Week-#60 "I forgot to mention that I lost my camera cord."

Momma,

Well I'm going to Acuña. 

I will be going to Acuña as a Zone Leader. Yeah, not haha. I honestly wasn't expecting that but whatever. I think that it will be really cool. 

My new companion is Elder White from Canada. He was Elder Hernandez`s first companion haha and we are going to be opening the area. Which means that neither of us knows anything about the area we are getting there together. 

Sorry that I havn't been able to sent pictures I forgot to mention that I lost the cord and that's why, I havn't forgotten. Well see if i can find one in Acuña and if not I will figure something else out. 

So my new area is Industrial B. That is where Elder Weidmeier was so I will have to talk to him about that. 

Anyways I love you and just wanted to let you know that Im safe and good and I will talk to you next week and hopefully with pictures.

love you!

-Elder Stockman

This email was sent later in the day...

"Love you mom. Right now I'm with the zone leaders here in Guadalupe. I go to Acuña tomorrow. I leave at 8:30 in the morning and should be getting there about 3:00."

Dad,

Acuña bound. Wasn't expecting that haha!

I will be going with Elder White from Canada, and this will also be the comenzement of another journey because now I guess they told me that Im a Zone Leader. Thats going to be and Adventure. 

I heard that there is a lot of free food in Acuña for the misionaries. I don know anything but im super pumped. I hope that Its going to be a great transfer. Its like a 5 hour bus ride from Monclova. I leave at 8:30 in the morning. 

love you and have a great week!

-Elder Stockman

Week #59 I lost all my p-day today.

Hey mom,

 So today I lost all of my p-day because in the morning they had to send me to Saltillo to renew my visa, I got back to monclova at 5:00 so I dont have much time to write.

Today it was cool because they sent my old companion Elder Johnson with me and we sat by each other on the way there and back and we got to catch up a lot on what has happened after we were companions. 

We are in the process of moving houses right now and we will actually be moving tomorrow. We found a really great house that looks really cofortable. 

it was crazy to go back to Saltillo and to see everyone in the offices, it is coming towards the end of the transfer and it was funny to see how everyone was running around. Elder Ninataype told me that there were some really great tortas on the corner so we went and got some and then ate them on the bus. you should look for a place in utah that sells Tortas. They are delicious.

Anyways It was a crazy week and we will see what happens next week with the transferes.

Love you so much momma!

have a great week!

-Elder Stockman

Dad,

Wow thats wierd to see that he will be my next mission president! actually I had heard his name but thats cool to see a picture with the name. I love President Rodriguez so much and it will be hard to see him leave. he has really whipped this mission into shape. I know that he is leaving it a lot better than he found it and We are excited to recieve President Cahoon. 

So today I went to Saltilo to renew my visa with Elder Johnson. it was cool because we were able to catch up on a lot of things for the whole bus ride there and back. 

We have to change houses this week, we found a realy great house and we are excited to be able to get into the house.

I hope that everything is going well at home. Love you!

-Elder Stockman

Week #58, tell Abbie that she's not allowed to get married!

Mom,

As far as I know I didn't leave anyone waiting for me. haha

Im glad to hear that the funeral went well. I hope that everyone can be at peace. 

Sounds like you guys had a lot of family and friends during the Christmas break. Its wierd because I thought that a lot more people would have been getting their mission calls for Saltillo, but its only been me and elder Weidmeyer. Wierd. 

Well that didnt last long. Tell Andrew im glad that I can come back and be recieved by my big bed. haha

Dang it, 1:00 church is the worst. Oh well because I will only be there for 2 months of this year, and that means that we will get to go to 9:00 pretty much when I get back. 

Haha tell Abbie that she is never allowed to get married. 

This week was kind of quick. We will be having transferes in 2 weeks again. I feel like every time I come to the ciber I am telling you guys about transferes. this is rediculus how fast that the time is going. Tomorrow we are having zone conference and they are making me give a training, Yay... not haha. Its starting to get really cold down here in Monclova. It makes me want to work harder I feel like, I dont know why. I just feel like I hate the heat and summer time so hopefully they send me to saltillo this summer again. haha!

We finally have an investigator who went to church, his name is Raul. he is super Cristian but we are slowly convincing him about the book of mormon. he is reading it and if he keeps doing it and going to church we know that he will get an answer. I hope that he can get his answer about the book. 

I love you guys and I hope that you all have a really great week.

-Élder Stockman

Dad,

haha oh Dad, thats kind of funny but a little bit irreverent. haha, 

I saw the picture of Zach and that dude is Huge. when I left he was a lot smaller, He was always telling me that when I get home he would "clean my clock" and im starting to fear that it surely is a posibility. haha

Im Glad to hear that everything went well with the funeral, I hope that everyone can be at peace. 

Thanks Dad for your love and your support. I could not ask for a better dad, I love you and appreciate all the things that you do for me. 

I promise that im going to keep working hard so that I can keep recieving the Lord´s blessings for me and for you guys. Have a great week!

-Élder Stockman

Week 57- Christmas in Mexico.

 Elder Stockman

Mom, This is my best friend.

Mom "Show me the bottom of your shoes Spencer".. Spencer "What? Really?" Mom. "Yes..."

Christmas Eve dinner. Don't worry it's Martinellies.

Having fun hanging out with Elder Flores while our companions are calling home. 

Hey momma!

Well I just have to say that hearing your real voice is a lot better than your cyber voice. I hope that Mothers day comes fast so that we can talk again. But at the same time I want it to o slow because I love being here so much!

I had a great Christmas. I love being here with Elder Hernandez too. He he

He helped make it a really great Christmas this year. The best part of Christmas is that I got to focus on the real meaning of Christmas a whole lot more tham normally. It was interesting to see how many people we would ask about the real meaning of Christmas and they didnt even know that it was to celebrate the birth of the Savour.

I feel like it was kind of a hard week in the aspect of having lessons and finding people to teach. But we still had a surprise this weekend in the church. ne of our investigators that we were not expecting to come to church totally came and he said that he liked it. It has been really hard to get people to church these last couple of weeks. But the Christmas miracle came it was pretty cool. 

Anyways I would just like to share a Scripture with you that I actually found in my personal studies today.

 Mark 10:29-30

29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s,

 30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time,houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.

I know that the Lord is blessing us while I am here in the mission. The blessings are real. Keep holding to the Rod. love you!

-Elder Stockman

Hey Dad,

I just want to tell you how much I love you and that I hope everything goes well tomorrow in the funeral. i hope and pray that this can be a time of peace and love for you and for the whole family. I know that the plan of salvation is real. i know that Jesus Christ died and suffered so that families really can be forever. I love you and im glad that you are my dad. have a great week!

-Elder Stockman

Week #56 "it's going to be the highlight of my year."

I'm wearing my new Christmas sweater you sent. And I love it!!

Hey Mom!

Well I have to be honest that really surprised me about Grandpa Stockman. I wasn't expecting to hear anything like that. I hoe that everyone is ok and you will all be in my prayers. 

I am super excited to hear from all of you guys on Christmas. That is going to be the highlight of the year for me. I cant wait!!!! im super excited

This week we have been working really hard to find investigators. It was really good at the first of the week but during the weekend it got really hard and we had very few lessons. Everyone is rejecting us because it is almost christmas. Its kind of wierd, but we will see what happens. 

I can't wait to talk to you guys on Friday!!!!

I hope that Everyone is happy and that Everyone can be there on Friday. 

love you!

-Elder Stockman

Merry Christmas !!!

Dad,

I really don't know what to say or to think. But that honestly surprised me a lot. I was not expecting this e-mail. 

I guess we can talk a lot more about this on friday. But I hope that everyone is ok. I hope that everything goes well for the funeral. everyone will be in my prayers. I'm glad that you got to be there with him in that moment. I love you and Super excited to talk to you guys on Friday the 25th. I love you so much. 

-Elder Stockman

Week #55 Our new album cover "I'll go were you want me to go dear Lord"

Me with Elder Flores. My companion for the last week.

Me on public transportation. 

​Me with Elder Morales. A super good person.

¡11 Días! 

Mom there are only 11 days until I get to talk to you. I want Da and Grandma there. I miss Everyone. That's crazy that there is so much snow. I didn't remember that you guys have a Pilot that was wierd to hear. Especially because I am still thinking in my mind that the mazda is still there but you guys sold it. 

That looks like quite the family home evening night, glad that you got to go and see the temple lights that looks really cool- 

Well to answer your question I did get the thanksgiving stuff. Thanks a lot!

Also a couple of days ago I got a call from Hna Lugo who works in the mission offices and she told me that my package from you guys just got there aswell. But the shipping company told them that there were chocolates so the people had to take them out and throw them away, but thats ok im over it. I realized that I will be home in 11 months so thats totaly ok! hahaha

Also this week I was in a trio with Elder Flores. His Companion Elder Vielma went to Saltillo for the whole week because he was a secretary before and President asked him to come and help with the end of the year finance stuff. He called and told me that my package was there so it got here and he actually comes back today so I will have it in my hands today. I feel like that was an answer to prayers for you guys.

Tell Justice that I didn't recognize him in the picture he has grown so much!

By the way how is Quinn doing? sometimes I write him I will shoot him a message today. 

But i'm doing great and feeling happy. The mission in going by so fast I can't even keep up haha. anyways love you and have a great week. Until next Monday. 

love

-Élder (e)Stockman

Hey! long time no see!

How is it going Dad?

That story of the Dr pepper makes me laugh. That kid is one of a kind. I hope that he never changes. 

Monclova is going good, I realized that I have been here a ton of time. I went to President Velez´s office today. He works in the institute building and so We go there to play basketball, pool, ping pong and so on. Actually the assistants gave us permission to watch the singles ward today that was pretty awesome. 

I realized that I have never even been to Pats BBQ thats kind of depressing. I was thinking the other day about my favorite tv show because somebody asked me what it was and I have to say that it is "Diners Drive-ins and Dives". But I realized that it probably wasn't so good that I watched it on Sundays. If you notice that almost all of the General Authorities in their talks mentioned something about the sabbath day. That probably means it is something important. I remeber how I thought it was just a dumb rule that you and mom put but now I feel like I actually understand why it is important. 

Actually Dad I forgot to mention this like 7 months ago that President canceled that pin program. Its because it was causing problems among the Elders and they werent focusing. But President is still giving out some pins in some interviews which makes me a little bit hopeful. The thing is that one of the requirements was that you had to have more that a year to get it, but now that I have all of the sudden completed the year well see what happens. I actually forget about it its not something that bothers me anymore. Maybe it was a good thing to get rid of it. But once again sorry to ruin that for you. President said it was becuase it was useful in its time but now its not important. There was a lot of wickedness in the mission before, a lot... so he used it as a way to motivate the Wicked ones.

Anyways I will probably need the skype information again. Please tell me that information. Also what day and what time do you want me to call. It is next week and that has come up really fast. 

love you and have a great week!

-Elder Stockman

Week #54 A pack of chihuahuas getting the best of me.

One of the sisters in our Ward has 14 Chihuahuas. 

My companion went to the hospital because he has bad knees. Don't worry he is ok. 

Elder Miner he is in my district. (MTC companion)

Best District ever!

Elder Flores, Elder Bauzan, and Elder Morales the guapisimo.

Hey Mom!

Well reading this leter made me happy! It's pretty cool to see what is happening back at home. I love seeing your pictures of everyone and that looked like a pretty gun event with the Martineau family. 

what is that place a german christmas celeration or what?

Yeah I see people with like tablet sized phones now and then I realize that i'ts an iphone and it makes me feel like im stupid. President has a 6 plus it's pretty cool. 

So we had changes today but I am staying here with Elder Hernandez and that makes me super happy. I'm happy that we can spend Christmas together. I did get to go to the Christmas devotional they put it on in the stake center but in spanish of corse. I think that is funny but It's the same for me now its almost to the point where I don't notice the difference between English and Spanish. 

We can talk to you on the 24th or the 25th for an hour and a half. you choose when and That will be ok with me. 

I'm super excited to talk to you. And I totally got the package of the letters I loved them all!

especially the one that played music. 

Have an excellent week!

-Elder Stockman

Hey Dad!

Yep I got a haircut last week dont worry. I feel like I lost like 20 pounds. 

The assistants told us that we will be able to do another skype call on the 24th or the 25th for an hour and a half. I am super excited for that day it is going to be awesome. you guys decide what day and what time works best for you and we will do it. Whatever time is good so just let me know. 

Also today we had changes and I am going to be staying here with Elder Hernandez! That makes me super happy he is one of the best compañon I have had in my whole mission. We will also be together for Christmas so that is going to be awesome. You guys will let to meet him. 

I feel really good here in Guadalupe it is a pretty great area. We actually don't have that many members that are willing to acompany us but that's their problem. but It's a pretty good area. It's actually one of the biggest areas in the mission kinda of interesting. If you look on a map of Monclova it is from Plaza Juarez to villas de santa ana. It's so big we take a bus to get across our area. Haha!

anyways good to talk to you this week and I hope that everything is good with you guys! have a great day!

-Elder Stockman

Week #53 no pictures ;(

Hey mom!

Good to hear from you this week! 

I can't believe that November has gone either! that was super fast!

and before you know it I will be able to talk to you guys on skype!

I was talking to Elder Miner and he told me that Christmas in in 3 weeks! that blows my mind!

I can't believe that Thanksgiving has come and that Christmas will be here before we know it. 

This week we went to the plaza here in Monclova and sang Christmas hymns. We also had our interview with president this week. I will send you more Pictures next week! have a great week momma! love you!

-Elder Stockman

Hey Dad!

Well I feel like I'm getting to the point in my mission where I really have no idea what to write anymore. But I am super happy and having a really great time. 

I was talking to Elder Miner and he told me that a lot of people that he knows are taking their membership out of the church because of the times. It kind of makes me scared to see who I know that will change their mind. 

This week I had my interviews with president. We also had a prosylytimg activity in the center of Monclova where the 2 zones here in monclova went and we sang Christmas hymns. Also we had a christmas party and played White elephant. An Elder from the other zone gave me a lego dragon.

I hope you have a great week! Love you!

-Elder Stockman

Week #52- So glad to hear your cyber voice.

​Eating an elote.

 La familia Murillo.

Oh momma! I'm so glad to hear your cyber voice haha!

It seems like it has been a really long time! I don't know why but this last week went pretty slow. It was a really good week we actually had the baptism of the familia Murillo. They are the most chosen people that I have ever seen in my life. from the first visit the sister was asking how she could get baptised. The Brother actually didn't want anything at first but now he is a member haha! he had to suffer a lot and quit a lot of strong addictions to be able to be baptized but that is the power of his testimony. He is a really cool dude. Also their son Diego is the best he has always wanted to be baptized since the first visit aswell.

It was crazy because in their baptism there wasnt any hot water because the water heater wasnt functioning, And for some reason Diego kept kicking his feet up so he had to be dunked 4 times in ice water. My companion was chosen to baptise them because he had 1 week longer in the teaching with them. What ever all I care about is that thay actually get baptized. haha

My companion is actually a little sick aswell haha because he took an ice bath. 

That's really good to see that you are magnifying your calling, I just with the people here would do that haha!

Thats crazy that they are his new councelors! I actually feel like that was pretty inspired. To call Brother Nielson and Goslin. 

Those cookies look delicious! I love you mom and I hope that you have a great week!

-Elder Stockman 

Hey dad!

What's going on!

Well I feel pretty good this week! We were blessed with a couple of baptisms this last weekend. 

Don't remind me that I have lest then a year now that makes me sad! it crazy! I still feel like I'm never going to be leaving Mexico hahaha

I love it here in Monclova it has been another great experience. Today I ran into a really cool family from Technologico again. They said that they would bring me Mtn Dew so that pretty much made my day!

I love the Lords work it is the best! Counting down the days until we can talk in skype! love you dad

-Elder Stockman

Week #51- I have a new do.

Elder Hernandez and Elder Stockman. Lol

No explanation.. 

Bowling last week with my District. 

New hairdo. Whistle, whistle.. 

Birthday cupcake.. 

Came home tired, I think I fell asleep praying that night.

Only in Mexico would there be a tree in the middle of the street. Lol

Hey Momma!

 I'm doing super good here too!

The weather outside is freightful here in Monclova, it's randomly super cold and super hot, hopefully I don't end up getting sick. 

Yeah I can't believe that it is the middle of November either, It's super crazy that soon I will get to hear your voices on the Christmas call. I'm counting down the days until that can happen. That is going to be super cool!

I got a birthday card from Grandma, and Josh sent me something from the CCM like a month ago. It was pretty cool to get those letters. 

ahahaha gun safety and MAN FOOD NIGHT! oh how I miss that! that was always the best.(Zach first Young men's activities)

That's really good to hear that Grandma is doing a lot better! that makes me happy!

That was really generous of Andrew that he would do that for me It actually means a lot. I'm going to keep working hard! tell him that I appreciate it a lot!

So on Sunday we were in the house getting ready to go to church and he heard someone knocking on the gate outside. So I shot up and ran outside and it was the Jehovas Whitnesses hahahaha! they were super scared when the saw a 6 foot 4 white mormon they pooped their pants a little. They were trying to tell me that God doesn't like Wars and rumors of wars and a bunch of stuff. They gave me a pamphlet about war hahah super funny experience. 

Also we are having a really great time together Elder Hernandez and I. He is the best and he is super willing to learn. We get along super well and he speaks super great English. We are already making plans to hang out after the mission. 

I'm happy and Healthy!

have a great week Mom!

love

-Elder Stockman

Hey Dad! I get along with my companion super well! He is super willing to learn and we are doing super great together. He always takes funny pictures of me like when I'm not paying attention. He also always pulls crazy pranks on me and I love it haha. He also knows a lot of jokes haha! And actually we are already making plans for how we will meet up after the mission and do some crazy things together, like go to the movies, listen to wordly music, and stay up past 10:30. haha

That's always a great experience to give a talk. When I was in Lomas de Lourdes, they didn't give me any time to prepare I had like 2 minutes and so I just had time to pray, but it was actually like one of the best talks that I have ever given. I felt really fgood about it! I couldn't believe that I did it but I remember that it was a really spiritual experience. TO see that the Lord provided for me in that moment. Zach is a character tell Him I love him!

I can't believe that Andrew did that for me! tell him thanks you so much and that it really does mean a lot to me! I am going to work super hard. 

I am doing really well this week I have learned a lot from my companion he is the best! this experience has been a really good one. We already have 3 weeks together can you believe that!

The other day I saw Presidente Velez again. He is such a good man! I gave him a hug and he told me that he missed me. He gave me buenas noticias about my converts from that ward so that really lifted up my spirits. 

Hey guess what? I remembered the other day that I will see you on Christmas, That is going to be a really cool day. I am really looking foward to that day when I can hear your voices again. 

Oh and I still havn't had time to get a haircut gosh dangit, so I had to change the hairstyle a little bit haha!

anyways have a great week!

-Elder Stockman

Week-#50 See Ya in 365.

​Pics for the week! We have been having fun.

This was when I was stretching after a power nap.

My Companion Elder Hernandez.

Hey Momma!Ssee you in a year! haha

Well this week I feel really weird because I'm 20 years old and I have a year left of my mission. I really hope that I will be able to focus and finish strong. It's gone by so fast and everyone tells me that the Down hill is always faster. Which makes me nervous but I know that I shouldn't think about it too much. 

That's super crazy that Zach passed the sacrament this week! That make me sad that I couldn't be there, But I know he will be an expert at passing the sacrament when I get home. Tell him I'm proud of him.

The mole wasn't too bad, I wasn't really affected at all. I still feel good. 

Of corse I still have my christmas stocking haha. I love that thing. I actually just put it above my bed and my companion looked at me like,,, really. hahah

I'm glad to hear that Grandma is recovering well from her surgery. I hope that the Process is quick and painless. 

Can't believe that Abbie is looking at going to college. That makes me freak out. hahaha they are'nt allowed to grow up!

Anyways this week I have felt really good, kinda wierd to be back in Monclova again but I feel good. its been an adjustment precess again but I will shortly get used to it. 

I have been studying the book of mormon a lot. I realized that I had never read it from start to finish in Spanish so now I am in alma 17. Im making pretty good progress! I plan to finish it and then read it at least another time through in my year that I have left. Its going to be a lot faster because I understand spanish a lot more and I dont have to look for so many words in the dictionary. 

I love My companion he is the best! haha we get along super well and we are always playing pranks on each other, he is one of the smartest dudes I have ever met. Today in the morning I went into the study room and He had somehow placed a trip wire that when I walked into it it popped a balloon. Scared me a lot haha. I will get him back. 

Anyways I love you so much and I hope that you have a good week! Love 

-Elder Stockman

Ps. your my favorite momma!

Hey Dad! 

Well this week I have been doing pretty good!

I realized that I come home in 365 days from today. See you in a year! haha

How have you been? how is work doing? 

I was thinking the other day that I really miss American food. Iv'e decided that I want IN-N-Out and then maybe we could go to that philly cheese stake place in Salt Lake where we went with Bennett that one time. I was a fan. 

I am really getting along with my new companion he is the best. We are always joking around and having a blast. He is super new so I have a lot to do to help him but he is willing to learn so it makes it a lot easier. 

Anyways I just wanted to send a quick message to you to tell you that I am happy and that I love you!

have a great week!

-Elder Stockman

sorry I got this message after I had already sent one to you. Elder miner is in the Zone. ELder Weidmeyer went to Saltillo. It's cool to see Elder Miner after a whole year. 

Anyways have a good weeklove  you!

-Elder Stockman