Week 11: Feasting and Celebrating and Working!

Dear Familia, Amigos y Mundo!!

     This past week just flew by which is a first because every week seems to go by pretty slow! But, this week was rich with stuff and honestly, I don’t have time for all of it but seriously, wow, it was great! So, on Tuesday we had intercambios (this is where we change companions for the day) and I was with the other Zone Leader (Elder Hernandez) and he is this short guy from Peru who is just crazy and weird and powerful and direct when he teaches. I really don’t know how else to describe him. Basically, he looks like a short Mexican from Peru hahaha! But seriously, we got a ton of work done that day! We didn’t have many appointments so the first 4 hours of intercambios after lunch was just contacting and man did those hours fly by!! Why? Because we never stopped working! We were always talking to people. I was talking to people and they actually invited us into their homes! Men were even inviting us into their homes! (He says it this way because men typically don’t invite them in, it’s mostly women, but the rule on the mission is that they have to have another man present when they teach a woman.) We REALLY need men to join the small branch we are in! So honestly it was a milagro (miracle) to enter into homes that day. Basically, it was mid-day too and usually there are no men around to teach because they are at work. So, we usually teach girls which means we have to look for a male member to come with us. But, Tuesday we were blessed to actually just teach. I can’t even tell you how many homes we entered into! But, that was great! After those 4 hours of contacting we had two appointments. One was with a girl named Nahtalia who is the one that is, "in love with me”. So, of course, that was interesting. She almost went in for a hug when we left and I shook her hand haha. I also walked away fast!!!! The second lesson was one I was to share with Hermano Ernesto. I had never taught him and the first time I saw him I assumed he was a member because he goes to church every Sunday because his wife is a member! He had received all of the lessons a long time ago but he never really gained a testimony. Well Elder Hernadez and me helped him a lot. We taught with power and revelacion puron (pure revelation)! We decided we should talk about templos (temples) and priesthood power and how important it really is. Elder Hernadez kind of started off and he shared a great story about his dad and how hard it was for him to be baptized and the steps he took to get him to baptism which was great story. Then he handed it over to me. I felt inspired to talk about the steps in the gospel or at least the first few. Baptism, priesthood, templos, families and etc... When I was talking a thought came to my mind in a split second that these really aren’t steps, they are blessings! And I said that first you receive the blessing of baptism and cleaning and washing away your sins then you receive the Holy Ghost to guide you! Then, as you live worthy you receive the blessing of the priesthood which blesses your whole family and you! And, it affects everyone around you! Priesthood has a tree of blessing that bless others! Then, you go to the temple and seal your family and finally you get to be together as a family for all eternity and you get to do work for your family! I mean seriously though!! They are all just blessing way more than steps in life! And, I just was fluid. Elder Hernadez after was just blown away and kind of bragged to my comp about how good I was as a comp and how great I teach which is a first haha cause I still think I’m terrible at this language! But, I definitely feel the blessings every day and every day I am able to speak a little bit more! And understand a bit more!

     So, I got to teach the Plan de Salvacion (Plan of Salvation) to la Familia Nabarro that has the son who is crippled. Wow, I have never really come close to crying in a lesson before but this time.... I teared up. I have a flash drive with all church stuff and the pictures of my uncles Tyson and Timmy (these are my Dad’s brothers that passed away due to a genetic disorder) and I put the flash drive into their TV and showed them my uncles. And, I just testified about how real the resurrection is and how all of our bodies will be perfect and I was able to tell them that their son Kevin will be perfect and they’ll be able to run and play with him again like they used to. And I looked Kevin in the eyes and told him, "Yo sé usted recibirá una cuerpo perfecto despúes de esta vida." (I know that you will receive a perfect body after this life.) I could see that it really touched them because I could see it in his parent’s eyes. I saw it in Kevin’s eyes. They were on the verge of tears too. I love that! I love sharing those simple truths and shedding a little bit more light in their lives. How great is our knowledge of this plan of happiness? Sadly, they just don’t show up to church and the heavy rain this past Sunday didn’t help at all. I mean a lot of the members didn’t even show up ugh!! Why!!!????

     So, we had an activity this past Saturday called Festival Feast and man was it cool! We had food from all the different countries that the missionaries in Barranca are from. Brasil, USA, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Mexico and Colombia and we had all this food from each of the different countries! Sadly, I was so busy I didn’t even get any food! But the coolest part was all the dances the members did. They were traditional dances from the country. USA had this little girl do a sweet dance for USA that was really just a compilation of dances from the USA but really it was on point, she did great!! The Brasilian dance was sweet too! It was so cool to see this activity. We planned work so well! We had the area in the church packed with people! And, I mean PACKED! Sadly, only one of our investigators showed up and ended up leaving early which was a bummer. But, I still had fun and I loved seeing how happy everyone was and seeing all of the different backgrounds of the countries. All the missionaries had their flag under their name tag too which was cool too haha it was like we were Temple Square missionaries haha! 

     

On December 7 through December 8th was Dia de María and everyone puts candles out on their porch or in front of their houses and honestly it looks really cool! At first I didn’t know what it was but then a member explained it to me. It’s just 2 days for the Virgin Mary. That’s it. Nothing else. The only thing people know is it’s for Maria and they don’t have any real reason for the candles. They kind of just do it and then go and party all night. We were invited over to Ernesto family’s house again that day and we got to celebrate with them and it was really fun. We had some BBQ and I just couldn’t help but think of my mom and how she would not eat it because of the fat and the boiled eggs they put in the salsa haha. Sometimes I just have to swallow and not think that I’m eating a big chunk of fat haha. But, it was good and it tasted good and I was hungry so.... But, this is also the home with the flirty members and so that’s always interesting and honestly, it’s kind of pathetic cause they think I don’t know what they are doing... But, aside from that I loved it! There’s this little girl named Paula who is so cute and she just sit and talks to me but then also chases me around with hot candle wax haha! But Dia de María got me thinking about her. And how amazing her story actually is. We don’t worship Mary but we do recognize her. I started to read in Luke 1 and I just couldn’t help but think about how amazing a person that she had to have been. She was not perfect because no one other than our Savior is but, she was highly favored of God. And, she had remained worthy and clean. And a virgin! In this day and age and even then, people struggle to live the Law. But, Mary did it. She was worthy and clean enough to give birth to our Savior Jesus Christ! How amazing is that! I’m still studying a bit more on it but it’s just cool and interesting. And I invite you all to do the same! However, don’t let it distract from the true meaning of this month which is of our Savior and his birth and how he is the greatest gift of all! Merry Christmas! Feliz Navidad! Ilumna el Mundo!!!  And, serve people this month! I am so grateful for all that my parents and family have taught me and the importance in recognizing my Savior and his Atonement and actually applying it in my life! This gospel is true! And, I am so happy to be giving one of the greatest gifts of all and that our Gospel the only truer gospel in the world!! Visit the Christmas mormon.org page to find out more about light the world and how you can serve! Love you all thanks for the emails!!

     Elder Weaver

Week 10: "All You Gotta Do is Open Your Mouth"

Making Empanadas!

Dear Familia, Amigos, Y Mundo!!

     Ok so we got some birthdays coming up if I’m right it’s my man Joe!! And my favorite Grandpa Fred!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! I love you guys and hope that your birthdays are amazing!! I wish that I could be there to celebrate but I’m kind of far away!! Love you guys!!

Elder Weaver with one of the AP's

     Alrighty, so this past week was a great one!! On Tuesday night we had left to go to another part of the mission to Buccadamunga.... I think I spelled it totally wrong! But, anyway we left for a “Multi Zona” (Multi Zone Conference) which was great! Except for the fact that I didn’t understand everything but, I still feel like I learned a lot. Especially about contacting and just being more fluid and efficient in contacting. Then, it was good cause I got to meet a few of the other Americans who have been in the mission for a while. And it was good to hear all their council and stuff and just hear what they have to say. Some was good and some was bad but, overall, it was just good to hear. They all say they were the same in not understanding a thing when they first started, but they all say I just need to be patient and it will come. And, I believe that. I am just going to keep doing what I’m doing and work hard every day to learn more and improve. Well, the whole Multi Zona was awesome and I got to talk with the AP again and he’s great! He really helped me out a lot and he’s honestly kind of like an older brother to me! Obviously, no one beats Connor Weaver but he’s a great guy! 

                                                                                                       

Ready to Cook

A Little Colorado Sunshine!

     After the Multi Zona, we got back on Thursday and we got to work! We made a contacting plan and just went for it! Wow, I just felt energized and ready to go!! I felt the blessings from just opening up my mouth. I really do feel how my Heavenly Father is helping me out and I do feel all of the prayers from my friends and family. They are helping me out cause I don’t think I could have ever been able to understand or talk this much in my life in Español without some help! I made a promise to myself that if I understood what was being said that I would just open my mouth and talk. So, that’s what I did! I just talked! Now, I’m not the most fluent of speakers and the people probably only understand me about half the time because my conjugations are completely wrong but, I just go for it. So far, so good. I have embarrassed myself of course but, hey that’s just learning. All I know is that I can feel the Spirit tell me what to say and then help me say it. And, I have seen it in a few of our lessons. One example is this boy named Sebastian. And man, if this kid gets baptized, he will be strong in this church. We taught him at the church. There were 4 of us because we needed other people present to teach him because he is only 16. So, it was 4 missionaries teaching him the restoration. And, it was probably one of the most powerful lessons I have ever been in. Sebastian is special because he attends our church (he has a girlfriend in the church) but, he is genuinely interested in our church and he really has no religious background. And so, everything was kind of new to him. He knew who Christ was and that was about it. We had to answer and explain a lot of things. He just simply didn’t know a lot. But it was good!! Well, after I quoted the First Vision all he could say was, “Wow!” He was amazed but he didn’t deny it. Then, by the end of the lesson I felt extremely impressed to say something about what he was feeling right then and there. Because the Spirit was definitely in the room!  And, when we asked him to read and pray about el Libro de Mormón he said he would but I didn’t think he knew how the answer would come. So, In that moment I sincerely asked him what he was feeling right then? Honestly, I didn’t understand everything he was saying all I know is he said he felt “something.” Then, I explained when you pray to see if this book is true this feeling you feel is what you will feel when you ask. And that’s how you will know EL Libro De Mormón is true. That was really it. We ended with a prayer that he gave. We had to teach him how to pray first, then he struggled a little with it because he had never prayed before. All the other Elders were just impressed by what I did! They thought that was just the best question in the world. It was kind of funny but man, did I feel the Spirit and man, did I feel the gift of tongues right there. I was just able to teach and really focus on the needs of this boy who I didn’t know at all. I testify that the Spirit did help me and that I was only able to do what I did because I had the Holy Ghost helping me and guiding me. And I was able to teach with confidence. I have only really been able to teach lessons these past weeks but this week, I REALLY taught people! And, it feels so much more filling when you can dig down and help these people realize this gospel helps and strengthens in every aspect of our lives. I love the gospel!!! 

    It’s also Christmas time and it’s about 10000000 degrees here so really it doesn’t feel like it much. There’s lights though and some fake Christmas trees and stuff but it’s not the same at all. But, I am going to make it the best Christmas ever by just letting myself serve and forget myself. We are also using the #Light the World campaign which all of you should be doing too!!! (see Mormon.org)

Some Packages from Grandma and Home

     Merry Christmas everyone!! Serve the people around you! Give rather than get! I love this gospel and I want everyone to feel the same way I do! 

     I know this letter is all over the place but, one more, quick thing, we have a family that we are teaching. La Famiia Nabarro and they are great! The dad says everything we teach is true and wants to be baptized but only his son shows up to church so, that’s disappointing, but I think that might change soon. We are about to teach the Plan of Salvation and one of his sons is crippled in a wheel chair and it’s just so sad. But, I know the Plan of Salvation will just light this family up with joy! And, I want to share the story of my Uncle Tyson and Timmy. I am so grateful for the knowledge that after we die we all will have perfect bodies and that my uncles will be able to run and play with us! Also, that this boy Kevin will also be able to do everything he’s ever wanted to do! I love the great Plan of Happiness. And, I love Colombia!!! Thank you for the emails! Love you all!!

     

Love,

 Elder Weaver

Preston preparing the empanadas.

Ready for the oven.

Week 9: Sick, Tired But Feeling the Spirit and Working Hard!

A Dominating Force in Colombia!

November 27, 2017

Dear Family, Friends, and World,

     So, this was an interesting week! The day after P-day I got really sick and when I woke up I couldn’t workout or anything cause my stomach and head were just pounding! But, I thought it would pass in like 30 minutes so I kept going and did everything that I was supposed to and studied and all that and went to work! Well, after lunch at the President’s house he saw how sick I was and the Hermanas (Sisters) noticed too because I was so silent and I told them what was going on and they all told me to take a nap... Now, anyone who knows me knows that I do not like to take naps. I feel like it is kind of a waste of time. Well, we got to the house and I was expecting to just take the medicine I got and get to work but Elder Espinoza told me I needed to take a nap! So, I did. Well, after maybe an hour I woke up and got myself ready because I felt like I had wasted enough of the Lord’s time. The nap helped for a bit. But, not long after I felt the same way. So, I just suffered through the day and taught. Whenever I taught I forgot about the pain and just focused on the investigators! I just couldn’t stand the thought of staying in our house not working! I mean that is why we are here! Now, I know you all are thinking, “But, you need to be healthy!” You are correct! And, I took all the steps to get healthy and I didn’t like it so I just decided to take the pills I needed and drink lots of water! The remainder of the week I had a little bit of a headache but I worked through it and was fine. Now, I am 100% better. I really got ever it probably on Thursday!

Following in the footsteps of Dad with a Coke and Empanada!

     Well, we have encountered a problem here. The “Testigos de Jehova” (Jehova’s Witnesses). They get to a lot of people sometimes before us and, hahaha, even knock on our door sometimes! Hahaha!! But, we taught one lesson and she was really interested but skeptical at the same time. And she said she liked the Testigos a lot. Well, we did everything we could and had a discussion with her and I think just because of curiosity she will read El Libro De Mormon. So, that’s always fun when people think we are Testigos knocking on their door. So, that got me thinking about how can we approach being different and setting us apart from the Testigos when we go knocking on doors? Now, our appearance is a bit different because we are always in a white shirt and tie. But, most of all we have the truth and who cares if they first think we are Testigos because as soon as we teach and describe who we are they know we are completely different with a more unique and truthful message. What sets us apart is we have the true gospel of Jesus Christ! People recognize that and I see it in their eyes when we teach them. They know that there is something right about what we are teaching, they just need to accept it!! 

     So, one day we had a servicio (service project) and it was supposed to only be 2 hours cause then we had our district meeting at 10 in the morning. Well, that turned into, “we will go until lunch,” then it turned into, “let’s work the rest of the day.” You would think maybe, “Oh man, poor Elder Weaver,” but, nooooo! I loved it and I am being honest here. Hard sweaty work just got me excited and ready for the rest of the week. I don’t know what happened but working hard just makes me feel like a new man!! We had to shovel dirt from on a hill down in a wheelbarrow in through the house into the back and in another part of the house and, let’s just say some of the other Elder’s got tired fast. Personally, I like to GO, GO, GO but some of them were complaining about how hot it was and wanted to take a break. I just get the work done! Now, this reminded me of 1 week before my mission when my dad made me shovel rocks into the truck and down into another area of our property and it took me all day. And, I am so grateful for that work my father made me do because it prepared me. I am also grateful for my Grandpa Chuck who taught me how to actually shovel correctly and how to be efficient. My dad taught me a lot but one thing he taught me is hard work is a good thing and that it just needs to be done and you always feel better after a job well done! And, it is so true! I live by my Grandpa Fred’s 10 Demandments and try to apply them every day. Thanks Dad and Grandpas!!

     So, let’s just say I have a few “snakes” here (they call “snakes” girls that want a nice missionary boyfriend). There is an investigator who is interesting. We taught her La Ley de Castidad (The Law of Chastity) and she understood it and I think it’s going to be hard for her cause she didn’t understand at first why sexual purity was a good thing. Well, we explained it and everything and we are praying she does it. But here’s where it’s interesting, her mom asked me if I had a girlfriend? I said, “no.” She didn’t believe me and then she asked if girls in the USA are pretty? I said, “yes.” Then, she asked about here in Colombia? I said, “yes.” Then she asked me what I thought about her daughter? Now she is a very pretty girl but I am not going to say anything because I am not here to flirt!!!! I am here to do God’s work. Luckily Elder Espinoza saved me and I didn’t have to answer. Obviously, her mom is looking for a guy for her daughter that’s good but, listen, I am not going down that road! No thank you! I’m on a mission and I have no time to think about girls! 

My Zone!

     This week really tested my patience, my faith and my ability to deal with my companion. I am very impatient when it comes to learning this language and trying to understand. I have had trouble when my comp says he understands what I am going through and all this other stuff that just doesn’t matter. Well, I finally kind of just got over myself and dropped the pride thing and just started to let my comp know how I was feeling. The problem is that it was difficult to truly express myself and how I was actually feeling in Spanish. But, it was good and I am doing a lot better and I just had to take time to help him understand who is Elder Weaver and what is going on with me. I noticed that I was able to smile more, be more willing to talk to people, and to understand and open my mouth. President Laney came to Barranca because he is technically the President over the 2 ramas (branches) here as well and he helped me a lot. He’s like my second dad. I was able to just talk to him and express myself and he knew exactly what to say. He said a lot and I don’t remember much just the fact that he was able to relate and tell me what I could do. He said how getting through the first 2 transfers is tough and then after that you reach higher and higher. I can’t describe everything we talked about but, l I can say that I felt the spirit and peace enter my soul. I was able to finally let out what I have been keeping in and he was able to help me. He asked if he could give me a blessing and I gladly accepted. I just remember his sincerity and the ability he had to recognize what I needed. After that I just felt like Preston again and I have been able to work much better. I have grown a lot in this past week and I thank my Heavenly Father for the hardships that I am enduring every day because they make me a better man. I am serving the Lord my God and I know this gospel is true. I have a testimony and sometimes that’s all that I can share with these people. I know that when I testify they feel something because I see it in their eyes! My faith was at a level very high and now it’s even higher because of this week. I am becoming a better Elder Weaver every week with every hardship. 

Elder Espinoza and me!

     We got one investigator to come to church which was awesome!! Haha, he had even stayed up until 6 in the morning partying for his dad’s birthday and still came! That’s amazing!! That family is gonna get baptized! I feel it! Pray for family Robarro!

   

Love ya!

Elder Weaver