For the field is white already to harvest

Okay so I have tons to tell you.

First off I forgot to tell you about the food I ate on my tongan exchange last week!!!  I ATE HORSE. AND LAMB. AND RAW FISH. AND I DONT EVEN REMEMBER WHAT ELSE. The only thing I liked out of all of that was horse.  Yes, I know, it sounds weird.. but it tastes like beef and its soooo good. hahaha.

Also, this week for district meeting Sister Thao made us a Hmong dessert!! It was actually really good.  It had the little ball things in it like you can get at slurp or swig in Utah.(:

I love how many cultures I have come to know on my mission(:

This week was sooo much better than last!! It was soo good! 

TRANSFERS: I AM STAYING IN EL CAMINO WITH HERMANA HOUSLEY!!!!! woooo 6 transfers in El Camino!!! In other words, by the end of this transfer I will have been here for almost 9 months. (: hahaha crazy!! I am so excited though!! I can feel it, it's going to be my best transfer here. 

We had a rough start, the first three days.. all but one of our set lessons cancelled again.  We were really sad about it, but we prayed lot and realized the only thing we could do is keep working.  So we even made a "recipe for success" list with goals, and just kept working hard.  Then Thursday, Friday, Saturday, we had 2 lessons each day.  And Sunday we had another lesson!! We were so happy and so grateful.  This really is the Lord's work everyone.  

Some miracles with that, We added a new investigator!!! His name is Julio and he is 17.  We went over to teach our focus 15 family, the Romeros, and they have 3 sons.  Well the oldest son's best friend is Julio.  Julio has come to church with them a few times.  He told us he wants to learn more and that he has never felt this close to God before.  He has never even been to church till now with the Romeros.  So we taught him and added him as an investigator!!! Daniel, his best friend is so awesome with him.  He bore testimony on him how being baptized is the best because you have the Holy Ghost with you to help you at all times.  um amazing!! He is such a good member missionary, bringing his friend to church! Hopefully we set a baptismal date soon.

Next big miracle... JOSE HAS A BAPTISM DATE!!!!!!!!! June 27th.  He is so solid.  He has not missed a Sunday since he started coming.  And he is best friends with Angel and Sergio.  They are the best fellowshippers.  They are so good with him! But yeah, we had an amazing lesson on Friday with him with our member Hermana Molina.  She was so awesome, and ended up sharing a scripture that his Jose with the spirit really hard. Jose laughed and looked up and said thank you God.  The spirit was so strong, and shortly after that he accepted a baptismal date.  He really is converting to this gospel.  We still have a lot to teach him but I know it will all work out.  I am so excited.  

Wow, this week was so good.  I was sitting there during church, thinking about Jose, Julio, and others that we have been helping.  I was feeling sooo much joy just thinking about them.  It's like in Alma, when he talks about the joy they feel after bringing people to Christ.  It's a joy you cannot feel anywhere else.  I am so grateful to be here and to experience these people's conversion.  I LOVE THIS GOSPEL.

I found out about Elder Perry yesterday and was so sad.  But isn't it so great to know that he is in a good place? I love the plan of salvation.

Bishop taught the lesson yesterday and he used a really cool analogy I want to share with you guys.  He told a story.  He was playing soccer and his teammate was running on the left side of the field with the ball, and bishop could see that he was going to win the person chasing him.  Bishop knew in that moment that he needed to be at the goal to get the ball in, so that his teammate could cross him the ball and they could score.  So bishop just took off running towards the goal.  He knew that his teammate was good enough of a player that he could cross the ball perfectly to him.  And sure enough, the teammate crossed the ball to him, and bishop said that in the middle of his stride, the ball hit his foot, and went in the goal.  Bishop didn't have to do anything.  He literally just ran to where his teammate needed him to be, and was there for the ball to bounce off of him.  He didn't have to swing his leg or anything.  He didn't need skill, he just needed to be there.  Well that is how we are with Christ.  Christ is going to do all the work, he is the one with the skill and power.  But we need to do our part.  We need to run as fast as we can, being diligent, so that we can be at the goal when he needs us to.  Then he will pass us the ball, and we can make it in.  He has already done all the work.  But he asks us to go where he needs us, and be a instrument in his hands.  

I really love this analogy, I hope it makes sense to all of you.  Christ has done everything.  We just need to follow him.  I love you all so much! I know this church is true.  

Love, Hermana Stokes

pics: 1. Last district picture!!!!! we are changing a lot.  Elder Wallace is going to Hayward, Sister Fernandez going home, and sister thao to Martinez!! We are getting Elders in the sisters area.. so we will now be a district of 4 elders 2 sisters. fun.!

2. we just thought this sign was funny.

3. random picture of me. I'm planning on cutting my hair next week.. was going to do it today, that's why we took this picture. no worries, im just trimming it.. haha I love my long hair.(:

Our Trio's down to two...

Hey so I totally forgot to tell you all but 2 weeks ago we received a call from President telling us Hermana Vargas' trainee was going to come May 20th!!! So this past week we had to drop off Hermana Vargas in Oakland:( We were so sad to say goodbye.. but so happy for her!! Plus she's still in our zone so we still see her sometimes. (:  I do miss the trio life though.

Anyway, this week was honestly really hard.  We started out the week with amazing goals to have a bunch of lessons.  We had so many set lessons.  BUT EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM CANCELLED.  It was really hard.  Sunday morning I was really upset, and just praying for some kind of miracles to happen that day.  Well, everyone.  I can testify to you that Heavenly Father does care about us, and he does listen to our prayers.  Because yesterday was the most amazing day of my mission.  Also the most stressful.  But One miracle after another.  Actually, I was praying hard for certain things all day.  I have never prayed so hard in my life.  But Heavenly Father answered all of our prayers.  Me and Hna Housley were crying last night of gratitude.  We realized that Heavenly Father was trying to show us that he knows we are trying, and that he is proud of us.  (:  

So I'm going to go a little backwards today and first tell about yesterday.  It was amazing.  So first, we only expected Jose to come to church.  But before church Edilma, our investigator, calls us and is like Hermana's are you going to send someone to pick me up for church?  She has never been and we haven't seen her in 2 weeks.  But she came!!! MIRACLE.  And our member Michelle brought her and was perfect for her.  Edilma came with her baby and seemed to really enjoy it.  I already felt so blessed with that miracle.  Then.  We left pretty early to go to Porque Yo Creo, because the San Mateo bridge was closed so we knew there would be tons of traffic on the bay bridge.  Which there was.  So we were sitting in stopped traffic when Jose calls us and tells us he cancelled his plans so he could come to PYC.  We were so excited!! But then we needed to find a ride for him.  At this point is was 4:15.  I kid you not, we spent the next hour and 15 minutes in stopped traffic calling every single member in our phone trying to find someone.  We were both so stressed and praying so hard.  Finally at 5:30, Freidell said that even though they were in South City, they would back track to San Mateo, pick him up, then drive back to go to Oakland.  But she was like Hermanas we are going to be late.  Because PYC starts at 6:30 and traffic was soooo bad.  So we started praying so hard that by some miracle they would make it for at least some of the speakers.  We really knew this would help Jose.  I seriously never stopped praying. well at 6:31 guess who walks in the door?  FREIDELL, JUAN CARLOS, AND JOSE. they made it on time!!!!!!! I still have NO IDEA how that happened.  I fully believe that God sped up traffic just for Jose to make it.  Next miracle.  We have been trying to get Sergio to speak at pyc for months.  He's a recent convert for over a year now and still has never spoke because hes too nervous.  He told us that if he arrived he would speak today.  so we told them.  But then the meeting started and they still werent here.  i was praying so hard for him to get there,  because i knew he needed this. adn i knew it would be good for jose too.  Well during the last speaker, he arrived! but he texted us and was like I'm too nervous... going with my promptings.. I knew just this once we had to push them.  We texted the zls saying we were good to go. During that whole last talk I was praying so hard that Sergio wouldn't be mad at me and that he would have peace washed over him and be able to give his testimony.  the conductor stood up and announced that we would have one more speaker.  Sergio gave me a pretty scared look.. but then he stood up and gave the most beautiful testimony.  He thanked me after for pushing him, because he never would've done it if I didn't.(:  The final miracle was that after the meeting we were able to go over to the Visitors Center and give Jose a tour.  He loved it.  When we watched the Christus, he cried!!! He is so great.  We will hopefully set a baptismal date with him soon.  Because he is so prepared.  He is definitely getting baptized.  

Yep.   That was my day yesterday! See what I mean by the most amazing/stressful day of my mission? Also, to top it off, I got to see a bunch of people from Concord again.  Also, I saw Hermana Arellano who was visiting the mission!!!    So that is always great. (:

Anyway, the rest of my week was good! Exchanges last week.  One in the Tongan area with sister Kaufana.  Then the next in the Samoan area in SF with sister Leuluaiailii.  Both so great!!! The Samoan area is awesome.  Well, its interesting. hahaha. But I met some of the greatest members!!! It was a really good day.

I love you all!! thank you so much for all you do.  Have a great week!! 

Pictures:  1 This is just one of the pictures from yesterday,  with Vilma and Olga and Hna Arellano!! #iloveconcord.  the rest are on her phone, hopefully she sends them to me soon then i will send them to you. (:

2. I ATE SUSHI THIS WEEK. dad are you proud!? It is hna vargas favorite so we went on her last day.  it was like real sushi. it was actually really good!! I ate it all. 

3.  Last p day together.. yes. we bought balloons. hahahahaa. 

ONE YEAR

Hi so um I'm freaking out because IN THREE DAYS IT HAS BEEN A YEAR SINCE I LEFT HOME. we are starting MY SECOND SUMMER IN THE MISSION. I really am freaking out.. I don't understand how time moves so fast. what the heck!!!!! I feel ripped off. hhahaha jk. But really, it's weird.  I feel like I've been on the mission MAYBE 4 months.  But no it's been a whole year since I've seen you all.  I can't even imagine how much has all changed.  WEIRD. okay, moving on.

This week was good!!! crazy but good!! We had 2 exchanges! The first, I went to Sister Hasek's area in the SF YSA.  This is Sister Hasek's second transfer.  She is from Indiana!  We had fun together with the adventures of their service.. we went to golden gate park and pulled out radishes.  it was fun.  Then my second exchange was with Sister Lin from Taiwan.  She came to my area.  It was fun!! I love her too.(:

Oh just so you know I just am writing you this email today.  We are going to the temple tomorrow!!!! So I will email you all back tomorrow.(:

Anyway,  yeah it was a good week.  We went to physical therapy a couple of times! Haha for Hermana Vargas.  That is always fun.  Then Wednesday we had Zone Training for SF West zone.  Me and Sister Housley did the training again, except this time instead of President showing up, the Assistants showed up.  Who were the ones who gave the original training.. so that's awkward.  Haha but they evaluated it and said we did well. Yay.(:

Wow... I really have like nothing to tell.  Saturday was such a weird day! It was the day of our exchange so it was me, Hermana vargas, and sister lin.  And I don't know why, but the weirdest things kept happening.  We almost walked into the filming of a TV show... we saw a Utah license plate(I freaked out),  we met with a less active who told us she is now attending the catholic church then bore testimony on that church to us.. that was awkward.. oh and then the coolest thing happened! We were walking and there was a lady walking towards us.  I stopped her to talk to her and she seemed in a big rush so she just asked for whatever we had for her.  I took out an invitation to go to Mormon.org.  She just looked at us and said you're Mormons? okay this is creepy... last night I had a dream that I joined the Mormon church.. she looked at us again and as walking away she said: your timing is funny...  haha it was crazy!! she was American by the way.  As she was walking away I yelled, well you can always join if you want!  she just laughed.  But I have full confidence that the Lord put her in our path for a reason and she will probably keep having experiences happen like that until she joins the church.

Yep, so that was our week. Haha kind of different than others.  We also were able to teach Jose again.  He came to church again!  He is soo awesome.  The only problem is he is only going to get baptized if he gets an answer.  Which is great, and exactly what we want! The only problem is he is expecting his answer to come in a dream or like Joseph Smith or something.  So we are going to have to explain that to him tomorrow.  I just hope he is able to listen to the still, small voice of the Holy Ghost. 

Thank you all for your love and support!! I love you all so much.  I know this church is true with all my heart.  Please, study your scriptures and pray every day! And go to church! Because without those things, you cannot reach the complete happiness that the Lord has planned for you.

Have a great week!

Hermana Stokes

pictures: me and my comps.. then me on exchanges with sister lin.. then an old picture! because I wanted to put 3 and I don't think I ever sent this one.  But it's me and Hermana Orantes (I miss her.) and Sister Jepperson!  The Office missionary.(: I love her. 

meetings, meetings, and more meetings.(:

My week this week was a bunch of meetings!! but good ones!! we had MLC, which i love.  then we had zlc thurs and zone training meeting Saturday!  all were good.  MLC was awesome because President talked to us about changing our focus.  It was cool.(:  I feel so motivated.  zone training was good!! Me and sister Housley gave a training on Prayer.  It was really awesome!! President and Sister Meredith were there, so that was fun. (:

Also we went on an exchange this week!! I was with sister Fernandez again but this time in her area.! it was awesome!! that day we also went to the Baileys to help them clean out their apartment before they left. it was fun and sad!!

We were able to see a lot of our investigators this week and that was awesome.  Jose came to church again!! He is doing so well. He is just waiting to receive an answer on if he should be baptized.  Please pray that he will receive the answer yes and that he will recognize it!! thank you so much.

That is really all I have to say.  I'm sorry that it is so short this week! but i love you all!!

I challenge you all to evaluate your prayers with your Heavenly Father.  Maybe even study the topic a little.  Are they sincere? are you praying with charity? are you praying with faith?  I've studied prayer a lot lately and it really is the first step to being successful.  Always include your Heavenly Father in your life through prayer. (:  I know that he is listening to us and wants to help us, he is just waiting for us to come to him.(:

have a great week!!! love you all!

pics:us at the baileys.(:

 My new companions: Hermanas Vargas y Housely

 We are on exchanges here.

Elder Parker and I are the last Lehites in the mission.  There used to be 6, now there are only 2.  We need more Lehites :).

 Futuro madres - The relief society had a big dinner for Mother's day.  Do much fun!

Trio for life (:

Hey good news everyone! Well actually I guess it's kind of sad news too in some ways but it's good!! We got a call from President on my birthday telling us that Hermana Vargas' trainee actually isn't coming till the transfer, june 3rd.  So we get to be in a trio the whole transfer!!! just covering san mateo though. The elders are taking her area over.  So we have a lot of fun together.  It's a little weird because like Hermana Vargas can't go to some of our meetings that we have as Sister training leaders.. So we have to drop her off with other missionaries.  It's super weird and feels like we are dropping off our child for the day or something. (: haha. but I am so happy because I love my companions! So it's fun that we all get to stay together.(:

My birthday went sooo well!! it was so fun!!! We had family home evening with the ward that night and watched meet the Mormons.  And guess what! they came out at the end with a cake for me!! it was soo fun.  I have the best ward.   I am so grateful for them.(:  Mike was the one who thought of it, and with the help of alex, freidell, and michelle, they made it happen. ah. they are the best.

Then Wednesday I ate at the rodriguez, and they gave me another cake!! and a balloon!! they are the best aswell. really, I feel so loved. Our members really do take care of us. (:

We had two exchanges this week! The first I was with Sister Wang.  She is from Taiwan!! she came to our area.  it was really fun to learn Chinese from her. (: Caleb be ready, I will try and speak Chinese to you on Skype.  Then Sister Tu'ata'ane came to our area for another exchange.  She is from Tonga.  I also had fun with her.  (:

This week we met a guy from turkey who after introducing ourselves yells "I LOVE MORMONS." hahahha it was so funny.  but he's also convinced it is too late to be one.. uh okay.

Also, while driving in SAN FRANCISCO, we saw a young man pick up a piece of trash.  Seriously it was such a miracle and made me so happy.  It also gave me hope for the people of SF. hahah.

The Baileys are leaving on Wednesday:( soo sad.  I will miss them so much!! the ward threw them a farewell party on Friday. It was really nice.

The only other thing I have to write about is Jose! our new investigator!!! do you remember when I told you about him ? how he randomly came to church? well he came again last week, and then finally on Saturday we were able to meet with him.  HE IS SO PREPARED!!!! It's crazy!! We had an awesome lesson with him and he basically told us that he has no doubts.  He said that hearing our testimonies alone he knows that this church is true.  But that he still wants to know for himself so he is going to read and pray.  He also was like "oh so this book of Mormon is actually just evidence of Joseph Smith.  If you were to tell me about Joseph Smith alone I wouldn't believe you.. but the fact that this book is right here, it's evidence of him and I know it's true. "  um what? okay yeah.  that's how awesome he is.  He came to church yesterday and told us that he is finding the peace he is looking for in our church.  he was like "ya voy! quiero aprender mas!"  which means like im coming I want to learn! I want to progress in your church.  it was sooo awesome.  I am so grateful for this miracle that has come into our lives.

haha it was really funny because in the lesson we had with Jose, Angel and Sergio were there.  And they were both realllly impressed with how prepared Jose is.  So Angel leans over and was like can I ask you a question? How were you even found? Jose was like "oh I just came to church one day" and Angle just starts DYING laughing. hahaha it was so funny. But really, with things like this, I just laugh too because it's so crazy that huge miracles like this happen.  The Lord has a plan everyone.

That was my week!! It was super crazy, but so good.  we also met a bunch of awesome potentials this past week and have set appointments with thm this week! We also have a set appointment with the Zabala's, who we haven't seen in a while.  So be ready.  this week will be great. (:

Cuidense todos!! les quiero mucho!!(:

Hermana Stokes

me and my cakes. (: and my comps.(:

 On Exchanges with Hermanas Vargas and Wang

On Exchanges with Hermanas Vargas and Tu'ata'ane

Misty Cefalo came back and visited.  Here are some of her pics she sent me.

My District

2 decades old?(:

You know, it really is great having a p day on my birthday.  hahah I haven't read through my emails yet but thank you all for the wonderful emails.(: 

So far, 20 is the best age yet(; acutally... this is the best birthday so far I think that I've had.  Mission birthdays are the best!!!!

This week was CRAZY.  But I don't have much to tell.  Dropping off Hermana Orantes was super hard.  I just love her so much:( But her time was done.. I'm sure she is doing great at home. (:

Then I love my two new companions!!! they are so great!! So cute.  It is crazy covering two areas, two wards.  It honestly results in a lot less work for either of the areas, and a lot more time in the car.  But it was a good week!  We are just trying to figure everything out.  Hermana Vargas' companion comes May 6th. (: 

Hermana Housley is awesome, she is from North Carolina!  And here is a random crazy small world moment.. she grew up in new Hampshire, and knows the Olsen's!!! Yes Brooke and Natalie, if you are reading this, she remembers you really well.  Actually she remembers all of you. so funny. Ha such a small world!! But yeah she's super tall and awesome.  I love her already. (:

Hermana Vargas is the best too.  She is from El Salvador.  They really love putting me with Salvadorians(: hahaha. but its fun. 

Thursday when we went and taught Sandy and Robert... I was surprised to have them bring out a cake after and birthday hats! they threw me a little surprise party!! I had no idea.  They did it because they knew they wouldn't see me today.   Ahhh so sweet I love them so much!! I have never been so grateful.  Ha I thought I was gonna cry. 

Then yesterday was the BEST DAY EVER.  It may as well have been my birthday.  First of all, my trainer sister cefalo was at church!! I love her so much.  And also,  we had porque yo creo!! and a bunch of concord found out about my birthday, so the espinozas were there, and carlos and carlitos, and Stephanie and her mom.. and more!!! that was the best present I could have ever received.  I love them all sooo much!! seriously.. I can't even express my happiness to see them.  I love reunions.  We freaked out. (:  Really though, as I was thinking about it I was just so grateful for all the people the Lord has let me meet on my mission.  I am so grateful to him for all the relationships he has given me. (:

Today so far has been great.  Don't know what we are gonna do..  Probably go to Jamba Juice. .(: oh and Costco!  haha. then tonight we have a family home evening with the ward to watch meet the Mormons.  I am excited about that!!  so yeah.  best birthday yet.

I would write more but I don't know what to write plus I just want to read my emails.(: haah so I hope you all have a great week!! remember, the church is true!!!

I will send lots of pictures. (: bye love you all!

Hermana Stokes

pics:birthday party with sandy and robert

 My awesome new companeras - Hermana Vargas and Hermana Housely

My friends from Concord with Hermana Cefalo.  She came back and visited us.  It was wonderful to have her on my birthday.

The Espinozas are the best!

Life as you know it

Hey guess what!!! I'm staying in El Camino for my birthday!!!!!!!! yes. my birthday is a week from today and I will be here. (: wow... weird.. am I really going to be 20? anyway.

My new companion, who I pick up tomorrow, her name is Hermana Housley. I'm getting another VC sister!!! so excited about that.  (: she came out the same time as Hna Hilton so she is one transfer behind me.  And this will be her first time being STL so I get to train her. (: so that will be fun!! We also will be in a trio for 2 weeks with Hermana Vargas! The same sister that I've gone on exchanges with.  She is training and her trainee isn't coming for 2 weeks.  Man, the lord just loves putting me in trios.  (: but that's good because I love them!! So yeah.  I feel like I just have a whole bunch of responsibility now and it just keeps coming.. ha when did I grow up!?!

I'll be sending Hermana Orantes off tomorrow:( ahhh so sad.  I am going to miss her soooo much. she truly has been a blessing in my life. She will do great things at home though. (:

We had a great week!!! We had a fun zone activity last Monday going up to twin peaks and looking over the city. I will send pictures. (: I have the best mission.

We had a mini exchange this week! I was with sister Cammans.  It was super fun!! I love her. (:

I also got to go to VC training this week since it was my comps last. that was fun. (:

Sorry, I'm short on time today. we have sooo much to do!! So the only other thing I have to tell you is our miracle!!!

So Sunday, we are sitting in ward council when we realized we forgot to call our investigators to remind them about church.  So we decided to leave and make those calls.  But we waited for a while.  Then we finally went out and while we were making those calls I saw a guy walk in.  I saw him and immediately KNEW that I needed to talk to him. It was the weirdest thing.  I waved and he waved back.  I figured if he had a question, he would come talk to us.  But he didn't . The impression came again to talk to him.  I pointed him out to Sister Orantes and she immediately turned to walk over to him.  So we talk to him and figure out.... He was taught by the missionaries more than 2 years ago.. and he has been looking for peace in his life and remembered where the church was so he came!!!! he lives in San Mateo!!! our area!!! and he just showed up to church because of something he remembered 2 years ago!!!! what the!!! and if we wouldn't have been out in the hall I honestly don't know if he would've stayed.  Because the reason he was so early was because he thought it was the same schedule as it was last time.  Oh my goodness miracle!! we have a lesson with him this week and he said he will be back at church this sunday, because he loved it!! he texted us telling us all that he learned.  He truly is prepared. It reminded me once again that this is the Lord's work.  So many miracles have been happening it's crazy.

I also gave a talk yesterday in church.  My companion did too. ha we were the whole program.  so I gave a 20 minute talk. in Spanish. It still kind of blows my mind that I can do that.  But yeah, it was great!(: I talked on Luke 7, the woman who loved much. my favorite story from the bible. (:

Welp, that's all! have a great week!! love you all!

Hermana Stokes

I have a ton of pictures from our zone activity last week, Hermana Orantes, and the wonderful people we work with.  Here you go.