Week #1 en el CCMM (in the Mexico MTC)

June 16, 2015

Dear Family and Friends,

This week was one of the best weeks I have had in my life! It has been full of the spirit and I feel truly blessed by the lord. There are four elders and two sisters in my district and they are like my second family! I feel so close to them and we have bonded like none other!

We started the week by teaching a fake investigator (but trust me it feels crazy real). Josué is his name and he has helped me and Elder Neilson grow so much! We already have a baptism date for him so lets just say... We feel very proud! 

Along with Josué, my district of Elders met a group of Latino Elders who want to learn Spanish! So we get together every meal and talk as we eat. We also play fútbol (soccer) with them during gym time and we will play again today for probably a good couple hours! It is so much fun and they are so nice!

This week has been extremely humbling and very important. Living in Mexico City feels like living in a completely different country. There are always sirens going off, the people we saw on the way to the MTC looked so sad and I wanted to help them so much! Which is why I am here I guess:D Even though my mission is not in Mexico I feel like I have been sent here for a reason. I feel so blessed for everything I had back at home and feel as if I am one of the well off, extremely blessed people in the world. I love my Savior and I feel as if I am constantly thanking him every minute. Dealing with people who don't have the same mind set as me is hard. Most of them think differently so planing each day is hard. Especially with my companion. But every day goes very well as we have pray daily and follow the rules. Exact obedience is something that has been stressed to the MAX here. There are so many rules, yet they are so easy to follow! If life could be like this... I think that would be my heaven! The greatest thing I have learned this week is to be exactly obedient, and to love others the way Christ loves us. 

I love everyone who is around me here in the MTC. I feel so grateful for the opportunity I have to be a part of this beautiful community. There are so many wonderful people here and everyone has something that I need to become a better person and come closer to Christ. My own conversion daily Is something that I will continue to work towards as I strive to come unto Christ. Thank you for all your support and all your kind emails this week! I needed them and feel so loved!

-Love, Elder Stonely

The MTC was a High school before they made it an MTC so the "B" they joke around standing for "Baptizmo" (Baptism)!

Elder Neilson (left) and Elder Stonely (right)

Can't Wait For The Best Two Years of My Life to Begin ...

June 10, 2015

Ever since Riley was a young boy, he knew he wanted to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Today, that dream became a reality when he entered the Salt Lake Airport, said goodbye to his family, passed through security, and didn't look back. We love you Riley and we know the people in Florida will love you too!

"I love to see the temple, I'm going there some day..."

May 30, 2015

Before becoming a missionary, Riley attended the temple with his parents and aunt, Stephani Lowe. He also arranged to attend the same session with one of his best friends, Ean Isobe.

Todd Stonely, Daisy Stonely, Riley Stonely, & Stephanie Lowe.

Riley Stonely & Ean Isobe.

Opening Mission Call

February 13, 2015

Riley invited his friends and family over to open his mission call. Watch the video and reaction below.

Florida, Tallahassee (Spanish Speaking)!!!

This is the same mission where Riley's cousin, Griffen Clayton is serving! Upon hearing the news, Elder Clayton said "I'm going to request that I train him, but then I remembered I ain't no Spanish speaking missionary."

Good luck Riley!

Discovering the Mission Call

February 12, 2015

Just over a week after filling out his missionary papers, Riley received his mission call in the mail. But mom got to it first and planted in his room where he would discover it while the camera rolled...

The excitement on his face says it all!