Week 24 November 29-December 4, 2016

¡Hola Familia y Amigos!

Well, that's it ladies and gentlemen. The first quarter of my mission is officially over (thunderous applause) and as of today exactly, I've got 18 months left. Weird, right?!

And yes, as the subject line hints at, the other day Elder Bailon killed a cucaracha (cockroach) on my bed. Sooooo we did some emergency cleaning stripping the sheets and beating out the mattress to prevent any more unexpected bed mates. Fun times.

Soooo our electric shower heater decided it didn't want to work for us anymore, so this morning I showered out of powerade bottles. I literally put hot water from the stove in 2 bottles just to have some form of pressure to wash my body. It's exciting, really.

The Elder's Quorum President got sealed with family last week, so they had a big reception and we dropped by for a few minutes to support them.​​​​ They also had us over as a District to eat the leftovers and to take pictures before changes.​​

We figured out last night that for changes I would be staying here another change with the same companion. I'll admit, we were both less than excited, but I know that Heavenly Father kept us both here because there are still things we have to learn from each other, so I at least look forward to seeing how we will grow this change.

We found a great contact (now investigator) the other day. We were getting discouraged that day because all our citas had fallen through and we hadn't been having much luck contacting, but then we knocked on her door. She was crying when she talked to us because she expressed problems she was having in her life and kept saying how we were "sent from the heavens." The first lesson with her was great. Let's hope she keeps having us back, cause I feel like Heavenly Father's prepared her to hear the gospel message.

I love you all and hope you have a great week!

Love,

Elder Stolle

Week 23 November 21-27, 2016

¡Hola Familia y Amigos!

This week wasn't too bad. We had a Thanksgiving dinner as a Zone with members in our sector last Monday. A little early, but, eh- it works :)

I had a really powerful experience yesterday, though. One of the members was opening her mission call in the chapel after church meetings, and that was a kinda neat experience to feel the Spirit. But afterwards the Stake President got up to speak and gave a small but powerful spiritual thought about Missionary work. Then he said something that really got me.

In basic translation to English, he said: "I want every young man or young woman who wants to serve a mission to stand." A few teenagers stood up right away. But I got choked up when gradually, one by one, several others stood up, and joined, having decided, then and there, that they would be serving a mission. That they would enlist in God's Army, and go do the work of Salvation. A few people were looking at me weird because hardly anyone was crying when the mission call was opened, but during the message BOOM! There I was, wiping tears out of my eyes. I swear, I don't usually cry this much within 2 weeks, but the Spirit totally overwhelmed me, and I couldn't help but feel an immense sense of pride to be a missionary. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to be serving the Lord for 2 years, and know whithout a doubt that this is where I'm supposed to be. I know that this is the work of Salvation, and that -despite the hard moments we have to endure through- we are helping families to be happy for eternity.

Like a mighty army

Moves the Church of God

Brothers we are treading

Where the Saints have trod

We are not divided

All one body we

One in hope and doctrine

One in Charity

Onward Christian Soldiers

Marching as to war

With the Cross of Jesus

Going on before

I hope you all have a great week! So weird that it's almost December!

-Elder Stolle

Week 22 November 14-20, 2016

¡Hola Familia y Amigos!

Surprise! I'm emailing a little earlier today because our Pday got cut short for a Thanksgiving Dinner as a Zone this evening.

This week a member said that between my raincoat and incredibly longs arms, I looked like Inspector Gadget.

We had 2 service projects- one grinding corn again, and another helping dig out rows of dirt with pickaxes to plant seeds. I think my blisters now have blisters, but it sure reminded me of my days at HEFY in Belize. :)

I drank corn this week (or a corn-based drink), and also made a Ham and Potato soup (I used a little Bday $ but it was nice to eat a familiar home-cooked food).

I also got to see the Espinoza Family (they're the ones where the Dad's an Area Seventy). That was kinda fun to see them again with how much they go to the different stakes for his calling.

Last Monday night we went to the chapel for the setting apart of a missionary going to Bolivia. It was spiritual but also kinda deja-voo, since that just happened to me this Summer, but it was neat to watch our friend become an official missionary.

This week wasn't too bad, but Thursday was kinda tough. Although it's not his fault and he feels bad about it, my companion's snoring has been slightly affecting my ability to sleep. I literally had to put toilet paper in my ears as makeshift earplugs hahaha. For the District Meetings I had a 15 min capacitation (or training) planned, but my companion forgot his notes so I ended up stretching it and doing basically all the capacitation along with the English Tutoring capacitation. I guess that was good training to do them more in future assignations, but along with that and my companion struggling to have a good attitude the rest of the day, yeah it wasn't the easiest day. It got to the point that I went to the bathroom for a few minutes and cried there in silence, just from being so incredibly frustrated. But then I pulled it back together and got back to work.

I'm glad this week's Dia de Accion de Gracias (Thanksgiving), cause I sure have a lot to be grateful for. I feel like Heavenly Father has really been blessing me with (much needed) patience and charity beyond my own ability. It's also helped me to feel closer to my Savior this week. Sometimes I feel like such a wimp compared to all the things he went through, but I'm so grateful that he still suffered through the Atonement for us, even for the days when maybe I don't have the best obedience or attitude. He inspires me to keep striving to be patient and look for more ways to serve, no matter what happens. 

And I really can't complain. Me and Elder Bailon have our days, but we also laugh a lot each day and help each other to grow and be better. I'm grateful for the things I've learned from him. The good thing is, the bad days haven't been in vain. Friday night when I was planning for the next day, E. Bailon said "I love you companion." First off, I just about fell out of my chair cause he said it in ENGLISH (which, as his "trainer" I was proud of), but also because it was kinda a little tender mercy from Heavenly Father to allow me to see that maybe my efforts were having a slightly positive effect on him, despite our different personalities and how upset I was with him the other day. It hasn't been easy, and we still butt heads occasionally, but I really do feel like it's also been a blessing of a learning experience.

We had a good Zone Conference, with a KFC lunch, a Birthday celebration for our President, and an overall good spirit. One thing I liked that our President talked about was having a Celestial Attitude. It can be hard when every day is an emotional roller coaster (because the agency of others has such a big effect on the outcome of your day), but despite even our worst days, the Gospel is still true, we have the Book of Mormon as well as a living prophet and apostles, so really, we have reason to rejoice! Woo hoo!

And it's true. Attitude makes all the difference.  I've been thinking a lot lately about how leaving for a mission is like Lehi's family leaving Jerusalem...we leave the comfort of our old lives and "suffer all manner of afflictions" because the Lord has called to leave and do his work in a foreign place. I guess the only big difference is that the things we leave behind aren't going to get destroyed by Babylonians (little siblings, however, are a totally different story). :) But it's really our faith and attitude that makes the difference. It's what made the difference between Nephi and Laman/Lemuel, despite the fact that they were all obedient. These things we put up with as missionaries show us how many weaknesses we really have, and how absolutely helpless we are without our Heavenly Father, and how- through Faith, humility, and a grateful heart- he can make those weak things become strong.

Thanks for enduring all the way through this long email hahaha.

I hope you all have an amazing Thanksgiving and rest of the week as well!

Love,

Elder Stolle

Week 21 November 7-13, 2016

¡Hola Familia y Amigos!

My companion said today that I talk like Jar Jar Binks. Flattering, really.

This week I finally got to try Cuy! (pronounced: kwee) (a.k.a. Guinea Pig). No, I did not get worms; it was interesting. A lot tougher skin and meat that I'd imagined, but it wasn't bad. The Mission's changed me a little bit, cause now I'm always up to try something crazy and new if I know that it's safe to eat. First time for everything.

Tall Problems 101: More than once this week, somebody was getting off a bus with lots of people rushing on and off, and literally reached up and grabbed my arm to stable themselves.

I was singing (or at least trying) the other day, and now Elder Bailon thinks I have this incredible voice (which is almost as big of a joke as the Election last week). Needless to say, now he tries to make me sing something to just about everybody we teach. Their poor ears.

I have to include a shameful experience (cause it was a growing moment). The other morning me and Elder Bailon went downstairs to the store and bakery to buy stuff for breakfast after exercises and before showering. We looked pretty shabby but I just threw random clothes on since it'd be a quick errand. My tag was on, but I didn't think twice about it. Next thing I knew, someone was reading my name tag aloud, intently studying it. I smiled at him before we left, but gee whiz I felt so ashamed. Who was I, to be representing the Lord looking like that?! For all I know, that could've been a future investigator opportunity, I prayed for forgiveness and promised never to represent the Lord looking like that again. Witnesses of God in all things, all times, and all places. Not just some things, times or places.

On a happier note, thank you so much for all the Birthday wishes! It was kinda weird being without Family or friends from home, but my missionary friends still did a good job of trying to make my 19th special. We were actually on exchanges with the Zone Leaders the day of, so I treated myself to making a crepe breakfast the day before. Then on my actual Birthday, Elder Welch (who I was on exchanges with) made me a Pineapple/Coconut/Banana smoothie and bought me a slice of cake for breakfast. I also had missionaries calling me to wish Feliz Cumpleaños, and the whole district (all 4 of us) met up at our lunch with a member, bought 3 mini-cakes, and smashed one in my face. Then that evening I felt really healthy eating leftover cake, ice cream from the tub, and homemade Hot Chocolate. But overall it wasn't a terrible Birthday.

The next day we had Zone Meetings, made a funny video celebrating President Christensen's upcoming birthday, and we also ate a cake that the Zone Leaders surprised me with (which was super nice of them) so we could celebrate my Bday as a Zone. Afterwards we spent most of the afternoon doing a service project helping the Sister Missionaries in our district to move houses.

This week I was talking with one of the new Elders, and he was telling me about how he was a convert to the Church of about 2 years, and had chosen to serve a mission. It wasn't easy, because he's the only member in his family and was basically rejected for choosing to go, but here he is, nevertheless. My respect for this Elder tremendously increased, and I also realized what a privilege it is to be here, serving the Lord for 2 years.s Even though it's definitely the hardest thing I've ever done, at least I have a family supporting me and strong in the Faith. It really turned my perspective into one of Gratitude , which was a blessing.

Something else cool he told me (very excitedly), is that a week or two ago, someone had emailed him and told him that his Mom had gone to Church one Sunday, and was beginning to take the Missionary discussions. It is my testimony that this work is the work of the Lord, and that there are so many blessings that come- to our families as well as those we teach. as we strive to help God's children Come unto Christ.

I hope you all have a fantastic week!

Love,

Elder Stolle

Week 20 October 31-November 6, 2016

¡Hola Familia y Amigos!

This week Elder Bailon said I look like the Joker when I smile...not quite sure how I feel about that one.

The other day I was looking back through my CCM (MTC) notes, and it was like reading the comics. Me and Elder Bailon were both laughing at the hilariously stupid mistakes I'd made. Don't get me wrong, my Spanish still has a ways to go to improve, but it's definitely come a long way and improved.

Random thought but it's kinda cool to look out the window and see clouds slowly rolling over the mountains because of the altitude.

I made a mango smoothie the other day, and it was literally the best. You can buy 3 mangoes for a dollar here.

Weight check: So the other day we were helping a family move houses for a service project, and there was a scale, and being the crazy missionaries we are, we all showed off our weight, annnnnnd... I'm literally like the exact same. Either all the rice and walking balance out, or my body just doesnt' know how to gain/lose pounds. But it is what it is. I feel like I maybe have gotten a tad bit skinnier but also stronger. During the project me and an other missionary were able to carry a laundry machine down 3 sets of stairs. I think that trying to be fairly diligent with my exercises each morning has really helped.

Also today we got to go bowling as for a Zone activity to help us become closer and more united.

Elder Bailon helped me learn a really important lesson this week: Sometime's it's more important to sacrifice a few appointments or success and obedience with the Missionary Work to help and love your companion, especially when they're being disobedient. Because if they're disobedient in the first place, trying to drag them around and force them to be diligent is only going to cause resentment and they will resist. Instead it's better to show your companion that you love them and help show them that obedience is what actually makes us happy. This is a process, little by little, to help them become gradually more obedient. It absolutely kills me, especially after being with Elder Rodriguez and the amount of work we were able to accomplish, and was a hard truth for me to swallow, cause I've been trying hard to go the extra mile to be exactly obedient and diligent, but it made total sense. Don't misunderstand me- this definitely isn't an excuse to be lazy, because you do want to be diligent, but you also can't teach without the Spirit. I'm grateful that he taught me this important lesson so early in the mission, and for a loving Heavenly Father that knows I have something to learn from every companion. Being a loving and patient companion that helps them to be a better and more obedient missionary is how I can help them to have the Alma and Amulek success in the long run.

Have a great week!

Love,

Elder Stolle

Week 19 October 24-30, 2016

¡Hola Familia y Amigos!

First of all, HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Reason #56836583639 Why I love Ecuador: They've already got Christmas trees/lights up and music starting to play. Woot woot!

Fun Facts: Diesel gas is about $1.04/gallon (makes me wish we drove cars here), as well as appearently a lot of the youth in the wards here are called to be Ward Missionaries before their actual mission. It's interesting.

I'm the first gringo (white person) of the 14 companions Elder Bailon's had, so he's really wanted to practice English...we've done part of our readings in English, and it took about 10 min to practice the "Z" sound. We were dying laughing cause it sounded like we were loopy on anesthesia or something. But I'm actually amazed at how fast he's progressing. Sometimes I wake up at 2 or so in the morning and hear him laying awake trying to practice his pronounciations.

I got assigned as the English tutor again. There wasn't much competition with me being the only gringo in the District. We also got to do a service project for an old couple to grind corn by hand...just a couple of buckets and some green onions but goodness gracious I never knew it was so tiring to do something as simple as that! We had to keep taking turns cause our arms would get tired. I don't care how wimpy it sounds, you can't judge until you've done it. Needless to say, my respect for the pioneers and 1800's people skyrocketed afterwards.

Yesterday I woke up feeling sick and spent a fair amount of time in the bathroom, but we still went to church, even though it made us a little late. And guess who was there? SURPRISE! President Christensen and his wife. He didn't mention our tardiness, thank goodness. I think he could tell I wasn't feeling too well. Then, after the church meetings, Hermana Christensen wanted to take a picture of us w/President. Yes, please take a picture of me while I'm sick and look like a train wreck. It's quite photogenic. Haha but it was fine, and good to see them again. 

After lunch with a member, we went to a part of the Sister Missionaries' sector to do a baptism interview for one of their younger investigators. The dad wants the boy to be baptized, and the mom (of other religion) is indifferent. After the interview, we were eating food that the nice mom had given us, and were talking with her and her husband, when suddenly her head dropped and she was out. Her husband lovingly layed her down in a more comfortable position on the couch, when suddenly her body started flopping like a fish.

Although for a second it was actually pretty freaky, we kept our cool, and quickly realized she was having a seizure. Between us, the dad, and the Sister Missionaries, we helped carry her to her bed and kept a bottle of strong smelling colongue under her nose Then we gave her a Priesthood Blessing. During the blessing, she was still shaking a little bit, but when it finished, she stopped and was resting there peacefully. Then she revived a few minutes later. She and her husband were very grateful for all our help. Whether or not this helped her more appreciate the Church and it's blessings, I don't know. But I do know that this was a powerful testimony-building experience for me that this is the very Priesthood, power, and authority of God, used not only to direct his true church but also to bless his children. I'm so grateful to have a loving Heavenly Father who watches over and cares for us, and allowed us to be at the right place at the right time to bless one of his daughters during a time of need.

Have an incredible week!

Love,

Elder Stolle

P.S. I included a picture of our Zone activity playing soccer today, what a Guagua looks like (the bread thing) as well as shoes being made.

​

Week 18 October 17-23, 2016

¡Hola Familia y Amigos!

First off, gotta include that Elder Rodriguez called me a nerd. The boy's learning. Second of all, one of our Less-Actives we've been working with apparently fell into a cow pie while drunk. How unfortunate. Once again, there's so many blessings for living the Word of Wisdom. Third of all, our Zone T-shirts finally came in. Yay! One of the missionaries did little sketches of us all on the back.

We also have been eating a lot of bread filled with jam called "guaguas" and a thick drink called Colada Morada (it's basically like drinking hot blackberry jam with chunks of fruit in it, but it's not bad) recently for a holiday called "Dia de los muertos" coming up soon. Fun fun.

This week we've also been washing laundry (my feet got sunburned) and packing suitcases to prepare for cambios. We had a "goodbye" ward activity for the Hermanas who were finishing their missions this cambio. Cambios (changes) have always been weird because I say goodbye to some of the missionary friends I just made, but am happy for them and the hard work they've put in.

Speaking of which, I'm now in Guamani! It's a tad bit colder, (higher in altitude) in a zone called Chillogallo (chee-yo-guy-yo) and my new companion is Peruvian, Elder Bailon. Although I'm excited to be in a new area, I'm really going to miss my beloved San Rafael ward. Especially Hermana Jimena and her family (the ones who own the store beneath us). This morning we went downstairs to buy stuff for breakfast, and she already had a plastic bag full of chocolate milk, bananas, and pan (bread) waiting for us. Free! Like, how nice is that?! She also gave me cookies as an early Christmas present since I wouldn't be there for the holidays. She's simply just the best.

This week I had a simple but powerful experience that, during the a lesson to new investigators, while Elder Rodriguez was reciting the First Vision, I felt the Spirit strongly. This was such a blessing, because I was able to testify that I know it's true, since the Spirit testifies of all things that are true. It is my testimony that through the prophet Joseph Smith, Heavenly Father restored the Gospel of Jesus Christ here in these latter days, because he loves us and wants us to know what we need to do to be worthy to live with him again.

Have a wonderful week! 1 week 'till Halloween!

Love,

Elder Stolle