Sorry, I haven't been as up-to-date on Elder Stephen Ferris' blog. Time has just run away with me but I will be updating all his info and possibly adding a few pictures here and there.
Now onto some info on him.
He's doing great and is loving his area. He is getting along with his companion that he is also training. He loves the people and the work.
I'll try ti be more diligent in the future. Thanks for supporting him.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Monday, April 5, 2010
Hey Everyone!
I'm sorry I haven't been all that diligent in the up keep of Elder Stephen Ferris's blog. Here are some exerts from his recent letters.
3-1-10
"Elder Sitati of the Seventy is coming to our mission this week. He will be touring the mission and meeting with us. I'm pretty excited. We will have a Zone Conference with him on Friday.
We had three baptisms yesterday. Lupe Iata, Mufale Oloapu, and Derrick Nordvick. Lupe and Mufale are Samoans, so I got to wear my Samoan nametag again for that. Lupe was a complete miracle. He is the one where we went over to a dinner appointment with the Samoan family (Lupe is their neighbor) and we were just planning on putting Mufale on date, but he said that he was ready for baptism, so we came out with two. It was an amazing miracle, especially since we had been working with him for a long time and had basically dropped him since he wasn't progressing. It was a huge miracle, and it all came because of the member who kept working with him, and also the Lord."
3-8-10
"This week Elder Sitati of the 70 came to the mission and talked to us. He gave some really powerful things. One of the key things he taught was about Eternal Laws. He used the example of gravity and it being an eternal law. He also said that some poeple try to do things, in the case of gravity - build 0 gravity machines where gravity still exists outside of the machine, but people trick themselves into thinking that that law isn't there, but when they step out of the machine, it is still there. God's Eternal Laws are always there. Just with the law of gravity, when we work against it, such as climbing a staircase, by the 4th flight of stairs we are panting and maybe even sweating a little because we are working against the law, but when we go down the stairs and realign ourselves with the law, it is easy. Same way with eternal laws. When we align ourselves with God's Eternal Laws, things are easier, we get the Spirit, and so on. That is why exact obedience in life is essential. One of Satan's biggest tools is to make you think that giving 90% is enough, because even that 10% is 10% away from God that you are. It was really powerful and has made me think a lot and work towards refining myself with obedience and as a missionary a lot. It was a really good experience and powerful to hear the testimony of someone who is that close to the spirit and has an extra special witness of Jesus Christ and this Church. I love you and hope you have a great week!"
3-22-10
"A cool story that happened just yesterday with a young couple in the ward. Here we give church tours to investigators, but with that, we also give member tours to the members so they can see what we teach, how we teach, and so they can also get to know us and we can get to know them. This younger couple, the Phillips, both served in Germany on missions and have been back for 5 or so years. They have such a strong and powerful testimony. The Spirit was really strong as we got to know them and bore testimony to each other.
In the room with the baptismal font, we had asked Brother Phillips to bear his testimony. He began talking about how Elder Perry came to the mission and the member of the 70 that was with him told them a story. As they were coming over on the train, a man started yelling at Elder Perry telling him how worthless the Church is and a bunch of inappropriate things so the member of the 70 stood up and started telling him the truth. Elder Perry told him that it was alright and just to ignore him. The 70 then said that he wasn't going to allow someone do that to an Apostle of the Living Christ. He then bore testimony to the man saying that he had no idea what he was doing and the opportunity that he was missing having a Special Witness of Christ, an Apostle of the Lord, in his presence.
At that time, the Spirit came over all of us in that room, the Phillips and us, the missionaries, and confirmed to us the power and the authority of the Apostles. I then said, "Well, I think we all just recieved a witness of the truthfulness of those men and this Church." I do know this Church is true. By aligning ourselves to Heavenly Father, we can and will find true happiness. Just as Christ said, "I only do that which is pleasing unto the father" or "I came into the world, not to do my will, but to do the will of my father." That should be our goal. That is why we are here, to become like that, submissive to the will of the Lord and as we do so, he will grant/bless us with Christlike attributes. The more obedient we are to His will, the more He trusts us and blesses us.
I do know that this Church is true. I'm so blessed to be here. I testify that this is His work. But most importantly, I testify of the Atoning power of the Savior. With Easter coming up, as a mission we are studying the Atonement. We have a bunch of talks and scriptures about it. It is so amazing. I don't even know that much really, but I do know that Christ suffered so much, so selflessly, for us. I love Him and am so grateful for that. I love you and hope you have a wonderful week!!"
3-29-10
"
I had the wonderful opportunity to do my first Ordination to the Priesthood, yesterday. Tim Austen, one of my recent converts, to the office of a Priest in the Aaronic Priesthood. It was really neat. I was honestly a little bit nervous since I hadn't ever done it before. He said that when he was talking with the bishop about it, that he and his wife Lani, instantly knew that they wanted me to do it, he said that there was no doubt. I had a minute to talk with him privately and he said something that is a first for me, at least that I can remember. He said that there were many times as he and Lani were deciding to get baptized or not, that when I was talking, he said, "It was so powerful, I just knew what you were saying was true. I can honestly say that it is because of you that I was baptized." That is so powerful. Its those moments that you live for, to know that you have truly been an instrument in the Lord's hands. I know it wasn't me. To have someone know it is true because of the words you're saying, is only through the power of the Holy Ghost. I'm so grateful and blessed to be a missionary. I love you all so much."
Love,
Elder Stephen Ferris
3-1-10
"Elder Sitati of the Seventy is coming to our mission this week. He will be touring the mission and meeting with us. I'm pretty excited. We will have a Zone Conference with him on Friday.
We had three baptisms yesterday. Lupe Iata, Mufale Oloapu, and Derrick Nordvick. Lupe and Mufale are Samoans, so I got to wear my Samoan nametag again for that. Lupe was a complete miracle. He is the one where we went over to a dinner appointment with the Samoan family (Lupe is their neighbor) and we were just planning on putting Mufale on date, but he said that he was ready for baptism, so we came out with two. It was an amazing miracle, especially since we had been working with him for a long time and had basically dropped him since he wasn't progressing. It was a huge miracle, and it all came because of the member who kept working with him, and also the Lord."
3-8-10
"This week Elder Sitati of the 70 came to the mission and talked to us. He gave some really powerful things. One of the key things he taught was about Eternal Laws. He used the example of gravity and it being an eternal law. He also said that some poeple try to do things, in the case of gravity - build 0 gravity machines where gravity still exists outside of the machine, but people trick themselves into thinking that that law isn't there, but when they step out of the machine, it is still there. God's Eternal Laws are always there. Just with the law of gravity, when we work against it, such as climbing a staircase, by the 4th flight of stairs we are panting and maybe even sweating a little because we are working against the law, but when we go down the stairs and realign ourselves with the law, it is easy. Same way with eternal laws. When we align ourselves with God's Eternal Laws, things are easier, we get the Spirit, and so on. That is why exact obedience in life is essential. One of Satan's biggest tools is to make you think that giving 90% is enough, because even that 10% is 10% away from God that you are. It was really powerful and has made me think a lot and work towards refining myself with obedience and as a missionary a lot. It was a really good experience and powerful to hear the testimony of someone who is that close to the spirit and has an extra special witness of Jesus Christ and this Church. I love you and hope you have a great week!"
3-22-10
"A cool story that happened just yesterday with a young couple in the ward. Here we give church tours to investigators, but with that, we also give member tours to the members so they can see what we teach, how we teach, and so they can also get to know us and we can get to know them. This younger couple, the Phillips, both served in Germany on missions and have been back for 5 or so years. They have such a strong and powerful testimony. The Spirit was really strong as we got to know them and bore testimony to each other.
In the room with the baptismal font, we had asked Brother Phillips to bear his testimony. He began talking about how Elder Perry came to the mission and the member of the 70 that was with him told them a story. As they were coming over on the train, a man started yelling at Elder Perry telling him how worthless the Church is and a bunch of inappropriate things so the member of the 70 stood up and started telling him the truth. Elder Perry told him that it was alright and just to ignore him. The 70 then said that he wasn't going to allow someone do that to an Apostle of the Living Christ. He then bore testimony to the man saying that he had no idea what he was doing and the opportunity that he was missing having a Special Witness of Christ, an Apostle of the Lord, in his presence.
At that time, the Spirit came over all of us in that room, the Phillips and us, the missionaries, and confirmed to us the power and the authority of the Apostles. I then said, "Well, I think we all just recieved a witness of the truthfulness of those men and this Church." I do know this Church is true. By aligning ourselves to Heavenly Father, we can and will find true happiness. Just as Christ said, "I only do that which is pleasing unto the father" or "I came into the world, not to do my will, but to do the will of my father." That should be our goal. That is why we are here, to become like that, submissive to the will of the Lord and as we do so, he will grant/bless us with Christlike attributes. The more obedient we are to His will, the more He trusts us and blesses us.
I do know that this Church is true. I'm so blessed to be here. I testify that this is His work. But most importantly, I testify of the Atoning power of the Savior. With Easter coming up, as a mission we are studying the Atonement. We have a bunch of talks and scriptures about it. It is so amazing. I don't even know that much really, but I do know that Christ suffered so much, so selflessly, for us. I love Him and am so grateful for that. I love you and hope you have a wonderful week!!"
3-29-10
"
I had the wonderful opportunity to do my first Ordination to the Priesthood, yesterday. Tim Austen, one of my recent converts, to the office of a Priest in the Aaronic Priesthood. It was really neat. I was honestly a little bit nervous since I hadn't ever done it before. He said that when he was talking with the bishop about it, that he and his wife Lani, instantly knew that they wanted me to do it, he said that there was no doubt. I had a minute to talk with him privately and he said something that is a first for me, at least that I can remember. He said that there were many times as he and Lani were deciding to get baptized or not, that when I was talking, he said, "It was so powerful, I just knew what you were saying was true. I can honestly say that it is because of you that I was baptized." That is so powerful. Its those moments that you live for, to know that you have truly been an instrument in the Lord's hands. I know it wasn't me. To have someone know it is true because of the words you're saying, is only through the power of the Holy Ghost. I'm so grateful and blessed to be a missionary. I love you all so much."
Love,
Elder Stephen Ferris
Monday, January 25, 2010
Hey Everyone!
Its been a really good week. We have seen a lot of miracles and some really awesome things happen. Really sweet miracle...are you ready?? It's actually one of the typical ones, ones that you hear every missionary tell about when they get home, and its one that you just pray and wait for and hope happens to you so that you can tell stories like it someday.
Well, we were out knocking on doors in an appartment complex and knocked on a door. A lady answered and she looked at us and smiled and said, "I have a story for you guys, but I'm busy now. Can you come back tomorrow?" Of course we agreed.
When we returned the next day, we started talking and she went into detail about how her mom had passed away a year and a half ago and how she and her brother had been struggling a lot with that. Her brother, who lives in Lehi, Utah, has been a member for 8+ years and has been planning on going to do their mom's temple work.
As they were talking (this was over Christmas break), they got talking about the Church and how much it has blessed his life and how greatly and deeply he wanted her to go to the church and to check it out. She promised him she would go at least once and she asked him how to get in contact with the missionaries. He responded by telling her, "I'll pray for them to knock on your door." And, there we were. We scheduled a time to have a lesson at the church.
The lesson went really well. She felt the spirit very strongly and said that she felt peaceful, loved, and as thoough she really mattered and had a purpose in life as soon as she walked in the building. She was committed for baptism and will be baptized the first part of February. We have had some very powerful/spiritual lessons with her. Her desire to truly follow Jesus Christ is amazing.
Her brother was on the phone during one of our lessons with her. His testimony and the power behind his words were so strong. He testified of so many things, but a particular thing that struck me, was his conviction of the truth. He said, with great humility and power, that if the Lord were to take his family and all that he had, that he would have no doubt in his mind that this is God's Church and teachings and that he would stay close to the Lord. The spirit was very strong during his testimony to his sister, whom he loves greatly. Its such a blessing to be a part of this great work.
We also had another really cool thing happen. We ran into a less active guy who just moved into the area. When we were talking with him, he said that he really needed to go back to church and he was glad we found him. He came to church on Sunday, but something that was really awesome was that his mom is in the Wapato Ward, the area I just served in, and she came to church with him. When I was talking to her, she was so grateful. She said that she had been praying for her son to be able to start going back to church and get active again. We had been an answer to her prayers.
Being a missionary is amazing! It can be super hard at times, but I absolutely love it. I testify with power and authority given from God, that this truly is His work here upon this Earth. I know this. I feel it so powerfully in my heart. I know its true. We are here to love and serve one another. That is what we are going to be judged on, but even more, that is what is going to make us truly happy, forever. I pray for you all and promise you that as you spread and share the gospel, you will be blessed with miracles. You will feel even greater, the love your Heavenly Father has for you, and more importantly, the love that He has for those you serve and share the Gospel, His Eternal Plan of Happiness, with. I know its true. I'm so grateful and blessed to be a part of this marvelous work.
Sincerely,
Elder Stephen Ferris
Well, we were out knocking on doors in an appartment complex and knocked on a door. A lady answered and she looked at us and smiled and said, "I have a story for you guys, but I'm busy now. Can you come back tomorrow?" Of course we agreed.
When we returned the next day, we started talking and she went into detail about how her mom had passed away a year and a half ago and how she and her brother had been struggling a lot with that. Her brother, who lives in Lehi, Utah, has been a member for 8+ years and has been planning on going to do their mom's temple work.
As they were talking (this was over Christmas break), they got talking about the Church and how much it has blessed his life and how greatly and deeply he wanted her to go to the church and to check it out. She promised him she would go at least once and she asked him how to get in contact with the missionaries. He responded by telling her, "I'll pray for them to knock on your door." And, there we were. We scheduled a time to have a lesson at the church.
The lesson went really well. She felt the spirit very strongly and said that she felt peaceful, loved, and as thoough she really mattered and had a purpose in life as soon as she walked in the building. She was committed for baptism and will be baptized the first part of February. We have had some very powerful/spiritual lessons with her. Her desire to truly follow Jesus Christ is amazing.
Her brother was on the phone during one of our lessons with her. His testimony and the power behind his words were so strong. He testified of so many things, but a particular thing that struck me, was his conviction of the truth. He said, with great humility and power, that if the Lord were to take his family and all that he had, that he would have no doubt in his mind that this is God's Church and teachings and that he would stay close to the Lord. The spirit was very strong during his testimony to his sister, whom he loves greatly. Its such a blessing to be a part of this great work.
We also had another really cool thing happen. We ran into a less active guy who just moved into the area. When we were talking with him, he said that he really needed to go back to church and he was glad we found him. He came to church on Sunday, but something that was really awesome was that his mom is in the Wapato Ward, the area I just served in, and she came to church with him. When I was talking to her, she was so grateful. She said that she had been praying for her son to be able to start going back to church and get active again. We had been an answer to her prayers.
Being a missionary is amazing! It can be super hard at times, but I absolutely love it. I testify with power and authority given from God, that this truly is His work here upon this Earth. I know this. I feel it so powerfully in my heart. I know its true. We are here to love and serve one another. That is what we are going to be judged on, but even more, that is what is going to make us truly happy, forever. I pray for you all and promise you that as you spread and share the gospel, you will be blessed with miracles. You will feel even greater, the love your Heavenly Father has for you, and more importantly, the love that He has for those you serve and share the Gospel, His Eternal Plan of Happiness, with. I know its true. I'm so grateful and blessed to be a part of this marvelous work.
Sincerely,
Elder Stephen Ferris
Monday, January 11, 2010
Hey Everyone!
I'm learning so much -- because I'm choosing (its a choice) to and not to waste time (or trying not to waste time). The Key to success is *drum roll* to always be learning. I really think that that is what sets the ordinary apart from the extraordinary (Elder Ferris' thought of the week haha).
I had a really simple, but profound (at least to me) thing happen at testimony meeting last Sunday. Before Sacrament Meeting started, I went around and talked with the members, seeking to get to know them. I met the Monize Family -- the dad, mom, and Sarah, their 17 year old daughter. I talked with them of how they had found the church some 5 years earlier and they told me of how the daughter's friend actually invited them to church and how things went from there. I asked the family to bear their testimony on member work. All of them were kind of hesitant, but said that they would "see what happens."
When Sacrament Meeting started, no one in the congregation that I had previously asked (10 ish members) got up throughout the meeting to bear their testimony, except for Sarah.
When she first stood she said, "I was talking with Elder Ferris before the meeting about the story of our conversion and he asked me to bear my testimony on it. At first, I was a little nervous, but I realize that he is called of God and that it must've been inspiration that lead him to asking me to bear my testimony. I realized that I needed to bear it."
To me, this was so profound. First, it hit me that I am called of God and always need to be seeking the guidance of the Spirit and how great of importance that is, but most importantly, it strongly impressed me how great her faith was.
A lot of the times, God, through His servants, asked us to do small and simple things. The Prophet, Apostles, Bishop, etc, many times ask us to do such small things but truly, its those small things that make all the difference. Recognizing and acting upon the reality of a person's calling sometimes takes great faith, but when we understand they are called of God and we willingly and easily do those things that they ask us, we are immensely blessed and our faith is strengthened.
In Helaman chapter 6, their is a verse that says something along the lines of, "And thus we see that the Lamanites were blessed and did prosper because of their EASINESS and WILLINGNESS to believe." With the people of Moses, all they had to do was to look at the staff and they would be healed. All throughout the Scriptures, we are given testimony of how easy the path is. "By small and simple things..."
The Lord doesn't always test us in major ways, a lot of the time, it is in the little, everyday things and the choices we are presented with. These little tests of faith and obedience, such as reading scriptures and praying daily, keeping our thoughts clean and pure, literally make all the difference.
As she was bearing testimony, these things really struck me. Faith can work many mighty miracles and do mighty things but is truly developed through obedience in the little acts that and things we do everyday. I'm grateful for the ability and strength the Lord has given me to excercise my faith. I'm grateful for the pure and simple faith and testimony of this wonderful member. I'm grateful to be a missionary! I love this work! I hope everyone is doing great! I love you all!!
Love,
Elder Stephen Ferris
I had a really simple, but profound (at least to me) thing happen at testimony meeting last Sunday. Before Sacrament Meeting started, I went around and talked with the members, seeking to get to know them. I met the Monize Family -- the dad, mom, and Sarah, their 17 year old daughter. I talked with them of how they had found the church some 5 years earlier and they told me of how the daughter's friend actually invited them to church and how things went from there. I asked the family to bear their testimony on member work. All of them were kind of hesitant, but said that they would "see what happens."
When Sacrament Meeting started, no one in the congregation that I had previously asked (10 ish members) got up throughout the meeting to bear their testimony, except for Sarah.
When she first stood she said, "I was talking with Elder Ferris before the meeting about the story of our conversion and he asked me to bear my testimony on it. At first, I was a little nervous, but I realize that he is called of God and that it must've been inspiration that lead him to asking me to bear my testimony. I realized that I needed to bear it."
To me, this was so profound. First, it hit me that I am called of God and always need to be seeking the guidance of the Spirit and how great of importance that is, but most importantly, it strongly impressed me how great her faith was.
A lot of the times, God, through His servants, asked us to do small and simple things. The Prophet, Apostles, Bishop, etc, many times ask us to do such small things but truly, its those small things that make all the difference. Recognizing and acting upon the reality of a person's calling sometimes takes great faith, but when we understand they are called of God and we willingly and easily do those things that they ask us, we are immensely blessed and our faith is strengthened.
In Helaman chapter 6, their is a verse that says something along the lines of, "And thus we see that the Lamanites were blessed and did prosper because of their EASINESS and WILLINGNESS to believe." With the people of Moses, all they had to do was to look at the staff and they would be healed. All throughout the Scriptures, we are given testimony of how easy the path is. "By small and simple things..."
The Lord doesn't always test us in major ways, a lot of the time, it is in the little, everyday things and the choices we are presented with. These little tests of faith and obedience, such as reading scriptures and praying daily, keeping our thoughts clean and pure, literally make all the difference.
As she was bearing testimony, these things really struck me. Faith can work many mighty miracles and do mighty things but is truly developed through obedience in the little acts that and things we do everyday. I'm grateful for the ability and strength the Lord has given me to excercise my faith. I'm grateful for the pure and simple faith and testimony of this wonderful member. I'm grateful to be a missionary! I love this work! I hope everyone is doing great! I love you all!!
Love,
Elder Stephen Ferris
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Hey Everyone!
Just have a quick second, but wanted to let you all know that I'm doing great! I love being a missionary! I've learned so much. There have been a lot of hard times, but those are what truly test and build you. I have a strong testimony of the greatness of obstacles and how much they can build us up depending on us and if we choose to learn and grow from them. I've grown so much. My testimony has been strengthened a lot.
Since Christmas is coming up, I want to share a couple quick scriptures. First, Mosiah 3: 5-10 and second, Alma 7: 11-13. These are some of my favorite scriptures. They testify of Christ and the things He has done for us. I too testify of Jesus Christ. That's why I'm out here. He love you. He has gone through all those things so that "His bowels may be filled with mercy and compassion" for each of us and the things we go through.
With the Atonement, we gain hope. In knowing all that He has done for us and that there is a way to feel of everlasting peace and the love He has for us. It is a love that is incomprehensible to the World, but a love that we are so blessed to have. We are his children.
As I've learned even greater to serve people, my capacity to love has grown and I've become a happier person. I think back to a picture that I saw in the office of a Bishop of a dear friend of mine at the time he was being ordained as a Melchezedik Priesthood holder. On the wall, of this office, hung a picture of a staircase with people walking up it. The thing that struck me was the love that was portrayed through this picture. It has impacted my life. As these people were traveling up the staircase (which lead to heaven) they were reaching back and grabbing the hands of those on the steps lower than them. They were reaching back for their brothers and sisters.
We, being brothers and sisters, are all on this journey. Its not a time to compare and compete, but a time to lift and inspire those around you. As we do so, we will be filled with an incomprehensible love of the Saviour and our desire and capacity to become better will be greatly enhanced. As I think of this picture, I always think of the scriptures, "when ye are in the service of your fellow being, you are in the service of your God" and also, "let he that is greatest among you be the servant of all". Our job is to serve. We are here to make it back to heaven. But, we aren't here to make it back alone.
I'm so grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ and the example He is to me of the ultimate capacity to love. Love is the greatest commandment. I promise that as you seek to serve and love others this Holiday season, that you will see it become the greatest Christmas you have ever had. I love being a missionary! I love you all!!
Love,
Elder Stephen Ferris
Since Christmas is coming up, I want to share a couple quick scriptures. First, Mosiah 3: 5-10 and second, Alma 7: 11-13. These are some of my favorite scriptures. They testify of Christ and the things He has done for us. I too testify of Jesus Christ. That's why I'm out here. He love you. He has gone through all those things so that "His bowels may be filled with mercy and compassion" for each of us and the things we go through.
With the Atonement, we gain hope. In knowing all that He has done for us and that there is a way to feel of everlasting peace and the love He has for us. It is a love that is incomprehensible to the World, but a love that we are so blessed to have. We are his children.
As I've learned even greater to serve people, my capacity to love has grown and I've become a happier person. I think back to a picture that I saw in the office of a Bishop of a dear friend of mine at the time he was being ordained as a Melchezedik Priesthood holder. On the wall, of this office, hung a picture of a staircase with people walking up it. The thing that struck me was the love that was portrayed through this picture. It has impacted my life. As these people were traveling up the staircase (which lead to heaven) they were reaching back and grabbing the hands of those on the steps lower than them. They were reaching back for their brothers and sisters.
We, being brothers and sisters, are all on this journey. Its not a time to compare and compete, but a time to lift and inspire those around you. As we do so, we will be filled with an incomprehensible love of the Saviour and our desire and capacity to become better will be greatly enhanced. As I think of this picture, I always think of the scriptures, "when ye are in the service of your fellow being, you are in the service of your God" and also, "let he that is greatest among you be the servant of all". Our job is to serve. We are here to make it back to heaven. But, we aren't here to make it back alone.
I'm so grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ and the example He is to me of the ultimate capacity to love. Love is the greatest commandment. I promise that as you seek to serve and love others this Holiday season, that you will see it become the greatest Christmas you have ever had. I love being a missionary! I love you all!!
Love,
Elder Stephen Ferris
Monday, November 23, 2009
Hey everyone!
Happy Thanksgiving! I hope everything is going good with you all. I'm really excited for Thanksgiving! We are going to be playing football with the Samoans (don't worry, I won't do anything too unsafe) and then we are going to have dinner with some memebers. Its going to be a lot of fun!
We had another baptism yesterday. A Somoan man named Joshua. It was interesting teaching him because he doesn't know too much English, so we had to have a Samoan translater the whole time he talked. It was an interesting and new experience.
A lot has happened over the past couple months and I'm sorry I haven't kept everyone up-to-date on everything. I've been really busy trying to get into the flow of everything, but from now one, there should be a letter every week or two.
The work is so great. Its hard, but after the hard times comes the most spiritual times. "After the trial of your faith..." Yesterday, Elder Roudabush and I went and taught a 19 year old college student named Harold. His girlfriend's family are members and he has gone to church with them a couple times and really liked it. We taught him and when we got to the part of Joseph Smith and the First Vision, I was able to share that part with him.
As I started reciting the first vision with him, the spirit was really strong and tears started filling his eyes. The spirit was there in power and bearing witness to him and to us of the truthfulness of that event. I know Joseph Smith saw God and Jesus Christ that day. I feel the spirit in great power everytime I share that. I love it! ITS TRUE!!
Afterwards, we were going to committ him to be baptized and when we started talking about it, he said, "Actually, thats the reason I wanted you to come down, so I could talk to you guys about being baptized!" ....it doesn't get any better than that! Seriously, thats every missionaries' dream sentence! Anyway, he is excited and ready to be baptized. His girlfriend is currently in Hawaii attending school, but will be back for Christmas, so he will be baptized then. I'm so excited for him because I know the truthfulness of this message and the blessings that come from them.
I have seen so many miracles already. I am so blessed. I know this Gospel IS the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and was restored through Him. Joseph Smith was a instrument in His hands to restore His Gospel to the Earth so that each and everyone of us can have an everlasting happiness. I'm so grateful for this opportunity to serve and to be a part of this great and amazing work. I love you all and have a Happy Thanksgiving!!
Love,
Elder Stephen Ferris
We had another baptism yesterday. A Somoan man named Joshua. It was interesting teaching him because he doesn't know too much English, so we had to have a Samoan translater the whole time he talked. It was an interesting and new experience.
A lot has happened over the past couple months and I'm sorry I haven't kept everyone up-to-date on everything. I've been really busy trying to get into the flow of everything, but from now one, there should be a letter every week or two.
The work is so great. Its hard, but after the hard times comes the most spiritual times. "After the trial of your faith..." Yesterday, Elder Roudabush and I went and taught a 19 year old college student named Harold. His girlfriend's family are members and he has gone to church with them a couple times and really liked it. We taught him and when we got to the part of Joseph Smith and the First Vision, I was able to share that part with him.
As I started reciting the first vision with him, the spirit was really strong and tears started filling his eyes. The spirit was there in power and bearing witness to him and to us of the truthfulness of that event. I know Joseph Smith saw God and Jesus Christ that day. I feel the spirit in great power everytime I share that. I love it! ITS TRUE!!
Afterwards, we were going to committ him to be baptized and when we started talking about it, he said, "Actually, thats the reason I wanted you to come down, so I could talk to you guys about being baptized!" ....it doesn't get any better than that! Seriously, thats every missionaries' dream sentence! Anyway, he is excited and ready to be baptized. His girlfriend is currently in Hawaii attending school, but will be back for Christmas, so he will be baptized then. I'm so excited for him because I know the truthfulness of this message and the blessings that come from them.
I have seen so many miracles already. I am so blessed. I know this Gospel IS the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and was restored through Him. Joseph Smith was a instrument in His hands to restore His Gospel to the Earth so that each and everyone of us can have an everlasting happiness. I'm so grateful for this opportunity to serve and to be a part of this great and amazing work. I love you all and have a Happy Thanksgiving!!
Love,
Elder Stephen Ferris
Monday, October 12, 2009
Stephen's in Washington!
Right now Stephen is in Aberdeen, Washington. He flew in on the 28 of September. He's enjoying it. He's already baptized someone. He's in a quad. The zone leader is teaching him, another elder, and a new zone leader right now. He really enjoyed the MTC and the food.
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