Well I am finally here in California. It is crazy. Every once in a while I have these moments where it hits me that I am really on my mission and I freak out. It just doesn't seem real!
Well my first area is the El Dorado area. We only use a car because it is huge, the biggest in the mission. Because we are spanish speaking we cover two stakes. Right now we are mainly focusing on a city called Placerville. There is no spanish branch, just a group in church. We have to translate for them through a headset, which I am far from doing. But we will get there. This week has been crazy with a lot of things going on, such as an open house for the church on saturday. We didn't get any proselyting done that day because of it and it was pretty tiring!
It has been a little hard adjusting to the mission, and it is very different than I thought it would be. It is hard, just like they say, especially when all your appointments fall through and it just feels like nobody wants to hear your message, when it is such an amazing one. So it has been pretty hard sometimes, but there's always hope and happiness because there's always the Savior.
My companion is Elder Martinez, and he is from Brigham City. He has been out about 7 months, which is a pretty young trainer for spanish. He is great and I am learning a lot from him.
It is interesting being in this area because it looks almost just like our mountains back home, and it is beautiful. The other areas are very busy and pretty sketchy, which is awesome. But I am really enjoying it up here and we have really incredible members. Many people go their whole mission without ever having to get dinner themselves. The members are amazing and so willing to help.
There have been some rough times, and it is hard sometimes to just smile and press forward, but I am learning how, and trying my hardest to become better.
Having real food has been heaven.
It is awesome to hear how you guys are doing there, and how big Emily is getting. Gosh she is so cute. I miss you guys! I have not received any mail yet but I am hoping to soon. They want all mail sent to the mission home and then they will forward it to us. Just make sure you send it through US Mail, not UPS or FedEx, because then they won't forward it.
Time is a lot shorter here now to write. I will try to send pictures!
Something that I learned this week is that this message is really amazing and that there is nothing in comparison. It is hard to see people not accept it, or to hate what you are doing, but in the end it is always about Christ. Christ is why I am here. He is why I can smile after someone makes it clear they want nothing to do with us. I am thankful to be out here, and I am thankful to be able to serve my Savior and spread his message, and show in a very small way my appreciation for Him.
Thank you guys for your support. I miss you and I hope all continues to go well. You are in my thoughts and in my prayers.
Love,
Elder Stone
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