Los Mineros

Well another week has past in Chile, and although everything appears the same. But at the same time, everything has changed.
Im not sure if you have heard about the mine collapse in Antofogasta in Chile, but there were 33 miners that were trapped hundreds of feet under the earth. After a week past, most people gave up hope. It was plastered all over the news, but no one had much hope of them ever coming out alive. A priest had arrived to console the families of the miners to let them know that their loved ones are in a better place. Then, on the 17th day, a camera came down a small hole hundreds and hundreds of feet. The camera finally entered into a small opening. I was with a family watching the live feed when a light appeared on the screen. We werent sure what it was, but out of the corner of the screen, a face appeared of a man, obviously starved, but alive.
Who says miracles dont exist anymore? I would say that they exist now more than ever. Chile really needs it. It really is a miracle that everyone is alive. They are receiving food and lots of other cool stuff, so they will be fine.
Also, on another totally unrelated note, our zone had the opportunity to compete in a singing competition, and they made ME sing! I sung Hallelujah, from Shrek, and it was terrible. haha, no I had fun with it, and I am going to try and send it to you guys as soon as I can!
Sorry this is short, im trying to figure some stuff out with general conference talks. Love you guys! I always love hearing from you!
Love you mucho (good job Grandpa, your spanish skills are impeccable)
Elder Westover

PS- This is a picture of my comp that I did because we had a picture frame, but no picture, so I made one :)

Impensable

Hey All!!!
Well things here in Santiago are heatin up! this week Ive taken off my sweater and was almost forced to pull out my short sleeve shirts! I dont know dad, that whole Global Warming thing is making more sense the hotter it gets, haha! Speaking of which, I have decided to dedicate this email to my awesome dad, who is turning 35 this friday. Dad, I dont know why it took me so long to realize what an awesome parent you are. I think it has kind of been an Adam and Eve necessity sort of thing. Just like it was necessary for Adam and Eve to fall to recognize how good they had it in the Garden of Eden, I had to come all the way to Chile to realize what a great father I had. So happy birthday dad, I hope all your wildest dreams come true and you get my present to "That Special Someone". :)
Anyway, things in the mission are coming along great. Franchesco came to church all by himself on Sunday, and Im pretty sure that he will be the first to get baptized, even though when we first started out, he didnt believe in God or anything. Now he tells us that he knows that baptism is important but he feels that he needs to be more prepared. It almost amazes me the changes that some people make for something that they feel is true. Im also amazed at the lives that the gospel touches. Sometimes its those that we least expect that are ready to hear the gospel. Thats why its so important to give EVERYONE an opportunity to hear the gospel, no matter who they are. Sometimes we are afraid to talk to people because we dont know what to say or we are afraid of being embarassed, but when we really understand what we are doing, it seems silly. When God asks us: "I sent you in the path of that man that needed the gospel, and you didnt do anything, why?" We must respond with "I was embarassed, I didnt know what to say."
I learned a lot of things on my mission, and I know that although I am still the same kid I was when I left, I grew up. I know that we have a crucial role in this life and we each have a divine destiny to complete. I hope that we can all find the opportunities to find that one person who is waiting for us. One of the hardest things is accepting the will of God, but learning to just slide and know that he will take care of us is all the comfort I need to keep going and preach the gospel to all those who will listen to me. I know that He will catch me if I fall, because he knows that I have confidence that He is there for me.
Thanks for everything, guys!
Con Amor,
Elder Westover

Getting Over Being Sick

Hey Family and Friends!
Well its been a week since I emailed you guys, owing to a nasty sickness I got and a cough that Im still trying to get rid of. But the good news is that I'm back and going out knocking down those doors, letting people know that the church has been restored!
Things have been going really well recently in the work. We have a family that's progressing really well called the Familia Manquez. They consist of a less active Mom who just wants the best for her two children, Franchesco (20) and Karina (12). They are great and accepted to be baptized the other day, but the problem is that their grandma died the other day and they have been a little preoccupied with that. Hopefully that will give them a better perspective on things and they will be able to see the importance of what we are doing.
Other than that, things are going really well. We are having a ball with the hermanas in our sector (shown in the photo above), and really are enjoying being where we are. The zone we are in is very cool and we are content with the progress we are seeing. I really want to go on about other little details about the week, but unfortunately the time at the internet cafés always seem to cut very short after I'm done reading your emails. Thank you so much for that courage and support! I need it! I can really say that I have gained a testimony of a lot of things, and some of which are different than I thought. For instance, I now have a firm and rock solid testimony in the importance of mothers in our lives. I have seen their importance and why they are there. Next week I will have to share more of my testimony on that, but right now my companion is pulling my leg out the door, so I better get going. Thanks for everything guys! You are always a great help to me in the work! 10 more wonderful months left! Agghh!!! Time is going by way too fast!!!
Con Amor,
Elder Westover