"I'm here!" & Psalm 62:8

Hey hey! First of all, this is on my phone so I am so sorry if anything comes across weird! But anywho, moving forward… I'm here! I arrived in the Washington DC South Mission last week, which is kind of a funny name because we're actually not allowed to go into DC. It's not in our mission boundaries haha! But I'm lucky because I live in a place called Crystal City, which is literally on the border of DC. It's just right across the Potomac River from the Lincoln Memorial! So I get a beautiful view when we're driving! We also live right next to the Pentagon… so that's kind of cool! We actually pass by the entrance on our way home every night! So pretty much what I'm trying to say is this place is bomb! Virginia is BEAUTIFUL! There is just so much green it's insane! We'll be walking through neighborhoods and you'll feel like you're in this beautiful forest jungle but with houses haha! It's gorgeous! 

Now let's talk about some fun facts for the week! 

• My trainer is Elder Hofheins! A fun fact about Elder Hofheins is that we're friends! We're from the same ward in Lehi! Soooo that's insane... the Lord works in mysterious ways! His Chinese is better than the natives, he's hilarious, and together we both love working hard and having a good time while doing it! I have the coolest trainer ever!!
• Crystal City isn't the biggest fan of missionaries haha! About a year ago they apparently got bombarded with a ton of missionaries so now they just have negative thoughts toward us haha! They'll like turn the other way or cross the street... it's so funny. I feel like I've never had this much power before. Sadly, it's not the best kind of power, it's the power of making people not want to be seen by me. But power nonetheless haha!
• Chinese is even more difficult than I thought it was! People speak so fast! Someone asked me where I was from (at the time I didn't know this) and I didn't know what they asked, so Elder Hofheins then told me what they said and I answered. After leaving them I asked him why they didn't say the terms we learned in the MTC. He then told me, "they did". Soooo that was terrifying! But props to the MTC haha! 
• There's only one Chinese Branch in this mission and there are about 35ish people with a standard error of about 5. They are the SWEETEST people in the world! They are so humble and so kind! Sunday was just the best day! The best part is, I'll spend my whole two years with this exact same branch! I can't wait to get to know them better and to be able to communicate! That would be nice as well haha! 

For this week's spiritual thought, I want to talk about Psalm 62:8: "Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah." I loved this scripture. I read this verse in church on accident because I didn't understand where they said we were reading, so I thought the teacher said this chapter but I was way wrong! But I'm glad I was wrong! I'm just going to say that I would have understood their crazy fast Chinese but the Lord wanted me to read this verse… that's all;) 

This whole mission thing is pretty crazy! Don't get me wrong, I have had so many amazing experiences I wouldn't have otherwise had but it's not easy! There were a couple times I got wrapped up in how difficult it can all be. Are there things in your life that you just sort of do because you know it's right? But it doesn't make it any easier. Hopefully, someone out there can relate to me in that regard. And hopefully, even more so someone can relate to me when I say it's a little frustrating because I don't feel adequate! I make the same mistakes, I have lots of shortcomings each day, I can think poorly, and so on! And maybe it's just me and if so you need to share your wisdom because that's impressive! 

This week I have found myself turning to the Lord more than ever before! This is for multiple reasons! I have an amazing trainer who has amazing habits! I also have lots of anxieties and worries that bring me to my knees so I can talk to someone always who knows exactly how to help. I have loved this change in my life! I often have felt that it's not really worth it to just say little short prayers, but it doesn't matter the length! It just matters the strength! Is your heart in the right place when you pray? "God is a refuge for us." I love that! The term refuge means "Something or someone turned to for assistance or safety; a shelter from danger or hardship; a safe place". I couldn't agree with that more! I know Heavenly Father listens to all of our prayers. In him we can seek refuge. I know that even my little prayers of, "Oh goodness, please help get me through this next 5 minutes" are heard! 

Last thought: At the very last door we knocked on Sunday night, a guy answered. He spoke with a Portuguese accent but we were able to understand him. I told him we had a message that would bless his life if we could share it with him. He told us to come on in, he'd love to hear more (this hasn't happened for us! Even my trainer was shocked haha! It was crazy!) The man's name was Joe and he had a little son named Noah. In the middle of the lesson, I felt prompted to talk about God and his love for our children. I started by asking Joe "Joe, do you love Noah?" With ease, he answered, "Of course!" I then asked, "What would you do for Noah if he were in trouble?" Joe pondered for just a second and then said the most beautiful response. I'll try and repeat it to the best of my ability: "You see, when you are a father, there is simply nothing you wouldn't do for your child. If I was in Africa and there was a lion about to come our way, I would do anything to toss Noah aside and step in front of the lion. If we were on a boat and Noah fell out of the boat, without hesitation I would hop right over. I wouldn't even have to think, it would just happen. I would do anything for him! Because I love him!" As I sat listening, I got the chills! What a perfect answer. I then proceeded to tell him that our Heavenly Father thinks the exact same for us! I have a testimony of this! In those moments when we feel overboard, when we feel scared, our Father in Heaven is right beside us. We can call on him and seek his refuge! This week I challenge all of you to say just one extra prayer! If you're at 0 prayers, then just say 1! If you believe you're good at saying prayers, try saying one more when you think of someone else! As you do this, you will feel your Heavenly Father's love! We just need to trust in him! He is there! God is good! I hope you all have an amazing week! 

Zàijiàn,
Elder Steadman

Meeting President & Sister Crankshaw

My dope trainer...

... Elder Hofhiens!

Not a bad view!