July 30 - I think I broke my nose

"For your Heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." 
-3 Nephi 13:32-33

Another great week but it was a crazy transfer let me tell you! We have four new companionship's training four new missionaries in our Zone, so organizing everyone to get to Tucson and back was a chore. We are also closing an area, so we are splitting up their Wards into two other companionship's. It's like playing domino's with Elders. Enough of the Zone stuff... now down to my area and further changes. Since school will be starting soon we will be dropping our two "Family Wards" to make room to cover more students and YSA Wards. So much is going on it's crazy, but a lot of great stuff!

Earlier this week we got a "sick" referral from a YSA member who is just Golden! Our member who told us about him said we should invite him to be baptized... so on our first visit in the member's home ... we did just that!  And he said yes. Golden right?  He will be getting baptized on August 18th! We've met with him twice this week and he is doing great!

Another major event was our service on last Friday. Some Sisters asked (okay...basically begged) us to help them "clean" a guys yard and house. So we picked up some other Elders to help out the Sisters and this guy they've been working with, but none of us were expecting to be there very long. The Sisters asked if we could start at 6 a.m., so we woke up at 5:30 in order to get there on time. To make a long story short, I'm pretty sure most of the time we "cleaning" we weren't even on ground level! We were ACTUALLY there to help re-roof and level the house. The roof was rotting away so we polished it up with 2×4's and plywood etc, etc. Sounds more like hard labor and carpentry, not "cleaning," but it's all good. We helped them level the house with jacks under the pillars and foundation of the home (BTW which can slip off the structure and crush you). Eight hours later we were still there. It was fun, but not what we were anticipating...thanks Sisters. 😇

During one of our morning basketball sessions (ball is life) I did indeed broke my nose. There's this Elder who is like 6'3" who I was wrecking in the paint. I was playing on him hard, keeping him honest, and he goes ahead and posts-me-up, then turns and the back of his head slams me right on the bridge of my nose. He felt the pop on the back of his head and I definitely felt it. The break lacerated my nose and there was just a waterfall of blood spewing out my nostrils. I'm all good now though. Haha.

Today is our p-day and we are riding up in our large van to see three of the most powerful telescopes in the world! Mt. Graham is amazing! Should be a good day.

Appreciate all your letters and boxes.  You're the best!!

Have a good one y'all.  Love, Elder West

July 16 - Great day

"And now, my son, I trust that I shall have great joy in you, because of your steadiness and your faithfulness unto God; for as you have commenced in your youth to look to the Lord your God, even so I hope that you will continue in keeping his commandments; for blessed is he that endureth to the end." - Alma 38:2

What a ride it's been. Because Elder Brown and I have not gone to the Temple for a while we moved our P-Day in order to do so... And I can tell you this, it's been a struggle! But don't worry, we made it haha! The temple was so worth it, we took a family name from Baptism to Endowment... Super cool! 

Things are starting to pick up in our 4 YSA Wards now that school has almost started. We have an investigator who is a young single adult who is doing great with the lessons, commitment, and church attendance! This guy is wanting to get baptized... buuuuut... he wants his "less active" okay, inactive friend to conduct the baptism. So the challenge now is to get his buddy ready, attend church, and "worthy himself up" so he can perform the ordinance for his friend. So maybe we can get a two-for-one supporting the gospel. Pray for us!

Also, some interesting news that you may or may not care about. Because of the recent increase in students to the University there is a sensible shift in the YSA dichotomy. The Gila Valley girls are very much on the prowl for their mates. And this is a very uncomfortable and problematic environment to be around. Our ward mission leader (an RM) IS DATING A GIRL STRAIGHT OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL! If they get married like all of our other YSA Ward Mission Leaders have done, I will lose my mind! FYI, don't marry a girl from the Gila Valley, because some how you will end up living here like everyone else. 

Transfers are coming up, so we will see how it all turns out Saturday night. Keep on... keeping on y'all. 

Love,

Elder West

1) Elder Brown and I at the Gila Valley Temple!

June 25th - Frieeeeends!

"And since man had fallen he could not merit anything of himself; but the sufferings and death of Christ atone for their sins, through faith and repentance, and so forth; and that he breaketh the bands of death, that the grave shall have no victory, and that the sting of death should be swallowed up in the hopes of glory; and Aaron did expound all these things unto the king." Alma 22:14

Elder Brown and I had a solid week! We've been going on splits with all the elders in our zone, helping them plan for their areas, and setting some dope goals. We also got to pick a new zone focus for the coming month which was cool.

We actually got to do some YSA work as well this week, which was great. I'm excited for school at EA to start again because then we lose the two family wards and just cover 4 YSA Wards, and I've heard that's pretty swanky. 

Also random update, Elder Brown and I are total bros. Honestly there are so many random things we have in common it's kind of ridiculous. Post mission adventure plans have already been made, and countless inside jokes have already been born. 😎 Haha 

We are also playing a lot of basketball on our p-days, many dope workouts throughout the week, plenty of movie references, and stories of past shenanigans shared. He truly is a shenanstigator at heart, and therefore a brother.

Hope everyone back home is doing well! I apologize for not being able to write a longer email, but tis the nature of my life now. Stay as fresh as the haircuts of all the elders in my zone now (thanks for the fresh fades Elder Brown). 

Love G. West

Ok so this email will not be nearly as long as I would like it to be, our schedule has been less than convenient, cuz like everyone in the zone needs something, so sorry.

July 2nd - Enlightenment

"And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 

"And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name."

"And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ." Acts 5:40-42

When I reflect on the early apostles, I think of how courageous they were in sharing the gospel. They weren't as steadfast and immovable right from the beginning as they were at the end. "Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad." Matt 26:31

This gives me comfort in the fact that I am not a perfect disciple. It's interesting how "disciple" and "discipline" are only different by a couple letters. For us to be true disciples of Jesus Christ we must be disciplined and show self restraint, bridling our passions, facing adversity with calmness, and loving those who despise us (1Cor 13:5, Alma 38:12, D&C 135:4, Matt 5:44). This is not easy, but can be possible through the grace and wisdom of Christ. What a wonderful change it has been for me to want to be disciplined and not kick against the pricks. I don't know where I would be in my progression towards perfection or as a person if I had not come on a mission. 

I learned a lot this week, mainly because our zone had a conference and we had interviews with the president. It's so inspiring to be around so many good people. It's a real blessing to serve the Lord.

Onward and upward

Me and My companion Elder Brown

Love,

Elder West

June 11th - Hello There

"And the church did meet together oft, to fast and to pray, and to speak one with another concerning the welfare of their souls. And they did meet together oft to partake of bread and wine, in remembrance of the Lord Jesus." - Moroni 6:6

This past Sunday in one of our Wards we were talking about the Sacrament during Sunday School and I feel impressed to share my thoughts. 

Amongst many scriptures that advise us "partake not of the sacrament of Christ unworthily" (1Cor. 11:29; 3Ne 18:29; Morm 9:29; D&C 46:4) there are many more things which I personally consider that will help us to "keep in remembrance" Christ and enable us to FULLY indulge in His atoning sacrifice. We read in the Sacrament prayers (Moroni 4:3; Moroni 5:2 etc.) that we must always remember Him. There is no better time than at church to look back on our previous week and move forward in the next. Once a week the Lord has set aside this sacred time solely devoted for this purpose. As we show God that it is important to us, our effort and repentance can make us whole. "For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered [week by week] continually make the comers thereunto perfect." - Hebrews 10:1

The Atonement, the great and everlasting sacrifice of Jesus Christ made it possible to be "at one" with Heavenly Father's personal path for us. Without the Atonement we would be lost and without hope. Because He did die and He does extend His mercy, we can be spiritually lead to a life the Lord would want us to live. For God is no "respecter of persons", but thoroughly concerned with the individual salvation of all of His children. So individually we must "work out [our] own Salvation" (Acts 10:34; Philipians 2:12). Personally we need to be concerned for the welfare of our souls. How can we do this when we are not thinking of Christ first, especially at church, especially during the sacrament? We are renewing our covenant with God, an Eternal promise, to remember His Son. Do you honestly think you'll do so during the week if you do not do so during a time specially sanctioned by the Creator?! How are you showing Him that it is important to you? Are you bowing your head in humility or just arching your neck to see the screen of your phone? Do you close your eyes in precious prayer or out of boredom? Are you making the Sacrament special or just something we do at church?

In symbolism to partaking of His goodness, let's look toward another instance where there is a group of people gathering and consuming. "And it came to pass that I beheld others pressing forward, and they came forth and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press forward through the mist of darkness, clinging to the rod of iron, even until they did come forth and partake of the fruit of the tree."

"And after they had partaken of the fruit of the tree they did cast their eyes about as if they were ashamed.

And after they had tasted of the fruit they were ashamed, because of those that were scoffing at them; and they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost." (1Ne 8:24-25; 1Ne 8:28)

We may partake but not internalize the impending importance of the ordinance of the Sacrament. Our we may just taste and just do so without thought or feeling. I can't stress enough how much I love and appreciate my Savior and the gift of the Sabbath and the chance I have to indulge in His Atonement. 

Enjoy your week!

Elder West

P.S.

I ate 15 Dennys pancakes today. I now hold the ATM record.

And part of a video we made... 

Kbye

June 4th - Weekly

"And there are many among us who have many revelations, for they are not all stiffnecked. And as many as are not stiffnecked and have faith, have communion with the Holy Spirit, which maketh manifest unto the children of men, according to their faith."

Hello everybody, its good to write to you this week! There have been a lot going on... so I'll make this quick and painless.

Recently our Zone has had the opportunity to help out a potential investigator clean her house. This place was honestly the filthiest home I've been inside on my mission (and that's saying something). It was a single wide trailer, literally falling apart. The floors were made of particle board, most of which was rotting away and many parts had holes where you could see outside! Cobwebs lined the walls and they were not without spiders. Luckily they had two dogs and 4-5 cats which had defecated all over the place. The mother had her clothes layered about a foot high in her bedroom, all of which smelled of cat urine. Don't even get me started with the bathrooms. Needless to say it was a BAD situation. The mother of the family anxiously wanted us to come help her "tidy up", because the CPS (child protection services) were threatening to take away her kids. We did the best we could but after our help doing what we could with her home, unfortunately (or fortunately depending upon how you look at it) her kids were still taken from her.

Let's get to some happy stuff now! We had a Zone Conference and an MLC, which were both AMAZING! At our Zone Conference our Mission President's Mission President from his mission came to speak to us. Wise words from a wise man, he essentially told us to not lie and to get married as fast as necessary when we get home haha. At MLC we had the opportunity to hear from Elder Taniela B. Wokolo from the Quorum of the Seventy and also an Area Seventy attend the conference and give us some training. Elder Wokolo is now in my top 3 favorite General Authorities. That man can spit out scriptures like it's none of your business! My respect for the leaders of the Church has grown ten fold. They are true servants of God.

Today we went to an escape room, we escaped. Just thought I'd let you know.

Have a good week Y'all

Love Elder West

April 30 to Gila Valley Zone

April 30th

"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." Matthew 6:24

To my surprise I was transferred from Sierra Vista a few weeks ago after only being there for three months! A few highlights these past 6 weeks since I have been a slacker on my letter writing. Sorry everyone...

I was asked to be the District Leader of the Sierra Vista area in January. Elder Dickinson became my companion when I first arrived but then left 4 days later due to health complications... Elder Gee became my next companion.

Elder Gee and built up a great teaching pool from nearly nothing.  We had the opportunity to do service with some members in the Ward (I'll include pictures).  We helped out at a camp site and ended up making s'mores for the kids. (the little kids asked me to help them out).

I got to defeather, gut, and clean a chicken.  That was interesting.  I promoted my little chick to Elder for the day. hehe

In April I was transferred to the Gila Valley Zone and asked to be a Zone Leader. Sadly I had to say goodbye to Barbara, she will be getting baptized soon!!  I'm so proud of her! :)

Gila Valley is basically small town rural Arizona. I've already worked with my new companion before, so I know we will get along and we both like to work hard.  But I'm really upset to leave a biking area! We have to travel throughout the Zone to attend District meetings, move missionaries around from one area to another, work with our zone missionaries, and help train the District leaders, so we have an awesome van! 

Not much more to tell, but you'll be hearing from me soon as I head to Eastern Arizona University YSA!  😏  haha, JK

Love Elder West

Gila Valley

Barbara's First Day at Church