Times and Memories

Hey Everyone!
It seems like everyone is enjoying the summer break while I am freezing my little hiney off here in Chile. Alright, its not that bad, but its still really cold and hard to type. The mountains are constantly covered by snow, but it will refuse to snow down here. Just frost up in the morning and then poof! just cold. But thats okay. Around october november Ill get my revenge. Haha!
Im glad to hear that everyone is doing well and I was happy to hear from everyone this time! I love all you guys! I wanted to dedicate this email to the duality, or the effects that the mission creates on a missionary. Seeing things now, Im not surprised that a lot of missionaries come back really weird. I feel like I am being split in two. As I am out longer in the mission, I have a growing affection for the people hear. Thats kind of hard when you have all your family and loved ones back in the States. But as you go on, you get so you learn to love both. Right now we are teaching a seventy year old man named Luis (actually, he already got baptized). At first he had a hard time accepting baptism. "Im an old man! Im not sinning anymore; I dont need a baptism!" I tried to explain to him that although we may not be staining an old shirt, it still may be a good idea to wash it before you go to a nice dinner or party. We all need the love of Christ in our lives, no matter how old we may be. After he got baptized, I asked him if he could come to another baptism that we were going to have the next week. He said yes, without hesitation. "Of course I will see another lost sheep be brought back into the fold!" Even though he was seventy, I still felt like a proud parent at that moment. I realized the love you can have for some of these people, and the affinity you create with the country, even though at times it is difficult.
Also, since I past the year mark, I feel like everything is going downhill now, in the sense of time. Its slipping out of my hands so fast I dont know what to do with it. But at the same time, Im not really sure what my life was like before the mission either. as of right now, this is all I know. My life before is a distant abstraction that I hold on a golden pedestal, even though some of my memories are failing me. I dont know if Ive been here for a day or a year. Thats the other strange thing. I dreamed I was a butterfly, but when I woke up, I wasnt sure if I was a human dreaming I was a butterfly or a butterfly dreaming I was a human. The Fluidity of reality on the mission scares me at times, but I know that if I just hold on tight and enjoy the ride, everything will work out how its supposed to.
Thanks everyone for everything! I Love you all!
Con Amor,
Elder Westover

ONE YEAR

I have been out on the mission for ONE WHOLE YEAR.... It seems like Ive only been out a few days, but at the same time, I dont realy remember much of what life was like outside of the mission. Its the change I think. If you stay in one place for long enough, each day feels the same and it seems shorter. But if you are constantly changing, it seems longer I have a feeling. I dont really know, to be honest. Im just glad to be out here.
Things are pretty great now. We are headed in midway through the Mundial (World Cup), and Chile is doing pretty well. But for everyone in the States who dont really care about Soccer, the States are doing alright. They tied both their games, but dont really have any hopes of progressing. I discovered that knowing what is going on in the World Cup actually helps us in the work? What a better way to make friends than to talk about the World Cup. On an unrelated note to my father: Dad, if the Lakers beat the Celtics on the seventh game of the finals, let me know. As much as I am focused in the work right now, I would like to know if Kobe is going to get his fifth ring or not. And let me know if Bret Farve decides to play again, something I heard from someone in my zone. But thats besides the point.
To be honest, it doesnt feel like any time has actually past until you look behind you and se how much ground you´ve convered. I looked back the other day and realized how much I have grown up. No one recognizes me anymore from that family photo we took when I was 18 (I think). I also realized that my personality has been maturing as well, understanding what is really important in life and what needs to get done and when. I attribute all of these changes to the mission, and the person it has made me. I realize that it is important to stop and look. Just appreciate the moment we have to be alive. Life moves pretty fast. If you dont stop once and a while, you could miss it.
I thank you all for all of the blessings I have receiving for being on this mission. I love you all.
Con Amor,
Elder Westover

PS- This is Luis. He is a stud. He is going to baptize his wife someday.

Changes again!

Hey Everyone!
I first wasnted to say happy Birthday to Grandpa! I remembered the other day that on the 14th is Flag Day. And that is also Grandpa´s birthday!! Happy birthday big guy! You are gonna live forever, I just know it. As long as you keep sending those emails, I will be a happy missionary. Seriously, I am going to have to award grandma and grandpa the most consistent letter writers award. Congrats guys, and thank you! Also, I would like to thank my aunt, Tracy, for being such a great support and for always being there for me! Thanks trac! :)
Well, this week was changes week, and my Spanish compadre left me here in Los Cantaros with my new companion: Elder Mondalgo. As you may have guessed, he is not a gringo. He is from Lima, Peru. As far as I can tell, he is a super cool guy! He only has one more change than I do, so Im pretty sure next time Im going to be senior companion. Hopefully by then Ill have a better grasp on the language, the lessons, and what the heck is going on.
I learned a lot from Elder Martin, and I know he will be missed in this ward. He was a great example to me and he taught me many things in the short time he was here. But I know that these things happen for a reason, and although that reason may be somewhat unknown to me and everyone else, there is one person we can always trust. Remember to always pray for help and for trust. This world is tough, and we cant do it alone. We need to trust that the Lord will pull us though all of our trials and that the next day will be better than the one before.
I know this email is a bit short, but we are kind of running short on time today, as usual. I hope everyone is doing okay. Im not sure when fathers day is, but Dad, happy fathers day! Thaks for being my dad and for loving me through everything, the good and the bad. Im so grateful for everyone of you guys, and I hope that everything goes well for everyone.
Con Amor,
Elder Westover

Mi Compenero Bakan!

Hey Everyone!
Today I wanted to share the true story of my companion, Elder Martin. He is the Spañard who I live with. He has a great conversion story and it is one that I wish he would share more often with our investigators. But I want to be able to remember it, so I will write it in this email.
Elder Martin was nine years old when he discovered the church. The missionaries were knocking his street and he didnt know who they were. He ran and sked his mom what two white kids were doing in Spain. His mother just shrugged and sadi she had no idea who they were. When they got to their door, Elder Martin´s mom abruptly rejected them. They left, but Rafael (Elder Martin) looked curiously out the window as they walked onward.
Weeks later, Rafael was tying his soccer shoes, getting ready to play another game. He liked it now. In fact, he loved it. Its almost hard to imagine back to the time when he was introduced to the game. When he was seven years old, there were tryouts for a junior little league. Rafael wasnt too interested; Soccer wasnt too interesting, just kicking a dumb ball around. But his father, eyes glistening with the vicariousness that all fathers get during sports tryouts, decided otherwise. "You are going to play Soccer," He said gruffly. "But I dont want to!" defied Rafael. His father, not to be talked back to, grabbed him by his hair, and dragged him to the soccer field to sign him up. Through the years, Rafael has grown to love the game, despite his brutal introduction to it. As he got ready to go out onto the field, the two missionaries came up to him again, this time with a different approach. "Hey, do you want to play soccer with us?" Rafael thought for a second. "Sure!"
They played all day and when the missionaries had to leave, they exchanged numbers. They began teaching Rafael in the spare room of the house becasue his mom and dad didnt want to listen to them. He went to church, the only one in Sevia, every week without fail. One time when it was raining, his father detested his plead to go to church, saying that he would get sick. Instead of obeying his paternal father, he obeyed his Heavenly Father and while his father wasnt looking, stiffed the pesos he needed for the metro ride to the church ten miles away. It was raining hard, but it didnt matter. That day, he was committed to be baptized at the beginning of February. He was so happy that the rain felt like drops of sunshine pouring onto his face. When he got home, his father was waiting for him. He hit the poor boy until he saw blood. He did not want a disobedient son.
Despite the obstacles and trials that Rafeal had to overcome to come to Christ, good always finds a way. On February ninth, Rafael Martin was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He was happy. His Father was also happy. The one in heaven, watching. The only people in attendance were the missionaries, the bishop, and a couple members in the ward that he knew: Less than ten, including himself. His Mother told him that she was busy. He didnt even ask his father.
I dont know the whole story of how Elder Martin got to be Elder Martin. He overcame challenges that I will never face and became a valient servent of the Lord. I know that he endured many more encounters with his abusive father that to this day does not support him being a member of the church. He refused to spend even one cent towards his mission fund. But somehow the good finds a way through. A week before he left on his mission, Elder Martin had his first baprism; his mother. She is now first counselor in the Primary and loves sending her missionary letters.
I dont know everything about the story, but the important thing is the name he now bears. I am so grateful for this church and the changes it makes in peoples lives. Im thankful for you all and all the blessings I have recieved from being out here in chile.
I love you guys!
Con Amor,
Elder Westover

Baptisms and Beer Cans

May 31, 2010

Hey Everybody!
Its your favorite Elder again, all the way from Santiago Chile! The mountains are now permanently sprinkled with a powdered sugar coating of snow, and its turned into scarf season. Its kind of weird; I´ve never worn a scarf before the mission, but now I´m wearing them all the time. I think that with my glasses and my sharp lookin suit gives me that suave rich boy look. Its pretty fun to slick back my hair and pretend Im like Richie Rich or something. But now that is hard, since I just got a haircut from one of my companions. It actually looks suprisingly good! News for Alyssa: I finally got that letter from your friend in Seminary. Tell him thanks, it felt good to get a letter. And News for Dad: I wore my Wolf shirt today. ;)
In other news, Patricio got baptized on Saturday. It was an amazing experience, like all baptisms. He had so many problems and has changed so much its simply amazing. He went from an out of work bum alcoholic to a boss of the gaurds at some company who doesnt smoke, drink, nothing. Its been the greatest affirmation of the "Change of heart" that it talks about in Mosiah 5. I have been blessed to see how the Gospel is not something stagnant, not solomente words on a page, but real tangible evidences of Gods love for his children. I think that missionary work really is the best way for the gospel to come alive in peoples lives. If someone has doubts about the gospel, do missionary work. They will gain a testimony of the truth of all things real quick. I am a solemn witness of the truthfulness of the gospel, of the power it holds, which is more powerful than the bottem of a beer can, more potent than a life of fast cars and one night stands, more lasting than the earth and sky (sorry Kansas, but its true). Everything in the gospel has a purpose, and Patricio has been a witness of it.
We were enfronted with problems. That is one thing that no one sees about baptisms. The fact that any of them happen is really a miracle because there is always something that goes wrong. For us, the bishop wasnt convinced that Patricio has changed his ways, and said the baptism was too soon. Eventually, everything worked out and we had it, but there are always problems. The miracle is greater than the problem.
Things with me and Elder Martin are great. He really has quite an amazing story, and one I would like to write down when I have more time, but he has made me appreciate the ease that I got on my mission and the great support my parents have been through all of this. I love you guys so much and hope all is well. Mom, I need pens! Thats about it!
Con Amor,
Elder Westover

La Mudanza de Mr. Bean

Hello Everybody!!!
I wanted to let everyone know that I am recieving your emails. Aunt Polly, I love your little notes. Granma and Grandpa, Im always glad to hear how you two are doing, how the weather is down there, and how Jeter is taking over your guys´s lives. Have you guys thought about downsizing still? Im twenty years old, and I am having a hard time climbing up and down stairs with my knee. Mom and Dad, I love your emails as always and hearing how I am your favorite missionary. Ashlee, keep em coming! (fingers crossed) I always love hearing about BYU. And Alyssa and Andi, I really appreciate you guys taking time once and a while to write me. You are very thoughtful and awesome sisters. By the way, Andi... HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Holy cow, 14??? My goodness, you guys are getting old. I cant really send you a whole lot, but Ill write you a letter today and tell you something that will make you feel good. I show my little photo of my family to a LOT of people here, and they love seeing all the gringos. One thing that I have gotten a LOT is people will ask me: "Which one is the older sister?" When I point you out, they just give me a disbelieving look. They all think you look like a 17 year old. Dad, buy a shotgun; or a BB gun at the least. (Alyssa, dont feel bad. I have had people tell me that you are an actress and they ask me what movie you've been in. That really happened!). And if I am not mistaken, I think Granpma's birthday is coming up. Grandma, I want to buy you a new moo moo (or however you spell that), there are a bunch of people here that wear them here, so I will keep my eyes peeled! Happy Birthday to you both! I feel sad to be away from you guys, but glad that I can be here to help people have the same happiness that I have. I kind of feel sometimes that this mission is kind of a time out to my real life. "Time out, this gospel is totally sweet! I gotte leave my family for a little bit so some other people can have the opportunity to be as happy as I am and be togeher forever." When I think about it like that, it makes not going on a mission very selfish to an extent. There are people waiting specifically for me to teach them the gospel, and if I dont want to come to their house, how am I going to feel in the next life when they come up to me and ask: "Where the heck were you?!" Being on a mission is such a great opportunity and one I am glad I did not miss.
Out in the field, things have been getting cold. Like really cold. Elder Bean (or elder Martin; I cann him Elder Bean sometimes because he looks EXACTLY like Mr. Bean. That, and he's technically European) and I moved our pensions not too long ago, so now its just us in a huge apartment. We havent figured out what to do with all the space yet, but there have been some pretty halarious mishaps. We tried to haul a closet from our old pension to the new one, which isnt too far away, and it ended up breaking apart in the middle of the street; clothes, books, everything going everywhere. Another thing is we have no shower curtains, which doesnt seem like a big deal until after you get out of the shower and see a giant puddle of water on the ground. Also, we didnt have gas for a while, which does sound like a big deal, and yes it was. But even when we got one, we were missing a hose to connect it to the house. So 26 dollars (13 mil pesos) and a super expensive taxi ride later, we had gas. There are still a lot of things that we need to fix, but I am happy for different reasons.
We have been having some great success in our sector. We are teaching a guy who just got out of prison, but he is so interested in the gospel, and we are going to ask him to be baptized on our next visit. Also, Patricio, one of our other investigators, is going to get baptized next week. He has changed from a depressed alcoholic chain smoker who cant stay away from the women to an upstanding wonderful man. He has been the poster boy of change and the reality of the change that the Lord can make in the lives of those who are willing to accept him.
Things are going great, and I am loving every moment. Look for the miracles. They are everywhere; we just have to be looking for them!
Con Amor,
Elder Westover

Soccer and Taxi

Hey Everybody!
Well Im pretty wiped right now because we jsut walked back from playing soccer at the stake center. We were going to take a taxi back, but no one would pick us up because one of the Elders was wearing a Mexico jersey; the team that just beat Chile the day before. Yeah, it stunk and it was kind of funny. But thats Chile and pretty much every other country outside of the United States. They live breathe and speak nothing but soccer.
Things in Los Canteros have been coming along great. I really like some of the people that we are teaching and Elder Martin is an awesome companion! He talks sooo fast! and he uses vosotros occasionally, which is always funny. He´s from Sevia, the south of Spain. Lots of beach and heat and nude beaches, apparently. He is very happy right now that Barcelona won out of all the teams of Spain. There is only one problem right now... I really miss all the people in Trinidad. I now know what you are talking about mom and dad about loving these people. I didnt think that I would, but I have grown very close to a lot of these people, and I loved that ward in Trinidad. Not to say that it is our recent convert that makes me miss the ward. Trust me, that is not it at all. The people were just all really great and I enjoyed being there every Sunday. I am so glad to have been able to serve these people.
But things in Los Castanos seem pretty good too. Although it is pretty small (we sit in plastic chairs for sacreament instead of pews becuase the ward is afraid that they would get stolen), they are some really nice people. My Spanish is getting a lot better, and I can basically say anything I want. I started having dreams in Spanish now, becuase that is pretty much all I hear all day, so my brain is started to just get used to it.
I hope things are going good back home! Love you guys! Remember to keep the commandments and always brush your teeth!
Con Amor,
Elder Westover