Soundview: Happy Mother's Day

My amazing wonderful family,

It was so much fun to talk to you yesterday over Skype, and just to see everyone together and sitting on the couch. That was one of my favorite parts, just seeing everyone together. Thanks for all being there and for being who you are and supporting me on my mission. Like I said yesterday, there aren't words sufficient to explain this mission experience, especially in just 40 minutes. But, well, I don't know what to say. I just love you!

And a very happy Mother's Day, mom. You do so much for me and for others. I appreciate you.

Current companion Elder Anderson and Elder Tommy Webber

Like I told you, on Saturday we had all 9 appointments fall through. I am grateful for a companion on such days, who I can talk to and simply laugh about it. We had appointments for every hour of that day, so we didn't even have time for lunch or dinner. So we just worked 11 straight hours, no breaks. It was pretty grueling, but I slept good that night :) We come out to work as hard as we can and people just use their agency wrong. We did all we could, so we were able to feel, despite the obvious disappointment, good about our efforts. I am trying to better understand the meaning of "success" as a missionary. Preach My Gospel states that "Your success is measured primarily by your commitment to find, teach, baptize, and confirm people, and help them become active members of the Church who enjoy the presence of the Holy Ghost" (pg. 11). Our task is to be committed and work as hard as we can, being obedient, and blessings will come. Sooner or later, in baptisms or happiness, one way or another; but they come. That's faith.

Mission Leadership Training

I was studying faith this last week, and would like to share some of it, if I can put it into words adequately. We all have faith to some degree. Faith is what prompts us to act to do anything, for we would not do a thing if we did not first believe it could be done. Faith in Jesus Christ is more than just passive belief, it is active and moving, and prompts us to be obedient, to repent, and to make covenants. It prompts us to sacrifice because we believe what we can give up in this life for God, we will have returned to us with much much more, even eternal glory. In fact, "a religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce faith necessary unto life and salvation" (Lectures on Faith, 66). Faith is necessary for salvation, to become like our perfect example Jesus Christ, who had, Himself, perfect faith (unto knowledge) in His Father. We must be like Him, one with Him, as He is one with the Father (John 17:20-24).

The Sister Missionaries unite a family in Soundview ward, Bishop on right

 The work in Soundview is progressing. The sisters had two more baptisms this past weekend, a great new family. They keep reeling them in. We are still working with a women, and her kids. She didn't make it to church this week, and we haven't been able to really start the lessons. But she has been warmly fellowshipped and loves coming to church. We met a sweet black lady this week named Syreeta. She lives alone, and she is very open to the Church. We will start teaching her tonight. We took her on a church tour last Wednesday and she loved it and already agreed to baptism.

Tommy catches up with former companion Elder Schaffner on Prep-day

And sees him at a Baptismal service on Saturday

At church yesterday, we got to be in charge of primary for the 3-8 year olds. I have new-found respect and admiration to every primary president and leader in this Church.

Tommy catches up with former companion Elder Green at Mission training

It should be a warm week ahead in Washington. Elder Anderson's birthday is this week, he'll be 21 on Friday. So I'll have to think of something we can do for him :) This Sunday is the Centralia missionary musical fireside, in Chehalis. And we've got Zone Conference on Thursday! Which is a special day nonetheless ;)

Another beautiful sunset on the Puget Sound

Love you all,
Elder Webber

Scripture: Alma 32:21
Hebrews 11:1 (JST), 6
John 17:3, 20-24