Death Bringer

Kamusta Kayo

Well I have finished the first third of my mission, and am excited for the next one. I have noticed a lot of growth and am excited to see how much more I grow in the coming weeks. 

This week could be categorized as bittersweet. We had some really good opportunities and events happen, but more disappointments. But nothing too major. Most of the disappointments have come from appointments falling through and investigators not keeping their commitments. Some have legitimate excuses. This week for example we had some sicknesses of children of investigators so we either couldn't teach them or they couldn't go to church. Others just don't want to. Those are the most frustrating but at least they are sometimes honest with us. 

We met a less active family this week, they had some really unfortunate circumstances. They were super active, sealed and all that good stuff. The husband was a branch president. But they had some legal and family troubles with a member of the branch and decided to attend church at the Catholic church. They still know the church is true. Breaks my heart to see petty matters like family feuds get in the way of enjoying membership in the church. But they said they would love to still see us and visit with us. 

Wednesday we went to go dedicate another grave for a nonmember father of a member in our branch who is a teacher at the new MTC in Manila. He called me death bringer because since I have been here I have blessed two people on their death bed and they die. Great name huh? "Death bringer" 

On Friday we had a Zone Conference, where we learned from Pres. Bleissner. He taught us about stuff he learned from Elder Nelson when he was here for the Mission president's seminar and dedication of the MTC. It was really, really cool and a  spiritual boost for this transfer. 

Sunday was a really really interesting day. We started off with our weekly coordination meeting with the Branch President, which went fairly smoothly. Then afterwards there was an "investigator" who visited our branch because his baptist congregation was closed or something. So we talked with him after church. At first he had some really good questions, like what religion was Joseph Smith before he started this church and what are temples and where is Ohio, Utah? So after answering those questions he wanted to start and show off some of his knowledge. Some of it... well most of it was nonsense. Like, the Arc of the Covenant was buried under the hill Calvary and some of the blood of Christ dripped down on it somehow and now scientists believe in God. At this point I realized he probably just googled (<- not a real word apparently) some things and read what ever the internet had to say. Because, 1. Scientists don't believe in God. and 2. Indiana Jones found the Arc of the Covenant in a desert and Judea is not a desert. I was really glad when the Branch council meeting was started because we were able to say sorry we have to go. But that was probably one of the conversations I will never forget. Especially when he said it was sad that the people living in Alaska had to change nationalities when we bought it from the Russians. (He also was fascinated with Alaska.)

But the up points of the the Sunday: we had one of our investigators that we have been working with for a while came to church. It was super awesome and he said he really enjoyed it. But we just found out that he is not married to his live in, but luckily they shouldn't have any paper problems they both have lived here for like 50 years or more, so a marriage will be easy.  

Thanks for the Shakey’s. We got some today. (We sent him some money for Easter for him and his companion to get some pizza) It was really good. We were deciding whether to get a large or regular size of pizza. The difference being two slices per person. When we finished I looked at him and said, “we shoulda got the party size.” He looked at me and said,”You coulda finished the party size.” He is really funny and loves to work. The companionship is really great so far and I hope it just keeps getting better. 

Well that was that for this week and excited for more adventures this coming week. Thank you for your prayers of support on my behalf and for the missionaries in general, they are well received. The church is still true and the work is still strong. 

Love,

Elder Westenskow