Hello once again from LA ( lower Alabama),
Well we thought we would update you on our past week. It has been full of blessings and surprises. We have spent a large portion of the week helping sisters in need. Most of the single black sisters do not have reliable transportation so they call to ask for help. This week we helped a sister who's son is in jail. He has been in jail for over a year waiting for a trial date. The judge finally set a bail amount for him. She called to ask if we could take her to her bank. Silly us thought it was a real bank but it was Ace money express! We took her there last week so we were familiar with it but the bank comment threw us off!
But apparently she has all her disability checks sent there. This week it was income tax check so she had money for bail! We then took her to the bail bondsman JJ who had led her to believe if she had a portion of the money he could give her the bail . When we got there he said she would have to have two other people to sign on the bond (which happened to be a mere $30,000)! We told her sorry we can't do that as representatives of the church. And we definitely do not have the money! So we sadly left. She called her lawyer and he found another bonds lady who would help her out. This lady picked her up gave her the bail and stayed with her until 2 am when they finally released him to his mothers care. This sister has I believe 12 children. Not all biological. Several are adopted. This according to her is the first time any of them have been in jail. She is a very intelligent woman. She had several strokes and a heart attack a couple of years ago and so she is still recovering from the effects of those. She seems very willing to work. We have taken her several places and she always ask for applications and fills them out. She looks like she has a job with the census in a couple of weeks. I hope so. I also hope this son is as good as SHE SAYS AND THAT HE REALLY AND TRULY WAS IN THE WRONG PLACE AT THE WRONG TIME. Time will tell.
We then went from helping Sister Bernadette to helping a lady who called the church looking for help. The cute little Executive Secretary passed her along to Rich and I. She is a lady who has had a friend in the church. She said this lady had been very nice to her and alot of the members had too. But she no longer lives nearby. She said she would like to learn a little about the church. She is a smoker and says she will not give it up. ( She did stop while we were in her home.) Any way this is a strange situation. She is a single woman my age. She was in the air force and retired medically after a botched surgery. (at least this is the best we can figure out for now.) She is also suffering some long term health issues as a result of an "accidental" gunshot to the stomach. (We will also give updates on this as we get them). She moved here to take care of her MOM who passed away last year. Since then she has had more problems. We do not know all the extent of these yet. She called asking for help. Rich and I went to survey the situation. She lives in a new house with her dog and cat.
Her bed was breaking and she didn't have the strength to move it and put in a new bed frame. She wanted us to go by Wal-Mart and get her a new one on our way! I told her we would have to come see for ourselves first! We did and she seemed legit. We went to Wal-Mart purchased a bed frame and some food for her. Then took it home and fixed her bed. She was looking for someone who could come help her clean and help take care of her pets when she goes again for surgery. I called a sister who does cleaning and home health care. She has since called and asked if Rich and I could come back and talk to her about a few things in the church! We will go back. She really hit it off with Rich talking about Air Force, Rescue etc. She really just needs a friend. She obviously has a strong faith . She has Bibles all around and knows the scriptures. Pray that the spirit may touch her to know the truth.
I am so amazed at how many people we have met here that just do not have family or a relationship with family that would allow them to call for help. They simply have no one! Debbie was desperate enough to call the church and talk to anyone who might be willing to help her. She has money and can pay for cleaning and such but just didn't know anyone. We are so blessed to have such wonderful families. I almost can't fathom these people's lives. I know that the gospel can change their lives. I pray that Rich and I will be able to help them see the gospel is the answer.
As you might guess these two took up alot of our time this week. But it is okay. We feel this is why we are here. If not us - then who? We were told at the MTC there are no chance meetings!
We would also like to update you on Christy and Chris.
We taught another lesson to Christy. She is starting to recognize a lot more words when we read. We read the children's books again, then went to the scriptures and found the passages mentioned. I hope she will try to find and read these when we are not there. I think she might as her confidence grows. I do not believe she will ever comprehend what she reads but she definitely loves the pictures and knows they make her feel good. She and her brother also took us and the Elders on a tour of Montgomery this week. First White house of the Confederacy, the Capitol and the city government offices. It was fun.
Chris was able to come to family home evening this past week. He said his week was much improved from the week before. He was also able to come to Sacrament today. He was struggling again and asked for another blessing. He has three weeks left. Pray for him. We have several of the AF classes ending in the next two weeks so we will have to say goodbye to many good men. We will also be meeting a couple of new groups. The cycle will continue. We are so blessed to be here at this time.
I want to leave you on a happy note. We spoke with Thomas one of our investigators on Friday. He asked if we could come Monday Night and teach him about BAPTISM. He has attended church a couple of weeks and his wife is a member( but not active at the moment) This may be an opportunity to strengthen a family! We will need your prayers! Satan always knows when someone wants to accept the gospel and he will do everything to prevent it. Pray for us and Thomas!!!!
We love all of you and once again we so appreciate our family and friends. The gospel is true. We are so blessed!

Love Elder and Sister Stewart