Que tal familia? Como les va? Another week flies by here in the mission field. Literally this week might have been the busiest week of my entire life, and next week will probably top it hahah! It is very satisfying to have so much to do and feel like you are accomplishing things. The only down side is that admist the chaos and rush, you look down at your watch and realize that it is the 30th of January. Yikes. The transfer will be over next week!
This week was filled with exchanges, meeting preparations, the worldwide missionary broadcast, missionary leadership council, interviews, and a whole lot of fun. We saw miracles, met new people, and felt the guidance of the Spirit. So unfortunately, I won't be able to fit it all into this email but I'll share a interesting experience I had,
On Tuesday we were on exchanges with the Rockford North elders when we got a call that a missionary had been diagnosed with cancer and would have to go home for medical treatment. It was really sad, but he is a champion missionary with a lot of courage. President asked us to take him to the airport, and we were able to talk to him about a few things. He is valiant and is needed at home right now. So that took 2 hours out of our exchange that we had planned with the RN elders, so by the time we got back to our apartment Elder Kearl(serving in Rockford) and I had about 2.5 to get out and work. We rushed straight out to the streets and had one of the most successful 2.5hrs of my mission.
First we set up some appointments, then we tracted a few doors and found one a really solid potential named Josh that we will be following up on this Tuesday.
Then we stopped by a lady named Tellie who had potential to become a new investigator. She let us in! And we taught her a really wonderful lesson, we felt the Spirit fill her home. As we were about to leave her husband walked in, beyond drunk. Uh oh. He start yelling profanities and getting pretty agressive, at first I was ready to stand up and restrain him, but randomly the atmosphere semi-changed and he sat down and started drilling us with a bunch of questions. "Who is God?" "How do we know Him?" things of that nature. Then he asked, "Do you know the song Hotel California?" We didn't want to provoke anything so we didn't respond. He proceeded to sing and do air guitar of "Hotel California" while getting frustrated that we didn't recognize it. hahaha I am laughing just thinking about it. We managed to say a prayer and set up an appointment with Tellie with a member. It was wild, and I left out the details, but you get the point!
Life is sweet. People are incredible and interesting. The gospel makes so much sense compared to the philosphies of the world,
I love God for His Son, Jesus Christ. They are the key to true joy!
Con amor,
Elder Stewart-Chester