Kol Tuv

Chag Kasher Elder Williams,
 

Wishing you a happy and kosher holiday for Passover. We'll drink a toast to your health and wish you joy in gathering the tribes of Israel. The Jews have their "Zionist" movement, and I think we should emulate their zeal for Zion.

"The Lord doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcast of Israel. Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Tzion." (Psalms 147:2,12)

 

 

I have a yearning for Zion where peace and joy abound. Sometimes I feel world-weary and tired of all the evil that surrounds us in life. I find myself asking the same question over and over of, "Why can't people just be nice?" I feel bad for all the suffering that goes on in the world. In my little and seemingly insignificant way, I try to alleviate the suffering by making quilts. It is hardly anything, but I hope that one of my quilts can warm and comfort someone who is aching in mind, body, and spirit. I hope you can bring solace to the souls of whom you are teaching. I hope they will accept the gospel and be filled with the light of Christ.

 

 

How is the work going? We continually pray for the blessing of the spirit to be with you and those you teach.

I love you and am grateful for the work you are doing.

Kol Tuv - be well,

Mom

 

 

 

Hey Mom,

I love what you said about gathering Israel. The Book of Mormon is the way that we do it. I'm feeling that zeal for building Zion.

It is wonderful that you feel that zeal. It is so bitter sweet, isn't it? We know how things should be, then we see how much the world needs to improve. I've felt similar feelings to you. There is so much to do, and we are so limited. I want to let you know though, Mom, that you are blessing so many people. Your example of selfless service truly blesses me. I know God is so happy with you.

The work has been challenging. Sometimes it has been hard, because when things go bad I blame myself a lot. Either I don't have enough faith, I need to be humbled, etc . Satan tries hard to get me to lose hope and faith every day. It is a wearing battle, but I'm learning more and more what it means to have unshaken faith. I'm learning more about who I'm having faith in, the Lord and Savior of the Universe. When I remember Him, and that I need to rely on Him and not myself, then things go so much better. I act more like Him, and people's responses are different.

A while back I told you about a lady named Carrie. We finally were able to see her again and set a new baptismal date for the 20th of April. I don't know if I will be here, but I'm happy that she made that commitment.

Also, we set a date with an investigator we picked up yesterday. His name is Juan, and he speaks only a bit of English We used a Spanish Pamphlet and El Libro De Mormon to communicate spiritual truths. His date is for April 13th.

I'm learning that my faith and my self worth can't be tied to the obvious outward signs of success. My success is primarily measured by my motivations and desires. I feel like I've worked so hard without seeing some of the fruits that I would have liked. I'm really glad that I've not let myself slack, though. I feel duty bound, and I'm grateful for it.

Anyways, I will most likely be going to a different area next Tuesday. I'll keep you posted.

 

I truly do enjoy my part in the gathering of Israel. Two weeks ago I had the opportunity to learn from people from the Missionary Department. I felt such a fire and excitement. We live in the time of the hastening. We are being given tools and gifts from the Lord to accomplish His work that the world has never before see.

 

Elder Cook, an Apostle of the Lord, Elder Callister of the Presidency of the First Quorum of 70, and Elder Trythol, an area 70 spoke to us on Saturday. It was such a wonderful experience to learn from them. They talked about how the hastening of the work is happening now because we are here. I know I'm here because God wants me to be here. I know He has a purpose for all of us. He is in the details of our lives.

The work is going so well. We set two baptismal dates down in the Miranda Branch. I love that place so much.

I love those protein shakes, they have been a good breakfast after we exercise in the morning.

There were some temporal matters I wanted to write about too... Oh yeah. I love the scripture journal you got me. I've been using the little pad that came with it a lot, and I'm almost out of paper. Could you send me a refill?

Love,

Elder Williams

 

 

 

Dia dhuit

Dia dhuit Elder Williams,

 

I greet you with an Irish blessing since yesterday was St. Patrick's day. It means God be with you.

 

 

In my reading I have come upon some interesting thoughts regarding resurrection, restoration, and repentance. The church is a living symbol of these three inextricably intertwined concepts. Christ set the pattern and we see it even in his church. For example: the church has gone through many progressions/digressions and changes in the history of the world. During the great apostasy, it was in essence dead. But through the miracle of resurrection and restoration, the church was brought back to life. It is a living embodiment of truth and Christ is the head.

 

 

The atonement has been in my thoughts also. It is a vehicle of repentance, but also of change. I recognize the desperate need I have to change my nature and to have a new heart planted within my soul. I have a yearning to overcome the natural man but it is one tough fight and I often come away bloody and bruised by experiences. I have so many weaknesses and sometimes it's easy to despair, but I have to hold onto the hope that, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." He is the great physician and healer of wounded souls.

 

 

I'm grateful for the Easter season. We are going to celebrate Passover. I will think of you when we shout "Hurrah for Israel".

 

 

I hope you are doing well and the work is progressing. Many people here at home send you their best wishes and love.

 

 

With admiration and love,

Mom

 

 

 

Dear Mom,

Thanks for the blessing. That is what we are doing now as ordained ministers of the Lord Jesus Christ. I attended a meeting with some people from the Missionary Department, and I learned more about my calling and the authority I bear. Because I am ordained and set apart, I am a representative of Him. So, that's what we are doing. We are blessing people. We are doing missionary work His way. We are seeing so many more blessings as a result. People soften so quickly.

Everything in the Church is related like that. I love it so much. The Lord uses these beautiful patterns over and over, and it ties everything together. It's a testament of the divinity of the Church.

This article helped me a lot this week. I feel like we view a lot of things in a similar manner

http://www.lds.org/ensign/1998/04/come-unto-me?lang=eng&query=come+unto+me+(name%3a%22Jeffrey+R.+Holland%22)

One thing that the Spirit confirmed to me this week is the true meaning of repentance. It means to turn to the Lord. It is relying on grace. http://www.lds.org/ensign/2012/04/the-atonement-and-the-journey-of-mortality?lang=eng

God has helped me so much on my mission. I can testify that I know He WANTS to bless us. He WANTS to give us good things.

The work is challenging, but rewarding. One of the best parts of our week here in Fortuna was that one of our new investigators, Sister Savage, came to church. We picked her up as a new investigator on Friday. She felt the Spirit at church, and she said that she is coming next week.

One hard thing that we have gone through is that some of the people we were preparing for baptism are not progressing. It is hard to see people use their agency to drift from the Lord. If we don't progress, we regress.

Love,

Elder Williams

March 11

Dear Mom,

I'm sorry to hear about how things went with Brandt. I hope he is doing okay.

A rule changed in the mission, so I can email anyone back home. We were also given 30 more minutes to email.

This is my mission president. You can't see me, but I'm on one of the pictures, ha ha.

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=1146&sid=24235000&title=how-mission-presidents-are-preparing-for-more-missionaries

I've been humbled a lot this week. God has been showing me that I can't do everything by my self. I continue to learn about how grace is an enabling power, that allows me to do things beyond myself. I'm learning about how limited I truly am.

Hopefully our people are baptized soon. Prayers in their behalf are always wonderful.

Love,

Elder Williams

Hi Talon,

It was neat to get your pictures the other day. You look like you are seeing a beautiful part of the country. I look forward to taking a trip there one day to see it all. You look happy and like you are enjoying your time with the other Elders. I hope you keep in touch with all of the friends your are making there. I regret not trying to do so with the people I knew on my mission.

Not a lot going on here. It snowed bunch on Friday and Saturday but it's melting off quickly. Spring is just around the corner and I am looking forward to it. I got the final bid for the garage I've been waiting for and have decided which contractor to go with. Hopefully construction can start some time in the next few weeks. I am going to do the shingles, siding, electrical, and insulation myself which will save several thousand dollars. When it warms some more I will have the driveway poured and put in a high quality basketball standard for Mr. B.

We experienced the agony and ectasy with all stars this weekend. We played in a tournament with 6th grade teams. They were huge compared to my boys. We lost all 3 games Friday by a large margin. We beat Millard Saturday morning. The kids were awesome that game and Brandt played great with 27 points, he dominated I was so proud of the whole team. We then played a team that beat us Friday night and they flat out killed us in front of half the population of South Sevier. I think my little team was exhausted mentally and physically by this time and it showed. You saw in the picture what happened to Brandt and that pretty much symbolized what happened.

Aubree had her prom dress fashion show on Tuesday. She looked very pretty. She likes her dress and for once likes to be a girly girl. It's fun to see that side of her come out a little bit. She's also involved in drama and will be competing soon. She really loves to be on stage. Raina has decided to run track this spring and started practice this past week. I am glad she's doing it. She might have a lot of fun and it will help prepare her for cross county. Greg Abbott and her cross country coach are coaching the team this year.

We always look forward to hearing from you on Mondays. Your emails are inspiring and we are so proud of the young man you are. Keep working hard, pray often, and have fun.

Love Dad

Ahalan

Ahalan Elder Williams,

 

How is life in the nether regions of California? Just kidding. I don't know how remote your area is. Probably quite similar to where you grew up.
 

How are your people? I hope they are making progress towards baptism. How is your companion? Are you still working well together. Indubitably, you are an indomitable force.
 

In Sunday School the lesson was "The only true and living church". The title made me think, wow...now that is an audacious statement. It certainly isn't politically correct either. I thought about identity and how this statement alone can strengthen a person's convictions and beliefs by combating fear with faith. There are so many competing world views about what life is about, or whether life has meaning at all, yet with this identity, it gives LDS people a deep and sure footing. I love to learn about the wisdom teachings from other religion's and have a searching foot which likes to explore; however, my other foot is firmly planted in the center of Jesus Christ and with this sure footing I can canvass the world in search of gems and beautiful pearls of truth.

We went to the temple on Saturday and I thought about you. I also thought about how the girls may be going through within a relatively quick time whether it be for a mission call or marriage. It will be a good day when we are all there together for some occasion.

Hurrah for Israel! God bless you, son.

With love,

Mom

 

 

Dear Mom,

Actually, it is pretty remote. I love it. The freeway is full of curves and narrows down to two lanes in some places. They call it "The Redwood Curtain". It is its own little world, and I love it.

Our message is BOLD. It is true. It does give us the firm ground to follow the 13th Article of Faith." If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things."

It will be a sweet experience to go with the girls to the temple.

We have five baptismal dates right now. Zack is the closest. His date is for the 16th. He is reading the Book of Mormon and has come to church a lot. He feels like he is ready!

Jack is a guy we are teaching in the Miranda Branch. He is awesome. He feels the Spirit so strongly every time we teach him. He told us some things out of the blue that will help us prepare him for baptism. His date is for the 23rd, but we might move that back a bit. He said in our lesson with him yesterday that we were the answer to his prayer to the Lord to help him change.

Cynthia is a lady who has been taught for 12+ years. She works for her church, so that has been getting in the way. She said a powerful prayer saying that she is willing to do what God wants her to do. The next day, she got 6 weeks notice at her job. It is tough, but the Lord makes a way. Hopefully she finds another job soon! She is still learning and growing. Her date is for the 23rd.

Heather is a lady that we have been teaching for a little while. We tracted into her husband, and we have been teaching them together. We had a super powerful lesson, and she knows how important it is to know if this is the true church. She understands what we are saying about salvation, and how it depends on proper baptism. She is set for the 23rd, too.

Our last date is for Dylan. He is 11 years old, and he lives with his great grandmother. She is a Buddhist and she has reservations about Dylan getting baptized so young. She understands that it is a huge commitment. We are hoping and praying that her heart is softened so that he can be baptized. He really wants to be baptized.

I had an experience yesterday that I will treasure up for the rest of my life. On the way down to the Miranda Branch yesterday we were listening to an Elder McConkie talk. Something he said sparked a conversation about how there is nothing better than knowing that we are the answering someone's prayers. There is nothing better than feeling the Lord's pleasure when we follow promptings. So, after church, I felt the impression to knock on the door of a house that was next door to the church. A girl in her twenties answered. She was closed at first, but then she told us about so many difficult and horrendous things that she has been through in her life. She said that maybe we were the answer to her prayers. She is moving to Sacramento next week, so we won't be able to teach her, but I dearly hope that she finds or is found by the missionaries in Sacramento.

More and more things are falling into place in my mind. The truthfulness of the gospel is constantly reaffirmed in my mind. Simply having faith and waiting on the Lord for answers brings the confirmations.

I know this Gospel is true. I know that the purpose of this life is to become like God. I know that he provided a way for me to practice, to have success and move on from failures. I know that it is through the Atonement that we can let go of who we were and let ourselves become who God wants.

I made the comparison of my pre-mission life to the premortal life in Sunday School yesterday. All of the things I learned at home are changing from the abstract to the concrete. The Gospel is growing in tangibility and sheer grittiness (in a good way) in my mind every day. I love it, and I'm so grateful for this time where I can be shaped and changed into the being that God wants me to be. My mission is a microcosm of my life. Now is the time to work, give everything to the Lord so that I can have more joy and continue to progress the way God wants in the post mission/post mortal life.

Love,

Elder Williams