Hey Everybody!

This week went pretty well.  A baptism is hard to beat but it was a fun week.  We were able to find some new investigators, teach some good lessons and bike through some awesome rain.  On Saturday and yesterday it literally poured all day.  So from about 12 to 9 elder Johnson and I were going from place to place and we had a really good day.  I guess those are the moments you won't forget.

Also, yesterday at church we had a linger longer where everyone lingers after and we ate food. The relief society provided the main dish and everyone else brought things like salads, breads and desserts.  Way cool idea!  The people we brought to church were able to socialize and enjoy being there.  I guess that is a benefit to being the 1pm slot!

We are teaching this lady from the Congo named Joyce and she speaks French.  It has been fun trying to make everything work.  She has come to church the last 2 weeks and is at least to Jacob in the Book Of Mormon.  She had a couple questions there.  It has been cool to see her huge change and her desire grow to read and to come to church. When people really seek with a real intent in there heart, they are promised to receive answers and she is the living proof.

I got a way cool item this week.  In every area, you have to get something to show a little of the area.  So this lady posted on Facebook about an army jacket she was going to get rid of.  So I commented and said that I know a missionary who would like it. I am so glad because it is such a cool jacket. I will shoot you a picture of it. I was very happy about it.

How is ball for Brooks? I heard the Suns are killing it!  That is nutty!  Of course when I am gone.  Oh well, I don't mind missing it.  What else have you been up to?  The work is busy and good.

Love,

Elder Westover

 Asia and Damon Baptism

 March in Virginia

Hey Everyone,

The baptism happened! Asia and Damon were baptized and it was such a
great experience. Damon asked if I would do the baptism and that was
just so neat. They are great kids and the gospel has and will bless
there lives so much.

At church we had two new people there!  One is Princess and the other
is Joyce.  Princess is from Ghana and we put her on date in our first
lesson with her. A way cool experience.  Joyce speaks French and so
that was a fun situation at church. Our ward is so diverse that we had
a couple people who could talk to her which was nice. They are both
really solid and have so much potential.  Princess is one of the first
people from Ghana who can drive herself to church! Yayyyy!!!

Transfers came and went and our whole district is 100 percent the
same.  It is crazy that happened because that does not happen hardly
ever.  It is good because we have a solid group of missionaries who
work hard and so we should see a ton of success this coming transfer.
I am with Elder Johnson again this transfer.  He is a cool guy.  It is the first time that I have been the major senior guy. It goes to show that lots of hard work has really helped me to feel comfortable.  I love him and our whole district. I am excited for what lies next.

On P-days, since we don't have a car, we are at the mercy of our Zone
Leaders to get rides but they always help us out. It usually is
basketball or if we can't get there then we relax and try and find
something creative to do.  It is usually a good day.  Now with the iPads,
we can email at Wendy's since our apartment does not have
WIFI.  We just make it work.

The package might of come because we got a slip saying that one came
but it needed a signature. They said it would come by today so I hope
we are around to get it.

I love you all and miss you so much. I hope you have a fun and
exciting week. The mission is so good and I love my time here.  Meeting
so many people has been a lot of fun and I never thought I would like
it so much.  Be safe and have a good one.

Love,
Elder Westover

Hello everybody,

It has been a good week.  I think we are really close to having a couple baptisms here soon.  The Campayne children, if everything works will be baptized on Saturday.  I am excited for them.  Asia and Damon are 11 and 10.  It has been rewarding to help the family come back into activity and
to see the blessings that we receive when we choose and are willing to follow the commandments.

Also, we have been teaching the Wilson's from Pakistan. Two family members were baptized in Pakistan before they came here.  Some of the others should be ready in a couple weeks.  The dad's name is Jeffer, the mom is Martha and the daughter is Larish.  It is fun because they teach me Urdu! They laugh whenever I try and talk to them with the few words I know.  I also know a little Twi, which is the language of the Africans. It is way cool. We are also teaching a family that speaks French. This place has so many different kinds of people. You will be able to see someday!

Sydney looks like she is ok which is good to here. She was in my prayers and I am glad she is ok. It looks like the trip to ski was fun and a big success. It snowed today so I am not missing the snow at
all!

How is everything there? How have you been and what other things have you been doing? Have the kids been able to swim yet? I can't believe it is getting close to summer.  That is just so weird.

Transfers here are soon but I think I should stay.  Being a district leader really has been cool and I have enjoyed having an excuse to see what everyone else is doing. Nothing else is too new as of now but I'm just trying to do my best.

Not a lot to say but have a good week.  Hope you are all well and have a good week.

Love you,
Elder Westover

Hey Dad,

No more snow please!  It just slows everything down so much.

Your experience with the missionaries is a cool story. That should be a neat experience for those Elders.  I know I would have been super stoked. That is super cool.

Nothing new with Eddie. I am going to call him today and see how it is going.

District meetings have gone well. The only hard thing is that out of 10 in the district I am only older than 2 other guys.  So I am a young DL but they have all told me that I have done a good job and that they have leaned a lot. That is cool. Our mission has had some huge goals and President has really stressed with me that the mission will need my help.  I just feel really confident in my ability now.  I think for me, it helps knowing that President knows what I am doing and that he keeps me up to speed on the mission.  He is a great guy.  Super motivational and knows how to help the one.  I enjoy being able to serve with him in this great area and great work.

I am pretty covered on clothing. I have kept good care of my stuff and it has paid off now being out for 7 months.  Really I am doing well, I just can't wait to hang up the big jackets for good!

Thanks for the letter.  I hope you got mine.  I miss you and I hope you're all well. I miss Arizona but am in no rush anymore to get home.  I enjoy the work and I know I have so much more to do.

Love,
Elder Westover

Hello Everybody,

This week has been good. We have been doing really well and have about 5 people that should be ready for baptism by the end of the month. That is exciting!  We just hope that they keep working towards there dates and that they read and come to church. Those things will help their testimony grow and lead to a more lasting conversion.

I think district meetings have gone well and I have felt very comfortable doing them. It has been a lot of fun and I have learned more then they have I'm sure. But it is a humbling experience.

We now have our iPads! There will probably be typos in here. They are really cool but they are hard to use. You need wifi for a lot of things but we can't get it at our apartment which is a bummer for sure.  Our paper area books will be destroyed after we input all the data into the iPads.  It is a crazy time to be a missionary.

You are in my prayers and I hope it is a good week.

Love,
Elder Westover

Hey everybody,

We had a crazy snow storm which shut everything down so we had to email a day late. I have enjoyed living in snow but can't wait for SPRING! Knowing my luck, I will be in a car area when the weather gets perfect.  Either way, Spring will be great!

This week was good but also sad.  Eddie was planning to move a week or so after the baptism but he had to leave early and so he left the day before the baptism.  I was so heart broken. It was just sad to expect everything to happen and then, BAM he is gone.  All we can do now is pray and hope that he will be baptized there in Harrisonburg. All that matters is that he makes it!

Other than that, nothing new has come up.  Lots of biking, talking to people and missionary work.  I really do love it. You just want these people to be happy and to choose the right so that they will be blessed.  Mosiah 2:41 teaches us that principle; Never ending happiness awaits those who are faithful and those who keep his commandments. That is what we have to offer people.

District Meetings have gone way good. I really love to prepare them and to be a part of those missionaries lives.  They are a good group and any help I can give makes me happy!  You are sure right about reputations.  It is fun to know others and to see how they are doing.  It feels good to see yourself improve and to feel like you can really help people.  It is hard work but I love doing it.  No baptismal interview yet but I think a couple might be approaching. I am beyond nervous but am excited for that opportunity.

It sounds like life is treating you well.  I hope you are happy and that you are all safe. I miss you and you are all in my prayers.

Love,
Elder Westover