Elder Jesse Westergard

2010-07-28T18:41:00.000-07:00

Its with a lot of mixed emotions as I post Jesse's last letter, after 6 years of writing letters to my three boys and having so many blessings come to my family because of it, its kind of hard to see it come to an end, not the Jesse coming come, but not having a missionary.

For those of you who are interested, Jesse will be speaking in church August 15 at 11:00 a.m.

I cant believe its been 2 years and my time has come to an end, today it hit me super hard that I'm done and am going to return to the world....i don't think I'm ready for that. I'm sure i will be fine when mom and dad are here, but i keep thinking about when the plane leaves i will just lose it. I will need all your help when i get home to make me feel better...is that a plan....wow i still remember yesterday that i said goodbye to you guys. Today we ate at chilies that just opened and we had like 20 missionary's there with all my friends and that's when it hit me....i wont be able to do this anymore, well that's life and dad Jared and Josh you know how it is, any tips for me........

Today we went golfing at the same course as last time and i shot the same score haha 74. I drove like 3 greens that were like 315 yards and the only reason is because in the rental clubs we had the titleist driver i had, so it was like super easy and i was confident in my swings!
I was like 4 feet from a hole in one, and i missed like 12 birdie putts, i was so mad, but they were like don't worry, you have played 3 times in 2 years haha. so hopefully i get it back when i get home. This week we have continued to find people and we found a GOLDEN family who in the first lesson told us they felt the message was so true!! wow i love that feeling, but to bad i wont be here if they get baptized.

Well Friday we had our zone conference and wow!! can you say long! 9 till 6 at night, but it was super good. Well me and my group gave our final testimony's and wow, i was shocked and didn't know what to say. It was really weird and stuff, the new thing that's happening throughout the whole world is that they sent new material taken from preach my gospel to teach and a new style, now there are 8 lessons and we are focusing on the PURE doctrine of Christ and trust me, i know its from our Father in Heaven because were setting so many dates, and the whole mission has quadrupled the dates every week. We set 4 this week and will soon put 4 more and for Josh and Jared you know about the district on preach my gospel, there are 2 more cds and a district 2 and wow!!!! its so amazing and i honestly don't want to end the mission i want to keep teaching in this new style!

Well i took lots of pictures and i will put them up on flickr! I love you guys and will see you mom and dad in 7 days and all you others in 2 weeks! be safe and i hope you enjoy this last email! I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and i was his servant for these last 2 years with an apostolic calling. I know through him i can receive forgiveness from my sins and return in the presence of my Father in Heaven and be with you guys forever. I know the Book of Mormon is true and the only correct and perfect book on the face of this earth. I'm thankful for my service these last 2 years and will miss it so much! I love you guys so much and thank you for your support. see you soon! in the name of Jesus Christ amen!

Elder Jesse Westergard

Today at Chilies, it says welcome to the gardens.

I love this American House!

Best Friends

Smile for the camera!

I love American food!!!

Sweet view from the club house!

The Golf Crew

Beautiful View

A Sweet Golf Course

Jesse and Elder Walker

We all go home the 5th, my group but some are missing!

Jesse and Elder Tams

Another beautiful view

This was the hard hole, green is on top.

Jesse and Elder Walker again!

Look at the City behind me!

Jesse and Elder Nelson, he looks like Payne Stewart!

2010-07-22T18:45:00.000-07:00

Wow today is 2 weeks till mom and dad come, i cant believe it! next week will be my last email...........wow. Well this week was really good! we worked super hard and we found a new family! they are super cool and super evangelic!! ha ha but the truth can change anyone!
The funny experience of the week was that yesterday we left with the mission leader and hes been back from his mission for 6 years and he showed up with his PLACK on!! ha i was like WOW what do i tell him, that's not allowed.....but he asked if it was allowed and i said probably not ha then he took it off, but it was very funny.

Yesterday we were teaching some kind of deaf guy about the Book of Mormon and he was a professor in history and we talked about the history of the Book of Mormon and he said he never knew about the Jaredites and who the people were that Christopher Columbus found here so he said it was not true. We tried to explain it to him very calmly without losing the spirit and he was saying weird stuff and how we think that Jesus was born in the Americas and not Jerusalem. ha wow it was very interesting!

Well something not very good happened in our ward, the 1st counselor like decided to leave his family and wants to divorce his wife, they are sealed, and its been a hard time for them, i hope he comes to his senses. The sister in my ward with cancer is slowly getting worse and it makes me feel sick inside whenever i go over to see her because she is amazing to me and like my mom. From what the doctors said awhile back was 6 weeks to live, if that's true shes only got 2 weeks left, i hope you guys have the chance to talk to her before that time arrives.

On Friday we have my last zone conference and 8 of the missionaries of the 10 that are leaving give our final testimony's together....we all feel weird and don't want to do it haha cause that means its over. I hope the conference is a good one, its about the power of the scriptures, yesterday i did my first baptismal interview, it was really good i was excited, hes getting baptized today at 7 a Haitian from the sisters area, hes super cool.

Sounds like you all are good and stuff, but back in the heat! don't get your hopes up, its hot and sticky here to, well i hardly notice it anymore, but after meetings in the Bishops office where there is AC i can tell a huge difference when i leave. oh about that, i think i will be using tons of lotion when i get home, if I'm using lotion here in the humidity when it gets a little cold and my face drys......think about December and dry heat...ya not good, ill have to get used to the dry heat again. (what?)

I'm so excited to see you guys again! i cant wait to spend time with you and go to the temple together to, oh dad, my recommend expires on July 30th, so i will need to get another when we get home.

Well i love you guys so much, oh mom, I'm fine and my health is good, it wasn't anything bad. have a great week and i will send you more pics today and my last email next week. i love you!

Elder Jesse Westergard

2010-07-14T20:33:00.000-07:00

Me and Evelyn

Me, Evelyn and Elder Jimenez

Sunday picture before the confirmation.

This last week has been by far the most challenging week of my mission! i was talking with my President and he told me because I'm ending my mission, in 21 days, Satan wants me to fall and never be able to get up again. I have prayed hard and studied the scriptures soooo much and i know my Savior Jesus Christ loves me and is always by my side. We can never be tempted above that which we are able, and with every temptation there is an exit. I know its true and i love this gospel, pray for me to receive the strength to finish strong!! thank you!

This week was good! we had a baptism and my last baptism of the mission, her name is Evelyn and was a reference from a member, she went to church allot, and she took the lessons for 2.5 months, it was a very good baptism and she asked me to do the baptism. I was honored, it rained that day so we had to take the pics on Saturday inside, but Sunday we took pics in Sunday dress. I'm going to miss bringing the people here from the DR to the truth, nothing brings me more joy than seeing someone i found enter the waters of baptism.

We have been teaching our investigators with lots of love and they are progressing good! i hope that they all get baptized next transfer and my comp sends me pics!
Well i talked to my mission president about you coming to get me, he said i can get a member in my ward, the first counselor, and go to the airport with him to pick you up, then he will leave and i will go with you guys in the car to show you where the hotel is at, then you will take me to the mission home so i can eat and spend the night with my mission friends, then in the morning Thursday come pick me up!! sound like a good plan...... that way you don't get lost haha.

Sounds like the reunion was really good and stuff! i wish i could have been there. to bad there was no basketball, that's a sign, the Westergard team cant play unless they are together like 2 years ago but next time we are in charge so we will have a tournament to prove the Westergard power!

Today we played basketball against the Santiago north zone and wow! I was draining threes like it was hot! i was making it rain as they call it! we ended up winning by 4 and it was very fun! lots of people were there, and they were all saying....your going home! ha it made me sad, i love the missionaries here.

Well i love you guys so much! you are an amazing family and i cant wait to be reunited again! see you soon, only 2 more emails from me, and its over............

Elder Jesse Westergard

2010-07-14T20:22:00.000-07:00

Man i cant believe you guys are vacationing without me haha I'm just kidding its all good but i wish the reunion was after i got home, those are always fun! sounds like the weather is awesome up there at the cabin and stuff, but i got a question....how is the winner of golf, aka dad, getting the lowest score at 82!! come on i want a challenge when i get home, sorry to say but 82 is not going to cut it, you will be playing for 2nd place! so pick it up. I'm sorry Jakelle that you wont have anyone to hang out with there, just do what i did last time....listen to your ipod haha when there is nothing going on, like we the kings! great band.

I cant believe that you guys got your shots and stuff already...you will be here in 4 weeks! that's weird..question...how will you find your way around and to the hotel, you don't know Spanish. just want to know....

Well the main event of this week was me getting real sick! on Friday i felt bad the whole day and our last appointment i was like about to pass out with a fever, i barely slept that night and the next day i felt worse, i had a headache, i was nauseous, stomach aches, and all the works. I called Sister Lee and she told me to go to the hospital. So we went and they put an IV in my hand for like 7 hours. then i had to go back on Monday and get tested for stuff and i have to call the doctor today for my results, but as of now i feel really good, back out working we didn't leave Saturday and after church Sunday.

This week we had some really good lessons! we found another family and are excited to teach them. oh and don't worry about me, I'm not dead or trunky, I'm finishing strong and working, no se preocupen por mi!

Today we got to leave and visit the city and stuff. so my comp went to pick up pants he made, we went to the office for awhile, then to Pricesmart...the place like Costco. to eat, take out pics, and shop. there was allot of missionaries there so i got to talk to allot of my friends. 2 of my old comps were there, Elder Tarver and Elder Doncel, so it was a good reunion!

Monday we had district meeting and i gave my capacitation on the Book of Mormon and how important it is for us as missionaries to know its true and be able to answer the questions of the soul with it! then after i had my LAST interview before the one in his house the 4th of August and it felt so weird, he was like soooooo......you have 4 weeks left. I was like i know right....and he was like any questions....i said no....he said...ok keep doing what your doing...i said ok! haha so ya it was good. My last zone conference is in 2 weeks, and 8 of the 10 missionaries leaving are here in Santiago so we will all give our testimonies together, its going to be so awesome! i cant wait! I'm glad you guys liked my suit...sweet huh!!

Well i better end! i love you guys so much! and again. don't worry about me, I'm working hard and will keep working. Thanks so much for all your support these last 2 years. I love you so much! be safe and say hi to all the family for me! and send pics of the reunion!

love Elder Westergard

2010-07-01T09:53:00.000-07:00

I woke up with the weirdest feeling today! i thought about the time...looked at my calender and realized i have 1 month left...i was like freaking out! and we had an activity to play softball and there were 2 others from my group there and we were all freaking out haha, but what can you do, it has to end eventually.

This week was so awesome! my comp and i contacted like the whole world to try to get this area alive again. Yesterday we met 14 people, new stat we have to keep, and had 8 new investigators, it was way awesome but some weird lessons! we contacted some lady and taught her and we asked if we could come back another day...and she was like..if your still Mormon no!! i was like what....whats so bad about them..she was like they are bad people, when they come to talk about God they don't talk about him, its some other guy, and all this other stuff. I was like the first thing we talked about in the lesson was that God is our loving heavenly father and she got all defensive but lost the argument when she went into the whole worship marry stuff....lets just say a few choice scriptures by me made her silent haha.

Then some other lady who thinks the true church is the one where you go....WHAT!! haha i wont even tell you where that went but we found allot of people amazing too! this one kid, like 18, understood perfectly the apostasy and a need for a restoration, his name is Odalis Jimenez!
other than that...district leader is awesome because there are 4 people in my distrit and 2 of them are Sisters, so i don't have to do intercambios! sweet haha! but with the ZLs i do.

Well sounds like all is going good there! monsoon season and what not....but sounds pretty hot! ill be home at the peak of the heat..great haha.
Oh ya my comp is alright, really weird and stuff, not a person with allot of words, so its awkward but i can deal with it for 5 more weeks. Oh dad..i was thinking it would be better to stay in Playa Dorada, because i know everything around there, so i think that would be best.

Well i better go, i love you guys so much! have a great week! i will put pics up!

Good Friends at TGI Fridays

Me and my new Comp

Me and my old Comp Delafrance

Coach Burcar's favorite quote!!

For there FEET, ye shall know them!

My new sweet suit I had made.

Love the Gold Interior

Sweet Crucial Vest

2010-06-23T19:46:00.000-07:00

Jesse's email was very short today, I'm feeling bad cause he didn't get my email today and his Dad didn't write him so he was feeling blue with no letters from home (yes I felt terrible). Bad news is he lost his back up of all his pictures he put on from his memory card, (yes I'm SICK) so I have been getting no pictures, we have been praying he will find them, and maybe by some miracle it will show up. I told him he better get busy and take lots and lots of pictures, its so SAD :( . He didn't get transferred for his last transfer being there, but he did get a new companion which he was excited about, he wanted to go back to his first area to finish up his mission, but we will be going back there when we go pick him up.

Hey family!! wow what a week, well as you can tell by the title of the email, we had transfers this week and my companion left me, and Elder Jimenez came to be my companion! he is my 4th step kid, and only has 3 transfers here in the mission. I am District Leader and this last transfer will be a good one!

Well this week was good, lots of teaching and all that stuff, and up until yesterday it was a perfect week. We received some really bad news....a member in my area, like a mom to me here, has lung cancer and only has 6 weeks to live. I was petrified when i found out, my comp and i couldn't hold back the tears.....i found out you never really know how much you love someone or the people your teaching with until something bad happens to them. I'm seriously so sad right now....I'm learning alot about the Atonement and plan of salvation though through this trial, i hope all is good with her, we will see.

Well i really don't know what to say to you guys today, i didn't get a letter from any of you...I'm wondering whats up...but any ways today we went to TGI Friday's with some American missionaries that go home tomorrow and it was really sad to say good bye to them! but all in all it was good and i got to eat some American food and fountain drinks.

I cant really think what to write because i usually comment on what you guys say. soooo....i think i will end this letter with my testimony and wait to see if anyone writes me.
I honestly have seen a change this last week on the way i look at life. I have grown so much in my testimony and have this very strong desire to work hard and finish the mission strong! I know Jesus is the Christ, i know he lives and is coming again. I know the Book of Mormon changes lives and has the power to feed the starving people looking for the truth, it has changed my life! I love you guys so much and cant wait to see you . In the name of Jesus Christ amen!

love elder westergard

June 16, 2010

2010-06-16T20:56:00.000-07:00

Wow! i cant believe that its the last week of third transfer and on Monday starts my last 6 weeks here in the DR. this transfer honestly has gone by so fast i honestly cant remember what has happened. Well this week we had priesthood conference as a stake and it was a great spiritual uplift! the Stake President talked and the2nd counselor of the mission talked also, along with some other members, overall it was really good and very good attendance.

On Monday we had intercambios aka splits and Elder Terrero from my group came over to my area and we taught lots of good lessons, including we put a baptismal date with a 14 year old named Starlin for the middle of July, 4 weeks, so it was a good day. oh ya..we were walking that day and some kids like 10 years old started throwing rocks at us, how sad!! haha but whatever right...
Well this morning i was getting ready to go to Internet and stuff and found out that my memory pen drive is missing and it has alllll of my mission on it (GREAT). please family and anyone pray for me, i need to find it. i cant lose my pictures and videos, i already lost the first 6 months of my mission, so pray that ill find it ok!!

This morning we played basketball again for Elder Smiths last pday..next week he goes back home to MESA!! hes in Fairfield ward i think. We were in the same seminary class at Mesa, so it was fun hanging out with him. We played tons of games, and like the first game i jammed my toenail, the one that go ripped out, and it hurt its purple right now. but its all good i kept playing on it.

I went to pick up my suit i made today also, and wow! its soooo nice, you guys will love it. i cant wait for you to see it, all the Elders in my group made one, but not the same, we went together today to get them. so it was fun to see them.

Sounds like everything there is going good! i know dad, GO BOSTON but it will be hard to win game seven in LA. but we will see. Sounds like the trip to Wyoming was super fun, except the cold spell. I liked the game you played with the beeney, i don't think you want to play that game with me haha.

Wow makenzee is 18....that's weird. is she a senior this year or what... and Jakelle, how do you feel about going into high school and being on the Mesa High cheer team...thats so awesome. I'm excited to go see you cheer that's double bonus..see mesa play and you cheer so its going to be fun.

OK dad...i think it would be good to leave Santiago on the 6th and come back on the 10th. i think its good to get a rental car...but will you be able to find your way to the hotel....let me know please.

Well i love you guys so very much. i hope you are all safe and have a great week! i know the church is true and that Jesus lives, he is our Redeemer and Savior. I love the scripture in Nephi..we are en graven on the palms of his hands! have a great week.

love Elder Westergard

June 9, 2010

2010-06-16T20:49:00.000-07:00

Hey family!! its been a great week! honestly we had the greatest conference. we learned about how to receive your own personal revelation. it was great....i saw the group in front of me give their dying testimonies and it was really spiritual...then after the conference it hit me once everyone started saying...Westergard your next, i don't think I'm ready for that yet...it just feels like I'm done now that I'm the oldest missionary but i heard something that an Elder said that hit me hard and made me want to try hard this last 4 minutes of the 4th quarter of Mt View haha and it was...we have 2 years to serve a mission, and all of eternity to think about it....wow!! i want to remember how i finished forever and strong. so it was very good conference for me!

This week we found even more investigators and its starting to turn around. 2 older girls stopped us and said, i took lessons for 2 years but never got baptized, come by my house i want to learn more! so that was awesome, and we will go by there some time this week. Me and my comp had some weird experience. We were walking past that American house i posted and the guy like called us in, he's Dominican but was raised in the states and he starts talking to us about who knows what and like million of topics like how some guy in New Jersey gave pills to his mom and killed her, his wife's a drug addict in the states, some dangerous kids, the USA embassy and a whole bunch of stuff. When we left we just laughed and said that was the weirdest thing that has happened to me. haha so it was pretty good.

Today we played basketball and wow i was rusty the first game, then i got my shot back and nailed some threes in a row to win some games. elder nelson was a beast down low! he is my godson in the mission haha he wanted me to say something about him, hes sitting next to me. but ya it was a really good day, i got a little sunburned.

well sounds like all of you are doing good, except for Jakelle being sick in girls camp, way to stick through it Kell. I wish i could go sleep in Matt's cabin haha maybe ill go with him when he gets back. So dad i was thinking that we should do the 1 day in Santiago, 4 in the plat, and last in Santiago, that would be perfect! i think its a good idea to get those shots, the only other thing i can think of not to do is eat fish when you get here...that's all. so dad give me further info on how we will get to the plat, and how your getting to the hotel from the airport, a car or what...

Well family i hope you guys have a great week, never stop doing what is right, read the scriptures and the conference talks. I know the church is true, in the name of Jesus Christ amen! love elder Jesse Westergard

2010-05-28T14:49:00.000-07:00

Hey family! well there are 2 way important things that have happened this week...both of them today!! well today 8 missionaries went golfing at a really hard course today! in the middle of the jungle pretty much and really pretty and green! there was jungle for rough pretty much and it was super fun!!!......yet a hard course. to grade the difficulty....i would have to say it compares to Las Sendas from the tips in hardness, but dad remember what i told you on mothers day...i was going to come home shooting 77 at the club...well prepare yourself because today i shot 74!! i started of bad on the front but then had a couple birdies and then shot even on the back nine! my driving stunk way bad...i hit like 30 percent of the fairways but like you know, my irons and short game was killer. i put it 2 feet from the pin on a par 3 from 160 out. so I'm looking forward to playing you guys and i have confidence now haha. ill put up pics and some videos on flickr of it. (is this seriously what he thinks is way important?? Sometimes I just don't know)

Now! just about 30 minutes ago i received the most unwanted thing a missionary could ever want....the FAT LETTER aka TRUNKY LETTER that tells me about going home and when and all that after mission stuff...i didn't want to take it from the office missionary, Sister Powell, and we took a pic to show how my expression was when i got it...you guys will like it haha.

Well this week was alot better!! we have 3 new investigators and a family we are teaching! they are all sooo cool and we will see how that goes. When you work the blessings do come..but after the trial. This week was really fun! we had a good district meeting and then we had our interviews...only 1 more. but other than that stuff that's all about whats going on, I'm excited to teach these new people and build Gods kingdom here. I'm reading Jesus the Christ and I'm on like page 200 and wow...this book is amazing. I'm learning so much about his life and what all the things meant and wow...i have grown to appreciate him more in my life and do more every day! i also bought a new triple in Spanish and am re reading the Book of Mormom in Spanish! so that will be fun!

I'm so jealous of dad about playing the south course, that will be so awesome! oh!! i got some email from apple and it said if i buy a macbook i get a free 8gb itouch....SWEET!!! haha well have a great week everyone i love you all so much! always remember that this is the true church and there is no other. Jesus lives and is ready at all times to lift the heavy load off our shoulders if we come to him....3 Nephi 9 says for this reason have i given up my life, and have taken it up again, so the we can have eternal life! wow i love this gospel. bye!

love Elder Westergard

US Missionaries

21st Birthday

Birthday

Mesa Boys - Elder Frazier and Me

Overlooking Bella Vista

I really reacted like this when I got it...my fat letter aka trunky letter.

Only in the DR, security with a shot gun on the golf course , told you it was a nice course.

Mesa Temple on my new scripture cases.

Book of Mormon!

Sweet River!

House in my area, he loves the States, not American haha!

haha the sign says he is looking for young women and fill the holes in his heart.

Golden State Bridge in the DR haha!

Someone lives in that little thingy.

The 3 stooges (brothers) haha (is it me or does he look like he could be one of their brothers)

2010-05-04T22:48:00.001-07:00

How are you all doing? wow where did this week go! it went by so fast i cant believe it, we had splits on Monday and after it was done on Tuesday my comp was like, tomorrow is pday, ! i was like no way!!! so ya it was pretty awesome feeling. Well this week was really good and alot went on. WE FOUND AN APARTMENT and bran spanking new and 3rd level which means a breeze! im so excited, we will move next week. On Monday we had splits or as we call them in spanish, intercambios. and i went to the other area with the district leaders kid and it was a really good day, and experience. His kid is very excited about the work, and it rubbed off on me, its what i need going on this down slope finishing and all. On Tuesday we had zone conference yesterday and it was really awesome! We talked about a ton of stuff in one conference, but the only bad thing was that it was 5 hours long haha, i had a headache at the end, and it was hot in the chapel. We talked about adapting to changes, inviting people to baptism, repentance, pride, and honesty! wow i was so enlightened and it was a great conference. I feel so blessed or the knowledge i have gained on my mission these last 21 months. I have grown spiritually so much.

In the conference we watched a movie called, who moved my cheese! haha it was awesome and it talked about changing and how we need to adapt to them, not just stand around and wait for the good things to come. and president talked how its never late to be a better missionary and change the way you are, i really loved it!

in our zone conference on monday they told us to only work around the chapel and find people close because the people far away aren't prepared to receive the gospel and wont want to walk all that way to the church, the bad thing is that my area is far away from the chapel and now i have to dump all my investigators and go into the sisters area and find people. We have like no one now and its very difficult...im really upset. but a quote comes to mind...i never said it would be easy, i only said it would be worth it...so i need to obey and look for the fruits of my labors.

today we woke up early and went to go walk around the city, we went to mcdonalds and i ate a mcmuffin and wow it was so good! after we were done doing errands we went to pricesmart like always and ate with all the missionarys. I ate a calzone and it was also really good! now im just here writing you guys. it was a really good week, and i hope to have another good one. i cant believe transfers are already in 2 weeks. has it really been that fast...friday i hit 21 months and then its may! wow!

I hope the Suns win and continue, but i dont want them to play the Maverick's or the Spurs...the refs are racist to us when we play them, especially the spurs, but we will see what happens.

Love Elder Westergard

2010-04-16T17:18:00.000-07:00

Elder Robertson the day he went home.

Herculese

Service Project.

We picked up all the trash out of a dry river.

Elder Grigg from my group.

My Comp Elder Delafrance, at conference.

We had to lift all of this trash out of the river, and it was super heavy.

Shoveling Garbage.

Me and Elder Leonardo

klk mi familia como ta to pa ya en Arizona, trankilo..... espero k si. did you understand my dominican tigeraje....haha thats how they talk here, its really como esta todo para ya haha they like cut out words to make sentences shorter haha. and trust me im really good at it. (I have no idea what any of that said). Everyone new i meet here in Santiago say i talk way good and sound Dominican, so that's a good thing. Well this week was a fun one! I find myself talking more in lessons now cause my comp does not teach alot with the lack of Spanish speaking, but its alright. Its new for me to have an American again, its been 6 months since the last one but were getting along really good and what seems to bring us together the most is....YOU GUESSED IT....quoting Brian Regen and movies, especially Jim Carry hahaha!

This week was filled with working, teaching, looking for houses, and MORE chores to do for the sister missionaries. trust me mom, i also love when guys are here to in my same city so they can come over for lunch or something and pday. but its ok and this is for Jakelle because i said it last night and i remember how she hated when i said it....I KNOW RIGHT haha. miss you Kell. We had interviews this week and i realized that i only have 1 more real one left, then my dying one about going home and life and girls and stuff....that's weird. but he straight up told me like it blew me away....Elder Westergard your going to train your last 2 transfers and be District Leader. i was like.....sweet! haha it was like weird, but sounds good, end the mission with some new blood and animo to work. i had some profound doctrinal questions for him to and we talked and read the scriptures for like 20 minutes. it was really cool and inspiring.

So i decided that i want to get back to the house like ripped and huge so i work out now when i wake up at 630. haha im seeing some big results, even though i have been doing push ups almost my whole mission, I'm not fat which is good and I'm alot stronger than when i left the house haha. I honestly concure with what Ryan said in his email for the letter about teaching people who know its true but deny it because they are lazy and don't want to keep covenants. we talked to a lady who understands everything, reads the Book of Mormon, and everything but she was like i prayed..and i said ok what happened...the Lord told me to stay in my church!!!!!! wow i was like about to frwak out on her and be like then he is a liar and he didnt tell you that.....but i kept it in my head and was like what do i say to that or do or teach....i just said ok keep reading and saying your prayers, then we ended with a prayer and left, i don't think we will go back. its a bummer i hate dropping people its the worst. but on the bright side i have my first baptism here in Santiago on Saturday! on in like all the Republican but noe in the city, haha his name is Luis and he is a really cool kid, he loves the church and even goes to our English class.

Well sounds like everything in Arizona is going good, I'm so sad about Eddie passing away and i feel bad for Grandma, tell her im sorry for her mom or dad next time you talk to her. Well sounds like dad is busy but its almost over, sorry mom what you said about dad not going to Hilton head is wrong...remember the family golf trip you guys promised me when i get home....well i haven't and i hope you remember it to haha.

Today we had our zone activity and we went to the steak (that would be Stake, can't correct that one for memories) center to play basketball and games aka risk!! love that game. but i will tell you something, my game has never been better, my shot is more money than in school, i can dribble alot better and with the left hand, I'm faster, i drive alot more and you might as well just call me the WONDER of the mission haha sorry the is like really egoistic but today like 5 Elders were like how do you do that stuff! and say like one day i will be as good as you haha. well that's my brag story for the week for you guys. (a little humble huh?)

well ok i love you guys so much, i will put some pics up for you guys on flickr, so check them out later!

Elder Jesse Westergard

2010-04-16T17:03:00.000-07:00

First of all, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM! sounds like you are doing really good! so does that mean you will just give me your computer you had....haha sounds like the Ipad is sweet, i got really hungry when you told me you ate at The Keg, i love that place. Sounds like everything is going good there, except that earthquake! scary stuff, now you know how i feel, but the one here was worse and i was close to it. So Josh is walking again huh...great for you bro, soon enough we can go golfing or something when i get home. That's good Dad about your thumb, maybe next week you can go golfing! you need to tell me how it goes. ok I'm so bummed that I'm going to miss the Masters with Tiger woods, you guys know me and what i do when one of the 4 majors is on....NOTHING!! i just sit down stairs with coke and watch the rounds over and over haha. then cry when Tiger doesn't win, but ill be home for the next major i think, or not....

I cant believe DUKE won! that's awesome, i love Duke, Schayer was a senior this year right...good for him, i loved watching him play, hes super good. I have heard of Butler, but that's weird that they got to the championship...but came up short. Wow so Melissa moved to Chandler...that's awesome, I will have to go visit her when i get back. Landon wrote me a loooooong email! it honestly made my week. He told me whats all going down and that he misses me so much. If there is anyone i miss so much from back home its Landon, he was always there for me, he told me how in 4 months we will continue to hit up In and Out, shoot hoops out in the garage, go to QT, play video games, and all that fun stuff, hes so anxious for me to get home its so funny haha.

Well this past week was super amazing and went by very fast!! i love my companion Elder Delafrance. He is super humble and ready to work. I'm working just as hard , maybe harder here. Our area is awesome but VERY small! so its good i like it. My house is really bad haha were trying to move, there is never light and hardly ever water. Things are broken and its on the main noisy street but its whatever, we will be looking for another apartment this week. We have a ward where we are at and we share it with the sister missionaries. ok!! Dad remember when we went to Las Sendas with Uncle Richard from my last round of golf, and you told me it stinks being with sisters because they ask you for everything....ITS FINALLY HAPPENING haha. My first full day there...Elder Westergard come bless my house, second day....calls me in a lesson, we don't have any Tylenol can you go to your house and bring me one, all the farmacies are closed...day 4...can you help us with a lesson, he speaks English and is only learning Spanish! and still to go haha but they are cool so its whatever.

General Conference was so amazing!! wow i cant even tell you how much i loved it! the talks were amazing, and uplifting! and once again, he never fails...Elder Holland blew all us missionaries away!!!! i loved his talk..and when he said pornography will blow a crater in your mind forever, wow! it was so much fun being here in the city! you guys were right, after the first session on Saturday we went to the mall and ate food, i got Kentucky Fried Chicken! yes that's here in the city, its like im in a completely different mission now, i love it. Then we just hung out between sessions the whole weekend, i have alot of friends here in Santiago, on Sunday we had a member make us food, it was super good, rice and chicken and juice.

Wow this was a long letter haha well i better end and get going. i love you guys so much. mom and dad let me know if you have figured out anything on the plans to come get me ok.... have a great week and ill take pics of my comp and i and stuff and send them next week. love you all!

Elder Westergard

2010-04-04T22:27:00.000-07:00

Wow i cant believe what happened! i got transferred to SANTIAGO!!!!!!!!! oh my gosh you have no idea how i feel. I'm so excited right now. I just had lunch at Price Mart, aka Costco, with all the Santiago missionaries. It was so awesome! my area is called Hato Mayor, my comps name is Elder Delafrance, he is American haha ya i know sweet name. He has 5 months in the mission so I'm his step dad, that's my 3rd step kid!!!! in 4 transfers. He's really awesome and from Nevada. I'm pretty sure this is my last area here, but i have so much animo to work because the city is so much different than the campos, aka my whole mission. So were going to have some great times together.

This week is Semana Santa its really dangerous starting Friday till Sunday, but the good thing is that everyone eats abichuelas con dulce! oh man its so good! but many people are talking about Christ and stuff and have a desire to talk to us, so it will be really cool.

Well on Saturday Miguelina got baptized, so that was a record breaker for me, 11 in one area. but i know numbers don't matter, but you can see the fruits of our labors. On Monday and Tuesday i had to go around saying goodbye to all my friends and families and baptisms. it was sad and i really miss Dajabon. I think it grew to my favorite area, over Puerto Plata, we will have to go visit there when you guys come. Its awesome! this morning i woke up at 5:30 and get everything ready, catch a bus at 6:30 and travel for about two and a half hours. So I'm pretty tired right now. but really I'm really sad right now. my best friend in the mission went home today, remember Elder Robertson? he was in my house in Puerto Plata and he is like Samoan. He left today and now i know like no one, I'm almost one of the oldest missionaries here and all the people i know are home. so ya its me my comp and the elders of my group pretty much.

I'm so excited for general conference on Saturday and Sunday! it will be so awesome. I'm super excited for elder hollands talk....its always powerful, well i better go, love you all!!

love elder westergard

2010-03-22T23:03:00.000-07:00

March 17, 2010

Well to start things off, happy St. Patrick's day! if your not wearing green pinch yourselves for me because as you know its physically impossible for me to do that to you guys right now! haha well i hope you guys are having a great time and a spring break!! right now it is really crazy in the streets right now! its what they call the Carnival! look it up on the Internet, everyone dresses up in masks and costumes and its a very huge Carnival! its so awesome i was not able to see it last year, but its so cool! all the kids have whips and just whip them loud. i had a member make me one as a reminder of the Carnival, its cool and I'm learning how to whip! they call them fuertes here in the DR.

This week was very good! we baptized Pamela, the sister of Jean Carlos who we baptized like a month ago. it was very special and i had the honors of doing it, well like i always do haha. We try to get a member to do the baptisms but they all want me to do it and no one else, its like i have a special glow around me and everyone wants me to do the baptism! but that's ok with me because i love doing them, the spirit is always strong.

This week is Zone Conference and President Viñez, President of the Carribe, will be there to talk to us! I'm super excited and cant wait to here what amazing things he has to say.

I had an intercambio with a fairly new missionary on Monday, and at night we ate pizza, and i tried to do the prayer in English and.........lets just say it was sad and i started to read the scrips in English only so i can get my English back, i don't want to look like a fool on my homecoming talk.

Today the whole zone went to go climb the mountain at the beach again but me and my comp decided not to so we could rest, clean, and rest some more haha. Were working super hard so we need a break. I cant believe next Wednesday is the last regular pday until transfers on the 30th, that means only 3 left to go. Weird haha. oh i was wanting to know, how is the planning on the trip here to pick me up.....thought about it yet.

Mom the title of your email said where a green tie, i will do that but it will be for like one hour haha after pday we have a meeting then play basketball, so maybe i will use one tomorrow to, a late celebration. How is Utah, is it cold, i hate the cold! its weird i always say that but something inside me wants to go to BYU, haha but that wont ever happen, i don't think i could get in with a 3.4 average. but who knows.

Wow sounds like your getting better Josh! i really hope that you start walking soon, watch tons of March Madness for me and remember, GO TAR HEELS!! and SUN DEVILS!! Dad how is the best Bishop ever doing?....need any more advice with things or any questions...just let me know and you know I'm always here. Have you played golf lately....man you don't know how bad i miss it. I want to play with you the day after i get home on my favorite course....can you guess what it is....yes you guessed it! LAS SENDAS! we got a deal......

Well i better end! i miss you guys and hope you have a great Spring Break. i know that Jesus lives and that he is the Christ, read and pray everyday and you will be happier and have success in all you do!

love Elder Westergard

2010-03-22T22:58:00.000-07:00

Well this week was really fun! Elder Miranda and i taught many good lessons and we found tons of new investigators! actually we received 16 references this week!! and we had a good experience to.....walking on a dirt road just after it was raining, some old guy was trying to push with one hand through the road in a wheelchair, so we pushed him to his house and taught his family, it was really amazing and it made my testimony of service increase.

So mom i feel your pain with the rain. last week the rain started when i was emailing you guys and it didn't stop until 2 days ago, i didn't see the sun for 5 straight days and it was sooooo cold! i never have been that cold on a tropical island. so ya i was like, come back sun....then it came back and i was like, go away sun!! haha so ya it was good though because today we played softball with the zone, but the cool thing is that the missionaries in Villa Vasquez live next door to a guy that plays AAA for the Diamondbacks!!! it was awesome and he played with us, almost all his hits went way over the wall. I took pics with him in his Diamondback cloths and he let me put on his under armor Diamondbacks sweater to take a picture. He speaks English so we all talked to him for awhile, it was really fun and we ended up beating his team in the extra inning with a home run, 17-16! it was a really fun day, i got a little sun though, I'm kind of red haha.

Then we all went to go buy lunch, la bandera!!! which is rice, beans and chicken. then we took a little rest and now we are here using Internet.

Wow its already spring break there.....time goes so fast. that's sweet that mom and Jakelle are going to Utah, eat some haystacks for me OK!

Well i know that this church is true with all my heart. there is no doubt in my mind! the book of Mormon is true, and Joseph Smith was the prophet and still is of the restoration of the only true gospel in the world! Jesus lives, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen!

Elder Jesse Westergard

2010-03-22T22:49:00.000-07:00

Wow i cant believe that's it is already March! and that its March Madness again, GO NORTH CAROLINA and ASU! well the bummer of my week was just reading that Mesa High lost in the quarter finals to St. Mary's. I'm really bummed, but ill be home next year to see that good black kid again and win state.

This last week we continued to break the zone goals of lessons taught and stuff, were working super hard. Sunday was a great day, we had 5 investigators at church and my two baptisms, two 16 year olds, got the priesthood, so it was awesome to see the fruits of my labors progressing you know!

On Monday we had our district conference and it was pretty good, i was feeling kind of sick and stuff and that night i didn't sleep, so it was hard for me to pay attention, but I'm good now. yesterday we had to travel down to Navarrete for our interviews with President Lee. My interview was great simple and short haha so thats always a good sign, i think. but the bus ride always stinks, 2 hours on a bus so 4 hours all together and today is Santiago pday so we came even farther, 2 and a half hours haha so 5 hours all together, but its worth it, i saw lots of friends in the mission today and ate pizza and hung out, now were at Internet and its in Santiago so its fast haha that's what i love, i don't think i ever be in the city, i want to so bad!!!!

So me and my comp are having a great time, and last week we played basketball on Wednesday night and it was like....wow! they made a new rule that i cant be on the same team as my comp because we will always win haha. so its cool, were playing tonight after the long bus ride back.

Well it sounds like all of you are doing good! wow that's so awesome that there is a Tia Rosas now where Fazzolies was, good trade off i think. that's good that the Suns are winning now, even though they are like way behind right....

So Dad you are going to talk about the Apostasy and the Restoration tonight....my favorite things to teach haha. so ya i love teaching those 2 things. I use an example in Apostasy, i tell the people that Jesus formed his church, which i compare to a mirror, which has 4 nails in it to hold it up, prophets and apostles, authority, revelation, and scriptures. when Jesus and his apostles died there was only 1 nail left, scriptures, and the people ended up changing them so they weren't the exact truth, so that nail got taken out. and without nails the mirror will fall and shatter in many pieces. but the people wanted to know the truth but couldn't find it, Amos 8 7-11 i think, so they each took a little piece of the mirror and formed there own church without authority and the whole truth, or the whole mirror, that's why there are so many churches in this world, then in 1820 Joseph had his vision and ya you know the rest.... but people tend to understand the example really good haha. I have many others to for all topics.

Well i better go, i need to get back to Dajabon and ball it up. I love you all very much! have a great week and remember, if you want to talk to your Father in Heaven, pray! and if you want to hear his voice, read the scriptures!!

love Elder Westergard

2010-03-22T22:43:00.000-07:00

Hey sorry family that this letter is really late getting to you and really short. We went in to the city, Santiago, today because my comp had to go see the mission doctor, so we traveled along way and just got back! this week was such a great week, and what made it better was you guys telling me that Clayton is going on his mission! you don't know how happy i was when i heard that, I'm so proud of him and what he is doing.

This last week we did alot of finding because we pretty much baptized everyone else, and these new people are going to get baptized too. We had 3 more baptisms this week! it was so awesome, and about 6 more planned this transfer. Elder Miranda is such a great elder! he has been out for 6 months today, so were working hard, yes i said I'm working hard even though i only got 5 months left......wow.

I cant even describe all the blessings I'm receiving here in the mission, working hard and being obedient has changed my life. honestly i asked a new missionary today to trade me time so i could have 2 more years here, I'm not lying haha. this place is my home.

Well it sounds like all there is trying to get better with Josh and his knee, Dads hurt calf, and Mom on the couch, sorry about all that stuff, it really stinks. Josh get better and your in my prayers, hopefully you can play ball or golf when i get home.

wow so Tiger came out in public today huh?? that's a start, i hope he comes back soon, i don't know what i would do without that man on tv to watch all the time!

Well its really late and i got to get over to the church activity and dominate basketball with my companion. I know that the church is true and Thomas s. Monson is the living prophet on the earth today. The Book of Mormon has changed my life and the way i act, let it do the same for you too! i know your receiving blessings for my service here and also family friends, the Eslers. Ilove you guys so much, remember what a smart man told me...when your on your knees, you can not fall (DAD, i love you)

Love, Elder Westergard

2010-02-17T18:02:00.000-08:00

Family Members of Both Baptisms

Flor and Me

My wonderful new tie!!!

Albany and Me

Elder Fuch's and my Sweet tie.

Elder Fuch's and Me

Wow I'm so happy that i am still here and did not leave!!! i got a missionary that was already in my zone, Elder Miranda, he's Dominican and is really cool. He loves basketball and is really good to, were going to play together tonight at the activity and not lose haha, waste everyone! this is his 4th transfer and hes excited to work, so lets pray its a good 6 weeks and not like.....well you know.

So ya like you know I'm really excited that I'm here for these 3 baptisms we have this Saturday, it seems like I'm baptizing the whole world here haha, i have been here 3 months and this is numbers 7,8, and 9 in this city. crazy huh?? so I'm so excited and pumped to work this transfer.

Well our 2 baptisms went down last week, Albany and Flor got baptized, it was really sweet and a great spiritual experience. I love seeing people coming into the church, i cant ever explain to them the love i feel for them. I wore a brand new tie to the baptism that you will see a picture of and it will only go on the days of baptisms, cause i want it for when i go home on my homecoming, mom you will love it!!

Oh ya, haha so i like pulled a muscle or tendon or something important in the shin and foot playing kickball after the baptism haha, it hurts so bad to walk, but you know, pain to me is nothing anymore haha, just thought you should know haha.

Not much else has been going on this week, just good work! but it sounds like all of you guys are doing good, well besides Josh and his surgery. Don't worry bro, your in my prayers love you! ok!!! Jakelle what did i tell you??? your a Westergard, its like expected from you since birth to be good at what you like, and not only did you make cheer, but VARSITY!! and advanced dance! way to go sis, i cant say i taught you that stuff haha but your carrying on the Mesa High varsity spirit me and your other bros. had! hey definitely we will talk Spanish when i get home, if you want you can write me to in Spanish, you know to practice.

I hope you all had a good Valentines Day, i kind of forgot about it cause it was just like another day here of work, but i hope you guys got good things, Josh got a valentine yet?? mom i got the newsletter thank you so much, it was very good! all of us friends are getting so old.....well me and Tate are haha everyone else has like a year, but they are getting there.

Sorry my letter is really short but nothing to exciting, except the baptisms, went on. I hope you all have a fun week watching the Olympics and almost march madness and stuff like that i miss. Hey what went down with the all star game? how did Nash and Stat do? well i love you all and your in my prayers. cuidense mucho, adios!

Elder Jesse Westergard

2010-02-16T18:32:00.000-08:00

Hi family! i cant believe that's its already a new week! the time seems to be flying over my head and i don't know where its going, its like i just hit my 6 months left yesterday but its already like halfway through February(5.5 months) isn that weird?? Well the big news of the week is....yes you guessed it, Sister Eslers baptism, you don't know how happy i am that she got baptized, i have been wanting to say SISTER for long time to her haha even though i just call them mom and dad like you guys and Clayton my brother and Camille my sister. Sister Elser wrote me along with Craig Esler and said some words that could not hold back the tears, it was some of the most powerful things i have read. and i know Claytons dad is getting super blessed and will some day join his family and have the opportunity to be sealed to them for time and all eternity. It made my week and to see the pictures, ill never forget it.

This last week was amazing, we had zone conference, then district conference here in Dajabon the next 2 days after, so 3 days in a row listening to President Lee. It was amazing and the spirit strong! on Sunday he talked about the Book of Mormon, and with power and conviction in front of 3 branches and my investigators straight up said, holding up the Book of Mormon, "THERE IS NO SALVATION WITHOUT THIS BOOK!" the room filled with the spirit and it was amazing. On Saturday we have 2 more baptisms, Albany and Flor, Albany is the sister of the girl i baptized that i taught from Esperanza remember? and Flor is the girlfriend of an inactive that started to come back. They are like 18 years old, both of them. Then next week we have 2 more, 2 young men of 16 years with a firm desire to serve missions, they are best friends and go to seminary all the time, i hope I'm still here next week and don't get transferred, i honestly think ill cry if i leave, cause we still got like 8 more dates. so were being really blessed for all our hard work and obedience.

So speaking about that, Wednesday is transfers and i talked to my best friend, AP, at zone conference and he told me its almost positive ill be training a new gringo who knows jack squat. I really hope so it would be so fun. those calls come in Friday night, so we will see. I hope it happens and i stay here.

Today was super fun, we had the zone get together for the last pday of the transfer and we all went to the church to play games and hang out. We played U-no, a sweet card game that's called"warriors of the promised land" its like a Book of Mormon card game, so cough cough mom that's would be cool to have haha hint hint in my next package your sending me! but that's if you want to buy it for me. we also had chess, played basketball, and Frisbee golf! it was cool, then we cooked at the church, rice and chicken. fun day.

Sounds like everything in the U.S. of A is great, even though you told me my favorite team in the NFL lost the Superbowl, what a bummer, well they will be there next year and i will be to!! sounds like that commercial with Howard and James was pretty funny and Larry Bird. haha i laughed reading that. So Jakelle your trying out for cheer at MESA HIGH?? you will make it and you want to know why?? your last name is westergard, none of us boys have been cut from nottin over there, so your all good, the teachers will love you to, just tell them you know me.

Hey good luck Josh, ill be praying for you and your surgery that everything will be OK, so don't worry! you got a missionary prayer on your side! so everyone have a safe week and a great valentines day! love you all so much! ill let you know how transfers are next week, ps i only have 4 more left. weird???? yes!

Elder Westergard

Been out 1 year and 6 months - Slump Day!

2010-02-03T21:22:00.000-08:00

Peace from the Shoe Rock ( it really does look like a shoe)

Burn them pants 1 year 6 months

Pizza and Coke for 1 yr. & 6 mon.

Marina Jean Carlos Baptism

Pose at the Beach (love this picture)

Members of the Branch and Baptism Family

Wow this week was so great! i love teaching the gospel, its so fun! we taught 30 plus lessons again and had 2 baptisms, marina(20 year old girl) and Jean Carlos (13 year old boy). i have never felt so blessed for trying to be 100% obedient and working my tail off. i feel so much happier every day and have more energy, bring it on last 6 months!! Elder Stroud told me something that helped me so much(my ZL) that your last 6 months reflects your first 1 and 6 months of the mission, and your last 6 months affects the rest of your life. I'm trying so hard to make it the best part of my life so i can be richly blessed for after the mission, i told Jared ill need it because i will probably be lost after the mission haha since the only life i know is high school and the mission, and i have grown up way past high school so i don't know how life is haha but I'm not going to worry, just focus on the mission. I read something in a church clip we have in the house about Joseph smith, i loved it so much! it said something like, my life has no significance to me, except lose it for the cause of this great work!! how amazing is that?? it boosted my animo way high and i find myself working my tail off and setting dates like crazy. We have about 8 dates and 7 for this month, i just hope i stay here and don't leave on the 17th, i love this area with all my heart, and the people even more.

Zone conference was amazing on Monday! Elder Stroud (ZL) ripped on obedience, and it all started with the problem you know about with my comp. He did such a great job, the thing he said that impacted me the most was when he said, if you want to live with Satan, don't do anything, put away your scriptures and just sit there, its that easy. now if you want to get nothing out of your mission, sit in your house all day and be disobedient, its that easy to be a fracaso (ask Josh or Jared, forgot the English word). it was so `powerful and gave me even more animo for this work.

Then i also read a scripture that wow! helped even more....Matthew 19:29 says.... and everyone that has forsaken houses, or brethren, or sister, or father, or mother, or wife(in a missionary case..girlfriend) or children, or lands for my names sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life!.....doest that just give you the greatest feeling, i know it did for me, so dont worry mom, i got plenty of experiences to share when i get home.

Well on Friday we have zone conference again, felt like 2 weeks ago since last one, and Saturday and Sunday we have district conference here in Dajabon and Montecristi. so that's 3 days in a row i get to listen to President Lee, I'm so excited. its amazing that by doing what pres. lee tells us even though its different than Pres. Thomas, i have come to love him and gain a good relationship and trust him. hes a great man and his testimony is like a giant.

Tonight were playing basketball at the activity in the church so that will be fun like always. Winner stays on, its 3 on 3, and last week we started and ended without losing haha. it was fun.

Well sounds like everything there is nice and cold, or rainy. that really stinks. way to go Jakelle on your talk, I'm so proud of you, remember to always be an example to your friends at all times and do what is right around them, you never know what will happen or if people will want to be baptized by your example. I'm so happy right now to know my example has brought 3 amazing people (pretty much second family) into the true Church of Christ. i honestly think its a big reason I'm here, if i wasn't here they probably would not be baptized, so be an example always Jakelle, especially as you enter high school ok?? read the Book of Mormon every night and morning, no matter if your busy with school. i promise you will do better in school if you do that, and pray.

So i better end i have to get ready for the activity in an hour. Mom i want you to take photos of the baptism and send them to me ok?? thanks!! take care and be safe this week. I love you all and will talk to you next week!

love Elder Westergard

ps. mom I'm trying to put photos up but the computer is super slow, ill try again. sorry for the delay of pics

2010-02-03T21:17:00.000-08:00

Well it has been a great week and i finally got some sense knocked into my companion. We had a weekly goal as a district to get 15 lessons with a member and 25 lessons in all, well i told him i was going to work and get it and not only did we get to work, we shattered those goals with 35 lessons in all and 24 of them with a member! not only that we got 8 baptismal dates and 2 of them are getting baptised Saturday, and like 4 on the 13th of February, for the first time i finally know what it feels like to get lost in the Lords work and not worry about home! so i want you all to know that i am lost in this great cause and i cannot come down, the blessings are to great i receive and i just am so happy working and being obedient, so don't worry about me here ok?

Happy birthday Josh tomorrow! wow i cant believe your 22 years old and finished the mission like 11 months ago, that's super cool. make sure you eat some birthday cake for me, and if i had to choose where you want to go, it would probably be Texas Roadhouse right???? haha you like that place, that's where i want to go the first day i get back to Arizona, then QT for a DR. PEPPER haha. Well its weird to think I'm officially old in the mission on Saturday, i think its called like slump day?? well whatever it is I'm not going to slump, i don't even want to go home. it will be really hard to leave this place, i heard the next 6 months will be like a dream and feel like 1 month or so, i hope not!

Today we went to the beach again to hang out, i took some really cool pics and will send some. sorry there has been tons of rain, that stinks. here its been dry and i finally get to play ball in the activity tonight! well sounds like all is good with you guys, i know I'm good but keep Haiti in your prayers, i heard like 30% of the population died so far, that's so sad. well i love you guys so much! your in my prayers.

love Elder Westergard

ps. dad thanks for the quote, i loved it! and i wrote it down as soon as i read it.

pss. sorry for a short letter, we got home late from the beach

2010-01-21T14:21:00.000-08:00

Well first of all i cant tell you how thankful i am to be safe right now and well! there was another quake today and a big one, but you guys already know that. Its so sad to see these Haitians do anything they can to get money for there family's. As a missionary were not suppose to give money and it breaks my heart not to give it and see these poor people who have lost family, houses, and food in the streets. Honestly it has been a very humbling experience. Every Friday and Monday the Haitians cross the border to sell things and i have never seen so many of them before, things are needed now more than ever, please keep them in your prayers, honestly i cant express the love i feel for these people as i have 1 year and 6 months here and now to see everything they have get destroyed breaks my heart. I even worked in a Haitian area in Puerto Plata remember?? and i baptised one too but he left back to Haiti after that, i hope he is ok.

Well Saturday we got to se Elder Bednar talk! ya it was really incredible and he said some of the most powerful things i have ever heard. One was, you will never again in your life be in a room this small with an apostle of the Lord, three 70s, a mission president, and their wife's again! wow ha crazy. He didn't give a talk but we all went with questions to ask him and be taught by him through revelation, it was the best thing ever. he also said that if we think we are the teachers when we teach investigators we need to repent!!! haha wow fuerte. Also he talked about how we should take notes, don't write what the speaker says, but what the spirit says. He said something really funny about that, he said here we are, all us members, we take notes, never use them, then end up losing them! how stupid is that!!! (yes an apostle of the lord said stupid so that means no more getting mad at us kids mom and dad for saying it, its been approved haha that was a joke, no but seriously) and the strongest thing he said was that members say prayers in sacrament or what not and say please bless the people that didn't come.....i quote "that is a weak prayer and has no faith, stop saying things like that now and as the rising generation, you be the example" wow can you believe that?? he said it should be more like this....."father were thankful for the day we have had today and we recognize that there are people not with us today, please bless us that when this meeting is over that we will go find them and bring them back! (goes good with your talk dad) bless us with the strength to go get them now! and bring them back( he was pretty much crying saying this) and then he said something funny....please bless us that we all don't go to the same house hahaha we all laughed! but it was such an amazing experience. He gave us a challenge to more fully comprehend the Atonement, get a new copy of the Book of Mormon, like a paperback cheap one, and underline or mark every time it says in the strength of the lord or promises blessings from following the Lord or through the Atonement. Then pull them all out after we are done then we will be able to feel the power more fully in our lives. So if you want you guys can do it to!

Well this week has been filled with mission work, I'm working like i have never worked before and losing myself in the work. I'm not going to let my comp slow me down, and trust me i let him know that and so did the zone leaders in my house, if it wasn't for them i probably wouldn't make it with him. but we have found so many knew people and last week we had 3 baptismal dates, now were up to 7 and teaching lots of lessons. We should have 3 baptisms this next week and the week after (30th and 7th) wow i dont even want to think about how much time i hit on the 30th, slump day, but i dont want to go there its not an exciting topic for me.....home????? ya right haha

Today was a very long day, it was Santiago pday and yesterday we had interviews, yesterday we traveled for like 4 hours and today 6 hours. Today we went in early to play basketball with tons of Elders on a wood floor, it was so fun. Then we went to Pricesmart (like aka Costco) to eat and stuff. Then we faced the long 3 hour drive back home and i had the worst headache and still do!

Well I'm really tired and its like 8:30 so I'm going home now and going to eat dinner then sleep, major headache! well i love you all so very much and will talk to you next week.

ps. mom i got some shoes and i didn't have my card reader to put up pics today sorry! 100% promise next week ok?? love you!

Earthquake hits Haiti

2010-01-13T14:10:00.000-08:00

Yesterday there was a 7.0 quake that hit Haiti in Puerto Principe the capital of Haiti. Jesse is close to the border of Haiti so I was very worried about him. We received an email last night from his mission president saying all missionaries are ok and accounted for. I got a email from Jesse today telling of his experience, his first earthquake and I think it shook him up a little. We are just glad he is OK and are praying for those in Haiti.

Well i was pretty shook up yesterday at about 5:30 when i was teaching a lesson and my seat started shaking, i thought it was one of the little girls pushing it, then i looked and there was no one there, so i looked outside and the street poles were shaking back and forth and my comp yells, the earth is shaking! we ran outside, cause the houses here are not made very well, and the whole world was outside freaking out and screaming. It lasted for about 2 minutes and there were 2 aftershocks. It was very scary, my first experience with an earthquake in my life. Well the news on that is that it happened in Puerto Principe the capital of Haiti, along with many buildings that went down, a hospital went down and some schools and they say over 100,000 dead and about 3,000,000 affected! its all everyone talks about, people here are devastated. Haiti is so corrupt, with all its witchcraft and apostasy, i think someone upstairs is trying to get them to repent and change, it happened all throughout the Book of Mormon, so why not now! but I'm glad I'm OK and all the missionaries here are to.

Besides all of that, my week has been alright. I'm struggling pretty bad with my new comp. he wasn't all that like i thought he is, he has some problems following the rules and its really annoying. Its not just affecting him, but me as well. I already have sat down and talked with him with the zone leaders, but it doesn't seem to be working, please pray for me to have patience and the spirit, thanks.

Well on good news, FINALLY, we are traveling to Santiago Friday afternoon to spend the night in the mission home, and on Saturday we have a conference wit the whole mission and ELDER BEDNAR will be speaking to us! I'm so excited and cant wait to learn from this man! the whole mission is doing a fast on Thursday so we can be super prepared. so that will be really fun.

I put 3 baptismal dates this week all for the 7th of February, so were really excited and receiving lots of references from the members. I think this might be my last transfer here because i talked o the zone leaders, i told them i have 1 year and almost 6 months in the mission and have never been in Santiago, so they are going to talk with President, so am i, next week in interviews to get me over there. I only have 4 more transfers left and i want to die in Puerto Plata, so i want 3 good transfers in Santiago.

Well that's about all, sounds like you guys are doing very well over there in the United States! i hope its not raining on you guys, because here it has rained like the last 21 days out of 27 or something like that, I'm sick of it and never want to see it again the rest of my life, i have not played basketball for like a month. I want to play so bad. well take care with everything there and i will talk to you next week! you guys are amazing your in my prayers and i hope I'm in yours! Please pray for the people of Haiti and there family's all there family also, and keep reading the book of Mormon. i love you all very much!

love Elder Westergard

2009-12-31T07:41:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone! this last week was a super one! i got to talk to you guys and i had my 3rd baptism this transfer! it was Yulissa, the girl i taught in Esperanza, it was such an amazing experience. I'm really glad she is a member now in the true church! well it was super great to talk to all of you and here JJ bark, i miss him so much! you all sound wonderful, well now Josh is sick, but other than that sounds like all is super!

This week was good, after we talked we had another dinner appointment and ate some good food! then we had the baptism and on Saturday we have one more baptism, last one before the transfers. So ya transfers are already Wednesday, its been 5 weeks since i got here to Dajabon! that's super nuts, I cant believe its over. Well my companion for sure is finally going up after 1 year and 6 months in the mission, that's why I'm with him, to help him get better, so i know for sure that he wont be my comp. I think i might get a kid, calls are on Friday. So we will see, if not i will know on Monday when President sends out transfer info!

Today i hit 1 year and 5!! is that nuts or what, I'm almost a full time sister missionary haha. Today the zone went to the beach again and had a crazy adventure! haha and we hung out with Brother Clonts, he finished 4 months ago and came back and married a girl last week, so he was still here. I knew him when he was in the mission. I got to spend the day with Elder Shawhan in my group, so we both celebrated the special month completion day! today I'm going to play basketball with the Elders here at the church and with all the members and kids off the street that go, so it will be super fun!

Well i don't know what else to say since we just talked! but i love you so much and you will know what happened with transfers next week ok! love you all.

Elder Jesse Westergard

2009-12-29T20:59:00.000-08:00

Look at Dem Muscles

Pointing to Haiti.

Haiti

BAM!!! be atop the mountain...thats all for them Mesa High fans.

Elders in my group that go home with me - two are AP's haha

Baptism of Jose.

Chilling drinking Kola Real.

Before painting the House.

It Is What It Is!!

After painting the house.

M for Mormon

Goofing around at the party.

Dajabon for Christmas Dinner.

Funny Member

Hey everyone! wow i cant believe that it is almost Christmas! tomorrow is Christmas Eve and i will be missing my last Christmas Eve dinner at Aunt Carrie's house and playing pool with my brothers. but i will be there next time. and i really want some of those home made goodies right about now haha! well here Christmas Eve is bigger than Christmas, i have no idea why, but we got plans to go over to that girl i taught in Esperanza house to eat dinner, shes getting baptized Saturday!!!!! but ya dinners here on the 24th are super huge, its like there thanks giving and Christmas put together. so it should be good.

I dont have alot to say cause we will be taking on Friday. but I'm doing super good here, losing myself in the work!! i love teaching the gospel and i love being a missionary! I'm excited to open my packages on Friday morning, even though you guys wont be there and dad wont be filming. I hope i don't cry like last year!! but once the holiday season is over, time here will go by so much faster.

Well OK there is a breakfast for Lexi and Jared, so it will be done around 9??? ill email Jared real quick to ask him, then ill send another email to you guys letting you know. Ill probably call around 8 your time or so.....if that's alright!

Well i love you guys so much, the gospel is true and i love every part of it! it changes lives and i know it has changed mine!!

love Elder Westergard. talk to you on Friday. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ps. i think this year i was suppose to be santa clause, so looks like i didn't have to do it for another 3 years hahahaha jk!

2009-12-29T20:48:00.000-08:00

Howdy everyone! well this week was a pretty fun and amazing week! we started of on Saturday driving 2 hours out to villa Vasquez with the zone to help two missionaries paint a house for some new members. one of the missionaries is in my group, Elder Shawhan, so it was fun to spend time with him and be in his zone. we left at about 6 in the morning and got home at 4 in the afternoon. it took along time but it was well worth it and we all had so much fun! ill put up some pics if i have time. when we got back me and Elder Leonardo went to fill up the baptismal font on we also had a baptism here just like you guys did with Camille, it was a kid of 12 years and his name is Jose, he is really cool and is so pumped to grow up and serve a mission. also he wants to do baptisms for the dead for his dad who died. so it will be awesome to keep teaching him the new lessons.

Monday we had our zone meeting with the assistants, and Elder Marte, from mi group came to give it. he did really good. He talked about how an escalator, those electric stairs in the mall well the ones that go down, are like the gospel of Jesus Christ. we can run up it and get to the top, but it takes work! or we can not try at all and not study and we will slowly decline and our testimonies will weaken. So we always need to study the gospel and go forward, then i went to Montecristi for an intercambio and it was really good! i was with a new missionary who just got here from Virginia, and he does not know lots of Spanish, so i did most of the talking. but i learned alot from him he is really humble.

Yesterday we went to get the mail and my packages came! so I'm really excited about Christmas coming and also to talk to you guys. I need you to tell me your plans for Christmas and what time you will be up so i can tell you next week when i will be calling OK?? thanks, i better be talking to the family, Jakelle i don't want none of this 10 feet away from the phone thing ok?? haha jk. maybe you can get JJ to bark for me. haha, i miss him. So how is life?? all very cold? i called it that Mesa was going to get spanked! Hamilton has won how many times in the last 5 years?? ok so ya i heard something about this kid on Mesas basketball team! whats going on?? that's so tight! that would be cool if they go undefeated and state champs!

So I'm really bummed that i missed Clayton's and Camille's baptism. but hey its because of my example they are members right, so i did something and Clayton wants me to enter the temple with him for the first time when i get home, so that will be really cool! ya i miss Mrs. Eslers cooking of Mexican food. were totally going over when i get home, like the day after i get home for some green sauce chicken enchiladas and rice! yummmmmmy(think of Jim Carey in ace ventura saying that).

Well i love you guys so much! have a great week and think about when you want me to call next week. love you all! oh and i have a zone conference Friday and its Christmas themed. woo hoo!

love Elder Westergard

2009-12-10T22:01:00.000-08:00

OK so the other day my alarm went off at 6:30 and the zone leaders came and knocked on the door for morning devotional. We all went out, did the devotional and then i went back to the room. my comp turned out the light and laid down. I got kind of mad because i was studying, so i turned it back on, he told me to lay down, you don't need to study, then he went out of the room. the zone leaders came in and asked me why i was studying.......i was like...is it a sin now to study.They laughed and told me it was all a joke and it was 3 in the morning!!!!! they changed the phone alarm and my desk clock! i guess its funny but whatever.

This week went by really fast! not allot going on, we have a baptism on Saturday, and 3 more this transfer. speaking of baptisms...i cant believe Camille is getting baptized! it honestly makes me so happy and to know my example is blessing a family that i love! sounds like everything is nice and cold down there! i wish it was colder here ha ha. but ya everyone here is ready for Christmas! including me. Once the holiday season is over, time will go by so much faster.

wow Mesa High in the championship!! well that stinks, they will get smashed by Hamilton! today me and my comp went to the frontera of Haiti! we took pics at the river and there was a ton of guards. then all these Haitians were yelling at us from there country ha ha it was cool. so many Haitian people were washing clothes in the river which is filthy!

Well i don't know what else to write! it was kind of a boring week. i love you guys so much and will talk to you next week! sorry for a short letter.

love Elder Westergard

2009-11-26T19:27:00.000-08:00

Ok so I'm super sorry about not writing you yesterday! as you could probably tell by no letter, i got transferred!! but it was not what everyone expected, i got sent to the complete other side of the island to satins furnace in DAJABON! right on the Haitian border. But right now its December so its not that hot, but there are tons of mosquitoes. More than Esperanza. haha its the area no missionary wants to go, but i think its actually kind of cool. There is like nothing here but things are so cheap. I can buy shoes for 3 dollars, and ties are really nice for 15 pesos. My companion is Elder Leonardo, he is really cool and goes home 6 weeks before i do! We live with the zone leaders so i love how its a 4 man house. The zone leaders are also Dominican so its me alone with 3 Dominicans, but i know all 3 and they are super cool and i know Spanish, so its all good!

So ya i started traveling at 7 in the morning and got to Dajabon at 7 at night, it was a long day! We had an activity at the church and we played basketball. so it was a good day!

Well i woke up this morning and totally forgot it was thanksgiving until i was writing in my journal and wrote the date, and was like, no!!!!!!!!! Why did i remember haha. it sounds like you guys will have a great time eating turkey and pies and all that good stuff. I told the Elders in my house today was a very special day so they are going to buy me pizza and turkey haha! so ill try to make it a good thanksgiving until next year with you guys!

We had our baptism on Saturday and it was really good! i think that is like number 15 or so. We have alot of cool people here with dates so ill try to work super hard, this zone is the most baptizing zone in the mission, so pray for me! ill give you more details on my area next week.

Well i don’t got much to write this week, but i want to tell you guys what I'm thankful for, i don’t know if you are all together right now eating or not, but here it goes...... I'm so grateful for the chance i have been given to be here in the Dominican Republic serving my Lord Jesus Christ and bringing souls to him. I love this Gospel and would give my life for it! I'm so grateful for the Book of Mormon, it has changed my life! and thankful for two loving parents who have raised me in the gospel my whole life and have constantly taught me lessons of life. I love you Mom and Dad, and i love my brothers Jared and Josh. You guys are such great examples for me, especially the example you guys made going on missions. Thanks for everything, your my best friends and especially my little sister Jakelle. ill never forget the times we have always shared and the time i would take you and pick you up from dance and show you all my favorite songs! Thanks for being a great sister. I'm thankful for all my other family and there support. i love you all and hope you have a great day! We will talk in 4 weeks so I'm excited! I love you, bye!

Elder Jesse Westergard

2009-11-26T13:50:00.000-08:00

Well mom i will correct you on what you said about my wrist and the boys beeting me, you and i both know that that is impossible right? me losing to the boys in golf? thats like saying michael jordan will lose to a 15 year old one on one! by the way, dad, Phil Mickelson will never receive 3 million dollars just to show up to a golf tournament, i think you just need to face the facts now, Tiger is the best! wow Josh that stinks so bad that your knee is all messed up! que vas a hacer por 6 meses? jaja tu vas a ver mucho juegos de balancesto y tiger woods verdad? oh y tienes que beber mucho dr. pepper y recordar que tu hermano en la republica dominicana tiene que beber coca cola....hmmmmm. no hay aqui, pero en puerto plata si hay Dr. Pepper y mt. dew! bueno buenas suerte y estas en mis oraciones. te quiero! sorry mom and dad and jakelle and lexi, you guys dont know spanish, ask Jared or Josh what that meant, but i cant believe the Suns are in 1st place! thats insane, im jealous you guys get to see them good this year.

Here everything is going good! this is my last pday in this area and i will know where im going on Monday, about everyone in the zone is like 98 percent convinced ill be the next zone leader, plus president told me in my interview i was going up next transfer and the zone leader right now is going home next week. soooooo ill let you know on Wednesday ok?? so dad your teaching an inactive and there having trouble with tithing....well something i like to do is teach by examples. like ill say, ok you have 100 pesos(think of dollars for your situation) and tithing is 10%, so you should pay 10 dollars. sure 10 dollars is alot but look at how much you got left, 90!! so if they look at it that way it could be alot easier. like someone who has 1million pays 100,000 but still has 900,000. so really it helps with me and the people here. and then you just tell them experiences you have had or heard of. so i dont know you can try and talk about that.

We have a baptism on Saturday and im super stoked for that, baptism on my last week here. so that will be fun. Well the big news of the week is that Elder Russel M. Ballard was here in the Dominican Republic to have a fireside with all the Caribbean, so we got together as a steak and all the missionaries here and watched this fireside. there was talks from the area presidency in spanish and last Elder Ballard talked! but i was so glad he did it in english! he said it first and then someone said it in spanish after! i will tell you right now that i have never heard a more powerful talk in my whole life! he talked about how we have the rights to know what we should know through revelation. it was amazing! he shared about 7 stories of pure revelation that would make the hairs on your back stand up! i want to share one of them with you....

Elder Ballard was going down to Chile to sperate a steak into 2 steaks. so he got there and met with the Stake President and said, ok President where are all the other people i am to interview?? the President only brought 3 people with him he thought could be the new President. and Elder Ballard said you didnt get my letter?? i wanted all of the Bishops here, counselors, high councel, of all the steaks. you call them now and tell them to get here so i can interview them! by the time they all got there it was late so they didnt do all the interviews, all but 2! so they had to do them the next morning before church where they were going to anounce the president, but Elder Ballard had not recieved a answer yet. so in the morning one hour and a half before church started, the first of the two came in and they shook hands. Elder Ballard instantly said, do i know you?? the man said we shook hands last year at general conference. Elder Ballard thought, i shook thousands of hands last year, but he sticks out to me?? Elder Ballard went on to call him as President and then told him im really sorry but now you have to think of your bishops and counselors and high priests in an hour and a half, the man looked at him and pulled out a peice of paper, he said Elder Ballard last night i received witness that i would be called as president and i knew the people that would be called as leaders to, these are all the names! WOW!!!! so can you believe that story or what?? talk about revelation, i cant tell you how much my testimony grew because of that story. After Elder Ballard said jokingly, father why didnt you just let me know you had something in mind so i didnt have to worry about all that haha.

Well thats about it from here, i cant believe that thanks giving is next Thursday, the day after transfers. it seems like last month i was in Puerto Plata with 3 months in the mission playing football on the beach with my trainer... that was a year ago! well time seems to go by faster as the more time i get here, its weird that in january ill complete a sister mission. haha. well i love you all so very much! your in my prayers and i hope im in yours, especially if im ZL and will be doing lots of work. bye! love elder westergard

2009-11-13T02:45:00.000-08:00

Wow this week was going so great until mom made me feel dumb about miss spelling baPtism!! haha it was kind of funny though, but really it was good till this morning playing softball. There was a fly ball to me out in center field and i was sprinting to get it, and i stuck my hand out and the softball struck my wrist, the one i broke, and i dropped to the ground! it hurt really bad and now its just badly bruised. but we did win the game 15-14!! it was an intense game, missionaries verses a actual baseball team. Ill put up a photo we took at the end to.

But as i said this week was super amazing, especially in one lesson we were talking about the 3rd lesson, gospel of Jesus Christ, and i was testifying of babtism and the authority and that were the only church that has it, the spirit was so strong and me and my comp both instantly felt we should put dates with them, so i said, will you guys follow the example of Jesus Christ and be babtized in the true church with someone who has the authority of god?? and they said yes and how they want to preach like us also! that night was a super strong testimony builder for me, its times like those i remember why I'm here and get the biggest animo boost!

Our district meeting on Monday was also very good and i learned so much! i gave the spiritual thought and i shared some verses from Alma 5, its very strong but i love it. How we wont be able to lie to god at judgement day and how Alma asks if we are doing what we should be doing now and not later! then the capacitation by the district leader was about finding people through the members. Its something this country's members need to work on, they don't really like to give us references, but a stat my old president gave us was for every 80 or so contacts, there is 1 baPPPtism, better mom??. and for every 7 references there is 1 baptism. so references are really important. so ya it was super good.

It sounds like everything in Arizona is good except the heat. I'm sorry but not really because its hot here every day, all year, it does get cold at 3-7 in the morning. Wow the Suns are 7-1?? man that's super exciting, i cant wait to go to games again, being here in the DR i have grown to love baseball again since that horrible day i will never forget when i got hit then quit baseball haha. but dad don't get rid of the Diamondback tickets because if no one will use them i will use them all the time. that's good that no one has the flu in the family, stay safe. Josh good luck your in my prayers, i hope you feel better soon.

I cant believe Cameron Tryon is home already! that's super weird and Brandon is getting married?? Wow can you believe that you will be talking to me in 1.5 months?? and that means you only have one more phone call from me in May, which is my 21 birthday......um....ok never mind don't think about that its so close and i don't want to go home. I love the mission and it will be so weird being at home. Transfers are coming up in 2 weeks so we will see what happens with the whole Zone Leader thing, i actually hope i go up, so i can focus on the work these last 9 months. Well family i don't know what else to say, sounds like you are all good. be safe and i love you so much and have a wonderful Veterans Day!

I love you all. adios! Elder Westergard

Snake Snapped at Me.

Sweet Snake

Rainbow after the Storm.

Sandlot Gang!

2009-11-05T09:20:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone, how are you all doing? It sounds like everything is good! wow i cant believe that was my last Halloween in the mission, it was sad to think about but ill be home for the next one! I was really craving moms chili with some IBC root beer and black cherry, but i had something else that was really good. To start it off, we had those 2 kids get baptized, Wendy and Nichole on Saturday, then after we went to a steakhouse and got fillet mignon, and here it was only like 9 dollars! it was really good to, so we had a really good week. Saturday we have another baptism, another kid like the others. so were really excited about that.

Yesterday we went to Santiago for our zone conference with President Lee. It seems like 2 weeks ago i was just in a zone conference, that was 6 weeks ago. time is flying so fast i don't know what to do with it! next thing you know ill be home. The conference was good though, we talked about unity between companionship's, it was a super good conference.

We also had our interviews with the President and i learned something very interesting and scary. president told me i was only going to be with my comp for 1 transfer and to prepare myself for a big responsibility! I also know the zone leader here goes home in 3 weeks. I'm about 95 percent sure I'm the next zone leader, so we will see. I'm really nervous.
All in all this has been a really great week, I'm glad you were ready to defend the church. really the book i told you about, the day of defense is so good for that. Well i don't know what else to say besides happy NOVEMBER! oh and don't worry, Christmas stuff has been up here since October1st, ya i hate it!
well OK i will put pics up today. i love you so much!

Love Elder Westergard

Elder Nuñez, Frazier , Westergard. he went to highland

After Church picture

Steakhouse after baptisms

My 2 baptisms and Fraziers 1 baptism.

Wendy and Nicholas family

So comfortable at the steak activity

Matching pants!! Elder Beahrman

Mesa boys!!!!!

2009-10-31T09:22:00.000-07:00

Wow congrats Lexi and Jared! all three of us celebrate something this week! birthdays and a 15 months mark! have a fun time and ill try too, skipping Halloween! I'm not excited but its my last one in the mission. I have like forgot all about Halloween cause Christmas is already being put up here, people have lights up and everything! so ya its weird and it does not feel even close to Christmas. It sounds like you guys have had a great week this week! especially Mom and Dad in New York, so mom I'm glad you liked it, i told you you would. I remember when i went, that was almost 5 years ago!! wow time flies by. I'm jealous dad that dessert you ate sounded so good sitting here, i was dying! sorry you couldn't dance dad, what a bummer, actually mom he was really happy he couldn't dance, i know i would, i hate dancing and me and dad are like the same, ha.

Well this week was an amazing week! to start off i learned that a girl in Esperanza i was teaching forever got baptized 2 weeks after i left! so i count that as my baptism haha cause i spent tons of time and put her date. So I'm pumped about that, we didn't have a baptism this week because the ward went to the temple, so it should be this week. by the way, did i tell you we cant go to the temple in December?? ya i have not been in a year and i have to wait 9 more months. not happy.

Me and my comp are working super hard! in 2 days, Monday and Tuesday, we taught 12 lessons! we have 4 baptismal dates and tons of investigators! time flies when your working and being obedient!

So whats big between all the missionaries is a book called the day of the defense! wow this book is insane, i have it in Spanish printed off the Internet, but its in English and mom i want you to send me the book for Christmas, there might be to volumes or one not sure, but its amazing! if a missionary studies this book and knows the scriptures in there, he can defend the church at all times. Its like a court trial, the judge is a Orthodox Rabi, the accusers are like 20 different churches main scholar people, and the defense....TWO MISSIONARIES! wow i cant believe the knowledge of these missionaries, they have answers for every single accusation there is, and at the end the judge asks the missionaries to go to teach his family! It proves that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saint is the only true church with authority, the Book of Mormon is true, and Joseph Smith was a prophet! you guys should read it, its amazing. its helped me in my studies and gain a testimony so much!

Today we played basketball at 6 in the morning against the best club team in San Francisco! well they won the first 2 games and we were really disappointed, then we proved who the true church was and won 3 in a row! but serious i was like guarding Isaiah Thomas, and there was like a Tim Duncan, Ben Wallace, and Rajah Bell. I honestly don't think i have ever played that good in my whole life, it was awesome! my ball handling skills have become great dad, they triple teamed me like always and still couldn't get the ball haha. ( I'm glad he has so much confidence) so it was fun. Then we went to eat lunch and do some shopping, now were here!

Well i don't know what else to tell you guys, sorry. so i guess I will end! I love you guys so much, and hope you have a safe and fun Halloween. felicidades Lexi & Jared.

Love Elder Westergard!

2009-10-31T09:12:00.000-07:00

Wow i cant believe its been a week already since i have been here! it has gone so fast! the good news is that i have a great comp and my animo is now back way up! we have 2 baptisms on Saturday, one next week, and one the week after! were trying to baptize every week this transfer and i think we can do it! Elder Doncel is a very funny guy! always talking about Mexico and how he is going to take me to Cancun when we are both home! haha its cool. He does not know very much English but he knows the simple phrases, like whats up man, whats your problem, and he always says, were going to party like its 1999. haha he is super funny. Being with him makes me feel like i am really good at Spanish, because he talks so clear, no mumbling like Dominicans and I'm learning so much! he tells me my Spanish is good, so ya! its all good!

On Thursday we had a lesson with a lady and we watched the Restoration video! it was super powerful and right after i bore my testimony we put a date with her! it was so awesome and the spirit was super strong! on Sunday we had 7 investigators at church! it was a good turnout. We taught about 33 lessons this week to! So me and Elder Doncel are working and on fire! I'm so bummed that I'm going home soon because it feels so close and i want to keep working, so i don't know.

Monday night and all day Tuesday and this morning we were not aloud to leave our houses because there was a huelga!! it was crazy, so Elder Frazier and Elder Nuñez come over that whole time because our house is safer, we live in a 3rd story apartment, so we like slept, ate and watched church movies all day! it was pretty relaxing and a good break. But this morning we finally left and went to play basketball with the zone. Elder Berhman and Elder Frazier were there(Arizona boys) and it was so fun! so like Elder Frazier and i have become very good friends, turns out he lived next to the Ashby's his first 10 years then moved to Higley and baseline but all the friends he has i know! its so weird so we have become close friends and plan to do lots of stuff after the mission.

Oh i forgot, during the huelga the people were like burning tires in the roads, throwing garbage everywhere, gunshots going off! it was crazy! smoke like filled the house!
Well i cant think of much more to say! i love you guys and mom and dad have fun in New York! oh and Jared, your birthday is my 15 month mark! love you!

Elder Westergard

2009-10-10T21:26:00.000-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAKELLE AND GRANDMA!! wow i hope yo guys had a great birthday, what did you get jakelle?? tell me how the Mexican food and cupcakes taste because i forgot! i would send you a present but it costs so much to send something there. so i will buy stuff at the end of my mission for everyone in the family and take them home OK??

Josh how was the reunion?? haha and the Applebee's. man I'm craving some boneless BBQ wings right about now, and potato skins, ha i know your thinking the same thing but hot wings, ya don't worry i still know what you like! going on any dates?? an Elder that finished with my last comp came back to visit for conference and he said he has not been on a date yet, haha its been 12 weeks! he was like ya man, i don't know why, i just don't ha!

That's super exciting mom your going to NEW YORK finally, remember how i went before all of you? OK sorry just wanted to throw that in, but its not a trip if you don't go to the Hill Cummorah! its amazing and the Sacred Grove, if you remember in my farewell talk that's where i for myself got my testimony, so let me know if you are going....

I can not even explain to tell you how amazing this week was! well the sad part first, i only have 1 more conference to watch in the mission, what???? ya only one more. I'm going to have to say this was the best conference i have ever watched in my life! i made a goal to take notes the whole time, i ended up with like 20 pages of notes, it was so amazing how in tune i was, i learned so much and heard so much that i needed to hear at that time. But mom you guessed it, the only thing us missionaries are talking about is Elder Hollands talk!!!!!!!! have you ever felt something more powerful, filled with love, conviction, testimony, confidence, and revelation in your life?? because i can tell you i have not. That talk brought me to tears, i could not believe the words he used, like when he said all the pathetic attempts to bring the Book of Mormon down, and its still standing! wow there is no doubt in my mind that it is the most correct book on this earth and then when he said i want you to put my testimony down right now as a witness that its true, wow!!! i also loved Elder Neil l Anderson's talk, i really needed to hear what he said, i felt like he was talking to me! especially at this time in my mission. I'm grateful for his words. I also love Richard G Scott about the evils and destructiveness of pornography, it was very strong and spiritual. ok sorry haha but i also loved Elder Bednar talking about the hypocrisy stuff...wow!! i could not believe that. and yes like you mom i loved the prophets talk about service, i think all missionaries need to hear more of that!

So all in all i loved conference, and mom if its possible, when the DVDs come out i would like you to send me them, if you could?? so then on Monday we had an intercombio and i went up to teach with Elder Robertson and do the DL stuff evaluating haha. but i want to share with you an experience i had...... we went in to a house with a man and a women seated, investigators, and the subject we were talking about with them was prophets. Robertson talked great about it, then it was me who testified. It popped into my mind that i should ask them if they knew of any church on this earth who had a prophet and 12 apostles...they said they didn't, so i got the impression to tell them that this last weekend we listened to prophets and apostles. and then i said with tears streaming down my cheeks, hermano y hermana, i testify to you that we have today a prophet called of god, his name is Thomas S. Monson and he has 12 apostles who assist him in leading this church, i testify that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the only true church on the face of this earth and through prayer and study of the Book of Mormon you also can know! so ya i was strengthened so much spiritually by that event, and hope you guys were too!

I'm so grateful to be a missionary and serve the Lord. I know this is the true church, there is no doubt in my mind! I'm grateful that i can testify with the same power that the apostles have about the gospel. I know if we do the things god wants us to do and preach his gospel and endure to the end, we can inherit all that our father has prepared for us! in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. i love you guys so much.

Elder Jesse Westergard

2009-10-01T20:03:00.000-07:00

Enjoying my new shirt!

Snacking and cleaning my shoes.

Elder Castillo and Me

Nearer my God to Thee.

Case for the Missionaries here in the Navarrete Zone. (I think)

Early morning study.

Elder Castillo Praying

Coloring???

Hey everyone! its great to hear you all had great week! I know my week was super! but today we didn't do anything haha, no one was doing anything foe pday! how weird! but ya other than that it was really good! We had a zone meeting on Friday with the APs and it ws very spiritual. I learned alot especially about the Atonement!

On Monday I gave my capacitation at district meeting with the zone leaders on nuestro objectivo como misionero! it was really good and we all learned so much from it, then rigth after that I went on an intercambio with Elder Castillo, the ZL who was here last transfer with Elder Powell in my district. It was so much fun, we went to naverrete and a barrio called falpo and the group that starts all the huelgas in this country is called falpo. I asked him if there was a connection to that, he told me...ya some of them live around here haha, but he told me it was a tranquilo area. We taught some amazing lessons and the spirit was very strong, I love teaching with Elder Castillo, hes a great teacher and has taught me alot, here in my district and as ZL. His companion will get a kid next transfer so Castillo is really hoping President puts me up with him as ZL. haha that would be scary but I love that kid and were great friends.

Oh when we were leaving the house that day to teach, I walked to the door to kneel down and pray and he was like no, over here! I looked and he is kneeled on the table haha I was like your joking right?? he was like hey man were closer to the heavens. It was pretty funny. I couldn't believe it today when I thought I had 14 months.......what??? weird I just started loving my mission and there making me go home in 10 months....dang. Castillo brought it up Monday and we were in the street and the grey hound bus company caribe tours passed by and he held his 10 fingers to it and was like, home! haha then I said hey look, I saw a plane and put my 10 fingers in the sky and was like, home! haha we had a good laugh.

Then we had a family night with a family that was so awesome. Familia Ruud, I think thats how you spell it, they made their little boy of 8 years old dirigir the lesson and it was so funny haha. His name is Louisito, he spent the whole night trying to say my name. and all the family could come up with was wester..... haha. they had a new bible and I was looking through it and man its so awesome, we all get one at Zone Conference on Friday, so im super excited.

So spanish is coming great. I understand about everything, here and there are words ill look up, but its all good, yesterday I watched the Joseph Smith prophet of the restoration in spanish and understood it like English, so it really feels good to know the language. I don't even read preach my gospel anymore in English, I actually dont remember the last time I did.

My good buddy Elder Friend in San Francisco called the other night and told me about how in 2 transfers my group will be the largest in the mission. I freaked and told him to not tell me that haha its just to weird. Can you believe one year ago tomorrow I was put in Puerto Plata with my dad? thats 1 year ago and look at me, im only in my second area with my 4th comp. ha ya I think I might only get about 4 areas in 10 more months.

Im glad that Chelsie and Dougs baby is great and got blessed and Beyleigh is the center of attention there huh?? haha ya we have alot in common, many times the missionaries just all end up watching me and the unusual dumb without commen sense things I do, you guys know what im talking about, and laugh there heads off. I dont know why though haha.

So dad...its that time...have you thought about what im going to say yet...are you nervous... haha ok TIGER WON!!! even when Phil wins he loses how does that work? Man he should just give up, Tiger doesn't need to win everyone already knows hes the best so they gave him the trophy anyways. Sorry but I had to brag. I cant believe ASU lost to Georgia again. ahhh they were so close. oh well next year. I hope I get invited by President Killian even though Matthew won't be there.

Wow this is a long letter, sorry everyone, but i cant think of anything else to say. oh!! the question...ok mom. :the most fun i have ever had on a pday" was when I went to play dorada with Elder Robertson and played golf, ate at Pizza Hut, then sat at the beach. It was a great day! ok i love you all. till next week aka Jakelle and Grandmas birthday!

Love Elder Westergard.

ps.... the church is true!

2009-09-25T15:44:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! Como Esta Odo? creo que todo esta bien jaja! well this last week was just a normal week for us. tracking down less actives and getting upset when they say they will go to church but they don't, we have to keep working and pray for them that they will come back to the right path!

I had lots of good reading sessions this past week in study and in the afternoons. I read alot in miracle of forgiveness and in the book of Mosiah! I learned alot and I'm looking forward to using it everyday in my mission work! the Spanish is great and I love talking to people here!

Friday we have our Zone meeting with the APs so that will be really fun and I will learn some new things! plus the APs are like my best friends, so we will see how that goes. Today we are in Santiago for pday, it seems like last week we were here, but that was last transfer, besides when I got my toe ripped out. Speaking of that it is healing really good, I played basketball today for like 3 hours here in Santiago with elders of my group and it was really a great time, but i jammed my toe a couple times and it hurt. but ya then we went to the plaza, aka a mall that everyone eats at and ate with missionaries at Burger King! it was really good.

It sounds like you guys are good. dad comes home and mom is really excited for that haha,

that's awesome Grandma and Grandpa are coming down for Chelsie and Doug's baby blessing. that's really neat. OK i got the packages mom and wow!! i love them so much. All the food is gone already except the candy, still lots of it left and I love the fizzy candies so good! Im pretty sure that bug zapper is the coolest toy I have ever owned in my life! me and my comp make videos of us finding and killing bugs so we can see them blow up! honestly its the best thing and very addicting. I even killed a gecko, that one zapped many times haha. so thank you oh and i loved the shirts! and the leatherman. ha well.... ya i have fun with that too!

Well I hope all is going well with you guys, it was good to hear from you all this week. I'm excited to get your letters next week which cough cough I hit 14 months!!!! wow cool huh? ok i got to run.

love you all very much, love Elder Westergard

p.s. that mission drawing pictures thing is wicked awesome mom!

2009-09-25T15:33:00.000-07:00

Wow how is my family? that was such a fast week and now I'm writing you guys again! My toe was pretty gross! but it has healed really good and today I played some good basketball on it! and it didn't hurt! so all is good, but I wont have like all my toenail for the rest of my life, so ya! my comp and I are doing great! we have found new people to teach and they are really cool! so lets see how that works out! Sylvia didn't get baptized cause her dad said no this and no that, so were trying to get his permission! I have had tons of personal experiences this last week as I started again to read the Miracle of Forgiveness! wow what a book! I challenge each of you to read that book because honestly.... i cant describe it, it will help you so much and it gives you a chance to increase your testimony of the Atonement! I'm so grateful for Jesus Christ and his sacrifice! I don't know where or what I would be doing without it! so please I challenge you all to read it and to fix the things that keep you from having the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost!

We had our interviews with the President yesterday and it was amazing! even though some things he has changed no one likes, I could just tell he was a man of called and this is the true church! then we talked about what could help me have more animo, and i told him another area haha cause i have to much time here. so ya he said OK and i will be leaving on transfer day. im super excited. i want to finish these last 10 months off super strong!

OK what is this i hear about jakelle getting....ok i cant spell that so make fun of me haha, pneumonia or something like that!! that's so scary! I'm so glad your ok sis! i almost started crying believe it or not! i don't know what i would do if a family member like...died while i was in the mission, so thanks for still being alive Jakelle haha sorry about the rain and that you couldn't cheer at the Mesa game!

Something else.... MESA beat WESTWOOD???????? i thought us beating MT. VIEW 3 times my senior year was a miracle, haha well think again, wow they must be pretty good! wait!! is Kyler the QB?? its his senior year and I know he was really good on JV. that's really cool good for them.

Ok i know you cant read this dad cause your fishing in Alaska??? thanks for asking me if i wanted to go haha. I know I can't but its the thought that counts! but ya here it is....TIGER!!! so ya remember when I told you his best game was yet to come??? ya that's what you told me is happening! wow I know Tiger better than himself haha. wheres Phil at?? oh he probably choked the last 2 holes again haha. ok sorry i got it out!

Well I cant think of anything else to write at the moment! but if I do I will let you know! have a wonderful week and i love you guys so much! be safe! and talk to you soon.

Love Elder Westergard.

2009-09-09T13:53:00.000-07:00

Jesse is doing really well, he had another trial happen, which is becoming very common for him, the poor kid. I posted some pictures of his ingrown toenail so if you have a weak stomach, you have been warned, they really aren't that bad.

Hi Everyone!!

Well family! as you can tell by the title of the letter, I have added another thing to the list of trials on this mission, which makes that like the 10th thing that has happened to me! I went in to Santiago to see Dr. Millet, he is the mission doctor, and he looked at my toe..... ya he was like were going to take that out right now! So turns out I had a really bad ingrown toenail, he said it was a hooker, I thought you might know what that meant dad since you have history with toenails. Do not worry I will be putting action packed photos and a video up on flickr so you can see what it was like haha. Everyone is calling me right now like saying, Westergard I heard man, I'm sorry haha its kind of funny! Dr. Millet stuck three big needles into my toe to numb it, it hurt so bad, but the funny thing is he did it in the mission home. He was like I think we should get that taken out, and I was like OK! I thought we would wait for a couple days and go to the hospital, but he was like OK get on the bed!! what!!!!!!! here!!! your crazy! haha I was freaking out, but it was cool. Sister Millet was there to talk to me, they are from Salt Lake and love eating at the Cheese Factory! they go home in three weeks.

Well today was very interesting!! so I was at the office visiting the Elders and other Elders from the mission, and there was an Elder Pachecho, he looked at my name and like stared at me for a while! I was like do you need help reading it haha, he was like dude do you have cousins in Virginia? I was like you mean Megan and Katie.... he was like dude!! sweet haha he knows them, he just got here in the field so it was kind of cool!

That's about it from me, the Haitian girl didn't get baptized we felt like she should wait a little longer so she is sure and knows the gospel for sure! oh ya!! Hermana Lee, Presidents wife, made me grilled pork and mashed potatoes and apple pie today!! It was amazing! and I played ping pong there to. I was in heaven! So don't know, there is a huge Huelga tomorrow and lots of people might die, (WHAT?) so i don't think we can leave the house. I'm not suppose to anyways cause i cant walk. so it will be really boring! (I looked up what Huelga was and it is some sort of Strike)

Well sounds like everything there is amazing, besides the hot weather and mosquito's! don't worry mom, you shouldn't feel bad, cause ill come home with like scars I get bit so much everyday, even with repellent. There are so many all the time, at least yours will go away soon. I got 10.5 months left of it! everyday and hotness haha. Great job on the cheering Jakelle, I'm proud of you! haha I told you at least you will do good, I know Hamilton and I know the coaches at Brimhall haha lets just leave it at that, except we were city champs in track! oh ya!! dad I'm so jealous your going fishing in Alaska! that sounds really cool! and also I'm super jealous about labor day golf I missed at my favorite course! Las Sendas! so remember Shelby? her dad lives there and I totally asked it I can get discounts for that, she was like yep! so I got hookups dad we can get on for member price! I'm really sorry Josh for your knee, that stinks man! I hope everything will be good in the MRI. I'm praying for you, and everyone pray for my toe, I got a basketball activity with the zone next week, and the Dr. said I can play if I take care of it the first 3 days! so ya haha.

Well that's about it, I should get started on the pictures and stuff. I love you all so much! have a great week!

Love Elder Westergard

(Did anybody else count how many times he said the work LIKE to explain things?? I did, I got to about 12, haha love you Jesse!!!)

Me with Elder Robertson

Elder Robertson, Me, Elder Powell

Look at that sandal tan line

Cleaning

OUCH!

The hooker, aka the toe nail

Im sure he soaking up all the attention that he is getting, I would!

Especially a nap!!!

2009-09-04T15:12:00.000-07:00

Jesse has been sending me some video's he has down loaded, does anyone know how I get those onto his blog??? please leave me a comment if you do.

Platano Field, these Mtns. remind me of Wyoming

Well its probably really early there in Arizona, I'm sorry! but I'm in Navarrete until Elder Powell's comp gets here from Santiago. So ya me and Elder Tarver stayed the same, which is cool, but I'm really bummed I was not a trainer. I was looking forward to it for like 2 transfers but guess I'm suppose to be with my comp again ya know but its kind of getting to how I was in the plat, my animo is going down, its my 4th transfer here haha and that's to long. Think about it, this is my 9th transfer, I have 2 areas, and 4 comps, and I'm at 13 months! its crazy but I guess I got to deal with it and keep working hard! right?? Well the good news is that remember my really good friend Elder Robertson who lived with me in the plat? he is Elder Powell's new comp! and I'm his District Leader!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you don't know how good it feels to have my best friend back! it makes things so much easier, and we like eat lunch together every day with the other missionaries so it will be really fun!

The work here is pretty good! well considering the fact we work with the inactives a whole lot! so ya know, dad is probably like, ya i know! so we do alot of 1st lessons to get their memories back and how that message changed their lives! We like to talk about their baptisms and the spirit they felt and stuff like that and then we ask for references, if they have any. We have a few new people we are teaching now, they are pretty cool, but its to early to tell! so we will see how they go. Oh and if everything goes good we will have a baptism this week, a Haitian girl shes like 11. her mom in inactive, so hope it turns out!

Sounds like everything there is going great! oh and I wish I could have heard the Ashby's speak! I bet that was wonderful! mom I loved that story by Sister Ashby, its so true! the little things pile up, so we always need to be studying, praying, and being obedient! wow so Jakelle has her first cheer game huh? good luck with that sis! I'm sure you will do great! your playing Hamilton??? well at least you will do good haha ill just leave it at that! I still remember that game at Hamilton when we came back in the last minute and 6 seconds to beat them when we were down by like 13 points! man I loved Aaron Fuller that day haha and Devon's steal at half court!

So Josh how is school? is it cool, boring or awesome! when do you get out every day? so what are you studying, or majoring and whats your classes! let me know. Hey Jakelle, who are your teachers?? I know LJ is one so tell him hi for me and that I'm not a girl! and i have common sense ok? haha well then he will probably just make fun of me even more haha. love that man.

Can you believe its September already? I cant! I remember it was like 3 weeks ago I turned 20 in May.....wow! we get to talk in almost 3 months! I know moms saying... yes I know! haha and I cant believe its my 9th transfer. I only have 7 more.....weird!

Well sorry this is a short letter, cant think of anything else to write at the moment, you guys can still write me and ask stuff cause ill be on later when I'm back at esperanza aka hope! cause Elder Robertson will be using it, and all 4 of us will just be hanging out today! so take care and I love you all so much! bye!

Elder Westergard

2009-08-26T17:18:00.000-07:00

Jesse has always loved the spirit days at school or any type of excuse to get all decked out in head bands, socks colorful clothes, and as you will see in some of these p-day pictures, he still does. You look awesome Elder Jesse!

Me and my Zone Leader Marte

Sweet Sword I bought for 145 pesos (5 bucks)

Jesse always loved the outfits, especially long socks!

Ouch, sliding into 3rd base!

Esperanza 4 numero 2

On the way to the field!

Hey family! I don't know how time always flies by so fast, and here I am again writing you guys! The only thing that was really eventful was Zone Conference, cause we had tons of meetings and stuff. Elder Coleman came to speak and I have never seen anyone so flecha! (strict) but it was good the mission needs it! We talked about the structure of the church and then the mission, so we learned why we have missionaries and stuff. There are three main points, to find, to teach, and to baptize, that's why we have missionaries and that's why I am here. I love the work, its so awesome! it was really fun to talk with all my friends and hang out after and eat food! There was alot of catching up to do with the kids in my group! We all had a great time and shared some laughs together, but other than that it was a really slow week for me to mom! haha. I'm trying to think of what I did but I just cant think of it, time goes by so fast. We had a really good family night at a members house, me and my comp talked about the importance of the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon! so it was great!

Today in the morning we played softball again and man I couldn't do anything except run down balls in center field like always but I was like 4-9 today at batting. It was ugly haha but we had a really good time. Later I think I'm going to take a nice shower and sleep cause i dont feel very good, so i got to lay down, maybe eat some comida china (chinese food), pechurina con papas fritas! (fries, I think) YUMMY!

Enough about me, it sounds like you guys are really good. School is in session, I love the beginning of school and the end, haha but not the middle, actually I loved school cause I was actually doing something, ya know! like the mission, a set schedule with stuff, it feels good. Sounds like the ward camp out was a success after the storm flew by. I miss all the people of the ward, how are they doing? I hope really good. it would be cool to get letters from them and stuff. ya your right Dad, i wouldn't fish in the lake either, not my style, but only if Matt was there with me I would do it, wow I miss him so much. I still remember Brother Postert would see me without Matt and would be like, hey wheres your boyfriend, or friends meaning Landon and Malcom. haha cant wait for the group to be back together.

Wow Jared and Lexi, congrats on the 3 years again, sounds like you had an amazing time. I will have to look at the pics of New York. I love it there! not more than here though, but its awesome.

Well I should probably tell you that transfers are next week, not this week sorry for confusion. I thought I said next week. I'm pretty sure I'm getting a kid and Elder Castillo, in my group in the other area, is getting a kid, so we will see. If i do, President will call me Friday night, it might be Brody Bearhman you never know but we will see. I kind of want to leave this area though, like whitewash an area with a kid or something cause since Elder Spragg and his group of 37 missionaries went home, there are still like 8 areas closed but now there are 16 Americans coming in next week. so ya....

OK family i got to go! I love you so much! you guys are the best, we get to talk in four months from today, so woo hoo. Oh and Dad, I loved your football things, they were so awesome and it made me laugh cause its so true! OK bye family.

Love Elder Westergard.

2009-08-20T08:04:00.000-07:00

OK so your probably reading this thinking, hey its not Wednesday! its Tuesday haha but yeah it was changed just for today because tomorrow we have zone conference and the 1st counselor of the area presidency is coming to speak! Tomorrow will be a very spiritual and amazing day for us missionaries! so what you can do is write your letters today and we can come back tomorrow and read them cause you guys didn't know! so write me a little something.

This last week has gone by so fast I don't even know what to say! it felt like yesterday I was writing you guys. Well with the work, were working with tons of in-actives, its like you find a new one here every day! but the thing is they are really hard to get to go to church, ha I'm sure you know that Dad, Jared and Josh, but were doing a really good job, we teach like 15-20 inactive lessons every week, so its awesome. The girl Naomi we baptized, her family has lots of problems, her dad does not help out the family and the mom gets mad and the kids never do anything the parents say so they like beat them and stuff, and its just all messed up. Us and the branch pres. are working really hard focusing on the proclamation to the family! I don't know its difficult, cause she also wants to move out, but we will see what happens. If you have any ideas please share, lets hope things get better everyone but the husband went to church on Sunday.

Other than that its really hot when were teaching and stuff, cause it has not rained forever. I know dad said that there is a hurricane, but here in Esperanza nothing ever gets here, maybe sprinkles, but sometimes it pours like I never have seen, so I'm praying for water haha! but yeah the work is going great. We have a baptism planned for the 29th. oh and dad thanks for those tips on the work! they made me feel really good, I will put those into practice.

Well I cant believe I only have 1 more real pday left, then the next one is transfers! what!! already! I just got a new comp! and I think he is leaving cause I'm pretty sure I'm getting a kid. I asked Pres. Lee about Elder Bearhman so lets hope I'm his pops in the mission. Speaking of that, ill have 1 year and 1 month. wow!! it goes fast!

This morning we played basketball as a zone again on the nice wood court here in Esperanza! it was super fun! we played 9 games to 21 and my team won 8 of them! haha still got that old shot of mine, i know you guys here that like every week, but i don't want to brag on all the shots I made, so I just say still got that shot haha! Sounds like everything in Arizona is nice and hot! kind of like here all year round. I hope it goes down for you guys, I remember those days, school almost starting, burning heat, pool parties, well with just guys mom haha! yup good ole days.

Sounds like Jared and Lexi are amazing in new york! sorry mom that you have never been, just remember that i was the 1st one to go haha sorry that didn't help I know. One day you will go, its awesome! Happy Anniversary Jared and Lexi!! and Jakelle, do great in cheer, I cant watch you but I want pics ok!!!

Well I love you all, sorry you guys didn't get the chance to write me, but do it tonight or something and ill read it tomorrow. I love you all so much! remember that the church is true! til next week, love Elder Westergard

2009-08-07T23:51:00.001-07:00

Wow I cant believe its been a week already! it just felt like 2 days ago I was playing softball and telling you guys everything! now its Wednesday! crazy how time goes by! its true, once you hit a year time really does go by alot faster! Today was pretty cool, we started doing stuff early today so we could play basketball why it was still cool and not really hot, it was super fun, I still got my shot haha i can tell you that.

Well this last week was very busy! yesterday we had interviews with Pres. Lee and it was really awesome! we talked how if you don't have the spirit you CANT TEACH EVER!!! so its really important that we keep the commandments and follow mission rules so we can feel the spirit. c If we don't feel it, the people were teaching wont feel it, and if we don't have it, Pres. Lee said we should testify, then it will come and then we should teach!

On Monday I gave my first capacitation as District Leader and the ZLs came! i was nervous but I did really good. then that same day I had a intercombio with one of the ZLs and we did really good! we taught lots of people. Right now were focusing 85 percent on inactive and the other on investigators, its hard but hey, we need to do it!

So there is like special transfers next week cause people are going home for school and stuff, so we will be having transfers and 5 Mexicans are coming to the mission and the ZL I had intercombio is leaving! lots of people are saying the reason we had intercom bio was to see if i would get one of them or go to be ZL. I really want to stay here as DL haha, besides I want to be Brody Bearhmans trainer next transfer. I don't know what will happen, we will let you know next week i guess.

That's about it from here I'm pretty sure, sounds like everyone back home is having lots of fun, well Dad and Josh that is, moms melting in the sun haha that's what she told me, but I hope you had a wonderful time at the cabin. Next time you go I will be with you guys, weird huh! yes thanks mom I'm excited about the candy! I love Jackson Hole candy, its the best. I love Alpine slides too, very fun. YES!! glad to hear Tiger Woods won AGAIN dad and where was Phil, wait I know!! probably choked again on the last hole like always cough cough sorry hes not like Tiger or me! haha just kidding, no but seriously! he always wins the Buick open, and wow, 36 to 1 on Sunday! that's insane.

I cant believe school starts, last time people told me school started was when i was in the MTC! wow 1 year already! time is going to fast. Well everyone I love you so much! I'm glad your all having a wonderful time so stay safe and have a great week! oh and mom, can you send me some contact solution, the optical stuff in big bottles, what Jakelle uses, like 5 bottles. that would be great! ok i love you guys!

Love Elder Westergard

2009-08-03T21:29:00.000-07:00

Yeah that title of the letter is not a miss print! last inning, other team is up 8-6, 2 outs and I'm on deck! They walk my ZL and now bases are loaded! I get up and so far batting 1.000 this game, now its full count, fast ball down the middle and I cranked it over the left field wall, game over! (He really should be a sports announcer)

Yes that was a real story and like I couldn't believe it happened, it went so far. So ya that's my p-day story for you guys. So my new companion is from Pocatello, but he's not weird cause he grew up in Texas! (I'm sure he didn't mean people from Pocatello are weird, right?) So yeah, but if I could think of one person who is like him...it would have to be Benson Cotter! hahaha so you can probably guess what he's like, and it took like a matter of 1 hour to get comfortable, not a week! so things are really good. He's like my body guard, ill send you a picture and of my hit I got a grand slam on, yes I got a pic on that one, didn't know Elder Powell took one secretly.

Well being a DL is pretty cool I guess, I'm trying to do my best so we will see how it goes! I'm still not convinced that tomorrow is July 30th and that it will never come! in my mind I'm still a greeny and I'm never going home! but.....ya I'm not. You know how it goes, time flies and I'm not ready for it yet you guys, so pray for me please.

Sounds like you guys are having a lot of fun at the cabin. I totally wish I could go! only one more year. Sorry Mom I already invited Clayton to go with us next summer as my present for his baptism haha, so hes going! Sounds like the golf experience on one of my favorite courses AKA Eaglewood was not very good Josh and Dad! that stinks so bad. You know me, I would have hit the ball into them, I have no paciencia (that would mean no patience) when slow people are in front of me, wow and 4 holes! that stinks.

Well mom if I were to tell you what I liked from the candy store it would probably be those sour ropes things that you can tear piece by piece, mini jaw breakers, those lego candy things, those fizz candy's and LOTS of them!!!!! and lastly hey stacks but that's hard to send haha. so ya that's about it, maybe a Jackson Hole shirt too.

I read a quote yesterday that was really amazing! it said.... "to the world you are just one person...but to one person you could be the world" it was really cool, thought I might share that with you. I'm going to try and put some photos and videos on flickr now! so i hope you like them. Oh, there are 4 people in my district Dad, all of us here in Esperanza, same branch!
Well I love you all, I want good updates on next weeks activities and so forth, Dad and Josh that means scores and good shots you made! oh and you guy always get mad at me for not sending pics, I want you to send me some via email!!! like of fishing, golfing, views, Jackson Hole, the works! Thanks. I love you,

Love Elder Westergard

2009-07-27T17:05:00.000-07:00

Well as you know, today is transfers and I'm writing you early which means i didn't get transferred, which isn a surprise! My new comp is coming from Cotui and his name is Elder Tarver, he is American and really big! I have not met him yet but he was Elder Powell's comp who is here in Esperanza, he said he is cool and loves basketball and stuff. I will write back later when he needs to use Internet to tell you a little about them.

Well on Monday morning I got the call from President Lee and he called me to be DISTRICT LEADER!! wow I'm like freaking out its not even funny, I don't know how I'm going to do it, like I pray every night that I will receive help from above, cause I'm Senior Comp and DL, so please pray for me and stuff, thanks!

This last week was amazing, you will never guess what happened! well that family we reactivated has a 10 year old daughter and we have been trying to tell them Spragg was leaving and they wanted us to be comps when she got baptized, but at the same time didn't want to baptize her yet. We spent 2 months trying to get them and the last Saturday past and we knew it then, 2 transfers without a baptism.....bummer. We went to there house on Monday to have dinner for Spragg and they were like, wow your actually leaving, but Naomi didn't get baptized. We were like we told you! then the dad was like lets do it tomorrow! we told him we couldn't cause they are on Saturdays, and he was like whatever call the President for permission, so we called him knowing he would say no. HE SAID YES! wow it was amazing, the ZLs came Monday morning to the interview and we baptized her yesterday at 5 at night! I know we were blessed for working the hardest we could for 3 months! it was an amazing experience I will never forget!

Well I cant believe next week at this time a year ago we were flying to Utah to drop me off at the MTC! its just a dream, I have not been here for a year, its just to fast. They cant do this to people, send them on a mission where they make so many friends and when you don't know it they kick you out! I don't want this year to go by fast, id rather stay here! but what can you do right?

It was sad saying goodbye to Elder Spragg, he really was my best friend! we had the best time together and it was my favorite time in the mission with him. He was the first person I ever saw getting off that bus in my first area October 1 2008 and he was my ZL, then we were comps, now hes going home tomorrow. I honestly learned alot from him! ill miss him a ton! he is going back home to Dixie state to study in St. George, represent mom!!!

Well that's about it from here all is good and im doing very well. So it sound like it is super hot in Arizona! I cant believe it, that's so nuts! its a good thing that you are going to the cabin, just think, we can probably go for a week next summer together! wow time flies. Dad and Josh, do lots of golfing and fishing for me! and do a little more golfing on the side after that, I miss it so bad! my swing is still alright though. Oh drink lots of dr. pepper for me and sugar cookies Josh from Maverick!

I miss you all but I have to go! my comp is at the house! woo hoo ill write back soon, like in 30 minutes haha! so have a great day and I love you!

love, Elder Westergard

2009-07-16T09:51:00.000-07:00

Jesse finally fixed the camera situation and sent me alot of pictures this time, Im still trying to figure out how to get the little video clips put on here, any ideas???

Wow what a great week! I don't know where it went! but it was great. We had our zone conference Friday with Pres. Lee and wow what a man! he is so called of god! he is so smart and so spiritual. He was a area 70 and all that! I think this will be a last great year!!! I have actually come o the conclusion I'm fine if i go up! it will be a great experience for me. I'm ready and my Spanish is really good....well that's what other Elders tell me! so we will see, ill find out Monday!
Well Elder Estevez talked to me at zone conf. and said Rosangel and Ismael, the family I was teaching before I left the plat, were having lots of problems! and told me I should go visit them ASAP! so after the conference I asked President Lee for permission and he was like ok! I was super happy! So yesterday morning I left bright and early to Puerto Plata! i like cried on the way up there cause its such a beautiful drive up! We spent the whole day talking to my baptisms and members! it was the best thing ever! then we went to ismaels house at 7 to teach him! I had like a boche planned and stuff but as we got there I was told by the spirit to read D& C 24 where it says I will be with you through your trials and gave a wonderful caring lesson, I got choked up but DIDNT cry! I think I made a great impact on them so we will see how it goes.
After that at 8 we had a dinner appointment with, GUESS WHO! the Martinez family, aka you know who im talking about! I love them so much. It was great to see Anthony again! its official his papers are in Salt Lake! he is so excited and his brother has 3 months in the mission. Then we went and stayed at the missionaries house and it was super cool! Today as you know I'm in Santiago and I got a CAMERA! woo hoo I'm so excited. thanks, I will take tons of pics now for you and movies!
Well I have to go! OH HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MOM AND DAD! I love you guys so much, eat a steak for me! well I better go! talk to you next week.

love Elder Westergard

2009-07-08T21:23:00.000-07:00

Jesse now has a new mission President, he was very sad to see President Thomas leave, he is the only one of my boys who has had a change in Presidents while on their missions. I'm sure President Lee will be full of energy for a while and will get things in ship shape.

OK I'm so sorry this is so late! its not my fault so don't worry and Mom you can stop worrying nothing happened to me haha! The Internet control like crashed here, in Mao, and Navarrette, there was no way to write you guys, so we went to a lesson at six, and after people were saying it was back, so we are skipping the activity at the church to write, which means this will be short cause we don't have a lot of time.
Well today we went to play softball and we played a actual team who were not members, so missionaries vs. the world. ya we won 18-5!!!! The new President is a great guy, but sooooooo FLECHA!! mom ask Josh or Jared what that means (that would mean strict). His first day here he sent a Elder back to his house cause his shirt was a LITTLE dirty, and another kid had a LITTLE hair on his chin and he asked him if he was rebelling!! WHAT! its crazy....but all in all we had interviews with him and hes nice and wants to work. So lets work!
Well rumors are going around that I'm going to move up which is not cool. I really don't want to. DK (don't know??) its district leader or i get a kid (could be trainer?). I'm hoping for neither but we will see in 2 weeks. pray for me ok haha.

That's nuts its always above 110 in Arizona. I miss the pool, its super hot here and has not rained in 2 weeks. Were dying out here! but its alright. There is so many mosquito's here like i cant even describe how nasty it is. In the morning i get my towel to shower and like 50 fly off it, that's not an exaggerated number either!! I get eaten alive and you cant find good spray here, its all like 10 percent deet. i need like 2 million percent.
I love my new pants I had made, so i will send pics next week probably. I had 2 pair made.
We have zone conference with President on Friday and it should be interesting! Ill let y'all know next week.
Well I better go I have no time left, sorry if I missed anything cause I was rushed, oh and when is anyone BESIDES mom and dad going to write me!!!!!

Love Elder Westergard.......

oh and dad! Phil would have got his bottom handed to him!!!!!! GO TIGER (more golf talk)

2009-07-01T20:11:00.000-07:00

Well, Jesse's camera broke so we have not gotten any pictures, we are in the process of getting him a new one, but I found a picture I don't think I have posted yet.

Hi family, what is going on? I just started the mission July 2008 and now its July 2009!!! No this cant be happening to me! I just started and its been like a year. I hate this I love it here I don't want to go home! like I'm not joking I don't want to leave! Well it ain't nothing I guess, just got to get used to it huh.... (does he really realize how long 1 more year is???)

Well President Lee is here! its super weird knowing that President Thomas is almost at his house! I heard he is super strict, but that's good for the mission. Lets work hard and get lost in this wonderful work. Today was a great day, it started off yesterday by going to the PLAT, yes my old area, and it was so amazing, I forgot how much I actually loved it there. Even though I wasn't in my area I saw people I knew and it made me so area trunky. We had like 13 visits last night and got home at 11. then we stayed the night at the zone leaders house. We woke up today and went to play basketball in my area at my old chapel. MY BISHOP was there and I gave him the biggest hug, I almost cried! yes dad your right, once a shooter always a shooter, I did awesome today! (It's good to hear he still doesn't lack any self confidence, I love that boy) I hope its like that in golf too haha I have not played forever, its killing me. Then we came to Santiago for our pday and ate at pricesmart, aka Costco, it was super good. were about to go pick up my new pants that i got made here, I'm so excited.

This week was a surprise..... well the doctors were wrong about the kidney infection....Monday night i passed two stones in my house.....i will say its painful and I am done with soda. (WHAT???)

Ok so!!!! haha well we had a really great experience this week with a family we reactivated! We watched a movie, called by small and simple things, its amazing just to let you know, but when it was done Norbel, the dad, started talking about his babtism and how he went inactive. then he said that for years the members have been trying to get them to go to church, but never go and he didnt know why me and Elder Spragg showed up at his door one night to share our message, but they felt something! all in all in 1.5 weeks teaching them we got them to go to church, and they now have 5 weeks in a row going and said we know we made a mistake before, we will not go inactive ever again and were working on getting sealed in the temple!! and we put a date with there daughter to get babtized! I love missionary work and the feelings you get. I dont know why it happened, but looks like me and Elder Spragg were the only ones who could touch their hearts, it was amazing!

So ya, Jakelle!! how was EFY?? you know what that means, you have the new EFY cd and I want it! put it on your ipod and send me the cd please! and i want to know about your experiences.
What are the Suns thinking... they need Amare! whatever and if your going to trade Shaqu get something good for it!
Well I better go family! I love you so much and will talk to you next week. HAPPY 4th OF JULY!!

Love Elder Westergard

2009-06-22T14:33:00.000-07:00

Woohoo! finally a week where I'm alright and in great shape! i took pills and feel as good as ever, so don't worry about me! I think its because the people here know we don't drink the tap water so all they do is give us soda. I'm cutting back, i have had like 2 in 2 weeks.

Everything here in the mission is wonderful! except President goes home on the first, and Elder Murray, the cool older elder couple guy who loves golf! but it will be different to have President Lee here, things will change, i don't like that, one year with my first, and my last year with another! but oh well.

So I'm almost positive I'm going up next transfer, since every leader and there mom is going home this transfer and there is no one who will be leaders. OK my comps group has like 30 people in it, 4 were APs, there is like 12 ZLs, and many district leaders! and if its not next transfer its the one after, and ill probably get a kid, aka there is 20 Americans coming in to Santiago, including Brody Bearman., so it will be cool! kind of scary though. (I'm still trying to figure out this missionary talk, kid is new missionary, right???)

We have taught allot of cool people this week! our investigators continue to progress and i love teaching them! Elder Spragg and i are teaching very hard getting lost in the work. tonight we have a activity in the church, unless it rains cause no one goes in the rain. Its so dumb, they have this superstition if they get wet by rain they will get sick, but they play in the water every day, its weird!

My comp went to visit an old area with his old comp, Elder Baker ha ha ha he is so funny. We met up in Santiago, Monday, and ate McDonald's lunch after zone meeting. Then i went back to Esperanza with Elder Beckstead, hes from Utah, and was senior comp, ha ha felt weird. We got back late like at 6 but we still taught 4 good lessons! ten we went back to Santiago Tuesday morning to eat Micky Ds breakfast! so good, then we went back to Esperanza.

Well sounds like all is well in Arizona, I'm glad your feeling better Dad! stay healthy, so i broke the record for most trips to the hospital huh... wow sweet! ya it makes it really hard to focus on the mission when your always sick and kill your first three comps! but i can handle it. Sorry mom your sad that Jakelle ended dance ha ha, wait (warning non missionary word) CRAP! so am i, no more Disneyland. dang it!

Well Elder Murray, the couple missionary, is going to call me every day starting Thursday to give me updates on my favorite event ever! ha ha figure it out yet.... go Tiger! (US Open)

Well OK i have to go, i love you all!

Elder Westergard

2009-06-11T20:48:00.000-07:00

Poor Jesse, he has had some trials with his health, this Mom wishes she could comfort him right now. I love his attitude, and am so very proud of him!!

I cant believe that its already been 6 weeks since i got here! time is going out the window! its a sad day, all my really good friends are going home today! and next transfer! i wont know like anyone after this transfer! well my really good friend that was in the plat when i was born came down to our district, elder Powell!! he is so awesome, and were really good friends. so were all Americans in Esperanza!
Well now for some bad news! another thing to add to my list mom and dad! well i thought i had a kidney stone again, so i went into Santiago yesterday and after 7 hours of tests and waiting, I have a kidney infection. I'm on antibiotics and have to go back to Santiago next week! the pain is so great! the other day i dropped to the floor of our house and started crying but it feels alright right now, we will see. It was the first time going through a bunch of doctor stuff without you mom, kind of sad!
Well good news!! there was a baptism Saturday! a really cool kid named Sammy! it was way spiritual! not allot has really happened this week, just allot of guys coming up to us trying to bash with us, they lose every time!
President Thomas goes home in three weeks! its really sad! everyone is going to miss him. He was such a great guy! and President Lee is going to make some huge changes, we will see how it goes!
Well how was Florida and everything? sounds like a fun place! i have only been there once, to switch flights to here, and it was super humid! i don't like it. but i guess I'm used to the humidity by now! so mom you got bit by a spider to huh... that stinks! ya i don't know what type of spider bit me!
Well family i don't know what to say, so i guess ill end! this is the true church and Jesus Christ is at the head of it! he lives and Thomas s. Monson is his prophet! I love you so much.
Love Elder Westergard

Spider Bite on Lip

2009-06-07T05:47:00.000-07:00

So i pretty much have to add another thing on to the list of things that has happened to me! I woke up yesterday and my lip was HUGE!!!!!! not the whole thing, but the right side of the bottom lip! i called Sister Thomas and then the doctor of the mission. and yes! during the night i got bit by a spider!!!!!! my lip was so numb and i talked like rocky! i put cream on it and its fine now so don't worry!

So yeah who knows how many more things will happen in a year and 2 months but we will see. Not allot of things have gone on this week, President gave his last zone conference, it was so amazing! from 9 in the morning till 3, long but great. Today we played basketball in an inside court and it was super fun and now were just emailing.
Can you believe that transfers are next week! i just got here, we will know on Monday! time flies. I'm pretty sure ill stay and kill my comp! I'm famous in the mission now, I'm known as the Elder who fell off a roof and will kill 3 comps in a row! i don't even know someone and they are like, oh hey Elder Westergard! i heard lots about you. ha ha i don't know.

Well it does not matter if you tell me about what your doing at Disneyland in Florida rigth now cause i know your there and yes mom, i miss churros so much! eat like 10 for me every day, cause you know that's how much i usually eat in a day ha ha.
Can you believe i have been in the mission for 12 different months already! insane! 1 year next month.. its crazy, its like I'm glad time is going fast, but i don't really want to leave! you understand.....
So i heard CJ just left and Micheal Flemming leaves like in 2 weeks, that's just about all of us gone! i love the fact that were all away from our family's for a good reason! serving the Lord!

Well family i cant really think about anything else to say, so I'm going to end. i love this gospel! i love my Savior Jesus Christ! i love serving him and teaching this gospel! this is the true church and i testify of it every day. I have seen miracles and cant deny my faith! in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.
love Elder Westergard

oh by the way, they say the swine is here in Santiago. but don't get worried, president T. has not said anything yet. LOVE YOU

Happy 20th Birthday Elder Westergard

2009-05-16T17:25:00.000-07:00

My little baby is not a teenager any more "Feliz Cumpleanos to Elder Jesse Marc Westergard. I hope someone there in the Dominican Republic is making you a great big birthday cake today.

We Love You and hope you have a GREAT Day!

2009-05-13T21:29:00.000-07:00

Messed up Zone photo

Sweet Style

The Esperanza 4

Hello family! I'm sitting here already writing you when it felt like a couple hours ago we talked on the phone! That was so amazing! It was so good yo hear all your voices again, and first time to talk to Josh in a year, it sounded like you all were doing good, and drinking Mexican coke hmmmmmmmm.
I'm glad you had a good Mothers Day Mom! sounds like Dad and the kids did a good job this year, like usual, cough cough hehe!Ii wish I could have been there, but I know what I'm doing here is where I need to be! I don't have allot of stuff to say cause we talked for 3 hours on Sunday! but ya me and my comp are working super hard! This last week we had 16 member lessons, 12 other, 12 contacts, received like 14 references, and had 20 new investigators! were working super hard!
Today was pday and we went to Navarrette and played fast pitch softball! it was super fun and i was 7 for 7 and got a home run! Then we went back to our house and made mangu! not mango but mangu! its super good. now were writing!
well this internet here in Esperanza is sooooo bad and cant put photos on flickr, so ill just send like 2 in the email every week till I can start again! sorry!

So I'm not ready to be 20 yet! but Saturday will be here fast and I guess that's life, growing older.

Well I don't know what else to say, if I missed anything let me know and ill write back next week, which will feel like 2 days! but I love you guys so much! have a wonderful week! I love you.

love Elder Westergard

2009-05-12T19:56:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! its so great to hear from you every week and to know how and whats going on! it seems like all is going great and your enjoying life!

Sounds like Dad and Josh had super fun golfing and saw allot of cool things. but come on, you guys shot in the 80s......come on i thought we were family, you need to represent me a little better while I'm gone haha just kidding.
So jakelle had fun on her trip, I'm so happy for her, don't worry Mom, you will get to New York someday! like me!

Well let me tell you about Esperanza, hope, and how I love it here. Our zone has about 24 missionaries in it, we are 4 aqui in Esperanza, and there are sister missionaries in Navarette as well as the zone leaders. and there is more missionaries in Mao and another little city I cant remember, so its spread out!

Me and my comp are really working hard, for the first time ever cause he is not a dead comp haha, but we are averaging about 7 lessons every day. we have so many investigators and we get help from many members! We are 2 districts in Esperanza which means we have a branch here. The members are so strong, my animo is super filled and I love working! like I have seen myself change more here in 1 week than the last 7 months in puerto plata cause were focused on the work and i love the people! its amazing and my testimony grows every day.

You can ask me more questions on mothers day and stuff if you want, but oh Dad! no we cant go to Santiago evryweek, only once a transfer. but i will probably call you guys when you get home, so around 2.30 to 3 my time aka right after your church, so 1130 to 12. sound good, were going to the church, so ill call, and you will have to call me back OK.... make sure the whole family is there this time!!!!

Well today is pday and we went to Navarette to play basketball, i have not played for awhile but i was surprised I did good, I had about 26 threes the whole day. so i did all right.
Well we need to go eat and stop by and visit an investigator before we work tonight! we also have an activity in the church, volleyball!!! and I'm horrible haha. But OK I'm going to go! talk to you on Sunday! i love you all bye.
Elder Westergard

2009-04-19T14:12:00.000-07:00

Peace be with you!

Missionary Power

Give It Up For ASU

Birthday picture for Ismael

Me and My B-ball friend

April 15, 2009

Wow I'm so mad at tiger! he has 4 green jackets and he cant muster up enough strength to beat Cabrera! he stinks! hes not even good! wow, and Phil always chokes, just like i told you dad. haha, and you had to tell me you were going to play Poston Butte ALL DAY!! wow seriously that killed me! its like killing me so bad i cant golf, this morning i smelt someone cutting weeds and instantly thought of state tournament in the morning with fresh cut grass!! ahhhhhh. so dad and Josh and Jared, i want you to go play golf at the club for me really early, step up on that tee box, and take the biggest whiff of air you can for me ok!! thanks!

Well that's awesome Devon leaves! he is one of the last ones to go. we still got CJ, Michael Flemming, Josh Brooks, that's might be it! wow! and its amazing that a month from tomorrow i turn 20!!! wow weird, i bet mom has a package full of candy ready for me. I'm not ready to not be a teen! its scary, plus i almost am at hump day! I remember it like yesterday when it was just me and Jakelle finding all of the Easter eggs, I cant even think of where that year went! I hope you guys had a great Easter! oh and mom! you made me cry with that poem, its also my favorite too!

Well today we went to Santiago with our zone, cause its our turn today, and at the end we ate at taco bell- and wow it was so amazing! I got a crunch wrap supreme with spicy chicken and cinnamon twists, I was in heaven! and now we are just here writing.

Well what happened this week, hmmm oh! ya so this week was Semana Santa and there were like 70 deaths and 600 emergencies, and everyone was like, oh that's not to bad! WHAT! they said usually its like 200 deaths. people are crazy!

Well Friday was the worst day and we were not allowed to be in the streets, so the church had a steak activity so all the kids would stay off the streets and we went. The news is that an old missionary came to visit the area and his companion is a kid who was in my seminary class junior year and is in our steak! like my friend! I had no idea he was here. His name is Elder Smith, so it was great to see him.

Sunday was a great day at church. about 20 Americans came to visit and we spoke ENGLISH after sacrament. It was so fun, one lady took my picture and got moms name and number and said she would call you guys to say I'm doing good, but this one guy works for the church and was just in Mesa talking to Brother Farnsworth, I was like, ya I know him. so it was cool.

We went to Rosangel and Ismael last night and they are doing really good, but are thinking about moving to Santo Domingo to get a job, so were working with the Bishop really hard to get him a job here, we will see what happens with them.

Transfers are in 2 weeks, which means zone conference is this Friday and ill probably get picked on to talk, because supposedly President asked my comp in interviews how I was doing and if I'm ready to move up, but if its here for one more transfer or somewhere else I don't know! but I would prefer not to be. Give me another transfer or two first ha. Whatever happens I will accept, its for a reason and a call of God. Today we were at Taco Bell and a Dominican missionary was so convinced I was from Latin America cause I'm really tan and my Spanish is good! I told him I'm from Arizona and he freaked. So at least someone thinks I'm good at Spanish.

Well that's about it for this week, I hope you guys are having a fun and safe time in the real world! Remember Satan is trying to work really hard right now, so picture him as mountain view and kick his butt. that's what i do! OK have a good week family! I love you all,

Elder Westergard

2009-04-19T14:05:00.000-07:00

April, 9, 2009
MY LIFE IS OVER!! Why did you have to tell me Bajio is closed! why why why why why why! thats the first place I wanted to go eat when I got back! Josh and Jared always were gone, but Mom, Dad and Jakelle know how in LOVE I was with the shrimp taco’s! Wow I was having the best week!
   Ok now that’s over! Notice how I said the best week! Well I feel perfect and am not sick! Were working hard and I’m focusing on the work really hard!
   As I sat there watching conference and noticed, wow I was in this city for the last conference and I don’t remember very much the last 6 months except baptisms and breaking my wrist haha! Honestly where did the time go. I have no idea. Conference was so awesome! I loved it and I called Elder Anderson. He was very nervous but he spoke at the Stake Conference we had here with President Eyring and Elder Bednar and he is great! He knows so much. He will be a great apostle and yes I watched all of them in English, so that was good. For starters, I loved the talk on the first session by Elder Christofferson, wow it was soooo good, about how we gain faith by honoring our covenants and by overcoming trials, and as usual, I loved my favorite speaker every time, President Eyring! I love him so much; he is so amazing and has good story to everything! Like the story with the old man who could barely walk but wanted to push his garbage can up the driveway so he could make someone’s day! What love he had and that we need to have everyday of our lives! Oh and Kevin w. Pearson’s 6 Ds was great to! They talked alot about Temples and the one that got my attention the most was Richard G. Scott, how great of a talk was that? Even telling us to take off our watches as we enter the temple so we don’t worry about the things of the world. And of course Elder Holland!! WOW!!!!! is all I can say about that one and you know what I mean!
   Wow this is along email!  Things here are great. We played basketball this morning and it was so awesome! I dunked it but cut my middle finger a little and it stung! Then we ate at la sirena, aka Costco and it was good! Now were here emailing you! I’m pretty upset about Michigan State; I thought they could do it! Guess not, oh and by the way dad, my prediction on the masters! Phil will choke like he always does in the majors, and tiger will be 3 behind after Saturday, then him and some young gunner will run up the score board on Sunday and tiger wins by two or on the final hole like always! Lets see what happens, by the way, you know I know a lot about tiger and you know that will happen cause it always does!
   Ishmael and Rosangel are doing super good and Ishmael is smoking like once a day! What a change. They are doing so great, his birthday was Monday and we had a family night with them and another member family, there son just entered the mission , CCM today! Santo Domingo East. I will put up photos of conference and the family night!
   But that’s about it, and good luck dad and Josh with the diet. I left to the mission at 140 pounds, at 6 months had 165, and now I have 152. So it’s perfect. I think I just wrote in English but Spanish talk, I have! haha my English stinks so bad! I would fail an English essay if I took one write now. Speaking of Spanish it’s really good, I understand just about 87 of everything and when were in taxies I understand the commentary on the radio! woo hoo go me! Oh and why did Donte Medder pick Tulsa, who is Tulsa! what’s a Tulsa anyway. Like a bathroom toiletry o algo haha! He should have gone to UCLA!
   Well I am going to go now cause I talk to much haha mainly cause I am having the best time of my life now! I understand the language and am almost out of my dark year and it will start going down hill very fast. I love you all, Happy Easter and take care!
Chao. Love Elder Westergard

2009-04-04T14:33:00.000-07:00

Reading my Scriptures

Go Sundevils!

This is wear I fell and broke my wrist.

Eating Skim Ice (AKA) Otter Pops

Perfect Form!!

Zone Conference

Jesse wrote two letters this week, he wrote one early morning and then went to Santiago that day and then wrote another one when he got back, I played a April Fools joke on him and I guess he thought all day of one to pull on me, usually nobody can get me, well he did. He is feeling better after loosing 9 pounds which I am very relieved.

Ok first of all Mom!!!!!! that was the best April fools joke ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wow another Westergard on the way...... i was flipping out haha I was like comp! comp! Guess what.......oh wait never mind! haha so yeah we had some good laughs on that! Good job, I don’t have any jokes for you guys sorry, I just like making people laugh, and you guys know how it works. Well happy birthday mom! Well on Friday that is! I want to hear about what Dad has in store for you ok! So how is everything going over there.... I hope its not so crazy with tax season, march madness, oh and what.....cough, cough tiger won!! ya that’s right! Oh and I choose Michigan state and NC in final and Michigan state by 9! That’s cool I love their coach, Izzy! and the basketball camp!
Your receiving this email very early cause today my comp and his group need to go to Santiago to pick up their suits in the mission home! We will be there and probably eating at TGI Fridays. Woo hoo I am excited! We had our interviews with the President the other day and it was really good! He said my Spanish is getting really good. We talked about my illness thing I had, and it was a parasite! I was sick from when I told you guys last week to still being a little down right now! I took all my pills and I should be up and running very soon! So don’t worry I am fine!
Church was amazing this Sunday! Fast and Testimony meeting and we got Ishmael and his wife to come! They loved it and want to return. The two missionaries, or soon to be missionaries, bore their testimonies about leaving and how excited they where! It brought back memories of mine and how good I felt and I pictured looking down and seeing my family crying as I bore my testimony and I started crying. Ishmael noticed and I could see something in him that was whispering to his heart, this church is true! We went to there house last night and they asked a bunch of questions! Then his wife asked, well what do we need to do to be baptized!! Ha so we told them we will talk about that on Thursday, and were going to set a baptismal date with them!
Also yesterday we found a family of 4 and taught them the 1st lesson and it was very exciting. They loved it and can’t wait for us to come back on Friday! Conference is this weekend and I am so excited! We get to watch it in English, US Gringos, so i cant wait! i have on my mind the two people who I think will be called, Elder Anderson, or Tingy! I am swinging towards Anderson. He is amazing and knows allot! He came here with Elder Bednar and President Eyring to the steak conference we watched. He is a great man! So we will see on Saturday I guess!
Well family I got to go! But if you want to know anything else or I missed anything to write about email me quick and I will check it when I return from Santiago later today!, if I have time, I think I will though! So I hope you guys have a good April! wow that’s weird APRIL! and a good Easter month! Remember Jesus Christ lives and this is his church! He died for every one of our sins and he rose from the dead! He conquered death so we can live with him and our families forever in the kingdom of Our Father! I am so grateful to have a family who loves me! You guys are the best! Take care, ttyl!

Love Elder Westergard

Hey family! i just returned from Santiago and it was a cool little trip! We got there and arrived at the mission home and all the office elders were they’re preparing to leave to the office and also Elder Palmer was there! My good friend in the CCM. We determined that I am the only one in my group still in there greeny area haha. Well Dr. Millet was there and that’s another reason we went to talk to him! I had a pain in my stomach really bad yesterday and it moved downwards last night! He checked me out and I have appendicitis! I have to get it removed early next week! Ok for anyone who knows me and how much of a wimp I am of water, how scared do you think I am to have someone cut me up and take something out of me! I am not to happy and my comps making fun of me! Like haha I had that 2 months ago! So ya ill let you know how it goes! I will probably get to call you after the surgery.
Well my comp and me ate at TGI Fridays and can you say wow!! I got a cheeseburger and it was the best thing I have ever tasted about in 8 months! And fountain soda drinks! I was in heaven. And they played country music it was awesome! Then we came back to Puerto Plata. But I read something on the bus I want to share with you guys!

Your mission is preparation. It is your school for eternity. You wont forget that will you! This mission is not just a two-year stretch. This is the time when you cultivate the seeds of godhood so you can help other people on their way toward exaltation. How small are we who think of the mission as just being a stretch of time, some physical things to do, a little studying to do, and some praying. THIS IS THE MOST PURPOSEFUL THING; perhaps, you have EVER done in your life and POSSIBLY the most purposeful thing some of you will EVER DO! Its up to you to let this be the prelude to your life, to let it be the beginning of a great and glorious life! (PRESIDENT SPENCER W: KIMBALL)

This hit me so hard and made me want to be the best missionary I can be for the next year and 4 months! I hope you can take something out of it, because you guys are missionaries to, but not with a plack!
Well I better go! i love you guys so much and oh I forgot! APRIL FOOLS!! I don’t have to get my appendix taken out! Don’t lie I got every single one of you didn’t I! It sounded real and I know it! I win! Even though mom yours was really good! I don’t know if I could stand babysitting anyone haha well I love you all and hope for the best this next week! Your in my prayers every day!
Oh!!! You know Brody Berhman? or his family at least, well he got his call to SANTIAGO! I am going to talk to President Lee, my new President in July, if I can be his trainer cause ill have a year and 2 when he gets here! So ill know my Spanish! and my other friend Nathan Carroll got his call to the east mission here, and Michael Fleming got his to Argentina! all my friends speaking Spanish! I love it. Ok well I got to go! I love you all. ttyl.

Love Elder Westergard

2009-03-25T21:28:00.000-07:00

Me and My Comp, Elder Vidal, Eating

Hey family! bueno para empezar, como esta todo! Well the title of my letter is not suppose to sound happy, neither look happy because it wasn't. It was just plain ugly and still is! well i have lost like 6 or 7 pounds in 5 days! On Monday night I went to bed around 915 and woke up at 11:30 and started throwing up! Well after the first few times there is no more stuff in your body to throw up except acid, so from 1 in the morning till 6 that's what I did! I got no sleep and never in my life have I experienced pain like that! So then i called presidents wife and she told me the flu is going around and i need to stay in bed all day! Its now Wednesday and i still feel horrible, pain in my whole body, headaches, and nausea 24.7 plus its been raining for 4 straight days and that does not help! well so that's my story of the week and i really only got one other thing to say cause we have not really done anything cause i cant!

Well like i said we found a family, Ismael and Rosangel! they progress every time we go over there, but what i want to share today is what happened to Ismael. we were at his house and talking about the word of wisdom and we asked him to stop smoking! he said after the first time we came over something told him he needed to stop smoking. He told us he wants to stop smoking and the next thing he said was a shocker! he said, i smoked 3 packs a day, and now i have not finished a pack in 5 days! we were amazed and he has the determination to quit. Were excited for them and hope they continue to grow! I know i didn't get transferred and have 6 more months here, but i have come to notice that my work here obviously is not done and someone needs me!

Well it sounds like everything in Arizona is doing really well! and mom what do you mean i didn't miss anything for spring break! do the words MARCH MADNESS not mean anything to you!!!! its the best time of the year! haha and of course Josh is cheering for NC! hey Josh is that point guard Lawson still playing? he is sooooo good! How is Arizona doing? I hope really good. Well sounds like the Suns are on a role without Stoudamire but are still a little short of Dallas, that stinks! Thats to bad you guys couldn't go to Disneyland this spring break. love that trip with the family! its been so long since the whole family has been together there.

Um OK! so i looked at my blog and um that picture of me looks like I'm dying!! haha I'm soooo skinny in that picture its gross. But its a cool blog! well i looked at moms too and what happened to the room upstairs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lexi nice work, I'm proud of you! well i did catch one mistake with the room, that Tiger Woods picture and golf balls belongs( cough cough) to ME!! and will gladly be taking it back when i return! haha, sorry Josh but come on, its Tiger Woods.

Well that's about all for me in the Dominican Republic! sounds like everything is nice and good, oh Dad! nice talk by the way! I loved it. It was amazing! Well, til next week, Conference weekend! woo hoo I'm so excited. OK i love you guys and will put more pictures up on flickr!

Love Elder Westergard

Latest on Jesse

2009-03-18T16:05:00.000-07:00

Jesse has been out now going on 8 months, I started a blog for him back when and couldn't remember the password so now I have his up and running and will try to up up-date it as much as I can.

Hey family! well I really thought I was going to get transferred this week! but nope! I'm going to send my second comp in a row! Its weird cause no one ever sends their dad and step dad..... so I don't know. This means i might be here next transfer to, so another missionary can know the area. If so, ill leave my greeny area with 11 months into the mission, THATS CRAZY! time is flying so fast I don't know what to do, I don't want it to end but I remember when March started, its already the 18! I got into the field conference weekend in October, conference is in 2 weeks! wow its so crazy, but I love the mission and everything about it. Did I tell you who the nrw mission president will be in July..... president Lee, he is Dominican and is 1st counselor in the Caribbean Presidency. That will be really fun! well Elder Robertson, the Samoan left this morning to San Fran 2b, I'm really sad we became the best of friends since November! but its all good. Our house went from 3 Americans and 1 Dominican to 1 American, me, to 3 Dominicans in 2 transfers! bummer none of them speak English haha.
Oh my Dad I heard from Elder Mangrum , it was good to hear from him. He's doing good, up at BYU! last night we played basketball with the young men, it was so fun! I made tons of threes and dunked it three times, but not during the game, just threes and tonight we have an activity with our ward and the other missionaries ward, were playing volleyball and more basketball. Well its really cloudy and rained last night so we will see if we play. The courts here are outside. We didn't do anything today for pday cause its transfer day and Dominicans don't like do anything, just stay in the house, which I hate! Well when we were playing ball last night, a member from the other ward came up to us and gave us references!!! thank you fireside we held. We got like 3 people and a family! were excited to start working with them, so we will see what happens!
Wow congratulations Jakelle on making cheerleader! that's so exciting. I'm so happy for you, but stop growing up! I'm to old, I turn 20 in 2 months. WOW. How is Mr Johnson? love to hear your following in your brothers, all of us, footsteps and doing 90 percent of your 15 page report the night before its due! that a girl! but , but do a good job and tear it up!
Well I have been working out and stuff trying to get bigger and losing pounds of fat! wow is it working, Elder Robertson always pushed me in the mornings when we worked out cause he is a football player, but he's gone, so lets see if I still work out.
Well I don't know what else to write, it was kind of a slow week, just regular stuff and lots of fired appointments. Dad Jared and Josh you know what that feels like! Well I'm praying for you guys every day hoping you keep safe and have opportunities to share the gospel! I love you guys so much and I will talk to you next week! bye love you! Elder Jesse Westergard

Me and Second Counselor

Slip-n-slide at the Church

The Spiritual Gang

Three of my Baptisms

haha tuxedo man

Newest Convert, Miguel Angel

My bro Elder Robertson's last day in the plat

Eduardo, I almost slipped baptizing him, he's huge!

Me and Elder Yack

Latest Baptism, Eduardo