Main Letter Really Fast

Hello All,

I am sorry but this letter is also going to be a little short because I am short on time and I don't want to miss a appt.

On Monday I got to go to Bethel Island(sometimes called Methel Island) it was really cool and alot of fun being on a rickety dock looking for our less active.

On Tuesday we had zone conference, that was really cool. I got to do different trainings and had alot of fun.

On Wednesday we did service again and we taught Phillis. She is blind but she reads lips really well. and she is really cool. She has been a on and off investigator for a long time and we went on splits with elders quorum which was awesome.

On Thursday, we did service again and we taught Tara, she is doing very well. But her family found out and the father wasn't happy but her mother was supportive, so pray for that.

On Friday we did weekly planning and went to exchanges with zone leaders

On Saturday, every appt. fell through and we got the chance to be kind of bible bashed by a guy who was really confusing and apparently the other group had almost the exact same day as us.

On Sunday, Tara and Phillis came to church and we had a great time teaching Tara for a second time this week.

This week is transfers so I don't know what is going to happen. Our area my split:( that would be sad but probably mor effective

Elder Stokes

Weekly Letter

Hey all,

This week has been really busy but we only had 1 investigator lesson.

Monday we had family home evening with the Murff family.

Tuesday we had our lesson with Tara and we still didn't commit her to a date

Wednesday we had Service, taught Garland, had dinner with Swishers and went on splits with the elders quorum(that was awesome)

Thursday we contacted referrals, met with Chris(he is still awesome) and had a coordination meeting.

Friday we did weekly planning

Saturday was kind of dumb but cool. went to a baptism in our district, did service( which the zone leaders gave us no info so we were stuck outside getting sunburned while directing traffic with no shade), went to dinner with the Penners(cool family in gated community) and saw new meet the mormon vids in visitor center. but our investigator didn't show up so it was a waste of time.

Sunday was cool. we went to church and then we did studies then we went to dinner and then more studies oh and ate with the Ridenours( super cool couple, they have basically been missionaries for years on end.

And today we did a nerf war with the zone, so that was fun(nerf guns from members)

Thank you for reading

Elder Stokes

The Week of Miracles

Hello All,

This week has been pretty crazy. I am strapped for time so I wont do my day by day paragraph but I will give Highlights

On Monday we saw our recent convert Chris Hidalgo. He is super cool and has some funny stories. We asked him to speak at Why I Believe, and he said we would, so we got to go to Why I Believe.

Tuesday We went out to try and contact referrals and we met with some members and we did District Meeting so we didn't have much time to do much that day.

Wednesday We did a bunch of service for a non-member so we had to take apart tables and move them outside. One of them was a Pool table so one elder had to work for an hour to get out all the screws and there was a granite table that had Really long legs that wouldn't come off(shudder), My hands still hurt.

On Thursday was my exchange with Elder Cox, He is on his second transfer and Is from Southern Utah. We had a pretty bad day with no one opening the door for us, then right before dinner we decided to do a couple more houses. and the last house we would of done before dinner somebody opened the door and let us teach them then dinner was great

Friday was Planning then teaching a Lesson to Tara at the Aedo's House. She is very curious about everything and has a member friend who wants her to wait before setting a date for like 1 year, yes i said year. And Tara is already almost ready for baptism.

Saturday was exchange with Elder Habel. He is a interesting guy and Works Hard(sometimes).We taught the Crookstons, Jacob is ready to be baptized but wants a family member to baptize him. and because his dad is less active and doesn't want to be active, he asked for his uncle to do it. only, he lives in Arizona and that is how they are figuring out the time. Also Elder Tolman picked up a dropped investigator, and the Alvies say they have a 12 year girl that wants to be taught the lessons and be baptized.

Sunday was amazing. Church was long, but we learned that there is a lady who started looking into the church because of her boyfriend, but now wants to learn for herself, so hopefully she will be an investigator soon. we made a goal for 5 baptisms by the end of the year(which the Zone Leaders Thought was high) and this is how the lord rewards us.

This morning was amazing. We went out with the Brentwood 3rd elders to Discovery bay to go fishing and that place has people who get docks and a lake as there backyard. We did our studies out there and had a great time. that is what the pictures are.

This week has been great and I cant wait for more

Elder Stokes

This Week of Awesome

Hello All,

So This week has been kind of crazy I decided to do a day to day run by so one paragraph is one day.

On Monday we went to try and contact a recent convert named Garland. When we went there we tried knocking on his door and he wasn't there. but his mom said that we could come by another time. We knew that this area had probably been tracted to death but we decided to try a few doors. and and we got the door shut in our face a few times. But while we were walking back to our car. Garland's mom told us he got home and we could teach him a quick lesson. He is super cool, 14 years old, only member in his family, Used to live in the ghetto of Oakland, has apparently done nearly everything bad a person can do, and is totally turning his life around with the help of the gospel. so yeah that is what we did monday. also dinner cancelled on us. thats #1

On tuesday we did service for the Brentwood 1st sisters and then we had my first district meeting then had to finish studies. District meeting was fun and we talked about a sacrifice we should do for the work. Like waking up earlier to get to exercise on time. Then we had one of the most boring hours of my life. We were trying to find this house but couldnt find it so we went and tried to contact members but none of the houses had lights on. and we only knock on the door if we feel like the spirit is telling us to if the lights are off so we dont offend anyone. so that was boring. also diner cancelled. thats #2

On wednesday, we did more organizing of the really messy area books, yes because we have two area books and they are both really bad. so we did some of that. then we did some tracting then we went to dinner with the Rogers family then and the father works for a energy drink company and you could really tell, he talked a mile a minute and we got to meet the bishop of Marsh Creek.

On Thursday we had ZLC because Elder Tolman is a District Leader so I got to fo on a quick exchange with a Elder Kaitokau, He is awesome and from Hawaii. We went tracting and found 2 potentials and 1 referal so that was cool. We went to finish Studies then we went to dinner with the Aedo's. it was really cool we got to 3 referrals in that dinner and we taught an awesome lesson.

On Friday we had weekly planning all day, and I mean all day we didn't leave the apartment because our dinner cancelled. Thats #3 but the bought us the habit so that was okay. that was Friday.

On Saturday we really wanted to just meet one of our investigators, we finished planning( it takes forever) we went out trying to go meet some of the investigators and it didnt go to great, but we got to meet a awesome family that has been on 4 senior missions, alot at church history sites. and they are such great examples.

Sunday was the best day ever. we were fasting for a new investigator, or to meet an investigator. we went to church an we got there and after Brentwoods Sacrament meeting. We met Sister Aedo, and she had brought her referral to church. and then she was the only one in Gospel Priciples so we taught her a lesson in that and set up an appointment for Friday. Miracle of the week. I will tell you more about her next week. Her name is Tara

Elder Stokes