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Caroling in Falls City, NE.

And a Happy New Year!

Christmas was great here in little Hiawatha. We had our whole district of 6 missionaries together and we made German pancakes for breakfast. Actually, sister Gunderson made breakfast, I helped open presents. One present from Elder Allen was a flea collar(inside joke) back before I knew that the bites on my arm were from bed bugs. He thought he was pretty clever. We are now all moved back into our house and out of the senior sisters! You know you've been there too long when they start treating you like their own grandchildren. Glad to have a bug free bed/house again.

It didn't feel like Christmas as for the environment- Its cold but there isn't snow or signs of any. :( But the Christmas spirit was very apparent to everyone, we sang christmas carols a lot, gave He is the Gift cards to everyone we saw. It was a very different experience to describe it at best. But, I did get to skype home and see my FAMILY and puppies! I was soooooooo happy to see them! It was the best. Funny story, a while back we had bought tubs for our clothes and grabbed the wrong sized lids. #FirstWorldProblems  But I couldn't find the receipt anywhere! Then one day while reading the Book of Mormon I found it! Answers are in there I promise! So, my fam bam sent me a package and told me not to open it till Christmas. So the Elders opened it- sorry mom. But, there was this pair of cute little pink earrings. I left them in there so I wouldn't lose them. thenn when we were getting all moved into our house again... They were gone. I was heart sick. I was mad at the Elders for even opening it, I prayed to find them and had no luck till I just had to accept that they were lost. Then the morning after Christmas I had my scriptures on my lap and the phone started to ring. I went to get up and as I was setting my scriptures down- they fell out!! BEST DAY EVER! I was soo happy! So if you need answers, they are in the scriptures- no joke.

I'm trying real hard to remember what I do with my days.. Its all just a blur anymore. A lot of people think we are Jehovah Witnesses, and then when we tell them we are LDS....Mormon? Then they tell us what they think we believe. Its really interesting, "John Smith", "Many wives", "What makes you Christian?" That's when sister Gundy burns then with her knowledge of the Bible and Book of Mormon. It is so funny, She can quote many verses and knows exactly where they are and then others tell us some scripture but can't show us "But its in there!"  We get alot of that. On the brighter side! We have 3 people on date!! We have 2 baptisms for January 10th! They came to church yesterday and loved it! Abby and her mom Lynn. They are living the Word of Wisdom and are reading the Book of Mormon, they even offered to feed us this week! YES! They are so great and we love them. Abby told everyone that she talked to yesterday that she's getting baptized (: Her dad is real Catholic but her mom is very supportive and awesome. She loves star wars and animals. haha!

Virginia is our chain smoker who has cut down from 1.5 packs/day to 9! She is AWESOME! Her date is Feb.14th. She really wants to join, she loves us and is soo ready. Its just her habit of smoking. But, I know she can do it.

I love LOVE being a missionary, the past few weeks have been a series of trials of faith for me. To see if I'm really capable of even doing this. But, God trusts me enough for me to be here- I'm beyond thankful and grateful for his patience with me. And everyone else that knows me.. haha. A lot of the time when people don't want to hear our message, I start thinking to myself- what am I even doing, no one is even interested. But then I hear of how something small to me -like singing for someone- made a big difference in their day. I know that God gave us special talents for the means of using them! to help others progress in their own journey for salvation. Everyone is given the opportunity to accept of reject the message of the gospel. Some haven't even heard it yet, but are being taught in the Spirit World. However, without the saving ordinances such as baptism and temple work- how can they enter into Gods Kingdom. Family History Work and going to the temple is something that I wish I had more time for. But all I can do is help others understand the need and urgency for these sacred works to be done. (: I love Hiawatha, I love our Savior, Jesus Christ. I know that when we apply the power of the Atonement in our lives, we come closer to Him. Daily scripture study WILL make the difference in your day. I testify of that. Prayer is real, God is real and the Book of Mormon is true. I LOVE YOU ALL, I'M GRATEFUL FOR ETERNAL FAMILIES AND FOR THE EXAMPLE YOU ALL ARE TO ME.

Have a fantastic week and I hope to hear from you all sooon! (:

Love your favorite missionary (;

Sister Williams

Christmas time is heeeerrrreeee!!!

Well hello!!! Hows it going?

Wow, man this week went by really fast for me. Super awesome things are happening here in Hiawatha! We have 4 Investigators on date for baptism coming up in January and February!! Do you remember Virginia Brown? She is on date for Valentines day, she has committed to quit smoking and now she is down to 1 pack a day!!!! hurray. Let me remind you that she has smoked for the past 64 years, but she wants to join the church really bad. She came to church yesterday, everyone knows her and loves her. We also have twins 12 years old that are on date with their mom. They were coming to church and they were dedicated but, Abby, one of the twins came down with the Flu on Saturday night. tragic. But Sunday turned out really nice for the 30 people that showed up. I sang "I Just Knew" and it went really well, Sister Gundy and Elder Riddle also sang "Silent Night" accapella with me for the little Christmas program we had. Its just a great big family here, and I love it a lot. Afterwards we had an appointment with a potential investigator, then his wife came out and we talked to her as well. When we asked how his Book of Mormon reading was going he said he hadn't started yet- his wife Jessie said that he was hogging it so we gave her one. Something funny tho, when we wanted to talk about the Book of Mormon she said we could only do so if we sang another song. The first time we met them, Sister Gunderson and I sang a song we wrote. She liked it ALOT- thats basically why we were able to come back. So now, they are coming to church next week, and they are also coming over on Christmas! Music is soo powerful when combined with the spirit. (We sang "Nearer My God to Thee") Sister Murphy was also with us and she is soo bold with everything she says. She used to be a Catholic....right? and She is soo passionate about the gospel. Its awesome.

Wow, what else have I been doing here...we have been buying gifts for everyone and the tree looks sooo great. Santa came early to Hiawatha. We played Uno on Saturday with the old ladies at Vintage Park! I love them, one of my favorite people is named Esther. She had her 99th birthday yesterday, so we went back and sang to her. She was sooo excited to see us, you should have seen her face. It was adorable. All her family was there as well- it was great.

I have definitely been so blessed to be here in Hiawatha at this time. Everyone that I'm serving with has made all the difference- especially with the darn bed bugs. The senior sisters have let us stay at their home for the past 2 weeks! I'm surprised that we haven't driven them insane. I think we have but they are really good at hiding it. But today! the exterminator and his crew are now working to kill all the bed bugs. hurray! Last night we had to go back and take care of some things and while I was in the bedroom I found a little nasty on my bed. and for some reason I thought to get real close to it to make sure its what i thought it was.. then my common sense clicked in and then I ran out freaking out. while my companion thought I was being dramatic.pfft! ...I'm not dramatic... (;  she then found more bugs on her bed. She vacuumed them up-- then realized that wasn't the best idea. oohh my companion. haha

I'm so grateful for this Christmas season where on a mission all you focus on is serving others and Jesus Christ. If you haven't seen the clip "He is the Gift" you NEED to! go to www.christmas.mormon.org right now! Its also on youtube as well. We share that with everyone with pass along cards- to remind them of the REAL reason we celebrate Christmas. I know that God so loved the world, that He did send His only Begotten Son..who is the Savior of the World. He is the one that redeemed us all, I know that we are never forgotten nor forsaken."Cry unto the Lord for mercy, for he is mighty to save" I have been reading the Book of Mormon and its so powerful when you sincerely seek for answers- they are there! It is the word of God, Its His promise to us that if we keep the commandments and follow him it will be well with us. However we are not perfect, we fall short everyday. This is why I am so grateful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ, He knows our weaknesses and understands. Its because of him we are given that second chance! His love is everlasting. I know that this gospel is the true, restored gospel on the earth led by a prophet called by God. No man leads this church! Keep building your faith like its says in Helaman 5:12! Build your rock on the foundation of our Redeemer! With him we cannot fall.

I love you all and I hope you have a Merry Christmas!

Love,
Sister Williams

One Week till Christmas?

Hello Family!!
The weather is rainy and cold, and there is no snow. Hopefullly
tomorrow! ha Well this last week was busy, it went by really fast as
well. I'm trying to think of things that we did... well we did
missionary work, we walked a lot and talked/sang with the ukulele
because its now warm enough to do so again. (: As for the bed bugs,
they are still there and today a guy from a pest control company came
by to give an estimate soo we are looking forward to staying at the
senior sisters house FOREVER!! ha just kidding- like another week. so
pretty close. I really hate when I can't remember the week- okay so
here is the run down of last week. Monday: Sister Gunderson and I
spent 2 hours in Walmart looking for Christmas presents for the
Elders. I was soo upset because I don't like this Walmart here because
they have nothing! and the fact that I was there longer than 30
minutes. (; Their gifts are so silly its perfect. We have gone
caroling a lot and people here really enjoy it! ITs fun, plus its even
more fun when we all sound pretty good, haha. I'm skipping to Thursday
now! We had a Christmas party in Topkea for our zone and it was super
fun! We had an ugly sweater contest, and President Bell and I had the
same sweater. haha (: It was hilarious. Lots of singing and charades
of the Book of Mormon and Missionary life... so you can only imagine
how legit it was.
But other than that, that's about all the excitement of life. ha well
how the week went. Oh wait actually, I sang in sacrament meeting with
sister gundy and a young woman in the branch. We sang Marys Lullaby.
Turned out pretty good for only singing it twice. LOL The Hiawatha
Bell choir came on Sat. night and no one came... yaaa. talk about
lame. They were really nice, just no one from the branch decided to
come.. granted everyone that is active lives 30 mins away from
Hiawatha. #dedication.
Next sunday we are looking forward to a congregation of maybe 12
people! haha.. ya party! just kidding. we are seriously trying to get
members involved with investigators and help build the branch but, we
haven't had any luck. Also, for some reason everyone we are teaching
right now are really old...ha. Our oldest is 78! I told her she has to
be baptized before I leave Hiawatha. lol That's the right motivation
yea? haha.
Anyway, I have been reading the Book of Mormon again, I'm in Alma 10!
Its been really interesting how so much more stands out and makes
sense. I'm loving it and then its easier for us to explain it to
investigators and help them get more excitement out of it too.
Oh something cool this week, there is this little coffee shop and we
go a lot because the food is yummy. Anyway, we always talk to the lady
that works there but didn't really talk about the church, She knew we
were missionaries. Obviously, till this week we finally brought it up.
(: #newinvestigator. Her name is Debbie. Shes sooo funny, she loves
food with a passion and so we talked a lot about food and Jesus.
Perfect combo yeah?
Life is good, Its been kinda hard this week, but God always makes it
better. I love LOVE getting your emails and reading them. IT makes me
super happy along with letters. Thank you for them. I actually called
the bank and talked to Mallory for like minute... it was really
weird.. I super nervous for some reason. haha
But I LOVe you all! I love this Christmas season with our without
snow- that we celebrate and remember Jesus Christ as our Savior of the
World. That through his grace we are saved and can be with our
families forever through the sealing power of the priesthood that was
restored by JosephSmith. Its all true, no doubt in my mind. I know
that God is mindful of us all, and that his love is everlasting. Hope
you all have a great week!!!!!!!
Talk to you later!! Tell everyone hello and give em a hug.

Love,
Sister Savannah Williams

Its already December! What the?

Hey Everyone!! How ya'll doing out there!

Wowza, its been really crazy this past week, I was sick on Monday with flu symptoms and then my companion got sick the next day so that was super exciting. I was so anxious and annoyed at myself and the whole situation. But, we are now feelin 100%! 

For thanksgiving, we made a lot of cookies for less actives in the branch. There are so many, seriously, like if all the LA's were active we would have a ward... But It was fun driving out to Nebraska and down to the bottom of our area in Centralia KS. We had Thanksgiving dinner at the Wheelers Family and they were awesome! Funny story. 

So Brother Wheeler had some of his other children from a different marriage from New Mexico up for Thanksgiving. One of them has Autism and his name is Zachary and he is 19. So adorable, we bonded. He really liked how we were both 19 and went to highschool. haha He told me that he was Prom King and that he had a girlfriend. Then continued to try and arouse me and kept asking me if I was jealous? haha. nooooo? I just laughed, then at dinner he was saving me a seat so I could sit by him. Elder Riddle was pulling out the chair next to Zach to sit down, but Zach was like "no no, You!" and pointed to me. :) It was all really good, very entertained and very full. We had 2 dinners in one day after having no dinners the whole week. Awesome. The senior Sisters also fed us.. omg too much food. 

Church was awesome! We had 2 investigators come to church! HALLELUJAH! Leroy who is 69 and Virginia who is in her 70's. They both are my favorite, they are sooo ready to be baptized but they both drink coffee and virgina is a chain smoker and has been since she was 14. However, she told me she is trying to quit and is going to see a doctor to help her quit as well. Leroy quit drinking and smoking about 2 years ago and has progressed so so much. He is awesome, he reminds me so much of Grandpa Moore. At Church yesterday when he showed up was a huge step for him. When he was standing there he was so nervous but he made it and really liked the atmosphere. He liked how instead of being preached, you are talked to and uplifted. The talks were very good as well. It was just a super good day. 

We have 2 new investigators, one who is Bill Allen and is AWESOME. He is one of Leroys friends and wasn't sure what he was getting himself into but as we talked more he opened up and we set up an appointment to come back! I love the spirit. (: He said that he is jealous of Mormons and how hard we work and the diligence of the members. We told him that he could be a mormon too. haha so silly. 

Anyway It was 65 degrees one day and then the next day was like 29. #K. But, the work here is definitely hastening. Miracles happen everyday and it is so powerful and a testimony builder that God is mindful of us and our needs. We just need to trust in his timing and BE believing. He has definitely blessed me in helping me "be here". We are in Lawrence today for P-day! Home of the JayHawks! WOO! Hey anyone know Trent Maybee? Elder Maybee. Well he is in my Zone now! His mom came up to me after my talk and bore her testimony of missionary work and cried to me and told me that he would be out here. And BAM! I found him, Im actually looking at him right now. haha. ( I  went to HS with him) cool huh. 

Life is great! super stoked for Christmas, and for snow, whenever that is going to happen. 

I Love being a missionary, its so hard. I've had a hard time having patience and confidence in myself that I can do this and trusting in the Lord that he will prepare a way. Then I think of 1 Nephi 3:7. so I'm fine. (:

I have taken pictures but I'll send them next week because i don't have too much time today. ): But just know that I KNOW! that this is the TRUE restored gospel on the earth, that the Book of Mormon is true, and if that is true then Joseph Smith is a prophet called by God. I know that through the Atonement of Christ we can repent and be a little better every day. We are here to progress and learn. Christ set the example and we are to follow him. Read the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon. It will change your life and Im so serious. Its changed mine. I love you all and I hope to here from you soon!!! 

Love sister Williams!

Thanksgiving in Hiawatha!

Wow this week was pretty interesting. We had Stake Conference in Topeka Saturday and Sunday and we got to hear from a member from the 70. He was great. A lot of inspired people and awesome music. For the adult session, all the missionaries in our zone got up and sang our Kansas Mission song. It was great.

ha, for some reason when I come to write a weekly letter.. my week is a blur. So I have to ask my companion lol.

Well we have an ex-communicated member? almost on date to be re-baptized hopefully in December. Her name is Pam and her mom is a Less Active. She would be active but her health has been a factor. Pam also came to Stake Conference with the senior sisters along with her mom!! YAY!!!! Pam looked super happy and comfortable being there. Apparently Sister Gunderson said that before, when she had come to church she looks unpleasant. uncomfortable? But we went up to her and gave her a hug annnd she held on for a looonng time. It was so great!

We also have another investigator named Virginia Brown. She is RLDS and has struggled with smoking for years. She wants to be baptized but you have to be living the word of wisdom for 2 weeks in order to do so. She has done really well so far, she was given a priesthood blessing and she set a date for Dec.20th. Its definitely been a hard thing for her, but we continue to pray and hope for the best.

Remember the marine woman we met the first day I was here? Well we had to drop her... ): Her husband wont let her see us.. i was annoyed and upset.

We knock on peoples doors, they either lock it right in front of us...k really? Like im gonna barge right into their house and shove a book of Mormon down their throat. #whatever

Or they open it and say they're sick and we cant come it, they're baptist (like I'm supposed to be scared?) but we still give them mormon.org cards and tell them it will change their life because it will. This lady yesterday, we asked her if she would want to learn more about the church of Jesus Christ, and she said "I know Jesus Christ" and shut the door. HAVE A GOOD DAY!

Its like what Joseph Smith said about Jesus Christ, their lips speak of me but their hearts are far from me. Just like in 4th Nephi 1:27, "they professed to know Christ, and yet they did deny the more parts of his gospel". ughh

Other interesting things this week was, we also had to drop 2 of our investigators because they were pretty much not interested and super flaky. But they had two friends there and we talked to them, they are southern baptists and I think the BF was trying to scare us.. He said that he had mentioned meeting with missionaries before and how they didn't like him.. haha well okay then. When we were talking, He interrupted and said "wait, I thought you didn't believe in Christ?" Sister Gundy and looked at each other and grabbed our name tags and said "its on our tags?" So that was awesome. Everyone just wants the facts.. which is normal. But then you need to back them up with faith. Something that people claim to have, but when adversity comes- they lose it. I've been re-reading the Book of Mormon and my comprehension has soared. Its awesome, I love understanding things!!! haha

Like I never knew that Nephi was depressed... in 2nd Nephi 4, he expresses himself "why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow, and my flesh waste away, and my strength slacken, because of mine afflictions?" There is so much in there that I'm just now understanding and relating to myself. Its so awesome. These people were REAL! 

umm other than all that jazz.. Oh I barely bought Nat King Coles Christmas CD because its not the holidays without Nat. and as of last night, its not approved anymore.. curses!!! Best $7 I've ever spent. haha

But I still sing all the time, my companion has taught me to play the ukelele and I'm getting a lot better! Stress reliever.

The work is slowly hastenting- we reached our mission goal of 55 baptisms this month. Hiawatha is gonna be baptizing soon!! (:

Well this is a lot shorter than usual. sorry.

But I love you all and hope you have a great thanksgiving! Hope to hear from ya'll soon!

Love,

Sister Williams

Fwd: WASSUP!!

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Savannah Williams <savannah.williams@myldsmail.net>
Date: Mon, Oct 27, 2014 at 11:50 AM
Subject: WASSUP!!
To: Mom <bryceshauna70@msn.com>, Dad <bryce22will@yahoo.com>, Charlotte Williams <willchar1106@gmail.com>, Grandma Moore <levonnemoore@msn.com>, Grandma Cheryl <williamsch@byui.edu>, livwill22@gmail.com, Mallory Goulding <coloradomal31@gmail.com>, Michaela Ronstadt <michaela_ronstadt@aol.com>, Marti Schliep <Martischliep@yahoo.com>, Joey Hoagland <joeyhoagland@yahoo.com>

Hello Everyone!

hope that everyone is doing fine and peachy! haha

Well lets see what has happened in the past week since last time.. hmmm

  So I had exchanges this week, and I was in Lawrence KS, which is where I get to go with the STL's (Sister Training Leader) and go around teaching and all that jazz. It was kind of awkward at first because I didn't know what to talk about.. I've realized that i'm kinda outspoken.. so I tried to keep it under control. haha But it was really interesting! Lawrence is in the city- so we drove everywhere and I didn't like that. Time would go by soooo slow. It was a struggle. About all of our appointments fell through- except for one. Her name is Cathy, (I swear like everyone has the name Cathy out here) and when I walked into her apartment, all the oxygen in my lungs was gone. they all smoke in the house and hack their lungs out. We had to stop a few times  because she was coughing so hard. Her family is a wreck, has medical problems and she has no money for food either. (probably because they smoke 10 packs a day) Im not even kidding. So we told her to pray and I read from Enos. She feels like God is looking over her because her prayers are not getting answered. But she then told us that we were her answer, and that she hasn't let anyone from a church in her home because it didn't feel right. But when the missionaries came, it did. However, she wants to come to church and be a member eventually. So I believe she is on date for the first weekend in December.. Oh it was really sweet, I told her I was only here for a day and she told me that I needed to come back again. haha.

 I've met a lot of people, we sang "The Spirit of God" to a Jehova Witness. I asked about her beliefs and she was soo shocked that Mormons were so similar? what?! haha. But she didn't want our card. so we left. :( All in all she was super nice and had an adorable grandson. We played Uno at the senior citizen home! It was so funny because one was color blind and couldn't tell which card was blue or green, another loves sports and reminds me of Rose O'Donnel.. haha EVERYTIME! and then we had one who explained every move she was making whether she was going to draw a card or play one.. It was a good hour spent. They were all sooo cute and sweet.

So we went to Horton on Friday talked to a few people, there is an investigator named Virginia Brown who is RLDS (Reorganized Latter Day Saint). We had a few referrals and one was a dad who didn't have his shirt on first so that was cool.. umm but he mostly talked and didn't give us a chance to even introduce ourselves basically. He gave us a long sermon about God and his will... I think he forgot who we were... in my mind I was like "you do know that you're talking to Mormons right?" haha so that was fun. We then had a hard time finding this one address. so we went another house in the area and told her about Thomas S. Monson, she was Catholic and wasn't interested in reading the Book of Mormon. Lame.. So then we asked her if she knew about this referral we had. Turns out, our referral passed away like a few days before we got there... awkward. We then went to Lunch at Breadeaux's- a pizza place. and I got a chicken sandwich. wow. I'm awesome. haha

I keep getting bit by spiders and chiggers.. ohh my heck I hate them all! There was this gigantic spider in the kitchen and my companion was like "don't look, keep talking. don't look!" yeah I wish I didn't look.. EWWWW. But she killed it. now its in the vacuum.

My memorization of everything is coming along, I now don't feel like an outcast. ha I'm tired all the time, so I drink a lot of crystal light caffeine, and I eat a lot of rice cakes. I love those. haha oh and craisins..

We had a lesson with a young guy named Daniel at the library and we showed him videos of the Book of Mormon, Jeffery R. Holland! We asked him questions on what he was feeling and what he got out of it. guess what he said. "I don't know". WHAT?! are you serious!? You just listened to Jeffery R. Holland and you don't know?! It was like talking to a wall.... #struggle

So our next lesson is gonna be a Do or Die. ha All good things!

 

Sunday! I had heard some sirens going on but didn't think to much of it. Anyway, so we were running late as usual.. not my fault either.. we also had to pick up one of our senior sisters. We were almost to church, when we got a text from the Branch Pres. saying that our mission president was visiting! AHH! So that was a rush of anxiety. I also gave a talk, [that I wrote on my own!:)] Then after sacrament, he got up and within 5 seconds he asked Sister Gundy and I to sing at Zone Conference this Friday in Topeka. SWEET!

After church, we had a potluck lunch with a bunch of different soups.. it was heaven. lol I had a severe food baby afterwards( totally worth it).

 

Then later that evening we were going to knock some street by the senior sisters home. When this car pulls up next to us and told us "just letting you know, there were 4 guys that the cops are after, they have 3 of them but, one is still out and he has a gun. he's shot one person already, and he's mentally not there" So we were kinda freaked out and I thought that maybe we should go tell the senior sisters.. Sis. Gundy was like lets go get the car. So we started walking back when I was like, he wouldn't stay in Hiawatha... we then turned around and started over with our first plan. As we were walking and talking and singing, another car stops us and it was this super sweet lady named Rosie. She told us to get inside because it wasn't safe. Apparently she saw us walking earlier and her and her husband drove past us but she had a feeling that she needed to come back. cool story was that we had walked past the house that this guy was hiding in and there were cops holding AK 47's waiting for him, just 20 mins earlier. GREAT. Rosie was so sweet, she said that she had been in a car accident a few years ago and some sister missionaries stopped and helped her, and ever since she has just adored the sisters. After that scary talk, she gave us a hug and we ran to the senior sisters house. locked the doors and hung out there till it was time to go back home. We had dinner there, had a little lesson as well. Super chill. It felt weird not walking and sweating- its been in the 80's the whole week. Anyway, as we were heading home in their CAR, (totes not walking) we were turning the corner to our house and on the right side of the the street there were over 3 fire trucks, countless cops and a swat team waiting outside a home that was down the street from us. I freaked out. ha I turned into a baby in 2 seconds. So we ended up back at the sisters home last night. all I could think about how there were angels watching over us when we were outside. Possibly divine intervention?

Well other than that craziness, I haven't seen or heard from Michelle our Marine investigator. The Elders went back to check in and her Baptist husband answered the door and said they weren't interested. So we're gonna go back and see for ourselves this week. We have this super awesome family I want to baptize soooo bad! They are the Joslins. The dad is super cool, they have 2 little boys who are so adorable. plus they're Christian. Bomb. We saw them on Saturday but were really busy at the time so we didn't talk very long. We are trying to work with the less actives, and getting them to come to church. its a working process... slowly but surely. Everyone we talk to always says that they're comfortable with where they are at.. There is no growth in a comfort zone just in case you didn't know that. This one girl thought that we weren't Christian because we were Mormon... that was a fun 2 hour talk on the street. it was so pointless..

I know that this church is true, that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God. I know that the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ for this dispensation on time- in our days! And that its true! I'm grateful for all of the support from my AMAZING family and friends. I know that families can together through Heavenly Fathers plan. He does hear our prayers and knows the thoughts and intents of our hearts. He never forgets us! I hope we all have Christ centered in our lives. Im thankful for everything he has given me and done for me. I wouldn't be where Im at right now if it wasn't for him. Because of him I can be forgiven and change. So that I can be better than I was yesterday! I know that God loves his children, I know I'm here in Hiawatha for a reason- so that I can find those who God has prepared. To bring them back home.

 

I hope you all have a great week, I think of you all the time!!!!! Hope to hear from you soon! 

P.S thank you family for the package! I'm excited!! (:

 Love you to infinity and beyond!

 

Sister Williams

 

Fwd: Howdy from Hiawatha!

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Savannah Williams <savannah.williams@myldsmail.net>
Date: Mon, Oct 20, 2014 at 10:33 AM
Subject: Howdy from Hiawatha!
To: Mom <bryceshauna70@msn.com>, Dad <bryce22will@yahoo.com>, Jennie Moore <Jennie.moore.07@gmail.com>, Mallory Goulding <coloradomal31@gmail.com>, Michaela Ronstadt <michaela_ronstadt@aol.com>, willchar1106@gmail.com

Family!!!!!!! Holy cow its been the coolest experience so far! So I arrived in Wichita late on Wednesday, met our mission president and wife and the AP's. They.are.so.cool!! I was starving when I got there because I forgot to eat and didn't want to throw up on the plane to Dallas and Kansas. But I survived and here I am in a little village called Hiawatha Kansas. Its 15 mins from the Nebraska border, about 3000 people live here..so its tiny. Our ward consists of people from all over like Seneca to Everest even Sabetha which is about 30 mins away. So our ward is REAL small, its a branch- so we're trying to reactivate and invite investigators to church. quite interesting, first day here My comp and I stopped in Whiting, to visit a progressing investigator who is NOW as of yesterday on date to be baptized on Nov.15th! Holla! He struggles with Word of Wisdom also but I have faith. (: While we were in Whiting we did some tracting and met a woman named Michelle. She invited us in right away and we talked for over an hour and a half...oops! haha

But she is incredible- she was raised as a Greek Orthodox, she was a Marine and now she teaches at the Baptist church. She believes in the will of God so much and forgiveness. She told us story after story about her life. ALL AMAZING. One story was of how she was in Iraq and was a sniper- unfortunately she was shot in the head. yea. But by the grace of God and his will he saved her. She could of been paralyzed, have many heath issues but she's active and smart and sassy! We love her, so we invited her to read the Book of Mormon and asked her to pray to know if its true. AND if it was, we asked her to be baptized. She said, "if it's Gods will, then yes" SO! I called her on Saturday to check up on her and asked how her reading was going. She's already read close to half of it.. In 2 days. AWESOME!!!! We meet with her tomorrow, I'm super excited. Then Yesterday was also amazing, Church was great, the members are super nice and we also had a few investigators and Less actives there. BOMB. Then that night we went to Topeka for a Missionary Devo- we brought a new convert to it and she bore her testimony about the gospel and how its totally changed her life. It was incredible, another man got up who was a Southern Baptist bore his and I wanted to jump up and give him the biggest hug ever. The spirit was soooooo strong last night I can't even describe it. But a missionary said, "the Spirit of God can't be expressed, but felt" The many times we do have spiritual experiences are so personal to us and should be kept that way. For they are either for our progression, edification or correction. But if prompted- DO SHARE! like last night, my mind was blown. Best moment of my mission thus far.

My companion sings.... you guys. Do you know what this means!!!!!! :) :) :)

We've sang ever since I've been here. She plays the ukulele and so when we go contacting or proselyting we sing! 

We are writing a song about missionary work and its pretty cute. LOVE IT. Tonight we have dinner at our senior sisters and can I just say that they are the most unique companionship I've ever seen. It seems like they wanna kill eachother but then they love each other. I don't understand it at all! Their names are Sisters Chapman and Murphy. Sister Chapman is like our Fairy God mother off of Cinderella with a crazy, funny, view on life. She's soooo sweet and kind. slightly sarcastic at times....I thought I was bad but then with her you just don't know till she tells you "im just kidding." HAAA... yeahhh okay.

Sister Murphy is from Cali and is like grandma missionary version of Barbie. HAHA.

Seriously no joke there. She's soo funny, she's also a psychologist- so we have to be careful of what we say around her.. she analyzes EVERYTHING. So I've heard. haha

Our district leader is awesome, he also sings and plays the guitar.

But, over all its been a good almost week- I love it here and i'm growing. I just wanna baptize everyone and be everyone best friend. But its not like that.. bummer. Its really depressing when you are told not to come back anymore from investigators. BUT we still go back haha. They'll never get rid of us-- till they threaten to kill us then we're like "WE GONE!"

Quite a few people are missing teeth and have funny accents- I never thought people had teeth like the fake teeth you buy for Halloween.. but actually they do. ha real neat.

Apparrently Halloween is a HUGE celebration here in Hiawatha and its a 2 day party. So we cant be here those nights- DARN. Still excited though!

I was also asked to be the pianist in our little Primary program, and then I talk this Sunday. I love being the new missionary. (that's sarcasm)

BUT I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!!! My testimony has grown, my relationship with God has never been this close ever and I'm so blessed to be where I am right now. I know that God does watch over His children and send angels to protect us. I really miss seeing my old district though, they were my other family and something we did after prayer as a district we had a cheer! "FAMILIES FOREVER". They all loved it- probably not as much as me.

 I just want to thank you all for being such amazing examples to me and supporting me. I'm being so serious- after seeing what the gospel has done for the many converts lastnight at Devo made me realize how awesome I've had it in my life. Thankyou MOM AND DAD! For loving me when I didn't think I could be loved. This gospel is so true, praying to our Father in Heaven everyday, all the time has blessed me in ways I didn't see possible. I didn't know I would see miracles everyday, BUT I DO. When things don't go as planned and when people are rude, that gives me more of a reason to try harder. I've been working on having more charity and love. Its not easy- but I am a better person everyday. "Missionary work has never been easy because, SALVATION IS NOT A CHEAP EXPERIENCE!" -Elder Holland. Why would we expect it to be easy for us, when it was definitely not easy for Him!?

Family and Friends, I love you so much, I think about you all and talk about you all the time. You are my greatest examples and have given me so much to look up to. I would challenge you all to come closer to our Father in Heaven, to build our patience with one another and to have the same faith that Christ has in us. Elder Bednar said that we are our first convert and that if all we have is our testimony, THATS NOT ENOUGH! Act on it, be truly converted. I didn't realize that till the MTC, and let me tell you I felt embarrassed. Yeah I said I knew what I believed, but I never acted. Faith is an action word- to build it we must work on it.

I know that because of him there are second chances, because of the Atonement.

Everyone be safe and be good examples. LOVE one another. Its possible.

Hope you all have a great week, and I want to hear about how your building your Charity. (:

I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!!!

 

Sister Vannah Williams

My last week in the MTC...

So I can honestly say, that this week has gone by so much faster than last week. Its so weird, the days go on and on and on.. then the next thing you know its Friday and you're going to bed. But the MTC has been soo amazing! I've met so many new people and they are the greatest kids you'll ever meet. This one sister liked my earrings one day and so from then on I was known as "sister earrings" to her. It was just like yesterday that we finally found out what our real names were. We kinda silly. Wasn't General Conference AWESOME! the spirit was so strong on Saturday that I thought my body was going to explode because all my emotions were running wild- especially after Hollands talk. I mean if you didn't even choke up during his talk then SHAME ON YOU. Ha just kidding but seriously, something's wrong with you. (; 

Um, we have our investigator named Tayla, she is from South Africa. We've been teaching her the lessons and have been trying to answer all her crazy questions. They are crazy because I have never thought about asking them myself. SO its ALL good- we are meeting with her tonight and are planning on inviting her to be baptized! YAY! 

Our whole zone is my family away from home right now, i'm going to be really sad when we all leave and go our separate ways... We all sang in Devo just this tuesday and it went really well for only practicing for 1 hour before devotional! haha. It was really fun, I miss singing.. that actually sounds good. anymore, I just goof around and sound like a hippo giving birth. (because I know what that sounds like?) Anyway you get the idea.. OH! but Elder Waite and I sang the song "sisters" from White Christmas as a duet walking down the hall going to lunch... it was really embarrassing and funny at the same time. 

We went through the Provo Temple this morning and did an endowment session and it was so good. God is good. Just for those who forgot. Another thing was on the way back to the MTC (were walking distance from the temple btw) an old lady stopped us on her way to the temple and asked us if we wanted to hear about a miracle. So we stopped and she told us about the power and blessings of the Melchizedek priesthood and how it is so real and great. Its a long story- basically it was that she had awoke in the night and had this prompting to call her family that lived in Joplin Missouri. This was 3 years ago when that awful tornado swept through and destroyed almost everything. But, she called her kids and told them to receive a blessing and it was by the grace of God that their homes weren't even touched. So it was a great story and she told it a lot better than me. But get this! Her name was Roda Hanney! I died when she told us, I just thought It was the cutest name ever given. haha plus she was adorable. 

Our district is so amazing, I cant tell you enough! We have the best elders and sisters (there is 4 of us). My roommates are so great! We get along so well, they laugh at my jokes and tell my i'm funny. I'm not that funny so I don't know whats going on. ha. But I can totally tell a change in myself, and I know that this change came from the spirit of the MTC and by how much God is in my life. There have been things that have happened and I would have freaked out if I was at home. But being here, has changed my whole perspective of EVERYTHING. We all just laugh about the stupid things that happen to us. I love it! Yesterday we had an 8 hour orientation and I seriously was about to cry when we had class after and had to teach a lesson. Walking up stairs to go to class was a struggle so instead of crying guess what I did... I laughed the whole way to the top. It WAS GREAT! 

But I just want you all to know how much I love you and that I think about you all the time! Its seriously hard work being a missionary- but its so worth it. My faith and testimony of the gospel has grown immensely! I know that there are hard things in our life and that sometimes we just wanna quit. I have felt that here at the MTC- when lessons don't go right and you leave feeling like what was the point of even being there. WE TAUGHT THEM NOTHING! Don't give up, keep moving on and enduring. Prayer is something I would invite you all to do, it has comforted me so much here. When I cant call my family to tell them how my day was or even text my friends to see whats up? Talking to Heavenly Father has blessed me with the peace of mind, That He is always there, looking out for me when my family cant be. Gods love is endless. The Holy Ghost is so strong here and I'm finally understanding how to recognize it more in my life. Next time you all hear from me I'll be in Kansas! My emotions are so crazy right now, but laughing really helps you. I'm learning a lot, i'm having fun and I have a stronger relationship with God than ever before. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is true! 

I LOVE YOU ALL!  write me so I know you miss me(; haha

See you all soon!

Sister Williams

Hello out there!

Well... here I am in Provo. Its probably been the most vigorous work I've ever done. We are so busy all the time that I forget what time it is and to even use the bathroom. Its probably not healthy. 

But wow! This place is where its at, Its like one huge family here. Everyone is so nice and welcoming and happy! I love it! It feels like its been a week since I left but, then I remember that its just been 2 days...  I cant really explain my emotions, but I seriously love it here so much. I have felt the spirit so strong in just 2 days and have grown so much. Its so crazy, missionaries that have been here for just one week, They know so much already! So I can't wait to get out to Kansas and be able to share what I know about this amazing and true gospel of Jesus Christ. 
All the elders are awesome, one elder in my district was my FHE brother back at BYUI. I guess you could say that I was soooooo happy to see him. But only a handshake is allowed. #struggle. 

the food is good on some days, gym time is fun! four square is a serious game. and for some reason, when I play the elders make me feel so uncoordinated. haha. oh well. its still fun! 

The weather is cold here, feels like fall so I guess that is why its cold? But anyway, I love being here and being able to grow and become more like our Savior. Being on a mission already has changed me in ways I didn't see possible. I know that the gospel changes lives and that this is the true church on the earth today. EVERYONE! Go to church! Read your scriptures- I seriously do not know why I made it so hard on myself. Also! Pray. I have never prayed so much in my life- but I love it because I feel the Spirit so much and that feeling is so precious to me. The feeling of being welcomed and loved! Who doesn't want that in their lives? But anyway- I taught my first investigator on day 2- so yesterday! nerve racking, heck yea! but It was awesome!!. We learn so much in one day- days seem to go on and on! But it's so worth it. I wish I could tell you all what i've been up to but I don't have much time.

So, just know that I'm in a good place, that I'm eating, walking up 50 flights of stairs everyday to class and that I have awesome missionary family here! I love you all so much and thank you all for the impact you've been in my life. 

My companion is also amazing- she is Sister Jensen of Provo Utah. COOL! haha so far so good. 

God loves you all, but He loves His missionaries a little more. Or at least that's what our MTC president said.. haha

Love,

#sisterwilliams

7 DAYS LEFT

 As much as I am on the internet and watch the clouds go by- I feel as if I should use this wasted time and use it a little bit differently. For the past month, I have felt so lazy- like where did my life go? But then I think of how much I'm going to miss being able to sit down and not have anything to do but just sit there. It sounds pathetic, I know that. There is just something about living in the country, fields surrounding you, and clear blue skies that fade to pink and purple as the sunsets and its QUIET.  Its really amazing, you get to think about things you don't normally think about anywhere else- or in your bed. I do that too much, so I would prefer it outside than during bedtime.

I know that on my mission I will be doing something that I have never thought I would ever do. Both parents served LDS missions and it was cool- but for me, It was just a thought, an idea that never came to surface. But here I am a year later- going on a mission and leaving in seven days.

Something else that has eased the anxiety is that, one of my dear friends from college was called to the VERY SAME MISSION...so I'll see him at the MTC(: Its been a long time coming for me since May. Now its really coming to action, I just received an email from a girl in my ward who left last week. She is such an amazing person and to see someone so excited and happy to be where she is at, makes me 1000x more excited to get out there!

Elder Jeffery R. Holland came to BYUI yesterday and I was so blessed and fortunate to go and listen to him. He talked about true happiness, something that he said stood out to me was this:

 

 "Do the things that happy people do"

 

In a perfect world, everyone would be happy all the time and we would appreciate the small and simple things. However, to be happy we have to make up our minds to be, as Abraham Lincoln said. We must also live after the manner of happiness! We may not always be happy but, we will always remember what true happiness feels like.

 

Anyways, I love this gospel. It has truly changed my life and given me so much happiness. I cannot wait to get out to Kansas and share the amazing truths about the restoration and the Book of Mormon. I invite you all to have the same happiness that I've felt- no one should go through life feeling miserable and sad all the time.

I love you all!

#sisterwilliams 

 





Come What May, and Love It-Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

 

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

The way we react to adversity can be a major factor in how happy and successful we can be in life.

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When I was young I loved playing sports, and I have many fond memories of those days. But not all of them are pleasant. I remember one day after my football team lost a tough game, I came home feeling discouraged. My mother was there. She listened to my sad story. She taught her children to trust in themselves and each other, not blame others for their misfortunes, and give their best effort in everything they attempted.

When we fell down, she expected us to pick ourselves up and get going again. So the advice my mother gave to me then wasn’t altogether unexpected. It has stayed with me all my life.

“Joseph,” she said, “come what may, and love it.”

I have often reflected on that counsel.

I think she may have meant that every life has peaks and shadows and times when it seems that the birds don’t sing and bells don’t ring. Yet in spite of discouragement and adversity, those who are happiest seem to have a way of learning from difficult times, becoming stronger, wiser, and happier as a result.

There may be some who think that General Authorities rarely experience pain, suffering, or distress. If only that were true. While every man and woman on this stand today has experienced an abundant measure of joy, each also has drunk deeply from the cup of disappointment, sorrow, and loss. The Lord in His wisdom does not shield anyone from grief or sadness.

For me, the Lord has opened the windows of heaven and showered blessings upon my family beyond my ability to express. Yet like everyone else, I have had times in my life when it seemed that the heaviness of my heart might be greater than I could bear. During those times I think back to those tender days of my youth when great sorrows came at the losing end of a football game.

How little I knew then of what awaited me in later years. But whenever my steps led through seasons of sadness and sorrow, my mother’s words often came back to me: “Come what may, and love it.”

How can we love days that are filled with sorrow? We can’t—at least not in the moment. I don’t think my mother was suggesting that we suppress discouragement or deny the reality of pain. I don’t think she was suggesting that we smother unpleasant truths beneath a cloak of pretended happiness. But I do believe that the way we react to adversity can be a major factor in how happy and successful we can be in life.

If we approach adversities wisely, our hardest times can be times of greatest growth, which in turn can lead toward times of greatest happiness.

Over the years I have learned a few things that have helped me through times of testing and trial. I would like to share them with you.

Learn to Laugh

The first thing we can do is learn to laugh. Have you ever seen an angry driver who, when someone else makes a mistake, reacts as though that person has insulted his honor, his family, his dog, and his ancestors all the way back to Adam? Or have you had an encounter with an overhanging cupboard door left open at the wrong place and the wrong time which has been cursed, condemned, and avenged by a sore-headed victim?

There is an antidote for times such as these: learn to laugh.

I remember loading up our children in a station wagon and driving to Los Angeles. There were at least nine of us in the car, and we would invariably get lost. Instead of getting angry, we laughed. Every time we made a wrong turn, we laughed harder.

Getting lost was not an unusual occurrence for us. Once while heading south to Cedar City, Utah, we took a wrong turn and didn’t realize it until two hours later when we saw the “Welcome to Nevada” signs. We didn’t get angry. We laughed, and as a result, anger and resentment rarely resulted. Our laughter created cherished memories for us.

I remember when one of our daughters went on a blind date. She was all dressed up and waiting for her date to arrive when the doorbell rang. In walked a man who seemed a little old, but she tried to be polite. She introduced him to me and my wife and the other children; then she put on her coat and went out the door. We watched as she got into the car, but the car didn’t move. Eventually our daughter got out of the car and, red faced, ran back into the house. The man that she thought was her blind date had actually come to pick up another of our daughters who had agreed to be a babysitter for him and his wife.

We all had a good laugh over that. In fact, we couldn’t stop laughing. Later, when our daughter’s real blind date showed up, I couldn’t come out to meet him because I was still in the kitchen laughing. Now, I realize that our daughter could have felt humiliated and embarrassed. But she laughed with us, and as a result, we still laugh about it today.

The next time you’re tempted to groan, you might try to laugh instead. It will extend your life and make the lives of all those around you more enjoyable.

Seek for the Eternal

The second thing we can do is seek for the eternal. You may feel singled out when adversity enters your life. You shake your head and wonder, “Why me?”

But the dial on the wheel of sorrow eventually points to each of us. At one time or another, everyone must experience sorrow. No one is exempt.

I love the scriptures because they show examples of great and noble men and women such as Abraham, Sarah, Enoch, Moses, Joseph, Emma, and Brigham. Each of them experienced adversity and sorrow that tried, fortified, and refined their characters.

Learning to endure times of disappointment, suffering, and sorrow is part of our on-the-job training. These experiences, while often difficult to bear at the time, are precisely the kinds of experiences that stretch our understanding, build our character, and increase our compassion for others.

Because Jesus Christ suffered greatly, He understands our suffering. He understands our grief. We experience hard things so that we too may have increased compassion and understanding for others.

Remember the sublime words of the Savior to the Prophet Joseph Smith when he suffered with his companions in the smothering darkness of Liberty Jail:

“My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;

“And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes.” ¹

With that eternal perspective, Joseph took comfort from these words, and so can we. Sometimes the very moments that seem to overcome us with suffering are those that will ultimately suffer us to overcome.

The Principle of Compensation

The third thing we can do is understand the principle of compensation. The Lord compensates the faithful for every loss. That which is taken away from those who love the Lord will be added unto them in His own way. While it may not come at the time we desire, the faithful will know that every tear today will eventually be returned a hundredfold with tears of rejoicing and gratitude.

One of the blessings of the gospel is the knowledge that when the curtain of death signals the end of our mortal lives, life will continue on the other side of the veil. There we will be given new opportunities. Not even death can take from us the eternal blessings promised by a loving Heavenly Father.

Because Heavenly Father is merciful, a principle of compensation prevails. I have seen this in my own life. My grandson Joseph has autism. It has been heartbreaking for his mother and father to come to grips with the implications of this affliction.

They knew that Joseph would probably never be like other children. They understood what that would mean not only for Joseph but for the family as well. But what a joy he has been to us. Autistic children often have a difficult time showing emotion, but every time I’m with him, Joseph gives me a big hug. While there have been challenges, he has filled our lives with joy.

His parents have encouraged him to participate in sports. When he first started playing baseball, he was in the outfield. But I don’t think he grasped the need to run after loose balls. He thought of a much more efficient way to play the game. When a ball was hit in his direction, Joseph watched it go by and then pulled another baseball out of his pocket and threw that one to the pitcher.

Any reservations that his family may have had in raising Joseph, any sacrifices they have made have been compensated tenfold. Because of this choice spirit, his mother and father have learned much about children with disabilities. They have witnessed firsthand the generosity and compassion of family, neighbors, and friends. They have rejoiced together as Joseph has progressed. They have marveled at his goodness.

Trust in the Father and the Son

The fourth thing we can do is put our trust in our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.

“God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son.” ² The Lord Jesus Christ is our partner, helper, and advocate. He wants us to be happy. He wants us to be successful. If we do our part, He will step in.

He who descended below all things will come to our aid. He will comfort and uphold us. He will strengthen us in our weakness and fortify us in our distress. He will make weak things become strong. ³

One of our daughters, after giving birth to a baby, became seriously ill. We prayed for her, administered to her, and supported her as best we could. We hoped she would receive a blessing of healing, but days turned into months, and months turned into years. At one point I told her that this affliction might be something she would have to struggle with the rest of her life.

One morning I remember pulling out a small card and threading it through my typewriter. Among the words that I typed for her were these: “The simple secret is this: put your trust in the Lord, do your best, then leave the rest to Him.”

She did put her trust in God. But her affliction did not disappear. For years she suffered, but in due course, the Lord blessed her, and eventually she returned to health.

Knowing this daughter, I believe that even if she had never found relief, yet she would have trusted in her Heavenly Father and “[left] the rest to Him.”

Conclusion

Although my mother has long since passed to her eternal reward, her words are always with me. I still remember her advice to me given on that day long ago when my team lost a football game: “Come what may, and love it.”

I know why there must be opposition in all things. Adversity, if handled correctly, can be a blessing in our lives. We can learn to love it.

As we look for humor, seek for the eternal perspective, understand the principle of compensation, and draw near to our Heavenly Father, we can endure hardship and trial. We can say, as did my mother, “Come what may, and love it.” Of this I testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Show References

1.   1.  D&C 121:7–8.
2.   2.  John 3:16.
3.   3. See Ether 12:27.

Here's to 18 months! Countdown at 41 days.

I've never been a fan of the Wizard of Oz for many reasons: the cowardly lion, the witch with her flying monkeys and the scary tornado. Yep, I have always feared those funnel clouds. Now, I get the opportunity to go live there where they are like unexpected guests at a family reunion. But, I'm excited to experience it for 18 months, while serving the Lord in his work.

There is simply nothing better than losing yourself in the highest respect of service for someone you've never met and for someone you owe everything to. 

"Your future is as bright as your faith"

CTR