WEEK 46 - NEW COMPANIONS & GREEN LIGHTBULBS

Hey everyone! Yeah, it's me again, Elder Z.S.Weber, with another quick email on how my life is going out here in the Colorado Fort Collins Mission. As most of you might know from my last email, I've now got a new companion, Elder Hale. And let me tell y'all, right now--he. Is. AWESOME!!! So, he comes from Mesa, Arizona, and has been out on his mission for twenty months. He was originally sent to the South Dakota Rapid City Mission, but recently was grafted into the humble olive tree that is the Colorado Fort Collins Mission, and we are very happy to have him here. He's got a good sense of humor, a love for the Gospel, and a real driving force in him to do his Lord's work. I am very glad that I was able to get him as my new companion.

So, with that said, this week has been awesome. The first day, Wednesday, was mainly used in helping Elder Hale get moved in and adjusted to the new mission life down here in Colorado. The transfer bus was late getting down to the Mission Home on Tuesday, so he got here around eight o'clock, too late to do much more than get home and pass out in bed. So, we spent the day getting to know each other, planning for the new transfer, and getting all the groceries and supplies he could need. The day went pretty well, except for our District Meeting, where it was basically just a big get-to-know-you meeting that just went crazy and ridiculous. And I had actually been hoping we'd have a serious discussion this time!

Anyways, both Thursday and Friday were spent about the same way, with Us doing service in the mornings while doing serious tracking in the afternoon. On Thursday, both us and the Lafayette Elders helped out this place called EFAA (Emergency Family Aid Association) by cleaning one of the units that a new family was going to be moving into soon. Once we got to cleaning, though, both Elder Stone and I knew that there was just no way a new family could move in just yet. Just looking at the bathroom was enough for me to think we'd need a professional team and a power-washer to get the place clean enough for anyone to live in. Suffice to say, it didn't look too good.

On Saturday, we did even more service, as the Lafayette Elders asked us once more to help them out, this time with moving a family into an apartment complex in their area. We readily agreed, and quickly went to work. It was a really fun time, because we were able to joke around while doing the work. At one point, when there was a bit of a lag in getting the objects out the truck, one of the other elders stood from the balcony of the third floor and threw empty water bottles down at us like they were throwing knives or grenades. This eventually led to all of us, the family members included, having a water-bottle fight where we tried to shoot each other with water from water bottles. It was a really good way to end the move, as it had been an incredibly hot and exhausting day.

Now, then, that pretty much leads me to the end of my week, which means--it's time for the Spiritual Thought! This week's topic is...don't get distracted. To best explain my topic, I'd like to share a story once told by President Uchtdorf of the First Presidency. As you may have guessed, the story is about an airplane. It's called the Story of the Lightbulb.

"On a dark December night [42] years ago, a Lockheed 1011 jumbo jet crashed into the Florida Everglades, killing over 100 people. This terrible accident was one of the deadliest crashes in the history of the United States.

A curious thing about this accident is that all vital parts and systems of the airplane were functioning perfectly--the plane could have easily landed safely at its destination in Miami, only 20 miles (32km) away.

During the final approach, however, the crew noticed that one green light had failed to illuminate--a light that indicates whether or not the nose landing gear has extended successfully. The pilots discontinued the approach, set the aircraft into a circling holding pattern over the pitch-black Everglades, and turned their attention toward investigating the problem.

They became so preoccupied with their search that they failed to realize the plane was gradually descending closer and closer toward the dark swamp below. By the time someone noticed what was happening, it was too late to avoid the disaster.

After the accident, investigators tried to determine the cause. The landing gear had indeed lowered properly. The plane was in perfect mechanical condition. Everything was working properly--all except one thing: a single burned-out lightbulb. That tiny bulb--worth about 20 cents--started the chain of events that ultimately led to the tragic death of over 100 people.

Of course, the malfunctioning lightbulb didn’t cause the accident; it happened because the crew placed its focus on something that seemed to matter at the moment while losing sight of what mattered most."(Dieter F. Uchtdorf, We Are Doing a Great Work and Cannot Come Down, General Conference April 2009)

Sometimes, in our lives, we can easily be distracted by things that aren't of greatest importance. Though some of these things aren't the worst things in the world, or even in of themselves "bad", like our work, or television, or...Magic: The Gathering trading cards...they can still distract us from the most important things in our lives. They can distract us from Jesus Christ, His role in our lives as our Savior, and our purpose while on earth. Though our distractions may be great, we can readjust ourselves--refocus on our spiritual altitude rather than the pesky green light bulbs of life.

How do we do this? The answer is very simple--read the scriptures every day. Pray to our Heavenly Father every day. Attend church every Sabbath Day. Do so with a mind set on Christ, with real intent, willing to do the will of the Lord, and the distractions will have no power over us, to bring us away from the work we are each called to do. I know this to be true, if we build ourselves upon a foundation of scripture study, prayer, and worthy church attendance, a foundation upon Christ, "that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm [and other distractions] shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall." (Helaman 5:12)

This I say on the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.

--Elder Z.S.Weber

WEEK 45 - SO LONG PARTNER

Hey, everyone, it's Elder Z.S.Weber, reporting in once again with an exciting update on what craziness is going on in the Colorado Fort Collins Mission. And this week has probably been the craziest week of my mission life yet. This is the last week of the transfer, after all, so y'all know what that means. It's Transfer-Time! And this transfer's set of Transfer Doctrine was pretty crazy, for all of us included. But, before we get to the insanity that came from Transfer Doctrine, let's get to the insanity brought on through the craziness of the week--because, in all reality, the week was just as crazy as the end of it was! From Magic to Munchkin, from frenemies to bonfires, this week was the craziest week ever. So, without further ado...lets go!

I think I'll start my week off with Thursday, when Elder Buchanan took a look at his actions and life as a missionary, and came to conclusion that he wasn't doing everything he was supposed to be doing. Together, we came to the conclusion that Magic: The Gathering, the trading card game, was his biggest problem. You know the whole 'leave all worldly things behind' part of the missionary rules? Yeah, definitely applies to Magic. So, we decided to see if we couldn't sell some of his cards. We finally found this place called the Gamer's Guild (totally sounds like the kind of game shop I'd go to in my spare time) and stood in line waiting to sell some of Elder Buchanan's Ultra-Rare cards he'd collected.

When we finally stepped up to the front counter, I noticed a display window with several Rare and Mythic-Rare Magiccards in it. I suddenly became well aware of why this hobby could be so draining on your accounts. There were some cards there that were worth over one-hundred dollars! Not only that, but some of the descriptions of the cards were just insane and crazy. There was one card that actually said that you had to tear it apart and sprinkle the pieces on your opponent's cards. Who would do something like that?! Anyways, once all was done, Elder Buchanan got thirty dollars from the game store. He then gave me the rest of his cards, which I thought was awesome seeing as I was starting to really like playing Magic in my spare time.

Now, the only question is...what am I going to do with these five boxes of Magic cards...?

Anyways, with Thursday done and gone, Friday came along and we had service once more with the Lafayette Elders. Well, much to my surprise, along with Elder Stone, we were graced by the presence of Elder Greer. Yep, DC Chillin' was back. I just couldn't believe it. I first met him in Loveland. When I left to Nebraska, he followed me. Now, with only a few days left in the transfer, he shows up again! I swear, sometimes it's like my life is Heaven's #1 comedy, with all the crazy and weird fiascos that go on in my life! Still, it was good to hear how things were going with him and spend some time doing some fun service to help the day go by faster.

Saturday, however, was where everything got crazy! Elder Buchanan got a message from one of his friends in the Mission, Elder Carnation, asking if they could hang out together one last time before they possibly got transferred. So, we met up at McDonalds, had a nice lunch, talked about basically anything that came to our minds--and that was when insanity kicked in. To my surprise, and horror, I found that Elder Carnation's personality is almost an exact replicate of Elder Buchanan's. For the last three months, I had gotten used to his crazy persona, but to know that there were now two of them? Once more, it feels like my life is Heaven's #1 comedy.

After we were done talking and chatting at McDonalds, we headed back to our apartment and played a few rounds of Munchkin with Elder Carnation and his companion. Once they shoved off back to their area, we headed out to a member's house for dinner. Turned out that, along with dinner, they were having a start-of-summer bonfire. So, we helped set up the wood, built a huge wall of lumber, and then set it ablaze. The fire was so hot, I think it might've melted Elder Buchanan's and my name tags a bit--even when we were over thirty feet away from it! It was as we were watching the flames rise into the sky...that we received Transfer Doctrine.

Ladies and Gentlemen...Transfers for June 23rd are...

...Elder Buchanan, transferred to Laramie as a District Leader, companions with my former companion, Elder Vakameilalo, both on bike. Elder Weber, staying in Coal Creek, Boulder, companions with Elder Hale. Elders Wangsgard and Stone are both staying in their areas, Louisville and Lafayette, respectively, and getting new companions. So, this transfer should be interesting. I have no idea who my new companion is. He's probably someone from the more northern parts of the mission. Someplace so far away that no one's heard of him before. Well, whatever the case, wish me luck with this new transfer!

--Elder Z.S.Weber

ELDER WEBER'S SACRAMENT TALK

THE BEST DEFENSE

Hello, brothers and sisters. Though you are all probably aware by now, my name is Elder Weber, and I and my companion Elder Buchanan are the full-time missionaries in this area. I'm from South Jordan, Utah--Go Miners!--have lived there for twelve years, and have been serving my mission for nine-and-a-half months. Though this mission has been a little rough for me, I love my calling as a servant of the Lord, and am happy to serve you here in the Coal Creek Ward for as long as He sees fit to keep me here.

Today I have been asked to talk about the spirituality of our homes, and the over-all strength of our families. In the ancient scriptures, the prophets proclaimed that our days--the last days--would be a time of terror, chaos, and complete and utter confusion throughout all the world. In more modern script, the Lord has even claimed our days to be a time when, "[men] seek not the Lord to establish his righteousness, but every man walkers in his own way...in the likeness of the world." (Doctrine and Covenants 1:16)

I don't believe that I'm the first to whole-heartedly agree with the prophets on this account, nor do I think that I'll be the last. Even now, we can simply turn on the television and see the terror, chaos, and confusion that has been foretold since the ancient times. There is no doubt about it--these are the last days, and the Adversary and his followers know it, and are already making their last stands to take as many souls as possible with them. The war is nearing its climactic end, and they want to go down in a blaze of glory--or, in their case, inglory.

Thankfully, we have not been left on our own in this battle. Since the beginning of time on this Earth--and perhaps more so now than ever before--the Lord has been there beside us, our constant captain, giving us comfort and knowledge so we can press forward against the forces of the Adversary. And what he has revealed to us, time and time again, are the secret battle plans and tactics of Satan in this seemingly endless war we are all enlisted in. If we learn what they are, if we need the Lord's counsel, we will be victorious.

The tactics that the Adversary employs are all aimed at dissolving the family unit. The actual sins involved in enacting that tactic honestly don't matter--every immoral and self-harming sin created was made with the sole purpose of destroying the family. In times of war, it really doesn't matter exactly what weapon is used to defeat the enemy--all that matters is having a weapon that can kill your phone before they can kill you. The same can be said for this war we are in now, and the tactics the Adversary employs.

With this knowledge in our hearts, we can best prepare and defend ourselves from the enemy. Now, the only question is, how do we do that? From my personal experiences in my own family, and from the words of the profits over the years, I've found that our defensive tactics against the adversary boil down to three simple elements--in-home spiritual education, family bonding time, and openly-expressed temple importance.

First) In-Home Spiritual Education

When the Lord you visited the Nephites and the Lamanites in the Book of Mormon, One of the many great and marvelous things he taught them was this, "Pray in your families unto the Father...that your wives and your children may be blessed." (3 Nephi 18:21) however, I doubt that prayer it was the only thing that Christ wanted them, and us, to do in their families that would bless them and their lives. Repeatedly, the prophets--modern and ancient--have preached that the most important place to learn spiritual principles is in the home.

For some of you, this may be fairly easy, as you have grown up with the Gospel always around you, and feel fairly confident that teaching at least the basics will be fine. Many of you, however, may not have the same opinions on this. You may be a convert of only a few years starting to really grasp the knowledge of the truth, a less active or in active member becoming committed to church for the first time in your life, or an active member who just doesn't have the gift of knowledge and wisdom others seem too.

From my knowledge, and experience, I've seen in my own family that spiritual experiences and teachings in the home don't need to be formal or organized things. For me, some of the most profound and spiritual moments in my life were when I was just relaxing out in the sun with my mom or dad, talking about life and it's struggles. Nearly every situation I was placed in, my parents had been placed in before as well. Through discussion of their personal experiences, and simple, genuine bearing of testimony of gospel principles at work in their life at that time, I received more spiritual help than had I been listening to the Sermon on the Mount.

Parents, open your mouths. Don't be afraid to share what you know with your children--in many ways, what they are going through may be similar to what experiences you have had. Your knowledge and experience can help them in more ways than you may now know. And children, listen to your parents--though it seems doubtful, they really do know best in the end.

Second) Family Bonding Time

"A new commandment I give you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, love one another." (John 13:34) With those few words, Christ's entire mission--his entire life--was easily explained. We were to love each other with that hallowed and unconditional love Christ loves all of us with. This message of love is even more important when it is added to the threats in the family unit brought on by the Adversary.

with the evils in the world around us, Satan hopes to draw us away from our families and place our trust--our love--into something conditional, finite, and self-inflicting. That's all sin really is--80s traction that lures us away from the safety of our loved ones until we are lost and alone, easy targets for his forces. If the Adversary can succeed in drawing us away from our families, we will quickly fall into his grasp, believing that we can't trust ourselves, can't look to our families for help, can't get back up and start over.

It is because of this that love in the family is so important, and showing and expressing that love often. The adversaries powers are greatly weekend when we have a strong bond within our family and friends that keeps us from feeling completely alone--and, therefore, completely susceptible to sin. Showing this love doesn't have to be a planned thing, either.

If you noticed, I chose to say "family bonding time" for this, rather than "family home evening". While it is important to have that one evening a week set apart for family time, it's even more important to find those random spare moments to sit down and have fun playing Settlers of Catan or Uno, or going out for a spur-of-the-moment hike or bike ride. It was those random moments, not the plant ones, that I've seen help my family, as well as others, bond and grow strong and powerful he over the years.

Third) Openly-Expressed Temple Importance

The last, and perhaps most important, element I found for a strong and spiritual family is their devotion to the temple and the covenants made there. Going along with the war-theme, a soldier is less dedicated to his service if he doesn't know or understand what the end goal is. The same is true in families. A family that is united in the importance of the temple is one that will work together as valorously as possible to succeed in the war against sin.

How does one express this importance of the temple, though? Something so sacred and so hallowed as the temple of our Lord, what can we say that can really express it's full gravity? Sometimes, words might not be needed. Having a painting of the temple hanging on the wall can be A constant reminder of that goal. Teaching a child to sing "I Love To See the Temple" will fill them with a feeling of eagerness to actually go to the temple and see what lies within those pearly white balls. I know that song did so for me and my sisters often over the years.

Perhaps that one example that will speak louder than anything else, though, is your own. Parents, if you take time out of your life to go to the temple and make and keep those sacred covenants, both for yourself and for others who didn't have the chance, you will be living the example that you want your children to follow. You will be showing them the importance that the temple has both for you and for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Your love for the temple and for your God will help your children realize just what is so important about the building that they all long to enter into.

In closing, I'd like to bare my testimony. I realize that these times are hard. These are the last days. But even though they might be filled with chaos, confusion, and terror, the prophets have also said that these days will be days filled with glory, days in a dispensation unlike any other before it. Satan's forces might be strong, but if we keep our family stronger, if we make them a place of spiritual growth and understanding, we have the promise that Satan's forces will have no power over us, and we will stand firm and strong until the day that our savior comes. I know this to be true.

In the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.

WEEK 44 - THE SACRED ORDINANCE

Hey everyone, this is Elder Z.S.Weber, checking in once more for an
update on how life in Colorado is going. And let me just tell y'all
that it is just too hot to function. I don't know how, but in the last
week we've gone from being buffeted by rain and wind, to having
searing sun scorch us until we're fried up like strips of bacon.
Having the underground apartment we're staying in has definitely been
a nice, cool escape from the heat of the day. However, even with the
killer heat, Elder Buchanan and I were able to have some awesome
experiences this week.

To start off our week, we go to Wednesday, where we rose up early and
got started having a most enthusiastic day. We were dedicated to the
decision that we would work as hard as possible today, and glean
whatever we could from District Meeting that could bless us in our
service. It was about the time we were driving to the church for the
meeting, however, that we remembered that this week was Zone
Conference week, and our regular meetings wouldn't continue until
after the week was over. So, the rest of the day was simply spent
doing missionary work while trying not to get over-heated.

Thursday, however, was a much cooler day, in both senses of the word.
The Zone Meeting was awesome, as we were able to watch this video of
the Twelve Apostles training the Quorums of the Seventy before this
last General Conference. In the video, they spoke about making the
Sabbath a delight, and having a more reverent approach to the
sacrament. One of the really interesting things I gleaned from the
experience was something Elder Nelson said--that if we improve the
sacredness of our Sabbath Day observance and reception of the
Sacrament, faith will increase throughout the world.

One thing I really liked was how Elder Holland explained the
sacrament. He mentioned that we should take some time to ponder and
remember during the sacrament, as remembering the Savior is one of the
main requirements we have in the Sacrament prayers. He said we should
think back to who the Savior really was, how He treated His apostles
as His friends, how He loved everyone and found the time to bless
everyone, even when He Himself was in need of blessing for his
troublesome mission. How his parents, though simple and ordinary, did
what no other parents had ever done before--raised a son to be the
Messiah they had dreamed would one day finally come. It was really
amazing.

He spoke on how the Sacrament is an ordinance, just like baptisms for
the dead, and the covenants we make in the temple. As such, we should
give it our full respect and devotion. We must prepare ourselves,
physically, mentally, and spiritually, to partake of its sacredness.
For truly it is sacred, the most holy of ordinances we could have
access to in this tumultuous world we live in today.

After the Zone Conference was over, Elder Buchanan and I got a call
from our ward's Bishop. He was wondering if we could talk during
Sacrament meeting. Perfect timing, right? What I hadn't been expecting
was that we'd be the only speakers, and both of us would have to speak
for about twenty minutes. We were asked to keep our talks aimed at the
family, and strengthening it. I decided to have my talk be aimed at
improving the strength of the family through spiritual nourishing,
family bonding, and temple preparation in the home. I was worried
about how well I'd offer the information, but the members seemed to
like both Elder Buchanan's talk on Sabbath Day observance and the
family, and mine. So, all in all, it was a really great week.

Well, that's it for this week! Hope to hear from y'all again soon!

--Elder Z.S.Weber

WEEK 43 - GOOD THINGS to COME

Hey everyone! It's-a me, Elder Z.S.Weber, reporting to you live from Erie, Colorado, with a quick update on how life is going for me and Elder Buchanan in the Colorado Fort Collins Mission. And I am glad to say that summer is finally here! The sun is out, the grass is green, and everything is alive and in motion! School is even out, too! That has to be my biggest shock. Didn't school just get out? And wasn't I just preparing to go on a mission? Now, all of a sudden, a whole year has gone by, and I've been away on my mission for nine months! It's crazy! But, luckily, these crazy nine months have been filled with fun, exciting, and spiritual moments that I'd never wish to have erased from my life, and this week has been no different. So without further ado, let's begin!

The Birthday Boy

 

This week began fairly well, as on Wednesday, Elder Buchanan and I got to go to another riveting District meeting with the other Elders in our area. This week's District meeting was a lot more laid back than the last one, as our District Leader wasn't able to prepare much due to him getting packed up so he could move in with some of the other Elders when his companion goes back home three weeks early. So, we spent the day pretty much talking about where each of us felt we could improve as Elders and as a District, and collaborated together to make a plan that would be a sure-fire hit. Once the meeting was done with, Elder Buchanan and I decided to test our new found skills out. And they worked. We didn't get into a lot of non-member homes, but the less-active members and families in our area are very willing to now let us in.

Elders Weber and Buchanan bowling on P-Day

 

So, we have that awesome day with missionary work, and guess what happens on Thursday? We get broadsided by a huge thunderstorm. Hail the size of peas and kidney beans falling from the skies, rain that flooded the streets and turned entire yards into swamps, and lightning cracking and flashing almost every second. Due to the harsh conditions, President Brown decided to make it a no-work day. Which, was perfectly fine by me, as it meant I could celebrate my birthday in peace. I was very happy to receive the package from my mom and family. Elder Buchanan and I made the cake while playing rounds of Magic and just having a blast. Then, when the storm had died down some, Elder Buchanan and I sat out in the yard and watched the walls of the storm around us flash with bright bolts of lightning.

Ready to knock some pins down

 

The awesomeness didn't end there, either. On Saturday, Elder Buchanan and I got a chance to teach a less-active member of the ward that was really desiring to come back to church. His name was Stephan, and he was still struggling with his whole personal relationship with God. We were happy, however, to help him out. We told him, very plainly, that we were just there to help him gain greater understanding of God. In the end, it would all be up to him and his own personal dedication whether he chose to believe or not. Thankfully, though, it seems that he may choose to stay with us and work to return to church. We even have a return appointment with hi , so it should go great. I'm glad to see that the work is finally picking up. Even if it's not non-members that are listening to us, I'm glad that our less-active brothers and sisters are turning to God again, and as such are turning to us for help.

So, what could I have to say today? Well, recently I've been thinking a lot about how my missionary experience has been. I mean, I'm nine months out, and really I've only ever seen the fruits of my labors...well, actually, I've never seen the fruits of my labors. While thinking on that, though, I also looked through the different cards that had been sent over the week leading to my birthday. So many of them, the theme was the same; "thank you for the emails, and your testimony. You are a great missionary. You are doing a great work, in Colorado and in Utah. Keep going." As I read those letters, and cards, and thought over these thoughts, I realized two things. First, you never know what small acts of kindness or what short messages of strength can do to a person. Second, the blessings that come from those acts of random kindness may not come instantly, but they do come.

To me, I feel my thoughts are best described in the words of Elder Jeffery R. Holland of the Twelve. “Don’t give up, boy. Don’t you quit. You keep walking. You keep trying. There is help and happiness ahead—a lot of it—30 years of it now, and still counting. You keep your chin up. It will be all right in the end. Trust God and believe in good things to come...some blessings come soon, some come late, and some don’t come until heaven; but for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come." (An High Priest of Good Things to Come, Jeffery R. Holland, 1999) I bear testimony that this is true. That, in the end of it all, blessings will come to those who are worthy of them. Though we may never see the blessings or outcomes from our endeavors, I pray with Elder Holland, that we will press on with the courage to bear up our burdens with happiness, to seek to do good to all those around us, and to keep our eyes fixed on the good things that are still yet to come.

In the sacred name of the High Priest of Good Things to Come, even our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

--Elder Z.S.Weber

 

 

 

 

 

**Excerpts from the Mom letter**

...My birthday was great! I'm going to send you pictures today! We strung
the decorations up in our apartment, baked the cake, and opened the
letters I'd been waiting to open for a while. There were tons. I got
letters from Grandma and Grandpa Sansevero, Grandma Weber, Aunt Cheri,
the Pettits, the Ericksons, the Duves, the Nighs and others...it was awesome! I'm
glad to have my Bleach shirt, too, and all the other epic stuff I got
in my packages. Grandma and Grandpa sent me a bunch of really cool
gospel music, including a CD from VocalPoint, which is epic, and I've
loved. What really made it cool, though, was that while we were
celebrating, the house we live in was pretty much surrounded by walls
of clouds overhead in a huge thunderstorm. So, after we celebrated my
birthday, we went outside and sat on the ground, watching the
light-show the heavens were offering us.

ELDER WEBER'S 19th BIRTHDAY

Hi Friends & Family~~

 

Elder Weber's 19th Birthday is June 4th.

I would love your help in flooding his mailbox with birthday cards.

 

His current address is : 

 

Elder Zachary Weber

4277 N. 109th Street

Lafayette, CO

80026

 

Thanks so much for your help!!!

WEEK 42 - NO SUCH THINGS as "THE END"

Hey everyone, it's Elder Z.S.Weber, back once again with a quick
update on how things are going in the mission for me and Elder
Buchanan. And, I have good news. The rain is finally gone. It took us
almost three-and-a-half weeks to get the last of the rain out of the
atmosphere. Now, it's just blue skies and sunshine for miles, with a
beautiful summer just around the corner. I just feel like getting out
and getting to work, a song of joy in my heart! There's just one
problem.

The work isn't moving. At all.

Now, this has nothing to do with Elder Buchanan and me. When we saw
the clear skies finally roll over the horizon, we were eager to grab
out bags, hit the pavement, and get to work. However, it seems as
though there is another force present in this area, which is keen on
keeping us from being successful. From getting the cold shoulder all
week long from non-members, less-actives, and investigators alike, to
having bouts of tiredness and stomach flu swirling around our
apartment, this week just wasn't a very successful week for me and
Elder Buchanan.

I wish I had more to report...but I'm sorry. We just weren't able to
have enough experiences this week for me to return and report on.
However, this next week does look like it's going to get better. We've
got more appointments set up with less-active members, and chances to
meet with potential investigators just around the corner. So, while
this week wasn't that great, there is hope for more good things to
come.

However, though I didn't get to experience much this week, I did
receive some spiritual insight. Saturday, after working with Elder
Buchanan all day long, and feeling exhausted from the work, we went
home and started getting ready to close the day. While we were
finishing planning and heading to bed, a Elder Buchanan got a message
from one of his friends on the mission. He said that Elder L. Tom
Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles had died. At first, we
thought it was just a prank, and then we pulled up lds.org. At age 92,
Elder L. Tom Perry left this Earthly state, and returned to his Father
in Heaven.

When I heard the news, I was honestly surprised by my reaction. I
smiled. The last time I'd seen the Apostle of the Lord speak had been
last General Conference, when he spoke about the Colloquium he and
Elder Eyring had attended. He was so full of energy, so full of life.
And now, one month later, he'd left the Earthly Realm, his mission
complete. It didn't make sense on the earthly view, but from a more
spiritual view, it all made perfect sense.

Elder Perry's mission on the earth was complete. He had done all that
his Father in Heaven had asked of him, and now is able to return to
the courts on high, back to the Father of his spirit. Not only that,
but he is also able to now start spending the rest of his eternity
with his loving wife, the woman he loves. I do not think that Elder
Perry will be missed with much heartache and sadness. Rather, he will
be remembered for who he was, and who he is--a Special Witness if
Christ who had filled his calling and worthily accepted all his Father
had asked of him.

In thinking of this, and Elder Perry's return to Heaven, I took a
moment to assess my own personal worthiness before God. If I were to
die, would I be as ready as Elder Perry is? Would I meet or avoid his
gaze, as Elder Klebingat so eloquently phrased it in the October
Conference of 2014. And what of my family on earth? Would I ever see
them again? Would I have the chance to be the older brother I am to my
sisters, once more after this life has run its course? Or be the son
and friend to my father and mother that they have always loved?

I bear testimony this day, before all of you reading this and all the
angels in the courts on high that there is no such thing as 'The End'
in God's eyes. His desire is for us, all of us, to live with both our
a Heavenly family and our Earthly family for time and all eternity. I
know, that as I live my life worthily and follow the commandments that
God has given me, that I will not only be able to meet His gaze and
boldly walk up to Him, but I will be able to do so with my family I
have now, and the family I'll have in the near future, by my side for
time and all eternity. I am thankful for the promises of the temple,
which let me be able to take part in these blessings, so long as I am
faithful to the covenants made.

I bear this solemn testimony, in the sacred name of our Lord and
Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.

--Elder Z.S.Weber

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