Week 16: La Familia Zapata

Week 16: January 15, 2018: “Familia Zapata”

Dear Familia, amigos y mundo,

     This past week was a great one! Mostly because we did have another baptism! But, before I get to that let me get through the other details that happened in the week! The beginning of the week was good! We had to try to meet with anyone and everyone before we left for the multi zona (Multi-Zone Conference) that we had on Friday. We left on Thursday night because it’s a 6 hour long bus ride from our area! Usually it’s just 2 but there have been problems lately with the normal route. So, we got to work visiting with everyone trying to get work done contacting and teaching and bringing people to repentance and such! And It went by pretty fast! This past week kinda blew by and it’s a little bit of a blur if I’m honest! But, I’m sad to say that we did not have the amount of attendance to church that we wanted. We only had 3 people come to church which is about half or a little less than the past two weeks. It just shows that even 2 days being gone really affects what our investigators do. Which is kinda sad because you hope that they believe enough or have enough faith to actually just come. But, in reality, they are still learning and sometimes need that little push. It’s just how we are though as members... we aren’t perfect and we think that we are all great and independent but in reality, we do have a crutch and that’s our Savior and God.  Man think about it, are we ever really 100% independent? NO! And if you say yes, you’re wrong and I can say that because I know! We all need a little push a little something to get us going, to keep us active, to stay on the straight and narrow path! And some need it more like these wonderful people I get to teach here, they just need a little bit more to build that faith to where it needs to be! 

     

Well, our baptism was great it was a little different from my first one because I actually got to do the ordinance of baptism on the mom Yolanda Zapata! And, it was quite the experience! She has grown so much spiritually in the past month or so. She went from a person not so willing to change to a person with a sweet and amazing testimony! She had some doubts about the baptism though... Not because of anything in the church but because she was worried about her foot! When we first started to teach her she had burned her food badly! She had dropped boiling hot water on it! Well, it is almost healed and we invited her to be baptized about a week and a half ago! And she said yes but then was like "What about my foot? I can’t get baptized." Then, I told her how the blessings of baptism are honestly more important and also how it really won’t affect her foot that much at all. And it was interesting to see before the baptism a former sister missionary talked to her and had heard a little bit of what she said and it went a little like this, "I know it is hard and you are worried for your foot but the reality of it is this baptism will give you blessings and it will be worth it....." and some more stuff that I didn’t understand because it was a personal conversation and it was in Spanish... haha but no that touched my heart and it made me so happy to have great people in our humble ramas (branches). They really are great! I am grateful for this former sister missionary and her comforting words! Well, it was touching to just see the progress of this family of the mom and daughter and how they changed. They were completely willing to just turn away from sin and from the world to start on the path to return to Our Heavenly Father! Well, I got to baptize and it was great! I got all the words right and her name right too! The tricky part was getting her up out of the water! But, I am happy to say that I am a wrestler and I was strong enough to do it! And it was just, just, just FELIZ! She came out of the baptismal font with a smile and gave me the biggest smile and a thumbs up! That touched me! The difference in this meeting was that it was just a lot more joy! The last one was amazing as well, but it was different in the fact that everyone just couldn’t stop smiling and I was overwhelmed with joy! And so was this familia! I felt the Spirit in a more subtle way and also with just happiness! It was great and there was a lot of love. And once again hearing the testimony of these two was great! The mom’s testimony really got to me. She spoke soft but she knew what she was saying. I couldn’t quite hear or understand everything but I knew and felt the truth of what she was testifying! I loved it! 

     We traveled to Buccaramanga and it was great! We learned a lot and it’s always fun to reunite with some other gringos! And it’s interesting to watch my comp there because that was his first area and he’s like a little kid in a candy shop just so happy haha. But it was great we were kinda sad though because the numbers of referencias (referrals) we had compared to the others were lacking... And so now we have to work double time with members and everyone to get our numbers up. But it’s a lot more filling when you work hard and at the end of the day or cambio (change) knowing you’ve done all that you can to meet goals and help the area! I can’t wait to finish those cambio off strong in the next two weeks!

     I love this gospel and I know it blesses families! My family is an example but most of all this family! Familia Zapata is a great example! The Gospel has a way to take the weak and make them strong! The Atonement of Christ is so real and we have this amazing opportunity to share and give it to people! And it’s amazing to see little by little (poco a poco) people changing! I know it’s true! I know that Jesus atoned for us! And, I know we can use it to help us become the people God wants us to be and to work towards that goal of trying to be as his son Jesus Christ! It’s hard! My mission president told me in an interview that we are told its the straight and narrow path but some people say it’s like the straight and narrowing path! And that’s soooo true! Yes, its straight but that doesn’t mean that it’s not hard! I see the Atonement changing me every day! As I battle self-conflict, and try to become more patient and humble everyday with myself, with my companion, and with our investigators! This gospel is sooooo true!! UGH, I FREAKING LOVE THE GOSPEL! So, come partake of the sweet fruits we have! It’s worth it!

Love,

     Elder Weaver

Week 15: WOW!

January 8, 2018

Week 15

“WOW!”

Dear Familia, Amigos y el Mundo!

     WOW this week was awesome! I learned a ton and I got work done! I think the main reason it was awesome was because I had my first baptism! Now let me tell you about that!

     So, we arrive at our baptism a little early which you know we probably should because you never know what could happen! Well, we kind of sit and wait and I actually ended up teaching a little bit of English to some members while we were waiting hah. Then Sebastian came and he was so happy yet so nervous. I asked him how he was feeling when we were changing and he just said, “nervous.” I said, “Ahhhhh don’t worry its easy!” We described everything and kinda showed him what would happen. And then after that I told him, “See its nothing to be nervous for, you don’t even need to know how to swim!” He laughed and I think it helped take away some of the nerves he had. But I definitely know he was a lot more happy than nervous because he was smiling and just ready to go! Elder Espinoza did the actual baptism and I was the guy that directed the meeting. And now I would like to share what I felt. I sat there and I watched him be baptized and when he entered those waters and came back out I felt something. Something that is beyond words to describe. It was in my heart it was almost like a rush but it was peaceful too. And I know what that is; it’s the Holy Spirit. I mean how amazing is baptism! A real baptism from the only true church in the world! He literally stepped out of that font a perfectly clean 16 year-old boy! That‘s pretty amazing! I mean really just sit there and think about that for a second. I mean doesn’t that kinda give you chills! Well, a good type of chills! It’s amazing! So, after the amazing baptism I went into the bathroom to kind of help out and to ask the perfect boy who was baptized 1 minute before how he felt. I said, "Como te sientes ahora?" (how do you feel now?) y el me dijo (and he said to me), "Differente. You know in the scriptures usually when talking about people who are about to be baptized or were baptized and they say something to the effect of “pricked in their hearts or pierced in their hearts?” Yeah, that’s what I felt. I felt a prick in my heart and to some people that might sound funny but it’s a feeling I kinda described earlier.” I almost began to just cry, I mean I was a little choked up after that. AMAZING is the gift we give which is baptism. Then he got the chance to give his testimony. And that was what I was really waiting for. The moment when you get payed back I feel is when they give their first testimony. And he said something to the effect of he knew what happened and knew everything was true and he actually gave thanks to my companion and me. And, I don’t remember all the words because I mean I am still learning Spanish but it hit me!

     Earlier in the day of the baptism I was having a bit of trouble. I felt a little sad and not motivated because of a family we met with who really just won’t come to church but accepts everything and it’s kind of frustrating. And it was hard because you start to question and wonder. And it’s just sad to see that happen when a family is so great but won’t do the one thing that would make all the difference. So, I kinda just let out what I was feeling with my Zone leader Elder Razcon. And, I was describing just how I felt what was going on and how I just didn’t feel like myself. And he said to me (he speaks English by the way, he’s from Mexico) I want you today at your baptism to pay attention to the testimony of your convert. Because that is the moment that you are payed back. That’s their gift to you for visiting all those times and for all the hard work. Pay attention to his words and your feelings. And I did. And It hit me and I just sat there with teary eyes. I didn’t cry but I was teary eyed. And I was just so grateful for the people in my life, for Sebastian, for my Savior, and for my loving Heavenly Father. It was an experience I will never forget that is for sure! To see this gospel just light his world up is amazing.

     All in all, this week was great! We did some service, we taught lessons, we had Intercambios (companionship exchanges), we had a baptism, and we had 6 people come to church! It was amazing to see too! Hard work pays off that’s for sure! And, my hard work isn’t done. I need to keep going. We have the greatest message and gift in the world and we need to share it! Our gospel helps in cualquier situación (whatever situation)! I know how rough life is because I had one before the mission and I have one now! I know that many people struggle maybe with parents who drink, maybe it’s depression, maybe a family member died or maybe you have a loved one who doesn’t have the ability to do all the things we can do. I don’t know. But, we have one thing that helps and cures all sadness and that’s the gospel. And I saw it with my own eyes! How happy it makes people! I have seen it in the past with my family and I got to see it with a boy I have only known for 2 months that speaks a completely different language and is 2 years younger than me and whose parents didn’t even show up to the baptism, I got to see him smile. Do you think this boy has an easy life? I don’t think so! None of these people have it easy and yet through all that this boy smiled and told me face to face one word with a smile, “DIFERENTE.” 

     Family and friends I know that this church is true and that this gospel is true. We may be imperfect people but the gospel is perfect. The atonement is perfect. God’s plan is perfect. And, I am so happy to be here helping my best friend Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father further this work! This is the best job in the world and I know that the Book of Mormon is true and I know that if we just take to time to sit, ponder, and pray about it we will receive and answer. I know it! So, what are you waiting for? GO, pray, read, come to church, and have the missionaries over! Go to our church and see why we are the happiest people on earth! And I promise you’ll feel something!

     

Love,

Elder Weaver

Week 14: TENEMOS UN BAUTISMO!!!!!

January 1, 2018

Dear Familia, Amigos y Mundo

    So, you heard it right I have a baptismal date set for this week on the 6th of January! I am soooooo excited! It’s this teenage boy named Sebastian who has kind of been investigating the church for 5 months and he’s really never received any of the lessons until I came and so I had the chance to teach him all of the lessons. I say he’s been investigating the church for 5 months because he we

nt to church regularly because he has a girlfriend who is member. It was really cool to see him from lesson one until now. He started not really knowing much about really anything, not even about Christ and his ministry. He is great because he is always asking questions and is always wanting to learn more. He has never failed to read and he is very diligent in trying to stay on top of commitments and asking questions and he is going to be a strong member in the church and hopefully a strong missionary in the future! But what happened in this last lesson was we actually talked about the gospel of Jesus Christ and about baptism and I asked him if he would be baptized on January 6^th and he said, “YES!!!” It’s amazing how the spirit become 10 times thicker after he says yes and he when you have a person who sincerely wants to change and be baptized! I couldn’t help but smile! I mean I even kind of messed up asking him to be baptized and he still said yes! Now that’s just another testimony to me. I don’t know how to speak this language perfectly but it doesn’t matter because the spirit is still testifying and helping me along the way to get to the hearts of these people! This week was just great for me because of that! I put aside all bad feelings and really tried to work on humility and patience and trying not to get offended and just change the way I react. And the perfect solution is always to just go and talk. Talk to the people teach the people and just forget about your problems. Think about the people and think about the good things around you. And, as I did this I forgot I was away from home and I forgot I was speaking a new language that I don’t know perfectly and I forgot all of my problems. Now that’s cool! 

     So, this past week as we worked we actually contacted every day because we have a new goal to try to get 20 contacts every day. All of our zone is doing that. At first, I hated contacting because it was hard I had to have a real conversation with people and initiate it and ooooooooooooooh let me tell ya I actually love it. My Spanish alone has improved soooooo much just from contacting and talking to people on the phone. And as a result of contacting we got a few new investigators who are great, especially one! His name is Jacobo and he is this old man who is actually 10 times more white than I am and he listened and accepted el Libro de Mormon pretty easily. Now the question was will he go to church? His phone wasn’t working so we couldn’t call and he didn’t have a moto, he had a bike that he rides. Let’s just say we were praying a lot. And HE CAME!!!! He came to church and he loved it! We had 5 people come to church this past week. It’s not everyone that we wanted but that’s a lot better than before when it’s been 0 or 1. But let me tell ya this week must have been great for the whole district cause our capilla (chapel) was full! We had to truck in seats! I am very excited for this month of enero (January) because I think honestly, we will have a baptism almost every weekend! Now I am being serious! I legit think it will happen. We are really getting to these people now and I think that’s because I have been able to teach people and not lessons better every day but if I am honest I know what the real reason is…

     The real reason is that I have been able to put aside the pride and just work and forget myself. Now when I say pride I wasn’t like in people’s faces telling them I am better than them, I have just been working on trying to let things go. And just learn and move on and not get stuck on one little thing my comp said or on other little things. Cause sometime its hard having this guy telling you you’re doing something wrong or that you said something wrong. But I came to the realization that it was all for the good of me to just accept it and to move on and try to be better. I have been through a lot of trials already in my mission but I am so grateful for them because I can see myself changing and becoming an instrument in the Lord’s hands. And its only possible if we are willing to change and become his instrument. You have to have the desire and let Him change you so he can use you to further the work. 

     Now, what about Christmas!?! It was interesting and I honestly loved it! I spent the whole day with my zone because it was P day too. We ate food and played games and I got to open the packages from my family. Ya, it was all great! But here’s the difference here. They go crazy the night before and basically just party all night on the 24th listen to loud music and drink. Then, they sleep all of Christmas Day! I know, what a way to remember our Savior! But, it was still good. Visiting members and talking to people and all that fun stuff! Now here’s where people might think I am weird, I got to Skype with my family which was AWESOME!!!! But, usually missionaries get all sad and wish they were home but, for me it just pumped me up! I felt something after talking to them. I felt more motivated and ready to change this zone and my area! And I used my family as a way to get me more excited to help these people. So, am I trunky? Absolutely NOT! I am ready to take on Barranca!!!! 

     I also encountered other problems. I thought before my mission that I would be completely sheltered from the world and not hear music or see movies or all that jazz that we’re not supposed to do as missionaries. But here I was in a home teaching this man and what was playing on the TV the whole lesson?!? The Amazing Spiderman.... You have got to be kidding me!!!! Man was that hard. I had to just look dead into this man’s eyes the whole time. Because if I didn’t then I would see the TV! So here I am in Colombia and I still am encountering problems like that.... Everyday has a trial and every day we as missionaries are tested. And I can’t say that I am perfect but I am darn well trying my hardest to be an obedient servant. And, I am doing my best to help out my comp to do the same. This email honestly seems all over the place and I had no thoughts really gathered today except that I have a baptism! I am also in a member’s home because it’s the 1st day of the year and nothing is open. So ya my thoughts and everything have kinda just been all over and I really don’t know what to say. I promise next week will be better. But, let me leave with my testimony at least.

   This past week was great and my mission has taught me a lot already. And I know that I can only talk the way I do and teach the way I do because of my Heavenly Father helping me out! I know that what I am teaching is correct and I love every moment of what I am doing! I may not be perfect but I can see the Lord’s hand in my life helping me and making up for what I do terribly. It’s clear in lessons. I give all that I’ve got and even if I don’t say something correctly the spirit testifies and the lord makes up for what I don’t do correctly. I know that this gospel is true and I know that it changes lives. It changes people. And it will change Sebastian. This gospel is my life and I am so happy to be sharing the fruits of this gospel with these people. Thank you everyone for the support. I’ll try better next week to compile my crazy thoughts! I love you all! Keep up the emails. And INVITE THE MISSIONARIES OVER AND FIND OUT WHY I AM SOOOOOOOOO HAPPPPPPPPYYYYYYY!!!!!

  Love,

 Elder Weaver