Week 12: Hungry, "hopeless", and cold... but still kickin'!!!!!!!! 10/15/2018

Howdy!! How have my favorite people been this fine week. I appreciate all your emails and your wonderful uplifting words!!! I love starting a new week this way. Makes the Mondays a little better!! Well, to explain my title to this email.... Temperatures in Vernon have dropped dramatically this weekend. Yesterday was the coldest day on my mission and from what I hear, it will continue to get worse!!! Thankfully, my mom sent me a package that contained sweaters, a hat, gloves... all the warm stuff and she sent it right on time!! If she wouldn't have, I probably would have froze to death, therefore, I would not be speaking to you guys at this moment!! Haha!!! Well, even though it was pretty cold outside!! The work still goes on!! It is a lot more satisfying at the days end when you examine how hard you worked today knowing that you gave your all, especially under heavier circumstances!! This last week, we took a 3 hour drive up to OKC for zone conference in the pouring rain!! All the roads looked like rivers and you could barely see them at times especially since we were driving in the dark. Had to be very careful not to hydroplane!! Zone conference was pretty good!! Had to get a flu shot during it!!! It was kinda weird!!! All these missionaries coming together to get flu shots. We kept those nurses pretty busy. I felt pretty sick after I got mine which is kinda weird. Stomach felt weird and I had to deal with a killer head ache for the rest of the conference. But I am doing better now don't get me wrong!! Learned a lot from this zone conference and it also made me realize how much I need to improve. There is always something I can be doing a little better. I am focusing on staying motivated and setting better goals. Goals that will help push you each and everyday to do the Lord's work!! The motivation comes after that!!

Speaking of the work, it still goes on down here in Vernon!!! On Thursday, I went on an exchange with one of the zone leaders named Elder Whitehead. When we first met up, he told me... "all we are going to do today is FIND." I have never spent more time knocking doors and OYMing people ever than I did when I was with him!!! It was pretty fun... hard... but fun!!! Met some cool, nice people and not so nice people. Probably met the meanest guy I have ever met during that stretch of door knocking! I am glad Elder Whitehead had the patience because this guy was letting him have it!! I was waiting for the dude to get knocked out, but Elder Whitehead kept his cool and we went on throughout our day!! I asked him after that how he keeps such a positive attitude after something like that happens. He tells me, the harder you work, the more you will love the work, and won't care what anyone says to you or thinks about you. That is why I am trying soooo hard to boost my motivation each and everyday!!!

Sooo today, I will be going to a jump zone for our zone p-day today!!! I am super excited for that!! We originally planned to go to the Wichita Mountains again. but it is too cold for that!!! President and Sister Mansell will also be spending the day with us!! Can't wait to tell you all about it in my emails next week!!! The mission is still treating me well though!!! Still trying to meet with as many people as we can. Especially our focus people... the ones who are closest to baptism. We have been trying really hard to get them to come to church. That is the hardest thing to get them to commit to. They do all the other things like reading and praying, but when it comes to sacrament, we aren't as successful with that. They always tell us that they will be there but don't end up coming. Can't give up on these people though!! I know it is a very hard decision to make!! We are pretty much asking them to change their lives!! I always thing of Elder Hollands talk and the quote that sticks out the most in that talk: "salvation was never easy!!!!" I know I will find someone out here on my mission who was meant for me to go talk to!! The one the Lord has prepared the most for me!!!

Well, Another week down!! Still happy and healthy. My comp will tell you otherwise with the healthy thing. Been drinking a lot of soda and eating a lot of candy. Halloween candy is on sale so I am making the most of it right now!! HAHA!! Well I love you all and miss you!! Keep on keeping on!! Have another good and safe week!!!!

Love,

Elder Weese

1) All geared up!!

2) Cooler weather ahead!!

3) Winner winner, steak dinner!!!

4) Wasn't kidding about the cold!!!