Bonjour

Bonjour Elder Williams,

 

 

Je t'aime. Since French is the language of love, and Valentines day is coming I thought I would greet you in the lingua Franca.

 

I've been visiting with a good friend again---Parker J. Palmer and thinking a lot about his words. Technically he isn't my friend, but I'm his friend on Facebook, so that counts, doesn't it? :) I love his wisdom and affirmation of living a life that is true.

 

 

“Humility is the only lens though which great things can be seen--and once we have seen them, humility is the only posture possible.” Parker J. Palmer
 

Humility is the most humble of virtues. It is difficult because "SELF" is always wanting to be promoted, recognized, and praised. Our self-will is excruciatingly hard to tame at times. But humility brings us to a place where grace can step in and raise us up ---raise us to heights not dreamed of. On the wings of mercy, we can soar to heavenly places.

 

 

How are your investigators? Are they making progress? How is your companion? I hope you are all doing well. How is Erik? Can you keep in contact with him? Please send your SD card home so we can catch up with you.

 

 

Here is a quote from Shakespeare that reminds me of missionary service:

"Love sought is good, but given unsought, is better."

 

 

You are freely giving your time, love, and devotion to others and I think this is a supreme act of humility.

 

 

God be with you till we meet again,

Mom

 

 

Dear Mom,

I love Parker J. Palmer. I want to be like him when I grow up.

I love what you said about humility. In Moroni 7:40-48 I've learned that I need to be meek, or humble, to cultivate all of the other Christlike attributes. It is the soil that we must prepare to plant the gifts that are Faith, Hope, and Charity.

This week has been so wonderful. I've been growing in the vision of missionary work. It is all about unity. It is all about Zion. It is all about becoming one heart and one mind. That is the Lord's way. That is how the Father and the Son are one. That is how we can become one with the Son and partake of God's Glory. That is how the Lord brings us to the Celestial Kingdom. I had to go through some refining fire and travel a dark road to know this. It is worth every step.

Now I can see better. Now I can press forward with more determination.

The way that Elder Davis and I have been building Zion in our area is by becoming united with the members of the congregations that we serve. We are obedient and we reach out, so they trust us. When they trust us we can ask them to invite their friends to partake of the joy of the Gospel. I've realized how important this trust is. When missionaries do not represent the Lord, when they do not act in accordance with the mantle that has been given them, they hinder the work in ways they can't imagine. People remember. Even more important, the Lord remembers We will all be accountable before Him one day. I know if I work and give all to Him, it will be the "pleasing bar" (Moroni 10:34). That is what helps me to press on. Also, knowing that I can have great joy in heaven with those people that the Lord places in my way makes me want to do all I can (D&C 18:15-16).

I love this work. There is no greater work in the universe.

We have four people with baptismal dates now, and more on the way. We are teaching a lot of people. We have two in the Miranda Branch, Carrie and Dylan. I've told you a bit about Carrie, I think. Dylan is a boy Brandt's age. He has been coming to church for a while, and he knows that it has blessed him so much. He has a really hard home life, so the Gospel has been helping him so much. We set a baptismal date with him yesterday.

In Fortuna, we have Zack and Tim. Zack is so great. He is all about service and giving back. He has had a rough past, and now he finds meaning and joy in service. He said such a powerful prayer the other day, asking God if he was his son. Tim is the husband of a member of the ward. They moved to Fortuna just a little while ago. The first time we met with him, which was last Monday, we set his date. The Lord has prepared so many people for His Gospel.

Elder Davis is doing great. We are more and more unified, and he is more confident in his teaching. It has been such a great experience training another missionary. He is so willing to improve. I've learned the Savior's way of teaching and leading so much since I've been training.

My SD card will be in the mail today. I am sending a few things home that the mission has new rules about.

I haven't been in contact with Erik, but I work with the missionaries in my old ward. HE IS IN THE ELDERS QUORUM PRESIDENCY! He is doing so well and it is so wonderful to see someone I helped baptize be successful.

I love you Mom. Thanks for all you do. Give my love to everyone.

Elder Williams