Hey mom,

You definitely sound frustrated. It snowed here but then it rained last night and is in the upper 50's today so we probably wont have any more for the rest of the week. but who knows? We weren't able to commit Celeste to baptism, she has been attending church for like two and a half years now because of her boyfriend and knows everything but gets caught up in the fluff and not the fact that the book of mormon is true. she told us that if she is asked what she would say she would say that it is, but can't see one true church and a living prophet today. she can't really make the connection at all. We think there is an underlying factor though.

We do have a pretty solid baptismal date in February, with a guy named Dan. He is dating a members daughter. He is a good guy and we had a really good discussion with him last night and were able to set that date for the 25th.

Did Jayme send the package to my new address? because I definitely wont get it if she sends it to my old one! OH yeah, and with the new apartment, we didn't have drapes or a rod at all so I had to go buy one and then get re-imbursed and I payed like 80 dollars. it tanked! holy cow. that's expensive. My house when I get old is not going to be decorated at all. it's too much for this guy... (they were the cheapest ones Too!)

I'm getting more and more impressed with Matthew, He just has an impeccable good attitude. That will be a lot of help for him if we can really help him work out. I will make him when I get home, I'm going to be needing a work out partner. Someone to really compete with. you know?


Things are going really well for our area right now, we keep just having things somewhat fall into place and into our laps. we have a ton of investigators right now, We actually have one who is a pm family and the wife is a non-denom and she has so much junk in her head from so many different religions it's hard to communicate. she told us that she believed in the trinity and explained it the way that it is. then we explained the godhead and to make a long story short she believes in the Trinity AND the Godhead. From what we gathered. So, It's going to be really interesting. She wants to have her pastor come to our next appointment. We'll see how that goes. :/

We got a new zone-ish with somewhat younger missionaries. at least younger District leaders. So we have to do a lot more training now, because you don't get any. they just throw you into it and expect you to be able to fulfill all of your responsibilities. So, we have to help them out some more!

Not really too much else.

Love ya.

Michael Stone

Heya,

This week went well. Lots and lots of meetings though. holy cow. we had no time for anything, Then with the move we had to pack everything up right before we had to do it all. so it was intense! I will be staying here with Trammell. It will be a lot of fun. So yeah the new place is really nice. But smaller than it should be. but it will work. I'm happy about it. The address is
1819 Beacon Hill Circle #14
Cuyahoga Falls Oh, 44221

I should be there for some time. That's my assumption

We were able to go to the Kirtland sacrament meeting, It was very good too. there was a lot of people and we had one of our new investigators go up who is from Argentina. She was introduced to her Boyfriend who is a member that lives in PA. So we are going to hopefully be able to invite her to be baptized tonight and start helping her progress towards that. After the Sacrament meeting we were able to take here and about 15 other YSA out on a tour of the Historic sites and help her feel the spirit there and hopefully she will have recognized it and want to learn more and partake of the blessings that lie in wait.

We were talking afterwards too and with the amount of times that we have been to Kirtland we could probably give our own tours and probably do a fairly good job. Sometimes the sisters aren't that great and we have to ask them questions to get them to say the things that should be mentioned! haha on Sunday we got the "training sisters" who are the best at giving the tours and are in charge of all of the sisters in Kirtland. So it was good, but we still drilled them with questions and then we had one of the members who was a r.m. ask them a lot of questions because she is the main fellow shipper for Celeste (we didn't tell her though, She just asked them because she wanted to know and so that Celeste (there is an ay sound at the end of her name) would be able to understand better and have some of her questions answered that way as well). We don't let anyone take short cuts. So when we come back I will make sure that we have a good tour and the sisters do there jobs properly ;P

Tomorrow they are re-opening an area that they had closed when I got here due to a lack of missionaries. So now our zone count will be up to 22. More people to take care of yay! .. no, it's good for me, I am learning a lot of Charity and Patience being able to work with all of the missionaries problems and what not. It has been a good experience for me too to be able to learn how to minister and administer a lot better. I hope I will be able to stay within this assignment until I go home because of the rate of learning that I have taken on with these responsibilities.

I can't believe Ammon has a Drivers license. That's hard to believe. Everyone is getting old. Soon enough you will not be able to get around all of the house and we'll have to get you a "hover-round" to mobilize you. ha JUST KIDDING. I'm glad to hear though that him and Matt were able to do really well in their tournaments this week.

Now, that we have moved we have a weight room in the clubhouse we can go use so hopefully I will be able to get a better work out in now so I won't be so small and can compete a little bit with everyone when I get home.

It will be a surprise I think to you too to see how much I have changed in my manner and conduct, but at the same time to see that I am still ME! :) Boy, Missions are good for kids.

That's about it though.

Love ya.

Hey mom,

This week was good. It went really well. we were able to take a couple of our investigators to Kirtland and then The ysa are having a sacrament meeting Sunday in the Kirtland Temple so we are going to try and make it. We just need some permission and an investigator to go. As far as the move goes I'm pretty sure it's just us. we are having a senior couple come down with another truck and a trailer so we can get everything over that we need and some of the new stuff that we need as well. Did Jenn and Adam Go to Kirtland?

That would be cool if Hernandez went to MM. It would be really nice too if I could get a job helping to coach so I could make a little bit of cash with my school and everything.. It would warrant a good excuse for me to have to work out too.

I love how ever since we had the Stake conference on TV we still never go. haha. I was thinking yesterday that they need to do some training for the teachers to make class more interesting and involved. As I was in class I was just like man! if class is this boring back at home it's going to make it really hard to go every Sunday! on top of that this ward is really irreverent so it's hard to get anything out of the sacrament talks. I mean I already have a hard time paying attention anyways. I will have to teach or something. Give me a calling! haha. I'm probably gonna ward hop for the first little bit too just to see what is out there and find some people that I know.

It snowed this week. It's all gone though. basically spring.

I'm so glad to hear that Joel Got a call! full Pros too! that's awesome. it will be really good for him and I hope that He will be able to grow and overcome a lot of his troubles and trials.

I'm sure Joel will give his all too and become a great missionary. What a good kid. I look forward to hear of his journeys.

This transfer has one more full week as transfers are the 18th. I'm pretty sure I will be staying here with Elder Trammell. we are having a lot of fun and getting the work done. We are hoping for some baptisms this next go around as well. I have learned so much in the short amount of time that I have been in a position of leadership. It's definitely a refining time. I have noticed a lot lately too that I need to search for all kinds of knowledge that I may have words to say when they are meted for me and for the others that I speak to. It's strange to look and see that I will actually be home at the end of this year. I don't really like to look at it because it will mean an end of such rapid progression and understanding that comes with the calling that I am embarked in. Things are really great. I love being a missionary and doing the things we do. The great thing about it is that the Gospel never ends and when Practiced in it's fullness and the way that it needs too there are no problems trials or anything faulty at all. Fault comes of man and the gospel is not. I wish sometimes, most time actually, that Man would not disable the spirit of the Lord and the true order of his church. If we did it the way that it was designed then there would be far less less-actives and in-actives. I guess when we reach the state of perfection, It will be a zion and we will all be gathered at the new jerusalem. What a thought right? man, I can't even imagine the state of perfection within the people of the church of Christ. The world would be impacted on large scales. Then again, That's when Christ will reign... haha Patience is a great attribute right?

well. Things are good. My new address next week will be. 1819 beacon hill circle apt 14 Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221.

We will be moved in monday, but transfers are tuesday.

Love ya

Hey mom,

Elder Trammell was still talking to his family so I figured I would call Jayme so she could see me and I her. Just trying to be a good brother, that's all. No, *** didn't write me. If she does, I have been really bad at writing people back so she has a good chance at not getting one. especially seeing that I get home in 7 months. Crazy...

I'm glad that Matthew has been able to do things with a good attitude. He does need to work out in the weight room though. that would be really good for him. He would be able to put on a good amount of muscle right now.

We finally got snow last night. The first time that it has actually stuck here. So it officially feels like winter now with only two months left of the terrible cold and snow. It's been good though because last winter was pretty terrible. I have no complaints with this one at all.

Things have been good though. We are actually teaching a fair amount even with all the other stuff we have to do. so it's good. There aren't really any other areas teaching more than us currently either so it looks like we are doing our job by setting the trend and standard for our zone. We are suppose to have our area be a model for all of the others so I'm pretty happy that we are able to do that haha. Anyways. It's pretty official too that we are moving two weeks from today. we are going to get a pretty nice place too. we went and looked at it the other day. It's just a little small for four of us. but I think we will be able to make it work.

I did get my new coat and it looks good too! haha I like it. so yeah, it fits me as well. I don't have to worry about swimming around or looking chubby in my bigger coat.

All is well here.

Love ya.

Thanks for all you do.

--
Elder Michael Stone.

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.