Family!
Alright. Let's not beat around the bush: I get to sing in General Conference!!! Priesthood session. What an opportunity, huh? I'll sing Saturday, listen to conference sunday, pack up that night, and then leave for Paraguay Monday morning, the 4th. Unbeleivable. Where has the time gone??? I love it. What a blessing, to leave on such an exceptional high note, conference. I'm extremely excited to listen. Studying and learning as a missionary is different. Very different. It takes on such an importance, such meaning. I want to soak up everything I possibly can, so that I can hit Paraguay running. A week and a half and this MTC experience is over. It's been so good for me. There's still a lot to do these last ten days though. We get our travel plans tomorrow, so I'll let you know the specifics next Wednesday. After that, you're going to have to start emailing me.
A quick story: I had the BEST day on sunday. Mostly because of the Cafeteria. What did I eat? Take a guess? A salad!!! Yes, Elder Stewart the Healthy is what they've begun calling me here. With water to drink. I'm almost in tears with how proud I am of myself. BUT, it doesn't stop there. In the salad there were tomatoes. Real, once-living, tomatoes. And it gets better. Olives. I ATE OLIVES. :_). Paraguay, throw everything you've got at me! My tastebuds are ready! It's a modern miracle. To top the day off, as I was leaving, there was this little boy, probably three years old, with his dad, who serves in the MTC. In the field, we're instructed to talk with everyone, so I decided he was a good one to start with. He had a little, "future missionary" badge on, and was dressed up in a suit. I squatted down and asked him if he was a missionary. He took a step so that his big brown eyes were right up close to mine and nodded. His Hispanic mother noticed my spanish nametag, and instructed him to tell me his name. To my surprise, he told it to me in Spanish!!! We had a short conversation together, in Spanish, and then we left, him shaking my finger, because it was the only thing small enough for him to wrap his hand around.
Moral of the story: Yes, I'm fluent, and can speak with the natives.
; _). Real moral of the story: If all people became as little children, like we're instructed, then I'd be fluent, and be able to speak with the Natives. ;_).
It was a great day.
Anyways, I really do love it here. I'm studying in Alma right now in the Book of Mormon, and everytime I sit down for personal study I feel like I'm sitting down with Ammon himself, and having a one-on-one gospel discussion with him. Dad, we had a member of the 70 come and speak with us last night, and he spoke about the formula for learning spiritual truths, and receving spiritural blessings. Doctrine and Covenants 130: 20-21. I thought of you the whole time, and talked about you during our district devotional after. Thanks for your passion in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Elder Stewart
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Week 6
My family,
Week six. I can't even beleive it. Honestly. When I arrived here, the elders that had been here six weeks were the greatest things ever. Their spanish was beyond what I could ever dream of speaking here in the MTC. They seemed like they were at least a year older than I was. They seemed to have life pretty well figured out. ;_).
Isn't it funny how that works out? Haha, I sure don't feel like I'm the top dog here. Not with my spanish, especially. But I do suppose that I'm comfortable. Time has helped me to learn patience. It's all going to come. God will provide, as long as I keep working my hardest.
With that being said though, first things first. DAD!!! Haha. Father. I'm really wishing right now that I had taken more time to sit down and talk to you about your mission. You were wide open before I left! You read me parts of your journal and all. And now I'm just dying for advice. So. From the man whom my genes come from. HELP!!! ;_). How did you do it?? I'm about to head down to a foreign country. By myself. I don't know why that hasn't hit me until today. ;_). But maybe a story, or a scripture, or anything that really helped you out when you couldn't even talk to your companion, because he was native. Haha, I'm not scared. Just a little anxious. I'm a man now. Men don't get scared. One of our PPI's right now would be nice. Sorry I didn't take as much time as you offered before I left. You always were there to help me, to get me ready, to answer my questions. I think I took that for granted sometimes. ;_). Thanks for being patient with me. Love you.
Mom, I loved what you said about being fishers of men, and being baptized. I REALLY do beleive that the Lord is shaping people in paraguay, preparing them with His hand to recieve His word. All I have to do is find them and help them to feel that spirit that they've been waiting for. Oh boy, I get so excited just thinking about it. As my companion Elder Dexter would say, "Josh, you look like a little boy in a candy store." Haha, I really can't wait to get out. I'm still learning a ton, becoming much more prepared to leave, but I just want to go! You know, it's the strangest thing, even though I'm out on my mission, I still feel like I'm only 20 minutes away from home. I almost feel like I could just get up and walk out one morning and make it home in time for lunch! Weird huh? :_).
Dad, thanks for the picture of you in the MTC. My companions and I got a big kick out of that. I don't think the buildings have changed one bit. ;_). Mom, thanks for the package. Oh, and in answer to your question, OF COURSE you can send a Christmas present before I leave!!! What kind of a nineteen year old would turn that request down?? The question is, can I open it early? If not.... I don't know. Patience is a Christlike attribute, Chapter 6 of Preach My Gospel. Maybe I could make it till Christmas without opening it.... missionaries sometimes do superhuman things. I've heard stories....
Anyways, I hope all is well. I love you all. I pray for you often. I know you're being taken care of though. I don't worry about it too much. Keep sending George's emails. I love them.
Thanks for the pics. I'm getting them laminated to carry around in my shirt pocket in paraguay to show investigators that I'm real, and normal. How many nineteen year olds go around all day talking about church? They must think we're REALLY weird. ;_).
Take care!
Elder Joshua Calvin Stewart
Week six. I can't even beleive it. Honestly. When I arrived here, the elders that had been here six weeks were the greatest things ever. Their spanish was beyond what I could ever dream of speaking here in the MTC. They seemed like they were at least a year older than I was. They seemed to have life pretty well figured out. ;_).
Isn't it funny how that works out? Haha, I sure don't feel like I'm the top dog here. Not with my spanish, especially. But I do suppose that I'm comfortable. Time has helped me to learn patience. It's all going to come. God will provide, as long as I keep working my hardest.
With that being said though, first things first. DAD!!! Haha. Father. I'm really wishing right now that I had taken more time to sit down and talk to you about your mission. You were wide open before I left! You read me parts of your journal and all. And now I'm just dying for advice. So. From the man whom my genes come from. HELP!!! ;_). How did you do it?? I'm about to head down to a foreign country. By myself. I don't know why that hasn't hit me until today. ;_). But maybe a story, or a scripture, or anything that really helped you out when you couldn't even talk to your companion, because he was native. Haha, I'm not scared. Just a little anxious. I'm a man now. Men don't get scared. One of our PPI's right now would be nice. Sorry I didn't take as much time as you offered before I left. You always were there to help me, to get me ready, to answer my questions. I think I took that for granted sometimes. ;_). Thanks for being patient with me. Love you.
Mom, I loved what you said about being fishers of men, and being baptized. I REALLY do beleive that the Lord is shaping people in paraguay, preparing them with His hand to recieve His word. All I have to do is find them and help them to feel that spirit that they've been waiting for. Oh boy, I get so excited just thinking about it. As my companion Elder Dexter would say, "Josh, you look like a little boy in a candy store." Haha, I really can't wait to get out. I'm still learning a ton, becoming much more prepared to leave, but I just want to go! You know, it's the strangest thing, even though I'm out on my mission, I still feel like I'm only 20 minutes away from home. I almost feel like I could just get up and walk out one morning and make it home in time for lunch! Weird huh? :_).
Dad, thanks for the picture of you in the MTC. My companions and I got a big kick out of that. I don't think the buildings have changed one bit. ;_). Mom, thanks for the package. Oh, and in answer to your question, OF COURSE you can send a Christmas present before I leave!!! What kind of a nineteen year old would turn that request down?? The question is, can I open it early? If not.... I don't know. Patience is a Christlike attribute, Chapter 6 of Preach My Gospel. Maybe I could make it till Christmas without opening it.... missionaries sometimes do superhuman things. I've heard stories....
Anyways, I hope all is well. I love you all. I pray for you often. I know you're being taken care of though. I don't worry about it too much. Keep sending George's emails. I love them.
Thanks for the pics. I'm getting them laminated to carry around in my shirt pocket in paraguay to show investigators that I'm real, and normal. How many nineteen year olds go around all day talking about church? They must think we're REALLY weird. ;_).
Take care!
Elder Joshua Calvin Stewart
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Week 5
Family!
Hi! It's amazing that I'm writing you all again. Wow. Time is really starting to fly by here. I'm more than half way done! Haha!!! In a few weeks I'll be dropped off in the middle of some foreign land, where I can't understand a word anyone's saying. I can't wait. ;_).
Speaking of which, I leave October 4th. Guess what? That's right after General Conference. And... guess who might, maybe maybe maybe, get to sing in a Choir at conference?? I didn't think we would be able to, because the gym's been closed, and we haven't been able to hold a practice until yesterday. However, yesterday fliers were passed around during practice for young men who had prior choir classes and such. Sooo... we'll see. Keep an eye out. ;_). I'll keep you posted. That would be way sweet though, the day before I leave to Paraguay.
Well shoot, what to say? Thanks for George's letter. Haha, it's so good to hear his letters. I can see them in a much different light now. It's much more real. I was smiling when he talked about members that he had converted who had gone inactive since he left. We had just barely covered that in class. It's supposed to be a huge problem in Paraguay, and South America in general. Something that we were instructed on to help out with that was to get newly converted members into the missionary work. Have them come on home-visits with you. I LOVE convert testimonies. So fresh. So unique. It's amazing the stories behind each one of them, how God led the missionaries into their life after He had prepared them to receive the word. Unbeleivable. God is truly a God of mercy. When you get them excited in missionary work, they're with you, helping, bearing their testimony, trying to help people feel the change that they'd felt, and it can really solidify their own testimony. I'm sure George has heard that a million times though, and is already pro at it. ;_). If you get this George, keep at it. I'm praying for you! Keep sending me his emails if you can. I really do enjoy them.
Rachael, I want pictures from your homecoming! And send pictures of the family. I need them for my people of Paraguay!!!! Mom may have forgotten. ;_). If the pictures come in a very large package of goodies, I wouldn't complain. Promise. ;_). Haha, we get packages here, and the food is taken around from room to room at night. Kind of like the law of consecration.... right? ;_).
Hope your Labor Day was great! We got the whole day off! I couldn't beleive it. We took the bus down to the mall and just had a blast! ;_). Just kidding. ;_). I think we worked extra hard that day.
I'm just loving it here. It really just feels like home now. It's just... the way life is, you know? Wake up, feel the spirit all day, eat a little food, learn a little spanish, and then hop to bed! What a life huh? No worries! The language is finally starting to come. I taught the whole first lesson in spanish on Saturday, just by myself to my two companions. My spanish is still pretty limited, but we've covered almost all of the grammar principles, and I got through it saying what I wanted to. We taught the first lesson six times yesterday! It was great. We set up a wallet sized picture of my friends in the windowsill and taught them. It was awesome! They didn't ask one question! ;_). We're just trying to get the doctrine down so that we can not worry about it later, but teach by thee spirit.
Love you!
Elder stewart
Hi! It's amazing that I'm writing you all again. Wow. Time is really starting to fly by here. I'm more than half way done! Haha!!! In a few weeks I'll be dropped off in the middle of some foreign land, where I can't understand a word anyone's saying. I can't wait. ;_).
Speaking of which, I leave October 4th. Guess what? That's right after General Conference. And... guess who might, maybe maybe maybe, get to sing in a Choir at conference?? I didn't think we would be able to, because the gym's been closed, and we haven't been able to hold a practice until yesterday. However, yesterday fliers were passed around during practice for young men who had prior choir classes and such. Sooo... we'll see. Keep an eye out. ;_). I'll keep you posted. That would be way sweet though, the day before I leave to Paraguay.
Well shoot, what to say? Thanks for George's letter. Haha, it's so good to hear his letters. I can see them in a much different light now. It's much more real. I was smiling when he talked about members that he had converted who had gone inactive since he left. We had just barely covered that in class. It's supposed to be a huge problem in Paraguay, and South America in general. Something that we were instructed on to help out with that was to get newly converted members into the missionary work. Have them come on home-visits with you. I LOVE convert testimonies. So fresh. So unique. It's amazing the stories behind each one of them, how God led the missionaries into their life after He had prepared them to receive the word. Unbeleivable. God is truly a God of mercy. When you get them excited in missionary work, they're with you, helping, bearing their testimony, trying to help people feel the change that they'd felt, and it can really solidify their own testimony. I'm sure George has heard that a million times though, and is already pro at it. ;_). If you get this George, keep at it. I'm praying for you! Keep sending me his emails if you can. I really do enjoy them.
Rachael, I want pictures from your homecoming! And send pictures of the family. I need them for my people of Paraguay!!!! Mom may have forgotten. ;_). If the pictures come in a very large package of goodies, I wouldn't complain. Promise. ;_). Haha, we get packages here, and the food is taken around from room to room at night. Kind of like the law of consecration.... right? ;_).
Hope your Labor Day was great! We got the whole day off! I couldn't beleive it. We took the bus down to the mall and just had a blast! ;_). Just kidding. ;_). I think we worked extra hard that day.
I'm just loving it here. It really just feels like home now. It's just... the way life is, you know? Wake up, feel the spirit all day, eat a little food, learn a little spanish, and then hop to bed! What a life huh? No worries! The language is finally starting to come. I taught the whole first lesson in spanish on Saturday, just by myself to my two companions. My spanish is still pretty limited, but we've covered almost all of the grammar principles, and I got through it saying what I wanted to. We taught the first lesson six times yesterday! It was great. We set up a wallet sized picture of my friends in the windowsill and taught them. It was awesome! They didn't ask one question! ;_). We're just trying to get the doctrine down so that we can not worry about it later, but teach by thee spirit.
Love you!
Elder stewart
Friday, September 3, 2010
Week 4
Hey!!! So... Not that I'm counting time or anything, but.... it's already been four weeks since i've been here! Unbelievable. It's September. Can you believe it? Time flies when you're having fun, huh? It's true. Also true: Time flies when you're learning the Gospel... and Spanish... and how to live with a bunch of men. ;_). Haha, I'm glad George and I had a room to share all growing up. I wouldn't have traded it. It was nice, it was good.
Before I forget, Elder Johnson says hi to Jeff Brown. I guess they coached together after Jeff got home from his mission. He's a way cool guy, we met playing volleyball. Yes. I play volleyball. Like Mom weeds the garden, and Alex plays nintendo. Very well. We play five days a week. I think I'm going to try out for the Olympic team when I get home. People jump higher, and just go big places in general, with the Spirit. ;_).
School's Started!!!!!!! Ashley, so help me if you don't write me and tell me about Jr. High..... I hope it's going well. I want to know if you have any of the same teachers I had. Alex! The King!!! You're a way cool kid. I'm sure you're living it up, being the head of the School. Maybe Jeff could make you a crown... Rachael. ;_) What is it now? 9th grade? It's been so long since I've heard from you too.... I heard you got asked to Homecoming!!! Congrats! Send me a picture of you in your dress with your date, would you? Also, family, could I get a few more pics of our family to take with me to paraguay? I'm afraid of forgetting what you look like! Mom, thanks for the motherly advice. It was, well, motherly. and special. ;_).
It's tough to say much of what goes on here. It's pretty standard. Same schedule every week. The only difference is that I'm changing. My heart is changing, my mind is changing. The way I do all of those same-scheduled activities is changing. It's sarting to have a purpose, a sense of urgency. I'm learning how to teach what I know so that I can share it. Haha, I might have overloaded you last week, but every week I grow to love this gospel more. I started the Book of Mormon this week again, this time with a thirst for the words. Dad, you weren't kidding. I can't put it down. I'm marking them up like crazy, because the book is just GUSHING with truth. EVERYTHING applies to me as a missionary. It's beautiful. I love it. I slip in a few verses whenever I can. I got into 2nd nephi this morning, and I'm about to his the brick wall of the Isaiah chapters. Did you know a pocke-sized book of mormon saved a general authorities' life once? He had it in his breast pocket when a gun was pulled on him and he was shot. Luckily it couldn't get through the 2nd nephi. ;_).
Love you all. Hope everything's well. Mom, thanks for the packages. That's what we live off here. Alex, thanks for your letter. You're the man. Keep writing me. Work out lots ok? I'd like to see a real in-shape guy when i get home. ;_)
The Church is true. I don't know how else to say it. I know it with all of my heart. God is taking care of me, and I know he's taking care of all of you at home too. Til we meet again!
Elder stewart
Before I forget, Elder Johnson says hi to Jeff Brown. I guess they coached together after Jeff got home from his mission. He's a way cool guy, we met playing volleyball. Yes. I play volleyball. Like Mom weeds the garden, and Alex plays nintendo. Very well. We play five days a week. I think I'm going to try out for the Olympic team when I get home. People jump higher, and just go big places in general, with the Spirit. ;_).
School's Started!!!!!!! Ashley, so help me if you don't write me and tell me about Jr. High..... I hope it's going well. I want to know if you have any of the same teachers I had. Alex! The King!!! You're a way cool kid. I'm sure you're living it up, being the head of the School. Maybe Jeff could make you a crown... Rachael. ;_) What is it now? 9th grade? It's been so long since I've heard from you too.... I heard you got asked to Homecoming!!! Congrats! Send me a picture of you in your dress with your date, would you? Also, family, could I get a few more pics of our family to take with me to paraguay? I'm afraid of forgetting what you look like! Mom, thanks for the motherly advice. It was, well, motherly. and special. ;_).
It's tough to say much of what goes on here. It's pretty standard. Same schedule every week. The only difference is that I'm changing. My heart is changing, my mind is changing. The way I do all of those same-scheduled activities is changing. It's sarting to have a purpose, a sense of urgency. I'm learning how to teach what I know so that I can share it. Haha, I might have overloaded you last week, but every week I grow to love this gospel more. I started the Book of Mormon this week again, this time with a thirst for the words. Dad, you weren't kidding. I can't put it down. I'm marking them up like crazy, because the book is just GUSHING with truth. EVERYTHING applies to me as a missionary. It's beautiful. I love it. I slip in a few verses whenever I can. I got into 2nd nephi this morning, and I'm about to his the brick wall of the Isaiah chapters. Did you know a pocke-sized book of mormon saved a general authorities' life once? He had it in his breast pocket when a gun was pulled on him and he was shot. Luckily it couldn't get through the 2nd nephi. ;_).
Love you all. Hope everything's well. Mom, thanks for the packages. That's what we live off here. Alex, thanks for your letter. You're the man. Keep writing me. Work out lots ok? I'd like to see a real in-shape guy when i get home. ;_)
The Church is true. I don't know how else to say it. I know it with all of my heart. God is taking care of me, and I know he's taking care of all of you at home too. Til we meet again!
Elder stewart
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