Week Eighty

Started off the week driving to Manchester on Monday night! We had a double MLC this month because we didn't have one in December! So it was a good time seeing a lot of the mission homies. I can't believe that we have all been out for as long as we have. It doesn't seem like I've been out for very long, but the fact that I'm still in my 3rd area may play a role in that😂 I think I'll probably have about 4 areas on my mission. Looking back on the areas I've served in, I'm thankful for all of the people and places I've been! Even Colebrook!

This week we had a ton of lessons! The highlight of it was getting to run from appointment to appointment! That's one of the best feelings as a missionary. Being a little bit on edge about the timing of everything, but also just happy to be teaching so much! Junior's baptism is getting closer too. I may or may not be there for it. Since they are able to move the port for his dialysis some logistical things may take a while, or could happen in a few days. I'm happy he showed the faith to get baptized, because after he showed that faith, the miracle happened! He literally followed Ether 12:12 and it worked!

Anyways this week was the Super Bowl and it got WILD up here! People were spazzing out in the streets the night of the Super Bowl. You could definitely tell when there was a good play or a bad play. Luckily they won so all will be well here in New England. After they lost last year, it actually made it harder to proselyte for a few days, because people were bitter.

We also had our interviews with the Mission President today, and I had a record breaking time of 4 minutes with President! Luckily we get to go out proselyting and teaching with him tonight! So that will be fun. ALSO it's like 55 degrees outside, and we went on a hike! I had shorts and short-sleeves on! IT WAS SO NICE! and tomorrow is supposed to be better. So I know it's going to be a good week. Anyways hope y'all have a good week too! 

Week Seventy Nine

This week was the most soaked I've ever got on my mission. This past Thursday we had exchanges with the Revere 4 Elders, and they crashed their car on Christmas, so they've been on foot/bus ever since. This past Thursday it was also a torrential downpour with like 50 mph wind gusts. So one of us had the car, and the other set didn't. I'm a good person so I let Elder Nielsen take the car since he's new to the area, and I know all the shortcuts around town.  So Thursday Elder Ramirez and I hit the streets of Lynn! Lynn has like no drainage systems so all the streets were borderline flooding from the melted snow, and rain. So we were trying our hardest to keep our shoes relatively dry. We had some appointments set, and the reaction our investigators had was so funny when we would show up to the appointment. At one point in the day, we had to take refuge in a Taco Bell. It was a wild day. We also rode the bus home, which was a first for me. The bus drivers are CRAZY! Let's just say Boston roads and buses do not mix. I can barely fit the Corolla down some roads.

We had zone conference this week too. It was all fun and games till I was just chilling and we got a phone call. So I stepped out to answer the phone, and low and behold it was Indian Bob. Our man Indian Bob was so interested in the Book of Mormon he reached out to us like a month later! So that was funny. I had to go grab Elder Solo and tell him that he called😂 It was good to see the boi since he's been gone!

This week has definitely been one that I'll remember for a while though. I hit my 18 month mark and now I'm just slowly running out of time. The mission has been such a blessing to my life, and I am so happy that I know I have found some of the people I was meant to come out here for. The Lord works in his own time, and sometimes he likes for us to learn how to be patient. I'll always appreciate the laid back lifestyle of New Englanders, and I'm looking forward to the next 6 months of this adventure!

 Father Westwood

Week Seventy Eight

This week was pretty great for missionary work. We had a whole nice week with no big events in our way, so we were able to just have some extra time to find people to teach! Finding people in the cold may seem like it's a lot harder, but everyone has more sympathy for you when you knock on their door😂 so a lot of people will at least let you in to talk for a little bit.

This past Thursday we had exchanges with the Lawrence Elders. We had a good time with them, and were able to find a lot with them too! This Friday we were getting ready to go to district meeting, and our Mission Presidents wife called telling us to call the Mission President. He told us someone in our zone had a medical emergency, and we needed to find a way for him to get all the way up to Freeport Maine. When President heard I had already taken a missionary there before, he elected me to be the driver. So I had to leave district council an hour early and take the long haul to Maine. It worked out though because his companion went on exchanges with mine, and all of our lessons still were able to happen! So I got to take another fun trip to Maine!

This weekend was pretty wild with the storm that came through. It snowed a little bit here, but then it started freezing rain instantly after. So now it's like an ice box outside! We got grounded yesterday, and since we live a couple miles outside of our area we kinda just freestyled and helped the sisters with their area! It was a good time though, and made me appreciate that we have warm months. 

Yall have a good week, and stay warm. 

Marthene!

Week Seventy Seven

This week was pretty good! It started out with a trip to Manchester for MLC. Once again I had to teach in front of all the leadership of the mission. I can't catch a break😂   It actually turned out really really good though, and the lady we role played with was touched so much she started uncontrollably crying. So we got the thumbs up from the leadership squad😂 Roleplays are really cool because you can still feel the spirit testify through you, and the people you teach can feel it too. Besides that, basically the whole North Shore Zone is now in leadership positions so I got to see a whole bunch of friends at MLC! It also snowed that morning, and I haven't seen snow stick yet this year, so that was fun. 

This week has been very cold, so not too many people have been out and about, but that hasn't stopped us from finding people. The whole week whenever I got really cold, I would just think to myself, I'm glad I'm not in Colebrook right now. Since it's so much colder there😂We saw some miracles here in the Revere area though. We got a text from one of the people we first taught when I got in this area saying that they can be baptized! So he was ready to be baptized, but he's on dialysis so the doctors said it would be very dangerous for him to be submerged in water. He decided that following the Lord is more important and he wants to try. So if things go as planned we will probably make some sort of contraption to wrap around his port, and then put the baptismal suit over him. It's a step of faith I didn't think I'd be able to see on my mission!

We also had the experience of dealing with an Emergency transfer in the zone. Unfortunately we had to say goodbye to one of the missionaries I came out with :( so we had to deal with that this week, and helped move his companion over to the Hardcastle in Salem. It's a good place for him though. We also went to a Catholic funeral of one of our investigators nephews. It made me glad to be a member of our church. Our funerals are not nearly as sad. The plan of salvation is real, and I'm glad to know that.

Week Seventy Six

This week has been awesome! Elder solomon and I were finally separated! It was quite the run. We also lost a ton of missionaries. So it was pretty much the saddest transfer meeting I've ever been to. When I got there I saw some of my good good mission friends Elder Stegeman and McCormick. Saying good bye to Elder McCormick was the first time I ever shed a tear saying goodbye to a comp. It was pretty sad seeing them all head out. Anyways it's still been a party out here in Revere though.

We have 3 district leaders now, and it's made for much more excitement throughout the day. My little bro has a friend that just came to this mission, and I called exactly where he would serve. He's up in Salem Massachusetts with my boi Elder Hardcastle. They'll do good things up there.

We've been working really hard out here, and I hope to see some good things come in the coming weeks. Hope yall have a good week.

Week Seventy Five

After a good 4 transfers together, and many many miracles and memories; Elder Solomon and I are being split up! I'm staying here in this blessed land, and Elder Solomon is moving one zone north up here to the other blessed land of Exeter New Hampshire. I'll be receiving Elder Neilson, and he's got 2 transfers left. The whole zone is being switched around. Elder Solo and I helped bring this zone into the mission. We were able to bring in a new district, and brought in 5 new companionships! It's been a ride. I'm glad I'm still drivin😎.

Also R.I.P Elder McCormick. Gone, but never forgotten. Till we meet again buddy. 😢😭

Anyways this week flew by. We taught a lot of people, and were even able to give a chapel tour! Unfortunately no one came to church. So that will be my next focus here. There would be so many people that came during the summer, but now that it gets dark earlier less people come. The sun's staying out a lil longer now so I'm happy for that transition! Today it was 60 degrees. That's about 70 degrees warmer than last year. It's crazy how different the weather is out here. I feel so blessed that it's been so warm this year. I do hope we get a little bit of snow though. 

I love the mission, and now that there's a new year it reminds me of how short this time really is. It was such a blessing to spend the entire year of 2018 in the service of God. I've learned how to love the people I serve, and I've learned how to be diligent, and always obedient. The mission is definitely the best way I could have spent 2018!

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One of my favorite things in this life is a good sunset after a long day. The sun in general is one of my favorite things. Growing up I would love to get into a car after it had been baking in the sun for hours. 
Each morning when the sun rises it brings warmth, light, and life into the world. We need the sun, and it is essential to survive in this world. Heavenly Father's son is the same. In a world growing evermore dark, cold, and scary, Jesus Christ is still here, and has set his perfect example for us. In our dark times he is there to bring us light, and warmth. He died, and he lived again, because of this we may live again too. Following his example brings peace, love, and positivity into our lives.
Now that I'm older, I still love getting in super hot cars, but I've also learned to love Jesus Christ, and all he's done for me. That's why I've dedicated this time to serve him, and I'm learning more and more about his love each day! May we all have faith in God and his son Jesus Christ, the same way that we have faith in sun that it will rise and set each day!