Faith

Hi everyone this week was sweet. Bob is still getting baptized the 21 and is studying and finding answers to his questions on lds.org without our help. He's solid. We also met a less active, Molly, who is pregnant with triplets!!!:-) She's going to have 2 boys and 1 girl. I'm excited for her but my companion feels sorry for her. She still dosn't know what names she'll give them. So I've started reading the New Testament and I like the stories of Christ's healings. Each story shows how the atonement works because for the healing the recipitant needs faith so Christ always asks, "Do you believe that I can do this?, "Is your faith sufficiant?" So we need to "soley rely on Christ" and the atonement will work in our lives. Merry Christmas! Elder S Stolp

Snow!

Hi everyone, this week was sweet. It snowed yesterday and it was 37 degrees this morning. We taught Bob, from India, more this week and we gave him a baptismal date! He's awesome, he does whatever he commits to do. We met with someone from El Salvador and he was telling us that we shouldn't be out because it was snowing and then he asked us questions about missionarys and mormons and he got to get to know us and we got to get to know him more so now we have a return appointment. I'm really excited for Christmas and it's been fun sharing the birth of Christ in the scriptures to the members. Merry Chistmas! Love Elder S Stolp

Singing

Hi everyone, this week was good. We taught Bob, Bob2's son, the plan of salvation and we taught it using a diagram that I drew, so that was fun. And I still play the piano for the branch so I'm grateful that I'm able to use my talents on my mission. I'm really exciting about Christmas coming, we have a lot of Christmas partys to go and end of the year things and we get to sing songs about Jesus like "Joy to the World" that others don't like to sing or play all year so I'm really excited about celebrating Christ's birth and to spread the good news of God's mercy to everyone I meet. Love, Elder Stolp

New Guy

HI everyone, this week was good. I tried an energy drink called Spike. My companion likes to drink Red Bulls and Rockstars and he tells me they're more healthy than Soda because the energy drinks have 0 Calories, 0 Sugars and B Vitamins. The one I tried had 300 mg of Caffeine and the others only have 120-140 mg. We found out that I'm not sensitive to Caffeine. So we have a new investigator from India, Bob. When he lived in India he spoke 28 languages of the 200 languages they have in India, Later he lived in Chile for five years and then moved to the United States for a year and is learning Spanish and English. We taught him the Restoration and gave him three Books of Mormon in Hindi, Spanish and English. The following day he read the first seven chapters of 1 Nephi. When we asked him to offer the closing prayer before we left, he prayed in silent for an hour before I interrupted him. That same Sunday he attended all three hours of church and he came by taxi because had had no transportation. We're pretty pumped about this guy. Love Elder S Stolp

Opposites

Hi everyone, this week was good, I get to stay in Annapolis with Elder Bob next transfer, we think they put us together because we're so different. I'm organized, introverted, inexpressive, Elder Bob is very open and doesn't hide anything, doesn't understand why he should spend time cleaning, has a lot of questions, etc. So they threw us together to see what would happen......We talked with an investigator, Bob, yesterday and we're planning on going to the visitor's center at the Washington DC Temple this week. I heard it's a beautiful Temple so I'm excited about going there. I know this is the Lord's work and that God loves each and every one of us. Love, Elder S Stolp

Be Bold

Hi everyone,
 So my district are doing bold competitions where we do something bold throughout the week that we share with the district and then the district leader decides who wins the bold crown. Last week we were at a stop light when I got out and gave a Book of Mormon to a lady in the next lane...I forgot to share my testimony but hopefully I won't forget next time. Yesterday, I made a vegetable and fruit smoothy when my companion decided to put two whole shrimps soaked in mole sauce in it...it tasted terrible but I drank all of it. There was a lot of less actives that came to church this week and it was great to see them. I know that the gospel changes lives.
 Love, Elder S Stolp

Halloween

Hi everyone, so Bob got baptized, and I had the opportunity to perform the ordinance since the member who was going to do wasn't available. But his family and friends is what really helped him progress, my companion and I just "watched it happen." During a visit with a less active we got on the subject of Halloween. The sister told us she didn't understand why the church would let us celebrate Halloween. I then shared with her how my Mom didn't like Halloween either. When Halloween came, she didn't do anything. And then my companion talked about how the church likes holidays because they are opportunities to reunite family and friends. Love Elder Stolp

Branch Conference

Hi everyone, The Branch just had a Branch Conference yesterday (Spa Creek Branch Spanish, all of Annapolis) and they talked a lot about families and Home teaching. That night we had a visit with one of the less actives, Bob, that attended. He told us that the night before he stayed up late watching "The Other Side of Heaven" and reflected on how hard it was for this young missionary on this island with the support of few members and resources and how he feels like he doesn't have any support from the members and realized he finds fault in them. He reflected on the talk that Uchtdorf gave that the members of the church aren't perfect and make mistakes and he became less angry at the members who talk so much about hometeaching when he hasn't been home taught in four years. He came to the Branch Conference in his suit and brought his four year old daughter with him and especially liked the talks about families. Because his family life is suffering from addictions that he's been fighting with, he has been reaching out for God in his life and is calling his hometeacher and going to church and staying busy by cleaning the house and working out and has asked us, the missionaries, to come over a lot to talk about spiritual things or even to workout with him.....and then we'll baptize his wife (ha ha ha ha) Thank you so much for your support and thanks for all of the letters from everyone! Love Elder Stolp.

Conference

Hi everyone, I really enjoyed conference and the spirit of missionary work and motivation I felt from it. I especially liked Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf''s talk Saterday Morning, how he said their is room for everyone in the church and is designed for us to learn from each other and progress. Because we all have a talent or ability that we can use to bless the lives of others. One night, we met a woman in her house. We introduced ourselves and explained what we did as missionaries. At one point she asked us "How do you know who has been called of God?" I then talked about the Priesthood and explained why there needs to be an authority and that this authority has been restored to the earth through Joseph Smith, as well as the safty in Priesthood authority just as we need policemen. We left a pamphlet with her and hope to stop by again. Thank's everyone for your support and love!
Love,
 Elder Steven Stolp

Cemetery

Hi Everyone, We cleaned up cemetery for the community and helped this one member with building his project he's making in his backyard, he has a pool, a wooden structure for shade, and a counter of bricks for a grill to be inside it somehow. I was able to play the piano at sacrament meeting, as well at a baptismal service. There's something magical about music, it calms us down, gives us hope, it strengthens the faith, and invites the spirit, it's wonderful.

Service

Hi everyone, this week was good, we went to a park by the water to play volley ball and some football. Some members live in woodland, where there houses are more like cabins. We had the opportunity to leaf blow one of these members yards and it was so much fun because there were tons of leaves and with the three of us, we did it with three leaf blowers. Afterwards they provided dinner for us and we shared a message. I'm happy for the opportunity I have to serve the people here in whatever way I can. The Church is true! Love Elder Stolp

Music

Hi Everyone,
 We cleaned up a cemetery for the community and helped this one member with building his project he's making in his backyard, he has a pool, a wooden structure for shade, and a counter of bricks for a grill to be inside it somehow. I was able to play the piano at sacrament meeting, as well at a baptismal service. There's something magical about music, it calms us down, gives us hope, it strengthens the faith, and invites the spirit, it's wonderful.

Annapolis

Hi everyone,
now I'm in Annapolis, a city just south-west from Baltimore. I have two companions now, Elder Bob and Elder Bob. We had Pupusas at a members house, which is a food from El Salvador that's a Tortilla with meat or cheese inside with "salad" and a sauce...super good. We have an investigator, Bob from Mexico, who was in a car accident a while back and lost some of his memory. He had to relearn how to speak and read Spanish again and it's hard to not confuse his intentions with complications. We watched the hour long restoration video with him to help him with his learning and so that he can feel the Spirit. From the storys, illustrations and examples in the video, he learned the importance of reading, praying and also of sharing this important message we have. I hope you enjoyed your Labor Day!
 Love
Elder Stolp
(names have been changed)

Atonement

Hi everyone,
this next transfer I'm going to be in a trio with two natives! Maybe now I'll learn my Spanish! :)And there's going to be 35 new missionaries to the mission. We've doubled in size since six months ago. It's awesome, we've been forced to come out of our comfort zones and step up to leadership responsibilities etc. There's a lot of people that really struggle with understanding why God would let bad things happen such as loosing a loved one or job, house and all of your belongings, others think it's too late for them to be religious because they've done something too horrible and it's made me think and study more about the Atonement.
Love,
Elder Steven Stolp

Food

Hi everyone,
this week was good, Hispanics are so nice! They always want to feed you and talk to you about the food they cook and how they loved to cook in there country and on and on. There's a lot of things in life that could easily confuse us but just remember that you read the Book of Mormon, prayed about it and received an answer that it's true.
 Love
Elder Steven Stolp

Chilax

Dear Family and Friends,
 One of my investigators got baptized on Sunday after Church. My companion has been here in the area for the past 6-7 months and has got to know him very well so he wanted him to baptize him. He's from Peru and lives with the Vargas family, also from Peru. Brother Bob always feeds us his wonderful Peruvian food. There are 17 people that live in his house and he feeds every single one of them. Peru is at third place at making the worlds best tasting food. His food is the best I've had in my life, all of Maryland, anywhere. He's super humble and we're helping him fix up the house before they sell it, it's pretty much new from all of the things they've put into it. My companion says my teaching and "leading conversation skills" are improving, and Spanish. It's just like how Elder Packer said about taking that leap of faith and just start talking, exercising faith that the Holy Ghost will inspire my words and just putting my Spanish out there even if I make mistakes. I know that God supports me. He will help me as I do my part, my effort, thought, and devotion. He listens to our prayers. Well, I love you all and thank you for your support. Bye!!
Love,
Elder Stolp
(names have been changed)

Baptism

Dear Family and Friends,
 One of my investigators got baptized on Sunday after Church. My companion has been here in the area for the past 6-7 months and has got to know him very well so he wanted him to baptize him. He's from Peru and lives with the Bob family, also from Peru. Brother Bob always feeds us his wonderful Peruvian food. There are 17 people that live in his house and he feeds every single one of them. Peru is at third place at making the worlds best tasting food. His food is the best I've had in my life, all of Maryland, anywhere. He's super humble and we're helping him fix up the house before they sell it, it's pretty much new from all of the things they've put into it. My companion says my teaching and "leading conversation skills" are improving, and Spanish. It's just like how Elder Packer said about taking that leap of faith and just start talking, exercising faith that the Holy Ghost will inspire my words and just putting my Spanish out there even if I make mistakes. I know that God supports me. He will help me as I do my part, my effort, thought, and devotion. He listens to our prayers. Well, I love you all and thank you for your support.
Bye!!
Love,

Elder Stolp
(names have been changed

Spirit

Hi everyone, como estamos? Last week we extended two invitations for baptism on the same day. The Spirit was powerful in both lessons. In one of them, my companion asked an inspired question and I listened very closely and bore testimony which invited the Spirit. As a Spanish missionary we do a lot of traveling, especially this transfer since another area has been shut down for a while and we visit the members and progressing investigators there. The Branch President said that a reform is about to take effect where the illegal citizens living here will become legal. This will be good for the Branch because most of the members or Hispanics living here in general aren't legal and people move around all the time but now they will have an anchor and won't be so concerned about work and going back to where they came from because it's hard to live as an illegal citizen. That may sound bad but they're actually good hard working people. They make it happen and get jobs and make something of themselves unlike some Americans that live on the street that have so much potential living here but don't do anything and make excuses. I remember a part in the Book of Mormon where it says that no one will go to the promised land (America) unless God sent or guided them there.
Love,
Elder Stolp

Trackting

Hola! Como estan? I've sent some pictures for you of my district in the MTC and my companion and I at inner harber. Finalmente! The members say my Spanish is improving. The missionaries got to see a worldwide leadership training by the brethren on Sunday. We only got to proselyte for an hour and a half but it was an awesome broadcast. It was about how the members are an essential part in missionary work and should fill the missionaries planners with people to see so that we wont have time to go trackting. The youth just had a trek and one of our investigators went! His Ma and Pa didn't know he was a non member until the last day and said when gets baptized he needs to invite them so his trek family can be there. We're going to put him on date soon! Pues, pasan un bien dia.

Love,

Elder Steven Stolp  

A New Transfer

Hello everyone, I'm 19 years old now and I'm almost done with being a teenager. Now my age wont be as imresive to everyone but that's okay. There was this Christian that walked up to us and said,"Want to know something about Jesus?"

"What?"

 "He was a space traveler! That's how he was resurected and ascended into heaven, he traveled through space to another planet."

"That's very interesting, sir."

"That's what they taught me in the Christian Churh."

Later, my companion and I joked about it how it's like something off Star Trek and Christ must have said those magic words: "Beam me up, Scotty!" 

 There's a lot of people that come up to us and ask,"What do you guys do?," "Do you get payed?," "What church are you from and what do you preach?" Some people think we're students, the FBI, or the Police. Usually we make the first impression people get about the church. So it's a good idea to not argue with people or chase people down or they'll think we're pushy and just wierd but to bear testimony, be respectful, and friendly. Today we're going to do something awsome for my Birthday!

Love,

Elder Steven Stolp

The Branch

Hi everyone, there's this one sister (Hermana Molly)in the Branch whose really funny. One time she said, "Los ninos saben nada!" (Children know nothing!) She's really nice and always makes us food when we come over. Today we're going to have a Noche de Hogar (family home evening) in a members house where the Branch is invited to come to in order to build branch unity but only 8 or 10 have shown up so far. This weekend the sky was grey and it rained all day long. This morning I read the part where Nephi is commanded to build a ship. I like the part where he said if the Lord commanded him to do all things he could do it because of the Lord's infinite power, so how could he not build a ship? This week's going to be awesome!

Love

Elder Steven Stolp
(names have been changed)

Soccer

Hi, today we went to an activity for the branch at the beach. The Hispanics loved it because we had food and played futball (soccer) after. Some of them used to play for their country professionally like Honduras or Mexico so they're really good. One of the members told us if we leave next transfer we have to say goodbye to him because he wants us stay.

Love you,

Elder Stolp 

Sunday School

Hi everyone,

yesterday I taught the Gospel Principles class in Sunday school. A new convert said "good job" to me for my Spanish and my companion said I was a champ. Hopefully they actually learned something from it. My companion and I introduced the Book of Mormon to a teenager member who didn't know much about it. We started with the introduction,1 Nephi and asked some questions. He said that when he knows it's true he'll try hard to live by it's teachings. The Spirit was strong during the lesson. We also gave him a blessing for health. My companion and I taught English class. It's funny when they try to speak English but they did a good job. Thanks for your letters, packages, and your support, it's nice to hear from you.

Love,

Elder Stolp

Weather 'n' Stuff

Hi everyone, usually the sun is blazing and it's hot here in Maryland but sometimes it rains very hard and we get soaked in a minute.  I like when Nephi talks about faith or trusting in the Lord's infinite power and always asks his brothers Laman and Lemuel, "How have you forgotten the things the Lord has done for you?" And then reminds them how he saved them from Laban and their Fathers from Pharoah. Remember what the Lord's done for you and times when you've felt the Holy Ghost in your life and the infinite power of the Lord when you feel discouraged or when something is testing your testimony or when you're worried about all of the things you don't know or understand. I especially like how Nephi says something like, "How can God not be able to help me build a ship?" I like Nephi's example of faith. The members give me Hispanic food from many different countries like Mexico, Peru, or Porta Rico and I like it. My companion tells me they'll be offended if I don't finish the food they give me but it's good. Thank's for your love and support.

Love,

Elder Stolp  

MD

4/29

Hello, I'm in Maryland now and my first area is the suburbs of Baltimore. The people here live in row homes which are skinney houses of brick two or three stories high and are sandwhiched together so they are one long building running down the street. The people here are really nice and my companion says they all know who we are. I meet lots of people and say things and share scriptures in the lessons and its been exhausting to walk everywhere. But it's fun.

Love you,

Elder Stolp 

5/6
Dear Family,

The MBM is the best mission in the church, it is a mission of fun and exact obedience and as a result, miracls happen everyday. I think it's important to have fun to show that being obedient to the commandments doesn't mean we have to be robots but enjoy life instead. The mission president and his wife are so nice, they made me feel part of a great big family. The president was sincere when he said he loved us when he saw us the first time. It feels just like he's my Bishop and the youth are at a youth conference, of like my Pa and Ma and we're a family going on trek. I know this work is the Lords work and that he has a great love for his children and listens to our prayers.

Love,

Elder Stolp 

What did he say!?! Maybe I'll have Jimmy translate - later...

Hola! Como estan? Yo he sido viviendo en la CCM por muchas dias mas o menos. Yo no se acerca de la comida aqui, pero,  Mi experiencia ha sido gran en la CCM. Yo sentido el expiritu Santo y estoy animado cuando Yo olvidara como hablar en Ingles durante mi mision. Buenes suarte! 

First letter....really!?!

Hola! Como le va? Estoy really exited to be learning Espanol. Yo like como nosotros esten learning about teaching people, ayudar investigators, y como to fulfill nuestros purposito as misionals. Estoy trying to forget como to habler Ingles. Sorry, I'll stop, I just want to be done speaking Ingles you know? Todos Espanol, si? Everying Spanish, yes? It's going to be awsome!

From the Editor

I was fortunate to go through the Jordan River Temple with Steven and had such a wonderful time. He is so eager to serve the people of MD. As soon as his call came he started studying the Preach my Gospel book. While I was there he was constantly "teaching" me lessons and asking questions. He is a remarkable young man and I hope you all enjoy reading this blog! ~ his sister, Anne Stevens