Bob

Our special "little" New Yorker was baptized this week. Well...actually he's not so little; he is a towering 6 foot 5 inches tall and pushing 300 pounds! Luckily I didn't have to get in the water with him haha. We had a great baptismal service, everyone who attended was sincere and kind, and the spirit was definitely there. To get Bob to this point, there was a lot of fellowship from the Ward towards both Bob and his non member parents. (so we will see what becomes of his parents.) After the baptism his parents had a reception at their home (which was real nice) and then members went over to Bobs place for a BBQ he was throwing. He's going to fit right in. (I forgot to take pictures sorry) 

Silver City has opened up her arms and has been pouring out its blessings. Pouring blessings of both investigators and more RAIN. The rain has been coming down every day this week. It's not very hot in Silver City, (so that's good I guess) but I always smell like wet dog!  Nearly every house has a pet and all of them want to lay on me for some reason, wet or dry; and then I get wet and smelly.... Blah. 

I got word from President Browning this past week that I most likely won't be staying in Silver City for another transfer. 🙁 BOO ...so I'm going to cherish these next four weeks.  I've learned to love this place and especially the people! 

Our missionary message to everyone has been: "through a modern day prophet, God has restored knowledge about the plan of salvation, which is centered on Christ's atonement and fulfilled by living the first principles and ordinances of the gospel."  I love this message!  As we all focus on our callings (no matter where we are), we can come to know Christ more fully, to be better people, and have charity towards our brothers and sisters. Joseph Smith truly has done more for this world than any other man, (other than Christ himself.) If we center our lives in the gospel we may return back to live with our Father in Heaven once again. 

Believe you can Achieve, and you will Succeed. (corny quote of the week...😁 lol)

Love, Elder West

My Drunk Uncle is from Micronesia

Hi everyone. Transfers were this week, but thank the good Lord I am still in Silver City! I don't have to head to the summer heat in Arizona yet. Yay!  Elder Jackson and I picked up our new companion, Elder Edward, to complete our trio. He is an awesome guy. He's from Micronesia, (it's in the South Pacific if you didn't know).  I have a funny story of a 'drunk uncle from Micronesia' I'll tell you later. All three of us have been doing well together. It seems I was meant to be part of a trio, like I've been prepared for this my whole life.  Haha. JK.  Its fine.

This last week has been hectic and filled with service as always! Ah... I love doing service. Anything to get me out of the white shirt and tie is fine by me. Anyways, more about Elder Edward. He has been pretty lucky coming from Arizona, to New Mexico, the land of enchantment! Much better weather during the summer. But when he arrived, it was pouring rain like cats and dogs. We have a 2017 Tacoma truck as our vehicle (not to brag) and so as we drove him from town we had his suitcases in the back bed of the truck and his stuff got soaked.... But lord almighty his scriptures were in tact! Miracles! 

On a more missionary minded tangent, our investigator Bob will be getting baptized this Saturday! Let's gooooo!!! Yay. I'm so excited for him. He has been waiting for this for a while, and he is more than ready to become a member. 

Other than that there's nothing more to say. Maybe next week will be a little more spiritual. Oh!  While doing some service this week we found this creepy severed doll head, and we've been playing tag with it. Basically we try to put it in the other elders truck bed without them noticing, and they try to put it back in ours. Don't judge me, we have to find new things to keep us entertained haha. Oh and we almost got shot this week, so that was cool. Anyways, over and out! 

Pictures:

One of our bug battles we hold 

The baby horned toad I named "Henry".  I kept him in my pocket all day this week. 

Love, Elder West

Goodbye Pres Passey

Yo yo yo? My people, it's been too long. Sorry about that. 

This transfer is coming to a close, and I have no idea where the time went!? Silver City has been treating me well!!... and I just found out that I will be spending another transfer here in the land of enchantment! Woot woot! 
I will be apart of a trio of Elders for three weeks, because my companion right now (Elder Jackson) is coming to the end of his mission.  So I am getting a new companion who has been out for a while. But because he is new to this area we working together until Elder Jackson leaves and we can get him familiar with the Silver Springs district before I leave. I most likely will not be here for two more transfers, but I'll cherish the time that I've been here. This has been a great area.

Lately, we have been working closely with unbaptized youth in less active families. We've seen a good amount of success from it, as well as more opportunities from referrals (yes referrals) coming also from those less active members. 

We said goodbye to our mission president, Pres. Passey, and welcomed President Browning. President Passey has not been my mission president for too long, but still, it's a bitter sweet moment. Our new Pres is pretty cool, and I think he will be a good fit for our mission. I look forward to getting to know him. 

That's pretty much all from me. Its hard for me to have the desire to write much, so take it easy on me!  All is well, all is well. 

And here are a few pics too from the fun we've had lately.

Love, Elder West

Wolves, Monks, and more!

"... No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing..." 

One of my favorite lines from the Standard of Truth. 

These past few weeks of the transfer are such a blur. We are almost halfway through the transfer period but it still feels like I've only been here for a month or two. I've been on my mission for over 4 months so far, and yet I've learned so much. Elder Jackson and I have been working real hard, and hitting our missionary standards (the numbers, stats, etc.) every week, but it has always been one thing or another that keeps us from reaching our total goal. Either an investigator doesn't come to church, or we don't find enough investigators for the week. But THIS week we hit our numbers! Yay! LET'S GO! 

There have been quite a few miracles lately for us. One is that we have found about 5 un-baptized youth from LDS families who need to take the lessons. Yes, they are low hanging fruit, but our final goal is still the same; bring souls unto Christ no matter the age or background, all souls are precious to God. Brad Gutierrez got baptized! It's been a long road. He has had a tough background, being in gangs, going to jail, and having children at the age of 16. Crazy. But through his 5 years being married to a member of the church and investigating the gospel, we helped him get into the water. Now I am happy to report he is a member of the church, and holds the Aaronic Priesthood. 

Some cool things we've done these past few weeks. 

1) visited a monk monastery

2) had a dead squirrel put into our bathtub by the other Elders (story will be provided) 

3) fed a pack of wolves hot dog bits, by tossing them off my foot (story will be provided as requested)

4) took district pics in front of a bug infested box spring that we spray-painted

The monk monastery was cool and very interesting.  I care not to share the whole story about the pack of Wolves we fed unless asked by PERSONAL MESSAGE (Yes that is incentive to email me ya hooligans). 

Now to the dead squirrel. The other Elders in the area, Lewis and Kinder, thought it would be a great idea to break into our apartment and put a dead animal in our bathroom. They climbed up our balcony, shimmied open our glass door, and left the rodent in there for us to find later that night. Elder Jackson and I knew it was them, so when we called them on the phone, they were busting up laughing.  You know we will one-up-them soon. Haha

As always, keep on keeping-on. And remember who you are and what you stand for. "... Persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame; but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent,..." 

Love, Elder West

Goodbye Dad

Much has happened since last P-Day. My Dad is gone (my trainer Elder VanSweden, not my real Dad). He got transferred to Thatcher, Arizona, which is in a biking area, haha and right before summer too!  Poor guys. My new companion is Elder Jackson,and is super cool. He asked to be transferred here from his AP leadership position in Tucson. I've learned a lot with him so far, and I am excited to see what more his 22 months in the mission filed has brought him. He's going to go home after this area, so I will be his last companion.

We are pretty good buds already, and BOTH of us also have a real drive to get the work moving here in Silver City. We are going to have a baptism this Friday for our investigator Brad who I've been meeting with and teaching for a while. In fact he has been seeing the missionaries for many years. It's exciting to see the change people have as they apply the gospel in their lives. Brad has been a testament to me of the importance of keeping yourself worthy and staying in this gospel. Nothing else in this world can bring you as much happiness as being a dedicated member in the LDS church. 

This week I went tracking for the first time. It's extremely ineffective, but for the hour we dedicate a week towards knocking on doors, it shows that we are willing to do anything to find those who are ready and willing to receive our message. We struck out on every door, no one wanting to hear us except for one old man. He probably felt bad for us, because it started to rain. Our visit didn't result in much.  But my dedication towards God is what we needed out of that hour. 

I've seen an increase in my drive to do hard things, and more focus in the work. I've been able to finish my study (and it was study, not just reading) of the Book of Mormon. There is so much more I can learn from it, and I invite you all to read it... if any one is even reading this. There is no other book that can bring you closer to our Heavenly Father than the BofM. Thank you all, and remember who brought you here.

Love, Elder West

Letter from Old MacDonald

Last week we received a letter in the US Mail.  It was a nicely written letter from Bro. Jerry MacDonald whom Garret and his companion has been helping over the past month with his ranch.  

"Gary Brent,

You have an awesome Elder here in the Silver City, N.M. area.  You can be proud of him.

He and his companion have been in our home numerous times.  He has helped us brand some might big calves the "old fashioned way" laying them on the ground and holding them down with the muscle the Good Lord gave him.

He and his companion gave me a blessing when I had a heart attack.  Probably saved my life!

We love him.

The Jerry McDonald's 

Investigator Brad & the Holy Ghost

Hi everyone!  

B B B Radical for the win! Our investigator Brad is really moving along. He's been around missionaries for years now. His kids are baptized and a part of the church. His wife is an active member. He LOVES the church and has for a while now. So why hasn't he gotten baptized yet?  Elder VanSweden and I have been helping him out with those challenges and stresses holding him back. He's completely aware that baptism is important, and he wants to get sealed to his wife in the temple. But sometimes our lives hold us back from becoming what we want to be. And we hold ourselves back from becoming what God knows we can become. 

I'll get back to Brad, but let me tell you what's been going on lately with me. 

My district in Silver City, NM went to a Zone Conference in Arizona.  We were able to go to the Temple while we were out there... it never ceases to amaze me how peaceful and serene temples are. Unfortunately, I was limping the entire because because I hurt (rolled over) BOTH of my ankles the day before the trip (it's long story, but safe to day that I didn't feel good). 

Our days have been filled service, and I love it. Horses from the rescue ranch are doing good as always. We was able to eat more Rocky Mountain Oysters while flanking and branding calf's at Brother McDonald's ranch (its a ranch not a farm) haha. Also, something new to eat on the ranch...I got to eat cow tongue. It was, well interesting ... but nothing beats the taste of a fresh hamburger!  Yummmmmmmm.

Getting serious now. Prayer is real, and combined with daily scripture study of the Book of Mormon, it WILL help you. I've seen it in our investigator Brad and Ruth Seawolf. Both of them have had stumbling blocks in their way toward baptism. But, being obedient and following the admonition of our prophet Pres. Monson, as he promised this last conference, daily prayer and study of our good book, will give us the companionship of the spirit.  The Holy Ghost is what testifies of truth. His holy calling is to lead us towards truth, and keep us on the straight and narrow path towards the tree of life. 

I've realized a lot more about the Holy Spirit, and how he helps me in my missionary work. As I'm in a lesson, I can distinctly feel the Spirit there. Either strong or quiet. As long as it's there, the lesson is being directed where it needs to go. And I can feel the same spirit our investigators feel; and more importantly what the spirit wants OF them. Sometimes it's a quiet presence, encouraging them to gain further knowledge of our gospel. And sometimes it's strong and there is no doubt that the burning in the bosom is the Holy Spirit testifying of truth. But in each instance, I know what the spirit is doing, and it helps me distinguish what others need. 

As long as we are in-tune with our Holy companion, we will NEVER be lead astray. Keep him in our lives, so we can live and become the people we were meant to be. Stay near and you'll never stray afar.

Love, Elder West 

Taken from our mission car (truck):