Boggie-Tow​n

So there really isn't that much to say today. Last week was transfers so I packed and drove up to Clinton to get on a van to Hattiesburg where I met up with my 2 new companions and traveled "home" to Bogoalusa. But you knew all that.

Our closest missionaries are in Picayune so we traveled 45 minutes to district meeting and back after lunch. It doesn't seem this district is very open yet so this transfer could be interesting. A lot of the week was spent between emotional and physical (yes I am sick right now) illness so not as much work was accomplished as we would have all liked. Still we have plans for an amazing week this week if we have can work through no miles (its the end of the month) and making appointments with our investigators.

It doesn't seem that Bogalusa is a great biking town so I'm not sure how much action Kent is going to see, but I surprisingly really want to use him. It would be nice to not have to worry about our miles by biking more. However, Bogalusa is just not the safest place and my companions are not fond/afraid of biking. Sister Ray has never really biked on her mission being almost a year out and Sister Eyre has made it clear that she would rather not if she can avoid. And then I told them about my brakes and that's their 3rd excuse. Really it's not that bad. Still they have a good point.

To answer questions:

1. No ipads yet but we should have them before the end of the year which could mean after I am released potentially.

2. My companions are great. Sister Eyre is super silly and Sister Ray is really sweet (she made me toast this morning). And we found out that we are all Whovians so it is perfect!

3. Mom I probably will need more clothes. I sent home the shirts i did because they are too hot for what the weather is turning into. I know I will need new biking shorts.

There is a great video on lds.org this week: https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2011-05-40-los-angeles-volunteers?category=welfare&cid=HPMO042114722&lang=eng#2011-05-40-los-angeles-volunteers?category=welfare&cid=HPMO042114722&lang=eng&_suid=1398706598024013445145409980474

This video depicts the church's welfare program. A great system that the Lord has developed to ensure that all his children are taken care of. What have you done to serve another today?

I love you all. I've made it to 13 months. Will you continue to stand by me as I complete this mission for the Lord?

Love,

Sister Lara Stewart

 With twice the amount of luagge, I'm surprised we fit it all into our Chevy Cruze. Tetris skills still working :)

 Grandma Radcliff sent me a scarf for Easter that arrived last Monday so I wore it Wednesday for DDM.

 Jesus Tree.

 This is the source of Bogalusa's legendary smell: the Paper Mill.

 My companions and Jeffery; Sister Eyre to the left and Sister Ray to the right. They were excited when they saw my post-it notes.

 Princess Yarn-ela. I'm going to attempt to untangle this.

Untangling this morning. My companions were concerned when it was all over me and the living room. But I'm almost done. Check up next week for a picture of the completed untanglement!

(*NOTE: CHECK OUT MY SWEET WATCH TAN, EVERYONE IS IMPRESSED, IT LOOKS BETTER IN PERSON.)

Welcome to Bogalusa

Well as expected, I was transferred! I currently am at a computer desk at the Bogalusa, Louisiana library. It's almost the southern edge of our mission, but I'm back in Louisiana! So happy.

We live in a house, a nice brick one--I explored it before we came to the library. It's older, probably 70's, but it's sufficient. We have full car but the closest missionaries are 45 minutes away. That'll be new, I'm not used to being secluded from other sisters or elders.

My companions are Sister Ray and Sister Eyre (air), both from Utah. Each of them is having a birthday next month so Sister Ray will be 21 and Sister Eyre will be 20. Sister Ray has been out for one year, I served near her for a short time in Shreveport. Sister Eyre came out with Sister baker so she's been out 9 months. I know that this is going to be an interesting transfer but it will definitely be good.

It was hard to say good bye to Wesson, I didn't realize I had grown to love those people so much or that they had grown to love me. I was surprised by a couple of the reactions I got. But my excitement to see a new part of the country kept me joyful so they didn't see me cry. The tears didn't really come till this morning as I drove out of the trailer park. But I trust Sister Baker and Sister Rosenauer--and their new sister Sister Gift--will be able to do a good job. I definitely have to go back to visit.

Easter was good. We decorated eggs, ate lots of candy (thanks mom), wore Easter dresses. I wore my new shirt. We were invited over to a member's home for dinner and I got to act out the "bad guy" as we taught about saying no. Just as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego said no to worshiping the king's idols, we will be asked to do things that God has instructed not to do. The activity went over really well and will hopefully help those boys grow even stronger in the gospel.

The agenda of exciting things this week:

1. Finally had alligator. It was good! Tasted like chicken and fell apart like fish. A member fed us, as well as fed us squirrel and venison.

2. My tradition to hide 3 dozen eggs has not stopped, just been slightly altered. After my companions went to bed Saturday night, I stayed up to pack and took a moment to cut out and hid 32 eggs around the trailer. When they woke up, they were shocked to see my note since they were expecting me to hide the 9 eggs we had dyed the night before. I wasn't waking up early for that! Paper ones sufficed and they had fun with all the unique places I hid them.

3. With transfer calls, either President McDonough calls the Friday before to say someone is moving or the Assistants to the President calls to say that no one is moving. We weren't surprised with Friday morning, President McDonough's name popped up on the screen and then he asked to speak to me first. However when he said "You are going to Bogalusa--" we all freaked out. Poor man, I hope we didn't hurt his ears. First I started screaming then Sister Baker started screaming then she ran to the kitchen then Sister Roesnauer started screaming and ran after her and they followed each other around the living room for a while. I started to calm my scream into a laugh and explain to President that that was awesome. Sister Baker had come to Wesson after serving in Bogaulusa for 6 months. I had spent the 12 weeks hearing about it, now it's my turn to experience the "smelly" town of the south. (So far I haven't really noticed a smell. Maybe the paper mill isn't producing as much today.)

4. I got to see Sister Tebbs and Sister Cox and Sister McGrath today. Sister Cox will be leaving for home in 3 months so I'm sad I won't see her off. Sister McGrath is still an STL and has been moved to Monroe, LA. And Sister Tebbs is still in Purvis, I saw her at the Hattiesburg T-point where Sister Ray picked Sister Eyre and I up. The Lord has truly blessed me with such great companions.

It looks like these computers will accept my camera so I will try to send all of those missing pictures. There have been a lot. I love you and pray you are all save and well. I know I am.

Love,

Lucky Lara

  While tracting, someone else had my bike. I was excited to tell them we had twins but they didn't answer.

 That's a mighty big shoe--I mean flower pot.

 We all decided to match today :)

 Look Ma, no hands!

 The neighborhood dogs. I call them Coon and Twiners (one and two).

 Alligator!

 Dying eggs.

 Happy Easter!

 Goodbye Calypso and goodbye driving... we shall meet again.

 Goodbye Benny.

My favorite billboard on our way to Byram.

*Pinch*

*Pinch* Apparently I'm not dreaming. Its Monday!

This Friday is when we get transfer information so don't expect to hear from me again till next Tuesday.

Its been an awesome week. Tough, but that's how missionary work goes. If it was easy all these new missionaries wouldn't be needed. I like to think of Jacob 5 when it was time the Master told the servant to call more laborers for his vineyard. I like to think of these laborers as missionaries. The Lord is hastening his work.

This week we had a break through of finally seeing (if not teaching) some less active members; one I had never even met! Like I said, we didn't get to teach them, but the fact that we made contact and agreed that we could come back was a big step. Last Night was really big. A fairly recent convert had started going less active and we feared in active because of some recent drama. We had attempted to text her and make contact at her home but had no results. I was beginning to lose hope when her mother let us in last night and this sister talked to us for a good half hour explaining that it was the drama with a certain member that kept her back. We assured her that she didn't have to sit near that person and that everyone had been asking about her. Hopefully she'll be back soon. And then this morning her mother called out to us from the bank drive through as we walked past. I think there's hope, we can't give up on Wesson yet.

We had exchanges at the beginning of the week. We drove to Jackson to drop off Sister Baker to Sister McGrath and Sister Rosenauer and we took Sister Devenport home with us. That was a crazy night of driving and the next day was crazy because of the weather. But overall the day was good and the exchange went well. I wish I could have gone with Sister McGrath but we're both the drivers so we had to stay in our own areas. Plus it was good for Sister Baker, she's spent the last 9 months in small towns. She needed a little taste of the bigger world. Then we switched back the next night with Sister McGrath and Sister Baker driving back to Wesson.

Yesterday was a baptism of a little member girl. She had to be baptized 3 times, not because she didn't make it under but because her father (a convert of 10 years) kept mixing up the words. We all cheered a little bit when he got it right on the 3rd try. It was so neat to see this little girl's baptism. I've grown really close to her and her family and when I told her congratulations she latched on and gave me a hug. It reminded me a lot of my own baptism. That was a good day, I don't remember much from it but I know that for certain.

Other events of the week:

1. Sister Rosenauer almost burned the trailer down when she threw pasta into a skillet that spilled and started a fire.

2. I was having a hard time Thursday and thought it would be a good idea to get a priesthood blessing but had to postpone it since we don't have many priesthood holders within a good driving distance. Then suddenly the elders showed up on our front porch.

3. Elder Bytheway celebrated his 21 birthday. I made blue cupcakes to share with the district.

4. Our investigator, Shaun, had her baby. Sister Baker said she was amazed because she had never seen a black baby before. Shaun said in the hospital she froze while on a walk because she saw a white baby. I never thought race made that much a of a difference.

5. I'm. Getting. Tan. Summer isn't here yet but I have a farmer's tan like I haven't had since last July.

6. I finally found an LSU shirt that both fits and was affordable.

7. I ate alligator sausage. Foxx's Pizza has a Swamp style pizza. It wasn't my favorite pizza.

8. We drove through downtown Jackson on our way to the STL's apartment. I got to see the old capital building.

9. So remember how I don't have any breaks on my bike? I have discovered that dogs are my worst enemy because of this. Last week a brown lab ran across the road just as I was approaching and so I was forced to swerve and dash through a big mud puddle. Needless to say I had to switch skirts. I'm glad we were heading home to get the car anyways.

10. I got special planners made for Sister Rosenauer and Baker. Baker has a Doctor Who theme and Rosenauer has flowers I have dried all over it. I think I did pretty good.

So in my readings lately I've been reading in 3 Nephi. In Chapter 15 it stood out to me in verse one as Jesus said that "whoso remembereth these sayings of mine and doeth them, him will I raise up at the last day." In Relief Society yesterday our lesson was on Faith and Repentance. Part of the objections that Sister Boone used was give each of us a small container of heavy whipping cream. She told us that it would turn into butter if he vigorously shook the container. It was an exercise of our faith to believe and do. And it did turn into butter! The object lesson of repentance was some dyed water that she poured bleach into. The reaction didn't happen right at first though. It took time for the bleach to work but eventually the water returned to clear. The same happens with faith and repentance. It does not come all at once, it takes work, time, and effort. James said "Faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone... shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew you my faith by my works." (James 2:17-18). So what have you done to show your faith? (*NOTE: And don't just say church. God has given you the ability to do more than just go to church.)

I love y'all. I'll be a teenager next week! 13 months, baby!

-Sister "Stewy" Stewart

We had to drive through Jackson, MS to pick up the STL Sister Devenport for exchanges. This is the old Capital building. So cool.

 Swamp pizza at Foxx's. That's alligator sausage on there!

Our Branch Mission Leader has a sweet ride.

 I finally found a good LSU shirt! Good timing too because I need a new night shirt.

 A dog ran out in front of my bike so I had to swerve into a mud puddle. Bugger.

We're used to having dogs follow us, but today the cows followed us along the fence. 

Surviving the Physical Whirlwinds With the Scriptures

The only way to start this letter is to say that I feel I am more qualified to say that I have survived a tornado. All of yesterday was stormy and when we went home to our tin box it just got worse. Finally a member told us there was a tornado watch for Copiah county which then turned into a tornado warning which then signaled the tornado siren to go off at about 11:45pm. She drove and picked us up and took us to her house to spend the night. Sister Baker was freaking out. I was calm until the sirens went off but according to Sister Baker she couldn't tell that my insides were in a knot. Sister Rosenauer said they test the tornado sirens every Tuesday back home in Iowa. As soon as Emily (member) cleared her kids onto the couch so we could use their beds, Sister Rosenauer rolled up and promptly fell asleep. It was tougher for Sister Baker and I to sleep. Eventually I got up and grabbed my scriptures and a flashlight and read John 14. Verse 27 always gives me peace and last night verse 18 did, too. "I will not leave you comfortless, I will come unto you." By about 12:30am or so I finally made it back to sleep and slept till the morning to find the power out and everyone safe and sound. When Emily dropped us back home, the power was back on and it appeared as though nothing had happened.

I absolutely loved conference. Some things I noticed: a lot about family history, standing up for your faith, use the full name of the church: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, missionaries resist resistance, spiritual whirlwinds are worse than physical whirlwinds, have gratitude in your heart, love others with charity. I forgot my study journal with all my notes or I would tell you more and the speakers. I'll try to next week. We stayed most of both days at the church watching with the elders. Sunday morning was a lot of fun though because a couple families in the branch have a brunch tradition before the Sunday Morning session. Such good food! Other than that session it was pretty empty.

Between sessions on Saturday we visited a member who recently had surgery. And afterward traveled to Crystal Springs and finally got to see where our Branch President lives (his wife is gone during the week so we couldn't have gone in before). It was so good to visit with her, Sister Miller always makes me smile. She and her husband have only been members for 2 years and yet are such strong members, they both inspire me.

This has been a crazy week. With some parts that I always want to remember and some parts that I would love to forget. That's mission life. Luckily I haven't experienced yet what it feels like to be pelted with mashed potatoes like that one sister missionary Elder Holland described, but I do understand "resisting resistance." During a bad tracting experiencing on Friday, I almost fell but jumped on asking my companions to help distract me. Unfortunately Sister Baker had to use talk about "Doctor Who" (one of our favorite shows) to distract me but it worked. Later on when we faced scary dogs, we prayed for protection and our prayer was answered, we didn't see the dogs again--though we heard them--as we walked away and back to our bikes. The hand of the Lord has definitely been in the work this week.

Just one more General Conference before I get home. Haha, This next six months will be great. Mom, I'm going to need another Ensign. :)

Love you all so much! Happy Easter in 2 weeks. Transfers will be the Tuesday afterward.

Survivor Sister Stewart

 Smile :)

  I love looking at old gravestones. We explored this cemetery in Crystal Springs.

 Tracting with dogs again. I fell behind taking pictures of a run-down house hidden in the trees.

 Stuck behind the train while walking back to our car.

 Dancing to "Break Every Chain" with some investigators who taught us the first time we met them. Sister Rosenauer was really good.

Ready to tract. We parked our bikes on a bridge because I couldn't find any other place our locks would fit. 

Elder Burt (I served with him in Shreveport) was in the Orem Institute choir Saturday afternoon session. 

When we woke up this morning, this was the most damage we saw. The basketball hoop just narrowly missed Brother Martin's truck. 

That moment when you can't think of a good title.

Well, what can I say about this week? With the end of the month its been tough on miles so even though its been cold and rather windy we've been pushing through with our bikes and walking around. I remember being weary about how much gas I used back home but miles cause my head to spin a lot. But even though I'm still not a good biker and often find myself up to a quarter mile behind my companions, I'm still pushing forward. Just sometimes I have to get off and walk on the uphills.

This last District Meeting, me and my companions taught. We took some time on Tuesday night to read over the passages in Preach My Gospel that explained our topic and then decided where we wanted our class to end up at the end of our teaching. We decided activities we could do and movies to watch. Finally we decided on each one we wanted to use and the order. The next day we presented our lesson. It was interesting but overall I think we did well. It's not easy teaching like that with 3 people. Teaching investigators is easier.

My allergies have been getting a hold of me this past week. Usually its worse from 7:30pm till the next morning. Twice we've been talking to people and I've had to just turn my head away and have my companions finish our conversation so I could get out and cough because I would have a big dry spot that I can't get rid of with a few simple coughs into my hand. When we were tracting, I waited till we were behind the next patch of trees before allowing myself to lean over and hack and drink sips of water till it was gone. Attractive right? Last night I was coughing and had our investigator tease Sister Baker that she got me sick. Though I love the flowers and blooming trees, I could really do without the sinus and coughs.

We were lucky to do some service this week. We have an investigator moving to Louisiana (outside the mission *sad* ) and so we helped her plant some flowers in her front yard. I'm really going to miss her but she'll be living close to the Baton Rouge temple so she may be able to go there and feel the spirit. I was also able to help Sister Diamond brush her dog. Floyd (the dog) is a little chihuahua, but I was able to make a second puppy from all the hair I pulled off him and he was still shedding after that!

Mom I loved the package you sent. The shirts are great. As you can see by my pictures, I've already taken the liberty of wearing a few of them. I especially love the gray and orange v-neck. Where did you get it? Did they have more? The Ensigns and New Eras have been much appreciated by my companions and I. And was that scrap paper or lessons I should read through? Either way I've been glimpsing at one side before drawing on the back. I've been working on planners and it helps to sketch out ideas on scratch paper before pulling out the scissors and glue. Yes, please keep the old encyclopedias. Just put them in my room if you want them off that self. I love those books and am not ready to get rid of them yet. When I get home I'll go through and determine whether I really need them.

The women's broadcast on Saturday was amazing. The Spirit was so strong Sister Baker was crying the entire time. I hope you felt the spirit too. If you didn't have the chance to watch it, I highly suggest taking an hour and reviewing the messages taught.

General Conference is a great opportunity to hear from the prophet and receive revelation from the Lord. Just as Jeremiah told the children of Israel: "I have heard you; behold, I will pray unto the Lord your according to your words; and it shall come to pass, that whatsoever thing the Lord shall answer you, I will declare it unto you; I will keep nothing back from you" (Jeremiah 42:4). The revelation given to the prophet is meant for the people as a whole and the Lord will reveal to him our answers. May we all listen intently for our own answers of the heart.

I've completed a year! See you soon!

Love you all,

Sister Lara Stewart

PS. An investigator showed us the best Triscuits ever! Sweet Potato and Sea Salt made with brown rice. Yummy!

 Sister Baker and Sister Rosenauer sang "Color of the Wind" as we tracted. Sister Baker got animated.

 My little Pianists.

 One of my favorite houses. It's always decked out for the season/holiday. Right now it's pastel pinks and greens for Easter.

 Ready to tract (with Kent in the background).

Sister Tarbutton's goats had more babies. Twins in fact. This girl is so small she almost didn't make it. 

Of Colds, Of Cars, and Of the Lord

So guess what. I forgot my journal again. Reviewing the details from my planner and camera again. Luckily I have a photographic memory to help me out.

Granted there isn't too much to say, Sister Baker's "just not feeling good" turned out to be strep in relation to her spring allergies so we spent Friday in the house and didn't get to work as much as we planned on Thursday. Plus on Wednesday was interviews so again, not much. However, we still surprisingly got some good work done.

Monday night we stopped by an investigators home. Her family is less active and to our shock pretty much everyone was there! So we decided to read with everyone and turn it into a member present lesson, reading from Alma 8 and showing the diligent faith of Alma as he returned to Ammonihah after being "reviled...and spit upon...and cast out of their city" (Alma 8:13). We showed how Alma's labor in the spirit in verse 10 was not wasted as an angel visited him and told him "Blessed art thou" (verse 15, one of my favorites). And so he was blessed that as he returned to the city by another way and met Amulek who had been prepared to help Alma in his missionary efforts. They probably thought we were crazy for reading such a missionary chapter but again to our shock they all came to church on Sunday! I was so happy to see them there. I don't know what made them decide to come, but it was definitely a miracle. And Calvin, one of the son-in-laws, was able to help bless the sacrament because we were short on priesthood holders. That is such a joyous thing to see, I truly love men who worthily hold and use the priesthood, the very power of God.

Tuesday was spent driving. Like I told you before, we had to get a new car because our Chevy Cruze was dinged up pretty good, but after having our Toyota Corolla less than a week, Elder Edwards (our car guy) realized that it needed to go to Shreveport for some repairs to be done to the bumper. So we met him in Clinton and exchanged for our brand new 2014 Ford Fusion. ...I LOVE this car. Seriously. It is so nice, and I really want one when I get home. I know I can't afford a 2014 and I'm not sure I would like an older model but if I ever get the chance, ooo, love it. The ride is smooth, the steering is good, I like the length, it's roomy (a whole ton more than our Cruze) and I absolutely adore the look. Plus it has bluetooth. I'm starting to really like bluetooth. Since I'm driving I can't talk on the phone but my companions don't like talking on the phone. So they make the call and I just talk to the car and the people respond back and I never have to be distracted from the road. Oh, so nice....

Now this email is not supposed to be a sales pitch so I'll move on. Since we were in Clinton our Zone Leaders met us for lunch and at the restaurant we met 2 sweet old ladies and were able to sing happy birthday to one. It's always nice to go out with other missionaries but the work must go forth and so we rushed back home and went tracting and met with several potential investigators. One investigator didn't have her husband home but said she would relate our message to him and that he was really sad he had to be gone. We read Alma 40 with her and talked again about the Plan of Salvation and the resurrection of men through Christ, she really liked that and loved sitting down just us girls. However, she spoils us with Girl Scout cookies. Yum.

Monday morning was hard for me, but we pushed through and made it to our interviews in the afternoon. I was so excited to talk to President McDonough, much different than from when I first came out. I got to see my district and I'm excited, these people the Lord keeps putting me around are so awesome! Elder Clyde is a character and Elder Byerly is simple but because he's been out so short of time he's still fresh and if you look at him you can see the fire burning in him. The rest of us are just keeping up in our "old age", haha (because they are the 2 that are under 6 months). Luckily we made it out by 7:30pm and were able to go to our appointment in Crystal Springs and even though we were early went straight up to her door. Good thing too because she was heading out to work and only had about 10 minutes to talk. If we had been on time we would have missed her.

Thursday, like I said, didn't have much work to it. After listening to Sister Baker go hoarse on Wednesday, Sister McDonough suggested she stay in till we figured out what was wrong. A member helped us set up an appointment in the afternoon so she stayed with that member in the morning while Sister Rosenauer and I went out tracting. At the doctor's appointment (in Brookhaven), Sister Baker was tested positive for strep so we got Krystal Burger while waiting for her medicine and spent the rest of the day inside. Sister Rosenauer was able to go out for 2 hours with Kristin McLemore and thankfully they met with Sister Tarbutton and her son so the day wasn't completely wasted.

Friday was a day though. Besides an emergency run to Dollar General for toilet Paper and wasp spray (and fried ice cream), we stayed inside. We watched church-logo movies (like I don't already have them memorized) and I worked on planners (I have all my elder planners done for this transfer now). I think Sister Rosenauer was going to go crazy though and was having fits but she maintained herself and was off like a bullet the next morning when we went back out.

Unfortunately I think I either picked up what Baker had or have finally taken to the pollen in the air and suffered yesterday through a stuffy and runny nose, and a strange voice and woke up this morning to a rather sore throat. It's gone mostly away now but a small cough has stuck with me. Mom, don't worry, I take a multi-vitamin and drink/eat vitamin C whenever possible. I'm fine.

I hope you all know that I have a testimony that this is the true church. I face opposition each day that it is not, and every day I tell myself, "why not?" A lot of people have told me they think that there are so many churches because people are different and so we each have to have a different way. But Ephesians 4:5 says that there is "One Lord, one Faith" to me this means there is one way. And it is a way that ALL men can travel. I love the Plan of Salvation because it's also the Plan of Happiness. God's plan for each one of us to be happy for all eternity. Through choosing to follow Jesus Christ, study who he is, and exemplify his characteristics we can feel that happiness and be free (2 Nephi 2:27). I know he is my Savior from sorrow, guilt, and inequity. I can never repay him, but I can show my gratitude and desire to do all I can. I sister yesterday said in her talk "I can't, God can, I think I'll let Him." Let him help you and find joy in his touch.

I love you all. This Wednesday is my one year mark. Can you believe it? Just a little longer and I'll be able to give you all hugs and kisses and my Southern recipes!

Love, Sister Lara "Stewy" Stewart

We followed "GODSWAY" in Clinton for a while. 

 Sister Rosenauer picked a pretty bouquet as we tracted. Spring is here!

 Tried Krystal Burger, its small but mighty.

 Fried ice cream, sitting outside next door. Sick people can still eat ice cream, ha!

 The Town of Wesson.

 Tracting the country always makes for pretty views and cows (not pictured).

 Friday I rode down a hill and couldn't make my turn. So it was either run into a bush or chance running into the creek (a 6 foot drop) on the other side. I chose the bush. I'm just fine and the bush is healing nicely.

 ...

Fried Mushrooms! At 51 Diner.

Happy "Wear-Gree​n" Day!

Well, Hi there!

Let me sing you the song of my people...

Do-doee-doooo!

Haha!!!

Just kidding, if my family has a song at all, it probably sounds like a bunch of kids screaming, power tools, and Karl's high base speakers. But the merry sound of laughter would ring out over all the background racket and make you smile and laugh yourself.

The past week has been a mix of emotions but for the most part very happy. Of course Tuesday was super sad. I don't think I was completely ready for Sister Tebbs to leave but she made it off safe and sent an email when she arrived that she was already liking the Hattiesburg zone, but needed to adjust to being around so many people. Sister Rosenauer arrived safely from Bossier and she and I have connected on some of the people from that area (I still miss Brownlee so much, it will always be my mission home). She's from Iowa, but I'm so used to my companions being from Utah I keep forgetting, I think she forgives me... sometimes.

Wednesday was interesting with our new district. The Hazlehurst got a new elder Elder Clyde, he seems like a character from what little he said. Red Star sisters stayed the same but said they have been getting more work in their area which is really good. The Brookhaven elders got a newbie, Elder Byerly, he seems like an interesting kid himself, can't wait to get to know him more. And Elder Whitney (in Brookhaven) is the new district leader. I was worried that if he ever got to that position it would make his head big but he's been handling it really well and has really impressed me the past week. I'm excited for this Wednesday when I'll be able to be combined with my district again. You'd be amazed how much you get to become best friends with those you serve around.

We spent Wednesday afternoon working in Crystal Springs and you really sense the spring. It wasn't just because we were all sneezing from the pollen but there was a fresh start feeling. It felt really good. And it must have rubbed off on our work because the work was great on Wednesday. We had 2 lessons while tracting (it's been months since we did that). Our Branch President met us at a referral's home he had given us the week previous, she wasn't home but I think that made him happy to see us working in Crystal Springs. A lot of our planned appointments fell through but we stayed busy and had fun doing it. The weather was beautiful and, best of all, we made it on time to our Branch Coordination meeting with our Branch mission leader! It's been a long time since we've done that too. We ended the night right with a simple fish dinner, yum.

I didn't think we could have another work day as nice as that one but the Lord proved me wrong and Thursday became its own miracle. We biked in the morning to the library to spend time on Mormon.org. I found some really cool people but forgot to write down their names. Still, I encourage everyone to go on and check it out. I'ts a great opportunity to learn how others have grown their faith and see a little bit of the world and the cultures in it. After lunch we loaded up the bikes and headed for our country area which we call "Stronghope" for the big baptist church there. We met with a very less active whom I love and talked with her for a time till her son woke up and gave us fudgsicles. Haha, I miss those. She said she'd try to make it to church this week, we're super excited that she will. While tracting we received another lesson, it was awesome! We met with another less active and Sister Baker began to scare me with her boldness. She asked why she hasn't been coming to church, which was fine until she started saying that she would finish the puzzle she gave us several weeks before if she would come to church. This doesn't seem like a problem except Sister Baker isn't good at puzzles, so I have to do it, ha! Luckily Sister Rosenauer is good and has been helping me. For dinner, Sister Baker made Navajo tacos. Unfortunately she got a little distracted and accidentally dropped one in the oil and the oil splashed up and burned a good portion of her hand. Her mom's emergency kit came through and the burn cream healed it by the next morning.

Friday started with a normal weekly planning session including snacks! We had goat cheese from Sister Tarbutton on Sunday so I had that with humus and veggies. We visited the Diamonds and read 1 Nephi 4 with them, old companions have taught me how this chapter shows just how much of a "guy" Nephi is. A whole verse is devoted to how nice Laban's sword is! Then the relief society president, Heidi Green, picked us up and we talked about visiting teaching and how we could get more missionary work into our sisters while her son had his baseball practice. It was a great thing we did because we found out the coach for her son was one of our investigators. Instant fellowshipper! Amazing! We had dinner with her and another member and their kids at Los Lobos (Wesson needs more restaurants). We ended the night with a great lesson with one of our other investigators. She let us try some crawfish (mission bucket list: check) and then told us she got the house she wanted near Baton Rogue and they'll be moving at the end of the month. We're going to keep teaching her and hopefully her next missionaries will be able to carry her the rest of the way. We know she is ready for this, she just needs the answer for herself.

Saturday was spent biking, tracting, and being outside. I found out a little bit more why Jehovah Witness's don't celebrate birthdays and holidays, which made me sad. A birth is a miracle from God, so I'm going to keep celebrating, but I can respect more the way they see it. It was an adventure trying to get to some houses. There were some big puddles that we had to slowly crabwalk past on what little un-bushed, dry ground edged them. I have pictures and videos to show but my camera really doesn't like these computers and the card reader I bought doesn't work either. I just don't understand what's up. If I ever get on a different kind of computer I'll send them then.

Sunday we had Branch Conference, it was good but long. When we arrived I was super surprised when the less active's boy who had given us the fudgsicles walked up and hugged me. She brought her husband and one of her daughters. We were so happy. I think they may have been a little confused as we sustained all our leaders but that was one of the quietest Sacraments I've seen in this Branch so hopefully they were still able to feel the spirit. They had to leave early so I was unable to see how they felt about it. After church we tracted and ended up tracting into a less active. That was pretty neat, we have an appointment to see her again on Thursday, wish us luck! The rest of the day was a small struggle to see people. We even had a member come out with us, but no one was home everywhere we went so we eventually thanked her for her time and said we'd have better luck next time. Luckily I think she was more okay with it then we were. We saw Sister Tarbutton (love her!), but afterwards headed home early because Sister Baker just was not feeling good.

It was the first time I've had my studies on Sunday in nearly 6 months! It was a great study though. I've been reading in 3 Nephi lately and in 3 Nephi 4:4 it talks about food storage!! I was so happy. Granted I don't plan on storing 7 years worth and I certainly hope it won't be because I am barracked in my home, but it's still a necessity.

I made meat loaf for dinner but added too much egg and forgot the dried onion so it wasn't the same. O well. My glaze turned out at least.

I feel really tired lately. Maybe its a sign of how old I'm getting, one year next week. Or it's how much excitement I've been trying to have in the work. Or maybe its because the work has been going so well. Not sure but I have a lot on my "to do list". Wish me luck!

I love you all. Keep the faith and remember that if you want to do "good works" have faith, hope, and charity (Alma 7:24, my new favorite scripture).

Your Sister Missionary in Mississippi,

Sister Stewart

Sister Roesnauer :) 

 I love finding cats in strange places.

 Sister Baker made Navajo tacos...

 ...and burned her hand.

 Ate crawfish finally, an investigator was celebrating the new house they just bought.

Tracting across the great deep!