Week 85: Tiernas Misericordias

Dear Friends and Family,

"Tiernas Misericordias" means "Tender Mercies" in English. I know that I have mentioned a lot of tender mercies before, though this past week as I focused on my journal a little more, I tried to write all of the Tiernas Misericordias that I could remember throughout the week. It truly was an amazing way to reflect back on the amazing blessings that the Lord gives to us daily. In fact, every hour. I always tell myself if i cant find a tender mercy every hour of my day, i need to look harder because there is always something if we go out and work for them, have faith to receive them, and ponder on them. I want to share with all of you one that I had this past week.

Sunday. Alarm goes off, i say my prayer and continue through my morning. Our schedule hasn't changed yet like all the missionaries around the world, so we still have the normal routine. If I told you all my week was full of flowers, smiles, laughing, tacos, and perfectness I would be telling you the story of a fantasy world. We did eat Honduran tacos which were AMAZING, though to sum of the overall week, it was enjoyable, but rough. I woke up feeling sad, feeling a little tired, down and not as motivated as always. After a couple minutes of starting to exercise i told myself that if i went throughout my day feeling the way i was feeling that nothing would be productive. 

Now, doing what most of you would probably do, I decided to focus my studies on the Atonement. I took some time to sing some sacrament hymns and reflect on the words. Given that it was Sunday, I thought that I would try to focus on the Sacrament and what it represents. Those hymns invited a wonderful spirit into my studies and I felt uplifted to focus on helping our investigators use the power of the atonement in their own life. I truly was spiritually uplifted.

However, daily struggles aren't always taken away as we may want. Sunday I learned that we must all be like Nephi and ask for the strength to endure through tough moments:

"But it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord, saying: O Lord, according to my faith which is in thee, wilt thou deliver me from the hands of my brethren; yea, even give me strength that I may burst these bands with which I am bound." -1 Nephi 7:17

What comfort, peace and strength both physically, emotionally and spiritually I have felt as Nephi felt. I know that the Savior is always here with us and is willing to lift us up and carry us on our way to reach our goals and to accomplish what needs to get done. And not just to accomplish, but to do it happily and joyfully. I know my savior lives and that he is with me. What a tender mercy we all have in every moment. 

I love you all so dearly and wish the best luck in all of your journeys! 

All my love from the small city of Tallahassee :)

Your very own, and only,

Elder Stonely

Some pictures from a District activity that we had...

Week 84: Memories :D

Dear friends and family,

This week was good, transfers happened, Elder Leandro and I are both staying in the amazing city of Tallahassee, church got canceled and we stayed inside because of the "tornado" storm, no one hurt, all is well, time goes fast, taught some people, shared the gospel, ate some good Hispanic food, did some exercise, drove, walked, talked to people and slept. There you go! That pretty much sums up the week!

Our Zone and District, groups of missionaries, have a couple mottoes that we are currently using in our areas which are, 

"Enjoy the Journey."

"TAMMI" the camel. 

     Through work

     Achieve

     Mighty

     Miracles

     In our lives

They have been a really good focus for us to enjoy our mission experience by working hard to achieve the miracles that we want in our everyday mission lives as well as personal lives. This week I had the chance to think of a quote by Thomas S. Monson:

"God gave us memories so we can have June roses in the December of our lives."

As I reflected on this quote as well as our zone and district focus, I began to look back at my "June rose memories." I asked myself, 

"What spiritual moments have I had this past week? month? year?"

"How has my testimony strengthened over these past weeks? months? years?"

"What topics of the gospel have brought me comfort and peace?"

The real question was, "what are my June roses?" I went back through my journal and started to read. I was surprised to see the many experiences I have had, people that we have met, and things that I have learned. As well as be remembered of the uplifting memories as i read my journal. For me, I have a really bad memory, many people tell me, and as i thought of my mission, i am glad that I have been writing those spiritual experiences, mighty miracles, and enjoyments that I have experiences so that during my hard times or sad moments, I can look back at my June roses. It brought me lots of smiles looking back :)

I ask you all today, "What are your June Roses?" and "what are you doing to remember them?" We have been blessed with memories, or ways to remember things so that even during the rough, bumpy and cold roads, we can remember the times we spent in our flower full, sun-lighten fields :) 

I love you all so much and am so grateful for your all of your support! May your week be full of the spirit as we all strive to share the gospel with our beloved friends. 

From the biggest heart in Florida,

Elder Stonely

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 :)