"Want Depend To God"

Hello!

We taught a darling girl named S. this week. S. has zero knowledge of God...it is a special thing to get to teach people from scratch about their maker. She moved here last week from Korea to study English, she came here not knowing a soul. (Haha, kind of a Korean pun ;) She cried and told us she is so lonely and depressed being by herself, and that she "want depend to God." We taught her how to pray and she immediately felt the sweet comfort of the Holy Ghost. She left smiling and we taught her the next two days as well. When we taught her about baptism she asked is Sunday was okay. She has the purest heart.

Unfortunately, she texted us yesterday saying that her mom is making her go to Sydney for at least a month and that she won't be able to say goodbye...I remember that Davis W. is in Sydney speaking Korean...somehow I hope to refer her to his mission!

And a couple minutes after that, Aik. texted us saying that she doesn't want to meet with us anymore either. This was somewhat of the pattern this week. It hurts my heart so much. I want everyone to have the immediate blessings that the Gospel brings. I love these people so much. But we will continue to have faith, work hard, love much, and heed to Joseph Smith's words:
"Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed."

I LOVE my sweet Sister A. She is a joy and we are united in heart and purpose. 

Jo., a man in our branch told our Gospel Principles class about a story from his childhood. His family lived near the Prime Ministers house and it was not uncommon for there to be protestors outside screaming and shouting awful things. On one occasion, mobs and protestors began to terrorize the whole street of the PM. They threw stones through windows, and set fires everywhere. Terrified, Jo. and his family prayed together that they would be safe. Finally the mobs left, they went outside and their house was the only house in the surrounding area that had not been touched. 

I am continually touched by the faith of our members. Like Jo, I know that Heavenly Father hears our prayers.

I was reminded this week of looking outside and seeing that part of our yard (in Texas) was in flames. I remember praying out loud, and instantly feeling peace. I 100% knew that it was all going to be okay. That is the power of the Holy Ghost. I know that when I feel peace when praying, that is Heavenly Father communicating with me that  He is listening, and that He loves me.

There is a man in the library wearing a UT hat!!! (That is quite the rarity on this side of the planet) I was able to talk to him briefly.

This week Elder Peirson, our area president is visting our mission. We get to meet with him on Friday...I can't WAIT! :)

 Love you very much!! Keep feasting upon the scriptures!  :)

Sister Stevenson

THEY FILL MY HEART AND MAKE IT SOAR LIKE A HOT AIR BALLOON

Hello!!! 

I could not be more blessed. Honestly, I could not. Ammon's words continually run through my mind and heart, "Have we not great reason to rejoice...Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel."

Everyday is a wonderful day when you wake up in the Australia Melbourne Mission...so every week is pretty exceptional....but this week has been exceptionally great.

Sister Alb. arrived Wednesday from the New Zealand  Missionary Training Center.   She is from Metro Manila, Philippines. This is sister is so special. Her English is flawless...she jokes with some people that she's American and they believe her. She is righteous, confident, happy, and such a hard worker. I am so blessed to learn from her.

We saw countless miracles this week. One morning we prayed earnestly that we would be able to find 5 people that are prepared to hear the Gospel of Christ...during the day we met a woman on a bench who had no idea why, but the Lord had told her to come into the city that day. She had been sitting in front of the library for hours, not knowing why she was there. When she first saw Sister Alb., she was terrified. As a child she had some bad experiences with nuns in Vietnam...she thought we were nuns...haha. She ended up coming with us to the church and was welcomed so warmly by the branch. At the end of they day, she knew very clearly why the Lord had her come to the city.

The testimonies of our branch members never fail to fill my heart and make it soar like a hot air balloon. 

Yesterday sweet Phu. who was baptized a few months ago got up and talked about how she used to think that in her previous life, she must have been a very bad person to have all the trials she has in this life now. Now she knows that Heavenly Father gives her trials to help her learn and grow. Now she knows that He loves her.

Jo spoke about how Christ has softened her heart in ways she didn't think possible. She just got back from visiting her family in China for the first time in two years. She said "China needs the gospel so badly. I cannot wait for that day when they can have it. They need truth."

Hele. from Iran boldly testified of Jesus Christ and how grateful she is to know about Him. She talked about how lucky we are to have religious freedom. On Christmas day she studied her scriptures for one hour and felt so incredible. She knows that Jesus Christ lives.

 I am a part of the greatest work on the Earth today. It is Jesus Christ's work. I have asked, and I know that He lives. I know that Heavenly Father is patient with us. He loves us and will gladly help us to feel happy, to feel love, to feel peace and hope. We are never alone. 

 While on the tram this week we came to a stop where a man in his 40s was trying to get himself and his huge walker up the stairs to enter in the tram. We hurried and hopped out to help this large (at least 6'3) man and his heavy walker in. Somehow we were able to (this is an additional miracle seeing that my companion is itty bitty...under 5ft!) When he got on, I quickly realised that his eyes were lazy, most of his limbs were malfunctioning and he had some sort of brain damage. His speech wasn't very clear, but he talked and talked to us...he was SO incredibly happy...pure joy. We helped him get off the tram when he had to go. 

Later as I was reflecting on this, I had an impression that I had met an angel. I still cannot think of this experience without getting teary. I know that Heavenly Father loves His children. I know that because of Jesus Christ we can feel joy and hope no matter our situation.

Love you heaps and heaps,

Sister Stevenson

MY FAVORITE CURRY DISH

SAYING GOODBYE  :(

FOR CHRISTMAS DINNER WE HAD KANGAROO

Hello hello! It was absolutely JOYFUL speaking to you all! With our Taiwanese Christmas eve (be sure to google bean dessert soup), and so many special lessons about Christ, I really had the most wonderful Christmas.

Guess what... for Christmas dinner we had kangaroo at the G. home. Even my vegetarian companion loved it. The G's live in an old hotel in Williamstown.  It was such a special week...I love being able to teach about the joy and reality of Jesus Christ's life.

Kangaroo 

Unfortunately my dear Sister L. and Sister P. are being transferred :( I will be training a new missionary. She flies in this week.

I love being a missionary. I see continuous miracles! To quote Mormon,  “Has the day of miracles ceased?”  No. I bear my witness that they have not. Faith in Jesus Christ really is a power.

Richard G Scott said, "Despite all the negative challenges in life, we must take time to actively exercise our faith." How are you going to exercise your faith this upcoming year? What can you do to grow closer to Heavenly Father?

How is your feast on The Book of Mormon coming? :) That book has truly been the catalyst for changing my heart and increasing my faith.

I love you so very much. Keep spreading light to the world!

Sister Stevenson

Christmas Eve Taiwanese Dessert

Christmas Package

Melbourne Central

SHE DID THE BIGGEST FIST PUNCH

Merry Christmas!!!
 I hope you have the most joyful week! Melbourne is nice and warm and my heart is so happy. Could I be more blessed? Honestly, I think not. At the beginning of my mission I was a little sad that I would be spending two Christmas's away from you. but now, I could not be more grateful to be here. It is the biggest and most humbling blessing to be serving my Saviour at this time of year...and everyday! I love being a missionary. I love teaching people about Him. I love how I am learning what it means to follow Him. I even love how tired I am! haha! It is so worth it. 

I had the privilege of being Sister Sai.'s companion her last day as a missionary...I've heard that missionaries always have their last miracle...the whole day was a miracle! While GQing (contacting people on the street)  we met Chang, a student from China who had no knowledge of God or Jesus Christ. He excitedly came back with us to the branch, and my heart was soaring....I felt so strongly that this boy is so special. We watched He is the Gift with him and taught him how to pray. That prayer changed his life. He said afterwards that there IS a Father in Heaven, and he listened to him. A couple days later he got into a fight with his roommate and was really distraught, he went into his room and prayed and God helped him again. He found this to be a sheer miracle, and it is!

 The governor of the universe communicates with us. Ah, my heart! I deeply believe that God knows us.

Chang came with us to K's baptism and to church the next day. He is excited for his own baptism!

I know that God hears my prayers. I have an interesting assignment in our mission, sometimes it is really hard. I know that when we are down, Heavenly Father can lift us up

K's baptism was so beautiful! Her husband,  was able to baptise her.  When she came out of the water in one motion she did the biggest fist punch, oh my, it was so happy. K. is not a huge smiler, but she was glowing. Her husband  let out a loud "YES!"

On Christmas day our branch is holding a big meal for anyone to come!! We are teaching quite a few students who have no plans for Christmas and they are coming!! Hurray! Sister Goodall, a woman from a near ward invited us over for dinner!! We are SO EXCITED!

My heart continues to be in awe and amazement at Christ's birth. He created worlds without number, yet was born in the most humble of circumstance. His birth is miraculous, magnificent and symbolic of the type of humility  we should try to possess.  I am so thankful for that sacred night that my Saviour was born changed the world forever. I feel so near Him as I serve Him...there is no greater joy.

Love you so very much, talk to you soon!!!!

Sister Stevenson

I LOVE THIS BEAUTIFUL DIVERSE GROUP

This morning we had a breakfast with all of our sisters in our zone...I love this beautiful diverse group. We represent Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, Philippines, America, Australia, New Zealand, Whales and Germany. 

This week I was able to do an exchange in CHP...I got to see A! She is doing so well and is such a missionary. Before I left her house she said, "the gospel saved my life, and still does" She is so special. Her faith in Christ is unyielding. The gospel of Jesus Christ saves us.

Reunion with A.

K. is getting baptised this Saturday evening!!!

This week when we talked about temple marriage she said"I want to register at the temple to marry for two souls for eternity" 

Sorry this is short today.

I love you all so much!!!! 

Keep following Jesus Christ!

Sister Stevenson

PS. Our phone fell down a gutter

I Love my companions.  

9 Countries 

Our MTC Group  at the Christmas party

EVERY OUNCE OF ENERGY

Hello my wonderful family!!! 

How do you like the He is the Gift video? As I ask person after person what they think the meaning of Christmas is, I have become aware of the mass confusion of why this time of year is so special and spectacular. I will give every ounce of energy I have to glorify the reality of Christ's birth. His birth is miraculous and so humbling.  As we focus Christmas on HIM, we will be lifted and filled with more joy than any toy or trinket. 

 Who have you shared the true meaning of Christmas with? As we embrace the glory of God, we will share it!!!

Our mission is reading the Gospels from 1 Dec. to 25 Dec. As I study the beautiful doctrine of Christ's life, I feel my nature changing.

We watched He is the Gift with Chir. and asked him what he can give to Christ for Christmas, he is planning on being baptised on Christmas day!!! Please please pray for him!!! 

Vietnamese costume

Kit. is completely following the Word of Wisom...something she thought almost impossible to do. Heavenly Father aids and guides His children, I know it. Her husband Ed was baptised earlier this year..he is so excited for her to be baptised and for them to be sealed in the Temple next year. The gospel of Jesus Christ is about families! It has been so special to teach the two of them together. 

We spent the morning singing carols at a hospital in Epping...it was interesting to see the atmosphere of the drab waiting room illuminate so drastically. One particular man could not straighten his back and had double canes attached to his arms, sat in a chair and smiled the whole morning. My heart is still full.

I am so blessed. I am so grateful. I love Jesus Christ, I LOVE serving Him. I love you so much and please know that I am praying for you.

Sister Stevenson

Singing this morning at the Hospital

MY HEART JUST ABOUT BURSTS DAILY!

Life is so beautiful. I have never felt so much profound love before. I don't know how to describe it. My heart is just so warm and happy and I love the people here so much. Sometimes I start crying when I think about it. Haha, it's so odd!!!

M. went to the Temple last week to do baptisms!! I was told that time after time dunking him under, he would naturally curl up his knees....hahaha.... He is so great.  They kept trying to help him understand to bend but not cannonball.

We have been teaching a man from India, Chir. Because of daily Book of Mormon study, his faith in Jesus Christ has increased so much. Faith in Christ leads us to action! Faith leads us to repent. This week Chir. showed up to our lesson with so much sorrow in his countenance.  He then told us that he sometimes get really angry at work. He hates it about himself and yearns to change. The lesson that we had prepared for him that day was on repentance! Heavenly Father is so aware. 

Repentance is so freeing. I love change.

 A lifestyle of repentance is a lifestyle of light and clarity.

Thanksgiving Day

Incredible news!!! Lam got her Permanent Residency!!! This is such an answer to prayer!!

Yesterday during third hour, Relief Society/Priesthood were combined (that is everyone in the branch) President Keller had all those stand that are the first people in their family to be baptised. 85% of the audience stood. This branch is so special. They are such valiant, courageous pioneers.

My heart just about bursts daily. I love being a missionary. I am learning so much about truth and love. 

Toi yeu gia dinh toi!  (I think this is I love you in Vietnamese...) 

Sister Stevenson 

PS.Funny story,

This week for Thanksgiving we were going to make Sister Larsen's funeral potato recipe! It called for frozen shredded hashbrowns, but they don't have those here, so we bought frozen tator tots and shredded/smushed them up. We didn't have a baking dish because it's a Chinese flat and there is mostly only wok's, so we used a big wok and unscrewed the handles. Then we forgot to buy sour cream so we just left it out.

It was interesting in the end!