Sept. 25, 2018

Yall,

This week is the last P-Day of my trainers mission. That's kinda weird. It's also weird to think that next month will be a year from when I left on my mission. My Spanish is getting pretty decent. I am so grateful that the Lord knows me. He sent me here now for a specific reason. We have been working hard with a handful of people. They have been progressing pretty well! I want to share a poem that was shared by President Monson when he was still an Elder. This is from October 1996 here it is;

 “Living What We Pray For”:

            

                

                    I knelt to pray when day was done

                    And prayed, “O Lord, bless everyone;

                    Lift from each saddened heart the pain,

                    And let the sick be well again.”

                

                

                    And then I woke another day

                    And carelessly went on my way;

                    The whole day long, I did not try

                    To wipe a tear from any eye.

                

                

                    I did not try to share the load

                    Of any brother on the road;

                    I did not even go to see

                    The sick man, just next door to me.

                

                

                    Yet, once again, when day was done,

                    I prayed, “O Lord, bless everyone.”

                    But as I prayed, into my ear

                    There came a voice that whispered clear:

                

                

                    “Pause now, my son, before you pray;

                    Whom have you tried to bless today?

                    God’s sweetest blessings always go

                    By hands that serve Him here below.”

                

                

                    And then I hid my face and cried,

                    “Forgive me, God, I have not tried.

                    Let me but live another day,

                    And I will live the way I pray.”

I really love the thought of living how we pray. I know there is power there. The Lord has helped me to grow in amazing ways out here. Thank you all for your support!

Love you all!

Elder Stephen

Sept. 18, 2018

Yall,

This week has been great! We went on exchanges twice this week. I talked about the first one in my last email home. It was super great! After that, we had P-day. We went to the park with the zone and played some fun games. This week, we focused a lot on working in our area. We both got haircuts and have both decided to make some needed changes in our lives. The second exchange that we got to do was with a companionship which is struggling right now. It was a very good exchange. Elder Parkinson and I really balance each other out really well and work hard together. I'm grateful for the times when the Lord works through me!

LOVE YALL!

Elder Stephen

Sept. 11, 2018

Yall,

This week was fast, but it was good. Elder Parkinson and I found a couple and have started teaching them. They are so amazing!! I am so grateful for the opportunity to be here! We went on exchanges for a day with the APs. I went to the AP area (English YSA ward). English work is weird! I was surprised how different it was! I was with Elder Mumm (a 6' 2" red haired Viking from Idaho). I love Elder Mumm. We served together here in Imperial Beach. My mission has really changed a lot about my life. I now more fully understand the Lord's expectation of me. 

We spend a lot of time finding. I love finding! It is a great opportunity to help the children of God to really remember who they truly are. In my home, there is a commonplace phrase above my door. It says; "Remember who you are". I know that the true purpose of this life is remember who we really are. So many problems are made and caused by our interpretations of who we think we are. I just think that is so interesting.

The Lord has commanded us to be of good cheer! I love that commandment. I would invite all of you to focus more on the joy that comes from becoming who we really are! You will become aware of the Love that God has for you as His child!

Love yall!

Elder Stephen

Sept. 4, 2018

Yall,

This week was sic! Last Tuesday we had a mission tour with Elder Pearson. He is the general authority over the South-western part of the US. He is so cool. I had two days of meeting with him because he ran the mission tour and the mission leadership meeting. I personally learned so much from him. 

Last week we also went to the zoo. The San Diego Zoo is pretty dope, but I do miss the Omaha Zoo. The zoo was super cool and I enjoyed it. We didn't get to see the pandas 🐼. That was sad.

We found two amazing people this week. They were asking amazing some amazing questions about God. They came to church and have been reading the Book of Mormon. I wish that people understood that God invites us to try him. If we try what he asks, we will find out the truth. 

Love yall! 

Elder Stephen