Ready for the New Year

I hope this doesn't sound like a bad missionary, but the thing I am most excited for is that I can now say "I'll be home this year!"

I love my family, not getting to "see" everybody over skype hurt a little bit but at least I got to hear y'all's voices. I still remember my shock to hear Evelyn, I did not recognize her voice. And to see Kenley walking. Awww! I am missing the chance to watch them grow up. Mothers you have a new calling, make sure these babes don't forget me and that the newer ones will know who I am. You better believe all 11 are getting the tackling of a lifetime in hugs and kisses come October!

It has been a long week. Mostly because a lot of people are out of town with the holidays and sick from a bug that's going around (I hope I don't catch it). That makes tracting long and actual teaching opportunities few and far in between. Still, the work moves on and so do we and we let ourselves be examples. Lots of people have already commented to us about how they were shocked to see us walking around the cold Christmas day, but just because it was a holiday didn't make it a non-proselyting day. In the morning we opened presents, I made crepes for our breakfast, we tracted, and sang carols at a disability home. For lunch we ate with Sister Diamond and her family and friend Sister Luke. She fed us on Thanksgiving and again did not disappoint. Afterwards we were picked up by member Kim McLemore and spent the remainder of our evening at their home, skyping, facetiming, and calling families. The elders came over half-through and did the same. It was a beautiful evening. Next to skyping my family, Kim's little boy Karter made me laugh a lot. I told him I had a nephew named Karter, spelled the same way, and kept shouting at the computer because he wanted to meet him, I'm not sure if Kristi's skyping video was good enough for the Karters to meet. Another time perhaps. Thank you everyone for your gifts, especially my secret sibling, the hot chocolate was delicious.

Funny Things of the week:

1. Saw an albino squirrel. Check off on the bucket-list: I saw an albino animal in the wild. I just wish I could have gotten closer.

2. As we were visiting one investigator her niece, a different investigator, walked in! The connections of small town living.

3. I saved a possum stuck in an investigator's garbage and saw my first live possum!

4. I reached my nine month mark!

5. Church in the South is Baptist, which makes sense since most everyone is a convert. But Church just isn't the same. The talks were a little confusing, we had a musical number and rest hymn, Sunday School was a mix of Restoration, Plan of Salvation, and random deep doctrine that in total made no sense, and the 5th Sunday Lesson was more like an Enrichment on Food storage and preparation, no spiritual stuff. Made for a tough morning.

Interesting week, looking forward to the new week, new year, new month, more miles!!! Will be happy to use the car without worry. We're going to start working in Crystal Springs north of Hazlehurst at least once a week now, too. Wish us luck.

I want to hear YOUR missionary experiences.

Spiritual Influence of the Week: September 2013 Ensign. My favorite article was "The Healing Balm of Hope." I shared this with a troubled woman last night, my companions were able to testify that it was full of wonder words of peace. I know it will be the same to you.

With lots of love,

-Sister Lara Stewart

 Thank you Ryan, Amy, Evelyn, and Ammon!

 Close up on joy. I've been waiting 9 months for a new yellow watch. So Happy!!!

 New clothes! I love my new plaid pajama pants!

 Evelyn's Snowman. Made him on the wall since we don't have any snow.

 Albino squirrel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 Beautiful Sister Tebbs, the cold weather reminds her of Utah so she spent some time on the porch rejoicing.

 Pepermint Milk and scripture study lunch at Pollywog's.

 I love Pollywog's! <3

My Companions like Pollywog's too! 

Merry Christmas!

The Week BEFORE Christmas

Merry Christmas!

I've seen miracles this week, for one, I'm still alive. I've had some trouble with my bike... the brakes don't work, but the elders told me they could fix them so no worries. I just ride past where we have to stop then turn around. It was scary last Thursday though because we had gotten out of an appointment late and were riding in the dark (about 5:45pm or so) and realized after I began speeding up that I was on a downward slope. I maneuver to the grass on the roadside so slow me and down eventually just jumped off and ran holding onto my bike till I could stop. It was a neat experience and one I won't be experiencing again any time soon. I walk my bike up and down hills as often as I can. Don't fret, Mom, I wear my helmet.

More bike stories: Sister Totterer had her bike stolen on Thursday. We parked on the corner of 7th St and East Railroad, and Sister Tebbs and I locked our bikes to a stop sign post and Sister Totterer leaned hers with it (her lock didn't fit). We thought nothing of it because we have never had any theft problems in Wesson, though we do lock up if we'll be tracting for a long while. We were gone for 2 hours and as we were walking back from the next road, we saw a group of boys near our bikes, and as we approached closer they ran away. Sister Totterer muttered something under breath and when I asked what was up she said, "They stole my bike." Indeed as we came nearer we saw that Sister Totterer's bike was MIA, Sister Tebbs bike was leaning against the sign but the lock wasn't around the post, and my lock was still on but my bike was on the ground away from the post. Confused and angry, Sister Totterer ran after the boys with Sister Tebbs and I close behind. We tracked down the boys with no sign of Sister Totterer's bike and asked if they had seen it. They said no and had to explain that we were going to have to call the police. We gave them a card with our phone number on it and asked them to give us a call if they saw the bike. They said they would look and called us a few minutes later. We waited at a nearby apartment complex and up came one of the boys on Sister Totterer's bike, the front brake broken and her helmet gone. We were glad that we didn't have to call the cops, but sad that that had to happen. We walked everywhere after that. We didn't trust losing our bikes again.

And then yesterday we tracted the country. Four miles, 3 hours, talked to 11 people, no lessons, no Book of Mormons. Yes, we are geniuses. In other news I have learned that I can keep going when my feet and back are killing me, Sister Totterer has good balance, and I can wait 4 hours to use the restroom (we were out with a member for an hour before). Best part: we accomplished our goal of 7 hours of tracting for the week--we just wish the street had had more houses on it.

In other exciting news, we have a couple new investigators! Funny part, they are both named Crystal. The first Crystal we have met with twice and is really soaking up our message. Unfortunately she didn't come to church yesterday but she realizes that how she lives her life isn't in coherence with the teachings of Christ. Hopefully we can help her move forward and feel the spirit and change her life for the better. The other Crystal is a neighbor of the McLemore's, whom we eat dinner with every Sunday. Her mother-in-law that she lives with was a referral from another member. We went to see her, and spent some time talking to her and her husband, but Crystal and her husband were out. They arrived home right after we left and walked to the McLemore's. We had only been at the McLemore's for 30 minutes when their home phone rang and WE had a phone call. Crystal wanted to meet with us! She came over with one of her children and we taught a short lesson on the Restoration. It was a little awkward because we hadn't prepared, but when the spirit is there the information doesn't matter as much. And the spirit was there. We have an appointment to see her in-law's next week and she said she would be there, wish us luck!

We spent last Tuesday in Clinton at T-point (Transfer-point) saying goodbye and hi to new and old friends. We're lucky enough to be close enough to do this. It was so exciting to see everyone! So many people were my comrades in Shreveport--A Shreveport reunion! I was jumping all over the place as I hugged, hand-shaked, and took pictures with everyone. The best part was seeing Sister McGrath. I was going nuts seeing her again, because it had been 3 months. I had the chance to go out with her and several other old friends to lunch and she told me some details about my first area, Brownlee. It sounds like quite a few of my old less-actives and investigators have fallen back but others have stepped forward to take their place. One man named Bill, Sister McGrath and I tracted into before I left. Well, the next week he ran into the elders at Target and the elders told Sister McGrath and her companion to go back and see him again, they did and he wasn't interested. But then they began seeing him everywhere! Eventually he said they could come over and share their message and with the help of the ward members, Bill was baptized 2 Saturdays ago! And my recent convert, Richard, is doing great. He apparently played the role of the Shepard in the Ward Christmas Nativity scene and he told Sister McGrath that he felt privileged to do that! OH, I love and miss Brownlee Ward so much, I really hope I'll be able to go back there soon.

Our Branch had a last minute Christmas Party on Friday. We got a ride to it with a member and had a really good time. Most of the Branch was there and they had brought lots of good food. Bad part was that they let us take some of that good food home. Uh, bad for the waist line. Elder Hartwig and Elder Anderson were called on to play Santa and his elf, but the suit that the ward rented was too small for Hartwig (he's a really big guy) but Elder Anderson was still able to play the elf with our Branch President Miller playing Santa. It was so funny seeing how many kids were afraid of him, even some of the bigger kids didn't want to sit on his lap, even knowing that candy was involved. Eventually the temptations of chocolate had all of the kids coming up though and even Sister Miller gave Santa a kiss! Its so much fun to see a great group of people getting together and celebrating the holidays.

This week has been one of package receiving. Thank you so much to all those who spent time, money, and energy on me this Christmas, I pray blessings will reciprocate. I've saved nearly all my packages for Christmas and am excited to spend time opening them up. Our Christmas plans are to eat crepes for breakfast, Skype at the McLemore's, and have dinner at the Diamonds. What else will happen beyond that has yet to be determined.

Have a very Merry Christmas! Check out mormonchannel.org under Collections for some Holiday Media. My favorite video is "O Come, Emanuel - Christmas Version," a music video by the Piano Guys (one of my favorite music groups). All of the videos are splendid though, so if you have a moment watch a few. Have a Merry Christmas.

On Thursday I plan to sing a very special song all day. You know it: "I'll be home for Christmas, you can count on me."

I love y'all!!!

Branch Christmas party. All the missionaries with Santa (Branch President Miller). Yes, Elder Anderson is the elf.

 Caught a lizard in the Hazlehurst Library bathroom and set it free outside. Freaked out Sister Totterer because she had used the bathroom in there just before me.

 Teasing a member. He had to go hand out all these pass-along cards.

Waiting on my bike for the train.

 Sister Tebbs 6 month mark, tradition states she burn a shirt.

 Went to a Mexican Restaurant with an investigator for lunch, pet a horse.

 Tracting the country.

Still Tracting: 11 houses, 3 hours, 4 miles.

Earlier Merry Christmas

Well, I just pinched myself so apparently I'm not dreaming. I'm staying in Wesson!!! With Sister Tebbs and Sister Totterer! Whoo-hoot! The party in Benny continues.

Story of my life: I use used-wrapping paper to decorate planners and Sister Totterer had some from her birthday presents this weekend. As I was cutting out squares I wondered why the paper was so thick and just thought it was extra tape. Turns out the people who sent the package had taped their Christmas card to the outside and I cut it up! Sister Totterer just laughed at me as she taped it back together. I'm going to triple check the wrapping papers from now on.

We were treated to dinner at an investigators home on Thursday. They have antique home built in 1893 and it is gorgeous. High ceilings, wide porches, and matching antique furniture. We had a semi-proper dinner of cornbread and turkey neck gumbo. It was so much fun, I felt like I was playing dress-up with the fine silver and good china. And we had a great spiritual moment, they asked about our converts and Sister Tebbs shared the story of her recent convert in Bossier. I'm getting better at recognizing the spirit and the spirit was definitely there, I hope they felt it, too.

In other news, Benny was TP-ed this morning. Sister Tebbs stepped outside to see how cold it was, stepped back in and said "Guys, I think we were toilet papered." And we were. They wrapped the pillars of our deck and threw it across the roof. We got most of it off but it ripped on the roof. And the great part was that it froze last night so my hands were freezing as we were cleaning it up. Still, new experiences.

Today we traveled to Clinton for transfers to see old friends moving around and say goodbye to missionaries going home. We had a hearty Mexican lunch that was delicious and talked to a lot of people. It was certainly a different experience then my first transfer day. And the best part was that I got to see a lot of friends from Shreveport and other: Elder Spence, Elder Ashdown, Sister Holbrook, Sister Keyes, and Sister McGrath is a new Sister Training Leader in Jackson so I get to go on exchanges with her this transfer! This is going to be a great transfer, I can't wait.

Christmas is next week. I made a paper tree yesterday and Benny is decked, we even have presents under it. So far the homesickness hasn't set it in and I plan to keep it that way. But do expect me to be singing "I'll be home for Christmas" come next Thursday.

I love you all. Merry Christmas!

Love,

Lara

Made pan-fried chicken for dinner. No left-overs. 

 We had a badly scuffed pan and asked for new ones. First Christmas present. Love cooking!

 The Brookhaven District.

 While tracting I found a fat cat statue.

 Stairs to no-where in Pollywogg's.

Planner-making week, this is Sister Totterer. #Imamormon# 

 Celebrated Sister Totterer's birthday.

 Christmas Tree!

 TP-ed.

Back with Sister McGrath!!! :D

Elder Zwick of the Seventy

We had the great pleasure this week to have Zone Conference on Thursday and have a visit from Elder Zwick of the Seventy on Friday. That means that one Wednesday we had to super clean our car (which stinks because we then drove an hour on the interstate the next day). A lot of driving was involved with our week but we still were able to work a lot.

Elder Zwick was a very inspiring teacher and I loved learning from him. He talked a lot about what we can change rather than asking for other things to change for us. He exhorted exact obedience to gain the trust of members and being ourselves on the foundation of Christ. After the meeting he offered to let missionaries bare one minute testimonies and I bore mine. I mentioned how strong the spirit was, my heart was pounding so hard, to the point that as I went to sit back down I got dizzy. I loved the time spent in the presence of someone so called of God.

Moving onto the cold front...

We've had some crazy weather this week. It was warm towards the beginning then on Thursday it was super humid and gross. The next day it was wet and freezing. It rained all the way through Sunday. Luckily it let up enough that we didn't have to tract through anything really nasty but I was wearing my boots Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday the average all day was 34* F. And no snow!

Living in a Trailer has been very interesting. For one, there is no bathroom fan. So as quickly as I finish my shower I try to open the door to let fresh air in. I have been surprised how much I miss that noise. My shower just doesn't feel complete without the noise of the fan. Also in the trailer I have come to an understanding that their are more residents than me and my companions. Roaches are a very common sight, and if you know me you know that that bug is my least favorite creature . Let's just say I've smashed a few this week--enough said.

Since we would be out of town on Thursday, we held a "Thirsty Tuesday" and rode our bikes around then. It was easier then last time and we loaded our bikes to get up past the first big hill. It is very hilly in Wesson, which is both good and bad. Good because I can lift my legs and not have to petal. Bad because one down hill is usually followed by a bigger uphill with enough room in-between to make all that momentum worthless. Good because the cold breeze is refreshing. Bad because its not refreshing when it blows up the skirt. And the final bad: because sometimes your brakes don't work too good.... I should probably consider a change.

I'm not sure what y'all thought was the worst part about missions, but the worst thing is actually "dying missionaries". This means that they have served their fill and will be returning home at the end of the transfer. It's a tradition at the end of Zone Conferences to have them share their testimonies. It's not so bad when I never served around the elder or sister. But when I know the missionary (like my trainer Sister Johnson bore her testimony (she leaves in January)) I just cry. Still it is great to hear from them.

Now back to Wesson adventure.

My first Sunday I was asked to give a talk on Dec. 8, "Something about Christmas," I was told. So all through the week I considered Christmas-ie topics and then after Zone Conference on Thursday they shared one of the bible videos. Its called "Good Tidings of Great Joy." Elder Eyering talks about about the most important symbol of the season is Light. So I read some scriptures and the Primary Song "Oh, Hush Thee, My Baby" where it sings that one star stood out from the rest. We must be like that Star, letting the light of Christ shine through us being a beacon to others.

I love you all. Soon to be Merry Christmas!

Next week is transfers. Expect to hear from me Tuesday and most likely late in the day, no idea what's going to happen.

Love, Lara

  Packed 3 bikes on the bar of our little Cruze. Sister Totterer pushed with all her might.

Freezing tracting. Afterwards we gave that Book of Mormon away!

Meet Benny

Transfer success! The Senior couple in Laurel, Elder and Sister Blau, helped transport me and Kent to 2 hours north to Wesson, MS. New address:

1020 Hill St. Lot 26

Wesson, MS 39191

We live in a trailer named Benny (I'll take pictures for you next week). We have a car but we did spend the whole day Friday biking, no me gusta. I don't know if it's something in the air or all the inclines but I don't bike here very well.

Dad, I love how you look up all the random little facts on the places where I live, its really interesting. You say they have 1904 people and I wouldn't doubt it, Sister Totterer and her last companion already tracted all of the town, so we work mostly out of town except for the few investigators and less actives in town. The church is north about 15 miles or so, up HWY 51 and east on HWY 28, across the street from Saunder's chicken farm and the huge Life Church (people always ask if that is ours, nope, ours is the only church without a big advertising sign out front). The town is really neat, and I want about 20 of the homes here. I'm falling in love with the wide porches, high stairs, tall windows and white siding. My future home is slowly being drawn in my mind. In town there are only a few places to eat- Porches, Los Lobos, Polliwog Frozen Yogurt, and 51 Dinner. The closest Walmart is either 15 miles north in Hazlehurst or 15 miles south in Brookhaven, and since we have to drive the Hazlehurst elders to district meeting, we usually shop there.

Mom, there is sunshine in my soul today, and in my cardigan! I love my harvest colored sweater.

By Saturday, we had 5 Thanksgiving dinners: 4 at members homes and 1 at Porches. While tracting, Sister Tebbs and Totterer had met a nice lady that was sad they weren't going home for the holidays so she paid for all 3 of us to have lunch at Porches. It was some really good food and hopefully I'll be able to save and perhaps go one more time before I leave Wesson. On Thursday we had dinner with the Diamond's, Payson's, and Francois' and even though I knew about all of these before hand, I wasn't prepared for the rush to eat. Luckily after the Diamonds we tracted for 30 minutes, wore off some food and sat and talked with all of the Payson's before eating there. Time between meals (including the half hour drive to the Francois') is what saved me. Then on Saturday we went to visit the Douglas' and accidentally popped in on their late Thanksgiving with their son home from college. Everything was really good, but the best: chocolate egg nog pie.

The work here in Wesson is really progressing and yesterday we had a really neat experience as we were trying to find the home of a member. We ended up meeting a young man next door, his nephew, who is baptist turned Pentecostal. We asked him if he had read the Book of Mormon and he said no and he probably wouldn't because it was something new and unfamiliar. So we talked to him a little about how it works with the bible, and using baptism as an example, showed how it made the ordinance of baptism clear, including progress and prayer. It intrigued him and he shared a couple points to us about his religion. After a while we asked if he would accept a copy of teh Book of Mormon and read it, he said yes (I would like to say with a little enthusiasm), and said he wanted to shared a pamphlet with us but couldn't find one so now we have a return appointment with him next Sunday. We're all excited to see how it goes, and we already have a fellow-shipper, his uncle!

I'm excited to see what will come in the work this week!

Zone Conference is this Thursday with the Clinton, Jackson, and Monroe Zones. I'm in the Clinton Zone (so no I won't see Petal friends). Its going to be a travel to get there but I know quite a few missionaries from there so this is going to be so much fun!

Not to be boring, here are 7 interesting things from Friday, November 29:

1. Egg and rice for breakfast, my new favorite keep-me-full breakfast.

2. Sister Totterer potentially ate a meth brownie (by the end of the day we determined she didn't though). But we were tracting and at one house pre-dubbed the "Party House" we were talking to a young man when his friend burst through the front door and asked if we all wanted a "chess square". I'd never heard of that before so I said no, Sister Tebbs said no, and Sister Totterer said yes... Luckily, I think it really was just a leftover from the holidays.

3. We met a guy with a green Uncle Same shirt on that said "I want you to smoke" and pointing at the viewer. He was indeed smoking, and then he started talking to us about his reading in the Book of Mormon (Sister Totterer had tracted into him a few weeks before).

4. When we tract in our tralier park we are always followed by one dog or another, today we had an Akita that was really nice. But everyone we talked to was scared of it and tried to shoo it away. It followed us on our bikes all the way to the highway before it disappeared.

5. Met a black lady named Dot who at first refused to be told my name. She only likes Sister Totterer and would only address her but fed us all cake and Sunny D then by the end told me she was glad I came so I could protect these girls... Glad my size comes in handy for something.

6. As we rode home around 5pm, Sister Tebbs and Sister Totterer noticed Josh Francois' car at the gas station. Sister Totterer rode forward and before anyone knew it was in their car, quickly followed by Sister Tebbs and eventually me. We talked to Josh and his girlfriend and our investigator Lindsey for a while, had a short lesson, and rode home.

7. I saw my first Am Tram train! It was so fast. The train tracks run right through the middle of town.

Now let me tell you a little about my companions: THEY ARE AWESOME!

That doesn't mean to be saying a lot because I've already had some pretty awesome companions but Sister Tebbs and Sister Totterer really know how to make and take the cake. Sister Tebbs was trained by Sister Cox right after Sister Cox moved to Bossier and was no longer my companion. So she has been out 3 months less than me. But that similarity in training makes the work so much easier because we are already uniform in our teaching styles. She's from Bryce Canyon, Utah (a little place called Ruby's Inn). She's 19 and her amazing devotion to the work makes me smile. Sister Totterer is from Farmington, UT, 19 (till next week) and amazing. She can talk really fast and is such a people person, she's makes even the tiniest thing an adventure. I'm really glad I have been put together with them.

I got my haircut yesterday, but it needs to go shorter. Still it feels good to have all that length off and to have healthy ends again. A member's daughter who lives Brandon cut it for me for free, so nice of her.

More warm stuff would be great. I lost one of my gloves biking and my hand froze riding down the hills. Also I was wrong, I do need a new jacket, lots of people have fleece one from Columbia or North Point, they seem to work really well. My polyester rain coat is just too sweaty.

I am SOOOO happy to be in Wesson, this has been the best week I've had since my first transfer. Sister Tebbs and Sister Totterer are really inspiring to the work and fun to be around, they are definitely on my list of best companions.

Spiritual thought of the day: Alma 32:27. Elder Holland once said that we should never be ashamed if we only have a desire to believe. Because if it is the desire of our hearts, the Lord will cause it to happen and then you will believe.

I love you all, hope you had a grateful Thanksgiving!

Love,

Super Lucky Lara

Elder and Sister Blau and Kent. 

 Thanksgiving Sisters: me, Sister Totterer, and Sister Tebbs.

 The STLs came and visited us, silly picture!

It was cold this week, into the 30s in the mornings and evenings. We had several days of frosted lawns when we woke up. 

 Tracting discoveries.

Not the best picture, but my new hairdo!

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.