This is Marco....Fletcher's investigator from Peru.
Que Tal Familia?
Yup yup yup! I have just around 2.5 days left here at the CCM! Honestly, It sounds weird but I feel like I have spent no time here at all! The closer is gets to the end, the more I feel like yesterday I was just beginning! But I am beyond excited to hit the field! All the questions that I have had about my mission, all the speculation, will soon be over!
The past few days have been wonderful, and yet...I can't remember any of the specific details. Literally, I feel awful but I hate writing in my journal with a passion. (before you freak out mama yes I am still writing in it anyways;) But seriously, I understand the importance and everything, and I even pray for more desire to write! But I get so bored talking about myself....kinda like right now!
So I will divulge:
I have a piece of advice for anyone that is preparing to serve a mission
(which should be almost everyone right? "every member a missionary") hahahah
READ THE BOOK OF MORMON
like honestly, read it day and night and every free second you have, even if you dont have any. The Book of Mormon is the literal words of God. My biggest regret before coming out here is that I don't have every single flipping page memorized. Some people might think that, "oh, I don't have to read because I will be a missionary soon and all they do is read the scriptures day and night"
That is wrong. I wish that were true, but it isn't! We focus all of our study around our investigators, so if you want to build your own personal testimony of the BOM. The time is before your mission.
I wish I could show you a picture of my Spanish LDM (el Libro de Mormon) They are straight decked out with so much marking and notes and book marks. Everything I could think of!
Why you might ask? good question, I will tell you.
The Book of Mormon is the single most beautiful testament of Christ in the world. I love those pages with all of my heart.
I know that I probably sound like a cheesy missionary, but I crave the knowledge and truth that I know I can find whenever I read it.
And that is only one application-
You might say, "Sure it is phenomenal and holds all the doctrine we need for personal salvation...but why else?"
If there is one correlative theory (making up words now, hold me back) that I know to be true, it is that reading the Book of Mormon is inseparably connected with the presence of the Holy Ghost.
And what does the presence of the Holy Ghost indicate? feelings of Peace, Love, Clarity of Mind, Direction, and Purpose.
Wow do I love that book.
That is the end of my rant:P
I forgot to mention that last sunday...maybe two sundays ago...I can't remember time here. Elder Oaks came and spoke to the whole CCM! Honestly, it was fantastic...but I dont have my notes nor that time to explain everything that he said. Basically what I want to highlight is the splendor of having Apostles on the earth today. Before Elder Oaks walked in, the whole CCM was singing songs and inviting the spirit. But as soon as he stepped into the room, 2000+ missionaries stood up. He came in like a champion, or atleast those are my words. It was more like a humble, reverent, smiling man! Wow I have the utmost respect for him and every other Apostle.
It only helps that fact that as soon as he starts talking, you can immediately feel love. In my life, I don't actually know any of the Apostles personally. I can't remember meeting one, or shaking their hand, or anything like that. But I know, because I can feel it, that those men love the members of this church. I feel like that is crazy. How can any of them love me specifically if they have never met me. I don't know how, but I know that they do. The same as they love all of you.
Best wishes to everyone! You are all in my prayers, and I mean it! I pray for your success. I hope you all know that! I couldn't be happier here serving my God!
Con Amor,
Elder Stewart-Chester
Yup yup yup! I have just around 2.5 days left here at the CCM! Honestly, It sounds weird but I feel like I have spent no time here at all! The closer is gets to the end, the more I feel like yesterday I was just beginning! But I am beyond excited to hit the field! All the questions that I have had about my mission, all the speculation, will soon be over!
The past few days have been wonderful, and yet...I can't remember any of the specific details. Literally, I feel awful but I hate writing in my journal with a passion. (before you freak out mama yes I am still writing in it anyways;) But seriously, I understand the importance and everything, and I even pray for more desire to write! But I get so bored talking about myself....kinda like right now!
So I will divulge:
I have a piece of advice for anyone that is preparing to serve a mission
(which should be almost everyone right? "every member a missionary") hahahah
READ THE BOOK OF MORMON
like honestly, read it day and night and every free second you have, even if you dont have any. The Book of Mormon is the literal words of God. My biggest regret before coming out here is that I don't have every single flipping page memorized. Some people might think that, "oh, I don't have to read because I will be a missionary soon and all they do is read the scriptures day and night"
That is wrong. I wish that were true, but it isn't! We focus all of our study around our investigators, so if you want to build your own personal testimony of the BOM. The time is before your mission.
I wish I could show you a picture of my Spanish LDM (el Libro de Mormon) They are straight decked out with so much marking and notes and book marks. Everything I could think of!
Why you might ask? good question, I will tell you.
The Book of Mormon is the single most beautiful testament of Christ in the world. I love those pages with all of my heart.
I know that I probably sound like a cheesy missionary, but I crave the knowledge and truth that I know I can find whenever I read it.
And that is only one application-
You might say, "Sure it is phenomenal and holds all the doctrine we need for personal salvation...but why else?"
If there is one correlative theory (making up words now, hold me back) that I know to be true, it is that reading the Book of Mormon is inseparably connected with the presence of the Holy Ghost.
And what does the presence of the Holy Ghost indicate? feelings of Peace, Love, Clarity of Mind, Direction, and Purpose.
Wow do I love that book.
That is the end of my rant:P
I forgot to mention that last sunday...maybe two sundays ago...I can't remember time here. Elder Oaks came and spoke to the whole CCM! Honestly, it was fantastic...but I dont have my notes nor that time to explain everything that he said. Basically what I want to highlight is the splendor of having Apostles on the earth today. Before Elder Oaks walked in, the whole CCM was singing songs and inviting the spirit. But as soon as he stepped into the room, 2000+ missionaries stood up. He came in like a champion, or atleast those are my words. It was more like a humble, reverent, smiling man! Wow I have the utmost respect for him and every other Apostle.
It only helps that fact that as soon as he starts talking, you can immediately feel love. In my life, I don't actually know any of the Apostles personally. I can't remember meeting one, or shaking their hand, or anything like that. But I know, because I can feel it, that those men love the members of this church. I feel like that is crazy. How can any of them love me specifically if they have never met me. I don't know how, but I know that they do. The same as they love all of you.
Best wishes to everyone! You are all in my prayers, and I mean it! I pray for your success. I hope you all know that! I couldn't be happier here serving my God!
Con Amor,
Elder Stewart-Chester