September 26, 2016
This week was definitely a stressful one. Actually this whole change has been somewhat stressful. I got to the zone and everything looked good and now everything is in the pothole. I'm well aware that I'm a Weaver and by being a Weaver there's a Grizzweaver effect... but man I didn't expect things to go this bad. This past week the Dad of one of the Elders in our zone died and that obviously took a huge toll on him. He was able to go to the temple and hang out with President Woodward for a few days, but that doesn't take the pain away. There was a tender mercy… he's Chileno and his parents live in the south so he saw the funeral via Skype. I felt so bad for him and all we could do is just love him and support him. It's really been an eye opener to see just how much some missionaries go through while they're out on the mission. I've been super blessed that nothing has happened to you guys and I hope it stays that way! The Hermanas in our zone have been sick the whole change as well. It's been rough. There's also an Elder who recently had his parents get divorced and his dad recently tried to kill himself and another Elder has developed some sort of disease in his thyroid... that keeps him from working in his area. You'd think that's enough problems but they just keep on coming. Yet another Elder twisted his ankle playing soccer last p-day and he was in the house for 3 days. Then there's another Elder who has recently developed some depression so he’s having a hard time working. They are trying to help him by providing him with some counseling. We have a total of 4 companionships out of 11 that are actually working normally. You could say that the stress is real. We finished the month of September with just 4 baptisms in the zone! The good news is that Heavenly Father has blessed us a ton and there are 13 baptismal dates lined up for the first 2 weeks of October. I just hope I'm here to see the baptisms!
All is well in my sector. We have 3 baptismal dates with Victor, Carlos, and Nicolay.
You won’t believe what happened this Sunday, I walked into the chapel with my investigators, and I had the best surprise of my life. Sitting right there was La Familia Cordova Arce! Osvaldo and Katuisca and their family came to see me! I nearly cried! I just hugged Osvaldo and I was so pumped to get to see them. They're going to get their Patriarchal Blessings this week or the next and Osvaldo is going to get the Melchizedek priesthood in November! They said that if everything goes well that they'll be sealed in December! PRAY FOR THEM SO THAT THEY GET SEALED IN DECEMBER BEFORE I LEAVE! It was seriously so awesome to see them! I think that was the best birthday gift that I got!
My birthday was just a normal day. We had district meetings and the zone sang "Feliz cumpleaños" and then in the night Elder Carroll and Elder Montero surprised me with cupcakes. That was about it! No better way to celebrate than just working like normal! We actually found Carlos and Victor that night on my birthday and they came to church and want to be baptized now!
We had an awesome zone conference with President Woodward. I think the best thing that I took out of it was really helping our investigators to understand the concept of repentance before baptism so that they remain firm in the church. We've really had some amazing lessons when we talk about repentance and I know that our converts are going to be way more converted with how we're teaching now. Repentance really is the key to having a happy life and having a good experience in the church. We should be constantly looking for ways to improve and always being humble enough to accept advise from others. I am constantly asking Heavenly Father in my prayers "What lack I yet?" I always, always, always receive an answer.
General Conference is this weekend! I'm way pumped! I'm definitely looking for some answers to my questions this weekend! I invite you guys to really fast and pray and write down questions you want answered as the Lord's servants speak this weekend! His love for us individually is real!
All is well here in the coast. I love this gospel, I love the mission, I love my family, and I love my Savior. I also love mis queridos Chilenos!
Hasta luego cabros!
Elder Weaver
Connor loves his cows and horses… He got Empanada’s from a member for his Birthday…A picture of his sector…
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