April 24, 2018

Yall,

This makes the first week with my third companion. Elder Glorious has been sick for like the whole week. It got so bad that we spent like 3 days inside all day. Inside days are tough. Lots of studying for me haha. We were able to go out and work in our area this week though. That was good. We found some super awesome people. 

We have also been getting to know our new Zone leader this week. His name is Elder Mumm. If you want to know what he looks like, picture a giant ripped viking and take off the beard and give him a nice haircut. He is awesome though. I think this transfer I will learn a lot about Enduring to the end. This transfer is Elder Glorious' last transfer. I hope that he will stay focused until the end. I know I could get better at focusing and finishing things that I start. I am grateful to the Lord for giving me this opportunity to learn from experience. I'm excited to be with him. 

So we were talking to a members father (who isn't a member) and discussing religion in general. It was such a good conversation! One story that we shared is found in 1 Samuel. The Lord called Samuel three times. He answered twice by going to Eli and asking what he wants. Finally Eli told Samuel to answer to the Lord. After Samuel answered to the Lord, the Lord called him to be his servant. I think that all the time the Lord calls us and often we ignore. I have been questioning if I have ignored the Lord. I know that we all ignore Him sometimes but as we seek to answer him, we will be blessed and strengthened. 

Love you all! 

Elder Stephen 

April 10, 2018- Pday pictures

April 17, 2018

Hola yall,

Well, Elder Snow left me after only 6 weeks. We had a pretty good last week together. The temple and beach were both amazing last P-day. I learned a lot in the temple. That was so amazing. I also got to go to Deseret Book and use the missionary 10% discount so that was pretty cool.

Last week, we worked with our recent convert to help her work on her family history. That was cool because she referred us to work with her siblings and her parents. I'm excited to get to go and do this. 

Outside of that, on Saturday, I got to go back to the temple with Mauricio Castillo my convert from Calexico. It was so amazing to get to see Mauricio and Elder Cowley again. They are both doing amazing! After the temple, we went to get lunch at Cafe Rio, and then went to the Mormon Batallion and took a tour together. What an amazing day. 

Today is my first day with my new companion named Elder Glorious. He is from North Carolina and this transfer is his very last one. I'm excited to go to work with him. I am, however, sad that I only got to serve with Elder Snow for 1 transfer. I will miss him. 

In Exodus 32:29 it says: "For Moses had said, Consecrate yourselves to day to the Lord, even every man upon his son, and upon his brother; that he may bestow upon you a blessing this day." I have felt the blessings of consecrating myself to the Lord. I know that he wants to bless us if we will just open our doors to Him.

Love, 

Elder Stephen 

April 10, 2018

Hola yall,

This week has been kinda slow to be honest. 

Tuesday, we went to Balboa Park which is a large grouping of a whole bunch of museums. It was so cool. We went to the Science museum and the Natural History Museum. I really enjoyed it. We went for a Sisters birthday and I think she really enjoyed it. 

The rest of the week we spent recovering from the spring break last week. No one has been home and that has been difficult but it's been fun working with members more to make up for the lack of people down here in San Ysidro. I've learned a lot about myself and the way that I work this week. I've paid someone's because they were in the hospital and that was weird because we had to get the check from the other person living there and deliver it to the landlord and we had to record it too. Fun stuff. We also sung to this older lady who calls us angels. She likes my guitar and that was really fun. While we were leaving the house, which is small because most latino families are small, Elder Snow wrecked his face right into one of the beams coming off the eves of the house. It was funny but I felt bad for the guy.

Today I'm super pumped because I get to go to the temple and the beach. The San Diego Temple is so dang awesome and I'm so excited to get to learn more about Jesus Christ. 

I love you all, 

Elder Stephen 

April 3, 2018

Hola yall,

This week was long but so amazing! We spent a lot of time searching for people this week and haven't really been too successful. I know that's a huge part of missionary work so we are being pacient but it's still a huge test. Elder Snow and I were talking and we had met each other before the mission. We thought that was crazy. I've seen his house and stuff in Utah. Weird. 

Anyway on Friday, we got to go to a church ran camp and do team building exercise and at the end we hiked like a mile up a mountain and got reflection time on the top of the mountain. What a beautiful experience that was! It's nice to be able to refocus yourself on what's really important in life. 

We all had another wonderful opportunity to do the same thing this last Saturday and Sunday with General Confrence. What a wonderful experience to he able to hear Gods words through His prophets. We also had the wonderful opportunity to sustain our new Prophet,  Russell M. Nelson. What an amazing opportunity. 

Our recent convert Brenda was there and she soaked it all in! I love the messages that we received from them. Something that I love is focus on the simple things that we need to be doing every day if we want to be strong in our faith. Whatever your religion is you have committed to God to live it. So do it. Just do it and it will take you to God. I'm so greatful for the opportunity to help people change their lives through Christ.

Love you all, 

Elder Stephen 

April 1, 2018

                                                      

Names of Christ 

(an Easter countdown/ Easter scriptures sent from home)