27 Jul 2011

Hey Everyone!

It was so good to see Chase yesterday!! It seemed like it was a dream almost haha. I wish we could have talked longer but I’m grateful for the amount of time that we had. Those pants he had on were awesome haha. I hope they make some like that down in Panama cuz if they do I’m buying some for sure!!!

Things are goin a little better with me and Elder Johnson. It’s hard to live with someone 24/7.  We gave a lesson today to an investigator which I could tell the spirit was there because I was able to comprehend a lot of the stuff we talked about.  But I'm still struggling with it a bit.  I can tell Elder Johnson is really frustrated with it so I just keep reminding him that the Lord will open our minds and we need to have faith.  Mom, I’ve resorted to using my sense of humor a lot more which has helped a ton! good idea! Ha I guess that's why you're the mom! :)

Thanks for sending all that stuff with Chase, it’s going to be so nice to have more than one pair of clothes to wear to the gym. thos new shorts and shirts are SWEET! Although idk about the Yankees shirt haha ;) maybe I’ll take a picture with it one and send it home and then you guys can take it over to Sheridan and Cheyenne haha.

The new bag seems to be pretty nice so I might just send the others home. But we'll see what happens I guess.

Thank you sooo much for the cookies!! as soon as I opened the luggage bag I could smell them. they're AMAZING!! ha we'll see how long they last. Tell grandma thanks for the letter, it really helped a lot.

I hope you all have a good week! and everything goes well on Sunday! We get to go to the temple today, I’m so excited!

I must say that this has been a trial of my faith so far!!  It’s definitely been a humbling experience.

Love you all

Elder Westwood

25 Jul 2011

Since I got here everyone has told me, "Just make it til Sunday and you'll be fine."  Well, I've made past Sunday so hopefully what everyone says it true!

Sunday was actually the best day I've had here by far!  Although I did miss my afternoon nap the spiritual high that I felt definitely made up for it.  We spent most of the day just studying the scriptures and Preach My Gospel, aside from that we had church and a amazing fireside!  The speaker was Stephen B Allen.  He gave an awesome talk and the spirit was so strong!!  Especially at the end when we sang "Come, Come Ye Saints."  It was awesome to see all of the missionaries there.  They said that right now we are the biggest group of missionaries that's ever been here.  When Brother Allen got up to speak he told us we could take off our suit coats (we have to wear them to all devotionals).  It was amazing how much lighter the room got because of all the white shirts.

The language is...well its coming.  Sometimes I get frustrated because I don't know what my teachers or the elders around me are saying, but then I just have to remind myself that I've only been here a few days that it'll come eventually.

Since I've been here I've seen Colton, Dalton Smith, Steve Heath, Dallen Reber, Jared Sullivan, Mike Anderson and Brody Faucett.  It always makes it nice when you see people you know.

I'm so excited to see Chase in a few days!! 4 years is a long time to not see him so I'm glad I get to see him for a bit.

I'm so grateful for the opportunity I have to do this!  It has already changed my life.

Thanks for all your support!!

Elder Westwood

23 Jul 2011

Hola mi familia!! (isn't that the same way chase spelled it?)

First off I miss you guys like CRAZY!! I sent a letter off today so hopefully it will get to you by the time chase gets here so you guys can get it. I should have brought grandma and grandpa's address with me so I could have written you guys sooner but oh well.. things are going good here though. I'm probably not going to write that much because I sent a couple of letters and I don't want to repeat myself between the two and because they only give us 30 minutes on here and then after that, it logs us out automatically no matter what we're doing. So I'd say for now mostly just write me in dearelder.com if thats ok?

The other morning I was ironing one of my shirts and I guess there was something melted on the iron and so when I went to put it on my shirt it left a pretty good size mark. Is there anything I can do to get it off? or will it always be there? just let me know in dearelder or send the answer with Chase.

I think the lord knew I was worried about gaining weight, actually I know he knew haha because my dorm is on the 4th floor of the building and my classroom is on the 5th floor of that building haha. My legs are super sore but it's alright ha. The food here is ok but it's nothing compared to mom's. Mom you're food was AMAZING!! I miss it haha. The first couple of days were really hard for me here but it's been good. The language is coming slow but that's ok ha I've only been here a few days so it'll come.

Dad thanks for everything that you've taught me. Like the ability to work hard and once you start something then finish it. This is already the hardest thing I've ever done but I know it will be worth it. 

I think my new comp is a germaphobe haha I think that's how it's spelled. He washes his hands more than anyone I know! Its crazy.

Tell people to write me on dearelder. ha Easton said getting mail is like gold, it truly is!

Give Gus a good belly rub for me haha:)

Love you guys! Give Chase and everyone else a big hug for me!

Elder Westwood

23 Jul 2011

Well, I've only been here a half a week and I'm already on my 2nd companion.  Elder Peruca went home to take care of some personal issues.  It was sad to see him go because he'd only been here a short time.  My new companion is Elder Johnson.  The first time we were walking somewhere as new comps he asked me like 50 questions!

The first week has been hard for me.  I think between missing home, companion issues and not understanding the language its kinda gotten to me.  But I'll be alright, each day gets easier and the language is coming along pretty well.

Since I've been here I've seen Colton, Jared Sullivan, Mike Anderson, Brody Faucett and Steve Heath.  I'm amazed at how well Colton picked up on the language.  I was listening to him talk the other day and he sounds like he's been speaking spanish his whole life!

This place is definitely harder than I had anticipated it being.  But its been a great experience so far and it has taught me to rely on the Lord more that ever.

Love you all.

Elder Westwood

20 Jul 2011

Hey everyone!!

My first day has been an interesting one.  They don't let you have any time to get homesick!  Right after I got to my room I had to leave for again and head straight for my class.  My companion is Elder Peruca.  He's from American Fork, he is pretty cool, but he's a worrier.  He keeps telling me he's worried about getting sick and he's worried about his girlfriend.  I decided not to tell him about all the stuff that happened to Chase and being sick.  I didn't want to freak him out.

It's definitely gonna be different here but I'm excited.  It's going to be an awesome experience.  I'm nervous and excited and scared and happy and just a whole lot of emotions mixed into one.  One of the other missionaries that lives in our dorm was in the Marines already and he's got some interesting stories.  He's actually tried going on a mission 2 times, this is his 3rd try.

I got to see Colton today when I was walking to a workshop.  It was awesome!!  He's going to be a great missionary.  Just got to meet my Branch President, he's from Arizona and seems like a great guy.

I miss everyone like crazy!!

Elder Westwood