Miracles Grow

Hi everyone!

Did you like my little play on words in my title? Yep, only took me 30 seconds to make that up. BUT the reason for the title is that this week was a week of miracles!

First off, I need to explain our standard of excellence in the Arizona Scottsdale mission. The main gist of the standard is to have 3 progressing investigators, 3 investigators with a baptismal date, and one referral from a member per week. Well, we've been doing really well with earning referrals from members every week, but this week was a milestone in that we now have 3 PROGRESSING INVESTIGATORS!!! This area hasn't had very many progressing investigators and hasn't had any baptisms in OVER A YEAR. So yes, this was a major milestone and it stemmed from miracle after miracle after miracle. 

We had several lessons this week that were absolutely AMAZING! One was with Stephanie (with a name like that, you know the story is going to be good). She was taught several years ago and, for some reason, the missionaries stopped teaching her. We were introduced to her art church the other week and found out that she's been coming to church regularly ever since she was initially taught. Wait, back up. An entire TWO YEARS has passed since she has been taught. And she's been coming the whole time. I told you this story was good :) So we have her praying about a baptismal date now and we are so excited for her!

Another lesson that we had was with Heather. She's been hard to catch recently, but we've had 2 lessons with her in less than a week! This is the same investigator that watched the Saturday morning session of General Conference with us. She's amazing!

We're also helping a part-member family with FHE on Mondays and the 8 yr old son is so excited to be baptized! It's so cool to see the effect that the Gospel has had on their lives and how happy they are in the church. It's so cool to see the change in everyone's lives. I really never really realized how much we have as members of the church. We have so much that brings us so much happiness and peace. It truly is a blessing to be a part of the Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-Day Saints. And to know that it's Christ's church Restored to the earth again. The blessings and miracles that follow his church are here. It's incredible to be a part of that process of bringing those blessings to others lives. I love this work and I wouldn't be anywhere else right now. It's the most fulfilling thing that I've ever done!

I love you all and pray for you all, by name, every single day! I'm keeping that promise and I'm reaping the blessings from keeping it.

Love,

Steph

pics: my district and the box for the vacuum... It fit :)

Also, Tanya, my recent convert from Mesa! We ran into her last night at the fireside and I had to get a picture!

Also, I have become dad. I left my camera on video instead of picture, so this is a crop from the video of me with Sister Hurst (Mesa comp) and Sister Lopez (MTC comp)