Tullsonburg with Elder Gardner

December 5, 2017



It has been another wonderful week out here! We have seen miracles every day!

     Our last district meeting of the transfer has now come and gone! I can't believe how quickly this 5 week transfer has gone! We will have Zone council this week which will be a party! also I believe we get to go the the new missionary's temple trip and meeting this week!

     We had a wonderful experience with a man named Mike Gunston who prayed for one of the first times in his life, and the spirit was super strong! We've had a little bit of trouble setting solid appointments with him though and we'll see what we can do in the future!

      We have been doing everything we can to #lighttheworld!! We have given multiple pass along cards to all members that we have come in contact with at church or otherwise and invited them to share them with everyone! Also we watch the video with everyone we can that has a computer(not many haha). Also we give them to everyone we talk to and there are a lot of people that seem interested in looking at it and giving it a shot!

     Sister Nancy Alberta is doing awesome and is SO close to living the Word of wisdom, she still has the goal to have it all solid by Christmas and we're excited for her!

     We talked to Sherry again for the first time in a few weeks on her doorstep in some hefty rain for about an hour, which was cold but so worth it! she seems very hurt by us not meeting with her and had made up her mind that she wasn't going to come to church anymore(that was her real reason, she gave some other weak ones at the start). She is having a lot of inner conflict that we noticed pretty easily and pointed out to her, she didn't really want to admit it but was willing to. She said she would look at the LIght the world stuff and that she needed a few days. I love her more than words can say, and really hope that she starts turning toward Christ so he can help her!

     The Christmas devotional was incredible! It was awesome to hear Brother Holmes speak! He's such a great guy! I remember when he came and did a question and answer meeting at the seminary building last year! That was awesome and so was his message last night! I have come to know that receiving the gift of Christ's love, Atoning sacrifice, and Godly peace are so important and really are the glad tidings of great joy that our wonderful missionary message delivers to the world! And it is REAL! I am more at peace, and feel more loved, and I feel the Atonement more and more and more in my life every day as I seek to accept my Savior! I love this Gospel! The Restoration of it is a fact. God bless you all and have a wonderful week!

This was mom's email to Steve..

Hi bud it’s mom! I of course have been extremely worried about your knee all week. Jane Jeppesen just had knee surgery on DEC 1st and had to get her meniscus taken out. They told her no more sports! She is devastated she has the same look i did at that age. Do you have any idea when your MRI will be? We are having the neighborhood get together tonight here. Dad and I are going to go get the garage all cleaned out. We are also going to have the families he home teaches over and Bro Hawks our home teacher over for soup before it starts so we can get all that taken care of at the same. You can just call me the major multi tasker of the century! Toast is in sleeping because he feels like he is going to throw up. Seano and Tomaicita have had the pukes and Luke Morris threw up at church yesterday. Tis the season for being sick! My Sunday school class looked like they were going to fall asleep during my lesson yesterday, any suggestions. I have Peter Jeppesen, Brooke Vogrenic, Kaytlin Numbers, Emmaline Morris. Its sad not having Logan in there anymore he really added a lot. He has moved to st george to spend December with family before he takes off. Erin has to teach a little lesson in Seminary tomorrow for 10 minutes and it is really stressing her out. Her and Jami also have tryouts tomorrow for their acting class play. Kevin and Sarah are loving the school play Aladdin. Jamilyn asked if she could quit piano and I told her no. Sarah and Kevin both want to start piano! Yikes, that is a lot of kids to get to practice! We have had a lot of fun watching Christmas movies in the theatre room. They had a kid take a gun to Milcreek Jr High and was going to shoot kids but his dad went and wrestled the gun out of his hands. Dad did a great job conducting yesterday but looked so nervous, I think it was because Elder Baxter, the stake president, the missionaries (we have new sisters by the way) and the high council man were all there. Elder Baxter bore his testimony about how amazing sister missionaries are. so be nice to the sisters in your mission. 
We miss you and love you tons. We think and talk about you all the time. We pray for you and the people you are working with. I am so grateful to have my boy on a mission. Go work hard and know that we love and support you.

Steve's response...

I'm not sure when the MRI will be! At the latest February 13, that's the appointment that got set up by the hospital when we went in! However Elder Cannon is working hard to find something sooner, we'll see what happens! That sickness doesn't sound too fun! Ask more thought provoking and inspired questions for the sleepy class! Presenting something is something that "Teaching in the Saviors Way" says is selfish because it's all about putting the attention on the teacher, but worrying more about them and asking a lot of good questions leads to real involvement and participation! Also they need to know that there comments meant the world to you and to adding to the spirit of the lesson, because if they don't know that they will lose interest in giving more engaged participation. As a missionary I struggle with that one a lot because people out here like to talk a lot about things that are not easy to tie in haha. I love sister missionaries! They are incredible and make miracles happen in ways that Elders never could! I love you! I know what you are doing is making a much bigger difference than you think it is and that lives are being impacted in ways that will last throughout Eternity!

Tullsonburg's doctor's looking at Steve's knee Scary!!

Monday November 21, 2016  We missed Steve on our Thanksgiving trip to San Diego with Kelly's brother Seano and his family. We got to eat dinner at Teri's brother's Scott house! It was fantastic! It was really strange being on our first trip without him. We are so excited Steve finally went to the doctor for his knee. This has been a big trial for his mom! (She hurt her knee at a really young age and it was wrongly diagnosed. ) Pray the doctor will know what is really wrong with it!! Email from Steve..... It's been another great week out here in the field! We've seen miracles and it has just been great!      I got to see Elder Tarter at sports last preperation day which was pretty legit! I love him! There is significant difference in how pure he looks compared to when we left the MTC! He says work out in St. Thomas is quite a bit different than downtown Toronto. He's probably right haha. He is also follow up training Elder Peterson and says he didn't realize how much he relied on his trainer for everything haha. After that we were led by inspiration to a man named Rob who was very interested in the BOM and said he had always wondered about prophets and people in the ancient americas and had heard somewhere that Christ had comed and visited them and said that had always made sense to him. So we gave him a BOM and he even promised us at the doorstep that he would read and pray about it. Unfortunetly he thinks he is too busy to meet with us right now haha. But I'm sure he'll be calling soon!      Also after District meeting we were talking about getting past the first barrier with someone who seems not to be interested. So going out of Subway after the meeting I started talking to someone in his car. He seemed pretty agitated that I had the nerve to bother him, but we had just talked about people like him so I kept talking with him. I was very nice and under control but the conversation ended in about 30 seconds when he threatened to get out of his car and punch me in the face haha. He didn't haha.      Unfortunetly we had a rough time with Sherry. She has been getting more and more contentious and having less and less of a desire to change over the last few weeks. In our last lesson with her eventually she went on a big rant and said "I don't want to know the purpose of life, I don't want to change, I want to worship God the same way I have all my life". That was the dagger. I told her we loved her and that God had infinite and eternally more plans for her, and that I didn't think we were helping her at this point by meeting with her. I said we would love to still see her at church and would stop by, but we were going to give her a while before visiting with her again. It was one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life. Because I love her. I do think this is the best thing for her though even though it was hard and hopefully serves as a wake up call.      Nancy committed 100% to be baptized! We found out she does smoke which was interesting haha. But then she got super sick and we haven't seen her in like 5 days... WHich is no good and when we talked to on the phone last she did say she has a concern about baptism that she wanted to talk about in person. BUT since she has been so sick she hasn't smoked in that time either!      We got a media referal of someone named Michael and he actually wants to meet with us! We are meeting with him tonight at the church and we're crazy excited becaused he seems VERY prepared!      Also got the wonderful experience of going though Canada's medical care, ended up being at the doctors office for 5 hours and missed multiple appointments for my knee, but now they said they are setting up an MRI for me that will take place in a few weeks!      I know the Gospel is true, and it's found in the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I know this is the work of Almighty God and it is to change the world. I add my testimony to the words of Joseph Smith, "the standard of truth has been erected, no unhallowed hand can stop the truth from progressing. persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent. Till it has penetrated every continent, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished and the great Jehovah shall say the work is done." I know that it is the same spirit that testifies of Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world that testifies of Joseph Smith as his called prophet, adn of Thomas S. Monson. I am so greatful for this good news that it is my privilege to share with the world.

Steve is Training a GREENIE!! Isn't he still GREEN?

Monday November 14, 2016        Steve's been out about 31/2 months

Steve's new companion is a greenie! OK SO I THINK IT'S A BIT CRAZY THAT STEVE IS TRAINING A GREENIE! A GREENIE IS SOMEONE WHO HAS JUST ARRIVED AT THE MISSION FROM THE MTC (MISSIONARY TRAINING CENTER). Isn't Steve still green?  PRAY FOR HIM!!

Email from Steve....

This week has been pretty nuts! My new companion is Elder Garner and he is the champ of the century! He has so much spiritual fire and desire to make miracles happen! We're gonna see miracles and baptisms this transfer! I can't wait!

     We had the chance to meet with Sherry again (twice), she is really trying to find out what's right, kind of haha. Also Nancy is still working towards November 26 so that's pretty great! 

     It was great to hear everything from home! I actually just finished the recordings! Sounds like soccer season is over and everything for the play is going great! I love and miss you all! I can't believe how fast time keeps going!

     We has stake conference this week which was pretty grand! We went down to London with our Branch mission leader! President and Sister shield's came as well and it was super great to hear from them! Also there were A Lot of speakers, a lot more than I remember from stake conferences back in Babylon haha. And President Sandor(stake president) talked and it was super good. He threw down pretty hard on people not being willing to forgive and said that "the Gospel of Jesus Christ is not for stubborn proud camels who won't shake off things others have done, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is for us, and if we are not willing to let go of these things from the past, we are not fit for the kingdom of God" haha. That's just a piece though and everyone still felt very loved because he is an INCREDIBLE speaker. He seemed to have no notes but went on and on and used quotes and scriptures from memory, it was very impressive. Everyone in the stake thinks he will be an apostle haha. He is super young to, probably late 20's or early 30's. Anyway that was pretty sweet.

     Also we contacted my favorite contact of the mission. We were trying to find the house of someone that we talked to and said we could come by on the street. and ran into this guy named Mike. He's super smart, and is all about conspiracy theories haha. He told us about religion being heavily influenced by politics. It was nuts and pretty funny, but he does know the stuff he has read very well! and we gave him a BOM that he was very interested in and I think he will really read it! Also we are going back this week to see him which should be super fun!

     I know this is the work of Almighty God! I have never felt so happy, supported, and loved by my Heavenly Father! I hope all is well and continues to go wonderfully! I love you and miss you!

No More Chatting! Still in Tillsonburg, Elder Brand transferred!

Hey, so the chat thing is a real thing. It would be sweet to just send me a list of questions that need answering and then I can answer in one email. ALSO thanks for the birthday stuff from Grandma and Grandpa Hutchings, the Washington Hutchings, Grandma Dixon and You Guys!! I loved getting it all on Friday! Especially the forgotten carols! That is the PERFECT birthday present ever! It's awesome here because we can start celebrating Christmas super early and you don't even have to feel guilty because it's the next holiday after Halloween! I love you all and miss you! I feel your prayers!    

So this means we can't live chat with Steve anymore, so sad! It is the only way we really get answers to all of our questions! We will miss getting to talk to him live!! KELLY and I will have a hard time not e-mailing him when we see his emails coming in!!

That's awesome they did so well this term! I can't believe it's been that long! That's sweet that BYU won! Our investigators are doing awesome! Nancy came to church again and she is progressing amazingly! George and Lynn are keeping reading commitments and are progressing which is sweet! Sherry has been a bit iffy but we're still optimistic! I am staying in Tillsonburg for at least 6 weeks!

 This week has been pretty nuts! As you may remember this was the last week of the transfer. This transfer FLEW by super fast, WAY faster than the last one!

     Some sweet highlights were that we went on exchanges with the zone leaders, Elder Brand went to London with Elder Taylor, and Elder Certonio came here to Tillsonburg. I stinkin love Elder Certonio! We've talked a bit and I thought he was pretty sweet before, but he is way more sweet than I realized haha. He is rediculously good at giving positive and uplifting feedback and constantly encouraging! That is the kind of leadership style/approach I want to start developing. Lifting, loving, praising, and encouraging more than purely seeking to motivate. Also it blew my mind how quickly he talked in contacts but still made perfect sense to people. He got so much information out, and treated them in the same loving way that people just wanted to talk with us more. Anyway, I have learned lots and think he is pretty sweet!

     That was after zone council where they introduced the Christmas initiative that will be starting in a little less than a month which is "Light the World". It's sweet how much the church does for these "initiatives"(Easter and Christmas). I'm super excited! And I'll get to see the Christmas video early which is pretty sweet!

     Well, unfortunately we did get a transfer call last night... Elder Brand being the champ that he is, is going to be a zone leader in Branfield or something like that. It's no real surprise since he's a total champ and he's going to be a super solid zone leader! Since it was a leadership call we got a call from President Shield's instead of one of the assistants, which I guess happens for all leadership calls. We also have a new assistant because Elder Holt is going home, his name is Elder Sabin. I don't really know him at all but I'm sure he's pretty sweet!

     And by the way I get to stay in Tillsonburg! Which I'm super excited about! It would have been a real dagger to lose Elder Brand and go somewhere else! I'm pumped to be here for at least another 6 weeks!

     I have learned significant patience as I have tried to develop it over the past week. I have come to more fully understand that patience is not lowering expectations! I believe it is having a firm hope and faith that wonderful things will happen and then accepting the Lord's comfort and peace when they come later rather than right now! I feel like a completely different person than I was when I came out here and even from 6 weeks ago! I know what I am doing is what God wants me to be doing! I know I couldn't do this without complete reliance on Jesus Christ, and I also know that I can absolutely do it and be completely successful through and by him! I am more at peace than I have ever been in my life!

    I hope everyone has another wonderful week!

Halloween in Tillsonburg!

November 1, 2016

Steve is playing a little on his knee and it is still popping and clicking when he does. I think we are going to have him go to a doctor and get it checked out.

He just got his coat for 300$. He said it is pretty sweet and is made to use your body heat to keep you warm. Lets all pray it works because he is going to be pretty cold very soon!!

Letter from Steve........

It's been a pretty fantastic week!

     We carved pumpkins last week as missionaries during preperation day. Shockingly despite my incredible artistic ability I didn't win any of the prizes...

     We had our last District meeting of the transfer, which is pretty nuts! I can't believe how much faster this transfer has seemed to go than the last one! If this is a normal thing for how fast it keeps going and keeps getting faster that's pretty scary! This is the last week of the transfer so I guess next week we'll both know what's going to happen haha.

     We did have an absolute miracle this week where we by chance tracted into an older women named Nancy who has met with missionaries before a few months ago, but we dind't know that. She has been reading the Book of Mormon every night and said that she knows logically that the Book of Mormon is true, that Joseph Smith was a prophet, and that this is the restored church on the earth! She just wants to make sure she gets a sure answer form God. We met with her again and she set a date to be baptized on November 26th! It was my first time having someone accept a date to work towards EVER! So that was pretty heavenly. Also she came to church yesterday for the first time! Unfortunetly she was very embarassed because she has a very hard time walking and has had a stroke and whatnot, but everyone was very nice to her and hopefully she will come next week and keep working towards baptism!

     Sherry has backtracked a bit unfortunetly, but we're still very optimistic that she will eventually get baptized and be wonderful when she decides to commit!

     Tonight we don't get to really do anything after preperation day because they don't like us out on Halloween(that says something haha). So we will be weekly planning after dinner at Mary Fishers, basically no proselyting for an entire day... It will still be fun haha!

     I am convinced more and more of the truth of the message we share as missionaries! I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ did in actuality appear to Joseph Smith, Joseph Smith in actuality restored the same church to the earth that Jesus himself established. I have recieved a real witness that this is true. And just like Paul who saw an angel or Joseph seeing God the Father and Jesus Christ, it doesn't matter how much persecution or opinions there are on how I know or if I know, it will never change the fact that I have in reality recieved a witness from God that these things are true. I love Jesus Christ more than ever before! Have a great week!

Toasty at BYU GAMES!

Kevin went to BYU's homecoming game! One of Steve's hardest thing on his mission is waiting to see if BYU wins their game that week!~

Birthday P-day ( He's 19)

Oct 24, 2016 (Steve's 19th Birthday!1)


This week I got to go on my first exchange to a differetn area. I went to London chinese with 2 chinese Elders, Elder Chu and Elder Mak. Elder Lee came to Tillsonburg with Elder Brand. It was super fun and we got to talk to a bunch of people! They don't have a car so we rode the bus everytwhere and bus contacting is now my new favorite thing in the world! People are totally trapped! and they know they are trapped! I got to have some legitamate religious discussions and share real testimony and experiences with people! It was soooo sweet! and there were a lot of people that were interested! I could see how it would be easy to get frustrated as a language missionary though, because everyone we found outside of 1 person we passed onto other missionaries who will teach them in English. Anyway, it was an absolute blast and I had such a good time! "wo ei jeshu jidu" means I love Jesus Christ and "ni how ma? wo han pang" means hi how are you, I am fat. Both crucial statements to know in mandrin.

     I did have one day I think on Saturday where I was feeling pretty down, and Elder Brand asked me if I was doing okay in companion study and I broke down and started crying and whatnot. Being a missionary is not easy! However, I have been comforted and brought incredible peace through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I know that I could be comforted no other way. I could simply not be a missionary on my own, I just couldn't. But with God I can do all things, I believe in miracles more than ever before.

     We are being led to those who are ready to accept Jesus Christ to any certain extent, adn they are being led to us. I have felt those on the other side of the veil nearer out here than ever before in my life. I know they are involved with this work, and the Holy Ghost is involved with every single aspect of this work.

     I've seen lives changed, I know the Gospel of Jesus Christ truly transforms. I know anyone who truly seeks will eventually be led to the Gospel and thereby the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Today I read in Jesus the Christ where it talks about the great apostacy and how honeslty clear it is that this church is Jesus's church restored to the earth. However, no logical or clear proof would or could ever be more powerful or influential than the truth I know by the power of the Holy Ghost. I love being a missionary!

     Thanks for all the birthday wishes! I wouldn't want to be anywhere else doing anything else on my birthday!