"Okay so as you probably know, transfers were yesterday and..... Drum
roll please! Sac sent me away. I am now serving in an area called
Rancho Cordova. Our branch is la riviera branch. And my new companion
is Hermana Vergaray. (Pronounced like you're saying "very good eye" )
I actually came to the field with her but she knew some Spanish
already so she went to Provo. She is from Washington and she is super
cute! I am very excited to be with her! Our area is the area just
north of sac and we cover Rancho Cordova, Folsom a bit of Sacramento
and el dorado. I am excited to try something new but let me tell you,
saying goodbye was SO hard! Basically I cried and cried through out
sacrament meeting. When presidente lemon found out I was leaving, he
said "okay then you're singing." Pick a song. So I sang I know that my
redeemer lives which was kind of like my last testimony to the branch.
Also J came! Right after sacrament meeting, she hugged me and
started sobbing. When we went over later, she said "if I choose to be
baptized, I want you to be there" and I said " of course! Just tell
the missionaries that you want to invite Hermana Stevens and I will be
there!" And she said "that will be the first thing out of my mouth" :)
I said goodbye to her and also a and A. It was sad but I will
visit again! I am so grateful for the time o had to be with all those
people and those in the ward. They are so amazing. And that's another
reason why the mission is hard! It's like you're constantly saying
goodbye to people you learn to love as if you're leaving on another
mission! Ah!
Also this week was my little friend, B (the girl in the
orange dress if you remember) got baptized his week :)
I also had to say goodbye to S and her family this week. They
took it okay but it's because I promised to come back in February for
her baptism BECAUSE she chose a day to be baptized! On February 26! :D
last week we went to the funeral for her brother. It was really sad.
It made me vey grateful for my knowledge of Gods plan of salvation!
Even though we have to all part at one time, it is only for a short
while. We will all be able to see everyone again! And that is so
amazing to me. I will try my best to send some pictures of this week
because I took a lot but a lot of them but most of them are on my
camera and I may or may not be able to get on a computer today. Well
love you al! :)
Love,
Hermana Stevens"
October 26
"What a good week! It has been different for sure but good! We have
been working with a couple of people and it's been good. It has been
fun to kind of get to know this new area and the people that we get to
work with. We did a "blitz" yesterday where four sets of missionaries
came and worked in our area to expand our teaching pool. It went well!
Each companionship got a couple returns so we are going to have a busy
week! Hermana Vergaray and I went to Folsom and el dorado to do some
work over there. We don't get over there a lot because we have 0
members there, it's a nicer area and it's pretty far but it's pretty!
It's really hilly and nice. I like it over there. We found a former
who wants us to come back so we will be teaching her again! Right now
we are teaching two girls who's family's are members but now they are
going to get baptized in November!
Honestly not a lot to report on this week. It has been going well
though! Hermana Vergaray is a hoot :) we have lots of fun.
I love this area. I have had a pretty good transition I really like
it. I love being a missionary. I love sharing the gospel all day. I
love the restored truths that it contains and that I get the
opportunity to share that with other people so that they can partake
of the blessings I have been able to see in my life. Thanks for all
you do! I love you all very much! :)
Sorry it's so short.
The church is true.
Hermana Stevens"
November 2
"Hello all! This has been a good week with a lot of finding and good
lessons. We are expanding our teaching pool strengthening the one we
have :) one of the things I really want to do here is strengthen the
branch! The branch is pretty small and there are a lot of less
actives. It's really sad. When we started sacrament meeting yesterday,
there was 15 adults there.. It's pretty sad. Just as the general
authorities have have been focusing on keeping the sabbath day holy,
we as a mission have been too. It has really made me think. We had a
training on the sabbath and the sacrament and it was brought up the if
people more fully understood he atonement and the importance of the
sacrament, they would understand keeping the sabbath day holy and we
wouldn't even have to push the actually coming to church part. Truly
the sacrament one of the most important ordinances we have. And it is
the only one that we get to repeat for ourselves. The symbolism of the
sacrament is incredible. I think when we truly think about Christ and
his very real sacrifice that he performed for us, and what it means to
us, it can bring a different kind and very deserving reverence to
sacrament meeting. Which leads me to my next point: thanksgiving plan!
I am going to choose one I got to be thankful for each day. Then think
about why. So yesterday, I chose the sacrament :) I am truly thankful
for what my savior has done for me. The way he has made up for all of
my shortcomings. I am thankful I have the opportunity to think about
his sacrifice ever week and renew those promises I have made. I would
like to encourage everyone who is reading this to think about what
they can do to make the sacrament more meaningful to them whether it
is just to think of Christ more or make it a goal to see what you can
do to better yourself. Prepare yourself before to make sure you are
worthy and open your mind to the whispering of the spirit to see what
you can do better the following week. Also, read what lack I yet from
conference, make it a day for the Lord and enjoy your sabbath! :)
My second thing that I am thankful for is my sister! :) today is her
birthday and I am thankful that she was born! She has always been such
an amazing example to me. I am so grateful that I have her to help me
through hard times. Her testimony has always strengthened mine. She is
a perfect example of a faithful daughter of God. She knows who she is.
She is funny, she laughs at me. She has put up with me for almost 20
years. Love you Mia :)
Thanks for the letters and emails. I hope you have a really good
November. Much love!"
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