Rain, Rain, and more Rain!

A word to describe our week: wet. It is so wet here and doesn't look
like it's going to let up at all. We have been extra vigilant in
taking vitamins, drinking water, and eating oranges to avoid getting
sick. But the weather has taken control and I have been sick all week.
So today I'm not planning on doing much. Thank goodness for pday and
being able to sleep. I also have a ton of soup that people have made
me. Including broccoli cheddar soup so I can't complain there. Thank
goodness for sudafed and NyQuil. It's been saving my life all week.
Also transfer news: we are both staying in the Vancouver 3rd Ward!

So we had a pretty interesting week with people. Shannon texted us and
said she prayed about everything and wanted to get baptized. So we
were super stoked. We met with her a few times this week and she came
to a baptism with us this weekend. And then on Sunday she wasn't at
church and during third hour we got a text from her saying she didn't
want to be baptized. That was pretty shocking. We asked what was going
on and she asked us to just leave her alone. Weird situation. So I
guess she just wasn't ready to make those promises yet and commit
herself to baptism. Maybe in the future she will come around. But when
one door closes another opens. We found Nikita again. And we have an
appointment with her tonight. She has been in the hospital and lost
her cell phone so that's why she went MIA. But she wants to meet with
us again. So that is promising.

We have just had so many potentials and the key is meeting with them
again. Heavenly Father truly has the elect here. Finding them is the
key. We were supposed to have lessons with some people this week but
they canceled their appointments. So just keep them in your prayers.
The bishop pulled us in his office on Sunday and gave us a nice pep
talk. He just said he is praying with us that we will find people to
teach. As well as getting members on board for referrals. Tracting is
not the most effective way to work so we are trying different ideas.
Our scripture study class has only a few people attending but we will
keep inviting!

Our less actives that we have been working with are doing good. Hawaii
and Tonga have two of the kids with them now, the other ones are still
in Hawaii. It was great to meet with them again. And they came to
church this week. The others didn't but we are going to see them this
week. Th bishop really wants us to strengthen the Ward members and
reactivate those who have lost their way. So we are focusing on that.
We just keep pressing forward. And pray. A lot.

We had the relief society Christmas dinner this week and that was
pretty yummy. We also went to Alex's baptism this weekend. I had to
give an impromptu talk on baptism so thankfully I study preach my
gospel. It was an awesome baptism. Even though it was a child of
record baptism we still put it all together because we had been
teaching them. And they may have a new person for us to teach as well.
That would be awesome. We also have a flooding basement. So that's
cool. We found it when we came back from shopping today. So that
should be fun. And I need to nap so I can get better. The rain isn't
stopping anytime soon. Thankfully we have appointments tonight! And
rides to get there. Rides are the key.

Love you all!
Sister Stephens

                                            Alex's baptism

                                                   Sis Nielsen and I at 10 months

                                                 All the sisters in the zone at sister study

                                      What we saw when we went outside today

                                                               The district!

                                                             10 month celebration

                                                            

                                                                Christmas in our basement