[Mason] Rain storm or Tornado....?

OK so today was a very interesting day.  It started off with us waking up and doing the usual routine.  Then at about 10, we were getting ready to head out of the apartment, and then the sisters never came.......... and we hear this rain storm hit...we were like woah.....but that was it...it only lasted like 15 minutes or so...but then we called the sisters, and we were like "where are you?, its just a little rain", but it turns out that they were just dodged by the tornado.....their neighbors were all hit, but them....wow....a whole gas station is pretty much gone.....not the pumps, just the building. 

Many many many trees are gone. We went ahead and put on some service clothing and headed out to help people, and by that time we were called to come help a Spanish member in the revere 1st ward, and so we headed over there with the whole zone, and I tell you, it was fun.  I got to show off my rugby skills....in terms of strength, and whatnot...it was funny and fun. as we were finishing, we were told that another tornado was going to hit at like 3pm, and so we were like, um crap because it was 1:45pm, and we just finished....and we were no wear near our homes or the chapel...so we all, as a zone, prayed to know what to do....and then we all left. good call, because we had this great walk to the sisters home to grab there cars, and then off to the chapel we went.....

im totally kidding about the strength thing btw. 

so this week was weird we had several major things happen.

1) We went to the aquarium on Monday last week...it was so fun...almost got bit by a shark i did.

2) We moved the zone leaders, and had a mission president approved sleep over for 3 nights....

3) We cleaned out 2 apartments during those days

4) All Day, Zone conference, with a trip to FIVE GUYS AFTERWARDS!!!

5) Transfer Text...my companion and i are staying, and so we are happy

6) Getting our car back

7) I out lifted our whole zone on bench press, and somehow im getting stronger....pushups are much more effective than we think guys, the next closest was 60 pounds away..... I put up 245 twice....it was amazingly heavier than anything else I've ever lifted....wowsers

8) I have a bruised shoulder....dumb trees are the trees that are really heavy and don't like to move

9) We will still be using bikes this next transfer, because they are so much fun. (with the Car)

10)  I have another chance to give a training this week in District Meeting. and every time I'm asked, they always ask me to include, as a 1/4 or 1/3 of the training, a motivator.  I guess that the missionaries who know me see me as highly motivated, but I think I'm pretty normal. They always ask me to please inspire the missionaries in the district to work harder and I am beginning to see that they must think I'm a good motivational speaker or something.  It is pretty fun though...anyways this week's training is on our missions five priorities, 

1) Working with progressing investigators

2) Working ward leaders

3) Working with members

4) Giving meaningful service

5) Personal contacting

And because we are going to have a new missionary here in the district, it will be good to teach him how we plan towards these.  I was reading in Alma 5 the past few days, and I found that this chapter, though it is mainly about repentance, but somehow, the spirit made it click.  One thing that Elder Fischbeck, my district leader, wants me to discuss is how we can be more effective while focusing on these priorities, and I found that we all need to repent, or change to make sure that we are all making sure that there are no gaps in our day.  I'm excited to give this training, and (BTW: it makes more sense to me in my head right now, but it will be great,  I believe that the spirit will help me help the missionaries in my district)

So in Zone Conference, we were all taught be the One and only, President Clayton Christensen, the same guy who wrote the POWER OF EVERY DAY MISSIONARIES, and the same guy who is my mission president's 1st counselor.  He taught us about Moroni's Promise, and yes we all know about that but there is another aspect of it that many of us do not really know of.  Now if we read verse 3, it tells us that when we read these things, we must remember the mercy of our Lord and ponder what we read....then it says we ask with a sincere heart and real intent....and then we will receive through the Holy Ghost.  President Christensen taught us that before we pray, we must ponder what it is we are praying for, the things we are grateful for.  The Spirit guides our prayers, but he also guides our thoughts and what we will ask as well.   Now part of pondering is having a sincere heart and real intent. 

4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ^aask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not ^btrue; and if ye shall ask with a ^csincere heart, with ^dreal intent, having ^efaith in Christ, he will ^fmanifest the ^gtruthof it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

Now this says that when we ask we have a sincere heart and we are asking with real intent, so that we can really know, but we cant get to that point all at once. we have to prepare to have a sincere heart and to have real intent. He hinted to something very key. our level of gratitude is equally proportionate to our level of sincerity and humility, thus as we become more grateful, we become more sincere and humble. Also  he pointed out that our real intent, or our desire to know or to receive something is there, and the reason why. think of King Lamoni, he wanted to know God, and if there is a God, and he said that he would give up all of his sins to Him. Through this example we see real intent, he wanted to know for a reason. often we pray for things such as help to overcome a trial, or for the Gift of tongues (missionaries often) or algo asi (something like that) and we cant just pray.  We need to identify what it is we want or sometimes we just have a question we need answered, so we must go to the scriptures. The door into our scriptures is our questions. we then search them, and i might add vigorously, and then we ponder what we read, and think about it and remember it. we must think>>>>thoughts come before words, right? we then need to bow down to our father in Heaven, with a desire of why we need this thing. gift of tongues, "so that I can better serve thy children in there native language, strength so that i can see why I have this trial, if this book is thy word, so that I can truly come unto thee".  Our will must be so that we are not doing it for ourselves only. obviously there are circumstances where it comes to us first, just like when we make covenants with our father in heaven first though ordinances. but after us, we help everyone else.  God gives us things not to help ourselves only, but so that though that thing, whatever it may be, I can help His children learn more of Him and come closer to Him, even if it is a very small fraction of a step closer to Him, it is still closer, and God will bless us ten-fold when we can realize that all we have is from God, for all of His children. A smile one day is granted from God, because he help us be happy, and that smile can honestly help somebody prevent some a problem later that day...who knows.  Recognize your talents and gifts and share them always.  Read, Ponder with Sincerity and with the intent of doing something with it, and the ASK.  I promise you that if you stop being selfish for more than one second, you will see others though a new window.  You will truly find an increase of the Spirit in your life, no matter who  you are.

So I love it here, as I always say, and sometimes I'm weird. Who cares?

Elder Scott

I will send some pictures next week, sorry

[Weston] Anaheim Weekly July 28, 2014

Hello!

This week was pretty lame! Well, not really, but not a whole lot happened because on Wednesday I got a laser surgery done on my right foot! Crazy! Unfortunately I have not been able to walk very well since then. Dang. I did not work Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, or much of Saturday. Thank goodness that I am a Facebook Missionary, because that basically saved us this week! We have been killing it with Facebook lately! It is so incredibly exciting! I am teaching this one man named Gilberto, who literally talks to me every day. I have been teaching him the Restoration for quite a while, and he is just absorbing it all, and really enjoys everything we talk about! I love being an online proselyting missionary!

I mentioned earlier that this week was a bit lame, on Monday and Tuesday we visited several people, but nobody was home unfortunately. Dang! But The laser surgery was pretty darn cool on Wednesday. Elder Etchart my District Leader came with me to my appointment, and while we were there we got pizza and everything from Doctor (Bishop) Lords. It was pretty cool.

But the surgery lasted about an our and a half, and man, that was not a fun experience. I will not go into depth, but it was very unpleasant.

OUCH !

We unfortunately have transfers today. Once again my companion that I like and get along with is leaving. Why!? It is so annoying! But my new companion is pretty awesome! His name is Elder Orozco. He was born in Mexico and when he had fourteen years he came to the United States, and lived in Alpine Utah. He has a small accent when he speaks English, but I am so excited because he is a native speaker! Spanish here I come! This is going to be great! Especially with this transfer being an 8-week instead 6, I will have two extra weeks at least with my new companion. I am very excited!

Transfers were absolutely crazy! Oh my gosh! We had 5 new district leaders called, and at the same time they were all called to train. Four of them are white-washing areas as well. 3 of them are 1-3 transfers behind me! Haha. Crazy!

Orozco

Anyways, I am super excited for this time I have with my new companion! Something super interesting I found out this week is that Pinesol works like bleach. If you look on the bottle, it gives directions how to use it with your laundry. Awesome! I tried it yesterday, it worked wonderfully! I have some brilliant whites now!

There is not much else for the week to report on! Thanks for the support and help with everything!

Your favorite missionary in So. Cal!

Elder Weston Scott

[Weston] Anaheim Weekly July 21, 2014

Hey Everyone!

It has only been a few days since I last emailed due to the fact that I went to the Newport Temple last Wednesday, but all is well. These past few day have been fairly normal. This past Thursday we had a very powerful District Meeting. My District Leader named Elder Etchart, who is a former companion, taught about the Plan of Salvation, which was fantastic! We talked about the importance of the Plan of Salvation for quite some while, working through and sharing our different thoughts about the Plan of Salvation. One thing that I have never realized or ever thought too much about is about how great this message is. Where we came from, why are we here, and where we are going. Three questions. Three simple truths. Three pieces of knowledge that help us all find out true identity in this life. Our Heavenly Father is so incredible, for giving us the chance to come here to the Earth and learn the truth about all these things. As a missionary, I have the privilege of studying the Missionary Manual known as Preach My Gospel. Through studying this manual, I have come to the know the truth about my purpose here.

"And this is the manner after which they were ordained--being called and prepared from the foundation of the world according to the foreknowledge of God, on account of their exceeding faith and good works; in the first place being left to choose good or evil; therefore they having chosen good, and exercising exceedingly great faith, are called with a holy calling, yea, with that holy calling which was prepared with, and according to, a preparatory redemption for such." This is Alma 13:3. We conversed about this scripture in our District Meeting for a while. We all chose good in the beginning. Being here on the Earth is evidence of that. We all had exceeding Faith before this life, that is why we are here. A humbling experience I had last week was teaching this doctrine, The Plan of Salvation, to our investigator named Axel. Elder Silvester and I explained to him all about this road map that our Heavenly Father created for us. It was a great feeling as we walked away, knowing and realizing that we told that young man who he really is, and who he will become.

Realizing more about the Plan of Salvation, it helps me think more about the choices we make in our lives. If we truly understand and know the doctrine and principles found within the Plan of Salvation, we would be able to see more what really is important in our lives. During one of our Companionship Studies this week, Elder Silvester brought up the simple point, that the Mission, is the closest thing to real life that I will ever get. I realized at that moment, that the things we do in this life that are not related to the Gospel will have literally no importance after we die. The only thing that will last and that is of Eternal Importance is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Incredible thoughts for me this week.

Anyways, being a Facebook Proselyting missionary this week really was quite exciting! Elder Silvester and I received training (basic training redone) last Monday, and so we have been putting into practice everything little tip and principle that they taught. We taught 6 lessons on Facebook this week. Three new people to teach as well! It was awesome! I finally feel like the efforts that I have put into Facebook in the past are finally beginning to pay off. I think I finally know and understand what I am to do as an online proselyting missionary. Exciting!

I started over my reading in the Book of Mormon again, and I am reading it all my focus in Spanish. My reading and writing comprehension skills have really come along, and it is so incredible! I am literally understanding everything that I read! (Okay, minus the Isaiah chapters ..) But literally I have been reading so much! It is so cool, I have totally seen my Spanish increase over the past week just from focusing and reading. I do my studies for the most part in Spanish, I am working hard to speak more Spanish each day. It seems to be going very well!

My brother talked about the connection of endurance and patience last week, and I thought I might add my own thoughts. I was listening to a talk by Dieter F. Uchtdorf the other day, and he talk all about patience. "Patience" he said "is not only the ability to endure, but the attribute of enduring well." I thought I developed more patience our here on my mission, but looking to the advice that President Ucthdorf gives, I am not patient at all. It has to do with our attitudes! Happily enduring is patience. Just something cool that I liked.

There is a little bit of news I have for you all.... I found out last week, that this upcoming transfer that my mission is having is going to be two weeks longer than the norm. We are having an eight week transfer so that our missionary time periods mission wide can become more standardized. What does this mean? Well my mission is the only one doing this. Meaning that I will return home two weeks after my brother. Not too fun. But hey, maybe I can hold serving a longer mission over him for a while! Thanks for all the support! Have a fantastic week!

Your Favorite Missionary in So. Cal!

Elder Weston Scott  This is a picture from a few p-days ago.

[Mason] Just another week in Paradise

Ok, so this week was pretty fun, especially yesterday.

I was given the opportunity to confirm William a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and give him the Holy Ghost and it was awesome. I felt weird the whole day, almost like nervous but like after the blessing, I felt like spiritually exhausted... it was an  interesting day.

Um lets see, we had exchanges this week, so I left the area this time, and I went with the zone leaders, to an English area. and boy do I enjoy Spanish, the food is just so much better.  I met this family, the mom is a new convert, but they have two twin boys, named Marcus and Gabrielle, and they are the exact image of me and Weston....so cute, and the best ever.  I couldn't snag a pic though.  I was with Elder Tait again, and he is the best guy ever.  Such a hard worker, and an example in the zone and is worthy of the title True disciple of Jesus Christ, I love the guy so much. 

Near the end of exchanges, we met up with Pennington and Elder Calvert, my other Zone Leader, and we ended up helping a guy move for 2 hours....2nd/3rd floor move....and we were all sore....it was a nightmare.   There was one moment when we had to carry up this  book shelf up the back stairwell....picture the movie National treasure...., and only one of us could go up it at a time....so only one could carry it up....nobody else could pick the darn thing up for long enough, except for me....ugh...scariest moment of my life.....and then the door at the top was impossible to get to, and so I'm waiting there for what seemed like an hour, but more like 1 mintue, while elder Calvert sprints up the stairs to unlock and open the door...........ugh.

btw...Elder Calvert is Kalanis Cousin........Related to Bro. Enos,....how chill is that.  We know a lot of the same people back home in the big CO.

Thursday, an appointment fell through, so we decided that it was time to get Elder Pennington's brakes fixed, so we head to a members car garage, where he said he could fix it, but in reality all he did was make it tighter,,...so now it drags on his wheel even more...so now he has to pedal while going down hill.............so later that day, we are on our way to Elpidio's house to have a family night with him and his family, and its about 13 minutes from the church by bike.....we get about half way there....and we both hear.....pshhhhhhhh.....and at that time we were riding next to a factory, where we thought the sound was coming from.....turns out it was from my bike.....and about .2 seconds later, I'm sinking to the ground, as my bike tires air depletes 100%........ugh.....and it was the rear tire. so we call Elpidio and tell him we will be a little late....and he tells us he can't meet......really, no way.....well ok, now we can get to the bike shop, it closes at 730, if we walk from here, we should make it.....we pass the chapel....we decide to stop in and check....oh great, it closes at 7....crud...so we called a member...and got the bike in his jeep, and then got there on time....bike gets fixed....new tube...new tire....slight tune up on derailleur.....supposed to cost $100, but the guy said he'd do it for $35...really....thank you so much....btw, my tire had a whole the size of a quarter....it was pinched some how....ugh

So out of all of this we found a massive stain on my short sleeve white shirt....massive grease stain...and bleach didn't take it out.... I soaked it in bleach, ....alot of bleach...and scrubbed....ruined shirt.  Also previously in the week, the same member helped us and we were in his car...and there is the same stain on the other shoulder that didn't come out. now....I conclude that their car ruined two of my nice white short sleeve summer shirts, of which I only have three left....and there is nothing but rain or heat here...or both.

So what else happened this week....um cant think of anything else....but lots of laughter and it was just overall good fun.  We cleaned out an apartment, the one where I stayed for exchanges,....ugh gross....so gross and words of wisdom....don't forget to cap the milk jugs when they are empty, because when the heat and humidity get to it, it smells like a dead animal...and you can't breath.

This week, I learned about how to adapt my teaching skills, and so I studied Ammon and Aaron, and how they adapted in there teaching.  They both started out teaching about God as we do in the restoration, but then they go to the plan of salvation and it converts them on the spot.  To me, thinking about the messages we share as missionaries, each one is so important, and although the Restoration is the unique message we share and it is by far super important, the plan of salvation is a message that all families, and all humans need to hear as well, sometimes first, because it is so important.  I have a testimony of the plan of salvation changing peoples lives. the restoration is so important, because it lays the foundation for the rest of the messages we teach.  I love teaching the Gospel.  It is by far, my most favorite thing to do on the mission. Teach. My challenge to you is to figure out how you can adapt the ways you share the  gospel, so that no matter what, the spirit is there and there is a truth taught.

On my exchange with Elder Tait, we talked with a guy who was trying to deny Christ, and deny the church and negate everything that we believed, and we had only said hello how are you.  He then asked a question after all he said, that if we could still believe that Joseph Smith is a Prophet, and how we could possibly follow him (he bashed Joseph Smith in his opening argument) and as I was opening my mouth, I felt like I should not say a word, but let elder Tait speak.  Elder Tait, calmly, opens his mouth, and says, "sir, nothing on this world, could make me deny what I know is true. I know that Joseph smith was a Prophet, and that through him the Church of My Savior, Jesus Christ, was restored, and I know that the Book of Mormon is truly the word of God. Sir, I'm sorry, you feel this way, but I will not change my opinion."

We talked for a little longer after, but this man, couldn't say anything back....he couldn't bash anymore, it was as if the spirit was just making this man unable to say anything logical back to us. We didn't want to fight, of argue, or anything. but we simply want to invite.  Through our testimonies, we can invite, because people will feel the spirit tell them something.  For this man, it was, maybe, to not deny what we know is truth, and so I testify, that by inviting others to come unto Christ, we defend our faith and our testimonies will ever more strengthen and I hope that all of us can be brave enough to be a true disciple of Christ.  If you don't know how, I challenge you to do so.

I love the work out here.

Elder Mason R Scott

This morning in the Apartment....relaxing......ahhhh.....no more pics sorry.

[Weston] Anaheim Weekly July 16, 2014

Hello!

Well, I am still alive to those that were wondering. No se preocupen! Our P-Day was changed to today, Wednesday, because we attended the Newport Temple this morning, for the 7am session. It was fantastic, especially because I have all of my own stuff for the Temple now! Boo yah! It was awesome! I truly "Love to see the temple" I love it!!!!!

However this week was pretty awesome! We had a couple awesome lessons with our investigator named Axel, who is about 17. He has a baptismal date f
or the 10 of August, and we are pretty sure that he will make it! He has read 14 chapters of 1 Nephi in about a week, so I would say we got him! He really just wants to learn the truth of everything, and we had the Bishop's son Moises with us yesterday when we visited him. We taught the Plan of Salvation, it was fantastic! Axel asked an incredible question about why we cannot remember our life before this life, and Moises answered perfectly. The veil. If we knew where we came from and who we truly are right at the start, what would be the point of this life? There would not be a point, and we would not have a need of a savior or anything. It was a very cool experience.

We also got to teach and work with Gina and Alfredo this week, which was interesting. They asked us to bless their home because they had been having some very strange experiences lately. The cool thing about all that happened, sorry not going to go into all of it, is that I understood 100% every word and followed the exact story they were telling. I was reflecting the other day about the fact that I speak Spanish now, and a year ago I did not. Pretty cool idea! It is such a huge blessing to be here on my mission and have this assignment to learn and speak Spanish. The Gospel literally makes more sense to me a lot of the times in Spanish. Especially the scriptures. My reading comprehension and writing skills are a lot more advanced then my speaking and hearing. It is cool to read something in English, and be like, "wait what?" then go to spanish and be like; "Oh now I see." I love it!

We had quite a few doctor's appointments this past week as well, for both me and Elder Silvester. That was fun! Not. It took a huge chunk out of our week to work.

Facebook is going so well now though! We had a basic training meeting again, that helped our zone get back into the basics of everything, and yesterday we had three lessons on Facebook, and got two new three new investigators out of it! It was so fun! Share your testimony on Facebook this week! All of you! It is amazing how the work of The Lord is hastening right now!

I apologize about this letter this week, there really is just not that much to share! I will send some pictures!

Your Favorite Missionary in So. Cal,

Elder Weston Scott

[Mason] biking or swimming?

Ok, so this last week was pretty darn crazy, so I will go ahead an start off with the story of the week...

--> So, Monday night right, after p-day, and whatnot, we decided that we will bike into Lynn, you know a good ol' 25 minute ride...., so our appt was for 6:0, and also one at 8:00...we had to change the plans due to some prior planning of the weather.  We make the turn onto Revere Beach, about 2 minutes from our house, and the rain drops start, and we decided to keep going...until the next minute it was like a tsunami hit us from the left side and we were like under water....it was raining sideways!.....and it was really wet. Now seeing as we just left we then returned home, amidst the raging storm, and when we arrived back home, it stopped....conveniently.  So we were like "now what?", we missed the bus if we were to take that, and so we were stuck.  So we called a member for some help and he came to get us.  He asked about why, and we explained to him, that it was raining out and we couldn't go out, but he didn't see the rain...so whatever, he picked us up anyway....we then arrive at the appt, and it is pouring out as soon as we get out, and after the appt as well, and so we came to the conclusion that God wanted to test our willpower in doing His work, and so he gave us some harsh weather and sat back and watched....and so we had to prove ourselves to Him to see if we are deserving of a good week, of the which we definitely had......(btw, it was really wet. I took a picture, but you can't tell. We literally were soaked head to toe, as if we went swimming, and our shoes were like pitchers of water, and they are still wet....)

So Tuesday, we were picked up by a member, Hermano De La Cruz, and we visited a less-active member, then we traveled to his home, and ate a wonderful Dominican meal, and then he took us to Wakefield to visit William, and then back to the church...it was a great day.....we love this member so much, he is just so awesome. We taught English as well and some other lessons.

Wednesday, we were supposed to have 6 lessons, (and on bikes is ridiculous), but we tried our best, but several of them cancelled so we stopped by other houses and taught some other lessons as well.

Thursday we had weekly planning, and a good one at that, and then we were supposed to meet up with our ward mission leader at 2:00pm, but he thought 6:00pm, so we were kind of messed up so we had to bike a lot alot to these appts, and we decided that we would take a late lunch break and stopped in at this place called El Tical; an El Salvadorian restaurant, and we ate papusas.  At the same time, the branch president's family walked in and wanted to eat with us and pay for our meal...I still hate it when people pay for me......as well as my companion does too....we then decided to visit some less actives, and then visited an investigator, Elpidio and had a lesson about prayer.  

Friday...the deal breaker and the beginning of the eternal exhaustion.....woke up early, like 5i:45, and got picked up by the Revere 1st Spanish Sisters to go clean the old Swampscott apartment used by the Lynn Spanish Sisters, and we met like the whole zone there, and boy was is gross...the refrigerator was moldy moldy and moldy....and gross..  We then went home and got ready for district meeting, and left for that. after DM we had a zone lunch at Wendy's, and then we got dropped off at our apartment, which was a change in plans, and so we needed to get to Lynn asap....took the first bus and ran from the bus stop to the chapel to get our bikes, and then rode for a half hour to our 4:00pm appt in Swampscott. we then decided after to visit a member in Swampscott, whom we gave a blessing.  We then had to ride for a good solid 45 min back to Lynn to get to the Branch presidents house by 6:30pm.  We barely made it on time. We then left with them to go to a baby shower in Beverly, and it was supposed to start at 7, didn't start until 9 and we didn't get out of there till 11, and it was a nightmare. we were like running the whole show....and its not weird that we attended a baby shower...this is the 2nd so far on my mission, and in the Spanish culture, men go to them, especially if your Dominican. the party was for the Family De La Cruz....and it was the coolest and best put together party i have ever been to or seen, and it was absolutely beautiful in there.  I thoroughly enjoyed it....and I think I'm going to marry someone that has some type of Spanish in their family or something....because that seems to be growing on me now.....jk totally kidding,  I'm not even thinking about that.....my companion is always saying that he is going to marry this kind of person this day and then the next day he has another reason of why...and he always asks me....and I don't have a preference....although gringos these days just are not cool anymore....they just are not very nice compared to everyone else.

Anyways Saturday, we had to leave the house by 6:15am to catch the first bus we could to Lynn, and help load tables and chairs for our branch picnic, which started at 10:00am in the Salem Willows park. which is legit!.   So we were there from 8:00am till 7:00pm, because we had to run it, and also, nobody could figure out the grill that was brought or how to turn it on....and so naturally it fell to me....so I turned it on, and showed them how, and then they asked me to cook....so I grilled for about 8 hours and boy was it fun....I absolutely loved it and it was good

food....like seriously good food. and it was hot....like I am tan now. no sun burns just tan lines and good color....although I could definitely use more.  We finally get back to Lynn, and get changed at the chapel, where our clothing was...and our appt that night fell through, so we decided to visit 3 other families. and nobody was home....and by that time we needed to head back to the chapel and park our bikes and catch the bus home......we missed it because we were on the wrong end of central square....and so we waited for an hour...because the bus comes every hour after 7:00pm.....arghh....so I fell asleep...and then I hear Pennington say, "Scott is that our bus?", and he says the bus number and it pulled into the other side...and so I go from sleeping to running and shouting to flag down the bus on the other side of the station....nightmare....and then we finally get it.  We got it at like 10:15pm.....with a few min to spare!

Every Sunday we are forced to get up early due to the bus schedule and our the time of our Branch Council meeting.......but,,,, the good thing is that we made it a deal, that we would be home by 915 tonight to jump in bed at the decent hour and get a full nights rest.....it was amazing, I don't know how I'm alive, but some how, I survived.

I absolutely loved it because I feel like this week was a trial of endurance, and if we were to endure it well, we would receive a blessing at the end...and we did, and the blessing came in the form of a Baptism....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

William  was Baptized and it was amazing. I had the chance to help another child of God receive the truth and be baptized and truly create a relationship with God that you can't make unless you are baptized.  It was great....yet stressful, but I will not talk about that...its not important.

Funny thing is that we had to get buckets to fill the font and then after the baptism, President Fuentes went to pull the plug, and it wouldn't come up....so he had to dive under and wedge it out with my keys....it took a good 5 minutes.

One thing that has really hit me hard this week, and what I have really learned is how connected the words, patience and endurance, really are.  I encourage all of you to fined out for yourselves the connection, more so than the obvious, and how you see these two characteristics in your own life, and how you can develop them more so.

Often it is hard to be patient, when something is annoying you, or when you really need to wait, but can't, and often it is to hard to just keep going, and to just never quit. but it is always worth it.  Last night when I got home, I decided that, although I'm super tired, I am going to read my scriptures. it has been hard for me lately to read with questions, or to simply have a question.  But i was just reading, and then I came across a passage of scripture in Mosiah 10, and it just simply triggered a question i had before. now if we are desiring, and are patient,and can endure the "time to wait, or the task at hand, or the whatever it is," it is then where we are able to move forward. i found a new story to use and to help in a training in  district meeting.  i have realized that i need to think more about others, and how i can help them....more so than what i need to know. for the investigators.

Its not about what we say, its about what we do, which is why my mind hasn't had any Q's. "It's not who we are underneath, but what WE DO that defines us."...its the same with us.....in who we are. we must be patient and endure and then we can Do.

Please take notice than often I say things that make sense in my own mind, but on paper, are quite awful.

Anyways have a good week.

The bikes are fantastic and tiring. we climbed a massive hill yesterday, and I almost turned around, and went around, but I stuck with it because i knew it would get easier at the top.

Elder Mason Scott

Picture 1)....baptism.. William is the one with the slight afro

picture 2) a puppy that a family brought to the picnic....she was so cute....whats wrong with me.....I'm so lame

[Weston] Anaheim Weekly July 7, 2014

Hello everyone!

This week was pretty good, my area got transferred back into a car, which is pretty cool I guess, I will miss bike, because I have found to really enjoy being on bike. It is actually a lot of fun. I have lost a few more pounds this week, so that is nice!

This week, there were a couple of things that were really awesome! On Monday night, we went to a member's home and had a noche de hogar. Or family night for white people. It was super fun, Elder Silvester and I were asked to teach the lesson, and because we had invited Gina and Alfredo, one of the families that we are working with a lot in our area, we decided to teach a single principle, and specifically about Prayer. We made an activity out of it, and did what we call prayer burgers. Basically, the buns of the burger are how we begin and end our prayers, and the toppings are things we are grateful for, with the meat or main part of the burger being our questions or blessings we ask for in our prayers. It was super fun, we got every one to draw and participate. It was good! One thing that we had not planned on sharing was the fact that we have to be nourished physically with food. We have the same need to nourish ourselves spiritually, and through prayer we can do just that. Prayer is a powerful tool we have in our lives. I have seen it sustain me out here in my mission, as well as truly help those I am around. Without prayer I would be lost, and I am so grateful for the ability and blessing we have to communicate with our Heavenly Father.

I also had the wonderful opportunity to have my district leader and old companion Elder Etchart come with me in my area, and we had a great time. I made an awkward spanish mistake at dinner, and called myself a mentally handicapped being, and so that was awkward because the hermana that we ate with ripped me a new one, and sort of lectured us all about making sure that we never think bad about ourselves. However, thinking about that point, it is so true. We must remain positive and never talk bad about ourselves, because at that point we will lose the power and presence of the Spirit in our lives. I am guilty of that big time, because I do feel like it is my fault a lot of times when lessons go bad, or something happens, and so I start to doubt myself. But hey, I am doing my best, so what if nothing goes right! Anyways, it was a very good exchange, we taught a lot of lessons, pretty successful day.

Actually the success story of the day is from Wednesday, when we went and saw Denisse and Maria our investigators. We taught simply and clearly, and we had been praying, me especially, for the knowledge of what we could say to help them. I have been praying hard for the PSirit to bear witness to Denisse of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and of Joseph Smith, and that night as we talked, she basically told us that she believes that Joseph Smith did translate the Book of Mormon, and that he was a prophet. It was so exciting for me!

We have three baptismal dates right now, and they all are pretty solid. The Fourth of July was super fun. We spent the evening with the Bishop and his extended family, and we ate and had a ton of fun. The street we were on usually does their own fireworks show, because the neighbors across the street from the house we were out buys about $2000-$3000 of fireworks each year. It was so fun! President Taggart even came to the barbecue and met out bishop. It was super fun. Sorry I did not get any pictures, but Shout out to Tyler my brother because he sent me this awesome American Tie, and I wore it. It was cool. I got a firecracker thrown under my chair during the night, it was funny, and then we had one of the members put one under one of my Zone leader's chair. Funny! Picture will be attached.

This week was great. Simple as that. My Spanish is truly coming along, and it was really fun to see this week how far it has come. I love you all, thank you for the support in everything. Have a good week. If you need anything, I am just over here! Let me know haha!

Your favorite missionary in So. Cal!

Elder Weston Scott

[Mason] Buenos Dias

    First off, happy anniversary to my wonderful parents, Bret and Tracie, or Mom and Dad, as I should say.  I know its been a rough last 20 years at least, because that's when it started with me...haha....at least there are no more food bills for a little while, solely food requests?!?

The 4th of July over here was probably the coolest I've ever had in a few ways OK, so hear me out, you will not believe what happened.

makeshift poncho

OK so as you may know, on Thursday afternoon, Hurricane Arthur decided to hit North Carolina, and much of the upper East Coast as well so all of the fireworks shows were cancelled for Friday night and moved to Thursday night, because the weather was forecast to hit Friday not Thursday.  We were all given permission to watch these fireworks, as long as we stayed within our stake boundaries..... the Charles River in in the Cambridge stakes boundaries, and so the classic fireworks show with the concert and all of the fun was there, and we went.  At about 10pm the fireworks were supposed to start, it started a little early, because there was a shift in the weather patterns, but they had to end them early because the Police and Coast Guard ordered a mandatory evacuation, and so we all departed slowly to the T-Stations....so many people. OK so we are standing out side the station which is packed, and everyone is talking and having the time of there lives, and then out of the blue, I feel about 2 or 3 rain drops, nothing too bad, like a small  drizzle, nothing more, but nope it was as if the whole ocean was teleported above us and dropped. We were under water....I kid you not. One of us had a blanket and so we put that up over the sisters and whomever else we could, and we seriously felt like we were swimming, there was no air anymore, it was ridonculous.  People were screaming out, it was like a tsunami hit at the same time as Godzilla and the Kraken arrived, it was MASS CHAOS(Massachusetts chaos) but we finally got into the station, but 3 companionships of elders with us were stopped by the police at the entrance, and had to wait to go in, so they were drenched,....I nearly ruined my brand new tie....it was a nightmare, that would only be worth it, if I wasn't in Proselyting attire, but of course we were.

Anyways, it rained for the next day and a half or so.

So some changes, that I think all of you may be interested in is that here in the mission,  a sister was hit by a car, in a walking area, and so now she needs a car. She is fine by the way, just some soreness and whatnot, she is doing a lot better. Anyways, remember about 3 months ago, when we were asked if the mission could have our car, well esto es lo que paso otra vez. [ this is what happened again ] now, I would give anything to help this sister out, and so I made all of the the arrangements to get her that car that night, and that is what happened. So now, we are in a walking area....where there are no sisters for help, and so, being the Classic Elder Scott that I am, I had an Idea....and that idea was to call the Lynnfield elders, because I know they have bikes in their apartment, but there is a catch, alright, and the catch is that both of those bikes are broken....oh yippy...and so in the mission, we received two broken down bikes, both of which we had to fix with our own money. No hay un problema, [ no problem ] except the fact that my companion's bike doesn't have functioning brakes, and he has no money to pay for them either...it's a nightmare.  I have literally tried to get the rear brake fixed (he doesn't have any attached parts for the front brake) but it is almost like it is stretched out or something. The guys at the shop couldn't fix it either, let alone put it back together after they took it apart, so I had to put it back together again.

So we are on bikes, and so we have a 30 minute ride into Lynn every morning, and back to Revere at the end of the night....it's exhausting....

BUT I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT, AND WE ARE SEEING SO MUCH SUCCESS FROM OUR EFFORTS RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!

OK so church on Sunday, yesterday, was phenomenal, because we had 5 investigators there and we have 2 dates right now, that are going to go through, and that is not even the coolest part about my week, OK, neither is the deal with the bikes, because the coolest thing that any missionary could see, is your investigator develop a testimony and use it.

On Saturday, we visited Sonya Cava, and we were blown away by her. This friend of her's walked in, and noticed we were there, and started talking to us and eventually it progressed into a lecture about how her church is true, and how the restoration of the Gospel is fake and how we are a cult, and Sonya runs out of the room, and then returns with her Bible and her Book of Mormon, and starts preaching, and is like, "this church is true, and i will tell you why, and Joseph Smith is a real prophet, and i will tell you why", and it went on and on, and the other lady had enough of Sonya and simply said, que Dios les Bendiga, [ may God bless you ] and stormed off........and well, we should celebrate a bible bash, but we did, we bowed down to Sonya.  It was amazing, and I certainly have never had anyone stand up for me and my beliefs like that before, but clearly we can see she is being converted, it is true.

So this week, I really thought a lot about what it means to be converted, and also a lot about the Law of consecration, and I realized about Friday night, that I'm doing it all wrong, (well not all of it), just my attitude, which is a big part. I  was frustrated all week with these bikes and the fact that we have to pay for it, and I was stressed about the area, and how its going to work out and I also felt like my companion and I were abandoned my the mission to simply fend for ourselves.  My eyes were closed to any amount of good that could have possibly come from this predicament, and and it was awful, I felt like the spirit wasn't there helping me, and it was all of everyone else's fault, not mine right....Wrong. my FAULT 100%. I changed my attitude in one second, because I could see my companion's face, and something told me, not him, but someone told me that it will be fine, and then I agreed. As a missionary sometimes, I feel like I need to be in charge of everything and be in control over everything so that all goes well, and runs smooth. This is not how Gods will works, and it's not how it is done. God intends to let us succeed, but sometimes we have to go along for the ride first in order to get to that success;  not worrying about every detail, and trusting that God will do as he promised, and He will, no matter what, fulfill His promise, because He loves us so much and He IS GOD.  We are the ones that get in the way of it anyways, I have been getting in the way, because I have been trying to do it by myself only.  Being converted means having a deep trust in God, Our Father who is in Heaven, and being willing to literally be a follower of His Will.

       Now Friday night I realized that as a missionary, I am striving to become more consecrated in every aspect of my life, because I promised to live this higher law. It is hard to do, but as a missionary, it doesn't make it easier, but simply makes it more desirable and more accessible. All of time has been dedicated, all of my talents I am striving to develop and use, all of my energy is being exhausted every day. One other thing, that I came to realize, and a reason of why I was lacking the Spirit and my attitude was mal [ bad ], and why I was angry. The reason is because I hadn't consecrated my money, my substance, and I felt as if this is mine, but it's not mine, its God's, and granted I use it and I feel as if it is me that earned it, God gave me the job to earn it, he granted unto me the strength to be able to work for it, so in reality, my level of consecration wasn't up to where it needs to be. I changed it, my attitude, my level of gratitude, my desire to help God in His work, and I have come to the realization that gratitude is where the key lies in anyone's hearts and capacities in the act of consecrating themselves.

Well that is my rant for the day, um have a great week I guess

Elder M R Scott