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