Week 83: YUMMY!

Dear my favorite, mother, father, family and friends,

This week...

Yeah that was about it. HAHA I'm totally kidding. We had a lot of fun this week. For starters, this past Saturday we were out tracting, we decided to go through a couple trailer parks that we hadn't been to in a good minute, and we started knocking doors! We went to one trailer that was a referral from a different investigator. We had attempted to stop by before though with no success. BUT, that never stopped a missionary. So we went by, they were busy, so they kinda wanted us to get out of their night, but we decided to ask them some "get to know you questions." With Hispanics, if you literally only know one thing about their country and culture, they open up to you big time and become a whole new person! SO, being that this family was from El Salvador, I asked them if they knew how to make a "pupusa." For all you gringos who don't know what I'm talking about, the picture attached is a pupusa I had. It is pretty much a thick tortilla with a mixture of Hispanic cheese, beans, and chorizo inside of it. Then they put pickled cabbage and carrots on top with varieties of salsas. 

So back to the story, we got talking about the pupusas and we set up an appointment to come by and teach a lesson with them at 9:00 the next morning. So, at 9 on sunday morning, we went over, started teaching and while we were teaching, the mom was making pupusas for us to eat after the lesson. SOOO it was amazing... Pupusas are darn good, and we had an amazing lesson with them. They all accepted to read the Book of Mormon and pray about it. WHAT OTHER AMAZING THINGS CAN YOU ASK FOR AS A MISSIONARY?!?!?!?! 

1. Amazing lesson!

2. Amazing people!!

3. Amazing food!!!

Alrighty, so that was our week in a jiff! We have a lot of miracles headed our way we can feel it :) I thank you all who are back at home supporting the missionary force around the world! I love you all dearly!

Elder Stonely

A few pictures of our District from last week.

Here are some pupusas I had back in November.

Week 82: :D SMILE BIG!

Dear my amazing friend and beloved family,

I love you all so much! I think if the world had a little more love than maybe there would be unicorns and rainbows everywhere :) random thought, well this week was a great one! Honestly it flew by really fast, and now as I look back on it, i almost feel as if yesterday was Monday. HAHA 

Welp, we had a wonderful experience this morning that made me reflect on our behavior and attitude throughout each day. Elder Leandro and I went to Walmart, there was hardly anyone there which meant less time in the line!!! so we got all our groceries gathered together and went to the shortest line which only had one person about done. We put our groceries on the checkout table as the lady in front of us swiped her card. Now, bless her little heart, this lady was an older woman and i think her memory was gone or something. She swiped her card multiple times, was frustrated that the machine wasn't working when in reality she was reading what it was telling her to do like type in her pin and information and all. She attempted many times to pay with the card without success. The cashier was getting frustrated at the lady because she didn't know what she was doing. So we tried to help the lady the best we could and she was grateful once it was done. While we were checking out, the cashier was still a little frustrated and then started having problems with the water we were buying. I felt really bad, so I tried to keep a positive outlook and smile. As she checked out all the other items, we asked her questions about her life and her work and her normal days and tried to cheer her up. After a couple minutes of talking with her, her composer changed, she herself had a smile on and the world felt a little happier :) 

By the time we got done checking out, there were three people behind us and everyone else in the other lines had already left. What we thought would be a short trip turned out to be a little bit longer, though a little more rewarding. It was surprising to me just how much a smile and a positive attitude can mean in life. I thought back at times I've been in a line, or a grocery store, or in any public place and have seen people getting frustrated and angry only to see myself feeling a little impatient and angry with them or my situation. Maybe you've all had similar situations, but if not, I'm glad you've learned your lesson faster than me! When we are put into these situations or when we have an opportunity to shed some happiness, just do it! People have bad days, people have hardships, people get impatient and angry, and maybe they only need your wonderful smile :) Everyone around us is a child of god, they feel sad just like we do, they are happy when we are, they feel the light of Christ just like we do :) And we have the responsibility to share that with others :) People see a difference in who we are. They observe us. And through simple acts of smiling and being a little happier in your daily lives, people will begin to pay more attention to you and will wonder, "how come they are so happy?" leading to the perfect opportunity to share something about the gospel and why you are truly happy! :) May you all have a wonderful week and enjoy the amazing year of 2017! I love you all!

Elder Stonely

Here are some pictures. Most are of the people in the branch and some fun ones! I made the yummy veggies and all :)

Week 81: New Years!

Dear Friends and Family,

Being the new year, I think we all start to think back of what we want to set for new goals. I too did this, but then remembered that I couldn't even remember my other years goals. How often does each one of you reflect on what you did this past year as well as look to the next? As I pondered that subject I realized one this that I am truly grateful that I have learned. 2016 was the only year of my entire life that I have spent as a full time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints, and I have grown my testimony in probably the most important thing ever, The Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

For sacrament meeting here in the Spanish branch, we show up early to set everything up. We put chairs up, set up the translation gear for those who only speak English, make sure the microphones work and then set up the sacrament. We normally finish getting ready 30 minutes before the meeting starts, which was the case for the New Year Sunday. When the meeting started, I was asked to pass the sacrament. Due to the New Year weekend, our church attendance was a little low. As The opening hymn was being played, I looked at the sacrament table and realized that the bread wasn't on the table. And then the scary thought that most bishops or people have,,, "we don't have bread..." So, long story short, Elder Leandro and I drove home to grab bread since our apartment was the closest. And on the car ride home was when i had the most enlightening experience ever.

I have always thought of the importance of the sacrament. Why we go to church? what the sacrament symbolizes? and what our purpose for taking it is? Though I had such a great feeling as we drove back to church with the bread that this is truly our purpose of life. Now don't get me wrong, there is a lot more we have to do than just take the sacrament, but I started to think of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

1. Faith

2. Repentance

3. Baptism

4. Gift of the Holy Ghost

5. Endure to the End

That is truly what we teach as missionaries. Is the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. and that through that all men might find joy and eternal life. Life is simple! We come here, we exercise our faith in Christ, we repent of our mistakes and follies, we get baptized and then go to church every Sunday to remember our baptism and the covenants we made, we follow the spirit after we receive it, and we do what we need to to endure to the end! That's all we have to do! Isn't it quite easy??

This past year, THE GOSPEL is something that I have come to understand. I am grateful for every day i get to wake up and walk by faith, I am grateful for every chance I get to change my thoughts, actions and inner desires through the process of repentance, I am grateful to have been baptized and to have the sacred ordinance of the sacrament to remember what I have promised, I am grateful for the spirit that guides us, teaches us, testifies to us and comforts us in our deepest and darkest moments, I am grateful for the temple which offers saving ordinances and for the church organization that helps me lead myself to become who I need to be for the Savior and for our heavenly father. I am truly grateful for this testimony that we as missionaries get to share every day, 24/7 with people who don't have these blessings. I am grateful for 2016 and for all it has given me and can only wait for what the Lord has in store for me this upcoming year. 

I thank every single one of you who reads this email for all your support, your love, your joy, your prayers, your thought, your smiles and your love for Christ, our savior. I hope that all of you have had the chance to reflect on this past year and count the mighty miracles that you have received by the loving hands of God. I pray that all of you may have the best year of your life by following the counsel of my wise grandfather by "Making every day, your new year!" 

Much love and appreciation,

Elder Stonely

P.S. I learned how to make tamales from one of our investigators and this is it!!! Holy cow its amazing... MOM!! Can we make tamales???

I learned how to make tamales!!

Yeah, I made this!

I went on another selfie craze...

We ate some of these HUGE grapefuit.

Week 80: Merry Christmas

Dear Friends and Family,

This week has been quite the week for sure :) Christmas was awesome! Being able to talk with family reminds me of the happiness that they always have brought me. Lets just say I'm glad they are my family and that I will have them forever and all eternity :) I also love my grandpa more than the world! For those of you whom are unaware, my grandfather is deaf. I have never been able to communicate directly with him the way others communicate with their grandparents, but one thing is for sure, and that is we have a strong connection. My grandfather is very talented. He can read lips, and has such a great spirit.  Sister Smith, President Smiths wife, shared during our last zone conference how she came to find out one of her spiritual gifts that she had been given was her smile. All I could think of while she was talking about that was my grandfathers wonderful smile :) I have never seen him ever not happy! And Its amazing. So that whole story just shows how much I love my grandpa and was able to talk with him on Christmas :)

The rest of the week was a bit hard for missionary work due to everyone being busy with Christmas and the holidays, though one thing is for sure that we have had a lot of experiences to share the video the church put out for the Christmas season. It was amazing to be able to see how many people are willing to remember Christ and do their best to serve others and share the light of Christ. All of the missionaries in our zone decided that they would all go Christmas caroling at the Hospital. We showed up in the morning, but since we weren't allowed to go into anyone’s room and sing, we decided to walk through the halls and go through the hymn book singing. At first it felt a bit awkward because we are a bunch of missionaries who don't know how to sing, though as we went through the halls singing, our talents somehow got way better!!! And there was someone in their room who heard us and stopped us. She invited all of us in and then we sang her favorite hymn. But what made that memory so special was that when we were about to leave, one of the missionaries asked her if there was anything we could do to help her, and she started to cry, and told us, “no. you've already done it.” I started to think of how it was such a joy that we were able to bring Christmas into her trip to the hospital. And how she felt the love that the Lord has for her. It was an amazing experience that's for sure!!!!

Elder Leandro and I are doing great! He is adjusting to missionary life pretty well and I am enjoying having the opportunity to show him around and teach him the ways of missionary life. He has only lived in the United states for about a year and so it almost feels like I'm with a foreigner who doesn't know the United States very well. HAHA Lets just say that it has been enjoyable :) Well to all my BOSS family and friends out there, the church is true! The gospel is real! Keep on in the path of righteousness and you'll be blessed :) I love you all so much and wish you a happy New Year!

Much Love,

Elder Stonely

My new companion, Elder Leandro.

Senior missionaries in our area.

Me and former companion, Elder Sturdevant.

Christmas package from my awesome family.

Gift from Santa!

Yes, a Tallahassee Florida Mission t-shirt! I've been jealous of all the other Elders who have been wearing them.

Week 79: Elder Leandro

Dear Friends and Family,

I must say, this week was quite the week! For starters, I got my new companion on Wed. His name Is Elder Leandro, He is, like i said last week, from Brazil, he speaks Portuguese, his Spanish is pretty great, and his English in entertaining. He speaks really well, and he is a joy! He is a very funny guy and we are going to get along together great :) 

The first day he got here, we had such a great experience. Here is an excerpt from the email I sent the Mission President:

Elder Leandro and I have definitely seen the blessings that come from inviting people to be baptized just in the first week of being together. His first day here, we got home and did a little bit of studies. We Role played the restoration and how to begin teaching to prepare for a couple lessons we had with our investigators. When the time came for the first lesson, we went to go visit Angela. We went with a member, and the lesson went really well. We did exactly what we did in the Role play and at the end, invited her to be baptized. Well, first we asked her if she believed the story of Joseph Smith and she said yes, then we extended the baptismal invitation. She accepted!!! She said she wanted to wait a little bit and talk to her husband, but she accepted. And now we are working with her! It was the first lesson we had with her and Elder Leandros first ever lesson in the field. He was pretty tired when he got home probably due to the long trip here, and then going out and teaching a lot of people. It was a great first day!

The other spiritual thought that comes from this week comes from our visits to the Hispanic stores that we call "tienditas." We decided to go to visit and spend the last 30 minutes of the day contacting Hispanics at the store. We went, contacted some people and then were talking to the store owner. The first thing he said to us was, "oh no, I don't trust you both!" We asked him why, and he went on to tell us how he saw two missionaries in the store looking at girls for a while and since then he doesn't trust any of us. It caught me off guard and I began to think at just how important our calling as missionaries is. People are constantly observing us and watching us, as missionaries and as members of the church. after we left the store I asked myself, "What image do I give others?" As I reflect every day at the type of person I want to become, I see many opportunities to change and to become more like Christ. I know that by doing so, those around us will start to see the light of Christ in us more and will start to see the blessings of the gospel that come into our lives. I love you all so much from back home! Have the Merriest of the Christmas season! Much love and joy, 

Elder Stonely

Here are some pictures of me using an inversion table :)

Week 78: Transfers!!!

My amazing Friends and Family,

This week is transfer week! Which means a lot of fun news :) We didn't know if Elder Moore would be leaving or not because he is right on the fine time line of going and staying. Though, calls came in, and Elder Moore went out the another zone as a zone leader, and I will be training an elder from Brazil here in Tallahassee!! I still don't know what his name is, but he is 6 foot 6 inches and plays volleyball! I'm not sure if he speaks Spanish, but he should be able to understand it cause the languages are pretty similar. Though he has lived in the states for about a year so he may know English. Either way, I'M GONNA LEARN PORTUGUESE! I'm excited! HAHAHAHAHA I was a little scared to train, but then I realized that I have already done it so its not that hard. And if he picks up Spanish fast then it will be easy! I'm still so excited to be here and to keep pressing forward!!!

This week was quite the shortest, it seemed to fly by, but the spiritual highlight of the week comes from a trade off we did with our zone leaders. Elder Birch, is one of the sickest missionaries ever! He comes from a family where his dad left his family at age 16 and he was put into the father role. With 8 other siblings, he provided for the family, they moved around almost yearly, and he never was able to serve a mission till now since his mom re-married. Despite these difficulties, he decided to serve a mission at age 25 and dedicate two years. I talked to him and got to know him and one of the greatest things that I learned was the lesson of "Magnifying your calling." All of Elder Birches family is less active and he mentioned it was hard for him to always go to church. Though after every move, he would go directly to the bishop and asked for home teaching assignments and a calling. I saw in his example of how that prepared him to be an amazing missionary. As I thought about him I began to ponder of how I am doing at "magnifying my calling?" I know there are always things that seem to get in the way of fulfilling our duties, though I realized that as we do our very best to serve the Lord and those around us in our callings, we will be blessed :) I am very grateful for all the examples around me :) 

Thank you all for your amazing love and support in all you do for missionaries around the world! Much love and appreciation,

Elder Stonely

Week 77: Birthday Blessings

Dear Friends and Family,

So... Yum yum sauce is pretty tasty from Japan. I don't know whats in it, but its pretty good.

This week Elder Moore and I went out to a Hibochi Grill to celebrate. And we were the only ones in the restaurant which was funny because while he was cooking, for any of you who have never been to a Hibochi grill, the table literally lights on fire. HAHA so it was an experience. And I have never had Yum yum sauce so it was a joy :)

Also on my birthday, the whole zone got together in the morning and we played Futsal inside the church gym. It has been a while since I have played soccer and it brought me back to memory of the many times the Maeser soccer team would play inside. It was a good birthday gift!

For the spiritual side of this email, I thought I would share part of an experience we had. On Sunday we had the opportunity to go visit the Local Catholic Church service because someone invited us to attend and she said she would come to ours. So, being the kind missionaries that we are, we decided to go at 8:45 in the morning for the Spanish service. Now I really do respect and love the religion and people of others, though on Sunday my testimony of the restored Gospel was strengthened by a million. All the people at the church were friendly and nice, though the manner of worship was different. I have never been to another church before in my life, though this catholic church was way different than what people told me it was like. The whole time we were there the story from the Book of Mormon when Alma goes to the Zoramites to preach the gospel (Alma 31) was being brought to memory. We were handed this piece of paper with 12 hymns on it. All the hymns were part of what we thought to be "mini ordinances" because everything was recited and everyone knew what to say except us. HAHA in order to go to the catholic church you must have to memorize a lot. Despite the many differences in the way of worship, the leaders, the sacrament or anything else, there was one that stuck out to me the most. Which was the spirit. I know for a fact that many times in my life I have taken for granted what we truly feel at church. While we were visiting the church there was a song they sang where the lyrics were:

"Ten piedad, ten piedad."

It was that phrase over and over which means "have pitty on us" and I thought of the Atonement. We are truly blessed to have the restored gospel and the correct knowledge of the gospel. Though like I was saying, there is something special about the spirit and how it can testify to us of what is right and brings us true Joy. I am grateful for what we have!

Though the catholic church experience was one that I am grateful for :) Maybe it will help our investigator come to ours. What we thought was funny was that we knew half the congregation just from all the Hispanics we meet on the streets. HAHA 

Well, much love for all of you! I send my love and joy! Have a great week!

Elder Stonely

Here are some great pictures!

Birthday meal with Yum Yum sauce at a Hibochi grill.

 

Birthday cake with 20 candles! I'm no longer a teenager!