Hello Momma,
It was great hearing your voice!!!!! I'm glad that everything is going well with you all!! I too cannot believe that it has already been 3 1/2 month as well!!!! holy cow!!! Transfer calls came in on Christmas night, I'm being transfered to Alma Arkansas. Other missionaries and my ward mission leader told me that its a fantastic place to be. I'm really going to miss Springfield 2nd ward a bunch. I love this place so much. My new companion will be Elder Riley (SP?) He's been out for a transfer shorter than Elder Cox. Elder Cox is being transfered too!!! This is so crazy! This is a very rare situation that is going on. We didn't do anything bad at all. Infact, Were doing just fine. It doesn't make sence. Elder Cox is being transfered to Oklahoma somewhere.
So I have been going through a rough time lately and I prayed to heavenly father for help and guidence and I just got a email from Garrett saying some pretty powerful stuff. He said some things that really made me think. He is not only by best friend, he is like my brother!!! So I'm gonna take it into consideration what he said and stay. I told him that two years from now, We'll be home with our smokin hot wifes and look back at times like these and laugh! hahaha!!!
The rest of my Christmas went alright. I had a blast at my Ward Mission Leader's house for the day. Then we went to a recent converts house for dinner. It was pretty good. We had Ham!!! After that, We had baked apples, they were alright. I got sick to my stomach once I left. I've had too much junk food lately. That night, I was up all night with the 24 hour stomach flu throwing up. I feel so much better now!! Not much to report this week. The past 2 weeks have been really slow with the holidays and such.
Thats so awesome that the Colts won!!!!! and the Cowboys lost!!!!! YES!!!!! I hope that The Colts go to the play offs and then super bowl! I'd pray for them but that might be a apostate thing to do lol!!! So, how are things there? good I hope, How's the weather? Sorry to make this short but I'm on a timed schedule at the library for today. I don't know my new address yet so don't send me anything!!! :( As soon as I know my new address I will let you know so you can pass it on to everyone. Tell Dwight thanks for the advice he gave me. I pray for him every day as I do everyone. I better get going, I need to go buy some stuff soon. Love you all!!!
Love, Elder Daniel Stuart
Monday, December 27, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
12/20/2010
Hi,
How's everything going back at home? Good I hope. I'm doing good out here, I got the winter package the other day. Thanks! but its starting to warm up for some odd reason... I hear that it will start to get colder this week then I can wear the stuff you gave me! :)Thanks for the package of presents! I think I know what one is, but I didn't open them, don't worry.lol.
So, the Baptism went really great!! I was the one to baptize her and it was a wonderful experience that I will never forget ever!! When I got in the font, I was expecting the water to get to my waist but it was actually at my mid thighs but it was really warm! as Corey came into the water, I helped her in so she doesn't fall, then as I raised my arm to the square and closed my eyes and just paused. I didn't forget her name or the words, I was just listening to the spirit.It was so strong as if someone was standing there talking to me. It was the most wonderful feelings that I have ever had. Once I said the words, I submerged her into the water and as I was doing this it literally felt like someone else was helping me do it, like an angel was surrounding me. I also felt someone lay there hand on my back, I don't know if it was a pat on the back saying: "good job, Daniel," or what. But it was VERY comforting for me. I can't discribe the feeling that came over me.
Preparing for the baptism was pretty crazy. But now I think back on it, I can't help but to just laugh!! Elder Cox and I were in a lesson a hour before the baptism and didn't get out untill 15 minutes before the baptism started. So after that, we rushed back to the apartment to grab my baptism stuff ( why I didn't get it before I don't know...) and rushed all the way to the church and when we got there, No one was there!! just my ward mission leader, Bro. Neal. This was insane! the baptism starts in 6 minutes and its empty here! only 18 people including myself and Elder Cox attended the baptism, I wasn't very happy about it but Corey didn't really noticed at all. I'm just really happy that we made it there in time!
The confirmation went great and crazy too. The person that normally picks her up didn't get her for some reason so we made a few calls to pick her up. We had someone get her, but the man said that he might be a little late. We told the bishop that and he said that he will try to stall while he is talking. As he was talking/stalling at the pulpet, he started to talk about the confirmation for her and then looked at me and I just shook my head, meaning: "shes not here yet!!" He kinda just gave me a weird look that said "Are you serious!?!?" then he just went into the sacrament. As SOON as they started playing the Oregon, she walked in! I couldn't believe it! I just started to laugh...I defiantly will not forget this loving moment at all!!! Great few days!!!
Other than that, my week has been going pretty well. We didn't really got to see a whole lot of people. They are either sick, or busy getting ready for the holidays, or both so its not as solid as it has been. I'm betting that the same will happen this week unfortunately. Its alright, we can find stuff to do. Earlier this week I got sick so we didn't really do anything until the end of that day, it must of been a 24 hour cold or something like that. I'm fine now, I'm just spitting stuff up like a camel.
So I get to call home sometime Sat!!! I can't wait! can't wait to hear your voice!!! I'll be at my ward mission leaders house and I can use the Cell Phone. Its sprint and its free on Weekends! Don't know what time I will be calling tho.
So I finally brought my camera!!! I hope I know how to do this... you should find some pictures of the MTC, Provo temple, Kelton and I, and others. So how is everything going for you all at home? good I hope. Is there still a lot of snow? There are only a few patches on there ground here and there out here in Springfield. Is Dwight working a lot? I pray for him to work a lot everyday and night, I also pray for all of my family for work and safety and health, I also pray for my friends and my friends that are on a mission that they may always feel the spirit. I've noticed that I pray a lot!!!! in about the first 3 hours of me being awake, I pray about 5 times! holy cow!!! I am here to tell you prayers work!!! Well I better get going. Hope all is well. Love you all!!!
Love, Elder Daniel Stuart
Monday, December 13, 2010
12/13/2010
Good morning,
How's everything going out there?! Better then here I hope, its freezing!!!!! I haven't gotten the package yet but hopefully soon. I'm glad you told me about somethings in the package because I was going to by some gloves and earmuffs, now I don't. I've been on a bike for a week now and it makes it even colder with the wind blowing in my face and my hands freezing on the bars. So we decided to walk around and that doesn't help at all!!! and it snowed yesterday!!! ugh...its mainly me face, hands and huge ears that get cold! When I was walking to a members home last night with the wind in my face, I was covering my ears and I couldnt help but to laugh. I bet Garrett is doing better in the "summer". Oh, and we do not have a tree. We had a Christmas party on saturday night with the ward. It was kinda lame to be honest.... nothing was there! No Santa Claus, no lights, no trees, no nativity on the stage. It was a real bummer but I had fun talking with the members.
So other than that, the baptism is coming up this saturday and I get to baptise her!!!!!!!!! oh i'm so excited and nervous at the same time, hopefully ill remember to bring my camera hahaha!!I wish you where to watch me do it! We are inviting as many people as we can so she will feel really welcomed into the ward once she becomes a member, she is super excited for that day. We are teaching other people also, there is this other lady that excepted to be baptised on January 15th, but she called me yesterday saying that she wants to be baptised on Christmas day I just told her that it cannot be done, we have to still teach her more lessons and she also has to quit smoking. She didn't seem very happy about it so we settled for her date to be January 1st. I personally don't feel comfortable for that date and neither does my companion or the bishop, So we are just going to wait intill she officially quits smoking, then we will set a date. She is a VERY frustrating woman...
So, Elder Schneider is engaged huh? hahaha!!! Awesome. I can see that happening to me once I get home too Ha Ha! Did he send a invite to you? or was it on Facebook? How is everyone out there? How is the Rook family? How are all of my friends doing? The family also? The talk that I had with my Mission President is somewhat working I guess. I have my ups and downs. My companion's name is Elder Cox. He is from Star Valley, WY. He has the exact birthdate as I do except he is a year older :S Hes pretty cool, We get along pretty good. Well I hope that everything is going good with you, I miss you like crazy. I hope I get that package soon! Hope all is well! I love you all!!!
Love, Elder Daniel Stuart
How's everything going out there?! Better then here I hope, its freezing!!!!! I haven't gotten the package yet but hopefully soon. I'm glad you told me about somethings in the package because I was going to by some gloves and earmuffs, now I don't. I've been on a bike for a week now and it makes it even colder with the wind blowing in my face and my hands freezing on the bars. So we decided to walk around and that doesn't help at all!!! and it snowed yesterday!!! ugh...its mainly me face, hands and huge ears that get cold! When I was walking to a members home last night with the wind in my face, I was covering my ears and I couldnt help but to laugh. I bet Garrett is doing better in the "summer". Oh, and we do not have a tree. We had a Christmas party on saturday night with the ward. It was kinda lame to be honest.... nothing was there! No Santa Claus, no lights, no trees, no nativity on the stage. It was a real bummer but I had fun talking with the members.
So other than that, the baptism is coming up this saturday and I get to baptise her!!!!!!!!! oh i'm so excited and nervous at the same time, hopefully ill remember to bring my camera hahaha!!I wish you where to watch me do it! We are inviting as many people as we can so she will feel really welcomed into the ward once she becomes a member, she is super excited for that day. We are teaching other people also, there is this other lady that excepted to be baptised on January 15th, but she called me yesterday saying that she wants to be baptised on Christmas day I just told her that it cannot be done, we have to still teach her more lessons and she also has to quit smoking. She didn't seem very happy about it so we settled for her date to be January 1st. I personally don't feel comfortable for that date and neither does my companion or the bishop, So we are just going to wait intill she officially quits smoking, then we will set a date. She is a VERY frustrating woman...
So, Elder Schneider is engaged huh? hahaha!!! Awesome. I can see that happening to me once I get home too Ha Ha! Did he send a invite to you? or was it on Facebook? How is everyone out there? How is the Rook family? How are all of my friends doing? The family also? The talk that I had with my Mission President is somewhat working I guess. I have my ups and downs. My companion's name is Elder Cox. He is from Star Valley, WY. He has the exact birthdate as I do except he is a year older :S Hes pretty cool, We get along pretty good. Well I hope that everything is going good with you, I miss you like crazy. I hope I get that package soon! Hope all is well! I love you all!!!
Love, Elder Daniel Stuart
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
12/6/2010
Hey everyone,
So I had a interview with President Merkley on Wednesday and I was talking to him about some stuff and another thing I told him is that the homesickness will not go away and I hate it so much, I don't know what to do anymore. He just said: "Elder Stuart, you are going to be homesick for the rest of your mission and it will not go away, but you are also going to be so busy and blessed that you will hardly think about it". He also said that I remind him alot about him in his mission in Scottland, he was the same way as I was. So as soon as he gave me some council, my homesickness feeling left me.
So other than that, My mission is going very well!! we have a baptism coming up in about 12 days and we are going to go and see her and give her the paperwork to fill out, also she is going to tell us who she wants to baptize her. I'm so nervous!!! ahh!!!! she bore her first testimony yesterday, I had no idea that she would do it!! she just went up there and she said: "This is my first time doing this, so I don't know what I am doing but I do know that the church is true, and the Book of Mormon is true, and i'm also really excited to be baptized soon, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen." My jaw dropped when I saw that!!!! It also put a HUGE smile on my face!! After Sacrament, I said: "Corey! that was a Awesome testimony, great job!!!" That was such a special moment!
Sorry that I'm lacking on the pictures, I keep forgetting!! I will try to take some more this week and post them next week. I'm so excited for Garbear!! he's going to do great!!! I miss that kid so much, so I better see some pictures of Kelton from ROME!!!!!! I'm still super jealous... By the way, do I have any money in my account? If you can, can you put some in? I always need emergency money in there, just in case. Also, I can't make any promises that I won't uh, accidently rip a wrapped gift...*cough cough* ;) Can't wait to get my package! I also can't wait to call home! I'm really looking forward to the letters. Oh, by the way. Next transfers are on December 29th.
Okay, well I got to go now, hope all is well with you!!! I love you so much, take care, I'm praying for you all everyday! Love, Daniel.
So I had a interview with President Merkley on Wednesday and I was talking to him about some stuff and another thing I told him is that the homesickness will not go away and I hate it so much, I don't know what to do anymore. He just said: "Elder Stuart, you are going to be homesick for the rest of your mission and it will not go away, but you are also going to be so busy and blessed that you will hardly think about it". He also said that I remind him alot about him in his mission in Scottland, he was the same way as I was. So as soon as he gave me some council, my homesickness feeling left me.
So other than that, My mission is going very well!! we have a baptism coming up in about 12 days and we are going to go and see her and give her the paperwork to fill out, also she is going to tell us who she wants to baptize her. I'm so nervous!!! ahh!!!! she bore her first testimony yesterday, I had no idea that she would do it!! she just went up there and she said: "This is my first time doing this, so I don't know what I am doing but I do know that the church is true, and the Book of Mormon is true, and i'm also really excited to be baptized soon, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen." My jaw dropped when I saw that!!!! It also put a HUGE smile on my face!! After Sacrament, I said: "Corey! that was a Awesome testimony, great job!!!" That was such a special moment!
Sorry that I'm lacking on the pictures, I keep forgetting!! I will try to take some more this week and post them next week. I'm so excited for Garbear!! he's going to do great!!! I miss that kid so much, so I better see some pictures of Kelton from ROME!!!!!! I'm still super jealous... By the way, do I have any money in my account? If you can, can you put some in? I always need emergency money in there, just in case. Also, I can't make any promises that I won't uh, accidently rip a wrapped gift...*cough cough* ;) Can't wait to get my package! I also can't wait to call home! I'm really looking forward to the letters. Oh, by the way. Next transfers are on December 29th.
Okay, well I got to go now, hope all is well with you!!! I love you so much, take care, I'm praying for you all everyday! Love, Daniel.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
11/29/2010
Hey,
How're you doing? How is everyone? My Thanksgiving was alright, the turkey was really dry lol, but the other food was real good (not as good as home tho). Football was awesome! It was raining when we got there and began to play then it stopped then decided to hail really hard on us, so it was really cold that day! My shoes were soaked and my sweater pockets were frozen! I'm glad that you all had a great Thanksgiving, how was the parade?
I'm doing good out here, it has its up's and down's as usual, and I am having a down week is all. We found some new investigators that are really looking forward to the discussion coming up. We also found some less actives that are really wanting to come back into the church, so we are working on that as usual. The person that is going to be baptized soon is Corey Dillman, her baptism date is December 18Th, and she is really excited for that day, she told me last night that if she could be right now, she would! My guess is that I will more than likely be the one to baptize her, only because I've been teaching her the longest. But its still her decision.
I am very happy that I am in a car right now! its been raining off and on for about 2 weeks now. I hardly feel the humidity anymore! the other day it was 100% humid outside and I didn't even notice. I only get to drive when I'm on a exchange with one of the missionaries that are not in the ward, because that would mean that I am temporarily senior companion and they are the ones that get to drive. The thing that I hate about having a car the most is that you have to have a missionary back you up all the time!! Its so lame! last time I checked, I can back up extremely well. So when a missionary backs me up, I just ignore them and do it the way I like to. I know I shouldn't be that way lol. Some missionaries are so strict on the rules here its ridiculous! I'm going to hate my mission if I can't have any fun. I do enjoy my mission tho. Just having a hard week. I need Dillons address and his email address. I sent off a letter to him a while ago and it came back here with a sticker on if saying that its the wrong address. I forgot that he moved! has he gotten his call yet? are his papers in? I really hope that everyone is doing great out there and I miss them terribly. Continue to pray for my companion and I. I love you all!
Love, Daniel
How're you doing? How is everyone? My Thanksgiving was alright, the turkey was really dry lol, but the other food was real good (not as good as home tho). Football was awesome! It was raining when we got there and began to play then it stopped then decided to hail really hard on us, so it was really cold that day! My shoes were soaked and my sweater pockets were frozen! I'm glad that you all had a great Thanksgiving, how was the parade?
I'm doing good out here, it has its up's and down's as usual, and I am having a down week is all. We found some new investigators that are really looking forward to the discussion coming up. We also found some less actives that are really wanting to come back into the church, so we are working on that as usual. The person that is going to be baptized soon is Corey Dillman, her baptism date is December 18Th, and she is really excited for that day, she told me last night that if she could be right now, she would! My guess is that I will more than likely be the one to baptize her, only because I've been teaching her the longest. But its still her decision.
I am very happy that I am in a car right now! its been raining off and on for about 2 weeks now. I hardly feel the humidity anymore! the other day it was 100% humid outside and I didn't even notice. I only get to drive when I'm on a exchange with one of the missionaries that are not in the ward, because that would mean that I am temporarily senior companion and they are the ones that get to drive. The thing that I hate about having a car the most is that you have to have a missionary back you up all the time!! Its so lame! last time I checked, I can back up extremely well. So when a missionary backs me up, I just ignore them and do it the way I like to. I know I shouldn't be that way lol. Some missionaries are so strict on the rules here its ridiculous! I'm going to hate my mission if I can't have any fun. I do enjoy my mission tho. Just having a hard week. I need Dillons address and his email address. I sent off a letter to him a while ago and it came back here with a sticker on if saying that its the wrong address. I forgot that he moved! has he gotten his call yet? are his papers in? I really hope that everyone is doing great out there and I miss them terribly. Continue to pray for my companion and I. I love you all!
Love, Daniel
Monday, November 22, 2010
11/22/2010
Hey Mom!
Wow! you already left for thanksgiving huh? I completely forgot about that, i've been losing track of time. This week has been really insane! Well i'm glad that you made it to St. George safely.
Like I said earlier, my week has been insane! As I told told you, transfers came and I've been trying to show Elder Cox the ropes as best as I can on a bike, I'm not really enjoying the whole bike thing right now, its seriously burning me out! I can't wait to get the car back on Wednesday. Our teachings went fantastic earlier last week! We met this new guy named James, He goes by J.R. He and his family are really nice! The bad thing about it is that he is still on probation for a few more years so he cannot be baptised for that very reason, but his family still can, so its a working process. This week has been mainly stressful towards the end because we are having to bike everywhere for now and people keep canceling our appointments at the last second and the man that was going to be baptized on the 1st of January dropped us yesterday. So i've been pretty ticked. But the woman that is going to be baptized on December 18th is still a go!
How is everyone doing back at home!? How is Lauren? How are the Girls going? How are the dogs? How is Dwight doing with going to church, praying? How are you? You know, We brought a few investigators to another wards baptism to show them what it is like and the man that got baptized reminded me so much of Dwight, He's around his age and what not but as he was sitting there listening to the Hymns being played and Sung he started to cry, This huge stepping stone in his life will change him forever! As i saw him being baptized, I felt the spirit SO strong in me because as I witnessed this I thought of Dwight, and when I did, I felt the Spirit, at that minute I knew for a fact that Dwight will be baptized for what I am doing, and ill be the one doing it. I almost started to cry right there. This will be amazing! Mom, we have been waiting and working for this for about 14 years now, Then I can be there for you both in the temple.
How are the Rooks by the way? I haven't heard from then in a while. I sent them a letter a while back. I'll be waiting for the package, you don't have to send if off right away. How is work coming along with Dwight? good I hope, I've been praying for that and you all everyday. Thanksgiving is going to be good. I have breakfast with the King family. He is the one that e-mailled you the pictures of me. So i'm really excited for that!!! later on in that day, The ward is doing a "Turkey Bowl" its just a huge football game that they play every year with the 1st ward. Apparently it get pretty competitive, We get to play in it!!! I am SO IN!!!!!!!! I love football! I wish I had a Colts shirt or Jersey. Oh well. We only have one dinner that night with the McBurnie family. He's in the Bishopric. They too are nice people and there are going to be alot of people there so there will be alot of food!!!!!!!
I haven't been able to go to the temple since the MTC. There isn't a temple in our Field at all so the next time I go is with you in Spokane! ;) Its kinda a bummer because I really need to go there and learn more, but have fun with Grandma and Andrea! Well, I better get going, Hope all is well, Time is shooting by fast! I rarely think of home and when I do, its nothing big, before you know it, I'll be home. Yikes!!!! Love you all, have a good one!!!
Love, Elder Daniel Stuart.
Monday, November 15, 2010
11/15/2010
Mom,
Hey there!! I'm doing good out here!! We now have TWO baptism dates! I'm so excited for these people! Last week was pretty busy, We had Zone Conference and exchanges, so things here have been really busy off and on. Sorry if this letter is short, we don't have much time on the computer today. So its cold huh? And snow this week? wow. There isn't any here. It's just in the 30's to 50's, but the humidity out here makes it so much colder out here!!! Elder Smith is still my Companion for now. We got transfer calls on Friday night and i'm staying here in Springfield 2nd ward and he is going to 1st ward to be a zone leader which is funny because we share the apartment with the 1st ward missionaries so he is just moving across the hallway, haha!!! my companion will be Elder Cox he too is in 1st ward with the two zone leaders but he's not a zone leader, he was just with them because he got hurt and we are right next to a hospital so he moved in with us. He's fine now. The other zone leader is being transfered to Bentonville Arkansas. Does this make sense? Let me know if not. Oh, by the way, Transfers start Thursday. Elder Smith has been a great companion! He really knows his stuff. He has been a good teacher for me. I have learned so much. I am excited to have Elder Cox as my companion. Well I hope that all is well. I miss you all so much! please be safe. Please keep praying for me and pray for us to find people who are searching for the gospel. I love you!
Ciao. Daniel.
Hey there!! I'm doing good out here!! We now have TWO baptism dates! I'm so excited for these people! Last week was pretty busy, We had Zone Conference and exchanges, so things here have been really busy off and on. Sorry if this letter is short, we don't have much time on the computer today. So its cold huh? And snow this week? wow. There isn't any here. It's just in the 30's to 50's, but the humidity out here makes it so much colder out here!!! Elder Smith is still my Companion for now. We got transfer calls on Friday night and i'm staying here in Springfield 2nd ward and he is going to 1st ward to be a zone leader which is funny because we share the apartment with the 1st ward missionaries so he is just moving across the hallway, haha!!! my companion will be Elder Cox he too is in 1st ward with the two zone leaders but he's not a zone leader, he was just with them because he got hurt and we are right next to a hospital so he moved in with us. He's fine now. The other zone leader is being transfered to Bentonville Arkansas. Does this make sense? Let me know if not. Oh, by the way, Transfers start Thursday. Elder Smith has been a great companion! He really knows his stuff. He has been a good teacher for me. I have learned so much. I am excited to have Elder Cox as my companion. Well I hope that all is well. I miss you all so much! please be safe. Please keep praying for me and pray for us to find people who are searching for the gospel. I love you!
Ciao. Daniel.
Monday, November 8, 2010
11/8/2010
Hey Mom and Family,
Thats great that you got the pictures and videos!! Sorry if I didn't say hi to everyone on the video!!! I've already told him that you said thanks :) Got my hair cut. Wow it's short! I'm doing good over here. This week was super rough. Not much success and so on, but last night, Elder Smith and I were teaching a woman named Cory. She's a little challenged. She she has the personally of a 16 year old and shes 23, she's also a little slow. We have been teaching here for 3 weeks now and invited her to be baptized a while back and she wasn't really sure beacuse she didn't know what her dad would think. So we went back last night and started talking about Baptism and the Holy Ghost, along with the blessing that you recieve once you are baptized. After we taught her that, she had the biggest smile on her face and said: "I get it now! I know that this is true! I don't even care what my dad thinks, I want to be baptized!!" So we re invited her to become baptized, she said yes, we commited her to prepare to be baptized on December 18th and she said yes!! So we have a baptism coming up and few in process. So pretty much what happened last night totally made my week better!
So the Holidays are coming up really fast! are you getting ready? Is Dwight doing a deep fry turkey like last year? That was so fun! I think what i'm going to miss most about thanksgiving besides the food and family and everything like that is going to be the Parade! I watch is every year!
Thank you for the pictures! Holy cow was that Grandpa!?!?! I almost died laughing when I saw that! i can't wait to go to Penny's Halloween party when I come home. Can you also send me some more of my clothes? its getting kind of boring wearing the same jeans and 3 shirts whenever I get a chance. Can you send that Maroon long sleeve shirt too? I like that one. It got really cold out here the other day! People have been telling me that this is a different cold that I haven't felt before, this cold goes straight to my bones! I didn't really believe them. Why should I right? I mean, I've been in the negative weather with 7 plus feet of snow in my driveway, Why should I believe them? Well the other day it was like 30 or so outside and it was freezing!!!!!! especally with the wind chill. Its cause if the humidity, it really does go to your bones!!! Yikes!!!!
I'm studying hard every single day. I'm understanding the Book of Mormon and Preach My Gospel more then I did back at home and Mission Prep. It really helps when you pray before you read ( and devote 2 years of your life.) I'm also talking to people alot more then I have been. Life here can be so stressful at one minute and the best I have ever felt. Please keep on having family prayer, if Lauren is going to be out for FHE, have family prayer and scripture reading before she leaves so you all can do it together as a family. I'm proud of you all!!! I love you all very much. Hope all is well!
Till we speak again, Adieu.
Thats great that you got the pictures and videos!! Sorry if I didn't say hi to everyone on the video!!! I've already told him that you said thanks :) Got my hair cut. Wow it's short! I'm doing good over here. This week was super rough. Not much success and so on, but last night, Elder Smith and I were teaching a woman named Cory. She's a little challenged. She she has the personally of a 16 year old and shes 23, she's also a little slow. We have been teaching here for 3 weeks now and invited her to be baptized a while back and she wasn't really sure beacuse she didn't know what her dad would think. So we went back last night and started talking about Baptism and the Holy Ghost, along with the blessing that you recieve once you are baptized. After we taught her that, she had the biggest smile on her face and said: "I get it now! I know that this is true! I don't even care what my dad thinks, I want to be baptized!!" So we re invited her to become baptized, she said yes, we commited her to prepare to be baptized on December 18th and she said yes!! So we have a baptism coming up and few in process. So pretty much what happened last night totally made my week better!
So the Holidays are coming up really fast! are you getting ready? Is Dwight doing a deep fry turkey like last year? That was so fun! I think what i'm going to miss most about thanksgiving besides the food and family and everything like that is going to be the Parade! I watch is every year!
Thank you for the pictures! Holy cow was that Grandpa!?!?! I almost died laughing when I saw that! i can't wait to go to Penny's Halloween party when I come home. Can you also send me some more of my clothes? its getting kind of boring wearing the same jeans and 3 shirts whenever I get a chance. Can you send that Maroon long sleeve shirt too? I like that one. It got really cold out here the other day! People have been telling me that this is a different cold that I haven't felt before, this cold goes straight to my bones! I didn't really believe them. Why should I right? I mean, I've been in the negative weather with 7 plus feet of snow in my driveway, Why should I believe them? Well the other day it was like 30 or so outside and it was freezing!!!!!! especally with the wind chill. Its cause if the humidity, it really does go to your bones!!! Yikes!!!!
I'm studying hard every single day. I'm understanding the Book of Mormon and Preach My Gospel more then I did back at home and Mission Prep. It really helps when you pray before you read ( and devote 2 years of your life.) I'm also talking to people alot more then I have been. Life here can be so stressful at one minute and the best I have ever felt. Please keep on having family prayer, if Lauren is going to be out for FHE, have family prayer and scripture reading before she leaves so you all can do it together as a family. I'm proud of you all!!! I love you all very much. Hope all is well!
Till we speak again, Adieu.
Monday, November 1, 2010
11/1/2010
Mom,
So the Ward here had a Trunk or Treat and chili cook off here on friday! there were so many chili's but none of them were as good as yours. I was actually thinking about yours when I saw all of them lol. So it is getting cold here but its warmimg up in the afternoons so I'll need the winter stuff soon. So how is Lauren feeling now? I've known about it for a few days now. So once I found out I automaticaly knew everything was fine. So i'm not worried. Thats good that MY car is being fixed up! did the lady freak out or anything? How long has it been raining there? I can't believe i've been out for almost 2 months!! It seriously does not feel like it.
The mission is going good. We have had a very stressfull week. We dropped 9 investigators this past few days, including Tony Clark. He just keeps avoiding us! its stupid. But i'm still trying to stay positive in doing the Lords work! Thanks for the blog. Too bad I'm not allowed to look at it, so you'll have to tell me about it. So did Dwight go to church on sunday? Thats so awesome that he is getting more involved, my plan is working! I now challange him to read the introduction of the BOM and ponder about it, and also 1 Nephi Chapter 1 and do the same. Every so often we go Tracting, its really usless tho. Statistics say that for every 1000 doors you knock on, only 3 will except what your saying and for every 1000 member referals you get, 600 will accept it. How is everyone doing? How are the girls?? I'm excited to get the gift! My homesickness is wearing off. I'm beginning to "Lose myself and go to work" as Late President Gordon B. Hinckley said for all missionaries to do. Once I do that, the work is 10 times easier and quicker. One of my goals that I have here is to talk to investigators more. Everytime I try, I freeze! so Elder Smith comes in to the rescue. I will get better at it, then before you know it they wont be able to shut me up haha. How are all of my friends? doing? did you tell them about picture?!? Oh, we were riding our bikes and we saw someone driving by us and the passenger was more of a hick than Earl Hickey is!!! and he was talking like Boomhauer but like 3 times faster! I was laughing so hard cause I don't know if he acually talks like that or if it was the beer in his hand that made him do it!!!! What an idiot right? but the Lord still loves him. I hope you got the video ok. He is a really cool member that took it. Yeah I got my hair cut. haha It's short!! How is everything else coming along? hope all is well, Love you all! Oh continue to pray for me. I love you all!
Love, Elder Daniel Stuart.
So the Ward here had a Trunk or Treat and chili cook off here on friday! there were so many chili's but none of them were as good as yours. I was actually thinking about yours when I saw all of them lol. So it is getting cold here but its warmimg up in the afternoons so I'll need the winter stuff soon. So how is Lauren feeling now? I've known about it for a few days now. So once I found out I automaticaly knew everything was fine. So i'm not worried. Thats good that MY car is being fixed up! did the lady freak out or anything? How long has it been raining there? I can't believe i've been out for almost 2 months!! It seriously does not feel like it.
The mission is going good. We have had a very stressfull week. We dropped 9 investigators this past few days, including Tony Clark. He just keeps avoiding us! its stupid. But i'm still trying to stay positive in doing the Lords work! Thanks for the blog. Too bad I'm not allowed to look at it, so you'll have to tell me about it. So did Dwight go to church on sunday? Thats so awesome that he is getting more involved, my plan is working! I now challange him to read the introduction of the BOM and ponder about it, and also 1 Nephi Chapter 1 and do the same. Every so often we go Tracting, its really usless tho. Statistics say that for every 1000 doors you knock on, only 3 will except what your saying and for every 1000 member referals you get, 600 will accept it. How is everyone doing? How are the girls?? I'm excited to get the gift! My homesickness is wearing off. I'm beginning to "Lose myself and go to work" as Late President Gordon B. Hinckley said for all missionaries to do. Once I do that, the work is 10 times easier and quicker. One of my goals that I have here is to talk to investigators more. Everytime I try, I freeze! so Elder Smith comes in to the rescue. I will get better at it, then before you know it they wont be able to shut me up haha. How are all of my friends? doing? did you tell them about picture?!? Oh, we were riding our bikes and we saw someone driving by us and the passenger was more of a hick than Earl Hickey is!!! and he was talking like Boomhauer but like 3 times faster! I was laughing so hard cause I don't know if he acually talks like that or if it was the beer in his hand that made him do it!!!! What an idiot right? but the Lord still loves him. I hope you got the video ok. He is a really cool member that took it. Yeah I got my hair cut. haha It's short!! How is everything else coming along? hope all is well, Love you all! Oh continue to pray for me. I love you all!
Love, Elder Daniel Stuart.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Blog is up and running!
Hi everyone! I am sorry this has taken so long for me to put together. I have never blogged before so this is going to be a work in progress :). I thought I would post pictures of Daniel and stories and messages of his mission on her for everyone to see. Being a Missionary is busy work so he may not get the opportunity to write everyone all the time. This way you can keep in touch with your favorite missionary. I will post portions of Elder Stuarts letters for you all to see. He said once he got "settled in" he would write a generic letter for me to post on the blog. I will copy the last three letters for you to see.
10/25/10
Hey mom.
I'm doing good! My week went alright. It was stressful for everyone. One of our investigators that we taught seemed really interested about what we taught. So we invited him to read the Book of Mormon and come to church, we also invited him to become baptised. He said yes on reading the Book of Mormon and on church but he said that he will have to read some of the BOM before he makes that commitment but he pretty much said yes. So a few days later he calls us and says that he did some information on the church and came across some anti mormons and he really started to believe it. So he's not interested at all anymore. That made me so mad! I saw so much potential in him so we dropped him. We also dropped 2 more people that just aren't progressing. We pretty much said that we will give them some time to get things straighten out. Like one guy has a smoking problem and we showed him a packet to follow and he said that he would do it and seemed really excited. He didn't even last the night. He almost got kicked out of the house beacuse his wife is doing it too and shes a member but less active. The other person is just too busy with stuff and finding excuses to not come to church.
Missionaries can't really do anything for Halloween here. We have to be in doors by dark. So its pretty lameish. The OTM ( Oklahoma Tulsa Mission ) is a really obedient mission field. Apostles have come to our mission and are really amazed on how obedient we are. So we try to keep that repitition as strong as possible. The Weather here is cooling down here. It rained on saturday!!!! There were Tornado warnings in Oklahoma and in Arkansas so i'm good. We got a ride to church yesterday and he was telling us that the humidity outside right now is 100% It doesn't even feel like it!! I felt completely fine!
I'm glad that you enjoyed the picture. I"ll try to send more if I can. Thats crazy that Elder Schnider is leaving soon! and yes, I did get the package. Thank you!! I really like it. Have more of my friends send me pictures!!! and you remembered my favorate cereal!! I can't think of anything for you to get me right now. Transfers are coming soon and everyone says that i'm staying this transfer so I need to get a GPS like a Tom Tom or a Garwin to tell me where to go so if my companion leaves this transfer ill know where to go. Any suggestions? I'm doing better on the homesickness. I almost broke into tears on Wednesday and my Zone Leader noticed it so we talked about it. I almost said to him to send me home cause I can't do this for a whole 2 years but before I did he gave me some advice that made me feel better. So i'm doing much better. I am so glad I am on my mission. I know this will be the best two years of my life. Thank you for all the prayers and support! I miss you so much Mom! Its not even funny. Tell everyone I said hi and I miss them like crazy. Love you all!!!
-Daniel
10/18/10
Mom,
I got the bike but I haven't ridden it yet!!!! we just got a car for about 2 weeks so I'll let you know in that time. Its a 2007 Chevy Malibu! Nice car. The church provides. Hows my car doing? I don't remember seeing that post about my bike but ill be sure to do that. Thanks for Garrretts address. I really appreciate it! Ill write him today. Mail takes forever to get here! like 4 or 5 days. Its insane. Oh, and I'm also 2 hours ahead of you. Just FYI. Life here is alright. Its super hard and stressfull sometimes. For example: Elder Smith and I went to a womans house and she agreed to become baptised a long time ago but we still have to go to her house and give her the lesson. But we knocked on the door and she finally came out and we started to teach her The Restoration then she said that she has to go beacuse shes playing the Lord of the Rings online computer game and shes in a desert part where its dangerous for her to be and she could die. I was so pissed at her but we just left. But on a brighter note... We baptised a 9 year old boy on saturday! Well his grandpa did. My companion and I were witnesses for it. I'm not even going to count it as my baptism beacuse he agreed to be baptised in August and I've only seen him 2 or 3 time. Then on sunday We were able to comfirm him into the church and I felt the spirit so much when that happened. I really needed it beacuse I've been pretty homesick lately. I know I need to stay here and for that The Lord has blessed us with many new referals and investigators!!. How is everything else going?! Good I hope. I love you guys so much!
Love, Daniel
10/11/10
Hey mom!
The ward members are really nice here. Only a few have accents and they are hard to notice. Mostly everyone here is white which amazes me. There is this investigator that my compainion and I are teaching who is Black, he's a nice guy. He's been taught before I got here so I'm catching up on what he is learning. He accepted to be baptized on November 6th. His name is Tony Clark. So the Colts won! Awesome and thats awesome that the Cowboys lost. As i'm reading this I said YES! kinda loud and I told one of my roomates that the Colts won and he said it doesn't matter cause we are on the Lords team and we never lose. My companions name is Elder Smith. He's a really good teacher even everyone tells me this. He really knows what he is doing. Much better than my MTC companion. We have 3 other roomates and they are really funny. I only see them in the morning and at night beacuse they have the car and drive it out of the ward boundaries. They're Zone leaders. Tell Elder Schnider that I said hello. My excercising is bikeing. I do it alot I actually haven't gained weight at all at the MTC or here. Awesome!! Please send me more pictures of the family and my friends. Ask everyone! I also want Garretts Address!!!!!!. Thanks for the encourgement and support with me and my mission. I really appreciate it. Tell everyone that I love them very much. Tell Dwight to continue to pray and I challenge him to go to church at least once a month. I don't care if the game is on. Thats why we record stuff.
Love, Daniel
10/25/10
Hey mom.
I'm doing good! My week went alright. It was stressful for everyone. One of our investigators that we taught seemed really interested about what we taught. So we invited him to read the Book of Mormon and come to church, we also invited him to become baptised. He said yes on reading the Book of Mormon and on church but he said that he will have to read some of the BOM before he makes that commitment but he pretty much said yes. So a few days later he calls us and says that he did some information on the church and came across some anti mormons and he really started to believe it. So he's not interested at all anymore. That made me so mad! I saw so much potential in him so we dropped him. We also dropped 2 more people that just aren't progressing. We pretty much said that we will give them some time to get things straighten out. Like one guy has a smoking problem and we showed him a packet to follow and he said that he would do it and seemed really excited. He didn't even last the night. He almost got kicked out of the house beacuse his wife is doing it too and shes a member but less active. The other person is just too busy with stuff and finding excuses to not come to church.
Missionaries can't really do anything for Halloween here. We have to be in doors by dark. So its pretty lameish. The OTM ( Oklahoma Tulsa Mission ) is a really obedient mission field. Apostles have come to our mission and are really amazed on how obedient we are. So we try to keep that repitition as strong as possible. The Weather here is cooling down here. It rained on saturday!!!! There were Tornado warnings in Oklahoma and in Arkansas so i'm good. We got a ride to church yesterday and he was telling us that the humidity outside right now is 100% It doesn't even feel like it!! I felt completely fine!
I'm glad that you enjoyed the picture. I"ll try to send more if I can. Thats crazy that Elder Schnider is leaving soon! and yes, I did get the package. Thank you!! I really like it. Have more of my friends send me pictures!!! and you remembered my favorate cereal!! I can't think of anything for you to get me right now. Transfers are coming soon and everyone says that i'm staying this transfer so I need to get a GPS like a Tom Tom or a Garwin to tell me where to go so if my companion leaves this transfer ill know where to go. Any suggestions? I'm doing better on the homesickness. I almost broke into tears on Wednesday and my Zone Leader noticed it so we talked about it. I almost said to him to send me home cause I can't do this for a whole 2 years but before I did he gave me some advice that made me feel better. So i'm doing much better. I am so glad I am on my mission. I know this will be the best two years of my life. Thank you for all the prayers and support! I miss you so much Mom! Its not even funny. Tell everyone I said hi and I miss them like crazy. Love you all!!!
-Daniel
10/18/10
Mom,
I got the bike but I haven't ridden it yet!!!! we just got a car for about 2 weeks so I'll let you know in that time. Its a 2007 Chevy Malibu! Nice car. The church provides. Hows my car doing? I don't remember seeing that post about my bike but ill be sure to do that. Thanks for Garrretts address. I really appreciate it! Ill write him today. Mail takes forever to get here! like 4 or 5 days. Its insane. Oh, and I'm also 2 hours ahead of you. Just FYI. Life here is alright. Its super hard and stressfull sometimes. For example: Elder Smith and I went to a womans house and she agreed to become baptised a long time ago but we still have to go to her house and give her the lesson. But we knocked on the door and she finally came out and we started to teach her The Restoration then she said that she has to go beacuse shes playing the Lord of the Rings online computer game and shes in a desert part where its dangerous for her to be and she could die. I was so pissed at her but we just left. But on a brighter note... We baptised a 9 year old boy on saturday! Well his grandpa did. My companion and I were witnesses for it. I'm not even going to count it as my baptism beacuse he agreed to be baptised in August and I've only seen him 2 or 3 time. Then on sunday We were able to comfirm him into the church and I felt the spirit so much when that happened. I really needed it beacuse I've been pretty homesick lately. I know I need to stay here and for that The Lord has blessed us with many new referals and investigators!!. How is everything else going?! Good I hope. I love you guys so much!
Love, Daniel
10/11/10
Hey mom!
The ward members are really nice here. Only a few have accents and they are hard to notice. Mostly everyone here is white which amazes me. There is this investigator that my compainion and I are teaching who is Black, he's a nice guy. He's been taught before I got here so I'm catching up on what he is learning. He accepted to be baptized on November 6th. His name is Tony Clark. So the Colts won! Awesome and thats awesome that the Cowboys lost. As i'm reading this I said YES! kinda loud and I told one of my roomates that the Colts won and he said it doesn't matter cause we are on the Lords team and we never lose. My companions name is Elder Smith. He's a really good teacher even everyone tells me this. He really knows what he is doing. Much better than my MTC companion. We have 3 other roomates and they are really funny. I only see them in the morning and at night beacuse they have the car and drive it out of the ward boundaries. They're Zone leaders. Tell Elder Schnider that I said hello. My excercising is bikeing. I do it alot I actually haven't gained weight at all at the MTC or here. Awesome!! Please send me more pictures of the family and my friends. Ask everyone! I also want Garretts Address!!!!!!. Thanks for the encourgement and support with me and my mission. I really appreciate it. Tell everyone that I love them very much. Tell Dwight to continue to pray and I challenge him to go to church at least once a month. I don't care if the game is on. Thats why we record stuff.
Love, Daniel
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