BECAUSE I LEARNED IT IN THE PPM 

( Philadelphia Pennsylvania  Mission)

This will be my last email from the field...

Holy cow does heavenly Father bring huge blessings for those who serve him.

This week my heart is so full. I am grateful for everything I have learned while serving the Lord.

I learned a lot in the Philadelphia Pennsylvania mission that will bless my life forever

I have tried to narrow it down but i just can't.

I will just tell you the top three - 

1. God is in control and knows what paths you need to take as long are you are obeying his commandments

2. The best remedy for joy in this life only comes through losing yourself in the work of the Lord and Serving others.

3. The church is true. This gospel is a symbol of Gods love for us in this life and he has a might fine work ahead for us. 

I have loved every second of my mission. I can't say it has been perfectly easy. But I know everything I sacrifice will be worth it. I know that everything I have learned here will carry me throughout my life. I know that the atonement can heal us and makes up for any mistakes we make.

This week a lot has happened and I don't have a lot of time to write it all down. But our investigator got confirmed and he was so excited!! :) It was incredible to watch. This week we are just going to be eating a lot....everyone wants to feed us. so sorry if you don't recognize me when I get home. I have a driving mission plus being fed a lot of chocolate every night, I am working out a lot when I get home.

MY COMPANION IS AWESOME! I LOVE SISTER B- she told me to include that

As for now I am signing off and enjoying my last PDAY in the PPM! 

I love you all 

Thank you for all your love and support! 

Love
Sister Steadman

Note from the editor (mom)  - Thank You are all for your support!  You are invited to come visit when she gets home.  She is coming home March 17th.  Here is the information for her report in sacrament meeting. 

Happy March!

Hey everyone this will be a short one. We are headed to Philly for the day. This week was incredible and really busy. I have been teaching an investigator ever since I got to this area and he was slowly but surely progressing and now almost five months later he was baptized. He had a couple of commandments he was praying about and he actually gave them up fairly easily because he was so humble. 

The other incredible thing about this is how much he is giving up gone a member. He got engaged when he had not planned on getting married so early in his life. I have never seen so one so excited to be baptized. His baptism program was absolutely FANTASTIC, at the end he got up and bore his testimony which not very many converts do at their baptism. I had the opportunity to talk at his baptism and they spirit was so very strong. I haven't cried bearing a testimony in a while but I did at his baptism. 

Other than that we had a lot of meeting this week and a lot of running around to do . We have another exciting week ahead of us. That's really all I have time to say! You all rock! Ill email a better last email next week!! 

Have a good week

Love Sister Steadman

BAGELS & MISSION WIDE CONFERENCE -TECHNOLOGY?!

It has been an eventful week. We went on exchanges as the beginning of

the week with the sisters from Medford and we were able to get a lot of

work done, then on Thursday we went up to the Cherry Hill District

meeting, we afterwards remembered that there was a. Einstein Bagel

near, they don't have very many of those here on the east coast so if

you find one it is rare. So we walk in and everyone is like crying -  all

the workers. Turns out they are closing them down... 39 of them across

the country, so stock up on them just in case they close. That's what

we did.

We had some sweet lessons. One with an elderly man whose wife

recently passed and he just asked all the golden questions and some

with our recent convert family.

We Are also working with another investigator and waiting for him to

make a decision on when he is going to be baptized so we are a little

anxious today.

PHILLY

Something else exciting happened this week!

We had our mission wide conference, it was the first time our mission

came together as a whole, in 5 years. We had Elder Allred of the 

Quorum of the 70 and Elder Even of the Presidency of the 70 and

director of the mission department came and talked to us. It was very

intense and rebuking haha.  There are 88 missions in the world that

have iPads and 30 missions that they were testing the use of iPads and

Fb for missionary work,

They talked to us ALOT about pornography, and the use of technology

for our future.

Here are some quotes that you won't find anywhere else:)

"Mobile devices are but tools for hastening the lords work"

"Mobile devices are not to quarantine from but to prepare the use of

technology, so we can raise a sin resistant group of people"

"Using technology as a missionary with develops personal habits of

overcoming sin not just for your mission but forever"

"Your technology should be no more distracting than a pen--->it's just

the same as a tool"

"Our greatest desire for you missionaries, by the time you return home

all with have the conversion writing in our hearts, when we have

challenges we will know how to rely on the lord and not on our world

that is through technology-there is t a better way of the gospel to

get into their hearts"

For my future and technology since my generations will grow up with it

I will be able to teach my kids how to use and how to avoid and I will

be able to say "because I learned it in the PPM"

So they are doing a huge restart. Changing every single missionaries

iPad to a new one. Since I am going home soon I will be iPad less for

2 weeks which also means.... I get to go back to paper planners, it

will be an adjustment. We also won't be going on Facebook for 3 months

as part of this reset, they are implementing a lot of new things. Soon

there will be online training on iPads for different languages.

Returned missionaries will be able to skype/tutor people and get them

ready for their missions. Cool huh?

I am exciting for this refreshment. It was so apparent in me how the

Adversary is working with technology.  

One main point I learned is that technology has started to control us rather than we have control over it.... That is why we must choose 2 Nephi 2  (read it)

"today is a new beginning of a new era in my life"

       -Elder Evans

Although I know our mission was fairly diligent on being obedient in

the use of facebook, but it was so apparent to everyone how much our

minds and patterns are set in a way to how we use technology. The

purpose of the reset is to change our minds and our hearts and to set

us on patterns for life to protect our futures. It was a rebuke. I

will forever be grateful that happened before I go home.  I wish

everyone was in that conference.

We were the first mission to experience this throughout the world so

it will be interesting to see how it all rolls out.

I am so grateful for the service the Lord has allowed me to do. I will

forever be grateful for e privileges of my life. I know Angels are

upon the servants of the Lord. I know he is purifying the hearts of

the willing.

Have a good week!

Love Sister Steadman

p.s.  sorry if my email next week is short....PHILLY BOUND

Sent from my iPad

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THINGS ARE HAPPENING! 

Mabuhay!! (this is a Tagalog greeting that means "live")  this week was all
over the place due to colds haha. Sister Baluyot got sick and so 
I was holding down the fort scheduling appointments and planning for 
our zone training while she was trying to revive herself off of NyQuil 
and so she could teach zone training with me. 
Since we are with each other 24 7 I prayed I wouldn't get
sick until after zone training. Heavenly Father once again bared his
blessing and I didn't get sick until Thursday night, right on time.
Thursday night we had the Spanish hermanas with us because they had a
surprise extermination at their house so they couldn't breathe when
they went inside. So then of course they got sick. Just a mess haha

Really cool... Things are happening though,  two of our investigators said
they want to be baptized this week so we are excited for them. One I
have been working with since I got here and he is so so ready, we are
very excited for him.

Valentine's Day I was as sick as a dog but we managed to make it up to
one of my most favorite people here, her name is Monica she just got
baptized in November and she has a sister Marge who is so funny, there
are both about 65 haha who would of thought on Valentine's I would be
so exited to have dinner and share a message with two older women. It
was a wonderful night. We took them roses, it was great.

 Sunday church was cancelled pretty sure we were one of the few that
cancelled in the stake and it always throws off things for the week
but we were able to get a lot done. We used FaceTime and shared
messages with members it was really cool to use our technology to
bring the spirit into members Sunday's by not even having to leave our
house considering it was 10 degrees. But then we went out the second
half of the day and met some sweet people

We were visiting a women with autism ,her name is Helen and she is
such a pure spirit. We were talking about prayers and out of the blue
she just says she loves us. I want to be more like Helen. Then we went
across end the street to a family. They have a dog named jay z he is a
pit and the dad looks like Kanye west and they have a small version
child 14 years old who likes like Bruno Mars and he danced like him
too, it was crazy Hahahah.

Anyways things are rollin on too fast here but I am loving life. This
is such an incredible opportunity I have to serve and I am grateful
every day for it, I absolutely love this church and the gospel. I know
that my Redeemer lives!

Have a beautiful week.
Love you all
Sister Steadman

Sent from my iPad

JERSEY LOVIN!

Hey everyone,
This week is kinda of a blur but I remember some great things happening.
We had our mission leadership council and we talked about a lot of
great things.
I think the one thing I learned is that there is always more to learn
in life. Also that I am no where near perfect and Heavenly Father
always knocks me off my pride step right when I step on it. In this
conference we talked about our studies and how we can better them. The
importance of our studies is to bless our lives and those around us. I
am so grateful for the many times I have studied a scripture and been
able to use it in the day, we did an awesome role play where we had to
use scriptures from what we read the day before and apply anything
from that chapter to answer questions about the Message of the
Restoration.

This week Sister Baluyot and I counted over 9 people dancing and
singing on the road in one day, we hit a record.

Just doing some tile work/service.

Today we are going to Atlantic City. Should be exciting.
We are teaching one of our investigators and he is pretty sweet and
working towards baptism, we are going to set a date with him this
week. We had a game night with a bunch of the younger families and him
on Friday and needless to say Sister Baluyot and I lost ticket to ride
but at the end of the night we shared a lesson about the Book of
Mormon and it was so powerful to sit there as a big group of people
and talk about the scriptures.

I can't believe the time. I am thankful forever for my mission. I have
learned so much. I have learned that there truly is opposition in all
things. I have learned that everyone has their own agency and it is up
to us to chose the right, there is so much more to the quote "Choose
The Right" than we think of. I am so grateful for all the events in my
life that led to me to choose the right to serve a mission. I know it
is what the lord wanted for me.
I hope you all have a blessed week and a beautiful Valentine's Day:)
Love you
Sister Steadman

I'M DYING IN JERSEY!

Miracles Happen!  I'm a Believer!

Hey hey
So I am not getting transferred! I'm dying in Jersey! Relief. 
Crazy that my little bro is on his way in a jet plane to Lyon France! 
Crazy how families can be so far apart but still feel the love from their families.
I think that is what I love about Heavenly Father, sometimes he seems so far away
but we know His love is always there. And really he isn't so far away.

This week consisted of teaching and finding. We had a few exciting
things happen. We got a headquarter referral who seemed promising....
But then wasn't so promising, haha. We tried. Then we went to a lesson
with one of our investigators who is doing really awesome. He has to
get married probably before he gets baptized but miracles happen.
I'm a believer. He was able to attend our baptism last week and it
really had a huge impact on him. We have felt the spirit telling us
bring him to a baptism but for some reason it never worked out until
now.

There isn't a ton to talk about this week, we are going to be doing
some more finding this upcoming week. I am looking forward to staying
another transfer here in Vineland. Vineland is a great place to serve,
the ward is fairly helpful and they try to give us some referrals. I
would say this area has been the cherry on top.

I am thankful for the savior who has shown me how to be more humble.
He has shown me how to be a better person. I am thankful, for being able to live more like him. I know that the gospel brings more happiness than anything else in this world can bring. I love serving.

I hope you all have a beautiful week!!
Love Sister Steadman
Sent from my iPad

THE CITY OF HOLLY

Hola!
Did I ever mention my stake president in Vai Sikahema? Pretty sweet
huh? If you don't know who he is look him up.

This week was nuts - some things are left better unsaid,  but I will tell
you about all the spiritual experiences I have had. For privacy I'll
change the names.
So 7 weeks ago Sister Baluyot and I got put together, we dropped some
investigators and realized we didn't have very many people to teach,
we started a fast to find someone to teach. We had an appointment
scheduled that same Sunday with the Rick family.  The mom of the
family had been inactive for 20 years. Her son James age 17 was
curious about church and wanted to be stronger in a church since a lot
of people around him don't believe in a God. He started researching on
mormon.org what Mormons believe in. He then told his mom he wanted to
come to church, they came for 7 weeks in a row and we ended up
teaching them all of the lessons. It is almost like a dream. Just
yesterday James was baptized. The youth did most of the program. The
thing that is most significant about this to me is Heavenly Father
allowed me to witness it.

One other important thing I learned is Heavenly Father is very aware
of his timing. He knows what we need when we need it, he teaches us
all that we need to know if we let him. He promises us in the Book of
Mormon if we follow him he will give us success. It is just up to us
to break the pride cycle.

I know that this church is true, I know that Heavenly Father loves
each of his children. I know that he will give us divine aid when we
need it.
Have a blessed week!
Pray for me not to get transferred! I wanna finish out in Vineland!!
But I'll go where he wants me to go!
Love you all
Sister Steadman!

Editors note:   Not sure why this was titled "CITY OF HOLLY"


Sent from my iPad

LEARN IT, LIVE IT, SHARE IT! 

It's been another fast week.
Tuesday we had an exchange. I went to Medford and had a really cool
experience. There was a less active and the lesson wasn't going anywhere so I
felt prompted to share a Bible video. The next thing you know the
woman broke down in tears and I cried a little too. She talked about
how she is just laZy and that's why she doesn't go too church. The she
told us she wants us to meet her husband and start teaching him. It's
not my area but it sounds like the sisters have a good start now.

Thursday we had a zone conference with six Zones. There was a lot of
missionaries there but sadly I don't know a lot of them because a lot
of the ones I know are home or weren't there but there was about 120
missionaries at this one and they announced our theme for the year
LEARN IT, LIVE IT, SHARE IT!  I still like doubt not fear not but I
accepted it.  I got to see a lot of the missionaries I came out with
though. Elder Hendricks, Sister Manson, Sister Reyes, Sister Cox,
Elder Skeen, and a bunch of other ones, it was exciting:) but sad to
think it was my last zone conference. Time is going too fast. At the
end we sang our mission hymn  which is changed words to the Armies of
Heleman. And an elder was super good at the organ. I can't explain how
beautiful' it was,  but man everyone was crying, that has never happened
before. Ever our mission president was crying...I don't see that very
often.

Then I was on another exchange and we had a lot of miracles happen. We
got in contact with one of our investigators, I had to drop one of
ours though.:( it was time. It's always sad to let an investigator go.
But surprisingly I felt the spirit work through me as I testified of
the Word of Wisdom and of the church.

A mission is great.  A lot of ups and downs and you always just look
back and laugh at how crazy things were and feel grateful when you
think about the spiritual side of things. I love my mission.

Last night I knocked on a door and a man who looked like a leprechaun
answered. I thought he was going to pull out a hat a gun and a pot of
gold. haha

Every day is better and better and shorter and shorter, something I
learned this week is you will never get anywhere is life without the
Spirit. Do all you can to have the Spirit with you. I am grateful for
the strength that comes from the Lord. He is incredible.

That is about it.
I love you
Sister Steadman

CAPE MAY

Each Pday just comes faster and faster. I can't believe I have been in

New Jersey  for 2 months now. I love it here.

We just did a lot of teaching this week and a lot of finding. One our

investigators is really progressing and should be getting baptized

soon. We are also helping to reactivate his mom.

I went to Cape May on exchange this week and met a lot of cool cats.

We drove out onto the islands where we had dinner with a Samoan

family. 

Oh boy funny experience so this woman is like watching me eat.

She is waiting for us to clear our plates, the other people all got away

with eating only one or two sandwiches and I had to eat like three. And

these weren't just any sandwiches these were the grossest Philly

cheesesteaks I have had yet. Hahah cheese wiz and everything. I was

the last one to finish and I was gagging but hiding it too. But I am very grateful 

for her feeding us nonetheless.

I am grateful for all the people I work with in the mission,

We have had a lot of assignments this week.

I have had a few spiritual experiences. I think one of the ones that

stuck out to me this week week was the promptings to call a few

different people and we found out that after we called some of these

members that they really needed that call for some reason or another,

that was an answer to their prayers.

I love this work. I love this gospel.

Sorry this is short my fingers keep getting tired,

I love you!!

Have a good week!

Sister Steadman

Happy 2015!

I can't believe it!

This year has been so incredible. I don't think I could ever summarize

it but I am thankful I have been able to spend 2014 serving the lord.

So this week we had a ton of things going on.

I will just tell you about a couple a miracles,

We have really been searching for people to teach, so we went and

were finding people but we had no luck, we even ended up crashing

this huge Puerto Rican party. 

One night a family that is visiting in the Spanish branch from Utah 

invited us to come over to dinner. That was a crazy dinner. 

We had a group of people who only really spoke Spanish and a little bit of English. Then they invited a Filipino family to meet us because my companion is Filipino.  So we had a geo of people who only spoke Tagalog and then we had a person from China who doesn't speak very good English but a little. Then we had a guy from India hahaha. And here we are all sitting at a table eating Adobo

trying to talk to each other it was a mess. But really fun. Anyways the

miracle is the Filipino family wants us to come and meet with

them, it may just be me sitting there being happy for them and

trying to testify. But I am excited about it.

We also were trying to contact a referral when they opened the door

let us in and said they want their son to be baptized. I can't really

explain all that happened but I do know it was really sweet.

Also sister Baluyot found an Einsteins Bagels and bought me some when she was on exchange....hahah tender mercy. I love Cherry Hill NJ.

New Year's Eve was awesome as well. We worked at the soup kitchen in

the morning and we then went to visit some people and got lost for

like an hour and then ended up in the projects. But we made it

eventually. Then we went to our bishops house and had a New Year's Eve

pingpong tournament and we were able to talk to their non member family

more about the gospel. Then it was so crazy our ward had a party right

upstairs from us hahaha... We live in a basement apt so we went  until

like 10 with Presidents permission and they all said they were going

to cheer and stomp on the floor at midnight just for us... I slept

like a rock but my companion heard it all.... Haha it was a much more

eventful New Years this year than last!

Well I love you all I know the gospel is real and it is restored.

Have a good week!!!

Love Sister Steadman