Week 4

Hi Mom,

After my second week at the MTC, I was beginning to get a little bored of the MTC. I continue to pray all the time for patience and humility, and I have already seen changes in my life. My companion and I were struggling a little bit at the beginning of the week, and as I prayed for patience, my attitude towards him got a lot better. We are closer now than before. We are both having a great time, and learning so much. The end of the week has been so much fun. Nothing special about it, lots of studying and spanish, but I am starting to love all the studying. I have felt the spirit so strong which has brought me happiness and peace.

I am so excited to get out into the field! I am not really tired of the MTC, I just can´t wait until I go change people´s lives through the gospel. My companion and I have gotten to the point where we don't have to worry about how to say what we want to in spanish, but we are able to focus on the needs of the investigators. The most important teaching priniple I have learned so far, and probably the most important thing I will take with me, is to teach people not lessons. Our lessons so far have been us teaching the doctrine like it says in Preach my Gospel. I know that to teach effectively, I must teach each lesson as to how it will change investigators lives for the better. TRC has really helped with that, teaching real people instead of our progressing fake investigators.

I don't have any travel plan's yet, I will pick those up either next friday or saturday. My guess is that I will be leaving around 2:30 also, because the morning flights are cheaper. So, be expecting the call most likely at 4:30 in the morning. :)

My spanish is improving so fast. It was hard to see that the first couple of days, because a lot of what we learned was just review. Now, however, I have seen that my spanish has improved so much! The hardest part I must say in learning the language is being pacient. I want to have the language down so badly by the time that I leave the MTC, but I know that it won't happen. So, I keep working hard and diligently to improve my spanish as much as I can each day. I have also learned that to qualify for the gift of tongues, I must speak as much spanish as I can all the time, every day. It can be hard when everyone else talks in english, but I have been trying.

Thank you for the update on how the family is doing. I love hearing about everything, because it helps me feel like I am still with you.

This part is for Brooklynn

Happy Birthday! I hope that you had fun this week, and I want you to know that I love you so much! I miss you a lot. I am still having a lot of fun, so I hope you don't worry about me too much. I know that you didn't want me to go, but remember that this is what I should be doing. How was your birthday? Did Mom and Dad do a good job? I know they did. I wish I could be at your baptism, but I am so happy that you want to be baptized. On my mission I will be helping people get baptized just like you are. Let me know how it is. Happy Birthday!

Elder Stewart

 

 

Dad,

 

I am glad everything is going well! Haley has been getting back later than I did when I worked. That was my least favorite part of work was closing those late nights, but I am very greatful that I had a job. These 16 hour days of missionary work seem like lots of fun compared to school, beauty and the beast practice and then work. Those times of never being home, and working all the time have prepared me very well for my mission.

 

I wish I could have been there for Brooklynn's birthday, but it sounded like she had so much fun. I am very sad that I won't be able to be at her baptism, but I know this is where I am supposed to be right now.

I have been in all the choirs, and loved it. This last week we sang this beautiful arrangement of Nearer my God to Thee, which sounded like the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. The devotionals have also been amazing. We haven't had any big name general authority, but each week has a general authority or a emeritus general authority as the speaker. I love the devotionals, and I always get so pumped to go out into the field after them. I really can not wait to teach people and bring the light of Christ into their lives.

 

I am getting along with everyone very well. I still love my district even when they are annoying. :) I finally remembered what I needed, and that is: Two of my long sleeve shirts are too small. I think I need 35/36 length, and 16 around the neck. If that is wrong, I will send you a letter this week. I don't really need it any time soon, just before winter. Also I would like my mission call letter if you can. I won't say no to any more food either. Thank you!

 

It is interesting that you sent me that quote, because that is something I have noticed this week with my companion. He sometimes has a hard time staying focused even during companionship study. I have been on his case a bit, and one day I was just so mad at him that I held back and didn't say much to him the next morning. I kept thinking that he was the one to blame and I hadn't done anything wrong. I prayed for him, but more importantly for pacience. As the week went a long, I noticed that as my attitude towards him changed so did my feelings. Our relationship now is better than before. We are great friends, and are having a great time together. I really don't have any problems with him.

 

Thank you for keeping me updated!

I love you!

Elder Stewart