WEEK 6 - PHEW! WHAT a WEEK!!!

Phew! What a week! Hey everyone, this is Elder Weber once again, starting off a brand new week with one more email telling how life in the mission field is going. And, as you can probably guess from the subject for this email, it has been totally awesome! So, let's get down to the bare details, and find out just WHY this week has been so. Totally. AWESOME!!!

Enjoying the "Greenie Box" to celebrate is 1st month as a missionary

 

The week began with Monday of last week. After sending out my last email, Elders Proffit, Miller, Wengreen, and myself went down to Target to restock on food for the rest of the week, and to buy myself a bike. The other Elders wanted to use (steal) the van for the rest of the month or so, so I needed a new set of wheels myself if I was going to get anywhere productive. After all, our only good ponds to fish for investigators are about thirty minutes by bike from our home! So, I got myself a nice and simple mountain bike. And let me tell you guys; there is no greater feeling than riding a bike down a steep hill, after not riding for over a month! The wind in your face, the land speeding away under you...some say that the feeling of soaring in a plane makes them feel closer to God. I have to disagree. You're stuck inside a metal machine, which is doing all the work! But biking? The thrill of riding a bike, feeling all the elements push against you as you careen down a hill, a shout of joy leaping from your throat, THAT is more how I feel God feels, absolute joy, absolute thrill, and boundless wonder and excitement. Even though I'm closer to Earth, I can easily feel like I'm soaring through the Heavens above.

Elder Weber & Proffit had to relinquish the van ,

but that's okay they've got a new ride

 

Tuesday, sadly, wasn't all that big a day. Elder Proffit and I had planned to bike up to Timnath Ranch, one of our larger neighborhoods we proselyte in. However, though we did eventually get there, there weren't many people interested in what we had to say, and very few of the members were out and about, so we pretty much just biked around, waiting until we had our dinner appointment.

The Elders: Wengreen, Miller, Weber and Proffit

 

Dinner at the Banagas home

 

Now, that was something good to take from the day. Sister Shauna Banagas, my mom's friend while growing up in California, was hosting all four of us missionaries at her home for dinner. They had the cutest pug, too, which kept trying to bite my ankles off!  Afterwards, we sort of goofed around and aimlessly chatted, and I actually learned how the Banagas' and my mom know each other. Knowing that it had been Sister Banagas that had played a key role in having my mom baptized totally blew me away!

Elder Weber has lost his "signature" pose

Elder Weber leaving the Banagas family with a message

 

Wednesday was phenomenal! Why? Because we got to see Meet the Mormons at an early showing at one of the church buildings, JUST FOR THE MISSIONARIES!!! In case you don't know what Meet the Mormons is, it's a motion picture coming out nation-wide on October 10th, put out by the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Basically, it tells the tale of six Mormon families throughout the world, from the streets of St. Louis, to the Mountains of Nepal, to the 'Mountains' of Salt Lake City, Utah. The movie was funny, exciting, and very spiritual. I don't think I saw a single member of the missionaries in our area who was not totally fixated on what was on the screen. It also had a great soundtrack to it, with Symphony as the ending song. Now THAT is one song I wish I had learned about before I went on my mission! That way I could have it stuck in my head all day long, and I wouldn't mind in the least bit! So, in case you didn't get it yet, the movie is awesome, and you should all go out and see it!

Saying goodbye to the missionaries van

 

After that came Thursday, and then Friday! Friday was the last day I got to teach Marilyn Macreena, my first investigator on my mission. We loved talking with her and her mother, a recent convert to the church, and were so excited that her baptism was going to be happening the VERY NEXT DAY!! After she passed her interview to make certain she was ready to be baptized, myself, Elder Proffit, and the two Zone Leaders who interviewed her, goofed around a bit by doing what is now called 'The Baptism Strut'. So far, I think Elder Esplin (the ZL) did the best...but that's only because I myself looked like a drunk elephant lumbering about. T-T

The newest member of the Fossil Creek ward, Marilyn Macrina and her

 mother Felicia, on her special day.

 

Saturday came, and Marilyn was baptized! I got to bear my testimony right afterword, of how it felt teaching Marilyn the Gospel, and how I know that she has a strong, kind, gentle spirit, which knows the truth and meaning of what happened that day, and would continue to grow and improve throughout the rest of her years. And, though she was baptized later than most kids in the church her age are, she will grow to have a light so bright, it will far out shine any soul who stands beside her in her life. On Sunday, Elder Proffit conferred Marilyn as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and was able to bless her with the blessing of the Gift of the Holy Ghost. I know that this blessing will take her far in her life, as it has with me. I still remember the day I received this sacred Gift, as well as every day afterword when the Spirit was able to stand beside me and hold me up. He has been my teacher, comforter, and friend. A person I could rely on, when I had no one. I know that Marilyn Macreena has this Sacred and Holy being now beside her, to help her grow and stand strong as a member of the Church. And I know that the Holy Ghost will be as great a blessing to her as he was to me, if not more so. This I know, and bear solemn witness of, in the name of the Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen!

Well, that's it for this week! Catch you all next Monday!

--Elder Z.S.Weber

THE BAPTISM STRUT

I received a wonderful surprise on my Facebook Messenger this morning.  A sister, Felicia Day Macrina, sent this video to me.  She told me that last night the elders were meeting with her daughter who is being baptized today.  She said that some how the topic of what is your "baptism strut" came up.  Then all the missionaries began demonstrating the own strut.  This is Elder Weber working his strut.

 

She gave me her phone number and I had a chance to speak to her for a moment.  She shared some kind thoughts about my missionary.  I am so grateful for these opportunities my son is having to share the gospel with the people of Fort Collins and that there are so many sweet members there.

Thanks again Sister Macrina for sharing this video and best wishes to you and your daughter on her special day.

WEEK 5 - THINGS are LOOKING UP

Hey everyone!

I'm back, and better than ever, with yet another email installment of just how epic my life is going here in the mission field in Colorado Fort Collins area. I've had a lot of things I've had to do this last week, things that have taken up a lot of time, but we all know how good that is for missionaries like myself. It means that we're actually able to do our jobs! So, how is my mission actually going? Well, let me tell you!

To begin with, I feel like I've forgotten to explain how the missionary schedule goes. Kind of important in knowing how my life is going, right? Well, here it is;

• 6:30 = Wake up, get showered and dressed for the day ahead.
• 7:00 = Have breakfast, and relax for a little while, usually still waking up.
• 8:00 = Personal Study time, with readings from Standard Works, Preach My Gospel, and other Church-based books.
• 9:00 = Companionship Study time, where we plan out the day and discuss what we learned last hour
• 11:00 = Lunch time, and listen to talks or music we have on our mp3 players
• 1:00 = Begin tracting (this usually lasts until about 5:30 in the evening, and is interrupted by talks and break periods when we stop by a member's house, and they practically drag us in for snacks and a break from the baking sun outside)
• 5:30~6:30 = Dinner, usually at a member's house, where we have a discussion afterword, and ask for referrals
• 6:30~7:30 = Finish any tracting or appointments we have for the night
• 9:30 = Go home, plan out day for tomorrow, prepare for bed
• 10:30 = Lights out, go to bed, repeat process the next morning

So, that's usually how the schedule for us missionaries go. Sometimes, we have appointments that get thrown in, which mixes up the whole deal a bit, but other than that, it doesn't change very much.

 

However, that's where we get the good news!

 

I've got my very first REAL investigator! His name is Brian, and he's a friend of someone in the ward. He's been sounding interested in the Gospel, and when we taught him, he at least seemed like he was getting something deeper than theology from what we were saying! I really hope that he decides to follow our suggestions to him, and read the Book of Mormon, because he really does seem like this Gospel could help him out so much! Along with Brian, Elder Proffit and I have been teaching Marylin a little bit further. Her Baptismal date is this Saturday, the 27th, so everyone wish her the best in preparing for this big step on her path towards Eternal Life!

 

 

And the good news keeps rolling on! On the day that I had officially been out for one month, I got a package from my mom celebrating my big first month! 23 left to go! It was awesome! Also, I got to teach some of the youth about how to prepare for a mission, both spiritually, and temporally. However, what I stressed most was making memories with your families, because, honestly, I don't think I have enough to last me for two years away from them! So, if any of you have kids getting ready for a mission, remember. MAKE FAMILY FUN TIME!! Because, once they're in their missions, all they'll have is the memories, and they're gonna need all the memories they can have to last the next two years!

 

Well, that's it for me! Catch you next week!

 

--Elder Z.S.Weber

YOU'VE GOT MAIL

To celebrate Elder Weber's 1st month as a missionary we sent him a "GREENIE" care package.    And Becky had made chocolate chip cookies so we shipped a second package with the homemade goodies.  My good friend Shawna delivered the packages to him tonight which gave her the opportunity to grab a snap shot for mom.  I am truly feeling blessed.  It comforting to see that smile on his face and a sparkle in his eye.  

WEEK 4 - as a MISSIONARY

So...another week has passed by yet again, and now I am officially four weeks into my mission, two weeks in the field. So how has this last month of being a missionary gone for me? Well...I have to say that there are both sour and sweet grapes growing in my vineyard right now.

Once again, we haven't had any new investigators. Now, its not because we don't try; whenever Elder Proffit and I get the chance, we go out and try tracting in one of our larger neighborhoods, knocking on as many doors as we can. Some people answer, and most that do are friendly, kind people, but who are also just not interested in hearing what we have to say. Now, I'm not saying that I'm hating my mission, nor am I saying that I'm hating the people in our area. But walking through huge neighborhoods, filled with young families looking for a great new start, and finding no one who is interested in what we have to say is both tiring, and just a tad bit tiring.

 

Elder Proffit doesn't seem all that worried though, and I can understand why. Some of the members in the ward have called us up since Sunday (yesterday), and told us they have friends or coworkers in the area that they would like to share our message with. Many of the people they called us about actually live on the western side of our ward, in the other missionarys' area. But, there have been some that live in both of our major neighborhoods; Timnath and Ptarmigan. So, hopefully we'll be able to see more action than we have this last week.

 

That is, if we're able to get up on time. But with Ward Council meetings at 7:00 in the morning on Sunday, and personal study time at 8:00 in the morning every other day of the week, it'll be a miracle if Elder Proffit and I don't both pass out from over-exertion and lack of sleep! However, despite my grumbling and mumbling, I have to admit that the ward is filled with kind, nice people who really honestly want to help us out with our missions. So, at least this isn't all done in vain, right?

 

Hope to see you all again in 705 days, and talk to you again next Monday!

 

--Elder Z.S.Weber

PHOTOS from the MTC

Not only did we get our P-Day emails from Elder Weber, but I was pleased to see an envelope in our mailbox with a very familiar handwriting on the envelope.  We were all blessed with hand scribed notes from our missionary and an SD card with pictures from the MTC.  Looks like a good group of elders.  I can finally put faces to some of the names.

 

THE DISTRICT:

left to right- Elder Christensen, Elder Lirers, (unknown) Elder Noh, Elder Nielson, Elder Genther, Elder Leavitt, Elder Weber, Elder Clavell, Elder Dixon, Elder Pratt

 



Elder Noh and Elder Weber next to "the map". 

 



left to right: Elder Neilsen, Elder Genther, Elder Lirers, Elder Noh, Elder Pratt, Elder Weber, Elder Christesen, Elder Clavell, Elder Dixon & Elder Leavitt outside the Provo Temple

 



Elder Weber's District and the other District that headed to the Colorado Fort Collins Mission on September 2



Elder Weber with his MTC companion Elder Noh and Elder Lirers

 



Being a little silly. 

 



Getting their study on. 

 



The newest batch of missionaries to the Colorado Fort Collins Mission.  The Mission President and his wife are in the middle of this awesome group.

WEEK 3

Hey guys, Elder Weber calling in once again for his weekly update for how life in the Mission Field really is. I've gotten a lot of excited and supportive comments since my last email on Wednesday, and I have to say I am definitely blessed to have such great support from so many friends and family!

So, last time I told y'all about my new companion, Elder Proffit, as well as the members I'm now living with, the Houses. First of all, let me tell you all that life with the three of them has been great so far. I'll admit, sometimes it's a little rough when Elder Proffit wakes up before me, and then hogs the hot water in the shower for fifteen minutes or more, but other than that he's been a great trainer and companion, and has really been a lot of help in showing me the ropes, and showing me around the neighborhoods. He's very supportive, and gives me genuine advice whenever I ask or need it. And the Houses are very nice and helpful, perhaps too much for their own good! They gave us a microwave, toaster, convection oven, hot plate, and two refrigerators for our kitchen, as well as extra sheets and pillows! I'm not complaining, but that seems a bit...much.

The ward is great, and filled with very nice people. Not that they're nicer than you guys back home, but it's good to know that I'm in good hands for now. So far, I've met with the Ward Mission Leader, the Elders Quorum Leader, the High Priests Leader, the Relief Society Head, and some of the Ward Missionaries. All of them are very kind people, and are more than willing to let Elder Proffit and me stop by for refreshments, a lesson, and just to relax a bit before getting back in the saddle yet again. Which, honestly, we need every chance we can get.

We've done a bit of tracting over the days, just knocking on doors and trying to see if anyone will answer. I actually got my first door slammed in my face, too! Sorry, I mean 'first door forcefully shut in displeasure'. Other than that, though, the people we meet while tracting are a very nice and kind bunch. They all seem a little wary of taking lessons, but I'm certain sooner or later, one of them will open up to the two of us, and BAM! I'll have my first investigator ever!

Along with the people, there are the experiences I've had this week, that really seem to set this mission apart for me. Last Saturday, we had Elder Cook, Christensen, Baxter, and Rose come and speak to the WHOLE MISSION. And, they shook each of our hands! Over 200 missionaries all shook the hands of three General Authorities, and one of the fifteen prophets we have today on earth! And then they gave us advice on how we can better teach and advise investigators, and just how to be better missionaries. AND, Elder Baxter spoke at the Stake Conference the next Sunday! So, yeah, that's kind of epic, am I right?!

 

Well, that's it for this week. It was nice hearing from you all again, and I'll catch you again next Monday! See you then!

 

--Elder Z.S.Weber

LETTER from the MISSION PRESIDENT

Went to the mailbox this afternoon and was surprised to see a letter from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  It was a letter from President and Sister Brown of the Fort Collins Mission.  Just letting us know that Elder Zachary Weber had arrive and all is well.  The best part was the photo attached at the end.  This is my first time seeing him with his name badge on.  I, of course, got a little choked up.
 Looking forward to his next P-Day and hearing how is first week in the field has gone.

ELDER WEBER has ARRIVED in COLORADO!

Hey guys, so guess where I am, right now?

That's right, Fort Collins, Colorado!

...Okay, technically it's Loveland, Colorado, but that's not what really matters here. What matters is that I'M FINALLY IN THE MISSION FIELD!!! This is great! Colorado is a lot like Utah, actually, so it doesn't feel all that different from home. Except that it's a bit hotter here, and a little less hazy. Oh, and though they say that Colorado is 'mountain country' the only mountains I can see are about a hundred miles off in the distance, so its a fairly flat horizon all around me. Sigh...though, I guess it could be worse. I could be in Kansas.

 

I've gotten my first real companion. His name is Elder Proffit. That's right, Proffit, like Prophet. I have REALLY good feelings for this mission! He's a nice guy, really helpful, but he doesn't seem to talk much. Not that I talk all that much either, really. Hopefully, though, when it comes to study time and our lessons, we'll be able to speak up to one another, and help each other when needed. For now, though, I'm just going to try and follow his example as I try to keep up with the new life in the mission field.

 

For the 'luxuries' of my mission, there's actually a bit to talk about. First, there is a temple, the Fort Collins Temple, being erected while I am living in this area.

 

 

In fact, the church building I will be attending Sundays at is RIGHT ACROSS THE ROAD FROM IT!!! I'll be able to watch it go up each Sunday for the next few months! How awesome is that?! Oh, and we get cars, too, and phones to call our investigators. Sorry, but I can't text or call any of you guys while I'm on my mission. Sorry! Lastly, as for where I'll be staying, I'm now living in the basement of a nice member family, the Houses, who seem like a really nice family. Hopefully, I won't be a burden to them.

Well, that's it for this week.

I'll write to y'all again probably come Monday.

Until then, catch ya later!

--Elder Z.S.Weber