Feliz Navidad

Dear Family,

I am doing a great big email this week for the extented family as well, so please let everyone see this. Sorry I want to send pictures to you guys as well, so it will be a Little short but hey we get to Skype in two days so its okay!!!

The Smuin family, I am sorry to hear, Matt cat got sick but glad to hear he is getting better espicailly before the holiday. Basketball already?!?! Wow I swear it was just football season jus the other day. No that is awesome!! Go tear it up it on the court though, please keep me updated on games and what not. Good Luck Boys!! Know that I am cheering for ya all the way down here, so score a basket for me!! Chad my dad says you shot a beautiful bird the other day, that is awesome!! Have a great week! I love you all so much!!

The Leatherows Josh and Jenn, I am happy to hear Disneyland went great!! I am jealous for your kids, but thanksa for the pictures as well, they are growing up way to fast!! Ms Hadlee is already 3?!?! What the heck that is crazy!!! Liam dude you are a complete stud!! Way to be such a good example to all those around ya buddy!! You are a lot braver tan I am!!! I love you guys have a great Christmas!!!

For my week was a pretty good one , we got to go to the temple this past Friday and it was amazing!! We are so lucky to have the opportunity to go and make those covenants with our Heavenly Father and live with Him and our familia for an eternity, is such a blessing and I am so thankful for that. Our área is doing good, we are up to 8 investigators that are progressing and we have a bautism date for the 4th of January so that I am so stoked for!! It is a new área so we are in the process in establsihing it all and really just trying to get it going. With us being two greengos we get a lot of attention and people talking to us cause we are White or the looks beacuse they can`t believe their eyes, you name it we probably have gotten it.

Our P-days consist of cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, playing soccer. There really isn`t any sites to go look at or we would, we go check out the shops close by but that is about it.

Well Family I am so stoked to skype this Wednesday with you guys!! It will probably be at 9:30 or 10 I will call ya from skype just to give ya a heads up. Also I was thinking if you have questions maybe write them down and that way we use the time as wisely and smartly as possible, that is just a suggestion though you guys can do whatever you would like. 

I love you guys!! Especially you mom to the moon and back and then!! Feliz Navidad!!!!

Love your jungle missionary,

Elder Leatherow

I love to see the temple:

My casa

Christmas Party at the President's home

My heart is full as I look at the smiling faces of these missionaries.  The sacrifies they make to bring the world His truth.  From our family to yours Merry Christmas!
A friend of mine gave me this poem …. get a tissue….

I'm Giving Christ my Son for Christmas

This year I'm giving Christ my son, I've spent more time in the temple, my testimony stirred

I've re-read November's Ensign, felt strength come from His words

Our family prays more frequently, my tears are quick to run

Abraham seems closer because, This year I'm giving Christ my son.

I wonder how those Lamanite mothers gave their sons to war?

Or how the pioneers chose Zion, their sacrifice was so much more

My loss will be his presence, I'll miss his smile a ton

For two years we will pray for him, I'm giving Christ my son.

I stare at his face when he's not looking, I memorize his eyes, their shine

He's always hungered for the part of Him, that makes his soul divine

His stories and lessons he always heard, His choice and mine are one

I'll put my faith in God's hand, this year…I'm giving Christ my son.

Past gifts have lost their glitter, I think  I finally understand

Christ's birth should be celebrated by giving Him a hand

It's because I know Christ lives and reigns that all his packing's done

My gift has taken years to make, this year… I'm giving Christ my son.

I know there's One who understands the sacrifice I'm making

Who knows the gift I willingly give, the toll it will be taking

For He has done it all before, Greater love there could be none

For years ago God gave to me, His only Begotten Son.

The hands I washed, the hands I held, the hands I taught to pray

Now knock on doors to find the ones who will listen to what he'll say

Because I know Christ needs him until all the gatherings done

My gift has taken years to make…This year…I'm giving Christ my son.

Yeah for SKYPING!!

Dear Family,

First things first regarding our communicating for Christmas and what not, I will be SKYPING!! So I am excited to see all your smiling faces and get to hear your voices. I need you to please make me a skype account though and then send the username and password to me by next week so I can have that with me, along with the username that you guys will be using so I can connect with ya. They did not say a exact time so I would just have it open all day and wait for me to call. Sorry but thanks so much for doing that for me!! You guys are the best!

This week was beyond busy with meetings and work here and our Christmas Dinner with the Presidente. With being here and its a new area and its extremely small branch and stuff I have the opportunity to participate in a lot of the things, like teaching classes, blessing sacrament and working with the Branch Presidente a ton. We just got a new Presidency in this past week, and they are  excited to get the work moving here and they have some great ideas in mind, so I am way happy and look forward to helping that plan take effect. Yesterday my companion and I were able to have four investigators in church which was insane! Cause my companion has been here his whole mission and they haven´t had an investigator in church in over 2 months. So prayers are and can be answered! I was so happy when they showed up! It was also the Primary program as well so that was great, those Sundays are always my favorite watching all the little kids!!

Tell Nessa I said Hola!! 

That is my little bro!  I knew he was good at picking good ones! 

We are trying to gear up for Christmas its just hard when its complete opposite here and its only getting hotter! So please enjoy the snow  ~  it sounds great!! They all have their Christmas trees up here though and some have lights outside the house they all have Nativity sets too, so that is cool and it shows the real meaning for Christmas.

Mom thanks for always keeping me updated on the Sports!! I freaking love it, and oh boy do I miss watching the sport games with all you guys, so please keep the updates coming. 

Tell Chad that I am sorry I didn´t know I had that much of influence on that stuff..so I kinda feel bad now. So hopefully it all works out and what not.

Well Family that is about it for this week for me! Thanks for always writing and I love you all! Especially you mom to the moon and back and then some!! 

Have a great week!! Nosvamos!!!

Love your jungle Missionary,

Elder Leatherow

My area and Elders from my zone

This is at the Presidents house, the elder with santa hat, is an Elder I have gotten to know way good he is from Morgan Utah, name Elder Martin

I was lucky today and got to chat back and forth with Wes for about five minutes today; we haven't had time to do that for about 4 or 5 weeks.  He looks happy and healthy and I can't wait to hear his voice next week.  
Hey mom you there?? How is work??

I am doing so good.  You just made my day!

How are you???

I am doing great!! It is good to talk with ya! Tell everyone in the office I said hello! Is work busy or this is the slow months right?

They say hello back and Kyle says What Up? 

Work is slowing down. But we are staying just busy enough to make the day go by. 

Tell kyle Que Pasa Hombre?!?! Good I am glad to hear that then. Hows the weather???

 Cold and more cold.  You look Great and I LOVE the Santa hat.

Okay mom, I have to go cause Of my time is up was a good quick chat, I can´t wait to talk with ya on Christmas!! Have a great week, I love ya to the moon and back and then!!

Little conversations just make my heart melt.  I cherish them more than anyone could ever imagine and thank my lucky stars that I am able to enjoy them with Wes.  

Short and Sweet

Dear Family,

Well I am sorry to report nothing crazy, awesome or extradoniary this week. This week consisted of long hours spent in the street talking to people and visiting members to get refernces and then going to try and find these people to teach. So that's really all there was this week, its rough and trying to talk to people and learn the language but it is coming along and I am enjoying it. I have found that I am developing that crazy talent of being able to talk to anyone and start a conversation, like how dad does any where you go with him., I know it's the spirit talking though more than me cause I can´t speak the language to save my life so I have to rely on that to get me through conversations. 

Did you guys get the chance to see the Christmas Devotional last night?  I don't recall ever really watching it before and we were able to get two investigators to that, so that was super positive!!

Dad! That is freaking sweet about the new gun, I can´t wait to try it out on some rabbits when I get back! 

That is to bad to hear about Brother Perry I send my best to his wife and family. 

The Paul Walker thing  just down right..SUCKS!!! I freaking loved those movies!! So what the heck?!?!

I am so freaking stoked for the whole Dale opportunity though-!!! When I heard and read that from him, it brought me so much joy and peace to my heart. 'Cause I know that this will be a great position for him and it will bless not only him but his family as well!  When we put the gospel first we will be the most happy and things will always find a way of working out and going a lot easier. Please let him know that I am glad to hear from him and so happy with him accepting that call!!

Sorry it is short this week I don´t have a lot to say. 

Have a great week everyone!! 

I love you all so freaking much!! Especially you mom to the moon and back and then some!! 

Have a great spirit and Remember the True meaning of the holiday season,  it's because of Christ we can experience these feelings and great times!! Love you guys!!

Love your jungle Missionary,

Elder Leatherow

 Funny face ~ because I can and you know you miss it

 A family that I have grown to love and will miss.  They are to be married soon and be baptized within the next month.  Families like this make the mission worth it.

 Our tree

My new companion, Elder Lloyd from Arizona

This week my heart is full as I look at the photos of my boy who is quickly becoming a man.  I hear stories of what he did before he left and even question my ability to be a good mom but then I look at the photos and read his words and know Tom and I did something right.  Loving you Wesman.

First Transfer ~ feeling a bit chilly?

Dear Family,

I never thought that it would happen, but the past couple nights I have gotten a little bit chilly here, in my new area!  I am about 2 hours away from my old area by van. My new area is called Ilobasco, San Misente. It's way different than my other area, it is half city and half country. Like the city is full of little shops and the fast life, the country is like desert and cactuses and cowboys and what not so its way different but I am liking it slowly. Its way nice to get away from the heat and what not for a little bit too.The crazy part is I got another GRINGO!!!! What the heck?!?! what are the odds?  I mean really!! The even crazier part is he has had only one more change than I do, so we know spanish some what and when you combined our spanish it is almost whole! So they are really feeding us to the wolves!! He is from Mesa, Arizona, His name is Elder Lloyd.

My new ward or you can say branch because its not big enough to be a ward has about 50 members that showed up yesterday, and that is a normal amount. So there is a lot of work to be done here, from working these past couple days here I can see that its an extremely rough area and people just don´t want to listen, they are very well off here, so they are prideful and that is a really big issue when it comes to trying to teach someone the gospel. I know with faith and lot of prayer and work and work and more work we can start to get things going though!

How was everyones Thanksgiving? Did you eat enough for me too? We did not celebrate it here which makes sense of course, but boy did I miss it!!

Coltgirl, dude I am so freaking stoked you are going out on all these dates and what not! The movie thing you will have to remember it and we will watch it when I get home together!

I am really sorry to hear about the whole Amandi situation. Honestly, I am going to tell you what I would do and from learning this from working with people on a daily basis. I would give her three strikes sounds like she has used at least one possible two already. But keep up and doing all that you can and keep inviting and working but after three strikes you drop her and wish her the best and then you pray like crazy that she is safe and doing good. I know its really rough but honestly its not going to do any good to keep trying something that doesn´t work, not just for her but for the family as well. I wish you guys nothing but the best and I am praying for ya and her daily. I love you guys keep up the great work!!

How is work going for you guys?? Is there anything I can do for you guys?? How is my littlest bro doing these days?? How are you mom and dad???

I am so glad to hear from the relatives every week like the Smuins, Josh and Jenn, and Grandma Jo. Thank you guys for writing every week. How was Disney Leatherows?? 

How is the new truck Smuins?? Chad I am not sure where I went wrong with you and you bought a Dodge..good thing I am not there or we would be having a serious talk. I wish you nothing but the best with that one, call my dad when it breaks down on ya!! (;

Well family that is about it for this week! 

I love you all so much! Especially you mom to the moon and back and then some!! 

Keep on going and enjoying the cold weather and the snow if it has started yet!! 

Love you guys!!

Love,

Elder Leatherow

Kicking my Butt!

Dear Family,

It has come to my knowledge that my English is very bad! I do apologize for that, I am trying to get this two language thing down but as you can see its kicking my butt! So if you don't understand something or I need to re-explain something please don't be afraid to ask. 

Well this week was an extremely rough one for me because I am at a loss for words with my companions and how I can help them.  Plus we had a lot of intercambios this week on top of that so that makes for a lot of confusion. So you could say I am glad to be starting a new week and starting completely fresh. 

My baptism this week was awesome though and one I will never forget because of this kid! He is an awesome kid! He is so humble and I am so happy and it brings me much joy to see the progress and his decision he has made to get baptized. I got a member to baptize him because that is one of my goals here to get the members to baptize the people unless the person really wants the missionary to do it, because that way there will always be a connection and someone that new convert can go to once we step out of the picture; having that connection is HUGE! 

Oh boy do I miss talking to ya too dad!! I am really sorry this past week you had to deal with the whole Amandi thing, I hope you got all figured out. Just know He will never give us more than we can handle! And honestly when it becomes too much just get down on your knees and beg for His mercy and help and I testify to you that He answers prayers, I don't know how I would of gotten through this mission so far if it wasn't for Him! As I studied this week I kept ya in mind dad, and I came across this verse in 2 Nephi 31 19-20, read it if you get the chance and maybe it will help, I hope it does.

Mom thanks so much always thinking of me and and do all those things for me like the notes, letters, food etc. I can't do this without you! I love you so much! I am so glad your girls shopping day went so good!! The Christmas photos sounds great! I can't wait to see them!

How are my bros doing? Still busy with work and all your activities and what not? I love you guys and hope you have a great week, I would love to hear from ya when you get the chance!

For all the guys in the family! How the heck is the hunting going?!?! Please tell me something is being killed even though I am  not there. I am dying to hear about the trips and what not and see photos. Because these past couple days I have had the sound of geese and us going crazy on the calls hoping to get a chance at them in my head like crazy!! So please fill me in and shoot something for me!!

This week is changes on Wednesday so next week expect a new companion photo and new area info as well. 

I love you guys so much especially you mom to the moon and back and then some!! 

Have a great week!! 

I love you guys!!!!!

Elder Leatherow 

In the photos are members and the baptism from Saturday.

Weston is looking Wonderful once again this week.  It makes a momm's heart happy to get photos two weeks in a row.  Please as you say your prayers this week I ask that you add Weston and pray for a smooth transfer and for two companions that fit a bit better with one another.  Thanks!

My Heart is So Full

Dear Family,

This week has been a week, that I loved and we as missionaries search for! The Lord has truly blessed me and my heart is so full. I thank you guys so much for your love and support that past week, as it was a rough week for sure, but thanks for all the words of encouragement. 

How is everyone doing? You guys ready for Thanksgiving? How is your guys reading the Book of Mormon coming? I know that if you do this sacrifice and take time to read it will bless your life so much and make your testimony grow so much! It has changed my life, and it is something I look forward to doing every day! Remember to pray always and these two things will change your life!

Well it finally happened, my first baptism! It was great! She was so excited and I was as well. It was also her birthday, she turned 12 and was baptized, talk about a big day for her!! We got to celebrate with her by buying a cake and some drinks for her after. It was a great success, and a day I will never forget!  It was a super stressful day though trying to get all that figured out as well as take care of our other investigators and appointments and what not so talk about an eventful day! 

We have another baptism this Saturday for a young boy who is 13. His mom was the investigator that passed away a couple weeks ago.  He is so awesome, he came to us and asked to take lessons 'cause he wants to see his mom again, he is so humble and so prepared for us!! I am so happy for him and his decision. 

To answer Dads question, I have not taught the guy form the U. S. in weeks! I did run into him on Saturday and set a for sure date that we can visit this week, so I am so ready for that and am looking forward to teaching in English again! 

Now Colt-girl, dude your girl sounds like a great girl and I am really happy you found someone you can talk and chill with! 

G-Ray how is the knee doing? I hear you showed dad up the other day out duck hunting! Way to go bro! keep up the great work! How is school going for you guys? How is all your extra activities going as well? I am so proud of you both and you make me so proud to call you guys my brothers! 

Dad sounds like you are staying busy with work, church and school, etc. How is the back feeling? I hope it is doing better, and I am sorry you have to deal with that! 

Mom how was the Heil shopping day?? The Duck Dynasty thing sounds Awesome!! You should send pics. You get some good deals out shopping? How are all the moms doing on the Heil side?? I love you so much mom, I love you to the moon and back and then some. Thanks for all you guys!! Have a great week!! I love you guys and that is all from your jungle missionary this week!!

Elder Leatherow

In the pictures are investigators or members who have really touched my life and made this experience all worth it! 

I am so blessed for these people and I am so happy with their choice in the church.

I just want to pinch those baby's cheeks.  she is adorable.

A few photos of a multi zone conference

Once again Wes has had an amazing week and looks happy, healthy and Handsome.  Thank you all for your love and support.  How are you coming with your Book of Morman challenge from Elder Leatherow?  

Moving Week

First things first, Thank you so much for the package I received it about a week ago or so. It contained exactly what I needed, literally exactly!!! So I thank you guys so much and thank you to all the little messages from everyone too! I am truly blessed to have you guys as my family and friends!! 

Second thing is this week nothing exciting happened really, except we moved houses. Because we needed more room, we just moved a couple streets down though so basically same area. This coming week I have my first baptism on Thursday!! So I am super excited about that. So stay tuned in to that next week for pictures and information on that matter.

Third thing is with the increase of missionaries and the lack of technology available here, they have cut our computer time. So I have decided I will send home one big email each week and then every one can view it from there. Also, when you have questions I will take note and then answer ya the following week. I take pictures of your guys emails and read them later, so I can truly read them.  I am sorry for the inconvience, believe me it is really rough on me as well. 

Fourth thing is I thought of what I need for items even though I hate asking for things so I am so sorry, but one is garmets, (50-50) bottoms and mesh tops please. Second is a ance wash and a cream cause I look like a pizza with all the sweating that I have been doing and what not. Third is a belt..because one broke and the other doesn´t go small enough to fit my waist; really.  I am about a 29 inch I am guessing again. Fourth is pictures or anything you would like to send really, pictures because I don´t get a lot of computer time so I look at pictures through email for only a brief moment, then I have to move on or else I don´t get to see all of them. That is all I really need I will need socks probably in 3 months or so. Thank you guys so much and I am so sorry to ask you for things since you have already done so much to get me here and support me.
I hope you all have a great week, and are enjoying the cold weather, cause here I am roasting alive I feel!!
Well that is all  I have to report from the jungle this week folks!! Tune in next week for my first baptism experience and for photos!!
I love you guys like crazy, mom especially you ~  I love you to the moon and back and then some!!!
Have a great week!! 

Love your son,

Elder Leatherow

Now that is the Wes  we all know and love!  

A bit rough

Hey Family,
That is so good to hear that your back is doing good dad!!! good luck with all the hunts!! Sounds like everyone is doing good though which I am glad to hear. Down here they don't celebrate anything like that (Halloween)  or anyhting its just another day, so that was weird. This week was really slow with lessons and what not, cause we had to move things to our other house and one of my companions was sick so we didn't get to do a whole lot. So that was a bit rough and makes me sick to my stomach just thinking about it. I am writing one giant letter again because I don't have a lot of time again. Sounds like the hunt for the deer was great and I am glad someone could shoot something.
Have a great week, dad!!
My companions and I are having a rough time and its taking me time to get use to it and them.
Have a great week dad!!!

I love you all!!!

Love, Elder Leatherow

This was the only letter home that we received and I literally have not been able to stop the tears.  I pray Wes received my letter.  I included a quote/thought to keep his chin up.  I feel so helpless.  I just want to reach out and hug my boy and tell him this too shall pass.  Good days, good weeks, and good months are on the horizon.  I have faith that our Father in Heaven will comfort him and let him know I love him.  I am asking anyone who reads my blog to keep Wes and his companions in your prayers that they will find a common ground and that the language will continue to become easier.  Until next Monday…...

You Can Do Hard Things

Wow!! Lot has happened!! I don´t know where to start, I only get thirty minutes to write today because president said so...so I just obey his law..So I am just going to write one big letter home this week.
That is really positive for me and I hope that I can really reach my goal!! I told Wes that I spoke with an Elder serving in our area and he knew NO English and after about 6 months he speaks without any hesitation.
I like your short hair so definately keep it!!! Broke the news to him that I went back to short and spikey

The party looks way fun, Tell G he is a stud!! Wes loved Garett's costume

That is to bad about Rich. My prayers to that family. 

That is so exciting mom for your new position!!! You will do great and I know you will be perfect and do great things there!! 

This week was a bit different...I had one of my investigadors pass away..so that made for an interesting week..I had to speak at the funeral and what not. She passed away from illness. I know that she is in a better place like Rich and that this is exactly why God gave us this great plan to give us hope!!! 

Tell G and Colt hello for me and how are they doing this week??? How is dad doing??? That is good to hear you saw Brooke, she hasn´t wrote me in a while, so I am glad to hear she is making it to church and what not. 

I totally agree mom we can accomplish hard things!! It reminds me of a verse in 1 nephi 3:7 you should read it if you get the chance. My new companions are okay, I am starting to get a little comfortable and can relax a little bit with them. They are just so different from my last ones with things so it is taking me a little bit to get used to them and find a medium as to what needs to get done and how and what not. It is good though, only have 4 weeks more in the area so I am trying to make the most of it while I can and leave it better than when I arrived, my worst fear is failing and not being good enough and I have found that that is what I struggle with the most here..is I can always do better and or I feel what I do its not good enough..so I am trying to balance that out. I know that I accomplish things with the Lord's help it just is hard and I know I should and can do more. 

I wrote Shane back he didn´t get my email?? I will try again..i will write more next week sorry I wish I had more time, I love every single one of you guys to the moon and back and then some!!

Have a great week!!

Love your son or bro,

Elder Leatherow

 Garett ~ "Deer" Elder

 Garett and Landon at the ward Halloween Party ~ the two Elders in the middle are assigned to our area

Garett and Landon paying tributue to their Super Heroes, their older brothers

Elder Leatherow was able to send home a few photos.  I love getting them; they make my heart happy, happy, happy….yep a little Duck Dynasty humor for you all.

 Really?!?  

Til next week… Remember you can do hard things.