The Joy of Service

Hello my dear family,

This week has been great. There is a lot that happened so I am going to do my best to get all of it in. I first wanted to start out by talking about Service. Service is something that is amazing. Service does not only bring us happiness but it brings happiness to the ones that we serve. Elder Knudsen and I talked with a missionary that was having some trouble here at the MTC over chat. He talked about how he has been feeling homesick. So we gave him some encouragement, and then he left the chat.

I talked with Elder Curtis about this chat and He gave us the idea to make a little care package. So what I did was messaged a few companionships on Facebook and asked them this question, "if you were to make a missionary survival kit for another missionary what would be in it?" Elder Woodruff gave me the idea to get some pass along cards. Elder Withers said to give him some uplifting scriptures. Elder Withers sent me a list of ones he had, so I printed those out and wrote a nice note to him on the back of the paper. Elder Curtis has these copies of the Book of Mormon that are based on questions of the soul. There are stickers that have the question on it and then the answer is marked with a red pencil that answers those questions. Elder Knudsen and I also went to the store where I bought pass along cards that teach different points like the Atonement. It talks about it on the back and has a picture of it on the front. we also got him candy. Then we took it to the mail place in S2 and the put it in his mailbox. We just felt really good after. I knew that because of that feeling that we were doing something good.

Our district at the Provo City Center Temple last week

I know that as we serve others that God will bless us. I also know that we can be more like Jesus Christ as we follow his example. I know that Jesus Christ lives and that He is guiding us. I know that God loves us and that if we pray in faith He will answer the pleadings of our hearts. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

There was a big announcement last week that I did not tell everyone about. The majority of the missionaries are moving from the Referral Center to either the Denver Colorado North mission, or the Salt Lake City South mission. I will be staying here along with Elder Savoie, Elder Woodruff, and Elder Arndt until December when we all go home. After that point the Referral Center will cease to exist.

Our district plus Sister Cockerill and Sister Oakley at the Payson Temple today

Elder Ballard came this week for the Tuesday Night Devotional. He talked a lot about Joseph Smith and Hyrum Smith. Elder Ballard talked about how they were one of the most unified companionships of this dispensation, and told us that we can have that same unity with our companions. I thought that that was super awesome.

Elder Southwick left for home on Thursday of this week. So we found out who our new companions will be. I will be companions with Elder Meldrum again! I am so excited for our companionship because I just remember loving it last time.

We had music practice as a mission this week. We practiced "If You Could Hie To Kolob." We auditioned and we are actually performing tomorrow at the departure devotional. We actually got to go to the Payson temple today, and it was really amazing. Everything inside and out is just beautiful. It was also very special to do something like this with our district and Sister Cockerill and Sister Oakley before we all part ways.

Thank you for all your prayers and everything that you do. I hope that you all have a great rest of your day.

Love,

Elder Stevenson