The ELECT

HI Everyone!

It's me again, can you believe it has already been another week?

Last week was full of exciting new adventures. Sister McGrath and I started at Old Navy, last Monday, and I was able to buy a couple shirts and a cute new owl tote bag. Tuesday, we had several lessons with investigators and our ward missionary, Sister Maranto. She is an amazing missionary. She connected easily with our investigators, and bore testimony as we explained the First Vision. Dinner on Tuesday was at Sister Baker's, around the corner. We let it slip we were having dinner there and Sister Maranto called her up with a quick phone call consisting of "I heard you were feeding the missionaries. I'll be over in a few minutes." Haha! Sister Maranto is Sister Baker's visiting teacher, they are good friends, there was plenty enough food to go around. Then after dinner, we spent the night at the Simpson's in Bossier! I didn't sleep too great, but any time spent with the Simpson's is the best.

Wednesday was the long day. We had Zone Conference, all the way in Monroe, LA. Sister McGrath and I rode carpool with Elder Spence and the Spanish elders in the Bossier Ward. It was squishy in the back seat, but luckily when I switched to the other side of the car on the ride home it wasn't so bad. Elder Kopischke of the Seventy from Germany spoke to us. He was incredible! Think of a cross between President Uchtdorf and Elder Holland. Incredible. He explained that President McDonough holds the toolbox and we missionaries are the tools. But the Lord is the master. He asked, "What kind of tool would you like to be?" We have to trust that we are where we are supposed to be. He encouraged us to ask questions, and to teach only those you receive us and teach them only so much as they are ready for. And stated, "Love is the only way... If you love your investigators, you won't have to worry about how many lessons you teach." But my favorite quote was "This is not about converting everybody, but about converting the ELECT."

We have a really good Ward Mission Leader. He went out with Sister McGrath and I to a new convert's home to teach him the second lesson. It went great, the member, mentioned before as Richard, is really getting it. He's soaking every thing in and then radiating it back out. It's been so fun to watch him grow. Then after our meeting we met our Ward Mission Leader at Dairy Queen down the highway and discussed how the lesson went and things that had been happening in our area including our individual meetings with Elder Kopischke.

There's no new news on Kenny. We have a return appointment scheduled with him on Saturday but he had to cancel. Sister McGrath and I were so sad, we were so excited to meet with him and had a member coming with us and everything. Still he's in our prayers.

The biggest accomplishment for the week: tracting 5 hours, including 2 straight hours Saturday evening. I'm sorry President but I don't like tracting, and I keep feeling like if we are in a lesson, its okay not to tract as much. However, last week our zone leaders challenged us to do at least 5. With a good attitude and a cool breeze it wasn't hard. My bag wasn't heavy, we taught principles, prayed with those who would listen, set a return appointment, and stayed joyful.

Sister McGrath and I are finding fun ways to keep entertained. We dance and sing really loud in the car, taking time to memorize our favorite songs. After planning we had "Angel of Music" stuck in our heads, and sang to each other rather than talking, using its tune as our base. On Saturday, we tracted for 2 hours, so between houses we named everything that started with the letter "M", beginning with McGrath! "All work and no play, makes a minute feel like a day."

Now in our ward, we had a new family move in, last name Bell's. The only problem, we already have Bell's. My solution: Shiny New Bells, Used Bells, and Rusty Bells.

Last Sunday was Stake Conference, President Judkins (previously 1st counselor, now released) spoke and bore testimony of 3 things, and related these 3 things to Star Trek! Everyone was awake to hear how you could relate the Gospel to this syfy television show. I was so intrigued myself, that I drew my district acting out what he said (found in this week's photos). First he compared a wrist communicator to prayer (Sister McGrath) and how a communicator works everywhere as a connection to the ship. Prayer works everywhere, connecting us to our Heavenly Father. The ability to Teleport is the Resurrection. Just as in teleportation the body is disintegrated and put back together somewhere else, the Resurrection is the reuniting of our spiritual bodies with immortal, physical bodies. Then last he considered the phaser, a weapon that can either kill or be "set to stun." This he compared to the Word of God, the scriptures, that as we read can penetrate our hearts. I loved these symbols, and it was fun to dress up my fellow missionaries in the attire.

Movie of the day: "A Mother's Hope" http://www.mormonchannel.org/video/mormon-messages?v=2371781721001

Love you all, Thank you for the love. I've already gotten birthday care packages from Gayle and Kristi and birthday wishes from Grandma. Keep smiling, that's what you make me do every day!!!

Love Lara

 Had to say goodbye to a great friend. Ashlee flew back to China on Tuesday.

Drove to Monroe, Louisiana for a Zone Conference. Carpooled with the Spanish elders from the Bossier District and Elder Spence from my district. Elder Hanzlik took a nap. 

 That was a very squishy car ride.

 Mr. Driver (Elder Spence).

Louisiana is NOT flat. This is Hwy 1 to Mooringsport. Will not be biking this. 

 The skies in Louisiana are gorgeous.

 Sister McGrath is more excited for my birthday than me. Someone finally took my advice and made a paper chain!!!!

I love weird flavors and I LOVE Pringles! (Mild Jalapeno and Cheddar and Xtra Tangy Buffalo Wing Sauce.) 

Package from Kristi! 

Bossier's Angels (Sister Martin, Tebbs, and Cox)

 New Necklaces!

Brownlee in Star Trek mode based off President Judkins talk at Stake Conference.

:)

Dear Peeps in Mesa (and other places too),

Sorry, I didn't get a letter out in the mail last week, it's on its way now.

Fun things in the work:

Black out during in depth less-active lesson: Last Saturday we were teaching an older woman who had been baptized with her husband but doesn't feel like she was told everything and that wasn't right. We were discussing that we believe that we can become like God and the difference between becoming "like god" and becoming "god" when the lights went out. With few windows in her house it was really dark, but luckily she had a Coleman lamp nearby. It was a good thing though because we were about to be late to our dinner appointment after, so since we couldn't read the scriptures, we stopped the lesson there. It was fun listening to the thunder, Louisiana has good lightning storms.

Used my talents to help Sister Madsen with RS activity: Sister Madsen is the weeknight activity coordinator and she needed a lot of help for the activity so we went over to her house on Thursday and helped her make pinwheels, taught her about BINGO random generator cards online, and made and decorated peanut butter rice-cripsies (she was most happy for that because she hates decorating cakes). It was so much fun, though we were there for longer than we really should have been, but I finally got to use my more technical-crafty side.

Then we had some investigators planning on going to that activity which meant that we could go to. There wasn't enough time to return to our area to tract so we went to nearby Brownlee park and did our studies that we had missed that morning. At the park we met so many people that we knew, including the Bishop and his family. It was really fun to see them and to enjoy the nice day as well.

Spirit of Elijah touched me and an investigator: A couple weeks ago we got to meet with a member and their co-worker for breakfast and discussed family history. She filled out a pedigree chart and we gave it to our Family History consultant to fill out. On Saturday, we met with both of them and our consultant showed tips and tricks on how to use Family Search and find old names and records. While sitting their we found a few names and the places that they lived. Seeing the joy on the investigator's face was wonderful and then as we explained baptism for the dead and the Church's viewpoint on the family really brightened her up even more. I only wish I could do my own family history work now, but it'll have to wait :)

Scary house, nice man: Tracting last Saturday, we were about to go up to a cute blue home that was a little decrepit and had rusty cars out front and, from the sounds of it, a large dog inside. Sister McGrath immediately turned around and we started walking away. But we stopped each other, and thought, "What if this is the one?" Quickly we turned back, and walked up to the front door. Nervous like crazy we knocked and indeed there was a large dog which was held back by a man named Kenny. He stuck the door, put the dog away, then opened it again and joined us outside. We talked to him a bit and he said he was interested, we shared with him the Book of Mormon and he said he'd read it. Just goes to show that a scary house does not mean scary people. :)

Found a nature park and Kim: Barred Owl!!! While out and about on Sunday, I discovered a hidden nature park outside of Blanchard. Curious we drove in and parked. We went in the visitor center to ask if they had a bathroom and were met by one of the part time workers there. Almost immediately we struck up a conversation about us as missionaries and our purpose in Louisiana. She was really open to our offer to teach her, but due to a shaky schedule, wouldn't set an appointment for us to come by. Afterwards we took a moment to visit their aviary which included 3 species of owl, including my favorite barred owl! Then Sister McGrath kissed their deer.

Fun Things with fellow missionaries:

Playing signs, Gangham Style: After some quick shopping last Tuesday (Transfer P-Day), we met the other missionaries at the church for games. They were playing "Signs" a game where everyone has a sign and you pass around being "it" by accepting your sign from someone else then signing another's sign and passing it on. The trick is keeping it all secret from the person in the middle who is trying to guess who is "it". At first I had a silly sign that involved lifting the hands and one foot. Unfortunately I couldn't recognize my own sign very well, so I switched to a dance move from my family song "Gangham Style." EVERYONE was signing for me now and we were all cracking up seeing how different individuals signed it. Still I never got put in the middle.

Brightening the day with art: Elder Capron is probably my biggest fan right now with my artwork, little cartoons and such that I due for the missionaries. He's always showing people the planner I made him ("Hobbit" themed) and asking me to show people the other cartoons I've done. It makes me happy to see people's smiles and to see them actually use the planner covers I design for them.

New missionaries to the zone: Though our district didn't change, we did get two new missionaries to the zone. Its fun to meet new missionaries, whether they have already been serving for a year or are fresh as a tomato picked from the vine.

Just fun:

Movie Night: We got a new movie to use for our teaching "Together Forever," so after a long Saturday, we took part of our dinner time to sit on the couch and watch it together. It's a really sweet film, though it was made in the 80's. Big hair, but the gospel was true even then.

Rony's Ribs: Rony is the husband of one of our returning members we visit regularly. We never talk to him very much because when we are over he allows his wife to have time with us. But on Saturday, we not only got to talk with him and his wife, but he fed us some of the ribs he had steamed then grilled. They were really good. Different flavor than Dad's but had a nice kick to them.

Talk of the day: "The First Great Commandment" by Elder Holland. Listened to this as I wrote. http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/10/the-first-great-commandment?lang=eng#watch=video

I hope that is enough great things for you Mom. My goal this week is to write in my journal more, so more things will hopefully flow.

"Kent" is doing well. :) He hasn't been used too much though, I prefer my SAS shoes.

Indeed, I did eat gumbo. The McCabe is the only place I have had it. Brother McCabe makes it spicy with chicken and duck and sausage. It's good. They let us take some home. The last time I was at the McCabe's was before transfers so I told them that if I was leaving I would like to celebrate my birthday with them. Sister McCabe couldn't remember which day I had said was my birthday (she thought I said 20th) so she made me a cake. Its funny because I usually go help with dessert after our spiritual thought, but this time I didn't and then when I finally did, I turned around, she had the cake lit and they were all singing. I was so surprised! And so happy! It totally made this one of the best birthdays ever. But no, I still don't know how to make gumbo, though I could probably figure it out.

I think that is just about all. Love you, family. Take care and Happy Birthday:

Amy, Dallin, Stephanie, Karl, and Ammon!

Kristi, I know what would make a great Christmas gift :)

LOVE, LUCKY LARA

 Sister Simpson and me with our chocolate mustaches from the RS activity, themed "I mustache you a question."

 After a story Elder Simpson told me, I've been collecting pennies and change off the ground. I finally made a jar to keep them in last week. How much to you think I can get in one mission?

 HAHA!!!

 Barred Owl! (it was hard to get the camera to focus behind the bars)

 Sister McGrath kissed a deer!

This 5 inch stick bug was on our car this morning! 

Pictures From Sister Stewart

Rode with the Shreveport Sisters in their van to bowling last Monday.  

I found this folder at Walmart. I "mustache" you a question do you know Jesus? Gotta love the South.  

 Three Generations. My sister, my mom, my grandma, and me.

 Four inch Banana spider, found while tracting. I jumped so hard.

 Found a tree frog at a member's place.

Taking Sister Simpson to a doctor's appointment. Ashlee is there friend from China staying with them.

'O,O'

Yes that is an Owl in the subject bar :)

How has everyone been? Let the month of birthday's commence! I have determined that no matter what happens to me in the mission field this month, I'm going to be happy, so drag out the marde'gra beads, fry up some Twinkies, we're having a fiesta!

Not much news on this last week. Its been hot and humid: 103*, 97*, 98*. And the humidity level has been high so its even worse. Can't wait to be freezing this winter!

On Wednesday nights we have Book of Mormon class, and due to others not being able to teach, Sister McGrath and I volunteered. I had planned to prepare during companionship study, but that fell through, then we planned to prepare after District Meeting lunch, but that ran over. In total we planned 10 minutes, not including our decision on what to teach and individual time studying that morning. Let me say, these classes are truly a sign to me about what it means to teach "by the spirit." I've noticed that I've been able to skim read verses to share from the chapters were in, ask more questions, think of personal experiences, and turn a wayward comment from the members back to the topic at hand. I love teaching this class, I'm going to miss it if they say missionaries can't teach anymore.

Mom - "Come What May and Love it" is actually Sister MCGrath's favorite talk! How funny. Did you know their is a song that says the same, I have it on a CD from Elder Earnshaw. See if you can find it on youtube.

Yes, there are tons of bugs! Too many to know all the different kinds. The church is really bad with roaches, I'm always finding new ones each week. So gross! Our apartment hasn't had too many bugs, mostly spiders. One morning during study, a fly had somehow gotten in our apartment and was stuck in the window behind my desk. Then suddenly its buzzing changed. At first I thought someone was cutting the bushes outside, then realized it was the fly, but as I was lifting up the blinds I saw it had been caught by a huge spider that was living in the hollow in the base pole for the blinds! EEK! As soon as I saw that spider, I dropped the blind and ran to the living room. Sister McGrath (who loves bugs and is always picking them up) killed it for me but I couldn't return to the study room for a while. Ugh, I'm getting the jitters just remembering it.

I watched "The Testaments" for the first time this week. (We have it at home, watch it). I loved the storyline, demonstrating how our faith is measured and tested. I cried to hard when it showed Christ. And when I rewatched it, I cried again.

Transfers are next week. Not sure what I'll be doing till Friday. Tell you on Tuesday the news. Please send all mail to the mission office!

LOVE Y'ALL!

Sister Stewart!

Ps. The Southern is kicking in because I've given up fighting it.

 Car with eyelashes at the library.

 My favorite Pringles.

 This is The Silly Cat (full name). I met him walking in the morning a couple weeks ago and then I met him again this week and went to grab my camera to show you and he followed me home. Super friendly!

Went to town on Saturday with the zone for a missionary's birthday. 

Hello Familia!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Love, Lara

Pictures from Sister Stewart

 Mini APPLES TO APPLES!

 Mini UNO! (found at Family Dollar)

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

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

 New shirt. Thank you Mom!

 Best part about Louisiana is the clouds.

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

 That fry was as long as my face!

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

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

Betelehemu

July 22, 2013

'Ollo! (A Lara Greeting)

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

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

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

Monday July 15, 2013

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

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

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

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

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

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

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

Thursday, July 18, 2013

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

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

Friday, July 19, 2013

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

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

Sunday, July 21, 2013

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

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

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

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

Loving everyone so very much!

-Sister Lara Stewart

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

Sweet Corn Summer

July 15, 2013

MY FIRST BAPTISM!

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

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

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

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

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

My favorite parts of the last few days were:

Friday:

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

Saturday:

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

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

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

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

Sunday:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I love y'all,

"Lucky" Sister Stewart

Pictures from Sister Stewart

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

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

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

Richard got baptized!!!

Richard's missionaries.

July 8, 2013

 Hey Mom,

Good news:

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

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

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

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

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

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