Hey family,
How're things going? Sounds like everything is going good up there. Its starting to get a little bit warmer down here but still the summer here is nothing like the summer of AZ. We're getting plenty of sun and the lovely missionary farmer tan has gotten pretty bad haha. Wow I can't believe they finally released Brother Shepherd. Thats nuts but Bro Stahle will do a great job. He's a great guy and a good leader. I'll stick in a little part for brother Shep in the end.
Well the Lord's work down here is still going forward. We had a pretty good week. We're teaching many people and had like 15 people committed to come to church. None of those 15 came but there was a family of four that came with a member family and they stayed for the whole three hours and really liked it. Wow that was a blessing. We're going to start teaching them this week and looks like we'll be able to have another strong family in the ward. We're still working a lot with the members here. We have a member whose name is Hermana Retamal. She works in a little health center in our neighborhood and she knows like all the people here. She ALWAYS gives us references. We've been visiting so many people with her. We are going to go and pass out 8 books of Mormon tonight with her son to her son's friends and their families. So we're pretty pumped. I love missionary work. Trying new things is the key. If we don't try new things and just get stuck in the routine then its going to be boring. We're having a good time and working hard. Even though we've had some dificulties, we're still working hard. Eduardo also has a new date for his baptism on the 7th of November and he's excited for this one. That will probably be my last day in this sector due to the fact that its the day of transfers and I've been here for 4 transfers already. But this ward will baptize a lot of people and is being prepared to have a lot of success. We're teaching almost 4 differenct families and all are receptive and willing to keep learning. The Lord works miracles based on our faith and obedience. I've learned a lot this week about the reality and power of repentance to change lives. As a missionary, one lives a higher plane of obedience and its to realize the little mistakes we make in our lives and be able to change. I really can tell I've changed a lot here. I'm so grateful for my mission. It has taught me so much. Especially to love my Savior. This last year I'm going to focus on what Clayton said and come to know my Savior better.
Well thanks for all your support. I'm glad you're all happy and healthy. Send me some more pictures if you can. Les amo caletas jaja, sepan que estoy bien y que siempre el Señor les tiene en sus manos. Chao,
Elder Webbcito
To Brother Shepherd:
Brother Shepherd you were my YM president I think the whole time I was in Young Mens. You made one of the biggest impacts on my life as a teenager in the church and you're a big reason why I'm on a mission now. If I can remember one thing about you is that you would always blubber up when we started bearing our testimony or when you would. It left a big impact on me because I always felt the Spirit stronger when I was with you. All the activities that we did with you really kept me on the straight and narrow and away from the dangerous things that Satan throws at us. I love you a lot and miss being in YMs with you. Remember all the good times we had in priests quorum. Good luck with your next calling! (Maybe bishop haha)
-Elder Webb
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
Well things are still going good here in Chile. We had some struggles this week. Macarena felt this spirit really strong and we had a lesson in which the spirit was there really strong. We talked about Joseph Smith and the first vision and I felt the spirit more this time than any other time in my mission. But when it all came down to it, she hasn't been praying and reading the scriptures daily so she wasn't ready for her baptism. I know that she is going to be baptized its just up to her when she's going to do it. But I know that the mission is meant for us just as much as its meant for the people we teach. I think that everyday my testimony is increased by about 50%. Its like adding more and more layers on a thick metal wall. Thats how are testimonies are formed and pretty soon they are unbreakable. But don't let the rust of sin wear down our thick metal testimony. We had a tough day yesterday because we had like 8 people firmly committed to church and there were members that went by to bring them to church and everything but so many things happened to keep them from coming to church and not one investigator showed up. It was pretty tough sitting there in sacrament meeting knowing that not one investigator came to church after working and teaching so much this week. But as I've said, through trials our faith is increased and it now gives me more desire to work and change that. Through faith miracles are worked and they never cease.
Well this week was pretty cool hearing about the rescue of the miners. I bet you guys got to see it but it definitely has the whole country united down here. Our mission president wrote us about it and gave us a little analogy. I'll write it here for you guys.
"Dear Sisters and Elders,
Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God (D&C 18:10)
What great news this past week that all thirty three trapped miners were rescued from some 2,300 meters below the surface. There are many lessons that can be applied from this rescue effort. I would like to share one that stands out to me.
When the mine collapsed, the status of the thirty three miners was unknown. The first step in rescuing them was to find out where they were and whether they had survived or not. With use of maps, rescue worker had a general idea of where they could be. They began boring exploratory holes in the vicinity of where they thought they may be. They drilled seven holes with no success. On the eighth attempt, they located them.
The size of the hole was just large enough to send a long cable through in which a written note could be attached. One of the miners wrote a note that said, “We are all alive” and attached it to the cable. When the note was received by rescue workers, they immediately went to work to create a plan how to bring the trapped miners to the service.
They created the plan and informed the miners that it would take many months to rescue them, possibly as late as Christmas. Meanwhile, through this small hole in which they had established communication with the miners they began to send food and medicine to help the miners survive. The plan was to drill another hole large enough to send a rescue capsule big enough in which one person could fit in to be brought to the surface. The rescue workers accomplished their plan earlier than expected and were able to rescue all thirty three miners.
The influence of the Holy Ghost acts as a life line to those whom are trapped by the burden of sin. As a person feels just enough of the influence of the Holy Ghost to learn that there is One who can rescue us all and brings peace and happiness into our lives, it brings hope. As the miners were sent nourishment to stay alive through a small hole until a big enough hole could be completed to bring them to the surface, the Holy Ghost brings spiritual nourishment as a person begins to pray, study the Book of Mormon and attend Church. The life line increases in size sufficient for a person to develop faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement and a desire to conform his or her will to the will of the Lord through repentance. Faith in Christ and repentance prepare a person to allow the Savior to rescue them through the sacred ordinance of baptism by water and the Spirit.
As those miners came to the surface, what joy was felt by family, love ones and the rescue workers. What joy is felt as a person comes to the surface of the waters of baptism, rescued from the bondage of sin to a new life.
15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!
16 And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me! (D&C 18:15-16)"
Well I know that now is my time to fulfill this scripture and see many souls brought into the kingdom of God. I love this work and I love my Savior. Thanks for everything. ¡Que siempre estén unidos en amor y caridad, y muestren a todos quienes son y lo que representan! Les amo, chao,
Elder Webb
Well this week was pretty cool hearing about the rescue of the miners. I bet you guys got to see it but it definitely has the whole country united down here. Our mission president wrote us about it and gave us a little analogy. I'll write it here for you guys.
"Dear Sisters and Elders,
Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God (D&C 18:10)
What great news this past week that all thirty three trapped miners were rescued from some 2,300 meters below the surface. There are many lessons that can be applied from this rescue effort. I would like to share one that stands out to me.
When the mine collapsed, the status of the thirty three miners was unknown. The first step in rescuing them was to find out where they were and whether they had survived or not. With use of maps, rescue worker had a general idea of where they could be. They began boring exploratory holes in the vicinity of where they thought they may be. They drilled seven holes with no success. On the eighth attempt, they located them.
The size of the hole was just large enough to send a long cable through in which a written note could be attached. One of the miners wrote a note that said, “We are all alive” and attached it to the cable. When the note was received by rescue workers, they immediately went to work to create a plan how to bring the trapped miners to the service.
They created the plan and informed the miners that it would take many months to rescue them, possibly as late as Christmas. Meanwhile, through this small hole in which they had established communication with the miners they began to send food and medicine to help the miners survive. The plan was to drill another hole large enough to send a rescue capsule big enough in which one person could fit in to be brought to the surface. The rescue workers accomplished their plan earlier than expected and were able to rescue all thirty three miners.
The influence of the Holy Ghost acts as a life line to those whom are trapped by the burden of sin. As a person feels just enough of the influence of the Holy Ghost to learn that there is One who can rescue us all and brings peace and happiness into our lives, it brings hope. As the miners were sent nourishment to stay alive through a small hole until a big enough hole could be completed to bring them to the surface, the Holy Ghost brings spiritual nourishment as a person begins to pray, study the Book of Mormon and attend Church. The life line increases in size sufficient for a person to develop faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement and a desire to conform his or her will to the will of the Lord through repentance. Faith in Christ and repentance prepare a person to allow the Savior to rescue them through the sacred ordinance of baptism by water and the Spirit.
As those miners came to the surface, what joy was felt by family, love ones and the rescue workers. What joy is felt as a person comes to the surface of the waters of baptism, rescued from the bondage of sin to a new life.
15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!
16 And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me! (D&C 18:15-16)"
Well I know that now is my time to fulfill this scripture and see many souls brought into the kingdom of God. I love this work and I love my Savior. Thanks for everything. ¡Que siempre estén unidos en amor y caridad, y muestren a todos quienes son y lo que representan! Les amo, chao,
Elder Webb
Monday, October 11, 2010
Monday, October 11, 2010
Dearest family,
Thanks for the email dad and those pictures mom. Wow I would love to have seen that storm. Thats pretty sweet. Sounds like things have been pretty crazy up there. Those mission opportunities that you've had dad are pretty great. I'm sure he'll start coming to church if when you invite him. Oh and about the ground breaking, thats pretty neat. I would like to be there. Elder Costa actually talked to our mission here about a month and a half ago. He speaks spanish really well but you can tell he has a brazillian accent. He is a great 70 and gave a really good talk. That will be a neat experience.
Well once again we've had a pretty good week. We had a couple of rough days but in the end we got blessed a lot. Eduardo didn't get baptized yesterday. He was progressing really well and making some changes but he hasn't been able to live certain commandments. He is finally starting to realize the importance of these changes he needs to make and should be getting baptized in the end of October or November. Hopefully I'm here to see his baptism. His whole family is active now and his dad went and bought scriptures for the whole family and bought them suits to come to church looking nice instead of like gangsters haha. But they're an amazing family. A cool experience, randomely a family showed up to church that we didn't really recognize. We had said hi to this lady but she never told us she was a member when we asked her like a month ago. But she showed up with her husband and 9-year-old kid. The parents are members and want to return to the church and we went over to their house after church and taught their kid who is going to get baptized Oct 31. That was a real blessing. We're praying for the baptism of Macarena this weekend. She was so excited for her baptism 2 weeks ago but hasn't been reading much or praying so we know that it will be a important step for her but she wants to get baptized so we're going to do everything possible. We're working well with the members and I know its the key to this work. The members here are amazing and are willing to help especially if we invite them.
I love this work. I just realized that well, a year from today I'll be stepping off that plane. It will be a day of mixed feelings. I love every part of this wonderful work, every experience, good or bad. I'm starting to realize how much I've changed in a year and its quite a bit. The gospel is a lifelong process and wow in the mission you can see its affects so much more. Thanks for everything and helping me be able to be here. I love you guys heaps. Dejen que la virtud engalane sus pensamientos incesantemente... y el espíritu será su cetro de rectitud y les fluirá constantemente. Les amo, chao,
Elder Webb
Thanks for the email dad and those pictures mom. Wow I would love to have seen that storm. Thats pretty sweet. Sounds like things have been pretty crazy up there. Those mission opportunities that you've had dad are pretty great. I'm sure he'll start coming to church if when you invite him. Oh and about the ground breaking, thats pretty neat. I would like to be there. Elder Costa actually talked to our mission here about a month and a half ago. He speaks spanish really well but you can tell he has a brazillian accent. He is a great 70 and gave a really good talk. That will be a neat experience.
Well once again we've had a pretty good week. We had a couple of rough days but in the end we got blessed a lot. Eduardo didn't get baptized yesterday. He was progressing really well and making some changes but he hasn't been able to live certain commandments. He is finally starting to realize the importance of these changes he needs to make and should be getting baptized in the end of October or November. Hopefully I'm here to see his baptism. His whole family is active now and his dad went and bought scriptures for the whole family and bought them suits to come to church looking nice instead of like gangsters haha. But they're an amazing family. A cool experience, randomely a family showed up to church that we didn't really recognize. We had said hi to this lady but she never told us she was a member when we asked her like a month ago. But she showed up with her husband and 9-year-old kid. The parents are members and want to return to the church and we went over to their house after church and taught their kid who is going to get baptized Oct 31. That was a real blessing. We're praying for the baptism of Macarena this weekend. She was so excited for her baptism 2 weeks ago but hasn't been reading much or praying so we know that it will be a important step for her but she wants to get baptized so we're going to do everything possible. We're working well with the members and I know its the key to this work. The members here are amazing and are willing to help especially if we invite them.
I love this work. I just realized that well, a year from today I'll be stepping off that plane. It will be a day of mixed feelings. I love every part of this wonderful work, every experience, good or bad. I'm starting to realize how much I've changed in a year and its quite a bit. The gospel is a lifelong process and wow in the mission you can see its affects so much more. Thanks for everything and helping me be able to be here. I love you guys heaps. Dejen que la virtud engalane sus pensamientos incesantemente... y el espíritu será su cetro de rectitud y les fluirá constantemente. Les amo, chao,
Elder Webb
Monday, October 4, 2010
October 4, 2010
Dearest Family,
Sorry if you feel like I'm not detailed enough in my emails mother haha. There are some details that aren't necessary, especially if its just gonna make you worried. Well La Pucará like I said is pretty ghetto but its not that dangerous. Plus we're friends with all the gangsters there and a couple of drunk people said that they got our back if any punks wanna jump us so we're all set. And about the volcano, the Chileans are really good at making up a bunch of stuff and turning it into a hype. I've heard so many different 'worst case scenario conspiracy theories' that I dont know what to believe anymore. But yes supposedly there's a volcano in south santiago that has had a little bit of activity underground. So you can look that up if you want mom but don't start worrying haha. To answer some of your questions, yes we got to see all 5 sessions here and in english and it was really good. I'll talk about conference more later. Oh and this thursday yes is my hump day. Wow I am having a hard time believing it but yup, I only have a year left. I don't think I'll be burning anything because it just wouldnt be possible where we live in our nice gated apartment buildings. But we'll probably cook something good. Speaking of, you had the missionaries over to eat thats nice. The members down here take good care of us don't worry and definitely give us plenty to eat. But wow you have no idea how much I miss mexican food. The food here is good but Chilean food doesn't have much flavor. Especially spicy, they don't eat like any spicy food and so Mexican food is non-existent here. That makes me miss your enchiladas and tostadas. Yes mom, I do miss your lovely cooking sometimes!
Well things are going good here in Lo Campino. We had conference this weekend which was amazing and I learned a lot. I love the priesthood session where they talked a lot about pride and agency and decisions. Its amazing how much more you learn as a missionary trying to apply what you learn in your own life and in the lives of your investigators. It was a great experience. We had a lot of investigators committed to come but many kinda flaked out and others couldn't come but we havent lost our faith in them. This sunday will be the baptism of Eduardo. He is the older brother of Noelia, the other girl that got baptized about 2 weeks ago. He has come a long way and is excited for his baptism. He looks like a complete gangster with tatoos and everything but has realized the only true path is Jesus Christ and his gospel. We're pretty excited for him. Also we had a neat experience with an "eternal investigator" as we call it, called Macarena. I taught her all the lessons like 4 months ago but never progressed because she never went to church. We went over the other day and she said she will go to church, that she finally wants to. We waited for her at church and finally came. We visited her this tuesday and had an amazing lesson. We asked her if she wants to be baptized and she said yes but she doesnt want to fail God. We asked her if she doesn't get baptized if she will still fail. She said yes. Then we reexplained the doctine of repentance after baptism and gave her the choice to get baptized in October and she said yes I'll do it, I'm full of the spirit! So she said she's going to be baptized the 17th. It was a neat experience. The funny part is that normally we shouldn't have eternal investigators because they waste our time if they never progress but I had always felt that she was going to be baptized. That was a neat experience for us. We have more people that we're teaching but still looking for more. The work will go on here!
Well thanks for the email! I love you guys a lot. Que siempre se esfuercen a desarrollar la fe que tienen en Jesucristo mediante los pequeños actos de caridad hacia los demas, especialmente su familia. Les amo, chao
Elder Webb
Sorry if you feel like I'm not detailed enough in my emails mother haha. There are some details that aren't necessary, especially if its just gonna make you worried. Well La Pucará like I said is pretty ghetto but its not that dangerous. Plus we're friends with all the gangsters there and a couple of drunk people said that they got our back if any punks wanna jump us so we're all set. And about the volcano, the Chileans are really good at making up a bunch of stuff and turning it into a hype. I've heard so many different 'worst case scenario conspiracy theories' that I dont know what to believe anymore. But yes supposedly there's a volcano in south santiago that has had a little bit of activity underground. So you can look that up if you want mom but don't start worrying haha. To answer some of your questions, yes we got to see all 5 sessions here and in english and it was really good. I'll talk about conference more later. Oh and this thursday yes is my hump day. Wow I am having a hard time believing it but yup, I only have a year left. I don't think I'll be burning anything because it just wouldnt be possible where we live in our nice gated apartment buildings. But we'll probably cook something good. Speaking of, you had the missionaries over to eat thats nice. The members down here take good care of us don't worry and definitely give us plenty to eat. But wow you have no idea how much I miss mexican food. The food here is good but Chilean food doesn't have much flavor. Especially spicy, they don't eat like any spicy food and so Mexican food is non-existent here. That makes me miss your enchiladas and tostadas. Yes mom, I do miss your lovely cooking sometimes!
Well things are going good here in Lo Campino. We had conference this weekend which was amazing and I learned a lot. I love the priesthood session where they talked a lot about pride and agency and decisions. Its amazing how much more you learn as a missionary trying to apply what you learn in your own life and in the lives of your investigators. It was a great experience. We had a lot of investigators committed to come but many kinda flaked out and others couldn't come but we havent lost our faith in them. This sunday will be the baptism of Eduardo. He is the older brother of Noelia, the other girl that got baptized about 2 weeks ago. He has come a long way and is excited for his baptism. He looks like a complete gangster with tatoos and everything but has realized the only true path is Jesus Christ and his gospel. We're pretty excited for him. Also we had a neat experience with an "eternal investigator" as we call it, called Macarena. I taught her all the lessons like 4 months ago but never progressed because she never went to church. We went over the other day and she said she will go to church, that she finally wants to. We waited for her at church and finally came. We visited her this tuesday and had an amazing lesson. We asked her if she wants to be baptized and she said yes but she doesnt want to fail God. We asked her if she doesn't get baptized if she will still fail. She said yes. Then we reexplained the doctine of repentance after baptism and gave her the choice to get baptized in October and she said yes I'll do it, I'm full of the spirit! So she said she's going to be baptized the 17th. It was a neat experience. The funny part is that normally we shouldn't have eternal investigators because they waste our time if they never progress but I had always felt that she was going to be baptized. That was a neat experience for us. We have more people that we're teaching but still looking for more. The work will go on here!
Well thanks for the email! I love you guys a lot. Que siempre se esfuercen a desarrollar la fe que tienen en Jesucristo mediante los pequeños actos de caridad hacia los demas, especialmente su familia. Les amo, chao
Elder Webb
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