A Weather Delay!!

Hi Mom,

Well my first baptism did go through, and it was quite the experience. We didn't really know how to use the font, and so the water was well over 100 degrees for the baptism. We'll just say that he was baptized by water that felt like fire, and then by fire. Besides that, it was actually great. I was excited to see the change in his life, and his reaction. Honestly though, I didn't do much. He was ready for baptism before I even got to Sherman, and probably before my companion even started teaching him. The Lord blessed us with being able to meet with him.

Unfortunately, none of our other investigators were able to make it. We invited almost everyone, but no one came. There were however about 30 members there, most of which were his friends. He has a great group to keep him active in the gospel.

As for the rest of our investigators, we aren't having much luck with scheduling return appointments still, because of their crazy lives. They are all willing to let us come in when ever we are in the area though. I hope we will have more success with that this week.

We had some other things happen this week as well. On Wednesday we were asked if we could teach seminary right before mutual. It was a great experience. I do know now though a little about how Dad feels after every talk he gives. I wanted to say something to help all of the youth, and I don't know if I did so. The spirit was very strong, and this really strengthened my testimony on the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

The other big event, was that our President sent out a weather warning, because of the possibility of ice on the roads. He said that we shouldn't drive unless we absolutely had too. So, we didn't really do much the past two days, and this is why I am emailing y'all on Tuesday instead of Monday. It wasn't much fun, and by the end of Monday, we had just about gone Crazy. I am glad that we can go back to work now though.

If Eric has any good stories from his mission, can you write them to me?

I love you Mom! Have a great Thanksgiving!

Kyle

 

Hi Dad,

 

This week was great! We taught a lot of lessons, and found a good amount of new investigators. We even had the chance to teach seminary.

 

Answers

1. How did the Baptism go?

The Baptism was very interesting actually. We filled up the font, and the water was way too hot. So, he was baptized by water that felt like fire, and then by fire. He was definitely clean in multiple ways after that baptism.

 

2. Who did the baptizing?

His name is Eric Martinez, and he is a good friend of Roberto.

 

3. Were there a lot of members from the ward?

There were a lot of the youth from both wards at the baptism. Probably about 30 people came in total.

 

4.  Tell us all about it.

The rest of the baptism was a great experience for Roberto. I was excited for him. My companion and I didn't really do much to prepare him for baptism, he was ready before my companion even started teaching him. We were very blessed to have found him.

 

5. How is the work coming?

The ward group is still really small. We have about 10 members that come regularly, and all the other members work on Sundays, or aren't interested much in coming to church. We did however receive a lot of help from the English ward members, and I love all the members here!

 

6. Where are you going for Thanks Giving?

We are going to the Jackmans for dinner. They are an English family in the ward. It should be great!

 

7. Are you enjoying your experience?

I am starting to really enjoy the mission life. At times it is hard to want to go out and work and find people, but I really like teaching people, and being with the members. I have learned and grown so much already, that there is no way I want to stop. I want to keep giving it my all, and I will come to love the work more and more as I do.

 

8. How has your testimony grown?

I can't even describe how much my testimony has grown. I have learned so much and grown so much, mostly from the trying experiences. My testimony on the Atonement of Jesus Christ is really what is grown the most. When ever I feel discouraged, or like I don't want to continue, I rely on the Atonement to carry me on. I am So grateful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ in my life.

 

9. What kind of service are you doing in this area?

We are working at two more food pantries. In one called Share ministries, we are so loved and appreciated by the people there, and I have come to love everyone there as well. There are some great people here in Texas!

 

10. What experience did you have this week? 

We didn't have any really big experience this week, but we did have a chance to teach Seminary last Wednesday which was so much fun. Our topic was Mosiah 3, the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I love teaching about the Atonement! I also know a little about how you feel after giving talks in knowing if you did a good job or not. I wanted to help the youth know more about why the Atonement is so important in our lives. Afterwards you just never know if you did a good job or not. I had fun though, and the spirit was very strong!

 

11. Now that you have been out what should I tell the priests that will help them be ready?

To help the Priests get ready, they should study the scriptures daily! The scriptures are a great tool in missionary work, because it invites the spirit a lot more than us missionaries ever could. If the Priests will read daily from now until they go on their missions, not only will their knowledge be greater, but their testimonies will be as well. The other thing that I would suggest, and this is probably the most important thing they can do, is use and learn about the Atonement of Jesus Christ. They should try to remember Christ all the time, and use the Atonement. I can't think of a better gift that we have than the Atonement, and if we find out why it is so important, our desire to share it with others will grow so much. When we see the blessings that come from the Atonement, and the help we can receive from it, we will do all we can to share it with others. When we start to appreciate the Atonement more in our lives, we will start to Love others more, make better choices, and try all we can to come closer to Christ. As missionaries our purpose is to invite and help others come unto Christ, but we can't help them come to Christ if we aren't there first. If they will do this, they will be great missionaries! I know that the priests will be great missionaries if they continue striving to do the best they can. I have loved being in the same quorum as all of them, and have learned a lot from their testimonies. Let them know how grateful I am to have been with them growing up.

 

Thanks for the letters you write. I love reading them weekly. Good luck with everything getting so busy, and I hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving break. I love you!

 

Kyle

Another Week in Sherman

Hi Mom!

 

Things were definitely a little disappointing last week, but I have never felt so close to my Savior before. I grew so much from that one experience, and learned so much about how to use the Atonement in my life. I know that it is a trial that I must face in order to become the missionary God wants me to be, and I am going to continue working harder and harder.

 

Nothing really big happened this week, but I love serving the Lord, and I am so happy! We did teach a lot of people, and right now we are just trying to find the people who God has prepared. The weather here is Amazing! I love it so much. It is a little chilly in the morning until about 10, then the rest of the day just feels great. It is definitely a lot better than the summers here in Dallas.

 

The Sherman area is great! I love the members here. We are receiving so much help from the ward, and we love it so much! I feel that we are going to start finding some great investigators here as well, and I am excited for the holiday season.

 

The highlight of my week was a comment that one of the members made in the English gospel doctrine class. We ate with them Friday, which was so much fun! Then on Sunday the member made the comment to the class, "All you have to do is sit down and talk with Elder Stewart for 5 minutes, and you will know that he is a servant of God." He made the comment in explaining how the youth are being prepared early. I wasn't actually in the class, but the sisters in the ward told me about it. It made my week.

 

I am so jealous of Chase and Dad. I miss going to the games, but I know that I will go to many more, so I am not too worried. I am glad y'all are staying busy. I love you too, and thanks for all you do!

 

 Kyle

 

Hi Dad,

 

I am really jealous about the whole two BYU games in one day thing. That sounds like so much fun, but I know there will be many more games for me to watch in my life time. I am really excited about the basketball team. They should be fun to watch. Thanks for keeping me posted!

 

Answers

1. Sherman is actually a lot like my last area Waxahachie. It is a smaller town with lots of farm land everywhere. We are having an easier time finding people to teach here though which is great.

2. It is OK. Don't worry.

3. This week was really good. Nothing really big happened this week, but it was our best week of the transfer so far. We taught lots of lessons, and found new investigators. We just need them to keep commitments now.

4. We found 9 new investigators, but we didn't set up very many return appointments, because Hispanics work all day every day. There answer every time when we ask when we come back is, "If you are in the area you can come over, and see if we are here." It is a little frustrating at times.

5. I wouldn't say I am getting chubby, but I have gained 20 pounds so far on my mission. So...

6. The other missionaries here are great. There are two other sets of sister missionaries here, and we all get along great!

7. I don't think I really need anything. I am doing pretty good. Thanks for all your support!

I love you Dad! Good luck during this busy time of year for you!

Missionary Work is Never Easy!

Hi Mom,

 

This week was a trying week. We have had more dropped lessons than I have ever had any other week. I am enjoying myself still. My companion is still great. He is very quiet with investigators, but not with me, so we have a great time. I do still love this area, but it is a little difficult not to be discouraged at times.

I had quite the experience this past week. We had been working hard this last week, and scheduled 11 appointments this Saturday. So, when Saturday came, we started the day very excited for the number of lessons we might be able to teach. As the day went on, each lesson dropped one by one, and by the end of the day, we had taught 0 out of 11 lessons. Wow, talk about discouraging. It was by far the longest day of my mission so far, and I almost cried at the end of the day. The next day I didn't feel much better, until I listened to a talk by Elder Holland, about why missionary work isn't easy. Here are a few lines of his talk... "Missionary work is never easy, because the salvation of souls is not a cheap experience." "When you feel discouraged remember that someone much greater and much better asked if there was an easier way, and for him there wasn't. So maybe there won't be an entirely easy way for you either." "At times the Atonement carry you more than it will carry your investigators." And my favorite. "When you are rejected or spit upon or mocked you can hold your head up high, because you are a representative of Jesus Christ." We at times have to feel what he has gone through for us to call ourselves his representatives. When ever we feel discouraged we can remember that we can be walking examples of the Atonement to other people, IF we use it to carry us through are hard times and live worthily of it. When ever I feel like stopping or quitting, I remember the name of Him, over my heart, and that gives me enough of a desire to keep going, keep pushing, in order to finish what I started out to do.

Yes! Haley is going to Preference. That will be fun for her, and she will have a great time! Good luck with your tests and the rest of the school year!

I don't really need anything right now. I am just trying to become the missionary I can be day by day. I did receive the package, and I loved it. Thanks again for all your love and support. I love you!

Kyle

 

 

Hey Dad!

 

The transfer was really good, and my first week in Sherman was great! The last week however was testing, but I learned so much from it. Tell Chase that he only has a year if he wants to get his Eagle faster than I did. I hope he can do it. Thanks for the BYU updates. I look forward to them each week.

 

Questions: (From Ron)

1. How is Roberto, is he progressing?

2. How is the new ward?

3. Do you have a car, and have you even been on your bike?

4. How many investigators do you have?

5. Do you get to play ball in the new area?

6. What food have learned to cook that you like?

7. How is the Spanish coming - do you feel comfortable with it?

8. How is your companion - do you guys get along?

9. What experience happened to you this week?

10. How does the Spanish group in a ward work - Do you translate sacrament meeting, or do you have your own meetings?

 

Answers

1. Roberto was progressing before he started taking the missionary lessons. He is very ready for baptism, and I am very excited for that day.

2. The new ward is great. A little different, because we now eat dinner every night with English speaking families, and eat American food, but I am really enjoying the members here.

3. We do have a car since our area is so big, and I have used my bike twice in my other area.

4. We have 12 investigators, but Roberto is the only solid one.

5. No, unfortunately. There only sisters here. Everyone else in our district is at least 40 min. away.

6. I have learned how to make Papusas, which are really good, but I haven't tried to make them myself.

7. I feel very comfortable teaching, and comfortable talking to just about anyone. Now I just need to work on understanding better, and expanding my vocabulary.

8. My companion is very quiet, but we get along great.

9. I had quite the experience this past week. We had been working hard this last week, and scheduled 11 appointments this Saturday. So, when Saturday came, we started the day very excited for the number of lessons we might be able to teach. As the day went on, each lesson dropped one by one, and by the end of the day, we had taught 0 out of 11 lessons. Wow, talk about discouraging. It was by far the longest day of my mission so far, and I almost cried at the end of the day.

10. We have our own meetings, which are very small. It is like a Sunday school class for sacrament meeting, and at times we don't have Priesthood, because there aren't enough men there.

I love you Dad!

Kyle

 

He Finally Sent Pictures!!

Hi Mom!

 

I already LOVE this area. Sherman is the best. The ward here has been so helpful to us already, and I have only been here less than a week. This week was probably the best week of my mission so far. And my companion is great. Very humble, and I am guessing he will be my favorite companion so far.

This area is actually a lot like my old area in Waxahachie. It is very spread out, with lots of farm land. Also, just like Waxahachie, it is one of the biggest areas in the mission. My area goes up to Durant, Oklahoma. There isn't a Spanish ward or branch here, just a Spanish group which is part of the English ward. I am excited for the rest of this transfer and the rest of my time here in Sherman.

The ward is fantastic in this area! We taught probably 3 times as many lessons with a member present in my first week. Most of which were with a kid named Jason Rodriguez who leaves on his mission this Wednesday. He reminds me so much of Esteban. Pretty much everything about him reminded me of the way Esteban acts and talks. It was great to get to know him before he left. His dad is actually the Bishop of the ward here. He is bilingual, which really helps us Spanish missionaries out.

We had an amazing miracle happen my first week here as well. On Saturday morning, during our coordination meeting with the ward, we set a goal to begin teaching 20 lessons a week. So to do this, we needed to find more families to teach. So we set a goal to find four new families before our next meeting. The bishop sent out an email to as many people as he could to fast for us yesterday in reaching this goal. Then we went to work. We tracted Saturday night and had no luck. Then after the fast Sunday, we went out tracting again. We knocked on several houses, before someone finally let us in. This was the first new investigator in this area in a while. We taught a great lesson then left. We had two other potential houses to try that night, and both of them let us in. So we found three families in the space of three hours. It was great! I have really learned on my mission that it doesn't matter how hard you work or how many people you talk to, if you don't include the Lord. We included the Lord last night and this weekend, and amazing things happened. So when we work hard, talk to everyone, and trust in the Lord, Miracles will happen. I am so grateful for the chance I had to witness this miracle!

On top of all that, we have an investigator named Roberto who will most likely be baptized on the 23 of November. I am so excited for that day!

Thanks for the update! I hope Haley starts feeling better. You definitely don't have to worry about me. I am doing great. And here are some pictures...

Kyle

 

 

 

Hey Dad!

 

I really love my new area. I can tell that this transfer will be great, and the next couple as well for as long as I stay here. I am so happy to be here! On top of that, we have a baptism coming up on November 23 that is so solid. His name is Roberto. He is 17 and a Junior and High school, and he really wants to be baptized. Hopefully we can start teaching his family as well.

 

Questions from Ron's email

1. What is your address

2. How is your new apartment (is it just you and your companion or do you live with other elders)

3. How is your companion

4. How is your new district

5. Was it hard to leave your other area

6. What were transfers like (did you have members move you, buses, do you all go to one place and then split up??)

7. How is your leg?  (stay away from the sleepy looking dogs, they are the sneaky ones) (did you have it looked at)

8. Are you excited about your new area?

9. Are you going to send pictures?

10. Do you know that we miss you and think about you everyday. 

 

Answers

1. (I took his address off for safety, if you would like it email me and I will send it to you. khcstewart@comcast.net)

2. The new apartment is a big step down from my old one. I found out that I was really spoiled at my first area with the apartment there. And it is only my companion and I.

3. My companion is great. He is very humble and wants to work. His name is Elder Duce, from Napa, Idaho. I am very excited to work with him this transfer!

4. My new district is also great! This district is actually a Spanish district, so we have our meetings in Spanish.

5. It was hard to leave my other area, especially since I didn't say goodbye to anyone, but I love my new area.

6. We had our Branch President take us up to a church where all the missionaries meet. Then we all split up and go to our new areas.

7. My leg is just fine, and no I didn't have it looked at. Do you think I should? It isn't hurting or anything.

8. Yessss!

9. Yes

10. Of course

 

Thank you for the great example you have always been to me. I really have loved having you as my leader through all of Church growing up. I love you so much!

 

Kyle