A Few Changes in Attitude.....

Hello Friends and Family.

This week may have been one of the hardest I have had in I can’t remember, Satan has been working so hard on my companion and I, and some nights I didn’t really even feel like myself. Obviously we are getting worked on hard because coming up was conference, baptisms, and the temple trip. I couldn’t help feeling depressed, angry, and unexcited about everything. However. This week I set out looking for ways to change that. I realized that amazing power comes from prayer, testimony, and just smiling. Obviously prayer is probably the best thing I can do, but I found that when you are upset that the hardest thing to do is humble yourself and pray. I first had to bear testimony to myself, reminding me that I know the Savior lives, not only that but that I would also be held accountable for every comment I make and every thought I entertain, when I finally feel the spirit again that was lost with anger, I am reminded to pray. Then I can be humble enough to ask for help. The other thing that has helped, is that I have taken up the "just smile" technique. It’s really simple, just smile as much as you can, all day long, every day, At first you feel really dumb because it feels like you are fake smiling or that you are just doing it for a camera, but as soon as you get over that, a feeling comes in and your realize how truly happy you are. It’s all in the power of a Smile.

Other than that we had a good amount of investigators go to watch conference which is always a pleasure to see. As the "District" says, you can put your money on the prophet, and I think I won that bet with his talk on obedience. I love the Prophet, I know he is from God.

Love you all,

Elder Stewart

El Dia de Pascua....

Hey Friends and Family,

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter this year and made sure to remember the true purpose of what this Easter holiday brought to us. 1978 years ago, Jesus Christ suffered to pay for the sins of the world with his blood, allowed himself to be crucified on the cross, and 3 days after resurrected in glory, breaking the bands of death so that we would have immortality. I stand as a witness, as an apostle (little "a") of Jesus Christ to let the world know that He Lives. To all those who read this, listen to the spirit in your heart telling you that Jesus really did exist and lived a perfect life. Bore our sorrows and afflictions so that he would know how we feel, even when they are direct consequences of our own actions, in thus be able to help us in any situation that we find ourselves in. He didn't have to do this for us, he chose to. Out of love and charity for all mankind. We are all eternally grateful for what he did. Let’s show him how much it means to us by looking for those not of the faith that need repentance and comfort through this Atonement. Let us go to the temple and do the work for our ancestors, so they stand waiting no longer. Those of you that are not members or less active in the gospel, especially in my family, I pray that you may come back into activity. Eternity is a long time to throw away in this short 80 years of life. I don't know what the real world is like, and I’m sure I can understand all the circumstances you find yourself in, but I know without a doubt that the Savior does. And if we humble ourselves, we can make it through all this together. I love you so very much.

This week I really have been focusing on finishing the Book of Mormon and also Jesus the Christ by Easter. I started at the beginning of January and finished the BOM this week, and Jesus the Christ has been a work in progress for a while and it was so nice to be able to finish it right before Easter. I am so excited for this week and general conference.

The weather here is nice and warm, in the 90's. It’s almost like being baked up alive. But then I remember back to the days in the bike area and I stop complaining. We are doing really well, Heavenly Father will bless us with baptisms this month, and I am so excited to help the ward and the Mission complete the goal this year. I will be also excited to hear about the number of converts this year, because I will know how much the mission contributed. Anyway, Life is so good. Those who are mission age and younger, do not pass up this experience to serve the Most High. You won’t regret it.

Love you,

Elder Stewart