"I Will Make an Instrument of Thee" 3/11/2013

Alma 17:11

So I'll advise you up front, I fear this email may be a little short ha ha, I don't have much to share :) But first I'll answer your questions about the Guate trip. If we're going to have 10 days I would assume that it would be like 5 days in cada mission, is that right? So as of right now, and if I don't have another area before I die, I think like 2 days in Xela, 2 days in Huistas and 1 day in Quiche would be good, the only thing would be like, Quiche has to be a Thursday and in Huistas we have to be there on a Sunday, if that's at all possible (the Quiche one is necessary because that's market day) so yeah. As for the new mission, the boundries still haven't been told so I have no idea what boundaries it will affect but it shouldn't change my release date. Don't worry, I'll be home eventually ;)

 

Now my week, was another trying one. We're on kind of a negative streak but we're not getting discouraged. We have tried about a million different ideas to find new investigators and with very little success. We had a ward activity (super well planned and the members really enjoyed it, just didn't bring anyone) and a bunch of other stuff but yeah.  

Also, we couldn't get with Adriana this week but she came to church so we're definitely going to be putting a fecha with her this week, hoping she accepts :) Also we have a cool new, the dad of one of our members. He's read a lot about the church and came to the activity on Saturday and to church on Sunday and stayed all 3 hours, so we're really excited there!  ALSO I HAVE GRANDKIDS! 2 OF EM!  That's one of the pictures, my generations! Both my kids are training right now, how cool! 

 

Proud Papa/Grandpa

 

The other picture is a scripture that I found this morning that I had never really read in this way, we need to be examples in times of negative things, we need to keep our heads up. We need to show forth examples not just to the "lamanites" (non-members I'll put that) but to the "Nephites" as well. Members and in my case missionaries, they need to see that we keep working in spite of difficulties and like Ammon later on in the same chapter when "our sheep get scattered" (to say it that way) when we have difficulties that we don't just start crying about how we're going to get slain but we get up and go get the flocks and then chop off some arms. So to speak of course :)  

 

I LOVE YOU ALL A TON! Hope you all have a great week!

Elder Westenskow

"Have Faith in God...Everything Will Work Out" 3/4/2013

Hey There Family!

How's life going for everyone back home? Hope all is well for ya', here all is well as well (that was a lot of well ha ha). First off, and before I forget, I just wanted to write a little bit to y'all, my family. I feel like sometimes I don't thank you as much as I should for how great you guys are.  Having been here for a long time now, I think I become more and more grateful for my family and the environment I was raised in every day. I really do love you all a whole whole ton and I couldn't ask for a better family, I just hope you all know how much I love and appreciate you, all the support that you give me and all the love, not everyone has that and its something I'm extremely grateful for :) LOVE YOU FAMILY!!!

Now, about the Mision Coban, it's super exciting! I just hope I'm here to see the division, it seems kinda iffy right now, if they do it in June though I'll definitely be here :) Kinda weird to think that things are being announced that I won't be here for, I guess time is winding down. A member did some quick math the other day and figured out how many days I have left, let's just say it's not a lot! But I'm feeling good, I've had an excellent mission and I'm stoked to finish it stronger than ever.  :)  

And to quiet all the rumors, I don't have changes ha ha. I'll be here 'til April it looks like and then my last 2 changes I'll go out somewhere to die, or I might just stay here, weirder stuff has happened. But I'm stoked to stay, I love this area and this zone and it's all good :)

 

 And about the Castillo family sealing, I got an email today from Walter that says that they have about 3 classes of temple prep left and then they'll be set to go! So we're pretty darn stoked about that!  It looks like I'll for sure be there so I'm really really excited for that! One of the best families I ever taught in my mission getting sealed right at the end, how much more perfect could it be? :) So I'm stoked about that!  

 

 

 

 

As for this week, it was ups and downs.  We had some really good stuff but a lot of disappointments as well. First off, we had a baptism! Karla was baptized Saturday evening and she was super happy about it.  The family that she lived with told us she was counting down the days 'til her baptism. SUUUUUUUUUUPER cool to see someone so excited, the service was special as well, not a lot of people came because it was raining but it was really good, I feel like there rarely is a whole ton to report on baptisms other than that they're super awesome and you always get the confirmation that what is happening is absolutely the will of God.  

 

 

As far as good news that was about it.  We had a super slow week, we've been looking for news really hard the last two weeks because were kinda baptizing all our investigators but we have had like, no success in that, were trying our hardest but it just doesn't seem to work out. However, every time that I feel like I'm going to be coming to email a little downhearted the Lord always finds a way to cheer me up :) I was looking through some old stuff that people have sent me and I found an email from Grandma Sue full of quotes from President Hinkley. One of them (not exact words but more or less) said "Have faith in God, believe in Him, look forward, everything will work out." and that helped a lot, I don't think I have to explain why. But we're stoked for this week, we have some new ideas to find new investigators and we're looking forward to putting them into practice. We also have a ward activity that should help a lot :)  I'll be sure to keep everyone updated on all the juicy stuff and I hope all is well on the home front! 

 

LOVE YOU!!!!!!

Elder Westenskow

"Whosoever Putteth His Trust in Him...Shall Be Lifted Up" 2/25/2013

First off-

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MEAGAN!!! HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!!!! 

 

on Thursday!  

 

 

 

Now, moving on!  Sounds like y'all had a good week, really glad for you for that, except for dad, sounds like he's been pretty sick. But I hope he's feeling better and maybe having a little bit more time to rest this last week! And about all the upcoming weddings. Who is Abby marrying? And when is JR getting married, you can't just drop stuff like that as if it were nothing ha ha. But I'm glad that things are going well.  

Now about us and our investigators. We had a pretty good week investigator wise, we were able to get with a few people and teach some really good lessons.  Karla is absolutely stoked for baptism, she's so ready. She has come to church 3 times now and is just super super excited so we're really excited for that. I wish there was more to tell but it's just marvelous to see someone accept so easily the gospel and an absolute change in life, and the best part, she's doing it with a desire to help others, already talking about teaching her mom about the church and her friends and stuff, she's stoked and we're stoked!  

Amelia and Evelyn are also progressing, there's something that is holding them back, we can't figure out what it is but we're working with them. They're attending church every week but for some reason they aren't ready to accept a fecha for baptism, so maybe prayers for them wouldn't go amiss. We have a cita on Tuesday and we're hoping to put the fecha for the 9th of this month, they already have everything they need to be baptized. Just a little push from the spirit and we're set I think.  

About Adriana, she's also progressing great, she said that if she receives her answer she'd get baptized and just jump into the church, the best part is that she's going to get it, she's studying a ton and reading and praying and all of it, its super legit!  She also came to church yesterday so the progress we're seeing there is super good.  

In spite of all of this, I must confess that this week was super duper slow ha ha. EVERYTHING fell, we taught about half the number of lessons of a normal week.  But I read in Mosiah 23:13-24 and felt better, read it y'all, I won't ruin the surprise :) 

Well, I think that's it, I'm still happy, loving life and loving the mission. 

LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!!

Elder Westenskow

The Lord Prepares His Children 2/18/2013

Hard Working Elders!

 Hi Family!

Well mom, I think first I'll attempt to answer some questions for the email moms.  What type of shoes should they get? The Eccos really are good shoes, if someone takes really good care of them they'll last the whole mission I think.  About the shirts, they should definitely get the kind I got (Mr. Mac) with the thicker fabric, if not, they'll get holes and stuff, all my shirts are still in great condition (just a little yellow).  But really, don't fret too much, you can find anything here, the size doesn't really matter, the pacas have it all.  So really just don't worry too much :)

Now, about our investigators, first of all, Henry was able to get confirmed yesterday, a little scary since I hate leaving people a whole week without the spirit. But he came to church on time and was confirmed and presented before the ward and it was all fine and good :) So we're really stoked about that. Another member of Central :)

As far as Amelia and Evelyn, they officially have their three attendances needed to be baptized seeing as they came to church yesterday.  We were going to try to baptize them this Saturday but I don't think that will happen, more likely for the 2nd of March but we have a cita tomorrow so we'll see what happens.  :) But we're really excited, even better that all the classes were on the spirit and personal revelation and Amelia learned a lot :) so we're stoked there!  

Also, Valezca, Osmars little sister came to church yesterday too. We're hoping to baptize her in March as well.  

 

I don't know if I've mentioned a girl named Karla to you guys but she works for some members. She's been to church twice now and has a fecha bautismal for the 2nd of March.  She's super pilas.  She prayed to be able to find work with good people who could help her to fix her life and turn things around, she also prayed to be able to find a church that would help her be able to do that, that she had real desires to change and wanted Gods help.  Pure coincidence (NOT!) that she ended up working for and living with some super pilas members and she's just eating everything up, she reads like crazy, prays really well and attends church.  So we're stoked there. A real testimony that the Lord truly does prepare his children to receive the gospel and many times we are just instruments in his hands to bring his work to pass.  It's an amazing experience to see someone so prepared and so willing to do the necessary to change, they just do it. It's fantastic :)  

Those are pretty much our most positive investigators, we have  a really good month for March lined up and were super stoked about it. Dad, good luck in all your travels, I know it must stink sometimes but you can do it! 

LOVE YOU ALL!!!!
Elder Westenskow

 

Procession through Central Park

 

The Gospel Brings So Much Happiness!! 2/11/2013

Hey there family, obviously the photos attached are not in need of much description. Henry was indeed baptized on Saturday evening in a very special service, very strong spirit that confirmed to all present that what we were doing was absolutely the will of the Lord.

Makes me think of a family that was baptized one year ago today, congratulations to the family Castillo, exactly one year ago they too were entering the waters of baptism. I received a phone call from Walter this morning telling me that all was going ahead as planned for the sealing, they have already began their classes for temple prep and I'm blown away by the progress that they have had. What a wonderful family, what a wonderful plan that our Heavenly Father has given us, the opportunity to be together forever. What a blessing :) The best part is that it's extended to all people! We can all receive this blessing if we will be but faithful to the commandments of God.

 

Now about the rest of the people we are teaching, this week was stake conference so not very many people attended. Juan did though! Which was a huge surprise, he's seriously confused and is trying to decide between our church and the evangelical church. He told us on Friday that he was pretty much evangelical but thanks for the invitation to stake conference so we thought we'd lost him, but he showed up to stake conference so we'll see what happens. We're going to FHE there tonight so we'll see what Juan has to say.  

 

Amelia couldn't go but we do know (from her employer) that she quit her job that she had for Sunday afternoons so now she'll have the entire day free and she said that she was going to start going to church so we're pretty stoked for that :) We challenged her to baptism and she accepted so we're pretty stoked ;)

 

Julieta, we visited her with President on Wednesday and she also accepted an invitation to be baptized. Unfortunately, her son got sick Saturday night so she couldn't come to church but she seems a lot more positive now that she's started to READ!!!! So we're seeing some progress there.  

 

As far as I go, I'm super duper! Actually a really good week personally. I've been studying some really interesting things with regards to covenants and the covenants that I've made and the promises associated. I had an interview with President to renew my recommend and lets just say that I learned a lot of things. I'm really just feeling great, life is great, the mission is great. All of it.  

 

If I had any advice for new missionaries, it would be to just chill.  Life here in Xela and the mission is chill, you can find almost anything you need (unless you're in Momos).  Just don't focus too much on the "stuff" that you bring, you won't end up needing the majority of it. Clothes, books, bathroom supplies, the essential. And a good umbrella ha ha. Things not on the list but needed, nothing really. What do I wish I had known? That the mission really is just the best thing every, everyone says it but it's really true. The gospel brings so much happiness to our lives when we truly live it and that's what the mission is, we teach others the gospel and at the same time learn how to live it ourselves. I love the gospel, I love the Lord, I love my family, all 3 rock!  

 

LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!!!! 

Elder Westenskow