HOLLLLLAAAAAAA!!

So this week was fun and flew by because we have been so busy!! Which
has been awesome!! First of all I dont think I mentioned this but my
already pretty small branch split because of a stake split and now its
even smaller a lot smaller. Which is great but there is definitely a
lot more work for missionaries when it comes to the branch. They
already relied on the missionaries a lot before because most of the
members are recent converts but now it is even more! Haha me and
Hermana Valentine are the temporary 1st and 2nd councilers in the
Young women presidency so that is fun! We help the presidnet a lot
because she has only been a members for about three years and never
went through the young womens program herself. I've also given talks
in Sacrament Meeting the past three weeks and taught gospel principles
and primary and relief society. Needless to say we are always very
busy during sacrament meeting. Which is fun! I'm learning a lot!

This week we went to a meeting in Richmond called return and report
which is for all the trainers and trainees just to talk about how it
is going and what not! It is a super fun meeting and we got to tract
around Richmond for a little while as well which was super fun!!

Later that night we had a combined branch activity which was really
fun but also really sad because that was the last time I am going to
see them for quite a while:( It was especially sad for this one family
that I have gotten really close to. I got them all little gifts and
wrote them notes because I just love them so much! The saddest thing
was when the night was over the little girl Jade was running after our
car and saying bye and I love you! Sweetest family:) The dad also gave
me some really good advice. He said be a "maestra de maestros" and a
lot of other things but I thought that was a really good point. Oh
that means teacher of teachers. But the activity was super fun! We had
food from tons of different central american countries!! It was all so
good, I thought I was going to explode haha!

We had some really great lessons this week and put some people on date
and we are praying that those come through!

Yesterday was kind of rough and no one really wanted to listen to us
and we were kind of getting discouraged. I was praying so hard that we
would be able to find the people that needed to hear the message that
night. Well we were walking and we saw a group of like ten kids from
ages 7-21, they were all cousins and just hanging out outside. We were
a little far off and one was like "Hola como estan??" Well then we
started talking with them all and I was like How did you know that we
spoke spanish and they all started laughing and said they didn't and
the kid was trying to be funny they didnt think that we would
respond... haha such punks! But we ended up having a really amazing
lesson with them and the spirit was super strong!! They invited us
back and I'm really excited to see where it goes with them because we
really bonded with them!

Im so excited for this upcoming week! I know its going to be
amazing!!! I don't know why I just have a feeling! Something one of
the elders said this week has really got me thinking. He said "don't
just do missionary things, be a missionary." So there is some food for
thought for you! Especially those serving missions!!

Love you all! Have a fantastic week!!

Love,

Hermana Stewart

HOLAAAAAAA!!

This week has been great!! Absolutely wonderful and full of miracles but that beginning was a little stressful.... The beginning of this week I was super nervous and feeling super inadequate I have been really impressed and gained such a testimony on how much Heavenly Father cares about each and everyone of His children, me included:) He will help you with your weaknesses and strengthen them. "I give unto men weaknesses that they may be humble, and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." I have learned so much about who I am this week and especially who I can become with the help of God. We have so much potential we just have to work toward it and rely on God.

This week we found a ton of really cool people, a lot of tracting in Hispanic Heaven haha! But we had a lot of success! We were walking along the road and we saw this guy outside watering  his lawn and we started talking to him.  A little while later his wife came out. We ended up teaching them the Restoration and they seemed super interested! Definitely one of the familys that you hear about that are so prepared. They are so open and are looking for a church! I already love them! We are teaching them tomorrow!

And then later that day we went and tried one of our potential investigator friends named Silvia! She is really funny and awesome and has two little girls! We didn't have a ton of time to teach them so we decided just to talk a little bit about Christ and show the video, Gracias a El!! Its such an amazing video and if you have never seen it watch it! So anyway I showed them that video and that was just one of the "wow I'm a missionary" moments. That video already has such power and then I was looking at this mom sitting next to me with these two precious little girls snuggled up to her and I was just thankful. Thankful that I have this opportunity to share this message of hope with the people here, thankful that I know this is true, thankful that I have something to believe in and love enough to give a year and a half of my life to it, and especially thankful for everything my Savior did for me. I'm not a perfect missionary sadly or a perfect person but with His help I know I can get a little bit closer everyday.

But anyway after the lesson it started raining a little bit and this cute little girl insisted that we take her umbrella with us(also popcorn, ahh i died!! so cute!) But anyway we were thinking that we didn't really need it because it was only sprinkling but we took it anyway because the girl was just so cute. 5 seconds later(not kidding) IT STARTED POURING AND THUNDERING!! Haha sorry that was dramatic..... Haha so start walking to where we thought out car was but guess what?? It wasnt there!! We had been walking around and tracting for like two hours in between when we parked and when we left the house so we(me) lost track of where the car was. Anways long story kinda shorter so for about 15 minutes there were two missionaries walking around a huge trailer park in ankle deep water(that is not an exaggeration), sharing a pink ruffly umbrella, and  eating a bag of popcorn. We found the car eventually and we laughed about it but needless to say we are grateful for this little girl and that she was worthy to feel the promptings of the spirit and help two little missionaries out:) My poor greenie... I told her these types of things are just bound to happen when you hang around Hermana Stewart haha.....

Another really cool experience we had was with a less active. We have been trying to get into contact with her for a long time but just haven't been able to so we knocked on her door randomly one night and she was home! She let us in and we started to get to know her and teach her, she told us that she hasn't been to church because her husband isn't a member and her little girl likes to sleep late. Later on in the lesson my comp, Hermana Valentine had the prompting to read 1 Nephi 3:7 with her. She started crying in the middle and could barely finish the scripture. We asked her what she was feeling. She said with tear-filled eyes "I feel like I am making up excuses why I'm not taking my daughter to church." That was a really powerful moment for me and one of those moments where Heavenly Father gave me a glimpse of how He feels for this daughter of His. I felt such love for her and now she is beginning to get her self back on the right track.

I wish I could share more of the stories, big and little, that happen every week but don't want to give you a novel. I love you all though and am so grateful for all the examples I have had in my life that have got me to this point. Have a wonderful week!

Love,

Hermana Stewart

HOLAAAAAAA!!

This week has been great!! Absolutely wonderful and full of miracles but that beginning was a little stressful.... The beginning of this week I was super nervous and feeling super inadequate I have been really impressed and gained such a testimony on how much Heavenly Father cares about each and everyone of His children, me included:) He will help you with your weaknesses and strengthen them. "I give unto men weaknesses that they may be humble, and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." I have learned so much about who I am this week and especially who I can become with the help of God. We have so much potential we just have to work toward it and rely on God.

This week we found a ton of really cool people, a lot of tracting in Hispanic Heaven haha! But we had a lot of success! We were walking along the road and we saw this guy outside watering  his lawn and we started talking to him.  A little while later his wife came out. We ended up teaching them the Restoration and they seemed super interested! Definitely one of the familys that you hear about that are so prepared. They are so open and are looking for a church! I already love them! We are teaching them tomorrow!

And then later that day we went and tried one of our potential investigator friends named Silvia! She is really funny and awesome and has two little girls! We didn't have a ton of time to teach them so we decided just to talk a little bit about Christ and show the video, Gracias a El!! Its such an amazing video and if you have never seen it watch it! So anyway I showed them that video and that was just one of the "wow I'm a missionary" moments. That video already has such power and then I was looking at this mom sitting next to me with these two precious little girls snuggled up to her and I was just thankful. Thankful that I have this opportunity to share this message of hope with the people here, thankful that I know this is true, thankful that I have something to believe in and love enough to give a year and a half of my life to it, and especially thankful for everything my Savior did for me. I'm not a perfect missionary sadly or a perfect person but with His help I know I can get a little bit closer everyday.

But anyway after the lesson it started raining a little bit and this cute little girl insisted that we take her umbrella with us(also popcorn, ahh i died!! so cute!) But anyway we were thinking that we didn't really need it because it was only sprinkling but we took it anyway because the girl was just so cute. 5 seconds later(not kidding) IT STARTED POURING AND THUNDERING!! Haha sorry that was dramatic..... Haha so start walking to where we thought out car was but guess what?? It wasnt there!! We had been walking around and tracting for like two hours in between when we parked and when we left the house so we(me) lost track of where the car was. Anways long story kinda shorter so for about 15 minutes there were two missionaries walking around a huge trailer park in ankle deep water(that is not an exaggeration), sharing a pink ruffly umbrella, and  eating a bag of popcorn. We found the car eventually and we laughed about it but needless to say we are grateful for this little girl and that she was worthy to feel the promptings of the spirit and help two little missionaries out:) My poor greenie... I told her these types of things are just bound to happen when you hang around Hermana Stewart haha.....

Another really cool experience we had was with a less active. We have been trying to get into contact with her for a long time but just haven't been able to so we knocked on her door randomly one night and she was home! She let us in and we started to get to know her and teach her, she told us that she hasn't been to church because her husband isn't a member and her little girl likes to sleep late. Later on in the lesson my comp, Hermana Valentine had the prompting to read 1 Nephi 3:7 with her. She started crying in the middle and could barely finish the scripture. We asked her what she was feeling. She said with tear-filled eyes "I feel like I am making up excuses why I'm not taking my daughter to church." That was a really powerful moment for me and one of those moments where Heavenly Father gave me a glimpse of how He feels for this daughter of His. I felt such love for her and now she is beginning to get her self back on the right track.

I wish I could share more of the stories, big and little, that happen every week but don't want to give you a novel. I love you all though and am so grateful for all the examples I have had in my life that have got me to this point. Have a wonderful week!

Love,

Hermana Stewart

HOLAAAAAAA!!

This week has been great!! Absolutely wonderful and full of miracles but that beginning was a little stressful.... The beginning of this week I was super nervous and feeling super inadequate I have been really impressed and gained such a testimony on how much Heavenly Father cares about each and everyone of His children, me included:) He will help you with your weaknesses and strengthen them. "I give unto men weaknesses that they may be humble, and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." I have learned so much about who I am this week and especially who I can become with the help of God. We have so much potential we just have to work toward it and rely on God.

This week we found a ton of really cool people, a lot of tracting in Hispanic Heaven haha! But we had a lot of success! We were walking along the road and we saw this guy outside watering  his lawn and we started talking to him.  A little while later his wife came out. We ended up teaching them the Restoration and they seemed super interested! Definitely one of the familys that you hear about that are so prepared. They are so open and are looking for a church! I already love them! We are teaching them tomorrow!

And then later that day we went and tried one of our potential investigator friends named Silvia! She is really funny and awesome and has two little girls! We didn't have a ton of time to teach them so we decided just to talk a little bit about Christ and show the video, Gracias a El!! Its such an amazing video and if you have never seen it watch it! So anyway I showed them that video and that was just one of the "wow I'm a missionary" moments. That video already has such power and then I was looking at this mom sitting next to me with these two precious little girls snuggled up to her and I was just thankful. Thankful that I have this opportunity to share this message of hope with the people here, thankful that I know this is true, thankful that I have something to believe in and love enough to give a year and a half of my life to it, and especially thankful for everything my Savior did for me. I'm not a perfect missionary sadly or a perfect person but with His help I know I can get a little bit closer everyday.

But anyway after the lesson it started raining a little bit and this cute little girl insisted that we take her umbrella with us(also popcorn, ahh i died!! so cute!) But anyway we were thinking that we didn't really need it because it was only sprinkling but we took it anyway because the girl was just so cute. 5 seconds later(not kidding) IT STARTED POURING AND THUNDERING!! Haha sorry that was dramatic..... Haha so start walking to where we thought out car was but guess what?? It wasnt there!! We had been walking around and tracting for like two hours in between when we parked and when we left the house so we(me) lost track of where the car was. Anways long story kinda shorter so for about 15 minutes there were two missionaries walking around a huge trailer park in ankle deep water(that is not an exaggeration), sharing a pink ruffly umbrella, and  eating a bag of popcorn. We found the car eventually and we laughed about it but needless to say we are grateful for this little girl and that she was worthy to feel the promptings of the spirit and help two little missionaries out:) My poor greenie... I told her these types of things are just bound to happen when you hang around Hermana Stewart haha.....

Another really cool experience we had was with a less active. We have been trying to get into contact with her for a long time but just haven't been able to so we knocked on her door randomly one night and she was home! She let us in and we started to get to know her and teach her, she told us that she hasn't been to church because her husband isn't a member and her little girl likes to sleep late. Later on in the lesson my comp, Hermana Valentine had the prompting to read 1 Nephi 3:7 with her. She started crying in the middle and could barely finish the scripture. We asked her what she was feeling. She said with tear-filled eyes "I feel like I am making up excuses why I'm not taking my daughter to church." That was a really powerful moment for me and one of those moments where Heavenly Father gave me a glimpse of how He feels for this daughter of His. I felt such love for her and now she is beginning to get her self back on the right track.

I wish I could share more of the stories, big and little, that happen every week but don't want to give you a novel. I love you all though and am so grateful for all the examples I have had in my life that have got me to this point. Have a wonderful week!

Love,

Hermana Stewart

So my cute little greenie's name is Hermana Valentine and she is super
cute and super cool! Hard working missionary and super excited to
work. Which is PERFECT!!! Also she is this little blonde thing(someone
asked her if she was 14 the other day hahh) I mean I dont think she
understood that part, or didnt catch it so she wasnt offended.....
haha. But anyway shes just this little thing but guess what??? She can
beatbox!!! Its sick. She's my idol haha. You wouldn't expect it from
her! So ya anyway that is a fun fact about Hermana Valentine for you.

So these past couple days we have been in a trio but that is all over,
it was fun to be in a trio for a little while. And I will miss Hermana
Rodriguez so much. She has become one of my best friends. People
honeslty ask us quite often if we are best friends. I think people can
just tell if companions get along and that has been something I have
been really grateful for in in this companionship. I'll miss her but I
know that we are going to be friends forever! (sorry cheesy but true)

So the first day with Hermana Valentine we taught a lesson with a guy
named herriberto and it was so amazing! We randomly found him walking
one day gave him and pamphlet and set up a return appointment with him
and didn't think much about it. But when we went back and had an
amazing lesson with him. He had read quite a bit of the Book of Mormon
and before we even started the lesson he compared himself to Jose
smith and how he was just like him before he got his answer, he is
searching. We have had a couple lessons with him he is on date but
still not sure! He is amazing though! Such a miracle! He is one of
those people who are looking but just don't know where to find it.
UNTIL NOW!

Also I don't know if you guys remember the lady that we helped move
and how she was crying because it was an answer to her prayers.  Well
sadly we had to hand her off to the English but I just wanted to let
you know that she got baptized last week! Ahhh such a miracle!

This week has been great! I love my mission! It means the world to me.

Love,

Hermana Stewart


1- Me and Jade, literally my best friend, straight out of Mexico haha


2- PAPUSAS, best things ever!!