DERBY ZONE!

hola mi familia! 

so like this week was probably the best week I've had since February and being in andover.. like we hit standard? ha WHAT! yeah, sister brown has never hit standard since being on her mission. She thought missionaries didn't hit standard- I might have been really confused when she said that. BUT the STL's were about in tears and we got calls from the Zone Leaders congratulating us. We're kind of a big deal apparently.. haha jk. We were/are a dysfunctional companionship and everyone just knew about it. However, its been a very long, humbling journey. 

I think it was Thursday that it was nice.. anyway. we were early to our dinner and so we went out walking around talking to people. There was this guy out shining his car, and so we went over and started talking to him. The church has come out with a new Easter video which is super bomb, and we asked him if we could show it to him. He said tomorrow come by after 12 and my family will be here and they would be interested in our message too. We're like SWEET! We came back the next day, showed him the video, liked it and said that he had met missionaries over 20 years ago and loved studying with them. Then he had to move abruptly and lost contact with them, he also said that he would love to be our guest at church this Sunday! He has been wanting to find a church to call home and then the next day we showed up. (: He was curious as to HOW we found him... #spirit  It was probably the best thing that happened that whole day. Other than our dinner appointment was quite interesting.. We went out to a Thai restaurant and it took 2 hours long.. ohh mann... talk about not missing being a waitress. I felt the waiters pain since he was the only one there and having 5 different tables.. #struggleisreal 

The food was good though! haha

Our cars now have TIWI's.. it monitors how we drive and talks to you when you're being "crazy" or "speeding" Its only talked to me like 3 times.. haha it was amusing. 

Wichita is great, we met this black family who was outside grilling, and so we went and showed them the "Because He Lives" video on our cute little DVD player. They really liked it, Wilma called me baby whenever we talked to her. haha LOVE IT. and then she referred us to her daughter! SWEET. Went back the next day because the first time we went over she was taking a nap.. but we went back and showed the video- she also liked it. Became curious about the Book of Mormon, asked us questions about the church. Said she would be interested in reading and coming to church! HOLLA! They are an awesome bunch! #mypeople 

Anyway! I have to make this short...er.. but I love you all like CRAZY! My new favorite scripture is in Helaman 10:4-5. It talks about Nephi and his unwearyingness to declare the gospel and the Lord promises him "I will bless thee forever, I will make thee mighty in word, deed, faith, and works." I'm continually striving for those blessing and making a difference in Wichita by sharing the gospel! I'm grateful to be a member of Christ's church and to be a missionary at this time! Its been the best almost 6 months ever! wouldn't change anything!

Awesome! well I love ya! talk to you later! 

<3Sisterwilliams! 

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Be the change you want to see in the world.

Okay so this was a pretty good week!

We went to the Kansas City Temple last week and it was amazing,  we went with the Topeka Zone and had lunch with Prez. Bell&Sis.Bell- It was pretty great. I remember the first time I went through the temple for my endowments and how I probably looked like a dear in headlights. I mean I was in the Lords house, I was making a very big covenant with God and while I was thinking about my life[ which is a very good time to do so in the temple, might I add] It hit me that I could never go back to the old "Savannah". But, when I went through again tuesday, it was a very peaceful belonging- this was home and being with over 40 missionaries, the spirit was undeniable. Ladies were coming up to me and telling me how awesome it was to go through a session with all the missionaries. (: We also met the temple president who is also amazing! I wish you could have all been there to just be in his presence.

Alex was confirmed a member of the church and was given the gift of the Holy Ghost yesterday at church. Out of all the sacrament meetings I have been to here in Hiawatha, yesterday was probably the best one I've been in. We have had struggles in the branch with people offending and not being very Christlike. We as a district fasted and prayed for a change of heart in ourselves and in the branch because it was becoming very depressing. Then BAM! Church was awesome and seriously, members were testifying of being truly converted and service! It was the craziest seeing someone that was so far gone because of past experiences, cry when he realized he needed to change. God is awesome. Later that day, we went to the Allens house and they fed us.. like they always do. (: But the dad was there and now he is investigating! I first met him with Sister Gundy and he told us he would come when he's ready and now look at where he is!! AHH! He was moved my the spirit to open up to us and talk about his life, It was so cool. He is awesome and I'm so excited for him and his family! (:

The weather is Bipolar and its raining today, the elders are sick with the flu/cold. But, life is great! things are looking up and I'm just happy. (: We are heading over the Junction City on Wednesday for Zone Conference and I'm soooo excited! We were given a talk to look over by Jeffery R. Holland called "Feed my Sheep". It is awesome. Go read it. My favorite part is when he is talking about, Jesus saying to Peter, "Do you love me?" and peter is like "yea, Lord...thou knowest that I love thee" and Christ responds, "feed my sheep" and Christ asks Peter 3 times "do you love me" and by the end Peter is a little uncomfortable and confused at why Christ keeps asking him the same question. To which Jesus responded (and here again I acknowledge my nonscriptural elaboration), perhaps saying something like: [ I want you to imagine Elder Holland speaking] "Then Peter, why are you here? Why are we back on this same shore, by these same nets, having this same conversation? Wasn't it obvious then and isn't it obvious now that if I want fish, I can get fish? What I need, Peter, are disciples—and I need them forever. I need someone to feed my sheep and save my lambs. I need someone to preach my gospel and defend my faith. I need someone who loves me, truly, truly loves me, and loves what our Father in Heaven has commissioned me to do. Ours is not a feeble message. It is not a fleeting task. It is not hapless; it is not hopeless; it is not to be consigned to the ash heap of history. It is the work of Almighty God, and it is to change the world. So, Peter, for the second and presumably the last time, I am asking you to leave all this and to go teach and testify, labor and serve loyally until the day in which they will do to you exactly what they did to me."

I hope you are able to apply this to yourself and that you realize - if you are the same person you were yesterday you ARE NOT progressing in the gospel. The gospel of Jesus Christ changes lives! and if you are not being changed by it, you ARE NOT living it. I invite you all to strive to live and be disciples of Christ- FOREVER!

I love you all and hope you have better week than last week and enjoy the weather!
(:

<3 SISTER WILLIAMS

p.s. I have pictures.. but I forgot to grab my camera... oopsie. next week! (:

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soo this week?!

I'm not very sure as how this week turned out- other than we hit standard and I don't know how after everything that went on. Sometimes, I think that Hiawatha is freaking crazy! But, I somehow love it.. I guess it's one of those love/hate relationships. hehe

So I'll try my best to think back through my week and hope something cool happened. hmmm.

Wednesday, we had dinner with a returning less active named Sister Soto. She is a Native American and lives out on the reservation. She was really excited about feeding the missionaries and apparently did it a while back before she went less-active. Anyway, we went and we were driving on the back roads and the whole time I just felt weeirdd.. Thankfully we had Mo-Tab in the car. We got to her house finally,she has a husky named FATBOY that greeted us when we got there. Dinner started out pretty well, she made fry bread and meat pies that we still doughy annndd so I didn't eat them.. haha. We got talking about her life and lets just say that her life is insane.. her 1st husband was murdered, the second was abusive and threatened to kill her if she filed for divorce- she filed for divorce and there was a 3rd one but I don't remember if she told us about him. I was kinda in a blur during some of that conversation. Oh and then she tells us that her house is haunted. COOL. I was sorta excited and kept asking for more stories, probably not the best idea, only because Sister Pimentel and Elder Riddle were about to cry. Elder Nix and I thought it was awesome! She has about 10 spirits in her house, not even joking- so the elders asked her if she wanted her house blessed and she was like, "well, I don't want all hell to break loose, and I'm afraid my house will blow up". So, after dinner we were all a little nervous. She warned us about taking the bad roads which apparently we took- I wasn't driving. We got home safe and all was well...we thought. That night, Sister pimmy was really uncomfortable but, I told her everything was fine. The week went on and things were kind of a struggle to find new people, we had exchanges in Lawrence, it was really fun! Met a lot of people, talked and testified. I love that.

Elder Riddle loves the GB Packers, and they lost. I had to tell him my condolences along with some other remarks that I have apologized for. lol. Sister Allen, our recent convert is probably the coolest member in our branch! She LOVES the missionaries and the Patriots.. haha so for Elder Riddles birthday on Saturday she got him a cake, in memory of the GB Packers... it was hilarious! We went to a baptism for a little member named Issac and it went very well. We have another baptism coming up this weekend as well for Alex Allen! He is Sister Allen's son, he is so funny and will talk your ear off about all the movies he's seen and the new ones that are coming out. #struggle But! we still love him and he is super excited for his baptism!

Sunday,  Sister P and Elder Nix gave talks and they did AWESOME! We had our soup and bread potluck and I ate too much which was a given. It was so good- just in case you wanted to know. I was talking to sister pimentel about how my back was hurting and she was telling me how I woke her up when I got out of bed... yea I never got out of bed. She said that she saw something standing over my bed then saw it get in bed thinking that it was me. #NotMe

So we had our house blessed lastnight (: We all had priesthood blessings and wow, I love the priesthood. Lets just say that I'm a different person today than I was yesterday. We are not allowed to go back to sister soto's house till her house is blessed, and that Is A OKAY with me. ha.

I seriously love and I am so grateful for this mission that I'm serving in. It's truly been the best thing I have ever done for my life. Which probably sounds dumb because I'm only 19 but, I have become much closer to our Heavenly Father and our Savior. The hardest thing as of right now has been trying to help people understand our purpose and why they need to understand God's plan for them. It has brought peace and assurance in my life by studying and sincerely seeking it out for myself. I was asked by our STL's to have a heart-to-heart with God, and at first I wasn't really sure how to do that, because I never had done it before. I tried my best and my answer that I got was very simple but overwhelmingly powerful. I LOVE PRAYER, I LOVE THE SPIRIT and I LOVE SERVING. I have come to understand what it means to walk by faith and to truly rely on our Savior. I've been studying and working on finding strength through Charity. In Alma 26:12 it says, Yea, I know that I am nothing ; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things ; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever.

I have been becoming more emotionally attached to serving the Lord, I understand why we must rely on Him- it says in the scriptures that without Charity we are nothing.. CHARITY is the pure love of Christ. So basically we are nothing without Jesus Christ. Makes sense, like it says in Ether,
 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.

I am so blessed to be able to share what I know to be true with others, I love this gospel and I know that it is true. I love you all with all my heart and I know that God is taking care of every one of you. I hope that you all have an awesome week! Stay Close to the Savior and he will guide thy paths. (:

Love you all!! (:

PS. I do have the ukelele  and its been the greatest thing ever!!!!!!! THANKYOU!!!!!!!! <3

sister williams

Good Morning Sunshine!

Well I know for sure that this week was a turning point in my mission- HALLELUJAH!

I thought that I had what it took to be a decent missionary and things were looking up. We had people coming to church, we were working hard and for some reason we both felt like we had done nothing. I was so confused, I asked the district leaders why we felt like this and he asked us the usual questions pertaining to prayer, faith, talking to everyone... etc. Stress started taking over and I because mush. I'm grateful for my companion who called the STL's for me because I didn't know how to put into words "I'm shutting down and I can't feel the spirit anymore." So sister pimentel took over for me.  We ended up going down to Lawrence 20 minutes later and did some service for a woman named Joan Holmes who has a horse ranch. [for those who know me, I am allergic to horses.. so you can imagine who it went] It went great! There was about 8 missionaries there, after we went on trio splits and it was probably one of the best experiences thus far. Sister Barlocker and Sister Wheadon are who I went out with, we tracted into an Atheist(who said he wasn't interested, but told us after much discussion that he would look into it) a Catholic and sang. At dinner we were at Jimmy Johns and a lady walked in WASTED. She was out of her mind drunk and she kept telling us that "I don't drink this much, I don't usually drink", then Sister Barlocker asked our intoxicated sister if she wanted to learn about the gospel. Her response started out decent and then turned into her bashing us. "Christians are fake! when I was homeless they turned their back on me!" Thats when the Pagans came and took her in.. Somewhere in the conversation she turned into some mad black woman and started snapping her fingers at us.. It was really hard not to laugh.. The church is true and God is awesome.
At church, there was about 20 people there including the 6 missionaries. We had a High Counselor come with his family and they spoke in sacrament meeting about the Plan of Redemption and the Atonement.

I was given a commitment from Sister Barlocker to have a heart-to-heart with God. So I did, and basically I want to relate it to the same experience that Enos had. There was sooo much doubt in my mind that caused me to feel inadequate and unworthy to serve a mission. Till he told me "Don't think about it".  I understand that we are to try our best, but when we try so hard that it becomes our will and not Heavenly Fathers, that's when we fall short. All last week I had tried so hard to find people to teach and had to force myself to be excited about everything that wasn't working out. However, I cannot describe the love that I felt from God when I got my answer. That was my witness that he does answer prayers and he does care. After we went out and got to work, and it was such a great day.

Miracle last night! For the past 9 months or more, Sisters have been teaching a man named Leroy. He is one stubborn man and he knows it, for the longest 3 months that I've known him, I asked him to pray and every time its been "no." He has always told us that we wouldn't like it because he stumbles over his words and all this other nonsense. So, last week he said he would pray...maybe. So I took my faith and the next visit he didn't. I was dying, then he told us he PROMISED he would pray next time. I held him to it. Last night, we went over and he talked a lot and so I jumped in- he was like "you didn't ask if you could talk." haha (he was kidding)  Long story short- HE PRAYED! It was the total opposite of what I thought was going to come out of his mouth. I just cried because I was so taken back by the spirit  which was very present during that prayer- I wish you could all have been there.

Over all, these last few days have been very inspiring and motivating. I have been so blessed to be here at this time. I'm grateful for everything that has gone wrong so that I could be strengthened. I know that this strength comes from our Savior and his love, which is everlasting and we can experience it when we apply the Atonement in our lives. I KNOW that there is power in prayer and that we are never alone. Turn to Him.

Have a great week!! Love you all!!

Sister Williams

What a week..

So last week was so crazy that all I remember is that I had Sister Gundy as a companion and the drive to Wichita was super long, then I left with a new companion named Sister Pimentel. Transfers weren't as emotional as I thought they were going to be, so that's good. I feel awesome about this new district, its going to be epic. haha

Yes, the baptism was AMAZING~ I was really nervous a few days prior because Lynn had eye surgery and so she couldn't get water in her eye for 24 hours...She was saying that we might have to push it back another week and then I got real scared. #Satan But, prayer is awesome, and they were both baptized. (Lynn wore an eye patch) I cannot express into words what I was like, just that my heart was happy and it was very peaceful. Her husband came as well, which was a huge step for him (she said) and he told her after the baptism that when she was stepping into the font she sparkled. AHH! Now, he's coming to church on Sunday! WHAT!? The spirit is SO powerful and it is the perfect teacher. Their son Alex is now on date for February 7th.

 

We had to be in Lawrence for interviews with President Bell, and that was a struggle getting there on time. But, it all went smoothly, Sister Pimentel has the flu and so we weren't able to go out much. Actually at all after church yesterday. So I dragged Sister Murphy with me so we could get things done.. try to. Leading the area and training a new companion for the area is really hard. Last night was a huge test of faith and to just GO AND DO. We are trying to find new investigators here in the areas and as of right now... we had one last week. Bleh.

But! Its a new week, and as long as I don't get sick and Sister Pimentel gets better we will be solid. After the Baptism I was on such a high and then reality smacked me in the face.. ha #humility

 

At church, so many less actives came! It was amazing, we had to set up extra chairs! The Young Women took Abby in right away and she even went to the Stake Activity in Topeka. She LOVED It. Omg, if you could all meet Abby you would love her. Their whole family is so awesome.(:

 

Man.. what else happened.. last night I was told I was too bubbly by a former investigator. Ha, okay so Sister Chapman kind of has a morbid sense of humor.. and so when we were chatting with Rodney(former)- she told him that if she would've shot her husband when she had the chance, she would be just getting out of jail... "Sister Chapman! You don't tell strangers that!" (She was being totally serious, but since she laughed it was okay.)-  Its a very risky endeavor to take her out with you... but its always either entertaining or embarrassing. haha

AND I don't even know how or why she brought it up..

 

Anyway, Hiawatha is adorable as usual, lots of interesting people and its going to explode in the future with Mormons. Holla! There is so much potential, and I keep working to build my faith everyday along with being confident. I was told to be real with people and its hard but at least were not wasting our time with someone who isn't interested. Which kills me! The one thing that the majority of people here in Hiawatha is that they are old and don't plan on changing, or they've been baptized and don't understand Priesthood authority and the binding power it contains. One day!

Well, I love you all and I hope that you all are doing great. I would invite you to share the gospel with others whether it be by media, example or supporting the missionaries. As members we are to share the gospel, There is not one thing to be embarrassed or ashamed of- This is Gods Kingdom and we are here to build it. I know that Obedience is the price, Faith is the power, The Spirit is the key and CHRIST is the reason. That's our motto here in Kansas. The Lords work is definitely hastening!! I love being a missionary even with all the hard things that happen- this is the greatest work that could ever be done. I've been blessed in so many ways, and I'm so grateful for our Savior who made it possible to return and live with our Heavenly Father again.

 

Remember to say your prayers and CTR. (:

 

LOVE YA!

Sister Williams

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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