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