I Need To Write These More...

Hello everyone,

This is the very end of my transfer after I sent my last email. Here's everything that's happened in the last two months!

My companion this transfer has been Elder Benson. He's from Rexburg, Idaho and he loves BYU sports and running. He came out just a transfer, 6 weeks, before me so not too much experience is between us. He also eats waffles or pancakes every single morning, which baffles me honestly. I'd get so tired of them so fast if I did that! He's really committed to the work though. He wants to do everything that he can to righteously serve the Lord and help people progress towards baptism.

We've been working super hard this transfer and now since my arrival into Stevenson, we have triple the amount of people we're actively teaching and 54 potential people to teach. It's so nice finally being able to stay in an area long enough to see your hard work pay off. And speaking of that, I just found out that I'll be here for the next transfer too! My new companion will be Elder Wheeler, who is one of my favorite missionaries in the mission. Both of us are excited to be companions, and I can't wait to serve with him.

I still haven't been able to keep a companion too long. I've had 8 and soon to be 9 different companions so far during the 5 going on 6 transfers of my mission, which is crazy. I told my mission president that I must be a problem child to him or something haha! I love being able to meet so many different missionaries, though. I get to learn so many unique things from every single one of them while also finding certain missionaries that I get along quite well with, like my future comp Elder Wheeler.

This last transfer has grown my testimony a lot. I've really learned to develop habits and grow on my own with the help of Jesus Christ. I've really gotten into a system of making small improvements each and every day to progress baby step by baby step closer to my Heavenly Father. I know that I'll never be perfect, but I try every day. And I know that God sees that, and that he helps me to grow even more because of that so that I can serve his children in Stevenson and beyond.

Speaking of Stevenson, I have really grown to love the members of the ward here. I really tried to push a message of being openly loving to all to help the spirit be more present everywhere, which is what truly teaches and guides us all. I really felt like it all came together during our last fast and testimony meeting. Everyone was talking about love in their testimonies and even in the lessons during the next hour of church that we had. We also had a lady, Sister Comstock who gave us a shout out for swinging by and just talking with her. We didn't even realize it but she was struggling and we were able to comfort and help her, just be talking about being an example and knowing that we're doing our best in God's eyes. It's so cool seeing how quickly God can change hearts.

That leads me to my spiritual thought too. I have been focusing on reading my Patriarchal Blessing lately. It talks a lot about our potential in God's eyes. Through it, I have been able to understand my purpose even more and have seen God's love for me more as well. God has a unique plan and role for every single one of us. We will never become Jesus Christ someday, but rather our own unique versions of Him, filled with our already-present quirks and talents. God wants us to see that. Through understanding His view of us, we can better fulfill our eternal potential that goes beyond this life. I would like to challenge all of you to keep growing yourselves to be able to help others and grow closer to God. That's what truly matters.

I hope that you have been doing wonderfully back home. I miss the warmth and can't wait to feel more than 63 degrees of warmth and no rain someday. The weather has been insane here. We get 82 inches of rain a year, and most of that has poured while I've been here apparently. I'm loving it, though, and I love every single one of you. Never forget that God loves you too, more than anyone else. Take care, everyone, and never forget who you are in God's eyes.

With care,

Elder Stephen Timothy

Pictures:

Waterfall

Sunset

License Plate

Elk in Front of Our Apartment

Bridge of the Gods (There's Only One God Though)

Me and Elder Benson Arriving in Stevenson

Scenic View

Golden Hour Companionship Selfie (GHCS)