Becoming Consecrated

Hi Friends and Family!!

This week was the best! It was 90 degrees or higher but not too bad! People here think I'm crazy because I love the humidity. Heavenly Father sure did put me in the right mission! 

   This past week I've been reflecting and have really been grateful for the opportunity to be a full time missionary! About a month ago, President Stone (my mission president) gave us the challenge to be more consecrated in our missionary efforts. Sister Coles and I took that challenge to heart and acted on it. Since doing so, the Lord has blessed us tremendously! We now have 5 people on date for baptism in July and maybe soon another investigator on date as well. The referals we were getting before have tripled. And everyone we are teaching or have found have been prepared to accept the gospel. I know that these things have happened because of my Heavenly Father. Once we truly give our all to Him and leave all other things behind us, we become a better tool in His hands. I was an obedient missionary before this challenge. However, I have become the missionary that Heavenly Father needs me to be since taking upon myself the duty of becoming consecrated. It hasn't been easy to leave all things behind me. 

   Being a missionary is not easy. This week and the last have been the hardest weeks yet on my mission. But, I know that the hard things/opposition was needed for me to be prepared for this week. Heavenly Father doesn't make things easy. In fact, I've found that the hardest things I do have the greatest reward. And that reward is of eternal value. This gospel is the thing that brings eternal joy to my life. I love sharing that joy to everyone I meet.

    I also wanted to share my testimony of the Book of Mormon and prayer. I know that the Book of Mormon is true! It is another testament of Jesus Christ. What I have seen is that those that read the Book of Mormon daily are the ones that grow faster in the gospel. I don't know about you, but I love to learn and grow. The best way to grow closer to the Savior and become more like Him is to read the Book of Mormon. 

   I also wanted to share my testimony of prayer. I know that every prayer we speak, think or have in our hearts are answered. Heavenly Father hears our prayers. He knows us individually and personally. He wants to hear from us. Pray to Him daily! I had a cool experience. I had prayed to Heavenly Father and told Him that I really wanted to find those people that were ready to be baptized. The day that I said that prayer was the day that we put Bre and her daughter on date for baptism. 

   I also wanted to share an insight on something that someone said to me this week. A lady told me this week that missionaries always have the spirit with them. I wish I had asked her why she thought that was.  Well, the answer is that they are doing the small and simple things to have the spirit with them. Everyone can have an increased amount of the spirit with them if they are: reading their scriptures daily (especially the Book of Mormon), praying daily, listening to the spirit and willing to act on the promptings he sends, and attending all church meetings. I've found that a great way to be able to listen, hear and act on spiritual promptings is to do the basics. We also have to be able to hear his voice. Sometimes we get distracted by social media and aren't able to hear the voice of the spirit when he speaks. 

So, my challenge for y'all is the same challenge that President Nelson encouraged all the youth to do in the Youth Devotional. He said to 

1. Hold a 7 day fast from social media.

2. For 3 weeks give up something you like to do and use that time to gather Israel.

3. Do a thorough life assessment with the Lord.

4. Pray daily that ALL God's children may receive the blessings of the gospel.

5. Stand out and be different from the world. 

This challenge isn't just for youth. It is for everyone who is willing to grow and help the Lord hasten His work. I can promise that as each of you do these 5 things you will be strengthened. You will be more aware of the Holy Ghost. And you will hear the spirit's voice when he speaks. I love each and every one of you! I appreciate your love and support! I truly love this gospel and the ability it has to change me and everyone for the better. Let's be consecrated members of the church! We are supposed to "stand out and be different"! Let's do it! I love ya!

-Sister Stone

1. A family we are teaching.

2. My zone with the Nashville Tribute Band

3. Beautiful Kentucky!

4. President Nelson's challenge.

5. The biggest Enchilada of my life...

6. Service with Sister Coles

7. Beautiful Kentucky again!