WEEK 24 - QUALIFIED in our WEAKNESS

Hey y'all! I'm back!

 

Elder Z.S.Weber is back, once more with an update on how things are going here in the mission field. And let me tell you...this week was actually very tame. I know, I know, no week in the mission field is ever "normal" or "average", but compared to the past few weeks (where I've listened in on discussions of how to properly gut and clean a deer, or in-depth analyzations on what caliber of gun is most effective in hunting), this week was the most normal week I've had yet in the strange world that is "Middle-o-Nowhere, Nebraska". So, what exactly happened this week?

Pictures of the Elders from Elder Weber's last District.
left-right:Elder Bacon, Elder Weber, Elder V, Elder Mangrum
Elder Hamilton, & Elder Farnsworth

Wednesday: Wednesday found Elder Tapia and I starting out at our new service project. Unlike back in Colorado, where we would work in Soup Kitchens, or help out at Senior Centers, here in Kimball, Nebraska, our chance to serve the community comes from working at the Recycle Center there on the edge of town, off on the most-western end of main-street. What work do we do at the Recycle Center, you may ask? Well, on Wednesday, Elder Tapia and I ran around the town, riding in the Recycle Center boss' truck, picking up recyclable paper and cardboard boxes from the numerous businesses around the small town of Kimball. I have to say...it was interesting. Elder Tapia looked like he was having a serious blast, though, as he did a lot of the driving, and was ruling the stick-shift like he was born driving.

Elder Weber and Elder Tapia studying in their apartment

Thursday: After working hard on Wednesday at the Recycle Center, and as Mormon missionaries in the town, I was able to enjoy spending my Thursday with my District Leader, Elder Snelders. I've mentioned before how exchanges work, right? Well, in case you've forgotten, every once in a while the District Leader goes off with one of the missionaries in his District, his companion with that missionary's companion, and spends the next twenty-four hours working with that Elder and helping him with the work in that area. Well, working with Elder Snelders was very interesting for me. He helped me out with finding some good finding activities to use, due to us being in a very different area than what we were normally used to. We also worked on the car, the "Subi" or Subaru, because the low-lights on it were going out. Definitely a memorable experience...as well as frustrating...

The Elders and the antlers mentioned in last week's letter.

 

Yum-O...anyone hungry for antler soup???

 Friday: Aside from the headache from the Subi and its headlights, Thursday was great. But it was nothing when compared to what Friday morning had in store for us. Once again, we were at the Recycle Center, but seeing as Elder Snelders and I hadn't exchanged back yet, the two of us went off to work in the Recycle Center, rather than Tapia and me. However, instead of rounding up paper and cardboard, Friday was spent in a more...destructive way. Elder Snelders spend much of the time smashing glass beer bottles that had come in from the bars in the town, and me and another volunteer there worked hard packing cardboard into a cardboard compressor and getting it packed up into a small, foot-by-foot cube like the ones out of Monsters, Inc. Suffice to say...it was totally awesome!

Exterior of the mobile home the elders reside in.

Saturday: Finally, on Saturday, Elder Tapia and I spent our evening once more at the humble abode of the Jones family. After working hard all day, I was ready for whatever odd hunting story Brother Jones had ready to sling my way. What I was surprised by, however, was that his topic of the day was about the novel he was trying to write with his second-oldest daughter. When I heard that, I had only one thing come to my mind; "Finally, a subject I can relate to!" Brother Jones and I spent about the next hour or so talking about his and my stories; from genetic mutations that create reptilian, amphibian, and even mammalian dragons, to the horsemen of the Apocalypse being very real beings, who fight not for Satan, but against him, in an attempt to ready the world for the Savior's Second Coming. I have to say, it was a lot of fun, having someone to spitball ideas at, who was both receptive, and eager to add instruction and ideas.

A little silliness from Elder Weber

So, yeah, this week was awesome. And, I even have a spiritual message to go along with it, too! I know, I've been lagging a bit with them, but this one is great. Simply put--I'm imperfect. I'll be the first to admit it. Even more than that, I'm no way ready to be out here. I mean, the things I'm supposed to be doing are crazy, insane, and nigh impossible on my own. And it's not just me--everyone has this thought when given a new calling or mission in life. But you know what's the greatest thing about that? The Lord qualifies us in our weakness. "By small and simple things are the great things of this world come to pass." Even though I'm imperfect, I'm small, weak, and definitely not the most-skilled person in the world for this job, Heavenly Father knows that. And He knows that I am good enough. I may be small and weak, but because I am small and weak, I can turn to him for help and support. And through him, I can do many great things. And, if we all put our trust in the Lord, He will do the same to all of us as well. I know this to be true with all my heart, and I bear my witness of it, in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

 

Well, that's all for this week. Hope to hear from y'all again by next Monday! Stay epic, my friends!

 

--Elder Z.S.Weber

WEEK 23 - I DON'T THINK WE'RE IN COLORADO ANYMORE

Hey everyone, it's me, Elder Z.S.Weber, ready to give you an update on how things are going out here in Nebraska.

 

Sorry that I didn't email yesterday, a lot of things happened that made it impossible to get even a quick update email out to anyone. To begin with, yesterday was Martin Luther King Day, and as such, the small-town library Elder Tapia and I go to now to email and such was closed down. Also, we had to go down to Loveland, back in Colorado, so that I could get in with the Mission-assigned Doctor for a quick check-up and prescription refill. The driving took three hours on its own, and then add into that the fact that Elder Tapia wanted to find the new Mission Office and grab some supplies for missionary work...yeah, we were gone a long time. But I'm here now, so let's get going!

 

First off, Elder Tapia and I have been able to see some substantial growth in our work here, which has really brought a bright spot of sunshine to my cloudy life in exile. We've started to get to working with and finding out the old less-active members of the Ward that live in our area, and try to see what we can do to get them back into the church. One of them happens to be our next-door neighbor, and though he seemed a bit reclusive when I first heard about him, when I met him in person this last week, he showed himself to be a truly deep and philosophical man, who was gaining deep inspiration and knowledge from the scriptures. It seems to me that the only reason many of the less-actives in our area are less-active is because church is forty minutes to drive to each Sunday. If that truly is the one problem they're having here, though, then I have one thing to say--

 

LET'S BUILD US A CHURCH HOUSE IN KIMBALL AND START UP THE KIMBALL WARD!!!

 

(I mean, really, that seems like the easiest answer, right?)

 

After working with our less-active members, Elder Tapia and I have also been able to get some success from working with the progressing investigators the missionaries before us left for us to take care of. Elder and Sister Beste did a lot of good here, because we have about three different progressing investigators in our area. One, named Lance Flohr, is almost completely ready for baptism, but because of work problems and him getting sick a few times, the baptism has been pushed back to until he's clear and ready to go. Lance also has a little brother named Brad who's also interested and very close to being ready, but from what I've heard, he's a little shy and awkward, and as such is more than just a little bit worried that he'll fail as a full-time member. I can't wait to meet him personally so that I can, in some way, alleviate those concerns. Finally, we are working with a man named Brian McKay, who just so happens to be the great-grand-nephew of President David O. McKay, one of the past Presidents of the Church! He sounds like he needs a few more lessons, and more work with reading the Book of Mormon, but given the time, he could be just as ready for baptism as Lance is!



Outside of our work, this week has also been one filled with interesting situations and sights--things that have made me turn around and say to myself, "Elder Weber, I don't think we're in Colorado anymore." For starters, out in the center of the largest park in our area, Gotte Park, sits an enormous missile from the forties.

 

GOTTE PARK  Kimball, Nebraska

 

It's completely unequipped, not a danger to anyone here in the least bit, of course, but can you imagine walking through the park and seeing an enormous work of warfare sitting harmlessly in the field just to the right of you? It's insane! And then, on about Wednesday, Elder Tapia and I found a deer skull on the side of the road, while we were walking around the town. My reaction was to simply stare at it in interest. His was to pick it up, take it home, boil it in a large pot, and then hang it over the fireplace for decoration. That definitely wouldn't have happened in Colorado, and I don't think it's very common in Utah, either. To top it all off, last night the Elders got together with a member, Brother Jones (have I mentioned him yet?), who was going to crack open some pig skulls, take their brains and blend them in a blender, and then use them to tan his deer hides.

Bro. Jone retrieving the pig brains for tanning
 

 

 

 To say that was an interesting experience to witness doesn't even scratch the surface!

 

So, yes, this is an interesting place to be in. I mean, I never thought I'd be sitting at a member's house where the dinner conversation's topic was about taxidermy or hide-tanning. Nor did I think I'd get a companion that would be able to add to the conversation with perfect synchronization, and long to join said member on his next hunting venture. And yet, I've found myself loving this place greatly. It's true, the Lord does send us exactly where we need to be, and where we can be best put to use. Even if it seems completely ridiculous, the Lord knows what he's doing. So even though the work is hard, and I'm working with people I never ever thought I would associate with, ever, I'm glad to be serving here, in Kimball, Nebraska, where marvelous works and wonders come about by small and simple means. This I bear personal witness of, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

 

--Elder Z.S.Weber

**Excerpt from the Mom Letter:

Don't worry, Mom, I got my bag from the Elders. I hadn't realized just how much I had in there, but I'm definitely glad I got it back. I am completely at peace now (or so I wish). The mission is going well, we've been having some success here with the less-actives and progressing investigators, so I'm happy about that. It's going to be hard, definitely, but I'm proud of the work I'm doing, and doing it with a fun companion like Elder Tapia makes it all the more easy for me. Scottsbluff actually is in our mission, yes, though I don't know where, or how to get there. That is interesting, though. Might have to keep my eyes open for Brandon then.

I'm honestly surprised that Bradin says he misses me. We didn't hang out much, but I'm glad I was able to make some good impression on him. I hope he's doing well. Say hi to him for me sometime, could you?

 

Hearing you talk about return missionaries makes me wonder what I'm going to be like when I get back. The change is imminent, but still. What will it be like?

 

Love you Mom, and hope you have a great week!

 

--Zack

 

WEEK 22 - DWELLING in the WILDERNESS

Hello everyone, this is Elder Z.S.Weber!

 

That's right, I'm back once again, and made it safely through Transfer Day! Well...mostly safely. Elder Tapia (my new companion) and I had to put our bags onto the Mission's Trailer so that they could get to Nebraska safely. However, once we got to Nebraska, and were picking the bags up, one of mine went missing! Luckily, it was only the bag that has my non-missionary clothes in it, as well as my extra missionary books, like Jesus the Christ, Preach My Gospel, and Ensign. My scriptures, personal hygiene items, and missionary clothes all made it there safely, so I can still at least work hard until I can get my other bag from my new Zone Leaders, who are actually serving in Wyoming right now.

 

...yeah...I may never see that bag again...

 

Anyways, besides losing my bag, everything else seems to have gone just great! Instead of living with members, like I had with Elder Proffit and Elder V back in Fossil Creek, Elder Tapia and I are living in a double-wide trailer, equipped with five beds, a personal washer and dryer, a dishwasher, an oven, and one of those old TV's that are as wide side to side as they are front to back. Our landlord is a nice and kind 80's-ish old man named Joe, who always seems to have a smile on his face, and actually gave us some pancakes and jams the first real day we were in the area. Also, we no longer have The Battle Wagon (Fossil Creek's Grand Caravan). Instead, we have a small and simple Subaru that has great gas mileage, but is probably too small a car to be handling the rugged roads of Kimball, Nebraska.

 

That brings me to the other interesting fact about my new area. Though Elder Tapia and I are technically serving in Kimball, our area is actually a Ward made up of about a half-dozen small towns, the largest of which is Sidney, Nebraska, the home for the famous hunting/fishing outfitter, Cabela's. So, we are actually sharing the area with the Sidney Elders, Elder Snelders and Elder Layton. Elder Snelders is actually a missionary I already knew--he was one of the District Leaders back in Loveland. Elder Layton, however, is a greener greenie than even I, and comes from the strange and exotic world of Alberta, Canada. Working with them, especially with how to divide up the Ward, has been a very interesting and enjoyable experience, though also a bit of a headache now and then.

 

Besides our fellow Elders, the people in our Ward are some really great and amazing people. Most all of them work for, or are in some way related to, the Cabela's franchise, and as such, there are some very interesting characters to be found here. Like for instance...the Jones'. The first day I met them, I walked up onto their front porch with Elder Layton, Snelders, and Tapia, and the first thing I saw was a dead raccoon laying in a cardboard box. Elder Layton, rather than being surprised or disturbed by the lifeless creature, merely chuckled and said, "looks like Brother Jones finally took care of his pest problem." When we went inside, I found out that the raccoon was probably the least of the sights I'd see with Brother Jones. A real, bona fide hunter, Brother Jones does his own tanning, smithing, and carving. Last night, at dinner, he went into deep detail about how to tan a deer's hide, and even brought out a rifle of his he uses on some of his big-game hunting endeavors, while also cracking some hilarious jokes about his hobby-based work. So, for the most part, I'm getting the feeling I'm going to like this Ward.

 

The excitement doesn't stop there, though! Not only is this Ward filled with friendly and comedic hunters and outdoorsmen, but so far the experiences I've gained here in the first week surpass those of Fossil by a long shot. On Friday morning, after driving through the cold fog of the day, our Mission got the chance to hear from Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Some of the Elders there were afraid he was coming to give us an Apostolic beat-down, and chastise us brutally in front of the Mission President. But, no, when he got up to speak, he looked out over our still, silent crowd, and began cracking some sarcastic comments. Instantly, all the tension in the room disappeared, and we were able to really enjoy ourselves, listening to him talk to us in a very friendly, casual manner, and have us answer some non-aggressive questions. He even answered some questions from the crowd, questions that ranged from "what impact has your wife and your family had on your life" to "what was it like being called as an Apostle" to even "where is the Sword of Laban".

 

...actually, that last one he just gave the Elder that asked it a blank, "are-you-kidding-me" stare and shook his head...

 

But, all in all, it was a great conference, and the spirit I was able to feel there, while listening to one of the fifteen Special Witnesses of Jesus Christ bear his testimony and answer our questions, was incredible. I'm very thankful for the chance I had to listen to him, and to learn from him. I hope that, with as magnificent a beginning to this Transfer, I and Elder Tapia will be able to have a wonderful six weeks here in Kimball, Nebraska, doing whatever we can to expand our Master's garden ever further into the world. I know that the work will be hard--I'm going to have to work in a completely new way than how I did back in Fossil--but as long as Elder Tapia and I put in our best, whatever we reap is what we deserve. And I know that with our Heavenly Father supporting us through this, we will do many great and marvelous things here. That is my prayer for this next Transfer, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

 

Well, that's all for this week. See y'all again next Monday!

 

--Elder Z.S.Weber

 

A message like this makes my day a good one!!!

 

**Excerpt from the Mom Letter:

 

Alright, first the questions:

** Well, they have a Pizza Hut, a Subway, and a Family Dollar, but other than that, nothing.

** I'm living in a trailer house, peach color.

** There are about 300 members in the area, but only about a fifth of them are active.

** No, there have been proselyting missionaries before us, but that was back in 2008-2012.

** We have Elder Snelders and Elder Layton over in Sidney, about forty miles east of us.

** We go to church in Sidney.

** Elder Tapia is okay, a really nice guy once you get to know him.

 

Sounds like things are going great back home (except for the inversion, of course). I hope you know how much it means to me that you guys keep emailing me. These emails help me stay strong and last long through the week. They...give me hope that I'm doing good out here, and remind me of the real reason that I'm serving. So, thank you.

 

FACEBOOK CONVERSATION

Angela McCleery Miller He is doing great here & he & Elder V seem to be getting along alright. I was wondering how the new dynamics with Elder V would play out when Elder Proffit was transferred. But, they spent a couple hours here the other night & they seem to be doing well. We did encourage Elder Weber to think about helping Elder V with his English studies - as Elder V is not a native English speaker. (since normally companions spend language study time together...) And, that would give him a little extra time to bond with & serve his companion - plus, remind him that he is not a native speaker. They are pretty funny together! Elder Weber is awesome & has come a LONG way & is very comfortable in what he is doing these days. You can feel it. He is a great missionary!!! And, we love his stories about his family - he LOVES all of you (even his sisters! :)) very, very much!

 

Nikki Sansevero Weber I love hearing this. I knew once he got out he would be a great missionary. He has a very strong testimony of the Savior and has always wanted to be spread the gospel to others.
Elder Weber told us that on Christmas Eve he and Elder V spent the day at the ward mission leaders home and they were each given a small Christmas tree and some gifts that had been given by members of the ward. My family and I are so grateful that all of you in the Fossil Creek Ward have been so kind and loving to our son. In his Skype, after he told us the story about the gifts, he said I FEEL LOVED. That made me sleep better that night. Thanks to all of you

 

Angela McCleery Miller It was the work of many getting the gifts together. They are loved, for sure! I cried when I told him goodbye tonight & I told him, "You need to know that I saw a picture of your gorgeous family. Your dad was holding up the computer with your face on the screen Skyping - he just beamed with how proud he is of you. And, your mother has the same picture - they are ALL so proud of you! And then... your three beautiful, younger sisters! You have NO idea the blessings you are bringing to your family by choosing to serve & fulfill an honorable mission, Elder Weber!" He got misty eyed on me - which made me really choke up - & said, "All I ever wanted to do was make my mom proud. I never knew if I would be able to do that... my sisters really are beautiful, aren't they?" I assured him that he most definitely has made BOTH of his parents beamingly proud (is that even a word? Elder Weber didn't call me on it, so I must be okay! :) ) & you could see it in each of your glowing faces! He left walking on air. I didn't know if I could show him FB or not - I didn't.... but, was dying to!

 

Nikki Sansevero Weber Angela McCleery Miller, I know it's time for him to move on, but my heart is kind of sad. I feel so blessed that his first area was filled with so many loving people. He grew a lot during these last few months in the Fossil Creek Ward. Thank you for loving my son and please let the other members of you ward and area know how much I appreciate them supporting the missionaries the way you all have. I know Elder Weber can be "qwerky" but he has a great love for the gospel, his Savior and his fellow brothers and sisters. Once people see that I think you can't help but love the kid. We have always been proud of that incredible boy. I'm sorry he never felt that sooner, but thank you for sharing his comments with me.

NEW ADDRESS for ELDER WEBER

 

Elder Zachary Steven Weber

Colorado Fort Collins Mission

500 HillSpire Drive

Windsor, CO  80550

WEEK 21 - A NEW BEGINNING

Hello everyone, this is Elder Z.S.Weber reporting in once again with the epic and exciting news on what's going on in the Fossil Creek Ward and the Loveland Zone. First off, may I just say...Happy New Year! 2014 is long behind us now, so strange because it feels as though it only just began a few months ago, at least to me. Gosh, scary how fast time flies. Yesterday, when Elder V and I were attending the Elders Quorum meeting at church, the lesson planned was about New Years Resolutions, and the conundrum of End-of-Life Regrets. It's kind of scary just how many resolutions are made each year, and how many of those are given up on half-way through the year...or worse yet, two weeks into the year! This is just me talking, but I'd like to see if we can't change those statistics this time around. Let's try and set some real, manageable, life-changing goals, and make it through the year abiding by those terms set way back now at the beginning of the year. I left one in the last email for those of you who are questioning your current religion or theology, and I'm certain that there are tons more out there to test and enjoy. So, what do you guys say? Let's get out there, and make 2015 the best year we've had yet!

Now, then, with that out of the way, I have to admit that this email isn't just about the "New Beginning" we're all facing, what with it being 2015 and all. No, this is an email for a new beginning with me and the other Missionaries in the Colorado Fort Collins Mission. Tomorrow, just as I mentioned in the email sent out back in November, is Transfer Day. And on Saturday night, while chilling out with the Stetson Creek Elders, I found out the Transfer Doctrine. Before I say that, let me just say that Transfer Doctrine for Missionaries is a lot like the Super Bowl for Football fanatics, in that we have high expectations for what happens on Transfer Day, and make loads of predictions about it. Some even try to go total Black Ops. on President Brown, and find out the Transfer Doctrine early, before it's been sent out to the mission. So, while I was with my District, we decided to do Transfer Prophecies, and try to predict where each of us was going. My prediction everyone gave me was that I would be going to a really hard place, way away from everyone else in the mission, but be very successful and have a totally awesome Missionary as a companion. So what was my Transfer Doctrine?

"Elder Weber will be leaving us, he is going to be companions with Elder Tapia, who will also be leaving us, and they will serve together in Kimble, Nebraska, in the Cheyenne East Zone."

...Nebraska. Frickin' Middle-of-Nowhere, Nebraska! I'm not mad, or upset, or anything like that, honest. I'm just...Nebraska? First of all, that lines up perfectly with my Transfer Prophecy, because Nebraska is the furthest point from the mission you can go. Hardly anyone gets shipped out to Nebraska, and I'm getting shipped out there for my second area? Then, there's my companion, Elder Tapia. This guy is actually not that big of a problem--in fact, he's practically the living embodiment of that old proverb, "there's a time for everything". He's a hard worker, and loves to work, but he's also able to chill and relax, and if things are slow, he's a load of fun to have at your side. So, I'm actually excited to be working with him. Finally, there's the fact that we are replacing a Senior Couple, rather than regular Missionaries like myself and Tapia. I'm worried, because that means we'll basically have nothing to go off of, as opposed to having an area already set up for us, like Fossil Creek. However, in other areas where regular Missionaries replaced Senior Couples, especially in those "middle-of-nowhere" states, the work load has literally exploded! So, it looks like we could be having a lot of fun this Transfer!

So, why am I complaining?

...I really don't know myself, to be honest...

...Anyways, with that in mind, I'll talk to y'all again next week, from someplace up in Nebraska! Wish me luck!

--Elder Z.S.Weber

Thought I'd share a bit from the Mom letter...

Hey Mom!
It's alright you didn't send a message yesterday, I'm not ticked or anything. As for where I'm going, you'll probably read it in the newsletter I sent out, but I'm going to Middle-of-Nowhere Nebraska. Should be cool, actually. I'm looking forward to it.

Can't believe Tanner's back from his mission already, though. Now that is crazy! Wonder how he changed over the last two years.

Sister Banagas told me that you guys were together while they were coming back from their trip. You guys look great in your pictures, even the one of you being goofy on the walk!

I'll try to send more pictures once the new Transfer starts.

Just tell Belle that everything will be fine, okay? She's smart, skilled, and creative. Whatever life throws her way, she can throw it right back with twice as much force!

I know just how you feel about the schedule thing. Us Webers just don't do well without schedules, now do we?

I miss you guys a lot, and I hope to see you all again soon!

--Zack