Last week in Mesa! On to Scottsdale!

It's official. I have now "killed" a companion. OR (for those unfamiliar with the term) Sister Carroll has completed her mission and is in the lovely city of Orem, Utah. It was definitely a different experience and it made me think of July... Yep, not thinking about it because, as of right now, I'm still here serving the Lord :)

SO. News of the week, I'm serving in Scottsdale! AND, wonder of wonders, in the mission president's ward! Yep. The pressure is on. The interesting thing about this transfer was that I wasn't scared or worried about it at all. Normally when transfers roll around, I'm a ball of nerves, but it was different this time. I was super sad to leave Mesa and super sad to leave my area, but I'm so excited to be here! My last week in the area was a bit nuts. When people found out that BOTH Sister Carroll and I were leaving, all of the sudden our dinner calendar was full and we even had scheduled lunches with members. I felt super loved even though I'd only been there for 6 weeks. It was an amazing ward. Also, I got a New York steak 2 nights in a row this last week. Jealous? Honestly, I've never had steak as much as I've had on my mission. My ultimate favorite was the steak I had in Pie Town. The member had raised the beef, so he'd fed it really well and then he smoked it with Mesquite. Best stinkin' flavor I've ever had in my entire life! 

Anyway, this last week was a really good week because we've continued to have less-active families come to sacrament meeting! When I first got to that ward, we didn't see any at church, but now we have at least 5 or 6 there every week and some of them bring their whole family! It really shows me the importance of strengthening the flock. The stronger the flock (ward), the more sheep the Lord will trust us with (investigators) and we will be able to bring more FAMILIES to a knowledge of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. I've never valued Visiting and Home teaching more than on my mission. It all starts with THAT. We are told that every new member need a friend, a calling, and nourishment from the good word of God. The same goes for less-actives and members. EVERYONE needs a friend, EVERYONE needs to feel valued in the ward (the calling helps with that) and EVERYONE needs to be nourished by the good word of God. There are NO EXCEPTIONS. And, surprisingly, Visiting and Home teaching play a major role in ALL of those things. My mind has been blown over and over and over again as I realize the importance of member work. Honestly, I think the mission is where we learn what our true role is as members of the church so that, when we go home, we are prepared to keep our promises with Heavenly father that we made at BAPTISM and in the TEMPLE. We are given so many blessings and so much knowledge, but with that comes a lot of responsibility. BUT the blessings far outweigh any sacrifice :)

I love you all and hope that you have an AMAZING week and know that I pray for you every day!

Love,

Steph

Hi EVERYONE!!!

Sorry I didn't write on Monday. The good news is that I'm still alive. Also good news, I have no bad news! In other news, (haha so much news) I was transferred!! Yep. I had to move all of my stuff 2 blocks away into 20th ward. Haha I didn't move too far :) I was really touched on my last Sunday in 25th ward. They announced in sacrament meeting that I was leaving and there were so many people that came up to me and talked to me and thanked me and several people cried. I was stunned. I didn't think that I had that much of an impact in the ward, but I was really really touched. Also, 20th ward is going to be fun! There was a member that randomly texted us and asked if we wanted a Christmas tree. That night, she dropped off a lovely 5 ft tree complete with lights! I was speechless!

This last week was pretty fun! We were in a trio for the week and guess who our companion was?! Sister Carambelas! For those of you who don't know or remember, we were in the same MTC district!!! She's super funny and light-hearted and she's staying in 25th ward, so they'll be in good hands. 

This week we received a DVD copy of "He is the Gift" and the "Nativity" Bible video to use for proselyting purposes. I may or may not be watching both videos every night before I go to bed. There is so much peace in knowing that God is a loving Heavenly Father and that he loves us enough to send us a Savior that enables us to return to live with him again. I get so happy when I watch those videos because, really, it's amazing! 

I was reading in Alma this week (my goal is to finish the Book of Mormon again before the end of the year) and I came across a few verses in chapter 37 that really stood out to me. It's verses 44-46 and it's Alma telling his son that it's easy to  "give heed to the word of Christ". My first reaction to that was "Nuh uh! We are asked to sacrifice so much!" But then, as I was thinking about it, it made sense. It's really easy to keep the commandments and do what God has asked us to. SO, Basically, this life is an open book, multiple choice test. He's given us EVERYTHING that we need to succeed! For an open book, multiple choice test, are we going to be prideful, disregard the book and just answer "C" throughout the whole thing? NO! When we have a test like that, we use ALL of the tools that we are given, regardless of what we think we know (humility), because we want the highest grade possible! This life is our test. The way really is EASY! God has given us EVERYTHING WE NEED! We just need to let go of our pride and do what he asks. Why? Because that's when it really becomes easy. Eternal perspective. Live it, Love it :)

Love you all so much and I'm so excited to see you on Christmas!!! It'll be the best!

Love,

Steph

Transfer Week!

Big news of the week?

I'M IN THE VALLEY!!!!!!!!!

Yes, the land of heat, palm trees and people galore has finally laid hold on Sister Stephanie Lee. Haha

I'm now serving in Mesa Arizona and (prepare yourself Sister Hunter) I'm on bike! My hair will never look the same again. Goodbye curls! Hello bleached blonde ponytails and buns! My last week up in New Mexico was pretty cool. We had some really good lessons with some of our investigators and I got to say goodbye to so many amazing people! I am really going to miss all of them so much! On Saturday we went to the Pie Town Pie Festival and set up a booth. It was a crazy process trying to set up the booth,but the person in charge of the booths put us in a really prime spot, so we got to see practically everyone walk by. In the process of contacting over 80 people, we found a less-active in the area! Crazy stuff.

One of the most memorable experiences was when a woman walked up to our table, looked down at the stack of Book of Mormons and Restoration pamphlets, looked up and said "I want you to prove to me, without using the Bible, that God is real." I looked at her and I said "All things denote that there is a God. The sky, the trees, everything." She then looked at me and said, "That's in the bible." She then went on to tell us, as she was walking away, that she is a scientist and facts and that God doesn't exist, that it's not a fact and that we're wasting our time and should go home and live out the rest of our lives.

There has never been a moment in my life where I have felt so strongly that this church is true. That we have the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. I saw hate and anger in that woman. I saw misery and hopelessness. The Gospel of Jesus Christ bring hope and light. It brings us happiness in knowing that God EXISTS!!! He sent his son Jesus Christ to be our SAVIOR. And he loves us SO MUCH that he has given ALL OF US the opportunity to accept that gift. I was not discouraged by her words; I was rejuvenated. I am a DISCIPLE of Jesus Christ and NOTHING can shake my faith in him or in this Gospel.

At the end of the festival, we saw a girl walk up to our booth that had passed by it multiple times during the day. We were in line for some pie and we saw her reading one of the pamphlets. We rushed over to her and asked her if she would be interested in hearing our message. She said YES! and then told us that she's been looking for something that will bring her hope in her life. SO we got a new investigator! Also, random fact, the guy in the booth next to us gave us free rings. Pretty sweet.

On Sunday I came down to the valley! Pretty crazy, I don't even half-way believe that I'm down here righ tnow, but I know that I need to be here in this ward, and I'm so excited for the work here! I have no problem going up to people and asking if they would be interested in hearing a message of the restoration. Before I left, I received a blessing that I would be courageous. Man, I'm definitely feeling the courage!

I KNOW without a shadow of a doubt that this church is Christ's restored church on the earth today and that we have the tools that are necessary to return to live with our Heavenly Father again. Christ is coming. We need to prepare ourselves mentally and spiritually for his coming. What better thing to be doing than missionary work? I love you all so much and I'm so excited to see you all again (not only after the mission) but after this life. Sorry, your stuck with me forever! And aren't you so glad? hahaha

Love,
Sister Lee

PS Elder Nelson is coming this week. I"m so stoked!!


1) We may or may not have run over a cute baby cottontail bunny... and taken a picture of the carcase
2) this is Cynthia, an investigator from my last area
3) This is Sister Myers. She helped us so much with all of our missionary work!

The craziest week of all time!

Hi everyone!

So this week has been super crazy and super emotional. First off, I want to tell you that transfers are in 2 weeks, so I'll be emailing on Wednesday (I think). Otherwise, you'll just have to be surprised to get an email from me that Monday! So this week we got back from trek. As soon as we got back, we showered (we really stank) and then hopped in the car and went down to the valley. Sister Goodwin is officially in Brazil! I'm super excited for her and grateful that I have Sister Heap as my new companion. When we got back to Eagar Tuesday afternoon, we finished our P-day chores and proselyted for a few hours and we had one of our less-active members (who is now active) finally decide on a date to go through the temple!!! It was awesome and I'm so exited for him.

On Wednesday, we taught Ron Dailey. Let me tell you a little bit about Ron. He's an extremely fit older gentleman who was raised Catholic, but has a thing against religion because a high-ranking Catholic Bishop came to his hometown and he was required to kiss the Bishop's ring (which he refused to do) and he decided that there was something really wrong with organized religion if that's what it required you to do. Anyway, we've been teaching him and we've been able to answer questions and he's been reading the pamphlets and he's read the chapters that we've assigned him in the Book of Mormon and he's really progressing. On Thursday we did an exchange in Taylor so that my companion could go to a leadership meeting in the valley. By the way, I met someone that's related to the Lee family from Tooele (you know, the one in the Benson Gristmill pageant). I didn't get back from Taylor until Friday night and on Saturday we had some drama. We had a Sister that was emergency transferred and I was asked to take her place in Luna/Reserve New Mexico, so I am now companions with Sisters Pass and Christensen. It was a bit hard because I thought I would still have 2 weeks to say all of my goodbyes to the members, investigators, etc. in Eagar but I know that the Lord has something in mind for me up there, so I'm going to keep serving with a smile.

In other news, yesterday we had a trek fireside with President Sweeney and it was awesome! I got to see most of my trek siblings and they are all planning on getting together pretty often! Too bad I won't be there, but they'd better prepare themselves for some facebook requests next year! Today we stayed in Eagar because we'll be going to Zone Conference and the temple on Wednesday, so we'll be here the next few days. Most importantly, we went fishing today!! Yep, I caught 4 fish and got my arms completely fried because (of course) I forgot to bring sunscreen. It was really fun, though, so I fully expect to go on a fishing/shooting expedition with dad next summer!

About grandpa, I really feel at peace. It's going to be really sad, not having him physically here, but I know that he's in that paradise that is reserved for those who have not only made covenants at baptism and in the temple, but have also kept those covenants. We know that those who have made and kept their temple covenants will be blessed in the eternities and that we will have the joyful experience of seeing them again soon. This life is really just a blink of an eye when compared to the eternities. I KNOW that we will get to see our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ again. And I know that, when we do, we'll see grandpa. We'll get to see grandpa in his perfected form and we'll get to hear his voice singing with the angels in heaven.

Death is only just the beginning. He's just taken that next step in his eternal progression and we are blessed to have been able to be a part of his life and to be a part of his earthly family. I love you all so very much and I know that, no matter what happens, I will get to be with you all for eternity. Christ broke the bands of death and through the power of God, we have been sealed as an eternal family. NOTHING can change that. I love you all and I hope that you will look to Heavenly Father for the comfort that only he can give.

Grandpa Lee is free from toil and sorrow. And with the just, he now dwells. All is well

Love,
Steph

pics: 1. I decided to attach some pics from the trek and very carefully avoided getting people in them :) They'll be giving us a disc with all of the pics soon, soo you won't be bereft for long!
2. Unfortunately, I only have photographic documentation of 3 fish, but I promise that there were 4! (oh, and there's one of Sister Heap)
3. Me gently guiding a cricket out of the house in Cruzeville (he's under the orange cup)