Wesson, MS

Well, I guess we will start with the most surprising news first: I'm being transferred. After talking to President McDonough in interviews last week, we both decided it was time that I was transferred. Yes, transfers actually aren't for another couple weeks, so this is a special transfer. Nothing is wrong, no black eyes or mean words, its just time.

So next week you will be hearing from me from Wesson, Mississippi. My new companions are Sister Tebbs (also trained by Sister Cox) and Sister Trotter  . I've been able to serve briefly with both of these Sisters before so I am excited to see them again. And hopefully Wesson is ready for a 3rd awesome addition.

I will send my new address next week so please direct letters to the mission office.

This has been exciting. We've finally been able to get a few new investigators and hopefully this week even more. Last Sunday we met a man named Chris at the library and set an appointment so see him again on Wednesday. I was skeptic that he would show, but to my surprise he was there sitting in his truck when we pulled up. He actually thought we wouldn't show up! We talked to him for a while and invited him to church and he said he would come! We were all really excited. Then on Friday he called and said he had to break his promise because of activities at his church on Sunday. I was sad but was in amazement that he even called to tell us. And then he asked if he could meet us that night at the library! Yeah! So we rode (we were on our bikes for Thirsty Friday instead of Thursday) and talked to him again. By the end of our conversation he was saying how he wants us to talk to his son. He reminds me so much of my recent convert in Shreveport, Richard, I have the feeling Chris is going to have success.

Funny part: Chris felt bad we had to ride our bikes at night (it gets dark at 5pm here), so he got 2 construction vests out of his truck and put them on Sister White and Sister Cooper. I managed to get out of it because of my clothes and the fact that my backpack is easier to see at night. It was hard taking pictures, though, that reflective tape really shines for the camera!

We've been serving a lot this week. After P-Day on Monday, we stopped by the Rich's and helped them move furniture. Then on our way home we received an emergency call from Sister Barton about 2 older sisters moving to Idaho Tuesday morning, and hadn't been packed by their hired moving company and desperately needed help. After getting permission to be out past curfew, we joined our members in emergency service. I have never seen a house so full, packed that quick. It was awesome. After dinner with the Linares', Thursday, they mentioned putting up the Christmas tree and asked if we wanted to help. (Sister Linares was sure that if we didn't it would be just her putting it up.) We jumped at the opportunity and immediately set to work fluffing faux branches, stringing ornaments, and helping Brother Linares figure out what to do about cheap lights (he had to return one strand to Dollar General and then the new string didn't have a plug on one side...). In the end through our struggles, the tree looked great and Sister Linares was already Pinteresting tree topper ideas. On Saturday we received another urgent text from Bishop for service on a house we had worked on last month on the Stake Day of Service. Now they were working on the backside, scraping and painting. We had already capped our number of service hours for the week, but weren't about to miss the opportunity to help our ward and get to know the members better and so we went and scraped. Truth be told there were more missionaries there then members (the elders plus sisters = 5). I am glad we went--though freezing--and Sister Burkhalter, who owns the homes, was even more thankful. It's an amazing feeling to get all down and dirty or sing-y and joyful or sweaty and sore, just to help someone in need. So... have you done any good in the world today?

As if all this service hasn't been enough, I have also been servicing my companions by mending cardigans, scarves, and ripped beads. I love the feeling of needle and thread pulling two individual pieces of cloth together and seeing the finished mend. I do have moments though when I wish for a sewing machine or a thimble, I keep poking my middle finger, but I haven't caused myself to bleed yet. Stephanie, Mom, I'm warning you right now I'll probably be asking for sewing lessons when I get home.

Its been cold this week, especially the last few days. I hear Mesa has been getting rain though, that's exciting. Mississippi tends to mist more than rain. It feels like snow but when you look at it you realize its just water. If it were only 10-20-degrees colder, I just know it would be a white winter! That's something I miss from school in Rexburg: snow. I like seeing white fluff to go with my scarves. I bought a second pair of leggings to go with the pair Sister Chennault bought me but Walmart has a very limited selection. Mom, if you could send me some more leggings or tights that would be fantastic. My gloves work better than I thought they would with the wind and I have a sufficient amount of scarves. I think my layering works so I don't need my heavy jacket but I could use a few more long sleeves. I wear my purple long-sleeve shirt to bed, but my pajamas aren't lasting like I thought they would. If you could send my purple pj's upstairs it'd be appreciated! (Sorry I always ask for so much, don't I?)

Sorry to say it but we don't get fed every night. I was so sad because we sent a meal calender for December yesterday around Relief Society and when it got to the secretary it had nothing new on it. Luckily when she returned from Primary there were a few new names, but it made me sad. Though I love being fed (it helps with our money supply), the reason why missionaries want names on the meal calender the most is to get to know the members. Its a lot easier to get to know someone when you've been in their home and its easier to get in their home when they volunteer to have you come. We have some incredible members here though, so don't worry about me being fed, the ward talks about it every week it seems. And the Relief Society President once told the sisters we only get $104 dollars a month (its $160), but that still is a struggle when we have to usually go to a restaurant several times in a week because our schedule (like district meeting in Hattiesburg) or were out far from our apartment. So there is your interesting fact of missionary life.

Note to family members feeding missionaries: I love you so much right now. That is awesome to hear it. Don't worry too much about what you feed them, if they are humble they won't care. Steak and ribs sounds like spoiling, but it makes me laugh because there have been a few members that spoil me too :) I miss real Mexican food, I haven't had a real bean burrito (except Taco Bell--doesn't count) since I was home. Haha, guess I know what I'll be eating in 10 months.

McKay, congrats on the baptism! It sounds like it was pretty neat. Stephanie, thank you for sending the invitations, I loved seeing my little man.

As I write my letters every week, I take an opportunity to listen to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and "Music and the Spoken Word" programs. They are beautiful and with the Christmas season fast approaching, the music is even more wonderful. If you have the time to just listen, let a lone watch, it's a marvelous opportunity.

I love you all, keep up the great member missionary work and being the Stewart's I know and love.

Sincerely, your Mississippian friend,

Sister Stewart

 The Linares' tree when we were done.

 Giant plant, can't remember what it was called (aloevera?) but it was seriously 6 feet tall!

 Reflective Sisters.

 The Sister Missionaries of Petal.

The Ishee's!

The Unknown Name of a Letter

I cry tears as I read through the email and letters sent to me this week. Thank you to everyone.

Good news is that we survived our first week of riding bikes. The Petal area was split last transfer with the Petal elders so now we have car share. This week was our week for bikes. I haven't ridden my bike in a long time so it was really hard at first and on my cruise hybrid, I use only my legs because of how you sit on the bike. You wouldn't think that means much but it does. Luckily my legs adjusted and I quickly figured out ways to get up inclines and around the messy sidewalks around here. Plus I found a penny!

This has been a strange week for weather. It was nearly freezing earlier on Tuesday and Wednesday. A kind member bought us leggings to keep us warm. Then throughout the week we kept ourselves bundled to stay warm and discovered we didn't need to. By Sunday it was hot and humid and we did not want to wear cardigans outside even though we still needed them in church and in members homes. So confusing.

Unfortunately we have repeated comments about how ridiculous we look... Good thing there aren't any mirrors on our bikes.

Good news we had a baptism this week! Our good friend Alexis finally was able to have all of her important family and friends watch her enter the waters of baptism. There was a big turn out from the ward and great treats from the Relief Society and Young Women's (she's 17).

I've been working on a few select watercolors. I've determined that I just can't be without doing art, its who I am. However, I've put restrictions on this talent to keep my focus on the real work I'm here to do: number one-- I can only paint for other people, if its for myself then it will have to wait. It has to be something to bring the receiver joy. I can only paint on my off hours when I have a moment between activities, studies, or at the close of the night. I had a member who was so kind to give me a couple sheets of her water color paper, and I've divided it to have lots of small pieces, after all small ones are easier to finish. So don't be surprised if you find a little something in the mail this holiday season.

On another side note, I was invited to come back and eat at a member's home, but my companions were not. I can eat and though that is usually bad, Sister Barton in the ward makes a lot of food and so she expects you to eat a lot. This week she made seafood chowder, it was really good, even my companions who don't like seafood as much thought it was good. But both of them are small in stomach and can't eat much, it was funny watching as they struggled with a big ladle of soup, tomato cups, and pumpkin pie to finish it off. So good!

Funny things:
1. Obsession with swans: in the South lots of people have lion statues. But in Petal and Hattiesburg, lots of people have swans.
2. Sister White has the ability to make very strange noise, noises that I expect from exotic animals and birds.
3. I'm turning kinda Southern. My "thank you's" have turned into "thank ya's" and I say "y'all" like a Southerner (almost every 5th word).

Not sure exactly what else to say today. Mormon Message: "Dare to Stand Alone"
http://www.mormonchannel.org/mormon-messages-for-youth?v=1634378330001

Love y'all!

-Sister Stewart

 First day on our bikes!

 Wednesday was into the 30s-low 40s as we rode through the day. I got really bundled by the time it was time to ride home.

 LADY BUGS! They came out with the change of temperatures, they are everywhere!

Silly companions dancing on the couch.

HAPPY FALL Y'ALL

Mom you scared me, I thought I wasn't getting a letter from you, though I was happy to see 3 from Dad and then I saw you have used Dad's email. Was your trip fun? How long had you been planning it?

That is really neat to hear that we have ancestors that crossed the plains. How come I never knew this? That would make a great Family Home Evening if we have some of their stories recorded. The Stewart side is still having those right? I love when we can join families in their home evenings, and see how differently they do it. Our ward has begun something called "Cottage Meetings" to help investigator friends of members and part-member families get together for their own Family Home Evening. We've been to 2 so far (one a month sort of thing) and they were fun and I think helpful because the evening was more about having a good time than to force the gospel on anyone.

This week has been interesting to say the least. For starters, I have a new companion! Sister White and Sister Cooper must have come from the same pea pod because they are so a like, they have nearly been connected at the hip since their first meeting. I just sit back and laugh as I watch them. Sister White is from Northern Utah and Sister Cooper is from Southern Utah but because they are both from small towns they know similar people and are always comparing their towns. This is where I drop my head and continue drawing, big city girl has a hard time imagining a town smaller than my high school. However, that all means nothing when it comes to missionary work, Sister White gets all in it.

This week we tracted 7 hours! There have been few times on my mission when I was able to accomplish that much. I have a hard time tracting but I actually kinda had fun with it. There were lots of hills and being winded involved but I survived and this week our goal is to tract 8 hours! Shouldn't be too hard since we're going to be on bikes all week (once we buy Sister Cooper's of course). Our area is now a car share with the elders so we got the car last week and they get it this week. Its so sad, I don't get to drive for a week! Aw, I think I'll cry... Just kidding. Tomorrow is going to be tough, I haven't ridden in so long. In my last area we only rode in utmost need and not too far. Both of us preferred walking to riding. Now because we don't even live in our area, biking is a necessity. So we'll be biking and walking, and tracting and talking, and--with the Lord's help--teaching! This is a good opportunity to get the members more involved.

I had an amazing realization Thursday night, a testimony builder to how the Spirit works. On Thursday we were at correlation with our Ward Mission Leader Brother Sones talking about our investigator JJ who is part of a member family. Brother Sones said that it sounded like he needed to gain a testimony that Joseph Smith was a prophet rather than just the Book of Mormon. I paused and made a connection to the last time we had been teaching JJ and his family. We had decided to each share our testimonies about the Book of Mormon. I went last and as I sat listening to Sister Holbrook and Sister Cooper I felt inclined to shared how I had gained my testimony of Joseph Smith last year as I had been trying to read my Book of Mormon. I remember when I was sitting on that couch I didn't understand why I should share that because we had all agreed on the Book of Mormon and then talking to Brother Sones it all clicked together. JJ is now in his "two weeks-on" shift at work so we won't be able to talk to him again till next week. But I'm even more curious to know whether those testimonies helped him take a step closer to joining his family in the Lord's church.

Funny comment: We were talking to Bishop at his home last week and introducing him to Sister White and he apologized for talking too much and "adding his two cents." I responded, "That's ok, we like your two cents, they're shiny." That made him and his wife laugh and said it would be his quote of the day. Conclusion: I actually can be funny!

Friday was Elder Conteh's birthday (one of the Petal Elders), he turned 20! In celebration we sang to him at Wendy's during our lunch with a member, made him cookies, and star-attacked his door. I was surprised by his reaction when we talked to him later that night. He was so happy and full of emotion. I still remember my first couple weeks with him, he sat with his head down and wouldn't say anything or look at anyone. Now he makes funny comments and laughs with us. Its awesome! People ask me what I think beauty is and I say "Anyone smiling." Elder Conteh has a great smile!

So funny thing: In Hattiesburg there are train tracks that run through the middle of town and often stop on the streets. Last week we had to drive around one and laughed about it. Well today was worse. The train was over 4 or 5 streets and I did not know how to get past it. Finally after a few minutes we found an end and then after another block an open street. But I was lost. We laughed and sort of cried about the experience and I just tried to head in the general direction I knew he should be going and--SURPRISE!--we found the library. Mad skills, I'm tellin' ya.

This Saturday we have a baptism. Pray for Alexis that everything goes well and she'll be at church so she can be confirmed. We're planning to see her tonight and talk about the commandments. And hopefully this week will yield more investigators. After a huge pep-talk from our ward mission leader last week, he really wants to see more happening in Petal, hopefully his faith will be a boost to this little town!

Mom, thank you for the packages! I'm always surprised by the "mail-able" things that you find. But could you send me some stamps?

Video of the week: Sanctify Yourselves- "When a little league football player is struck by lightning, his 18-year old assistant coach must be prepared to use his newly conferred Melchizedek Priesthood authority to call upon the healing powers of heaven."

http://www.mormonchannel.org/mormon-messages-for-youth?v=1463152568001

I love watching the Mormon Messages. Whenever you are bored or have a minute, give them a look. You won't be disappointed.

Everyone have a good week and pray I make it through the holidays. This whole "away from home for the holidays" thing isn't looking too good.

Also, I would love to hear some good, funny, sad, or terrifying missionaries stories. Anyone (Karl, Aaron, Ryan, Kevin: I'm talking a lot to you) that you can tell me?

Appreciate it! :D

Big Smiles Everyone!

Love, Lucky Lara

 Took lazy to bend over to get scrap paper... Sketches for a painting I want to do for a friend. It erased!

 Sister Cooper tried on a member's daughter's shirt. The daughter is 12.

Cool house while tracting. Mom, what do you think of the bay-window extending to the 2nd floor? 

Brother Brown used to be a singer when he was younger. He always plays for us when we come over.

Kissed a Horse

Transfer Day is today! Information: I'm staying in Petal, MS with Sister Cooper and we just got a new sister from Magnolia, AR Sister White. Sister Holbrook is opening Sandhill with a sister from El Dorado, AR Sister Cook. Next transfer will be the second week in December.

Last Wednesday the Ishee's took us on a day trip to Fuller's Ranch in Richton, MS (Sandhill Area) and picked up their daughter Doodle (Santana) from school to join us. It was neat visiting the farm. We ate at their restaurant there and admired their shop, I bought a few small souvenirs, explored a bit, then took off. Sister Ishee had to go to a hair appointment so we made friends with her stylist and discussed the church. She was really interested that I was from Arizona because she had just been to Phoenix to visit her son. My only regret was that I didn't order the pimento sandwich.

While tracting Wednesday night, we met a sweet Japanese woman named Kouzko (Costco). She was Baptist and though she wasn't interested in the Book of Mormon, she was kind to us and was interested in the fact that we were girls not boys (most people are). We gave her our card that has the number for a free copy of "Faith in Christ" and said a prayer with her. I like meeting people like that. And of course our tracting experience included me befriending a dog that followed us around half the time (that happened twice this week, better following then growling).

Sister Barton was very excited to take our pictures in some nearby cotton fields so we let her take us out on Halloween before they tore up the fields. It was so pretty and soft. Cotton is a funny thing to feel because it has seeds in it. Not what I expected.

Because of the holiday, we were told to come home early, 6:00pm, and to stay off the roads. We made it a party, making caramel apples with gummi worms, made spaghetti dinner, had my companions try boba, and watched the rest of "Legacy" from preparation day. It was nice but felt kinda strange.

Since we had to come home early on Halloween night, the elders and us decided to have a planning meeting to discuss our members and felt the threatening rain begin to sprinkle down. In a matter of seconds of us getting the chairs out from the parking lot, setting the boys up under our porch with our couch pushed up to our front door, the rain came pounding down. Sister Cooper immediately jumped in and I followed soon after once I had changed into my jeans. The meeting was postponed since the elders were getting wet and were uncomfortable, but it was so much fun to dance in the rain.

The best part from Halloween, I accidentally washed my name tag. Don't worry it still works!

Saturday morning we served alongside some members of our ward to help Sister McKennis (?) at her new house, picking up old siding and moving things around. It was great to get to know the members better and even better to watch their dedication to serve one another! I love to see the love one man can have to another.

After the service, Sister Cooper was dying for pancakes and bacon, I already had a mix from Mom and so we walked to our next door neighbor, the Corner Market, and picked up the few other things we need. I made the pancakes, Sister Cooper made the bacon, and Sister Holbrook took a shower. It was very yummy and a good experience to grow companions closer. As we ate I got a wonderful Halloween package from Kristi, full of candy and my now fixed necklace. Sister Cooper was not excited when I put it on and saw that it was another owl, haha.

WARNING: The next story is true but I am fine. I was in an accident. Not my fault. The car is fine. We were stopped at a red light the car behind us was just a little too close so when he accidentally let off his break he knocked into us. My companions looked around wondering what that was till we turned around and saw the guys face. I pulled off the road, he followed, we assessed the damaged got his number and determined everything to be fine. We let Elder Edwards know (he's in charge of the vehicles) and were given no punishments. I am still driving. :)

Our ward and the Hattiesburg Ward had a combined Fall Festival that we got to go to. They had a chili cook off, my favorite was a white corn chili, but the one that won was a chili that has moose in it! Wish I had known which one it was so I could have tried it. We got to help with the games and judge the costume contest, and eat doughnuts on strings. It was good to meet knew members and see our recent converts there. It was a fun sight. I miss costumes.

With my last Sunday in the Sandhill Branch (it was split from our area), I bore my testimony and then after church we went to the Fitzgerald’s for "dinner" (lunch). It was gumbo. But what was funny was that they were complaining it wasn't good, I thought it was delicious and it was the first time Sister Holbrook or Sister Cooper had had gumbo so they knew nothing better.

After a good nap back home, we went back out to visit members and say goodbye. Brother Steven told embarrassing stories and Sister Blalock revealed her dating stories. Then per the request of Sister Blalock's daughter, we called the elders over for a late night blessing. It was so nice to hear young men use their priesthood power to call down the power of God and give someone a blessing. I think I'll try to use that more.

The mission has begun a new tradition of a "Service Day" the day before transfers for missionaries to clean their apartments and to do service around town or for members. We were given the chance to go out to Sister Kelly's farm. She has horses, a golden retriever named Baby Dog, a calico cat, guinea hens, and 8 horses including one that is 39 years old! She taught one of her horses how to kiss and so I got to feed her licorice and get a lot of big smooches. We took a walk to the creek on her property and had a big brunch prepared by her and her grandparents who were staying with her. Then we went to her second property in town that she is trying to sell. It is 2700 sq feet and has a huge indoor pool yet it still hasn't sold. We planted flowers and transplanted overgrown grass on the driveway to bald spots in the yard. Elder Crockett got bit by a ton of ants as he ripped up the grass, it’s full of them. And Sister Kelly and Elder Conteh were stung several times as they talked and watered. I am safe, no worries.

Last note: I don't like day-light savings. Confusing time change and it is currently 5:08 and dark outside. Last week it wasn't dark till 6:30pm at least. No me gusta, but I'll live.

Thank you Mom for the new SD card but could you send me the card I sent you? It has my MTC pictures on it that I would like to have. Also if you could send my gloves, I have a pair in my top drawer of my dresser. Thanks. It's cold, if you send a couple of my long sleeve T's that'd be nice too. I never want to go walk outside because it’s just too cold.

Also, I have been wondering, where did Mormonism start in our family on both sides? Do you know, Mom and Dad?

And thank you Steph so much for the magnets! They are adorable, but I was curious, what's the special occasion? I love them so much. Thank you!

I love my family, thank you for everything you do and all your prayers!

Love,

Lucky Lara

 At Fuller's Ranch--I found a kitten!

 Strange stairs.

 Cotton Fields.

 Caramel Apples.

 Dancing in the rain!

 I love horses.

Elder Crockett loves dogs and scratched a puppy off of Baby Dog.

Sister Cooper, Sister White (new), Me.