God Works In Mysterious Ways!

Dear Family,

This week has been pretty great! The slow times are over and this area is alive again! I had an enjoyable exchange with my district leader and I learned a lot from Zone Training, but I think the best thing that happened was just yesterday!

This week has actually been pretty sunny! Of course, when it is sunny, the temperature plummets and it is very cold, but I have been doing well. Many members of the ward have been getting sick, but Elder Anderson and I haven't! I think it is because I wash my hands pretty often. :) I am starting to get used to standing with good posture and my back hasn't been hurting me as much this week! I guess all of those strengthening exercises Sister Eaton gave me have been doing good!

Yesterday (Sunday, January 10th), Elder Anderson and I were at a member's home doing some follow-up. We really just showed up to set up an appointment, but they let us in right then, so I we didn't come prepared with a short message to share. While we were there, I prayed and asked what scripture to share and then I flipped open the Book of Mormon to a random scritpure. I turned to Mosiah 4:27. I read over it and I waited patiently for the right time to share it. It never came. We shared a Mormon Message video called, "I'll go where you want me to go." It was about member missionary work! So perfect, but it didn't really go well with the scripture I found. I didn't end up sharing it during that lesson, but I kept it book marked.

Later that night, we visited a less-active family. I, again, was expecting just to do a door stop visit and set up another time to meet, but the father was home and they let us in. It was just the father and the mother there this time. We haven't met with them for a few weeks, so we followed up with how things were in their family. They told us how they have been going through a hard time, and how they were fighting for custody of some boys that they have been raising for 10 years, and many other stressful things. When I looked at my Book of Mormon to share a message, I saw the book mark. I opened it and shared the scripture. It talked about how we need not run faster than we have strength. I related it to how we are saved after all that we can do. I ended by bearing my testimony of how Jesus Christ knows all that we are going through and how we will never be given a trial that we can't overcome through him. The Spirit was strong. They said that message is what they needed to hear and they were grateful for us coming over. I know that Heavenly Father gave me that scripture to share with them, even though I didn't know when or who to share it with. He really does work in mysterious ways!

I love you all so much! I hope you are all having a great week, too!

Love,

Elder Bretton Steiner.

Items Received:
* Snow Package from the Harris family! Thank you! I love you, too!

Sorry, I forgot to take pictures this week! I hope I will remember for next week!

PS: Note that P-Day will be on Tuesday for the next 3 weeks, so the letters will be a little late.

Happy New Ye... Wait, is it 2016?

Dear Family,

Did you know that I have been out for over 6 months now? I just found that out. I am a little shocked. It has definitely not felt that long! I was talking with someone (I don't remember who), but they said that they don't set New Years resolutions, they set goals. No one actually accomplishes New Year resolutions (If you do, I applaud you), but everyone accomplishes goals that they really work for. I just thought that was funny. I always thought that goals and New Year resolutions were the same thing. I guess not. :)

This week has been a little slow. People are getting sick, but not the missionaries. And now people are finally returning from their vacations! Elder Anderson finally got to meet the bishop yesterday. The bishop left right as Elder Anderson got transferred here, and he got back lateSaturday night.

I recently have been studying humility. I have found that humility is closely related to submitting your will to God. In Mosiah 24:15, it says, "The burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, 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." In this verse is a promise. If you submit your will to the Lord with patience and cheer, you will find your burdens lightened. Alma and his brethren were humble! They did wait, and sure enough, the Lord did eventually deliver them! I know that with God, nothing is impossible.

I love you all and I hope you had a great New Years!

Love,

Elder Bretton Steiner

This is where Elder Anderson put his statue. Yep, Velcro is awesome!

It got pretty cold this week. Cold enough that the fountains in Washington Park Apartments started to make mountains of ice. All three of the fountains are in the picture, just some are farther away. It was so cool, you might even say it was cold!

Merry Christmas!!!

Dear Family,

Christmas was so great! I didn't get to go out and proselyte for very much because we moved our weekly planning to that morning. I got to have dinner at the Alfrey's home which was roast beef and potatoes and green beans! So good! Sister Alfrey has a niece that is serving a mission, too, so she had a call set up with her for later that night. I had the first call home, and Elder Anderson had the second. While I waited during his call, I played a board game with the family. They are great! I almost forgot how fun board games are!

On Christmas Adam, my Zone when to an "old folks home" to go caroling! I should have taken a picture of it... I loved the caroling! I even got a lot of compliments on my singing. The "old folks" really enjoyed our performance and we wished them a Merry Christmas before we left to go to our Christmas Devotional. It was great!

I am glad to hear that you all had a great Christmas, too! I love you all so much! Don't ever give up! Church on Sunday seemed to have a topic that was on our divine potential. Each and every one of us are sons and daughters of God. We have the potential to become like Him! How different would our lives be if we saw everyone as princes and princesses to the Kingdom of God? Would we be a little more compassionate? More kind? More serving? I know that as we remember everyone's divine potential, we can find greater happiness in our lives, and in the lives of those we serve.

I love you all!
Love,
Elder Bretton Steiner.
No Items Received this week.

I made a Birthday cake for Jesus! It was so good!

Christmas calls were fun! I love you Bryson!

Here are some of the things that I make, just for fun! :)

I made a giant map of the area out of about 17 papers, cut and pasted together! I am now highlighting the roads so we can see them better. This is still a work in progress.

This is a water-proof box that is meant to carry 1 Book of Mormon and 2 Restoration pamphlets, and to be mounted onto my bike! It took me about 2 weeks to make it. Oh, and the Velcro keeps it closed!

Christmas Is Coming! "Snow" Way!

Dear Family,

This week has been pretty great! Elder Anderson and I are seeing blessings and miracles happen in Scenic Hill. Christmas is on the way, we have presents under our tree, we are listening to Christmas Mormon Tabernacle Choir, everyone is nice at this time of year, and there is no snow, just rain. Yep, lots of rain. It would feel more like Christmas if it snowed. I am pretty excited for Christmas to come! It is also very awesome to have the car full time again!

Elder John was my District Leader last transfer, but now has been transferred to the Skyway ward in the Renton Stake. His first day there, he got shot in the leg, but he is doing good now. Anyway, my new District Leader is Elder Bakes! Oh, and my district includes the Assistants to the President! That is so cool! Since my District Leader doesn't have a car, we are their ride for everything! I will probably get a picture of us in the car sometime later today.

On Sunday, we were going around doing work, and I found this list of less active members to visit that I had forgotten about. We have had it for almost 4 weeks. So, I chose the Muauu family and decided to go visit. When we got there, Brother Muauu was actually home. We don't visit them often because he works from 9 am to 10 pm every single day, so the fact that he was home was a miracle! I shared the short Christmas message from 3 Nephi 1:19-21 (The one about the signs of Christ's birth) and talked about how important it is to remember Christ, the true meaning of Christmas. Sister Muauu said that this was exactly what she needed and was grateful that we came by. I know that Heavenly Father is mindful of all of us! He knows our situation and is willing to help. Sometimes He offers the comfort of the Spirit, sometimes it is by a loved one visiting, or even sometimes the missionaries will come over! I know that He loves all of us with a love that we cannot comprehend! Let us rejoice because He has given us this great gift, His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ to atone for our sins! Let us celebrate His birth this Christmas!

I can't wait for Christmas calls! I am so excited to see you! Mom will know the details of the Skype. I will get only 40 minutes, so come prepared with questions or things to say. I want to make the most of it! I love you all!

Love,

Elder Steiner.

Items Received:

* 2 Christmas Packages from home
* Package from Grandma and Grandpa Sheffield

I realized I forgot to take some pictures of my new companion, Elder Anderson, so I got a picture right here at the library!

This is our Christmas tree, missionary style!

Transfers, The New And Upcoming

Dear Family,

Today is Transfer P-Day! Everyone knows that after training, the Trainer and the Trainee don't stay together, so I knew something was coming this transfer. Elder Miner is getting transferred, and I am staying in Scenic Hill! Also, Scenic Hill has a little change, again. It is, once again, full time car! Yay! I have seen a lot of changes over the 4 transfers I have been here. This next transfer is going to be fun! It will contain: Christmas, New Years, and my Birthday! After looking on the missionary portal, I found that my new companion is named Elder Anderson. Since transfers are happening at 2:00 today, I can't really tell you anything about him, yet. Next week.

This week was the last week of the transfer, so we got to see lots of miracles! Here is just a very brief overview of some of them: We helped members move into an apartment complex that we were recently kicked out of, so now we can go there again! We finally got an investigator to church! (First one since Lili Tuiloma. About 9 weeks without any.) Lots of less-active members came to the Ward Christmas Party and we got to talk with them! And many more miracles!

The Family Home Evening with the Ainuu family last night was amazing! It was a little goofy, but a lot of fun! When they found out about transfers, they were really sad. They related to us how grateful they are that we never gave up on them and helped them return to church. It has been a testimony builder to me that the Gospel isn't just baptizing people, but it is something that changes lives for the better. The Gospel is the way and the truth, our opportunity to become something better than we currently are. Heavenly Father loves all of us. This is His plan. This is His blessing. We are so blessed to be a part of His true church and to be able to live up to our full potential.

I can't wait to speak to you on Christmas! I love you all!

Love,

Elder Steiner.

Items Received:

* Letters from Oak Hollow Primary. I loved them! I love all of you, too!

The finish of our last exchange with Elder John. Both Elder Miner and Elder John are being transferred.

This is my first time making Russian Chicken on my mission! It was awesome! Thanks for the recipe Mom!

The Ainuu family at the end of last night's Family Home Evening.

A funny picture with the Ainuu's.

It's Raining, It Must Be A Bike Day!

Dear Family,

This week has been good. I remember a few weeks ago I made a joke that it always rains when we don't have the car. It was funny at the time, but this week it actually happened that way. When we had the car, overcast and cold. When we were on bikes, raining and still cold. Don't worry, I have 2 sweaters, a raincoat, a scarf, and a beanie, so I am not cold. :)

This week we found a new investigator who is really funny. He is a pretty old African American who loves to talk and has a strong faith in Jesus Christ. We have only had 2 lessons with him so far, but I love how energetic and excited he is. It is really funny, he would talk about what he has learned in life, and then we would find a scripture in the Book of Mormon that taught the same thing! He is known to say, "Oh, help me Lord!" whenever he can't remember something. He is also known to say, "In Jesus name!" when he agrees with something. I love having a really energetic investigator!

I love you all so much!

Love,
Elder Steiner.

P.S. I have started to write down Sister Tuiloma's Conversion Story, but it is far from complete. As far as I know, she hasn't been baptized yet, but I also haven't been in contact with her new missionaries. I am debating waiting to write it to you until after she is baptized. Let me know what you think. Thank you for your patience!

Items Received:
* Package containing (what seems like) hundreds of letters! Thank you everyone! Your the best!

This is our P-Day group! We were at Jack In The Box doing the 10 Taco challenge that Elder Miner came up with. I actually only got 4 tacos. Elder Czarnecki ate 7, Elder Miner had 10, and Elder Lloyd had 13!!! That's crazy.

I don't know how well you can see this, but the road is closed off because of flooding. This picture was taken just a few hours ago.
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Giving Thanks for Blessings and Miracles!

Dear Family,

Thanksgiving was pretty great! Elder Miner and I got to eat with 2 different families! The Ainuu family kind of canceled on us. They let us come over, but they told us when we got there that they changed their minds and wanted to go to their parent's house for Thanksgiving. They gave us some food (The typical turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes, but with Macaroni and Cheese, too) and we still got to talk, but it ended up only being about 30 minutes. The last 90 minutes of dinner, we spent over at another less-active family, with Sister Tingey. They made Italian Sodas for Thanksgiving. I usually don't like sodas, but they were so good!

I could go on about what cool things we got to do at the Thanksgiving Activities, but I would rather tell you a couple of miracles that happened this week. And I am so grateful for them!

Elder Miner's bike (which is borrowed from another missionary) has had troubles this week. We found out on Friday, that it had a flat front tire. We tried to patch it up, but every time we thought we fixed it, we found another hole in the inner tube. The inner tube had about 8 holes in it. I have no idea how it had that many holes, but it became apparent that it was irreparable. We had to make an emergency visit to the bike shop. Due to all of the red lights, we arrived around 6:55. I thought that the shop closed at 6:00 and when we approached, the lights were off and it was obviously closed. We were in the parking lot about to turn around, when another car came up behind us and parked. The man that got out of the car happened to be the owner of the shop and he was just out for a few minutes. The shop was really supposed to close at 7:00, but he said that he was gone to help out one of his friends. When we showed him the inner tube, he gave us 2 brand new ones for free! I was totally shocked. If we didn't have all of those red lights (and it was pretty much every single stop light) we would have shown up and left before the owner got back. So, this was a double miracle!

I told you a couple of weeks ago about our goal to find 5 new investigators each week. The last 2 weeks, we didn't reach our goal, but this week, we have been blessed! Heavenly Father has lead us to a family of 4 (actually 5, but the father wasn't in our lesson) and they are searching for the truth! I hope that we can help them come closer to Christ by helping them be baptized!

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving! I love you all!

Love,

Elder Steiner.

P.S. I still haven't written down Sister Tuiloma's conversion story. She actually hasn't been baptized, yet. What I hear from our member fellowship is that she is still committed to be baptized! I will tell you this much, the theme of her story is "Open Your Door". It will be a lot shorter than the first one, but that is because I have a bad memory. I hope that I can get her to write down her story and send it to me.

Items Received:

* Letter from Grandma and Grandpa Sheffield. Thank you! I love you!

Q & A

Do you have transfers the same week as Christmas?
* No. President Eaton decided to shorten the transfer to 5 weeks, so transfers are a week and a half before Christmas.
* My companion will probably not be Elder Miner. I have served in Scenic Hill for almost 6 months. Odds are that I am going to a new area for Christmas.

Will that affect your call home? Where will you go to make the call?
* All I can do is set up skype calls with the Alfrey's in Scenic Hill. Pretty much all I can hope for is that my companion in "my probably future" area has Christmas calls set up.

Do you even have Facetime or Skype?
* Yes. Calls made in this mission are generally done over Skype, but I think Facetime might work, too.

Do you know anyone that has that technology that will share so we can see you on Christmas?
* So far, I know the Alfrey's did it for Elder Nelson and Elder Green on Mother's Day. I hope Christmas works for them.

Elder Miner is ready to celebrate Christmas! He really likes to wrap his blanket around his head.

We decided that we wanted more Thanksgiving food, so we had Stuffing! YES!! I love it!

It was foggy all day on Sunday. I loved it! It felt like an adventure! Also, can you find our Ponderizing Scripture in the reflection on our windshield? I had to print a reversed paper in order to make it reflect the right way.

Knowing that my time in Scenic Hill is winding down, and as Elder Miner's training is almost complete, I took him to see the Seattle Horizon, just like my trainer showed me.

Join in Mighty Prayer Alma 6:6

Dear Family,

This week was Zone Conference! It was all about mighty prayer. The scripture I put in the subject line is the ponderizing scripture we had for this week. Mighty prayers aren't about how much time or how beautiful the words are, it is the feeling that makes it mighty. It is a prayer that you pour your whole heart and soul into! I feel like mighty prayer is also very specific. President Eaton made it pretty clear that we can actually pray for specific experiences with our investigators. I am pretty excited!

I also went on an exchange this week! This time a left Scenic Hill and went over to the Crestwood ward with Elder John! Every time a member asked where I was from, they would always say there are a lot of missionaries from Kaysville, Utah. I remember one particular experience from it. Elder John and I had a set dinner at 5 and we forgot to bring our reflective vests to put on after 5. So, we quickly went back to the apartment to pick them up, but while there, I accidentally left my second sweater there. (Yes, I wear 2 sweaters because of how cold it gets.) After dinner, it was dark and cold. That was when I realized that I forgot it. I said I was cold, but then said, "Nevertheless not my will, but thine be done." I was just quoting a scripture, but I feel like it was real. I prayed that God would keep me warm for the rest of the evening. Right after that, we went over to an investigators house, (The investigator has been out of town for 3 weeks.) and he was there! We got to teach him a lesson on the Book of Mormon and he was totally fixed on it! He was already committed for baptism, and now I see why! He was amazing! I noticed later on, that I didn't feel cold anymore. I know that God will answer our prayers and sometimes, we just need to ask.

Love,

Elder Steiner.

P.S. I still haven't written down Sister Tuiloma's Conversion Story. It is hard to write it on the spot, so give me some time.

Items Received:
* Thanksgiving Package from family! Yay! Muffin Tins! Now I really get to make desserts!

I had to get a picture of the sky. I didn't get to see the blue sky for almost a week. I had no idea I would miss it so much.

Goals

Dear Family,

This week has been pretty good. It is starting to rain almost every day! We even got some snow on Saturday morning. I got a picture of it. It only snowed for about 30 minutes and all melted by the end of the hour. I am grateful that I have a car at least part time! The heaters are nice!

This week, there has been a focus on goals. Our mission is currently working on the goal of 40 baptisms this month. I think we were at 17 last week and we had some on Saturday, so I think we are over 20 now. Elder Miner and I started working on our own goals on a paper called the Standards of Excellence. Over about an hour of discussion and prayers, Elder Miner and I have set a goal for 5 new investigators every week. I feel like it is obtainable through God, but I know that there is no way we can reach that goal on our own. We worked very hard and showed a lot of faith throughout the rest of the week. We had several opportunities to meet that goal, but because of agency, they fell through. By the end of the week, we only found 2 new investigators, but I don't feel like we lost. We did all that we could do and we worked hard. God blessed us so much that those 2 new investigators are conditionally committed for baptism (meaning they will be baptized when they learn the church is true). I hope that we will be able to accomplish our goal this week and continue to work hard and show our faith. I hope for the promise that is said in Ether 12:6, "And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith." I know that in the end, we will be blessed for our faith and diligence in His work. I love you all!

Love,

Elder Steiner.

Elder Miner got bored during our Weekly Planning snack break.

The snow we got on Saturday morning! After I saw this, I realized it is already half way through November! Time sure is flying!

The Light Of Our Testimony

Dear Family,

This week has been full of adventures! And it has been full of fun, too! The housing coordinators came by when we were doing Weekly Planning at our District Leader's apartment, and they didn't clean it ahead of time. :) I have seen the blessings of opening my mouth this week!

We are now starting a new transfer, that is why this e-mail is on a Tuesday. I can't believe how fast time has been flying! This week marks the beginning of my 4th Transfer! Elder Miner and I are both staying in Scenic Hill for another transfer! Yay! I am still training!

I am starting to realize how much time has passed because the sun now goes down at 5:30 rather than the 10:00 I am used to. The lights on my bike are starting to get really important now.

On Tuesday, during the daytime, I noticed that the headlight on my bike seemed a little dim. I thought that it was fine, it only looked that way because it was bright outside. As the day got darker and darker, it became apparent that my light really was low on battery. It got to the point where I had to follow closely behind Elder Miner and use his light to shine the way. This made me think about our testimony. If the light is our testimony, then darkness would be trials. It is easy to think that we have a great testimony when it is bright outside, but when the darkness comes, when the trials and tribulations come, we realize it isn't enough. It is day time right now. Now is the time to prepare and strengthen our testimonies, so when trials come, we can still see the true way by the light of our testimony.

I hope that all of you are taking every moment possible to add to your own light. We know that we are living in the last days and hard times will come. My hope is that we will all be ready for when that time comes. I love you all, so much!

Love,

Elder Bretton Steiner.

Sorry again for the lack of pictures. I want to take pictures, I am just too busy. There really is work in missionary work!

Q and A:

Are you able to get dry?

• Yes, when I am not in the rain, I eventually dry off. It might just take a few hours.

Do you get to go to the temple at all during your mission?

• Yes. I automatically get to go 2 times, one each January. While on the January Temple trips, we will be able to visit a Deseret Book, and I plan on getting more missionary approved music! I also get to go when my recent converts enter the temple.

Do you have any requests for your Thanksgiving package? Do you need new shirts, socks, pants, or anything?

• Yes, some snacks. We don't get very much money for our shopping, so our snacks are very limited. I loved the last package and you did choose the kind of cookies that I like!
• I don't know if I am in need of anything, but I would love to have another pair of black slacks and another pair of "darn tough" socks (now my favorite socks).