Manette: DENNIS AT THE TEMPLE!

Dear Family,

This was one of the greatest weeks on my mission from the stand-alone moment of going to the Seattle Temple with Brother Dennis Hart to see him receive his own endowment. We all got there pretty early and it was so much fun to see Dennis again, all dressed in his suit and with his constant, huge grin on his face. After reconnecting after so long and asking how he's doing, we went in to get ready and got to go through the 1:00 session. Ah! I just wish I could explain how cool everything was. Elder Green and I kept looking at each other and thinking "wow." And wondering what it would be like if we only knew we would be here, back when we were first companions, on our way to "Raymond," wherever that was, or when we first discovered Westport, or when we knocked on Dennis' door at 6:59 p.m. or stood in the font together to baptize him. God, the Great Puzzle Maker, has such marvelous plans for us if we only do what is right and follow His guidance.

Smiling at the temple with the Elders

Of course, another temple trip couldn't come without its own "coincidences" or temple miracles. Right when Elder Green and I were at the front desk with Brother Green, a man came in the front door of the temple. The front desk guy said to the man who walked in, "hello Brother Webber!" and Elder Green turned and said to me, "that'll be us in 40 years." Brother Green and Brother Webber going to the temple, ha ha. Of course also at the temple that day was Brother "Papa" Agor, my old ward mission leader from Steilacoom, and his daughter, and two other members I knew, one from Silverdale 1st ward, one from Manette! Just to let me know I was in the right place at the right time.

With Ward Mission Leader Brother Green

I cannot fully describe what it was like. I just have a bright, glorious memory to keep and share forever. Dennis was smiling the entire time, and the Spirit of peace and Godliness pervaded the whole visit. It was like the joy and spirit of a baptism times 100. So crazy to think of Dennis, now an endowed member and holding the Melchizedek priesthood, and everything.

Elder Green, Dennis H, Elder Webber

Our week was also good with the work in Manette. Oh, I forgot to mention transfers ha ha! Elder MacCarthy and I are both staying, as we predicted. So are our ZLs Smith and Goodwine. It'll be another good transfer. The sad news is tomorrow will be the first transfer meeting I won't be able to go to. Probably the only one, though. On Friday, Jeremy got his new snazzy scriptures in the mail and he was super grateful and excited. We had our first official "new member lesson" that night and he brought them along with his Preach My Gospel. He prepared and taught us the first lesson, the Restoration, and did such an incredible job. He is a natural teacher, and mastered several PMG teaching techniques: asking questions, listening, applying to needs, using scriptures, etc. And I love recent converts and their simple grasp of the greatest truth. Their testimonies are so uncluttered by false or unnecessary doctrine. He bore his testimony, too, saying "now I know that God is there." It was very powerful.

Tina is still progressing. When she came to church Sunday, the first thing she told us was, "I have decided that March 9th I'm definitely getting baptized"! Yay! That will be her birthday. One obstacle, however, is she has a fear of water, like having her head go under water, because she had a fearful experience as a child. I think I'll share with her the story of Jonas' baptism and how she can be brave like him. Good job, Jonas! I'm so proud of you.

One more funny story. After sacrament meeting yesterday, we went to say hi to all the people who came (investigators, recent converts, less-actives, etc.) and I saw sitting in the lobby someone familiar. His name is Russel and we went up to say hi and I remembered that this is someone I had taught when I served in Bremerton! He was just on a walk and decided to come back to the church. We talked to him and answered a lot of gospel questions, and he stayed for 2nd and 3rd hour classes too. We have an appointment set for him this week. He said he has changed his life a lot in the past year and wants to learn more about repentance and baptism! He has been through a lot, and could really use the Gospel! I'll keep you updated.

Mission life continues strong. The Wa-Tac is a blessed land. I love my mission and try to not think about how much time I have left, even though it's really hard not to. Elder MacCarthy and I are excited to stay together for another transfer!

Love
Elder Webber

Scripture: Alma 13:3,10-13 (God's plan for His faithful children is so cool)

P.S. "God, the Great Puzzle Maker" is a phrase borrowed from President Weaver :)