No Cesa de Ser Dios, Y Es Un Dios de Milagros

Mi Familia,

This week was a great one! We worked a lot with the members this week. A while ago while we were walking we stopped to talk to a man who was actually a member, but less active. He said he wanted us to talk to his wife, who I already knew. We talked to her and had one of the best lessons I have had in the mission - we really taught to her needs and I felt like we helped her. Her name is Yadira. Then she told us she wanted us to talk to her husband, and also her neighbor. We talked to her husband another day and were able to talk about the temple a little. They are not sealed and have been members for about 4 years. We also talked to her neighbor. She accepted a baptismal date and her daughter as well. She is so sweet and humble. Her name is Blanca Esetla, and her daughter is Alejandra. Blanca came to church with Yadira, and also brought her handicapped granddaughter. Alejandra didn't come as she had to work. She said she liked church and she wants to go again. I love her a lot and respect her so much for her humility and faith.

"The Sponge" Laundry

We also are teaching another woman named Arely, and two of her daughters who also have children of their own. They are so awesome and they are really interested in the church. They were Seventh Day Adventists. We had a great lesson about the Plan of Salvation and they want to go to the temple to be sealed.

It is so great to be a missionary. I love being able to tell may people where their family members are that have already passed away, giving blessings, helping less actives remember the importance of the church, explaining why bad things happen to good people, calling to repentance, testifying that Jesus lives and loves us, and teaching His gospel to my brothers and sisters. I love seeing the people I teach change, and love being a missionary. I see miracles every day. The time is going by way too fast.

"I Love My Area"

I am so happy to be here. This weekend is cambios (transfers). The ward members keep asking me if I am leaving. Haha - but I hope it is because they love me, and not because they want me to leave. One woman in the ward took a picture with me and Elder Nay last Sunday by the church name plaque where we take pictures for baptisms - haha. I hope I can stay more time because I love this ward and the members. But I will do whatever the Lord says.

I miss you and love you! Thanks for your love and prayers!

Con Amor,

Elder Riley Stevenson

El Que Persevere Hasta el Fin, éste Será Salvo

Mi Familia,

Hello! This week was very interesting. There was a conference for all of the Zone Leaders, District Leaders, and Trainers. Elder Nay went and I was with a new Elder from Monday evening to Thursday morning. It was really interesting to work with a new missionary. He is from Mexico so he could speak well but he didn't know a lot of things and it was fun to be able to teach him about the mission. I learned a lot! Then on Friday and Saturday we had exchanges and I was with one of my zone leaders in his area. I barely worked with in the ward this week so I am looking forward to get back to work here in La Salle.

When I was with the new missionary, Elder Perez, we worked in his area one day and our area the other. Both days our last contacts were families that wanted to hear us. It made me think a lot about what would have happened if we would have gone to an appointment early or stopped to take a break. I know it was a blessing. Christ was the perfect example of enduring to the end, because what He did in the last few days of His life gave us the opportunity to live again with Him and our Heavenly Father. What would have happened if he hadn't endured to the very end?

With Elder Torres, my zone leader, we found an excommunicated member that wants to come back to church. He had already talked to the church leaders and has permission to go back to church. He has three daughters that are not members and they are going to start teaching them. Elder Torres is the one that speaks Tzotzil. He contacted some kids in Tzotzil and it reminded me of my first days in the mission when I couldn't understand anything. It is so weird because Spanish is so natural now that sometimes I can't remember if I heard something in English or Spanish - for example, a church talk or quote. I think it is because I just remember what it means and I know how to say it in both languages, but it is super hard for me to speak english now. On wednesday when I was with Elder Perez in a combi some man started talking to me in English. The man made fun of me because I didn't speak very well and kept saying, "come on!" when I messed up or couldn't say a word. He actually spoke a lot worse than me but I didn't tell him that.

Things are good here. We are working hard. I am excited for this week. We are trying really hard to lift the area up and start having some baptisms. Sometimes it is hard to feel successful when you don't see the baptisms coming, but I know that is not how success is measured on the mission. Plus we will be having some soon. I know that it is all happening for a reason.

I know this church is true with all of my heart. I have no doubt that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I know that Joseph Smith translated it by the power of God. I am so happy to be able to be here and have the chance to share that with other people. I know that if we try our hardest, we can be perfected through the atoning sacrifice of our Savior Jesus Christ, and live with Him again. I know He lives and loves us.

Con Amor,

Elder Riley Stevenson

Predicad El Evangelio A Toda Criatura

Mi Familia,

Sounds like everyone had a great week! Thanks for the emails. This week was a good one for me too.

First, the area is dangerous, but the police killed the leader of the main gang here and the rest of them are in jail. I almost contacted them about a week before but felt like I shouldn't. So anyways it is not nearly as dangerous anymore.

Tuxtla Gutierrez

Every night to go home we walk by the house of Itzelt, and one night she told me that her older sisters wanted to come to church. She was so happy and told me that her dream of the temple was coming true. It made me so happy to see that she wants her family to enjoy the gospel. Only one sister came, but in time I know the whole family is going to be listening to the missionaries.

Tuxtla Gutierrez at night

We also started teaching a couple that sells Bonice! Flor, and Edgar. It is awesome, but they are very, very poor. I don't know if I have been more humbled in my life. Their house is about the size of our kitchen/family room. They have 3 kids. The most money they can make in a day is about $20, in total, which rarely happens. They came to church this sunday and they said they liked it. It made me want to cry to think about the sacrifices they made to go, it costs about $2 to go to church and go back in combi, plus they usually work on Sundays. But they have so much faith, and I am just praying for the Lord to pour out blessings upon them. They are not married so we will see what we can do to help them so they can get baptized.

 Elder Stevenson's current zone

We found another family that is awesome too. We contacted them a while ago and we were going to have a lesson with them, but they weren't home. Then we were walking by and the 8 year-old boy stopped us, and told us he wanted us to come in. We walked in and started talking to the Dad. It smelt like smoke in the house. His name is Isaías and he started telling us about his life. He used to drink a lot and didn't work. He started drinking when he was 12 and stopped more than 20 years later. He hasn't drank in 5 months. I was so touched by his desire to change. Then his son asked us how we can help him to stop smoking. We talked about the Word of Wisdom and he is going to stop smoking. They are a great family, but also not married with very little money.

Mark 16:15

Yesterday we went to La Rivera Cerro Hueco, a little development that is kind of far away from everything. Its the kind of place where if you are born there, you live there your whole life. And many of them have not seen white people before, or heard of Mormons. We looked for some references and EVERYONE was Catholic and didn't want to talk to us. It was rough and I felt like Alma and Amulek a little bit.

This week was great. I learned a lot about the commandments, and how we have them to prepare to become like God. We need to obey so that we can learn about that stuff.

I love you and miss you all!!

Con Amor,

Elder Riley Stevenson

Mi Alma Se Deleita En Las Escrituras

Mi Familia,

Hello! Things are going great here. It is not raining as much but it rained super hard on Tuesday I think it was. No it was Wednesday. There were rivers in the streets and the water was high. We got soaked but I think it is so funny to get wet in church clothes, because it doesn't bother me and everyone looks at us as we walk by.

This week was good; we found a lot of people that are going to progress. It is hard switching areas because we had to start completely over, so we are working hard to get baptizing again.

This week I learned a lot. I really love studying. I learned a lot about the Priesthood. I wish I could have realized the importance of the Priesthood before I got it, but that is how the Lord works, we learn by experience. I feel a huge responsibility as a priesthood holder, and I am studying and praying so I can understand it better, and really do my duty as a priesthood holder. I feel like I am actually serving the Lord, and trying hard to listen to the spirit in every moment. I love my Savior, Jesus Christ. I testify that he lives and loves us. I am coming to know Him more, here on the mission. He loves us so much and when we put our confidence in Him we cannot fall. What an amazing promise. I know it is true.

I love you and miss you. Expect a better letter next week, sorry!!

Con Amor,

Elder Riley Stevenson