Countdown week 14 ~ SEPTEMBER 22ND. VWU

Elder Vester is doing his paperwork for coming home. He is very excited about coming home. He has had an interesting mission that is for sure. He is done a wonderful job serving the Lord. I am so proud of him and the choices he has made.

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So. I guess my time as a missionary is coming to a close. I got my "trunkies" this week.

It's the letter that tells me my return date, and asks for the information on my return. So, I have to get them filled out, and sent to the mission office in Spokane today.

So, I'm just trying to finish strong.

This week, there is not a whole lot to talk about. 

We did set a baptismal date! 2 actually!

I'm very excited. They are the Graves. Tim and Johanna.

They are a very sweet older couple. As soon as they get married on the 2nd of august, we'll start preparing for their baptism on the 9th of august. I'm so excited for them.

We're working with them to stop smoking and drinking coffee. But, that'll be gone by the time August comes around.

:D I can't wait!

Well, I have to go.

I have some guy who is demanding service from us all day today, so we don't even really get a p-day. Haha.

We have to help him take down a barn. I'm sure I'll be hurting for a few days after this.

Love ya'll!

Take care, and I'll see you soon!

~Elder Vester

We also got a new car for the time being. :D

STRAIGHT OFF THE LOT. OH GOODNESS.

So, we did a service project, and we took pics. That's my companion, Elder Padilla.

Look at Elder Larsen and I. We're beautiful. :D

 this week was a huge county fair thing, and they had a parade. It started with a staged robbery, and these guys blew up a lock box with candy in it, and then there was a shoot out. It was neato.

Countdown Week 15 ~ The Bible Explained. VWU

This is this weeks email. I am so glad that Elder Vester is able to pick himself up and dust himself off.
He is doing great!

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So, I'll explain the title now.

Saturday, i was super stressed out. I kinda had a break down, and just asked for Heavenly Father to make mu sunday good, so I could get back into good spirits.

And God, having a sense of humor, and being my loving Father in Heaven, lead me to a man who I will not be forgetting in a LONG time.

It was about 8:00, and Elder Padilla told me to go to a house not too far from our apartment.

"Whats this guy's name?" I asked

"I don't know."

"Have you ever met him before?"

"No, but my last companion, and the Zone Leaders met him the last time they did an exchange."

So, we walked up to the door.

We knocked, and a "Come in!" greeted us.

We just kinda waited at the door for someone to open the door to us.

Finally, an older gentleman opens the door, and invites us in.

His name was Gwyn.

He said that he was some kind of religion that I have never heard of before. (It starts with a B.)

He started explaining how the Bible is all wrong, because the Monks that wrote it were all drunk on Brandy.

Not just ANY kind of brandy though.

A special kind of brandy made with rotten barley. And because the barley had mold on it, it caused a reaction that produces a hallucinogenic side effect.

Ergo, the Monks got high/drunk on this magic drink, and started to write about what they thought was happening. According to this man, God is a force, and an energy. It;s nothing, and yet everything. And the Monks were hallucinating that they saw God.

Many, Many, maaaany other things did he tell us. And my journal will contain a full account of that. haha.

That meeting with him really just made my day, and for some reason released my stress.

It also made me grateful for the knowledge that I know that God is a man, and that he is my father. I am his son, and He loves me. More than I can even understand and comprehend. And that Jesus Christ, is my older brother, and loves me.

Between the two of them, life is good. I am so happy to be a missionary at this point in time, the fullness of times, the Last Days, to be able to teach my brothers and sisters about the restored Gosple of Jesus Christ.

I know we have a Prophet today, that much like Moses, Joshua, Abraham, Samuel, and many others, talks face to face with God. His name is Tomas S Monson, and I am grateful for the guidance he gives.

I know that this church, is the true church of Jesus Christ, and has the priesthood power and authority to perform binding, saving, ordinances. 

I know I'll be with my family forever, and that to me, is the biggest comfort that I can ever ask for.

I love you all, and I'll talk to you next week.

I get to go to the Temple on Thursday, and I'm so excited for that.

Love you!

Elder Jacob Vester

What was the first thing I did. Well.

I had the guy at the border stamp my passport, and then I TOOK SELFIES. <3

#CANADASELFIES

 CANADAAAAAA

We had a zone meeting on friday, and we took a zone photo. :D I love my zone so much. We're all so legit.

 Today, I was doing a service project. We fell a greenhouse, and started to take it apart. The greenhouse tried to fight back. But I won.

I hope to have a sick scar, so i can tell my children of the time I had a battle with a greenhouse, AND WON.

Countdown Week 16 ~ Today, I go to Canada! VWU

Here is last weeks email. We are doing the countdown on the weeks now. Elder Vester is becoming a real farm boy!

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So, TODAY, I'll be doing exchanges after p-day, and I FINALLY get to go to Canada! I;m super excited. I hear they have all kinds of delicious chips, and REAL CHOCOLATE. I'm excited.oh goodness yes.

And you guys like my legs? :D haha. I love these sandals. I wear them allll the time.

So, not too much has gone down since last Wednesday. 

This week has actually been really rough, missionary work wise. All, and I mean ALL of my appointments fell though this week. 

Yup.

It was either, people going to the hospital, canceling on us, or just plain not showing up.

However, I'm ok with it. 

Sometimes, the work is easier, and other times you feel like you are trying to stop a crashing tidal wave.

But, I've come to be grateful for the few chances a day I get to share the Gospel, and to teach with all my heart. Because I might not get to teach again for the rest of the day.

We've done sooooo much service, though.

This week, I helped butcher about 6 lambs. Oh. My. Goodness.

That was so hard core. I've never seen so much carnage, ever. I felt like a psycho as I took large knifes to cut off all the fat from the animals.

Haha.

It was awesome.

However, I've also learned that I do not like the flavor of mutton. It;s very.... Strange,

It makes a nice stew though.

Alright.

So, really. I guess because I've had do few teaching opportunities, it's helped me to focus a little more in my personal study on things that I want and need to know, rather than just my investigators.

I'm so grateful for the scriptures, and the wealth of information that they bring. I've had so many questions that I have needed answers to for several years answered this week.  And, I know it's because I was earnestly seeking for them.

So, I'll testify to the fact that God wants us to know his words, and he will reward us as we study.

I had the wonderful chance to finish the book of mormon, for the 3rd time in my mission. 

Oh how I love this book. Never has anything ever touched me the way this book does. I know it to be true.

There is no way that Joseph Smith wrote this. It was translated, by the gift and hand of God.

No evil man could write this, and no good man would.

I'm excited to start it over again, and see what the Lord has in store for me.

I love this church, ad I love this work.

I love you all, and I'll see you next week. <3

Tchau~

Elder Vester

Did I already show you my hair cut? I'm just super fresh.

you guys like my legs? :D haha. I love these sandals. I wear them allll the time. 

it was Padilla's birthday last week, so we had a bonfire. :D

Countdown Week 17 ~ We're driving Cadillacs in our dreams: VWU

Time is going too fast. I can't seem to keep up with Elder Vester's blog. He better hear and get home!

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So, I know the details have been lacking for the last few weeks. but I hope today makes up for that, Haha.

So.

I'm District Leader of a 4 man district. I'm stationed in Republic, Washington. My other half of the district is in Grand Forks, British Columbia. We've been together a lot this week, due to all the meetings that go down in the first part of the transfers, so It's been nice getting to know everyone.

My area, is HUGE.

It's larger than the state of Rhode Island.

Go figure.

It's a very slow area. Something that has been hard for me to adjust to. The people here are very hard hearted, and only look out for what they can get from people. So, to make up for that, we offer service to everyone we meet. Most people hit us up on that, and as a result, we spend more time in Service clothes, than church clothes. Haha. It's hard sometimes, and I have to make sure to let people know what I can, and cannot do. But, I am hoping with time that  the hearts of the people here will soften, and we can teach more. We are lucky if we get 1 lesson a day here.

The branch is very small here. We only had about 30 people that went to church on Sunday.

Speaking of which, I spoke!~ I had to talk about "Taking Chances" I was the last of 4 speakers, and I went over by about 10 minuets. Haha. I used the Book of Ester as my main example.

She had so much faith, and courage to go before the king to save her people. The bible does not talk too much about women, and Ester has an entire book just to her.

So, I think the Lord is telling us that she is important, and we should read from it, and that it would be valuable in our lives to have her story.

I know I learned a lot just by getting ready for that talk.

I know that when we really take a chance, not for yourself, but for the Lord, we will be rewarded. I have seen that time, and time again.

The Lord loves us, and watches out for us. And when we do what he wants of us, and really try our hardest, it shows. the Lord knows our hearts, and is able to see the things that we are unable to show other people.

The intent of our hearts is what really makes a difference. Like Paul said

"Where your heart is, there will your treasure be also."

And I am so grateful for the chance I have to serve here. It's hard, and a lot different from what I am used to. but I know that as I serve, I will be blessed.

I love you ALL, and I'll see you next week.

Also.

I'M DRIVING A BRAND NEW 2014 SUBARU LEGACY, WITH LESS THAN 8000 MILES ON IT.

HOLY COW I LOVE IT. IT HAS PADDLE SHIFTERS. <3

And a USB port, so I just plug in my music and drive~

Anywho.

Love you all!

Elder Vester

The end of the day, and we went tracting, and I found this. :D It;s super neato. 

For last p-day, we went on a nature hike! :D I loved it!

The Stienbahs were really amazing people. They helped me a lot, and I also miss them tons.

We also might have built a dam in a small creek. Haha.

Countdown Week 18 ~ I'm a Tri-Country Missionary. VWU

Here is last weeks email from Elder Vester. Since today is a holiday, I won't email him until Wednesday. He got transferred and is serving in Republic, WA, that area goes into Canada. 

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So, this'll be short.
But, I've been transferred. I'm going to Republic, Washington. I'm going to be senior companion, and District Leader. Haha. I'm going to ruin everything. :D

I get to do exchanges with the missionaries in Grand Forks, British Columbia.

#hardcore

So, I'll be packing lots today.

And I bought a 3 piece suit at goodwill for 8 bucks. :D It's super sick.

We did tons of splits this week. I had a lot of fun.

But, really I gotta go.

I know the church is true, and it's the best thing to have ever happen to me. <3333

:D Till next week!!!!

Love you all!

Elder Vester

Pictures form P-day.

Countdown - Week 20 ~ I like my birthdays, every one! VWU

Sorry I got behind on Elder Vester's posts. In this weeks email he mentioned that he didn't have any pictures for this week. So the pictures that I will post are from a few weeks ago. He is doing great! - ENJOY

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So, no pics today. We're in the Colville stake center, sending emails, so I cant send photos. haha.

But, get ready for an explosion next week!

So, there has been lots of adventures this week.

The reason you all did not get an email last monday, was because we went to the temple. 

In this mission, we can go every 3 months. However, we have to trade our p-day for the day that we are going to the temple. So, friday we went.

And holy cow. It was the most amazing thing ever. <3 I got to see some new things, and I loved every minuet of it. 

We also went on a hike as a zone 2 p-days ago. I got to meet some pretty neat people.

Um, last wendsay we had a tri-zone conference. We all went down to Spokane, and it was amazing. I've never had such a meaningful conference. We had this really cool practice, where missionaries had to go out into the street, find someone to come into the building, and then another companionship was assigned to teach whoever came,  in front of all of us.

that was so neat. I understand a lot better about just how much people retain in the lessons. And how much we need to focus on the Atonement of Christ, and the first vision. Very powerful experience.

And, I'
l'll just share another tender mercy.

Sunday was my birthday. I reflected a lot on what I was doing a year ago. I remembered the Piries family, and just how amazing they were. I remembered the 3 cakes they made for my birthday, and the amazing relationship I had with Evaldo and Michelle.

Sunday morning, we got a text from the old stake president, who goes to our branch. Joyce, the brasilian girl I am teaching, decided she needed to go to our church.
And lo and be hold, she was there.

I had a brasilian at church for my birthday.

I was estatic. <3

I love this all so much.
And I'll see you all next week!

Tchau!

~Elder Vester

Week 74 ~ A Week Of Tender Mercies: VWU

I had a nice email session with Elder Vester today. I love my time with him on Monday's. He is doing so well, makes me happy.

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Well, this week has gone by sooooo fast. let me tell you.

I've had an amazing week. We've kept very busy, and I've got some great things I would like to share with all of you.

This has really been a week of tender mercies for me. I've felt my Savior's love so much, and I'm seeing his hand in many things. I'd like to share a few with you.
On last Monday, I had been emailing my mom. I was telling her about how I had failed to get Lynn's address, so I could send her a little box. Lynn has forgotten to send it to me for a few weeks now, and I was hoping that mom could do some recon for me throughout the week.

Well, as we were emailing, my mom, who works in the Ruth St. church, across the street from Prescott High school, had felt a prompting to go to the other side of the building, and look for a program. After a few minutes, she got up, went, and looked.

Low and behold, there was a single program, on the floor, by the coat rack. I was speechless. And that does not happen too often. This set the mood for the entire week.

My next one I would like to share, came in the form of a division we did with our Zone Leaders. On Wednesday, Elder White went over to Colville, and Elder Cordel came here. The entire day was a little frustrating. I do not know the area well, and we might have driven about 80+ miles trying to find people to teach. It turned out to be a good day though. At the very end, our only set appointment was the Riecker family. And you'll never guess what. They have a brasilian exchange student living with them. Her name is Joyce, and she's from Rio de Janeiro. And so, God blessed me with an opportunity to teach in the language I learned and loved for 16 months. I remember Stake President Montierth telling me to be prepared to teach in Portuguese, and I am so very grateful that I have had that chance to do so once again. God is good.

And the last one I want to tell you about, happened Saturday night.

I won't go into detail too much, But, I had the chance to feel the guiding, comforting, protecting love of my Savior. And how wonderful that was. He came to me in the time I needed him most, and he helped me in ways that no one else could. I was reminded about how important temple work is, and how protecting the covanents are, that we take upon upon ourselves in the temple. The Lord loves me, and knows me. And he has kept his protecting hand over me from the unseen evils that try to take this work down from the inside.

The Lord is in many, many things. I finally took the chance to stop, and to look, and see just how much the Lord has done. I can't help but feel overwhelmed when I see how much God cares for me, and see all that he puts into place for me. Even though I am so imperfect, Christ loves me perfectly.

Just as he does us all.

I love my Jesus.

I love my Heavenly Father,

And they both love me.

And you.

I can't complain. I love this work. I really do. I am so grateful for the wonderful tender mercy being sent here to the Spokane mission has been. This mission, and these missionaries have really helped me out. I've grown so much, and many wounds are healing now.

I now understand the purpose of mission work, and being a missionary.

I remember, about 10 months ago, I received an email, from a dear friend named Austin.  He had counseled me that "The measure of a missionary is not in the number of lessons he has, or how many people he baptizes. It's measured in the capacity he has to love and touch other people."

I now, can finally understand where this great missionary was coming from.

Only having been removed from the numbers race, and seeing people for who they really are, have I become fully converted to this work.

It's the best work in the world.

And I'll make these last 3 transfers count.

I love you all so much. Thank you for all the support and love each and every single one of you give me.

I can feel your prayers, and love.

I wish you well, and to look for the tender mercies God has given you this week.

I promise you, that as you do so, that you will find a greater increase of love, blessings, and awareness of the hand of God in your life. I promise you that you will feel the Savior close to you as you seek to find His little gifts he gives you.

Take care.

Love

~Elder jacob Vester

 

I got harry potter stamps~! The next 20 letters I send out will be rocking the best stamps ever. (So, maybe you guys should write me more?)

I got my English name tags!

This morning, I went on a hike with the Sowards. This here is Sheep Creek Falls.

The Sowards.

We went and explored an old catholic church this week. #selfies

I think says it all!