We are at the end of transfer 5! How am I almost halfway through my mission?? All I know is I will forever cherish these past 8 months since I've been on my mission. I have met the most amazing people that I feel like I have known forever, and I have grown closer to my savior than I have ever been. God really does bless us so much when we serve others, even though it's not always easy, somehow you feel like you are the one constantly being blessed.
Ze's baptism!!
Ze was baptized this past Thursday! It was one of the happiest days of my life. He was radiating with the spirit! He is just another example of how God blesses us with people we didn't even know we needed in our lives till we meet them. (And it's not till we get out of our comfort zone we meet some of these people). But Ze has taught me so much about having Faith. He came from a background of not knowing anything about Jesus Christ, to now having Faith in Him and following his example into the waters of baptism. I have learned more on my mission from teaching others than any thing else.
Transfers:
Sister Harris is getting transferred this Wednesday. My 2nd (and hopefully last) one and done it transfer with a companion! I'm excited, but also change is hard, and a mission constantly changes, but it'll be good.
We have been finding a lot of new investigators, but it's the return apointments that have been falling through a lot. But we have Faith that everything will work out in God's timing.
One family that we picked up a couple weeks ago is Natalia, Alex, and Isaac. Alex is Natalia's boyfriend and Isaac is her son, but they are so awesome. Alex grew up in Nevada and had really close Mormon friends. They are super interested in learning more about the gospel, but there schedule is crazy and are moving in a month to bellingham.. but the missionaries there will definitely teach them:)
Josh is the son of a less active family who is not a member. We have been teaching his mom and we were able to pick him up as well. He has a lot of medical issues but wants to be a provider. He is so awesome.
There are a lot more that we will hopefully start meeting with consecutively.
The schere's are a family that got baptized the week before I got here. The mother and two daughters were baptized. The other family living with them is Bob and Maria. Bob is a less active and we were going to pick up Maria yesterday but they had to cancel because Annie Scherer, one of the daughters has the chicken pox. But she has come to church with the schere's and loves it. So we are excited to teach her!
Also! Coree one of my investigator from Bellingham wants to be baptized June 16th! It is way exciting! We finished his lessons when I was there, but he still wasn't ready to be baptized. He Also wanted to finish the Book of Mormon before being baptized, but he is only in Helaman and wants to be baptized! He was also waiting so his fiance could be there for it.
I am grateful for the gospel and for the lives that it changes. I know that this is Christ's gospel restored to the Earth through the prophet Joseph Smith. I know that the Lord is preparing us for His 2nd coming and we need to prepare now to be spiritually ready for the days ahead. I love you all! Have a great week!
Love,
Sister Stokes
1: missionaries and Ze <3
2: friends and Ze <3
3: Tawny and missionaries
4: Tawny and I
5: selfie of Taylor and friends
6: Taylor and I
7: Sister porter and Ze and I
8: Sister Murdock and I
9: Sister Nordstrom and I
10: Pam and I
