Capitulo 2, Semana 12

Familia!

I don't know how but every week just keeps getting better and better. This week was incredible! I absolutely love my companion - it's so awesome to work with/learn from someone that has been out for 16 months. I literally feel like I need to be taking notes all the time but I'm too busy laughing because we have so much fun together!

This week we found TWELVE new investigators! And we're stoked about all of them.

Luis - Just got out of prison after 10 years for drug trafficking. But in prison he studied the Bible a ton and went to Christina churches - he's so ready. Only problem is he's on 8 year probation and we can't baptize someone on probation...

Pancho, Pancho and Ernesto - The old men's club of our apartment complex. Pancho, wears a sombrero...obvi he's the pres of the club, has family that are members and he has so many questions! They are SO fun to work with.

A FAMILY! They were actually a referral from the English Elders and are so awesome. There is a mom and four kids and I can't wait to teach them about eternal families!

Something I absolutely LOVE about the mission is that we literally get to represent Jesus Christ. During a lesson this week, Karla (13 year old) opened up about her life/feelings/concerns/etc. After about the first hour, I prayed "Heavenly Father, please help me know what to say/share right now" and the thought that kept coming to my mind was "Just let her get it all out. Just listen, that's what Christ would do." During 3 1/2 HOURS of just listening, we cried, prayed, hugged and now her trust in us and willingness to listen has increased a ton! What an amazing opportunity we have to act, say, think and do exactly what Christ would!

We had a zone conference this week and something President Killpack talked about was "sprinting" the last 30 minutes of the night. The last little time we have before going in for the night is hard to find anyone to teach but also when we show our faith and willingness to work - the Lord always blesses us. I found a quote the other day that I feel in love with. "Most men stop when they begin to tire. Good men go until they think they are going to collapse. But the very best men know the mind tires before the body, and the body tires before the spirit and they push themselves further and further beyond all limits. Only when these limits are shattered can the unattainable be reached." Do your best, push yourselves, and sprint the last 100 yards. Becoming who God knows we can become has never been easy.

Se que Dios vive. Nos conoce personalmente y nos ha llamado por su autoridad a trabajar en su vina. Se que Jesucristo dirige esta obra y que aun hoy nos habla por medio del profeta Thomas S. Monson. Jose Smith es un profeta verdadero y vamos a tener la bendicion oir de El esta fin de semana. El Libro de Mormon es la palabra de Dios. Fue estcrito por nosotros y contiene la plenitude del evangelio eterno. Amo esta obra. DyC 88:73 "He aqui, apresurare mi obra en su tiempo." Ya es el tiempo. Y tenemos el gran privilegio tener la oportunidad a trabajar con El en esta obra. La iglesia es verdadera, le prometo!

Con Amor,

Hermana Stewart

Capitulo 2, Semana 11

Well family,

It's officially fall - leaves are changing colors, everyone's wearing jackets, and temps are down to 50...just kidding! I'm in Arizona - there aren't any leaves to change colors, everyone's still sporting shorts and tanks, and we're still sweating buckets in this 95 degree weather. Love it!

Pancho (mi abuelito) is doing great! We went to teach him a lesson the other day and asked if he had any concerns or question. He told us, "Yes, I want to know what the restrictions/rules are in your church." I was a little hesitant at first to explain the 10 commandments, Word of Wisdom, Law of Chastity, and Tithing because this could become a "do or die" if he didn't like what he heard. But then I realized we teach doctrine, truth, so if we allow the spirit to work through us to testify to him of these things, all is going to be fine. After we explained everything, Pancho sat there for a while quietly and then said, "Okay, I can do that. I'll have to change some things but with God's help I know I can do all of those things." Holy cow, what a great example for me - aren't I supposed to be the teacher?!

Luis (ex con) is progressing too! While we were teaching him last week we had a funny experience. We were getting to the end of the lesson - the climax, bearing testimony, promising blessings, the really good stuff - and then this lady walks outside and starts motioning for us to come. Luis asked if we knew her because he didn't and there wasn't' anyone else outside. She looked panicked and kept saying, "Ven!" I asked is she needed help and she said "yes, hurry!" I sprinted over and as I got closer I saw that she was sweaty and panicky. I started to worry, wondering what was wrong and asked what she needed. She looked at me, motioned toward her kitchen table and said, "can you please open my juice bottle?"....

Weirdest street contact last night. A man and woman with three foster kids they've adopted - "I want to be honest with you, this is my religion" (pointing to his kids). "I don't care what color they are - black (points to daughter), yellow (points to Mexican son),...Mexican" (points to Mexican son's twin sister). "I invite you to have kids." "Well, I need a husband first." "No you don't! I hope to see you in a few days with a child in your arms." Yep, definitely gave that referral to the Elders!

Conference is Christmas! We get the chance to hear from a prophet of the Lord? BLESSED! I learned a TON but one of the biggest things the Spirit taught me was how we literally choose our destiny. The choices we make today, not only effect tomorrow but forever. Decisions determine destiny. We are counseled to avoid bondage of any kind - bondage comes from disobedience. Be obedient. Elder Dube said, “The past is to be learned from, not lived in. Faith is always pointing to the future.” I love how wise Heavenly Father is. He has the big picture and knows what we need - the trials and experiences, joys relationships, everything - to help us reach exaltation and everlasting happiness. I love Him. Learn from the past, from your trials, and have the faith and determination to do better.

Thanks for all the updates! Madi, brace-face and four eyes?...I'm sure you've never been more attractive! :) Sara it sounds like your killing it with soccer! Score some points for me, 00hottie;) Maren and J, I miss you two, too! I promise to not grow any more if you promise to stop growing, deal? It's so awesome to hear about all the people getting their mission call/getting married (send pics)! There is always room to progress in the gospel! I pray for you everyday and love hearing form you - siempre estan en mi corazon!

Hermana Stewart

picture: the best district in the ATM at the San Javier Mission (kinda reminded me of Nacho Libre...:))

Capitulo 2, Semana 10

Hey Fam! Sorry this is going to be short...:)

 

This week has been awesome. My new companion, Sister Uscharawadi, is the best missionary out here. And the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th next best missionaries are in my district! I feel like the Lord has prepped everything perfectly in this area (great missionaries that are here ready to WORK and with the same goal in mind, a great branch, and prepared people) and that Los Reales is about to explode! We have set our personal, comp, and district goals high and have the faith (belief and willingness to work) to achieve them. We're already seeing miracles happen!

 

I used to think there was such a thing as getting tired of knocking too much...this week has proven me wrong. I LOVE KNOCKING! Yesterday after church we didn't have dinner (FEED THE DANG MISSIONARIES DINNER ON SUNDAY!) so sister U and I ate a protein bar and just knocked. Family, you know that if i'm going to give up food for something, I must love it. :) I've never been more tired in my life. We're doing Jillian Michaels every morning so I'm sore...constantly (I feel your pain madi:)) and we are giving EVERYTHING we have to the work. It is the greatest feeling to know that every last ounce of yourself is going to progress the work of the Lord. I feel like I'm finally becoming more of the missionary I wanted to be at the start ofmy mission. I'm fully focused on the work and don't care about myself or my desires. I literally just want to bring everyone to Christ - Los Reales is about to get baptized!

 

I started teaching an atheist for the first time...it's such a different way of teaching and I'm loving it! Through studying to help him understand who God is and the relationship he has with his Heavenly Father, my knowledge and relationship is being strengthened too - I have never been so close to or so thankful for my Father in Heaven. Danna and Nayeli are doing great! Their dad brought them to church yesterday (now we just need to get him IN the building too...:)) and every time we go over there, they're singing A Child's Prayer. Melts my heart:) Also the first 4 people at church yesterday were recent converts...haha love it!

 

Pray for these people please - they need all the help they can get! I love you all so much and pray for you constantly. Remember who you are and haz lo justo!

 

Hermana Stewart

Capitulo 2, Semana 9

Well Family, it's happened. I have fallen in love with the mission. I always liked the mission but at times, it's hard. It's hard to enjoy getting the door shut in your face, knocking for hours and never finding anybody that wants to listen, or seeing people use their agency in a way that just ticks me off. But the feelings I had as I watched Danna and Nayeli get baptized on Friday, made EVERYTHING worth it. It made me love the work - because without the hard times, I could never experience the "cloud 9" times.

 

This week was probably my favorite on the mission so far - so many good journal entries! haha We did a lot of tracting this week and found the coolest people. Some of my favorites include The Beast from the movie The Sandlot and Muhammad Ali from Somali Africa. I ate mole for the first time (and would be fine never having to eat it again), celebrated Mexican Independence Day, and saw a ton of miracles.

 

Transfers were today and I had to say bye to Sister Jenkins - hard but good (we were starting to have way too much fun:)). My new companion is Sister U and she goes home in December. She's Asian and we're already having tons of fun together. We're gonna do work!

 

Miracle of the week: Before the baptism, neither Sister Jenkins or I turned the phone down or put it on silence. After the baptism we checked the phone and had 2 missed calls and 3 text messages, and the phone was still on full volume...! The Lord is watching over us!

 

Top 10 things I've learned after being a missionary for 3 months in Tucson, AZ:

1. Don't pray for help to lose weight. God will bless you with 3 days of atomic diarrhea.

2. If you can't tell if he's high or not, he's high.

3. Save water. Drink beer. Or horchata.

4. Never trust a fart after eating Mexican food.

5. If you think you're sweaty, you're right.

6. Never trust Mexican remedies.

7. If the girl is twice the size of the guy, you know they're dating.

8. No matter how good they say the Mexican candy is, it's still going to taste like spicy dirt.

9. If you don't think you can fit anymore food into your stomach, a Mexican woman will prove you wrong every time.

10. If you thought you could never be happier, wait until tomorrow...:)

 

Happy birthday Dad! I'm so thankful to have your counsel and example in my life. I don't know where I'd be without you - you're the best. Also, I heard it doesn't get any better than turning 60. Enjoy every minute of it. ;)

 

I'm so glad you are all doing great! I pray for you everyday. Multiple times a day. Stay obedient and put the most important things in life first and I KNOW everything else will fall into play. 1 Ne. 3:7 He will provide a way if we are willing to do what He needs us to. I love you all so stinkin much.

 

Hermana Stewart

 

P.S. The picture is the group of kids we're teaching. Danna and Nayeli are the girls in green and yellow shirts.

 

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Capitulo 2; Semana 8

Family!

My heart is so full right now! I think this week has been my favorite week on the mission so far. President Killpack extended a challenge to get as many member present lessons as we could, promising that it would up our baptism numbers and help really convert people. You know how determined I can be when I'm given a challenge... But what was amazing was that the success we had came because we changed our motivation. I didn't even think about getting member presents for the numbers, rather the motive was helping our investigators have friendships, a support system, and to get the members more involved. We got 19 member present lessons this week! And it is all thanks to Heavenly Father.

Also I had the awesome opportunity to give a talk in church yesterday! I really love giving talks in spanish because it's so simple but powerful. And jokes are 10 times funnier in Spanish!

Had an exchange this week that was great! It was with Hermana Usharawadi and a little birdie has told us were going to be comps next transfer!! I'm so excited! She hasn't been in a spanish area for a year so I didn't have Hermana Jenkins as a crutch to lean on and it was neat for me to see that I really do speak spanish! Everyone kept saying, "remember when you first got here and you couldn't speak ANY spanish?! Now you can't shut up!" haha I love hispanics:) 

I am SO ready for fall! I think I have decided it is my favorite season. People are already putting out pumpkins, Walmart is selling fall decorations, we made cinnamon rolls with the Quezada family (taste of home. aka heaven), and it's been rainy for the last couple days! I'm ready to buy a pumpkin spice candle and eat some soup - even if it is still 90 degrees outside:)

Danna and Nayeli are getting baptized! They are the 9 and 11 year olds we have been teaching for the last month and they are so ready. Their families aren't super strong but that's all the more reason they need the gospel, right?! They don't have church clothes so they are going to be little mini hermana Stewarts and Jenkins, dressed in our skirts! They are so excited but not as excited as me! Friday at 6:00 105 N. Norton Avenue Tucson, AZ if you can make it:)

I can't express in words my true feelings about the mission, but it is the greatest gift my Heavenly Father has blessed me with. It's crazy how more than anything we are disappointed as missionaries - investigators not being home, people not keeping their commitments, losing interest, etc. But I never remember these moments. However, I can remember in detail the times I have felt the spirit's quiet impressions, when I have felt the pure love of Christ for God's children, and when I have seen the Lord's hand in this work as he has performed miracles every day. Every disappointment is SO worth it! This is the Lord's work and I, no WE, have the blessed opportunity to take part in it and to be molded more into the person, missionary, and daughter my Heavenly Father wants and knows I can become.

I feel good! I feel great! I feel wonderful! 

You are the best - we're so lucky we have eternity together!

Hermana Stewart

Capitulo 2, Semana 6

Mission Life: Take a woman and make her not a woman.
-Gag worthy, eye watering smelly feet.
-Sweaty. Always.
-Dirty. Constantly.
-Zits from the above two.
-Gas like never before.
-8 lbs heavier because we have a car and I just can't say no to one more flour tortilla.
I LIVE IT & I LOVE IT!

What a great, eventful week! When I first got here, Los Reales numerically was the WORST area in the mission. Now, as of last week, we are numerically the BEST. President Killpack has even been using our area as an example during Zone Conferences. The ward here has totally changed and we are working harder than ever. Everyone asks how it's even possible to do as well as we're doing and it's all about goal setting (demonstrating our faith) and then being willing to act (work our bums off)!

This week - 

-Got a package from Gma Batty with two clinical strength deodorants - I said a prayer of thanks. Also wore grandma's dress she sent and got complimented on it quite a bit - Gma B, you're so hip!

-Translated from Spanish to English during Sacrament meeting! It reassures me that I'm actually learning Spanish haha

-Got some wedding announcements from people at BYU - isn't life for everyone else supposed to stop while I'm not there?

-Saw our first javelina pig dead on the side of the road. siiick nasty! 

-Our district did a fireside about la obra misional and how members can help/participate. 

-Found a 13 year old and started teaching him. His 11 year old sister came up after a while and asked how old we were. We told her 20 and 21 - she looked at her brother and said, "Oh sorry Angel but they're a little too old for you..." haha 

Obviously, it's been a great week! And to top it all off, we're preparing for Sarai's baptism this Saturday!! She so excited...but not as excited as I am! 

I have studied faith a lot this week and have LOVED it. One of my favorite things to do during lessons about faith is ask "What is faith?" Usually people respond "It means to believe." Then we ask, "Then what's the difference between having faith and believing?" Stumps 'em every time! We turn to the scriptures and read 1 James 2:17 - "Even so faith, it if hath not works, is dead." It's not that they make the connection that faith is believing AND acting. Under faith in the Bible Dictionary it says, "Faith...is more than belief, since true faith always moves its possessor to some kind of physical and mental action." As we set our goals high, have the faith to achieve them, and work as if the results all depend on us, the Lord will not let us fail. Help is always there if we have faith and blessings will always come - they may be different from what we expected but better than we ever imagined! Moroni 7:33

I almost started crying when I saw all the pictures Cam sent - not because of you guys but because to see that that much green still exists somewhere in the world is a miracle! Thanks for not going to Scotland without me - the Lord will bless you, I have faith. :) So glad the girls loved camp and that Garmisch was rainy (love every minute of it!) I seriously love getting your emails - I don't know how I'd make it through the week without them, they pump me up and keep me going. I am the luckiest to have you all as my family. You are all the best!!

Hna Stewart

Capitulo 2, Semana 5

Mom and Dad - thank you so much for raising me correctly.

It's been a week of firsts - first exchange of the mission, first time at Golden Corral, and first transfer in the field completed!

I left the area last Tuesday to go on an exchange with Sister Solomon. Objective for the day: Finding. So we knocked. And knocked. And knocked! I love knocking doors (you meet the WEIRDEST people) We found this older couple that and were talking with them about prophets and Joseph Smith. The man said, "My parents never told me about this prophet - they taught me about Noah, Moses, Abraham, but why didn't they tell me about Joseph Smith?!" I said, "I don't know but you're sure lucky we came by today to tell you about him!"

Friday was my first time at Golden Corral and definitely not the last! Wings, pizza, steak, salad, rolls, dessert, and the great, large people of Tucson. 'Merican food - the real deal. What more could you want out of life?

I have been out in the field for SIX WEEKS! Hermana Jenkins and I are staying together for another transfer! WOO HOO! Good thing too because we've set some high goals and haven't quite achieved them yet. This transfer, starting tomorrow, we're are doing an English fast! Straight Espanol for 6 week - I'll see you all in the next life. Goal: not be able to speak English anymore!

The Ochoa family came to church on Sunday!! First time in 4 1/2 years - miracles do happen.

We found out yesterday that one of our investigator's daughters is 20 and has a 6 year old son. She got pregnant when she was 13 and had her son when she was 14...!!! I have never been more appreciative of my parents and my family situation than now. Pray for the families here, they need help!

This week I have just been amazed at how incredibly blessed I am. The opportunity to serve a mission is the greatest gift my Heavenly Father could give me right now.  It is hard. It is tiring. But there is no work more important than missionary work and I am so grateful to be a such a big part of it! Elder Holland said, "Nothing else in life can be more important than what missionaries do - saving souls is the most important thing. Everything God does is devoted to the saving of His children!" How amazing of an opportunity for us to participate in His great work! And what's even better is it doesn't stop after the mission - keep sharing the Gospel!

"There are feet to steady,

hands to grasp, 

hearts to inspire,
and souls to save.

Are we doing all we should?" 

- President Monson

I am loving life, being a missionary, the people I'm working with, and the person I'm becoming! We are having a blast and it's so fun seeing the Gospel completely change people's lives. It sounds like you are all doing great and enjoying your summer (school started this Monday here so, girls, say a prayer of thanks that your still on break:)) If my vote counts about what you should do for a vacation, do what Cam wants - he needs to be selfish for the first time in 2 years! :) Love you all so much!

Hermana Stewart

Picture - We went by an investigators house on Sunday and as we walked up to him he tried to hide the cigarette in his hand...He told us it was just because he was in pain and it was only for tonight. We pulled out 2 Nefi 2:27 and talked about how we can choose good or bad but every choice brings us closer or farther away from Heavenly Father. Then we took his cigarette from him.

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Capitulo 2, Semana 4

Mis corazones!

Life has never been better! I am a missionary in Tucson, preaching the Gospel, just went to Baskin Robins, and now I'm hearing from my family. What a dream! :) I LOVE your letters! I'm a little bummed I can't be there right now with Cam (maybe take some videos/pictures...) but it's fun to hear all about what's happening! Sorry it's not quite as fun as it could be if I were there...;)

My birthday was great! I felt like I gained more years when I started wearing garments than I did turning 20...:) We hit up the taco wagon for lunch and the sonoran hotdog stand for dinner. My district leader (Elder Peterson) and his comp (Elder Alston) decorated the church and had a "yellow string road" leading to candy and a surprise attack of spit wads and fire crackers! They're the best. Best birthday present of all though, I got kissed on the hand by a guy with schizophrenia...awww yeah! :) 

Had the BEST horchata and arroz con leche this week. Our investigators are doing good but one of our goals for this week is the find some more new investigators that actually want to come to church and be baptized...haha it's always a fun time though. We are getting ready to baptize a girl with down syndrome though! Her name is Sarai and she yells everything (HEMA STWAD). So fun. 

We have been trying to reactivate this family and it's been tough. I have never felt the spirit in their home because the kids are nuts and the parents just yell at them. BUT the other night we danced to Gangnam style with the kids and there was definitely unity. Who'd a thunk Gangnam style would be the way to bring the spirit to that home? The Lord works in mysterious ways! 

We were heading home one night and passed a group of people sitting outside. We asked if we could sing them a hymn (Hermana Jenkins is an opera singer in training...she volunteers US to sing a lot. I think it's because I make her look extra good :)) Afterwards they clapped and these two ladies came up to us and asked if we would sing at their dad's funeral. We said sure! haha So the next morning we sang How Great Thou Art at a random man's funeral. 

This week I've learned a little more about succeeding. The feeling of victory comes not from winning but from doing our best, trying our hardest and enduring to the end (even if that's the end of the lesson, hour, day or week). It takes tenacity - or "holding fast." If we hold fast to our goals and give everything we have until the very end, we will experience victory. 2 Nephi 31:20 I've thought a lot about Camron's mission this week and I tear up thinking about the amazing example he is for me. You motivate me to be better and try harder every day Cam - I love you! No regrets!

Mom honestly I think when I come back to visit Tucson after my mission, I'll be surprised at how dangerous it is, but since I've been here I have NEVER felt scared or in danger. The Lord watches over us! We are in His service and as we are being obedient, He will protect us! I got one package this morning and I think there are about 10 gummy bear packages left...oops:) Thanks so much! Tell Camron to write me, dangit! And keep telling me about the stuff he's doing/how he's acting - I get a kick out of it. Love you all!

Hermanita Stewart

Capitulo 2, Semana 3

Familia!

This week has been crazy! We were challenged by a companionship to beat their number of lessons taught in a week (32), with tres leches as the reward. You all know how competitive I am and how much I love dessert so it was on! Hermana Jenkins and I haven't worked so hard on our missions yet as we did this week and it showed - we ended up teaching 34 lessons! And what's even better is that we had the best lessons this week!

Updates about the work here in Los Reales:
-We are helping a man without legs prepare to be baptized (Cristobol) and, after he put up a BIG fight, he committed to live La Palabra de Sabaduria! 

-We are reactivating a lesbian...Does "flirt to convert" apply in this situation? Just kidding:) She is awesome and it is a blast working with her family! 

-We committed an 11 year old girl with Down Syndrome to a baptismal date yesterday. She is so funny and we have to take dancing breaks ever 3 minutes to keep her entertained and engaged. 

- Lately Rosie has felt like she's slipping through our fingers. She is talking to her ex again and he's just a bad influence. We stopped by on Saturday to teach her and her older brother actually sat in on the lesson. We told them at the end they both should come to church and that we'd get a ride for them. We set up the ride but then Sunday morning she told us she was tired and didn't need a ride - aka "I'm not going to church." We persisted and even told them we'd bring them cookies if they came but she sounded like she wasn't coming. Then 5 minutes into Sacrament Meeting she walks in with her brother, mom, and boyfriend. Even our investigator is doing missionary work! Or she just really wants cookies...:)

Monsoon season is nuts here! We were teaching a lesson when it started to rain and in the five seconds we were in the rain from their door to our car, we were COMPLETELY drenched. And driving through the streets is like driving through rivers. Probably not safe but makes for good video footage! I have some good stories that I'll have to share with you after the mission about how ghetto the Dirty T really is...get excited! 

Thanks for the letter and b-day wishes! Cam, I love you tons and am so lucky to have a brother that has set the standard for a mission so high. I told sister Jenkins, I wish I could just fly home for a day and give you a hug/get mission advice from you and then come back...Take a nap for me when you get home. :) I love you all so much and feel your prayers. Families are the best!

Seester Stewart

Capitulo 2, Semana 2

Familia! 

Hopping fences in skirts, running from chihuahuas, and eating menudo...you know, mission life. This week has be great. I just love that I'm already seeing personal improvements and it's only been 2 months! The mission is amazing and here's why -

-Before I came on the mission, I thought all Mexicans were named Juan, Carlos, and Maria. But we're teaching a Yesenia, Yanari, Dianabell, Imedla, Selma, and Guadalupe...I'm still decided which one I'm going to use to name my first child.

-Ate soup made of corn, cheese, lemon, salt, and butter. Not bad tasting, but I'm pretty sure the butter made up of about 50% of the soup...

-Had to pee so bad when we were tracting and was ready to just squat behind a house. Then we realized we could use this as an excuse to get into someone's house and talk! We opened the gate to go inside and, as I was closing it, Hermana Jenkins starts screaming and pushing me back out the gate. I turn around to see what is happening and there is a little fluffy dog trotting towards us. So glad my trainer protects me from the most ferocious of animals.:)

-Saw a couple dead chiahuahuas in the road...and I'm not really that sad about it. Darn dogs.

-Vacations to Mexico are of the devil. People just up and leave for weeks/months = baptismal dates dropping like crazy. 

-Had a combined b-day dinner yesterday from our favorite family in the ward (hermana Jenkins b-day was yesterday and mine's coming up). She fed us menudo (not quite sure how I feel about it yet...), spicy enchiladas (hurts coming out the other side the day after), and orange tres leches cake (I grew closer to heaven with each bite - good thing I had three slices!) 

-Tried talking to an old man walking on the road and I think it was the first rude Mexican I've come across. "No white person has ever wanted to talk to me before, why are you trying?" Kind of refreshing.

-Got a new branch presidency! BLESSING FROM THE LORD! Stoked to start fresh!

-One of our investigators (Rosie -17 years old) is having a hard time quitting smoking weed. So Hma Jenkins and I told her if she'd stop smoking we would give up eating sweets until she gets baptized. This is Day 1 and I already wanted to get a doughnut at Walmart...pray for me!:)

This week I have really been trying to work on exact obedience and I have seen some great miracles because of my efforts. If we aren't being exactly obedient, Satan sees that we're willing to bend/break some rules and will just keep working on us. Be STEADFAST and IMMOVABLE (Hel. 5:12) and blessings will come!

Life is great here and it sounds like it's busy but great there too! I pray for you everyday! If you have time (aka make time - priorities people!) send me some pics of you, the house, anything and everything! LOVE YOU TONS!

Seester Stewart

Capitulo 2, Semana 1

Holy smokes family! I'M IN ARIZONA! And it's hot. But great!

My last week in the MTC was just crazy. I'm pretty sure I felt every kind of emotion possible. In SO many ways I was just on edge and ready to get out in the field but at the same time, leaving my district and teachers was so hard. I literally would have never guessed that a group of 12 18-20 year olds could get that close in six weeks. I have no idea how I still had tears left but they kept coming! That group will always have a little piece in my heart. But it's okay because we've already decided that we are going to have reunions (where we go on splits with the missionaries, do some temple sessions, and have testimony meetings) all the time when we're all back. Even our branch presidency wants in on it!! BBQ-ing at the Monson's - ahh yeah! (Just a little fun fact - the Prophet's nephew and I have the same colored salmon pants...and have planned to both wear them to the reunion:)) I know I have said it before but I'll say it again, I have been SO blessed to be surrounded by the people I was in the MTC. I think I just needed the extra help all of the incredible and amazing people around me - I thank my Heavenly Father daily for the foundation they gave me. Elder Darger had his sister send 14 ties to us she found at savers and we signed them and gave them to our teachers and zone resource trainers that were so helpful to us little missionaries! Saying bye to Hermano Clarke and Harris was the worst! Especially Clarke - we all had a huge bawling fest during class that day, knelt in prayer one last time together, and then he left and we ate cookies to console ourselves. :)
We also had in field orientation last week and basically what I learned or had reemphasized was that the mission will be 18 months of constant exhaustion...in a good way! It just seems like there is SO much you havce to do for each investigaor - memeber present lessons, teaching record, progress report, get referrals from the, etc. - AND they want, YOU want, to have 1,000 investigators all the time. It was just a little bit of a wake us call for me. But one of the teachers said this 18 - 24 months is going to be the hardest experience in your life thus far so why so all the RM's come back raving about their missions? Why don't they say, "It's all a big joke, don't go, it's not worth it."? I think I came to the capacity limit for what I could learn in the CCM and I'm glad to finally be in the field, put into practice what I've learned, increase my faith, and see miracles happen! 

Our district set a goal to do 200 lessons in the last four days in the MTC and we saw some amazing things happen because of it! We ended up teaching lessons ALL the time but there were some many people that told us the things we discussed/shared were exactly what they needed to hear! One companionship of elders even asked to take a picture with us because we helped him so much - seasoned MTC missionaries! 

Saturday we had to tell one of our "investigators" that we were getting transferred and that we couldn't teach him anymore. And I bawled. What is wrong with me?! He wasn't even a real investigator!! Sunday was madness! With the Worldwide Mission Broadcast the schedule was nuts. AND we didn't have the cafeteria because the mission presidents were using that building so it felt like camping. Paper plates, plastic silverware, "eggs" for breakfast, hotdogs for lunch, and that smoke smell that doesn't come out of clothes/hair for anything. All we were missing were our tents.:) But it was ALL worth it for us to be part of that amazing broadcast (which by the way, i'm in the choir! 4th/5th row, black dress, can you find waldo?;)) Just to be in the presence of 11 of the quorum of the 12 was incredible! And the focus on member missionary work is going to be super important in the area I'm in! 

Arizona - 

Woke up at 4:30 on Monday, left at 5:30 with Markie (roommate), and got to the airport around 7. We got through security and to our terminal and then I headed for the payphone. I tried calling so many times but was running out of money so quickly called grandma hoping she would answer but oh well! It was at least good to hear her voice on the answering machine! :) haha Then I asked some airport workers if they knew how to call internationally and they even let me try to use their phone but it wasn't going through. I later (of course when it was too late) realized the number dad sent was wrong! He put 6561 962 503 instead of 6569. Oh well, apparently it wasn't meant to be! We'll just have to wait until December! We then boarded the smallest plane I've ever been on and all 30 of us going to the Tucson Mission flew down. There were only 3 of us coming that are spanish speaking and i'm the only sister! President and Sister Killpack are amazing and we have a really awesome mission from what I've seen so far. Our standard of excellece goals are dang high but we're reaching them and the Lord is hastening His work. We ate at the Killpacks last night and had a little testimony meeting. At the airport, the first thing the AP's said to me was "you are so lucky to be getting the trainer you are. she is the best." And it's true! Her name is *drumroll* Hermana Jenkins and we are going to do some serious work! I already love her a ton and am so excited to start sprinting hard! Well family, I pray for you and hope all is well! Happy late birthday Maren! Keep the faith and get to work you member!! Love you all!!

Hermana Stewart

Capitulo 1, Semana 5

Familia!

Let me just start by saying, in one week exactly I will be in Arizona in the mission field, eating great Mexican food, with REAL Mexican investigators! I don't think I've ever been more anxious for anything in my entire life. I received my travel plans on Friday and I leave Monday at 5:30am and will hopefully be in Arizona around 11:00! I could pee my pants. 

This has been a fantastic week! Thursday was Elder Dunn's birthday so Hermana Richards had her friend send streamers and balloons and we decorated the classroom Wednesday night. We got the balloons that are massive and have rubber bands attached that you hold and punch over and over. We blew all eight of them up and made a chandelier out of them and hung them up in the middle of the room. Then we woke up early Thursday morning so we would be in the classroom when he came in. Elder Dunn walked in the room and was SO surprised. He wanted to hug all of us so instead he shook all of our hands vigorously. haha It was the best. Elder Bird even said, "Dang it. Now I wish I was born on a different day." :)

Hermana Richards and I had some amazing lessons this week. For the first time I felt like we really connected doctrine to our investigators needs finally. AND we strengthened our relationship with them. Leonardo has been working on not drinking and trying to get a job. We walked in one day to teach, sat down and asked how he was doing. He said he was tired because he had been drinking...mine and Hermana Richards hearts dropped and we were like, "NOOOOO!" In Preach My Gospel it says when your investigator doesn't keep their commitment the first thing you'll feel is devistated. TRUTH. Then he told us that he was joking and he had actually found a job and he has been working a lot! He thinks he's funny...

Our district sang Mas Cerca Dio, de Ti or Nearer, my God, To Thee together in church y fue hermosa! But we were practicing on Saturday after planning and once when we were running through it, somehow it ended up being Nearer, My God, To Thee baptist church style...! It actually sounded pretty good - there were even a few "AMEN!"s shouted. In fact, it sounded so good we decided, as a district (of course) that we should film it. We set up two cameras, pushed play and got our baptist choir on video....or so we thought. When we finished we checked both cameras and one stopped videoing after 30 seconds and the other was super blurry. Also, in the process of standing on a chair to retrieve her camera, Hermana Palmer fell. If those aren't signs we shouldn't be performing as a baptist group, I don't know what is. 

Hermana Richards and I taught our lesson on Sunday on Faith in Christ and it went really well! Something that really stuck out to me most when preparing is that to strengthen our faith we must consistently and constantly be living the gospel. "We become what we want to be by consistently being what we want to become." Duh. But profound.:) 

Yesterday might have been my favorite day in the MTC so far. Watermelon, curly fries, white chocolate craisin cookies, AND jalepenos at the wrap bar. You know my feelings on watermelon...:) My district has set a goal for the last week to teach 200 lessons before Sunday night so Hermana Richards and I taught some short lessons outside yesterday. We found our victims - two sisters going to Australia speaking Chinese. Obviously we had to pray in English and it was the most awkward thing I've done in a long time. I honestly didn't know what/how to say anything and I literally had to translate from Spanish to English! Such an amazing experience! I also saw Kenna Bryan yesterday! She is doing great and said Logan gets back in three weeks! That made me think how Cam gets back in FOUR weeks. WHAT IS HAPPENING?! Where has the time gone? 

After dinner yesterday, our district wanted to get a picture in front of the infamous MTC map. Coincidentally (or not so coincidentally) there were some hispanics that don't speak ANY english sitting by it that offered to take our picture. We ended up talking with them for a while. They have been in the MTC for 6 weeks trying to learn English even though they're going stateside Spanish speaking. Basically, our entire conversation was in Spanish! It made me SO excited. They were from Mexico and I could understand and communicate just fine with them. And they were so darn funny! I am literally so ready now to get out in the field. OH! and I got the picture book you sent mom! That is the best!! Still no package yet though...

This morning Hermana Richards had to get a haircut and I pretty much had to hold her hand. Cutting her hair gives her anxiety (apparently even if it's one inch haha). Then our district went to the temple fro breakfast and I was literally in heaven. To eat something besides the MTC food was like Christmas, my birthday, and Easter all combined in one glorious feast. Omletes, bacon, hashbrowns, waffles with strawberries and whipped cream on top...Elder Parker stood up to leave and said, "This isn't goodbye Hermanas but if it were, my last words to you would be...YOLO." haha 

Thanks for all the letters fam! It sounds like you had a pretty exciting week! I'm so glad you got to go to the temple and that Sara has moved up to the world of hormotional teenagers!;) My time is up but keep me posted on everything! 

One last thought before i sign off - You CANNOT reach the end of your reserves/strength - you only think you can. You can ALWAYS go further and push harder because you have Heavenly Father ALWAYS with you! We are SO blessed!! I LOVE YOU ALL TONS!! 

Seester Stewart

Photos from the MTC

Capitulo 1, Semana 4

Hola Family!

 

It's crazy how time can be a countdown OR a motivator. Four weeks down, TWO TO GO! Time to step up the game and get to work! This week has flown by (starting to seem pretty typical....) but it was a great one! This letter might be kind of scattered and not very cohessive - sorry in advance!:)

 

Two Elders in my district went to Las Vegas last week to get their Visas and were super pumped to have some real missionary moments. They left with a backpack full of copies of the Book of Mormon and actually gave out two! I was especially excited at how pumped Elder Dunn was. He has a hard time with the language and needed that little push to keep him going to know all the work will be worth it and now he (all of us) can't wait to get out into the field! We found out last week that one of the zone teachers that doesn't have a district yet (Hermano Talataina) was asked if he would choose a district to have teach him as an investigator and film the teaching for something in the future....and he chose my district. He was impressed with us and said we could set the bar for other missionaries that would see the videos! So last week we received a "referral" of a man named Jose. Now we have THREE investigators!

 

Teaching this week has been amazing. We taught Leonardo on Friday and took a "member" with us to the lesson. It went so well that HE asked US what day he could get baptized. Hma Richards and I were a little caught off guard and probably spent a good 10 seconds looking at each other before we said June 25th. haha I now have such a strong testimony of member present lessons! We took Pollo on a walk up to the temple while we discussed the Plan of Salvation and it was awesome. Seriously seeing HUGE steps!

 

OH! Coolest story. During language study on Saturday, Hma Richards and I wanted to shake things up so we went outside and "contacted". We were teaching some sisters and just doing introductions - where we're from, where we're going, etc. Anyways, when I said Tucson Arizona one of the sisters said, "Oh my gosh! I have a friend that lives there that was baptized a few years ago but has gone inactive - you have to find her!" She wrote down her name and contact info and it's sitting in my scriptures waiting for Arizona! FIRST REFERRAL FOR THE FIELD!

 

The Hermanas of my zone combined Brightly Beams and Come Thou Fount to perform in church and it was gorgeous. I love the talent that comes with Mormon culture:) Also, Hermana Richards and I got asked to teach our district lesson on Sunday with the topic "Faith in Christ". If anyone has suggestions/thoughts/stories/jokes you know how much I love dearelder...! Hermana Richards and I have been memorizing scriptures in spanish and english and trying to memorize references. We have the first vision, the baptismal commitment, our purpose, Helaman 5:12, and D&C 4 in spanish and english down, and a ton of references. One of our goals is to use more scriptures in our lessons so I'm praying our efforts will pay off! Mom, I know they have rhymes for the scripture mastery scriptures - could you send those to me? I think it would make this reference memorization easier...! 

 

In my personal study one day I came across D&C 8:2-3. At first I was confused why the story of Moses was used as the comparison. I think it's because not only the magnitude and grand scale of the miracle but also because in the story of Moses parting the Red Sea, Moses and the Israelites were actually IN the water (Moses had water up to his sholders) before the sea parted. For all miracles to happen, faith must preceed but so must action! We have to demonstrate our faith through our willingness to act on spiritual promptings. It was a little bit of a light bulb moment. You have to hope, trust, have faith, and ACT for miracles to happen!

 

Tonight is the first night Tuesday night devotionals are going to be held in the BYU Marriot Center! History in the making everyone! All 2,500 MTC missionaries taking a field trip to BYU. It's going to be similar to Moses leading the Israelites - pretty sure it's going to take a miracle too. I seriously came to the MTC at the PERFECT time - the west MTC campus opened and Tuesday devotionals moved to the marriot during my time here (that makes it sound like i'm in jail...ironic?:)) and I leave a DAY after the massive June 23rd Mission President Conference where the First Presidency and the 12 will be in attendance! Blessed!

 

My roommate Miya came into the MTC this last week!! I've seen her a couple times and it's been crazy. It's nuts to think three of the six girls in my apartment are in the MTC together, going to Arizona, Japan, and Africa! The work is moving forward! I also saw Brigham this last week and he actually helped us plan a lesson! He said to make sure Camron gets to Provo before September because that's when he heads to the Mexico MTC. AND Lillian is engaged! So happy!

 

One night at dinner, one of the options was pasta with shrimp. A few of the elders love shrimp and were trying to get Hermana Richards to eat it. She looked at them, eyebrow raised and said, "Oh no, I don't do no shrimp!" in that texan accent she has. Sass to the max - we're a great companionship:) Also, I am proud to tell you that even though we are inside for 9/10ths of our day, I have been blessed to be sporting a watch tan! I can feel it already - once I get to Arizona, I'll be back in black. AWW YEAH!

 

Happy Father's Day Pops!! One of my teachers said something the other day that I LOVE! He said, "Right now, while you're on you mission, you are set apart to literally act AS Christ. Then after the mission, when you get married and have children it is your time to act as Heavenly Father or Heavenly Mother." How well are we acting our part? Just food for thought. I think you're doing a pretty darn good job, dad!:)

 

Hermano Clarke shared this thought with us this week that applies to missionaries but I think it can be applied to everyone too! He said, "Don't be a 'liquid' misisonary. Don't let your companion/situation/area decide the kind of missionary you're going to be on YOUR ONLY MISSION!" Decide the person you want to be and then be that person! Set your standards and don't lower them for anything or anyone. Mom, I know you love the saying "Fake it til you make it" but I have a new one for you, "Act it til you are it!" On Saturday night, Hermano Clarke asked us to look out the window and tell us what we see.  He said first he wanted to tell us what He saw. "I see everything. A beautiful mountain, clear sky, great weather and it's Saturday night - it's that time to kick back, relax and enjoy the weekend." Then he said "What do you see?" A world outside of your world. He asked "What on earth are you all doing here?! When you could be out there, in jeans and a t-shirt on a Saturday night, what are you doing inside a classroom, dressed in church clothes? You are all CRAZY." He then told us how loved we are by Heavenly Father. He sees our willingness to give up that outside world for 18-24 months and He is SO proud. Elder Parker then told us all how he felt - basicall put into words how we all feel. He said before the mission he was struggling with the fact that when he got back from his mission, everything would be different - he siblings would be grown up, people would be married/have kids, etc. But then he realized that in the end it will all be worth it! Its hard to think how much I"m missing and how different everything is going to be when I get back but I wouldn't rather be ANYWHERE else in the world or doing anything else because this work I am blessed to have a part in the MOST important work we can do. I have already felt a little bit of the love the Lord has for his children in just the 4 weeks I've been here and I feel like my hear can just burst with that love. This work is amazing and I am so happy to wear a skirt, in a classroom on a Saturday night, preparing to be the best instrument for the Lord that I can be. I LOVE MISSIONARY WORK. Todo sera vale la pena!

 

"Schoooool's out for summer", huh?! What are the plan? Nothing? Good. Study you Preach My Gospels and read your scriptures!  Thanks for all the letters this week and I'm glad you go mine! (I wasn't sure it would make it with only one stamp even if it was heading to "America"...I grew up in Europe, cut me some slack.) Oh, and thanks for Brynn's letter! It was crazy reading about her adventures in the field! Keep them coming please! (maybe have the Roth's add me to her email list so I could just get them every week...?) Happy birthday again Sara! I'm so pumped you get to go do baptisms THIS WEEKEND! The temple is the greatest place on earth! Mom, are you still bagging at the commissary? I love you all family and pray for you everyday! You are the BEST!

 

Hermana Stewart

 

Que el Senor la siga bendiciendo a ustedes! Les amo muchisimo!

Capitulo 1, Semana 3

Time is so crazy here! It feels like I have been here for forever but at the same time, it has gone by SO fast! Somedays I feel like the MTC is my mission (depressing thought, I know). I've determined they keep you at the MTC for long enough so you can't wait to get out and so you know how to endure to the end! It's also weird to think life continues outside of the MTC walls...people getting married, having birthdays, wearing jeans - crazy things.

 

This week has been great! Hermana Richards and I had our mid-MTC crisis. We taught a lesson to one of our investigators (Leonardo) that was a little frustrating. We went in with a GREAT lesson plan. Like we were both seriously stoked and ready to commit him to baptism on the second lesson.  We asked how his day had been and he said he had just slept all day because he had been out drinking with his friends last night. I didn't know the word "tomar" meant to drink, as in alcohol, so i made the mistake of asking if any of his friends were mormon...oops. Then Hermana Richards called him our old investigators name (Enrique), and our lesson was a little scattered. It felt like we had skimmed the surface of ALL the lessons but at the same time didn't teach anything and just confused him more. haha It's annoying to walk out of a lesson feeling dissatisfied but I think we're finally "friends" with Leonardo which is important. 20 minutes for a lesson is just not enough time. Afterwards we were overwhelmed with teaching just because it seems like all of the lessons are intertwined and you can't teach one without teaching all of them - which is great because they should connect, but frustrating when you don't know how to not get too deep into the material. But we made it through and all is well. I sometimes like when our lessons don't go as well as planned because if forces us to humble ourselves and realize we need to rely more on the spirit.  

 

On Friday our district made a goal not to complain about anything. We have service every Friday morning - which usually consists of picking out and putting up the MTC flags...boss job, I know) - but today we walked in and the lady asked us to clean walls....what?! We had to scrub and then "dab" the walls dry in the main building. I think Heavenly Father was laughing as we smiled and scrubbed our wall instead of put of the flags. We decided to never make that a goal again. ;) We also had TRC where volunteers come in and we get to talk with REAL PEOPLE not associated with the MTC and teach them a short lesson. A few of the elders in my district were sweating like crazy and literally about to pass out before they went in but then came out with the biggest smiles on their faces! It was a BLAST. The spanish flowed pretty well and one of the sisters Hma Richards and I taught shared her conversion story with us. It was the most incredible story I've ever heard. If you're lucky I'll tell you someday:) Afterwards we all just wanted to keep teaching.

 

Sunday - understandably everyones favorite day at the MTC - was amazing. We had a great Missionary Conference, sang God be With You Til We Meet Again to the departing missionaries, and I bore my testimony in Spanish for the first time in a formal setting like that. I used to think it was scary doing it in English...it actually wasn't that bad! BORN TO SPEAK SPANISH BABY! We went on a temple walk (basically any time we are outside, it is heaven) and then broke our fasts at 5:00 and MTC dinner never tasted so good! After dinner we went to a fireside that is different than any fireside I've ever been to. The speaker did a monologue of Willard Richards in Carthaige Jail with Joseph Smith. Needless to say, I bawled. I think i've cried more at the MTC than I have my entire life. Then we watched a devotional by Holland called Such a Time as This. SO GOOD. He speaks with so much power - it's incredible.

 

Cool story. So during our mid-MTC crisis, Hermana Richards and I decided to take a walk. We were walking and and saw a group of elders by the fence of the MTC talking to a little boy. They told us to come over and meet their new friend. We walked over and there was a little boy with a spiderman helmet on that had been riding by the MTC and just wanted to chat. He told us his name, his age, what he got for his 5th b-day, what he ate for dinner, how sometimes he doesn't like his sister because she gives him wedgies..you know, the important things. He said one day he was going to be a missionary because he wanted to serve the people. He also told us he has a brother that's in the MTC getting ready to go to Russia. We asked what his last name was and we would look out for him and tell him hi from his little brother if we saw him. We had to go in for dinner but as we were leaving he said, "Thanks! You guys are my new friends and I love you!" Right as we walk into dinner I see Sister Parish (from germany) who is going to Russia and asked if she knew an Elder Oldroid going the Russia (not really expecting much because there are a ton of Russian speaking zones). SHE DOES! He is in her zone! So she took us over to him and we got to talk about his little brother for a few minutes! He was beaming when we told him the things David had said. Making a new friend from outside the MTC then finding his brother that's in the MTC - miracles happen. 

 

Thanks so much everyone for the letters and for the postcard!! You all are the best. (Also, don't let this get around but I have said "y'all" a couple times thanks to my companion. Darn texans! Anyways, just thought the Atwoods and Jake might be proud.) I am seriously PUMPED that Emily is going on a mission! She is going to be amazing and the mission is going to be amazing for her! Keep me updated with where everyone is going! Dad, we go to the temple ever p-day and I only have two more of those (NUTS!) so if you send family names for me to do in the temple and think they will get here on time, i'd love to do them. Sorry about your baseball game Sara! Sometimes the Lord has to humble us though...watch that pride...i'm kidding;) Also, happy 11th birthday!! Only a year to go until Young Womens - woot woot! ;) Maren, there were WAY too many "muahahaha"s in your letter. somethings never change - you're one of them. Alright fam, keep the letters/pictures/prayers coming and I love you tons!

 

Vaya con Dios!

Hermana Stewart

capitulo 1, Semana 2

"There is no growing in a comfort zone, and there is no comfort in a growing zone." This is the MTC. This week was a little more relaxed but WAY harder. Always in a good way though! 

Last Tuesday night, we had a district meeting with Brother and Sister Monson about that night's devotional. At the end of our discussion, Brother Monson got a little solemn and said, "If you all would like, you can write a small not to Tom about the passing of his sweetheart Francis. The funeral is Thursday and I would gladly hand deliver the consoling words of twelve great missionaries to him." WHAT?! I almost peed my pants. How do you comfort the prophet?! I'm telling you, my district has the hook-ups! 

Hermana Richards and I committed our first investigator to baptism this week! The spirit was strong, I cried (thanks for that gene mom), and afterwards we were ON TOP OF THE WORLD! And he isn't even a real investigator! It is the best feeling EVER. The field is white and I'm ready to harvest. The day after we committed Enrique to baptism (also our last lesson with him) we weren't really sure what we were going to do during the time we usually teach - and our teachers kept acting secretive when we asked about it.  We were hoping to get to meet Enrique and get feedback about our lessons/teaching but all the missionaries said we wouldn't get to and we were bummed. So after lunch we went to class and some other teachers were in there talking with us when Hermano Wiest sticks his head in and says, "Are you all ready to meet your new teacher?" and in walks Enrique (aka Hermano Harris)! Best surprise. We were all pumped and then I realized how much he knows about me and all the super embarrassing moments in those lessons...I even called him guapo at one point. Oh shoot. At the same time he knows us all so well - on a friendly and professional level - and knows our teaching style/strengths/weaknesses. It's still weird to ear him speak english and then to do Enrique's facial expressions. Hermano Harris is so great though and such a good missionary, teacher and example. Our first investigator is our new teacher! And all those missionaries that told us we wouldn't get to meet our investigator need to read 2 Nephi 9:34...

Saturday our district decided to do a fast from english. Solo hablabamos espanol todo el dia. It was probably the hardest, most frustrating fast I've ever done.  In class we couldn't really discuss because the things we wanted to say and express we couldn't translate into Spanish. It was a quiet day to say the least. That's sometimes how I feel in lessons too. I limit myself to say the things I can definitely say in Spanish and disregard everything else. Some days I wish I were English speaking...But at dinner that night we found a sister learning Chinese and man, I'm so blessed to be learning spanish!! 

We have two new investigators now - Julio Cesar Lopez ("Pollo") who is 16 and awesome; and Leonardo who is 25 and has had a terrible life and doesn't have any reason to believe in God. Challenge accepted! We were also able to get feedback from "Enrique" and he asked us where we had already served our mission...:) He said our companionship was awesome and that we were good at keeping our personalities even in the lessons - ahhhh yeah! My goal of not becoming the cookie cutter missionary is working so far! 

I ran into Bishop Justice from Campus Plaza on Sunday! (I think that man only gets cooler with time.) And I see Gwen Parish from the stake CONSTANTLY. 

Anyways, thanks for the pictures and letters - they made my week! Madi, you ROCK the braceface and it looks like the trip was a blast. Especially sleeping in the camper - man, I miss that thing (heaaavy sarcasm). Mom would you find and send me Brynn's, Adam's, Camron's, and Stephen's addresses for me? Gracias. Also, clothes are still welcome. I love you all so darn much but I'll love you more if you don't go on any more trips without me. :) 

Hermana Stewart

P.S. It shouldn't be "endure to the end" but "enjoy to the end!"

"I'm not what I want to be, I'm not what I should be, but I'm not what I used to be." 

Capitulo 1, Semana 1

Hola Familia!

WEEK #1 IN THE MTC - CHECK! What do we do in the MTC? Study. Eat. Study. Eat. Study. Eat. And when the leaders are feeling really crazy, we have a devotional! You laugh, but it is AWESOME! 

Recap of my week:

TUESDAY- I got to the MTC around 12:00 with one of my two suitcases (thankfully the one with the things I needed most - being blessed already), said bye to my grandparents (thanks again!), and checked in - let the fun begin! Because I went in with the "international" missionaries, my district/companions were from ALL over the place - it was so cool. Also, I think the Aussies are taking over the MTC because there are a TON here! Anyways, I got my passport copied, picked up my nametag (awwww:)), and dropped my stuff off in my temporary room. Then we ate lunch (so many choices) and had a lesson about the gifts we have been blessed with and power we have been given as missionaries. Then...I met some of my zone! There were only a few but on wednesday we got 11 new missionaries (aka my districto)!! I talked with my zone for a bit and then we went to dinner. I think it was the fastest I've ever downed dinner because rumors were floating around that an apostle was coming for devotional and my companions wanted to get good seats. I got to sit with the international missionaries - special treatment:) And it was an apostle!! Elder and Sister Nelson spoke about using our ancestors as guides to find those that are ready for the gospel. We sang Called to Serve (the first of a thousand...) and it was great. Went back to our room and the temperature in our room was stuck at 85 degrees and the windows are sealed. Arizona might kill me because I was dying. That night I went to bed exhausted - spiritually, physically, and mentally - but in the best way. 

WEDNESDAY/THURSDAY- Your first day in the MTC you get an orange dot that screams "I'm new" so everyone says hi to you and is super friendly but by the end of the day, I was ready to burn it. Being singled out and getting tons of attention is not my favorite thing.  It was a crazy day though! I met my district and my companion! Her name is Hermana Richards - a born in England, Canadian citizen, blond haired beauty of california and the proudest Texan I know...Different from me? Just a little. But in a lot of ways we're a lot alike! We get along SUPER well (almost too well). We keep having to remind ourselved to get to know the other hermanas of our district and not just stick to us two. All of my district is wonderful though! Our elders are so fun and humble and hardworking. I'm older than all of them but I feel like they are teaching me and being examples to me. Fun fact - my Spanish teacher's name is Jordan (Hermano) Clarke. I walked into class the first day and we recognized each other from somewhere. It took a while but we remembered we went on a group date together!! hahah HE IS AWESOME. His testimony and faith in the gospel and us as missionaries is unreal. BLESSED! We met our Branch Presidency - Pres. Wilkins, Brother Monson (T. Monson's nephew), and Brother Driggs. This last week has been the craziest/busiest/most productive week of my life. Hermana Richards and I had to take multiple breaks our first day during study time just so our brains wouldn't explode. I literally felt like I couldn't think another thought. It was great. Food here isn't all that bad and I'm learning self control. My whole perception of food has changed - it's not enjoyment purley anymore; it's energy and sustinance essential to functioning properly. 

FRIDAY- We taught our first lesson....IN SPANISH! Holy smokes. Our investigators name is Enrique and I think I learned more in that 30 minutes teacher than the entire week I've been here. Hermana Richards and I were first to teach. We had our lesson all planned out, said a prayer and knocked on the door. We introduced ourselves and said we had a message of love and peace to share. The lesson went great but he started asking questions about the Book of Mormon - where it was from, who wrote it, why we have it today and it's the same gospel as when Christ was on the earth when it wasn't needed in the time of Christ?"  We answered the questions then Hma Richards gave him her BOM and committed him to read a chapter from it. He agreed and we left. BUT then Hma Richards turns to me outside the door and said "i need my BOM back!" We knocked again and asked for it but just acted confused and apparently wasn't breaking character...! haha The most frustrating part of teaching is knowing how to say something in English and not being able to translate into Spanish. But one of the teachers there said "did you commit him to something and did he feel the spirit? What else matter?" 

SATURDAY- To give an example of how great my teachers are I have some great insights they gave me today - 

-Life (missionary work) isn't easy because salvation isn't easy.

-Spanish is like a muscle - you have to work it every day to get it stronger and it is painful BUT as more and more weight (knowledge) is piled on, that muscle just grows stronger. 

-Be the missionary your mom thinks you are! 

-The Lord has set certain standards - you're not authorized to raise or lower them. (Don't set your standards so high that you feel like a failure but don't set them so low you won't acheive anything either.)

-To learn a language you have to make a million mistakes - start making them!

In one of our lessons with Enrique he asked "why do i have to get baptized INTO A CHURCH? If I'm baptized to be cleansed of my sins, being righteous and living a good life, why is church required?" Hard question, huh? Baptism is an ordinance performed to make covenants with God. Because we aren't perfect and make mistakes, we have to constantly renew our covenants...through partaking of the sacrament which is done at church! It's crazy how much I feel I've grown and seems impossible that I could be blessed enough to grow more! But the more I learn/grow the more I see I have suuuuchhhh a long way to go! I want to serve a mission because I want to serve the Lord. However, there is this dang cycle that as I even just PREPARE to serve Him, I am being blessed SO much! I am excited to see the ways I grow in the next 19 months and the person I become.  I have felt the Spirit so incredibly stong today as well as the Lord's love for me.

SUNDAY- Best days in the MTC are sundays. If i left the mtc now, In some ways I feel like I could leave the MTC without even going into the field and be a completely changed person! Then I think of all those in Arizona ready and waiting to hear the gospel and think "just kidding!" One of the elders in my district (Elder Dunn) is really struggling with Spanish so Hma Richards and I fasted for him on Sunday and are already seeing changes. He works so hard and I just know he is going to one day speak better than all of us! Brother Bulloch (most of/all the great quotes and inspired things I've written have been from him) talked to Elder Dunn and explained in an amazing way that communication doesn't have to be words. One of the general authorities said "Preach the gospel and if necessary, use words." We had a fireside by a lady names Sister Mary Edmunds. She's about 70 and is my new role model.  She is a HOOT! She started by saying, "We are here because we believe in meetings, we hope in meetings, we have endured many meetings and hope to be able to endure all meetings. If there is anything like, or resembling a meeting, we seek after these things." It was the best. Then we watched Character of Christ by Elder Bednar. EVERYONE WATCH IT! I am changed because of it. Seriously, your next FHE is planned. You're welcome.:) Oh, also, first prayer in spanish in church! ahhh yeah! 

MONDAY- Today was pretty typical except we had a crazy lesson. We taught Enrique for a third time with the hope of committing him to baptism...! We went in and the entire lesson went awesome....except the last 3 minutes. We taught about sacrament, covenants, ordinances, the priesthood, and baptism. BUT in the last few minutes he asked "So if my mom was baptized by immersion into another church, can she be saved?" We wanted to tell him we are only accountable for what we know but neither Hma Richard or I could think of the word for accountable. Yes, we tried "accountabilidad". Not a word. We tried to get around it by saying "judged" but couldn't think of the word for that either. (Why we didn't think of responsible, who knows.) It was the first time in a lesson (1 1/2 hours of teaching) that we couldn't find a way to express what we wanted to say - and it was so frustrating! We sat there thinking for what seemed like forever and then our time was up so we said sorry our Spanish isn't very good but we'd have the anser for him next time. AND we didn't get to commit him to baptism or say a closing pray. A little annoying. But 3 minutes of being stumped out of 90 is pretty dang good, i think! And now, we'll always remember the word for accountable and judged. 

TODAY- First p-day! We studied this morning, had breakfast, and then did a session in the Provo temple! it was SO great to go again. 

We're trying to speak in spanish all that we can so the other day in line for food i bumped into someone and automatically replied "lo siento!" basically pro. I'M READY NOW. SEND ME TO AZ! My date to leave the MTC is June 24 (thanks for the b-day present Maren!) Mom it was my worst fear that you would have another kid while I was on my mission...you just couldn't say no to Maren, huh? (she is talking about a baby kitten ;) Glad to know I have another sister!:) Congrats Madi and Sara on being inducted into NJHS- just fyi, once you're in that cult, it's hard to leave! I'm so glad Carol is doing okay! She's in my prayer and I put her and her family on the prayer roll. Send me pictures of Madi's smile! Is it worth it?!:) Also, thanks for the letters sistas...!! get on that! I have seen a lot of people I know and it's always awesome when that happens! 

You wanted details mom...hopefully that sufficed! if not, sorry because I'm about to be kicked off! I love you all SO much and love hearing from you! PEACE AND BLESSING!;) 

Hermana Stewart