November 12, 2013

Hey Hey Hey family!!

Mom, I just got your package today. Also, I realize that it´s Tuesday but we pushed p-day back a day so we could go to the temple today. The temple was awesome. It's a lot different when everything is in Spanish but I really enjoyed it. But thanks for the package! I'm gonna down the candy in no time flat. Haha.  And the baby pictures? Thanks... now all my companions will make fun of me forever. Thanks for the ties too! In this next package, could you send me more recent pics please? Haha and I have a million of us as a family, which is great, but I'd kinda like a few of my friends, too :) Thanks a bunchhh. Oh and Mom, I know what you mean when you say you are living on cold cereal (while Dad and Cam are gone). I feel your pain.

This week went prettyy well! Things are goin good with my companion and everything, and we just had the baptism on Friday! I'm gonna have to send you pics next week because somehow my adapter doesn't fit in the usb port on this computer... but the baptism went well! Hah--we were all wayy lucky to be baptized in warm water! There is no hot water tap here so the water was ice cold haha you should have see their faces when they were getting into the water!! But it was a great experience. And yes, my companion had been teaching them for a little while before I got here. I'm in an area called Nuevo Progreso, (or new progress).  I'm enjoying life in the city.

Thanks for all the love and support back home. You don't know how grateful I am for all the prayers. And I can promise you that I can feel the strength of the Lord helping me along, and I believe in many ways it comes from the prayers of support from back home. So thanks, to every one of you who will read this message. This week, I read the book "Our Pursuit of Happiness" by M. Russell Ballard. It was aweseome. If you havn't read it, I highly encourage you to read it. I was gonna share a quote with y'all from it but I left the book at the house, haha, but just know that it is an awesome book that outlines our basic doctrine, as well as some personal stories from Elder Ballard. Seriously read it!!--you'll love it, I promise. Right now I'm reading Jesus the Christ by James E. Talmage.... And it may or may not be blowing my mind. Haha I'm learning tons. But anyways... Love you all tons! Keep on keepin' on.

--Elder Waypf (that's how people here pronounce my name.........ya, I don't get it, either.)

November 4, 2013

whats upppp family!!

 

Life here in the city is a lot different.... suppppper different. In my last area, we were knee deep in mud alll the time it seemed like but now we´re in concrete and civilization. Haha. And usually, the work here in the cities is a lot better.... but the ward I´m in is worse than the branch I was in out in my last area. Haha. Yesterday, we had 25 people show up to church..... and we're in a WAR--let's not forget that. Haha. But I got up and bore my testimony, too, Mom! I bore it about a cool experience I had this week that I´ll tell you guys about in a sec. Also, it´s cool to see how fast my Spanish has progressed and it´s fun for me now because I don't have trouble communicating with people. All in all, this area is a lot better than my last. We have a Walmart, Little Ceasars, Church´s Chicken (kinda like Popeye's).... so I´m content :) Haha. And my comp is way sweet. He´s out of here after this transfer but he´s been a real good example to me of sticking it out until the end because there´s a lot of missionaries that tank towards the end of their mission, haha. He´s funny-- I´ll have to send you a pic of him next week I don't have one this week of him.

 

But, like I said, I had a pretty cool experience this week.... we were walking down the street after visiting with a less active member, heading towards another appointment that we had. As we were walking, I looked to my left and saw a lady walking on the sidewalk, and I got this super strong impression to go and talk to her. I´ll never forget this promptin--it was so distinct. It wasn´t a voice, but a strong feeling in my heart that I couldn't deny. And trust me, I tried to shake it off because I hate contacting in the street haha. But I knew it was a prompting from the spirit that I had to follow. And I got super excited because we don´t have hardly any investigators and I thought that since I was receiving this prompting she´d be someone who was prepared to receive our message. So I got all excited haha. But so I go up to this lady, stick my hand out to introduce myself, and before I could finish asking how she was, she cut me off and said like, "Oh no sorry I can't.  I have another appointment to go to". And she started walking super fast to get ahead of us, and I was like, huh??? Didnt I just receive a prompting to talk to this lady about the gospel? Why doesn't she want to listen?? And as I sat there thinking more and more, I receive another distinct feeling of peace. And I knew it was the holy ghost tellin me that I did well. Ha--it was kinda a weird experience but in all honesty it was awesome for me, because I learned that no matter what, listening to and obeying the promptings of the spirit is always better than rejecting the promptings. I don't know what´s gonna come out of this situation, but I did learn that lesson.

 

Other than that, this week was pretty normal. I would say it´s harder in this area than it was in my first area. But we´re goig to have a baptism this weekend! We´re baptizing a family of 4. I´ll be sure to send pictures next week. Also, no, I havn't received the package yet, Mom. We´ll see when it gets her--haha. Love you guys!!! Have a greeeeeeat week!!!!

 

Elder Webb

Wasssupppp fam!!!!

Greetings from another great city in Mexico! I´m here with my new companion, Elder Marin! He´s a stud.... he´s from Mexico and is gonna leave after this transfer. We´re gonna have fun.... and now that I don´t have a problem with the language it´s much easier ;) but supposedly we´re in a hard area.... but I don´t care--we´re gonnna get down to work!!

Ok, ok, so I gotta tell you guys about Antolin´s baptism... So we were super pumped right? Because we had been teaching him for almost three months, and he was finally gonna get baptized. My last day in the area... a good way to go out right? So we had everything prepared... the baptism was gonna be at six last night. We had to move the baptism to Sunday because he was gonna be in Tampico for the weekend, but he told us he would be back an hour or two before. So everything´s ready, and half the branch shows up which was wayyy cool for us! And Antolin never showed up..... hhaha. We called him a million times, and he finally called us back at like 7 saying that they were still in Tampico and that they weren't gonna be able to make it. FREAAKKKKK!!!!!!! Hahaha--soo frustrating.... but whatever--he´s gonna get baptized this next week which is good... the only thing is that I´m not gonna get to see it . Haha---gooooood night!!

But other than that all is well. I´m doin' good....missin' the fall weather back home, but I´m hangin in there :) For a Christmas package, Mom, send me whatever. But one thing that I would really like is some new music. Pleeeease--I´m getting tired of mo tab and Daniel Beck all day long.

My spiritual thought for the week: Yesterday with the whole Atolin situation... obviously me and my comp Eder Gnzalez were super stressed out and what not. We were praying the whole afternoon, but we said a prayer together around 6 o clock or so, asking that he might be able to make it. And I received an answer that I thought was a little funny.... I heard a little voice, just as they say... still and small, say to me: my son, don´t worry. After that, I was chill. And we know that Antolin never showed up. So my testimony this week is that God does answer prayers, and that God has a will for everything, and there´s a reason that Antolin didn't get baptized yesterday. Though I´m not sure why.

 

I love you all.... thank you sooo much for the love and support!!! :) un abrazo!!

Elder Webb

 

October 21, 2013

Hola hola familia!!

Sounds like things are still good as ever back home.Mom, my package won´t be here any time soon really. Usually it takes a month or more for letters and packages to get here. But I´ll be expecting it! You don't know how much I miss being at home around fall time!! Hah--seriously though we're still sweating buckets here because it's so hot all the time. But almost more than anything about this time of year that I miss is going up to the ranch. Haha I think about it wayyyy too much haha but I don't let it get in the way of the work--don't worry. But I´m so glad that every one is doing well at home. And Lindsey has a boyfriend?!?!?! WHAT?!?! Now that's big news. I miss all of you guys terribly! But don't worry... I'm not coming home any time soon :) haha and Dad, I'm gonna tell you right now that the tacos here are not that much different than what they do in the taco bus. The taco bus is the real deal!! haha but I´ll tell you wha--there´s some unreal food here!!

This week here was pretty tough for us. We couldn't hardly do anything! I don't even know why... it was a little bit of everything. So we didn't have much success teaching this week... but Antolín is still getting ready for baptism!! It´s gonna be this Sunday so I´ll send you guys pics next week for sure. I can't figure out how to work this computer this week either.... sorry! But next week for sure. I´m an idiot with computers.... you guys know that.

Spritual thought for the week:

 

This week i´ve been Reading in Mosiah. I invite all of you to read King Benjamin's address again. It really is unreal!! In Mosiah 5, maybe 4 I can't remember... it talks about our covenant we made when we were baptized. Do we all remember what that covenant is? I hope we all take a minute to remember exactly what it is we COVENANTED to do when we got baptized. And always remember to Retain the name of Christ written in our hearts, as King Benjamin says. Love you all soooooooo muchh :)))

Elder Webb

October 14, 2013

Hey Everyone!!

I´m so happy to hear about Cam doing so well in the state tournament! Haha I brag about him all the time to some of the Elders here :) Love you, bro. And Mom, thanks for reminding me I´ve been out here for that long.... ha honestly I don´t really think about it. But it feels good I guess! Things are coming more easily and I feel right at home. Almost... :) but ya this week was crazy.... as you all know about the death of Elder Coons. I didn´t know the guy... he was almost brand new, only been here for about 3 weeks. But we found out on Thursday night and we had to hop on a bus that same night and go to Tampico because President was gonna talk to the whole mission. It was super somber and sad... Pretty crazy... no one imagines dying out here in the mission! It was a freak accident tho... it could have happened to anyone. But super sad, Apparently he was an awesome guy. But I'll tell you what, my testimony of the plan of salvation has grown immensely and my knowledge of it as well just from listening to Presidente. We are all part of God´s divine plan... and God has a divine purpose for each and every one of us. Elder Coons apparently had completed what he needed to. Simple as that!

Our teaching here is still normal as usual.... not very good. haha I don´t know if you guys get emails from Nathan (cousin) but he says that they get like 30 or more lessons in a week. I´m like, WHAT??? We´ve never had more than 18. It´s tough here! haha but we´re workin hard and, yes, Antolin is finally ready for baptism!! He had his interview the other day and his baptism will be the 26th. He´s so pumped, too, haha he´s like a little tiny kid! It´s so awesome to see someone light up with the gospel in their eyes from something that you´ve helped teach. It´s special stuff I´m tellin ya!!

Anyways I love you all and you are always in my prayers every night. I try not to think about home too much but sometimes it´s hard ;) but don´t worry about me, guys. Remember what Stake President said in my blessing? That if I was obedient, I´d be safe. And don´t worry--I´m obedient.........usually ;) nah just kidding. Hey send me pics of stuff back home if you can! I dunno, attach them to the email! Stuff of the deer club... I don't know--anything. I´ll try and send pics next week my computer today is terrible slow. Hasta luego! Love you all!!

Elder Webb

October 7, 2013

What's up, Fam!!

Real quick, Mom, if you want to send me a package, put a bunch of stickers of the Virgin Mary on it. Ha -- I´ve heard it works better that way.

 

But things are goin real good here! I hope you all paid close attention to Conference. We heard some amazing things. And President Monson said that this conferene was one of the best, most spiritual conferences in his memory.  It really was amazing... I brought 3 questions to the Conference, and all of them were answered, and in many different ways. Pretty cool how that works, huh?

Things are going pretty good here! Our investigators are doing good. We´re gonna have a baptism in a week and a half with Antolin! He´s had a baptismal date for 4 months now... and he´s finally ready! Our other investigators are doing good... slowly but surely.... but they´re coming along.

Things are good! Haha I don´t really have too much to say.... nothing´s really changed this week. Still lovin my companion, he´s awesome and I learn a ton from him. And I don´t know if you guys would believe me if I told you this but I can already communicate and understand almost everything that everyone says :) I´m tellin' you... the gift of tongues is an amazing thing. If the Lord calls you to speak a foreign language, you better believe that he´ll provide a way for you to speak it.

I hope everything is good with you all back home! Miss you guys every day but know that I couldn´t be more thankful for the support and the Love. In Conference, a lot of what they focused on was the family. I´m so thankful for my family. and for everything they do for me and ESPECIALLY that we are an eternal family and that we enjoy the blessings of this wonderful gospel together.

 

Thank you all so much! Love and miss you, Catch ya'll later :)

Elder Webb

September 30, 2013

hola familia como estan??

nice to hear that everything is going good back home once again!! I´m glad to hear that dad is staying busy with work and having a good time guiding hunts. Man i wish i was back home so we could go hunting dad!! but hey just wait in a couple of seasons we´ll go on that elk hunt! Wow that´s so nice of Grandma and Grandpa Garrick.... I´ll try and email them either this week or next week to tell them thanks! And Cam, things are sounding good! Is this Lauren girl you´re main squeeze or what?? Sad to hear my redskins are tankin.... but what else is new. Hows Rg3 doin? Has byu begun basketball yet?

alright mom.... hear ya go.

In the package... i´m good on food. but ties... ya. If you can. I´m always game to have more ties. more than anything i want pictures. pictures of us, pictures of me.... who knows. just a bunch of pictures. ha because i want to be able to see them but also a lot of the people we teach like to see stuff like that too.

In all honesty... we don´t have many ¨families¨ that we´re teaching. We do have one... kinda... that began as a reference from the branch pres. This lady, sonia, is a less active member... like super... and when we passed by the first time she didnt want anything. but we persisted, and slowly but surely, she´s become more open to the gospel. and after we had taught her for a while, she introduced us to her daughter, lesly. not a member, but after we taught her once, she was super excited and wanted to know more and accepted a date for baptism! and THEN, last night we went to teach lesly for the third time i think, and she introduced us to hear brother! haha and he´s all in as well.... wants to grow closer to God, and wants to learn more. Pretty cool how all that works huh?

we´re going to watch General Conference in a city an hour away from here at their chapel.

(Dinners) we have a ¨comida¨ every day with a member. but it´s at 2 o clock in the afternoon. other than that, we´re on our own. usually at nights i eat a pb&j sandwich :) but they usually feed us good stuff at the comidas. not anything too special... just your average beans, rice, meat, and tortillas. sometimes its weird stuff like pig stomach or sardines with skin still on them but the food is good i really like it.

well... spiritual thought for the week! yesterday we taught this guy named Antonio. He lives in hardly anything... basically a big tent with mud floors, one lightbulb, a bed, and random stuff thrown every which way. thats how his house looks... but he said something to me that really struck me. he said, ¨ i got my bed, my light, my water, and my little bit of food. what else do i need? the lord has blessed me with life.¨ I hope we all take a minute to realize how good we really have it and never miss a day without thanking the Lord for EVERYTHING that we have. Love you all!! Cuidanse mucho!

Elder Webb