September 22 Email

I'm really excited for general conference. Did you know that conference speakers can now give their talks in their native language, so we might listen to President Uchtdorf speak German. During that weekend, we will spend all day at the church watching sessions, and it will be the only time that we can be out past 9:30 because the priesthood session ends at 10pm here. So, the first session will begin at noon.

Last Wednesday, we helped the Jenson family herd some cows, including a couple of donkeys and a 1500 pound bull. 

From, Elder Stafford

Linville Falls

Here are some pictures I took last week. We hiked at Linville falls with an investigator named Amy.

August 4th Email

I hope things are going well in post-graduaton life.

I had a great birthday. Sisters A and E (Sister missionaries in Morganton) called me in the morning to wish me a happy birthday. Sister Craven (President Craven's wife) also called me to wish me a happy birthday. My birthday was filled with miracles. We've met with an investigator for the first time in two months, we've found a new person to teach at chick fila; we are teaching him through Facebook. The Brletich family organized an ice cream social that evening. I really didn't think about myself at all on my birthday and just focused on helping other people come closer to Christ. The Penningtons (Brother Pennington is the ward mission leader, and he is a fantastic mission leader) also gave me a chocolate cake.

Yesterday, I went to the best testimony meeting I've ever been to. I went up to bear my testimony and challenge members to do missionary work. We have teams with members every Tuesdays and Thursdays, but the bishop felt that the members can do better at helping us.

On Saturday, we've met with a couple who are investigators by the name of R. W. and R. T. They both love us and appreciate the visits. They have a desire to come to church, but they both have health problems. He has severe arthritis, but he continues to serve people by serving in resting homes. He owns two resting homes in Morganton. She is bed ridden. She has seizures; it's not epilepsy seizures, it's a seizure that locks up her whole body and she describes it as a full body cramp, and he has to be there to give her a shot when that happens. She said it was the most painful thing she ever endured. We promised them that we will keep visiting, even after they get baptized.

Here are a couple of pictures that my trainer took. They day before transfers, we went zip-lining in Lenoir as a district activity. A member in Lenoir owns a zip-lining course and he let us use it for the day. Out of all the name tags in the picture, Elder Jackman, Elder Shumway, and Sister Ekins got transferred. Elder Morrow is the district leader and is training Elder Nelson. Sister Rendon is training Sister Dahle (she is from Sherwood, Oregon!!)

Today we are going to Lenoir for a Zone activity, we are doing the same thing as the last Zone activity.

I hope you have a great week.

From, Elder Stafford

July 28th Email Short, but sweet

I did get the package a couple of days ago. Thank you very much. I love everything about the package, especially the minionary twinkies and the yoda t-shirt.

I'm getting along pretty well with Elder L. We didn't have to feed ourselves for dinner for the entire week.

It was great that you got to meet Bishop and Sister Austin. They told me all about the visit.

Thanks again for the package!! :D

Elder Stafford

July 21st Email

I am still in Morganton, but Elder J will be transferred tomorrow. Normally, I won't know who my new companion is, but I found out who he is. His name is Elder Lyman and no it's not Alex Lyman. Yesterday we went to a family members house named the Wheelers. Brother Wheeler gave both Elder J and myself a priesthood blessing. If missionaries eat at the Wheelers, Sister Wheeler won't let them leave unless they bring some food from the pantry.

Right now, we have six people with baptismal dates. When I first came to Morganton, we had almost nobody to teach, but now we filled our teaching pool and have six people with baptismal dates.

I sent Annalina and Joseph with a letter and a couple of drawings that they'll like.

I hope you get to meet Bishop Austin, because I gave him my memory card. Bishop Austin told me that BYU Idaho was flooded. I hope the school is still okay. And congrats for graduating!

From, Elder Stafford

July 14th Email (with photos!!)

Here are some pictures that my companion took. I still can't figure out how to upload photos from my camera, so I'll just send my SD card when I get the chance.

A couple of the pictures are most of our district in a Zone activity at Bo's in Lenoir. One picture is of our whole district, Elder D and Elder S (the missionaries on the far right) are the Zone leaders.  The rest of the pictures are of us with a part member family.

L is an investigator that the past couple of missionaries have been working with. We are very careful with him because he can get offensive when we give him a baptismal date. He knows he wants to be baptized, but we think what's holding him back is that he has a step-son on a mission right now and we think that L is waiting for him to get home so that his step-son can baptize him. In the mean time, we are developing friendships with him.

One of the pictures you see is of Elder J and myself standing in front of the oldest church in the U.S.  Anyway, because of how humid it gets during the day, I would consider NC being extremely hot. We do have AC in our apartment.

We are working with two gentlemen by the names of T and J. We found T through tracting, he was really interested in what we believe. T is a Pentecostal, he does have a couple of issues with the religion such as they believe in a trinity. We met with T again last Friday and that's where we met his friend J. We taught them the Restoration. T asked if he could have a Book of Mormon because he would love to read it, he also wanted to come to church with us to see what it was like. T did not come to church yesterday, but hopefully we will see him at church this Sunday. We invited T and J to be baptized and they accepted it! If they progress and keep the comittments we invite them to do, they'll be baptized on August 3rd and confirmed on August 10th.

I'm excited for you to be graduating. I hope you get to meet Bishop and Sister Austin while they're in Rexburg.

The ward here is like a big family. Even though we haven't gotten any referrals from them, they try hard to do missionary work, they love to go out with us on teams.

A couple of weeks ago, Brother Mears asked me for your cell number because he wanted to text you to let you know how good of a missionary I am. I didn't know it.

From, Elder Stafford

A joyous occasion!

This is Kayla, she decided to follow the example of Jesus Christ by being baptized by proper authority. Pretty soon she'll have the opportunity to take a trip to Nauvoo and do baptism for the dead in the temple. I have a testimony this Church is true and this gospel is for everyone. And through the Lord's plan, families can be together for eternity. 

May 27th Email

When we have holidays on a Monday, we don't get preparation day; we have it on Tuesday instead. I just got the letters and photos from the kids today. The letters were marvelous.

Last Tuesday, Elder J and I traveled to Charlotte and had a trainer-trainee meeting. That meeting helped me with my teaching. On our way back to Morganton, there was a homeless lady that needed food and money. I realized I had a couple of fruit rollup in my suit jacket, so I gave them to her. Elder P and Elder K came with us because we got another car. As of now, Morganton is an all car mission because Elder P can't ride a bike because of this wrist injury. On Saturdays Elder P and Elder K walk because every Saturday is car fast day, which is the day that we don't use the cars.

I finally learned how to polish my shoes, since I didn't remind Richard to teach me how; Elder K did.

Ward members do pretty good with feeding us, we rarely make dinner.

President and Sister Craven visited our ward on Sunday. They were travailing to Hickory to interview missionaries and our ward was along the way there, so they came and visited us. It was great to see them.

From, Elder Stafford

Memorial Day Post

A little over 1 year ago, my grandfather passed away. I really looked up to him and he's one of the reasons why I'm on a mission. With my testimony of the plan of salvation, I will be able to see him again. I know he's in spirit paradise doing missionary work like me and thousands of other missionaries around the globe. If you have a loved one that's passed on, I testify that you will see him/her again. Happy Memorial Day!

Learning some sign language?

A fun photo Jacob posted on his facebook page today.  He is looking great, isn't he?

A little History Lesson

History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in North Carolina:

"The first meetings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in North Carolina 'caused the greatest stirs imaginable,' said missionary Elder John Eldridge. 'I never thought that one poor mortal could make such a stir.'

The first missionary to North Carolina, Jedediah Grant, spent from 1838-45 in North Carolina, organizing seven congregations of more than 200 Church members. When Grant left the state, membership had increased to 350. Missionary work was interrupted in the late 1840s as many Church members traveled west to escape persecution. Although this migration continued into the 1870s, several congregations and a mission were organized in North Carolina in 1875. In November 1894, Church leaders encouraged members to stay in their state rather than migrate west. During the next five years, nearly 700 people were baptized, seven Church buildings constructed, 30 Sunday Schools organized, and 20 congregations established. A newly completed meetinghouse on Harker's Island was burned and missionaries driven out by a mob in 1906. Harsh attitudes gradually moderated in the twentieth century and missionaries were offered more freedom to preach.

In 1948, the Church began a five-year construction project in North Carolina resulting in 16 new Church buildings. By 1973, North Carolina had nearly 16,400 members in 53 congregations with a growth rate of nearly 400 new members per year. North Carolina members and missionaries were among many from Southern states to respond to storm-caused disasters in the South in the 1990s."

Reference: http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/facts-and-statistics/country/united-states/state/north-carolina

May 19, 2014 Email

Last Thursday was Elder J's birthday. We all went to Fat's Cafe for lunch and I payed for Elder J and myself. If I were to describe what it is, I would say it's like Applebee's.

We've taught a little over 15 discussions last week. Last Saturday we went to a Japanese restaurant called Nara's Express with two other investigators, Ron W. and Doctor J. Ron has been an investigator for a while, it's hard for him to get to church because he's physically disabled, we offered him to have a member pick him up. Dr. J is investing in the church, he loves to talk religion with us (not in a bashful way) and he's pretty interested in the church.

Happy belated birthday Mom.

Elder Stafford 

May 19, 2014

Last week, as I was getting out of the shower, I grabbed on the towel rack next to the shower. It did not hold my weight, so it broke and I fell with it. I've been a clumsy missionary lately, but I like to think of Ether 12:27.

"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."

As we strive to have faith in our Heavenly Father, He will turn weaknesses into strengths. When Moses spoke with the burning bush he said he was "slow of speech, and of a slow tongue." (Exodus 4:10), but with the Lord on his side, that weakness became a strength.

First P-Day Email - May 5, 2014

The first time flying in a while was great; After I prayed that we (the missionaries on the plane) would be in NC safely and during the flight, I was alright. The BBQ is great! I love the vinegar flavor in it!

On Tuesday the 28th, we had a transfer meeting. 8 out of the 9 new missionaries got their first companion; that one missionary was none other than ME. I was with the assistants for two days. The first day with them was rough. We woke up at 4 AM to get the departing missionaries ready to go home. I didn't go to the airport, which was probably a good thing. While the Mission president and the assistants were taking the departing missionaries home, I was helping out at the mission office. Most of my time there, I was putting 50 mormon.org cards in each plastic bag. I did get to do REAL missionary work that day. We taught 4 discussions and the assistants were impressed with my testimonies.

My first companion's name is Elder J from Salt Lake city. He's only been out for 5 months, but I'm in good hands mostly because I'm his second trainee. Morganton is a beautiful place, there are lots of trees which remind me of Oregon. There's a place here called Jake's. They have this thing called the Triple-Triple, it's a 9- patty cheeseburger. Those who eat the whole thing will get a T-shirt. I haven't ordered one yet, but I will when I get the chance. Part of Morganton is a deaf community. There are some members who are deaf, so they communicate with sign language. There would be at least one member in the ward that would translate during sacrament meeting. Elder J knows some sign language. I know how to say potato in sign language. The ward members are great. They love coming up and bearing their testimonies.

Last Saturday night we went tracting. We found some people at a rest home to teach. There was one person that I admire and that person is Terry Lackey. He is in a wheelchair and he is a member, but less active for quite a while. I showed him a video called "Mountains to Climb" on my Ipad (yes, we are an Ipad mission), I asked him if he had any trials in his life. When he told me his current trial he's having, I started to show some emotion because I really cared about him.

Yesterday night was extremely overwhelming. We taught a family who weren't members, but one of them is thinking about getting baptized. It was hard to feel the spirit because the mom kept yelling at one of her three kids. I honestly felt bad for this kid and I wish I could do something about it. There's really nothing I can do except praying for the family to have the spirit in their homes. After that discussion, I was bawling in tears. I felt sorry for them. I asked Elder J to give me a blessing that night I felt better after that.

Today is my first preparation day. After we studied we cleaned our apartment. There's two other missionaries in our apartment, but they went to a doctors appointment because Elder P broke his arm. He was biking when a truck driver cut him off when Elder P was trying to cross an entrance to a parking lot. He grabbed the front brakes and the bike flipped him over. That accident also gave him a bloody leg. The other Elder living in our apartment is Elder K, he is the district leader. We all cover the same area and same ward, but we teach different people. After we cleaned and ate lunch we went grocery shopping at Walmart. How we work things is we get what we need/want as a companionship and we each pay half of the grocery cost. I used both Walmart gift cards to cover the groceries. And then we got our haircuts at a traditional haircut place.

Next Sunday we're planning on eating at a family's house and then make phone calls. I will plan on it at 7pm which is 5pm in Idaho.

Hopefully spring will come in Rexburg soon.

-Elder Stafford

May 2, 2014

https://www.lds.org/youth/video/because-of-him?lang=eng

I'm am very grateful to be in North Carolina and helping people come unto Christ. I have a testimony that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the true church. I know that the Book of Mormon is true, it has blessed my life and it can also bless your lives. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet chosen by our Father in Heaven and that Thomas S. Monson is our prophet today. I'm grateful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ. "I believe in Christ, He stands supreme, with Him I'll gain my fondest dream, and while I strive through grief and pain His voive is heard, 'Ye shall obtain!'"

He Has Arrived!!

Early Monday morning I got a phone call from Jacob. It was so good to hear his voice!  Later that day I got an email telling me he had arrived safely.  And today I got an email with photos!  Jacob looks great, happy and ready to serve!

All is Well at the MTC

Hi Mom. I'm loving the MTC, it's a great experience. Easter Sunday was the best Sunday ever! President Uctdorf talked in the Easter Sunday Devotional! I liked how he talked about the Apostle Peter after he denied Christ three times. He denied Him because of fear and ever since that day he went and preached having "fear of no man" and because of President Uctdorf's talk, my fears have faded away.  Sunday Afternoon we went on a temple walk with our zone. Ever since Monday, our district is pretty much our whole zone. No new missionaries are going to be in our zone. Sunday night we watched a film called "Because of Him" spoken by Elder Bednar, his talk was powerful. He talked about putting off the natural man. He made a connection to Cookie Monster and the natural man. He made that connection because we as missionaries need to stop being selfish and prideful.

Elder T (my companion) and I are getting along pretty well. He was a runner back in high school and we went on a run once during gym time. The rest of our gym time was playing four square, one of things I played back at Jackson School. I saw Trevor Blanchard! He's one of the teachers at the MTC. I also met one of the Elders that I saw at In 'n out burger, his name is Elder Eden serving in the Madagascar Mission.

Yesterday night, Elder Oaks spoke in the devotional. The MTC has devotionals every Tuesday night. He talked about being effective missionaries. One thing that he said that every one (especailly ones who are preparing to go on a mission) is to be yourself and not someone else.

At the MTC we have classes and we teach acting investigators. Elder Tapp and I taught a sweet elderly man named Arnold. Is he Mormon and acting as an investigator or is he a real investigator? That, I don't know, as a missionary preparing to serve in NC, I'm just going to say he's a real investigator. Arnold is a very observant man, he knows that I'm a quiet man. He asked me some specific questions like "Do you missionaries force people into joining your church?" I've answered that it's not that we force people in (that's not our purpose as missionaries), the investigators choose their own paths and we (missionaries) are there to help them make righteous decisions. Yesterday he asked why we can't just sin all our life and be forgiven when we die and enter into the spirit world. While Elder T was trying to explain, I came across a scripture (Alma 34: 32-34), and I had him read it and he actually pondered about it. In this passage I've learned that when we die, our spirits will have that same personality. 

This Morning we went to the temple and did endowments.

I hope everything is going well, and I wish Joseph a happy (belated) birthday. I leave the MTC on Monday morning, so I won't have a P-day until the 5th of May. I think it's different for every missionary, but My P-day is on Wednesdays at the MTC.

From, Elder Stafford

P.S. thanks for the immunizations records.