May 19, 2014

I don't even know where to begin. This week was pretty crazy. A little more about my comp, he is from Layton Utah, he is also 18. He's been out 3 months. My new companion is great! He has a good work ethic. This week we put 2 people on date for baptism, for June 14th. One is Sister Gonzales. She is married to a LA member. They have been alcoholics and called us for a blessing. We challenged them to go 2 days until we could see them again to not have a drink and they accepted! We went back on Saturday and had a great lesson and they gave us there coffee pot and a huge thing of coffee. They are definitely going through with drawl but it’s going good. The next and last thing with be cigarettes, it will be the hardest but something she is ready for and needs to do. The other is Anne. Anne was a referral from the Easter Pageant; she is super prepared and is going soaking the gospel right up. We also are working with a lady named Julie, she has 2 little kids, and she really wants to be baptized but knows she has to be married first. We are going to try and get her married so it can happen. There is lots of people to talk too so we pass out tons of cards, book of Mormons, pictures of Jesus and find lots of people that live outside our area or are Spanish for other missionaries. Lots of other stuff but I am out of time, this computer was having problems at first. Have a great week. Love Elder Stevenson

May 14, 2014

Hi guys, it was good to see your faces on Mother’s day! Life sure is different than a couple days ago! My new companions name Elder Hinds (say Heinz like the ketchup) he's been out about 3 months. Our area is a pretty good size; it might take a little while before we figure out which way is what. We have a gym and park right by the apartment that will be great so I can have quality exercise and get skinny. I am sad to leave pine, one reason being because I feel like the work is finally taking off and there is so much to do, whereas 6 months ago it was pretty quiet. I sure am going to miss a lot people there, felt like leaving home again, just in a different way. But I am excited to be here in Phoenix, we share a ward with other missionaries. There is around 600-800 member in the ward, and under 200 are active. There is a senior couple who is just doing LA work and then we split the ward with other Elders. Our bishop seems to be missionary minded and hopefully the rest of the ward too. Not really sure what else to tell you.. Have a good week! President Joseph Smith- “After all that has been said, the greatest and most important duty is to preach the Gospel” Love, Elder Stevenson

May 5, 2014

Hello! I'm excited to talk to you Sunday! On Saturday Gwen was finally baptized! Her baptismal service was good, an investigator also came!- John, he really enjoyed it as well. The confirmation at church Sunday was my favorite part though. When the speaker of the confirmation said receive the Holy Ghost, it seemed like the whole chapel received the Holy Ghost, the spirit was there and the fast and testimony meeting was amazing, probably one of the best I can remember. Butch, another investigator came to church and he liked it, it was a good Sunday for him to come. One other miracle that happened was at church a lady showed up we have seen before that we gave a pass along card too with our number, church address and time, but never really had the chance to sit down and talk with her. Well she said she needed to change her life around and so she was at church! Sadly in the middle of sacrament she left but we found out where she lives and hope to see her this evening! A few other notable things during the week- We have found people that have been hiding out! They think they can do that by going to the middle of nowhere but no one can stay hidden in a small town forever. One referral we got we went to his house and it was a big bearded, smoking/drinking biker guy (beautiful bike) and he actually turned out to be a LA member. Nice guy once we started talking to him too he was just trying to act tough when we got there! The other referral we got told was a LA member who was offended but then today just found out he was never a member, but he was nice and agreed to let us come back and teach him! Have a great week! (Mother’s day scripture) Alma 57:21 Yea, and they did obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness; yea, and even according to their faith it was done unto them; and I did remember the words which they said unto me that their mothers had taught them. Love,

April 28, 2014

April 28 Sorry this letter is so late, I'm not sure what time it is there, but it is after 6 here. Today we went on a hike to a place called fossil springs. We went with a convert couple and they are almost 60... Not thinking too much about that we started hiking and hiked 5 miles all downhill to the Garden of Eden, it was beautiful, the worst part was not being able to swim in the blue green clear water, but I'll be back in a few years. Well we started hiking out, the 5 miles up hill. Me and my comp were good but they were out of energy. They hiked so slow, I carried 2 backpacks and then for about 2 miles the lady with us got cramps all up her legs and it was awful. But anyways it was lots of fun! I would send pics but don't have a SD card reader. This week, was a great week, a few of the high lights: A loved ward member passed away, he got cancer and the chemo is what got him, within a month. It was a sad deal, but there was some good that came out of the whole thing. His daughter is a LA that hasn't wanted anything to do with the church and now her heart has been softened and hopefully it will be a key for reactivation. Also at the funeral a lot of people that are not members came and a lot are ones we have been able to work with in the past and are working with. It was great to see them in the chapel and that it’s not too scary. One of the people who spoke did a really good job and turned it into a missionary experience by sharing the plan of salvation. He did a great job and taught very simply while letting the spirit testify. Another thing is members here are stepping up; they are inviting people to have dinner with them and with us which is perfect! One of my favorites was when we had dinner on Friday with the Phillips they invited some friends over that they have been working with- Jim and Donna. The Phillips took them to the temple open house) and there kids joined the church about a year ago so they are getting a little more familiar with the church. They said they would think about listening to the lessons when we asked (polite no) but after we left the spirit left with us which made them wonder what the presence was that was with us so the family explained to them and it was cool! Many other miracles but I have to go, I love you, and next week I will write more! Love, Elder Stevenson