Elder Stewart-Longhurst Mission to Santa Rosa, CA

No.  Not that kind of fire.  More like the "The Spirit of God Like a Fire is Burning........" fire. This week we experienced the following: - We spent our P-day at the beautiful Bodega Beach, hiking its six-mile beach and admiring the power of the waves. - Grandchild #12 arrive in healthy and happy conditions.  Searsha Bertha Franchino, daughter of Dominick and Alisha. - We attended our congregation’s Halloween Party dressed as Book of Mormon Characters Ammon and Abish, complete with cut off arms.  We were a hit, especially with those who had read the story. We are blessed to be part of some great successes in the area we are serving in.  Below are some entries from Sister S-L’s journal: ------------------------------ ------------------------------ - Several days ago, I began praying that I could see that the forces for good exceed the forces for evil in this town.  You see, as I was looking around this town I was discouraged at all...

This week we got to experience the following: -         Started working with the Ward Council to prepare the ward itself to continue ministering to the people we have been ministering to the past several months.   Our exit plan.   We are down to six weeks left in our mission. -         Answered prayers.   We have been praying that our community will be protected from fires.   October is the month where fire has the highest risk.   So far, no fires this year, after having fires the last six or so years.   One more week………..more prayers. -         We met up with two other Senior Missionary Couples who are serving in Northern California.   We hiked around in the Redwoods and also had a great lunch at an old-fashioned diner.   We shared a lot of stories and counsel and advise.   It was so good to meet with them.   And, I must te...

This week we were able to do the following: -         Climbed Mt Konocti, the volcano overlooking Clear Lake. -         Put on another successful Missionary Movie Night. -         Visited the Sacramento Temple We have been teaching a lot of lessons and visiting a lot of people preparing them to come back to the Gospel and attend the temple. Here is an entry from Sister Stewart-Longhurst’s journal about an experience this week: A sister in our ward called very excited about how she found success in achieving her goal she set about a month ago--That was right after she attended the temple for the first time in many years and was ecstatic with joy and excitement from her time in the temple.  On that day she sincerely wanted to share her joy with another soul, so she set a goal to find another person to invite to come and partake of the joy and happiness of the...

This week we were able to travel to Salt Lake City and attend General Conference to hear the word of the Prophets and Apostles.   On our way, we were able to spend a night in Sacramento and attend the temple there.   While there, we were able to have a dinner and visit with my brother and sister who live in the area.   We also spent time this week helping the young missionaries here.   Their mission car died and is in the shop.   They were provided bikes, but they are old and used and have their own set of problems.   We have been able to drive them to their appointments at times, feed them, and even go to a few of their lessons with them.   We feel blessed to be able to help them. Below are some entries from Elder Stewart-Longhurst’s journal regarding our attending General Conference: The highlight of the afternoon session was the Choir.   A Choir of Elders and Sisters directly from the MTC!   Our people!!   We feel such a pow...

This week on our P-day we were able to take a six-mile hike through some beautiful woods near Cache Creek.   We also traveled to the Sacramento Temple. A great experience/miracle from Sister S-L’s journal: At last week’s Missionary Movie night, the young elders invited many of their friends, including one father and daughter whom they didn’t expect to come as they had openly expressed their distrust of all organized religion.   So, imagine the Elders’ shock when they came!   Both seemed to really enjoy the fellowship with the members of the congregation and the movie. They were invited to our Sunday worship service, but again, no one thought they would actually show up. But in what we see as a miracle, they did, and this time the man brought his wife as well.   The worship service included our once a month Testimony Meeting where all members of the ward (congregation) are welcome to the podium to testify of God’s goodness to them.   It was a powerf...