tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24749413440005434062024-03-14T00:36:57.208-07:00Jacob's Mission in ChileBrett Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02350384464996719856noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2474941344000543406.post-88298360437555306092016-05-31T19:38:00.000-07:002016-05-31T19:38:05.340-07:00Adios hermanos<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Osorno cathedral</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Osorno cathedral</td></tr>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So I'm now writing on a very
nice American laptop, inside of an American house.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yeah, I went home for
my back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But I'm going to treat
this email like any other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For my last pday in
the mission we had a barbecue. We make hamburgers, and I had my first can of
root beer in the mission. You can only find it in Osorno.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In Chile the word for traffic
is "taco."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In this last week I
just chilled in the office and read a lot from Jesus the Christ. Elder Shobe,
the mission financer asked me if I was bored. I told him I was REALLY bored, so
he showed me to a massive stack of old important documents and a very ghetto
paper shredder. So I passed my last week shredding paper for the Lord. Haha. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Some of my first impressions
from being back in the States is that all of the streets are SO wide, there is
grass, and it is perfectly manicured. Just like an island resort. They have big
stores here and there are no dogs in the streets. All of the cars drive without
making loud noises and aren't falling apart. There is carpet, showers that aren't molding, and I
don't have to duck to make it through door frames anymore. It has been pretty
rough and frustrating having to speak English all of the time. It is so weird
to hear everyone speaking it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I should be meeting
with the doctors towards the end of June to find out what is wrong and the best
way to help me out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I have seen very many
tender mercies this week:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">-On my last day in the
mission, we had a district council. I found out that Elder Jarman could sing
tenor, and Hermana Tripp could sing alto, so we made a quick trio and sang Nearer
My God to Thee in Spanish. It has been so long since I have sang like that with
other people. It completely relaxed me and I felt so refreshed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">-In the office, Elder
Germann, the AP, was printing off the new mission bookmark for the month. I saw
the templates and there was a pretty cool one. He asked me if I wanted him to
make me a special bookmark. I asked him to put Alma 8:15 on it. I
found that scripture in my personal study Sunday morning. It gave me
a lot of comfort. Elder Germann replaced Alma's name with mine to make the
scripture say "Blessed art thou, Jacob; therefore, lift up thy head and
rejoice, for thou has great cause to rejoice; for thou hast been faithful in
keeping the commandments of God from the time which thou receivedst thy first
message from Him. Behold, I am he that delivered it unto you." That really
touched me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">-The day that I received
the going home call from Presidente Obeso, I was pretty depressed. Towards the
end of the day, I hopped onto the office computer to print off a document that
we were going to show to an investigator to help her come to church. I pulled
up the church's web page, and the first thing I saw was a video link titled
"A mission was supposed to be the greatest experience of my life." It's
about a brother in the church who had to go home early for mental health
problems. Once I realized the video was for early returning missionaries, I
felt the Spirit wash over me along with an overwhelming feeling of gratitude.
It was no coincidence that the day I receive the going home call that that page
hops onto the church's website. For me that was the Lord telling me "I see
you. I know you. I love you."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">-Driving home into our
cul-de-sac, it was lined with yellow balloons. Sister Olson, a great neighbor,
wanted me to feel welcomed home and loved even though I was returning early. It
worked. I did feel very loved and I felt the support of the members. I was kind
of worried about what the members might think of me for coming home, even
though everything was out of my control and it wasn't for worthiness issues either.
But all of the members have been so supportive and understanding. I have felt
the Savior's love from all of them. That has been a tremendous blessing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Those are many of the
tender mercies that I have seen throughout this week. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I was with the
comisario of the mission in Correos Chile (Chilean mail office) when he got a
call from President Obeso. He told me that he had talked with the doctor in
Santiago about if I could stay and get better in the office. The doctor said it
would be impossible to heal unless I went home, plus the doctors in the States
can provide me with better medical care. He wished me the best and told me I
was an excellent missionary with strong desires to do the work. After the call,
I was in shock. I remember staring out the window from Correos Chile in Osorno,
and seeing people walking in the plaza and on the busy sidewalks, and my heart
swelling for them. I love these people. The gospel can bless their lives. They
need it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In my last cita in Chile,
it was with a recent convert family. We started to re pass the lessons with
them. We taught them the restoration. I wouldn't have wanted to end my mission
in any other way- testifying of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I especially
felt the Spirit strongly as Elder Haddad testified. He is a convert to the
Church. I know he knows it, and when we testify with an actual personal
conviction and testimony, the Spirit adds a spiritual power to our witness that
can be felt. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Me, Elder Haddad and our blind ward mission leader</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">For a missionary who
is returning home for health related issues, one of the most difficult
questions is to be asked is "Will you be returning?" Even though it
is always asked with good intent and just an effort to make conversation, it is
still very hard to hear. It is hard just because I don't know a lot of things,
and I'm already feeling confused and emotionally distressed about the whole
ordeal. Anyway, Elder Germann asked me with the best intent in the office
"We'll see you back out here, right?" I answered "Well if the
doctors clear me, and my stake president encourages it, and if I spiritually
feel that it is the right thing to do, then...Man, I just don't want to leave
it." And then I started crying. He gave me a big hug, and told me that he
had a long talk with Elder Wertner, a missionary from my group who also went
home just two weeks earlier for back problems. Elder Germann told me that he
felt impressed to tell me the same thing that he told to Elder Wertner:
"It will all be OK." It seemed to me like a normal thing to say, but
in the days that followed I had many hard moments. That phrase came to my mind
every time and gave me comfort. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">During my last
personal study in the mission, I was reading in chapter four of Preach My Gospel.
In that chapter there is a study box that has the question of "What should
I do?" listed with scriptures to answer it. I looked up those scriptures
while thinking about whether or not I should come back to the mission after I
have recovered. The scriptures said that we receive answers to our questions as
we study the scriptures, pray, and listen to the spirit. That all gave me a lot
of comfort. I didn't need to worry about making that decision while in the
mission, and God would help me make it at home through study, prayer, and the Spirit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I drove with the APs on
Friday to the Puerto Montt airport. On the road to Puerto Montt you pass
by three volcanoes. I could see the massive Osorno volcano looming in the
distance, with the Calbuco volcano on its right, and a smaller and very pointy
volcano to its left. Beautiful. The prettiest spot in the road is where you pass
by a town called Llanquihue that is situated on the side of a beautiful lake
with Volcan Osorno and Calbuco on the other side of the lake. I'm going to
forever remember watching Volcan Osorno on that car ride. When we got to the
airport, I boarded the plane right away. I was at the very back of the plane,
left side, with a window seat. As the plane started to taxi on the run way, I
was overcome with emotion and fought tears. I started a prayer. As the wheels
lifted off of the runway I ended my prayer by saying "Que tu voluntad sea
hecha." or "That thy will be done." I'm doing my best to put my
trust in God's plan for me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">All of my flights went
very well. I flew from Puerto Montt to Santiago. While waiting in the Santiago
airport a man walked up to me. He introduced himself, he said he was the first
councilor in his branch, that he was a returned missionary, and that he had
doughnuts for me. That was a miracle. With all of the craziness of traveling
and getting to the airport late, I wasn't able to eat lunch. Later, a brother
from Missouri started talking with me. He was in southern Chile for business.
He served in the Dominican Republic, and had also been a stake president for 9
or 10 years. We shared mission stories and talked about the miracle of a
mission and we both felt the Spirit very strongly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On my flight from
Santiago, I sat next to two Argentinians. I again had the window seat so I was
only able to talk to the wife. I had brought with me a Book of Mormon to place
on my flights home. I prayed that God would bless me with an opportunity to
share it with someone. This lady was nice. She offered me some chocolate, and
then we started talking a bit. She was catholic, a mother of 7, and traveling
to Miami for a vacation. I asked her if she liked to read. Once she said she
did, I gave her a Book of Mormon. I explained what it is and a super brief
outline of the Restoration. It went well. She was legit interested and asked
questions. Then we talked about the roles that religion has played in our
lives.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On my flight from
Miami to Dallas, I met a kid from Venezuela who was travelling with his
grandparents to Nebraska to visit family. We just talked and became friends. He
was 19, and like any other 19 year old young man, totally noticed a very
beautiful girl sitting across from us. He started talking about how she was
super cute, and I felt uncomfortable so I just tried to talk about other
things. And a good thing too, because a little bit after she started talking to
us in Spanish. She was visiting family in Nebraska as well before she graduated
next week. Her dad is half Mexican, so that is how she learned Spanish. I was
able to talk to both her and the kid about how I was a missionary in Southern
Chile and that is how I knew Spanish. After I talked to a cool kid and his mom
who were coming back from a vacation in Florida before the kid went off to a
Coast Guard academy. They told me about some Mormon friends they had, and I was
able to explain what I had been doing in Chile. Great people. On that flight I
sat next to a 22 year old Venezuelan who was an evangelical turned orthodox
Jew. Yeah, that like never happens. We were both genuinely interested in each
other’s beliefs, so we talked that whole flight and became way tight. We took a
picture together, and I was able to grab his contact information to talk to him
more a little bit later. Man! People in airports are honestly the most
receptive people on the earth! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Me and the Venezuelan that is an orthodox Jew</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I started
traveling Friday at 12 in the afternoon, and I got to Utah at 4 on
Saturday. During it all, I had about 2 hours of garbage airplane sleep. I
couldn't sleep because of my back pain and the super small airplane seats.
Landing in Utah was awesome. I could see the Salt Lake City temple. The symbol
of Zion! I'm not going to lie. Once I hopped off the plane, I was pretty
nervous. I was scared to see my family, but I was pumped. I speed walked to
meet them. Hugging my family has never felt better. They all said I smelled
like airplane seats. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">At 5 pm I
had my interview with the stake president. He read me a bit of a talk by President
Packer called "The Least of These", where it quotes Doctrine and
Covenants 117:12,13.. I felt the Spirit. He told me that my sacrifice will be
made sacred, that I have served an honorable mission, and that the Lord is
happy with me. He told me that the process to return requires 6 months at home
before I can talk to the missionary department to go back out again. He
emphasized that going back out or staying home was completely my decision and
that it was between me and the Lord. He then released me. I took off my name
tags as I walked out to the car with my parents. I felt so light. Like a mantle
of responsibility had lifted. I felt like a normal person. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The next day was Sunday.
I had an interview with my bishop. He gave me great council. He told me two
things that the Spirit drilled home to me. 1) I need to make a decision to go
back out or stay home. I have done what was asked of me, and the Lord will
respect my agency. I need to tell Him what my decision was and then ask for his
blessing and confirmation of that decision and move on. 2) He told me that he
felt impressed to tell me as a representative of Jesus Christ, as my bishop,
and acting in the same way and saying the same things that Jesus Christ would
say as if He were sitting across from the table with me, that I will lose no
blessings that the Lord has is store for me if I chose to stay home. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Throughout this whole
process I have felt very calm and good about moving forward with my life, and
that that is the right thing for me. On my walk home I felt so light. I prayed
and told Heavenly Father that I decided to stay home, I thanked him for the
growth and experiences I had, and asked for His blessing and confirmation of my
decision.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">That interview helped
me a lot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This morning, Tuesday morning,
I went to the temple still with the question on my mind, and seeking a
confirmation of that decision. While in the celestial room, I felt the Spirit
confirm to me my decision. It is done. My mission is behind me. I am to move
forward. The Lord is pleased with my service. I read Doctrine and Covenants
117:12,13 again. The Lord has accepted my sacrifice. And then verse 6 about how
God holds the destinies of all the earth, and He holds mine. Then I read Doctrine
and Covenants 100:12 which says "Therefore, continue your journey and let
your hearts rejoice; for behold, and lo, I am with you even unto the end."
I know it is time for me to continue on with God's plan for me. I know that I
need to move on. The hard part is just accepting that I'm not serving a 2 year
mission, and that that is OK and the right thing for me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I am so grateful for
the blessing I had to serve a mission. It changed my life. I love the people of
Chile. I love this Gospel. I know that God has a plan for each one of us. I
Know He is a merciful Father. I know He only gives us what is going to bless us
the most and make us the happiest person in the long run. I know that the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true church that has the
priesthood authority to perform saving ordinances. I know that Joseph Smith was
a prophet of God and that he really did see Jesus Christ and God the Father in
person. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, and powerful
testament of Jesus Christ. I know that Thomas S. Monson is the Lord's prophet
today. I know that the Gospel blesses lives. And I am so grateful to have been
a missionary. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Elder West<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Brett Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02350384464996719856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2474941344000543406.post-68159905682177011342016-05-23T21:40:00.001-07:002016-05-24T11:46:12.769-07:00I'm probably going home<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hey! Right now I’m writing in a ciber (internet cafe) on the
oldest computer in the world, hearing cheesy 80s music being played from the
radio, and there is a dirty dog sitting 10 feet away from me barking. Yes it is
just chilling in this ciber.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We have been working hard with the 4 hours I’ve had to work
daily. In one day we contacted 5 references and received 2! That has never
happened in my mission.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Hobbs and I were calling at a door. No one was coming
out. Elder Hobbs was petting their dog through the fence. Then I tried, and it
chomped at my hand. Then he started petting it again. Then I tried, and it
tried to eat my hand again. I’m not a dog person. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For my therapy they always do 3 things that don’t help. They
give me electric shock therapy [electric stimulation therapy] on my back, they
put hot pads on my back, and they put an electromagnetic machine on my back. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yesterday, Elder Haddad and I went to the house of a woman he had
taught once before. She lives in a very poor area. The house is just wood
thrown together and freezing. The fog from the river and the smoke from all of
the people’s fires make a very thick fog. The lady looked about 35 and lives
with her husband who looks extremely old. I thought he was her dad. He smokes
and drinks so much to the point that he got cancer and had to have the smoker’s
hole in his neck [tracheotomy] so he can breathe. To cap the hole, he has
something that looks like a film canister shoved in there. It wheezes. All of
his breathing sounds labored. When he talks, it is just a wheezing sound. I
felt short of breath just seeing him. He is completely dependent on her and has
zero responsibility and is mentally handicapped because of the alcohol’s effect
on his brain. Sad. We tried teaching the plan of salvation but the husband kept
interrupting. We arrived at their house in the middle of a fight. And then a
drunk friend of the husband showed up. We closed with a prayer and left. We’ll
teach them in a better moment. That was one of the most weird and impactful
citas I’ve ever had.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
OK, now dealing with
the subject title, "I’m probably going home."<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On Friday I got a call from the AP. He told me I was having
a sobre cambio (emergency transfer?) to Osorno, and that Elder Haddad would be
my companion. Elder Haddad works in the office and is the mission secretary.
Elder Ryan also trained him. We bussed down to Osorno Saturday evening. We went
to the office. Elder Hobbs got a new comp who was in a trio in Chiloè. They
went back to Valdivia. Bussing down, I was thinking why I would be going to be
with Elder Haddad in the office if all of the office positions were already
full. Then it hit me. I’m going home. I was uneasy the rest of that bus ride. I
couldn’t nap. In Osorno, Presidente Obeso pulled me in for an interview and
told me that one of the doctors in the church offices in Salt Lake City reviewed
my MRI scan and said that I need to come home. He said that my back injury can only
be healed with rest, and I can’t get adequate rest in the mission. He asked me
how I felt about that. I started crying and told him that I didn’t want to go
home, but if it was God’s will that I go home so I can get better and come back
out I would be willing to go home. He told me he will talk to the doctor, and
see if there is a chance that I can work in the office until I get better. I
asked him when I will know for sure if I stay or if I go. He said we should
probably know by Tuesday (tomorrow). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Afterwards, I went with Elder Haddad to our ward’s talent
show. It was the best activity I’ve ever seen in Chile. It was amazing. This
ward is amazing. They have the best bishop ever here in Overjerìa.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Later, I talked more with Elder Haddad. He said I’m probably
going home because of how the cambios are working out. He was just with Elder Wertner,
who also went home for back problems. He said we seem to be in the same boat. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That night, I couldn’t fall asleep just thinking about it
all. Yesterday in church helped me out a ton. I felt the Spirit extremely
strong as I took the sacrament. Also in priesthood meeting, a lot of things
touched my heart. An hermano said something that helped me and it made me
think: "God has a vision so much grander than mine. He’s only giving me
what is going to make me the most happy and help me become the most like
him."<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I feel calm. I trust in God. Some scriptures that have
helped me are 2 Timothy 1:7 and Doctrine and Covenants 68:6.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The night I received my sobre cambio call, we taught a
recent convert in the ward of Martinez de Rosaz named Juan. He is amazing. We
went to go over the plan of salvation with him. He told it to us perfectly, like
as if he was a missionary. We were amazed. We invited his non-member wife to
come and listen. She asked the question of what happens to kids who die, what happens
to them when they die? We were able to show her Doctrine and Covenants 137:7-10
where it talks about that. What joy! I felt the Spirit. Then I felt the Spirit
prompt me to ask them for a reference. They said their neighbor’s first grandchild
was a stillborn child. That happened pretty recently. We took their address. It
feels so great to be an instrument in the Lord’s hands. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Earlier in the week, I was reading Jesus the Christ. On page
519 and 520, it was narrating John 12: 27-36 and talking about Christ’s last
week of life. He was in Jerusalem teaching, healing, shutting down all of the Pharisees,
Sadducees, and scribes’ attempts to trap him in his words. And he was thinking
about the end of his life. He was weighed down with the thought of atoning for
the sins of the world, suffering scourging, being betrayed and rejected, and
being lifted up on the cross and crucified. He cried out to God in a prayer and
asked for strength to follow along with God’s will. He finished his prayer
saying, "God, may thine name be glorified." Then God’s voice came
from heaven and all the multitude heard it. God said, "I have glorified it
and will glorify it again." I felt the Spirit very strong. Christ was
pleading for comfort, and God gave him the assurance that he could atone for
the sins of the world. That he could do it. And that whatever happened, God’s
name would be glorified. I felt that applies to me right now. I don’t know what
is going to happen with me. I feel that I am going home. But I know that God is
going to glorify his name with whatever happens. Whatever happens will be the
best thing for me and for everything else, and it will only serve to move God’s
work along. Only good things can result from this. I trust in God. I feel like
that was something that was drilled into me from my time in the house, full of
fear, and worry, and wondering if I’ll go home or not. I learned that I just
need to trust God and that he has a perfect plan made for me. So I can just
relax.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I share that with you Mom, Dad, and kids in the name of
Jesus Christ, Amen. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder West<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-stgMwaXJMRc/V0PaobUTBpI/AAAAAAAAA_U/r9iRdSUluvsqpnTD2X-bwdDjBJUP49-gwCLcB/s1600/DSCF2954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-stgMwaXJMRc/V0PaobUTBpI/AAAAAAAAA_U/r9iRdSUluvsqpnTD2X-bwdDjBJUP49-gwCLcB/s640/DSCF2954.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Me, Hobbs, Garcia and Davis.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
Brett Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02350384464996719856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2474941344000543406.post-46755011428489301192016-05-16T19:02:00.002-07:002016-05-17T07:24:58.131-07:00Be not afraid, only believe<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week has been great. I’ll start off by talking about my
back.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had a cita with the doctor this morning. The mission nurse
traveled 2 hours from Osorno to give the zone shots, and she also came to this
cita I had. The doctor told me that we are going to start doing physical
therapy. I go every morning. This will happen for two weeks and then I’ll have
another cita with the doctor. After, the mission nurse told me that the
church’s doctor that supervises Chile had looked at my MRI, and if the results
of my doctor appointment weren’t good, I would be going home. SO GLAD I’M NOT
GOING HOME. I said many prayers of gratitude and had survivors shock for a
while. I’m starting off by working 4 hours daily this week, 5 hours daily next,
then 6 hours the next, until I’m better.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last week we went to Hiper Lider. It is like a Walmart from
the states. That was an amazing experience. <o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cm-Co5wUvdw/Vzp6-fzMyvI/AAAAAAAAA-s/JfOq2dvn4ZAoXjnF9loM_T73Q6AMkuXiACLcB/s1600/DSCN1810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cm-Co5wUvdw/Vzp6-fzMyvI/AAAAAAAAA-s/JfOq2dvn4ZAoXjnF9loM_T73Q6AMkuXiACLcB/s400/DSCN1810.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">REAL
soup cans that we saw in that big Líder.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I caught 2 flies with my hands this week. Hobbs is my
witness.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Saturday, we did our first weekly planning as a
companionship because we can now work. We ended with companionship inventory.
That was the best inventory I’ve had in my mission. We are both really good
friends. He is such a good missionary. Obedient. Happy. Working.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On Sunday, we had lunch with our ward mission leader. Afterwards,
we shared a scripture, and he then showed us a ton of scriptures he has marked
up. Then he told us he wanted to show us a knife. We said we had to go and asked
if we could say a prayer. He insisted and we consented. Then he whipped out a
sick EAGLE TALON KNIFE. The handle was literally an eagle claw. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
During personal study, I flipped to Exodus 4:10-12. As I was
reading, it talked about Moses and how he was worried about his speech, because
he was of a slow mouth. He didn’t feel capable enough. Then the Lord told him,
He made man’s mouth and makes the dumb and the blind. Halfway through my
reading of this scripture in Spanish, I remembered that this scripture
comforted me with all of my "Will I ever learn Spanish?" worries
before the mission. And I just read that very scripture in Spanish and
understood it. A miracle. I then thought about other times in my life where I
was scared, and it all turned out well in the end. I realized this applies to
my present situation with my back. That comforted me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Also before my cita with the doctor this morning, I was
feeling pretty up tight. I was anxious about what was going to happen. We got
there 20 minutes early, and the gates weren’t open yet. So we stood by the
river bank enshrouded in fog. I started to sing <u>Jesus the Very Thought of Thee</u>
and <u>Master the Tempest is Raging</u> to myself to calm down. As I sang quietly
to myself in the fog, the Spirit comforted me. Everything shall obey God’s
will, so peace be still. And the 3rd verse of <u>Jesus the Very Thought of Thee</u>
comforted me a lot as well. I’m only doing my best, and Jesus looks kindly upon
my efforts. A tender mercy. I felt at peace afterwards and ready to face the
uncertain future from that doctor’s appointment.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In my personal study this week, several scriptures have
helped me a lot.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Doctrine and Covenants 58:2; Doctrine and Covenants 98:3;
and Mark 5:36<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
An hermana in our ward learned about my back and was very
kind to me and asked me questions. She was legitimately concerned for me. She
came up to us just before sacrament meeting on Sunday with a jar of jam in her
hands. She made it for us. She wished me well. During the sacrament, I was
pondering on how I’ve seen Lord's hand in my life. I thought back to that
experience. I felt so loved and cared for. I felt important. I felt that
someone was thinking of me, and served me. I felt God’s love through that
hermana. Receiving that jar of jam was like God saying to me, "I see you.
I know you. Don’t be afraid."<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
During the week, we went to the church to prepare for a
church activity. That morning, the mission nurse told me she would be coming to
my cita with the doctor. That stressed me out because all of a sudden, that
cita was a big deal. I was worried. Sitting in the chapel, as others were
setting things up, I bowed my head in prayer and told God how I was feeling. The
words came to my mind, "Jacob, do you trust me?" I said "Yes, I
trust thee." Then the words came, “Then don’t fear." Accompanied with
an overwhelming feeling of love. God has been nothing but merciful to me. He
comforts us. He doesn’t want us to fear. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On Saturday, I asked Elder Hobbs to give me a blessing of
comfort for the upcoming doctor’s cita. In it, he told me that whatever the
results of the cita were, I could be at peace, because it would be God’s will.
And whatever the outcome was, God knows me and he knows I will try my best. He
doesn’t want me to fear. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wow. Just writing this letter, I’m realizing how much help
and comfort God has given me. I guess I just want you guys to know that I know
that we don’t need to fear. God has a perfect plan for us. He loves us. I’m so
grateful for Him. He is merciful.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thanks for helping me through this time Mom, Dad, and kids.
I love you all so much.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder West<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ueTW-b9SL9I/Vzp7NLzndqI/AAAAAAAAA-w/h6tujPhdn_AV3671ygqfRzb9xLctYK4ewCLcB/s1600/DSCN1813.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ueTW-b9SL9I/Vzp7NLzndqI/AAAAAAAAA-w/h6tujPhdn_AV3671ygqfRzb9xLctYK4ewCLcB/s400/DSCN1813.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My
view of our big screen TV </span><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; font-size: 12.8px;">J</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
Brett Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02350384464996719856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2474941344000543406.post-77942482117078657932016-05-10T12:04:00.000-07:002016-05-10T12:04:53.172-07:00Still on house rest<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">H</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">appy birthday Melissa! Happy mother’s day Mom (again)!</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Smz9T4wjhQc/VzIvGPkJVrI/AAAAAAAAA8U/4pbr4_wz1FETT8i7PdGTwemey10z2QgSACLcB/s1600/IMG_2016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Smz9T4wjhQc/VzIvGPkJVrI/AAAAAAAAA8U/4pbr4_wz1FETT8i7PdGTwemey10z2QgSACLcB/s400/IMG_2016.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Video call, on Mother's Day, from a kind member's house in Valdivia</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">This week we had
another division with Los Encinos. I was with Elder Smith again. We were
looking through a Liahona and saw a pre baptismal service picture in Africa. There
was a group of about 20 people all dressed in white. Standing with them were
just 2 elders. JUST TWO. Haha. Elder Smith said "Wow, they probably had a
line." Then thinking a little more, "They had a line." Then
raising his voice, "They had a line!" </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">That made me laugh pretty hard. I know we can
still baptize here, and that we are called to specific missions for specific
reasons. But it was still funny.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’m so sick of chess.
We play it a lot, and Elder Hobbs massacres me EVERY TIME. I’m on a 8 game
losing streak.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We made 2 foot long
completos with Elder Smith and Elder Salazar.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We made brownies for
the whole zone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">At that once (dinner)
we had last night, I ate raw meat. It was a slice of bread, with raw ground
beef spread over it, a little bit of lemon juice, diced red onion, and a mayonnaise
cilantro sauce. It was alright. That night, I had diarrhea. That’s the weirdest
thing I’ve eaten in Chile. They told us it was a German food.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yesterday, we gave
talks in church. Elder Hobbs spoke on doing missionary work as members. I spoke
on how we can bear the burden of our responsibilities as we remember the Lord
(1 Nephi 21:14-16), don’t fear (Doctrine and Covenants 6:32-37), and turn to
the Lord in prayer (Doctrine and Covenants 88:63). I just told personal
experiences from my mission to explain the point. The Spirit was poured
out, and it seemed to strike well with the members. They all talked about it in
the following classes. After the sacrament meeting had ended, an hermana in the
ward came up to me and shook my hand. She told me, "Thank you Elder West
for your message. It is what I needed." Then, joy poured through me. I was
so happy. Bliss. Those are the moments you live for on the mission. I had blessed
someone’s life and had been an answer to someone’s prayers. A miracle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As I knelt by my
bedside to end the day in prayer, I was thinking again about my back. I had the
faith to be healed. I know God can heal me. I want to be healed, and it would
be for a good purpose, too. But then the Spirit brought to my mind the thought,
"But Jacob, do you have the faith to NOT be healed?" Or in other
words, "Do you have the faith to follow God’s will and plan for you,
if that includes a recovery that isn’t immediate?" A teaching moment for
me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Saturday, I was
studying the stories of the people of Limhi and the people of Alma (Mosiah chapters
21-24). They were both in slavery. But one group was righteous and the other
group was wicked. They both drew closer to God, and God freed them both. I was
thinking about the people of Alma. They had done nothing wrong to deserve
slavery. They were building up a city to God. They were growing and
progressing. But then they were put under the bondage of slavery, and given a
death sentence if they were caught praying. Why would God let that happen to a
righteous people? Then the Spirit helped me see the application of this story
to my own life. The people of Alma probably felt that they weren’t progressing
because they were in slavery (house rest). But they really were a whole lot (in
learning how to deal with stress and growing spiritually). That helped me a
lot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A few days earlier, I
was pretty bummed out and feeling useless because I wasn’t able to work. I felt
responsible for being in the house. I felt guilty for it. Because if I had just
dealt better with things, I wouldn’t have ended up having this back pain. I
talked with Elder Hobbs, and he was guided by the Spirit in what he told me: God’s
perfect plan for me will be carried out. Whatever happens, it happens for a
reason. God’s plan will be carried out. The only thing that I can do is be
righteous. If I’m being righteous and everything is bad, crazy, etc., then that
is perfectly how it should be. Am I being obedient? Yes. Then there is nothing
else I can do. Just wait on the Lord. I only need to worry if I’m sinning. Being
in the house is part of God’s plan for me. I’m worthy, so it is all working out
right. With weaknesses, we try. If you aren’t trying, that is wrong and we
should feel bad. We should feel bad if we sit there and do nothing. But if we
are trying then we shouldn’t feel bad. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">That all helped me a
ton!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He was also telling me
about something he read in the book <i>Our Heritage</i>.
It was about George Albert Smith. He was bed-ridden and terribly sick. He had
been fighting an illness for years. He felt frustrated. Then one night, he had
a dream and his grandpa asked him if he had done anything that would dishonor
his name. George looked over his life and realizing that he hadn’t done
anything to merit shame for his grandpa’s name he proudly told him that he had
not. After the dream, he felt very happy. He hadn’t done anything wrong so he
shouldn’t feel bad. Then a few weeks later, he beat the illness. It feel good. I
hadn’t done anything wrong, so I shouldn’t feel bad about being in the house.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">God is guiding and
teaching me. He is so merciful (Doctrine and Covenants 112:10).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Elder West<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mzaUmqgYTRI/VzIsG8nuz8I/AAAAAAAAA78/guXiQIgXFpcIey1eMXt3AWgIGVdwPwGdQCLcB/s1600/DSCN1807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mzaUmqgYTRI/VzIsG8nuz8I/AAAAAAAAA78/guXiQIgXFpcIey1eMXt3AWgIGVdwPwGdQCLcB/s320/DSCN1807.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">This is one of the millions of slugs that infest our house. It is in the
sink.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E96F25Y1iZQ/VzIwF95j5BI/AAAAAAAAA8k/RbUodbMi4kgGjXFYL9yUPOKdDmI4qIKAgCLcB/s1600/DSCN1808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="325" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E96F25Y1iZQ/VzIwF95j5BI/AAAAAAAAA8k/RbUodbMi4kgGjXFYL9yUPOKdDmI4qIKAgCLcB/s400/DSCN1808.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">This store is appropriately named.</span></td></tr>
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Brett Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02350384464996719856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2474941344000543406.post-79326359583893566512016-05-02T20:29:00.000-07:002016-05-02T20:30:06.486-07:00Getting better<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Thanks for all of your fasts and prayers for my back. It is
getting better. I feel good. Hermana Obeso reads radiographs and she looked
at mine. She said it all looks healthy. The zone also had interviews with
Presidente Obeso. Anyway, we know that this all went down with my back because
of the weight of the backpack (which was normal, the same amount of weight all
of the other missionaries use), not the best posture, and a whole lot of
stress. Presidente just talked to me about stress. He just helped me with that.
The muscles of my back were, ugh, I don’t know how to say this in English, like
flexed a lot? Because of stress. And so that put strain on my back. So Presidente
basically told me my special assignment right now is to just chill out and
enjoy life to the maximum. Sounds great to me!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I just want to over emphasize how OK I am. My back is
getting better. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The hermanas in my district made me a banner with a kind
note on it and Mosiah 24: 12-17. It is something so small. But it helped me so
much. I just felt loved by my Father in heaven, so grateful for the kind
gesture. Wow, that meant so much! Ministering angels are people too.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Our zone leaders are literally our next door neighbors. There
is just concrete wall that separates us so we chat all the time. Haha. Elder Davis
has some primary songs that are mixed up and sound pretty gangster. It makes me
laugh so hard. We had divisions with our zone leaders (Elders Davis and Garcia)
and district leader (Elder Smith and Elder Salazar) this week. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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This week, Elder Hobbs cut my hair. This time, I followed
the cutting length suggestions on the box and they were way short. So that
scared me to death when he took a picture of my hair and showed me. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I’m now 10 months old in the mission. Woot, woot.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So before I start talking more about my back, I want you all
to chill out. It is all good. But I imagine we have shared a lot of the same
thoughts. At the beginning of this week, my back hurt a lot (it is improving a
lot!), and I was thinking about if I would have to go home. I was bummed out
hardcore. I read Doctrine and Covenants 6:32-37. As I read, the Spirit punched
home the phrases "no temáis, no tengáis miedo, y no temáis." "Don’t
fear, don’t be afraid, don’t fear." God wants me to be at peace. Everything
is part of His plan, and all will be well. Hearing the lyrics to <i>I Know That My Redeemer Lives</i> comforted
me too.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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With all of the time I have been in the house, and reading <i>Jesus the Christ</i>, it has been totally
awesome. Yesterday I bore my testimony in church. Now as I talk about Christ or
read about Him in the scriptures, I feel a deeper relationship with Him. Like I
know Him as a person. My testimony has been growing. <o:p></o:p></div>
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To help cope with stress better, I started a study and told
God that I was going to make a plan to help. I told Him that I was thinking of
praying or reciting a scripture or singing a hymn to help. Then the Spirit
reminded me of an activity I saw in the <i>Adjusting
to Missionary Life</i> book that would help. It was a testimony to see God is
helping me in my plans.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Yesterday in fast and testimony meeting, Elder Hobbs also
bore his testimony. He said that if we are feeling discouraged, angry,
hopeless, frustrated, or anything else, we just have to do the things to that
will help us feel the love of God. I felt the Spirit very strong because I have
been frustrated with my own weaknesses. I thanked him after. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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Elder West<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A micro</td></tr>
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Brett Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02350384464996719856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2474941344000543406.post-2289632155985553612016-04-25T20:15:00.000-07:002016-04-25T20:15:57.120-07:00Let the house rest begin<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So here are the details about
my back and what happened with the cambio. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Cambio: Presidente
Obeso made some changes. I did not go to Punta Arenas. I went to a neighboring
sector- Martines de Rosas. Like literally the neighboring sector. I walked to
it. It is in the same district as my last sector (Los Encinos). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My back: I am on rest.
That means I don’t leave to work for 30 days. I have permission to go to
church, meetings, and scheduled appointments. We basically never leave the
house. I normally don’t even go to scheduled appointments because my back hurts
really bad after walking. After going to church, my back hurt from the walk. I
can’t walk or stand for extended periods of time. I’m not doing exercises. I’m
not chopping wood. But I can walk around the house just fine and without really
any pain. I can always feel my back. But it only really hurts after walking or
standing for more than a little bit. This week my back has gotten worse. Haha.
I totally feel like Betty White in that Snickers "You’re not you when you’re
hungry "commercial. "My baaaaaaack hurts!" And then she gets
tackled. Hahaha<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">To pass the time, I’ve
basically been gratifying all of my disobedient missionary desires I’ve ever
had. For example: after lunch naps, studying Spanish for longer than I’m supposed
to, and watching movies (mission approved of course). But we are going crazy. We
are also making a division calendar with the members and other missionaries in
our district so Elder Hobbs can work in our sector.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Movies we have
watched: God’s Army, The Other Side of Heaven, Legacy, The Saratov Approach, The
Work and the Glory 1, 2, and 3. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’ve also been able to
cook a lot: frog eye salad, brownies, scones (twice), sloppy joes, cookies,
muffins, chicken noodle soup, chicken Alfredo pizza and normal pizza. And we
have also boiled chestnuts with sugar (that’s a thing in Chile). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QUOqVl9rx5U/Vx7cGjLc-uI/AAAAAAAAA68/AiGX5SxjnDcSFrL7OYeayc29JtO1UlboQCLcB/s1600/DSCN1785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QUOqVl9rx5U/Vx7cGjLc-uI/AAAAAAAAA68/AiGX5SxjnDcSFrL7OYeayc29JtO1UlboQCLcB/s400/DSCN1785.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Last pday we watched
the sea lions on the river side, made a pichanga as a zone. Today we had Elders
Griffin and Camargo from Paillaco come over. Elder Griffin and I got our calls
in the same week while at Lone Peak. We took the same AP psychology class. So
it is way fun to jut chill with him. We made pizza and scones. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My new zone leader
that replaced Elder Ryan is Elder Davis. I spent my first day in the mission
with him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’ve made some goals
for the time I’ll be in the house. I’m going to read Jesus the Christ all the
way through. I’m reading 22 pages a day. I’m also studying an hour of Spanish
every day and memorizing 30 words daily. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I absolutely love my
new companion. He is from the group that arrived right after me. His name is
Elder Hobbs. He is from Taylor, Utah. Tyler Anderson is serving in Hooper. My
comp’s grandparents live in Hooper. Cool connection. My companion went to Roy High
School, and played football and basketball. He has a scholarship to play as a
receiver for Dixie after his mission. He is super fun. We get along great. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The former mission
nurse just ended her mission. She was serving in the same ward as I was. When
she heard about my medical rest, she told me not to be down. She said a lot of
times when missionaries have rest like that, they feel disobedient and want to
work really bad. She said right now, obedience for me is resting so I can work
later on. That has helped me a lot. Because when I got the news from the doctor on
Monday about the rest, I was pretty depressed the rest of the day. I felt
worthless. Especially because I didn’t go to the office where I could do
something even as a "broken" missionary. But I’m good now. I’m growing
still. That advice from Hna. Laguna was a tender mercy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_xsxLbyHaHs/Vx7cL6WdLjI/AAAAAAAAA7A/gua4uqib-K0oF1NjNKHsSssb87slcDkwgCLcB/s1600/DSCN1765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_xsxLbyHaHs/Vx7cL6WdLjI/AAAAAAAAA7A/gua4uqib-K0oF1NjNKHsSssb87slcDkwgCLcB/s400/DSCN1765.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On the day of Cambios,
Elder Ryan was feeling sick. He had thrown up all of the night before. He asked
me for a blessing. I’m so grateful for the priesthood. I felt the power of the
priesthood in that blessing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">While watching The
Other Side of Heaven this week. A part hit me. Feki was talking about how the
missionaries taught his drunk dad and he turned around. Feki then thanked the
missionaries for their sacrifice for leaving their families and traveling a huge
distance to teach his dad. The missionaries than told Feki that their sacrifice
was small, and that there were other missionaries who were injured, or
persecuted, or living in worse circumstances. I felt the Spirit. I felt
included for a minute with that "other missionaries" group. I have
walked until I can’t. Like, literally. Because now I am in the house. I
have walked until I’ve had back problems. I felt good.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This week, I found
some scriptures that have helped me. Doctrine and Covenants 61:36; Isaiah 41:10;
and 1 Nephi 21:14-16.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I have had a lot of
time to think this week. I was thinking about how we grow by grace to grace as
we have faith and humility. I feel like I have humility. But the faith had me
thinking. I could have more faith that the atonement can help me with MY weaknesses.
I felt distanced a bit from the enabling power of the atonement. Like could it
help me with MY weaknesses? I read in Jesus the Christ how Christ healed
multitudes of people. And I thought that if I could only be in those multitudes,
He could heal me. I would see Him face to face, and He could help me. Then I
remembered how Christ healed a man’s son. The man asked him to heal his son who
was hours away, and Christ said his son would be healed without even going to
him. And it happened just like that. He also healed a Roman gentile centurion’s
servant with just His word. He healed him from a distance. And here I was
feeling a bit distanced from the atonement. And the Spirit taught me that I don’t
need to be in direct contact with Christ to receive His healing. He loves those
in the multitude just as much as those who are in a house in southern Chile.
Christ can heal me from a distance, just as if I were there in the multitude.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Elder West<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Brett Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02350384464996719856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2474941344000543406.post-5848808092827978462016-04-18T20:06:00.000-07:002016-04-19T09:58:55.491-07:00The Tube<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I’ll start with the less spiritual, move onto the medium
spiritual, and then end with the actually spiritual.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Less spiritual: It rains a ton here. It rained for 3 days
straight this week. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oivfLSlPkBk/VxWfOT88hHI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/RO2Apzr4cAwcrKZg1xiDqFTPBxPaNuSoACLcB/s1600/DSCN1751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oivfLSlPkBk/VxWfOT88hHI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/RO2Apzr4cAwcrKZg1xiDqFTPBxPaNuSoACLcB/s320/DSCN1751.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Foggy morning</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Our shower is fixed so we now don’t shower in the sink.
#blessings. This week, I cooked onion rings and Dutch cookies. Super good. There
is a plant that everyone and their dog have that is used to make an herbal tea.
While we are tracting, I always snatch a bit off and then make a great tea for
the night time. I met a dog this week. It is a mix between a wiener dog and
something else. We became friends. This dog has huge ears and bugsy eyes and is
super funny. It reminds me a lot of Dobby from Harry Potter. So I named it Dobby.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lNm0L1ZMrk8/VxWfp07YnxI/AAAAAAAAA6U/mLIUfN6Abmkv89p_MEKDQAKerXJ-pl0IgCLcB/s1600/DSCN1740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lNm0L1ZMrk8/VxWfp07YnxI/AAAAAAAAA6U/mLIUfN6Abmkv89p_MEKDQAKerXJ-pl0IgCLcB/s320/DSCN1740.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dobby</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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I received cambios. I will become senior companion in Punta
Arenas. But that might not happen because of what the doctor told me this
morning. I had a radiograph [MRI] this week (see later on in the letter), and
he told me the marrow in my spine is inflaming from overuse and carrying too
much weight. He said I need to rest for 30 days. If I don’t the bone marrow
will continue to swell and my spine from overuse will start to have fractures.
Wow. Snap! <o:p></o:p></div>
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There a lot of English words that people use here in Chile.
Whenever I hear them they make me laugh:<o:p></o:p></div>
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-pat time -nuevo
loook -cofie brek -brek
-stahnd bi -inovaytion tat
exsites<o:p></o:p></div>
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-beh beh chower -vul time
-and a whole bunch of other funny words. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Riding the micros here is straight up nuts. They drive so
fast. iI call it public transportation that resembles more of a blender. If you’re
standing, you get thrown onto other people, you levitate on turns. They always
are break checking everyone and doing jerky accelerations. You just have to
hold onto for dear life. It reminds me of pretending I was surfing as a little
kid when I stood up in our van when we went over curbs. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Medium spiritual: On Monday, we ran into the elders from the
other sector. That was a miracle because we didn’t have any way to contact them
to send them the golden reference we had (the guy who went to church last
week), and we had made a cita with him for the next day. The Lord put the
elders in our path and the guy is being taught right now.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Another contact we made came to church! I taught a kid in an
internet cafe about what happens after this life while my companion checked the
computer for references. We taught a college student. He accepted a baptismal
date!! After the first vision lesson, we asked him if he had any questions and
he said, "No, I don’t. But that (first vision) is so beautiful!" <o:p></o:p></div>
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The hermanas in our ward reactivated a family. Our ward
mission leader said that it is the same as a baptism because you helped someone
renew their baptismal covenants. That hit me hard. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I’ve been studying grace a lot this week. I’ve learned that
the end goal of this life isn’t perfection, but rather improvement. Salvation can’t
be bought by obedience. We don’t give up trying. We try our best out of our
love for God. And living the gospel faithfully is not a burden. That has helped me out a lot this week.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Spiritual stuff: This week, I fasted for God’s will to
happen for the cambios. I fasted that if it would be according to his will, that
I could stay in this area. That was a massive leap of faith. It was scary. But I
have felt God’s hand throughout this whole cambio. That is why I love writing
you guys every week because it gives me an opportunity to reflect and see that
God is totally guiding everything and that this is totally His work. <o:p></o:p></div>
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One day after lunch, I was doing the dishes. I was pretty
ticked and frustrated with some things. After I went into my room to blow off
some steam. I was going to write how I was feeling down onto paper because that
has helped me before. But I felt I shouldn’t, rather instead read Jesus the
Christ. So I started to read, but I couldn’t focus. I kept trying to read and
trying to read, fighting the feeling to pray. I finally knelt down at the side
of my bed and poured my heart out to God. Afterwards, I felt the Spirt. I felt
love. I felt at peace. From this I
learned that the Spirit will guide us in small ways from step to step until we
are ready to do what we need to in the end (in my case it was prayer). I also
learned that prayer is a COMMUNICATION WITH GOD. Do you realize that??? You are
talking with God! Nothing in between the two of you. We can communicate and
talk to the most powerful being in the universe. The best father. The perfect
counselor!<o:p></o:p></div>
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This cambio has been probably been one of the hardest of my
mission. But I have grown like never before. My conversion has deepened, I’ve
learned the power of kneeling down and turning to God in prayer, patience, and charity.
I feel more independent spiritually and emotionally. I feel I have become a man
in this cambio. And I’m always growing in becoming a man of God. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The tube. So I went to the hospital for a radiograph
[MRI]. It is basically a giant tube. I
thought they only used it on cancer patients, and I’ve only seen it on TV. Imagine
a giant Twinkie without the frosting, and Elder West is the frosting. They laid
me down on a bed and slid me into the Twinkie (tube). I’m not a claustrophobic
person, but this was a whole another story. The ceiling was about 4 inches from
my face, and it progressively heated up. It was stuffy in there. They designed
the thing to blow cool air on your face so you wouldn’t feel so claustrophobic.
But I’m taller than the average Chilean so the air was blowing on my chest. The
tube is in a separate room with a massive bank safe looking door. How it checks
me out is by using sound blasts. I had to wear headphones to dull the sound. They
sound blasts started. At first I laughed because it sounded like really bad
dubstep. But after a while, it became more like a Chinese water torture. I was in
there for 20 minutes. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I was hot, uncomfortable, with back pain, claustrophobic,
and a little bit distressed. They slid me out. Then they told me that they were
going to inject me with a liquid so they could see the results more clearly.
"Oh crud, now I’m going to get stabbed." I lay there as the inserted
the needle into my vein. Just like an IV. Then they slid me into the
claustrophobic Twinkie, shut the bank safe door, and started the bad dubstep again.
I was pretty wound up. So I started so sing "Jesus the Very Thought of Thee"
to myself to calm me down. And it calmed me down as my thoughts turned towards
the Savior. <o:p></o:p></div>
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And then I felt the Spirit very strong as I thought how
Jesus must have had a lot of back pain after carrying the cross to Golgotha’s
hill. How He was very hot from the walk. How He had laid down on the cross. How
He must felt panic when He heard he was going to get an IV, or rather, nails
put through his hands and wrists and feet. How He must have been very
uncomfortable as they slid him into the tube again, or rather, lifted Him up on
the cross. But Jesus was calm. And that helped me be calm. Christ had been
there before, and He was there with me. I feel so grateful for my Savior. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Elder West<o:p></o:p></div>
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1 Corinthians 15:10<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lxwJsxfRiek/VxWf95ExjvI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/UAdLM9X2nUQItQlRqPB0vF9k2sYoBbCdgCLcB/s1600/DSCN1744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lxwJsxfRiek/VxWf95ExjvI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/UAdLM9X2nUQItQlRqPB0vF9k2sYoBbCdgCLcB/s400/DSCN1744.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After the tube [MRI]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</div>
Brett Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02350384464996719856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2474941344000543406.post-79696475213962116002016-04-11T20:51:00.001-07:002016-04-11T21:28:20.239-07:00Testimony, fleas, and sink showers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">I had an intercambio
with my trainer, Elder Ryan!! Super fun. He tried to pull a leaf off of a tree, but the whole branch came down. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nR7MJitvOUo/Vwxx7-TM-PI/AAAAAAAAA50/YiAwKfxgxgEVMBpaOYtp71eZIF3CQdZmgCLcB/s1600/DSCN1731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nR7MJitvOUo/Vwxx7-TM-PI/AAAAAAAAA50/YiAwKfxgxgEVMBpaOYtp71eZIF3CQdZmgCLcB/s400/DSCN1731.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elder Ryan trying to get some lunch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">We have an investigator that reminds me so much
of my uncle Nick. Same personality. Fleas are eating me alive. I have 8 bites just
on my left bicep. My legs are like bleeding. This was our second week of taking
sink showers. The mornings are frigid and the water is cold. A drunk guy talked
with us and was 6 inches away from my face. He was falling onto me the whole
time and I had to keep him standing. My companion told him we are here to share
the gospel and the drunk said, "Chill out gringo!" My back is worse, by
a lot. Wednesday, I’m going to get a scan, and then talk with a
doctor next Monday. This whole experience has helped me be more humble. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">Spiritual experiences:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">We were walking in the
street and I didn’t want to do any contacting. I hadn’t done one in a while. So
to break out of the shell, I just talked to the guy coming towards us. He
looked pretty hard and like he wouldn’t want anything. But I just had to start.
It was one of the best contacts I’ve had. HE CAME TO CHURCH!!! He wants us to
visit with him. He has a wife and an 8 year old daughter. We found out he lives
in a different sector so we will pass on his information as a reference.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">On Sunday, a less
active lady we are working with (she reminds me so much of Aunt Andrea and Uncle
John, like personality wise) bore her testimony. Another less active member came
to church. Mini miracles that made me really happy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">On Monday, we
were knocking doors. I was frustrated. And missions aren’t easy. And I was
bummed out. I opened up to some scriptures I have tabbed for times when I am
down. I opened up to 1 Nephi 21:14-16. It is where Isaiah is speaking about Israel
saying that the Lord has forgotten them. Then the Savior says that as absurd as
the thought that a women might forget her nursing child, even more absurd is
the thought that Christ will forsake us, because he has me, Elder Jacob West
engraven in the palms of his hands. The Spirit hit me so hard. HE HAS NOT
FORGOTTEN ABOUT ME. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">The next day we had a
zone council to talk about the new mission focus for the month. It is about
becoming a better disciple. We focused in on the atonement. We broke into
groups. My group read scriptures on the resurrection. I was asked to present
what my group had learned. As I shared, I told the zone about my experience
from 1 Nephi 21 and bore my testimony. The Spirit was testifying to me so
strongly that Jesus Christ was resurrected and that He lives. A very special
experience for me. Later in the consejo, we took a moment to ponder
individually on how we felt as we heard God’s plan for us, that we would need a
Savior, and that Jesus Christ would do it. Again, the Spirit testified to me. I
felt so grateful for the choice I had made to come on the mission and be having
this special spiritual experience, strengthening my testimony of Jesus Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">A youth that is
preparing to leave on a mission here told Elder Ryan, after a cita, that they
should just testify all the time. He said that when they teach, it is good and
all, but when they testify is when the Spirit comes very strong, and the power
and authority of their calling is manifest. Just testify. I’ve been seeing that
throughout this week.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">Elder Smith and I
knocked a door. It had been a long day. A guy came out. Obviously rich. I could
see his pride. He told us he didn’t believe in religion. I had the strongest
prompting to share my testimony with him. I testified that the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true church upon the earth, that the
Book of Mormon is true, that God has a plan for him, and that He loves him. I
felt the Spirit very strong. I started crying in front of this guy as I bore my
testimony. I didn’t resist the tears. I kept testifying. After, the man let us
in, and I had one of the most powerful restoration lessons of my mission. We
testified with power and authority. Earlier that morning, I had been
feeling weak in my testimony of the restoration, that this Church is true, that
Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. I prayed and asked for help. I then studied
all of Joseph Smith History and asked for an opportunity to bear my testimony
of the restoration. God answered my prayer. I left that cita feeling the Spirit
so strongly. I know through our testimonies the Spirit brought the message of
the restoration to that man’s heart. It is his choice to open his heart and
accept the message. But we did our part.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">We taught a less
active man whose son is paralyzed from the waist down. After sharing a lukewarm
plan of salvation lesson with him, I remembered the words of that youth who
said we should just testify. I told this hermano that I wanted to share my
testimony with him. I testified that God knew him and his situation, that He
loves him, and that his son will be resurrected with a perfect body one day. As
I testified, the Spirit touched his heart and tears came to his eyes. Man! What
a blessing it is to be a missionary!! Elder Ryan said he loves his mission
because this is the only time that we will ever have to be a missionary like we
are now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">For my last
experience, I was walking. This has been a hard area for me, with the circumstances
and everything. I’ve grown so much here. But I was frustrated. I started a
prayer. In the mission, the missionary you train is called your hijo (son). I
started praying for the future hijo I might have in the mission. This cambio
has really helped me become a better missionary. As I was praying for my future
hijo, the word slipped and it changed to hijos (children). Then through the Spirit,
the idea dawned on me that this hard time in my mission is preparing me for my
future hijos (children). It is preparing me to be a father. I thought of my Dad
with hard areas he had and how it prepared him to be my father. I started
praying for my future family. I felt that my future kids were looking down from
heaven and feeling grateful that I’m having these experiences here and going
through preparation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">Elder West<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tBZA-Ad0Lb8/VwxwKAEf_zI/AAAAAAAAA5g/GBdmG8li4k8yWhtO67vtEXWRoASiEXXuACLcB/s1600/DSCN1732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tBZA-Ad0Lb8/VwxwKAEf_zI/AAAAAAAAA5g/GBdmG8li4k8yWhtO67vtEXWRoASiEXXuACLcB/s320/DSCN1732.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elder West & Elder Ryan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Brett Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02350384464996719856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2474941344000543406.post-73147841746411032862016-04-04T17:19:00.000-07:002016-04-04T17:19:10.743-07:00Sink Showers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
I went to the doctors this week for my back. I’m taking some
medication now. It has helped a bit. Patience and time, baby! That’s all I
need.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tuesday morning, water started leaking into our bedroom from
the shower. We are in the process of getting it fixed. But this whole week we
have been taking "sink showers." #ghetto<o:p></o:p></div>
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This week has been full of many great spiritual experiences.
My time here has been very hard. But I feel so grateful for it. Looking through
my journal, I have realized how God has been guiding me through all of it. Like
ALL of it. I just have to look to see it. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I’ve been asking myself a lot if God is happy with my
efforts in what I’m doing. I said a prayer and asked for guidance. A few days
later in my personal study, I decided to make a list of all of my sectors and
write in what ways I grew/changed and in what I learned. After, as I looked at
the list and pondered, the Spirit helped me see how I have changed. I felt that
God is happy with me. Elder Holland’s talk from general conference helped me a
ton as well. His talk was like an answer to a lifetime full of prayers. And a
comfort to an Elder West that has been too hard on himself all of his mission.
God is guiding me. He loves me. I’m growing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We had a bishop from another ward come and check our shower
because he works in that kind of stuff. Afterwards, we chatted for a bit. He
expressed to us some of the stresses of his calling. We talked about missionary
work. Talking about the gospel, he said that "If the members don’t want to
share it, it is because they aren’t living it." That hit me hard. As I
have thought on my life before the mission, I realized the times when I was
actively applying the gospel in my life is when I was the happiest and had the
greatest desires to share the gospel with others. I knelt and prayed for
opportunities, for courage to act, and for discernment to recognize the
opportunities. And I was blessed. <o:p></o:p></div>
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In Chile they have things called "micros." They
are basically short buses with a whole lot less leg room. They cram as many
people into them as possible. As we rode to the doctor’s for my back, I was
seated next to a guy in his 50s or 60s. I didn’t say anything. That bugged me. I
should be talking to this guy and sharing with him the most important message
in the world. Literally. But I was scared. So I said a prayer. I said, "Heavenly
Father, I want to talk to this man but I am scared. Please bless me with the
courage to talk with him as I act and open my mouth." I felt filled with
faith after the prayer, but still a little nervous. I acted. And as I acted, I
was blessed with courage. I know God blesses us as we pray with faith (action).
<o:p></o:p></div>
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Miracles of the week: <o:p></o:p></div>
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-We passed on our golden contact’s info to elders in Antofagasta.
Sad because she was so prepared. But it is great that others will be blessed to
see her conversion process.<o:p></o:p></div>
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-We passed by a store and a lady called out to us. She told
us she is inactive. But she has a friend who has been investigating multiple
religions and just hasn’t found the right one. She gave us her friend’s info
because she has been asking her lots of questions and wants to meet with the
missionaries. We passed on her info to the missionaries in her sector.<o:p></o:p></div>
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- Last night we passed by a cita we had made. As we were
shouting "allooo" for her to come out (that’s how you knock doors
when they have a fence), a young lady popped her head out of a nearby car and
called out to us. We thought she was just trying to cat call or mock us because
that happens a lot, so we ignored her. Then she gets out of the car and
approaches us. She asked, "What do you guys even believe? I see you
outside ALL DAY LONG trying to talk to people. What do you believe?" Then
she told us how she has been passing through multiple difficult things in her
life, and she asked us so many questions of the soul (<i>Preach My Gospel</i>, chapter 5). We were stunned. We took her
information, and we will follow up. Sometimes, we find the prepared people, and
sometimes they find us. It was also cool to see that God puts people in our
paths, and guides our plans, even though citas fall. He knew the cita would fall,
and we would be there, and Javiera would see us and talk to us. It all works
out.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Well, that’s it for this week. I love you all. This is God’s
work. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Elder West <o:p></o:p></div>
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Brett Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02350384464996719856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2474941344000543406.post-57060758139233330332016-03-28T20:45:00.001-07:002016-03-28T20:45:40.317-07:00Easter<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">General conference
(aka missionary Christmas) is THIS WEEK. WOOT WOOT!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Two things about Elder
Ryan (my trainer): 1, He is writing to his family right now, right next to me.
2, His little brother is going to Dallin Jared’s mission on the same day, as
well. Wow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Last pday, the elders
from the 2 zones here gathered into one house and we had an asado (barbeque). We
made choripan. Best pday I’ve had in the mission.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The days are blowing
by. I snap my fingers and then I find myself kneeling for my nighttime prayer
again. Wow. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A contact called us charlatans.
I don’t know what that means. But I only know that it is a sophisticated insult,
and I’m grateful that I have been blessed with the gift of tongues to the point
of understanding those. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’ve been having of
lower back pain. This week I’ve been carrying my scriptures in my hands to
relieve the backpack weight, I’ve been icing my back every morning, heating it every
night, and took some pills (mission nurse recommendation). It has improved a
bit. They said it could be because I’m tall. IDK. The other thing it could be
is weight gain. I weighed myself and I’m 200. So looks like I’ve only gained 10
pounds in the mission, woot woot! The mission nurse said the average weight
gain is 12-20 pounds. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This week we had a
leadership council. They shared the parable of the sewers. Like the seeds
falling in the path, in stones, in weeds, and finally in good dirt. I felt the
Spirit tell me I just need to keep on spreading seeds. Keep trying. Don’t stop.
Keep working. Just be patient with my current circumstances. The area. The
progress. Everything. That helped me a lot. Elder Torres always said something
that is helping me right now. He said "It’s not going to be easy, but it
isn’t going to be difficult either". That applies so much to me right now.
And I’ve seen it throughout my life. I just have to try. It won’t be impossibly
hard. It won’t be so uncomfortably hard to the point of tears every time. Yeah
it will require effort. But it is possible, and God always helps. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We also had a zone
conference with Presidente Obeso. I felt the Spirit give me a personal package
of information. I felt it confirm to me what Presidente Obeso said that his own
mission president always told him: "The most important thing I will ever
do on my mission is deepen my relationship with my Father in Heaven and with
Jesus Christ." It doesn’t matter if I teach 100 lessons a week or zero. I’m
working on that. I know that is what I need to do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">To find more people to
teach, we leave Saturday mornings in normal people clothes with an axe in hand.
We go door to door offering to cut people’s wood for free. People are super
receptive. Once they see we are there to serve them, they are friendly. They
point us to neighbors who could use help, and they smile and laugh. Also, if I
was a Chilean and 2 gringos, in normal clothes, with a massive axe in hand, and
very obvious neck tans knocked on my door, I would open up too. We made a
contact with a nice old lady. She talked with us for a bit, gave us a pear, and
then we asked her about her family. She got emotional, and then with great
heaviness in her voice, she told us about how all of her immediate family is
dead. Her kids are grown up and have basically forgotten about her, and her husband
is sick in the hospital. She feels alone. We testified of the plan of
salvation. We plan to pass by her again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The hermana that
washes our clothes, went to the temple with her husband and was sealed to him. They
were given a time in sacrament meeting to talk about their experience. They
glowed. They were so happy. I could feel how they are enjoying the greatest
blessings that God has in store for them. I miss the temple. I ache for it. I
need to go. I’m learning to love the temple. For those of you who can go,
please do. There are HUGE blessings in just going. I would give anything to
just feel of the Spirit that is in the temple. I love it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I just remembered that,
in Quellòn, Eliacer and Nivia should have been baptized two days ago. I’ve been
praying for them. I hope they made the decision.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On Sunday morning,
I was feeling discouraged. I opened up to Luke 22. I read until the end of the
book. It talks about Christ’s suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane, dying on
the cross, His resurrection, and walk to Emmaus. I felt the Spirit very strong
throughout testifying to me of Jesus Christ. I know that as I come to know
Christ better, and my testimony is stronger, I will be able to serve better in
my callings and help others. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We made a contact with
a less active returned missionary. We set up a cita. In the cita, we planned to
teach him the restoration, ask him for a reference, and then invite him to
church. We taught him the restoration. It went well. Then I was thinking,
"How on earth am I going to invite him to church? He already knows that is
the next thing coming." I didn’t know any other way than to just say it. But
it would be really direct. As I was opening my mouth, Elder Smith asked if he
could share a scripture. He opened up to Jacob 5:71-72 where it talks about the
laborers in the vineyard. He read it and then told him, "We need you. God
needs you." The Spirit was strong. I loved how Elder Smith invited him
with so much love. Then he opened up to us. He wants to comeback so much. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Elder West<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fa_JL7MOcYE/Vvn4uL1GZVI/AAAAAAAAA4U/UIJjZFYfSzQWjPRsye_1hVsjcYFIBIDKw/s1600/DSCN1714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fa_JL7MOcYE/Vvn4uL1GZVI/AAAAAAAAA4U/UIJjZFYfSzQWjPRsye_1hVsjcYFIBIDKw/s320/DSCN1714.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jacob's attempt at coloring an Easter egg with vinegar and food coloring</td></tr>
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Brett Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02350384464996719856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2474941344000543406.post-64340297262587360962016-03-22T12:02:00.000-07:002016-03-22T12:02:17.710-07:00Life is good—March 21, 2016<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Quellón, my previous
sector, is a giant hill. Everyone lives on the coast, and the countryside is
on top of the hill. I remember seeing there a mom that would always roll into
town riding a horse with her daughter, they both were wearing ponchos, and the
little girl was always holding a chainsaw. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For Saint Patrick’s
Day we cooked green pancakes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There is a saying in Chile:
"dar palos" or "give sticks." It is used to reprimand someone
or tell them to change. Funny.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In Valdivia, my current sector, some preachers
set up a speaker, microphone, and preach on the street. I heard one around the
corner, and I thought his congregation would be out listening to him because he
was pretty loud. As I rounded the corner, I saw the guy. He had a crowd of two
little kids on bikes that were watching him from 5 feet away. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">This week we contacted
a nice old guy outside of his house. We chatted a bit. He was pretty chill. I
asked him if he had any religious beliefs and he told me he belonged to a
church.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">But he didn’t pursue the topic
and still seemed pretty chill. I asked the guy what he believed. I then spent
the next 10 minutes trying to avoid debate as he just railed on us. It took a
lot to juggle around keeping my temper under control, be polite, and escape all
at the same time. I laughed about it later.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This week has been a
good one. And very hard. This sector has 2 eternal investigators (investigating
for years and still haven’t been baptized) and that’s it. We have been doing
lots of contacts. It has been hard. Wednesday morning, I was doing
sit-ups and bawling my eyes out at the same time because this is so hard. I prayed
hard. At the end of my sit-ups, I felt a prompting from the Spirit tell me I
just need to be patient. I felt better. That morning, I had a powerful study on
how we can find more people. The relationships with the ward leaders and
members here isn’t the strongest so we are going to improve that. I fasted for
this sector, for success, to help God’s children here. I feel a lot better now. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As part of improving
relationships with the members here, we have been passing by their homes and teaching
them the restoration. I absolutely love it. It helps us practice, and helps
them feel the Spirit. And we can ask them for references. I love teaching it to
them because they already believe it and we get to have a spiritual experience
together. Afterwards, we always feel more enthusiasm for the work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We taught a less active
members this week. They are unmarried and have a daughter. We are going to help
them get back to church, and start living the gospel again. Living the gospel
is true happiness. I feel so blessed to be on a mission. I have felt true
happiness. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">During our leadership
council we did "mirror preaching." We treat ourselves like an investigator.
We pick our need, what we see that we need to change to improve, create a 10 minute
lesson outline with a commitment, and then teach ourselves in the mirror. At first
it was weird. But once it became comfortable, I felt the Spirit very strong. It
is the same format we use in the Duty to God program. I love it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’ve been practicing gratitude
a lot more. I’m ponderizing Doctrine and Covenants 78:17-.20. Look it up. I had
an experience with it. I was in the street. I was hot, tired, and wanting the
day to be over. And I was tired of walking. I remembered my goal to say a
prayer of gratitude. I did it. The Spirit filled me up with joy and I realized
how blessed I was. As we are grateful, it allows the Lord to show us how much
he loves us, that he is a merciful being, and that he actually is blessing our
lives a lot. I especially love thanking Heavenly Father for gospel truths. I
cherish this gospel. I have grown to love it so much more on the mission. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We made bread with a
member family this week. A little family home evening. Elder smith had the idea
to have the members teach us how to make bread, then we take it to their
friends with them. It is a soft way to build better relationships with their
neighbors and friends, give them more exposure to the Church, and help the
members do missionary work. After we made bread with this family, they took it
to a sister in the ward that has a hard time getting along with others, and an
elderly man whose wife is in the hospital, and he limps around and has hard
time doing things. He told us we were the first visit from the members of the
Church. I felt great joy. That is such a good feeling. Later in the week, we
cut the elderly guy’s wood and just talked with him. I encourage you all to
find small ways to serve others like that. It feels really good. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We passed by a less
active this week. His son fell from a tree and is now paralyzed waist down. He
really wants his son to be able to serve a mission. His son went to Santiago
this week to meet with doctors. This brother is also having a hard time
financially. We talked to him and cut his wood, during which I asked him about
how he joined the church. We talked a bit. He told us he had an uncle who was a
member. This uncle always gave away copies of the Book of Mormon and Liahona as
presents. His uncle gifted him a Book of Mormon, looked him in the eyes, and
told him "this book has changed my life." Then the brother paused and
there was a silence. He looked down as he started to get emotional and I felt
the Spirit. He looked up at me and with tears filling his eyes he said "Hermanos,
the book changes lives. It changed mine. Keep preaching. The book changes
lives." I felt the Spirit very strong. I can add my testimony too. The
Book of Mormon has changed my life. I know it is the word of God. I know it
contains the fullness of the gospel. I know that by applying it, we will grow
closer to God. I love that book. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Even though this week
has been rough, it has been good. I feel that God is pleased with what I am
doing. I feel I am a good missionary.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Elder West<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FEh5xIynWX8/VvGRgZe0s-I/AAAAAAAAA38/ynoRNYXMnqYmll16mWuATdbxyzTFQc7gA/s1600/DSC00306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FEh5xIynWX8/VvGRgZe0s-I/AAAAAAAAA38/ynoRNYXMnqYmll16mWuATdbxyzTFQc7gA/s400/DSC00306.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Me, hypnotizing a dog with a rock</span></td></tr>
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Brett Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02350384464996719856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2474941344000543406.post-32028439932732411232016-03-14T19:51:00.000-07:002016-03-14T19:53:25.080-07:00Cambios and exhaustion<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Cambios--so we got the call Tuesday morning. Elder Torres is
now training in Quellón, Chiloé and I’m now in Valdivia, in the Calle Calle
stake in Los Encinos. </div>
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Tuesday, I was in a bus all day and stayed the night in Osorno.
And then Wednesday I bussed up to Valdivia. My new companion is named Elder Smith.
He is from Colorado. His family now lives in West Valley. He is the district
leader. There are 8 in our district. This is Elder Smith’s second to last
cambio in the mission. We get along great and laugh a lot. He is obedient in a
balanced way. Super good. Elder Ryan (my trainer) is my zone leader, and he is
in my district. Crazy!</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’m going to miss Quellón. I saw a lot of lives change
there. I’ll miss the Familia Carrillo-Lemus,
Nicol, Hno Felipe Colivoro, and a bunch of other great people. But I won’t miss
throwing slugs out of the bathroom window every morning and mold on our ceiling,
and more dogs than I’ve ever seen in my life. Haha. It is pretty hot here, with
less dogs, and less drunk people. But I’m still getting eaten alive by fleas. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Here in Valdivia there are giant wood piles in front of everyone’s
houses. Preppin’ for the winter.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pF5Z-sHGV-Q/Vud1xmBxXlI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/CmIbSlNqCA4dtAg9taHZKrq-2hBAfN2bw/s1600/DSCN1659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pF5Z-sHGV-Q/Vud1xmBxXlI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/CmIbSlNqCA4dtAg9taHZKrq-2hBAfN2bw/s400/DSCN1659.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Los Encinos is a ward of about 65 or 70. My first ward! Here
we have a ward mission leader! He is the best, super full of energy. And we
also have ward council. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The mission focus of the month is contacting. In our
leadership council we all brought a creative idea to do new contacts. There was
an idea to ask for references, film them and ask them questions for a video
(our idea), start the contact in English, haha (ZL idea), give them a balloon
and then pop it? (hnas idea), and sing a hymn with a harmonica backup. We are
trying new ideas out.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Our neighbors are pretty cool. We live in a green apartment.
Our neighbors downstairs are always booming the latest rap music, reggaton (Spanish
rap), and any other kind of party music. We call it the green and spacious
building. <o:p></o:p></div>
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If I could describe this week in one word it would be:
contacts. And sore muscles. And walking. Haha. Forget one word. One day we did
so many contacts I was losing my voice. <o:p></o:p></div>
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In my contacts, I have been focusing more on bearing my
testimony in 2 or 3 sentences with all the sincerity I can muster. I have felt
the Spirit more in the contacts. But it also hurts more when I’m rejected. But I
know I am filling more of my purpose. I felt to knock a street. We did. Straight
rejection except one house. We asked the lady something called "questions
from the soul" (Preach My Gospel chapter 5). She responded and was very
open. She has a 4 year old son and wants us to come back. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We also met another woman. We asked her how she was, and she
said that she wasn’t doing well. Her grandma is on life support, and just a
month earlier her baby died. It was a very late term miscarriage. We testified
of the plan of salvation and the atonement. She said she is seeking spiritual
help. We are trying to set up a cita with her. <o:p></o:p></div>
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With all of the walking, knocking, and contacting that we
have been doing in the sun, we are pretty beat up. And there are times during
the day when we are bummed out. I like the new rule that we have to carry a Book
of Mormon in hand all the time. I can open up to scriptures in contacts and
also read scriptures of comfort when it is hard and we need to keep going. There
was one time this week where I had had it. I was tired, sore, and it was only
like 6 in the evening. I remembered something Elder Bliss (my last district
leader) told me. He said that the Holy Ghost gives us energy. I remembered a
story he told us. He had been knocking doors ALL DAY and was done. His
companion looked him in the eyes and said, "We don’t have the Spirit with
us. We need it with us. I am going to bear you my testimony with all of the
power and authority that I can. Then you will share yours." His companion
bore his testimony, and the Spirit was strong. Then Elder Bliss shared his and
started crying in the middle of the street. Afterwards, they were full of the Spirit
and felt energy to do the work. As I remembered that story, I found myself in
the same situation as Elder Bliss. I told Elder Smith, "Elder Smith, I’m
tired. I don’t have the Spirit. I need it with me. I’m going to bear you my
testimony." He was kind caught off guard. But he listened. My testimony
was short. But it held all of the truths I absolutely know to be true. I felt
the Spirit very strong. Afterwards walking in the street, I felt the Spirit
burn within my chest, confirming to me that what I said was true. That Joseph
Smith is a prophet of God. I choked back tears. I know this gospel is true. I
know it. Sharing our testimonies helps us realize we know it and provides the Spirit
with the opportunity to confirm our testimonies to us. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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Elder West<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TGCW_VTzbic/Vud2AZLjP3I/AAAAAAAAA3g/sdULdnhlutIAM_QFJmVrco4Z6eeMSTJIQ/s1600/DSCN1670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TGCW_VTzbic/Vud2AZLjP3I/AAAAAAAAA3g/sdULdnhlutIAM_QFJmVrco4Z6eeMSTJIQ/s400/DSCN1670.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elder Smith</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3njr_qxL1yY/Vud15sBTeJI/AAAAAAAAA3g/bT2Tg6LQ_BQC1ip8psM7EQas_U77r44og/s1600/DSCN1663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3njr_qxL1yY/Vud15sBTeJI/AAAAAAAAA3g/bT2Tg6LQ_BQC1ip8psM7EQas_U77r44og/s400/DSCN1663.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A dog</td></tr>
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Brett Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02350384464996719856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2474941344000543406.post-46290901961381631942016-03-07T21:07:00.000-08:002016-03-07T21:07:09.141-08:00Craziest week ever, for real<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Yeah, so this week was crazy.</div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
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We went to Osorno for Elder Torres’ second visa. We were in
a bus for a solid two days. <o:p></o:p>I ran into Elder Ryan while in Osorno.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cwqxu1SLgbU/Vt5cTLqe28I/AAAAAAAAA2Q/ZUztiAGRgWA/s1600/DSCN1581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cwqxu1SLgbU/Vt5cTLqe28I/AAAAAAAAA2Q/ZUztiAGRgWA/s400/DSCN1581.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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We have a new mission rule to always have a Book of Mormon
in our hand when walking around.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I had an intercambio with my district leader, Elder Bliss,
in Castro. We did 31 contacts and then slept VERY well that night :)<o:p></o:p></div>
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The mission has changed the day of when they tell us our Cambios
[transfers]. So we find out tomorrow. Elder Torres and I have the same amount
of time here in Quellòn, two cambios. So we will see what happens. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We can see the massive Volcano Corcovado basically the whole
time we are tracting, along with two others. So that is a blessing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NyNlaLl_aDc/Vt5cAi-ewoI/AAAAAAAAA2I/QEdHeTZ43Sk/s1600/Quellon%2527s_Coastline_with_Volcano_Corcovado_in_the_distance.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NyNlaLl_aDc/Vt5cAi-ewoI/AAAAAAAAA2I/QEdHeTZ43Sk/s400/Quellon%2527s_Coastline_with_Volcano_Corcovado_in_the_distance.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Remember that guy who was always looking for his
"horses", who was drunk? So we were passing by his house to visit an
investigator yesterday. We hear a scream, look back, and see him. He comes up
to us, and the next thing we know he has us seated on his couch inside his
house. We attempted to teach lesson one. But he told us some pretty neat stuff
too, such as:<o:p></o:p></div>
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- he is a gringo from Germany<o:p></o:p></div>
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- he has 2 hearts<o:p></o:p></div>
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- he has 5 horses that have been lost for months. That’s why
he always walks with lassos.<o:p></o:p></div>
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- the carabineros (police) hauled him off to the jail in
Castro because he was drunk. As he was trapped in the back, he belted out an
epic braveheart scream: "Vive Quellòn!!!" ("for Quellòn").<o:p></o:p></div>
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That was a fun cita.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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On Wednesday morning at 3 AM, I woke up to sirens. The first
thing I thought was "Oh shoot. Tsunami!" I opened the curtains in our
room and saw a massive ball of fire. I woke up Elder Torres. First thing we did
was grab our cameras and started taking photos and videos. A house on the
street next to ours was on fire. And I mean ON FIRE. </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QJ_zJZ7swQU/Vt5cLZJLwWI/AAAAAAAAA2M/wS8zi6eODUA/s1600/DSCN1604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QJ_zJZ7swQU/Vt5cLZJLwWI/AAAAAAAAA2M/wS8zi6eODUA/s320/DSCN1604.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Our dueña (the person we
rent from), ran to us and told us to be careful with the cenisa (ashes) that
were falling. The wind was blowing all of the ashes our direction, and they
were landing on the rooftops. Everyone and their dog were on top of their roofs
spaying water to prevent the ashes from catching their homes on fire. We could
see the silhouette of our neighbor, valiantly spraying water on his roof while
smoking a cigarette at the same time. The bomberos (firefighters) arrived. A
crowd watched from an evangelical church just up the hill. The fired then spread to 3 more houses, and
then we got pretty freaked out. So we ran in and packed our bags. By 4 AM, the
bomberos managed to put out the fire. We slept for 3 more hours. The next day
we learned that two people had died- the albino DJ that is pretty well known
around here and his girlfriend. Hna Claudia knew him well. So she has been
pretty shaken up. We met a man in the street the other day who was a friend of
the man who died. We testified of the plan of salvation and felt the Spirit.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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On Saturday, we knocked a door, and a lady who was willing
to talk to us came out. Turns out she is an atheist. But that wasn’t a problem.
Atheists are normally very willing to listen, and we both leave respecting each
other’s beliefs. We shared with her our testimonies, and then she started to
tell us all of our testimonies are just human feelings that we invent to have
our minds rest, and because we need to have something to hope for. It reminded
me in the Book of Mormon, of the antichrist who taught that no one can know of
spiritual truths because we can’t see, and that testimonies are just the
results of a "frenzied mind." I’ve never had my testimony more
challenged, picked apart, tried, and blasted than in my mission. But God does
not fail us. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We had interviews with President Obeso this week. I’m
telling you all about the following and opening up about my weaknesses because
I want to help any other currently serving or prospective future missionary.
President Obeso sat me down and asked me if I was enjoying my mission. The man
has the gift of discernment. I started to cry and told him “sometimes.” I’m
trying so very hard to be obedient, but I’m not perfect. I want to do my
mission to the best of my ability and serve with everything I have, because I
don’t want to let the Lord, myself, or my family down. And all of that has created
a lot of stress for me. And to be frank, I am very hard on myself. Always
thinking on how I can improve, and how we should have acted in that situation,
and how we are going to act in the future. Anyway, President Obeso had me open
up to Doctrine and Covenants 121:41-46. He explained that Christ is kind, and
we show love for our investigators, and we are kind to other people, and we are
so forgiving to other people. All this because we want to follow Christ and
because they are commandments. But that those things also apply to ourselves. We
need to treat ourselves the same way. We read the Doctrine and Covenants
scripture and told me to have those same attributes with myself. President Obeso told me that I’m doing the
work well. That helped me a ton with being less hard on myself. Tender mercy. For
fast Sunday, I fasted for help in being less hard on myself and to have help
with this weakness. My fast and prayers are being answered. After a study, I
felt I just need to be patient with myself and have faith. I hope this helps
you guys.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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One of our investigators said she wants to be baptized. She
and her husband came to church again.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Hno Mario came to church without his family because they had
the funerals to go to. But he came by himself. He is serious about getting
sealed in the temple. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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We taught a less active member. We were very direct and
invited him to live the law of chastity, because he his living with his
partner. I used to be very squeamish about being direct like that. But as I understand
more about the power and authority of my calling, it has become natural. It is
such a blessing to help others.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I know God answers our prayers.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Elder West<o:p></o:p></div>
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Brett Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02350384464996719856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2474941344000543406.post-32836491107327591712016-02-29T21:38:00.000-08:002016-02-29T21:38:53.559-08:00Bautismo<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Family! Friends! </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nicol got baptized!!!!!! And her family came
from Puerto Montt!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But I’ll talk about
that later. Today, we leave for Osorno for 2 days to start the process for
companion’s second visa. We will be in a bus all day today, and all
day tomorrow. But I’m pumped to see more of Chile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This week we were
tracting and it was overcast, then within 30 minutes it just dumped rain on us.
Soaked every part of our bodies. All of the pass along cards and baptismal
invitations I had with me were destroyed. But by the end of the day my pants
had dried off so it works out in the end.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Wild blackberries are
all over the place. On the sides of the roads too. We have been eating them like
crazy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Some humorous stories: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There is a funny menos
active who is a little confused. He smokes, so we read 1Corinthians 3:16-17
about how our body is a temple. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Us: “Based on what we
have read, how can we keep care of our bodies?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Him: “We can wear
clothes so we don’t get cold. Eat.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Us: “Good, what other
ways are there?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Him: “Don’t wear
makeup. God doesn’t want us to do that.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Us (trying not to
laugh): “Are there any OTHER ways??” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Him: ..... Us: “How
about not smoking??” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Him: “Ooohhhhh thipo
(ohhhhhh, yeah that’s right)”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A confused older lady we met-
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Lady: “How are you two
doing?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Us: “Great, thank you.” </span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Lady: “I like you guys. I like your religion. You do great things. I also like
Jehova’s Witnesses, Catholics, and Evangelicals.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Us: “Thank you very
much! That’s great that you like religion so much and see the good it does.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Lady: “But do you know
who I HATE?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Us: “Who?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Lady: “I hate the Mormons.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Us: “But mam we are Mormons.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Lady: “No no, you guys
are great. But I hate the Mormons.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Us, after several
attempts: “Have a great day!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hope you enjoyed that.
This week has gone well. This week we had a broadcast in Castro for the missionaries
by Elder Bednar. He was in Argentina. It went super well. I received a lot of
help from the Spirit. I received comfort for members of my family who are less
active or non-members. I felt God is very happy with what I am doing, and I
felt an overwhelming calm about the work. The Lord will hasten His work in His
own time. I just have to do my part. My absence is helping my family more than
my presence. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">During district
council we did a practice. We knocked a door, got in, and started to begin
teaching. The Spirit hit me with an overwhelming prompting to testify of
Christ. But this is just a practice in district council! I thought promptings
like this only come in real lessons! But I bore my testimony, and the Spirit
was strong. Later that day, we did a street contact. Instead of using the pass
along cards and other contacting methods, I just bore my testimony of Jesus
Christ to these people right off the bat. I felt the Spirit. The couple didn’t
accept our invitation, but I’m doing my part as a representative of Jesus
Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Two investigators came
to the mission activity on Friday! There were 3 investigators and 3
members, but it went great. Nicol bore her testimony to them, said they should
keep investigating, and that they should come to her baptism on Saturday.
They came! It has been a little tricky with them. They are 16 and 17 years old.
They are off and on. Right when we are about to drop, them they progress
rapidly. And the cycle repeats. But they are progressing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">With a couple we are
teaching, their baptismal date is for the 26<sup>th</sup> of March. They
are still working for an answer. They have such great faith. They are a MARRIED
couple (that’s rare) with 2 daughters ages 7 and 5 that remind me a lot of my
little sister Rebecca. We had dinner with them last night. They are from Temuco.
The husband works here in the pesquera (fish factory). His wife is going back
to Temuco but is praying for guidance if she should stay or should she should
go. They are looking to rent their own house here. Right now they are living
with members. That is how we got their reference. The husband has a powerful
testimony of prayer, and is praying for guidance in this decision. He told us
that he doesn’t believe moving here, living with a Mormon family, and then
coming into contact with us as missionaries is a coincidence. Such a great
family.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nicol was
baptized on Saturday by Elder Torres. On Sunday, I confirmed her
a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and conferred to
her the gift of the Holy Ghost. People always look different after their
baptism and when they receive the Holy Ghost. There is a light in them. It is noticeable.
As missionaries we notice it even more because we interact with every kind of
person. Nicol, after her baptism bore here testimony. She said it has been
hard. Really hard. And that God has let her struggle through the whole process.
But that has made her stronger. She had prayed every night asking God if this
is the decision that he wants her to take. She even prayed the night before, seeking
a confirmation to her answer. She testified that because of her decision 1,000
problems came. But for every problem, there were 10,000 answers and help.
Powerful testimony. She wants to serve a mission but hasn’t taken the decision
yet. The poor girl was so scared at the baptism, she was rigid. It took her 3
attempts before she was baptized properly. Elder Torres told her to say a
prayer in her heart and then let her feet leave the floor. That was the time
that it worked. She has such great faith.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In the broadcast with
Elder Bednar, he talked a lot about praying with faith. We do that by telling
God our plans, what we want to accomplish, and then asking for His help and
blessings as we act. I put that to the test this week. One morning I woke up,
still dead tired, and I didn’t want to do exercises. But I wanted to be
obedient. I said a prayer and told God I would begin the process of getting
ready, and I would do the exercises because I wanted to be obedient. But I
asked Him to bless me with the energy to do them as I acted. The energy came! The
motivation came! I know God answers our prayers. Yesterday, Elder Torres and I
offered the same prayer. We were exhausted and didn’t want to work. But we told
God we were going to work anyways, and that we wanted Him to bless us with the strength
to walk the rest of the day, and energy to do the work. And it came. Test this
out. I know God answers our prayers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">While we taught the
gospel principles class about the fall of Adam and Eve, I thought about how
this story applies to us. The Spirit testified that just like with Adam and
Eve. We make mistakes. We will sin. But God has a plan for us. And even when we
fall, He can still make the best out of things, even bring us great blessings
as we repent. Just like Brother Wagner used to say in seminary, "God has
our goofs worked into His plan for us." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I love you guys.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Elder West<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Brett Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02350384464996719856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2474941344000543406.post-79960780443815136572016-02-22T20:27:00.000-08:002016-02-22T20:32:07.979-08:00Another good week<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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REBECCA MY LIL SIS HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Yesterday we did a door contact and the guy accepted an
appointment and gave us two references. Wow. <o:p></o:p></div>
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On Saturday the branch had an asado in the campo
(countryside?), we got permission to go! </div>
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While there Hno. Felipe (his dad owns
the campo) took us to a super pretty river, we ate wild apples on the way, and
he also showed us some wild berries that taste like black licorice. </div>
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After we
went back to Quellon for Nicol`s baptismal interview, and she passed it with
flying colors and impressed Elder Bliss a lot. She will be baptized this Saturday
Feb 27. Happy birthday Rebecca.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Elder Torres’ plan A [his old girlfriend at home in Peru] got
married this week, so we’ve been laughing about our circumstances this week.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I had an intercambio with Elder Ramer this week. He has 3
weeks in the mission. I learned a lot from him, his enthusiasm, and sincerity.
I love that. All of the new missionaries are super good and bear powerful
testimonies. We did 12 semanas (training) and then taught a family (Eliacer and
Nivia) that are renting a room from the Familia Fernandez. They had 2 family
home evenings and saw the restoration video and have been asking lots of
questions. We gave them the restoration lesson. We were in the living room. There
was a curtain dividing us from the kitchen where the Familia Fernandez were
eating dinner, making bread, and cutting tons of onions for empanadas. We bore
testimony. The Spirit was strong. All of our eyes are watering, and then Nivia
bursts into tears and I got super pumped because I knew she was feeling the
Spirit. She looks me directly in the eyes and tells me, "These onions are
making me cry." the whole situation was super funny. We were crying
because of onions, but also because of the Spirit. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We made a contact with a guy named Nacho. He is super funny
and receptive. He said he was catholic, but was very open, so we were pumped to
commit him to baptism. Then he told us he was also baptized, Mormon. That
happens a lot here in Chile. With my first baptismal invitation in the mission,
the guy turned out to be a less active. Anyway, we are helping Nacho stop smoking
and come back to church. He gave us a reference to pass by a friend of his. We
contacted the guy and passed by a day later. He wasn’t home. But on our way to
a different contact, we saw him on the other side of a busy street. We said hi.
He waved back, obviously drunk, and then crossed the road like he was the only
person in the world. We screamed in horror thinking he was about to get levelled
by the oncoming traffic. But he made it. He was carrying lots of rope, and we
asked him why. He told us he was looking for his lost horses. Super funny. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Friday, we organized an activity to help the branch’s
energy. We planned to share a message, then pass the rest of night with
activities. We invited an investigator named Umberto. He came! Umberto is super
sincere, timid, and intense when he talks. He has had a super hard life. We
invited people to share their testimonies about prayer. UMBERTO WENT UP!!! Umberto
also talks a lot so we were worried. He shared a lot about hard things that
have happened to him in his life, and shared his life story. Everyone was
QUIET. Umberto opened up a lot that night with the activities, said he felt
very welcomed, and now feels comfortable going to church. So that is a huge
step.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We are trying to help Umberto recognize that his dream about
getting baptized by John the Baptist is an answer to his prayers. God still
works miracles.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In that same activity, Catalina got up to share her
testimony too. She testified about prayer. She said her dad didn’t want
anything with the Church. When she was at the temple in Santiago with her mom
and Benjamin, all they did was pray for her dad. Then she pointed at her dad,
and said, "And now look. My dad is here. I know God answers prayers."
Super powerful, the Spirit was very strong. The Familia Carrillo Lemus gave a
big hug after. Later Hno. Mario told us he chose to come back because he has a
testimony of the Church, and Catalina’s baptism helped. Wow. Miracles.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The commitment for district council this week was to take a
scripture from our lesson one outlines and make a plan on what questions we
will use with it to help out teachings. I chose Galatians 5:22-23 for
recognizing the Spirit. I remember the first person to show me this scripture
was Dad. Anyway, I applied it last night in our lesson with Eliacer and Nivia.
It went so well. Asking them questions that helped them apply the scripture
brought the Spirit. We were able to involve Nivia more and help her recognize
the Spirit. Eliacer accepted the 26 of March as a baptismal date. Nivia will
move to Temuco in a week, but we are going to send the missionaries to her. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I know God hears and answers our prayers. I was studying
today to receive an answer to a question I have. When we turn to God, prayer,
the scriptures, and action, God blesses us with guidance. I know that is true.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Elder West<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />
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Also Elder Weech visited this week.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Brett Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02350384464996719856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2474941344000543406.post-638146673003090512016-02-15T20:42:00.001-08:002016-02-15T20:42:32.235-08:00A super-duper week<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kBbWFLN6J2I/VsKnDUE3dDI/AAAAAAAAA0A/f0Xt4H6tRe4/s1600/DSCN1434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kBbWFLN6J2I/VsKnDUE3dDI/AAAAAAAAA0A/f0Xt4H6tRe4/s640/DSCN1434.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rain --again</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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So this week there has been a clown in the main street of Quellon
that has been selling pig balloons. He also screams at people and then does a
Joker laugh. He got the people in front of us and it took me a few minutes to relax.
Hate clowns.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We finally got a new iron!! To iron, we were putting the
broken one we have over the gas burners on the stove to heat it up. Very inefficient.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I tried to make an Asian stir fry this week. I tried making
a soy sauce I saw Elder Watson do: 50% peanut butter and 50% soy sauce. It was
horrible. After gagging half of it down, I threw the rest away.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Snap, I’m writing this email super slow in horrible English
because Spanish is taking away my native language. I forgot how to say
"organization" this week in English.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We cut 4 cubic meters of wood for service.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We talked to a youth in the ward. He said in 2 weeks he has
read up into Alma. We were impressed. Then he said he has to read to music to
be focused. When I asked him what kind of music he listens to, he told me Wiz Khalifa.
I died laughing. The kid was dead serious.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This week, we had a dinner with the family Carrillo Lemus. We
ate papas lawancquillina or something like that. Elder Torres cooked it. They
made ceviche (crab salad). Seated at the table with 6 people eating DINNER
(that hasn’t happened in a while) made me feel like I was with my own family. Haven’t
felt that chill in a while. HNO MARIO CAME TO CHURCH!!! TEMPLE! TEMPLE! TEMPLE!
TEMPLE!<o:p></o:p></div>
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We passed by Mattias this week. His grandma met us outside
and told us he doesn’t want to meet with us anymore. We asked if we could talk
to Mattias instead. When we met with him, he confirmed what his grandma said. He
said he wants to devote time to studying, family, and other things, and doesn’t
want to be limited by what we can’t do. We asked questions and listened
sincerely. Turns out he had heard and read some pretty whacked out stuff and we
were able to respond to those doubts, answer some questions he had, and then
watch the restoration video. Helped him out.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In district council this week, Elder Bliss bore a powerful
testimony. I had been feeling lukewarm for a while. That sparked the Spirit in
me and confirmed my testimony of the restoration. The next day, I bore that
same testimony to Nicol, and I felt the Spirit very strong. The day after that Moises
told us he doesn’t believe in what we do, and whipped out some scriptures from
the Bible. I didn’t know what to do, or how to respond. But I did know that
what I have a testimony about is true. So I bore my testimony. My point is that
bearing your testimony has a powerful domino effect. Elder Bliss´ testimony
this week helped me throughout the week. Please bear your testimonies.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Yesterday, we were talking with a youth. Something happened
in the conversation, and then Elder Torres and the kid burst out laughing. I
didn’t understand and thought I said something that was interpreted inappropriately
(happens a lot), or that they were laughing at my Spanish (neither of the two).
Later we were walking to the church, and a group of 3 teenagers were screaming
English words and sentences at me, mocking me. That happens a lot, and it takes
a lot to ignore and keep walking. They followed us for about a minute. Elder Torres
had it and whipped around and did a contact with them and told them they could
practice English with me if they wanted. I felt dumb. I had had it. We got to
the chapel and while Elder Torres was in the bathroom, I prayed on my knees and
cried like crazy. Sometimes it is super frustrating with the language. I want
to build relationships, help others, teach and have others understand, and
express myself. Sometimes I feel like the ability to express myself is completely
taken away from me, even in prayer because I can’t say everything I want to,
and it is such a habit to pray in Spanish that it is now difficult to pray in
English. I felt the Spirit confirm to me that God was pleased with me. God
knows what He is doing. Tender mercy.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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After district meeting this week, I was also feeling
overwhelmed on the bus ride home. I was stressed, and struggling with my weaknesses,
and trying to be focused on the work. I prayed. I had the strongest feeling
come over me that in that exact moment my dad was praying for me. I felt his
prayer for me. It helped me. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I know God hears and answers prayers, and our testimonies
have a powerful impact on others.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Elder West<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sP2vkMWAKrs/VsKnZu1pUWI/AAAAAAAAA0E/ESfIA623zGM/s1600/DSCN1415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sP2vkMWAKrs/VsKnZu1pUWI/AAAAAAAAA0E/ESfIA623zGM/s320/DSCN1415.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wearing out the soles of his shoes</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">worn out insoles</td></tr>
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Brett Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02350384464996719856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2474941344000543406.post-70721963006722141412016-02-08T14:20:00.002-08:002016-02-08T14:20:43.288-08:00Bautismo<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This week we traveled to Castro twice. Once for district
council and again for zone council. There are three new elders being trained in
the zone. One is from Hawaii, and we have clicked super well. Once he found out
I have 7 months in the mission, he asked me how it felt. Why are you asking
me?!?! Haha. Ask the other dude who has 1 cambio left! I feel for the new
elders so much because the beginning of my mission was the hardest time of my
life. Just like it is for everyone else.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We are working with Richard and Paula. We are helping Paula
get divorced with a former husband so she can get married to Richard. Richard
is investigating. He came to church yesterday. And in the gospel principles
class, he said he wants his 4 year old son to serve a mission!!! Richard wants
to be baptized. We are helping him stop smoking. The only downer is the process
with the lawyers to get them divorced takes time and we don’t have any control
over that so we can’t put him with fecha. But he is so good!<o:p></o:p></div>
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We are helping Luis and Julia get married. Julia is the
investigator. She has prayed about marriage and is waiting on an answer. Luis
wants to straight up get married. Yyyyyeeeeeeaaaaaahhhhhh buddy!<o:p></o:p></div>
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This week we passed by a member of our branch. She is a
widow. We cut her wood every 3 days. She is 84. We talked with her for a while
this time. She told us that she is struggling with depression, she misses her
husband, her son is a drunk that gets angry fast and she does everything for
him (he is like a little kid). Her daughter left the house and her mom with
lots of bills and debt to pay off. This
sister can’t leave the house because of her health. We cut her wood, and then
pulled out some chairs and shared something with her outside. Right when we
ended, the rain started. Not a coincidence. It was so good to hear her
testimony. She cherishes this gospel. Great lady, and I felt the Spirit super
strong. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Yesterday we visited a less active. Her husband works in the
sea, so he is gone a lot. She can’t read. Which means she can’t read the
scriptures. She has a very complicated family situation, but we were able to
share Doctrine and Covenants 100:15 to help her. She just needed someone to
listen to her and read the scriptures with her. Such a blessing to be a
missionary and do what Christ would.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nicole is progressing well. Still going strong for the 27 of
February for her baptismal fecha. She read the law of chastity, word of wisdom,
and gospel of Jesus Christ pamphlets in one sitting!!!!!!!!!! No one reads ONE.
And she read THREE, and all in the same day!! Crazy!! So prepared. She stopped
drinking coffee when she heard it was wrong, even before we taught her. So she
started drinking tea to replace that, haha. Once she found out about tea, she
stopped drinking it in a heartbeat. Her evangelico parents are happy that she
is getting baptized and support her decision. They will come down for her
baptism from Puerto Montte. <o:p></o:p></div>
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On Friday, a man called us up and asked if he could come out
and work with us. Turns out he is from Coyhaique. Turns out he was the zone
leaders’ investigator. Turns out he was a guy Elder Lawton and I contacted!!!
Crazy! We found him outside of our house. He has back problems and walks with a
cane. He fell one day, and couldn’t get back up. His cane was out of reach, and
dogs were biting him. Elder Lawton and I found him, and helped him up. As we
were working, he said he knows the church is true. But he still isn’t married
with his pareja, so he can’t get baptized. But way good guy. He helped us out
Friday with citas and all of Saturday cleaning the church and filling the font.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The familia Carrillo-Lemus. LOVE THEM. This is a family I
will never forget. This week we were with Hno Mario. HE ASKED US FOR THE
SPIRITUAL THOUGHT!! Then we talked about
him going to the temple with his family. He committed to begin on that. Complete
miracle. We gave him a form that the Church has that shows all of the steps to
get to that point. The form is called the “hoja del templo”. The next cita with
him, we planned a welcome home party for Catalina, Benjamin, and Claudia for
when they go home from their travels. When they got home, we showed up an hour
after. Hna Claudia told us that when they went to buy their bus tickets to Quellòn
from Viña del Mar, there weren’t any until the 9th, 3 days after Catalina’s baptism.
A few minutes later, she got a call saying that there were EXACTLY THREE SEATS
AVAILABLE. When Catalina heard that, she told her mom that she had offered a
prayer and asked Heavenly Father if he wanted her to get baptized on the 6th
that He would give them seats home. Right after the prayer, 3 seats became
available. Miracle. Anyway, we were with them in their house after they got
home, and Hna Claudia told us that her inactive mom told her about how women
aren’t appreciated in the church, how they are slaves to the men, they don’t
have rights, and other ugly things. Claudia said a prayer. The next day they went
to church and the bishop in Viña del Mar gave a lesson to the Relief Society
about a talk from President Hinckley about the value of women in our lives. THE
TALK WAS JUST FOR HER. Miracle. Anyhow, we are with them in their house
talking. Catalina tries on the baptismal clothes and they fit perfect. Then we
talk more. Then Elder Torres says, "Oh, Hno Mario isn’t there something
that you wanted to show to Hna claudia? (wink wink, hint hint)." He then
stands up, grabs the “hoja del templo”, hands it to Hna Claudia, and tells her
that he wants to be sealed in the temple as a family. MIRACLE. She bursts into
tears. The Spirit was so strong. I cried. I have never been more happy in my
life. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The next day Catalina was baptized. Branch President Ojeda
did it. Later that night, Hno Mario told Hna Claudia that he will come to
church from now on and return to activity in the church. WWWHHHHHAAAAATTTT?!?!?!
I can’t believe that we are seeing this miracle take place. I don’t deserve to
be a part of this. But Heavenly Father is blessing me so much. I love this
family with all of my heart. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The next day, I confirmed Catalina as a member of the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and gave her the gift of the Holy Ghost. A
great experience. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have no idea why I am being so blessed. This is a miracle.
I am so grateful. Before my mission, I had a powerful experience where the Spirit
told me there is a specific area that I need to serve in, and specific people I
need to teach. I know that the familia Carrillo-Lemus is one of them.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Elder West<o:p></o:p></div>
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Brett Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02350384464996719856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2474941344000543406.post-21407553332883287362016-02-01T12:53:00.003-08:002016-02-01T12:53:57.220-08:00Estamos hecho polvopo!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This week has been ridiculous. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Monday we washed pigs. First we had to feed them. We dipped
buckets into a vat of slop. Slop is water, and ANYTHING ELSE. For real. Rotten
tomatoes, old french-fries, corn husks, mystery meat. Everything. Gagged when I
saw it. We carried these buckets of slops to the pig pens to feed the beasts. While
we are trying to pour it into their troughs the pigs were slamming their heads
into the buckets so slop would fall. Sometimes more slop ended up on the pigs
than in the troughs. I also now know what it means to eat like a pig. The pigs
slammed their faces into the muck and made all kinds of noises. Once "the
feeding" began, all the pigs started shrieking. Straight Jurassic Park. Never
going to forget that.<o:p></o:p></div>
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My new companion is Elder Torres from Chiclayo, Peru. He is
a straight bro! I haven’t laughed so hard my whole mission. Also, Elder Torres
is obedient and kills himself working hard. We have seen a lot of success this
week for our work and obedience. He is my first Latino companion. THE SPANISH
NEVER STOPS. I have been getting humbled for that. But this kid is a rock star.
He has about 10 months in the mission. <o:p></o:p></div>
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This week we were with a family. They let us in to teach. We
chatted beforehand and laughed a lot because the grandma. Just the way she
talks is super funny. She has died her hair red and says the most off colored
things. Elder Torres asked if we could begin with a prayer, and she said
"dèle no màs!”, which basically translates to "just give it
already." We killed over laughing for about 5 minutes and after gaining
composure we started the prayer. Halfway through, we lost it and laughed again.
We finally finished the prayer. Funny experience.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This week, because they removed 2 missionaries, we now cover
all of Quellòn. We have walked wayyyy too much. We are dead at the end of every
day. But God has been blessing us with success. We put 3 people with baptismal
fecha! Mattìas (16), Moisès (30ish), and Nicole (19). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nicole is amazing. Her less active friend from Santiago told
her about the church. Nicole has been investigating for a few years now. She
has an evangelico background. Last week she just showed up to church all on her
own. In gospel principles class we all introduced ourselves. She gave the
normal info, then explained that she is looking for the truth and that is why
she came to our church. We were all speechless. This week we put her with the
baptismal fecha of 27 of Febuary. Pres.
Ojeda gave her a triple combination Book of Mormon, D y C, and Perla de Gran Precio.
She has been calling US and asking US when we can meet with her. As we taught
her the restoration and asked her if she feels it is true, she told us yes. She
feels it is true. She told us that she feels her search for truth has come to
an end and she wants to be baptized in our church. WOW. Golden. She went to Relief
Society on Thursday and drank mate with the hermanas and said she feels like
our congregation is a family. Perfect. I don’t know why God allows me to take
part in such an amazing conversion process.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Mattias is 16 and told us that he felt super relaxed and at
peace when he prayed about the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith. His fecha is 27
of Feb., but we will have to change it because he is leaving on vacations. Moises
is a former investigator. He directs the choir and plays lead guitar for his
evangelico church. He has read the Book of Mormon up until 3 Nephi before. He
is set on getting an answer. With all of his time investigating, he hasn’t
gotten one, but said if through his efforts God gives him one, he will be baptized
for the 27 of February.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our new district leader, Elder Bliss is super funny. On the
day we put Mattias and Nicole with fechas and we told him on the phone during
our daily verification, he screamed. The next day when we told him about Moises
he screamed again. Love him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We don’t deserve any of this success. Doing my best to keep
my head down and work.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We passed by a less active during the week. He let us in. He
was ordained an elder, baptized his sister, introduced the elders to his
brother and they baptized him, and was going to be the first missionary from
the branch of Quellòn. But he has fallen away. He now is living with a pareja
and won’t come back. It gave me great pain to see that. A man who was enjoying
the fullest blessings of the gospel is now on the polar opposite side. As we
talked he acknowledged what he was doing was wrong. He wants to come back. But
he told us it is too hard. I told him very directly why we were there and that
what he was doing was wrong and God wants him back. I felt the Spirit very
strong. Elder Torres shared Alma 34 about repenting NOW. Then we left the
lesson. He didn’t want to act. Walking away, I started praying for him and
broke into tears. Agency is so frustrating. I want to use mine well.<o:p></o:p></div>
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During the week, we passed by a recent convert named Karen. We
talked a bit outside. As we asked her about her conversion process the
conversation became more personal. We asked her how she felt about the apostasy
when the elders taught her and if she understood it. We were super down and
frustrated with the day and with rejection. Everything she said was a home run
to the heart straight from the Spirit. She said it is never our fault if they don’t
accept it, and that we teach well. If the investigator is ready and prepared
then they will understand it and ask questions if they don’t. She was our missionary
in that moment. Elder Torres and I were crying, we sang a hymn with her (at her
suggestion), and then said a prayer. That was a massive tender mercy. Such a
strong convert, strong testimony. I love Hna Karen. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hna Claudia called us this week super exited. She told us
that she, Catalina, and Benjamin were at the SANTIAGO TEMPLE!!!!! After Catalina’s examines, they walked to the
temple and read their scriptures. She was way too amped. I talked to Catalina
and she said she felt super good and ready for her baptism. Yesterday we passed
by her dad, Hno Mario, to give him baptismal invitations to pass out for Catalina`s
baptism. We ended up talking for half an hour. Then we talked about his baptism
(never has been that open enough before!!!) and then shared a scripture (that`s
never been done either!!). Elder Torres was bold and took the lead on both of
those. Then I asked a question about spiritual experiences and Hno Mario then
told us about one. I’m not going to explain it out of respect for him, but we
were crying. And throughout the process, hugged like 6 times. Love that man.
God has been working on him and he is opening up. Miracle. I see them as a
family in the temple someday. Catalina will be baptized this Saturday February
6 and confirmed February 7. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Thank you for all of your support. I love you guys. You are
important to me. And I need you. This church is so true and this is God`s work.
So grateful to see it happening.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Elder West<o:p></o:p></div>
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Brett Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02350384464996719856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2474941344000543406.post-13725037729009107542016-01-26T21:06:00.001-08:002016-01-26T21:06:05.586-08:00Baptismal interview and cambios<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This has been a full week. As always I’ll start with the
less spiritual and then progress from there on. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Last pday I cooked Reece’s, rice, and hot fudge sauce. One
of my more relaxing pdays. This one has been polar opposite, haha. We have
walked all day around town so Elder Weech can say bye to the members here. He
is leaving for Osorno to participate in all of the activities with the missionaries
who are ending. And because he extended his mission he will serve 2 weeks in La
Union. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cambios: in Quellón there are 4 missionaries. In the mission
our numbers have lowered from 200 to 190, so they have had to close some
sectors. They are combining the two sectors here. Elder Weech and Elder Linton
are leaving. Me and Elder Torres will stay here and hold down the fort. When we
found that out, we were too amped. I love Elder Torrez. During my 2 week
intercambio/sobrecambio in Coyhaique with Puerto Cisnes, we changed companions.
I also was able to work with him one pday in Coyhaique, and we have lived here in
the same house this cambio. He is super funny and we get along too great. Really
going to enjoy this cambio. We will see a lot of baptisms here. Legit though. He
works so hard and is obedient. I have been blessed to have Elder Weech as my
companion. He has taught me so much about working through the members and
references. And it was during this cambio that I arrived to feel like a real
missionary. I know now more about my purpose and how to do it. The life of a missionary
feels more normal now, kind of like it did in high school. Love Elder Weech. He
has done so much for the rama [branch] here. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
During this week, we were in Castro. I bought a milcao. A
milcao is basically mashed potatoes in a huge ball and then fried. Apparently,
it is the specialty of Chiloe. So I ate one. First bite felt like a really fat McDonald
French fry. Afterwards, I wanted to throw up because of all the grease. Didn’t
feel normal the rest of the day, haha. Also in Castro we saw a worldwide
missionary capacitacion [training] from SLC. Super good. Cool to see all the missionaries
in Utah with their iPads, dry-cleaned suits, padded chairs, talking about past
baptisms, and speaking English, hahah. And then us. jk. Totally jk. Well at
least about the baptisms part because there are some here.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week Elder Weech and I made a document for Catalina’s
parents to sign giving permission for a baptismal interview. It might become an
official mission document because our mission doesn’t have one. We made it on
the fly! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After making that document, it was already late and we had
like 15 minutes before going to the house. So we knocked the nearest less
active’s door just to pass the time. We are just two young punks but the Lord
blessed us with a cita with the less active’s daughter and her nonmember
boyfriend. Totally God´s work. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yesterday, we had an asado with Pres. Ojeda and today we ate
lunch with him. His confidence in us is building. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There was some contention between some missionaries in our house,
so Elder Weech and I made crepes and chocolate sauce for breakfast. Everyone is
now best friends. Service works wonders. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I taught 20 minutes in district meeting. Super fun. We
talked about goals.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tonight we have a noche de hogar with Hno. Antonio and Hna.
Jacklyn who live in the "kind of campo." We had an asado with them on
Christmas. We are going to wash their 10 massive pigs, woot woot!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A few weeks ago, I mentioned that we set a cita with a guy
and he turned out to be a preacher so we didn’t go to the cita. Well this week
we were talking with Hno. Dias in his carniceria (meat store) and the preacher
walks in. Once we saw him, we both thought "oh crud". But Elder Weech
actually said it out loud. Haha. I tried not to laugh. He told us we failed the
cita and that only men fail so we aren’t of God. I said a silent prayer in my heart. No idea
what to do. I was direct with him and told him we are here to baptize and he
probably won’t want to be baptized so he isn’t in our focus. I stood as tall as
I could. Being 6ft 4 sometimes doesn’t hurt. :) Then I thanked him for all the
good he does in the community and how he helps people. That threw us onto
"good vibes" territory, but it was still tense. We told him we had to
go so he left. I guess I tell this story
to explain that God put words into my mouth that were not my own to protect the
name of the Church and the work of salvation here in Quellón. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week, I was talking with an elder. He was burdened with
stress because of his leadership position. He told me that he is a horrible
leader. That in every calling he has had (teachers quorum president and stuff
like that), no one has ever wanted to follow him. The guy before him and the
guy after him, the people follow, but never him. He tore himself apart in front
of me. His thoughts were obviously not coming from the Spirit. I said another
payer in my heart during the silence that followed to know what to say. I had
no idea but I just opened my mouth. Again, God put words into my mouth. It is a
special feeling as they come out. I told him of a blessing my dad had given me
where he said that "a leader is just a good disciple of Jesus Christ."
I explained to this elder that all he has ever done is try his best, he has
never tried to do what’s wrong. He has only had good desires. As I spoke, I
watched his eyes change. They softened, and I could see the Spirit working on
him. His eyes filled with tears and he hugged and thanked me. Special
experience sitting in a bus terminal. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
CATALINA: we just barely said bye to them. They left for Santiago.
Here is the situation. We went with Hno. Díaz to a cita this week. Her dad (Hno.
Mario) answered the door, and we talked with him for several minutes. That is
amazing because Hno. Mario has been pretty closed off. In a cita with Catalina,
we did a practice baptismal interview. I asked the questions. That girl has a powerful
testimony. I felt the Spirit so strong. What joy! The next day, she passed her
interview with Elder Vega, our zone leader. He told me he wanted to cry during
the interview as she told him of a spiritual experience she had. After the
interview, we went to their house to have Hno. Mario sign the baptismal registro
to give his permission. He did it! And then we talked for 30 minutes after. HUGE. He is a pretty cool guy. In church on Sunday,
we set a cita with Claudia and she invited the other elders too. That night, we
cooked arroz con leche. Elder Torres, not knowing the situation with Hno. Mario,
asked if he would join us because he was hiding in his room like normal. Claudia
asked him and Hno. Mario came in!!! That whole night he talked with the four of
us and we all laughed and had a great time with the family. The family is
Benjamin, Catalina, Hno. Mario, and Hna. Claudia. I felt like I was with my own
family. Bliss. It has been a complete miracle seeing Hno. Mario open himself up
to us this week because in the beginning he wouldn’t even let the missionaries
in the house. With time, he will come back to church and they will get sealed
in the temple. I’m so humbled to take part in the conversion process of Catalina,
reactivating Hna. Claudia, and just becoming a part of their family. Catalina
will be baptized Feb 6 and confirmed the day after. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week I started to read Jesus the Christ. That book
blows my mind, and rocks me with the Spirit. I love it. It has helped me a lot.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder West <o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Doctrine and Covenants 100:15</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l1pLghlcatg/VqhPCIiuOfI/AAAAAAAAAyU/YwDEmW4wXPU/s1600/DSCN1321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l1pLghlcatg/VqhPCIiuOfI/AAAAAAAAAyU/YwDEmW4wXPU/s400/DSCN1321.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Baptismal
font that will soon be filled. We cleaned it and there were spider webs. It has
been too long since there has been a baptism</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
Brett Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02350384464996719856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2474941344000543406.post-81234722602111135822016-01-18T15:52:00.001-08:002016-01-18T15:52:17.351-08:00House rest lifted<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vp7vs3cCz_0/Vp135OSUtKI/AAAAAAAAAxY/XTPDQmYyamk/s1600/DSCN1306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vp7vs3cCz_0/Vp135OSUtKI/AAAAAAAAAxY/XTPDQmYyamk/s640/DSCN1306.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Chilote house (on stilts)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mis queridos!!!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So Tuesday the house rest was lifted and we have been able
to work normally now. Elder Weech feels better because he is taking some medication
to help with the pain. They said he has "calculos" which could be
kidney stones. But we don’t know.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We went to Punta Lapas this week. It is the end of the Pan-American
Highway. Super cool. Reminded me a lot of the Oregon coast- windy, cold, water,
beautiful, salt smell.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--ZdQWcHQj88/Vp14n7FwJMI/AAAAAAAAAxg/aEV0ThVBYIE/s1600/DSCN1301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--ZdQWcHQj88/Vp14n7FwJMI/AAAAAAAAAxg/aEV0ThVBYIE/s640/DSCN1301.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Punta Lapas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had an intercambio with my zone leader Elder Hughes. He is
from Nevada. He is taller than I am. We ate completos for lunch, then worked
hard. We gave two baptismal invitations, but they weren´t accepted. That’s ok. We
did our part. During the intercambio, an hermano named Ronald worked with us.
He works in Líder and called us to see if he could work with us even though it
was his only day off in the week. Golden. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A few days ago, we passed by Hno Antonio y Hna Jacklyn to
visit them. That’s the family we ate an asado with on Christmas. They live on
the top of a forever long hill and have a ton of massive pigs. As we were
climbing the hill, we could hear pig shrieks. When we got to the house, the
hermanas told us to go to the pig barn. The familia Fernandez had just come,
and they butchered a pig. We all grabbed a leg and carried it to the car so the
familia Fernandez could take it home. Super heavy pig. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The other day, a guy in the street said hi to us. He looked
a little too happy. We were waiting for someone to come to a cita with us. After
a few minutes, the guy came back and started talking to us. I’ve learned in my
mission that if someone wants to talk with you, and not the other way around, it often means they are either drunk or a pastor. He turned out to be the second. He
kept pulling out all of these "examples" to help him make a point
which he wasn’t doing very well, and he kept telling us parables from the Bible.
Elder Weech talked with him. I said hi to people as they passed. The pastor asked me the answer to a parable. I remembered the
answer because Dad had talked to me about that same parable a while back.
Whipped out the right answer. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week, I asked Elder Weech for a priesthood blessing
because I have been feeling a lot of stress. It helped. Mom, Dad, Uncle Josh,
your advice in letters helped me out a ton this week. I’ve made little cards to
carry around with me that give ideas on how to deal with stress. That way I
always have a resource with me. I’m marking up my scriptures so I have
something to read also. The mission is really helping me out with stress. I’ll
return super chill :)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yesterday, we taught Hna Jacklyn and Antonio about
preserving to the end. We set up a noche de hogar with them. We are going to
bathe their pigs!!! While teaching them, I realized that I absolutely love
these people. They are so humble and have such good desires. I love them. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Catalina leaves Santiago on the 24th. We taught her the plan
of salvation this week. And during the lesson, she stopped us and told us that
she got an answer to her prayer about joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. She
said it was a warm feeling that felt good. Her mom started to cry. Tender
moment. I couldn’t stop smiling. While teaching the plan of salvation, Claudia
realized the importance of the fall of Adam and Eve. It was cool to see that
light bulb go on. Tonight, we have a noche de hogar with Hna Jacklyn, Hno Antonio,
the family of Pres. Ojeda, and Claudia, Catalina, and Benjamin. We are going to
teach the ten commandments. Later this week, we will complete her teaching. She
could honestly get baptized this weekend, but we will wait until after her
surgery. But I think she will get her baptismal interview this week. So
grateful to witness the conversion process of this beautiful family. Catalina
has been reading and praying daily and going to church. She is so good!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Until next week, <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder West<o:p></o:p></div>
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Brett Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02350384464996719856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2474941344000543406.post-9317876277638282016-01-12T12:02:00.000-08:002016-01-12T12:02:13.875-08:00Que tal mis compadres?!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week, I changed my exercises. They are harder now.
Tuesday morning I drank too much water before and during my exercises and then
felt sick. Haha. Go hard :)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Claudia and Catalina are going to Puerto Montt this week for
a doctor appointment. We are feeding their cats. But their house is at the end
of a road full of possessed dogs. They all hate us, and there are, no joke,
like 13. Once we get past them we have to go through a gate and 3 more dogs. One
is nice. One is small and mean. And the other is black and big. It is a touchy
situation. The nice one jumps at you because he is glad you’re there, the small
mean one tries to bite you, and the big black one gets right up in your grill. With
him, it is weird. It is like pet or get bitten. And it has an ugly snotty nose,
it is dirty, mangy, and has flea holes in its fur. Pet or get bitten. Don’t
look, just pet. And then gag :)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had an intercambio with Elder Linton this week. He is from
Wyoming, has a year in the mission, played soccer and worked construction. He
is a good missionary. We worked all day long and didn´t teach a soul. So tired.
I hurt everywhere. But I was happy. I felt we should knock a house and we found
a former investigator. We made other great contacts. To end the day, we were
tracting by the beach front. We stopped for 30 minutes and took pictures and
just watched the ocean because it was a really long day. Then on our way home,
we ran into a family from Argentina vacationing here. Their accent was thick
and I felt like I hadn’t learned Spanish for a bit. Also with Elder Linton, we
were in the church checking for references on the internet. A guy knocked. We
looked at each other, then answered the door. He was an inactive member, 25
years old. He asked us for a plan of salvation pamphlet. Then he asked us if we
could teach him the lesson because he had forgotten it all. WOW. Not a
coincidence that he walked by the church and knocked at that exact time. To add
to it, I had just finished making lesson 2 diagrams to help teach visually the
night before. I used them to help. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The next day, we went to the doctor because Elder Weech was
in a lot of pain. The nurse put us under house rest for 5 days, but we could
still leave and teach citas. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The daily verifications in our mission have changed. They
are more focused on helping our investigatores progress towards baptism, and on
the wellbeing of the missionaries. Yesterday, the mission fasted together for a
100 baptisms in a month. That is the mission goal this year. 100 baptisms in a
month. That is basically one every companionship. Last month we had 40ish. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The situation with a girl we are teaching: Her baptismal
date is for Feb 6. We need about 6 citas with her in 2 weeks to teach her
everything, and she needs to complete all of her compromisos. To this point it
has gone great. But her dad, who is inactive, seems against the church. He took
her to the beach when we had a scheduled cita. Don’t know if that was on
purpose or not. We need his written permission for her to be baptized. She will
go to Santiago in 3 weeks for a surgery. She will come back and needs to have
her baptismal interview soon. Glad I have Elder Weech guiding us through this. We
are doing our best to use the members to help open up her dad. We are doing our
part and trusting the rest to the Lord. We don’t want a baptism. We want a
happy active family that will help this girl in her conversion for the rest of
her life. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We taught a man and his pareja the other day. We taught the
law of chastity. We found out he is leaving for a month to visit family so his
fecha will fall. But we will still be working with them. During the lesson we
were able to ask inspired questions. I felt the Spirit really strong. They are
hesitant to get married. They didn’t accept a date to be married, but they said
they would think about it. I know they felt the truth of our testimonies and
what we taught. We worked and worked to
get them to accept a date for marriage but wouldn’t. Just then the neighbors
started booming ¨knock, knock, knocking on heaven’s door¨ by guns and roses. I
smiled to myself. Super true. These people are so close. Tyler Anderson also
came to my mind. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Weech is in a lot of pain. Right before we taught the
law of chastity lesson, he asked me what we were teaching when we had just
talked about that like a minute before. He is improving, but I took the lead in
that lesson.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I gave a talk yesterday on sacrifice. I did my best so I
know God will make up the lack of my Spanish ability and help someone. I felt
the Spirit as I gave my testimony. Afterwards, I was feeling down and self-conscious
about my Spanish. In the second hour class, I read Doctrine and Covenants
section 100. It calmed me down. Verse 1 comforted me about my family. Verses
12-13 and 15 helped me a lot too. I know God loves me and is helping me. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love this work. I know God is real. I know the Book of Mormon
is the word of God. I know Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. And I know the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the restored church that Jesus Christ
himself established when he was on the earth. I know it is true. In the name of
Jesus Christ, amen.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder West<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Brett Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02350384464996719856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2474941344000543406.post-76187558867849022542016-01-05T05:34:00.000-08:002016-01-05T05:34:07.400-08:00Rocking 2016’s world!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ll start irreverent and then make it spiritual.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
New Year’s and alcohol; wooooooooooot! Story time: within 5
minutes of leaving our house we had passed two groups of drunks. I saw a guy
stacking crates of beer head high. People were walking down the streets with
bags full of 12 packs of beer. Drunks who live by us had a Christmas tree
outside COVERED in beer can ornaments and nothing more. They screamed rookie English
at us. No kidding: on New Year’s, the drunks walked the streets like zombies. Some
were passed out, others curled up in balls, others were doing the zombie street
shuffle, some were moaning, some were quiet, some were shrieking. World war z. I’m
not in Utah.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I now have 6 months in the mission, and the burnt orange
ocean sunsets with docked boats and lush green grass are beautiful. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In a contact, I opened a person’s walnut with my teeth for
her, haha. We also set a cita with a dude. Turns out he was a pastor. We barely
avoided that trap. It has rained exactly on every p-day I have had here, haha.
Last week, I was trunky after skype. But after a few days of hard work, it left
for good.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The other day, we met a guy named Jorge in the street. He
just came to Quellòn with only the clothes on his back trying to find work. We
taught him lesson one in the street. Humble guy. We asked another contact (turned
out to be a member from Castro) for a reference and she gave us 5! I can’t
remember if I said, but Silvia went to Valdivia for vacations so her baptismal
fecha [date] fell through. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We visited an inactive person as a reference from a member.
She didn’t want anything and it was a little contentious. I felt to ask if we
could say a prayer and if there was anything she would like us to pray for. I
prayed for her family. After the spirit was there and we left as friends. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As we were walking home, we passed a bus stop. There was a
guy. I saw him and felt I should talk to him but we were ending the day. We
passed him by. I looked back and saw he was watching us walk away. I told Elder
Weech we needed to go back and he said he had the prompting to talk to him too.
We went back. He didn’t want anything. But we still talked with him. He was
having a hard financial time and had a crummy Christmas. He looked super down
in the dumps. I don’t know why, but I was worried he would take his life. We
testified of God’s love for him. I felt the Spirit. We left him with a pass
along card. Great experience.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We were teaching a less active family with a returned
missionary member. Elder Weech and he were doing most of the talking because it
wasn’t a planned situation and I was mostly quiet. Earlier that morning, I
prayed and asked God to fill my mouth so that we could bless His children. I
felt to share something. I shared Mosiah 2:41 and testified of the blessings of
returning to church and my testimony of the temple and how much I miss it. I
felt the Spirit super strong. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In our lesson with two investigators who are living together,
we were teaching the law of chastity. Attacking the need. She wanted to be
married because she has a strong catholic background. He didn’t see the point. We
knelt with them to pray. They both took their own turn and offered a prayer out
loud. During his prayer, I had the thought come to me to share my experience of
running for student council and how I made that decision. After, I shared with
them that I was considering running for class president back in high school,
and it was a big deal to me. So I took it to God and the scriptures. I read Moroni
7 which President Packer nicknamed "the chapter of decisions." I
shared that after writing down pros and cons, and praying, and then reading
that chapter, the Spirit powerfully testified to me that it was God’s will to
run. And it all ended out well in the end. Being class president was a great
blessing. I left them with the commitment to do the same. God gives us personal
experiences to help others. The gospel has real application in our lives. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Two days ago, we were knocking doors. It was pouring rain. We
had had no success. We said a prayer and told God we were going to knock this
whole street, and from that, we wanted 3 people to open their doors, and one person
to accept a return cita. We prayed and expressed our love for the people of Chile
and that we want to help them. Then we acted. In the end, 3 doors opened and
one guy was OK if we came by later. Prayer answered. I know specific prayers
are fulfilled. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yesterday, we committed another person to a baptismal fecha.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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Catalina and Claudia!!!! They came to church!! Claudia is
the less active mom and Catalina is our 9 year old investigator. Claudia is
dead serious about coming back. She is reading and praying and everything. In
gospel principles class, she shared that it is scary coming back. But she does
it because she knows it is right. She told her friends that she couldn’t do
something with them because she had to go to church!! Catalina has a baptismal
fecha of Feb 6. Last night we had a lesson. Catalina can draw so well and she
made us Christmas presents. We gifted them candy. Claudia made us arroz con
leche and chocolate. During the first vision part of the lesson, Claudia was
crying. Powerful. I loved teaching Catalina. So fun. I felt like I was teaching
my little siblings. We were laughing and learning. We have a family home
evening with them tonight. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I love this gospel. Right now we are being blessed with more
success. I love you all. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Elder West<o:p></o:p></div>
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Some more pics from Christmas</div>
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Brett Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02350384464996719856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2474941344000543406.post-73419784565586929302015-12-28T13:50:00.000-08:002015-12-28T14:06:38.766-08:00Diciembre 28, 2015<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Hey. So Christmas happened.<o:p></o:p></div>
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On Tuesday before our leaders meeting in Castro we were able
to go to Líder. Líder is Chilean Walmart. I entered and I wanted to cry. The
halls were clean, the produce was fresh, and they had PEANUT BUTTER. Bought
that in a heartbeat. While we were there a lady stopped us. She just moved from
Santiago. She has been a member for 30 years and was wanting to get in touch
with the missionaries so they could have Christmas dinner with them. We
exchanged information and helped her know where the church is. God knew we
would be in Líder. It is cool seeing those small ways that he is involved in
our work.<o:p></o:p></div>
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For Christmas Eve we had a noche de hogar [family home
evening] with la familia Eramos in the branch. When we got there were two other
families from the ward there. It felt like a family reunion. We sang Christmas
hymns and had a spiritual thought. Then we all shared our feelings about Jesus
Christ. Afterwards we ate. There was a table full of cookies, candy, soda,
everything unhealthy. They made a gingerbread nativity scene. They also had a
drink called colamono which translates into monkey tail. Colamono is basically
eggnog. Tasted just like it. Tender mercy. They cooked a giant 3’x 3’ pizza.
They grilled meat. After we were sick from eating food from the table, they sat
us down and threw a massive steak in front of us with a potato, longaniza, and
a hotdog. Wayyyyy too much. Throughout the whole night, Hermano Alexis kept
telling me "eat" whenever I stopped. He is a super funny guy. They
had the elders wear Santa hats. Mine didn’t fit over my head. Then they gave us
a Christmas stocking with candy, deodorant, soap, and a pair of socks (they
know what missionaries need). Super happy night. When I got home I cut the last
ring off of my Christmas countdown chain.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas Eve</td></tr>
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For Christmas we visited a family that lives at the top of Quellón.
Super high up. Their house burned down about 6 months ago. They have had to
rebuild everything. We shared a spiritual thought. Then we cooked an asado. An asado
is basically a barbeque. They had already butchered a lamb, and it was just chillin on the table right next to us. Kind of distracting during our message, but funny.<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 15.6933px;"> </span></span>We put the lamb on a giant asadadore. An asadadore is
basically a 12 ft long metal shish kabob. We built a bonfire and then put the
asadadore next to it. It cooked for
about two hours while we turned it. While it was cooking we explored around the
house. They have roosters, ducks, geese, everything. They showed us a house [barn]
where they keep 20 pigs. And I’m talking PIGS. They are more like triceratops.
They come up to my belly button. Huge. As we got near the house where they keep
them, I could hear shrieks, grunts, everything. It sounded like they were
housing dinosaurs. I took pics with some. A beast of a pig almost bit me in the
back. As we left, I had splashes over my nice white shirt. We laughed pretty
hard over that. With the asado, we would spread salt water with herbs over it
and then cook it again. After, we sat down to a fat dinner and just ate. Super
good. Love that family.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas day</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: left;">This week, I had an intercambio with my zone leader Elder
Vega. He is serving in Castro. It was super good. It was raining super hard,
but we still worked hard the whole day. We did so many contacts and walked till
my legs fell off. The highlight of the day is that we were able to visit a
hermano that had recently lost his job. We shared the Christmas video and a
message about how Jesus Christ knows our struggles. I felt the Spirit.</span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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After skype, I was super trunky. We went home, and I cried
and wrote in my journal. This week, I have also been seeing a lot of my
weaknesses. I feel weak. The mission isn’t easy. I’m anxious to learn, apply
grow, gain members´ trust, do contacts, improve my Spanish, lose weight, be
focused..... The list goes on and on. I was in a hole. I had a "collapse
to your knees" prayer. I told God everything. After, I asked Him what he
wanted me to know. I felt an overwhelming "I LOVE YOU" course through
my veins. I also felt that God could see the sacrifices I have made to be here
on the mission, that He appreciated them and that He saw them. I also felt Him
reassure me that He will always fulfill promises that He has made. I felt
prompted to ask for a blessing. I did. Elder Weech helped me out so much. I was
blessed to know that my mission to this point hasn’t been a failure; I have
touched and blessed lives in big and small ways; that I have changed
significantly; that my family has been blessed; that I just have to do my best
and I will grow, learn, and “become” in the Lord’s own timing. This church is
true. I know it is. God loves us. I know He does. And He is working with me
from where I am right now. Even when I feel week. Pondering Doctrine and Covenants
123:17 is helping me.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Elder West<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mission meeting in Puerto Montt with Elder Teixeira</td></tr>
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Brett Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02350384464996719856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2474941344000543406.post-57202240413199746832015-12-21T21:16:00.001-08:002015-12-21T21:16:18.884-08:00Week 25 – Ho, ho, ho<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the campo</td></tr>
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Miracles. This week has been full of them. But I’ll start
with the less spiritual stuff first.<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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The other elders here had an investigator pray and asked if
he should be baptized. In the next cita, he told them that he received an
answer that he should.....in the evangelical church. Haha. The other elders
left him with the commitment to pray again.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Dogs: our elders quorum president has a dog that loves the
missionaries. He hates it when we leave. When we stand up he barks. So I played
around with it. I stood up and then sat down super-fast multiple times, and
every time I stood up, it barked. Kind of like a light switch.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’ma skype with you guys this Christmas!! Woot woot.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The city of Quellón is a giant hill that begins on the
seashore. Elder Weech and I started on a road and kept following it. We never
got to the end. But after a while, we were out of the general population. It is
called campo. Super pretty. Not a lot of houses. A lot of countryside. We took
some pics, knocked some doors, and enjoyed the nature. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Road out to the campo</td></tr>
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While we were there:<o:p></o:p></div>
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We saw a MASSIVE pig. The little piglets were nursing. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I also saw several horses. My favorite encounter was a dad,
and a mom walking, with their young daughter mounted on top of the horse wielding
a chainsaw.</div>
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While we were walking to a cita we had with a family that
lives on the seashore, we saw a van covered in balloons handing candy out to
kids. Sketchy. But as we got closer, we saw the people inside were wearing Santa
hats, and there was a man in a Santa suit passing the candy out. He called to
us, "Elderes, vengan por acá y tomen algunas dulces!" He told us to
come and get candy. Confused, we took the candy while trying to put his face
with a member’s face. We couldn't. Must have been a menos activo. But we scored
candy.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So what is going down for my first Christmas in Chile is this.
We don’t have a zone conference anymore. Instead we will be proselyting. But we
still get to skype. Grateful to be a missionary.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This week, we have district conference, consejo de líderes
[leadership council], and an intercombio in Castro. Each trip is 4 hours in a
bus. We will be tired this week :)<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’ma transition now. This week a guy contacted US in the
street. He asked us when church was. And he actually came! Wow. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Miracle stories: <o:p></o:p></div>
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-We had a cita with the familia Piedras. They have been
investigating for a while. I arrived. We decided that they didn´t know why the
missionaries have been passing by or what our purpose is. In that cita, we
spoke with the Spirit. We knelt with them in prayer to ask if the Book of Mormon
is true. We bore powerful testimony. Many times I cried. I opened my mouth to
speak and I felt my words change into words that weren´t my own. That brought
the Spirit ever more strongly. My mouth was filled.<o:p></o:p></div>
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-We knocked a menos activo´s door. We found a lady named
Claudia. She was baptized 6 years ago along with her husband when they had two
little kids. Then they fell away. They went through a rough patch where they didn’t
want anything with the Church: threw away their scriptures, stopped going to
church, hid from the elders in the streets haha. Everything. We found them at
the suggestion of the branch president. Claudia wants to return so bad. She was
so happy when we came. She treated us like angels, she presented her kids to
us: ages 6 and 10 (potential baptism), and we prayed with her. She told us she
wants to return, that she knows it is her duty. I felt the Spirit so strong. Right
there on her doorstep, she was crying and I was crying. But a problem: her
husband. He was an elder. But after falling away didn’t want anything to do
with the church. He was mad when he heard they wanted to go to church. Claudia
was afraid he would see us on her porch. She gave us her number to call her
when we wanted to come by to make sure he wasn’t home. The other day, we passed
by her work and visited with her. As we were talking, her husband entered the
store. Elder Weech and I froze. She introduced us. Once we realized he wasn’t
there to kill us, we loosened up and were ourselves. We joked around and
laughed and built a relationship with him. He gave us permission to pass by,
accepted a family home evening for tonight, and said he would go to the branch
activity on Tuesday! MIRACLE. He is pretty chill. I could tell he was
uncomfortable thought. But HE offered the prayer before we left. Tonight is the
family home evening. We have a killer plan. We are going right to the point to
tell them we want to help them come back, baptize their daughter, and help them
go to the temple. Then we will sing Christmas songs. Too perfect.<o:p></o:p></div>
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-Last miracle. Our investigator Silvia. She is filled with faith.
She actually completed her reading assignment and prayed. But not to ask if the
Book of Mormon was true. So we knelt with her and she prayed. After, we
explained the fruits of the Spirit. She said, "When I asked I felt
something warm inside, is that the Spirit?" Again, after we picked our
jaws up off the floor, we told her yeah. Then we taught her the law of chastity
because she isn’t married with her pareja. We committed her to talk with him
about marriage. She asked, "Would you like me to do it right now?" Again,
after we picked our jaws up off the floor, we were like "YA WE DO!" What
faith!! She brought him in the room. Then it got awkward. He asked us what we
wanted. Haha, what do we want? I chose to give him an intro before directly
responding to that question. He didn’t see the point in marriage and wasn’t on
board. But we knelt with them and Silvia prayed to know if they should get
married. Then we left. We need to have another cita. She is golden.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The two citas with familia Piedras and Silvia were back to
back. We followed Elder Teixeira´s advice and attacked the need. After like 2
hours of intense Spirit, focus, and worry, I was exhausted in every way. We
sang Christmas hymns in the church as practice for a special musical number. Sitting
down that night, I reflected on the day. This is bliss. I have never been
happier. I am happy with myself. I am growing. I am helping others improve
their lives. I am happy. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Doctrine and Covenants 123:17<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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Elder West<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were more dogs hiding under the bus</td></tr>
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Brett Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02350384464996719856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2474941344000543406.post-53354856265848420592015-12-14T15:11:00.001-08:002015-12-14T15:11:03.313-08:00Week 24 -- Quellón, hospital, mission conference, etc.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the ferry to Chiloe Island</td></tr>
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Mother Dearest: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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For Christmas this year we have a zone conference in Castro,
Chiloe. So it isn’t a legit Christmas, but we will feel the Spirit so we are
good. Still don’t know about skype. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So we left Coyhaique early Tuesday morning, I’ve had like
one day of normal sleep since then because of all of our traveling. I’m now in
Quellón Chiloe. I saw the sun yesterday!!! It is just pure rain here! Learning
to love it. I’m praying for our investigator Andres in Coyhaique. He was really
an elect person that just had an addiction to smoking. <o:p></o:p></div>
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There is a goose coop from our neighbors right next to the
window by my bed. They also have a rooster. Every morning from 5:00 am until 7
it crows. It makes me think of the movie Happy Gilmore when Adam Sandler is
ticked at the mini golf clown because it won’t take his ball and he says
"You’re gonna die clown!" then hacks its nose off with the golf club.
I feel like that every morning. Learning patience. :)<o:p></o:p></div>
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My new companion is named Elder Weech from Pima, Arizona. He
reminds me a lot of my friend Chandler Jenks. This is his last cambio in the
mission. He is a great example to me. I am learning a lot. He has had an
illness for a while. The mission nurse doesn’t know what it is. Basically his
stomach is always in pain. So he can’t do his exercises super intense, and
while we are walking we sometimes have to stop so he can rest a bit. But he
fights through it so hard with a good attitude. I love him. Already I am
learning how to work through the members (answer to prayers) and how to be
chill, reasonable, and balanced while still working. I need that. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The Elder Teixeira conference was straight up amazing. I
felt the Spirit super strong. His had us list all of our mission, personal,
investigator, branch, and spiritual problems on a white board. Then he told us
stories from his son’s mission and other personal experiences to answer every
point. He emphasized contacts like crazy. It all starts with contacts. And they
can be stupid simple too. We don’t have to stress about teaching a ton or
saying something well-rehearsed in a contact. Love it. I felt the spirit teach
me. Elder Teixeira said something and the Spirit taught me: "This is the
Lord´s work, I’m not in this alone. So why am I doing it alone?" I can
involve the atonement so much more in overcoming weaknesses and fears in this
work. The atonement is for that too.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In Puerto Montt, I visited the mall there with Elders Watson
and Strate because we traveled in two groups and Elder Lawton wasn’t with me. It
was like swan diving back into Babylon with all the music, noise, images, and
shopping. <o:p></o:p></div>
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While staying in Puerto Monte, I worked one evening with Elder
Jepson. We entered a contact’s house. He was drunk. He showed us a Book of Mormon
a friend gave him with the steps of prayer in the back. Then he piled a mound
of medals and newspaper articles showing that he was a successful weightlifter
when he was younger. Because he was drunk and it was going nowhere, we asked if
we could leave with a prayer. He agreed, but brought out statues and put them
on the table. He said if I was going to pray, I had to pray to them because it
was his house. I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t want to make a drunk guy
angry. I prayed. Then I told him I would like to use the steps in the back of
his Book of Mormon and just went for it. WHILE I was praying, he left the room
and piled his weightlifting medals on the table so I could pray to them too. I
ended the prayer, and we left the house safe.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I also went to the hospital. About a month ago, I
accidentally kicked the corner of the bed while hurrying to the shower. My
toenail died. So we went to the hospital so they could rip that baby off. In Chile,
you go to the hospital for ANY kind of medical problem. They don’t have family
clinics. You just go to the hospital. The hospital was super old and looked
ghetto. After an hour or so, they bring me into a curtained off room. I can see
two other patients in beds. The guy checks out my toe, tells me "I’m
ripping it off," and the next thing I know he has his fingers gripping my
toe nail. I was thinking "Bro, what are you doing???!!" My breathing
accelerated rapidly. Then he tore it right off. Didn’t hurt too bad because it
was mostly dead. But scared me half to death.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In a cita, I played with a little kid to keep him reverent.
He was just like my little brother Tyler. Tender mercy. While he was tugging on
my jacket, I testified to them of how God has helped me to be obedient even
when it was really hard and uncomfortable. I felt the Spirit. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We also knocked on a future investigators door. She answered
and was crying. She let us in and we asked her what was wrong. She was crying
because she had a super bad headache. But she also poured out to us all of her
life stresses with work, money, being a parent, and being overwhelmed. She told
us she had just offered a prayer for comfort and help. Then we knocked on the
door right after. After Elder Weech and I picked our jaws up off the floor
(such a textbook missionary experience), we shared Alma 7: 11-13 about Jesus
Christ and then invited her to baptism. It took a bit of explaining, but she
agreed to prepare for baptism for the 23 of January. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Yesterday, we ate lunch with a returned missionary and his
nonmember mom. Biggest lunch I’ve ever eaten in my life. After the first plate
heaped with rice, potatoes, and meat, I had broken the word of wisdom by too
much. Then we had another plate. Then ice cream. Then two bowls of jello. I
tried gagging myself with a spoon afterwards to make myself throw up. Didn’t
work. I just felt more sick. We took a nap and then were able to leave and work.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I have improved my personal studies with better planning. They
have lifted me up. The mission is so hard, then my personal study picked me up.
I have been able to receive answers for my personal questions and for
investigators. During my study today, I was thinking about desire and
obedience. Being obedient is enough sometimes. Jesus Christ didn’t want to
drink the bitter cup, but he wanted to be obedient. So he did it. It is OK to
obey out of the desire to obey, even when we don’t want to because it is hard. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I felt today that I have developed a greater depth of
character in my mission. They are so hard. But I have never grown in this way
before. I love you all. We are so blessed. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span lang="es-419">Elder West<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Brett Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02350384464996719856noreply@blogger.com