Sunday, February 23, 2014

2 of 2

This was last week’s letter, which we’re posting along with the two-weeks-ago letter, in anticipation of a tomorrow letter. Huzzah! (More pics below)

With José Lugo (his art on the walls) and the Sisters
18 February 2014

Greetings loved ones!

I hope things are well with all of you! They are wonderful with me. I’m emailing on Tuesday because today is temple P-Day! We went to the temple this morning and it was the most amazing thing. It’s cool being a missionary in the temple.

I had a dream the other night that Jairus started a watch company and that he gave me a watch for free to rep on my mission. Not sure if it means anything, but Jairus, you can definitely send me a watch if it ever comes up.

The work is going well! So many changes happen throughout the week, so it’s hard to keep track of what I’ve told! 12-year-old David is taking the lessons and taking it slow. He wants to be baptized, and his mom seems okay with it. Karen is also doing well, but she didn’t come to church on Sunday because she still wants to look at other churches. We’re meeting with her tomorrow. Toby wants to be baptized, and he moved back into our area so now we can teach him again (I’ve mentioned Toby, haven’t I? Gee, my brain is fried). He gets off probation on the 21st, so we’ll go from there.

This is probably mine and Elder Konecki’s last week together. We’ve had such a good time together. I’ve really lucked out with my companions! I hope I’m not being set up for a doozy. Fingers crossed! I can handle a tough area, a tough ward, and tough weather. I’d take all three at once if it meant I’d get a good companion. Pray for me!

I love you all. I hope things are going well with everyone! I pray for y’all every night! Prayer sends angels! We’ve got angels working for us on both sides. I’m not sure how to recognize his spirit, but I like to believe that Grandpa Archie is watching my back (since he served in Canada. I think he’s looking out for Brennan too). I always picture it when we’re singing “O Canada”.

Funny story: When Elder Zwick came and spoke to the mission, he told us a story about an interaction he had with President Monson. As some of you know, President Monson presided over the Canadian mission, so Canada holds a special place in his heart. Elder Zwick went into President Monson’s office to discuss an assignment in Canada (it may have been the assignment to speak in our mission, but I forget). They sat down and President Monson asked Elder Zwick if he knew “O Canada”. Elder Zwick admitted that he didn’t. President Monson reached into his desk, pulled out the lyrics, handed them to Elder Zwick and said, “You sing, I’ll whistle.” The prophet whistled the tune while Elder Zwick sang. Just the two of them. In President Monson’s office. Can you imagine? I love him even more after hearing that.

Thanks for your prayers and love! I really need them! Write, if you feel so inclined! I can’t guarantee a prompt response (Bobby), but know that they are read and appreciated!

Keep the faith,
Elder Webb

P.S. Mom, I didn’t get the package yet, but I have a suspicion that it’s waiting for me in the Zone Leaders’ car. Also, I’ve got some weird requests for what to include in the next package you send. If you could send me a ring sizer (you’ve got a few, right?), some pliers (jewelry ones), and a rabbit pelt (aren’t they like $4 at craft stores?). They would be very much appreciated. Don’t ask, don’t tell, amiright? Love y’all.





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1 of 2 (missed a week of posting)

11 February 2014 
Hello family members!

Initially, I would like to apologize for my lack of picture sending. It’s not that I’m not sending them, it’s that I’m not taking them in the first place. I need to be better! Trust me, next week, you’ll have a good supply of Eli pictures. I can’t guarantee you’ll like them, because I got my haircut yesterday and it’s... different. I’ve decided that I can’t be such a diva anymore about my hair and that I need to be open-minded, so I’ve let some members and even some missionaries cut it. I’ve always been pretty happy with the results. Yesterday was the first time I let an Elder cut my hair. I hate poofy hair, and it usually poofs out from the sides, which is why I wear it short on the sides and longer on top. Well, this missionary did cut it like that, and he did a good job, but it’s not necessarily orthodox. Don’t worry, I’m still an effective missionary and I still have the Spirit with me (I think). I don’t want to build it up to more than it’s supposed to be, so I’ll let you judge for yourselves next week. Fret not!

This week has been pretty good! We found out that we need to take things slow with David. His mom doesn’t want him to be rushed, which totally makes sense! Now we’re just going to be taking it slow with him and consistently teaching him. He still wants to learn and be baptized, and that’s a good reason to celebrate!

Last week we had supper with a less-active sister and her non-member husband. This sister has recently returned to activity, and she’s doing so well! She reads and prays every day. The first time we met her she asked for a blessing to help her quit smoking. She hasn’t smoked at all since! It’s all thanks to her faith and willingness. That’s the only way this Gospel works: Faith! I can testify that seemingly insurmountable obstacles can definitely be overcome through faith in our Savior and obedience to His commandments. Our trials and burdens won’t be removed, but they can me made light. Just exercise your faith! Read Alma 32 for an excellent analogy on faith.

I want my loved ones to know that I’m doing my best to represent our family, the church and the Lord. I still have so much to improve, but I’m trying to so my best with what I do have, and I’ve seen blessings come from that. Thank you all for your love and support!

Quick funny story: We were out knocking doors a few weeks ago and we were having pretty reasonable success. People were at least consistently pleasant, even if they weren’t interested. One door was answered by a 60-something red-headed Catholic woman, who said that she wasn’t really interested but that she appreciated what we were doing (I didn’t assume she was 60-something or Catholic, she told us). As we were leaving, she was closing the door and I heard her say, under her breath, “Cute as h*ll, though.” So at least we’ve got that going for us! Thanks, Catholic lady!

Keep the faith,
Elder Webb

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Monday, February 3, 2014

OF LEFTY TUESDAY & DAVID

We’re not sure if there’s a filter on U.S.-to-Canada emails, something that squelches parental questions and curiosity and hunger for details . . .

All that family-based selfishness aside, we love reading the great stuff from our honorary Albertan:


Hello family!

This week has been great. No one was sick, we did some good work, and we got a car!!!

That’s right, ladies and gentleman, you are reading the email of the proud driver of a 2011, silver, misaligned, CD-skipping, last-of-its-kind-in-the-mission Chevy Malibu! Yes, the CDs do skip, yes there is a big crack in the windshield, and yes, the steering wheel sits about 20 degrees to the left when it drives straight. But you know what it doesn’t have? It doesn’t have crazy people sitting in the back talking to themselves, it doesn’t have a set time when we can drive it, it doesn’t have a permanent weed smell, it doesn’t have to constantly stop, it doesn’t have any graffiti, and we don’t have to wait outside for 30+ minutes for the next one to come because the one we were trying to get came at the improper time. We’ve named it Lefty. Lefty Tuesday (we got it on a Tuesday).

Even better than the car, however, is David. David is a 12 year-old boy who’s been coming to church and activities for a few months, but who wasn’t sure he wanted to take the lessons or get baptized. He was invited again this last week to take the lessons and be baptized, and he said yes! He wants to be able to go to the temple with the youth on February 18th. We’re so excited for him. However, this means that he needs to be baptized on the 15th. This means that we have less than two weeks to teach him all of the lessons and get him interviewed. We’re up for the challenge, but it’s going to take a lot of work! Hopefully he’ll be willing to put in the time to see this through for the 15th! He’s been such a blessing. We’re so grateful for this opportunity!

Thank you all for reading and being so supportive! Keep praying for me! Prayer is incredibly powerful.

Love,
Elder Eli

Love the spirit of that boy/man. (Note: If you’re one of those who write him and don’t hear back too regularly, you’re in good company! It’s a family-wide phenomenon!)