Yo, so let me just tell you that it is so good to hear nothing but good things from y'all every Monday. There are so many Elders and Sisters here in this mission that don't have that blessing or privilege and I thank my Father in Heaven every single day that I am a member of the family that I have and that all of you have had such a positive impact on my life and on my mission. Thank you so much for that. I am so proud of you all.
Lauren, Ryan, Momma, happy summer birthdays! I love you all soooooo much! So SO much. I hope you all had a wonderful time and Ryan, I hope tomorrow is great for you.
Life here in Huejutla is great. Like straight up. The Huasteca is a totally different world. I would love it if someday one of you could experience the life that I am living right now. I am learning so many things in so many different ways. I'm guessing that this is the most jungle I have ever seen or will see in my whole life. The people who live here are very poor and very humble, but they are incredible people.
This Friday I had a sweet experience. We were able to go with the district President to the smallest branch in the whole district, a little tiny place called Panacaxtlan. Panacaxtlan is pure Anahuac (Native American culture and language). The members there speak Spanish as well, but they pray and communicate amongst themselves in Anahuac. We pulled up to this little casa de oracion (house of prayer? I don't know really how to say that in English or if it has another title) and the Branch Pres came out to see us and sent his kids to round up all the members that live in that little tiny village. They came and we sat down, sang songs, shared a message and enjoyed feeling the spirit together. At the end the Branch President, almost crying said, "I knew that the Elders were going to come today, I just knew it, we needed you so bad and I just knew that you were going to come today." Those humble people look forward to the visits from the missionaries so much. It was truly humbling to see how happy those faithful people were to see the missionaries and it really showed me how the spirit is not contingent upon level of gospel knowledge or worldy prestige, but rather upon love of the Lord Jesus Christ and our conversion to his gospel. It was a great experience that I'll never forget. I talked with Pres and I think he's going to let us open up Panacaxlan to the Obra de Salvacion. It was awesome.
This week I was once again reminded of the wonderful blessing that is the Sabbath day. I absolutely have come to love the Sabbath here as a missionary. Alyssa and Momma, I was so happy to hear about your Sabbath experience on the way back from Utah. I've come to learn of the healing power that the Sabbath has. I hope that when I am home I can maintain the love that I have gained for the Sabbath day. It really is the way to recharge our physical and spiritual batteries each week and it all starts with the blessings of the sacrament. How blessed we are to have the priesthood authority restored and to know the meaning and symbolism of the Holy Sacrament. What a blessing it is to be able to take it each week and renew our commitment to follow the Savior.
Elder Gonzalez and I found some good new investigators this week working with the members and of the 54 potential priesthood holders in the district that we want to have ordained in September, 20 went to church yesterday so that's a start. Yesterday was the election here in Mexico, but I have no idea who won or really what anyone stands for. What I do know is that the church is true, the atonement heals, the Book of Mormon is true, and that the Savior lives and directs His church. What a blessing it is to know that. I love you all so much. Have a great week and stay fly! #GMC$
Love,
Elder Stockard
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