April 1, 2013

I don't think I'm going to email today. APRIL FOOLS!

Hey there everyone!
It's April! Which means it is the 4th month of the year. I hope you all have a great 4th month of the year. This past week was completely awesome. Elder Acosta and i had a ton of teaching, and i could really feel the Spirit helping us as we taught all of our investigators and less-active members. It is such a great feeling when you teach and you can feel the Spirit bearing testimony of the things that you are saying, there's no feeling  quire like it. We had a great lesson which Brother Gamazan this past week on Monday about the Atonement. He loved the message and said he was going to come to church on Sunday. And the best part is he actually did come to church yesterday! He loved it and it was great to see him talk with all the members. He hadn't been to church in years and when everyone saw him they all were shocked but really excited that he was able to come. I was so happy especially because he enjoyed it so much! I also was able to go on exchanges with Elder Burgos, our district leader. I worked over in his area since I didn't want him to see our work. No just kidding. I just went over there because he is the leader and I'm supposed to learn from him. I ended up learning a ton from the exchange. I especially learned just how important it is to ask a lot of questions. He is really good and doing that and showed me the example, especially in a lesson with a less-active member in their area. He asked a lot of questions because we could see something was bothering her, and because he did so, we were able to find out what and then helped her out. She ended up going to church yesterday as well which was a huge step for her. It was a great exchange. I also had a wonderful opportunity to go to the Gwilliam's place for Easter Dinner. We invited our investigators, Eric, Barbie, and their family. They came and it was so much fun. We were able to all hang out and have a really good time. The Gwilliam's showed the Easter video to all the people there as well because it was Easter and it went very well. Being on a mission has taught me so much, but more than anything I have learned the importance of loving others. I have really come to love all the people we have the opportunity to teach and I feel more and more like our Savior, the more I have love for others. I am so grateful for the Gospel and the blessing I have now to spread it to these Filipino people. I am grateful for my Savior and especially for all that He has done for me. I can't thank my Heavenly Father enough. I love you all!

Elder Stephens