Merry Christmas!

Dear Family & Friends,

It was so great to see my family on Christmas day.  It sounds like you are all doing well and are doing just fine back in Utah.  I love you all so much and appreciate all that you do for me. 

After Skyping we thanked the Birds and went over to the Branch Presidents home.  President Nord and his wife had chili and stuff for us and we just spent the rest of the day talking and stuff.  Elder Jarvis had to talk to about 30 or so people back home so he did that all day and I talked with the Nords.  Which is fine because amidst our different conversations we were able to identify several things to work on with the branch for the next while.  I wished I could have been in my PJ's though.  It was different being in church clothes all day on Christmas.

It sounds like the Ward had a fantastic Christmas program/concert!  They always have a great program in store for the Holidays.  Good job Brother Dimond.

Well I am almost feeling all the way better.  My energy has just kinda been drained the last couple days, but I think I am almost back to 100%.  

  

I hope you each have a great week this week and have a very happy new year.  I love you all very much!

Love,

Elder Weaver


This is a clip of Elder Weaver bearing his testimony to his family from a video call on Christmas morning.

Days Fly By...All Of A Sudden It's 10:30 PM

Dear Family & Friends,

I am doing wonderfully!  Just keep a working here and building up this area.  Days fly by...all of a sudden it's 10:30 and time to go to bed.  I pretty well know the members and there is some work to do in this area.  The majority of the members are converts, what is great, but there are just some things that need to get ironed out.  This area is in a really good place to start changing and becoming a growing Branch into a Ward.  Personalities are very strong out here though, and the members are pretty funny.  Loving the people.  Great members just need some help getting things going.  Lots of great work to do here and I am really enjoying it. 

Christmas and Christmas Eve and New Years Day we have places to go and people that have invited us over.  This Branch is very loving of missionaries now thanks to Elder Metcalf and Elder Jarvis, now its just time to really put them to work. 

I am the senior companion here and Elder Perkins is the district leader.   He has been out for 21 months.  My new companion is Elder Jake Jarvis from Safford Arizona and he is 23.  He has been great to serve with, loves the Gospel, and has a great testimony of its truth.  I have enjoyed serving with him.  Our personalities go well together and we have some good laughs through out the day.  We are also focused and ready to work hard to build this area up.  We serve in Tiffin as well as several neighboring towns like Fostoria, Bettesville, Bloomeville, Attica, and several others. 

We are living in an apartment, but it’s more like a town home.  It has two floors and is quite a bit bigger than my last apartment.  And we have a car here, which I am very happy about.... thank heavens because some of our work is a 30 minute drive from us.  It's a lot less population than my last area, a lot, but about 4 times the size of my last entire district. 

We are two hours ahead and we get done with church at 8:00 AM your time.  So how about 9:00 AM your time and 11:00AM my time we Skype on Christmas day?  That is what I will plan on.

I look forward to the lesson we will have this week with Christmas so soon.  What a wonderful time of the year to reflect on our Savior, His life and teachings, and the gift He has provided for us in obedience to our loving Heavenly Father who has a beautiful plan laid out for each of us to find peace and happiness in both this life and the eternities.  I love the message I am able to bring to the people here and am so grateful for what it does for me, and especially those who I am serving. 

Well I love you all and hope you all have a great week this week, I am looking forward to seeing my family on Christmas day!

Love,

Elder Weaver 

I Have Been Sent To Tiffin Ohio

Dear Family & Friends,

Well I have been sent to Tiffin Ohio which is in the Findlay Zone.  Our new address is 178 Gibson Court, Tiffin Ohio 44883.  My new companion is Elder Jarvis.  He is great and we are getting along really well.  He is from Arizona and just got done getting trained by Elder Metcalf who came out with me from the MTC.  He doesn't play any instruments, but it's fine.  There are only so many who do music things. :)  Our area is one that is in need of growth.  Elder Metcalf and Jarvis have really done well at getting people in the teach pool including some great families, but this area is a very small branch.  Apparently about a year ago it was almost a Ward but then jobs caused many to move.  Many small towns out this way, but I am excited to work with Elder Jarvis in really getting this area moving and helping the Branch grow and get some different things together that will really make a difference in this area.  Past success has been sparse here but there are a couple reasons for that that hasn’t happened since Elder Metcalf was trained here.  So this area is ready to grow.

We can write letters to our last area...I need to do a few for some recent converts and soon to be recent converts here this next couple weeks.

Tell Jordan Boone congratulations from me!  That is wonderful!  So many people are getting married...it's nuts.  None of the other Elders here have too many friends that have got married or are getting married yet...so it's always weird for them when I tell them of all these people getting married. 

I am glad that the Ward Christmas part went so well, and that so many came out!  I know that those type activities really help Wards grow closer.  Especially when they turn out so wonderfully 

Winter socks I would love some more.  Also I am starting to realize my shoes are getting more worn and worn in the soles.  Water can get through the bottom of one of my shoes now from a spot that has worn down into a crack in the bottom.  So I may need to get another pair, and try to repair that crack.  Blankets we have extra here so I am ok.  But winter hasn't really hit yet...it's colder but still sunny outside...I haven't experienced the bitter winters that everyone talks about yet...well December isn't over yet. :)

We found some members that have Skype here so we will be able to Skype on Christmas.  I will let you know what time we will be doing that.  We are two hours ahead here so it will probably need to be about...3:30 or 4 I am guessing our time?  We will figure it out, as it gets closer.  

Well I am ready to work and do all I can to continue building this area up.  We are dedicated here and look forward to helping others come unto Christ and receive the restored gospel.  We are ready to work.

I love you all and have a great week.

Love,

Elder Weaver

I Will Find Out Tonight Where I Will Be Transferred!

Dear Family & Friends,

All right so I know I will be transferred but I find out tonight where I will be transferred.  I am excited but also would have loved to stay another transfer.  I was told yesterday for sure that Elder Ingersoll is training here!  We have one of the fastest growing posterities in the mission right now!  Elder Helton, Me, Elder Ingersoll, and my Grandson who I will meet tomorrow.  However, I am excited to go and build up another area and meet new people with whom I can work with.

We have 2 for sure baptisms by the New Year, each of whom I have loved teaching.  Anthony and Camille Garr are set for the 18th of this month, and Tina Ford and Shayla Everson for the 1st of January.  I pray for each of them as they continue to work in learning and applying the Gospel.  This area is growing so much and it has been wonderful serving here. 

This last week wasn't our Mission Conference.  I don’t' know exactly which day is Zone conference because it wasn’t announced yet and I don't know if Elder Ingersoll will even be close enough for us to do a musical number together.  I will find more things out this next week in my new area. 

HOORAY FOR MATT ROUNDY!!  I am so glad to hear he is on his way to California...it's so fitting for him. 

Yep, we write the Mission President each week via an online system where we report our weekly numbers and write him about the week.  We do that on our Preparation Days.  

I loved the First Presidency Christmas Devotional messages this year.  I always love to hear their messages and share and discuss them with all we teach.  This season can be great or hard depending on the outlook of missionaries.  I look forward to what his wonderful season has to offer towards moving this work forward. 

(Elder Weaver…What would you like for Christmas?)  Um...what I really would like for Christmas is some referrals from the Ward I will be serving in.  Hmm...I don't know.  Music is always wonderful, and conference / General authority talks on CD.  And I need a new Conference and Book of Mormon Ensign...both of mine got stolen at a rehabilitation center.  So hopefully someone is reading them.:)  But I still need them too ha. 

Faith is such a huge part of the Gospel and the Church.  It is one of the most important elements of the Gospel.  If people will have the faith to try it they will see that it works.  Fear or Satan just seems to always get in the way of people to try it sometimes.  But as we continually exercise faith we will begin to grow to have knowledge of the Gospel and never question.  Faith is a huge part in Bishop Hulbert's thought from tithing settlement as well.  I think people when first learning about the church have a concept of leaders as being power hungry, or money hungry.  So many people think we have to pray and go through the prophet to get to God.  It's interesting to talk with people and explain the role of prophets and leaders to people and who they think they are.  If more people would just read and understand the Bible...like they profess they do...:) much of this confusion and dilemma would not exist.  But it's true.  Our leaders receive revelation directly from God for our benefit, and we can pray and receive confirmation about any decision leaders present to us.  Living by the Spirit is what we must do and then we will all be in agreement one with another always.  It will one day be possible.

Well I hope you have a wonderful day!  And I will get my new address out to you all next Monday on Preparation day.  I love you and pray for each of you every day. 

Can't wait to Skype with my family on Christmas!

Love,

Elder Weaver

Skype In Less Than A Month!

Dear Family & Friends,

I am glad to hear you all had a fun filled Thanksgiving!  We went to the Thomas/Fitzgerald/Delesk clan Thanksgiving that they hold at the church each year.  It was good, and we got to play basketball after.  Not a bad place to have Thanksgiving.  The day went by super quick.  No injuries at the Turkey Bowl that morning.  We were all muddy though.  It was a good game.  We also were able to take some furniture over to the Lewis family and they were very thankful for the things that they received from some of the members in the ward. 

If you see anyone I know tell them Hi for me as well!  It's good to hear about all my friends who are getting back!  I hope they retain the changes their mission has made on them.  And that sounds like a great concert the President Richards family performed.  They all play beautifully.  Did president play something??:)

Travel, holiday, etc…investigators are here, there, and everywhere this past week.  But we have some new potential investigators to meet with this next week and hopefully we can get back with those who have been gone or busy.  The work continues to move forward and build its momentum here in this part of the Lords Kingdom.  I hope to stay another transfer to work out a few more things that this area is in need of.  However, I will be going where the Lord puts me on December 5th. 

I know the Hollies!  They are in my Zone.  We have met several times and they are a wonderful couple doing a great work in the Canton Ward.  Senior couple missionaries have things that are just magical for a Ward and they can focus on very key things that young missionaries can't.  We need more of them!  Send all the seniors out!  As far as this Sister Missionary goes, Sarah...I have no idea because we don't know first names really out here.

Well I love you, and am so thankful for all your love and thoughts.  I hope you have a great week!  Skype in less than a month!

Love,

Elder Weaver 

Elder Ingersoll Parents Letter

Hi!

I have been meaning to write and let you know how thankful we are for your son, Elder Weaver.  He has been a wonderful trainer and companion for our son.  We so appreciate the great example he is.  This week our son shared the following experience:

One cool experience we had was when we parked the car to go visit one of our investigators and got out and Elder Weaver started walking up the steps to the wrong house. I just felt like waiting to let him figure out he was at the wrong one, but he got all the way to the door and started knocking. As soon as he did that I yelled at him and told him it was the wrong house. It was 8:30 at night, a time we are not usually knocking on doors in Akron because there are some nuts out here. Anyway the light came on and someone yelled asking who it was. Elder Weaver started apologizing saying that we were missionaries and had accidently knocked on the wrong house. The door immediately swung open and a 26 year-old guy came out. I started walking over because I was worried what was going to happen next, because he looked kind of crazy. But the first thing he said was "Missionaries?!, are you Normon missionaries?" We said yes we are MORMON missionaries, correcting him. He then told us how he used to meet with some in a town he had moved from and really liked them. He said he was looking for something to read that night and took the Book of Mormon and we got his information. We are meeting him on Wednesday. I don't know how that all happened and I am so glad I did not tell Elder Weaver before he knocked on the door. Whatever happens at least he knows we're Mormons and not Normons haha sorry but I hope some good will come of it because it was a really cool experience.

I know transfers are coming up next week and they will probably not be together.  We will always be grateful for Elder Weaver’s kindness, patience and example—and thank you to you!  We really enjoyed the musical number. You have such a talented son. It was fun to “peek” in on them for a moment. I miss hearing the violin at my house, but I miss my son more. It is so wonderful to read his letters each week and know of the great experiences he is having in OH.  I am thankful he is serving a mission and really wouldn’t want him anywhere else.

Thanks again,

Matt and Marianne Ingersoll

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Dear Family & Friends,  

We have several invitations of places for Thanksgiving but haven't decided where to go yet...but at least this is a good sign that so many members like us.  I know we will be playing a Turkey Bowl at 8:30 AM that morning though!  So that should be pretty fun.  We have a Preparation Day today to do laundry and email and shop till 1:00 PM so that’s why I am able to email today.  I am thankful to be here serving and being able to invite others to come unto Christ. 

  

The musical number went great yesterday.  Music has a special connection to the spirit.  I love it so much. 

The work is going swell.  We just keep trying to build the Lords Kingdom wherever we are.  We have been working more with the members and it is looking like the missionary work among them will be picking up soon.  They trust us and are getting excited about the work.  Hopefully we will begin receiving more referrals from the Ward.  It's incredible how much quicker investigators progress when they are introduced by a member or have a lot of member support.  People are making big changes in their lives and lifestyles.  They need the support and as we reach out as the Spirit directs they truly feel the Lord reaching out to them as well. 

We have so much to be thankful for and the Lord continues to bless each of us as we faithfully march forward with unshaken faith in Him and keep the Commandments, which we have been given so that we may be blessed.  I love this Gospel and how beautifully perfect it is.  My testimony and my conversion grow stronger each day as I study and apply the Gospel.  Consistently striving to live the Gospel, and applying the atonement to do so, is how we become better sons and daughters of God each day.  It is how we will become like Him someday. 

Teach pool...two of our baptismal dates were set, and then they went out of town.  So we need to reset the dates this next week.  And then we set two yesterday while we were out contacting.  Hopefully they will continue to progress.  The Spirit was in both lessons strongly so hopefully they will remember that and desire it more in their lives.  We also found a potential new investigator who we could tell felt the Spirit when we shared a quick message about the restoration.  He works long hours all week but we have an appointment for this next Saturday.  I think he will be a strong investigator if he keeps his appointment and we are able to meet with him.

Well if Brother Norton is in Cleveland he will need to drive South about an hour to Cuyahoga Falls.  So maybe if he visits the Tallmadge Ward in the Akron Stake we will see him!

I love you all and hope you have a great week and happy Thanksgiving! 

Love,

Elder Weaver

We Always Find Something That Really Make The Day!

Dear Family & Friends,

This week has been wonderful.  Aside from so many people having to cancel and reschedule we always find something that really makes the day.  This last week we had several opportunities to open hearts through service.  One of them was a potential investigator family that we felt prompted to call them.  It just so happened...coincidence?  I think not...that they needed to tar and cement a long strip behind their house where the dogs had dug out and that night before all the storms hit.  They already had some water in their basement and they had just finished and were worried about the snow that was coming.  We called and 20 minutes later we were there with Brother Dotson to help them accomplish this project that they couldn't do by themselves.  The Spirit touched their hearts as they thanked us again and again.  Camille, the Mom, said that this was the difference between our religion and others...That we live it.  They are having us over to share the Gospel on Tuesday.  We are excited to see what happens with this wonderful family.

I am glad all went well with the primary program back home in the Ward!  Kids are definitely crazy...but they make it all worth it in the end. :)  I am sure they all did wonderfully for the performance and touched the hearts of all in attendance.

I am glad that Brother Biggs was able to send you all that video.  I am grateful to be able to share what I have worked on for so long and continue to work on.  We are going to perform it this next week at church and are looking forward to sharing this message with those in attendance.  We had a chance to perform it at Zone Conference last week as well and it is always wonderful to be able to bring the Spirit with music.  I recently read the message from the first presidency at the beginning of the church’s hymnbook.  It is so true and that’s how I feel when I get to perform. 

We have 2 dates for baptisms...well both will now need to be reset because they were both out of town this last week and a half and they have to be at church at least 3 times.  But Tina and Dominic we are hoping will receive baptism this next month.  Dominic seems like he is ready to learn and accept the Gospel.  And Tina just needs to put forth more effort and she will be ready.  I am excited for these two.  We also will be setting more dates this next week with the appointments we will be having so hopefully we will be having more baptisms over the next month and a half! 

Transfers are coming up on the 5th of December.  I don't want to leave because we just doubled the size of our area and great things are happening here in this area that was absolutely dead 8 months ago.  We will go where we need to be, but we hope to stay and continue building up this area a little longer. 

Good to hear Zach Nielsen is heading out for his mission!  Go forth with faith and never look back!  If he just dives in, all will go well.

Well I love you all and hope you have a great week.  Remember He is always there; we just need to let Him in.  I love the picture of the savior knocking on the door where the door handle is on the other side. I will keep working hard and doing all I can to help others come unto Christ.

Love,

Elder Weaver 

Practice Time

Hi!

Your sons are serving in our ward in Ohio.  They asked our son to accompany them for a musical number in Sacrament Meeting.  Tonight they were at the church practicing and we took a video so we could share it with you.  We are blessed to have your sons serving in our area and are grateful they asked our son to help them.  They are great examples to him and he has enjoyed the opportunity to work with them. We hope you enjoy it.

Thanks,

Joel and Jennifer Biggs

Click this link to watch the video.

http://youtu.be/na6x_JiaArE

This Week Has Been Going Great!

Dear Family & Friends,

This week has been going great.  We had many opportunities to teach and share the Gospel.  Often times planting seeds, but others we have found who are ready to learn and come closer to Christ and our Heavenly Father.  One is a young man named Dominic.  He is 17 and in hunger to learn about God and this Gospel.  We are preparing him for baptism on the 26th of this month.  He has loved the first two lessons and we are looking forward to sharing this gospel further with him. 

The Baptism and Confirmation of the Lewis family was great.  I baptized Enoch, Tim Dotson baptized Marcus, and then we both baptized Mesha...she had an unknown fear of water that kicked in right as she stepped into the font.  We had to calm her down a bit and we both helped her under and back up.  Afterwards she was fine, and when they were confirmed she got up and bore a simple, but powerful testimony of how the gospel has changed her life and her outlook on everything.  Marcus is going to receive the Priesthood next week, and even talked to the Bishop about the possibility of a mission.  The Gospel is incredible and it truly changes us, and all of us need it every day.  We are excited to continue to see this family grow stronger and stronger in the faith. 

I am so happy to hear the changes occurring in the youth back home.  It sounds like the Gospel has really started to take affect in their lives, and I am excited to hear how they continue to grow.  Zach Nielsen will be just a couple hours south of me here in 3 weeks!  He will continue to grow a ton in these next couple weeks. 

The work is really growing here and the congregation in this Ward is growing more and more each week as we strengthen the members who in turn help us strengthen the less actives and investigators.  We are seeing more and more people come out as each of us works together in unity in sharing this gospel and helping others repent and come unto Christ.

We are having a Zone Conference this next Wednesday, and we had a wonderful leadership meeting last Wednesday.  I sang with Elder Helton playing piano last week and was asked to sing with Elder Ingersoll playing violin and Elder Romerall playing piano this next week.  Lots of great opportunities!

For thanksgiving the Mission President is switching our Prep day to that Thursday.  We don't really do much other than what we usually do...but we will be eating at someone’s house for Thanksgiving dinner! 

Well I hope you have a wonderful week!  It sounds like great things are happening all over, and it's good to hear.  I believe that negative things will bring us down but God will bring us up.  People need that.  They need to be brought back up.

Love you all lots!

Elder Weaver

Elder Weaver A New District Leader

Dear Family & Friends,

This week go?  How about 4 months go?  Every week I email or have weekly planning I say... every time... "I feel like we just did this yesterday." 

The AP's called us this week and let us know that we are keeping are car in our area and it is going to be expanded.  We will probably at least double the size of our area tonight as we meet with the Zone Leaders and draw up some new boundaries after our District Meeting.  This area has some great growth and things happening and we are very excited and blessed to be part of this incredible process. 

The Lewis's, Misha (Mom), Marcus, and Enoch (Sons), should be baptized this next Saturday at 2 o'clock and confirmed on Sunday.  We are all very excited for them and are looking forward to continue building their faith and testimonies with the ward after their baptism.  Will let you know how it goes next week!

   

Ether 12 it talks about that God will show unto us our weaknesses so that they can become strong also.  I know that this is how we progress and become what our Heavenly Father wants, and knows we can become.  Keep up the good work and helping the youth realize the importance of the Gospel in each of our lives.

Thank you so much for your prayers, love, and support.  I appreciate all of you so much, and have a deeper love for each of you and what you have been and are in my life.

Love,

Elder Weaver

Elder Weaver A District Leader

Our Week: Great, Busy, and Constructive

Dear Family & Friends,

I am doing just wonderfully!  Our week was great, busy, and constructive.  We have been continuing to work with the members and increasing their confidence in us, as well as themselves, and their ability to share the Gospel.  We have been teaching from Preach My Gospel and helping them understand how to incorporate it into their studies.  Preach My Gospel will help them focus their studies and get them comfortable with sharing basic principles of the Gospel with their friends and family.  We also have a chili cook-off this next week and we have many families committed to inviting friends and members who are less active out.  It is going to be a great activity and hopefully one that will be the beginning to several more families finding the truth of the restored Gospel. 

The weather will be cold, rainy, sunny, warm, cool...just about everything, but it's fine.  Elder Ingersoll likes the windows open in the apartment no matter the temperature.  Sometimes I close them when he isn't watching...and sometimes he opens them when I am not watching. :) 

    

I heard from Elder Jason Brown two weeks ago and it sounds like he is doing great!  Planning on writing him back soon.  Also we have 3 baptisms not this weekend, but the next.  They are the Lewis Family.  Misha is the Mom and Marcus and Enoch are her two sons.  We ran into Marcus at a place called the River Front a little over 2 weeks ago and then met his family.  They are progressing well and are very excited to be baptized on the 5th of November.  Hopefully nothing will interfere with that date. 

So tomorrow is Transfers and Elder Ingersoll and I are staying in Cuyahoga Falls.  I was called today to be the District Leader here and am excited to begin fulfilling my duties as a leader in this part of the mission.

Hope you have another great week!  I love you all and pray for you all and each of the family every day.  Till next week!

Love,

Elder Weaver

Sister Kathy's Baptism This Week!

Dear Family & Friends,

This week was a great week.  Elder Ingersoll and I have really grown, and with each person we visit with we fulfill our purpose and help them understand what the Gospel can do in their lives. 

We did have Sister Kathy's baptism this week!  It was amazing.  The Spirit was in this baptism unlike any others, as a few people told us.  I think it was because she was tried so hard and has overcome those trials and putting forth her faith through anything and everything.  The entire program had a great spirit, and when she was baptized she had tears of joy from that time to the end.  It was a great day yesterday. 

  

Keep those youth strong.  I see things so differently here on a mission.  Things are so much clearer, and I don't know why it takes a mission to truly come to understand why this Gospel is truly so important.  It changes lives as it is centered on the Atonement.  It is the thing that will help us change and become like our heavenly parents and Savior.  I love this Gospel and what it does for each of us who live it and gain a deeper and stronger testimony.  It truly is the only way back.  I love it, I love sharing it, and I desire all to share it.  Keep helping those around you to understand and APPLY the Gospel.  Satan works hard, really hard.  He is unrelenting.  The consequences for actions is sad and it's best for us to never have to experience consequences, challenges yes, they are good for us, but bad consequences no.  The Atonement is here for each of us to be forgiven, but more importantly for us to change through repentance.  Repentance isn't just for when we have done something "bad."  It's to change everything about us to that of God.  Submitting our will to that of our Father and never looking back.  Help the youth, and struggling members stay anchored.  Help them, save them.  In saving them you yourself will continue to gain a stronger testimony of the Gospel. 

  

Elder Ingersoll and I had the opportunity to speak this week in Sacrament Meeting and the Spirit was with us as we spoke by the Spirit.  All we really had was scriptures and principles we wanted to talk about written down, and then we let the Spirit take it from there.  We both felt the Spirit worked through us to convey exactly what was needed to be said.  We know this because afterwards many people told us what they learned and that they had an increased desire to share the Gospel.  The Spirit always edifies.  I look forward to the growth this Ward is really going to start taking on.  They are beginning to really trust us as missionaries, and realize we are here to work by the Spirit.  I am very excited.

Thank you Mom and Dad for your testimonies and examples.  You both have done a great job in raising me.  Your example in how you live and have raised me has really made an impact on me.  An impact that I really truly can appreciate now that I am serving.  I desire the Gospel and to follow the example you have set for me in who I am and how I will raise a family in righteousness in these the Latter-Days. 

I love you all and hope you have a great week.

Love,

Elder Weaver

Mondays Sure Do Come Around Very Quickly

Dear Family & Friends,

Mondays sure do come around very quickly...and then Mondays go very quickly...I haven't had time to write back to any of my friends letters at all in the last...oh like two months.  I apologize to you all and want to let you know I will write back as soon as I can.  I have had one letter that I started writing two months ago and still haven't finished.  Crazy how fast the time fly’s!

I too have enjoyed reflecting on conference and thinking about how the talks can help me and especially my investigators.  Those who came to General Conference really enjoyed it.  Although they didn't understand all of what was said, they really liked the speakers, especially President Monson.  They had a good laugh at his jokes.

Kathy is getting baptized this next week!  She is finally going to be an official member...Most people apparently thought she was already a member because she comes with her Aunt (Sister Massic) and cousin (Anne Marie) and Sister Greathouse.  They are all very close and are always with each other.  I call them our Steel Magnolias because they are all widows.  They are sure one hilarious bunch I'll tell you what.  And hopefully we will be looking at a few more baptisms this next month or so.  We just have to keep them progressing, even through trials, and get them some solid fellowship. 

My testimony of member referrals has grown a lot.  Every time there is an actual member referral where they have invited them to have the missionaries teach them, they are so much more open and receptive.  And get baptized.  Working with members is so vital for this work to move forward.  If you know anyone who isn't a member invite him or her this week to Church or to dinner with missionaries or something.  This work is so very important and each of us needs to be constantly engaged in it.

This is what each of us, as members must do for this work to move forward with an increased energy.  We have many, many, many opportunities to share the Gospel and it is up to us to take those promptings we receive and act upon them.  The church is becoming more and more known through many different venues of entertainment, government, word of mouth and so forth.  Many people, even very good friends of members often times have no idea of what we believe or have many misconceptions.  We must help others understand, all of us, every single member.  And it starts by following the Spirit and seeking to share.  As we put forth our efforts the Lord will provide many opportunities for us to take courage and show our faith in proclaiming the Gospel

So Zach Nielsen is coming out to Ohio!  How exciting!  Tell him congratulations and that Ohio is incredible!  

Thanks for the Ward News Letter...and yes...I know my new companion is so much taller than me, however, I got the power. :)

Love,

Elder Weaver

Messages of General Conference Just Becomes So Much More Incredible

Dear Family & Friends,

I loved conference.  We receive so much from it and I have truly gained a whole new appreciation for it since being out on a mission.  When you start thinking what would the Lord have me do each day at all times, and when you are sharing the Gospel with people, the messages of General Conference just becomes so much more incredible.  I finally get what they are talking about and it all makes sense.  What has been coming to me now is how I can help the next generations of youth to get it sooner.  Elder Hollands talk was incredible, and we have several youth and families we will be sharing it with these next couple weeks.  I want the youth to get it and get it before their mission.  The youth have tons of friends that need the Gospel, once they realize how important this Gospel really is, then they would share it as often as they can with them.

I really liked Elder Hollands talk, Elder Christopherson, um...the Book of Mormon talk, President Monsons, Euchtdorf, Eyring...they were all really good.:)

It was great seeing people I know in both choirs!  It is always fun to know a face up on the big screen.  Also I see lots of church magazines and flyers with people I know from back home.  Always fun to say I know them.  I heard that Sister Kimball was here!  Other missionaries told me about her visiting and asking.  

Teaching Pool:  We are trying to really bring it up over this next month so that when winter hits and no one is opening there door we will still have people to visit.  We should be having a couple baptisms this next month, and more baptismal dates.  We have sister Kathy's baptism scheduled not this weekend, but the next.  We also have several others towards the end of the month. 

Well we biked all this last week.  It was like a never-ending toning work out in the rain.  It all of a sudden dropped in temperature here and has been raining pretty much every day.  One of the rules for the mission is if it is below 70 degrees we have to wear jackets.  Well early last week it was 69 degrees and would not rise.  So we set out on our bikes in our suits.  Once we get going for the day we don't come back home.  All of a sudden that night it just started pouring.  By the time we rolled into our apartment at 9:30pm we couldn't help but laugh as we were drenched and covered in mud and dirt from being flicked up by our bikes...which reminds me that we need to go to the dry cleaners...anyway, what a great mission experience. 

I love serving my Brothers and Sisters and helping them come unto Christ.  We have a message that everyone needs.  It needs to be shared with each and every one of them.  Miracles happen everyday and I am always amazed how when one door closes, another opens, as we are obedient and seek to fulfill our purpose.  There is a reason for everything.  The Lord's hand is ever present in this work. 

I love you all and hope you all have a great week! 

Love,

Elder Weaver

9-27-11 Training Is Awesome!

Dear Family & Friends,

Training is awesome!  Elder Ingersoll is great and is a hard worker.  One of our strengths I would say is finding people.  We have found many people and are trying to set appointments with them.  Last week we had a lot of appointments cancel so that was kind of rough.  But in each case the Lord directed us to others that we could share the gospel with and hopefully continue sharing it with them.  Our teaching pool is doing well; we just have to really get people to make time to schedule appointments.  People are interested, but the worldly influences often times take over and they think they won’t have time "this week" but next week.  We are doing our best though to help people understand the importance of the message we share and the need that we each have for it.  We are constantly finding though, even today at the Laundromat we talked to one of the workers and gave her a Book of Mormon and a Restoration pamphlet. 

And yes, our P-days always turn out to be crazy.  I get tired of feeling so rushed, especially when a whole P-day is used for Zone P-day, and such.  It's fun, but then stressful.  But today is kind of back to normal.

I heard that the Relief Society session was great this last weekend.  I am very excited for this General conference and to see and hear the words of these truly inspired men and women who are receiving revelation from the Lord for each of us.  I know that as we strive to be obedient to the scriptures and the counsel from our leaders that we willed be blessed beyond measure.  The Lord loves us and has given us so much to be thankful for. 

We are very excited for General Conference.  And yes, we are trying to get as many of our investigators to watch it as we can.  The investigators that come will definitely feel the Spirit and I think it will be a major stepping-stone for their conversion process.  What’s weird is that we will be watching all the session a couple hours later on that day than you.  We technically are watching it at the same time, but we are two hours ahead so priesthood session gets over at 10 o' clock.  Practically our bedtime!  Oh and we will probably be watching it at our church building which is also the stake building.

Something that we talked a lot about at a training meeting this last week was our purpose for all the new Elders that came in.  It's important for every missionary to understand and grow in their understanding of purpose.  When we understand our purpose we put priorities where they should be and work our hardest to accomplish this work here on Earth.  One of the focuses for a workshop given by Elder Dransfield, one of the AP's, was the story of Enos.  Enos experiences an incredible conversion as he ponders the words and teachings of the Gospel and seeks to know the truthfulness of them from God.  Once he obtains his powerful testimony he realizes how important it is for every single person to hear the Gospel and experience his/her own conversion.  He prays for the souls of his brethren and does his best to share his testimony and the Gospel with each of them.  Enos understood his purpose after his own conversion.  He gets it.  He knows that faith, repentance, baptism, sacrament, are all part of enduring to the end and that the Atonement is what all of those things are built upon.  With out the Atonement none of this beautiful plan or gospel would be possible.  It is through this process that our desires and we become "At One" with our Father and Savior.  Enos became "At One" with our Father and Savior in his conversion.  He could pray for anything and receive it because his desires were that of our Father and Savior.  This is what each of us must strive for.  We do this by applying the Gospel and submitting our will and desire to that of our Father and Savior.

Well I love serving a mission.  I have been changed and know that a mission is meant to change you as you help others to change.  I can feel my will and desires being changed to that of our Fathers as I strive to become "at one" with Him and our Savior.  I love this Gospel and know that it is the only way, and the most joyous and peaceful way.

I love you all and love your letters and testimonies that I receive.  Have a great week!

Love,

Elder Weaver