Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Some Recent Pictures



This is a shout out to Koryn!


Everything is bigger in Texas including this Texas pride chair.



Why is there a port a potty here, why?



The train! And framing the San Antonio Texas part was a happy accident



With Elder Anderson, a wonderful companion.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

El Senor nos ama.

Pues okay.

So first off I just need to say that I'm pretty sure I am really excited at this current moment. This week we went on exchanges with the Zone Leaders and I had to lead our area... I felt so embarassed because we have like nothing progressing. We are trying to visit a lot of less actives but a lot of them either have the wrong address on the roster or they dont have a phone or they've moved. Or they arent home when we come. Bummer. But anyway. We were at this apartment complex and we started talking to this lady. She had all these great questions and was pretty interested. Her name is Sharon Tyler. She is black and just pretty great. Best part about talking to her was this: she seemed like the most prepared person I have talked to yet. I was pretty excited about the questions she was asking and how everything that we were telling her was clicking. We invited her to come to church and she came! And we also actually invited her to be baptized and she said, "I'm not sure yet. Let me come to church and we'll see. I want to learn more." Cool, right? Well she needed a ride to church so we called a sister in our ward who is somewhat less active. They are both black and the same age and have a lot in common and hit it off really well! I was so happy! I'm really excited because she really enjoyed church and wants us to come back and teach her more! We are pretty thrilled!

P.S: She gave me such a grand compliment. She said something to me like, "You're not a father!?" And I was like, "No...." And then later she was like.... Okay hang on, I will just write out the dialogue:
Sharon: "So, you arent married?"
Me: " No, not yet." .... by the way Sharon is like 50 so... She aint proposing or nothing at this time...
Sharon: "Oh wow. Well how old are you?"
Me: "19..."
Sharon: "Really!? Shoot I thought you were older!"
Me: "How much older did you think I was?"
Sharon: " Well like 23 or 25... (My mouth probs just drops.)... But its not because of how you look, its because of how you act. You are just so mature and calm and patient and very wise."
Me: " Thank you!"

Very nice of her to say that right? First of all I was taken back because of the 25 years old comment. And then I was taken back again when she said all that stuff because I NEVER thought I am any of those things. But it felt good so I thought I would let you know.

Other than that we really didnt have anything too exciting happen this week. We rode bikes one of the days and I am pretty sure I almost died about 40 times. We were so hot and sweaty. And we got kinda tan... :) Me gusta broncear. Pero. It was great.

FUNNY: We were talking about the resurrection and how it was made possible through la expiacion de Jesucristo. Anyway. So the couple we were teaching it to are just not all there if you know what I mean... And they were apparently baptized but anyway. We are talking about how we will have perfect bodies and all the sudden the guy just shoots his hands up in the air and was like, "YAAAYYYY! WHOOOHOOOO!! HOORRAYYYY!!! WE DONT HAVE TO BE SICK ANYMORE HONEY! YAAAYYYY!!! Thank you Jesus!! YAHOOO!!!" Elder Andersen and I kept our composure in the moment but later we started talking about it and we were seriously DYING cause it was hilarious.

UH OH!: Some guy tried to bible bash with us this week. Well... didnt only try but succeeded. Elder Andersen kinda loses patience with people who are just necios and so he was getting pretty heated. And I was trying to keep calm and listen to what he had to say. I actually asked him some really good questions that he couldnt answer and that just didnt make any sense. Anyway. Long story short: we stayed there a little too long and were a little bit too disrespectful and we felt so bad! We shoulda left in a hurry but for some reason we stayed and tried to show that we are better. We felt like losers.

I love you guys so much and am so glad we can be a family for ever and ever. I am so glad I have this knowledge of the gospel. And that I have the truth in my life! Its so great.

Last thing: Love this passage in 3 Nefi 9:14 .... and it reads:

- Si, en verdad os digo que si venis a mi, tendreis vida eterna. He aqui, mi brazo de misericordia se extiende hacia vosotros; y cualquiera que venga, yo lo recibire; y beditos son los que vienen a mi.

Pretty amazing if you ask me.

Have a great week! Peace and Blessings.

<3 Always, Elder Kyle David Webb

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Baptism--June 13, 2011

Mexican Baptism. This family used to be less active. We go over there like once a week and just talk to them and share messages and stuff. Well. Their son is 9 and hasnt been baptized so that makes him an investigator... So I guess the father talked to the branch prez and said that he wanted to baptize his son. So we started going over there and teaching his son the lessons so he could get baptized. Well on Sunday his dad baptized him and it was really cool. I feel weird because we didnt really do that much but at the same time he was an "investigator" this family is pretty cool though. They are great and it was cool! :)

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

<3 Always, Elder Kyle David Webb

Adelvice --June 13, 2011


Alrighty. First off: Last night I fell asleep to myself singing songs from the Sound of Music. That’s why the title is such.

Other than that. Hello.
This week was yet again not that exciting but nonetheless it was filled with good things. We had Zone Conference! Which was pretty fun! I kinda like sitting in a chapel and listening to people who somewhat know what they are talking about with regards to missionary work! Although it is like 80 hours it is seriously so great! (I would tell you about stuff that we learned... but Tuesday- when zone conference was- feels like it was 7 months ago...) But I really do enjoy getting trained and talking more about how we can become better missionaries!

We have been working hard but seeing nothing happen. We are trying to focus on people who are 'Prepared' we don’t want to just talk to people who aren’t going to act for like ever. Because we don’t want to waste our time with someone who is going to get nothing out of our visits! But it is extremely difficult to find such people. We always need to follow the Spirit and we KNOW that God wants to direct us to find these people... Its just easier said and believed than followed. We meet a lot of interesting people every day so its sure great to be entertained most times. We also are trying to follow up with less actives and stuff like that. Its just really hard cause we don’t know how exactly to go about that. I am not to good at bringing people back to the fold... I've never done this kinda stuff before. Oh p.s. There is like nobody who attends the ward or branch. There are like maybe 50 counting kids at the ward on Sundays... If we are lucky... Anyway. Its just frustrating cause we don’t know what to do! (At zone conference, President kinda was talking about how he felt for us cause it really stinks! haha) Oh also. So every other week we have to write our letter to the president in spanish. This week he responded to my spanish and said, "Excellent Spanish Elder!" And he asked me how I did on some test. OKAY- apparently the assistants made this test that is 2 hours long! We were supposed to take it after zone conference but we had appointments and our district leader didn’t tell us about the test anyway. So I didn’t take the test therefore I know not how I did.

Kinda cool experience: We were planning out our day the other night and we wanted to go check up on some members. Well I was like, "Hey lets see if the Binghams are available, I'll call her!" So when I did she answered the phone and was just sobbing and she was like, "Can you guys come over? I need a blessing!" So... (I know this is the job of the Elders' Quorum in the ward but there are like 4 Elders... If that... So we just went!) She was just hysterical because her mother had had a stroke and was in a coma at home. (In New Mexico) And she was pretty much dying. Sister Bingham was so just not herself and it was a great experience to be able to go and give her a blessing of comfort! Its also cool cause I just realize that she needed us at the moment and Heavenly Father made us think to call her. He is always looking out for us!

Okay well. I guess that is enough. Oh gosh. It is getting so warm here. Good news is we only have to wear our suit coats if it is less than 70 degrees outside. So I haven’t had to wear one out working at all! But we do wear them at church on Sunday and at Conferences! But we are getting pretty warm! Oh hey! My bike is fixed! The other day we were riding and we were SO SWEATY!! Oh man. And we ate some Panamanian Tacos that kinda tasted like Dog Food. Woof.
I hope you have a great week!
Always, <3 Elder Kyle David Webb

Cockroaches in our apartment --June 6, 2011

Yes. The title is true. Actually there was just one but still. So gross. Elder Andersen found one this morning just sitting on our couch. Yummzers. (He screamed and then got it off of there.)

Anyway. I feel so bad because EVERY MONDAY I come to e-mail and I swear its like I can remember nothing from the week. Its so annoying. There is a lot that happens but the weeks seem so long (but at the same time so short) that I barely remember what had happened in la semana pasada. Its so weird. So firstly I would like to apologize for never telling you in good detail of what is going on or of any good stories from the mission. But I try.

One thing that just came to my mind: We had a training this passed week! I guess it was for all the missionaries who have been out for like 8 months and under. It was fun! We went to this chapel and were there from 9am to like 4:30pm... woof. But the first half the Assistants trained us about "Invitations". Really extending commitments to investigators and helping them ACT and become what the need to become. So that was cool. And then Presidente trained about the Book of Mormon, and it's importance and role in conversion and teaching. Something that he touched on and really just expounded on was the promise in the introduction. He told us that it is the "perfect formula" to find the answer to any question that we have. We need to: Read. Ponder. Pray. Something he said that I loved was he mentioned that Elder Oaks came to their stake conference. Elder Oaks said something like, "If you are not going to pray and ask God with real intent, you aren’t going to receive and answer." And really it was more harsh, meaning like, "If you aren’t going to be humble and willing to act on the Lord's answer, you shouldn’t even bother to pray." It was so legit. I just have been thinking about that ya know? How we need to have real intent; being willing to follow the Lord's guidance because we have faith in His will and His way. If He knows we aren’t going to listen or accept His answer, He don’t wanna be giving it to us. (He is just so cool and smart.) But the training was seriously awesome. I learned so much! We are having zone conference just tomorrow too. I am looking forward to that although it will be ALL day again. But I mean hey, its helping!

So sometimes I wonder why it is that God loves us so much. You know? Like I really don’t understand why He has blessed me so much throughout my life and why is He blessing me now? Its like no matter what, He always is there and wants to help me! I don’t understand why He is so good to me!!
Always and forever!! <3 Elder Kyle David Webb

Old women love bedazzled hats --May 30, 2011

This week went by a little too fast and nothing too exciting happened. I guess the coolest thing is that we got dropped by our investigator Henry. He told us he is "just not into it anymore". But I mean I am pretty sure he has mental issues anyways. He would always tell us these weird stories from his past and its very interesting. Like UFOs and Giant Turantulas and this story where it sounded like his great grandfather is a leprachaun. Weird right? So he dropped us and then continued to tell us about the government and how Eisenhower had a little conference with aliens... I guess he (Eisenhower) said, "They were ugly as hell!" So I mean that was fun. He's nuts. Other than that nothing too cool has happened this week. Exchanges happened and we have a couple new Elders in the district. Haven’t gotten to know them too much yet. They are pretty quiet. But it'll be fun to get to know them more.
Its getting hotter and more humid. Not too fun. But we are blessed with a car. We get so sweaty when we walk down the street. Its kinda funny.

We have found a couple more people to teach so hopefully they stick with us and keep commitments and don’t reject us too fast. Its hard cause a lot of people are nice and then make return appointments but then they aren’t there. So they tell us "Yeah. Come tomorrow at 3" So we go at 3 and they gone done and ditched us. So we waste a lot of time and miles doing that. So I hope people really take it into their hearts. We are trying to help a lot of people out! Members. Less Actives. And New people to teach.

Texas is cool. Lots of freaks. Lots of people who just need help. Serious help. Its so sad to see. But it makes me appreciate all that I have and also just helps me to be more humble. Hopefully I can become a good person for once. I'm just praying the mission will do that for me! Haha. ;)
Always,
<3 Elder Kyle David Webb

Mas Pictures -- May 23


So yes. From the pictures you may notice that we attended the temple. LOVE IT!! Duh. It was a really great experience and such a beautiful temple. (Because of our area and being in the city and stuff we get to attend once a transfer.) P.S. Transfers are this week. Aka I have been in TX for 6 weeks. WHAT THE!?
No but the temple was really amazing. We actually also got asked to be witnesses for sealings. Legit. I have never even been in one of those before so I was kinda blown away. I love the temple.
Kinda lame. Bianca and Frank are backsliding. They were doing so good and all this drama is happening now and we haven’t seen them all week. So hopefully that changes! But we have an investigator named Henry who is so unique and really coming along as well. He attended church with us this week and he seemed to like it a lot. And the talks given and lessons applied to him so much so it will be nice to go back to his house and talk to him more about how he felt. It was crazy. When we talked to him he told us that his great-great grandfather told him a legend (from like an Indian tribe or something... I may have shared this already...) about how a white god... Aka Jesus Christ came to the Americas long ago. How crazy that he heard that and we read it with him in the Book of Mormon! Hahaha. But he is an interesting guy. I will give more details once I really figure him out.

Good news: When we went to the temple we went across the street to some like "Bountiful Books" type store. And right next door there was a Great Harvest. So I like peed my pants I was so happy so we went in and I just wanted a free sample cause I am poor ya know? So the girl at the front is like, "Hi Elders. Did you want a free loaf?" So we were like "Uhh... What?" And she said that they have free loaves for the Elders. So we got a Spice Apple bread. For FREE. LOVED IT!!
Always, <3 Elder Kyle David Webb

Quickerz-- May 9, 2011

This week was supes good. I am trying to remember all that happened! I gave another haircut! OH! And. It totally rained. And poured really. We worked a lot with members and less actives. Trying to get them more converted since we don’t have very many members attending, we want to make sure they have some sort of Spiritual experience. AND of course we want their help in this work of finding people to teach! Working with members... I think... will really help us in the long run! So we were doing that this week visiting and giving them Books of Mormon to hand out to their friends. We also chatted with some people and taught a lot of first lessons. The Zone Leaders called us last night cause (I guess by the numbers) we did hecksa good. So they congratulated us.
We had a really cool experience with Marta this week. (Member who is living in poverty but has SO MUCH FAITH!!) So her daughter is in the hospital and pretty much bleeding to death and Marta was going and visiting her and stuff and she was just kinda scared. (When we talked to her at first) And then on Saturday we were pretty much guided by the Spirit all day of what to do and teach and we were having a lot of success and just seeing miracles. Anyway. So we were lead to her house. It didn’t seem like anyone was home but we called her and she was balling and turns out she was at home and wanted us to come in. When we were there she said, " Seeing you guys on my doorstep is like seeing angels that the Lord God has sent to me. Its like you guys came at the exact moment that I needed you! How did y'all know!? This is just like a sign from the Lord God that He is reaching out for me and telling me that I am not alone." (Amazing, right?) So we chatted with her for a long time and she was so just like out of it I guess you could say. Crying, worried, sick about it. It was so sad cause she is never like that. She is also a schystophrenic so she was scared she was going to start hearing voices cause she was so worried. She said all these thoughts are going in her mind at 100 mph. She was just so on edge and then we gave her a blessing of comfort (which was cool cause I had the privilege of declaring it.) And she fell asleep during it!! Like what the!? She was just sitting there, balling, not thinking she could rest or be calm about anything and she is ASLEEP! We helped her move over to the couch and lay down and while we did she was all confused and stuff... Anyway she said, "Wow, I feel so calm."
Elder Andersen and I were just taken back with everything that happened that day and especially with her! I mean the amazing power of the Priesthood helped her to calm down so that she could rest! We were so grateful for everything and it was just such a great experience!
Always, <3 Elder Kyle David Webb

Estes loco si no spay/nueter

There are weird signs around that say this. (the subject of this e-mail) And there is a picture of this crazy woman holding some animal it is really funny.

Last p-day the other Elders in our English ward ran into this lady at the supermarket. Let me explain this more. So we are in an English ward and a Spanish branch. Our area for the boundaries are so big that there are 3 sets of Elders that cover the Spanish branch. And 2 sets of Elders that cover the English ward. So it is Elder Andersen and I and then Elder Brook and Elder Crall. (they are supes tight.) Our area slash ward is called Mission Creek. The other Elders are MC A and we are MC B. So we always eat dinner with and hang out with MC A. ANYWAY. MC A ran into this long lost member of the church. I guess she was baptized and LOVED church but then she moved and didn’t know where the nearest church was to her new home. So she was been like praying for this and stuff and then she saw the Elders and was so excited! She lives in our area of Mission Creek ward. Aka our side of town pretty much. So we went and visited her. She is way strong and totally has this strong testimony. She is a little strange but I think its from drug abuse and just I don’t know. But she is funny and cool. So we met with her and her daughter-in-law was there. (Who is not a member of the church.) We talked to them and then Bianca- the daughter-in-law was telling us about her life story and stuff and how she feels like she needs to go to church cause God is helping her out. So I don’t really know what all happened but its like this: She has 4 kids who have been taken away from her. I guess her last husband beat her and the kids so they took the kids to live in a safe environment. But somehow during this, Bianca is charged or something because she has to take parenting classes and she doesn’t really have custody of her kids. She has to meet some requirements before she can get them back. Requirements such as: get her own house, get a job, finish these classes. And she has to do it by a certain time that is close at hand. ( I hope this is making sense.) Anyway. Things have been falling in place and her mother in law, Marta, has been a strong help to her and they have been praying and all this kinda stuff. But when we met with her she said, "Just since you guys got here I feel different. I feel a lot better!" And THAT was awesome. So her and her husband... who is also not a member, named Frank. Want to take the lessons and stuff. And then they totally came to church on Sunday and said that they really enjoyed it. That hearing everyone's testimonies was really powerful and they really liked it! And Marta is just way cool! She like fell and has all these health problems and she was in a ton of pain but she kept being like, "I may be in pain but that’s not gonna stop me from going to church!'" It was cool. I just remembered I am typing for like ever and I will be talking to you soon.