Week 72: Tender Mercies Fly from the Sky

My Beloved Brothers and Sister, this week I have been asked to give my talk on the topic of Elder Stonely's week. I would like to first start with an experience:

HAHA sadly I realize that's how I've started all my talks back at home. We helped Amber, a recent convert, prepare a talk in sacrament meeting and that is how she wanted to do it. HAHA though in Spanish :) It was pretty cool to help someone prepare a talk! now I know what my parents felt like when they had to help me and my siblings :)

Alright well, I have a lot of time to share with you my amazing week so this time I will try to remember what happened... I tend to forget :/

Monday: 

I had more pizza with elder Moore. We have had so much pizza here its ridiculous... we visited some potential people and found one of our Less Active members who we thought had moved and invited her to church.

Tuesday:

We had District Meeting and then knocked the LOADS of doors. Here in Tallahassee we have to find productive ways to find the Hispanics since they are "hidden" throughout the city. We already know where all the illegal ones live (trailer parks). Nonetheless, being around the voting time, this past week we decided to put our heads together! We walked into the Building where you go to vote and asked for a list of all registered voters who are Hispanics... AAAAAAAND... Got a list with 6600 Hispanics that live in the city of Tallahassee :) So we have been knocking a lot of doors where the Hispanics are sharing the gospel :) Having this list is super creepy kinda, but we only use it to find out where they live :0 Then we just act as missionaries! And we are finding more Hispanics in this GIANT city! Although I must say, being kicked out of two apartments in one week doesn't feel too great :) but I guess getting smitten upon, scorned at, and crucified is worse. Our savior wins that one!

Wed:

We are teaching a family who speaks Portuguese!!!! Its pretty similar to Spanish so we can understand them pretty well :) Luckily the daughters speak English so they can do the translation from English to Spanish. HAHA Though I must say, Sister Stonely, my cousin serving somewhere in Africa Portuguese speaking will have to hook me up!

Thursday-Sunday:

I must say the week has gone by pretty fast. We spent a lot of time tracting, teaching and enjoying our time out and about. That part is the best part of being a missionary. We get to visit the poor, the needy and the afflicted and heal their wounds, sins, and afflictions by sharing with them the Gospel of Jesus Christ and then sit back and watch the Atonement take over. Although most missionaries know that not everyone accepts the gospel and we face a lot of rejection, the thought of what our message is and how important it is to someone out in our way keeps us going to fight for them! Our spiritual brothers and sisters. Elder Moore shared with us in District meeting a story that someone shared with him and I only think it appropriate to share it with all of you!

"A young man, just before leaving on his mission, stood in Sacrament Meeting and bore, in essence, the following testimony. "My Brothers and Sisters, as you know, during the past few weeks I have been awaiting my mission call. During the time I was waiting I had a dream I was in the pre-existence and was awaiting my call to come to earth. I was filled the same excitement and anticipation that I had before I received my mission call. In my dream, I was talking to a friend. He was a very dear friend, and I felt a special closeness to him, even though I've never met him in this life. As we talked, a messenger came and gave me a letter. I knew it was my call to go to earth. In great excitement my friend and I opened the letter I gave it to him and asked him to read it aloud. The letter said: You have been called to earth in a special time and to a special land. You will be born into the true church, and you will have the priesthood of God in you home. You will be raised with many advantages and many blessings. You will be born in a land of plenty-a land of freedom. You will go to earth in the United States of America. "My friend and I rejoiced as we read my call. And while we rejoiced, the messenger returned. This time he had a letter for my friend. We knew it was his call to earth. My friend gave me the letter to read aloud. The letter said: You have been called to go to earth in circumstances of poverty and strife. You will not be raised in the true church. Many hardships will attend your life. Your land will be frought with political and social difficulties which will hinder the word of the Lord. You will be born in Costa Rica. We wept, my friend and I as we read his call. And my friend looked at me with tears in his eyes and said, "when we are down on earth, you in your choice land and me in Costa Rica, my friend, come and find me." Then this young missionary, with tears in his own eyes, said, "Brothers and Sisters, I have received my mission call. I am going to Costa Rica. There is a special sequel to this story. About a year after this Sacrament Meeting, the Bishop to this Ward received a letter form the Missionary in Costa Rica. The letter had one sheet of paper in it, and on the sheet was written in inch-high letter four word: I FOUND MY FRIEND." -unknown

Now I know this applies to missionaries, but I thought it was a nice message that can be applied to all of us. This week I would encourage you to ask yourself, "where is my friend?"

I know that the Gospel has the ability to change peoples lives for the better. It also has the ability to make good men better. I find joy and comfort knowing that I have a way to repent and improve as I fall short every day. Though I know that If I try my best, ill be able to find "my friend." Go out and find yours wherever and whoever they may be!

I love you all so very much and none of you really understand how much we missionaries appreciate your love and support every day as you pray, help and think of us. There is truly no other greater joy than following in the footsteps of the savior and feeding his sheep.

"Verily, Verily I say unto you, Farewell my brothren until we meet again. Nevertheless, we are united by the infinite love of Christ until that day." -The Epistle of Elder Stonely 1:43

Elder Stonely

P.S. pictures will be coming next week :) Happy Halloween to you all! I love you much!

Week 71: Sickest Companion and Investigator Ever

Dear My fellow friends and beloved family :)

This week was a blast!!!!! So much happened and it was what I like to call crazy... HAHAHAHA and there were so many tender mercies throughout the week. HAHAHA For one, I have a sick, positive companion who is just awesome and he makes my day every day :) Second, We have what you call the SICKEST investigator ever. Here is his story:

Erlin, his wife Yeny (pronounced Jeny), and their cute daughter of 7 months, Laura. I dont have pictures for you all, but will work on getting some :) On Monday Night, a week ago we went to go see some pontentials (One of them being Erlin). Missionaries had met with him in the past, but with no success. We passed by and he was COMPLETELY drunk with some of his buddies. Not going to lie, drunk people are some of the funnies people, but i have never left a drunk person without feeling sad for their life. However, we talked with Erlin and didnt really think much of the visit because he was drunk. so we left. 

Wednesday comes rolling around the corner and we had the last hour before calling it a day to fill. We decided to go see a less active member out close by Erlin, however on the way out, We felt an impression to pass by his house. So, being a spirit whisperer, Elder Moore, the driver, since i cant drive, whipped the car around and went to his house :) He was completely sober and his countenance was changed. He talked to us about his life story how he was a drunk driver and had been in prison for 4 years as a result as well as his family strugles, and he expressed desire to change his life and turn it around. And trust me, before we could say anything he asked us if we could come by every night before church to help him prepare to go. His wife, being so sweet as she is was totally on board. So we went over every night, taught them some great lessons, invited him to baptism and he came to church. At church a member invited him and his family to come over to dinner with us as well :) So we went, And this member family has a little baby boy 1 year old who got along with their cute daughter. More importantly, Erlin and Yeny were able to see an example of what the Family should strive to be. I cant put into words the experience that I had nor the way that Erlin and Yeny looked, but I can tell you just within this past week this family has definitly changed. It wasnt us as missionaries, it wasnt members or anything, it was the spirit working through their hearts telling them this was what they wanted. And It was amazing!!! We are so waiting for Erlin to get baptized this upcoming month :)

Well, other than that like I said this week was crazy! We did a service project and cracked 900 pounds of crab. Im not a huge fan of sea food, but this crab was actually pretty good :) we went to another soccer game as FSU as well as a Hispanic festival! So it was great :) I hope you all have a great week this week and I love you all so much!

Until we talk again,

Much love :)

Elder Stonely

Florida State soccer game.

Chill'n at the game.

 

Week 70: The Purpose of the Word of Wisdom

GOOD MORNING EVERYONE!!!

This week was awesome :) It was full of so many great adventures :) I am not sure if I shared my experience talking with a drunk man at 9 at night...though for anyone who was wondering what it is like, don't do it. HAHA We are scared to go over to our recent converts house because her brother wants to fight me every time I go over. Moral of the story, the Word of Wisdom was created so that Elder Stonely doesn't get beat up by people under the influence. HAHA

I had a great experience this week :) We had a lesson with one of our investigators named Alex. From the information that I had gathered about this man, he seemed to not really care what the missionaries really said. Though we had picked him up again. We had a scheduled visit with him, we wanted to bring members out with us but we couldn't find anyone. We texted Brother Pizzaro who gladly accepted last minute and came with his wife. His wife doesn't speak Spanish and Alex doesn't speak English, but we took her along anyway. We taught the restoration, then felt that we should give the member and his wife some time to bear their testimonies. They both did and at the end of the wife's testimony we asked Alex what he thought and he told us, "I just have to do what she said and read and pray about it. Then I will know!" (Elder Moore and I felt like we were looking around the room for a secret camera or something like this lesson was planned or something... HAHA) But the spirit was strong. Even though there was a language barrier, or as we thought, the members were able to show great love and care for him and they invited the spirit. Thus, don't be afraid to talk to people! The spirit will do the teaching :)

Also cool story from this week, many of you know we were teaching a lady named "Ana" when I was in Cairo, GA. Welp, to my surprise, on Sunday (during sacrament meeting), she, her husband, and her grandaughter walked in the door!!!! They drove 50 minutes to come down here to the Spanish branch and participate. And probably to see me. HAHA It made my Sunday pretty great :) She still has her baptismal date set so we will see what happens :) 

Overall, this week has been great :) and I can pretty much tell you that I have still yet to step foot on the same street here in Tallahassee; that's how huge it is... HAHA JK. But really its huge. I think it would only be fair to say, 

From the smallest heart here in the city!

Elder Stonely 

MUCH LOVE AND GOOD TIDINGS FROM THE FTM!

 

Well for all of you that want to know just how fat the south is... Here is a 30 inch pizza... The plates, which we are holding are 12 inches long. The pizza hangs over the plates! I could lay on this thing!!!!

Look, I made a cool candle!

Another bad selfie...

 

Week 69: The Temple

Dear Friends and Family,

This week I have pondered a bunch on the Temple. For any missionary who has ever served in a mission without a temple, or for anyone who lives far away from the temple, you all know what I mean. I think EVERY day I think about going to the temple and feeling the peace and love that is found within the sacred walls. It is the best place for us to go to be closer to our savior. And well if you all haven't heard, TALLAHASSEE IS GETTING A TEMPLE!!!!

HAHA totally kidding. I mean there will be one some day :) But not today :) I encourage you all to go to the temple :) Its amazing :)

We had Elder Satati, from the Quorum of the Seventy come and do a mission tour. He talked to us on what it meant to come unto Christ and how we come unto Him. He tied it in with how if "we" as missionaries come unto Christ, then we will better help our investigators come unto Him. It is such a very simple concept, but we all took so much out of the visit with him. I realized that most days I forget about what it truly means to follow our Savior's example and walk in his footsteps. It is easy to forget who we want to become. Though, through prayer, diligent work and a whole lot of faith, we will get there. And we may see tender mercies along the way every day :) I am grateful for our inspired leaders! It was pretty hard NOT to feel the spirit in the same room with a 70.

Well funny experience this week. We were out walking about. We headed to a referral's house, though he was not home. So we decided to head back. On the way home we noticed a white car on the side of the road. Though we noticed it while we were taking the exit, SOOO... thinking to ourselves we felt like we should go help them. THAT required turning around on the freeway, backtracking a couple miles till we could take the same exit we got on to go home. Nonetheless, 15 min later, we arrived at the site. We got out of the car and talked with the people. Their first words were, "Did y'all know we were members?" HAHA and you could probably guess where the story goes from there. Their wheel had blown out and we helped them get it fixed. After it was all done, we hopped in our car to head out, and to what most people would call "great luck" our own car wouldn't start. The battery was dead. HAHAHAHA AWESOME! So we called some people, but nobody was answering. After about 5 minutes of waiting for people, we both decided to say a prayer and try the car again! we did, and the Lord must have been waiting for us to use a little faith, cause our car started again!!! HAHA I laugh because throughout the day the car did the same thing a couple times, but after the first, it was easier to believe that the Lord wanted us out and about so it kept going :)

Well this email was pretty long. But I hope for some of you its a great story :) I know that the Lord does watch over every single one of us. It is amazing to see so many tender mercies every day and be able to be a blessing to others lives. I love it! 

As our mission president always said, "GO OUT AND GIV'EM HEAVEN!" 

I love you all! 

Hope you have a great week :)

Elder Stonely

Here is a cucumber :)

Here is me and ELDER STURDEVANT!! we are loco...

Riley's district???

 

ANd me and ELde4r Shaw on a tradeoff :)

Week 68: Exploring Tallahassee

Dear Friends and Family :)

This week someone sent me these funny pics so I thought I would share them with you all :)

As far as missionary work goes, Tallahassee is still kicking it! Its pretty huge and there are so many things around every corner. Sometimes I want to call it the "great and spacious city" because there is just so much. This week we spent some time teaching some awesome people and I look forward to seeing them all next week as well :) I just like to meet a lot of people. 

General conference was amazing! I hope that we all learned something unique to ourselves :)

Today we went to the capital building of tallahassee and it was a pretty big building... Not sure what to compare it too cause its been so long since ive been in utah, but it was pretty big. The elevator felt like we were flying in an airplane. my ears popped while going up. HAHA

This week I was also able to see the tender mercies of prayer :) As I watched General Conference, I kept getting the impression that my prayers needed to be more sincere. Sunday night I went back home and made it a point to make my prayer special, and not just a "Prayer." It was nice to know that as we do that, our father in Heaven is able to bless us more and help us more. I think just as Elder Uchdorf, that sometimes we take advantage of some of the little parts of the gospel like prayer. When in reality those are some of the primary answers that allow us to participate in the blessings of the spirit. I am pretty happy that I have the tender mercy of prayer :)

I love you all so much and hope you have a great week!

Edler Stonely

 

View from building/museum behind State Capitol.

Riley, as a charming southern woman.

Fooling around

Florida State Capitol.

 

Week 67: Tallahassee Florida is HUGE!!!!

Dear Friends and Family,

Not ganna lie, after being in Foley Alabama and Cairo Georgia, Tallahassee Florida is HUGEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!! And there looks to be a lot to do. My first day here we were driving to an appointment and I was just in shock at how many things there were... Cairo had like 3 streets and now im in a city with 300000000000000 streets... quite a change it feels like.

The life in the city! Elder Moore has been showing me around the city and showing me his fun personality! He is AWESOME! he trained Elder Lambson, and they are really similar, so being his companion is just a little different than being Elder Lambsons companion. We were talking one day and he told me the name of his first girl is going to be "Mia" and for anyone who could figure it out, when you say the full name, his daughters name will be :

"Mia Moore"

When said in spanish, it sounds exactly the same as "Mi amor" which translates to "my love." HAHA so thats just a little of his funny jokes :) He is awesome! He has so much energy though... Its great cause now ill have a lot more energy! Every morning we wake up early to go to the Gym. after going once, He worked out so hard and i followed his footsteps. The next day one of my arms was shredded... Not the good shredded./ Like my muscles were about to fall apart. HAHA I guess ill be getting huge this transfer though!

Ive met so many of the members in the Branch. I am serving in a Spanish branch down here. It is the only spanish branch in the mission and i am quite excited! Only problem is there is a member from Argentina here and they have CRAZY accents!!! I had to translate for him and it was almost impossible. I guess here i get to experience all the cultures in one! HAHA I love the members already and i have hardly met them :)

Also, this past thursday we had the opportunity to go to a FSU soccer game. There are three colleges here in Tallahassee and so we got to go to a soccer game. Supposedly they are like 2nd in the nation or something. It was quite fun to be there:) It was a bit of my soccer life that i miss now :) Though there was many people sitting behind us using their "vaper" things... so it was nice to leave and get back to the sheltered missionary life :) HAHA

Well, Tallahasse is rocking! And i am super excited to continue to work with the people here! I have great feelings about the next couple weeks :0

Elder Stonely

 

Transfer day.

A good old soccer game.

Our apartment.

 

Week 66: Goodbye Cairo!

Dear Friends and Family,

I guess you can guess the subject of this email! If you're all familiar with the phrase "fake it till you make it" you'll love this one:

"Faith it till you make it."

-Elder Lambson

I am unsure if someone else in the world has said this, I don't doubt it, but Elder Lambson and I were talking and upon quoting this, I about died from how amazing I thought it is. :) As trials come, as they always will, or while you find yourself in a ditch, just have a little more faith and hope.  :) Then you'll be ok! :)

This week is transfer week! I will be going down to the big city of Tallahassee, FL. My new companion will be Elder Moore, Elder Lambsons trainer. From what I have heard about him he sounds like he will be a blast! Elder Lambson will be training here in Cairo. :)

We received a call from mission president on Saturday asking Elder Lambson if he would accept the assignment to train. He also told me I was leaving and my heart just about dropped. The past few weeks I have grown such a love for the people in Cairo even though its pretty small. All weekend I found myself thinking back on all the memories that I had had with those whom I'm serving with and I read this scripture:

And now I, Moroni, bid farewell unto the Gentiles, yea, and also unto my brethren whom I love, until we shall meet before the judgment-seat of Christ, where all men shall know that my garments are not spotted with your blood.  -Ether 12:38

Though the application of this scripture could be taken otherwise, I couldn't help but think of Moroni's charitable words as he bid farewell. Though I am grateful that one day I will be able to see all of these people again. :) 

Well, That was is for this wee.k :) I'm excited to continue to hear what great stuff Elder Lambson does with his new Elder. He has been one of my favorite companions thus far, so I'm gonna miss him! :) 

I love you all so much and cant wait to see you next week!

Elder Stonely

The biggest heart in cairo :)

 

Chillin.

P-day fishing.

Waiting for the train.

Tradoff day treats. Yes, I'm fat.