Week 3: Part 2 - "Shout Outs"

Grandma Stewart – Yes!!! All the cookies are gone, and they were as good as I remember.  That’s so good that grandpa is getting better.  I can’t wait to hear about your trip to Newport Beach.  Isn’t it amazing how sweet 3 Nephi is?  I read it a lot.  I have been studying 2 Nephi 31 this week.  I love this chapter, especially the last verse.  Thanks for the thoughts you send in each letter.  I write them in my “Book of Stewart” notebook. – Love Elder Stewart

Grandpa Stewart – Hey!  I’m glad you had the energy to write me!  I wish my days could be:  get up, dress, eat, and sleep right now because everything here goes 300 MPH.  That sounds like an awesome puzzle, did you finish it?  I’m adding those quotes to my “Book of Stewart”, which will hopefully be put at the end of JSH someday.  Anyway, I love you too.  I pray for you and put your name in the Provo Temple.  Get better! – Love Elder Stewart

Grandma Jill – Thanks for your letter, even if it was short.  I wish I could have seen the game!  It sounds like it was a good one.  I miss those dogs.  Are they still healthy?  That’s nice to have Grandpa home.  I still wouldn’t want to walk them though.  Let me know how school goes.  It sounds like your dominating it.  How is everyone else?  What’s the update?  - Love Elder Stewart

Emily – Tell Madame Olin I miss her class and the when I speak Spanish, I unknowingly say a French word that confuses everyone.  It’s hilarious.  It’s good to have a busy life so that you can stay away from romances!  Remember, I still have eyes in PG and I will know!  Anyway, Love you. – Elder Stewart

Abby – Choir is good!  I found out that I can say watermelon 139 times during each song that we sing, ha-ha…JK…but really.  Tell Mr. Godfrey thanks for the heads up and I’ll bring him back one.  Um…well we have something called a “progressing investigator”, which is our teachers pretending to be investigators.  We teach them every day.  However, 3 times per week, we teach recent converts.  It’s a lot of fun.  – Love Elder Stewart

Dallin – It’s so good to hear about your day!  Sadly, I can’t do any of those things, but we will in two years, Ok?  Keep up the good work in school. – Love Elder Stewart

Caitlin McDonald – I definitely know what you mean with the cougar fans.  I see BYU shirts all day here at the MTC and after a week of hearing smack, talk to me about it.  I didn’t see any of them in the halls that night!  Ha-ha, I laughed when I read about Garrett’s party and I’m looking forward to some pictures.  Wow, Elder Christofferson!  That’s so neat!  I totally agree with you except for one part – “God never gives us anything in life that we can’t handle, as long as we have Christ”.  That’s awesome to read the Book of Mormon consistently!  I have found my life and happiness improves so much as I follow that guidance.  Read the Ensign this month.  You’ll love it!  Love – Elder Stewart

Dari – Hey! I’m so glad you caught up on the blog!  I was waiting for a letter.  Yeah, the language is a lot easier than I thought.  It’s a lot of stress off my back now that I’m ahead.  I miss work…kind of.  I am having a blast though.  Tell Steve to write me and to have Jen write.  They are both slackers.  Anyway, how is soccer?  And school?  What else is new?  Thanks for the letter – Elder Stewart

Cory - What’s up man!  I got your letter, thanks.  How is everything going?  I miss you guys like crazy.  Anyway, send me a letter. – Elder Stewart

Bro “D” – Hey!  I loved the letter.  My companion did too.  He will probably E-mail you next Friday for the experience.  How is everything else?  - Love Elder Stewart

Week 3 Highlights: Part 1

Wow already the 3rd p-day of 9. The days are picking up now but they are still super long. The good thing is the weeks are starting to feel like days. I can’t wait to leave the MTC and get out in the field. Everyone keeps telling me that we are only here to pick up a foundation because in the field the language is totally different, and at this point I feel like my foundation is pretty solid with all the tenses and words that have to do with "teaching lessons." The next 5 weeks or whatever will be just learning words and verbs.

It’s been wonderful to get all of your letters this week.  It definintly helps me with stress. UTAH!!! What a spanking they gave BYU. One of the guys in our zone got a hold of a radio and we listened to the last 5 mines of the game. I’m still repenting but it was so awesome. I got a picture with a bunch of guys that all had Utah stuff.

This week we had a zone leave and it was sad to see them go. They where the closest district to us and handed down a lot of the "Heirlooms" to us. Elder Small gave the "Language Pills" which is really just an empty bottle handed down from missionary to missionary. I’m sure going to miss Elder Small. Once these guys left, Elder Franks and I took the nice desks and roller chairs from their room, and got rid of all the other "Desk Chairs" that nobody is able to even do any studying in. plus we roll around everywhere, to the drinking fountain, to the other classrooms, to the bathroom but I bet you get the point.

Another good thing that happened this week is that we had 2 new investigators to teach Paula and Estaban. And to my surprise my companion is now speaking some kind of language that closely sounds like "Spanish."  I keep working with him and try to bring him up to speed. Other than that the lessons with them have been going great. I’ve gotten to the point where I right down just a basic plan and go teach by what I feel and we have had some amazing success. It’s amazing how strong the spirit can feel when bearing testimony in another language. I never thought I could teach with as much spirit that I can with English but I’m starting to feel like I’m going to overpass that, just because of the constant training we get every day.

Guess what! Russell M. Nelson this week. That makes us 2 for 2 on Tuesday devotionals. His talk was about the Book of Mormon and the new special issue of the Ensign. A quote I loved was "Obedience brings blessings, EXACT obedience brings miracles." which I took it to mean, obeying the big guidelines of the gospel will bring you blessings which is nice don’t get me wrong, but if you strive to be exactly obedient, wouldn’t you rather have miracles in your lives? If you guys don’t have it yet you all HAVE to get it and read it. It has become my favorite Ensign and I’m not even done reading it. I made a goal after his talk to read the Book of Mormon in Spanish before I leave. They say if you read the book all the way through you will be fluent in Spanish.... I’m going to test that one out.

Anyway, as I was trying to write in my journal this week, I found it hard to write a whole lot because every day just seems like more of the same. But I got a piece of advice from my President, he said "Train yourself to look for the hand of God in everything you do, that will make the difference between having a journal to cherish for the rest of your life and one that would sit in your bookshelf." I thought that was pretty awesome so I’m now on the lookout for the hand of God.

Love Elder Stewart

We received the 2nd half of Daniel's letter in the mail today.  He listed the following "Shout Outs" in response to several letters that he received:

Rob & Claire – Send the Beano!  Not for me, but for my comps.  The language is like cake for me.  It makes everyone else mad.  I haven’t tried the WWF yet because my comp is part nutso, trained in Indian martial arts since he was 8.  I miss you Claire.  Do well in school and listen to your Dad!  Love, Elder Stewart

Kristen – It’s always good to hear from my Fav Aunt.  I didn’t realize I had a blog, but I guess it’s good.  Wow, isn’t it amazing seeing the process of someone coming unto Christ first hand?  You’ll have to let me know how his baptism goes.  I can’t wait to see Avery when I get back.  You’ll have to keep me updated on all the big moments.  It is so like Christmas getting a letter form dearelder.  It’s almost depressing for those who don’t, but it means a lot.  Love, Elder Stewart

Grandma Jill – Wow, is life different now from the laid back life of summer.  It’s great to hear about your classes.  It sounds like a great semester.  I’m so proud….My Grandma is going to graduate.  It is so cool that you went back and got a degree.  You are a great example to me.  Oh sure…NOW you switch to Comcast!  I see how it is.  Too bad the Utes are not good this year or I would have been upset.  Thanks for the letter!  I Love getting mail.  Love, Elder Stewart

Caitlin – My farewell was good, but it’s hard to top my singles ward reaction.  I was unaware of any blog, but that’s a good idea.    Yes, I’ll send home some pictures of him.  It will scare you.  I love only having a language and the scriptures to pour my time into.  Not having to think about school or work is such a new feeling.  Good luck with School!  You have always been the smartest Aunt.  I hear Matt is history?  Who is this new guy and when is he going to send me his application and resume?  Anyway, it’s great to get your letter.  Love, Elder Stewart

Bro D! – I talked to my comp today and apparently that chief guy is like one of his great uncles.  I’ll have to talk to Cory about it.  How is the fam?  I talked to Clave before I left and he seemed really good.  It’s always great to get a letter – Elder Stewart

Hermana Burciaga – Gracias for the note you sent me.  Getting letters from dearelder is like Christmas here.  I will take your advice to heart and share it with my comp.  Let me know how everyone is doing – Elder Stewart

Hey Everyone,

In response to all the letters I got this week, my p-day is on Friday. This is nice because we have devotionals on Sunday and Tuesday and then with a temple day on Friday, I can stay spiritually charged all week. This week had many ups and downs for me. The Sunday devotional was awesome and we heard from the President of the MTC. It was a commemoration for the people who risked their lives and lost them in the tragedy of 9/11. Oh, and I joined the choir!  Not because I really wanted to sing, but so I could get the best seats for the Tuesday devotionals.

For some reason this week my companion has lost a lot of the drive and desire I saw last week. I have had to prepare and teach 95% of the lessons because he isn’t learning the language fast enough and won’t write stuff down in his notebook. His philosophy is "Teach totally by the Spirit" which yes, its true, but the Spirit won’t do everything for you. So instead it’s sounding more like "Let Elder Stewart save my butt” every lesson.  I can promise you this; he will know organization and preparation by the time I’m done with him.

My knowledge this week has exploded. It’s like after you learn the basic fundamentals, it’s like opening a floodgate of Spanish and I am picking it up. It’s hard for me to write or type anything in English now because I have started to just think in Spanish. Tuesday was probably the best day I have had in the MTC. My companion was crazy sick and had to go get shots for migraines. We then had to go back to dorm so he could rest in his bed for 2 hours. I was scared he would miss the devotional. But I got his butt out of bed and made him go. It was like he was nuts cause of all the morphine. To my great surprise we had an amazing devotional.... guess who.... Elder Ballard came. The first Tuesday and I already got to see and hear an Apostle. What an amazing talk he gave.  My favorite quote was "They know not what we do, because they know not what we know."  It rings deep to me. After the meeting the class got together with the Presidency and we had a testimony meeting. I also had the opportunity to give my companion a blessing because he was starting to feel sick again.  Between the testimony I bore and the blessing I gave, I seemed to knock people out with the Spirit.   Hopefully, I will someday be able to do it in Spanish as well.

In the morning, my companion was 100% better and back in action. It’s amazing what the Priesthood can do. I never honestly knew about the power of healing but this is just another testimony building experience for me. I’ve never experienced anything like that before. I found this week how amazing 3 Nephi is. Chapter 27 knocks me out every time I read it. I have never been so diligent in reading before and so I have never been so excited to read the Book of Mormon.

I’m happy to announce that Team Elder Stewart was victorious this week. I beat my companion by two letters. :) See, the days seriously feel like weeks here, so it feels like I haven’t heard from anyone in forever. I started to get kind of disappointed seeing everyone get mail every day but later that day 8 letters came in. Having being focused solely on the gospel and the language all the time is hard and hearing from you all really makes my day more than you know. So please, keep using dearelder!

My companions have been bugging me about having my family and friends send me pictures of what they are doing. They think because they have so many pictures up that I have to have some too. It’s no big deal but it would be nice to have. I never thought about bringing pictures but now I’m regretting not getting them. So if you have time, please send me some.

Anyway I just wanted to say that this is the best thing I ever have done. It may sound cheesy, and said a lot, but I promise you all that if you read the Book of Mormon regularly and not just verses every day, you will see the treasures behind the words.  They are the real deal. Also, remember your importance of being member missionaries at home. I heard this week that investigators will feel something is true way before they believe something is true. Take advantage of those feelings and share your testimony, you will be surprised by the response.

Love you all,

Elder Stewart

Off to the MTC...

Best Two Years - Week 1

Hey Guys,

Today I arrived at the MTC and met my first companion. His name is Elder Manti James Thomas Bailey lll. He is half Cherokee Indian and is very versed in his culture. (At times during the day he will stop and rub his hands on a pine tree in the area.) He is 21 and for a living back home he makes knives and other weapons that were used by his people back home.  We are both going to the same mission but we have 2 Elders in our district going to the Dominican Republic in 2 weeks, 1 Elder and 1 Sister going to California and 1 Sister to Kentucky. Elder Bailey is the last "warrior" in his blood line and desirers to try to save his dying people.... Yeah I thought it was super weird too, and sometimes it is. But to be honest, I’m just happy I have a companion that is versed in scripture and can teach with the spirit.

I started a new saying in our district that really caught on. Its "como un jefe" (I think that’s how you write it) but anyway it means "like a boss" I bet you can imagine how much we use it. In my dorm, my companions are well versed in their Nacho Libre, Blades of Glory, Napoleon Dynamite and Hot Rod quotes which make life here so much fun.

Today was the longest day ever! First full day and the amount of info we have to comprehend is enormous. We spend all day learning the language, reading scriptures, and preparing to teach our first investigator. On the first Friday at the MTC you are required to teach your first investigator in your mission language on the 3rd day. I have never been more nervous in my life. Even though I’m learning the language faster than anyone in class I feel so helpless when it comes to speaking. I can understand, not speak. I hate going into meetings or gives talks where I am as prepared as possible. But I know I’ll be fine with God's help. We bore testimonies today to our Branch President and I don’t like to brag but I think I really surprised him with the spirit I seem to unknowingly be able to use. He told me many times how impressed he was.

Today I had one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Elder Bailey and I taught our first discussion with Carla. All day it felt like I had forgotten everything I had learned. The last few hours before we met her, everyone in the district was at the point where they decided that they would just take it lightly. It wasn’t until we were about to knock on the door that I turned to Elder Bailey and said "Elder we need to treat her as if she was a real investigator." after a quick prayer we went in and to be honest I don’t remember much of anything I said. I was blessed with the gift of tongues and everything I had learned just flowed out of me. At the end she committed to reading the Book of Mormon and praying to know that it is true and that Joseph Smith is a true Profeta. (we did so amazing that everyone else in the district was congratulating us for doing the best job" I feel the spirit nonstop here and I love it. I never knew I could feel this good.

- Love, Elder Stewart

Dad:  Of course let me know about my good ole Utes. I'm praying for a win for sure. Hopefully your "devils" will have luck up until the game with Utah.

Everyone:  Just looking at my first experience with email. It would be much better to have people use www.dearelder.com/ElderDStew.  Its day delivery and all my companions get a truck load of letters a day so hopefully you guys can step it up ;) send my email to my friends on Facebook as well. I would love to hear from everyone during the week.


Address:
Elder Daniel Stewart
MTC Mailbox #249
NM-ALB 1107
2005 N 900E
Provo, UT  84604-1793