WEEK 20 - IN WONDERING AWE

MERRY CHRISTMAS, ONE AND ALL!!! This is your favorite Missionary, Elder Zachary Weber, checking in once again to report on what's been going down in the Fossil Creek Ward recently. And, I'll be honest--not much has happened recently teaching-wise. Due to the icy conditions out on the roads and the rough schedules with the families that we work with in our ward, this week just hasn't been all that easy for us and our work as Missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. However, that doesn't mean that this last week has been a total waste of our time, nor are we saying that it's been uncomfortable for us. In fact, this week has been one of the best weeks I've ever had the wonderful opportunity of experiencing so far on my mission. Though I've been far from my family during this spectacular holiday season, I have been able to enjoy every single minute of it, and grown closer to the true meaning of this happy holiday.

Christmas Eve  with Bishop Cleverly and his family

So, how did Christmas go down for Elder V and I this year?

Playing HeadBanz with the Cleverly Family

It all started out on Christmas Eve, early in the morning. After rising slowly from our beds and getting ready for the day, we piled into the Battle Wagon once again and drove off to the furthest corner of our area, visiting the families that lived there, and leaving a few loving Christmas Messages. We were happy to stop by Brother Holm, who was busy working on his house once again, and who told us that he was happy to get some help from us, if we could give it. We began a long and frustrating search throughout the Ward, searching for leftover cardboard boxes that Brother Holm could use to pack up his house for the move. Though we couldn't find any that day, we got some members of the Ward to work together this next Tuesday in helping him box up his belongings, get the painting done, and clean up his house--all things he has mentioned needing help with doing. After that, we stopped by the Camarao family, just as Sister Camarao's father stopped by for a surprise visit. After talking with Brother Camarao for a few minutes, both Elder V and I felt a bit awkward and intrusive, so we politely stepped back out of the house and headed on our way, wishing the Camaraos a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year on our way out.

 

Busting into the Christmas stockings

 

That evening, Elder V and I were happy to join the Cleverlys for Christmas Eve dinner and a few of their family's Christmas traditions. The dinner was wonderful, as it always is at the Cleverlys' house (except for the fact that they didn't have corn souffle!), and after we had ate our fill, Sister Cleverly whipped out a chocolate cheesecake for dessert, a very delectable treat, if I do say so myself. While enjoying the cake and waiting for the rest of the evening to wind down, Elder V and I played a fun game of Headbandz with Bishop Cleverly's sons. It was fun to watch us struggle to figure out what we were, when to everyone else at the table what we were was absolutely obvious (once, I had snake, and even after asking if I was a pet, had fur, and had legs, I still couldn't figure it out!). Once we'd had our fill of joking around with each other, Bishop Cleverly had us gather in the Entertainment Room for a Spiritual Christmas Message. He asked us what was our favorite scripture that talks about Christ, and asked us to bear our testimony on the Savior. I realize I usually only do one Spiritual Message each email, but I thought it'd be appropriate to mention what I said that Christmas Eve night.

 

Mini Christmas trees for the elders and presents
from the sweet members of the Fossil Creek Ward.

 

"And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities. Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me. (Alma 7:11-13)"

 

So grateful for the ward members that showed Elder Weber and V so much love
this holiday while they were away from their families.

 

What stands out the most to me with this passage of scripture is the last part; "Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh..." Christ, being born of Spirit and of Man, was able to know all things perfectly from a spiritual aspect. And, because of that, He could have understood perfectly how to help us out of our sins without having to experience all the pains of Gethsemane and Galgotha. However, Christ loves us far more than just that. He loves us so much, that even though He understood our pains from a spiritual and mental angle, He willingly took upon Himself our pains and infirmities so that He could know and understand our pains and griefs from a physical and emotional angle as well. Because of Christ's love for us, He took upon Himself all the pains and sicknesses and infirmities of this world, so that He could be our perfect Savior and Redeemer, our perfect companion during this long and terrible journey in this wretched yet wonderful world. Saying that I'm grateful for what Christ has done for me doesn't even scratch the surface for what I feel from His sacrifice. He is the reason I've given up two years of my life to spread the Gospel--because He loved me enough to suffer for me, I'm out here to help others learn of the love He has for them as well.

 

So cute that one of the children from the ward gave
Elder Weber Legos.

 

After the testimonies were all said and done, we quickly ran back downstairs to our home and slid into bed, ready for Christmas Day. That morning, Elder V and I ran off to the Baer's house for Christmas Breakfast and the chance to open a few presents. Little did we know, however, that these "few presents" were actually about a dozen different wrapped packages for Elder V and myself, nestled under our very own miniature Christmas Trees! If I recall right, I got several different Japanese treats from a Brother that had served in Japan on his mission (really glad I mentioned my love for Japanese culture when I met him), at least six different ties, and a small LEGO set from the Baer's youngest boy (don't tell the Mission President!). After the presents had all been unwrapped and the action had died down some, Elder V and I sauntered down into the Baer's basement, where we played a rousing game of pool with their eldest son, Max, who was just about to leave for college at BYU. We finally decided to head on our way when the Baers began their preparations for the Christmas call their daughter was going to give them from her mission.

 

Playing a little pool on Christmas Day

 

Speaking of which, right after we returned from the Baers' house, Bishop Cleverly called me upstairs from our basement home, saying he'd finished getting the skype ready for my Christmas call with my family. I wish I had a picture of my and my mom's face when the screen lit up, and we were able to see each other once again, for the first time in four months. Mom, Dad, Katie, Becky, Belle, they were all there, and all doing well. It was so nice to see them all again, and hear their voices. They've seemed to have grown up a bit since the last time I saw them, and according to them, so have I. They waited until the skype to open the presents I sent them, which I was very grateful for, as I was able to see their ecstatic expressions the very minute they opened their gifts. As the time wound down, I got some nice one-on-one time with each of my family members, chatting aimlessly about how things were going with me, and how things were going with them. It was really nice, but kind of sad too, because I knew that the time was almost up, and I'd have to say that painful word once more--goodbye. My mom asked if I could close us with a prayer before the call could end, which I gladly did. Then, with tears in my eyes, I closed the message, both more joyful and more hurt than I have ever been before in my life.

 

I had just learned what it really meant to be homesick.

 

However, even though I'm far from my family, and feeling these less-than-happy feelings, I couldn't be happier. I came out on a mission because I have a wonderful blessing in my life--I know that though I am separated from my family for now, I will be with them again for time and all eternity. For I have been reborn in Christ, and entered into His fold. I have taken upon me the sacred and hallowed covenants made in the temple of my God that allow me to be sealed with my mom and my dad even after we have all left this earthly life behind. I know this to be true, and so I exert every possible part of me in spreading this truth to others who seek it, that they may take part in the glorious blessings our Heavenly Father is waiting eagerly to give us. That is why I am out here--away from my family for now, so that other families can be together forever. That is my calling, and it could not be possible without my Savior, and our Savior, Jesus Christ. He made it possible for all of us to be saved, from our sins, from our griefs, even from death itself. He made this possible for us, and now I serve Him, so that others may know of His work, and might come unto him with happiness and joy.

 

That is what I was able to relearn this Christmas Season.

 

So, with that in mind, I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas Season, and a wonderful New Year. And if you have questions or concerns about your life, make it your New Year's resolution to seek these answers out. Who knows? You just might find exactly what you never knew you were looking for--absolute and eternal joy. And this I say in closing, in His name, even the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

 

--Elder Z.S.Weber

WEEK 19 - OUR CHRISTMAS SKYPE

After the presents were opened and the wrappings disposed of the anticipated Skype call came through from Elder Weber.  He looked so good and truly seems to have matured so much in just the short 4 months he has been out.  We got to hear about his Christmas activities and we shared how our own holiday had been.  We got to meet his current companion Elder Vakameilalo

Here is an excerpt from our conversation:

 

 

 

Love seeing this kids smiling face

We even got to hear him laugh

We have taken this same picture every year for the past 11 years.
Couldn't let this Christmas go by with out continuing the
tradition.

That is one proud dad

My best Christmas present.



WEEK 17 - OH COME ALL YE FAITHFUL!

Hello everyone, it's me, Elder We--cough cough hack cough cough--Elder Weber. Sorry, but it seems both I and my companion (you all remember Elder V, right?) caught a pretty bad case of the cold. And, let me tell you, there is nothing worse than being a missionary out in the mission field and getting sick. You're constantly tired and sluggish, coughing, hacking, and can barely speak, and your head pounds like you've got the world's largest marching band performing inside your brain. Now, back when Elder V and I were just average, ordinary young men who weren't out in the mission field, getting sick was great. You got to stay home from school, watch movies or play games, and eat nice relaxing chicken noodle soup all day long. But when you're a missionary, getting sick is the worst, because you know that you have a Heaven-sent mission to fill out, and when you're sick you can't do that. So every passing minute when you're sleeping in or hunkering down in your apartment until you get better are the worst minutes of your life!

But, enough with that! My cold hasn't affected me too badly just yet, and I still have a very long week filled with interesting and exciting things certain to entertain you 'til the cows come home (or at least until something else more entertaining pops up, like the next Avengers movie, or a new Nintendo game)! To start off with, let's go back to this last Tuesday. We were told by our Zone Leader, Elder Greer, to stop by the Stake Center for some service. Turns out, however, that the Sister Missionaries were already there, and they were all that were needed to fulfill the service requirements. So what did all of us Elders do? We grabbed the Battle Wagon (our van) and sped off down the road to the Library for an early Mormon.org time. We sat around, listening to talks and videos, for about an hour or so, and then we were off again, this time to Sam's Club, where we sat back and enjoyed Polish Dogs and pizza slices. All was well, until one of the employees at the food court mentioned to us that, since we had such a large group, we could've just gotten a large pizza for almost half the cost of all the individual pieces put together. Elder Greer and Clay both were silent the rest of the day, too embarrassed and annoyed to dare themselves to speak.

The next day, Wednesday, was another great day, though once again not much was done (I'm starting to think that those Elders that rake in twenty or thirty lessons a week are fudging their numbers just a smidge). Once more, we had a lesson with the McManus family. As I've said in past emails, the McManus' are a golden investigator family--they couldn't be more golden even if they were related to King Midas (cue rip shot)! Anyway, Wednesday's lesson with their family was on the three commandments that set the Mormon religion (the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) apart from the world. These are: the Word of Wisdom (don't drink coffee, non-herbal tea, wine, or alcohol; don't use tobacco or illegal drugs in any way that is harmful to your body), the Law of Tithe and Fast Offerings (give one-tenth of your income to the Church for temples and missionary tools, and every first Sunday of the month fast for two meals and give the money that would have been spent for those meals to the Church for welfare projects), and the Law of Chastity (no sex, passionate kissing, or anything lust-provoking before marriage, complete fidelity to spouse after marriage, and keeping one's mind clean and pure of dark and lustful thoughts as much as possible--something the rest of the world seems to have disregarded recently).

I was very worried to got into this lesson. I knew that the McManus' were already keeping the Word of Wisdom, which was why we taught that one first, but I wasn't so certain if they'd get the whole Tithe and Fast Offering thing. And with the world so off kilter recently when it comes to morality, and my own uncomfortability with discussing the Law of Chastity, I wasn't certain how the lesson was going to go. To my surprise, though, the McManus family understood perfectly the Law of Tithes, and were ready and willing to abide by it once they were made members. And, they were already discussing the Law of Chastity with their kids, so that went well.

Elder Weber and his advent care package

Elder Weber in his room with the Christmas lights strung

The next day was even better, because we had the Christmas devotional for the mission. Thursday found me, Elder V, Elder Corpus, Elder Leavit, Elder Trottier, and Elder Earl hopping into the old Battle Wagon once again and taking the twenty minute drive down to Longmont for our Devotional. It was great--there were probably about twenty musical numbers, including one that included the entire Loveland Zone (the song's called Olive Tree, if you were interested), many of the Elders and Sisters were called up to bear their testimonies on the Savior and his birth, and we watched a beautiful video on Christ's birth. Afterwords, though, was the part that really made my day. WE GOT PRESENTS!!! Yessir, when the Devotional was over and we were all sent down to the Relief Society's room to grab our mail, the first few Elders that went in were almost buried by the packages that tumbled out of the nearly over-flowing room. There was one Elder I saw that had about six boxes in his hands, and one Sister needed a cart to carry all of hers! When I got home, I found that one of the boxes was my December treat box from my mom, and the other two were present boxes. Elder V and I have had fun with the advent calendars, and stringing the lights up around the room (mostly around my bed).

Christmas packages for Elder Weber and Elder V
 

But, of course, Sunday was the best, as well as the worst, day of the week. By then, both Elder V and I had gotten hit hard with the cold, and could barely function. After getting home from Church and the Ward Missionary Coordination Meeting, we collapsed in our beds and thought we'd take a little break for a while. That "little break" ended up taking about four hours, as very shortly after we had climbed into our beds, we both fell quickly and quietly asleep. We woke up only once it got to be around 5:30, just in time to smarten ourselves up for dinner at the Banagas' that evening. It seemed as though the Banagas' had heard about our weary situation, as they had quickly come up with all sorts of food that are good for fighting colds--garlic-laced spaghetti and meatballs, oranges and orange juice, fresh vegetables, and hot cocoa. We sat back and chatted for a while, just enjoying ourselves. We shared a message on the power of the spirit, and then one of the boys pulled out a Connect 4 game, which we then got into a battle royal over. So, yes, it was definitely a great day to end the week on.

Sorry that I don't have an inspiring message this week. Can't do much spirit-wise when the body's all out of wack. But I promise, I'll have a really powerful message for y'all next week. So, until then, stay epic my friends!

--Elder Z.S.Weber

WEEK 16 - HARK! THE HERALD ANGEL SINGS!!

Hey everyone, it's me, Elder Weber! Yeah, I've got another great week to tell you guys about, but before I do, some of you have been concerned about what I said pertaining to Elder V last week. So, it is my deep pleasure that we are doing much better this week. I mean, we haven't come close to killing each other just yet (unless it's over how the Monopoly game is going, which Elder V almost always seems to win), so that's good! We're still getting into slight disagreements, but we're starting to get along better, and talk out our problems a little more, rather than just go ballistic with each other. So, we're doing fine. And, unless something truly troublesome comes up in the next four weeks, I don't see us grating on each others nerves any more than we had last week.

Now then, onto the week itself. Now, I know that I must have started sounding like a broken record with this almost a month ago, but things are slow here. The lessons don't come in at wild numbers, like where twenty lessons is the lowest you can go. But, even though we only managed to get eleven lessons this week, I have to say that this week was a great week because of the things, not necessarily lessons, that we experienced this week. To begin with, let's go to Tuesday, where we went down to the Peakview neighborhood, where some of our strongest yet humblest members live. We were meeting with Brother Camarao and his family, and had planned on teaching a lesson on the importance of scripture study and prayer. Of course, we all know what He thinks of plans. Instead of teaching about the importance of scripture study, we ended up spending about an hour and a half talking with the Camaraos and explaining how the events in the scriptures happen and line up. They wanted to dive right in and get into as much of it as they could, and I could see by the fire in their eyes that they were so ready to learn what the prophets of old had to tell them.

On Wednesday, Elder V and I headed out to Timnath, and had the happy occasion to teach the McManus family once again. This was Elder V's first time teaching the family, so I was afraid as to how he was going to work with them. After all, they weren't exactly the average investigator family. They're the kind of family that wants to know all the answers, the explanations for the answers, and how they all connect together in the end. Much to my surprise, and delight, though, Elder V totally dominated in the teaching, and we got a great conversation lesson going, kind of like the ones that I'd have with Elder Proffit. The spirit was strong in the room, especially when Sister McManus asked us if we knew when the Christ would come again (because we were teaching about the Gospel of Jesus Christ) and I was able to bear my testimony that though I don't know when it'll be, I do know, with all the conviction of my soul, that when He does come, I will be ready to great him as the King He truly is. Then, that evening, Elder V and I went back over to the Banagas' house. They were setting up Christmas, so we decided to lend a hand. Then, we sat back and watched a documentary on Handel's Messiah, a beautiful documentary both in music and in spirit.

Friday found Elder V and I at a Rehab Center for a Service Project that the Tribly District Elders had received, and asked us to join in. Basically, the center was going to be holding a Country Christmas Party, with music, food, and square-dancing, and because most of the patients at the Rehab Center were in wheelchairs, we had volunteered to do the square-dancing for them, by wheeling the wheelchairs around like we were square-dancing. We had a great time with it, and of the patients that joined the circle each round, there were two grinning and clapping old women that never left the circle, both having far too much fun to leave it. It brought a smile of my own to my face. Then, that evening, we headed off to the Ward Christmas Party, and enjoyed watching the new Mormon Message at the end, called, He Is The Gift. It was a great message, and if I could be so bold, I would ask that all of you reading this right now look into it.

Well, that was my week. Now, for the spiritual message.

One dark and lonely night many years ago, a few shepherds sat out by their flocks in the fields, keeping a close eye on each one of them, as all good shepherds do. Any wolves that happened to be prowling around in the dark of the night would be mighty fools to think they'd be able to get their fangs on any lamb that night, these shepherds were far too vigilant to let their flocks get caught by a hungry wolf. But there weren't any wolves lurking in the shadows this night--just the shepherds, their sheep, and...AN ANGEL OF THE LORD?! The shepherds were astounded! An Angel of the Lord, one of the great messengers from above, had appeared before them. Them, lowly shepherds! And what a message he had had to give; "Behold, I give you good tiding of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day, in the City of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord!" Immediately, the shepherds gathered together their sheep and headed into Bethlehem, to see for themselves the babe that would one day be their King of kings. Now, this is the interesting part; it was not a great king or priest that first came to Christ on his birth, but lowly shepherds, simple men who had one goal in their occupation--protecting their flocks. I find it interesting that the very man those men were sent to meet that night was to be the greatest Shepherd of them all, even the King of Kings, Jesus Christ.

I know Jesus Christ lives. I know this, and I know that He will come again someday, to rule and lead His people once more. This I bear witness of, in His holy name, even the name Jesus Christ, Amen.

Well, that's it for this week. See you next week, everyone!

--Elder Z.S.Weber

WEEK 15 - JOY to the WORLD!

Happy Holidays, one and all! This is your very merry Mormon Missionary, Elder Weber, reporting in on another wonderful week spent in the Fossil Creek Ward, the Loveland Stake, the Colorado Fort Collins Mission! To start, I'd like to say to all of you out there reading this right now, hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving day, filled with loving kindness and surrounded by eternal memories made with friends and families by your side. This was my first Thanksgiving away from my family this year, starting off the first holiday season spent away from home, so I have to admit it was kind of interesting for me. But, much to my pleasant surprise, I haven't gotten the least bit teary-eyed or homesick yet! After all, I have seventeen years worth of wonderful family Christmas and Thanksgiving memories to keep me from being down in the dumps all of November and December. So, before I go into my weekly report, let me just say...Mom and Dad, thank you for making those last seventeen Thanksgivings and Christmases the seventeen best Thanksgivings and Christmases a boy could ever have.


Elder Weber spent the evening before
Thanksgiving at the home of my best friend
 and angel Shawna Banagas
 

Now, then, onto the week. As you all already know from my last email out, Elder Proffit is no longer among us here in the Fossil Creek Ward, and Elder Wengreen has jumped ship and headed back home to start out on his next mission--his life-long mission. So, with that in mind, on Tuesday morning, Elder Proffit, Elder V, Elder Corpus, Elder Mangrum, Elder Earl, Elder Sellers, and myself piled into our fairly cramped Grand Caravan, passed our bags over to the Zone Leaders, and took the twenty-minute drive down to the Stake Center for Transfers. While there, I was very happy to see some old familiar faces again. Elder Noh was there, passing off his Trainer to another missionary, and Elder Genther was there waiting for the Transfers van to take him up to Laramie. I also saw Elder Lires, who's coming here to serve in the Loveland Zone, and Elder Leavit, who's replacing Elder Mangrum in the Stetson Creek Ward. It was nice seeing friends old and new, all together in one place, before the major changes in our lives as Elders could begin. And, trust me, they began.


More time spent at the Banagas home.

For starters, I am now living with our Ward's Bishop, Bishop Kyle Cleverly and his family. Bishop Cleverly is a very kind and friendly man, someone I have rarely if ever seen without a smile, and his family is just as wonderful as he is. Elder V and I live down in their basement, which they made as the traditional teenager's paradise. Sadly, the TV, Wii, and X-Box were taken out of the room, so it could be used for an Elder's home, but the ping-pong table and air-hockey board are still up and ready to play at any moments notice. We don't have as complete a kitchen as we did in the House's house, but what we have we can get by with fairly easily. Elder V is a little bit slower than Elder Proffit was at getting up...about an hour and a half slower...but once he's up he's always doing something productive. And, I do have to admit that serving beside a Tongan has been difficult, especially with the language chasm between us (he just beginning to learn English, and I having the entire Encyclopedia Britannica crammed into my head), but we seem to be doing all right. I even have started to get his sense of humor a little better!

Thanksgiving dinner at a kind member's home with Elder Vakameilalo

Of course, this was all after Sunday, which I have to admit here, was a mistake on my part. Looking back now, I don't exactly know what happened, but to sum it all up in a few short words, Elder V and I had a falling out. I'm not sure why, or even what about, but because I wasn't listening to him I almost ruined our companionship. Elder V was just minutes away from calling up the District Leader and having us split up for the day, he was that ticked off with me. However, after we managed to calm down a bit, we decided to talk it out and figure out exactly what went wrong. It was a very humbling experience for me. I recognize here and now, I was the one at fault, not Elder V, and as such it is my responsibility to make things right. And, as of last night, things seem to be going better for us. We even had three lessons, the most we'd had in one day all week, and we worked so well together, I thought for a moment that I was working with Elder Proffit again. So, yes, I am confident that as long as we talk together and work together, we'll get along just fine, and be a very powerful companionship for however long we are together.

Elder Weber and his new companion
 Elder Vakameilalo. 

When it comes to the actual lessons, though, we haven't done so hot. We've had about six appointments that we have had set up for about a week or so, and then all of a sudden they've cancelled on us, deciding to head out of town for the holidays, or have family come into town for the holidays, and not wanting us around to disturb them. That definitely was trying on the nerves, but neither I nor Elder V have been deterred because of this. It just means we have more time to tract, to talk to members, and find more people to teach in our own ways. Besides, next week will definitely be better than this week, right?

Well, it's about time I wrapped this up, but before I go, the spiritual message!

About two-thousand-fourteen years ago, give or take a few months, a man and his wife traveled a very long and tiring journey across the hot desert land of the Middle East, away from their humble home in Nazareth to the man's place of birth years earlier, the City of David, the City of Bethlehem. Their reason for leaving their home was to obey the commands of the current ruler, Caesar Augustus, and pay their taxes in the city of the man's birth. The man, who traveled on foot, was known as Joseph. He was a simple carpenter, but his heart made him far greater than any simple carpenter before him. The woman, who rode on a donkey's back, was his wife, Mary. For her, the journey was even more burdensome, because she was nearing the end of her pregnancy, and would at any given moment give birth to her first son. But this was to be no ordinary son. This baby boy that she would give birth to was to be the King of kings, the Great Jehovah, the Holy Messiah. He was to be Jesus the Christ, the Savior of the World.

I bear my testimony now that Jesus is the Christ, and that on that beautiful desert night, He was born. Though He is the King of kings, He was born of humble and simple parents, who lived honest and simple lives. He was born not in a great castle or palace, but in a barn, surrounded by the animals of those who filled the inn nearby to near bursting. He was not wrapped in silk, but in swaddling clothes, and laid not in a luxurious crib, but a simple manger the animals fed from. In spite of these simple beginnings, though, Jesus Christ grew up to become a greater man than any other man before Him, or any man after Him. He was a great leader, teacher, and healer. He was the Christ, the Son of God. He lived, and He still lives. And some day, He will come again. Of this I know with utmost certainty, in His Holy name, even the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

See you all again next week!

--Elder Z.S.Weber

WEEK 14 - 'TIL WE MEET AGAIN

Hey everyone, Elder Weber here again with an email about how things are going in the Colorado Fort Collins Mission.

To begin with, this week was fairly slow, slower than normal, but we had several different events that made it exciting and worth while. But I'm not going to talk about that yet. Instead, I'm going to talk about the very big thing that is about to change the Fossil Creek Ward forever. Transfers. For those that don't quite get how missions are run area-wise, each Elder or Sister in the mission is assigned a companion and area to serve in, and serve in that area and with that companion for the space of six weeks, or a transfer. Every six weeks, the Mission President thoughtfully and prayerfully looks over the missionaries that serve under him, and decides where each should serve later on. Some, like my companion Elder Proffit, serve in their areas for five or six transfers, or eight or nine months, and have several different companions and roles. Others, which is far more likely, only stay in an area for two or three transfers, or three or four months, and usually with only one companion. Transfers are also the time when Elders and Sisters leave the mission at the end of their service, and board planes and trains to take them back home to where they belong.

With that in mind, starting tomorrow, Elder Proffit will be serving in the Boulder Zone, Broomfield 3rd Ward, the very most southern tip of the mission. Elder Wengreen will return home and begin living his life once more. And I and Elder Vakameilalo will become companions in the Loveland Zone, Fossil Creek Ward. From now on, Fossil Creek will be a one-companionship only Ward, and all the work in there will be handled by Elder V and me. I have to say, the thought of transfers both scares me and excites me.

Elder Proffit & Weber

I have enjoyed being trained by Elder Proffit, he is a great Elder, and someday will be a great member of this church (perhaps even a prophet). Elder Wengreen, while having his ups and downs, has been a great learning experience for me, and has taught me to be more loving and patient with others. He has also been a step towards humbling me and my over-sized ego from time to time. I am thankful for his work and presence in my life, and wish him luck in all of his future endeavors. God speed. And while I find it hard to understand Elder V from time to time, because he doesn't speak English as well as other Elders do, I look forward to working with him and his different personality and point of view. Even more, I look forward to serving not just the east-side of the Fossil Creek Ward, but the entire area, and everyone that lives within the Ward boundaries.

And so, with that, I believe I will end this email. I know, that isn't a very long email as compared to others, but there is very little I can say. This week was one filled with goodbyes, one filled with tears. But this I can say. Though Elder Proffit and Elder Wengreen are leaving their areas, and moving on with their lives, one with service in another part of the mission, the other with life back in his home, their work here will not end. They have left an impression on this area that will not be easily forgotten, and will be carried on by faithful Elders willing to serve their Savior with every fiber of their beings. And I am proud to be one of those Elders. Not only that, but the friendships they have forged here will not end, but shall last for time and all eternity. And so, though I must say goodbye to my friends and brothers today, I also say, with joy in my heart, "God be with you 'til we meet again. By his council's guide, uphold you. With his sheep, securely fold you. God be with you 'til we meet again."

God be with you all, 'til we meet again. This I say, in the name of my Lord and God, even the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

--Elder Z.S.Weber

Thought I would add a little from the mom letter this week:
"I won't be the senior companion, as Elder V has been out several months longer than I. But, I will be the designated driver, as I'm the one who has a driver's license.  However, I may need to do the calling and writing, because I know more English than he, so that worries me.  The good thing is he's catching on to English very well. He understands a lot, and can speak fairly fluently, he just has a very hard to understand accent. But I'm sure I'll be fine!

Also, how go the preparations for Thanksgiving? I didn't mention in my letter, but I'm fairly certain I'm either spending Thanksgiving with the Ottley's or the Smiths."

WEEK 13 - ISREAL, ISREAL, GOD is CALLING

Hey everyone!

Elder Z.S.Weber is here, once more, with an update on how the progress is going in the Mission Field here in Fort Collins, Colorado. To begin, let me just say--it is freaking cold out here! Remember how I mentioned in my last email that "the field is white, all ready to harvest"? Well, now the fields are just white. In just under one day, all of Colorado has become blanketed in a thick layer of white snow. And this isn't good snow, either. Good snow is thick, but wet, and useful--it makes the winter more fun. But this snow is thick and powdery, cold and dry, and absolutely useless! It dusts the streets and the roads with a thin layer which easily turns to ice, and makes long-distance travel to anywhere in the mission nigh impossible! Though, I suppose I shouldn't complain too much. After all, Elder Proffit and I had the car this week, when it was the coldest, while Elders Wengreen and V had to bike through the ice and snow. And, Elder Proffit's old trainee, Elder Komarek, is serving up in Wyoming, where it's both cold and windy, any missionary's worst winter nightmare! My prayers go out to him, and all other Elders like him who are facing the harshest winds and bitterest winters this world has ever made.


Somewhere under all the winter clothes is Elder Weber

Well, on to the week! This week was another slow one (there have been a lot of those recently, haven't there?), and progress with teaching isn't all that great. However, this week was very eventful, in its own special way. To begin, once again Elder Proffit and I went down to the Stake Center for the District Leader Meeting on Tuesday, and the Junior Companions were sent out on their own. I was worried at first, mostly because I didn't know if any of them knew how to drive in the snow or not, but after we had traveled about five miles at about 30 with zero fatalities, I lightened up a bit. We decided, because no one had planned for service projects in the snow (honestly, who would be crazy enough to do that?), to just go to the nearest thrift shop and do some bargain-hunting. One of the Elders was going to compete in his Ward's ugly sweater contest which was coming up soon, so he had a ball. As for myself, I didn't do too much shopping, but I did get a new scarf in case I end up getting transferred to Wyoming half-way through the winter. I also bought a cool tan trench coat, so now I am totally ready to cosplay for the start of Supernatural: Season 10!

 

...which, unfortunately, I won't be able to see for another two years...

 

On Wednesday, Elder Proffit and I had the wonderful opportunity to teach the McManus family once again, though this time in the comfort of the Keat family's house. Remember, Brother Keat is the Ward Mission Leader, and has been helping us teach the McManus' the lessons. So, as we had previously decided, we taught them the third lesson; the Gospel of Christ. For those that don't know, the Gospel of Christ is composed of five parts (finding faith in our Savior, Jesus Christ, then repenting of our past sins and wanting to improve ourselves, then being baptized and honoring the promises we've made to God, receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and listening to its guidance often, and finally repeating the process daily, and enduring to the end). As usual, the McManus' loved the lesson, were very involved, and I feel strongly that they are building their testimonies with every passing day. However, when we proposed the date we had been praying about for them to be ready for baptism by (December 13th of this year), they immediately shot it down. They said that they wanted more time to find more answers, and then hopefully be baptized on the Saturday of Easter Weekend next year. I have to admit, I was seriously disappointed. I'm hoping that either they will be completely ready by January, when I will hopefully still be in the area, or that they will stand strong in the faith until that Easter Weekend, and be baptized, either by myself, or by someone else. That's all I can hope for.

 

Friday was a very fun day. The snow had stopped falling for the moment, and it was actually fairly warm outside (up in the 20's!), so the entire Loveland Zone gathered together and decided to work on a very large service project down in the south. Last year, there had been a huge flood in the area, which sent debris and rubbish all across this one family's ranch home. Most of the hard work was done, but we of the Loveland Zone still had some work we could do, by moving the large piles of sticks, branches, and even full-grown trees out to the side of the road to be picked up later on. And let me tell you--they definitely left us the dirty work. The piles were higher than I am tall, and between the mud from the flood and the snow from the winter, it was no easy job. A few of the bolder Elders tried digging the branches and trees out of a pile that had become merged with the bank of the river, and ended up falling butt-first into the ice-cold water several times, while I, the other Elders, and the Sisters all watched and laughed. The service came to an end when all the Elders decided to grab a large tree from the last pile and carry it to the trash pile up by the road. I don't know who was foolish enough to think up the idea (probably the Zone Leader), but we all pitched in, and with one exhausting effort, we managed to lift the tree up, carry it up the hill to the road, and throw it/drop it into the trash pile. Some of us afterwords laughed and said "that was more inspirational than Miracle!" Which, honestly, I'd have to agree.

 

Loveland, Colorado Zone

The week came to an end with Saturday and Sunday, when the snow fell hard once again. We were expected to drive down to Longmont for the Mission Tour. One of the members of the First Quorum of the Seventy, Elder David A. Baxter, was in the Mission's boundaries, and had decided to share his thoughts in several meetings over the course of six days. We eagerly listened to what he felt was important for us to know, and I have to say the old Scot's words of wisdom were both profound and prophetic, and I am glad I was able to listen to them. He told us first that Heavenly Father does love us. That is not just hopeful wishing, that is a fact. He is even more joyous for us, also, because we are doing His work, and He couldn't be prouder of His children but for them that serve Him and His children with everything they have. He then said that the solution to having more families be prepared for the Second-Coming of Christ was to teach them with the end goal in mind; preparing them to live worthy to serve in His Holy temples and be ready for their interviews with their Savior and Redeemer. I can't say much more of what he said, because unfortunately I had forgotten to bring a notebook to write in, but let me say that it was indeed wonderful to hear. Finally, on Sunday, Elder Proffit and I went by the Miller family, half to warm up from the cold, and half to check in on the progress of a referral they had given Elder Proffit when he was first in the area. While the referral didn't go over all that well, we were blessed to have time to talk with the Miller family, and to give their son Brock, and their daughter Alyssa, blessings--Brock's for the pain in his back, and Alyssa for her foot surgery to go well so that she could return to her mission in peace. The Spirit in the room at that time was unbelievably strong, and I admit that I was close to tears a couple of times.

 

So, what spiritual thoughts or feelings do I have to share this week, you might ask? Well, this one is a little less wonderful than others. It was Thursday night, and I was laying in bed. Remember, this was the day right after we'd had the baptismal date fail with the McManus', and add to that the fact that we hadn't made much progress any where else in the area, I was feeling pretty bad. But, instead of blaming the weather, my companion, or the people in the area, I decided to blame myself. Which, if any of you really know me well, is never a good thing. I was seriously beating myself up, I felt that I wasn't living worthily enough to teach right, that God was upset with me, that I shouldn't even be on a mission to begin with. My thoughts were darker than a moonless night, and the longer I thought these thoughts, the darker and more malicious they became. But while I was thinking these things, I heard a voice, in the back of my head, say one single small word.

 

"Zack."

 

I have heard people talk about hearing the voice of God before. For some, it is loud and proud, while for others it is soft and comforting. But for me, in that moment, the voice sounded like an old friend, who had seen me at my lowest points, yet still stood beside me. The way God spoke to me in that moment with that one word was as if he were saying, "Oh great, Zack, are we really going to go through this again?" You know, in a sarcastic but loving way. When I heard that, I almost audibly responded with, "No, God, we aren't going to go through this again." And just like that, the dark thoughts ended, and I was able to fall asleep peacefully, more peacefully than I have ever fallen asleep before.

 

My thought to you today is quite simple. God lives. He is our Heavenly Father, our loving Father and Friend who watches over us night and day. He knows all of us by name. I know this, for I have heard Him call out to me by name. He loves us dearly, and continues to speak to us day by day. He speaks to us through His prophets, who lead the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with humility and meekness. He speaks to us through the scriptures, which teach us of His Doctrine, and what He would have us do to come unto Him. And he speaks to us through our thoughts, even when they are encircled about by the darkest of dreadings. All He asks of us is that we reach out to Him for love and comfort, and He will give it to us, regardless of our current situations. As the Book of Mormon prophet Alma the Younger once said, "My soul hath been redeemed from the gall of bitterness and the bonds of iniquity. I was in the darkest abyss; but now, I behold the marvelous light of God. My soul was racked with eternal torment; but I am snatched, and my soul is pained no more." (Mosiah 27:29) May we all reach out to our Heavenly Father, who longs to give us the love and comfort we so desperately need in these trying times, in the end of the days of the earth. This is my heart-felt prayer for all of us today, in the name of He Who is Mighty Enough to Save, even the Son of God and Savior of the Earth, Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

Well, that's it for this week. I'll hear from y'all again next P-Day!

Stay epic, my friends!

 

--Elder Z.S.Weber

Couldn't help but share this paragraph from my "mom letter".  This makes me happy.

"... I have to admit, I miss home, especially with the lack of Christmas songs to listen to (dang you Elder Proffit, can't we just turn on the Christmas station on the radio?! ), but I wouldn't say that I'm homesick yet. And I'm certainly not trunky, either. I'll leave that for the Elders who have one-eight weeks left (ie Elder Wengreen, who leaves next Tuesday). Honestly, I think the old saying says it best; "Love what you do, and do what you love, and life will be filled with meaning and joy." (I think I just came up with that by myself, but oh well). It seems to stand true for me, because it's already been three months, one/eighth of my mission, and I'm feeling great!"

WEEK 12 - THE FIELD is WHITE

Hello friends, family, and other affiliated acquaintances. It's me, Elder Weber once more, checking in from the Fossil Creek Ward, Loveland Stake, in the Colorado Fort Collins Mission. And guess what? WINTER IS HERE!!! It took up until the second week in November, but it finally came. Until today, we've had nice, hot weather, and only occasional showers. I was actually starting to think about pulling out my short-sleeve shirts again. Luckily, I didn't. Because today, Elder Proffit and I stepped out of the Houses' house to start our day, and it was about 20 Fahrenheit, windy, and snowing! Finally, it feels like the right time of year!

Well, now that my tirade about the weather is done, let me tell you about how this last week has gone in the mission. Once more, we haven't had much progress with lessons, due to how early it starts to get dark out here (5:00! Can you believe this?!). However, we may have more luck later on this week. Along with meeting the McManus family again, who are just as eager as ever to learn and discuss, we have found several more referrals that sound VERY excited to learn. They love the feelings they get from church, they want to feel it more, and they are willing and able to listen to whatever the missionaries may want to say. Some have even attended church several times already, and one attended a Youth Fireside late last night, something that even some of the youth in our church today are very hesitant to take part in! So, teaching them the correct doctrine and principles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints isn't going to be the tough part. What will be tough, however, is that those who gave us the referrals don't want to push very hard. Some, actually, don't want to push at all. They are hesitant to have their friends, children, and boyfriends and girlfriends learn about the church, most likely because they don't want to lose those relationships they have. However, sooner or later, we'll get to teaching them. And that's when things are seriously going to start lighting up in the Ward!



Laying the sod in Bro. & Sis. Smith's yard.

In other news, Elder Proffit and I were able to exceed our required amount of hours of service this week. We needed 10 hours, and we got 13! How did we manage this? Well, on Tuesday, I went with the other Junior Companions from the District Leaders in our Zone, and went over to the community kitchen, whipping up bags of snacks and small lunches for the poor and needy. I'd say we got about 125 done, between the four of us, in just under an hour. Then, on Thursday, Elder Proffit and I went over with the other Fossil Creek Elders to the Smith's, who had recently moved into a brand-new house, and wanted help putting in the landscape. We helped plant four sapling trees, one of which was a large pine sapling that probably weighed 400 pounds! Then, we went over to the Rob's house, and helped rake up all of the leaves in their yard. And let me tell you--there were a lot of leaves to be raked up. By the time we had to move on, we had filled five LARGE bags full of leaves, and still had several fairly large piles left for the Robs' teen-aged daughters to take care of. We then went over to the church building and helped set up tables and chairs for a Young Women's activity that evening. On Friday, the Fossil Creek Elders met up again at the Smith's house, but this time to lay down sod in the backyard. We managed to do that in about 3 hours, and still had two pallets of sod to go! (a pallet of sod usually has about six rows of sod, with eighteen rolls of sod on each row, each roll about five feet long) So, yeah, they had a lot left over. Finally, on Saturday, we helped this less-active member move out of his apartment, and into his parents' house. By the time we were all finished for the week, our arms were completely sore, and we were completely, absolutely done.



Playing Headbandz at the Smith home

However, spiritually, we weren't finished yet. And on Sunday, I had a very spiritual moment happen. Perhaps Elder Proffit can't agree with me on this, but I feel that what I experienced at church yesterday was very profound, and perhaps could trump the spirit I felt while teaching the McManus' on Wednesday of last week. What happened? Brother Cameron Louchs, one of the Ward Missionaries in the Fossil Creek Ward, had been asked to speak on the temple. This was a fairly interesting topic to talk about, as it is with any of us when we speak about it, but the way he spoke about the temple in his talk was a way that surpassed any other talk on the temple I have ever heard or felt. He spoke of how, four years ago, he had been a single parent with a two-year-old son, and struggling with his new job. He put temple service as the least of his concerns, focusing instead on his family and his job. Honestly, in his position, I would have done about the same thing. However, as he went about this, his life only seemed to get worse. When he prayed to Heavenly Father to help him get his life in order, he felt strongly that he needed to attend the temple once more. It required a lot of sacrifice on his part, but Brother Louchs did so, and as he went, not only did his life get better, but through his attendance at the temple, his neighbor asked him about the church, was baptized, and later became his wife. Now, they are waiting to get sealed in the temple--hopefully before their first child together is born. Imagine--had he not made the sacrifices in his life to go to the temple, all the blessings he now has in his family probably wouldn't have come his way, and he wouldn't have affected or influenced as many souls as he had through his temple service.

And that is what I wish to speak on today, my friends. The seeds have been sown, nurtured, and raised long enough already. And now, as the scriptures often tell us, "the fields are white, all ready for harvest." All around us, there are hundreds of people we interact with on an almost daily basis. Don't say that you don't, by the way, because I know that you all do. None of us live in a tiny little bubble, we ALL interact with others almost every second of our lives. And of these many people who surround us day to day, there are many who may be ready and willing to learn about the gospel. Some may not know that they are ready, but their spirits are very eager to take part in the blessings of the gospel, regardless of what the costs may be. Don't let these chances pass you by! Be bold, and brave. Test your friendships out, and extend a loving hand towards those you care about, to bring them closer unto Christ. As we learn in Doctrine and Covenants, the worth of souls is great in the eyes of God, and the joy you feel by bringing one soul unto him is unlike any other in this world, except for the joy of bringing many souls unto him. This joy I speak of is the joy of knowing that when the end comes, and we have all left our mortal lives behind for a greater life, Telestial, Terrestrial, or Celestial, we will know that we will not only have family waiting to live with us once more, but friends, acquaintances, and other such loved ones, who are eager to thank us for the kind hands of fellowship we held out to them in bringing them unto their Lord and Master, yea, even Jesus Christ. Do not let worry or fear clasp your heart! If you extend your love for the gospel to others in a kind and loving manner, being gentle and kind, you won't lose friends, but gain eternal ones, ones that will last for time and all eternity. Dare to be bold, to be brave, to be strong in your beliefs. And if you do so, you and all those around you will be blessed. This I bear solemn testimony of, in the name of our Lord and Master, the Savior of Man-kind, Jesus Christ, Amen.

That's all I have to say for this week! See y'all again next P-Day!

--Elder Z.S.Weber

WEEK 11 - ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS

Hey everyone, it's your favorite Elder, Elder Weber, here once again for a report on how things are shaping up in the Colorado Fort Collins Mission. Let me first say, though, before I begin to go into detail about my week, how happy I am to be able to serve in such a beautiful and wonderful place like the Fossil Creek Ward in Loveland, Colorado. It is a beautiful city, with so many kind and considerate families, who are always able and willing to work with the Elders. The Bishop, Bishop Cleverly, is perhaps the most joy-filled man I have ever met, second only to my own grandfather, Lou Sansevero. He always greets the Elders with a bright smile and eager handshakes, and often thanks us for the service we are doing in the mission field. The Ward Mission Leader, Brother Keat, is a friendly and helpful teacher and leader, and I have never seen him angry or annoyed whenever the Elders stop by to talk and teach. And, of course, the Mission President, President Brown, is probably one of the wisest and kindest men I have ever met, a born teacher and leader, and I look forward to working with him during the next twenty-two months of my mission.

Now, on to the week. Sadly, though I am still very grateful to be serving in the Fort Collins Mission, I must state, once again, that the work is going at a very staggeringly slow pace. However, that is not to say that it is not moving at all, nor does it mean that my days serving in the mission are being wasted. If anything, the months I have spent here in the Fossil Creek Ward have been the most spiritually strengthening and uplifting months in my entire life, and this week was no different.

 

The work on the temple continues to move forward
 

To start off, let's go back to Tuesday. Elder Proffit, my companion, is a District Leader in our Mission, which means he is in charge of the work the other Elders in our area do. Under his direction are the Elders from Huntington Hills, Stetson Creek, and both halves of the Fossil Creek Ward. Every once in a while, the Elders that serve as District Leaders in a Zone gather together to plan out Zone Goals for the next month. I had been to a District Leader Meeting once before, and it sufficeth me to say that it went horribly. However, I put on a brave face, and followed Elder Proffit to the Stake Building for the meeting. When there, I found out that I would be working with the other Junior Companions the other District Leaders had to do a service project just a little ways away from the building. To my surprise, I was actually the most senior of the Junior Companions, as I had been out for two transfers now, and all three of the other Junior Companions had only been out for about two weeks. And, none of us had driving rights yet. Luckily, we all made it down to the house the service was being done at, and quickly went to work without any major complications. I can only wonder now what could have gone wrong though, with so many inexperienced missionaries together in one spot.

 

Love getting care packages from home
 

This is Elder Weber's Halloween care package loot

 

After the service was done on Tuesday, Elder Proffit and I went out to work on Wednesday. We didn't know exactly what lied in store for us, but I feel we were very willing and able to take on whatever came our way. It seemed as though the heavens had opened to us, much to my liking, as we were able to meet with not one, not two, but FOUR of our potential investigators! First, we met up with Mark, a man who lives a quiet life out in a small suburban neighborhood. After talking with him for a bit, we left him our number, and he promised to give us a call once everything settled down in his home. Then, we met with Joyce, a woman who lives across the street from the Meiers family, and who has acted as their surrogate grandmother for about ten years. She's a very nice and kind lady, and she reminds me a lot of my Grandma Weber. I hope we can be able to meet with her again sometime. Finally, we managed to meet with the McManus family, Pat (Patrick, I think) and Chelsea McManus. They are both very interested in the Gospel, and in fact often throughout our lesson, they would mention that what we were teaching, they could feel that they either believed it, or knew that it was true. Though they are a bit analytical and skeptical in their thinking, I have no doubt in my mind that, should we be able to meet with them on a more frequent basis, they'll both be ready for baptism by mid-December!

 

Thursday was spent searching for referrals. We actually had received one earlier in the week, but when we tried to find it, we found that the address didn't actually exist. However, we stopped by Brother Trenholm's house that evening, and asked him for his help in finding whoever the mystery referral was. Then, on Friday, Elder Proffit and I left for the Trainer's Meeting.

 

Reunited with his district from the MTC

 

Elder Weber and his 1st companion Elder Noh

 I was very glad to see all of my old friends from the MTC--Elders Genther, Nielson, Noh, Dixon, Clavel, Pratt, Christensen, Leavit, and Lires--and was very glad to hear some very much needed advice from President Brown. However, the day took a turn for the more troublesome, as Halloween came around that evening, and we were all forced indoors by six-o'clock in the evening. Thankfully, Brother and Sister Baer let us come over to their house, so that we weren't too bored out of our minds. We were able to play some pool, table tennis, watch The Best Two Years, and even got to hand out some candy! Elder V was still pretty bummed by the end of the night, though. You know, being from Tonga, he's never actually had Halloween, and his first chance at experiencing it, he gets forced indoors. Oh, well. Finally, on Saturday, Elders Wengreen, V, Proffit, and myself were asked to speak at the baptismal service held at the church building. There were THREE baptisms going on, and it was cool to see so many young children walk into the baptismal font, eager to begin their lives as real members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

 

A beautiful Colorado sunset
 

So, what is my concluding thought for the end of my email today? Simple, it's the same thought I gave at the baptisms on Saturday. As the old church song goes; "Onward, Christian Soldiers, marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before." Our lives aren't just a journey--they're a battle. In a world filled with sin and misfortune, we must stand strong, and march on with bravery throughout our lives. Trials will come, and sometimes it will be hard to continue. As any of my Marching Band friends could easily tell you, our teacher, Mr. Graber, would always say, "This is a journey of 1,000 steps, and just when you think you're starting to get the hang of it, you get to the second step." After the second step, we would be faced with the adversities of weather, competitions, rigorous training regiments, and other things that brought many of my friends to their knees in tears and exhaustion. Such is the way with us in our lives. However, even though the trials may be terrible, even if all of Hell may stare us square in the face, I assure you, my friends, that our journey will end in success so long as we press forward with faith. We have the blessings of Heaven on our shoulders--baptism by proper authority, the gift of the Holy Ghost to stay with us so long as we stand in holy places, church leaders and family members who can support us and lead us on our way. Yes, the journey is long. The 1,000 steps are not easy. But, just as any of my Marching Band friends could easily tell you about Marching Band, the pay off from succeeding in our journey will make everything worth it. Please, never give up. Stand strong, and march ever onward. This I say, in the name of the "Royal Master", yea, even Jesus Christ, Amen.

 

Well, that's it for this week! See y'all again next P-Day!

 

--Elder Z.S.Weber

WEEK 10 - CALLED to SERVE!!!

Hey guys, another busy week has come and gone, and once again I find myself seated at the computer, ready to tell y'all what's been going down in the Colorado Fort Collins Mission! This week has been great, by the way, far better than the one last week. We didn't have many lessons taught to investigators, sad to say, because it just seems that this time of the year just isn't good for families to sit down and listen. However, we were able to get with a lot of less active families and members over the course of this week, and give them what I like to call 'The Missionary Next Door' lesson. Basically, we teach show them all the easy ways that they can share the gospel (inviting someone to mutual, sharing a mormon message on Social Media, watching a mormon video, going to a fireside, ect.), and then invite them to use these ways to spread the gospel to their friends and coworkers. So, it was a really progressive week.

However, despite that, I would like to focus for a moment on something that seemed to have taken center stage throughout this week; service.

 

This week seemed to be filled to the brim with service! First, on Tuesday, Elder Proffit and I joined Elders Wengreen, V, Mangrum, and Corpus in doing some basic yard work at this one less-active member's house. What we didn't know, in going over to this house, was that the man we were going to be serving owned his own miniature ranch, with a few sheep and chickens, and his 'basic yard work' was anything but basic. He had us digging up the metal frame his old fire pit had sat in (which was about four feet underground!), digging out all of the trash and weeds that were in the pit he was going to use as his new fire pit, pulling trees out of the ground and planting replacements, cutting down all the limbs of his large globe willow tree, and mowing the excess alfalfa that had started to grow in his 'ranch area'. All the while, we had to be careful not to hurt the chickens that ran around like...well, like headless chickens.

 

After that, we found ourselves on Thursday raking leaves at the house of an elderly couple known as the Adams. This job called for all six of us Elders to band together again, as this was a very large yard, with a lot of trees. We were working for probably three hours, raking the leaves into piles easily waist-deep, and then bagging them up in large trash bags, and slowly dragging the bags out to the curb, where Brother Adams later moved to the trash cans. This was probably the worst work we'd done yet, because the temptation to act like five-year-olds one last time, and just wreck havoc with the leaves, was so very, very strong. Not only that, but so many of the leaves were probably no larger than the tip of my pinkie, so it made it terribly back-breaking work trying to rake them all into a pile large enough to pick up and place in the trash bag!

 

After raking on Thursday, Elder Proffit and I had even more yard work to do on Friday, as a less-active/non-member family, the Dahlens, asked us to work on their yard with them while their house was getting painted. Brother Dahlen gave me a leaf vacuum (not a leaf blower) and had me suck up all the leaves that were spread across his backyard. Once again, this took a lot of work, especially because the suction on the vacuum wasn't all that great, and it took me several rounds to suck up all the leaves and toss them into the trash bag. Meanwhile, Elder Proffit dug up a garden full of weeds, picked up any of the apples that were on the grass that the worms hadn't gotten to yet, and cut away at the grass that was starting to climb up into the gardens throughout their backyard. So, by the end of that day, we were absolutely exhausted (on the plus side, Brother and Sister Dahlen took us out to a sushi place afterwords as a form of thanks).

 

As if that wasn't enough, Elder Proffit and I, with the help of Elders Wengreen and V, went over to a member's house, Brother Wheeler, and helped him in painting his fence on Saturday. We did all of the first coat, and had started on the second coat by the time about three hours rolled along, and we realized we had to go. We promised to help him with the rest, however, later this week. Then, that night, we helped the Elders Quorum President, Brother Seeger, and the other Elders in the ward prepare and run the Halloween Truck-o-Treat held at the Church Building. We acted as the muscle, setting up most of the tables and chairs, helping members set up the stoves and pots for the dinner soups, and moving the soups out to the buffet tables. Later, we helped run the games they had set up in the different classrooms, Elder Proffit and I working at the cup pyramid game. Over and over, we'd build up the pyramid with solo cups, and over and over it would get knocked down by one of the footballs we gave the kids that wanted to play. Who knew it could be such stressful work, both for the body and the mind?!

 

However, the highlight of this week when it came to service was perhaps the most random, and the most wonderful, moment of service I have ever experienced. We were driving home from Timnath, the other Elders had picked us up in the van, when all of a sudden, Elder V told us that he needed to buy more food for the week at the Walmart up ahead. At first, I was a little ticked off that he didn't buy his food on Monday, when we are supposed to buy our groceries. However, I decided to just let it pass, and we stopped at the Walmart for a short while, and he bought his groceries. Then, as we returned to driving down the road, we saw a car stuck in the center of the road, angled in an odd position, with two men standing behind it, trying to push it. The battery had died, and the driver was stuck in perhaps the busiest street in our area. So, Elder Wengreen pulled up beside them and asked if they needed help. One of the men, who looked eerily familiar to David Tenant from Doctor Who, told us they'd be happy for any help we could provide.

 

What happened next could only be described as a scene out of an inspirational movie. Instantly, all four of the doors on our van slid and swung and slammed open, and all four of us bust out of the van and ran to the car. We grabbed onto the end of the car and started pushing it out of the road and towards the library parking lot. There were so many of us pushing, that the car's weight seemed no more than a feather, and we ended up needing to run while pushing, otherwise we'd get left behind. Then, once we'd maneuvered the car into the safety of the parking lot, all four of us Elders then stepped back and ran back across the field that stood between the road and the library, seeing as our van doors were all still wide open, on the busiest street in the area. I can only imagine what was going through that driver's mind when we showed up. Just in the moment of her deepest despair, a black van showed up with four well-dressed men sitting inside. They offer their help, and with their combined strength, they push her car out of danger's reach. Then, when all is good and safe once more, the four men disappear into the night, as if they'd never even been there at all.

 

Awesome, right? If this week has taught me anything, it has taught me the power of service, and the joy that it brings into our hearts. As we were driving away from that last scene, the work of pushing the car still fresh in our arms, legs, and minds, not one of us could keep the smiles off our faces. My friends, we have not just been called and sent to this world solely for our own benefit. It is true that much of what we need or want can be given by and through the means of this world. But, my friends, these means can only give a temporary feeling of satisfaction for our wants and needs, and the way they give it is always in a selfish way. However, as the scriptures state often, Charity, the pure love of Christ, the willingness to give all that we have and all that we can into the service for others, is a thing that transcends the grave, that lasts for all of time and eternity. Charity is the way to have permanent joy and fulfillment in our lives, for the more we honestly and whole-heartedly serve others, the more like Christ we become, and the more we are able to feel the joy He feels for us each day of our lives. My friends, I ask that together, we strive to end each day of our lives, starting with today, with the feeling of wondrous joy that we were able to give our all in making someone else's day better. This may seem hard, but serving others can come in many different ways, and many of them are easy for us to do in our regular lives. Find the way that works for you, and it shall make your life truly glorious.

 

This I say, in the name of the Only Begotten Son of the Father, yea, even Jesus Christ, Amen.

 

That's all I have for this week! Talk to you all again next Monday!

 

--Elder Z.S.Weber

WEEK 9 - HEY EVERYONE!!

So, another week come and gone. And, what do I have to show for it? Sadly, not much. Things are still going slowly here in the Fossil Creek Ward, with investigators becoming very few and far between. I've mentioned that we've had some potential investigators for a while. That is still true, but sadly, they still haven't made much time to talk to us. It's not only Elder Proffit and I that are having the trouble, either. It sounds like a lot of the Elders in our area of the mission aren't faring very well either. And with the days quickly getting shorter, and the nights darker and colder, the chances of filling our evenings with appointments, discussions, and lessons are getting fewer and fewer. Seems like this time of the year, with everything that goes on in life, is just an up-hill struggle in teaching. But, worry not! We will press onward!

Fort Collins Temple as the construction progresses 



This week was transfers, when Elders and Sisters are sent to different areas in the mission, sent home, or, for the first time in their lives, enter the mission field. I was not directly affected by this, as I am still in Fossil Creek, and with Elder Proffit as my companion. However, one of the other Elders in our group, Elder Miller, got sent to the Young Single Adult's Ward in Fort Collins, around the college there. I'm very saddened by this, for two reasons. First, because Elder Miller was a very fun and exciting Elder, who always made District Meetings and P-Days a truly great event. And, Second, because that means I'm now stuck with Elder Wengreen for another transfer. Elder Wengreen isn't all bad, to be honest...but I would not ever recommend him as a driver, or as a serious missionary. He is seriously trunkie, and I only hope and pray that this next transfer, he'll at least be able to focus on the work a little bit more, and not be so...immature.

Elder Weber on a "double decker" bike



But, with Elder Miller gone, that means someone has to replace him. And so, in comes Elder V. Elder V, or Elder Vakameilalo, is a Polynesian Elder from Tonga. When I say this, I mean fresh off the island, still learning English. He's a really nice Elder, and to be honest, he's not the worst Tongan I've ever seen. The other Elders were moaning about how he's going to be so big, and that he's going to eat everything, and that he could break me just by giving me a hand shake. But when I saw him, I couldn't help but think, "This is Elder V? The titan from Tonga? He's tiny!" And, really, he was. He's about six-foot, which is still a half-foot taller than me, but hey, everyone's taller than me! So, really, I am looking forward to working with Elder V in the nearby future. I just hope that Elder Wengreen won't corrupt him with trunkieness too soon!

We had Stake Conference this last weekend, and while driving down we found out that the brakes were in danger of failing. So, while down at the Stake Center area, we took the van over to a Firestone, and had them look at it. It turns out that some form of rodent had snuck up into the machinery at night, while the car was parked out on the road, and chewed up the brake wires! Can you imagine that? I didn't even think that was possible. So, Elder Holley, the elderly Elder in charge of the vehicles, reassigned us to a new car, a Subaru, and had us stick with it until the van can get fixed. We were all pretty bummed out about this, but we went on and all of us, all six of us, piled into the very small car. It was like a can of sardines in there! However, there was a ray of light amidst all this darkness. While we had been tossing our suit jackets and bags into the trunk of the Subaru, I found laying there an old Japanese-version of the Book of Mormon.

Japanese Book of Mormon that has found a new home



For those that don't know, I have always wanted to learn Japanese. It has been a goal of mine for many years. When I found out I couldn't learn Japanese by going on a mission to Japan, I have to admit it was quite a let-down. So, to find out that my mission president, President Brown, had served in Japan on his mission, and that several of the Elders in our mission speak Japanese, and that there is actually a family in our Ward that is from Japan, it just blew me away. And, now, to find a Japanese-version of the Book of Mormon, just sitting there, in a car that hadn't been used for a while, probably since the Fort Collins Mission was founded about a year ago...it all just seemed like answers to my prayers.

Someday he'll learn to read it, just not at this time.



However, when I asked President Brown about it, later that day, in the Adults Session of Stake Conference, he very kindly, and very firmly, told me to not waste any time on my mission learning Japanese. Surprisingly, I wasn't saddened, or angered by his advice. In fact, I was grateful. Perhaps it was because, deep down inside, I knew that my mission was no place to learn Japanese. And, yes, all signs seemed to point towards me getting the 'okay' from Heavenly Father to learn Japanese, and I feel that He does still want me to learn Japanese. Just, at a later date. Who knows? Maybe I'll serve worthily here in Fort Collins, learn Japanese once I come home, and then, only a few years after I've started my own family, I'll end up being assigned as Mission President for one of the missions in Japan! You never know.

And that's what I'd like to leave you with today. You never know what God has in store for you. We all have a mission to accomplish while we're here on Earth. Sometimes, we have the blessing of knowing what that mission is. But, most times, we haven't the foggiest clue. But, we live worthily, and serve diligently, and leave the rest in God's hands. The answer, or mission, that He gives us might not be the mission we expected, or the mission we wanted, but that isn't what matters. God knows us far better than we know ourselves. He knows who we are, what we were sent here to do, and what we need to do to accomplish that mission. So, don't ever fight God. He'll always win in the end. Besides, whatever God calls you to do must be good. For whatever is good is of God, and whatever is evil is of the Devil.

Aim to do good, my friends, and listen to what God asks of you. You never know where it may lead.

--Elder Z.S.Weber