Another Good Difficult Week!

Hi Mom!

Happy Birthday!!!!!! I didn't realize that I was going to miss the big 40 while I was gone. I just want to say Thank You so much for all you have done for me in my life. You have helped me become the missionary I am today, and I love you for it. I am so thankful for your love and support to me. I think about y'all every day of my mission, and you and Dad keep me motivated to work hard and keep pushing forword even during hard times. I love you!!!!!

Another good difficult week. Good, because I am still loving it, but difficult, because of our investigators. We have been finding investigators with out any problems, but the hard part is helping them progress. At times, we can't even get back into their house after teaching them because they are always busy and what not. It has been hard for me, because I want to help them so bad, and we just get rejected all the time. I am still loving it though. Preach My Gospel says that a successful missionary is someone who is obedient, dedicated, follows the spirit, testifies, etc. but it says nothing about baptizing and all that. So I may be disappointed that people won't hear our message, but I am not dissappointed in myself. I know that I will be blessed if I keep improving myself everyday.

We are definitely still working hard. We found more investigators this week than last week, and taught a single lesson to 13 people. Whoa! I am excited to see what we can accomplish this week.

I still love hearing about life at home. This week seemed very eventful, and it is amazing how you leave the family for only 3 months, and it begins to grow and grow. At this rate, it will be twice the size when I get home.

Thanks again for all your love and support! I really am beginning to love my mission!

Elder Kyle Stewart

 

 

Hi Dad!

Another good week. We are still having no problem finding investigators, now the problem is just getting them to progress. We have some ideas that we are definitely going to try some this week.

 

Sounds like the day of service in the ward went really well! Y'all did a lot of stuff, and I wish I could have seen it. It is funny how when I was home, service was always boring, but after doing service everyday for the past 3 months, I would love to have participated in the day of service. Must have been great!

 

Answers:

1. I am still doing great. I am having a hard time trying to know what to do with our investigators, but that is probably just because of our inexperience. We are still working hard, and we will grow so much from this!

 

2. How are investigators are doing:

 

Martinez family: Taught them one time. There is four people living here, none of which are married. The Mom has a son that lives with her and his girlfriend, and then the Mom is living with a boyfriend. We haven't seen them since, but they have baptismal commitments.

 

Linares Family: Some of the nicest people I have met. There is a couple with two kids. They are not married. This is probably one of our most solid families. Haven't been able to teach them this week because they were sick.

 

Alcaraz Family: Married couple with two kids. We have met with them a couple times, and we just need to give them a desire to keep commitments.

 

Maria/ Regino: Not married, but are living together. Having problems with eachother, and the Word of Wisdom. Regino is our only progressing investigator.

 

These are our main investigators, or at least the ones we have met with most.

 

3. None of our investigators are really progressing except for Regino, and that is a weird situation with him and his girlfriend.

 

4. You can pray for the Linares family and Martinez and Maria/Regino

 

5. My companion and I are still getting along. We are beginning to work really well with each other.

 

6. We will be watching conference at the church building here in Waxahachie.

 

Thanks for all your love and support, and if you have any ideas on how to make investigators progress let me know.

 

We also had an interesting experience this Wednesday. My companion and I started our day off at 1:00. We went to an appointment that we had, and when we got there, he canceled on us. So, we began to tract, and we tracted all day long. Every appointment that we had scheduled for that day had fallen through, and we weren't having any luck. By 8:00 we were exhausted from standing all day, and were ready to be done. We knew however that we couldn't quit, so we decided to say a prayer. We prayed for one lesson that we could teach that night, and then decided to go somewhere else. When we got there we knocked on 4 doors, and had no luck. Again came the thought that we should just go home and call it a day, but we decided we weren't going to leave until the very last minute. Finally after trying about 3 more houses, we were able to teach a lesson which went pretty well. It was a great testimony builder to me that if you work with all your might, and pray with faith, then your prayers will be answered. I know that God is always waiting to bless us in our lives. All we have to do is ask.

 

Thank you again for all your support! I love you and hope everything goes ok.

 

Kyle

Things are getting better!

Mom!

Sorry I haven't sent any pictures, but that is because I haven't taken any. So, I will try to do better. I am glad to hear that everything is still going well at home, and I wish I could have been there for Brooklynn's amazing serving, she must have done great. And tell chase that I am rooting for him. Good luck with your tests this week, I know you will do great!

This week has been a thousand times better. My companion and I get along good. And the best part is he is willing to work. And the spanish, really hasn't been a problem at all. Both of us are able to get the gist of what others are saying, and we are still able to teach with the power of the spirit. Really, the only time I still worry about my spanish, is when we are talking to members, but even that isn't very bad. My companion also wants to be obedient, which has made this week so much easier. I am just so happy now, and love to get out and work. We both decided that because our spanish isn't great, we are going to need Heavenly Father's help, and through our EXACT obedience, we have received so many blessings. Some of which were finding 14 new investigators in only 5 days, and setting 4 baptismal dates. We have taught some very powerful lessons. I have seen the difference in the spirit that we teach with, because we are being so obedient. I can't wait to see what will happen the rest of the transfer with this kind of success.

We had an amazing lesson that we taught last night as well. It was in english, because they were bilingual. The husband of the family only speaks spanish, so this is why we were teaching them. We shared the first vision, and we could just feel the spirit so strong. Afterwards, I asked, "Can you feel a difference from how you felt before I said those words to when I was saying those words?" One lady answered, yes, it sent chills through my body. We helped her recognize that it was the spirit. We continued with our lesson, and at the end extended a baptismal commitment, which they all said yes too, with out any objections. They were wanting what the gospel had for them, and I loved it. By far one of the best lessons I have taught so far!

Thank you Mom for all you have done for me, and for all your love and support. Thank you also for all that you have done for me in preparing for a mission. I am loving it so much now that I am actually working hard and not wasting time.

Love you very much!

Kyle

Hi Dad!

Wow! A companion with no experience just like me, and yet, we are doing great! He is willing to work hard and wants to be exactly obedient like myself. And wow what a difference this has made. We went from finding an average of 6 new investigators a week, to 14 new investigators in only 5 days. And last night, we set 4 baptismal dates. I can already see how great missionary work can be, when you work with all your heart might mind and strength. This week was incredible!

Questions:(from Ron)
1. How is the new companion?
2. How is the language are you able to communicate?
3. How are your investigators?  Are they progressing?
4. Are you enjoying the people? (Tell me about some of the branch members)
5. Are you Happy?
6. Have you been able to do some fun things on P-day?
7. What have you done to serve your companion this week?
8. Do you know what an amazing son that you are?
9. Have you remembered that you are a son of God and that this is where he wants you to be?
10. Have you prayed and asked for help and guidance in your missionary efforts?

Answer time:

1. We get along good, and we both have our hearts focused on the work.

2. Our first day together, we decided that we were going to need some extra help with our Spanish, so we said we were going to be exactly obedient in order to have the spirit stronger with us. Because of this, we have had so much help in lessons. Our Spanish has been just fine, and we really haven't had to worry about it. It has strengthened my testimony that if we are willing to humble ourselves before the Lord, that through our faith, he will make our weaknesses into to strengths. We have taught some powerful lessons, and I really hope that we can keep it up.

3.The Linares family is doing really well, and we found some great people this week, who I think will begin progressing this next week.

4. I love my entire branch! First of all my branch president is such a great man. He is white, but speaks Spanish. Then there is the Leon family who are not doing great financially, but are the one of the nicest families I have ever met. These are my two favorites, but the whole branch is great.

5. I am so much happier now. I shared a spiritual thought this week of Alma 41:10 I think which is wickedness never was happiness. When I was with my old companion there were times where we would go back to the apartment early, which was fun at the time. I was never happy though. Now that I am working hard all the time, I am not necessarily having "fun" but I am so happy, and most of the time, missionary work is fun. I love it!

6. Not really. I don't really want to do much on Preparation day anyways, because I like to just relax for a little bit.

7. I am just going with the flow with my companion. Today is his birthday, and I am making dinner and stuff for him and the English elders. It should be good!

8. I definitely try to pay you back in some way, and I know that the best way is probably through obedience and working hard. I am so grateful for such a great Dad and Mom, that it makes being a  son really easy.

9. Yes

10. Absolutely! I have prayed for help every day, and I have never had my testimony strengthened more of the help we can receive through the Atonement than when I needed help during my first transfer.

I love my mission now. I am grateful for the terrible trial I had during my first transfer, because I have grown a lot from it. I am so excited to see what we can do this transfer, and I feel that at least two baptisms will happen. Thanks for all your Love and support. I love you so much!

Kyle

A New Companion!!

Hi Mom

I love all the pictures you send me. I really like seeing the family, but also really like seeing the house and yard and mountains.

Tell Chase I am rooting for him. I hope his team can some how find a way to beat all the 9th graders, that would be great.

The weeks for me keep getting better and better. The meeting was held in Colleyville in the Fort-worth mission, so for a little while, our mission was completely empty. After the meeting, we stopped by Dallas Cowboy stadium and the Texas Ranger stadium on our way home. These stadiums are huge. As for the meeting, it was really good! I loved the spirit that Elder Nielsen has and for the chance that we had to hear him testify of Christ. I could tell that he had a perfect knowledge that Christ lives. We talked about the Atonement in missionary work. And no changes were actually made.

I am staying in Waxahachie this next transfer, and my companion will be Elder Schroeppel from Orem. He came out the same time as I did, so I am very nervous about our abilty to communicate in spanish. At least now, we will be able to learn a lot faster. I am very excited to see what happens!

Love,

Elder Stewart

P.S. sorry this email is short, I wrote a big one to Dad.

 

Hey Dad!

 

Answer time:

1. Elder Nielson's visit was great! When he bore testimony of Christ, there was no doubt in his mind that Christ lives. It was great to feel of his spirit, and hear what he had to say. And now I can say that I have shaken hands with an apostle.

 

2. They didn't split the mission, I guess it was just a rumor.

 

3. Transfers are tomorrow, and to make my mission really interesting right from the start, my new companion came out the same time as I did. I am staying in this area, which will be a great blessing, but my new companion and I will definitely struggle a bit at least for the first few weeks. His name is Elder Schroepel from Orem Utah, and he is the senior companion. I am nervous because of the Spanish, but also very excited for a companion that wants to do things the right way. (I have already met him before, so I know who he is.) It will be a great blessing though in the long run, because I will now learn Spanish much faster that I will be forced to use it. I am very excited!

 

4. I am doing a lot better. In some ways I feel like I wasted my time a bit this transfer, but I definitely learned a lot. I am just really excited and looking forward to this next transfer.

 

5. The investigators are doing ok. We haven't been able to go back to the Alcaraz family since I set those dates, but I am planning on seeing them this week with my new companion, and getting them to church. We met a new family this week, Raul and Mirella ( the ll makes a y sound) Linares. They are probably the most solid investigators that we have so that is great. And Mary came to church again yesterday.

 

6. My Spanish has been really slow the past couple of weeks, but with my new companion it should be coming a lot faster.

 

7. For service, we give service at a food pantry in Waxahachie, and a place like DI called Heaven's attic, it is a really small store though. Then every Thursday, we have breakfast with our President, and help him with his yard.

 

8. For study we have one hour of: Personal, Companion, language, and what is called 12 Week (training program for new missionaries)

 

9. The spiritual experience that I had, or rather the great experience I had this week was with the Linares family. We found them on Monday while they were working on their truck. We went over to see if they needed help, which they didn't, but we were able to teach them the first lesson. When we said that we have a prophet on the earth today, he said, "Really?" He was amazed, and wanted to learn more. We taught them again Thursday, and Saturday. On Saturday, we also had a fiesta with the branch that we invited them to. They said they wouldn't be able to come, because there one year old son wasn't feeling great. About an hour into the party, they showed up. It was great, and they were able to meet the whole branch. After the fiesta, we gave them a tour of the church. They were amazed by how many rooms we had for the children in our church. They didn't come to church yesterday, but they seem very solid to me.

 

Love,

Kyle

September 9, 2013

Hi Mom!

 

This week I must say was a little slower, because we had a bunch of meetings and stuff. We had a really good night last night however teaching two lessons and receiving three new investigators in only two hours. I wish we could be that efficient all the time. I haven't taught the Alcaraz family or Mary recently, but I will keep you updated. I just know that there is still so much that I can improve on, which is a good thing I guess.

I am glad to hear that everything is getting better at home. Sounds like school is getting better for you also. Every time you talk about it, it always reminds me of my Financial Literature class, so I definitely know how you feel. I am also glad that the kids are doing well adjusting to school. It must have just been hard for everyone to start changing their schedules. It sounds like Todd is doing great. He wrote me, and didn't seem to worried about anything. I know he will be just fine. And Josh... District Leader!!! Wow, he must have a lot in store for him if on his mission if he has been called as District Leader already. Does this mean that he is senior companion, and or training? Could you ask for his address and send that to me in your next email? Thank you for the updates.

Hey Dad!

 

This week was actually really slow. I haven't met with any of our investigators that I told you about since last time. And instead of having a great spiritual experience this week, I had a very disappointing experience. We went by an investigators house this week, who I thought was our most solid investigator. We knocked on the door and waited for him to come out. When he came out, he was holding the Book of Mormon and Pamphlets that we had given him. He told us that he was catholic, and wasn't interested in taking the lessons from us anymore. His name is Arturo Lopez, and he was a very humble man who I thought was excited to hear our message. There was no way that he would say this to us, unless someone else talked to him. We think it was his wife, but that isn't important. I felt so sad for him. I knew that the gospel could help him so much, and he didn't want it. This is probably the hardest part of serving a mission. It was tough.

I did go on exchanges again this week, and I was able to teach a man in English, because I was in the English elders area. We taught a lesson that was very powerful to a part member family that had already had all of the missionary lessons before. I think he shows a lot of potential.

 

 I was so excited when I saw that BYU won. Now I need to find some Texas fans and tell them I am a BYU fan. It will be the perfect door approach! How is work going for you. You must be getting really busy as we are getting close to October.

I was looking back over this transfer, I would have to say that one of the things that probably bothered me the most, was the fact that we only proselyte for a maximum of four hours a day. This is because our mission is involved in a program called Just Serve, where we have to do 6-10 hours of service a week. And on top of that we have four hours of study every day. Then someday we only have two hours for proselyting, because the members we eat dinner with live 30 minutes away, which means we have two hours that we must take out of our day for dinner. So, any advice for this?

Something that we have to look forward to this week, is that we have Elder Nielsen coming to our mission on Wednesday. He is actually coming to the Fort-Worth mission, but we have the opportunity to go listen to him also. Because of this, there is a rumor going around that there will be a mission split. I don't know if it is true, but we could have three mission come out of the Dallas and Fort Worth missions. It will be interesting to see, and I will let you know what happens next Monday.

A Bonus Email and Pictures!

Hey Dad!

 

Answer time:

1. The Kick boxing class is just and hour work out, where we punch a punching bag. It is actually a lot of fun, and a really good work out. We only did it my second week here though. 

2. The missionary work in this area, is actually starting to pick up quite a bit. We have some really solid investigators, I think, and just set two baptismal dates. And yes the Vargas family did come back to church. It was so exciting!

3. Mary unfortunately didn't come to church, but she is one of the nicest people I know. We taught her again this week, and have an appointment with her for this Friday. Things are looking good to me.

4. We did go bowling one time, and I actually bowled a 168. That was the highlight for our Preparation days.

5. We are very involved in the branch, we actually had a great testimony meeting this Sunday, and it was all centered around my companion and I. They bore testimony on how great of a spirit they are always able to feel when we eat dinner with them and stuff. And I bore my testimony this Sunday.

6. I did get the package that Mom sent. Thank you very much! I would have to say that it doesn't hurt as much when BYU loses, now that I can't watch the games, or be involved in anyway. Of course, it still hurts a little though.

7. President Durrant does remember Clay, I didn't ask him about the basketball stuff though.

8. I have had some great food from the members. I have had Flautas, Fajitas, Ground beef. All of this with rice and peppers of course. When I have to eat mexican spicy food, and then american food some nights, it really plays with my system.

Thanks for keeping me updated on BYU, even if they played terrible. I still want you to continue to do that, please! Thank you for all your support that you have given me. I am greatful for such great parents.

Kyle

 

 

He's Alive!! Just a day late!

Hi Mom!

 

This week has been alright. Sorry I didn't email yesterday. All the libraries and the office in our apartment complex were closed, because of the holiday. I am able to write you a little bit now though.

  

I am so glad that Brooklynn's baptism went well! I really enjoyed the pictures, and being able to see the mountains. I miss the mountains. I also loved how happy Brooklynn looked. I am so sad I couldn't be there.

 

I am also sorry I haven't sent any pictures, but that is because the computers we use are very slow, so I will send some next time. I hope.

 

Now for my spiritual experience of the week:

On Friday of last week, I went on exchanges with one of the English Elders in our district. Him and I were taking over the Spanish area, which meant that if we had a lesson in Spanish that day, I would be the one doing all of the talking. I prayed really hard for help throughout the day, and I definitely received that help. As the day went on, we stopped by the Alcaraz family. The parents, Hugo and Isis, are young, and they have two kids. When we entered, I began teaching them about the Book of Mormon and its background. The lesson was going well, and I committed them to read 3 Nephi 11. When I was wrapping up the lesson, I felt prompted to commit them to baptism. I thought this was going to be really hard since I didn't have my Spanish speaking companion with me, but I did it anyways. When I had extended the commitment, the wife had a question that she asked. Unfortunately, I can teach a lot better than I can comprehend, so she had to ask me the same question four times. After what felt like forever, we were able to resolve her concerns. This little moment went terribly I thought, and I didn't know how they were going to accept the baptism invitation that I had extended. Amazingly though they said yes, because of the spirit in the room. It really strengthened my testimony on how important the spirit is. I know that I may not be able to speak perfect Spanish, but I can teach with the spirit. The spirit is the teacher, and we just invite. We have a return appointment with them this Friday, and I am really hoping that it will all work out! Now we need to get them to come to church.

 

I am hanging in there. I can see glimpses of how fun missionary work can be, I just have to do everything that I am supposed to do, and stay obedient. I am excited for the rest of my mission.

 

I love you so much!

 

Kyle