April 13, 2015

April 13 This week was great! Wednesday- We helped clean the church and then the walls unexpectedly took us to get some pizza with them! We tried to see a few people but they didn't answer so we will probably wait for them to come to us (Jerry and Shelby) but we were riding our bike because we are low on miles and we were able to contact a few people. Well we saw a PMF that said not to come back so we went to meet the neighbor and met Ramone (Ray), he was shining his new rims on his new truck. he talked to us quite a bit and said his wife is in the Valley for some help right now, she has depression from a daughter committing suicide about 30 years ago and told us about how he hasn't been able to find the truth, he was raised Catholic, then skipped around a little but agreed to letting us come back Thursday. Thursday- We went to see our neighbors who actually are a less active older couple. They are pretty cool, he is a pro fisherman and used to race MX so we hit off to a great start and he hasn't been to church since he was 18, not to interested in coming back but said we can visit and send the branch presidency over so he's not against it either, they gave us some yummy smoked blue fin too. Then made a quick trip to Scottsdale. Then we had a lesson with the Redd's a LA couple who really need the temple, we read an ensign article Repentance is real. It was good and I think touched them, the member with us was a little overbearing so I hope they don't take offense. We had a good visit though and they committed to trying to come to church, (when they say that they never come..), the presidency will see them this week though. We then had our lesson with Ramone and taught all about the plan of salvation. He had even read the pamphlet we left with him from the day before and said it made him feel happy, we talked about how the Spirit works and he said when I go down to the valley this week to see my wife I am taking this with me because it will make her happy too that she can see her daughter again one day and tell her she loves her... We didn't even get started with the temple yet! Then we saw the Drummonds, a PMF and really want to start teaching him, we gave her a blessing so that was good. Friday- We did service for sister Canady, we weed wacked and raked up things from the trees that look like green caterpillars. Then we went to Gisela with the walls, sadly no one wanted to talk to us or was busy that day but we did manage to have a lesson with a less active family who should have been at church yesterday. We had a dinner that night and it was with the Lyman’s, we got to have a little fun with the boys 10, 8, 4 on the farm, they caught the chicks and we taught them how to skip rocks. Also did weekly planning. Saturday- Because we didn't have time for a lesson with Sister Canady we had a lesson with her about forgiveness, she is so close to the temple if she will forgive and stop smoking. We saw a bunch of people in Deer Creek but not any lessons. Got our weekly planning finished up. Sunday- Church was good, testimony meeting was pretty good, I didn't know what I was going to testify of so it ended up just being a simple testimony on the basics. We always bless the sacrament in the Tonto Branch and it's always neat. We went to stake missionary correlation in Payson, well the Pine ward is also is Payson stake so I got to see my old WML, it was cool to catch up, we got talking and turns out about a year ago one day bro Taft and me and my comp went to the gas station for dinner and got some pizza, 2 other men were sitting down on the other end of the table who were brothers, I got talking to them and we set a return appointment but it fell thru then whenever we went back it didn't work out... Well turns out one of them just barely got baptized and is getting the Priesthood and the other will probably follow suit soon! You never know what kind of influence you have in peoples lives... Later that day we were seeing a potential and since we were in the area we stopped by a la who has been too busy lately so we were thinking about stopping trying her for a while, well we caught her at a good time and got talking about gardening then the church then how the gospel helps families, then how she's been having problems with her teenage daughter (who was blessed but never baptized) then she went and got her daughter and we started talking and she said I want to go on a mission so we told her all about how and that she needed to be a member and the first thing she said was well then I want to get baptized! So we are going back for a lesson! It was neat! Monday- This morning we did some service then we stopped by a part member family, they gave us a referral so we went and contacted Lucile. We had a great lesson! Lucille is probably 85 and was just re-diagnosed with lymphomas cancer so she has to start chemo soon, but we taught her the restoration, cleared up her concerns and had a great visit! She agreed to baptism if her health with permit and she gains a witness. It was great, then we gave her a priesthood blessing and she was crying afterward. It was pretty special. Well I hope you have a wonderful week and look for someone to share the Gospel with! 3 Nephi 12:8 and blessed are all the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Love, Elder Stevenson

April 6, 2015

Hi family! Happy Easter! No transfers around here, just a transfer week. General Conference was great! It's nice to always here what everyone liked. I really liked Elder Pearson's on Sunday afternoon about Lehi's dream and the 6 steps. I also liked President Eyerings from Priesthood about prayer and our callings. The other one I liked was about learning to hear the music not just learning the dance, what a crucial thing. We spend most of last week in Tonto then Saturday to yesterday in Young. Tuesday- We had a lesson with Pat, she is a really old widow and although she is not a member her grandson is leaving on a mission in a few weeks so that should help us! We talked to her about the Plan of Salvation and families. Saw Cindy again... she dropped us and said God is not narrow-minded enough to only make you follow him in order to get to him, that doesn't add up but oh well. We also had a lesson with a LA, read Moroni 7 with him. Wednesday- We had district meeting in Payson, we gave a training on companionship unity. Then we came back to Tonto, had a dinner appointment with a PMF, they are super old, we showed up and she told us the lasagna still had 45 min to cook and then they ate sooo slow, so it was a long appointment but we had a good chat. Thursday- We spend Thursday in Gisela with Brother Wall. We had stuff all planned but it fell thru, we had a few good visits though, Thursday we also went to the Easter Pageant which was great! Our branch went as a small group, we rode with our BML and his wife. In order to go we have to take an investigator or LA so we went down a little before the group and had it all lined up that we would have an investigator there but then got a call saying he wasn't coming. Luckily we still had a newly reactivating member come so it was ok! Friday- We saw our neighbor Jean again, he hasn't read the stuff we left him with but he said he would. He also said "I will have to check with my wife" and she wasn't the nicest to us so we will see. We also saw a lady named Sharon at the feed store. She is a member but la. Then we went out to Gisela again and had a lesson with the Tweeds, it was really good! Except it's hard to keep them on tract sometimes. We had missionary correlation that night too. Saturday- General Conference. Between the morning session we tried to see jerry, then mark with bro wall, neither home so we saw a la next door who said he isn't ready to come back right now. Sad day for him. Then between the other sessions we did service at an RV park (it was actually one we got kicked out of a few weeks ago) so that was nice. After priesthood we drove to Young. Sunday- Easter! We watched the morning session with Trevor then had a lesson with him on following the prophet. We watched the afternoon session with another family. We had dinner with the people we stay with, they asked that we didn't share a message though. It was because one of the ladies is engaged to a total LA member. I thought that was crazy and sad she would lower herself to his level, especially on Easter Sunday. Monday- We did service for a while, built fence, spread some manure. Went out with our other BML leader for a bit, he is pretty hesitant to share the gospel. Had a lesson later with the Megayhe's. They are an older couple who started up a "community Christian church" in young. They were really nice though and didn't want to argue with us so that was great! We then saw Aldo, our Italian friend, this time he invited us in and we were able to talk about the book of Mormon, he said he has been reading a couple verses each night. Also had another lesson with Trevor and started teaching the Restoration with him, just to go over it again but got onto trials and he's going thru some right now. We showed him a video the refiner’s fire and he might have watched mountains to climb after we left. The computer was slow. Tuesday- We spend in Payson with another Elder who was companion less because it was transfer day. We did a lot of good! Well there's a lot of names and lot of things you might not have understood but I am trying to make it longer. 3 Nephi 6:14 And thus there became a great inequality in all the land, insomuch that the church began to be broken up; yea, insomuch that in the thirtieth year the church was broken up in all the land save it were among a few of the Lamanites who were converted unto the true faith; and they would not depart from it, for they were firm, and steadfast, and immovable, willing with all diligence to keep the commandments of the Lord. This verse stood out to me this week, if the church was to be "broken up" where is your faith at? Love, Elder Stevenson

March 30, 2015

Happy birthday dad! This week was good! I am running short on time, we are in young and the library is closed today so we only have one computer and my companion went first and we have to go in a bit.. So we had our Easter Pancake breakfast in Tonto on Saturday! It was good, we had 13 non members who came! If only people would do that for church. People who came that we are working with was Walter and his daughter and Shelby and her kids. There is a new Easter video called because he lives! It is super good. We had some good lessons! Well I love you, remember He has Risen! Love Elder Stevenson

March 23, 2015

Happy 38th birthday old mother, just kidding! Well it sounds like you are all staying real busy with the wedding, priesthood ordination and what not. Keep Brother Barton in your prayers. Our week was good, I'll try and add detail to make it long. Our mileage limitations are really getting cut as a mission, so on Tuesday we picked a name and then walked around for an hour after that knocking doors, we had a few good contacts and actually met a PM couple and other people who weren't opposed to us coming back. Then we had a lesson with a less active named Scott. He hasn't been to church in a long time and we had a good chat about that and the blessing that the gospel brings, the member we brought really testified of that and how he needs the gospel. We walked/ biked a lot for the afternoon too and got kicked out of 2 RV parks for "soliciting", it was the managers at both so we respected that. We got a new investigator who is a young single mom and could use the gospel, we are going back tomorrow. Wore a green tie. Wednesday was district meeting in Payson, Elder Pyper and I gave a training on Contacting people and asking inspired questions. Then we spent the afternoon in Gisela. We first did service, picked up Pecan for a Potential Investigator and then went out with our BML, Brother Wall (stud) for a lesson to Buck, where we talked about faith and hopefully can start teaching him. And then also with Walter and talked about the temple and families. They actually ad a picture of the Mesa temple in their house and didn't even know it! We then had dinner with a family we are trying to help get to the temple, the Wynns. Then drove the long treacherous drive to Young. Thursday we met our BML, Brother Williams and talked about the branch. He is definitely more of a let's wait type of person. We had a visit with a RC/reactivated couple and it was a good chat. Then we met a few less actives, Brother Connor, the Hardy's. We also saw Jenny and Mike (pmf) and they said they would think about taking the missionary lessons! We went to a community church dinner and were welcomed by the people their! Friday was a lot like Thursday, visiting people wise, but we had a lesson with Trevor and he really wants to be baptized! We didn't set a date with him quite yet because we want him to commit to the gospel first, but he already knows everything from past missionary visits and lessons. The member family Trevor lives with catches wild horses and sells the, cool huh? Well they cut off the horse nuts and eat them so next time we are in young we will have rocky mountain oysters, horse style. My companion isn't to excited about that but he will partake! There was a crazy hail storm and we couldn't see at all on the roads that put a damper on our afternoon. Saturday we had breakfast with some members and then went and helped build the community center! It was pretty cool. We then had a lesson with a widowed lady named Cindy, we taught the plan of salvation and it was good! Sunday was stake conference and it was great! Except the broadcast kept not working and Trevor didn't show up.. I am out of time, have a good week!

March 16, 2015

We made it to Young this week! It was nice, it’s another tiny speck on the map, we got there late Monday night and met the branch president. Tuesday we got to go to Snowflake for a temple trip which was fantastic! After that we had ZTM which was pretty good. Then we had our drive back and it was night when we got there, we had dinner with a member and then went and met some other members. Wednesday we spend a solid 3 hours cleaning our humble abode. Then we went out and finally started working! We had quite the day, we found the 2 people the other missionaries were trying to teach and introduced ourselves to them, and are going back, and we also found another new investigator that missionaries have done service for before. We have a return appointment! We also went to see a referral who turned out to be X'd so that was fun... Then met a few other LA and PMF's. In Tonto we did quite a bit of service, we built a fence, cleaned up brush and built some steps for a patio, there was steps there, but snakes were getting in so we tore it up and filled in the hole going under the house and rebuilt it. We have had a bunch of LA lessons! 2 new less actives were at church Sunday so that was good to help get them there, we invited a bunch more than 2 but we will see what comes of the rest. I spoke in church on Sunday, I was asked to speak on the Atonement, I think it went pretty well but I only got about halfway through before I ran out of time so I had to sit back down. The chapel is nice and small, but it doesn’t have any stairs leading up to the stand, just a podium and then a little fence looking thing to the sides just like in a normal chapel just flat, well anyways when I started my talk I made the joke that there was no stairs because most of the people in the branch might not be able to climb stairs anymore. It was pretty funny. One of the scriptures from my talk was Alms 7:11- 16 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities. Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me. Now I say unto you that ye must repent, and be born again; for the Spirit saith if ye are not born again ye cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore come and be baptized unto repentance, that ye may be washed from your sins, that ye may have faith on the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, who is mighty to save and to cleanse from all unrighteousness. Yea, I say unto you come and fear not, and lay aside every sin, which easily doth beset you, which doth bind you down to destruction, yea, come and go forth, and show unto your God that ye are willing to repent of your sins and enter into a covenant with him to keep his commandments, and witness it unto him this day by going into the waters of baptism. And whosoever doeth this, and keepeth the commandments of God from thenceforth, the same will remember that I say unto him, yea, he will remember that I have said unto him, he shall have eternal life, according to the testimony of the Holy Spirit, which testifieth in me. Have a good week! Love Elder Stevenson

March 9, 2015

We made it to our area. It is good, Tonto Basin is pretty small little town filled with old people but it's a good place. People seem to be home in the day so that is nice, but they all go to bed at like 7 so that makes it hard at night. The members here are really good, our Branch Mission Leader, Brother Wall is a recent convert of like 3 years, he is almost 80 and he is full of energy and ready to work! We didn't have any investigators or anything when we got here so we have been shooting from the hip a bit but with help from the members we have been getting our feet on the ground and getting to know people and their needs. Tonight we are headed to Pleasant Valley/ Young for the first time and are going to spend a few days there. its 2 hours away so it's a little trek. There is a lot of Potential work to be done in our area, lots of part member families and less active work. We went out with our EQP also and it was good, he served in Pocatello! On Saturday we went and saw a referral for a less active, our talk with him was a little heated and he basically said he didn't have or want a testimony.. But on Sunday he showed up for church! What a nice surprise. Well I don't really have much else to say, Alma 37:43 And now, my son, I would that ye should understand that these things are not without a shadow; for as our fathers were slothful to give heed to this compass (now these things were temporal) they did not prosper; even so it is with things which are spiritual. 44 For behold, it is as easy to give heed to the word of Christ, which will point to you a straight course to eternal bliss, as it was for our fathers to give heed to this compass, which would point unto them a straight course to the promised land. Don't let yourself follow as a shadow of wickedness, but learn from the mistakes of others and do what is right! Love, Elder Stevenson

March 2, 2015

Well Hello! This is a transfer week! I have been transferred to a new area, to Tonto Basin and Young. Both of which are very small towns and are only branches. My new companion is Elder Pyper, he is from Utah and has been out 4 months now. (He was actually my last companions- Elder Swaners, trainee!) We are white washing our area and it should be fun! I am sad to leave Camelview ward after 6 months but this should be good too, we haven't actually been to our area yet.. Yesterday was transfers and the Elders who's area it was before didn't make it transfers because they got snowed in then once they started driving had to return for their phone and then again for their luggage. So this morning they met up with us and we drove for 4 hours to get things all worked out. It's been rough, but hopefully when we get to our area later today we will be able to work hard and start getting things moving. Last week was good, on Saturday Kyle's step-son who is 8 was baptized! It was good and even better because Kyle was there. He should keep moving along. We also FINALLY were able to meet with Ben and Kenna again. Said 'till we meet again to them and the Elders are going back over tonight for a lesson so things should start moving forward again! We had a few good lessons last week, said my good byes mostly on Monday. We got to work out with the new missionaries on Tuesday, taught them how to play gator-ball! Also got to see a lot of missionaries on Tuesday, it was great! Saw Elder Hinds and he has grown even more then when we served together! Maybe someday we will be companions again! Well I don't really know what else to say except I hope all is well! My scripture for the week comes from a hymn: I believe in Christ; he stands supreme! From him I'll gain my fondest dream; And while I strive through grief and pain, His voice is heard: "Ye shall obtain." I believe in Christ; so come what may, With him I'll stand in that great day When on this earth he comes again To rule among the sons of men. I believe in Christ! Love Elder Stevenson