Week - #72 "Guercos". (that means rascals). (WHERE COS)

Teaching ​Aracely and Lupe.

Wedding of ​Aracely and Lupe.

Baptism of ​Aracely and Lupe. 

Super Baptism party in white. 

Hey Momma!

I cant believe how big Zach is. I think that he really might be able to beat me up when I get home haha.

So there was transfers. I will be going to Ramos Arizpe, which is a city that is right next to Saltillo. I will be going with Elder Villeda. Im super Excited!

Elder Villeda is from Los Angeles California. I actually know him he has been in a couple of the same zones as I have and I know him from the leadership conferences. 

So we will actually be in a trio with Elder Domiciano, he is from Brazil. I also sort of know him but just from sight. I know he speaks spanish with a brazilian accent. haha

Im super pumped. I get to go to the coldest part of the mission for the hottest part of the year, haha the lord loves me so much. He knew that I wanted to go there haha!

That makes me sad that spring break is over, Im sure that you have enjoyed your time off from the "Guercos". (that means rascals). (WHERE COS)

Can you believe that I will be home in 7 months! ahhhh that is mind blowing. Which also means that I will get to speak with you guys in one month on May 10th. WOOO #lastcallhome

So this week was a really cool weekend. We got back from Saltillo on Friday early in the morning. That day we had the civil wedding of Aracely and Lupe. They were baptized that same day and confirmed on Sunday. It was super cool. I am going to miss Elder Ninataype a lot he has been a really great comp. The funny thing is that Elder Miner is going to take my spot with him here in Acuña. I will be seeing both of them once a month. haha

Love you - Elder Stockman

Hey Dad!

So there was transfers. I will be going to Ramos Arizpe, which is a city that is right next to Saltillo. I will be going with Elder Villeda. Im super Excited!

Elder Villeda is from Los Angeles California. I actually know him he has been in a couple of the same zones as I have and I know him from the leadership conferences. 

So we will actually be in a trio with Elder Domiciano, he is from Brazil. I also sort of know him but just from sight. I know he speaks spanish with a brazilian accent. haha

Im super pumped. I get to go to the coldest part of the mission for the hottest part of the year, haha the lord loves me so much. He knew that I wanted to go there haha!

So thats pretty cool that coldplay is coming to Utah, but thats a bummer that you cant go. Im sorry maybe we could go when I get back!

Sounds like your work is keeping you busy. But thats good it seems like you enjoy it afterall. 

I got back to Acuña safe and sound friday in the early morning. haha such a lond bus ride. And now I have to do the same bus ride again because im getting transfered sown there haha

I have had a blast here in Acuña. I feel like the time here went by super duper fast. I have already been here 3 months though. I went to Gringas Davis here for the last time today. I found out that Elder Miner is going to be taking my spot here with Elder Ninataype. That should be really cool they are going to have a lot of success together. 

Elder Hopper is going to the same zone as I am and we are going to be on the same bus. That will be good at least I wont be alone.

anyways I love you and have a great week!

-Elder Stockman

Week -#71 Super excited to get my mind blown by President Rodriguez

Me and my companion.(Elder Ninataype and Elder Stockman.)

​Zone Activity #Aleluya

Momma,

First of all... Happy Birthday to my 2 favorite women on earth! Abbie who turned 18 yesterday, and momma tomorrow, (also still 18) haha

Second of all... General conference was awesome! I have never felt so spiritually filled in my whole life. I think that it was a great time to have conference. 

Nothing much happened this week, We watched conference and for the 3rd consecutive time I got to watch it in English. It was amazing to hear the prophet's real voice. 

We will be going to Saltillo again this week. My companion has to regester for his college clases so we will actually be traveling by night so that he can just do it in the offices, We leave Tuesday night. Super excited to get my mind blown by President Rodriguez again. 

We are going to have a really cool baptism this week, it is a family that showed up to church because of a member that invited them. The Brother was actually a member but somehow his membership record was lost and so we have to re baptize him. He is such a character, he is actually excited to have a second chance to get baptized. we are actually having their civil wedding on Friday, and then they are getting baptized that same day. 

I hope that you can enjoy the fact that you are getting older (hehe) love you, Im thinking about you guys especially because its your birthdays. I am always praying for each and every member of my favorite family. 

Put into practice what you learned from General conference. I know I will be doing the same. 

love you!

-Elder Stockman

Papi,

My companion laughed when I told him you thought he was from Mexico... hahaha

He is as american as I am, his parents are both from Peru. He says that his last name is in that wierd native language that you said that you sometimes heard when you were in Bolivia. He is from North Ogden, he went to Weber High. 

Haha that is a pretty sweet muscle car, I wish I would have damaged the civic and got to drive that around. haha

haha, I havnt laughed that hard in a while, silly Zach. haha 

So this week I also learned a lot from General Conference, I had the opporotunity to watch it in english again. I really liked the talks from Elder Uchtdorf and from Elder Holland. They encouraged me and made me feel better about myself aswell. 

We will be going to Saltillo again this week. My companion has to regester for his college clases so we will actually be traveling by night so that he can just do it in the offices, We leave Tuesday night. Super excited to get my mind blown by President Rodriguez again. 

We are going to have a really cool baptism this week, it is a family that showed up to church because of a member that invited them. The Brother was actually a member but somehow his membership record was lost and so we have to re baptize him. He is such a character, he is actually excited to have a second chance to get baptized. we are actually having their civil wedding on Friday, and then they are getting baptized that same day.

love you and have a great week!

-Elder Stockman

Week #70- oops!

In English: Keep of the grass.

Bautismo de Diego Antonio

The Baptism of Diego Antonio. 

Momma,

Whoa holy cow I dont understand how you guys are in the General Conference! That is loco! How did you guys get that opporotunidad. That is crazy. My mind is still blown.!

Tell Abbie to remember me when she is famous! haha

By the way im totally downloading this video and showing it to every living soul here in Mexico.

This week we had the Baptism of Diego Antonio. It was a super cool experience. He had been going to church for a long time but we could never get a appiontment in with him. Now that there are vacations for spring break he was home. In the first appointment we put the baptismal date goal with him for 2 days later than the day we met him. The day after he was interviewed, and then the day after that was baptized. I had the awesome experience of confirming him a member of the church. Now that I think about it it was the first time that I have ever confirmed anybody. It was just a really cool testimony to me that God really does put people in our path every single day. He loves everyone of us because we are his children. 

I really do love it here in Acuñita its super cool. Im having a blast here with my companion. We get along super well and everything is going well in the area. I love you and I hope that you have a great week!

You are the best mother ever. I love you and Im excited to talk to you again on mothers day. #lastcallhome

-Elder Stockman

Hey Papi hows it going!

Well im loving life here in Acuña, its a really cool place. I feel like the people here are a lot different than the rest of the mission because a lt of the people are from Veracruz. They all came here because there were a lot of job opporotunities.

This week we had the Baptism of Diego Antonio. It was a super cool experience. He had been going to church for a long time but we could never get a appiontment in with him. Now that there are vacations for spring break he was home. In the first appointment we put the baptismal date goal with him for 2 days later than the day we met him. The day after he was interviewed, and then the day after that was baptized. I had the awesome experience of confirming him a member of the church. Now that I think about it it was the first time that I have ever confirmed anybody. It was just a really cool testimony to me that God really does put people in our path every single day. He loves everyone of us because we are his children. 

Tomorrow we will be with President Rodriguez becasue it will be the Zone Conference here in Acuña. I always like zone conferences a lot they are always really great learning opporotunities. 

anyways have a great week I love you!

-Elder Stockman

Week #69- "I'm over that whole taxi fantasy"

Elder Stockman(nice tight floods. These surly can't be the pants we sent with him??), Sister Gloria, and Elder Ninatype. 

Elder Stockman and Tacos.  (Picture taken from Elder Hoppers blog.)

Hey momma!

Dont worry about it haha! I heard that you and Abbie went to New York this week. Thats super cool. I have always wanted to go there and eat a new york style hot dog, also get some new york pizza, Im over the whole taxi fantasy the mission ruined that for me haha. Just kidding around. 

So this week We had a pretty cool experience with Sister Gloria. 

We had originally with her a baptisimal goal date for the 26th of march. She has been keeping all of her committments and reading the book of mormon a lot, going to church and praying. This week when we brought up her goal date again she said that she wasnt going to be able to do it. We had a little heart attack inside, She said that she would be leaving on spring break vaations for the semana santa. So we talked to her a little bit and helped her to realize that she was ready whenever she wanted to do it. We told her that if she wanted to she could even do it this weekend. She kind of lit up when we told her that, Then she said that she would let us know that next day. When we went she said that she would do it. I had the opporotunity to baptize her and my companion confirmed her. It was  a cool weekend. 

This next week should be a little bit more relax and we can work harder in our area, because we wont need to go anywhere and do interviews, divisions or anything. We have a lot of really good people that are progressing really well here in Our area,

So how was your trip to New York tell me all about it, you better send some pictures too.

love you momma! have a good week!

-Elder Stockman

Hey Dad!

Thats really cool to see that you and Zach helped finish up the remodeling. I see the picture of the house that you sent and It honestly doesnt seem to me that that is really the house. It looks a lot different. I remember how we put in hard wood flooring but It just seems different. Maybe you painted or something.

So this week we had a pretty great surprise. One of our investigators had been to church like 4 times and she had a baptismal goal date to be baptized on the 26th of march. The other day we were in a lesson with her and we reminded her about the goal and she was saying that she wasnt going to be able to do it. When we asked her why she said that it was because she was going to be going on spring break vacation for the semana santa. Then we talked to her and said, look you meet all the Lords requirements to be baptised and she said that she had the desire. Then we said that she really could be baptised whichever day that she wanted, even this weekend. Then her face kind of lit up a little, she told us that she would let us know the next day, Then when we visited her the next day she told us that she would do it. Long story short, Sister Gloria was baptized this weekend and it was really cool to see that she made the decision to be baptized and follow the example of Jesus Christ. 

This week we did divisions with the district leaders. My companion went to Allende and I stayed here and went with Elder Vasquez and Elder Jones. Really cool dudes. I already knew Elder Vasquez pretty well haha. 

I think that its crazy that we are already halfway through the transfer with Elder Ninataype. It is going pretty good for us up here in Acuña. Its a really cool place with a lot of potencial. 

My companion says that the missionaries here always leave one day after the day of transfer. The transfer date is November the 8th so he says that I will be home on the 9th. 

Talk to you next week!

-Elder Stockman

Week #68- "I have a way of Jinxing things lol. "

At the cibar doing out e-mail. 

Hey momma!

Happy 25th anniversary. Thats awesome that you guys have been together for such a long time, and the years to come. 

So I got home on Friday super early in the morning from my trip to Saltillo. Everything is good here. It has been raining here a lot in Coahuila in general. We actually got home and we were super tired. We opened the front door and I told my companion that it was a good thing that the House didnt flood. and then he walked into the bedroom and started to freak out. Turns out that I have a certian talent for jinxing it. haha. The bedroom was flooded, but we think we found the problem and everything should in theory be ready for the next time that it rains. we were to tired to clean it up so we just went to bed. haha. Next morning we got a little dust pan, a bucket, and a mop and cleaned it up. haha thought that I had gotten away with it. 

We have been having a lot of success here in the area, my companion is super cool and I have been able to learn a lot from him. he is also super funny, we get along pretty well. 

So this week it was funny because I wanted some Mtn Dew and so I told Elder Wiedmeier to hook me up, he said that it would be ok if I brought him a Gringa from Gingas Davi's. haha because he was here in Acuña and he missed it. Good news is that I got some more mtn dew.

Anyways Im here in Acuña loving life still. Its a really good area and I love it here.

have a great week!

love you

-Elder Stockman

Hey Dad, 

Still here in Acuña haha, loving life here its probably the best part of the mission. 

So this week we came back from Saltillo to see that our house was flooded, haha, We had to clean it up with a dustpan, a bucket, and a broom.

So we got lucky because the house that we are in has a washing machine, however we have to hang the cloths to dry, but the funny thing is that the cloths lines run straight throught the middle of the house, its always super humid in the house, haha actually my companion just had to get rid of some cloths because he forgot about them being wadded up wet and there was a bunch of mold haha. 

The members give us food everyday, and when they bail we just go to Gringas Davi's. Its a less active member that owns the gringa shop and he tells us to come all the time. Its super good food too. I feel like Im spoiled here because of that. But at the same time, there is absolutely nothing here in Acuña haha. But I love it. Part of our zone is a little town called Zaragoza. The Elders there baptise in a river or a pond usually. They say that they go grocery shopping in a corner store because there is no grocery store there. That pueblo is 2 hours away by bus. 

I feel wierd here sometimes besause I feel like im out in the Boonies, but there are a lot of modern people with a realy modern attitude. Probably because we are so close to the USA. 

Anyways I hope that you have a good week!

-Elder Stockman

Week #67- Dang future has arrived. LOL

Hey mom!

So I really love my new companion! He is hilariuos, we get along super well. Haha

I feel like I have already been able to learn a lot from him in our little time together, Its really cool to still be able to be here in Acuña. I feel like its the Chosen Land here. 

So Im super jealuos that I couldnt go shooting with you guys, I will have to do that when I get home. 

We have recently been having a lot of success here in the area and in the zone, actually this week I get to go to Saltillo again, thats an 18 hour bus ride. haha

So why was it that you guys got to go up there to the potium, thats super cool by the way, I didnt really undersrtand what you told me about the whole young womens thing. Also I hate to be rude but i dont know who Abbies friend is in that picture haha. I feel like I have been here forever. Today a member told me to take a picture with their smart phone for them and I felt like I was holding a futuristic weapon or something, and evedently you can share videos through the facebook chat haha that crazy, Dang future has arrived.

We are actually leaving at 9:30 on Wednesday morning to be there for the meeting on Thursday. We will get back Friday early in the morning, Yeah Im not prepared to come back to the real world. 

I remember when Abbie sent me a picture of her on like a futuristic segway thing, yeah that blew my mind, I hate real life haha.

The climate is super wierd here in Acuña,its super foggy and cloudy and sometimes cold in the morning, but then it is hot during the day without a single cloud. 

Anyways I hope that you have a great week!

-Elder Stockman

Hey Dad,

So this week we have been working pretty hard. We were able to see the results of our work because we took a couple of investigators to church. I really like being here with Elder Ninataype, he is a super cool guy and we get along super well. Haha it helps that we have already been friends for a while now! haha

So this week I will be going to Saltillo. Yay 18 hours of bus travel. My companion gave me a good idea, that When I get to Saltillo to start to complain about the leg room and that my knees hurt and that maybe they will buy us a first class bus! haha. But really that leg room is what you would call ''chafa'' haha

thats super cool that you guys went shooting for FHE, I hope that we could do something like that when I get home. Maybe I will have to buy a gun or more.

Anyways right now I have decided that I am sick of the free gringas, I have eaten them so much that I have become tired of eating them. 

So I also realized that this transfer I will get to watch general conference. That should be reallly cool to be able to listen to the living profets and apostles again.

And dont speed dad, I have also learned my lesson the hard way, the rules are there to protect us. 

no speeding click the link

love you

-Elder Stockman

Week-#66 Rocking it Seminary Teacher Style.

Me in Texas.. 

Elder Hopper in Texas and I'm still in Mexico. 

Hola Mama,

So this week I was in a trio the whole week with Elder Hopper and with Elder Lopez. Haha they are my new best friends. I really have been able to gain a testimony of the work and that when we are having a hard time to be able to lose yourself in the work is the best way to get over it.

I found out that my new companion is going to be Elder Ninataype. He is a really great friend aswell he always has been ever since we were in the same ward when I was in Cañada.  He is actually coming from the offices so he will get here on Wednesday. Im super excited to work hard and to baptize!

Haha I still have 2 days left with Elder Hopper and Lopez.

I will be going to Saltillo in 1 week and then in another 5 weeks I think.

So I went to the internacional bridge today, haha it was crazy. I was totally in Texas. So our plan was to go as far in as we could. We got to the point where they were going to ask for our papers and then we turned around and were walking back, but then this overly excited border patrol police officer got mad at us. He said that if you are going to enter you have to enter, and then he kicked us back into Mexico. I learned my lesson hahaha

Anyways this week my suit pants were torn from ware and tare, honestly I couldnt repair them, I might need to be buying some new pants. haha I will have to rock it Seminary Teacher Style. 

I love you and I hope that you have a good week!

-Elder Stockman

Hey Dad!

So this week I was a zone leader solo. haha It was really cool to be here with Elder Hopper and Elder Lopez. They are really great friends. They have taught me a lot about losing myself in the work. It has been really cool to be able to just work with them. In between the 2 areas we took 10 investigadors to church. 

So my new companion will be Elder Ninataype!

That is super cool he has always been a good friend. I think he is definately going to be teaching me a lot. He is coming from the offices so he will actually be coming Wednesday morning. 

haha so today we went to the Internacional bridge. haha they almost arrested us. we payed 4 pesos to go and walk over and we made it all the way to where they were going to ask us for our papers on the Texas side. Then this dumb immigration cop came up and started asking us what we were going. We told him that we just wanted to get as far as we could. He got super mad and kicked us back into Mexico. haha I have learned my lesson. 

Anyways this transfer we have a couple of baptisms lined up and the whole zone does aswell. Its going to be a super good transfer. I love you and have a good week. 

-Elder Stockman 

Week #-65 Surprise change

Hey momma! 

So this week I am running a little short on time haha I promise this is not going to be a usual thing. 

Elder White got taken out of the area suddenly haha things like that always heppen to keep us moving, keep us on our feet. This last week of the transfer I will be in a trio with Elder Hopper and Elder Lopez. Im counting them as my companions haha. I am also running the zone alone haha this is a really great learning experience. 

Wow I cant even tell you how excited I am to be able to go to the new provo temple with you guys that will be a really great experience. I remember that it was a really cool thing to see that they were building it. It was really cool the way that they built it too. One of a kind.

so this next week Elder Hopper and I had planned going to the internacional bridge here and taking a picture or 2. I will be sure to send you one,. Love you momma!

-Elder Stockman

Hey Dad. 

So this week there were short changes. My companion got shipped out one week before the transfer. I am running the zone alone hahah woo hoo !

I am now in a trio with elder Hopper and Elder Lopez

We had a really great week this week. I cant believe that tomorow we have the last zone meeting for the whole tranfer. I was really liking being here with Elder White so it was kind of surprising that they took him out haha things always happen in the mission to keep us going. 

This week that is coming I was planning to go to the internacional bridge here and I will send you a picture. I love you have a great week. 

-Elder Stockman

Week #64- free food.. Yes please!!

​This is gringas davis. These are free for missionaries because the owner is a member. Super cool. And they are all you can eat. Gringas, tacos, piratas, campechanas, and coke. haha

​Sunset in Acuña. There is a dirt soccer field over there.

Here is a rooster. Ha,ha!!

Momma,

Where did you get that TORTA!!!! Tortas are the best!

So the baptismal interview was for other elders that are in our zone. Walking across our area would probably take 2 good hours at a fast pace. In a car probably like a 25 minute ride.

Hoestly I have no idea why allende is part our zone, Its part of the stake of piedras Negras and according to the church its part of Piedras Negras. But to the missionaries its part of Acuña. Oh well. 

Man Im excited to go look for good mexican food all over Utah, There is just a lot of food laws in the United States that would eliminate a lot of posibitities. 

Fun to see that Zach and Dad could get to Clear Creek and Back safe and Sound, that looks like its a fun time. So Zach got out of school for that? I never got to go there. 

Too bad that you couldnt get chinese food this year because valentines day was ona sunday this year, but dont worry because that means that next year it wont be on a sunday. 

I just realized that this year is special because it is leap year. It is also the summer olympics in Brazil. I wonder how that would be to be a missionary over there in Brazil during the olympics. 

So this week we sadly ended our baptizing streak. I guess that nobody wanted to get wet this week. Oh well. We have been having a pretty successfull time. We have been working super hard and Have been able to see the results. We are praying right now that Kevin's mom will get baptized. Right now its scheduled for the 5th of march. She is a super cool investigator who has a lot of questions about the church. Her name is Gloria. 

This week I had my interciew with President Rodriguez. While I was there I saw the Familia Velez. He was all the way up here on a work assignment. It was super cool to be able to catch up with them and to talk to them. They are super good friends with president Rodriguez. Because they were work companions before and well both of them have been mission presidents. Its funny to hear President Velex giving advice to President Rodriguez on how to go back to the real world again. haha highlight of my week. Eventhough it will be sad to say goodbye to President Rodriguez. It will be a blessing for him and his family to be released because that man never sleeps. haha maybe he will get another assignment hahaha

Anyways I hope that you have a great week!

-Love Elder Stockman

Hey Dad!

Well this week we broke our baptizing streak, nobody felt like getting wet. haha

It was a good week though we worked pretty hard. Elder Ninataype came with us on divisiones, he came up with president for interviews and then stayed with us and went home the next day in the night, 

I also had my interview with president Rodriguez this week. It was a really uplifting experience. he is one of my favorite persons is the whole world. 

So too bad that you couldnt have the tradicional chinese take out. That totally is a tradicion by the way. Dang I want some real food. Im sick of rice and chicken. hahah

When I was in Monclova I went to Burger King and I thought for a moment that I was in America. 

speaking of that its too bad that Kansas CIty isnt all that is cracked up to be. But BBQ sound good!

That is also really interesting that the Jordan River Temple is going to be remodeled. That will be cool to go to that open house when I get home. I know it wont be for years but you know it would be cool. Also super excited to go and see the New Provo temple. 

Im having a great time here in Acuña. Ther is a lot of work to be done here. You should send me some more pictures of your business trip. 

Have a good week!

-Elder Stockman

Week # 63 "That makes 3 in a row."

Elder Stockman, President Rodrigues(Mission President), President Valez(Stake President).

The Elders.

 Elder Stockman. (These 3 picture where taken by sister Valez and sent to mom and dad on Facebook messenger.) 

Hey momma!

Well I had a pretty good week!

It was cool because we were able to have another baptism this week!

That makes 3 weeks in a row!

I love this area its pretty good. There are a lot of people that we are teaching. I wish that we could have bikes because that would be really useful here. There used to be bikes but now there isnt because there were too many accidents. The area is enormous so its a little bit sad that we dont have one. 

Tomorrow is a zone meeting. We have to give a training about what we learne in Saltillo this last week. How we can help the other missionaries be better in their basic teaching skills.

So I finally got around to buying a new pair of shoes. I took the money out of my acount a while ago but I finally bought them today. 

I get along with my companion really well. Canadians are usually chill. he says sorry a lot. hehehe

Anyways I hope that you start to feel better and that you have a greaet week!

-ELder Stockman

Hey Dad!

to answer your question its a 10 or 11 hour bus ride to Saltillo.

Wednesday morning we lafe at 9:45 am and got there at 7:30 pm. Then we went to grab a bite to eat, then we went and slept in the secrataries house. The next day the meeting started 9:00 am we finished at about 3:00 after eating lunch and all that and then got on the bus at 4:30pm on thursday and headed for Acuña again. We got home at 2:30 am on Friday morning. Then Friday after lunch we went to Allende a 3 hour bus ride to do a baptismal interview for someone in our zone. We returned that night, at 12:30 in the ´´morning´´

Lots of traveling but this only happens in tis zone because Allende is part of our zone. I will be going to Saltillo the first or second thursday of every month.

So on another note we baptized again this week. That makes 3 weeks in a row!

I really like this area and my companion is great aswell!

ANyways I hope that you have a great trip to Kansas City and that you can get back safe and eat some good Barbaque in my honor! haha

Love you Dad!

-Elder Stockman

Week #61- p.s. Sorry this letter sucks.

Hey Mom and dad.

Today was kind of a crazy day.

we have 0 time to be able to do things here haha. Right now we have to go and wait for a sister missionary that is going to be coming from nueva rosita.

sorry that i hadnt written earlier. i have to divide my ciber time in 2 parts do be able to do it but just that something came up today so we ran out of time. 

I really love it here in Acuna its really cool!

We had a baptism this week of Javier Mendoza. He was super ready to be baptized and that was a blessing of the lord to show up neither of us knowing anything and that he was wiaiting to be baptized.

I will send pictures next week. 

Im alive, healthy, and very happy. 

until next week

PS sorry that this letter sucks. I will do better next week. please forgive me

-Elder Stockman