Elder Stewart-Longhurst Mission to Santa Rosa, CA

This week…….. -         We have been busy preparing three different families to go to the temple.   This has kept us quite busy and inspired.   This is such a great work! -         On Saturday, we went to the temple with Sister Rebischke.   She hadn’t attended in over 16 years!   We were so happy to be able to help her prepare and then attend with her. -         For fun this week, we took an excursion on the “Skunk Train” up into the Redwood-covered mountains.   It was a great break and provided some much-needed relaxation and rejuvenation. We are heart-broken and devastated by the horrible fire storm that is burning to the Northeast of us.   The smoke here is toxic and thick.   I included pictures of one of the Latter-day Saint buildings being burned.   This seems like an almost sacrilegious picture to share.   But I share b...

Some exciting things from this week: -         Halloween!!   We celebrated by staying home where it is safe and watching a church movie complete with popcorn and soda pop.   We didn’t believe it was a good night to be out tracting or teaching.   The city here confines all trick or treating to one specific neighborhood, which the police block off and watch very closely to keep the kiddos safe.   -         We drove to Sacramento to attend the temple with the Sentz’s, some good friends of ours from our congregation.   This gave us a chance to get to know them better, help boost them up spiritually, and to discuss ministering a bit.   Brother Sentz is our Elder’s Quorum President. -         Time is quickly running short for completion of our mission.   We are starting to work on our exit plan.   We are identifying ministering brothers and...

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...