Wednesday, January 18, 2012

1/16/2012

Hey,

So, Did you forget to write me this week? What happened? I know you would never forget! I take it that you didn't write me because of MLK day? You must of thought the place was closed? I actually completely forgot about that. I hope that can get mail today...

We had a pretty good week, unfortunately we were not able to see as many people as we had planned, a lot of things were off. On Friday, we had to go to the car shop to get a new tire, I ran over a screw the other day without realizing it, luckily the tire didn't explode. But as we were there, the man told us that we also needed to get out tires realigned, new front tires, and new brake pads. The total time took almost 4 hours! how ridiculous is that? Good thing that there were Sports Illustrated magazines there to keep me somewhat sane. We also had to go to Flippin a few times to help out on the house, I really don't mine helping them out, but, I think they are starting to abuse us a bit... Probably because no one else in the ward will help them, every so often someone will come out there but for the most part, its just us. I'm going to have to tell them that we can only help them about once a week. It is killing us on miles and so forth. So Arkansas has such weird weather!! On Thursday, it snowed a bit ( It was more like a sneeze ) but by the end of the day, most of it melted. Now, it's in the low 60's and dark clouds are coming our way with rain. It almost feels as if a Tornado is coming, but who knows!

Wednesday was really interesting, we went to the church to do something and the Bishop found us and said: "Elders, I need you in my office right now please." When he pulled us in we saw his second councillor and two younger people, male and female, sitting down. The younger lady was crying a lot and I could tell that the man was holding back tears. Elder Payne found these two people the other day when we were on exchanges with the assistants. They are not members, but the lady's mother is less-active, and the man is her fiance'. Well the story is that they lost there child to social services a few days ago because the doctors claim that they abused the child ( not true ) so they are trying to fight for there baby girl. So they asked for a blessing and other things that I do not know of. The Bishop asked us and his second councillor who would like to offer the blessing, no one offered so I raised my hand and gave them both blessings. It went really well, even tho I had no clue who these people were. I'm glad that I was there to offer it. They felt a lot better and told us and Bishop that they will be at church on Sunday. Well come Sunday, they came! I didn't really get a chance to talk to them during Sacrament but after Sacrament, I saw the man leave with a older lady, I assumed that it was his mother, but the young lady was still here with her own mother, crying. Bishop found us after second hour and told us again: "Elders, I need you in my office right now please." Man, everytime I heard that, I felt like I was in trouble. Well he brought us in and there was the young lady, in tears again. She told the three of us that her fiance' had to leave because he works night shifts and was exhausted. But, she also told us that they had a court hearing to see if they can get there child and they still cannot. But she also said that she and her fiance' want to be baptized!! My eyes widened a lot and my jaw literally dropped when I heard this. She said that she can feel the spirit all around and feels welcomed here. So we reviewed with here about what we will do and so forth so she can be baptized. We will also have to talk to her Fiance' about this as well and to make sure that this isn't just a scam for any reasons also.

For the most part, That was the best thing to happen this week. Everything is going good, and I'm still loving the work! I just find it really insane that I've now been out for over 16 months! Man, things just zip right through. So we were at a potential investigators place last night and they had the Golden Globe Awards on and a preview for a movie called 'The Adventures of TinTin' came on, that movie looks really good! along with other ones that were showned. They didn't want to turn off the T.V. So it's not like I could of forced them to do it. Happy Birthday Mom!!Any who, I love you all and I hope that you have a great week. Hopefully, everyone is well and work is going good still, I love you!!

Elder Daniel Stuart

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

01/9/2012

Hey!

Wow! It sounds like you all have had a eventful week! I'm happy to hear that you are working a lot, Mom and there really isn't any snow anymore? Wow! There isn't any here too. It rained a little bit yesterday but that didn't last too long. Its January and I'm in a short sleeve shirt right now. Can you believe that? I don't think I have ever done that! It is so weird not having snow right now. It's throwing off everything, haha. I just hope it won't be a hot summer like it was last year. Holy Cow... I too think it is strange how fast that the mission life is going! 16 months! Wow! I'll be home before you know it! But don't worry, I'm not getting trunky :) Happy Anniversary by the way! How long has it been now 16? and Happy Birthday on Wednesday, Mom! Are you getting more and more gray hair? lol. Sorry, I couldn't resist. Bummer about Lauren getting a ticket, maybe she will learn next time that the law is there for a reason hahaha. Anyway, off with the letter....

My week went really good actually! we were able to teach a whole lot of people! Blessing certainly come through obedience!! but the sad part about it is that people here are very comfortable in the religion that they are in. They kind of like us over for just the company or to bash or debate all the time. But it doesn't get heated at all, because we don't bash! We have a investigator that we are teaching that wants to be baptized! but the only problem that she has is just to quit coffee drinking, so once she is done with the can she has, then she will be ready! We have been working on that house in Flippin every Saturday, slowly but surely it is getting closer and closer to becoming finished!

So transfer calls came in in Saturday, the District Leader got transferred to become a Zone Leader so everyone in the district was certain that I'd be the next District leader, Well it turns out that I'm not. It is some other missionary that goes home in 6 weeks and I am staying in Mountain Home and so is Elder Payne. Other than that, not a whole lot has happened. There is a Lady in the ward here that is 100% into Missionary work has 3 or 4 people that she is working on for us! She is a really sweet lady too and told me to tell you, Mom, that she is proud of you and to thank you for "raising such a amazing son" That is her words, not mine. Well I don't really need anything at the minute, I just wish I could listen to music that I want to listen to!!!!!

I got to get going, I hope that you all have a terrific week and I'll talk to you later!!! Love you guys so much!!

Elder Daniel Stuart

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

1/3/2012

Hey Everyone!

I'm happy to hear that everyone is doing good. Except you, Mom, sorry that you are sick again, I hope that you will get better soon and back to normal. My New Years was alright. Nothing really happened, I didn't stay up but once it was the new year, the people below us made a whole bunch of noises and fireworks were going off! I just silently said to myself: " Oh, Happy New Year!" I was so tired and out of it, I didn't really care. That is great that you are starting your new job today, Mom!! how long are you going to be working there for? Only till April right? I was wondering when you were starting it...

So this week was good, We worked a lot this week actually, there were still a lot of people that were out of town but we still kept busy. We went on exchanges on Tuesday with the Zone Leaders, and since no one in the ward was willing to drive us all the way to Branson, Missouri, we had to drive up there. Geez, that really hurt us on miles, by the end of the day, we were almost at 200 miles! The exchange went good tho, I stayed in Mountain Home and we were able to see quite a few people. The other day, Elder Payne and I planned for about hour and a half for our most progressing investigator. We planned on teaching her the Gospel of Jesus Christ, so once we got there, we both had a strange feeling that it wasn't what she needed, but we continued but before we started off, her husband said: "We have a question" I was pretty relieved to hear that seeing that they never have questions, They had a question about the Word of Wisdom. So we turned to the Doctrine and Covenants section 89 and read out of it and explained it. It turns out that she has a problem with Coffee and is afraid of getting caffeine headache with drawls, that made me think of you, Mom whenever you attempt to quit drinking Diet Coke. I told her that if she has faith and the will power and the support of her husband, she will be able to stop. She seemed more confident but still worried. Anyways, that was probably the highlight of my week.

We went up to Flippin (never gets old saying that) on Saturday to help with that house again. We normally do that every Saturday, this time we put up sheet rock for the ceiling. We had a lift to help us so our arms wouldn't give out. But other than all of that, things are going good, I did mention it to my Mission President but I don't think he said anything yet. I'm still tired but I did find some vitamins in the kitchen that are helping me, there is still a lot to do! So I don't really want to slow down all that much, all tho our health is more important. I love what I do and I know that sharing the Gospel to everyone brings blessing to myself, my family, and the people that I share it with. This is what the Lord wants and I will do my absolute best to accomplish what he commands. I hope that you all are doing well and I'll talk to you next week!!!! I Love you!

Elder Daniel Stuart

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

12/21/2011

Hey Everyone!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! Well, I'm glad that you were able to watch the video! That is good that the girls loved it! Can you put it on the Blog at all? I actually forgot that I sent it. So yes, we did have a Ward Christmas Party, It was really good! we had it last Saturday and a lot of people showed up to it! we had a lady from the Philippians come, she is a nice lady, she is friends with a member here so we gave her a Tagalog Book of Mormon. There was a lot of food there at the party too, we took quite a bit of left overs with us. The Primary had sang a Christmas song too, it was really good, it's amazing when they sing, you can literally feel a difference in that room. It felt as if the spirit grew a exceeding amount and brought a huge smile to me. Children can do so many miracles! So that Santa that was in the picture is actually the man that we have been helping out with building his house. He is a really nice guy as well. Always willing to give. Sorry that you couldn't go to the Christmas party, but I'm glad that you still had a good time.

So for church next week, we only have Sacrament to go to so we will be getting out at 11:00 my time which is 9:00 your time, I may call later on in the afternoon for you, just to give you all time to get the presents out of the way. Thank you for Laurens number, I already knew it seeing that it was only one number away from mine, but a reminder helps. I'll be sure to call her but I have no clue how long I can talk to her. Oh, and to answer your question, No, we cannot Skype unless I am from a different country. In a way, I'm happy that I don't have to Skype, It may be to hard for me. Are you all excited for Christmas? I hope so, Being on a mission during the holidays really makes me appreciate the true meaning of Christmas. It seems that a lot of people forget what it's all about. Yes, being with family during this time is fantastic but when we put Christ in Christmas, I really enjoy it more.

The Colts won? Yes!!! That really brings me into a better mood! I heard that Manning is starting to throw now, I hope that he will be better for next season. This week for us was good, we were able to see a few people this week. We met with a new investigator of ours twice this week. She just get married to a member and she seems interested in the Gospel. Well we taught her the Restoration and she understood it quite well. She remembers learning about it in the past, we taught her the Plan of Salvation on Friday and she said: "Yes! This makes sense! This is how life should be! Not just Heaven or Hell, but more than that!" I was quite happy and surprised to hear that, we invited her to be baptized and she said that it would be something that she would defiantly consider, so it's not a yes or a no but she wants to know more before she makes the definite answer. She comes to church all the time and loves it. Her husband one week was really tired and wanted to go home after Sacrament and asked her if she wanted to go home early and said no! Yeah! the non member telling the member what is right!!! How about that!?!? For the most part, that was the highlight of my week, we visited a less active man and he has gotten into a bit of anti literature so he was asked a few questions that we didn't have a problem answering, he also randomly asked questions that were really ridiculous. I thought to myself: "Did he really just ask me that?" But I never got angry, he was curious and has every right to ask questions.

That is great news that the Missionaries back at home brought someone like that to church, he needs a really good fellowshipper but I'm sure they are on that already. I better get going, I love you all, I hope that EVERYONE has a verry Merry Christmas! and I'll talk to you on Sunday!!

Love always,

Elder Daniel Stuart

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

12/14/2011




Hello!

That is awesome to hear that you are starting a new job next month, even tho its just a temp job. Mom! Prayers get answered fast. This is especially good because there are many people out there that are begging for jobs right now are are having no success what so ever. I see it all the time out here and it is incredibly sad. Hopefully that will help with the wedding a bit. So how is the Weather there? Remember when I told you last time that it has not snowed yet? Well, when we left the library, there was snow! I couldn't believe it! It only stayed for about 2 days then It melted. But it has been staying frosty in the mornings! But by the afternoon, it hits about 50 degrees. We really have interesting weather here. Is it snowing there? Is Lauren Skiing a lot? If so, Then she is very lucky... I miss that so much. Elder Payne snowboards a lot so we have many debates about this. I actually was not able to see the Christmas devotional last week, I had no way of seeing it. Everyone tells me that it was really good.

Elder Payne and I get along very well. He is probably one of the funniest kids that I have ever met before! We have a lot in common and in some areas we don't, it's funny, we sometimes argue over the dumbest things, it sounds like we are a old couple. It's pretty ridiculous, he's awesome tho. It's funny, he told me the other day: " Man, Elder Stuart, I've never worked this hard before in my entire mission! Could you slow down a bit!?" I told him: What are you talking about? I thought this was slow." We had a pretty good week this week! We are starting to see a lot of less-actives, there are a lot in the area! So that is what we did for the most part, we are not even close to being done, There are a few people that The Bishop wants us to see as well and he will be coming out with us. We are visiting a less-active lady that is 88 years old and for the most part enjoys the company more than anything, she repeats herself about 6 times but she is really nice.

We are teaching a young man that is dating another member in the ward, we taught him the Plan of Salvation last and I invited him to be baptized, he accepted but we are going to be careful and make sure that he is doing it for himself and not for her or anyone else. There is another investigator that we are going to start teaching that is very interested in the gospel and has been coming to church for quite sometime, she actually got married to a member a few weeks ago and we were there witnesses, it was pretty cool. There is another older couple that we are teaching that are pretty cool. They believe in the Trinity and are stuck on it. We have gone through scriptures countless times with them that the Godhead exists, not the Trinity. We had a Christmas party at the church on Saturday! It went pretty good, Elder Payne and I sat on Santa's lap and took a picture for a Christmas photo/card, that was funny. I got a stuffed bear out of it.

I am very disappointed to hear about the Colts this year, I've heard all about it and about that college kid that may Manning's spot!?!? are you kidding me!?!? If that happens, I won't be happy at all. You'll never hear the end of it with me. Grrrr. I hope that doesn't happen at all. On another note, I'm happy to hear that the Cowboys lost! I better say that quietly, there are a lot of Cowboy fans here. More Razorback fans then anything else. I better get going, I hope that you all have a terrific week. I'm happy to hear about all the blessings that are going on at home! Oh, I don't really know what else I want for Christmas. Maybe just money? I don't know, dont worry if you can't send anything. Have a great week!

Elder Daniel Stuart

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

11/29/2011

Hey,

I'm glad to hear that everyone is feeling better, as for myself am feeling a whole lot better except that I am starting to get sinus headaches every so often. But no biggie. I'll be sure to call Lauren for Christmas. I hope that she has a great Christmas there at Joey's! My Thanksgiving was pretty good! we ate at two families houses. The first one was at a investigating family. I had fun there, the food was great and unfortunately I wasn't hungry to begin with because of my illness earlier that week so I only had one of almost everything just to be nice. The other family was a less-active family that we are slowly but surely bringing back! I had a great time there! that family is fantastic! sadly I hardly ate anything but the food there was great as well. I think it was safe to say that I didn't eat a thing the next day until a we had a late dinner. So yes, transfer calls came in and I am getting a new companion. His name is Elder Payne. I know of him, he was in my last zone out in Tulsa so I've talked with him before. He is a nice guy from what i know of him. I swear this transfer was by far the fastest that I've ever had! holy cow! The area here is going good, a little slow because of Thanksgiving and no one wanted to see us that day but oh well, it's the past now.

This week for me was somewhat bitter sweet, we didn't have very much success due to Thanksgiving but that wasn't our fault. Also, remember that lady that I was telling you about that we found about two weeks ago that was interested in the gospel and accepted to be baptized? well from what her fiance' told me is that she kind of flipped out and said how she is sick of having religion in my life and God and what not, so she packed up her stuff and left for Springfield to go back to her druggie life. I was really sad to hear that but I know that it was not our fault, in a way, I think it was her fiance's fault. He was pressuring a lot of it on her and I kept telling them over and over again that we are only going to be working on her level only and no one Else's. We kind of figured that she wasn't completely done with her drug life, I just hope that she will find the light at the end of her long tunnel and draw closer to the gospel in the future. Everything else is going good, I'm still trying to become more familiar with the area better, thank Heavens for my GPS! I'm getting to know the members here a lot better, it's hard tho ha ha!. For some reason, I just feel that something is missing in this area and I cannot put my finger on it and It's driving me nuts!

The weather here is getting colder and colder, It was fine the other day then it rained all day then the next day it's been pretty chilly ever since We have yet to have snow but who knows, that may be soon. Elder Denton and I are doing good, I'm going to be bummed that he is leaving, but I'm sure I'll see him again soon. I hope that all is well with the family and I love you all so much and I'll talk to you next week!

Elder Daniel Stuart