Week 97: :D

Dear Friends and Family,

I think the subject of this email fits perfectly. We should all have reasons to put a smile on our face every day. Despite circumstances and despite how bad you think you have it. The Savior, Jesus Christ made it possible for every child of God to be happy and feel joy every second of every day. That I am truly grateful for.

This week I received my new companion. His name is Elder Cornforth. He is from Ogden Utah. He likes to Rodeo and from what I've seen in pics, he is pretty good at it too! He is tall, and very friendly. He is my 8th companion that I have had on my mission and something that I have learned is that no words can describe the amazing characteristics that our companions have. I wish everyone who reads this would have the opportunity to meet my companions in person because it becomes so real. I am grateful for the chance that I have to serve for six weeks with Elder Cornforth! He has a desire to work hard, move forward, and continue onward with faith and diligence! I am definitely grateful.

Im going to be honest, this week, from the moment Elder Cornforth has gotten here, we have been running around like monkeys with our heads cut off. We had so much to do, many service opportunities, and lots of missionary work. I don't think I have ever felt so happy being so stressed in my life! HAHA For those of you who know me, I don't do well with stress. Ive gotten better at dealing with it over the last two years, and I think this week was definitely the test. Though the blessings from working hard truly come in! Here is an experience that we had this past week.

We had lost contact with Gloria for about 2 weeks previous. She is the single mother with 5 kids who recently moved into a new home. We had no idea where she moved, and she wasn't answering her telephone. On Friday, we had planned to go visit some potentials, which we did and when we were about to head to another place, we decided to talk to one more neighbor. After talking with them, we headed out. As we were driving home, I noticed a car that looked just like the one Gloria used to drive. I sat there thinking, "hmmmm..." I then felt like we should follow the car, so I told Elder Cornforth who was driving, " FOLLOW THAT CAR!" So he did... I'm not a stalker or anything, but they pulled into a gas station. I wanted to make sure it was her, so i told elder Cornforth to pretend like he was buying gas. he pulled up next to her and I saw a darker man driving the car. I was a little bummed and said, " its not her..." so he started to drive away, but then I saw a "bun" or whatever ladies call their hair when it looks like a bun, on the persons head in the passenger seat. It was her!!! So I told Elder Cornforth to pull over and talk to her. So we did. She was happy to see us. She hadn't been able to text us back because it had been a stressful week with everyone and her new house, and appliances, work and all but said that she had been reading what we gave her and we set something up for the next week.

Now for most people that may not be that TOO big of a miracle. But for me in that moment, it was something that Lord was showing to us that he was listening to us and blessing our lives. He is here. He listens. And He loves every single one of us. I know that as we seek him and his guidance, he will bless our lives. I am so very grateful for all I have been given! And that you all for the many things that you have given to me and the much support! I love you all!

Elder Stonely

My new companion, Elder Cornforth.

Thats right, he's got 8-10 inches on me!