The Stupor Returned...., Las Cruses, NM

It has been a good week here in the Land of Enchantment! I had the opportunity to serve in Hatch New Mexico for just 24 hours and in Spanish! and it was so exciting! I learned so much and was told that my Spanish actually sounds good and I have a good accent! now I just need to learn the words... maybe one day.

But our area is thriving! We are getting all kinds of new investigators from members and their friends and their is just a whole lot of exciting things happening- but sitting here at the computer, i couldn't tell you of a one ha! Writers block. it is a real thing. maybe it is more like a stupor of thought though. or maybe it is just paranoia becasue my companion is done emailing and is just sitting next to me waiting for me to be done.. yep that could be it too.

Despite the crummy email - I am well, the work is hastening and whom the Lord loves He is chastening. So I am getting my rear in gear! and not beeing apostate and not being lazy so we can convert like crazy!

I love you all!

it had a lot of potential, Las Cruses NM

i don't know if I sent these pictures to you already- so you may be enjoying them again! 

- This explains elder sister relations in my mission perfectly!

- The second is the crew at the mission home for MLC in December

This is how Sister Montini and I study! not really - usually my desk is very clean.. this was the day we reaaranged out entire apartment- moving our beds into the living room and our desks into the bedroom and we created new planners this day- so full of movement and creativity! but I promise - I am quite tidy now - we actually had cleaning inspections yesterday and they were very impressed at Sister M and I - actually making our apartment liveable now ha! I guess that is what happens when you take over an elders apartment..

And I saw my dear mother/trainer at transfer meeting last week. i love Sister Brown.

 My dear family - and those of you reading this who aren't family- remember that you actually are! for we are all children of the same divine parentage. is that a real word? i don't think so.. but I will use it anyway - our assistant ward mission leader likes to make up his own words (importancy, clarificating, etc..) and I guess it is really rubbing off on me - ooh forget it!

Here we are into another transfer and this one is monumental! Wondering why? It is the first one that has not included a change for me! Yahoo! My first second third and fourth transfers included new companions, my fourth and fifth included new areas and now sister montini and i are still together in the university ward- and school starts this week so we really are pumped! and they start on a thursday - weird.

I have again changed my mind on a career path for the future. I have decided I should become a firefighter. Sister M and I have been extinguishing fires all week long. Maybe more in the figurative sense than the literal sense - but it is still exhausting!

As missionaries- we keep what is called the area book and it has all the information in it that any missionary should ever need about the area(that is if they are maintained- but that is another story in and of itself!), who is being taught, what they have been taught, who could be potentially being taught, who the members are, and so forth. The section that contains the information on who could potentially be taught can be a real gold mine or a real flop- it has been somewhat of a flop for us recently.. it is a whole bunch of people who missionaries contacted in the street once - maybe knocked on their door once and weren't immediately rejected - so their name and information gets jotted for some later missionaries to attempt to bring to their attention this wonderful gospel that could be theirs! It is not always as successful as one would hope - rarely is it actually... but not this week! We took a member out teaching with us to an appointment who bailed - blah. But that is why we set backups! who also weren't there. blah. so we pull out the area book! and go to a potential Josue. Now mind you- we have tried him before. He would stick his head out the door and say- oh not right now- I am busy maybe another time but will he set another time.. no no. that would be preposterous. So as you may understand, i was not to hopeful. but we went with faith anyway! and we caught him when he was just stepping outside. We talked to him for a little while asked how he was and how he was introduced to the missionaries in the past and he told us they gave hima book of mormon and he is reading it!! what?? He is almost done with Mosiah. what?? So we were able to bear testimony on the truthfullness of the book and set a return appointment. oh my word it was a miracle! and there you have it.. a sister stuart story. they are still alive and well! 
and I think I will end on that note.. I even baffled myself with that one..

 The work is alive and well and will really be thriving in a few weeks- I'll be sure to keep you posted!

I love you all!

Sister Stuart

and parentage is a real word! speaking of - if anyone feels inclined to send me a dictionary - I would love them forever!

looking for success? look no further! Las Cruses, NM

the ten steps to being successful on a mission, in school, in a career, in a marriage, in life- as told by president Steve Miller

1.. Know what your mission is.

  each of us have a mission- what is yours right now? what is it that you are doing? think about it- thankfully Preach My Gospel has defined my mission right now so I don't have to think about it too hard - I am inviting others to come unto Christ. What are you doing?

2.. Have a vision.

  now that you have a mission- what is your vision? You are looking past the table of the present and through the window to your future-what do you see? Where is it that you want to be? How is your mission aiding your quest for your vision?

3.. Be goal oriented.

  the goals are one of the most important things- they keep us headed in the right direction - you may see your vision and have a mission for what you are doing right now - but if you have no goals it will be awfully hard to accomplish what you want to. Goals keep us going down the right track without so many detours...

4.. Be competent. 

  Know what you are doing - don't go try to draft new players for a professional team if you have no idea what you are looking for- get educated and learn! Be knowledgeable and able. Be level headed and competent.

5.. Have a strong team.

  work together with your companion, associate, mentor, spouse, whoever it may be- work together! Don't focus on the little things- they don't matter- don't get caught up and don't get dragged down. You are obviously with your team mate for a reason and there is a purpose for your being together - don't mock the Lord in bringing one another down- He will strengthen you as you seek Him and His will together.

6.. Have communication skills. 

  if you can't communicate the first five steps don't matter all that much.. we live in a world full of people and if you cannot communicate with them- good luck! but as I have learned, from experience, all is not lost if your communicationskills are subpar - you can improve! and all it takes is practice! like roleplays! (blech..) but first - set yourself up for success - square your shoulders to them and look them in the eyeballs - they are the windows to the soul. and follow the counsel of that great man (I cannot remember who it was that said this.. I just remember what he said.. possibly a Roosevelt? maybe a different president? maybe a prophet? I don't remember...) "Speak not so everyone can understand but rather, so no one can misunderstand!" This can be done when you speak the words the spirit telss you too.. learned that one too!

7.. Develop interpersonal skills.

  have the eyes to see and the ears to hear - notice things that you can talk to people about - if they have a fancy painting in their office, ask them about it. If they have pictures of their family on their desk -ask them about them. Be more concerned with being interested in them than being interesting to them. but when they ask- don't be afraid to tell them about yourself- take that opportunity.

8.. Have a can-do, get-it-done attitude.

  you WILL open doors if you have a positive attitude about it! I truly believe Heavenly Father recognizes our attitudes and our willingness to do things and when He sees that He blesses us with the things we need - if it be in accordance with His will of course.. people will notice this attitude and they will love it. they will want you to be part of their team!

9.. Seek and be open to receive inspiration.

  we know Heavenly Father is the true author of our lives and He only wants the best for us - so why not ask Him? He will answer. Be ready for it. and then when you receive that inspiration, don't sit there questioning whether it is just you or if it is the spirit - take Elder Bednar's advice and don't worry about it! If it a good thing - the spirit is likely behind it and you probably won't recognize that until long after the fact. if you are being obedient and living worthy - the spirit will be with you and He will prompt you to act - not to be acted upon.

10.. Be ambitious.

  go for it! Develop the desire to get out there and claim what is yours - or what can be yours. have the drive that propels you forward - to get out of bed in the morning and to BE! Don't set your sights low- you can accomplish wonders!

MLC is the most wonderful meeting ever - that happened this week in ABQ and I left so edified and feeling like I can conquer the world! those are the best feelings ever! and then we got to los lunas which is 40 miles southbound and I realized I left my coat at the mission home. bother. so I text President Miller and asked if He would be so kind as to bring it down to LC the next time he came for meetings - little did I know that would be the very same weekend for Stake meetings in El Paso - but I learned this as he walked in during Zone Training as Sister Montini and I were giving our training - talk about intimidating! but he did bring my coat which I was thankful for..

and that about concludes this week- oh but y'all need to watch the video on lds.org called "look not behind thee" that is what we did our training on - it is just so great! 

look forward to success! and trust Heavenly Father has something greater in store for you than what you have left behind!

I love you all

Sister Stuart

oh and ps.. I am not being transferred! sticking around the Aggies for another 6 weeks

you will have time for this one..

Happy new year all! 

What a wonderful time of year this is - truly it is no coincidence that we celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ and then a week later we celebrate a new beginning full of resolutions and goals to become better! and how perfect that our thoughts were so focused on Christ - that should not change in setting goals for 2014 - so my challenge to you all- amongst all your other resolutions - set one that will strengthen your relationship with your older brother mmkay? 

We had an exciting week this week mostly - it is hard with all the students gone still but we are still working hard and doing what we can - remember I told you about Carlos and Yumi? well they are still fantastic as ever! they even came to church on sunday - and brought another friend-  brian - and they are just so wonderful! teaching them is so great! we taught the plan of salvation a couple days ago and we had 2 members with us who have both returned form their missions in the last 6 months - anyway- as we are talking about the pre earth life carlos asks where the devil comes from - hmmm... and one of our members wanted to wexplain it! that probably shouldn't have happened.... he went into a little more depth than you normally would go into in teaching the plan of salvation for the first time... I was geetting confused myself! but thankfully carlos said it made perfect sense to him! oh thank goodness the spirit was working in that lesson! 

I can't really think of anything else exciting that happened this last week.. see this is what happens when I don't make a list! I am way too young to be experiencing this level of dimensia!! I hope you are all looking forward to taking care of me in my old age when I can't find the cell pohone that is still in my hand! 

Know that I love you all and am looking forward to hearing of your resolutions for the new year! (that means you can email me back and let me know..)

Love Sister STuyart - i don't know why it is so hard for me to type stuart.. but it rarely comes out right on the first try...

this is what santa clause looks like in new mexico -who knew??

and this is the Heiner clan that hosted us for christmas eve- such a great family!

this is where we spent christmas eve - in Old mesilla and we felt like singing the song the whos sing around the christmas treee- but instead we sang silent night.. much better!

 

Le gustaria que mandemos misionaras que hablen Espanol?

Happy Tuesday everyone! and my goodness do I have a lot to say - It has been quite the busy week- and if any of y'all have read (or will read) the family christmas letter - I apparently say way too much already... but do you want to know what else? I am going to tell you anyway! so feel free to skim! -especially sorry to the missionary friends -you definitely don't have time to read this. and if you want to read only this paragraph- I am doing well and loving New Mexico!

First- our investigator Dallas is on date for baptismat the beginning of January! it would be december - but he is gong to Disneyland...  he is so prepared! and his girlfriend is coming back o church really strong which is so exciting o see!

 and her older sister who has also been less active for a really long time came to the ward party last friday  night and then came to church no sunday too! and brought her boyfriend nonmember too! oh it was so exciting! and now I am to sunday so I will tell you all the exciting news about who was there - we had 2 investigators there (we would have loved more- but all the students are off with their families...) 4 potential investigtors there and 10 less actives! it was so incredible to see! and you want to know how I know all of this- I was sitting on the stand becasue Sister Montini and I spoke in church and it was so good! not to toot my own horn or anything- but let me tell you about this talk... we were asked two weeks ago and naturally, I didn't start preparing until saturday night :) I was actually going to during lunch and dinner on friday and saturday becasue we did not have them set up with the ward but then something came up- aka- a nap - and we didn't get to that so finally at 9:30 on saturday night I figured i should write my talk (remember how long it took me to write my farewell talk? yeah one hour was not going to cut it..) so i pulled out my scriptures and my notebook and started writing - and I got 

READ 2Nephi 19:6 

Should have been born in a palace

but it was humble
READ luke 2:1-6

first visitors - humble shepherds

continue in Luke

wisemen in Matthew

and then I fell asleep - and we had ward council the next morning at 8:00 so no time to write in then either - so that is what I went to the pulpit with and guess what? I think it was the best talk I have ever given!
and sister montini gave a great talk on the gifts we have been given by heavenly father. it was just a great sacrament meeting- especailly with all the people who came! oh- and we also sang in the choir for the rest hymn and I led the music for the meeting and it took me till the third verse to figure out the timing on the opening hymn- how embarrasing!! oh well-

also this week sister montini and I went on two exchanges and i was in the spanish area! can you tell? but it was so cool becasue i really felt like I knew everything they were talking about! I couldn't say anything - but I felt like I knew what they were saying! and I also learned some phrases so if ever I meet a person who only speaks spanish -i can send them to the spanish missionaries - the first thing to say - no hablo espanol :) mucho gusto!

we also had zone conference yesterday and let me tell you what a spiritual feast that was! Elder Foster from the 70 came and man is he incredible or what! and so is President Miller - I just love hearing form him. but y'all are lucky today and saved by the bell! it is time to go -

sorry there isn't much christmas spirit in this one - I feel the Christ spirit every day- and with no snow here and no cold weather it feels no different - but Merry Christmas to all!

Know that I love you and love telling you all my exciting happenings!

Sister Stuart!

oh and I forgot to ask you... In teaching the plan of Salvation I was asked a hard question and despite my studying, I am still stumped- and that poses a problem.
 I was asked

"Why would God give a commandment that needed to be broken (to not eat of the fruit)? Isn't that setting them up to fail? God should never do that."

and I have not been able to find a sufficient answer.. any help?

A Stupor of Thought, Las Cruses, NM

I am experiencing a stupor of thought right about now.. maybe that means I am not supposed to write.

I love you all!

Love Sister Stuart


_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Just kidding! But not about the stupor of thought.. that is really happening. I just can't seem to remember anything that happened this week..

oh we taught Ellen! Ellen is from Canada - she is here in Las Cruces on some mission trip with the Lutheran church that is providing her with some work experience in immigration law- and she is a very devout catholic.. explain that one.. I sure can't! anyway.. the elders had met and taught her some and she is really great! but not what most would call "golden" her boyfriend in Canada is a member and they have been talking marriage so she figured she had better learn some of the things he believes in - and not from him. She wanted from a reliable source - so she got a hold of the missionaries! she sounds golden to me! but she is more meeting with the missionaries on a strictly informational basis.. she does not want to be a mormon she told us - but I tell you what - this lesson was INCREDIBLE with her - I can't even remember what we taught - but we did ask her if she had prayed about the book of mormon - and she said not really - then she practically quoted moroni 10 3-5 which she has never even read! so we asked her why not and she said that she was scared that it would be right and she would have to give up her catholic beliefs - then sister montini asks this incredible question of "what are you willing to give up to know the savior?" to which she replies - all people- including family, her position in life, She just doesn't know if she is ready to give up her intellect and the belliefs and truths she hold so dear. we then promise that if she prays sincerely to know, with real intent to act upon that answer, she will get an answer and she will come to know the Lord and His love will be sufficient for her! and then committed her to baptism which she accepted! It was a very powerful lesson!

Also- we wnt to ABQ this week fot MLC and saw the Christensen's.. my goodness I love them. and we also saw Bobbie -and that was just incredible too! and the best part is - she got baptized on Saturday!! I have attached that picture - even though I wasn't there - I am so happy she did it! and look at her- she is just glowing!! I am so happy for her! and then we were definitely spiritually fed at MLC - I just love President Miller. He is so very inspired. and it snowed quite a bit in ABQ- but then we came back down to Cruces in the 75 degrees! it has dropped since then, but the sun is shining today!

This week is finals week here at NMSU - everyone is headed home. How exciting! for them.. not for the missionaries. It is quite difficult to tweach students when there are no students around.. we will just have to find some locals to teach! I look forward to it!

Have a wonderful week - I love you!

Sister Stuart

oh and the second picture is just north of Hatch NM - on our way to ABQ where sister montini says "it is so green!" you know you have been in a desert too long when sagebrush is green! it was hilarious- sorry bad picture though.. the green didn't last long.

one other thing I forgot to tell y'all... the miracle of the week- We contacted this referral that was left over from the elders here bfore us - some guy who we had absolutely no idea about and we didn't have his actual apartment number so we called and left a message and he texted us back saying he was interested! awesome! we are meeting with himtomorrow -

okay actually two things.. one super wonderful thing about being in the university ward is going to FHE on monday nights! yahoo! last night we went to flash mob (only not really...) the mall and the corbett center on campus (to be likened to the TSC) with Christmas carols! so we all met at the church first and practiced a few times and then we went over the mall. Sister Montini and I and a coupple other sisters in the ward started off the singing "oh holy night, the stars are brightly shining it is the night of our dear saviors birth. then something else (I seem to have forgotten the words) in sin and error pining" and then we were so rudely cut off by a mall security guard who said "you can't do that" to which one of the sisters in the ward asks "do what?" and he replies "sing." He was not very nice. So we left - and then everyone chickened out on campus because it is finals week and people are studying. It was a bummer of a flaash mob- but it was still heaps of fun!

Christmas Joys, Los Cruses, NM

Christmas came early for this girl! and man was I so incredible happy to see what was inside! I thank you all very much! I am so excited to pack it now to go to ABQ on Wednesday!

So the events for this week- first, you all are probably wondering (well - bnot those of you who served missions.. but the rest of you) how a missionary does Thanksgiving day. First, she goes to lunch at 2:00 and has the most wonderful spread of food laid before her and of course, indulges! -unfortunately not in GF pie though.. and then they sit and chat and talk about all the things they are thankful for for 2.5 HOURS!!! and then head off to the next appointment - yes, one of the eating variety where another enourmous spread is laid before you and your stomach is already so full but of course, they have been cooking for days so you have to eat.. But it was delicious again. the members here are just so nice and they just want to make sure their missionaries are well fed and happy. and we sure were!

Sister Montini and I are so happy to be here in the university ward! Our first dinner appointment was with a less active girl in the ward who invited us over just so we could start teaching her boyfriend! who already has a testimony about the importance of church! they had cgone for 2 weeks then missed one and he said his week was just so crummy and he sttributed it all to missing church! so prepared! So after dinner we taught the first lesson on the restoration which is simply a spiritual punch in the face! especially the first vision and then when you leave the power pause of silence after- you would be crazy to not feel the spirit! and this is the lesson we taught to Dallas.. but get this - I was sharing the first vision and he started laughing! LAUGHING!! can you believe it?? Okay so it was mnore like a chuckle - but it still frazzled me! So I sped up a little - which you aren't supposed to do- and then when I finished- we left time for the power pause so the spirit could fill the room again and what did he do? LAUGHED! oh my word! what is happening! and then he said - "this is weird.." oh no is what you are thinking right?? so was I. so we asked - what is so weird? to which he responded - "I have just never felt this way before.. I all of a sudden just feel encompassed by this warmth." and he laughed about it. silly boy. But he definitely felt the spirit and he commmitted to baptism! yahoo!

But - all is not fun and games and finding super prepared people in university wards - we found abother new investigator who does not quite fit that description.. he essentaily wants to teach us all this hokey stuff. we have a lesson tonight on the plan of salvation - where he wants to teach us all his knowledge about the new heaven and the new earth. needless to say, we will probably drop him..

We also had a lesson with a recent convert this last week - for our sakes- we haven't taught many lessons form PMG in the last month and a half - so we asked if we could teach her and have her give us feedback on how we can improve and what is well and the like.. so we taught the gospel of Jesus Christ - which just so happens to be my favorite lesson! and she only had good things to say - why is it that no one likes to tel you how to improve?? anyway - She extended a very wonderful complimet though that really boosted my confidence. We are really trying to teach more out of the Book of Mormon right now (that is why this lesson is my favorite becasue you can teach straight out of the book of mormon) and so we just used a bunch of different stories from the Book and she told us that she has never before been so excited to read er scriptures! I was so excited!@ that is how it should be!! great lesson there...

Also, I have to thank you Michael specifically for all those halloween stickers.. Sister Montini and I predicted our futures with them one day during lunch. Significant events are marked by each sticker and they will happen on the dates on which they fall. It was a riot! So if you want to know how my life is going to pan out - the key is on the bottom right and look for the stickers with a T next to them.

I am outta here! I love you all very much!