The Armour of Obedience...

This week was a very good week. We woke up this morning at 5:30 to do laundry.  I am super tired but I am having so much fun.  I pretty much just go to class everyday and that's pretty much all we do here.  My Spanish is getting better everyday.  Me and Elder Thomas have been working really hard to try and memorize some things in Spanish, and it is hard because I have no idea what it means in English haha! 

 Elder Thomas and I have really gotten along with Elder Kramer, and Elder Clark.  Elder Kramer is from New Jersey and he is one of the nicest kids I have met.  He's a really good guy.  Elder Clark on the other hand is the one I like to goof off with.   He is from Boise and me and him get along super well.  He  is really good at basketball.  He is also a really good guy.  Elder Thomas and I really like to study with them cause, they are really fun to study with.  I don't know if you remember Austin Johnson from Centerville, but his girlfriend is in my class.  I know her name, i just can't spell it because its super weird.  It's like German or something.  Very complicated last name. 

It was so good to see some of my friends come in this week.  I got to see Elder parry as I was exercising, and I'm so glad I got to see him.  He looked so excited and so ready, and I was super happy for him.  Me and him live in the same building so I get to see him almost everyday which is really good.  I'm just glad he doesn't live with the Russians on the bottom floor, cause the other day they where doing some Russian chant, and it was kind of scary haha!  I also saw Elder McCann on Sunday.  It took me so long to find him cause he blends in with every kid here.  He looked happy and ready to serve as well.  I found out that Elder Freestone is getting to Madagascar the same day Ryan leaves, so they might get to see each other, which would be really cool. 

I really enjoyed the package you gave me.  I ate pretty much all the pistachios already but, I really haven't even made a dent yet on the other stuff.  I also liked the pictures you sent me but, there is one problem.  Where is Ryan in those pics? I'm not trying to get mad at you its just that I would really like some pictures of me him and the entire fam in it if that's alright. 

So i just got back from doing my laundry and I went to go get my hangers and someone stole my hangers so I am hanger-less.  That's probably the most exciting thing that has happened this week, and it happened twenty minutes ago, haha. 

One of the Elders in our district has been struggling lately.  I feel bad because his companion is kind of ignoring him so that's not helping him at all.  But me, Elder Thomas, Elder Kramer, Elder Clark, and Elder Heirer, have been helping him out. I love that kid so much and I love being able to help him out. 

The one thing I have really tried to work on this week is trying to be more obedient.  I can't remember where I was reading but it said obedience brings blessings, but exact obedience brings miracles.  I have been trying to be exactly obedient, but its really hard.  Its real easy to get off task here but I want to receive those blessings not only for me, but for all y'all as well.  I challenge you guys to try and be more obedient.  As I try to be more obedient I have felt an armor come around me, and the armor is protecting me from temptation and sin, and I get tempted to goof around a lot.  So I want all y'all to try that it out.  It has helped me out a lot and I know for some of you back home it would really help you out as well.  I know these things to be true.  I have seen the blessings come to me in the past week.  I want all y'all to receive the same blessings I have gotten.     

That's all I have this week. Sorry again if this letter doesn't make sense. I'm already forgetting English haha! I love all y'all and I will talk to you next week!

Love,
Elder Stringfellow

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK

The District

Hanging at the Temple

Such an Awesome Place

Man this has been such an awesome place!  The days go by kind of slow, but at the same time it goes by really fast, if that makes any sense haha!  So my companions name is Elder Thomas.  He is from Logan, he went to Sky View and he ran cross country and track.  He can only eat gluten free foods so he is like a toothpick haha.  My district is really cool.  We have all gotten along really well and we think that we are funny, but in all honesty we are super funny haha! There is this one kid in there is name is Elder Robinson and he is from a town in Kentucky.  He is really funny but he does not stop talking.  I love the kid.  By the way Elder Robinson has a giant mouth!  He can fit an entire apple in his mouth and he has the longest tongue I have seen!  I took pictures so don't worry.  I have a kid in my zone that I knew back in high school and his name is Elder Peterson.  He is Mitch Allsop's cousin and me and him have gotten along really well.  The Spanish is slow but its coming to me.  I know if I have faith and obey I will be able to receive the gift of tongues.  Just gotta keep trying and work hard. 

So my dorm is pretty cool.  I get to stay with Elder Robinson and he is always going a million miles per hour.  Then we have his companion Elder Fairborn and he went to Westlake HS and played football and rugby.  Its funny because we live on the third floor and the elders that have been in there longer than us said don't go the the bottom floor and I asked why? They responded and said that the Russians are there.  I thought that was funny, but I went down there and they are nice so thats good.  

I got to play basketball yesterday and my zone is full of a bunch of ballers so we are pretty good. better competition than i expected.  But I still consider myself pretty good.  

On Sunday night we had a devotional and we watched a video of Elder Bednar giving a talk on Christmas a couple years ago.  It was titled "The character of Christ" and it was really good.  I was watching the video and at the end of the everyone stood up and I was like holy crap is this a rally happening?  He did a short question and answer about his video and I really learned a lot from that.  

But the thing I learned the most this week is that if I want to be a successful missionary I need to stop worrying about me.  I need to stop worrying about me and start caring for others.  I just need to think to myself, what would Christ do?  I need to get rid of the natural man that is inside me and love and care for people the same way Christ did.  If I do that I will receive great blessings and so will all of you.  The language will become easier to understand, and I will receive a better understanding of the scriptures, but more importantly the Book of Mormon.  I want all of you to start thinking about others and get rid of that natural man that is inside you.  You will feel better about yourself, and you will receive great blessings.  

 I don't know if any of that made sense to you but I love you all and I know that this gospel is true, and that Jesus Christ is our savior.  The gift of tongues will come and I will help anyone that needs my help in Texas.  

Well That's all the time I have I love you all and hope you all have a great week.  I will try and send pictures but these computers are confusing so I will try and figure this out.  Adios!

Love,

Elder Stringfellow

 PHOTOS OF THE WEEK 

Elder Thomas and Elder Stringfellow (MTC Companions)

Elder Petersen (Mitch Allsop's Cousin)

Elder Freestone (Madagascar)

Elder Robinson From Kentucky

Elder Robinson with a whole apple in his mouth

Elder Robinson's tongue

Don't know this guy

First Day...I made it.

I am here I am having a great time so for and I have an awesome comp in Elder Thomas. He is really cool.  I love you guys and i will talk to you soon.  Love you guys!!! 

PHOTOS
SETTING APART

Setting apart with the Family and Grandparents

Elder Stringfellow with Grandpa and Grandma Stringfellow

Elder Stringfellow with Grandpa & Grandma Wilson

Elder Stringfellow with his Dad, Mom and sister Sydnee

Elder Stringfellow with THE SQUAD...His best Friends!

DROPPING OFF AT THE MTC