Week 9~My First Kiss

Hi Friends! Another great week full of miracles! I'll start out by explaining the title of the email though haha. Yesterday our favorite family that is investigating came to church for the first time in 5 years!!! The mom is an inactive member and her boyfriend is an investigator. They have a 2 year old and a 5 year old. Also, it was in the low 30's yesterday and they walked 11 blocks and were 30 minutes early for Sacrament meeting! My companion and I were on the stand playing prelude music and when we saw them we were so excited that we went down to hug them and talk with them. They loved church and everything was so perfect! I was sitting with the mom in Relief Society and trying to help her 2 year old son stay quiet when he grabbed my face and kissed me right on the mouth hahaha. I didn't know exactly what to do but it was definitely hilarious. I never thought I would kiss a boy on the mission, let alone in Relief Society! The reason this family is a miracle, besides the fact that they came to church, is because they are bringing this ward together. They are going to plan and give them a wedding for free! Decorations, cake, music, ceremony, EVERYTHING! And then they will be living the law of chastity and the dad can be baptized!! And then in a year be sealed for time and all eternity in the TEMPLE! It's all so exciting :)

So this week Hermana Harris and I had the opportunity to go to Ellis Island and learn the history of immigrants in the late 1800's and early 1900's! It was so interesting and I had a personal connection too! My great grandmother immigrated from Norway through Ellis Island. So cool! I love history, but when it has to do with your relatives it's even better! We also, got to help people in the genealogy center and here the stories of their ancestors and meet people from all over the world. Another Hermana who came with us studied Italian before the mission and she was able to help a group of 15 Italians who could not speak English use the site and find their loved ones! So neat.

Lately I've been paying closer attention to the Lord's hand in my life and I can only say "I Stand All Amazed." Which brings to mind one of my favorite quotes from our mission president. God is in the details. I testify of this and encourage you all to make note of the Lord's hand in your lives as well. You will see the blessings and miracles!

Lots of love from the Upper East Side :)

Hermana Stone

Photo note: Ellis Island has the perfect view of the NYC skyline on the left and Lady Liberty on the right (different picture)!

Let's hear it for NEW YORK~Week 6/7

Amigos!

I am currently in Union City which is just across the water from NYC! I can see the empire state building almost any street I walk on It's So LEGIT. It's the most densely populated city in America and approximately 98% Hispanic. I set a goal to be fluent in a month and so living here is the greatest thing ever! The people are so diverse! In 6 days I have met and come to love people from 15 countries including Ecuador, peru, el salvador, republica dominican, mexico, honduras, cuba, guatemala, colombia, argentina, costa rica, brazil, korea, morocco, and syria! I love all Heavenly fathers children so much! The message of Jesus Christ is for every person on this earth from all these places and more! Life is so good, and it's even better with the gospel :)

So my trainer is the sweetest girl ever! Hermana Harris is from San Diego and we have connections off the wall! She lived in the same dorm at BYU and she was roommates with a girl I knew in Texas. BYU is such a (perfect) small world. She's fresh out of training herself but she's an expert in all things missionary related and obedience.

Pictured below is NYC! Can you spot the Empire State building? Probably not because the cloud is covering it's most distinguishing feature, but it's there on the right! We run along a walkway here some mornings when it's not in the 30's haha. Coolest running trail ever!!!

Some wise words from our mission President Taggart that I love so much that I can't not share:

"Faith is Power!... Become and Believe" I think the last part is somewhat open to interpretation but that's what makes it so great! For me, I want to become more like the Savior. He was perfect in every way. I know I won't achieve that in this life, but I believe that as I work harder every day trying a little harder to be a little better, I can.

I love you all so much and hope you have the greatest week ever!

Hermana Stone

Nosotros amamos Cristian! El es el mejor!
Yoga master, massage therapy, AND
Member of the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter day Saints!