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July 2014 - 4rd Area
Arroyo - East LA North Zone
July 7, 2014
I'm very glad to report that I have been transferred!!!,! It was pretty crazy though. Saturday night rolled around, and I was sure that I was going to be getting a call. We finished playing volleyball and so that was an even better way to end the night. We got home and I was watching the phone and the clock like a hawk. 9:30 rolled around and no call came. 10:00 came, and still no call. 10:15 and I was in a deep panic! 10:25 and I was flat out hopeless. 10:30 hit and I was in bed, just laying there and praying. I was slightly bummed, but I wasn't going to be one of those faithless people and let my whole world fall apart because I was going to stay in Chino.....again! But I was intently asking God to lead me to that person who needed me. I had officially accepted the will of God. Then I was trying to fall asleep. It was really hard though, cause it's so hot! Then to my glorious surprise, at10:45, the phone rang! It was an unfamiliar number but I took the chance and answered it, even though we aren't allowed to answer the phone after 10:30. I was scolded at first by the caller for having answered the phone. I was a little surprisd and told them they should not be calling so late then. It was Elder Mancía and he was just joking around. He was in my district at the MTC. Then I was informed I was being transferred, after much, much, much prayer and consideration, to the area of Arroyo! I was so excited! So here I am!
Other than that, it was a good week. Lots of people took us out to eat because it was 4th of July. Arnulfo took us to get BBQ ribs, and we went to many BBQ's. Jose and Teresa Trevinio invited us over and we met his whole extended family. It turns out his cousin has been taking the lessons, and he and his wife are set to be baptized 19 of July! That was a surprise for everyone there! And Jose told everyone he was going to be baptized on he 3 of August. That was fun to watch, and even funnier because he was drunk!
I said goodbyes, and saw all my recent converts one more time, so that was a great way to end. The whole ward was so sad to see me go, which kind of surprised me. Then as we were leaving Chino this morning, a member drove us, and as I was watching out the window, I saw Manny on the bus stop bench that we found him on. So that was a neat experience. More of a reassurance that that was why I came to Chino; To find Manny.
I guess I'm here in Glendale. Lots of Armenians. Lots of people. We get to ride buses and contact. I'm in heaven for my last six weeks!
Love you all, and the church is true.
Hermana Stohlton
July 14, 2014
Hola familia!
It's been a very exciting week! Mainly because I'm in a new area. The best thing about this area is that there are actually people on the streets and SO many people to talk to!! I would call that paradise. Even though 80% of the people are Armenian, I don't care at all! I've been learning a little bit of Armenian. Parev means hello.
We bike a little bit in this area and here are lots of hills! I am not accustomed to that since Chino is pretty flat. But my legs are getting even stronger, which is good! Then we walk a lot and ride the buses. One night it was crazy because we did Zumba for a finding activity. The class got over pretty late, and since we don't use a car, we ran 3 miles to reach the bus, then after we got off at the last stop, another mile to make it home . We were EXTREMELY tired after. It was way weird to hear worldly songs during Zumba,. The whole time when Justin Beiber was singing, I couldn't help but feel bad that he doesn't have the gospel yet in his life. So at least I was still thinking about missionary work!
We got to meet President Villanueva and his family. They are so cute! I'm really excited to work with them. It turns out they actually lived in Utah for two years, and their son Daniel knows Parker. They were in the same Spanish class at Oak Canyon, and he said Parker would always tell him, tráeme un tamale. So it makes me wonder if we ever saw them in Spanish ward ever. They are from Oaxaca México. And nobody in the zone plays piano, so I had to play it at the meeting. I was kind of nervous, but did surprisingly well!
We are teaching two main people right now. One is a boy who is 8 named Nathan. He pretty much lives with one of the members. It is so fun teaching him because he asks random questions, like if God loves people or cups better. He came to church on Sunday as well! We need to meet his parents, but his mom is fine with us teaching him. At least for now! And he is keeping his commitments by praying every night, which is good! He's a little stud.
Then we are teaching a 20 year old girl named Jocelyn. And she has very good questions. She wanted to know the source of the Bible, why there are so many churches, if there is even one true religion and stuff like that. We taught her the restoration, and at the end, she prayed to know if Joseph Smith having the power to baptize would help her get to heaven. After the prayer we waited a few moments, and she said she felt really good, peaceful and like she was floating or something. We told her that was the Holy Ghost telling her it was true. She's a really cute girl and we hope to get to know her mom and the mom's boyfriend, otherwise we will have to hand her off to the singles ward.
Well, that was my week! I love my companion. Her name is Hermana Hernandez. She's been out 8 months. We get along super well! She's 25 and graduated in communications. She was born in Mexico and moved to Houston when she was 14. We have a lot of fun together, but I like how we work hard at the same time. She also really likes David Archuleta!
Love you all and have a spectacular week! If you want a good week, choose to follow The Lord today, because as a famous song writer once wrote, "Tomorrow never comes".
Love, Hermana Stohlton
July 21, 2014
It's been another great week!
First of all, Happy Birthday to Justin! I can just imagine him being a dating machine now! And now he can drive. Oh yeah!
And congratulations to Maddison for getting married! That is definitely part of the plan of God. I hope it was a lovely day!
I really don't have much to report other than we are teaching a family. Sophia, Evan, (parents) and little Valeria, age 3. It was the funniest, precious little moment when we held up the picture of Jesus Christ, with the lamb in his arms, and asked Valeria what she saw. Then in her little voice she said, "la virgencita". That made me chuckle out loud! Thankfully the mom was laughing too. But it was a great lesson! They felt the spirit and feel the message is true. And they agreed to be baptized. They'll probably be baptized near the end of August. We aren't sure what date yet.
On the bus, I sat next yo two Korean ladies, and so I said hello to them in Korean. They got so excited and started teaching me all these little phrases. After I showed them a picture of Christ which made them happy. Then one of them gave me their phone number. So I passed them off to the Korean elders. Also, one day we were walking home, and we passed this man and said hi, and thought nothing of it. All of a sudden we heard him call out to us and ask if we were from a church. We excitedly walked over and said yes. He said he reads in the bible everyday and goes to church. And almost in a begging voice said, "If there is anything else I need to know, please tell me!" We are sending the Armenian elders to teach him.
Hermana Hernandez and I continue having a great time together. I'm really glad she is my very last companion. She has given me some great consejos. We get along great which is nice! She always teases me, saying that I'm going to have to sing a solo in church because I made her play the piano! But we work super hard at the same time. She let me create our workout for the week, and that was pretty fun! I labeled it "Fuego y salsa's workout" cause my nickname is Fuego and hers is Salsa.
That's about it. Well, now is the time to repent if you want happiness tomorrow!
Love, Hermana Stohlton.
July 28, 2014
It's been another good week!
Sorry I don't have much time to report things, but all week we've been running away from ferocious dogs! It's been quite funny! I even tried to give a dog some water cause it was panting severely and when I stuck my hand through the gate to pour some water out of my water bottle, it snapped at me and gave a loud, angry bark! Good thing his teeth didn't get my hand!
Candy, Jose, Sofia and Evan are progressing nicely!
I created a workout session and our stomachs were so sore for about 4-5 days. It would always hurt so badly to laugh! But we could not stop laughing! Then I was teaching Hna. Hernandez how to do handstands, and on her very last one, her arms collapsed because she freaked out! It's a good thing I was hanging on to her legs cause she would have crushed her head otherwise. Then I was able to help her roll out of it smoothly. She really is a lot of fun!
We had to run for the buses so much this week! That was fun! It gets intense, but we always end up making them one way or another!
Love you all! And if you are not converted to The Lord yet, get that process started NOW! You will be so much happier and you will receive the strength necessary to pass through life's challenges.
Love, Hermana Stohlton
August 4, 2014
How is the family doing? I'm doing great!
Well, the work is moving along! We found a family! We are still walking tons and tons in this heat! Lots of delusional moments. We almost passed out from fasting, we hiked a hill looking for a false address, and one morning we got locked out of our apartment for 4 hours! We were in our pajamas. And we planted trees on Meridian Street. It was a lot of fun!
During Relief Society my companion made me play a hard song.....it was awful. But it's okay!
Anyway, we are going shopping.
Love you fam!
Love, Hermana Stohlton
August 11, 2014
Well, I almost don't even know what to say. I'm a little bit in shock and denial.
Anyway, it's been another great week! We found a new investigator, Geraldo Perez. And he came to church! He walked in right when we thought none of our investigators were going to show up. It was awesome to see him there! He only stayed for Sacrament meeting. Later we taught the youth class about the importance of keeping a journal. It was quite fun!
I made a great discovery that Hna. Hernandez can do a great Shakira impersonation! We were at the bus stop waiting, and so we were bored because nobody was around. I always carry my little hymn book around, and I busted it out so that we could sing, Shakira style. We were having such a great, fun time. Then all of a sudden we realized there was somebody else waiting at the bus stop as well, and we hadn't seen them! They were standing a little bit of a distance away. We both felt so embarrassed and laughed.
Last night on the bus, on our way home, I sat across from this older gentleman. I smiled at him and was about to strike up a conversation with him, but he pushed the button to get off the bus. Before he got off he walked towards me and got pretty close to my face. I was expecting him to say that he was a member from the English ward. But instead, he said, "you are a very beautiful redhead" I just responded with a "thanks". But I felt embarrassed because everyone was staring at me after since they saw and heard what happened.
Other than that it was a very normal week. More walking and finding all day. I am determined to work extremely hard! I've got so much to do in so little time! This is the true church.
Love Hermana Stohlton
Table of Contents:
Intro, Pre Mission for-fun voting, Mailing Address
Prophetic Call/Accept/President/Welcome
Mission Maps/Mission Office
Temple Day - January 22, 2013
Farewell Reception - January 27, 2013
Missionary Set Apart - February 19, 2013
MTC 1st Day - drop off February 20, 20131
MTC February-March 2013
Arrial in Arcadia - March 4, 2013
1st Area March 2013 - La Puente - Covina West Zone
2nd Area June 2013 - San Gabriel - North East LA Zone
3rd Area December 2013 - Chino - East Zone
4th Area July 2014 - Arroyo - East LA North Zone
Birthday greetings to the family
Other:
CA-Arcadia Mission Video (youtube posting)
Elder Braden Stohlton's website
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