October 29

Hey Son,

Well how is your new home so far and tell us about your companion. We hope you are adjusting to your new place. It must be nice to have a car. Just watch out for those crazy California drivers.
 

We started watching a show on BYUTV last night called The District. It is basically a reality show where they follow missionaries in San Diego around as they do their work. It reminds me of experiences and feelings I had on my mission, except they get more baptisms, and it clues the rest of the family in on what you are doing. I really think the girls want to go on missions, especially with the age change. I read in the Deseret New that missionary applications have increase 471% since the announcement in General Conference and over half of them are females. They are going to reduce MTC time by 1/3 somehow in order to keep up with the demand. They are also looking at opening more missions because members thougout the world are asking for more help.
 

You are part of an amazing work. The Lord's missionary program is powerful and vital to the inhabitants of this earth. I am so proud that you seemed to have jumped in with both feet and have been working hard.
 

Not much has changed here. Raina had a choir concert at the school last week. The general choir had close to 90 students. They acctually sounded good. Mr. Cavan is doing a good job and the band gets better and better each year.
 

Your sisters finished their first quarter and did well grade wise. They are busy with play practice and they perform later in November. Mom works hard like always, she's been running. Brandt has his first b-ball practice in Richfield today. He was picked first round in the South Sevier league which means he's considered the best player on his team. Not bad for a 5th grader I think.

I hope you have a great week. Let me know if you need anything.

Love, Dad

 

Hey Pops,

My new home is interesting. It is a four man pad. We sleep in the living room and study in the bedrooms. It's different, but I've adjusted. It is kind of nice to have a car, but now I have to watch
what I eat more closely. I'll have to make sure the holidays don't get me.

The District is sweet. They used those to train us in the MTC. I'm glad that it brought back memories for you. I wish I would have asked you more about your mission before I left.

This is one of the most exciting times I can imagine for me to be on a mission. President Alba is telling us to get ready to train and bike. We have about 165 missionaries in our mission, and on average all stateside missions will get 100 more. The work is moving faster and faster.

I'm glad that the kids did well in school and their other activities. They are a good crew.

I've spent a bit of money the last few weeks, and I hope that I haven't run too low. If you'd monitor that for me that would be great.

Thank you for helping me. This is the greatest work on earth.

Love,

Elder Williams