12/21/15 - 19th LETTER FROM LANGLEY

THIS WEEK ON MISH LYFE: LANGLEY YSA...

The sleek, metallic beast roared down the road in a blur of light and sound, spraying leftover rain up into the air off of the highway, shooting through entire cities in the blink of an eye. Her name? Queen Rogue--a Nissan Rogue commandeered by the elite Elders Stock, Briscoe, and Reay used to hasten the work of salvation. The Queen skidded to a halt in the slurry of rain and mud in front of an investigator's apartment complex. The three warriors within stared at each other. "Let's do this..." They said in perfect, Spirit-tuned unison. The doors to Queen Rogue were opened and they stepped out into the cold, humid air. The whir of a dilapidated sky train and the agonizing yelps of the godless dregs of Surrey Central echoed in the night air. It was about to go down...

There's a little taste of the epicness that is missionary work during the Lord's hastening. If you're a priest-aged young man reading this and that didn't get you to mission prep, then I don't know what will....

This week was incredible. I mean, it's hard for a week of missionary life NOT to be incredible. It's like making a microwavable burrito. It takes a special skill set to ruin it.

We had the privilege of being able to have our combined zone meeting this week. We went all the way out to Abbotsford where we correlated with Elder Stone (the King of Abbotsford) and had an incredibly uplifting zone meeting centered on giving the gift of the Atonement of Jesus Christ to others this Christmas season as missionaries. We had a lot of time to role play and really focus on using inspired questions in our teaching. It's helped a lot, and it's been nice to see a change as we more fully apply the counsel we have been given in Preach My Gospel. It's as if the book is inspired or something...

At the zone meeting, we had a huge Christmas tree with everyone's Christmas packages and letters underneath it. We also got these incredible consecrated oil vials that were handmade for our mission. They say Canada Vancouver Mission on the side along with our motto. "Love. Serve. Obey!" And a little Canadian maple leaf is included as well. Solid stuff! The senior couples from Hope and Chilliwhack also made us a huge lunch. As a missionary, and especially as a YSA missionary, your appreciation for food is pretty intense. So we devoured that Christmas food as if it was about to sprout legs and run away from us.

We have been teaching our friend C for a little while now and he is so excited for his baptism in January. He was down to be baptized, like, yesterday, but he found out that he's got to go to Penticton this week for Christmas. So as soon as he gets back, he's cannonballing into the font. Well, probably not literally because that would hurt and be blasphemous...you'd feel two effects of the Fall: Pain and Spiritual Death... He's doing so well, though! It's been fun to be able to teach him and help him understand the gospel. Especially because he is incredibly prepared and eager to learn more. He told us this week that he wants to increase his virtue and knowledge even more in order to live a more Christ-centered life....because he learned about those principles at church. What an amazing thing this gospel is. I marvel every day at how much Christ changes people. How much He changes me, and how much He can change everyone in this world. If only we let Him. We need to "yield our hearts" to Him, and then we shall experience that peace, joy and sanctification that only He can give (Helaman 3:35).

We also were able to see our investigator, S and give her a blessing to help her feel better from her illness she's had for a little bit. She's doing really well, though! And her family is now interested in meeting with us missionaries. Say what?!?

We found some new investigators as well. We are teaching a man named L who's progressed a lot surprisingly in the short week we've been teaching him. His first lesson, he had a full bottle of hard whiskey on the table when we first started teaching him which he drank from mid-lesson. By yesterday's lesson, he didn't have any alcohol that we could see in the house, was much more alert and spiritually receptive as a result and has committed to really read and pray about the Book of Mormon. I love it. I love this gospel!!!!

We've had a lot of funny and awesome experiences lately. It's hard to write down all of it when I get to e-mail time...kind of like what the prophets of the Book of Mormon felt as they tried to write down everything in the scriptures but either didn't have room or were overwhelmed by everything. But it's been a great week.

I am excited for this week to celebrate Christmas and to be able to help others to find Christ in their lives. To invite them to come unto Him. It is my testimony that as we yield our hearts unto God more fully, He will bless us with increased sensitivity to the Spirit and with more of a desire to obey Him. He will help us to find those in our lives that need a helping hand, that need a Savior in their lives. And we, with our knowledge and testimony of Him, are those they need. To guide them to Him. This is God's plan for us. To bring us together in unity and to help us become like Him and His Son, our Perfect Example. I am grateful for this Christmas season, and cannot wait to report on the amazing miracles we see in His service on His day. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Sincerely,
Elder Stock

Abbotsford/Langley Zone Christmas Tree!

 Josh Sloan was with us again...

 Elder Briscoe thinks he's fat....He's not. He's actually a stud...

12/14/15 - 18th LETTER FROM LANGLEY

THIS WEEK ON MISH LYFE: LANGLEY YSA...

Whoa. Transfer week. More like....chaotic whirlpool of flying across the Lower Mainland in a Nissan Rogue week...

Elder Gawrys is gone. Cannon shot up to the Great White North. I remain. A lone wolf....with two other companions now...

Elder Briscoe and Elder Reay are awesome. It's a blast to have such good companions and to have three of us in the YSA. Work is about to get DONE!

So...I was in the MTC with Elder Briscoe. We know each other quite well. He's from Missouri and is a blast. He's hilarious, loves pandas, and is really diligent. He sits in the back of the car and phones through TONS of potential investigators that we have found and sets up crazy awesome teaching appointments. He's also super new to YSA work and so it's fun to watch his reaction to the incredibly fast pace of it all.

Elder Reay is incredible. He's from Slidell, Texas...a town of 125 and filled to the brim with American character. He's got a thicker accent than most and is basically a cowboy incarnate. He's got an awesome testimony and is an asset to the area.

Together, we form the indestructible tri-force of missionary work called the Langely Tri-SA. Well, with the Spirit magnifying our call, of course...

We have had a good week so far together. It's been hectic and crazy, but good.

C is doing well and we are still on track with him to be baptized, and we are hoping and praying that everything goes well with that.

Also...it's apparently almost Christmas. It has been sneaking up really quickly and it is actually a weird thought to think that Christmas is almost upon us. But, I guess I will just roll with it...

It's a great time of year to do missionary work, though. I am enthralled to be here. Especially in the Fraser Valley YSA. It's incredible.

I can't really remember what happened this week...it was kind of a blur of little to no sleep and driving all over the place through cities to drop off and pick up missionaries. I do know, however, that I was able to eat at an all-you-can-eat Korean and Japanese BBQ called Il Uk Jo's....and that was incredible. Oh, and I also got to do some cool new thing they're doing in the mission.

So, when new missionaries come into the mission now they do this thing where the new missionary gets paired up with a missionary in the Lower Mainland and we go do some missionary work for a couple hours and then drop 'em off at the mission office for them to meet their trainers. I got paired up with Elder Weli, a Norwegian who's super fresh looking. It was fun. We went to Surrey Central sky train and just went crazy and got Fresh Slice pizza and then threw him back at the other greenies as if nothing happened.

We've got zone meeting coming up, so that will be fun! It's Christmas/Atonement themed, so we are excited. There's even going to be a nice warm Christmas lunch! Bring on the food!

I'll keep you all updated. Thanks for the support and have an incredible week!

Until next time,
Elder Stock

The Langley Tri-SA is here. Get feared.

Getting ready for the first wave of food...

 All you can eat sushi!!!!

12/7/15 - 17th LETTER FROM LANGLEY

THIS WEEK ON MISH LYFE: LANGLEY YSA...

A giant claw swooped through our mission two nights ago. It was devastating. Tearing apart companionships, tossing missionaries across the province. A violent and brutal night it was. But alas, I shall still make a record of the destruction. This ominous, physics-defying claw was called.....

THE TRANSFER CALL!!!!!!!!!! (Get terrified...)

We were sitting in a lesson with our INCREDIBLE investigator C (if you're reading this, C: you are awesome), and all of a sudden, the entire roof exploded and this claw flies in and just grabs Elder Gawrys and flings him clear up to Terrace, BC. Clear up North. Near the cold, relentless coast. And it stares at me and seems to whisper, "You're next," in a raspy, robotic purr. And I clench my fists and yell, "NEVER!" as the rain pours in from the outside through the newly torn hole in the ceiling.

In reality, we were sitting in the lesson and got a call from Elder Ricks (one of the greatest assistants to President Burt in the world and my MTC companion and best friend) and he tells Elder Gawrys that he is being transferred to Terrace and that I am for some reason staying in Langley YSA! They just can't get rid of me. My new companions will be Elder Briscoe, (who I was in the MTC with and who was trained by Elder Gawrys himself) and Elder Reye, who is a younger missionary that evidently has an incredible Texan drawl. Cannot wait!

So, if you were waiting for an insane new area to get announced on the Missionary Journeys of Elder Stock, you are in for a sad surprise. But, if you wanted the scoop on one of the funnest and miracle-filled weeks of missionary work every, then please keep reading!

During the week, we flew in a military-grade Nissan Rogue across the western half of the Fraser Valley, gathering lost souls and ministering to children of God like representatives of Jesus Christ do these days. We infiltrated a mainstream Christian college called Trinity Western University and taught people about the Restoration of Christ's gospel. And a cool miracle happened!

So, we were driving away from a sky train station in Surrey, and we got to a red light. Next to us, there was a man in his car just chilling out with his window rolled down. Basically telling us, "Hey! I want to receive the gospel!" So....we obeyed.... I rolled down the window. "Hey, man! We're ministers from our church! We're sharing our favorite book with everyone! The Book of Mormon!" I held up a fresh copy of the fruit of the Restoration...just waiting to be proven true through the witness of the Holy Ghost. "Do you want one?!" I shouted amidst the roar of engines.

"Yeah, man! I'll take it! Free, right?"

"Of course!" I said and tossed the Book of Mormon into his outstretched hands. "Hey, tell you what, we'll text you and see how you liked reading from it! Can we get your number?!"

"Sure, man!"

Boom. The rest is history. He texted us later, asking if the Book of Mormon taught about the afterlife and the judgement...because he wanted to know more about those things... Um...prepared much?! So: moral of the story.....Never stop being a missionary. Even at a red light. You're still called to invite others to come unto Christ.

I also am pretty much fully recovered from my crazy weird cold that I got! So, that's a miracle!

I'm excited for this week and the transfer ahead of me. I know it's going to be good, and I know that I am in the Lord's hands.

I am grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ. For the access it provides for us to the Atonement of our Savior. Especially for the ordinance of baptism that helps us to be cleansed of our sin, and for the sacrament that we have the privilege to take each week to renew and build upon that covenant. It is my testimony that this Church is His Church, that His restored gospel is the way, that He lives today. That because of Him, we can be whole. We can be healed. We can rejoice! Because a Savior truly is Born!

Go to https://www.mormon.org/christmas is you haven't already and then share the video, A Savior is Born, with everyone you know. They will feel the Spirit this Christmas as you do.

Have an awesome week!

Sincerely,
Elder Stock

Just because...

 True doctrine!

 Member present lesson...with Joshua Sloan!!!! ;)

11/30/15 - 16th LETTER FROM LANGLEY

THIS WEEK ON MISH LYFE: LANGELY YSA....

This week was incredible and miracle filled. Elder Gawrys and I are having lots of fun here in the YSA branch, and are so grateful to be a part of the work of salvation. It's always nice to take a step back and realize the magnitude and majesty of missionary work and what it really means. What our purpose really is. And this week, we got to see that entire purpose unfold in beautiful fashion.

The Savior, just before His ascension into heaven, left His Apostles with a commission, a mission for them to serve. He commanded them to "go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them..." (Matt. 28:19). That commission that He gave to the original Twelve is just as valid today, and we as missionaries are companions with those Apostles. Our charge is their charge. It's wonderful.

Today, we are in the middle of the Lord's Hastening of His Work. And He has asked us that we first "purify our hearts" before doing His Work (D&C 112:28). We need to obey and be cleansed from sin and guilt. To show with our thoughts and our actions that we are devoted to the master. With every fiber of our being.

One of our investigators, Josh, has been searching for the truth in his life. As we were able to teach him over this short month, he has progressed so well. He knows that the restored gospel is true. That it is the truth that can help him in his life to feel that peace and joy we all yearn for. We had the sacred opportunity and blessing to be able to participate in his baptism this last Saturday. What a terrific experience it was.

At the baptism, the Spirit was so strong and we had one of our investigators, C, there as well (the one who prayed to know if the Book of Mormon is true in a Tim Hortons and silenced the coffee shop with the Spirit). I love just how much the gospel changes people and sanctifies them.

Josh bore his testimony right after his baptism saying, "I stand before you now a changed man. I bear testimony that the Holy Ghost gave me revelation while I was investigating..." He testified of the Restoration and of the gospel of Jesus Christ. And the Spirit was SO strong at this point. Everyone could feel it. It was a sacred experience. He's so happy to be a new member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He has a testimony, he knows where he's going, he knows who is helping him. It's a great feeling to have been a part of that whole process.

That's why we are here, it's to invite others to come unto Christ. To HELP them receive His restored gospel through applying His doctrine in their lives. It isn't to just wander the streets of Canada or wherever you are and try to sell the church. It isn't to be mediocre, it's to follow the example and commission of the Savior and help God's children to covenant with Him and return to live with Him.

I have such a testimony of that. I was asked in church yesterday by our gospel principles teacher. "Why did you commit to serve?" This is why:

A personal witness from the Holy Ghost that the Book of Mormon is true can lead us to do amazing things. At one point in Jesus Christ's earthly ministry. He asked His disciples, "Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?" They answered by saying, "Some say that thou art John the Baptist; some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets." Logically, that probably made sense at the time especially for people who didn't believe that a being like Jesus Christ could exist.

The Savior asked Peter, then, a harrowing question. "But whom say ye that I am?"
Peter answered, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."
And what Jesus said was simple, yet profound. "Blessed art thou, Simon bar-Jona [Peter] for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven." (Matt. 16:13-17)

No matter what we can discover with our own logic, our own intellect, our own "flesh and blood", nothing can be as sure or correct as the witness and revelation we are entitled to receive from our Father in Heaven.

And I know by the power of the Holy Ghost that the Book of Mormon is true. That this Church is Christ's Church. That His priesthood has been restored to the earth. And that is why I committed to serve. Because I know these things are true. How can I not share them? I learn every day more and more about this gospel, and every day I have experience with the Spirit that I cannot deny. At this point, I am no longer on neutral ground. I am on God's side. And I know that everyone can receive that same witness from His Spirit. I have seen it here in British Columbia. It works. And it works wonderfully. I learn every day more about my Savior, Our Master. He is anxiously engaged in His work. And as His representative, I know that He lives. I am grateful for this gospel. For this week. It was rewarding.

I hope that you all have an amazing week!

Sincerely,
Elder Stock

Intricately detailed Book of Mormon timeline hanging in our study now. We feel like scriptorians ...

 Josh's baptism!!!

 Josh's baptism....continued

11/23/15 - 15th LETTER FROM LANGLEY

THIS WEEK ON LANGLEY YSA: MISH LYFE....

Right after the last update y'all received, I decided to invest in a little bottle of cologne called Preferred Stock. It was literally an insta-buy with a name like that! I use it in meetings to leave a scent of authority. Not sure if it's working, but I prefer it. ;) I got to revisit my old area of Burnaby this week as we went to a meeting to discuss the needs of the Chinese missionaries in our zone. It was odd. But fun because I got to see my legendary old companion, Elder Robinson. I snapped a shot of the Burnaby skyline as I fled the scene of the meeting. Good ol' Metrotown!

It was a very busy week for us. The zone conference with guest star Elder Teh of the First Quorum of the Seventy blasted through the mission, and ended in a climactic finale at the Templeview chapel here on our homefront of Langley. Because we were the closest elders to the venue, we had to make sure that everything was "bristol ready" for the meeting, etc. On top of the entire Lower Mainland's missionaries being assembled for this mammoth of a meeting, the Terrace zone decided to join us as well. Yeah...they're clear up North...so they flew down, and we were assigned to go and pick up the elders from Smithers all the way at the Vancouver airport...way late at night right before the zone conference. It was intense. But I got to be with Elder Vo and Elder Tolman, so that's always nice. Elder Vo is also from Arizona. We represent!

The zone conference was incredible. At one point, I found myself sitting in between two spiritual giants: President Burt and Elder Teh, on the stand. To help you visualize what that looked like in my mind, imagine a guppy in between two great white sharks. Yeah. Pretty intense. Conducting the meeting was hilarious, but hopefully I didn't fumble on my words too much.

We talked a lot about true missionary work vs. missionary things that we can sometimes find ourselves doing, the importance of the Spirit and of teaching people, not lessons. It was an amazing conference and I got a lot out of it. Go Elder Teh! He's a master teacher.

As we went through the week, we saw so many miracles. One of the elders in our zone, Elder Swallow finished his mission after extending for a full month past his original departure date. He was such an asset to the zone, and so it was hard to have to see him leave. He served a really honorable mission, and was such a Christ-like leader. In fact, back in "Nam-naimo", he was Elder Gawrys and I's zone leader. The legacy he left behind was incredible. He's going to do great in the post-mission existence. Moving on to whatever lies beyond that mysterious veil...

I feel like the highlight of the week, however, was a lesson we had with one of our incredibly solid investigators, C. This guy is literally a Preach My Gospel miracle. We found him a little while ago by a skytrain station, and he missed his first appointment. We didn't think he was too interested, but we called him again after a little while and he was excited to meet up. We met with him, taught the Restoration, and he ate it up. We left him with the pamphlet we had taught the lesson with to study, and committed him to read 3 Nephi 11 from the Book of Mormon and to pray about it, among other commitments.

We met with him again a couple of days ago in a small, incredibly noisy Tim Hortons (Candian donut/hot chocolate shop). His Restoration pamphlet was filled with notes, indicating his intent in studying. We talked more about the Book of Mormon, and where it came from, and why it is so important. He expressed to us how he didn't quite feel the same feeling from reading the Book of Mormon as he did when he read the Bible, but he wanted to believe it was true. We showed him Moroni 10:3-5. And taught him how in order for us to know that the Book of Mormon is true, we need to ask God in prayer and listen for His Spirit to answer us.

We committed him to pray right then and there, at the end of the lesson, and to ask God specifically if the Book is true.

He accepted the commitment and began to pray in such a heartfelt way. He thanked Heavenly Father for the opportunity that he has had so far to learn more about the restored gospel, and for the Book of Mormon. Then, he paused and added, "God, please help me know if the Book is real..." and then he paused for his answer. Nothing. Just the rushing sound of Tim Hortons customers. He kept waiting. And then, he spoke again, "God: is the Book of Mormon true?" with so much sincerity, faith and such real intent. He paused again, Elder Gawrys and I prayed that he would receive his answer. And suddenly, the entire Tim Hortons grew silent. For a moment in time, everything seemed to stop. The Spirit was palpable, and I felt the peace and warmth it brings to my heart. C closed his prayer, thanking God for the answer, and then looked at us. "I felt a heaviness in my heart..." "That is the Holy Ghost," we said, amazed. "That is how we know it is true."
"I know. I know it is."

That's what it's all about. We are here to guide others to God. This is not a program, it is a cause. The cause of Christ. I know without a doubt in the fiber of my being that the Book of Mormon is true. And I know that we can all know this. But we've got to be like Cody, and ask specifically, sincerely, faithfully, and with real intent. I am so grateful for the restored gospel, and for a Heavenly Father who loves us all so much. He's not giving up on us. We are His children, His joy. I hope and pray that we can never forget that and that we all can remember the answers we receive as we kneel before our Maker in mighty prayer. Because He'll answer back.

Sincerely,
Elder Stock

You know, when you want cologne....

you need to get something that you really prefer...

  The Burnaby "Metro Town" skyline. 

What a beauty!

Gettin' ready for a picture with Elder Vo

The Elder Vo

Stock and Gawrys goof shot!

Elder Haase and I taking pictures at the temple!

Pre-picture dance!

Elder Swallow the Legend!

Stunned Face! 

The Willoughby squad!

11/16/15 - 14th LETTER FROM LANGLEY

(Insert Epistle Name Here)

Hey! How are y'all doing?! That's good to hear. Unless you said you're not doing well....then....I'm sorry. But anyway, life is good up here in Langley! It's getting pretty chilly and rainy outside. So that's always fun. A constant downpour of mist that just rusts everything in its path. Our Nissan Rogue, The Lord's Chariot, is battling its way through these rain-battered streets of the lower mainland. Amidst the hustle and bustle of western Canadian city life. On the prowl for children of God whom He has prepared to receive the message of the Restoration. It's goin' down.

Pondering on the Book of Mormon, my thoughts came to Alma the Younger. What a hero. His purpose was so pure in his missionary efforts. As soon as he experienced the Atonement, he "laboured without ceasing, that [he] might bring souls unto repentance; that [he] might bring them to taste of the exceeding joy of which [he] did taste; that they might also be born of God, and be filled with the Holy Ghost" (Alma 36:24). I've noticed that for myself, whenever the missionary work I do is because I truly desire my brothers and sisters here in British Columbia, and when I seek to follow the Spirit in how to best help them, then I not only feel better myself, but the people I'm teaching are able to actually progress in the gospel.

And I feel like for all of us, no matter where we are at in our missionary work, we can feel the same way. Are our interactions with our brothers and sisters motivated out of charity, the pure love of Christ? Or are we just getting by? Are we seeking to lift others and follow the example of Jesus Christ? Or are we content with mediocrity? Then wake up and do something more!

It's a blast to be out here, doing the Lord's work. Honestly, it is. When people tell you the mission isn't easy, they are right. It's not. You never really know what's going to happen next. But don't let that discourage you. The mission isn't easy, but it is definitely rewarding. As a representative of Jesus Christ, you are in the front seat of an epic rollercoaster called consecrated service. And you see miracles. Every day. So if anyone's reading this, and they're on the fence about serving a mission: do it. That's a command.

My week has been crazy busy. We are teaching our boys J and H who are getting geared up for their baptisms soon. They are doing so well. We are teaching up a storm over here and loving it.

Also, in an unprecedented turn of events, we ended up going on exchange out in White Rock with the Chinese elders! Elder Shoop is awesome. I went with him to White Rock and turns out....he knows Nelson Brown! Small World! I had fun trying to catch up with my terrible conversational Chinese during lessons and drank a lot of herbal tea in one lesson because I couldn't teach, so they shut me up by making me keep drinking. I ain't complaining, though. In one person's home, they had a rug that used to be a real life polar bear. Oh, the animal rights activists would go nuts! I thought it was awesome.

We had an incredible zone meeting this week, as well. It was very uplifting, and the announcing point of President Burt's new push to be a mission on fire. Grab the gasoline! It takes attitude, work ethic, obedience and knowledge to be what the Lord expects us to become. We took another zone picture, as well. Right in front of the temple. It was a good time.

This next Thursday, we are having a member of the Seventy, Elder Teh, come and visit our mission. A zone conference will be held on this day, and guess who'll be conducting the entire meeting of over 100 missionaries?! Yeah, I'm gonna be up there... Pray that I won't stumble on my words. Or start preaching false doctrine.... Those would be bad.

I'll give you all an update next week on how THAT goes.

Life is good.

Have a great week!
Elder Stock

The Langley Zone

Like a Royal Army, we're comin' for you....

So get in your baptismal whites.

Because it's about to rain....miracles....

11/9/15 - 13th LETTER FROM LANGLEY

Hello Again!

Well, I would love to amateurishly expound on some magnificent scriptures about missionary work/the example of Jesus Christ, but I am super busy today. In fact, I am down in White Rock, BC for this e-mail. Beautiful place and a beautiful drive....'course, you'll be tired and cranky when you get there! We are having some fun with the elders here and decided to come and e-mail with them on preparation day. So, we're going to be bailing pretty soon.... They've got a nice beach here. Like, a seriously nice beach. They don't call this place Beautiful British Columbia for nothing! Can I just take a moment and publicly praise my companion? Elder Gawrys is awesome! Seriously, it's so fun being in the Fraser Valley YSA. We are having a romp and getting work done! It's been great. I am constantly learning. Every day. And it's all from on high. God truly does teach us through the Holy Ghost. I know that to be true. And it often comes as we are doing His work in His way.

There were lots of cool experiences this week. We taught one of our investigator's friends, D and he is solid! Really great lesson on the Restoration. Truly, the Spirit testifies of Joseph Smith's First Vision EVERY SINGLE TIME! Go ahead: test it out. We headed out to Surrey on Tuesday and had a blast finding people to teach. And we taught them! Lots of lessons, this week, people. When you're a teaching missionary, you're happy. And then when you're a baptizing missionary, you're even happier.

We got to have another super professional meeting out in Abbotsford with a stake presidency member. We're talking board room, fancy suits, people bringing in water for us to drink...it was pretty cool. I felt like I was in an action thriller where the main guy finds himself roped up in a crazy business deal that ends in an unraveling conspiracy. But in reality, it was just a really, really good meeting on how missionary work can improve in the stake between members and missionaries.

We had another big meeting out in Richmond on Friday, President Burt talked a lot about having "a mission on fire" and what it will take to get there. The base of our mission fire is going to be attitude, work ethic, knowledge, and obedience. I can assure you all that this mission has caught fire. It's going to get pretty sweet in these next few months as a spiritual wildfire spreads through the province, igniting all in its path and, as the fire of the Holy Ghost does, sanctifying everything it touches. I'm pumped.

It was an amaing meeting, and I was glad that I was able to reconnect with a lot of my batch (the elders I came out on my mission with). The Richmond ward cooked us a huge turkey dinner, as well! Us missionaries cannot say no to food.... Well, at least I can't...

On Saturday, we saw some cool miracles! We were riding the bus from Langley to the tip of Surrey, and were sitting next to a lady named K. We started talking to her, and ended up teaching her the Restoration! We will be seeing her this week again. Always be teaching. Wherever you go. Because the Lord will put people in your path who are ready to receive the restored gospel!

We also were teaching one of our recently returning less-active members. T, and there was a person sitting next to us at the Tim Horton's we were in. We decided to invite them to learn more about the Restoration, and they accepted! The YSA sisters will be teaching her this week and helping her prepare for her baptism later this month. Seriously, God is so good. If we can just forget ourselves and our own comfort zones. He will shower us with miracles and blessings from on high. But, just like the Hastening of the work in general, He works according to our diligence and our faith. He's not going to force us to do well in this work.

We talked to T about his brother, H, and worked with him to start teaching him. The lesson we had with them was incredible, and T wants to work toward receiving the priesthood now to baptize his brother! That's God's plan, right there!

We went to visit a member from the YSA and their family, and just decided to drop by instead of call ahead. We came over and they let us in gladly. We shared our message about the plan of salvation, and expressed how we had felt prompted to be there that evening. The Spirit was so strong, and we were able to identify some people in their lives that we are going to start working to share the gospel with. And then, as if our visit wasn't enough, the Willoughy Chinese Sisters dropped by as we were leaving! The family was like, "Ok! Fine! We know that you were inspired to see us!" It was hilarious.

The week was fantastic. Honestly. And this week is looking really good, too. I love just getting lost in this Work. It's where it is at. Just serve God will all of your heart, might, mind and strength. Give Him your all, and you will find that He is already giving you His all. I know that our Heavenly Father lives and loves us personally. He sees the potential that we have and desires nothing more but to help us reach that potential. His Son, Jesus Christ, is the Savior and Redeemer of the world, and that He is actively involved in His work of salvation. He has called apostles to help Him, and they have called us, His missionaries. I and my companions throughout the world are called of God. And we will serve. Because this Work will not end. Despite any opposition that can come our way, we will not stop. Because He is on our side. I hope you all have an amazing week!

Sincerely,
Elder Stock

Me and the new Nissan Rogue.....

The Batmobile of Langely YSA

Get ready, world!!!

(Colton has also referred to the Nissan Rogue as the Lord's Chariot!)