Week 25: "New Comp...Elder Sturdevant!"

Dear Friends and Family,

This week has been Boss! It was kinda funny too just because of all the things that happened. HAHA So my new companions name is Elder Sturdevant. It is Dutch and is very AWESOME! Mostly cause I laugh at all the Hispanic members who try to pronounce it but fail. They all thought that once elder Chapdelaine left that they would get another missionary with an easier name. PSYCH! even harder... HAHA Fun fact about him. He is actually 1/4 Hispanic! And he looks nothing like a Mexican. HAHA his grandfathers last name is Moreno, and there is a Moreno family in the branch, so they call him their cousin. HAHA Elder Sturdevant is boss and is going to learn a lot of what it is like to be in the Hispanic family down here in Foley.

So the beginning of transfers was really rough... Our Zone leaders told us that this transfer was going to work a little different. And it confused everyone... Normally when missionaries get transferred from Foley and around this area, they go to Tallahassee and spend the night. But this time they told me that I would be going early in the morning over to Tallahassee and then returning the same day. So All Was well and the plan was going smooth. Until I got to Tallahassee... They told me I was staying the night and Would receive my new companion the next morning. And so Here I was stuck in Tallahassee, 5 hours away from my stuff and I had to stay the night. HAHA I just laughed at myself cause all I had was the suit I brought and my scriptures. So I slept the night on a couch. Then the next morning I made an Attempt to "clean" as much as I could. Thankfully I didn't smell bad because All I did the day before was sit in a car. HAHA So I pick up my new companion and then we head off to another transfer spot to pick up another missionary. (Oh and btw... It was me, my companion and two other guys who were sitting up front) So we are driving along side the road and all of a sudden the driver pulls over. I asked "whats wrong" And the missionary I could tell was so embarrassed... he replied, "the gas is out" And for those of you who don't know, we are supposed to keep out tanks above 1/2 so this doesn't happen. HAHA So We all had to get out of the truck and walk two miles to the nearest gas station to get gas. HAHA but while we started walking I jokingly said, "pray for a miracle!" And on the way back to the car, a member from the ward in the area pulled over and gave us a ride! HAHA I thought That was the greatest blessing of the day!

Well enough of me rambling about funny things this week.

Thanksgiving was a bomb and we had some pretty good food! We had a Hispanic activity, but lets just say they aren't as good at making american food as they are the Hispanic food! HAHA but yet I did have one of the Best Roasts That I have ever tasted. And It was awesome cause we had an investigator show up to the activity and so since we had time to kill, him, Elder Sturdevant and I had a chili eating contest. And We ate "abaneros" which are one of the spiciest chilies ever... And I only ate two and they were about the size of a quarter each and my mouth was on fire all day! and then the next day my stomach was in pain! Dang... Not sure how hispanics eat like this. HAHA But it was pretty great!

I have learned just about double in this past week compared to the past three transfers that I have been here. With Spanish, with being a missionary and relying on the Lord to help me out. All of those Have been improved by 100 fold I feel like. Being the senior companion is a lot more work! HAHA DUH Elder! HAHA I was expecting it to be difficult, but didn't quite understand just how much I would learn. I learn so much every day and i realized that it is because I was in the week of struggles. I was put into a place where I would have to do things I've never done before and talk to people in my broken Spanish. And I was put into this situation where I would have to ask the Lord for his strength. Because I could not have survived this week without his help. I was thinking of if I were to give any advice to anybody, it would be, "learn to pray, and rely on the lord." And I think that applies for all aspects of life. Wait, I don't think, I know.

Well I hope that each one of you is having a boss time with school, work, family and the world! I know I am :) I love you all very much and cant wait to share more experiences this upcoming week!

Much love from the heart of Alabama!

Elder Stonely

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Week 24: "I'm Going to be a Daddy!"

Dear Friends and Family,

I would like to start out by saying that the Lord is always blessing each and every one of us. I have received more than my share fare of blessings this week and it only seems to get better! The best way to see the blessings that you have is to always be counting them! and thank Him for everything you've been given on a daily basis. Through prayer I have found much comfort.

Transfers are this week! And I have some exciting news for you all! I will be staying in Foley Alabama for another Transfer, and I will be training a new missionary! I am looking forward to it and can not wait to see how it goes! I know that my mission president has great trust in me and now I have to live up to it and train this missionary the way that Elder Chapdelaine trained me! I will miss Elder Chapdelaine a lot due to our great friendship and unity together. We have just barely got it all down! But I know that he needs to go help strengthen another companion and another area like he did here in Foley. And with a lot of help from the savior, my new companion can grow up the same way! HAHA whenever someone is a trainer, we call it a "father" and "son" relationship for the trainer and the trainee. HAHA I find that very funny, but It will be great! Time to invest some major faith on my part!

I have been again blessed with the opportunity to give many blessings this week. There have been a lot of hard times for the Hispanic members in this branch. About 50% of them have suffered a traumatic or family emergency within the last week. And a lot of the times they are illegal, so they cant do much about what happens. But, one thing that I have seen in all of them is their unbelievable strength and faith in the Atonement. All of them continue to come to church, and all of them have asked for priesthood blessings. And for us as missionaries, it is such a wonderful thing to have someone ask for a blessing. And side note, I have become really good at learning the blessings in spanish. HAHA The members here are great. And to me, this is just a proof of how powerful the Atonement is and just how blessed we are to have it here with us. I am truly greatful.

For the fun side of this week, Elder Chapdelaine and I have spent a lot of good time with members, investigators and others this week, cause we had both figured that he was getting transfered. And so today, we have a lot of fun plans to go out and do stuff together and to enjoy our last P-day together. I am too excited probably. HAHA

Well this week was fun and This upcoming week will be great to see my new companion and enjoy the day! thank you for all of your love and support! Until next week :)

From the Heart of Alabama, Foley :)

Elder Stonely

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Week 23: "Atonement - At-one-ment"

This week has definitely come with its trials. Not only for us as missionaries, but for members of the Branch. It made me think of the cycle that often happens, where things seem to be going great, then something bad has to happen. There are a couple families in the branch whom this week have been experiencing major difficulties. Us as missionaries haven't been able to help much with their situations, other than just be there for them and love them. And when I thought about it at the end of the week, I think the only thing they needed was to feel the love that the savior had for them and their families. I know they have felt it because I feel it every day. And this brings me to the topic I frequently bring up, the Atonement.

Many people, may not understand the meaning of the Atonement and just how it can help them. I know I have definitely struggled searching and learning about the Atonement. However this week has opened my eyes a little more deeper to how the Atonement can help me.

We had a Zone conference/training this past Tuesday and I went in not really knowing what I was going to learn. And coming out of it, I didn't learn from anything that was said, but what I needed to learn personally. (the way it should be right?) All the information that was presented, I had previously been trained on. So it was like a brush up lesson for me. However, there was another fellow Spanish elder sitting with us who I learned a lot from. He is struggling with his own issues and what not, but I really noticed just how much he understood and was using the Atonement. He serves in a difficult area with members who aren't very supportive and the missionary work is beyond slow. I noticed that he is just under a year serving, and is currently training. On top of those difficulties is that fact that he is a District Leader. And for those of you who don't really know what that title signifies, lets just say it is stressful and hard. This missionary I could tell was struggling. Though more than that, the power of the Atonement was more noticeable. He talked about his experiences with me and what he does to reach out for help from the Lord. And I really was surprised. I walked away from the day with a little more understanding about the Atonement.

This week I have been in need of the Atonement. There have been trials and difficulties like I mentioned above, along with others. I don't like to mention the hardships because those are just little parts that we all have. What matters is that we have the Atonement with us to always ask for the help we need to complete a task. The savior is with me and I know that he knows how I feel. Every day I cant wait to pray to him and to ask for help and strength. I have felt great peace come from this simple act. And I know that the Lord is always watching over every one of us. I thank you all for all of your kind support in all that you do! And I am grateful for the love I feel every day. Bless you all! and remember that when you feel alone, you don't have to be if you ask Him.

Much love from Foley!

Elder Stonely

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Week 22: "Patience is a Virtue!"

Dear Friends and Family,

So learned a lot this weekend! Probably more than ever before. HAHA no just kidding. But this week has definitely been a week of knowledge gain. For starters, we have been coming to the library to get ready for a Family History lesson on familysearch.org. We will be teaching at the Genealogy society's meeting this Saturday, so we had to come up with an outline and everything had to be ready. We figured this lesson cant just be made up on the spot like we normally do... HAHA so I learned a lot about Family Search on the website and have been using that a ton! But the part that I wanted to just mention is really funny cause now I feel really lame. HAHA It brought me back to High school in 10-11 grade. Everyone knows about those lessons that are taught and those concepts that are taught where the students always say, "When am I going to use that?" or "When will I ever need to know that?" Yeah well guess what?!?! That happened to be and I now feel really dumb for saying that phrase. HAHA We were writing instructions on how to order a film from the catalog so that the people can look at it. (that was one thing they wanted us to teach). So Elder Chapdelaine went on the site and went through and made a little instruction sheet. And I looked at it, and just knew it would not work out... HAHA mostly cause we are dealing with old people who don't know how to use computers. So I thought back on possibly three classes... And I'm pretty sure it was Geometry with Mr. Gilbert. but it could possibly be Mr. Bown. We had the unit on proofs and writing instructions. And I thought that unit would be SO lame just cause it seemed pointless... But it came in handy! I remembered that Mr. Gilbert said that you have to be VERY specific in your instructions so that a child could read it and know how to do it. So I went through the instructions and added little things like, "click the 'search' tab on the top right hand side of the scree" when it was originally just "click on search" HAHA Elder Chapdelaine thought it was pretty silly, but then we practiced it. I had Elder Chapdelaine go through the steps pretending like he didn't know what he was doing. And it seemed to work! So hopefully when we teach it will make sense! HAHA Shout out to my High School teachers who are boss!

Alright so this past Sunday, I was thrown under the bus when Elder Chapdelaine told me I could practice my Spanish by translating. Yeah that was a bad idea! I only translated the announcements and the prayers, but according to him and everybody else it made sense and it went well. But I thought that it went terrible. I took it as a compliment. So now I think that I will be translating more and learning more. Spanish is coming easier and easier. There are only a couple ROUGH edges. HAHA... Ok maybe more than a couple. HAHA

We also had the primary program this past Sunday which was awesome! It was so nice to just see the 10 kids that they had up there sing and to see their bright spirits. Kids always carry a very sweet spirit and it was very nice to watch as a billion of the adults started crying. HAHA But i don't blame them cause if it were my kid i might just cry too!

The last thing I learned this week has just been more patience. Its been a struggle learning how to go from having an investigator family to having no one. And Lucia and Ramon are out of town this week which has been made it more difficult! And on top of that the spanish this week has been a little rough. But Ive learned a lot of patience, cause as we just continue to go each day doing our best, there is always blessings that come. We are now just starting to work through members and finding people and we are currently teaching another Family. They have two kids and we have gone over a couple of times and talked to them about the importance of families. It was kinda funny cause we were walking by one day and he was painting, so we talked with him and then got a return appointment. Then the next time we went by we sat down outside with the husband. And we started talking and once we started talking about families, he paused us and said he was going to go grab his wife! So we taught both of them and are currently going over once a week. I am hoping they turn into another Lucia and Ramon!

So other than those adventures, this week has been pretty slow. Its almost as if time is ticking till transfers, which are causing mixed feelings. HAHA but I am excited to keep going and pushing forward with the work of the lord! I love you all and appreciate all of your support! May you all receive the blessings that come from living the gospel :)

From the heart of the middle of nowhere! Foley Alabama,

Elder Stonely "wiwee" Thats for you Dustin!

Weel 21: "Power of the Holy Ghost"

Dear Friends and Family,

This week has been a very slow one for sure! now that our boss family has been baptized, we havent been able to go over as much and do lessons with them. We are now getting into teaching them everything again, but they are always so busy with the members and activities and stuff and we want to teach them when Ramon is home from work. So all of that has been limiting our contact with them! But Im glad to see that they are being loved and supported :) I actually had a very good experience with them which I will share later.

So like I said, the week went by REALLY slow... P-Day was a rainy day all day so we just stayed inside and didnt do much. It was nice to get everything cleaned and make the apartment once again feel "at home." and it was just an overall awesome day!

Tuesday we had District meeting which was one of the best district meetings that we have had while ive been out here. We actually discussed the way we are supposed to be doing missionary work down here and how to work with members and less actives. And We got a TON of things we are going to have to try out. But this day was also the start of another slow week... HAHA My companion, Elder Chapdelaine, is allergic to Gluten and we went to Arby's for lunch. And normally the fries are ok to eat for him, but I am assuming that the fries at Arby's have some sort of covering on them that contain gluten. SO... long story short, just the little amount of gluten on the fries that he ate cause him to get really sick. He had no energy during the day and He threw up during one of our lessons. I felt kinda bad for him... Yet i was laughing cause I knew that it was cause he ate gluten. We laughed about it after too so dont think I am a terrible human being! HAHA

Wednesday I woke up and looked over at my companion and he didnt even get up... I knew that it was cause he was sick. And he mumbled to me, "Im sick... you probably already knew that." HAHA and so we got another two hours of sleep and poor Elder Chapdelaine was dying all day! he kept throwing up and his poor stomach, which had nothing in it was not very happy. So I spent the day taking care of him as he rested and just slept. I felt terrible! And he didnt eat anything until the next day. So the whole day was just crazy nuts!

Thursday and Friday Elder Chapdelaine made me plan for the days and They were aweful! mostly cause of all the Halloween Parties that were going on and what not, so basically everybody that we went to go see wasnt home or said they were going somewhere. So we spent the day with pretty much a bunch of members and Helping them do their family History or something productive.

Saturday was a little bit more interesting! We were able to help One of the member families move. and this was my fifth move in the four months that Ive been here... HAHA Not quite sure whats up with that. But it all went out really fine and we were able to help them move in and get settled in! But this should give you a glimpse of spanish culture. The family we helped move was hispanic, so Right when we moved everything into their home. Literally right when the last thing was brought in, Lucia and Ramon and a bunch of other hispanics came over and had lunch in their new apartment! We had to set up the table while lunch was being made just so we could eat. HAHA Hispanics are all so close and friendly and they all love eachother! Which is awesome.

Halloween as a missionary isnt the same just so you know. HAHA My mother was so generous as to send me a package that contained a ton of little bags of candies and toys for us to pass out to kids. and we took it to the ward "trunck or teat" and passed them out to all the families that came to that! and they were all very excited to see it and the cute little bag. So shoutout to you mom! We dressed up as hondurans with all the honduran stuff that one of the members has given us and we looked like some pretty boss missionaries. HAHA And the activity was pretty good, so pictures should be coming soon!

Sunday was by far one of the most special days of my whole mission. I woke up and was feeling really down. Not sure why, just something did not feel very right, or I was just having a bad morning. Not sure which one :) But sunday was the day where we were confirming our family members of the church :) and I was picked to confirm them, so I had to do them in spanish! I was freaking out about it, but it turned out fine. I confirmed them and It was super good! A very good sunday!

That night we went over to their house, and they first wanted to thank me for giving them their blessings and confirming them. I was touched by their experiences that they shared with me. They both went into detail of what they felt and things that were awesome. And Ramon said that from the moment I gave him the blessing he felt like a different person. And he said that he still feels that way. Which was just the confirming witness to me just how powerful and influencing the Holy Ghost is. This gospel HAS to be true!

So this week was a slow one :) yet one of the best ones that I have had. Probably life changing! I hope you all are enjoying your weeks back at home wherever that may be :) I love you all and pray for you all :) Thank you for your kind support and for all that you do to help the missionaries!

From the small heart of Foley Alabama,

Elder Stonely

Week 20: "My First Baptism!"

Dear Friends and Family,

A lot of great things happened this week and I have grown a ton personally and spiritually. I am constantly learning and this week wanted to share the experiences that I had.

For one, we had the opportunity to have interviews with our mission president, President Smith, this week. Since these don't happen very often, I wanted to come up with some good questions to ask him and to talk about. When it was finally my turn to have my interview, I went in and we started it off. He began by expressing his love for me and my companion. and he told me a lot of things that he was grateful for. And they made me seem very blessed. I was, and still am grateful for the opportunity that I have had to have Elder Chapdelaine as my companion. President Smith made it clear to my mind just how awesome he was and I realized so much that I learned from him and still am learning from him. President smith went on to talk about how our area is flourishing and how grateful he was that We came into the area and changed it. He mentioned that he has to constantly keep tab on other missionaries, but he loves us because he doesn't have to worry as much about us or keep us obedient. I went on to ask him about advice and He gave me a couple things I could do which I have started applying to my missionary work. And Through those things I have seen a lot of additional improvement and growth in myself, our companionship, and the branch. And it has only been a couple of days! (now i share this experience not to be prideful, but to share the impact of being obedient and working your hardest.) When I came into the mission field, Elder Chapdelaine asked me if I wanted to work on being a Consecrated missionary. Which was basically putting everything on the alter of sacrifice and changing everything in a better way. At first I was a little hesitant because i thought I was doing great and didn't need much changing. Well Elder Stonely... you thought wrong. over the past three transfers I have come to the knowledge that I need to change so much. And I have been constantly working to improve. At times I don't feel like I am improving, but after this interview I noticed just how much I had changed, but hadn't realized. Though there is so much more I could do to become better and work harder, I am beginning to see the result of dedicated work and a focused mind. I love that I have such a dedicated companion who is willing to help me make little changes to become better. And this week especially, with interviews and the other experiences that I have had, I am experiencing the fruits of my labor!

Now I hope that paragraph made sense, because it is beginning to come to my knowledge that my English skills, (well the ones i had at least) are starting to disappear... HAHA I should start taking English classes. Any how, another experience That i had was at Stake conference. And the stake president brought up a TON of amazing ideas. That came from three topics. One, the law of chastity. Two, Family counsel. And Three, Fasting. So many great words were spoken about these three topics and I learned a lot about things I could work on now and later down the road of "life." I thought of fasting the most. All the Hispanics down here have a hard time fasting. And we don't know if its just cause they don't know what it is? or if its "too hard"? or if they just don't do it. HAHA But we both felt impressed to help the branch out with fasting because of the many blessings that we can experience. I know that fasting is one of the best ways to feel the spirit and to receive blessings. I have experienced many opportunities where I have received the answer to a question or the help i needed. One of the biggest helps that I have received has been the strength to continue working hard. There have been countless experiences where I have struggled, but through fasting have received the help I need. And for that I am grateful!

I invite all of you to fast at least once a month! And not to just fast for no reason. (if that's the case I feel sorry for the pain you have to endure as you starve yourself.) HAHA There is always something that you could fast for! Whether its for another person, or a blessing/ help that you need personally. Whatever the case may be, fasting is essential.

Alright now comes the good part! We had a baptism this week! well three I guess if you count it number wise. Ramon, Lucia, and Daniel got baptized and It was a joy to see them baptized. We worked hard, and It was nice to finally see them make this step! As their son went first, I was overwhelmed by the spirit that I felt as I watched him get baptized. I felt so happy and so blessed. I knew that this was the right thing and more importantly I am glad they knew! They now have a goal to be sealed in the temple and I can not wait for that day! even if im not in the area :) Thank you all for your prayers and your thought for this family! I can assure you they are doing well ;)

To end this week, I wanted to share another experience with the priesthood and the power of the priesthood. Yesterday I started to get really sick. I woke up and could not talk without pain because my throat was very swollen. I took some medicine to help it and told myself I would endure the pain the whole day. Sadly, I'm 100% sure that I yet again was wrong. HAHA I came home after one of the worst days (physically) I've had on my mission. We had just visited an 18 year old after helping him do family history. he noticed that I was sick and straight up told me, "have you had a blessing yet?" I instantly felt like the worst missionary in the world because I failed to recognize that I had people here with the Priesthood. I felt like an idiot and told him, "no I have not. But I will." And that night when I came home I asked for a blessing. Today, I feel almost 100% top notch! I am blessed to be able to have that 18 year old chastise me a little bit and have the courage to tell me to get a blessing. I wish I would have had the faith to ask for one sooner, but none the less am glad that I received one.

Remember that there is always a priesthood holder near by. I, like many others, at times may not think of the power of the priesthood, but after last night I don't think I will ever fail to ask again. I know that Priesthood blessings work and I am grateful to hold this priesthood power. I love you all for your support and for your prays and thoughts. I continually receive blessings that help me every day. Looking forward to another great week!

With much love, Elder Stonely

PS. pictures will be coming shortly :)

Week 19: "Be a Member Missionary!"

Dear Friends and Family,

This week has been a busy one for sure. We have the Baptism of our family coming up this Saturday at 9 in the morning and they are SUPER excited! I can see it in their eyes every time it is brought up. They are beyond ready to take this first step and soon after they will have a goal to enter into the temple and be sealed as a family. I feel really special too cause their chose me to confirm them! Elder chapdelaine will baptize and i will confirm! It Has been on my mind all week and I feel honored. This will be a huge opportunity for me :)

This week has been so busy for many reasons. One being the baptism and trying to figure that all out and squared away so it will be successful, we had a Hispanic activity again which we tried to get put together, and It was my last week of training, which was insane cause I now will be a lone ranger! Part of me still feels inadequate because I never quite figured out everything i probably should and there is still so much more that I could learn. But Elder Chapdelaine has done a very good job at helping me and letting me know that I'm doing everything i can. Which is perfect to understand. I thought of the Newly called apostles yet again this week and how they all felt inadequate to be an apostle. And they have a tough job! They have to do more than me... HAHA but they trust in the lord and have that faith. And for me that has been what is keeping me going! I have realized this week more than before that I will have times even worse than now and that I need to have my trust in the lord anchored into the ground. And so that will be my next step as I move out of training. I'm just blessed to be with Elder Chapdelaine for another six weeks. HAHA

So not much more to report for this week. It seemed to fly by really fast which is nuts... The days go by faster and faster and by the time i look at my watch, its already P-day! Which is scaring me cause I don't want to be done! And i've only been out for four months. HAHA i still have plenty of time :)

Ending on a more spiritual note, I have thought a lot about the less actives in the branch. There are many reasons why people don't come to church or why people fall away and at least here, a lot of the time they leave because they don't feel loved or wanted or needed in the branch. Which is terrible. Now I cant blame them, cause when I got here there were only two members who constantly came to church in the Spanish side of the world, and all the other people are retired people who like their own little world and honestly, don't speak Spanish. HAHA But we have had the blessing of watching as more and more people are activated in the church and brought back into the "fold." Yesterday we had a total of around 15 Spanish members come to church and they are beginning to support each other more and more! And that has been a truly amazing blessing. Just remember that missionaries can only do so much. All of YOU have a more positive, lasting influence on less active members and converts. When you reach out to them it doesn't just seem like someone is being assigned to them but that someone really does love and care for them. All of YOU can do so much even though you are not missionaries. The lord loves you and all of your friends and family. I thank everyone for showing me an amazing example throughout the years :)

Much love from the freazing state of ALABAMA!\

Elder Stonely!

P.S. its not actually THAT cold... i'm just a wimp.