[Weston] Anaheim Weekly December 29, 2014

Hey!

Well officially in two days I complete the whole year I would serve in my mission. 2013 was a part year, 2015 will be part of the year, but 2014 was a whole year of missionary service. It is so weird. I feel so old now, but wait I am! This last week was awesome! We had Christmas! Woot woot! That day was so fun, but let's back up. Tuesday night was incredible, we taught so many lessons and found a ton of new people. Elder Bickmore is such a hard worker, and so optimistic, we get along great, and now we are killing it here in our area.

Wednesday was Christmas Eve (Nochebuena) and we went Christmas caroling as a district! It was so fun! We made so many people's nights! Although we aren't singers by any means, here in the Anaheim 11 ward, we are pro status. Sad enough to say, nobody is musically inclined in this ward haha. I can't play the piano, and I am forced to play a few hymns. I have had to teach myself again how to play the piano. 

Christmas was great! The other Elders in my district came over to our apartment and we made pancakes and Mexican hot chocolate (abuelitas) and opened gifts! I

Afterwards we went to Hermana Sanchez's home so that Elder Quito could Skype his family. He wanted his family to meet Hermana Sanchez. It was fun, Elder Bickmore and I played a new game I got for Christmas. Super Fun! Afterwards we went to the Bishop's house and he had gifts for all of us. They are giant plaques with our names, that he hand made with a router. Simple, but cool! We talked with our families all of us, and played ping pong for hours. It was a fun time, definitely beat my Christmas last year on the mission. We ate a couple dinners, the last one was with Oswaldo and Margarita, and we ate Enchiladas! I actually made them and helped! So easy to make, and so delicious! They were super spicy! My favorite! 

We had a few appointments Friday to go to but nothing to big. Saturday was super fun! The zone leaders came over and checked our apartment to make sure to was clean, it is always clean because I am OCD. We went to see the trejo family in the evening, and we ended up doing service. We cleaned up their front yard, with mowing and edging, and the works. It was awesome, except we were in our proselyting clothes. I was on the mower, and I got destroyed. There was a hole in the bag so grass and dirt shot up at me basically the whole time. It was so fun though! It looked so Great afterwards, as I am sure you can all imagine. It was fun. 

The thought of the week comes from the talk by Elder Anderson this past General Conference titled Joseph Smith. "Jesus Christ chose a holy man, a righteous man, to lead the Restoration of the fulness of His gospel. He chose Joseph Smith." I add my testimony to that. I know that In order to get to Know Christ, you have to Know Joseph Smith. I know that the church has been restored to the Earth, and will never be taken off again. Have a happy new year!

Your favorite Missionary,

Elder Weston Scott

1) Service - my companion

2) A pitcher that a member has. It pukes when you pour hahaha.

4) Bounce Castle (jumper) I was balling it up. The little girl is my best friend . Or at least that is what she tells everyone haha.

[Mason] Good morning everyone,

Well, seeing as we celebrated Christmas this week, there doesn't seem to be much to report on.

To be honest, this new year is going to be interesting and I'm so excited for the changes that ARE going to occur.  I have been thinking a lot about Goals and why people set goals and I came to the conclusion that the reason that people never fulfill their goals or they give up on them, is because....

            a) It's not a righteous Desire

            b) They don't include Heavenly Fathers help in making the Goal

            c) They don't plea with Him in humble prayer consistently nor often enough to show Him its                   important 

So this year as we all focus in on whats important, lets promise to include our Heavenly Father in what it is we desire to occur.

We read in 2nd Nephi 32:8, "But behold, I say unto you that ye must pray always, and not faint; that ye must not perform any thing unto the Lord save in the first place ye shall pray unto the Father in the name of Christ, that he will consecrate thy performance unto thee, that thy performance may be for the welfare of thy soul."

We, in all honestly need to do this if we are to succeed in life's goals and I promise you, as a representative of Our Master Jesus Christ, that we can and will fulfill that which we desire as we consecrate our lives to Him. I have seen it happen in other's lives, and i have seen it happen in my life. God will help and He will put his hand in our lives to liftus up and support us as we go throughout this year. 

Take the initiative and pray to your Father who awaits in Heaven to hear your voice and Consecrate your "Performance."

-

Elder Scott

[Weston] Anaheim Weekly December 22, 2014

Merry (Early ) Christmas to all!

This week was so fantastic! :) I freaking love my companion so much! Elder Bickmore is a stud! We work so well together, it's so incredible how relaxed he is about everything! He is so patient! I am literally the happiest missionary to be found upon the Earth now. I love being a missionary! 

Some sad news this week, our most progressing investigator Erik dropped us. For some reason I already had prepared myself for it. I knew it was coming. He was not trying as hard as he was the past two weeks as he was previously. So, of course I was sad, still am, but it didn't get me down, because he is not ready to truly make a change.

However, we found five new investigators this week. 4 of which are super solid! We have set up so many appointments! Yes we don't have any progressing right now, but what we do have is a teaching pool now. Finally! We have been working hard! I finally feel that now I am truly creating a model area for my district. 

We had the award Christmas party this past Thursday, in which we ended up doing all of the heavy lifting, for it haha. We seriously make this ward run. No joke, because nobody follows through on any assignments. But whatever, it's part of my calling! :) While at the party, I was asked to go and sit in the car with Elder Quito because he wanted to tell me some things. Elder Quito is one of my best friends, and we sat and talked for over and hour. He had been struggling with the desire to go home due to some personal circumstances. All I could say was to listen to the spirit. I gave him some advice and counsel. I saw my patriarchal blessing come to pass during this chat as well. It was very spiritual. I encouraged him to endure, and be patient. I put my arm around him and told him that everything would be alright. He told me that I am the reason that would keep him from drowning out here. We made some goals, and I have the privilege of talking to him every day to keep him motivated. 

I am incredibly excited for Christmas. I hope to be able to see a lot of you that day via Skype. Thank you for all of the support.

I know with all my heart Jesus is the Christ. He is the gift. I love Him and represent Him. My words are His words, my thoughts are His thoughts, and my actions are His actions. Merry Christmas to all, and to all......... You know the rest!

Your favorite Missionary in So. Cal.!

Elder Weston Scott

[Mason]Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all(though it is a few days early),

And I hope that this email finds you all enjoying the true spirit of Christmas. Today, though its been a week, I don't have too much to say.  I have shared my testimony almost every week about the divinity of our Savior Jesus Christ, and just to add to it,

In Spanish, we say He is the Gift, but as follows, the Spanish meaning to the word gift has a much higher meaning.

decimos que el es la Dadiva, diciendo que El es un Regalo o cosa que se da voluntariamente en señal de agradecimiento, afecto, o amor

we say that He is the Gift, saying that He is a present or thing that is given voluntarily as a sign of gratitude, affection, or love.

Jesus Christ is a gift that wasn't just given to us for nothing. He was given by the father, as a "bribe" for us to come back to him. He is our Bribe against the eternal Law. God loves us so much, that He wants us back. this is the Way. HE is the way. Jesus Christ was born close to 2013 years ago. on the special and sacred day, our Savior, entered the world, not to condemn us for our shortcomings and our faults, but instead to bring us back with Him. Please remember what the Savior has done for you in your lives this Christmas Season!

Ok so this week, we had our Christmas party in Belmont, MA, where we went to the Temple.had some devotionals and had some good ole fashion skits. even President Packard and Sister Packard performed. President Packard did some Handbo...where you slap yourself to make drums...and Sister Packard rapped for us...it was tight.

So...we are just trucking along here in Hartford trying to get things started again, but its hard.

It will all work out, I know it.

We went on exchanges this week, and I went to Bloomfield with Elder Williams, and it was by far the best exchange I have ever had.  We had some Baptismal interviews, they both lasted 1.5 hours...they were exhausting, but really great.

Elder Scott

[Mason] Buenos Dias Mis familiares

Ok so I am only wanting to speak/ talk/ write/ think/ and do everything in Spanish...I swear it is the Language of heaven....everybody needs to learn it.

I feel like I'm bleeding Spanish now.  I'm really soaking it up. its great, God is really blessing be a lot. I'm grateful for the strength He gives me in so many ways. seriously, Without God, I am nothing, as to my strength, I am weak, and nothing.

So this week, we didn't get too much done, and a lot of that was my companion and I learning how to work together and figure things out. we had to break down a few barriers and then I was sick.....I'm pretty sure it was something like the stomach flu....or food poisoning.,...I died Friday night....and then all day on Saturday, I had to drive and it was so hard to do anything, and we came home for dinner at 6, so Elder Pope could eat, and I had a small bite of food, and I was like "yo elder, I dont feel so good right now, I'm going to lay here on the ground for a second, and I fell asleep for 2 and a half hours later, and I was just ILL...it was terrible.

Friday, we had zone meeting, and it was terrible....because it was a lot of technical things, and then Pope and I had to leave to go to service, right as the spiritual training was starting....ugh...but we helped set up for a party at a hockey rink. Then we were supposed to teach everyone there how to ice skate. We told the member who was in charge of the event, that we can't get on the ice. and she said "ok." supposedly there was going to be people who were teaching ice skating...but they never showed...and the worst part was that the event was focused on every kid and adult with whom these social workers work, was going to learn how to ice skate for free/fun.

So Elder Paulson, Elder Wright, and I decided, that we would do it and we saved the night....and everyone thanked us, and so it was all great.....I don't have any pictures...sorry.

Thursday...District Meeting....good times...

Wednesday...no me recuerdo [I don't remember]

Tuesday.....MLC  [?] ....including all DL's and it was a nightmare.....driving 88 miles and back is terrible.....for somebody to do......anytime....and ugh...I had to do it again.

Sunday. We confirmed Julio, and it was sweet, and so we now have a member that wants to come with us all day every day, and he is solid. we had a christmas concert is Bloomfield, and the Branch was singing a number, and we had to/ got to participate...it was fun.

That brings us to now...today we are making a movie for our Christmas concert with the mission this Wednesday...it will be sweet.....

um so I finished the Book of Mormon again, in Spanish, because it just makes sense in that language

message: upon reading D&C 10, I found how awesome God is, and how wise He is and how much He must laugh at Satan, for thinking he can win, or he can "outsmart" Him, if you will,...God is all wise, and because of that, The Book of Mormon, with a wise purpose, doesn't have, nor need those first 116 pages, because God prepared a way for us to get what we need. in section 10, it says basically that, the small plates of Nephi have a more direct message of the gospel, and overall, it will be of more use, than that portion that was lost. I am so grateful for the wisdom of my Father in Heaven.

Anyways...we will talk soon.

Elder Scott

***

In the mission we sent to the mission office, pictures of us in ways our mission has changed us, and why they are successful....so these are mine...

[My Mission has changed me because now I am a witness of my Lord Jesus Christ and His mission is mine ]

[My mission is successful because my family has grown by thousands of people ]

[Weston] Anaheim Weekly December 8, 2014

Hello everybody!

This week was fantastic! I got to play in the rain! It was so fun! It all started when I went on exchanges with Elder Quito. I was driving, and the day before we were all told that that the weather was going to be absolutely terrible the Next day. Well, it was haha. It rained so hard for about two days straight. :) Tuesday like I said I was in a car driving, so it wasn't too bad, except for when we had a lesson at the door with a girl named Martha. Elder Quito and I were standing out in the rain the whole time, for what ended up bei a half hour lesson. Now let me tell you the extra details you want. I was wearing a cotton sweater the whole day because I forgot to bring a waterproof jacket. Elder Quito had a trench coat, which kept him dry. It was s funny. I was sopping wet, which actually came up at the end of that lesson, woot woot! It was so Fun! 

Wednesday night was the same deal, except I was on my bike instead. It was unbelievable how wet it was out side. I honestly can say I now swam on my mission! :) So Erik our investigator is doing well! He has such a strong testimony! It's incredible! He is totally getting baptized on the 21st this month! White Christmas! :) The only problem and trial Erik is truly facing right now, not including the word of wisdom(smoking), is his family. Everybody in his family that lives in his apartment are members, but extremely less active. He gets no support, and everyone doubts him! It frustrates me so much. He is literally going to be the person that reactivates his family. It is so hard for him. Especially between his wife and him. Major contention right now, because she won't change. It's so hard, definitely a pride issue. But we are going to get through it! Erik is still going to get baptized! :)

We began a little initiative of our own here in the Anaheim Mission, being the [Christ]mas means Facebook posts. I hope you all saw mine! To me, I posted true love. Why? Because I have been thinking so much this season about the love my Heavenly Father has for me. I encourage you all to make one as well! It's fun! Focus on tHe reason for the season! :)

Well, I love you all so much! Thank you for the support! :)

Elder Weston Scott

Pictures?

Elder Quito and I!

Early Christmas present from Erik! 

I uploaded the wrong picture to facebook. This was the real one.

[Mason] Greetings from CT

Hello everyone, its been and interesting turn of events these last few days...but I don't really want to explain all of it because it will take a long time.

but to start,

I basically live in a hotel now, and it has a full size gym....with everything it seems. its legit. there is basically no safe place here in Hartford, people literally break into cars and buildings...and so everything is on lock down it seems, even during church, we have the elders quorum patrolling the parking lots and there are security cameras and what not...its intense.

The Branch seems to love me already, which is sweet and the first comment was, "are you from Spain or Argentina?", um neither,,,I'm from Colorado,...."so, you speak Spanish in your home?", ...no....."How do you know Spanish?".....um I didn't know I did....

All of a sudden, I'm fluent out here, and its crazy....sometimes there is a difficulty in understanding the Puerto Ricans or the Domincans but all in all, its sweet. I owe everything to the Lord though.

" 11 But Ammon said unto him: I do not boast in my own strength, nor in my own wisdom; but behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God.
 12 Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever."
Im so gratefull that God, my Eternal Father, has given me this chance to learn Spanish and for having been blessed time and time again with Help from on High to Speak the language.
So Back to the point here of the email, I'm still District Leader down here, and I'm finding that the the missionaries down here are all very different, and I'm going to have to work really hard to be the best example I can be. also, I have learned that there are 7 [baptismal] dates here in my area, and total in the district there are 14. we have a goal this month to baptize 7. and its going to happen....we can do it.
For the foreseeable future, I'm going to read all of the Bible and PMG and Jesus el Cristo. and perfect my Spanish and study Portuguese. Now that I'm in a 2 elder apartment, I can actually focus on what I'm doing. it is sweet.
This Christmas season is going to be fantastic. and as we enter this sacred time of year, i hope we can all think back to our Savior Jesus Christ, of whom this Grand Holiday is about. Let us Recall all that he did for us, and is doing for us now. let us remember the covenants we have made, and stay true to them. let us,This Christmas season, make it more special than it has ever been to us. let us try not to focus on worldly things. Christ did come to be of the World, but instead came to conquer it. His purpose wasn't to be a part of the world, but to help us to change and be as he is, a king, a son of God. let us remember that Christ is the Ultimate gift. He is our Present, from God.
John3:16 - "For God so loved the world , that he gave his only begotten Son , that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life"
Because he is our Gift, let us increase our Faith in him, and do all we can to believe in him more. I know that He is our Savior, and I know that He is the only Gift i truly need and truly want, because in him and trough him, I can have eternal life and salvation and Be with my Father in Heaven AGAIN.!.!.!


I love you all, and have a good week.
Elder Scott
2 Park PL Tower A 19J Hartford, CT, 06106

[Weston] Anaheim Weekly December 1, 2014

Hello Everyone!

This week was very great! I think I will give a play by play.

Monday we started out by playing kickball. We played zone versus zone, and my zone unfortunately lost. Dang. We'll get them next time! But we went and visited a ton of people but nadie was home! It was so annoying! Tuesday we did not have much time until about 6pm, and so we went ham trying to talk to, and see as many people as possible. It was worth it! We taught as less active family. The Trejo's. They are so funny! We shared the new Christmas video made by the church "He is the Gift". They really enjoyed it.

Wednesday we had District Meeting. I prepared so much for it! I was so excited! I taught and trained about praying with Faith. To share one detail, it would be from the last part I shared. That when we pray, we must love according to what we pray for. We must fulfill that which we we ask for. Joseph Fielding Smith said, "All we do should be in harmony with the expressions of our prayers. We should not pray merely with our lips; but in every act, in our conversation, in all that we undertake to do, we should try to carry out the expressions of our prayers, and be in harmony with the thoughts that we declare to the Lord in our daily supplications. Are we in possession of the spirit of prayer? Have we made it a part of our very being? Are we in touch with our Heavenly Father through the Holy Spirit, or are we not?" This impacted me a lot.  Mostly to make sure that all I do is in accordance with what I need and should be doing at all times. It was a great training meeting, I prayed long and hard to know what exactly the district needed.  We also taught Erik that night about praying with faith. It went nicely with what I had studied so much lately. Anyways, Erik loved it, he loves everything we share with him. He asked about music and what kind of music we should be listening to. He also mentioned that his number one goal is to be sealed in the temple with his wife! 

Thanksgiving was fun haha. We did some studies in the morning, then we went and ate some Peruvian food for lunch with the Sanches family. They are so nice, just like having another mom out here haha. Afterwards we went and helped with a service project. We cleaned up this judge event center parking lot, in which they cooked s bunch of turkeys. It was really gross what I had to do, but it was all good, got a free shirt (however it was too small). We then went and ate dinner with President Tucker.  He is a counselor to our mission president. He is so nice! He feeds any missionary that doesn't have dinner on thanksgiving.  And our whole district was without dinner, so we went and spent time with them, and we completed a puzzle while there, it was great!  On the way home, it was about 8pm, we were invited to another member's home, in which we ate some more (which was impossible to do) and we shared a message.  I was asked to share my testimony while there.  It was fun! 

Friday we didn't do a whole lot, we ate thanksgiving leftovers for breakfast with a member, that was fun! Saturday we exchanged, and Elder Maughan my zone leader came with me. It was great. We saw a lot of people!

I was asked to speak again on Sunday, and so I spoke about the Christmas Season and what has been on my mind all week. I have been asking everyone basically the same question this week. "What are you willing to give to your Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ this year?" I have been reflecting on this thought so much lately. Especially because our Heavenly Father has given us a Savior. Jesus Christ has given us the Atonement. Now it is our turn. Jus think, the one thing that our Heavenly Father wants but does not demand is obedience. He has given us Agency. We can choose for ourselves. But the supreme expression of love we can and ought to show our Father in Heaven is that of giving back that Agency. And choosing to be obedient to His word. This Christmas season I choose to exactly that, to give them by agency by being obedient. Because I love my Father in Heaven, I love my Savior. What will you give?

Thanks for everything!

Your favorite missionary in So. Cal.!

Elder Weston Scott

[Mason] New Area means New Life....

So I'm moving to Hartford, CT now in the Spanish Branch down there, and so I'm officially leaving Lynn behind now and moving to the next part of my mission.  Wednesday I leave, and so that will be interesting....but I'm overall excited.  My new companion's name is Elder Pope, the missionary that replaced me when I left Springfield....so He is a pretty cool guy.  I'm stoked beyond belief.

** New address**

** 2 Park Pl. 19J, Hartford, CT 06106 **

This week we made true history in Lynn, baptizing the 4th person this year, breaking last years record, and the year before that I believe.  Santos Hernandez is the newest member of the Church down here in Lynn, and he is so sweet, I Love the guy so much....I am coming back this time next year, I don't care ......I'm going to be here for his temple wedding with Jesenia. woohoo!! 

As we all know, December has started, and so my sacrifice is overwith.... and so to finish, I had a Dr. Pepper,  chocolate bar, a box of Captain Crunch.....and a whole box of cinnamon toast crunch....man did my stomach hurt.....I planned to eat that much....but I couldn't finish the chocolate bar.....sugar stinks...

So as a mission, we set a goal to baptize 70 people, and by Saturday, we had baptized 77....and so we entered Sunday with enough dates to bring us to 97 baptisms for the month....and as of right now, December, 1, 2014, looking back at the month of November, we found exactly 100 miracles.....and that means that we baptized 100 people in the month...surpassing our goal of 70 by 30....The whole mission presidency was out with missionaries every second yesterday, and we had some baptisms that happened in a day....it was amazing.,....

Thank you for all of your support to our mission here in New England.  It has been a blessing to see the miracles happen here.

I have some fantastic news, and that is that my new apartment in CT has a gym...woohoo....haha, I'm excited....

Turkey day was so fun...we played football in the snow....and it was the best. I scored just a few touchdowns.....and swatted a few hail mary's but no biggie.....

We ate good, for certain, due to the 2 dinners we had, and I felt like I was going to puke.....whew........last year I had 4 dinners....and I was fine....what the heck is going on with me, eh?

Well, I love you all, I will talk to you next week, and I will plan on having  a message prepared as well, sorry for the short email.

Elder Mason Scott,

1)Santos y yo y Pennington

2)nosotros en un selfie

3)la familia Rivera Melo

[Weston] Anaheim Weekly November 24, 2014

Hello Everyone!

This week was a very difficult one, but I learned a lot. To start off I will talk about our rock star investigator Erik. I have been praying a lot lately for success with somebody In our area, especially with hitting our goal of a baptism for Christmas, and now we are too to get it. For a year the Elders have been working with Erik, who is a former marine, as well as he know a ton about he church because of a buddy he has from the marines. Erik had a huge problem with smoking and drinking, until Monday night. We went over and shared with him a scripture about the Plan of Salvation, and then talked lightly about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and then my companion extended a baptismal date, and for about five minutes we waited, silently. He accepted, and immediately said, I need to get some patches. Meaning he is going to quit smoking. As of today he has made it now six whole days without smoking. There have been instances this week where he has picked up a cigarette, and thought about it for a while, then he just throws it down and says no. His will power is so strong now! Mainly because he is praying and reading the Scriptures! I can't even explain the experiences we are having with him. Literally since Elder Fonnesbeck and I have been seeing him, he has changed so much. He is converted now, because of the knowledge that he has of God answering his prayers when he needs help. 

There have been times when we have decided to stop by unplanned and we catch him at an all time low, and we bring him up to a such a high level because of the Spirit. On Friday we had one of those experiences. We were weekly planning, and we had told Erik that if he ever needed anything he could call us or text us and we would leave whatever it was if he needed us. On Friday we texted him in the afternoon to see how he was, and he immediately responded in Panic Mode that he needed us ASAP. We booked it over to his apartment as soon as possible. He fell asleep with a Nicotine patch on, and apparently they induce terribly real and nightmarish dreams. With him being a marine, he had the most vivid memories and experiences fill his mind. He was scared, he said he broke down to tears, and that he did not know what to do. It was just an hour nap, and we texted him right when we woke up. Imagine that? And he fought smoking until we got over there. We basically save him. 

Erik is changing my life, just like how all of my other converts have changed my life, I feel the spirit strongly in my life. Something that I could not always admit. Erik is going to make it, and he will be an amazing member. Elder Fonnesbeck said the other night, that we are the only two that could have gotten him to this point. No other companionship was able to. Us. Why us? We have been having so many problems, to the point where I have felt he is just a flat our jerk (still do for the most part) but I legitimately yelled at him hard last night. I do not yell, I have not yelled a single time on my mission if I can recall over a year of time. Not once. We had a long companionship inventory for about and hour and a half where we talked exactly about what happened. I was threatened a little, but what came out of it is that we will never be a companionship were we are friends and want to be around each other, or that we even have anything in common, but what we have in common is Erik and the calling of a representative of Christ. We are focusing on that, and being more friendly. 

The District Meeting I taught this week was very difficult as well. I could not teach as well as normal. But this week I think my plan is to teach about Love, and it's relationship to the work. 

We had our Thanksgiving activity this past Saturday as well, in which the missionaries were in charge of everything, we decided several weeks back that we wanted to do a posole contest, and so the relief society took care of that. But in this ward, we missionaries are always in charge. We created this activity about the plan of salvation in which we made the overflow room of our chapel as a airplane cabin set up. We acted out a scenario in which we all died, and that our Heavenly Father had prepared three different places for us to go. We tried to help everyone understand more about the decisions we make here in this life and how they affect us after we die. It was great! We had best plane sound effects, and great presentations about the kingdoms of glory. Very stressful though! Our Ward mission leader is new, and is still learning how to be a leader, so we are being patient with him, it was hard to get him to full on plan and prepare the activity with us. But we got it done. 

So yeah that seems to basically some up the week. During our Elder's Quorum on Sunday we were talking about worshipping and about where and where and how we worship Our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Most people were saying through prayer, and through reading the scriptures, and going to church. We read in alma 32 when alma tells the zoramites to be of good comfort because they can worship God in any moment, not just once a week. My thoughts were very interesting, and I Commented that the manner in which we live our lives reflects our worshipping of God. As in we must keep the commandments, and do all we can each day to live according to His will. That is how we can honestly worship. Food for thought. :)

Your Favorite Missionary in So. Cal.!

Elder Weston Scott

[Mason] Hello, Hello, My freaky deaky friends of the West...or wherever you maybe residing currently

Ok so to start off with the apartment situation...we should be moving anytime between now and the end of the month, due to the fact that we have no heat, and when I say we have no heat, there is a story.  Thursday morning, we woke up in our apartment, cold as usual, but this time, it was a bit different, we looked over at the thermostat, and it read 59.2 degrees......it was freezing, we died...  I got out of bed, because I'm the only one that does on time, and I began to work out, and so I was fine.....but everyone else stayed in bed....it was terrible, but normal, due to the laziness of those in my apartment. One of them is under the impression that 10 push ups is actually a workout, and so he brags to everyone that only himself and I work out....but so be it.

This week's DM (District Meeting) was great, and I have been trying to find ways make them more productive, special and powerful, and spiritual.  So the week prior, I had made a promise to the district that if they get up at 6:30 and workout every day, then I would give them a candy bar......I only gave out 3 to those who did it, but I planned on giving them to everyone, it was an object lesson, I got very annoyed during it, due to the aforementioned Elder but its whatever at this point. This week, I gave the training on "teach when you find, and find when you teach", and the whole district walked away with the whole concept understood finally....so it was great to know that Heavenly Father really helped me teach.  It was a fantastic day on Friday.

Sister Guzman snapped photos of me at the Dia de Accion de Gracias party...[thanksgiving party] and she is like Elder Scott, Give me your mom's number, and I'm like um....and then President Fuentes came over and says, "here you go".....somehow he saved your number from when he sent you the pics 6 months ago...it was insane.....these members are the best people in the world....if I ever come back to live, I will be near there so I can attend this branch...I dont care how far.

Um So this week we have the good ol fashion Turkey Bowl....and I will be playing in East Boston, with a bunch of people.....it will be sweet.  I'm stoked to toss around the old pigskin, eh...

Um this week was week 11 in the training for missionaries,...and so my companion took charge of everything....and I basically acted like a greenie.....except in lessons.  He figured some of it out....but, I think he now understands how much I do, and that he does need me more than he thinks....because he is under the impression that he does all the work. ...but its all good now, I think. 

Oh, please don't send anything to me for a few weeks, I suppose, because I may be moving twice due to apartments and transfers...so we will see.

This morning, I woke up and weighed myself, expecting the worst, and I was way wrong.....I'm sitting at 232...and dropping again.....woohoo....working out pays off more than ya'll think. um....this whole sugar thing is terrible, but it works for those losing weight.....

For P-day, we went to this Masonic Lodge in Boston, one of the main ones in the world, and an investigator gave us a tour....it was sweet. we get to go back, due to the fact that there are 2 or 3  1st edition copies of the BOM there sitting the Library that was locked when we went.  So we get to see them.....Masons and Mormons.....its weird...oh right I am a Mason and a Mormon. hahahaha

Recently I have come to find that Patience is a virtue that I really struggle with.  I have no "release" in terms of anger....or frustrations because there is no rugby...nor thing of the sort to vent.....and so when things happen, my coolant in my body overflows much easier....and it is terrible, I hate it because it makes everyone get scared of me....my temper is so much worse it seems like. and the more i pray for patience and the ability to let things be what they are and not worry about it, God blesses me with harder and worse trials....and it is almost funny.  I just want to laugh. because God knows I know that I have that little problem,and I know that I don't have to blow up, but its so natural...and so easy to ....ugh...its terrible.  But I have found that there are only a few things that control it. 

a) Prayer

b) Scriptures

c) not my companion

I guess its between me and the Lord right?... Our trials we have are always personal and they are given to help us learn something.  If we don't seek for the learning in our trials...it will not go away. that is God's Purpose in giving us these challenges. He knows we can get through it, and when we will get through it. and he expects us to figure out for ourselves what we need to learn and what kind of growth can come from this.

Love you all, 

Elder Scott

[Mason] La hora esta ya para recibir mi correo electronico

Ok y'all

Sorry I kept some of you waiting, I had interviews yesterday with the Man, the myth, the legend, President Packard. It was fantastic. I asked some questions about what I can do to help the district me more focused on how obedience brings blessings. He simply responded with, Elder Scott, I can see you are trying to be 100% obedient. Everyone will see that and will change. He proceeded to read Alma 37:6-7,41 with me, and it was sweet.  I also asked about how I can help some investigators.

This week, we had some great times, and some exchanges took place.  I went to Cambridge this time with Elder Wharton, (Weston's companion from the MTC), and we spent a day having some fun teaching the Gospel and speaking in Spanish.  It was pretty good stuff.

Let me see, I got the hint from President Packard that I will be staying in Lynn to hit up my 7th transfer in a few weeks.

Let me see things I studied this week have little to none importance compared to what happened on Saturday Morning, and I will explain that later in my email.

Santos is getting baptized on the 28th of November, so next Friday.....it's sweet, and I'm so excited.  This guy is literally one of the reasons I needed to come on a mission. He is LEGIT

District meeting this week was great....and I had to literally change how everything is going to work.  President Packard a few months ago told us districts who meet in the same building, to hold opening exercises together like a zone meeting, and then split off for the rest of DM...I'm losing my mind with it.  I'm the only one who plans for the DM.,on my knees I might add, and everybody shows up in the other district like 30 minutes late. we are supposed to be there by 1045, not 1115.....we need to start on time....So I got permission from President, and this Friday, my district is starting at 11, and maybe even at 1045 if they are all present.  Also reverence has been a big issue.  I want ot have fun, no problem, but there is a time and a place for that, and in DM, during counseling or the training, thats not the time....so we are going to be working on it.  All I am trying to do is help this district to be the best one in the zone/mission, be it obedience, reverence, be it work load, be it business....everything.  But I have to remember, that I am the oldest in the district, other than 1 sister, and most of these missionaries just graduated high school.  My district has 6 18yr olds....who have never dealt with meetings like this before....so it's  a bit of a learning experience, on both ends.

This weekend I will be singing in a duet with another Elder, and its quite possible that I will be singing at the Christmas Concert in December.

So what happened on Saturday, was that I was reading in 3rd Nephi, and I came to the section found in I believe chapter 17, where Christ is about to leave, but he had Compassion on the people and blesses them all,and upon reading this section, this passage of scripture, I had a question. "What does Christ mean by my bowels are filled with Compassion towards you?" and I knelt down in prayer to know...and it may seem like such an easy question, but I would ask you then, "How could you be filled with the compassion he had?"...let me tell you, that the spirit hit me so strong, and now I know what that passage of scripture means and it is very sacred to me now.  Because in the instant of feeling the spirit unrestrained in me, my testimony went from me knowing that Christ is my Savior and Redeemer, to I know and I don't have to even see Christ to know.  I solemnly proclaim that my testimony is that Christ is our Savior and that He lived, that He died, and that He Lives today, and that He stands at the head of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and That He Is God's Son, The Ultimate Gift Given To The Earth, By Which All Man May Be Saved. I leave my special witness of Christ this morning for all to understand and feel for themselves, and the invitation is there, to seek Him out, for it is Truth, that if you ask with a sincere heart and real intent, the spirit will manifest the truth of it unto you.

Remember, that "If any of ye Lack Wisdom, Let Him Ask of God"

Elder Scott

Pics:

#1) Me and Elder Wharton

#2) and the a true Boston Parking job done by yours truly...fit enough for a credit card....and due to the business of the one-way, Vizcardo couldn't help.. .so I shall be prideful here and declare that eu sou o melhor [Portuguese for I am the best!]

[Weston] Anaheim Weekly November 17, 2014

Hello Everyone!

So, to start off, I want to apologize for such a lame letter I wrote last week. Right? It was terrible. I am so sorry! To be honest when we skip P-day originally, I cannot remember what happened the week prior. There is a reason we need to write the same day each week. Anywho, last week I had an interview with President Taggart which was really great for me. We talked about my companionship and how it was going,many basically about how I do not know exactly what to do to improve it. He basically said he said I can't by myself, he said the lot falls upon my companion to change his attitude. So that was interesting. 

I had the opportunity to exchange with a good Peruvian friend of mine named Elder Quito. He and I will end our missions together. Yippee! Haha, anyways, we extended a baptismal date for the 21 of December! It will totally happen! Let's see, it was just an overall excellent time to spend with him, he has been struggling a bit with his companion, so I was able to offer some help and advice. 

Let's see, I had a doctor's appointment for my shoulders this past Friday, and it was basically no help to me because they cannot do much until I return home after the mission, but I guess I am being sent to a physical therapy place to see what they can do. Fun!

Let's see, we got to perform service on Saturday morning by cleaning our chapel, because nobody would from the ward haha. It was funny, we then spent time cleaning the Bishop's offices. It was awesome. Haha. So much confidential stuff that he didn't care if we saw. Cool haha. 

On Sunday we had church, and during Sacrament meeting, Hermana Corona who is a returned missionary spoke. She spoke spoke specifically on the difference between having a testimony and being converted. It was awesome! She recently came back to church about 5 months ago after being inactive for over 5 years. She did incredible. It was so powerful, it reminded me of the talk I gave a few months ago on the same topic. 

Testimony versus conversion? Well, conversion is the result of acting with your testimony. :) it was a pretty good half week. Haha. Anyways. Thanks for the support! :) #I'mdreamingofawhitechristmas!

Your favorite Missionary in So. Cal.!

Elder Weston Scott

[Weston] Anaheim Weekly November 12, 2014

Hello Everyone!

It has been a long time! Did you all miss me? That is what I like to hear! So this past week and a half have gone super well! Not too much to share though!

So last week we had an awesome family night with the Terán family, and we got of our recent  converts there! It was super great! I was asked to recite the First Vision. It was so spiritual, I don't think I have shared it as spiritual as well. It was quite amazing. We also met this new family in our ward who are becoming active again, they are so cool! I have never worked with a family that has so much desire to return to the Gospel. They have so many problems, but have so much faith.

This past week we had a district leader meeting, and so I got to go and learn from President Taggart. It was intense. I have a lot of stuff to do that is added upon my other duties. Woohoo! We had a sweet service project this past week as well, all of the Spanish missionaries were recruited to set up this huge cultural event. We worked way faster than they expected, and so we did so many random things that they could think of because we ran out of work! Missionary power! So this week Elder Cardon (General Authority) came and toured our mission. We ended up having a zone conference with him in which we learned a lot about following the spirit. It was super great!

I also participated in a missionary choir we made for a devotional that Elder Cardon spoke at. This is letter is pretty short, I know, I apologize. Yesterday we went and visited one of our investigators, Eric, who is part of a part-member family. It was a blessing that literally changed his life. I am so excited for him. Success is on its way that is for sure. Eric has struggled forever with the Word of Wisdom, and this week he finally hit a stumbling block with it and realized what it is doing do him and his family. 

Anyways, I am still working hard! I am still living and loving the mission! I love you all!

Your favorite missionary,

Elder Weston Scott

[Mason] Good morning from the East

Wow...so many things have happened this last week, which includes some exchanges, some emergency exchanges, some good eating, and a New Baptsimal Commitment, oh and some good exercise and hope...

Ok so I went on exchanges to Lynnfield with My Zone Leader and Dear friend Elder MacJanet and boy was it a blast.  We gave a devotional about the Restoration at a Campout in Salem on Friday night to start them off.  It was Fantastic! We worked out a bunch though.  Friday night before bed and Saturday morning we got up early...We did some Bi's and Tri's and then some chest...man it was exhausting. We have come to some new knowledge about building more muscle that is stronger and it is intense and it hurts so good.....so there is hope because I'm still one of the strongest in the Zone so...theres hope....hehe

Ok emergency exchanges happened for two reasones, but the elders with whom we exchanged only know one.  I will not elaborate, but boy is it hard to help to complete opposites work together in unison.  Also there was a baby blessing that I was asked to participate in and so we had to split because it was in another ward in revere, not Lynn. Funny story....the baby's butt was in my hand.....and he totally ripped butt into my hand.....it was nasty....

ok so The food is just good, I thought it was time to mention it

um Santos' date is now the 30th of November and it was a sweet lesson.

Um so for the week,a spiritual thought is that I have been really thinking at how the Lord really does prepare a way for us to accomplish that which he has asked us to do.  1 Nephi 3:7 is a clear scripture that has always made sense but now I have meaning behind it. I have never had to fix situations before or had to be the guy who everyone looks up to to fix everything...or he who is in charge.....nor do I feel like I could be that guy...but the Lord has helped me to be able to step away from Elder scott, and become the Leader.....The Lord filled me with Words and with solutions and answers and I never thought that I would have been able to fix anything, but I trust in the Lord and I am doing what he askes of me.  So he fulfills his promise...

So I know that that the Lord will prepare a way for us. Because that is what the Gospel is all About....a way for us to return home. If you cant believe me, or don't believe me, or are a little doubtful, I challenge you to Read the Book of Mormon, EL Libro De Mormon, o livro de mormon, or which ever language you are comfortable with, and you will find that Nephi does not lie. That God and Jesus Christ Live, and as they live thus will the Promise be that they will prepare the way for us.  They Love us more than how good chocolate tastes....they love us infinitely more than A mother could love her child, and with this love, they prepare the Path. remember that we have to put in our part though....

I know the Gospel is true and on the earth and that we all, as sons and daughters of God, will return back to him if we do as he says.

Have a great week, and have some fun, because fun is fun.  It wont beat the fun I'm having, but you can try.

Elder Scott

[Weston] Anaheim Weekly November 3, 2014

Hello!

This week was an interesting one haha. It was pretty great. My companion and I are doing great together now. Quite honestly I do not know what changed. Anyways, this week we had a lot of this that happened that caused us to lose time to work! On Tuesday there was a going away party for a senior couple that worked in the office, the Wades, and they will be missed. Everything seems to be changing in the mission, both bad and good changes. On a side tangent, there has been so much disobedience in the mission since we had a change of mission president, which is absolutely terrible. I can be 100% honest as well that it is not in the Spanish program. I know every single missionary in the Spanish program in my mission, and everyone is incredibly obedient, and it is so awesome and inspiring for me to always to my best and live the missionary standards. But anyways, it has been kind of ridiculous with the lack of obedience and respect for the mission President. President Taggart changed gears, and is now not going to put up with anything.  He has sent several Elders and Sisters home recently. 

Anyways, we had a super powerful Zone Meeting this past week,many we learned all about the Spirit and relying on him, receiving personal revelation, and recognizing the spirit. It was so powerful. I will attach the outline I received from the zone leaders. You all should check it out! :) We had exchanges on Thursday, and I went with my best friend out here, Elder Maughan. It was super great, I have such a great respect for this Elder, and we got some serious work done. My enthusiasm and excitement for the work has been recharged again and I love everything! :) I love exchanges like that. On Friday we had a 12-week follow-up meeting to review his training his going, and we watched this super spiritual video about the atonement. 

For Halloween we ate with a member and then we went to out bishop's house so that we could prepare for the Ward Activity that we were throwing the following day. On Saturday we set up the entire gym with tons of different activities, including a pumpkin pie walk and there was a bounce castle for the kids. It was super fun. I ran a donut station, so of course you can tell me how that went ;). It was great!

We had two investigators come to sacrament meeting this week, and we also finally got a baptismal date, but the guy is all talk and no action, so I am worried about him, his name is Mario. Sunday night we ate dinner with our Bishop's family. I got to wash all of the dishes! It was glorious! Haha Elder Quito and I washed together and we were doing hymns the whole time. It was fun.  

Anyways this week was great. Thanks for the support. Keep up the good work!

Your favorite missionary in So. Cal.!

Elder Weston Scott

1) Zone training
outline

2) Andrew, and I am wearing his Halloween mask. Looking good eh?

[Mason] Wow.....P-day nightmare.

Pues para empezar....well to start, we decided to do p-day a little different. we went ahead and shopped, Cut the good ol' hair, and then played some soccer for a few hours and then we went to a Brazilian Steak house and now we are here.   The nightmare comes to us in the rare form of stupidity brought to us by the people at the Brazilian Steak house.  We told them to charge us 16 missionaries separately.  We get to paying, and they can only accept  6 cards....what why.....they put us all on the same bill and the bill can only take 6 cards.....now the manager is mad.  OK nobody has cash...so I'm just like, get me cash asap, but I will pay now, so we can leave.  I pay, and it is $100.00, and we are like, what? why so much?....there are 6 of us, which would be 75......and the guy is like, well you guys should have paid separately, and we were like, excuse me, you can't do that.  So I was charged too much, which got fixed when Elder Arouja paid the difference.....but these guys wouldn't give us the money....so he went off in portuguese on these guys, and we ended up just walking out.  We can't have contention....not right now...

So this week was interestingly freaky....just so you know...don't be near Salem near Halloween, it is spooky...and there are a bunch of idiots....in terms of wearing all black and jumping out in front of cars at night time......ugh...guys....do you want to die?, hello? think about it....living or not?...ugh

Ummm also this week, we had a mission conference in Weston....that is the town name....and Elder Lawrence came, he is a 70, and he taught us of our lineage and about consecration and the gathering of scattered Israel.  Normally, when he does mission tours, he ends up speaking about obedience, and he didn't here.  He then said over the pulpit...."I know exactly what Elder Holland was talking about a few months ago, this mission is the best mission I have seen in a long time....you guys have a real chance at getting to the next level...in fact you are the closest I have seen....it was sweet!"

Let me see here...in the mission, we set a goal of baptizing 70 people in the month of November as a mission total....historically, the Massachusetts Boston Mission has never baptized more than 59 in a month.  So we set this goal and currently we have 110 dates set for the month. OK here is the catch.  In order for us to accomplish this goal, we have all, as missionaries, and some members, decided to sacrifice something in our personal lives, such as 30 minutes of sleep every day for this month, or candy, or sugar, or things of the sort.  Something that is important to us, that we enjoy and love, but are willing to do without to show our Heavenly Father that we want this Goal....its a sacrifice for more Blessing.   So, if you want to help out, you are invited to.  Pray about what it is that you could give up for a month to support the goal over here.  It is a stretch, that WILL HAPPEN. WE WILL DO IT.  There are no doubts over here.  In all of our prayers, public and Private, we are praying for this as well.....

IM SO PUMPED TO DO THIS.

We had a zone meeting this week, and I had to help the ZL's in motivating the Zone and helping the Zone to create a Zone Sacrifice as well. AND i realize now that for some reason, I like motivating people......its something that lets me be fun and energetic and lead....its sweet.

Let me see here.....we don't have heat in our apartment...so we are living at 64 degrees....It isn't too pleasant...but we found out today that we are moving either this week or next week...so yippee. We will be getting a gym near our new place...and so I'm pumped for that as well.

Something cool that we learned as part of the mission conf. was that the reason people are most likely interested in the message we share is because they have what Sister Lawrence calls "Believing Blood".  What that means is that they are most likely Descendants of Abraham and with that they are naturally inclined to heed to the message and precepts taught because they are from that blood line.  They are the chosen people of the Lord, literally.  Those of us who are Descendants of Abraham, or of the covenant people, we are more inclined to like it.....food for thought....and I encourage all who don't really know too much about their lineage, to study it and understand their role in the building of Zion on the Earth today.

Well love you, and have a great week.

Elder Scott

pic1...so i had an itchy back....and i grabbed what was closest, and i thought i grabbed a closed pen and use the back of it. turns out it was wrong....way wrong....completely and 100% wrong. but it sure did feel good at the time before realizing it...we got the stain out though....so no worries.

[Weston] Anaheim Weekly October 27, 2014

Hey Guys!

So this past week was very interesting, for the most part. We taught a few lessons, and we are trying hard to teach stronger and more powerful lessons. Something I have found, is that when you have a new companion that does not speak much Spanish, he can accuse you of just chatting during a lesson, or during a dinner appointment. Not so. It has been a severe struggle this week, more that others. I cannot explain over email how overwhelmed and stressed I feel. I have been called to train Elder Fonnesbeck,for a reason I still know not. I am trying very hard to be patient. This week I dove more into zone Christlike attributes section of Preach My Gospel in order to see what it was that I immediately could do to work on. I read over Patience and humility. Both of which I desperately need and want right now. I am at a road block with knowing what do to with my companion. 

We had district meeting this week, and I had the privilege of teaching! Sometimes I feel like I am literally the worst teacher, but hey, maybe that is not so! This month we have been focusing on teaching for understanding, and diligence, and shorter lessons (basically everything fro, chapter 8 in PMG). I decided to use the notes I had taken from a zone conference in May to create district meeting. I taught about teaching and expounding on everything we teach, explaining scriptures, and asking inspired questions. It seemed to go pretty well. For some reason the AP's came and joined us for our meeting, which does not normally happen. It was interesting. On Thursday I had the opportunity to go on exchanges with Elder Tanner in his area, and spend some time with a former companion. It went well, we talked about everything from our past companionship, and also about what I can do to improve as his District Leader, and what I can do as well as a trainer. 

On Friday night after planned and everything we went out to see Brian our 9 year-old investigator. He was not home, but his grandma Jaquelin who is a recent convert was. We sat and talked with her for a while, just a simple conversation, and we talked about her life, and different things she has gone through. We flat out told her that we never come by to drag people to church (she is less active and a recent convert). We asked her some personal questions, and we testified to her of our role as missionaries, we testified very powerfully as well of church, and the importance of following Christ, and that we must accept him and all He has done. We mentioned that Christ needs to be first in our hearts and in our lives, and that we must put Him over all other things, and trust in Him. The Spirit was incredibly strong, and it really helped me to realize my role again here as a missionary.

I think that the overall lesson I am facing and learning right now, is to trust and rely on the revelation President Taggart received for me to be a District Leader and a Trainer. I sustain my leaders, and so I sustain their actions. It is still hard for me though. I am learning to rely on the Lord, and the decisions He makes for His vineyard. I am just a servant, and I will do what I am asked to do, the best that I can do it. I am here to sacrifice everything, my time, my thoughts, my life for this work. I am starting to understand more about losing myself in this work.

Thanks for everything!

Your Favorite Missionary! :)

Elder Weston Scott

[Mason] Buenos Dias

       This week was legit just so all of you know, and the reason behind it is because of many things, but the main thing is that I have found my absolute favorite story in the Book of Mormon. It is found in the book of Helaman. And it is not Samuel the Lamanite, but instead it is Nephi, son of Helaman. It's a sweet story of defending your faith and being bold and knowing your stuff and trusting in God.

    Anyways, this week was pretty slow it seemed, planning District meeting, making sure that everyone is OK, and helping everyone get motivated. It is hard to be a leader sometimes, because when you love these people so much, you don't want to see them struggle or see them fail of even fall at all, and it happens, and it just kills me. It is hard because I can only do so much, and go on exchanges and stuff, but sometimes it's not enough.  So it's hard to be a leader but it's a blessing, because you learn how to love people more.

I absolutely hate seeing people struggling. I really wish I could help every single person succeed and get through the failures and make them all be super successful. I feel like that is my duty here.  Ever since the first interview with President Packard in the Mission Home, I have felt like a major part of my duty here is to help missionaries know their stuff and know how to do their stuff. I have been striving to do that ever since.  Now that I'm actually called to do that, I feel lost in how I can.  I want the best for everyone here.  I want flourishing areas for all of them, so they never have to feel down, because when a missionary has nothing to do, he or she gets sad and depressed, and it hurts me.  I want to cry sometimes when people say that they don't have anything to do, or when they come home frustrated for reasons that nothing happened that day.  It makes me so sad.  I want to just go in and work work work and find new people and talk to all the members and set them up for life.....but at some point, I realize this now, that they have to fall before they will get picked up. I'm planning on jumping and helping everywhere I can as soon as I can.   Part of this is also in my own companionship.. we have been struggling to get on the same page.  I have desires to work as hard as my body will allow, and even skip all the meals and everything, because I want this message out there. but he takes things at a slower pace, a little more timid pace, and not as much direction in terms of work load and how much we can actually do.  After the last few days of me jumping on the wheel 150% I showed him the true desire of the work we had 10 appts planned for after church yesterday.  The day before that several more.  We were heading towards the goal I have of teaching 32.  This is a milestone for the Lynn area, but also for the whole zone. Now my companion has caught fire of it.

Just  a shout out real quick to my brother.  I read through his email, and he said was talking about a training on keeping appts shorter and getting to the point and establishing our purpose and fulfilling said purpose as missionaries in these appts. and I have been trying to figure out what this district needs.  I know what it is and it is this. So thanks Elder Scott for helping me out.

I'm excited for what is to come in this district, because I have 3 different languages....English, Spanish, and Chinese.....so it is going to be fun when I have to go do interviews in the chinese side....I don't speak that....

I'm sorry for ranting about the previous stuff.  I am just passionate towards the Lord's Work. I can't bear the thought of Wasting the Lord's time anymore. there is not a second that he hasn't given us and so im just thinking out loud over email....

This last week we were able to teach our investigator, Sanchez, about prayer and also about why we read the book of Mormon....and he told us that he read the first ten pages of the book and he knows it is true.  It was sweet. He goes to institute on Fridays, but he can't make it to church yet, he is on fire.

Ummm so if you have any ideas on how to motivate people to want to improve constantly, please respond asap because that where I'm at.  I feel like I need help in learning how to motivate others to be better every second

I'm doing good otherwise, and I love this area.  Everyone is saying that I'm going to stay here through Christmas now,.. I'm hoping so....

I love you all, and have  great week

Elder Scott

[Weston] Anaheim Weekly October 20, 2014

Hello!

This week was so fast! I cannot believe it! My birthday was this past Tuesday for those of you who did not know. I will go over some interesting details of the day. So, we started out by taking my bike to the shop because it was having some issues, and that ended up being almost a hundred dollars in replacement parts, no biggie, and then I went to have a doctors appointment for my shoulders. At the doctors, I was evaluated for my pain in my right shoulder specifically and was given a cortisone shot. That hurt quite a lot! It was not very pleasant for a couple of days because the next day I literally could not  lift my right arm. Fun stuff! We got to have interviews with our Mission President this past Wednesday which was absolutely fantastic! I also got to teach District Meeting and I taught about the importance of teaching shorter lessons. It was pretty good, especially because President is going to try to get me some physical therapy to help me make it through my last year in the mission. Now, is it me or am I always writing home with a new ache or pain each week? Definitely not me right?

Our Ward mission leader Hermano Badillo is now the Bishop of of our ward, and so on Sundays I am the teacher for Gospel Principles. Kind of fun? Haha not. However, I speak Spanish way more fluently than I have ever given myself credit for! It is really cool to see that I can have a full on detailed conversation just about anything now! It is truly a blessing! Specifically I taught about talents, and the importance of developing our talents. I enjoyed the topic, but I only had ten minutes to prepare to teach the lesson. This week Elder Fonnesbeck and I got to do some actual knocking which turned out very well. We had an hour and a half, and we taught three lessons and got three new investigators in that time period. It was pretty great! 

Towards the end of the week, my companionship hit a rough spot, rougher than I have ever had on my mission, and we straightened it out completely on Saturday Evening. I have realized what it takes to truly be an effective leader, and I am trying to change the methods I was using beforehand. Everything is going smoothly now!

Thank you so much for all of the birthday wishes! I truly appreciate it! I can feel the support and love from you all sustaining me out here. Thank you!

Your favorite Elder in So. Cal.

Elder Weston Scott

1) Mine and Hermana Trujillo's birthday party! (And cake) she invited me over to share our birthday together.

2) the cake I made for my birthday. It came out super well!