How's life? I pray all is well with each of you.
I don't know how to write an email without saying that life is
fantastic. I feel like the Lord blesses me with ridiculous amounts of
enthusiasm just to be alive. I definitely can feel the support and
love coming from each of your prayers, and I can't thank you enough.
So this week! We had transfer meeting and I met Elder Hughes. He is
such a stud. Literally it is super fun being his companion. We have a
very similar sarcastic humor. This transfer is going to fly by.
I am serving in the Arlington Heights 3rd Spanish Ward, and we work in
the area of Des Plaines. Let me tell you, it is really different from
the area I used to be in. First things first let me tell you about my
first couple experiences in the area.
First night: We spent some time tracting and attempting to help me get
a feel for the area because the Zone Leaders wanted to go on exchanges
the following morning, and guess what? They wanted me to take over the
area. (I swear this always happens to me haha). So my first actual
"morning" in the area, Elder Hughes left to go serve in the Zone
Leaders area, and Elder Giolitto came with me. Elder Giolitto also
just got transferred here, so it was pretty much a mini "white-wash"
(none of the elders know anything about the area). The day was
actually really cool! Elder Giolitto is a English speaking Elder, but
he is from Italy, English is his second language and Italian is
similar to Spanish, so he can understand most Spanish he just can't
speak it. Anyways, it was really fun to call our members and say,
"Hey, you have never met me, but I'm the new Elder in the area, can
you come to a lesson with us?" It was definitely a day where we just
put our faith in the Lord, and we saw a lot of success!
That night I also met "Obispo". Obispo is a legend around the mission,
pretty much every Spanish elder has heard of him. Obispo (which means
bishop) is the bishop of our ward and probably the most active
missionary I have ever met. He is a very humble man that gives all of
his time to fulfilling his calling and helping the missionaries.
Literally. His side door is always open, and missionaries have
standing permission to enter as they please. If his wife sees you
walking outside she yells, "¿ya comieron?" which means, "Have you
already eaten?" It is ridiculous haha! we have to keep reminding her
that we need to get to our appointments and that we have specific
hours set aside to eat. They are the best. Obispo has a million
different mannerisms, but one thing that I find hilarious is he always
says "WOW Élder" really sarcastically. Just over and over again,
"Wow....wow...wow" while you are trying to explain a story to him.
So to say the least, this area is going to be sweet.
Life is grand.
The work is fantastic.
There is a lot of Hispanics to work with here, and the diversity in
the ward is way more noticeable. It is still a majority from Mexico,
but there are so many other sweet accents to learn from. Plus the
Hermana training leaders are in our ward and one of them is from
Spain. It's nice to feel really comfortable with the language, I
definitely have been blessed by the Lord in that sense. The other day
this man asked if I was from Chile or Argentina (because Chileans and
Argentines look whiter). And when I was talking to a man I told him
that I was from Michoacán and he believed me haha!
There are also a ton of Rusians and Indians in our area. Sometimes we
knock an entire apartment complex and can't speak to anyone because
they all speak Russian. I need to start memorizing phrases so that I
can give them stuff to read!
I will keep you updated as we start finding people to teach and
baptize! I really appreciate all your prayers. We want to baptize 1
person every month so there is going to be a lot of work coming up in
the next few weeks!
I love life, and I love you all!
Have the best week ever,
Con amor,
Elder Stewart-Chester
1319 Butterfield Rd Suite 522
Downers Grove, IL 60515