December 20, 2010
Hey Hey Hey Family!!!!!!!
Well it has been a very eventful week this week. It was pretty sweet when our President texted everyone telling us that we would be able to Skype home for Christmas it definitely made my day. I don't know exactly how Skype works or anything but if we can get Kristi on there too somehow that would be great. So I’ll call three o'clock our time which should be four o'clock your time I believe, so be ready or else I just won’t talk to you until Mother’s Day (and I know how much mom would like that).
Well the Baptism is still on for Christmas Eve so that’s good. Her mom asked me if I would be the one to do the baptizing so I’m just a little bit nervous. I’ve been memorizing the prayer this week and just praying that I don't mess up so we'll see how it goes. She is still afraid of water but they have been going over to the pool a lot and getting her used to putting her head under so hopefully that will work out. She might have to be baptized leaning forward because she is too scared to lean back so that will make things interesting. So her mom and two older sisters are members. Her mom is the one that sent you the pictures of the ward Halloween party that we had here. Her dad isn't a member but he should be! He comes to church every week with the family and stays for the whole block; he just doesn't want to be baptized.
We do have a few other people that we are teaching. There is a part member family that moved into the ward a few months ago and has started coming back to church. The wife and kids aren't members but he is. Their nine- year old daughter wants to be baptized so it’s just a matter of getting through the discussions with her. The wife still isn't too sure about it though so we'll keep working with her. We've been finding a lot of people in Reedsport the past little while but we aren't able to get down there this week because the members we stay with down there needed our room for family that was visiting. So we have to stay in Florence for another week.
It sounds like you guys are having a ton of fun back home. I am sad that I missed candy houses; I think our family definitely wins on the creative side when it comes to that. I haven't got the package yet but I’m sure it'll get here today or tomorrow. I think I’ll just wait and send my package home with your friend if that’s ok. I don't really want to go to the post office I’m too lazy. And Daniel I am not even kidding when I say that my favorite class eighth and ninth grade year was band class......good times my friend good times. I'll have to tell you some of the stories about it sometime because there are some good ones.
Well we find out about transfers on Christmas Eve but like I said our Mission President told us that I would be taking over the area and that Elder Barker would be leaving so I’ve been trying to get ready for that. Other than that not much new is goin on here just the same ol' mission stuff.
I hope all is well back home and that this Christmas week is amazing for all of you. I guess since its Christmas I’ll share a little Christmas thought with you. Well I think I told you before but I started the New Testament a little while ago and I am almost done with John. It has been amazing to read the different accounts of Christ’s life. As I have reread the Nativity story over a few times the past couple weeks I can't help but to return back to the atonement. As great of a gift and miracle as his birth is the priceless selfless gift of the atonement to me is one of the most humbling heart breaking miracles that has ever taken place. It was indeed a miracle that Christ would be willing to suffer like that for every single soul. To suffer for me every time that I mess up, for overtime I am in pain, for every time I get frustrated and stressed, for every single thing that happens to me in my life that causes me to not be happy; to be sad, depressed, angry, for everything that I have ever done against Gods will, he suffered for me. But as I have learned that since he has done this for me I have the opportunity to repay him in a small way. I have the chance to repent, to turn unto him and to do more then to follow his commandment but to live his commandment. I know that as I have reflected on the Saviors birth this year I have recognized two gifts; one from our Heavenly Father, he gave his only begotten son to the world that through him we might be saved. And two, the gift from Jesus Christ, his love that he has shown us through the atonement.
Thanks Family for all you do for me I love you all so much and I hope you all have a most wonderful Christmas this year. I can't wait to talk to you guys and see you it'll be awesome. Love ya tons hope to hear from ya soon.
Love Elder Stephenson II