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