Week 29: "Christmas in Foley, Alabama!"

Dear Friends and Family,

This week was definitely one to remember big! (I think I say that almost every week) But this week I mean it more than the other weeks! It was a little slower as far as missionary teaching and finding, however, the spirit of Christmas was the strongest I have ever felt. We shared the New Christmas Videos the Church Produced which are so BOSS! And That was a huge spirit catcher with everyone we met. And we had great time at member houses.

The highlight of my week was skyping my family at Lucia and Ramons house (Recent Converts). I think I was just so shocked at the sight of my family that I didn't even know what to say. HAHA They told me I had a huge smile on my face and I guess now I'm feeling the after affects. HAHA Lucia and Ramon were super excited to see my family and meet them all as well! In-fact, when the time came to end the call they were the ones begging me to not end the call! They wanted me to keep talking and they wanted to watch! HAHA I thought It was a little funny. They feel like my family that I have around during this Christmas season. Best gift for any missionary is skyping or calling home! Thank you family for making the Christmas one to remember! Im glad I took Pictures! HAHA

As far as the missionary work is going, we have an investigator who is coming to church pretty regularly who I feel could have a Baptism date within the next couple weeks which is AWESOME! And the Foley Branch is no longer a Branch... ITS A WARD!!!! Everyone was super excited to have this change and to be ready. But I guess that just means more responsability for us right?? HAHA We have been doing great down here and are super excited to continue working hard! Infact... Today we have a nerf blow dart war with the District. #Missionarylife #IHATEHASHTAGS

Much Love from me, The Elder in Foley Alabama where no one knows where its at :)

Love you all!

Elder Stonely

Oh and BTW... If anyone has the urge to send candy to us, I would advise you to save it for yourselfs! the kids down here are getting a bit too sweet! Enjoy the holidays :)

Week 28: "Attitude of Gratitude"

Dear my boss Friends and Family,

Man oh man does time seem to fly by. I feel like I was just writing a weekly email and now I'm here again! Last P-day went by really fast. The three other missionaries had a lot of stuff to get done so we were running all over little Foley. But man, the week this week was almost like a roller coaster too. With ups and downs, highs and lows, fast and slow, and man just crazy! Hopefully my Spanish mind doesn't mess up the email. :)

So Tuesday we didn't have District meeting because we had a Christmas Mission Conference with 1/2 the missionaries. And man, that day was so crazy. Probably cause my routine was so thrown off. We did go to a little thrift store to do service, which was supper fun! We got there and normally when we arrive they just have like a couple shopping karts with stuff that needs to be put on the shelves and all we do is put it out so people can buy it. But this time they had like 5 shopping carts and 4 giant racks of clothes that they needed to hang up. We started with the shopping karts and put everything out, but then we got to the cloths. HAHA And let me just say, a good 90% of the clothes were woman's shirts and pants and dressed and it was hard for us two guys to determine where to put them. The person in charge ended up just giving us something and telling us exactly where to put it! we are such typical guys... The best part of the service though was seeing how happy it made the workers in the store. We walked in and they were all fighting for some reason, and by the time we left, they were all happy and they really enjoyed us coming. I think they were all stressed and overrun with their work, so we tried to just joke around and make them laugh and lighten their day by doing the service. And it worked! We left with smiles on our faces and felt really good for serving and making other peoples days better. Service is boss!

Wednesday was the mission conference, and it was very good. We had a musical program with Sister smith narrating and that was great! very spiritual. Then we had a lunch that was prepared by the Relief Society and It was AMAZING. I'm jealous because I will never be able to cook like the woman in the Relief Society. But thats ok cause i still have my mom right? Just kidding.

The rest of the week was another week and very good. I am glad for opportunities that I have been given to grow and to strengthen my testimony about the gospel. I am grateful for our mission president down here who has been called to serve us. I know he knows where I need to be and when and am grateful for him. I am even more grateful for the savior during this time of year and for all he has done for me. He truly is my greatest gift.

I hope you all enjoy your Christmas. I know I will be enjoying all of the members and the opportunity to serve them. Thank you for all your support and for everything that I have received from wonderful people back home. Have a Merry Christmas!

From the little town of Foley,

Elder Stonely

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Week 27: "Light of Christ"

Dear Friends and Family,

Out of all the weeks I have had so far this one was by far the best one. A lot happened that has confirmed to me just how true the gospel is and the eternal impact that it can have when applied and lived. There are over 10+ mini experiences that we have had as a companionship with members, investigators and with us that have really sparked my interest and I would like to share just briefly a few of them.

For starters, the last couple of weeks I had really been worrying and thinking about Ramons family (the recently baptized family) There was a lot of things that were going on and they seemed to only be taking this family farther apart. It was tearing me up to watch and feel like all I am doing was sitting and watching. So I put a lot of thought into their family. And I used the help of the Branch President. I asked other missionaries what they could do in a situation similar to theirs and then I formed a plan. The main theme that we wanted to teach to them was the basics of the gospel. Along with basic family activities. We went over and had about 3 really good lessons throughout the week that were very well needed. Overall, I have been able to see the blessings that come in a home when based upon the basics of the gospel and when simple family activities like prayer, scripture study, and FHE are put into place. I have grown a strong love for this family and for all they do and now they are stronger together then ever before. And they have a goal to go to the temple and be sealed as a family. I love the Gospel.

Second, we have recently started teaching another investigator named Gabriel. He is 26 years old and is from Mexico. When we first started teaching him he would act like a teenager at first and would be really goofy. I wondered how we would ever seriously teach him. But lesson learned, never doubt. Because we had planned to go over and teach him the gospel Saturday morning. We had our scriptures and everything ready to teach. When we got there we started teaching and the lesson went very well. Scriptures are a perfect way to bring the spirit into the lesson. With Gabriel, we explained things very simply and he understood them well. Now comes the great part, when the lesson was about to come to a close, we felt prompted to read with him Mark 10:39 which talks about baptism and how we need to be baptized like Jesus Christ. We read the passage and felt prompted to invite him to be baptized. (now at this point my mind was going insane because we have only taught him twice and we had barely introduced it) We extended the baptism commitment and without hesitation he said yes. It made me step back and think. I was so happy and just super excited! I'm still not sure really what happened there or why he so readily said yes, but I believe that he has been prepared and that the principles of the gospel were something that opened up his heart. I know the spirit was very strong and testified to him the this message was true. I am grateful for this experience.

The last topic I wanted to mention comes from a lot of different experiences. But it is the Light of Christ and the change that it makes in peoples life. We had a lot of investigators that we were teaching and a couple of times when we went over, they had family there, but weren't there themselves. So we just got to know the family members and a lot of them told us that they were interested in what we were teaching because they had been seeing the change in their families lives. And we picked up 4 new investigators just from that! Amazing right?? Blessings for those families for doing what they should be doing. And the Light of Christ really is bright!

Funny side note, this Sunday, I had to translate and there were a ton of Hispanics that showed up and it was super stressful. HAHA and not sure if the Hispanic members like stressing us out, but the teacher for gospel doctrine didn't show up so they all looked at me and said, "your turn" HAHA so yeah taught my first lesson in Spanish without any preparation. It didn't go as well as it could have... HAHA still learning!

Other than all the fun we had this week, We are continuing to push forward and forward! I have enjoyed every minute out here and it seems to be going really fast! i hope to be able to find more people and to report back to you all how amazing Foley is. Much love from the coolest and most humble missionary in the world! (HA totally a joke)

Elder Stonely

Love you all!

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Week 26: "Service is the Key to Happiness"

Dear Friends and Family,

This week has been all just adjusting. Adjusting to being a trainer and adjusting to having a new companion. It is all so great! Only thing is I hope I don't stress out my companion with too much new stuff. He is doing awesome and enjoying the mission! And I am super glad that he is my new companion.

This week I had a great birthday. It was spent serving others and enjoying time with members and helping them do missionary work. Some people would say that that is the worst way to spend your birthday, but I believe that it it the best way I could have spend my birthday! I enjoyed it so much! Its almost like every day is my birthday!

So this morning I was reading in the Book of Mormon and that is where my spiritual thought comes in today. I was reading in Alma 28. Chapter 27 is the story of Ammon leading the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi to safety which is the land of Jershon. They had established themselves and then came a period of time of war and hardship. And in chapter 28 it talks about how many souls were lost. There were people mourning the death of their family members, and then it went on to mention two important ideas. The people in this story were divided into two different groups.

"...yea, and many thousands are mourning for the loss of their kindred, because they have reason to fear, according to the promises of the Lord, that they are consigned to a state of endless wo." -Verse 11

"while many thousands of others truly mourn for the loss of their kindred, yet they rejoice and exult in the hope, and even know, according to the promises of the Lord, that they are raised to dwell at the right hand of God, in a state of never-ending happiness." -Verse 12

While I was reading these verses, I read the last verse of the chapter:

"And thus we see the great call of diligence of men to labor in the vineyards of the Lord; and thus we see the great reason of sorrow, and also of rejoicing-- sorrow because of death and destruction among men, and joy because of the light of Christ unto life." -Verse 14

And these verses led me to think a lot. These are actually my "Ponderizing" verses. It made me think about first, the effect of the knowledge of Jesus Christ, and two, How important missionaries are. There are many people in the world who are either sad, or happy. Those that are truly happy I have found to be the people who understand and apply the teachings of Jesus Christ. Homes that are centered on the Gospel and People who apply the Atonement. People who have faith in Jesus Christ, His atonement, and the Plan of Salvation. And I reflected a lot about this. And just how happy the Gospel of Jesus Christ can make people. It changes lives. And truly makes people happy.

I thought of little situations that could be found in daily life. For example, feelings of doubt or inadequacy. I thought of rough moments that I have experienced out here and moments of rejection. I thought of how I handled these situations and the outcome of each. And for me I noticed that when I was thinking about Jesus Christ and using his atonement and trying to serve others and be like him, none of the negativity seemed to bother me. Though When I started to dwell on the thoughts of doubt and inadequacy, I felt like the people who had "reason to fear."

Overall, because I am not sure just how clear the last couple paragraphs were, I have found through these scriptures, that if I wanted to be happy, it was only going to be through the "light of Christ." It is simply said in verse 14, as the reason for rejoicing. And I am glad that I have this opportunity to take this "light" to people in darkness.

I am grateful for all of those whom I have come in contact who have blessed my life in some way or another. There are many people who don't know the impact that they have had on who I am. I am grateful for my Savior who constantly is helping me become better. And I look forward to the day where I can great my Brother and Heavenly Father. I love you all! Enjoy this upcoming week :)

Elder Stonely

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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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