So I’m back. I feel like I’ve done this before. Hahaha. First to Charleston, then to Columbia, then to Charleston again, and BACK to Columbia. Déjà vu is becoming a big part of my mission.
So yes I am back in Columbia. I am opening a Spanish area in downtown Columbia – it’s an area I actually covered back when I was in Windsor Lake. So now there are two Spanish companionships here in this zone. Exciting. And there are a lot of interesting circumstances as well as not-so-exciting happenstances along with my new area. They are as follows:
1. Exciting - my proselyting companion is great. He is a "visa-waiter" that has just come out of the MTC and is waiting for his visa so that he can go to Brazil. haha Elder R asks everyone we talk to if they know any Brazilians nearby so that he can talk to them. It’s great. He is a cool kid and a hard worker.
2. I have a great zone leader comp – Elder P. He also has a visa waiter for his proselyting comp – Elder E. The not-so-exciting part is that we all live in a very tiny apartment. One bedroom. Elder P and I sleep on the floor. It's fine. I knew sleeping at the foot of mom and dad's bed would pay off someday. haha. Seriously it is really tiny. We'll make it though. elder R and Elder E have already been approved for their visas so they could be leaving at any time...
3. Exciting - sweet ward. Great Ward Mission Leader.... we have a lot do... so I’m happy. There isn't a whole lot of Spanish - that's mostly in the Windsor Lake area.... so I’ll be doing about half of my teaching in English – not so exciting.
4. Not so exciting - we have no one to work with seeing how we are opening the area. But like I said before there is a lot to do... so we are currently building our teaching pool.
5. REALLY exciting - part of my area (for zone leaders in the East Columbia Zone) is that I get to work with the Assistants every Sunday at the Fort Jackson Military Post teaching and baptizing soldiers. Amazing experience. I went yesterday and they are just so humble and willing to accept the gospel. They baptize like crazy there. It actually is the highest baptizing unit in the entire nation.
Well that’s it. Love ya
Elder Stoneman
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
Adios Charleston
Hey Fam: Things are going great. Mom, I DID see the devotional. So great. I saw you multiple times. It was fun trying to point you out to the other missionaries. They thought it was so cool... and then they started pointing you out by themselves. "No... She’s THAT one..." one missionary would say to another... haha.. I’m excited for the package. I don't need anything in particular. I’m good. I’ll be sending home my package today.
R’s baptism was great. The spirit was so strong. He just loved it. The baptism was on Wed. because J wanted to be there. We had F speak at it. His testimony is so strong. Afterwards we went over to his house and ate dinner. He and P are so anxious to take the temple classes.
The confirmation went well too... R began to cry... very touching. And then later in Spanish Gospel Principles class he introduced himself and told his conversion story. He told about how we came to visit him, and he didn't have time for us - so we left a card. A few months later a friend came up to him talking about how he wanted to go to the Mormon church but didn't know where to find it... And then he said – “Well, I’ve got a card of theirs, so let's call them... “ And you know the rest. He told the story and it was way funny especially how he didn't have time for us... everyone loved it.
The 1st pres devotional was really cool. R, A and M came. They really liked it too.
I got the phone call about transfers... I’m leaving Charleston on Wednesday. One of the assistants said that I’m staying a zone leader and will be opening a new area.
I’m really sad to be leaving. I have been in Charleston for a year. I love it. I would really love to show it to ya'll one day. There are great people here. My goodbyes are going to be packed the next few days. I can already tell. I got swarmed after church yesterday. I’m going to miss everyone and the area so much.
Well, that’s it... love ya!
R’s baptism was great. The spirit was so strong. He just loved it. The baptism was on Wed. because J wanted to be there. We had F speak at it. His testimony is so strong. Afterwards we went over to his house and ate dinner. He and P are so anxious to take the temple classes.
The confirmation went well too... R began to cry... very touching. And then later in Spanish Gospel Principles class he introduced himself and told his conversion story. He told about how we came to visit him, and he didn't have time for us - so we left a card. A few months later a friend came up to him talking about how he wanted to go to the Mormon church but didn't know where to find it... And then he said – “Well, I’ve got a card of theirs, so let's call them... “ And you know the rest. He told the story and it was way funny especially how he didn't have time for us... everyone loved it.
The 1st pres devotional was really cool. R, A and M came. They really liked it too.
I got the phone call about transfers... I’m leaving Charleston on Wednesday. One of the assistants said that I’m staying a zone leader and will be opening a new area.
I’m really sad to be leaving. I have been in Charleston for a year. I love it. I would really love to show it to ya'll one day. There are great people here. My goodbyes are going to be packed the next few days. I can already tell. I got swarmed after church yesterday. I’m going to miss everyone and the area so much.
Well, that’s it... love ya!
Monday, November 29, 2010
A Southern Thanksgiving
This week has flown. I really only had 2 full days of proselyting,. The other days were packed. But it was a really good week. A lot of great things happened.
Thursday. Thanksgiving was amazing. Man. I can't even believe how good it was. Best meal on my mission. We had a lunch appointment at the relief society pres's home. To sum her up... southern, sarcastic, intimidating, funny, and SOUTHERN. Beautiful home. She was so funny. She kept picking on and messing with my companion... just teasing... it reminded me of back home... but southernized. It was hilarious. Elder P and I were laughing pretty good. The food was amazing. She made a sweet yam soufflé, tons of flavorful meat and stuffing, and lots and lots of dessert. So good. I stuffed myself. By the time our 5 o clock dinner appointment came around I could hardly eat.... but I did. And man! It was good too. I was so full. It was a good day - full of food, sports (we played soccer and bball in the morning), and I watched a sweet home video of a member of the bishopric alligator hunting/wrestling. Such a good day
R is doing well. He came to church yesterday and was interviewed. He will be baptized on Wednesday and I get to perform it. I’m really excited.
Friday and Saturday we had the training meeting. It was great. President and the assistants trained. The zone is just struggling on how to teach people and work effectively. But with a lot of role playing... the zone is doing better. A lot of the zone is baptizing in the next few weeks. I’m really pumped. We are on fire.
We had four people at church yesterday who are all scheduled to be baptized in the month of December. Also... I found the Tellos and they are on date to be baptized on the 18th. Elder W and I are working really hard and are being blessed for it.
Transfer calls are this weekend. I’m nervous. Everyone is saying I’m gone. I’ll be so bummed. I love this area. Charleston rocks. But I’ll go where He wants me to go.... :)
Love you guys,
Elder Stoneman
Thursday. Thanksgiving was amazing. Man. I can't even believe how good it was. Best meal on my mission. We had a lunch appointment at the relief society pres's home. To sum her up... southern, sarcastic, intimidating, funny, and SOUTHERN. Beautiful home. She was so funny. She kept picking on and messing with my companion... just teasing... it reminded me of back home... but southernized. It was hilarious. Elder P and I were laughing pretty good. The food was amazing. She made a sweet yam soufflé, tons of flavorful meat and stuffing, and lots and lots of dessert. So good. I stuffed myself. By the time our 5 o clock dinner appointment came around I could hardly eat.... but I did. And man! It was good too. I was so full. It was a good day - full of food, sports (we played soccer and bball in the morning), and I watched a sweet home video of a member of the bishopric alligator hunting/wrestling. Such a good day
R is doing well. He came to church yesterday and was interviewed. He will be baptized on Wednesday and I get to perform it. I’m really excited.
Friday and Saturday we had the training meeting. It was great. President and the assistants trained. The zone is just struggling on how to teach people and work effectively. But with a lot of role playing... the zone is doing better. A lot of the zone is baptizing in the next few weeks. I’m really pumped. We are on fire.
We had four people at church yesterday who are all scheduled to be baptized in the month of December. Also... I found the Tellos and they are on date to be baptized on the 18th. Elder W and I are working really hard and are being blessed for it.
Transfer calls are this weekend. I’m nervous. Everyone is saying I’m gone. I’ll be so bummed. I love this area. Charleston rocks. But I’ll go where He wants me to go.... :)
Love you guys,
Elder Stoneman
Monday, November 15, 2010
Los Amigos Ancianos
Dear Fam:
That’s great about Josh’s mission call! Tell him that most of the people I meet and teach are from Oaxaca... really really cool people... he might learn a dialect. Y cuando regresa hablaremos en espanol.... buena suerte primo. Te amo.
The baptism is set for this Wednesday... J is incredible. So he gets cooler and cooler every time I speak with him. His friend R wants to get baptized as well. They are the funniest guys - two old friends. They love us and love church. J passed his interview and everything is all set. Miracle.
Elder W and I are seeing some really great success. We have 4 people on baptismal date at the moment. We're getting along just fine. I am just learning to love him and serve him and be his friend.
Elder P is baptizing this week too. North Charleston is still a really tough ward - but we're working on it.
I feel like I’m growing a lot. There is just so much to learn and do. It's crazy. I’m excited and having fun. My testimony is growing too.... I am currently reading the Book of Mormon for the second time in Spanish... marking gospel and missionary terms. The BoM is great. I love the scriptures. I taught the gospel principles lesson in Spanish yesterday at church and the topic was the scriptures. I know that they are true and are the words of Christ. And that we will have happier lives and prepare for salvation by reading them daily.
There is a missionary testimony for ya.
I was running all over the place yesterday. Teaching and going to different ward buildings and fixing investigator problems. Stressful but I realized how much I love it. Yesterday was just a great day. I love missionary work.
I really love you guys,
Elder Stoneman
That’s great about Josh’s mission call! Tell him that most of the people I meet and teach are from Oaxaca... really really cool people... he might learn a dialect. Y cuando regresa hablaremos en espanol.... buena suerte primo. Te amo.
The baptism is set for this Wednesday... J is incredible. So he gets cooler and cooler every time I speak with him. His friend R wants to get baptized as well. They are the funniest guys - two old friends. They love us and love church. J passed his interview and everything is all set. Miracle.
Elder W and I are seeing some really great success. We have 4 people on baptismal date at the moment. We're getting along just fine. I am just learning to love him and serve him and be his friend.
Elder P is baptizing this week too. North Charleston is still a really tough ward - but we're working on it.
I feel like I’m growing a lot. There is just so much to learn and do. It's crazy. I’m excited and having fun. My testimony is growing too.... I am currently reading the Book of Mormon for the second time in Spanish... marking gospel and missionary terms. The BoM is great. I love the scriptures. I taught the gospel principles lesson in Spanish yesterday at church and the topic was the scriptures. I know that they are true and are the words of Christ. And that we will have happier lives and prepare for salvation by reading them daily.
There is a missionary testimony for ya.
I was running all over the place yesterday. Teaching and going to different ward buildings and fixing investigator problems. Stressful but I realized how much I love it. Yesterday was just a great day. I love missionary work.
I really love you guys,
Elder Stoneman
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