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.

Flag Fence

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