WEEK 39 - HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

Hey everyone!

Elder Weber is here once again with a quick (I think) update on the exciting and awe-inspiring lifestyles of the average missionary. Sadly, the weather was once again not on our side, as Elder Buchanan and I had to tract, work, and trudge through seemingly endless torrents of rain all through last week! In some parts of the Boulder Zone, not all that far from where we lived, there were actually several reports of flooding or flood-warning, and Elder Buchanan and I were able to lend a helpful hand to those who had been hit hard by the floods. As if that wasn't crazy enough, though, we awoke to about two inches of snow yesterday. Yep, it snowed on Mother's Day this year. That makes it two years in a row for Colorado. But, with the weather aside, this was a pretty good week.

 

Last Thursday, Elder Buchanan and I set off to the Stake Meeting House for another one of our Zone Meetings. This time, the topic was centered largely on what small points us Elders were falling short on. Basically, from what the Zone Leaders could tell, we weren't all that good at waking up on time, studying in the mornings, and planning. Now, for those of you who remember from a few weeks ago, those are the exact same things that President Brown pointed out were my weaknesses as a missionary--as well as the points mentioned several times in the week before and after that interview. (I get it, Father! No need to keep hammering it at me! I'm working on it, I'm working on it!) The Zone Leaders used several different examples from the Book of Mormon to back up their belief that these three points are the most important points to work on as a Zone. Most of the references came from the Book of Alma, primarily the Stripling Warriors part in the War Chapters. Then, as if they hadn't gotten their point across already by bringing all of our favorite childhood Book of Mormon heroes into the mix, Elder Pratt also decided to bring up the point that the Stripling Warriors were doing what they were supposed to do because it had been what their mothers had taught them to do. That definitely brought each of us Elders committed to the goals we had to set! Since then, Elder Buchanan and I have been working hard to do whatever we can to get as many people as possible to listen to our messages.

 

While we've been toiling about in the snow and rain this past week, Elder Buchanan and I have been lucky enough to find times in our schedule where we can take a quick breather and relax. Now, I am not saying that I am using the schedule improperly! As someone in the calling I am currently in, there is a lot of stress that I have to handle in some manner. And, seeing as my writing skills fantasy-wise have all but gone up in smoke since I left for my mission and I haven't a DS or Wii to video game my stresses away with, I've found that Elder Buchanan and I have to be pretty inventive with what to do. When the stress is really bad, sometimes we grab the Lafayette Elders and head over to a large park somewhere. With all the rain we've been having, jungle gyms and parks have been practically deserted, making them perfect places for a bunch of child-at-heart young adults to have fun playing games...without any worry of being caught or embarrassed. And, when the storm's sailing over our house late into the evening, and we need to wind down the day a bit, Elder Buchanan has been teaching me the ropes of playing Magic: The Gathering. It's been a lot of fun, though I don't know how much longer my brain can handle the strategy it takes to win! Luckily, it's not enough to keep me from staying alert and attentive to the spirit when it comes time to work!

 

Sadly, not all things are roses and lilies, here in Colorado. You see, today...is Transfers. (Dun-dun-DUHHH!) Elder Buchanan and I aren't getting transferred, though, which is very good news. This is a really nice area, filled with loving and kind people, and I really feel as though I still have a lot to give. However, not everyone is staying. Elder Fuhriman, one of the Lafayette Elders, is unfortunately getting transferred back to one of his first areas in the mission--one that he is not happy to be going to. It's been a lot of fun having him here, and I'm really going to miss joking around with someone almost as nerdy as I am (if not more so). Luckily, all is not lost for the Lafayette Elders, as in place of Elder Fuhriman, we will now be getting Elder Christiansen as companion to Elder Stone. Now, this isn't the same Elder Christiansen that was in my District back in the MTC. This is Ukraine Christiansen, aka the Elder Christiansen that was transferred to our mission when his mission in Ukraine was cancelled. He is also ex-AP Christiansen, and for the last two transfers he has been serving as Assistant to the President. Now, he's serving with us out here in Boulder. I look forward to seeing what kind of missionary he is on the ground-level, and hope we can all manage to get along as well as last-transfer's group did.

 

 

And now, for the high-light of my week. Yesterday was Mother's Day, which was incredibly special for me and Elder Buchanan because it is one of the two days in the year where we get to use Skype to talk with our family back home! (The other one is Christmas) I was so glad that I was able to have that chance to talk with my family again and see what's going on with everyone back home. Not surprising, everyone is doing great.

 

 

 My sisters are excelling at everything that comes their ways, my dad's doing well with his job and marathon-training, and my mom is managing life with as much zeal as ever. I have to admit, I got a bit weepy during the message back home. I mean, the next time I get to see my family is Christmas, and I won't actually be in their presence again until August of 2016.

 

 

However, am I homesick? No! (...a little, maybe, but...) Why? Because, I know what I came out here to do. I am on my Father's Mission, to bring as many of my brothers and sisters to the knowledge of the truth as I can. That is my driving force. That way, as long as I have that goal in mind, when I do finally go home I can say, as Paul of old did, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith."

 

 

And from there, I can, with God by my side, begin to live my life.

 

I hope all of you were able to have as wonderful a Mother's Day as I was able to, and were able to show your mothers back home just how much they mean to you. Have a great week, and see y'all again next P-Day!

 

--Elder Z.S.Weber