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