September 30, 2013 

Dear Family.

How is everybody, Lauren with driving, dad with politics, and mom with her homemaking projects?

Everyone asks me what I want to study when I get home and I tell them that I would like to either be a sports therapist or go into politics. It’s funny to see the response because everyone thinks that politicians just rob money from the people. They tell me to stick to being a sports therapist. But we’ll see what happens.

This week we had a lot of meetings with ward leaders. There just never seems like there is enough time as a missionary to do all of the things they ask us. Right now we are working as the Elders quorum counselors. That keeps us busy.  I have gained a great testimony of working with leaders., and understanding that our priesthood leaders have been given priesthood keys to lead and to give counsel.

We had a priesthood activity last Saturday where we invited all of the men with the higher priesthood. We shared a lesson about being prepared for conference and for helping others enjoy conference. We shared the Sept message from Elder Anderson in the Ensign. He shared a story about a member trying to share the gospel with a neighbor and they brought up the theme of general conference. The neighbor asked the member why they have conference, the member responded because that is when we have the chance to hear from our living latter day prophets. The neighbor then asked, ¨well what did they say to you last conference?  The man froze in shame, as he could not recall. After his encounter with his neighbor he vowed to listen to what the living prophets had to say the next conference.

We then gave out paper to everyone and to write down 2 questions for conference. We felt that this was one of the most important things that we could have shared is to help the members receive their own revelation. Everyone told us that we did a very nice job with the whole presentation. The Elders quorum president said he was surprised by how well we did. We definitely gained his confidence. After that we ate.

The next day we had a nice church service. The bishop talked about rescuing. He shared my favorite verses from the Book of Mormon, Alma 26. He then shared my favorite scripture verse 12 which talks about through the strength of the Lord we can do all things. I shared with everyone that this was my favorite scripture before the mission, and that my testimony had been confirmed about this scripture after 2 years. It was pretty amazing.

My package arrived! It was a pretty awesome package. I’m very grateful! Thanks so much.

I’ll try to bring home some candy for Lauren.

Thanks Family for everything. I’ll see you next week. Next week are changes so I’ll be writing on Tuesday.

Love Elder Webster

September 22nd

Hey Family, How`s everyone doing? I`m doing amazing here in Artigas. We had a really positive turn out at the church yesterday. we had 143 come. In June President gave us the goal of doubling our assistance. In June we were having 100 people on averege. and we want to reach 200 by years end. so right now we are on track. I now feel like I`m really doing my part in helping in the work. before it felt like everyone was just in a compitition to see who could baptize the most. and it caused a lot of problems. but now the focus is in rescueing our brothers and sisters that are lost. and working with our ward leaders and become one. So far we have been seeing really positive results. The Stake President called us to be the Counsolars to our Elders Queorem president. Its been fun working with him. Yesterday I gave the lesson in Elders querom. Which was pretty fun. Sometimes its a little weird teaching a lone and not having your companion to help you out but its something that I`m just going to have to get used to it. but working in the Elders Quorem is pretty fun. Its fun working with the other elders in the ward. right now we do not have a lot of active elders so we are working a lot on helping activate some other elders. This last week we had a BBQ. and we talked and taught about how to give some of the Priesthood blessings. very cool. 

One of our investigators that we have is leaving town and going to work in Monte Video for about a month. He had been to church 2 and he and his wife were planning on getting baptized my last week in Uruguay. but now he is leaving, I`m a little bummed that he left especially because I have been teaching him and his family for over 4 months now. And now that they have just been going to church. well I`m sure god has a plan for this family. I know it`ll all work out in the end. 

IMPORTANT. The mission is telling me know that they had a few problems with the travel plans of all of the missionaries of our group. and that they haven`t sent any of the release information to any of the Stake Presidents. but they told me that they will just send it with us when we go home and that I will personally give it to my stake President. 

Well family. I love you guys a lot. and I hope all is well. I`m trying to work hard up to the last second as a missionary. but I`m enjoying it. and I`m happy to see progress in my area and in my ward. 

Love Elder Webster

September 16th

Dear Family, Well how is everyone doing? 

I`m doing good, trying to do my best to finish strong. I`m doing a really good job of not getting trunky. Its a little embarrassing seeing some of these other missionaries end their missions.  

I also feel like god is not letting get trunky. Every day I feel like there is something more I need to do. We are now trying to work with a lot of the less actives that are in our ward. We`ve been seeing little sparks of hope here and there, and we have been seeing lots of members return. 

It was raining a lot this last weekend. which affected our Church assistance a little. we were usually having 120, but this week we had 85. Which was really good because usually when it rains everyone just decides to stay home and not get wet. I guess it is a little bit harder when everyone walks to the church. We have it pretty good in the U.S. to be able to drive to the church every week. We had two less active families come to church. Everyone was pretty happy to see these two families. 

unfortunately the Familia Rodriguez could not come because of the rain. They didn`t want their little kids to get sick (Uruguayans are really touchy when it comes to weather. because they are horrified of getting sick) but it was quite a bummer because We had a really great lesson with the mom this week(Laura). We shared a little about the Restoration. and we talked a little about Joseph Smith and how he had a question and that he needed an answer. After we shared this with her she started commenting about Church and that when she went she felt a peace, and that it wasn`t like any other thing she had ever experienced. She talked about how she wanted to do be baptized in this church. We were a little disappointed that she and her family didn`t come. 

But today I was reading in 1 Nefi chapter 3 about Nefi and his brothers and how they had to go to Jerusalem 3 times to try to get the plates from Laban. sometimes we are more like laman and lemuel and want to give up after the first time we try something. but we need to be more like nefi and be more persistant. I like what nefi says 15. 

I think they`ll send me my travel plans tomorrow. I`m pretty sure I sent the records to President Bangether. Thats the information that I gave them when they asked me about all of that. 

Whats going on with the friend of Lauren, is she still taking the lessons? 

Well I love you family. try not to get trunky. I still have a lot of time left in the mission.

Love Elder Webster

September 9th

Hello Family. Another week has passed by flying, we had a huge heat wave here in Uruguay. especially here in Artigas, where we are in the northest part of Uruguay, and it just gets hotter the farther north you go.  This was a pretty good week. but it felt like we did a lot of walking. Right now we are working a lot in the "rescue" of the people here in our ward. The goal is to double the attendence of the ward. When they gave us the goal we had 100 people. so we are trying  to get to 200 people attending church before years end. This last Sunday we had 120. so we've gone up 20. but we still have a lot to go. 

 

This week we helped a woman go to church who haden't been in over 5 years. She's been going through a tough time with her husband and she also has a child with a mental handicap. which is tough. 'we had a lesson with her where we shared 1nephi chapter 2. 1-7 Where god calls Lehi to leave his home in Jerusalem and to go into the Desert. God did this in order to save his family. This Sister was so worried about her son and his handicap that she said that she knew what she needed to do to help her son. and that was to go to church. It was great seeing her in church.

 

We also had a chance to help a lot of the active member families this week. Including the family of the bishop. Obispo Lopez. and the Familia Paz. We both shared the first Chapter of the the book of mormon with them. and changed the names of Lehi and his family and put the names of all of the people in the family. It sure does change our perspective when we are putting our families in the book, and not just strangers.

 

I really feel good with helping the ward reactivate families, but we are struggling with all of our investigators. I'm praying that we can have one more baptism before I leave.

 

Im trying really hard to finish my mission strong, Please Pray for me this last couple of weeks that I have left.

 

Answers. I don't know anything yet about travel plans. I just know I should be home October 10. That Thursday night or Friday in the morning. but I'm not really 100% sure yet.

Love you Family.

Elder Webster

September 2nd 

Hola family. How`s everyone doing. It`s pretty strange to hear our family going to pineview games now. but I`ll have to admit their games are fun to watch. but I`m doing good here in Artigas. I`m very happy that I get to end my mission here. It was pretty tough saying goodbye to my son Elder Evans. but its part of the mission. My new companion is named Elder Call. From pleseant view Utah. or Weber. He`s really tall. 6 5. so now there are two really blond headed missionaries strolling around artigas. How awesome is that. We are sure to get some attention now.

 

This was a pretty good week for us. We are really working hard with a family(family Rodriguez) that are investigating the church. The parents are both reading the book of mormon but have a problem getting to church. President Smith gave us some advise in helping our investigators get to church. In zone conference he talked about giving tours of the church for the people who are investigating the church. We gave a tour to this family and we explained all of the simbolism that there is in the church. we also showed the baptismal font and in that moment we felt the spirit really strongly. after that we showed them the sacrament room. and explained the importance of the sacrament. It was a really great experience. and the results were that they all went to church the next day.

 

We also helped reactivate a family that haven`t gone to church in over 2 years. HOY ES EL DIA. or Today is the Day. Thats the motto for the mission. god is quickening his work today.

 

I`m loving the mission right now. I feel like I`m at home glued to the tv screen playing a video game and all of a sudden mom yells at me saying ¨Chase come take out the trash¨  I yell back, ¨mom and can`t leave my game, I`m saving the world¨

Thats how I feel as a missionary. I can`t leave, I`m out saving the world.

 

Packages. I don`t think I need anything.

 

but with laurens friend Jaden. I don`t know if she has gone to church before, but I think if you did a tour. that would help her feel more comfortable. and let her know where she is going to be. what she is going to do, and with who. That helped us out this week.

 

Thanks Family. I love you all.

 

Question. Are there any types of Souvenirs  that you guys want? I need to start planning a little.

August 27th

Hola family,

Well, we just had changes and Elder Evans is leaving and I’m staying here in Artigas. I’m going to finish my mission here in Artigas. I’m pretty excited about that. This has been my favorite area so far. I am a little sad that Elder Evans is leaving. I’m going to miss him a lot. Training was really fun and I feel like I learned a lot more this time as a trainer, and I can’t believe that these two transfers have gone by so fast.

We helped two inactive families come back to church this weekend. We were so happy to see that the first people at church that day were these two families…even though it was on the coldest day that we have seen here in Artigas. I love the mission. I’ve been doing a lot of jump rope these past two changes and I really feel like I’m in a lot better shape now.

Right now, we are working with three different families. I’m really hoping that one of these progresses. They are all reading and praying about the Book of Mormon. This week we are going to do a tour of the church with all three of these families. It should be great. People always feel the spirit when they take a tour of the church. We show them the different rooms and the baptismal font and the sacrament room and the different things that we do there. We also explain the sacrament and why we take it every week.

That’s awesome what Lauren is doing to help her friend. I’m very proud of her. I’m glad that she is enjoying high school.

Elder Evans was showing me some of the pictures that he had from the MTC in Buenos Aires. In one of the pictures I saw Courtney Weeks (volley ball player from DHHS) its one of the friends of Berkley Bundy. I guess she is serving in Paraguay. I had no idea. I guess I’m really out of touch with a lot of my friends.

Well thanks family, I love you all.

Elder Webster

August 19th

Dear Family,

This was one of the best Weeks that I’ve had in the mission. We had Zone Conference and we also had Stake Conference.

First With Zone Conference. I was completely blown away with all of the things that President Smith taught. He talked a lot about ¨Hoy es el Dia¨ Today is the Day in that the Lord is quickening his work and that we as missionaries need to have this testimony. We also talked about practicing and practicing and re-practicing. He also showed us a completely new way in presenting the 1st lesson about the restoration and about presenting the Book of Mormon…that we don’t just teach lessons…we teach people. You need to help them have an experience the first time that you go to visit them…and it’s true. The president Smith also talked about doubling the attendance in all of our wards by 100%. He said so much that I’ll need to write a letter to you guys.

At the end of Zone Conference, we always get to hear the testimonies of the “greenie” missionaries (the new missionaries) and the “faithful” (missionaries ending their missions). I got to hear my son, Elder Evans, give his first testimony. He did an awesome job. He has a very strong testimony for being in the mission only 3 months. After that, me and 3 other missionaries had to share our testimony for the last time. I was chosen last to share being a Webster, W. They asked us to bear our testimonies based on using 3 words. ¨Yo sè que...” or “I know that...”

After Sharing my testimony, President Smith thanked the faithful missionaries for their testimonies and then said, “I didn’t know Elder Webster was going home, it’s too bad because we are going to miss him.¨ I was surprised to hear that. I wasn’t really sure what President was trying to say.

I remember praying with Elder Evans about really knowing if “today really is the day that the Lord is quickening his work.” We decided to pray together, so that together we could receive this testimony. I remember praying first, and pleading and asking for a response, when I said amen we stopped to listen for a little while. I felt peace and comfort but I needed more. I asked Elder Evans to pray. during his prayer he knew that I felt doubt in my heart and he prayed for me asking that I would be helped to receive an answer. When I heard those words, the spirit touched me and I knew what President Smith had taught us were true.

We had Stake Conference and President Smith and a Seventy both spoke. Later that day we received a reference from President Smith. He and the Seventy both stayed at the same hotel and they stopped to talk with one of the receptionists named Patricia. She had talked to President Heaton a couple of times in the past. President Smith said that he felt something when he talked to her and he told her that she had a strong spirit about her. He asked if he could write her name and direction down and give it to the missionaries. She said yes.

We went to the reference later that very same day. We Found Patricia and her family, her dad Leonel, her mom, Raquel, and her brother, Leonel Jr. We had one of the strongest lessons that I have ever had in my mission. I felt the spirit. At the end of the lesson, Patricia asked an interesting question. She asked if we believed if we all had a body and a spirit. Because she had talked to Jehovahs Witnesses and they taught her that we don’t have spirits, only a body. That had always bothered her. When President Smith told her that she felt something and felt like that, she needed to talk to the missionaries. We are going today to talk to them again.

PLEASE pray for this family. The Suarez Family.

I was so happy to hear that Laurens week went so well. I was praying very hard for her. I’m also very happy that she is inviting friends to talk to the missionaries. THAT’S MY SISTER!

Love you guys. I’m praying for all of you. Especially you Steve, keep working hard.

Thanks so much for everything. Love you guys.

August 5th

Hello family,

Well it’s been another exciting week in Artigas, Uruguay. I’ve been doing well just trying to do my best. The mission president called this last Thursday when we were eating lunch with the bishop. He extended a challenge to us to double the attendance in our ward from 100 to 200. Our ward has over 1000 members, but only about 100 attend. He gave us the challenge to double that number. He talked to us and the bishop and we both agreed that it was possible and that if we worked hard and had great faith we could achieve that goal by years end.  We had a few special experiences this week with less active members and helping them come back to church. One was with the husband of the 1st counselor of the relief society. We went with the bishop to his house and told him that the Lord needed him and that his family needed them…and that we needed to set goals for him so that he and his family could go to the temple. He accepted and said that our visit was what he needed. He came to church this last Sunday.

Another experience that we had was with a less active member that lives in the area that assists our Branch. It’s been about 6 weeks since she’s gone to church. Her name is Teresa, but we convinced her to come this week and she came. To our shock, we only had 3 people show up to the meeting, five in total with us. That’s the smallest number of people that I’ve seen in a sacrament meeting. In the end, Teresa gave her testimony for the first time in public, and she felt so honored to be member of the church and that she knew that it was true, and that she promised that she would work harder to bring other people to the church so that they can feel her same joy. Teresa is horrified of talking public, but she over came her fear and bore a powerful testimony.

Gabriela once again could not go to church. I feel frustrated for her and upset that her parents and other family members don’t show her more support. They are always telling her “why would you want to go to a church?” It’s frustrating, but I know with time she’ll be able to be baptized.

1. My debit card is now working. Hooray!

2. Lauren’s situation reminds me of John Bytheway’s situation when he wanted to get married. He said, “I will go and do, not sit and stew.” And that he did not get his spiritual conformation until long after the time that he made his decision to get married. He always said, “I’m going forward but stop me if I’m wrong.” I like that thought. I feel like Lauren will make the best decision.

3. I’m fine but I feel a little reckless. I feel like I don’t have enough time to do all the things that I would like to do before I end my mission.

Thanks so much for everything. Love you guys

JULY 29th

Dear Family how are you guys? I’m doing pretty well. Today, we had a random heat wave and everyone is outside in shorts and t shirts. It was pretty fun to play soccer in the nice weather today. I’m loving the ward that I am in. All of the members are awesome. Some of them are a little crazy, but that’s what makes them so awesome, and it always keeps things exciting.

Gabriela couldn’t come to church this week, because she is working in the free shops which only sell things Sundays in the morning during church. She’s so ready to be baptized, but she just can’t get over this work problem. Please pray for her.

This week we had a missionary come home from his mission in Brazil. He gave a great talk about completing our missions with attitude. He talked about Nephi and his brothers all were called to go back to Jerusalem to get the plates, and they all went with different attitudes. They all completed their missions in the end, but what they did and how they did their missions had a great after affect in lives. I’m working on that. They all had the same results in completing their father’s mission, but they all had different results in the way they did their missions.

We helped complete some service with the bishop this week. He’s trying to plant a garden in his back yard; whenever I’m working in a garden I often wonder why in the scriptures they use so many parables about gardens. I think you can learn great things from being a gardener.

This week I showed up at our ward night activity and the bishop was in charge of the lesson that was to be shared. Well, he called us 5 minutes before the meeting saying he wasn’t going to be able to make it. So everyone looked to me to give the message (it’s awesome being a missionary). I gave a lesson on completing our assignments like Nephi did when he was commanded to build a boat. Nephi was given an assignment and trusted in the lord even though he had no idea how to build a boat. Many of us sometimes feel very inadequate. God helps us so we can build our boats. He just asks that we do our best.

I love you guys. Thanks for all of your support. I’m trying my best to be the best missionary that I can be. Thank you for your prayers.

Love,

Elder Chase Webster

JULY 22nd

Hey Family, how’s it going? It’s been a pretty rough week here in Artigas. With the cold weather and with the investigators failing to go to church, but we are trying to remain positive. We have some really amazing investigators, but they just have been having problems getting to church. Gabriela had to work this Sunday, but she is thinking about quitting her job or just looking for new work. She is really progressing a lot. It’s just her work that is stopping her. Please pray for her that she can overcome these trials so that she can reach her goal of baptism. We brought a member over to Gabriela’s house this week and they’ve become pretty good friends already. That always helps when you have a friend.

This week we had a talent show in our ward. Me and elder Evans received permission to sing and dance. We sang, I want it that way by The Back Street Boys. It was pretty funny. Everyone had a pretty good laugh. There wasn’t much participation from the members in this talent show, but we are hopefully they’re going to see more participation the next talent show.

I’m doing pretty well. I’m just very stressed running 2 areas at the same time. Ever since I got here they have been telling us that they were going to send new elders to the Small Rama. That was 3 months ago and they still haven’t sent them.

I’m trying to stay positive about the work, but I’m still waiting for those blessings to be fulfilled that were promised in my missionary blessing. I don’t know if I just need to be more patient, or maybe Heavenly Father has already blessed me, but I just didn’t notice. Any thoughts?

My return date is the 10th of October.

Love you guys,

Elder CHASE Webster

JULY 16^th

Hey family, this was a week with some mixed emotions. I guess that’s how the mission is. Like a rollercoaster, filled with ups and downs. Recently we’ve been working with an area trying to start a branch. They’ve been having reunions there for a year now. They are thinking of closing it because they haven’t seen much progress. They just see the same people come. About 15 go every week, including us and the bishop. We are just struggling right now over there.

With the Ward things are going pretty great. Gabriela had a pretty rough week. Her parents are not showing much support. Down here they were in winter vacations and Gabriela went to her dad’s house. Her dad is the one that is not showing the support. Her dad says it’s a waste of time to go to church. Her dad wouldn’t even let us have a lesson in his house. Now that vacations are over, we could talk to her again in the house of her mom. We always love teaching her because she understands so well the doctrine and accepts the things that we are teaching. Yesterday, we taught the word of wisdom and she vowed to never drink alcohol or coffee again. Pretty awesome!

Well, with the transfers Elder Evans and I are staying together for another transfer to finish his training. It will be another transfer here in Artigas. I’m pretty excited. I just want to see Gabriela get baptized, and also find a family. I’ve been struggling in this area; I need to find one family before I go home. That’s one of my goals.

I’m learning how to be more patient as a missionary, sometimes you have to work without seeing the fruits, but Heavenly Father always keeps his promises. I love the promise that Heavenly Father gave to the sons of Mosiah at the end Alma chapter 25. It talks about God fulfilling all of His promises in every detail. Sometimes we just have wait and hope until help arrives.

I’m loving the mission. It’s hard and sometimes I don’t feel like I can go on, but I always receive the strength I need. Sometimes enduring until the end, is just trying to get through the end of the day.

Elder Evans is really progressing a lot. I love his attitude; he is always willing to try new things and his always practicing his Spanish. He has a great study ethic. This is something that I have always struggled with, but I’m working on it.

I’m praying for you guys; tell me if you guys need anything.

I tried my debit card but I don’t know if it’s just because the bank doesn’t accept my kind of card, or because I forgot my debit number. I’m pretty sure its the one I tried. I’m going to try again today at another bank, but next week I’ll let you guys know.

Thanks so much. You guys really are the best family in the world.

Love Elder Webster

JULY 8th

Hey family, how are you guys doing? I’m doing just fine here in Uruguay. Next week is transfers. I think we are expecting 50 new missionaries. I’ll be talking to you guys next Tuesday. I’m enjoying Artigas a lot. It rained a few times this week. It was super humid. I’m glad we live in St.George where it’s dry.

Gabriela is doing well. She always prays for protection for her and her family. She was actually in a car accident this last week. She said it was pretty scary for her. Everyone in her family is ok, but she said it really was an answer to her prayers. She also has been reading the Book of Mormon everyday. The only problem we have with Gabriela is that her parents don’t want to listen. We invite them, but they say they just aren’t that interested. We are working on them.

My companion is doing amazing. He came to the mission just super prepared. He was in the General Conference session where they made the new age change. He said that day changed his life. He immediately made the arrangements to serve a mission. He is part of the new wave of missionaries.

We met our new Mission President. He is awesome. Thomas Smith from California. He served his mission here about 33 years ago. He actually served in my very same area. The bishop’s wife is actually one of his converts. Pretty cool. He was super animated to be in Artigas again. He brought two kids with him, an 11 year old and a 16 year old. It’s awesome to see a family. He gave us a great talk. He talked about his conversion story. He also talked about how important it is to be a missionary right now. He said the apostles are more excited about missionary work that they can’t even sleep at night just thinking about what Heavenly Father is going to do next in this great work. He also talked about L. Tom. Perry saying; that 2013 will be a year always to be remembered in the church. Like the year 1820 when Joseph Smith had the first vision, or 1830 when the church was organized. He said 2013 will be the year looked back as the year that Heavenly Father quickened his work. It’s a very Exciting time to be a missionary. I feel pretty honored to be training one of these new generation missionaries.

The ward is doing well. Last week we organized the ward to go do visits to all of the less active members. It went pretty well, we had a great show up the next day at church. We are working a lot with our bishop right now.

Well, I’m loving the work. I feel like I need to do a lot more before I come home. Please pray for me that I can do the things that I was sent here to do.

I love you guys. I’m praying for all of you.

Love Elder Webster

JULY 1st

Hey Family. It was just another week in Uruguay. The weather is very nice, which is pretty weird since we are in July now. Last year during this time it was freezing. I’m enjoying it while I still can.  We had a baptism this last week. Richard Devargas. Richard is a very special person. He is 16 years old, but he has a few mental problems. It was a challenge teaching him the lessons, but Richard studied hard and prayed for help. Last Saturday he was baptized by our bishop.

Our bishop has been having a pretty tough time with dealing with all of the drama that goes on in our ward. I’ve learned a lot being here in this ward. I have a pretty close relation with the bishop. He’s awesome. He has a computer lab in his house. He’s a pretty smart guy, but they live a pretty humble lifestyle. Today, he came and played soccer with us and the missionaries. He’s in his 40’s but he still plays better then all of the missionaries.

This week we’ve been working with a 16 year old investigator named Gabriela. She’s been to church 2 times now. She’s awesome because she is so easy to teach. She asks questions, she studies what we teach her. She just has a hunger to learn more. We had a conference a few weeks ago about finding the people that are truly prepared to receive the gospel. They told us that these people are easy to teach, keep their commitments, and don’t postpone their baptismal dates. I’m really excited about Gabriela. She even went to a stake dance with a friend from school who is member. We are hoping that everything goes well with her.

Our soccer friend, Giraldo, also went to church this week. He is on vacation for 2 weeks, so we are going to be able to talk to him a lot more than what we are used to. He accepts everything. He reads, he listens, he does everything and he just has doubts about the law of chastity. He’s not sure if he can make that change in his life. He says no one in the world lives that law. I now realize how much of a bubble I lived in before the mission. It’s pretty crazy how far off the edge the world has gone. We are trying to work with him, please pray for him. He’s an awesome person and he needs this help.

Hey family, I love you a lot. I’m loving the mission right now. It’s hard. It’s really hard sometimes. Recently, I’ve been in a spiritual rut, but I know Heavenly Father is preparing me for something greater. I just need to understand what Heavenly Father wants me to do before I end my mission.

We played soccer today for p day. We played with the missionaries from our district, and the bishop and his son. I’m getting pretty good. But I’m still not as good as the youth here. It’s crazy how good the Uruguayans are. But it’s fun and competitive.

I don’t think I need anything for now...maybe just more peanut butter. I’ll let you guys know.

But I love you guys and I’m praying for you guys. Let me know if you need anything.

Love Elder Webster

JUNE 23^rd  2013

Hey family this was another pretty good week, with lots of ups and downs.  With new challenges and new investigators.  This week we re found an investigator, Gabriela.  She is 16 years old. After about 2 weeks of looking for her house we finally found it. I guess I noted her cell phone number wrong when she gave it to me 2 weeks ago. So we were not able to communicate with her or find her house. One day we asked another of our investigators and she said knew her from school and told us where she lived. On Saturday night we went to see her, we found her and the rest of her family. During this 2-week period she had read the Book of Mormon and Moroni 10 3-5. She said that she prayed, and she said she received an answer.  She had a strong feeling about the BOM and just knew that the Book of Mormom was true.  She did all of that without the help of the missionaries. We were pretty shocked when she told us all of that. Its people like this, that are prepared to receive the gospel.

Giraldo. the professional soccer player is doing well. We give him scriptures to read through text messages and he calls his mom and explains what he has learned.

We had to say goodbye to President Heaton this week. We all had quick minute interview with him and his wife. In the interview they thanked me for serving a mission, and for being such a great missionary. President Heaton thanked me for training again.  They also thanked me for being with a few tough Latino companions, that they felt like my example will help them stay active after the mission. I really appreciated those comments.

For my birthday a member threw a surprise party for me. She called me to the house saying that a light bulb blew out and she was too short to change it. Asking if I could come and change it.  We walked into the dark house and we couldn’t see anything, and then the lights came on, people starting singing happy birthday in English. It was quite a surprise for people from the ward to come to throw a surprise party for me. They made me a cake and hot chocolate. Pretty fun.

Answers I did receive the packages all 4. Thanks so much.

Thanks so much family.

I love you guys so much.

Elder Webster

JUNE 17

Well this week I’m turning 21.  I feel so old. Especially since my comp anion is only 18.

This week our baptisms fell through. We just decided that they weren’t ready. they just needed a little bit more time. We now set the baptism for the 29th of June.  It was a little tough making that decision, but now I feel more reassured that it was the right move.

In church yesterday, Geraldo Simon came. He’s our investigator that plays professional soccer.  He had a soccer game last Friday, but in the game he received a red card. When you receive a red card you are immediately ejected from the game, and you can’t play in the next game. Since he got the red card and couldn’t play in the game Sunday, he decided to come home for the weekend. He came home very discouraged and wanted to talk to us. He was discouraged because He hadn’t been playing or practicing very well and his Girl friend dumped him all in the same week. They were together for 2 years. He wanted answers from us, because he told us that he had been praying all of this month to God for help. The more he prayed the more the trials came. He wanted to know why. We had a great lesson with him. We talked to him a little about God’s plan for us in this life.  When He wants to get our attention He sends trials. He realized that this had to be what was happening. That God was trying to talk to him. We talked to him about what we thought was God’s plan for him. We put some goals down for him to help him keep the commandments and to help him through this tough time in his life. He asked about baptism and we laid down some of the requirements for baptism. He agreed with everything but the law of chastity.  He is just too used to his professional athlete lifestyle but he said he would do it. We are really hoping that he can change his life around. He’s a really cool kid.  He’s only 19 years old. We are praying that he can change. He came to Church, and left Sunday night, and took a Book of Mormon with him to Montevideo to read. We put a baptism goal for him also for the 13 of July.  He is going to go to church in Montevideo for 1 week. Then come to church here for 2 weeks. 

Our mission president is going home this next week. We are meeting our new president this Thursday, President Smith.

One package came this last week. The one with my debit card. You can activate it now.  Thanks so much. How much do you think I can spend for my birthday? I’m feeling a lot better. It hasn’t gotten too cold here. Just please pray for our investigator, Geraldo Simon.

Thanks so much family. I love you all.

Elder Webster

JUNE 9th

Hey Family. So I went to Montevideo Tuesday night to go look for my new companion. It was fun seeing a lot of old friends. My new companion is named Elder Evans, he’s from Canada. He is also half Chinese, which is awesome. I think it’s a pretty funny combination. A Chinese Canadian speaking Spanish (haha). He’s awesome. He is really smart and is very excited to be working.

We had an investigator go to church yesterday that was a big surprise. Her name is Gabriela. She is 16 years old. I met her on my first day in Artigas. She was hanging out in the house of a member and we shared a lesson with her. Six weeks later, we found her again in the house of this member and we invited her to go to church. Sister Simon, the mom of this family invited her to come and she said she would…and she came. I was pretty shocked when I saw her. I had a good feeling about her the first time I saw her on my first day here. I hope she’ll be able to progress. She has a lot of support from this family.

We also had another good experience with the Simon family. They have 3 sons. Two of them are members. One of them isn’t because he plays professional soccer. He is always in Montevideo playing. He came home for the weekend, and we had the Chance to teach him a little. I also have a good feeling about him. I want to be able to help him, to help complete this awesome family.

We are hoping to have 2 baptisms this week. Please pray for Valeria and Richard that everything will go well and smooth.

I also can relate with Lauren, wishing that I had a sibling with me in high school. I wonder how different it would’ve been if Brennan was there. I guess there were lessons that I could only learn alone. I think it was the same way with my Church quorums. I didn’t have friends from high school with me. I needed to learn something. I know it’s the same for Lauren.

I feel happy as a missionary. I’m working hard, but lately I’ve had a feeling of uneasiness. I don’t know why. I’m sure God is trying to show me or teach me something. I just don’t know what.

Thanks for everything family. I love you guys.

Elder Webster

JUNE 4

Hey Family,

Today was transfers and my companion Elder Nelson is leaving. I’m staying. I was also called to be a trainer again. Tonight, I’m heading to Montevideo to look for my kid (new companion). It’s an 8 hour bus ride. I’ll go down there tonight, and then get back Wednesday Night.

I’m pretty excited to be training again. It’s a really good experience and I know I’ll be putting a great influence on a new missionary.

This week was really a week of miracles. Last Friday we found an awesome family. Family Rodriguez. We found them when we were just walking down a street and we saw the mom outside her house. We decided to go talk to her. We chatted for a little bit and we asked her if we could share a message with her. She said yes! So, we entered into her house and gave a quick lesson to her (Laura) and her 2 kids. We talked to her about the Book of Mormon and about the restoration and we invited her to come to church. She said she wasn’t sure because she had to ask her husband about it. She said come back tomorrow and ask him. We came back the next day and talked to the husband (Luciano). We invited him to church with his family. The family was a little reluctant but Luciano said I will go. “You have my word.” The next day he came to church. The mom stayed home to cook, but she said the next week she was going to come. We invited them to be baptized and they said if they receive an answer from God, they would be baptized.

I love this Family. I’ve never had the chance to teach an actual family like this one. Please pray for them; Family Rodriguez.

We also have another investigator that has a baptismal date for the 15^th of June. Her Name is Valeria. She is amazing. She’s 20 years old and a friend from her college class invited her to church one day and she reluctantly came. She came about 2 weeks ago and loved it. She loves going to the classes and she loves reading in the Book of Mormon. Her Parents are both inactive in the church and haven’t been to church for over 20 years. I always love going to their house. I always feel the spirit so strongly.

I’m really enjoying the work as a missionary. I’ve never felt so happy. I can see God’s hand in my life and I feel his presence more than ever. I also know that Brennan is with me often, and that we make a great team…an unmatchable force. But I know that He is also very busy with his mission. I like to think he has time to help us in our lives.

I’m also glad that I’m learning to do God’s will and not my will. I know tough things happen in our lives, but I know that Heavenly Father only wants what is best for me.

I love Artigas. I love the members and I love the Investigators that we have.

Love you Family. I know Heavenly Father is watching over you guys and that I don’t have to worry myself. I know He is blessing our family.

Love Elder Webster

Sports are important. You learn many great qualities: How to work as a team, Leadership abilities, and you learn how to deal with adversity…a very important lesson to help prepare you for life. I wouldn’t be the same person without all of those great experiences. Follow the spirit is a great Answer.

I love that story about Stephen and football practice. 

May 27, 2013

Hey Family, so it was a good and a bad week for us.

Good. We had a Baptism this week. Sofia got baptized. It was really easy teaching her the lessons before her baptism. She’s really smart and can remember things really well. Her problem is that she is diabetic. She has these mood swings almost everyday. She’s an Angel when she’s feeling good, but seeing her on a bad day just scares me. Her Mom and her grandma came to the baptism. Her Mom isn’t a member yet because she is not married to her husband. We are working on her. She said she felt really good seeing her daughter get baptized. I’m really happy for her and her family.

I’ll have to send the picture of the baptism next week. Today we moved into a new house and I don’t know where I packed my cord to my camera.

We moved into our new house this morning and we had to do a lot of cleaning this week to help get our old house ready. This morning was the worst; we cleaned for about 3 hours before the moving truck came.

The new house is really nice. It’s one block away from our church and our area. Our old house we were about 8 blocks away from the church and our area. We also live really close to awesome members. It’s great that we can be so close to the members now.

Bad. I was sick all of this week also. It has to be with the change of temperature. It was really hard on me trying to motivate myself to work hard. Please pray for me and my companion that we can feel better so that we can work.

We didn’t have anybody come to church this week which was a bummer. This was the first time in a long time where we didn’t have anybody come. It was a bit disappointing because we found some awesome new people and we were sure that they would come. I’m not sure what happened. We had a leaders meeting last night and our zone leaders were very surprised that we didn’t have anybody in church. They just told me not to get discouraged because sometimes God sends us a trial like this to see how we will respond. It’s easy to work when things are fine and life is good. The test comes when there is pressure.

They told me that they had great respect for me as a missionary and that I was someone reliable and 100% obedient. They also said no one could say anything bad about me as a leader because I was doing everything the way it should be. They knew that I was doing everything possible for my area. I think I really needed to hear this for myself. Sometimes I’m too hard on myself. I don’t know what God is trying to teach me right now, but I just know I’m going to keep on working.

I love you guys so much. Thanks for everything. Please pray for me that I can find these people that are ready to receive this gospel.

Love you guys.

Elder Webster

May 20, 2013

Hey Family,

It was a very trying week here in Artigas. It rained for pretty much the whole week. I’m still sick trying to fight off a flu and my companion also got sick this week. Thursday we stayed home for the whole day because my companion had a high fever and threw up a couple times. First time I’ve ever had to stay in the house because of sickness.

We had zone conference this week, I now feel really old in the mission. I hardly knew anybody or even recognized any one from the other zone (zone conference is always done with 2 zones together) but everyone seemed to know about me. I don’t understand how this keeps happening.

 It was really sad when we heard President Heaton and Hermana Heaton give their last testimonies as our mission president. It’s going to be a really weird transition having a new mission president.

Sunday in sacrament meeting I was feeling so stretched as a missionary. There were just a lot of tough things that happened over the week and I was feeling so taxed physically and spiritually. We were having problems with investigators not coming to church and problems with members and I felt very responsible for all of the bad things that were happening. I felt like I was doing my best but I still felt weighed down. I remember listening to one of the speakers talking about Moses and traveling in the wilderness with Israel. Moses was doing everything correct; he had just helped free the people of Israel from Egypt. And yet after he had accomplished such a great task God sent more tests and challenges his way. He continued to have trials and tests until he died. But God always sent help to Moses, God sent Aaron and others to help him. He sent a quorum of 70 also to help him. Also, the Lord was with him and always guiding him. In the Cloud during the day and in a fire during the night. I loved his talk. I was feeling sad in that moment because we didn’t have many of our investigators go to church that day. Right After his talk we sang and they said a closing prayer. Right after they said amen to the prayer. A member sitting behind me and tapped me on the shoulder saying, “Elder, This is my Friend Veronica.” This is her first time coming to church. She is interested in taking the lessons. I couldn’t believe it. God answers our prayers and he sends help when we feel burdened down. Just like Moses with every trial that he faced in Egypt and in the Wilderness.

We are going to have a baptism this week with this little girl named Sophia. Please pray for her that she can be ready.

Love you guys.

Hey Family how’s it going? It was so good to see you guys yesterday. I can’t believe that was my last call home. Time just flies by so fast. It was great to see the house. I can’t believe how nice it is and how big it is. Lauren is so big now I’m glad that you guys are doing well. I’m happy with the work that we are putting in here in Artigas. I have never felt more self-satisfied with my own work. We’ve been working really hard. I have been fighting with a cold, but I refuse to let it beat me. I love the talk by Elder Bednar. I listen to general conference talks as I get ready and I listen to his talk about not shrinking often. I’m trying not to shrink in these last few months of my mission.

I went to Brazil today with my district and we ate at this Brazilian restaurant. Some of the other Elders from Utah said it’s really similar to the one in Salt Lake where they just keep bringing meats out until you say no. I also talked to one of the waitresses that could speak in Portuguese and Spanish and we came to find out that she lives in our area; she told us that she almost got baptized a while back but then something happened. We asked if we could pass by again and she said yes. Pretty Funny that we found an investigator that lives in our area…in a different Country. All of the other people we talked to talked to us In Portuguese. Pretty interesting. We also met with some other missionaries from Brazil. It was hard understanding their Portuguese. Some words are easy to understand, but some other words are just way off the map. They said that the church was pretty small on their side, with only a few branches. We told them that that’s pretty weird because we have a stake on our side of the border with 6 wards.

It’s an open boarder, so we just walked across a bridge and there we were in Brazil. I’ve now been in 4 different countries in my life: United States, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil.

We’ve been working with this little girl named Sofia. Her grandma is a member but her mom no. I think the only reason her mom isn’t a member is because she works on Sundays.

She came to church yesterday even though it was raining. She lives in front of the Church and she came by herself. I was very proud of her. Please pray for her that she can be ready for her baptism the 25^th of March

Hey, I love you guys. Thanks so much!

Elder Webster