Things are good!We have good investigators right now. I can pretty much understand conversations in Spanish and talk with everyone without too much thinking. Being able to learn to speak and understand Spanish so quickly, I think is the gift of tongues that they talk about in the bible. The other elders have commented on it and how I am talking pretty fast and well which is nice!
We had an awesome thing the other night. Crystal’s husband Leonardo is a good guy overall. He has some machisimo and he drinks. And she told us he had gotten drunk and gotten pretty physical with her. He was drunk, and stupid. So we sat down with them and I was talking about it with him. I told him that we are here and to help their family. That we want them to be happy and that change is the only way they can be happy. I asked him if he felt like he had a family right now. He said No. I then told him he needs to step up and be a man and create an environment where they can be a family... I told him he is acting like a teenage boy, but I know that he wants to do right and turn things around but he needs to decide for himself. Yes, I actually said that. He kind of had his head down the whole time. Then he agreed. Apologized to his wife and said he would stop drinking. Then my companion started talking with someone in the other room and Crystal left the room. They both kinda left and so it was pretty much me and him in the room as my companion was talking with someone at the doorway. Leonardo looked over at me and said thank you. I was like huh?? Then he explained he is done. I told him how we would play soccer with him or basketball or whatever he wants to do on Saturday afternoons to stop him from drinking with his buddies, and he said "I will go to church with you". He was so happy and looked kinda relieved. It was a pretty spiritual experience for me, the spirit was strong. It was one of those moments when the spirit prompts you to be bold. Way cool!!! Leonardo and Crystal and their son went to the stake picnic yesterday and had a very good time! she cooked Tamales.... bones in them of course!!!! So Guatemalan! I do not approve of the whole bone in tamale thing... It’s pretty disgusting! Leonardo liked playing soccer and really seemed happy! It was lots of fun and a great day.
I am enjoying the other missionaries alot more. I don’t know if I mentioned this in my last letter but I have made really good friends with two of the missionaries in our district. Elder Jones and Elder Sanchez. Elder Jones is waiting for a visa to Slovenia and Elder Sanchez is the man. He is from Mexico and came here when he was 13. We have gotten to hang out lately because they came to our picnic yesterday and they spent the night at our house and stuff, so that has been fun!
I love you all, thanks for writing me.
Love
Elder Stiles
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Monday, September 1, 2008
Things are going Great!
HI BABY REESE!!!! they called me from the office on the day she was born around 5pm! I was at my favorite members house (they are the ones that feed us!) They are really cool. They are the Halls. They are an English speaking family that is way cool and funny... it was awesome to hear the news soo quick!
Things are going great! Stake conference was this last weekend and it was good. M. Russell Ballard hurt his knee so could not make it but Jose A. Teixiera of the 70 came and was awesome! He was an amazing speaker. He went up with no notes and paper and said that the brethren are asking that 70's speak with the spirit. It was incredible..
I of course, went and introduced myself and Michael Rueter (the kid who got baptized like 6 weeks ago) to him. And we shook hands.
Crystal has a Wild kid that I was playing distraction duty with for most of the Sunday session... The kid is hilarious. We played cars to keep him busy and quiet and I caught Elder Teixiera kinda crackin’ up about us playing cars. But hey, it made it so Crystal could listen. Crystal lives with her boyfriend Leonardo. We talked to her about baptism and she said she wanted to be baptized... She has had a tough life but every time we come to the door she gets this great big smile on her face. Her boyfriend Leonardo told us that they would get married and he would be baptized too.... It was so cool. They are a good family. Both have had their struggles but she really, really wants to be a good mom and make a change!!! She said she has felt way more at peace and loving since she has started reading and praying. We found her because we were teaching other people that live in the same house and she wanted to listen... She speaks pigeon Spanish and good English. After our first lesson with her she said "you guys are here for a reason. God wanted to tell me something through you guys,” I just about fell out of my seat!!! Crystal is excited about cooking for the Labor Day party for the stake cook off. Leonardo is very cool. We have taught him before and was fairly receptive but kind of fell off the map! soo overall that is awesome!!!
We are working in a ghetto neighborhood called Price Hill! It’s sweet!!! It is like crazy ghetto but everyone there loves us! If you smile at people and say hi they will love you no matter what! They all know we are harmless white kids!!! But you do meet lots of people who are from different walks of life!!! AND I LOVE it!
We had interviews this week with President Robbins and he said that he has heard that I am really doing well and said that I can learn lots of cultural things from my companion. He was very nice and I really like him, he is a very nice man.
Thanks for the photo album funny I just asked for it and then I received it the next day!!! It looks like everyone was having a great time at the wedding and everyone looks great!!! DAD YOU’RE SKINNY!? good for you!!! MAN, Delaney was busy being the queen of the show huh?! She is so so cute!!!!!
You asked how we found the people we are teaching or have taught. We found Jeannie because they were teaching her little sister before I got here but they had not talked to her in like 8 weeks and so we knocked on her door and she said her little sister wasn’t there. So I said can we teach you?! The rest was history!!!!! Jeannie is way happy and even wearing the little young women’s medallion necklace that they give you when you join young women’s!
Michael came to the church through his friend the girl who is in the pictures! They are just friends but he played basketball for like 4 years before she asked him if he wanted to talk to the missionaries... Basketball does miracles! Michael is now looking at a mission and is an absolute stud!! I love that kid!
Life is Good! my companion and I are getting along better and starting to get more on the same page! That is the thing about missions... It is not supposed to be all rosy!!! You have to live with people you wouldn’t choose to live with, eat things you wouldn’t choose to eat and talk to people who you would not normally associate with. BUT that is what makes a mission a mission, that is what makes you grow and be humbled as a person, that is what makes you appreciate home cooking, and that is what makes you gain a love and respect for all people! So EVERYONE I am exactly where I want to be doing what I want to be doing and learning and growing more than is imaginable! So don’t worry about me, just pray for me!
I LOVE YOU MOM!
Love Elder Stiles
Things are going great! Stake conference was this last weekend and it was good. M. Russell Ballard hurt his knee so could not make it but Jose A. Teixiera of the 70 came and was awesome! He was an amazing speaker. He went up with no notes and paper and said that the brethren are asking that 70's speak with the spirit. It was incredible..
I of course, went and introduced myself and Michael Rueter (the kid who got baptized like 6 weeks ago) to him. And we shook hands.
Crystal has a Wild kid that I was playing distraction duty with for most of the Sunday session... The kid is hilarious. We played cars to keep him busy and quiet and I caught Elder Teixiera kinda crackin’ up about us playing cars. But hey, it made it so Crystal could listen. Crystal lives with her boyfriend Leonardo. We talked to her about baptism and she said she wanted to be baptized... She has had a tough life but every time we come to the door she gets this great big smile on her face. Her boyfriend Leonardo told us that they would get married and he would be baptized too.... It was so cool. They are a good family. Both have had their struggles but she really, really wants to be a good mom and make a change!!! She said she has felt way more at peace and loving since she has started reading and praying. We found her because we were teaching other people that live in the same house and she wanted to listen... She speaks pigeon Spanish and good English. After our first lesson with her she said "you guys are here for a reason. God wanted to tell me something through you guys,” I just about fell out of my seat!!! Crystal is excited about cooking for the Labor Day party for the stake cook off. Leonardo is very cool. We have taught him before and was fairly receptive but kind of fell off the map! soo overall that is awesome!!!
We are working in a ghetto neighborhood called Price Hill! It’s sweet!!! It is like crazy ghetto but everyone there loves us! If you smile at people and say hi they will love you no matter what! They all know we are harmless white kids!!! But you do meet lots of people who are from different walks of life!!! AND I LOVE it!
We had interviews this week with President Robbins and he said that he has heard that I am really doing well and said that I can learn lots of cultural things from my companion. He was very nice and I really like him, he is a very nice man.
Thanks for the photo album funny I just asked for it and then I received it the next day!!! It looks like everyone was having a great time at the wedding and everyone looks great!!! DAD YOU’RE SKINNY!? good for you!!! MAN, Delaney was busy being the queen of the show huh?! She is so so cute!!!!!
You asked how we found the people we are teaching or have taught. We found Jeannie because they were teaching her little sister before I got here but they had not talked to her in like 8 weeks and so we knocked on her door and she said her little sister wasn’t there. So I said can we teach you?! The rest was history!!!!! Jeannie is way happy and even wearing the little young women’s medallion necklace that they give you when you join young women’s!
Michael came to the church through his friend the girl who is in the pictures! They are just friends but he played basketball for like 4 years before she asked him if he wanted to talk to the missionaries... Basketball does miracles! Michael is now looking at a mission and is an absolute stud!! I love that kid!
Life is Good! my companion and I are getting along better and starting to get more on the same page! That is the thing about missions... It is not supposed to be all rosy!!! You have to live with people you wouldn’t choose to live with, eat things you wouldn’t choose to eat and talk to people who you would not normally associate with. BUT that is what makes a mission a mission, that is what makes you grow and be humbled as a person, that is what makes you appreciate home cooking, and that is what makes you gain a love and respect for all people! So EVERYONE I am exactly where I want to be doing what I want to be doing and learning and growing more than is imaginable! So don’t worry about me, just pray for me!
I LOVE YOU MOM!
Love Elder Stiles
Monday, August 18, 2008
"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!!!
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
Saturday, August 16, 2008
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!
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
Monday, August 11, 2008
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
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
