I Didn't Realize That Until He Told Me

September 25, 2012

Dear Family & Friends,

This week sounds like it was a busy and great one.  I wish we could have seen the Brigham City Temple dedication from Utah.  It sounds like it was amazing. 

We had a wonderful mission conference with Elder Perkins of The Seventy here.  I had a great opportunity to be interviewed by him and really talk about how the mission is doing.  We talked about things that are going well in the mission and where we can improve.  He got to know me a little bit, and learned a little about my family.  We had a great little meeting before the conference, however he pointed out that I had been here about 16 months...crazy and 8 more to go.  I didn't realize that until he told me.  

September 20, 2012 Mission Conference with Elder Perkins of the Seventy

It's looking more and more like the transfer this month is going to be given to the older missionaries (the ones that have been on their missions the longest).  This will be the only large transfer left in the mission before next June now.  I have also found out that I am being transferred from Lima.  I have loved serving here so much.  I have grown and witnessed so many incredible things.  I look forward to working hard in my new area, and in my new responsibilities.  President Vellinga called yesterday and asked if I would serve as one of his Assistants.  My new companion will be an old face back from the MTC, Elder Metcalf.  I look forward to serving with him and President Vellinga up in Cleveland.  I will be living in North Olmstead.  I'll get the address out to you all next week.  It's going to be a very busy next couple of months and I already know that.  I can tell just by the way that the current and past Assistants looked before and after serving with them personably.  Thank heavens for the strengthening and enabling power of the Atonement.  I am going to need it every day even more so. 

We did have Daesha and Dennis's baptism two Saturdays ago and they are doing so well!!!  I saw them last night and we talked about the temple...and yes, they are excited to go someday.  Shanin Holland went to the temple for baptisms last Friday, and her mom Michelle and friend Amanda are being baptized this weekend.  Shanin and her mom are preparing to go to the temple on October 12th to do baptisms for their relatives. Michelle is stoked to be baptized for her mom who died 2 years ago.  It's just been incredible to watch the changes and softening of this lady.  One month ago there was not a thought in her, or our minds, that she would be baptized this weekend.  The spirit is incredible and his gospel is true.  It has been reflected in so many countenances of those I have served.  I love this opportunity to be here.

I hope you all have an amazing week.  Look for someone to serve, someone to lift, someone to smile at.  I love you all and pray for your well being always. 

Love,

Elder Weaver

September 24, 2012 Elder Weaver & Friend

September 24, 2012 Last District Meeting in Lima before Transfer

I Sure Hope You Have All Had A Grand Week

September 17, 2012

Dear Family & Friends,

I sure hope you have all had a grand week!  We sure have here in Lima and across the Lima Zone.  We had 3 Baptisms here in Lima; Daesha, Dennis, and Trey, and another in the zone in St. Mary's; Cierra.  It has been amazing to watch these individuals prepare for baptism.  They all have undergone trials and have had miracles occur in their life as they have put forth their faith and followed our Savior Jesus Christ.  A fear of water didn't stop Dennis from being baptized on Saturday and we are so proud of him and the growth he has been making in overcoming other fears that he has.  Him and Daesha handed out about 40 invitations to their baptism to family and friends from school and were so excited to be able to share the Gospel with those around them.  Their cousin Ajah and her mom are going to be taking the lessons here shortly and should be ready for baptism in October.  Amanda and Michelle are still on for the 29th of September and progress in their desire and commitment to follow Christ between every teaching visit.  Nick has a triple combination now and looks up every cross-reference, which has gained him a solid testimony of the Book of Mormon.  He understands how it goes hand in hand with the Bible.  Although he will not be able to be baptized for a time to to legal reasons, he knows it is true and will be baptized someday as he continues to learn and apply.  A few others we are preparing for October are Ben Seibert, a nephew of a member and Greg Sibert, who we found through visiting a former investigator.  The baptisms happening here are always so powerful and all in attendance feels it.  Hearts are changed as they witness other entering into covenants with their Father in Heaven.  It's amazing to hear that non-members are talking to their friends about what they witness at these baptisms.  We have found out in a round about way about nonmembers speaking with friends who have friends that are members and the interest that they then have to learn more.  I love this area, those we are serving, and those we are serving with.  Transfers are in another week and a half...that went quick!  I hope to still be here after next week.

This week is mission conference and Elder Perkins of the Seventy will be visiting us up in Cleveland.  We are all looking forward to learning from this great teacher and applying what he and the spirit will instruct us to do and become. 

Well I sure hope you have a great week.  I love you all.

Love,

Elder Weaver

I Just Want To Say I Sure Love You All

September 10, 2012

Dear Family & Friends,

I just want to say I sure love you all!  I am so thankful for all your righteous examples and desires to me so keep being wonderful.

I don't remember a missionary couple named the Howell's here...I will have to check.  And an Elder Jensen I will have to look for.  I know we already have 1 Elder Jensen that serves here in the zone.  I will keep my eyes open next month for this new elder.  Actually I have already seen the sheet of the new missionaries coming out so I probably saw him already. 

I am so excited for Taylor Garner!  It's great to be able to see the atonement at work in all our lives.  That is one of the greatest things I have had the opportunity to experience here on a mission.  Getting to see truth reflected in the countenances of those we serve and to see how the atonement transforms them as they seek to apply what they learn.  This is no greater work.  He is going to love his mission.

This last week went fast...every week has been going fast with lots of teaching, planning/preparing, and learning.  We had Mission Council on Tuesday and received some great revelation for how we can better minister to and strengthen our areas.  Then we have had baptisms to plan and rides up to Stake conference to plan out.  Stake conference was great by the way.  We heard from all the stake leaders and then also from Elder Gordon Smith of the Seventy and Elder Donald L. Hallstrom from the Presidency of the Seventy.  What a great meeting to be able to attend for members and investigators alike.  I also had the chance to see several members from Tiffin.  The Saubers and Alicia were there, it was great to be able to see Alicia and see the progress she has continued making since I left. 

For this Saturday there are 4 baptisms being prepared.  There are Daesha and Dennis in our area, Trey in the Sisters area (in the Lima ward), and then Cierra in St. Mary's area of the zone.  What a great time to be a part of this work.  The Spirit is touching and preparing many to hear the message of the Restored Gospel.  As we all work diligently and grow in faith Heavenly Father will always grow in His trust in us and will give each of us many opportunities to share the Gospel and in turn grow ourselves.  No greater work and joy than this. 

I hope you each have a fantastic week.  I love you all!

Love,

Elder Weaver 

Happy Labor Day

September 5, 2012

Dear Family & Friends,

Hope you are all still having a fantastic week!  Labor Day sounds like it was a blast. We had a pretty good one too.  We had zoned out, we met up at the Johnson Farm with our zone, Akron Zone, Kirtland Zone, the assistants, and President and his family.  We had a great day all together playing different games and getting to know one another across the mission more.  

September 3, 2012 Zone Out

The last 2 days have been road trips though.  On Monday we all got up to take the mission van out to the Johnson Farm which is 3 hours away.  We left Findlay by six so most of us had to get up at 4:30 am to get out there.  Then we all got back home about 10:30 pm that night.  Then the next morning Elder Romrell and I had mission council out in Cleveland and needed to go pick up the Zone Leaders in Toledo, Elders Ingersoll and Burch.  We once again got up at 4:30 to get out there by 9 am and then got back at 10:30 pm that night again.  Road trip!

September 4, 2012 Road Trip!

It's been fun to see so many familiar and new faces the last couple days though.  Elder Ingersoll my first "son" I will be seeing more of now that he is serving out this way so that’s been fun, and then I saw my "dad" Elder Helton, "son" Elder Tollefsen, "grandson" Elder Morse and my "great-grandson" Elder Huckstep all at zoned out on Monday.  A little family reunion I guess you could say. 

September 2, 2012 Kaelon Moore Baptism

Last week was such a wonderfully busy week.  The Ward had 3 baptisms; Kaelon Moore, Larry Long, and Michelle Cardone.  Each of them loved their baptism and are excited to continue learning and growing.  What continues to amaze me is the change in the lives and even the homes of the people we are teaching right now.  It is amazing how when people apply the atonement the change of spirit in them and their surrounding is so evident.  As the atonement takes effect in their lives they truly desire to come unto Christ more fully and find what our Heavenly Father would have them do in their lives.  I love it here!

I hope you each have an amazing week.  I love you all very much.

Love,

Elder Weaver

P.S. Transfers will be in a little over 3 weeks.  I have a chance of being transferred but really hope I am not because there are still lots to do here.  I hope I have the chance to serve at least 6 months here just like my other areas.