WEEK 16

It was Thanksgiving week so things were a bit slow and instead of 75% of the doors not opening to us, it was about 85%. Probably due to people being out of town. On Thanksgiving we woke up and played in 2 different Turkey bowls. And the day before, Wednesday, we got snow. We played football in the snow and our toes were freezing, but still tons of fun though. Later in the night we had 2 dinners, we were suppose to have 4 but 2 of them fell through, we were still stuffed by the end of the night. Or 2nd and last dinner was with the Hartley's, the people we live with, they are SO awesome, they told us we can have who ever we want to invite over for dinner so we were able to have the Driskell's over for dinner. They were so happy to come and it was great to see how happy they were when they were with other people for Thanksgiving instead of being by themselves. On Sunday we were able to get the Driskell's daughter, Jennifer to church, we are working on her and they would really enjoy for her to become baptized so that they can be there as a family. It would be so awesome to bring their entire family unto the fold. 

I hope y'all all had a great Thanksgiving and a great week this week.

Love,

~Elder Stevens

WEEK 15

Hello Everybody,

Thanksgiving is so soon! Elder Castillo and I have 4 families planning on feeding us... Good thing we are playing in like 3 different Turkey Bowls to work it off! 

Jesse Vycital is progressing with pace now. This last Sunday we met with both Jesse and Natalie. We gave him so many different things for him to read, but the one we really wanted him to focus on was the book by Richard LeGrand, called "A Marvelous Work and a Wonder. We had him read on temple sealings. This topic was one that he really had a lot to talk about because of the death of his daughter. Again, he opened up and asked questions. We really stressed the importance of prayer because through prayer Heavenly Father can answer our questions by the power of the Holy Ghost. The Book of Mormon talks about the power that the Holy Ghost has to manifest the truth of all things to us (Moroni 10:5). 

Another of our investigators, Mike, is one that mostly likes just talking to us. We found Mike a little while back when I was with Elder Meraz. We street contacted into him while he was working on some shelves in his garage. Mike has a few friends that are members so he knows that we aren't weird haha. Mike has no problem with what we have to share with him but he feels that as long as you believe in God and follow the commandments, it doesn't matter what religion you are apart of. We have really struggled to find an answer to that. To him we plan to share a scripture from Ephesians 4:5 "One faith, One Lord, One baptism." Joseph Smith read the same verse, which produced even more questions such as, If there is one religion, why are there so many other churches? He finally found his answer, again, through prayer. He can only come to a knowledge that this church is true through prayer and study of the Book of Mormon. As the Book of Mormon says in the introduction "We invite all men everywhere to read the Book of Mormon, to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and then to ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ if the book is true. Those who pursue this course and ask in faith will gain a testimony of its truth and divinity by the power of the Holy Ghost. (See Moroni 10:3–5.) Those who gain this divine witness from the Holy Spirit will also come to know by the same power that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, that Joseph Smith is His revelator and prophet in these last days, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord’s kingdom once again established on the earth, preparatory to the Second Coming of the Messiah." If the Book of Mormon is true than the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the true church on the face of the earth. As missionaries all we want, for those that we come into contact with, is to read the Book of Mormon and pray to know if it is true. Once they do so, they will recieve an answer.

I hope that Y'all all have a great Thanksgiving. 

Love,

~Elder Stevens

WEEK 14

Hi Guys,

A lot of stuff was put into motion this week, not much else. After a few weeks of not being able to meet with the Vycitals we we're finally able to get in and meet with them! Bro. Riley was able to come as well, the last time we met with them it was just Elder Castillo and I and we attempted to explain Abraham Chapter 3... It was an interesting experience. This time, with Bro. Rileys help, we were able to explain with a lot more accuracy haha! We were also able to answer a lot of his questions that he finally opened up and asked us. He told us that this one meeting has helped him out more than all the others, that's because he finally stated his concerns, which is something we've been trying to get out of him for quite a while. 

Yesterday was Sis. Driskell's Birthday and we were able to stop by and drop a card and some of her favorite food off for her. We later got a text back from her telling us how thankful she is for us being in her life and for helping her to get into the waters of baptism. A little more background on Sis. Driskell, She is the mother of 6, she raised her kids to be loving to all people, but her Late-Husband, who, about 30 years ago died of cancer, didn't like Mormons too much so it kind of rubbed off on the kids. So since her baptism, and even years before, her kids don't have a good relationship with her. They seem to be very selfish and caught up with the pleasures of the world. So on her birthday none of her kids spent the day with her, although 5/6 of her kids did call her. It is very upsetting to see such a sweet lady go through struggling times with her health, Bro. Driskell's health, and many other trials that are thrown her way. She still manages to stay strong and turns to her Brother, Jesus Christ, for help. That is one thing that I admire about her, that she knows, whenever adversity comes her way, she can turn to the Savior. Not very many people do that but it is so obvious.The song "Jesus Take the Wheel" rings true to me, after all that we can do to overcome tribulation we then rely on our Redeemer to take over. 

As I've said before, I am so thankful for our saviors sacrifice to take on not only our sins but our pains and afflictions as well. I hope that we all can be as Sis. Driskell and turn to Christ when in times of need. 

Have a great week y'all!

Love,

~Elder Stevens

P.S. Please pray for Brother and Sister Driskell, that they may find peace.

WEEK 13

Hey Y'all,

Just your average missionary week. Tom, our "golden investigator" dropped us sadly. We went over to his trailer in the trailer park to sit down and share Lesson 2. After our first knock we heard someone shuffling around in the trailer but they didn't come to the door. We thought that they may have not heard us so we knocked louder the second time and still no one came. We then left. The next day we get a long text from him saying that he doesn't appreciate us coming to his house and banging on the door and that we scared whoever was in there... if someone was in there you'd think they'd come to the door...All we could do was apologize. It happens sometimes I guess, but he does attend a church that is in the area that is pretty Anti- Mormon, so we can't help but wonder if it was all just a set up... It is pretty common here.

On a better note the Driskell's are SO strong in the church now. It is awesome seeing people grow spiritually. They are watching re-runs of general conference and studying everything we give them. Every time I think about how much they are progressing I can't help but smile.

If there is anything that I learned this week is to be sure to always work on your testimony and to make and keep it strong, firm and immovable. My Zone Leader Elder Cain, who is going home this week, has one of the strongest testimonies I've ever heard and ever time I hear him testify I know that the Church is true. As I am working on my testimony, to make it so that I can have that effect on others, my foundation of faith is made steadfast and immovable.

Love y'all.






As always, love,


~Elder Stevens

WEEK 12

Dear Everyone,

This week was great! On Tuesday we had Elder Martino, from the Quorum of the Seventy and who also spoke in last General Conference come speak to the mission. It was awesome! He got us all fired up to declare the Lords word through out the land. Just like in his conference talk he spoke about praying for answers. He said that "..if we pray to know if something is true, just out of curiosity, then we will never receive an answer, we need a sincere heart, asking with real intent, and being willing to be molded by God." Since being on my mission I've really learned how to fine tune the basics, such as prayer.

On Wednesday night we went over to Eric and Nicole's, we talked about Alma 32 and humility and how it is key in our conversion and gaining faith. At the end we invited him to be baptized... he said Yes!!! We still have yet to set up a date with him, but there is one minor problem... Nicole and Eric aren't married. We either need to get them married or moved into separate places. Hopefully the Spirit can work some magic on him and he will become HUMBLE and choose one of those options! It is looking promising!

On Thursday I got a package from Sister Baxter, my Sunday school teacher back home, It was FULL of candy and letters from her and her classes. It was so cool to get that and to see how she was doing. It's great to know that I am loved.

On Halloween all missionaries had to be in by 6:30 so it was a quick day. We had a District Lunch with some card games. Around 6:00 we picked up Elders Campbell and Harrison to come over and spend the night. We made a fire in the back and slept outside.

The following day, Sunday, we went to church for our normal 6 hours because we cover two wards. Later in the night Bro. Hartley got home with an elk he shot out hunting. We watched him skin it and then helped him hang it from a taller tree... I got only a little blood on me.

Missions are awesome no matter where you go. You learn so much and grow to be the person God wants you to be, as long as you're working hard. Most importantly though you help others grow to become what God wants them to be and It's amazing to be apart of their spiritual growth. Bro. Driskell received the Priesthood this last Sunday, I was able to be apart of his ordination. The Gospel of Jesus Christ can really transform you.

I hope all had a great Halloween. Enjoy your next week.

Love y'all,

~Elder Stevens