Elder Tommy Webber Washington Tacoma 2013-2015: Soundview: Last Week with the Weavers, Quest for 500 "with" and the Final Fireside

Dear Family,

It has been a crazy week. I don't think I've ever felt so much unity in the mission as I did in the past 6 days. Everyone is very aware of having a new mission president in 3 days and we are filled with mixed feelings of sadness, love, and anticipation. We pray for the Weavers and the Blatters daily. All of the new mission presidents and their wives are currently at the MTC with all 15 of the Apostles who lead this church. I'm sure that's quite a training period. I have a testimony that each of them are called of God to go where they are needed when they are needed. We are ready to receive them with love and obedience.

Olympia Stake Missionary Musical Fireside

Last night was the last choir fireside. It was in the Olympia Stake. Probably the most powerful one. I can't believe I got to go to all 10 of them, ha, ha (because I am the missionary choir director). There were many tears and powerful testimonies and songs. After the fireside, we got a ride back to Tacoma with President and Sister Weaver, just the four of us in the car. We talked about the upcoming change and I asked President Weaver for advice. He told us that he is not worried if we can "carry the obedience," we will be fine. If we are missionaries for the right reasons (to serve God, to be loyal to Him) then it doesn't matter whom He picks as our leader, all will be well, and the work will press forward even greater. That being said, it's still hard to say goodbye.

Gift to Parting Weavers - WA State Flag w/ ALL missionaries names on it

This morning I had an interesting study. I have been thinking about change and what we mortals call "endings." There are 4 quotes I found that deal with the subject beautifully:
1. The Church put out a video last Easter on Jesus Christ titled, "Because of Him." In it is the line, "Because of Him, we have second chances, clean slates, new beginnings. There is no such thing as the end because of Him."
2. One of the lesser known yet powerful hymns is #284 "If You Could Hie to Kolob." Verse four states: "There is no end to glory; There is no end to love; There is no end to being; There is no death above."
3. Last April General Conference President Dieter F. Uchtdorf said, "There seems to be something inside of us that resists endings. Why is this? Because we are made of the stuff of eternity. We are eternal beings, children of the Almighty God, whose name is Endless and who promises eternal blessings without number. Endings are not our destiny.The more we learn about the gospel of Jesus Christ, the more we realize that endings here in mortality are not endings at all. They are merely interruptions—temporary pauses that one day will seem small compared to the eternal joy awaiting the faithful. How grateful I am to my Heavenly Father that in His plan there are no true endings, only everlasting beginnings."
4. The Prophet Joseph Smith declared: "And that same sociality which exists among us here will exist among us there, only it will be coupled with eternal glory" (D&C 130:2).

I believe that our "socialities" (friends and family) will exist beyond this life because of the Atonement, the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, who Himself broke the bands of death and "ending" that bind and worry us so much. After all, He is God, and Endless is His name.

Weaver's at Olympia Fireside thanking the missionaries

Last P-Day trip to Menchies Frozen Yogurt with Pres. Weaver

In this last week with the Weavers, all of us have been anxious about the ongoing mission goal of 500 lessons with members present. We have been in the mid - high 400s for the past month. It has been such a goal and focus with President Weaver. The APs sent out text messages throughout this week trying to pump up each Zone and then the Zone Leaders did the same with their zones. I don't think I've ever seen a zone and a mission so unified and hard working and motivated as we were this week. Starting Wednesday we all texted in our daily and weekly totals so we could track and evaluate where we were. Each day we became more excited. By Saturday we had shocked ourselves and had totaled 603! We didn't tell the Weavers yet. Then Sunday night, we had our usual conference call where the whole mission is on at once. Elder Slavens and I were in the car with the Weavers on the way back to Tacoma from the fireside. Over the conference call our AP, Elder Johnsen announced the week total: 697!!!!! They were visibly blown away by it! We have been so close for so long, then we finally blow it out of the water. President and Sister Weaver were so happy and proud. We know it was a blessing and miracle from Heavenly Father, not our own accomplishment. And it is not about the numbers but the people, many investigators and many members who participated in the joy of missionary work this week.

Zone Leaders tallying the discussions with Members- 697

I don't have much time left, but Kathy is doing awesome! I think she's into Jacob in the Book of Mormon, she has on tape. she came to church and loved it, and was so excited to stay for Sunday School and Relief Society. She came to the Ward Activity Friday and told us she found the BYU channel and watched something about a temple dedication. She is noticeably changing. There is more light in her than when I first met her. She can't wait for baptism on July 5th.

We also had two other investigators at church: Tiffany, and Aaron. Aaron is married to a less active member, and we're working with them a lot. I'll tell you more about them next week.

This week will be a unique one. We have mini zone conferences with President and Sister Weaver on Wednesday and President Blatter arrives here Thursday. Good things are ahead.