Hello Familia!

So finally after all the merry-making from this week, I tell you tidings of great joy!

The Erikson's name their children by the bible, but not in the way everyone else does. Their oldest Gavery, is Ukraine for Gabriel who told Elizabeth that she was carrying John the Baptist. Their second son, Fisher, is named for Jesus's call for fisher's of men. I think it is so cute and touching to see their children, who have been named not from the common John, Matthew, David, but for good works instead.

Thursday we tracted 2.5hours, not including the 3 miles we rode. I made sure this time we were riding on flatter land. The hills here are crazy, but you also have to think about sidewalks and shoulders, not all the roads have them. Afterwards we returned to our car and rushed off to a dinner with members. It was wonderful meeting with them and as we left I felt like they were opening more up to us as missionaries. I've noticed that with many members this week. I hope this feeling will lead to more action from the members and their participation in the work. Have you talked to anyone about the church this week?

Our ward had a funeral this last weekend, and Sister McGrath and I were called last to help for the viewing last minute on Friday then volunteered to stay and help with the lunch after the funeral service. We were amazing by the perfect timing of our activities that we could go help then after the viewing we were driving back home and I had the thought that we still hadn't seen a less active sister in our ward who lives by the way we take home. Though we could have continued and taken our dinner break, gone home to start our weekly planning that had been forsaken for a service project that feel through that morning, I pulled us over and we went to Sister Tainter's home. We found her alone in a bathroom, redoing the floor in prospect of moving in just 5 days. No one had come to help her like she was hoping and had been alone. We asked if we could help and she said "I couldn't ask you to help in your skirts." Then Sister McGrath remembered, "No we have jeans in the car!" Though our morning service had fallen through, because we had a brought a change of clothes, we had what we needed to help Sister Tainter right then. Truthfully I don't know how much we truly helped physically, but just our being their helped her so much. And it helped us too, it lifted our spirits even higher than they were after our service at the funeral viewing.

It rained that evening and the next morning all was fog and we exercised in the morning through a gently falling mist, the water droplets tickled and felt good. We had breakfast with a member and their non-member friend. I finally had real Southern grits and it wasn't that bad. Yes, I know grits is made from hominy but it actually wasn't that bad. Later that evening we had dinner with the Pearcy's. They told us before had that their daughter Glennannah was having a birthday the next day and they were celebrating with us. So we made a crown, she loved it and wore it to church.

Then last night after a dinner with members they showed us cool science projects. the first putting rubbing alcohol in a glass bottle and lighting the top. Whistling blue flames! the second putting a bar of ivory soap in the microwave. Sisters try this out! they were so cool!

My time is up on the computer. Everyone have a great week. August and the month of birthdays is upon us!!!

Love, Lara

Pictures from Sister Stewart

 Mini APPLES TO APPLES!

 Mini UNO! (found at Family Dollar)

 My greatest accomplishment last Monday was "checking" Elder Capron in a game of chess. President Huston wanted to play the elders after dinner.

 After DDM, our missionary lunch activity was a LARGE game of mini Uno.

 New shirt. Thank you Mom!

 Best part about Louisiana is the clouds.

 Yes I work with those elders. The girl is Gene, a member's daughter in the Bossier Ward. The man is Dennis, greatest missionary ever, he's always telling us about his work and he always makes it a point to share the gospel with people.

 That fry was as long as my face!

 Thought it was interesting when we were driving on the freeway that the sky in front of us was blue and beautiful and behind us was dark and scary.

"Twiners!" as Sister McGrath says. She braided her hair then mine, so cute!

Betelehemu

July 22, 2013

'Ollo! (A Lara Greeting)

Mom thanks for your last email, yes I cried imagining Grandma to be my angel watching over me, o look, there go the tears just typing it. I love to think that this work is not only being watched over by those on earth but by those yet to come and those who have past. It's a beautiful thought. Its possibly my favorite part about being a Latter-Day Saint, the knowledge of the Plan of Salvation. That life doesn't end at death, that we will see our families again, that our purpose is joy. (2 Nephi 2:25). I try to express this joy to those I teach, because it is what has helped me through the deaths in my past. We had a wonderful member of our ward die on Saturday and I cried, not because of his death, but because his wife never felt the same way about the gospel as her husband did and they were not able to be sealed together before he passed.

This week has been exciting, and the week to come is sure to be even more exciting. Interviews are this week, when the mission President comes to our zone and conducts interviews both as a companionship and individually with each missionary. Being so far from the mission home, I love any opportunity to be near President and Sister McDonough, that are such great people. In fact all the missionaries and mission leaders I've met are such wonderful people. Who knew God could call together such a vast number of amazing people in one place, with one purpose, and not have everyone go completely crazy!

Continuing "The 10 Happy Things of Today Book"...

Monday July 15, 2013

"Biked 3 miles" - We rode our bikes from our house, to the library to Family Dollar and back to our house. Oy! Not excited to do that again, too many hills.

"Check Elder Capron in chess!" - After dinner with the Hustons, President Huston wanted to play chess with everyone. I got really close to beating Elder Capron which surprised everyone until I made little mistake and lost. O well! I'm proud of myself.

"The 'Llamanities' are the black pieces in chess" and "King's in chess like baseball" and "I made Pres. Huston laugh. Success!" - Pres. Huston was a giant chess board and as I stared at the knights they looked more like llamas to me then horses and suddenly their game between the war of the Nephites (white) against the Llamanites (black). I also noticed that the crown on the King pieces had the shape of baseballs. I couldn't believe how I made Pres. Huston laugh at my quirky comments!

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

"30 minutes outside = 20 bug bites (including one on the ear)" - New record. Sad thing is I think most of them were jiggers, nasty things; the one on my ear was definitely mosquito.

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

"Dinner with the Loftins. Good people" - Due to tricky schedules, the Loftins took us out to dinner, they are amazing people and converts! I loved hearing their conversation story and the place they took us to had homemade banana pudding! I think banana pudding is my most favorite Southern food!

Thursday, July 18, 2013

"Rain!" and "Smoke on late night streets" - Love the rain. Seriously. And fog is not uncommon, through the rain as we drove home Thursday evening, it rose from the streets in white wisps that made for beautiful scenes as headlights lit it up.

"Surprised by the McCabes" - Due to our low miles, Sister McGrath and I parked at the entrance to the McCabe's (our dinner appointment) community, said a prayer, and walked to the less-active members we wanted to go visit. While we were praying Sister McCabe pulled up next to us and just grinned till I said amen. Haha!

Friday, July 19, 2013

"Handed out a Book of Mormon on my own" - We went to a baptism for our fellow missionaries in the Bossier ward because Sister McGrath and I had both befriended the man. Afterwards I was talking to his family from Monroe and they told me they were meeting with the missionaries but the elders hadn't had enough Book of Mormons on them last week to give each family member a copy, and before I knew it I had handed out one to that family member with no issue and shared 3 Nephi 11:11 with her, she was excited, told me thank you and walked away. What surprised me even more though was that the other missionaries had seen this and were surprised that I had done it so easily. Their praise helped me understand my ability to talk to people.

"Gene recognized "Shriek"" - While talking to Gene, a down-syndrome girl, after the baptism, she heard the elders playing something on the piano that she recognized, she paused me and said "Shriek!" then walked away. They were playing "Hallelujah" which is used in the first Shriek movie.

Sunday, July 21, 2013

"Richard got the Priesthood!" - Talking to after he said that he realized that the authority came all the way back to Jesus, "I just got the priesthood from Jesus!"

"Dinner offer from the Hustons" - President Huston called us yesterday afternoon, and invited us over for dinner and to practice a member lesson, then afterwards President Huston played his guitar and the woman sang, mostly Les Miserables songs that I couldn't really sing along to but was able to video (unfortunately this email system can't take videos that are so big so I couldn't share it with you right now). Then seeing my recognition at President Huston playing "Classical Gas" he showed me a guitarist that did a rendition of "Classical Gas", his last name was Emanuel. It was so cool.

Dad I was wondering if you remember where you bought you "Classical Gas" CD. I would love to share it with President Huston. Or could you burn me a copy of it?

Your missionary is doing well, still working through the schedules of being a missionary, but she is definitely making it. But keep those prayers coming, they are much appreciated!

Loving everyone so very much!

-Sister Lara Stewart

Ps. the title of todays email is from my new favorite Mo Tab song "Betelehemu": 

Sweet Corn Summer

July 15, 2013

MY FIRST BAPTISM!

I keep joking that now that I've had a baptism, I can go home now. Don't think my fellow missionaries like that much, but I just laugh and throw myself back into looking through.

Now that all the baptism is over, I'm so excited for Richard. My heart pounded watching him in the fount with the Elder's Quorum president, Brother Howard. I learned a few tricks to help with my next baptism, too, so hopefully the planning will be even easier. It was so much fun calling him "Brother" after his confirmation on Sunday in sacrament meeting. Elder Capron did the confirmation and pronouncing the gift of the Holy Ghost. He was nervous and stuttered a bit, but his words were precious and it was even better that we was able to do that. Yesterday Sister McGrath and I spoke with our ward missionary leader about how to teach him from this point on. Not too much was nailed down, but it was good to discuss what we needed to do so we could understand together how much more the ward really needs to get involved as we teach him the "after baptism" lessons.

There were a lot of people at his baptism, a little too many people in my opinion. We had several families come, including new families, but half the audience was missionaries. Of course this would make sense to have Sister McGrath and I there because it was our baptism, and the elders in our district because they had the keys for the building, and the missionaries from the Bossier District had parts in the baptism program, had investigators come, and 2 of them had helped teach Richard. The others just wanted to come to a baptism.

Last week we had exchanges with the Sister Training Leaders. It was great!!!! The Sister Training Leaders (STLs) are a new calling for sisters that set them somewhere between zone leader and an assistant to the president. The ones for our area are Sister Johnson (my grandma!), Sister Mapu, and Sister Chai (see photos). First off, we still had Sister Cox and Sister Tebbs with us so we had 7 sisters in the apartment last Wednesday night when the STL! It was fun, dividing and conquering the floor space with air-mattresses. I was able to make breakfast for everyone (french toast) and the next night it was just the 5 of us. I loved hosting all these sisters and being able to cook for them. Thursday Sister Chai joined me in Thirsty Thursday. We tracted for an hour and between doors, would talk about my feelings and her mission and I was able to feel better about myself and my missionary worth. I really hope I'll be able to go on exchanges or see her often, because in that one morning I felt like she became one of my best friends. Then in the afternoon, we visited with a less-active lady and then she joined me in a trip to Bossier to meet Ty Cunningham. I am very grateful how patient Sister Chai was, she truly showed me kindness that day.

I am doing well. It was really hard the last week, but something happened on Thursday and suddenly I started clicking with things: the work, procedure, joy in the journey. Sister McGrath shared with me a little notebook she has for writing down the funny bits of her day to shared with her family. Then she gave me a booklet and invited me to do the same. This idea has been presented to me in the past but the way she talked to me made me feel so much better and open to it. And I have been doing it since Friday!

My favorite parts of the last few days were:

Friday:

"Talk to 2 strangers: Sis. Ulrich, Bro Asper". I'm trying to get better at talking to people I don't know. I figure if I start at church then it'll be easier in the world. Sister Ulrich has been in the ward for a while but I haven't gained enough guts to speak to her. She was so glad that during the baptism I came up to her, and I felt proud that I had too. Then I spoke to Brother Aspear in the hallway and found out he just moved his family from Glendale, AZ! And he said he wanted to move back. It made me happy to talk to someone who loved Arizona even though he was raised in Utah.

Saturday:

"Day in Mooringsport." We spent the whole day in Mooringsport, starting with Brother Williams, previously Ward Missionary Leader, and reviewed with him a list of in actives we were planning on seeing who lived in Mooringsport. He recommended which ones had moved and which might except visits, then went and saw our usual people including Richard, Anita Bell and her family, and a promising new investigator. Also since Brother Williams lives out on Latex Road (the state boarder) we stopped and let her take her "Texas" pictures.

"Dinner Date with Sister McGrath (aka boy talk)." You might be surprised, but sister missionaries love talking about boys. Sister McGrath has a boyfriend on a mission in Argentina right now and so during dinner at home, we talked about him and my little dating experience, how funny.

"Sweet Corn." Brother Williams wouldn't let us let without taking some sweet corn with us. It was so good, didn't have to be coked, didn't need butter or salt. Hmmm. However, it got so seriously stuck in my teeth I had to floss several times that night.

"Sister McGrath stepped on a dead mouse." People have pets, pets want to make their humans are taken care of. One member has outdoor cats that made sure she ate her mice. Unfortunately, Sister McGrath stepped on it because she realized the present was there.

Sunday:

"I feel part of the Ward at last!" I don't know what changed, but as we sat in sacrament meeting and watched people arriving late to church, I could only smile with love seeing that they made it, no matter that they were late. And even better I knew people's names as I looked around. I was so happy and I finally feel part of these people. I kind of hope that I'll be able to stay here for one more transfer so I can celebrate my birthday with everyone here. I'm excited to be 22 because I'll have left the "affected by the age change" crowd!

"Fed by the Simpsons, the Browns, the Thayers, and the Ericksons." We got over fed Sunday. We had a late lunch at the Simpsons, then visited the Brown's and we're given delicious cornbread, then had a dinner appointment with the Thayer's, and while visting the Erickson's so we could talk with Brother Kitley (Sister Erickson's dad) were given ice cream pie and popcorn. Too much....

"I'm an arsonist." Candles were introduced into the apartment by my last companions, I love their smell and the peace of watching the flickering flame. However, I've taken up lighting little pieces of paper and quickly putting them out while waiting for my companion on the phone and so such. But last night I wasn't thinking and lit a larger piece of paper that didn't blow out as easily as the small pieces I usually light. It scared me. I won't be lighting anything anymore.

Our poor elders have had their car taken away form them all transfer because Sister Cox and Sister Tebbs' new car hasn't come in yet. They've been biking and walking and breaking down on their bikes and getting heat stroke and all manner of unfunness in the humidity and heat. We picked them up for dinner twice. Its funny driving with them in the back seat. But I feel good that I can take care of my fellow missionaries and don't mind that it uses our miles. Hopefully the new cars come in soon!

Sister McGrath says I've been impressing her with my "professionalism" (in speech) I guess you could say. But to me I see nothing different, its just who I am. So its weird getting compliments, because I'm so used to doing the things I do, I don't understand how others find them worthy of attention. We are praying for new investigators this week, we'll certainly be "thirsty". In fact we rode our bikes to the library today 1) to save miles and 2) because its only 3 miles round trip and there is a Family Dollar across the street.

We rodes our bikes to the library this morning since its only 1.5 miles from us. Wish us luck that we'll be able to keep heat stroke far from us! I asked President what the chances were for losing the helmet. Sweaty + blond doesn't look good... I don't think my chances are high....

I leave you with a quote by President Monson: "The future is as bright as your faith."

I love y'all,

"Lucky" Sister Stewart

Pictures from Sister Stewart

My new bike, his name is "Kent."Cruise with gear shift and front and back brakes. 

Meet Sister Chai. She's one of my Sister Training Leaders for this transfer. We were on exchanges when we had to pick up my fellow elders for a dinner appointment.

SLEEP OVER! During exchanges, sisters sleep over. Tonight our 3 Sister Training Leaders stayed at our place. Made it fun by fitting our 5 beds (and couch) in the living room. 

Richard got baptized!!!

Richard's missionaries.

July 8, 2013

 Hey Mom,

Good news:

Yes, I saw Jonathan Bloomquist. Surprised me! But it was good to see someone I knew from home. Do you know why he's in Bossier?

THANK YOU,THANK YOU, THANK YOU! the GPS is awesome, I'm trying to specialize it now. Haven't had to use it but a couple times so far, but its worth is great and my appreciation greater! Thank you! I can't specialize it because of the library computer but maybe a member could help me, not sure.

Sister McGrath is very lively and upbeat, she's fun. Also got a new district leader, Elder Spence. First time district leader, he's going to take some breaking in but he's been out for a year so he has teaching experience.

... I'm getting tired of the library, going to try writing a letter.

Good luck this weekend, it all sounds so amazing. Sad I can't be there...

I love you! BIG HUG!!! TALK TO YOU NEXT WEEK!

Pictures From Sister Stewart

My new companion: Sister McGrath.

Met Jonathan Bloomquist at church. Apparently he's working in Bossier!

July 2, 2013

Helloallora!

Bad news, I forgot my camera and cord at my apartment this morning so no pictures this week. Second bad news, today is transfers. This means that not only am I not getting pictures of the missionaries leaving our area but I'm also loosing my companion by the end of the day.

Yes, tears have been shed over this and will possibly continue to be shed.

My new companion is Sister McGrath. 6 weeks in, speed trained, working in Hattiesburg. From Utah, tall and blonde. Supposed to be super nice. Exciting right?

Sister Cox (my old companion) is going to Bossier District/Ward with a new missionary (currently titled "Sister No-name"). They will be openiong the area for Sisters. So she'll be living really close but won't be in my ward/area anymore. The Bossier District is huge, the Sister Training Leaders (STL, 3), the zone leaders (2), the Spanish Elders (3), and Sister Cox and her companion cover it. Add it up: 10! Ten missionaries in one area! Its getting serious. Other than her, our district leader (E. Canaan), our zone leader (E. Earnshaw), and one of the Spanish elders (E. White) were all transfered to Mississippi today which is really sad because we all love them (the zone is crying about these changes). However, new missionaries are a good thing, It'll turn out great I'm sure!

And even better news, I'M DRIVING!!! Oh! I love the feel of driving, makes me remember how I hated it when I had my permit. And I drove for the first time with a GPS the other day too! not to bad, thank goodness for red lights that allow me to double check the streets. Driving in Louisiana isn't as bad as I thought it would be.

We hit the beginning of hot days triples last Friday and Saturday but its become cool for this week. July and August are supposed to be the worst of the weather down here though, so I haven't felt what true "hot" is to Louisianan's yet. Humidity is getting to me. Often now when tracting and someone begins talking to us I have to take a moment to look away while my eye burns from sweat getting in it. My hair rarely is curly now. I've taken to using a curling moose because "I might as well curl it before the weather does" (sweat makes me curl). I have to be careful though, several times I've had people ask if I'm super hot because it looks sweaty, and Sister Cox was told it didn't look like she had brushed her hair (she's been using product too).

Worst than the heat is the mosquitoes. I've learned to avoid jiggers by avoiding grass, but it seems like every time I step outside (and sometimes inside) I get eaten. Luckily, I've gotten used to not scratching them so they go away quickly, but the threat of West Nile is a concern. At most I've gotten 9 in 30 minutes, generally on my left arm--how funny is that?

Even better news, I saw a fire fly! Right up close as we were practicing a member lesson with President Huston on his carport! I didn't see much of what it looked like but it was so cool!

Sunday we sang with the choir "The Star Spangled Banner." The congregation was going to sing the 3rd verse with us but in the first one they stood up. Seeing everyone standing together like that touched me so much I began crying while we sang! And I love the 3rd verse. "In God is our Trust."

God bless America! Happy July 4th!

Love,

Lucky Sister Stewart