Hello Everybody,
Well, I ended up being transferred. I am now serving in the Alexandria 2nd ward with Elder Van Dyke who is an awesome missionary. It has been a fun few days. I, for sure, was sad to leave everyone in Sterling, especially since I had only been there for 3 months or so. I was excited for the change. I actually really got to know my companion and came to understand him but it was for sure a hard transfer for me. I was busy doing a lot of the work on my own at times. Elder Van Dyke and I are the Zone Leaders in the Alexandria Zone which has added some additional and unusual things to our week.
Well, to start, we had a new area that was opened up in our zone. It turns out that nobody was really aware that it was going to happen and one of the Elders had a TON of stuff. We tried to find a ride for them home but everyone else was pretty full. So we had to leave them at the building, drive to our place, put my stuff inside, drive back, get all his stuff in the car and find their apartment. It was alot of driving and manuvering to make it work. Nevertheless, it was fun to get to know those missionaries and to help them as much as we could! We also had to drive 2 missionaries to baptismal interviews at really interesting places. That also added to our craziness of driving everywhere!
The next day, we had to finish our moving palooza which took a few more hours. Then, we had an appointment with a man named Solomon, who actually got baptized on Saturday! That is a good way to enter a ward! Haha But we went to that and then had enough time to finally do some work. Saturday was insane!! That morning, the ward was having a picnic, so I got to meet people and to help serve them which was great for me. Then, the baptism was at 2 o'clock and the service was very good. After that we cleaned up there and rushed to the mission office to grab some things and to talk with President. After we left there, we had to go back because we had forgot something. When we walked in, President Riggs was on the phone with someone and motioned for us to wait until he was done. He explained that someone was in need of a blessing and he asked us to help him. We drove to the Hospital where the man, who was a former missionary here, was and we gave him the blessing. Tons of Pressure! Haha But it went great and it was fun to have been with President Riggs during that time. He is a special guy.
I have heard that it was very hot back home so that was probably nice to escape up north. That all sounds like you had fun. This week for us will be crazy. First, we have our zone meeting, so I am nervous about that. Also, we have MLC ( Mission Leader Conference), which goes for about 7 hours on Wednesday. Then on Friday, we are doing a Half Mission Conference which I think is to help motivate and inspire us. Nobody really knows what it is all about! On Saturday night, we are attending the Nationals Game for the day to serve. Elder Van Dyke is a big baseball guy so it will be fun to be with him for the game. Lots to report on next week. Love you so much dad. Be safe and enjoy the last week or so of Summer.
Love,
Elder Westover
Monday, July 28, 2014
Friday, July 25, 2014
Monday, July 21, 2014
Hey Everybody,
I am thankful to report that this week was a whole lot better. It is always nice to remember that God is in control of His work, and that we are fortunate to be his servants! God provided everything for us.
For example, we were bummed because a lesson fell through and we stopped and thought about where we needed to be. We decided to go and see an older lady and offer some service. As we were biking down this highway, a guy blew his tire and so we pulled off with to see if he would let us help him. I am glad I can fix a tire! As we did, he explained that he was ok and did not need our help but we had a great conversation with him. We continued on and when we got to the stop light, a lady gave us her Apartment address and the number. Then the light turned so we dont know a name or anything! But God led us to being there at that time.
We tried the ladies home and she did not answer and we just thought, well what's next? We went on to try a potential we talked to on the road. We went and of course his apartment number did not exist. So we knocked all the doors there. The first door ended up being an inactive member who had been considering coming back and trying to find the Gospel again. How cool is that? Turns out our friend, the one we were looking for, just moved there and on accident told us the wrong number. We found him and taught him the Restoration. It sure was a fun night!
I recognize that through obedience we are blessed. It is essential. I have been trying to do more and work harder and it just felt like God was rewarding me. I felt so peaceful and happy that God knew what I was dealing with and helped me after I did all I could.
Transfer calls are tomorrow and I will let you know what happens. I have a tough district. Very hard to motivate and inspire. I work hard to prepare for district meetings, but they don't try and take much or anything from it. Sister Riggs showed up to my last meeting and was happy with how it went. She asked why people dont take notes or why they dont talk much. I told her that it was a great question. She was nice in explaining that I was given this group because God knew I could work with them. I think I can but it is difficult. I can't do the work for them but if I could, I would.
I am very happy for Brooks. The Aaronic Priesthood provides so many great opportunities to learn and grow. It did for me and with great leaders, it helped alot! We need more Ben Ely leaders.
D&C 88:73 Is where the "hastening of the work" comes from. I think more that it is the start of the end, if that makes sense. The way we have been taught is that for centuries, the Prophets have asked for more time. I think now it is more about how we can save those before it ends. They won't ask for more time. Its the story in Jacob 5. That is really where it all comes from I think. It's on its way and it is cool to be a part of it all. I hope that even when I am done here, I can contribute with the hastening so I can say I helped lead the charge for the second coming. I think that will be a neat time.
I love you all! Have a great week and I hope you are safe.
Love,
Elder Westover
I am thankful to report that this week was a whole lot better. It is always nice to remember that God is in control of His work, and that we are fortunate to be his servants! God provided everything for us.
For example, we were bummed because a lesson fell through and we stopped and thought about where we needed to be. We decided to go and see an older lady and offer some service. As we were biking down this highway, a guy blew his tire and so we pulled off with to see if he would let us help him. I am glad I can fix a tire! As we did, he explained that he was ok and did not need our help but we had a great conversation with him. We continued on and when we got to the stop light, a lady gave us her Apartment address and the number. Then the light turned so we dont know a name or anything! But God led us to being there at that time.
We tried the ladies home and she did not answer and we just thought, well what's next? We went on to try a potential we talked to on the road. We went and of course his apartment number did not exist. So we knocked all the doors there. The first door ended up being an inactive member who had been considering coming back and trying to find the Gospel again. How cool is that? Turns out our friend, the one we were looking for, just moved there and on accident told us the wrong number. We found him and taught him the Restoration. It sure was a fun night!
I recognize that through obedience we are blessed. It is essential. I have been trying to do more and work harder and it just felt like God was rewarding me. I felt so peaceful and happy that God knew what I was dealing with and helped me after I did all I could.
Transfer calls are tomorrow and I will let you know what happens. I have a tough district. Very hard to motivate and inspire. I work hard to prepare for district meetings, but they don't try and take much or anything from it. Sister Riggs showed up to my last meeting and was happy with how it went. She asked why people dont take notes or why they dont talk much. I told her that it was a great question. She was nice in explaining that I was given this group because God knew I could work with them. I think I can but it is difficult. I can't do the work for them but if I could, I would.
I am very happy for Brooks. The Aaronic Priesthood provides so many great opportunities to learn and grow. It did for me and with great leaders, it helped alot! We need more Ben Ely leaders.
D&C 88:73 Is where the "hastening of the work" comes from. I think more that it is the start of the end, if that makes sense. The way we have been taught is that for centuries, the Prophets have asked for more time. I think now it is more about how we can save those before it ends. They won't ask for more time. Its the story in Jacob 5. That is really where it all comes from I think. It's on its way and it is cool to be a part of it all. I hope that even when I am done here, I can contribute with the hastening so I can say I helped lead the charge for the second coming. I think that will be a neat time.
I love you all! Have a great week and I hope you are safe.
Love,
Elder Westover
Monday, July 14, 2014
Hey everyone!
Can I believe I am 19? Absolutely not! The reason I say that is people always ask how old you are and I just have said 18. Now to think I'm 19 is just weird. I am sure when I turn 20, that it will be a whole lot worse!
This week went way good.. for the most part. 95 percent of our investigators are out of town and that made it hard to stay busy. We talked to a lot of people and knocked a ton of doors so it turned out just fine. We met a lady named Elaine, who actually met us. She asked us if we were evangelizing and she explained how she wanted to be better about spreading the word. She let us come by and we taught her the restoration and how it is easy to preach when you know its true. To keep it short, lets just say she has had an interesting life. That was a neat experience.
Also, on Saturday, I got to go back again to Fort Belvoir to see Matt Kough get baptized. His family is just amazing and I can't believe he progressed so quickly. He just ate the Gospel up and is just so smart and he can see how good it is. I was the first missionary to make contact because my companion left when we first met them. They also made a cake for me and I was grateful for that. Such a spiritual experience!
One of our Zone Leaders birthday was July 12th as well. So, we went on a blitz together when we went tracting and used it as an excuse to talk to people. It was a ton of fun and we met a kid who had the same birthday! We took pictures with them! It really was a fun day and I enjoyed it.
The Utah 4th of July holiday is over but I hope you all had loads of fun! I sure missed out on that. I have felt low on energy. It just gets sucked away when you plan everything at night, wake up on-time to study and are the only one to know your investigators or the members. It also is a bummer when your companion does not know your phone number, the address to the church or how to get anywhere. I am not as mad as I was before but I just feel sad for him. It is his choice and when you have been out for almost 20 months, you know the right choice. But, I am doing well for the most part!
Love you Dad! Thanks for the bag! I think it is way nice! I can for sure use that for meetings and when I am in a car area again just carry it all the time! I would hate to see it get ruined in the rain on the bike. I am so thankful for it! I love you a ton and appreciate all the advice you have! Be safe and have a good week!
Love,
Elder Westover
Yes I did get your pictures!
Can I believe I am 19? Absolutely not! The reason I say that is people always ask how old you are and I just have said 18. Now to think I'm 19 is just weird. I am sure when I turn 20, that it will be a whole lot worse!
This week went way good.. for the most part. 95 percent of our investigators are out of town and that made it hard to stay busy. We talked to a lot of people and knocked a ton of doors so it turned out just fine. We met a lady named Elaine, who actually met us. She asked us if we were evangelizing and she explained how she wanted to be better about spreading the word. She let us come by and we taught her the restoration and how it is easy to preach when you know its true. To keep it short, lets just say she has had an interesting life. That was a neat experience.
Also, on Saturday, I got to go back again to Fort Belvoir to see Matt Kough get baptized. His family is just amazing and I can't believe he progressed so quickly. He just ate the Gospel up and is just so smart and he can see how good it is. I was the first missionary to make contact because my companion left when we first met them. They also made a cake for me and I was grateful for that. Such a spiritual experience!
One of our Zone Leaders birthday was July 12th as well. So, we went on a blitz together when we went tracting and used it as an excuse to talk to people. It was a ton of fun and we met a kid who had the same birthday! We took pictures with them! It really was a fun day and I enjoyed it.
The Utah 4th of July holiday is over but I hope you all had loads of fun! I sure missed out on that. I have felt low on energy. It just gets sucked away when you plan everything at night, wake up on-time to study and are the only one to know your investigators or the members. It also is a bummer when your companion does not know your phone number, the address to the church or how to get anywhere. I am not as mad as I was before but I just feel sad for him. It is his choice and when you have been out for almost 20 months, you know the right choice. But, I am doing well for the most part!
Love you Dad! Thanks for the bag! I think it is way nice! I can for sure use that for meetings and when I am in a car area again just carry it all the time! I would hate to see it get ruined in the rain on the bike. I am so thankful for it! I love you a ton and appreciate all the advice you have! Be safe and have a good week!
Love,
Elder Westover
Yes I did get your pictures!
Monday, July 7, 2014
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