Hermana Sadie Stokes California Oakland/San Francisco: Bednar.

Alma 26:12 Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not‍ boast of myself, but I will boast‍ of my God, for in his strength‍ I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever.

Dear family and friends,

HI(: this week was great!! tons of miracles. sometimes I don't even understand life and how so many miracles happen. like what is life?

So a week ago we had a lesson with Katty and Manuel. Our investigators. Oh my gosh and it was amazing. So they started asking all of these questions about their concerns.. Like about the virgin mary... and about joseph smith polygamy (im getting really sick of that question.. the tv should stop making programs saying Mormons are polygamist.) Anyway. It was crazy. Because we were able to answer their questions. At one point I was just going off in Spanish about the virgin mary and I was thinking in my head... um how am I doing this right now... but I just kept going. After that lesson I really just stopped and was like whoa. there is nooo way we could do this without Heavenly Father. Like. It would literally be impossible. We also had an amazing lesson with Sandy y Adolfo y lupita y diego. aka the cutest family ever!! I love them. anyway we had an amazing lesson with them and we had made the goal earlier to set a baptismal date with them. I was FREAKING out. because they were saying things and I knew I had to ask them for a date but I was so scared that it would push them away. because I don't want to lose them. but then I was like no. I care about their salvation. and that's baptism. and I also had the thought "act in faith". So I knew I had to bring up baptism in the sweetest nicest way possible. I didn't know how to do it. So I just opened my mouth and started talking, knowing the lord would helpe me. I don't remember what I said. but it was the most amazing lesson we've ever had with them. And they have a baptismal date that they are going to pray about as a family to see if it is right. (: please pray for them. Anyway, it's like that scripture. Seriously, without the Lord it would be possible to do this. I mean think about it. We are two 19 year old American girls who are randomly super close with these older Hispanic adults? oh and we are just teaching them about the gospel and they actually listen to us? yeah pretty weird. We are definitely nothing without the Lord. All these crazy miracles that have been happening... are only because of Him. Seriously it just blows my mind all the time.

We also added this amazing investigator this week, Eliu. Oh my gosh he is amazing and has an amazing desire to learn!! I can't wait to see where he goes.

Also another highlight of the week.... Elder David A. Bednar came to speak to our mission and the San Jose mission!!! It was amazing!! Instead of him talking to us, we had a discussion about three of his talks that he had us read before hand. It was amazing! Seriously, I learned so much. Sorry, I wish I could relate the whole thing to you... but I can't. haha So just to sum up what I realized... Man. We are so lucky to have the gospel. Honestly.. I don't understand why so many people turn it away. It really is the ONLY way to true happiness. You can't find this happiness anywhere else. It is something that we just need to hold on to. Because even when times get rough, the gospel is a better way. Also, Lets all study the plan of salvation and the atonement. Because He promised that when we understand those, we will have motivation to endure to the end and make it back to our Heavenly Father in the top of the celestial kingdom.(: I promise you that it is worth it. Also, go study 1 Nefi chapters 8 y 11. Amazing. we are so lucky to have this gospel.. Don't waste the happiness that is right in front of you. Also, if you are struggling if knowing this gospel is true... well you have the evidence of it right in front of you!!! Read the book of Mormon. Go to church. pray. You can't not do those things and then think it's not true. you need to try. And I promise you that Heavenly Father will answer your prayers.

It's ridiculous how much I love this gospel. Seriously, I just wish everyone understood how amazing it is.

Also, some fun parts of the week... we went to san fran last p day! oh my heck it was so fun!! I love my companion so much. seriously, we have so much fun together. we are so much alike. its hilarious. but yeah we had a blast walking around san fran! it was my first time there.. man I have the best mission. be jealous. Also!! at the bednar thingy, since the san jose mission was there.. guess who I saw!? Sister Jaden Bliss!!! and Also Elder Johnny Babcock!!! It was soooooo weird because I haven't seen either of them for over a year. So it really just weirded me out mixing mission and home. hahah but it was so fun to see them. Especially Jaden.(: HAPARI GIRLS REUNITE IN CALIFORNIA. Shout out to all my hapari girls. hahaha(: I wish I would've gotten a picture with her. but yeah. it was fun. it was actually hilarious because she yelled out my first name. hahahaha. #awkmishlife. its okay. we all make mistakes.(:

Also, I kept forgetting to talk to you guys about this.. but you know how like 3 weeks or something ago the giants won the world series? yeah even though I hate baseball I think I am officially a giants plan because I have to say that it was soo cool being here for that. hahaha it was crazy I think all of northern California started screaming at one time. yeah. my mission is cool. anyway.

Moral of story. Never leave the gospel. I love you all. the church is true. never forget it.

Alma 41:10.

Hermana Stokes

ps I will send pictures later.. we are gonna try and make it over to the chapel to use them to send pictures because these library ones don't work with a camera cord.:(

I got my memory card reader to work: Here are my great companions with Stefani in Concord: