7. Week 7 MTC: Old People Jello

Cześć wam! 

Week 7 was a crazy one: crazy good, crazy bad, crazy happy, and crazy sad. 

President Wiseman:

On Thursday morning, our whole zone got called out of class for an emergency meeting with our first councilor in our branch presidency. He, with a saddened voice, explained that earlier that morning, our branch president (President Wiseman) had passed away. We were all devastated and shocked. Our branch presidency is our family away from home here at the MTC. We were all crying and then we realized, "This isn't what President Wiseman would want!! He'd want us to get back to work!!" So we did. But first, we made a list of four things we were going to do to honor him throughout our missions. 

1. Strict Obedience--be punctual!

2. Love others-- support, uplift, and respect everyone. 

3. Enjoy the little things--Find God's had in our lives and BE GRATEFUL for all we have. Stop to smell the roses. Be positive. 

4. Be humble and have humility--Daily repentance. How can I change and be better each and every day? 

All of the above goals were things that President Wiseman did everyday. He was the best and he will surely be missed by all he interacted with. My testimony of the Plan of Salvation has grown so much the past couple of months. It truly is a plan of happiness! We know where we came from, why we are here, and where we are going! How special? I can't wait to share that with the Poles! This is the sole reason that I am okay being away from my family for so long--so that others can be with theirs for eternity! 

Old People Jello:

At dinner the other night, Starszy Barlow sat next to me and was trying to describe what his dessert was,"You know...it's like that old people Jello"....I was like, "Tapioca?"...and he said,"YES!". Oh, Barlow. 

Moving Day!!! Again!!!!:

Remember how we had to move out of 17M because of the bats about a month and a half ago? Well, this morning, we GOT (I'm working on my attitude, guys) the opportunity to move back. With 2 weeks left! But hey, we get good showers again.... so I'm a happy camper. AAAAND all of the Elders in our zone helped us move bright and early this morning--how nice! (pic of rassy and barlow helping below). 

Piano Time:

I used to go to choir. And then I realized I can't sing or harmonize or any of that stuff. So I stopped going. So now, during choir times, some of us go and sit in a room and listen to St. Stokes and Rassy play the piano. I think I fall asleep 9/10 times because it's so beautiful. And I'm always tired. Buuuut boy, do we have a talented district! I love them. 

Skype TRC:

I'm sorry, I honestly don't know what TRC stands for. But this week, we got to skype natives and teach them a lesson! Scary stuff. And jeez louise!.... they speak FAST and with HEAVY accents. 

The real deal is coming soon--16 days!!! (But who's counting? ME!!!). I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pa Pa! Love and miss you all!

xoxo,

Siostra Beem <3

Write me or "dearelder" me! 

Sister Talia Murphy Beem

OCT24  POL-WAR
2005 N 900 E Unit  45
Provo UT 84602

talia.beem@myldsmail.net

  

6. Week 6 MTC: Foot Model

Cześć wam!

Off Campus Adventure!!! (for an unfortunate cause):

On Tuesday, Sister Rawson and I went off campus because....(drum roll, please)...I had an ingrown toenail!! Yay!! Ewww!!  The podiatrist talked me through the whole process and reassured me that in just a few short weeks I could go back to my foot modeling career--phew! (he was trying to make me laugh despite my extreme fear of needles). Sister Rawson deserves the biggest shout-out for being so patient with me. She was so cute--she stroked my arm the entire time during my mini-procedure! (Pictures of the real world below!)

General Conference: aka Christmas for missionaries (and everyone).

Watching General Conference this time around was in a much different setting than "normal". It wasn't filled with bean bags, cinnamon rolls, and pajamas....rather, it was filled with cold cereal, hard bleacher seats, Sunday dress clothes, and a thousand missionaries. However, the Spirit was so strong. It was so special! A thousand of us! All in one purpose--to take these messages from our modern day prophet and his apostles to the rest of the world! None of this goes without mentioning Starszy Dickson and his incredible ability to somehow sneak a full-size blanket in under his suit coat. 

Sister Lewis shout-out: 

This week in one of our lessons, our investigator had a difficult question pertaining to the Plan of Salvation. She wanted instant biblical proof of her question. *a full minute passed trying to find a verse*. When we were desperate for SOMETHING to say...some verse to read...I said a quick prayer...and then all of a sudden 2 scripture mastery scriptures popped in my head--they were JUST what she needed! I'm so grateful for Sister Lewis and her loving pressure for us to learn all these in high school!! They saved me this week. They answered her questions! Learn them, learn them, learn them!! 

Star Wars Trivia :

-In one of the Star Wars movies, Jabba the Hutt says "o co chodzi" as Leia knocks on his door. "O Co Chodzi" is Polish! It means: "What are you getting at?" Ahahh. I always thought Jabba was just speaking jibberish--nope, Polish! Basically the same thing, right?

Other: 

-Missy leaves this week :( My district has grown to love this cute little roommate of mine. Whenever anyone sees her they say, "SISTER BEEM. Look, look, look! It's Missy!!!"--even during conference today when she was singing in Salt Lake on the big screen. 

-Sister Rawson got first place in handball this week...and I got second...HOLLA. #siostrapower

Have a wonderful conference weekend--ask Him how you can CHANGE!

I love you all! I miss you all!

Pa Pa!

xoxo,

Siostra Beem <3

Write me or "dearelder" me! 

Sister Talia Murphy Beem

OCT24  POL-WAR
2005 N 900 E Unit  45
Provo UT 84602

talia.beem@myldsmail.net

BEFORE

AFTER

Mom note:  The real hero here is Sister Rawson.  Talia worked as a Phlebotomist this year and she STILL freaks out with needles (she's fine doing the poking, she just doesn't like being poked).

With Starszy's Theriault, Adriano, and Barlow

How everyone feels when Uctdorf speaks...

When they moved from the bats, they Sisters took over a men's dorm...

The Siostra's room...not bad!  They even have a pumpkin, how cute is that?

With Missy...Tal is sure going to miss seeing her!

Mom note:  I found these vintage ties, "deconstructed them" and made them skinnier
and then I sewed a little Polish flag inside (grateful they have a nice, easy, simple flag).  They are going to wear them every Friday:)  This made me cry happy tears...

The Starszys...

Home Pics...
Happy to turn that 8 into a 7...(although I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE being
a missionary mom--wouldn't want her anywhere else).

This was originally up for her farewell but we haven't taken it down.  I think we
will just keep it up for the next 17 months.  Our neighbors might think we are a
little weird...

5. Week 5 MTC: Barbershop Quartet

Cześć!

What. A. Week. 

Happy Tears:

If any of you really know me, you know that the second I start REALLY laughing, the tears start streaming. And boy did that happen Tuesday night. During our nightly planning session, St. Theriault, Barlow, Rassy, and Adriano decided they would harmonize and sing the Polish phrase "oh jeku" (oh crap). It sounds really immature and believe me, it was, but it was so funny. They spent 45 minutes trying to sync up and hit perfect pitch (or whatever that means--that's probably why I didn't get invited to be a part of the General Conference choir). Oh, and they added choreography. I was in charge of filming, and 9/10 times we couldn't get through the first 2 seconds because one of us would start cracking up. The Elders sure know how to brighten my day. (Videos​​ attached--of both the real deal and a mess up). 

OH, we're halfway there!!!!!

Not that anyone is counting or anything, but we hit our halfway mark in the MTC today. Also, we found out that we are leaving a WHOLE DAY EARLIER. October 24, baby! Lesss go! 

Devotional Notes:

Kathy Clayton (L.Whitney Clayton of the Presidency of the Seventy's wife):

4 suggestions for maximizing moments and miracles:

1, Note the miracles--see and notice everything from the sunsets to the changed hearts of those we teach. 

2, Trust Heaven

3, Be Patient--Heavenly Work takes time! Angels are surrounding us. 

4, Live with Love--

Starszy Dickson said the following in district review, "When you love others, you become happy". So true! What a good kid. 

L. Whitney Clayton:

-The world needs our work now more than ever before.

-proclaim & declare 

-EVERYONE is in the predicament on whether to believe or not to believe.

-pray to see the tender mercies of the Lord.

Favorite Quote of the Week:

"Earth is crammed with Heaven"

Something that was on my mind all week: 

Psalms 23

In the beginning, David's life is going pretty well. He refers to the Lord as "He",etc. Then, in verse 4, as he 'walks through the valley of the shadow of death", (life isn't going so well now) his language changes. He goes from referring to the Lord as "He" to "Thou". His language changed as he needed the Lord. 

I've needed the Lord more now than ever in my life. My relationship with Him has changed. I challenge you to ponder your relationship with Him!

Direct Polish Translations: 

This week, we learned that in the song "Come, Come Ye Saints"... the part where it goes "All is well, All is well" translates to: "It's not that bad, It's not that bad". Hahaha. Also, one of our favorite past times is looking up Polish idioms...if you have a chance, you should definitely take a look at them. 

Other:

-SO MUCH RAIN (BLESSINGS ON BLESSINGS)

-Snow capped mountains (photo attached)

-3rd place in handball again ("good for a girl", again)

-cereal, salad, soup, repeat. 

Love & miss you all :)

Pa Pa! (Bye-Bye!)

xoxo,

Siostra Beem <3

Write me or "dearelder" me! 

Sister Talia Murphy Beem

OCT24  POL-WAR
2005 N 900 E Unit  45
Provo UT 84602

talia.beem@myldsmail.net

Siostra's Beem, Rawson, Larsen, Starszy Theriault

With Sister Rawson

I think Utah skipped Fall this year.

YAY..halfway there!

Portland Polish Festival t-shirts--they even glow in the dark!

4. Week 4 MTC: Living the Dream

Czesc!! Jak sie masz? (Hello!  How are you!?)

The events of this week:

1. Missy 

My cute roommate from school, Missy, came into the MTC this week. She is going to the Tacoma, WA mission. I saw her about 10 minutes after she got dropped off--I think I was crying more than she was! (photo below). 

2. 3 apostles in 1 week? I must be dreaming. 

In the past week(ish)...we've had D. Todd Christofferson, M. Russell Ballard, and Quentin L. Cook come and speak. What a treat that was!

Here's some of my takeaways:

M. Russell Ballard: 

-Enthusiastically start our day--we are witnesses & we testify! It's contagious. 

-We, missionaries, are standing IN for the Lord. 

-It is what people FEEL at the beginning stages of activation or teaching....they sense we have something special (and we do!). 

-"I would be dynamite if I went back in time and re-served my mission"--it was so funny to hear an apostle to say a not-so-humble statement. Haha. He said the way he would've changed would be to: Smile, Radiate, Think, and Know more. 

-Throughout your life, you come to know the Lord. But more importantly, throughout your life, the Lord comes to know you. 

-This is the beginning of a lifetime of service. 

Quentin L. Cook:

"The 4 Love's":

1.Love your companion(s): "How can we, in unity, take this gospel to the world?"

2. Love the people: & respect them, their culture, and their traditions. 

3. Love your mission president: Quentin L. Cook was talking about the inspiration he gets when assigning mission calls...he said that an assignment basis often pertains to mission presidents, more than the people. 

4. Love the Lord: "The Atonement is best written about in Preach My Gospel than any other book out there". 

-The Savior's Atonement makes up for all the "unfairs" in life. 

-Chapter 3 of PMG contains ALL of the doctrines in this dispensation. 

-Gordon B. Hinkley designed PMG so it couldn't be memorized--we are supposed to teach by the Spirit instead. 

- Chapter 3 of PMG was "written on both sides of the veil". How cool?

-Testify and Promise Blessings

-Can He TRUST us with spiritual experiences?

The Ending of Quentin L. Cook's testimony:

"I know His Face and I know His voice"--all of the MTC was freaking out when he said that. Gasps galore!  HOW AMAZING IS THAT? In district review that night (where we all come together and talk about the devotional), Brother Bradford, the First Councilor in our Branch Presidency, said "That was the most direct statement about the Lord I've ever heard from a prophet, or an apostle". 

3. The Polish:

This week, we started learning Polish cases...which statistically makes Polish one of the hardest languages in the world to learn. I can testify that that is true. Ahahah. But, Krok po kroku (step by step)...it's coming along!

4. My Best Friends--Oops, I mean District. (The Office, pt. 2)

I am blessed here in the MTC. My District is the best. And since many asked, but few received...here is our list of everyone in "The Office"...(The Elders picked who the Sisters were and the Sisters picked who the Elders were).

Michael Scott- Theriault. He's a leader. And he's hilarious. 

Dwight- Sassy Rassy. Whoops, I mean Starszy Rasmussen. For obvious reasons, he was chosen to be Dwight. He's got the sass. He's got the spunk. And he does the best Dwight imitation.

Oscar- Stokes. Not physically speaking...but definitely intellectually speaking. Stokes is a genius and has enough sass for us all. 

Jim- Barlow. He's outgoing and likes to joke with the rest of the Elders. 

Creed- Starszy Hansen: Best one liners out of anyone in the district. Starszy Hansen is pretty quiet...but man is he funny. 

Andy- Adriano. This is probably the most accurate match. Adriano never stops singing (we're trying to move him towards hymns...but he's still stuck on Bruno Mars and such). He is loud and fun. 

Darrell- Dickson. Talk about an all around funny guy--and loved by the entire zone.

Pam -me. I like keepin' the gang organized. 

Kelly- Sis Larson. She LOVES to talk...thus, making her Kelly :)

Phyllis- Sis Rawson. Not physically speaking either...because I'm pretty sure I could fit 6 Sister Rawson's into one Phyllis...but she is funny and speaks her mind (in the most loving way!). 

5. Favorite quote of the week:

Brother Eggett (our MTC choir director) shared this quote before the Tuesday devotional (I can't stop thinking about it): "The Lord doesn't protect your from pain, he perfects you through it"

6. Favorite moment of the week:

Starszy Hansen was studying in the hallway and asked if Starszy Stokes would throw him his Polish dictionary. Starszy Stokes grabbed it, stood up, ...and then CHUCKED IT out the door. Like you know those things that calculate how fast baseballs are pitched? If we had one, it would've easily been 100mph. I've never seen Starszy Rasmussen laugh so hard. Everyone was dying...because it was so not like our usual, timid Stokes! 

Have an amazing week!

Remember who you are and what you stand for :)

Xoxo,

Siostra Beem <3

Write me or "dearelder" me! 

Sister Talia Murphy Beem

OCT25  POL-WAR
2005 N 900 E Unit  45
Provo UT 84604

talia.beem@myldsmail.net

Temple Pics... (Beem, Rawson, Stokes, Adriano, Hansen, Larson)

"My Best Friends--Oops, I mean District" (plus one)

Sweater Wednesday!

The gray sweater club (Rasmussen, Stokes, Theriault, Barlow, Beem)

Sister Parker and Sister Beem (Tal's freshman year roomie)

Our Thai and Marshallese friends:)  

They left this week and are serving in Perth and Brisbane.

The Elders in Tal's zone (all are going to Eastern Europe)

Sister Beem and Rawson at Provo temple

Studying Polish...

Starszy's Barlow, Hansen and Stokes

I think it's casual Friday at the MTC--(haha)

Starszy's Rasmussen, Theriault, Adriano & Dickson

TRC (Teaching Resource Center) at the MTC

This picture includes recently returned Poland missionaries and the

current group going out.  

3. Week 3 MTC: The Office

Czesc!

So... you know how I was so grateful last week that we didn't have to move apartments? Literally 20 minutes after I got off of email, we had to move because of the stinkin' bats! It was more of a preventative measure though...so no rabies shots :) 

This email might seem like it's a little everywhere...and that was just the nature of this week, so I apologize!

On Sunday, I was super sick. I blame Elder Barlow. He started the sickness among District 12 (that sounds like a Hunger Games reference, but I promise it's not). 

On Monday, the Czechs and the Slovaks left. It was the saddest thing ever. They are all so sweet. We had 14 sisters in our zone, and now we only have 6. And it'll be that way for at least another 3-6 weeks. One of the Czech Elders is visa waiting in Salem, OR. So if any of you see an Elder Plewe, say "Hi!" :) 

On Wednesday, we got new missionaries in our zone! And we got to host. It was so fun. I'm a Sister Training Leader now, so I got to spend a good part of the day with the new members of our zone. They are already a great addition to our little family. 3 of them are going to the Adriatic North mission, speaking Czech. One is going to the Adriatic North mission speaking Slovak, and the last one is going to Macedonia​​​​ speaking Bulgarian. 

Some other fun things this week:

1. Elder Barlow and I analyzed everyone and profiled them as characters in "The Office". Everyone in our district fits someone perfectly. It was a good time. 

2. Aussie Handball. If you don't know how to play, learn. It's a grand ole time. There's something about me and P.E. games. Towards the end of our exercise time, we have zone-wide elimination round. And I got third place. Which, "for a girl" (rude, elders), was pretty decent. 

3. We had Chick-fil-a this week. Tender mercy indeed. 

4. I was given a Ralph Lauren pillow by one of the Czech sisters (Sestra Brown) before she left. That thing is gold. During our move, we were without pillows for 3 nights. I am eternally grateful for that Sister and her pillow. 

5. Sister Redding. She is our second councilor's wife. She is my bff here at the MTC. She is my mom away from home. I adore her and her bear hugs :)

6. The Elders call each other names. Not bad names. Just names. For instance, Starszy Adriano calls Starszy Rasmussen "his little cucumber" (in polish). It's the funniest thing ever.

7. My homegirl Missy comes to the MTC this week. I can't wait. 

8. My favorite Polish word of the week: "nadzieja" = hope. But it really is just fun to say. Also, I challenge all of you to learn the word "Atonement" in Polish (use google translate). It's a favorite around here.

Spiritual thoughts of the week:

During our mission conference on Sunday, the Norby's spoke. The Norby's were the senior missionary couple that survived the Brussel's airport terrorist attacks. They bore their testimonies on submitting our wills to His--whatever the outcome of that trial was going to be, they were going to accept it. They had so much faith and love for the Savior. They are amazing people!

On Tuesday, D. Todd Christofferson came and spoke. It was truly life changing. He talked about how God needs to be able to TRUST US. He also talked about Repentance and how it connects to EVERYTHING in the gospel and what we teach as missionaries. It is truly a blessing and special witness to hear an apostle of the Lord speak and bear testimony of the Savior and his work. 

My girl, Ally Starke said it best this week: "...I really do loving wearing this name tag everyday. It's funny how something like a black piece of plastic can set you apart from the world in such a magnificent way."

The church is true!

Have an amazing week! Thank you for all of your letters and emails...they brighten my days!

Xoxo,

<3 Siostra Beem

Write me or "dearelder" me! 

Sister Talia Murphy Beem

OCT25  POL-WAR
2005 N 900 E Unit  45
Provo UT 84604

Countdown to Poland!

Packing up and moving from the bats!

50 days!

2. Week 2 MTC: "MT.....Cheese!"

Czesc!

Everyone was right, "make it to Sunday"! This week FLEW. The days are looooong, but the weeks are short! I don't have much time to write, but here's a quick summary of the week:

On Wednesday, all the sisters in the entire MTC were urgently called down to the gym for an "emergency meeting". We all thought it was going to be about dress code or something, but then President Burgess (MTC Presdient) got up and said, "So sisters, we have a bit of an issue. Around this time of year, bats like to make their way into the residence halls during their migrations. If you are on the 3,4,5 floor of 17M, you must permanently move all your stuff to 13 M in the next 3 hours". I LIVE IN 17M. AMONG THE BATS. But I live on the second floor, so we're good...count your blessings. Everyone on those floors had to get rabies shots (aka my worst nightmare). A sister on the fourth floor told me she woke up in the middle of the night and there was a bat ON HER NECK. Goodness, I just about died when she told me that. 

On Thursday, Siostra Larsen went up to Salt Lake to film a mormon message on family history work. She could only take one companion, so Siostra Rawson went with her..which meant...I was a solo sister for a day! It was fun being with the Elders all day. They really are the best. My day with them was filled with lots of laughter and mildly inappropriate jokes. 

The Elders for some reason like having themed days. For instance, they have "Blue Tie Tuesday" and "Sweater Wednesday". It was 97 degrees on Wednesday this week, but that didn't stop them from wearing their sweaters! Starszy Dickson wore a nice, red sweater but Starszy Rasmussen kept calling him "Mr. Rodgers" ALL DAY...so I don't think he'll be wearing that one anymore. Hhaha. 

Richard J Maynes came and spoke at our devotional on Tuesday. It was incredible. Before he came and spoke to us, he asked if we would read his talk titled, "Truth Restored"... I would encourage all of you to read it! He talked about the importance of missionary work and using the Book of Mormon to teach the gospel. He went in depth on all the different accounts of the First Vision. He is a remarkable speaker! He told us to talk to EVERYONE and to "be sweetly bold". Sister Maynes quickly talked after him and she told us her conversion story. She said that, "There are so many people out there who are searching for something MORE, or just something in GENERAL. You're going to your specific missions to find those people and fill their hearts with the gospel" I loved that! I know that people are being prepared for me and for the gospel and I can't wait to share it with them! 

​​​​​​​​​​The language is slowly but surely coming along! It is super hard, but I know if I put in the work, the Lord will help me with the rest. 

The Czech and Slovak's are leaving Monday...which means half of our zone is leaving us :( We don't get new Czech's until next Wednesday, so the floor of our classroom building will be nice and quiet for a week or so. 

I love you all...have an amazing week :)

<3 Siostra Beem

Talia's MTC District

Starszy's (left to right):

Dickson, Adriano, Rasmussen, Theriault, Barlow, Stokes, Hansen

Siostra's:  Beem, Larsen, Rawson

\

A close up of Tal's missionary tag!

    It's been a long day...

Polish scriptures

Sweater Wednesday

(97 degrees outside in Provo)

Class time...

Handball...

I have no idea what this says...but Polish

looks and sounds amazing.  

A full temple shot with the district.

 A temple selfie...

 Maybe they have a plaid tie day also???

The chalkboard...

"Don't conjugate the 2nd verb"

The MTC laundry room...