Note: For the duration of Riley's mission, this blog will be produced and edited by his parents, Daisy and Todd Stonely.

Monday, May 16, 2016

Week 48: Endure to the End

Dear Friends and Family,

This Week I learned something very important. Well maybe not so important, but special. We had the opportunity to visit a couple of the Less active couples in the branch as well as a couple of solid members. As you all know, the members here are all mostly older. So the lesson I learned was about Enduring to the end. As we went to visit these members, I came to the realization that a lot of them have super strong spirits and testimonies of the gospel. They do all they can every day to become more like their savior and it is very easy to see in them. I marveled at one Senior couple, the Mallories, who are going through pretty much any problem you can name. Financially, with family, friends, health. Name it, they got it! Though as we got to know them and visit with them, they expressed their faith in the Lord and shared with us many dear experiences. I learned from them that really the only thing that matters is our dedication to continue to better ourselves. Though they never told us straight out that they were developing Christlike attributes, I saw every attribute very strongly in them. As well as the other senior couples whom we visited. There are very few members here in Cairo, but they are the strongest in the state of Georgia! or probably the world!!! Sister Mallory, was worried more about doing missionary work for those around her than she was about her own concerns.  To me, a great example of charity, something I have been working on for a while now. They are all role models for me now. 

Well also, the Mallory family are Native Americans who live on a Native American Reserve, and they got talking about their ancestors and their stories and all of the information about Native Americans. I thought that was cool to see!

This week was also transfer week! We were curious to see what would happen because Elder Valenzuela thought that he would be getting transferred. None the less, we are both still here in Cairo! I was also called to serve as the District Leader here and will be looking forward to this service opportunity! 

I love you all so much and hope that you enjoy this next week :) Much love from Elder Stonely :)

Cairo!
BOSS!
Elder Stonely in Cairo is Boss!

P.S... My humility may need some help... HAHA
 
Two lovely Jehovah Witnesses knocked on our door, so I gave them some German Chocolate.

Yeah, I caught a fish! Now if I could only learn how to prepare them properly...

Me and a helicopter.

My companion with a baby.

Together for another six weeks!