How has everyone been this week? I pray for the best. Your support and love means so much!
This week has been fantastic.
We had a few exchanges that were really great experiences, so I spend my time talking about those:
The first was with Elder Ruiz. He is a fantastic Elder. For those who remember, he was in my district in Arlington Heights as well so we have know each other for awhile. Actually I've known him since he was born, which was 4.5 transfers ago (7months). On the exchange we went and did service at a huge huge food pantry. Like it was gigantic. Super fun. We meet a lot of differents sorts of people and it is wonderful to be able to speak Spanish to the people that come and those who work there. Elder Ruiz and I ended up working in the freezer the whole time sorting food. It was disgusting but really worth it. People always ask us where we are from and it is a great way to share simple testimony about what we do and how much we love it. Most people can hardly believe that we would volunteer to be missionaries, but I laugh inside imagining what my life would be like if I had not chosen to come out. Wow what a dreary thought. My life is the mission.
The next exchange was with Elder Atkinson. He continues to impress me. This is only his 2nd transfer in the field. We get along really well. On our exchange we acomplished alot in his area doing service and teaching some less active members. I want to focus specifically on those less active lessons because they were really inspiring! The first man that we taught is such a nice man, and we chose to focus on the Book of Mormon to be able to re-ignite his passion for the gospel. Just before we got to the appointment we both felt strongly that if he hadn't been reading, that we were just going to read with him and start at 1 Nephi 1 (the very first chapter in the Book of Mormon). So we did! It was one of the more powerful lesson in my mission. We took turns reading and the Lord showed us how much the scriptures can apply to our lives, even just in the first chapter of the Book! At the end of the lesson the man just held the Book of Mormon in his hands and said, "This book is speaking to me!" We all laughed, and then the Spirit of the lesson got really sweet as he got choked up and said, "Thank you for this message, I am going to read this Book everyday."
Let me tell ya, I love the scriptures more than I can describe. Sometimes people just need to see how they can use and apply them into their lives! Don't give up on people. Read with them. Love them.
I am happy and healthy! Time is going by too fast!
I pray you all have the best week,
Elder Stewart-Chester
1319 Butterfield Rd Ste 522
Downers Grove, IL 60515