A Missionary Christmas

So grateful for blessings!! So grateful that we could gather our family, Mom, Dad, Brother and Sisters, and Grandparents to Skpe with Mitch for Christmas for over an hour! Soo Soooo grateful for the inactive/nonmember family that had Mitchell and his amazing companion, Elder Vasquez, over to help them both connect to their families. I know that it literally cost them sooo much for our missionary to use their computer. May the Lord's choices blessing come to them!

 Elder Westenskow is doing great!! He had his first two Baptisms on December 22, 2014 He was so excited to bring them both down into the water. Other than loosing over 30 pounds he is loving the place, loving the people, and loving everything about teacher this amazing gospel!! He is just such a good kid!! How did we get so lucky??? Our Family has received sooo many blessing because of his service. Thanks to family, friends, and people we don't even know!! Love you all so much!

 A Missionary Christmas

 I skipped the sales after Thanksgiving. The thrill just wasn't there. No pictures taken with Santa Clause, My decorating has no flair. His presents are shoes, shirts, and ties, two suits and socks...no fun. I've bought him all white clothes because...

 This year I'm giving Christ my son.

 I've spent more time in the temple, my testimony stirred. I've reread 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 Zions, their sacrifice was so much more. My loss will be his presence, I'll miss his smile a ton. Always 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 make his soul divine. The stories and lessons he's 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. 

I know there's One who understands the sacrifice I'm making. Who know that 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 gathering's done, My gift has taken years to make.

 This year....I'm giving Christ my son

 Love our Missionary more than words can say...and miss him soo much it hurts...wouldn't want him anywhere else at this time of his life. Looking forward to next weeks letter and pictures of his baptisms. And I can't wait until Mothers Day when we can do this again!!

Hey Family:

This past week has been pretty good I guess seemed really long but we have a few more investigators so its all good.

Saturday es mi primera bautismo y yo estoy entusiasmado!! Their names are Meguelianny y Robelin. They are so excited to be baptized and I cant wait to baptize them.

 I got your package!!!!!! Thanks for all the stuff and my Campanion says thanks also. Don't worry... we haven't opened the Christmas packages but I did open the tums!! Later today we are moving houses and this next house is awesome.Please tell all those who put stuff in the box for m...e thank you so much and i know that the children here will love the HLJ rings and I cant wait to give them to them. We would have had more then 2 being baptized but the couple doesn't want to be married.. so we had to drop them. It's going to be hard to not be with you guys for this Christmas and see Mylee, Gentry, and Ryker open their presents and go to mis abuelos casas pero i know i am here for the right reason, and need to stay focused on the work and I can celebrate Christmas here for a few times I guess. We have been talking to our members here about Christmas  and what role do the members play during Christmas, we've shared a talk in the Liahona by Henry B. Eyring y necesitamos compartir nuestros testamonios con todas personas y un regalo es El Libro De Mormon. Es importante que hablamos con otras personas sobre La Iglesia De Jesucristo De Los Santos De Los Ultimos Dias. nuestros tesamonios puede traer mas personas a la Iglesia. 

Nothing else has been going on besides that, just working hard! I love you guys so much and I hope all of you have a great Christmas and enjoy the cold.  The People here remember what Christmas is really about because the people don't  give gifts but they know exactly what this day really means. Well I will talk to you over Skype next week and I cant wait to see your  faces. I really cant wait to here Gentry, Mylee, Ryker and voices. 

Love you guys sooo much and I'm glad Austin is doing a little better. GO PACKERS 

YOUR ELDER WESTENSKOW

Hello Family!!
 All good things are here . My Spanish is better but I need more time, just a little. I speak Spanish to my Campanion, and he wants in to be in enspañol during my time on the computer too. It'll help me.

The mission is really good and I love it here . We have been out of water for a few days in the house but it's back today ! One thing to be grateful for!  The baptisms are working out except for the 2, they won't get married.  We talked about marriage 3 times but we are still trying. We have a few more investigators and we think they are making progress.

We have to move houses because there is too much going on near our house,  and we have women trying to talk to us.  It'll be a good move, a better area. Finally my stomach is good and I can eat almost every meal here that the people fix. The coke is very good here, it has real sugar . They have a thing called coconut candy it's way good. I have lost a lot of weight and the other missionaries said I'm not fat no more. haha

Family, the people here are amazing and I  really like my area even though I have way too many hills . The people always say look look gringo, but it gives us  a chance to teach our message. I think me and my companion are getting better now, I can understand him. and the people in the neighborhood love me . See this is why I don't wright in Spanish because it does not make sense in English .

I am grateful for my friends and who are willing to serve a mission . I hope Logan did great in his fairwell and is excited to learn a new language . It can be hard sometimes but the people are willing to help and that is a huge blessing . I haven't received your package yet but I'm sure I will get it . I'm so excited for Christmas and to see you guys. Dad and Ryan on Christmas don't speak in English, my Spanish is still not the best though !  My dear parents I love you soo much and I am grateful for your example and your love for me . I pray that work will be good . Austin I have him in my prayers and I hope that he gets better and  will be o.k . I wish I could do more . My siblings I love you guys so much and hope you guys are doing  o.k . I pray you guys will be blessed and your families will be o.k and that you wont have any problems. My grandparents I love you guys so much. I'm grateful to have grandparents that love me and care for me soo much. You guys keep saying it is really cold there and I'm sorry, but i would swcith you any day . I miss snow, and sledding. I will get used to this heat one day. Ii love you and miss you soo much and I will talk to you next week .

Your Elder Westenskow

Hello family!

 This past week has been great . so my area is San Marcos. It's beautiful here!

On the 21st so we should have about five baptisms and 2 on the 28th!!  You guys have been saying that I look tired in my pictures. I'm sorry,  I really am doing fine now . The food still gets to me sometimes but I try not to worry about it.

We have been working really hard to get the investigators to come to church but they don't seem like they want to . The Spanish is coming slowly but surely, I think I just really need to study more . The names for baptisms are  Meguelianny , Roberline , Fausto and Gleni , Nelley , Areme and Sandra . Please pray for them!

 Im sorry to hear about Austin ! My companion and I will  pray for him! I have lost some weight and some people are noticing s o they keep giving me food and it's getting kind of hard.  Dad so I'm going to send a picture with my washing machine so you can see if you know how to fix it! Just kidding its not broken but its really different.

Today my companion and I went to the cable car which is where the statue of Jesus Christ. It is very large but it is not same as Brazils . I have photos of this statue. Family I know that this letter is not great but I want you know that I have much love for you. Mom I found out that I get to use Skype on Christmas and Mothers Day . So grandpa is going to have to tell me how to use Skype.I'm doing fine and I'm glad to hear that you are all doing fine and I will pray and fast for Austin.

There was a member at the church who was not feeling so good and she wanted me to give her a blessing and I did not know one in Spanish, but she wanted me to say it in English. I was able to give my first priesthood blessing!! It was something I wont forget . I love you guys so much and miss you guys a ton . I  wish you guys could  meet the  people here, Because they are loving and cheerful people and are ready to hear the gospel . I guess I need some time to send the pictures so love you and I will hear from you next week .

love Elder Westenskow

We just received this from Mitchell's Mission President...Looks a little tired but GREAT!!