Curbs are Dangerous

July 13, 2015


Heeeeelllo fam:) Our new Mission President is here! President Christiansen. He is the best! He has all daughters so I told him that dad can totally relate haha. He and Sister Christiansen are so kind and I am so excited to have them for the rest of my mission:) This week was so funny and interesting. I have to say that Maryland drivers are the WORST DRIVERS IN THE WORLD. I have Maryland pride, but honestly they are horrible drivers, especially the closer you get to the city hahaha. People don't even pull over for ambulances... say wha? I will never judge Utah drivers again. Well, I shouldn't say that. I'll say that for now I won't:)

So after I wrote you guys last Monday we went down to Baltimore again since Sister Brinkerhoff wanted to get a shirt! While we were there we went to Inner Harbor and went to this weird pepper/spice store. She and I totally tried the hottest pepper sauce in the ENTIRE WORLD. the whole world. I guess they make it with the hottest peppers in the world too or something like that! Haha. I am so surprised by myself. Maybe it's the nametag, but I just totally tried it. I even had to sign a waiver. It wasn't too bad though:) I included a picture since we made the wall of fame haha. 2 of the elders didn't even try it... so you could say I'm just a little proud over here haha! Baltimore is a really interesting place. Apparently they are averaging 30 murders a month down there or something. When you're walking through the streets you see people called Leaners. They are so passed out because of drugs that they just lean in all these different directions. It makes my heart sad! :( There's so much history to it and it really is a cool place. Everybody just pray for Baltimore. 

We are working with a less active family and practicing the lessons on them:) We get to work with them every week and they are hilarious. Also funny story for Emily.. we went over to a less actives home the other day and she says, "We've been so busy- the kids totally caught lice last night!" All I could do was laugh to myself because I knew Emily would find that funny:) But then I kinda got nervous because I don't do bugs. But that's okay:) We are also reading the Book of Mormon every week with a less active. Her name is Sister Kincaid. She is from france! She is blind so when we go over we have to knock super loud and yell really loud, "IT'S THE SISTERS!!!" The people in the trailer park are probably confused out of their minds hahah:) 

Sister Brinkerhoff taught me how to say, "We're the missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" in Spanish! So now I can street contact in espanol! So fun:) 

We are teaching a lady named Tiffany this week. She is so funny! She works at MAC in Columbia, but lives in our ward boundaries. We were on our way to contact a referral and ran into her. We ended up talking to her for about an hour and a half. She seems so prepared to hear more about the gospel. I am so excited to get to teach her! 

Yesterday we went to visit a former who apparently had moved because when we opened the door there were about 3 guys and 2 girls totally hot boxing it in there. The smell of weed hit us like a ton of bricks when they opened the door hahaha. I don't even think they knew what they were saying to us but oh well. I wonder about the percentage of people I talk to who are just on something... it's probably up there haha. We were able to talk to soo many people this week which is a blessing :) 

Sad day because Elder Lewis who is in our area broke his arm! He hit a curb on his bike and fractured his arm and dislocated his elbow. He's only 3 weeks out, poor Elder. He has to get surgery, so let's just say he won't be biking any time soon. I also fell off a curb "walking" and rolled the same ankle that I hurt prior to my mission. I blame my genetics for being a klutz! But it's alright because I'm just wearing my brace.

Something I've been thinking a lot about this week is agency. It plays such an important role in our lives and our purpose here on earth. Agency in all aspects. Sometimes family members will leave the church or stray away, but ultimately they have their own agency. We had an awesome lesson on the Prodigal Son, Sunday. We need not be self righteous when we see others leave the path. All we can do is love. 

When facing an incredibly hard trial we have choose to rely on Christ or not and to follow His will no matter how hard it can be. We have agency every single day even in the tiniest choices. Our thoughts, words, actions are all based on what we CHOOSE to do. I think it's an incredible gift that shows how much God has trusted us. We choose whether or not we will be happy as well. That's something I've come to realize throughout life in general. When we choose to follow the Savior we choose HAPPINESS. Happiness doesn't mean life is perfect, it means that we can always make it through. I love that God has given me a choice. My wish is that I choose wisely to follow the Savior as best I can so that I can always be happy, and share that happiness with those around me. 

I love you all so much! You are incredible examples to me. Remember always to be member missionaries in your ward. It is so important! We cannot do this work alone. Talk to everyone you know, be an example, and help the missionaries out in your ward:) Love you always. 

Sister Stolworthy 

Happy Fourth of July!

July 6, 2015


Hello familia! Happy 4th of July:) I got to experience so many illegal fireworks! Hahah. We had permission to be out if we were with a ward member so we went to a barbecue at a ward members home. My 4th was very rainy. 

I am having so much fun with Sister Brinkerhoff! I am still so sad this is her last transfer, but I am so grateful I get to be with her. She is so hilarious and so kind. She has taught me so much and it's been such a joy to be with her. We have been street contacting and finding with the Book of Mormon a lot this week. I always love explaining the Book of Mormon because I can feel the spirit just even on the street. People's faces always seem to change and a lot of them become interested in learning more about it. The Book of Mormon truly, in the words of the prophets, is the most powerful resource in conversion! It is the way that we become closest to Christ. From personal experience and from being out here I see that not reading the Book of Mormon really does take a toll on us spiritually. Just like not going to church. I always encourage the people we teach to read the Book of Mormon even if it's just a verse each day. It WILL change your life. Through the Book of Mormon we gain a testimony of the prophet Joseph Smith, the Restoration, and Jesus Christ. It's the base of all things. How cool is that. And we can all find that out for ourselves. Even cooler. 

I am so sorry to hear about Boyd K. Packer. He was an beloved apostle and spiritual giant. 

There is a new elder in the mission who's last name is Stolworthy... say what?! The most uncommon last name in the universe, and this elder is out here from Tennessee. I have no clue how we are related, but I 100000% know we are somehow because no one else has that last name haha. I also found out that I am related distantly to another Elder in the mission. Hahaha small world for sure. 

Half of this week we have been on bikes which wouldn't be too bad except for the fact that we are at least 2 miles from the closest ward member! Hahah. I wish my 7th grade self who used to bike ride all the time would just come out and bike it for me, but alas those were the old days. Haha. That's okay though, because I am able to appreciate this beautiful place so much more. On Saturday we hid our bikes in some trees because a ward member was picking us up and when we got them back there were ants ALL OVER MY BIKE. They were making babies in my handlebars! Hundreds of them. Ya'll know I don't do bugs! The Elders in our area asked me if I was going to cry and then I did. Out of all the things in the world that can happen to a person, BUGS are what make me cry ahahah. Just bugs. So then we smothered my handle bars with tape. No more ants making babies now. 

We really have some awesome and kind ward members out here:) I am so grateful for their love! I am so grateful for all of you. I know that this gospel is true. I know it because without it I would have nothing. The gospel can be hard to live sometimes, but it is so simple. It's not easy, but it is so worth it. I love each and every one of you. Newport looked amazing! Have a blessed week:) 

Here are picture of my leg after my bike fell on me.. hahaha I thought you would find it funny:) #stolworthyshavenocoordination 

Love, love, love

Sister Stolworthy

Now We Ride Bikes

June 29, 2015

Hello hello :) First week of transfers and we made it! My companion is Sister Brinkerhoff from St. George. She is hilarious and so kind. This is her last transfer though :( So I'll only get to be with her a little while. 

We found out last Wednesday that we lost our car in this area, so we get to share with the Elders now. If you need a good workout, just bike up a lot of hills and that will do the trick! Haha. It's actually really fun, and you get a lot of funny stares which is just fun too:) 

Sunday we got to help Mama put up the plan of salvation and Lehi's Dream on her door. It looks so cute! She is amazing. Then we sang gospel music and it was the highlight of my mission thus far :) 

We said farewell to the Richards, but we get to meet President and Sister Christiansen this Thursday! I am so dang excited. Tuesday we said farewell to our district. We also taught our investigator about the Restoration. I got to recite the first vision and it is so powerful every time it is read. What I love about the gospel is that everything intertwines. The Restoration brings us the Plan of Salvation which provides the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Everything is everything, I love it. I had the chance to watch the Restoration and it just amazes me that Joseph Smith went through so much. I have such a stronger testimony of God's prophets and apostles than I ever have before. They are men called of God. Through prophecy and revelation. When we follow the Prophet and the Apostles we are following Christ. Especially in our world today when everything can seem so chaotic and messy, the prophet can bring us so much peace. If we follow the Savior's gospel and the prophet, than we will always be okay. We need not fear where to turn or what to do, because the Savior will always guide us. I am so grateful for Joseph and Emma Smith, and all of the Saints. They truly went through so much. I am thankful that I get to be a representative of the true and living gospel. This gospel which was restored and will never leave again. 

Sunday in church we learned about covenant keeping women. There are so many in my life, but I had the chance to bring up grandma Tutu and how she took mom and Lani to church all those years ago. I know that keeping our covenants and following the Savior truly can help us become rock solid in the gospel. We will never be perfect, but keeping our covenants provides us a sure foundation. 

Oh how I love Christ and what He did for us. He truly can rescue us from any storm we are facing. It is so important that everyone knows that. I love being a missionary, it is a sacred and amazing opportunity for me. I love that the Spirit is always the teacher, and that we can always come as close to Christ as we allow ourselves to. Love you all SO MUCH. You mean the world to me and I pray for you everyday. 

Love love, 

Sister Stolworthy 

Washington DC Temple

June 22, 2015


Helluuuuur family!:) I LOVE getting your letters! Dad, I hope you had an amazing amazing Father's Day. I couldn't stop thinking about how grateful I am to have such an example to me in so many ways. Ally girls camp looked awesome! I am so glad you had fun. Cate, your hair looks amazing as always and I'm so happy you and Jared celebrated your anniversary at the greatest place in the world. Emily, you are just super cool too. 

Currently there is a man farting next to me about every couple minutes. He has headphones in so I don't think he realizes it. Oh the blessings of public libraries;) Hahaha. 

Wow, this week was so crazy busy! So first off, transfers are this Wednesday! This transfer was only 5 weeks since the Richard's are going home. Our new mission president comes next week! This next transfer will be 7 weeks. Sister Donehue my trainer is leaving and shotgunning in Westminster! I am getting another companion down here in Eldersburg :) It will be her last transfer I believe. I have a feeling I am going to be in Eldersburg for a while:) Sorry dad, but there are currently no football players in this ward! They moved closer to the city! Haha. But I got to see Amy Gadberry, the Bishop's daughter, from back in my BYU ward! It was so fun. 

Tuesday we had district training and Wednesday we went down to Frederick for the new Trainer/Trainee meeting. I am so grateful that I got to come in May and be with the Richard's for a month. They truly are great people. We were able to have 785 social media splits this past Saturday! Isn't that crazy?! The goal was 600 for the last Saturday, but we made it 785. I love that the Lord is progressing His work using technology! Now if He could just send Maryland some iPads:) 

Thursday we had exchanges and I got to be with Sister Robinson down here in Eldersburg. It was super fun. Apparently out stove/oven was making some carbon gas smell come up so we had to get that fixed. I am nervous that I lost one too many braincells... 

We have an appointment with our investigator tomorrow that I am so excited for! We gave her a MoTab CD last week so hopefully she has been able listen to it :) We are still teaching the family from Haiti! 

Mama got her temple recommend yesterday! I am SO PROUD of her! She is going to go every week with other sisters in the ward. We are also working with a recent convert to get her to the temple as well. You know this week we studied temples a lot. I am so grateful for the temple. I am grateful that it is a source of refuge, peace, and the closest that we will ever get to God. I'm grateful that I got to go every week back home because it is the best prep for anything we will ever do. Families truly are forever. I am grateful for covenants, and for faith. Faith truly does make us whole. This work is so good and so true. It is the ONLY thing that will bring us real and true happiness in this life. We were able to go see Meet the Mormons Saturday at the DC visitors center. I haven't been in 2 years so it was great getting to go again. Beautiful place. 

I love and pray for you guys ALWAYS. Keep the faith and remember how loved you all are. I am indebted forever for your great examples. Have a great week! :) 

Love you all,

Sister Hailey Stolworthy

Humidity? What's That?

June 15th, 2015

Haha hello family! Holy tamole guacamole I have no time to write today because my district went to Baltimore today!!:) It was SO FUN! I love the city! We took the metro because we're about 20 minutes from there. I loved it so much and Inner Harbor was so beautiful! This past week has been awesome!! First off Happy Father's day to dad this upcoming Sunday! And happy wedding anniversary Cate & Jared! I love you all! I can't believe it's been a year already! Also thank you SO MUCH Lani & Jamie for the beautiful journal! It was a awesome surprise at zone conference:) & thank you Erin & McKell for the yummy cake in a mason jar:) 

We are teaching a family from Haiti! How cool is that? So the parents don't really speak English well, but lucky for us Brother Krieger in the ward went to Haiti on his mission so he was able to translate. I've never wanted to speak creole before until now! Hahahah. We ordered them 2 Book of Mormons in Creole and we are getting all the pamphlets in French. How fun! :) 

So Tuesday we had Zone Conference & it was President and Sister Richards last one :( I'm so lucky to have known them for a month. They also spoke in Stake Conference for Columbia this past weekend and it was so good. They are amazing people who have done so much for this mission. We all get to go to transfer meeting next Wednesday and say bye to them. There are so many missionaries going home, but a lot coming in so that is awesome!:) Can you believe the MTC will be 51% sisters this summer?! 

The humidity here has been KILLER. I'm not going to lie. I am definitely a desert rat through and through! It rains so much here, but it is totally cool with the thunderstorms.  

Okay and my street contact for the week: This old man was sitting outside and we started to talk to him. He said he's been reading the Book of Mormon for 6 years and that it has taken him 40 years to read the bible. When we told him about living prophets he said "Oh naw get on that curb girl! Monson aint my prophet!" So then I asked him how the Book of Mormon came to pass. He didn't know so I told him it was translated by a prophet and he kinda just huffed and looked away. 

Another one was this guy from Trinidad who had awesome dreads. He said "Oh you 2 are so pretttttttyy, everyone should see it." Welp. Thank you random stranger for calling me pretty even though I sweating and walking around in da heat! Hahaha. We asked if he wanted the Elders to come by and he goes, "I just want to hear what you 2 have to say." Bahah. We gave the Elders his number anyway :) 

Last night we went to a choir potluck at the Bush's and it was so fun getting to sing and all that:) Also another miracle! Remember Mama? Well one of her family members we get to start teaching! I am so excited! I love when people tell us that they are searching for something more, it makes me so excited to share the gospel. Also another miracle was that a less active in the ward went to Stake Conference and he started to tell us all the things he has learned and all that he wants to implement in his family and how he wants to aim towards the temple. Man things like that make me SO HAPPY! I love this gospel so much. It truly is for all of us. I know, I know, I know that if we put our trust in the Lord and love Him enough to follow Him that we will always be okay. We can't do everything alone, but if we put our faith and trust in Him than we will always be okay. I know that there is nothing in this life that the Savior and our Father in Heaven can't help us with. 

Baltimore was so cool today! We were able to go to Tag Alley and walk all around the city. I love cities so much! 

Sorry this is so short but I love you all SO MUCH! And boy do I love your letters too! Thank you for YOUR testimonies and for you love and support. I would not be who I am or here without you guys:) I am so lucky to have you all. Have a blessed week! 

Love love LOVE, 

Sister Stolworthy :) 

June in Baltimore!

June 8th, 2015    

      Hi familia! How are you all doing?:) First off, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO DA GREATEST DAD IN DA WHOLE WORLD!! I hope you have a fantastic day Thursday daddio. Thank you for being someone I look up to in so many ways. I'm so stinkin' happy God let me be your daughter. Would you believe me if I told you it was cold here and raining in June?! It's starting to warm up though! Baltimore is more weather bipolar than Vegas! 

     So last Monday we had zone sports and I was reminded of why I never played Volleyball in high school...haha! Then Tuesday we had district meeting and our zone leaders came! I love district meeting because it lets me play the piano for a split sec:) My district consists of 4 elders and 2 sisters so it's funny and I learn a lot at each meeting. Sister Donehue and I have been listening to the same David Archuleta Christmas Album on repeat. We love him.  

   

      So this week has been good! We have 5 new investigators because we got a family! We met the mom Monday outside of an apartment complex and we got a return appointment. When we stopped by the whole family was there to listen. We invited them to be baptized and all the kids started nodding and said yes. It was so cool! Our other investigator is 14 and is leaving for North Dakota this summer :( We hope that she'll be able to feel the Spirit and have her prayers answered in the Lord's timing. 

    My favorite part about missionary work is that we are never really the teachers, the spirit is!:) One of the greatest things you can learn is how to decipher spiritual needs and ask inspired questions. If you're prepared and invite the Spirit, than it has room to take over. I love feeling those promptings to ask a certain question, or say something. It's a really cool part of missionary work. 

     I'm not going to lie, yesterday was one of the hardest days I've had. We street contacted for about 2 hours and oh it was hard. I have learned that the greatest thing I can do is testify, and at the end of the day that's all I can do. Truth is still truth no matter what. I have felt my testimony grow so much already. I know that this is the Lord's gospel because I've studied it, prayed about it, and lived it. I don't have a perfect testimony, and I'll never be a perfect missionary, but I do know that the Lord calls us to share His gospel. The gospel is the only true and real way to dwell with God again. All I can do is try my best to share this beautiful gospel that has blessed my life. How lucky we are to have it in our lives. 

2 of my favorite street contacts this week:

1. A guy leaving for work in his apartment complex recited 2 poems that he "wrote." They were about love/lust/and adultery.

2. A lady opened the door and started saying "I'm not paying you, I'm not paying you" and slammed the door haha. Jokes on her because it's the Lord we're paying! #tithing

     I just want you all to know that I have a testimony of the Spirit. The Spirit truly helps us to plan and study in the morning. A less active this week asked, "How did you know that I needed to hear this message today?" and I told her that the Spirit knew. It was really awesome. 

    I love you guys so much. I'll talk to you all next week and I hope your summer is off to an amazing start. You are always in my prayers. Happy birthday again dad! Love you all!

PS - Bishop Gadberry said he remembers you and Stacey, dad! He said you guys lived in King Henry together at BYU?! Also I found out that a less actives in the ward ex-husband is the father of one of my really good friends from Legacy hahah. This ward is starting to weird me out:) 

Sister "Stol-diddy" is Finding Baltimore Quite Welcoming

June 21^st, 2015

Hi to my favorite family :) 

This week has flown by! The days don't, but the weeks do. I figure most of life is like that right? Well, I am still not over the green here! Hahaha. What I love about our area is that one minute you're driving through shopping centers and busy roads and then 5 minutes later you're in these neighborhoods with gigantic green fields and pretty houses. 

The Batson family in our ward is from Las Vegas and so I was laughing when I told them that I feel "claustrophobic" because of all the trees! Haha you literally can't see around them. #mountains4ever 

So this week Sister Donehue and I got to visit so many less active members! It was so awesome. I love getting the opportunity to visit with people. I also love the members in the ward. We get the opportunity to work with a lot of single sisters. They are so kind and their hearts have so much love. I also love having the opportunity to perform service whenever we get the chance.

No one can pronounce my name here at all. Everyone says "Stol-diddy." So basically like P. Diddy, but much, much cooler. 

This week we had dinner with Sister Kelly who is deaf and in the ward. She was Jade's visiting teacher! The first thing she said to me was, "You look like Jade." And I told her that I was her cousin! Haha. Also the Erekson's and Sheppards knew her too. How fun is that? Those Stolworthy genes are great :) 

If you could keep in your prayers all off the recent converts and investigators in the ward that would be awesome :) One of our investigators is leaving this summer :( 

The weather here is getting crazy crazy. It is so hot and humid, but then it will rain. And then comes the afternoon thunderstorms which are pretty cool to me since I haven't really experienced those much! You should see my hair mom. It is HUGE. Haha.

We share a lot of hastening the work videos which I recommend you guys all watch! Also the new Mormon Message, Lift. It is SO GOOD. It is so true that when we serve others we end up finding ourselves. It is a really cool thing. Charity is the one thing that will never fail or run out. We can always uplift, love, and serve. I've noticed that if my heart is filled with charity than everything is so much easier to bear and I have way more gratitude in my heart for those I am serving.

The most interesting street contact this week was a man we found in one of our investigator’s neighborhoods. He's becoming a minister, and both of his sons are ministers. Hahahaha. Talk about a fun conversation. I'm not kidding when I say there are churches on every corner here. At least they are filled on Sundays. Whenever we experience a lot of rejection, or people aren't the nicest, I always think of Jeffrey R. Holland's talk about missionary work and the Atonement. He said that we shouldn't expect it to be easy for us when it was never easy for Him. "Salvation is not a cheap experience." You know being a member of this gospel takes work on our part, and it isn't going to always be easy. Life is going to give us challenges, and we will experience heartache, rejection, and pain is this life. But thankfully Christ suffered all that we might find peace when it gets hard. No, life will never be easy, but if we follow the Savior it will become bearable, and peace will flow into our lives. I know that to be true. I love you all, have an amazing week! 

Love, 

Sister Stol-diddy 

Also mom if you could send me all the family addresses, birthdays, anniversaries, important dates that would be awesome!:)