Welp,

Transfer calls were made last night and I'm staying in the hood. I'm so happy, and Sister Bonner and I are staying together. This will have been the first companion that I've had for longer than a transfer. I'm kind of nervous haha. But we also got some surprise news. We are going to be in a trio... it looks like I will continue the tradition of a new companion every transfer. This will have been my third trio. I'm going to be honest, trios are hard, but I have come to gain a testimony that every companionship is inspired, so I'm excited to see what this companionship will be able to produce. I fully expect miracles haha.

So Christmas was just wonderful! I got to skype the fam bam and it was awesome. They are so great. Just so stinking great. The weird thing was i wasn't homesick at all. I was just super content to be talking to them. Heavenly Father really does shower me with tender mercies. Well that was my first and last Christmas on the mish. On to bigger and better things I go! So other than that not much happened this week other than finding an investigator who said she would get baptized (we'll see what happens, fingers crossed), having another investigator tell us that he knows that he met us for a reason and that no matter what he would always make time to see us (he is a missionaries dream) and an eating an awesome pot roast that one of the members made for us and the elders. All in all a pretty good week. 

So a thought I have for y'all this week: I'm reading through the New Testament right now and I came across two verses in 1 Thessalonians 5:5-6. It reads, "5 Ye are all children of the light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.  6 Therefore let us not sleep as do others; but let us watch and be sober."  I think the reason this one stuck out to me is because I like the imagery of being children of the light. That is what we are. In the scriptures and in literature light is the imagery used for knowledge, wisdom, and truth. We know that God is the author of light because he is full of light. He is the most knowledgeable, the most wise, and the holder of truth. With that being said, we are his children. We are literally the children of light. When we sin against the light, or our knowledge, wisdom or truth, we lose the light we have received. We darken. This is against our nature. We are not of the night and we are not of darkness. Then Paul goes on to tell us not to sleep, but to watch and be sober. We know that if we don't pay attention to the little things we are doing, it's easy to let a few things slide at first, let just a little darkness in, and then before you know it, it's nighttime and you're outside without a flashlight and you are so incredibly lost. We were meant to live in the light because we thrive in the light and that is what we were created for. We were sent here to gain as much light as we could and then to return again to the creator of light...our Father in Heaven. So cling to the light you already have and never surrender it, even if the dark looks exciting for a moment, I promise you'll get tired of it, it'll make your eyes hurt from trying to see clearly in it, and you won't be able to find anything you're looking for. 

I love you, mi familia. I pray that you all have a wonderful and bright new year. 

Love,Sister Williams 

1st sad attempt to get a zone pic.  Sisters Bonner and Villanueva were cut out.

Chiquita banana, anyone?

Christmas at the Rosas.

2nd attempt at a zone pic:  Elder Valdez was about to do a headstand.

Jesus Loves You!  Be a daily Bible (and Book of Mormon) reader!

Sent to me on Dec 16, 2013...sorry for posting so late...Sister Williams' Abuelita.

Brrrr!!! It is cold here! But apparently it's supposed to warm up this week so that's good. This past week has been so great! we have seen miracle after mircacle and I am just so grateful. Sister Bonner and I are praying that we stay together for at least one more transfer. We get along so well and we have so much work to do here in Melbourne. Can you believe that there are only 2 weeks left in this transfer?! Where has the time gone? It literally feels like just yesterday that I was packing up and leaving College Station. But, I guess that just means that if time is going to pick up the pace then the work needs to pick up the pace as well. Bring it on! 

So this past week we went to go and see one of our investigators and he ended up dropping us... it was super lame, but we decided to tract his street because we had nothing else to do. Three houses  down from his, we knocked on the door of this really nice family who invited us in and allowed us to share a message. They had so many questions and were so curious that we ended up teaching them the entire first lesson. They invited us to come back, and so we did! We came back on Saturday and taught them about the Plan of Salvation. This caused even more questions, so we plan to go back in a couple days and continue teaching them. This Family really is such a wonderful family and I really hope something happens with them. 

But, the thing I want to talk about is a Christmas production that they had bought tickets for and invited us to come to with them. It was put on by their church, so we figured it couldn't hurt, so we said why not. So yesterday after church we all drove downtown to Houston First Baptist Church to see this huge event.  This thing had everything. Flashing lights, a huge choir, paid actors, choreographed musical numbers, amazing costumes, a full orchestra, live animals (camels, goats, donkeys, monkeys, A LION) aerial performers (like cirque de soleil status), fake snow, streamers and more. It really was amazing and so funny because I couldn't stop thinking about four Christmases. I think this family was hoping that this was going to make us see the error of our ways and change churches, but it really just strengthened my testimony that Christ's true church isn't found in a large and spacious building with literally thousands of people watching and listening to "baby food" messages that are easy to swallow and don't require much work on their part. The music was amazing, the costumes were great, the whole thing was visually stunning, but the thing that was missing was the spirit. It also made me incredibly sad because it made me realize that there are thousands of people in this world who lived and communed with Heavenly father before this life, and all they ever wanted was to gain a body and return to live with him, but they got lost along the way. They were deceived by Satan's tempting message that all you have to do is accept Jesus as your savior and that there is nothing else you can do or should do to obtain salvation. But to sit back and "enjoy the show" so to speak. It really made my heart hurt to think about all of the people who could be lost because they couldn't see the truth when it was presented to them, and then it made me even sadder to think about how Heavenly Father must feel about all of this, about the idea of losing any of his children. I was so overwhelmed because of the sheer numbers of people just in that building, let alone in the entire world who have not heard or would not accept the gospel of Jesus Christ in its fullness. But, here's the deal. I know that Heavenly father loves us all so much that he really has prepared a unique and individual plan for each of his children to return to live with him again. He has not forgotten any of us and he is not overwhelmed by numbers. "And it came to pass that I beheld the church of the Lamb of God, and its numbers were few... Nevertheless, I beheld that the church of the Lamb, who were the saints of God, were also upon all the face of the earth; and their dominions upon the face of the earth were small... And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the power of the Lamb of God, that it descended upon the saints of the church of the Lamb, and upon the covenant people of the Lord, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth; and they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory." (1Nephi 14: 12-14).  We are not fighting for theirs and our own salvation alone, but we have divine assistance. We have the Atonement, the Gift of the Holy Ghost, mouths to speak, hands to lift and hearts to open to our brothers and sisters that are all around us. This church tried to tell me that Christmas was about sitting around a television watching Christmas specials and retelling the "timeless story" of the babe in Bethlehem, but I know that it's about remembering and reverencing the sacred event that is our Savior's birth. I know that even though it got me for an hour or two, there is no room or time for discouragement because there is work to be done. I don't mean to sound offensive, because I truly do respect all these people who are trying to live their faith as best they can, who are trying to follow the savior to the best of their ability and even invite others to come find out about what brings them happiness. But, I know that there is more peace and joy to be had and there is more truth to be found. I know that Christ's true church has been restored in it's fullness here upon the earth again, and that he established that church for the first time 30 years after his miraculous birth in a stable in Bethlehem. I know that his life and his mission "is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man" and that we are his hands here on earth to help that work move forward. I know that there is a true and living prophet on the earth today and that his name is Thomas S. Monson and that as we follow his counsel and that of the other general authorities we will be blessed. I know these things to be true. In the the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Much Love, Sister Williams 

It's the most wonderful time of the
yeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok. so I have never really been all that big into the Christmas
holiday and all of the hype that goes along with it, but this year
something has changed. I just love it! It is so bad. My various
companionships and I have been singing Christmas songs since I came
out on my mission, and now we can finally sing them without the shame
haha. Alright mi familia y mis amigos, yo te queiro mucho! I am just
so full of love for everyone that I can't help but just to say it all
of the time. Sorry if that's a little uncomfortable, but it is what it
is. This week has been a blast... of freezing cold wind and rain. I
don't know what happened to the Houston that I've come to know and
accept, but it is freaking cold and I can't handle it. What am I
saying, of course I can handle it, but it's shocking for sure.

So some fun things that happened this week are we got to go to the temple
and it was so good, as always, but the best part was something that
happened to another missionary. So while we are waiting to do a
session, I hear a man talking about how he is from San Diego,
California. So I turn around and I introduce myself and tell him that
I too am from California. I then ask him why he's here in Houston and
he proceeds to tell me that there is a missionary from his home ward
who is serving in the Houston South mission. Apparently his dad wasn't
a member, but he got baptized a year ago and now he had come out to
Houston to receive his endowments and then immediately afterwards to
have him and his family sealed for time and all eternity. I was in
shock. I had never heard of anything so touching. I could just imagine
how that Elder must be feeling now that he and his family would be
able to take part in the wonderful blessing of an eternal family that
he had been promising others for the past year. I felt the spirit so
strongly and I started to cry. I was so grateful that I was able to be
there for a part of that special moment for their family. An eternal
family really is the greatest gift we can receive in this life and I
am so happy for all of the people who get baptized because they are on
the road to creating their own. On that same note, something else that
happened was this past saturday I was able to go back to College
Station to attend the baptism of one of the girls we were teaching.
She was so happy that she was practically glowing. Ahhhh there is no
experience that can replace seeing someone radiate joy because they
have made a sacred covenant with their Heavenly Father and in turn
have been made completely clean. It is amazing.

So the spiritual thought I have for the week has to do with a
scripture that I found in James 3:9-10. "Therewith we bless God, even
the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the
similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and
cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be." The reason why
I bring this up, is because something that I have always struggled
with is saying idle words, that I may or may not mean, but that could
hurt someone else. Most of the time I do it for the sake of a joke,
but I've come to realize that that doesn't justify it. In that
scripture it says we curse men who are made in the similitude of God.
We are children of a loving Heavenly Father and therefore brothers and
sisters and we should speak to one another as such. I heard a quote
that says something along the lines of 'the worst thing we could do is
make a person forget their divine nature". Words are capable of doing
just that. With words we can break, wound, depress and hurt. "These
things ought not so to be". In the same way though, words are capable
of building, healing, uplifting and inspiring. In that same chapter of
James there is a promise, "...if any man offend not in word, the same
is a perfect man and able also to bridle the whole body." As we
perfect our communication and speach with one another, we too can
become perfect. That is so awesome! Anyways, just a thought. When you
feel like cursing at someone who cut you off, or yelling at your
neighbor, or ridiculing someone who is different, say a kind word
instead and you both will be edified. I hope you all have a wonderful
wonderful week!

Love, Sister Williams

Feliz Navidad!!

The Gingerbread Man!

The world's largest ginger bread house!!!!! It's in the Guiness Book of World records!

And it came to pass that Darby got baptized!!!

Holla!

Nosotros somos las misioneras de la iglesia de JesuCristo de los
santos de los ultimos dias. I'm not 100% sure if I said that
correctly, but what the heck. So I basically got my wish of switching
to the spanish program. The population here basically consists of
either black or hispanic people, so we get to talk to hispanics a lot.
Also we live with the Hermanans so we sometimes do language study
haha. Fluent by Christmas!

So this past week was great as usual, primarily because we're
missionaries, but also because it was Thanksgiving! To be honest I did
kind of miss being with my family, but the members here were so kind
that it felt just like being at home. To start off the day we went to
a park and played football with some ward members, a lot of
missionaries, and a few investgators. So fun! We were all dying the
next day because we were so sore. Then we ate with the Ramirez family
with the elders in our ward and it was awesome. The rest of the week
consisted of eating leftovers from different members. The best part of
Thanksgiving is the leftovers for sure.

So I thought that because I have hit my 6 month mark I would share a
list of  30 things that I've learned so far out here in Houston.

1. You are going to sweat. It happens, but don't worry, everyone else
is sweating as well
2. It is very possible to fall in love with just about everyone you
meet... even if it's just a little bit
3.Sunday is the best day of the week
4. The strengthening and enabling power of the Atonement is REAL!
5. It doesn't say anywhere in the white handbook that you can't dance :)
6. People can tell when you are being sincere or not, so just be sincere
7. If you can bike in a skirt you can do anything
8. Weight gain will happen. Despite your best efforts it is just part
of the missionary experience. Plus it keeps you warm in the winter!
9. Houston gets cold! Who knew?!
10. You can become best friends with a person in under 2 weeks
11.Heavenly Father answers prayers, and sometimes he even does it in
exactly the way you want him to.
12. A strong testimony is an attractive quality
13. It's ok to cry! Let it out and then move forward
14. Just tell people that you love them. I love you! Shout it from the
rooftops people!
15. Spanish is so much more fun than English, but an English speaking
mission is the way to go
16. We are all human and everyone makes mistakes. instead of judging
someone, just love em and hug em instead
17. Church music > secular music..................................... for now ;)
18. If you're upset then sing, and if that doesn't work sing louder.
People already think you're crazy
19. The gospel of Jesus Christ blesses families
20. SMILE ALWAYS
21. cooking is actually not an evil thing
22. Turns out babies become really really cute when you're not allowed
to hold them
23. Patience is a virtue... but really though
24. It's ok to do things that scare you. Scary things help you grow
25. You will never regret following a prompting
26. Modest is hottest! throw away your shorty shorts! (boys and girls)
27. Give a firm handshake. None of this dead fish business.
28. Being with other missionaries is about the most fun you can have in life
29. Pray pray pray pray pray pray pray pray pray
30. I know that my redeemer lives what comfort this sweet sentence gives!

Have a wonderful wonderful wonderful week my loves!

-Sister Williams

Exchanges with Sister Kyles again back in College Station

a real live ewok... that's what they're called right? That or little
bears with lips

First comp picture with Sister Bonner

Bye Bye old Zone

All of the sisters from my MTC district!

First investigator in Melbourne

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

I don't even know what this is.

 I love them!!

She's pretending to be a hobo.

Polka dots galore!

Only in Melbourne.

Kitten!!!

The City.

There are walls like this everywhere.

We came up to College Station together and we're leaving together

Seasons Greetings from the Ghetto!

Holy frijoles! So transfers occurred and I have been transferred to a fun little place called Melbourne in downtown Houston. My new companion is named Sister Bonner. Sister Jacobsen actually trained her in melbourne, so that's kind of cool. She's been out for 41/2 months and is way cool. We get along super well, but since she's been here since the beginning of her mission I have a feeling I will be losing her next transfer which makes me sad. Anyways, no need to get sad yet! We have a ton of adventures yet to happen in the next 6 weeks. To start off, let me tell you, there is never a dull moment in Melbourne. Basically we live in the nicest apartment in the mission with one other companionship of Heremanas in a place called the Heights. The Heights is supposedly the nice part of the area. With that being said, Houston is known for it's high crime rates, but what they did is they took a ghetto part of the area, built nice homes there and called it safe. We are still surrounded by the rest of Houston though, which is not safe. Interestingly enough, I wasn't worried at all when I got here last Tuesday. My first day in the area, Sister Bonner and I went to vist one of their investigators named Jackie. Jackie was a prostitute for the good majority of her life, but then got out of it and is now struggling with drug addiction and all sorts of other problems. She is absolutely the sweetest lady and says that she can feel the spirit so strong whenever the missionaries come over, but it's hard for her to keep her commitments. We won't give up on her though! After Jackie we went next door to find someone else that they had been teaching, but he wasn't home, so instead we started talking to an old woman named Erline who was sitting out front. Straight up crazy, but really nice as well haha. It was pretty hard to understand what she was saying, but at one point after we asked her whether her family was important to her, I'm pretty sure she said that she beat her ex boyfriend with a piece of a stove she broke off because he was being mean to her kids. Now that is love. Afterwards we walked down a street named Blueberry and as we were going along a man in a durango pulls up alongside of us and starts talking to us. his name is John Gibbs and he gave us his number and basically told us to call him WHEN something happens to us. He then proceeded to tell us that all of the people who live on this street are drug dealers and pimps and as we look around we notice that just about every person on the street is staring at us... not in a nice way either. Because it's broad daylight, after he drives away we still think it's fine to continue down the street, but after like 10 steps we felt very strongly that it probably was not the best idea to tract there, so we left. The rest of the day consisted of talking to people who were super kind, but also not interested. But that wasn't even the best part! Day two was so much more exciting! We tracted and talked to a bunch of people who collectively probably only had 10 teeth and tried to share the gospel as missionaries tend to do. Then nighttime rolls around and we are biking to this guy's house that the sisters had contacted previously. As we'er coming up the street there is this white SUV pulled over on the side of the road with its lights on with a few guys talking on the dark side of the car. As we start to come up to it, one of them walks around to the front of the car and points what looks like a gun at us and starts screaming and cursing at us and saying "you don't know... stuff" haha over and over again. We were so taken aback that we didn't really have time to break, so my comp, Sister Bonner continues to bike towards him, and he tries to grab her, but she swerves so instead he turns around and pushes her off of her bike. At this point I am so shocked and I have no idea what to do, and neither of us have said a word, so I bike off onto the side walk and sort of hide while he walks towards her still yelling. She just looks up at him and asks what she did wrong, and then he suddenly gets back into the car. then they start to chase me, so I bike off and then something tells me to just slam on the breaks, so I do, and then they just drive off.  I quickly go back to check on Sister Bonner, and she is a little shaken up, missing a shoe, but mostly fine. I'm assuming they thought we saw something that we didn't. We then try to bike home, but the bike broke so we had to walk 15 blocks home in the dark. i'm going to be honest, I have never been so shakey in my entire life. So we decide to call it a night and watch the Testaments for the rest of the night. Haha pretty cool huh? While it is not that exciting everyday, there is literally never a dull moment in Melbourne.

So far I have been chased by dogs, tracted homes that really shouldn't even be standing because they are so run down, eaten to the point of near death because a Hispanic sister whom we call Hermana Torta was super offended when we told her that we didn't want anymore tortas because we were full, salsa danced at a hispanic thanksgiving party, eaten thanksgiving tacos, taught a homeless man named Reggie in the park, did an impromtu musical number in sacrament meeting, taught the gospel principles class and so much more. Guys, Heavenly Father loves us and I know I am going to learn so much in this area. He protects his children, and especially his missionaries. There are people here that need the gospel, and despite the fear that sometimes comes along, faith always trumps fear, and I have found the need to have a lot of that lately. I hope y'all have a wonderful wonderful Thanksgiving week and I will write again next Monday! I love you!

New mailing address:

404 Oxford St.

Camden Heights #3208

Houston, Texas

77007

-Sister Williams

Sorry...no pictures this week.  It seems Sister Williams doesn't have much time today.... :(  

Transfers!!!

 

Oh my gosh it's happening again! Transfers are here in full force! So the verdict is that...... Sister Williams is leaving the good 'ol Station :(   I am so sad! I love this place with all of my heart and I love the people I serve and the missionaries I serve with. But, in spite of all of that, I also love and trust the Lord, so I am excited to see what the future holds. Transfer meeting is tomorrow, and that is when I will find out where I am going. So weird. 

It's official family, I have been out for 6 months! What the heck?! I can't believe the time has gone by so fast. Sister Newhouse is standing behind me right now and I feel.... Awkward.. and like crying because she is going to miss me soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo bad. Haha I'm mostly kidding. 

Anyways I have 6 minutes left to write and I don't really know what to say. Something I will say is that the past couple of weeks I have been feeling an incredible sense of gratitude to my Heavenly Father for the many blessings I have been given, including serving a mission. I almost feel guilty because the purpose of a mission is to go out and serve others, but, while I have been doing that, I feel that I have received way more in these past 6 months than I will ever be able to give. Not everyone is given the opportunity to serve a mission, but I was able to go and for that I will forever be grateful. Anyways I have literally 30 seconds left. 

I love you all soooo darn much! Have a great week!

Sister Williams

(lots of pictures this week)

Hey there,

This past week was an interesting one for sure. I don't know what it is, but after you have had a really great week, you usually have to prepare yourself for some let downs. Two of our investigators dropped us this week and the others weren't really responding or progressing. The first investigator was this kid named jack we met on campus and he seriously just seemed so golden. He told us that he felt the spirit whenever he was with us and that he knew he had met us for a reason. Then he came across one little hang up, and it was all over. He thanked us and we parted ways. It was sad, but not as sad as the day Sonny dropped us. 

Sister Flanders and I found Sonny about 3 transfers ago. We have been consistently teaching him for about 3 months now and he was just so awesome. He was consistently reading from the Book of Mormon, he watched general conference and he finally came to church last Sunday for the first time and it was so dang great. Then we met with him on Friday and after a long talk about acting on personal revelation he decided that he needed to go on this journey alone for a little while, but that we shouldn't think this was the end because he may come back. He broke up with us and it was so sad. I'm going to be honest, after he left that lesson I sat down and cried. It really is so hard when you feel like you did all you could but you lose one anyways. But at the same time I know that things will turn out alright. 

It was way cool though. Yesterday we went to church after a pretty depressing week and three of our investigators showed up unexpectedly and a recent convert who had fallen off the face of the Earth after her baptism came as well. It was such a miracle! Heavenly Father really is working hard with us and even when we feel like giving up, he picks us up and keeps pushing us forward.

Along those lines, I couldn't sleep last night for some reason. I had so many thoughts running around in my head that my brain just refused to shut off. So I got up and started reading and writing in my journal and received some enlightenment. So here is something I've learned:

Just like Nephi's stubborn older brothers, Laman and Lemuel from the Book of Mormon, we all forget from time to time the things we have learned, the feelings that we had when truth was revealed to us through revelation, and even who we are. We don't let this happen on purpose, but at the same time it is usually a result of us neglecting our "eternal progression" by thinking that if we just stop progressing for a little while, we will remain where we left off. Unfortunately that is not the case. Living a gospel life is like walking, or running in some cases, up a downward moving escalator. The going may slow or fast depending on who you are, and no matter who you are, if you stop or stand still for even a moment you will not remain where you are, but you will indefinitely regress. Pretty frustrating huh? But what I've also come to realize is that, simply put, that is just the way life is and is supposed to be. The whole purpose of our coming to Earth was to gain a body AND experience through facing and overcoming opposition. if we never had to struggle and work to gain truth and light, we would never recognize and or appreciate what it is to receive enlightenment after enduring well and faithfully through our trials. we would never understand the magnitude and the blessing of what it means to gain "all that the Father hath". So what happens if you did stop and "take a break" from living a gospel life and you lost the ground you had won? Don't worry, all is not lost. We were not asked to make the climb alone the first time, and no matter how many times it takes for us to learn that it is much easier to just keep going rather than starting over again and again, the Savior is ever willing to answer our plea for help and to climb with us and show us the way up and onward. I read a quote by Jeffrey R. Holland, one of the 12 apostles, that sums it up pretty well.

 "However late you think you are, however many chances you think you've missed, however many mistakes you think you've made or talents you think you don't have, or however far from home, family and God you feel you have traveled, I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love. It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite atonement shines."

The really wonderful thing about the atonement is that there is no expiration date, it is not limited use, and it extends to all, including those who think they don't want it. If you feel like you have fallen too far, you haven't. If you think you are too far gone, you're not, and if you believe that you are no longer worth it, than stop it. Even at our absolute lowest point, we are more worth it than we will ever be able to comprehend. The Savior died for all of us, but even if there was only one person on the Earth, he still would have done it, because he loves us. I know my Savior lives and loves eternally. I know that I can be cleansed and perfected from the many mistakes I've made, because of him. I know that as long as we push forward with a steadfastness in Christ and endure to the end, we can and will receive an everlasting fullness of joy. I have said it a million times before, but I KNOW it. I love this gospel and you all more than you will ever know and I hope you all have a wonderful week.

-Sister Williams

Hmmmmm?

Brother Jensen (left), Bishop Nixon (right)

Exchanges with Sister Newhouse

Her name is Heart

Holding Amy's pet python

Kyle Field Stadium behind us

Laundry at "La Washateria)

Pouring rain!!

Saturday night football game...poor choice.

We think we're models....

A September picture...

Sister Jacobsen and I in the Mini Van

Abuelita forgot to add this picture way back in September.  She's sorry!

The stars at night, are big and bright.... deep in the heart of Texas!

Cuddling with the AP

A huge black widow that was HUGE!

After the baptism.

I love these people!

Jeremiah and Kaylee

Missionaries in Black!

Take me for a ride in a big blue tractor.

The whole crew.

Zone Conference with President Pingree

 

Alrighty! So this past week was good and bad all at the same time. To start off with the "bad". I am not exactly sure if we were wearing "kick me" signs on our backs or what, but for some reason everyone thought it was open season on the sister missionaries. We were getting judged left and right all week! Apparently, according to other missionaries who have been out longer, this is pretty normal. at first I was pretty annoyed. I felt like we were doing our job, teaching regularly and trying our best to fulfill our purpose, and people were just finding every reason to let us know that we were doing things wrong. Not gonna lie, it hurt. But after the frustration wore off I really thought about it and I realized that it was a tender mercy. Every now and then we can get really comfortable and think we're all hot and awesome, and then the Lord "gently" reminds us to be humble. Even though it can be frustrating, I am always super grateful when that happens because it pushes me to be better. So this week I really am going to strive to "try a little harder to be a little better" and to be more humble while doing it!

 

Now to talk about the good! Jeremiah was baptized this past Saturday and confirmed as a member if the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on Sunday. It was such an amazing experience. The Elders also had a baptism scheduled for that day so we decided to just combine the two. Everyone was a little worried about how it would turn out, but it turned out to be one of the most spiritual experiences. Being at a baptism for one person is amazing. Being at a baptism for two people is absolutely breathtaking. The spirit was so strong and my heart was so full. Jeremiah asked me to speak and while I was standing at the pulpit I was able to look out at the large crowd that had come to support Jeremiah and Kaylee and everyone's faces were just glowing and it was so cool! It's little things like that that really strengthen my testimony. It really blows my mind on a regular basis that people actually listen to what we have to say and that people actually get baptized. But I know the reason that that is, is because the message we have to share is true and it brings so much joy that people can't help but be drawn to it. Pretty amazing. Anyways, This week is going to rock. I can feel it already. I love you so much and I hope you have an amazing week!

 

Love, Sister Williams