Homecoming!!

McKenzie arrived home today after serving her 18 month mission to Everett, WA, spanish speaking. It was a beautiful homecoming and just before Christmas. What a wonderful gift. It has been so wonderful sharing these experiences with her. Carry on!!!

I'm Coming Home!!

December 7, 2015

A big GRACIAS to all who have been following my weekly updates and for your love, prayers, and support!! It seems like just a few weeks ago that I boarded that plane to Mexico, scared as can be. But at the same time, it feels like a life time away and I feel like a such a different person.

It is so hard to end this wonderful, most beautiful stage of my life. As President Uchtdorf so eloquently puts it:
"In light of what we know about our eternal destiny, is it any wonder that whenever we face the bitter endings of life, they seem unacceptable to us? There seems to be something inside of us that resists endings.
Why is this? Because we are made of the stuff of eternity. We are eternal beings, children of the Almighty God, whose name is Endless and who promises eternal blessings without number. Endings are not our destiny.
The more we learn about the gospel of Jesus Christ, the more we realize that endings here in mortality are not endings at all. They are merely interruptions—temporary pauses that one day will seem small compared to the eternal joy awaiting the faithful."

I trust that Heavenly Father has glorious things in the future and I am excited to see where He will take and make of me!

I will see you in 7 days!

For now, I've got work to do!!

Con todo mi amor,

signing out for the last time,

HERMANA WEBB

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.

He aquí, soy discípulo de Jesucristo, el Hijo de Dios. He sido llamado por él para declarar su palabra entre los de su pueblo, a fin de que alcancen la vida eternal.

A Savior Is Born - Discover Why!

November 30, 2015

I have realized that my most treasured part of serving a mission is the language I have learned. And no, I'm not talking about Spanish. I'm talking about the ability to listen to and understand the Spirit! It truly is a language that requires practice and patience, and I feel like I am becoming fluent!

This week has been one of reflection and appreciation for all the wonderful experiences and miracles I have seen on my mission. I have had so many experiences this week either just reading scriptures or sitting and pondering where the Spirit has brought back a memory to me from the last year and a half and has brought tears to my eyes. It is so hard to think about ending this most wonderful stage of my life as a full-time servant of the Lord. I have been putting on my nametag with special care this week and dreading the day when I can no long wear it. Yeah- I'm an emotional mess. I just start crying randomly all the time whenever I think about leaving (no offense family). Haha.  

We had 2 exchanges this week- one where a Spanish Hermana came here who was trained by Hermana Weymouth too! And after me, Hermana Miller and Fifita and Clark have been her companions. So it was super fun to talk with her about all the things. she told me that she has been hearing about me since the first day she got to the field and had always wanted to work with me. No pressure. Ha. But the exchange turned out great. We had to eat cactus for dinner!! Definitely on the top of the list of crazy things I have eaten! Ha. But it didn't taste that bad, just rubbery. And then on Saturday, I went to Everett on exchanges with a new English sister. She also told me that she had heard all about me from her companion and was just looking at me all day with these big eyes. She was amazed that I was about to finish. Haha. So it was a neat experience to be able to be a role model for these two great Sisters. Sometimes we don't think we make much of a difference, but there truly are people who need our example and love!

And a cute little heart-warming experience I had on Sunday when this random little girl come up to me and taps me on the arm and says "Hello, can I have a conversation with you in Spanish?" Haha. This little 7-year-old who's taking Spanish classes in school. So she puts her little face like 5 inches from mine and starts chatting my ear off. It was the most precious thing.  

The new Christmas initiative just started yesterday called "A Savior is Born!" We have awesome new cards to pass out to everyone and it's such a great way to get people talking about Jesus Christ and the reason for the season. So check out the new website and video!

christmas.mormon.org

and share it with everyone!

HERMANA WEBB

Thanksgiving lunch!!

The Martinez's baby Marvin. Cutest little thing ever!

Look! It's really winter! Ok, just frost, but beautiful!

Don't Count The Days. Make The Days Count!!

November 23, 2015

This week was awesome!!! I finally mastered a crazy Spanish tongue twister that I've been working on. It goes like this:

El rey de Parangaricutirimicuaro

se quiso desparangaricutirimicuar

el que lo desparangaricutirimicue

sera un gran desparangarimicutirimicuador.

Try saying that 3 times fast.  haha

I've also had a big testimony boost of the importance of our investigators asking specific questions in their prayers!! That is the only way that they will receive revelation. So we've been pushing for that and the outcome has been way cool! We were teaching a new investigator named Juan and he is super receptive and nice. Instead of trying to rush through the prayer in the last two minutes, we spent 10 minutes teaching him how to pray and ask questions. He then sayed the prayer and asked if this truly was the true church. We had pre-set with him that we would wait in silence after he finished the prayer to listen for an answer with thoughts or feelings that came to us. Juan sat there with his eyes closed, pondering for I kid you not 5 minutes after he finished his prayer. I felt the Spirit stronger in those 5 minutes than I have in a long time. It was crazy, it just kept growing stronger and stronger. When he finally opened his eyes, we told him "What you are feeling right now is the Spirit. Now you know that this truly is the Church of Jesus Christ, restored to the Earth." It was a powerful moment when you can truly feel the power of the Holy Ghost working and testifying through you. He then accepted a baptismal date! So everyone, get asking questions!! Even if you have been a member of the church your whole life, get down on your knees and ask time and time again for the truth to be confirmed to your heart. I promise you will have a powerful experience if you do and WAIT for the answer!

On a lighter note, we have been working with a less-active lady and have been teaching her two sons who are 8 and 10. We love the lessons with them because the 8 year old has the biggest imagination and every time we ask him a question, we are guaranteed a quotable answer. Haha. For example, we asked them "what is holding you back from being at church on Sunday?" Dylan (the 8-yr-old) says, totally serious, "Being handsome." Haha. We taught them about the plan of salvation and how they can return to live with Heavenly Father forever. Dylan asked us "Well, what if we want to move out?"  We were all like "Dylan, I don't think we're going to want to move out of heaven." We are still trying to get them to church!! But it will happen soon!! Pray for them! Dylan and his brother want to get baptized so bad!

Another miracle this week came as an answer to many prayers. We have been teaching Hermana Lopez's (the one who recently lost her vision) daughter, Sarita, for a while. She LOVES church and has just soaked absolutely everything in that we have taught her. She's getting baptized on December 19th, following the example of first her old sister, then her mom, and now her! The only concern was that we needed her dad's permission and we weren't too sure that he was going to give it to her, although she has several times looked him straight in the eyes and said "Dad, I am going to get baptized." Haha- she is a feisty 9 year old! So anyways, we have been praying lots that his heart would be softened to give her permission. And we found out this week that our prayers were answered! He gave her permission and he even came to the Thanksgiving activity at the church with them!

As a wise aunt reminded me this week: Don't count the days. Make the days count!!

-HNA WEBB

We decorated our little Christmas trees! I think this sums up my personality perfectly!

Our favorite taco truck. They just started serving this thing called champurrado
which is Mexican hot chocolate and is sooo good. I'm addicted!!

Henry, Hna Gonzalez's chicken friend. We gave him a bath!

Buenas!

November 16, 2015

Buenas!

Hermana Gonzalez and I have been working hard to share the message of the Restoration with all the people of Monroe. We saw some people holding up signs and using megaphones to preach the gospel at some main intersections of town, and we are thinking about adopting their technique! Haha.

Anyways, our week was mostly summed up from all the pictures...

much love,

herms webb

big hug. little hug. big kiss. little kiss. ha

My babies!!

Hermana Clarke knows me so well

We learned the magic of Drain-O

Psych! Didn't See That One Comin'...

November 9, 2015

Well this week was full of surprises!

On Tuesday, we were just going about our normal missionary day, teaching peoples and saving souls! And watching the clock tick to 3'o'clock when all the missionaries would be headed to Lynnwood for transfers.

Then our phone rang...and our whole world flipped upside down. Elder Holt told us "You need to get down here as fast as you can, Hermana Bagley is being transferred to Bellingham." I just laughed because I totally thought he was joking. He's always joking...he wasn't joking. Turns out he was serious and they had forgotten to put Hermana Bagley's name in the text they sent out on Monday letting us know who was leaving. So with no forewarning, we sped back to our apartment and packed up all of Hermana Bagley's stuff just as fast as we could. And when we got there, I found out that I'll be serving my last transfer with Hermana Gonzalez! Hooray! We served together a year ago and she is the best missionary!

And other exciting news is that we are still Sister Training Leaders! Whoo! We had Mission Leader Council on Thursday and that same day, we were invited to attend a special leadership meeting for all the stake presidents, bishops, branch mission leaders, etc. in the mission. An area 70 came to speak and it was such an inspiring meeting! Wow! Our branch president and mission leader were sitting right next to us, and we all left the meeting feeling super pumped about all callings! My favorite part of the meeting was when Elder Murray [the 70] got up to speak at the end. He was talking about an experience he had with President Erying and how he asked him about the special spirit he always had about him. President Erying responded, saying "There is a group much more powerful than the Quorum of the 12." Elder Murray said he was sitting there thinking: Is there a super quorum of the 12 that they keep hidden or something? Who is he talking about?" Haha.

Then he said- "Would all the full-time missionaries in the room please stand and face in towards the rest of us." There was a group of about 16 missionaries there, and as we stood, everyone felt the power. Elder Murray went on to explain that the force of full-time missionaries in the world is the most powerful, Spirit-filled calling. We have a mantle of power put upon us when we were set apart, and boy in that moment, could I feel it.

Another exciting change is that the members here are starting to pick up the pace on member missionary work!! I heard about a family mission plan from some English missionaries, so I translated it, presented it in branch council, and we have been passing it out to all the members. This week we have really seen it put to work! One of the members brought a single mom with 6 kids to a mission fireside yesterday. President Milian brought 3 families to a branch activity. (They are starting to play volleyball every Friday as a branch and it turns out Hispanics love volleyball! Ha, it is the best thing ever for investigators, less-actives, and members to invite friends to!)

Neida and Daise are doing great! They came to the branch family home evening, church, and then right after church drove up to the fireside! And we're having a family home evening with them tonight and I'm planning on teaching them how to play "don't eat pete"!! Best game ever, right family? In Spanish, it's "No comas, Tomas!" hahaha

Anyways, the work is going great! I'm learning so much every day! And I can't wait to see what these next 5 weeks have in store!

#GoingStrong!

-Hermana Webb

Tis true! Hermanas Webb y Gonzalez round 2!!

The BEST Halloween package!!

The Rains Came Down and the Floods Came Up!

November 2, 2015

Well, this is it folks! Found out today that for my last transfer, I will be staying here in Monroe with Hermana Bagley!! Yay! I'm soooo happy that I get to finish my mission here! It is the best area! 

It has been raining a LOT. (Washington, no surprise, I know). But it got to the point where we were under flood watch and people were kayaking through some part of town! Ha. I'll try to send some pictures of the chaos next week. 

This week was awesome. We thought that we were going to have to drop a lot of our investigators and be knocking doors all week looking for new people to teach. But it turns out, everyone started progressing right when we were about to drop them!! Haha. Funny how that works. We're convinced that the Lord was just testing us to make sure we were willing to drop people.

Remember the recent convert, Hugo? Well, he's basically the best missionary ever and we are teaching 3 of his friends. Two of them came to church, including Javier!! He was fasting all day on Sunday to know when he should get baptized. He told us that he got an answer, but he is waiting until tonight to tell us exactly what that answer is! Ahhh the suspense is killing me! But, he was smiling when he said it so I think it's a go!  I'll keep you posted! Javier even wore a white shirt and tie yesterday! And after church, we had this awesome lesson with Hugo, Javier, and two of their other friends. Javier was teaching them and sharing his testimony like he is already a member! Got to love when members fulfill their responsibilities to find! So we're just starting to teach his other 2 friends, but with Hugo's help, I'm sure they will progress quickly! Can't wait to teach more lessons with all of them. They are all planning on coming to the branch Family Home Evening tonight at the church, and to play volleyball with the branch on Friday, so they're definitely being fellowshipped well and will be a strong addition to the branch! :)

One of my favorite experiences this week was when we were knocking a few doors and stopped to pray to know who needed us. We felt impressed to cross the street and knock on a specific door. A little girl opened and said her mom was sick and couldn't come to the door. We asked if there was anything we could do to help, and she went and asked her mom, then came back and to us no. So as we were walking away, we hear someone calling us and turn around to see the little girl's mom telling us to come back. She said that was indeed in need of help. So we rolled up our sleeves and got to work, washing her dishes, vacuuming, folding her clothes. And we learned as we talked to her that she had already been taught quite a few times by missionaries in the past. She asked us to read in the Book of Mormon with her, so we did and tried to ask her some questions that would really help her apply the verses to her life. So she did, and by the time we finished, she was in tears and thanked us over and over again. She told us she had been praying for someone to come and help her because she was feeling so overwhelmed. As President Monson says, "the sweetest feeling in the world is to know that you have been an answer to someone else's prayer..(that is not an exact quote btw...ha). But it is true! We were so grateful that the Lord lead us to His daughter in need so we could help her in a way that the Elders wouldn't have been able to. She asked us if we could come back, and we told her we would send the Elders over. Well, we talked to the Elders yesterday and they said they they had tried so many times to get in contact with her. And that after our visit, they are now starting to teach her again! Miracle! Wow, that was a long story. Hope you made it through it, ha.

And do you remember that family with 7 kids, 3 of who were already baptized? Well, their progress has been slow. Real slow. But, we had a super cool lesson with them on Friday about how to receive answers to our prayers. Afterwards, Blanca loaded everyone into the car and they followed us to the branch Halloween party! (Where, I might add, we had chili and cornbread just like my mom's and it was the best thing ever!) We gave them a church tour and they all felt the Spirit strongly in the chapel. So finally, a step in the right direction. I love this family so much and Blanca always tells us we are part of the family. It's something really amazing when all the 7 kids gather around you in a circle and rely on you to teach them the Gospel. What a great privilege it is to be a missionary!

Ok, this letter has gone on long enough! Suffice it to say, the Lord is hastening His work! Don't miss out on being part of this miracle! I love you all!

-Hermana Webb

Pic: Painting Hermana Lopez's nails! She lost her vision a few months ago and hasn't been able to do it since then! She was so excited :)

Our last district pic before everyone gets split up at transfers tomorrow:(

It's Hermana Bagley's bday today. I kept up with the sign tradition!!

Never A Dull Moment!!

October 26, 2015

Another busy week!

We had 2 exchanges- for one, I got to go bring my Hermana Clark to Monroe with meeee :)

And for the other, I got to go back to Marysville!!

So basically, being a sister training leader is the best/funnest thing ever!!

While in Marysville, we got to have lunch with Avelino! He was so excited when he called and I answered the phone, so we went to eat at this delicious Mexican restaurant. I didn't realize how much I have missed him until I saw him again! He said he is working towards going to the temple soon,

Funny story time!! Ok, so we went to visit this family that is super hard to find at home. We saw that their lights were on and got all excited to finally be able to teach them again. So we walk up to the door (which has glass panes at the top so you can see into the house). We knock, and can see the kids watching tv. Then, to my amazement, I watch them all line up in the living room and ARMY CRAWL across the hallway where the door us so they could avoid us. HAHA. I was laughing so hard as I watched this little line of children on crawling on their elbows to avoid the missionaries, thinking that they were so sneaky and that we couldn't see them. I'm sure it was under the direction of their parents who have lost interest. People do funny things to pretend like they're not home (hurriedly turning off the tv or the mom shushing the kids), but this was a whole new level!

A little miracle story: We were hurrying out the door one day and my companion was driving (we switch off who drives every other day). So she starts getting all her stuff together and asks, "Hermana, do you know where the keys are?" "Nope," I said. So we both start looking and after 5 minutes, we're panicking because we were late to an appointment. Then it dawned on me that we hadn't said a prayer yet. So we kneel down and ask Heavenly Father to help us find the keys so we could get to work. I opened my eyes, and saw one of the keys sticking up out of the couch cushion. There they were- right in front of my eyes. Seconds after saying the prayer. So remember, always ask yourself in situations like those: "Did you think to pray?"

Daise and Neida are doing good! They had a regional Hispanic conference on Saturday with tons of different dances and cultural performances from all different Spanish-speaking countries. So our branch did a dance, and Daise was a part of it! We didn't get to go, but they had a ton of fun. Maybe next year....;)

My ponderize scripture this week was the rich, young prince's question to the Savior: "What Lack I Yet?" I've pondered and memorized (although, the memorizing part really wasn't too hard ;)) about that this week and have heard the Spirit whisper to me many things that I still lack and have been working hard to improve. As said in conference, "Have it thy way, Lord. Have it thy way. Thou art the potter and I am the clay." May we be humble enough to let the Lord mold and shape us and our lives into the fullest potential.

-Hna Webb

Pic: Making some very yummy apple crisp with Sister Bonham- our mission president's wonderful wife! We love fall time!!!

Caramel apples. Yum!!

Making smoothies...why do all of my pictures
involve food??...

Even When It's Not Easy...

October 19, 2015

Buenos dias! 

So this week, Monday started off well! We had the branch president come with us to visit a less-active lady. Her husband is not a member, and neither are her kids, so we are trying to start working with all of them. It was funny because when we got there, her husband offered us something to drink and we all said "no, thanks." (thinking it would be water.) Then he says "I have jamica (no, not jamaica) juice!" And all three of us say "Ohh! Ok, yeah, we'll take some of that." Haha so yummy!

Then we drove to Neida and Daise's house. We watched the Restoration video with them and they loved it! Hermana Amparo was crying of course. Haha- I love that woman! The Spirit is always so strong- no matter how many times you have watched it!

On Tuesday, Sister Packard came to Monroe with me. We practiced saying a prayer in Spanish during language study. So when we went to the Milian's for dinner, I volunteered her to say the last prayer. She scooches over right next to me and I basically had to whisper the whole thing to her again. Haha. I felt like I was training again! She is just starting her mission, but is already a power house! I love her.

We also got to teach Maria again with her 2 daughters. We had a member come with us who turned out to be a perfect friend for her. We shared the Book of Mormon and we told her how it was a tool to receive personal revelation for her life. We asked what sources of guidance she has had up to this point in her life and she looked at us and said "Honestly, I had nothing. Before you two showed up, I had no guidance." We shared the promise in Moroni 10 and she told us that she knows it is true. She seems happier and happier every time we meet with her! 

On Wednesday, we had zone meeting and our zone leaders had us all write down our biggest sin and then fold it up, put our names on it, and tack it up on the board where they had written our missionary purpose. They explained how disobedience can cover up our efforts as disciples of Jesus Christ. It was intense. And then they flipped it over to show us that on the back was a picture of Jesus Christ. You could see all the holes from the pushpins and it was a powerful lesson on the effect of sin in our lives and the power of the Atonement.

Speaking of which, if you get the chance, look up a video called: 

"The Role of the Atonement in Missionary Work" or something like that

It's Elder Holland and this is what he says: 

"Anyone who does any kind of missionary work will have occasion to ask, Why is this so hard? Why can’t our success be more rapid? Why aren’t there more people joining the Church? Why isn’t the only risk in missionary work that of pneumonia from being soaking wet all day and all night in the baptismal font?
I have thought about this a great deal. I offer this as my personal feeling. I am convinced that missionary work is not easy because salvation is not a cheap experience. Salvation never was easy. We are The Church of Jesus Christ, this is the truth, and He is our Great Eternal Head. How could we believe it would be easy for us when it was never, ever easy for Him? It seems to me that missionaries and mission leaders have to spend at least a few moments in Gethsemane. Missionaries and mission leaders have to take at least a step or two toward the summit of Calvary."
So if you feel frustrated or discouraged as I have this week, just remember that this wasn't meant to be easy. That we can rejoice in knowing that all that we suffer is for Him.
I love my Savior, Jesus Christ. May we always show our love for him.

-Hermana Webb

Dinner with Hermano Araujo!

He always takes selfies of himself reading the el Libro de Mormon. Haha.

My professional french toast breakfast for my companion

People gave us so many apples this week. I'm in heaven.

Covenants Are Being Made!

October 13, 2015

Neida and Daise got baptized!!! It was such a cool experience, and the scriptures are true: "Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness ismanifest."

They both shared their testimonies after they got baptized and said "After I came up out the water, I felt like a new person. I felt different." It was crazy because we thought there would be about 20 people so we decided to set up in the primary room. But people just kept coming and coming. Lots of their family showed up and other investigators (including Javier and Hugo :)). So by the time we got started, people were out in the hallway because there wasn't enough room for everyone! Their mom was soo happy and it was neat because during their confirmations, it was said to both that they would enter the temple some day to be sealed. We were able to complete an eternal family and they will both serve missions and help create more eternal families.

And a miracles came out of their baptism. While we were teaching another part member family, a few of their neighbors were over and listened as we taught about the Book of Mormon. They seemed mildly interested, but we didn't think much of it. Later, we found two of the daughters outside and read the book of Enos with them. The next week, we started teaching the daughters again, but this time their mom came out and invited us to come in and teach her too! And that ended up being one of the most powerful teaching experiences of my whole mission. The mom, Maria, told us that she is a single mom raising 4 kids and she just got laid off from her job. As we talked, it was as if the Spirit brought everything to my mind of what to say. We listened with love, and when we taught them about the Apostasy and the Restoration, Maria paused and said:

 "I spend so many years searching for the truth. I went to so many different churches, but it never felt right. So 20 years ago, I gave up. I stopped searching and I distanced myself from all of them. But THIS, this is right. This is true." I felt prompted in that moment to invite Maria and her kids to be baptized. Maria looked at us with a new light in her eyes and said "Could I do that? Could I be baptized again?" We testified of the priesthood authority that has been restored to the Earth and she accepted it without question. She is amazing! And her daughter, Cynthia, is actually in the same class as Neida at school. So Cynthia found out Neida was getting baptized, and she came to the baptism. Afterwords, she kept asking "when can I get baptized!?" And then the next day, she came to church and loved it. This family is so prepared!!

So a good week- super busy. On an exchange this week while working with English sisters, Hermana Bagley and I came to a new appreciation for our call to work with Hispanics. We went tracting with them and got some very rude responses, some threats thrown our way from the Americans we met. But seriously, I can count on one hand the mean Hispanics that I have met! The Hispanic culture is sooo loving and accepting and have such open hearts. They are good neighbors and actually know their neighbors. They live like one big family. And I don't feel like I belong to my own culture anymore. Haha. I want to work with these people my whole life! 

Have a great week! Keep studying conference- there's lots more to learn as we review all the talks given!

-HERMANA WEBB

They are the cutest!!

The whole family!

We walked up to Angel's house to find this...they were just
boiling this giant pig!! Haha. Making carnitas!!