Week 62: Tender-loins, Psych! Tender-mercies :)

Dear Friends and Family,

I have had such a wonderful experience this week! We have received SOOOOO many tender mercies in every way (side note, also received a couple tenderloins as well). I would definitely say that Elder Lambson is a strong pushing force to make sure that we are always busy and out teaching the gospel. And that in and of itself has brought many miracles. We have had the opportunity this week to see many peoples hearts softened. We met a family one day who seemed pretty interested in what we teach, but when we went by a second time, the father told us he was not interested and that "Mormons" was not for him or for his family. We, politely ignored him and went back on another occasion. When we did go back, he was out there with his wife. We talked with him and got to know him a little more and he got to see just how "human" us Mormons are. We shared the plan of salvation which cleared up a lot of his questions and doubts. It was awesome to see him have that change of heart, and at the end of the lesson, he committed to read the Book of Mormon and to pray about it. WHAT???? That was a sick experience. But that was only one of the experiences that we had. We picked up a couple of families that we are now teaching which is going to be AWESOME!!!! I love teaching families. For some reason it feels like I'm with my own family when I teach families. :)

Well I know that this email was super small. Its weird cause this week went by so fast. And mother, I am sorry for the lack of pictures. I have completely forgotten to take any this week! I like to say that it was because we were super busy. :) HAHAHAHA But I promise to do better this week. :)

I love you all and appreciate the support from back home! I wish you all blessings and love from the greatest heart in Cairo!

Elder Stonely,

(biggest heart is still Sister Bouton) one day ill catch up to her...

Week 61: My new companion Elder Lambson is BOSS!!!

Dear Friends and Family,

I guess I lost track of weeks again because my dad told me I messed up on which week it was. HAHA Luckily, the brains of the operation (my dad) runs the show and not me :) HAHA I love you papa!

Ok, so yes, transfers were this past week, I'm blessed to stay in Cairo! My new companion is Elder Lambson who is the BOSS!!!!!! He is from Colorado, which I can continue to say that I have never been with a companion from Utah... That's been pretty weird. Elder Lambson is a genius who is very intelligent and amazing :) He is also like a Lamb, well a son of the lamb. HA. Yeah... dumb pun. 

Well this week, It sure has been a busy week! And I am positive that we haven't received so many tender mercies and blessings as we have this week. It all started Wed.

We got into Tallahassee at 7:30 am. so that Elder Valenzuela could catch the transfer buss across the mission, and my companion wasn't coming in till about 7:00 pm. Long story short, I had to go with some other elders for the day. They were White washing an area and had never stepped foot on any door we went to. So that was interesting. I felt a little out of place knocking on all the "rich" white people houses. Well by "rich" I mean normal houses in Utah, though I have been so accustomed to trailers that a house seems quite different. HAHA It has truly been an experience. HAHA Well my companion got in at 7 and we drove back up to Cairo and decided we were going to just go out and find someone to teach! (due to having a low teaching pool) we knocked on a couple peoples doors without success. And then we saw this lady smoking out on the front porch, so we decided to go talk to her. We immediately began to introduce a video about the resurrection of Jesus Christ and talked about how she could find a "new" life through him. She seemed really interested in the message and longer story short, she agreed to be baptized on September 10th. That was VERY cool to see. She also gave us referrals to her family whom we are just barely going over to help. Its been interesting to see how when we stop by, people don't want anything to do with us, but as we are just persistent enough, we become the best buds and they are so grateful for us coming over and talking with them! Sometimes, people just need a little bit of love :) even if they don't seem like the type of person you would be talking to. 

So I just want you to take that situation, and add about 20 more of those. That sums up our week. Though the biggest thing I have noticed this week Has definitely been the Spirit. I am 100 % sure that if the spirit was not with us, that none of the people with whom we came in contact, we would still be teaching. And I am grateful for my new companion who works hard, is diligent, and is a great example of the type of missionary that we all can become! 

I love you all so much! And I know that all of you are missionaries like us and can experience these experiences on your own like those of missionaries! Hope you all have a great week this week and know that I love you! 

Elder Stonely,

The biggest heart in Cairo :) (Thats still sister Bouton)

Yeah, we are a litttle crazy. HAHA

Pictures with Ana before Elder V left :)

Week 60: I'm a Cowboy!

Dear Friends and Family,

Well I thought I would just let you know that I'm officially a Cowboy! HAHA As many of you know, we live in a little house, pretty much in the middle of a cow farm. Though there is a gate around the house to keep the cows out. So we got out of the house to come email today and I looked out by the gate and see a cow standing by the car. So Elder Valenzuela and I started to get unsure of what to do, so we called our landlord, but he couldn't make it out there in time, so we had to herd this cow back into the field. It took a couple of tries of me and the cow running at each other. HAHA They are pretty wimpy, so they get scared at a certain point. Though I hearded a cow! I'm a Cowboy mom! HAHA

The next biggest news is that transfer calls came in last night, Elder Valenzuela is being moved to Foley Alabama, my previous area and I will be staying here in Cairo with an elder Named, Elder Lambson. He looks like a pretty sick kid! I'm excited to serve with him. :)

As far as Missionary work goes, Ana came to church and is continuing to love it! We are going to start to work with her on getting her BCD date moved up closer. She has one set for November 19. So we are going to continue to work with her! She has been one of our tender mercies. And we also had the opportunity to take the sacrament to three of the members who can't make it out to church and even though it took up quite some time on Sunday, it was the best service we have ever done! So for all you young men out in the world, just know that the service you do with the sacred ordinance of the sacrament is a true blessing. Take advantage of it! 

I'm doing well! We are loving the work. :) It will all continue onward. :) I love you all so much! Thank you for your continual support. :) 

Elder Stonely

The biggest heart in Cairo, Sister Bouton!

That was random...

Week 59: Baptismal Invitation Accepted!

Dear Friends and Family,

This week has been a great one for sure. First off, it was the only week that I have been here where we have had a member come out and teach with us. THAT was exciting! But it wasn't even the best of news. One of our investigators, Ana Fuentes, accepted the baptism invitation and will be getting baptized in November! It is quite far away, but that was when she said she felt like she should get baptized. So we are going with it! She was truly a tender mercy.

The week had been going hard. There wasn't much work to be done and we, as a companionship, were both feeling a bit down. The day we were to see Ana however, we prayed that the spirit would be able to guide us and help us. And Ana accepted the baptism invitation. She then came to church on Sunday where all of the members just about killed her with love! She participated in the lessons, even though we had to translate, and was not scared! It was by far the best Sunday we have had yet. And we have a feeling, every Sunday will be like that. Part of both of us this week wanted to stay here till November to see Ana get baptized! There were a lot of emotions running through the week.

Spiritual thought comes from these two scriptures:

And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall. --Heleman 5:12

And this one which talks about partaking of the sacrament.

 

And I give unto you a commandment that ye shall do these things. And if ye shall always do these things blessed are ye, for ye are built upon my rock. --3 Nephi 18:12

As we watched Ana partake of the sacrament and enjoy the blessings of the Gospel, I just want you to know that the blessings that can come from the Sacrament are tremendous! I am grateful for that opportunity. It truly is a way to build our foundation on the rock of the savior. :) 

 

I love you all! And hope all goes well back at home :)

 

Love,

 

Elder Stonely

 

My silly picture for the week.

Typical Georgia country side.

 

Week 58: Inviting Investigators to be Baptized

Dear Friends and Family,

This week has been a busy schedule!!! To give you a perspective on how busy it was, we taught three lessons... HAHA We had Zone training, District meeting Training, Interviews with President, Weekly planning, joyous service projects, and the weekly stuff :) Then the rest of the time we spent going out finding people to teach. Cairo seems to be getting smaller and smaller as we go about getting to know all the areas. The Hispanic community is one of the nicest here too so I am yet again, truly grateful to be part of that one!

This week we have been blessed to receive a lot of council from our leaders and from those who taught us during the training. One main focus was inviting others to be baptized, so this week and throughout the next couple weeks, the zone will be focusing on inviting all to be baptized. I'm excited to see what it brings, because Cairo hasn't had a baptism in about two years! Its a long time, and we have a couple people who we really feel could join the lords fold!

Someone shared a quote with us this week that I have been putting into application throughout the week. Its simple, yet its taken for granted a lot of the time:

"He is reachable at any time and in any place." -unknown

We have the listening ears of our father in heaven truly at any time and in any place, whether we need him or not. I have been trying hard this week to keep a prayer of thanksgiving as well as asking for help and strength throughout every day. And I know that I have received help beyond my own ability because of that simple act. If you're not already trying it, JUST DO IT! 

I love you all so much :) Cant wait to hear from you next week :)

Much love and care,

Elder Stonely

The heart of Cairo GA

Week 57: Sister Bouton "Happiness is a choice"

Dear Friends and Family,

This week I wanted to dwell my thoughts on one of the members here in Cairo and an experience I had with her. Her name is Sister Bouton. She is an 70 year old lady who literally just keeps going and doesn't stop! Though something about her has just caught my attention since I first saw her. And that is just how good of an attitude she has. This week someone told me, "happiness is a choice" And I had a lot of time to think about that throughout the week and when I thought of Sister Bouton It just clicked. Happiness really is a choice. And for all of you out there who think otherwise, maybe Sister Bouton's story will be able to help you out :)

Like I said, Sister Bouton is a 70 year old lady who is married to a man who has back problems and  is totally dependent on her. They live really far from the main town and they live all alone. Sister Bouton also has heart problems. She has had five heart attacks since 2011, all of which, the doctors informed her, should have killed her. As she told the story of each of the heart attacks I sat there in amazement. I have seen many people like her in both the Nursing homes and Rehab that I have worked at, and she, like many in my places of employment just keeps going. On a couple of her heart attacks, she called the doctor, though the one she was going to see was booked for a couple days. So not thinking much of it and thinking her husband needed more attention than herself, she patiently waited for the day she could go. When she went into the doctors office, the doctors, upon finding the cause of the heart attack, were stunned to know what had kept her alive. They informed her that one of her Main Arteries was 100 % blocked. (this was the same thing for 3 of the 5 heart attacks.) Her doctor, was known for chewing people out for not taking care of their bodies and also their lives, so all of the nurses warned sister Bouton that she better prepare herself. So when the doctor came in, Sister Bouton was prepared. She asked the doctor," ok, what do i need to change?" The doctor, in reply, turned to her and said, "I don't know what you are doing or how you are living, but whatever you are doing, keep doing it. Because you should be dead right now." This happened on two occasions.

Now I don't think that she has come to the conclusion that I have or if the conclusion I have is the right one. Though I feel as if Sister Bouton is receiving the blessings from the hand of the lord for her strong testimony in the Gospel and for her continual desire to become like the savior. One big part of it is her choice to be happy. I have never met someone who has the burdens and loads of this dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and supporter of a falling branch than the Sister Bouton here. I asked her this week, "How do you always have a positive attitude?" she gave me her humble reply, "I didn't know i had one :)" And we both giggled over it.

My dear friends and families, if choosing to be happy is a lesson you haven't learned yet, I would think about it. Because I have already begun to see miracles and blessings poring into my daily life from trying my hardest to be happy through all that goes on. Yes, life is tough and sometimes unfair, but you choose whether or not what you have is gonna make you sad, or happy :) I constantly ask myself, "is there sunshine in my soul?"

I love you all so much and am so grateful for the lovely support that us as missionaries have. I am tremendously grateful for loving parents and friends who encourage me to push through every day. And I am also grateful for the savior, who is the support system for anyone and everyone. May you all receive blessings this week!

Much Love, 

Elder Stonely

Oh, yeah...I'm hip!

Homemade shake! Yum!

Another shake.

More weird selfies!

Week 56?? Lost count

Dear Friends and Family,

This week has gone by faster than any other week. It feels like I was just writing home. Well, one thing was super fun that we did! We did a family history activity, and though only one person showed up, it was a success! I also found out a little bit more on how to search and do family history as far as my Native American ancestor goes so mom and grandpa, watch out! I'm gonna find something whether it is on the mission or after! HAHA 

A lot of pondering has gone on this week in many different forms. Though one thing that I am grateful for is the fact that we are given challenges. They come in all shapes and forms. Some of them are great, and some are small. Though one thing is for sure, you will always learn something from your challenges. Even if its something you don't necessarily want to learn at the moment. Sadly, those seem to be more regular than not. HAHA Though the Savior knows how to shape you the way he needs you. And he does it in such marvelous ways that sometimes we miss them. I just want you all to know that I am grateful every day for the Lord and the challenges he puts in my paths so that I can overcome them and become stronger. 

I am also truly happy for his sacrifice so the challenges that I go through can also be a time for me to accept his support. Man, I learn something about the Atonement every day! its awesome!!!!! 

I love you all and look forward to hearing about your amazing adventures during these next few weeks! 

Much more love than ever,

Elder Stonely,

Cairo GA

P.S. Here are a BUNCH of pictures to make up for the lack of photos the last month or so...

We drive along this road each day to and from our home.

Visiting with Domingo.

It's P-day. Yeah!!

On the roof of the church.

Study time!

Chilling with Sister Sgoggins.

Strawberry shake.

With Brother Day searching for venomous snakes.

Feeding goats.

July 4! Why not wear all three???

Me and the "Yearmark" crew. We all arrived about one year ago.

Continuing work on ramp.

Making progress...

I did that!!

Almost done!