September 29, 2014
Prepare for The Week of Lasts
Hey Family. Welcome, this next week will be the "Week of Lasts." Already I have had my last "normal Sunday" since General Conference next week. I'm excited, are you?
Everyone asks me if I'm nervous or scared. Truth is it all feels surreal. I can hardly imagine living in Mesa again. I've lived out of suitcases for so long, what will a closet feel like? It'll be interesting. Especially since I'm not the same person. I'll be a returned missionary, and I imagine that is quite a different person than a full-time missionary or someone who has never served. But no matter what I am glad I came.
Things to tell about this week. No investigators came to church this week. New jobs got in the way. But the 8 year old daughter of one of our investigators came to the Women's Broadcast with Sister Walker, Sister Goletz, and me. I loved that broadcast. I was able to visit lots of old friends from my time in Brownlee at the pre-dinner that was the Bossier Ward and Brownlee Wards combined. And as excited as I was to see them, my fears were met. I feared that our relationship might have changed in the year apart, and it's true. But I'm still glad I got to see them.
Friday night Sister Walker and I helped the Spanish Sisters help another sister in the ward paint an extra room in her house. It was so much fun to spend time with all those sisters. I was covered in dust and my shirt got some paint on it, as did my chin. It felt good to have a brush in my hand, to rub the dried paint off my skin, it felt so familiar. I also got to help serve by making planner covers for my fellow missionaries. I've been doing this my entire mission but the last 2 weeks have been a major act for me. I counted this morning. I made 17 custom planner covers and 14 extras for missionaries I might not know but still need that touch--that spark--of something beautiful in their life to make them smile each day. I've seen my planner covers do that in the past and until the mission gets I-pads, I will make it continue happening. This is my joy.
The Lord has been blessing our prayers by giving us answers. This week as we tracted, I met a man who had read the Book of Mormon a little and determined our belief in Jesus Christ was wrong and we didn't believe as other Christians. I testified to him and explained the history that explains the Bible compared to the Book of Mormon and we challenged him to pick it up again and give it a second chance, sharing with him 3 Nephi 11. We also met a Methodist woman that had read many books about Mormons and those who have dissented from the church but refuses to read the Book of Mormon because the "bible is enough." Please See 2 Nephi 29. The Lord never said the Bible was enough. He never said he couldn't talk to man any more. Don't let your mind ever think that the Book of Mormon is just a good story. It is holy scripture. Another man we met does not believe in God and does not desire to work towards that relationship. You could tell he was stoned, when we asked if he did anything he said no, that he just waits for the next day and the next day after that. He had no accomplishments, no fulfillment in his life. The Lord has said to be "anxiously engaged in a good cause" (D&C 58:27). I have broken this commandment in my life. I wonder who I would be if I had kept myself more "anxious" and zealous to the Lord. We challenged this young man to say just one prayer every day. We'll visit him again on Thursday. Every time we have opened our mouths we have testified of our Savior, the Book of Mormon, and our purposes as missionaries. This is a mission.
Kent only has one more day in the South and then he gets to meet the black top of Arizona. 7 hours of tracting left. We are scheduling people for next week we have been so busy. Only 9 days till I see Mom and Dad. Only 12 till I see everyone else. I hope you have those paper chains up, because it's time to take them down. I'm not sure how much work we'll be able to accomplish with Conference at 11 and 3 on Saturday and Sunday, but we will certainly do our best.
Are you excited as I am?
I love you.
I can't wait to see you soon.
Love,
Sister Stewart
Philippians 1:3 "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you."
This is the local lake. Due to a plant that has been growing in the lake, the state drains it every year for winter to try and kill it. 7 years and it hasn't worked yet but you can see how low it goes.
Happy Birthday Sister Walker (September 23th).
Sister Curran's daughter has chickens who had chicks!
A little painted.
What my pants looked like after crawling in the plaster dust to paint the bottom of the walls.
So the study door broke as I tried to close it, the screws came out of the wood. Yikes.
All the planners I made in the last 2 weeks. About 31--WOW!
September 23, 2014
2nd to Last
Well Hey there!
So its been an exciting week. Let's list the events:
1. Visited a Kingdom Hall (Jehovah Witness). While tracting on Wednesday we met 5 young girls that immediately showed us their missionary skills and we were invited to come to their bible study class Thursday. Finally given an invitation, we went. We were a little late due to a previous appointment but it was really neat to visit and see what the inside of another church is like. It was essentially what it sounds like, a hall. It was very simple in its decorations, just some flowers and a sign with a scripture. But it was also sad to see what their focus was, the sorrow of their doctrine, and the rarity of truth. Before we walked in, Sister Walker and I prayed to be shown the truth as it was spoken. We noticed that when something said wasn't truth, we would get distracted and start flipping through our scriptures or the little book we had been given. But when something was the truth of the Lord we would become alert and focused. Sadly, I read my scriptures a lot during the hour and a half we were there. But I learned just how true the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is.
2. They changed the code to the maintenance lock so we couldn't get a key to get in the church building so District Meeting was held at the nearby Brownlee Park. It was a little warm but not unbearable and it really brought our district together to focus more on the lesson and not on our circumstances. We discussed the simpleness of the Liahona and the testimony of everything around us. "All things Denote there is a God" (Watch Alma's experience: https://www.lds.org/media-
3. We heard the funniest doorbell while tracting, and it was long enough to dance to.
4. Elder Jarret (one of our zone leaders) was just called to be Assistant to the President. That's 2 in a row from Shreveport Zone. I knew he would be called as one, it was all a matter of when.
5. We have a very wise and knowledgeable member in our ward and last night he taught Sister Walker and I some grand knowledge we never would have learned so easily on our own. It was amazing the understanding and faith building from our discussion. As we drove home, mind still blown, I realized how little I knew before and the last 18 months have been a build up to being able to comprehend the new things I learned. I testify that "line upon line, precept upon precept" (D&C 98:12) is truly the only way to know all the God can share with you, with faith and acceptance. I know that this gospel is true and I pray that everyone know it. Prepare for a mission, go to the temple, read and study and feast on the scriptures--the words of god. They will teach you all things (2 Nephi 32:3). In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Two weeks. Family, please prepare for (1) a Southern Kick, (2) a "Frozen"-athon, and (3) lots of hugs. I love yall.
"Your Sister" Stewart
Combined District Meeting at the park :)
Minden Church of Christ supports us. Too bad it's more like "leaving" the field.
Oh the things you can find in Minden.
At least they know who's knocking.
September 15, 2014
When in Doubt - Shepard Pie
So in a week when I forgot to write in my journal it could be a little difficult to remember what all happened but I will try my best.
First off. We have 9 investigators with baptism dates. And all of them are for October and November, so I won't be having anymore baptisms on my mission. But that's ok because it's the teaching that is the real fun. Last week I got to watch the light bud in an investigator's eyes as she began to understand more the power of the gospel and the purpose in Joseph Smith and how much he is an example for prayer and understanding God.
What has been most interesting on my mission are the themes that happen from time to time and can last anywhere from a day to a week. A couple weeks ago was the theme "Trinity vs. Godhead." We had several investigators tell us about how the Trinity was true and then as discussed how the Godhead was true, it was interesting to see their reactions. One man stuttered in his words but wouldn't deny the Trinity. A woman began our lesson saying we were wrong then ended it by correcting herself when she said "Trinity." This week has been the disbelief that Christ came to the people in America and that the Book of Mormon is true. I haven't changed anyone's opinions--that's part of their agency--but I have many an opportunity to testify and to calm fires that began to rage by explaining why we use the Holy Bible and the Book of Mormon. I know that the gospel is true, I am converted.
Every night Sister Walker asks me two questions: "What did you learn today?" and "What did you do good today?" She always answers to the first, "This church is so true." Amen. I can not doubt.
Other exciting things:
1. Sister Walker got hit on by a 42 year old black man that told us a very interesting story of how he was faced with the devil.
2. I got to serve for one day in Shreveport with Sister White! It was a lot of fun and I feel like we worked really well together even after all these months.
3. It was an Arizona winter during a Louisiana summer. All day Saturday it was cloudy and about 62-degrees. Sister White was freezing. It felt great to me.
4. I met my best friends', Lara and Haley, doppelganger. She's a 14 year old less active here. Seriously, she acts and looks just like them.
5. I made Shepard's Pie. Everything from scratch, and it was so good. We didn't have green beans so I used frozen mixed vegetables and I think it made it even better.
Still working on collecting some good Southern recipes to share with everyone. Are you excited? What would you like to try most? No I will not cook alligator, squirrel, or frog legs. You'll have to get those yourself. If there is any souvenir you would like, let me know. I can't promise anything but I'll see what I can do.
To everyone I pray a happy week. You have my permission to start counting down now.
Love
Sister Lara Stewart
September 8, 2014
I Love the Scriptures.
So another week has gone by and the end is in sight. I have a month of work left to do. Sister Walker plans on putting me to work this last month. I wonder which I am, a missionary or an ox? Either way, it should make an interesting month!
A less active calls me "begat girl" because I told her I made a family tree that covers the book of Genesis. That's where her scripture studies have been so whenever we visit she has a good number of questions for me about who "begat" who.
We had 2 lessons during some pretty good thunder storms. The first was early Tuesday afternoon with Martell. His sister wasn't home so we had to meet outside. We stood under our umbrellas as he said the opening prayer and as soon as we said "amen", the clouds opened up and a boom shook us. We took shelter in a near by shed and taught about Alma the Younger's conversion. By the time we finished, the rain had calmed down but we were cold. Then on Saturday, we were threatened by some dark clouds all day. Finally as we made our way to an evening appointment it started to sprinkle and just as we reached the porch, there was a great clap of thunder and lightning simultaneously. We were shouting to be heard and I couldn't hear half the conversation because I was on the edge of the porch. They didn't invite us inside but that's ok, it was a short lesson any ways. And in the 20 seconds from the porch to the car as we left, Sister Walker and I were drenched. It was funny as we kicked up the heat and the fan in our car to dry off and warm back up before our next appointment.
We were certainly kept on our feet this week.
Right after that last lesson I mentioned, we had a great opportunity to go to a member's house in Bossier for a lesson and dinner. When Justin and Ava came to church last week, the Betteridge's stepped up to fellowship them and asked if we would mind having a lesson in their home. It was amazing! Both of the Betteridge's have served missions, in fact that's where they met, on the mission in France. They have 2 kids who interacted with Justin and Ava's 1 year old daughter. The lesson after dinner was so filled with the Spirit. It was scratchy at first as each of us began to establish our bearings. And then we all clicked and the topic and need that Justin had clicked and the Spirit spoke so loud! The steps of the gospel are key to the success of each individual. My favorite step is "enduring to the end." I have learned that it is the step that most people forget, but it's what makes us keep changing, keep going and keep exercising the faith that starts the process over each day and every week. The Betteridge's helped Justin to accept to pray about a date for baptism. Their influence was the best thing for Justin, and hopefully a friendship will blossom.
First hand, I have been able to see the importance of us members in this work. This work is divine. It is not for the Ammon's of the mission field but the Amulek's just trying to manage a house and family in the midst of wicked people. As I have been reading in Alma I have counted the number of times Mormon in his abridgment used the word "astonish." Already I have counted 10 times, and I have quite a few chapters left to read. Each of these accounted have testified to the reaction of "non-members" to the power of God. Truly he is all powerful and we can know it. Just like King Lamoni, we can feel the immense joy that the gospel brings and like Ammon in Alma 26, we can cry loud and rejoice in praise to our God.
I love the scriptures. It's hurt so many times whenever in our return appointments, investigators, less actives, and members say they have not read. They justify they are doing good telling us the truth that they have not read but they forget that it would have been so much better if they had just given that little bit of time. I feel guilty for all those years I, myself, did not give to the Lord and his scriptures. But I look forward so much more to the years of "feasting" I get to do.
So, what have you filled up on lately?
Sadly, I have forsaken my camera this week, so there are no pictures that I can share. I was trying to take a selfie this morning of how long my hair is getting, almost to my collar bone, but none of them are worth sharing.
Mom, Dad, today is one month to the day that we will see each other again. Family, it'll only be a few days more, but it is sooner than ever before. I remember how amazed I was that I had been out a month in April last year, now I'm similarly amazed. I am grateful for what God has helped me to do. I'm grateful for who I have become. And I am grateful for the potential I am learning I have.
I love you all.
See you Soon.
Love,
Sister "Lucky" Stewart
September 2, 2014
Sweet Home Arizona!
Well this is a late letter. Because of Labor Day, the library was closed today and we had lots of appointments this morning so we had to wait 'till this afternoon to email. But we made it.
This week has been crazy but good. It's been a struggle trying to keep the good going from my time with Sister Cottrell and Sister Boehula. Sister Walker and I have had to almost start fresh a bit. Or at least that's what it feels like. But I think something a little fresher is good. We've been trying to contact as many potentials as we can and if they aren't there, talk to whoever told us they aren't. You never know who the Lord has prepared for you at this time.
Kent has finally seen action again. Two days in a row, too. We ran out of miles and were walking but that's too slow for Sister Walker so we dragged out the old 2-wheelers and put our feet to the petal. We went almost 7 miles Saturday and it felt pretty good except I found out just how dangerous these streets can be. There seems to be an overabundance of bushes and trees right at the edge of corners so 2-ways stops are super dangerous. But I managed to walk down most hills and make smooth curves to stay out of harm's way. And I got first hand the memory of what it feels like to have a bike be your only mode of transportation. My rear end was not happy come Sunday and Day 2 of straining the legs and seeing how far I could go. Luckily my thighs seemed to remember the rhythm from all those months of biking in Wesson.
And we accomplished a lot of work. By the evening time on Sunday, we had passed out 8 Books of Mormon, had 8 new investigators and tracted 7 hours and 15 minutes. It was neat seeing people open up and respond to Sister Walker too. For example, down on McIntyre Street there was a house I was told never to go to because the people there had been so mean. Well we didn't go to that house but the woman was at a friend's a couple houses down. At first she was very closed off but as we continued being light and open and happy with her friend she started to included herself into the conversation, eventually accepting a return appointment and even asked for a Book of Mormon after we shared a scripture from it. Whoo-who! Little miracles like these have been happening all week. The only concern is memories, because people have to rekindle that excitement often times to read the Book of Mormon when we aren't there. And with so much going on in life each day that can be a challenge to remember. But that's where the benefits come in to see people when they have read and their hearts begin to open and change. It's beautiful.
Lately I've been saying "Missionary work is my job. I have the best boss in the world who is Jesus Christ. And I receive my paycheck everyday as I watch people come unto Christ." Ain't that neat?
*NOTE: The Southern accent has been growing on me. It isn't so thick I sound like Brother Glidewell but my companion laughs whenever I talk but I've developed the slang and a slight twang.
Also I got the chance to talk in church yesterday. The ward clerk as Sister Boehula last week and she had to tell him she was being transferred. So his eyes turned to me and I was assigned. My topic was "Following the Counsel of Church Leaders" based on our recent Stake Conference. I also talked about how counsel can be given through our actions and quoted from Elder William R. Walker of the 70's talk "Follow the Prophet" that was in this year's April Ensign. I love that he teaches us how we can be like our Savior as we follow the example of our Prophet. I love his story about hearing President Monson whistling through the halls of the Church Administrative building. Can't you just picture President Monson so cheery and giddy, almost like a little kid I imagine.
Oh and I turned one year older. I forgot again. I mean of course I remembered my birthday but with all the work we did Wednesday I only really had time to think "It's my birthday" when my workout was opening my presents from an amazing family and blowing out the candles from a kind and brand new companion. Thank you family for everything! The earrings are great , as well as the container to keep them in--thanks Mom. I've been experimenting every morning with the styles to what I'm wearing. I haven't worn many yet but I'm planning on it, incorporating them somehow.
I suppose I should also tell you a bit about my new companion. (I keep typing a "s" at the end of that word. Still adjusting to only having one companion.) Her name is Sister Walker. She from a tiny town called Morgan, UT about an 1 1/2 hour north of Provo. She's 21 and her birthday is coming up this month so that's exciting. She's the 3rd of 4 kids, with her younger brother serving in the Chiahua Mexico Mission. (I hope I spelled that right.) She came out with Sister Eyre, Baker, and Cooper and has served with Sister Cooper, too, so we talk about her a lot. She's a dancer, yes she is crazy, but she is a fabulous missionary. I think she will do wonders for Minden.
That's been my week. 5 left. Oy. That's one hand.....
Love ya all. I'll be home soon. 
"Sweet Home Arizona!"
Sister Stewart
Elder Rowley can be really easy to tease. So his companion made a contract on a McDonald's napkin that he'd be nice to him for one day. Note insult in contract...
I seriously love the skies here. This is the sunrise from the Bossier Sister's Apartment.
I need me this statue.
Happy Birthday to me!
There was a lizard on the road and Sister Walker caught it!
This doggie's bark was pretty bad.
August 26, 2014
New-ness
Finally ready to write this big long letter. Are you ready for all that has happened this week? Let's begin.
We drove to Jackson last Tuesday. Sister Cottrell's Dad was flying in Wednesday and they would be touring Mississippi for a few days before flying out together on Friday. It was fun to spend time with the McDonough's. We slept over at the mission home. President made us waffles. And then we had to leave. Sister Boehula and I drove straight from Jackson to Bossier for District Meeting. It was a sad day because suddenly we were down our biggest talker.
Then Saturday we received a phone call that the Lord is taking Sister Boehula away from me too! She left this morning for Petal, MS. Sound familiar? I served there! And Sister Cottrell served there. We talked about it a lot. I know she'll do great things for Petal. I immediately felt like she was perfect for the area!!! I'm so excited for her. She's been in the Shreveport area for the last 6 months, so she is finally serving in Mississippi.
I'm leading Minden with a Sister Walker at my side. I've met her briefly in the past and heard a lot about her from past companions but I don't really know much about her besides that. Get ready to learn some things next week. :)
Besides that:
1. I have become the new driver. I love driving but the Jeep is not what I will choose when I get home. There are a lot of blind spots for a tall person like me and it feels like a bumpier ride than my other mission vehicles.
2. Passed out 3 Book of Mormons on Thursday. It was an amazing work day. We tracted A LOT. We met a lot of people. It was hot. We walked so much my feet still are recovering. But I felt so happy.
3. ...And actually not much else has really happened.
Wow, this letter got a little sad. I'll send some pictures to make it better :)
My last transfer!! I'll see everyone in 6 weeks! Let the countdown begin.
Love, Sister Lara
Playing Apples to Apples Pictures last Monday.
My new T-shirt we found at Walmart. President loved it. "Where the heck is Minden, LA?"
Crossing the Mississippi River again. That makes 5 times on my mission so far.
The Mission Office is in a church building in Brandon, MS. We met the President and his wife here before we all went out to dinner.
The Last Photo.
Smiling while tracting.
Have I mentioned how much I love Louisiana skies?
I love the South for this reason. There are scriptures everywhere!!!
A member had a birthday so we made him a pop-up card and cupcake (in the container).
I like this shirt. Look how long my hair is getting!
The last picture of the Bossier District with one of our new zone leaders Elder Jones (sticking his tongue out). Ignore the elder on the left, photo-bombed!
August 18, 2014
"The Missionary Next Door"
Wow, so this week hasn't been the greatest for the work, but there has been a lot of spiritual uplift-ment.
Tuesday we had exchanging and Sister Giddins joined Sister Boehula and I in Minden and Sister Cottrell went with Sister Gidddins' companion to Shreveport. Sister Giddins used to serve in Minden before they moved the STLs to Shreveport so she was excited to see people she knew and loved. I think they were almost more excited to see her. We all taught very well together and Sister Boehula showed more openness (it's so much fun to hear her talk and share her thoughts and experiences).
Friday was Zone Conference so besides having to wake up at 5:00am so that we could make sure we were ready to arrive by 7am at the Brownlee Building. Our car didn't win a BOSH award for cleanest car but it was definitely the best Zone Conference on my mission. A good thing considering it was my last. Yep. No more. And that means I bore my testimony as one of the "departing missionaries". I testified of joy and said a few words in Bislama (Sister Boehula's native language). It was such an amazing day.
And our investigator called and dropped us.
WELCOME TO THE MISSION FIELD.
A mission is a roller coaster of emotions and that phone call really hurt because she had been taught for so long with so many missionaries. We visited her Sunday to get the in person explanation and she said she just felt like she was rushing into it. I can understand that it can be a scary thing. We were asking her to change practically everything in her life. So we just reassured her of our love and understanding and asked that we be allowed to continue visiting her and invited her to continue attending church. She said she would like that.
Then this weekend was Stake Conference. Elder L. Whitney Clayton of the Presidency of the Seventy and Elder Blooth of the Area Seventy and President Jones and his wife from the Dallas Temple and of course President and Sister McDonough came. It was another overwhelming spiritual experience. I was kept on the edge of my seat as we were taught. Of course based on the visitors titles most of the meeting was about Missionary Work and the Temple. I was surprised just how much our spiritual happiness of today and our spiritual happiness to come depend on whether or not we share the gospel today. And we don't have to do that much. Sister White shared a talk with us called the "The Missionary Next Door" by Diane Holcher (I think it was an EFY class) but she teaches that Member Missionary Work is mostly the "social conversion." Just invite people and friends to learn about you, come to church, attend a Relief Society activity, play Priesthood Basketball. Not that hard. Its the missionaries job to help them with the "Spiritual conversion". That's the hard part--will you pay tithing? keep the law of chastity? give up coffee?
I can't wait to be a member missionary.
Sister Cottrell leaves this week for home. Saturday we receive transfer calls. We'll see if it'll just be me and Sister Boehula my last transfer, if someone new will join us, or if she or I will be moving to a new area. I think we might train. Sister Cottrell thinks it'll just be the 2 of us. Sister Boehula has no assumptions. And transfers will be next Tuesday so don't expect any emails till then.
I Love Y'all! Happy Birthday to Everyone!
-Sister Stewart
While visiting a less active she had a new roommate. This little guy was so sweet but he was terrified of the kids and decided he would only be quite on my neck. I didn't mind.
Thursday morning weekly planning session. A moment when we don't have to look our best.
O the fun.
The Bossier District. The tall guy with no eyebrows (Elder Anderson) just got called to be Assistant to the President so he'll be leaving us this week too.
I got to go on base! Barksdale Air force Base. (please ignore the messy hair, it's a bad pic)
August 11, 2014
$0.72
Finally finished all the email I had to respond to... and now its time for the long family letter! Well let's review some of those amazing, funny, insane, and mysterious things from the Life of Sister Lara Stewart. Let's see....
1. Ate dinner with a Catholic man. And now I understand more of the Catholic religion. He was such a nice man but not opened to anything we had to share. One day.
2. We saw the smallest frog ever. It was so small I couldn't get a good picture of it. To understand its size look down. The size of your pinkie nail (kids, more like your thumb nail probably) was the size this itty-bitty frog was. Can you imagine?
3. To our utter shock, our investigator we've had with a date--smokes! We always knew her home smelled off, but we imagined it was just something strange that she cooked. And then her less active husband who also smokes brought up the Word of Wisdom and at first I thought, "We know she drinks coffee, but if she really desires this, she can give that up easily." And then she said tobacco! Well, tomorrow we'll be starting the church's stop smoking workshop with her. Wish us luck and pray. I know she can do this but its gonna be a struggle.
4. Did you know Alma the Younger wasn't the only son of Alma? Mosiah 27:8 says "Now the sons of Mosiah were numbered among the unbelievers; and also one of the sons of Alma was numbered among them, he being called Alma, after his father..." [emphasis added]. I have been learning so much about these little details of the scriptures. I love it. It's like little mysteries being unfolded!
5. In the space of just 2 days of walking around and tracting and meeting people in Minden and Sibley, and very much with the help of Sister Boehula, and a little help from Sister Cottrell, there have been 26 coins added to my Mission Penny Jar, totaling $0.72. Whoo-who!!
6. My cooking skills may or may not be improving but I have been doing my best to combine what I know about the taste buds with my personal creativity. This week I have discovers summer squash rings and this morning I made German Pancakes.
7. I had an answer to pray last week. Before tracting I prayed we would be able to meet someone we could share the Book of Mormon with and bare our testimonies to. Well only 5 doors later the Lord did not only provide but she came out of her house to meet us!
8. I met Sister Lolley, a less active. As we were sitting on her couch I noticed some pictures and cards on her picture of the temple and got up to look closer. I pointed at one and exclaimed, "That's me!" It was Sister Tebbs' Christmas card. Not gonna lie it was creepy to think a woman had a picture of me up in her house before I ever met her, but it was funny nonetheless.
What a fun week. This week there is a zone conference planned for the Shreveport and Texarkana missionaries and we have stake conference this weekend. Elder L. Whitney Clayton of the Presidency of the 70 and Sunday School General Presidency is coming. Sister Cottrell is ecstatic, she loves his talks. Its sure to be an amazing week.
Also I have reached my last 2 months as a missionary for the Lord. Can you believe it? I can't, it feels weird. I'm one of those "old missionaries" that Greenies stare at and ask "how?" It's certainly going to be interesting. Now when I say see you soon I can mean it.
One thing will always be certain, though, I LOVE Y'ALL!!!!!
-Sister "Lucky" Stewart
The Catholic man we had dinner with feeds ducks and deer in his front lawn every evening. It was so fun to see these precious creatures.
I got a laugh from this. "This Shell brought to you by FUELMAN."
The minuscule frog (that larger speck in the middle).
$0.72
At our service project we brought our vacuum to use also and I found these 2 using both to vacuum that small portion of carpet behind the couch. That's what I call teamwork.
Summer Squash Rings.
The local Methodist church has stain glass windows. This one is my favorite: the Sermon on the Mount.
We get our eggs from a member. This one was a double yoke!
August 4, 2014
Oh, the Days of the Week.
Well Family, We have reached the month of August. For me it's a celebration, for the South it's a month of dread. The Summer is always hottest in August. BUT! It started off fantastically with really cool weather and some rain. It was in the 80's Thursday through Saturday and was just heavenly. I even wore my hair down a couple days! Imagine that!
Monday night we worked on our yard. It was too hot to do anything in the day so I switched a bathroom bulb for the dead one on our porch and we got to work, pulling weeds and raking leaves. It was a mess and just because it's black outside does not mean it's cooler. I was sweating a storm, mostly because of all the squatting I was doing putting leaves into bags. It was humid which did not make anything better. I was shocked by the worms though, there were dozens upon dozens of big, fat earth worms all over the place. I saved as many as I could from going into the garbage bags by tossing them to the grassy part to the south of our house.
Tuesday as we were tracting I met a beautiful white cat with light blue eyes. I think he might have been blind because he reacted funny when I extended my hand to him. But he wasn't skittish and I got some pictures for reference (in fact he inspired a painting I finished last week). We also met the sister of one of our members. Her husband offered us water and allowed us in their home for a few minutes (one can only guess when a sweaty red faced girl is standing on your porch). She asked us if he had told us where she lived and explained no, sheer coincidence. She wasn't interested but was friendly enough.
Wednesday was the Independence Day of Vanuatu--Sister Boehula's country. We celebrated with green, yellow, and red (turned out pink) pancakes with chocolate chips (black) to represent her nations colors. I didn't have a recipe or mix so I made it up. I think they were nasty but Sister Cottrell and Sister Boehula said they were just fine. Then we had the whole Zone dress up in the same colors because we had ZDM. Sister Boehula was so touched to see everyone dressed up in her nations colors. She even made flags for people to hold in the picture. It was funny because she cut the poles herself from some bush in the back yard (we now have a broken knife, haha).
A storm blew in Wednesday night that helped cool down Thursday. And Friday we went to the doctor's office (how many times is that now on my mission? too many). Sister Cottrell hasn't been feeling well, the doctor said she'll be fine though and filled out a prescription for her and sent us on our way. Sister Boehula found a pamphlet on managing diabetes which made us all curious about how we could eat healthier. Sister Cottrell asked the doctor so many questions that he eventually turned to me and asked "Is she always like this?" and added on our way out "Watch her." Haha, we just laughed, Sister Cottrell is a talker and it's one of my favorite things about her.
Friday night our ward had a Talent Show! I wasn't planning in participating in anything but brought some of my watercolors I've done on my mission to share. To my surprise I ended up talking about them, it got a lot of people curious and one sister asked me to come over and paint her children. Not sure if I'll do that but if she's okay with it I might take some pictures and paint for her when I get home. It was so much fun to see everyone's talents, a lot of people volunteered right there on the spot to sing a song or involve their family. The little kids were so cute. And to end it all we had ice cream because the Bossier Ward is 3 years old! Happy Birthday!
The work was slow this week. We tracted a lot but found no new investigators. But there are some potentials on the horizon. But we had the opportunity to teach some different people and bare a lot of testimony. I love to bare my testimony even if it's just a simple truth of what we believe, "Jesus is the Christ and the only way to salvation."
To end the week, we met with one of our recent converts, Kenneth. He's been having some trouble with a friend of his and to comfort him we decided to read about charity in Moroni 7 because we have seen him exercising charity towards this friend, even though the friend didn't receive it. As we opened with a prayer and opened our books, Kenneth and Sister Boehula overheard a man playing his guitar and started singing along. And then Kenneth invited the man to join us! It was so cool to see him have the courage to invite someone so out of the blue to learn about the gospel. And the man came and sat and read with us and then Kenneth invited him to church! We were so proud.
I'm doing great and having fun. I'm excited to see what this next week holds. It's crazy how fast the time is flying by. I love it.
And I love you!
Your Sister Missionary,
Sister Lara Stewart
A Postcard Sister Boehula made from our zone picture last Wednesday.
A handful of survivor worms.
Who dat? Sister Boehula!
A Vanuatu Breakfast.
What a gentleman. Elder Anderson always makes sure to open the doors for all the sisters.
I don't remember why I stuck my tongue out but its the first day of August and I'm wearing 3-quarter sleeves and...
The Merrit's donkey, Charlie. I sacrificed a lot for this picture. The next day I counted over 70 bug bites on my person. Over 30 on each leg and several on my arms. Let's just say I will not be standing in their grass again anytime soon.
... My companions are wearing jackets!
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