My 17th Month Mark

February 11, 2013

Dear Family and Friends,

I am in awe as I realized this morning that I on the 7th hit my 17th month mark as a missionary.... And even though my brain is trying to through me into panic mode, I will try to sit still to write this letter home ha-ha. Well I got a call that I am being transferred this week, which always brings excitement, but at the same time sadness. And this transfer in particular will be extra tragic due to the fact that it feels like I am leaving my second home. I have gained a love for the members of Fabens in 6 months that I feel like I had built in other home wards after years of being there, and I can really feel their love to. Who would have thought, that in a town of 1500 people in the middle of nowhere Texas, where there is only Dollar stores and gas stations to by stuff at, and tons and tons of dirt and dust, that I would find myself here. If you would have asked me 17 months ago, I would have laughed at the thought. But I truly do love it here.  

Ayline was baptized yesterday which was so wonderful to see. She is part of a part member family who has not come to church in 4 years due to being offended by some of the church leaders in the area. The hard thing is, is that it was members that where family of this family. So they were directly related and thus making it harder for them to come back without putting off the natural man. Anyway, After 6 months of teaching her, her family decided that she could be baptized (They are all members) and they came to church for the first time in a while. At the baptism there where 50+ people there which was really cool and after we saw the family that were offended with each other talking on the couch. I hope and am praying that their relationship can be healed so that Ayline can have her family at church with her every week.

Well that’s about it for this week. I look forward to the new people and adventures I will have this week in my new area.

Love you,

Elder Stewart