October 19, 2015

It has been a good week here is Colorado! Elder Bennett (my trainer) and I went tracking and found 2 new investigators. We were walking up to this house and a lady came out and just said "We aren't interested we are Christians." So our reply was simple “So are we!" After that we had a great talk about The Book of Mormon and Scripture and we were able to bear our testimony of Christ, His love for us and the blessing of Prophets on the Earth in these latter days. So many people see us and think we are earthier Jehovah witness people or trying to sell them something. I am glad to say we are not, we are missionary's for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. We are also known as the Mormons. It was great talking with her and her family and we are hoping to meet with them on Thursday.

We had specialized training this week with President Rehm and the assistants to the President. President Rehm spoke about how as missionary's we are called to live by more rules then we have ever had to live by and that is not an easy thing but it allows us to stay focused and safe. He answer some different questions people had about many of the rules and taught this very important principal about rules: For every rule there is reason behind it and a reason for it. If you think something could go wrong with what you are doing or if it is unsafe do you want to be the reason for a new rule? (And my favorite) Think before you act and you should almost never have a problem. The AP's talked about how to set goals and make a plan step by step to reach them, it was super useful for our weekly planning I was able to see what I needed to do.

I taught Gospel Principals on Sunday about the Final Judgement. It went really well! We get so caught up in our fear of it we forget who our judge is. It is Christ and He has already said in D&C 18 that "the Worth of Souls is Great in the sight of God" I testify that is true. It is not something we need to be afraid of but it is something we need to prepare for.

     We went to a New Life Fellowship worship service with one of our investigators Sunday night because he came to church with us. It was a nice service the topic was unity in the body of Christ (in the church.) What their Pastor had to say was true, as Disciples of Christ we need to act and be more open with talking of Christ.

      I am so grateful for the understanding that the Book of Mormon gives about Prophets and Apostles. We have a living Prophet who is called of God and we have many others who are called of God to help edify and support the Church. The LDS Church is unified under God and I know as we strive to help our Fellow man, we will only grow closer together.

     The other day we found this nasty looking bug in our apartment. It was HUGE! We got rid of it and then finished our day.

     It has been a fantastic week. I have seen the Hand of the Lord working we were in a lesson and as we were about to close we asked if they knew of anyone who would benefit from what we had to say. The family suggested their friend who lived next door and then there was a knock at the Door and she walked in! We gave her a copy of the Book of Mormon and set up an appointment!

This is not my work, this is the work of the Lord and I am so grateful for the Gift and blessing of the Gospel in my life.

Thank you all so much for your letters and your strength

I love you all and love hearing from you all,

Elder Stewart

Oct 12, 2015

This past week our branch had a chile cook off. My companion made a fantastic White Chicken Chile. I made a salsa and I won 2nd place! (People here don't like cilantro) with my Tomatillo salsa.

We had 12 investigators come to the party it was great! It was like 1/4 of the people there!

We had Zone training this week and the lesson was on the importance of obedience and how when we are obedient we can live without regret and with more joy. Making a chose to be obedient really is the best thing it will lead to more trust and greater understanding. There are times when we want to be disobedient to a commandment or to a rule but if you like about it how hard is it to break a rule? It is super easy right. So when we break a rule we are doing the easy, and really the weak thing. However. When we follow the commandments of the Lord we are showing to ourselves and him that we are strong and that we have some sort of backbone. Be diligent in following the rules of the Lord. They are not there to hold us back but to keep us safe from the storms of life.

I have started The Book of Mormon again and I decided to ask a question and find the answer throughout my study. I have already learned so much more than if I had just started to read it. I challenge you all to ponder a question it can be about anything and write it in the front of a copy of the Book of Mormon and go through and study that question out pray each day and night and I testify that as you do this your faith will grow and you will learn so much!

The weather here in Colorado is really strange it can be really cold one day and then super-hot the next I am okay with cold and okay with heat but I need some sort of consistency with it! I love it here in Del Norte I found out that when leaves fall off of trees here it does not mean that the tree is dead. Who knew! I am in awe of the world that we have been given it is so amazing and beautiful. I am looking forward to seeing what else this new part of the world will teach me!

I love you all and love hearing from you all write me letters or e-mails :)

 Elder Stewart

October 5, 2015

It has been a good week here in Del Norte Colorado! The people here are very kind and even if they aren't interested they will listen to us for at least a little bit.

This Friday will be my one month date! It doesn't feel like that much time has passed at all. Here are some of the thing I have learned this past month:

This is not my mission but our Father in heavens, as He said "this is my work and my Glory to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man" Moses 1:37

I was not sent here to Colorado because of anything I can do but because this is where the Lord knows I will grow the most.

Missionary work is not easy. However it will make the difference of an eternity of Joy.

The harder the task the more reward you will be given.

I am so grateful for the gift that we have to be guided by living Prophets and apostles and that we hear directly from them every six months! Each of those men were not called by men but by a living all-knowing Father in Heaven who loves us and wants the best for us. As we listen and heed the council that they give to us we will be protected from the storms of sin that rage on everyday trying to weaken us.

The branch I am working in is great! The members are very kind and willing to work with us. I know that this is the Lords work and that I am only here to be a tool in his hand.

I found a tea pot last week and have made hot coco pretty much every day. I always thought that I could handle the cold but turns out I am not quite used to it just yet.

The Lord has a plan for each of us and he knows out limits He will push us only when we are willing to let him push.

I got to play with some little baby kittens this week!! It was great they are pretty much just balls of hair. And they aren't cats yet so that was even better! The more I spend time here in Colorado the more I see that I was placed here for a reason. I know that as we seek to find what the Lord has planned for us the happier we will become.

Love you all,

Elder Stewart