Stories and a Challenge.

So, we have a wonderful family in our ward.  They are less active only because of health problems with the man's wife.  Before we started the lesson, I felt prompted to ask the man a question.  I asked him "Usted recurden un hombre y un mujer, Diego y Elba Peña?"  And Hermano Colon got a huge smile on his face.  Yes, Hermano and Hermana Colon, the family that baptized Grandpa, mom!  How wonderful of an experiance that was for me to be in the house where you played as a child and to talk to the people who helped me be born into this gospel.

This last week was pretty slow.  We haven't been able to find as many families, but the ones we are teaching are making great progress.  People here are calling me Flaco (I think that is how you spell it).  Not good man, not good.  Oh, and turns out I might need glasses.  This sun is killing my eyes, man.  It's getting harder and harder everyday.  But I am improving on my Spanish, people say.  Haha it is only through God that this is possible.  Only through Him that I am able to continue in this work, learn more in this language to one day be able to speak it without pausing.

The Gospel is true, my friends.  If you are a member and are active, figure out if the Gospel is true.  If you are less active, figure out if the Gospel is true.  If your an investigator, figure out if the Gospel is true.  If you're one of my friends reading this blog, figure out if the Gospel is true, and see the real reason why I am giving 2 years of my life to serve God.  The only way to find out is to read the Book Of Mormon and take the challenge in Moroni 10:3-7.  That is my challenge to all of you who read this.  And if you truly want an answer, I promise with my heart and soul that you will obtain your answer, and find that eternal happiness. This is my prayer and testimony, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Elder Stout
Remember who you are

Note from Mom: The Colons introduced her family to the Church, but the elders were the ones who baptized them. :]

Another Week in Puerto Rico

Almost another transfer down.  MAN!  Haha crazy how fast it goes.  This week has been amazing.  Please pray for Hermano Donetui and Familia Gonzalez.  SO what is new.  It got up to 112 the other day.  I can't even walk without dripping in the heat.  But it's funny because evey moring when it's 85 degrees, I am freezing.  This humidity is killing me.  I am a district leader now.  It's got a lot of responsibilities, but through God, I will be able to accomplish it.  Um, there is this one kid who I call gordito and he threw a slushy at me when we were riding bikes.  I was like, "Que paso, gordito." and he said, "MORMONS!!!!!!!"  And then he punched me when we rode by.  Come on, man.  I learned how to make rice now since I am the best cook out of me and my companion.  He doesn't think so, but you got to try the differences.  Um, the work is great.  It is better then I thought.  We have an ant infestion though everywhere.  And I have to give a talk this Sunday in Church!  Blah it's so intense.  Continue to pray for others.

-- Elder Stout
Remember who you are 

Who wears short shorts!

Okay, this was one week to remember.  We taught two new families, and they seem so ready.  The Gonzalez family and the others are just a boiling pot of people.  I crashed my bike bad!  It's a nice bike, too.  A car pushed me off the road.  It was my first day on the bike, too!  Okay, so during study, a cockroach ran right past me.  Literally 4 inches long.  I almost puked.  We killed it, pulled off it's head and it would not stop twitching for hours.  Then the ants came and literally took all of the meat in that bad boy.  Ants here are vicious and all over the place.  Everyone thinks I have lived here my whole life, I love it.  They're like, "Y tu de donde eres?"  "Soy de Washington" I have to say, but soon I will say "Cabo Rojo" or something, I dont know.  Yeah, still have not had the chance to eat great food yet, but I am waiting patiently.  So many beautiful trees and flowers here, it is amazing!  I can't wait to hopefully take pictures.  I never get the chance, man!

Anywho, love you all.  Keep on the sunny side of life!!!

-- Elder Stout

Remember who you are  

HOT HOT HOT

Two down for baptism!  Haha I love this work.  Okay, so the first day was a little different, but it feels so natural.  Everyone here says they're impressed with my Spainsh, yet I still feel lost haha.  We are teaching I think five families right now, our main focus here is families.  Like i have said earlier, families are failing, you guys need to stand strong.  Elder Vicil y yo are going to be doing a lot of work, but it will be worth it.  Big difference here, we don't get to eat dinner.  And we had no food this week either.  I feel proud but then not, if that makes any sense.  Really staring to like malta down here, it's all they have.  We had a cool session with members and investigators where we watched the Testaments (five times in a week) and you could just feel the sprirt in the room.  Oh, I killed a massive fly one day, and left it on the wall.  We came back and all the ants took the meat of the fly.  There is a little lump on the wall and it's the fly's bones.  It's gross haha.  I will take a picture and send it home when I have time.  It's so different, every morning we are up by 6 o'clock and go to bed at 10:45.  But the work is so amazing, it is so worth it haha.  Love you all stay safe.

-Elder Stout
Remember who you are 

First email from Puerto Rico!!

SO it is beautiful here!  Haha I love it.  Last night, we set two people for baptism, and tomorrow we are going to tract into new families that should be getting baptized!

My first area is Caroline in Pontezuela.  My trainer, Elder Vicil, is Puerto Rican and is the Zone Leader here haha!  He speaks such broken Spanish, but I love him to death.  I got the package and the letters, and I will be writting back to the people who wrote me.

I love our new president, he is so alive and animated.  I can't wait to continue to serve here!  Seriously, this island is so beautiful, but so Americanized also.  I can't believe it.  Hahaha um, I am using Spanish the best I can.  Some say I speak well, others say I suck.  I will leave that for my family to decide. :)

P-Days are Wednesdays now, so I will reply on Wednesdays.  I lose about 10 pounds a day from sweating, and gain 6 to 8 back sometimes.  Pretty good ratio in my mind.

Anywho, anyone who has questions, send me a letter.  I will try to send some pictures home on the SD card soon.

God bless all.

Elder Stout

ELDER STOUT IS IN PUERTO RICO!!!

Malcolm, Presidente Alvarado y Hermana Alvarado.  Isn't he just looking so shnazzy?

Last P-Day here in the MTC!

Haha did that time go by fast or what?  So, new things for this week.  First off, congratulations Tyler Heaps, Tyler Ottensen and Mike for your jobs at Subs!  Okay, so we went tracting around the Dominican Republic, and my companion only spoke solid spanish so that was a little difficult, yet I also got to use some Creole!  Haha it's so funny, I would have never thought I would use it yet.  Now I am happy the Haitians taught me so I could get someone interested into the church!  It's so beautiful here, and so poor.  I can't believe they get by like this.  I can not wait to see what Puerto Rico is like and meet my trainer haha.  I hope he only knows Spanish.  Oh, and we as missionaries are teaching all the Latins here English!  It's so crazy, I would have never thought I would learn Spanish, let alone know enough to teach English while speaking in Spanish.  The Lord is amazing.  For all those graduating, good luck, congratulations and stay safe.  Continue to do missionary work, talk to your friends or members of your family who aren't members.  Invite them to church.  Be that example.

LOVE YOU!  Next time, I will be in PUERTO RICO!! :]

-- Elder Stout
Remember who you are