3/11/13

Landon’s Letter

Hello my family!

I hope things are going great for you!

This week things here have been pretty well the same as it seems like any other week. We are still trying to increase our teaching pool. Those people that we are teaching right now are Kydia, Amber, Keith, Eva, and also Irene. None of them are progressing in the gospel right now but we are still helping them as best as we can to help them receive an answer that the Book of Mormon is true.

A really cool experience we had this week:

We stopped by last week at a guys house, his name is Michael. We were finally able to talk with him this week when we dropped by on Saturday night. As we started talking with him we realized that he didn't really believe in God but he wanted to learn more. He wants to find out for him self if God is there or not. So that is what we talked about. We talked with him and he has had a rough life and has made alot of improvement from where he was a while ago. We told him that if he would pray he could find out for himself whether or not God was there. He wouldn't do it. He absolutely wouldn't do it. He wouldn't even kneel because he said that was a sign of weakness. As we continued he told us that when he would get into trouble he would pray for his freedom and then he said that he would never really get it. We talked with him more and he was able to come to know that God did answer his prayer. He was now out of that situation that he was in. It was an amazing eye opening experience because it let me see just how powerful the Spirit teaches us. We didn't have anything prepared but we were able to teach by the Spirit to help him understand that God does hear and answer his prayers and that he can pray to know it He is there or not. To make a long story short for the first time in that mans life he knelt down before God during prayer. There is no way two 19 and 20 year old boys could have done that. The Spirit confirmed to him that what we were saying was true and he knelt down in prayer for the first time in his life.

I just thought I would share that with you guys. I know that prayer is powerful and that God does answer prayers. I hope to send back a talk I gave yesterday along with the goodies from Niagara Falls hopefully today if not next week.

Rachel I was actually thinking about Scotty and I even was telling my companion about Scotty and the song. So when I read your email today I was smiling the whole time. That is really awesome! I remember little fun demonstrations in Mr. Copleys class. We had some pretty cool things happen in that class.I am glad things are going good for you!

Natalie I hope things in school are not too crazy. Just remember your priorties. Institute, classes, homework, and then extra. Or what ever you have them marked as. Just remember that you need to have fun and find times to have fun but also stay focused on your school work. It will get even harder as the end of the year comes up. You will be more swamped if you don't keep up plus it gets harder to. You can do it! I just felt I should tell you that. Dont' ask me why cause I don't know.

Annie I hope that things have been going good for you! What do you do for finding? What are you standards of excellence for the mission? Do you have any? How is Cincinatti doing? When is your transfer? I have your late birthday gift but I want to sent it with safe time before or after transfers. If I remember you have them next week? You might not get it for a while still sorry.... :(

Megan and Justin I was actually thinking about you two this week. How have things been going? Do you have any plans for your house, lawn, garden, or anything this year? Justin are you and whoever it is that golfs with you going to enter that compatition in Evanston again in July. I know that is a long ways to think off but I was just wondering.

Mom thanks for your letter! I was really grateful to hear that you tried really hard to write a letter even though there were troubles. I know that there have been lots of times that you have done so much for us just so that we can hear from you or to help us with something. I am truely grateful that you are my mother! I love you. Really thanks for all that you do!

Dad thanks for all the sport updates this year. I really miss being able to play sports whenever I would like. I see people playing basketball in an apartment complex, so we really can't play basketball. I always look forward to playing ball with other Elders on P-day. Thanks for all that you have helped me with and all that you have given to me. I love you!

I just want to say I have an awesome family. 2 Amazing parents that do so much for me. 4 Fantastic sisters who are all my favorite ;) and 1 brother-in-law and 1 soon to be brother-in-law who are awesome. I was thinking this morning that this Gospel brings happiness. What does this Gospel do? It helps us to live a way so we can return to live with our Heavenly Father, lets us live better lives (ex. look at the world today and how we live. There is almost a 180 degree difference. Satan is at work and we will conquer him with this Gospel), and it bring families closer to be united forever for eternity. What a blessing! What a great blessing! I am grateful for this in my life and I am grateful for Jesus Chris! I am more grateful then ever to be out here serving Him. This is meaning more and more to me everyday that I get to serve the Lord. "Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life." (3 Nephi 5:13)

I love you all

Love your favorite Elder, brother, and son

Landon Webb

Annie’s Letter

HELLO WONDERFUL FAMILY OF MINE! I totally agree with Landon. BEST FAMILY EVER! So, let me tell you what is going on in the GREAT OCM! Today, I am emailing late because we had a mission party! It was SO FUN To be with other missionaries! Just half of them (the Cincinnati areas and the Dayton areas). I didn't see the elders from Sidney, well I don't know who they are so couldn't tell them to tell ElDee hi. But tell her hi for me! I'm excited to get her letter! :-) Anyway, we had a party because President promised us a party if we got 500 baptisms in 2012. At the end of the year we had 499. But when we got the official report back from SLC... 500 BABY! So today was the day. We played games and just had a grand old time. It was weird to see 100 missionaries in normal clothes... haha. Also, this Friday we get to have a zone conference (again with the Cincy and Dayton zones) with Elder Bruce D. Porter of the Quorum of the 70. So that will be awesome! Super exciting!

This week we have been working on being exactly obedient. It is definitely a focus. Obedience brings blessings. Exact obedience brins miracles. We need miracles! So this week... we inadvertently ended up in a man's house where there wasn't a woman. And we didn't like it! We got out asap and are being more aware and bold in our surroundings so it doesn't happen again. Also, after we talked to on old man one night about family history he gave us a hug... ah! So we have set a determination to be more bold and brave in defending our rules! We are also working on being more bold in making sure that people understand that this is the only true church on the earth. No ifs ands or buts about it. This is IT! Then only ONE! We did some good finding this week but I know that as we strive to be more exactly obedient we will see the blessings of heaven poured down upon us. We are struggling to get member present lessons, partly because we have been struggling to get investigators to take members too! So this week we had one planned but it fell through. Jerry called and cancelled on us right as we got to the members house. :-( He also said he wasn't going to come to church. YIKES! We have set a tentative date of March 23 with him (that will be solid soon) but if he didn't come to church on Sunday that was NOT going to happen. "Not no way, not no how!" Anyway, I talked to him for a while and explained to him that he needed to be at church on Sunday! He said he would come. So we go there... and we waited and waited and waited. No Jerry. Sacrament Meeting started... so we went in. We were devastated! But then, wonder of wonder, miracle or miracles... JERRY WALKED IN! He stayed for sacrament meeting and Sunday school. Then he had to leave. :-( But he absolutely loved both of them and is excited to apply some of what he learned in Gospel Principles to his home and family! Next week he is planning on staying for all 3 hours! Yay!! So that was a huge miracle for us! Also, next week we already have 4 member present lessons scheduled! yay! We are still working hard and doing everything we can to find people, progressing people, to teach and baptize. It's so crazy how fast missions are. Talking to everyone today... it's crazy cuz like all the people that were here when I came out are gone or going. :-( I'm becoming an old missionary! Yikes! It's sad. You make such wonderful friends on missions. I'm gonna miss them all like crazy! Thankfully, a lot of them go to BYU so I'll see them sometimes! If I go back to BYU...maybe I'll transfer to UW! HA!! JUST KIDDING! Sorry dad, that would NEVER happen. ;-P

Landon, I'm glad you got to go to Niagra Falls! That's super fun! I bet it was a blast! My transfers are on the 21. But I think you have my office address. Either PO BOX 939 or 19 Clairedan Dr both in Powell, OH 43065. So you can just send stuff there and I'll get it. Don't worry about sending it to my apartment. Thankfully my mission is really good about forwarding mail. :-) Love them for that!

OH! I don't think I ever told you guys! Remember Kieran, he came to my farewell and left his shoes? Well... He is now Elder McGrath serving in the Denver South mission! So that's exciting! Yay for missionaries!

Natalie, good luck with wedding planning this week! How fun! I want to know all your plans and details! Flowers? colors? Dress (picture!) Cake? Center pieces? Location of reception? Decorations? When are you going through the temple? Also, when does track start? How is school going for Jon? Lucky you're on spring break! That's exciting! When is graduation?

Rachel, I still need a picture of your dress pretty girl! Congrats on getting into NHS! That's super awesome! You have some fun trips coming up! I'm glad you got a bit of a break for morning stuff. I guess I should stop complaining about waking up at 6:30 every day! haha. You're amazing chica! Keep being awesome!

Meg and Justin! Hi! Hope all is going well for you and your cute dogs! You guys are super great! I hope to hear from you soon! I'm still waiting for my letter Justin!

Mom and Dad. You guys are the best. For real. People tell me about their parents and I'm just like... man, mine are the best. No one else compares to you guys. Us 5 kids super lucked out! Thanks for all you do for us!

Oh! Something else cool... On Saturday we had dinner with the Mickelsens. Brother Mickelsen served his mission in Uruguay. At the same time as Shane Neiderer! So we're sitting down and I tell them I'm from Wyoming and he asks if I know the Neiderer's. OF COURSE! So ya, they were good friends and apparently Brother Mickelsen set up Shane and Sarah! Haha. It's a small world after all!

Another fun story! Sorry this email is super random! On Wednesday it snowed like a ton! So we weren't allowed to use our cars because there was a winter storm warning. So we walked and walked and walked. 9 miles in the snow. FUN! IT wasn't too cold but it was a lot of snow. And Ohio doesn't believe in sidewalks! So it was a lot of on the side of the road! And... I lost my name tag in the snow. It's the 3rd one I've lost in like no time at all. I lost my pin one a while ago and my new one... I actually would have got on Wednesday morning but zone meeting got cancelled because we couldn't use our cars. So I only had my magnet one and it falls off my coat sometimes. Well it did. Into the snow. And I couldn't find it. we looked for like 20 minutes and the space where it had to e was only like 10 feet long. Stupid. So I had to call Sister Wursten and tell her that I lost another tag...she just laughed and laughed! So maybe someday I'll have 2 tags again. We'll see. Sigh. Anyway... 9 miles in the snow! It was awesome! Sister Bergeson wasn't a huge fan... but I thoroughly enjoyed myself! We built a mini snowman and threw snow at eachother and took some fun pictures! So I attached some for you guys :-)

Well, I'm gonna jet. Love you guys! Thanks for all your amazingness! For real! I"m a super lucky hermana! Tata for now!

Annie

3/4/13

Annie’s Letter

Hello wonderful family of mine! So we did get to go to the Temple on Thursday and it was amazing. So story on the shooting. We were at President Wallis' house (he is in the temple presidency) when he got the phone call so he told us. There were some people fighting and they pulled into the parking lot. The temple parking lot shares a parking lot with a ward building. And the shooting commenced. They weren't members, had nothing to do with the church. It was a coincidence that they were at the temple. It was at about the time a new shift of ordinance workers was going in, so lots of witnesses and statements. The temple was closed for the rest of the night. However, at that time, there was a sealing going on ! What a cool wedding story! haha. But it was up and running again by Wednesday and wasn't even a thought on Thursday when we went. I am so grateful that we were able to go to the Temple. It is always such a wonderful experience and I just love it there! I wish sometimes that I could just stay in the Celestial Room forever! It is so beautiful and peaceful. I am amazed at the sacrifices that members of the church put forth to go to the temple. I think of the thousands of members who save for their whole lives to be able to take one trip to the temple so their family can be sealed for time and all eternity. They walk and ride and sacrifice everything they have. Sometimes people are sacrificing greatly to go to the temple and we don't even know it! Sacrifice. Sacrifice. Sacrifice. It really does bring forth the blessings of Heaven. I am so grateful that I have so many temples so close to me. How lucky! I hope I always remember how lucky I am and take full advantage of the temple and attend it often. Please go to the temple soon! All of you! To do a session or baptisms....JUST GET THERE! Keep your focus always on the temple. In our training this week we were learning a lot about family history and how to use it in missionary work. It was awesome to be able to study that and then to be able to go to the temple! To make it even more special, a member of the ward gave us family names that we were able to do. It was just the perfect week to go to the temple! yay! We were also able to go the the family history center and learn some of what goes on there. It was so cool. I can't believe how far back our genealogy is done! Kudos to all the people who have been on that! The family history center...leader guy was super impressed by how far back it was done. Ya for awesome family. Tell grandpa and Aunt DeAnn good job and thank you! And anyone else who has been working on it. :-)

Things here are going well. Slow, but well. We are still tracting... A LOT! We found a woman this week, Jean. We had an incredible lesson on the plan of salvation and the spirit was really strong. We arranged to come back. We did and had another good lesson. She was all set to come to church on Sunday, we were going to bring breakfast and it was going to be wonderful. But then she called us on Saturday night and said "I changed my mind. I'm not going to give any excuses, I just don't want to go." [Heart Break!] It was really sad. But hopefully when we see her this week we will be able to address her concerns and help her see that church will really help her feel the comfort and peace that she is lacking in her life. One day while we were tracting we knocked on this door and a man opened it and I just had nothing to say. No words in my mouth. The spirit was SO not with this man or in his home, it was just weird. It was like my heart was in a vice. I am so grateful for the spirit! I just don't know what I would do without that constant companionship in my life! I love it so much! I'm so grateful for it!

So this ward is super awesome. Very missionary minded. We have taken 4 laurels out tracting with us! It has been a lot of fun to go with them! They have really enjoyed their experiences. They have all got a pretty good idea of tracting. Nice people and not nice people. It has been awesome. And the sisters in the ward are organizing a splits calendar! They want to come out with us...to do whatever! Lessons, tracting, visiting less active members... whatever it is, they just want to do missionary work! And we aren't even having to beg or plead! They are just super awesome and want to help! A very missionary minded ward. I am so grateful to be serving here! It's been wonderful. It's a struggle. Every day Satan is working hard against us. But there is such potential in this area! I know that as we keep working hard and being diligent and relying on the Savior we will see miracles happening in this area! I know it! As we continue to sacrifice our time and our energy and keep tracting.... the blessings of Heaven will be poured upon us!

Sorry this letter is a little disjointed. I guess I'm just a little scatterbrained haha. But know that things are well here. We are in good faith and good spirits. We are enjoying the journey and working hard to fulfill our missionary purpose! To help our brothers and sisters come unto Christ that they may have the blessings of eternity! I love my calling. I love my companion. I love my ward. I love my purpose. I love my family.

By way of announcement... this is a 5 week transfer. So transfers are on... the 21. Which is like 2 days before Sister Bergeson's birthday so better not get transferred! I don't think we will because she is in training and we have only been here for 5 weeks So we should be safe...but who knows. I gave up trying to guess transfers a LONG time ago! Anyway... why, you might ask, is it a 5 week transfer? The answer, my dear family is: because the MTC time is shortened. This next transfer of new missionaries will be the first group that we get that is in the MTC for 2 weeks instead of 3. So our transfers didn't line up with the new missionaries coming in so we had to adjust. Which also means that (providing I stay in the Columbus mission) my mission just got shortened by a week. :-( Lame. anyway, thanks for your emails! It's so fun to get them! And Lando, I got your letter and sent you one back! :-) I love you guys lots! Keep smiling! Be happy! Look for opportunities to invite people to come to activities or church of family home evening or whatever. And always be aware of opportunities to share the gospel. Love you guys!

Tata!

Annie

PS nat, don't worry about doing bad on a test. Everyone has one. Just keep on truckin along! and Landon, how do you keep track of how many people you talk to?

Landon’s Letter

Hello my family,

Today we got to go to Niagara Falls. It was kinda cold because of the mist. It was almost raining it was so thick but we did get to see Rainbow bridge, the American Falls, Horseshoe Falls, and also the UNITED STATES. haha. It was great. I couldn't believe that that was us those years ago. It was great but I wish that all of you were here. The members that took us were Bob and Karen Ayers. I am grateful for them and I will have to write them a thank you card. It was great!

This week we are focusing on Finding. We didn't have a very fruitfull week in our key indicators but we did work hard. We are trying out a new way to focus on finding. We have divided up our area into reasonable walking areas that we can walk around for a couple of hours. Then as we plan for an area we run through these points.

1. Are there any Recent Converts in the area and can we schedule an appointment with them.

2. Are we having a Baptismal service this week or coming up? Who will we invite?

3. What Part Member families are in the area that we can drop by or schedule an appointment?

4. What members, active or less-active, can we drop by or schedule an appointment?

5. What former investigators are in the area?

6. Do we have any referrals from our investigators in this area?

7. Are there any Media Referrals? How can we influence the Media Referrals?

8. As we walk around from place to place we are looking for any kind of service.

9. Tracting, Pre-noticed tracting

10. Talking with Everyone

11. ESL / Stop Smoking Workshop

It has been fun and a bit challenging. I hope that it's not too much and it is to help us focus on finding.

Nick was confirmed this week which was exciting. It was so great to see that happen!

Sorry there isn't much this week. We just are trying to build back up. It seems like every end of the transfer the areas I have been in have died off. I don't know if that's my effort which might be or I don't know what. It is something that I need to focus on getting all the way through the transfer. Any suggestions? So we are building up....again. :( So we are back to finding.

Sorry I don't have much to say this week but a picture is worth a 1000 words ;)

Rachel- I hope that things go well for you. Pretty soon there will the the Lagoon trip. Is that going to happen this year? Do you have any festivals? What is going on in your work life? I love you!

Natalie- Don't worry I got under 50% on a test in Physics last year. Granite I was late and that scattered my brain but still don't worry congradulations no more pressure of being perfect ;) You are doing great.

Annie- I was so excited to read 2 of your letters! You are a great example to follow! I hope that you do stay with your new trainee. We just had a 5 week transfer as well. Fun huh? All of the sister in my mission are training or being trained.

Megan & Justin- I am glad that things are going great for you two. Are you planning on going camping in a couple of months in the spring or are you going to wait until summer to go? Are you ready for summer? I am it's not much to tract in the cold.

Mom- Sounds like a fun week. Paws week. I remember that week. Sorry it wasn't my favorite but I hope all goes well. How are things going around the house? Do you have any summer plans yet for any of the houses?

Dad- You are right those memories are worth more then all the money that could ever accumulate in the world. That was a fun time! I was glad to go again and see where we stood.

I love you all!

Love your favortive Brother, Elder, and Son,

Landon Webb

Do some of the pictures look familiar?

2/25/13

Landon’s Letter

Hey everyone :)

This week as you could see was transfers and we are staying here again! I was so excited but I hate when they don't call because then we are pacing back and forth till 10:30 waiting for a call. I wish they would have just called us telling us we were staying. We got a text this morning. We have to pick up a compaionship at 6 a.m. to drive them to Brampton tomorrow morning by 7:00 a.m. So that means that we have to wake up at 4:45. so 2:45 your time. Then after that it's right off to work. We are going to be so tired hahaha. I hope when we talk with people we aren't zombies. That is actually what Hamilton is famous for. People call it the Zombie Apocolypse here. haha. I haven't actually gotten to witness the famous Jackson Square myself but I want to. I think that would be a great story. They are all children of God to. But sadly you won't find anyother place like Hamilton.

This week was really exciting. It went by really slowly from Tuesday to Sunday because we were so excited for Nick's baptism. Which he was! It was such a great service. The spirit was really strong there. The transformation that we have seen in him just over a month was amazing. We met him on January 23 in a resturant that a member invited us to. Then from there on he took off. He already had a strong testimony on the power of prayer. 15 years ago he was having an alcohol problem. He wanted it gone so he prayed to have that compolsion taken away and it was. He has been wanting to be baptized for 10 years but couldn't find the right church or even feel like he could because of his addictions. After he quite his addictions he was such a different person. He was smiling more. You could see the Light of Christ in him glowing. He was also happier. He absolutely loves the change. I got to talk about baptism so I have to send off 2 talks now. It was a really good experience. It just showed me how if we put our trust and exercise our faith in Jesus Christ he will truely help us to overcome our trials.

3 Scriptures. I love trying to be like Nephi and Liken the scriptures.

John 3:16 "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."

Alma 7:11-13 "And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according the flesh how to succor his people. Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he may take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverence; and know behold, this is the testimony which is in me."

Our Heavenlly Father loves us all so much that he sent Jesus Christ into the world to redeem us so that we can return and live with Him once more. He knows how to help us he knows "how to succor his people." He can lead us and guide us in the very way we most need it in any aspect of our lives. But there is some things we have to do first. There are things in our lives that feel like they way us down, like things don't make sense, or that things just don't seem fair. But there is a great promise to all that we go through.

Ether 12:27 "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weaknesses that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then I will make weak things become strong unto them."

We are given things to help us come closer and become more like Jesus Christ. When we submit ourselves to the Fathers will and exercise faith in Jesus Christ we can become strong. Through Jesus Christ all things are possible. There is nothing we can't overcome. That doesn't mean that we will get things to work out but it means that things will work out to better us to become who we need to become. There is a lesson to be learned from everything we go through to better ourselves. This last month in the Ensign there was an article on grief. The lady who was going through grief learned more about love, compassion, and also long suffering. That is the Character of Christ. That is who we need to strive to become more like everyday in our lives.

I will leave you with one more scripture that John Bytheway gave in a talk.

1 Nephi 11:17 "And I said unto him: I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things."

Our Father in Heaven loves us. He truely does. He loves all his children. What a great thing to know. I cannot imagine not having this gospel in my life.

Rachel- I am glad you had fun at the vocal point concert. I wish I could have seen it. That would have been cool. I can't believe you went through the line twice. No excusses we know why. ;)

Natalie- I am excited that you have spring break really soon. It is a nice break to have. I think it is just a way to break up the year from Christmas to the end of the school year. Have fun.

Annie- I am excited to hear how you are enjoying your new area. I will have to read about it next week. Keep up the hard work and being such a great example. I love you!

Megan and Justin- Sounds like things are going good for you guys. I hope things continue to go good as well. I really appreciate all that you do. I really do. Thanks!

Mom- It was nice to talk to you for even just a few seconds. I was really excited to do that today! I was looking forward to see if I could all morning. Thanks for all you do!

Dad- Thanks for all you do. I did activate my card. I will be going to try that out sometime today. Thanks for all that you do as well. I really appreciate all that you have done for me.

I love you all and thanks for everything!

Love your favorite Elder, Brother, and Son,

Landon Webb

Annie’s Letter

So you're probably wondering why I am emailing so late today. Well... today isn't actually our pday. We are still emailing and stuff today because we won't have time on our pday...Thursday. We are going to the temple! I am SO excited! Partly because we get to go to the temple and that's always amazing! And also because we are going to the temple on February 28! Why is this date so significant you might ask? BECAUSE THAT'S THE DAY I WENT THROUGH THE TEMPLE FOR THE FIRST TIME! So that's pretty awesome. I think I'll have to make this a yearly tradition! I am super excited! So vocal point... I'm jealous. I LOVE vocal point. Austin Ellington gave us a vocal point hymn cd so I listen to that a lot. I don't know if you guys knew but I went to a concert a couple years ago. and it was amazing! At that point, there was a guy in it who was from Cody, Wyoming. And another guy who was Sean Pickup's roommate. So that was pretty cool. That's awesome that Bryce is in vocal point! I totally remember him! Although, he may not remember me lol. He was getting ready to go on his mission when I knew him. I'm glad you all enjoyed the concert so much. So many wonderful things come from BYU. :-) In other news... I am loving Cincinnati. It's great! I will be excited for it to warm up a little more... I'm sick of walking around in the cold all the time! But it's totally worth it so no worries. This week is going to be pretty cold. There was an ice storm last week and that was really interesting. It was different than anything I'd seen before. I have been super blessed and haven't been sick at all. People have been getting super sick all winter and they can't get over it. It's been no bueno. But I haven't come down with anything (knock on wood). On guard! It's amazing stuff. So my area includes a couple of little towns or townships or whatever they call them. There is Loveland (where we are a lot) and Sharonville! and Wyoming! So that's super exciting. But when I tell people that I'm from Wyoming I have to clarify that I am from the state of Wyoming. Haha. So that's been super fun. I'm glad everything is going well for you guys. Thanks so much for the emails! And the letters! It's been great! After a week of no mail.. we had a full mailbox! Sister Bergeson got a bunch of letters and I did too! Including one from mom! And then the next day I got one from dad! Yay for mail! Just for future reference... next transfer is on March 28. I think. There have been rumors that this is a 5 week transfer in which case transfers are on the 21 (or something like that) but I haven't heard that officially. So no idea really. I don't know why it would be a 5 week transfer... I'll try to find out this week. It shouldn't be hard since we talk to the zone leaders like every day. That's what happens when you share an area! lol.

Today I was reading a talk from General Conference and it made me think of the song in the subject line. "Because you live and breathe, because you make me believe in myself when nobody else can help...because you live, I live." I just think that describes the Atonement of the Savior so perfectly. Because He DOES live still we can also live. For eternity. I am so thankful for my Savior. This week I have been very grateful to be working along side Him. Sister Bergeson and I have been doing a lot of tracting and trying to figure out how to make it more productive. We are getting referrals from members fairly consistently, but we have a lot A LOT of finding time. It has been awesome to be able to coordinate our efforts with the Elders and see the miracles. We are lucky to be working with some awesome elders. Elder Smuin (from Vernal, UT) and Elder Whiting (from AZ). It is a lot of fun. We have been working hard and just trying to have faith and work as hard as we can and be exactly obedient so that miracles can be poured out. We are really working on not taking "no" as an answer when we knock on doors. Sometimes the answer is still no but we are really trying hard to get past people's concerns so that we can share the message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ with them. We have an investigator, Jerry, and he is amazing. He just let us in immediately and we started talking to him. This week he came to church and loved it. His wife is a little more reluctant. She is a little wary of church it seems but she is open minded and so we are working with her as well. But we extended baptism to both of them. Ericka was a little more hesitant. The first time we asked Jerry said "I've already been baptized" so we talked about the priesthood and asked again. And he said yes! So we were super excited! We are hoping to get him on date this week. He loved church and the members. He is planning on taking his son to play basketball at the church on Thursday! And...so cool! We found out that one of the boys in the ward knows Jerry's son! He plays sports with him! So we were super excited about that! The Lord really does prepare people in advance to be able to accept the gospel in their lives!

Sister Bergeson is amazing. Her birthday is March 23! She is really a great missionary and really just incredible. I hope all the other 19 year old missionaries are as awesome as she is! I am sure they are. She works hard and is willing to do whatever it takes to get the work done. She is bold, which is good for me because that is something that I am working on. I am loving having her as a companion.

I was so excited about the announcement of the 58 new missions! Including the Cincinnati mission! That is HUGE! Everyone here is super excited. The work is progressing! The standard of truth has been erected! No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing! It's true it's true! How lucky we are to be a part of this great and marvelous latter day work. SO LUCKY! So how it will work here, that July transfer people will get transferred into or our out Cincinnati and that will be the determining transfer of who is in the new mission. So I could be or I could not be. Chances are I won't stay in this area for longer than 2 transfers because there are so many new sisters coming in. 16 more in May! But that doesn't mean anything at this point...so yeah, we will just have to wait and see what happens. 3 missions in Ohio! The OCM, OCM, and OCM. The Ohio Columbus Mission, The Ohio Cincinnati Mission, and The Ohio Cleavland Mission. Haha.

Well, dearest familia... I love you guys. I still have a box I need to send home..it's on the back seat of the car. Maybe someday I'll have time to send it. We'll see. It's nothing exciting, just clothes. Wanna know something super awesome!? I have 3 library cards from Ohio. I can go to a lot of libraries. haha. Those are fun to collect I've decided. Although, my library card from the Provo library is still my favorite. It is yellow and has a cute little green frog on it. I love it.

By the way, my bishop is Bishop Proudfoot. When I heard his name I asked if he was native American too. He's not. He's British. He has an awesome accent. He served a mission in England, his wife (also British) served in Haiti! Their kids have mostly grown up in the US, a little in England and they also lived in China for 4 years. But they are settled here now. They have a son on a mission in the Washington DC North (I think) Mandarin speaking mission. SO that's pretty awesome. They are great. The whole ward is just amazing. I love being here with them. It's super fantastic! K, I gotta peace out! Love you guys like frogs love files! :-) Tata for now!

Annie

2/19/13

Landon’s Letter

Hello my wonderful family,

So as you probably guessed, we didn't go to Niagara Falls. It was raining so we didn't go. Then we rescheduled for today. It's raining again. So I guess that it must not be time for me to go to Niagara Falls yet. :( We will see what happens after transfers. We have transfers next week so we will see what will happen.

This week we set out to talk with alot of people. usually we talk with about 110 people per week. Well in 4 days we talked with 160 people. I have never talked with so many people in such short time before in my life. So we are pretty excited. We were able to find alot of potential investigators but we were able to schedule at least 5 return appointments with potential investigators. Out of this whole time we found a new investigator. That is pretty exciting for us. We have been very well blessed this week. With this being our last week things we hope will be a good transition for the next transfer what ever happens. We have done just about everything I can think of. We have had to result to tracting. We went through former investigators, plotted them out, and stopped by each of them. We also did that with potential investigators and have been trying to go through those things. So now we really need to focus on asking for referrals from the ward. I love getting out and going to work but it's not too much fun tracting till 9:00 at night.

We are really excited for Nick Carson, our investigator, who is preparing to be baptized this week. He is right on track and is looking forward to his baptism. We are trying to be in communication throughout all of the days this week. He has had an amazing story. I will tell more about him next week.

Also we were able to bring an investigator and her 6 and 7 year old sons out to church this week not for church but for a meet and greet. It was good to have them there.

For this week we are hoping to have a good week. We are excited to see what will happen. Sorry I am short of words this day.

Rachel- I expect to see a picture of your prom dress and you before the end of the school year. I am glad that you were able to work with Megan at work just the 2 of you. That is awesome! Hope you have a great week.

Natalie & Jon- Jon I hope you had fun prom dress shopping. Now you get to see what I have lived with for the past 19 years. Natalie did I mention I got both of your letters. I am trying to write everyone a letter today. I have like 10 so I will try. :)

Annie- I knew you would be training. We have 33 new sister missionaries coming in and only 31 sister missionaries. That is awesome. Have fun and continue to work hard!

Megan & Justin- I am glad things are going good for you guys. Did you go shopping with Rachel? Sorry running out of time.

Mom- I hope that I can catch you sometime. Next week I should be on MOnday around 10:30.

Dad- I still havent' heard about the card. I will get back to you as soon as I can even if it is a letter. I will let you know.

Sorry I love you all and I am running out of time. We are trying to just have 1 hour today because we have alot to do.

Love your favorite Elder, Son, and Brother,

Landon Webb

2/18/13

Annie’s Letter

"And from thence let my servants, Sidney Rigdon, Joseph Smith, Jun., and Oliver Cowdery,[and Annie] take their journey for Cincinnati;

So as you know I am in CINCINNATI! So now I have accomplished my goal of serving in Dayton, Columbus, and Cincinnati.

I'm excited to get your letters!

SO I am training again! And very excited about it! My new companion is Sister Bergeson from Boise Idaho and she is... 19 years old! How sweet is that!? She turns 20 on March 23. Man, I'm officially old. I'm in a different decade than my companion. haha. She is incredible. She is a very natural missionary. She is willing to work hard and just loves this work. I am very excited to get to work with and learn from her in the next months. Hopefully she'll learn something from me too. I'm glad you guys got that box and liked the pictures. I kind of miss them! haha. I'll just have to take lots more :-) Dad, sure you can send that movie to mormon.org. That would be fun. So Sister Bergeson and I were doubled into a new area! We are in Montgomery 2. There were already elders here (Elder Smuin and Elder Whiting) and they are the zone leaders. So now we have 2 sets of missionaries in this area! It presents an interesting challenge though. Typically when missionaries get doubled into an area they inherit the area book. But since the Elder's are still here... we didn't. So we got a map, a ward roster, and a blank area book and have been starting from scratch. The ward is super awesome though. This is the most missionary focused ward I have evern been in, on or off my mission. It's absolutely fantastic! We are working to get to know the ward and to find, teach and baptize! So we have had lots of time to find. My testimony has grown so much this week, I know that Heavenly Father really and truly blesses us as we are obedient to the things that He asks us to do. We prayed that we would be able to find a new investigator and that we would find someone that we would be able to take breakfast to. (Beacsue in this mission, we make breakfast for someone every Sunday to help them come to church). Saturday night rolled around, we tracted until 9:00 and the very last house that we knocked on was Jerry. He was very nice and we talked to him for just a couple of minutes and set up a time to come back next Friday. We asked if we could bring breakfast (and if he wanted to come to church, obviously) but his son had a basketball game on Sunday morning so he was not going to be able to go. So then we drove home. We had gotten 3 pretty solid potential investigators, return appointments with all of them for this week but no new investigators and no one to make breakfast for. So we were discussing what we were going to make for breakfast and who we were going to take it to because even though we didn't have any planned, WE WERE MAKING BREAKFAST! I do have a testimony of breakfast, I know it works. I know that sounds weird, but church attendance in this mission has just SKYROCKETED since we have started making breakfast every day. So we pulled into the apartment and got a phone call. It was Jerry. He didn't have a basketball game in the morning and so we were going back! Prayers answered! We had someone to make breakfast for! So Sunday morning we got up and made breakfast for Jerry! We had an awesome lesson. Unfortunately, he was not going to come to church that week but we were obedient and blessed. The Lord poured out miracles upon us! And we are so grateful! Last night we were texting another potential that we met on Saturday night, Kara. She feels like God is trying to tell her something. She told us that she wants to get closer to Him and wants to know how we are so close to Him. I was thinking about that during studies this morning. She is not the first person on my mission to comment on how close we are to God. It reminds me of James E. Faust's talk in October 2005 General Conference (which may be the best conference EVER!) about the Jerusalem Center and the "light" in the student's eyes. Sister Bergeson and I were talking about it and we determined that people can tell that about us because we have the Holy Ghost as our constant companion. How lucky are we! I am so grateful for that wonderful gift and for the opportunity that we have to share it with others. HOW GREAT IS MY CALLING! I think that may be the theme of my mission. I think that all the time! HOW GREAT IS MY CALLING! I love this work. I love my calling. I love my Father in Heaven and my brother and Savior, Jesus Christ. I have a testimony of the gospel. I know it is true. With every fiber of my being I KNOW it!

So a little about the ward. It is big and active! Which is awesome! They just got a new ward mission leader 2 weeks ago and they are just on fire! The ward missionaries are super on it! The Bishop, Biship Proudfoot, is from LONDON!, ENGLAND! SO he and his wife have awesome accents. Their kids have sadly lost theirs. This ward is very diverse. You have a lot of ethnicities and the economic situations are really diverse. You have the wealthiest of the wealthy and then not so wealthy people. All walks of life. It's really neat. The ward mission plan is exciting and is all based on inviting. Go buy Clayton Christensen's book "The Power of Everyday Missionaries" it's seriously amazing. I haven't read it, obviously, but the things I do know about it are just stellar. I want to read it when I get home. The part that I love, and really the only part that I know says:

Most of us fear failure. Once we have realized that we succeed as member missionaries when we invite people to learn and accept the truth, much of the fear that kept us from sharing the gospel vanishes. We gtive them the opportunity to exercise their free agency. Some will use that agency to accept the gospel and others will not, and that's fine. We succeed when we invite."

WE SUCCEED WHEN WE INVITE!

That is what missionary work is all about. Inviting people to come closer to Christ. So a challenge for all of you. Invite a nonmember, recent convert, or less active member to an activity, to church, or to the house for a family home evening or whatever. INVITE! DO IT! That is what the Lord expects us to do. Give people opportunities.

I love you guys and I hope you all have a great week! Keep up the good work! Thanks for all you do for me and Landon. We really appreciate your love and support. it means a lot. I am grateful to have such a wonderful family. Love you guys!!

Annie

2-13-13

Annie’s Letter

Hello wonderful family of mine! Thanks so much for the birthday wishes! And presents! Thanks SO much for the camera! I am sending the other one back, maybe Spencer can fix it. :-) Meg and Justin thanks so much for the awesome package! I love it! The boots are so awesome! And SO comfy! And SO cute! :-) I just love you guys. Seriously, best family ever. So let me tell you about my amazing 22nd birthday.

Monday wasn't pday because TRANSFERS ARE TOMORROW! So we have pday today so that we can pack and say goodbye to people if we want without wasting time. We did have lunch at the Whipples. Sister Whipple invited Sisters Skaggs, Ellington, Rutter, Hansen, and Thomas and we had a birthday party! Yummy pizza and texas fudge cake... Even 22 candles! I wished that we would find a new investigator and I blew out all my candles! And guess what...?! We totally found a new investigator. Reva's little sister Maddi! :-) yay! It was just an awesome day. And we don't have dinner at members houses on Monday's anymore. So that night for dinner we had... beans! I had to make them from memory so they weren't quite as good as dad's but still pretty good :-) and the next day they were even better. So that was fun. Then yesterday we had dinner at the Madsen's and they had cupcakes and I got to blow out more candles. It was just a fun fun birthday. :-) Sister Twitchell and I will definitely go out to lunch today! It's possibly our last chance! We haven't got transfer calls yet... but we'll keep you posted :-)

2 Nephi 10:23. WHAT A WONDERFUL SCRIPTURE! What a wonderful gift to be able to choose to be happy, to have eternal life. Agency is such an incredible blessing! It has been amazing this week to see people and how they are choosing to be happy. Mom, you're such an incredible example of this. you always taught us that people can't "make" us anything. They can't make us happy or sad or mad. Those are our choices. When I was younger I had a really hard time understanding that. It would "make" me so mad when you would tell me "you're choosing to be upset right now." Of course, that would only make me more mad. However, the older I got I realized the wisdom of your counsel and how true it was. It's not always easy, and I am certainly not perfect at it, but definitely something I have been working on for years! On Sunday Josh was planning on coming to church. We took him breakfast and he was having a crappy day. He hadn't been working as much as he needed and so his rent was past due. He had been given a 3 day eviction notice and although he had been trying to get the money, even tried selling his truck, he was unable to cut it. Last week we had an amazing lesson with him and ended up talking about Priesthood blessings. He was interested in having one, so the member that was with us called her husband and another brother in the ward and they came right over and gave Josh a blessing. It was amazing. The spirit was so strong. Part of the blessing said that as he improves his spiritual well being his temporal well being will also improve. How amazing! So Sunday we went back to his house after we delivered breakfast and went to knock on the door so they could follow us to church, but they were already in the truck! So we went to church, and he was just feeling really upset. A "terrible day." :-( 3 hours later he was just happy. Smiling, playing with his daughter...it was amazing. And guess what? He was able to pay his rent and they are still in their apartment. Heavenly Father really does take care of us. It was amazing. He loved church. Absolutely loved it. But of course he did. When the spirit is so strong and you are so enveloped by love by so many complete strangers...you can't help but love it. He wanted to find a church where people didn't stare or judge him for his tattoos or his daughter (single dad). And no one did. People came up to him and introduced themselves to him and just brought him right into their embrace. It was amazing. I love this ward. It is seriously so amazing. Wonderful examples here.

Now, Reva. Reva is just amazing. She has been such a great missionary to her little sister. We are actually teaching Maddi now! The young women's organization has just completely banded around these 2 girls. They absolutely love them. And vice versa. It's just amazing. Reva was on date to be baptized on March 9. But now she's not. No worries though... FEBRUARY 23!! She is just so ready to be baptized! It's wonderful! And it's going to be great for Maddi to see Reva be baptized! Reva is another wonderful example of choosing to be happy. She decided to turn her life to God, she met us and she just feels so happy now! She is so sweet and the happiness and love that just emanates from her is amazing. She has really risen above a rough situation. We finally met her mother too. She is sweet and totally supportive of Reva. And I think that after Reva and Maddi are baptized, Amy will follow. It's going to take time. Maddi isn't going to be as fast as Reva, and their mom might not either, but before long this family will be united in faith and... man, miracles. I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY! Seriously, who wouldn't love this work!? I just don't understand. Every day we have the amazing privilege of inviting others to come unto Christ. I can't think of a better way to choose to be happy than by dedicating your life to the Savior and helping others come closer to Him!

Rachel have fun prom dress shopping! I definitely want pictures! What is your theme for prom? I hope school keeps going well! Sorry your pops concert wasn't all that fun. What a bummer! Also, I LOVE "
To Kill a Mockingbird!" Such a good book! Good luck on your speech!

Natalie- thanks for the card! And yes, I got the package! I'm excited to eat it tomorrow! :-) Keep up the good work chica! Jon, make sure Rachel gets a pretty dress ;-) are you excited for track to start up!?

Landon- you are such an awesome example! We didn't get any of the snow. There is absolutely zero snow here right now. It's practically balmy. 41 degrees is the high today. Yesterday I didn't even wear a jacket! haha. Keep up the good work, bro! I hope you had fun at Niagara Falls!

Meg and Justin- hate to break it to you meg... you're 24... Not quite 22. old lady! ;-) but it's okay because Justin is even older! :-P

Mom- thanks for all you do for me! I just love you! You're the greatest mom ever! I am so lucky to have you to be my mommy!

Dad- you're the greatest daddy a girl could ask for! Thanks for all you do! Sister Twitchell says thanks for lunch! She is excited to meet all of my amazing family! :-)

Also, I'm sending a box home today. It will have in it: a memory card full of pictures and videos. Dad, there is a video for you that I made for father's day but couldn't get any of these stupid library computers to send it. So happy father's day late. Also, I hope you enjoy the songs that Sister Twitchell and I wrote. We have had lots of fun with this. There is also a blanket that a very sweet old woman, Victoria Kirkland, made for me when I was in Springfield. She is amazing. She is from Austria and Germany... (WW II) and then went to Texas and then to Ohio. Her accent is the coolest. :-) There is also a Lion King piano book and "The Complete Chronicles of Narnia." I found these at the dumpster and thought it was appalling, abhorrent even, that someone would just throw then away! So I saved them. But can't have them here. Haha. Oh, and a beautiful picture! The financial secretary, Sister Wursten, bought these for all the Sister Missionaries. There is an Elder's version too called "Called to serve" I think. But you have to go directly through the artist to get them! Deseret Book discontinued them. Sad. Anyway, it was so sweet of her! It is an amazing picture! I love it and I don't want to lose/ruin it! So keep it somewhere safe please! :-)

I love you all so much! Thanks for all you do for me and Landon! We really appreciate it! You're just the best family EVER!!! I love you all!

Tata!

Annie

PS cool story with Reva! After our lesson on Monday she was talking to Maddi and she was upset. Reva said "okay, I'm going to open the Book of Mormon to a random page and point to a scripture." So she did...and it related perfectly to what Maddi needed! It was just amazing. The Book of Mormon is so powerful and wonderful and just great! I love it! Keep reading it! Every day!

also... the subject line was a joke from the MTC. One of the men in my branch presidency was talking about being accountable but it definitely sounded like a cannibal. And then a man in a general conference session from the past said "heed the prophet every day" but because of his accent it sounded like eat. haha :-)

and tell grandpa thanks for the valentine's card! :-)

2/11/13

Landon’s Letter

Hello my Family,

Happy Birthday Annie! You are 22? Really holy cow ;)

I hope that you have had a great week! I know we had a pretty good week. Things were pretty boring and then Friday hit. I don't know how bad it got Annie if it got her at all. But I know that we got between 15-17 inches of snow. Let me tell you it dumped and hit us hard. There are mountains of snow on the sides of the street. You almost have to just slowly creap out because you can't see over the banks. They are about 5 feet high in places. They are about 3 feet in most places. Crazy huh? We helped 3 people shovel out their driveways and on top of that our own parking spot. Then we also helped 2 cars get unstuck and we have been stuck 3 times but we got unstuck each time. Our car is an all wheel drive car. That's because they don't plow the inner street roads. We got baned from driving past 7 on Friday. So we had to cancel an appointment with a Less-Active family. It was very exciting! I am glad that I was here to experience it. They say there has not been a storm like that for some while. It was great!

That was pretty well the buzz of the week. Nick is doing great! He is still on track for the 24th and is excited for it. We were low on lessons this week. For the past 2 weeks we have taught 33 lessons. We tried for 14 lessons per week. This week we only had 9 lessons. On the bright side we talked with 120 people. 20 of them came from Monday and Tuesday leaving 100 for Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. So we were pretty happy with that. We are improving.

Not much else happened this week here. Like I said the snow was the most exciting news we had this week. We are going to Niagara Falls today! We are very excited. I haven't gotten the letter from Dad yet but I hope that I do today. I think it will but the postal service here isn't that good so we tried.

Yesterday at church was so great! I heard 2 talks that blew away my mind. The first was from a sister in the ward who talked about faith, asking ourselves questions and questioning, and also doubts. It was really great the way she explained how that we should always be asking questions about the gospel but it is when we question whether or not it is true is when we are in trouble. It was good. Then a brother from the ward got up to speak. I thought there was no way he could live up to something after that. Holy Cow he did! It was awesome! He gave the example of the Greek and the Persian war. Also about how the man ran 26 some odd miles to tell Greece they won the battle. Basically how the marathon came to be. But he made an interesting point. When the man ran back to tell everyone, he didn't have to but he did because he probably didn't want to miss out on the reward even though he died. He also made the point, and this is where I find it the most interesting, the war had already been won. He didn't need to run and tell these people because they would have heard eventually. The war for us has already been won. Christ suffered and atoned for our sins. The war has been won. We just have to finish the race. I thought is was a good example of how we must endure to the end.

Rachel- I hope things cool off for you soon. Have fun buying a prom dress. It will be fun for you. When is prom? I hope your homework slows down. Are you going to do track this year?

Natalie- good luck on your chem test. You will do fine. Who is your teacher? It's not Nicole is it? I hope you have Rocky. Or is is someone else? Thanks for both of your letters. I got them both this week!

Annie- Happy Birthday. I am going to wait to send your birthday present until I can buy it from Niagara falls. Don't worry it will be a little more ;) I will also be writing a letter and sending it.

Megan & Justin- I am gald your dogs have fun in the fluffy snow. They would have loved it here. We were walking around and a dog was out. He cam and was playing around us. He loved the snow and was playing in it so I can only imagine your dogs!

Mom- Thanks for the portugese! That was awesome! I am gald you fed the missionaries! They need all the meals they can get. We had 5 meal appointments for this week and 3 of them canceled. Oh well. Glad things are going good.

Dad- That sounds awesome. We should totally do it! That is stinking way up there! Do we have to let it go at a certain time so it doesn't interfer with a plane? Do we have to get it okeyed by someone? I am giving a talk this week and I am totaly using a plane analagy. I will have to send a copy of the talk back so you can read it.

I love you all!

Love your favorite Brother, Son, and Elder!

Landon Webb

p.s.

Faith to Follow

By Lisa South

I dream of being a Moses,

An Ester,

A Nephi-

And despair that I

Don't have that

Greatness in me.

But then

I remember-

God doesn't require greatness,

He requires faith;

And some of us must have

The faith to follow.

2/4/13

Annie’s Letter

So funny joke...

This man was walking down the beach and just enjoying his nice stroll. He looked out into the ocean and saw this man splashing around. He noticed that the water was all bloody and the man was yelling "Help! Shark, Help!"

The mad laughed a little and said "That shark's not gonna help him!"

Bwahahaha!

So this week has been really great! We met Josh, and it was amazing! We were walking, even though it was cold. It would have been so easy to drive but we knew that we needed to walk. So as we're waling we ran into Kyle and chatted with him for a while which was great. And then we were waiting to cross a street. As we were waiting this man's truck ran out of gas. He got out and started pushing it, so we helped him! We got it to Marathon (a gas station) and then started talking to him. It was so cool. He actually asked us if we could come to his home and teach him! Freak ya we can! So the next day we went over with Sister Guinther and had an incredible lesson! He so wants to do what is right for himself and his little girl, Cheyenne (after Cheyenne, Wyoming!) He has a lot going on but it's gonna be alright!

We also met Ashely. We met her a couple weeks ago actually and had a return appointment but she was sick so it fell through. Well, this week our plans and our backup plans had fallen through. So we prayed and felt like we should go visit Ashley. So we knocked on the door and no one answered. So we knocked again and no one answered. So we went back to the car, and I couldn't unlock the door! So as I was struggling to open the car door...a different door opened. Ashley's. So we were able to talk to her and set up a return appointment for the next morning. So we came back and it was awesome! We had such a wonderful lesson. The spirit was so strong! We are so excited to go back this week and teach her more about the wonderful Plan of Salvation and how she can be with her sweet family for eternity. It's gonna be great. I love the spirit and how we really are led and guided by the Lord in this work. D&C 84:88.

Also, I got to teach Reva again this week (she is so awesome!) We were talking about the Gospel of Christ (faith, repentance, baptism, the gift of the holy ghost and enduring to the end). Sister Dunlevy went with me (we were on splits) and it was amazing! The things sister dunlevy talked about were exactly what Reva needed to hear and something that I could never give to her! It was so awesome! Reva has been trying to get her little sister maddi involved in the lessons but maddi won't have it. But that night, Maddi asked if we could pray for some people and so Reva invited her to come join us for the prayer. Which she did. Then last night some of their family friends got in a bad accident and I think it really shook Maddi. Reva told us that she taught Maddi the plan of salvation and the word of wisdom! (We haven't even had the word of wisdom lesson with Reva yet but she is already living it! She is just that awesome!) It is so amazing to be able to be a tool in the Lord's hands. Every single member of the church, no matter their age, has the ability to touch someones life and bring them into the wonderful gospel of our Savior. How awesome is that!? Abraham Lincoln said "when I do good I feel good. When I don't do good, I don't feel good." Well...sharing the gospel is good! And I PROMISE that there is nothing that will make you feel better than sharing it. Even in the people you share with with don't accept the wonderful message of the gospel, that's okay because they have their agency. But as YOU share it you will be so much happier! That is a promise! I love this gospel. I love this work. I am so grateful to be serving! It's not always easy, but it is ALWAYS worth it!

So, ya. really great week :-) I'm glad sister skaggs sent you that picture. It was so fun. I love those kids. We have decided that after I get home I have to come back and watch the Avengers with the Skaggs'. Fine with me! haha. Seriously love them. Plus, they wanted shrimp. So last night... I had shrimp for dinner. Jealous? You should be! It was sooooooooooooo good! :-)

Also...10 months today! Where has the time even gone!? I just don't know! And I'll be 22 in a week! Yikes! I'm getting old! haha.

Well, I love you guys! Have a great week! Write me letters! :-) and Landon too!

Peace out! :-)

Annie

Landon’s Letter

Hey mi familia,
I hope you had a great week. I know we did. This week we started off by going to a FHE for the ward here. It was really fun. Following that we got to work. We kept track of how many poeple we talked with and it was 104 people. It really helped that we talked with a combined 68 people the last 3 days of the week. So we are working up. Of course I love to see the numbers as a goal. It was a really fun 3 days. We want to keep going but just as in anything I do there are ups and downs of motivation. It really comes down to hard work. If we are willing and if we are set on doing what we have set out to do. I hope that I can learn to master setting goals and making plans.
This week we were able to meet with Nick. We met him last week and scheduled an appointment to meet with him at the church on Wednesday. We say them pull up so we went out to meet him and the member and the first thing he says to us is, "I know I need to be baptized." I didn't know what to say after that. He still needs to do everything that any investigator needs. Develop more faith in Jesus Christ and his atonement and repentance before he can be baptized and the only way he can do this is by gaining a testimony of the Book of Mormon, Word of wisdom, etc. But that is the whole part of our purpose. "Invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and his atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and endure to the end. We were also able to meet with other of our investigators this week. It is really cool how we get to see them gaining testimonies of things. For example last week at church one of our investigators mother came to church for the first time since I have been here. She is a member already but she just had a hard time getting up. She still came last week and she had a good time. You could just hear the tone in her voice. Well on Saturday night we called them just following up if they were going to come to church and she said they were. They Beat Us There to church and we arrived 15 minutes early. It was amazing to see. It grew my testimony that going to church really does make our week go by better so much.
During our finding on saturday night around 7:00. We were tracting..... ;p But it was actually really fun. We were just cruising, having fun, and just letting the work go. During that time we got invited inside a house and we were able to talk a little more to a woman. While standing in the door way we didn't see any other male so we were hurrying to get out the door. We were able to schedule a return appointment. That was then we saw her son come around the corner. Dang. But we are going back on Wednesday which I am excited for so we will see.
Rachel- how are things going for you? I hope that things in swing choir settle down. Why did he try to cancel it? It sounds like a very interesting week. How are you doing about it? I hope that things work out for the better.
Natalie- thanks for delivering my letter to Cameron. Thanks for the info on the Superbowl. I was cheering for the Ravens to win. They are a team that I like to watch. That is cool that guy is on that team! Hope you have a good week.
Annie- Keep up the awesome work. Do you have standards of excellence to strive to achieve every week? Are you doing a lot of tracting or more contacting? What are you doing to try and find new people. Keep up the hard work
Megan & Justin- Thanks for the hi Justin. I knew I would hear something from you ;) I am glad that you guys are enjoying your puppies. Well they are probably too grown to be called puppies anymore huh. Is Orion a little bigger then Levi. Who is taller? I still need to know what you want to get from Niagara Falls.
Mom- That is awesome that you took that spider. Which teachers did it scare? You will have to tell me how the rest of pig out week went. I remember I scared the bishops wife in Heber really bad with it. opps. Hope you have a great week!
Dad- I will let you know next week if I can call that phone number or not. I am excited to get those pictures I will try my best to find that location. We are going next week to Niagara Falls. Have a great week!
I hope you all have a great week. I love you all!
Love your favorite brother, Elder and son,
Landon Webb

1/28/13

Annie’s Letter

So earlier this week I thought of the GREATEST subject line EVER for my email to you guys this week. But guess what? I forgot it. SO I thought the one I put would suffice :-) Thank you all for your emails! I love hearing from you! And I am SO excited to get letters from you all soon! Sister Twitchell and I have been in a bit of a "mail famine" recently, which is really sad! But it's okay! Because we have faith that it will end soon! In case you're wondering: I am officially down to less than nine months! As you know, my 18 months is October 4, 2013. However, transfers don't fall on those days. So I could be coming home the next transfer, which is October 24. Just FYI. I don't know though, I still have a long time before I need to think about that :-). This week has been really good for us! Last night we were able to take one of our investigators, Reva, to a mission fireside. It was amazing. She felt the spirit so strongly! She is amazing! Everything we teach her is "ya, that totally makes sense" or "I've always known that." She is golden. She is getting baptized on March 9! Plus, she came to church yesterday, and she knows like EVERYONE! She is 17 and goes to Marysville High School so there are a lot of people there that she knows. During church yesterday she kept saying "I didn't know [insert name here] came here!" It was awesome. Her fellowshipping is great! Yay! And she actually knows Brooklyn too! Which is just amazing! Brooklyn came to church yesterday! We haven't seen her in a couple weeks, she felt like she got her answer and that it was no. Saturday night she called the Hoyt's and she asked for a ride! It was amazing! She has pretty strong fellowshipping as well. She might not be ready right now, but someday she will be! Brooklyn will join the church! It's going to be great! Such a great day! Also, we had Sister's training on Thursday which was AMAZING! It was actually all about training and improving our areas because... we will be getting DRUM ROLL, PLEASE... 60 SISTERS! Well we'll have 60 sisters in the great Ohio Columbus mission! We have either 19 or 21 right now! TRIPLING! How exciting! I learned so much and Sister Twitchell and I have been talking about ways that we can improve our missionary efforts and just be better and help the work progress here! Marysville has so much potential! We just need to figure out the best way to uncap it! It was a hard week for numbers here in Mayrsville, a really hard week for numbers. We did a lot of finding. The vast majority of our lessons fell through, which was sad. But we had great member involvement anyway and just had a wonderful week. We didn't find any new investigators this week, but not for lack of trying! We have some good potentials we are excited about though. One thing is for certain. Satan is a beast. He is just working his little tail off! He's hard to combat, but we have the power of God on our side and Satan really just doesn't have a chance! He may win small battles but he can NEVER win the war! Who's on the Lord's side? WE ARE! The fearless missionaries of the great OCM! Seriously, could there BE a better place to be right now? I think NOT! I'm grateful for the opportunity that I have, the privilege, of being one of the missionaries in the Great Ohio! That is a huge honor and responsibility and I feel very humbled to be here. This mission is truly GREAT! I love it. I love being here. I love working with the wonderful people. There really is no where else in the world I would rather be right now than here. Sorry this is really short this week, I don't have all that much to say. I just know that the Lord is blessing us and that He is with us in this work. I have a very strong testimony of that. Oh! This is really cool! Last night at the fireside, Elder Martin (who is the former stake president of the Columbus North Stake but is now the secretary for the OCM) was speaking. He has a son who just left the MTC. When he was in the MTC a general authority was speaking (one of the seventy, I don't remember which one). But he said (the seventy) you could be called anywhere...even the great Ohio Columbus mission! That's right! Even the GA's know that this is the GREAT Ohio Columbus Mission! How awesome is that!? We had a lot of fun adventures this week. Lots of walking, mom, don't worry we do stay warm. We bundle up so good, we're HOT even when it's freezing outside! We have loved it! Oh! And when I talked to Dr Giles on Monday he was telling me that he just sent his son off on his mission to... SANTA ROSA CALIFORNIA! Now, you may be wondering WHY that is cool. Well, let me tell you why. That's where Nate is serving his mission! How crazy is that?! It's a small world after all! That was super exciting. And I feel like there was something else I was going to tell you guys too that was super cool... Oh! So Shelly, a good friend of ours, was leaving on her mission. She goes into the MTC on Wednesday. She left on Saturday. But on WEDNESDAY she spent the whole day with us again, it was awesome. We went to district meeting and she even participated! We each had one of the eight fundamentals to teach and she taught one! It was awesome. She is going to be such a stellar missionary! She's just awesome. Japan doesn't know what's coming! Well, I can't think of anything else right now...and I want to attach some pictures so I think that's it! Thanks for being the most wonderful family in the entire world! I love you guys SO Much! Justin: Jon has written me a letter. Your turn :-) (Jon, don't forget to send the letter you wrote!) :-) Have a great week guys! Love you!

Challenge: get on mormon.org, make a profile and help spread the gospel that way!

Tata!

Annie

Pictures:

1. Go Buckeyes!

2. My hair was really cute this day...not after this though! We love these crazy kids. :-)

3. Sister Shelly Lundstrom!

4. Sister Twitchell, me and our detective mustaches from Sister's training!

Love you!

Landon’s Letter

Hogy Vagy? Kum Te Szimsz?

1 question but 2 different languages. How are you doing? The first is Hungarian. There is a hungarian family here in the ward. We visit them every other week. They are great members of the church. The second is Romnian. From the same family. I also know how to say how are you doing in Polish and in Korin. Not Korean but Korin. It's a language I never heard of before coming here. Any ways This week was a great week! We have been working hard. The only thing that is a downfall for us is we are suppose to have 1 hour long appointments but we could litterally talk for hours with some of the members. So always something to work on the be exactly obedient.

We have been blessing this week. We were able find and meet a new investigator, Nick Carson. He was a referral from a member and we were able to meet him. He is great. The first lesson we found out he has a firm belief in Jesus Christ. He was raised Jehovah Witness but he never was baptized with them. He has read some of the first of the Book of Mormon and he likes it. He came to church with us yesterday and it was a great experience. We were talking and he was telling me. You know you have it lucky to have been raised in this. The world is so rough and is trying to tear each of us down. You really are lucky to have been raised in this. That got me thinking ya I have been given this soooo freely. I can't believe of can't even imagine what my life would be like if I wasn't a part of this church. Where would my life be, what would I be doing, or would I even care. It definately is a huge blessing to me in my life. It is amazing what we can learn from our investigators and what we can teach them. We are both learning by the Spirit. If the Spirit is there in a lesson or when we are at church, we are learning from the Spirit. We were able to find another investigator this week whose name is John. We found him on the streets and he is a good guy. We have been really blessed this week again. We have been really focusing on finding. We have set goals and made plans for what we need to do to achieve those goals. So we are really focusing on finding.

I still need lists. I don't know when I will be going to Niagra yet but I still need lists from Megan & Justin, Natalie, Jon, and Rachel.

Rachel: Glad to hear that you are enjoying swing choir and jazz band. Don't worry it gets better the more you do it. Just make it a habit. I am glad that you won't be stressing out so much with your classes. Just remember to enjoy the time you are there. It goes by fast.

Natalie: Thanks for telling me about Cameron. Just try and find the good from college this sememster. Your time there is short and you are preparing yourself for the future. Just remember we have to have the bad times so we can enjoy the good times.

Annie: You are doing great work! Sorry I haven't written you a letter. I will try and write one today. Keep up the awesome work. I hope you are ready to train again. I hope you get to train 2 more sisters and atleast move a couple or more times.

Megan & Justin: Thanks for the letter! I am so grateful for all that you do. We have 2 fast talking sisters (Rachel and Annie) haha. I hope that things keep going great for you.

Mom: I will get you those things so you can show your kids. I am grateful that you and Dad took us to see these sights. I am so much more interested in church history now. I wish and hope we can go again as a family. Maybe. We'll see.

Dad: Thanks for all the updates. I really appreciate all that you do. Ya we will be careful out on the roads. I hope that you have a great week this week! I will send you a canadian flag and milk duds. Thanks for all you do.

1-21-13

Annie’s Letter

What missionaries talk about: Religion, Politics, and football.

Religion always. Politics as little as possible. Football as much as appropriate.

haha.

So back story: One day we were tracting and we met a man and he said that he didn't talk about religion, politics, or football. Fast forward a couple of months we realize that this man's wife is a former investigator! We remembered that he had said this line and we really enjoyed it. And applied it to our own lives. It was exciting.

Another fun story: One day we were tracting and this man looked out the window and saw us, eye contact, and didn't open the door. That inspired this song, by Sister Webb and Sister Twitchell. I'm sure you will be able to guess the tune that it goes to.

I looked out the window and what did I see?

Two mormon missionaries looking at me!

Something inside tells me not to fear,

but I don't want to give up my beer.

I could read their "bible" all the way through

But I'm afraid I'm come to know it's true.

I guess that it could be...

What would that mean for me?

DON'T OPEN THE DOOR FOR THOSE MISSIONARIES!

We really enjoy writing songs. We have several. The one, I think I sent the lyrics for joy to the world, popcorn popping, we have one to knock 3 times. One for She's always a woman, and one for I'd really love to see you tonight. They are great. I'll have to send you the other lyrics sometime. I just have to write them down first. They're scribbled in my planner lol. You have lots of time to come up with stuff while tracting. And we have been walking a ton this week because... we're basically out of miles. YIKES! So walking walking walking. We are pro at bundling up. Thermals, leggings, long socks, fuzzy socks, sweat pants, boots, long skirts, shirts, cardigans or sweaters, jackets, coats, 1-2 pairs of gloves, hats. We stay pretty warm. This week is going to be cold though! high of like 14 today! Low of -10 (with the windchill) poor Sister Twitchell isn't sure how she's going to handle it. Vegas girl :-)

Check out hymn # 248. I love that song. It is such a wonderful hymn and really helps me get going! It's been stuck in my head for the last couple of days and I couldn't be happier! What a wonderful song! What a wonderful call! This is just the most incredible time ever!Our week was FANTABULOUS! But of course it was! It has been great to be able to do the work of the Lord each day. How blessed are we?! How great is our calling! I love this work. I love this gospel. THE gospel. I love the Lord. I love my Savior. I love having the opportunity to dedicate my life to Him for these 18 months. They are going way too fast! So, some highlights from this week:

One day (I really don't remember which...) we were tracting and met Diedre. She told us we could come in and share a message with her and I was blown away! Sometimes when people let us in while we're tracting, I freeze and have to remind myself what to do! But then the spirit just works miracles and BAM we are having an incredible lesson about the gospel of Jesus Christ. The wonderful restoration and all that it entails.

It is amazing how Heavenly Father just sets things up so perfectly. Miracles just happen! We have been going through our area book and contacting all the potential investigators that have been written down since 2005. It is great, we get to update the area book, meet incredible people who have had interest in the past, and meet new people by going to the homes where discover that the potential had moved. That's actually how we have found 2 of our investigators, and it lead to finding another. So we had been doing this potential contacting and we met Ashley (who is a new resident of this home). We set up a return appointment with her for the following week. Fast forward to last week: On Friday we had dinner with a less active family, the Nichols. They are amazing, have strong testimonies and need to go to the temple. Actually back track even more. Last Sunday Sister Twitchell and I felt very strongly that we should go see the Nichols. Then Sister Nichols was at church that day and asked when we could come see them! So we went that day and set up this dinner appointment with them for Friday, which is the same day that we set up the return appointment with Ashely for the same Friday. So Friday rolls around, we have dinner and an amazing discussion about the Temple and then we trot off to our appointment with Ashely. She wasn't feeling well so we left. As we were walking back to the nichols, where our car was, there were these 3 girls hanging out in the parking lot. Sister Twitchell and I both felt like we should talk to them but before either of us could open our mouths, one of the said "What are you doing?" Of course we were more than happy to tell them all about what we were doing! These girls are teenagers who all have lived pretty rough lives. Drugs, pregnancies, ect. Messy stuff. Well, one of them, Reva was very interested. Sister Twitchell was talking to her while I was talking to another one. We set a return appointment for the next day and were able to take a member from young women's with us. It was amazing. Reva so wants to turn her life to God. She recognized that the path she was on was NOT the path she wanted to be on. So she decided to turn it around. When she was younger she lived with her dad and a "mormon lady" would come around and talk to them. Reva loved what she was hearing and reading in pamphlets and had questions. But one day her dad got mad and wouldn't let the "mormon lady" come back anymore. But now, Reva is getting her questions answered. And she has accepted a baptismal invitation with a tentative date of March 9! Heavenly Father really does prepare people and have a plan. He will NOT let us mess up His work. As long as we are doing the things we need to be doing, He will lead and guide us and help us get where we need to be, say what we need to say, do what we need to do and be what we need to be. He truly qualifies whom He calls.

Mom: I did get permission to call Dr. Giles, once for a short call. But after that, I have permission to email him. So I'll have to get right on that. Wondering if his office is closed today though, because it's Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. I'm shocked the library is open! They close for Columbus Day! Why not LMK? Whatever.

Dad: I HOPE STYX IS THERE NEXT FEBRUARY!!! I want to go SO bad! But not until then :-) haha. And yes I will be in Marysville for my birthday! My birthday is on a Monday, so no dinner with members that night. But The Ellington's signed up for the 10 and the Madsen's signed up for the 12 :-) yay! And everyone else has been asking if someone has signed up for my birthday. Maybe I'll be celebrating it all month! haha. Tell Kaylee and the rest of the Benedicts crew hello! They're awesome.

Megan and Justin: I'm so glad you're loving the new curriculum. I have only heard wonderful things about it! Justin, look at my missionary calendar that Megan just update. Time is ticking my friend.

Landon: Keep up the good work. There is always a trial of faith before miracles happen. Just keep working and being obedient. "Obedience brings blessings. Exact obedience brings miracles."

Natalie and Jon: Thanks for the letter! The rest of you should really follow her example! I'm glad things are going well. Don't stress about planning a wedding. Just have fun with it! And tell me your details! Do you have a dress? What are your colors? Flowers? Who is making your cake? Where is your reception going to be? I'll write you back today :-) and Jon, ditto what I said to Justin.

Rachel: I know you're so busy! I'm glad you're having a great year! Keep up the good work chica! I'm glad Koda came home. He's such a good dog.

Okie dokie familia. That's about all for this week! I love you all! Send me letters! Have a great week! Oh! One other things. I was reading in Ether. You know how we didn't know the name of the brother of Jared until the Lord revealed it to Joseph Smith? WELL check out Ether 2:13! AWESOME! Okay, love you! tata! :-)

Annie

Landon’s Letter

Hey my family,

So I am staying here in Stoney Creek for atleast 1 more transfer with Elder Washburn. I am excited, it feels we have just finally figured out what is going on here. This week was definately a better week. We found 3 new investigators! It was really cool we stopped by someone who we picked up 2 weeks ago and we picked up 2 new investigators this week. One of the people (Haley) needed a garbage bag to clean so she came over at that time and she stayed for the lesson. It was a really great lesson. Then we found another guy, his name is Dave. We were able to talk with him and picked him up as a new investigator. So we have been really blessed this week.

For this next transfer we have set goals and made plans to achieve for the transfer, weekly goals, and also daily goals. I was able to do alot of math ;D. We figured out numbers to shoot for each day of how many people to talk with each day, how many potential investigators we need to find everyday, how many lessons to have every day, and also so many more. It was alot of fun! So we are going to really try to achieve these goals, while tracking our obedience, and learning more about Preach My Gospel. My Mission President has given us things to work on as a mission. Pure in Hear, Exact Obedience, and Preach My My Gospel. It is amazing just how much the little things account for and add up. We track our Morning and Evening Schedule, OYM to 10 people (Open Your Mouth- talk with), Real Plays (doing a simulation of a situation- so helpful), and also 1 hour long appointments. Our first week tracking was 3/5, 0/5, 3/5, and 0/5 respectively. This week we improved so much. 6/7, 6/7, 7/7, and 5/7 repectively. It seems easy but it is hard. hour long appointments are hard, especially dinner appointments. Just remember that when the missionaries are over. There has been a clear difference between the two weeks can you agree. It's not that we changed huge things, we changed little things. Being out the door by 10:00 a.m sharp, talking with 10 people, real playing everyday, keeping 1 hour long appointments, and just constantly thinking about how to be more obedient. So no we aren't apostate missionaries we just need to improve. I hope with these goals we have set for ourselves to achieve, striving for exact obedience, and working effectively to achieve the standards of excellence. We have also been cleaning this week. Suprising but it is amazing how much less stress there is when we have a clean and organized appartment. So we are shaking things up, cleaning out the dust, and organizing so we are in total control of our area with the parts we need to worry about.

So on to the second part of the title. "Write out your lists." I will be going to Niagra Falls in a couple of weeks. So there will be alot of pictures being taken and souveniers to be bought (that you didn't get the last time). So let me know what you would like from Niagra Falls. (ex. Canadian flag, maple syrup haha, Niagra Falls statue, shirt, something?) Each of you choose 1 or 2 things you would like. I will put it in a box and send it home in a couple of weeks. I have a couple of things I need to send home anyway so please tell me and I will send it out! So that means Dad, Mom, Megan, Justin, Annie, Natalie, Jon, and Rachel. Please and Thank you and if you don't I will send you something anyway so you can either pick it out or you will get a suprise. It could be hogwash :D.

Rachel: I hope that things are going great for you. How is Koda doing by the way? I haven't seen any pictures of him lately. When is Prom? Have you asked anyone to floor show yet?

Natalie: I hope that things are going good for you. Do I get a letter? Sounds like you are just swamped with things to do. Welcome to life. Tell CJ and Hayden hi for me.

Annie: Thanks for being a great example to me. You are a great example of a hard working missionary! Keep up the awesome work you are doing great! We try to get 12 baptisms a week as a mission. So 625 a year.

Megan & Justin: I am glad you are enjoying the new program. The person who learns the most isn't the student being taught, It's the teacher because they are learning, teaching, and bearing testimony. "One who keeps, She loses. One who shares, she grows" ~ President Monson. You are in a wonderful opportunity to help others grow and also yourself. You are doing what me and Annie are doing. Learning, teaching, and bearing testimony. Each time you do this, the Spirit confirms will confirm to you of the truthfullness of this Gospel and you are growing stronger and stronger in faith of Christ. Enjoy it :)

Mom: That is great that you finished the lights. I am grateful that you have put them up. Just please be careful I do love you so please keep doing what you are doing. Take your time. It is not silly at all, it is smart.

Dad: Thanks for your letter it really helps me out. All of them. You have been a great leader to me. You have helped me out by your example. I hope that things are going good for work, church, and all your other responsiblilties. Who are you home teaching now? Who is your partner?

I love you all. Remember to tell me otherwise you might get something you might not like.

Love your favorite Elder, Brother, and Son,

Elder Landon Webb

p.s. I am trying to send some picture so I hope that you can all get them. The place with the waterfall is called the Devils Punch bowl and a cross that is by there. There is also Toronto across part of Lake Ontario. This view is from our appartment!