Mi Familia,
Thanks for the emails! It is good to hear from you even though we talked on Saturday. It was nice to talk for so long and hear from everyone. Oh and Mom, I thanked the Hermana for letting me use the phone and she was so nice about it. I hope everyone had a good Christmas even if they were sick in bed! I had a good day. We went to church (all 3 hours), we went to eat, and then my companion talked to his family. President made a deal with my companion that if he fixed everything in his school and at home my comp would stay here in the mission for his last transfer. President did it and he is staying here. I am glad because he is a good Elder and I will be able to learn more from him.
I am also almost completely sure that I will stay here the full 2 years, stay at home, and then start school in the spring. I thought about it a lot yesterday when my companion was talking with his family, weighing out options and seeing what would happen. I am not positive so I am going to keep praying. I would definitely work at home and study in the summer too I think. We will see what happens. Would you have to tell BYU?
Well I don't know if I have too much more to say because we talked less than 2 days ago. Haha - oh I read the article that Grandma sent about the Tzotziles. It is a great article and I didn't know about a lot of that stuff that it said. I know Elder and Sister Utt. They are awesome; they worked with an Elder that was living with us when he didn't have a companion. They drove us in their car to our area and made us laugh a lot. I also know a lot of Elders that have worked or are currently in the Tzotzil Zone. My comp was actually there for a short time and he has taught me a little. It is amazing to see that the gospel is being brought to many nations tongues and people.
I am happy and enjoyed Christmas time. I want to share my testimony of the Lord. I know that he was born more than 2000 years ago to Mary. I know that He was a great teacher, healer, and friend and still is. But I also testify that He was more than that. I know that He is literally the Savior of the world. He loves us, and still lives. He has eyes that see us, ears that hear us, and a mouth that talks to us.
Con Amor,
Elder Riley Stevenson
The whole internet cafe lost connection when I was about to send the email so I couldn't send it last week, (this is it) sorry!!
Monday, December 26, 2011
Monday, December 19, 2011
"Pero Confiad; Yo He Vencido Al Mundo"
Mi Familia,
Hey this week was great. So the good news is that there is no limit on the phone call! President only said that he doesn't want us to talk literally all day. It is the best gift I could ask for, so I will talk to you Saturday at 1 your time. I don't have too much to say because we will be talking in a few days.
We had the baptism of Dana Paula on Saturday. In the morning we emptied the font with buckets because the water only drains to a certain point and then it stays there. It was fun, but took a while. Then we filled it up which takes a whopping 4 hours, but we went out to teach a few people, and had the baptism in the afternoon. A lot of people came, mostly family that are not members of the church, and it was a great experience. I felt the spirit very strongly.
Grandma mentioned that they are translating the temple ceremony to tzotzil (an indian dialect). I would like to read the article or a little more information! My companion right now had some time in an area that spoke tzotzil and learned a little.
This week I studied a lot about the atonement of Jesus Christ. I learned so much. I am so grateful that He suffered for us. I know that He lived a perfect life and that He lives now. I know that prayer is so important and powerful. When Christ had to suffer all things, He was praying and asking help from our Father. I know that he overcame all of the horrors of Satan, and that He lives and loves us.
I love you and miss you. Talk to you on Saturday! Merry Christmas!
Elder Riley Stevenson
Hey this week was great. So the good news is that there is no limit on the phone call! President only said that he doesn't want us to talk literally all day. It is the best gift I could ask for, so I will talk to you Saturday at 1 your time. I don't have too much to say because we will be talking in a few days.
We had the baptism of Dana Paula on Saturday. In the morning we emptied the font with buckets because the water only drains to a certain point and then it stays there. It was fun, but took a while. Then we filled it up which takes a whopping 4 hours, but we went out to teach a few people, and had the baptism in the afternoon. A lot of people came, mostly family that are not members of the church, and it was a great experience. I felt the spirit very strongly.
Grandma mentioned that they are translating the temple ceremony to tzotzil (an indian dialect). I would like to read the article or a little more information! My companion right now had some time in an area that spoke tzotzil and learned a little.
This week I studied a lot about the atonement of Jesus Christ. I learned so much. I am so grateful that He suffered for us. I know that He lived a perfect life and that He lives now. I know that prayer is so important and powerful. When Christ had to suffer all things, He was praying and asking help from our Father. I know that he overcame all of the horrors of Satan, and that He lives and loves us.
I love you and miss you. Talk to you on Saturday! Merry Christmas!
Elder Riley Stevenson
Monday, December 12, 2011
Si No Sois Uno, No Sois Míos
Mi Familia,
This week was great. I had a great birthday!!! I did get the packages on Tuesday. We had a great zone conference. I learned a lot about faith. And also about "spiderwebs" of missionary work. For example, "the members don't help", or "no baptisms there", or "the bishop is no good", etc. President said we need to get rid of them, work, and have faith. I loved something that he taught. He said difficulties can be seen as stumbling blocks or steps of progress. It is so true, and we need to see our difficulties as a form of eternal progression. They refine us. We had a great meal and sang Christmas carols and had activities. Thanks for the packages, they were amazing! I was so excited for the ties and socks. Thanks so much!!! On my birthday I got another tie from an investigator, a wallet from members, and also a carne asada dinner from my companion. It was a great day. The President and his wife also called me to wish me a happy birthday, and many members told me happy birthday too.
This week was filled with some awesome things. Yesterday we saw a part of the Annual Ciudad Hidalgo Tricycle Race. It was so sweet, they take 5 laps around the whole city. I have never seen a tricycle go so fast. Also, a family we are teaching told me that they have a house in Acapulco, and told me that I can go and visit when I get home from the mission. I want to go with Dad, and the whole family! But Dad because he served there on his mission.
Also yesterday we went to the house of other investigators to take them to church, when we saw a police car outside taking them away. We told them they should have gone to church! But it turns out that a neighbor started fighting with one of them. They are home now with little harm. I think they are going to go to church next week.
We have another investigator that told us a few weeks ago that she didn't believe that Joseph Smith was a prophet. On Friday we had a lesson with her, and she told us that she had been reading about Joseph in a book of her brother-in-law (he is serving his mission in Guadalajara right now). She had a dream about him and told us that she knows he was a prophet and that he restored the true church. She wants to get baptized but isn't married, so we are going to have to keep working with her.
This week I studied about the importance of "one." The Lord said that if we are not one, we are not His. I am sure that Jesus is the Christ because he did the will of the Father, that is why they are one. I also found that Zion, the City of Enoch, was one in heart I think it says, and that when Christ came the the Americas He came to bring His other sheep, to make them one fold having one shepherd. It says in 4th Nephi that there were no -ites, or divisions. Division=Destruction. If we want to be like Christ, we have to do His will. What we do is who we are. I know Christ did the will of the Father, perfectly.
I love you and miss you, until next week!
Con Amor,
Elder Riley Stevenson
This week was great. I had a great birthday!!! I did get the packages on Tuesday. We had a great zone conference. I learned a lot about faith. And also about "spiderwebs" of missionary work. For example, "the members don't help", or "no baptisms there", or "the bishop is no good", etc. President said we need to get rid of them, work, and have faith. I loved something that he taught. He said difficulties can be seen as stumbling blocks or steps of progress. It is so true, and we need to see our difficulties as a form of eternal progression. They refine us. We had a great meal and sang Christmas carols and had activities. Thanks for the packages, they were amazing! I was so excited for the ties and socks. Thanks so much!!! On my birthday I got another tie from an investigator, a wallet from members, and also a carne asada dinner from my companion. It was a great day. The President and his wife also called me to wish me a happy birthday, and many members told me happy birthday too.
This week was filled with some awesome things. Yesterday we saw a part of the Annual Ciudad Hidalgo Tricycle Race. It was so sweet, they take 5 laps around the whole city. I have never seen a tricycle go so fast. Also, a family we are teaching told me that they have a house in Acapulco, and told me that I can go and visit when I get home from the mission. I want to go with Dad, and the whole family! But Dad because he served there on his mission.
Also yesterday we went to the house of other investigators to take them to church, when we saw a police car outside taking them away. We told them they should have gone to church! But it turns out that a neighbor started fighting with one of them. They are home now with little harm. I think they are going to go to church next week.
We have another investigator that told us a few weeks ago that she didn't believe that Joseph Smith was a prophet. On Friday we had a lesson with her, and she told us that she had been reading about Joseph in a book of her brother-in-law (he is serving his mission in Guadalajara right now). She had a dream about him and told us that she knows he was a prophet and that he restored the true church. She wants to get baptized but isn't married, so we are going to have to keep working with her.
This week I studied about the importance of "one." The Lord said that if we are not one, we are not His. I am sure that Jesus is the Christ because he did the will of the Father, that is why they are one. I also found that Zion, the City of Enoch, was one in heart I think it says, and that when Christ came the the Americas He came to bring His other sheep, to make them one fold having one shepherd. It says in 4th Nephi that there were no -ites, or divisions. Division=Destruction. If we want to be like Christ, we have to do His will. What we do is who we are. I know Christ did the will of the Father, perfectly.
I love you and miss you, until next week!
Con Amor,
Elder Riley Stevenson
Monday, December 5, 2011
Los Insectos También Abrumarán Sus Tierras
Mi Familia,
Thanks for all of the birthday wishes! I feel so loved. I know it will be a great birthday. We are going to have a zone conference tomorrow so I think I will get my mail but who knows. This week was really good. I learned a lot and had some great experiences.
First, we found a scorpion in the house this week! We killed it and it did no harm. It reminded me of Dad's mission story when they killed a scorpion in his house. I always thought that was the craziest story and wondered how a scorpion could get into the house, but I got to find out more by experience. Also the story about when dad's comp pegged the dog in the head with a rock, but I have lived that many times.
This week we got a referral for a 9 year old girl named Dana Paula, but she likes to be called Pali. Her parents are members, but less actives. The family came to church on sunday and Pali is so excited to get baptized, if everything turns out well she will be baptized on the 17th by her dad.
We had some great lessons this week. We have really been helping our investigators and not just teaching them what we know. I have felt so thankful for the opportunity I have had to serve the Lord in His work.
This week I have studied a little about the second coming. I really have a strong belief that the second coming is going to come very, very soon. We need to be ready by keeping the commandments. Also by searching for the signs so we know when Christ will come again. I think it was Joseph Fielding Smith who said that many living in the world would see the second coming of the Lord. I don't know when he said it, but he died in 1972. So it has to be right around the corner.
I am really happy, and hope everything is good. I love you guys and want to thank you for your support.
Heres a good Christmas scripture, "Ho, ho, come forth, and flee from the land of the north, saith the Lord: for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven, saith the Lord." -Zechariah 2:6... Santa lives.
Con Amor,
Elder Riley Stevenson
Thanks for all of the birthday wishes! I feel so loved. I know it will be a great birthday. We are going to have a zone conference tomorrow so I think I will get my mail but who knows. This week was really good. I learned a lot and had some great experiences.
First, we found a scorpion in the house this week! We killed it and it did no harm. It reminded me of Dad's mission story when they killed a scorpion in his house. I always thought that was the craziest story and wondered how a scorpion could get into the house, but I got to find out more by experience. Also the story about when dad's comp pegged the dog in the head with a rock, but I have lived that many times.
This week we got a referral for a 9 year old girl named Dana Paula, but she likes to be called Pali. Her parents are members, but less actives. The family came to church on sunday and Pali is so excited to get baptized, if everything turns out well she will be baptized on the 17th by her dad.
We had some great lessons this week. We have really been helping our investigators and not just teaching them what we know. I have felt so thankful for the opportunity I have had to serve the Lord in His work.
This week I have studied a little about the second coming. I really have a strong belief that the second coming is going to come very, very soon. We need to be ready by keeping the commandments. Also by searching for the signs so we know when Christ will come again. I think it was Joseph Fielding Smith who said that many living in the world would see the second coming of the Lord. I don't know when he said it, but he died in 1972. So it has to be right around the corner.
I am really happy, and hope everything is good. I love you guys and want to thank you for your support.
Heres a good Christmas scripture, "Ho, ho, come forth, and flee from the land of the north, saith the Lord: for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven, saith the Lord." -Zechariah 2:6... Santa lives.
Con Amor,
Elder Riley Stevenson
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