Hey there.

This week went really well. We were able to set two more baptismal dates. We have one for the first weekend of September and then we have five planned with the family we are teaching for the following Wednesday. Sunday went well too. we were able to get six out of the ten at church and they all had some really good experiences. I was just a little bit worried though because we had to leave after sacrament to go to speak in the singles branch down in bowling green. Talk about pitiful.. only 20 people were there.

I'm pretty bothered right now, Seems like Elder Porter has been putting on a facade for some reason. This last week he has just been all argumentative in companion study and his attitude and desire are draining me. It just seems like he doesn't want to do anything. The hardest part is companion study, Thankfully we have been teaching a lot so I'm not really alone with him that much you know. I just don't get it. I really don't know what to do. I mean okay yeah, It's good to go on a mission but what is driving you? I mean no one else in his family has ever gone on a mission so there must be something to drive him to be out here right? Yeah, I would never guess what it would be... He Seems to just hate everything. Why do something that you hate? I mean jeez. whats the point of doing that? As for myself, if you remember. I didn't do a lot of things that I had no fun in or enjoyment. I have no Idea what to do. We are going on exchanges with the Zone leaders tomorrow so I'm going to talk to them and stuff... Maybe I'm just to prideful, Who knows... I guess there is something there that I have to work on.

Our investigators are doing extremely well. talk about them receiving revelation through church attendance. man. They all seemed to have a really good time and learned a lot. I'm really glad that they did too. The ward here did really well (at least from what I saw during sacrament) in fellowshipping them and all of that. You don't get that in very many other wards. The six that we had there, Dorothy Child, who is to hopefully be baptized on September 3, and then Rita, Selina, Cashis, and Merilda Harris on the 7th, and Bryan Magid in October are all really solid. We are thinking about taking Dorothy to Kirtland in two weeks or so. It's been a long time since I have been out there and taken a tour. I kinda want to go again... Hopefully too, If we are allowed we want to take the Harris kids out to Kirtland as well. I think it would help them out a lot in their testimony and knowledge of the Restoration of the Gospel. I have never been in a place where so many people have been prepared by the Lord. Dorothy's husband, Bob, has been a member his entire life but hasn't been to church in many, many years and I guess he has somewhat avoided church members or been unable to be contacted by them in the last 24 years or so that they have lived here. But it just happens that we meet him and his wife when He can't work because he almost died of a triple aortic aneurysm. Which in itself I believe opened them up or prepared them for the Gospel. They have an adopted son that lives in Provo who joined the church about two to three years ago who came when bob was in the hospital and gave him a blessing. So just looking back you can see the Lords hand in their lives preparing them to Come unto Christ or come back to him.

The Harris' kids mom is a member and they have investigated the church several years ago as well. so that is how they were prepared. along with other things. but not as dramatic as Brother Child's.

Anyways. This next week seems like it's going to be good as well. I don't see why not. Things just seem to be going really well. We have just happened to be in the right place at the right time. The spirit has completely done work here and not man. It is just evident that has happened. It's undeniable...

We are no longer counting up. It's a count down now... ;)

--
Elder Michael Stone.

Hey mom,

This week went remarkably well. We ended the week (yesterday) with 8 Baptismal dates and we hope to be able to set, at least, 4 more this week. I feel like I have been blessed in being able to stay here with the entire ward. Because of that we are able to be as busy as we are. I somewhat feel bad because they closed the other area, but, at the same time not really. I know that may sound terrible to say, but most of the work is in the other areas. This upcoming week we have more lessons planned (as of right now) than I have ever seen before in my mission. It's absolutely amazing. I'm just still wondering where all of these people to teach came from. The biggest of our focus I guess is a family of 7 where the mom is a member and no one else is. She has five children ages from 19-11. So six potential baptisms. We were able to meet with three of the kids on saturday and set baptismal dates with them. We are hoping to get a few of her Children Baptized at the end of the month. This lady, Sister Grames, has been inactive for roundabouts of 13 years. Married and divorced maybe more than once and now married to the same guy for two years. I have no real idea what made her want to come back to church and get all of her family baptized, but something did and now I'm super stoked for her and we will have to see what happens right?

This week I have discovered more of my purpose. That, in itself, is a huge thing to discover. Luckily for us, being members of the Church already have more of an understanding than those outside of it. Though, we can still discover more for our individual lives on a daily basis. As we take a look in everything around us, Mostly centered on the Gospel, we can see purpose everywhere. I believe that as we grow in the gospel and in understanding, we will be enlightened with a great sense of purpose, knowing what we are truly here to do. Specifically as well. I always relate this as we are teaching to Alma 34:32 that says that we are here to prepare to meet God and to perform our labors. So, I always ask, What are our labors? Obviously to keep the commandments, but what else? I mean there is a lot of general ideas and answers to this, but I have found for myself There is so much more laying within, that when you discover it, it becomes difficult to articulate one to another.

You know, It's a good thing, and a bad thing that the cousins lost their mom. But I would have to favor the fact that it will be good for them. Because they wont have that influence in their lives and hopefully as they grow up they will be able to look at the life she led and see that everything she did led up to an early death by heart attack. All of those poisons that she put into her body put great stress on her heart and weakened it greatly. You can't expect to treat your body that way and live a long life. I always think too, that those who seek to glorify themselves here on the earth too, recieve their reward here on this earth. Although they are not here to see that "glory and honor" It did happen. right? Then to think of the Lord in his teachings where you are to do things in secret as with to "not let your right hand know what your left hand doeth". Things like that are always interesting to think about and to see happen.

I feel bad for the kids because it's never fun to see someone you love die. But you are right, things will return to normal fairly quickly. She didn't have that much of an infuence in their lives as a real mom should. That's why she is a mom, NOT a mother. I do have to disagree with you thinking that Bailey and Bella will have poor behavior and stuggles. Not more than they already would. It most likely will happen in the near future, but in the long run I can see it being just the same, possibly better. It is never good to have a bad example made seem right in front of you. Now, that this poor example is going to hopefully do all that is possible in the spirit world. They will be able to grow less hindered into what they truly need to become.

I'm glad to see the strength the gospel gives families and the example that I have been able to see within our family. I'm glad to know and see the blessings of being obedient and keeping covenants that you make with the Lord. Even in marriage, It's not just between two entities, but three. Such a good thing to always keep in mind. Actively attending the Temple allows you to remember these things.

I'm glad I get to miss all of the yard work that lays ahead too. Seems like it's going to be more of a job to do the back yard than the front. As long as I have a bedroom when I get home, I will be happy.

anyways. my fellas! it's been good. I can't believe I have been out for this long now either. I usually feel like one of the youngest, but now that half of our zone has only been out two months or less, with only three other missionaries besides myself being out a year or more. It's strange... hmm welp

I guess that's it.

Creative jucies gone.

Love ya!

--
Elder Michael Stone.

Dear mom,

That's a great picture of my face! where did you get it? That's pretty funny.

I did get the package alright, The cupcakes were practically destroyed though. The frosting was everywhere. You're telling me how fast this summer has gone by, Especially for me because I don't get to take a break from anything! I'm honestly amazed just that this transfer is already over. In ten days I will have been gone a year, it's remarkable.

Jordyn Finally got a real room huh? well, I sure hope that there is a room for me when I get home, Either in the basement or upstairs works for me;p.

This week went pretty well for us. Things are picking up and we are getting new investigators and within the last two weeks we have taught more than all of the other weeks combined. Now guess what?! Remember how they split the area? well, they are closing it down and Elder Porter and myself are taking over the entire ward boundaries now! I guess two missionaries went home (one of which was my retarded MTC companion...) and the Oregon area, our ours, being Perrysburg was the least productive in the mission last transfer so they are getting rid of it again. Which, of course, has its pros and cons. Pros; both areas are really starting to do well, finding investigators, teaching less-actives. That means we will be teaching more, getting fed more, and have a car.. (nice!) We are thinking of adding their beds to ours so we have queen size's, we'll see how that goes. Cons; The ward was really happy about having two sets, so I don't know how they will react to this. I was starting to like living with two more missionaries, It makes things a lot more entertaining and so forth. I'm excited though because we will be teaching more and there are several families that we are working with to get to baptism. In fact, one just moved into the ward where the mom is a member and hasn't been to church in 13 years and her husband of two years just got out of the air force, along with her 5 children are not members of the Church and they want to be baptized. I must admit, I am excited about this.

Hopefully we will have some progressing investigators for once right?
Now with a car again, I just have to be careful with what I'm eating... I don't get to burn off the calories just riding to our appointments.

Now, as far as me losing my GPS... That is a frustrating topic. I had pulled it out to find something and then I put it back in my backpack. I figured it would stay, Like it normally does. I mean I have never had it fall out before and I have thrown my bag. Later that night I go to get it and it is just gone! I tried to remember what we did after I used it and all we did was ride our bikes and tract. I think I only took it off twice and we weren't around a lot of people where it could have been stolen. someone must have just apperated, stole it and disapperated. (yes, I just used harry potter words) I'm pretty mad about it, but what can you do? So yes, I do need a new one, really money so I can just go get one at Walmart because we are taking back over the rest of the ward. I am somewhat familiar with the area because I was there six weeks ago, but I don't really know anything in specifics... So, if it is possible, I would Highly appreciate it.

you know, we have met with a few people that believe in the theory of evolution lately, a Buddhist even. Man I just have to tell you that these people are seriously outside their minds! Especially when they leave Christianity to believe that we EVOLVED from an ape!! Just talking to these people and trying to understand what they believe is soo confusing. We saw the Buddhist yesterday and she couldn't answer any of our questions. all she had to say was it's Ignorance, Evil and wickedness comes from ignorance to love. All I could think was that logic shows that even some of the most wicked people in the earth love. Then of course, like they all do, she started talking in circles because somehow that makes sense to them. I mean we can just see that Satan can deceive people in the silliest of ways to the point of these people not making any sense. I just don't get it. I mean come on! If we just keep on getting reincarnated, what is the point of living? why in the heck would thew world care to exist? If God is in us and we are God, why would he reincarnate himself into a limited body? Why would he reincarnate himself into a body that is crippled and constantly being tortured? We asked these questions and she had nothing to say. These people are in wait for a very rude awakening when they die. I will tell you what... Satan, knows how to get people. as we can see, a main influence from him is pride. Then the rest fall within. he will blind you and deceive you until you believe these things that are more difficult to understand than God appearing to man!

-- that is my rant...

This next week should be an adventure right?

Love ya!

Hey Mom,

Golfing was good, But, I'm not that great at it. I lost several balls ;) We talked to they guy though and he said that we could go two times a month. I'm pretty sure we will end up taking that offer. We are going again today. As far as Garments. I get the small tall I believe.. So Small tall mesh Tops and some 30's briefs for the bottoms.. If you haven't sent it yet. if so That's alright. (I hope you aren't sending that part either I don't really think people would like to see what my underwear size is...) By the way... I have no idea what Dole whip is, Just so you know... but what I do know is; I'm tempted to go to GNC and get some leaning supplements and then some hydration stuff because you can get drained so easy with it's in the 90-100s and the humidity ranges from 30-70%. So I might need some money on my Debit card.

Jayme sent me an e-mail and said that she feels like there was a lot of people there and so I'm glad that she was happy about it. that's the most important thing is that she feels like she was well supported. I couldn't see the pictures.. I think you might need someone to help you with that. It doesn't ever seem to work when you try to send me pictures this way! haha ;P Don't worry about when I get married, If i do... You will be off the hook and just get to sit back and watch all of it unfold, so no worries there. It will be a good while before that happens though.

Tell Matthew happy birthday for me! I'm pretty bad at remembering sending cards so if he doesn't get one.. Tell him I lost it in the mail, But I will try to remember to pick one up at the store today. (I am getting better at remembering when people birthdays are, you gotta give me credit for that!)

You don't have to worry about me getting married young, we all know that I'm not going to get married until I'm 30 or so.... ;P but hey look at it this way. You aren't getting old, everyone is just catching up to you. That's all ;)

This last week was the best one that we have been able to have all transfer. Were able to find and teach new investigators and actually teach. It's kind of nerve racking teaching with Elder porter though because he isn't has familiar with the lessons yet so important principles and doctrines within the principle get missed but we were able to have the spirit with us and so it was still good. Just could have been better though. I cant completely take over though because that will disable him and he wont learn how to teach so, you live with it. This next week seems hopeful, until Thursday, we don't really have anything planned past then. hopefully we will be able to find more and then get to meet with them later this week so we can continue to find and teach. Interesting enough though, I have been able to get pretty good at having members come out with us and drive us around when we go teaching (even when some people are never there... they still come) So I don't have to ride my bike that much. it's really nice when it's raining really hard or when it is really hot. I'm lazy in that aspect I guess you could say. but don't worry. that's probably the only thing that I am Lazy in right now. We don't have anyone progressing right now, we are working with those we have found and are inviting them to church and hopefully they will come so we can help them progress towards baptism.

Two and a half more weeks and I will have been out a year. It's weird to think. Time has gone by so quickly and they say that time doesn't start to go fast until after your year mark. I guess we will see.
Transfers are next week. I think I will be staying here again. Odds are that I will because I need to finish going through the trainer packet with Elder Porter. You never know though.


I know my e-mails are a bit lame, but You know me. I run out of words sometimes.
That's about it for this week. We will see what adventures lay ahead.

Love ya!

--
Elder Michael Stone.

Hey dad,

You better be in shape and still running when I get home because I will need to get into that habit of working out again. workouts on a mission are atrocious.


The teaching appointments went well. we had more than we normally do. That was nice, we were able to have the spirit with us for most of them so are hopeful about those who we have started to teach and hopefully we will be able to continue to teach them and bring them to baptism.

Honestly, Not too much developed this week. still a lot of finding and hopefully we can help the people we find want to investigate and then join the church. we will see what unfolds.

I can't believe it's Matthew's birthday. he is 13. by the time I get back he will be a teacher and Ammon a priest. It's kind of strange to see all of that going on and then to even think about what I have to do when I get home. I actually have to grow up. that is a bit unfortunate. but hey. I still have another year before I have to really grow up.

anyways. transfers are coming this next week. I can see me staying, but I can see me leaving. Odds are though that I will stay one more transfer and finish training Elder Porter.

Love ya

Dear Mother,

oh, another in-law to put up with... Great. Ha Just kidding it will be cool. When do they go down to Cedar? I'm assuming immediately after? I'm sure things will be good for you guys there. Just kind of in a tough place where we just moved and you are in nursery so not too many people know who you are and vice-versa. I guess we will have to see then right?

I'm excited for Joel. I hope he can at least go to the call center and take some refferal calls and work on mormon.org talking to investigators. I know TJ Tagg did that because of his Muscular-distrophy and was able to take part in a lot of miracles.

The tree's are green here. but it has only rained once in about a month so it's pretty dry. sounds like utah is probably greener than it is here. especially because just about no one here has sprinkler systems so the gras gets really dead. Then, with the people that do have sprinklers they do a really poor job because they dont' do them that often so they have dead spots and what not. It's really stinkin hot and humid but that doesn't make anything greener. speaking of hot and humid things... do you want to sent me some mesh tops? I sweat Like a beast with this humidity!

As far as diversity goes, the other day we were out tracting and we were able to talk to everyone of every different kind of belief you could think, Buddhist, Hindu, Christian and Muslim. For a city that is probably about the size of Spanish Fork you wouldn't guess such a diverse place for religion, but, I was able to come to the conclusion that Christians are the meanest and rudest of all beliefs. Especially American Christians. I mean we had to guys from India talk to us for awhile and one was a Hindu. I just find it interesting that those who don't believe in Christ as the Savior of the world are more Christ-like than those who are.

This upcoming week we actually have good plans for what we are going to do. the last few days we have been able to find a lot of people that we were able to talk to and get appointments with and in fact, we were able to pick up a new investigator named mary sutton. When you have a lot of first appointments and discussions set up a lot of people flame, or ditch out on you so we hope that we will be able to get at least half, if not all because that would hopefully get us pretty busy and we could start teaching a fair amount and be able to Help people progress in the gospel. We have definitely been able to see the fruits of our labors this week with all of these people willing to meet with us and inviting others to come unto Christ. It has been really great and a testimony builder for me to see that Diligence takes great effort over a long period of time. I'm very hopeful for all that is able to happen in the coming weeks.
Also, we were able to go and see some Less-active/Inactive members of the ward and talk to them and I mean we have been going to see them multiple times and we have always invited them to church, but this last week we focused on the sacrament and what the Sabbath day really is, as we did you could just see something click in their heads like "wow, I really haven't been to church in a really really long time. I know that the sacrament makes a difference in my life" It's great to see the spirit work in the lives of others. One stayed for all of sacrament and the other came, got the sacrament and left (he gets worried about his wife because they are super old and she is pretty sick and have custody of a 9 year old and a three year old). I was really happy to see them there.

as far as today goes... we get to go golf at a pro golfing course that is used as a PGA qualifier for free. and get to eat in the clubhouse, for free. Gotta love awesome members that will hook us up with a lot of things. mmmm. and, we are having some really good barbeque ribs tonight. Mmm.. yeah bros it's gonna be good.

ha well I hope all goes well at the wedding today and yep..
Love ya!



--
Elder Michael Stone.


Hi dad.

I don't know about being home before I'm an uncle... I still have a good 13 months ahead of me...

I have honestly learned a lot about diligence and that as I go doing the Lords work he will put people in my path for me to talk to so I have gained a testimony of talking to everyone that I see. we have a good number of appointments set up for this next week with some investigators. Hopefully they stand. If they do we can become fairly busy for a biking area which will be fantastic. I'm excited for what can and will happen here in this area.

Lucky you though getting rain. It has rained once in a month or even more.. everything is dying.

You should look up Maumee Bay golf Club, It's right on Lake erie and it's a very High class, PGA approved golf course we get to golf at today. I'm pretty excited about it.


The wedding will go well. You are in the sealing as I type..


Tell Jayme I love her and Cassidy, one false move... ha He better treat her well. Don't know the guy but he seems like he will do good.


Love ya.

Hey Mom,

Sunday I had the opportunity to step out of my comfort zone again and speak in sacrament meeting. it was good. It was a bit different though because this ward can get really quiet and it seemed to me like I was putting everyone to sleep, but I think I did a good job. What did President Sorensen have to say? as far as Elder porter, he is really getting the whole teaching and talking to people but the lifestyle is very different for him, but He is doing well. Just needs to fully leave home at home, I guess that just comes with time though.

I don't think you know what hot and humid is like.... Just sayin'. (Don't forget Erie is only 15-20 minutes away and we are by a fairly big river ;)) I'm starting to get into fairly good shape. we get to ride our bikes fairly often. Especially because we don't have anyone to teach so we just ride around talking to people and do all kinds of finding. But nothing yet. I don't think I will be in good as shape as Ammon though with all of that lifting and stuff, but we decided that we were going to start using the weight room our apartment complex has and then a member just moved in on Saturday and they have a cage with free weights and stuff so I think we will go use that on p-days when they get it set up and they are settled in.

You are getting old! Three kids all through the temple and what not, that's really cool. Draper was the temple that King went through his first time. that has been the only Time that I have been there. It's a nice one, just really small. Is payson going to be like that or is it going to be a medium sized one like Provo? Don't forget Jayme may be cynical and what not, she does know the gospel well.


Met a Muslim guy this week. it was pretty neat. Here in Perrysburg is one of the biggest mosques in The north east U.S. so there is a high population of Islam. I will tell you what, if I was ever to leave the church/ Christianity (which won't happen) I will definitely become a Muslim. they have a lot of very similar beliefs as we do when it is concerning the smaller matters. but the Key things like Christ as the Savior differs and other things like that. otherwise they are pretty similar and as devout as a member of our church who knows for a fact that it is true and magnifies their callings. so yeah,

There isn't really that much for me to talk about or to say because we don't have anyone to teach, I wish we did but it just isn't working that way right now and so we just do a lot of tracting and contacting trying to find new people to teach.

Well,

Love you



--
Elder Michael Stone.

hello there.

You were correct, I was unable to E-mail yesterday. The week was okay, we had a two day training meeting where I had to give a workshop in front of 36 people or so, I was a bit nervous (because we know how much I hate to be in front of groups) but it turned out well, I was able to be guided by the spirit so I wasn't nervous after I got up there. Elder Porter and I get along pretty well. He doesn't really know why he is out here yet, he is a bit lost in his purpose and I don't know why he decided to come out here either because he wont really tell me. The apartment is good, we have two bedrooms but they aren't too big so we are a bit crammed but we make it work. Elder Haines can get around now, just no walking, still on crutches, he actually isn't too trunky. It's definitely a negative for the idea of a big area and a lot to do. Neither one of us have investigators and the entire area itself is smaller than when I was in Wadsworth and Barberton, Probably the smallest area I have been in. It's just been a place where they have stuck another set of missionaries when we have an influx. we will for a little while as well. we didn't really do anything for the 4th just kind of did the normal. Last Saturday though I will tell you what, It got up to about 98 and it was super humid. I think the heat factor was about 120-130... we sweat a lot.

I don't think I ever say Juniper apartments, the only one I saw was the first one that Jayme moved into. So they have a decent size place though for the both of them? They don't have to share it do they? that would be a bit weird...

A mission is hard. If you expect it to be easy you are fooling yourself. If you honestly expect anything in life to be easy you are flat out a fool. If life were easy than Satan would have won in the beginning and we would all be going on our own merry little way. I just get bothered when people get up and say, yeah we decided to be diligent and talk to everyone we saw and whatever whatever whatever, then we were able to see this happen. When I hear that I'm just like I do this every day my friend. I'm still doing it too and I don't see this in my life. What the heck is the difference? I dunno. It's all personal, but honestly, I don't expect anything less to be completely honest. If I ever have an area where things are just busy and exploding like crazy I will just be amazed. I don't think I would really know what to do. well. no I take that back. I'm pretty sure I would be able to know what to do. That's how I was trained, So I could do it.

It bothers me a bit now that I have another companion who has no clue why he is here. Probably the least out of all of my formers. Granted, yes he is really new but it seems like he doesn't want to be out here at all. Period. I have tried to ask him his reasoning for being here and all I got was "I talked to my bishop and he talked me into it". so I don't know what to do to help him. But, He has to be willing to make the choice on his own. otherwise I can't help. Especially because he doesn't tell me what he wants to do or how I could help him. I'm praying for it.

As far as our training meeting went we had to drive about an hour and a half to the mission office in Cleveland on Thursday and then sit there forever. which it was really good. I was able to learn a lot by the spirit. afterward we stayed the night with some of the missionaries there in the area and then the next day we went back for another 7 or 8 hours. Man, I will tell you what, the next day I was so tired and brain dead I just wanted to go sleep.! It was funny though because we ran into a pastor and he told us we were the "anti-christ" because we didn't believe that Christ is God, and when we think that Christ is the son of God we are limiting His power and what he can do. This guy was out of control, jumping around, yelling, pointing, waving his arms, it was quite the show. It's so funny to see how easily deceived people can be and honestly how stupid they are too. I got a good laugh.

what is it. two weeks now until another in-law? good luck ;)

Love ya

--
Elder Michael Stone.