Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone! I'm so excited! This past week was intense, meeting with new people is always a change. On Friday we got a call from a member that explained she got a call from Bob, a guy who went up to the church building and saw the member's number and called her, explaining that he wanted missionaries over. How cool is that! Met with him Saturday, and go to know him a little. Earlier in the year he suffered brain damage, and lost pretty much everything he owned, expect his car. That happened in Utah, and he got lots of assistance from church members. After a lot of help, money, and phone calls, he got up here in Michigan at some friend's place. Because of his good experience in Utah, he wants to get more involved with the church here in TC. We invited him to read the Book of Mormon and promised him blessings by doing so; also invited him to church, but he said he's not ready to jump in. He seems like a sincere guy, and that the brain damage effected him little, just a little. Bob (the 14-year old) is still progressing towards baptism, we're all really excited for him and his mom. They both made it to church yesterday, which is such a blessing 'cuz it was snowing the whole day. Get this, we only had Sacrament meeting! Merry Christmas again! love, Elder B. Stolp

Super Awesome Cool Stuff

Well, it's been snowing for the past two days, seems to me like a foot to me. Blue skies now so I'm happy. And then I'm doubly happy because Bob and his mom came to church yesterday!!! Bob's the 14 year old I keep writing about. They live 30 minutes away driving on good roads, but yesterday they left before 9 to get to church at a reasonable time. That shows great faith in this kind of weather. Elder Taylor and I had a great lesson with Joe on Saturday about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, seemed to understand it well, and we're still shooting for the 28th for his baptismal date. After a really great dinner at a family of all sons, (they were having a pillow fight for some of the time we were there), we visited a less-active and her daughter, very relieving from the rambunctiousness of the other family. For the most part all Elder Bob and I did was ask questions and share brief testimony of the love of God (Tree of Life story). The mom shared that she raised her four kids by herself, and tried to teach them of God and the Gospel. She definitely has a strong faith in Christ, she works on Sundays though. The daughter is now currently raising two children, and really wants them blessed in the church, baptized, and raised with good morals. See though, her husband is of a different faith, so it's a struggle for her. She was just up visiting her mom for a while, quite a talker. We had our Half-mission Christmas party yesterday, so much fun!!! Love ya all! Elder B. Stolp

Almost Christmas

Hey everyone, This past week has been really good, for starters, Bob came to church today! Bob's the 14 year-old getting baptized on the 28th. His mom (less-active) came with us to Gospel Principles, had a lesson on the importance of the Temple. So it was perfect for her! and all the others there, can't leave them out. Molly, Molly2, and Molly3 (all recent converts) were there, along with Bob2. Bob3 is in his early 30's, served a mission in New Zealand. It was awesome having bob3, 'cuz he expressed that the Temple feels like home. The spirit was for sure felt by all in the room, I felt it myself, and I know for myself that being in the Temple feels like home. After the class-time, a lady mentioned she wanted a blessing, and explained that she wants to get going to the Temple again and do what Christ wants her to do. So in a side-room, Elders Elder 1, Elder 2, Elder 3, and myself gave her a blessing. Only 16 more days till Christmas!!!! Love, Elder Stolp

Thanksgiving

Hey everybody! I had an intense Thanksgiving week! Ate Thanksgiving dinners, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday! Okay, maybe Friday didn't count 'cuz we just had ham, rolls (supper tiny too), corn, water, and butter. alright alright, there was probably another vegetable but I can't remember. Thursday was best because the dad and four of their kids (10-7 year olds) played socks. The dad dominated 'cuz he was pulling some wrestling moves. Other than that, things are going well, can't believe it's already December, and we set a baptismal date with Joe! Joe is a less-active member's adopted son, has high functioning autism, and likes to do sports. Pretty much all they gotta do now is start coming to church. This area is so exciting to be in, lots of things going on, like the east-side Elders baptizing Molly! Happened already, on Saturday. The Branch seems to really catch the excitement of the recent growth, hope it continues and grows!!! Love ya! Elder Brian Stolp

Red Light

WE SLIPPED STRAIGHT THROUGH A RED LIGHT!! These Michiganders are crazy! Roads are covered in driven over snow, so a slush, and it's not getting plowed!!! What are these people thinking!!! Wonder if it's only plowed in the night. >:( A good distance away from a yellow light, Elder Bob applied the brake off and on, but each time we hear the tires crunch through the snow *kcreech* till the light turns red and we go right through. Good thing all the other cars barely started crawling. One other thing about this place during the winter, it's windy all the time! Who would ever want to live here! Door-knocked in 16 degree weather. Other than that, everything's just dandy! Met two new individuals that wanna meet with us. Molly is a lady that runs a daycare and is looking for a church to raise her two little kids in, very open of hearing other beliefs (asked if we celebrated holidays, willing to meet with us ether way). Then Bob, a 40-year old man we met while knocking doors, met with us Saturday, and was just as welcoming. Thing with him though, he wants to meet with us to basically talk about beliefs, not to decide if these things are true. By the way, Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Love ya, Elder B Stolp

From the Overcast State

Hey all!! Get this! Yesterday we had a crazy crazy rainstorm! And farther down south there was some stuff about tornado conditions. I decided Michigan is overcast too many times for me. Aside from that, I went to Molly's (taught by East side Elders) baptism on Friday, huge success. A few more people decided to take the lessons because of it. Last week was great, in that it set up for great stuff for future times. Got a referral from a member, it was the wrong address though! We'll have to follow up on that. While door-knocking, lady asked if we could come by later in the week, before we asked! Small miracle. From that brief meeting, I bet she'll be awesome in taking the lessons. Oh, three other overly-fantastic things happened, went on trade-offs to Kalkaska, Bob had a soft commitment to baptism, and a cool less-active family came to church! The Kalkaska Elders are still going strong, Elder Boswell and some members took me to a family they're teaching, and the man expressed his concern of baptism. I was able to share some scriptures that really show the importance of baptism, and he understood extremely well. Elder Bob is a pretty cool missionary, easy to get along with. While out there, Elder Bob2 went with Elder Bob3 to teach Bob about the Restoration, and committed him to read and pray, to know if getting baptized is what he should do. Elder Bob (very outspoken, bold) asked if December 7th was a day he could work towards for baptism. Apparently Bob was taken aback, including the family in whose home Jason is being taught in. We got a call Saturday, from the mother in the less-active family, and she asked if Sunday was Potluck, which it was, so she came with glazed pumpkin cookies. How cool is that!!!! Love ya all!!! Elder B. Stolp

New Gator

Hey everyone! Bob's the newest person in our teaching pool! He goes to High school with Bob2, a young man in the branch, both seniors. We taught Bob the Plan of Salvation at Bob2's house on Saturday, went really well. Bob has a sweet accent, reminds me of Arnold S (don't know the spelling >:o ). I'm just really excited that Bob already has strong fellowship through Bob2. And with all the other young single adults investigating on the East side Elders' area, it'll be sweet having them all come at once. Oh yeah, Molly is getting baptized this Saturday!!! Then her friend Molly2 is getting baptized in a couple weeks! So excited!!! The East side have like 12 people they're meeting with through Molly's involvement, so how cool would that be, if here on the West side we get tons of referrals through Bob and Bob2! We'll need to make a YSA Traverse City Branch!!! :) That would be legit! Reminds me of Alma 37:6, by small and simple means are great things brought to pass. Love ya! Elder Stolp

Halloween

Oi! I missed my Branch Halloween party! I was on trade-offs in Kalkaska :'( Oh well, I had a great week anyway :) First, I want to write about yesterday, Sunday. Quite a few testimonies were about the Plan of Salvation, where we came from, why we're here, and where we're going. Which, was awesome, 'cuz in gospel principles, we talked about the truth that Families can be Eternal. And I sure felt great hearing about the different ways a family can be strengthened, gave me great insight. Molly, a lady that just got baptized last week, asked some very perceptive questions, especially about the family nature of the branch, asking if everyone gets a home-teacher, which we explained yes, so that everyone can be helped and strengthened. A lady in the branch, Molly2, told of an experience around two decades ago. Her husband's a pilot, and crashed his airplane in Alaska, during a take-off. After he was pronounced dead, and since the plane was upside-down, the medical guys cut his seat-belt. Upon hitting the ground, his heart started beating again, so other pilots (who were flying at the time of the crash) gave him a blessing after getting there as quick as they could. So he was put in a hospital at Anchorage, and while recovering, his wife Molly2 and their child went up there. After some calls and getting details (that I forget at this time) worked out for a place to stay, for meals, and baby-sitting, through the Relief Society, she was settled in and all to see her husband in intensive care. Apparently some hospital people wanted to make sure Molly2 had things taken care of, so some woman had a binder open, asking her how she's doing emotionally ("kind of numb"), and having her basic needs met (food, place to stay, etc), then Molly2 said, "I'm mormon..." the woman closed the binder. Apparently the woman knew of what Molly2 went on to explain, that the "family unity" in our church exists wherever the church can be found, and that it's the way it is when people are willing to help others out. Which, I've come to see, is why giving/receiving service is so effective in teaching people, hearts are softened. Ah, which reminds me, a part-member family, had the four of us Elders over to help split wood, cool experience! and stack it. The husband isn't a member, but he's not having the lessons now. There's always time though! Ah, about the iPads, there'll actually be one per missionary, and will be taken along to each area that missionary goes to. So that'll be fun! I was in Kalkaska Tuesday and Wednesday, and had a blast. Taught the Restoration to a lady in her house, the first door we knocked! Took a minute to get invited in :) Had a miracle in that three members agreed to give us rides to the three appointments we had Wednesday. In the night before! Love, Elder Stolp

Sweet Stuff

Hey everybody!
This past weekend was District Conference, and President Hess attended! He actually spoke in each session. Some highlights of the various speakers; missionary work, living the gospel of Christ, the five stones (pray, scripture study, FHE, church attendance, and Temple attendance), conversion stories, and enduring to the end. Took quite a few notes. In the last half of the week, three members drove us around to various places, investigators and members alike. Had a sweet lesson Thursday with Bob and Molly, 'cuz the member we took, Bob2, was able to explain priesthood authority in a way they understood very well, Bob is very skeptical of organized religion altogether, but recognizes the importance of baptism. The situation with Molly was a little more complicated, she got emotional when we explained that only after baptism and the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost can the Spirit be with individuals always. See, she suffers from depression, so she took it hard. She explained she can't go through her day thinking the Holy Ghost leaves her, so I'm so glad Bob2 came with us, because his wife also suffers from depression, and was able to explain it in a way she understood. Committed them both to read the Book of Mormon, and to pray about it, so we'll see what happens on Wednesday! Ooh, but I'll be in Kalkaska on trade-offs with Elder Bob. Too bad I won't see Bob and Molly then. Weren't able to teach Molly2, not yet a legit investigator, with Bob3, another member we went out with, but we did talk with her. She was actually getting ready for a Halloween party, and had heavy dark make-up on. Had a quick chat with her, that whole situation was funny I think. Oh, Bob3 going to serve in Brazil, leaving in February. During the car rides, we mainly talked of automobile crashes we were in, and deer Bob3 has hit. He said he's about due for another, happens every two years. The craziest story I've heard out here: Bob3's dad's a pilot, and was lifting off once in a blizzard condition with his artificial altitude wacked up. In a short distance, the plane's right wing-tip got closer and closer to the ground, hit the ground, the wing folded, and the whole plane skidded for a while belly-up. They found Bob3's dad upside-down hanging from the seat, no vital signs. He got a blessing, was laid down on the ice, and woke up. It was not pretty. Every region of his body had a broken bone, his jaw was even broken in three places. But he's fine now, with only chronic back pain. How crazy is that! I'm doing pretty well out here, just waiting till a snowfall sticks to the ground, till then, I'll enjoy seeing grass.
Love ya'll! Elder Brian Stolp

Online Mission

GUESS WHAT! My mission has been asked to become one of the first electronic missions!!! Woohoo! That'll speed up reports and coordination with members. I'm so excited! Basically, area books, progress reports, and others things will be updated on I-pads. I'll find out relatively soon on how fast we're getting 'em. Yesterday was full of miracles. Molly brought her friend Zane to church, I still don't know if the other Elders are gonna teach him though. Another investigator on the East side, Milly, is getting baptized next week! So that's exciting. And Molly's on a baptismal date of November 16, right at the end of the transfer. In the evening near 6, while at a dinner in Sutton's Bay (a 30 min drive), the Cadillac Elders called us about a member from their branch in the Munson hospital, our area. We headed over a little past 7, talked a little while with the member, gave the blessing, and left. Walking into the parking lot, Elder Taylor noticed he forgot the keys in the member's room! We went back, the member wasn't in his bed anymore, but we got the keys. Half-way between the elevator and the exit on ground level, a guy says "mormon missionaries" after rounding a corner into the hallway we're walking in. He then said something along the lines of "fancy meeting you here." See, he was also LDS, and had brother that needed a blessing. Miracles happen!! Oh, while door-knocking this past week, we met John and Heather, our newest investigators! We were invited inside, gave them a Book of Mormon, and learned quite a lot about them. They need your prayers, and so do Bob and Molly, another couple that's investigating. Love ya all!!!!

Christ-Like

Hey-o!
Had a great first week with Elder Bob, got some more potentials and met with some less-actives. Oh! and gave my talk yesterday. So frightening! Elder Bob is pretty good at b-ball, sinks shots near the top of the key like no other. Molly, an investigator in the east-side Elders' area, had her mom come along, so yeah! Talk about pressure. The mom enjoyed church, but had a prior engagement so had to leave after the first two hours. Molly is so cool, she was informed that she'd need to move out of her apartment (two other guys are living there also) to be baptized. A friend of hers called and told her she could live in Bountiful, Utah with her! So now she just needs another place to live until January, and so many members are so supportive, I won't be surprised if she moves in the next week and-a-half. There was this one member we met, Bob, that told us some cool things. He worked in a variety of jobs. At this time, I remember he said he was good at washing dishes, but slower at coordinating the orders as he cooked, hated shuffling newspapers around with his feet (to separate the sheets) before being put on a conveyor belt and thrashed with rotating chains (I mean the newspapers were thrashed :o) to be treated to be put as insulation. Near the end of talking with him, I asked him if he was a convert, so he told us he was willing to talk with the missionaries, that he steadily kept committing to the different things he was invited to do, and was eventually baptized. Which is pretty much a miracle! 'Cuz as a person is obedient to God's word, by reading it, praying about it, following the principles found therein, repentance comes and becoming Christ-like is the focus of a person's life as a result. Which was the main theme of my talk yesterday, so yeah :)
Have a good week!
 Love Elder Brian Stolp

General Conference

Hey-o!
Elder Bob is going home Wednesday!! Transfers is Tuesday for us, so today is basically his last day. General Conference was awesome! I agree with Pres. Monson, that it was all very inspiring. The four of us missionaries just went to the Church building to watch the sessions, pretty fun. The East side set was able to have an investigator come, she apparently cried quite a bit. Then the last session on Sunday, a friend of the girl came, and was also taught by the other Elders. Which reminds me, Elder Bob will be leaving to the WMU area, and Elders Bob (to my area) and Bob (spelling?) are coming up. Went to Bob's place, talked with him a little, explaining that the good feeling he gets when he prays is the Holy Spirit, which reminded me that sometimes in life reminders and others pointing out what's what is sometimes all a person needs to understand different circumstances and situations. Like Elder Bednar's talk was exactly what a certain member needed to hear about paying his tithing, that we can trust in the Lord and pay our tithing no matter what. Oh, one last thing, I was called yesterday to give a talk next Sunday! On becoming more Christ-like. Yikes!
Love, Elder Stolp

FOOD!

Hey-o!
This week and next week is gonna be killer!! Members have signed up for a meal every day. And I'll be sitting most of Saturday and Sunday! And I kinda stocked up my food for this week from last week.... so yeah! Oh well. Ah, which reminds me, I went to a restaurant called 'Hay Loft' with the Millers, an older couple, had some tacos. Cool thing, I hear the couple always invites their neighbors (there were quite a few) along, but it was a little more casual than I'd like, but at least member missionary work is getting done there. Earlier that day, Bro. Miller was the sole deck-hand for a his friend that dived 180 feet to explore a ship-wreck that friend found 2 years ago. Had an awesome time in church! Talked about having Faith in Christ, loved listening to the experiences that were shared. Some investigators were even there, so they were able to sit in a really awesome discussion. That discussion reminded me of Moroni's promise in Moroni 10:3-5, because the it states that we are to remember the tender mercies of the Lord. Which also reminds me of Wednesday the 25, when Elder Jeppson was on trade-offs with me. In studies, we were talking about tender mercies, how even little things can keep us going (like 'we have a nice carpet'). While door-knocking, a lady was talking about prayer and that sometimes answers come from little things, and I was thinking, "this is familiar, I wonder why, wish I could voice it", then Elder Jeppson told her about our studies, and I was like "oh! duh!" Now ya'll, have a good week!!!
Love,
Elder Brian Stolp

Baptism

Hey everyone!!
I had a great week, finally went on trade-offs this transfer!! With Elder Bob, to Cadillac. There's not much to say about Cadillac, just another woody, hilly area. But I met some awesome people! Here's the story, the Elders met a guy and his sister, along with the fiance of the dude two weeks ago on a Saturday, they came to church Sunday, played disc golf with the Elders on Monday, Tuesday they went by to work out a concern they had, goes on and on. Basically, they're getting baptized really soon! So we talked for a bit, was awesome. On the 20th in my area, I met a really neat family, haven't come to church in a while. The dad works on machines in a factory that produces gogo pouches of apple sauces, with a ton of different flavor combinations. At the time, they were in their garage, setting up for a sale, so the mom and their daughter Molly were there, getting things together. As time went on, three others were dropped off by three different buses, so I eventually saw the whole family. Hopefully they come to church soon! It's pretty cool to see the changes in people when we just talk with them about something they care about. Bob was a fairly stand-offish guy when he answered his door, hard to say much. His dogs got out, he said a few things here and there about them, so we jumped on that importunity of conversation, learning about the skittish dog as being a rescue dog, came from a bad environment before he had him. Only after that we had a great gospel conversation, and even was told by him that his son died a while back, and having the right perspective on such things is paramount. Looking back, we needed to share Alma 40.
 Love,
 Elder Stolp

Busy

Hey ya'll!
  Saturday was crazy! After studies, we spent the morning at a funeral, then helped a member move his furniture into storage, had pizza with the other Elders and an investigator (their investigator), and wrapped it all up with moving more stuff! This last person we helped was a woman we met days before. Walking up her driveway, we saw her surrounded by boxes in her garage, so we asked to help. She was like "no," but we kept talking, and found out she would have a u-haul loaded in a couple days later. We said we could help her then, "Serious?" she said and hugged us!
  Which reminds me, the day before that (Wednesday...?), while in a trailer park, a woman answered her door and was fairly conversational, but was like, "Well, I don't wanna scare ya.....but I'm Wicka." ... yeah, I was scared out of my wits, all clammy and shaky. I'm not really sure what Wicka is, but what I got out of it was that she studied different Christian things and decided not to follow any of it, so she now qualifies (for some reason) as Wicka. She didn't look anything out of the ordinary, dark hair, young, and had a daughter inside with another girl. The daughter (maybe 11) seemed to be off the walls inside, her mom kept telling her to finish this or that (I guess the two were supposed to be doing homework), but insisted, saying she had a question. Finally the girl is outside, the mom letting her ask her question, but just hugs Elder Ferons! And then me! The mother was like, "Yeah, she's a hugger." The friend was like "I'm good," as if giving an excuse for not following suit with her friend. Here's some good news, the lady explained that she's letting her daughter do Christianity, and even accepted The Book of Mormon and read it herself! So there's some hope there. A talk yesterday in Sacrament meeting was all about relating 'Enduring to the end' with wrestling. It was way cool! He even said that F.E.A.R. is when "False Expectations Appear Real."
 Love! Elder Stolp

New Stuff

Hey all!
Yep, it's way nice up here! Rained a bit off and on, but ain't no thang. I live in the basement of a family's home, very neat. Their four kids are quite the bunch, I hear 'em running, jumping, and carrying on frequently. They started school today 'cuz it's a law in Michigan for schools to wait till after Labor day, so I'll probably hear less of them. Their parents are way involved in activities and stuff, very supportive of us missionaries. Oh! four elders serve in the branch, the other set are Zone Leaders, living in an apartment. I'm serving with Elder Bob, this transfer will be his last one! He's from Idaho, and has 7 siblings. A few days ago, he really wanted to teach with the painting of Jesus visiting the Americas, but no one would listen long enough for us to get to the, "here's a painting, ever seen it?" The very last door of the day, we introduced ourselves, the woman was like "I've got a church," then Elder Ferons whipped out the painting, the woman was interested a bit, and a conversation ensued! She mentioned that her daughter read the B.O.M., so she was open to us giving her a copy. I really like Moroni 7:33, it mentions that with faith, we can accomplish or achieve all that God would have for us.
 Love!
Elder Brian Stolp
(names have been changed)

Transfers! And Happy Birthday Dad!‏

Hey! I forgot to write Happy Birthday to you Dad!
Well, getting transferred from my first area! We'll see how this turns out. This past week's been fun, quite a few members telling me Traverse City is beautiful, and getting the last Potential Investigator of this area. Bob was a young father that's not affiliated with a church, so he listened, and agreed to let us come by later. Won't be me though! Well, I'm on a tight schedule, till next week!
Love,
Elder Brian Stolp
(names have been changed)

Ludington

Hey all!
 I went to Ludington for most the week! With Elder Chlarson Monday night till Wednesday morning, then Elder Jacobsen till Thursday morning. Met some great people; Tess, Sister Benedict, and a few more. Elder Chlarson and I were called Anti-Chirst! By some lady scraping paint off her house, well, I doubt she's read the Book of Mormon. I learn a lot by going on trade-offs, helps me see what improvements can be made in the area and in the companionship-relationship. With Elder Jacobsen, I noticed he laid out simply for those we talked to at doorsteps, that we were there to let them find out for themselves if the Book of Mormon is the word of God. One man in particular, Eric, was just plain not interested. Elder Jacobsen did his thing, "find out for yourself, we could swap numbers", and Eric was like, "okay." Then an old gentleman, atheist, would slip under everything we said of the Book of Mormon by making some comment or another. He even said himself, he was turned off by religion quite some time ago. After he talked a little bit about freedom to choose, I said, "your an interesting man, I'll tell you why...", so I continued to talk a bit about that's part of the message that we share and he took control of the conversation again, so I lost my strand of thought. Well, Joseph Smith's was a true Prophet! Tune in next time.

Elder Brian Stolp

New Bishop

Hey all!
I'm doing well, and loving the cooler weather! Big news, the N. Muskegon ward got a new Bishop! He's in his 30's, was the young men's president most recently, hope things will go smoothly. In Elder's Quorum, we talked about recognizing blessings, and the teacher shared a little story about the new bishop. A few months ago, a great job opportunity was given to him, in California. He and his family were hovering over their decision, not exactly sure, but decided to stay and not take it. So now, he'll be serving as bishop, which will bring blessings to him, his family, and all the ward. Ooh, cool thing---> Jenafer (correct spelling), an 18 year-old, was baptized a year ago, but stopped coming because her mother went anti. Elder Lowe and I met up with her recently and discovered she would be overjoyed to come to church, 'cuz now it's here choice as an adult. So she got a ride and re-established some friendships!!!
 Love you all!
 Elder Brian Stolp

Pics

Hey all!
Good times over here!!! I really do enjoy this work. Elder Lowe and I talked to Rebecca, a young sister, going through divorce, that referred us to talk to her parent-in-laws, John and Barb, that they "could understand more fully what I'm going through." She wants to attend the Temple! Exciting. So Sunday evening, we knock, we explain why we're there, and they let us in. Recently, they finished cycling from Mackinac Island to their house. John taught high school for 30 years. How is that gonna turn out! And Barb was a professor of exercise science. We told them our purpose, and they told us it's only for them to understand Rebecca's stand-point. They're real chill though! John was even like, "Come by Tuesday, I'll roast some hot-dogs." Speaking of which, Jan (met Elders in 2007), had us do service and eat hot-dogs with her. I edged her pathway from the sidewalk to her door while for two hours (way overgrown!), and roasted the dogs perfectly. The watermelon was terrible though, didn't feel so good later. She talked quite a bit about her son, and his Italian friends. (Mafia? I doubt it!) Helaman 10 is quite the chapter, shows that power is only given upon conditions of obedience. Nephi would only do according to the will of God, so power was given to him. And get this! Pondering upon things led him to hearing the voice of God. And personally, I see a lot of differences between beliefs of individuals, and how they talk about their situations, and the influences of God in their lives.
Love,
Elder Stolp

Investigators

Hey all!
We've attempted to see lots of former investigators this past week, Elder Lowe even had us go through binders other than our area book, looking through old records. At basketball, Elder Lowe stole the ball a lot, everybody was having a great time because one just can't slow Elder Lowe down, he smiles a lot (maybe just nervous?) Jim is black, and makes recordings about God with music in the background, seems like he's a pastor. He came to the door in slacks, dress shoes, and a neon green T. He let us in to see his studio (10 square feet) on the second floor, crammed the equipment up there. His living room has velvet-red carpet. High class? Well, he lives in the hood. Brian (never knew of a black guy with that name before) seemed a lot more teachable. His records show good relationships with past Elders, he mentioned some, and that he taught soccer to kids. He told us he was about to go play basketball, but we did set up an appointment! A bummer part of the week, two new investigators dropped us! They were referrals, so we went by and taught a brief restoration, they had stuff to do. Jennifer and her boyfriend said they were planning to raise their kids in a church, so they were looking around. Halfway through the lesson, three others drop by, a lady told us she had read the BOM! Frontwards and Backwards. Had no beef with it. Finishing the visit, we get the lady's whereabouts. Okay, bummer alert ----> two, three days after, while walking up to the house on our return appointment, the dude told us they chose another church (most of her family was of that religion). I don't even know if they're going to read the BOM.
 Love,
 Elder Brian Stolp

Elder Yates

Hey all!
Elder Yates is getting transferred to Grand Rapids! He got some funny pictures with Dalton, very funny kid. Elder Lowe is coming to this area with me. The area has lots of potential investigators to keep track of, like Eleanor, I may have already wrote about her. Last Thursday, we weeded her backyard for an eternity, after not being able to contact her for a couple months. What I don't understand: people thinking that 'Mormons' don't believe in Christ, saying we're not 'Christians'. I say, read the book! Isiah 29 tells us about a book from the earth, 1 Nephi 13:40, the record of The Book of Mormon supports the testimonies of the Twelve Apostles. Then 2 Nephi 26:15, and so many others!
Love,
 Elder Brian Stolp

Bummer

We had a bummer week in the aspect of return appointments, nothing worked. We have some appointments with less actives later this week, I always look forward to meeting up with them. Yesterday, I finally met a woman we've been trying to contact this whole time I've been here, crazy how much time can pass! She talked a bit about how crazy her schedule is, and it seems like that's what we talk most about with members here. Had some good conversations on door-steps though. Meeting individuals that don't know God exists strikes home the importance to exercise faith in praying to Him. Like in Alma 17 and 18, some faith must be exercised. So we read some verses to Ryan, he talked a lot about social reasoning of getting along with others, but we gave him the tools to find out for himself, the ball's now in his court. I'm doing pretty well, having great studies in the morning, in Alma 47 earlier today. Holding to the light one has is key I find, in all that we do. We meet up with Bro. Harris again, said he's doing well and not smoking anymore! So yeah! Got covered in sand on Tuesday, rained and rained while playing volleyball with some members. It's funny to see us trying to do well, but doing terribly! I hope all of you are great these days!
 Love,
Elder Brian Stolp

Trade-Offs

Hey all!
I don't have much time today with trade-offs, but here goes! Alma 41 lays down a lot o' stuff, we are rewarded good for good, bad for bad. Man o man, a desire I have is to simply lay out truth like Alma does all the time. We had a crazy week this week, had dinner in Montague (30 minutes away), we forgot to call to confirm, so we had a fun time talking of stuff! And getting fast food (heehee). This Latter-day work is awesome! I love Doctrine and Covenants 138:53, we are to continue it! We met a girl, Alyssa, that was very open with talking with us, she and her family go to different churches every so often, she was really open with listening about the Book of Mormon. Cool thing, she pointed out two other residences she knew to us to go to, without even asking her who else she knows!
Love,

Elder Brian Stolp

Some Pics

Great Week!

Hey all!

I loved this past week!

Dinner with the Westbrooks, always good. [Had pork and buns; yes, pork and buns, and chocolate milk :) ] They told us of how they came across a talk about members praying for their own opportunities of sharing the gospel, so they started doing just that. And their prayers are being answered! They said they may be giving four or five of their friends Book of Mormons this week. :)

Later, Elder Yates and I went to meet with Sister Wyant, she was sick. Set up another time! She said that missionaries haven't been by in five years... 

After meeting another lady, the sky burst forth rain! For like 3 minutes. But the clouds were legit.

Last Tuesday, Sister Bennett had Elder Yates and I over to read from the Book of Mormon. She had us look up the word 'countenance', which is basically just one's facial expression, demeanor, in a humongous dictionary! And get this, she came to church yesterday! 

District Meeting was bomb! It was in N. Muskegon. Lot of B.O.M. time (heehee). It was of Joy in Service, and loving all. Elder Chlarson's favorite scripture is 2 Nephi 2:27 "Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself." Then he gives an explosion of scripture, 2 Nephi 28:21-22, Alma 12:11, 3 Nephi 18:15, Alma 34:39, and others, explains them all. To overcome temptations, we must pray always. And others can be/give answers to our prayers, which is so true! Some of my past emails talk about that. Elder Chlarson was somehow able to relate these things to accepting one's comp, quirks and all. True love requires action, to embrace all of the person. That is a theme of a chapter I read just today, Alma 35. Alma and his brethren had success amongst the poor people of the apostate Zoramites, yet those that remained wicked would not let converts stay in their land. So the believers were kicked out! The people of Ammon, the Anti-Nephi-Lehi's, let the poor people come to their lands, and gave to them, despite the threatenings of the chief ruler of the Zoramites, an inheritance in their lands. For District Meeting lunch, we went to Berni-o's! Nationally ranked pizza :P

Ooh yeah, got my notes from Elder Christofferson. He added his witness to the Stake President's words on daily prayer and scripture study (personal and family), family home evening, church and temple attendance. Those five things may seem small, yet, Elder Christofferson explained, have a profound effect. Conversion comes by prayer, scripture study, F.H.E., church attendance, and temple attendance. He went on to say that not every 'teaching time' for parents has to be perfect, that over time those things will penetrate hearts; strive for consistency. We are to be patient with one another, to forgive and forget. Apostles and Prophets are needed! The testimony of the ancient Apostles is that Christ died, and is resurrected. Elder Christofferson knows as Joseph Smith did that Christ lives.

Love, Elder Brian Stolp

Highlights

Hey all!

Elder Christofferson is truly a special witness of Christ!!! He knows as Joseph Smith knew, that He lives. I forgot my notes in my apartment.... oh well!! Ooh, here's something cool, if talking with someone and they mention a need, or something relating to any point of Doctrine, especially about the Doctrine of Christ, we can always speak the truth about the subject.

District Meeting was about Christ as the foundation of our lives, and that no matter what I do as a missionary, God gets the increase, as found in 1Cor. 3:6-11; Elder Chlarson took us to various parts of the Book of Mormon to show missionary experiences that apply to every one or two verses of the Corinthians scripture we were looking at. The notes on that is also at my apartment :)

So after dinner on Sunday at a member's house, I had cake! And they didn't know it was my birthday until Elder Yates explained why the cake was worked perfectly :P

Well, I'm now 19, love you all!

Elder Brian Stolp

Elder Christofferson

Hey all!

GET THIS! Elder D. Todd Christofferson is speaking in the Grand Rapids Stake Conference! On the 16th! :)

 Here's a picture of my first district in the field, Elders Chlarson, De La Paz, Wilkins, Draper, myself, and Yates. The transfer switched out two, Elders De La Paz and Wilkins (his two years were up). Before leaving District Meeting, Elder Wilkins gave me a large triple combination, huge print!

Speaking of which, an Elder just got back from his mission, and seems to be adjusting well. Crazy thing, his first name is Bryan!

We met Enix (like "Nick's" while pronouncing the 'N'), a very open and well-studied black man, last Wednesday. He said that it's good to talk with others and see their views of God, Christ and life in general. He had some stuff to move on the weekend, so we went back on Saturday to help and talk with him. Well, moving an engine off an old fishing boat is not attempted by two relatively scrawny kids. First though, Elder Yates and I moved a bunch of wood across the man's yard, quite the variety of large black beetles underneath. A chunky black man and a white friend of his pulled up, sub-wafers in the car and all. Both probably hit the gym often, and with Enix helping, got the engine onto a truck. The bed sagged a whole bunch. It took a lot of, "well, if we lift it, put it here... lift again..." (Virgal, the chunky man, said to his friend, "ya need mo' strumph", which is Ebonics for "strength", my fellow missionaries love saying "give me some strumph"), so we got in a conversation about prophets with Enix, then (after the heftin') talked of the things Christ did to establish his church, and that His church is restored upon the earth. I'm not sure what effect it had on him, he mostly enjoys talking of how he views things. There's still hope! We goin' over on Saturdays to serve and talk with him.

Ooh, here's somethin'. On Wednesday, at a particular house, a Catholic lady named Debbie, just a little bit into the conversation, asked us to give a blessing to Chuck, a sick man inside. Debbie told us that we were welcome to dinner anytime we needed it, she seemed just like an ideal grandma. Yeah, tender mercy there :)

Met with Patricia again, the lady that doesn't feel comfortable in the family oriented atmosphere of church. Interesting enough, she brought up the topic of discussion by a question, "what does it mean about the seeds in the parable of the sowers that shrivel up...."........ So we read it, talked, and I noticed a cross-reference to Alma, "...because of your diligence and your faith and your patience with the word in nourishing it, that it may take root in you, behold, by and by ye shall pluck the fruit...most precious...sweet...white...pure; and ye shall feast upon this fruit even until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst." Come to find out, Patricia couldn't read the print in the regular copies of the BOM, so I was like, "I have a large one you can have" smiling on the inside. So it continues!

Met again with Sister Charon, and shared with her 3 Ne. 17. Pretty sure that chapter helped her, she's a single mother, doesn't come to church. Aaaaaaand, we got the number of the Lutheran kid, Jesse! Sister Charon's son Hunter was able to give it to us,  gonna help a lot. 

Love you all!

Elder Brian Stolp

Move

Hey all!

Almost four hours of haulin' stuff out of a third-level apartment? I think yes! A young couple moved into their first house last Friday, so we helped out. Anyway, I'm not moving anywhere this transfer, I'm glad, because I'm still being trained. Elder Yates and I are getting along great, and we're really progressing, and get this! This week we might get new investigators! We had some referrals yesterday by members.

The last day of May, we met up with a woman we gave a blessing to prior to that visit, because her husband asked for a blessing on that day. So I learned that what was said to her in the blessing was from God, for it truly was for her benefit.

Met an older woman we had no former knowledge of, Patricia, that doesn't feel comfortable in the family-oriented atmosphere of church because she doesn't have one of her own. We're going to meet with her often, because she knows the LDS church is true, so we'll see how that progresses.

Dinner with the Cengiz! Oh yeah. Super nice, they talked with us, and I can just tell that they have charity. Get this! They gave us paper towels, toilet paper, and soda galore! And our leftovers of sloppy joes :)

Bro. Harris, I might've mentioned before, knows so much, yet still doesn't come to church! He's the most outspoken "I know this is true" of all I met, he's very spiritually aware, yet just does not come to church! He has a car, good thing. Yet I'm not sure if he's told us all his concerns, but he has come out and said he wants to stop smoking. We'll continue meeting with him.

Bro. Jenkins has come to church twice in a row!!!!! He needs a lot of support, family stuff. Recently though, his girlfriend expressed interest in coming to church!

Scriptures are powerful, revelations of the Doctrine of Christ come of it, and it can inspire us to do good things. 

Well, Love you all!

Elder Brian Stolp

Rain, Rain go away!

Half-mission P-day was a blast! Rain just poured in torrents, felt like a monsoon! I played kickball and ultimate when rain wasn't coming down. Heard some great beat-boxing, all about the gospel of Christ :) And I reconnected with most of my M.T.C. district, absolutely fun!

Ah, yes, today is Memorial Day. I heard around that Sister Monson died recently, even had the privilege to hear the clip of her grand-daughter singing "My Heavenly Father Loves Me." It was so beautiful! I thought of Mom, and told a recent convert in Ludington about her. I was in Ludington on trade-offs with the District Leader, Elder Chlarson. He only has three more months! Recently, he's been thinking about the will of God vs. coincidence a lot lately. Prayer is a key element in knowing the will of God, and listening to the Spirit. Yet even before that, as Oliver Cowdery was told, in Doctrine and Covenants 9:8, "you must study it out in your mind." As missionaries, we do that a lot, like deciding to go in this direction or another, to knock streets or go see a member.

Love, Elder Brian Stolp

Great Start...

Hey everybody!!!!!

There was a man we talked to early in the week, on the 13th, who had a beef with organized religion. He's had the missionaries speak with him in the past, which makes it a wee bit more difficult to find out his concerns, yet I was glad he just told us straight up what he thought. Thus we pointed him to the Book of Mormon, which truly answers that question, for once a person can believe in the book, through the Holy Ghost by prayer, for oneself, the understanding that Joseph Smith was a true Prophet of God comes and that he truly was an instrument in God's hands to establish the true Church. Now it's up to that man to feel what is true!

In last week's district meeting, we read Alma 31 and discussed specific prayer. Alma prayed for success "in bringing them (the Zoramites) again unto thee (the Lord) in Christ." So we can also pray to help others change and accept the gospel! Members here have been challenged to do just that, more specifically to make a list of individuals on paper to pray for. Because this work is God's work! We are here to change our will to His, that he may tell us how to go about in the area doing His work.

Blue was my crazy experience last week!!!!! That's a man :P Heavily tanned, and an ugly scar across his cheek. Opened the door, heard the name Jesus Christ, let us right in. Asked if we would like water, and gave us Fiji water. Tiles of a light sea-blue color adorned the fireplace-mantle and parts of the kitchen walls, a table in the living room had large glass vases with a layer of sand and a few shells in the sand. Even the glassware added to the decorative style! A shell emblem and discolored particles were embedded in the glass. Blue sat and started telling us of his following of Christ, that he led a gang of bikers, ministering to a "biker congregation church" and "went into the dens of iniquity" to save souls. He also prayed for the two of us, and had to hurry to a 'sweet ride' coming up. Needless to say, he wasn't gonna listen to our message! Maybe later he'll learn more.

There was a young lady, Jessica, very interested in the church, it's teachings, and how we did our thing. She told us that people shouldn't treat missionaries poorly, or anyone for that matter. Said that people in general are becoming less interactive with one another; accidentally bump someone in the store, say excuse me, and no response. @@

Elder Olsen came here for trade-offs, and with me found Eleanor, a non-member woman up in age but still worked in the yard. Elder Olsen kept her talking to us even after telling us she was super busy in the yard by asking her of some generic questions about those in her family who served missions. Wont be giving her the formal lessons, but long story short, Elder Yates and I will help her in her yard every Thursday through the summer! :P

Another lady up in age, Melody, told us yes, she believed in Christ. I asked her, out of the blue, "If you could tell anyone anything about Him, what would you say?" Melody proceeded to tell of two experiences, of a re-occurring nightmare at a young age and smoking in later life. In both instances, she heard her mother pray for her, and the bad things were taken away. Even the urge to smoke was gone! She agreed to meet with us later and hear our message!

It's paramount to understand that God works through prophets in these days as he did in the times of the Bible, for then can the Book of Mormon be accepted. Yet no one can know of a spiritual truth without prayer, so we can't force it on anyone. And so this work continues! Tune in next time to hear of Half-Mission P-day!!!!!

Love, Elder Brian Stolp

Lake Michigan

Be jealous ya'll! I saw Lake Michigan! So beautiful! Our ward mission leader took us out, got a good view of a lighthouse. Forgot my camera, so no pics! :( But soon, I'll get some.

My first trade-off was Tuesday, worked with Elder De La Paz. He was actually a convert, and knows scriptures very well, and can talk one's ears off! 

We also had District Meeting, and talked of why this work is so great, and that we must not be discouraged. Our District Leader, Elder Chlarson, told us of an experience where a bunch of college students were making fun of him, yet he just told them straight up that he wanted to do this and he loves it, and that he's dedicated to it. One of the guys came up later, and shook his hand, he had such an impact on them. Joseph Smith, he went on to say, had many more bad things happen to him, much more severe, yet he also kept the faith! We shouldn't become despondent in the gospel, for the gospel is what brings us strength beyond our own. Which I've seen for myself! Elder Yates and I go out to see less-actives and members alike to get to know them and share inspiring insights into scriptures as often as we can, yet we can't make their lives better, just show them a way. Which can get really discouraging, but the way of Christ is to continually look for opportunities to serve, to be patient with all, show the way, and strengthen those around oneself. And teach others of the restored gospel! Which Elder Yates and I have not done much, with so many unwilling to listen. There was a less-active sister whose fifteen year boy had a Lutheran friend over, who was very inquisitive. So we taught the Restoration, and he even asked, "What about the after-life?" So we have an investigator! So by teaching him in the sister's home, we'll strengthen all there.

Love you all! -Elder Brian Stolp

Pics

Hey all! Just know I love you, and I love the people here! God loves every single person I've talked to, and I can see when those I talk to love God and follow Christ to the best of their knowledge. Questions that steer the conversation towards the gospel include, "What led to your decision to follow Christ?" and "What's been the role of religion in your life?" And I ask you, reading this email, "How has the life of Christ influenced your life?" 

Here's a spiritual nugget, which I'm still learning, humility is thinking of others. Christ never thought of himself, always prayed for others, and fulfilled the will of the Father. That is why God is so well pleased in His Son. I promise you can receive strength, for "... the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord." Mosiah 24:15

A man on his doorstep told us, "Sure, I'll join your church, how many wives do I get?" Then I and my comp were like, "uh, wait...", then he laughed! "I'm just kidding, guys" he said, it was quite the change of pace for us. He was a jolly old soul, I would say in his seventies. We asked what he thinks of when he thinks of God, and told us he doesn't think God is very pleased in him. We told him God loves all, and more about this Church, but he declined the offer for us to come back. I wanted so much to tell him what God and Christ has to offer him! Oh well, I hope all these people have at least one more chance to learn.

Love, Elder Brian Stolp

MTC stuff

4/20

Hey all! I had in-field orentation on Friday, which taught all about keeping record of what you're doing. Well though, it all goes back to faith! Faith leads to miracles, for the missionary will have the desire to work really hard. Like I am now :P I'm leaving next Wednesday, so yeah! It's great. The role-playing with my teacher as 'Chris' is going extremely well! Elder Davis and I work so well together, the spirit abides in our companionship because we listen to each other and the investigator so well. 'Chris' felt he needed to repent, and we told him of the conditions of repentance, which he accepted to do.

I saw Elder Steven Stolp again!! I love seeing that missionary.

 

Love, Elder Brian Stolp

4/29

Hey all! 

   My trainer, Elder Yates, was Helen's district leader in the MTC!! That's something else, huh! I'm in North Muskegon now! Love this area! Full of trees, the horizons are clear, and the members are so nice and helpful to us missionaries. We already had two dinners at members houses, the Millers and Westbrooks. Brother Miller makes so many funnies! Not necessarily jokes, just insights that tickle the mind. Sister Miller, while having dinner, would be looking out the window naming species of birds out on her feeder. The people here love nature stuff, the Westbrooks have a room full of plants in full sunshine because of windows. My companion, knowing both were converts, had the thought of asking them why they joined the church, for we haven't had anybody interested lately. Sister Westbrook told us that she slammed the door in the Elders' faces three times before she let them in, thinking all she had to do to get rid of them was to read whatever they had in mind. After a while though, it got her. She felt of the truth of the restored gospel while praying, since the missionaries invited her to do so. Okay, here comes the fun part :) She married Brother Westbrook, at the time not a member, yet she convinced him to take the lessons. See, he didn't want to listen to some young guys telling him what to do. Yet when he heard why we are different, that the gospel of Christ was taken away a long time ago but has returned to this earth, and that this Church has the Priesthood of God, he knew it was true. 

There are no progressing investigators as of now, but my companion and I are knocking on doors a lot. Actually, there was a lady we met on a doorstep and she had a faith in Christ, believed in the Godhead; she was just golden. We asked if we could swing by again, but she was visiting a friend, and doesn't live in our area! So other Elders will meet with her. 

Love you all! Elder Brian Stolp

1st Letter:)

Hey everybody! I'm doing great! I'm feeling the spirit when learning the fundamentals to be used when teaching, and planning to use those. I get along really well with my comp! He's a great Elder, obeying rules, and oh yeah! He's District Leader. I'll be Senior comp the whole time in the MTC! I love this gospel, the doctrine of Christ, for I can see others accepting it and changing to what Christ wants of them. It's a completely new way for me to live life! I love it!

Love, Elder Stolp

The Address

Write to Elder Stolp! He enters the MTC this Wednesday! 

Elder Brian Glenn Stolp
MTC Mailbox # 92
MI-LAN 0424
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793

Letter from the Editor

Brian got to go to the Jordan River Temple last Saturday. It was a lovely, crisp, windy day. We all froze while taking these pictures. Brian hasn't left yet, so you can still hang out with him or call him. But soon he will be off to the Landsing Michigan Mission. Please support him by writing to him and reading this blog. Thanks! ~ his sister, Anne Stevens