Hello 2017!!!!

Happy New Year everyone! Welcome 2017! 

This week was a bit interesting... so me and another sister I live with both were feeling very ill for a couple days and our mission presidents wife sent us to the doctors. And she said we both have chest infections haha. So we spent the week getting better and resting. But it's hilarious because the antibiotics made me throw up so it was a great week... I spent a lot of time reading the Book of Mormon which I finished! and also read the entire book Joseph Smith History written by his mother. It was so amazing learning more about what he went though the gospel and for us to have the Book of Mormon. It really inspired me at how obedient Jospeh was to Heavenly Father's commandments. 

As the new year has come I have recommitted myself to studying the Book of Mormon each day, reading it with the purpose of coming closer and getting to know my Saviour more. And really reading with the knowledge that it is written for me and for each of us for our day! I know it can help us answer our questions about life and help us feel a lot more peace throughout each day. As I have been reading and pondering about the Book of Mormon I have realised that we only get out what we put in. If we want a witness that it is true & to feel peace when you read it we need to read it with that intent. The answers are there, Heavenly Father is waiting to give us them if we are willing to take the time to read with real intent. I hope each of you will have the goal to not just read for the sake of reading, but to actually look for answers and how the Book of Mormon can apply to you in this life! I am so thankful to have it! It has brought me more peace than anything while serving my mission. President Hinkley promises that, "if each of you will read the Book of Mormon, there will come into your lives and into your homes an added measure of the spirit of the Lord, a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to His commandments, and a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God." That's a pretty amazing promise!

I am thankful for the chances my Saviour gives me to become better, I am so thankful for the Atonement and that I can use it each day as I make mistakes and try to be better. I am thankful to know that Heavenly Father loves me, even when I feel I am not worthy of His love. He is always there, even when we don't deserve it. We are so blessed to have a father in heaven who loves us unconditionally. I pray that each of you can feel His love and it gives you a desire to be more Christlike. 

I know that the beginning of a new year is a new start to become better and to work on things. This life is all about change and improving! There are always great things ahead when we put our trust in the Lord. 

I love you all! Have a great week & keep smiling :)

Love, sister Stevens 

*This video is a New Years tradition from Spain, they call it 'Las Doce Uvas'.  Lisel said she couldn't hang because her gag reflexes are too strong!

1/2 mission Christmas party