1. Us with Hermana De la Peña making gorditas
2. Do you remember my trainer Elder Marchant? I can't remember if I mentioned this but last transfer he became the new Assistant to the President! This is us on exchanges
Buenos Dias!
Como estamos familia?
It has been a beautiful week here in Illinois! The sun is shining and it is getting chilly. I am super excited for winter and I hope that it snows more than last year haha! The area and the people are wonderful and the work is progressing!
There were a couple of wonderful things that happened this week so I am going to split them up into individual miracles. On Wednesday we started an initative in our zone to find more people to teach. Without getting into all of the logistics, I will share a few miracles that happened in our area:
Wednesday
We finished the initaitve planning during the designated hour with quite a few stop-bys and an appointments scheduled for the day and we left the apartment pumped! As we went around our area carrying out our plans, we were a little bit discouraged becuase no one was home or they rejected the message at the door! We got to the last stop-by of the night and knocked while listening to them on the other side of the door saying not to open up. Walking away frustrated (and in the rain), we passed a house on the way to the car. The house had lights on. We stopped and said "we need to knock this door". We knocked, Hermano Elmer Chagoya opened the door. After talking with him for 5 mins, we asked if we could come in to share a message. At the end of the message he prayed to his Heavenly Father for the first time vocally and without reciting the words. Got a return appointment. Got home at9:30PM. #Blessed
Thursday
We had previously met a lady at our service in the clothes closet called Celinda. She had mentioned to us that in Guatemala, where she lived, she housed 6 companionships of missionaries and even met the president of our church in that time! We set up an appointment for noon and when we stopped by she received us with much enthusiasm! Come to find out, she's 88 years old! But she only looks about 51-70. The lesson was interesting but we overall left her with a good feeling and desire to learn more about where the true church of Christ is! We set up a return appointment, and as we were leaving she started asking us questions like "Where will I go when I die? What about those who never knew about God?" Perfect questions! She doesn't work so she is more than willing to read what we give her, and we have an appointment next week with our Bishop! Before we left she exclaimed, "Why don't I have grandchildren that are your age! Wait, there is one that is 15 she is really pretty..." ect. haha! As I shook her hand goodbye she pulled me in saying, "Abrazos y no pagan!" which means "Hugs are free!" and she pulled me in for a hug. (picture in your mind a 88yr old 5' tall Guatemalteca lady, how was I supposed to refuse?) hahahaha!
Saturday
We went to stop by a potential investigator that we have given many chances and we had decided before knocking his door that we were going to drop him if he wasn't there and didn't answer his phone. We knock his door and he wasn't there, but his little brother (who is 22 years old) answered. He said that Silvario (the potential we were looking for) was taking a shower but would be out soon. So we started to talk with the brother and he eventually let us in to share our message. We showed the video "Origin" and just as we started his brother (the potential) came out and watched it with us! He left right after for work so we couldn't make him a new investigator, but we taught his brother how to pray and he said the prayer at the end. We have an appointment for next Saturday with both of them and in that appointment we will make the potential a new investigator as well!
There are many miracles that happen all around us each day, so don't forget to take the time to notice them.
I know that God lives. I know that He is conscious of our everyday lives. I have felt His guidance and support throughout my life and especially in the mission field.
Remember! These blessings and more are availible to those who find time in their day to kneel down and ask. I hope that you will find the peace and comfort I do as I pray to Him.
Have a wonderful week! You are in my thoughts and prayers,
Con mucho amor,
Elder Stewart-Chester
1319 Butterfield Rd Ste 522
Downers Grove, IL 60515
Como estamos familia?
It has been a beautiful week here in Illinois! The sun is shining and it is getting chilly. I am super excited for winter and I hope that it snows more than last year haha! The area and the people are wonderful and the work is progressing!
There were a couple of wonderful things that happened this week so I am going to split them up into individual miracles. On Wednesday we started an initative in our zone to find more people to teach. Without getting into all of the logistics, I will share a few miracles that happened in our area:
Wednesday
We finished the initaitve planning during the designated hour with quite a few stop-bys and an appointments scheduled for the day and we left the apartment pumped! As we went around our area carrying out our plans, we were a little bit discouraged becuase no one was home or they rejected the message at the door! We got to the last stop-by of the night and knocked while listening to them on the other side of the door saying not to open up. Walking away frustrated (and in the rain), we passed a house on the way to the car. The house had lights on. We stopped and said "we need to knock this door". We knocked, Hermano Elmer Chagoya opened the door. After talking with him for 5 mins, we asked if we could come in to share a message. At the end of the message he prayed to his Heavenly Father for the first time vocally and without reciting the words. Got a return appointment. Got home at9:30PM. #Blessed
Thursday
We had previously met a lady at our service in the clothes closet called Celinda. She had mentioned to us that in Guatemala, where she lived, she housed 6 companionships of missionaries and even met the president of our church in that time! We set up an appointment for noon and when we stopped by she received us with much enthusiasm! Come to find out, she's 88 years old! But she only looks about 51-70. The lesson was interesting but we overall left her with a good feeling and desire to learn more about where the true church of Christ is! We set up a return appointment, and as we were leaving she started asking us questions like "Where will I go when I die? What about those who never knew about God?" Perfect questions! She doesn't work so she is more than willing to read what we give her, and we have an appointment next week with our Bishop! Before we left she exclaimed, "Why don't I have grandchildren that are your age! Wait, there is one that is 15 she is really pretty..." ect. haha! As I shook her hand goodbye she pulled me in saying, "Abrazos y no pagan!" which means "Hugs are free!" and she pulled me in for a hug. (picture in your mind a 88yr old 5' tall Guatemalteca lady, how was I supposed to refuse?) hahahaha!
Saturday
We went to stop by a potential investigator that we have given many chances and we had decided before knocking his door that we were going to drop him if he wasn't there and didn't answer his phone. We knock his door and he wasn't there, but his little brother (who is 22 years old) answered. He said that Silvario (the potential we were looking for) was taking a shower but would be out soon. So we started to talk with the brother and he eventually let us in to share our message. We showed the video "Origin" and just as we started his brother (the potential) came out and watched it with us! He left right after for work so we couldn't make him a new investigator, but we taught his brother how to pray and he said the prayer at the end. We have an appointment for next Saturday with both of them and in that appointment we will make the potential a new investigator as well!
There are many miracles that happen all around us each day, so don't forget to take the time to notice them.
I know that God lives. I know that He is conscious of our everyday lives. I have felt His guidance and support throughout my life and especially in the mission field.
Remember! These blessings and more are availible to those who find time in their day to kneel down and ask. I hope that you will find the peace and comfort I do as I pray to Him.
Have a wonderful week! You are in my thoughts and prayers,
Con mucho amor,
Elder Stewart-Chester
1319 Butterfield Rd Ste 522
Downers Grove, IL 60515