Hey everybody!

This week was ok.  It has always been hard to schedule super set
appointments with people and this week we had a bunch scheduled... And
a lot of them fell through!  Haha, it happens you know.

Princess came to church again and she loves the members and the gospel. I am excited
to see her progression.  Also, Sonia and her husband Matt came to
church.  Sonia is a Less Active lady who is from Puerto Rico and loves
us!  Her husband is a non-member and they are just a sweet family.  Our
goal is to teach him while helping her come back to activity.  They are
way solid!

Remember Nana Yaa?  She was baptized in February.  She is just so awesome!
She is there every week and knows everyone in the ward.  She tears
through the Book Of Mormon and wants her family in Ghana to talk to
the missionaries! It makes me happy, seeing how happy she is and seeing
how much it has blessed her.

So this transfer is going to be nuts.  We got an email from President
Riggs about all the crazy things going on and to sustain the people
and the choices made.  I am excited to see what happens.  Especially
with the chance that I have to be moved to a new area.  Also, Elder M.
Russell Ballard will come here and speak to 3 missions together!  With
him will be 2 members of the 70! Such a neat experience to hear in
person from an Apostle of The Lord. I am more than excited for that.

Have a good week!  I miss you and hope you have a great week!

Love you,
Elder Westover

Hey Everybody!

President Uchtdorf was in our mission. Those pictures are really cool. I
actually know those missionaries really well. I thought I could have
a chance to serve in that area next. You never know! 

Our week was a blast!  At this time, we have really solid people
progressing and preparing for baptism. It has been fun to work with
them and to see the spirit work in there lives. Also, we have met a
bunch of PM and LA families that we now are teaching. They are super
fun and I love seeing them and talking with them.

Easter was great. I think it was the first time I realized the
importance of the Resurrection, not only in the Gospel but for
everyone. I felt like I had the spirit with me the whole day continue
to tell me that what I was thinking was true. I enjoyed it for sure.
We were fed a huge meal and it hurt to ride the bike that night! I
will for sure need to try and get to the gym after yesterday and
Happy Late Easter to you by the way!! :

What did you do for Easter?  I thought it was fun this year and I liked the
simplicity of the day. How is work going? What things are you working
on or trying to get done?

Sorry for the short email but we are trying to be quick today. Love you.
Thanks for all the pictures. Have a fun week.

Love,
Elder Westover

Hey Everybody,

Happy Birthday Dad, before I forgot! I hope that it was lots of fun.

The past week was good. Everyone is progressing and moving towards baptism and so that is good. We are not killing it with tons of people now but the people we are working with are very good and have a strong chance to be ready to make the covenant of baptism.  That's what it is about, helping others find happiness and receive the blessings that our Father in Heaven has for them.  Transfers are on May 1st and there is a good chance that I could be leaving.  I have been here since December so when we get a chance to skype next, I could be in a new area again which blows my mind.

Emery shot me an email about making varsity cheer.  I am happy for her.  Brooks seems to have a good baseball team from what you have said. I hope that he just has fun and it helps  him to not sit around playing video games all day long.  Poor Syd! I hope she feels better and she will be in my prayers. Strep stinks!

My interview went well with President and we had a good talk.  Nothing super crazy but this transfer should bring a lot of changes and it will be exciting to see what happens.

I love being a missionary and to share the gospel.  It is important to just stop sometimes and enjoy what I'm doing. To many people run raster than they are able and get burnt out.  I think the mission is about learning to work hard but also enjoy it as you go. Love you all!  Have a good week!

Love,

Elder Westover

Hey Everybody!

Well, my companion got into a nut on accident and he was sick all the way until Thursday with the allergic reaction.  
I went on exchanges with my zone leader this Tuesday.  He goes home May 2nd. He is way cool and it was fun to go to a new place and be in a car for the day. My companion is nice but he just does not have that same drive I do which at times makes it hard for me to have that same work ethic. It has been hard for these past few months but it has helped show me how I need to have a strong desire and really love the Savior and show Him I care. But it is ok, I will survive :)

Conference went really well. We had a ton of people watch and they liked it a lot. We have good things happening here still but it has slowed down big time. I learned though this conference that I need to show an increased kindness toward others and recognize the importance of covenants and the family. What did you think about the talks? I thought they were really good and I loved Elder Bednar's talk. It's about the load we carry.

You asked if we have missionaries in consecrated housing.  I know there are some missionaries in houses with members but it is rare. Depending on where you are, like Arlington (right by DC) is filled with singles wards so not there so much.  The rich areas like Ashburn, McLean, and Leesburg have a few but not a lot. I know in Arizona they made a big push for that but I have not seen that here.

President likes young leaders to get in there and have that fire to get things moving so that they get to 18 months and become super missionaries.  He has talked a lot in emails that I am going to be needed as a leader and that I need to learn quick.  Our mission will need at least 4 new zone leaders and maybe more if they move others around so strong leadership is a big topic of concern for President.  It will be a crazy transfer. We have interviews this week which is always great.

What else are you up to? Any fun activities or games you have played?

Well, I love you all and miss you! Hope work is well and that everyone is happy and doing good. 

Love,

Elder Westover