Zone conference and Special Visitors

Where's Aldste Webster??? ;)
Malmö Zone Conference... March 2010

The Göteborg and Malmö Zones enjoy a visit
from President Snow and Elder Caussé
at the Malmö Chapel... April 2010
Can you find Aldste Webster AND Aldste Winegar???

HOORAY!! Alive and well! :)

Vägledning‏

This week was a pretty average week with a lot of ups and downs but I am really thankful that we were able to go to the conference in Malmö and feel the spirit and receive answers to my questions!

But we will talk about our investigators first!

One of our investigators whose name is Sebastian is a really interesting man. He comes from Ireland but was raised in Japan and then moved to sweden half way through his life. He was most comfortable with English so we were able to teach him that way! We had met him twice before and he had been really curious to know which religion is true and he had told us that he had gone around to every single one and tried what they said and had never been able to get an answer if they were true. So many of his questions involved If God exists then why does this happen? and had his mind really set on that he has tried so many ways so there is no way the Mormons could have the way. After we went through the 1st and 2nd lessons what really hit him was the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We read through Alma 32 with him and his friend that he brought with him... and by the end of this lesson we were blessed with the spirit to be able to answer all of their questions. He was finally able to see that Faith is a lot more than belief... that Faith is a principle of Action. Which is something that we talked about when Elder Snow spoke. In life we go through this process of having a desire, acting upon our desires, and then receiving some type of confirmation/assurance to know if it is a "good seed". He was then able to realize that it was nothing that we could show him that would get him to believe in what we say... but its in the doing that we recieve our answers. HE (just like many teen-agers) was not able to commit to reading and praying and making the necessary changes to receive the True happiness the gospel brings. So we sent them on their way with Books of Mormon in their hands and with a commitment to when they have time and desire happiness, to read pray and call our number when they were ready. It was AMAZING! We felt really good that we had tried all we could to INVITE them to COME unto Christ. He's a good man.
Somayeh from Iran we have visited a couple of times during the week and has gone from listening.. to reading.. to reading and praying... and accepted the commitment to be baptized. But she did not want to put a date on it because she doesnt know where she is going to be during the summer.... so we asked her if she would get baptized before the summer and she said she would but she is finishing up school right now and is really busy and wants to get done with school before she commits with a date. I guess it's just a matter of time but she has a desire to be baptized.
Tony from Iraq had us over for a lesson and we showed him Ezekiel 37 and then a scripture from the Book of Mormon and connected the two. He was really impressed by the message but it turns out that he has now been having us over for the benefit it has been to his financial life to have us over. And just wants us over for that and does not desire to change his beliefs, it's too bad but we have to move on to progressing investigators.
Princess came to church last week and then came to a soccer activity on Saturday and said she would come to church... but she got a last minute call from work and she had to work. So we will probably be teaching her this week and see how her praying is going and explain the Faith process to her. She is looking positive too!
Claudette is a referral machine. We have been going by her house to teach her but she is never home. But 2 different people have answered the door and they both have said that she wasn't there so we asked them if they would be interested and they gave us their numbers and said they were! AMAZING! We went by her another time and she was there with her romanian friend who she has been reading the Book of Mormon with and we just so happened to have a Romanian Book of Mormon with us and we gave it to her and said we could meet sometime.
We were able to go on exchanges with Halmstad and me and Elder Olsen really enjoyed our time together, and were really able to contact and teach by the spirit. It seems to be a lot easier to do things by the spirit with someone you get along with really well. I think that is relevant to every companionship that you are in. It really is important to be in Unity first, be obedient, worthy, work hard and then we are enabled to teach by the spirit to commit people to come unto Christ through BAPTISM. And Elder Takahashi (my previous companion) and elder barlow were in Växjö and he got to see both Pan and Marvin when he was here so that was nice for him!
Soumitro is doing really well but he isn't keeping his commitments and really busy with school so we have to hold off from him for a while.
Other than that I was really able to enjoy Elders Snow and Causse (and wives)'s visit. One of my favorite things from that was how central our purpose to Baptize really is and how we need to do everything within our power to HELP the people "take up their bed and Walk" and to make sure that we do everything to receive referrals, and take every opportunity to commit someone to Baptism so that the answer will "be upon their heads", and sharpening our sickle by being obedient to reap the rewards of our Faith.

^^^^^^^

Well it was amazing to receive such great emails from you guys and little Truman sounds like he's doing amazing! I received my Easter package yesterday and those little SLara chocolates are so FESTIVE! haha I will make sure to chomp their heads off. Hopefully I will be able to get my other package next week when Elder Teixeira visits!!!! Because it not only has to be under 4lbs but has to fit through this little slot in our door so I hope to be getting that soon! Thank you so much for that! That is so CRAZY that Riley Dean is out on the mission now! man how time flies! And it's pretty sweet to hear that david escorted him! I remember a russian elder escorted me so that is neat. Thanks for sending those AMAZING pictures of the homies at the reception and Ri's farewell! As far as Mother's day goes... its a tough situation.... because I really want to talk to you on THE day... but ya know Dad is seeking first the kingom of God so I can't complain. I guess I can just ask President this week about that but I would say since dad gets out of church on the 16th at 10... I would say 18.00 my time on the 16th? We'll just call that the plan for now... but if not I'll let you know next week. I can't remember when President Teixeira is going to come on monday or tuesday or wednesday of next week... But just don't worry... the latest I'll write you is on tuesday next week. So we'll figure it out then! And YES I was able to see Elder Winegar yesterday and he is looking GOOD as ever! I was able to see Elder Chester and Jorgensen my MTC homies so it was really a good time! They came down to Malmö for Elder Snow and this time Malmö Zone is going up to Göteborg for Elder Teixeira! So we'll be seeing each other AGAIN! its AWESOME! So hopefully I will be sending pictures home this week. Sorry I have been slacking you just never really find time to MAKE a package on the mission. Maybe today... hmmm we'll see! HAIGH! Well... as fun as it is to keep babbling on... I have nothing else to say! but I love my Family and really thankful for the opportunity that I have to be on a mission right now and I have been learning WAY too much! haha it's just been amazing!

Keep populating the earth, family! Be smart... Be yourselves... Be the BOMB like you always are!

Love you all!

Äldste WAD

Whose work is this ANYWAY?!‏

Hello dearest family!

This week I have truly been blessed by the Lord and once again STAND ALL AMAZED in whose work this really is... read the following to understand what I mean:

Äldste Barlow is an amazing companion, he has taught me how to become a better teacher and really rely on the spirit and trust in God that he will put the words in my mouth if I treasure up the word during my studies. Although he likes to take naps and not work as much as I would like... he is doing so much better and really becoming more and more Obedient. I have really learned to love my companions and been striving to see them as God does. (The SAME as He sees me). The more we get to know each other the more we grow in respect for each other, and that our vision of doing the lords work really fixes any problems we have!

Marvin is doing great and just had his interview for the priesthood yesterday and taking one step at a time! This reminds me of an amazing story that occured this week... We were on our way to Marvin's house to review with him the 2nd lesson, we were a little saddened because we weren't able to get a member with us but that didn't stop us. So we went to his house and rang the door-bell, no answer... called him and he forgot! We were able to reschedule for a few hours later and so we decided to visit a less-active that hadn't accepted the missionaries for a while. Although we had our doubts... we had our cookies in our backpacks and were determined to share! So we walked to her house, rang the door bell and she opened the door and said "I only have 10 minutes and I have to pick up my son... but you can come in!" So we were able to talk to her and her son and leave a spiritual thought and be on our way. After that we took a bus to the church where we had said to meet marvin... we found Robert (a member in the branch) and he was going to the corrolation meeting and was on his way to the church and offered to join in the teach! Amazing! We got to the church and Marvin was there with his non-member brother who just met in the city and agreed to come to the teach! We were truly blessed by the Lord to see that we must Trust in the Lord even when things seem like they will fall-through!

Pan our other recent convert has been having it rough this past week... we called her all week and she never answered. The day before the stake temple trip I really needed to contact her to see if she could come... she finally answered and said she had a meeting... but after I bore my testimony to her over the phone she was set on going to the temple. One thing that she didn't realize though is that the temple was in Copenhagen... She called us back asked where it is.. and since she has trouble with the government now she can't leave the country... and if she did she would have to go to Thailand. Terribly sad but we will be working with her more and getting her back to church!

Somayeh from Iraq is doing great and we were able to have a member with her and they really do enjoy each other's company so it really is amazing to see how much teaches change when they have someone there besides the missionaries! Most of our investigators have been busy with school because it is finals time but these times are good to show us who is interested and who isn't!

Claudette with the 4 kids.... showed the Book of Mormon to her friend and they have been enjoyed reading the Word of God together and at their homes! She has been sick but we have been able to stop by and say hello a couple of times... still looking positive!

Princess who is an 18 year old from Africa we were able to ay hi to after a long time of her studying. We were able to pass by and invite her to church and she said she would... Although it didn't sound likely that she would... she DID and we were really blessed because the relief society took her in well and left with a new friend, one of our new(ish) members Bosco! We asked if we could teach her sometime during the week and said she would be busy. But we said... well how about tonight. She said I am FREE! And then she said... is it alright if Bosco comes too? Man it's amazing what happens when members strech out a loving arm to the investigators that come to church!

Tony... our Assyrian Christian man from Iraq... he has been doing great! And the Lord is blessing him! We came by yesterday and asked him how he was doing.... he asked us if we pray for the people we visit every day and we said OF COURSE! He then looked at us and said.... every time I invite you guys over... EVERYTIME I have a better day the next day and I have success in my work. After we had talked for a little while longer a man called him on his phone... after a long talk of excitement and he hang up the phone. He stared at his phone... stared at me for about 10 seconds... me feeling uncomfortabe said " do you have to go and fix another computer?" He said no... even better... I have been trying to sell my car for a while now... and this guy just called me and said he was INTERESTED IN THE CAR! What do you guys do?! After a long time of mesmerizing he said oh my goodness... I'm going to be a MORMON! I can't believe it! haha

He had to leave right then to show the guy his car... so he called us today and said he sold it and said "I need to talk to you guys!" so we will be speaking to him tonight!

Something that has really been changing my mission is doing what Sister Anderson asked a while ago... WRITE DOWN 1 MIRACLE A DAY! It is amazing when you do that you begin to see how much God's hand is in this work and that NOTHING can stop it from moving forward! It leaves you with a positive outlook on the Work I am here to do and who what and why I am REALLY serving! This work is inspired and I love this Gospel!

The mission really has taught me something. Something that comes from Elder Bednar's talk.... Alma 32... and D&C 6 (the last verses which I talked about last week at Zone Conference). Elder Bednar : God created things to ACT and to be ACTED UPON... which one will we choose to be?! Alma 32:16... it is better to CHOOSE to believe rather than Humbling circumstances enabling you to finally believe (same thing can be applied to Obedience or any other Christ-like attribute) Are we going to WAIT to be forced to Choose the Right and do the things we feel and Know are right or are we going to (D&C 6) perform with soberness the work which the Lord has commanded us... doubting not and fearing not and Apply the Atoning blood of Christ in the things we do EVERYDAY!

Wow... is it weird that I learn something everytime I write or bear my testimony to you people?! Sheesh... stop that!

Anyways... this week has just been AMAZING! Look to the Lord in EVERY thought... doubt not... fear not.. (my addition) WHY not?!

This is way too long... and I have to go and preach but Thank you for those who took in my call to repentance and WROTE me and for those of you who didn't well... I'll forgive.

I love this Work... I love this Gospel... I love my family... I love my PERFECT Example Jesus Christ.

SEEK to do GOD'S will and anything you do CANNOT FAIL! maybe tested... but NEVER Fail... (1 Nephi 15:11)

Love,

Äldste Webster

P.S. President Snow is visiting us a week from tomorrow and I will be seeing Elder Jamon Winegar! SICK!

I'll send you pictures once I get some with him... DEAL? deal... too P-day is next tuesday so I will write then!

Until then...

Wad

Requests!

Oi mommy! well I can't remember if you said if you send me an Easter package but if you did I wasn't able to get it by Zone Conference. But if it was the one with connor, and T-hall's letters and the wedding pictures I got it and I loved it!

As far as the upcoming package goes... I would love it! Yeah just those socks... the watch and pictures of the NEW babies! That would be nice... but try and keep it under 4 lbs so I can get it quicker! Other than that just your love and prayers! I will try and send a package next week with the pictures! I just cant remember when the last pictures were until... But I'll get on it! HAIGH!

Letter to come....

Wad

One more thing...

Hey... so I love the CDS you sent me... But if I could get the 2006 efy CD and any other upbeat church music with lyrics... ya know.. for working out in the morning...

love you!

wad

Verkligen?! Kyrkan är sann‏

Well now the family is all married off, populating the world, and things back to normal! Now being the only single in the family I demand weekly... if not monthly letters! Ah... just trying to take advantage of this moment.. wont happen though. ANYWAYS.... Well last monday was amazing we got to watch the last session of general conference of the church computer with little tiny speakers coming out of the computer. Good times... for what I could hear... Grandfather did amazing! Who was the pictures that he showed... hard to tell they all look alike! Anyways... I'm glad to hear that Dad ordered an iPad.. I knew he would give in to apple someday... If you can all think back to the beginning of brazil... where we all had windows... And now were all converted to Macs! It's good to hear my family is officially converted! YES! The wedding pictures were amazing! By the way.. I wouldn'tie that sam wore... the same one I wore while getting my endowments... blue gray white stripes. Anywho....

This week has been quite the week!

Somayeh... one of our most progressing investigators came back from a vacation in Malmö and we have taught her much. After everything... she told us of her beliefs about Christ... but the miracle of it all was that when we said what we believe and what she needed to do to believe and find the same happiness that we have found... we could see the mighty change in heart that she had. The next teach we taught her about Baptism and how important of a step that is to be baptized... so we asked her if she would take that step once she got a confirmation that it was true and she said YES! Even though she is quite busy with school right now she said she would have a date by next time! It's AMAZING how much the message of the Atonement can really effect someones life! I have come to really appreciate the Hymn "I stand all Amazed" definitely one of my favorites!

Soumitro our man from bangladesh... he is doing awesome! He is starting to believe a lot more in God and using prayer to guide him in the Spiritual and temporal things of life and he and us have noticed a change in him and I am convinced it is because of the converting POWER of the Book of Mormon. He is really busy right now with school work but is making progress...

The phrase Attitute determines your Altitute really is very true! You can really notice the difference it makes when we contact, tract, and teach how when we seem happy, and when we bear our testimony... and link the two together... they are able to see how "whatever message they have... it brings them happiness" So even if you don't have good teaching or language skills... what matters most is the Love you show to the people you met every day that attracts them to the Gospel.

Birgit who is in her 70's and takes us in and listens to us have gotten eye surgery and is now able to READ! Even though she has grown up in the Swedish church... she accepted the challenge to read Alma 32 and pray to know if our message is true. It really is amazing to see that we really ARE here to find the prepared! This is our work... If we do OUR part to find the prepared.. the Lord will do his part and put him in our path!

Unfortunately bad news came this past week. Pan our New convert recieved a letter from the Swedish government and has been told to return to Thailand! This really made me sad how such an amazing woman full of Faith is now being sent home... so this week we will be meeting her to see what we can do to help spiritually and physically... I am hopefull that she will be able to continue in the Faith back in Thaiand!

Marvin our man from Peru is doing AWESOME! He came to general conference... came to church... and came up to me and asked me 2 questions... 1. "when can I get a temple recommend" 2. "Where do I get the tithing slip and who do I give it to?" Once again... I Stand All Amazed!

Toy who is from Thailand... we were able to meet and she is doing great as well... She said she reads out of the book of Mormon and then puts it under her buddha statue every night... (well... we are taking one step at a time....) But her husband has read in it. We have bad a tough time understanding Toy so we though to bring Pan along for one of the teaches! She said "that would be #1!" So we'll see how that goes!

We still hvae been visiting our less actives more and more and still standing all amazed when I saw Bosco and Peter (two less actives) come to church with white shirts and ties and suits on! The Lord really has been blessing us and we can really see the fruit of our labors!

Zone Conference was amazing! President talk was amazing on how we need to Match our will with Gods and a few things that we can do to not just be missionaries with authority.... but missionaries with POWER! Relating to elder Elder (Oaks?) talk in conference. AWESOME... Sister Anderson talked about using the FOURmat in teaching so that we can teach with more clarity and purpose And bearing testimony! the Assisstants talked about compaionship inventory and how to not make it awkward! haha it was kinda hillarious but well needed. And then the Zone leaders compared the Promise in Moroni 10:3-5 to weekly planning... although abstract... I really learned a lot from that. They took the Verbs out of that and said how relevant it was to weekly planning! AWESOME! President also told us all to prepare 5 minute talks on my reflections of the Atonement... and I was chosen! I was pretty nervous... but felt confident in my testimony... After that some elders came up to me and said "how do you feel about being senior next transfer" apparently who pres calls to talk is a sign... AND I AM NOT READY FOR THAT SIGN! haha well... if thats true I hope the lord will prepare me sufficiently!

Other than that my companion is taking naps... just during study... but now he took a step further and slept right after lunch through weekly planning... hmmm... wasn't that fun but I thank you all for your advice! We are getting along and stuff and Mom thank you so much for that scripture!

I love you all and thanks for all you do! Stay the same! Thanks for the pictures and stuff!

P.S. David, Br's, Dan & Laura, Sam.... thanks for writing... wait.. "You've changed"

Love,

Äldste Wad

Glad Påsk!‏

Glad Påsk(Glahd Pohsk) allihopa! What an interestingly fun week this has been! Thanks to all of those who wrote me and those pictures of you all are soooo CUTE! By the way I was thinking about Brazil today.... and Mom... remember when Nelly stole your shoes? hahaha! Anyways...

Well this week has just been filled with inspiration, guidance and love for ALL of God's children! This week we were able to teach Marvin about the priesthood and get him stoked for that and tell him about General Conference! He was so excited to hear that he would have the chance to listen to ALL of the sessions! We were able to promise him that he would recieve some type of answer to his prayers if he came in with a questions. A couple of days later he called us and asked us if he could contact people on the streets WITH us to see how we talk to people and communicate to people about something that hasn't played a big role in their life. he LOVED it! It was amazing to see HIM ask some REALLY deep questions to people on the street. After we contacted a person that really didn't want to hear what we have to say Marvin commented to us... "These people really need to be prespared to recieve this message dont they? I WAS!" haha he is AWESOME. His testimony really grew to see that he was EXACTLY LIKE those people before he took in the lessons and he was able to see how much he really had changed for the BETTER! That was AMAZING!

We have also been visiting one of our less-actives who is a priesthood holder named Peter. After our visit he called us and asked us if he could help us out with teaching our investigators! That made my heart SWELL when he said that. It really is amazing to see how much a person can change if he is humble and receptive to the spirit telling him what he needs to do!

Unfortunately one of our African investigators named Baba we had to drop because he kept falling through. We were able to teach a woman from Thailand and she brought her husband with to the library and they are both interested finding out more about Jesus Christ and his teachings! We had a Book of Mormon in Thai and in Swedish and they were really thankful! We told them to read it and ask to know if it's true and they said they would!

One of our investigators named Tony really likes the Book of Mormon when we reads it. But everytime we go to his house he never remembers to read and pray by himself. And he says he doesn't have the time. So we have decided to let him go a little bit more because we know that the Lord has prepared people for us and that these people won't need to be convinced to read or pray but they will know. Our other recent convert Pan is doing great and just has troubles with her husband and friends against the church and they tell her to leave it about every other day. But she tells us that she ignores them and says that they don't understand what the church is like and if they read the Book of Mormon, they will know why Pan looks, seems, and acts better now as a member of God's church! These people really have been prepared it's amazing!

We were able to visit a new investigator for about 15 min and we asked her if she was able to read the Book of Mormon. She said she read the book and she didn't have it with her. We were kind of bummed to hear that it wasn't at her house but right after that she told us that she had given it to a friend to read and that she wants to meet us as well the next time! AWESOME! Claudette has 4 children and so we are really looking forward to see where that goes!

Other than that we made fliers and advertised for General Conference to all of the less-actives and investigators we had! This General conference was really amazing and inspiring and answered so many of my prayers! I know that the power of prayer is SO REAL and we really have to keep a prayer in out heart at all times to recognize the answers to the questions we asked! With a focus on the Savior I really was touched to have my mind refreshed on WHY I am here as Jesus Christ's representative and what kind of feeling of Happiness, Peace, Comfort, and eternal HOPE this message WILL bring to all of those that are already PREPARED! It was amazing to see how much the general authorities talked about Families and how it all starts from there! That is so TRUE.

If I did not have a family that supported me and taught me what I know today... I would DEFINITELY be a different person!

I'm so grateful for all of your examples to me of Love! I wasn't able to watch grandfather but I will today for P-day! I am so excited to hear his message and am so glad that the family is ALL doing great! I love you all and Happy Birthday to Laurie and David in a few weeks... and.... yeah!

Thanks for the pictures! I love you all to death. But I'm going to go declare some souls unto repentance now...

PEACE!

Äldste Wad