October 14, 2013 Weekly Report to President Bell

President Bell,

This week we found 2 new investigators:

Sheryl and Forrest. They live next to a potential we had tried visiting but were not home. We had a lesson with them the day after we met them. A stellar lesson 1! They seemed touched by the Restoration. Sheryl has many questions about religion in general and we hope to answer them and help her find the answers as best we can. They both accepted the challenge to read and pray about The Book of Mormon. They did not make it to church but we will help them attend next week.

Alvin and Katy: Katy had to babysit her nephews all week and did not get a chance to read any more, but she promised to this week, and wants to meet with us again on Thursday. Alvin found work, which is great news, and hopefully they can come out to church as a result of that.

Richard has been making little to no progress and we are worried he does not have a desire to know of the Church's truthfulness.

Lancy: has still not been able to come to church (like all our investigators) but we plan on teaching him more about the Sabbath day since that was missing from his Teaching Record and we hope to see him later tonight to read the account of Ammon and King Lamoni since we thought it may be helpful to give him a deeper witness that God helps those who exercise faith in Him.

Those have been our main focuses lately. We keep trying to see Brenda, but we feel there is some trepidation she has in meeting with us, namely her brother being a devout Methodist minister, but we are doing everything we can to help her feel the Spirit so she can have a desire to meet with us and learn more.

Everything else is going great. The Lord has truly been good to us. We Love You!

Obrigado,

Elder Weaver

Pics From The Mission

October 7, 2013

These pics are from our last Zone Meeting.  I'm going to miss Elder Stopper, but on the plus side we have Sister Beus in our District now who is a VISA waiter for Brazil, tambem!

Last Zone Meeting #1

Last Zone Meeting #2

Here are some pictures of the Lovely State of Kansas.

Sunset #1

Sunset #2

Sunset #3

These are pictures of some scripture boxes I made for my paperback proselyting scriptures.

Paperback Proselyting Scriptures #1

Paperback Proselyting Scriptures #2

Paperback Proselyting Scriptures #3

I Have Not Heard Anything Regarding My VISA

Dear Family & Friends,

As far as clothes go, I think I'm fine. There's a thrift store in Wellington I can get another suit coat if I need it. Thank you though and I will let you know if things get cold. It just barely started cooling down. The weather has been 80-100 degrees every day until about the last few days. It feels nicer now that it is starting to cool down now.

I have not heard anything regarding my VISA. We shall see. That is right. I LOVED Conferencia Geral! I really loved when Elder Nelson said, "You never stop being a Child of God." These men are truly prophets of God. I can't believe today is President Monson's wedding anniversary. We didn't have a lot at the church, only 3 others. But hopefully some of our investigators watched it online! I also loved all of the talks (there were quite a few), which spoke on the separate, yet complementary, roles of men and women, and how EACH is vital to the other. Putting God FIRST was also another common theme that stood out to me. The best part of conference is not listening to it, but living it now that we have received it.

Also, this week, we went up to Wichita on Transfer Day because they wanted us to trade in our truck. We got a new 2014 Chevy Cruze, light gold. We named her Sadie :) I got to see Elder Holbrook and other missionaries again, which was nice. President Bell gave each of us a big hug, too.

Yes, there are so many missionaries out now! The emphasis on missionary work from this conference was awesome, too!

Yep, that's Elder Evans, ha ha. I'm glad the youth got to go to the Temple. They need to go as much as they possibly can. I Love how President Packer said that we wish the youth didn't have to grow up in a world like this, and yet he spoke of how optimistic and happy he is for the future. May we have such faith. I also, know what President Uchtdorf said is true. We must always doubt our doubts before we doubt our faith.

I am grateful for the opportunity I have had to study Jesus The Christ. I have truly drawn nearer to my Savior. I often wondered why He has so many names, and Elder Talmage talks about how each name the Savior is a title he has for his different roles. He has done so many different things for us. I know he Lives. I testify alongside the centurion when I say, "Truly this was the Son of God."

I Love each of you. May the Good Lord bless and keep you, that He may seal you forever His, and we may see each other and be together at that day is my humble prayer.

Te Amo,

Elder Tecelao (Weaver)

Here Is My Report Letter To President Bell 10-7-2013

President Bell,

This week had some great blessings!

Katy: Our new investigator accepted the invitation to be baptized on November 9th after being taught lesson 1!!! She read all the way to 2 Nephi 16 between visits and said she feels good about what she read and we taught. She will continue to read and pray this week! We know the Lord is so excited for her.

Richard: Moving along slowly, but surely. He watched part of Conference with his wife, Bonnie. He said he liked the speakers and we testified of modern prophets and priesthood authority. He said he will read and pray on his own this week. He has been moved off baptismal date, until he keeps more of his commitments.

Lancy: He's been feeling sick, but we shared a little about Conference and he agreed to watch some of it on his own. He still struggles with overcoming certain Word of Wisdom issues, but he still has a sincere desire to be baptized. We plan on reading Alma 17 with him and sharing how God works by miracles. Hopefully that will help him take the leaps of faith he needs.

Brenda: Unfortunately Brenda was sick when we stopped by, but we will try her again this week.

I Love being a missionary. I know I say this in every letter, but I Love being in the Kansas Wichita Mission!  The greatest mission in the world (until I get my Visa).

Thank you for all you and Sister Bell Do!

Te Amamos

Elder Weaver

I Do Live With Members

September 30, 2013

Dear Family & Friends,

I do live with members. They're called the Brundages. They are lovely people. So nice, and they're both converts with super solid testimonies. The work is progressing all right. I think, and Elder Evans has expressed the same sentiment, that a big part of my work here is not only working with investigators and less-active members, but also working with the Ward. We are probably verging on being a Branch again, but we won't let that happen! Our Ward, I feel, has desires to be missionaries and hasten the work, but they don't know how. In response to this, Elder Evans and I held a special missionary training on the 5th Sunday (yesterday) with the approval of the Bishop. In fact I explain that a little in my letter to President Bell, here:

“President Bell,

Elder Evans and I are Loving being missionaries in the Wellington Ward! As we stated in our 12-Week Call-In, our biggest accomplishment lately (and probably this transfer) has been a combined Relief Society/Priesthood missionary training we held yesterday. Elder Evans and I had felt strongly about this meeting for a few weeks and it took time to plan during our companionship studies. We both felt very guided by The Spirit as we conducted this meeting. The idea was just to get members excited about being Missionaries. We showed them the District training video "The Importance of Members" to emphasize how vitally we value their missionary efforts. There was a lot of class participation during our discussions. We also asked Sister Lawrence, to participate in a role-play with us where she invited her friend to attend a Relief Society activity. She did an excellent job, and everyone benefited from seeing her practice her faith to invite friends to receive the gospel of Jesus Christ. After this meeting we had about 6 people ask us for Books of Mormon and/or pamphlets they could hand out to their friends or referred us to less-active members or others we should see. Ultimately, we felt The Holy Ghost testify to us that what we did was right with this meeting.

We also have some new investigators: Katy a girlfriend of Alvin Crippen who is a less-active member referred to us by Brother Albert. She had actually been bugging Alvin to take her to the Mormon Church because she says she has tried and not liked every other Church, so we are working with them! Shauna is another investigator we met last night. Says she doesn't really understand why God allowed her Father to die. We taught part of the plan of salvation. We will see her again on Thursday to share that lesson more fully. Brenda is not technically a new investigator because it is difficult to set a definite return appointment with her schedule, but we drop in when we can. Richard, and Mario and Christy, and Lancy are not really keeping all of their commitments to read, pray, and come to church, but they read a little on their own, and in our visits they seem to be opening up to us more. Some progress is better than none, I guess. We've also been meeting with less-active and members such as Sister Shaw, Sister Goodenough, and The Maxwells trying to booster their faith in Christ and commitment to come to Church and share the gospel.

Como Sempre, Te Amo!

Elder Weaver”

Sorry to hear it's been icky for you. And I appreciate Nanie telling me that. It matters to me because it matters to her. You get up at 3 to exercise?  That's so much dedication. My exercise regiment sometimes consists of me getting up at 6:30 AM moving to the couch for a few minutes and then yelling "GET CUT! EH!" as I run and jump on the pull-up bar after 3 pull-ups. I need to be better about the whole exercise thing. Yes, we are going to our building where the Ward meets in Wellington (about 20 minutes from where I live) to see Conference! Yes, we as missionaries get the Ensign sent to us it may come a week or two late or early, but it always comes :) Thanks; I'll have to check those articles out! I LOVE GENERAL CONFERENCE! It is hard for me to believe that the Conference where the age-change was lowered enabling me to submit my mission paper work sooner happened a year ago. It does not seem like a year ago that I was sitting on Brad's couch in my pajamas eating a bowl of cereal as I watched a smile crack upon the face of the Lord's anointed servant as he informed the world that this marvelous change would take place. I erupted into tears answering affirmatively every phone call that came directly after that announcement was made. I just want to (even though I know I can't do it enough) emphasize how REAL this is. I am glad to read you are teaching from "Come Follow Me" those young women will value your testimony forever, even if they don't realize that now. They will. Those points from Preach My Gospel are so important. Success is not measured in numbers, but by those things. When you feel The Spirit working through you to bring others closer to Christ, which is when you know you are doing your job. That applies not only to full-time missionaries, but all members. Thank you so much for your letter. I loved hearing your comforting words and seeing the letter Elder Cervantes sent you. I know his name will be had in fame in my journal when my children ask me one day about my mission and life and how I came to be the way I was today. His name shall have a place of prominence that I know my children and myself will be grateful for forever. I Love All Of You. One Hymn I have been singing a lot lately is "Love At Home." While true, I am far from home, Elder Evans and I are in a home of our own, and when there is Love At Home the whole world is filled with Love. That is so important. We do need to have the name of Christ written permanently written on our hearts. I pray for each and every one of you every day. I Love You. Another hymn I have been singing is "Lead, Kindly Light." The night is dark and I am far from Home. I used to Love to see my way, but now: Lead Thou Me ON! And of course, another song I have been singing is, "Homeward Bound." I am so glad you all have "Set me free to find my calling." I know I shall "Return to You Somehow" and we will be better for it. God wants us to have Joy :)

Fique Bom!

Com Amor, Sempre, E Nas Eternidades,

Elder Weaver

This Week Was Splendid

September 23, 2013

Dear Family & Friends,

This week was splendid!

Christy - We had a marvelous member-present lesson with our investigator Christy. Sister Johnson showed up and briefly shared her testimony with her. She also invited Christy over for dinner sometime this week with us and we could have a lesson taught in their home. Mario and Christy both loved the idea, but they're working to get a night of work where they can take their whole family! They didn't make it to church because Christy was watching her nephew and had to return him to Wichita on Sunday.

Richard - had been showing waning interest. So, Elder Evans and I brought him back to his original question of which Church has the authority to baptize, and he agreed to read The Book of Mormon this week and watch General Conference in the coming weeks.

Ruth - We taught lesson 1 to Ruth, one of our new investigators, and we all felt the Spirit so strongly. She expresses some trepidation over coming to Church because her husband is a staunch Catholic, but she said that she would most definitely read and pray about The Book of Mormon! She was also interested in modern prophets.

Brenda - is a potential investigator we had referred to us by a former member of ward who has recently moved. Brenda is a nurse and works almost every day, but she agreed to receive missionary lessons this week. We stopped by to visit her and just gave her an overview of what we would teach because she was curious as to what to expect. We left her with pamphlets for lessons 1 and 2 and a Book of Mormon. Hopefully we can teach her this week.

I Love Being a Missionary! I am so lost, I know exactly who I am! :)

Te Amo!

Elder Weaver

Our Area Is Made Up Of Multiple Towns

September 17, 2013

Dear Family & Friends,

The Ward is TINNNNNNNYYYYY. But we attend ward council. Which was frightening at first because Elder Eliason told me how he used to attend ward council and they would spend half an hour talking about which side the hymnals should go into the slots, but my Ward Council is pretty legitimate.

I drive a white truck. A Chevy Colorado ironically from the Colorado Springs Mission. I drove it all the way from Wichita, which was like an hour away. And I hadn't driven in 3 months, so that was scary but fun!

Our area is made up of multiple towns...well they appear on maps like towns...but they're more like farms with a couple of people living near each one. We drive 30 minutes to get to church in Wellington. We have a lot of miles allotted to us for the car, but it's usually not enough to visit every place, so we get rides from members and ration out miles. Also we have a rotation as to which places we visit on each day (which we are thinking of switching up soon).

I Love it at night here though, there are so many stars, which is more than in the city of Wichita. We teach a few investigators, but mostly we have potentials we visit and less-active members. I am really out of place here, because there are pretty much only white people here. Don't get me wrong, I Love white people, but white people are the WORST!  Everyone is "busy" when we stop by. Black people in Kansas are way more inviting and would let us in most of the time.

We teach Richard who is married to a less-active member Bonnie. We are on Lesson 2 with him and committed him to baptism. He struggles to read and pray, but likes reading with us.

Lancy is a half-native American guy we teach who has been meeting with missionaries off-and-on for 2 years. He has a testimony of The Book of Mormon and he knows the Church is true. He always loves to hear about the Savior coming to America. He Loves the Prophet Joseph Smith. He wants to be baptized, but he struggles to quit smoking and he makes a lot of money on Sundays (being a tattoo artist). So we are working with him to set a goal for baptism and how he can overcome these things.

Mario and Christy: These two are interested in learning more, but never seem to have time to read, so we are trying to help them with that. We had probably the best member-present lesson I've ever been in with Brother Brundage last week. It was so powerful. We are going to try finishing up lesson 1 with them next week.

Troy: He doesn't have an interest in investigating the Church, but he has fallen on some hard times, so we share scriptures with him and visit him every so often because he needs company and we feel that (even if it is indirectly) we are bringing him closer to Christ, and every time I have visited with him he seems to open up a little bit more and make a little bit more progress.

Before I go, I need to testify about the Atonement. It is ONLY through the Atonement of Jesus Christ that we can receive a remission of our sins. I Love the Gospel. I Love how simply The Lord laid these truths out to those who will partake. The Lord loves us. He is the well of Living Water, a well that will never run dry. We can in no way "use up" the Atonement of Christ. It is true He suffered in Gethsemane, however He is happy and has immense joy when we use the Atonement because it is to that end that he performed that Sacred, Infinite, and Eternal Act. The Atonement was our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ's ultimate expression of Love to us. I Love You All! And may we so live as to be worthy to merit some mercy of this the great Atonement is my humble prayer that I give in the name of He who suffered in Gethsemane, even Jesus Christ. Amen.

Also, Mom, I Love You, and I hope you have a stellar week! Please tell the family I Love them too! I Love the Brazilian candy you sent me ;) I am glad Nani and Dad is bonding :) I am glad Ashley is serving a mission, and I am glad that Allison is making decisions in her Life!  I Love You All!

Perseverar,

Elder Weaver