"I'm Worth It!"

Sister McNeece after a DOWN POUR

Such is the life of the Sisters serving in the Surfside Beach area!

Helping with the 5k run for Children

Service at the 5k Run at Murrells Inlet

Alice in Wonderland!

                                                                    Just typical South Carolina Weather

Aug 25, 2014

I have to say.. this week was better than the last. Still a tough one, but.. I saw the hand of the Lord.. so I can't complain too much.

A week ago today, Sister McNeece and I were knocking a couple of doors.. and we met this man named Willie! It was POURING rain, but luckily the apartment complex we were “finding” in was covered. When this guy opened the door.. we stared at each other and I was pretty sure I had met him before. I asked him if we’d ever met someplace else.. and he said “no.” Well.. then we started explaining our purpose and sharing a little of our message with him. He was a “spiritual” person.. “but not a religious” person.

My favorite.

Well. We talked a lot about the Godhead.. about eternal marriage.. about the Book of Mormon.. about the Bible.. about modern day prophet.. about Joseph Smith.. about EVERYTHING YOU COULD THINK OF. Yes. The lesson was 2 hours long. As we stood on his doorstep. Well.. then we left him with a copy of the Book of Mormon and invited him to read 3 Nephi 11. This man has read the Old and New testament from cover to cover a couple of times. Well, when we invited him to read 3 Nephi 11 he said he’d read from the beginning of the Book of Mormon to that point- and that we’d be able to talk about it on Wednesday evening when we’d set up our return appointment.

Jaw dropped.

Well.. I hate to be a disappointment.. but after fasting all day Wednesday in hopes that Willie would have had a spiritual experience while reading- we brought Brother Liljenquist over, as well as his daughter, Sister Terrell. When we came inside for our appointment- all Willie wanted to do was bible bash. Turns out he didn’t read, like he said he would.. and.. it was kinda a disappointing lesson.

I had a hard time with that. There were a couple of tears shed. I had to ask myself “Heavenly Father.. if you could get my hopes up that high.. and then they are just shut down.. why would you do that too me?” I came to the conclusion that; Satan is real. Satan knows the potential of each of us.. and sometimes he works hardest on those whom have the most sincere questions, because he knows that the Priesthood authority is restored- and that it’s back on the earth, today. He knows that we have the sealing power, with temples scattered all throughout the world. Satan is STUPID!

However. We live and we learn. We keep talking to everyone- and we continue to deepen our understanding of the gospel by sharing our testimonies!

Also- we had a INCREDIBLE miracle of coming back in contact with a man named Sam, and his friend Tyler this past week. They were two of the punks that were at Neal’s house when Sister Ridley and I taught them about a month ago. Unfortunately, since we’ve ran back into them, we’ve yet to see them again. Bummer dude.

So.. whenever Sister McNeece and I don’t have dinner plans, (which thankfully is often,) we usually just go to the beach and eat our home packed dinner while we write in our journals and enjoy the sound of crushing waves. Such is the life of the Sisters serving in the Surfside Beach area!

We met another cool lady this week that’s super prepared- please pay for her. Her name is Donna, and she’s a major hippie! When we very first met her she said, “Don’t try to sell me that crap that God, Jesus and the holy spirit are all one.” Hahaha- we told her that we don’t believe in the Trinity- and she was excited to learn more. We see a lot of potential with this lady! She’s cute and adorable.

We biked a lot this week. That was good. One day, the heat index said it was 118 degrees. Such is the life.

Oh.. and then 20 minutes later it would be a downpour of rain. SURFSIDE IS PI-POLAR!

On Saturday we were able to get permission to volunteer at a 5k run! (No, Andee- we didn’t run the 5k! hahahaha.) Remember the miracle of Morgan a couple of weeks ago?! Turns out.. she’s still around! Infact, she came to church yesterday! Her mom was needing some help with the run, so we got permission to wake up at 5:30AM to go to Murrell’s Inlet to help people park and cheer on the runners. Sister Stolworthy and I really wanted to run it. Hmm. Next time.

Long story short- one of the investigators in the Myrtle Beach area is in love with Sister Wellman, (who is teaching him.) also- it’s funny because his name is Brandon Fisher. Well, we’re on leadership order that she can’t teach him anymore.. so Sister Stolworthy and I were able to go on a little exchange on Saturday to teach Brandon! He’s been on date to be baptized twice.. but.. he keeps falling off date because of stinkin cigarettes. He has a lot of self-confidence issues and doesn’t feel like “he’s worth it.”

LET’S JUST SAY IT WAS ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL LESSONS I’VE EVER TAUGHT ON MY MISSION. Plus- I love teaching with Sister Stolworthy.

The spirit was so strong! We talked a lot about the atonement, and about gratitude. The last half of the lesson.. we kept having him say (out loud) “I’M WORTH IT.” Then we would say something like, “because of my faith in Jesus Christ..” and he would said “I’m worth it.” Then we would say, “your spiritual experiences you’ve had, confirm that..” “I’m worth it.” There even came a point where we were shouting “I’M WORTH IT” in the middle of this punk’s house.

We are each worth it! BECAUSE OF JESUS CHRIST, we are worth it.

Sister McNeece and I were able to find and teach a past eter-nigator named “Mike!” He has a lot going on in his life right now.. but it was still a pretty great “front porch” lesson.

Last night we were able to teach some people from Micronesia! From the island of Pompai. (no idea how to spell anything!) It was SO GREAT- and they’ve even been to the LDS church a couple of times out in Micronesia. #TENDERMERCYFROMTHELORD. They recognized our name badge from the Elders in white shirt and ties that use to teach them in Pompai. We are seeing them again tonight, and we’ll be able to go over the Restoration a little bit. They’re looking for a church to join here in the states.. and my question would be; what better church to join than THE ONE TRUE CHURCH?!

I’m giving a shout out to Sister Terrell in this email today.. because last night I promised her I would. Hahaha. Her and her husband made Sister McNeece and I café rio salads. And a icecream pina colada pie. Yummss. She said, “Sister Belyea.. you better give me a shout out in your email home tomorrow morning.” Done and done.

Sorry that this was just another SUPER scatter-brained email today! I’m so grateful for the tender mercies of the Lord in my mission and for what they mean to me and my life. I love Monday morning SO MUCH, because I get to hear from my loved ones back home. I’m so grateful for the atonement. I know that there’s always a situation in life where Heavenly Father knows you need to vent to him through prayer.. and then he blesses us by teaching him more about his Son, Jesus Christ. (I had to do that a lot this week.) I know that prayer is our way of communicating to our Father in Heaven- and that God really does hear and answer our prayers.

Thank you, each, for your continual love and support. I’m so grateful to be the Lord’s missionary and o be blessed with the opportunity to share THE TRUTH.

I love you! Please have a happy and SAFE week. Enjoy school starting!

Xoxoxo,

Sister Belyea

1 Nephi 22:2

1 Nephi 22:15

1 Nephi 22:20