Baptisms! 2/6/2012

HOWDY ALL!

So, first off, Geronimo, we actually taught him this week ha ha.  We've had a hard time teaching him and we almost dropped him but we found him this week and taught him and it went really well so we'll keep with him ha ha.  Not a hugely special lesson that requires a lot of detail but yeah :)  Karina is doing fantastic, and we're working with Gustavo. 

 

So yeah.  Mom, about tie trades, there are obviously some ties that are so untradeable they don't even get brought to tie trades that includes the wedding tie, the ties I got for my birthday, the ones I got from Brad and a couple I bought at Mr Mac.  I just have a lot of ties (there are a lot of ways to get ties on the mission especially in this country, have Nicole tell you about pacas lol)  Also mom, questions are fine, I don't care how many you send ha ha.  Also, 21 kids getting baptized in one year, what the flip? They need to split that ward already.  And health is good :)

Now, Walter.  We visited him almost every day this week reviewing commandments, taking away doubts, etc.  He's super pilas.  No real singular experience this week to share, just a bunch of really good lessons that we had with him.  Especially when we reviewed the baptismal interview questions, hearing his answers and testimony about the restoration, prophets, etc was just incredible. He's so ready. Elder R just keeps telling me that Walter has ruined my mission because I'll never find a convert like him again ha ha.  He's just so pilas, I'm stoked.  PLUS, BLESSINGS!!!!!  We found out that Bryan, the 8 year old kid is going to count for a mission baptism because he was never presented or on the church records so he doesn't count for the ward but for the mission so we'll have 3 baptisms this Saturday :)  And, when Walter asked the kids who they wanted to baptize them they're both like "WESTENSKOW!" so Elder R is baptizing Walter and I'm getting in the water for the first time to baptize the two kids, we're pretty excited :) ha ha.  

So this email might be a little short but know that it's big on love and excitement and next week I'll have some pictures of some people in white :)  Tonight with Walter we're eating cow tongue so I'll let you know on that one as well ha ha.  Also, it seems rainy season is starting early here, we've had rain every day for almost a week and hail twice, its weird.  Also, tell Rhonda Happy Birthday since I don't have her email (thank you calendar!) ha ha.  

 

LOVE YOU ALL

-Elder Westenskow

 

                                                         A Jerusalem Cricket we found

                                                                         Esperanza

 

Mission Conference 1/30/12

Another really good week here, first I'll address questions :)  About who moved us, the office has a guy that works for them to do that kind of stuff, pretty easy haha.  About health, estoy mejorando poco a poco, todavia me queda la tos pera lo bueno es que ya no esta seca.  Entonces, ya, lo que pasa es que las enfermeras me dieron un jarabe y eso me ayudo un poco pero todavia me molesta.  Vamos a ver que pasa si tengo que ir al doctor o algo asi, no se. (Basically he says,"I'm getting better little by little. I still have a cough but the good thing is that it's not dry anymore.  So what happened is that the nurses gave me a syrup and that helped a little but it still bugs me.  We'll have to see what happens, if I have to go to the doctor or something like that, I don't know.")

So yeah, first off, I'll tell you not about Walter. The only other thing that happened is we had a mission conference with President/Elder Falabella, he's the president of the area Central America and a member of the First Quorum of 70.  It was... intense haha.  He gave us a lot of good councils and a lot of hard machetes but he told it like it is and we can really improve a lot from the things that he told us.  I really enjoyed the conference   Really the gist of his message was that the mission work doesn't need to be robotic, it shouldn't be robotic, we need to be people and we need to make people excited about the message, good conference :) 

Now Walter, first, on Monday we ate the cow tail.

 

I included a picture of it raw and prepared so you can see.  It was...... DELICIOUS!!!! It was so good, Shirly made it in a pressure cooker with some sort of salsa, I dunno, it was really really good.  Next Monday we're eating cow tongue.  He says it's also very good so I'm excited to see what happens there :)  We spent a lot of time with him this week.  One of the pictures I included is when Elder R helped him put a gas tank in his car, this is so that he can come to church.  I say that Elder R helped because neither Shirly nor I know anything about cars and so we just watched and fetched them tools when they needed it but it was a lot of fun :)  And now you know what Walter looks like haha.

He really appreciated the help and we enjoyed spending the time over there.   We were going to try to have a lesson that day but the time was not given to us to be able to do so haha.  So Friday we had the real lesson, we first talked about temple work and they told us that Shirly had a dream about an old family friend that had passed away about a year ago and this friend told Shirly that she would do the work that would allow her to move from one place to a better place.  They took what they know about the spirit world and applied it to temple work and decided that it meant that they need to do this ladies temple work haha so they asked us how to do it.  So we taught them about family history and stuff and it was all really good.  And then came the moment, we were just like "so do you remember what we talked about last week?"  "Baptism, when, and stuff.... (we just waited) so if it were the 11th what time would it be?" "Whenever you want"  "Yeah, I'll do it" so we just freaked out. Then we're like, "and the kids?" and he asks them "what do you guys want to do?" "YES" they both say.  Then he asks Brian, the 8 year old boy "why do you want to get baptized?"  and he answers "to be with God"  so precious haha.  SO WALTER AND HIS KIDS ARE GETTING BAPTIZED ON THE 11th!!!!!!  They're really excited to, after church yesterday he asked us to show him the baptismal font and he was talking to his kids about it and stuff.  So yeah, overall great week, 2 fechas and quite possibly the best convert I'll have all mission haha

LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!
-Elder Westenskow

P.S. Also a little fun story.  We went to Walters yesterday to watch Testaments and he was outside when we got there sitting in his truck reading the Book of Mormon, always a special feeling to see one of your investigators reading the Book of Mormon :) love this guy!

Amazing Week!! 1/23/2012

So, I think first I'll answer questions and then tell why we had such an amazing week.  

Lets see, about the weather, it's still pretty cold in the morning and at night but during the day it's good lol.  About the Alvarado family.  I'm not really sure, they won't pray and they won't come to church.  But we're going to keep with them for a little bit longer.  It's tough to teach them because every time we go over they have people over. With Geronimo, we were planning on dropping him, he didn't seem too interested in learning more but then yesterday he randomly showed up to church.  So we're going to teach him again this week and see what happens.  We're working with a few less actives but nothing too exciting.  The less actives here are more apostate than less active ha ha.  So yeah.  About Cunén boundaries, its still the biggest area in the mission because its just the branch boundaries.  Also, I was glad to hear I could scare Nicole, you were absolutely right about that it was how I would have wanted it, you did according to my will.  Also, about crazy stuff.  I really haven't seen too much crazy scary stuff.  Xela is about a million and a half times safer than the capital.  About a Guatemalan Big Mac, it's about the same ha ha.  And there's not really any weird stuff on the menu.

Now, this week was WALTER!  So many amazing things that happened.  We taught him 3 times.  In one visit, he accepted the invitation to be baptized, so that's happening!  We are hoping to put the fecha tonight though.  We did have a really cool experience with him, he told us pretty much everything any missionary wants to hear. He broke down crying about the amazing changes that he's seen and been able to make in his life.  How he was so grateful for us that he didn't have the words to express how grateful he was that we brought him this thing that has changed his life so much.  He also told us that we are two of the best friends he's ever had and he thinks that if it had been any other 2 people he probably wouldn't have accepted the message.  He said that we should know that God is using us for something and that at the very least with our missions that we can know that we changed one life and one family 

We also had an FHE with them.  He invited his friends to come, a few neighbors because he wanted to share with them the things that he had learned.  We talked about eternal families and the possibilities that we had to have one and how grateful I was to be a part of one and how we can become a part of one through the gospel of Jesus Christ.  The best part was when Walter bore his testimony to his friends and family about how grateful he was that he had the possibility to be sealed to his family one day, to be with them forever, that he knew it was possible.  Really special.  ALSO, hes been telling us for weeks that he won't be able to attend church til the29th but he randomly surprised all of us yesterday by showing up! He said he always had plans to go yesterday he just wasn't 100 percent sure he'd be able to come so he didn't tell us but he was always planning on it, LEGIT!  And tonight they're having us for dinner and they're going to make cow tail.  So that'll be fun :) I hope this letter had some more detail, I hope you enjoyed it because this was one of the best weeks of my entire life.  I love this place, I love these people and I love this work, stay strong all!  LOVE YOU!
-Elder Westenskow

"Ask in Faith"1/16/2012

To answer your question on how I'm feeling, I've been a bit under the weather this weekend but I'm improving.  We stayed in the house almost all of Saturday and yesterday so I could sleep but my fever won't break (it fluctuates between 99.3 and 102 haha) but I'm getting better and tomorrow I plan to be 100 percent :)  so that kinda ruined the weekend but we had a really good week.  We didn't teach Geronimo and nothing big happened with family Alvarado but the biggest focus was WALTER.  Upfront, we didn't put the fecha. We planned to, but it didn't feel right and sometimes you just have to trust the spirit.  But we had an excellent week with him.  We watched the Joseph Smith movie with them and every time that something about baptism would come up he'd whisper to his kids something simple like "that's how they baptize" or "see how they do it"  really, really cool.  Plus he knows who people are, it showed Brigham Young and before it even said his name he's like "that's Brigham Young"  Legit.  We also had an FHE with the family Castillo (Walter) and our Bishops family which was AWESOME!!  Bishop says he looks really positive and he thinks that he'll be an excellent addition to the ward after he's baptized. Bishop loves the guy!  Also, we taught him the Sabbath day and he told us that he's already doing the things that he needs to be able to live the sabbath day SOON.  We set the date for him to come to church the 29th and to not miss a Sunday after and he was down.  :)  He told us that he had 3 goals, 1. to be able to attend every Sunday without missing  2. Have family home evenings (he wants to have some and invite some of his friends for us to teach... we really don't know what to think anymore) and 3.... he said he forgot but that was after thinking about it for a minute and we're SURE that its baptism.  Because we've talked about it and he's said that he wants to do it and he just wants to wait until he can attend.  He really is out of control.  If he goes the 29th and the Sunday after then he can be baptized the 10th of February which is still this change which would be before Ronfeldt goes which means that the 2 of us would be the ones to baptize him :)  Also, if I baptize him and they go with the goal of being sealed in a year, I'll still be here and I can go to the sealing if they invite me... which they will haha. 

So yeah, other than that we changed houses and its MUCH better the one were in now, I included some pictures, the horrible green color was not our choice but it is funny. 

Also, on Sunday BOTH Karina and Gustavo came to church. Karina has been pilas but its been hard to get her husband there but they were both there yesterday and they had all their himnarios and gospel principles and stuff covered in contact paper so funny.   Also, the only lesson we had yesterday (I woke up, went, came back, and fell back asleep haha)  was an FHE with a family reference from someone in our ward.  The guy is like "well, we were strong in a church but then we decided to stop going so were kinda iffy on where to go, but we'll see if God touches my heart" and we watched the restoration and after he was like "well, God touched my heart but were still kinda iffy but I guess what you have to do is ask with faith what's right because if you don't ask in faith you won't get an answer " and we're like "yeah... that's exactly it haha"  it was a good lesson, and they said they'd come to church :)  I think that's it for the week.. About the whole details and pictures of Nicole coming back.  Some of both would be good, just like y'all I don't like being in the dark totally haha. 

So yeah, LOVE YOU ALL!!! Have a fantastic week.
-Elder Westenskow

WELCOME HOME NICOLE!! 1/2 & 1/9/2012

1/2/2012

Howdy y'all!  First off, Mom, a favor.  I need Maranda's email, she writes me dearelders de vez en cuando and I definitely need to get back to her, I just have no way lol.  From last week, the Raikes Christmas party sounds legit, they've got to be fun people if they're Corie's parents and I actually believe I've met them a couple times and they seem legit.  I'm glad y'all could go and have a good time :)  AND Clam Chowder at Grandmas.   

This week was kinda rough because of all the parties but we managed to have some good stuff.  First off, while I'm thinking about it, I really apologize for no letters, its almost impossible to send them from my zone.  I have about 4 piled up that I need to send so you'll just end up getting a bunch at once lol.  But I am keeping up on it and you will get them one day, again, sorry about that haha.  But yeah, we found a new family, the family Alvarado. They're a young couple with a baby.  They are born and raised evangelists but they seem open to the idea.  They're intelligent and really like the idea of having a prophet on the earth.  They're going to pray and ask and we have a return cita so well see what happens there. 

We're also still making progress with Walter, slow but steady.  He basically told us he wants to be baptized and we almost put the fecha but it didn't seem right for some  reason, we're going to keep going though. We just want him to assist at least once more before we baptize him so yeah, but we'll probably put the fecha this week.  Also, I don't know if I told y'all about Geronimo but he is a reference we got from the office.  He basically outlined the Book Of Mormon for us and then said they were just ideas that he had... weird dude.  But he really likes the Book of Mormon so were basing everything off that haha. 

I hit 6 months this week.... what the flip?  Have I really been gone half a year?  This time thing sucks.... I don't like it haha.  But not a whole ton happened this week but what did happen was good.  We passed the new year on the roof.  Watching fireworks for like a half hour and then trying to get some sleep haha. 

About Nicole, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! 24!  Also, have a good time receiving her, but give her some time to adjust, don't just throw worldly things at her, do it like a really cold pool haha, she'll take some time to adjust haha.  But do some fun stuff, enjoy yourselves (I'm sure you will) and tell her not to make any typical food til I get home,  I want to help and I've got some plans haha. 

LOVE YOU ALL!!!
-Elder Westenskow


1/9/2012
So this computer is crap so no pictures this week.... sorry lol.  But yeah.   

SO, about the house,  how is it having Meagan and Brad around?  SEPARATE!  How is it having Nicole back?  Pretty fantastic I can imagine.  I've adjusted pretty well to the fact that she's home but it's weird haha.  I love that the cardboard me has become the new rat game, like a rat game on steroids.  And to address a subtle concern, I promise we're obedient mom haha. 

As for us, I'll start with Walter.  We had a baptism showdown this week.  We just brought it up very bluntly and talked about where he was, what he's feeling about it and all that stuff.  He told us basically that he wants to, he wants to be baptized.  But if hes going to do something he always does it right "I'm a head, not a tail"  so we talked to him and he told us that he wants to be able to be going to church every week before he'll do it.  He said in two weeks he should be there!  SO we should have a fecha soon but HE WANTS TO BE BAPTIZED!!  New Years sounds like you guys had a good time but I expect a party when I get back!! 

Dad asked if I get Cunén updates and the answer is at the Christmas conference I talked to the Elders that are there now and the family we reactivated are still going and going strong!  WE DID GOOD WORK THERE!!  I also gave him some people to look up so yay!  About our other investigators, Geronimo is going somewhat well.  He still hasn't come to church but he committed to go next week.  We're going to see him with our Bishop tonight so maybe that can help.  Also, he prayed about the Book Of Mormon and he says its TRUE!!!  So that's always a good step!. 

Alright well my computer just crashed because this Internet place is a piece of crap (kinda frustrated if you can tell so I lost some of the email but the important stuff is there. Except for we haven't had water for 9 days so we're moving to a new house tomorrow... again haha.  But we're excited to be able to wash dishes and shower lol.  LOVE YOU ALL!!
-Elder Westenskow