La Center

This week has been extremely crazy. The last little while if the Mtc
was awesome but we were really sad to say goodbye to our district. So
we had the longest day on tuesday and finally we made it to portland
but our mission president was in slc at a training so we are meeting
with them today for dinner in Vancouver. So my first area is La Center
which is super small, no stop lights, and most of the members live in
the middle of nowhere. Sister Gomez and I live with Sis. Taylor who is
an 80 year old member and is so cute. She takes good care of us and we
also live on a farm. So awesome. Adjusting to mission life has been
kind of difficult but it has also been very rewarding. The first day
we were trackting and set up 2 return appointments for this week. A
lot of slammed doors and weed farmers turning us away but the Lord has
been with us and its been really great.

We are teaching a nine year old girl named Nicole whos family is just
returning to activity and have her on date for baptism for March 28th.
Hopefully it happens, they havent been coming to church a lot so we
are praying for them. We also are teaching the Glenns who are a part
member family. The mom hasnt wanted anything to do with the
missionaries until we started doing service for them and now she is
more open to having us talk about Christ with her. I love that family.
They have a daughter who is 7 and she is hilarious. We are always
entertained when we are visiting with them. The ward here is awesome
though. We get meals every night and they are so willing to do
missionary work and most of the referrals come from them. Also we went
to a casino for dinner with a member. So the first time I was in a
casino it was on my mission. But la center has three casinos and a
tavern and thats about it. We are 45 minutes north of Vancouver and we
have to do our shopping in a neighboring town.

This sunday we were able to meet with a lot of less active families
and just talk with them and share a message about Gods love for them.
They are so awesome and now that we finally met them we are able to
figure out their needs and help them come back to church. Also
everyone out here has huge dogs. We met brand new puppies yesterday as
well as a newfoundland. So great. My comp doesnt really like dogs but
i embrace them because well I just miss jake haha.

I am so glad that everything at home is doing great. I hope that
Courtney and Danny get all situated in their new place. Im sure you
both did wonderful on your talks. The Lord really does love you all
and is watching over you. I just love all of the promises that he
gives to us if we just obey. He will grant us more blessings then we
could ever imagine if we just follow his commandments. How great is
that! The Book of Mormon is such a wonderful tool that we were given
to find happiness and I have found that happiness. It doesnt matter
how far gone you are the Lord is still waiting to recieve you and
bless you. There is true and eternal happiness in following the
commandments of God. I am so thankful for this gospel that we have
that teaches us how to live happy lives to lead us back to our Father
in Heaven. I just love this gospel.

Mom: The boots look cute but they need to be an extended calf, if they
are then send them my way. I did get everything that I needed so I am
set :) I love you all so much and pray for you every day.
- Sister Stephens

MTC Life

HELLO!!!! AHHH I love being a missionary, it is so wonderful. I can't believe that it has already been a week since I have been here. The schedule is pretty crazy here, we have like no time to even breath. We wake up and then we go to class and do our own studies and have our companionship study with our district study. My companion is sis. hansen, she is from cedar hills utah and she is so great. We teach really well together and she has been a really big strength to me when I am feeling discouraged. My district is amazing and we are all going to vancouver but two elders. I am learning so much about the gospel and just about how important the book of mormon really is. It draws us to Christ and centers us. How amazing is that that we have a Father in Heaven that loves us so much to give us even more direction as we are on this earth. Thank you for having us read it at home, I know that just one chapter a day and studying that it will strengthen our family so much. Our investiagtor Austin finally prayed and has committed to be baptized. He is amazing. Our other two are still learning but that is okay. I am learning to teach people and to not teach lessons. The Lord knows his children and he knows exactly what we need to be teaching them. So if we just listen to the spirit then we will be able to teach them what they need. 

I have seen one sister from school here, her name is Priscilla and she is pretty cool but I only see her every now and then. Mostly I just hang out with my district when there is time for that. I had a pretty hard day yesterday and so the elders gave me a blessing of comfort and I also talked to my teacher bro. barton, who is amazing, and he really helped me see that I am not an awful missionary. It was the first time that I have cried since I have been here. I guess it just doesn't seem real yet, mostly because I haven't lived at home in so long. I think it willl be really difficult once I get to washington. Whenever i tell people where i am from and where i am going they do the same thing that everyone in the ward has been doing. Its really funny, but I just want to get there and actually start teaching people what I have come to learn and love so much. My district has named me Sister, I LOVE THE GOSPEL! Mostly because I say that like everyday haha. But i do, i really do love the gospel. it makes my life just so much better. The sisters in my district are Sister Nielsen and sister black and we all live in a little dorm with bunkbeds that we hardly ever see. But we have a lot of laughs at dinner and at our residence when we are there. It makes everything a little more bareable. 

So I am going to be sending home some clothes, and I am sure you have seen that I made a big purchase because like three of my skirts are not doable here and for the mission. They are modest but i have to keep making sure they are not riding up and that is such a pain when doing missionary work. So I bought some at the MTC bookstore. So hopefully you havent pulled everything out of my checking yet. Im so happy that you have more time off. You really need it. I worry a lot about everyone too but prayer is so real. So keep praying for them and studying from the scriptures. It will bless our family so much. I love you so much momma. I wouldn't be a missionary without your constant example and guidance in my life. I will send you pictures today! I LOVE YOU 

Ami 

First letter home

I made it! And I LOVE BEING HERE! Today has been really long and I am exhausted, but it's been wonderful. My companion is Sis. Hansen from Utah, and she is going to VA as well. My district is pretty cool. Us 4 sisters are going to VA as well as 1 Elder. The other 2 are going to OKC. We had a lot of meetings today, and had a big meeting where 30 of us taught investigators. It's been kind of a haze, but tomorrow is when the real MTC life begins. My p-day is Thursday so I won't be able to email until then. I'll only get one email home while I am here. I'm not sure how I am going to handle getting up at 6:30.... But I am excited to get started. I love everyone I am with. I promise I'll write more when I can. I love you all so much!
Sis. Stephens