Hello Everyone!
I have been thinking recently about desires. Why do we do what we do? Why do we act the way that we do in the situation we are put in? Yesterday we had the opportunity to see Juan Arias baptize his two younger sons after being inactive for years. We came to his door and showed him that the world is filled with possibilities, and that we dont have to be trapped forever to our sins. After helping him recover from his addiction to cigarrettes, he talked to the bishop and set goals. And yesterday, his hard work all paid off. He could see the power that his desires had and the profound effect the gospel has had in his life. Desires are something that can lead us to do great evil, as well as great good. In the case of Hermano Arias, his desire to get his family back together outweighed his desire to smoke. Elder Dallin H. Oaks gave a great talk about the power of desire this past conference, and I admit that I am taking a bit from his talk, but I feel that power of desire so much in the mission, that I felt I needed to pay it tribute.
I feel grateful to be a part of that change. I feel that I have been changed because of it. I'm not sure how, but I know that the Lord is looking out for me and is watching everything that we do. I am glad for the opportunity I had to be part of the familia Arias's journey in the gospel. I know that their desire to be an eternal family is what makes mormons different from everyone else. We can be together forever. That hope, that desire, has the power to beat anything that will come. It is the sure foundation that we can look to and know that we are safe. Ironically enough, I believe that faith is the most sure thing that exists in this world. Everything will change, but that hope won't. Being with my family for eternity is one thing that will never change, no matter what happens. That's the greatest desire we can ever hope to have.
Thanks for everything guys, I love you so much!
Con Amor,
Elder Westover
Monday, April 25, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
The Lady with the Sopaipilla
In Psychology, we learned about something called the Gestalt Theory. Its main focus centers around the concept that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. That you put something together and what you have created is not just the components, but something else entirely. This is what I was thinking about while I was pushing a sopaipilla cart through the streets of Santiago at 10:30 at night.
What had happened was Elder Welling and I, after having gotten back to the pension realized that our lunch for the next day had most likely forgotten, so we ran over to remind them. On the way back, we saw a middle aged woman sitting out in the street with a big tin cart with a little roof that people use to make and sell little fried tortillas, called sopaipillas. We thought it a little bit strange that someone would be selling sopaipillas so late, but it wasnt really abnormal, so we kept walking. Then I heard something in my head say: "She probably needs help." I stop and look at my companion. He had felt the same thing. We come over to the lady and asked her if she needed help. A wave of relief seemed to wash over her face as she explained how she had carried the 150 lb cart from to the metro station, about three fourths of a mile from where we were. She had been pushing the cart for almost three hours. We obligingly helped her out, and asked her where she was going. She explained how she was new to the area and admitted that she really didnt know where she was, but she had to get to Creta, a street three miles away. Compassion flooded my thoughts as I thought how this woman, disoriented and distraught, was going to push this heavy cart all that way.
We pushed the cart as we talked to her, asking her where she was from and if she had a family. She told us that she had two children. Their father left them and they moved in with a relative, but they had no money. She was selling these sopaipillas for about ten cents each, in the hopes that she could support her family. As we pushed, I noticed that everyone was watching us. People passing us on the sidewalk, passengers on the buses, everybody. I was never so proud to wear my plaque, representing the Church. When we finally got to her house, we set up a time to pass by and share a message of hope and joy that has blessed our lives so much. She gracially accepted, and with a smile, said: "Nunca olvidaré de ustedes, los angelitos que me salvaron." I didnt feel that worthy to be called an angel, but as with that poor woman who needed help, I wont ever forget being able to serve someone else, and helping them see the light in the darkness.
Our lives are compsed of actions. Tiny as they may seem, they have enourmous and eternal impacts. That opportunity, as small as it was, made a lasting impact in the life of someone else. What we become through our experiences and our service is much greater than simply the sum of our actions. It is the character defining elements that become part of our very soul and elevate us to be more like our Father in Heaven.
The woman is now listening to the lessons from the elders in her sector, and they tell us that she is progressing well. We are happy for her and for that opportunity to push a little sopaipilla cart through the bustling streets of Chile. The whole truly is greater than the sum of its parts.
Thanks for everything guys! Im really excited to see you all soon! If you need anything or have any questions, let me know!
Con Amor,
Elder Westover
What had happened was Elder Welling and I, after having gotten back to the pension realized that our lunch for the next day had most likely forgotten, so we ran over to remind them. On the way back, we saw a middle aged woman sitting out in the street with a big tin cart with a little roof that people use to make and sell little fried tortillas, called sopaipillas. We thought it a little bit strange that someone would be selling sopaipillas so late, but it wasnt really abnormal, so we kept walking. Then I heard something in my head say: "She probably needs help." I stop and look at my companion. He had felt the same thing. We come over to the lady and asked her if she needed help. A wave of relief seemed to wash over her face as she explained how she had carried the 150 lb cart from to the metro station, about three fourths of a mile from where we were. She had been pushing the cart for almost three hours. We obligingly helped her out, and asked her where she was going. She explained how she was new to the area and admitted that she really didnt know where she was, but she had to get to Creta, a street three miles away. Compassion flooded my thoughts as I thought how this woman, disoriented and distraught, was going to push this heavy cart all that way.
We pushed the cart as we talked to her, asking her where she was from and if she had a family. She told us that she had two children. Their father left them and they moved in with a relative, but they had no money. She was selling these sopaipillas for about ten cents each, in the hopes that she could support her family. As we pushed, I noticed that everyone was watching us. People passing us on the sidewalk, passengers on the buses, everybody. I was never so proud to wear my plaque, representing the Church. When we finally got to her house, we set up a time to pass by and share a message of hope and joy that has blessed our lives so much. She gracially accepted, and with a smile, said: "Nunca olvidaré de ustedes, los angelitos que me salvaron." I didnt feel that worthy to be called an angel, but as with that poor woman who needed help, I wont ever forget being able to serve someone else, and helping them see the light in the darkness.
Our lives are compsed of actions. Tiny as they may seem, they have enourmous and eternal impacts. That opportunity, as small as it was, made a lasting impact in the life of someone else. What we become through our experiences and our service is much greater than simply the sum of our actions. It is the character defining elements that become part of our very soul and elevate us to be more like our Father in Heaven.
The woman is now listening to the lessons from the elders in her sector, and they tell us that she is progressing well. We are happy for her and for that opportunity to push a little sopaipilla cart through the bustling streets of Chile. The whole truly is greater than the sum of its parts.
Thanks for everything guys! Im really excited to see you all soon! If you need anything or have any questions, let me know!
Con Amor,
Elder Westover
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