American Thanksgiving

  Another week down. Or I should say another month down. It is crazy how time is flying by.. this 14th it will be my 4 month hit. So yeah will be pretty exctiting. Sometimes I just want to speed up time so I can just have all of these memories and come home but yeah time is really flying by. Answering your questions real fast. I havent gotten the package yet but I think it is just around the corner. I can feel a little Christmas around the corner but not yet. We eat 4 times out with the members so it is nice not having to buy food or anything like that so yeah. I just wash my socks cause when I give it to the memebers sometimes I am missing some and other times some get added to just washed socks. The language is a whole lot better. I look at myself coming and when I was having a hard time saying Estadios Unidos but now I can talk to people so I am trying to remember vocab but it will come I know it will just take time. Transfers is like in a 2 or 3 weeks so I will get a new comp. I am trying to get more photos just seems so normal to me now but I will take more. The food here is good kind of have the same thing everyday but that's okay!

Today this inactive and non member family made us pizza for lunch was pretty good

  So it was Thanksgiving here in Argentina and they dont celebrate it or anything. So I just explained to the Latinos and how it all works out. They thought it was weird but they love food so they liked that part! So when I got back to the house I said no I am having a Thanksgiving Dinner. So I made rice and Eggs and some noodle thing and something else.. forgot but was good. Set a small table for myself and made it all nice and clean and made some lemonade and found a pic of a turkey and set it as a place mat and had my own Thanksgiving dinner. Was great my comp just wanted to read scriptures so I left him. The other Elder was talking to my comp and the Native comp that is my bud just had dinner with me but had something else to show him an American Thanksgiving. 

So something new so.. our schuduel is changed. We wake up at 7 now and have personal study at 830 then go out  at 9 or something and work and have lunch with the members and come back and study during the La Siesta (nap time) cause it is getting hot here. Then lights out at 11 instead of 1030 so we will see if I like this but hate to say it I like waking up at 630 just the mornings go faster.

Last week I had an Asado with the member cause it was his birthday. (BBQ) so they cook on the ground have this cool stove thing and cook it on the ground. All this meat in the world was sooo good then had this homemade cake and this weird icecream but lets just say after I had to stay in the bathroom for quite sometime.

Had this huge activity with all these members and investigators. We played games all over the small church. So we had this Argentina game had no idea at one station, mine was musical chairs, and the other was Signs. These people hate to loose so when music chairs came they all were pushing fighting and shoving.. was really crazy!! Our floor is slippery so people were sliding everywhere and just was a blast to see! Then at the end we did Charades they acted out like different people from here and America. We had one of the hermana missionaries act out Justin Bieber and this kid got it like in 2 seconds was kinda weird but was funny! Guess the people hate Justin Bieber cause he had a concert here and steped on the flag.. wow.. 

Got really bored so I tried acting like a dog.. my comp didnt like that

  Sunday was like Stake Confresnce but they dont have like that so it was called District something and Pres. Heyman came and talked to us and the members and the other branches so we had like 80 people here. Was okay but after we had so much down time in our house. That day it rained soooo hard I thought it was like WWIII or something. The lighting was striking right in front of us. Was sooo loud was crazy! I spent all morning trying to get a picture but couldnt get a good one. Ummm nothing really just that we do have Zone Confrences every 3 months and its like a toss up if I get to see Hunter. Haven't seen him since we got seprated to our areas. Dont know where he is. But at the end of the month we have this huge gift exchange in Resistencia with every missionary so we will see how that is going to be fun!!! And they said I get to skype you guys on Wednsday just needs to get closer so we can get a time but Love you guys!! Thats really all, hope things are going good at school and tell Emmy to just make things fun.  Tell SJ just to keep her touch for soccer and Dad's Santas look way cool you will need to tell me about that. Mom thanks for all the updates love ya miss ya... Just wait soon I will be half way then done and I will be all yours!

During the rain storm

Elder Webster

I'm From London

  My comps is leaving to go home after this transfer, don't think I'll be transferred I might become a trainer but really I have no idea!

  This week was zone conference it was in Saenz Peña and it was a blast!  Even though we had to wake up at 4 in the morning and take a little taxi thing about 5 hours but I slept most of the way.  Then my comp and I went with the assistants to Resistencia for my VISA got my VISA so now I am legal in Argentina!  Can't vote but you know it's all good.  When we came back home we saw a McDonald's!  I wanted to stop so bad but we couldn't.  One day, we will get there!!

One of my favorite people

  Our water ran out this past Saturday and Sunday we had to go down stairs and across the street and talk with the neighbors to get water.  We had to carry these huge just and filled them up and took them so we had water.  The morning came and still didn't have water coming out of the shower so I decided to go old school with a bar of soap and started scrubbing.  Man it was tough but it was fun at the same time.  Now I feel bad that some people don't have showers.  The water was cold but I loved it!

We found this guy in our House

  This Sunday Soledad came and said she is ready to be baptized on the 14 of December so excited to hear that!  In total of people coming to church we had about 80 people come, normally we have like 20 we had to do a lot of work bringing the people this week!!!  I was so happy!!

One of the member's dogs

  We were doing some tracking and I was ready to go home so I decided to make things a little more fun.  We were talking to this girl and she asked where we were fun and my Companion said Canada and I said…. London.  She flipped she was so happy and kept asking me what part I was from and if I could see the big clock tower.  She asked me all of these things and I just kept making stuff up and she would look at me so confused!  Made my night!  My comp didn't think it was that great but I could tell he was in a better mood AFTER we talked to her.

Empenadas

  Well things here are going great I will try to take some pics.  I take my camera around with me a lot so  I will just send you guys whatever!  Love you all thanks for everything I will talk to you guys next week!!  The the big family at Chari's hi for me!!

Elder Webster

The Simpsons!

November 17

  My comp is the same.  We had companionship inventory where we talk to each other about things we need to work on and I told him straight up he need to help me out more.  He said he would so that made me feel better.

  So I am eating a lot of rice and eggs and this thing called Milinasa its chickens that you fry on the stove.  So you could say my cooking skills are getting better.  A lot of pasta with chicken inside.

  We just got a new Elder living in our house, he's from New York and a new Native who I love to talk to!

  So we've been teaching Soledad still and her boyfriend is just crazy.  He LOVES to drink and do drugs.  We went to talk to her one morning and he was there and kicked us out and was really really really angry.  So we basically got out of there as fast as possible!  Then that night she called us and said that he came home after dinner drunk and tried to hit her.  She called the cops but all the cops did was pick him up and dropped him off at a street corner somewhere.  He found is way back at about 4:30 am he came in still drunk and started chasing her and chased her right out of the house and tried to get her.  She called the cops again and he was chasing her down the road when he heard the cops coming so he ran into the house.  (Here if you run in the house the cops can't come in and get you unless there is proof that the person was hit.)  So the police waited for about an for and he came out and got arrested until Monday.   So a member is trying to help her out still.  Trying to find an apartment for her and the member family is willing to sign for the housing!  We will have to see what is going to happen this next week.  But she is still dedicated and prepared for the Lord it is crazy!!!  She has so much faith!!  I think she's going to get baptized sometime in December!  The member family even went as far as hired overnight security for a couple of nights.  I just hope that when we go back over to teach he won't be there.

  I don't want to sound selfish but I really want some Snicker bars and food but it's all good.  I feel like the bottoms of my cheeks are getting a little fatty but the rest of my body is fine.  It's weird…. growing up.

  This was really just a normal week.  Haven't really found any new investigators or anything.  Just that 6 new sister missionaries came over which caused us to have to cut down our area which is hard because there are very few people who want to learn about the gospel.

  Other then that I'm just hanging in there…  the language is coming along nice and slow… so when I return I'll be able to talk to the Wiscombs in Spanish!  Hahahaha!!  It'll be way fun.

  I wrote Emmy but guess she doesn't want to write back… but it's esta bien the natives really like her!! Hahahaha but love you all talk to you soon… I'll try to get a cool story this coming week!!  Love you all!!

Elder Webster

November 10

  Things at home seem crazy and fun!  Seems like a lot is going on…  tell SJ to work on her touch in soccer kick a ball agains the wall out side and try to control it and just keep working on that and tell her to look to pass and not hog the ball, coaches like when they see hustle and good passing and touches… Tell Emmy to have fun in school because when it's over it's over!  Tell her to live in the now!  Yeah wished Dad took a shot at the deer have a feeling he will get one soon…  mom keep it up!  Wish the Utes were doing better…

  Okay for things going on here, so everyday we get up and I work out I hope I don't get fat at all that is one of my biggest fears but I know that if I keep doing what I am doing I won't.  Then we do study and head to…  so my comp and I are spoiled.  We have lunch with members 5 times out of the week so its good not having to buy any food.  The member are really the nicest people ever.  Most of the time my comp just talks and I sit there and enjoy the day dream cause they just talk about random things and it's hard when I haven't heard any of those words before…  food here is not super crazy to eat.  We always eat pasta or some type of chicken and some other things that I'm not sure what they are but I don't really think I want to know……..

  We walk everywhere!  We have appointments with people but most of the time they use fall through.  During La Siesta (nap time) we have a hard time because people always say that they are Catholic and don't really let us in.  Sometime they come out and talk to us cause we have cool accents and they like hearing us talk.  But not so much what we have to say.

  We have found this person that really has been prepared by the Lord.  Her name is Soledad and we have been teaching her for about 4 weeks now and she really is keeping our commitments that we give her.  She had 2 kids and she's about 28.  Her littlest one reminds me about the little Olson in our ward, she even has the hair for it, and she loves loves her older brother who is 11 and she's about 4 or 5 no se but it's really funny to see the two together.  She has a boyfriend living with her and he is really addicted to drugs.  She is really trying to find a place to move and wants to get away from hims cause she he gets crazy when he gets drunk.  One of the member, without us even having to ask, came with us to the lesson and is looking for a house for her to live in.  Soledad just needs a job, her boyfriend won't let her but she is getting close!  She is almost baptized she just needs to leave her boyfriend.  So this Saturday we will see how things go.  The people we teach generally listen to us but we just have a hard time getting back to them.

  The other day we were teaching and ended around 9:15 pm and we were about 20 minutes walk to our house (pent ion) and we had to be there by 9 the latest at 9:30 so we had to run.  Running with a backpack filled with scriptures and pamphlets and a whole lot of thing.  My comp isn't as in shape as I was but we had to keep running.  Boom!  we go off running.  As we were running we came to a gang of dogs that were in our way and it would take to long to get around them so we had to go through them!!  All the dogs looked up and started to growl at us my comp said he had a bad feeling about this. But I says, "Hey the Lord put these dogs here to see if we could survive lets do this!  I took them head on, one came and tried to get my leg but dodged him pretty easy…  this little one was coming from my side and I pulled a Reggie Bush and jumped right over him!  (IT WAS AWESOME!!) then another one came up my left flank and I had to run on the side walk and he went for my comp.  The final dog was this fat pit bull, so i was shuffling my feet doing little steps faking right left right left right left and he then he came close and I faked left and went right (Just like I do in basketball.) the tiny legs of the dog couldn't handle the turning so fast and tumbled down on to the street.  So we ran around the corner and we were safe.  It was pretty exciting!  Then it turned into a movie and we had to cross the street and run through people cause this was the time of day where people come to and shop.  My comp all of a sudden stopped, I'm not sure why, then got to the other side and kids were in our way.  So he started screaming in English and Spanish and the kids parted like the Red Sea.  (So that makes my companion Moses right?)  Ran around the corner and saw the house, ran up to the door, got inside at 9:28pm.  WE MADE IT!  We were so sweaty I had to go into the laundry room and sit in a bucket of cold water.  I decided that we made history.

  Other then that not much is going one here it rained again but the water is nice and warm.  When I where a jacket I sweat.  I get more wet inside the jacket then I do in the rain.  Loved you all talk to you next week!

Elder Webster

Dulce o Truco

  Dulce o Truco it was Halloween here and yeah they don't really do anything to celebrate it.  The kids just dress up and stay be their houses and do nothing…  So for pray I have clothes… we can't wear anything like that in public only tie and shirt unless we are going to do service…  there really is nothing in Santa Fe to go see so when I transfer I hope to see some cool sights!  Transfers are this Tuesday but I am pretty sure that I will stay here cause I am on this first 12 weeks with my comp..  Elder Menjiuar left it was a sad day…  we were really good friends… he said that he will keep in touch!!  Oh by the way mom how is that IPHONE, treating it well I hope…??

I am washing my own socks!!

  So the ZLs had a family that needed baptism interviews so my comp got to go cause they can't give it to families they teach…  so it was this huge family!  We sat own and was there for about an hour and then 2 more hours for all of the kids going to be baptized…  the kids that were waiting killed me!  Not really they were all per me and kept playing with my stuff and hands I of course had no idea what they were saying but it was all good I love them!!!!!  They were just the best little big family ever!!  I pulled out my camera and they loved it!  They took my camera and took like 30 photos of random things hahaha!!  I come to figure out that I connect with the kids better than adults… HAHAHA!!

Here's part of the family

  So yeah mom I was thinking about the time I was younger and you let me stay home from school and you and I went to go and see Disturbia…  I was just day dreaming about that moment when we were walking around.  I lag behind my companion so I am able to think about the good old times!

  Well you know nothing is really happening just that we are getting 8 more companionships that are sisters come so District Meeting is going to be weird…  Those are on Tuesday so we will see who they are.  The language is coming along just takes some time…  I am finally learning how to cook so that is great!!!!  Haha tell Wiscomb I will marry her daughter and tell Brady to keep practicing tramp ball because when I return its on!!!  Well keep telling people hi love you thanks for the letters and really looks like things are running really smoothly!  Well love you family!!

CHAU CHAU

Elder Webster

This is a little girl from the family!  She is so cute liked to touch my face!!

Rain, Lightning, Roof Tops

Well family…

  So last Sunday it stormed here and was just so sick to watch!  Went on the roof and watched it with Elder Menjuiar.  (He is the other Comp. that is a Native.)  So we watched the storm for about an hour then went to bed.  Was so sick to see the lightning and stuff!!!

  The other day it was Elder Menjuiar birthday.  He turned 21 so we bought him some ice cream and stuff and yelled surprise!!  He was super excited/happy!

  So the other day we went to Resistencia for my Visa!!  So it is half done just did finger prints and signed some papers.  Others had to witness I was there.  So it is not all done but in a week or so I will go up and get a photo of myself and be a citizen her for 2 years so that is exciting!

  The other night it hailed like crazy!!  Like golf ball sizes and was intense!!  It broke windows it was crazy, it was so loud but luckily we were out in our pent chin  but is was super cool!!!

  Nothing really crazy beside the weather is going on down here just been chillin….  and doing the Lord's Work.

  Wait, our hot water went out so everyone showers really fast in the morning.  It wakes me up super fast.  I don't like that feeling so much!  Our landlord came and fixed it so that was exciting.  We through a little party to celebrate.  We had some ice cream type thing, they made it while I just watched…

  So the other day we came home about 10 minutes before we were supposed to so in our pentch I decided to pull a little prank on the other Elders.  So we have bunk beds and me and my companion pulled their mattresses out and put them on the roof and made their beds look like they were still made and their mattresses were still there.  So we then started planning and then heard them come in.  We heard them start screaming in Spanish.  They came inside and were yelling and laughing, I was laughing so hard it was so funny!  They had to climb up on the roof and get them down…  they were having a hard time but they were good sports about it!  (They are in the picture, Elder Munjuiar is behind me and Elder Corassco is next to him.)

  Of course one day when we woke up it was raining, like super hard.  I don't have a rain jacket but Elder Menjuir gave me his old one but we were walking here and the weather is so Bi-Polar and changed to super hot!  So I was wearing a long sleeved shirt plus a jacket, and it's super humid down here so I started sweating.  It was okay when the sun was hidden!

  I have almost made it through my first transfer this is so exciting!!!  So yeah just been trying to work with people and investigators so we will see if they keep coming to church and get the baptism ready!!!!!!!!!  Love ya hope Emmy had a good birthday and Monster Mash that sounds exciting!!

  I know where my rain jacket is….  have Emmy ask Brigham Jackson….

  Well gtg love you all hope that the party was fun sounds like a blast.  Love our family parties they are the best!!!!  PEACE!

Elder Webster

Kiosco de Mou

Okay well hello family,

  Just been doing splendid this week.  Wondering if you are doing good things with my iPhone and keeping it safe...  just kidding!

  It's funny, but my Comp doesn't like to stop and wait for me to take pictures.  (I take a lot so I get it!)  I love going home and seeing the other Natives I can always feel 10x better no matter what my mood is.  I just really love them!  I keep telling them to come visit me when their mission is over they just need to buy a plane ticket.  Their names are Elder Menjuir and Elder Corrasco they are 21 and 18 they are the best ever!!!!!!  I taught them some fun phrases in English and so they say them all of the time!  They are also showing me how to cook so I am getting better at cooking and not burning eggs so much...  but yeah they show me tricks and show me so I can do it...  I am learning how to do, Mom when I come home you don't have to cook for me all of the time.

  We found this guy name Miguel and he is 50 years old and plays video games all the time.  So I talked to him bout is and he has become my favorite ever!!!!  He is trying to learn English so when we visit him he always trys to talk to us in English...  it is pretty fun...  All that's really going on if just trying to find new people to teach but La Siesta is killing us!  We keep running into other religions and they always use the bible to bash us and they like to give us a lot of pamphlets of their religions it's fun.  I am going to keep them and see how many I get for a while...  Nothing else is really happening just trucking along...  So yeah don't worry it's all good!

  Love you guys stay in touch I'll send more pics of things if I can find them love you all!!

Elder Webster

P.S.  Happy birthday to Emmy on Saturday the big 1 7!!

Questions ( 14 de Octubre 2013)

  It's funny I get the Companions who like to walk fast!  That's okay still trying to learn that is all.

  My apartment is pretty good, have 2 bunk beds and living with some other Elders that are Natives.  One is from Buenos Aires and the other is from Ecuador.  Really love them so much they know some English, when they try to speak it it makes me smile.

  Typical day is that I get up, work out 'til the shower is ready for me then study, I am on this personal study for the first 12 week, then go out and work, then come home at 9 plan then eat then bed.
 
  So I have found this cheap cereal thing that I eat in the morning and 5 out of 7 days we get fed by members so that is a plus!  Every time is different, its like fried chicken with rice and this oily salad, other times its Empenadas other times its like a pasta, other times it is just a chicken thingy...  Don't really to cook, only sometime for like dinner but the other Comps help me out in our house so that is good.

Wash............................................................................  Members do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When I study I try to find scriptures for certain investigators.  You teach their needs.

So we are 3 hours south of Resistencia so sometimes when we have meetings for new missionaries or something we buy a bus ticket.  We get reimbursed, it's nice to not have to walk all the time.  It gets very tiring.

The weather is this...  you get out of the shower and stay wet like that the rest of the day.  I am starting to keep my bug spray on me cause I have been getting eaten alive.

Money, we get 900 pesos every month for food and transportation.  I took 300 pesos out of my real money but the peso to the dollar is like 5 to 5.  I am fine with the money, just might start buying some other things.  I really want scripture covers and this guy makes them in Resistencia so next time I am going to get some...  might send some stuff home to you guys for Christmas, but let's wait and see how things go.

  Some of the weird thing it that there are dogs everywhere!!!!!!!  I mean everywhere.  But yeah nothing to crazy just guess I have adapted to it or something not totally sure.  There are always more and more dogs.

  The people are the best!!  Our ward is so fun but I barely can speak but the kids always come over to me and ask for my gum.  But yeah in some parts the people live with nothing.  Dirt floor and a typical square house.  There is a street vendor named Wilson and he sells this meat thing that is really good.  He loves me and calls me Webster and Uuuuutah that is how it sounds!

Well tell everyone hi for me love you guys and tell the Wiscombs hi love those people!!!!

Elder Webster

P.S.  This is me trying to cook:

Conference Weekend and Jeopardy (Oct, 7,2013)

  This week was better with the language.  I am getting to understand how the people mumble their words together and I am trying to really focus...  sometimes I just sit while my comp talks to the people which is fine with me.  So yeah nothing really happened.  We were tracking or looking for inactive people and saw this girl about the age of 20 pulling weeds and said Hola and she came over and talked to her for a little while.  So we gave her the run down of the first lesson, yes I said my parts that I did.  And she was really liking it so she invited us over again.  So we went over and out popped 3 more sisters I remember one name it was Maria, I feel bad but it's all good.  Their ages are 15, 20, and 22.  They really love us what I mean that because they are really flirty.  Like a lot.  So Maria, the first one we taught, came with us to the Saturday morning session of Conference, we brought 2 other girls around that age from the ward to help us out.  When the session was over she said that she really like it and then we asked the other what they thought.  They both said they like it but one of them was really hungry...  it was all good.

  We found another girl around the same age 20 her name is Diana and she came with us to the Sunday Session and she really like it.  I was happy that we were able to get people to come, it seems like a lot of people that let us in are girls and not guys but hey that's still pretty good.

  So yes it was conference and I loved it more that I ever had at home, go figure.  If you actually have to pay attention.  I'm not saying that I never had before but you know...  So they broadcast it in the Church in the chapel and there is a huge screen for the Spanish and in the other room across the hall there's a small TV for English.  So about 6 of us huddled around and we watched it, was kind of funny to see us all sitting like that.  We bought food and watched.  I kept the Webster Family tradition alive and bought food after priesthood so don't worry keeping it going.  We are 4 hours ahead of you so yeah watched in live.

  The other day we had an activity with the Youth and they played Jeopardy.  They had no idea what that was.  So we explained what it was but I don't think they really understood.  The questions involved scripture stories and prophet and gospel things.  Then we had one for soccer and they got those REALLY fast.  (Faster then the religious questions.)  There were 4 boys and like 10 girls on a team yelling and screaming it was really intense!  I was on a team and another Elder was on another and we were giving answers and the other team got mad saying that it wasn't fair to have the Elder's on the team.  It was really exciting!!!  

  I am set I'm trying to find someone to hem my pants cause people are saying that I look like a clown!  Some of my pants are good so don't worry Mom it's all good!!  Love you talk to you soon!

Elder Webster

Santa Fe, Argentina (October 1,2013)

  Yes I made it!!  Sorry I sent my 1st letter to the wrong e-mail!  I forgot!
  Yeah I am in an area called Santa Fe so that is 3 hours outside of Resistencia.  It is a pretty poor place here.  We are whitewashed, that means that 2 brand new missionaries are sent to a new plce with no experience of that place.  So it's kind of hard to get around but things are going good.

  

  So things are good.  Just haveing a hard time with the Spanish.  My comp is from Canada and has 3 months left of his mission.  So I am just letting him guide me to eternal success.  He is a pretty cool guy.  He speaks Spanish very well.  So I am really glad.  Song things about the Grand Mission of Argentina is that you don't knock on the door, you have to clap your hands and they will come out to talk to you if they want.  It's pretty cool.  When guys say hi they give each other a regular hand shake then they turn their wrist back so the thumbs towards them.  If that makes any sense so that is pretty sick I love it.  The food here is good, the pizza is the best, they just put so many different things on it.  I have no idea what's on it but is way good and I love it!  The people that drive here are scary!  There aren't really any traffic laws.  There are many one way streets.   But again no stop signs so people just really coast into the intersection and speed up if someone is about to hit them so yeah you can't have road rage here.  The girls do little kisses on the cheek to say hi to each other.  What else...... ummmmm....  so our apartment is pretty nice.  I am with two native speakers they're pretty cool people love them.  It is a nice place.

We taught these members and I really just sat there.  I know that this will take time but I want it now!!!!!!!  So yeah we were walking around and stopped to talk to these other member and I started talking to the little kids out side and gave them some gum.  The kids got comfortable and started talking a million miles and I just kept saying yeah and laughing, cause they are kids, they don't really ask question.  People have a hard time pronouncing my name, I laugh and make them keep trying!  

  Oh yeah there is another things that is called La Siesta, which is at 1 to 5 is nap time and people honor that thing here so well.  So we have a hard time tracking and talking to investigators at that time.  But yeah I am just working hard and trying to do spanish...  My friend told me in the MTC to love the people and learn the language so yeah that is what I am doing!!  But love you guys running out of time I'll tell some cool stories nest time.  Love you all!

Elder Webster

La Gran Misión Argentina Resistencia 9/25/13

**Sorry blog hasn't been updated I will do better!**

Nombre:  Elder Webster

  Well hello family, I have made it to Resistencia!  After 4 flights and 48 hours of traveling, I made it!  I am really tired right now, but they are going to put us to work.  We stayed in a small hotel last night with just a pair of clothes for today.  I don't know who my comp is, but I can't wait to meet him.  Hopefully he'll be able to teach me the language.  The small city is really awesome!  Everyone has a Mo Ped of a dirt bike.  They love to weave in and out of traffic to get to the front.  There is no stop signs or stop lights, so you roll through and try to beat the person out, if there are rules I have no idea what they are.  Was kind of weird flying to Buenos Aires but it was an experience of a life-time.  We have more people that came with us.  There are about 25 of us, think there are 11 Native (boys and girls)  I have no idea what the Natives are saying... (Natives= non-members.)
 

  We got to Buenos Aires and went down picked up our bags and opened this door that leads out and I was like, here we go.  Some guy flagged us down and picked us up, the he put all of us in a little taxi van and we were off.  Really was this guy kidnapping us?  But we got to the travel center and they talked to us about the important paper work and all that.  Then we had a lay over for 3 hours.  Then they took us to the air port.  Had another 3 hour lau over and came here.  The key of knowing Spanish is to speak it.  So I will study hard to learn it.  Love you guys, I will tell you more when I get my p-day.

Elder Webster

PS Tell Emmy thanks for the music.  I knew I was going to need more than 37 songs for 2 years!

Leavin on a Jet Plane... On Monday...

So I leave to from SLC at 4:30am and arrive to L.A at 9:40 am and have a 2 or 3 hour layover till I get to fly to Argentina. So I will buy a call card here its only 5 dollars so dont worry about that. I sent you a letter also with the same info.

Things here are going good. Just been gearing up for the move but yeah nothing new the things are in the letter I sent. I have been getting all of the Dear Elders and packages so thanks for it all. Heres some more pics.

Which Webster?

Family!

Well got the package!  Love the ties, thanks for everything!  Grandpa Coles turning 86 man, that's an old man right there!  Hope the little canyon trip that Mom and Dad was fun.  Glad that you didn't get lost or haunted while you two were up there.  23 years?!  Geez that is awesome, time flies when...time flies.

Things here are doing the same, just gearing up to leave.  It's Tuesday and just been reviewing lots of things on the language.  One of my teachers Hermano Eaten said, "your language skills have jumped so much but they need to keep going."  We have this thing called ZRT's, which means you sign up for things and "floating" teacher help you out.  I signed up every single day, time to go hard.  Our older District just left and was sad they all went to Mexico.  I became good buds, I'll send pictures.  We had our Sunday Devotional and this guy who directed 17 Miracles can and talked to us.  Then he started to show some clips on that and something "Hanks" was a guy that could just heal anyone in that time.  (Which I thought was awesome.)  Then guess who cam on?  James Gaisford!  Was pretty cool to see, people looked at me and asked if I knew him and I said yeah I knew him.  Was coooool.  The speaker was really good wish it could have lasted longer.  Just as he was about to open up for Q and A.  Time ran out.

 So here's a new thing, we switch comps around.  I really have no idea why because we had never done that before.  It was just for Sunday morning the zone leaders met and told us that we had to switch these were orders come from the Branch President, I was still with Elder Valdez but we inherited someone else, his name was Elder Buckles.  It was a new experience, being in a trio, glad I had it.

Sunday, things were intense on Sunday.  I was asked to say the prayer (Sacrament for Bread/Water) in Spanish.  Was not too bad, but I had the water and when I was saying water I said "vino" (wine) and was half way down and was thinking to myself, I haven't said water yet.  So I started over, but it was alright didn't bother me...  that much.  After we sat down Branch President announces who will speak so he said "Elder Valdez" and then "Elder Webster."  So here's the crazy thing, that new district has an Elder Webster, so I was pointing to him trying to make him all nervous.  So when Valdez say down no one moved. I knew it was me, but the other Webster was really antsy and sweating.  I stood up and said, "Guess you're talking to me."  Everyone chuckled.  So I gave my first talk in Spanish about the Book of Mormon.  Was okay had my talk and tried to make it sound good, Pres said that my Spanish was coming along.  Made me feel really good.

After my talk Mr.  Valdez and I had to give a lesson on Recognizing the Spirit and Gift of the Holy Ghost (in English) to our District.  We had one of the Branch Presidents come in.  I had planned the lesson the day before so I took the reins and taught it.  In my opinion it was a really good lesson.

Well that's pretty much it so yeah love you all hope things are going good, I will write before I leave so PEACE!!

Love,

Elder Webster

Finally!

I GOT MY VISA!!!!!! 

(travel)

So it says I fly to L.A. then to Buenos Aires, then I take a bus ride or something not sure about that.  Luggage is that I have 2 bags that are checked, one carry on, and one personal one.  Pretty sure that the backpack is okay for personal.  It is exciting!  I keep getting those Dear Elders.  I will let you know if something comes up so yeah just wanted to let you guys know!  Got e-mails from friends and family thanks!  Hope you got mine!

Talk to you soon!

Elder Webster

Testimonies of Strength

  Okay so we have moved to the west campus. BTW I have been getting all of those Dear Elders, just takes time for my handwritten ones getting home. So sorry if you dont get them write away I promise you that I am writting you guys and getting the packages!!

  Other big new I think I got my temporary VISA!! So yeah its for 90 days so I think I will leave on the 23rd of September!!! That is exciting!! But I'll let you know for sure what is going on!! The West Campus is great so much easier, its freedom from the Upper one because the West is soo enclosed and stuff but yeah its cozy I'll send some pics of the apartment and classroom its really weird cause literally is just a class room hahah but yeah its great! The language is coming along, still dont have it all down but hey it works. 

  Cool experience was we did TRC (where real members come in with problems) and we went in and started talking to this lady about 40s Hermana Rice. She is such a wonderful person. We started off good, but we couldn't find her problem. Finally we started talking about families. She went off about families and told us that her family is doing great in the church and they believe in everything, but she stopped on her daughter. This daughter is 20 and in the Navy. She doesnt live with her anymore and she said she is having a hard time with going to church. She said she believes and everything but still has a hard time believing in things. Her friends pressure her to drink and to do not such nice things. So I got this feeling to talk about my situation on how I don't really dont hang with people that are members. And it was really intense, we talked to this lady for about an hour. She really was feeling the spirit and loved how I shared my whole life on how I am being strong in the church with all of these non-members. So at the end of it, we asked hey need anything? She said can you write my daughter about what you have shared to me cause this will help her a lot. So I am going to write her right after this and I'll let you guys know if something happens. If missionary work is like this, I cant wait to go out to the field and see how I can change lives!

  Hope you guys have gotten my pics and my letters (handwritten) I'll try to keep up with those, loving hearing stories and all that!! Thanks for all the pics, U of U stuff, quotes, everything really am grateful!

Love Elder Webster

Here's what my room looks like.

"Nativo"

Family!
  Thanks for all of the packages and boxes I love getting them.  Especially for the U of U things and all of the Dear Elders, it is great!
  That's awesome that you saw Andonie!  Give him my e-mail address or something. I've got some questions about the soccer team.  Thanks for all of the letters!  Well we move to the West Campus.  And it is a huge upgrade!  Our class is just like an apartment building, our class is the living room with 4 desks.  We have a kitchen and 2 bathrooms, and to the left of the hallway is a fake investigator room that we teach in.  And then 2 more classrooms in the bedroom.  It is weird that we are studying in a living room, but it's nice and cozy.  Think it's in Raintree we are in the back corner and can see the football stadium, maybe we could hear the big game BYU vs.  Utah!
  Our house is just me and Valdez, we should have had the trio (trinidad) companions with us, but not all of them had a bed and they have to ALL have a bed...  BUUUUTTTTTT  there is only 2 so they got put into another room.  So we have 4 bed, 1 bathroom, and a living room all to ourselves!  It is really a blessing!  Don't have to wait for the shower, just the 2 of us.  I let Valdez shower first, so I can ponder in my bed a little longer.  But yeah, the move was really smooth and nice, we got our stuff packed it "neatly" and went on a bus that took us around, was really easy.  I don't know where the basketball courts are or where to workout yet, haven't had a chance but by the look of things, looks alright.  I'll send more pics of stuff so you guys can see for yourself.  I really feel this is my breaking through week.  I am so much better with the language, I can pick up Preach My Gospel and read it in Spanish, and say almost about anything in Spanish (Gospel Style), but still feels way good.  My comp and I are getting along a lot better now which is awesome!  I just feel like we are teaching a blot better now.  We had a lesson and it was our best one so far for this investigator.  More detail later.
  The food here is the same, can't escape the MTC food, hahaha no it's not that bad.  We have to eat in a big RELO.  The staff is nicer because they know more face and there aren't 3,000 of us demanding, well asking, for food at the top MTC.  Dinner yesterday, I was leaning on my chair like I always do and an older man in about his 50's came up to me and said, "Would Jesus be doing this?" I said," Jesus can do anything!"  The old man laughed and told me not to lean chairs, it hurts the chairs' backs.  But he stayed and got to know us and it is just a fun atmosphere.  I saw Griffen Clayton yesterday, this is his first full week here so that's pretty nifty.  He told me Steve Baxter is coming and I will be able to see him before I take off.  All of our District was just hit with some knowledge, we are 12 days till we get re-assigned or sent to Argentina (I think I maybe headed for Argentina...)  It is crazy to think about! We just were all thinking about it and Elder Mossman almost fainted, love that guy!
  We are playing this came called "Nativo," I am going to explain how to play and let's see if you can keep up.  It's a game were we have to speak a lot of Spanish.  Some one is the "Nativo" and tries to speak as much Spanish as possible so people will guess him as the "Nativo."  If he does his job right he gets a point.  Another role is "Mr.  Tampa," (Mr.  Cheat/Trick) he tries to trick people in thinking that HE is the "Nativo."  If you guess that person you lose points.  There are also, "Gringos," (2) and they TRY to speak a lot of Spanish.  If the "Gringos" get guessed by the "Nativo," they get an extra point, and if the "Gringos" guess the "Nativo" they get 3 points.  So this game got/getting intense.  I was the "Nativo" for the first round (switch roles everyday) and did an okay job, people did guess me, but right now I am tied for second with Mossman.  So let the games begin and 'May the Odds be Ever in Your Favor.'  Well that's about it, you'll get this letter and my e-mail on the exact same day so enjoy!

Elder Webster

Written on the front of the Envelope:

"Pero sin fe es imposible agrador a Dios; porque es necesario que el que se acuera a Dios crea que él y que es galardonador de los be buscean." -Hebreos 11:6

Written on the back of the Envelope:

Tell Emmy thanks for the quote on Robin Hood, was trying to think of that same one yesterday!
This is a good One!  "Remember who you are my son."  -Lion King (Symbolic to Padre Celstrial)

September 6, 2013

Family!
  Things are going okay.  I am kinda struggling with the language but I know it's going to come when I am going to need it.  Just been studying hard.  Well we are moving to West Campus September 10.  Heard that that place is pretty good so I am not too mad about it.  We will see if I will pack everything so neatly back into my suitcase.  Yes, I did get the cinnamon rolls and they were fantastic!  Thanks you guys so much!  That sounds so cool making all of the wooden wands Dad!  I am senior companion now so I am supposed to take the lead on tngs and show that I am the leader, so hope things will go all right in the future...  Keep seeing Hunter and that's always good, love that kid!  So said goodbye to Cort and Stephen.  Hope they do work.  Also, said goodbye to Arturo.  Haven't seen that guy for a ong time, can'r remember where he was headed but he was super excited about it.
  Went to the gym and played volleyball with all of these Tongans.  It was awesome they are so loud and just way fun to be around!  They are the best I'll try to get a picture.  Got the pics thanks, just need to show off to the other guys...  But thanks for all of the things you send, it's the best!
  I gave Elder Mossman $40 so he could send me some cool sandals from Hawaii and a lava lava.  It is going to be SICK!  I hope I get it in time before I leave.
  Well family love you all just nothing really new is going on.  I figured out how to upload pics, finally. So love ya, hope you guys have a fun school year, tell me lots about it what's going on!

Elder Webster

PS  I hope I have all of my paperwork in and will have it all out by the time I come home, because if I don't they might not let me back in the U.S.!  'MERICA!

This is one of our Presidency (2nd Counselor)

Elder Neil L. Andersen (not a very good picture)

Ward Members

Had to run in the rain after Anderson spoke tuesday night

These are my Italian friends Michael Driggs is right of me

Me and Seth Kershaw

Birthday and Tie Trading

Family,
  Well hello family!  I really can't than you guys so much for getting me those gifts!  I really felt like I was at home with you guys!!  All that origami stuff was amazing, Yoda?  Priceless!  (Thanks Emmy, it was awesome!)  Love all of the stuff you sent, still trying to figure out how to use some of it, but the best!  We are putting up the mini-hoop, but people just are so uncoordinated it's so weird to me!  The bagels made me so happy!  Too bad it was fast Sunday, I couldn't eat it until dinner.  The ties are so sick, all the people on my floor wanted my ties!  Feels good!  Thank you and for the tie clip!  Just what is up with that little baby thing that you guys sell at The Red Balloon, it was funny, thanks dad!  Elder Mossom laughed for about 10 mins it was great!  Just everything in there made my day so much bettere thank you guys so much!  Love ya!!!
  Well, the night before our floor was doing a "tie trade" so everyone got their ties and put them around their neck and walked around till you saw one you liked!  There was about 12 kids with so many ties, it was crazy.  Michael Driggs (played Oly soccer) told me to go get mine.  I was nervous cause I didn't know what to do.  So I got them all and walked around.  Started trying to get one that was sick but the guys said is was his favorite.  Then five minutes in I was surrounded by people trying to get my ties, like I mean EVERYONE!  Most of them are going to Milan so they want those skinny ties which I have!  I just played so hard to get, everyone was getting mad!  But this one Elder brought out this paisley light blue thin tie, another thin orange tie, and this tie that had a couple of polkadots on it.  It was pretty sweet!  He wanted my light blue one and this purple one so bad, I didn't want to give it way but I wanted his...  We talked for about 30 mins then we made the trade, I got the peacock one with that blue and orange tie, which to me was a nice trade.  Those other guys were just trying so hard to get these other ties from me, but I couldn't my ties were to fresh/clean to give any more up.  But this one kid was a die hard U of U fan and he traded for the Utah one I had the ties are pretty nice that I got.  Good for trading I guess!  But yeah was a really neat experience!
  Besides that we had another Devotional at the Marriot Center and Elder Neil A.  Andersen cam and spoke to us, was great.  We were so close to shaking his hand, could just feel the Spirit so well when we got close!  Was amazing!  All of my District wanted to sing in the choir, so I had to go.  It was alright I guess, I just don't do that.  When the devotional was all over we had to walk back, and it was pouring rain outside.  So we walked/ran, the police were getting mad that we weren't using the sidewalk, but you can't control 4,500 missionaries trying to get out of the water!
  The Spanish is coming along, just keep praying to the Lord for help.  We did this cool drill thing where people in our district played as an Investigator and was playing the don't-want-to-let-you-in.  Made you think very hard to get what they need and get them interested.  Our fake investigator was about to shut the door and I took a leap of faith and said, "Que es importanta en su vive?"  And he stopped and he said, "Mi familia," then I started preaching to him about the Plan of Salvation.  Told my comp, we don't always need to go by the books we need to go on what they need.
  Today is fast Sunday and it is killing me all that food I got and I have to wait till 6:20 pm to eat.  Well guess it's good for me all the Spiritual Blessings.  Everyone else love ya!  Can't believer time is flying by tell me what's been going on love hearing from you guys.
  Yo se que Jesuscristo es el Savador, yo se que Cristo muerte para mi pedados.  Yo se que Padre Celestrial y Espirto Santo aydame toda día.  Yo amarso mí familia, ustedes mucho bendice en mí vivo.  Gracias con de la lengua.  En el nombre de Jesuscristo.  Amen

Elder Webstero

Only a Picture!

Us at the Temple the First Week

Spanish and the Spirit

Hello Family,

Thanks, I am trying to upload my photos. 

  Well we had to teach an investigator in Spanish for the first week... went okay just didnt really know what i was saying. When I was teaching a lesson, I was going to talk about Joseph Smith and where the BOM came from. I had kind of a script on table so I could just read it. But lets start from the beginning...
  
  I walked in and my comp said to say a prayer in Spanish, this was only the second time I said a prayer in Spanish. So I knelt down and started to speak.. I can't remember what I said but it really did sound like perfect Spanish the fake investigator looked at me smiled and gave me a thumbs up. I was so proud that I did it! Then my comp was speaking and then it came to me, I started talking about the BOM and Joseph Smith... thats all I can remember.. the Spanish sounded like i was a native speaker! Was the best thing that ever happened to me, my investigator asked a couple questions and then I answered them perfectly he said this makes sense now.. I couldnt believe it, then it came to my testimony and the Spirit was there and took over once again. I felt like I had the gift of tongues that day. What a fun experience I was so happy the rest of the day!! 

  I got the package and I got all your Dear Elder letters. Thanks I love getting them I can write on e-mail once a week, Friday. I can write hand written almost every night, dont think I am supposed to but I am going to do it anyways. I get your letters but I'll try to keep up and respond to them. When you send pictures send them like 3 by 5 or something like scrap book pictures. From Smith's or something, those small ones are easier to carry around thanks!!

  Sleeping hasn't been too bad, the food here is okay. And I have just been trying to play basketball or soccer but all my District are army guys and all they want to do is go lift. But the other day we played basketball and yeah... it's too easy! Hahaha! But yeah was good they are finally realizing that there are no girls around to impress with those muscles and no one really cares. The gym is pretty nice, played with some random people and I just feel like that some people have never really touched a basketball before. It's still fun! I'm going to head out with someone in my district tomorrow and play soccer. I really can't wait its going to be so fun.

  On Sunday everyone went to the Marriot for Devotional and when we were leaving, there was sooooo many missionaries!  We could only walk in one lane. The streets were crowded, I took a pic and I'll try to send it. Really looked like an Army!  We all answered the call and you can see that us young men/women are here to do one thing only and that is to serve the Lord!

  Love you all I'll try to upload pics right now! And yeah put on my Facebook or Twitter or Insta or something saying write me, cause I get bored here really fast. Ask Emmy to do it, she knows how to do it!

Zach

PS:  Send letters, packages, anything love it all!

Me and Hunter at the Temple

My District

1st Letter! (Handwritten)

Dear Family,

    Things are going good I am writing you a hand letter right now cause I think my p-days are on Friday and if you e-mailed my I won't be able to respond that soon.
     Today was a little weird but not too bad, I saw Patrick and he showed me all that I needed to do.  I went to my class and saw some Elders that looked like they had no idea either.  I finally met my companion and his name is Elder Valdez, he reminds me of my friend Justin who can bench 300 lbs.  He lived in Cali in this military camp, he likes to be on time, 15 mins before everything but that's okay I like being on time too.  I am rooming with 3 other Elders, they are a tri-companionship.
   I saw Seth Kershaw today, he was fun to talk to, and one of the foreign exchange students who came to live in our ward last year.  I didn't really see Hunter that much, he lives in the building across the sidewalk.  The food was alright today was chicken w/gravy and mashed potatoes.  Then we met in a room and had a guy come in and act like a investigator, I don't know if they were really telling the truth about their lives, but was neat.
  So I am just getting into the just of things and I feel like the process of talking to you guys will be easier and sending packages and stuff but it will be a bit.  So, you can still send me a letter or an e-mail now and things will be less confusing soon.
  I got all of my stuff out of my suitcase but it's a little crowded cause there are 5 of us and the room was made for 4.  Just trying to figure out space.  Tell Emmy to make me a movie list, all the movies coming out and all.  Well family I will talk to you soon, and send pictures, just when I get in the routine of things it will go faster.

Zach

August 14, 2013: MTC Drop Off