Good ol' Mormon Mom‏

Good ol' Mormon Mom‏: January 5th, 2015

Dear Family and Friends,

Christmas is still happening. This week was amazing. The mission is the most rewarding experience I’ve ever had.

This week has been a blur. Friday I received a Training Call or in mission lingo, I’m pregnant! I’m becoming a good ol’ Mormon Mom now, this being my third child. This Thursday I’ll find out what new area I will be in and which new missionary I’ll be working with. Man, I almost feel bad for my companion having to deal with me and my pregnancy hormones. I’m so excited!

Oh, another hiccup this week was when I got food poisoning. Fun stuff, huh? Man, I never thought one bad meal could do so much damage. Poor Elder Garrick had to deal with me working a toilet over at Walgreens for an hour the other night and keep dodging employees trying to sell him their latest wares. The one upside to my stomach churning hay day is that I lost all of the weight I put on from Christmas!

Saturday the Graff’s were sealed in the Kansas City Temple and I had the blessing of attending. We arrived early in the morning having traversed storm soaked highways, roads, and a gloomy overcast to find the temple like a beacon in the darkness with its lights illuminating the Angel Moroni. I couldn’t have asked for a more blissful day. Elder Garrick and I had the privilege of being with the Graff’s on their special day to make their relationship and family one of eternal nature. I’m so grateful that I’ve had the opportunity to witness the changes they’ve made in their lives and how far they’ve come. And I’m even more grateful for the Graff’s and the lifelong friends they’ve become to me.

Make it a great week!

Mucho amor,

Elder Beau Hart

(Due to scheduling conflicts, we couldn't get a photo with the Graff's outside of the temple, but here's the closest thing. And here's a picture of a squirrel that we killed with our call. How horrible is that?)

Elder Hart, get out of the bathroom!‏

Elder Hart, get out of the bathroom!‏: December 29th, 2014

Dear Family and Friends,

Because I know you are all dying to know, yes, I weighed in 4 pounds heavier than usual the day after Christmas. I am winning, if you consider winning being a slob and stuffing your face at buffets, members homes for five meals a day, and downing 3 tamales at 9 o clock before scurrying on home. Christmas was great! We spent the morning with the Wilson family opening gifts and polishing off a pan of cinnamon rolls. Then we made some visits and contacted people throughout the afternoon until we called our families. Having been gone from home for this long, I think I forgot that my family is crazy—the clinical kind. Man, I love ‘em tons. After that, we played the most intense of game of Jenga ever. Sadly, after an hour and half of precarious stacking, I lost the game and had to drink a full glass of egg-nog (I hate egg-nog). All in all, after keeping down a gut full of the nasty concoction and tamales without vomiting, it was definitely one of the best Christmases of all time.

Speaking of vomit, one of the funniest moments of my mission, was Christmas Eve hanging out with the other elders. I was doing my business in the men's room at our house, when another Elder, who had been complaining and moaning all night about his stomach, burst in, bellowing, "Elder Hart, get out of the bathroom!" I barely dodged out of the way in time to watch him cover our toilet, floor, and even the wall, in his stomach juices. It's always a good party when someone pukes. 

Another highlight of the week was the baptism of Aundasey Wilson. She’s the daughter of converts (family mentioned above) and we had the opportunity to teach her the lessons. They are simply the greatest family. I love getting to know so many wonderful people in the great land of Missouri.

 Oh and before I go, Travis, he and his wife are returning members that Elder Sjoblom and I contacted about 6 months ago, was set apart as the Second Counselor in the Elders Quorum Presidency yesterday! Victory! The mission is so rewarding, especially when you have the blessing to see people progress so quickly. Hopefully, I send you some pics in the coming weeks of them at the temple getting sealed.

Mucho amor,

Elder Beau Hart

Feliz Navidad‏

Feliz Navidad‏: December 22nd, 2014

Dear Family and Friends,

This week was super duper great. We’ve been slaving away at a family’s dance studio in the ward, Truth Academy, trying to get it all painted. I love doing service! And it’s even better to see a project come together. Maybe one of these days I’ll make my way to the main floor and show the ladies a thing or two about shaking it. I mean, they don’t call me Elder “Hips Don’t Lie” Hart for nothin’.

We ventured to the northern reaches of the Missouri Independence Mission last Wednesday for exchanges with the Elders in Maryville. Those brave Elders Hansen and Fullmer are absolutely nuts. I love those guys. Elder Hansen and I visited all the crazies in the little college town and I got a real taste of the actual “Boonies”. On top of all of the antics, 3D photos of tigers in bathrooms, slushie yogurt hybrid drinks at Caseys, and Anti-Mormon Preachers—we received our first “big” snowfall. Winter has come my friends.

We were a little disappointed that all of the people that we committed to come to church ended up...not coming. I don’t know how to be more poetic with that one, but despite that, it was a good week. We met tons of new people and have lots of visits to make in the next couple of days.

 Speaking of the next couple of days, Merry Christmas! I hope you all have plans to pig out and kick back with the family. I love you all and wish the best. 

#ShareTheGift

Mucho amor y Feliz Navidad,

Elder Beau Hart

(Elder Hansen and I on exchanges and the St. Joseph Elder at the Crumb Family Chili Cook off--we were judges.)

Busy Week

Busy Week: December 8th, 2014

Hey Family and Friends!

Hope you had a great week! Our week was SO BUSY! We had so much going on and I don't even have that much time to tell you. Tuesday we had Stake correlation and stayed up until 1 in the morning figuring out zone milage with the other Zone Leaders. Four hours late we were up and on our way to Independence for Mission Leadership Council. Seems like that one comes way to often. The mission flies. Friday was Zone Training and interviews with President and Sister Vest. Saturday we helped a Brother in the ward move and drove over an hour for a baptism for Elder Garrick. Sunday was church and then the First Presidency Devotional. It was nuts to say the least. 

Between all of these activities we had a lot go on. The week was rough. We were dropped by a good chunk of what little investigators we do have. I'm not going to lie, Sunday came and I was quite depressed, but the lesson that I'm learning from it all is that things are always good. God is good. One of the less-actives, now a returning member, got a calling on Sunday and she and her husband are on their way to the temple. Never give up. 

Mucho amor por todos. 

--Elder Beau Hart

(Elder Garrick is tall, can you tell? And Amazonia--my favorite place in St. Joe)

Snakes, Alligators, Deer, and Rednecks‏

Snakes, Alligators, Deer, and Rednecks‏: December 1st, 2014

Hey Family and Friends! 

How are all ya'll? Man, I hope that you had a great Thanksgiving, but really, I'm just sad that you didn't get to be here with me over the holiday having a true "Missura" Thanksgiving. Thursday, my tripanionship with Elder Nyholm and Elder Lokeni ended, and I picked up Elder Garrick from Independence and took him to Amazonia, Missouri, population 312 for a classic, moonshine Turkeyday. Between three types of turkey, two hams, one deer, four chickens, and a snake, we were beyond stuffed for the day. And to top it all off, we got to go play with the alligator the Hurt/Dinning/Crumb Clan keeps in their bathroom. Who knew the mission would be so fun?

Aron is still progressing. He came to church this last week, but it looks like his baptism is going to be pushed back because he's struggling to give up smoking. Man, addictions are tough. Please keep him in your prayers. 

Well, Elder Garrick and I have seen tons of miracles this week, especially while tracting. Even the cold can't stop the Lord's work. Well, I sure do love ya'll. Hope all is well, wherever you are.

Mucho amor.

Elder Beau Hart

(No pictures of beards, but I am attaching a pic of the tiny alligator and me and my girlfriend in pajamas.)

Mind over Bladder‏

Mind over Bladder‏: November 24th, 2014

Hey Family and Friends,

Hope you are having a great week because I am out here!

Sad news, Elder Sjoblom has abandoned me and in two days will be reunited with his family. The "Weber High Fiesta" in St. Joe has officially ended. He's the first missionary that I've had "die" (mission slang) with me, so you can call me a killer now. I've learned so much these past four months from that stallion of righteousness and am nervous to find out who will be my new companion come Thursday. For now, I'm in a "tripanionship" with Elder Nyholm and Elder Lokeni from the 2nd Ward. We should have tons of fun.

Good news, our investigator, Aron is progressing like crazy and coming to stake conference and loving the Book of Mormon. It's so much fun to teach! I love to see people progress and learn and develop their faith in our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Elder Sjoblom and I have been so busy these last few days that we don't have time for ourselves, not even to use the restroom. Between bouncing from appointment to appointment, we've had to strengthen our mental fortitude and practice what I like to call, Mind over Bladder. The sacrifices you have to make for the work.

Hope you all have a wonderful day! Have a great Thanksgiving! I love you all!

--Elder Beau Hart

The Great and Abominable Church

The Great and Abominable Church‏: November 17th, 2014

Hey Family and Friends,

This week was great! We've been finding some new people and putting more on baptismal date. Elder Sjoblom and I decided that hey, if you are only going to get one visit with them, might as well find out if they would be baptized if you came back. This has been such a struggle in San Jose--we have great initial contact, but nobody seems to be able to keep their follow-up visits, which makes it hard to bring out members because "nothing's worse than being the missionary who cried team-up". (Elder Sjoblom's Dying Wisdom) But despite all of that, I can say that we've been blessed so much this past week.

Jose, one of our investigators came to a baptismal service in the other ward and loved it. His only hold up right now is that fact that he works at the "great and abominable church" on Sundays--Church's Chicken. How can I compete with that deep fried deliciousness? Maybe we'll ask Bishop to change the sacrament bread from that dry, gluten-free chalk, to some nice batter-fried, crunchy drumsticks this week? Could you imagine how many people we could get to attend?

On a bright note, we had Zone Conference this week and I got to see so many of my friends, but sadly, so many of them are going home next week--including my companion. Change comes and sometimes hurts, but it's for our good. The Church is true!

Mucho amor,

Elder Beau Hart