"Life is Good"

Photo of Zone Conference- Cincinnati Ohio Aug 2008

Hey there!!!

Life is going lots better! Jeannie got baptized and was way way stoked for everything!!!! We had a guy in the ward do the baptism who has a daughter Jeannie’s who has been rather unenthusiastic about making new friends, and the girl was very nice and friendly to her the next day at church... MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! It was nice we had 18 people there and the bishop spoke. There are only six young women in our ward but the young women’s leaders are great and want to help her so she will be set!!! Now we need to talk more to Jeannie's mom- she is a real nice lady who just needs to see the happiness and blessings that come with having the Holy Ghost and living the Gospel!

Also, me and my companion are doing better. Basically I just needed to realize that there is no RIGHT or single way to do missionary work. of course some ways are more effective, but there is no one way across the board, and the way in which I work and talk to people would just not be as effective for him and vis-versa! With that said we are getting along better and actually starting to enjoy one another. We kind of laugh when the other person is speaking the other’s language and sometimes it is just funny to hear the things that come out of his mouth. I am sure I say some pretty interesting things too! My companions name is Elder Calzadillas and he is from Chihuahua Chihuahua Mexico. And because he is from Chihuahua every time he sees a small dog he asks the question, is that a Chihuahua? He speaks some english. He speaks more then he understands and I am exact opposite in Spanish so it makes for funny lessons sometimes! He spent a year in Memphis Tennessee before his mission and now he is here...

Ok funniest thing of the week
Operation Solo: Jared told me to compliment Elder Calzadillas and he would quickly start liking me... BINGO!!! I compliment him on everything and it makes him so happy. So early in the week I thought I should start complimenting him on his singing, with the hopes of him starting to sing in more public settings! I was right on. I compliment and ask for advice and encourage him to sing and the guy is really coming around... He is offering for us to sing at everyone’s house now it is Great!!! Then yesterday I told him that he should sing a hymn to one of our investigators who went to church but her husband was giving her trouble. He sang her a solo... Probably one of the funniest/must uncomfortable/awkward/funny/way funny things of my mission so far. She stood there awkwardly and kind of chuckled but was smiling and happier afterward! Then I asked him to sing a solo for you guys into my camera. So I am sending you a memory card with him singing a verse of the song that he sang her and also some pictures of the baptism! Also, He has agreed to sing at Humberto's upcoming baptism.... I am also going to have him sing in a multizone meeting or something. LIFE IS GOOD!!!

Humberto is doing good. He re-set a baptismal date for the 20th of Sept. Which is good. He was not really ready with our previous baptismal dates but by the 20th of Sept he will be very ready. He is such an awesome guy I really like him!

Crystal the one who went to church yesterday is cool. She is a white lady that has a hispanic boyfriend/husband. He is Leonardo and is way cool… when he is not drinking. She went to all of church yesterday and asked to come back next week- sweet!!!! She is way nice and offered to help cook for the upcoming labor day picnic!

So anyway's life is good! I love doing this work. It is the best work in the world and I am so happy to share the eternal truths that are this gospel. It makes me so happy to see others coming to it and accepting the gospel and letting the blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ bless them and their families.

Thanks for Everything, I love you all!!!!

Elder Stiles

Having Some Fun!

A look at Cincinnati

A Few of Views of Cincinnati

Trying a Cincinnati specialty: Spaghetti noodles with chili & Cheese..... must be an aquired taste.....

But the Ice cream- YUM!

Answered Prayers

Mom & Dad,

Thank you so much for everything you two do for me. This past week was tough but I read your guys' letters each time I needed a little encouragement. The things you two wrote and sent me were inspired. The advice to pray harder is something that has brought me closer to the Lord and I really feel he is listening and giving me answers, sometimes through others. You two have answered my prayers also. I want you to know that I am doing everything I can to make you proud. I am being obedient, working my tail off, and trying to have a positive impact on everyone around me. It is much more tiring than I had ever predicted this to be, but it is very rewarding also. I know that I was called to serve by the Lord. Yesterday, when we were teaching, it was confirmed to me again how true the Gospel is. I feel like I have said it before, but it is something that reveals itself little by little, then "boom" it hits you again. I love this whole mission thing. I literally feel like the most blessed person ever to have the family I have, the Gospel and the opportunity to serve. Thanks for everything, I love you two, Elder Scott Stiles

Thanks for the Goodies!

Family,
Life is good, I haven’t received the translator yet so we have been using his to better communicate. He does not speak very much English... Other missionaries have told me that my Spanish is actually better than his English , so that is slightly disturbing?! I read the Patience section in preach my gospel EVERY... I mean EVERY day!!!!
I also have been implementing pieces of everyone’s advice for instance. I am giving over the top compliments to him (advice from Jared) which just makes him think he is the king of the world.... also I am serving him, I am doing the dishes always and making sure the house is clean (mom’s) praying a lot and trying to be insanely happy (dads) and sharing by giving him candy (Katelyn).

Saturday was seriously so, so bad missing Brent’s wedding day. We went back to the apartment at like 4 in the afternoon and I was really feeling down on things, that was until I got up to our apartment and saw 4 packages from Katie... Seriously made my day 10X better! And I was just thinking how bad it must stink for her not to be there as well! But I guess she made it, so my sympathy is all gone! anyways.....
Our investigators are doing good. I have started to work in real, real ghetto. It’s kinda fun. Apparently it is like the 2nd most ghetto neighborhood in the city. It’s crazy, at like 4 in the afternoon the streets are filled with people. We found one good person down there last week her name is Flossey May... That is not a typo for real the ladies name is Flossey. She is way old but we explained everything and she seemed to be receptive and we go back tonight!!! Not really much of a story just the story is that her name is Flossey!!!!!

Jeannie's baptism is this Saturday. Her mom went to church and did not feel very comfortable, but Jeannie is way excited and now looking at going to school at either BYU or BYU Idaho. So it’s fun to see that she wants to really be a lifelong member.
We have lost a couple investigators. My companion is …what some people call bold. So we lost some good investigators because he basically came in and told them they needed to be baptized or they would be damned.... SWEET! AND FALSE!!! I just figure he can do what he wants I will just not let him mess things up with Jeanie.

A super sad thing, last night one of our investigators told us that her husband has been beating her bad, and will not let her go to church. My companion had the guy come outside and told the guy not to do it or she would call the cops and all this stuff.... once again, bold!

We are also working on starting a Spanish group in this ward. We had 3 people in there all from one family that has been less active, so that is cool.

We are also starting to teach English classes... Which I guess means by default I will be teaching. So tomorrow I am gonna study his English text book and that will be good!

Mom thank you so much for your package especially those peanut butter things... sharing those things was my first act of love towards my companion... and an act of love it was... I don’t really know how you can get any more caring then that!!!! The pants are slightly big but that is fine, I just belt them up and there is a little bit of space but I think that I am a little smaller then a 33 pant in all reality. Dad, thank you for the money. That should definitely be enough to eat a little better and thinking about it I was/am not eating very much!!! I learned how to make refried beans so that is kinda nice.
Your CD's are GREAT!!! An ac adapter would work too. It is for a walkman style CD player. I would also like another copy of those CD's for the Apartment and if at some point in time could make a CD with "Army of Helaman" on it... I love the Song... Have ever since primary!!! Also I could use collar stays... I washed them all in the MTC except one set and I finally lost the last of them today... BUMMER!!!
I will be writing you a letter and including a memory card... Also, everyone that receives letters from me the letters will most likely be on VERY nice Greeting cards that were found on the dead man table it’s a table in our APT. where they put all the stuff from people who have been evicted/die....
Love you all,
Thanks for writing me and sending me presents.


Love
Elder Stiles