Christmas

9 Days!! Preston comes home on January 4. He starts school at UVU on January 8^th. But he will be coming home for his Homecoming on January 14^th. He will speak in SS2@ 9AM and SS5 @ 11AM we will have an open house for him at our home from 6-9. 6386 White St (on the 14^th)

Hello Everyone!

This week was great it was Christmas! On Christmas we were invited to go visit my bishop and our second counselor it was really awesome we ate and had a great time together! On Christmas Eve I got to talk to my family it was awesome ha-ha! I know that the lord loves his children and he has a plan for each one of us! This Christmas season is such a wonderful time of year and I am so very grateful for the birth of our savior Jesus Christ. I hope you were able to light up the world! I love you all!

Love,

Elder Stephens

Republic of Congo, Brazzaville Mission / Zone de Brazzaville

Preston.stephens@myldsmail.net

Moving Along

Group Letter,

Hello Everyone,

This week my world has been turned upside down, literally one night my comp walked up to the wall and did a handstand against the wall. So naturally I asked him to teach me. So now anytime we walk up to the wall we have to do a handstand.

Spiritually things are moving along. We’ve been working really hard with our less- actives and we’ve gotten two to come back. It’s just awesome to see that. We are preparing lots of people to be baptized. Some of them just before I leave and others after I leave. The least I can say is the work is moving forward here. I’m so excited to talk to my family for Christmas. I love you all. Have a wonderful week,

Elder Preston Stephens

Preston.stephens@myldsmail.net

The Lords Hand

23 Days!! Preston comes home on January 4. He starts school on January 8^th. But he will be coming home for his Homecoming on January 14^th. He will speak in SS2@ 9AM and SS5 @ 11AM we will have an open house for him at our home from 6-9. 6386 White St (on the 14^th)

Group Letter,

This week has been another eventful week. My companion and I were able to see the hand of the Lord when we prayed and asked what we needed to do. We felt we needed to go and see the Bishop. We did and as we were walking there we saw a girl fall so we helped her pick up her things. Right after we helped her, we learned Bishop had just left and we realized that the Lord didn’t want us to talk to the Bishop but he wanted us to help the girl who fell. I know that our Heavenly Father loves us and that he can put people in our way to help us look for those little miracles and I know you will find them.

Love you all,

Elder Preston Stephens

Preston.stephens@myldsmail.net

Christmas

Group Letter,

Hello Everyone! This week was great I got my new companion finally. Elder Constant. He’s from Guadeloupe. (So he’s really French) I actually lived with him for 6 weeks in Bonaberi. I hope everyone is following the “Light the World” calendar. 25 ways in 25 days. I have been spending a portion of my personal scripture study studying the scriptures mentioned day by day. I love Christmas because we put extra emphasis on Jesus Christ. Granted it’s what we should do every year, nevertheless I love Christmas. It’s songs, stories, and often it brings families together. At this time of the year it can be difficult as a missionary but I know that this is exactly where the Lord needs me at exactly this time and it’s the Lords plan that I need to follow not mine. I love you all so much and hope you have a great week. Love,

Elder Preston Stephens

Preston.stephens@myldsmail.net

Thanksgiving

Group Letter,

Well today (Thursday) is Thanksgiving so we have planned to cook a big turkey wing and drink sparkling grape juice but I wanted to sit down and express my thanks. I am thankful for many things. I don’t think even if I wanted to I could name them all. I am so very grateful for my family and for my mission call. There are so many things I have learned to appreciate. I am so very grateful for the Atoning Sacrifice of my Savior Jesus Christ. Also for the opportunity I have to repent and change and fix my mistakes and short comings. I am so very grateful for the power of forgiveness and to be able to forgive and to be able to be forgiven. What an opportunity we have to feel part of what the Lord must feel as we forgive one another we can feel the love that he has for us when we follow and do what he asks. I am grateful for the missionaries whom I am with now. I love them as if they were my own brothers. I am grateful for my knowledge of the gospel even though I don’t know all of it I know enough to keep myself on the path. I am grateful for the Book of Mormon, its principles, and its messages that are specifically for me. I am grateful for how it has changed my life and I am grateful to have seen how it has changed the lives of so many others. I am grateful for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I am so very grateful for the priesthood, the power and authority of God. I hope you all had a great week and remember what you have to be grateful for.

Elder Stephens

Grateful

Group Letter,

This week was just jam packed. It all started off with a heartwarming tear filled testimony by one of our members. It almost brought us three to tears. Next we got lost in the forest but we were able to take some sweet pics so it all was good. Then we went to a wedding and it was a highlight of my mission. Today we played soccer and got a broken bus. The transmission broke when we were about to go play soccer. That was my week.

I’ll leave you with 5 things I am Grateful for:

Electricity

Air conditioning

Book of Mormon

Clean Water

My Family

*Also good internet connections. Here in the Congo it’s on and off all the time. So emailing is tough.

I love you all and appreciate your support. Happy Thanksgiving,

Elder Preston Stephens

Preston.stephens@myldsmail.net

Reflection

Hello Everyone!

This week was good I went on splits with an Elder. It was very interesting and I was able to see how far I’ve come in understanding and my ability to teach the gospel in French. This week I have been trying to reflect on how I have changed. I am different now. I have changed my views on things. I wouldn’t say that I have learned patience, the last time I did that the Lord put me in my place but I am more patient and have learned to be proactive, to roll with the punches better. I know that there is a plan and it’s not my plan but it’s the Lords plan and I’m ok with his plan. He has me and all of his children in mind when he created his plan. I want to thank everyone for their support. I really appreciate it so much.

Love you guys,

Elder Preston Stephens

Preston.stephens@myldsmail.net