billy friends can handle a stomach beating, huh?

I've been saying a lot of goodbyes to all of my family here in the city. The Kwe-nation (Marshalese members of the branch) held their traditional coronation ceremony and crowned me "King of the Kwe's" yesterday and made me cry. The Branch Presidency had me pray in sacrament, translate, and bear my testimony on Sunday to bid farewell to Riverview. There are so many things that I'm going to miss here. I'm going to miss the people and the connections I've made and their love. I'm going to miss putting Christ's name every day on my chest. I'm going to miss the sky here--the sense of endlessness as you gaze at mid-west horizon. 

This is a sad moment, a time of change, and I've been so grateful to my Heavenly Father for the brief time He's given me to serve here. I know that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world and that He lives and loves us. It's been an amazing two years sharing that knowledge full-time. I'm grateful for the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the blessing of knowing that I can be with my family forever. I'm sad to see my mission come to an "end", but I know like the endlessness of the sky and horizon here, that none of this actually does "end"--it's a part of who I am, it's eternal.

I love you all so very much and will see you this week!

For the last time--MUCHO AMOR

Only in the Riv

Dear Family and Friends,

This week was interesting....

 I got bit doing service for a senior sister by a wasp the size of a hummingbird so my hand swelled up like a boxing mitt for most of the week. Lesson learned, don't do service for old women because giant wasps will eat your hand. I was actually surprised that I didn't feel that much guilt eradicating their colony with spray afterward. It was like the righteous fury of Christ cleansing the temple of money changers and livestock. That and whenever I got bugged by my companion I could just whack him with my giant meat-fist.

We had a Pionner Day celebration on the 25th as a Stake and took a giant photo in a the middle of the afternoon in a heat advisory. Some of the more round Elders had "sw-ants" on, where their entire pants were wet from perspiration. It was super sweaty and funny to see everyone scatter after the photo after the grueling afternoon of heat and humidity and run back to their cars and air conditioning. Man, the pioneers were champions.

One of elderly sisters in the branch called us and very casually informed us that her best friend and caretaker passed away about an hour before we were supposed to come over and eat his famed BBQ (seriously, it's the best barbeque I've had ever in my life) with them that night, but that it would be fine to come and take a to-go plate. After trying to politely decline, she insisted that we come, saying that some of his final words were to get the ribs in the oven around 4 because the Elders were coming at 5. How great is that? The interesting thing about the experience was that when we went over to have a prayer with them and see how we could help, we could see their spirits lift up as they talked about their recently passed away friend and his talents with cooking. If it makes sense, they were comforted as they provided a service to us, sending us home with too much food, in their time of difficulty. This was one of the bittersweet moments of the mission, but one that has stuck out to me in it's inherently sad/awkward/hilarious/spiritual nature. Only this would happen in the Riverview Branch. 

Also, yesterday, my main man and best friend, Hermano Morillo from the Great Kaw River ward surprised me at church and stayed with me for the whole block. Man, I miss him so much and it was great to see a friend before I head home. 

I'm sad seeing how I'm heading home next week and I might not see some of my friends and family here in Kansas and Missouri again in this life, but I do know that we will see each other again because of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. What a blessing to have this time to testify of it and our Savior! 

No Better Gig

Dear Family and Friends,

This week has been action-packed for sure! And luckily I've survived it all unscathed. It's funny because I'm actually starting to recognize some of the cops in our area now. If only there was someway to talk to them because I'm sure they'd make great Mormons.

Last P-Day we went to the Federal Reserve thinking that it would be interesting/fun/exciting, but it ended up being a waste of time/boring/uneventful. I got a 15 minute background check to see a bunch of old coins and fake money. I wouldn't recommend using your P-Day to go there.

Brodi Elwood (my old companion for those who skim) and Melissa Villanueva came on Saturday to treat us to some Oklahoma Joe's BBQ as they toured the mission. Kansas City barbeque is almost as life changing as the gospel. It was such a trip and delight to hang out with some besties and catch up seeing how it's been three long weeks since Brodi left. My friends are just the best.

I went on two exchanges this week. One with Elder "Silent" Myers and Elder Taylor. Elder Myers is notorious for being a quiet guy, but I couldn't get him to stop gabbing on our exchange. He goes home with me and is heading to the U. How nice it is to find another Ute amongst this sea of missionary Cougars. Elder Taylor is a stallion of righteousness, like his trainer and one of my former companions, Elder Sjoblom. 

It's been a great week and the work is progressing. Noami is getting closer to her baptism. We've started working with some other Part Member Families and hopefully we can help them as they come closer to Christ. The mission is seriously a dream. I can't think of a better gig than that of dedicating myself to helping others.

--Elder Beau Hart

Mini Missionary Michael‏

Mini Missionary Michael: July 13th

Dear Family and Friends,

Not much to report on this week seeing how I just emailed ya'll last Thursday.

Friday we received a "mini missionary" named Michael and he chilled with us until Sunday night. It was a party for sure. A part of me thinks that he might have been shocked a little about the mission (especially our area), but he was fun to have around for a while to keep Elder Fullmer and I from becoming one person. We get along too well.

Highlights include, but are not limited to:

Another Marshallese Party. This one was to finish some New Member Lessons for some recent converts. How great is that? We brought McDonalds to Brother Dinteru as a joke because he always wants to take us out on Sunday to get some. It's not a sin if it's drive-through, right?

Service in Independence painting a school. Cool, huh?

Yesterday's drama-fest at church. Sacrament was a musical testimony meeting where everyone would bear their testimony and include a hymn and then we would sing two verses of it. It was awesome. That and it drowned out the sounds of crying babies. Win win!

We also found a Hello Kitty Story in Independence. Hahahahahahh Satan is everywhere! Guess, we have to keep up the fight.

Well, love ya'll. Make it a great week. 

MUCHO AMOR,

Elder Beau Hart

(Very poorly lighted with the Dinteru's. #ILOVEIT and Satan's Store in Independence)

Culture Reviews‏

Culture Reviews‏: July 9th, 2015

Dear Family and Friends,

This week...wow....

Last Monday we went to the Community of Christ temple and had an interesting tour and they said pictures were allowed, including selfies (nice), and we ended by receiving origami Peace Doves that
now decorate our car and keep me from raging at our lovely future wife impersonating Tiwi when it says, "check your speed", when I go 5 over the limit. (That's a rough, run-on sentence, huh?)

The Fourth of July was a bummer. All we ended up doing was ushering for a concert and then tucking ourselves into bed while Canadian smoke blocked any view of fireworks in the distance from our apartment window.

Today we went to the Nelson Atkin's Art Museum with Ivan (recent convert) and Areos (recent move in/future missionary) here in KC. My summary: I didn't know that any time I'm naked in the shower that I'm considered Greek and Roman art. Too much genitalia. Also, if logic flows, Hooters is just a renovation of ancient statues techniques. Finally, modern art is so bad that I thought the stairs leading to the exit of the museum were part of the exhibit. 

I've gained a testimony of how the Lord provides whenever we ask. I'm not going to lie or try to sugarcoat it, but this past Monday I was kind of bummed that we weren't "P-Day-ing" and was not in the mood to
tract after our appointments fell through. I was just begging the Lord for something to do.

So He sent a tornado our way.

Elder Fullmer and I, keeping our cool of course, scrambled for a place to hide. We asked for a safe place. We got the Wong/Huesca's house. We were hungry. Sister Huesca's gave us more Mexican cheesy cauliflower than we could handle. We wanted to help out. We got to help prevent flooding in the basement. We didn't ask for it, but somehow we got a laugh out of their "rescued" baby raccoons. So there I found myself sweeping water to a drain bit by bit, my stomach super happy and full of food, listening to the screams of baby raccoons and Brother Wong chattering in Spanish with his cholos across town, super grateful for the adventure and memories of the mission which my giving Heavenly Father has given me. And glad I didn't die in the tornado also.

The temple was great this morning. Elder Fullmer and I get along almost dangerously well. We have the exact same interests so we oft get carried in the spirit of talking about non-mission related tangent. 

Mucho amor,

Elder Beau Hart

(Us judging art and Us at the museum)

Temple Week‏

Temple Week‏: July 6th, 2015

Dear Family and Friends, 

This week we are attending the Kansas City Temple, so our P-Day has been moved to Thursday. Talk to you then! :) Have a great week! 

Mucho amor,

Elder Beau Hart

(Happy Fourth of July, I got to spend some time with my favorite family Los Huesca/WONG)

The Bible Belt‏

The Bible Belt‏: June 29th, 2015

Dear Family and Friends,

What an exhausting week...

First off, Thursday was goodbye to my friend, Elder Elwood, who's currently resting from all cares and worries in the Undying Lands of the West and hello to Elder Fullmer--my 30 Rock best friend. We've served around each other for a good chunk of the mission so it was an easy transition.

I've also heard from some very old and very insane people here in the city that the White House has turned "rainbow" and that our mission calls have to reassigned to the "United States of Sodom and Gomorrah" this week. People are the funniest when they are so upset about politics. The Bible Belt is full of some interesting people indeed.

Wednesday, Brian was baptized and his family and baseball team came to it! What a fantastic service full of members being late, Brother Wong, crazy testimonies, President Cato, the fount being over filled. Wouldn't have expected any different here in the great Riverview branch. Brian was also confirmed on Sunday and ordained to the office of a Priest. I couldn't ask for any better. 

Thursday night was also the storm of the century for Kansas City apparently and Elder Fullmer and I slept right through all of it's tree snapping and telephone line ripping fury. We woke up to find KC in absolute chaos and everyone asking us if we from the Power & Electric Company. Everything was shut down in the city, except for Church's Chicken, of course. God forbid if the chicken went out of commission. 

So, here we go on the final transfer here in the great land of Kansas City. I'm loving every minute of it.

MUCHO AMOR,

Elder Beau Hart

(Brian's baptism and Elder Fullmer and I with our favorite Senior "Swagster")

Casting out Demons‏

Casting out Demons‏: June 22nd, 2015

Dear Family and Friends,

Things are warming up out here. Missouri--all the benefits of ocean humidity and storms, minus the ocean.

Elder Elwood and I ate some sketchy Asian food from an investigator the other day and he has has been plugged up ever since. We've been sending him into the bathroom with a prayer every time that he goes in
hopes of casting out the tiny Burmese demon that's been plaguing him.

Brian is progressing towards baptism this Wednesday! We are scrambling about to get all of the arrangements in order. If everything works out correctly we are going to have Brian's baseball team attending also. Because they have a game right afterwards, we are totally going to have oranges and Gatorade as refreshments.

I went on exchanges with Elder Bingham this week, my grandson (My trainee trained him). What a blast showing my little country son around the "big city". (Kansas City is just an overgrown backwater village, honestly.) I also took him to eat my our Indian family, the Shethi's, and found out that curry about kills him, but the champ wolfed it down and we had a good ol' time for the rest of the night.

Our branch mission leader, Brother Alcocer, took us to eat Saturday at an Ethiopian restaurant, the Blue Nile. It was a no-utensils joint, so that was an adventure figuring out how to even eat the meal. We've
been all over the world, meals-wise that is, this week with dinners. LuLu's Thai Noodle Shop, the Blue Nile, Long Boards Wraps (Hawaii), and good ol' McDonalds. I love eating. Don't be surprised if I come home fat.

I'm going to be killing Elder Elwood this Thursday, that is unless the fried noodle demon doesn't beat me to it. It'll be sad to see him go, but the ladies in Arizona have been lonely for so long that it's time for him to return. After that, on to my last companion.

Mucho amor,

Elder Beau Hart

(Pictures: Elder Elwood after being crowned King of the Kwe's with our Marshalese members of the branch. And Elder Elwood is poisoning/fattening up the Sister missionaries in the zone)

KC Love‏

KC Love‏: June 15th, 2015

Dear Family and Friends,

Another week down here in the books...

I'm in love...with Kansas City. I grew up in the Valley, but there is something about the city life that makes me feel like I'm walking on sunshine despite the unseasonal rain lately. We've spent quite a bit
of time walking around downtown this week trying to find some people to invite unto Christ. Hopefully, we will see some fruits of the labor soon. It's interesting to see all of the people from all over the world and find out how they made there way to the middle of the U.S.

Mid-week we had the blessing of eating with our dear Indian family, the Shethi's, who have been back to the Branch for medical visits. Just like last go-around they tried to murder us with curry and love.
I love how close I've become with people on my mission. The thing that floors me about our branch is that it's the poorest in the entire mission, but I've never had so many meals with members. They sacrifice so much for us, I just hope that we are paying them back with our service.

This week was Stake Conference and man, what a blast it was. Our stake president, President Cato, is a fireball! What a stallion of righteousness and motivation! The Independence area is going to blow up now with work. He just nailed the entire stake about the Gospel and now everyone is stoked to go out and preach.

Our investigators on baptismal date weren't able to make it to Stake Conference due to car problems and vacations, which was disappointing, but hopefully they will be here this upcoming week.

Mucho amor,

Elder Beau Hart

(Perfectly describes what Riverview is like. And we tried to take a quick selfie while walking around on the new fancy toy the church is letting me borrow.)

Primary For Days‏

Primary For Days‏: June 8th, 2015

Dear Family and Friends,

This week....wow...

So many meetings...Zone miles, Stake Reports with our fireball stake
president, President Cato, Mission Leadership Council, meeting with
the district leaders, Zone Training. I'm a Mormon so meetings are in
my blood, but I will lose my mind if we have so much as another
agenda or opening hymn and prayer this week.

Saturday, Elder Elwood and I partied it up with the one and only Elder
Parker Dixon. #WeberWarriorsForLife We had a blast checking out Kansas
City downtown, street contacting in the culture-packed City Market in the midst the skyscrapers, eating italian food, talking with a one man band, having dinner with Mama Katadrik and the Marshallese colony in our branch, doing service in Independence at a strawberry festival, and teaching a couple lessons. It was a colorful day indeed and I was pooped out by the end.

Sunday was just a blast. We had a couple of investigators at the branch and I got to teach Primary for the first time in my life. My team, Valiant 10 and 11, dominated the picture matching game in opening exercises and we had a solid lesson acting out Jesus's parable of the unmerciful servant. It was an absolute hoot to sing "Book of Mormon Stories", eat snacks, and memorize the first Article of Faith instead of fighting off sleep in Elders' Quorum. The funniest part was at the end, one of the girls prayed that their "new teachers could stay because they are awesome". Sadly, it was a one week only gig, but now I have a little crew of future missionaries that freak out and jump on me to high five me when I go to church.

Mucho amor,

Elder Beau Hart

Los Odiosos Van a Odiar‏

Los Odiosos Van a Odiar‏: June 1st, 2015

Dear Family and Friends,

What a week! 

Being home in KCMO, in the great Riverview Branch, is super surreal. We’ve been making rounds and connecting with all of the people that I taught and worked with back in ’13. I’m so surprised by all the people that throw open their doors and welcome us in, geez, I’m just happy they remember my name. The teaching pool is slowly building up again. We are seeing tons of miracles. The Church is true!

This week we had a visit from Elder Clark of the Quorum of the Seventy and what a hay day that was! Man, I've never seen a General Authority speak with such power and borderline sarcasm. It was inspiring--to go out and get married, because that's what most of these trainings end up being on. Weird, huh?

Elder Elwood and I have been making big sacrifices this week for the work. I mean, Friday we found out a part-member family owns a restaurant and is never at home so we hit up "Guadalajara" for some lunch and before we knew it we were at a table scarfing down a heaven-sent Torta Cubana and scheduling times to begin teaching Noami (the non-member daughter). Sometimes you have to do the hard things, right?

After reporting about the lessons and baptismal date of Noami, many members of the branch council shot us down, doubting that the family would come to church. It was understandable because apparently they've put a bunch of effort into them with no results, but it hurt to have them rain on our parade. The moment they walked into sacrament meeting, luckily I kept it in my head, I almost said, "Los odiosos van a odiar." It's true. Satan wants you to feel like crap. Unfriendly people aren't going to be nice. Evil dogs are going to try and bite you. Haters are just going to do one thing: hate. So keep up the good work and keep fighting for the Lord with a smile on your face. 

Oh, and we had interviews this week with President Vest. I just want to sit down and absorb all of the knowledge and wisdom and charm out my main man, President Randy "J-Dawg" Vest as I like to call him. He told me that I'm a "delight to work with" (that's a first) and that he tolerated my border-line unapproved Christmas Rendition of "Angels We Have Heard on High".

MUCHO AMOR,

Elder Beau Hart

(Elder Valdez and I at the WWI Museum and Me rockin' it back in good ol' KCK)