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

Super Sunday

Hello Everyone,

Preston is in a tri companionship. The companion he was supposed to be with went home. So the two he is with cover one ward and he is over another one so it is a bit challenging to juggle at the time. He is determined to succeed! (Hopefully that helps you to understand his letter).

Super Sunday, last week they split the branch of Talangai. So that meant this week they had double church. The first one starting at 8AM. I have to wait for someone in my ward comes and gets me before I can go to my ward at 9AM so we can get to church and since there was a baptism last Sunday they were confirmed this Sunday and well I was asked to confirm one of the people it was really awesome. Then my member came and I went to my ward where I was then asked to bless the sacrament also. It was just a loaded Sunday. The rest of the week was pretty normal trying to adjust and getting a routine down with my members so that I can work in my sector. It’s pretty crazy but I know the Lord can and will help me to accomplish this task that he has asked me to do!

Love Elder Stephens

Preston.stephens@myldsmail.net

Back in the Congo

Hello Everyone,

This week was really exciting as I am now back in Brazzaville (Congo). My new companions are Elder Fambi and Elder Zobell. Yep I am in a Trio! Zobell is from Utah and Fambi is from Benin (Africa)! So all is well here. This time traveling was very different because I understood all of what people were saying. The flight attendant said she knew where our church was located in Bewanda. That was cool to talk with her.

In other news we have a baptism on the 29^th. So I am excited for that. All is well here in the Congo! I love you all,

Elder Stephens

Preston.stephens@myldsmail.net

Last week and this week

10/9/17

Hello!

This week has been an unforgettable week…. We went to see one of our recent converts who we hadn’t seen in awhile. Well his father then decided he didn’t want us helping his son and he told us we had to leave. It was really sad but there is a reason for everything. Secondly on a lighter note on Friday we got to work with Elder Mawcilla and we left the apartment go into a taxi when the unthinkable happens. My pants ripped!!! On the seam! I always thought people just joked about those things. It’s real It really happens!

This week we were able to watch conference. It was awesome. I loved Elder nelsons talk about our study of the Book of Mormon. I also liked Elder Uchdorf’s talk about light “Night is just a shadow” and Rasbands talk on coincidences. I know that our lives are really orchestrated and we need to move on looking for and taking advantage of the many blessings presented to us. I love you all so much!

Elder Preston Stephens

Preston.stephens@myldsmail.net

10/16/17

Hello Everyone,

This week was transfers or mutations as we call it. And Guess What? I am going back to Brazzaville! I will be going to the Stake of Brazzaville. Other than that news not much has changed. A couple of weeks ago we received a contract from the couple missionaries and well she’s not ready but she did give us a new investigator who is awesome. Sometimes contacts come from different placesJ Elder and Sister Call are finished. They have gone home, however we have the Greer’s now so it’s not so bad! We can handle it. We need more couple missionaries!!!! They are loved and greatly appreciated! I love you all and I hope each and every one of you has a wonderful week.

Elder Preston Stephens

Preston.stephens@myldsmail.net

Testimonies and Gratitude

Hello!

In the States you had Conference yesterday but here we had fast and testimony meeting. A lot of the testimonies were on gratitude. Gratitude is something I know I take for granted. Also appreciation, like we seem to only appreciate things when we don’t have them. I find it such a sad truth but when we realize the value of something from the start and use and appreciate that person or that thing we can go so much further than if we had not had them. I know this to be true.

It feels like I haven’t born my testimony for awhile. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer. I know that he loves us each and every one of us individually. I know that this is his church. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. I know that by reading it and by living the principals contained in it we can live with our Heavenly Father again and find peace and joy in this life. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

Love you all,

Elder Preston Stephens

Preston.stephens@myldsmail.net

Look for Service

Group email,

This week was something else. Haha It was full of service. On Wednesday we cleaned up someone’s yard to prepare for a funeral that took place on Friday & Saturday. Friday morning we went back again to help set up chairs. It was great because we were able to serve a lot of non-members. Elder and Sister Call came back from Yaoundé. This week I learned a lot about the importance of looking. If I don’t look for something I can never find it. I know service is important and I love it! I also love you all. Have a great week,

Elder Stephens

Preston.stephens@myldsmail.net

The bucket

Hello Everyone!

There once was a man who had two buckets for carrying water. One of the buckets was very solid and no water would ever leak out. The other would lose half of the water by the time the man arrived home. The bucket one day asked the man why he continued to use him because he lost his water. The man then told him to look at his side of the trail and how there were many flowers blooming but not on the other side. Despite the buckets faults he was able to do good. And we can too! No one is perfect but there is good inside each of us. This week I invite you to look for the good inside of yourselves and in others. I know you can find it!

Love Elder Stephens

Sister Missionary

Hi guys,

This week we had a zone conference. It was really good. Elder and Sister Call taught us and it was just awesome. We finished the conference and had lunch then a Sister missionary shows up….(we don’t have any Sister missionaries in Cameroon)….She came to be released from her mission in Benin, Togo, That’s all normal right?... We all rush to greet her. My companion is in the bathroom. When he comes out and she sees him she kind of loudly says “I know you!” and points at him. Not knowing anything he turns pale. She then says a minute later she says “From the MTC”.  Without hesitation my companion points to me and says “he was there too!” Then she looks at me and says” yes, I know him too.” My comp and I are using 200% capacity to remember this Sister. Well she was released and had her camera and was able to show us pictures of us with her, my comp was finally able to remember her. So that was definitely the funniest part of the week. I hope you all have a fabulous week!

Love, Elder Stephens

Preston.stephens@myldsmail.net

Transfers

Hello Everyone!

This week was transfers and not a whole lot happened here isn Doula. One Elder went home and another to Pointe Noir. We are getting a new Elder this week. We also will be getting a visit from President Hamilton of the South Africa area president on Friday. Not much has happened. We taught a lot about family history this week and were even able to send two names to the temple. I was able to see the spirit remind a sister.  She only had the last name but later on she was able to remember. It was such a cool experience.

I love you guys. Have a wonderful week,

Elder Preston Stephens

Preston.stephens@myldsmail.net

Diligent Focused Effort

Diligence, Focus, & Effort

These are the keys for success. We can combine them to “Diligent focused effort” So how do we use this in our lives? Well I’ll give you an example and then you can write me how you applied this in your life if you so chose to. Let’s take the scriptures.

·         When I study the scriptures am I diligent?

·         Do I focus on what I am reading?

·         Do I focus on the details or just read the story unaware of the minor characters?

·         Am I giving my best effort?

·         Am I finding what the Lord wanted me to learn from the story this time?

I love you all and hope you have a wonderful week.

Elder Preston Stephens

Preston.stephens@myldsmail.net

Lots of visitors

Hello Everyone,

This week was really good. On Friday I was able to work in the village branch with Elder Odimba. He is from RDC. We’ve been together since Brazzaville but it was the first time we were able to work together. Sunday was awesome. We had a lot of investigators at church. We even had Elder and Sister Call too! Plus someone from South Africa and RDC it was really awesome. The rest of Sunday went really well also. This week I hit 1 year in Cameroon. Pretty crazy! I love you all have a great week.

Elder Stephens

Preston.stephens@myldsmail.net

http://elderstephenscongo.blogspot.com/

Our new mission President and his wife have a page for our mission. You can see what’s going on here:

https://congobrazzavillemission.wordpress.com/

Baptism

Hello Everyone!

This week was really packed with a zone conference, companion exchanges, missionary activities, and we had a little girl in our branch get baptized by her dad! What a crazy week it has been. I think the highlight was the baptism. It was small, it consisted of 12 people with my comp and I. We gave talks, we were the witnesses and we also assisted in her receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost. It was a wonderful service. Today we played basketball with Elder Call and the zone. It was a super sweet activity! We played for like an hour and a half it was really cool. Well that sums up my week. Love you guys have a wonderful week,

Elder Stephens

preston.stephens@myldsmail.net

Chicken

Hello Everyone,

This week was very cool. On Wednesday my companion and I started to work out at the gym next to our apartment. Wow it’s been a long time since I had a good workout! On Saturday we had a baptism for the New Bell Branch and then we had a leadership meeting. I spent most of that doing my best to translate the meeting into English for Elder Call but one time Elder Call asked me to translate what he said and well I started then half way through I switched into English and everyone started laughing. It was pretty funny but life goes on! On Sunday we had church and I gave a lesson on Missionary work. It went really well. I hope you had a great week. I appreciate all the Birthday wishes.

Love, Elder Stephens

Preston.stephens@myldsmail.net

Pictures:

·         So we go to this place that has chickens. We pick out which one we want and they kill it, de feather it, and then cut it up, & stick it in a bag and give it to us for $5. This was the head.

·         My Moms B Day present

Budgeting

Hello Everyone,

Thanks to those who sent Birthday emails! This week was good. We got the new Liahona for September2017. We are still waiting for June & August but we have September! Elder Holland gave a talk titles The Gospel Plan to Happiness. It was so awesome. I encourage everyone to be on the lookout for it. This week was full of excitement with transfers and Elders leaving for Brazzaville, we have a new Elder who just got here from the MTC. Other than that we had a self reliance class that we talked about how to make a budget and smart purchases that can help us progress and make money and not cost more money. It was very helpful. I learned a lot and it has given me a greater desire to come back and go to school. I know budgeting is a life skill that can help all of us. I also know the Book of Mormon is true and that Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer.

Love you all,

Elder Preston Stephens

Preston.stephens@myldsmail.net