The Work is going Forward

Our calendar is booked with lessons to be taught over the phone this up-coming week. Super exciting!!! Something that I feel that people don't understand about us Temple Square Sisters is really how much missionary work we really do here. We explain to people different things that we do and lots of the time, members have no idea that we do exactly what proselyting missionaries do, just without the walking haha. We have our own investigators, our own less-actives, our own miracles, and we are actually the highest baptizing mission out there! Pretty neat(: The work is hard, but so rewarding.

Another miracle: As we were in the Assembly Hall, I saw this younger Chinese man, around my age or older, sitting down by himself. I went up and talked to him and asked him about himself. He is from China, just visiting SLC for a little bit, and was here out of curiosity. I asked him if he had any questions and we ended up talking about the 1st 3 lessons basically. He told me that he believes that there is a God, but that he is not allowed to openly proclaim it. He said he would watch the news sometimes, and a word would keep popping up in his head, "Mormon." He had to come to Salt Lake because he knew that this is where the Mormons are. He liked the Mormon religion because he knew we worked hard. I explained the Book of Mormon as well as the power of the Holy Ghost, and he asked where he could get a copy. My comp and I went and got him a Chinese copy, and he said, "I have seen the cover of this book in my dreams before." Amazing. We learned later that a sister from Latvia went up to him, and long story made shorter, he committed to watching General Conference!! We couldn't get his info because he lives in China, but we just pray for the day to come that China will open up. I have a feeling that boy will come unto Christ(:

About General Conference, all the Sisters here will be able to attend the Relief Society General broadcast this weekend, as well as 1 live session of General Conference in the Conference Center. We are apparently on the Square from 7 am to 10 pm both Saturday and Sunday. Fun, but SUPER BUSY.

So just an hour ago, my companion and I were talking with a man names Steve who is from England. We were talking about temples and baptisms for the dead when he told us his sister had died of Cancer pretty recently. He abruptly ended the conversation and walked away. My companion and I both looked at each other and she said, we need to go talk to him. We went up, and I bore my testimony about God answering prayers. He asked about Brigham Young, and I told him that he read the Book of Mormon for 2 years before deciding it was true, and then went on a 2 year mission to England. I related to him by letting him know my Grandmother passed away 2 years ago, but that I KNOW I will see her again, and that he will see his sister again too. We could tell he was deeply touched. We later found out that another set of Sisters talked with him and his brother's family, and his brother accepted the Book of Mormon. Steve told those sisters that if his brother converts, he will too. The church is SO true!!

I am way too blessed to be part of this work. The Lord is too good to me. My MTC teacher would always say that, and I totally know what she means. The Lord is just too good to me! I love being a part in the work, and I know that when you completely lose yourself in the service of others, you will forget about your cares. They will seem minute compared to those of others. Just try it out. Christ cares. Just act in faith and a sure knowledge will come to you.

Much love,

Sister Steenhoek

The Beehive House is going great! It is amazing to be able to touch peoples' lives just giving a tour of a historic house. But it isn't just a house. It was the home of a prophet. It is amazing seeing that change that happens in someone in just the 20 minutes you spend with them. Our mission president told us to make people disappointed that they arrived hoping to hear all about the history, yet they leave hearing all about the gospel. We have been doing great in bridging different life events of Brigham Young to the Gospel of Christ.

Our calendar is booked with lessons to be taught over the phone this up-coming week. Super exciting!!! Something that I feel that people don't understand about us Temple Square Sisters is really how much missionary work we really do here. We explain to people different things that we do and lots of the time, members have no idea that we do exactly what proselyting missionaries do, just without the walking haha. We have our own investigators, our own less-actives, our own miracles, and we are actually the highest baptizing mission out there! Pretty neat(: The work is hard, but so rewarding.

Another miracle: As we were in the Assembly Hall, I saw this younger Chinese man, around my age or older, sitting down by himself. I went up and talked to him and asked him about himself. He is from China, just visiting SLC for a little bit, and was here out of curiosity. I asked him if he had any questions and we ended up talking about the 1st 3 lessons basically. He told me that he believes that there is a God, but that he is not allowed to openly proclaim it. He said he would watch the news sometimes, and a word would keep popping up in his head, "Mormon." He had to come to Salt Lake because he knew that this is where the Mormons are. He liked the Mormon religion because he knew we worked hard. I explained the Book of Mormon as well as the power of the Holy Ghost, and he asked where he could get a copy. My comp and I went and got him a Chinese copy, and he said, "I have seen the cover of this book in my dreams before." Amazing. We learned later that a sister from Latvia went up to him, and long story made shorter, he committed to watching General Conference!! We couldn't get his info because he lives in China, but we just pray for the day to come that China will open up. I have a feeling that boy will come unto Christ(:

About General Conference, all the Sisters here will be able to attend the Relief Society General broadcast this weekend, as well as 1 live session of General Conference in the Conference Center. We are apparently on the Square from 7 am to 10 pm both Saturday and Sunday. Fun, but SUPER BUSY.

So just an hour ago, my companion and I were talking with a man named Steve who is from England. We were talking about temples and baptisms for the dead when he told us his sister had died of Cancer pretty recently. He abruptly ended the conversation and walked away. My companion and I both looked at each other and she said, we need to go talk to him. We went up, and I bore my testimony about God answering prayers. He asked about Brigham Young, and I told him that he read the Book of Mormon for 2 years before deciding it was true, and then went on a 2 year mission to England. I related to him by letting him know my Grandmother passed away 2 years ago, but that I KNOW I will see her again, and that he will see his sister again too. We could tell he was deeply touched. We later found out that another set of Sisters talked with him and his brother's family, and his brother accepted the Book of Mormon. Steve told those sisters that if his brother converts, he will too. The church is SO true!!

I am way too blessed to be part of this work. The Lord is too good to me. My MTC teacher would always say that, and I totally know what she means. The Lord is just too good to me! I love being a part in the work, and I know that when you completely lose yourself in the service of others, you will forget about your cares. They will seem minute compared to those of others. Just try it out. Christ cares. Just act in faith and a sure knowledge will come to you.

Much love,

Sister Steenhoek

Beehive House & the Tabernacle

So. I have the best 'job' in the world. I get to make people smile. Hundreds of people each day, by bringing eternal happiness. I'm not talking about my previous job of working at Disney World, where I could make a child smile just for a small moment and then it would end, but I have the ability (Well, not me. Our Heavenly Father) to bring lots of smiles to people!

In fact, I keep seeing so many similarities from serving at Temple Square, and working at Disney World. For one, I have a castle to gaze at every day that just amazes me each time I see it (: And for another, lots of princesses walk in and out of the castle each day, only here they are brides. When I was at Disney, I would get so excited each time I saw a princess, but here, I get so excited each time I see an apostle (I saw Dallin H. Oaks the other day walking out of the Beehive House!!!). I meet people all over the world, I wear a uniform (a much prettier one), I wear a name tag that I am proud of-Angelique, Disney World, Where Dreams Come True; Sister Steenhoek, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints- The second one is great if you ask me!

Well, this past week was super exciting. During our Pday last week we made a stop at Walmart, and it was 2 stories!! I mean I have never seen an escalator for my shopping cart, but I was sooo blown away. Craziness.

So things are going great at the wonderful Beehive House. My companion, Sister Thacker and I, are really getting the hang of applying doctrine and gospel principles to our tours, especially tying in the Book of Mormon. Something super exciting!! My companion and I gave away 2 Books of Mormon at the Beehive House!! It was amazing! So it was a Sunday afternnoon, right after we had gone to Music and the Spoken Word in the Tabernacle (which you can only go to if it is your first or last transfer of the mission- just once!). Our spirits were high, and therefore our tours were super great! The majority of our tours at this time of year are nonmembers, so it is interesting all the questions we get. I have learned SO much in the Beehive House these past 2 weeks though!

A few highlights of the week: we gave 3 Books of Mormon, we got quite a few referrals, we took a tour at Welfare Square, and we had our first zone conference.

Stories:

So while we were in the teaching center (receiving calls and chats), I received this call fro mthe 18 year old boy who wanted to know why our religion is so different from other Christians. As the phonce call progressed, his friend got on the phone and it seemed like the call could get contentious, so we told them we were going to hang up because we are here to preach the word of Christ, not argue. Well I was super bummed about that because the first kid, Greg, really seemed like he could learn some great doctrine:/ It was just weighing on my mind wit heach of our calls. Well sure enough, my companion got a call from a kid who was trying to joke with us and asked about Polygamy. It was that kid! We explained that subject to him and got his information to call him later this week and teach about the peace that can come from the Atonement! Miracles do happen(:

I also had my first investigator lesson! So Elders serving in surrounding Salt Lake City missions have the ability to bring their investigators to Temple Square, and we tour them and their investigators. Well this particular family had 3 boys and a 12-yr old girl. The girl was interested in Japan (its important I promise). So as we were showwing the family around one of the Visitor's Centers, the kids just were not paying attention. Finally, my companion says, okay everyone, my companion is going to teach us a word in Japanese. (The night before I had welcomed home our Japanese roommate with the only Japanese word I know-walking dictionary) So of course, the girl says, oh, are you gonna teach us how to say Jesus Christ?? I thought, Oh boy. This.... is interesting. We finally got the attention of the family, and I said, ee-kee juh-bee-kee. My companion in a round-about way explained that Jesus was kind of like a walking dictionary. hahaha yeah Dad and family, I knew you would especially appreciate that moment!

Oh, so if you are not familiar with the different things the sisters do here on the Square when giving tours, I'll describe to you one thing we do. So when we get into the tabernacle, a big dome-like building used for General Conference starting in 1867, but also used for Mormon Tabernacle Choir performances, we an accoustical demonstration caleld a pin drop. This is where we drop small metal nails onto a piece of wood, and it echos throughout the large building. We heard that some sisters sing after the demonstration, so I sang "I need thee every hour" after I did the demonstration!! The accoustics are heavenly(: Best experience ever!

My companion and I also gave a tour to this German girl who was studying agriculture to be a sheep herder and a bee keeper. She was so cool! She knew Portuguese, English, Spanish, German, and French! My hero!! Well, after her tour, she asked for a Book of Mormon! We got her info so we can keep in touch, but I hope that all goes well with her in her search to find Christ.

I KNOW that miracles come after the trial of our faith. Test it out and see for yourself. It all starts with faith: reading the Book of Mormon to know of it's power and truth, praying to know if God is there, going to church to see if it will change your life, living the commandments of Jesus Christ, optimism. All if these things take faith. And it is by faith that we can know for ourselves. I know because I put forth that faith(:

 

Well, I hope all is well with my friends and family. Sisters keep coming up to me and tell me that different groups of people have looked for me. I'm sorry if I was somewhere else!

 

Why should we think to earn a great reward
If we now shun the fight?
Gird up your loins; fresh courage take.
Our God will never us forsake

 

 

Much love,

 

Sister Steenhoek

It is great here!!

Oh, in the MTC, I have run into lots of people that I know, including Elder Logan Brinley from the Katy 3rd Ward, Elder Taylor Cole from the Thunder Mountain Ward in Arizona (which I'm gonna send a pic of), Elder Tyler Lee from my YSA ward in Orlando, 2 different missionaries from EFY, and many others! Super great stuff. I have a feeling that my adventures with friends hasn't ended at the MTC. My 2nd day on the square I ran into Aunt Cindy, Aunt Teresa, and Uncle Mark! So that was a lovely surprise!

I took a picture with Sister Ordonez, the Sister whose home ward is where Elder Jeremiah Steenhoek baptized Kenneth. So that is pretty neat!

Wow. The Square has such an amazing peace. It is great being able to walk in Prophet's footsteps, such as on the stage of the Tabernacle, where every prophet of the Restored Gospel (excluding Joseph Smith) has walked on. I just hope I can make a huge impact in the lives of many people that visit this wonderful place.

Conference is coming up, and we are all soooo excited! Hear you don't get any sleep as a missionary working conference, but it is work it with all the referrals you can get.

They have started putting up the Christmas lights in August! my companion and I are sooo excited for the Beginning of December when they turn them on.

There are about 190 Sisters serving on the Square right now. Including the sisters on outbound (we get to leave on a proselyting mission for 3 months) there are 240 of us.

So lots has happened since last time I wrote! I have left the MTC, and I am now on the Square! It is great here. WHERE TO START?!?! Well for 1, I adored my MTC companions and district, and was sad to be leaving them, but I see my fellow sisters every day here. That is the joy of being on a 3-acre mission(:

As for my new companion, she is a cutie! Her name is Sister Thacker, and she is 5'0". The height difference kind of cracks me up. But it makes for great pictures! She is the sweetest. She is so patient and loving. What is amazing is that this is just her 3rd transfer, so we are both learning together! But she is so knowledgeable and I have lots and lots to learn from her. Here on the Square, we have something called explorer day. You get 8 hours altogether of time that you can spend basically exploring Salt Lake City, or at least Historic and Church sites. We have only used 4 hours of that. We rode the tour bus that goes around SLC that is opened on the top. I will be sending pics of that! We also watched the JS restoration movie. We will be taking a tour of the Humanitarian center and Welfare Square. I was told that they give us Creamery Chocolate milk at Welfare Square I believe, so uh. That sounds pretty great(:

My Zone's area is the Beehive House. I have given between 25-30 tours of that house in the past week. They are between 20-25 minute tours. You could say I have learned quite a bit about Brigham Young and the amazing person he is. I have gotten the oddest questions! Let me tell you! But what is neat is that I am not just a tour guide. My main purpose of being there is to be a missionary, so we get to testify with each tour we give about Jesus Christ, modern-day revelation, as well as the tremendous sacrifice the pioneers made to come here. Ask me any question about Brigham Young. Dare ya(;

Temple Square is not exactly how I thought it would be. Lots of tour buses pass by here, and the majority of the folks on those buses are pretty annoyed when missionaries come up to them because we think they are trying to sell them something. It reminds me of a regular mission. But all you can do is your best. I am trying real hard to adjust to mission life, and my companion and I are trying out different contacting tactics. All in all, things are great.I haven't given any tours of Temple Square itself yet, but I will quite soon! I have contacted on the Square ever since my first day here though.

My favorite part of the Square is definitely calls and chats from mormon.org. It is so fun, but so powerful. You would be surprised how much you can feel the Spirit of God just over a chat. People can really change by what you testify to them. But we also get lots of goobers on chat, but what do you expect??

Here is Angelique's new Address.  She is serving currently at Beehive House.

Angelique Steenhoek

50 N W Temple Street

RM BSVC

SLC Utah, 84150