November 10, 2011

November 10, 2011

Hey family,

Things are going great here at the CCM. We just had a transfer and it seemed like everyone in the MTC left. There were only 13 missionaries in the MTC for a whole week. It felt like a ghost town going from 50 to only 13. Plus the President of the MTC left town. Once the teachers went home we were the only ones in the whole building. Kind of a weird feeling, but we have a Counselor to the President here named Gomez Paz. He looks like would be in the mafia…just the way he looks and talks. Every day he just shows up with candy or ice cream or just things that are really hard to get here in Argentina. It’s funny because when we ask him where he gets this stuff he just says, “I have my ways,” and just laughs. He has made this week very fun. I have had a chance to talk to him by myself and he gave me some encouragement on the language. He said sometimes the Elders who have the most trouble learning the language at first in the MTC actually do better in the mission field because they keep practicing everyday and they master the language. The missionaries that learned it so easily plateau because they feel they have enough Spanish to teach. This gave me great comfort and extra determination. I study whenever I can. I bring note cards to meals and try going over subjects while I eat. I even try to do that during free time when we are playing sports. It’s a little harder to multitask when playing soccer with the latinos though, they are all just way too good at soccer. It’s not even fair.

Happy Birthday Mom. I love you so much and I hope it was good birthday.  I always love November because it’s yours and dads birthday, and then there is Thanksgiving and football and just so much great stuff.

Well, I miss you all. Thank you for the sports updates. I’ll try writing a little more since they only give us 30 minutes to write emails. I pray for you guys individually every night.

Love Elder Webster

November 3, 2011

November 3, 2011

This week wasn’t the best week Spanish is frustrating, we have a sister in our district that just knows so much more than the rest of us. We teach practice lessons to a fake investigator everyday and its just embarrassing because we can barley speak any Spanish. During my physical exercise time I either play basketball with most of the other elders, or I play ping pong with my companion. He is kind of a big kid so he doesn’t like to play basketball. I love my time here, the days go by so fast but it also feels like I have been here for an eternity. 

Fun news is that president D Todd Christofferson is coming to speak to us.

I have learned so much mom I love it. I feel the spirit and I feel your love everyday when times get hard. I feel Brennan helps me too.

Dad I’ve been way great. Sorry I meant to say I’m a district leader. I wish I could’ve been at Tanner’s farewell. Tanner and I have a special friendship because we’ve both shared personal stories. He talked about his dad, and I talked about Brennan.

Dad I appreciate the great example you’ve been to me. I appreciate having a great priesthood holder in the home. You’ve taught me a lot about hard work. 

Stephen thanks for setting a good example for me on going on a mission. I really appreciate that. I miss your sense of humor!

I am writing a letter today so well see how long it gets there. They say airmail is the best way to get mail here. Whatever that means K love you guys

Week One

All,

So much to talk about and I ONLY have 30 minutes to write. I can’t read your emails until later tonight, so I will reply to all of your emails next week. Sorry about that, I will also try to write.

They say pouch mail is the best way to get mail to the CCM because Argentina mail is just weird. The CCM is so “flippin amazing.” I’m in a threesome companionship with Elder Solmon and Elder Kohl. They’re both good. All of the teachers here are young returned missionaries. My two teachers are Hermana Aponte and Hermano Cruz. They are both 22 years old and from Argentina. They are both amazing. Hermano Cruz is hilarious and speaks really good English. Hermana Aponte is kinda shy but she knows so much. All of the missionaries in the CCM have a huge crush on her. They say the new district that I’m in is pretty lucky to have her.

There are 3 American districts. Each has about 8 members. They called me to be District President. About 25 American missionaries arrive here 3 weeks apart. There are about another 25 Latino missionaries all from Mexico or Peru. We are all going to Montevideo Uruguay.

I have learned so much while I have been out here. Learning Spanish is difficult, but I try so hard. We have a girl in our district who just understands it so much faster than the rest of us. That’s kind of discouraging…but its ok.

It has only been a week and I feel like I’ve been here for months. The days go by really fast but it just feels like an eternity none the less. The more Spanish I learn, the more English I forget. I’m having the hardest time trying to spell when I write in my journal or typing right now. 

I miss you guys so much, but I know what I’m doing is right. And I know Heavenly father will bless and watch over you guys while I am gone. I pray for you guys individually each night.

They keep us really busy to try to keep us from getting home sick. We’ve already had two Latino sisters go home because of home sickness.

I love you guys. Thank you for your emails.

Elder Chase Webster

First email Argentina MTC

Dear Family

   My first flight was awesome. It did remind me of six flags. Especially the superman ride, but of course it wasn't as bad. I made it safely and the MTC is great. We write emails every Thursday, it's our P day and we don't have much time to write them so sorry if its rushed. There aren't a lot of people that speak English here... so they just say for us to learn fast. There are about 40 missionaries here, so it is a little small. Don't send boxes for some reason they don't make it here. 

I love you all. Thank you for everything.

Chase

Departure Day - Argentia MTC

Mission flags flying out by the church.

Chase's Missionary flag flying on his departure day.

Elder Webster with his sister Lauren & brother Stephen.

Going through security.

Farewell

Chase Webster

Friends

Extended family picture - Webster's Rasmussen's and Smith's.

Webster Family