8-20-2012

Annie’s Letter

ello family and friends! I'm sure you have all been just on edge all week waiting for the outcome of this story of Kyle... well let me tell you all about it! We talked to President Nilsen and he told us to teach Kyle and call him later that week and report on his progress to see if he could be baptized here or when he gets to school. So we did. We taught a lesson on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. It was really neat on Tuesday because he came into the lesson and said "It's gotta be short today, my dad is in the hospital and I need to go to Columbus." WOW! He didn't call and cancel or anything! He is definitely making his lessons a priority! Due to his dad and his work schedule we didn't see Kyle on Wednesday but we did call President Wednesday and left a message. We didn't see Kyle on Thursday and didn't hear from President. Oh, let me tell you a little about how Kyle progressed. He is just amazing. He was connecting the things he was learning to the scriptures he was reading and to the pictures that he saw in the church. He was really doing awesome with reading and his insights were incredible. He could have been teaching the lessons instead of the other way around! So we were very excited for him. We were talking about how he was a golden investigator and decided that wasn't quite right. We determined that Kyle is our *platinum investigator* So we finally got a hold of President on Friday morning and he told us that Kyle wouldn't be getting baptized on Wednesday (which is the day we were shooting for). Now, I'm sure you're all asking why couldn't he be baptized on Wednesday. He was progressing so phenomenally and was just doing great! Well, fear not. The reason he couldn't be baptized on Wednesday is because by Wednesday he would already be a member. That's right! He would be baptized before Wednesday! Like on Sunday! So we met with Kyle on Friday and had a lesson and asked if he wanted to be baptized on Sunday, which of course he did! Saturday we had another lesson and an interview. Friday and Saturday Sister Richardson and I were busily making plans for the baptism. Talks, people to perform the ordinances, prayers, witnesses, programs... all sorts of stuff and it all went great. I love planning things :-) It was actually really funny. On Sunday after church we started filling up the font. One of the brethren from the ward closed the drain (because he didn't think we knew how...) and we started the water and everything was great. We ran home to grab some lunch and were back at the church about 40 minutes later. We walked into the primary room (where the font is) checked the water level and to our horror... IT WAS DRAINING!! So I bravely went into the water (there was about 6 inches) and made sure the plug was all the way in. I then sat by the font for the next few hours while it filled up. I didn't just sit there...I was also folding programs and doing other last minute things :-) Then we were in the chapel ready for the baptism to start. Kyle was there, people were there, I was playing beautiful prelude music and thinking I really should go check the font (which had filled up and turned off) to make sure it hadn't drained anymore. But I didn't because I was busy playing beautiful prelude music :-) Well... we got into the primary room for the baptism and I couldn't see any water in the font. But I was like...it's just because of the mirror and glass all the reflections and the water is still. It's okay. And it was. It had drained about 4 inches so it was a little low. Thankfully Kyle isn't any taller than me so he was still able to be completely immersed in the water. I was so worried all day that something was going to go wrong. But that was all that happened. And that is definitely something that was no big deal. If Kyle would have been like 7 feet tall there may have been an issue. But it all worked out beautifully. Sister Richardson and Sister Rutter (from the ward) sang a beautiful song "Beautiful Savior" accompanied by yours truly and Kyle was confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It was fantastic. The spirit was so strong and the member support was great. We also have been in contact with the Bishop and missionaries in the Wintersville ward who are waiting for Kyle to drive into Stubenville on Thursday so they can welcome him and help him to continue to progress and develop his testimony. It has been such a privilege to teach Kyle. He has been so prepared by the Lord. :-) After the baptism yesterday we hit the streets. FINDING! We need some new investigators! Unfortunately we didn't find any. But we did get to talk to some way awesome people. Including this lady who is 95. She invited us in and asked us several questions. She's not interested in the church but just had questions and I think she really liked the things that we had to say. She is Roman Catholic but has some things that just don't make sense and I think she really like the things we were able to tell her. It was just awesome to talk to her. She told us some about when she was growing up and it reminded me so much of grandma and when she was growing up (they are about the same age...) so I was thinking a lot about Grandma Webb last night. I sure do miss her. But I know she is watching out for me, she loves me, and she is proud of me. And the same for you Landon and everyone else. :-) The other pictures are just ones that I like. yes I have a green tractor that I play with. :-) Oh! The other exciting thing I wanted to tell you all is....TOMORROW I GET TO GO BACK TO SPRINGFIELD!!! yay for exchanges! I am so excited to see Sister Finefeuiaki and people there. The work in Springfield has been awesome ! 3 of the people that I was teaching there have been baptized. They are doing great work! Not gonna lie, I miss it. But I do love Marysville. It is a great place to work. Well, I'm sure I could write a million more stories and things but I'm really about out of time so sorry! I love you all! Sounds like everything is going great at home! Have a wonderful week and I can't wait to hear from you all again!

Love your favorite Sister...missionary

Annie

 

Landon’s Letter

Hey my awesome family!

First off thank you so much for all the wonderful letters and all the wonderful emails that you have sent to me. I really appreciate them so much because it is great to hear how all of you are doing! So thank you from the bottom of my heart. It is so great when we open up the mailbox and there is a letter addressed to you! Sorry I haven't written any letters for a long time. I only have time on P-Day and even then it is hard because we are so busy running around everywhere. But I will write letters today!

I'm glad you had fun in Snow Bird I am really sad I missed out on everything down there. Mom you would go slow. haha. But I am also glad you don't have a broke leg. I miss the mountains all we have are hills. So here in North Bay they have what is called the ski hill. So take the dug way, ad maybe 10-15 more feet in height, not nearly as steep, and you have a ski hill. PATHETIC! Anyways I am glad to hear the things are going great.

Megan how in the world did mice get into your camper? Because I don't know how they could have. I am glad to hear that you and Justin are doing good. I hope that what ever Justin needs for his throat goes good. Did your dogs have surgery on their hips? How big are they? I am so glad you to are enjoying life!

Annie how is your work going? That story is awesome I am sad that I will have to hear it next week:( But that is an amazing story!

Thank you for your great example that you are to me! Don't worry I will write you a letter today as well. I am piled up with them so I will don't worry. ;)

Natalie less then a week! Are you ready? What's this news about a hair cut? I haven't heard anything or seen any pictures. When do I get picture? Don't forget about your only and favorite brother in Canada. How do you spell Canada? C eh N eh D eh. hahahaha.

Rachel good luck with school. You are the last one in Lyman High from the Webb family. Cool! Good luck with everything and all that you will do this year. Junior Prom. Good Luck.

Well sorry I don't write long emails but I am a slow writer and processor. I have 5 minutes left on the computer. I would have had all day but Elders in the past ruined it. They use to use the family history library computers because Bishop allowed them to but they started downloading Itunes. Dumb right. Anyways I really appreciate the support you give to me. The work here is going good. We are scheduled to have 5 baptisms in September. James Lindsey, Megan Fretz, Dave Gudraue, Rob Ransom, and Jordan who will be moving here in a little while. Plus we are meeting with other people as well. We are pretty excited.

Well I love you all and have a great day.

Love your favorite Elder, Brother, Son

Landon Webb

(No pics from Landon yet… sorry!)