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Only Know You Love It When You Let It Go

We will start with Conference. I think I learned more in this conference than all of the other 144 sessions I have been alive for which is cool. I never understood how important conference is and how much of an impact it can have on our lives. Especially when you go in with a question to be answered. I loved all of the talks. The one that really stood out to me was Peter M. Johnson. Satan is always tempting us, and I know this but I also know that it is possible to overcome these temptations. We just have to make sure we recognize when he does tempt is. The three Ds of temptation. Deception, Distraction, Discouragement. I have seen the discouragement one a ton in this first week being out in the field. Satan wants me to think that I will not be able to do it. I am going to be real.. Coming out here has been rough, not one bit of it has been easy. I miss English so much. I did not understand how much I loved knowing what people were saying around me. I realize now how much I love my family and friends because I do not have them anymore all the time. But with all of this I prayed to God and asked for his help on how I can get out of this homesickness. Elder Rosas (my trainer/dad) and I were talking last Friday about something he was worried about. And the thought came to my head to share Philippians 4:13 which says  13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.  I realized this scripture has a lot to do with what I was asking for help from. So it is my way of getting through these rough times to learn the language and become better from my trials.

Getting in the field.We flew in from Mexico City a week from today on Monday. We landed at 10 AM and then went out and the APs and the Mission President was there to pick us up. It is cool to see how much love they have for us not even ever talking to us. We went to the church offices from there had a little snack and started our orientation. And had interviews with the Mission President. President Henke (Haink-ee) is such a great president for me. He brought the spirit into the room so easily. It was such an amazing experience to have the spirit touch my heart so easily. We then went to their house, which was massive by the way. And ate Linner. Here they have their biggest meal of the day at 2. I actually love that, it makes it so I have energy for the whole day and it is easier to go to bed at night. But that food was so good. We had tostadas with meat and it was so good. Afterwords we went and checked in to our hotel, which had such nice beds and got a nice 2 hour nap. Then we went back to the offices and finished up orientation and had Little Caeser´s pizza. The next morning we work up and went to the offices. We went into the chapel and there were all the trainers sitting there not knowing who their companion was and we did not know as well. Then they got up one by one and read who their companion was and what area they were in.

Elder Rosas - He is great. Definitely the perfect trainer for me. He has been in the field for 20 months but has not had the opportunity to train anyone because he has been a zone leader for 13 of those 20 months. He told he has been waiting for me his whole mission. Waiting for an opportunity to train someone. He has so much love for me and he tells me everything we do is so that I may be able to have the best two years as possible. He does not know that much English but I know enough Spanish that we have great conversations. He is branch president in Buenaventura and I am the Branch clerk. Which is a great opportunity to get to know the people here. On Tuesday we had a 4 hour bus ride to Casa Grandes. Then another hour and a half to our area. It is the hardest area in the mission but the people here are super nice. They just do not follow up on their commitments. But we are starting to change that, and make people understand how the only way to get faith is action. So we are hoping we can make a change around here and help the branch grow.

That is all from me this week, and the pictures are not uploading on this computer so I will try to figure something out for maybe a little later or next week. 
Love you all so much with all my heart. -Elder Stokes

 P.S. from Paul
We spoke to Spencer on the phone this morning.  It was great to hear from him.  He has such a great attitude. He mentioned that the Branch only had 26 people attend church on Sunday.  It was supposed to start at 10:30 a.m. but everyone came around 10:45 a.m.
Location: Buenaventura, Chihuahua, Mexico

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