Week 31 In Boise, ID

Brothers and Sisters,

I notice I type these things out like it's a talk at church, so you'll have to forgive me.  I'm not too sure what to talk to you about and so much has happened and I have so little a desire to type it all out, haha.  Reading emails from you all is one of the highlights of my week, but writing back has never been my strong suit.  As I'm reading in the book of Isaiah, I come across a lot about the Plan and Purpose of Jesus Christ.  How vital he is in the role of our salvation.  His grace and mercy and Atonement save us in our reaching and grasping for his mercy, for his atonement.

Isaiah makes quite clear the hard path that we must walk to God.  Those who are on the true path know that the trail is littered with thorns and thistles and noxious weeds.  The book of Romans is another one I am finishing right now and seems to, for some reason or another, paint a picture of lazy and complacent discipleship to some who read it.  I see a great mountain of Faith made manifest by works that the apostle Paul reminds us to climb.  The book of James puts very clear the role of works in faith when he says  "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble." I'll get off my soap box, but the reason repentance is on my mind is because I have watched 3 missionaries go home in the past few days.  As I'm sure you could guess, I have very tender feelings about this.  I know somewhat of the path they have to walk and the choices they are making now that will affect their lives from here on out.  I still remember those first few weeks at church and how hard they were.  I love the love and support I have always received from you, my brothers and sisters. 

We also went to the temple this morning and it was so nice!  I love love love the temple.  I learn so much and my mind is so open and so is my heart.  If you now are able, GO TO THE TEMPLE!  If you have things to take care of, DO IT AND GET THERE!  If you are not even sure what the temple is or what it does or why its important, message me on facebook and I'd love to talk to you more about it. 

I love you all

Elder Noah Stolper

Week 30 Wolves in sheep's clothing

Brothers and Sisters, my dear friends, 

Please forgive me for these inconsistent blog emails.  Lots has been going on lately!  For starters, I have a new companion, Elder Colton Lyman from Blanding Utah (it's way at the bottom east corner).  He is super awesome and we knew each other before from serving around one another and are good friends!  The whole zone got changed around and things have just been hectic, but I love transfers because I get to work with new missionaries that I haven't met before. 

So, back to my title.  That comes from a scripture in Matthew 7:15 which reads, "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves".  This is a profound analogy of how Satan will work through people to destroy your testimony.  Here in the Idaho Boise Mission we have been getting a lot of these wolves who's only goal is to take that which we love so much, this beautiful Gospel, and tear it from our very hearts and rip it up before our eyes.  There is a quote I tell my missionaries, "A person with an experience is Never at the mercy of a person with an opinion".  My missionaries have been trying to find those who will hear the Lord's message and have been finding wolves who seek to destroy the testimony they have worked so hard to build.  With that I give a warning, beware of those "toxic people" in your life who pull you down.

 

On a more positive note, things are going really well.  We have a ton of people who are progressing and nothing makes me happier.  I love you all and hope you have a great week!!

Elder Stolper

Week 29 Great Week!

Brothers and Sisters, Friends and Family, 

I feel like it's been a while since I've written one of these.  I was going through some of my old emails and I think the best ones are when I give a brief overview and a spiritual experience. So forgive me as I go through the week. 

Monday- I went on exchanges with Elder Roy today and it was super fun! He is the District Leader over the Boise West district. We walked a ton and it felt super good! I miss walking. We went and had a super good lesson with a girl who is being baptized on Saturday!  She is a sweet girl and she is excited to become part of a ward family.

Tuesday- Today was preparation day and we went to the church and set up the TV to watch the 1st presidency broadcast.  It was super good! Then we hung out with the Boise west district. The assistants came and we played volleyball forever and I am afraid I embarrassed the church with how bad I played, haha. 

Wednesday- We had DM for the Boise Central district today and President and sister Bartlett were there. We gave our training and everyone seemed to like it, but I think they like it because it means they're getting closer to having smart phones, haha. Later that night we gave a training to the stake leaders about the new technology and we were introduced as the assistants to the president... I told them we weren't the assistants and they looked so sad and so upset, it was pretty funny. The training went well. It was still surprising to see how many members have reservations about this new technology. Elder Bednar and Ballard have some good comments for you about that if you're in that same boat. 

Thursday- Today was weekly planning and that went well. It's still a process to get all of the documents transferred into the online system, but we're getting there. I was on exchanges with Elder Anglin in the Boise Central district. He is the district leader there and it was super good to go and spend some time in his area. We found a new family for them to teach and I'm pretty sure they're on date for a week or two out so that was way cool!

Friday- We had DM with the Boise Central district today and gave the same training. President and Sister Bartlett were at this one too, haha. I also had my interview with President and it went really well. I admire President for his poise and his confidence in the Lord, even when the Lord wants people like me to lead others! That is some faith in God!!! While we were in my interview he received a phone call from the missionary department and when he was done he explained the situation with me. It was cool to know he trusts me enough to be so open with me.  My interview didn't pertain too much to me, which I liked a lot. We talked a lot about elders and sisters in the zone and plans and goals for them in the future. 

Saturday- We got up super early and drove down to Twin Falls for Missionary Leadership Council (MLC). It went well, but Twin Falls smells like a porta-potty, haha. It was so gross! It took from about 7:30am - 6:45pm so it was a long day for sure!

Sunday- We had some stake meetings early so another earlier than normal morning... We then showed up at one of our buildings and see a refugee sitting in there that we didn't know. She had come because she saw the church stamp on some food she was given and asked about the church. She was told that it was free for those who need it and it's bought by tithing paid by the members of the church, to which she replied in her broken English "Jesus gave food to people who need, this is the church of Jesus Christ. I must join." We found 2 more refugees sitting in another ward we cover. What a miracle!

In closing I'll add my testimony to hers and echo "This is the church of Jesus Christ" I know it. There is nothing that could ever make me deny it. If ever left the church, I would need to walk away from God completely. Nowhere in any modern religion do people develop such a strong relationship with God and Jesus Christ. Nowhere are members invited to pray about every piece of doctrine so that God will emblaze upon their heart a witness that can never be denied and nowhere can they find words to sooth the broken soul or to heal a heart left wanting, than by reading the Book of Mormon. More than any other book I know, the Book of Mormon teaches and testifies of Jesus Christ so that no open heart could deny him. No person earnestly searching for truth can read the book of Mormon with real intention (that us, intention to do something when the answer comes) and not receive a witness by the Holy Spirit of truth. I make this statement with full confidence! I testify that today is a day of Miracles, God is a God of Miracles and that latter day saints may expect Miracles according to their faith. I've seen too many to deny it. 

If ever you have questions about church, reach out to me on Facebook and we can talk. If you want to just chat or say hi or update me on life back home, be sure to email me! 

Thanks for your loving support and kindness!

Elder Noah Stolper 

Week 28 - Photo, but No Blog

I'm taking the week off for the blog, haha.

Week 27 In Boise

Hujambo!!!!

This week was super good and it was pretty busy too.  I started out by going on some exchanges after a phone call with president.  He called and asked for us to do exchanges with two different sets of elders to help them find in their area a little better, so that was super fun I got to take an elder into my area which was a little difficult because I still don't have any idea where anything is, but it worked out really well.  I also got to go on exchanges with the assistants so that was super fun to hang out with older Murphy.  He was my zone leader when I first came out to Idaho so we were decently close.  It was cool to see him again! 

 

We got to go teach the bunch more refugee families!  Elder Field and I got this app on my phone and we're trying to learn Swahili...  Elder Field is doing really well, but it's not going very well for me, haha.  This was the last week of Elder Field and I having to do district meetings, so I'm pretty excited about that.  It'll be nice not to have to give giant trainings twice a week! 

With the start of the New Year, I'd just like to say how grateful I am to all of you for the prayers and love and caring concern on my behalf.  I want to let you know I feel your prayers.  They give me strength when things get hard.  I love you all and hope you know it.  Good luck with your goals and let me know how I can help and support you in your goals this year.

Love and miss you all

Elder Noah Stolper