Tou Fen #1

Hey Ya'll! Oh my goodness, I can't even tell you how incredible it is to be here! It's everything I ever imagined and more... sweat and all :P President Day and his wife are really awesome. So great to be here with them and serve the people of Taiwan. They are from the South and have an accent :) not a bad one, but it's there :) Anyway, They are awesome and the country of Taiwan is amazing. My first 4 hours with my trainer were spent running from train to train, subway to subway, and bus to bus... with luggage... :) hahah it was a great experience. I've been called to serve in the Tou Fen area, which is on the west side of the island, almost at the very bottom border. It's apparently "rural".... hahahah... yeah. I'm definitely from Cornville :P Ther church here is pretty small. We have a little branch that is just so great! Xu Huizhang (President Xu) is the branch president and slowly, but surely getting his confidence. I got up to introduce myself and bore my testimony in sacrament meeting, and it was great! I pray for the confidence of the members and for their love. Riding bikes is just great! hahah My trainer's name is Elder Hopper from Santaquin, UT. He played middle-linebacker in highschool, has a bruised cervical nerve, has a satchel, and was prom king.... ;P He is the oldest of 5 and he has been out in the field since January. I stinkin' love to work with him and he has a great desire to do the work of the Lord. He is very obedient and diligent. I'm so happy that he is my trainier. There is so much that I am learning from him and want to become as a missionary. I've already seen a ton of miracles with him. Following is the two main miracles that I reported to President Day: 1.) We got to Tou Fen Elder Hopper and I were out contacting and we got a call. It was a youngman by the name of Peter of Lin Dx, who has attended english classes in the past. He called us to set up an appointment to hear our message! I love it! He received everything well and is reading and praying. He couldn't come to church this week, but I am very confident he will come next week. 2.) Last night we were out visiting a less active and right after we finished with her and invited her to come to church next week, we said hello to a man riding by on his bike. He stopped abruptly and came back to talk with us. We started a good conversation with him and found out he spoke pretty good english. We then started to find out what his beliefs were and asked him if he knew how to pray. He said that he prayed for help in his schooling and with family and other things and that he believes that God does hear, but he said he didn't know how to get answers to his questions. He sared with us how he prayed and it was incredible how similar his prayers were to the ones that we say... We have set up an appointment with him on Tuesday at the church, so we'll see how that goes! PRaying for them all, and hope!! I am so blessed to have Elder Hopper as my trainer... I think we are doing a good job of learning from eachother... I know I'm learning a ton from him. I love his desire to be exactly obedient and to continue to build his faith. Those have been the really cool experiences and I've felt the love that God has for His children so much in the short time that I've been here. So AMAZING!... I'm a missionary. Haha.... Everyone who is considering serving a mission. Whatever anyone tells you about sleep on the mission, it's true. Sleep is so amazing, but there is just one thing. You never feel like you get enough. Hahah The work feels so good that you just feel it all the time! :) Love it. I love the people here. They are so incredible and my job is to share zhege xunsi (this message). I love this work, and I know that the more I lose myself in it, the more I'll receive happiness and find Joy in the Journey. It really is HARD WORK, but it's totally WORTH IT. I love you all and hope all is well! I appreciate your prayers and ppray for you. Hurrah For Isreal! Love, Elder Westover (Wu Zhang Lao)

MTC Week 9

Oh. My. Flip!!! I can't believe this time is actually here!!... I'm less than 24 hours away from flying out to get on with the rest of my mission. I am so excited to meet my trainer. I'm so excited to go to Taiwan and grow my love for the people and help them realize that they have a "Qin'ai de Tianfu" (Loving Heavenly Father)! I have learned so much at the MTC. I've learned...: I'm a missionary and I have been called of God. I have the ability to discern the thoughts of and receive inspiration for my investigators. I am a literal son of God and I have been fortunate enough to be born in to the church and know the truths I do through loving parents and siblings. I am a boy from Cornville, AZ learning Mandarin Chinese and I know that there is no way that that is possible except it be through the love of my Savior Jesus Christ, and the purpose for which I am learning it. I know that I have a purpose here on earth. Nage mudi shi, "yaoqing taren guixiang Jidu, jiezhe xiezhu tamen peiyang, dui Yesu Jidu jiqi Shuzui de xinxin, huigai, xili, jieshou Shengling enci, he chishou daodi, lai bangzhu tamen jieshou fuxing de fuyin." (That purpose is to, "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 Enduring to the End.") I know that this gospel is so much bigger than me, and I know that it is not me, or my companion, or anything that we do that teaches... it is the Spirit of God. I know that my purpose is to help them! They have the knowledge of the truth... they are children of God. They made the Choice to come to this earth and be tested and experience every thing that we do here, but my purpose is to HELP them remember. That is how the Spirit speaks to us. things that we already know, which are true. That is the beauty of the Gospel. :) I hope all of that was somewhat understandable... :) hahaha I know that what I am doing out here is such a great work... and I know that Jesus Christ for us, died. And he died in order to have us return to our Father in Heaven, who truly does want us to be with Him! I know that they give us the trials and pains that we have, to give us the opportunity to become like them. Perfect. A good scripture to read when you're feelin' down and out is D&C 122:6-9. I love this. I know that The Savior of the world has gone below all things... and wants us to reach our hands our for Him. He is on the high ground, and He has already done everything He can. All you need to do is reach up for Him. I love you all! I know that this Church is true and that Joseph Smith did restore the gospel of Jesus Christ upon the earth in this, the final dispensation. There is nothing that can stop this work :) Thank you all for your prayers for me to learn the language and to grow closer to the Lord. Thanks for all the letters and packages and love. See ya!!! Hurrah For Isreal!!! Love, Elder Westover

MTC Week 8

Nimen Hao!! Hello!! It is so good to be able to write you today! I have had a great day and hope that I can share everything that I need to. Thank you all for the letters and love that continues to come in. I'm leaving..... next Tuesday!! I'll be in leaving Salt Lake at 11:00 AM MST and then I'll be arriving at LAX at 12:30 PST. Suoyi, wo gen nimen xiangyao shuo hua! ( Therefore, I want to talk to you!) I have a 3 hour layover in LA so please expect a call from me some time in those 3 hours. I'm so pumped and can't wait. Please. Do me a favor and pray for the people of Taiwan. They need this message and I know that the Lord would love your extra prayers for them. :) Today I had a super cool experience visiting with Tarah, Sarah, and Mom. Apparently we broke a ton of rules. I felt like a sinner. But if it was a sin.... it's the best sin I ever did!! :P haha I can not tell you how much joy I had and how much happiness I felt when I got to hug them. It was such a blessing to see them, but so incredibly special to see Tarah. Yes. I cried.... hahah I'm tellin' ya! Missions do it to you! Hahah I am so happy that I got to see them. We were given 20 minutes, and I feel like there should have been more time given, but it was sufficient for me to muster out a short testimony in Mandarin and for Tarah to share her testimony with me in Tagolag. The spirit was so strong and it was so peaceful. It was so so so incredible and I am so happy for that blessing. This Sunday we had the opportunity to hear from Stephen B. Allen. He had a presentation prepared to share with us about the churches efforts in the media department, but he heard that following the devotional we would be watching Sister Monson's funeral service and he felt prompted to speak by the direction of the Spirit. He shared some incredible advise that will help me as I enter the missionfield and also had some comforting things to share about the Plan of Salvation. He had us sing " Come, Come Ye saints". Next time that you sing that song, please think of the Plan of Salvation. Think of the things that we experience here on earth and then think of the life after this one. God has a plan for us and it is so great. We will all fall down and give in to a temptation of the adversary, or say some thing we didn't really need to, and the adversary will continue to tell you horrible things about yourself, and you will feel that there is nothing you can do to get back to where God wants you. But those things that the devil tells you... they are not true. All God wants you to do is to Come Unto Christ. Through the Plan of Happiness we have a way to get back on that path that God wants us on. It is through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I know that by applying the sacrifice of Christ in our lives, we have the ability to overcome all things. I rejoice in the Great Plan of My God. I love my family and I love the fact that I will forever be able to live with them. Wo zhidao zheshi zhenshi de. (I know this is true.) I know that my purpose as a missionary is to help others come unto Christ and I am so excited to serve God's people in Taiwan. I love this work and seal myself to it. I am the Lord's. Strength and Honor. Love, Elder Westover

MTC Week 7

Brigg, Gunner, and Kaleb. You are amazing and I love you. Congratulations on earning the Rank of Eagle Scout and know that I was there in your Eagles Nest in spirit. Keep up the good work and don't stop till it's all done!! :) There is no end to progression. You can always progress. Remember that. If you don't figure that out from scouting, you'll definatedly find it out in the mission field! Sarah and Tarah, I wish I could have been there!!! I know that you did great in your homecoming talks and the spirit was there. I'm super excited to see you next week Tarah!!! Thank you all for the love and letters! I have so much to catch up with, so if you don't get one for a while... Just know that I haven't completely forgotten about you! :) HEYYYY!!!!!! Guess what?!?!?! I only have 13 days till... "I'm leavin' on a jet plane! "... (Babylon) Hahah I'm super excited and at the sametime, completely freaked out of my mind, and then I think... I have a calling. I'm a missionary. I'm a representative of Jesus Christ. This. Is. What. I. Do. (Doubt not, fear not) :) I have loved this week so much!! I had the opportunity to sing in the MTC choir this las week and we sang "Come Thou Fount" for Elder Nelson :) It was awesome and I love the man :) Lastnight we had the opportunity to hear from Mary Edmunds....... she is an older lady that has served like, 6 missions and has been working for the missionary department for over 40 years and she... is hilarious!! Her and Elder Nelson spoke on the power of the Spirit of Elijiah. Along with the power of Prayer and all that you need to do is ask for the help of your family that is on the other side of the veil. I love that and it is incredible. My progressive investigators are doing well! We have one with a baptismal date and the other we are working on.... I love you!!! I must be exactly obedient.... :) Love, Elder Westover

MTC Week 6

Hello!! Thank you all so much for the amazing birthday here in the MTC! I enjoyed getting a wave of letters.... :) you all made my district jealous because I seriously got 4 packages, and like 25 letters! :) Definately made my day. Provo Crew and NM Westovers- Thank you so much for the Shirely's! They were amazing. Hall Family- Thank you so much for the fun puzzle, letters, and chocolate chip cookies! Mystery sugar cookie-giver....- :) Awesome!! I really didn't find any sign of who those were from, but I would like to say thank you! :) Brown Family- Thank you for the awesome letter and Eagle Invitation.... I hate to tell you that I won't be there :( Congrats thought Kaleb!! I'm super happy for you :) Good job. You're not done yet though! I love my pillow case, by the way :) Meyers Family- thank you so much for the great update and birthday wishes Jared and Laci- I. Love. You. Give the litter and gang all a love for me there! Joshua and Katie- Hey thank you for the update!!! Such Goood news!!!!!!! I'll continue to pray for you and show my graditude for the blessings that you have recieved so far. I need to go study more, but I love you all! Thank you all so much for the great things this week. I wish I could share more... Loves. I feel your love prayers through the guidance of the spirit. Love, Elder Westover

MTC Week 5

Nimen Hao!! Happy Mother's Day!!!!! Thank you all who have sent packages :) I love them. Guess What?!?!?!?!?! I'm over the hump :P I have been here for almost 5 weeks and it seems like it's just flying by! The Tai Cheng generation of mandarin missionaries is leaving tomorrow morning bright and early and in three weeks... that will be me!! I know it seems like I'm super excited to leave the MTC (and don't get me wrong, I am), but I know that I have much more to learn. This week has been super busy and super crazy. We had our schedule changed, right? And I had a new companion who knew the language a ton better, but I had a great time with him. He was just waiting for his visa to come in because he was on the advanced track to get to the field. His name was Elder Chow from Hong Kong and he actually was only my comp for like 3 days, but really got to learn more of the language and apply more of it when I was with it. It was super nice because if I needed to know anything, I just asked him!! He is now in Taipei and I'll see him soon, but I hope we could be comps out in the field because I really wanted to get to know him more. My first week as district leader was so great. I ruled them like a tyrant and made them do everything for me.......... hahaha :) JK! But seriously... It's been great this week. As a missionary leader, you have the opportunity to learn from your branch presidency and learn about the way that we can administer to the needs and concerns of those under our stewardship, but also, to minister to them.... The man I think of when I think of a great leader, is King Benjamin he was a great man and lead by example through his humility. As a district leader I am learning to "minister" as Christ did. Teach as he did, love as he did, speak as he did, do as he did, and I know that as I do that I will have the constant companionship of the Spirit. I'm running out of time, but I want you to know that I love you. There is no other place I should be than right where I am. I love the Lord and know that he loves and knows each and everyone of us. Jia You!! Hurrah For Isreal!! Strength and Honor. Love, Elder Westover P.S.- So Chad Lewis came and talked to us on Sunday and I found out that he went to Taiwan also! And guess what?? :) I found out that my brother John served with him!! :) John... He says "What's up?!"

MTC Week 4

Hello all! Before I start I just want to thank everyone who has written me and sent me care packages :) I love hearing your words of encouragement and unfortunately I don't have a crazy ammount of time to write, so I don't always get around to writing you... but I do love you!! Just think of me working as hard as I can to learn a language and learn how to teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ... It's absolutely awesome!! Anyway, I have a ton to tell. This week we made some progress with both of the investigators we are teaching. Liu Dixiong: We have been having no problem getting return appointments (hahah as if they could drop us :P) but we have been having a hard time getting him to pray and ask to know if God is his Heavenly Father along with praying to know if the Book of Mormon is true. Anyway, Elder Illu came up with a great candy analogy and we taught him about faith. He loved the lesson and understood what faith was. Jerry Ye: We have only met with him twice but we found out what he, hypathetically and spiritually, wanted to eat (we found out that he was looking for peace and the truth). The language is a super big barrier right now, and we only have 30 minutes to teach, so the time goes by super fast, but we are getting better in our understanding of the language and the spirit. I'm learning a ton. We got a new summer schedule so our P-Days are now on Mondays. I got called as district leader yesterday. This week I am being put into another companionship with a semi-native speaker from Hong Kong. His name is Elder Chow. He seems like a super good missionary and I'm excited to work with him. It should be just a temporary assignment, because he is just waiting on his visa.... I'm excited to have him as a companion so I can learn from him as much as I can. Stephen B. Allen came and spoke to us on Sunday and I have to say I had so much fun! Probably one of the funniest and most edifying meetings I have ever been to. We discussed the pains and trials of a missionary and compared them to Book of Mormon missionaries like Ammon. Super good. I wish I had more time to tell you, but I want to tell you all thank you so much for the prayers you pray. I feel the help and the love from them in all that I do. Pray for the missionaries in your area and do all you can to help them find people to teach. Be a fool for the Lord. I love you and know you love me. Strength and Honor. Love, Elder Westover P.S.- just a little quote I got from the choir director here at the MTC: "If you think you can't do it, you're wrong. If you think you can do it... alone, you're wrong."