Monday, August 14, 2017

Week 80 FINAL WEEK!

8/14

Well, I never thought this day would come. Tomorrow morning we head off to Boise for me to fly home back to California. This week was just another amazing one. The Lord is always watching out for us to keep us busy and help us to find the elect. But only when we are doing our part and putting our effort in. 

Sister Lattin, an amazing woman and probably the reason I am in this area was able to take those steps into the waters of baptism this weekend. It was such a beautiful service and such a special evening. The adversary always tries his hardest right before something amazing is going to happen to STOP it. Luckily we are stronger than him and we wouldn't let him take control. It seemed like right before the baptism everything went wrong. The person who was supposed to baptize her couldn't make it because of a medical emergency. Our Ward Mission Leader was able to step in and do it. Then it seemed like everything went wrong with the program (wrong date written, wrong witnesses....) the list could go on and on. I said a silent prayer and everything seemed to start to go smoothly. I know the Lords hand is in this work. The spirit was so strong and she was able to share her testimony at the end of the service. 

I am so grateful for the time I have had to be here in the Idaho Boise Mission. I know I was called her for a reason and I know I was assigned to specific areas for reasons that only the Lord knows right now. I love this gospel and I love the things I have been able to learn here on my mission. I will NEVER EVER regret the time I have been here. I will cherish the things I have learned and the testimony I have been able to gain from being here. 

If you wanna keep in contact add me to your emails with this email:


LOVE YOU ALL!! KEEP THE FAITH!

Sister Summer Stone



Pictures:
1: Sister Lattin's baptism
2: Filer Musical fireside last night
3: Dito ^
4: 3 days.... haha NOT TRUNKY! I promise!
5: Car selfie because... :)







Week 79

8/7

EVERYONE! I love the people I meet here on my mission. This area is on fire. We are always meeting new people and we are able to see so many miracles each day. I know those miracles are from Heavenly Father. They don't just happen out of coincidence. 

We are teaching this family from Micronesia and I LOVE them! They are the best. They have so many questions and want to learn about how they can all feel the spirit more in their lives. This week we (not out of coincidence) have a member of their ward who served his mission on their island and speaks their language so he is able to really answer their questions in a way they can understand. We watched the restoration video with them and the spirit was so strong. The experience Joseph Smith had was incredible and always brings the spirit. I know that the experience he had brings so many eternal truths into our lives.

We met a girl this week who NEEDS the gospel in his life. She has been through a lot and knows that she is in need of some peace. I know that peace comes from Jesus Christ. This Gospel is true everyone and the Lord leads and Guides this work so ALL of His children can be apart of it.

I LOVE YOU ALL!! KEEP THE FAITH

Sister Summer Stone

Pictures:
1. Group of us at zone conf that are going home... haha
2. lol part 2

SORRY THE INTERNET IS BEING SLOW SO THOSE ARE THE ONLY PICS YOU GET THIS WEEK

Week 78

7/31

WOW! I love my mission and I know I say that every week but I am so grateful for the people we meet and the experiences we have each and every day. I know the Lord sends us to area for certain people. That was definitely true for Sister Fallas and I this week. 

QUICK RUNDOWN: 
So we've been trying to contact this referral for a few weeks and every time we go we meet someone new. This week we met her friend and his name was Melvin. Melvin was definitely placed in our path for us to share the gospel. He NEEDS it so bad. He opened up to us and shared how his brother passed away a few years ago and he's been having a really hard time with it. We were able to testify about the Atonement of Jesus Christ to him and testify about the Plan of Salvation. We told him about the Book of Mormon and the peace that comes from reading it. I know that that was exactly what he needed for us to share. We prayed with him and he was crying and telling us that he needed this message. I know that the Plan of Salvation is true and I know that because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ we can live again.

We have a new investigator that is SO prepared. She is getting baptized in about 2 weeks. We have been FLYING through the lessons with her and it reminds me of the truthfulness of everything we teach!!

I LOVE YOU ALL!! Keep the Faith!

Sister Summer Stone


Pictures!
1: 18 month mark
2: Exchanges
3: Preparation day activity last week
4: too bad no one was ready for the picture

5: the "Micronesian families kid's that we're teaching (sorry its blurry...) 



Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Week 77

7/24

HELLO EVERYONE! I seriously have like no time. But I wanna share a quick story and testimony.

So earlier this week one of our appointments weren't home (which happens all da time as a missionary). But we saw this girl sitting on the curb so we went up and decided to talk to her. We shared our testimonies about the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I KNOW that God is mindful of us all the time. Especially in these last days. I know that we have a prophet who leads us and guides us on the earth today. I know that Jesus Christ leads and guides this church. I also know that the only way to know if this gospel is true is to ask God.

I LOVE YOU ALL!!

KEEP THE FAITH

Sister Summer Stone


Pictures:
1. Beautiful Views in Twin Falls (also, we've taken this picture multiple times...it's a great contacting tool ;) hahaha)
2. Free ice cream!
3. Free ice cream pt 2 #ateittoofast
4. District Meeting







Week 76

7/18

HELLO FAMILY AND FRIENDS! So we were emailing earlier and the internet stopped working and didn't save anything I had written so I am going to try my best to quickly write up a rundown of our miraculous week! :) THE LORD ALWAYS PROVIDES!! I love my mission! I know the Lord leads and guides this work because he is working with imperfect teenagers basically haha. He is able to get this work done with leading and guiding us as his servants. We are all just trying our best to listen to those promptings.

So, Sister Fallas and I are seeing miracle after miracle and it's incredible to see where the Spirit leads us. This past week we were out trying some potential investigators and we weren't seeing any success and then all of a sudden a name that I had seen on the whiteboard in the apartment came to my mind so I asked Sister Fallas, "Do you know an investigator Yvett? I think I saw her name on the board at home. Her name just came to my mind." (S/O to the spirit!!!) and she hadn't heard of her. Turns out after we ran home to get her address and info that she was a former investigator and for some reason her name still wasn't erased from the board (the spirit again!!). So we ran over as quickly to her apartment and she didn't answer... no one was home.. So we said "ok, why are we here? The Lord is guiding us in a mysterious way right now" We knocked on all the doors in her building (no one answered any doors) and on the last door we knocked on this little Arabian lady who spoke ZERO English comes out and tries to talk to us. Her neighbors had a little girl playing outside who spoke Arabic (miracle) and so she translated as much as she could for us. We (miracle again!!!) had one Book of Mormon in ARABIC left in the car!! WHAT?? We left our phone number and the Book with her. Don't know what seed we planted there but I am so grateful that we listened to the spirit to find this wonderful women who God knows and understands. 

ONE MORE MIRACLE REALLY QUICK! AH there are way too many and not enough time!! :( So There is this woman that the elders serving in a different stake in Twin Falls taught and she just moved to our area. She hasn't been answering our calls but we FINALLY got a hold of her and set up a time to meet. She is so ready and prepared to be baptized. She struggles with some Word of Wisdom but she knows it's bad and she knows she shouldn't do it. So, (led by the spirit again) We addressed her concerns and set a baptismal date with her for the end of September. She was at church and is completely engaged into the gospel. She LOVES the peace she feels and every time we see her she tells us "I know I'm on the right path"

I can promise you all that if we are working towards keeping the commandments and doing our best each day to be able to have the Holy Ghost in our lives, we are on the right path. There's a quote and I don't remember who it's from but it says something like, "the Lord doesn't care about your speed. All he cares about is your direction" I know that that is true and I know this gospel is true! 

I love you all!! KEEP THE FAITH!

Sister Summer Stone

ps, 2 little girls being taught here in Twin got baptized this weekend. What a special day for them.


Pictures!!
1. Temple today!! 
2. MLC
3. It's official.. I'm on the board

4. Baylee and Brielle (the sister's who got baptized this week)



Wednesday, July 5, 2017

Week 75

7/3
Well, here it goes. This is my last transfer. We find out tomorrow night what is going to happen so that's exciting.

We went on exchanges again this week! How fun! I just love these sister's. It is incredible how the spirit leads and guides us so we can find those of God's children who are READY and PREPARED. For some reason, Sister Amani and I have walked around basically all of Filer and we just have not walked down this 1 block... So the spirit prompted me when we were on exchanges to walk this 1 block. We found this less active man who has an active wife and he wants to get sealed to her. So that was a little miracle! Ok. HAPPY 4th! Have a good week!!


Love you all!! KEEP THE FAITH

Sister Summer Stone



Pictures!
If you look closely, you can see us in the reflection of the Horses eye 
EXCHANGES WITH THIS AMAZING SISTER! This was our 4th try and we finally got the whole sign in the selfie
District "Conference" as our district leader calls it

"Aloha" from the matching brown sister and the almost brown sister (me..) haha





Week 74

6/26

Well, isn't life great?? I'm sorry if I sound like I'm on repeat or something but my mission is the best decision I have ever made. I love the people we meet and the experiences we have each day. It's been a really hot, slow week but we have still seen miracles because GUESS WHAT?? God loves ALL His children! Yes, He loves you!! Okay, here's a run down of our week.

So Dan and Alex Stuart took those steps into the waters of baptism this weekend and wow. There was so much joy flowing from that font. Brother Stuart, yes, Brother Stuart from a few weeks ago, he was able to receive the Aaronic priesthood and he was able to baptize 2 of his sons. What a special time!! It filled my heart with JOY to see them all embrace in the font and smile and laugh. We could hear them all laughing and talking in the bathroom as we were teaching the Restoration while they got dressed. We all couldn't help but laugh and know that THAT is why I have given up 18 months of my life to teach people the gospel. THAT is why we go out on those hot summer days to find the elect. THAT is why we pray at least 30 times a day to have the Lord lead and guide us. I will always have a special place in my heart for the Stuart family

This week we had a very special lesson with the Hernandez family as well. We were teaching them the 3rd lesson, the gospel of Jesus Christ and the spirit was just not present for some reason. All the kids were being disrespectful and the teenagers were on their phones so Sister Amani and I brought out the big guns. I looked at the kids and they were playing with this stick so I grabbed it from them with love and I said, "OK everyone, listen. Sister Amani has something really important she is telling you" and she bore one of the greatest testimonies I have heard in a really long time. The spirit was BURNING in there. We all could feel it. I know how important this gospel is. I know that this is SO important. I love my mission

KEEP THE FAITH! SEND PRAYERS! LOVE YOU ALL

Sister Summer Stone



Pictures:
1. Dan and Alex Stuart's baptism with Brother Stuart baptizing them :) :)
2. Zone Conference
3. Just an adorable little person that I love haha
4. Hernandez family <3






Week 73

6/19

I love my mission! So much. So many miracles this week. I just love it! haha 

So last week we got this referral for a family, the Hernandez family. They are so prepared. Sister Amani and I are so blessed that Heavenly Father trusts us to allow us to work with this family. During our first visit with the whole family they asked, "So how soon can someone get baptized?" WHAT??? We set a baptismal date with them for August 12th. The whole family wants to get baptized. The mom, dad, and 2 of the sons came to church yesterday even though they had been out late working the night before. 

I know that God answers our prayers. They told us over and over and over again that they would be at church so we saved them a row. The sacrament started to get passed and I knew they were still going to come so I said very faithful prayer to Heavenly Father and asked him to help them to walk in after the sacrament was passed. I knew that He knew I was going to pray for that and I knew that He knew what He needed to do to help their family come to church. After the sacrament was passed and the first youth speaker was almost done, Sister Amani and I looked to the door and there they were, looking for that row we had saved them. They stayed for all 3 hours and from what we heard they thoroughly enjoyed it. They even introduced themselves as Brother and Sister Hernandez. Everyone in the ward welcomed them with open arms. 

I went on exchanges with Sister Dalton and 2 stories to share. Ok,also just to let you all know, EXCHANGES ARE SERIOUSLY ALWAYS FILLED WITH MIRACLES! And this week did not disappoint. 

NUMERO UNO. So this is just a funny story. We were trying to meet with this new investigator that the sisters met and she wasn't there. She is a refugee and so her whole family doesn't speak English. So there is this very dark man from Uganda who doesn't speak a word of English. He looks at us as we say, "Is Bokumeza here?" and he tries to tell us something but we literally did not understand a word he said. He ends up going to the closet and grabbing his shoes. He pointed at us to follow him and kept saying, "Bokumeza! Bokumeza! Bokumeza!" So we followed him for a few minutes then he was about to cross the street into a different area... so we couldn't go. Poor man didn't understand and we didn't even know his name so we just called him "Joe" haha 

Ok, quick spiritual story!! So the Lord is mindful of each second of every day. We had a really slow night and we only had 30 more minutes. We prayed and prayed and PRAYED to find that one person that Heavenly Father had been preparing.  We followed each of the promptings we received but no one was willing to accept the gospel right now. So we left and headed off to these apartments. We prayed ONE more time to find that elect person. As we said "Amen" we looked up and saw Karen. She was so prepared. I love this gospel and I know that God listens to our prayers.  



KEEP THE FAITH! Love you all!


Sister Summer Stone

Pictures!
Exchanges this week
Joe... haha
Preparation day last week
Sister Amani and I






Week 72




6/12

The subject line was an excuse that someone used for not being able to come to church haha BESIDES THE POINT! 

We have had an AMAZING week. Let me tell ya. Heavenly Father is blessing missionaries all around the world with so much success. God is gathering His elect and what a blessing that us as missionaries have to be apart of it. Ah I LOVE my mission and the miracles we see every single day. So many things to tell y'all and not enough time to tell it!

Funny story first... So we got this referral for a girl who was in need of some major help so we went and introduced ourselves to her and on our second visit her boyfriend was there and not too sure if this was on purpose or not but can y'all say PDA? haha Sister Amani and I felt super awk cause we're missionaries 1st of all and we're just awkward all the time and 2nd because ya know... that's just weird. The daughter was watching youtube videos and dancing in the corner as the son's came running in holding salamanders.. SO much going on in that house. haha I wanted to laugh OUT LOUD!! So when they walked out to "take a smoke" we just walked out and said we'd come back in a few days... they are just hiding now. 

It's amazing how Heavenly Father's spirit prompts us to say and do simple things that you don't realize will make a difference till after. We went to visit this less active family and we were just visiting on the porch cause that's what people in Idaho do. Anyways, they have this son in law who was visiting and I felt like we needed to talk to him so as he was walking away I didn't know what to say and he waved and said goodbye to the family and me... being me.. haha said "Yeah, it was nice to meet you." He got out of his car and said, "I am so so sorry. I'm Matthew." We talked for about 30 minutes, gave him and Book of Mormon, Plan of Salvation pamphlet, and passed him off to the Elders in Twin Falls where he lives. And it was all because I felt prompted to say "it was nice to meet you." Miracles and blessing out the WAZOO!! 

Ok. So Brother Stuart, my dear friend here in Filer got baptized this weekend. Such a special day for him and his family. He was able to just take that first step to enter into the kingdom of God with his sweet wife for all eternity. What a special spirit that was felt there. I love being here on my mission and being able to meet people and say, "I am here on my mission in Idaho for you." I know that Brother Stuart is one of those people. How blessed I was to be able to see him enter into the waters of baptism and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Brother Stuart came up out of the water and just started to laugh. He was so happy. He felt that warm feeling of love that our Eternal Father has for each of us. AH what an amazing day for him.

I love my mission so much and I am so grateful for the experiences we have and the people I meet. I know this gospel is true. I know that God knows each of us and he is preparing so many people to receive this gospel we just have to be ready and prepared to take them under our wing and introduce them to the blessings that await them in the eternities.

IT'S ALL TRUE! I love you all! KEEP THE FAITH!!

Love,
Sister Summer Stone


Pictures!
1. MLC with some of my favs
2. Another one from MLC
3. Brother Stuart's Baptism (he is the one on the right)

4. We planted succulents because we're weird and wanted our home to feel like home haha




Week 71

6/5

I cannot express how much I LOVE my mission. I really do! and I am in the ABSOLUTE best mission in the wordl!!! I love the Idaho Boise Mission and each day I am reminded of how much God loves the people here, especially here in little Filer, Idaho. Love it! Missions are literally the best thing ever!

Ok, so the work is amazing here. Sister Amani is great and we are just seeing so much success.

We had the privilege to go to the temple with the Hawkin's (Lily, their daughter is the 11yr old girl who got baptized a few weeks ago). What a blessing to see all those beautiful little children dressed in white? I know that at that moment the Spirit was there testifying to all of us that God knows each of them and wants the best for them. Through the priesthood power, they are now going to be able to be an eternal family.

We met a new woman this week. She is a single mom of 4 kids. She has so many questions and is so ready for the gospel. She wants to know for herself which church is true. She wants to find that peace in her life that Christ can bring. PRAY FOR HER! 

PS, I know that I am in this area for a reason. There are people we meet that I know I am here for.

Sorry no pictures for this week. I lost my camera. BUT I found it haha so expect more next week. 

I LOVE YOU ALL!! KEEP THE FAITH

Sister Summer Stone


Week 70

5/30

Everyone!! Missions are the best things in the whole world!! I LOVE my mission! So we had transfers this week, and my new companion is Sister Amani. She's from American Samoa and she's been out for a transfer so I'm follow up training her. She is the best! 

So this week was awesome though. Literally not enough time to write about everything but happened but here's a quick story.

So we are still working with the Esta's. It's amazing how Heavenly Father will help us during our studies to know how to help our investigators for that day. So Sister Amani and I talked about how to help our investigators understand the importance of the Book of Mormon. We were able to read with Sister Esta in the Book of Mormon this week and she really came to recognize the importance of gaining her own testimony. Good stuff going on here in Filer. People come closer and closer to following their (and OUR) Saviors example each day.

Love this gospel, love the Book of Mormon. We all need to read it EVERY SINGLE day no matter how many times we've read it. That's my invitation to you today. READ THE BOOK and you WILL recieve blessings. 

LOVE YOU ALL!! Keep the faith

Sister Summer Stone

Pictures:
Preparation day this last week. We played baseball!
Bye Sister Mata :(

My new comp, Sister Amani!!




Week 69

5/22

Oh wow. I swear. Each week just gets better and better. This weekend we had the mission tour, MLC, Desea's baptism, and many many more miracles. 

So, lets start with the mission tour. Elder Randall K. Bennett of the 70 came for the mission tour and he is one of the most amazing men I have ever met. He loves the work and he loves missionaries. He knows how important the work is in this time. We are here to gather scattered Israel. Even if we have a black name tag on or not. We are all here to gather scattered Israel. What an amazing work we have to do here. We have no time to waste. God wants us to be out working every second of the day that we can. I am so motivated and energized to do the Lords work here in the Idaho Boise Mission. Elder Bennett really helped us understand how important we are at this time. 

Desea was baptized on Saturday. She is one of the most prepared people I have met. I love this girl with all of my heart. She is so amazing. She bore her testimony at the end and she was able to bring the spirit so so strong. She came up to Sister Mata and I and said, "Now I know how everyone feels after they get baptized and they just want everyone to know!!!"

Love you all SO much! Keep the faith!
\
Sister Summer Stone


Pictures:
Mission tour

Desea's Baptism!!

Friday, May 19, 2017

Week 68


5/15

What a week? Isn't everyone just so happy to be alive? I am so blessed! LOVE this area. Love my companion. Love mothers day. Love technology so I could see everyone's face! I just love it all! Love my mission! Probably am the happiest missionary out there right now! 

So here's a quick run down of our week. Ready. Set. GO! 

Lily got baptized!!! She is the cutest person ever. It was a great service and a ton of people came to support her. Not too much more to add to that haha. They invited us to their sealing in the next few weeks so that's gonna be the best thing ever! I love the temple and isn't that the goal to be able to see all of our investigators get to the temple?

Ok, so on Saturday we had a lesson with Jose. We haven't been able to see him in a few weeks but we finally got to see him. So Jose told us he wants to get baptized he just isn't ready yet. He doesn't know what's holding him back but we don't know either... So we read Mosiah 18:8-10. In verse 10 it says, "if these are the desires of your heart, what have ye against being baptized?" basically... I'm paraphrasing. haha anyways. right there and then we call our district leader and asked him what he was doing and if he could do a baptismal interview with Jose. He said yes! So we drove up to Filer, from Hollister which is like a 20 minute drive then Jose had his baptismal interview. He won't be getting baptized right now... but he's working towards it! Please pray for him!!

We set a marriage and bap date with the Esta's. Nailed it!! Also, brother Stuart stopped smoking.  #BLESSINGS

I LOVE YOU ALL!! Keep the faith!

Sister Summer Stone


Pictures:
Lily's baptism!
Hailey's lesson at the park
wind in idaho... you're welcome
Preparation day last week






Week 67

5/8

This week has been so incredible. I seriously love my mission so much. I learn so much everyday. I love this area! ok, let's just jump right into the week cause i dont havce much time!

This week we were able to have some awesome lessons with the Stuarts. We were talking about following the prophet then all of a sudden I felt like I needed to ask Dan and Alex (Brother Stuarts sons) if they would prepare themselves to be baptized when their dad is getting baptized. They both said "YES" They know that this gospel will bless their family. they know they want to be with their family forever. 

On Sunday morning before stake conference Brother Stuart called us and he was like "I don't think I'll be coming today... I don't feel good." I prayed so hard that he would come to stake conference because I knew he would benefit... surprise! he showed up and they whole confernece was focused on the temple. Just what he needed!

I love you all and I know this gospel is true.

KEEP THE FAITH!

Sister Summer Stone

Preparation day last week, we played frisbee golf
Happy Cinco de Mayo
Happy Cinco de Mayo (pt 2) #perksofhavingamexicancomp





Week 66

5/1

Weeks full of miracles are a usual thing now. I love my mission so much! Everyday I just think how lucky I am to be here! I love Idaho and I love the people! I love this area and I love my companion!

Update on our week... So there is this family, the Hawkins and they have an 11 year old daughter named Lily who wants to get baptized ASAP so they can go to the temple and get sealed ASAP. She is one of the sweetest girls I have ever met. She is SO smart and she loves to read so she has been all over reading the Book of Mormon everyday. It is amazing that every time we teach kids the lessons I am reminded of how beautiful and simple this gospel is. I know that this is ALL TRUE! If we focus on the simple things in the gospel we will never go wrong and we will never go astray. If we read the Book of Mormon everyday like President Monson asked us to we will be able to find that peace and that foundation of our testimony.

We are continuing to work with Brother Stuart and his family. He came to church this week and stayed for 2 hours instead of 1!! He said the spirit that he feels makes him feel so much peace. Sister Mata and I have seen a change in him too. The spirit we feel when we come into his home. We taught him the Plan of Salvation this week and he was able to recognize the truth of it. 

I love this gospel and I love my mission! I love you all!!

KEEP THE FAITH

Sister Summer Stone

Pictures:
District meeting
rain ALL week
Temple picture from last week (S/O to Sister Bartlett)

Selfie w/ Sister Mata #basic