Happy New Years Eve

Happy New Year's Eve,

 

I've been on a spree...not a shopping spree or an eating spree, but a cleaning spree. I've cleaned out every closet, under every bed, in nooks and crannies and everywhere in between. It feels so good. I've given loads of stuff to the DI, and thrown sacks and sacks of stuff out. For example, I've had notes from college that are 20 years old, and decided that I just don't need them anymore! It has been very freeing. :)
 

It reminds me of repentance and forgiveness. We hold onto stuff for some reason,but when we realize that it is just weighing us down and cluttering up our lives, then giving it up makes life much easier. Through forgiveness, we open up our lives to receive peace and the light of Christ. Through repentance, we open our hearts to truth and knowledge of God. I am reminded of King Lamoni who said I will give up my sins to know thee. I need to give away my sins to know Christ. I want to be receptive to the spirit, but if I have spiritual clutter I am cutting myself off from his presence.
 

Clutter comes to us in many forms. For example I think being overly busy is clutter. Dwelling on regrets is clutter. Focusing on external trivia is clutter. I know that I have way, way, way to much clutter in my head, but I am going to work on simplifying my life. I want to have room to be open to the spiritual promptings that may come.
 

I hope your new area is ready for one great missionary and servant of God. Please send me you address again. I lost the paper when I was cleaning!
 

Oh, by the way, I threw away all of your stuff that you had stored, because I figured that you won't need it anymore and want to help you be free of clutter.

Just kidding. :)

It was great to Skype with you on Christmas. You look so good...you have the missionary glow.

I love you.

Mom


 

 

Dear Mom,

It is good to hear that the year is really going to be a good start. I love that comparison to forgiveness. We just need to let go of the things that tie us down.

My mission has been good for me for a few reasons. One of those is that I am overcoming some personality quirks that hold me back from being being the best I could be. I love the Atonement, and how it helps us to change. People are afraid to change, but in reality it is one of the greatest gifts the Lord has given to us. I've been leaning into these changes, because I know that I will be happier as a result.

I love seeing people change. I've been learning about how truly powerful the gospel is in helping people change. Because of my growing testimony of the converting power of the Gospel, it is easier and easier for me to have hope for change in others. Sometimes it feels like I am beating on a rock when I talk to some people. I feel like I can love them more and more, because I know that God loves them and knows they can change. All they have to do is choose.

The area is white already to harvest. There is nothing better than being in the right place at the right time and saying the right things to the right people. When I do that, I feel successful.

My address is:
683 Spring Street
Fortuna, CA 95540

It was great to see everyone on Skype. Even Ra-Ra, ha ha.

Love,

Elder Williams

 

Noel

Noel Elder Williams,

 

"The Son of God became a man to enable men to become the sons of God." C.S. Lewis
 

I've been reading Mere Christianity again and I just love the analogy he uses about how we are like statues trying to become real. I found this quote by Howard W. Hunter that really adds to the comparison:
 

"The real Christmas comes to him who has taken Christ into his life as a moving, dynamic, vitalizing force. The real spirit of Christmas lies in the life and mission of the Master...."
 

We are not fully awake until we awake to the possibilities that God has available to us. We are like an empty vessel unless we fill our soul with light and truth. The light and truth came down to us in the form of a helpless baby, yet it is a magnificent insight into the love that God has for us that he would send His only begotten Son, to help the truly helpless. I'm grateful for this hope we have.

 

My wish is to do as Charles Dickens suggests through Scrooge: "I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year."
 

I'm looking forward to talking with you. Let's plan on 12 Mountain Time.

Ho, ho, ho,

Mom

 

 

 

 

Hi Mom,

I love C.S. Lewis. He would have been a great Mormon.

This week has been crazy! Thursday I had an all mission conference, so
it was good to see all of my missionary buddies. It was in Santa Rosa,
so it is about a 6 hour drive from where I was at.

Then on Friday night Elder Penman and I caught a ride with some
members down to the Sacramento area, and on Saturday we went to the
Sacramento Temple. We did some proxy work first, then we got to see
one of his converts be sealed to her husband. It was really special.

On Friday night I got a call from President Alba. He asked me to move
to another area. So, I'm now in Fortuna with a new companion. It is
crazy. The area is so different. After getting back to McKinleyville
at 11 at night I packed a few things and headed down to Fortuna. The
elder before me had a talk, so I got to do one in my new ward. It was
good because I think that the ward likes me.

So we cover a ward, and also a branch about 40 minutes south of us.
So, right after we taught a class in the ward we had to go to the
branch. It is so small!

It'll be fun telling you more about it tomorrow.

I'll make 12 MTN work. I'm planning on skyping, so I will call dad's
skype. He emailed it to me. My skype is talliams. If I don't get you
on skype I'll call you on the phone. It all depends on if we can skype
at a member's home in my new area. I had it all set up in
McKinleyville, so we'll see what happens.

Love,

Elder Williams

Hey Talon,

We are all wondering if you had your baptism over the weekend. You have been having a great mission as far as conversions go. It makes me feel more optomistic about our country knowing there are people out there looking for truth and a better way to live. We are so blessed to have the gospel to guide us through perilous times.

We had our ward Christmas party and the girls performed a duet. They did good even though the claimed to not know the words to thier song very well. Brandt got to sit on Santa's lap perhaps for the last time in his life. He had 2 games this week. He played well in both and he really dominated in his game Saturday which they won.

We are all going to see the Hobbit tonight. It is nearly 3 hours long so it better be good. We will all be going to SLC on the weekend to shop around and see the lights at Temple Square.

I don't really monitor your bank account. In fact you should be able to go to an ATM and check the balance yourself. Just do a balance inquiry.

Did you go to the Doctor yet? Hope you are feeling better.

Love Dad

 

Hey Pops,

The baptism went through, and I had the opportunity to preform it. It
was really special for me. She's the first person that I've baptized.
Sister Graves is really solid. She is going to be in the Relief
Society presidency or something like that soon, I bet. Her daughter
has a date for the 5th and another gal, the daughter of a family
friend of Sister Graves, who is also a part member family, wants to be
baptized then too. We also have another lady named Lorretto all lined
up for the 12th. McKinleyville is a great place to be. The Lord is
blessing us.

The lines are becoming more crisp between good and evil. I heard about
the shooting on Friday, so the baptism was a strange juxtaposition.
I'm grateful I made it out on my mission, because I'm seeing more and
more the importance of allying ourselves with the Lord.

Sounds like the kids are doing well. I hope they enjoy their break.

You'll have to get the Hobbit on blue ray so I can watch it on the 75
inch tv you'll have in the family room, ha ha. The plans look really
good. I'm glad that you are able to expand the garage.

I got permission from the zone leaders to check my account on p day,
so it works out. I'm doing alright, I think.

I haven't seen a doctor. The mission nurse has tried to get some to
call me, but it hasn't worked out so far. I'm doing okay, though,

I've got an account set up too for Skype, so it should be easy to set
that up on Christmas day. Pick a time and I'll be ready.

Love,

Elder Williams

Feliz Navidad

Feliz Navidad Elder Williams,

 

Here is a thought by Neal A. Maxwell:

"The Father and our Savior desire to lead us through love, for if we were merely driven where They wish us to go, we would not be worthy to be there, and, surely, we could not stay there. They are Shepherds, not sheep-herders."

 

I would like to be a shepherd. Being a shepherd is true leadership. Leadership isn't about a title you carry, but about who you are. It is a choice of taking upon yourself responsibility. And foremost, I think leadership is service. That is what being a missionary is, right? Serving, leading through love, and accepting responsibility?
 

We had the ward Christmas party and Brandt sat on Santa's lap. It was cute. All the kids were asking for Ipod's, Wii, etc, but when Brandt got up there and was asked the big question, he told Santa that he wanted a llama. I would like a llama too! It would be fun to have another animal. I loved Nellie the goat. She and I were tight. We spoke the same language, liked the same food (vegetable matter) and enjoyed hiking up tall places. She was funny, wasn't she.
 

Are you excited for Christmas? I'm looking forward to talking to you. Everyone is excited, especially Brandt.
 

I hope you are healthy. Did you get your last package? I sent you a bird. I hope it made it to California ok. :)
 

Did the baptism happen Saturday? Wow, what an amazing experience to have a mom and her kids choose to join the church.

We are praying for you.

With love,

Mom

 

 

Hi Mom,

I love that thought. I love your thought about it too. Christ's form
of leadership is truly the best. I've seen how different leaders work
in the mission, and the most successful ones are those who give of
themselves. Lately I've been more aware of how necessary it is to
sacrifice one's own wants and desires. The Lord can make my life a lot
better than I can. I've just got to follow Him. True leadership comes
from following the Over-Shepherd.

I don't know if I'm a fan of llamas. You can't ride them. Nellie, on
the other hand, could be ridden, ha ha.

I am excited for Christmas. We'll have to set up a time that I can Skype home.

I'm feeling better. I think those herbs helped a bunch. I did get a
bird, and I did put it on something, ha ha.

I'm so grateful for this last week. Tina was baptized on Saturday and
confirmed on Sunday. I was able to preform my first baptism, and it
was such an honor to be a part of her progression to the Celestial
Kingdom. I have grown in appreciation for the gift of the Priesthood.
I've preformed priesthood ordnance before, but it was a very special
experience for me to preform a baptism. She is being a great example
to her family too. We were able to set a baptismal date with her
daughter for the 5th of January as well as one of their family
friends.

We also have another lady with a date named Loretto. Her sister is
married to a stake president in Utah, so she has been exposed to the
church before. She has been so prepared by the Lord to accept the
message that we share. She is going to be baptized on January 12th.

I love it here, and I love the work. Thank you for all of your support.

Love,

Elder Williams

 

 

 

Happy Hanukkah

Happy Hanukkah Elder Williams,

 

 

We are going to celebrate Hanukkah for Family Nght. I love to light the candles and eat latkes and doughnuts. It's a beautiful tradition. I love the story surrounding Hanukkah and the symbolism of the lights.

 

It is Charles Dickens 200th  anniversary this year. I love Dickens and his stories. Have you ever read The Chimes? I'm reading it now and it's thought provoking and a bit melancholy, but I love it. I am also reading out loud to the family, The Life of Our Lord by Dickens. President Hinkley mentioned this book several years ago, and I thought it would be a great year to read it. Brandt and I also went to the Dickens Festival in St.George and it was a fun day.
 

I have been teaching a class this year about Tolkein and we have read the LOR trilogy over the past 14 weeks. I have learned so much about pride, power, mission, calling, duty, and other things. It has been an epic adventure. I have used the EPIC as a layout for my classes. E for experiences, P for patterns, I for inquiry, and C for connections. I've been immersed in Middle Earth and all the while been learning many things about the regular ol' earth we live on. The battles are the same....over ideals, freedom, truth, and what is the summum bonum or greatest good. I'm not a fantasy fan by any means, but I can see how the symbolism and parallels can teach powerful lessons. It is a story and stories are how we humans are wired to learn.
 

I was able to participate in baptisms for the dead yesterday with the youth. It has been many years since I've had that experience---the last time was when I was in Young Womens as a young woman. It was neat to watch the baptisms and listen to the names. I wonder how many years it took to find their names and how long the deceased waited for this opportunity. Think of all the stories connected to these people....it is fascinating to wonder about them.
 

I hope you are well and hope that the Spirit of Christmas is in your heart.

With much love,

Mom

 

 

Dear Mom,


I'm glad that you are celebrating Hanukkah. There aren't a lot of Jewish people up here in McKinleyville, but there were a lot down in San Rafael. I feel like it is part of my heritage, spiritually and family.

I haven't ever read that book, but I always think it is so wonderful that General Authorities mention people like Dickens in their talks. It shows me that they read out of the best books, and can lead us to
some of the best books.

I'm kind of jealous to hear that you have been teaching that class. I've always been interested in Tolkien, but there is so much to know with him. You'll have to teach me someday about him.

I love the temple so much. I've been learning a bit about becoming a Savior on Mount Zion. There is so much to do in the temple.

We've had a successful week. A lady named Tina is going to be baptized on Saturday, and she came to church. Also, one of our recent converts, Erik, has been coming to lessons with us and blessed the sacrament yesterday. It was so wonderful to see him progress in the gospel.

The bishop gave a wonderful talk that helped me catch some more of the Christmas Spirit. I feel like this time of year will be very fruitful for missionary work.

Love,

Elder Williams

 

 

 

Hi Talon,

These weeks keep flying by between emails. Soon we will be able to speak to you on Christmas. Speaking of Christmas, I spoke in church yesterday on Christmas. I was the last speaker and time was about gone so I had to give an abreviated version of my talk but it went OK. Also had tithing settlement. It is nice to be able to say we are full tith payers. I don't dare get behind on it ever. This coming Saturday we have the ward Christmas party and the Elders are doing the decorations.

Brandt is getting very excited for Christmas. I don't even know what he thinks he's going to get.  Mom and I plan on keeping things simple this year.

 

As you can see we are in the design phase of the garage. It will be puny but that's just the way it is.

Not a whole lot going on at home in the last week. Brandt had 3 games. He had 12 points in Richfield, 23 and 9 in Monroe. I ended up coaching the first 2 games. He won the first two games and lost by 2 pts in the last game. His Richfield team is pretty good and he works to get everyone involved. Every kid on that team scored points last week. His Monroe team isn't too good. I call it Brandt and the 7 dwarfs. When he comes out of the game they always seem to get way behind and then have to fight hard to catch up. He has made 6/9 3 point shots this season. He has capsilesed his basketball saying last season was, LEARNING, this season is, BREAKOUT, and next year will be, DOMINATION. These are his words not mine but it may be an accurate description.

Hope you are getting over your cold. If not I suggest you get to the doctor and get checked out. The doctor's office can just call me or mom and we can give them payment infor over the phone or perhaps your mission office has somone the missionaries all see. Just take care of yourself.

We pray for your safety and success.

 

Love,

Dad

 

 

Dear Dad,

The weeks really do fly by. I've been out for a long time already, it seems. Speaking of that, I can actually Skype home. So, I'll look more into that and maybe you could get an account figured out.

I'm glad to hear that your talk went well. There were some good ones yesterday in church for us, and I think that it helped my mindset.

It has been a blessing to have you and mom keep the commandments. I'm glad that you pay your tithing and can go to the temple. I'm learning more and more that the blessings of obedience far outweigh the small sacrifice.

Simple is good. I feel lots freer when I'm not weighed down. I've been in houses of people who are hoarders and they are so trapped by all of their stuff. Simple is good.

The garage plans look really good. I bet it will be nice just to be able to park inside, even though it will be small. I'll have to help you build a shed or something for storage.

I'm glad Brandt has that little mantra. I hope he keeps going for it. I challenged him to read the Book of Mormon before he gets the priesthood next year, so maybe you could help him out.

I'm going to see the doc soon. The Church takes care of all of the medical stuff. I've just gotta do a small copay. I've been getting some stuff on my debit card. Should I worry about how much I have, or do you monitor it?

I've been having some great experiences. I feel like God is trusting me with more things. We've blessed a lot of people, and we are having more success. I'm learning so much out here. I want to be able to say that I did all the Lord wanted me to and have no regrets. There are just so many blessings to be had for everyone. We have another baptism for this Saturday. Her name is Tina, and she is the mom of five kids. We hope that we can baptize the ones that are old enough. Her husband has been supportive of her decision to join and her kids like church. It has been a blessing to see her come close to the Lord.

Thanks for everything.

Love,

Elder Williams

Happy Holidays

Happy Holidays Elder Williams,
 

In Sunday School the question was asked is Santa Claus is real. I said that if you quit believing in Santa, then all you get for Christmas is underwear. :)
 

We talked about miracles and if they still exist today. There were some good examples. But it kept running through my mind that we experience a miracle every Sabbath ...it's the miracle of forgiveness we can receive when we partake of the sacrament. I've been thinking of the song, "Amazing Grace". I think it should be a Christmas song. It is so beautiful and I love the lyrics which say:
 

'Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.'
 

I am a wretch. I'm a sinner and fallen being. My only hope is in Jesus Christ who can save me. I'm grateful for his compassion and divine intervention. I hope I will receive this gift fully.
 

In tonight's Christmas devotional, President Uchtdorf spoke about being a cheerful giver and also being a cheerful receiver. I am not a cheerful receiver. It is a struggle for me to receive because I feel like I owe a debt to whomever gives to me. I know this is the wrong way to be. I have thought about it and that is how I feel towards Christ....like a debtor and an unworthy receiver. President Uchtdorf helped me realize that I'm not receiving the Atonement fully. I need to trust and have faith that he will indeed do what he has promised...redeem me even though I'm a wretch, a fallen person who has so many weaknesses. I've been walking in blindness, because I haven't seen the miracle of love and forgiveness that we are offered with compassion. Hopefully, I can open my eyes to the gift and open my heart to receive it.

 

 

I love you. I pray for you. I was able to attend the temple and put your name on the prayer roll as well as Erik's. I hope that he was baptized. I hope he accepted the true gospel and received the Holy Ghost.

 

 

Many blessings to you and those whom you are teaching.

 

 

With love,

Mom

 

 

 Dear Mom,

Thank you for sending those letters from all of the other missionaries
in the Stake. That was a blast from the past. It was really neat to
see how the different Elders took to the work and their missions.
Could you ask Sister Oscarson for Luke's address? Preferablly his
mission office address.

Thank you for sharing your insights that you gained from the Christmas
devotional. I've been struggling with the same thing. I hate it when I
make the same stupid mistakes over and over again, but I know that it
can be made right through the Atonement. Trust and faith are something
I'm growing in, now I'm trying to grow in humiliy so that I can submit
and accept.

Thank you for praying for Erik. Erik was baptized on Saturday and was
confirmed and ordained to the office of a priest on Sunday. It has
truly been a joy to be a part of his journey into the church. So many
missionaries and members have helped him along the way, and now he is
in a great position to bless others. I dearly hope he serves a mission
in the future.

We set a baptismal date with a lady named Tina the other day for the
15th of December. The Lord is truly great and wants His children to
join His church. There are miracles happening here in McKinleyville,
and I'm so grateful to be a part of the Lord's work here. It has been
an interesting and wonderful experience working here.

I love you Mom. Thank you for sending me those addresses too.

Love,

Elder Williams

 

 

 

 

Hi Talon,
 

We were happy to hear about your baptism and hope the other one happened this past weekend. We earnestly pray for your success. Hopefully you are continueing to feel better and your cold hasn't slowed you down. My first Christmas out on my mission, my companion and I were both sick and had to stay in for about 3 days. It wasn't fun at all.
 

Lots of talk in church yesterday about the change in the missionary program and elders being sent to China soon for as long as 3 years. All the other parents of missionaries are talking about how many more missionaries will be sent to their son's missions. You mentioned you may get up to as high as 250 missionaries. I definately think the change is the right thing to do.
 

Brandt had one game last week and it was in Richfield. I think it was his best yet. He scored a few less points but he had a complete game with rebounding and assists and just making smart plays. He has struggled with free throws the past 2 weeks though. It's funny because 3 weeks ago he won the Elks Lodge sponsored free throw contest at school and this past Saturday he competed against kids from 13 schools and won. He got a nice trophy and advances to another competition in January where region winners from St. George to Nephi will be competining in Monroe for a chance to go to the State finals in Provo.

 

 

The girls have been practicing a duet that they will sing at thier Christmas recital and Raina is now the back up piano player for the school choir on days when Sis. Anderson can't make it. It has made Raina more motivated to practice. Aubree has been working hard on the yearbook. She has done some really nice work.

 

 

I should be meeting this week with a guy that can draw up plans for the garage.

I hope all is well with you and you have a great week.
 

Love Dad

 

 

Hey Pops,

Thank you so much for the prayers. Erik was baptized, confirmed, and
ordained to the office of a priest. It was such a sweet experience. He
overcame it all and was successful. We've got another lady with a
date, the 15th. We gave her a blessing on Sunday and she accepted her
date too. She is a member referal that we got the first week I was
here, so I'm grateful that the Lord prepared her to recieve the
Gospel.

I'm looking forward to the big jump in numbers. Today is transfer
Tuesday, so in about 3 months it'll really hit out here.

This cold is still bugging me. I've had it for over 2 months now, but
I got a blessing today so I should be getting better soon.

I'm glad to hear that Brandt is having a good streak. It'll be fun to
see how much change he has gone through when I get back. He'll smoke
me even more.

The girls seem to be having a good time. It's good to see that they are busy.

Send me pictures of the garage. It'll be good to have a garage again.

Love you,

Elder Williams