Hump Day!

It’s crazy this week in the shower it hit me how far into my mission I am.  It really was a countdown now.  Not that I am counting down, but it’s over the hump. This week on my hump day  I saw a camel on my hump day. I thought that was a pretty good coincidence.  My companions surprised me with a treat on hump day also!

Monday we played football like normal for p-day.  It was super fun, I scored two goals.  I might go to pro soccer when I get back- haha!  Not!

We were able to have dinner with some members this week and that was super fun!  And able to do service for some in the ward also.  We have been attempting to play ultimate Frisbee and basketball with the youth in the ward and other youth in the area we are hoping to teach.  Building some friendships and trust.  Hoping to help them feel the spirit more.

We are working with our investigators.  One is still waiting to feel right about baptism.  Just needs to read and pray so he feels ready for it. We did find a new investigator this week that seems to really be prepared.  We did some street contacting in town centre – I spell in English (center- centre) now without even thinking about it.   

Zone Meeting was really good this week.   It was very spiritual.  The spirit was very strong in it. They were talking about sacrifices that we make to come on a mission. The spirit was testifying to me that what I was doing was what I am supposed to be doing that I will be blessed for the sacrifice I give.

At church on Sunday, there was  a talk about keeping the Sabbath day holy.  In the movie “Cars” Lightning McQueen lost the race because he didn’t go into and make a pit stop. Just like in our lives.  We need to make the appropriate stops and go to church so that we can have all things run good.

As we were going through the ward list and stopping by some of the less actives, we came across a man who had been born into the church.  In his teen years, he got busy and quit the church.  He said he wasn’t too interested in coming back to church, but wouldn’t give too many details.  We offered a short message and he began to open up a little.  He shared how a loved one had died and he couldn’t understand how the Lord couldn’t help save them.  It was exactly what I was sent on my mission for- to bear testimony to this man. I shared about Kenny and what happened and bore testimony of the things that happened. He gave us our agency and death is part of the plan.  There is always an end to everything. It was a good lesson. He opened up and it was a good time for us to be there to testify and help him to feel the spirit.

Thanks for the cards, emails, and letters, I love the support. Love, Elder Stevenson

One Year

It’s been a crazy one year. And I miss home a lot. But overall it has been a good one year and has gone very quickly.

This week we were did some finding and had a few lessons.  The investigators are doing great.   It was a slower week for missionary work as we moved this week.  I do hate moving!  But the new flat is good.   Pretty simple, but good.  We got the sisters moved in as well.  One of them is from the group that came out with me, the other one goes home in a few months.  We were able to get some service done this week as well.  And played some soccer with the other missionaries.  

Photo a short distance from the flat.

In my studies this week, I finished Luke.  In one place is said, “61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.

 62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

In this I realized that we need to focus on serving the Lord and not looking back.  Not looking on our past life, but to look towards the future. I really like that. 

A great quote for the week-  We cannot fully love God without fully loving our fellow man. We cannot fully love our fellow man without loving God.

Sorry not much time to email this week. 

Thanks for all the letters and support- Love, Elder Stevenson

Haven't moved yet-

We thought we were moving flats by Thursday and starting packing everything up.  Thursday comes and we haven’t heard anything.  On Friday we were told it would happen on Monday. But now the word is Wednesday.  So all week when we got back to the flat at night we would just pack up everything in boxes.  We saw the new flat today and it’s super nice!  Two bedrooms and two baths in a new apartment complex.  Looking forward to moving this week.

We had a lot of success with investigators this week.  One family we tracted into seems to be really good, however, they weren’t there for the first appointment last week and we weren’t sure what to think. When we went back this week, we were able to visit with them.  We have a return appointment in a couple of weeks.  We were able to talk about the Book of Mormon and they loved what we had to say! Possible looking forward to a baptism for them the end of July. Another one is also looking forward to getting baptized.  Just wanting to make sure he is really prepared and ready personally.  We have been contacting some less active members as well and visiting with them.  Another we were teaching was really looking for an answer.  She felt the spirit really strong and was able to get her answer during a lesson. She is continuing towards baptism as well. 

We had a lesson with a man. He had some good comments.  We were talking about how we need to go to church, pray and read the scriptures.  That is what we are commanded to do. He said well some people do 2 out of 3 most of the time, which is good.  But it is not what God expects of me or any of us. He expects the best, he expects us to do what he asked us to do.  It was pretty eye opening to hear it from him. I just sat there and marveled at the fact for a while.

We were able to do some service for some ward members.  I love doing service.  Some yard work and some help with another home improvement project.  Once we get moved, we are going to look for a more permanent place to do service as well.  We also are working with the youth in the ward.  We held a nerf gun war, kinda crazy.  But the kids really warmed up to us.  We are teaching 4 youth under the age of 18 and so the youth program could be built up a lot in the next little while. We also play football with some investigators and members one morning a week.  On Mondays a group of missionaries get together and play football as well.  The exercise is great and I’m actually getting better! 

This week in my studies I am in Luke.  When Jesus is calling the apostles in 5:11. Peter, James and John forsook all and followed Jesus.  They gave up all natural man things and gave up all and followed Him. Also in 5:27-28- that man also left all to follow Him. Sometimes we need to give up the things that are holding us back from following Jesus Christ to the fullest. 

We have a great ward here.  They usually feed us 2-3 times a week.  With thinking we were going to move anytime, people just came to our flat to bring us food this week.  This is a great area with some really amazing people here. 

Thank you all for everything!  Love, Elder Stevenson

Love the New Area!

This new area is amazing! 

We had p-day on Tuesday last week and so I got packed and left.  I was able to fit all my things into two suitcases instead of three. So I have one of the little ones inside the big one.  Wednesday was actually the day of transfers.  Moving with suitcases is the worst, not looking forward to moving in a few weeks at all.  Still living out of my suitcases until we move to the new flat.

The rest of the day Wednesday we went out finding.  We had a lot of success this past week. We had two investigators from before and found some new ones this week. Looking good.   Then Zone Conference on Thursday- same place as before.  We talked about the parable of the talents.  Something I pondered this week.  In the parable of the talents the good and faithful servant took what he had and worked with it, he did not boast or do things that were not important.  He took them and used them. Just like us, we need to take what we have been given and use it for good, not to complain about what we don’t have or waste away our time.  When God gives us a calling we should magnify it, we don’t say well it wasn’t what I wanted.  We need to magnify it and then the blessings will come and we can be called a good and faithful servant.

Friday we had a few lessons with people we have met on Wednesday and set up return appointments with them.    More teaching on Saturday.  A good lesson with a bunch of youth.    Church on Sunday and I was asked to give a five minute talk on being bold and honest without being overbearing and rebuking. Today we were able to play soccer with about 14 missionaries it was super fun. But also very hot and sweaty! 

My new companion is really good.  He’s a lot of fun and we work hard together.  So this is going to be a good transfer. But he has been here for 3 transfers, so most likely he will be leaving at the end of this one.  The ward here is a great one- the people are super friendly.   The area is pretty big, but the people seem receptive to the gospel.  We are going to try and do some service at the local charity this coming week and doing some service for ward members.   I am loving the new area and ward.   And the 4 of us Elders get along really good.  Things here are great!

Thanks for all of the updates.

Love, Elder Stevenson

Moving- No Surprise!

I got a call from the Mission President last night and I am moving.  The new area is a bigger city near a place I served before, so I might see some people I know there.   I have enjoyed being in a smaller area and watching the crops grow.   I don’t know much more about the area- have to update you more next week on the new place.  I’m a little nervous to be moving- and sad.  I have grown to love this area a lot and the people and the ward.  It’s a lot like home.  Small town feel with agriculture.  One of my favorite things to do in street contacting was to try and pick out the farmers among the people on the street. Not too hard as they would be the ones with the dirty jeans and work boots on.  We got a lot of potential investigators this week, so it should be a good start for the next transfer for my old companion and his new companion in this area. I’m pretty excited about it, working with a missionary who’s been out just a little less than I have and from Utah.  

This week was a pretty normal week.  Monday was p-day.  And on Tuesday we find some finding and handed out some flyers for the Family History Fair we had coming up on Saturday.  District meetings and a lot of travel on Wednesday and some finding in the neighboring area.  We were able to find a few new people we will contact for appointments in the coming week.  We were able to do some service mostly yard work- digging out an old stump and mowing lawn.  Then our normal service at the local charity.  Saturday we were at the church all day starting with the Family History Fair.  About 30 non-members came.  

We also had the other auxiliaries throughout the building to show the people a little about them as well.  Then we cleaned the church for a baptism that evening for the other ward Elders.  The mission this month had a goal of 50 baptisms for the month.  We were able to get 45- which is a monthly record for at least 4-5 years.   The new goal for June is 55 baptisms for the mission.  Following church on Sunday I was able to go around and say goodbye to a few members. Just getting things all ready yesterday.  And moving today.

 Thanks for everything- Love, Elder Stevenson

Two weeks worth. . .

{not a delay in getting information from Elder Stevenson- a crazy busy week for mom in not getting the blog updated.}

Pretty normal weeks.   P-days we did some service and went on a hike in the area for one.  We had interviews last week with President Jordan.  Some teaching in the neighboring towns and working with less actives. District meetings and splits in the neighboring town and so a lot of travel on those days.  We aren’t having a lot of success with our investigators or finding new people to teach, but we are continuing to work at it.  We participated in a market day to try to share the gospel with folks who were in the town center for that activity.  The market day is like sidewalk sales in the United States.  Except here the sellers travel all over the place all week.   They normally sell clothes, accessories, gardening stuff, produce, meat, cards, whatever they have.  So we set up a table in it with Book of Mormons, pamphlets, and pass along cards.  The mission has gotten some banners.  And a pop up rectangular prism billboards, about 6- 6 ½ feet tall, which is really fun to use.  We were in the middle of doing it and a lady from the local council (which is like a city officer) came up and asked to see our permit.  We had no idea we needed a permit to do what we do 6 days a week.  We talked to her and explained that it was all for free.  Nothing was being sold.  She said it was okay for us to be there, as long as we didn’t approach or hassle anyone about stuff.  This made it a little more difficult than if we could have approached the people.  But we handed out 2 Book of Mormons and some pass along cards.  We thought that was pretty successful for the 2 hours we were there.

We also started a new way of introducing the gospel to people in the area. We have started carrying sidewalk chalk with us.  We will write questions on the sidewalks.  How can God help me and my family?  Can I live with my loved ones after I die?  What is the purpose of life?  Questions that really get people thinking, and as “Preach My Gospel “ calls them- questions of the soul.  We write them on the pavement and write mormon.org.uk by them so people can go to the website and find the questions.   

One day we were 10 minutes early for an appointment, so we pulled out the chalk and just write anything on the sidewalk we are near.  As we were doing it people kept looking at it.  Over the whole week we have see a lot of people look at them.  One elderly gentleman came up to us and wanted to know what we were doing.  Worried about kids just causing havoc and spray painting everything.   I explained we were missionaries from our church and this was sidewalk chalk and it would wash away.   He realized we were trying to do go and went on his way.

On Saturday last week we decided to find a place to do the whole Plan of Salvation in chalk.  We selected a local skate park.   We headed out that morning and spent two hours drawing and writing. It looked pretty good when we finished.  We had writing all over the place with questions, statements, quotes, mormon.org.uk, and the whole plan of salvation.  To begin with a kid came up to us and wanted to know who had done it.  We said we had and he thought it was cool, we talked with him for awhile. 

President Jordan gave a training about how missionary work is like farming.  There are phases in a mission.  When you will have a bag and you are sowing seeds.  When you are carrying a watering pot to help nourish the seed. When the time is right, you are with a sickle ready to harvest.  No matter what you are doing it is all important to the final product. 

I thought the farming/ missionary work was really neat.  It was like farming totally.   You can’t just be out there with the harvester when you haven’t planted and waited for the crops to mature. You need to do all the steps in the right order.  Sometimes you continue to replant and move pipe and spray and fix pivots and pick rock and disk the ground and put on fertilizer.  But we do all that for the final product.  Which we cannot do in a swift single movement.  

There has to be patience involved with it all.  A great comfort to me. Even if I am never personally there when someone that I taught got baptized, I did the portion I was supposed to do.  I haven’t failed if I have done what I was asked to do.   Serve the Lord with all my heart, might, mind and strength.

As I have been studying I came up with some things that I think would help wards with missionary work. 

1. Prepare: President Eyring stated, "God will put prepared people in the way of His prepared servants." We as members need to be feasting on the words of Christ each day so we are prepared to share the gospel. Also carrying pass-along cards with you or a Book of Mormon to hand out. Simply be prepared to share the gospel.

2. Pray: Elder Ballard said, "We should exercise our faith and pray individually and as families, asking for help in finding ways to share the restored gospel of Jesus Christ." President Gordon B. Hinckley said, “It will be a great day when our people not only pray for the missionaries throughout the world, but ask the Lord to help them to assist the missionaries who are laboring in their own ward.” Prayer is an act of faith, in which when we faithfully pray for an opportunity to share the gospel, the opportunities will come.

3. Perform: President Hinckley stated, "Get on your knees and pray, then get on your feet and work."  Once we are prepared and have prayed for those opportunities, look for them in your everyday life and take advantage of the opportunities that come to share the gospel.

Finally in closing Elder Ballard said, "Brothers and sisters, fear will be replaced with faith and confidence when members and the full-time missionaries kneel in prayer and ask the Lord to bless them with missionary opportunities. Then, we must demonstrate our faith and watch for opportunities to introduce the gospel of Jesus Christ to our Heavenly Father’s children, and surely those opportunities will come. These opportunities will never require a forced or a contrived response. They will flow as a natural result of our love for our brothers and sisters. Just be positive, and those whom you speak with will feel your love. They will never forget that feeling, though the timing may not be right for them to embrace the gospel. That too may change in the future when their circumstances change."

Elder Tad R Callister gave a great talk on Consecrated Missionaries in 2008.  We got a copy of that talk. 

(He sent the whole talk, but I found it on the web and so have included a link to that blog instead of posting the whole talk again.)

http://scottsdalemission.wordpress.com/2013/04/28/becoming-a-consecrated-missionary/

President Uchtdorf also has a great talk to read.

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/10/come-join-with-us?lang=eng

Thanks for all of the emails, letters and prayers. I love hearing from everyone!  Love, Elder Stevenson 

Good Visit

A great visit with Elder Stevenson yesterday. Things are going well for him in England.  Not a lot of luck with the investigators this week- still trying.  And still working to find new people to teach.   A couple of people from a previous area are talking about getting baptized this summer. 

Things are going good in the area.  It was rainy most of the week.  For the football/soccer game the missionaries were playing with a few from the ward and some kids.  After about 10 minutes of playing, it started to pour for the next thirty minutes.  We continued to play and were soaked from head to toe.  The bishop said it appear we were walking on water.  He is a lot of fun. 

The crops are looking good there. The grain is starting to head out already and the beets are up to about the 8 leaf stage already.  Strange to hear of the difference in the growing seasons.

We were able to tear down a shed for service one day.  A wind storm had torn off part of the roof.  So we just finished tearing off the roof and pushing in the sides.  Had a blast doing that. 

Been thinking about the changes I’m made since coming out on my mission.  It seems like the longer I am out on my mission, the more comfortable I am at discussing the gospel with people.   I like to talk about the gospel with people.  Not something I did before my mission, or even really had an interest in doing.  Fun to have a doctrinal discussion with dad as we Skyped.   I can’t imagine the conversations we will be having a year from now. A lot of changes for me.

Thanks for all of the emails and letters, I love hearing from everyone!   Have a great week!

Love, Elder Stevenson