Zone Conference

July 23

Dear Mom,

I love you. I miss talking with you.

After I have been out here for a while, I have decided that philosophies of men are scary, sometimes. Before I came out here I was shaken. I love truth and wisdom, though. I feel like I am more grounded in the gospel, now. I'm glad that you are. I feel like my learning the past year has helped me connect with people out here, though. I can talk to them in terms that the understand. It shocks them to hear those words out of a stereotypical looking missionary, sometimes.

We are going to be teaching Javier again. The Spanish elders didn't visit him, so maybe I will baptize him. The Lord gives us ten fold what we give away.

I love you,
Elder Williams

Hey Dad,

I'm glad that you got my letter. I feel like we did the right thing too. But, it turns out that we will teach him now. The spanish missionaries haven't seen him, so the Ap's said we're good to go.
Sounds like you are learning good stuff that you can use in work and mediation.

I'm glad that Brandt is doing so well. I hope the girls have a good time singing and all that. Let them know I am rooting for them.

Congrats on your calling. You'll do great. The Elder's quorum president here is cool. Let me know who you pick.

I miss you too. Thank you for all of your support. Thank you for your example and serving a mission.

Love,
Elder Williams

 

Dear Elder,

 attached a file of a lesson I gave in Relief Society yesterday. It was our 23rd anniversary so I talked about how Christ uses marriage as a metaphor for the church and himself. If you get time, maybe you could read over it. I learned many valuable truths and gained insight in how much the Lord loves us.

I hope your lessons are going well with the investigators you are teaching. We pray that they will be touched by the spirit and choose to come into the fold.

Dad and I went to the St.George Temple on Monday and did the sealings for the names we had. It was a neat experience to finish them up. As we knelt across the altar and heard the prayers, I just kept thinking of "the weight of glory" . We have been offered so many promises and blessings if we will live worthily. It's too much to comprehend, but I hope to keep my covenants so that I can live with God and my family through eternity.

I love you and send you my blessings and prayers.

Mom

Meet and Greet

Introductions to the new mission president and his wife

 Sister Alba

 President Alba

Dear Mom,

Thank you for the package. It made my day. I liked the little poem on the M&M's.

The weeks keep speeding up. I blink, and a day is already gone. So much happens in so little time.

It's hard to know what to say, because it is all a rush. I didn't have the opportunity to baptize Javier, but it is okay. I was getting worried about him, so Elder Cartwright and I decided to have an elder who spoke Spanish talk to him. He had some concerns that he couldn't express in English, so we decided to give him to the Spanish missionaries. It was a good call, and I feel better that he can express his concerns in his mother tongue. It was hard to give him over, but we have been blessed because we sacrificed.

Now we have four people with baptismal dates. Channa is a young mother who has a strong belief in Christ and a strong relationship with the Spirit. She has a 16 month old baby named Noah, and a husband named Justin. We hope we can teach Justin soon too. Her date is 8/4.

Travis is a 30 year old man who has a lot of mental and substance abuse problems. It has been amazing to see him grow, however, through the Book of Mormon. I know that it has cleared up his thoughts and helped him try to quit tobacco. When he was reading consistently he was down to one cigarette a day, but he as since been shakey. It is hard to see him waver. He has a goal of 8/4.

Issac is a nine year old boy who wasn't baptized when he was eight. His parents are members, but they are less active. Through working with Issac we are hoping to reactivate the whole family. 8/25 is his date.

Cody is the last person. He is a Cambodian man that Elder Cartwright met on exchanges. I haven't met him yet. I don't know what his date is.

The members of the ward I'm in are amazing. They always do nice little favors for us. I'm blessed to have been put here.

I am starting to become more sensitive to little, tender mercies. The Lord blesses us everyday because of prayer. I look at every encounter with those around me as an opportunity for growth and service.

I'm glad that you have been able to do things with LEMI. It has been interesting to see the political climate her in California. The world needs more people to associate themselves with things like LEMI.

Parker J. Palmer would be a good member of the church. He knows a lot of truth.

I really enjoyed the quotes you used in your talk. I also love what you said, "Seek, apply, live, teach." That is what everyone needs to do. We as missionaries try to find people who are seeking and guide them through the rest.

The main thing that I have learned about the Spirit is that I shouldn't worry. If I am doing what I am supposed to, everything will work out.

I love you mom. Thank you for all you do.

Love,
Elder Williams

Dear Elder Williams,

I'm teaching Raina's Sunday School class and have been reading about Helaman, Shiblon, and Corianton. Three sons with three very different personalities. A lesson that I've learned from this is even though we are shaped by our environment and genes, we ultimately we are responsible for ourselves. Helaman was strong because he listened to the counsel of his father, trusted in the Lord, and was obedient. Shiblon was impressed by his own intellect and was warned to be humble. Corianton--- well, he was 'cool', and was led into temptation. Maybe he wasn't led, but he followed his own desires and didn't listen to anyone else. Three examples of three men who made decisions which affected not only the outcome of their own lives, but of many others as well.

Helaman, Shiblon, and Corianton. Regardless of how one is raised, each person is an agent unto himself and will answer to God for his life and his actions. Another thing that has really struck me is my life is not my own....I am responsible to others through the example I set. Because of Corianton, many people fell away. Because of Helaman, many were brought unto Christ. I'm glad that you are serving a mission and bringing people to the knowledge of God and his beloved son. I'm grateful that you are obedient and submissive to the will of the Lord. I'm so proud and humbled that you are my son. You are a great person and have taught me so much. I love you.

Mom

July 16

Dear Dad,

Elder Stainback says, "Hey". He's a crazy, funny elder. Javier wasn't comprhending a few things, so we gave him to the Spainish Elders. I was worried about him, because he is influenced by some weird new age stuff. We corrected him, but I feel better that he can take the lessons in his mother tongue.

I'm glad that mom did a good job (on the talk). It's hard to believe that she has already given the first report.

It sounds like you have a tough choice ahead (regarding the drywall) Maybe if you wait long enough Burke will have already moved. That'd make it an easy choice.

I'm super happy for Brandt. It's cool that he is starting to see the fruits of all that practice. He's so funny. I'm glad that the crowd didn't hurt his feelings.

I hope Raina sticks with Cross Country.

I'm changing all the time. This mission will make me a better son. Thank you for being a good father to me.

Love,
Elder Williams

July 16

Hi Mom and Dad,
I don't have much time for email today, so I'm writing you all
letters. The life of a bike missionary is one of interesting
challenges. So, expect them in a couple of days.
I didn't have the opportunity to baptize Javier, but I have some good
news that I'll tell you about.
Love you,
Elder Williams

Dear Elder Williams,

After I gave my talk last week about you and your mission, I received a comment that I've thought a lot about. Someone said, "Philosophy is really scary stuff." I didn't agree with them...I just didn't really say anything because it was in passing, but it made me think.

I don't find anything frightening about philosophy. Philosophy is the love of wisdom. Each and every person lives by a philosophy they hold. It may be by default or it may be a deliberate choice, but we each live according to our belief system. I think it is important to be deliberate in how you live because of the outcome is of eternal importance. I truly believe that ideas have consequences. I've been listening to the philosopher series again, this time on ethics, and it is making a lot more sense.  I'm more familiar with the people and terms so I can put things into context. Anyways, you can truly see why people believe what they do, live how they live, choose what they choose, and the values they hold. It is because of ideas set down and philosophies considered as truth. Truth has been undermined and become an arbitrary thing. It all has it's roots in the war in heaven though. Lucifer is a very sophisticated and clever devil. He makes principles of goodness sound bad, turns wrong into right, and truth into falsehood. For example, Jean Paul Sartre is a very intelligent atheist. He appeals to the pride of the natural man and the desire for power.

Anyways, I love learning about ideas, because you can see how they have come pass and become our reality. Philosophy governs law, justice, moral codes, family, culture, and so many other things. It is important to understand so you can speak with authority about Christ, Christian principles, and the philosophy of truth which comes from God in the written word. I believe you can gain this from the Book of Mormon, but if you can also speak to people on their own turf about their philosophy, they may listen with a more attentieve ear. But it is truly the spirit that speaks. We need to use our heart, mind, faith, and the spirit to stand as a witness of God.

I was so happy to read you letter. Sacrifice is painful but, you did it for the greater good. You knew that Javier would be able to understand better with Spainish speaking elders and so you choose the higher road of giving him over. It will be of eternal significance--- the decision you made. It truly shows your character and your willingness to submit to the Lord.

I love you and pray for you.

Mom

Hi again,

I wanted to share some scriptures with you that I thought was very pertinent to my previous email.

Proverbs 2: 6 For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous.

Proverbs 8:10,11 Receive my instruction, an not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold... for wisdom is better than rubies

33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.

35For whoso findeth me findeth life

Proverbs 10: 13 In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found....wise men lay up knowledge.

I think that is important to gain wisdom and to keep your core values in tact. We are to be as wise as serpents and as harmless as doves. It is a responsibility to gain an education and I think a liberal education is the knowledge of freedom. Art, science, math, astronomy, philosophy, literature---they all tie together and are interwoven into a tapestry so that we may lift the veil and witness the majesty of God. He is a knowable God. He loves us and wants us to learn and grow. But if we want to understand, we must be humble. I have learned that to 'understand' means to 'stand-under' which denotes submission. We must not trust in our own limited capacity to master the complexities of the life. Truth will witness to us the mysteries if we will listen and allow it to come to us. Search, ponder, and pray-- this is the key to having initiative and gaining knowledge in addition to submission in listening to the spirit.

With love,

Mom

July 2, 2012

Dear Mom,
Thanks for the package. It cheered me up to get some things from home. It sounds like you have been reading some awesome books. I've been reading a lot out of Jesus the Christ. I read a chapter a day, so I should get through it soon. I've been reading a chapter from all of the standard works everyday too. I have an hour of personal study and an hour of companion study.

I really love the pictures you sent me. The garden looks beautiful and the kids look happy. Could you send me one of the new family photo's?

I'm glad that the girls had a good time at EFY. I did love going to the Con-con's and 4-H things. Thank you for all of those. They shaped me for the better. We do role plays out here as part of our studies, so being exposed to simulations back at home has helped me out here.

My mission is hard, but I am beginning to realize that I don't have to worry if I turn myself over to the Lord. If I do, I will be in the right time at the right place and I'll say the right things to the right people. I can learn from every encounter with every person. God places them in my path for a reason. I am planting seeds, but I can also find those who are ready to be baptized. We are teaching a fellow named Javier. He is going to be baptized next week. The first day I was out here, I had the opportunity to invite him to be baptized and he said he would. It was his first lesson, but from the things he has told us I know that God prepared him for the Gospel. He already lives so much of it and he is so charitable. His testimony of Christ is amazing---an example to me.

You were good at facing trials, mom. You are a great example to me- the best in fact. I love you and I am grateful that you are my mother.

The fires in Utah sound scary. I will pray for you and everyone that has been affected.

I'm very glad that you and Brandt were safe on you hike.

The Book of Mormon truly is written for our day. It is hard to comprehend for me how perfectly tailored it is to our day.

I get along quite well with my companion. I have learned a lot from him. I think that he was the right person for me, because of how much I have learned. He is from Detroit and is a happy fellow. The members in the Bennett Valley Ward are super awesome and supportive. Right now we are doing laundry at a members house which is super nice. Last time we did laundry it was at the apartment's coin operated ones, and the left nasty spots all over my shirts. I was incensed. The members who are letting us do this are the Wilson's. Brother Wilson is from Hurricane. His dad owned Clifton's Market in Hurricane, so I think we, you and I, are related to him. I told him Wayne Wilson was your grandpa. Small world and even smaller in the church.

I'm glad you love temple work so much. I want to be a temple worker when I get back. This Saturday we are going, as a zone, to the Oakland Temple. I'm excited for that.

Thanks again for the package and everything else. I grateful for your prayers.

I love you.
Elder Williams

Dear Dad,

Thank you for the email. I enjoyed reading your updates on everyone.

I have been trying to push myself. Obedience has been a quest for me, and I am reaping the benefits of it. Thank you for the encouragement. I wrote mom about a guy that I think the gospel clicks with. His name is Javier.

I'm glad the girls did a lot of good things at EFY. Sounds like a blast. Tell Aubree congrats for me. She did great. tell Raina thanks for the support and that I'm glad that she is learning so much about Christ. Let Brandt know I am proud of his hard work with basketball.

I got a GT Aggressor 3.0. bike. It's pretty sweet. $300 bucks.

I don't need anything right now, but I want to thank you for all of your support. I know that I need to be here, and God's hand has been guiding me.

I'm glad the family room is almost done. Send me pictures.

Love,
Dad  <that's really what Talon wrote :)

Mission President

Goodbye President and Sister Bunker

Hello President and Sister Alba

New Mission President for the Santa Rosa California Mission

Welcome!

We are excited to be here and to be part of the Great Santa Rosa Mission. We are also overwhelmed to be following in the footsteps of President and Sister Bunker. How lucky you have been to have had them here and to feel of their light. They have left a ‘House of Order’… and they will be missed.

We have been instructed that the moment our feet touch the ground in California every elder, sister and couple will fall under our care and into our hands. We are overwhelmed but determined to do the best we can and we love them already! They, after our own family, will become our number one concern and our number one responsibility. They will become our missionaries, and we will teach them, listen to them, learn from them, care for them, laugh with them, work with them, get to know each one of them individually and love them.

The desire of our hearts is to teach the Doctrine of Christ through the power of the Holy Ghost in every situation we engage in such a manner that every missionary will know it unfailingly, express it repeatedly and live it eternally. 

We will obey.

Love, President and Sister Alba

All Mission Conference

Wednesday June 27, 2012

All Mission Conference

Santa Rosa South Zone 

Missionaries serving in Santa Rosa 

Elder Williams and Elder Cartwright with Sister Missionaries

Dear Family,

I'll tell you about the people and work I've done in the last week.
First, I'll tell you all how it was arriving. I hopped on the plane and got to sleep for a bit. I woke up at 2:30 that morning, so I needed it. We woke up so that we could say goodbye to the Elder's in our district who were going to the Pennsylvania Philadelphia Mission.

I sat by Elder Thomson on the flight, and he fell asleep fast.

We landed in Oakland and met President and Sister Bunker, the AP's and a senior couple. They drove us to the mission office and we did some paper work. That night we had a fireside that the AP's taught, and we got to meet the trainers. We didn't sleep in the mission home. We stayed at a hotel which was nice. I slept on the best mattress that I'll get to have for the next two years. Then we woke up and went to the mission office. President Bunker spoke to us and then we were assigned to our companions. Elder Cartwright is my companion. He is from Detroit and has been out for three months. His is a good guy--energetic and cheerful.

My first area is in Santa Rosa. It is called the Bennett Valley Ward. It is pretty big. I bought a bike on Saturday. Elder Cartwright let me ride his bike until then. He rode a bike that his former companion let him use. It is pretty old and made from other bike pieces, so he is nice for letting me ride his.

I finally got sheets today, too. I was cold for a bit. I should have had mine mailed out, ha ha.

Javier is on or our investigators. We taught him the first night I was here. I invited him to be baptized, and he said he would. I really hope it works out. His is influenced by a lot of new age stuff so that worries me. He loves the Savior though. I hope he makes it.

The other people I have worked with are pretty new. You have to contact so many people in order to get one baptism. I have hope for two other people, too. Chris is a single dad who is looking for a set of morals to pass on to his daughter. WE taught him with a member named Jeff that he used to work with. I think Chris was more receptive because Jeff was there.

There is a young mom named Channa and her husband Justin that I hope commit to baptism. They have a 15 month old baby.

We work with less actives and try to visit referrals that we get, but most don't pan out. I think the best way to get baptisms is to work with members. It worked for this one lady, I forget her name, who was baptized. Our Elders Quorum president introduced her to the church. They work together. It was awesome to see that baptisms are possible out here.

My testimony is being refined all the time. More than ever, I see the tie between suffering and blessings. All I need to do is turn my will over to God, then everything will work out. It is so hard to submit, but when I do I become an instrument for good. I love you all and I hope all is well.

Love, Elder Williams

Dear Elder Williams,

As I’ve been reading the Book of Mormon, I’ve taken special notice of all the scriptures that speak to the principle of freedom and liberty. I would like to share some of them with you.

Mosiah 5:8 And under this head ye are made free, and there is no other head whereby ye can be made free. There is no other name given whereby salvation cometh; therefore, I would that ye should take upon you the name of Christ.

Alma 8: 17 for behold, they do study at this time that they may destroy the liberty of thy people which is contrary to the statues and judgments and commandments which he has given unto his people.

Alma 46: 10 …he led away the hearts of many people to do wickedly; yea, and to seek to destroy the church of God, and to destroy the foundation of liberty which God had granted unto them.

Alma 61:9 …My soul standeth fast in the liberty in the which God hath made us free.

Alma 62: 37 he had been a man who had fought valiantly for his country, yea, a true friend to liberty

Helaman 15:7 ….and as many of them as are brought to the knowledge of the truth….and are led to believe the holy scriptures, yea the prophecies of the holy prophets, …which leadeth them to faith on the Lord and unto repentance, which faith and repentance bringeth a change of heart unto them

Helaman 15: 8 Therefore, as many as have come to this, ye know of yourselves are firm and steadfast in the faith, and in the thing wherewith they have been made free.

I think of these scriptures not in only in governmental terms, but more importantly in the way that through the atonement of Christ we are free from death and hell and sin and regret and the horrors of eternity if we are to be separated and cut off from God. Through the atonement of Christ, we can be made free from fear and pain and habits that bind us down into the depths of depression and loneliness. He can change our natures and make us new creatures. He can alter our weaknesses and change them into powerful forces for good. I often times feel obscure and small and weak, however, I know that Christ has redeemed me and bought me with such a great price that I know that I have an opportunity to become perfected through his grace and mercy. I can do nothing of myself, but in Helaman14:13,  I am comforted with this: and if ye believe on his name ye will repent of all your sins, that thereby ye may have a remission of them through his merits.

I love you and wish you peace and happiness. I’m proud of you and grateful that you are serving a mission for the spreading of the ‘good news’ of the gospel. I hope you can bring the light of Christ and liberty he freely offers to all mankind to those you are serving.

With love,

Mom