tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23925114397425195212024-03-05T16:42:38.607-08:00Una obra maravillosaElder Alexandre Stout, <br>
called to serve the <br>
people of Mexico CityScott Stouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15959168942830161502noreply@blogger.comBlogger100125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392511439742519521.post-40039205497977045442016-09-06T14:49:00.003-07:002016-09-06T14:49:47.305-07:00Aug 17 - Just like that, he's home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFKuQPGRSYpvd2amXeOpXD5j57TIzgniWod1BOWHTEw_4OSdonHneQp1OiJ6GlZ4crkf43sWGJJG5syxNx7Kiz-CtbEyaIpHXeBJzd7JNQkIFPK4kAC9ewIVzQgJId5iuriu-t0W0shwXD/s1600/14022099_10154008102858843_9070995506569205948_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFKuQPGRSYpvd2amXeOpXD5j57TIzgniWod1BOWHTEw_4OSdonHneQp1OiJ6GlZ4crkf43sWGJJG5syxNx7Kiz-CtbEyaIpHXeBJzd7JNQkIFPK4kAC9ewIVzQgJId5iuriu-t0W0shwXD/s320/14022099_10154008102858843_9070995506569205948_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Scott Stouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15959168942830161502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392511439742519521.post-21043683379228171022016-08-16T17:13:00.000-07:002016-08-16T17:13:01.459-07:00Aug 16 - The Best 2 Years<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaRvMMATkc3U97YkzmN62EspExES21DDxADDEp0egizI_dLVRJuO4wLvZLoW4WCYHUFErvCskDKYDBqzXH_0rI0EP_oU74ZcTOVYPZMQw4bee7EWamgalFO12HJZE5JhXAWms-zEzuL4S5/s1600/IMG_5933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaRvMMATkc3U97YkzmN62EspExES21DDxADDEp0egizI_dLVRJuO4wLvZLoW4WCYHUFErvCskDKYDBqzXH_0rI0EP_oU74ZcTOVYPZMQw4bee7EWamgalFO12HJZE5JhXAWms-zEzuL4S5/s320/IMG_5933.JPG" width="240" /></a>Wow, these last couple of days have just been a complete
blur. It kind of feels like a dream. I keep imagining that someone is going to
tell me, hey Elder Stout, you actually still have a year left. I can´t believe
it. I honestly can´t. I am so excited yet so sad at the same time. Leaving
behind the wonderful Mexican people and the friendships that I have made here
is going to be one of the absolute hardest experiences of my entire life. I
have honestly been more sad and anxious in these last couple days then I have
in my whole life. I have been a nervous wreck, that is until my super spiritual
final interview with President Mecham which I will talk about later on.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This week was one of the most intense and spiritual of my
mission and my life. On wednesday we gave our final zone conference. I leearned
so much from the missionaries that were there and from our beloved President
and his wife. It was such a great way to end. We also had fun getting
completely soaked (see the video on Sister Mecham´s facebook).<o:p></o:p></div>
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Friday, I had my chance to go to the temple before going
home. I have never had the experience that I had this friday. I went pretty
sick and I was worried that I would be numb to the impressions that would come
to me and such things, but I had one of the most illuminating experiences of my
life. I just felt so strongly that the Lord is happy with what I did. I know
that I wasn´t perfect, but I just felt as if he accepted my offering, and that
was such a strong spiritual confirmation.<o:p></o:p></div>
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On Saturday, after months of prayer and fasting, the Lord
opened the windows of heaven and allowed Alexa and Zoe to be baptized. This has
so much to do with an email that I sent about the 22nd of March. Words cannot
describe the Spirit that was present in the room. It was the pinnacle of my
entire mission, it was such a great way to end. I cant wait to talk about it in
person, because an email does not do it justice, but it was incredible. I
cried. President and Sister Mecham both had tears, and it was just so
spiritual.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXuslNKZhvKSWZYQ9ravhq_k-hO5A87qtgW0C6ZAW2kh53JNhsF_OASfZXeyShh1RdROW6Ai1d-_4ZisKgt86jBwiBzcLtRKubjPi9tbz_RBYZXBC0ksiiclO9WdWHvmUv2bi2r0hQ6qYL/s1600/IMG_5951+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXuslNKZhvKSWZYQ9ravhq_k-hO5A87qtgW0C6ZAW2kh53JNhsF_OASfZXeyShh1RdROW6Ai1d-_4ZisKgt86jBwiBzcLtRKubjPi9tbz_RBYZXBC0ksiiclO9WdWHvmUv2bi2r0hQ6qYL/s320/IMG_5951+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a>Which brings me to my final interview today. (obviously
there were some other things, a cool farewell in church, a going away party,
sick elders that had to be visited even though it took 5 hours), but nothing
tops my interview. There are many sacred words that were shared there. But,
there were a couple things he said looking back on my mission that really
touched me and helped me understand how the Lord blessed me as I changed to His
will. The part that struck me was he talked about how at times I had been
looked at as an option to be his AP and he wondered why the Lord hadnt chosen
me, he told me that as he sat in my baptismal service and saw me with the Lopez
Morales and Olivares Puebla families, he knew exactly why I was needed to stay.
He told me, Elder Stout, your mission was completely worth it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7roIM5-Uc7UWB9clcYijP_latS21FRnGpAOxAk_5zprkvrnrHjgwHNo9EoWqp5eTufyBxNjtEiJ_ohc0a_iQE-91IfJNrd-Rii6UUbhEtk3V_42CsKX9kwb7ZfVLYp5hRAlba4r2DNBO3/s1600/IMG_5957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7roIM5-Uc7UWB9clcYijP_latS21FRnGpAOxAk_5zprkvrnrHjgwHNo9EoWqp5eTufyBxNjtEiJ_ohc0a_iQE-91IfJNrd-Rii6UUbhEtk3V_42CsKX9kwb7ZfVLYp5hRAlba4r2DNBO3/s320/IMG_5957.JPG" width="320" /></a>I am so thankful fo rthe calling I recieved to serve among
the people of Mexico City. I am thankful for the prayers and support of family
and friends at home. I am thankful fo rthe gospel of Jesus Christ. I am
thankful that He allowed me to be His representative and for all the blessings
He gave me to be able to bring to pass His work. I know that this church is
His. I know that this gospel is the single most important thing in our lives. God
lives and answers our prayers. He answered the prayer fo a 14 year old boy
about 2 centuries ago, and that has changed the face of history. I know that
Joseph Smith restored the church,a nd that he was called of God. I know that
the Book of Mormon is 100% the word of God. I know that it testifies of Jesus
Christ. I know that Jesus is the Christ, the living Son of God and that he
gives us the chance to always get better and improve. These things I know and
testify as a representative and missionary of the Lord, Jesus Christ, and I do
so in His name. Amen.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Elder Stout</div>
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<o:p></o:p>Scott Stouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15959168942830161502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392511439742519521.post-8824488405500121712016-08-11T18:06:00.001-07:002016-08-11T18:06:31.207-07:00Aug 9 - WOW<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfplTbHtViiBAf-9_jjzxj1FaFhs05DGHms4bQSNrdHOgL_qA1TJUDNgwyJSfYtUEm0myaCTax7RBcD0Jt-34_nKP5Jr8SLvU2oBRRQwJC2ftHf_nRetRrwQegggTYl3TNO5UrMXBht9tQ/s1600/IMG_5873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfplTbHtViiBAf-9_jjzxj1FaFhs05DGHms4bQSNrdHOgL_qA1TJUDNgwyJSfYtUEm0myaCTax7RBcD0Jt-34_nKP5Jr8SLvU2oBRRQwJC2ftHf_nRetRrwQegggTYl3TNO5UrMXBht9tQ/s320/IMG_5873.JPG" width="320" /></a>Hey all! Well I cant believe that its getting so close... On
a side note I forgot my notebook today so the fun scripture chain will be
taking a break! But, honestly, these two years have been the fastest of my life
to think that in 10 short days it is over...But, I am working up til the last
day so I am not going to get caught up on a farewell to the mission letter til
next week!:)<o:p></o:p></div>
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This week went really well for us, it was by far the fastest
week of my entire mission. What a crazy way to end it. A true week of miracles,
with finding the chosen that the Lord has placed before us, and I feel really
good about how I am leaving the area for Elder McClure and his new comp.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaq50xFZyPZFtkWRtI1FYlsdwTpWo99EeDHpryiHeQ0c_ZLXNd7Qb_DYSTKdp3PjRdrmT-qQwyUyLI76FnV_6rcqRR2SdK5Ic0boASuO1I9S2ScXdrQ1289VeofhwnLeH3ywSBk0phCfvf/s1600/IMG_5880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaq50xFZyPZFtkWRtI1FYlsdwTpWo99EeDHpryiHeQ0c_ZLXNd7Qb_DYSTKdp3PjRdrmT-qQwyUyLI76FnV_6rcqRR2SdK5Ic0boASuO1I9S2ScXdrQ1289VeofhwnLeH3ywSBk0phCfvf/s320/IMG_5880.JPG" width="320" /></a>On Wednesday we got to give a zone training to the zone, and
I kind of took it as my farewell because its one of the last training
opportunities I will have. I just shared my feelings about the importance of
obedience to the missionaries. ONe thing I am tired of is that we always find
out about bad things that a missionary has done once he is out of our zone, and
we have no way to help him, so I talked about the importance of solving
problems in the moment, and truly loving our companions enough to help them. I
got really emotional as I shared some personal stories from the mission. I have
loved my comps as a zone leader because it has been so easy to work with them,
but the hard comps that I had, the times where I just wanted to give up. That
is when I grew as a person, and as a disciple.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWCKvO0A188jY7rStEp-ZXqCI7MuiWDFi24VsMtnIAQ-HqWj3snJPOfhDB-NDoQF51Yq5_vMVJQXFGniLCJwjF-rBkiTTVDwcVdMYHLcQhF_1ulsNIAYNbtWAj9aR2K9CMX8AN7ebVQcBk/s1600/IMG_5889.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWCKvO0A188jY7rStEp-ZXqCI7MuiWDFi24VsMtnIAQ-HqWj3snJPOfhDB-NDoQF51Yq5_vMVJQXFGniLCJwjF-rBkiTTVDwcVdMYHLcQhF_1ulsNIAYNbtWAj9aR2K9CMX8AN7ebVQcBk/s320/IMG_5889.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCYTWfjD9v5l7eyyfaHuoFC50UpDLpEPdkAElaUt9IaWbHzLe6xDr0MXrKS4GPIe-9ojVD2kB-YJf1tk-VjZw1HdcaRyWVCIBqh7_WCQGSY2F6k01zAGwWTipqG5ilhVI_CCUPaWUan6X/s1600/IMG_5881.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCYTWfjD9v5l7eyyfaHuoFC50UpDLpEPdkAElaUt9IaWbHzLe6xDr0MXrKS4GPIe-9ojVD2kB-YJf1tk-VjZw1HdcaRyWVCIBqh7_WCQGSY2F6k01zAGwWTipqG5ilhVI_CCUPaWUan6X/s320/IMG_5881.JPG" width="320" /></a>We got to spend some serious time learning from President
Mecham this week. I love him so much, his spirituality is just contagious to
everyone. We had some fun calls from him this week that led to more operations
haha so fun! We got to learn from him about the reaching power fo the
atonement, and got to have a special interview with him yesterday and we
counseled about some of the problems in our zone. I am just preparing now
spiritually so that I can percieve all of the spiritual promptings that come in
my finaly interview wiht him next week.<o:p></o:p><br />
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Until then,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Elder Stout</div>
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<o:p></o:p>Scott Stouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15959168942830161502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392511439742519521.post-67046944995809738332016-08-05T11:28:00.000-07:002016-08-05T11:28:13.848-07:00Aug 2 - No time, round two<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Hey all, so my
scripture sums up the day!</span><br />
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"I had many things to write, but I will not with ink andpen write unto
thee: But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speakface to face.
Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greetthe friends by name."<br />
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It is found in 3rd John 1:13-14. And its perfect because well I am almost out
of time for our p-day becausewe went souvenier? shopping! Picture included on
how much we bought between those of us that went! But, I now have everything I
need to go home!<br />
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Okay quick rundown on the week, so this week was full of what Elder McClure and
I call special operations where we have to go help people in the zone! I wont
have time to talk about each one specifically but this week we undertook:
Operation Cry Baby, Operation Dink-a-Dink, and Operation Gallo! There names
just came spur of the moment and have nothing to do with what was going on, but
we had a pretty cool opportunity to help out some missionaries going through
tough times for one reason or another. That is my facorite thing about the
assignemnt that I have is the opportunity to see missionaries change and to see
them become better more Christ-like people, and I am so thankful for all the
leaders that I have had, who have helped me do the same things!<br />
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Big update from the week, it looks like all of the prayers have paid off and
that Adan has finally given permission for Alexa and Zoe to be baptized. Keep
praying for them so everything goes well, but things are looking really good!
They also got a nice care package from the Stout family which they absolutely
loved!!:) Sister Mecham loved the shirts that were sent as well, and me and my
comp enjoyed all the candy (which is already gone!) Also, Mary Morales added
you on facebook mom and wants you to accept her, her name is like Mery Moxa or
somethign a little different like that!<br />
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I almost forgot too that on Wednesday we gave a special training about missionary
work to an EFY session! Half the mission was there to help out, but Elder
McClure and I got to talk for 40 minutes to all of the youth. It was a
spiritual experience to see the power fo the rising generation!<br />
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Well, thats all this week, CON AMOR,<br /><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Elder Stout<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--></span>Scott Stouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15959168942830161502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392511439742519521.post-59368753293868656012016-07-27T15:39:00.001-07:002016-07-27T15:39:50.106-07:00July 26 - Elder McClure!<div class="MsoNormal">
Hey all!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLoFV6tQqmuhZQOvQmKZIvLe3ArQloLJfFq7_aHQYCxdBgCdzuHFUBOyJRQaMH-CZ9uRklA7yH52Ln1rSB8DEARbk6bLrXFBCAh-2ccRXdma_17mok2F6zznMvmDOiTSeSn9JIhVsYVw5_/s1600/IMG_2519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLoFV6tQqmuhZQOvQmKZIvLe3ArQloLJfFq7_aHQYCxdBgCdzuHFUBOyJRQaMH-CZ9uRklA7yH52Ln1rSB8DEARbk6bLrXFBCAh-2ccRXdma_17mok2F6zznMvmDOiTSeSn9JIhVsYVw5_/s320/IMG_2519.JPG" width="320" /></a>Well the big news is that I got so blessed with my last
companion! My new comp is Elder McClure from Denver Colorado. He has 3months
less than me in the mission. But, the super cool thing is that when I was in
the branch of Topilejo he was right next to me in the branch of Ajusco. We got
to know each other really well talking about all of the trials of being in hard
areas, and I always knew that he was going to be a zone leader, and every time
there were changes, I was just waiting for him to be pulled up, and always
hoping that wed get the opportunity to be comps. Well, last Monday when they
read off our changes I got the very pleasant suprise of seeing my buddy Elder
McClure´s name. Wow,what a blessing! I am so excited to be able to work with
him my last few weeks in the mission!<br />
<br />
well i am really sorry for a couple things; first of all because this is going
to be a super short email because we just got a call that there is a problem in
our zone that we have to go fix today; so happy pday!! aLso; this keyboard has
like a broken shift key i think so sometiMes The capitaLs come through weird or
the symbols so just live witH it!:)<br />
<br />
this week was quite the week of runninG aroUNd; wE had a toN of succesS; we had
a lot that we had to do for it being the first weeK of the chaNGes aND
eVerythiNG buT we stIll were ablE to teacH (i think) the mOst lessONS that i
have taught iN my entire missiON; every night we got back to the house; and we
wOuld just be complEtely ExhAustED: but it feels rEaLlY good to be worKinG tHiS
hard; i waNT tO fiNisH my missiOn wOrkING super suPER HaRD, aND This weeK was a
REaLly good sTArt to it!<o:p></o:p></div>
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WELL I HAVE tO rUN! MaN, THIS KEYboard is reAlly bothering
me! BuT tHAnks for everything thaT you guys do for me!<br />
<br />
Elder STout</div>
<o:p></o:p>Scott Stouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15959168942830161502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392511439742519521.post-1994436326281979352016-07-27T15:38:00.002-07:002016-07-27T15:38:35.281-07:00July 18 - See ya later Elder Crandall<div class="MsoNormal">
Hey all!<o:p></o:p></div>
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So first of all the scripture of the week is found in
Revlation 3:11 and says,<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: "Palatino Linotype",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">´´Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: "Palatino Linotype",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">that no man take thy crown.´´</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJC1WtogeabRYnoD_GOVv53mVqd15v13o9dxIcRzSrBECK3GONs1kM2S44myAFdDj9k2jEIrSjRNqmwWFgrGcQeFIevQP7YEcKQeIGbH0Le6JXBnwuzTLTVK1L1PGyXgFvLRUKTx4hWx5U/s1600/IMG_2506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJC1WtogeabRYnoD_GOVv53mVqd15v13o9dxIcRzSrBECK3GONs1kM2S44myAFdDj9k2jEIrSjRNqmwWFgrGcQeFIevQP7YEcKQeIGbH0Le6JXBnwuzTLTVK1L1PGyXgFvLRUKTx4hWx5U/s320/IMG_2506.JPG" width="320" /></a>Today is the farewell of Elder Crandall. I can´t believe how
fast it came! Especially these last few weeks have been just an absolute blur!
Wow, he is such a great missionary, I was so happy to be with him his last 12
weeks because I learned so much of how a missionary should finish their
mission. He finished sprinting through the finish line!<o:p></o:p></div>
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As I said this week was honestly just a blur, and even more
because it was only 6 days! I will get my new companion today in the afternoon,
and I am excited to meet him and see who will be...the last! Please be praying
for him this week because he is going to need to learn the area super fast! He
is only going ot have 4.5 weeks so we will see how it will go!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwCQtBMSpsAbk64zlkwQdg_eLA8jPjx2lwiTuxZV8fGAQofU5E8OTy1JZ-w3zNlxP50hcegG3uSNciZaoRhW3icmMJfJn7JoeWXdeUP0jbaHwVypGHMDDLfiPoydlBJBdl0lTmHARjVUqi/s1600/IMG_2514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwCQtBMSpsAbk64zlkwQdg_eLA8jPjx2lwiTuxZV8fGAQofU5E8OTy1JZ-w3zNlxP50hcegG3uSNciZaoRhW3icmMJfJn7JoeWXdeUP0jbaHwVypGHMDDLfiPoydlBJBdl0lTmHARjVUqi/s320/IMG_2514.JPG" width="320" /></a>The big updates on our investigators is that they are all
hitting walls of trial right now! We have like 6 really really good
investigators right now. Valeria is still progressing well towards her
baptismal date, but she is struggling to just but behind her some bad habits,
and its really hard to see her use her agency in this way, but I have a lot of
hope that she will be ready by her date! Jorge and Jose Alfredo pretty much
have the same problem! They are both progressing like super super good, but
neither one of them feels quite ready for baptism yet, they both feel like they
need to know more. This is one of the hardest things that I have found on my
mission. I know that this is an important, even life changing desicion, but I
just dont understand how anyone can procrastinate it! I feel like it has so
much to do with Boyd K. Packer´s famous quote on how understanding the doctrine
can change our behavior, because I feel like if I were to understand baptism
truly (and I weren´t a member) I would want to do it the frist chance that I
could because it just raises us up to a new level of spiritual progression. We
dont have to be perfect, and we dont have to know everything. We just have to
be repentant and willing to try our best afterwards. It is all so much easier
after, especially on a standpoint of being perfect and knowing a lot. Then,
Ema, Cristian and Ruperto are all having the opposite problem, they love the
gospel, they want to be baptized so bad but everytime that Sunday rolls around
their seats are empty. Every week when we talk to them, they say I will be
there next week for sure, and then they aren´t! Another frustrating thing about
agency! But, I know they will come around as well.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNqvltTK7EHmf2WtraIvx_cKcDxY_tOaWd7_BnSdmTTSfEPO9s6qKNC3zJRojX4f-7-VuiINuG1-UsVZtWMV_cNIjCH4Fqj0XmiYjgPvYp06rW1QLbot-QqpRGAeyC5r2wbyg5VaTqAJye/s1600/IMG_2508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNqvltTK7EHmf2WtraIvx_cKcDxY_tOaWd7_BnSdmTTSfEPO9s6qKNC3zJRojX4f-7-VuiINuG1-UsVZtWMV_cNIjCH4Fqj0XmiYjgPvYp06rW1QLbot-QqpRGAeyC5r2wbyg5VaTqAJye/s320/IMG_2508.JPG" width="320" /></a><o:p> </o:p></div>
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The pictures are: Cristian cut my hair and put so much gel
in it that I looked like a hen! But after a shower it came down. Pictures with
Ema Cristian and all of their extended family who have all started to listen to
us! A picture of like half our zone. And 2 of the 11 free tacos that some
random nice stranger bought us in the street! (they were so good!!)<o:p></o:p></div>
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Paz, amor, y tranquilidad desde Valle de Luces,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Elder Stout</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNSagqHa6hIBTTLRf8XYDvo_svgbqVhjhUTayW0ZSmgeuq2HbrdIBOkSff3nVYUhytymgskKyNy_F8VNIhBjy9a_7ao4Vm4OxrOtQy8HugVovRPTdgP8ZaB1HSKq2sBdcnQ0mwxtFHZjRI/s1600/IMG_2515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNSagqHa6hIBTTLRf8XYDvo_svgbqVhjhUTayW0ZSmgeuq2HbrdIBOkSff3nVYUhytymgskKyNy_F8VNIhBjy9a_7ao4Vm4OxrOtQy8HugVovRPTdgP8ZaB1HSKq2sBdcnQ0mwxtFHZjRI/s320/IMG_2515.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiih0Obu-rQiP2GkoIc8FFEwg2fzzYJDFNEZoX39vG15SIpe1FKHqbnhlaXRhGpdNys1yJYXB7YP4rfcf5ciXTEMvlW_eOrFu9Ai1AC8YixTQMxeTt5aeb_cSSJ3Bzl6KuJZi_itkJq3Blq/s1600/IMG_2516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiih0Obu-rQiP2GkoIc8FFEwg2fzzYJDFNEZoX39vG15SIpe1FKHqbnhlaXRhGpdNys1yJYXB7YP4rfcf5ciXTEMvlW_eOrFu9Ai1AC8YixTQMxeTt5aeb_cSSJ3Bzl6KuJZi_itkJq3Blq/s320/IMG_2516.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p>Scott Stouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15959168942830161502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392511439742519521.post-59391189400606089372016-07-27T15:36:00.001-07:002016-07-27T15:36:11.879-07:00July 12 - Easy come, Easy go<div class="MsoNormal">
Hey all!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgilNg71zev47zawPr9DrUQIC_pMq0e6fPck2UCMbAbrcQt7avPYKiqrbpbUP6DraRP5opeoRDeGwaKYezVcmMXD9gSemSov6qgIZXvSWzoLKXUDAPXcvqtqcfRq8O-a_V-jWqFNKZAycfD/s1600/IMG_2487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgilNg71zev47zawPr9DrUQIC_pMq0e6fPck2UCMbAbrcQt7avPYKiqrbpbUP6DraRP5opeoRDeGwaKYezVcmMXD9gSemSov6qgIZXvSWzoLKXUDAPXcvqtqcfRq8O-a_V-jWqFNKZAycfD/s320/IMG_2487.JPG" width="320" /></a>Well, the first big news is that we had special changes
twice since I last wrote you! We started training ELder Gamiño on Wednesday,
and it was awesome! But, he was a temporary missionary while he waited for his
visa to go serve his mission in Brazil and it got here on Friday so yesterday
we dropped him off with President to go down to his mission, but it was fun
training for those 4 days haha.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So to keep the scriptures going, this week we take a look
into the bible in 2 John 1:12 <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: "Palatino Linotype",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Having many things to write unto you, I would not <i>write</i> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: "Palatino Linotype",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speakface to face, that our joy may be full.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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I hopethat you are enjoying this new chain of scriptures!<o:p></o:p></div>
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As the scripture says, well not a lot happened this week actually
so this will be a short email. I felt like this was liek the fastest week of my
entire mission, so that was pretty scary!<o:p></o:p></div>
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I am super sad that Elder Gamiño is gone! we got along super
well, we have a lot of the same likes, and it was just really fun being in a
trio with him! The work has gotten a little bit harder because we are in charge
of the entire ward now, and President made it sound like its pretty unlikely
that new missionaries come in next week in the changes so we will see how it
goes! But, we have two new super good investigators from their side! We have
started teaching Jose Alfredo who is 14 years old and his older brother was a
less active member, we havent been with him much, so I will give more updates
in the coming weeks! Also, we started teaching Ruperto who is one of the elect
if I have ever seen one. He has told us since the first lesson that he knows
that the Book Of Mormon is true, and that he wants to be baptized, it honestly
almost seems too good to be true!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Last week we did intercambios with Estrella and Elder Gamiño
and I worked with Elder Bojorquez, it was fun being with him again and seeing
how much he has been progressing recently! He is doing awesome right now! I am
starting to get ready for changes, this will be a crazy week getting to know
the new area and then with Elder Crandall going home next week! So next week I
will have a new companion, be starting my 6th change in Churubusco, and my pday
willl be Monday! Have an amazing week!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Elder Stout</div>
<o:p></o:p>Scott Stouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15959168942830161502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392511439742519521.post-47424056625116933342016-07-27T15:35:00.001-07:002016-07-27T15:35:24.360-07:00July 5 - Happy July<div class="MsoNormal">
Hey all!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8RXdEieVGxLF1n8xyGhEYN4UBpYIGBvqXTxktJmtcSB_6cHsFH4C4TB9istZaOkkEyRaD2iXCV8o2T49wcEzbm15incFiszoSb-Dc-FDv4kdJ12kDam6uxmlfFNefsOyoUgRvY6v45OhJ/s1600/IMG_2482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8RXdEieVGxLF1n8xyGhEYN4UBpYIGBvqXTxktJmtcSB_6cHsFH4C4TB9istZaOkkEyRaD2iXCV8o2T49wcEzbm15incFiszoSb-Dc-FDv4kdJ12kDam6uxmlfFNefsOyoUgRvY6v45OhJ/s320/IMG_2482.JPG" width="320" /></a>Well, I am going to try to make this fast because we have a
crazy half p day today because of...well this is my first announcemtne,
tomorrow we are going to have special changes and...I am going to be
training!!!:) Haha I am still going to be here with Elder Crandall and
everything but Elder Da Silva from the other side of the ward has finished his
mission, and they are sending his companion, Elder Gamiño to finish his
training with us so we will be in a trio for these next two weeks, i am super
excited!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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The big thing from my last week were our interviews with
President. It involved Eldre Crandall and I running around all day because we
were in charge of the interviews from the whole zone and we just had a lot of
chores we had to do the whole day. But, I was the last interview and it was all
worth it for what President said to me! We had a super spiritual interview
about what the Lord wants of me these last 6 weeks. I have never felt an
approval stronger from the Spirit than when President said, ´´Elder Stout, if
you just keep doing exactly what you are doing, you will be able to walk onto
the plane and feel the approval of our Lord Jesus Christ because you have
faithfully and dutifully served Him. If this were the mile, now would be the
time to kick, run hard through the tape, don´t stop for a second and that´s
what He needs of you, but thank you for all that you have done, you just need
to finish what you have started.´´ i am so ready to do just that these last few
weeks.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV-vnrR1sGh2xRzxNtvuBXDFqvW2zC_E-SJtLx98XvHdzNUQvKxQVrNko59mfT7KH8LKF3pZsUqX-dPdpC2lLD0aZmyZfpsVviofU4s_gFr_N1aOt7VhOSRFi-EDg1iM939uOdcUNKQUR_/s1600/IMG_2470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV-vnrR1sGh2xRzxNtvuBXDFqvW2zC_E-SJtLx98XvHdzNUQvKxQVrNko59mfT7KH8LKF3pZsUqX-dPdpC2lLD0aZmyZfpsVviofU4s_gFr_N1aOt7VhOSRFi-EDg1iM939uOdcUNKQUR_/s320/IMG_2470.JPG" width="320" /></a><o:p> </o:p></div>
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We had a cool experience of finding a family on Saturday!
The jimenez family. We have been buckling down and trying to look for all o
fthe less active members of our ward, and they were one of the families that we
had on our list. We had to be a little persuasive to get in, but they finally
let us in! Then, we applied what President has taught us of putting outsleves
in their shoes, we really tried to imagine what it would be like to have
missionaries visiting them after so much time, and we just tried to be their
friends and let them feel our love. I dont know why I wanted to talk about
htem, but I was just really excited by al lof that!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Ema and Cristian and Jorge all came to church this week
(Valeria too) and they are all progressing really well towards baptismal dates
and are also introducing us to the entire world!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik-yIk4lw4KSit45n6qt4ZYfxDeteKru4sk3hiZ0nF-pB-ivRbmWCG-5DitzhbgEjnqMavWCApswiNvowovCX0LyO8NOjz4ZoDUo90K_7Va5_1IApstLfSoBonlt_G0FdfUGUTnkCn6ITs/s1600/IMG_2477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik-yIk4lw4KSit45n6qt4ZYfxDeteKru4sk3hiZ0nF-pB-ivRbmWCG-5DitzhbgEjnqMavWCApswiNvowovCX0LyO8NOjz4ZoDUo90K_7Va5_1IApstLfSoBonlt_G0FdfUGUTnkCn6ITs/s320/IMG_2477.JPG" width="320" /></a>Yesterday our 4th of July was pretty calm! After our
leadership council in the morning, President and Sister Mecham invited us to a
bbq which was cool! Then Elder Crandall and I found rootbeer so that made our
day! Also we found nervios that day too and so I included a picture of me with
our friendly neighborhood crazy hermit.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As I promised the scripture of the week is from D&C
50:45-46 to start off my new chain!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: "Palatino Linotype",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">And the day cometh that you shall hear my voice and see me, and know that I am. Watch, therefore, that ye may be
ready. Even so. Amen</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgldE9IiPDIGWdqb8Qb820qVU9znqf8MIvO9ev-j65uzRuFuQgykZiC3psZqfRp4uD16NJD6VlOOycAlFVHwGGA5kekhvhD-bkBQlLago05mNaadW5Qah_V4MNE7B185HkBk6teujNoo4cK/s1600/IMG_2480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgldE9IiPDIGWdqb8Qb820qVU9znqf8MIvO9ev-j65uzRuFuQgykZiC3psZqfRp4uD16NJD6VlOOycAlFVHwGGA5kekhvhD-bkBQlLago05mNaadW5Qah_V4MNE7B185HkBk6teujNoo4cK/s320/IMG_2480.JPG" width="320" /></a><o:p> </o:p></div>
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Lov you all, Elder Stout</div>
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<o:p></o:p>Scott Stouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15959168942830161502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392511439742519521.post-80132300624539131482016-07-27T15:33:00.003-07:002016-07-27T15:33:25.583-07:00June 28 - I am John F. Kennedy and people want my autograph<div class="MsoNormal">
Hey all!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinZYa_lOb7NFu1y-OS3Amm7qljjcIoadZ844TPtaz1Pn5kxruUWNm9dj43sQXqYJpx1uYyfkaInCYWlEBDJjNMLDnPcWKJVZXX7RYuUWKc1yZiHQyDSzVEUQJbenUvFXcg16P_QoxJsfkx/s1600/IMG_2444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinZYa_lOb7NFu1y-OS3Amm7qljjcIoadZ844TPtaz1Pn5kxruUWNm9dj43sQXqYJpx1uYyfkaInCYWlEBDJjNMLDnPcWKJVZXX7RYuUWKc1yZiHQyDSzVEUQJbenUvFXcg16P_QoxJsfkx/s320/IMG_2444.JPG" width="320" /></a>So first of all I was thinking a lot about what I could
title my email today and I finally got it. It doesn`t have much to do about the
things that happened this week but I thought it was funny. So first of all,
there is a crazy old guy in our area who is super famous because he honestly
seems like a zombie. He had some drug addiction problems in his youth and
completely fried his brain and now he just walks around mumbling and chasing
people and yelling swear words at them. Haha, and well he likes to give people
names, the name that he has chosen for me is John F. Kennedy, and everytime we
see him he yells ``I will learn English to talk to you John F. Kennedy because
in my past life I killed you!`` Haha he`s just a harmless old guy, but its
funny! Then, this week Elder Crandall and I were just walking through the
apartment buildings in our area, and all these little kids started yelling,
"gueritos!" which is the equivalant f white boys and pretty much
everyone yells us that here. But, when we passed by them they came running up
to us and stopped us, and said "Can we please have your autograph, so we
got to give them all our autograph and they ran away super excited. That was a
cool moment of the mission.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilUQ_oBKo2l9_T_oP3fAPa5oHxLrU0t7PT1Kr6NbK1rP3Ow8n4WHSucbzxTdhQnONXm_BXoP8PlAWmWUyhCxmMaVa2aIjJX-3AAEiXMAE77n33OE-66c5LuUZhIGChvWUZD3aIndeYede0/s1600/IMG_2451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilUQ_oBKo2l9_T_oP3fAPa5oHxLrU0t7PT1Kr6NbK1rP3Ow8n4WHSucbzxTdhQnONXm_BXoP8PlAWmWUyhCxmMaVa2aIjJX-3AAEiXMAE77n33OE-66c5LuUZhIGChvWUZD3aIndeYede0/s320/IMG_2451.JPG" width="320" /></a><o:p> </o:p></div>
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So the coolest thing from last week was with the Paniagua
family (yes their name means bread and water). The hermano is our ward mission
leader and a recent convert of like a year and a half, and they went and got
sealed int he temple this last week and then on Saturday evening, he got to
baptize his grandson, Yamil! We have had a long battle there, because Hermano
Paniagua`s daughter wants nothing to do with the church and has not wanted to
give him permission to be baptized, but she finally gave it to him after much
prayers on our part and the part of that family, what a miracle that shows how
the Lord can truly soften hearts.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGEyFv7A8yhyphenhyphenYAE47CR8ky15iljS5fL0e09CXLADjFl-L6OecGffe2LcjYjm7B3E-J_5AYgiI0Rh9oxuVkd5fV5mrrT2iUXxzUtobYdM176dpsUkPQPIZw2xn9jsTWrDn1y5TrR2eozTt3/s1600/IMG_2456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGEyFv7A8yhyphenhyphenYAE47CR8ky15iljS5fL0e09CXLADjFl-L6OecGffe2LcjYjm7B3E-J_5AYgiI0Rh9oxuVkd5fV5mrrT2iUXxzUtobYdM176dpsUkPQPIZw2xn9jsTWrDn1y5TrR2eozTt3/s320/IMG_2456.JPG" width="320" /></a>Next on the list, after a tough week last week with finding
new investigators, we really got it moving again. Some of the tender mercies
that we saw this week: 1 we are teaching Tomy`s niece and her husband right now
and the third time that we went there, we asked them, do you have any questions
for us? Cristian and Ema looked at each other, and then Cristian said,
"What do we have to do to be baptized?" wow, thats a really cool
question! 2 we are right now visiting a recovering drug addict named Johnathon
and as we taught him the Gospel of Jeus Christ, even before we extended the
invitation, he said, "I think I would like to be baptized in one month,
how does that sound to you guys?" President has told us so many times,
when the people that we teach truly understand the magnitude of the doctrine
that we teach, they wont be able to wait, how true it is! Our message is true
and is changing lives. 3 We recieved a reference where a sister chased us down
on the street and told us, I am from another ward but I want you to teach my
friend who lives here. We obviously consented with much enthusiasm! Her name is
Sandra, and she was pretty hesistant the first time that we met her in her
doorstep, but by the end of the first visit she was anxious to learn more of
the restored gospel. I loved seeing how much the spirit worked on these people
that we are teaching! He is the real teacher, not us! then number 4 isn`t with
a newer investigator, but on Sunday our bishop called me out of the Gospel
Principles class and he told me, Elder Stout you have to come and see this, so
I went with him to his office and he showed me on his whiteboard that it was
written "Valeria, 6 of August, 6 pm" and he told me that Valeria
Ortiz Muñoz who we dropped a little bit ago because she seemed to have lost intest
in the things came and talekd with him and set her own baptismal date. What a
blessing this week was, the Lord is always behind us, it is just learning how
to be patient!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJO4SJ8p8cfHleuL39HfS_cLs3mtho6mkgIk3UAczbI7li6cP0DevBi4uVC1u5CTa7nMQPkap4M7yHE_yqbxWPV7AiInqYQSg9e00AcIYJqYqYzB1_YxKXVIvtwq3waoiSKLq2zCIukRu/s1600/IMG_2457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJO4SJ8p8cfHleuL39HfS_cLs3mtho6mkgIk3UAczbI7li6cP0DevBi4uVC1u5CTa7nMQPkap4M7yHE_yqbxWPV7AiInqYQSg9e00AcIYJqYqYzB1_YxKXVIvtwq3waoiSKLq2zCIukRu/s320/IMG_2457.JPG" width="240" /></a><o:p> </o:p></div>
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I hope you all recognize His hand in your week as well,<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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Elder Stout</div>
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<o:p></o:p>Scott Stouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15959168942830161502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392511439742519521.post-3435515312447643482016-07-27T15:31:00.002-07:002016-07-27T15:31:34.648-07:00June 21 - To the Rescue<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3WHF3_2vruVx-_K27M0y8ASlCVudRFEcyel8ir6GkOXOadSinWWDueXw8tHW6nTEdsnk07gOX4XMf6sPZw2p1eqJycx3OqEL4_hGBTDcqRG92FEnI97Iy4athmwJUwv7nAKdES1ywt4FM/s1600/IMG_2417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3WHF3_2vruVx-_K27M0y8ASlCVudRFEcyel8ir6GkOXOadSinWWDueXw8tHW6nTEdsnk07gOX4XMf6sPZw2p1eqJycx3OqEL4_hGBTDcqRG92FEnI97Iy4athmwJUwv7nAKdES1ywt4FM/s320/IMG_2417.JPG" width="320" /></a>Hey all so this is going to be a little bit of a shorter
email because I have been trying to get some more stuff organized for classes,
and its pretty frustrating! Haha but its all good!<o:p></o:p></div>
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We had a great week this last week. But one of the things
that we are really struggling with is finding the Lord´s elect. We have been
blessed with the success of quite a few baptisms in this area, but the more we
baptize it just seems like the less people that we have in our teaching pool.
We are finding a lot of people, but they just aren´t the elect that we are
looking for, they aren´t the people that the lord has been preparing, so that
has been a little tough on us. We had to make th etough desicion this last week
to stop visiting the hermana Dulce for a while because she just hasn´t been
putting forth her part to come to church. I know the Lord has a lot o fpeople
prpared for us, and that I just need to be more patient and they will come, so
I am just going to keep on working hard in that!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-80AYWQHrM8CfE3DzGJW8UKVMzi4qVuujmXPTNRvANoY-e98f8IRUXt1uS98akdt8MrdyEsGEENjvbgJTkreymt62UiOeEJDEznMtg7eMiA32xU3ETKtlFqYqtJKlDkx8blURMSc9EFhc/s1600/IMG_2424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-80AYWQHrM8CfE3DzGJW8UKVMzi4qVuujmXPTNRvANoY-e98f8IRUXt1uS98akdt8MrdyEsGEENjvbgJTkreymt62UiOeEJDEznMtg7eMiA32xU3ETKtlFqYqtJKlDkx8blURMSc9EFhc/s320/IMG_2424.JPG" width="320" /></a>Today we had a zone training in the morning, and Elder Crandall
and I had the opportunity to share with everyone what I wrote last week about
searching out those who have lost their way and helping them come back. We
actually planned out three different zone trainings and we did not know at all
what we were going to teach until we got up there. Then it came to us! We
talked to everyone about how we are representatives of Jesus Christ and how he
always goes after the lost sheep, he goes and rescues them. We challenged the
zone to find even more less actives and help them to come back to the fold of
our Savior. It turned out great, I am so happy for the Spirit that guides us as
we teach.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4QqGPnzjvaBfb2pZD4cLQgfUTdBrrR6_QLNxYFtIpdAWxnZp9qKcLK-YPKZrictasxdgPMZy7Ra8SJfVQizINlnhl6fQIvMeL8n4GVQsMYmjadLUD-7q8buleZ70j5C_G4Gpvrj0V_Anr/s1600/IMG_2437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4QqGPnzjvaBfb2pZD4cLQgfUTdBrrR6_QLNxYFtIpdAWxnZp9qKcLK-YPKZrictasxdgPMZy7Ra8SJfVQizINlnhl6fQIvMeL8n4GVQsMYmjadLUD-7q8buleZ70j5C_G4Gpvrj0V_Anr/s320/IMG_2437.JPG" width="320" /></a>Well, that was the rundown of the week, I hope that you all
have a great one. With much love,<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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Elder Stout</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlkt80lAqoIiJyuXb_HDWZf2UiUfK9ErTFi4COyUQGJ1hEXa0LCfFU-HgCAQqboZ2pPGQkXFPHo_WsQsF3YsI2bmaOMRPnWPDBRELZSMxW8zaYnNQMI1twg5UvccoHdNyF23NPg_lb6_ZE/s1600/IMG_2438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlkt80lAqoIiJyuXb_HDWZf2UiUfK9ErTFi4COyUQGJ1hEXa0LCfFU-HgCAQqboZ2pPGQkXFPHo_WsQsF3YsI2bmaOMRPnWPDBRELZSMxW8zaYnNQMI1twg5UvccoHdNyF23NPg_lb6_ZE/s320/IMG_2438.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p>Scott Stouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15959168942830161502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392511439742519521.post-19296807606499557382016-07-27T15:30:00.001-07:002016-07-27T15:30:08.579-07:00June 14 - Enduring to the End<div class="MsoNormal">
Hey all!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXxbckKm97uq9p7gjyMuIjC60IDRM9ZRbJukGa7WQP37yszXYTAulVJx2CLx8ZGa4rHmAq1tM-dQxtBy4lDR1UOpKULVE672swUMWPdjgTkOgfbEIEy6ZTxFqkis6B-o7kmQOVOooUr1XA/s1600/IMG_0078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXxbckKm97uq9p7gjyMuIjC60IDRM9ZRbJukGa7WQP37yszXYTAulVJx2CLx8ZGa4rHmAq1tM-dQxtBy4lDR1UOpKULVE672swUMWPdjgTkOgfbEIEy6ZTxFqkis6B-o7kmQOVOooUr1XA/s320/IMG_0078.JPG" width="320" /></a>Well I was super excited to see all of the aweseom photos
from the last week, especially seeing that Sam is finally done with high
school!!! WOOOOHOOOO Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Tats so awesome bud!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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So this week the big event was Tomy´s baptism! I was so
excited for her, it was such an incredible day! She has been waiting a long
time and been ready for a long time ot be able to be baptized but it has just
been moved around for various things, but finally this last Saturday it was her
day! It was a very spiritual service. America who gave us the reference in the
beginning gave an incredible talk where she just shared her feelings with Tomy.
It was one of the most heartfelt talks that I have ever heard. After the
baptismal ordinance the hermana Tomi shared her feelings with everyone and it
was super spiritual, she just talked to us about how clean she felt and her
emotions really took over, but the spirit was felt in the entire room.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCjZQKOJ152kSJKdFyIz9wlNHko8MHb3UttTenBUDvDlEsUopDWmXx9RbuorZHbdHJjvXpcgFnzk7YSxiCs8e3vudF8KiARHC2rA3us-zi8CHDKJIr_gAbNNvZbW6Hm64MTmEGJLDvFi3N/s1600/IMG_0080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCjZQKOJ152kSJKdFyIz9wlNHko8MHb3UttTenBUDvDlEsUopDWmXx9RbuorZHbdHJjvXpcgFnzk7YSxiCs8e3vudF8KiARHC2rA3us-zi8CHDKJIr_gAbNNvZbW6Hm64MTmEGJLDvFi3N/s320/IMG_0080.JPG" width="320" /></a>This week we had some pretty cool oportunities to hear some
trainings from President Mecham. He really focused in on two things. One was
the importantce of strengthening the church area where we serve. He said we do
this by baptizing converted people and by helping bring back the lost sheep
that have fallen away from the path. Then, he talked about how to finish our
missions!:) Haha in these next two changes President will lose what he calls
the nucleus of the mission. He will lose 10 Zone Leaders and 2 Assistents. But,
he said all that we have done in our entire missions means nothing now in a
certain frame of mind. He said: If you play hard for 50 minutes in the Super
Bowl and then decide to sit out the last 10 minutes you will be remembered
forever as a failure and the same goes in the mission. He said that in our
mission, missionaries DO NOT die! I have included as my scripture of the week
as 2 Nephi 31:15-16 along with my promise that I will not be dying. I have
spent 22 months preparing to be this missionary that I am now. As I now
understand even so much better how to do the Lords work, He needs all I have,
and he will get it these last 2 months. I am going to be leaving it all out
here, and am going to finish with the sure confidence that there was nothing
else I could have given in Mexico!! <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="15" style="background-position-x: 0px; background-position-y: 0px;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #0091bc; font-family: "Palatino Linotype",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"> </span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsv7JSFnZ4QFXg9L5ru5oCQbIT8EVW9X0iR-oL074oRk4WyDenVX1Bx4YhIcggy_iFoX6yebuhnyXxuU4H9Y-4_RMB3FHq7JoPEvHtbYMAd0toi18559rHoHYu-ZWWtFQ36Q8Mk_zwf8qX/s1600/IMG_2409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsv7JSFnZ4QFXg9L5ru5oCQbIT8EVW9X0iR-oL074oRk4WyDenVX1Bx4YhIcggy_iFoX6yebuhnyXxuU4H9Y-4_RMB3FHq7JoPEvHtbYMAd0toi18559rHoHYu-ZWWtFQ36Q8Mk_zwf8qX/s320/IMG_2409.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: "Palatino Linotype",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">15 </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Palatino Linotype",serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">And I heard a voice from the Father, saying: Yea,
thewords of my Beloved are true and faithful. He thatendureth to
the end, the same shall be saved.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="16" style="background-position-x: 0px; background-position-y: 0px;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #0091bc; font-family: "Palatino Linotype",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"> </span></a><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: "Palatino Linotype",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">16 </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Palatino Linotype",serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">And
now, my beloved brethren, I know by this that unless a man shall endure to
the end, in following theexample of the Son of the living God, he cannot
be saved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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The last cool thing of the week was Sunday. First of all,
our bishop gave an incredible talk on Sunday about going to the rescue of the
less actives in our ward. He talked about how every member of the church joined
the church at some point because someone; members, family, bishops, or
missionaries; prayed over them and then they became a member. Every person has
a story behind them, and we need to go and save these people. It was super cool
combined with what President had taught us and I am going to give an even
greater effort to find and activate these people!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Well, thats all from CDMX! Have a great first week of Summer
up there! I love you all!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Elder Stout<o:p></o:p></div>
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Scott Stouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15959168942830161502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392511439742519521.post-58895278574007244142016-07-27T15:28:00.002-07:002016-07-27T15:28:17.124-07:00Jun 6 - The week of Paco<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiplMsAcrCY0OBWpQlUgeKEjENUsQvpEciVsjZBwXUTMAZGSV3tymjXwDjxJWb8dHWQuB4gbPqTt4RazJii25lLdLtxhLaMPBEWpetLjCzUa2B2N-8wzlvvZ6-2lmIQnhPFJ5pRkN7Q7Pn0/s1600/IMG_0053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiplMsAcrCY0OBWpQlUgeKEjENUsQvpEciVsjZBwXUTMAZGSV3tymjXwDjxJWb8dHWQuB4gbPqTt4RazJii25lLdLtxhLaMPBEWpetLjCzUa2B2N-8wzlvvZ6-2lmIQnhPFJ5pRkN7Q7Pn0/s320/IMG_0053.JPG" width="320" /></a>Hey everyone,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Well the first big news is that I will be staying here in
Churubusco one more change with Elder Crandall, I am so excited. This will now
be my 5th change here but it will be such a cool opportunity. Usually after 4
changes I have wanted to leave from an area but I am so pumped to be staying
here, in this ward, in this area and in this zone! I will also be ´´killing´´
Elder Crandall because I will be his last comp so thatll be pretty fun!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmyW28zWTq2M-GoiqwZEiKVy5fonvKe_bLHOlo-5Oo902l9Vx5YE48MkwvDoqhiy5qZ1EFRRnQSvovHWt2v2Od9aOSim_JLVJz8VAvzJTW2CO8gSyPguS-E0IPzLu-3QE-mN0-ok_souaC/s1600/IMG_0071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmyW28zWTq2M-GoiqwZEiKVy5fonvKe_bLHOlo-5Oo902l9Vx5YE48MkwvDoqhiy5qZ1EFRRnQSvovHWt2v2Od9aOSim_JLVJz8VAvzJTW2CO8gSyPguS-E0IPzLu-3QE-mN0-ok_souaC/s320/IMG_0071.JPG" width="320" /></a>So this week, pretty much everything had to do with Paco!
So, Tomi didnt get baptized on Saturday because she left town for a family
emergency but all is well and she will be baptized when she gets back! But,
this Friday we got to accompany Paco and Mari and their family out to the
Estado de Mexico so that they could get married. It was a really cool
experience to see that after 5 years they made this desicion. Pretty much
everything went wrong in the process but the only important thing is that after
all was said and done, they got married, phew! We also got to experience Uber
for the first time which is pretty cool! After the marriage we all celebrated
with a super fancy pizza lunch from Lil Ceasers haha they are the best family
ever, I love them so much and it was so much fun to spend the day with them!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdqzY3QDZitGBopou5Rm8NsKbwHVcLzsNABuvqIEsO1tDXEPgIKcBY8LzBAGiU7JtdKQjxHHbk_NTHWxaUCo1Nh_jNBejzSVMevt-Bnp4aaszDaGwWLmmFdBtREwx9N_ufh2V4xYM_9LIP/s1600/IMG_0054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdqzY3QDZitGBopou5Rm8NsKbwHVcLzsNABuvqIEsO1tDXEPgIKcBY8LzBAGiU7JtdKQjxHHbk_NTHWxaUCo1Nh_jNBejzSVMevt-Bnp4aaszDaGwWLmmFdBtREwx9N_ufh2V4xYM_9LIP/s320/IMG_0054.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Then Saturday was the big day! Paco asked me to baptize him
which was a huge honor. It was really nice baptizing a man because I got to
give him a big hug in the font when he came up, and it was amzing even though
the water was ice cold. His wife Mari and his daughter Azul gave amazing talks.
Azul got up there and just expressed her feeling on the Holy Ghost but nothing
will stick with me as when she said ´´Today is a special day because my dad is
getting baptized. Today our forever family starts.´´ She had the whole room in
tears! After the baptism Elder Crandall and I gave them a picture of the temple
and made the goal with them that we would all be back here together in one year
for when they enter the temploe to be sealed. It was an incredible expereience
that we all lived together, what a huge change that has come over this family.
There truly is hope for everyone, Mary stopped coming to church for years
because she felt like no one supported her because her family is inactive and
her husband wasnt a member. 4 months after we talked to them for the first time
in the street they are active, everyone in the family is members of the church
and they are going to be sealed in the temple in one year!:) I love missionary
work!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKXdOZ6EI6fAL9so9qq3iCjawRxth8xxt06g_tNamI3RGHI-Ebe1CFnkRwBahLCiLckqrXcFfQ756RUs86f4hq90hpPGnNhyTPdBrApPqC58Y-MAe48dx2mdDrrkgV-UktvkB0b0B4XSa8/s1600/IMG_0074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKXdOZ6EI6fAL9so9qq3iCjawRxth8xxt06g_tNamI3RGHI-Ebe1CFnkRwBahLCiLckqrXcFfQ756RUs86f4hq90hpPGnNhyTPdBrApPqC58Y-MAe48dx2mdDrrkgV-UktvkB0b0B4XSa8/s320/IMG_0074.JPG" width="320" /></a><o:p> </o:p></div>
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Well thats all from CDMX this week! Cant wait for another
change in Churubusco!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Con amor,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Elder Stout</div>
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<o:p></o:p>Scott Stouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15959168942830161502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392511439742519521.post-53205476106718217012016-07-27T15:25:00.002-07:002016-07-27T15:25:37.873-07:00May 31 - I am NOT dying<div class="MsoNormal">
Hey all,<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJEykXWJG1p5Foo_cIxSFhiC2G2xf_rJC77FT00YRJBbiTDdYSvlgNw0cMQXiN3ERRlTzQ66jAeEiXXqwCmHuuY1ZkVBpl4s3WVlIvQ_pOLdyK7HVXvxyKZhPGop29DnxQieoSjObwyUm/s1600/IMG_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJEykXWJG1p5Foo_cIxSFhiC2G2xf_rJC77FT00YRJBbiTDdYSvlgNw0cMQXiN3ERRlTzQ66jAeEiXXqwCmHuuY1ZkVBpl4s3WVlIvQ_pOLdyK7HVXvxyKZhPGop29DnxQieoSjObwyUm/s320/IMG_0002.JPG" width="320" /></a>So first of all, I am not dying, contrary to popular belief!
I have been visiting a doctor this week, and I am going to survive! To make a
long story short, sorry for including too much info in the last email that
might have worried some people, I was just kind of freaked out too, but
honestly I am happy and healthy! I just think my body is about done with
Mexican food! But it can last three more months! I will keep you updated if
there is anything else we find out, but if not! Dont worry about me!<o:p></o:p></div>
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This last week was occupied pretty much all by running
around the city on different assignements and companin exchanges and things
like that, so its really hard to remember it all! But I dont think we had one
normal day to just work in the area!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Fv8T0diu0PYqZkxjFNoIa4hzkBOpHixoG9OCvbLt1szOl7RprVL5699iYNzmtAGoiuFC2QlhzhTUeuSblS-sALVjlwcuNkH7_iIRz4VAhSeysP0YNQI69_Mi4eeLbz6ikUT1ao1j0gPj/s1600/IMG_0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Fv8T0diu0PYqZkxjFNoIa4hzkBOpHixoG9OCvbLt1szOl7RprVL5699iYNzmtAGoiuFC2QlhzhTUeuSblS-sALVjlwcuNkH7_iIRz4VAhSeysP0YNQI69_Mi4eeLbz6ikUT1ao1j0gPj/s320/IMG_0008.JPG" width="320" /></a>One thing I do remember is we had the pportunity to do
companion exchanges with the elders in Estrella who are on fire right now! They
are awesome, two super funny guys, and some of the most motivated missionaries
in the mission. They are honestrly the talk of the mission right now. I got to
go work in Estrella with Elder Rivera and we had an awesome day, a long and hot
day, but awesome!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Our investigators are going great! This week Tomi and Paco
have their baptismal dates, so please pray that everything can go well with
them. We are going to get to go with Paco when they get married which will be
so exciting! Tomi has also been introducing us to all of her friends and we
have found a bunch of good investigators from her, we are just hoping they can
all come feel the spirit in her baptismal service this Saturday.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcAdS3v6X0363fs6Pqxus-SkneRrrE_ALAyfJhYAf-028YgVSkXG9D4XwavRmT9kPVyk7bsyVPi3tEWC_BTcFsy5UDlpFjrCsnFhGOEKAXMEni-pOYFkgNDTYI-1ZZ7Kotpj1Tnc0NVaMs/s1600/IMG_0014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcAdS3v6X0363fs6Pqxus-SkneRrrE_ALAyfJhYAf-028YgVSkXG9D4XwavRmT9kPVyk7bsyVPi3tEWC_BTcFsy5UDlpFjrCsnFhGOEKAXMEni-pOYFkgNDTYI-1ZZ7Kotpj1Tnc0NVaMs/s320/IMG_0014.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
Speaking of that, Elder Crandall and I did a special zone training on Saturday,
focusing on helping the zone to prepare our baptismal services better so that
it is truly a memorabl spiritual experience for everyone who goes. It was a
really cool training! Afterwards we had the idea to do an area attack, so we
split everyone up in groups and we all went to one part of teh zone to just
contact everyone that we can, and it was super successful! I got to be with
Elder Jarrett adn it was inspirational to talk with him, he is going to be such
a great leader someday, I really look up to him!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Well thats all from Churubusco,
with the reminder that for changes next week will be a Monday Pday!! Love
yall!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Elder Stout</div>
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<o:p></o:p>Scott Stouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15959168942830161502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392511439742519521.post-45495624067707282062016-05-30T22:00:00.001-07:002016-05-30T22:00:12.602-07:00May 24 - My hen died and I need to bury herDad editorial comments...<br />
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Ok so before you read this and freak out, Ann was able to
talk to Sister Mecham four about 90 minutes, and everything is fine. Alex is
not sick, and he did not have the issues he outlines below. He went to a doctor
who is a quack and not approved by the mission. The full body scan Alex refers
to below was the doctor waving a couple of magnetic wands over him. Just to be safe, Alex is going to see the
normal mission doctor next week.<o:p></o:p></div>
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All of the missionaries in Mexico City are feeling
worn out due to the conditions of the air. But, it is not something to worry
about.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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So, be sure to give Alex a hard time when he comes
home about the quack of a doctor he chose to go and see!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Also, no photos this week. :(</div>
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--------------------------------------------------- <o:p></o:p></div>
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Hey all! <o:p></o:p></div>
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So first of all sorry if this is a short email, and sorry
because I will probably not be sending one personal email today because we
literally just got back to the area after I had a doctor’s visit! It was...fun!
Well, to let everyone know, I have been having some health issues the last few
weeks of just feeling pretty sick and always being super tired so we went and
visited a doctor that was recommended by the mission and he did a full body
scan of me. First of all, my lungs have been wrecked by the smog here, he says
that they look like a light smoker’s lungs. Also, the diet here of eating so
much fat is starting to take its toll, and he said that combined with the work
here has had some bad consequences. He said that my whole body shows up as fatigued,
he says that just everything is worn out and that he has never done a scan like
that, he literally told me I have to slow down and not work as hard if I want
to make it home in one piece! He said that because of that I have super
deficiencies in some minerals and that is causing some major problems in my
gall bladder and my pancreas which is what has been causing me to be sick. He
also said, you are so exhausted at the end of the day that your body can’t
fully rest itself. Well, now he has me on a special diet and I will be going in
for tests and procedures so that I don’t need my gall bladder taken out or
anything, so I will keep you updated!<o:p></o:p></div>
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My subject line is probably the funniest excuse I have ever
received for why somebody couldn’t go to church. On Sunday morning we called
Jorge Gomez, and he sounded pretty torn up as he told us that his pet hen had
passed away and that he wouldn’t be attending church for her funeral service...<o:p></o:p></div>
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This week I had some very cool experiences following the
Holy Ghost that just helped remind me that this is truly His work and not ours.
On Saturday night we were teaching Paco (who is progressing great) and we had
planned to teach him about the plan of salvation. As we started, I felt the
need to ask to see the pamphlets that we had given them while we were teaching
Azul, as I was looking at them, the prompting came to me ´´You need to teach
the one that isn’t here´´ I was confused and then noticed that the Word of
Wisdom pamphlet was not with the rest. So I completely changed the lesson up on
Elder Crandall (I am sure he thought I had lost it) and started to teach the
Word of Wisdom. To make a long story short, we found out partway through the
lesson that he has a smoking problem and that he didn´t know it was something that
he was going to have to drop, what a blessing that we were able to find that to
help him. On a side note, PLEASE pray for Paco everyday so that he can break
his addiction! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Then, on Sunday night we were just walking in the street on
the way to our final appointment when we passed a guy that was obviously a
little tipsy. I usually never talk to people like that because it usually
doesn’t end well for American missionaries in Mexico. But, the Spirit stopped
me in my tracks and said ´´talk to him´´ so I obeyed. After presenting
ourselves he asked us something along the lines of if we had been sent by God,
we said yes. And he said something I will never forget, ´´I was just walking
down this street thinking of all the problems I have caused in my life, pleading
with God that he send me help to be able to overcome all these problems and
start again, and then out of the nothing you stopped to talk to me, can you
help me?´´ With tears in my eyes I told him that God loved him and had sent us
to help him. We taught him how to pray and offered a kneeling prayer on the
side of the road where Nicholas asked God for forgiveness and for strength to
overcome. It was the first real prayer he had ever done. I am thankful for the
gift of the Holy Ghost, I would be nothing without him, I love being an
instrument in God´s hands to answer prayers and work miracles. I love this
work!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Until next week,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Elder Stout<o:p></o:p></div>
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Scott Stouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15959168942830161502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392511439742519521.post-35993871582121966332016-05-19T07:26:00.000-07:002016-05-19T07:26:06.477-07:00May 18 - learning to dance in the rain<div class="MsoNormal">
Hey all!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7h16qjsYD4v7KN59KRzm_ewOazjn2pNSesP_Jo7XDa125j2CB0khS-UvMFZtb4H9ODbtA0-TZDO9RKxVSn38CXu2JH5ZoiLiAb4QYXfjAKPZDL2DhyphenhyphenQ8ABR_1MhftnLAXce0PYKgHtQa9/s1600/IMG_9998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7h16qjsYD4v7KN59KRzm_ewOazjn2pNSesP_Jo7XDa125j2CB0khS-UvMFZtb4H9ODbtA0-TZDO9RKxVSn38CXu2JH5ZoiLiAb4QYXfjAKPZDL2DhyphenhyphenQ8ABR_1MhftnLAXce0PYKgHtQa9/s320/IMG_9998.JPG" width="320" /></a>Well, the rainy season has officially started here in Mexico
City, and I love it! I walk around without a jacket or umbrella in torrential
downpours because it just reminds me of Seattle, haha whenever anyone tells me that
I am crazy I just tell them that it rains like this pretty much every day where
I live. But, I am for sure going to appreciate the rain more when I am home!<o:p></o:p></div>
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First update, working in Espartaco has been a lot harder
than we expected! I have never opened an area in my entire mission, and I have
so much respect now for the elders that have done it. It’s even harder because
well with the circumstances for why the other elders got taken out, they didn’t
leave us with very good records or with many people to teach but we are doing
our best! The other night we were there and we got totally lost! We had to
spend the night in the other elders’ house and we weren’t sure how to get there
so we asked the last hermana that we taught how to get there and she told us
how to get back but the little colony was like a maze! We ended up running in a
complete circle, but it was a fun experience!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Our area is going great! Paco, Dulce and Tomi are
progressing really well but please have them in your prayers because they are
all passing through some hard things right now that might cause them get
baptized a little later than expected! Tomi is having a lot of opposition from
her family! Paco needs to get married and Dulce is looking for a work, but all
of the jobs and all her interviews are on Sundays :(. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2fNmYQIBIyx4gqOFPKc4VDJ05dtLoqxJjT_Tjn2FGxNc9QZ-2X1XPOrv_QspMA6mqhEQANaadq1czJBNTJk3qDm30l2neGcXvkWb0ZgN8oN_0YBj65192fv7QvKDpy4yNXXjOJIfwAUbe/s1600/IMG_9989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2fNmYQIBIyx4gqOFPKc4VDJ05dtLoqxJjT_Tjn2FGxNc9QZ-2X1XPOrv_QspMA6mqhEQANaadq1czJBNTJk3qDm30l2neGcXvkWb0ZgN8oN_0YBj65192fv7QvKDpy4yNXXjOJIfwAUbe/s320/IMG_9989.JPG" width="320" /></a>But, we have two new people that we found last week that
have us really excited! We have this hermano named Jorge Gomez, who is awesome!
I have never seen anyone so ready to learn, he is always like taking notes
during our lessons, it’s awesome! And this Sunday was his first time in church.
Then yesterday we found the Santiago Sanchez family, and they are super awesome
as well! It’s a family of 6, who years ago were investigating the church but
the elders had changes and they never heard from them again. We had a super
powerful first lesson with them yesterday, and we are hoping big things for
them. Finding them was truly a blessing from the Lord!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKiPRUbpOpfAsR-S2uoeq4yFqjz7f2Q-qjS5sCUAg1_VD-vu6Mwz0kbSAkAh0RhJ3WuyIJ1cf5ARiQw7adObxYYBA7MEGDiONMLYpjPKqmwj52QX6vzRzQDS1f9vQ5-jQ9zsay3sQwHTkJ/s1600/IMG_9990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKiPRUbpOpfAsR-S2uoeq4yFqjz7f2Q-qjS5sCUAg1_VD-vu6Mwz0kbSAkAh0RhJ3WuyIJ1cf5ARiQw7adObxYYBA7MEGDiONMLYpjPKqmwj52QX6vzRzQDS1f9vQ5-jQ9zsay3sQwHTkJ/s320/IMG_9990.JPG" width="320" /></a>Yesterday we had a really cool zone conference on really
helping the investigators to understand the Sabbath Day. We started out just by
calling up missionaries to practice with us as if we were their investigators
without telling them anything. And every single one made it sound like going to
church is just a requirement to get baptized. It’s true, but if we teach like
that we aren’t preparing these people to keep renewing this sacred covenant for
the rest of their lives, so we just did something really simple. After Elder
Crandall and I gave an example of how it should be done and then we just had
them practice for the rest of the conference until every missionary felt like
they could do it well. I really loved it because before we have done practices
but they haven’t been the focus, but we realized that they really should be the
most important thing and that’s what we did! That might be my last zone
conference as a ZL so it was really fun! The assistants and the sister training
leaders put on some good activities too!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHDnXH1b5gD3HV4H7jDY_BGQ6fg8qloHAwtJqTeP2NXBKlxwcjl5mbDmrsoxLfT1SmPC0iIUrPLCQr4q_A_qv4w4PonKPxvojRmFiaFNBdCLUGqR5LIUcf3jx3AEzMAArt9dHPyYfb-X2D/s1600/IMG_9992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHDnXH1b5gD3HV4H7jDY_BGQ6fg8qloHAwtJqTeP2NXBKlxwcjl5mbDmrsoxLfT1SmPC0iIUrPLCQr4q_A_qv4w4PonKPxvojRmFiaFNBdCLUGqR5LIUcf3jx3AEzMAArt9dHPyYfb-X2D/s320/IMG_9992.JPG" width="320" /></a>Another fun thing from last week is that after a lot of
things going on in the mission and people that were needed in different areas,
and I ended up being assigned with Elder Card, another ZL to go and clean out a
house that we aren’t going to be using anymore. It was super fun; Elder Card is
one of my best friends from the mission! Way back in San Pedro we were in the
same district and it was fun to be able to spend time with him again! We got to
run up and down three flights of stairs with fridges, beds and everything else
in that house...in an absolute downpour! But it kind of sums up my whole
mission, things are never going to go as we want them to go, but if we do our
part, if we do the right thing, and more importantly if we are found in the
service of our fellow beings and our God, even the rainiest day will be an
exciting adventure, a learning experience, a day of laughter, and a memory
forever! <o:p></o:p></div>
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I love the mission so much, I love serving people, and I
love just knowing I am doing His work!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Elder Stout<o:p></o:p></div>
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Scott Stouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15959168942830161502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392511439742519521.post-90148064423841708602016-05-16T21:40:00.001-07:002016-05-16T21:40:12.049-07:00May 11 - Post Dia de la Mama!<div class="MsoNormal">
Hey all, </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4DzoMMIAsNwr0M5UQSapOkIkMfDaQx_2QXzmDX9chCP1M6VE0O77Clke25hv0l_9UiCl1yOzh5yhGaz9SUgTAayc0oggoP_OC7IEh_izvAguPNfCP07O7BWUF634-cJjn6ylKju9OgurR/s1600/IMG_9954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4DzoMMIAsNwr0M5UQSapOkIkMfDaQx_2QXzmDX9chCP1M6VE0O77Clke25hv0l_9UiCl1yOzh5yhGaz9SUgTAayc0oggoP_OC7IEh_izvAguPNfCP07O7BWUF634-cJjn6ylKju9OgurR/s320/IMG_9954.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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So this will be a shorter email because I feel like
I talked a lot on Sunday in the mother’s day call!<o:p></o:p></div>
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But, the big thing this last week was that our area grew a
lot! For some special circumstances, they took out one of the companionships from
our zone, and Elder Crandall and I are now in charge of going and visiting
their old area which is a good 45 mins away from our area in transport. But, it
will be fun getting to know even more people and seeing how much success we can
go have in an area like that! I am super excited. It’s a ward called Espartaco!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Today Elder Crandall and I went to a cool part of the zone
called the Centro de Coyoacan and it was just this really cool old looking
place that reminded me of Europe, I included a pic of us in front of the
cathedral there.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF4lvUwkYHHNNbY4Ev3mGkp_hxsHMp4pCNDWh31h4DsAWfE78MYzD5SOjRTFn_uvsU1k8WeGi9b5JXX9ph5gzVYWh04CYM6mqJIcWBxWUU0vHb-4z5JUAHwuedS8-H2NcCqqhYpcWYKmJo/s1600/IMG_9965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF4lvUwkYHHNNbY4Ev3mGkp_hxsHMp4pCNDWh31h4DsAWfE78MYzD5SOjRTFn_uvsU1k8WeGi9b5JXX9ph5gzVYWh04CYM6mqJIcWBxWUU0vHb-4z5JUAHwuedS8-H2NcCqqhYpcWYKmJo/s320/IMG_9965.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
We also did intercambios this week, but one of the elders in the other
companionship was sick so it was my job to just stay and hang out with him
which was really boring, I can’t believe how much I just like working now, but
I took one for the team I guess so they wouldn’t lose time in their area, but
we took a picture with him passed out in his bed! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Well, that’s about it I think! I hope everyone else had a
good week too!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Elder Stout<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ZL9-8fPcL7NJFfGc-BheNtU7kDD7Sr6gUHCNevS92sxJVhrBszwVl-7qSrDp1yEcmvNbsV58AILNmNIgYdZvC1jfggLPrnOfYdbb03qSafEMOqgpe68eXwP71KDLSDaEmn6bV4xoE8NE/s1600/IMG_9986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ZL9-8fPcL7NJFfGc-BheNtU7kDD7Sr6gUHCNevS92sxJVhrBszwVl-7qSrDp1yEcmvNbsV58AILNmNIgYdZvC1jfggLPrnOfYdbb03qSafEMOqgpe68eXwP71KDLSDaEmn6bV4xoE8NE/s320/IMG_9986.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Scott Stouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15959168942830161502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392511439742519521.post-80155226237168071902016-05-04T18:16:00.002-07:002016-05-04T18:16:52.425-07:00May 3 - Happy May!<div class="MsoNormal">
Hey everyone!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx8fhTzU5IczgJesT2LLDXsA4h2fNcQQYxLcxNk9xVnmcwZqF_IVfM70FLCaRmL6q3FCEeXPsg7LcRTVGBbOYwDuIKmD1hIAZpJVuJnmhRTMlzgFB5ETyzkha-ESJF19D-uGzbfA0dtqKv/s1600/IMG_9945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx8fhTzU5IczgJesT2LLDXsA4h2fNcQQYxLcxNk9xVnmcwZqF_IVfM70FLCaRmL6q3FCEeXPsg7LcRTVGBbOYwDuIKmD1hIAZpJVuJnmhRTMlzgFB5ETyzkha-ESJF19D-uGzbfA0dtqKv/s320/IMG_9945.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Wow, once again I cannot believe that it’s a different
month! Once again crazy how fast time is flying by! Well, everything is going
great here in Churubusco, my new comp is Elder Crandall from Idaho Falls,
Idaho! He goes home one change before me, so that means that if I stay here in
Churubusco for his last change I will likely finish my mission here!!! Which
would be incredible. We are already great friends, we actually got to spend a
little bit of time together earlier on in the mission when I was in Topilejo,
he was another district leader in the same zone, so I was super excited to hear
his name on change day, he was one of the people I was hoping to get! Also, it’s
his first change being a zone leader, so I get to train him on all of the
duties and stuff like that and its super fun, he’s got some great ideas that we
are going to put into practice for the zone soon!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi00Y9k3ZhTjLo6VpT7EIQ65izlGGQ7LRYP9iIuWfhyphenhyphenTalWLhVA77forxWqknScD9nTlRILro6yp3mKdlqoujiCpg7ec_CVnD5SWZDJz6uUqR69cQIQQUnrfVBoJh9QlbVj4WMa0CnKOxV5/s1600/IMG_9941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi00Y9k3ZhTjLo6VpT7EIQ65izlGGQ7LRYP9iIuWfhyphenhyphenTalWLhVA77forxWqknScD9nTlRILro6yp3mKdlqoujiCpg7ec_CVnD5SWZDJz6uUqR69cQIQQUnrfVBoJh9QlbVj4WMa0CnKOxV5/s320/IMG_9941.JPG" width="320" /></a>So one cool thing is that there was another baptism in the
ward this week of a little girl named Dana Alice Atunez Morales. She is a ward
baptism because she’s only 8 years old but her parents weren’t baptized that
long ago and so they are still super close with the missionaries, but I had the
honor of giving her the gift of the Holy Ghost on Sunday which was such an
incredible thing to do! I know that God is preparing that generation just from
the amazing youth/children that I have met in my mission.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkNzXM2BR6m_26tW5dNeJDXgyLhwOTwuaM-puUiy651sk8fiQWBloQx8boOBt8dlRBDQtHR2cbK_a_IfnWfJ7PTGxT5vGZkc6iJ_5qr1wwIOQ_DoQVxE2gqZy1Gn1DilKwVB67_3P2MP6-/s1600/IMG_9947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkNzXM2BR6m_26tW5dNeJDXgyLhwOTwuaM-puUiy651sk8fiQWBloQx8boOBt8dlRBDQtHR2cbK_a_IfnWfJ7PTGxT5vGZkc6iJ_5qr1wwIOQ_DoQVxE2gqZy1Gn1DilKwVB67_3P2MP6-/s320/IMG_9947.JPG" width="240" /></a>Yesterday we had a super spiritual leadership council with
President Mecham where he focused a lot on the importance of the sacrament. It
has been eye opening for me here in the mission to learn about it, because
honestly it was probably the principle that I understood least before the
mission, I just saw it as bread and water but I feel like I am starting to have
weekly spiritual experiences as I grow my understanding of the atonement of
Jesus Christ, and understand more what the Sacrament represents. I found some
scriptures that I would like to invite you all to read about it this week:<o:p></o:p></div>
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DC 27:2<o:p></o:p></div>
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1 Corinthians 11:28<o:p></o:p></div>
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John 6:47-58<o:p></o:p></div>
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3 Nephi 20:7-9<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_NNiFajYzmBS9luRHl9tlB0isLTydIqLBulXDWNEV2GRWGRVsoeKL3Hl5OBQ28SJ645Zxz6l3s0cvJpzv7bQDDGubOZQzdtV9ef_bNKmIqFbz4lDkD81HGa0a96dWGwVp6bV6MOxMEkXV/s1600/IMG_9950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_NNiFajYzmBS9luRHl9tlB0isLTydIqLBulXDWNEV2GRWGRVsoeKL3Hl5OBQ28SJ645Zxz6l3s0cvJpzv7bQDDGubOZQzdtV9ef_bNKmIqFbz4lDkD81HGa0a96dWGwVp6bV6MOxMEkXV/s320/IMG_9950.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Well that’s about it from this week which was a shortened
week for all of the trainings and other stuff that always accompany the
changes!<o:p></o:p></div>
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From Mexico with love,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Elder Stout<o:p></o:p></div>
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Scott Stouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15959168942830161502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392511439742519521.post-68065035782319418632016-04-28T09:03:00.000-07:002016-04-28T09:03:47.186-07:00April 25 - Elder Penrod's Last Week<div class="MsoNormal">
Hey all!<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXqElLmxOL3yzaHn7cjQ5bBU0AJmXa3BKR46yoPFgIKBjc4N9qA6fuxTro7y4mr2cj_fkL76Ph4VRXE_mbhyefQf8c-HneJtZ4KI5jsqnY_9pT3W9QeCoHU34GcJfgy6hyTNMlUbzr3D7M/s1600/IMG_9802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXqElLmxOL3yzaHn7cjQ5bBU0AJmXa3BKR46yoPFgIKBjc4N9qA6fuxTro7y4mr2cj_fkL76Ph4VRXE_mbhyefQf8c-HneJtZ4KI5jsqnY_9pT3W9QeCoHU34GcJfgy6hyTNMlUbzr3D7M/s320/IMG_9802.JPG" width="240" /></a>Well it was a pretty action packed week just getting Elder Penrod
all ready to go! It is going to be really hard to say goodbye to him, it’s not
just changes like normal, but well he’s going on now to start his real life
now. We have grown so close in these last 4 months together, and I know that he
is going to do great things getting back to the States, but it’s going to be a
hard transition losing the big brother that I never had. But, with that said, I
am officially staying in Churubusco, and I have no idea who my next companion
will be, so that will have to wait until next week!<o:p></o:p></div>
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So this whole week was just a lot of Elder Penrod saying
goodbye to people so not a ton to report... But the pictures are: Me with
Alexa, Zoe and Alison! They gave us dinner on Elder Penrod’s last Saturday, it
was super awesome to be with that family, it was so sad for us that Alexa and
Zoe didn’t get baptized while he was still here, but we both know that someday
they will! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgXjXN_EFQtO0WGLTuPgdUqzwlmKRnPKgV5Zg6OEBjvbf_zrwBImvEA4mtUKlFl6BTkoBdvRwEtHzqebYtK5-Ef7DjHFB25yA-GWisHvc7G2IO4HsJ6CveRVZ87vI4AKNU5LrsQ9NFm9Oe/s1600/DSCN9865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgXjXN_EFQtO0WGLTuPgdUqzwlmKRnPKgV5Zg6OEBjvbf_zrwBImvEA4mtUKlFl6BTkoBdvRwEtHzqebYtK5-Ef7DjHFB25yA-GWisHvc7G2IO4HsJ6CveRVZ87vI4AKNU5LrsQ9NFm9Oe/s320/DSCN9865.JPG" width="320" /></a>The next one is us with Elder Best and Elder Bojorquez! We
did intercambios with them on Saturday and it was a lot of fun, I got to work
with Elder Best, and he truly is one of the best elders that I have ever met, I
have learned so much from him and was really sad to hear that he will be having
changes and leaving his area. Actually on that note, I am kind of excited but
also kind of nervous for the changes in our zone because of the 24 missionaries
in our zone 13 have changes, so our zone will be almost completely different
next change, the Assistants told us that they have never seen changes like this
in a zone and that it was all revelation so here’s to big things to come in
Churubusco! <o:p></o:p></div>
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The next picture is a picture of the Assistants, us, the
Sister Training Leaders and an awesome family from our ward named the Barroso
family, and also Azul! </div>
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The next one is my fave dog in the world Cookie, and the
young men’s president Hermano Carillo, who helps us A TON! He’s awesome! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Elder Penrod, the Ortiz Muñoz family, they made us hot dogs and hamburgers for
his last Mexican meal haha. And finally, the last Elder Pedrock-Elder Star (the
names we’ve been given in this ward) picture from the cerro de la estrella! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Well, we’ve got to go soon to go get everything packed up
and ready, but I will be back to Tuesday next week!! Have a great week all!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Scott Stouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15959168942830161502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392511439742519521.post-51164361761915068452016-04-23T22:49:00.002-07:002016-04-23T22:49:58.174-07:00April 19 - Shortest email<div class="MsoNormal">
Hey all!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Well right now its 545 and our pday ends at 6 o clock so
this will probably be the shortest email ever and well like no personal emails
today! I am really sorry! Also next weeks email will probably be super short
too because Monday is our pday and its also the day of changes and we will be
running around like chickens with their heads cut off because its Elder
Penrod´s last day here!<o:p></o:p></div>
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So, the big events from the last week happened on Saturday.
First of all we had an awesome mission conference with L Whitney Clayton of the
presidency of the 70! He really helped us just see how important the small
things are, he would point out small little things that PMG says that we are
supposed to be doing, for example, we are supposed to invite the head of the
household to offer a kneeling prayer at the end of every first lesson, he asked
us if we were doing it, and we said like well sometimes... and he said ´´well
it seems to me that there are sinners among you. Repent.´´ Also, a lot about
teaching more simple and not assuming anything about those we teach. Really
simple his whole presentation, just a lot of things like that, and how we truly
just need to have more faith that things are going to work out, it was a really
cool conference!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Second, we had another baptism on Saturday afternoon! It was
an hermana named Jaqueline, and it was super cool because her husband was able
to baptize her and confirm her. Her husband is 22 and she is 19. They have two
adorable little kids, one named Angel and the other Magi! They are an awesome
family that we had the opportunity of reactivating and then the hermana had
some very spiritual experiences to make the decision to be baptized!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Sorry for the short email, I will include anything else
exciting that I forgot in the email next week, but have a great week!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Elder Stout<o:p></o:p></div>
Scott Stouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15959168942830161502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392511439742519521.post-35968103592656178712016-04-13T20:54:00.000-07:002016-04-13T20:54:43.596-07:00April 12 - Blue Week<div class="MsoNormal">
Hola!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJclG1nH51EFll5OL2uIUak9poudUoFdyGzMLvXETyowefSk8Zi-t29xXhAeCsUuTB9umDsGASr7EV2Z15s3KHM79W3jI7gBvOykKMvNX6hvUtHHTn6_6F4q56EprdyJ7FAt_2n8uGnxJ5/s1600/DSCN9752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJclG1nH51EFll5OL2uIUak9poudUoFdyGzMLvXETyowefSk8Zi-t29xXhAeCsUuTB9umDsGASr7EV2Z15s3KHM79W3jI7gBvOykKMvNX6hvUtHHTn6_6F4q56EprdyJ7FAt_2n8uGnxJ5/s320/DSCN9752.JPG" width="240" /></a>So first of all the title doesn´t mean that I had a bad week
or anything, it’s just that we baptized a little girl whose name is Azul! So I
thought it was kind of funny!!:)<o:p></o:p></div>
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Azul is just yet another amazing story of how the Lord is blessing
us here in Churubusco. About two months ago we were walking down the street,
and we heard someone just yell Elders!! And here in Mexico City, no one, like
usually not even members call us Elders, they all call us the brethren! So we
turned around really fast and saw Azul and her sister Jocelyn and her mom Mari
walking there. We went up and started talking to them and we found out that
Mari and her family have all been members of their whole life, but right before
Azul turned 8 they went through some really tough things and they stopped going
to church. Azul had been asking her mom for about 2 years now, Mom, when can I
get baptized?? <o:p></o:p></div>
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Well, the Lord sent me and Elder Penrod to answer her
question! In a matter of two months, Azul and her entire family have come back
to church!! The daughters are some of the strongest members of the primary and
the young women’s organizations in the ward! Azul is the most intelligent
little girl ever!! I have never seen someone so excited for their baptism like
her! She asked Elder Penrod to baptize her (what a cool opportunity, because
its probably the last time he will be all in white as a missionary! :)) And
then she asked me to give her the gift of the Holy Ghost! One of the pictures
attached in a big letter that she gave me to tell me thanks for accepting to
give it to her. My heart swelled up with an immeasurable joy as that little
girl thanked me!!!:)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb31rlMV0Co54A-qJjupMdPkoUVjoafIABsEwxFIhEAmI1Pt0E4j0uqs9BVsR0X537sz3yimVjFfs7XwtuyiKdKkUzEPcRoYjnUPY9OO7UTxZh0ZezhjcZ7jfaWh-3LI8DeT4dz2ag7E6S/s1600/IMG_9768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb31rlMV0Co54A-qJjupMdPkoUVjoafIABsEwxFIhEAmI1Pt0E4j0uqs9BVsR0X537sz3yimVjFfs7XwtuyiKdKkUzEPcRoYjnUPY9OO7UTxZh0ZezhjcZ7jfaWh-3LI8DeT4dz2ag7E6S/s320/IMG_9768.JPG" width="320" /></a><o:p> </o:p></div>
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The baptism went super smoothly, and was a nice spiritual
service. Her dad who isn’t a member was there and told us afterwards that he
could barely talk for the knot he felt. The primary put together an awesome
little choir that sang I like to look for rainbows, and Azul was just beaming
that they would sing just for her. Her sisters gave some awesome talks as
well!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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This Sunday was just another incredible experience here in
Churubsco. First of all, Elder Penrod and I got to the goal that we had set for
Sacrament meeting attendance! My first week here, we were a whole 85 people in
sacrament meeting and two days ago we finally got up to 140 which is the goal!
But, even better than that it was my favorite Sunday, fast and testimony week!
The best part was right after I gave Azul the Holy Ghost, she was the very
first person from the whole congregation to bear her testimony and she just got
up there and started thanking the whole ward, and telling everyone how happy
and loved she felt. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIWYE-NDFc4xXGgKNeeqyhMiZHfWkKwjcBkhiDAVUcB1rjr1FvS7O7DI4KrUXcvpeNggTVxZO9J_PELjEovqC_CSFax2aXTMeLfSxbSYlKtEky2j9sHvfnlW6RDpTTQRIJq11WqTxNHoKo/s1600/IMG_9778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIWYE-NDFc4xXGgKNeeqyhMiZHfWkKwjcBkhiDAVUcB1rjr1FvS7O7DI4KrUXcvpeNggTVxZO9J_PELjEovqC_CSFax2aXTMeLfSxbSYlKtEky2j9sHvfnlW6RDpTTQRIJq11WqTxNHoKo/s320/IMG_9778.JPG" width="320" /></a>President Mecham was in our ward this week, and it was
amazing to see the expression on his face as this little girl expressed her
joyful experience of being taught and baptized. Then Alexa from the Olivares
Puebla family (who still hasn´t been baptized, but we are making slow progress)
got up and shared a testimony about prayer. Then Elder Penrod and I both got up
and shared our testimonies and it was such a spiritual experience for the both
of us...Just all in all the meeting was great!!! We had two investigators named
Dulce and Ivonne who were there for the first time with us, and they left
feeling such a strong spirit! I love when that happens!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFk9Qzl9q4hrQGOWLWavI23VpoZhcIV78jvQq2V0t7dXG4TmluxTzmsC3Say2LG3AQdkWjkU5s6t6R5WQKIipQvUfkhf1PizBt_LUxB133UeQmg6ikjrf7pyvSsCNvQx06GHDZYkARKuN7/s1600/IMG_9784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFk9Qzl9q4hrQGOWLWavI23VpoZhcIV78jvQq2V0t7dXG4TmluxTzmsC3Say2LG3AQdkWjkU5s6t6R5WQKIipQvUfkhf1PizBt_LUxB133UeQmg6ikjrf7pyvSsCNvQx06GHDZYkARKuN7/s320/IMG_9784.JPG" width="320" /></a>The last big news from last week was how Elder Penrod and I
rose to be even better in our leadership position. We held a big ´´pump up´´
zone training last week, where we pretty much tried to help people realize what
we have realized, this is God’s work, these are His children, He is pulling for
us, the ones that make it hard are us! We just need to let it go, and just work
as He wants and not be our own worst enemies and get in the way. We then
invited the Spirit to help us set goal of people to find and baptize these next
two months. And well, it must have worked because the goal for April is double
what we had in March, and then the May goal is double that goal! Wahoo! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Then yesterday, Elder Penrod and I decided to truly help the
missionaries in an even bigger way than ever before. We have a ward here where
there are four hermanas and well we know very little about how the work is
there because we can’t do exchanges with hermanas. But, they have been having
difficulty finding new investigators, so we went and spent almost 5 hours of
our day over in their area just contacting everyone that we met, and we had so
much success! We were able to give the hermanas a bunch of references! Things
are looking up here in the Churubusco zone!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Scott Stouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15959168942830161502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392511439742519521.post-74879197657094892682016-04-11T21:34:00.003-07:002016-04-11T21:34:48.303-07:00Apr 3 - General Conference, Christmas for Missionaries<div class="MsoNormal">
Hey all!<o:p></o:p></div>
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So last week was definitely a more down week than the last
two have been! I will start from the cool things other than general conference!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlMD15UStWsTeLyazFWySbYxWbBXxXuLIR9owylDD014035Dai7vLinkWILjY9XmOXyvMfJ4So5cLPfLNV51XBl4svQcsVTBKIm-j8y0pwGeUWExB8VMWYnvfL_FR6fYLAOKiexM7e2WNo/s1600/DSCN9694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlMD15UStWsTeLyazFWySbYxWbBXxXuLIR9owylDD014035Dai7vLinkWILjY9XmOXyvMfJ4So5cLPfLNV51XBl4svQcsVTBKIm-j8y0pwGeUWExB8VMWYnvfL_FR6fYLAOKiexM7e2WNo/s320/DSCN9694.JPG" width="320" /></a>First of all, we got to have a leadership council, and special
zone leader interview with President Mecham. I have learned so much from him,
and his leadership style; very simply in our interview he called us to
repentance and let us know that we need to be better. Elder Penrod and I have
felt pretty good these last few weeks, because our area has picked up big time
and we are starting to have a bunch of success with even more to come.
President asked us about those baptisms, and saw how pumped up we were, then
asked a simple question, ´´so why did the Lord assign you two to be zone leaders?
´´ We thought about it for a minute, and said, ´´because He wants the zone to
progress in His work´´ and he said, ´´how right you are. We know that you both
know how to find, how to teach, how to baptize, that’s why you received this
calling. But, as a zone leader, your personal success is not really your
success, your success is measured by those you have called to lead; even though
you may be baptizing, and finding and teaching, if your zone is not doing it
then you are failing. ´´ Very simply, President in 5 minutes changed my entire
outlook on leadership. We have decided to, saying it extremely, sacrifice our
area. We are going to be spending so much time with the other elders from the
zone, trying to truly strengthen them in all aspects of the work, and we both
know that the Lord will protect our area and help us to make the best of the
time that we do have there.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-7I3IHfc3gugjOPUmizBmkuUYMsSNlCasKt-Q7NWsckNLTIxukWuONOn_dmTKbn0xFBe-qoVKgFsxygAyR6B2BZ25l-tWbjHk9g5zcUYhO6Ro4mvNHHOXaDM-X4ss16nr5Pr6i3Veg6id/s1600/DSCN9687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-7I3IHfc3gugjOPUmizBmkuUYMsSNlCasKt-Q7NWsckNLTIxukWuONOn_dmTKbn0xFBe-qoVKgFsxygAyR6B2BZ25l-tWbjHk9g5zcUYhO6Ro4mvNHHOXaDM-X4ss16nr5Pr6i3Veg6id/s320/DSCN9687.JPG" width="320" /></a><o:p> </o:p></div>
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Also, today we had a nice American feeling today because we
went to a big mall in our mission to buy Elder Penrod his going home suit! Just
3 weeks left with the guy! It was fun seeing some American stores, eating
Burger King and Hagan Daz and just forgetting for a little bit how the outside
world, like our area looks haha!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Lastly, for some sad occurrences in the mission, there were
a bunch of special changes made in the mission. Only one affected our zone, but
it brought Elder Bojorquez to the zone with us! The day before we did
intercambios with the district leader from Estrella, so I got to work with
Elder Bojorquez again! It was a super fun experience, I am pumped ot have him
in the zone with us, it was honestly one of the funnest days that I have had in
a while!<o:p></o:p></div>
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So onto general conference. All of our recent converts and
our next few (fingers crossed) baptisms all came to church! Tamara and Rubi
loved it! America came, and left with a renewed desire to stand for the ´´hard
right´´ in her home with Adan. Elder Penrod and I got permission to get the
stake high council room all set up with a projector and everything so that all
of the English speakers could watch the conference in English because it is
just so much better to hear their actual voices, and all of us gringos were all
together in saying that this was probably the best general conference that we
have ever seen. Especially the priesthood session just blew us out of the
water! My favorite talk of all had to be Bishop Waddell´s talk about how we can
always remember Jesus Christ, it just helped me with so many of the questions
that I went into the conference looking for answers. Gary E Stevenson is
becoming one of my favorite speakers as well, I loved his talk about keys! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmcW_WGDPb1YWtVIc2dyBXGqIPIyNFhk29vErBrr_g_34jbuoGXx-GDSp269wu8cQMcIEeotNo8RW7XP6HgxakPbBYV57ZziKdn3er4t2bqvSl6Ni7ieOkLrNI1q20O9JkIehjgYaBfpEG/s1600/IMG_9735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmcW_WGDPb1YWtVIc2dyBXGqIPIyNFhk29vErBrr_g_34jbuoGXx-GDSp269wu8cQMcIEeotNo8RW7XP6HgxakPbBYV57ZziKdn3er4t2bqvSl6Ni7ieOkLrNI1q20O9JkIehjgYaBfpEG/s320/IMG_9735.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPivgErnSk70tTzELw3uK3tqrF7NVgI0VpswYw9ZzC7ABOUPzUiacRUvYuKRAe2MBkt0R3wWn_0lqMc86r39q74k8p-9uGxeeIe1Ir_tbzrnLCRZVHT7vYshA9DXgy5r1IRPYAMwbHMDFD/s1600/IMG_9763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPivgErnSk70tTzELw3uK3tqrF7NVgI0VpswYw9ZzC7ABOUPzUiacRUvYuKRAe2MBkt0R3wWn_0lqMc86r39q74k8p-9uGxeeIe1Ir_tbzrnLCRZVHT7vYshA9DXgy5r1IRPYAMwbHMDFD/s320/IMG_9763.JPG" width="320" /></a>Everyone is looking for the car that will lead them back to eternal life with
God, but so many of the cars, don’t have the keys to do it! Through the
restoration of the priesthood through Joseph Smith, we have today the priesthood
keys necessary! Then, as always Jeffrey R Holland brought home the show for me
with that amazing talk on just giving it our all in the gospel! If we try to do
all that God asks us, but we fall short, He will count it as if we did. We
can´t give up, we have just to always keep moving and doing better. Then in the
priesthood session, there was not one talk that did not draw my attention.
Russell M Nelsons talked helped me to really refocus on the incredible blessing
of the sealing power in order to have eternal families, there is no other way
and there is nothing more important, I need to help the people that I am
teaching get to that point! President Owen added on to the lesson that I
learned from President Mecham this week and helped me open my eyes to what
leadership in the Lords church really means. President Uchtdorf gave a great
talk on charity, the most important attribute that we could ever acquire, in
missionary work or anywhere else in life. President Eyring´s talk had a quote
that pretty much all the missionaries went crazy about... something like
´´Celestial marriage is the most important thing that we can do...It is the
priority of a returned missionary and should be very early in his post mission plans.
´´ Considering that 5 of the Americans watching the conference from our zone
watched our last conference as missionaries, that quote with Uchtdorf´s talk
really got a lot of attention from us haha. Lastly, President Monson´s talk was
just a short but purely powerful testimony of priesthood power. I have learned
in my mission, and will continue to learn my whole life, about the miracles
that can truly come about through the priesthood of God.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Best wishes,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Elder Stout<o:p></o:p></div>
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Scott Stouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15959168942830161502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392511439742519521.post-25001908823452166972016-04-02T05:57:00.000-07:002016-04-02T05:57:13.921-07:00March 29 - The Lord's Elect<div class="MsoNormal">
Hey all!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Well, I won’t have quite intense of an email as last week,
because well that may have been a once in a while experience! But the crowning
event of this last week was our baptism of Tamara and Rubi this last Saturday!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7BSnxVupfhxdnS87YEOUbqTHRnQFU0AaB8N28c_c8S0L_CsliUWRSoLzmzx8hchYFwLAdsa9xZN3ntv3IBVLUrfajZ2mXBy9objYFta-gtde-fSBhq9GHW8Wn6xfEOD8DZh2XLr8MmT6O/s1600/IMG_9729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7BSnxVupfhxdnS87YEOUbqTHRnQFU0AaB8N28c_c8S0L_CsliUWRSoLzmzx8hchYFwLAdsa9xZN3ntv3IBVLUrfajZ2mXBy9objYFta-gtde-fSBhq9GHW8Wn6xfEOD8DZh2XLr8MmT6O/s320/IMG_9729.JPG" width="320" /></a>These hermanas we found after about a month of me being here
in Churubusco. We were at that time teaching another family who we had
contacted (surprisingly the same day as America, who was baptized last week)
and they were doing alright but not super well, and one day they gave us a reference
about some people that really needed God, at least that is what they told us.
Haha they said they were people who’d probably never accept us, but that we
might as well give it a shot. The names of these people were Tamara and Rubi!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Teaching these two hermanas strengthened my testimony so
much in the fact that this is truly the Lords work. First of all, they just
showed me again that these things that I share every day are true, and that God
wants as many people to accept these things as possible, so He is out here
preparing the hearts of these people to receive the message of the gospel, and
if we let Him, through our faith, obedience and diligence, He will guide us
right to them!<o:p></o:p></div>
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We went to contact Tamara and Rubi one night when actually
we were having a pretty tough day, and based on what the family had told us we didn’t
have a lot of faith that they were going to go anywhere with the gospel. So,
when our other plans fell through, we just decided to go see Tamara and Rubi. Tamara
came out, and just simply asked us, ´´Can you teach me about the Bible? ´´
Taken aback we told her “sure thing, we can do that!” <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCBIS67TOfZcUuJF9k9NzX1Gd1CLo40yFA6T-0MKTIPQyp6xquB3dQ1OElNy9JKDuFStTyzp2Wb9Z5HQigtyE6GptAe7m3CARkFXs9HfHcFaf_7vCoS7aUHpGYMvDa1jVinheJBcJodJEW/s1600/IMG_9732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCBIS67TOfZcUuJF9k9NzX1Gd1CLo40yFA6T-0MKTIPQyp6xquB3dQ1OElNy9JKDuFStTyzp2Wb9Z5HQigtyE6GptAe7m3CARkFXs9HfHcFaf_7vCoS7aUHpGYMvDa1jVinheJBcJodJEW/s320/IMG_9732.JPG" width="320" /></a>We later found out that just hours before a close family
friend had passed away and that for one of the first times in her life Tamara
had been praying asking to find God. The next 5 weeks were the fastest Elder
Penrod and I have ever seen someone become converted to the gospel of Jesus
Christ. At one moment, Tamara said, ´´6 months ago, I wouldn’t have cared one
bit to learn about God, now I can’t live without these things that I have learned.
That’s just because God hadn’t gotten me ready yet. ´´ <o:p></o:p></div>
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Tamara always loved every lesson, even some of the deeper
stuff like Repentance or certain commandments and things like that she would
just be in tears and say ´´how wonderful it is that God loves us enough to give
us this, thank you Elders for coming to share this with me. ´´ <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJdbUd7DVd1WXqh6MNukX146oNVk6tc7HTz9WtxGCabpg0Aa-3JKAnxwn0XTV4ACdKaPV0nrciox_T2kkufcp5tdBy3pVwLVcY7Li_4Z2-NJJiP2IsjiyOmc1vWL3nAosOytMousriRW5Z/s1600/IMG_9726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJdbUd7DVd1WXqh6MNukX146oNVk6tc7HTz9WtxGCabpg0Aa-3JKAnxwn0XTV4ACdKaPV0nrciox_T2kkufcp5tdBy3pVwLVcY7Li_4Z2-NJJiP2IsjiyOmc1vWL3nAosOytMousriRW5Z/s320/IMG_9726.JPG" width="320" /></a>Rubi her 15-year-old daughter is 4 years away from being the
best missionary the world has ever seen! She never once didn’t read a chapter
or something that we had left with her, and she was her mom’s babysitter pretty
much haha always reminding her, ´´Mom, we don’t drink coffee anymore´´ or ´´it’s
time to pray Mom! ´´ Haha she is super quiet but truly loves Christ and the
gospel. Their dad, who doesn’t live with them, was visiting them the week
before their baptism and was startled that they were going to be baptized, he
asked Rubi, ´´So you are going to be a Mormon, ´´ and she responded, ´´Sure
thing Dad, ´´ he said, ´´well did you know that they are going to ask you to
pay a tithe on everything you earn?´´ and that wonderful girl said, ´´Of course
I do, but for all that I have received that is nothing to pay. Plus, it’s not
them who are asking it of me but God, and actually he asks you for it too, but
you just don’t obey Him. ´´ She is so awesome!! Her testimony astounds me.
These sisters were prepared by the Lord and are truly his elect. Our calling isn’t
to come out here and try to convince people or prepare them, we are here to
collect the elect, we have been called to the harvest. Teaching Tamara and Rubi
changed that for me forever.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So the baptismal service was a huge success. Rubi asked
Elder Penrod to baptize her and Tamara asked me!! The first time I have been
able to be in white together with my comp! We planned a big surprise for the
hermanas. A couple of weeks ago in church we sang, ´´Onward, Christian
Soldiers´´ and Tamara commented to me how it was a super beautiful song. So, we
pulled together about half the elders from the zone and we surprised her by
singing it acapella right before we went down to the font. Rubi and Tamara were
just both in absolute tears. Tamara said in her testimony afterwards, ´´I want
to thank the Elders for that beautiful song, but even more my thanks goes to
God. I have never felt that loved by my Heavenly Father in my life. ´´ These
are going to be two very strong members of the church, and I can’t wait to see
what things the Lord has planned for them.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEism9vJqHkzclo6JpGvx8ATujZqEvs-Z6vpDoO09v4idNaKJ7LRWahyp8kl4a3d7bjIK-jYTBDzyO9WIPaer8gkTlKs7XzLpDmKuYpj3pKki7PMlVGEzxc7BryZOkH8Qs-tygT5-aPGzVAU/s1600/IMG_9722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEism9vJqHkzclo6JpGvx8ATujZqEvs-Z6vpDoO09v4idNaKJ7LRWahyp8kl4a3d7bjIK-jYTBDzyO9WIPaer8gkTlKs7XzLpDmKuYpj3pKki7PMlVGEzxc7BryZOkH8Qs-tygT5-aPGzVAU/s320/IMG_9722.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Just to finish up on a different note, we had a zone
training this last week. Elder Penrod and I were stumped on what to teach the
zone (see included pic on what happens to our desk when we have to plan a
training...) We wanted to teach something inspirational that would change not
just the work, but change the missionaries. I remembered a district meeting that
I had given while I was in Topilejo helping the missionaries to remember why
they decided to serve a mission. We decided to copy that idea, and to help the
missionaries think about what type of missionaries they wanted to be, where
they are, and how they can change to be those missionaries. We based it on Alma
4 and we talked a lot about Christ like attributes and how we can develop
those, I learned so much, and I just hope the missionaries did as well.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I hope that everyone has a chance to listen to the living
Apostles and Prophet of Jesus Christ this weekend in general conference, I am
so excited to be inspired and learn what the Lord needs me to learn. <o:p></o:p></div>
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My love to all,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Elder Stout<o:p></o:p></div>
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Scott Stouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15959168942830161502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392511439742519521.post-82862630006305177352016-03-22T21:31:00.002-07:002016-03-22T21:31:35.923-07:00Mar 22 - The day that changed my life<div class="MsoNormal">
Hey all!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Well I know that the day that I am about to describe will be
hard to convey over email, and I know that only feeling what I felt for myself
can truly allow one to have been impacted in the way that I was. First of all, the
first part of my mission I was really into saying well I know that I will come
home the same person that I left, just like a more spiritual version. But,
after last Saturday, I know that is a complete lie, because that is not God´s
plan. If I go home the same person that I was 2 years earlier, I have failed, I
have failed to let the mission have the effect on me that God intended. We
teach everyday how Christ can change the lives of every person that we meet,
but the question sometimes is, is if we really let Him do that for us? After
this day, I know that He can, and I know that He will if I, if we, just open
our hearts and let Him do it, let Him in. I love my Savior Jesus Christ, I know
that He lives, and I know that he can save and help us. I came to understand
Him so much more, and that understanding is what changes our lives. Elder
Penrod and I have both been thoroughly convinced that we may never have such a
spiritually exhausting, testimony building or heartbreaking day as last
Saturday. Sorry if after that big build up its not that cool of an experience
for those reading, as I said it was a day of personal growth, but I will share
pretty much all of my email from that day.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So, Saturday was the much awaited baptism of America and her
daughters Alexa and Zoe. When I got to this area, Elder Penrod had just told me
that pretty much all of the really good investigators that they had had just
been baptized so we were kind of starting from ground zero. Our first week here
we contacted America in the street and she received us immediately. These las 2
months we have grown to love this family so much! Finally, the date that they
had set for their baptisms came. Friday we spent all evening with them in their
baptismal interviews and everything to get them ready (which was a fiasco and a
whole other story by itself). But, everything seemed so ready for Saturday,
Alexa chose me to baptize her, and Zoe chose Elder Penrod and America had
chosen President Mecham who had done her interview. We were so excited for the
most spiritual baptism ever.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Then, on Saturday we went to go pick them up to all go to
the baptism together. America was already in her white dress and everything,
and seemed nervous and excited, Elder Penrod and I just couldn’t stop smiling.
That is until she said that she needed to talk to us and she sat us down. That’s
when Adan, her husband came out. He has listened to us since the beginning, but
he is what we call a Buddy Investigator, that he just kind of likes to be our
friends, he listens to us, but he isn’t super excited to change his life to put
it in line with Gods teachings which is the reason that we were moving forward
with just the baptisms of the rest of his family. He just said, ´´Well, Elders.
I have bad news. My daughters aren´t going to be getting baptized today. ´´<o:p></o:p></div>
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He went on to explain to us that at the last moment some
figure from the Catholic church had called with him (and by last minute, I mean
just hours before we got there) and had just really messed with Adan about how
the church was going to view him, and his family, and just a bunch of stuff
about that. The real rotten thing (in my opinion) is that not at one point was
anything mentioned, like hey if this is the right church and they change, they
might set themselves up for some bad stuff. No, it was just all political, and
it just messed with his head. We couldn’t even believe what we were hearing, I
think we literally went into shock. The daughters came out just absolutely
bawling and started begging their dad, then he started to cry too and just told
us how confused he was. Well, thirty minutes of talking and we got nowhere, the
decision had been made, only America was going to be getting baptized.<o:p></o:p></div>
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When we got to the church, Elder Penrod and I went off to a separate
room and I was able to say one of the most powerful prayers that I have said in
my entire life. Something that I have loved learning about prayer, is that just
like a blessing it can be guided by the spirit and that’s just what happened. I
started to pray asking God to please soften Adan’s heart so that the daughters
could get baptized. But as I prayed and I felt the tears start to come on, I
felt the words just come out of my mouth, ´´But, Heavenly Father, if it be not
Thy will that these precious daughter be baptized today, we ask Thee to make
this a spiritual experience for every person in attendance.´´ Elder Penrod and
I got up, and hugged, still so sad for the decision that Adan had made, just
sad because of how much we love those girls and want the best for them, but
with a strength that I cannot describe that came from knowing that whatever
happened it was God´s will.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The baptismal service was incredible. I cannot even describe
the Spirit that was felt there. The first speaker was a member of the Stake
High Council, and the second speaker was a recent convert. There was a special
moment in each talk where the speaker looked up from their paper, and literally
started to say things meant especially for this family that they could not have
known that they needed. The second speaker even tried to apologize to us
afterwards, because she didn’t even realize that the Holy Spirit had taken over
to guide her words.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmW-Qx6L-MTF4_z3ZJj4jOzlWoKDkZzgZn0pNNEt2PwJ2791bZIU55TszW73qs71qKJJznwJLkZlvmtRN8KxiJWVyW-rhXbrh10tlx_rOU5U5xunSxmcUZTTtlSXGZvALYudlP5FeHaR9C/s1600/IMG_9715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmW-Qx6L-MTF4_z3ZJj4jOzlWoKDkZzgZn0pNNEt2PwJ2791bZIU55TszW73qs71qKJJznwJLkZlvmtRN8KxiJWVyW-rhXbrh10tlx_rOU5U5xunSxmcUZTTtlSXGZvALYudlP5FeHaR9C/s320/IMG_9715.JPG" width="320" /></a>After the talks it was finally time to be baptized for
America. She and President Mecham went down into the font. President Mecham
gave the prayer, and it seemed as though he may have been starting to choke up
from emotion as he did it. Afterwards we went out into the hall to congratulate
them, and President Mecham told us, this is such a special hermana, such a special
family, it will all happen, don’t worry elders. Then we asked the hermana
America if she wanted to share her testimony with everyone (before she had told
us that she would never ever do that because she hates public speaking) but we
had recieved an impression from the Holy Ghost that we HAD to ask her. So, we
did and she said yes.<o:p></o:p></div>
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That was the crowning moment of the baptism that this
Hermana stood up in front of a room filled of members and non-members alike and
testified of the truthfulness of everything she had experienced. She shared a
powerful testimony of how she knows she will see her recently passed away
again, how she wants nothing more than for her daughters to grow up in this
path, and how she just felt like a new person. She had been looking for this
for so long, and finally had found it. There was not a dry eye in the entire
room. Elder Penrod and I were outright bawling because the spirit was so
strongly present to testify of what this daughter of God was telling us. She
single handedly invited a spirit so strong that three of our investigators in
that moment got the answer to their prayers and decided that they too needed to
be baptized.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJMpKwZQdNGf88u7Nnvg_7GzOf3lM3vf7DElfht_RPONcV4ASSBPDYqX5BO66nu48CQbHLWH9ghBBcDhxfRSRmGUlfmm_D0XGxYIHG9PX4C5a80XDUTnfOTZcUry-WKGR_w8Fq8OeeBvre/s1600/IMG_9714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJMpKwZQdNGf88u7Nnvg_7GzOf3lM3vf7DElfht_RPONcV4ASSBPDYqX5BO66nu48CQbHLWH9ghBBcDhxfRSRmGUlfmm_D0XGxYIHG9PX4C5a80XDUTnfOTZcUry-WKGR_w8Fq8OeeBvre/s320/IMG_9714.JPG" width="320" /></a><o:p> </o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixy3_T-cJtPz44io6GmRFukxToCpZdEKq6mGNgtY9rECm8SCg8ZLcjhCKy-wnvAXgrz32duzF6IoFWEf5DDIcDktrkVW-Qn7g51Q6h9tQJvHXtaMuis4EEWh-27g8o5-FD4kmiUhcEkUbw/s1600/IMG_9718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixy3_T-cJtPz44io6GmRFukxToCpZdEKq6mGNgtY9rECm8SCg8ZLcjhCKy-wnvAXgrz32duzF6IoFWEf5DDIcDktrkVW-Qn7g51Q6h9tQJvHXtaMuis4EEWh-27g8o5-FD4kmiUhcEkUbw/s320/IMG_9718.JPG" width="320" /></a>That was the moment that changed my life. I know that prayer
I had offered had been answered. Even though my heart had literally broken to
see Alexa´s and Zoe´s faces when their dad told them they couldn’t be baptized.
Even though we have been working so hard here without a lot of success. Even
though I personally have been working for so long, with a lot of heartache and
hard times with sometimes little success. Even with all of that, in 5 minutes,
the Spirit testified to me that just with America my whole mission was a
success. It was all worth it. I learned in that moment something that I have
always known but I guess never completely understood. The why of missionary
work. America had the door opened to her not just for a better life here on
Earth, not just for some blessings, but she truly had the door to heaven itself
opened that day. She is a changed person with a glow, with a light in her eyes
that has no other source than from God. I was shocked to the core to finally
feel for myself the promise that the Lord gave is a true one, O how great will
be our joy if we labor ALL of our days and bring just one soul unto our Father.
I know that God loves her as he loves us, and was so happy that day. I know
that this is the most important work on the planet. This isn’t just getting to
know people, or teaching some cool stories from a little blue book. This is a
question of eternity. I have never loved a family as I have loved the Olivares
Puebla family, and I am so grateful that God has blessed me to be able to feel
just a fraction of the love that he has for them, and for all of us. I know
that He wants what is best for us, and that in His time and His way all things
will come to pass as he desires. I know that the hermana made a decision that
has changed her life, and mine as well because after that we both came to know
Jesus a lot more than before. I have started to understand just a little more
of the price that he paid for every single one of us, for the love that He has
for each one of us, and the immense joy that we and He can feel when we accept.
There is no other way. I hope that these things are on everyone’s hearts and
minds this Easter week. I know these things with all my heart and I share them
in His name, even Jesus Christ, Amen.</div>
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Scott Stouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15959168942830161502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392511439742519521.post-91121370851857888522016-03-14T21:44:00.002-07:002016-03-14T21:44:51.067-07:00Mar 14 - The Prophet Today<div class="MsoNormal">
Hey all!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9hSKklg0uiQQtTRCyV-spvPpZi8KE_ewj6lJ0lpMKyNKRs0bsIUkY-Dc1Zor7kZTyGyuGA8GKve7xHjV-SnnZmHHTTXNFoLW9roGd0gi956u19dQH9MPOgekOwwJ-sz2_xJWaqfGhE67z/s1600/IMG_9704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9hSKklg0uiQQtTRCyV-spvPpZi8KE_ewj6lJ0lpMKyNKRs0bsIUkY-Dc1Zor7kZTyGyuGA8GKve7xHjV-SnnZmHHTTXNFoLW9roGd0gi956u19dQH9MPOgekOwwJ-sz2_xJWaqfGhE67z/s320/IMG_9704.JPG" width="320" /></a>So first of all is the big news of the week is that Elder
Penrod and I are going to be staying together in Churubusco for one more
change! WOOHOO!!!! That means that I will get to be his last companion and that
its almost certain that I will be here until at least June and maybe even July!
I am so happy! Elder Penrod and I are working so hard, and are really seeing
the results of our labors; he is such an awesome Elder and person, I am so
thankful that I will be able to keep learning from him for 6 more weeks; and
that also means that I will be spending quite a bit of time in an awesome ward
and area! The Lord is blessing me so much, and I know that he must have a lot
of work that he needs me to do here, so it’s time to buckle down and just go
get it all done.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjACMvQmz8CB2ZCcTacxXA3D3M6pS1md0nBsyfiOGnwARhMrpFBXCxY5vuduBpGvrC9wVGSInkHW7RKaW9g0Gud_R2bnJmau-BD1L_NScoxXzdu7k9De7Z_SCkAbayLzU7GeOePREnzB-cr/s1600/IMG_9675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjACMvQmz8CB2ZCcTacxXA3D3M6pS1md0nBsyfiOGnwARhMrpFBXCxY5vuduBpGvrC9wVGSInkHW7RKaW9g0Gud_R2bnJmau-BD1L_NScoxXzdu7k9De7Z_SCkAbayLzU7GeOePREnzB-cr/s320/IMG_9675.JPG" width="320" /></a>A really funny experience that we had last night is that
right now we are preparing America, Alexa and Zoe for their baptism. We have
had a little bit of a hard time teaching Zoe because well she is 8 years old
and has the attention span of an eight-year-old. For example, if we ask her at
the beginning of a lesson what a prophet is, she will tell us, like its someone
who has God’s power, and we will say good job and then go on to explain more of
what a prophet is. Then, when we end the lesson we will ask her so what did you
learn about prophets and she gives us the exact same answer as before....haha
so we decided to give them a bit of homework, with a bunch of questions about
the things that we’ve taught them and have them look for their answers in the
scriptures and online and just in whatever way they can. We gave it to them
when we went to eat with their family last Tuesday (pic attached). <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYn6ytL0j0pP0l_tQEkeEL2Gd7zDWTwoMBUPR1Z7Y7cP86OhJOsMeigChNQ6jR93dMMG0lABi9A8yXHpglXKvIWH1D23_i-FYbH0XyEfQwhFtQM6JICShP_ycKcknQ_NVEVuGTC5ZY8Jsz/s1600/IMG_9676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYn6ytL0j0pP0l_tQEkeEL2Gd7zDWTwoMBUPR1Z7Y7cP86OhJOsMeigChNQ6jR93dMMG0lABi9A8yXHpglXKvIWH1D23_i-FYbH0XyEfQwhFtQM6JICShP_ycKcknQ_NVEVuGTC5ZY8Jsz/s320/IMG_9676.JPG" width="320" /></a>We went back yesterday to check in and Elder Penrod and I
literally were laughing for about 15 minutes as we read one of Zoe’s answers.
The question was, ´´Who is the prophet today?´´ and she put, ´´the prophet
today is a very very good man and a good prophet who is named Today.´´ haha so
I guess we have to go back and focus a little more on helping her get a
testimony of Thomas S. Monson, hahaha. But, they are still moving forward good
for their baptism this Saturday, keep praying for them so that nothing gets in
their way.<o:p></o:p></div>
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On Saturday I also had the incredible opportunity of conducting
a baptismal interview for the elders in Espartaco, I haven’t the opportunity to
do one for a while, so it was such a good reminder to me of the changes that
really happen in a person´s life as they prepare for baptism. As we are
teaching the people we sometimes are oblivious to that, but when its someone else’s
investigator its way easier to see. Her name was Alicia and she just shared
with me the strongest testimony of how she knows she’s not perfect but that she
just wants to follow Christ, before I even started the questions the spirit
testified to me so strongly that she was ready. We were both crying during the
interview and it was just a very spiritual experience overall.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-cGwP3lMMis2YfCD61BYALQScpBcbkFqYViW1NNKpOd53snlwbCiWSaKcOQJKHHtkxGheLUqe7K_xcTfbZUTsckgk_wDnvjcFb00LHm7zVsSxGWwtzezMcDFDPySAwlfXNORo_HEbuKJl/s1600/IMG_9681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-cGwP3lMMis2YfCD61BYALQScpBcbkFqYViW1NNKpOd53snlwbCiWSaKcOQJKHHtkxGheLUqe7K_xcTfbZUTsckgk_wDnvjcFb00LHm7zVsSxGWwtzezMcDFDPySAwlfXNORo_HEbuKJl/s320/IMG_9681.JPG" width="320" /></a><o:p> </o:p></div>
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Tamara and Rubi are getting ready for their baptism too, we
were able to pass by with them a few times this week and we watched Meet the
Mormons with them last night with the Ortiz Muñoz family. It’s awesome, Rubi is
already set on serving a mission, and she told us she already wants to start
preparing, she’s only 15 and not even baptized yet, she’s the best!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Well those are the updates from here! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Best Wishes,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Elder Stout<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />Scott Stouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15959168942830161502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392511439742519521.post-45222485054210603612016-03-11T11:31:00.000-08:002016-03-11T11:31:00.824-08:00March 8 - best week yet!<div class="MsoNormal">
Hey all,<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh3puYrx6WZGoHodcwNUn6EWxTbu8MNZ0JbFcq7i_SWSpE7LZTtaSqflzZ6mILl0kbe6ypSBxAasWYy0B-yyj3geP41g_0zh-dFQ4Zys9N0F0f-H5sJOLMgusV1aWNeXU0EiSKPzUt2Alz/s1600/IMG_9655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh3puYrx6WZGoHodcwNUn6EWxTbu8MNZ0JbFcq7i_SWSpE7LZTtaSqflzZ6mILl0kbe6ypSBxAasWYy0B-yyj3geP41g_0zh-dFQ4Zys9N0F0f-H5sJOLMgusV1aWNeXU0EiSKPzUt2Alz/s320/IMG_9655.JPG" width="240" /></a>Well I like the idea that my mom does to start from the most
recent and then write going backwards because I think that makes it a lot
easier to remember everything that I have to say! <o:p></o:p></div>
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So I want to start off talking about a leadership council
that we had with President Mecham yesterday. We only have them once a month and
they are by far my favorite part of my new assignment! There are 23 people that
participate in this council, the 14 zone leaders, the 2 assistants, the 5
sister training leaders, and then President and Sister Mecham. This week we
just went in praying about ways to help the mission find the people that the
Lord is preparing and help them to follow the gospel of Jesus Christ in their
lives, and how we as leaders can help the missionaries in the mission to do
that better. It turned out to be one of the most spiritual experiences of my
life, where we truly learned that if we do all that we can, the spirit WILL be
there to testify of the truthfulness of these things, it doesn’t matter if were
about to go home and have 23 months of experience, or if we were in our house
yesterday, but we have to do our part, of obeying the mission rules, studying,
and preparing to teach these people! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiuMREox2KUKo_fWbgplyWfr6JrIa1SGubdL3YLZkTdLu80YuaqHlo_z4nsLKZQnNynN4Ky4Ngrx74d9QSzQKupFjBV_9JagnMDZ5tlVHoksGyq1MhYE6EFRfi4CKaXdBqXE9rrEKnt7Am/s1600/IMG_9657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiuMREox2KUKo_fWbgplyWfr6JrIa1SGubdL3YLZkTdLu80YuaqHlo_z4nsLKZQnNynN4Ky4Ngrx74d9QSzQKupFjBV_9JagnMDZ5tlVHoksGyq1MhYE6EFRfi4CKaXdBqXE9rrEKnt7Am/s320/IMG_9657.JPG" width="320" /></a>Then President just started talking about the vision that he
has for the mission, he told us he is kind of scared for the future, of what
will happen, because looking around that room, when my generation goes home,
everyone else will have already gone home that was on that leadership council.
He just started to cry and tell us who much he needs and loves us, and how much
he has learned from us. Then he said, you may not have known it, and I can’t
say this just to any person, but every single one of you is in my journal, and
I will never ever forget you. It was an incredible meeting that helped me just
leave ready to serve even better in the work of the Lord! What an opportunity!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQRFfAJCjnqEoPlr0NIFhR-EmtwNGHraYEECvrUrZoujsYrIpKnb4d3JFu-f45w04CR-9mNIZog1orQN3rdVSL1kFjdQfDv63Q-Ht22UijE7Iq7H60dpMQ9S5tfytYLhdAgI26EyYYH7rV/s1600/IMG_9652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQRFfAJCjnqEoPlr0NIFhR-EmtwNGHraYEECvrUrZoujsYrIpKnb4d3JFu-f45w04CR-9mNIZog1orQN3rdVSL1kFjdQfDv63Q-Ht22UijE7Iq7H60dpMQ9S5tfytYLhdAgI26EyYYH7rV/s320/IMG_9652.JPG" width="320" /></a>Fast and testimony meeting from yesterday. Yesterday was the
best Sunday that I have had in my entire mission (and maybe even my entire
life), Elder Penrod and I noticed a couple of weeks ago how Sundays are usually
super stressful because we have to help all of the investigators that come to
church, we usually end up teaching classes, we are helping the bishop, we are
worried about all of the people who don’t come to church, we are just always
super stressed, so this week we decided to enjoy church. I have never been so
uplifted by the testimonies shared as I was this week. Pretty much every deacon
(all 3 of them) got up and shared their testimony about the brotherhood that
they feel in their quorum. Jose Armando (from the pics last week) got up and
bore his testimony about Elder Penrod and me. He just got up there and was like
´´this week Elder Stout and Elder Penrod came by and taught us the coolest
lesson on the armor of God, I just wanted to share it with you...I can’t wait
to be a missionary, I want to be like them.´´ I was full on crying while he
said that, I just feel the pure love of Christ so much right now! I just love
every person that we are teaching, and every person in this Ward, the Lord is
blessing me so much! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCtsBiXTonFwQFACxohzn3mgaY76Bdlec3KGOM1rmnwTS7oNAqjkbGt_Q-yTqspGUFv12RdpKQ2Z_iIm9exYjXSHKUbMQacEUUWfLdlhQH41Dv1Vo-Qc4AJtlj1_Aw1QFlcG_QGDuhR3e8/s1600/IMG_9667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCtsBiXTonFwQFACxohzn3mgaY76Bdlec3KGOM1rmnwTS7oNAqjkbGt_Q-yTqspGUFv12RdpKQ2Z_iIm9exYjXSHKUbMQacEUUWfLdlhQH41Dv1Vo-Qc4AJtlj1_Aw1QFlcG_QGDuhR3e8/s320/IMG_9667.JPG" width="320" /></a>Also, Ana, and Valeria Ortiz Muñoz bore their testimonies
which is super cool! This family all got baptized right before I got to this
area, and they are incredible (the pic is with them) and Valeria is preparing
for her baptism as well (she’s the only one left). This week we had so many
people come to church with us! Azul and Tamara and Rubi all are still working
towards their baptism dates, and had a great time there. Also, America and her
3 daughters were there! I love that family!!! If all goes well they should be
getting baptized next week!:) They even signed up to give us dinner today in
church. Also, I included a picture of how Zoe decorated me during church, haha
it was awesome!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGfOEKV8nGHuqRKBCd6CHiOQMbrU0lUaOrUB7RpKZ-XM7tvsiqXvMvMic9Qdr_mMc9euMSUL8aYjAcW34r2W28G3eHEEr9lxafU6bZQyGzAfS4GLIOLaAuic6tMb-CtjwWX17pLgFQYg9b/s1600/IMG_9670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGfOEKV8nGHuqRKBCd6CHiOQMbrU0lUaOrUB7RpKZ-XM7tvsiqXvMvMic9Qdr_mMc9euMSUL8aYjAcW34r2W28G3eHEEr9lxafU6bZQyGzAfS4GLIOLaAuic6tMb-CtjwWX17pLgFQYg9b/s320/IMG_9670.JPG" width="320" /></a>Last week we had a really cool experience with Tamara and
Rubi too. We asked them so like how have you liked all of this so far? And
Tamara said, if you had told me all of this 6 months ago, I wouldn’t have
blinked an eye or thought twice, But that was because the Lord had not finished
preparing me. I am so thankful you two found me, I am so excited for what you
have been teaching me, and I just want to do what God has planned for me in my
life. This is the most beautiful message I have ever heard and I have felt and
know that it is true! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Wow, what experiences I had this last week! I am hoping to
have even more this next week!! I hope the best for you all as well!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Elder Stout<o:p></o:p></div>
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Scott Stouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15959168942830161502noreply@blogger.com0