September 16

Greetings Elder Williams,

The weeks are going by fast and summer is coming to an end. I've been busy canning fruits and vegetables and making jam and pickles. It's been a good season.

This week I've learned that even in the most difficult, dire, and depressing circumstances, the spirit to endure and overcome is part of human nature. I just finished a book about a family who lives in a dump in Cambodia. Their survival consists of picking through the trash to find things to recycle and buying their rice with the day's earnings. They lived in a tin and cardboard shanty and had a very meager existence. But through the spark of love, a drunken old woman opened her heart and taught this girl how to read. Hope was kindled and through this relationship, many wounds were healed.

I'm also re-reading The Long Walk. It is such an incredible story about the will to survive. I cannot believe the horror of Soviet Russia under Stalin. What despicable treatment and leadership came from the Communists. It makes my heart sick to think that we are heading down the same road. Where is due process of law? Privacy? Freedom of religion? It's frightening.

I hope the gospel of Jesus Christ will pave the way for liberty to be restored and for freedom to be available to all people's of the earth.

How has your week been? Do you know who your new companion is yet? How are your people? How are you doing?

We send you our love and prayers.

Love,

Mom

 

 

 

Dear Mom,

The weeks are going by fast. The fog rolls in and hangs around longer now that it is fall.

I am going to be staying here in Rohnert Park and I'll be training again. I'm very excited to be training. Elder Davis, the Elder I trained in Fortuna is going to be training too. It is awesome. One thing I love about the mission is all of the relationships that I've developed, and the family tree. There will be 4 "generations". Elder Cartwright, me, Elder Davis, and his Greenie. It is so awesome.

We are doing fast as a ward tomorrow for Darla to help her quit smoking so that she can be ready for her baptismal date on the 28th. She is so great. If you all could keep her in your prayers, that'd be great. Her countenance is changing. She's looks so much happier since she has been recieving the gospel.

We are also teaching a guy named Tyler. His wife is a member, and they have a little toddler. She has come back to the church, and Tyler is letting us teach him. It has been such a blessing to be able to teach with the new tools we have. iPads are awesome.

Love,

Elder Williams

September 9

Dear Elder Williams,

On Saturday, the girls and I were able to attend a special meeting for the Young Women of the Monroe and Richfield Stakes. Sister Bednar spoke to us along with the St.George Mission Presidents wife and some others. It was really nice to hear their words of encouragement and faith. Last night, we watched Elder Nelson's CES talk which was broadcast from BYU-Hawaii. He spoke directly about the importance of family, the definition of marriage, and how important it is to follow the words of the prophets. I'm looking forward to conference this coming October.

I've been reading some great books. One is called The Mark of a Giant-7 People Who Changed the World. It has shown me how each of God's children have a mission on earth to fulfill and if we engage it, we can alter history. Most of the stories and people who "go and do" won't be famous or popular, but they will be significant. And the important thing is submission to God's will.

How are your people? We hope that things are progressing for the folks you are teaching. I still pray for your former converts and hope they can stay strong.

We had a flash flood on Saturday. It almost was a disaster, because the basement window-well was clear full. Luckily dad took care of it and got the water diverted. Whew! Talk about a gully-whasher---lot's and lot's of rain.

We love you and pray for you.

Did you get your package with the card in it?

Love you,

Mom

 

 

 

Dear Mom,

That sounds like an amazing meeting. It seems like you have had a lot of spiritual nourishment lately. I'm happy for you. :)

My people are doing great. Darla brought her daughter and her niece to church. Her niece is going to be part of the primary program. We also are teaching a new family, James and Jennifer. They have two little kids. They came to church with us too and we had a sweet lesson about the Restoration yesterday. They are eager to read the Book of Mormon.

I learned about the Atonement this week. God suffers (allows) us to suffer (be refined). Christ's suffering gives us the opportunity to change through fire. His Atonement means that in the end, all of our experiences will truly be for our good if we follow Him. He absorbs all things negative. He overcame all things that keep us from God.

I did get the package. Thank you. It lifted my spirits.

Love,

Elder Williams

September 2, 2013

Dear Elder Talon,

How are you doing? Whats it like being a missionary?

My last football game I caught 4 passes. 3 of them were for 1st downs and 1 for a touchdown. It was my 1st touchdown.

Well that's all I have to say, so goodbye.

 

Love,

Brandt

 

 

Dear Deacon Williams,

 

I'm doing awesome! Being a missionary is the best because I get to see people be happy when they choose to follow Christ. They are so much happier because they become clean from those things that drag them down. Sin makes us feel yucky, but we can be happy when we repent.

 

It is the best. One lady we are teaching, Darla, got up and told everyone in her testimony how happy she was to learn about the Gospel. We met her at the right time.

 

Sometimes there are hard things, but Heavenly Father helps me through it. I love telling people that they can be helped just like me.

 

You are doing awesome in football, it sounds like. Good work! Your first touchdown sounds sweet! How are you liking school?

 

Love you BB. Thanks for writing me

 

 

 

Hello Elder Williams,

I've been reading a bunch of history books lately getting ready for my class and it's been very revealing. It seems like history repeats itself and that humankind can't seem to get off the circular path of the pride cycle. I know that the millennium will be such a wonderful time in the history of the world, but as Elder Christoferson said, 'Zion begins with me.'

 

I also bought a book from an author/professor who spoke at Education Week. It is all about the symbolism in the scriptures. I find it fascinating. If we know the underlying meaning of words and their connections, it opens up a whole new world of understanding. I want to read the scriptures with new eyes and see what I find.

 

 

I'm glad you can connect with people via Facebook and the internet. How is that going? Let me know what kinds of experiences you are having using the fabulous technology we now have.

 

Grandma Shirley was in a rehab facility for a week. We're not sure what the prognosis is or the next steps to take. We went to visit yesterday and she is looking better, but still needs time to recover from the surgery. I'm sure she will be in your prayers.

 

Love you,

Mom

 

Dear Mom,

It sounds like you've had a great time learning and preparing. I like that quote from Elder Christoferson. It is a good reminder.

That book that you are reading sounds awesome. What are some of the things you've been learning?

The online work is going well. I've been trying to teach some of my nonmember friends back home. It is a new experience. It has given me a new vision about what this work can be. I feel like we are on the upswing of a crescendo. Things are going to go faster and faster until Christ comes again.

The thing that we are trying to do right now is having members share gospel centered videos, quotes, and pictures on Facebook. When people like or comment on them, we will talk to them. Because they liked or commentated they are more likely to be open to receiving the gospel.

Grandma is in my prayers. I'm so happy that she is looking better. I put her on the temple roll in Oakland.

It was such a great experience going to the temple. It truly strengthens us. I needed the Spirit that I felt there.

Darla, our investigator with a baptismal date got up in sacrament meeting. The Spirit electrified the ward. Her testimony sealed a wonderful meeting. So many people bore their testimonies about missionary work. A returning member named Hillary brought tears to the bishop's eyes when she told about a visit we gave her last week. She married a nonmember, but our visit helped her have hope for a forever family. The ward is becoming more excited about missionary work.

Darla is doing so well. She attended a baptism with us and brought her daughters. She is excited to be baptized, and truly feels like the Church is the home she has been searching for. She came to Relief Society for the first time yesterday and she loved it! We moved her date to the 28th of September so she has more time to quit smoking.

 

I love you Mom. Thank you for all you do for me.

Love,

Elder Williams

 

August 26

Hi Talon,

I was surprised to get your Facebook friend request last night. It's neat to see what's happening for missionaries in cyber-space. Are there any guidelines we need to be aware of as far as posting on your wall or not?

It's been quite a week for Grandma Shirley. Her surgery went well but early last Thursday morning her blood pressure crashed and they moved her into intensive care. After a few days they were able to get her more stable and she moved back to a regular hospital room yesterday. She will probably be released today and Grandpa is considering having her spend 5-7 days at the care center before she goes home. She needs to do some physical therapy on her legs and hopefully be able to shower and care for her personal needs with minimal assistance.

The kids are back into school full swing. Homework started the very first day. They seem to be liking it OK. On Saturday there was a surprise birthday party for Aubree. She seemed to have fun. Raina put most of it together which was really nice.

We didn't let Brandt play in his football game Saturday because at school Friday he slipped on wet concrete and injured his lower back and leg. He was in a lot of pain but he's doing better now. He plays against Beaver on Wednesday.

Hope you are doing well with your situation. I am sure you will be able to work it all out.

Be well,

Love Dad

 

Dear Elder Williams,

I had one of the best times of my life at BYU education week. I feel like I had a glimpse of the glory of God and was able to peek through the veil if only for a moment. I LOVE the Lord and am so grateful for the plan of salvation. I truly "Stand All Amazed" at the love that he freely offers us. I have learned so much and am hungry to feast on the words of Christ. I love the scriptures, the symbolism, imagery, and everything that points to Christ and His atonement. I took classes on Isaiah, Levitcus, symbolism, prayer, and many other things which opened my mind to the beauty of God's word and His greatness and glory. I wish I could tell you everything about it because it filled my soul with light. But I know that you are already filled because of your commission to preach the gospel and your duty as an Elder. Oh, I just feel so happy and I want to shout from the rooftops that the Church of Jesus Christ is true!

I love you so very much and am grateful that you are serving our brothers and sisters. I hope and pray that they will be receptive to the message you have.

God be with you 'til we meet again.

Love you,

Mom

 

 

Dear Mom,

I'm so glad to hear that you had such a wonderful time at BYU Education Week. I love what you wrote about the experience, "I feel like I had a glimpse of the glory of God and was able to peek through the veil if only for a moment." I live for moments like that.

That desire that you have to shout from the rooftops is what I've felt, and the Lord has empowered me to do it with a wider range. The world changed on Thursday.

We had something that has been called "Specialized Training" on Thursday. We had no idea what it meant. I thought it would be a normal meeting, talking about teaching skills and the like. So, I was sitting there in the gym at the mission office in Santa Rosa. The meeting started normal, but President Alba said that he was waiting for a call from Salt Lake. He answered his phone when it rang, and he held it up to the microphone. The man on the other line is named Brother Donaldson. He was a mission president in San Diego, and now he works for the Missionary Department. We've received training from him before. President Alba asked us if we had any questions for him, and a voice rang out, "When are we getting iPads?" We had heard rumors about getting them in the future. All of a sudden, the back doors swung wide and and a cart was pushed through. On it were iPads for every missionary. The lights were being flickered on and off, and music was playing as a video of fireworks was going. It was one of the most intense moments of my mission.

The California Santa Rosa Mission is the first mission in the world authorized to use iPads. They are being called the "8873" after D&C 88:73, referring to the hastening of the work. We now keep our records and teach with them. We have also been authorized to preach to all the world, not just the people in our mission. On Wednesday I taught a girl in Estonia that I met in Santa Rosa a year ago.

That means that I can teach anyone in the world, including nonmember and less active friends. Just as I work with the members here, I can can work with you and anyone else to find people to teach. I am called of God to do this work, and I need everyone's help to find those people who are ready to receive the Gospel. So, I can talk to everyone at home so long as it fulfills my purpose as a servant of Christ.

All my love,

Elder Williams

 

P.S.

Elder Perry and Elder Nelson said that the announcement in the Work of Salvation broadcast about the changes in missionary work is a significant and monumenteal as the First Vision and the coming forth of the Book of Mormon.

We are seeing these scriptures being fulfilled:

Mosiah 16:1

And now, it came to pass that after Abinadi had spoken these words he stretched forth his hand and said: The time shall come when all shall see the salvation of the Lord; when every nation, kindred, tongue, and people shall see eye to eye and shall confess before God that his judgments are just.

Eye to eye sounds like skype, right?

Matthew 24:14

And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

We are part of this great work. We all have been placed here at this time to help the Lord in the Work of Salvation.

 

August 19

Happy Summer Elder Williams,

We had a really nice Sacrament meeting today. Justin Phelps is home from his mission and two of the new Elders serving in our area spoke. From one of the talks was a great comment: "Hard isn't bad...hard is hard. We can do hard things."

 

I thought that was really great advice. Nobody likes to go through hard things, but it is the pathway to growth and development. But I also think God is generous and good and we can also learn by living in the light. I believe that as we are seeking truth, we can become more like Christ---we can become who we were meant to be. We all have tropisms during different times of our life and whether its growth from underground that we can't see, or putting out tedrils like a vine seeking something to hold onto, they are both necessary and important to sustaining our soul.

 

Well, I"m off to BYU for five days. I'm going to education week and am hoping that it's really good. There are so many choices that it's almost overwhelming. I'm nervous, intimidated, and a bit scared because it's such a big campus, but hopefully I'll be able to navigate my way around. There are more students that attend school there than in the whole county of Sevier.

 

I hope that you are doing well. Let me know how things are with your companion. I will edit anything that I need to before putting it on the blog.

I love you and send you my best.

Mom

 

Dear Mom,

I can't believe Justin is back. Good for him.

I know going through hard things is good. I'm grateful for the way you helped me prepare to go through hard things. I know I'm grateful for my challenges. Most of the time it is in hindsight, but I am grateful.

I hope you have a great time at BYU. Let me know all of the things you learn.

 

We had an investigator come to church yesterday. It was so awesome. I met this lady last Tuesday. Her name is Darla, and she is in her 40s and has a couple of kids. Missionaries have been visiting her off and on for years. When we knocked on her door, she was in a really low place. She was depressed and was thinking about calling a suicide hotline. We listened to her express her feelings about the hardships she was facing. When the Spirit prompted us, we told her our purpose as persona representatives of Jesus Christ. We told her we were sent to teach her about how she can access the Atonement in her life, and that the Gospel would help her with all of her challenges and concerns. The Spirit touched her heart and the light of hope shone through her eyes. She accepted our invitation to come to church, and in a lesson on Saturday she accepted a baptismal date of September 21st.

I love you Mom. Thank you for all of your kindness and love.

 

Love,

 

Elder Williams

 

Hi Talon,

From the sounds of your last email it appears that you are facing some challenges. Honesty, I'm surprised it took this long for you to have to deal with such a situation because I well know what can happen. So here's my fatherly advice. Always remember your purpose, serve the best you can and be positive even when it seems impossible. Serve your companion in some way daily. Counsel with your president when you can. Counsel with the Lord all day every day. I know you will make the best of things.

I put $200 in your account last week. Do you need me to make your Visa payment out of your acct since you don't have a debit card or do you access your acct online? Just let me know what you need me to do. Do you need more $ for a suit or anything. Just let me know and you will get what you need.

It was nice to get a few pictures last week. You look fit and have inspired me to do better. I have started walking in the early mornings and I want to start running again. I am very out of shape right now. I need to get riding my bike again also.

The kids are gearing up to start school on Wednesday. The girls seem excited but Brandt sees it as a net negative for him. He would be happy to just go to the gym all day and play b-ball. He had his first tackle football game on Saturday. His team lost to Millard 8-0. He caught 4 passes and ran the ball 4 times I think. He plays outside linebacker on defense and Millard didn't run hardly any plays his direction so he didn't get into much action on the defensive side. He's also a punt and kick off returner. He keeps saying he doesn't think he'll play next year because it interferes with his basketball training program he's doing. He is unbelievably dedicated to becoming a better basketball player. I've never seen anything like it with someone as young as he is.

Mom is up at BYU for the week so I am playing Mr. Mom but not really, they don't need me around.

Grandma Shirley is in surgery this morning. Her cancer grew back and they are removing 1/3 of the upper part of her colon. She will be under for 3-4 hours and then be in the hospital for 4 days. Keep her in your prayers. I am afraid that her recovery will be difficult.

Be well son,

Love Dad