Alma 31:34-35 - Power and Wisdom

Hey family!

   This past week we had the special privilege to listen to Elder Robbins from the Presidency of the Seventies in a Mission Conference held on Tuesday.  Here are some of the notes that I feel the need to share with you:

1.  The missionary agenda has a picture of a compass on the front. We read Alma 37:38-42 and he had us replace the word compass with agenda.  He also testified to us that the agenda is a spiritual tool made by the First Presidency to help us truly be led where the Lord needs us to be. My companion and I have put this into practice after the conference by planning more slowly and listen to what the Spirit tells us in our planning sessions and the difference is too obvious.

2.  He spoke to us also about the two different ways to be obedient.  Nefi was obedient, but Laman and Lemuel were also obedient.  They were obedient to the Lord when they left Jerusalem, went back to get the plates, cross the sea, and in many other things but what was the difference between them and Nefi?  They would always murmur while Nefi would obey without delay or complain.  That is the difference between an obedient missionary and an exactly obedient missionary.

Well my time has ended, but I hope that those 2 teachings will help you this week and the decisions that need to be made.

I love and pray for you all!

Elder Weidman

Jacob 4:10

Hey family!

  I´m staying in Valparaiso for another 6 weeks of rain and wind!!  This week was super crazy due to transfers and the baptism of Camila.  Let me give you a quick summary of the week.

   On Monday night, we talked with Camila and spilled the beans that transfers were coming up, which probaby meant that I would be leaving.  For the past month, we have been looking for rent for her and her family who live a bit up north from here so that she could leave the house of her ex-boyfriend, live with her parents and siblings, and be baptize.  The search for rent for that many people was turning out to be very difficult and a long process, so when Camila found out that transfers were coming, she told us that she would be willing to find a small rent and live alone with her daughter until a bigger apartment was found.  She wanted to do this so that I could be present in her baptism.  We ended Monday night realizing that we only had 24 hours to find a rent, move Camila out of her house, have the baptismal interview, and plan the baptismal service.  Just call us the Jack Bauer missionaries.

   On Tuesday, we began the day by asking President Kahnlein if Camila could be baptized the day right after moving out of her ex´s house and he asked us why it was necessary so quickly.  We told him of our worry that I might leave, and he agreed that it would be a great idea to have the baptism before Wednesday afternoon.  That comment made us believe that I was gone for sure so we began the search for a smaller apartment. The Lord guided us the whole time because within an hour we had found an apartment that at first was too expensive for Camila, but then when the owner found out that Camila would be a member of the Church, she lowered the price.  Blessing #1  - Lowing of the price.  Then we realized that we needed a member to help us move everything out of Camila´s old house to her new house.  We immediately called a member who has a truck and he said that luckily he was free that night. Blessing #2 - Free night of a member. Camila then had her baptismal interview but then something happened that we weren´t expecting: she needed to have another interview with someone with more experience in the Church.  Due to transfers, President Kahnlein had no time that night, so we decided to cancel the baptism for Wednesday morning yet continue with the apartment move in the night time.  The move went excellent and there was no problem with the ex-boyfriend. Blessing #3 - Ex didn´t do anything to stop her from moving.  The night ended and we all thought that I wouldn´t be able to be there for the baptism.  We all knew that the move had to happen that day so that Camila would be free from her Ex, yet we were a bit sad for how things turned out.

   On Wednesday, I receive a call that I will be staying for 6 more weeks in Valparaiso!  The Lord knew that Camila needed to change everything on Tuesday and I believe that President Kahnlein was inspired to make us believe that I would be leaving or Camila would never have left the house.  The rest of the week went amazing and, as you can see from the picture, Camila was baptized yesterday. She is true pioneer that has left almost everything in order to follow the Lord´s instruction.  She through herself into the Lord´s hands and trusted that He would do His part.  She even fasted to find a way out of her problems so that her only desire could be fulfilled. This is the Lord´s Work of Salvation and He truly directs it.  

Love you all!

Elder Weidman

D y C 43:16 - Sanctify Yourself

Hey Family!

   Remember the video chat that we had on Mother´s Day about when I go home and all that jazz?  Well after much prayer, thought, and reading of my Patriachal Blessing, I´ve decided to come home 2 weeks early so that I can prepare for the semester that comes in BYU.  My original date was to come home on the 27th but now I will be coming home in the middle of the week of the 11th - 17th.  I´m still not sure which day it will be but just wanting to give a heads up so that plans can be made and all that. The truth is that it was a hard decision and I wanted to feel 100% sure on my decision therefore I know that it is what the Lord needs me to do so that I can accomplish my true potencial.  I really had the need to stay in the mission for 2 years because I felt that my mission wouldn´t be fully complete without that but then I felt the Lord tell me that He is the One who decides whether or not the work done was sufficient.  The time spent in the field doesn´t matter nor the number of converts. What matters is the dedication and consecration that you place willingly in the Lord´s Hands.  He knows what I must do and I can truly say that this is the decision that will lead me even closer to His presence.

   Now enough about me.  Camila, our investigator who is just dying to be baptized, continues progressing quickly.  She can´t be baptized in the moment because she is living with her ex boyfriend and can´t find any rent due to all the victims who are were effected by the fire that are living in rents.  We even did a fast with her this week to find an apartment, and we continue looking with faith. The Lord will definitely provide the way because this is a meaningful step so that Camila can enter into His Church.  Within in the second of finding rent, she is going to have her baptismal interview and be baptized.  We have changes this week, and I really hope to be here in her baptism but that is my personal desire that doesn´t matter in the end.  The important thing is that she can make a life changing promise with God that will never be forgotten nor broken.

 Love you all!

Elder Weidman

Moroni 8:9-10 -- Teach to those who are accountable

Hey family!

   Really quickly I got a few seconds to write you all! Veronica got confirmed yesterday and she is one of the best converts I have in the mission! She called us this morning to let us know that she has already started her genealogy without us having to expain anything!  We have already set a goal to go to the temple on May 2015 and she is 100% concentrated on accomplishing that goal.  She said that her whole life she has had goals but never has she had such a strong desire to complete one until now.  It´s crazy to think that if we had not followed the Spirit that day in contacting her in the street, she would still be lost in the world, looking for a way out of her problems.  My companion says that she has helped him have for faith in the many contacts that we do in the street because only the Lord can guide us to those who are willing to accept the Gospel just like Veronica did.

Congratulations Lucy in your baptism!!

Love,

Elder Weidman

Moroni 7:48 - Pray with all heart to receive love

Hey Family!

   As you can see from the photo, Veronica was baptized yesterday and it was one of the most spiritual baptisms that I have ever been in!  Let me explain why.  Veronica arrived to Sacrament Meeting and all of the members were excited to accompany her in her baptism but then the Bishop organized a last second emergency service project in the hills which meant that almost all of the members would need to leave after sacrament and climb the hills to serve.  Only the Bishop y 5 other people could stay for the baptism.  Veronica said that she understood and didn´t feel bad for not having many people in her baptism but my companion and I still felt a bit let down because we wanted to have her baptism be full of people so that everyone would remember, but the Lord had different plans.  The baptism service then began right after the 3rd hour of church and even though a handful of people were there, the Spirit was powerfully present.  Veronica had asked me to baptize her so I had the opportunity to be in the baptismal font with her to witness the immediate change she had.  She was very nervous when walking into the water but when I took her hand in mine and rose my hand to the square, I felt her take a deep breath and just wait.  I offered the prayer and then layed her into the water. Those watching from the other side of the font said that when she came out of the water her face was glowing.  Her smile was unforgettable.  When the doors were closed, she told me that she was glad that water was dripping down her face so that people couldn´t see the tears streaming down.  It reminded me a lot of the new Bible video of Christ´s Baptism.  The feeling felt in that baptism was one that every person in the world should have the opportunity to partake of. 

 Happy Birthday to the buck hunter of the family, to the man who fights head on head with death (so other people don´t die), and to the movie spoiler of the family (when Danny saw Tangled for the first time)

A note for Lucy: You are too big and too mature.  I can´t believe that you will be baptized on Saturday!  You are setting a great example for your younger siblings.  Never forget your baptism!  

Love you all!

Elder Weidman

DyC: 60:2 -- Courage to Open Your Mouth

Hey family!

   Long time no talk!  That video chat last night was great just like usual and, even though Taylor, Nina, nor Danny were heard, we could see how much fun they were having and it makes me happy that they are making unforgettable memories in Thailand.  I want to share really quickly about two comments that I received last night after the phone call.  First was one from my companion who, for a short history update, is the only member in his family and his parents don´t support him too much on the mission.  He was listening to the entire call and he admitted to me after that he began crying because of the Spirit that was felt and the strong bong that he saw among our family.  He said that he is very excited to raise his own family in the Church because he knows that they will be a happy, loving family just like ours.  Also La Familia Risco, the family that you all got to meet, have been having some recent trials in their life that have caused the mom to question the Church a little bit.  She said that, even though she couldn´t understand our words, we helped her realize that her family is the most important part of her life and that she must stay in the church for her family.  She began remembering all the spiritual experiences that she has shared with her family in the Gospel and the video chat helped her solidify her shaking testimony. I´m sure that none of you had any idea about how much you were spiritually helping those who were in the house with me last night.  Even Wyatt, Sam, Gracie, and Lucy had a part in the help!

* The picture included in the email is one of the baptism of Macarena.  She is the niece of the family where I was last night.  They are all in the photo.

   A quick update on our investigators. First off is a woman named Veronica.  A few months ago we contacted her in the street.  The contact was actually very cool because we were contacting another guy when she walked past.  Both my companion and I felt the need to talk with her therefore we literally ended the conversation we were having with the man in two seconds and ran quickly to catch up to her.  She told us she had been a member of the Catholic Church, but then had stop attending due to a bad experience that left her doubting if God exists. We set up an appointment with her, which she didn´t arrive to, but then like a month later she showed up to General Conference and we had a really spiritual lesson ( I feel like I already explained about it in a past email).  Due to the fire of Valparaiso, we lost contact with her until just two weeks ago.  She now really wants to be baptized and begin on her path towards the Celestial Kingdom.  Satan has tried attacking her with many trials, but she has been able to conquer every single one through the Book of Mormon.  Tomorrow night she will have her Baptismal Interview and on Sunday she will be baptized.  A great conversion story!

  The other investigator, Carolina, who I talked about last week is progressing very well.  She has been smoking for 21 years and is in the process of overcoming the addiction.  Yesteday she went to church for the 2nd time and her testimony continues to grow.  Now the members are supporting her in the tough battle that she has with smoking.  We are going to teach about the fast this week so that she can show the Lord that her Spirit is stronger than her body.

Love you all!

Elder Weidman

2 Nefi 4:34 - Trust in the Lord

Hey Family!

    As you can see from the photo, Macarena was baptized yesterday by her uncle, Jesus!  She was accompanied by two other 8 year old primary girls.  I´m going to send another photo in the email that follows this of all 3 of them with the people who baptized them.  In the middle of the photo is Ignacia who asked my companion and I to teach her for the past month in order to prepare her for her baptism.  I don´t know if I have mentioned about her before but she and her little sister remind me exactly of Lucy and Gracie!  Ignacia is always laughing, sharing what she learned in school with everyone, and trying to be the best example for her sister, while the sister is in her own little world and making people laugh.  I´m sure that Lucy and Gracie have changed quite a bit in the past 2 years, but they will always be the same in my mind.  The other girl in the picture is a daughter of a member who recently returned to the church.  She along with about 40 other members have, due to the fire, felt the need to rekindle their relationship with God and return to His Church.  I have never seen such a high number of asistence in any ward on my mission!  Yesterday the Bishop said that 160 members partook of the Sacrament, a new record for the year. 

   We have another investigator name Carolina who has a baptismal date for the 18th of this month.  She works in a little office that has an open gate facing the street, and one day while passing her office, we decided to talk to her through the iron bars even though she was very concentrated in her computer.  Any normal person would have thought that that isn´t the best way to begin talking with a stranger but when the Spirit prompts us to do something, we follow the whispering without second thoughts.  As we began talking with her, she kinda looked at us pecularly (sp?) but was very interested in what we were explaining about how God has revealed what our purpose is through modern day prophets.  She accepted a Book of Mormon and we set another appointment to return.  Well she wasn´t their for the appointment and we lost contact with her for a few weeks.  Then the huge fire happened and during the same week, we contacted her while yet again passing her office.  This time she was 10X more open with us and began explaining her personal interests and beliefs.  She even admitted that she didn´t know why she was so open with us, but that she felt very comfortable talking with us.  She has a very hard past that has left her single with 2 children of 22 years and 16 years.  She has a hard time trusting in people but she realized that that shell was broken as we began teaching.  Yesterday she came to church and immediately became best friends with the woman of the Relief Society!  I will expain more in the next email about the especific details of her conversion because it is yet another amazing story that I never thought that I would be a part of. 

   We will be seeing each other next Sunday!  Mary knows everything about the video call, so just contact her at anytime to know more.  She especially loves when people call her in the middle of the night!

 Love you all!

Elder Weidman

Well my camera ran out of batteries.  The computer seems to suck the juice out of it everytime I´m here.....