¡Feliz Año Nuevo!

Hello family!

It was so great talking to you! It also felt  really weird but that's alright.

We had a great 5 days since we last caught up.

Christmas night, we met with the lady who's moving back to Austria and taught her mother. It was a very good lesson. We actually found out that she has had a bad experience with a member of the church being mean to her! We were so sad that it had happened to her because she is just the nicest lady ever. We are working to get her a friend. She is very willing to read and pray though and she has good support from her family. Rafael is staying here and is now coming to church and the YSA activities! Oh btw Mom we played that game you sent me for Christmas (LeftCenterRight) at a YSA activity last night! They loved it! Really fun to explain in Spanish.

Thursday, we met with Leidy and her family and taught the plan of salvation. They had a ton of really good questions. One we didn't know the answer for even after studying. What happens to the spirits in the premortal life when the second coming happens? Anyways so we taught them and then came back the next day and read the Book of Mormon with them. Two great lessons. We have a date with them for this Saturday but we have more to teach and we need the mom's permission we have the dad's. We will see if we can have a big miracle before Yamil heads out on his mission!

 

We had a huge miracle this week! We saw Jose in the street and so we set up an appointment and he showed up this time! We were able to teach him the plan of salvation and gospel of Jesus Christ. And we set another baptismal date for the 25th. We really hope he is prepared. We have little left to teach but we can't get him to church. Later that day though we were able to bring him to a YSA activity and so he made friends! He is a huge blessing even though it's difficult at times.

We got a lot done this week had a lot of spiritual lessons and miracles. It's amazing transfers are this Saturday. It went super quick. Elder Tanner and I are working really hard. All of the Christmas activities slowed us down a bit but these past few days we got back on track.

Have a great week everyone! I love you!!

-Elder Stevenson

Got this with the Christmas money. Thanks!

 

 

 

Toledo, Spain



Cathedral de Toledo



 

¡Feliz Navidad!

Hola familia! 

You will hear this later but just want to tell a little about my week to put on the blog. I've sent a few pictures.

 

 

 

We have still been working a ton with Lady and her family and things are going really well! We had a couple of lessons with her this week. We committed her to a baptism date, the 4th of January. She wants to get baptized but she is 17 and so her mom wants her to be 18 before she gets baptized. We really feel like her mom will soften her heart and let her. The lessons with her are always so spiritual.

Our recent convert, less active, and investigator family are moving back to Vienna. We are sad about that but we have lessons planned with them everyday this week. They all came to church this week. It was a huge blessing and hopefully the missionaries can continue to meet with them in Austria.

 

I'm still doing great things out here. Can't wait to talk in a couple hours!!!

 



Video Chatting with Bryce!

love you! ¡Feliz Navidad!

-Elder Stevenson

This is Elder McEgein or something like that. He knows Kalob- so send it to Uncle Bryan so he can send it to Kalob.

 

Best Week Ever!

Our tree

Hello family!

We had an absolutely great week!

Monday, we had a lesson with a man named Jose Lopez. He is 18 and from Spain. Meeting him was a miracle. Last Friday was a holiday in Spain and so busses were running at super late times. We see our bus and start sprinting to make it and miss it  by seriously 2 seconds! So we had to wait 30 minutes for the next and on this next bus was Jose! Elder Tanner starts talking to him because he had met him before. This man pulled a knife on his old companion! But don't worry he's safe now!!! We taught him the restoration and it was just a super amazing lesson and after we introduced the Book of Mormon. He then said and I feel like I should pray about it too. We were both blown away! We left that lesson just super happy. We met with him again Wednesday and we taught about reading praying and going to church. We call it OLA (orar, leer, asistir.)  After we talked about the reading, we asked how it went for him and he said he really liked it and shared it with his brother! Then I asked if he believed that it was true and he said yes! We set a baptismal date for the 28th but he didn't come to church so we have to move it. 

mediodia dishes!

On Tuesday, we had another lesson with Elena, the lady with 2 sons on missions. She said she feels the spirit and wants to be baptized but not until until her son gets home in January and does something but we don't know what it is. It's just sad to see her be waiting when she knows its true.

Thursday, we had another HUGE miracle. We were passing by some people listed in our area book and then we hear Elders! We turn and see a man. He waves us over, so of course we go. His name is Yemil and he had just returned home from visiting England, where he will be serving his mission next month. He has 2 members of his family who are non members, so of course he invites us over. We met with them 3 times this week and one of them came to church! Her name is Leidy and she is 17.  We talked to her Sunday night and she absolutely loved church! She said she felt so welcome! We were so happy to hear it. We will continue to work there.

 

chess during medio dia

We worked a lot with these 3 people this week. They were a huge focus. It paid off really well and we were blessed for it. We also worked with our less actives. We worked with five this week and it was really good a couple came to church!. Iris also went to Madrid 9th ward this week so I was able to talk to her. It's really nice to see the hard work we put in pay off. Some days get really tough but it's those good days that we remember and that make it count. Very good week.

This was our week, one of mine and Elder Tanner's best. Full of blessings and miracles. Have a great week and I will talk to you Wednesday!!!!!!!!! Remember 5.30 here 8.30 California any family member can be there if they please. Google Chat. 40 minutes.

Love You!!!!!!!

Elder Stevenson

 

P.S. I want a real tree back! ours doesnt even smell good!

Oh and I want to know the areas tyson served in!

Many Blessings and Miracles!

Hola! We had a great week! Many blessings and miracles!

On Monday we met with a lady named Liz. She has been a member for 9 months and her mom is one of our new investigators. She had been living in Vienna and just moved back to Madrid! She called us and we met with her. She brought her brother too, who is apparently a less active. This was a huge blessing and miracle, hopefully we can lead her mother into the waters of baptism. 

Tuesday, we did some companion exchanges. I went with Elder Piñeiro for a day. He is a great elder we did some pass bys in the morning and were able to find a lesson from that. We also ate with a member from his ward and she helped us get in contact with her neighbor who is one of their old investigators. super cool opportunity.

Wednesday, we had district meeting. We were able to have the Jackson's there with us. We talked about goal setting and how we can act on those goals, always having them in our mind. Then we met with an investigator who comes every week and wants to get baptized but they need to get married first and so we are just waiting on that. Later there was a baptism for a man, who's name is Elvis. He is a super great man who actually has family in the church.

Friday, we had a lesson with Nicolai. He is from Peru, his sister is a member and  we have been teaching him. But he moved backed to Peru yesterday and won't return until the end of January. His sister is such a great member missionary. She has seriously given 3 Libros de Mormon to her friends this week! And invited them to the Christmas concert we are having next week! 

Sunday, we met with a recent convert. He invited us over and we shared a message then took him to a YSA activity that was going on at the church where Elder Tanner taught about putting on the whole armor of God. It was a great lesson then we played Uno with the members. 

Here is my great miracle for the week. When we were in Mostoles, we were working with a less active named Iris. The week of transfers she moved to Madrid. The other day in the morning we were contacting and right before mediodia (at midday, noon, lunchtime)  Elder Tanner had a letter he needed to send and forgot about, right as we were going into our piso I said hey lets go drop off your letter. He was like "no, it's fine" but I still said lets go do it so we did. As we were walking I see Iris!! And I stop and talk to her and turns out she lives near us!! But she is in the other wards area but we still found her got her info and gave her our info and now she has contact with the missionaries! If I had not been in this area she would not have been found as early. It was just a great miracle to have that happen. The sisters in the other ward have a lesson with her today in fact. 

This week has been great and full of great blessings. I love the work I do. I love the Lord I serve. Every day this month, we have been reading the living Christ in preparation for a devotional Christmas Eve. Everyday we read it, I grow more and my testimony grows. love you all very much!

 

http://jesuschrist.lds.org/SonOfGod/eng/testimonies-of-him/articles/the-living-christ-the-testimony-of-the-apostles-of-the-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints 

 

 

Mom for your question, Christmas in general they have regular Christmas here but in January they have a bigger celebration called Los Tres Reyes Magos, The Three Magic Kings (wiseman). The people put ladders out their piso windows for them to climb up and give presents.

Soooo for Chrismas! I will actually be using google chat, I have been told it's easier and all the family can be in the chat from all their computers. I will be calling at 5 here 8am in California and I am allowed 40 minutes. With that program the screen changes whenever someone talks but if you click on one person it will stay so you may want to do that because of all the kids.

 

! I got the packages today thank you! Thanks for the padded envelope! Elder Tanner says thanks for the Advent Calendar and tie! We need red ties for next Monday so good thing you sent one! Love you Mom!

Sorry no pictures of me this week I forgot my adapter  : (

Have a great week!

love, 

Elder Stevenson  

 

Christmas in Spain
Most people in Spain go to Midnight Mass or 'La Misa Del Gallo' (The Mass of the Rooster). It is called this because a rooster is supposed to have crowed the night that Jesus was born.
Most families eat their main Christmas meal on Christmas Eve before the service.
After the midnight service, people walk through the streets carrying torches, playing guitars and beating on tambourines and drums. One Spanish saying is 'Esta noche es Noche-Buena, Y no Es noche de dormir' which means 'Tonight is the good night and it is not meant for sleeping!'

 

January 6 - Dia de Los Reyes in Spanish - is virtually as important as Christmas itself in Spain, especially for kids, as this is the day when they get their presents! The fun starts the evening before, when the three kings lead their procession through the streets, throwing sweets to the children. The next morning, the children wake up to find their presents have been left overnight (rumors that Santa moonlights as the Three Kings when times are hard are unfounded). Read more about the three kings.

A popular tradition is to eat a Roscón, a sweet, donut-shaped bread (though much bigger than a donut) covered in glacier cherries and sugar. A plastic toy is buried inside the mixture, so don't dive in too quickly. He or she who finds the toy gets good luck for the next year (double the luck if they also ate the grapes on New Year's Eve!)

 

I'm Dreaming of a White Thanksgiving

Yep! We woke up Thursday and there was snow on the roof across the street and in the streets! Super weird!!

This week has probably been my favorite so far. I love my companion and this area! We work super hard, see miracles, but have fun!

On Monday, I got shown around the area a little bit and we did some contacting. So many people stop! It's so nice. Good first day.

On Tuesday, we have about 40 people, references, that have not yet been contacted from old missionaries. So we made it a goal to get them contacted. We went by the houses that we didn't have a phone number to. We also went and watched The Testaments with a less active and had pop corn. It was a super great lesson. She just works Sunday so it's difficult for her to get to church. Then we taught a lady who has 2 sons on missions in Barcelona but she isn't a member! So we taught her the restoration and it was a great lession then she seriously gave us a ton of food. It was insane! 

We had a great Wednesday. We had district meeting and we have a super great district, tons of great missionaries! One of the sisters is from Switzerland and so I spoke some German with her. Then we did some more of those pass bys and contacted 7 new people. 

Then Thanksgiving! We bought turkey legs from the store on Monday and cooked those up. Super good tasting! We were very surprised that we pulled it off. Then we passed by more and recieved so many blessings everytime we knocked a door. The old person didn't live there but we got the reference of the new one! Then we were able the have a lesson with one of them right there in her door. It was a huge miracle to be grateful for.

Friday, we had set big goals for lessons and we really felt like it would happen and we were blessed. We met with a lady named Stephanie. Her boy friend is a member! We taught the restoration and then went for a baptism date. It was one of the most powerful experiences I have had. The spirit was so strong during the lesson and was telling me so strongly to ask her to be baptized. She didnt want a date but she agreed to baptism and so we will set one up next week. Super great blessing. We then had a Family Home Evening with the ward and Elder Tanner talked about his ancestor, John Tanner, who helped pay for many things for the church in the early days. There is a video from the church about him.

Saturday, we had a lesson with a man named Juan Carlos. His wife is a member but he is not. We taught the gospel of Jesus Christ and told him to pray for his own baptismal date. He feels like he won't receive an answer and so we are working with him to build that faith.

Sunday. The members are so nice and amazing they work really hard with us and they just love the missionaries. We went to help with a YSA (young single adult) activity but no one was there so we knocked the neighbors door and she has already gone to church before with her friend and really liked it! Hopefully it turns out well!

Elder Tanner and I are best friends. We get along so well. It's hard not to get along when you buy multiple legs of meat from different animals. (the pictures later will explain-Turkey legs and a leg of pork!)

 

Sounds like you had a great Thanksgiving with the grandkids. Love the cast drawing pictures! It's cute. 

drawing on Dad's, a.k.a PaPa's, cast

So mom for your questions and Christmas in general they have regular Christmas here but in January they have a bigger celebration called "Los Tres Reyes Magos," the three magic kings (Wisemen). The people put ladders out their piso windows for them to climb up and give presents. On the 16, we are doing a concert for investigators and recent converts and New Year's Eve we have a fireside for missionaries. So for video chat I need you to make me a skype. gracias!

Have a great week! love you all!

Elder Stevenson

 

3 in 3 to 3

Hola!

This is Emilia she was baptized last week by Elders Cook y Smith

Sooooo transfers came in on Saturday and I have a new area! 3 areas 3 transfers I'm in Barrio 3 in Madrid.

Saying bye to Elder Gillam

Elder Malan and Me

Us- goofing off

 

Just got off the train and it is super nice here! We're in the south west part of Madrid. I'm with Elder Tanner. He is from Las Vegas and has been out a little more than 6 months. I'm excited for this transfer. It is an area that has been here for a while so it will be different then starting up.

So this week: Last Monday we were in Madrid and got back with only a little time for emails so it was short, I will expound more today.

With the Christ like attributes, we had watched the "Finding Faith in Christ" video so I just picked out things in there that I liked. http://jesuschrist.lds.org/SonOfGod/eng/finding-faith-in-christ/video/finding-faith-in-christ

On Monday, we taught Juan. He is doing well. He read way more then we asked him which is amazing because he is so busy! He would be progressing but hasn't come to church yet. We taught about baptism and the spirit just going through 3 nephi 11 with him. The spirit was super strong during the lesson and he knew he was feeling it. He is also still praying very sincerely.

We met with Juan Carlos on Tuesday and started to teach and he told us that he didn't want to hear anything more. He said he was happy and didn't need a better life. It was just super sad to have him say that because he doesn't have a happy life. He's trapped with cigaretes and video games. but we had to stop meeting with him.

We also worked more with one of our members that night. She has a friend that she is sharing the gospel with. She gave the friend a Book of Mormon and is working with him to meet with us.

Here's my Fuenlabrada picture

Then Wednesday, I got to go on another companion exchange. We went to Fuenlabrada, pretty cool city but not as clean as Mostoles. I have a funny picture to show. Also found a snuggie. have a picture of that too. but we worked with some of the less actives that day and did some contacting. very good day.

The Snuggy!

We also went to the temple and were surprised with the new video! We were told to watch in English too. Very powerful and different. Then we spent 30 minutes just talking about gospel doctrine in the Celestial room which was very nice.

Friday, we got a new investigator named Luis. We had met him a couple weeks ago and were able to meet. It was a very good first lesson. Probably one of the best we have taught. We worked well together, explained our purpose right of the bat, and about baptism. He is an evangelist and so he wants a lot of Bible answers but he was very open to the Book of Mormon. It will be tough with him though to meet with him because he is only open on Fridays.

My sad tortilla de patatas

Then on Sunday we were super blessed. The less actives that we have been working with these past 6 weeks, all but one came to church! It was the first time they had been in so long but it was great to see them. I was so happy!

Well that has been my week. It was sad to say bye to Elder Gillam. He is staying in Mostoles, but he did very well training me. Have a great week and Happy Thanksgiving! 

Love 

Elder Stevenson


Last P-day



Indoor Snow Boarding at the Mall- didn't do it, just took pictures.

COLD!

 

 

This week was warm at first but Saturday 0 degrees!!! Celcius but still really cold.

This week has been good. We're working with members a ton. We have some pretty solid ones that are working with friends and doing missionary work. No member references yet but its getting there. If  things work out we should have 5! They are working super hard for us. It's awesome.

 

 I have been trying to be more Christ like and wanted to focus on those attributes this week and it was an amazing change. One story there was a super rowdy kid on a bus and so I went over and gave her a picture of the temple

and talked to her and it was super spiritual and the mom just kept thanking me and we almost got to meet with her but she had to get off the bus but still one of my favorite moments so far.

We met with Juan last week. He is working on a research project with some of the other professors and hasn't had much time to meet with us. But we met on Monday. He is doing well and wants to be baptized. We are going to explain more today and set his date and work hard towards that. We are super excited. He is one that is very solid.

We also met with Jorge and Lupe and they are ok. It feels like they are losing interest but we are still working hard with them. We will be meeting with them in 30 minutes. We are trying to get them to come to church but they just won't do it. It gets frustrating but it's their agency. 

We knocked some doors since it has been super cold and found some good people. 2 Americans from Texas we were able to share a little but they kindly rejected anything more. At the end, we met Juliet. on her door it said,  "With God all things are possible."  and she was very interested. We are meeting again Saturday. 

Very short week but still productive. We don't have much time. So I will send pictures next week. I love you all and thanks for the support. I really do love it out here and wouldn't change it for anything.

love

-Elder Stevenson
 

Moved- New Piso!

Hola Familia!

This week went pretty well, we met with some good people and moved pisos! 

 

Monday, we met with Juan. It was pretty cool cuz we taught him in his class room at the university. We taught the Plan of Salvation and he is doing very well and moving towards baptism- except for coming to church. We are meeting with him today. It will be a big focus. We are also going to set a baptismal date with him. I feel like he is willing to make the commitment. I will let you know how it goes next week. 

We also met with Jorge and we invited him to be baptised and he said yes kind of, he wants to learn more and know for himself before he chooses, but ever since that day he hasn't been able to meet with us and is just not as interested. We will see how he is doing with commitments though. 

We got to meet with a ton of members this week. We need to get them more involved in mission work. Some are great but others just need to be shown what to do. We are working with the Iglesias family and they are super awesome. They have 2 daughters in college and they have friends they share the gospel with. Hopefully we can find people there. We have also been doing just quick little stop bys with other members and inviting them to pray for people to find and share the gospel with.

We went and worked with a less active named Iris. She lives in a little town outside of Mostoles (there is  a castle there that we may check out today depending on if it is open) but she is doing well. She has a part member family that we should be able to meet with soon. 

On Thursday, the office elders came down and we signed a piso contract and got our new piso It overlooks a super sweet park

and is very nice. We had to build all this stuff for it though which was pretty annoying but it is all set up and looks good. It's kind of nice not dealing with 4 other elders in one place.

 

 

 

 

 

Yesterday, we were walking to an appoinment and right as we turn the street we see a car flip! It stopped on its side and never rolled but it was still bad! We and some other people had to help get them out of the car. Luckily, no one was hurt but it was still really scary for the kid inside. Once the police got there, everyone had to leave. I hope all is well with them but yeah it was crazy!

Well that was our week. This week we have a zone conference all day Friday and the other elders have a baptism Saturday. So hopefully we can get investigators there! 

I got the birthday bag on Wednesday so we had a mini party.

We made a super yummy cake.

I love you all and have a great week! Feel better dad! I will send pics in a different e mail.

 

 

-Elder Stevenson