Week#49- Mole and Spencer = No bueno.

Pictures of me and Elder Hernandez. 

Mi Hijastro.

Selfie

My converts from Saltillo. 

Me with a swim cap. 

A church in Monclova.

Hey Momma!

Well we had a really good week. My companion is the best! He is Mexican but he speaks perfect English. He came to Utah and lived there for like 9 months. We are already making plans to help him cross the border again so that we can hand out together after the mission. 

So I was told that I would be a training District leader and that scared me because that is a lot of responsability, But it's not that bad with him, he is really mature and has a lot of life experience. 

I had a pretty interesting birthday. The hermana that gave us the food brought it in a bag to church and then we had to go home and heat it up, I was eating it and realized that it was Mole. The peanut stuff. So I had a small allergic reaction. haha happy birthday. But I also saw President Velez. My church building in Guadalupe here is a stake center and he was at a stake meeting. I also saw the Bishop from Tecnologico. It was a pretty good day, I was talking to them about my converts and they said that they are doing really good. I think that was the best birthday gift I could have asked for. 

We just had to change houses here and it was a really rushed thing because there were like 4 college girls that moved in under us. So we moved because it could have been a problem. Not for us but there are a lot of missionaries with girl problems. And we had to move into a house with like 100 cockroaches. I have become an expert cockroach killer. We super deep cleaned today and now we feel better, I dont know how people can live in such flith. 

Anyways that's pretty much what happened this week. There is also a part of my area that is so far away that you have to ride the bus for like 20 minutes to get there. We are going to focus on that part of the area because the rest of it is super rich and stingy haha. It's one of the richest colines in the mission. Colonia Guadalupe. I actually had a part of it in my last area. Anyways I hope that you have a good week! love you so much!

-Elder Stockman

Ps 

Ahhh that's really wierd to see pictures from your Ordination day Zach! I love you Zach! I was there in spirit.

Hey Dad!

Thanks for the Birthday wishes. 

I got to Monclova safe and sound. I feel good to be able to come back. My church building is a stake center, and there was a double stake leaders metting with Elder Treviño. I saw Presidente Velez and the Bishop from Tecnologico. I gave them a hug and he told me that my converts are doing really good. I feel like that was the best birthday present that I could have gotten, just to know that they are doing good. 

Thanks for all that you do and for being the best dad in the World!

love you!

-Elder Stockman

Week #48 I got wet.

Happy Birthday Zach,

 It's a good day to turn 12. As you are going to recieve the priesthood it is a great responsability. The Lord trusts you with the same powers that he used to create the entire universe, to create our spirits, and the power he used in his earthly ministry. Healing the sick, raising the dead, and he could even WALK ON WATER...

Anyways I invite you to start preparing NOW to be a missionary. start saving your pennies. I will see you in a year buddy!

love Spencer

I baptized both Women from left to right. me, Rosy, Elder Vasquez, Ramiro, Isabel.

Brother Ramiro and me. 

Hey momma!

Thanks so much for my birthday wishes!

Well they are shipping me back to Monclova! woooo!!!

I'm super pumped I loved Monclova the last time that I was there! The music, the chorizo,the tortillas, the drunk people, the dogs, the garbage, the factory AHMSA, the converts that I can probably visit, the people! ahhh it's like going home! hahaha to my birth place.

My area is called Guadalupe 2, I will be going still as district leader, and I will be finishing the training of Elder Hernandez. I am super excited. My bus leaves at 8:00 am tomorrow. Keep me in your prayers. Its like a 4 hour bus ride. 

Elder Miner my companion from the MTC will be in my district too that's crazy! There are like 6 elders from my generation in the zone. And this time HEB will be in my zone so I can go american grocery shopping, Walmart aswell. (HEB is an American grocery store)

I'm super happy with this last change that I have had. We were able to baptize 3 people this weekend. It was one of the coolest experiences of my life. I got the pleasure to baptize both of the women. Rosy, and Isabel. Elder Vasquez baptized Hermano Ramiro. 

I feel good about the work that I have done here in Lomas and I am sad to be leaving, but I know that the Lord needs me in Monclovita la bella again. I will go where the Lord calls me!

love you!

-Elder Stockman

Hey Dad!

First of all I actually started cracking up as I read that little story. I'm sorry for laughing "with" you. 

Well they are shipping me off to Monclova again! I'm super excited to be able to return to my birthplace! The food and the people are better there!

I will still be going as district leader but I will also be finishing the training of Elder Hernandez. I'm super excited. 

I will be going to an area that is touching my old area, but it's the other zone in Monclova, my area is called Guadalupe 2.

If im not mistaken Elder Townsend was there. But I'm super excited because I'm probably going to be able to visit my converts that will be going to the temple in like 10 months.

We were also able to have 3 baptisms here in Lomas my last weekend. It was a good reward for working hard and I'm super animated. I hope that I can Help my new companion learn a lot and also that I can learn a lot. 

love you dad!

La Zone Miravalle.

Sister Murset, Sister Roberts and Elder Stockman. 

(I like the Book of Mormon distance between Elder Stockman and the Sisters he,he)

Elder Lopez and me.

Me and Elder Monroy. 

Me and elder Archuletta. 

Elder Stockman and ?

Elder Gallegos

Me and Elder Hernandez. 

Me and Elder Torres.

Elder Salinas and me. 

Elder Sabastion and me.

Elder Stockman and ?

Week- #47 "I'm starting to grow more facial hair now, and it's annoying!"

Hey Momma! 

Sorry mom a thousand times. I forgot to bring my cable to send pictures. Love you next time I will have a ton.

In one week I will know if I stay or If I go. I really do feel like I am going. Which is kind of sad, but I have really grown to love the people here in this area. I will go where the Lord wants me to go, I will do what he wants me to do, I will be who he wants me to be. 

That last one is the hardest because it is something that we are all still working on. I feel like I'm nothing when I study the scriptures because I see the perfect example of the Savior Jesus Christ. I have been studying his attributes and trying to become more like him but it is hard. 

Can you believe that I'm almost 20! WOW! where did the time go?

I also heard the Zach passed his interview congradulations! tell him that I'm super proud of him.

Don't worry about the package mom, Oh and by the way I changed my mind about the hairgel, I found a brand that I like here in Mexico so you ca have more room for something else. haha

I'm glad that you could listen to Elder Bednar he is a really good speaker. I always like to listen to what he has to say.

This week we have been working with the people that are going to get baptized this weekend, it has been super hard because there is always opposition and Satan doesnt want these people to get baptized, there is so much stress right now but it is a good stress that is motivating me to work harder. 

Not much new happened haha but I love you and hope that you have a good week!

-Elder Stockman

Hey Dad!

Great to hear from you this week!

I can't believe that all of these people are going on the mission. Which means that I have been here for a while now.... hahaha

Thats cool that Nick is going to Georga. Tell I send him the best of wishes.

That's cool that Zach will be going to recieve the Aaronic Priesthood. I'm proud of him and I know he is a worthy young man. I'm super happy here in Lomas still. We will have transfers in 1 week. To be honest I kind of hope that I get transfersed but I have come to love this area and the members and all of the people here. I can't believe that I have been here for 1/5 of my mission. Can you believe that Josh will be leaving the MTC this week. I remember that day haha. When we went to the Airport in Mexico City I totally threw up in the parking lot when we got out of the van. I will probably do the same in a year from now. 

I was thinking the other day that I will soon be 20 years old. I dont think that It has phased me yet but Its kind of wierd that I'm Old now. 

MY NAME MAN

hahahaha

I'm starting to grow more facial hair now too. It's annoying to have to shave every day. Haha

Anyways I hope that you have a wonderful week! and that you can always be happy. Good luck with your work too! you are always in my prayers.

love

-Elder Stockman

Week 46- My new watch. It was only 180 pesos.

My new watch. 

The Cathedral of Saltillo. 

I'ts super big and old. and the bells were ringing when we went.

​Me with a random horse that was eating garbage...

Momma,

All your de-junking reminds me of when I cleaned out my room before I left. There was a ton of stuff in there. What ever happened with the guest room I remember there being a ton of books or papers and stuff like that. I actually ended up buying a new watch that I like a lot. It's a touch screen and it was only 180 pesos in Centro de Saltillo. 

This week we have been working with 4 investigators en especial. They are all going to get baptized the same day on the 23rd of october this month. that would be an absolute miracle. 

I hope that this will really happen because I have a lot of time here and I think that I might be leaving but who knows!

This week I went to the ¨Pulga¨ which is a flea market. They set it up on Saturdays here in my area. I bought 3 really cool ties for the equilivent of 2 dollars. I love Mexico hahaha I have been making a lot of pancakes lately because it seems like there is really nothing else for me to eat haha.I know that I can be more creative but its just that we have no time so I just make quick stuff. But its just a powder mix and I was thinking I cant wait to eat dads pancakes again. Those suckers are so dang good. 

We had a change in my district. Elder Gomez was shipped out and sent with my old companion Elder Johnson in Frontera Coahuila and someone who was sent home got sent back to the mission. I talked to him today on the phone and he seems like he has really changed and he really wants to change, and finish his remaining 9 months well. This experience actually helped to strengthen my testimony of the atonement and that we can all change! they will actually be baptizing this week aswell-

I hope that You guys have a really great week and that you can be happy!

-Elder Stockman

Hey Dad thanks for writing me!

I decided that I will start a Jehovas Whitness tie collection. I have collected some pretty sweet ties in this last year I think you would be impressed. I can't believe that last week I completed 11 months!

Hey if you save money like that and you arent driving a prius, I think that I accept. haha

MyCompanionship is going really well! we are getting along really well andworking super hard, It has been a really quick transfer we are in the 5th week that means will have transfers again in 2 weeks.  We recently got a really good ward mission leader who is a returned missionary of 3 years. He like to work and he accompanies us to the lessons. He is really worried about the people and he knows the importance of the members in the work. 

We were recently informed that we will get to witness the dedication of the Tijuana temple in a couple of weeks that will be super cool to be a part of that aswell, even though I cant go to Tijuana, I'm impressed with the technology that there is right now that makes the work of the Lord so much easier. 

I can't believe that Zach will be 12 and that he will be a deacon, and also that I will be 20. Remember that the last time that you saw me i was 19, and when I get home I will be 21. Thats wierd-

Anyways thanks for the love and the support. I know that you guys are prayingfor me because I have seen so many miracles that I can't explain. I know that the power of prayer is real. Have a great week!

-Elder Stockman

Week 45- I love Mtn Dew but my mom brings me to tears.❤️

A super cool member went to Texas to visit her sister and brought me this. I love Mtn Dew...

Mom I'm going to need a new belt. Lol

Please the middle is about to break in half. 

​Divisiones With Elder Torres...

I climbed the stairs!!!

​Saltillo from the south side.

Rreally cool view of Saltillo.

Momma,

Looking good the family! haha

tell Dad I'm jealous of his hawaiian shirt

you guys look the same still but 

Zach is a monster, he has grown so much in a year!

My date of honorary relief will be the 9th of November in the following year. That means that in 4 days I will complete 11 months. Nuts! Then it's all down hill from there!

I honestly can't believe that....

SHOUTOUT TO MOM  Elder Hollands talk brought tears to my eyes mom and I just wanted to let you know how much I really do love you. I miss you but I know that I will give you a Spencer hug in just a little bit more time. Then I will sit in that chair upstairs and we will talk for a really long time-

That ponderizing thing is a really good idea. I loves everyone of the talks. I got to watch it In English again. There were 7 of us in the zone from the US and we all watched it together, A sister in our ward let us use her mac air and that made me want to buy a mac computer haha!

We watched it in the comfy chairs of the high council room of the stake center. Man

you guys really like that restaurant don't you, I honestly wasn't impressed haha

tell Zach and Dom I approve of their costume choice haha they make me laugh. 

This week was really cool, We were able to see the Lords hand in our live a ton of times. I have a really challenging Elder in my District and he gives me grief every day, but I am at peace that I have done my best to try and help him and if he doesn't want to change then that is not my fault it is his. The Zone leaders gave me a really great scripture to read that left me with peace. 

it is Moroni 9:4 & 6 

I really do love the work of the Lord and I have never been happier in my life. Love you guys forever!

-Elder Stockman

Dad,

Haha,  Zach cracks me up and so does Jimmy Fallon. 

How are things going back at home? How is it being the high priest group leader for the ward. I hope that I can apply that council that you gave me to try something different. 

That's pretty good that Zach wants to go running. Looking at the pictures he looks like he has grown a ton!

I miss you guys but I know that I am in the right place aswell!

I hope that I can write you more next week but I just want to let you know that I love you so much!

have a good week Dad!

-Elder Stockman

Week #44- weirdest thing I have seen on my mission!!

​Wierdest thing that I have seen in my mission... A Utah lisence plate... The owner wasn't home but we will be going back...

Divisiones with the Zone Leaders...Elder Gibb is from Colorado but his family just moved to Utah. He said we are going to hang out after the mission. He goes home in January.

It's a meat store and that is an entire carcas hanging. Mexico....

Hi  momma!

Fisrt off the Temple Dedication was pretty cool!

During the dedicatory prayer the sound disappeared so I didn't really get to hear much of it. Elder Eyring said the prayer in Elglish because he does not speak spanish and there was a translater. 

Yeah(to you question) it's kind of hard to be in the same area for such a long time. I know all of the area and I feel like there are no more doors to knock haha but i'm still animated because we sould be baptizing more people soon.

Don't worry mom the spanish comes  with practice and patience. I have decided that I for sure want to learn another language when I get home I just havn't decided which one yet.

I have actually been studying in Mosiah aswell.  King benjamin is a pretty cool dude. So is Abinidi and Alma. 

And yes, pumpkin cookies are the bomb. Actually the other day I was trying to explain to my companion that pumpkin with chocolate tastes good. He didn't believe me but he is the crazy one. He was telling me about how he misses the food from Oaxaca and I was like well what do you miss most. He told me that the cheese, something called a Tlayuda which is actually pretty good, but then he started talking about eating insects and I lost my appetite. 

We are doing pretty good here in the ward still trying to animate the members to work more with us. The problem here is that everyone here works like a dog. that are always at work.

P.s. if you havnt sent my package I need another mission belt because it's falling apart and its going to break soon. love you and have a great week

-Elder Stockman

Hey Dad! 

First of all I found scriptural evidence that zombies are real... Matthew 8: 28-34  talks about how demons posess the bodies of the dead and then they kill a bunch of pigs by scaring them off of a cliff. Classic... wish I would have been there to see that.

you can share that scripture with bishop Batty and give him a little bit of hope.

I liked the Temple dedication. Elder Holland bore his testimony is spanish and it was pretty legit. The sound went out when Elder Eyring was offering the prayer but other than that it was cool to be there. It was the closest that I have been to the temple since last November. Hopefully I can go someday to the Temple in Monterrey. 

I am doing good here. I am still in Lomas and we will have changes in 4 weeks. I hope they ship me to the north. 

Zach just might be able to beat me up when I get home haha at this rate he is growing like a weed. Tell everyone that I love them. I don't really think about you guys too much dont worry. Just when its quiet and it's almost never quiet. 

Have a good general conference and enjoy your week!

-Elder Stockman

Week #43 FREE Pizza

The members bailed on us so we were all going to pay a little ( 50 each) and the delivery guy got here late hahaha ree Pizza hahahahaha 🙌

Bautismo de Diego. He is the one closest to me.

 Street dog that has cool eyes.

Hey momma!

 I'm doing great here in Saltillo still hahaha. I'm getting kind of bored of being in the same place for 6 months but you know it's ok hahah.

I think that is cool that Abbie had a fun time with her friends on Saturday. That's good to hear that Zach got into Family History. Well nothing has really changes this week. We had a baptism this week of Diego. I feel like it has been a long time since we have baptized. But I have come to realize that I am literally working my butt off and it just isn't the will of the Lord sometimes. How is your spanish going haha?

Tell dad he better start practicing Spanish because I have been eating a lot of salsa hahaha. 

speaking of salsa they give us a lot of different things but sometimes a lot of the same things. When I was in Monclova I ate something called Picadillo every day. here in Saltillo they give me meat and rice, with sopa and corn tortillas. there really aren't flour tortillas like there were in monclova. Oh I miss that hahaha.

(Response to a question about our missionaries that we share with one other Stake)

That would be hard to have to many members I feel like you really couldn't help them that well because there are so many. But there is also an extreme here in Saltillo there is a ward that has 6 missionaries. my ward has 4. Sometimes we eat together and sometimes we dont. it depends.

good to hear that the Neffs are going to stick around haha.

 Anyways I hope you have a great week!

-Elder Stockman

Hey Dad!

hahaha I miss those Zach-isms those were the good old days. 

Sometimes I wake up and think that I just got here and I can't believe that I am going to complete a year from being away from home. But that also means that I only have a year left and that makes me a little bit sad. 

I really miss being able to do family history and being able to go to the temple. but I hope that I will get to go to the temple here in Monterrey one day.

This week we were blessed to be able to have the baptism of Diego. His mom got baptized in April and he is just now wanting to be baptized. But it was a really spiritual experience. 

I can't believe that Zach will be entering the temple that is mind blowing to me haha and even more that he willl be passing the sacrament. Tell him I'm proud of him and that I hope he stays worthy to be in the place of the Lord. 

How is work going? are you still working from home?

love you and I hope you have a great week-.

-Elder Stockman

ps: I miss philly cheese steak sandwiches