Elder Stratton's Homecoming Talk

Please join us for

Elder Stratton's Homecoming Talk 

May 10th, 2015 @ 10:00 am

LDS Chandler Heights Ward Building

26023 South Lemon Avenue

QUEEN CREEK, ARIZONA 85242

For Your Information

We will post Elder Stratton's homecoming

 and pictures next week.  

Thanks for you support and letters.  We know they helped strengthen Elder Stratton and encouraged him, while serving the Lord

in Cape Verde.

MISSION FIELD: Week 101 Well, This is it! The Last One!!

                                                                20 April 2015

Well, Hello Everyone!!

   Just so that everyone knows, I will be home next week, so this is the last Email that I will send as a missionary.

   Well, this last week was good.   We did the normal things, taught and found new people.  It was good and we found some people that will be baptized here in a few weeks.  But, I am very grateful for the opportunity I had to serve the Lord for 2 years.  I have been very blessed and very much changed.  The gospel of Jesus Christ moves lives.  That's a fact, as long as you let it and are humble enough to let Heavenly Father in.  I have learned so much, but still have very much to learn, and I have had the chance to repent and become a better son of our Loving Father.  I know that if we just keep the commandments and chose the right, we will always be blessed.  I know this is the truth and that everyone need this.  

    Love you all and I will see you in a few days!!!

love Elder Stratton

MISSION FIELD: Week 100 Tick Tock Goes the Clock . . .

                                                          13 April 2015

Hello Family,

  This last week was a great week!  We were able to do loads of work and had a chance to meet lots of new people.  We are having fun and I am super glad to be here right now.  So, the highlight of this last week was a fireside that we gave to the members last night.  It was super good!!  So, we are helping everyone to be more converted to the gospel.  The part I gave was, of how Christ is there for us and just waiting to receive us.  In the scriptures, He pleads with us to 'Come unto him, to be healed' as we see in 3 Nephi 9:13-14.  Being healed, is so soothing to our soul, but before we arrive at that point, we have to do our part and that is repenting and GOING to Christ.  It is not until we do something, that we can receive anything.  The soothing comfort doesn't come from just going to Christ, but for allowing Him to enter into your life and change things the way He wants.  This is when we have the greatest blessings.  Knowing that the great Doctor is helping us heal from our wounds and becoming better. 

   I'm so grateful for the Savior and all that He does and did for us.  I look forward to the day, that I will be able to stand before my Father in Heaven and not have any fear at all.  What a glorious day that will be!   I know that God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ live and love us. I know that because of this love, they called the prophet Joseph Smith to restore the Church here on the earth, and because of this, we are able to have that love more fully in our lives.  I love this Gospel.  

   Have a great week and I love you all!!!

love Elder Stratton

MISSION FIELD: Week 99 Hey, I am Still Alive!!!

                                                              6 April 2015

    Ha ha, well first thing, is I'm sorry I didn't send a letter last week.  I thought I sent it, but it looks like I just saved it as a draft.  ha ha

    But this last week was a good week.  We were busy getting ready for everyone to come to General Conference and listen to the Prophet and Apostles talk.  

    Conference was good.  Counsel from the Lord is always good and we all need it.  We had the chance to help get Home Teaching up and running here.  Man, it's super hard, 'cause nobody knows how to do it, but everyone is learning and starting to do good.  We will have all meetings and presidencies going good here, in a few weeks.  Man, it's so cool, to help The Church start and to see the growth in the people.  Truly, we are the Lords people and He blesses us so much.   If we only keep the commandments and do what's right, the Lord will bless our lives so much!!  It's like Christ said in the bible, 'The TRUTH shall make you free'.  Freedom is all the Lord wants for us, and having our agency is the way He lets us do that.  Its the things of this world that are keeping us chained down, so we are slaves to it.  Who would have thought, that the things we, at times, love the most, are actually keeping us from being the best we can be.  Keep your eye on the prize, because if we don't, we will lose everything.  I know that this is the true church, this is the Lords work and we are so lucky, 'cause He has us, the imperfect people that we are, do it for Him and be guided. I love this gospel, it does bring happiness.   True happiness.  I love our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who died to save us all, and who then was resurrected on the third day, to break the chains of death.  I know these things are true.  I KNOW IT.

love

 Elder Stratton

MISSION FIELD: Week 98 No Letter :(

                                                                                         30 March 2015

      We did not receive a letter from Elder Stratton this week.  Keep him in your prayers.

MISSION FIELD: Week 97 Hello!!!! Good Day!

                                                           23 Mar 2015

Dear Family,

   This last week was good!!!  So on Monday, I got to go and pick up my new comp and see him.  It was cool!  He is excited to be here and to work for the Lord!!

   Then, we went to Assomada on Tuesday, for a leadership meeting and it was good, but kinda dumb, 'cause the people in charge didn't have a clue what was going on.  So nobody had fun.  But, it's was good, 'cause I got to talk to my comp for a while in the car ride.  He is speaking Portuguese and learning fast.  He's pretty cool!

   And then on Wednesday, we went to Praia for another training that was super good and we had fun talking to people and seeing the new missionaries!!!  

   Then, on Saturday we had a baptism!!!  It was super good!  And this next week we are preparing 2 other people and they are doing great!!!  

    But that was our week and we are having a great time!!!!

love Elder Stratton!

MISSION FIELD: Week 96 Last Transfer!

                                                               16 Mar 2015

   Well, if you don't already know, I will be home in 6 weeks.  Yes, I know it's sad.... 

   But here is mission life right now...

   So, yesterday was transfers, so, I got a call that said I was going to be training and I was like, 'Cool!'  Then, they told me it was going to be an Elder from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and I was like, 'Wow, even cooler!'  THEN, they said he only speaks French...... Well that's a little strange, but cool still.  Overall, I have a 'boss comp' and he is cool!!  I'm super lucky and happy, that I have this chance and even better, that we are going to have a great time together!!  This will be a great transfer!!

   Well, I hope you all have a great week and I love you all!

love Elder Stratton

sorry its short today...

MISSION FIELD: Week 95 Hello Everyone :)

                                                                 9 Mar 2015

    Well this last week was good hard, but good.

    We had a lesson with a lady named Shayla, this week, she is cool.  She has came to church twice and is progressing very well.  She is liking everything and we are having a good time teaching her.  We also are working with a number of less actives here and they are doing good, they are coming to church and progressing very well. 

   I'm loving it here, its going very nice and I'm always learning.  It's good to be here and I love it. 

   I hope you all ave a great week and I love you all!!

love Elder Stratton

MISSION FIELD: Week 94 New Week!!

                                                                    2 Mar 2015

   This last week was super good.  I really liked it!!

   So, it was interesting to see how the Lord works with us and guides us with thoughts!  We found so many cool people!! and we were guided to find them, so I know that the Lord is helping us!  We had some good lessons and we are trying to have Jessica baptized this week. but we need her dad's permission, so we are working on that. 

  This next few weeks are going to be good weeks and I hope that we are willing to follow the Spirit very well and that we will be blessed for it.

  I know that this is the truth.  We are examples for the world, let's let our light shine, so the world can see who we truly are.  I love the gospel. it is the only way to bring happiness in our lives.  We are truly blessed to have it!!

love Elder Stratton

MISSION FIELD: Week 93 Ha Ha Surprise!!!

                                                             23 Feb 2015

Well Hello, everyone I hope all is going well!!

   Well, this last week was super good.  We had carnival and a ward party, it was super good.  It was a good learning week too!!  I learned how to listen to the spirit better and how to receive inspiration.  It is great, in the mission, you learn so much. 

   One miracle that happened this last week, was that we had 8 investigators in church and they are a progressing for baptism!!!  I love it!  It's the Lord blessing this place and He is doing it so much now!!! 

   But other than that, life is going good.  We are  meeting new people all the time and they are doing well and wanting to know truth.  It is interesting that, no matter how well put our words are, it doesn't make a difference.  The Spirit testifies through truth and simpleness.  If it isn't simple, its harder for the Spirit to talk and we all need more simple lives!!  But the Lord is helping us all realize what is important for us. The work is moving forward and nothing can stop it.

love Elder Stratton

MISSION FIELD: Week 92 Hello, Again!!!

                                                            16 Feb 2015

Well Family, 

  Here in Tarrafal, the Lord is blessing us lots and we are very thankful for it.  We are finding so many people and it's cool, 'cause you can see that the Lord has prepared for us to teach.  We have been so blessed.  

  We found this one lady and she was happy to listen and then at the end of the lesson she said, 'I have never been baptized, but if I get a response, I will in the Church of Jesus Christ!!' Man, it was nice!  

  But I have to go now, I love you all and am grateful for you all in my life!!!  I
love you all and see you soon!

love Elder Stratton!

MISSION FIELD: Week 91 Tarrafal!!!!!! Yep, I Made It!!

                                                            9 Feb 2015

Olá Família, (Hello, Family)

Então, (And so,)

  I was thinking how its easier to do this, in my native language that i learned here, but then I thought, 'Well, they can't understand', so well, it's in English.

  But I made it it Tarrafal!!  Well,  I took off from the airport in Maio and when we got up in the air, well it, (the pilot), didn't go the right direction.  We went over the island of Santiago and to the island of Fogo.  Well, we all got off the plane and we were like, 'Well this is not Praia...' but 3 hours later we were back on the plane (by the way, I was alone this entire time), and got to Praia, found a car that would take me to Tarrafal and after a really pretty drive, (3 hours), I finally got there. 

   This place is super nice, I love it!   So many people to talk to and they want to talk to you!!!  It's great!!!  But, the area is just waiting for growth and I know that we can do it this transfer!  It's such a good place.  I am lucky to be here and to have the trust of the Lord!!  I know this is the true church and that the gospel of Jesus Christ brings happiness!!

   I love you all and hope you all have a great week!!!

love Elder Stratton

MISSION FIELD: Week 90 Transfers!! Tarrafal!!!

                                                                 2 Feb 2015

Boa Tarde Família!!! (Good Afternoon, Family!!!)

   This last week was good.  It was a little slow, 'cause we had, like 5 people die here, so everyone was in the outer cities.  But, we did find some really cool people to teach.

    I will be transferred to another island, (Praia) and to the city of Tarrafal.  It is known for its pretty beaches, so that will be nice there.  It is also part of the new District the have in Assomada, so it will be fun to help the area grow and become better!!

   Elder Camargo also went home this week.  He is one of my good friends here in the mission, so it was sad to see him go, but he will have fun!! The mission is the best thing anyone can ever do, it will change the life of others and yourself.  It's worth it.

love Elder Stratton

Island of Praia
Tarrafal is at the top, left.

MISSION FIELD: Week 89 Gooood Week!!!

                                                             26 Jan 2015

Dear Família,

   This week was good!  Thank you for all the birthday wishes!  They were great! 

   This last week, we had some visits from the Zone Leaders.  It was nice, but they just came and went real fast!

   Maio it doing great, the Church is having a solid frequency of 32ish, so that's great and in better news the Stake of Praia was split and they created the District of Assomada!!  That means we are that much closer to getting a temple here in Cape Verde!!!!  We just need 5 stakes and we have 3 right now, so Assomada and splitting Praia, will make 5!!  That will be a great day!!!  Elder Moreira, of the 70, came to do the division and man, was it good.  He spoke with so much authority and said that Cape Verde is one of the fastest grown areas in the church!!  What a blessing!!!

   The church is true and this is the only way we can receive salvation!  I love the Gospel and I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer.  I love you all and knows that the Lord knows us perfectly and love us very much. 

Love you all and have a great week!!!

love Elder Stratton!!

Happy Birthday, Elder Stratton!!!!

Today is Elder Stratton's Birthday!!!!

Send him a birthday wish!!!

MISSION FIELD: Week 88 Getting Ready!!!

                                                             19 Jan 2015

Hello Everyone, I hope you are doing good!!!

  This last week was good.  We had a great meeting with the mission president!  It's cool, 'cause we are the only island that gets training from him.  The only other place is the Zone Leaders from all the islands.  Pretty cool stuff. 

   We got interviews from him and they were great.  Finding and teaching are great, but it's hard to find.  Members really make or break the work, with giving references, so be sure to help the Elders in your ward.  95% of all converts are because of references.  Don't lose out, 'cause God is preparing the hearts of the people and He uses us to do His work.  So help out, 'cause is going faster.  I love this work and all that I have learned and gained from it and gaining is not even the best part, but giving back is even more important!!  Always remember that we have so much to give, we just need to do it. 

  I love you all and have a great week!!!

love 

Elder Stratton

MISSION FIELD: Week 87 Sunny and 75 out!!

                                                                    12 Jan 2015

Hello and good day!!

  Well, all you guys freezing it the states, I hope you are all doing well, 'cause where I am it's sunny and 75ish out.  But, it was a nice week here and we had lots of new stuff happen.

  Sonh, who we are teaching is doing good, but she is pregnant and the baby had some problem. So we will talk to her tomorrow and we will see what is going on, and she still has tons of desire. It's just lots of trials right now.  

  This week was good, we saw a lot of people in Church, this last week, that haven't been for a while and we had 7 women in Relief Society!!! 

That was a miracle!!  It so cool to see the Church grow from nothing and just do super good, but it also means something else will happen for us, to pass through to become stronger.  The branch has problems, but it is helping people grow and do better, so it's all right.  But life here always has you on your feet and the Lord is always testing you!!!  If you really have your heart open, you can hear the spirit always talking.  The hard part is blocking out all the junk, so you can hear it. 

   One other thing, that I have been learning about it sin.  There are 2 types of sin, sins of commission, which is grave sins and big commandments, and then, sins of omission, which is choosing the best, instead of the better.  Once we pass the stage of committing sins of commission, we need to work on the sins that will keep us from being exalted, sins of omission.  So, working on using your time wisely. 

  I love this Church and the gospel of Jesus Christ!  It really is the only way we have happiness.  This is the truth, there is no doubt about it,  I know that Jesus Christ is our Savoir, He died for us.  The Greatest of All, died for the least of all.  What a marvelous gift.

 I love you all and I love what I do.  Have a great week!

love Elder Stratton

Elder Camargo and Me at Black Point Bridge

Elders Stone, Camargo, Stratton & Scholfield at Black Point Bridge

Black Point

Me and Elder Camargo

We were running up to this place called Black Point, cool!

A very nice day with Elder Camargo and

a cool place called Ponta Preta (Black Point)

MISSION FIELD: Week 86 New Year!! (picture)

                                                                      5 Jan 2015

   Well family, happy to know the world didn't end with 2014!

   This last week was a good one we had New Years and, by the way, in Cape Verde, the day after New Years is the big party day.  Like the night of nobody parties, just the day after...strange.  Oh, and the tradition here, is that the night of the 31st, all the kids go in the street and go house to house asking for some change haha  like Halloween!!  But money!!

   We had the normal happen for the rest of the week!  And we marked a date for Sonha.  She wants to be baptized and she is trying to find a new house, so that she can because she doesn't want to marry the guy she is with.  So that was the good thing from the week!!  But have a great week and I love you all!!

love 

Elder stratton

Christmas party for the branch