Happy Mother's Day!

Well family I honestly don't know what to tell you. I just talked to you yesterday but....

I am so thankful for all of those who were able to make it to the Call and it was AMAZING to hear you voices! Good to hear that Dad is STILL going crazy in the head about the House in Mantua but there is no opposition to the idea on this end of the world! Let me know about that!

Well... this week was amazing because I was able to visit with Elder and Sister Teixeira and they left everyone in the room with their Jaws DROPPING! It was amazing. He does a really good job opening missionary's eyes to see that missionary work is a lot more than just Contacting and Tracting but that the LORD has prepared the people here in Sweden just as much in Brasil! which was an amazing reminder to me on how I felt at the beginning of my mission!

Highlights were that we were able to get a baptismal Date with Princess for the 22nd of May but she texted us a few days later and Satan did what he does best and tried her MUCH! So we will be keeping in touch with her and trying to get her baptized! We then had the Twins we found come to church and they came in suit and white shirt and tie and EVERYTHING! it was awesome! The members were there and really took them in well! They couldn't stay after but asked us to give them more to read because they finished their reading already! They also asked when the next time was that we would meet so we will be meeting them tomorrow and we will see if they have the desire to be Baptized! It is looking really positive!

Anyways... that stinks that Jake and Ailin and the BRS and Laurie and Laura and baby Mac I couldnät talk to... but meh... it's alright... we'll talk in SEVEN months! HAIGH! Well.. I forgive you all... that just means that you have the chance to WRITE me more... RIGHT?! Oh...

Well family I love you all... the Gospel is true and it is the ONLY WAY back to our Heavenly Father. I'm glad I have the family that I have... Don't change... just multiply and replenish the earth!

Love your one and only,

Äldste Wad

(See letter and picture below! Fun things!)

Happy Mother's Day

I just got this email today... The Teixeira's were able to visit Sweden last week and had an "ADAM SIGHTING"!!! Sister Teixeira was so sweet to email this to me!
A little tender mercy, I'd say! I LOVE IT

Dear Sylvia,

I have the best present ever...a special photo of

Elder Webster in Sweden!

We just return from a wonderful mission tour there.

He is doing great. We loved being with him.

Happy Mothers Day!

Love,

Sister Teixeira

Hey there good lookin...

This has been a really good week and am so thankful for the Lord's hand in this work. Highlights of the week was that Marvin our recent convert received the priesthood on Sunday and after we ordained him he just took a deep breath and just said WOW! He shook our hands and gave us hugs and talked to me after and said that he was really filled with this sudden urge to Love everyone and really felt so good! It has really been a humbling experience to see the Converting POWER of the Atonement and how much the Gospel can change a person's life for the better. Pan... after a few rough weeks with the government issue she decided to come to church and that was an amazing chance to finally see her taking the sacrament after trial upon trial had been coming upon her. Our two new converts are doing great and staying strong! I think what really helped is calling members to come with on the visits so that they have someone there for them when they come to church.

Wednesday we had the amazing opportunity to be with the assisstants for a day and exchange words of advice at the end. Elder Bennion was my companion and really showed me how exciting and happy you really need to be to not only TELL... but SHOW people that the Gospel brings Happiness! We were able to contact into a man who was a previous investigator but hadn't been in contact because he was in the hospital. We taught him that night and he is reading and praying and starting out fresh. Should have potential for a Baptismal date sometime.

Another one of our highlights. After a day filled with finding work we were tracting our last building. As we rang this persons doorbell, this swedish... in his 20's male came to the door and was interested to hear what we had to say... he took us in and after we took off our shoes I looked up and this guy decided to greet me again... it was weird but I shook his hand anyways and then walked in their living room. Come to find out that that man was not weird... but that they were TWINS! Long story short.. we taught them the first lesson, taught them how to pray and they said they would do it. We came back a few days later and they both had read and prayed and had questions on the exact thing we had planned to teach them the second time! It was amazing to teach them and really be blessed to find these 2 agnostic swedish brothers that are accepting our message and applying it! It was amazing!

After we had our correlation meeting on thursday the mission leader and relief society leader didn't think we would be able to celebrate Valborg (the kings birthday where people make huge bon fires and set off fireworks) in time. But that night the branch president called us and said he was willing to do it if we could find investigators to come. So we called people that night and the next day had an amazing time where members came, the recent converts each brought a friend, and two investigators showed up! It was out of nowhere but we made it happen!

Somayeh is getting closer to a date but has decided that she has to get a testimony of Christ being the Son of God before she goes any further. So we will be showing her the Restoration and emphasizing the importance on praying about the Book of Mormon to know if Christ is the Son of God and if Joseph Smith was a prophet. Our investigators have been busy with their last minute school things but they are progressing none the less!

Äldste Barlow is doing great and is doing more and more finding work every day. Things are going well here in Växjö and trying to get these investigators in the WATER!

There is really not much else to say about this week but thats awesome to hear about my Jazz homies and of course the Lakers probably beat them... what else is new? That stake conference sounded AMAZING! That must have been an amazing experience to hear all of them! Well I'm not going to say that much because I have decided to call all of you at 7:30 am YOUR TIME which is actually 3:30 pm here. (8 hour difference) sooo next week.. sorry it's a little inconvenient for you all but if you really want to talk to me you will make it! :) the 16th would have been too late at night for me... so I hope you guys can all make it then and expect a call next sunday at 7:30 am. But you all should think of questions so we dont waste time huh?! I probably should too. Oh well. Well I will be seeing Elder Teixeira on Wednesday so I am looking forward to that and I'll let you know how it goes!

Well family I love you a bunch and I hope I get to hear the little one's voices!

Love always,

Äldste Wad

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