Heya,

Things are going really well. Things go great. We get pretty busy with administrational things, meetings, interviews and what not. So we are busier than a normal companionship. Elder Trammell and I get a long really well. We both served with Elder Yukish and didn't get along with him either, so we have a few things in common haha. We do get to work in our area a good amount though, sometimes it's hard because we are covering a ward and a branch so we aren't out tracting or finding as much but that's okay. I'm having fun and a really good experience learning how to minister to everyone around me. As far as Christmas goes, I may not be able to call until after one. I'm not exactly sure on specifics yet. I may just have to call Saturday night to set it up and get things organized with you.. is it 6163079? I Can't ever remember it. We will be done with church at Ten our time. We really haven't had too much time to think about it yet so we are still trying to find out what will be going on. I will let you know some way though. I'm going to guess it will be around 1 your time.

I have only ate at one sushi place since I have been In ohio. and it wasn't an all you can eat :/ That was a year ago and I haven't found any other good places either. So I'm out of luck. None of my companions really like sushi rolls either. oh well. Am I really going to get my package on time this year? hmmm... W set up our little four foot tree last night and hung our stockings and some Christmas lights. we are all decked out.

I'm glad *** is still out and doing well. I'm pretty surprised about that, But Stetson Argyle.. If you remember him, he is out here and doing well too. I remember that *** Girl.. I spoke the same sunday as her right after I graduated. She isn't too much older than me. I do remember she was a good looking girl. Who knows right? haha

I hope that I have a good Christmas dinner, Like I have said before, That is the one thing that I miss the most, your good old homecookin'! I don't really know what it is but people out here just don't cook as good as people in Utah... I'm looking forward to that too because I have been eating not as gourmet as I use to back at home :P

This last week at the Temple was really cool. I was able to stay awake this year and have a good time. at the end of the first session we went to the corner chior booths to bear our testimonies and to sing the spirit of God. It was really powerful. As we were singing too the sun came out and started to shine through the windows and you could see the light Rays coming through. It was super neat to see it happen, It was like Angels were coming in.. In the afternoon we talked a little about reading the Book Of Mormon within the First 90 days of the year (I'm going to have to finish it first before I start that, I have to read about 12 pages a day to be done by the first). After that we watched the movie 17 Miracles. That is a really good movie! holy cow. I like it. I was able to gain an even Greater appreciation for the early saints for all that they did and went through. It made me think about our ancestors. Did they come accross the plaines? I have no Idea. I mean I know dad's were there since Lehi... but as far as the white side of our family. :P

I have lost about 20 pounds now... I weighed myself the other day when I was on exchanges in Wadsworth (which was cool, I got to see a few of the families I got close to), So if the scale there is right then I have lost realy close to 20 lbs and I'm down to like 165... That means my winter coat is really really really big on me. So if you could put some money of my Card so I can get a fresh, Good-looking coat that would be cool. or you could just send me one (but you gotta make sure it looks stylish :P) Either way.. I can't believe I'm down that much. That's pretty crazy. I will have to put my muscle back on. I'm focusing on turning my fat to muscle now... we'll see how that goes.

That's about it.

Love ya fellas'

--
Elder Michael Stone.

Hey Mom.

I am back in the Akron area, in the Tallmadge ward. I was called to be a Zone Leader here with Elder Trammell. It has been good so far. Furtney is still in Warren. Poor guy. haha oh well. I will give you my address, but I will only be at it until the end of the month because we are getting a new apartment at the start of January some time. I'm thinking the first week. We are Getting a nicer and newer apartment where we will be living with some of the other missionaries in our zone that we share the ward with. I guess they like the Zl's to live with others. It will be fun. They are new missionaries too so we will be able to help them out here and there. But, my new address for now is:

2275 eastwood ave #21-B

Akron, OH 44305

Do you have a computer to skype on? Jenn and Adam wont have left yet right?

Anyways. Now, that I am back in Akron, I have served in three wards side-by-side-by-side. all really close to each other. I was hoping to go to Cleveland or Kirtland because those are the only two zone's that I haven't been in. Maybe I will get there one of these days. But, I really don't have that much time left for more areas. We also get to cover the singles branch here. that's a lot of fun, It's a lot easier to talk to them because they are the same age and all. Plus they are more relaxed and do more activites. So, I'm excited to be able to work with them and hey, they are better at missionary work than other people! Right now we are teaching a girl that is Agnostic. The first one that I have ever taught. It's an interesting experience and takes a lot of patience. We got her to come to church for the first time yesterday and we spoke too a lot about the birth of Jesus Christ and what it means, or should mean to us and everyone else in the world. It was cool.

Scout's that old? I thought he was only 13... ha geez.

For my Christmas package, I would like less candy, I mean still the good stuff, but just not so much. I mean I don't want to get fat! haha. I got my shoes this week and hopefully I will be able to get my pants this week.

We are going up to Kirtland tomorrow for a conference where the first part of it is in the Temple, Kind of like what we did last year. We will be able to bear our testimonies in there in the choir seats and be able to be more edified. It's really quite neat. This will probably be my last time in the Temple before we come back in later years if we decide to. It's a really special place. You should definitely encourage Jenn and Adam to go. I'm going to.

Not much else going on here though. Things are well and I'm just trying to learn more of my new Role and responsibilites.

Much Love. and I have no clue what is going on for Christmas yet. Hopefully I will know more next week! haha

Oh I see, hmm well That's cool. I didn't know that dad got a macbook. You guys are getting more technologically fit! you will be legit for sure once you get the system and faceplate set up in the house with the speakers and the security system too. haha It's a long drive from Utah to here. It's 24 hours or somthing like that of driving time without traffic.

Elder Trammell is a Zone Leader too. Dls are the only one that is alone. He came out the transfer after me and is from Chubbick (outside of pocatella ID). He is a really good missionary and has been a ZL for a while. It's funny too because he trained Furtney right before I got there, So I just kind of followed him here.

My shirts are good. for some reason though With my long sleeves and Crew-neck garment you can see the top of my Garment out of the top of my shirt. Like the neck is almost too big. So I Know I ask for more underwear all the time, but a few Round neck ones would be nice. Otherwise I can deal with it

-
Elder Michael Stone.

Hey mom,

The week was decent, we dropped our only investigator yesterday. But, on the bright side, I am leaving Warren. Only six weeks. It was pretty quick. I knew that I had the same chance of leaving as elder furtney but I really had no idea at all. I hope I go somewhere good. haha Hopefully somewhere that the ward is more active in all categories.

I did get that package this week. thank you. I like the Tie and man that is a lot of candy. I don't know if I will eat all of it. haha I have cut back on my sugars. I'm sure I will get my shoes at transfer meeting tomorrow. I'm kind of surprised that they are willing to replace my pants for me and hem them even though it wasn't from wear and tear. Just getting bit by a dog. That's pretty sweet. I'm thinking I will end up In Cleveland or Kirtland zones because I haven't been there yet. but who knows? I could go all the way back across the state again...


It's not really President Sorensen's rule that they can't come eat lunch with us. It's in the Handbook, so it's by the Brotheren. So, It's a commandment I need to live. It's really not that big of a deal either. no sweat. we have e-mail and skype, (be glad we have that!) plus I really don't have that much longer left. They need to go to Kirtland on their way through though. It will be worth it.

I have really been focusing on my prayers lately, really trying to commune with God like we should. It's been a neat experience focusing on my body language, word usage and patience in speaking and listening. I have had a few experiences this last week at nights before I would get into bed when I would be pleading for people to teach and for things to get easier (If I stayed I planned to tract 40 hours a week, Most area's here get maybe 1 a week) and It was some of the most powerful experiences of my life I feel like I have been able to grow closer to my Heavenly Father more than ever before, aligning my will with his and living the life he has planned out for me since the beginning.

I love growth, I love knowledge and wisdom. We've been handing out copies of the Book of Mormon like crazy. It's an amazing feeling.

Nothing else to say. Other than we did make another trip up to kirtland. That was good.

Love ya guys!

--
Elder Michael Stone.