Sister Steenhoek's November 12th post -

So the first presidency has asked the Temple Square mission to put on a musical fireside tonight in the assembly hall for the public to come to, as well as for missionaries in the Valley to bring their investigators to. I am in a small ensemble, as well as a dance number. I'm quite excited! Our mission president let the whole mission sleep in until 8am this morning because we have been having so many early morning meetings and practices these past few weeks. So nice!

We have an investigator named Becky who is the sweetest thing. She wants to get baptized like no other because she wants the power of the Holy Ghost in her life constantly. She texts us every few days asking us to pray for her that her baptismal interview will go through. I think sometimes we take having the power of the Holy Ghost for granted. I think it is important for us to utilize it to its fullest extent, to the purpose that it is used for, which is to bring others unto Christ.

We also have an investigator from Brazil, with whom we talked to this morning, and he is struggling with the idea of having to make so many commitments. He is earnestly looking for the truth, so it is just a matter of helping him to feel the Holy Ghost testify to him. We committed him to go to church for this coming Sunday, but then the phone cut out! I hope he goes....!

Super funny story: So my companion and I were giving a tour of Welfare Square, and at the Dairy we explain the process of making, slicing and packaging the cheese. Well it was nearing the end of the day, and the workers were finishing up their cleaning processes. I pointed to a tray of excess cheese and asked, "So what do you think they do with that excess cheese? They give it to local food banks." Right on cue, a cheese worker took that tray and dumped all the cheese into the garbage! That's never happened! I was in a bit of shock. hahah I was just thinking... hmmm just a normal day in the life of Sister Steenhoek. I tried to redeem myself with the fact: In 2011, $167,000 worth of excess cheese was donated to local food banks, but I think that war was lost.

Also, in what other mission in the world can you dial a number and security will remove creepy people from your presence? There is this man who is a volunteer at Welfare Square who washes windows, and we thought he was caring a little too much about the windows (and maybe being kind of creepy) in the Welfare Square Visitor's Center. We felt kind of bad, but we hope he didn't get his feelings too hurt!

We found out who our new mission president is! He will be starting mid January. His name is David Poulsen, and he served as the Mission President for a South Africa mission. How cool! He also served in Hong Kong, and therefore speaks Mandarin.

Well I hope all is well!

Sister Steenhoek

This is excerpts from Angie's November 7th post -

This week was full of entertainment. Spiritual entertainment!

I took my first YSA FHE tour last night, and that was fun! I was pretty nervous to take 12 young single adults my age around, but I think it went well. I was nervous that I wouldn't be able to teach them very much, but then I realized that the Spirit is the true teacher, and will testify to me what they need to hear individually.

I heard a new stereotype for Mormon girls the other day that I'd never heard of! We were talking with these 4 women, and afterwards, one of them said, "You are nothing like what people think Mormon missionaries are like." "And what is that?" "You know, long curly hair, serious facial expression." (Hmmmm..... can't say that I do...)

So Halloween here on Temple Square was great .We shut the Square down at 5pm, changed into our comfy clothes, had a baked potato bar, and watch the Chronicles of Narnia. So fun!!!

So it was my companion, Sister Thacker's birthday this past Sunday and it was the first day of snow as well!! So exciting and cute(: Of course we took pictures in the snow.

We taught a man name Beau Jory on the Square the other day. He is not a member, but is searching for something. We invited him to the Temple Square Mission Musical Fireside coming up this next Tuesday night in the Assembly Hall, and I think he will come. We will be singing lots of uplifting hymns and music that hopefully brings others closer to Christ, as well as strengthens their testimony in this gospel.

One of our recent converts texted us with big news the other day, and told us he would let us know what it was the next time we called him. He said, "I 'liked' the LDS page on facebook. It was a big step for me." Hahah I thought that was so cute! And I think that it is great that he was making that step for himself if it was important to him.

Hahah! One of our less-actives that we teach is just so funny. He is a total Californian with the lingo going on and everything. We asked him what he felt at sacrament meeting each sunday and he said, "when I go to the gym, I love talking with the buzzards, those old dudes that go and work out there. Its just like that good feeling I get when I go to church!" He just cracks me up.

Well that is all for now. I just have a few talks that if you get a chance, to look up:

~Absolute truth, I believe in like 1978 Sept? The quote by Joseph Smith talking about how the only way we will come to know God is if we get to know him in his own Sphere-Spiritually, NOT by the ways or knowledge of man.

~The Sustaining power of Faith in times of Uncertainty and Testing- didn't read it all, but it looked incredible

~as well as "facing the giants." It is a little video, not church oriented, but is SO powerful. It just tells how if you set a limit of what your best is, you will NEVER achieve anything greater. You don't know your best, but God does.

Hope all is well! Keep, the faith. When in doubt, forget yourself, and serve others.

Sister Steenhoek and some of her fellow missionaries.

Flat Tires, Apostles, and lots of Chocolate Milk

29 October, 2013

So what do 6 sister missionaries do once they find out they have a flat tire? Of course! Pull into a conveniently located Auto Zone, take pictures with the flat tire, and then go get some snacks and wait for the mechanic to get there.

So Welfare Square is so neat. Something that we are privileged to do while serving there is that we are able to host orders. A host goes around with the people picking up their food order and they mark off the items on a list that that particular person/family is in need of. It is so much fun! It truly shows you that there are lots of different kinds of people with an array of needs. It is both humbling and an honor to go around with them and fill their shopping carts with the food they need. It is fun getting to know each and every one of them! Funny story: we were giving a tour to 2 sets of sisters from temple square, and we had just passed through the cannery where they were canning apple sauce. One of our sisters poked her head in the door and said, "Could I try the apple sauce??" The man working in there loves sisters and gave each of us a jar of apple sauce hot off of the assembly line! That was so nice of him(: The smell of cheese at Welfare Square has gotten quite old, but the wonderful chocolate milk never gets old!

We met Elder Hinckley, President Gordon B. Hinckley's son, as well as his wife at Welfare Square. They were giving a tour to a newly elected senator of Australia, I do not recall his name. But that was neat!

I have seen Elder Williams quite a few times on Temple Square giving tours to his investigators, so it is so funny seeing him around.

Probably the biggest temptation here on Temple Square? Wanting to pick up all the leaves all over the place and throw them in the air, acting like a little kid. The hardships of acting professional.

We have this adorable lady who we got in contact with who lives in the North East, who wasn't understanding that we didn't live near her. When we were talking with her on the phone, she would be like, "Can you tell those nice young gentlemen (Elders) who visited me to give me a call regarding the next visit?" Or, "When will you and I meet in person?" We sadly had to explain to her that we were not in her local area:/ She said, "One day, we will meet. Whether it is here or in heaven. I am so grateful for your service!"

We have this other kid we are teaching over the phone, Josh. He is a high school senior. He had a copy of the Book of Mormon, but hadn't read it in a while, and therefore was losing interest. The scriptures can be likened to any situation(: For some reason, the only thing to try and spark his mind was when Ammon was leading the people of Limhi our of the land of Helam away from the persecution of the Lamanites. Gideon, Limhi's chief general, had the idea of making the Lamanite guards drunken with wine so the people could esacpe with their flocks. Good move, Sister Steenhoek. Hahah afterwards I was thinking, really? That is the first thing that came to mind?? But afterwards we asked him what he was doing at the moment, and he replied, "Not much really." We got you now... I replied, "Great! Could we read with you out of the Book of Mormon right now?" We started with "I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents,..." And stopped to provide input. At the end of our reading with him, he sounded quite intrigued with the Book of Mormon and is going to start reading again! The gospel is true(:

We had a surprise guest come speak to us yesterday morning! Elder Dallin H. Oaks and his beautiful wife, Sister Oaks came and spoke with our mission. It was a pleasure!! We all got to shake his hand afterwards. A sister had asked a question regarding a complex question that doesn't directly apply to the basic doctrines of the church. He said to 1. Respond to the question they SHOULD have asked, 2, answer with what you do know, and 3, Don't state personal stances and beliefs. We are not called on a mission to preach the Gospel of Sister Steenhoek, but of Jesus Christ. We should tell people what he would have us tell them. There was also another question asked regarding what we should tell less-active RMs. He responded by telling us the recipe to become less-active:

Stop your spiritual maintenance.

Stop going to church, stop reading your scriptures regularly, and stop praying. This will surely cause you to drift away. Those who drift away no longer have that weekly promise of "always having his spirit to be with them" when they stop partaking of the sacrament. SO powerful and true. That is what is most important.

Just to end, a scripture I just LOVE to share on tours at Welfare Square is Mosiah 4:21. God has given us everything. None of this is ours in retrospect. We should therefore be in the service of our fellow beings. That is where true happiness comes(: 2 Nephi 26:30.

Keep it fun! Play in the leaves for me(:

Sister Steenhoek

                                                 

                                                 Angie with the PR Rep for the Church

Crom- Conference Prom

Oh my. I never explained CROM! Crom is "Conference Prom" We all wake up at 5:30ish and get ready for General Conference since there is a chance we could wind up in the General Conference Issue of the Ensign....not to mention we had to be on the Square by 7:30.....so funny(:

Woah. This week was something else! I feel like sooooooooo much happened, yet here I am once again at the computer emailing away! It is so odd  to think that today is my last P-day of the transfer! Just letting everyone know that I may or may not be able to email next week. Transfers are next week, and who knows when my P-day will be or what my next assignment will be(:

Well for starters, I'll explain last P-day and our craziness. So after emailing, we went to our Zone activity, which was bowling. Afterwards, we went to IHOP to grab some food. While we were there, a sister called our phone, Sister McQueen, and told me she found my camera! It was hidden in the weirdest spot, stuck under a chair cushion at a desk! Anywho, it was found just in time, right before I was about to buy a new camera. Thank goodness! But the thing here is having a flash drive and taking other peoples' pictures that they have taken from events. It really pays to be able to see sisters from my mission each and every day!

We then went to Costco and Walmart to finish out that busy day. I still cannot get over 2-story Walmarts.

Before I get into General Conference weekend, I forgot to mention something about the Relief Society General Broadcast! So last week, I believe I mentioned that I was able to go to it live and sit in the plaza seating. Well the General Relief Society President walks up to us sisters and starts talking with all of us. She points to me and says, what is your favorite primary hymn? I totally blank and say, "uhh it has something to do with Jesus." hahaah how detailed! I could not remember the title for the life of me. But luckily, my co-sister training leader in the MTC said, "is it, 'I'm trying to be like Jesus??'" YES! It is!!! I told the General Primary President of the church, and she said, well you ARE being like Jesus by being on a mission. You are doing a great job. It was a pretty cool moment for sure(:

Now for General Conference!!! It is one thing to watch it. It's another thing to watch it while being on a mission because you are reading these kinds of things non-stop each day. So when conference comes around you are just so enthusiastic with each catch phrase an apostle says. But it is a WHOLE OTHER thing to be part of the entire production of Conference!! Just amazing!!

Some of the people I remember seeing from conference: Brother Crockett my MTC teacher, Lauren Morris and the whole Morris gang(:, Chelsea from my summer BYU ward, Taylor and Dallin (my cousins) and Uncle Matt, Elder Sam Williams from the Katy 3rd Ward in Houston, Sara Herzig from college and Houston, Chantell Bartholomew (I don't remember her new last name!), Amanda-she cuts my mom's and sister's hair!, Jennifer Dukes(:, Aubrey from my winter ward, as well as others from BYU!

Super fun seeing familiar faces! I am sorry if I misspelled your names:/ Anyways, it was a BLAST being on the 'other side' of General Conference. Something we were trying to accomplish was to get lots and lots of referrals for who to we could start teaching from the many members who showed up to Conference. I know that lots of people think that we as missionaries are kind of annoying when we go up and ask if there is anyone in their lives that they think could use a message of Jesus Christ, but I now know that being on the other side of things and being a missionary instead of a member missionary TOTALLY puts things in perspective. Member missionaries, we NEED your help. What I told hundreds of people here over the weekend was that being bold is key. Yes, you need to keep timing in mind, as well as being loving, but sharing the gospel with your friends and loved ones is key. If God wanted to spread the Gospel on his own, I am sure he could do that without any problems(: But his method for missionary work has been laid out for a reason. I believe it is to bring both the missionary (the member OR the one with the black tag) and the investigator closer to Christ.

I feel honored that all of the people I've talked to and all of the people who've referred 1+ of their closest friends and loved ones trust me as a disciple of Christ to bring them unto him. It makes me want to try even harder to see what Heavenly Father sees in his children.

We ended up getting about 65 referrals over the weekend. That is so many precious souls in the sight of Heavenly Father!!!

I talked with this one lady who was just having so many troubles in her life. She broke down in tears right there, and mentioned how she spent most of her life caring for her 10 children, and how she felt no one really appreciated her or even called her by her name. She is having marriage troubles and is having a hard time bringing happiness into her life. I hope that through talking with her that we will be able to bring lasting happiness into her home(:

Well on Monday, we got to sleep in until 12, and Tuesday until 9 am. How late!!!

Monday, Sister Thacker had a fever, so instead of going with us to our service activity from 1-4, she stayed home with one of our awesome zone leaders, Sister Gannon, and Sister George, our other Zone leader, was my exchange companion for the afternoon. It was soooo funny being with her because she just laughed all afternoon long. I don't think there was a moment without laughter during service! We went to Heritage Park and set up for a haunted ghost town type thing they will be doing. Since it shows the history of Utah, we moved handcarts and wagons for our service! It sounds totally silly (which it was!) But it was also such hard work! I respect the pioneers for the many miles they trekked. We got some superb jump pictures out of that service project, though! The usual jump picture, as well as a ninja jump pic!

This morning, my companion and I served in the Humanitarian Center giving tours, and I had NO IDEA what to say! I did not know any of the information, but luckily, my companion had just served there the transfer before(:

 We gave 30 5th graders a tour, and this one was obsessed with dragons haha. He was telling me all about how he draws them in class every day. That age is just so funny!

Sooo you know you're a missionary when you see someone in SLC trying to back out of their parallel-parked parking spot on the street and you want to run over and stand behind them and guide them out of their spot! RMs and missionaries, you know what I am talking about.

Well I drove the mission vehicle today. Kind of exciting. It was funny because my companion was having troubles backing the car out of our parking garage, and pulling it back in, so I came to the rescue in both and we switched places hahah.

Well. We have to go get ready for our Christmas party that we're having as a district! we are watching the Christmas Orange and eating pumpkin pie(:That's all for today! I always jut have so much to say(: Hope all is well! Write me emails(:

<3

Sister Steenhoek

This is Angelique and her fellow Sister Missionaries in a rarely seen area in the basement of the Beehive house.  October 1, 2013