Good subject lines are hard, sorry!

Well hello! This week was one of the fastest weeks of my mission and I don't even know why. It doesn't seem like we even do anything but then you think about each individual day and we do so much. It's crazy. So I'll try to recall everything we did... I do remember that it was VERY cold. Never in a million years did I think it could ever get cold in Alabama, but it did. I think it got down to freezing and then add wind chill and humidity and it's just freezing. People always told me this but I didn't really believe them- I just thought they were whimps. But it truly does get cold, so don't expect to come here in December with 70 degree weather cause it's not gonna happen! Haha. Maybe it's because I'm in the north part. It has warmed up a bit though, which is nice.

I DO know we were fed EVERY NIGHT this week. It was insane, this ward takes care of us. One night a member had to cancel and felt so bad so she gave us Jason's Deli gift cards which we gladly used. But we have been fed everything from enchilada's, breakfast for lunch, rotisserie chicken, Brazilian beans and rice, and more. I really don't know how it happened, but everything just lined up perfectly. However, we have still been working!!! We met with quite a few less actives this week, trying to strenghthen their faith and hopefully feel of the spirit. We found a few new investigators as well, hopefully we can follow up with them this week and get the ball rollin. This area is HUGE and not having a car makes things a little bit difficult. But we make do with what we have and try our best. This is a pretty tough area as far as investigators go cause it's very rich. Not that rich people aren't teachable or prepared, it's just a little bit harder to get through to them. So we have been focusing a lot on part member families and we have been trying to get the members to refer us to their friends. And with less actives, we've been trying to build relationships with them and just serve them the best we can. That's all missionary work is really, is service! Even broader, that is all the Church of Jesus Christ is- service! Think of every major function of the church and all it does is help other people. Nobody gains anything from being an active member of this church. Heck, this is probably one of the hardest church to be a member of! So why does it continue to grow? Because helping others is one of the most rewarding things you can do. I can guarantee you that Christ was the happiest person to live on the earth because all he did was serve! I think that's the reason I'm still on my mission- cause if I was not helping people, this would be the most miserable time of my life. But, as I focus on others and try to build and strengthen them, I am just so much happier! It's weird how that works out, isn't it? So go out and serve someone this week, I promise it'll make your week better! "When ye are in the service of your fellow being, ye are only in the service of your God." Mosiah 2:17

Anyway, sorry for the service rant- sometimes I just keep typing and I don't stop. I must be a missionary, or something. Yesterday was the primary program which was so cute. I just love little kids. It brought quite a few less actives and visitors to church which was nice. We had the entire chapel filled which doesn't happen too often. I met a lot of the kids this week at our various dinner appointments so it was fun to watch. One of the kids got up there and said "God the father and his son Joseph Smith appeared...I mean Jesus appeared to Joseph" it was pretty funny. They had us come into primary too and played a little game with us which included getting our ties cut. They gave us old ties before, but the kids thought it was real and they were so concerned for us. I just love little kids.

Today we had a zone activity which was a lot of fun. We waxed all the cars, ate pizza and then played like 12 games of dodgeball. It got intense toward the end but our team pulled through. I am in a great zone, there's a lot of good missionaries. Elder Fredrickon and Bickley are just hilarious together, I can't believe President put them together as zone leaders. But I love em. Elder Harman is doing well, still not trunky! He is getting pretty excited to go home though, I can tell. Luckily he's a good missionary so it's not affecting him. I'm going on an exchange with the spanish elders tomorrow so I'll get to work on my spanish. We'll see how that goes...and this weekend we get to go back to Birmingham to see Tom baptized!!! So it'll be a fast week for sure.

Love you all so much. Thanks for everything you do and all the love and support. I got your package with the picture frames and I loved em! I can see your faces everyday now! That recording was great, I miss you. By the way, Christmas music is not a good idea...well, I love it, but it does make me miss y'all! Especially "I'll be home for Christmas..." But it's all worth it, I promise! I'll be back before you know it. Just think, after this Christmas it'll be on more and then it's less than three months. CRAZY! Halloween this week, what should I be? I was thinking a Mormon missionary, but I'm not sure. We'll see.

Love you so much,

Elder Weight

P.S. If you ever have any questions or anything you want me to tell you just send me an email! I love questions.

Provo, Alabama

Welcome to Provo err...Huntsville, Alabama! I am in the Monte Sano ward which is part of the Huntsville area and it's awesome. Seriously, there are a lot of members up here and I love it. Our ward is very strong and helpful. They give us rides a lot and feed us a lot and help us out a lot, it's great. Our area is very big, it goes all the way up to the Tennessee border and we don't have a car. Welcome to the life of an Elder. But we make do with what we have! My new companion is Elder Harman and this is his last transfer. He is a cool guy and a great missionary so this'll be a fun transfer. It'll be pretty weird to see him go home. Our apartment is probably the nicest one in the misson. For real. We leave our trash outside the door and they pick it up for us it's like a hotel! And it's just the two of us in a huge apartment, I love it.

This weekend we had a baptism! His name is JaJuan and he is SOLID. It was probably the most spiritual baptism I've ever been to, it was amazing. It was also one of the most stressful hahaha. We may or may not have over-filled the font cause we were preoccupied with pizza......We get back and we see water start seeping out from behind the door and we start freaking out hahaha. Luckily, they had a shop vac in the church so we sucked most of it up and it dried by the next day. We got everything figured out and the baptism went perfectly. His mom is not a member and she was bawling the entire baptism. Hopefully we can start teaching her this week. JaJuan seemed very happy and he will be a strong member of the church. He has a big testimony and I think he wants to go on a mission. He was singing in the choir after church- that just doesn't happen! So cool. (Here's the pic)

So Friday we were tracting for some sisters in our district cause they were kinda struggling. We met this girl named Ashley and she told us she would come to the devotional we had last night if we came to her church. So we got permission from President Hanks and went to a baptist church yesterday! We had a member come with us and we were the only 3 white people in the congregation. It was literally insane, I loved it. Everyone was singing and dancing and screaming and praising Jesus. There was a band and choir on stage rocking out the entire service and it was probably one of the craziest experiences of my life. Not gonna lie, the music was good and the service was entertaining but it was definitely not church. They were feeling a very different spirit - not quite what I would call the spirit of God. BUT! They were some of the nicest people I've ever met - We didn't get any comments or nasty looks thrown our way - just love. The preacher even had us stand up and they sang us a welcome song! He said something like "Welcome to our brothers in Christ from the Mormon church!" It was so funny. But that is something I think every Mormon can work on- just loving others non-conditionally and making sure they feel welcome and happy. Anyway, Ashley actually came to the devotional and it was great! President and Sister Hanks came and spoke and it was like a come and see type of thing. They talked about the difference between us and other churches and the blessings of being a member. I think Ashley enjoyed it and they're gonna start meeting with the sisters! It was worth going to the baptist church for sure.

So that was the exciting things from this week. We had a fall activity/chili cook off in the ward Friday night and, of course, the missionaries were the judges. We tried 18 different kinds of chili and I was so sick of it afterward haha. Some of them were downright disgusting, most of them were average, but a few were delicious. We also did a bit of service, I mowed a lawn again for the first time in 6 weeks! In Birmingham no one had lawns to mow, but I'm back out in the country again :) Well, it's not really country, but it's mostly residential areas. Other than that...I'm happy and healthy! Loving life and excited for this next transfer.

Love and miss you bunches! Glad you had fun in Hawaii. Don't have too much fun without me and I'll be home before you know it. Have a wonderful week!!!

Love,

Elder Weight

ps. There's actually a part of my area called Chase. I'll have to get a sign next to something haha. We were driving down the street and I saw "Chase's Church of God" It was pretty funny.

Transfers!!

Good morning, y'all! This week was crazy awesome I don't even know where to start! Well the first half wasn't too exciting, but the second half was great.

Elder Mcgee and I went on exchanges in Cahaba Heights with Elder Hodges the first half of the week. We did a lot of walking and talking and knocking. But it was a lot of fun, Elder Hodges is crazy. He is a hard worker and he's funny and he's real. So that's cool. 

Other than that, nothing too exciting happened. We did a short exchange with our zone leader as well...luckily it was short cause I think I'd be home pretty soon if he were my companion.......haha. But I survived!

So Friday night, we met with this couple - Aaron and Sarah - who are what we call "eternal investigators." He has read the entire Book of Mormon and D&C which can be scary, but he is a really cool dude. He wants it to be true but at the same time, he just won't open his heart up to it. He is very intellectual and our conversation went a little over my head..luckily my companions are pretty smart. Before we did anything, we had to define "truth," "knowledge," and "gospel." It was pretty crazy. I wasn't saying much the whole lesson, but then I said something that just sounded so right, and I didn't even realize it before! "The gospel was not restored in the Book of Mormon. The gospel is contained in the Bible AND the Book of Mormon. The restoration is all about authority. The same authority Jesus Christ gave his apostles has been restored, and the Book of Mormon is just proof of that. Because if it is true, Joseph Smith was not crazy, and this is Jesus Christ's church." I said something to that effect. The spirit was so strong and it was just a really cool experience. The Holy Ghost is real and he's there for you, even if you feel like he's not! That's something i've struggled a bit on my mission- recognizing the spirit. But the more I feel it, and the longer I'm here, the easier it's becoming to recognize and act. So after that, Sarah told us that Joseph Smith had a mental illness and therefore wrote the book of mormon. Aaaaaaaand the spirit was gone. Ha. That is definitely a new idea though, never heard that one! We're meeting with them again tonight so we'll see what happens.

Saturday we went to Tuscaloosa for a baptism. Goodness is that place amazing. We saw the baptism which was great, we ate the most delicious ribs at Dreamland BBQ, we stopped by the UofA stadium and then ate Cold Stone. It was the greatest day of my life. Kay, not really, but it was fantastic. The stadium is ginormous, and does not disappoint. It was so hyped up and I never thought it would be as great as it was. Man. I can't wait to take you there once I get home, you're gonna love it. They have statues of all their coaches and the years they won the nat'l championship. I got some pretty good pictures I'll send you. Speaking of which, so sorry I haven't sent any pictures lately. The walmart here doesn't have a photo center and we've never gotten a chance to go anywhere else. So I'll try to print some off this week!

So that night we get transfer calls, where they tell us if we'll be staying or leaving. We thought two of us would stay for sure but boy were we wrong. Both Elder Fredrickson and I are leaving and leaving McGee with a new companion! He's not training, but he's only been out 6 weeks and he seems pretty nervous. He relied on us for most of the transfer for everything and now he's realizing he should have payed attention...whoops. But he'll be alright, he's a good missionary and will figure everything out. Elder Fredrickson will be a zone leader and I have no idea! We have transfer meeting on Wednesday and then we go straight to where they tell us! Missions are fun. I'll email you my new address probably this week sometime. I'll really miss this area, but change is good. It'll be exciting for sure!

I miss you all so much, but I know I'm where I'm supposed to be! I'll get to Brazil when/if I need to but for now I'll roll tide!!! Don't forget to read those scriptures and make good choices! There's no point in doing stupid stuff that doesn't make life happy. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of happiness - LASTING happiness! Keep it up. Love you. Talk to you soon.

Love,

Elder Weight

Christmas . . . I mean Conference!

"Oh what a beautiful mornin', Oh what a beautiful day! I gotta beautiful feelin', everything's goin' my way!" Seriously though, this is probably the best day I've had weather wise my entire mission. It is nice and sunny but it's got this cold breeze and it finally feels like fall! It feels like I'm in Utah again, I love it!!! 

Well, now that you know the useless fact of the weather in Alabama, wasn't conference awesome?!?! I just loved it so much, and can't wait to read my favorite talks over again. Everything kind of goes in one ear and out the other, some of it sticks, but I get the most out of re reading and studying the talks. But off the top of my head, I think my favorite was President Uchtdorf's Saturday morning talk. For someone to hear that talk and to say the church is not true just blows my mind. I loved it so much! I also really liked Oaks' talk, throwing down the law. And Scott's talk on the atonement and its strength was wonderful. And Bednar's talk on tithing was great as well. And Elder Holland ALWAYS gives good talks. And, of course, President Monson's yesterday was amazing. Seriously, I could go on for days. I just love conference so much! The bottom line I got out of it all is to constantly feed your testimony, and to endure! Matthew 11:28-30 (take my yoke upon you, for my burden is light, etc.) was quoted 4 times I believe and that applies to everyone! Life's burdens and hardships will be easier with the Savior. It can be overwhelming, but Jesus Christ is there to help you! He loves you and wants you to succeed. So continue to do what is right, and everything will work out. "Doubt your doubts, before you doubt your faith." -President Uchtdorf

Other than conference, it's been a pretty great week. We had interviews with President Hanks on Tuesday which went well. He told me he wants to keep me and that he'll miss me...if I ever leave haha. I'm gonna miss him a bunch too. He is just the greatest mission president I could imagine. What else happened this week...We found these new investigators named Chris and Will. Two roommates who just graduated from college and they both seem pretty interested. We were at an appointment early and just randomly knocked on their door, and they were really receptive! That doesn't happen too often, so that's pretty cool. 

Have I told you about Tom? I don't remember what I say anymore haha. Tom is an old guy who wheeled up to us in his motorized wheelchair and told us to tell him about the Mormons. We've been teaching him ever since and he just loves everything! He came to church last week and loved it, and he should be baptized on the 20th of October! That's right after transfers, so hopefully I'm still here. He is a great man and I love teaching him. Plus, he buys milkshakes for us at chik-fil-a so that's a plus ;) 

Hmm what else...We've been fed almost everyday this week, so that's real nice. The members here are great, but soooo busy. Most of them are grad students at UAB so they can't help us all the time. But this week we just happened to line up a dinner appointment almost every week, it was great. Funny story, this one member, she loves to guess missionaries' first names. She could NOT guess my name even after giving hints. So I tell her it's the name of a bank and she still can't get it. Then she says "This is taking forever, just like the last missionary I guessed! He told me his name was a verb and I just couldn't get it and then finally I got it. It was Chase. I don't even like that name anyway!" We started laughing so hard and she just didn't get it. Her husband finally asks "Wait...is it Chase too?" I said yes and she got soooooooo embarrassed. It was hilarious. She actually looks and sounds a lot like Ashely Curtis, if you need a visual.

Other than that, this week has been pretty standard. We give blessings/visit a good number of people at the UAB and childrens hospitals which is always sad. But good, cause we bring light into their life! We have a great week ahead of us, and we get to go to Tuscaloosa for one of Elder Fredrickons baptisms this Saturday!!!! Wooooooo!!! U of A, here I come :) 

Love y'all so much!!! Keep doing what's right and be good little boys and girls. I think and pray about you every day, have a great week!!!

Love, 

Elder Weight

September Baptism Pics

Amon's Baptism - Sep 29, 2013

Sam's Baptism - Sep 8, 2013

6 Months Mark?!

6 MONTHS?! This has flown by. That's already 1/4th of my mission, it is going by way too quickly!!! 

This week was splendid. Triple dunk fest and the sealing of a family for eternity! It doesn't get much better than that, does it?!

Amon was baptized yesterday, as well as a man named Andy. Everything went smoothly and it was just wonderful. Amon is probably the most humble man I've met in my life. After he got all changed, he came out and was congratulating us. He took no credit for himself, and said it was all because of us. He truly was the golden investigator and he well be a great member for the ward. Elder Osiemo is from Kenya as well and interviewed him in Swahili, and also confirmed him in Swahili. Amon has an amazing story and I love him! He told us he had been praying for guidance and just knew God sent us to teach him. He accepted everything we threw at him and it's amazing!

Andy is a man who has been investigating for a while. His really good friend is a member and has basically been teaching him everything. He was actually a co-founder of the Highlands Church, which is THE church in Alabama. He said it turned into a business and he hated it, so he left the church. He used to distribute anti-Mormon stuff but then he actually read it all and realized it was a bunch of crap. He started coming to church about 4 months ago and decided this week he wanted to get baptized. So that was cool as well!

The third baptism was in Centerpoint while I was on exchanges there. I really didn't have anything to do with it, but I got to see it which was cool! It was all in Spanish but I still understood most of it! Ahh, I love baptisms. There have been SO many baptisms lately, it's amazing. Last month we broke the mission record of 46 with 51. And I'm pretty sure we're going to break the 51 this month- we already have 13 in our zone alone. And while the numbers are cool, each one of those numbers is a child of God entering into the gates of heaven. I LOVE MISSIONARY WORK!!!! :)

We went through the temple this week with Miss Daisy as well!!!! That was a very cool experience. She was so happy to see me, and chose me to be a witness of her sealing. Her daughter drove down from Idaho for this, and seeing them sealed together for all time and eternity was the best. I love temple work and I love Miss Daisy! She was so cute. She was  happy and there was just a glow radiating from her. I would encourage anyone reading this to go to the temple as often as you can! I know life gets busy, but the Lord will bless you if you set aside a time to go, I promise. Temple work is the best and will make you happier!

While I was on exchanges in Centerpoint, they had a priest/missionary activity. They paired each of the priests up with a missionary and we went out and knocked doors. It was pretty cool, the kid I was with was a great kid. I wish I had gotten that opportunity before I came out here, so see if you can do something similar with Jared in the future! It was a lot of fun, even though we got rejected at almost every door hahahaha. Welcome to missionary work. 

I love y'all so much, thanks for everything. I got the letters from Jared and Whitney and your packages. Especially the new scriptures, these things are like my baby. I know I'm being a weird, cliche missionary, but they're beautiful. And those sugar cookies were probably the greatest thing that has happened to my companions and I. Well, not really, but kind of.

The gospel is true, the book is blue. I know that my redeemer lives. I know know know know this is the Lord's work. I am truly humbled everyday, and I just love everything about the gospel. No one will shake me from my faith and I pledge this day to never go inactive!!! I know it's easy to say as a missionary at this point, but I will follow through I promise! I would invite everyone doubting their testimony to read the Book of Mormon because it will change your life. Love you, miss you, I'm always thinking about you! Have a fantastic week!

Love,

Elder Weight