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