May 26, 2014

Holaaaaa Fammm

Man, the weeks are just flying by.... Seems like just yesterday I was sitting at this computer writing all you guys. So nice to hear that everything's going well with you guys back home. Sounds like quite the experience Lindsey's about to have heading out to Massachusetts... I know what it's like to be in a branch, and even a ward, of 20 to 30 people. It's different, and hard sometimes, but It'll be a great experience for her. But DAAANG, sounds like she's gonna have a good paying job! Converting her money per hour into pesos, that would be around 300 pesos per hour. A lot of people that I've met here are lucky to make that in a DAY, and some, in a WEEK. So don't take it for granted is what I'm saying-- haha.

This week was good. It was the last week of the transfer, so It flew by and now I don't really remember very well what we did during the week. Haha. But we were able to teach some new people this week! Last P day, we were walking around in the Plaza, the main part of town, and this one dude shouts out to me, "how are you!" in English, but in a super terrible accent. haha. Usually, in fact almost always, I ignore those people. Because as soon as anyone sees that I'm American, doesn't matter what either of us are doing, they feel a need to shout at me in English. Even though they don't know more than "how are you" or "what's your name".... And they only do it to annoy me. So, I've learned to stay away from those guys a little bit. Ha but I felt a little different about this guy. So we started to talk, and as I suspected, he didn't know a lick of English other than that one simple phrase. But we talked in Spanish and set up an appointment with him later that week.

So we went, and we talked with him for a while and taught him about the Restoration. He was super attent during the lesson and had a bunch of questions, but as we answered his questions, it was like a light turned on inside of him and you could tell he understood it all. He said, "If there are 2 things that I hate doing in this world, it is reading and writing. But, I think I'll read just a little bit at least of this Book of Mormon". We were pumped! We haven't actually seen him since, but we have plans to go back and visit him. But just a cool little experience for me!

Elder Martinez and I are staying together this transfer. We're both excited, because we'd like to be able to see more fruits from our work. and hopefully, we'll be able to do that this transfer cycle. Things are all good with me... just enjoying life. Amazed at how fast time is going by, but trying to enjoy as much of it as I can. I love you all dearly, and I thank you for everything you are doing for me. It means the world to me. Here are a couple pictures... one is of my district this last change, and the other is of the pet squirrel of this less active guy.

Catch yall later!

Elder Webb

May 19, 2014

Wooooohhh Where do I begin??

Alright well I'll probably begin the way I usually do. This week was a good week... little bit of working..... lots of sweating.... found a few new people... not too many investigators came to church.... what else is new?

Nah but this week was a good week, not gonna lie. It was a little bit slower this week, not exactly sure why. We were gone for a couple days, we had to go on a ROAD TRIPPP to Tampico for a leadership training meeting with Elder Benjamin De Hoys of first quorum of the Seventy. (He was the guy that said the closing prayer in one of the sessions of Conference, you know, the guy that had the super thick Mexican accent?). It was awesome. He's an incredible guy and we learned a lot. Always a good time heading down to Tampico for a day or two. But aside from that, it was a fairly slow work week. I think we ran into a couple of walls this week... a lot of our plans fell through and we were left in the dark. Ha but don't worry, this week we're gonna do it! Mark my words.

We found this way cool guy named Bernardo a week or two ago and were able to teach him a couple times this week. He's a member, grew up in the church but many years ago went inactive. We found him cuz he's like the head taco chef at one of the best Taco joints in town, haha! In fact, this week when we came back from Tampico, we went to eat at that taco place and he gave us a free Kilogram of pastor! (Pastor is pork, but seasoned with like pineapple, limes.... and a whole bunch of other things.It's delicious.) Haha we were so pumped, it was awesome. But he's been super excited lately about coming back to church. And yesterday, we were able to get him to come to church! Haha he comes out of his house rockin like true religion jeans, a pink flannel shirt, and rocking some aviator sun glasses. And he's like, "Lets go to church gentlemen." hahaha it was so funny!! But he's a stud, seriously. And we're seeing some real desires from him to change his life and get closer to God. One of the few successes we've seen lately, but those little successes are what keep you going in the mission.

Mom, in response to your questions, yes I'd love some of that sheet music! It gets boring playing pure hymns sometimes. But BIG NEWS! I'm now starting to play the hymns in sacrament meeting with BOTH HANDS. (Big achievement). I don't know about you guys, but I'm pumped. Also, I print off photos every once and a while and have basically a photo album.... And a lot of the pictures that I put there are pictures that I don't send home so... haha you can do whatever you want Mom but just to let you know. Anyways... gotta run. But I love you all, and am thankfully for every single one of your prayers! Have an amazing week!

Elder Webb

May 12, 2014

Hey hey everyone!

Not too much to say today... kinda let it all out over the skype call. Buuuutt...... I guess I can ramble for a paragraph or two.

Do I really have a Mexican accent? Come on, it can't be that bad. I loved being able to talk to you guys for a little while. Its so great to see that everyone's doing well. Everyone seems happy, which is what makes me even more happy. Cameron reminds me way too much of myself when I was in high school.... It's so weird to see you all with smart phones.... First of all, because I never thought I'd see the day in the Webb family where anyone had a smart phone, and second, here in Mexico not many people have smart phones. But hey, there's a first time for everything.

Hey, while I'm thinking about it, I just bought a new camera today. It was 420 pesos. Haha literally the biggest steal of a deal (I love Mexico) its like a nice Sony camera, almost exactly like the one I just broke, brand new out of the package. So I thought I'd take advantage. So if you could reimburse me.... that'd be pretty sweet :)

I've been reading lately in 1st Nephi in my personal study. In my time in the mission, and as I keep going, I'm realizing more and more the importance of obedience. Nephi was ALWAYS obedient to God's commandments. Even when everyone in his family, including his Dad, the prophet, were murmuring against the Lord. I love verse 3 in chapter 17, just before Nephi receives the commandment to build the ship. (I don't know exactly how it is in English...) "The commandments of God should be completed (or kept...)" If we are faithful in keeping the commandments of God, he will feed us and strengthen us. The strength we need to overcome every single trial that will be put in our path can be overcome according to our faithfulness in keeping and being obedient to God's commandments.

Love you all... Thanks for everything you do for me. I'll write next week, and can't wait until Christmas to talk to you all again.

Elder Webb

May 5, 2014

I'm finding it's getting harder and harder to greet you guys in English..... sooo..... hello?

I'm gonna call you guys on Sunday. Around 12:30.. hope that's alright. I'm pumped to talk to you guys too! it really doesn't seem like 5 months ago was the last time I talked to you guys.... man the time is flying by.

Not too much is new here... None of our investigators have been showing up to church. Man... that has been difficult for us. We've been working really hard, we've been finding a lot of new people to teach, teaching well.... but not seein much fruit in our labor as far as going to church goes. And in the long run, if they don't show up to church, they can't progress towards baptism. It's stressful, frustrating.... but there's no point in complaining or whining... haha just gotta keep going. Never thought I'd resort to quoting Finding Nemo, (Mom this one's for you) but we gotta "just keep swimming".

This week I did a bunch of divisions with the Elders from my district. Its always fun to spend some time and work with other Elders. I worked with Elder Spellacy, who's from San Bernadino, California, and with Elder Bernal, from Guerrero, Mexico. We had a good time together and I learned a lot from them. I'm learning how to be a humble leader... because of all the Elders in my district, I'm the youngest (besides one who has the same amount of time as me). So I'm trying to learn all I can from these other guys.

We had an interesting experience with Matilde this week... last Monday night, we went to her house for our appointment that we had set. We were with a sister from the ward. We show up, and she comes out just steaming mad! She starts yelling at us, telling us that she doesn't ever want us to come back again. I was crushed... but I didn't say anything. I just sat there, looking at her intently. My companion did the same. After the small tantrum she had, she broke down and started crying. And it all came out, how her husband had been unfaithful or whatever exactly it was, and that she just felt lost and confused and angry. So, we sat her down and started to talk to her. We shared scriptures about the atonement, about how Christ knows exactly what we are going through. We talked about trials, about how they make us stronger. We talked about how in the trials that we have, is when we need to have ever more faith in God and in his Son's atonement. After about 30 minutes, she was calmed down, smiling, and laughing, and repenting and thanking God. The spirit was very strong there. I know and bear testimony of the healing power of the Atonement. I saw it before my very eyes in that woman. Now, if only we could get her to come to church. haha.

I'm loving my area, and loving my companion. we get along great. Mom, I do need you to make me an account on skype. Just make an account, and send me the information over email when you get a second so we can connect easier. Love you all, can't wait to talk to you on Sunday!

Elder Webb

April 27, 2014

First things first: gotta send some congratulations to Lindsey for graduating! That's awesome. When does she head off to grad school?? Is it still too late to go on a mission?? haha. Nah but I'm proud of you, Linds. Way to go.

Shout out to Uncle Greg for finishing the Boston marathon. Here's hopin for a speedy recovery, too. 

Last Shout out goes to the bunny (who has no name?) that Dad will be getting rid of this week. Too bad I'll never get to know the guy. (girl?)

This week was a good week for us. Lots and Lots of work. Our investigators are doin good.... but, they just don't come to church. It's so frustrating. haha. Matilde is great but we just can't get her to come to church. We passed by her house yesterday to pick her up but she was asleep. So we called her about 5 minutes later and she answered, said she was gonna get ready and go, but never showed up. Frustrating. But, we did have a couple investigators go to church yesterday. 

Victor, who I'm not sure if I've mentioned before, has gone these last two Sundays. He's a stud... 22 years old, boyfriend of one of the members here in the ward. He knows the church is true, but barely has started to go to church regularly. If he keeps it up for 3 more Sundays, he can get baptized! We've got our hopes high. The other one is named Oralia. She is the girlfriend (probably better said, partner) of a less active guy named Tirso. They're awesome. Tirso has been a member for a long time but is just barely starting to get active again. The first time he went in 4 years was 3 weeks ago. he told me the other day, "I don't know what it is... tons of other missionaries have passed by our house, but I've just felt something different with you guys. I've been able to realize my mistakes and see the importance to going to church." That's not to say that we're just awesome missionaries... But I'm a big believer of missionary calls. And that certain missionaries are called to missions and certain parts of that mission, for a reason. It's always because of inspiration. I know that the Lord put me here in this mission, and in this city, because I would make a connection with Tirzo and his partner. I am so thankful for revelation.

This week we had Stake Conference here. It was sweet. President Jordan (mission president...best one in the world, might I add) and his wife, as well as the temple president came up to speak. It was a great meeting. We also had interviews with President this weekend while he was up here for Stake Conference. Its an awesome experience just to talk with that man. Love him to death. We're just hangin in there. Doin what we can. "Come what may, and love it."

Love you all. Thanks for all the support. You don't know how much I appreciate it.

Elder Webb