A Great and Trying Week!

Hi Mom,

 

We had a great and trying week this week. I have really come to understand that a mission has nothing to do with what I want. I don't lead the missionary work, but God does, and all we can do is what he asks us too. That being said, Aaron C never responded when we asked him again if we could come by when he was a little less busy, so we have decided to drop him. It was hard, and still is hard, but there is nothing we can do. I am going to write him a letter this week to let him know that we were grateful for the opportunity to meet him, and I will bear my testimony. I really didn't know why things happened the way they did, and I have been praying the whole week for the lesson that I was supposed to learn, and I have come to two conclusions: 1. Miracles don't create faith, faith creates miracles. The whole reason why Aaron started investigating the church was because of my last name, and that to me was a great miracle! It didn't however become a testimony to him. To gain the testimony or to have the miracle occur of changing his life should come from action and putting your faith to the test. 2. The second thing I learned is that Heavenly Father knows Aaron perfectly. I do not. I tried to look back on the situation saying, "What if we taught the Word of Wisdom instead of the class?" The thing is, that is the way that Heavenly Father knew it would happen, and I can't worry about it. I need to continue working hard to help other people come unto Christ. We at least left a good impression with Aaron about the church, and if he has another chance than maybe he will accept it later down the road. All I can do is not hang my head and continue to work hard.

 

Igor is doing great! He is not able to come to our ward because he works Sundays in the afternoon, so he attends the other ward. Yesterday he was telling everyone that he really wanted to be baptized. The members kept telling the sister missionaries in their ward, Wow he is such a great investigator! They unfortunately had to tell everyone that he wasn't theirs. Igor is ready once he starts living the commandments. We just need to find him a new job.

 

We haven't been able to meet with Aaron G this week. He hasn't been in contact with us, and we are a little worried. He told one of the youth that he was having second thoughts on if he wanted to be baptized or not. I really hope that he will at least let us teach one more time. He was so ready, and Satan must be working on him really hard. It is crazy to me how good investigators can go from really excited when you teach them to not even answering their phone. It is frustrating.

 

The hardest part of my mission by far has been that of investigators losing interest in the church. You come to love these investigators so much, and you are thinking of them all the time wondering what else they need, and how we can help them progress. I have definitely seen on my mission how it is preparing me for the rest of my life. It seems as though trial after trial comes, and honestly the trials have gotten easier as the mission goes on, because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. I promise and testify as his servant that he will never leave us alone. He will continue to ease our burdens, and carry our load when things get hard. I have never felt this as much as I am now, because I am his missionary and my calling is to share that with the world. I know that Jesus Christ has felt every single thing that we go through, and he knows exactly how to help us because of that. I know that he died for us, and most importantly I know that he lives today! Because he lives he will never leave us alone.

 

This week on finding was great! We found some prepared people for sure. We just need to see who will progress and who won't. This has become so normal to me now. We also taught quite a few lessons which was great! We are teaching a lot.

 

I am glad that Nate is still going on a mission. That made me so happy. Let him know that I love him, and that the mission will be the best thing for his life. Is Bryson going to come home from his mission later now? Or will he just have a shorter mission? I was so surprised last week to see him at our house. That was shocking. Please keep me updated on mission calls if anyone decides to go on a mission.

 

I love you so much!!!!! Thank you for your love and support!

 

Elder Stewart

Baptism Updates!!

Mom,

 

Sorry I guess I forgot to update y'all and tell you that we moved the baptismal dates back to the 22nd of March. Aaron G will be baptized either that date or the week after, so we will see what happens there. Igor on the other hand probably won't be baptized that day so we will try to get him ready for the first week of April. Aaron C texted us this morning, and said that he doesn't think he wants to do the whole church thing. He just doesn't agree with the Word of Wisdom. We are going to keep trying, but it is not looking to good. This is by far the hardest part about missionary work. I don't like the agency of other people, but I understand why it is necessary. I will keep you updated.

 

We don't ever make it up to Oklahoma. I have been up there twice, once to visit some less-active Spanish members, and once for an exchange, but besides that we don't really have the time or the miles to be driving up there. We did go up last preparation day to take some pictures and see the Lake. We are trying to have some fun here in Sherman, but there really isn't anything to do. I wouldn't really want to live here ever, but the members are great! I love them.

 

I don't really have much to write about this week, because it hasn't been very long since I emailed you last week. I have learned though how dumb Anti-Mormon literature is. We do have some investigators that gave us a paper that they printed out with really nit picky stuff. It makes my companion and I mad, and it does drive away the spirit. Besides that this week was just the same old same old. I am still loving the mission.

 

Have a good week!

Kyle

 

Hi Dad,

This week was the same as always. We had some good lessons, but nothing out of the ordinary. We are in the beginning stages with a lot of our investigators, so we will see what happens. Something exciting for today though was we went to hit some balls at Top Golf for winning McKinney madness. It was fun, but I am very rusty.

 

Answers:

1. Did the baptism go through this week?

No, but one will be coming up soon.

 

2. Are you happy that you are still with your same companion?

Yes, we have gotten along great.

 

3. How are the other investigators coming?

Like I said we are in the beginning stages with most of them. We still haven't made contact with Aaron C, but we are going to keep trying.

 

4. How did the visit with the General Authority go?

I loved it. I learned a lot on how I could improve, and I am trying to apply it as a missionary and District Leader.

 

5. Are you still speaking Spanish everyday and keeping up with the language?

I am keeping up with the language for sure, but we don't speak it as much as I would like.

 

Spiritual thought: I am not sure why but the theme for the passed couple of weeks for me has been the passage that Christ gave us which says, "Take my yoke upon you and learn of me... for my yoke is easy and my burden is light, and I will give you rest." When we need help through are trials all we have to do is ask for it, and live in a way that Christ will help us. The better we are living the gospel of Jesus Christ, the more help we will receive. Christ will always come to succor His people.

 

I am doing great, and I hope you have a great, stress free week!

 

Kyle

Staying in Sherman!! (Pictures)

Hi Mom

 

A boat load of pictures on its way! 

 

I am staying in Sherman! Elder Lynn is still my companion. This week has been good, and we are continuing to help people progress in the gospel. We are getting close with Aaron G, and Igor M. They should have baptisms coming up soon.

 

As far as the family goes, I hope things get better for both Naylors. I will be praying for them. And I am excited for some great blessings that will be coming because of Brooklynn. Let her know that I am very thankful for her and I am glad she is my sister. I also wish I could have been there for Nate's plaly.

 

Not a whole lot has happened this week. Last monday we went to the Oklahoma border and we took some pictures. We won Mckinney Madness, and our prize is a trip to Top Golf to hit some balls. I am very excited! It has been a long time since I have picked up a golf club. Then came the crazy weekend. On Saturday, we were planning on helping out with a fundraiser. We were picking up old computers, TVs, and pretty much anythings that was going to be thrown away, and the organization sells it for money. We were working from 10 to 2. It was a little chilly to start out with, and when we were done a little after 2 it was 75 degrees. We were very hot. And I was sun burned. First one of the year! We also made the newspaper, so I will send you the links. After that hot day. We had a thunder ice storm the next day, and church was cancelled for the third time this year. The high for the day was 28 or so, and we were again stuck in side for two days. That is why I am now emailing instead of Monday. The weather in Dallas is crazy.

 

Things are going good still. I love you and hope you have a great week!

 

Elder Stewart

 

Hi Dad!

 

I am sorry that I haven't written you either. Things have been going great, with the trials that missionary work includes of course. We haven't been able to meet with Aaron C, mostly because he is really busy, so hopefully we will get a chance to go by his house and talk to him again. I would really hate for us to have to drop him. That would be so hard for me to do. I still have a good feeling about it though. We also had an ice storm come in again the passed couple of days which will be the third one we have had. Besides all that, we are doing good. We have lots of people to teach on the English side of things. Now we need to get some more Spanish investigators.

 

Questions:

1.  Are you staying in Sherman???

YES!!! I will be here for at least one more transfer, and I am so happy!

 

2. Are the investigators holding strong in their commitments?   

Igor M is doing great, and he should be baptized in the next couple of weeks, if we can find him and new job. Aaron G is also doing very well, and he should be baptized in the next couple of days. Now we just have to see if Aaron C will continue to progress. Unfortunately Church was cancelled this week, so we haven't seen him in more than a week.

 

3. Are you getting to do things on your p-days (mom got pictures at a church- do you get to play ball)

We do get to play basketball every once and a while when the priests in the ward don't have school.

 

4. Are you teaching Nicky the lessons now too?

Not regularly, we are having a hard time scheduling lessons with him.

 

5. How is being a District leader?

I love it. My first transfer, I don't feel like I really magnified my calling, but I have set out to do a lot better this transfer. We also has Elder Stanley G Ellis come a week ago or so, and he really motivated me to do more as a leader in the mission.

 

6. Are the members supportive when you bring someone new to church?

Some are. Others are not comfortable with stepping outside of their comfort zone.

 

7. Have you had to deal with people trying to challenge you or bash with you?

Yes. It really only happens at door approaches, because if they are bashing us there, we don't want to go in their house. There are some people that get really angry when you talk about religion.

 

8. Tell us about some of your members and how they are being missionaries.

We really haven't received and referrals from the ward except for the youth. The youth are the best missionaries we have here. They invite everyone, and talk about their church all the time at school and with their friends.

 

9. Did you win the madness challenge.

Yes! Our prize is going to be a trip to Top Golf with the zone leaders.

 

What are some of the activities that the youth are going to do for their missionary month, and how strict are they going to be on living the mission rules?

 

Here is my thought of the week?

 

 27 Hath he commanded any that they should not partake of his^asalvation? Behold I say unto you, Nay; but he hath ^bgiven it free for all men; and he hath commanded his people that they should persuade all men to ^crepentance.

33. ...and he ^ainviteth them ^ballto ^ccome unto him and partake of his goodness; and he ^ddeniethnone that come unto him, black and white, ^ebond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the ^fheathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile.

 

I was studying this this morning in 2 Nephi 27 and 33. I learned, and noticed how much God really does want all of his children to repent and come unto Christ. All men are alike unto God. Before my mission, I was very judgmental of the people that were smoking, doing drugs, or acting in a way they shouldn't. Heavenly Father helped me change that fast, because those are the people we teach. We have been called to go out to the sinners (just like ourselves) and help them come with us unto Christ to use his Atonement. The Atonement of Christ is for everyone. We are commanded to persuade men to repent. I have come to look as all people as equal, and everyone deserves the Atonement of Christ.

 

I love you Dad! Keep me updated on the Mission calls when they come in.

 

Elder Stewart

 

This picture is from a local paper, the Herald Democrat. That is Kyle's companion and Kyle is leaning down to pick stuff up.

 

Texoma Community Center holds annual recycling fundraiser NATE STRAUCH/HERALD DEMOCRAT Volunteer Elder Lynn places a box of used electronics on the loading gate of a freight truck Saturday during the Texoma Community Center’s annual recycling fundraiser, which raised more then $9,000 last year.

Another Ok Week!

Hi Mom,

 

We had another ok week. It all started on Tuesday, which Tuesday has become our busiest day of the week. You would think it would be the week end, but Tuesdays are always the busiest. Tuesday night we taught a lesson to our investigator Aaron G, the football player. Nicky another friend of the youth, who is a strong non-denominational believer, was there as well. This lesson, was the most spiritual lesson that I have participated in on my mission. It was a great lesson. Nicky told us his story of how he was born when his Mom was a teenager. His mother wasn't married, and didn't marry until a few years later to another man. Nicky wasn't with the best crowd about four years ago, and he began smoking marijuana. A year later his Dad died, which got him started in Church, and from that experience, Nicky had turned his life around. He is a great example to youth, and he is going to start reading the Book of Mormon. Aaron then told us his background, which was also amazing. He grew up without a church. When he was 10 years old he began to go to a Cowboy church. After awhile he stopped going. He also wasn't hanging out with the best crowd when he started high school, but he realized that he needed religion in his life, so he began looking. He said he could feel a difference every time he walked into a church, but he didn't really know what he was looking for at church. At the beginning of this school year, he read a little about our church. Later this year, he became friends with the youth of this ward. They invited him to church one week, and Aaron came. Then Aaron told us an incredible miracle that he had seen. The moment Aaron walked into the Church, just like in the other churches he walked into, he felt the spirit, but it was a little bit different. The way he felt told him that this was the church that he had been looking for, and the church that he needed to attend. He knew the church was true when he walked in the door, that is amazing to me.

 

As well as having good experiences, as missionaries there always has to be adversity. In Sunday school yesterday Aaron C was able to attend. He drinks a lot of coffee for health reasons, and the lesson just so happened to be about the word of wisdom. It was a scary meeting. Some of the members here just don't know when to shut their mouths. Aaron brought up his concern to the class, and every one felt like they needed to answer him. Elder Lynn and I sat there praying that he wouldn't feel offended. Luckily he is still willing to come to church and take the lessons, but he is against the Word of Wisdom, or at least the coffee part. So we will try to clear everything up this week. Wish us luck!

 

Besides all of that this week was a little slow. The challenge this week for McKinney Madness was number of lessons taught with a member present. We won again, so now we are heading into the finals which is number of baptismal invitations extended, so my companion and I are going to try to invite people at the door when we go tracting. Hopefully we have some success with it. I can't believe I am 1/3 of the way done. It has gone by fast, or at least it is going by fast now.

 

Transfers are coming up next week, but I hope I am staying. Sherman has been a great area for me, and probably will be one of my favorites for my whole mission.

 

Let me know if you hear where people are going on missions. I am excited to see where the youth go.

 

I love you! Have a fantastic week!

 

Elder Stewart

Our Zone Contacted 2000 People!

Mom!

 

We have had another great week here in Sherman! We taught some good lessons, and contacted a lot of people. Our zone as a whole contacted 2000 people this week, which was crazy! We are doing a competition thing here to help us get ready for March Madness. We call it McKinney Madness. The first week we competed in who could contact the most, and it payed off, because the zone contacted 2000 people. Last night we called in our District's numbers, and the zone leaders told us that we had 1,996 contacts, so we needed to contact four more. Elder Lynn and I, in our basketball shorts and shirts ran out of our apartment at 10:00 at night to contact the four more people that we needed to contact to reach 2000. It was quite the experience, but we got 2000.

 

On top of that, we set another baptismal date that is very solid. We now have Igor the African for March 8, Aaron C for March 8, and our new date with Aaron G for March 15. These dates are all looking really solid, and we should be baptizing next transfer. It will be a great experience! Aaron G our new baptismal date is 17, and the youth brought him to church. We met with him, and before we said anything, he told us he wants to be baptized. We are very excited for him. He plays football for Sherman high school, and he is already being recruited by Auburn, Florida State, Baylor, Texas. To start of the lesson, I asked him why he wanted to be baptized. His response was, "I have been thinking a lot about my future, and I want a new start with a strong faith in Christ. I went to become religious again so that when I go to school, I won't be as influenced by decisions and the people around me." After that response everyone in the room (The priests and us) were amazed. We knew right there that he was ready. I have never heard an answer so sincere in my life. He really wants to be baptized, and I can't wait to help him out! The youth in this ward are incredible. They are by far the best missionaries in the ward, and they are only 16 and 17. I wish I had experiences like that before my mission. They will be great missionaries!

 

I really can't believe how great the missionary work is here in Sherman. I love missionary work! I don't know if I have ever been so happy before in my life, and I really can't wait for this next transfer when we will be able to see some people come unto Christ through baptism. I have never experienced anything so fulfilling in my life. Oh yeah! Aaron C has finished the Book of Mormon, and he knows it is true. He has said many times, "I don't know why the church has so much against, from what I have read, I haven't found anything that goes against what I believe, or what the Bible says, and trust me, I have looked!" Aaron is very prepared for baptism! Really the only obstacle we have to conquer for him would be that he drinks a lot of coffee.

 

 Chase is doing great! Tell him that he better get his Eagle before I get home. I am proud of him, and excited for him as well. How long will he need braces?

 

I am still doing great, and I did receive the package. Thank you very much for it. The pringles are greatly appreciated. I hope y'all have a good week!

 

Elder Stewart

Miracles!!

Mom,

I am still doing great! Like I said last week, the miracles come after a trial of your faith, and we definitely saw some miracles this last week. It made up for the bad week we had before, and it shows that as we do all we can, even in our hardships, the Lord will do all we can't. I love this work!

We started out the week teaching lots of lessons, and we knew it was going to be a good week. We were excited for the people we were visiting, and we have been working hard to find the prepared. On Wednesday, we had a zone meeting which started out with a really long boring training on contacting referrals. It was a good training that took way to long to explain, but that same day, we received a referral, that I may have put off until later had the training not taken place. We contacted the referral quickly, and set up an appointment for the next day. When we passed by his house for the lesson, it went great! We found out that he was researching his family history, and found out that some of his ancestors were pioneers. He wondered why he hadn't known about it, and wanted to know what we believe, so he went on line, and requested the missionaries from Mormon.org. Not only that, but in his research, he had found that he comes from Scotland, and that he is related to Stewarts. On top of that, he had been praying for something about his family history, for example a Stewart, and I came to his house. It was perfect timing, and I finally realize why I was called to Dallas, Texas, and why I am teaching in English. His name is Aaron. He is a war veteran and 43 years old. He has really bad health, so he is retired.

We taught Aaron a great lesson on Thursday, and another on Friday, and another on Saturday. Aaron has already read through 1 and 2 Nephi, and partway through Jacob. He will probably have the book finished by the next time we go to his house. He is truly prepared, and really we only have a few things that are holding him back. We are so blessed, and saw the miracle of the Lord's timing this week.

The second miracle came on Saturday, when our investigator Igor called. He is the young African from Gabon. He had a really tough week this week, and had to rely on the Book of Mormon a little. Igor is 25 and is staying here to go to school. In order for him to go to school, he also has to work a lot, so his schedule is really crazy. This passed week, Igor didn't have enough money to pay his tuition, and was still going to school, and working. He was feeling really depressed, and read from the Book of Mormon to find comfort. It was Ironic, because the last time we had taught him, he had asked us to give him some scriptures he could use to help him through his trials, and to give him comfort. He read those scriptures, and they really helped him out. He was also praying about whether or not he should be baptized, and he received his answer saying yes! We were so excited when he called us on Saturday. Another miracle had happened, and we couldn't believe it. We are so excited for him. There are some things that we still have to work out, but he is doing great!

I love missionary work! We had some other miracles happen this week, with finding some people, but the two I wrote were the biggest.

I am not going to lie, we don't do a whole lot here in Sherman to have fun. There is not a lot to do. I have however picked up a new hobby/skill, and that is juggling. It is my new stress reliever at night. I will come home after a long day and start juggling. It is funny, I think as missionaries we have the ability to pick up things faster than we normally would, like juggling. There are also may missionaries that pick up the Ukulele on their missions. My companion and I are still getting along great, and I am having more fun this transfer than I have my whole mission. The companions for me just keep getting better and better.

I am not sure if you saw it in my last letter, but I would really like my Priesthood line of authority. There have been so many times over the passed couple of weeks when I could have used it, so it would be very helpful! Besides that I am doing great!

Thank you for all you do! I love you and miss you a lot!

Kyle

 

A Tough Week!

Mom,

 

More pictures are on the way! January did go by very fast, and I hope it will only get faster from here. We have had a very tough week. We taught some good lessons, but it seemed as though every good lesson we taught came with much adversity. It is so hard to have trials that I can't fix or really do anything about. I love my investigators, and when they are struggling, or making bad decisions, I feel terrible. On top of that, we have had so many people not being home for appointments, canceling, or dropping us. When we thought this week was finally over and done with, last night we called one of our investigators that we have an appointment with tonight and he dropped us as well, so I am really hoping that things start picking back up. It really just goes to show you that as a missionary when you start to have success, trials always come to test your faith, and strengthen your testimony. I believe some great miracles are coming from it though. Hopefully things will start getting better.

 

The weather has been very up and down. It was very cold to start the week, then we weren't wearing jackets in the middle of the week, then we were stuck inside AGAIN last night because of ice. So, to answer your question on how is the weather, I don't really know, because by the time I adjust to it the weather changes. I love the warm days though, those are great!

Ryan will be a great tutor for you, much better than I ever was. He is a genius, so your money is going to good use. I am personally still doing good. I would love my direct line of authority though maybe laminated, that would be very useful. I am doing good. I love you tons too!!

 

Love Kyle

 

P.S. Tell Brook that I miss her and I love her more.

Hi Dad,

This week was a tough one, but for miracles to happen, there must be a trial of your faith, so I believe some miracles are on there way!

 

1. Are there members in your ward that helping you with missionary work?

The members are great about feeding us, and coming out with us to lessons, but not so much on the referrals. We are working on it though.

 

2. Have you had any more Ice storms go through?

Yesterday. Again. More Doritos and Jesus the Christ

 

3. How are the missionaries in your District (any headaches)

Not really, maybe a small one, but they are a good small district.

 

4. How did you investigators do this week.  (Did they find their answers, come to church)?

They had some trials this week. Igor the African has been coming to church since we met him, and he is the closest to baptism. I am excited about him.

 

5. How far do you have to go for Zone Conferences? 

40-60 miles

 

6. What is President and Sister Durrant like?

Very loving people who are also very strict about obedience. President Durrant reminds me of Elder Holland.

 

7. Do you still do service at the food place every week? what service do you do now?

We still do the same service at the food place.

 

8. Do you have or will you be getting an IPAD?

I am not sure. We don't have one, and I don't think we will be getting one soon.

 

9. What experiences did you have this week?

We are teaching an 18 year old named Shannon. He has been coming to church for over a year now, and really likes the environment. He however, tells everyone that he doesn't believe in God, so we have been working with him help him develop a testimony, which we are sure he already has. We asked him to describe his thoughts about why he doesn't believe God, and he told us that pretty much there is no purpose to life. I learned two things from this: 1) I have really come to love my investigators. Every time that Shannon says that he doesn't believe in God, it hurts. It takes my breath away and I never know what to say next. He is a good kid, and I really want what is best for him, but there is some kind of problem that is holding him back. 2) I am so grateful for the plan of salvation. For my knowledge that gives me a purpose in this life, and something to live for. I know that there is a God that loves me, that I will see Uncle Clay again, and that I will be happy after this life. I don't know how someone would disbelieve that plan, because it is so beautiful. I love this gospel!

 

10. How is your testimony different then it was when you left?

I know I have said it many times, but my testimony and relationship with Christ are so much stronger now. I love the Atonement, and my desire to share it grows every day of my mission. I love my mission!

 

Thanks for writing me every week. You have taught me a lot, and continue to teach me every day. I love you!

 

Kyle