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

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

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.

This is Stephens address at the MTC.

Stephen Mitchell Ferris
MTC Mailbox # 112
WA-TAC 0928
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793

We got an email from the MTC telling us that he was doing well. I know he would love any letters (or packages) anyone would like to send. For those of you who would like to write to Aaron, his address is

Elder Aaron Ferris
15 Penbrook Cir.
Appleton, WI 54913

He would also appreciate any letters or packages.

We dropped Stephen off at the MTC yesterday. In some ways I'll miss him but at least I know he's being taken care of and is on the Lord's Errand. He should be out in the field in a few weeks. Before he left he kept saying,"Man this is weird I'm going to be a missionary."
I just hope he does a good job and keeps his spirits up.

Hey everyone!

I'm heading off to serve in the Washington Tacoma Mission! I leave September 9th!

My MTC Address is:

Elder Stephen Mitchell Ferris
Washington Tacoma Mission
Provo Missionary Training Center
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604

I will have a Box Number assigned to me once I arrive at the MTC.

My Mission Home Address is:

Elder Stephen Mitchell Ferris
Washington Tacoma Mission
4007 Bridgeport Way W Ste D
University Place, WA 98466-4330

Once I get my address where I'm in the field, I will have my parents let everyone know. My parents and sister will be maintaining this blog for me so everyone can see whats going on with me.

If you have any questions or anything, my mom's email address is:

Carolee@millardk12.org

And my dad's is:

Terry@millardk12.org

Good luck to everyone! Hope its a great two years for you too! Write me and keep me updated on how things are! Thanks for all your love and support!

Love,
Elder Ferris