Sister Williams and Sister Bonner

Being silly with the Cardenas

Sister Williams, Sister Bonner and Jackie

Visiting the Cardenas Family

So sorry! 

Alright I know that I should have written last week, but I was slightly bitter, because it was a tough one. Definitely a faith trying experience. I like to think of that week as "everybody hate the sister missionaries" week, but it is now over and all is well. This past week on the other hand was awesome! We started teaching again this family that we had previously dropped, mostly because they were intimidating and scared us. But, after a fair amount of time, we manned up and set up an appointment with them, and taught them last Tuesday. The lesson got intense and heated and we ended up being there for like 3 hours. It was not awesome, but afterwards they told us that they loved us and loved meeting with us and want us to come back. So we're meeting with them again on Thursday... People are crazy, but we are all children of God, so at least we have that in common haha. Then on Friday we met with Jackie and we... SET A BAPTISMAL DATE!! She hesitated when we asked and then she told us that as soon as we extended the invitation her mind was flooded with thoughts saying that she would let us down and that she wouldn't be able to do it. Then She stopped and said, "Yes I can do it!" Dumb 'ol Satan. He is really just the most annoying thing. You can be sure that every time that you are about to do something great and life changing, that will bring you closer to the Savior and Heavenly Father, he will be right there to tell you that you will fail and to make your life harder. But, as Elder Holland once said, "If for a while the harder you try, the harder it gets, take heart. So it has been with the best people who have ever lived." And that is so true! Of course things are going to get harder when you strive to be better because now you are a threat to Satan whereas before you weren't. So when you're trying to do the right thing, and things get difficult, in a sense you can know that you're on the right path haha. Right before Joseph Smith saw God the Father and his son Jesus Christ, he was  overtaken by a dark power that was bent on his destruction. Why? Because he was about to do a great work!. Right before something great happened something trying happened first. So pray for Jackie that she can make her date and that she can be strong and triumph over her trials. 

Another awesome thing that happened was not only did Jackie come to church again this Sunday, and she stayed all 3 hours, but another one of our investigators named Jontae came as well for the first time. For a while there it seemed like Jontae wasn't going anywhere or progressing, and like he wasn't really all that interested. We didn't try all that hard other than stopping by every week to ask if he wanted to meet haha. Anyways, so when he said he would come to church we were so stoked and his Mom was with him when we asked and she said she would coma as well. Then we asked if they would like to invite his dad, and they both just laughed and said that will never happen. So we shrugged and were like whatever, as long as you come to church. So Jontae did come, his mom ended having to work so she didn't come, but he did and that was just fine. SO that was it. That was our little victory for the week. Then a little while after church we get a call from our ward mission leader, who was the one who took him home afterwards, and he told us that when they got to his house they felt prompted to go in and talk to his family, and his dad in particular. So they did and they had a really nice conversation and ended up inviting the entire family (including his brother) to church, and the Dad said that he would really like to come. He then proceeded to tell Gavin that he was so impressed by Sister Bonner and I, because we bike out there every week and knock on his door and most times we get rejected by him, and when Jontae is home and he tells us that he's asleep (which he usually always is) we tell him to wake him up haha. He thought that was funny. So even when you think your efforts are wasted, keep trying... unless they specifically tell you to stop. Then you should probably stop haha. Anyways, this week is going to be awesome as well. We are meeting with another family that we thought were out of the picture, but when we called they said we could come over and teach, so teach we will. While a mission is an emotional roller coaster for sure, I'm glad on I'm on it and I get to feel such a vast range of emotions everyday. It lets you know that you are still alive and human. Those are good things. I love this work and you! Have a great week! 

-Sister Williams 

Love Each Other

Someone loves you even when you don't think so, don't you know, you got me and Jesus!!!!

I'm listening to a Christian rock cd right now and those are the words to the song playing currently haha. Gotta love it. It's so true though, even when you think there is no one out there who understands or loves you, you can be sure that the Savior definitely does... and you can add me to that list if you want. So the miracles have continued to pour out on us this past week. A man literally drove up next to us while we were walking down the street and asked us to teach him, and then after we were done talking to him, a man who had been standing near by asked if we could talk with him for a while and answer some of his questions, and then a woman in the bathroom stopped and talked to us and we ended up exchanging info and plan on seeing her again soon. Miracles out the wazoo, and those are just a few! I love it!  Also, it finally stopped raining and warmed up. Woohoo! It is so much easier to get up and get going when you're not anticipating icy rain whipping you in the face as you try to bike down the sidewalk with one hand because the other hand is trying to prevent your skirt from flying up and flashing all of the innocent/ not so innocent bystanders. So ya, it's been a wonderful past couple of days. Another one of our investigators came to church for the first time on Sunday and he stayed for all 3 hours. So good. We tracted into Jerome at an all men's home for people who are recovering from drug addictions, incarceration, and other issues. By the way he looks, you would think he was this scary mean guy. I'm talking about muscles upon muscles and tattoos on top of that, two gold teeth and a bald head. Initially when he opened the door we were a little hesitant, but he has turned out to be the nicest man ever. Apparently the other men in the home were talking to him about us in an inappropriate way a little while back, and he gave them quite the talking to. They all used to come out and say hi, and now they won't even make eye contact haha. He really is a teddy bear. He believes that we were sent to him by God for a reason, and so he promised us that whenever we want to meet, he will always make time, and he has. We are really praying that he will continue to progress and grow in the gospel and we are excited to see how it will bless and change his life. Our meeting him is just a wake up call and a testimony builder that you really can't judge another person by their outward appearance. I have been guilty of that more times then once. Sometimes looks do reflect someones heart, whether they are good or bad, but more often then not we really shouldn't be the ones to decide who those people are. There are so many good people out here who have just been dealt such a hard hand in life and all they need is for someone to show them some kindness and to remind them of their divine worth and potential, because even though we can't tell who a person really is based on where a person has come from or what they've done or what they look like we can know for sure that we are all children of God. Period. Obviously I still struggle with preconceived notions and judgments, but things like this just inspire me to be better and to improve, and for that I'm grateful. 

Anyways, it is a beautiful week to do missionary work and I'm ready for whatever comes my way. I love this work and my Heavenly Father and Savior and I love YOU. So have a good week! 

-Sister Williams 

(sorry I'm so late in posting...this one is from Jan 6)

Surprise surprise!

So Sister Bonner and I drove all the way up to transfer meeting fully expecting to receive a third to our happy duo and lo and behold, President Pingree had changed his mind that morning and assigned the sister to a different companionship... and forgot to inform us. But it was such a good thing! We got to say good bye to all of the missionaries who were going home that week, including my dear sweet Sister Jacobsen. I can't believe she's gone and she has been home for 5 days!! That is so weird! 

So This past week has been awesome. First of all it is officially 2014, such a good thing! I can just tell this is going to be an awesome year. Secondly we have blessed with so many miracles. This past Sunday, President Pingree asked us to include in our fast that "the Lord would pour out his spirit upon our areas" and that "those who are prepared would be led to us and we would be led to them". Yesterday was one of the best Sundays ever. 2 less active/ in-active families that we have been visiting came to church, one of which hadn't been to church in over half a year, and the mother of the other family got up and bore her testimony about the gospel and missionary work, it was so great. In addition, 2 new couples randomly moved into our ward and they seem like they could both be such a great blessing in helping us build and strengthen Melbourne ward, and lastly, and investigator that has been meeting with the missionaries for the past 6 months came to church for the first time yesterday!!! Ahhhh Sister Bonner and I nearly passed out when she said she would come to church with us and that we could get her a ride,and we were even more shocked when she actually walked into the building. The Lord is hastening his work! I can feel it. Everything just feels different. 

I can tell this transfer is just going to fly by because it just started and it already feels like it's over. I can't wait to see what happens in this area over the next couple of weeks. I know that the Lord is preparing hearts, missionaries and members to ensure that everyone gets the opportunity to hear about the restored gospel and I am so grateful I get to be a part of that. We are actually starting a Book of Mormon study class that we hope will attract people to come and learn more about the gospel in a slightly different setting. Keep us in your prayers that everything works out well. We are starting this Wednesday and we have been papering the town to get the word out. I'm excited to see what happens. 

Well my family, I love you all and I hope you have a great week! 

Love,Sister Williams 

We're trying a new finding tool.  Walking members dogs.

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