"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