what a blur these last two weeks have been- sorry for not emailing last week - i was enjoying the sacredness of the temple of our God. And let me tell you it was incredible! and I would love to tell you all about it! only problem is - i cannot remember it.. I would normally just pull out my planner or even my journal and tell you what happened - with it being the beginning of a new transfer, my planner is empty - and my journal is packed, becasue I am leaving rio rancho! Wild - I know. It seemed as if I would be here forever - but alas, the Lord has seen fit to move me elsewhere and I am exciteed to meet new people and have new experiences that will strengthen my testimony tremendously. what an adventure that lies ahead!
I will try, however, to relate some of the many miracles we witnessed here in the star heights ward of rio rancho! first being the baptism of STEVIE!! What an incredible day- She is 15 and has an incredible passion for life and all things good! At the beginning of the week of her baptism we had a lesson with her and she was just going back and forth back and forth on what she should do - she kept sdaying, yes I know it is right1 I know this is what i need to do- but I don't know if i am ready! I know i need to do it! I know i do,. So she did! and she is so happy! that is what the gospel can do for you- it can bring you everlasting joy and hapiness. Who wouldn't want that? Let me know if you find someone.. we can change that :) Rightt along with that miracle is the one that happened just a few days ago when stevie, along with her dad (who was baptized in march) and her older brother (who was baptized in april) went and performed saving ordinances for their ancestors in the temple! how exciting! and what a peace they all felt while there. What a great place. Go to the temple!
Sorry the picture is blury - shaky hands taking it .. but here is the family.
And speaking of doing your own families work- the next day was stake conference which was wonderful of course and one of the sisters who spokle was form our ward and she is a family history buff! and a couple months ago she went to Italy where her family is from to find her great great grandfather and she told of her experiences there. it was such an incredible story! and I felt the spirit so very strong - maybe that means i need to go to Scotland to find out about David marshal Stuart's family - and the john Stuarts that continue for generations. start saving my pennies right? Right! but even if i don't go to scotland, I have learned so many wonderful things to do with family history work and i am so excited to be able to do it! The spirit of Elijah has washed over me and now I just need the time to act on it- so if you don't see me much over Christmas - that will be why :)
and all the talk about family history- directed my thoughts to my own family- I want you to know how much I love you all! and that families truly are forever. I feel so very blessed to know that. Sunday night when my mission president called- my heart sank to hear about grandpa passing. I was caught up in the moment of loss and didn't really think about the gain. I was so grateful to have been able to call home and talk to dad and mom and grandma who reminded me of the perfectness of the plan. Does that seem backwards to anyone but me? I am the missionary here devoting full-time to teaching people those simple truths that death is not the end- yet I could not grasp it until I was taught by my own dad. and what sweet truths those are. i hope the veiwing and funeral went well. pass on my love. But I had a really sweet opportunity to attend the temple the following tuesday and the things I talked about with dad were confirmed to me by the spirit in the house of the Lord. It was.. Incredible. That is really the only word I can use to explain it. And now - dear Christi will be out proclaiming that same message to those who live in Little Rock Arkansas starting next month! how exciting. it was so wonderful to be part of that experience with her. She is so happy and will make one rocking missionary!
Also this week we took part in an incredible service project - it is called the Mission of Mercy and it is a free dental clinic- yep. FREE. all volunteer work. it was so incredible- and we got tshirts! wahoo. cool. look it up- if there is one close to you- volunteer. it is incredible!
And here we are at the close of another transfer - goodbyes are sad but it allows for the opportunity of many new hellos!
And here we are at the close of another transfer - goodbyes are sad but it allows for the opportunity of many new hellos!
Who can you say hello to this week? Go ahead - brighten their day. You have brightened mine.
I love you all - remember the plan.
Sister Stuart
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