Dear Friends and Family,
So we are now 4 days left until the end of the world...... or at least everyone down here is getting really scared. I have been hearing of some pretty scary things happening in the world right now and one can only think of how much the gospel could turn this nation around. Our job as members of the church is getting more and more important and lifesaving as time goes on, this gospel needs to be spread to all. No longer should we think about if we get rejected by the people we try to share with or if us sharing could damage friendships or relationships, but put off the pride we have and just do it. That’s something that I really have been trying to work on this transfer, we have many good relationships with people who are not members that I feel like will never accept the gospel, Catholics in particular. But to my surprise, when we tried with Ricardo Sanchez a few weeks ago he really opened up and was baptized last Friday. (He comes from a family who has 2 Giant Virgin de Guadalupe shrines in their front yard and he even plays the drums on his birthday for the church.) The miracle that Heavenly Father worked on that family has been such a miracle in my life as well and I’m so glad to be a part of it.
Well we have been having a lot of success lately in the area and Elder Keddington and I were worried about having people to teach after this week. We were praying and praying to find new people and to get some referrals from the members but were just unsuccessful in getting anything from the members. Then last Friday during planning we were praying for new ways to help the members feel comfortable enough to share their friends with us and seriously spent 1 hour and 30 minutes on this new idea we came up with. The next night we got a call asking us to set up tables and chairs for the Christmas party that we had totally forgotten about. I didn’t remember for some reason that there was the party and we didn’t go around asking members to invite friends. How amazed and humbled I was to see the members bring 15 non-member friends to the party, and fellowshipped and introduced them to us. We have some really good return appointments.
The relief society got together and gave Elder Keddington and I a present full of bathroom stuff like soap, razors, and tooth brushes "for all the hard work we have been doing." I feel so grateful to Heavenly Father for helping us gain the member's trust back after a long time of missionaries breaking it down, and that we were able to start the healing process of the relationship between Member and Missionary. We are now working on a new plan with the ward mission leader on how to help the people that have been baptized stay active and also a Ward mission plan for next year. We are having so much fun in the area and are looking forward to next week.
We had Christmas Zone conference with week, which was a lot of fun to be able to see many of my past companions. Especially Elder Perez who is going home in 2 weeks. He will be the first companion I had that is going home and it is making me a little trunky. anyway, There is so much I could talk about, but not enough time nor do I know where to start, but I can fill you all in on the little details in 9 months.
I hope you all have a good week and that you are looking for ways to share your testimonies.
Love You,
Elder Stewart
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