[Sept 7, 2009]
¡Hola from Chile!
I'm over in rainy rainy Chile right now, and I'm loving it and hating it at the same time. haha, more loving it than anything though. It has been raining for about 3 or 4 days now, and I think its about to let up. The gutters are filled with water because the sewer system are not real great, and the city put out little walkways for people crossing the street to get over the water. Its pretty ridiculous, actually. Jeffrey would love it over here. There are some HUGE puddles to jump in.
Well, this has been the first coherent week for me, really. My area, called El Parque, is great! It has a pretty widespread diversity, economically. But compared to American standards, it still doesn't compare. They would probably all be in the lower bracket of the middle class, for the most part. Everyone´s roof is leaking, because they are all made of tin. No one has central heating and it can get pretty cold during lessons sometimes. But I'm not really complaining. I'm loving it for the most part.
The main problem for me right now has been the language. I'm having a hard time helping people with their doubts and concerns, when it sounds like their speaking Japanese sometimes. Well, its not that bad, but sometimes it is. A lot of people in the last generation forgot about dental hygiene, so they are all missing like 20 teeth. So when they talk, a lot of the letters kind of slip out the gap in their teeth. I am understanding a lot more, but it continues to baffle me how im ever going to fully understand this language. In terms of understanding, I probably am catching 30-40% of what they say, and speaking, I can still only say like 20% of what I want to convey. But its okay, because the lord works through me, and even if I don't have confidence in myself, I have confidence in Him.
Yesterday my companion and I were knocking some doors in the lovely rain, and I turned to the other side of the street that we already knocked, and decided to be weird and knock anyway. (Oh yeah, a side note: we dont ever really knock doors, we yell from the gate "Alo!") So I shouted from the gate, and we got no answer. But we weren't real worried, because it takes Chileans about 15 minutes to get from wherever they are to the door. So we yelled again, and finally decided to move on to an investigators house. Right when we decided to move on, an old lady walked up the street and came to the house. We asked her if she lived there, and she replied that she did. Immediately she invited us in. We then taught her a wonderful 1st lesson, and she agreed to be baptized. haha, no, not really. That would have been cool. We did get in, but she was super super catholic. I don't know why we were supposed to go to that house, but we were. It was pretty cool just because when we knock, we really don't get into any houses. I don't know who told me about Latin American hospitality, but they must not have gone to Chile. The people are nice for the most part, but we have only gotten into like 3 or 4 houses this week from knocking on doors.
Other than that, we basically go off of references that we get from members and less actives. I love going to their houses though, the less actives. They let you in, AND they´re crazy. We stopped by Victor, a less active member who has a problem with the word of Wisdom. We couldn't tell at first, but about the time he started pulling out all his belongings and showing them to us, we realized that we was pretty drunk off his butt. It got really exciting when he showed us his night stick and knives and tried to demonstrate how to fight with them in a 15 by 10 foot room. Yeah, i wont go into details to save mom from some more grey hairs (I know they´re there mom, I´ve seen them... haha)
That's about all I have for right now. I hope everyone is doing well, and no one is worrying too much about me. I'm doing fine. I have the Lord with me wherever I go. That's better than anything I could ever ask for. Thank you for all of your prayers! I have been greatly blessed because of them. Love you all!
Elder Westover
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Monday, August 31, 2009
First Letter from Chile
FAMILY!!!!
Hey, its me, From Chile... Oh yeah... hahaha! So I guess we can use Gmail on our mission now, which is pretty cool. My Mission president is AWESOME!! He is pretty laid back, but he gets things done like no one I´ve ever met. Its crazy. Also, he has the strongest testimony I have like ever heard. He is seriously the coolest guy.
So I'm sure you want all kinds of details about my mission. Well first off, let me apologize. When I called my parents at the Salt Lake Airport, my time had already expired somehow on my card. It was really really dumb. So I had to take someone else's card and I could only talk to my parents for like 5 minutes, but that was even hard because I started crying over the phone because I was going to miss them so much. And it made me even more sad knowing that I wouldn't be able to talk to you before we left. I tried to find a way, but then our plane started to board. I'm so sorry Ashlee.. I wanted to talk to you so much just to hear your voice one more time.
Anyway, so fast forward through a 20 hour plane ride...uggg..... And we end up in.... Chile!!! I was starting to wonder if they would actually send me there. I guess so... Anyway, It was totally surreal for the first time to see the country. When we drove from the airport, there were lots of nice houses. It had a distinctly European feel to it for some reason. However, when I got to my area, I realized that that would not be the case. My pension, or apartment, is a small two bedroom apartment that we use for the four of us. (Your going to have to see the pictures. They are pretty classic missionary pictures) We have no light in the kitchen or our bedroom. Our bed room is a little smaller than a walk in closet with just enough room to walk in and hop into bed. Our study room is where we keep our clothes, our stuff, and where we do pretty much everything else. We have to hang our clothes up, and the shower is not the best, to be nice. But our place is actually a lot better than most people. There are some richer parts where people can afford solid walls and a place to sleep. The other part of the area is very poor. All the houses have tin roofs and not a lot of place to live. I remember one house we were in where the woman was an investigator in the church. We were teaching her one night, and when I came into her house I felt so bad for how I have been living before. The walls were made of thin wood planks that they found, and their windows were old disney bedsheets. There was two rooms. We taught in one room with the woman, her two year old son, and their rabbit that would come in and out (I'm not sure if he is going to be baptized) The husband was drunk asleep in the other room, so we stayed away. But when we taught I saw a bumper sticker over the door. It said ¨I don't have all that I love, but I love all that I have.¨ I decided that I wanted to have that optimism. We cant have everything in life, but we can make the best out of what we have. That sister is one of the nicest, most humble people I know. I hope I can learn a lot from the Chilean people.
The Food is great, but the language is sooo HARD!!! everyone cuts of the end of their words, and says ¨po¨ after about everything that they say. Mom and dad, I dont know how you did it. It's just gonna have to come in time i guess.
Oh yeah, my trainer is pretty awesome!! He is very humble about everything, and always helps me with the language, even when the people laugh at my broken spanish (Yeah, the Chilean people don't really care all that much if your feelings get hurt or not). But yeah, his name is Elder Stephenson and he´s from Saint George. He keeps me working hard, and I am learning lots from him.
Sometimes it gets hard when I think about back home. I guess I just get homesick when I let myself. I have missed you guys so much these past few weeks, its awful. But I know that coming home is not what the Lord wants me to do. When I know I have your support and the Lord at my side (both, actually), I am able to walk with my head held high, knowing that the work that I am doing is the greatest thing I may ever do in my life.
Well, I have to go. Im super hambre right now, so Im going to go throw down on a Sopapilla. Soooo good!!! Let me know how things are back home!
Lots of love from Chile!
Elder Westover
Hey, its me, From Chile... Oh yeah... hahaha! So I guess we can use Gmail on our mission now, which is pretty cool. My Mission president is AWESOME!! He is pretty laid back, but he gets things done like no one I´ve ever met. Its crazy. Also, he has the strongest testimony I have like ever heard. He is seriously the coolest guy.
So I'm sure you want all kinds of details about my mission. Well first off, let me apologize. When I called my parents at the Salt Lake Airport, my time had already expired somehow on my card. It was really really dumb. So I had to take someone else's card and I could only talk to my parents for like 5 minutes, but that was even hard because I started crying over the phone because I was going to miss them so much. And it made me even more sad knowing that I wouldn't be able to talk to you before we left. I tried to find a way, but then our plane started to board. I'm so sorry Ashlee.. I wanted to talk to you so much just to hear your voice one more time.
Anyway, so fast forward through a 20 hour plane ride...uggg..... And we end up in.... Chile!!! I was starting to wonder if they would actually send me there. I guess so... Anyway, It was totally surreal for the first time to see the country. When we drove from the airport, there were lots of nice houses. It had a distinctly European feel to it for some reason. However, when I got to my area, I realized that that would not be the case. My pension, or apartment, is a small two bedroom apartment that we use for the four of us. (Your going to have to see the pictures. They are pretty classic missionary pictures) We have no light in the kitchen or our bedroom. Our bed room is a little smaller than a walk in closet with just enough room to walk in and hop into bed. Our study room is where we keep our clothes, our stuff, and where we do pretty much everything else. We have to hang our clothes up, and the shower is not the best, to be nice. But our place is actually a lot better than most people. There are some richer parts where people can afford solid walls and a place to sleep. The other part of the area is very poor. All the houses have tin roofs and not a lot of place to live. I remember one house we were in where the woman was an investigator in the church. We were teaching her one night, and when I came into her house I felt so bad for how I have been living before. The walls were made of thin wood planks that they found, and their windows were old disney bedsheets. There was two rooms. We taught in one room with the woman, her two year old son, and their rabbit that would come in and out (I'm not sure if he is going to be baptized) The husband was drunk asleep in the other room, so we stayed away. But when we taught I saw a bumper sticker over the door. It said ¨I don't have all that I love, but I love all that I have.¨ I decided that I wanted to have that optimism. We cant have everything in life, but we can make the best out of what we have. That sister is one of the nicest, most humble people I know. I hope I can learn a lot from the Chilean people.
The Food is great, but the language is sooo HARD!!! everyone cuts of the end of their words, and says ¨po¨ after about everything that they say. Mom and dad, I dont know how you did it. It's just gonna have to come in time i guess.
Oh yeah, my trainer is pretty awesome!! He is very humble about everything, and always helps me with the language, even when the people laugh at my broken spanish (Yeah, the Chilean people don't really care all that much if your feelings get hurt or not). But yeah, his name is Elder Stephenson and he´s from Saint George. He keeps me working hard, and I am learning lots from him.
Sometimes it gets hard when I think about back home. I guess I just get homesick when I let myself. I have missed you guys so much these past few weeks, its awful. But I know that coming home is not what the Lord wants me to do. When I know I have your support and the Lord at my side (both, actually), I am able to walk with my head held high, knowing that the work that I am doing is the greatest thing I may ever do in my life.
Well, I have to go. Im super hambre right now, so Im going to go throw down on a Sopapilla. Soooo good!!! Let me know how things are back home!
Lots of love from Chile!
Elder Westover
Monday, August 17, 2009
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Letter Dated July 4, 2009
Dear Grandma & Grandpa (Westover),
!Hola! ...My first week was crazy! My companion, Elder McCammon, is very nice and laid back. We work very hard though, here at the MTC. Right off the bat, we began our work to prepare to teach the people of Chile. So far we have contacted numerous people at the MTC, in English and Espanol. We taught our first "discussion" last night! Granted, they were just volunteers, but it still made me very nervous!
My district is great! All the people are very nice and they make me excited to go and spread the word of God.
All the (care) packages of food have made me very popular with all of the guys in my building. However, I don't think you guys need to send any more packages with food! It will take awhile to finish all of the food I have right now!
Love you guys!
Elder Westover
!Hola! ...My first week was crazy! My companion, Elder McCammon, is very nice and laid back. We work very hard though, here at the MTC. Right off the bat, we began our work to prepare to teach the people of Chile. So far we have contacted numerous people at the MTC, in English and Espanol. We taught our first "discussion" last night! Granted, they were just volunteers, but it still made me very nervous!
My district is great! All the people are very nice and they make me excited to go and spread the word of God.
All the (care) packages of food have made me very popular with all of the guys in my building. However, I don't think you guys need to send any more packages with food! It will take awhile to finish all of the food I have right now!
Love you guys!
Elder Westover
Sunday, July 5, 2009
"I'm Alive" Letter & First P-Day Letter
Paul's branch president in the MTC had the missionaries write a quick letter home on Wednesday, his first day at the MTC. The most poignant piece of information we got out of Paul's letter was: "Well, I'm alive." His P-Day is on Saturday and his first P-day he wrote the following tib bits: "It seems like I've been here 2 months already!" "My companion is great, and so are the other two elders in our room. I'm really happy to end up where I did. " "I really feel overwhelmed...but I know that I am where I need to be." "I am grateful for all the your packages (and so are my roommates)." He ends his letter with a short testimony in Spanish. He sounds like he misses the life he left behind but is looking to the future and what is in store.
Departure from Grandma & Grandpa's House
After a blessing from his Grandpa, Paul left from his Grandparents house directly to the MTC.
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