lisellovingleeds : short sleeves & tightless!!!!!

Quote of the week:

"Of this be sure, you do not find the happy life...you make it." - Thomas S. Monson

This week has been a bit better, I decided if I am going to stay I need to make the best out of the next 5 months and do all I can to fulfill my purpose as a missionary. Heavenly Father has blessed us so much as we have pushed through. He knows what we are capable of and He won't push us more than we can handle. I am so thankful for the beautiful weather we have had! We have been able to go the last 2 days without tights! Haha it looked like my calves were glowing though because they haven't seen the sun in months.

I have studied to word "peace" a bit this week and have come to realise that we decide if we have peace through life or not. It's kinda like us choosing to be postive or not. Peace comes when we remember we have a Saviour and Heavenly Father who love us! I have noticed so much more peace in my life when I have realised I can't control everything but put my trust in Heavenly Father's perfect plan.

We were listening to Joseph Smith's First Prayer in the car today and some of the words really stuck out to me: "but undaunted, still he trusted in his Heavenly Father's care... Suddenly a light descended..." I loved this so much because sometimes we don't always know what we need to do or how we will continue on, but then suddenly just when we feel like giving up a light comes. Not always all at once, but gradually the light comes in. And I am so thankful for that light. I promise it will come when we continue in patience and trust.

It has been a very adventurous week, trying by lots of former investigators, meeting lots of new people, and finding service opportunities along the way! We have realised that in order to soften the hearts of people here we need to serve them first. We noticed this couple painting their fence and asked if we could help them, surprisingly they said yes! We got to know them and resolved many of their stereotypes of mormons haha. We tesified about how the gospel of Jesus Christ has helped us and our families and they are letting us come back and share more with them!

We got to travel to Leeds for an appointment and man was it strange to be back in my birthplace.. So many mixed emotions walking through those familiar streets. I was thinking back to a year ago when I was there and realising how far I have come which makes me so grateful for the hard times because they have made me who I am today.

Most of the former investigators we have met this week we have noticed from their records that almost all of them have stopped seeing missionaries right after a trial. It made us sad thinking about how instead of turning to Christ and receiving His help they decided to turn away from Him. And I have noticed that when I have turned to Him and asked Him for help I have been able learn and grow so much more than if I were to just go through it alone.

Today we did some exploring! We drove up to the English country side and didn't have a set place we were going and we ended up at a castle! We drove through some beautiful green, rolling hills, quaint villages, and saw lots of little lambs. I felt like I was in a movie! The english countryside is breathtaking.

I hope all of you have a great week!!! Thank you for all the support, love, and prayers xx

Love, Sister Stevens

PS GENERAL CONFERENCE IS THIS WEEKEND!!!!! Best weekend ever!!!! I know when we go prepared spiritually and with questions we will get so much more out of it. I have such a testimony that our questions will be answered through the Holy Ghost or from what someone says. That is my invitation for you!