My Dearest Family,
This week I have been thinking a lot about the temple, and the feelings you get when you are inside the temple. What is even more miraculous is that we are temples as well. God created us so that we can do His work and return not only ourselves, but we can help others return to Him as well. I know that we are here for a purpose. God created a plan for us so that we can receive happiness through Him and through learning His gospel. I know that as we help others and as we are obedient to Gods commandments, we will be greatly blessed. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Saturday 08/05/2017
I was sick today so I didn’t do that much. I went to the MTC cafeteria for breakfast with Elder Withers, which was strange because I haven’t eaten there on a saturday since I was in MTC training. I then spent the afternoon with Elder Schwendiman and Elder Arndt because Elder Withers and Elder Jacobson were at Tucanos with a few of the other elders. After some time sitting down and resting we decided to go to Firehouse subs. I got a small sandwich and it was pretty good. Once we came back I met up with my companions again.
We drove to Barnes and Noble and Deseret Book to look for a board game that Elder Jacobson wanted. The board game wasn’t at either of the locations but it was still nice to go into a store like that and look at the things around us. At Deseret Book there was a shelf full of Book of Mormon Prophet mini figures, and that was fun to see.
Sunday 08/06/2017
Because it was fast Sunday the referral center went to the E.S.L. (English as a second language) ward. It was amazing to hear the English testimonies of elders and sisters who came in knowing very little or no English at all. We got to see one of the new elders that is coming in to the referral center soon. His name is Elder Duran and he is the new Spanish elder.
Jenny Oaks Baker came to the MTC today for the Sunday night devotional. She was super good. She and her children played songs together, because each of them plays a classical instrument. They played songs like Amazing Grace, and A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief.
The missionaries at the MTC got a surprise after. Elder Bednar showed up and did a question and answer session with us. A missionary asked how he can pray all day, because he feels like his prayers are so short. Elder Bednar responded by saying that we are always praying. Although we are not always on our knees, we pray as we walk the streets and teach, because we are acting on the things that we prayed about. Prayer is not just kneeling and saying words. Like faith, we need to do our part so that Heavenly Father can help us.
Monday 08/07/2017
It was Elder Withers birthday today. It was super cool. His mom sent him a really big package with balloons and food. It was funny because we counted how many people said happy birthday to him from the mail room to the referral center, which isn't that far apart. Twelve people said happy birthday.
Kaitlyn got a priesthood blessing yesterday, which is really good because of the confusion that has been going on about her baptism. She told me about her blessing and the happiness that she felt during it. This is what she told me: "In the blessing he said that I had to pick between two options, life with the church or life without the church and that the Lord knows that I know the church is true. I was also told many blessings and some good things to come if I join the church and that my family will accept me. There was also a part where I was told that I will be a missionary for some of my future friends and family so that was pretty cool. I know I will be baptized, now I'm just waiting for the right time."
Tuesday 08/08/2017
Today was my first day being companions with Elder Arndt and Elder Schwendiman. My companionship was changed so that I could spend more time focusing on the lessons in English so I can know what words to use when it is time to teach it in Spanish. I will be switching back to Spanish when Elder Duran comes to the referral center.
Elder Arndt, Elder Stevenson, and Elder Schwendiman
Elder Arndt, Elder Jacobson, and I taught Josefine. Josefine met with her Bishop and talked about callings and a temple recommend, but she could not remember whether or not she talked about getting a patriarchal blessing. After that she told us about her talk she is giving on Sunday about prayer, and asked us for scriptures she could use in her talk. We then told her that the Book of Enos was a good place to find scripture verses about prayer as well as the topical guide. We talked about enduring to the end and about what that means. Elder Arndt, Elder Jacobson, and I also talked about what happens in the temple because Josefine wants to go there soon. We ended by giving her the talk called Endure it well by Neal A. Maxwell.
For the Tuesday night Devotional Elder Joseph W. Sitati of the seventy and his wife Sister Gladys Sitati came and spoke. Some things that Elder Sitati said that were really good were "You will help men and women make the decision between eternal happiness and temporal pleasures." He also said "True doctrine taught to your investigators and understood by them will change attitudes and behaviors."
Wednesday 08/09/2017
I got to teach Nazaret again. She is doing really good. We talked with Nazaret, and she seems to be doing well. We found out that she went to church this last Sunday. We talked with her about the dispensations of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, and the great apostasy. The lesson went well, and she's desiring to be baptized and to learn more about the gospel of Jesus Christ.
I did a member exchange, which was good. We found a girl named Maggie who is a less active, but she wants to come back to church.
Thursday 08/10/2017
Something super awesome happened today. We taught Tammy today. She and her children have been sick lately, which has made it harder for Tammy to read her scriptures, but she was able to see the doctor and get medication for her family and they are starting to feel better.
I taught a woman named Leah today. She is a member but we are teaching her to help her gain a testimony and increase her relationship with Jesus Christ. She is super nice, and really wants to improve. Elder Arndt said that she has improved a lot, but she just doesn't know it yet.
Friday 08/11/2017
Companionship inventory was fantastic. We talked about some attributes that are not mentioned in Preach My Gospel but are great things to work on. So we chose some that we are going to work on this week. I am working on persuasion and kindness. Persuasion meaning that "someone uses no demeaning words or behavior, does not manipulate others, appeals to the best in everyone, and respects the dignity and agency of all humankind — men, women, boys, and girls." And kindness meaning "to practice courtesy and thoughtfulness in little things as well as in the more obvious things." We got these from an article called "Unrighteous Dominion."
I love you to the moon and back.
Sincerely,
Elder Stevenson
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