SORE AND HAPPY :)

So I've been a genius this week (full sarcasm). We've had to do a lot of walking since it's been the end of the month and we're short on miles. We save where we can but our area is huge, we're 30 miles from the church (one way), and there is just no way to cover it all! In addition to that it's been hot. Currently is the driest I have been since the rain stopped last weekend. I miss it. Then add to that my heavy scripture bag with my quad and full water bottle and you can understand why my collar bone is killing me. A mission is tiring work and if you aren't smart your body will break down. I've been doing whatever I can: eating more veggies and meats and less bread, drinking often and a lot, stretching every morning and not saying no to a walk between investigators, wearing sunscreen, and relinquishing my need to carry everything--but I am still sore.

I just remind myself, "Soon you will have accomplished the mission and won't have to walk 3 miles to share the gospel, but can do it in other ways." And that is my goal for being a RM (returned missionary). Just because my mission ends does not mean my testimony is gone or that I can't share the gospel. I know this church is true and Christ died for me and just as he told his disciples, I have a calling to "feed [his] sheep." Sister Cottrell and I have this conversation often since she goes home next month and I'm following right after her. But none of it holds us back. Instead We are pushing forward!

This week has been amazing for the work. We tracted and found 6 new investigators through baring simple testimony, using the pictures in the pamphlets we hand out, and inviting people to let Christ a little more into their lives. Yesterday, through the genius of Sister Cottrell, we had a recent convert come with us to a potential investigator lesson. The spirit was felt and you could see the message of the Restoration strength in every person in that room. And that's what the gospel does. It strengthens you and bids you to come follow Christ. Therein lies happiness.

Other things that have happened:

1. I sang "Daughter of Deity" in sacrament meeting yesterday. I was accompanied by Sister Curran, the ward music specialist. I bore a short testimony before and explained that it was a song very precious to me because it was from my home. I was nervous but many people were impressed and told me so, which helped me to learn more of the faces of the ward and remind them that there are missionaries outside of Bossier City.

2. Miranda Sparish came up to me and asked where I live in Arizona. And then surprised me by saying she trained Sister Alysha Leavitt in Salt Lake City South mission before Alysha got her visa for Argentina. I was shocked by the connection....

3. ...Overhearing that I was from Mesa, AZ several other members came up and told me they had graduated from Mountain View and Mesa High. Brother Miller said he graduated from Mountain View in 2007 just 2 years before me. How close we were. It's funny what people God puts in our paths.

4. I got to eat lots of watermelon this week. I am definitely getting my fill before the end of the summer.

5. After some hot tracting, we stopped by Dairy Queen to use the rest room and cool off in their a/c. As a thank you to my companions, I offered to buy them small shakes and when I got the receipt, I was shocked. We had made happy hour by all of 59 seconds. Thank you to that cashier that saved me $6!

I pray each of you is doing well and is happy and healthy. Kids are you ready for school? Moms are you ready for all the August birthdays? Whoo-hooo AUGUST!!!

LOVE Y'ALL.

SISTER LARA STEWART

 Saw this ride on our way in Walmart last week. I love the Hello Kitty on the hood.

 The Goletz'. He taught us how to cut watermelon in a way to easily get out seeds.

 These are called running ducks. See the long legs? The Curran's keep these strange creatures with a variety of chickens and roosters.

 Sometimes we tract through jungle...

...Sometimes to well kept homes. 

 And sometimes we have brain freezes.

 I love Louisiana skies.

 Thanks Dad for the straw!

 We had to borrow a rake from the Merrits to rake the leave in our yard. Who gave them a weapon?

 My happy dinner. Omelet and quinoa. Early on in my mission, Mom sent me an article that said both of these foods help happiness levels.

The tan lines. 

The Sun is Shinning in Minden, LA

WOW WHAT A WEEK!!! IT HAS BEEN INCREDIBLE!!!

First off my companions--SO COOL! Sister Boehula is from Vanuatu (off the coast of Australia and Fiji. She's really quiet but giggles often and says profound things in lessons. English is her 2nd language so she sometimes doesn't understand what I say (I like using big words) so Sister Cottrell sometimes has to interpret. Sister Cottrell is so nice, I don't think it's possible to not smile around her. Everyone loves her, plus she out going so it helps to get people talking. We stood on the porch of one man who opened the door and said he was atheist (1st shock being in the South) for an hour, just talking about his family, work, and the good morals he lives his life around. It was so neat.

The fun events of the week:

1. Tracted in the rain. My shoes got soaked, but I was so happy! We met a Pentecostal woman who tried to bash us and say we didn't believe in baptism. I laughed and cried with her saying "Oh no, you've been talking to the wrong missionaries," and began praising Jesus Christ and explaining how we follow him very similarly to how she does, through prayer and the prompting of this Holy Spirit. By the end of the 10 minute conversation we were all happy laughing and we left with good will in each other's hearts and I even got a pat on the back from the woman. I liked her.

2. Because of our tracting, Sister Boehula's canvas shoes were holding in water rather than resisting it. As we entered the home of our evening appointment, she left them on the porch outside and when we left they were gone. The dog's guilty expression was priceless. Brother Rhodes tried to look around the trailer for them but they were gone. Sister Boehula had to walk through Walmart with just her socks on (which luckily she had left in the car). And as soon has the receipt was printed she slipped them on her feet.

3. I've been eating a lot of squash, cucumbers, and zucchini. When I arrived there was a bowl of them on the counter beginning to go bad. Sister Boehula isn't too fond of much of the American food she's surrounded by so she doesn't eat them and Sister Cottrell says it's too much work. Krystal from Bogalusa taught me how to make super yummy summer squash so I've made that, a mixture of everything, and last night eggplant chips. Not bad. I really want some kale chips now. Yummy.

4. I got to see several friends from my transfers in Brownlee and I was so happy and they were shocked to see me. Judy jabbed Dennis, her husband, when he sat down in sacrament and said "Did you see Sister Stewart?" and he was like "What?" he looked forward and pointed at me shocked. When we talked after, Judy insisted we meet up at Sweet Frog and Dennis was still flabbergasted. I've missed this place so much!

So my health is good because a few restless nights. My box spring was broken on one side so it is noisy. It kept waking me up every time I moved. Finally I just turned it around so the noisy part was at my feet and I've been sleeping great since. Wish us luck this week that we'll be able to reset all our investigators with baptismal dates. We have 5 and we are working hard to keep them progressing.

This week I've been in Mosiah with my Book of Mormon readings. And what it says in Mosiah 3:11 about the Atonement of Christ and how it is for all really stood out to me. The scripture says: "For behold, and also his blood atoneth for the sins of those who have fallen by the transgression of Adam, who have died not knowing the will of God concerning them, or who have ignorantly sinned." No matter who you are, where you are born, or if you ever learned the truth of the gospel of Christ, His Atonement is for you and you will be blessed. I love the mercy of a loving Heavenly Father!

It's been a wet week but the sun is shinning now, so put on some sunglasses and let's get going!

Love you all!

Keep happy, healthy and well.

Love, Sister "Aunt Lara" Stewart

 While tracting a nice lady gave us cups of water. It was a little awkward walking back to our car with them but we were certainly grateful!

 Tracting near our house, Sister Boehula suddenly said "Fish." Sister Cottrell and I were confused until we looked down and saw that the gutter for several feet was covered with these guys. Don't know why, but... interesting.

Blurry picture but you can see all the colors in my bowl. Yummy, and lots of fiber with the kidney beans. Also I love these earring, metal roses. Unfortunately I can't sleep on them so I have to switch them out at night.  

 Sister Boehula's new Shoes.

 Only in the South.

 The Bossier District. (We were instructed to wear blue by the Bossier Sisters).

 Always practicing. This was the 2nd sketch, the first one was better.

We live by a big pond with lots of ducks and geese. They like to lay in the road so you really have to watch where you're going. 

Meet the Minden Abode (it doesn't have a name yet). I forgot a pic of the house so I googled it.

 The Laundry and Study rooms were added on.

 I'm the only one who studies in here but there's lots of furniture.

 My desk.

 Sister Crottell's and my bedroom leads to the study room.

 This is Sister Boehula's bedroom, but I have a closet in here and half the dresser.

 My closet.

Say hi. Sister Cottrell is studying away. 

 To the right is the living room.

 Walk in from the carport to the Kitchen.

it  I think was supposed to be a mud room or play room or whatever, we use it for our laundry and bike storage.

Our little hallway connects the kitchen to the living room to the bathroom to the 2 bed rooms. 

Little Minden

On to my 5th area (that's a lot for a sister missionary). Hello Minden! It's east of Shreveport and in the Bossier Ward. I'm so close to home!

New Address:

1208 Bonnie Lane

Minden, LA 71055

I'm so glad to be here. I'm in the Bossier Ward which shares a building with the Brownlee Ward, my first area. I know several members in this ward already so I think this will be very good. The only thing, however, is that Minden is a 40 minute drive from Bossier--so close yet so far. Pretty much this means that I'll continue to be stranded in Minden except Sundays for church and Wednesdays for District Meeting. After living in Bogalusa where we were stranded except Wednesdays and medical emergencies, it's still a blessing.

The trip from Bogalusa to Minden was so long. I woke up at 5:30 to get ready. We left at 6:30am and arrived in Hattiesburg at 7:45am. The transfer van from Gulfport didn't arrive till almost 9:00am. Then we drove all the way to Clinton, everyone chatting excitedly (it's more fun the further into your mission you go because you know more people). At T-Point I got to see and say good bye to a lot of people. Sister Cox, "my mom" or trainer, is going home. I'm so sad to see her leave but I know I'll be able to handle it and continue to push on, it's almost my turn after all. Then it was a rush to be back on the vans and headed to Monroe where I got to see Sister Baker, she was moved to Bastrop, LA last transfer and I missed her so much. Then Ruston, LA. And finally reached the Shreveport Transfer point at 4:00pm. If only you could have seen me as we began driving through Haughton and then Bossier. I was freaking out, telling everyone in the van (who were all new to the area) about the wards and areas and exciting things to see. I love this place so much I'm so glad to be here again.

It's funny. Its been my dream to serve in Shreveport again. I never told that to President McDonough though, it's just an example about how the Lord knows the righteous desires of our hearts.

I still have 2 companions, this makes #14 and #15 companions wise (and I still have the chance for a # 16 next transfer (again, crazy for a sister missionary)). Their names are Sister Cottrell and Sister Boehula (boy-hula). Sister Cottrell is from Utah and Sister Boehula is from the Fiji area (I can't remember the name of her island). Sister Cottrell will be going home in August and Sister Boehula is still new, she's only been out 3 transfers. I am loving it with them. They are both fun, happy, and spiritual. This is going to be an amazing transfer.

My last week in Bogalusa was good. It would appear that in just my short time I did have quite the effect on people because I received threats of kidnap about 20 times. Pam and Krystal made me a cake. A little girl gave me her painted rock. Sister Slade made me a goodie bag. And I got lots of hugs. There are so many people I'm going to miss from this little branch. I fell in love with it so much. I definitely plan to go back one day.

Well, wish me luck and remember to "yield" to the "enticings of the Holy Spirit" and become a Latter Day "saint through the atonement of Christ" (Mosiah 3:19, my study for today).

Love you all!!!

-Sister Lara Stewart

 Happy Fourth of July!

 Lara sent me a new scarf and some creature gummies, ALLIGATOR!

 Goodbye to the Slades.

 Giant Oreo cookie Ice cream sandwich from Hardee's (or Carl's Jr). Yum!

 I will be missed :)

 Goodbye Papa (aka Bro Corkren).

 Sister Cox is leaving. My last hug.

 Hello again to the Mississippi River.

Sister Cottrell to the left and Sister Boehula to the right. Say hello!

I win!!

Well, This has been a very exciting and patriotic week!

For the 4th of July we dressed in our best white, red, and blue and had lunch party at a members. Their less active son and his wife were there and so it was a neat opportunity to answer a couple questions about the church but they weren't that interested in learning more yet. But their son was a farmer, my first Southern farmer I've met! Sister Ray had some heat exhaustion from sitting outside so we let her cool off at home and made her drink Powerade. The fun times on the mission! Then our Branch was having a 4th of July Party. We were supposed to be having several investigators coming so we dressed in pants so we could incorporate and participate in the activities. Unfortunately none of our investigators came but it was a fun time with all the members that did come. The turn out wasn't as high as we wanted but it was good. Everyone left in a rush to go see the fireworks being shot off at the high school stadium. We finished cleaning up and had a few moments before we had to be inside, so we drove past and watched them for a bit ourselves. Sister Eyre was so excited, that's what made them fun.

As for the rest of the week. We had several splits which were a lot of fun if not a little embarrassing. We have one investigator that is usually always home but each time we try to take a member with us she never is! Then one of the members had us sit at Sonic and eat lunch. She turned off the car and rolled down the windows. It wasn't too terribly hot and we were sitting in the shade, but the humidity got to me and I began sweating bullets within minutes and she was so sorry, immediately rolled up the windows and turned back on the ac. I was fine but the next day she mentioned it to my companions and some other members. I just hope its points in my bucket with that member for not complaining through the heat. (I just carry a handkerchief around with me).

My accomplishment for the week was beating Brother Corkren to the stand for Testimony meeting. Every month he sits on the stand (he usually passes the sacrament) and mentions how he has an unbeaten streak for being the first to bare his testimony every month. Well, Sister Ray made it a goal last month that he would be beaten. She was having chest pains and Sister Eyre wasn't feeling the best either so it was up to me. It helped out that the chorister was at home sick and so I was given my in. As the sacrament was finishing up, I put down my scriptures and sat a little forward, acting cool so he wouldn't notice. Brother Corkren moved his seat closer to the podium and smiled at me, I felt a little bad smiling back, knowing what I was about to do. The 2nd counselor announced we would now open it to the congregation to bare testimony, Brother Corkren moved forward but I jumped up and was in front of him before he realized what I was doing. As I stood there at the mic, I could hear his low mumblings as he realized what I had been scheming. The branch laughed and it was a great moment of success.

I've got to go, they need my computer. But Expect more fun adventures next week. Ha!

Love you all!

Your favorite Sister Missionary

The Allegory of the Olive Tree

Well this week was indeed very exciting.

First off HAPPY LATE ANNIVERSARY MOM AND DAD! LOVE YOU!!!!!

Tuesday was great and busy. Wednesday I went on splits with Sister Raines in Franklinton. The 4 of us went to Wendy's for lunch and they were so busy that it took of over half an hour for 3 salads and a chicken sandwich. Crazy! And they ran out of root beer :( Thursday we followed Brother Corkren around to make contact with a couple less actives at their work places and eventually ended up at the local mason lodge (typical Papa, he loves being a mason almost as much as he loves being a Mormon). It was so pretty inside and there were some members setting up for a Eastern Star meeting so we were able to learn about that. Eastern Star is the women organization associated with the Masons.

Friday was Interviews with President McDonough in Slidell, LA. The travel was great and when we arrived, the Waveland District was still meeting so we got to hang out with them again. President kinda rushed through my interview and I had to stop him to say I had more to talk about with him. I don't blame him, he must be so stressed. I was able to talk "nerd" with a member from Picayune waiting for institute to start. She works at Petco and loves Pokemon... Needless to say we had a lot to talk about. Then I left my companions and went on exchanges in Diamonhead, MS with Sister Bean and Sister Tebbs stayed with Sister Ray and Eyre.

Saturday was awesome. Sister Bean is awesome. We quickly found out we have a lot in common: 1 of 6 kids, family in Portland (she's from Vancouver, Washington), similar struggles on our mission. She wore me out walking in the morning. And we were kept busy through the day meeting with some awesome investigators that are totally prepared, tracting (there are quite a few Catholics in Diamondhead), and going to a baby shower. Though it was like no baby shower I had been to. It was being held for a less actives' friend and when we walked in all I saw was a bunch of old men and women standing around with beers in hand. We were asked if we were "the dancers". Apparently they had the Pelican Girls coming. It was extremely strange but the food was good.

Later on we went to a member's for dinner with the other missionaries in Waveland. When the husband showed up with the elders I introduced myself and he asked "Do you have a sister named Heather?" I was so taken about that I literally stepped away for a second. I answered dumbfound, "Yes." "Are you from Arizona?" Again dumbfounded I asked, "Are you from Mesa?" He said yes, so cool and collected, and explained he didn't know what stake it was any more but that he grew up east of Lindsey. It was Andy Guyman! Apparently he used to ride to school with Heather and Julie. He'd married and moved to Mississippi to work with Nasa testing rockets at the local unit there. CRAZY CONSEQUENCES!

We drove to Picayune to exchange back after.

Now we get to the truly crazy parts of the week:

1. Sister Eyre bruised her tail bone Thursday night at the Workman's. She was playing with the children as we waited for dinner and to avoid falling on a boy, tripped and fell half on the furniture but mostly on the floor. Unfortunately for her, Bogalusa has a lot of pot holes.

2. Sister Eyre had an allergic reaction while eating the peanuts provided as snacks during the interviews. She's allergic to tree nuts and the container said it may contain traces of it. Unfortunately she can't take Benydryl (been there, done that) and so Sister McDonough said Pepcid AC would work. None of us had money though at the end of the month, so---remember that member from Picayune?--she saved the day as she and I went on splits to go buy some and she paid. She was a life saver.

3. Sister Eyre, on Saturday night as we drove home from Picayune, said she was experiencing shortness of breath. In 20 minutes, no one had answered our phone calls and we were in ER, her breathing having worsened and pains beginning to shoot up her neck. We stayed in the Bogalusa ER waiting for a bed then waiting for blood test results from 9:30pm to 1:30am. Brother Corkren came and stayed with us and the Picayune elders came too. I had to sit outside with them after she finally got a bed. And then they couldn't determine what was wrong, gave her a loratab for the pain, and sent her home. Sound anything like another sister's experience to you? We WILL NOT be going back to their hospital. The next day the members told us the hospital in Franklinton was better. Wish we had known.

4. A less active died on Tuesday and we had her funeral service Saturday. That's my 3rd funeral on my mission. So sad. But it sounds like she was truly loved, the chapel was filled and 3 Books of Mormon and lots of Plan of Salvation pamphlets were taken from the display tables.

5. Tried of our dark bedroom, Sister Eyre and Sister Ray decided to move all the beds into the 3rd bedroom. It was brighter but it seems weird to be sleeping in the smallest room in our house now.

6. We had some active members deliver dinner to our house. They brought us Popeyes... Not what we expected.

7. I just finished Jacob in the Book of Mormon and admitted to be companions that Jacob 5 is my most favorite chapter in the Book of Mormon. They think I'm crazy but I love the history, symbolism, and the call to serve in it. It talks about me! (aka missionaries)

To answer questions:

Sorry Mom, not many fireflies at all. And glad you've seen a opossum. I usually only see dead and half smushed ones on the roadside. But Sister Eyre saw one once on a late drive home and said it looked like something that crawled out of the "pits of hell." She's funny. Mostly we see cats and birds. But there are an occasional other creature of beast but we don't get out to the country much to see them.

And transfers will be July 15th. I'll find out the Saturday before if I'm staying or going. 2 transfers and 3 months left. I wonder what will happen.

I love you all. Happy Summer, Happy Fourth of July, and Happy fireworks!

Love, Sister Stewart

 Got lost on our way to the Workman's.

 We saw this on our way to Slidell. Gotta love how the South loves the bible.

 Waveland and Picayune Districts.

 Strange orange mushrooms found tracting.

 Sister Newman and I.

 Sister Ray's hand after letting Sister Eyre squeeze it. At least Sister Eyre didn't hyperventilate.

 Mandrian and I.

How to hammer a nail without a hammer: a can of yams. 

Let the Holy Spirit Guide

So the craziest day this week was Wednesday. It started off great. DDM was fun, spiritual, and the zone leaders visited so we got to be around a few different missionaries. I brought my lunch trying to save money. However through the rest of the day:

1. We almost ran out of gas.

2. We almost got hit by a backing car that didn't see us. (Our brakes work great, by the way!)

3. We went searching for a former investigator and accidentally went to the wrong house but the spirit directed us to talk to a boy across the street who introduced us to his grandma, who was the investigator we were looking for.

4. We had an investigator come to our Book of Mormon class. The class went great and afterwards when we asked if she wanted a tour of the building she asked for a lesson too. It was so spiritual.

5. We followed that investigator because she didn't have gas but made it to Book of Mormon class anyway and she did in fact run out of gas on her way home. Sister Eyre and I got to push her truck to a gas station a block away and helped her get cash from home and fill up a gallon's worth. It was an interesting night.

6. Then on our way home we were stopped at a DUI check point. They saw we were church people asked if we were Catholic. When we said no, we're Christians, we don't drink, they let us go on with no problem.

After Wednesday, everything wasn't too bad. We had a lot of splits with members and Thursday I was able to meet the sister of some members in Sandhill, MS (I covered the Sandhill Branch when I served in Petal) and found out that her brother, Brother Owen, one of Sandhill's most amazing members, had finally passed away a few months before after being terminally ill for several years. Such a strong man, he will forever live in my memory. We had dinner with one sister and when she got in the car she said, "Well, you have me for another hour. Who do you want to go see?" We were taken by surprise and suggested a less active she had been fellow-shipping. Unfortunately the less active was sick so we couldn't visit, but it was neat to see the members enthusiasm.

In other news my companions got the opportunity to encounter a "bad spirit" when tracting while I was out of splits. It forced them to come home early and really scared to be home that evening. They both said prayers, but didn't feel better so we called our Mission President. Because I didn't feel too concerned he wasn't either. So then I said a prayer, as strong as I could, trying to let the Spirit guide me so that I could overflow the bad out with good and to comfort my companions. Afterward we moved on to a new topic of conversation and ended up all sleeping well.

I'm still hanging in there. We have interviews this week in Slidell, LA. President has asked to hear what our visions are as missionaries. I think mine is to be a solider, standing for truth and righteousness against the adversary.

Love you all!

 Sister Ray's invention. They don't have a real name but they are delicious! Sugar, butter, cinnamon, and flattened canned biscuits. Topped with more cinnamon sugar.

The other week I bit into my apple all the way to the core and seeds fell out. To my surprise the seeds had germinated inside the apple! Since my grass was dying I decided to replace it with these seeds to see if they would grow and it has! It's strange though, I thought the pods were supposed to stay in the ground, this one grew with the leaves.