Ready to Fly

Hey dad,

ONE WEEK LEFT!!!!

I am freaking stoked; it is going to be a huge culture shock, I know, and I will have to re-learn the language but I am so ready for the challenge and am going to take the bull by the horns and run with it! That is crazy that those two families have been in your prayers a lot as well. I have been thinking so much about them; it is freaking crazy and Madeline.  Thinking how I can get to them and teach them?  I have been praying like crazy and fasting to find out how I can. I recieved a small answer today while at the temple ~ that is why I am out here on a mission...to prepare myself to come back home and teach them. That this expereience is to prepare me in the best way, cause its gonna take some thinking and finding a way to get through to Chad.  I know I will never give up and I know he will come to know of this truth along wiht his family and the Watkins. I know this is the true church and the way we can be saved at the last days, they have just lost their way and we willl do our best to help them find their way back to our Heavenly Father.

IT is so freaking good to hear about Dale and Kegan I hope Logan is making it there too!! That is so freaking awesome, and that is truly an answer to my prayers. It brings me such joy to hear and read that, I am so proud of them and their decision to go back to church again, I know it will bless their lives so much and it is the right thing to do. Well I fly out Tuesday and I get to email Monday right before I leave so I will email ya then, and then when I will get to email again I have no idea! I hope you have a good week dad, you are doing amazing things back home in the stake and the family.   Keep it up and keep going strong! I love and miss ya dad you are always in my prayers!

Love your son,

Elder LEatherow

P.S. You need to get out on that hill and scout cause you are lucky to have those kinds of hills, and that is pretty sweet about that car, ya I really hope you have better luck with it!!

Tom recieved his email early in the day and I didn't receive one.  I kept telling myself, 'remember he is doing the Lord's work and is busy.  He probably is at the temple, doing laundry, or just doing stuff for himself'  But deep down I was so sad that I didn't see a letter in my in box.  But I would love him just the same… so sent him a simple sentence from work :  

On Tue, Aug 27, 2013 at 11:45 AM, Shar Leatherow wrote:

Are you out there today?  Missing you something fierce.

Later in the afternoon I received the following:

From: Weston Leatherow [mailto:weston.leatherow@myldsmail.net]
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2013 3:50 PM
To: Shar Leatherow
Subject: Re: Tuesday

Ya, sorry we got to go to the temple again today and so I still had laundry and a hair cut to get and all that good stuff before I ship out in a week. So I apologize. I haven't forget about ya I just got done sending ya a good sized email so hopefully you will recieve it shortly.

Boy did I feel like a butt head.  

Hey Mom,

Holy moly!!

You guys have had a crazy busy week, sounds like a ton of fun though! 

I wish I could of been there for the family party, that is one thing I sure have missed like crazy is the family get-togethers and seeing the little kids run around every where. It won't be to long though and I will be back home. 

That is so exciting for Logan and Colt though, they are growing up so fast!! I can't wait to see pictures of the dance! 

I have recieved the package, I got it yesterday. You guys are the freaking best and I recieved a letter as well! It was like Christmas morning for me!!! It was freaking great!! Thank you so much for everything it is exactly what I needed.  

Tell the Watkins family that I love them, and thank them for the pictures and the letter, I have looked at the picture so many times and keep it in my suit pocket. 

Caution:  next paragraph may be TMI; proceed at your own risk.
Well I guess I can tell ya now since it seems everyone keeps telling me stop being a baby and just eat the food...cause I honestly have been eating the food and getting past it….I was sick for about a week two weeks ago, and you know me I  thought I could get through it on my own well....after a week and me starting to have blood in my stool I finally went to the clinic. I had a test done and I have a parasite which is another reason I was dropping weight. Cause anything I ate would just go right through me within that hour but no need to worry I am good now. I was on anti-parasite pills and feeling and doing great now!! So please don't worry. So that will help fill ya in on why I was dropping weight. other than that I haven't had any issues. 

I am getting so stoked to leave in a week it is crazy how fast time is flying by! Before ya know it I will be home again! This week is just finishing up fake investigators and watching powerpoints on in-field stuff and how it is different from here. So this week is going to drag a bit but I know it will be helpful and I can't wait to get out there! 

Tell Kyle I said hi for me at your work and I still want pictures of his truck!

The new car sounds freaking sweet!! I am super jealous and pray this one will be a lot better than the last one for you! 

Well Mom I will get to email ya monday before I leave and I would like to call home while I am at the airport sometime, I don't know my flight details yet so I will let you know Monday so maybe jump on your email to see that and I will tell ya when I will be trying to call home a second or something if that is even possible!! I love you so much mom and I miss you like crazy, I know when I was sick was a moment I wish you were here cause you always knew what to do. I am learning though to do it on my own and trying my best! Well I will let ya go and I can't wait to hear back from ya mom!

I love you to the moon and back and then some!

Your son Elder Leatherow

I am feeling so blessed tonight.  Blessed that the doctors took care of my boy, blessed that he is feeling better, blessed that he is still excited to be on his mission and most of all blessed that he didn't forget about his mommy.  :)

Miss this kid like crazy!  Love you to the moon and back Wesman!

28 days down ….. but who is counting?

Hey Mom,

Wow!! you guys have a really busy week ahead of yourself. The temple was absolutely incredible!!! I loved every second of it!! That is not good news about Garett though... hopefully it isn´t anything to serious..but that is a huge compliment from Big Mike!  He deserves it! 

Logan is a great kid!! That is crazy he is a senior! I sure do miss him! Hopefully he isn´t getting into to much trouble. 

That is so freaking exciting for Josh!!! I am so excited & I can´t wait to hear about all the great success he will have.  He is a great man, and he will serve the Lord well!! 

Sounds like a busy day at the Leatherow house with moving G and Colt.   I belive it though I have known those two for a while and they will keep anything!! 

Its kinda the same old same old here..just a lot of studying and reading scriptures and doing what missionaries do! The days seems to drag but the weeks fly, I mean I have to 2 weeks and I will be in El Salvador mom!! That is freaking nuts; seems like I was just saying bye at the airport and stuff! 

The package came yesterday but its at the Mexico post office so the lady has to go get it and who knows when that will be...have you recieved my letter yet?!?! 

Well mom I love you so very much and thank you for this opportuntiy that you have helped me achieve, of being able to serve our Heavenly Father!

 

Love you always and forver!!

Elder Leatherow

Hey Dad,

The days here have been kinda dragging but the weeks are really starting to fly by! I know it is crazy to me that I will be El Salvador in 2 weeks - that blows my mind!!! 

The temple last week was incredible!! I didn´t understnad much but the spirit was still felt and it is a beautiful temple too! It is huge!!!!

 

That is freaking awesome about Garett I am so proud of him!! I knew he wouldn´t let his team down he such a huge leader and a key player and he doesn´t even know it!! Tell him congrates and keep up the the great work!! Same goes for the Smuin boys! Hopefully this is a good sign for a great season to come! I am so proud of all of them! Man I wish I could of been there to watch him play I sure do miss watching him kick some butt!

 

My experience for the Leatherow side would have to be when you dressed up like Santa Clause for the kids at Dale´s house and the seeing some of their faces light up and others just wanting to cry because they were so scared. Also how we all were together before we all grew up and have headed our different ways. Just having BBQs every weekend was awesome too!! But I really enjoy that experience a lot!!

 

For the Heil side its when we go there for Christmas and it was the year you made Marshmellow guns for all us kids and how mad Grandpa & Grandma got about that, but they couldn´t be too mad because it was Christmas and becuase an Adult gave us the gift and said we could go outside and shoot them at each other!! That was a great moment!! And One I will never forget!!!

 

I go to the gym like 3 times a week the rest of the days I play soccer with the other elders. I don´t see Elder Taylor much just 'cause we are on completely different schedules, but Elder Arrington is in my Branch and is in the same building for studying as me so I see him all the time!! Which is pretty cool!! Well Dad I hope you have a great week and don´t work to hard!!! 

I love ya!

Photos taken while on the bus to the temple.  The people drive crazy and really make you fear for your life at times.

The city life

Finally we reach out destination; Mexico City Temple

I love the yellow tie and the smile on his face ~ makes this momma's heart happy

Weston shared his testimony about temple and temple work with me and I would like to share it all with you:

Well while I am waiting for my companion I thought I would email ya more and tell ya about the temple..have you and dad had the chance to make it back since my endowment??? I literally love the temples so much!!! Like the feeling I get the moment I walk onto those grounds knowing this is the house of the Lord and you can feel His spirit so strong. They are beyond beautiful they are like the most beautiful thing I think man can build with the help of God. Getting to do a session for a fellow brother was awesome, so he can now have the opportunity to partake of this wonderful gospel and be that one step closer to living with our Heavenly Father for eternity is such a neat thing! We are truly blessed to recieve that opportuntiy to go and partake of that whenever we would like as long as we are worthy temple recommend holders! The moment you pass through that veil it is so cool to just be away from everything and just ponder and think about the life to come and how great that truly is and that feeling we will get that all the time!!  I know lives get busy sometimes and we can´t always make it happen but if you could go like once a month I promise you, you would never regret it! I am sad to say that, that could be my last visit  for two years..so please I encourage you to take advantage of the opportuntiy to go when you guys can! 

I love you so much mom! I am grateful that through temple work we are to be together for an eterntiy as a family and I wouldn´t want it any other way!!! I love you to the moon and back and then some!

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

Of course missionaries must have fun as well….

We thought it would be funny to tie our ties short and go around saying "short ties baptize!!!" (;

 MTC humor; its dry but you got to love it!

And that is week four in a nut shell from the cutest missionary headed to El Salvador.  Love you to the moon and back, Wesman!  You are truly our family's hero.

The weeks are starting to Fly By

Hi Dad,

The weeks here are really starting to fly by, the more I try and get lost in my studies the faster it goes, so I try and do that.   There isn´t a day that I don´t think or miss you guys though; you are always in my prayers and I know the Lord is watching over you guys for me. 

The Cabin sounds like it was a great time, I wish I could of been there! That is so cool Tess and Blake and their kids came up, how are they doing?? Ya I sure do miss those kids like crazy ~  I love them so much!! 

The language is starting  to come.  I am doing lessons without notes and just trying to piece sentences together. I had a meeting with my teacher yesterday one on one and he is very impressed with how much I have improved.   The more I speak it even it isn´t right is how I get better,  I feel.

That sounds pretty freaking sweet with the training though. Weston is referring to a mission training meeting Tom attended in regards to using social media to show the gospel.  I am not sure if I will get that opportunity or not, and you're right there is a lot of inactive memebers, and about half the missionaries here are returning back to the states to serve.  There is a lot of work to be done in the states! 

The texting the testimony sounds like it was a good expience for ya,  Tom mentioned to Weston that he had texted his testimony to two people who have touched his life and he feels their testimonies have strenthened his and I am glad to have a dad like you and that has a testimony of this gospel! 

How is the job situation coming along? 

Well I will let ya get back to work, don´t work to hard, love ya dad!

Love your son,

Elder Leatherow

Hi Mom,

That is so funny that Kyle did that!! *** Ya there is cold cereal and I have gotten use to the milk so it is okay. And the food is okay just seems like they run out or its always cold but that is okay at least its food and it is getting better as time goes on.  With it being so new of a MTC they are little unorganized we are their giniee pigs basically so hopefully we are helping to prepare a better way for the missionaries to come! 

Ya that Cabin sounded like a blast! I sure wish I could of been there, when I get back we will have to go up there as a big family thing! 

Tell G to keep going strong, I know he will though and I am glad Colt is balancing everything out good. 

Well I have to head to catch the bus for the temple. Hopefully I can send pictures when I get back of it if not i will send them next week for sure! 

I love and miss you mom; like crazy!  you are always in my prayers every day!

Love your son,

Elder Leatherow

***I have a friend at work who was tired of listening to me whine about me having a starving son so he took matters into his own hands; below is his email exchange with President Pratt, President of the Mexico MTC.

Hello,

I was just curious about what kind of food is being served in the cafeteria at the Mexico MTC. I have a starving missionary and I don’t know if it’s because there isn’t enough food or if he’s just being picky. I would appreciate it if I could get some feedback on this as silly as it may sound.

Thanks

  

Kyle Brown | Post-Closing Assistant | Bank of Utah

2605 Washington Blvd | Ogden, UT 84401

Direct line: 801.409.5433 | fax: 801.409.5340

We serve a pretty international menu. There are always tortillas and beans available, but the missionaries serve themselves. Bread is always available at every meal. There is always green salad, cooked vegetables, and plenty of fruit. Lunch always includes one kind of soup and two types of meat to choose from. Chicken cooked in different ways is nearly always one of the meat dishes. The other one is either beef or pork and  occasionally fish. There is always a dessert. It is often an ice cream bar. There is always several types of drinks including water. Breakfast usually includes eggs cooked in various ways. Fresh orange juice is always available for breakfast. Cold cereal is always available for breakfast and dinner.

The missionaries can eat as much as they wish, including going back for seconds on the meat dish. Most of the comments I receive from the missionaries is that the food is great!

Sister Pratt and I eat at least one meal a day in the MTC cafeteria so I speak from personal experience. If anyone goes away hungry it is by choice.

Carl B. Pratt

Presidente, CCM de México

Weston shared the following photos this week with us:

Typical Weston breakfast

This is where I spend most of my life for the next six weeks is in this room with these elders and sisters from my district!

It poured the other night so wore my rain jacket!

Random picture just cause I was bored so I thought it would be cool to take a picture of scriptures and my name tag and ring! 

It is so weird to me how you can hear a different tone in his emails this week.  He sounds like he is finally finding his place and has his feet under him and ready to take off.  I am so proud of him and miss him every day.  

I  know this gospel is true.  I know my Heavenly Father knows me personally, I feel his comfort around me daily.  I am so thankful for the restoration of priesthood and for the fact that I have it in my home.  I am eternally thankful for the covenants that my husband and I made in the temple thus allowing my boys to be with me for eternity if we all continue to hold true to the Iron Rod.  I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Down to the last belt hole

Hi Dad,

I am managing but maybe if you could send some food that would be nice but if not its okay! I am down to my last belt hole though, so that shows how much I have lost around my waist already! Crazy!

Dad,  You are the smartest man I know and will choose the best!  You will be in my prayers and hope you will recieve an answer! That is exciting for G-Ray though; he will see plenty of playing time! I am way excited for him and can´t wait to hear about all his games! Tell him good luck and to stick with it! The knee thing isn´t good though but no pain no gain though too, he will be just fine I have no doubt about that and the Lord will protect him! 

I love ya dad, and you better kill some stuff for me this fall! I am so sad I won´t be out there with you guys! Those were the best times! 

Well the cabin sounds like absolute heaven!! you will have to take pictures and show me them! Cause I am super jealous! That is freaking sweet about Zach though! Tell him to be careful and always wear a helmet no matter the distance! The Dabb family is definitely in my prayers! I sure hope he pulls through! He is an amazing man! And I am so glad to see Kaelt is getting around and they came down to the House!! 

Love ya,

Elder Leatherow

P.S. please keep me posted on the Dabbs

Well love ya dad!

Thanks mom!

I love you so much and those words were what I needed to hear! The Dabb  family are in my prayers! I am glad you all are doing good and the house is loud again! I miss you guys! Thanks the brag book will be great, and Okay I won´t expect Madeline then (; You guys are the best especially you and make sure you keep the three boys out of trouble this fall and keep dad from going insane with it being so close to THAT time of year! I love ya 

How are you doing???

Enjoy some photos that Weston sent home ~ 

I can honestly say that as of today, day 14 of Weston's mission we are doing great.  Weston looks amazing and continues to make strides in the language.  Your continued support and prayers are appreciated for him as well as all the other missionaries and their families.

Feeling so blessed this day.

Wes needs to feel the love…..

I just wanted to post the mailing address for the MTC.  Wes will be there for at least another month; go ahead drop him a letter or a small package.  He would love it and it would make him smile.


Elder Weston Brock Leatherow
El Salvador San Salvador East Mission
Charretera Tenayuca-Chalmita #828
Colonia Zona Escolar
Gustavo A Madero
07230 Mexico, Distrito FederalMexico

You now have several ways to "chat" with the cutest missionary:
….DearElder.com
….Hey Mr. Postman (using the address above)
….Hitting the send button on your computer to deliver the electronic mail

Come on you know you want to …..