Week 55: In for the Long Haul 8/26/2019

Alright, well this week went by really fast!! This last weekend we were able to find out the news with transfers and what will be happening in the next 6 weeks in my life! I will be staying in Edmond for my 5th transfer. That means when this transfer is all said and done, it would mark 7 months being in this area! My longest serving area is still continuing to get longer and longer. I am very happy to be staying here tho! It is always hard starting over in a new area, packing around everything, having to build new relationships, and a completely different environment makes it hard sometimes so I am pretty glad that I'll be staying here. I will be getting a new companion however. His name is Elder Stolte! I don't know too much about him but I have talked to him a few times and he was my replacement in Tulsa! So we have a lot we could talk about when we start our companionship! Although it may seem like I am in for the long haul, I have come to the realization that 6 weeks feel like 6 days so I have a feeling it will fly by! I just hope I can make the most of the time I have left here! Not only will I be serving in the 1st ward, but they are giving us the 3rd ward to work in as well, so there is a lot of work to be done.

Well, this week was a little unusual. My current companion, Elder McCuen has stress fractures in his knees, so he was required to keep off of them this entire week! So I have been on exchange after exchange with the UCO elders, Elder Wildman, Elder Kestner, and Elder Barben. I have spent most of the time on campus with them so our area was literally untouched this whole week! We gotta catch up once Elder Stolte gets back here! Campus life was pretty fun though while it lasted. You run into people that have so much in common with you it makes it very easy to talk to people, and not only easy, but it's super fun and exciting. It reminds me of being back at school and talking to people there. Maybe I will get lucky enough and serve on a campus full time one of these transfers. I usually compliment other people's watches when I walk by them, or anything they are wearing in general. Hopefully I will be able to go on many exchanges there next transfer.

Well, yesterday was super awesome! We had 4 people we are teaching come to church. We had Henry and Katya come as always! We had the Terry's come for the first time since I've been here (a part-member, less active family we are teaching) and also we had Emma come and not only that, but her mom came with her! We were pretty nervous when we found at she was coming and as a missionary, you can't control what goes on in Sacrament, like "what's gonna be said" or "I hope nothing comes out that might be offensive to them." But it was a pretty good meeting and many people talked with her after. I hope after leaving that service that she feels a lot comfortable for Emma to be associated with this so-called "cult!" Haha! We also taught Henry yesterday as well. We read Alma 32 with him where it talks about faith as compared to a seed. The only way that our faith can grow is if we our constantly nourishing it through continuous learning, and acting on the things we learn. Henry admitted that he has seen good things come out of meeting with us and coming to church, he just needs to build off of that and continue to act on the things we teach him.

Well y'all, I am very excited for a fresh new start. It will be the start of my 10th transfer which is just unreal to me. The mission is changing, I am changing, but the work and the Gospel remains the same! Thank you all for all the prayers and support! I love you all!

Love,

Elder Weese

1,2,3) Campus times!

4,5) Frat rock!!

6) My man Henry!!

Week 54: Beaten and Broken: but still Killin 8/12/2019

Hello my wonderful family and friends! How is everyone doing on this fine Monday? Once again I am having someone type this for me because I'm still healin up from my injuries that I sustained a week ago. Speaking of which I had an appointment with an orthopedic doctor and I asked him if he could x-ray my other wrist because it was giving me some pain and I just wanted to make sure that everything was alright. I didn't break it but I'm wearing a brace on it now because they said it's sprained. So now I feel like a bionical man with all my armor. I will be going back in three weeks to the same doctor so we can follow up and see how my healing process is going. But I think everything is going to be okay. And the doctor says it should heal very fast. Its weird because I could possibly be transferred by then BUT let's not jump to conclusions or assumptions. 

Despite me being broken and slow we had a pretty good week, a really fast week as well. We are getting closer and closer to the next transfer and I can't believe that I am almost done with training. This week we will be having New Missionary Graduation which is weird because it takes me back to when I was in that situation no too long ago. So it should be interesting. Emma is still scheduled to have her baptism this Saturday so that's another thing we are looking forward to. We had a lesson with her on Friday and we were supposed to have her interview on Saturday but she hit a curb and exploded her tire and we went over and helped her with that but the car she drives is an ancient luxury car so it was impossible to even get the jack out of the car because it was screwed in place. We also had nice people stop and try to help but even that wasn't enough. We needed to reschedule so hopefully that gets done sooner rather than later. She is so ready! 

Yesterday we had another lesson with Henry. We are still trying to work with him on setting a date for his baptism but it has been a slower process. We talked about the law of tithing with him and he accepted it as a commandment. We also asked him how the Word of Wisdom has been going and his tea drinking. And he said, "I'm going to be honest, I had some yesterday" haha. So we set new goals to help him overcome his tea addiction. We also talked a lot about the Priesthood and if and when he gets baptized he will have the opportunity to receive the Aaronic Priesthood. At first he was worried about that because he thought that it would be a huge responsibility but after talking about it more with him he thought it was pretty cool. Now all he needs to do is to continue to read and pray and see when a good time would be for him to be baptized. We will be following up with him this Sunday. 

We had a cool experience with a part member family named the Hanson's. We haven't been able to teach in their home for awhile but yesterday he invited us over because he has been experiencing some really weird health problems and he asked us if we could give him a blessing. It was a good opportunity for us to be in their home knowing that his wife is not a member because she got to see first hand the power of the Priesthood. It was a very good blessing! 

I shared the cool things that happened this week already now here is a weird/funny experience. I was in the store with Elder Kestner on exchanges and we were walking around trying to help people with their shopping and usually they are pretty nice to us about it and really appreciate us doing that but in this instance the last lady we talked to was very old and very grumpy. In our mid introduction of ourselves she cut us off and said, "You must be very bold to come up to me and interrupt what I am doing, get out of my way!" I said, "We are just trying to help people" and she said, "I already said no, now do you want me to say it louder?!" So she created a huge scene and there were literally five people watching it. All Elder Kestner and I could do was walk off and laugh our heads off and say, "We'll see her at Judgement" It's cool how we have experiences like this because now with the experience I have as a missionary I'm not phased by any of that, as I probably would have been back home or at the start of my mission. You just got to be as Christ-like as you can be in every situation. 

Well, this week was awesome! Thank you all for all the prayers and support as I have been going through the situation I have been going through. I have felt the extra strength to fulfill my responsibilities that I have and I know that's because of all your wonderful prayers. So I appreciate it. I love you all and I hope you have another awesome week.

Stay bruisin!!

Love,

Elder Weese

1) Biggest/heaviest coat ever!

2) Walkin' the park!

3) Welcome to the McKinley's!

Week 53: It's Been a Wrecked Week!! 8/5/2019

Hey everyone how's it going? It's Elder Weese in the house again. You won't believe what happened this week. On Thursday I was on an exchange with Elder Wildman and it was a pretty good day to start off but around 5 o'clock we were running late to dinner on our bikes. And going a little too fast down a hill on a busy road I hit a bump that I have ridden over about a thousand times but for some reason I wasn't paying attention this time and I hit the bump a little too fast and my whole body went over my handlebars and I went arms and face first into the cement. I got up and I saw Elder Wildman laughing + a billion stars and 40 other people watching. I felt like a complete idiot. But, I got the injuries to show for it. I found out the next day that I fractured my elbow. So I am currently wearing a sling at this point. I'm also currently letting someone write my weekly email because I'm slow at doing it with my one hand. (this is Elder Oaks. I am writing for him) I also, because I hit my face on the ground, sustained an injury to my front tooth. And ended up cracking my tooth. The dentist told me if it wasn't for my permanent retainer I would've definitely lost my tooth. So... blessings. I'm doing pretty good right now. Just a little sore. And I feel some whiplash in my neck. So pray for me and my well being. (Elder Oaks: And thus we see Elder Weese is in need of much prayer.) 

 

Other than the accident it was a pretty good week. We had a lesson with Emma once again and we taught her the Word of Wisdom. In fact, it was right after I had my accident so I was trying hard not to die during that lesson. But regardless of that it went good. Emma is super ready to be baptized on the 17th! We are very excited for that day! She even came to church this week with one of her friends which was way awesome. We also had a lesson with Henry but unfortunately due to some of his concerns we needed to take him off baptismal date. He is nervous about talking to his mom and also how his friends would react if he became a member of the church. He really wants to be baptized but he can't be rushed at this moment. We taught him the Word of Wisdom and that helped him with some of his concerns with drinking tea and he's striving to live it so that is just an example of where his desires are at. He's so awesome! Another lesson we had was on Wednesday with a man named Delmar who I told you about a few weeks ago. It was so cool! He was very excited for us to be there that he even set up a spot for us outside before we even showed up. He also came prepared with questions he had about the Book Of Mormon that we were able to talk about while we were teaching him about the restoration. You could tell that the spirit hit him very strong during that lesson and how everything made sense to him. He didn't really know how to react when we told him about Joseph Smith because the spirit was so strong. He has some really good potential and is super awesome because he's very open minded about learning about the church. 

Well we also had zone conference this week where we talked a lot about perfectionism. It was very awesome to hear at that moment of time on my mission. Especially because of the injury I sustained a few days earlier. There are so many trials in life even little trials that can seem to throw off our daily routines and the things that we like to do. For example, no more basketball in the morning, no more riding my bike, I have to have my companion tie my shoes which sucks because I hate asking for help, but the thing I am learning from this experience, even in the short days that I've had it, is that when we put God first by submitting to his will and keeping his commandments he will provide for your needs. That has seemed to make things a little easier because it sucks being sick/hurt on a mission. God gives unto men weakness that men might be humble. And his grace is sufficient for all men who humble themselves before him. And if we humble ourselves before him and have faith in him he will make weak things become strong unto us. So don't be afraid to turn to the lord because he can help you and has the power to.

Well y'all thanks for all the emails and the wonderful support. I am very excited for this upcoming week. We have some awesome plans. I hope all of you are doing well and are livin' it up! Have an awesome week! Love y'all

Love 

Elder Weese

1,2) Zone Conference

3,4,5) #getwrecked

6) P-days at top golf!

Week 52: One Year Down!! 7/29/2019

Hello everyone! How are ya'll doing? This week was a pretty awesome week! Pretty busy as usual but the weather was a lot better! We hit a cold front this week so it dropped down to like 75-80 degrees, but I heard that it is supposed to get back up to the triple digits this week so I am not looking forward to that at all! 

Well, I'll send pics, but this last Thursday was the day I hit my year mark so we went to go celebrate it during dinner time! I burned a shirt and then decided to grill up some hot dogs, and played basketball in our proselyting clothes on the court near by! It was way fun! I can't believe it has been a year since being dropped off at the MTC for 2 years! I have learned so much this year and I can't wait for many more blessings to come as I embark on the rest of this journey! I don't think I've ever been more sad, angry, frustrated, or upset. But yet, I don't think I've ever been more happy, joyful, excited, and cheerful! I don't think I have ever been closer to my Father in Heaven and my savior Jesus Christ! This has been a decision I will never regret, because I have truly seen myself grow in capacities I have never even imagined. I have been pulled out of my comfort zone, which was the hardest thing, but I'm glad it happened! I have high hopes for this next upcoming year which I am very excited about, to think I have another year of this... I just don't even have the words!

Well, the people we are teaching still doing great! We had lessons with Henry and Emma this past week! Emma seems super ready, but Henry had a few concerns and he said he has a lot more to learn before he is fully ready! We still have the goal in mind for him to be baptized August 17th, but we don't want to rush him. Just whenever he feels ready for it! I'm so glad we have such awesome people to work with! We are 2 weeks into this transfer, so I plan on giving it my all in the time I have remaining here!

I hope everyone is doing well! I am in for another awesome week! I love you all and I can't wait to talk to you all soon!!

Love,

Elder Weese

1) Fun at church!

2) Lesson with Emma!!

3) Helpin people out!

4) Grill 'n chill

5,6) Up in flames!

7) 1 year!!

8) With the gang!!

9) Ducks at the park! 

10) Cool statue!

11) Moving pros

12) Stay stylin

13) Stay ballin!!

Week 51: Blessings and Miracles!! 7/22/2019

Hello family and friends! How is everyone doing this fine week? I have loved hearing about everything going on in everyone's life, so keep in touch and let me know what's going on! This last week was HOT! I feel like I have said that in every single email for the past few weeks, but we literally got up to triple digits for like 5 straight days and it was pretty miserable! The humidity makes it a lot worse as well, but as we as missionaries say "For every mile you bike in the hot weather, the hotter your wife will be." Haha:) I guess that's why I push through it! I am happy to have started a new transfer in the mission field. I have new goals I have set and have high hopes for the area, for me personally, and also as a companionship with Elder McCuen! I love taking the time to set new goals because it gives us something to shoot for, holds us accountable for how we use our time, and without a vision the people perish as it is mentioned in the Book of Mormon. 

Well, as you may have already noticed by the title I chose for this week, we had a really awesome week! I'll start off with this person named Delmar. We met him outside of his house while we were biking by! We stopped and talked with him for a bit and he is a very nice older gentlemen! He wanted to hear about what we believed so we just went right into the plan of salvation and taught the whole thing to him outside of his house! He LOVED it and thought it made so much sense. He said if God was the God he knew, than this would be his plan! He loves keeping an open mind to other perspectives! Usually people of his age are close-minded! Well, it was challenging to set up a return appointment with him because he told us his wife is atheist and she probably wouldn't appreciate having us over, but if he was ever outside, feel free to stop by and talk! I was like, shoot! We will probably never catch him outside again, but a few days later we biked by his house again, and there he was doing the exact same thing as the first time we saw him! We talked with him some more about the book of mormon, and since we didn't have enough time, he told us to come back on Wednesday and we will make something work! So I hope all of that goes well! I'll keep you up to date with him!

Probably the most exciting part of our week was we set 2 baptismal dates! One with Emma who I told you about last week, and the other with Henry!! These 2 seemed completely ready for this commitment, and there faith in Jesus Christ has grown so much in the short time we have been meeting with them! Both of them will be baptized the same day, August 17th, that is the goal we have set with them! We are very excited and feel very blessed that we have such awesome, ready, people to work with! I know that the Lord is preparing the hearts of his children. Just think of what wonderful examples Emma and Henry will be to their families after they are baptized! I know that with the steps they have taken, it's the first step in something even more grand to follow, even with their families! That is how the Lord prepares people! One by one!!!

Well, I'm super grateful for everything that has been going on in my life right now! I'm still enjoying every phase of this work and I am still looking for improvement each and every day! Looking back to who I was at the start of my mission and seeing how far I have come, it's just awesome! I hope everyone is doing great back home! I think about you all a lot! I'm thankful for the support and prayers you all have given me! Just know that I know that God lives, and loves us all and the evidence of that love is Christ! I'm so thankful for him and the power he has to heal us and put us out of our slumps! I hope you all have the most "bestest" week ever!  

Love,

Elder Weese

1) Torchy's!

2) Tall oak!

3) The red rock!!

4) Last zone pic!!

5) "That isn't rice, that's maggotts!"

Week 50: Staying Put!! 7/15/2019

Well, I don't have too much time because I need to be at the bowling alley really soon for zone p-day so this email is going to be super short. I just wanted to let you know that we got our transfer calls this last weekend. I will be staying in this area for at least one more transfer to finish up Elder McCuen's training! I'm very happy that I am staying, once this transfer is over it will be the longest area I have ever served in. It will be a 6 monther!

From last email, I told you I was going to tell you more about this girl that we started teaching. Her name is Emma D. and she was a referral from one of our member in our ward and she is SUPER ready to be baptized. She's very interested in the church and LOVES reading the book of Mormon. The first lesson we had with her was on Wednesday and it went really well! She says she thinks it's true, she just wants to take more time to know it more fully before she commits to anything. We are very excited for her and we will be meeting her again tomorrow so pray that it goes well. Henry just barely got back from his trip, so we will be starting where we left off a few weeks ago. He is super close, in my belief, in committing to baptism as well. The Hanson's left for a trip to Hawaii, it's like one person comes back and then one person leaves. Haha!

Well, I am looking forward to this week! I've been feeling a lot better and healthier and am ready to get a brand new transfer started! I hope all of you are doing good back home! I love all of you very much and appreciate all you do for me! Have a wonderful week!

Love,

Elder Weese

1) Best district!!

2) Messin with sasquatch!

3) Hit the pavement!!!
4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11) Pictures from members

Week 49: Happy 4th of July!! 7/10/2019

Well, this past week was America's birthday. It was pretty weird how it was celebrated here in Oklahoma. People in the south are a lot more patriotic than people in Utah. The strangest thing was the parade they had where it felt like it was just a bunch of rednecks driving around nice cars and motorcycles screaming to the crowd, HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!!! I thought that was kinda funny and enjoyable to watch. We also got spoiled by having the city fireworks right next to our apartment complex so we got to see and not miss out on the traditional firework show! This week was a little slower for us so I don't have too much to write about, I have been pretty sick this past week and a half with some sort of stomach bug. It comes in spurts, one moment I can be completely fine and then the next moment I can be in A LOT of pain. Makes the work a little hard! A cool experience to go a long with that was, due to those struggles, I felt extremely bad some days where I get coped up inside all day, feel bad for my companion for having to deal with it, and feel bad for wasting precious opportunity to be outside in the humidity of Oklahoma. It's funny how Satan works like that. He's constantly telling us that we are not good enough, or that we are incapable of the extraordinary and he attacks at our most vulnerable times. The thing that strengthened my testimony was as I was going through this, I turned to the lord and asked what he thought of all this, what he thought of me, I felt so much love come over me during that prayer and as I turned to the scriptures and I knew that God is pleased with me. God has the power to bind the adversary and I definitely felt that as I turned to him. My encouragement to you all is to turn to our father in heaven during your hard times, Satan has power to destroy in hard times, but as we turn to God, he can take away all pain, all affliction. Doesn't come immediately, but he allows you to change your perspective of the hardship you are going through, and that makes so much of a difference!

We also finally got to meet President and Sister Christensen. Got to see them a few times! Yesterday for the meeting with the new missionaries, and Monday for MLC! They seem to be the right people for this mission and are inspired to keep this mission moving in a positive direction. We are focusing on developing a Christ centered mission. Using the conversion tools we learned from the Mansell's, and giving it our all to the Lord. Something really awesome I loved during President's training to us was we are to set high expectations through high love. Christ does that. He has high expectations for all of us and has the most love out of anyone ever to exist. He knows what type of creature we can become, and with that goal in mind, he expects highly of us. I can't wait to use this not only in my teaching, but as I strive to set goals for my personal development! I have already learned so much from the Christensen's! It's so awesome! I can't even describe how excited I am for this next year!!

Well, I'm so thankful for all of you! Your support means the world to me! I hear all the time of the prayers I constantly receive and it fills me with so much gratitude! I'm glad to have such great people in my life! I think some of the people we are teaching will be getting back from vacation soon, and then we can pick up where we left off! We have a lesson tonight with someone new we are teaching named Emma who really wants to get baptized! Pray that it goes well! I'll tell you all a little bit more about her next week once I meet with her tonight! I love you all and hope you all have a great week!

Love,

Elder Weese

1) Bullet holes!!

2) Pullin up!

3) Happy 4th!

4) Church homies!!

5) Taco bell!!

6) Do I look like Cardi B?