20 Jun 2011

Hey everyone! I have great news! They offered to let me extend until September!!! Yeah, the mission is lacking missionaries so they need some to stay until we can get some more next transfer!! Cool huh?!!! I'm so excited!!!...or would be if that was true. I just wanted to see if you are really reading my email. ha ha ha. I'm still coming home next month... sorry.


Happy Fathers day to all you fathers out there!!! If you were here yesterday you would have been able to witness the relief society singing "Through the Years" to you yesterday in Sacrament meeting. ha ha ha. It was so funny.

Well, we made it through another Transfer week, and we only had one sister go the wrong direction. ha ha She came clear down to Olongapo when she was supposed to go up to the north end of the mission. ha ha. She was a good sport about it.

Sorry, other than that not a lot happened this week. It was kind of sad to see a lot my buddies go home last week. But it happens to all.

So I was feeling pretty spiritually low since 2 Saturdays ago. I couldn't figure out why... it was like everything just shut off? I said to myself...is this what its really like? Your last transfer its like everything just shuts down. Your spirit has a low battery? I knew I was in trouble if it continued. I was doing what I was supposed to do, focusing on the people, the missionaries in the zone, my investigators, the members, my companion. So why was this happening.

This went on till about Thursday. Feeling helpless and alone and down because my companion was leading everything and I was left feeling useless. Thursday our word was great. It was like I hit my second wind again. We were both participating in the lessons equally. What's the difference you ask? I did my personal Study on Thursday. Because of other things that had been going on I had totally neglected my personal study of the scriptures and because of that I was suffering in the work.

So how does that apply to you and why am I taking your time to tell you this? It doesn't matter where you are or how old you are, or how busy you are. In order to be doing your best and qualify for the companionship of the Holy Ghost we have to study the scriptures. EVERY DAY! even if its just a column or a page, or if time will permit a whole chapter or more. I am reminded of the Apostle that said. "Don't neglect the little things" Sometimes we get caught up in other things and forget about it. To put it simply... this is a commandment. When we follow we are blessed, when we don't we are NOT blessed. I am thankful for this reminder and sign of love from our Heavenly Father. See how hard my head is...? it took me close to a week of suffering to actually figure out what was happening. May this be a warning to all of you. Study the scriptures every day.

I love you all and pray for you always.

Until next week
Elder Westwood