Officially Elder & Sister Stott

Since our missionary tags arrived a few days ago, we got set apart yesterday, and we held our Pathway "Kick-off" Fireside last night, I am starting to feel a lot more official as a missionary.  Still getting used to the idea, but I like how it feels.

Our Pathway Kick-off fireside last night was a huge success!!!  We were worried that nobody would show up and that we wouldn't be able to put together a minimum of 15 students for our 30+ age group.  Alan and I were both too skeptical...where was our faith?  The chapel was practically full, and most interested parties were over 30 years old.  So many individuals age 30+ signed up as interested in the program (roughly 85) that it will be necessary to call at least one other couple as missionaries to accommodate the potential student load.  Amazing!  Big things are happening in our Stake, and this is just one of them.

A few weeks ago for our Stake Conference we had a visiting authority, Elder Whiting, speak.  During his talk he said that he felt a special spirit in our Stake and that we were on the path to doing great things. (I am paraphrasing since all of my notes disappeared from my iPad)  He said that he has seldom, if ever, said that to any other Stake during the conferences he has visited.

Our Stake Leadership is exceptional and our Stake President has great vision on where the stake needs to go.  Our Stake set the record at the Los Angeles Temple about 1 1/2 years ago for the most members to attend a chapel session as well as the most members who came with Family File cards to do the work of their own ancestors.  This year's theme for the Stake is to move to higher ground and bring others with us.  I think that by implementing the Pathway Program in our Stake we will see an increase in spirituality and an increase in activity as those who are less active participate in the program and get involved with the required religion classes.  I can't wait to see the miracles that will take place in the lives of the participants!