transferred back to Chorrera / broken water pipe

Dear Family,

So I had transfers and I got sent back to Chorrera but instead of being in ''Barrio 1'' I'm in ''Barrio Guadalupe''. Barrio means ward. It's weird going back to the same city, but it will be great. My new companion is Elder Mejia, he is from Lima, Perú. 

Here in Panamá they don't celebrate Easter at all like the states. In the states there are bunnies and eggs and it's a lot of fun. Here it's the Semana Santa (holy week), the only difference between this week and normal weeks is they play Jesus and Bible movies all day on the television. I guess I did see a few more people go to other Churches. I believe here it's more to remember the live of Jesus, and not to remember the resurrection. 

I really like the members of this new ward, but it's going to take a few weeks to get this area moving again. When I got here there was only 1 real investigator.

The main water pipe for Chorrera broke so we didn't have running water in our house for three days. I took a shower with the amount of water in a Gatorade bottle, that's impressive right?  We had to go to the chapel to get water, because the chapel has a reserve tank with a lot of water.

I really loved that ''Because of Him'' video, I watched it last week and I watched it again, it gave me chills, it's awesome. It's truly amazing what our Savior did for us, and I'm grateful for this time to remember that he lives. 

I love you so much,

Elder Weston

Elder Mejia

blessings of the gospel

Dear Family,

My leaders just told me that I have changes, the changes always happen on Wednesday. My companion will stay in the area and he will end his mission here because he already has 23 months in the mission. So I will tell you next week where they send me. 

Congratulations Sarah getting first and 2ed overall thats awesome. It sounds like you had a great time in St. George. The weather here will soon be more rainy.  

This past week went well, we been teaching a lot of members and less actives what we learned in General Conference and apply it to our lives. Thats cool you listened to General Conference as you were in the car. 

I went on LDS.org and downloaded the conferences in Spanish, so I can practice my Spanish, I bet it will help a lot. 

Everyday I see the blessings of the gospel by the difference between families that live the Gospel standards and families who don't.  I'm so grateful to be born in a family where the standards of the gospel were lived and taught.  Thank you Mom and Dad for always helping me, and I hope you guys have a great Easter.

I Love you guys so much,

Elder Weston

General Conference

Dear Family,

Wow, conference was so great. We got to watch it at the church on a TV in English. I loved every session but especially the Priesthood session. Elder Oaks talk was fantastic and it was very clear that we all work under Priesthood power and the same Priesthood blessings. I really loved Randall L. Ridd's talk he had so many great examples, I really want to read that talk again and make notes of all of his examples. I loved how he said the internet really shows what your true desires are, and the internet will give you what you seek. So we need to use it very wisely . I also loved Dieter F. Uchtdorf's about 3 reasons we might be sleeping threw the Restoration:

1. Selfishness

2. Addiction

3. Priorities 

Basically we can't make excuses not to work and spread and strengthen the Gospel. We had one investigator come to the conference and he said it was very good. It's amazing to have a Prophet, in who, we can put all of our trust in. We don't need to have doubts of the Church, we know Thomas S. Monson is called by God. 

As a missionary we get so excited over General Conference, and it was a little sad when it ended and we had to leave the church and see so many people who need the Gospel and are missing out. The Conference makes you feel so happy, why would anybody not want to feel happy?

My companion and I are really excited to use the things we've learned to help the investigators, the less actives and all the members in this area.  I also learned a lot of things I need to work on and improve on. 

This week we worked hard, but on Saturday and Sunday we were at Conference almost the entire time, so that was truly a little relaxing. 

I'm guessing this is my last full week here in Ciudad Bolivar, but I'll tell you next week if I have changes. 

That's sweet Jake bought a Piano, how does it sound? I do wish I could play piano better, but I don't regret learning the drums. Once I get back I will find out if there is time to practice piano.  Good luck Sarah with your dances. 

Have a great week!

With Lots of Love

Elder Weston

Reading the Book of Mormon?

Dear Beloved Family,

Thank you for your letters. That's a really creative way to teach with Quotes by Elder Uchdorf and Dumbledore. I got 8 of 9 of the quotes correct so I think I did pretty well. I did recognize some of the quotes he's given. I'm really excited for General Conference this week it's going to be great. We are going to watch it in the chapel, try to watch all the sessions because they’re all really important.

This Sunday we had two Baptisms A….. and J.... It was a fantastic day my companion and I have been really blessed in this area. We had the baptism after Church so a lot of members stayed and watched.  I think with all the members it should help support the new converts.

Today for P-day we hiked up a mountain and took a lot of pictures, I'll send some of the pictures to you guys. We were basically hiking up a forest and we saw a couple of pretty big spiders. On the top of the mountain you could see the city with all the skyscrapers.

My companion and I are doing great and we keep on working really hard. These last few days I've been trying to study the Book of Mormon really a lot because I just finished the triple. I really admire the example of Mormon because even though the people were really wicked, he truly loved them and always tried to help them come to Christ. He didn't fall under temptation even when he was alone. I need to make sure I read everyday because sometimes we have services in the morning and we don't have much time to study but I'm making it a goal to read a least one chapter everyday.

 Are you guys reading the Book of Mormon as a family everyday?

Love

Elder Weston