Baptisms and Snakes

Hey Y'all!!!

I had to start at least one email with that! :)

This week was such a wild yet wonderful week! Let me explain my title. 

First, Baptism! 

Missionaries have been teaching Eli for a while. He is the cutest little 8 year old boy you've ever seen! I was fortunate to be able to teach him with Sister DeGraw and be a small part of him getting ready for baptism. He was baptized on Sunday and received the gift of the Holy Ghost! I am so proud of his decision. It was so cute, the morning of his baptism he said, "I'm so excited! and I can't believe I'm finally getting baptized!" He is SO adorable. He was a little bummed that he isn't 12 because he wants to go to the temple immediately. He has plans to go to the temple at 12 and get married at 20. That's what he told us! Haha. I love that kid. 

Second, Snakes......

So, I wouldn't say I'm afraid of snakes. Yet, we're not exactly the best of friends. And, you know what, I really don't like being suprised by them either. That being said, let me tell you a story...

Sister DeGraw and I were innocently walking out of the church when we saw the first one....a foot and a half long black and yellow snake! He was trying to seek repentance by the church.He wasn't near the door so we kept walking. Well, the time came for us to go back inside the church. We tried the door, and LOCKED.... Thankfully, the Roberts (Senior missionary couple) saw us and opened the door. We remembered seeing the snake on the way out so we checked around and found NO snake. We thought we were in the clear. Oh how we were wrong. Elder Roberts opened the door and what did we find? Our snake friend had hidden under the door by the weather stripping and slithered out in between us and the door. We of course screamed! We immediately jumped back to save the church from the snake. The door shut and what did we find, the snake was stuck in the door!!!! We then screamed more.... Elder Roberts and Sister Roberts hadn't seen the snake so they thought we were just crazy people but soon enough Elder Roberts saw the snake and helped the little guy get free. Now you snake lovers, don't worry he was okay. He didn't get into the church. It was quite a traumatic experience. :)  

I also had an experience where a 10 year old boy tried throwing a daddy long legged spider at me...thankfully he missed. I also was able to go on exhanges with Sister Rollins and Sanders. It was such a great experience. I love having the opportunity to see the other sisters in the zone and get to know them a little better, learn from them, and hopefully help them in any way I can.  It was a wildly fast week because of all these things and many more. 

I'm also excited because I get to attend the temple today! I never realized how much I miss going to the temple weekly until being on my mission. We get to attend every other transfer which ends up being quarterly. Also, the nearest temple is in Nashville so a little bit of a drive. But, it's worth it ALL THE WAY!  So, all of you that are able to attend the temple, attend the temple. If you aren't able, start working towards it. I truly feel God's love for me in His house. This being said, my challenge for y'all is to set a date to attend the temple. Attend. If you aren't able now, work towards it. I know that the Lord is hastening His work and he needs our help! Our ancestors need our help. If we're not going to do it, who is? 

I sure love y'all! 

P.S. (If I don't email everyone back this week it's because I'm attending the Lord's house today and won't be home until P-day is probably over. But, know I still love all of you!)

Love,

Sister Stone

1. Eli's baptism! So cute!

2. Driving home from exchanges with my lovely companion.