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 :)