Mi Familia,
Hello from Mexico!
It was so good to hear from you Mom! I have the two emails this week, last week there was nothing. But it is so good to hear from you! Sounds like you are doing a lot of missionary work! And Tanner, too. : )
Just today I was thinking about coming back to visit Mexico when I get home. I would love to do that! It would be tons of fun.
Elder Ballard is an awesome trainer. He has been out 10 months, I am not sure if I have already said that. He is really great. But, he has been really sick. This last week we have mostly been in the apartment. We have been to a bunch of different doctors. The latest is that he has Typhoid. He was prescribed over $100 in medicine on Thursday, and he has been taking it and isn't getting any better. It is a bummer but I had a lot of time to study and ponder, which is great! I read Our Heritage, Our Search for Happiness, and over half of Jesus the Christ. It is so fun! And I have gotten to study Spanish and the scriptures a bunch. I am still seeing improvements! I know that the Lord is blessing me. I can't wait for him to get better so we can go back to work. I am going to start going on splits and working with members. I am happy!
I am sleeping great. I haven't had any Spanish dreams but I do have weird ones with Mexico mixed with home. Last night I had a dream that Alicia and I were driving to High School in a pink power wheels. When we got in, a supervisor (Dino) got really upset at me and told me I needed to throw the Power Wheels away. Then I found a Mexican market where the dance room is and hid it inside there. One of the ladies working there got really mad at me so I ran away. She spoke fast in Spanish and I could not understand her. Then I hid in the parking lot and then a Colectivo, or the buses here, drove in! I hopped in and made it out of San Marcos alive. Good stuff. Then I think we drove in snow.
The food is great, and I love it! I can't say that I don't miss Mom's cooking, because I really do.
I am glad you got the package! Thanks for dry cleaning the stuff, it was pretty dirty.
I barely sent my first batch of letters out of Mexico. The Post Office is in the inner-city, so it is hard to get there and what not. Sorry for those who are waiting! I think there were 5 letters. But it was fun going there because there are so many people and so many tiendas.
More great things about Mexico!
-The curbs are so high (for the Rain.) And if it is not high, it is sloped. And if it is neither, they have a sidewalk on top of the sidewalk. You always have to watch where you are walking.
-Everyone is nice! Everyone respects us and I have never felt in danger at all.
-There are dogs everywhere. For the most part they are good but there are certain dogs that are crazy. You have to carry rocks sometimes.
-People drink at all times of the day, and they love talking to us. I think I may have already mentioned that last week.
-The streets have Spanish names, so sometimes I feel like I am still in San Marcos.
-I don't know that I have met anyone here taller than me. It is very fun, but a bit overrated too, which Dad has always told me.
- On that note, sorry for ever not believing you and all the times I have ever been mean, ever. To: Everyone in the world. Professionally, Elder Stevenson
-Many people have Christmas decorations in their homes year round, which is one thing I have wanted to do since I was a niño.
-Lady Gaga is by far the most popular English-speaking music artist here.
-It is hot.
-We wash clothes by hand! I don't mind it at all; in fact it is really fun. But it takes a lot of time.
Well, things are great! I don't have too much to report, because I have mostly just been studying. But I am so happy! I love it here, and am learning very quickly. I know it is through the help of the Lord. How is everyone? I hope all is well! I realize how much I love you more every day!
This church is so true, I know it is and my testimony of that is strengthened every day. The only way to return to live with our Heavenly Father and Christ is through the atonement, faith, repentance baptism by the true authority, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. I know without a doubt that it's true! I am so excited to hear from the prophet and apostles this weekend in general conference. I know that Thomas S. Monson is the God's true prophet on the earth today.
Thanks for everything, I love you all!
Con Amor,
Elder Riley Stevenson
P.S. To Brooke and Alicia: If the ab challenge is still going, I might be winning!
Monday, March 28, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
¿Y si le pide un pez, le dará una serpiente?
Mi Familia,
First week in the area is over! It went by so fast. I love it and am so happy. Things are going really well.
Elder Ballard is a great companion. He has only been in Mexico 5 months and I am his third hijo, or trainee. He studied Spanish 5 years before the mission and speaks very well. I learn a lot from him and really look up to him! He got sick Saturday night so I am hoping he gets better soon. Yesterday after church he just slept. I gave him a blessing Saturday night and he has a doctor’s appointment tomorrow morning.
I love it here in Mexico. It is so nice. I already feel used to the heat and now am just working on my tan : ) 7 months in Provo can make you pretty white.
We have great investigators, and a great ward. Yesterday at church everyone was welcoming me and were so nice. It is very small but is a ward nonetheless! They love the missionaries so much. We have a pretty good group of investigators. We have a family of 4 and a man named Hernan with baptismal dates for the 9th of April. I love them so much and am so excited for them. It is amazing to see the changes in their lives. The father of the family of 4 is Julio. His countenance looks different from the first time I saw him. He is so happy and just has such a strong testimony. When we talk about a principle with him he always accepts it and tells us why it is important. Hernan is awesome too. He is a 55 year old man, and because of diabetes he had to get his three smaller toes amputated on his right leg. It is nice because we can stop by whenever! He is always home. But he can walk now and says it doesn't hurt. He came to church yesterday and loved it. He is always carrying around the pamphlets we give him and taking notes in his extra large print scriptures. He preaches to his wife and neighbors. He is awesome. He also helped build 3 chapels and the temple. He told us it was the Lord telling him to join the church. Ha - I love him.
We have another mother and son who we are talking to. Her name is Victoria and she is very catholic. Her son Geraldo is 14. We taught them about repentance. I found a verse in 2 Nephi 27 that I really liked and was going to share. It talked about repentance and baptism. I lost it in the lesson and was thinking, oh no, I won't be able to share it, and I really felt like they needed to be invited to be baptized. I flipped the scriptures open to the page. We shared it and asked them to be baptized. Geraldo said yes right away. He has already prayed and knows Joseph Smith was a prophet. She hasn't, and said no. Geraldo looked over and said, why not? Haha - I love him. We invited her to pray and are going to talk about baptism more later.
The people of Mexico are great. They are all so nice, and love everything American. It is really funny. Right now that song Hey Soul Sister by Train is super popular. People also like to try to talk to us in English. There are borrachos, or drunk people at all times of the day. They love missionaries, too. We live outside of our area and take the colectivo or "combis" to the area every day. They are VW Buses that just drive around the city. It is sweet.
Everyone is super nice and usually will talk to us. The problem is when we teach them they say our message is very pretty but don't think of it as true or not. It can be difficult but it is easy compared to most places. We were talking to this one man about the Restoration and he tried to bash with us. He was quite old. He didn't say anything we don't believe but just said that we were wrong - haha. He kept saying the Book of Mormon wasn't the Bible and things like that. We tried to explain that it's different and we have the Bible too but he didn't like that. We bore testimony and left. I felt pretty bad afterward that the Spirit had left. We walked a little and said a prayer and right after I could feel a noticeable difference. As noticeable as a light being turned on at night. It made me feel a lot better.
The food is excellent. I haven't had anything too bad! The weirdest was yesterday’s lunch. That's another thing - we get fed lunch, not dinner, which I love. But it was called camerón, pronounced like Cameroon, the country. It was fish soup basically. You have to get the little fishies out of the soup though and pull off the exterior. It was quite the experience. After lunch we had empanadas. That was amazing. Not sure if it had anything to do with coming after fish soup. Mom and Dad, thanks for always having me eat dinner, to prepare for my mission. So far I have a perfect score on eating meals here.
I feel so blessed. I am learning a lot. I feel like my Spanish is improving quickly, I can understand more every day. Elder Ballard and I are working really hard. It makes it easy when I can think that Dad and my grandpas have gone through the same things. You are an inspiration to me! I love you all and miss you. I think about you so much! Everything is wonderful here. I think about each one of you every day, and try to figure out what you are probably doing. I love you and hope to hear from you soon. Happy Birthday Tanner and I hope Mom had a great cruise!
Con Amor,
Elder Riley Stevenson
First week in the area is over! It went by so fast. I love it and am so happy. Things are going really well.
Elder Ballard is a great companion. He has only been in Mexico 5 months and I am his third hijo, or trainee. He studied Spanish 5 years before the mission and speaks very well. I learn a lot from him and really look up to him! He got sick Saturday night so I am hoping he gets better soon. Yesterday after church he just slept. I gave him a blessing Saturday night and he has a doctor’s appointment tomorrow morning.
I love it here in Mexico. It is so nice. I already feel used to the heat and now am just working on my tan : ) 7 months in Provo can make you pretty white.
We have great investigators, and a great ward. Yesterday at church everyone was welcoming me and were so nice. It is very small but is a ward nonetheless! They love the missionaries so much. We have a pretty good group of investigators. We have a family of 4 and a man named Hernan with baptismal dates for the 9th of April. I love them so much and am so excited for them. It is amazing to see the changes in their lives. The father of the family of 4 is Julio. His countenance looks different from the first time I saw him. He is so happy and just has such a strong testimony. When we talk about a principle with him he always accepts it and tells us why it is important. Hernan is awesome too. He is a 55 year old man, and because of diabetes he had to get his three smaller toes amputated on his right leg. It is nice because we can stop by whenever! He is always home. But he can walk now and says it doesn't hurt. He came to church yesterday and loved it. He is always carrying around the pamphlets we give him and taking notes in his extra large print scriptures. He preaches to his wife and neighbors. He is awesome. He also helped build 3 chapels and the temple. He told us it was the Lord telling him to join the church. Ha - I love him.
We have another mother and son who we are talking to. Her name is Victoria and she is very catholic. Her son Geraldo is 14. We taught them about repentance. I found a verse in 2 Nephi 27 that I really liked and was going to share. It talked about repentance and baptism. I lost it in the lesson and was thinking, oh no, I won't be able to share it, and I really felt like they needed to be invited to be baptized. I flipped the scriptures open to the page. We shared it and asked them to be baptized. Geraldo said yes right away. He has already prayed and knows Joseph Smith was a prophet. She hasn't, and said no. Geraldo looked over and said, why not? Haha - I love him. We invited her to pray and are going to talk about baptism more later.
The people of Mexico are great. They are all so nice, and love everything American. It is really funny. Right now that song Hey Soul Sister by Train is super popular. People also like to try to talk to us in English. There are borrachos, or drunk people at all times of the day. They love missionaries, too. We live outside of our area and take the colectivo or "combis" to the area every day. They are VW Buses that just drive around the city. It is sweet.
Everyone is super nice and usually will talk to us. The problem is when we teach them they say our message is very pretty but don't think of it as true or not. It can be difficult but it is easy compared to most places. We were talking to this one man about the Restoration and he tried to bash with us. He was quite old. He didn't say anything we don't believe but just said that we were wrong - haha. He kept saying the Book of Mormon wasn't the Bible and things like that. We tried to explain that it's different and we have the Bible too but he didn't like that. We bore testimony and left. I felt pretty bad afterward that the Spirit had left. We walked a little and said a prayer and right after I could feel a noticeable difference. As noticeable as a light being turned on at night. It made me feel a lot better.
The food is excellent. I haven't had anything too bad! The weirdest was yesterday’s lunch. That's another thing - we get fed lunch, not dinner, which I love. But it was called camerón, pronounced like Cameroon, the country. It was fish soup basically. You have to get the little fishies out of the soup though and pull off the exterior. It was quite the experience. After lunch we had empanadas. That was amazing. Not sure if it had anything to do with coming after fish soup. Mom and Dad, thanks for always having me eat dinner, to prepare for my mission. So far I have a perfect score on eating meals here.
I feel so blessed. I am learning a lot. I feel like my Spanish is improving quickly, I can understand more every day. Elder Ballard and I are working really hard. It makes it easy when I can think that Dad and my grandpas have gone through the same things. You are an inspiration to me! I love you all and miss you. I think about you so much! Everything is wonderful here. I think about each one of you every day, and try to figure out what you are probably doing. I love you and hope to hear from you soon. Happy Birthday Tanner and I hope Mom had a great cruise!
Con Amor,
Elder Riley Stevenson
Monday, March 14, 2011
El Trigo Para El Hombre, El Maíz Para El Buey
Mi Familia,
I just got to my area! Como I just got off the Taxi, put my suitcases in my new apartment and walked here. The area is called La Salle and the Zone is Tuxtla Mactumatza, another part of Tuxtla Gutiérrez. My companion is Elder Ballard from Alpine, Utah. He is really nice, and said he knows Taylor. ¡Que bueno! His Spanish is really good! I found out this morning where I would be going. We met President and Sister Velasco. It was great. They have a really nice house, nicer than most houses in the U.S. El Presidente knows a lot of English and is pretty good at it! We had breakfast there and it was delicious. They were so nice and funny. I am not excited for them to leave, but I am sure my next President will be good as well.
The last couple days we have been staying at the Mission Offices with other missionaries here. They are all super nice! It is really close to the Temple. Yesterday we went to church, the stake center right next to the Temple. First we had a meeting with the Stake Presidency and all of the new converts from the stake and missionaries. It went really well! I didn't understand too much but I did understand more than I thought I would. Then we had a Stake Conference Broadcast. That was awesome. Elder Nelson and President Monson spoke. It was good and I understood some. Both were done by a translator so they spoke fast. The first two talks were from an Elder in the 70 and then someone from the Relief Society Presidency. I don't remember their names, but they spoke in Spanish and slowly so I understood a lot of that. It was awesome. Then we went to my first lunch appointment with Hermana Edith. Lunch was some kind of meat. It was alright! Then she brought out salsa after we started, and it was so good. Also it was very spicy.
After lunch, Elder Peck, Elder Pape (one of the Elders there), and I went to a woman's restaurant in the ward. She wanted us to bless it (a little food stand) and give her a blessing as well. I thought Elder Pape was going to do it all but that did not happen! I blessed her restaurant. It was scary but I think it went well. She was a very nice Hermana. Then we met referrals and talked to other people. It was sweet. I didn't understand hardly anything. Contacting and talking to people is so fun though. Well it looks fun. You have to be persistent and clever too. Elder Pape always would ask where a person lived then just start talking to them. There was one group of 6 or 7 richer looking elderly women. When Elder Pape talked they were a little rude and sounded annoyed. Then we started talking to them about the Temple. They seemed kind of interested and by the end they were very nice. I showed them my picture with the Family and Temple and they all wanted to see it. The rudest ended up introducing her daughter to us. One of the women told me I was guapo and I think when I shook her hand to leave she said ¨"te amo." I couldn't help noticing that she wasn't wearing a wedding ring. She must have been in her 50's. It was funny - haha!
It is really hot here. The Spanish is rough but I am learning a lot. The food es tan rica, me encanta. I have only had one bad thing, which was some kind of corn drink. It was comparable to dirt - haha. A couple things, The APs said not to send food in packages and most of the time it is just easier to give money. But it doesn't sound like there are problems with it getting here. I have more email time now. I have an hour to email you and the president.
I am so happy and even though it is different here and can be hard, I love it. I love the people! I am excited to learn more and am going to work my hardest. I love you and miss you. Thanks for your prayers! I know this church is true and I am so excited to share it with others. Until next week!
Con Amor,
Elder Riley Stevenson
I just got to my area! Como I just got off the Taxi, put my suitcases in my new apartment and walked here. The area is called La Salle and the Zone is Tuxtla Mactumatza, another part of Tuxtla Gutiérrez. My companion is Elder Ballard from Alpine, Utah. He is really nice, and said he knows Taylor. ¡Que bueno! His Spanish is really good! I found out this morning where I would be going. We met President and Sister Velasco. It was great. They have a really nice house, nicer than most houses in the U.S. El Presidente knows a lot of English and is pretty good at it! We had breakfast there and it was delicious. They were so nice and funny. I am not excited for them to leave, but I am sure my next President will be good as well.
The last couple days we have been staying at the Mission Offices with other missionaries here. They are all super nice! It is really close to the Temple. Yesterday we went to church, the stake center right next to the Temple. First we had a meeting with the Stake Presidency and all of the new converts from the stake and missionaries. It went really well! I didn't understand too much but I did understand more than I thought I would. Then we had a Stake Conference Broadcast. That was awesome. Elder Nelson and President Monson spoke. It was good and I understood some. Both were done by a translator so they spoke fast. The first two talks were from an Elder in the 70 and then someone from the Relief Society Presidency. I don't remember their names, but they spoke in Spanish and slowly so I understood a lot of that. It was awesome. Then we went to my first lunch appointment with Hermana Edith. Lunch was some kind of meat. It was alright! Then she brought out salsa after we started, and it was so good. Also it was very spicy.
After lunch, Elder Peck, Elder Pape (one of the Elders there), and I went to a woman's restaurant in the ward. She wanted us to bless it (a little food stand) and give her a blessing as well. I thought Elder Pape was going to do it all but that did not happen! I blessed her restaurant. It was scary but I think it went well. She was a very nice Hermana. Then we met referrals and talked to other people. It was sweet. I didn't understand hardly anything. Contacting and talking to people is so fun though. Well it looks fun. You have to be persistent and clever too. Elder Pape always would ask where a person lived then just start talking to them. There was one group of 6 or 7 richer looking elderly women. When Elder Pape talked they were a little rude and sounded annoyed. Then we started talking to them about the Temple. They seemed kind of interested and by the end they were very nice. I showed them my picture with the Family and Temple and they all wanted to see it. The rudest ended up introducing her daughter to us. One of the women told me I was guapo and I think when I shook her hand to leave she said ¨"te amo." I couldn't help noticing that she wasn't wearing a wedding ring. She must have been in her 50's. It was funny - haha!
It is really hot here. The Spanish is rough but I am learning a lot. The food es tan rica, me encanta. I have only had one bad thing, which was some kind of corn drink. It was comparable to dirt - haha. A couple things, The APs said not to send food in packages and most of the time it is just easier to give money. But it doesn't sound like there are problems with it getting here. I have more email time now. I have an hour to email you and the president.
I am so happy and even though it is different here and can be hard, I love it. I love the people! I am excited to learn more and am going to work my hardest. I love you and miss you. Thanks for your prayers! I know this church is true and I am so excited to share it with others. Until next week!
Con Amor,
Elder Riley Stevenson
Saturday, March 12, 2011
¡Ya Llegó!
Editor's note: Thursday Elder Stevenson flew to Boise, Idaho. Friday he went to the Mexican Consulate there to sign his visa. Today he flew back to Salt Lake City, then on to Mexico City and ultimately to Tuxtla Gutierrez. They let him email when he arrived at the mission home to let us know he was there safely.
Mi Familia,
I just arrived in Tuxtla! We had no problems getting here and everything is going well. The Mexico City airport was a little hectic but we had an RM who went on his mission to Puebla tell us what to do, and some of the people spoke English. Mostly I heard "no entiende" from people there. Haha - I should get used to that. Mexico City is huge. I could not believe it when I was flying in. We had Elders pick us up at the airport in Tuxtla and drive us to the mission offices. I am staying here tonight and think I will go to my area tomorrow. It has been a long day and I am really tired. It is so pretty here. I love it. It is vey hot though. I am so excited to get to work! A few things, I don't think we get to go to the Temple that much which is kind of a bummer. The Elder that picked us up has been here 23 months and gone twice. But I am just happy there is one for the people here. Also all cards and packages come to the Mission Office. So I think I only get them every transfer. The address for letters is,
Elder Riley Stevenson
Misión Mexico Tuxtla Gutiérrez
Calle Jazmines #210
Fracc. Los Laureles
Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, Mexico
C.P. 29020
And for packages you just put the name of the mission president above my name on its own line (Presidente Guillermo Velasco.)
I love you and miss you all. It was good talking on the phone this morning. Mom, have a good cruise! I hope the campout was fun for the Dad and Tanner.
I am so happy and am excited to be here. Thanks for your prayers, love and support!
Con Amor,
Elder Riley Stevenson
Mi Familia,
I just arrived in Tuxtla! We had no problems getting here and everything is going well. The Mexico City airport was a little hectic but we had an RM who went on his mission to Puebla tell us what to do, and some of the people spoke English. Mostly I heard "no entiende" from people there. Haha - I should get used to that. Mexico City is huge. I could not believe it when I was flying in. We had Elders pick us up at the airport in Tuxtla and drive us to the mission offices. I am staying here tonight and think I will go to my area tomorrow. It has been a long day and I am really tired. It is so pretty here. I love it. It is vey hot though. I am so excited to get to work! A few things, I don't think we get to go to the Temple that much which is kind of a bummer. The Elder that picked us up has been here 23 months and gone twice. But I am just happy there is one for the people here. Also all cards and packages come to the Mission Office. So I think I only get them every transfer. The address for letters is,
Elder Riley Stevenson
Misión Mexico Tuxtla Gutiérrez
Calle Jazmines #210
Fracc. Los Laureles
Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, Mexico
C.P. 29020
And for packages you just put the name of the mission president above my name on its own line (Presidente Guillermo Velasco.)
I love you and miss you all. It was good talking on the phone this morning. Mom, have a good cruise! I hope the campout was fun for the Dad and Tanner.
I am so happy and am excited to be here. Thanks for your prayers, love and support!
Con Amor,
Elder Riley Stevenson
Thursday, March 10, 2011
A Donde Me Mandes Iré, Señor
Mi Familia,
I am leaving today! I am so excited and a little nervous. I can't believe I am finally going to the field.
Yesterday I got money off my debit card and it worked - no problems. I am sending home the package today. Crazy! I don't know if I can call home today but I might be able to. I am going to buy a calling card if they have them at the bookstore, which I think they do. I will call home when I go to Mexico if I can. We are allowed to it just depends on when we have our layover. It will be fun!
On Tuesday when I was walking to the temple I saw four girls from my BYU ward. They parked and we talked a little bit. It was so fun, and they just happened to be leaving from doing baptisms. We contacted them in Spanish and it was so fun to talk to them and bear testimony. Last week in the session I got to sit next to my friend Lincoln who was on my BYU floor. So fun! He got his call to Brazil. I love the temple and my testimony of the temple has grown so much since I have been here. I have seen the blessings already and know it is the house of the Lord.
I also just said bye to Trevor. It was a little sad but so fun to know we will be in Mexico together soon.
I started packing yesterday! It is unreal. The time went by here so fast I can't believe it. I have learned so much and feel prepared for the field. It is going to be hard but I am so excited to learn from my struggles. I know that when I put my trust in the Lord things will work. One thing I have learned here is that the more you trust in the Lord and the less you think about yourself, the easier things are - so much easier.
I want to bear my testimony about Joseph Smith. The validity of our church all comes down to the Restoration of the gospel through Joseph Smith. I think it was President Hinkley that said either this church is true, or a 14 year-old boy created the biggest lie in the history of the world. I know Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. I know it without a doubt. We learn in Matthew that by their fruits we shall know them. The fruit is the Book of Mormon. There is no way that book is not true. I think it is quite evident. Some people say "why would God appear to a 14 year-old farm boy?" Isn't it obvious? He had a third grade education. He could not have written the book. Only through the Power of God could it have been translated. I testify that if someone were to read it with real intent they would know that it is true. More physical evidence is appearing all over the world. But we can only really know simply by asking God. Like Moroni said, we can know the truth of all things through the power of the Holy Ghost. I want you to know I have prayed about the Book of Mormon numerous times and every time the Spirit of God confirms its truthfulness to me. I know it is true. I know Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. Elder Holland's grandfather said no evil man could write that book, and no good man would dare. I know that Joseph Smith translated it, and that ancient American prophets wrote it. I know that our church is true, because the Book of Mormon is true. I can't wait to share that with everyone I ever meet.
I love you all and miss you. Thanks so much for your letters and prayers. I have been so blessed with such a great family and friends. I appreciate you all so much. I pray for you every day. Hope to talk to you soon, and Happy Birthday Tanner!!
Con Amor,
Elder Riley Stevenson
I am leaving today! I am so excited and a little nervous. I can't believe I am finally going to the field.
Yesterday I got money off my debit card and it worked - no problems. I am sending home the package today. Crazy! I don't know if I can call home today but I might be able to. I am going to buy a calling card if they have them at the bookstore, which I think they do. I will call home when I go to Mexico if I can. We are allowed to it just depends on when we have our layover. It will be fun!
On Tuesday when I was walking to the temple I saw four girls from my BYU ward. They parked and we talked a little bit. It was so fun, and they just happened to be leaving from doing baptisms. We contacted them in Spanish and it was so fun to talk to them and bear testimony. Last week in the session I got to sit next to my friend Lincoln who was on my BYU floor. So fun! He got his call to Brazil. I love the temple and my testimony of the temple has grown so much since I have been here. I have seen the blessings already and know it is the house of the Lord.
I also just said bye to Trevor. It was a little sad but so fun to know we will be in Mexico together soon.
I started packing yesterday! It is unreal. The time went by here so fast I can't believe it. I have learned so much and feel prepared for the field. It is going to be hard but I am so excited to learn from my struggles. I know that when I put my trust in the Lord things will work. One thing I have learned here is that the more you trust in the Lord and the less you think about yourself, the easier things are - so much easier.
I want to bear my testimony about Joseph Smith. The validity of our church all comes down to the Restoration of the gospel through Joseph Smith. I think it was President Hinkley that said either this church is true, or a 14 year-old boy created the biggest lie in the history of the world. I know Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. I know it without a doubt. We learn in Matthew that by their fruits we shall know them. The fruit is the Book of Mormon. There is no way that book is not true. I think it is quite evident. Some people say "why would God appear to a 14 year-old farm boy?" Isn't it obvious? He had a third grade education. He could not have written the book. Only through the Power of God could it have been translated. I testify that if someone were to read it with real intent they would know that it is true. More physical evidence is appearing all over the world. But we can only really know simply by asking God. Like Moroni said, we can know the truth of all things through the power of the Holy Ghost. I want you to know I have prayed about the Book of Mormon numerous times and every time the Spirit of God confirms its truthfulness to me. I know it is true. I know Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. Elder Holland's grandfather said no evil man could write that book, and no good man would dare. I know that Joseph Smith translated it, and that ancient American prophets wrote it. I know that our church is true, because the Book of Mormon is true. I can't wait to share that with everyone I ever meet.
I love you all and miss you. Thanks so much for your letters and prayers. I have been so blessed with such a great family and friends. I appreciate you all so much. I pray for you every day. Hope to talk to you soon, and Happy Birthday Tanner!!
Con Amor,
Elder Riley Stevenson
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Abrid Vuestra Boca y Será Llena
Mi Familia,
It feels like I haven't emailed home for a long time! Haha - just a week, like it usually is. It was so fun to call home on Friday though. It made me so happy that that Mom and Dad were both there. It was fun to hear voices and talk in person even if it was for just 5 minutes. Also I am feeling almost 100% better from the cold. Just in time to leave the MTC.
The last fill out letter I did send a SIM card with so it must have gotten out or something. Next time I will be more careful about how I send it home. I was kind of bummed because there were so many good pictures on it. Hermana Williams printed out pictures and gave some to me which was really nice. It made me feel better!
That was so cool to hear that Alicia would babysit free of charge for the masses. I can totally see her doing that because that’s just who she is. What a great example to all of us.
I was so excited to hear about the mission calls for the guys in the stake! I have some connections with Spokane, Justin's mission. One of my friends from BYU went to that mission Spanish speaking, and one of my friends at the MTC just left there going Spanish speaking. Unfortunately I don't have contact information for either one. But Elder Palmer's parents, the elder going to my mission that I met at the wilk, are the mission presidents there. They will be so awesome.
I got my driver’s license and picture of the temple. Thanks so much! I was excited to get them. They both look great!
Also I am still working hard in Spanish. I hope you weren't under the impression that I feel content with how much I know. I love learning more and I am!
This week I fasted to have a better understanding of the Atonement and also that the people I am going to teach will be prepared. We had mission conference and every talk was about the Atonement and I learned so much. I can't imagine what the Lord is doing to prepare the people of Chiapas to hear this message. I am so excited to get down there and teach.
The Hermanas and Elder Armijo leave for San Fernando tomorrow. It is going to be really hard to say bye, especially because I don't know when I will see any of them again! We have gotten so close. I love mi distrito. It is hard not to when you are with them almost all day for 9 weeks. But they are so great and are going to be great missionaries. I am so excited to get out to the field though! I haven't heard any more about when we will leave for Mexico. I just know that I am signing my visa Friday in Boise, and we get there Thursday night. We are hoping to get to do some missionary work while we are there. But nonetheless I am so excited to go to Mexico. I can't wait to teach the people! We could get there Friday night I guess but I think it is more likely that I will get to Mexico on Saturday. We will see! I should be able to email Thursday as well so I will let you know if I know anymore then.
The MTC went by so fast. It has been so great though! I love it here, and to be honest, I am kind of sad to leave this place. The food isn't half bad. Although I have eaten there 176 times and the menu doesn't change a whole lot from week to week. I have learned and grown so much. I can't believe how much I have grown. And can't imagine what is going to be like in the field. I know it is going to be a hard adjustment but I feel ready! I am not expecting to understand a whole lot at first but I know it will come. Everyone just says don't be afraid to talk. We didn't have TRC this week but we volunteered to be investigators. One of the Elders teaching us never talked because he was so worried about his Spanish. When he did talk it wasn't perfect but we knew what he was trying to say. I learned there that I just need to not be afraid of saying things wrong! I am just going to go down there and try my hardest. I already love the people. I know the Lord is preparing people for me and I am so excited for that! I already am so excited to meet people down there and teach them what I know is true.
Con Amor,
Elder Riley Stevenson
It feels like I haven't emailed home for a long time! Haha - just a week, like it usually is. It was so fun to call home on Friday though. It made me so happy that that Mom and Dad were both there. It was fun to hear voices and talk in person even if it was for just 5 minutes. Also I am feeling almost 100% better from the cold. Just in time to leave the MTC.
The last fill out letter I did send a SIM card with so it must have gotten out or something. Next time I will be more careful about how I send it home. I was kind of bummed because there were so many good pictures on it. Hermana Williams printed out pictures and gave some to me which was really nice. It made me feel better!
That was so cool to hear that Alicia would babysit free of charge for the masses. I can totally see her doing that because that’s just who she is. What a great example to all of us.
I was so excited to hear about the mission calls for the guys in the stake! I have some connections with Spokane, Justin's mission. One of my friends from BYU went to that mission Spanish speaking, and one of my friends at the MTC just left there going Spanish speaking. Unfortunately I don't have contact information for either one. But Elder Palmer's parents, the elder going to my mission that I met at the wilk, are the mission presidents there. They will be so awesome.
I got my driver’s license and picture of the temple. Thanks so much! I was excited to get them. They both look great!
Also I am still working hard in Spanish. I hope you weren't under the impression that I feel content with how much I know. I love learning more and I am!
This week I fasted to have a better understanding of the Atonement and also that the people I am going to teach will be prepared. We had mission conference and every talk was about the Atonement and I learned so much. I can't imagine what the Lord is doing to prepare the people of Chiapas to hear this message. I am so excited to get down there and teach.
The Hermanas and Elder Armijo leave for San Fernando tomorrow. It is going to be really hard to say bye, especially because I don't know when I will see any of them again! We have gotten so close. I love mi distrito. It is hard not to when you are with them almost all day for 9 weeks. But they are so great and are going to be great missionaries. I am so excited to get out to the field though! I haven't heard any more about when we will leave for Mexico. I just know that I am signing my visa Friday in Boise, and we get there Thursday night. We are hoping to get to do some missionary work while we are there. But nonetheless I am so excited to go to Mexico. I can't wait to teach the people! We could get there Friday night I guess but I think it is more likely that I will get to Mexico on Saturday. We will see! I should be able to email Thursday as well so I will let you know if I know anymore then.
The MTC went by so fast. It has been so great though! I love it here, and to be honest, I am kind of sad to leave this place. The food isn't half bad. Although I have eaten there 176 times and the menu doesn't change a whole lot from week to week. I have learned and grown so much. I can't believe how much I have grown. And can't imagine what is going to be like in the field. I know it is going to be a hard adjustment but I feel ready! I am not expecting to understand a whole lot at first but I know it will come. Everyone just says don't be afraid to talk. We didn't have TRC this week but we volunteered to be investigators. One of the Elders teaching us never talked because he was so worried about his Spanish. When he did talk it wasn't perfect but we knew what he was trying to say. I learned there that I just need to not be afraid of saying things wrong! I am just going to go down there and try my hardest. I already love the people. I know the Lord is preparing people for me and I am so excited for that! I already am so excited to meet people down there and teach them what I know is true.
Con Amor,
Elder Riley Stevenson
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Que Dedicaréis Vuestro Tiempo al Estudio de las Escrituras
Mi Familia,
Ocho semanas? Eso es tan loco y extrano, pero estoy listo por el campo.
Time is still speeding up, I cannot believe it. But I am so excited for the field. We have heard that we are most likely not getting reassigned but things are still behind schedule. I am ok with that though because I know I will go when the Lord wants me too! Nothing to worry about.
I will send my stuff home soon, when I find out that I am leaving. I have cash but I will make sure my debit card is still working. Mom, I haven't found typos in your letters, I am sure mine are infinitely worse. Dad tells me that he is correcting them before he blogs it. (Editor's note - they aren't that bad). Haha I am thankful for that. It sounds like missionary work is going great. You have done a lot more than me! I am excited to be in Mexico teaching real people. It sounds like everything is going great at home and I love hearing about what is going on. I am not homesick AT ALL. Which is so great.
This week was so good. We are still teaching a ton and I am learning so much. I feel like I have a good grip on every Spanish principle and just am a little short on vocab. Speaking Spanish is so fun and quite natural. Teaching is... ok I can't remember the word. Oh yeah, second nature. Is that correct? I can't remember... I got a ton of mail this week and there is no way I am going to be able to write everyone back. I feel really bad about that but I guess I don't have a choice. I feel so loved and am so thankful for such great family and friends.
The MTC transition was quite easy and went by fast. The best preparation by far was Seminary. I wish I could have known how important it was. But I am glad I went. Seriously if all you knew how to do was wake up early and work like you do in seminary, you would be more ready to be a missionary than 80% of the Elders here. Scripture mastery is so useful and there is not a problem I have come across (in my teaching) that couldn't be solved using scripture mastery. I am so thankful for my seminary teachers and all that I learned in seminary.
On Thursday I got called to the shot clinic to meet one of the ladies that works there. I was really confused because I already have my shots. When I got there they wouldn't let me in without a shot record. I tried to explain that I was only meeting someone but they assured me I needed it. I went back to my room (on the other side of the MTC) and got it, then when I got in I found out I was meeting the nurse who gave me my Typhoid shot. Haha I was thinking, oh no she gave me the wrong shot... Then she explained that Mandy Jepsen is her babysitter and gave me cookies from the Jepsen family. Haha I was happy and it was such a surprise!
I am officially no longer a Zone Leader. The Branch Presidency went on and on about how great of a job Elder Peck and I did and how we are going to be great missionaries. It made me so happy. I love my Branch Presidency and it is going to be hard to leave!
I still see Trevor (Elder Knight) almost daily which is so fun. We always just run to each other and hug! So fun. He is doing great and I can just tell he has such a good attitude about the work. It is going to be hard to leave the MTC. I still have so many more byes to say. I thought I was done when I left for here! But it is all part of the mission so no reason to complain.
My testimony gets stronger every day. I love studying and always being surrounded by the work and having an added measure of the spirit. Something I have really noticed this week is the Power of our Heavenly Father. He really can do whatever He chooses. I have come to realize more than anything that EVERYTHING happens for a reason. There are no mistakes made by God. He is never surprised by what happens on earth. The best is He has created a plan so we can return to live with Him. What a blessing to know that. I have realized His influence in my life as I reflect back. He really has blessed me and I am so excited to bring the world His true restored Gospel. There is no more exciting work. I know that He will take care of me as I leave for Mexico, maybe in 6 days!
I am so happy to be here! I have never been happier in my life. I love you all and miss you. Thanks for your prayers and support.
Con Amor,
Elder Riley Stevenson
Ocho semanas? Eso es tan loco y extrano, pero estoy listo por el campo.
Time is still speeding up, I cannot believe it. But I am so excited for the field. We have heard that we are most likely not getting reassigned but things are still behind schedule. I am ok with that though because I know I will go when the Lord wants me too! Nothing to worry about.
I will send my stuff home soon, when I find out that I am leaving. I have cash but I will make sure my debit card is still working. Mom, I haven't found typos in your letters, I am sure mine are infinitely worse. Dad tells me that he is correcting them before he blogs it. (Editor's note - they aren't that bad). Haha I am thankful for that. It sounds like missionary work is going great. You have done a lot more than me! I am excited to be in Mexico teaching real people. It sounds like everything is going great at home and I love hearing about what is going on. I am not homesick AT ALL. Which is so great.
This week was so good. We are still teaching a ton and I am learning so much. I feel like I have a good grip on every Spanish principle and just am a little short on vocab. Speaking Spanish is so fun and quite natural. Teaching is... ok I can't remember the word. Oh yeah, second nature. Is that correct? I can't remember... I got a ton of mail this week and there is no way I am going to be able to write everyone back. I feel really bad about that but I guess I don't have a choice. I feel so loved and am so thankful for such great family and friends.
The MTC transition was quite easy and went by fast. The best preparation by far was Seminary. I wish I could have known how important it was. But I am glad I went. Seriously if all you knew how to do was wake up early and work like you do in seminary, you would be more ready to be a missionary than 80% of the Elders here. Scripture mastery is so useful and there is not a problem I have come across (in my teaching) that couldn't be solved using scripture mastery. I am so thankful for my seminary teachers and all that I learned in seminary.
On Thursday I got called to the shot clinic to meet one of the ladies that works there. I was really confused because I already have my shots. When I got there they wouldn't let me in without a shot record. I tried to explain that I was only meeting someone but they assured me I needed it. I went back to my room (on the other side of the MTC) and got it, then when I got in I found out I was meeting the nurse who gave me my Typhoid shot. Haha I was thinking, oh no she gave me the wrong shot... Then she explained that Mandy Jepsen is her babysitter and gave me cookies from the Jepsen family. Haha I was happy and it was such a surprise!
I am officially no longer a Zone Leader. The Branch Presidency went on and on about how great of a job Elder Peck and I did and how we are going to be great missionaries. It made me so happy. I love my Branch Presidency and it is going to be hard to leave!
I still see Trevor (Elder Knight) almost daily which is so fun. We always just run to each other and hug! So fun. He is doing great and I can just tell he has such a good attitude about the work. It is going to be hard to leave the MTC. I still have so many more byes to say. I thought I was done when I left for here! But it is all part of the mission so no reason to complain.
My testimony gets stronger every day. I love studying and always being surrounded by the work and having an added measure of the spirit. Something I have really noticed this week is the Power of our Heavenly Father. He really can do whatever He chooses. I have come to realize more than anything that EVERYTHING happens for a reason. There are no mistakes made by God. He is never surprised by what happens on earth. The best is He has created a plan so we can return to live with Him. What a blessing to know that. I have realized His influence in my life as I reflect back. He really has blessed me and I am so excited to bring the world His true restored Gospel. There is no more exciting work. I know that He will take care of me as I leave for Mexico, maybe in 6 days!
I am so happy to be here! I have never been happier in my life. I love you all and miss you. Thanks for your prayers and support.
Con Amor,
Elder Riley Stevenson
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