Week#5 en el CCM: "Three Amigos"

Dear Friends and Family,

As every week I believe I have said, this one was one to remember! I feel like every day continues to be a roller coaster of things happening on and off and experiences both great and not so great. But every day I learned something knew and grew in a way that has helped me as I continue to push forward!

Last Tuesday Elder Neilson and I had the opportunity to "Host" a missionary for a couple days because his companion left Monday but he didnt leave until Wed. So we got to know him and talked a lot and he became part of our companionship. We were like the "Three Amigos!" Throughout our time in the CCM we had noticed that him and his companion did not seem super close and they often were doing seperate things. We got to talk with him and found out that his companion really did not care about him at all and was constantly getting mad at him and not really caring where he was or how he was doing. He did not feel like he should complain to anyone about it and so went on living in this way for his six week stay here. We both felt terrible that he had such a terrible experience here and felt glad that we could have the opportunity to cheer him up before he went out into the field. He expressed his greatest appreciation for all that we did for him and said that those two days were the best days he has had! We felt very greatful.

This experience led me to think about just how close my companionship with Elder Nielson at that moment was and how it has been improving. I thought of so much more we could be doing to improve our relationship and the way we work together. Noticing that there were times where the spirit wasnt able to help us out in some way I wanted to change some things.

Luckily every friday we have a weekly planning session and at the end of each planning session each companionship has "companionship invitory" This time is used to discuss with our companions about what we can do do strengthen our lessons, relationships, set goals, and really reflect on how we are doing and how we can improve. we watched a clip about weekly planning from "the District" films for missionaries and I knew what I had to say and what we needed to talk about.

Obviously Elder Nielson felt the same way because right when we began we both had thoughts about the exact same things. We talked and set goals for what we could do better to have the spirit with us 24/7. It was one of my favorite moments from this week. My teachers kept telling me that this is "sacred time" but I never really thought that because it was just busy and stressful! but now I really do understand why it is a sacred moment in our week. Our companionship grew so much and I was so happy that I had this experience to change the way I look at parts of the mission experience.

This week was one that will never be forgot and one I needed to have before I set out into the field. I am greatful for teachers and instructors who really do know what they are talking about and know the best ways to help each and every one of us. I know this gospel is the one and only true and fulfilled gospel on the earth today and am eternaly greatful for everything that every person has through this sacred message.

Until two weeks! (i leave next tuesday in the morning so there may not be a Week #6 in the CCM.)

Much love back home,

Elder Stonely

so... we did this... HAHAHA I know im a stupid boy, but This IS FUNNY!!! we got in trouble and I repented so dont worry.... :D

Week #4 en el CCM: Obedience

THIS WEEK WAS ONE TO REMEMBER! We had the opportunity to visit the temple today for a couple hours and even though it was closed for something, IT WAS AMAZING! The spirit was so strong throughout the whole visit (which is my topic and highlight of the week). Two sister missionaries gave us a tour of the visitors center in temple grounds and my oh my it wonderful. We watched a short clip about the saviors atonement and how he changed everything and anywhere he went. I am pretty sure its on LDS.org or somewhere. But it struck my heart so hard. I thought of what he did for all of us and especially after this week, I realized that the atonement is not only for when we make terrible sins or mistakes. This week Elder Neilson and I had a couple disagreements with lessons, or frustration because of our lack of communication between eachother. I was struggling so hard until Sunday when I realized that i needed the atonement in my life at that moment to help me change the way I interact with my companion.

For starters, sunday was fast sunday and it was the first sunday where I really realized what it means to fast. (it breaks my heart to say that and I regret every fast sunday I could have done something more) There were a couple people in our district and our presidents wife who needed the blessings and thoughts. I decided that I would fast for them throughout the whole day and decided to change the way I looked at each day and change my actions.

I know the Lord has been wanting me to change some things before i have to go out into the field to help others. Each lesson and devotional last sunday were FILLED with personal revelations and thoughts that i had through the Holy Ghost. Each speaker mentioned multiple times answers to questions I had been asking the whole week. With our district, we had been struggling to find the balance between fun and spiritual. I was getting frustrated and down because all I wanted to feel was the Holy Ghost. I wanted his constant companionship throughout each day and really was not finding it. But Lessons were taught on Obedience and what that meant. I realized yet again that I had some repenting to do and some changing to do. I talked with my companion and figured out what was going on and we worked it out together and came up with a better way of doing things. Ever since then our lessons have been stronger and the Holy Ghost has been the Senior companion throughout the day guiding us and building us. (the way it should be for ALL companionships)

The Holy Ghost has been something that I strive for and something that when I have i realize what i need to do and where i need to go. He has guided us in our lessons, our thoughts, our actions, and how we live. President Machado shared a quote with us which i have been constantly thinking about. He said "You want to have the spirit with you? How do you do it?" he continued with the lesson and ended with this sentence which really made everyone in the room ponder. "The way to have the spirit with you is simple... Obedience."

I thought for a moment and after some time I realized just how important and true that was. The only way the spirit would not be able to be our companions is if we break one rule. If we make a joke that leads our thoughts away from our purpose of if we do somthing that is not allowed. This is something that I am learning to do more and more. Though honestly i think i do a pretty good job at it, but i look back on every day and see multiple parts of my day i could have done better.

The Holy Ghost is the way that we recieve personal revelation and the way we are guided in this life. Without the Holy Ghost, missionaries are nothing. In one of our devotionals, the speaker said this, "What is a missionary without the Holy Ghost?... Nothing. He/she can not teach investigators without the spirit. Because we are not the people that teach. The spirit is. If you do not invite the spirit into the lesson, the investigator will not feel the truth and power of your message and will not want you to return."

Those devotionals were super important as I continued throughout the week working harder and harder on having the Holy Ghost in my studies, lessons, and throughout my day. I want to feel it forever because i know the importance of it.

Im greatful to be a part of the Lords work in touching every one of his beloved children. And i can not wait to better myself as I move forward. This next week will be a test for me as I apply what I learn daily.

Much love from Mexico City,

Elder Stonely

Week #3 en el CCMM: "Duty is Joy!"

Dear Friends and Family,

This week has been one to remember! Every day there has been a struggle or another with me and my companion. And at times I have wondered how in the world I am to help him. But, Tuesday's devotional and all Sunday, we had meetings and topics that struck me hard! I learned so much and I know the Lord gave me what I needed to hear. I learned so much that I don't have time to write it all down, (it's in my journal so I'll be OK) HA HA

I wanted to mention real quick my favorite topic/Devotional. Sunday priesthood meeting, President Beecher (District presidency) gave a lesson on fulfilling our "Duty." Not only our duty as a missionary, but our duty in life as well. This was one I needed to hear about over and over after the last week of trials. He shared a poem that President Monson shared in a general conference talk.

I slept and dreamt that Life was Joy

I woke and saw that life was Duty

I acted, and behold-

Duty was Joy.

-Unknown Author

This poem struck me hard as I quickly realized that I needed to repent of my lack of "duty." It hadn´t been a very enjoyable week because I was not getting along with my companion as well as I wanted to and things just weren't going right. I realized that ALL Joy in life comes from sincerely fulfilling our duty. This led me to think of an analogy.

In any sport, (soccer in my case), each player holds a responsibility. Whether it be to score a goal, or block a goal, make a good pass, or think logically. All of which could lead to a game winning goal or a terrible mistake. Without every player on the field performing their "duty" something goes wrong and there is no Joy.

As I thought about this during priesthood meeting, I thought of what my duty was as a missionary, a companion, a friend, a leader, and anything else I could come up with. I realized that there was so much I needed to change in order to fulfill my duty. And to receive the joy in my experience here and in life as I move on. I applied the things President Beecher shared with me for the rest of Sunday and Monday and all of today. "And behold- Duty is Joy."

Every person in this world wants to be happy. It's God's plan for every one of his beloved children. We all have a duty to perform in order to receive joy. Whether it be fulfilling a church calling, pursuing your career, being a parent or a responsible, obedient child. We ALL have something to do and something to work on. That is what I have learned this week. If there is something you could do better in your life do it. If you don't feel like there is Joy all around you, reflect on what you are doing. Then change. I know with all of my heart as we strive to be like our Savior and fulfill our duty and better yet, go beyond that, relationships will be strengthened. Your life will change, and you will have more joy. "For behold, Duty is Joy."

I love everyone back at home and can't wait to continue to share with you all everything I learn! 

Much love and respect,

Elder Stonely

This little guy flew up to our window and let us hold him! it felt like the Garden of Eden experience! very exciting!!!

Week #2 en el CCMM

Dear friends and family,

This week has definitely been a hard week. Not just for me but for our whole district. We are all struggling with the language and our teachers are pushing us beyond our limits it seems like! The MTC is receiving 70 new missionaries this wed. and 100 more next week! so teachers may change a bit due to all the new people. but we are excited! excited to meet new people. Cant wait for the many new people in my life. All of the Latinos in the CCMM left yesterday so we are feeling a little bit lonely because our Spanish buddies and soccer buddies are gone! we are hoping for some new ones!

Tuesday night was one of the best experiences ive had yet. The elders in our district had the unique opportunity to give an elder who was sick a blessing and even better, one of the Hermanas in our district was struggling with something really big and came up to us with so much faith asking for a blessing. My testimony of the Priesthood was strengthened tremendously and this amazing hermana showed such a great example of faith in the priesthood and expressed great thanks to us for being worthy of holding Gods priesthood. Truly one of the best nights so far. I now am witnessing the blessings that come from priesthood blessings and the faith that is needed. It was definitely one great way to start the week.

It seems like every day is like a roller coaster with challenges and answers to prayers. Every day something doesn't go the way i wanted to or how we planned and I get really discouraged and mad at myself thinking I cant do what I thought i could do or thinking someone else is better than me. But We have had the opportunity to listen to so many amazing speakers every night and day and especially during Sunday and whenever i have these down moments, the Lord really does know how to pick me up. He knows me perfectly. I have read many scriptures and passages from True to the Faith and other books which have provided answers or things I need to work on to become a better person. People really do know what I need and the best way to help me. Including the Lord. i love My savior and I am striving to be like him every day and become a better missionary to help those around me. If I learned anything really important, its to strive to be like Christ every moment we live. 

It was Riley's comanion's birthday so they wrote birthday messages for him on the board:)

 

I love all of your support and cant wait for another adventure to come!

Much love, 

Elder Stonely

Week #1 en el CCMM (in the Mexico MTC)

June 16, 2015

Dear Family and Friends,

This week was one of the best weeks I have had in my life! It has been full of the spirit and I feel truly blessed by the lord. There are four elders and two sisters in my district and they are like my second family! I feel so close to them and we have bonded like none other!

We started the week by teaching a fake investigator (but trust me it feels crazy real). Josué is his name and he has helped me and Elder Neilson grow so much! We already have a baptism date for him so lets just say... We feel very proud! 

Along with Josué, my district of Elders met a group of Latino Elders who want to learn Spanish! So we get together every meal and talk as we eat. We also play fútbol (soccer) with them during gym time and we will play again today for probably a good couple hours! It is so much fun and they are so nice!

This week has been extremely humbling and very important. Living in Mexico City feels like living in a completely different country. There are always sirens going off, the people we saw on the way to the MTC looked so sad and I wanted to help them so much! Which is why I am here I guess:D Even though my mission is not in Mexico I feel like I have been sent here for a reason. I feel so blessed for everything I had back at home and feel as if I am one of the well off, extremely blessed people in the world. I love my Savior and I feel as if I am constantly thanking him every minute. Dealing with people who don't have the same mind set as me is hard. Most of them think differently so planing each day is hard. Especially with my companion. But every day goes very well as we have pray daily and follow the rules. Exact obedience is something that has been stressed to the MAX here. There are so many rules, yet they are so easy to follow! If life could be like this... I think that would be my heaven! The greatest thing I have learned this week is to be exactly obedient, and to love others the way Christ loves us. 

I love everyone who is around me here in the MTC. I feel so grateful for the opportunity I have to be a part of this beautiful community. There are so many wonderful people here and everyone has something that I need to become a better person and come closer to Christ. My own conversion daily Is something that I will continue to work towards as I strive to come unto Christ. Thank you for all your support and all your kind emails this week! I needed them and feel so loved!

-Love, Elder Stonely

The MTC was a High school before they made it an MTC so the "B" they joke around standing for "Baptizmo" (Baptism)!

Elder Neilson (left) and Elder Stonely (right)

Can't Wait For The Best Two Years of My Life to Begin ...

June 10, 2015

Ever since Riley was a young boy, he knew he wanted to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Today, that dream became a reality when he entered the Salt Lake Airport, said goodbye to his family, passed through security, and didn't look back. We love you Riley and we know the people in Florida will love you too!

"I love to see the temple, I'm going there some day..."

May 30, 2015

Before becoming a missionary, Riley attended the temple with his parents and aunt, Stephani Lowe. He also arranged to attend the same session with one of his best friends, Ean Isobe.

Todd Stonely, Daisy Stonely, Riley Stonely, & Stephanie Lowe.

Riley Stonely & Ean Isobe.