i am so excited for conference.

It was a good week everyone. (:

Theresa is doing AWESOME!!!!! oh my gosh we had this awesome lesson with her where she said "I know the church is true. I know Joseph Smith is a prophet. I got my answer, and I know this is the church God wants me to go to."  We were soo excited.  It's amazing! She has been through so much, and she was someone that honestly, we struggled having faith she would make it. It just testifies that the promise in Moroni 10 is open to anyone. I know more than ever that God loves her so much, just as much as he loves anyone else.  Her baptism is scheduled for November 7th, but we think we are going to move up. (:

The Montiels are also doing awesome! We had an amazing lesson at the Elizondo's with them. They had tons of questions.  Then a couple days later we went and did a church tour with them. It was awesome! The spirit was sooo strong. Soooo strong. And while we were sitting in the chapel they recognized it and said that they know this church is good. and they know they will be baptized one day. But they expressed to us that they just struggle with Faith, and they don't feel like they have enough Faith to get baptized.. since they still have some doubts. We are planning and helping them through that though. I know they will accept it soon. (:

I also went on exchanges this week with Sister Su! I went to her area. It was a good day.

Also, womens conference was amazing! AH I cannot wait for conference. It's all me and Hermana Hilton talk about. yayayayy.

Also, I have to tell you about Jason real quick. He is this worker at Winco and he is awesome! ha he talks to all the missionaries that shop there. Every Monday we go talk to him and he asks us more questions about who we are and what our religion is. He has no religious background but a bunch of his high school friends are on missions right now. (: it is so awesome! he claims he doesn't have time to be taught but some of the sisters gave him a book of mormon and he has been reading that and then today we gave him some pamphlets.  Seriously, it's amazing the different people the Lord puts in our paths. It just shows how much he is watching over his children.  We even meet people grocery shopping. Ah it's so awesome! Jason will definitely accept the gospel one day. 

I love the gospel. Yesterday was sad because we missed Porque Yo Creo:((( our investigators cancelled last minute, so we couldn't go. We missed our monthly reunion:( But it's okay! next month hopefully. (:

I love you all! transfer calls are this weekend so send things to the mission home please!

Love, Hermana Stokes

pictures: oh you know.. just classic bathroom selfies. haha. i love her. 

RAIN

it rained this week. it made my entire life. i miss the rain so much.  especially utah summer thunder storms.

Okay so much to tell with so little time! Can I just tell about thursday and save the rest for another week? okay. sooooo... thursday i went on an exchange with Sister Rutia! She is from the Philippines.  She came to my area. We had a crazy day together! Probably the craziest day of my mission!

So the beginning was normal.  Then at 4 we went to teach the westons.. so long story short the phone battery ended up in the drain in the street. So we were phoneless and didn't know the address to our 5 o clock dinner appointment.  The weston's looked it up on their computer.. and we also used their phone to call the mission office to tell them what happened. they told us we could come in friday and get a new battery so we thought "okay all is well because all our appointments are already set for tonight, we can totally be fine without a phone till tomorrow." hahaha. um.. yeah. so then we went to dinner.. our GPS took us there and it was a gated community. but we didn't have a phone to call them for the code.. so we prayed. and a car came so we could follow them in! miracle! but then.. the address didn't exist. GPS took us to the wrong place. (side note, this is totally like that mormon message from Elder Holland that the Lord had to let us in so that we could know this was the wrong place.. otherwise we would've sat there waiting forever).  So now that we knew it was wrong and didn't have a phone I just thought okay even though we are far lets drive to the RS president's house and use her phone. So we did. ha she answered the door and the first thing we said was "we need help"  we used her phone to call our dinner appointment Sister Long while we explained what was going on.  I should mention, at this point it was 5:30.. we were already 30 mins late to dinner and dinner was with a less active we have never met. I was praying sooo hard that she would be understanding. We got to the house at 5:40... and had another appointment set at 6.  We ate and taught a lesson in 25 minutes, the family was suuper understanding.. and during the process we figured out only half of the family are members, and we added the non members as investigators!!!! we have been praying for english investigators, and also for a family to teach.. so this is a miracle!!! oh my gosh so exciting! Anyway we were out of the house at 6:05 but didn't get to our next appointment till 6:20... we were supposed to teach Brother Ottem but we needed a women to teach with us... she couldn't get ahold of us so she left:/ so we couldn't teach brother ottem but he was super understanding! Then we drove to the Elizondo's because we were supposed to have a lesson there with the Montiels. Right as I drove up I realized we never gave the montiels their address.. and we didn't have their number to call them.. the elizondos were really understanding and we left to drive 20 minutes to the montiels to tell them what was  going on.  We got there at 7:45.. (we were supposed to meet at the elizondos at 7).. and they were suuuuper worried about us! they had been calling us and thought something happened. So we didn't get to teach them but they were super understanding but just so grateful that we were okay.  we rescheduled and went to Theresa and made it there on time with a member. had a great lesson with her.. and went home to end our exchange. the next morning me and Hermana Hilton went to Oakland to pick up the battery.  All is well now.

It was the craziest day ever but it was amazing because the whole time everything was going wrong.. me and Sister Rutia were able to stay positive and happy. We kept saying.. "Okay this must be God's plan."  For most people.. they would say this was one of the worst and most stressful days of their mission.  But for me, yes I would say it was the most stressful, but I also would say it was the best day of my mission.  I don't know what the purpose was that out of all days, our battery would go down the drain... but I know that I did learn a lot. And that is that this is God's work. Our Heavenly Father is in control and has everything under control.  There is never any use at getting over stressed and being negative.  Because God has this under control.  We need to trust him and what he has planned for us.  I am soo grateful our battery got lost this day so that I could experience this day.  And how great is our Heavenly Father?! Even with all this craziness, he still blessed us with so many miracles.. even new investigators!! I am eternally grateful for all he has done for me.  I love this Gospel so much and am so grateful to have a knowledge of it.  I LOVE THE GOSPEL.

That's it. I have other stuff to say too but I don't really have time today. Went on another exchange with sister Thao as well. (: and we had an amazing day yesterday at church!!! primary program!!!! me and sister hilton were already crying the second the piano started playing for the first song. ha I love the primary program so much. Cory was in it! (theresa's 6 yr old son) and bianca and jocelyn! we were so proud. we also had 4 investigators at church!!! ahh.. I love the Lord. He blesses us so much.

Hermana Stokes

This is me and Hermana Hilton at zone conference. (:

Then me and Sister Thao. 

Mini Utah

Hi, I live in mini Utah. Seriously, we see so many mormons here. It's weird! Ha our lunch got paid for again today. (:

We had zone conference this week! We gave a training on Sabbath Day observance.  It was taken from the same training that is being given in Ward Council.. so It was cool to give a training received straight from head quarters!  But I learned a lot.  Keeping the sabbath day holy is so important! I have enjoyed evaluating how I make Sunday's most sacred and making goals to improve.

I also went to the spanish branch for an exchange with Hermana Heyn! She is from Spanish Fork, Utah, but was born in Colombia.  She is super sweet. I love her. (: We had a fun day today in 108 DEGREE WEATHER. ha it was so hot and we were outside for like 2 hours. I have an awesome tan line! It was cool though because we were able to still be diligent and work hard even in the heat. (:

The rest of the week was good! Sorry, this is a shorter email.  We went to english Why I Believe yesterday! It was weird. so different than spanish Porque yo creo. but we enjoyed it a lot. We brought the Westons.  I love sister Weston, she is a recent convert in our area and is amazing.

So yeah, a good week! I love Brentwood! and I love my companion. And I love my mission. And I love the gospel.  What more could I ask?

Hermana Stokes

This is us and Cory and Monte. And then there is Leon.  Leon and Cory are Theresa's kids and Monte is their friend. We love them. They love us. It's great. (: haha

I love this church

Hello everyone. (:

This week we had MLC, that was great. I always love meetings with President.  We also were able to have some awesome lessons. Yeah... I don't really know what to talk about this week though. Our investigators are moving a little slower it seems, but still moving! This week I feel like we had some awesome lessons that the spirit completely lead.  It was amazing. I am so grateful for the spirit. I am also grateful for members and their help with lessons. They are amazing. I just love this area.  

We had an exchange this week! I was with Sister Tata.  She is amazing.  We were in my area. She is from New Zealand/Australia.  And I learned so much from her! Seriously, she is just an amazing missionary. Oh and I should point out she is only in our mission for two transfers:( im super sad about that. But it's because she is a missionary at temple square! So i got to learn how their mission works. that was cool! But yes I love her so much. We had a great day and had some amazing miracles and lessons! 

This week I have a question for you to all think about:  "WILL YOU KNOW CHRIST WHEN YOU SEE HIM? WILL YOU RECOGNIZE HIM?"  My companion was talking about that in a lesson the other day and it really hit me.  When we die and we see Christ, will we know him? or will we just know a bunch of facts about his life and teachings?  Obviously, everyone's dream is to actually know Christ when the time comes.  But how do we do that? I honestly believe it is first by reading the book of Mormon and having a testimony in it.  The Book of Mormon holds the fullness of the gospel.  That with the New Testament can help us come to know Christ more than ever.  But also, reading the scriptures is nothing without prayer.  While reading the Book of Mormon, we need to pray to know if it is true, even if we have done it before.  I promise you all that if you read the Book of Mormon fully, and pray to your Heavenly Father, you will receive an answer of it's truthfulness, and you will come to know Jesus Christ.  And then to make it all complete, it's your actions.  It's going to church, serving others, paying your tithing, keeping&fulfilling your covenants.. and doing anything that The Lord asks you to do.  I know that as we do these things, we won't have to worry for when we see Christ.  We will know him, and we will recognize him as our Brother, our Savior, and our Redeemer. 

I know the Book of Mormon is true. And through that, I know so many other things.  I know that Christ is our Savior, I know that Heavenly Father restored the church through Joseph Smith, I know the Atonement is real, I know that families can be together forever.. I know that the church is true.  

I love you all so much, and I hope you can all ask yourselves these questions and evaluate your relationship with God. Remember: He answers prayers. He loves you. And he wants to hear from you.

Have a great week!(:

Hermana Stokes

I love snakes. Our less active Taji has one. I was a happy sister that day. (: and this is Sister Tata!  haha even though she is from Australia.. she was scared to hold it. (:

and a district picture!

Fe en Jesucristo

Hello.

So this week was awesome! Teresa is awesome. We met with her a couple of times and she is so great.  She really is starting to understand the gospel principles! This is good. She has a baptism date for September 16th. She is so excited! It's awesome, because we have seen her change sooo much.  She really loves this church now! And she recognizes that it will change her life.

Also... Los Montiel.  I love them so much. oh my gosh and guess what! HERMANA MONTIEL HAS A BAPTISMAL DATE! We brought Kim with us to their lesson and it was an amazing lesson.  We watched "come and see" by Elder Bednar.  It was awesome.  Then we talked a lot about faith and walking with faith.  Because that is the problem, she just needs to take that step of faith.  She has so much though! But she needs to act. So we told her that. And we testified to her that if she sets a baptism date and really prays about it, she will be ready by said date.  So we set a date for October 17th! so exciting. Then she asked for a chapter in the book of mormon to read so that it will help her get her answer for baptism. So awesome. She is so awesome.  Her husband doesn't want to be baptized, but he said he will 100% support her and will even come to church with her. He also said he will read the book of mormon.  They are so cute. they have been married for 25 years and are so in love. (: also, they are from mexico and said we can be mexicans with them. (: haha i love them so much.

I seriously just love the gospel.  I have been studying Faith a lot lately.  Especially Faith in Jesus Christ.  It really is the most important thing in life.  But with it.. faith without works is dead.  It's really interesting how faith works.  If I just sit here and I have faith that I will eat lunch today.. but I don't go get up and make a sandwich or something... it's not going to work.  Faith is not complete without action.  If you believe in Jesus Christ and that he can save you.. but do nothing to show your faith to him and don't do you're part of the job.. you will not receive salvation.  That is one of the biggest things I've learned on my mission.  When we want to find people to teach.. we have faith that God will provide people prepared for this gospel.  But I guarantee you, if we have that faith but sit here doing nothing, it will not happen.

I just love the principle of faith so much. Do any of you know of any good talks I can listen to on faith this week? We like listening to conference talks in the car. And I can't think of any on the top of my head. (:

I love you all so much! tengan una buena semana!

Hermana Stokes

pictures.. Teresa!!! and then a selfie with her daughter perscilla and grandson Robert!(:

Everything is Awesome. (:

Hi. so. I love the mission. I love the gospel. Yep. That's all.

Just kidding. I will tell you about my amazing week. (:

This is going to be a long one. I can feel it. 

Remember Ken ottam? I told you he had an awesome conversion story but I didn't tell you the story because I didn't want to type it. Well I just copy and pasted it from Hna Hiltons email haha. So enjoy this story. (:

He was a young man, 13ish? and he had been studying the bible a TON. He had been slowly putting together the pieces of the gospel that had been lost in a lot of churches (ex: 2 priesthoods, Aaronic and Melchizedek or that there would be an apostacy). He attended several churches and was confused which was right. at one point, he chose a chruch that looked pretty good, got baptized, and after he changed into dry clothes, he asked the pastor when he would get the gift of the holy ghost by the laying on of hands. When they told him it wasn't necessary, he walked out the door of the Church and never went back. Eventually, he made a friend. The friend was always happy and when he went to his house, Ken could feel the peace in his home and asked him what it was. Eventually, the friend invited him to a church activity and in his words, "I saw the painting of Christ appearing to the people in the america's, and it all clicked. everything i'd read and heard about the gospel made since and I knew it was the truth. I turned to my friend and said "I need to be baptized in this church""

I am sure his friend was quite shocked by his statement, but it goes to show that the Lord truly does prepare people to receive the restored gospel. :) THE CHURCH IS TRUE

Okay. Yeah. He is awesome. Also.. This week we got some awesome potentials! We had one guy randomly call us saying other missionaries gave him our number because they didn't speak spanish. and he asked to meet with us! So we get to meet him this week I am so excited. We also contacted a referral who told us "I just need to find God." And we were like well.. We know where he is! and gave him a Book of Mormon. we just need to teach all these potentials so they can be our investigators! But yeah. so exciting.

We also had the miracle of running into our less active Sister Sullivan this week. It was so random, and in a time she really needed us! It was great haha she was walking for exercise, but she asked us to walk with her and teach while we walk. So we taught her a lesson while speed walking. It was pretty legit. Good workout too!  I love her so much. (:

And well... WE HAD A BAPTISM THIS WEEK!!!!! ahhh so great! It went so well! Okay so I don't think I've even really told you about this family. Ha its weird because we just are teaching so many people I can't tell you about them all. But this family is awesome.  Margarita is a reactivated Less active.  She lives with the father of her children, Samuel.  So Jocelyn and Bianca are the two kids and then Margarita is pregnant with a third girl. They are the cutest! Jocelyn and Bianca got baptized this week and it was amazing. The girls were so excited!!! Samuel is our investigator and he is AWESOME. But he can't get baptized till they are married and they can't get married until Margarita gets her identification from her mom in Mexico who is taking forever to send them. But Samuel is sooo converted. He told the bishop in his broken English.  "I hope Margarita gets her papers soon so we can be married and I can be baptized next. I have been ready for so long. " AHH HE IS THE BEST. I love this family so much. So please, pray that the papers come soon. (: 

So now I'm just going to freak out to you about how awesome our ward is.  They are so awesome at sharing the gospel! Sister Schwitters has been updating us on her neighbor.. she has been praying so hard to find a moment to invite her to church or something bigger than the usual. Well on Friday at an activity she ran up to us so excited because she invited her friend to church and she said yes!!! and she also shared the family proclamation to her!!! and she loved it!!!! ahhhh so exciting. I love these members so much they love missionary work almost as much as we do. (; I just love when people understand that it brings the greatest joy ever. 

Talking about awesome members... yesterday we had plans to go to Oakland with Isaac and Eunice and Andres and were so excited.  Andres is a recent convert and his kids investigators and they have so many questions. So we were going to watch the Joseph Smith movie. Well they cancelled but then the member who was gonna come with us went to their house and convinced them to come! Ha so awesome. So we went and it was amazing. I know Joseph Smith is a prophet and I am so grateful for what he did for us.  I am just so grateful that the Restoration happened. Otherwise I would not be here! My life would mean pretty much nothing without the restoration. I am so grateful.

And other awesome members... then we had Porque Yo Creo!!!!! and our investigator Celina was gonna come but our ride cancelled last minute.. but then Toni and Kim from the YSA ward saved our lives and took her! They are awesome. and Porque Yo Creo was amazing as usual. So many people were there! I saw a bunch from concord and a bunch from San Mateo.  I saw Jose!!! His baptismal date is moved to September 12th I think? somewhere around there. But the members told me he is doing really well. I guess he met with Bishop to move his date so Idk what it is. But it was good to see that he is doing well. Please keep praying for him! He needs this gospel. and I guess he was talking to Sergio and said it's weird because he really wants to get baptized.. but something keeps telling him not to.  Satan is definitely trying everything possible to keep him away.  I swear.. this guy is going to do amazing things in the church. That's why Satan is working so hard against him. So he could use all the prayers possible. (:

AH I JUST LOVE THE MISSION SO MUCH. I know the church is true. Church was amazing yesterday as usual. I was going to freak out about that too but this email is sooo long. haha sorry. but I promise, it's worth the read. (:

LOVE YOU ALL!!

Hermana Stokes

so many pics stay tuned. (:

1. we went to hawaii. (:

2. baptism!

1: celina and kim! sorry this picture is blurry... 

the rest... sisters zundel, myers, hilton... and KARINA.(:

I know the church is true as much as I know I have hair on my head

So this was a good week. Hot. But good. I love it here.

Yesterday we went to a baptism for the YSA ward! We wanted to take out investigators who are getting baptized this Saturday, because they are scared.  It was suchhh a spiritual baptism.  Seriously, I was sitting there while it was happening and I was thinking really though.. how could this church not be true?

The family we brought are Samuel, Margarita, Jocelyn, and Bianca.  Margarita is the only member, and she's a returning less active. She is so awesome I love her.  And then This Saturday, Jocelyn and Bianca are getting baptized!!! We are sooo excited.  Samuel will hopefully be soon.  He's stronger than a lot of members.. ha he reads D&C all the time. He's awesome and wants to be baptized so badly.  The only problem is they are not married, and she has to wait to get identification before they can be married.  We are hoping it will come soon though. (:

This past week we had two separate member present lessons that were AWESOME.  They were with two different girls from the YSA ward.  They were so awesome and changed my life.  Members are just soo awesome here in this stake.  I mean they are everywhere but I think this is definitely my favorite stake.  Today a member from one of the other wards saw us going to buy lunch and she came up and paid for us. Ah sooo nice.  I love all these people here. (:

We had two exchanges this week!  first sister Hasek then Sister Thao.  I went to sister Thao's area.  Ah I love her so much. It was so fun to be with her again.

We gave another training at zone training this week. We also had a special training by president frandsen a couple days later.  It was really awesome.  We are really focusing right now and helping people make commitments.  Because without commitments, no one can progress.  

Oh! And yesterday I spoke in church! About missionary work.  haha of course.  It went well though. It was really weird speaking in english. But I made it.  (:

I love this gospel so much.  This week I have been thinking so much about how grateful I am to know the truth. It makes me so sad when I think of how many people don't actually understand yet the happiness that comes from the gospel.  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is true folks.  You might as well try praying about it.  I promise you, if you read the Book of Mormon and pray with the true desire to know, you will never regret that choice.  

Love you all! have a great week!

Hermana Stokes

pictures: 1: this is Kim from YSA. she is amazing. 

2: Sister Thao!!