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