Dear family,

Thanks for being constant in writing me these two years. Well I guess this is my last letter. I can't really explain how I feel but its a mixture of really happy and bummed at the same time. I still haven't realized that next week I will no longer be in Chile but it'll hit me when it comes. This week has been amazing. We were able to bring some investigators to the conference yesterday and we had a great experience. One of them had entered into the church for the first time. He sat attentively watching conference and the prophet spoke last on Sunday morning. While listening to him he said to my companion, what do I have to do to become mormon? They were touched by the prophet's talk which was full of power and authority. Personally I saw a pattern in all the talks from conference about missionary work and repentance. Well the last 2 years I think I've strengthened my testimony the most in those two subjects. I love the power of repentance in our lives and I know that Jesus Christ can and will heal us. I've experienced a change of heart as I've begun to think and act more like the savior. I love this Gospel and I love my Savior with all my heart. Another thing I've learned is that the most important thing is maintaining the Holy Ghost in our lives. There is nothing worse than a day without the Spirit. Nothing is worth the absence of the divine presence of the Spirit.

Well this week we're going to work hard. We have some high goals to reach. Luz Marina is going to get baptized on October 23rd, the second baptism in this area in 2011. Hopefully this ward turns itself around a bit. Also 2 others that came to conference are going to get baptized. I know that Heavenly Father loves each one of His children. I love the people here in Chile and will always talk about them with respect and love.

So I will try to give you a call in LA because we have a 3 hour lay-over. But if not, I'll see you anyway. I love you guys and will see you next week. Les amo mucho and estoy animado para verles. Oren por mi por mi última semana para que tengamos éxito. El propósito de la obra misional es la conversión personal de uno y de otras almas. Amo esta obra y voy a extrañarla mucho. ¡Nos vemos pronto!

Elder Aaron Joseph Webb

Dearest family,

Thanks for the letter dad. I'm here in Quilicura visiting some converts. So far its been a great day to see some of the people I've been able to help here. Really it makes you feel so happy. We had a good week this last week. Finding some new investigators and weeding out the ones that arent progressing. Catalina got baptized. Shes a little girl that we started teaching in Almendral 2. Hopefully Elder Bravo will send me some pictures. Also 3 more that we started teaching in Almendral should get baptized on October 9th. Here we preparing lots for baptism in October but it'll be after I get home. Anyways, I'll send you guys a little email next week which should be my last one.... wow. I love you guys and I'll see you soon.

Elder Webb

PS I hope you all can be there when I get back (Jarem and the family, Brendon, Clayton and Brandi, and whoever else wants to come)

Dear Family,

Sorry I couldnt write much last week but thanks for your letters. To answer your questions from last week, yes I did get the letter from Bishop. And Elder Costa is not related to Elder Costa from the seventy. Oh and about singing in church, that would be fine Dad but you guys can choose whatever song you would like. Maybe you guys could sing I Feel my Savior's Love. Thats a great song. Oh and Mom, try looking for a full-time position that I could have before beginning school in January. Oh and I'm pretty sure I want mexican food. Maybe we can go to Serranos or something.

Well to answer your other question dad, yes I did get to go to Francisca's baptism the other week and it was awesome. She went to the temple on Saturday with the youth to do baptisms for the dead. I'm pretty excited to hear how that went. I'll send some pictures. So this week was pretty crazy. It was really successful... until the weekend. For the independence day here in Chile, nobody is home, and those that are home are having a barbaque and the rest are drinking. We had a great ward activity yesterday for the national holiday and a lot of people turned out and some investigators came. We had a cool experience this week with an investigator called Miguel. He's a 24 year old thats working and living alone. We finished teaching lesson 1 and my companion asked some inspired questions (in half portugues half spanish) about how he has felt about our visits. Miguel said that ever since we started visiting him, he has started to feel diferent. He's started to feel good and doesnt want to go out and do the same things he's been doing. The Spirit came in strong and he committed to getting baptized in October. It made me think about how the Spirit really changes our hearts and leads us to repentance. It really takes away our desire to sin. President Essig gave us a good talk in Zone conference this week which has really helped me. I'll share some more with your guys when I get back and probably in my talk. It has to do with the ability Christ had to avoid sin his whole life. I love this Gospel so much and the fact that it makes us clean and makes others clean from within. What a great blessing to still be part of this wonderful work. We have a bunch of youth that should be getting baptized soon. Please pray for them. Their names are, Martín, Matias, Matias, Andres, Jorge, Lukas, Santiago, and Juan. Haha thats almost all of the apostles.

Well I love you guys a ton. Don't get trunky on me haha. I'll see you guys soon! Next week I'll get to visit my converts in my other sectors. Too bad I can't go to the island again to visit them haha. So next week I might not write too much for the lack of time. Les amo mucho mucho. Nos vemos pronto,

Elder Webb

ps, I'm writing today because our Pday got changed to today for the holiday yesterday.

Dear Webb Family,



We would like to inform you that your son Elder Aaron Webb is being released from the Chile Santiago North Mission. We have been richly blessed by the way in which he has given himself to this sacred work.



He is scheduled to arrive:



Arrival Date: October 11

Arrival Airport: SKY HARBOR INT

Flight Number: US 5

Arrival Time: 11:16 am



It has been a pleasure knowing him and working with him.



Best,



Élder Foster

Secretario Ejecutivo

Misión Chile Santiago Norte

2011379@ldschurch.org

Tel:(56-2) 777-3661

Cel:(56-9) 953-46013

Hey family,

Thanks for the letter dad. Sorry I cant write much this week. Today as a zone we went up to the snow which is about 3 miles from the border with Argentina in the Andes Mountains. It was an awesome experience and I'll send you guys some pictures. But this last week was great. We had 5 investigators come to church and 4 of them are progressing. The Lord is really helping us since we're opening a new area. I've had some great spiritual experiences. My companion is learning a lot and its great working with new missionaries. But I'm loving it here. I'm gonna work hard this last 4 weeks so that this ward gets stronger. We want to help out the youth and have 5 young men with a baptism date for the beginning of October. But thanks for everything and I love you guys a ton. Sorry for not writing more but I'll write more next week. Oh, the 18th is Independence day here in Chile. I invite you guys to eat hot dogs with guacamole and diced tomatoes on top (a chilean classic). Its really good. Anyways, see you soon, chao,

Elder Webb

Thanks for the Happy Birthday Poorer wish Clayton. Yes I feel poorer every day haha. I at least I know you guys are still alive. So we're here in Los Andes now and we had a crazy first week. My birthday was crazy busy. We spent to whole day traveling but ya know its awesome training a new missionary. My companion is Elder Costa from la Amazónia, Brazil. He speaks little spanish so I'm learning portugues haha. Quase eu falo portugues agora. He's really outgoing to we've been talking to everyone here. Our area is tiny! We can literally walk from one end to the other is like 15 minutes. We don't even have bikes. We got to know all the members already because its a rather small ward. But the members here are great. My companion likes to talk to everyone in the street which is awesome for a new missionary. He's very outgoing. The sector here was pretty dead before we got here but we already have someone with a baptism date that looks pretty promising. So hopefully soon we can turn this place around. The good thing is that I'm about 20 mins away, in car, from San Felipe. So this week I think I'll be able to go to Francisca's baptism. Its really calm here and the houses are more middle class. Next week I'll send more pictures of our area and house. Oh and I finally got to meet the new mission president on Tuesday when we went to the mission home.

So I don't have much else to say right now. I love you guys heaps. Les escribo más la próxima semana. Chao,

Elder Webb

Hola familia,

Hey thanks for the letter Dad. So first to answer your questions, about the campout, I think I'll have to skip on that being the day after I get home. I would love to but, not so soon. Oh and I got my flight itinerary. You guys didn't say that you received it, which you should have received, but I'll tell it to you anyways. So my flight leaves Monday, Oct 10th at 9:05pm. I fly on LAN airlines to Lima, Peru. Then to LA, California. I should get to LA at 650am. Then I take US airways from LA to phx. My flight leaves at 955am and I should get to PHX at 11:15am. Alright so now you know.

Well back to the work. Well so we got transfers last night and.... I'm leaving Almendral 2. I'm going to another area in the same zone. I'm going to the ward Centenario in the city of Los Andes. I'm gonna be training a new missionary again wooo! And opening a new area. It should be a great experience. Tough but fun. Its really hard to leave an area after just one transfer. I love the people here in San Felipe. And we were really getting a lot of stuff done here. In September this area is going to have at least 5 baptisms with 2 more depending on their divorce papers so that they can get married. I always seem to get transferred before seeing a lot of baptisms but well, its the Lord's will. The good thing is that I think President Essig will let me go to their baptisms. So Francisca, this week, has progressed a ton. She is one of the best investigators ever. We taught a lesson to her friend and she bore her testimony of the first vision and explained how she's going to get baptized in 2 weeks. Actually she advanced her baptism date so that she can be confirmed on September 11th to be able to go to the temple with the youth the following week. She is awesome! And the Lord blessed us with more people to teach. I love this work so much and its going to be sad to have to leave it. This week I could feel the Holy Ghost testify to our investigators as we bore our testimonies to them. I love that feeling. Its the best.

Well so you know, Elder Bravo is leaving the island and is going to be campanions with Elder Fuentes here in Almendral. Next week I'll tell you how my last companion is and everything because I still don't know. Thanks for the birthday wishes. I love you guys and hope you have many missionary experiences this week. Take care. Con amor,

Elder Webb

Dearest family,

Hey thanks for the letter Mom. Oh and I got to vote in the 2008 election remember? I had barely turned 18. Anyways, I'm glad things are going good. Sounds like you're enjoying the lovely summer heat. Here thinks are warming up a tad but its still cold and there's lots of snow in the mountains close by. It almost snowed here this week. Freezing rain was falling.

Well the incredible experiences this week have been numerous. First of all, yesterday, Oliver Meza got baptized. He chose me to baptize him. Well, its always a great experience to participate in a baptism. He's such a great little guy. He was talking about how he wants to be a missionary. His family will make sure he stays in the gospel. Alexis, who is only 10 years old, has got an incredibly strange personality. He was progressing so well and then the other day he told us he hadn't stopped drinking tea and we explained everything well to him and got mad because he doesn't wanna stop drinking tea and now doesn't want to get baptized. I've never seen a 10 year old tea addict but well, everyone has their agency. Maybe this next week he will have an attitude change because wow, he's a bit stubborn. So we had a cool experience with Francisco and her mom this week. We just had arrived at their house and her mom started saying, "Well, look, we've been thinking about what we've learned lately and we've learned a lot and everything, but well, we just want to say that we believe its all true." It was such a special experience and we then asked them, "How do you know its true?" "Because of the Holy Ghost," they said. The Lord guided us to their house 3 weeks ago as we decided to knock their street and knocked their door last (it always seems like its the last door haha). But I know that the Lord has prepared them well. Francisco is making some big sacrifices because she spent up to 3 hours a day, 4 days a week in her other church and now she's changing completely but she knows its true. Its pretty amazing. And yesterday, our new ward mission leader told us about a non-member and his daughter that want to be baptized and soon. We already met him and tonight we will have our first lesson. Woo! The Lord keeps blessing us with people to teach. I love teaching people the Gospel. Its the best thing ever... spend your whole day talking with people how they can better their lives and return to live with God. Yes mother, I have 7 weeks left... haha. But I will enjoy them exceedingly.

So tomorrow we're going to move out of our apartment and go live with the other missionaries in our ward. I'll send pictures next week of our old and new house. And next week we have transfers but I don't think I'm going anywhere. Anyways, I love you all and I know that this Church is true. Les amo y deseo que les vaya súper bien. Compárten con todos lo que ustedes más valoran. Chao,

Elder Webb

Dear Family,

Thanks for the letter Pake. Its quite amazing getting a letter from another sibling haha. No but its good to hear from you guys. Sounds like you're doing good. So to answer those questions, yes I still have my CTR ring as you can see in these pictures I sent. Also I don't have my flight plans yet and I won't get them for a couple more weeks I don't think so don't worry about it. But yes they already bought our tickets and our flight leaves in the evening on October 10th.

Anyways, back to missionary work... this week was great! We are being extremely blessed here in Almendral. We will have 2 baptisms this Sunday, Alexis and Oliver. They are two great kids. They have some great members that are helping them make friends in church. Member referrals are always the best. So we had 7 investigators come to church on Sunday. We had 6 planned and another one got drug there by a member but he really liked it and so we are teaching tons of people. We have some amazing investigators, really, they are awesome! One is Francisca, who we found by knocking doors. I talked about her last week. She's super evangelical but now is getting ready to get baptized in September. She told us some funny experiences this week. She said she was praying one night and asked if our message was true. She said that night she had a dream and saw the word ELDER and a watch. Haha we asked her what she thought it meant and said, duh you guys know what it means. She said she told her friend from her church about the dream and she said, "no... that cant be a revelation. If I trip and fall then I'll believe its a revelation." Then like 20 mins later she almost falls on her face tripping over the curb. Well, we thought... the Lord works in mysterious ways. She is gaining a strong testimony and will be a great member. Her mom came to church also, who is a less-active member who got baptized when she was 15. So we've been busy running to lesson after lesson. Its been great and the Lord has prepared the way for many people.

I've learned a lot about self control and agency lately. I've realized that I have complete control and agency of what I think, say, and do 24/7. I love the fact that I can choose to think about my investigators all the time, and choose to think about how I can help them more. I love the fact that I can CHOOSE the right all the time thanks to the wonderful gift of agency. I've developed a great love for choosing the right thanks to the atonement of Jesus Christ. Agency is a wonderful principle, as Clayton said, it really is the ability to make good choices.

I'm loving the mission and loving the people here in Chile. Thanks for everything. I'll send more pics next week. Take care. Les amo muchísimo y siempre recuerdo el buen ejemplo que han sido para mi. Chao,

Elder Webb

Dearest family,

Thanks for the letters this week. Glad to hear that you're doing alright Dad. So I still havent gotten the package but I bet tomorrow in our zone class I'll get it. And I know you'll like this dad. There's a new missionary in our zone called Elder Silva from Bello Horizante, Brasil. He speaks little spanish and a lot of portugues so I've learned some stuff. And yes I understood what you wrote.

So this week has been pretty nuts. We've been teaching a lot of people and had some great lessons. This week we were knocking doors and out came some guy named Cristian. He didn't seem that interested but he was really nice and we set up another appointment to come by and visit him. We went by and his daughter told us to come in. We taught them both but it seems like the Lord has prepared his daughter to learn about the Gospel. We had a really spiritual lesson and when we got to the 1st vision, the Spirit came into the room and I could tell that she could feel it. We invited them to church on Sunday and Cristian said maybe... but she (Francisca) said yes. She went to church yesterday and said she felt really comfortable there. We're hoping that she'll be baptized in September. She's very... Evangelist, but the Spirit can convert every willing heart. We're also preparing Oliver to get baptized in 2 weeks. and Carlos and Javier are to young men that want to get baptized at the end of the month. The best part, is that yesterday we had 5 investigators come to church yesterday!! Yes. We should have a lot of success here in September. All we have to do is work hard. And its true, at the end, its just natural to work harder. I have two months left so I'll give it all I got.

Well I'm loving the mission here. San Felipe is great! I'm learning everyday about who Christ really is and what it means to love Him. I hope you enjoy the pictures. Yes, it says Babylon Bar. Haha. And I got to baptize an investigator from the other missionaries in our ward. The water was freezing! Well take care. Les amo mucho y oro por su bienestar todos los dias. Chao,

Elder Webb

Dear Family,

So this week has gone by fast. Thanks for the email. I hope everything calms down a bit at home haha. Sorry I havent taken any pictures of our place yet. Next week I'll have a lot of pictures for you guys. So happy August! I can't believe we're in August already. Unfortunately the time is flying. And yes I did sing a solo in church but it didn't turn out that bad and no its not video taped haha.

So we've been working hard here this week. I think I'm used to being surrounded by lots of people now because hardly anyone lived on the island. We've had some great lessons and found a lot of new investigators. The people are willing to listen to us here. But its still hard to get them to progress. We are preparing some people for their baptism this month. One is a young boy thats 9 years old. His parents have been inactive but now want their son to get baptized and he really likes going to church. And so he's preparing and we're determined to help that whole family get going. The ward here is great! There are lots of members willing to help out with the missionary work. I have a feeling that this week is going to have a ton of results. So last week we went to visit a potential investigator and she said, sure come on in. So we shared a short message with her family because they didn't have much time. Its in those moments that you have to depend on the Spirit. She didn't show much interest but I felt like we needed to give here a Book of Mormon without explaining the message of the Restoration. So we gave her a BoM and she opened her eyes and said, Wow thanks! I love to read!! She asked us how much it costs and when they ask that question its because they´re willing to buy it. We said it only costs your committment to read it and she said of course. So this week we have another appointment with her family and we hope some miracles will come with it. This ward here is great and has 2 companionships so there's a baptism basically every week in the ward. The members love the missionaries here. So I'm doing great and loving the mission. I'm studying a lot about the life of Jesus Christ from the Bible and learning how he does everything and says everything because He loves them. He gets after a lot of people because he loves them. Our Savior is the key to our lives and everything we do. Hopefully we all could be true Disciples of Christ in absolutely everything we do. This Gospel is true and I know the Book of Mormon is true. We need to read it in order to strengthen our testimony of Christ and put into practice its principles.

Thanks for everything. I love you guys and hope everything goes well this week. Oro por ustedes todos los días y sé que el Señor les bendice mucho. Chao,

Elder Webb

Hey family,
Thanks a lot for the letter. I hope everything goes great this week. So on Friday, I left the island. It was pretty sad having to say goodbye to everyone but I know the Lord wants me somewhere else. So I'm in the Zone of Los Andes but I'm actually in the city of San Felipe. About a half an hour west of Los Andes. Its a big little city and there's a ton of people to talk to. Im not use to so many people or ground so flat. We use bikes here and its been a big change but its better. The work is a lot more up beat and we have lots to do here. Yesterday we were blessed with a baptism. Victoria Garcia, an eleven year old girl got baptized. She's awesome. She's the result of member thats invited her to church and started bringing her. Her mom come to the baptism and it appeared like she felt the Spirit. Hopefully she can follow her child's footsteps soon. Oh and I did a musical number during the baptismal service. Its been a while since I've sang at church. San Felipe is extremely cold... but in the day its pretty nice. I'm gonna have to buy a new scarf. I'm excited for summer again.
Also last night we went out doing contacts and we said to each other with Elder Fuentes from Guatemala, that we're not going to enter into another house until we finish our contacts. So we went out talking with everybody and finished our contacts. Then we went to an appointment at 8 with a family and as we began the lesson, 4 friends entered the house and we invited them to listen. They agreed and we taught them lesson 1 and invited them to be baptized August 21st. They said yes one said that he never had been baptized before and wants to do it. I know that the Lord blesses us sooo much as we are faithful and diligent. Its an area here in San Felipe where missionaries that work hard will always have success. Its a great strong ward. The Bishop is great and the ward mission leader is amazing. He's so willing to help us a lot
Well I don't have much else to say. We're working hard here and I'm excited to be here. Its a nice calm little city. I love you guys a bunch and hope that all goes well. Chao,
Elder Webb

Dear Family,

So today we have transfers and they called us last night and it looks like this is my last week on the island. I'm going to the city of Los Andes, a couple hours north of Santiago. My new companion is Elder Fuentes from Honduras. Supposedly he's new in the mission because I don't know him. Well actually after being exiled on the island for more than 4 months, I hardly know anyone haha. But we still don't know which day I leave but it should be this week. Elder Alvarado will come here to replace me. It appears Elder Bravo will be with him for a little while until they leave just the Arellanos here. So I'll be leaving the island... sad times but it was an amazing experience here. I'll never forget it. I love the people here. This week we spent most of the time looking for new investogators and now I can say that we've knocked 98% of all the doors here. Unfortunately we didn't find anyone interested. But as we've prayed and fasted, it appears that Heavenly Father is preparing someone to receive the Gospel. As I said, I can already see miracles happening. A member´s friend called Tila, who is evangelica, had a dream about the Book of Mormon and asked a copy from that member. So I'm sure that while she reads it, the Holy Ghost will fill her heart. A little fasting and prayer always humbles us enough that God blesses us. Elder Bravo has been a great companion. He's a great missionary that will achieve great things in his mission. I'm sure he and Elder Alvarado will do a great job here with the Arellanos. Jorge decided that he wants to get baptized after he gets back from the other island (San Ambrosio) where he goes to fish for 8 months. So I'm sure I hear about it when he gets baptized. The little branch here keeps growing and now we have an average of 20 people in church. They said that if we keep above 20, we're gonna get a new chapel. Blessings blessings. So I'll always have this little island in my prayers.

Well I'll keep you guys up to date. Tomorrow I'll tell you when I leave the island. Sorry I can't send longer videos because the files are too heavy. Maybe when I get to Los Andes. The Arellanos made some burritos and we helped them. I'm sure thats the first food I'll want when I get back. Don't send the package to the island haha. Remember, a SMALL bottle of contact solution not a big one. And I have one more request, a betty crocker carrot cake mix with a thing of cream cheese frosting to make here please =). Thanks for everything. I love you guys heaps. Les amo un montón y espero que disfruten el calor =). Chao,

Elder Webb

Here're pictures from our Pday. Yes I made a tortilla in the shape of Arizona. The Arellanos made mexican food!

Hey thanks for the letter Dad and the pictures mom. Appears that they showed it on the news here in Chile also because everyone told me that my house possible got destroyed by a sandstorm in Phoenix. But I know that it happens all the time. It looks pretty awesome and you're right, I would have enjoyed it a lot.

Well everything else has been fantastic here on the island. On Saturday, Pedro and Diego got baptized even though it was raining. It was an awesome baptism for them! When it rains, its a lot warmer so that was good. I sent some great pictures for you guys. Angel, a 16 year old priest from the branch baptized them both. He was ordained a priest about a month ago. He was the one the befriended them and made it possible that they could get to know the church. And yesterday they were confirmed. What a great blessing! They now have friends here on the island because before they got to know Angel, they hardly every left their house. I think that in some time, their parents will also soften their hearts a bit and have more questions about the church. The good thing is that they both went to see them get baptized.

We've been working with Jorge but he didn't come to church because of the lack of family support. I've noticed that its really hard to help someone get baptized if they aren't fulfilling their own responsibilities. His wife is a little bit less active and isn't very constant but wants him to get baptized. I've realized why its so important to strengthen the members usually before we can see results in the form of baptism. But we've been visiting them a lot and the Arellanos are helping a ton. They truly are great. Missionary couples have a special spirit with them.

So lately I've been thinking a lot about John 14:15 that says, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." I love this scripture so much because it teaches the correct form of obedience... out of love. And it applies to every aspect of obedience. Its amazing when you can see that somebody gains a testimony so strong that they realize they obey out of love for our Savior.

Anyways, I love you guys a ton and I hope you guys are doing great. Thanks for filling me in on thing and if there're are any other news about the family, let me know. Les extraño mucho y espero que puedan siempre disfrutar del templo. Nos vemos, chao,

Elder Webb

Oh to answer your question about my requests... I would recommend a small bottle of contact solution, just a small one because I have almost plenty. And I would really like some more of those wallet pictures of my mission portrait to give to some converts. And... If you could send pictures of the family that would be great. I'll tell you if I need something else.
Send it to,

Dear Family,

Happy Independence Day! I think here we're going to have hamburgers for lunch to celebrate haha. It will be the first time that I eat hamburgers since the last 4th of July. So sounds like the weather is just wonderful in AZ. I loved the summer heat, especially while working at Sunsplash. Why don't you go swimming? haha.

This week was a great week for us. We spent a lot of time providing service as we helped prepare our new house for the church meetings this week. It was quite the experience actually. On Wednesday all the stuff came in the boat and we had to wait on the dock for the things to come and then haul them up to the house. On Saturday we had a great branch activity as most of the members came and helped clean up the church and get it ready. We helped put up the giant logo for the church in the front lawn. It was HUGE... at least it seemed big for such a little house haha. It weighed probably about 300 pounds. Everything turned out great and we met together for the first time in the new building. We had a record attendance of 25 and our new church building was stuffed with people. It was a miracle to see so many people here on the island come to church. It was actually a little bit small we found out and so we're hoping that the church takes advantage of a couple of property offers to prepare room for a chapel one day. We're working hard with the Arellanos so that the church attendance keeps growing over 30.

Pedro and Diego are gonna get baptized Saturday and 3:00pm. They are such great kids and its been a miracle to be able to find them and teach them. They helped us with the new church and are best friends with a lot of members new. They said that they are excited to finally be members. What a blessing it has been to be able to teach them the everlasting gospel. They are willing to accept all the committments we give them and said that they know that they want to come to church every sunday. We feel the spirit strongly as we teach them.

The Arellanos are helping a lot and helped with the reactivation of several members. We're happy that everyone is being blessed by the service of the Arellanos.

So a couple of questions. How's your guy's health doing? How's Clayton? Tell him to write me at least once before I get home haha. And I have one request... Mom can you send me a recipe for Snickerdoodle cookies before tomorrow so that I can print it out tomorrow? Thanks mother dear!

Well I hope you guys have a great 4th of July. Go out and see some fireworks in stead of lounge around the house haha. Love you guys a lot. Chao,

Elder Webb

June 28, 2011

Dearest Family,

Sorry I didn't write yesterday. It was some Catholic holiday here in Chile and the library was closed where we use internet. So I'm doing great here on the island. On Thursday, los Arellanos arrived on the island (see the picture... looks like it didn't load). We've been working with them so that they can get to know all the members and where they live. They're really great! Elder Arellano is Mexican and Hermana Arellano is from Idaho. They speak Spanish with a strong Mexican accent which is great to get used to ha-ha. They are helping a lot and are really excited to help out here. Every week the church is getting stronger here in the island.

So this week we had a great experience with Pedro and Diego. They both received an answer to their prayers and accepted a baptismal date for July 9th. Their parents already gave them permission and they decided that it’s their decision. So we're way excited for them! They come to all the activities we're doing and even said that they're going to invite all their friends so that there are more kids that come to mutual, scouts, and church! So the Lord really has prepared them. Also, Jorge has made some progress. The Arellanos are visiting him and he's been opening up to them. We now know what he needs to be able to accept a baptism date.

So lately I've been thinking a lot about the part in the New Testament when Jesus asks Peter, "Do you love those more than me?" I've been thinking a lot about that. What a great question that we can ask ourselves on a daily basis. Are there things we do that show that we love other things more than Christ? I know that I love my Savior more than anything and I have the chance right now to show Him how much I love Him.

Well I think that’s about it. I hope you enjoy these pictures. Oh and President Essig got here to Chile today and President May leaves in the evening to Utah. I love you guys a lot. Les amo muchísimo. Chao!

Elder Webb

Dearest family,

Happy Fathers Day Dean! I hope you enjoyed your special day yesterday. Bummer that we can't call but I'll be home in October. Mom you'd like this raw fish treat and I'm gonna make whether you want it or not haha. So to answer some of your questions, this week President May should call us because he leaves next Tuesday and President Essig gets here the same day. We're stuck here on the island so we won't get to know President Essige till we get back to Santiago. Sounds like you're gettin more rebelious mom, 47 mph... haha what were you thinking! jk. Well i guess thats how Arizona gets their money. Speaking of 47mph... I don't know if you noticed but on that forecast, it said 46 mph winds today. I don't doubt it. On saturday, a big storm system hit the island and it hasnt stopped raining since then. Even now its pouring outside with huricane force winds haha. Last night the power got cut off 2 times. But all is well. In spite of the rain, 17 people came to church including 3 investigators. There are two young men that are starting to come and want to be members. This week we talked to their mom and she said that they can choose. So we're pumped for the tender mercies of the Lord and for the chance to have two baptisms in the beginning of July. Their names are Pedro and Diego. We're praying a lot for them but it looks like they've been prepared. Also, Jorge came to church with his wife and is everyday looks more excited to learn. Hopefully he gets baptized soon. I sent a picture of our "chapel" from the outside and inside. Also, I sent a picture of our little cabin house thing. Its the one with the picture of Jesus on the door.

So we've been pretty blessed here. I'm learning more about how to trust in God with ALL my heart, might, mind, and strength. It really makes a lot more sense to trust in someone that knows everything and loves you infinitely.

The rain has been pretty cool. We have big yellow rain pants and coats and boots that keep us dry. It literally looks like a hurricane outside though haha. Well anyways have a great week!! Take care and Mom, dont drive your boss too crazy. Love,

Elder Webb

Querida familia,

Thanks for the letter dad. So sounds like the volcano is still erupting but we don't see anything from here. Everything here is about the same. Hopefully the forest fire doesn't burn up all of Arizona. But I hope that the family is doing good!

Here on the island, things are moving forward. We're doing a lot of activities with the young men and its helping a lot. Two young men (angel and roberto) went out to visit a less active young man and he said that he will come to church this week. Also we're still teaching Jorge, who is the only non-member from his family. He came to church on Sunday with his whole family and we taught him yesterday. It was a spiritual lesson and he talked about how he knows that his family wants to get sealed and he needs to get sealed with them. He said he doesnt want to feel pressured to get baptized, but with a smile. We're going to teach him again this week and I know that he's going to feel ready to get baptized soon. We're still teaching Melito and her family but they don't feel ready to come to church. So we're still praying so that the Spirit touches their hearts and so that they can come church. I've realized how simple it is to know that what we teach is true. You just have to offer a simply sincere prayer. God always answers faithful prayers. I've seen it time and time again. Its amazing how the Spirit works. If they don't come to know that the church is true through the Spirit, then is doesn't come from God. Also on Sunday, Angel brought another young man called Diego to church that is about 12 years old. He said that he loved it and is going to come every week. We're hoping to get to know his family better and Angel, who just got ordained a priest, wants to baptize him. We're also building a stronger relationship with an inactive family that has two kids that arent baptized yet. Their mom had an accident and had to get shipped to Santiago by plane because she was sick. Before the plane left, she asked us to give her a blessing. So we went and gave her a blessing and everything turned out ok. She got back to the island yesterday and about a week ago we called her while she was gone to see how things we're going and she was so happy we called. So little by little we're gaining a lot of trust from the members in the island and I know the Lord has great things planned for this little island.

So yesterday we went fishing for Pday and we took out a pretty big fish that weighs about 5 pounds I bet. I prepared a dish called civiche, but I dont know what its called in english. But its a dish with raw fish, lemon juice, mayonaise, avocado, pepper, and... I think thats about it but its amazing! I'll have to make it for you guys when I get back.

Well I'll talk to you guys next week. I love you guys. Les amo y les extraño. Pórtense bien esta semana. Chao!

Elder Webb

Dear Family,

Thanks for the letter mom. Its great to hear that you guys find it easy to entertain yourselves haha. Thanks for the update on the family. I hope grandpa Daley can make it out till I get home. Keep me up to date with the ward also. Has there been any baptisms in the ward? New families?

So we talked to President May this week and we had changed in the mission today but Elder Bravo and I are staying here for another 6 weeks. President May leaves on June 28th and President Essig arrives the same day. Also he told us that their going to send a missionary couple to the island in the first week of July. We're pretty excited because we're going to be able to do a lot more here on the island with 4 missionaries. The next transfers are July 18th and I don't know if the both of us are going to leave the island or only one of us. We'll see. But I really love the experience I've had here and would be great to stay longer. He also told us that since the internet is really slow here and we can only use one hour a day that on Monday we're allowed to use one hour and Tuesday morning we can also use internet for another hour. So if you have any questions it will be a lot easier to answer them since we can use email on tuesday now.

Well this week was fantastic. We had some great experiences and lessons. We had a FHE with a family where everyone is a member except the dad. It was a spiritual lesson where we taught and testified about how eternal families and he said that the most important thing to him is his family. Then yesterday at church, we got there a little early and it was raining pretty hard and we were praying that everyone would still come. Then Jorge Cuadra (the dad from that family) came and said, "Yep, miracles do exist." It was great! He liked church a lot and we're going to be teaching him more this week. Hopefully he can make the decision soon to get baptized. We have a lot of potential now also... there are a lot of people that have been showing more interest lately because of a lot of prayer and fasting. We are still doing Scouts with all the youth here and more and more are coming. We had a priesthood activity here on Saturday and we all got together and had a barbeque type thing.

I'm doing good. I'm still learning everyday. The gospel is constant process of remembering principles and then adding onto it. I know its important to repeat lessons to carve the lesson even deeper into our heart and mind through the Spirit.

Well I hope that you guys have a great week! Enjoy the hot, dry weather. Here its raining like nuts. Good thing with have boots. I love you guys a lot. Take care! Les amo y cuídense. Chao,

Elder Webb

Dearest family,

Thanks a lot for the letter Dad. I want to let you guys know that I love you a bunch and miss you all and I'm grateful that you support me here on my mission.

Thanks for the update about everything. I hope everyone can support the heat of the summer. I've decided after being here in Chile in the winter that I really like the heat a lot more than the cold. So thats pretty cool that you saw that program about the island. I'll have to see it when I get back.

Well things on the island are pretty much the same, but we growing more and more as a branch. On Sunday there were 21 people that came to the sacrament meeting, which was the highest attendence since I've been here on the island. We had a miracle with an inactive member that received help from a member here on the island and let him stay in their house because he was living in a tent and all the rain leaked in and he was living in terrible conditions. He feels really repentant and we visited him on Saturday, taught him a lesson, and gave him a blessing and he arrived on church. Now he has the commitment to bring his sister, who isn't a member to church. President Chamorro challenged the members to bring someone new to church so that we can hurry up the need for a chapel here. Hopefully in the beginning of June all the chairs and supplies get here that we need.

We're still teaching that family of three. They didn't come to church. I think its just because they didn't feel ready because of the pressure from their family, who is catholic. But we're hoping and praying for them. If you guys can pray for them that would be awesome. Their names are Melito, Orieta, and Jaysi.

Well I don't have any other news. Today is a beautiful sunny day so we're gonna make the best of it. I love you guys heaps. Chao,

Elder Webb

Dearest family,

Sorry I couldn't write to you guys yesterday. The internet was closed because they had to clean up here. But all is well here. Glad you made it home from your trip to North Carolina. Thats quite the experience. Here on the island, its the greenest place I've ever been to. On Saturday it rained so much! We have permission to use boots here because the roads turned into rivers and it rained and rained and rained. I feel like its pretty tropical here. Oh and yesterday, we went on a hike with a member to the other side of the island where supposedly theres a mayan statue. Its a giant rock with a leapard perched in the back and in the front supposedly a Mayan king. You guys decide if its real but it looks pretty real to me. It was really cool though. Look up "The apocaliptic island" on YouTube and I think it talks a little bit about how in 2012 theres gonna be an interplanet alignment and a light is gonna shine on the island. Some interesting theories.

Well we're working hard here. We're progressing with a family of three. They all said that they felt the Holy Ghost in our last lesson on Sunday and said that they feel like this is the true church. It was a very spiritual lesson. We learned that the mother had last a lot of loved ones and we taught the Plan of Salvation. The lesson was perfect and she opened up. She said the only thing she wanted most was that her daughters could meet their grandpa. And we testified that they will if they follow God's plan. I really feel that they will make some great converts here soon! We're working hard so that the members can also help us work in the missionary work. We're still not in the new chapel yet because they didn't get the materials in the ship that arrived yesterday. So we have to wait about a month more. But the Lord has great plans for the people of the Island Robinson Crusoe. I love it here and I love the people. Thanks a lot for supporting me here on my mission. I love you guys and miss ya heaps. Take care. Con amor,

Elder Webb

oh and to answer your questions, my shoes are fine don't worry. and you can get a refund for the flea reppellant. It appears that their used to me by now.

Dearest family,

Thanks for the letter Dad. It seems that the vinagre has helped quite a bit already. They don't bite me that much anymore so thanks for the idea! I hope you guys are all doing good! Hopefully mom doesnt get taken away by one of them F4 tornados. But mom, if you do see one, get a good picture!

So everything here on the island is pretty much the same. We have the new house rented and ready to have the church meetings. We're just waiting for the new chairs and tables and the pulpit to get here in the next shipment. We only get supplies here in the island once a month. The send a boat over here with everything the the island needs for a little while. So its a bit hard to get stuff over here. The send mail over by airplane but in wintertime there arent very many flights because the weather is pretty bad here. This week it rained a lot and wow if theres something thats more annoying than barking flea-ridden dogs, its the mud haha. But we're enjoying it. We just have to walk slow and not fall. I've fallen in the mud probably about 3 times.

The work is going good. The church is starting to worry more about the little island here and they're helping us out more and more. We found another lady thats even more diehard catholic than the other family. She has promised to pray and ask God if its true. I know that God can change the lives of many if we just have faith. We also made a happy birthday card for some inactive member and visited him yesterday for his birthday and gave him a Liahona. He really liked it and we're starting to gain more confidence with some of the other inactive members. While we were over at his house, we started talking with some of his friends that have an amazing family of 4. We also gave them a Liahona and they started reading it right away. We're going to visit them this week. Its amazing to see how the Lord helps us and guides us to His children.

I love my mission a lot! Its been amazing here on the island. I hope you guys have a great week! I love you guys a lot. Chao,

Elder Webb

So the internet is being troublesome and erasing the pictures I attach. Sorry it doesnt work very well but you guys will get to see them when I get back

Dearest family,

It was great hearing from you guys yesterday! Really now that I think about it its kinda weird that that was the last call home on my mission. Dad don't worry, I was just joking when I said you wanted to kick me out of the house haha. Just giving you a hard time. Thanks for the recipes and the homemade flea repellant haha. Hopefully it works. And Clayton, don't worry about it... you just better send me an email every month until I get home.

Mom the address that you can send it to is...

Elder Webb
Vincente Gonzalez S/N
Comuna Juan Fernandez
V Región Valparaíso
Chile

Just send it in a tiny little box so that its not too expensive. Thanks!

But anyways, as you guys heard yesterday, everything is going great here. I really love the island and I'm not looking forward to the day in which I have to leave. The people here are a lot nicer and pacient than a lot of people I've talked with in Santiago. So as I said, we're teaching a family of three thats starting to progress towards a baptism. We're hoping and praying that they can get an answer to their prayers. We have a lesson with them tomorrow evening. So I don't have much else to say. I really love my mission. Thanks for everything... for helping me be out here serving our Heavenly Father. I know that this is His work. I know the Jesus Christ lives and that we are serving in the vineyard with Him. I love my Savior and I want to be tool in His hands. I love you guys and miss you a lot. Cuídense y recuerden que el Señor siempre guardará sus promesas. Les amo, chao,

Elder Webb

Dearest Family,

Thanks for the letter mother dear. Great to hear that you guys enjoyed your little midlife crisis vacation haha jk. I'm sure it was a great experience. It appears that the pictures are working so I will send you guys some good ones. So about the mother's day calls, we received a notice that we are allowed to use Skype, but here on the island its not really possible because the internet is too slow. It doesnt matter because you guys will see me in 5 months anyways. Anyways you guys should try calling me here. I have a telephone card but I'm not sure if it'll work. It should be cheap because its a landline anyways. The number you should call is 056-32-2751134. My call will be at 2:30pm chilean time which should be 11:30am Arizona time. Try calling me first! But the mission office said if things dont work out that will figure things out so that we can call you guys. Don't worry mom, you will get your call. =)

Anyways this week was awesome! Yesterday Roberto got baptized at 8:30 in the morning. The sun was just coming up over the ocean and it was perfect. He had an amazing experience and is progressing well. The ward is doing better every week. We're getting closer to having a chapel here. Hopefully that the members show that they will remain active, no matter what happens. We're teaching some Catholics that are starting to read the book of mormon. We had a spiritual lesson yesterday with a lady called Melito. She is really sincere and is praying to have an answer. Pray for her please so that she can receive her answer. Oh and today is my companions birthday (22). Wish him a happy birthday. His email is jairo.bravo@myldsmail.net. Well hopefully everything turns our good. Wow mom, you're going to north carolina?? Dont get blown away by them tornaders. Well I'll talk to you guys on Sunday. Love you all. Chao,

Elder Webb