Namaste

Namaste Elder Williams,

 

Namaste means peace in Hindi. Someday I hope to travel to India. I think it is a fascinating country with a rich cultural history. I truly admire Mother Teresa and her devotion to the poor and disenfranchised. I've been learning more about the Buddha and his great contributions to the world. There are many things I admire about the Eastern worldview---the simplicity, the detachment from worldly things, the focus on being mindful. I think these ideas can add a richness and depth to our life. I can see similarities you are experiencing by being a missionary---you have very few worldly things, live simply, and you focus on being mindful of the spirit.

 

Last Monday we went to an exhibit in SLC that featured the genius of Leonardo Da Vinci. It was fantastic because there were life size replica's of the things he sketched in his notebooks. I was impressed by the abundance and diversity of his ideas. He was simply overflowing with creative concepts. A replica of the Mona Lisa was on display as well and it was stunning. Do you remember reading books about Leonardo? They were great, weren't they.

 

It was good to hear about your experience last week. I'm glad you made a contact because you followed a prompting. I'm grateful that you like your new companion. I hope that you have continued success.

 

I love you and am grateful for your example of service and devotion. I'm grateful that you have seen miracles and that you trust in the Lord to guide you.

Mom

 

 

 

Peace Mom,

I'd love to go to India too. When you and Dad serve one of your missions there, I'll come visit you.

There are a lot of homeless people in Humbolt County, and there is this lady here named Betty Chin who helps them and is pretty famous. She is like Mother Teresa.

There is a lot of peace that comes from being detached to temporal things, and even more peace by being attached to eternal things.

Da Vinci would have been a good Mormon. I'm glad that you were able to see his great works.

I'm getting better and better about following the Spirit. We have had some wonderful experiences because of it.

On Friday Elder Davis and I were in Garberville again, and a lady walks up to us on main street, talks to us and says that she wants help to quit smoking, and gives us her contact info. We taught her on Sunday, and now she has a baptismal date for the 24th of February. It is wonderful how the Lord works. Her name is Carrie.

I love being a missionary. There is no better work. It is the most important work. The urgency of the hastening has been growing and growing in my soul. I'm so blessed to share the gospel at this time and at this place.

Love,

Elder Williams

Gott kvold

Gott kvöld,
 

Greetings from Iceland a.k.a, Monroe. I think this greeting is pronounced, "Got Cold?", and yes we do have cold--- cold weather, cold fingers, cold toes, and a cold---as in a head cold. But I don't mind so much. Winter is a time for introspection, reflection, and pondering. It's a time to be still and think about life---where you've been and where you're going. In the depths of winter, we can plumb the depths of our soul and determine where we are lacking.
 

Winter is also a time for quilts. I'm working on a bunch of them to donate. It makes me happy to create something useful that will warm someone---hopefully their spirit as well as their body. I hope that through this simple act of service, it will ignite a spark of hope in someone else and help them to feel the love of God.
 

Feeling the love of God is a balm especially in times of sorrow. The Chapman's lost a baby grandaughter. She was 6 weeks old. What a difficult experience to pass through.
 

How are things going since you're a trainer now? I'm sure that you will be wonderful because you are a natural leader.

 

How are your investigators doing? Maybe you could sing them a song sometime. Speaking of songs, dad made one up for you:

 

 

I love you son,

I hope you're well

You're saving people from going to....

That one place.
 

Yes, there is another of Dad's famous songs.
 

God be with you 'till we meet again.

I love you.

 

Mom

 

 

 

Dear Mom,

It has been a fantastic week for me. I love my new companion, Elder Davis. He is from Salt Lake City. It has been fun working with him.

I'll tell you a little bit about my area. It is the largest one in the mission, and it is one of the most remote. We cover the Fortuna Ward, which is pretty normal, and we also cover the Miranda Branch, which is like something I have never experienced. We go to both of them on Sundays, so we leave the Fortuna Ward early so that we can go the branch. It is a 45 minute drive between them.

So, that sets the stage for the story that I'd like to tell. Elder Davis and I were driving back to our area on Wednesday from Santa Rosa. It is about a 5 hour drive. On the way back, we received the prompting to stop in a town that I have never been to, Garberville. The reason I've never been there is because it is so far away from where we live and we have mileage limitations on our truck. We got out and tracted around for a while, and didn't find anyone interested. So, on the way back to our truck, we decided to knock on one more door. We met a girl who was so prepared to hear our message. She felt the Spirit, and she said that it was strange that we had come at that time, because of the day that she had had. I know the Lord put us in the right place at the right time, and we taught her yesterday.

In short, Elder Davis and I are seeing many miracles together.

It has been really great working with him. He has great desires and is really easy to get along with.

It has been really nice here. Sometimes we have fog, which is really beautiful in the redwoods, and a lot of the time it is sunny. I'm not sad that I'm missing out on the cold in Monroe, ha ha.

It is really good to hear about the service that you are doing. I'm growing in appreciation for the acts of service I see around me, and I'm more and more grateful for the service and support you have given me. I love you Mom.

Dad's song is quite fitting, ha ha. I'll come up with a tune to it.

Love,

 

Elder Williams

Hi Talon,

Greetings of from the frozen tundra of Monroe. Our driveway is a sheet of ice. It's been below 0 in the mornings for weeks. You are fortunate to be in balmy California.

So how do you like training a greenie? I was excited when I had the chance. We worked hard and many of my fondest memories come from my time with Elder Sorenson. I've told you about some of my experiences with him. I think being a trainer motivated me to do my best. You probably feel the same way. What you do can help set the tone for his entire mission, it is a great responsibily. We hope you are well and happy. We are so proud of you. People wish you well almost daily and I know you are in thier prayers.

Today I went out for a little bit and visited a new family in the ward and then went to see an inactive guy. I noticed a cigarette butt can on thier porch. They weren't home but I will try again sometime. I should never prejudge a person for having a Word of Wisdom problem. It's hard for me to put myself out there but I am trying.

The girls finished another term in school. I think Aubree earned a 4.0 and Raina had a A's except for math I think. I haven't seen the official report cards yet. They are gearing up for drama in the spring. Aubree got a part she wanted and was so excited she could hardly sleep. She really loves to ham it up on stage.

Brandt won the district hoop shoot and is competing at the State finals on February 2nd in Provo. He had 3 games this past week. In two of them he led his team to an early lead and his coaches told him to quit shooting the ball so the other teams wouldn't be embarrassed. The other game he led a furious come back and got a 2 point lead but then fouled out with about 2 minutes left and his team lost. His season of South Sevier Jr. Jazz is over. He still has a couple of weeks in Richfield and a playoff series over there. With much trepidation I agreed to coach the 5th grade All Star team. I was really hoping a dad that had actually played organized ball would have taken it on but no one did. I held tryouts on Saturday and didn't have the heart to cut anyone so I have a few questionable players on the team but don't have to use anyone in games that I don't want to.

So now you are all caught up with things here in the Little Frozen Green Valley.

Love Dad

 

 

Hey Pops,

 

I do feel lucky that I'm in California. Nor Cal is different from So Cal, but the weather is sure nice in a different way.

 

I really love training. It is my first leadership assignment on my mission, so I'm really grateful for the chance I have to serve in this capacity. I'm pretty lucky, too. Elder Davis is a really good missionary already. He is really willing to learn and to improve, so it's not like I'm dragging around dead weight. He is helping in lessons and tracting and all of the little things that keep this area running smoothly.

 

I really love hearing about your experiences with your calling. It makes me feel like we are on the same team, doing some of the same things.

 

I'm glad that the girls are doing well in school, and Brandt is having fun with basketball. I'm really glad that you get to spend time with him as his coach. It sounds like he is getting better and better.

 

Thanks for catching me up with everyone. It is always good to hear how everyone is doing and what they have been up to.

Love,

 

Elder Williams

 

Dear Mom,

 

Thing are going great for me. They change so fast. I'm going to be getting a new companion on Wednesday. I'm going to be training a new missionary.

The last week has been great. We have been having a lot of success getting the people we are teaching to come to church. That has normally been a challenge, but the people we teach now are willing and keep their commitments.

Anne, a lady we have been teaching, has come to church twice now. We taught her twice last week, and the Spirit has been resolving her concerns. She is realizing more and more that she needs to learn line upon line. She has a great hunger for knowledge and truth. She read the Book of Mormon, the Gospel Principles manual, and the Relief Society manual. She has been praying about it too. I think she will be ready to be baptized pretty soon.

Love,

Elder Williams

Hi Elder,

Not a whole lot going on here. It's been bitter cold the past week or so with temps as low as -20. Still have snow on the ground from before Christmas. Thank goodness for the wood stove otherwise the family room would feel like a meat locker.

The quarter is ending so the girls are feeling the pressure of finals. I am sure they will do fine, they always do. Brandt had 2 games this past week. He scored 15 in the first game and 25 in the second one.

Mom is getting prepared for a new term of teaching online. She will have 3 classes this time.

We now have church at 9. I am so glad even if my meetings with the bishop are at 7:30. I like having everything done early so it leaves time in the afternoon to visit less active members. I am going to try to get out and see some more people this month.

Are you getting along well in Fortuna? Tell us a little about the members and your teaching pool.

Love Dad

 

Hey Pops,

 

It sounds like I have had better weather than you, ha ha. It has mostly been sunny or overcast here.

Sounds like the kids are doing well. Brandt keeps on getting better. It's good to see him excel.

 

I'm glad that Mom is still doing that. She always seems to enjoy teaching.
 

That is so awesome that you are visiting less active members. It really makes a difference in their lives.

 

A less active member that we have been teaching came to church yesterday after a long absence. His wife is a non member and is opposed to the church, and even that morning was trying to tear him down. Still, he came to church and at the end of Fast and Testimony meeting he bore one of the most powerful testimonies that I have ever heard. He expressed his gratitude for us teaching him and helping him remember how good God has been to him throughout his life. He knows without a doubt that the Church is true. He has just had so many things that has been trying to chain him down. I'm so grateful he came. I know that 1 Nephi 3:7 is true. We can follow all of the commandments and the promptings of the Spirit. God makes it all possible.

I got to go to the baptism of a girl that I taught in McKinleyville on Friday. She is the daughter of my recent convert, Tina, and it was so good to be able to go back and see her be baptized. It was hard leaving McKinleyville because I couldn't teach her anymore, but I'm glad that I wasn't transferred too far away. I was even given the opportunity to give a talk and witness.

 

I also got to see a lot of members that I didn't get to say goodbye to in person too. I love that ward so much.
 

There was a special experience that I had right after the baptism. We were in the parking lot, sitting in a member's car, when I saw some people walk by. It was a girl and her younger siblings. I felt the impression to talk to them, but my companion was on the phone, and we were about to take off, ect... So, there were a lot of things in the way. They were gone.

Still, I felt that I needed to talk to them. I asked the member to drive the opposite way we were heading to go and find them. I was saying a silent prayer, asking for a second chance. We drove a good distance, and there was still no luck. On the way back, however, we saw them. I was able to talk to them, and I felt the Spirit confirm that action. I'm grateful that God gave me another chance to follow a prompting. I want to become more and more willing to follow promptings that the Lord gives me. There is no better feeling than knowing that you have done the right thing in God's eyes. There is nothing better than feeling trusted to do His work.

I love it here, and I love my mission. I love being an ordained minister of the Lord. I love being His missionary.

Thank you for all that you do and have done that lets me be here.

 

Love,

Elder Williams

Sawubona

Sawubona Elder Williams,

That is a South African greeting. I chose it because of a pastor (Andrew Murray) who built up the Christian church in Africa.

I've been reading some really great books one of which is called Holy in Christ. It is written by Andrew Murray who was a pastor in the late 1800's. Here is one thought I found very intriguing.
 

"When God or Christ is called the Holy One, the word in Hebrew and Greek is exactly the same that is used when the believer is called a saint: he too is a holy one. So the three words hallow, keep holy, sanctify, all represent but one term in the original of which the real meaning is to make holy."
 

Isn't it interesting how we are called Latter Day Saints? Well I've been thinking, 'what does it mean to be a saint?' The word 'saint' conjures up in my mind people like Augustine, Aquinas, Francis, Patrick, and lots of other dead people. These people are far removed from me, my world, and my station in life. They seem above reproach, but how did they become that way? I'm sure they struggled with the flesh and temptations of the world. Remember Augustine said, 'God give me continence, but not yet.' I'm right there in the boat with Augustine. For example, I want to have total control over my appetites, and it's easy to say, "Yeah, I'm going to do this", but then there is a chocolate chip cookie staring me in the face. I usually give in, and in those little decisions lay the break down of my intention to be super healthy.
 

Another thought to consider from the book: "There is not one standard of Holiness for God and another for man. The nature of light is the same."

 

 

Wow! If we want to be with God again, then we have to become like him---exactly like Him. We will have to live in perfect obedience to eternal laws. What a daunting task, but it goes back to the little choices and decisions. We are not expected to do it all at once, but if we continue in with a full purpose of heart and a desire to become holy, sanctification will come, and indeed we will be worthy of the title of "Saint".
 

Sanctification is a sometimes painful process, but I'm hoping to exchange beauty for ashes....the beauty of eternal life for the ashes of a brief mortal existence.

 

 

How did your week progress? Are you settling in to your new area? Tell us about your new companion.

With love,

Mom

 

 

 

 

Hi Mom,

I love this last week. So many miracles are happening in Fortuna and Miranda. I can see the hand of God more in the work. I also think that He has been trusting me more because I am becoming more willing to recognize my dependence on Him.

Sacrament meeting in Fortuna was one of the most spiritual experiences I've had on my mission. We had two of our investigators, Anne and Zach. We also had some less active members that we have been working with come as well.

Anne is such a wonderful lady. She is in her thirties and has three kids and a husband. Elder Longstaff and one of his previous companions tracted into her back in October. They gave her a Book of Mormon, and went on their way. Last week Elder Longstaff and I talked to her, and she had read to Mosiah. She had some concerns and questions, but we were able to resolve them and set up an appointment. We met with her the following week and brought a couple from the ward. It was one of the best lessons that I have ever had. Since we saw her last week, she read from 3 Nephi to the end. She knows that the Book of Mormon, especially the last two chapters were written by prophets. She came to church with us and stayed the whole time. The testimonies borne by members in sacrament meeting were so sincere and so powerful. I know that she felt the spirit. In the Sunday School lesson, our ward mission leader taught about the signs of the Second Coming. He did an excellent job, and I think she feels a stronger desire to know more about the doctrines of the church. She wants to know the truth.

There was one testimony borne in particular that meant a lot. A less active member got up at the very end and bore his testimony of the church and the power of prayer. I can't convey how it felt very effectively, but it gave me hope. People know that the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ is true. I know God wants people to feel that way, to believe in Him and what He commands. He will give us all we need. We just need to turn to Him.

I love you Mom. Thank you for everything.

Love,

 

Elder Williams