Elder Stotts Returns with Honor!

Elder Stotts had a layover in Dallas, Texas where some of the Stotts family surpised him thanks to Uncle Corey's access to the airport.  Sister Megan surprised him, as well as joined him on his flight to Fort Lauderdale. 

We met Elder Stotts at the Fort Lauderdale airport!

 It was nice to be all together again!

January 15, 2018: The Last Days of my Probation

Hello everyone! 

What a week. I had the privilege of giving a talk in our ward about the Book of Mormon. In preparation for that I studied President Nelson's talk from this last conference. It was a great experience, I know you might think I'm crazy, but I have actually grown to enjoy giving talks in sacrament meeting. We had a great lesson with an investigator afterwards where we focused on the Book of Mormon, we left feeling more confident than ever that he would read it. I love this gospel, I know it's true. I encourage everyone who may read this email to never EVER miss a day of reading the book of Mormon. It will bless your life so much!

Stay righteous Y'all!

January 8, 2018: Farewell President Monson

Hello Everyone! I loved this week. We set up a ton of lessons for this upcoming week. Sometimes when you get double transferred to open a brand new area it can be slow at the beginning, but it will eventually pick up. That's what is happening now. It's kinda sad that I won't be able to see this area while it's moving fast, but I know that that wasn't the reason I was here. Elder Casablanca and I make a really good team. I know that this work is the most important work in the world, because it is the only thing that blesses people for eternity. I love this ward, the people are so good. I'll be sad to leave them.

Well, with President Monson's passing this last week, we lost one of the greatest men to ever walk the face of the Earth. President Monson was the Prophet of my teenage years. I loved listening to his talks and learning from them. I will miss him, but he has been called another way.

I know the church is true, I love the Lord, the Savior’s atonement is real.

Stay righteous Y'all!

January 1, 2018: Happy Merry New Christmas Year!!!!

Merry Christmas Everyone! I hope you had a good 2017, if you didn't, it's too late to change it... Oh well, you can make 2018 good instead. Aside from Christmas this week has been pretty uneventful, Christmas was good though. It's always the best time of year, especially as a missionary. I love this season, it seems like people try to be a little more Christlike than normal. In a perfect world we would try to do that all the time, but for an imperfect world that's pretty good! So I'll take it! President Chesnut gave us permission to watch g- rated movies on Christmas day, so that was fun!  2018 will be fun, although I can no longer use the joke "I don't go home until next year!" Oh well, it happens.

That's about it!

Stay righteous Y'all!

Facetime chatting on Christmas Day 2017

On Christmas Day we got to video chat with Elder Stotts for the final time.  It was so wonderful to hear and see him! 

Elder Stotts' Testimony

The Accident

Tips for being an effective missionary

December 18, 2017: Biking is Fun!

Hello everyone! Carson City is beautiful this time of year, although it seems like this is going to be a dry winter this year, so probably no snow ): but as the temperature drops it seems that people are warming up to us and the message of the Gospel. Elder Casablanca and I have been biking from one side of our area to the other almost every day it seems. We have been able to get in contact with a lot more less actives and are teaching way more than we have been able to in the last few weeks.

I've also felt the Lord Strengthening me so that I can bike around without getting exhausted. Yeah it's still hard to go up some of these hills, I don't feel an invisible pedal assist as I'm going, but I recover from them so quickly, I feel like I can bike up Hills all day! Isn't it wonderful? I love being a missionary, I love having the spirit with me, I know these next few weeks will be the best part of my mission.

Keep sharing #lighttheworld, you never know how you may impact somebody to investigate the gospel.

Well, that's about it for the week, Stay Righteous Y'all

December 11, 2017: Elder Casablanca for six more!

Hey everyone! This week was good, transfer calls came and elder Casablanca and I will be staying together for a 3rd transfer. I feel sorry for him, he has to deal with me for 6 more weeks, hopefully I wont get TOO trunky! 

I love being a missionary, you see so many miracles while you're out here. I love being able to share the Book of Mormon with everyone I can. One thing I am learning is how I can learn through the Spirit. I've learned that when you are trying to be as obedient to the commandments as you can possibly be, the Spirit will enlighten your mind and teach you things that you can never learn any way else.

Keep reading the Book of Mormon, It's true, I know it!

Stay righteous Y'all!

December 4, 2017: Light the World

Hello Everyone! This week was pretty good. We've been sharing the #Lighttheworld with as many people as we meet. I love this campaign, it is such a good way to bring the spirit of Christmas into our lives. What better way to remember Christ than to apply His teachings to lift and inspire others. I want everyon reading this who is able to to share this initiative with as many individuals as you can: copy this www.mormon.org and send it in a message using your preferred form of social media. don't just post it on your wall or your story or whatever. send it to a specific person who you think would be receptive to it. say something like "this made me think of you" or "I thought you would like this" or something like that. What an easy way to do missionary work! Last year 87 million people saw the video and 35,000 people asked to meet with missionaries because of it. the more people we share it with the more likely it is that they will be interested in meeting with missionaries.

Life is good. I love the Christmas lights all over downtown Carson City, This is truly the most wonderful time of year. people's hearts are softened and are more willing to be Christlike. In all of our festivities we must not forget those less fortunate than we. Let us Live like true Christians and Light the World with the Light of Christ!

Stay righteous Y'all

November 27, 2017: I Eight so much for Thanksgiving

Hey Everyone! I hope Y'all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I love this opportunity we have each year to start off the Holidays by refocusing on what the season truly is all about. We need to always have gratitude for the tremendous gift of the atonement of Jesus Christ. In the world nowadays it seems that many have forgotten how important the divine trait of gratitude is. I'm grateful that I live in a country that has a holiday set aside to express gratitude. So while you were fighting off the tryptophan from your thanksgiving dinner, I hope you took a minute to thank your Heavenly Father for the ultimate gift of Jesus Christ's Atonement. Many times we are too quick to judge this or that of something someone has done, thinking that they are a terrible person because of it. Lately I've thought of what a seemingly unbridgeable gap it is between God and myself, and I've become more aware of the grace and mercy God would need to be able to see that a wretched man like I am (not to mention the Billions just like me) is fit to be saved. It's seems to me quite a bit more than just a step down or two. I am indeed grateful that Christ had love enough for each one of us, that He went through what he did to save us. I boggles my mind that we meant that much to Him. I testify that it is only because Christ endured the Punishment for our sins which caused Him "to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that [He] might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink—" that we are able to be redeemed from our foolishness and sin. As we enter this Christmas season, let us all remember that we wouldn't have Christmas without Easter.

I went on exchanges with one of our zone leaders this week, Elder Clark. I served with him over a year ago while I was in Fallon. He's a fantastic missionary, and I certainly learned a lot from our exchange.

Stay Righteous Y'all!

Oh, and Elder Casablanca shredded his Baby cow on his gears when he crashed on his bike this week. Here's some pictures and some pictures from when Elder Clark was a Greenie.

November 20, 2017: Exchanges

Yeah, Just a quick update, not planning on the Nauvoo mission this year, I don't know if I want to do summer term, Just spring. Slowly but surely I am getting more mentally capable. This hurts to write/read emails... But I'm doing this because I love you! I'm doing well, but I could use some Biking gloves for the cold, I forgot mine in Ely... But when I thought about it, I decided the missionaries there need them more than I do here... 

 My head is doing better, I saw a concussion specialist this week to evaluate my condition, which has been improving, I still have bad days and good days, but I should hopefully be getting better. I was able to go on exchanges with elder Linford in the Hot springs ward, he's super cool, he and Elder Longhurst are seeing tons of miracles! I forgot my camera today, sorry about that, I'll make it up to Y'all next week. 

Stay righteous Y'all!

RIP me:

Official correspondence from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.


Elder Steven Richard Stotts:
You are enrolled in the My Plan course. My Plan will help you build on the spiritual foundation you have established throughout your mission to prepare a gospel-centered plan for your future life. The course consists of six interactive learning experiences that you will complete during your final six weeks in the field.
The experiences are meant to be completed during one hour of personal study time each week. At the conclusion of the course, you will have the opportunity to share your plan with your mission president who will review it and provide counsel during your exit interview.

If you have not already accessed the course, please go to the Missionary Portal In-field Training page to begin the My Plan course.

November 16, 2017: Chili Cookoff

Hi Stotts family,

I'm in the Lone Mountain Ward with your elder. He and his companion were the judges for our ward chili cookoff andb wanted to share them with you. He is a wonderful dedicated missionary and the ward enjoys having him.

Thanks, 

Tess Benzon

November 13, 2017: LDS Mercenaries

Hello everyone! I loved Zone Conference so much, this was my last normal one as next transfer will be the Christmas party where the whole west side gets together. This one was powerful, we learned about how to build our areas though working with the less actives in our area. Testimony meeting was especially powerful, there were some sisters who sang a song I have heard so many times. Savior, Redeemer of my soul is such a good song but I have never heard a version that has been as powerful as the version than the one that the sisters sang. I'll attach a picture of the Carson Vity zone below. I'm slowly getting back into the swing of things. Hopefully I'll be able to be symptom free soon.

Stay righteous Y'all!

Carson City Zone

November 6, 2017: I'm Firing My Concussed Stunt Double

Hello Everyone! First off, my face is feeling a lot better, I like to think it looks better as well, but there's only so much that can be done in that department. 

Well, I'm getting used to dealing with my concussion. We have zone conference tomorrow, so that should be fun. 

Since I've been unable to read and had to hunker down a bit daily, I've been able to listen through Mosiah 24 in just a week. I'm so glad I can study the Book of Mormon again, even if I still can't read it. I can still feel the power of that book. I know that it's true!

Well I gotta get going 

Stay righteous Y'all!

P.S. Rip Elder Graham (good friend, Gerritt Graham, just finished his mission to New Caledonia)

October 30, 2017: How NOT To Cheesegrate your face...

Hello everyone! So this week was interesting... On Thursday I got a little excited on a flat part of town and started going pretty fast and then didn't quite slow down fast enough to make a safe turn, so my bike decided slide out from under me and I hit my face pretty good on the pavement. It gave me a mild concussion as well, so if anything doesn't make sense, you know why. But anyway, That put me down for a couple days, I should be getting back to full function soon though. Our Mission nurse told me I shouldn't read too much to prevent my concussion from getting worse. so I'm going to download the Book of Mormon and listen to it when I need to take it easy. 

I know that this work is true! Yesterday I tried really hard to be in tune with the spirit during the sacrament. Because I did I was able to get a lot out of the meeting, even with everyone staring and wondering what grade of sandpaper I destroyed my face with. I'm so grateful for the chance we have to be able to draw ourselves closer to God and Jesus Christ.

Well my Brain is saying that I'm done now, so this is all you get.

Stay Righteous Y'all!

-Right after the crash

-At the Hospital

-Wounds from the Spiritual Frontlines

-2 days later

October 23, 2017

Hello everyone! This week was good, we found a new investigator and she came to church, but she kinda dropped us right before church ended, we think... we're not quite sure if she did or not but anyway the work is going well. I love Carson city! The Lone Mountain ward is awesome! the work is growing.

Stay righteous Y'all!

This is Harold, we see him every time we pass this billboard, so he's a part of my life now... I don't know him though...

October 16, 2017: Here, Hold My Turkey

Hello World! How is everyone? I have had quite an excellent week. First off, we found a new investigator, Andy! His wife is an active member and he has been investigating on and off for a couple years. We had Zone conference this week too it was all about the Book of Mormon. Speaking of the Book of Mormon, there was a lot of talks in General Conference about the Power of the Book of Mormon. Throughout my mission I have witnessed the Book of Mormon change lives. I have felt it's power change my life. I love the book of Mormon.

One exciting thing that happened this week was working at F.I.S.H (friends in service helping) a thrift store and food bank. They had us organizing and counting the turkeys they have for thanksgiving. and to make it a little more interesting, the freezer threw up on a lot of them so we had to chip a lot of them out of the Ice, which was pretty fun.

Well I Need to get going soon, I'll end with the Book of Mormon. at Zone conference I had the privilege of giving a talk in front of the Reno, Carson city and Fallon zones. I spoke about the Book of mormon testifies of Christ

2nd Nephi 25:26 And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.

I shared this and other scriptures like it.

Omni 1:26 And now, my beloved brethren, I would that ye should come unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel, and partake of his salvation, and the power of his redemption. Yea, come unto him, and offer your whole souls as an offering unto him, and continue in fasting and praying, and endure to the end; and as the Lord liveth ye will be saved.

The Book of Mormon is true and there is nothing you can do about it!

Stay righteous Y'all!

October 9, 2017: Missionary Fun!

Hello Everyone! Ginger was Baptized this week! Her mom was a member but not very active, her dad was a nonmember. she has had LDS influence through her mother's side all her life. She recently moved up to Carson City to live with her dad, and when she got here, she showed up to church in another ward, because that was the closest building to her home. So she started coming to our ward where the last missionaries started teaching her. They were about 2/3's through with the lessons when Elder Casablanca and I were double transferred into the ward and we finished the lessons with her. It was neat to see the young women in both wards come and support her so much. She has a great testimony of the Gospel. It's times like these that mean the world to a missionary, to see someone begin to embrace the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to see joy fill their soul. I have never felt greater joy from anything else in my life. I know that this Gospel is true! How could it not be? There is no doubt in my mind when I see lives changed like this. 

I love this opportunity I have to be a missionary, there is nothing better I could have done now. 

That's about all I have for the week! 

Stay righteous Y'all!

October 8, 2017: District Leader/Trainer letter

Dear Missionary Parent,

 

I am sending you a copy of the letter we had your missionary write on the day of His/her arrival. Also I am sending you a photo of the missionary group he/she came with. Thanks you for your support of this “Marvelous work and a wonder”. 

 

Best Wishes,

 

 

Sister Douglas

Nevada Reno Mission Secretary

October 2, 2017

Hello Everyone! I love it here in Carson City, as we've gotten a hold of the area we are finding a lot of people we can work with. An also I'd like to talk about biking for just a minute. Being in a biking area is so much fun, and you see many miracles because of it. Even though our area is mostly flat there are some hills, but the crazy thing is, we can go a different way up a hill and not even feel like we're biking uphill. On one such occasion we went down the hill we had imperceptibly climbed, I clocked in a radar speed limit sign at 32mph. Don't know how that happened! I can tell the Lord is strengthening me to fulfill me calling in this area. We're really excited for Ginger's baptism on Saturday! She passed her Interview yesterday, and Dad, even though he's a Seventh Day Adventist, was okay with it and is supporting her in her decision.

Wasn’t conference fantastic? It's sad that elder Hales passed away, but I will be forever grateful for the inspiration he gave. I don't have much time.

Stay righteous y'all!

September 25, 2017: We'll Be Coming Round the Mountain When We Come

Hello everyone! What an adventure this week has been! Getting Double transferred is fun! My new companion is Elder Casablanca, and no, he has not seen the movie. He's so excited to be a missionary and has lots of Greenie fire. We have been biking around Downtown Carson City looking for people to teach all week. The Lone Mountain ward is great, they haven't had their own set of missionaries in 3 years or so, since then they have always shared with the Spanish Group. The Carson City zone got 2 more sets of missionaries this last transfer, so there are a ton of missionaries here now. We have the State capitol and the Governor's mansion in our area. Because we cover the greater part of downtown are area for the most part is flat, making it easy on us. You really appreciate the hills in your area when you have to bike up them. We can talk to a lot of people in a short time here. We are working with an investigator who's about to be baptized. Her name is Ginger, and funny enough, she has red hair. She decided one day that she wanted to go to church, and ours just happened to be the closest one to her house, so she picked it! We have a lesson with her tonight.

Well that's about all I have time for.

Stay righteous Y'all!

A couple pic's from my week:

-saying goodbye to Elder Skinner

-Elder Casablanca!

-The State Capitol

-The Governor's mansion