My tounge is all better except for a little numbness where the lesion was removed and my back feels better than it has in years.
I don't think we sent this picture before so I will try to send it now.
Dad
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Update
My tounge is all better except for a little numbness where the lesion was removed and my back feels better than it has in years.
I don't think we sent this picture before so I will try to send it now.
Dad
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Samuel's Mission e-mail May 19, 2008
Everyone:
Well, this week has been really, really hot. Apparently we've been breaking temperature records for this time of year. So, yes, not fun, that. But as for this week:
On Tuesday and Wednesday we mostly had our normal tracting and such like routine, though we did do our service at the care home on Wednesday like we usually do.
On Thursday, we planned, tracted, and we visited Lir Torres. Lir is a less-active who I think I've mentioned before. She lives in the same apartment complex where Elder Chadwick and his companion lived before I transfered in (we're now in a complex that has three other member families in it, one of which includes our ward mission leader--that's very convenient), and there was a murder there not long before I transfered in, so Lir is going to be testifying, so we mostly shared some comforting thoughts and scriptures with her.
On Friday, we had our zone meeting and tracted, as usual. On Saturday we tracted and we had our lesson with Rosie. She's almost ready for baptism!
On Sunday, Rosie came to church with her 11-year-old sister. Then later in the day Rosie called and explained that her mom was not happy about her little sister sneaking out to go to church with her, and that now she was afraid to get baptized and wanted to do it without telling her family. Eventually Elder Chadwick persuaded her to go ahead and tell her family, and she did that evening, and everything went fine (just as long as her little sister doesn't try to sneak out again). So, hopefully we can get her parents to come to her baptism. We also tracted a bit and we visited a less-active named Dana and talked with her a lot.
Today, we went bowling, but this time just at a bowling alley.
Elder Samuel Stephens
Well, this week has been really, really hot. Apparently we've been breaking temperature records for this time of year. So, yes, not fun, that. But as for this week:
On Tuesday and Wednesday we mostly had our normal tracting and such like routine, though we did do our service at the care home on Wednesday like we usually do.
On Thursday, we planned, tracted, and we visited Lir Torres. Lir is a less-active who I think I've mentioned before. She lives in the same apartment complex where Elder Chadwick and his companion lived before I transfered in (we're now in a complex that has three other member families in it, one of which includes our ward mission leader--that's very convenient), and there was a murder there not long before I transfered in, so Lir is going to be testifying, so we mostly shared some comforting thoughts and scriptures with her.
On Friday, we had our zone meeting and tracted, as usual. On Saturday we tracted and we had our lesson with Rosie. She's almost ready for baptism!
On Sunday, Rosie came to church with her 11-year-old sister. Then later in the day Rosie called and explained that her mom was not happy about her little sister sneaking out to go to church with her, and that now she was afraid to get baptized and wanted to do it without telling her family. Eventually Elder Chadwick persuaded her to go ahead and tell her family, and she did that evening, and everything went fine (just as long as her little sister doesn't try to sneak out again). So, hopefully we can get her parents to come to her baptism. We also tracted a bit and we visited a less-active named Dana and talked with her a lot.
Today, we went bowling, but this time just at a bowling alley.
Elder Samuel Stephens
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Just stuff
Finally downloaded the Easter pictures. At least those on Elaine's camera. I think there are still some on Craig's camera, which is probably why Elaine is not in this picture.
The picture of Rachel is from her ballet dress rehearsal. The actual recital is this Saturday. She loves being on stage.
Our cat is still sick. He's had two surgeries now, and it appears they might have been for naught as it seems his kidneys may be shutting down. He is once again at the vet clinic, receiving fluids and antibiotics in the hopes that it is just an infection from the last surgery. We'll know in a few days if it worked.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
New pets and new activities
After many years of holding out, our family finally joined the rest of the Stephens clan in becoming overrun by pets. Isaac had asked for a turtle for his birthday, so we told him he could get one. Then we found out that it is very difficult to find turtles for sale. There are a lot of restrictions on what turtles can be bred and kept as pets. Finally on Friday we found some Red-eared sliders on sale at a pet store in Louisville and bought one for Isaac. The picture shows him in his new habitat.
Even though Isaac was the first on the list for a pet, Mariana was the first to get one. While we were looking for turtles for Isaac about a month ago, Mariana used some money she had been saving up and bought a hamster. She has been a very good caretaker for Leo, who seems to be happy and healthy. We did forget and leave him in his hamster ball the other day when we went out for a few hours. We got back to find him stuck in a corner because he had pulled the edge of a tablecloth into his ball to chew on and it held him in place.
We decided we needed to get more exersize, so Isaac, Mariana, and I have signed up for Tae Kwon Do classes here in Madison. The teacher has been instructing for many years and he has family-friendly classes that we enjoy. The picture was taken on Saturday just before we went to take our first test for a new belt. We all passed and now will be getting a yellow stripe on our white belts. Part of the test was using a certain kick to break a wooden board. Mariana broke her board on the first try.
Newel
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Samuel's Mission e-mail May 12, 2008
Everyone:
Well, this transfer is just about over. Probably both Elder Chadwick and I will stay here, but you never know...
Anyways, starting with last Tuesday, we did some tracting, street contacting, and contacting less-actives, like we usually do (and I think we did that every day this week, so I won't mention it for the rest of the week), and we also visited Feliz and Fidel Cabrera. Feliz is a member in one of the Spanish wards here, and Fidel is her husband who is not currently a member, so we talked with him for a while.
On Wednesday, in addition to the usual we did our service at the care home. On Thursday we planned, and on Friday we had our district meeting.
On Saturday, we went to a ward member's funeral, and then we had a lesson with Rosie. She feels good about June 1st as her baptismal date, and is still progressing very well.
On Sunday we had church, and since it was Mother's Day we got to call home! And then today, a member in Palos Verdes who has a very large house with an indoor bowling alley and so forth invited our zone over for our preparation day activity.
Elder Samuel Stephens
Well, this transfer is just about over. Probably both Elder Chadwick and I will stay here, but you never know...
Anyways, starting with last Tuesday, we did some tracting, street contacting, and contacting less-actives, like we usually do (and I think we did that every day this week, so I won't mention it for the rest of the week), and we also visited Feliz and Fidel Cabrera. Feliz is a member in one of the Spanish wards here, and Fidel is her husband who is not currently a member, so we talked with him for a while.
On Wednesday, in addition to the usual we did our service at the care home. On Thursday we planned, and on Friday we had our district meeting.
On Saturday, we went to a ward member's funeral, and then we had a lesson with Rosie. She feels good about June 1st as her baptismal date, and is still progressing very well.
On Sunday we had church, and since it was Mother's Day we got to call home! And then today, a member in Palos Verdes who has a very large house with an indoor bowling alley and so forth invited our zone over for our preparation day activity.
Elder Samuel Stephens
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Update
Family,
Jed, Calley, and Harvey were here this weekend and installed new counter tops for us. Jed also hooked up the plumbing and did most of the work since I'm not supposed to do any lifting or anything else that puts a strain on my back. He did a beautiful job and we really appreciate his effort on our behalf. Harvey is really getting to be a goer. He crawls everywhere as fast as he can go and doesn't fuss very often . We pray that the adoption will be completed quickly.
I've now completed two weeks of my Spinal Decompression treatments and am feeling much better. A week ago I also had to have a small lesion removed from the left side of my tongue. That was far more painful than my back problem. It is also feeling much better but still hurts when I eat.
Due to the cost of everything we will probably spend this summer close to home and plan on seeing everyone next year at the reunion.
Love Dad
Jed, Calley, and Harvey were here this weekend and installed new counter tops for us. Jed also hooked up the plumbing and did most of the work since I'm not supposed to do any lifting or anything else that puts a strain on my back. He did a beautiful job and we really appreciate his effort on our behalf. Harvey is really getting to be a goer. He crawls everywhere as fast as he can go and doesn't fuss very often . We pray that the adoption will be completed quickly.
I've now completed two weeks of my Spinal Decompression treatments and am feeling much better. A week ago I also had to have a small lesion removed from the left side of my tongue. That was far more painful than my back problem. It is also feeling much better but still hurts when I eat.
Due to the cost of everything we will probably spend this summer close to home and plan on seeing everyone next year at the reunion.
Love Dad
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Almost graduation time
We are trying to get ready for Creed's graduations. He has one for seminary (May 18), one for the veterinary program at Mountainland Applied Technology College (May 22) and one for Lone Peak High School (May 30). This past weekend was the prom. Creed wouldn't let us take a picture of him with his date. He did allow us to take one with him and his Mom's car.
It is going to be a busy month.
Jake is trying to get ready to run an ultra marathon this summer. It is 64 miles long and is on mountain trails above Provo and Springville. He was able to coax Creed out to run with him recently. Creed stopped after about 10 miles.
There is still no final resolution with Jed, Cally and Harvey. It just keeps bouncing back and forth between attorneys.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Samuel's Mission E-mail May 5, 2008
Everyone:
It's May! Who did that? Where did April go? Anyways, this will be a bit shorter of an e-mail due to the temple day last week.
Thursday last week, we had our normal weekly planning, we tracted, and we visited a less-active named Cynthia. She actually seems interested--she just recently stopped smoking and such, and she said she'd like to come back to church. We also visited Alma.
On Friday, we had our standard district meeting, and then we helped one of the familes in the ward move out. We also did some street contacting.
On Saturday, we tracted, worked on contacting some less-actives and referrals, and we also had a lesson with Rosie. She's praying about being baptized the 1st of June! We also contacted a referral named Feliz Cabrera who turned out to be a member who actually wanted us to talk with her non-member husband, but he was asleep when we visited, so we re-scheduled. In the evening we took Elder Otis and Elder Roark (some bike Elders we often give rides to) to a baptism in Elder Otis's old area.
On Sunday, we went to church, tracted, and in the evening we went to a fireside done by the mission president. Rosie was there, and it was a good fireside.
Today, we had a little Cinco de Mayo barbecue.
Well, next Sunday is one of every missionary's favorite days, and then after that is transfers. Sometimes I wonder if the reason God says that all is as one day to him is because he's so busy time just flies by for Him. I know there's more to it than that, but still...
Elder Samuel Stephens
It's May! Who did that? Where did April go? Anyways, this will be a bit shorter of an e-mail due to the temple day last week.
Thursday last week, we had our normal weekly planning, we tracted, and we visited a less-active named Cynthia. She actually seems interested--she just recently stopped smoking and such, and she said she'd like to come back to church. We also visited Alma.
On Friday, we had our standard district meeting, and then we helped one of the familes in the ward move out. We also did some street contacting.
On Saturday, we tracted, worked on contacting some less-actives and referrals, and we also had a lesson with Rosie. She's praying about being baptized the 1st of June! We also contacted a referral named Feliz Cabrera who turned out to be a member who actually wanted us to talk with her non-member husband, but he was asleep when we visited, so we re-scheduled. In the evening we took Elder Otis and Elder Roark (some bike Elders we often give rides to) to a baptism in Elder Otis's old area.
On Sunday, we went to church, tracted, and in the evening we went to a fireside done by the mission president. Rosie was there, and it was a good fireside.
Today, we had a little Cinco de Mayo barbecue.
Well, next Sunday is one of every missionary's favorite days, and then after that is transfers. Sometimes I wonder if the reason God says that all is as one day to him is because he's so busy time just flies by for Him. I know there's more to it than that, but still...
Elder Samuel Stephens
Samuel's Mission E-mail April 30, 2008
Everyone:
Wow... where did April go? Anyways, as you've probably guessed, today was our temple day. But I'll get to that in a second. Starting back on Tuesday:
On Tuesday, we had interviews con el Presidente, we tracted, and we worked on contacting some less-actives. On Wednesday, I was on splits in my area with Elder Thurston. We tracted a lot, and also worked on contacting less actives (notice a pattern?)
On Thursday, we had weekly planning, and then... that's right, we tracted and tried to contact less-actives. On Friday we had our district meeting, and--I 'm just going to copy and paste here--we tracted and tried to contact less-actives.
On Saturday, we did some service in the morning with the ward (we cleaned up some garbage along the sides of a busy intersection), and Rosie was there, and then in the afternoon we taught Rosie the Plan of Salvation! It went really well--she's progressing very well.
On Sunday we had church, and we tracted and tried to contact less-actives. Sunday was a very hot day, so we did more of the latter (which involves being in the air-conditioned car) than of the former. The weather has been kind of odd here recently--some days it will be almost 100 and some days it will be 70. Today is one of the 70 days.
On Monday, we had a normal workday, but Elder Chadwick had a doctor appointment, so we spent a lot of the day on that. In the evening, we had dinner with the Medinas, who are the family by whom Rosie came into contact with the Church, and they had invited her over for the dinner, too, so that was good.
Yesterday, we... we tracted and tried to contact less-actives!! And today, we went up to the temple. We were late because we failed to account for traffic (it took two hours to go about 25 miles), so we did initiatories this time. We also washed and waxed our car.
Well, everyone, keep an eye out for people around you. You never know when the Lord might give you an opprotunity to serve or share the Gospel--or at least your example.
Elder Samuel Stephens
Wow... where did April go? Anyways, as you've probably guessed, today was our temple day. But I'll get to that in a second. Starting back on Tuesday:
On Tuesday, we had interviews con el Presidente, we tracted, and we worked on contacting some less-actives. On Wednesday, I was on splits in my area with Elder Thurston. We tracted a lot, and also worked on contacting less actives (notice a pattern?)
On Thursday, we had weekly planning, and then... that's right, we tracted and tried to contact less-actives. On Friday we had our district meeting, and--I 'm just going to copy and paste here--we tracted and tried to contact less-actives.
On Saturday, we did some service in the morning with the ward (we cleaned up some garbage along the sides of a busy intersection), and Rosie was there, and then in the afternoon we taught Rosie the Plan of Salvation! It went really well--she's progressing very well.
On Sunday we had church, and we tracted and tried to contact less-actives. Sunday was a very hot day, so we did more of the latter (which involves being in the air-conditioned car) than of the former. The weather has been kind of odd here recently--some days it will be almost 100 and some days it will be 70. Today is one of the 70 days.
On Monday, we had a normal workday, but Elder Chadwick had a doctor appointment, so we spent a lot of the day on that. In the evening, we had dinner with the Medinas, who are the family by whom Rosie came into contact with the Church, and they had invited her over for the dinner, too, so that was good.
Yesterday, we... we tracted and tried to contact less-actives!! And today, we went up to the temple. We were late because we failed to account for traffic (it took two hours to go about 25 miles), so we did initiatories this time. We also washed and waxed our car.
Well, everyone, keep an eye out for people around you. You never know when the Lord might give you an opprotunity to serve or share the Gospel--or at least your example.
Elder Samuel Stephens
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