Elder Stewart-Longhurst Mission to Santa Rosa, CA

This week we had these experiences: -         We spent Thanksgiving with a family here that invited us over.   We had a great feast alongside their grown kids!   We are thankful for such generous people who are always looking over the missionaries, young and old alike. -         Black Friday was spent traveling to the Sacramento Temple with the young Elders and their recent convert, Sister Vermette.   It was a great trip and it was awesome to see all the happy faces in the temple. -         We were able to be part of a baptism for Ethan, a friend of the King’s, a family we have been working with.   Ethan was clearly excited to come closer to Christ through his baptism. -         On Sunday, Brother King advanced his two sons in the Priesthood.   Ethan also was ordained a Deacon.   A great day for all involved...

Our experiences this week included:     -         Helping start the area’s first Addiction Recovery Meeting which several of the people we are working with attended. -         We put on another monthly Missionary Movie Night.  We showed the movie “War Room” which was a big hit.  Many felt it was really relevant to their own situations. -         Traveled to the temple to attend the Sealing of the Lopez Family. Time and all eternity!  This was a beautiful ceremony.  Many tears were shed as the mom and dad were first sealed together and then the three small children were brought in and sealed to their parents. -         Spent time training members of the congregation how to minister to each other so they can care for each other’s needs after we leave. -         Spent our P...

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...