Week 76: Loss of a Legend...Mamba :( 1/27/2020

Hello everyone! I hope everyone had a good week! It was pretty good for me at least! Some cool things have been happening in my life and I'm excited to share more about it with you! Well I guess to the bad news, the black mamba is gone?? Are you serious? I found out this morning on the phone with my fam and I had no idea. We saw a lot of people yesterday and you would think that I would have heard about it somehow, but I didn't until just this morning and that makes me really sad. Even though he destroyed my team (the Jazz) many times over the past years, especially as he retired and dropped 60 on us. But ya, that was news I did not wish to have heard. Basketball will never be the same without him.

Well, onto some of the great news, as well as the things that happened this week. It was a fast week like always. The Spanish Elders will be moving out tomorrow to another apartment up north so the apartment will finally be back to just me and my comp living in it. It will be weird once they leave because they have been here since the start of the transfer, which was almost a month ago. It will kinda be like starting a transfer all over again because me and my comp have an interesting relationship, just because it always involved those other Elders some how. So now that they are gone, we have the chance to build a closer bond now that it is just us 2 all the time. Somethings that I'm looking forward to with it most of all is probably a cleaner, more roomie apartment as well as not being in a car share all the time. It will make things a lot easier, but I will miss the fun nights we had.

So, the highlight of my week was a call I got from an old friend in Tulsa. Do you all remember Ron who I found while I was up there and how he ended up being baptized? Well i hadn't heard from him since the day of his baptism and he called me a few days ago. Elder Williams, my previous comp, gave him my number and while they were being fed by him, that's when he called. So I also got to hear Elder Williams voice as well, I bet he's loving Tulsa. Well, the reason why he called was because he wanted to tell me that it has been a full year since I knocked on his door. I was shocked! I can't believe he remembers the specific day that it happened! It made me look in my journal afterward to see what I had written about finding him that day. It was pretty cool and I can't believe it has been that long! Another thing he wanted to tell me was that he is planning on going to the temple in June, which will be a full year since his baptism. He wanted me to be there, so I hope by then I will be close by so I could be there. By then, I would have 1 month left and so it would be quite a way to wrap up my mission. I will talk to President about it and hope he considers it because that would mean a lot if I was there. I'm sooooo pumped for June now!!! Another cool thing that happened that has ties to Tulsa was I was able to re-connect with a family who had lived up there while I was there, who moved down here to Norman. They invited me, plus 2 spanish elders; Elders Lara and Alton to help teach his mom. They are the Solorzano family from Peru and his mom knows very little English. I remember last year Elder Hammond and I taught her as well using a translator so it was cool to do that again, with a lot less translation of course since the Spanish Elders did all of the talking! She's a very good lady, but very devout in her beliefs, but her son really wants her to join so that's why they keep coming back. They are a very strong, down to earth family and I'm glad I was able to cross paths with them.

Well, we are looking forward to another exciting week with some great plans and goals. We are continuing our work with the members in the ward and are still brainstorming ideas of what we can do to gain their trust and to get them on board with missionary work in the area. If we get everyone on board, then great things in the ward will happen. So we are looking to get all members on board in some aspect of the ward. It could be stuff like praying or fasting for the missionaries, or coming up with a personal goal of how many times they bring up Gospel in their daily conversations, or even a goal of how many book of Mormon's they pass out... It could be anything, as long as it ties into the work! It should be good! Well my lads, I hope all is well back home! I hope you all have a good week, keep me posted! love you all!

Love,

Elder Weese

1) Solorzano family

2) Elders de Spanish!!!!!

3) Picture from mission FB page after interviews

Week 75: What Is Up?? 1/20/20

Hey everyone!! How is it going?? I hope everyone is having a great week. It seems like home is getting a lot of snow! I'm pretty jealous! Well, we aren't getting much snow, but winter has finally arrived here in the midwest this week. We went from nice bright days with pretty high temperatures to very dark days with a bunch of rain and cooler temperatures! It seems to make the work go by slow but it makes for some pretty cool adventures! We have been knocking doors in the rain and most people are thinking we are crazy. Some take compassion on us and offer us things while others just say you all are so ridiculous to be out in this weather.

I wish there was more to report on, but in my last few emails I have mentioned that we really wanted to crack down on member missionary work. It's still a work in progress, and we are really trying to have as many spiritual experiences with our members as we can. We have been told by a few of our members some people that would be interested in accepting the Gospel which is pretty cool. This week, we have a list full of people that we can try and hopefully some of them will be down to have us keep coming back. I think the best thing about these visits have been taking part in some of their family discussions, particularly Come Follow Me. One experience that was super awesome was at a dinner with a family named the Bittles. After our dinner, they asked us if we could stay for Come Follow Me that they try to have nightly with their extremely young family. It looks like it could be challenging at times for families like that, but they do a pretty good job with it. It's cool to see little children get excited about scripture study and apparently they all have their own copy of the BOM! Just the cheap ones like we pass out on the daily because they are the age of 1 and 4! What was cool and where the spirit hit me was another emphasis on the truthfulness of this Gospel. If this was all a fluke, why do families put such an emphasis on raising their prosterity in it. The spirit was so strong especially when the kids were trying to read it. I loved it and I can't wait to have experiences like that on my own.

Well, I'm looking forward to another great week. Hopefully we can get in with some of these referrals! It has been hard finding someone who would commit to us teaching them, so I'm praying very hard to be led to places where I can find that type of person. That was Sister Christensen's, our President's wife, counsel in our zone conference. We need to always pray so that the Lord can have us be apart of his work and who his elect are, and that is where my focus will be on in every aspect of the work. "Is this the right place to be?" "Where should we be?" Very specific answers will come, with very specific prayers. I can't wait for miracles to come! Well, I hope you all have a safe, fun week in all the snow. Love you all!

Love,

Elder Weese

1) House of a former OU football coach!

2-3) Rain, rain, rain!

4-5) Packed house!!

Week 74: Busy PDay So Just a Phone Call!! 1/13/2020

Elder Weese had Zone Pday today, so we got a quick phone call from him, no time for emails this week.  He had been to the church with all the missionaries in his zone, then they were all headed out to check out a nearby lake and camp ground.  They played games and roasted marshmallows.  Still working hard in the Norman area and balancing life in a one bedroom, one bathroom, one closet apartment with 5 missionary roomies!!  The other 3 Elder's staying with him and Elder Schroeder are serving in the Spanish speaking branch in their area, so Elder Weese gets to occasionally practice his high school Spanish skills with the Elder's.  He said it feels like a never ending scout camp!!

1-9) Pics from the lake trip

Week 73: Happy New Year and New Transfer 1/6/2020

Hello everyone! It's Elder Weese here alive and doing well. We had a very busy week and I can't begin to tell you how much has changed in the last few days. As you all are probably aware of, Elder Williams is no longer my companion and I have a new companion named Elder Schroeder. He is very different from me, but he is hilarious so I am in for a treat this transfer. I have no concerns at all with our companionship because if there is one thing I hope for in a companion it's probably a good sense of humor! It always makes it fun. He is from Colorado so the marijuana capital of the world. Haha!

Well, here's what life is like for me right now. Like I said, Elder Williams is out, Elder Schroeder is in, we have been trying to come up with new ways to find people to teach and we are going to work really hard with our members this transfer. We have built some pretty good relationships with members here as of late and now we want to take it the next step. It was a real struggle as we tried to find new things to do, member missionary work is very hard at times and it requires a ton of patience, but I guess it is effective for the missionaries to come afterward. That's where the spirit hit me and I just need to trust that what I am doing is effective and productive even if it is to just plant a seed, and I truly think that members are on the brink of trusting us with referrals. We also had a Spanish area just open up and there are missionaries serving there now and they are living with us. So it is 5 Elders packed in a one person apartment and one of them speaks no English at all, so I might pick up some Spanish skills with this next go around.

Well, this week is very exciting. We have called up a bunch of members and we are going to visit with them and bring the spirit into their homes and leave it at that. We also have a few potentials that we are going to be visiting this week so pray that they don't flake out on us as a lot of people do. Well, despite difficulties and impatience, my optimism level for continuing the work in this area remains very high. I know that the Lord has things in store for this area. I love you all and hope 2020 has treated you well so far!

Love,

Elder Weese

1-4) Elder Williams goodbye tour

5-7) Goodbye Buddy!!!

8) Elder Schroeder

9) Thor Smash

Week 72: Tis the Season 12/30/2019

Well first off, Merry Christmas everyone!! I hope it was good and that it was everything you wanted it to be. I hope it was fun being spent with those you love most! I had a super good Christmas! It all started with Christmas Eve where we went over to a members house named the Hannah's at like 4:30 and were there for the rest of the night, and then some. We got out of there at 11 and don't worry, it was all approved by President! We had a super good dinner with them and opened Christmas presents that were given to us by members of the ward and wow, we got loaded this year. We got socks, winter equipment, I got a new phone case, new toothbrush, 2 giftcards to outback and buffalo wild wings and outback and subway... and braums. Haha, and then people who did not know what to give us just donated money and we walked out of that house with all those gifts plus 245 dollars in cash. Haha, serving in Oklahoma is the best! Once that was done, they took us to a light show where Brother Hannah turned is radio station to match it with the lights. We were just expecting the usual light Christmas music, but the whole time it was just punk rock Christmas music and a little bit of heavy metal. It was quite interesting, we finally got back and this time it was like 8 and then the Hannahs decided to put in a movie and we watched "it's a wonderful life" also approved by President. I didn't know that movie would be as long as it was so that's why we got out pretty late. When Christmas day came around, we had an early morning breakfast with an awesome family named the Yosts and had something unique called breakfast pizza which was soooo good! Then went to the church to hang out with the zone and played games and did some gift exchanges. We also had a dinner with our ward mission leader and got even more gifts. So we were stacked, it was a super good Christmas and lucked out by serving in this area at this time.

Well, here's some more big news! We got our transfer calls this last weekend and I will be staying right here in Norman, but Elder Williams is leaving and I am soo jealous! He's going to my favorite area in Tulsa and will be serving exactly where I served about a year ago. He has mixed emotions about being transfered, but I am hyping him up because he is gonna love it in Tulsa! I'm gonna have to write down a list for people he can visit because there are so many good people up there. As for me, my new companion is Elder Schroeder. I don't know much about him but Elder Williams told me that he flew out with him, so he's newer to the mission field. I'm just super excited to be staying here. I know that there are good things that are happening and I am super pumped to be all apart of it. We are gonna kill it and trust and understand that this is the Lord's work, and we are just his instruments. We met someone named Melvin at an apartment complex on new years eve and taught him about the restoration on his door, the spirit was so strong and we have an appointment to meet with him today.  So pray for us.....

Well, once again I hope yalls Christmas was merry and bright. I'm thankful for the Savior and all he has done. There is no greater peace in life than peace in Christ and the more we focus and center our lives on that aspect, we will always be happy! I hope you all have a wonderful day and hope you're excited for the upcoming year 2020! It's gonna be awesome!

Love,

Elder Weese

1-2) Merry Chrysler!

3) Christmas eve present openings!

4) Breakfast at Ozzy's

5) The District!

6) Christmas Caroling!

7) Steak dinner!

8) Cool sunset bro!!

9-11) Pics from dinner at a member's home 

Week 71: Christmas Is Here Once Again!!! 12/23/2019

Merry Christmas to everyone!! Man, what a time of year it has been. I don't think I have ever felt the spirit of Christmas stronger than I have been feeling it this year. Christmas as a missionary is literally the best and I am sooooo sad that this will be my last time celebrating it here in Oklahoma. I don't want this time to end! The members have been so awesome to us providing us with good Christmas cheer. Tomorrow for Christmas eve we will be going to a families house named the Hannahs, she asked us for a Christmas wish list and has had other members help her in getting the stuff that we had asked for Christmas and we will be opening all of them tomorrow when we get there. I'll have to share with you what I got. Also, thanks to everyone who has sent me stuff out here as well. You all are the best!

This week was pretty fun, and kinda funny because my companion has bronchitis and he coughs like a freight train. He was also tested for pneumonia and was told that he was not getting much oxygen to his left lung. Haha, nothing like a first winter in Oklahoma. We have been visiting a lot of people the last few days, trying to spread the love of Christ and the Christmas spirit into as many homes as we can. It is awesome because it has only strengthened my testimony of the Savior more and why we truly celebrate Christmas. it is so easy to get caught up in the stress of Christmas and that's what everyone in this state has a problem with. They forget why we truly have this holiday and that's why it has been a good opportunity for us to light the world and bring the meaning back in Christmas. We had a Christmas zone conference for the entire mission and that was pretty fun. We had an awesome training on the atonement and why it is important to know what the savior really had to go through for us. It bring peace to my mind knowing that he was willing to be put through anything for us even if it is the most excruciating pains. It is hard to think about it, but important for us to remember. We also had a silly talent show, my first movie in 17 months called the fighting preacher (really cool movie I would highly recommend it) and then the greatest part of all, we went Christmas caroling at assisted living centers. It was the best!

Well, everyone pray for the well being of my comp, he hates having bronchitis even though I think it's funny!! I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas season and that you can spend it around the people who you love most! I love you all!

Love,

Elder Weese

1) Dinner with the Perrenoud's (clutch family who fed us 5 times this month!)

2) Christmas Conference ballas!

3) Merry Christmas from the goons!

4,5) Welcome back old friend!!!

6) Knox the legend!!!

Week 70: Another Fast Week!!! 12/16/2019

Well, hello everyone! With another fast week gone, we are seeing ourselves a week away from the huge Christmas holiday! Everyone is getting super excited, maybe even a little stressed, for it to come. Elder Williams and I have been going to strip malls a lot because shopping is blowing up and it is a good way to contact some people! We have been getting all different types of people. Those who are super nice and somewhat responsive, but a lot who don't want anything to do with talking. I think it's just because the time of year, hiding themselves from the real purpose of it because they are being over stressed with giving gifts for everyone! It is fun, I would say Elder Williams and I are in the best holiday spirit than anyone who lives in Norman. There is no stress to the holiday's as a missionary. Literally the members love us and they give us everything. So we have no stress and worries as to what will be happening over the holiday season.

This week went by sooooo fast. Probably because it was a week filled with many meetings! We had interviews this last Tuesday. It was awesome being able to talk to President one on one. I always look forward to this time of the transfer because I love the counsel President gives me and also for the area. I think that is when things start to improve the most is when we go by the counsel and direction of the mission president. Also with the other leaders in the church as well. President Christensen is focused on aligning priesthood keys, and when we do that's how we see the most success because when we align priesthood keys, we are aligning ourselves to the will of God and Jesus Christ. That's what Elder Williams and I are going to do from here on out. We need to find out what the vision of the Bishop is as well as the stake president and support them with it. We also had new missionary grad for Elder Williams. He is no longer a trainee!! It was fun being there. Literally all the new missionaries role play to the trainers the whole time, and I got to play a very awesome friend being taught! 

Well, lifes been good. We are meeting a ton of people every single day!! It's been super fun!! Now that Christmas is around the corner, we want to make sure we are serving extra hard so that we can bring the right spirit of Christmas to everyone! There is no better peace then what we find when we are focused on the Savior! So despite the stress and fun of Christmas, I challenge you to look for the long lasting happiness that comes when we are focused on the Savior! I promise that when we are focused on the savior, we will be blessed with so much peace, hope, and love!! Hope you all have a great week!!

Love,

Elder Weese

Pics from New missionary grad, and interviews!