Week Four

Sam with his Mission President and Mission Mom

Ok. So this week was great. Elder M. is really pushing me, but making it fun at the same time, which is great. I met an investigating couple, one who is a self-proclaimed prophetess and her husband is a professional Santa with a mouth worse than a sailor. They're super nice though.

In sacrament meeting, there were three talks given by members who were moving in and moving out. They were on building faith, and very good, but the thing that stood out to me personally was the musical number. It was three girls about 11 years old, best friends, who were going to be split because of the move. They sang a beautiful song about the Savior, and their voices were so pure and on pitch. They even did harmony, and it was spot on. It really brought the Spirit in.

On Friday, Elder M. got a migraine and took a 4-hour nap. I finished a great personal study, then Elder Martin and Elder Dickerson came over to help me take care of Elder M. and help me with weekly planning.

Something I didn't mention last week that I learned... The average Arizona Mesa missionary gains 35 pounds. Yikes.

I've been present to find 11 new investigators so far... only one in our area though. It's amazing what happens when you open your mouth and trust in God.

The priests out here are awesome, they come out with us all the time.

We have bed bugs. My arms are covered with bites, and we got them from visiting an investigator's home with bed bugs. They're really small, and hide really well, so it's hard to see/get rid of them.

I went to the temple on Thursday. The Mesa Arizona temple was the 7th to be built, and is modeled after Solomon's temple. Some of the hallways are beautiful stonework, and it feels like you're walking through Solomon's ancient temple. It had been closed for a few weeks to finish some remodelings. I get to go there once a transfer.

The visitors' center next the temple is a great resource for investigators. We're so lucky to have it. It has been dedicated like the temple, which I found interesting to say the least. There is a nineteenth-century Christus in the lobby and I love it.

Life is good. Always tired. The missionaries rock. I played violin at my very first dinner appt. out here, and get to borrow it today to play during P-day. I'm super pumped about that. :)

Love you all!

Elder Stowell

Sam and his companion/trainer :)