In Laredo, TX

 New Address:  1917 S. Milmo Ave. #8, Laredo, TX 78046

Hello everyone! What a week it has been! Right? I’m down here in the south of Laredo, in the hot on a bike in the only zone with hills and I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. I love being out here, I love my comp and love the missionaries in my district! We are planning to have much success in April and we are all super pumped for that! The Lord is blessing us a lot for our work out here and I’ve entered into a very prepared area with a great fireball companion who’s ready to work hard.

So Monday last week we had a bunch of new missionaries come in. They all have had great experiences in life and had great stories for being out here. I’m excited because they are the next leaders here in this mission and it's going to happen quickly! But it’s always cool to spend time with them and see them off to their new companions and new places. Then Tuesday was transfers. It was weird to actually be transferred. Usually I just see them off and make sure everything runs smoothly but now I was part of it. But it was good and I'm excited. I traveled to Laredo, about three hours, and started working with elder Barrionuevo, my new comp. He is from Miami but his parents are from Argentina. He is excited and ready to work. I live in an apartment with two other elders, Elder Breshears and Elder Cullen. They are great elders and we have a lot of fun. Then as well in our district are Elder Stevens and Elder Smith. I'ts cool because I saw four of the five other missionaries in the district come in on the airplane. I went and picked them up from the airport so it's cool to be around them and to be working with them.

Wednesday was a fuller day of work but I gave a district meeting and we went to lunch for Elder Breshear’s birthday. It was fun; the meeting was focused on the Doctrine of Christ and really setting good expectations for our investigators when we set baptismal dates with them. Then Wednesday after lunch, we went out to work. We were going by some formers (former investigators) on this street and nothing was happening. I told my comp that I felt we should knock at a certain house, so we did. We talked to this guy who was going through a rough time. He was tearing himself up inside because his ex gf had an abortion. He didn't want her to but she still did. We talked a little about how there’s a plan for each of us. Then we were able to sit down with him. We read from the scriptures and he said when he saw us walking when he drove past he said he’d hoped we’d stop by, and we did. We were able to set a bd with him and he really wants this and wants to change his life. Then we went by and taught this kid who is preparing to be baptized on April first. We talked about the restoration and it was a good lesson. He is the grandson of a recent convert out here and he is pumped for his baptism! We also taught these three girls who are preparing for baptism on the first of April as well. Their uncle is a recent convert and loves the church. They are pumped and super prepared and ready tonight when we are going to have an FHE with them and their mom so we can see if we can get her on board, but for sure to give permission for her daughters.

Thursday was a cool day and we were able to go by some cool people. One lady who they’ve been working with who has lots of questions. She just showed up to church one day and now they have been teaching. They haven’t been able to set a bd with her yet, but we taught her and her daughter again Saturday and they are now preparing for baptism on April 15th. Super pumped.

Friday was an interesting day and we had our weekly planning session. Then we went by some of our peeps and got them all excited for church. Saturday was a cool day. We had a lesson set up with the grandson of the recent convert,  and they all came to the church for the lesson but the recent convert brought her other daughter. We were teaching RL mostly and we had planned  to watch the restoration dvd with them. The daughter, Chris, was there but we watched it anyway. After we asked them about their feelings and they both said they really like it and got really into it. Chris said that she just felt a sense of excitement while watching it. We explained her feelings and where they came from and what God is saying. Then we related it back to our purpose and invited her to follow Christ. She said she would and we were promising blessings about to commit her to a date and she asked “when is the next available date?” Pretty cool! So she is on board for baptism on April 8th. Working through members is the way to go!

Sunday was what we call out here "game day" because it’s the biggest day of the week for investigators. We had a bunch of great people come to church, but we weren’t where we wanted to be. We had some people that got sick and others that had to go to the hospital. So those are fine excuses, but then some that used their agency and slept in. But that’s ok because we have them all committed for church already for next week!

Today is my first p-day with other missionaries in five and half months, so that feels pretty good. We are going out to play soccer. I love it out here in Laredo. I'm excited to be working out here. The district is ready to blow up! So watch out Satan.

-Elder Stone