January 25, 2016

Hey fam! 

Thanks for the package! I'm excited to get it. And yes there is a ton of snow here! Probably like 8 inches, and everyone says it's been a very mild winter so far--but I heard February gets crazy with snow sooooo I'll be excited for the spring. It gets insanely cold because of the humidity. It pierces through all layers no matter what. But Elder Hales and I have competitions to see who slips the most throughout the day on the ice. I'll be honest he usually loses. It's way funny. 

This week was once again not filled with a lot of investigator teaching but there was quite a bit of member lessons this week! It was good. But disappointing that we haven't had a lot of success with investigators lately. J-- though is doing great. We taught the gospel of Jesus Christ this week to him and he understands it perfectly, it's kind of scary how good he accepts everything but hey I'm not complaining! He's very fun to teach. He speaks decent English too. I love talking with him. We met with Sister Y-- again this week and she's doing great too! She said she's been praying for an answer to who she needs to invite over to be taught by us. She has social anxiety pretty bad so it was surprising to us, but it made us really happy! Also she came to church this week too! 

We are still living with the other elders so we are still having trouble with getting everything figured out with the apartment! We don't know if we are moving in for sure or if it's just temporary. They still have to spray a couple more times but we are tired of waiting to get the answer if it's permanent! Haha it's ok though, we have a lot of fun living as a foursome. The other elders are very similar to me, so we get along well. It's been fun! I'm sorry this week's email was so short, I'll do better next week! Hopefully I'll have more to write about! I went on exchange in a city called Saco and we were right by the beach so we pulled over to take some pictures so I hope you enjoy them! It's very pretty! Snowy beach too. Kinda weird. it is SO cold. Hope you have a good week! 

January 19, 2016

Hi! Bed bugs got sprayed this week, but we are still living with
the other elders. They still will need to spray another time or two so
we are still out of it but yeah! It's been interesting haha 

This week was very very interesting, not a ton happened. But we had a
lesson with J-- FINALLY and it went SO well. We taught the last
half of the plan of salvation and he explained to us after that it was
really new to him, but he said that it makes perfect sense so he didn't
have any problems with understanding it! It was so awesome. He also
read all of First Nephi in between visits and it is honestly
unreal how well he understands it. He understands it on a member level,
I'm serious, and understands it in a spiritual way as well that is
incredible. It was a very fun lesson. He was sick and couldn't come to
church though, but that's ok.

We met with sister Y-- as well, and it started off very interesting.
She was very closed off and really seemed like she didn't want us
there. It was totally opposite of last time! But we taught her the
plan of salvation, and she said the reason why she was baptized 10
years ago was because of the plan of salvation because when she was a
newlywed she lost her husband in a car accident, so it meant a lot to
her knowing that she will be able to see him again. The lesson went
well, she opened up by he end of the lesson and was back to her old
self. She has some social anxiety, that's why I think she was so
closed off at the beginning but it did go well. We met with J-- as well 
and talked with him about missionary work and that was
good too. We have had to make some tough decisions this week with
investigators. We had to drop a few because there was no progression.
I tell you what, that's NO fun, but it was necessary.

We just had district P day and a sister that has served around me in
Portland this whole time is ending her mission, so we took a weird
picture to make her the center of it. That's how I roll, always
awkward and weird but hey I rep it. We have a fun district. Also, the
one on the very right is my companion. Elder Hales:)

I love you all! Keep up the good work and remember to read the Book of Mormon!

January 11, 2016

Hi!

Well. This was one of the craziest weeks yet haha we found bed bugs in
our apartment. Yeah bed bugs. That saying as a kid "sleep tight don't
let the bed bugs bite" is SOOO real. We thought we only had a couple
but then we found out it was like an infestation and now we are living
with the other Portland elders and we have done like 30 dollars worth
of laundry and have been moving all our stuff over. I'm not sure if it
will be a permanent move yet but yeah it's been crazy haha and not fun
at all. So, Mom, if you could put some more money on my debit card I'd
really appreciate it <3<3 because I'm not sure what I will need. It
might be just in case, so I'll let you know what happens but yeah if
you could that would be awesome. Also, for anyone trying to send me
something send it to the new apartment for now. It's 106 Cumberland
avenue Portland Maine!

We didn't do a lot of teaching this week. But the few lessons we had
went really well. Since 2016 started we have a new mission vision for
this year and it's involving members more in our work. It's the center
of our focus actually. So we set up appointments with members to teach
them the lessons so they can get confidence in us as missionaries and
themselves, as well, so that they can invite their friends over to be
taught. We commit the members to set a specific date for when they can
invite a friend over by, and they work towards that date to find
someone. We are teaching a less active right now and she is so
awesome. Her name is Sister Y-- and she is the first one that we have
started this new vision with. And it's a win-win. Because she's less
active, so hopefully us teaching her the lessons, and reminding her
why she gained a testimony in the first place will help her come back
to activity. But also she is willing to participate in our new goal as
missionaries and we are meeting with her tomorrow to teach the second
lesson which is the plan of salvation. We are really excited! 

We did a lot of lighting visits this week to members (like a 10 minute stop by
and say hi and share a short message) and we tried to get with our
investigators, too, but man it just seemed like they all fell off the
face of the earth. We have really struggled to get a hold of them but
one of our weekly goals this week was to have 3 investigators come to
church and somehow 3 of them came haha it was a miracle! F--,
P-- (he's been an investigator forever, but he's been sick and
really busy lately), and J-- who we haven't been able to see for
like 3 weeks now! It was so awesome. We've been praying really hard
for our investigators, because in all honesty none of them are really
progressing. But it was so awesome to see them come to church and
all 3 said they loved it so we still are keeping our heads up. It was
a crazy week. I hateeee bed bugs. So glad Utah doesn't have bed bugs.

My itty bitty message is very short but it was a very cool experience
for me this week. I was driving with Elder Hales and I just had a
random moment where I was like "Wow-- I'm in Maine" and I thought a
lot about what I've experienced so far and what I've gained and the
first thing I thought about was that I've never felt so close to the
Savior in my life. Being able to read the scriptures every day and
representing Him everyday and teaching about Him everyday--it's pretty
easy to feel so close to Him. But I really evaluated my relationship
with Him and I'm glad I did because it really made me appreciate and
recognize the Savior more in my life. So evaluate your relationship
with the Savior. If it's not very good, improve it! And if you think
it's great, improve it! You can always be closer. So do it! I love you
all! Have a good week!

Elder Webb

January 4, 2016

Hey everyone! It's good to hear you've had a good time together for the new year and Christmas! And happy birthday!! Now that Jared's 21 he probably has WAYYY more grey hairs than he already did and is balding more. He knows I love him so I can say things like that. And luckyyyy a cruise to Mexico would be so cool! 

This week was pretty interesting! I got a new companion. His name is Elder Hales! He's from this tiny town in Utah, it's like an hour away from Price. Ferren? Pharren? Something like that. He's absolutely hilarious. We have a lot of fun. He's a goof but hey so am I. And I have been leading out the area! He's been out for about 21 months so I was a little scared to show him that I can plan and that I know where our investigators live! But it went well this week. We taught the recent converts J-- and J-- this week and we taught a new investigator named T--. He's from Burundi and he said he's been praying to God to find the right church and he totally believes that the message we have is the right one. Well......WE know it is, now we just need to bring the Spirit so that he can know it for himself! Haha and we were supposed to meet with J-- and F-- this week, too, but they were busy which is a bummer, but we talked to both of them yesterday and they are still doing good! 

New Year's Eve/ New Year's Day was very interesting haha it was just a normal day but we talked to very interesting people. New Year's Eve/ New Year's Day outside of Utah is crazy! We didn't talk to very many people that weren't drunk. Or they were all frustrated talking to us because they were on a big hangover. It was frustrating talking to so many people and nothing really coming from it but I realized how grateful and blessed I am for the wonderful people I'm surrounded by as examples to me, so that I never got into anything I shouldn't. Not that I would have, but I also thought about how grateful I am to live in such a wonderful place. It's so easy to make better decisions when you are surrounded by people who want to do the same as well. Thanks, Mom and Dad, for being that first example to me in helping me live my life how I should. It gives me a stronger desire as well to help these people out. Because I really have gained a love for the people of Portland. Follow the Word of Wisdom, whoever is reading this. And if you think it's crazy that God would command us to follow something like the word of wisdom, give it a try. How can you know something will or won't bless your life until you try to follow it? God commanded it for a reason. And He promises blessings. Especially the strength to overcome it. 

I love you all! I hope you have a great week! Thanks for being great examples to me! It means a lot! And happy new year! 

Love, 

Elder Webb 

December 28, 2015

Hey Fam! 

Yeah it was so good to see all of you, too! The tears at the end we're not as bad as you thought haha I was fine 10 minutes after. I just have a really ugly cry hahaha but I was fine right after! Christmas is just a weird thing on the mission haha it's awesome, but it's just so different. I still had a really good day but yeah it's just weird! It's hard to explain. Dad and Jared know what I mean. The members were really nice to us too! It was fun going over to their houses and eat with them and be a part of their families for a little bit. The members here are great! 

This week was fun! It was an interesting week with Christmas Eve, Christmas, transfer calls, the warm weather, etc! We opened up all of our presents on Christmas Eve and it was a lot of fun! All the candy, other good treats, the ties, the picture, the Christmas tree, etc! I don't even remember it all, if I was at the apartment I would but thanks so much! Everyone that sent anything thank you! 

Yeah for Christmas we had lunch at the Scott's, and then we Skyped, and then we went and street contacted until about 5:00 p.m. and then went and had dinner at the senior missionaries' place with some African members! It was awesome! The African members were so confused at what gravy was. They were all nervous to try it haha but then they all loved it! They all think Americans are sooooo unhealthy! It's really funny. 

We struggled to meet with people this week. It was a lot of finding and not a lot of success but it's ok! Our investigators are all still really solid! So we aren't too worried. They are all really busy! But yeah we got transfer calls the other day and Elder Johnson is leaving and I'm staying again for another transfer! It's pretty weird. Elder Johnson and I became good friends but he will be a great zone leader!! I'm staying as junior companion and getting another French speaker so I'm happy! I love the people in this area haha I couldn't imagine being in Elder Johnson's shoes where he's been here for a year straight--these people must mean so much to him! I love this area and I'm so glad I'm staying! 

I'm sorry I don't have a lot to write, it was so good to see all of you over Skype! It was a lot of fun! I have the best family in the world. I hope you all had a good Christmas and that you all will have a good new year, as well! Make New Year's resolutions! Improve! I'm making some and I'm going to actually try to accomplish them so.......try with me! Haha I love you all! Have a good week! 

Love, 

Elder Webb️️

December 21, 2015

My French is terrible! It's not progressing, haha but it's ok. Elder Johnson has just been translating for me during lessons. It's so frustrating haha but it's ok! 

Yes I got the packages! I've already had some of the hot cocoa, which is phenomenal, and I used the snowman mug, and I set up the Christmas tree. It's awesome! Oh and I ate all the toffee in like 30 minutes. I felt so sick after but it obviously was worth it. I got the packages like 2 days ago I think! 

Well I'll start off by saying I can't believe it's almost Christmas! Time has flown by, and second it's been really warm lately! It's supposed to be like 50 degrees on Tuesday! No snow. But the wind pierces my soul I kid you not, it's painful, but we had a really good week! 

We taught J-- about the word of wisdom this week and we were nervous he was going to have a lot of questions about it, but he accepted gladly and has been updating us this week with it telling us that it is going well! He has been busy, so we only saw him that one time but yeah he gives us a call once every few days and tells us. It's been really cool! He's supposed to be baptized Jan. 9th  but we will probably have to move it to February because he's so busy, so we don't have enough time to teach him all the lessons. But he's still very enthusiastic about it all! 

We taught Fe-- once, and nothing really happened. She's very shy. She's awesome! But yeah we taught about the plan of salvation and it went well, but she's just so hard to get a read on! But she has come to church a few times already, and has loved it, especially the other African members so it's still going good! 

And A--, we were teaching him this week and it was funny. He told us "I love meeting with you guys, you're really nice and funny but I just don't think I'm going to gain anything from your church. We both love Jesus, and we both believe in him! So I don't think I will gain anything.".......so I got up and handed him the Book of Mormon and his eyes went HUGE. He was so shocked that he busted out laughing, and trust me it wasn't a "this is ridiculous" laugh. It was a "oh my gosh I was wrong and this is awesome" laugh! And he has been really interested lately. We are meeting with him tomorrow, and hopefully he has read, but yeah it was funny. He got so excited. Elder Johnson bore a super strong testimony about the Book of Mormon, too, after I got up and handed him the Book of Mormon, and it just felt like the Spirit was giving everyone bear hugs. You couldn't deny the Spirit that was there. It's been a fun week, and a really quick one. 

I'm excited to talk to you this weekend! It will be fun! If I cry I promise I'm still a big boy. I just get it from dad, so you can blame him if it gets weird. I love you! And Merry Christmas to everyone! If you emailed me and I didn't respond, I'm very sorry! I am making a list of who to respond to next week and if you've sent me one, I promise you will be on the list. Once again, I love you all! Have a good week! 

Elder Webb

December 14, 2015

Hey Fam! 

Well this week was hectic haha--I went on 2 exchanges with other elders because Elder Johnson is district leader, so on Monday and Tuesday I was with Elder Steely because he had a missionary training thing in New Hampshire, and then we did a district exchange between us and the other Portland elders on Wednesday and Thursday so I was barely even with Elder Johnson this week! Haha it was crazy! But during those few days, I had A LOT of fun. It was hectic but I realized how great the missionaries there are in this mission. They all really are huge studs and I look up to every one of them. 

We taught a few lessons during those few days. We taught the less-active brother P-- again and the lesson went well. I was stressed because the Elder I was with obviously didn't know anything about him so it was mostly up to me with the lesson plan but I felt pretty good about it hah I think he enjoys us coming over. Even if the lesson we gave wasn't very good, I think he still enjoys the company hahaha and then we taught F-- again, and we taught her about the Book of Mormon with the senior couple in our mission, and it went very well. The spirit was so strong and we could see it working through F--, because that was one of the only times we had noticed her light up during a lesson, something clicked with her and it was cool to see, I hope it keeps going in a good direction! She's awesome.

Elder Johnson and I did a lot of finding the past few days and haven't had any success really. It's been hard but we saw an amazing miracle yesterday with J-- one of the recent converts that I talked a little about. In Burundi there has been another big outburst of killings apparently because people tried rebelling against the government. They sent out these trucks through the neighborhoods to knock on doors and kill the young men if there were any in the home. And J--'s kids are still in Burundi, and the trucks were in her neighborhood yesterday and Saturday. She knew about it before church but she said she knew that she needed to keep it together and to come to church and take the sacrament. And we didn't know about any of this until after church, but the people in the trucks went to the kids' house, and broke down the door but they were hiding in a place in the basement. They saw clothes on the floor which were her son's who is about my age (so a young man obviously) and they for some reason had the idea that the house had already been checked and taken care of, so they left. And J-- said that is an absolute miracle that they didn't search it anyways just to make sure. But yeah anyways, it was amazing to hear. Talk about conversion. In her time of need she decided that taking the sacrament and doing what she's supposed to by coming to church in stead of staying home nervous and unsure (which she had every reason to stay home and worry), and she was blessed for it. It was a huge testimony builder to see that for sure.

Well, have a good week! And remember the true meaning of Christmas! I love you all so much!!

Elder Webb