So, for a better update of what's going on in my life: Easter Sunday was the absolute best. We sang in the choir and it was absolutely amazing. We sang an arrangement of "The Lord is My Shepherd." So beautiful. And Bishop Causse of the presiding bishopric came and spoke and it was awesome. And Sister Sheri Dew came and spoke to us that night. Her thoughts: remember that the Savior is not just our last chance, He is our only chance. Read D&C 138 and Abraham 3 and then pray and ask the Lord how He feels about you. Tuesday devo was one of the best I've ever heard. Elder Ringwood of the Seventy came and spoke to us about enduring to the end. So so good. Some thoughts from him: Begin your mission and things in your life with the end in mind. See yourself how you can be, and shoot for it. Commit NOW to endure to the end. That's the only thing none of us have done yet, but we can learn how to endure to the end by enduring to the end of our missions, or the end of high school, or the end of a specific trial, or whatever. We won't ever be done in this life, but as we learn how to endure to the end, we will be able to do so to the end of our lives. Every missionary and every member of the church has a very special and important role in sharing this gospel message, no matter how you think you compare to other members and missionaries.

My companions (collegas in Dutch) and I on Easter Sunday.

A little about my district: There are only 6 of us in each of our two districts. My companionship consists of me, Zuster M. from Utah, and Zuster L. from St. Louis. We have the 3 elders going to our mission in our district, including Elder C. from Colorado Springs. Everyone asks if we knew each other before. It is sometimes nice to have someone with some Colorado pride around. Elder R. and Elder R. are also in our district, and the 3 of them are hilarious. Not always totally focused, but we have lots of laughs. It's been 2 weeks and we're all like brothers and sisters. The other district is composed of 6 sisters. Our zone consists of the Danish, who are about to leave, 2 Icelandic elders, the Swedish, and the Norwegians, who just got here. Lots and lots of girls in our zone--there are something like 12 elders and 40 sisters or something crazy like that. The MTC officially has more sisters than elders, as of our week coming in. Crazy stuff.

On Friday we found out that our investigator wasn't coming back, even though we thought we had one more lesson with him. We were all pretty disappointed. Then that afternoon he showed up again! It turns out that it wasn't some random volunteer like they'd been telling us. Broeder (Brother) C. was our new teacher! And I'm so so happy about it. Broeder R. and Broeder C. are probably the best teachers in the entire MTC. Actually, they are definitely the best teachers in the entire MTC. Br. R. is half Dutch, and he and Br. C. were companions in the field. They're pretty different, but they complement each other so well. We've been learning so much and the Spirit is always there during our classroom time.

Dutch is coming. It's hard, but I have to say that it's also one of the most beautiful languages in the world. You just have to be able to speak it. We got 2 new investigators starting this week and we've been teaching at least one a day. It's hard, but it's so good. This is my dream job, and everything about it is great. The language is obviously a challenge, but it's already been so obvious that this is the Lord's work and He is making it happen. How are we able to do this great work? Because of the Savior and His love for us and the people we're serving. We do our best, and then forget ourselves and realize that it's the Savior's work. And that's pretty much always true, everywhere, whatever calling you have or wherever you are in life. It is such a privilege to be a part of. I cannot think of anything better. Here's something Bro. R. told us after a fairly discouraging lesson: The gift of tongues is not just about the Dutch language (or other language). The Lord can also help us speak the language of the Dutch culture, and even more importantly, the specific language of the individual, with their personality and needs. We just need to qualify for that gift and then trust Him completely.

We had a lesson about stress management at the end of last week (don't worry, everyone has one at the end of the second week, it wasn't just our district). It's so important to remember that a little stress is healthy and motivating, but when it becomes distress, we need to step back and look at what's going on, and maybe look at how far we've come and how far the Lord has brought us.

These last two weeks have been humbling and life-changing in so many ways. I have lots to learn and many ways in which I need to grow, but it has been absolutely wonderful in so many ways. Ether 12:27! (And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.)

This work is all about love. Love for our Heavenly Father and Savior, love for the people we're serving, love for our companions, love for everyone else around us, and love for the work. And I love it all and I'm so so grateful to be here!

I hope all is well and I love you all!
Zuster Stevens