November 30th, 2015

To start off I hope that everyone has had a great thanks giving! Next Happy Birthday Dad! I would not be able to be out on a mission if not for the example of my parents, they are amazing people!

We had two thanksgiving dinners Thursday both with members of the Branch and it was great to see their families together and reflect on the great times that they have had together. Families are such a wonderful gift that God has given to us. I am so blessed to have been invited to be involved in their family dinner. I am also very grateful to have such a great family back home!

On Monday we helped the Food bank give out thanksgiving boxes and that was really fun to meet so many new people and help them. We volunteered at a thrift store and I found a record player from there and have been listening to Christmas music all week! It is so cool! I have also been reading the Nativity story from the Bible and it is such an amazing gift that we have all been given, #asaviorisborn and because he is born all can be born again. I hope that as the next several weeks go by you will all remember why we have a Savior and what that means for you. Hint it means you don't need to go through life unhappy, you can become free from anything that weighs you down.

Elder Bennett and I split wood with week at this old lady’s home and it was a really good work out. We did it the old fashion way with an ax and it was so much fun! But really tiring. It has been getting a lot colder here and it is supposed to be in the negatives this week for the low, I am very grateful to have heaters and warm clothing.

I gave a talk Sunday in sacrament meeting about my Gratitude for faith. Hymn 254 "True to the Faith" came to mind and I talked about that a little bit, as well as testified that Faith is not just a word; but is the power that miracles are performed by. Faith leads to knowledge and then Eternal joy.

I also taught Gospel principals this week and we talked about agency and how we are free to choose. What a blessing that is; we can chose to be happy or we can choose to be unhappy, but it is entirely up to us and the actions that we take.

Our Brach president taught the 5th Sunday lesson. He talked about how to have the spirit more and how we need to be supports to our families and each other in this ever unstable world.

I hope all of you have a great week! I miss you all and will keep you in my prayers. Time has been flying by and it’s hard to believe that I have been out for 3 months now! I know that our Father in Heaven loves you and wants the very best for you. If he didn't he would not have ever come. 

Go to Christmas.mormon.org and watch #aSaviorisBorn it is a really good video!

Love you all, Elder Stewart