virginia iz fer luverz

November 23, 2015

Christmuz is comin'! There are lights starting to go up and it is lovely:) 

I hope you guys have the best Thanksgiving ever! I love Thanksgiving:) We will be eating at the Weavers & the Armstrongs. I'm grateful kind ward members allow us to come over:) 

We have had a lot of changes to our mission recently with key indicators and such. Our focus is a lot more weighed on our purpose. We had the best Zone Conference on Tuesday. I am so grateful for President & Sister Christiansen! I say that every email haha but they are the kindest people and they are so inspired. The missionary department came to tour our mission & I think one of the seventy is coming to tour it in the next few weeks. 

Tomorrow we have Zone Training. The Zone Leaders are in our area so thankfully we don't have to travel too far haha. Because the Winchester Stake is so spread apart we have 2 zones and there are only 2 sets of sisters in the whole zone! Haha. 

Please pray for Sister Olsen, her muscles in her lower back have been bothering her a ton and it is so painful for her to sit:( 

Friday we went on exchanges for the day so Sister Talbert from Winchester came here. Brother J.'s funeral was that evening so we were able to attend. We also helped Sis Clark in our ward clean her porcelain dolls for service. She has been really, really sick recently. Funny story about Sis Clark. She lives alone and when the changes came that Elders couldn't come over without another guy there she was really sad. She wrote the Prophet and asked for Sister Missionaries so this area has had sister missionaries for years and has never taken them out hahaha. 

We have 1 investigator right now:) She is married to a member and their whole extended family is in the ward! Haha. She is planning on getting baptized in December! She is so sweet and she has such simple faith! She just gets everything:) I admire her will to follow the Lord. 

Saturday we helped a family move into the ward. Not a lot of people were there to help them move so it took about 6 hours. Brother Cline said that we were the hardest-working sisters he's ever met and I told him he must have never met my past Hawaiian companion Sister Waite hahaha! She is STRONG. It was also #socialmediasplit Saturday so that was fun:) 

I love you all so much. I hope you have an amazing Thanksgiving and remember how grateful I am for all of you and your testimonies. I feel your strength thousands of miles away. Xoxo Sister Stolworthy 

the other woodstock

November 16, 2015

There's a funny motto that goes around here.. "The other Woodstock." Since Woodstock, VA was the original woodstock. They have a lot of funny shirts and flags in this town:) 

This past week was really heart-wrenching. Friday we lost a really awesome guy in our ward. The high priest group leader, Brother J. passed away suddenly. I only met him 2 times but he will have a lasting impact on me. He had the biggest smile and the funniest laugh you have ever heard. He was always making everyone laugh in Ward Council.  

We ate dinner with their family Thursday night and talked about revelation. We showed them the Mormon Message "patterns of light: revelation" by Elder Bednar. We were laughing about how we both receive revelation like Elder Bednar, slowly and over time. He said, "I want you to remember that you receive revelation like Elder Brother and Brother J." I will always remember that. He worked for the church and knew a lot of people since they've been in the area a long time.

 I am so grateful for the faithful saints that I get to be with out on my mission. They exemplify the Savior and their testimonies build my faith. Sunday Sister Olsen and I sang "Nearer My God, to Thee" in church. His family was their in sacrament... the spirit was so strong. It was overwhelming to me. I am so grateful for how thin the veil is and I am so grateful families are forever. The Plan of Happiness is so, so real. I know that the Savior lives and that He knows every thing we go through. I know that this is the time we prepare to meet God. I know that we need to act on every good thought and we just need to love and serve people as much as we can. Their is purpose in His plan. Love you all. Have a great week and tell everyone you love them. xo 

Love, 

Sister Stolworthy 

ps - here is sister olsen & i at the rs activity.

goats

November 9, 2015

Oh holy moley guacomoley... I LOVE VIRGINIA. Hahah it is seriously the best!:) First off, our area is HUGE. It is 519 sqaure miles. We only have 1,000 miles on the car this month which means we park our car and walk a ton but I love it:) We are right on the border of Northern Virginia so we border West Virginia. Woodstock used to be a branch a couple years ago so the building is the smallest chapel but I love the ward members so much:) 

The ward is called Woodstock but it consists of Strasburg, Woodstock, Tomsbrook, Maurytown, Edinburg, Mount Jackson, New Market, Startannery, and Fort Valley. (I spelled some of those wrong haha) A lot of people live in the country but theses are some cute towns with main streets and little shops. They remind me of the Christmas movies:)  Also I found out that Virginia is the bug capital of the entire US :( There are spiders everywhere. I freaked Sister Olsen out in the car the other day because this spider looking thing with 2 legs almost fell on my leg haha. Oh man I hate bugs so much. 

Sister Olsen is the cutest. She is from a small town outside of Preston, Idaho! So her high school was the one where Napoleon Dynamite was filmed haha. She is so happy and loving despite the trials she has had with heart surgery and makes everyone feel loved. Even though she is in "training" I feel like she has been out months and I am learning so much from her:)

President Wright is the one who sent mom the picture! Haha. He is the one who wrote the book, "The Christmas Jar" if you remember reading that to us dad? He's also written a lot of other books too. He is in the Stake Presidency here. I'm in the Winchester stake which stretches far and wide. 

We have 3 investigators right now:) There are a lot of part-member families which we are trying to work with. Our ward mission leader is brother Gagnon. He met his wife because they were in a Lord of the Rings fan club and their house is decked out with all things American. So... they are the coolest people I've met thus far haha. 

Oh man i just love the people here. I love em with my whole heart. My favorite quote of the week goes to a sister who told us, "Ya fart here and they tax it!" Hahaha. 

I love you guys and I am so grateful to be out here. I pray for you all the time and I am so happy that you are happy:) Elder Holland said something in a talk that I have been thinking a lot about lately... 

"If you have not yet learned that it is more important to help someone else succeed than it is to focus on your own success, then please start learning that divine lesson now." 

Have a great week!:) Xo, Sister Stolworthy 

5th transfer, 5th companion:)

November 2, 2015

Hey family!:) happy 6 months! holy cow this week was a whirlwind! So yesterday I found out that I am getting transferred to Woodstock, Virginia! I am going to be training a sister there and doing the 2nd half of her training:) Virginia is really pretty and I am excited:) I leave Wednesday! But I am going to miss Braddock Heights and all of the amazing people I got to meet here. B. Heightz is the BEST.

This week was so much fun! We had zone training Tuesday and then Sisters Conference on Thursday. Sister Lasike and I got to sing Israel, Israel God is Calling at the conference. I love Sister Lasike so much! Then Friday I got my MRI and the ward Trunk or Treat! Then Saturday was Halloween:) The Kolbfleisch's in our ward fed us and Sister K. makes a Halloween dinner so we had meatloaf that looked like werewolves paws hahaha. Since we have to be in by 6 our Zone played sports the rest of the night and some missionaries dressed up. Sister Nakata had a baptism down in Winchester Saturday so we got to go to Virginia with Sister Bowden! The baptism was so cool because the husband was baptized, received the priesthood, and then was able to baptize his wife. It was a really special moment to witness.

We are still teaching the 10 year-old and I am so excited for her as she continues to grow her testimony. It is amazing to me how much little kids understand and how simply they just get the gospel.

Sisters Conference was really cool because we had the Senior Sisters talk to us on different subjects. The conference was based off Russell M. Nelson's talk on women and how it relates to being a missionary:) It made me realize how many examples I have and continue to have of covenant keeping women all around me and how much I have learned from each of them. Our mission has about 58 sisters in it. What's crazy is that after this transfer 50% of our mission will have been only been out 4 1/2 months and less. Isn't that something? Also there is an Elder Stolworthy in this mission and everyone asks me if we are related hahaha I guess he's pretty popular since so many people have asked me about him...But I know we are related somehow because this last name is way to rare haha.

Oh man I have loved this transfer. I have loved being with Sister Nakata and I have loved all the people I've met and served with here in Frederick. I hope you all have an amazing week:) Xoxo, Sister Stolworthy

PS - My new address is:

213 Patriots Place

Woodstock, VA

22664

I mustache you a Q

October 26, 2015

Emily you are a rockstar for running a half-marathon. But seriously, you rock! And Ally you looked like a babe at homecoming! I have the cutest seesters:) And thank you Grandpa Reed and Aunt Sandra for the awesome Halloween package. And thank you to the CTR class for the cute letter :) Love you guys.

This week was so fun! Tuesday we had interviews with President. I love President and Sister Christiansen so dang much- they are some of the kindest people I have ever known. Something President said really stuck out to me. He said, "We aren't just planting seeds, but we are harvesting them." I think it is so cool how much the Lord is hastening His work. He also told me that I should brush up on my ASL since Frederick is home of the Maryland School for the Deaf. So cool:))

So Monday was great because we got teach our investigator Lisa about the Book of Mormon and then give her a church tour! She is so hilarious and can chat for days about how much she loves God. She has such a good heart and said that our baptismal font was super fancy so she would definitely pray about what she's been taught haha. I love her.

Tuesday I went to the doctor at the American Spine pain management center and he told me that I need to get a new MRI since mine is about 4 years old so I shall be doing that this Friday.../: I start physical therapy Thursday. I have mixed emotions but I'm grateful I can be refreshed on the exercises that will help:) Tuesday was the Relief Society "Unbirthday" activity. There were a lot of less-actives there which was really great to see.

Then Wednesday we had the opportunity to volunteer at the ARC. The ARC helps adults with disabilities. We got to do activities with those who are in the day program. I loved it so much- my mission just keeps reaffirming how excited I am to do special education when I get home:)

We also taught the 10 year old we are teaching this week about the plan of salvation! I love object lessons:) Then we had the chance to go on exchanges Friday. I got to go to Mt. Airy again with Sister Lundin! I had so much fun getting to be with her. Mt. Airy is very pretty because it is basically all country. It's crazy being somewhere like this because I am not use to it at all! Haha. The leaves are beautiful and are changing so many different colors. We got to visit a lot of less-actives there with a member in their ward. I also got to pet a horse.

We are having sisters conference this Wednesday! Sister Lundin, Sister Rogers, Sister Nakata and I went and scoped out the hike for Sister Christiansen. We will be hiking Cunningham Falls up in Thurmont. It is so pretty:) While we were there they were filming a commercial for the state of Maryland. They said we could be in it but we would have to sign waivers... yes my chance for fame came! Hahah, but sadly we left before filming.

I love you guys so much, and I pray for you all the time! I am so grateful for the Lord, and for the ability he has to change us. Have a great week!:) Love, Sister Stolworthy

it's beginning to look a lot like! ...dead trees

October 19, 2015

Happy Anniversary mom & dad! I'm so lucky to have you guys:) Enjoy your day. And happy birthday to my dear Tutu, the grandma who runs Las Vegas town. I love you guys!

It got down to 29 degrees the other night.... AGH. I am not prepared I am not prepared. The humidity brings the cold right to your bones. I am so thankful that I only have to endure 1 full winter here hahaha. I blame my thin blood on being a 4th generation Nevadan. I love heat. But that 's okay, because I can endure my first east-coast winter:) I think..hahah.

This week was pretty fun! We got to do a lot of service which I always love doing... because pants are awesome. But also because serving people is awesomeness. We were able to give 2 church tours to our investigators Cash & Liz. The stake had a pretty cool "Give & Get" activity going on where people bring their stuff to the church gym like it's a garage sale, except everything is free. Sister Melby from our ward is the new stake relief society president. She is so hilarious and it was so fun getting to help set up.

Sister Tyssens invited us over to her granddaughters 2nd birthday party. Sister T. is from Cambodia and has the coolest conversion story ever. She also makes amazing eggrolls and curry:) She is so loving towards the missionaries and invites us over a lot. She is definitely a woman of faith. There are so many amazing people you get to meet out on your mission. I am grateful for these awesome Latter-day Saints who help build up my testimony of the gospel and of the Savior. I am also grateful for the awesome missionaries that I have in my zone! They teach me so much:)

We are also teaching a 10 year old girl who's family is less-active. We got to teach the Restoration using the cups this week which was really fun. Kids are the best!:)

I'm gonna send you guys a link to the new Mormon Message. it is so good. I love how when we put others before ourselves that we are always happy no matter what. That's something I've learned on my mission. True happiness comes from living the gospel and from loving others like He did.

Have a fantastic week! Love you guys!:) xo sister stolworthy

http://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/series/mormon-messages/reflections

Double Yoke

October 12, 2015

Hello! :) This week flew by, but then again all of these weeks fly by haha. Sister Nakata and I have been having a lot of fun this week. We have seen some miracccccleez!

Funny stuff here: We were looking through our area book and found a referral for "Tania" from the hermanas a couple transfers ago. I totally thought it was a woman and when I was on the phone with her it sounded like an elderly lady. So we set up an appointment and we are at her apartment and we call her to let us in. I see an Indian man getting out of his car and as he is getting closer to me I realize he is the one talking to me on the phone hahahaha. Turns out Tania is a male.... but that's okay because he and Meena his fiancé are now our investigators! Wooho! :) They are from India and they want to know God. They ask a lot of questions which is good and committed to the waters. We also are teaching an elderly woman named Sara now who reminds me so much of Tutu! Her house even smells like Tutu's house :)

This week we had the chance to do service for the neighbor of one of the members in the ward. We mowed her lawn. Sometimes I forget that people don't have flat lawns here hahaha but it is always fun getting to do yardwork:)

Saturday we had the chance to help with the Day to Serve in Mt. Airy! All of the missionaries from the zone got to go. We helped clean out the Mt. Olive cemetery. We chopped down trees and bushes and helped fix gravestones. A lot of slaves were buried their many years ago and the forest just continued to grow over top of them so we were able to help clean it out. There were people there looking for their grandparents- it just reminded me of how lucky we are to do family history:)

Sunday was fun because we went over to see a less active who needed help cleaning out her lawn so we grabbed our gardening gloves and did some weeding and got to know her:) I am grateful for tiny miracles and for the Lord's tender mercies. I know God loves all of His children so much.

Something the mission doctor told me was that God knew all of our weaknesses and struggles before we even came out to the mission field. He knew what we would struggle with, and the hardships/trials we would have to bear. Yet he still calls us because he allows us (the weak/simple) to testify of Him. I would even go so far to compare that to our real lives as well. Before this life Heavenly Father knew we would struggle & need His Son's help, but He still allowed us to come here to learn and grow:) oh man, I sure do love you all. You are constantly in my prayers/heart. Have a great week! Xoxo Sister Stolworthy

Ps - here are the trees mom! Starting to turn!

huuuuuuuurrrycane

October 5, 2015

Hello all:) This week it has been crazy windy and rainy. Hurricane Wakeen was comin' straight for Maryland that the government even declared it in a state of emergency- but after it hit the Bahamas it hit the ocean so we are good over here!

General Conference was SO GOOD. They call it Christmas on the Mission and now I know why! Oh man, I didn't want it to end. My favorites were Elder Holland, President Nelson, President Uchtdorf and Elder Lawrence. They were all so good:) Saturday we watched both sessions at the stake center. Then Sunday we watched morning session with the Macharsky's and afternoon with the Bowden's. Except for I guess you can't really call them "morning and afternoon session" here because they start at 12 pm and 4 pm haha.

This week there were miracles! We picked up a former investigator Liz who has been really hard to get in contact with. We also were able to teach our investigator George about the Book of Mormon. Wednesday we were able to visit a member who is in a senior living center. She is from France and she is so cute and kind. It reminded me of when we used to go play the piano for elderly homes.

Because of my back, we walked 10 miles on Wednesday instead of biking hahahah. My poor companion, she is the nicest for letting us walk! The doctor told me something really cool- he said that the Lord knew that I would need to be in this mission at this time with what I am going through. I remember when I got my call letter I had a really strong impression this was where I needed to be:) I'm so happy Heavenly Father calls us to where He needs and wants us. I am so grateful for doctors!

Thursday we received a referral from church headquarters. Usually media referrals are people just wanting a free bible because if you search "free bible" on Google then Mormon.org is the first thing to pop up haha. This lady was different though because she let us come in and share some of our message! She invited us back and referred us to some of her friends as well:)

Yesterday we tried by a less-active who told us she had watched General conference! We also are going to start teaching her 10 year-old daughter the lessons:) Then we saw a less-active who is NEVER home ever ever ever. But we finally caught her.. and she said we could come back and do service:)

I love tender mercies from the Lord. Something that stuck out to me in General Conference was that we need to obedient and we need to follow the Holy Ghost. I'm so grateful for the Lord's servants, they are so inspired. I loved Elder Holland's talk on Mothers. Oh how grateful I am for you my sweet mama. I also love how direct President Monson was. His testimony is so powerful and rings true. We need to love and serve each other, there really is no other way...

Oh how grateful I am for this beautiful gospel. A gospel that allows us to constantly change and become closer to Him. God's the only one who knows who we an be, and He leads us every step of the way. We can always start where we are now, in order to become who we need to be.

Love you all, love you all. Sister Stolworthy

Catemas!

September 28, 2015

Happy birthday to the babe herself! I hope your day is great tomorrow Cate:) Congrats to Shannon & Wes! Tell Shannon she looked beautiful at her wedding!

So my new companion is Sister Nakata from Cincinnati! So fun because she actually knows McKell and Erin from back home! Such a small world. She is so funny and awesome to be around, this transfer is going to be so fun:)

The women's session of conference was so, so great! I loved how all of the talks were centered on Faith in different aspects of our lives. "Faith in every footstep." That is something I want to develop. I know that if we have more faith than burdens are much easier to bear and challenges can be met with hopeful hearts. I always feel the spirit when I get to hear from our church leaders. Ahh I hope you all got to watch it:)

This week we picked up an investigator named George! He is from a part-member family. The other week we were seeing his wife and we asked her if he would be interested in taking the lessons. She said, "you should give him that pamphlet!" So we walked outside and gave it to him and asked if we could teach him and he said "sure!" I thought that was pretty funny. God really does soften people's hearts over time :) He used to not be interested at all in religion, but recently with his granddaughter being baptized it has changed his heart. He said he felt chills when she was baptized and that he knew Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. It was a pretty neat experience!

So we lost the car this week... so back to biking! :) Haha. I can't complain at all because even though this area is huge, unlike my last area, it is much more bike-able!

We had dinner with Sister Tyssens this week who is from Cambodia and she made the greatest Asian food I have ever had. It was like we were at a restaurant hahah. She also taught us how to make homemade eggrolls, buuuut sadly I forgot already haha.

& then Saturday was the 5k run for the Religious Coalition of Frederick! There were a couple hundred runners there which was awesome. My time was sadly... very, very awful haha but the elders actually ran in the tops of their proselyting clothes which was pretty funny.

So that's the stuff I remember from this week:) Dr. Kearl emailed me about my back, so mom expect a call for my MRI stuff pretty soon.  I also forwarded you guys what he sent me.

love you love you!:) Xo Sister Stolworthy

"girl joseph smith ain't on her name-tag!"

September 21, 2015,

So transfers are this Wednesday! Sister Waite is getting transferred, so I will now be on my 4th companion in my 4th transfer haha. I can't believe I've been out about 5 months already, time flies:) I am staying in Braddock.

I really love Braddock Heights. You get the city type feel of Frederick, but then the open space of Middletown and Meyersville. The green is really pretty here. You guys would love downtown Frederick because there are just a ton of cute old brick buildings and one-way streets. The shops are super fun as well:) There is also a ton of Civil War history that I would love to check out one day.

This past week we had Zone Training and then we went on Exchanges again! I got to stay here with Sister Sessions. She is really funny but sadly goes home this transfer :( We also had Stake Conference which was awesome. President and Sister Christiansen spoke. They always do such a great job and I am grateful every time I get to hear them speak. The First Presidency has been putting a huge emphasis on Sabbath Day observance in order to help Hasten the Work so if you have already had Stake Conference I bet you had similar themes:) This was my second one out in the field so it was cool to see how it was portrayed and talked about. I think it's easy to forget how sacred the chapel is. It is an ordinance room, and a room where we get to renew ourselves spiritually and with Christ. That was something that stuck out to me:)

I want to give a shout-out to the Young Women for the sweet letters, the sunday school class for the letters, and to the Deacons Quorum for the hilarious package they sent me. I love and miss Eldorado Estates! Thank you so much for the love:)

I want you all to know that Christ lives. And that He is just waiting for us to call on Him. I call on Him everyday, and He never fails me. Love you love you!!:) Sister Stolworthy

rolling hillz

September 14, 2015

Sister Waite & I had a really awesome week this week:)) We have a new investigator! She is living with a family in our ward. She came up to us last Sunday and said, "I want to be baptized." It was after our whole Zone had fasted for our goals this transfer. We taught her the Restoration this past week.

Today was a really cool day! Sister Vandre in our ward took her 5 daughters + us to hike at Sugarloaf :) She's from the west so we were laughing at how 1,000 feet is considered a mountain here! Haha. We like to call them rolling hills. It was really cool because you can see Leesburg, Gaithersburg, West Virginia, Virginia, and Frederick all from up top. It was really pretty. Their nonmember friends came too and were asking us why we go by "sister" because they thought we were nuns. It wouldn't be the first time I was mistaken for a nun... haha! It was a cool experience :)

Saturday was amazing because Elder Cook from the quorum of the 12 came and spoke to us along with Elder Gerard from the 70. Our mission is pretty small so we all fit in the chapel in Annapolis. When he walked in, I felt the spirit so strong. It's so rare that I feel it that strong. They both took the time to shake all of our hands. He gave us really great advice on missionary work, but a few things stuck out to me. Elder Cook said, "I want you to know that you can have full confidence that this church is true."

He spoke to us about how we personally are the message that we are sharing because we all have been converted at some point. He also talked about building up our wards/branches wherever we serve, and making finding a more spiritual experience. I wish I could write down everything he said. Something else that stuck out to me was that he promised us that we would always be equal to the task because of the Savior.  At the end he started crying and left us with a blessing. I definitely had questions in my heart answered. I will never be grateful enough for the Lord's chosen servants and for the priesthood. I know that they are personal witnesses of the Savior. I know that they know His work better than any of us. Right before the prayer he got up again and said he wanted to tell us something that the Spirit whispered to him 4 times. He said to be mindful of the non-member teenagers who's friends are going on missions at 18. They have been having a significant impact on them lately since the age change. It was a special meeting I will always, always remember.

Also, Annapolis is so beautiful! The Naval Academy is really cool too. It reminded me of Meet the Mormons haha.

Well, I just love you guys so much. I finally finished the Book of Mormon again and my goal is trying to finish Jesus the Christ by the end of my mission haha. That thang is huge, but is so, so good. I want you to know that God really does answer our prayers, and He never leaves us out to dry. He really is there, and He knows a lot more about our potential than we do. We just need to have trust in Him. Have a great week! Xo :)

Love,

sister Stolworthy

Somos Los Misionares??

August 31, 2015

Hola family! Thank you Emily for always forwarding out my emails:) And thank you all for sending me those beautiful pictures of grandma's funeral. It seems like it was an amazing and sacred service, I wish I could have been there.

So this week was really cool. President Christiansen has been pushing bringing up baptism in every single lesson. Well we had a lesson Monday night with our investigator family and we taught them the Book of Mormon. We were finished with the lesson when President's statement about bringing up baptism came into my head. We pulled out 3rd Nephi, had the dad read from it and put him on date! It was really cool and the spirit was so strong. The ward has been doing so awesome at reaching out to them.

Tuesday was also really cool because we stopped by a potentials house, and she let us come in. We taught her the restoration and now she is an investigator! I have to say that my favorite part about teaching the Restoration is reciting the First Vision to them. It was such a unique and beautiful experience and it is always special when you get to share it with someone for the first time. The spirit is always there. We also went over to a less actives home that night who recently lost their son. We were able to teach them about the resurrection and where we go after this life. It made me think of Grandma Joy. I am so grateful for the knowledge of eternal families, what a blessing it truly is.

Friday Al Fox Caraway and Hank Smith spoke at a youth fireside! We were able to listen to Al Fox. She is so cool and has the craziest conversion story. She went through so much all because she knew the gospel was true, and that it was the only thing that could bring us real happiness. She is a rockstar!  

Saturday was Owen's baptism! The Elder's were working with him. We were able to show one of our investigators the baptismal font before the service. While I was over there by the font, the greatest sense of peace washed over me, as if I was at the temple. Baptism is so important, and Heavenly Father loves us so much that He wants all of His children to take part in it.

We were able to visit with so many less actives this week which is always one of my favorite things. The gospel is for EVERYONE. It can truly heal anyone's hearts. Being on a mission has brought me so much closer to the Savior than I ever could have imagined. His power is real and it is for everyone. No matter how far we have strayed or gone, it is there. His love is so real. I know He carries me each day and that is because He is perfect where I am not.

I love you all so much. I hope you have an amazing week.

Xo,

Sister Stolworthy

Joy

August 24, 2015

Dear Family,

My heart ached as I was told of the passing of Grandma Joy on Tuesday. Sister Christiansen was so kind to drop off some flowers while I was on exchanges... What an amazing person Grandma Joy was. I know her kindness and love for others because I see it manifested in her children. Dad, you have always been such a spiritually strong and kind person, and I know that it is because of the parents you had. I know that she is in a happy place, where her memories are there, and her family is as well. Please send my love to the rest of the family! Some of my favorite memories of grandma are getting ice cream for breakfast, singing/dancing for her in her backyard, and snuggling up with bunches of blankets that she got for us. Her hugs always made me feel so loved. She, always made me feel so loved.

This week went very well for us. I am still trying to figure out the Braddock Heights/Frederick area as best I can! The areas are so big here, but it makes it fun :) This ward is really awesome and the members here are so great.

Some people live farther up in the boonies than others and so I laugh at the amount of times we get lost trying to find a house because the GPS just says, "turn off the road." Hahaha. I've noticed that people out there really enjoy their space, but I don't blame them :) After going down a lot of dirt roads, we generally find them! Haha.

I got to go on exchanges with Sister Rogers in Mount Airy on Tuesday! Talk about the boonies! Hahah. It was so fun and she taught me a lot. She is such a good missionary.

Friday we had the opportunity to go to the Orioles game for Mormon Night! The Franco's took us. They are so funny and awesome. They joined the church a little after they were married and are from New Jersey. It was so funny seeing all the missionaries in one section of the stadium. It reminded me of when Mom and Dad used to take us to all of those Angels games. I loved those things. Saturday we were able meet with our investigators and finish the restoration. The dad committed to baptism! It was so cool when we finished reciting the first vision... he said, "it's a miracle, it's just a miracle." He said yes to baptism!

I really cannot imagine not going on a mission. This is has been one of the most amazing things I have ever had the opportunity to do. I'm not going to say it is perfect, because it is not. Missions are hard things! And when I first came out it was hard for me. I felt confused, homesick, and didn't really know my purpose. But Heavenly Father has made me realize so many things about being out. I never knew I could love strangers, and feel so loved in members homes that I don't even know. The spirit is so real. This really isn't my work, it is the Lord's. And when I put aside my own fears, frustrations, and worries that is when I truly feel God's love. It's not about me, but it is about the people. We all are going through our own struggles and burdens, but the Lord knows us all. One of the most important things we can learn in this life is to let the Lord IN. Sometimes our pride doesn't let us, and we fear or worry. But I know those fears and worries go away if we just let Him IN. I love the Lord and this Gospel. Have a great week:)

Send the family all of my love. Love you forever.

<3 Sister Stolworthy

New area! --Braddock Heights, Maryland!

Wooohooooo :) So I made it to my new area in Braddock Heights, MD! My companion is Sister Waite from the MTC. I will miss Eldersburg, but this ward is amazingly awesome as well! :) I am already having so much fun.

August 18, 2015

We are currently teaching 3 people right now! They are amazing. 2 of them are a family and they were met from street contacting. The ward has been so open to them and fellowships them greatly. We are finishing the Restoration with them this week. They have come to church the last 3 weeks!

We had a ward BBQ on Friday out on a members family farm and it was so much fun! Our investigator family got to come and we got soaked with water balloons :) It was a great opportunity to meet so many people and my companion and I received 11 social media splits which was awesome!

Soooo funny connection again! Haha. Brother Heath Dewey in our ward said that he grew up with Chaz Stolworthy! He also knows Dan Dastrup and said he was friends with him! Hahahah small world for sure. Our cousins are popular out here:)

The reason I am emailing on a Tuesday is because Zone Conference was yesterday! It was so inspired! We talked a lot about having faith in our goals. If we don't have faith than it is so hard to achieve anything. We personally have to believe that the Lord will guide and bless us if we put our trust and faith in Him. I am so grateful for President and Sister Christiansen. They are truly inspired church leaders!

This upcoming week is going to be so fun. We get to go to an MLB game! The Orioles are having their annual "Mormon Night" and so the mission gets to go! I'm so excited:) It reminds me of all the Angels games our family used to go to.

I love you guys so much and I hope you continue to have a great week! Good luck with school Albert:) I hope you know how much I love and appreciate you all! Your letters make me so happy. You are amazing examples to me and I am so grateful for you. I will send pictures next week! Here is my new address:

603 Himes Avenue #111

Frederick, MD

21703

LOVE YOU!!

<3 Sister Stolworthy

The tale of the traveling weave

August 10, 2015

Hi family! There is purple weave that is on the sidewalk that has somehow made it's way down the block. Sister Brinkerhoff and I die laughing every time we see it... hahaha. 

I'm getting transferred! They are closing this area for sisters. We get to clean out the apartment! I actually don't know where I am getting transferred to yet because they aren't sure haha so I will let you all know on Monday. Transfers are Wednesday and Sister Brinkerhoff rolls out Thursday to St. George. I am gonna miss her so much! 

This week was awesome! We are teaching a part-member family and we were able to see a lot of less actives! I am going to miss Eldersburg, it is city-like and country combined with all the different areas. I am excited to see where I am headed though! 

The coolest thing happened this week! We had the chance to go to Cafe Rio and there was a Mormon couple who totally payed for our meal. I know that isn't a big deal but when you are a poor missionary it is the world! Haha it was such a tender blessing! 

Okay so since I am leaving don't send any letters to my old address but to the mission home. Love you all! Have a great week and I love you all so much! Emily I am so happy your birthday was amazing! Xoxo 

Sister Stolworthy 

Happy Birthday Em!!

August 3, 2015

Woooooohoooo! Happy 23rd birthday Em:) I hope you have an amazing day tomorrow! Thank you for all the letters I get. They truly lift my spirit and make me so happy- I love hearing about all you are doing:) 

This week was awesome. Mostly because we went to the temple Wednesday! It was so amazing- I am so in awe of how wonderful and powerful the temple is. My questions are always answered and I can always find peace. I am grateful to go every 6 months! 

We have been doing family mission plans this week, a lot of them and that has been going well! It is always fun meeting with active ward members. We've been doing a ton of finding and street contacting as well. 

I am trying to get through the entire bible on my mission. I've read through major parts, but never cover to cover which I am trying to do :) I am so grateful for books of scripture! Knowing that we have tools necessary to make it back to Heaven. 

I can't really think of anything else to say about this week! Haha just that we were on bikes a ton and I ate crab for the first time :) We also helped a less active member dye her hair! Haha.

I hope you all have an amazing week. You are always in my prayers and I love you dearly. 

Xo, 

Sister Stolworthy

Singing in Sacrament Meeting

July 27, 2015

Hello familia! I cannot believe it has been another week! I also can't believe I've been on my mission 3 months already! Holy cow does time sure fly :) Mom and dad, Hawaii looks so awesome and Ally, tennis camp does too! 

We have an investigator, Sarah!! She is so so so awesome! She is a lawyer and has a 7 year old. She asks so many questions and sounds sincerely interested. We met her outside of an apartment complex while going to contact some potentials. She kept staring at us probably because we were white girls on bikes in skirts so we went to talk to her. She has such an amazing story and she has a lot of faith in God. She asks a lot of questions which I love and she soaks it all up like a sponge. Please pray for her:) 

We get to go to the temple this week for the first time!!!! I am so excited! We get to go every 6 months here and so I am so so so so excited. You know how much I love the temple! I am so happy! It will be my first time getting to go through the DC temple as well so that is exciting! :) 

Okay so I TOTALLY ate it this week on my bike ahahaha. I hit a curb and smack there I went. I tried to hold out as long as I could, but my body just fell. A bunch of school buses were around me to make it even better. Those children are lucky they got some fuuuuun entertainment. Haha. My legs look like a million bees have stung them and that's probably because I have so many mosquito friends out here in the east. Oh oh oh. 

We had exchanges this week so I had the opportunity to go up to Columbia with Sister Robinson. It was so different, but also a lot of fun. I'm always amazed at how beautiful it is here. We also had zone training this week.

Last Sunday was funny because the missionaries in our ward got to sing in Sacrament! Haha we sang Army of Helaman from the primary songbook. 

Friday we celebrated Pioneer Day at the Pierce's home! There were so many ward members there. We truly have some awesome members in our ward! We've recently had 10 families move in which is crazy for Eldersburg since it has usually been a smaller ward. I am excited! 

I've loved being able to read the Book of Mormon with a few of our less active sisters. The Book of Mormon is so important. Recently I have been trying to read the Bible and I want to finish it on my mission as well as the Book of Mormon again. 

Sunday we had a gospel principles review class at the Okereke's home down near where we live. It was so much fun. I love gospel principles because I know that it is the basic gospel doctrines that matter so much. 

I lurve you all and pray for you each day! God is so good. Let me know if you all need anything:) 

Love love, 

Sister Stolworthy 

An Incredible Week

July 20, 2015


Hello family:) I can't believe it has already been another week! It's crazy :)

Monday we had dinner at the Halsey's and a few of the new families in the ward were there! There are about 8 new families which is crazy! We got to teach them and the little kids about the Book of Mormon which was fun:) 

Tuesday we went over to Sister Kincaid's again.. she's the blind woman from France! We read the Book of Mormon to her every week. Since Elder Lewis broke his arm he needed to be transferred to an area that is full car so he left this week! What's funny is that he just swapped with another Elder Lewis who came out with me! Haha. 

Wednesday we were able to visit with some more less actives. We saw Sister Johnston, one of my favorites. She always calls us darling and gives us compliments even though I know I look so gross after biking.. haha:) We also got to stop by cousin Jade's husbands little brothers house, the Dastrup's. Hahaha, that is a jumble of words! They just moved in so that was cool to see where Jade and Dan used to live :) Small world for sure. 

Thursday we had interviews with President Christiansen! I love President and his wife so much. I know for sure that they are supposed to be leading this mission:) Sister Christiansen has been talking a lot more about safety as well as being scriptorians. I can't remember who said it, but it was someone's wife at the MTC training for the new mission presidents. She said, "Sister missionaries need to be scriptorians."

 It made me think a lot about my patriarchal blessing... I want to know the scriptures so well, especially the Book of Mormon. I love street contacting and telling people that any question they want to ask God can be answered through the Book of Mormon. I also have a testimony of teaching with the scriptures. Sometimes it's easy to look over the scriptures and to just teach, but the Book of Mormon is one of the most powerful resources in conversion as one of the apostles says. It truly is an amazing thing. 

Also some hoodrats tried to steal our bikes Thursday while we were visiting some potentials so I had to scale the balcony of the Elders apartment and lock our bikes to their balcony hahaha. Some lady a few doors down saw us and called someone on us. She said, "We have some girl in an ankle brace on someone's balcony..." It was so funny. 

On Friday we were able to have dinner with old family friends of Sister Brinkerhoff's! They were so kind to take us out. They live in Virginia and have a daughter on a mission. Funny story... so we bike about 4 days a week and on Thursday we were biking and I totally lost my shoe but the pedal kept going and it scraped the back of my leg. My leg was dripping blood into my shoe and got a little on my skirt so were trying to find our way back home since we were lost. When we got home Sister Brinkerhoff performed minor surgery and cleaned up my leg. She is the greeeeatest companion ever!! Haha :) 

Sunday was amazing because we were able to teach a less active family and also celebrate the Batson's youngest daughters birthday with them! Haha she is so cute and turned 3. Their home always reminds me of us stolworthy girls when we were growing up. 

Miracle of the week! We were street contacting and stopped to talk to a guy who was putting away stock in a grocery store. He said that he remembers taking the lessons and he said some of the stuff that he learned about gold plates and the 3 witnesses. He said that he remembers feeling something warm when reading the Book of Mormon. We asked if he thought those feelings came from God and he said definitely. He was taught 9 years ago, but something happened in the neighborhood and the missionaries were never able to come back, but now they can! He lives in the city so hopefully the Inner Harbor missionaries can stop by and see him soon:) 

Also funny street contact of the week: Darrell. An 80 year old man who kept asking us if we knew who named all the animals. He was drunk out of his mind and tried hugging us a million times. Hahah people are so interesting and I love it- it is so fun getting to meet so many people. 

I love being a missionary because I love when we're teaching and people are able to feel the spirit and you see them reflecting on what they feel. It's because the spirit is the teacher! It helps us realize what we need to change in our lives. I am so grateful for it. 

I love you all and wish you an incredible week!:) 

Love, 

Sister Stolworthy