I am finally trying to write for the blog again! We have so many blessings and things happening on a day to day basis I think I become overwhelmed when I think about putting those down on paper. Here goes a try!
We are down to our last group of ROTC cadets this Sunday. What a blessing it has been to get to know these great young men and women! About six weeks ago we had a very large group of cadets for our Saturday sacrament. 25 from BYU, 2 from USU and about 8 others from various Universities in the US. As we sang the opening song and had the prayer, I heard all 35 men and women start to sniffle. By the end of the prayer there wasn't a dry eye in the place. The spirit was so strong and none of us could deny it's presences. I had to pass around a roll of paper towels for us to be able to continue the service. All of them were so relieved to find a moment of peace in their stressful environment. They were so grateful for the opportunity to partake of the sacrament. The second time we see the cadets , we are at Camp Shelby in Mississippi. We have a chance to hear their testimonies there. Rest assured the church and the US Air Force will be in good hands. Just a wonderful group of saints! By the time we say good bye to them there we have grown to love them and it is very hard to say goodbye ! It is like saying goodbye to our kids!!! We take pictures of the group at Camp Shelby, then we send it to their wives, girlfriends, moms, dads. We have received some very nice emails back. They are thrilled to see their cadet alive and well. We have had quite a few visitors come. We have passed out many Books of Mormon. Usually the visitors come with a buddy from their flight. They leave with many buddies and many testimonies to remember their Sacrament meetings with the LDS. We do not get to see the end results but I know they feel the spirit!
We also have the privilege and opportunity to work with the local ward here in Montgomery. We have a few good experiences to share with you ;
A couple of weeks ago the Elders had a baptism. We were asked to pick up one of the family members because she was going to speak. Her brother was being baptized. She was a little self conscious about the shorts and shirt she had on, we told her not to worry, As she went to the front of the room to talk we noticed she had on a very unusual ankle bracelet! Black, with an electronic device attached! Apparently she is on parole and was being tracked with the bracelet.
She gave a very nice thought for her brother and told him she was proud of him for making this good choice to do right. I have to admit I was a little nervous about what she might say. In the car she wanted to know what I thought about blood sacrifice and what I knew about masons and other people that worship Satan! I told her the truth! I know nothing! She had seen all this on some TV show!
We had a baptism scheduled about three weeks ago. Three really cute kids, two 9 yr olds (Twins) and their 10 yr old sister. We had talked to them at great length about the word of wisdom. They weren't sure why they should give up tea.
In the baptism interview the brother told the Elders the 10 yr old sister was not following the word of wisdom. They talked to her and this is what she told them: She was so afraid she would not be able to wake up for church on Sunday. (She had a problem with not waking up the week before) she had stayed awake in her bed all night. She was so tired when it was time to get ready for church she had gone in the kitchen and fixed herself a cup of coffee and drank it to stay awake!
The Elders(Zone Leaders) told her they would like to see her following the word of wisdom for two weeks before she was baptized. So we went back these last two weeks and did a little remedial teaching. They will be baptized this Sat. the 14 of Aug.
They are such good cute kids. Their mom is a member. We are also trying to teach the new stepdad. It would be wonderful to see this family all members and heading for the temple. I believe in miracles and know it can happen!
We have been so blessed. Some of you may have heard that Rich had shingles a couple of weeks ago. When we found out what his problem was we were a little worried. The doctors said not much you can do and it usually last for several weeks! He had the pain and spots appear over the weekend, on Monday we talked with doctor and he saw him on Tuesday. By Wednesday morning Rich's whole left side if his face was swollen and red and hurt. Thursday morning we had the Elders come give him a blessing. Thursday night and Friday both of his eyes were swollen almost shut. By Saturday, the swelling was gone and we were able to drive the 5 hours to Mississippi. He still looked a little rough and felt
A little out of sorts but we were able to do our work there. It really was a miracle how fast he recovered. The Lord really blessed us.
One more quick story: We attend a bible study once a week with several black sisters in the other ward here in Montgomery. We love it. The other day we held it at a different Sisters house. We arrived and went in. One of the sisters who has knee problems was not there yet. Rich went on the front porch to wait for her and to help her in. I am in the house with two or three other sisters. The phone rings; "Lucy are you alright over there?" "There is a white man hanging around on your front porch I just wanted to make sure you were okay!!!!" Lucy assured her it was okay. We were at her house for bible study. We all cracked up. I guess this woman thought he was a criminal in a white shirt and slacks.
Well I will close. We love you all and appreciate all of you and what you have done to help us come on this mission. We love you and the Gospel is true!
Elder and Sister Stewart (aka the white man and his wife)
