Week 35: I Packed All My Stuff for Transfers

Holy COW!!! oh wait ill start out formally I guess...

Dear Friends and Family,

So we have been blessed to see many miracles this week! We recently have picked up three more families to teach the gospel to! We are so excited for that! And one of the families originates from a previous investigator. Victor (a young man in the ward) has always helped the missionaries visit his friends, and he was explaining this to us before how he always helps them, but not many of them really progress or want to change at all, but we were over at Silvia's house. Silvia has been taught by missionaries and committed to baptism. However a couple days before her baptism, she bailed for some reason or another. So the missionaries ended up dropping her as an investigator. Well Victor and us decided to go visit her again! and when we went over there, her mom was also there. And her mom loved the missionaries, however she only speaks Spanish and the previous missionaries only spoke English. She was super surprised that we spoke Spanish when we showed up! and then she just got talking to us! So she brought up a random question that a lot of people ask, "Why don't you drink coffee?" And so we answered her concern very simply in less then 2 sentences. And surprisingly she responded, "I'm gonna stop drinking coffee now." And for her that was huge! She had told us right before asking the question that she drinks a TON of Coffee. And she pushed her coffee mug, which was on the table, away from her and said she would never drink it again! HAHA So that opened up perfectly for us to begin teaching her. We shared the Restoration with her and gave her a Book of Mormon. She was super excited and said she will read and pray about it! Man the whole lesson and all the interactions we had previous with her family fit so perfectly into place in that lesson to allow the spirit to teach her. And we know that their family will get baptized. All it takes now is a little patience and diligent work! 

So that was only one of the COUNTLESS experiences that we have experienced this week. If I share all of them, this email will be as long as the Old Testament. So just know that there were so many great tender mercies like that one!

Now I think I mentioned to a couple of you how transfers were this upcoming week. My memory is terrible, so I don't remember how I mentioned it. HAHA However, I have been in Foley for 5 transfers already and man I have been so down lately because I simply did not want to leave this area. If any of you remember how I felt about 2 transfers ago... Well it was that but like 100000000x worse! HAHA I felt so sad that I was leaving such a great area and leaving at a time when many blessings started to come! Now for any of you who know me really well, when I start to get really sad or stressed I start to just do random stuff to occupy myself. HAHA So along with that, I started to go into the stages of denial and so Saturday night, (night before transfer calls) I packed up ALL of my stuff into my suitcases and was ready to leave! HAHA I was for sure that I was leaving and I was a bit sad. HAHA So we got the call Sunday night and guess what????? I'M STILL HERE IN FOLEY!!!!!!!!!!! HAHA and lets just say I am now telling myself every day how dumb I am for packing all my stuff. HAHA so this morning I spent unpacking. So I guess you could say I got transferred kinda?? HAHAHA Funny story :) Oh and I had also told Elder Sturdevant that If I wasn't getting transferred that he could tell me "I told you so" for the next six weeks. HAHA Its gonna be a long one...

So yeah! Still in Foley and still with Elder Sturdevant for another 6 weeks! Maybe at the end of that transfer I'll pack up my bags for real! HAHA As well as feeling really dumb for packing, I feel really blessed to be in this area for another short period of time. That means the Lord's work for me here is not done yet! And I set a goal to baptize one of these families before I leave, so I best be hauling myself through every day!

Love you all super duper much! You all are Bosses for being who you are and reading my Crazy emails! Love you much :)

Until I get transferred again,

Elder Stonely :)

Valentines Day package. Thanks MOM!!!

Matching Valentines Day ties!

A Boss activity with the Ward!

Week 34: My Amazing Companion!

Dear Friends and Family,

:)  :)  :)  :)  :)  :)  :)  :)  :)  :)  :)  :0  :)  :)  :)  :)  :)  :)  :)  :)  :)  :)  :) *)

Yup, that pretty much describes my whole week! HAHA There was a lot of smiles, crazy faces, fake smiles and just a lot of "what?" Oh man have I learned a lot. And I feel as if I continue to miss learning opportunities as well! (which I'm not proud of). 

For starters, I want to tell you all about my companion, Elder Sturdevant. Now he is something else! He is pretty great :) HAHA this past Friday we went biking so we could save some miles. We had planned to visit someone a little farther away which required us to go through this road through the woods. So we parked the car, then hopped on the bikes and skirted out :) And one thing elder Sturdevant likes to do on his bike is run over soda cans that will then stick to his wheel which creates the sound of a motor bike as the wheel turns. So We were riding, probably a mile away from the car, and he sees a couple soda cans on the side of the road. (now keep in mind, this is a dirt road, so it has soft dirt sides) So he tried to get one of them and slipped a little on his bike. He said, "that was a close one..." I turned to him and said, "better be careful! you're gonna crash!" And two minutes later he went for another can. This time he wasn't so lucky. His wheel got caught in the dirt causing him to go flying over the handle bars. HAHA It was hilarious not gonna lie... HAHA But he was ok and he continued the day with a smile :) So the next day, we are riding on the same road, but it was a little before the dirt, and it was paved. So he did the same thing, but this time he got caught of the road coming up and flipped over on the pavement. HAHA It was HILARIOUS to see because it was the second time in two days, but also really kinda scary. He had scraped hands and ripped pants and it was just terrible... HAHA yet what did he do?? He had a smile on his face and had such a great attitude! 

Elder Sturdevant and Elder Stonely.

I learn so much from my companion. This week was another slow and hard one for us, but he showed me the importance of having a positive attitude and putting on a smile even when things are hard. I really appreciate him for showing me that without realizing it.

To end this weird email, I wanted to share with you all something that I was reading throughout the week. I recently started reading from "Teachings of Presidents of the Church" the one of Brigham Young and I was reading in Chapter 3 "Living the Gospel" and these two quotes stood out to me:

We have the Gospel of life and salvation, to make bad men good and good men better. Pg: 21

It is written of the savior in the Bible that he descended below all things that he might ascend above all. Is it not so with every man? Certainly it is. It is fit, then, that we should descend below all things and come up gradually, and learn a little now and again, receive 'line upon line, precept upon precept, her a little and there a little' [see Isaiah 28:9-10; D&C 98:12 ] until we can reach into eternity and embrace a fulness of his glory, excellency and power. Pg: 22

I was pondering those passages, and though I may have took it the wrong way as intended, I thought of them as a help to me. I have wanted to really apply the gospel to me and to really try to live it. And I find so many things that I want to change and grow, though when I look at it all at once, I get a little overwhelmed. And I read this and thought, "you know? All I have to do is work on it little by little...and that is what will make able to live the gospel more." And I love the first one because the gospel really is to help bad men become good and good men better. And I want to become better and know that through the gospel I can do it. 

I am so very grateful for all of you all back home! Thank you for your help with missionaries anywhere :) We all feel united! 

Love you much!

Elder Stonely

District selfie.

Week 33: Grateful for Those Around Me

Dear Friends and Family,

WELP... That week flew by fast! Now reflecting back on the week, I realize I am getting old because I am starting to forget the things that have happened. HAHA We went out with the young men some more, including Victor, who yet again taught me a life lesson. Man I am grateful for him and his strong testimony! And we have had a great week helping out the members of the ward. I am grateful for the fellow missionaries around me who are examples to me in every aspect. Every day I strive to work on one or more things to become more like Jesus Christ. And I am able to see what needs to change through my companion, members, and church leaders. And for that I am grateful! I know that the Lord has placed me here to learn and grow. And especially help the people I serve.

My fellow servants! They are the best.

This past Saturday we taught a Family History class which went pretty good. Definitely learned that I will never be a teacher at a school because I cant teach! I am grateful for teachers who I have had who have had patience and just are plain smart! Teachers are amazing... HAHA

My thought for the week comes from my ponderize scripture:

And Now, O my son Elder Stonely (Heleman), behold, thou art in thy youth, and therefore, I beseech of thee that thou wilt hear my words and learn of me; for I do know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in thier tirals, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day. -Alma 36:3

I love this scripture and have learned so much from Alma that all I have to do is put my trust in the Savior and not worry about everything else. Then I will be able to receive the support every day! I love the gift of the Atonement!

A lot of testimony building experiences this week. I am grateful for everyone around me on a daily bases. I really just cant describe how grateful I am! I love you all so much and am so very grateful for the prayers that everyone gives for the missionaries. I know we are blessed. 

Much love from Foley Alabama!

Elder Stonely

Dirty car...oops.

Study time.

Yes, I like to pose for the camera. Couldn't you tell???

Playing with my new toy...a selfie stick!!!

Oh no, don't eat me!

More selfie stick fun!

Week 32: The Power of a Testimony

And the weeks go on!

Dear Friends and Family,

I marveled at how the spirit works this week. We had the opportunity to start taking the Priests in our ward out to lessons with us. There are about 8 young men total in the Foley ward, 6 of which are from Hispanic families. SOOO... we have been blessed to take many of them out with us! We had such a great experience with one of them as well. His name is Victor. He is 18 years old and is a convert to the church in 2013. He struggles with many different challenges as any teenager would, but just imagine the worst you can get and multiply it by 100. Considering his situation, it was amazing that he is so strong! Well recently he has been facing many challenges and decisions. He began to lose his testimony and fall away, which is why we decided to work with him specifically. One of Victor's many challenges was deciding whether to go on a mission, or to go to college and start changing his life around. Well the story continues till last Friday when we took him out to a lesson. We were sharing about the BOM and how one can really know that it is true, find answers and feel the spirit as they read. I turned to Victor and asked him to share his testimony. I had not told him that he was going to share anything, so he seemed very surprised that I called on him. After a couple seconds of deciding what he was gonna share, he began to bear his testimony. It was the strongest testimony of the BOM that I have heard come out of any 18 year old kid. Including mine! Later during the day, Victor stopped us in the car and told us that he knew he was going to serve a mission and that he knew that he wanted to do what we do as missionaries and help others. It was amazing to see him have this sudden change and to see the spirit work in him. He truly was the biggest missionary work we did this week. And I'm proud to say that Victor, after a year of not reading the BOM, has read his book every day since then. I cannot wait to see great things come of this young man and the others who will assist us! 

Selfie with Victor.

Eating out with Victor and friend.

Well, me and Elder Sturdevant are doing BOSS down here. He is one of the strongest missionaries I have met and I know that he will only become so much better! He continues to teach me and help me. He is pretty much training me now! I will be sad when we have to part :(

This week we have been really trying to work with the members and personally, I really have seen the need for so much missionary work down here within the ward! Elder Sturdevant and I were blessed with the opportunity to give talks in sacrament about the Sabbath day and missionary work and I wanted to share with you what we came up with earlier as we prepared. Its a bit funny cause in our talks we talked about how missionaries have this thing called the 3 S's, however we made that up the morning of are talks! But I thought we would share them anyway as they apply to any member of the Church! :)

The three S's to missionary work include:

Service:

"And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God." -Mosiah 2:17  

What better way to do missionary work than to serve your father in heaven? and we do that by serving others. Whether it be doing your home teaching, visiting teaching, service projects or anything else! Get out and serve!

Share:

As missionaries we are constantly sharing! We write our testimonies in BOM's and share them with people we meet and with members, we pass out cards, help share our family history stories! We are always sharing!

Go out and share with your neighbors and those who need the gospel in their life! Don't be afraid to speak up about the blessings you have received from the gospel. Don't you think others want those too?

Smile: 

"...Remember...  ...to be Spiritually-Minded Is Life Eternal."
-2 Nephi 9:39

Go out and show your smile! The best way to do missionary work is to show others the blessings that come from living the way you are all living your life! Remember, to be spiritually minded, and have the blessings of the Gospel, makes you SMILE! Always have a smile on your face, and someone is ganna wonder who you are and why you are happy!

I love you all so very much and I am grateful for all of your support back at home! I wish you all such a very merry, happy, seasony, non-seasonal week! Much love from yet again, the heart of Foley Alabama!

Elder Stonely

Birthday party!

Silly Riley.

Week 31: Follow Your Priesthood Leaders

Dear Friends and Family,

If I could share my thoughts and feelings that I have had throughout the week, I could be writing here all day. There was a lot that I learned and a lot that I am going to work on :) For starters, I have again learned a lot of lessons from my companion and I love him so dearly for teaching me these lessons and helping me out. He still doesn't know that I have learned so much, but I thought he didn't need to know and I can express my gratitude when we have to separate. He is such a great companion and I wish the best of luck for him. All my companions have been great so far!

I also wanted to share with each and every one of you just how awesome your priesthood leaders are! I had the chance to just email the mission president, talk with the bishop of the Foley ward, and this week I have an interview with the mission president too. I was thinking about all of the leaders who have affected me and who have been a huge guide in my life! And I know that they are all where they need  to be and they know what they are doing! Take their advice because its gonna help you all! I love my priesthood leaders!

And my last thought is simple today :) I was reading in Doctrine and Covenants section 121 when I read verse 45 which says, 

Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.

And I was reading this and thought that it was amazing because charity and virtue are the Christlike attributes that I have been working on and really want to improve. And I have found that when I try to be charitable and virtuous, my behavior and attitude around others really changes. And it it easier to be patient with people. I know that to be so true! and I am grateful! 

I thank you all so much for everything that you all constantly do to love and support the missionaries! And I am extremely grateful for you all :) I hope you all have a great week and enjoy your lovely snow back home! its just cold here... HAHAHA

Elder Stonely

Week 30: "Companions working side-by-side"

Dear Friends and Family,

This week I hit my 7 month mark, and it does not feel like 7 months! I feel as if I just got out here and that is a little scary. HAHA Training is going well and we are doing great in Foley. Elder Sturdevant is learning Spanish a lot faster than me I feel like. And he is definitely not scared to talk in lessons, so he will learn really fast! I am gratefull for his effort and everything he is putting forth to learn and to grow! And in fact, he has been a huge support system for me. Throughout this week there have been days and situations where I have learned from him! And it just goes to prove that no one really is the "Senior" companion. We are both equal. And Now I feel a little bit more humble as to learn from my companions.

Well this week I focused on my studies. Trying to learn more about the priesthood and the Christlike attributes. I found it very fun to find a scripture and then write my thoughts about it every day. And Now I have a whole notebook of scriptures! Every day is a day of learning and growing! And you dont have to be a missionary for that ;)

This week is short! but just trust me that it was bomb! Now its picture time! Sorry for all those who missed seeing my adventures last week! Love you all!

Elder Stonely

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 :)