Time has just been flying by!
As you know we had interviews with the President Peterson this week on Wednesday. It went well! He is a great guy and has does so much for the mission. I don´t know if I would ever want to be a mission president. There is so many things to do and so much stress! Lol I don´t even see how he finds the time to have interview with each missionary every change! Its incredible what you can do when you are entitled to God´s help. After interviews I went on divisions with Elder Longshore in my area until Thursday afternoon. He is from the LA area in California. Yes a Lakers fan, we basically duked it out! He is about six foot three. A huge kid! He was the quarterback at his highschool and he played a year at Utah State but was red shirted so he can play all for years when he gets back. He might transfer to another school though, maybe Utah or BYU. Divisions with him were good! His mom and dad have a real estate appraising business. I think its residential though. His dad passed away i think a couple years ago. It amazes me how people get through stuff like that. I kinda feel guilty for even missing my family. Elder Novoa, a Chilean, just got out here too. He sacrificed a 40,000 dollar, scholarship to the best engineering school in Chile. He is so smart and already speaks perfect English! His dad also passed away, when he was in his second week in the MTC. He has an incredible life and conversion story! I feel so inadequate when I have so many great examples here in the mission surrounding me. There is a special reason why i´m here though, lol i just need to find out why!
Thursday we switched back companions and went to a regular day of work. I have been going crazy and very stressed to get a lot more done. Its difficult because there are two companionships to our one ward. I don´t want to sound like i´m putting my comp down or putting myself up there but this week was our best week of lessons yet. We topped our lessons with member by a lot and also got the most all together lessons in our whole change. I have been working with members and setting up divisions with the youth in the ward like crazy. I have a bunch of great ideas to bring up in our meeting with the ward mission leader on tuesday and in the ward council. We have so many things we have to do. There are so many goals we are trying to reach especially as a mission. I´m really feeling the pressure. I have been tried with my patience this week because i´m a little more ¨lets get things done and move on to the next. We don´t need to spend all day doing one thing¨lol I´m a little anxious about getting things done quick and effectively. Lol my comp has been balancing me out but I would still like to be more on top of things and be more percise and get ailot more things done. Man, its stressing me out. We just keep working away though. I never thought there would be this much stress or so much responsibility in the mission. I was wrong. I want to go back to High School!! This is really teaching me a lot though. There is never a free minute. Even pday goes by way to quick and then your back working and worrying about all you have going on. Thank goodness for pdays though because they are huge stress relief! Especially getting letters in district meeting! I ate all those rice crackers by the way in my package! Oh man they were delicious! This morning at about eleven we played dodge ball at the stake center. Except with sock balls and one Elder brought some water balloon launchers. So we were rocketing sock bombs across the room trying to get each other! It was sweet! Some guys had welts! haha it was great fun! They shoot so fast!! It was crazy!
So how is Devin donig?
The chickens sound like a handful but really fun! I like the idea of just walking to the back yard and getting breakfakst!
I guess you could say that this week i have learned a lot about patience. I also encountered a cd all about Christ. It is so powerfull. I´m going to make a copy and send it to you. I have never heard such a powerful witness. Just by listening to brings out your deepest emotions but brings you so much strength. I do know with a surety in my heart that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the only means by which we can receive salvation. I have come to a greater understanding that He is my older brother. He is the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. He is the true source of hope. I have never had to put such faith and trust in anyone before like I have had to in Him. The miracle of it all is that everything works out. He is the true source of peace and comfort. He is the safety we need from the evils of this world. He is our message to the world. He is at the head of this work. He is the Supreme Creator. He is the Master Teacher. He is our Example. He is my Example. He descended below all things. He completed the will of His Father. He died on the cross for all man kind. He was resurrected. I bear witness that He lives. This is my pure testimony of my Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ.
This week is going to be a busy one! I´m looking forward to getting a lot of things done and bringing people unto the same knowledge of Christ that I have. It's the last week of the change! The next time you hear from me I will be able to let you know who my new comp is! Lol its always interesting in the mission around change time! I hope everyone has a wonderful week and keeps pressing forward with a perfect brightness of hope! Thank you all for your wonderful examples to me! I miss you so much and love you even more! I have six months from being away, time is flying by! Before you know it I will be on the down hill counting days to come home. I hope I can get everything done before then! Take care and we will talk to you next week!
Con todo mi amor, Elder Mitchell A. Williams
09 March 2009
22 February 2009
1st week with changes & a Testimony that's BIGGER than Ever
Hello Family!!
It has been an interesting week. On tuesday after we emailed it started to rain the hardest i have ever seen in my life. It was seriously like a hurricane. You could not see a block in front of you because it was that thick. Trees were falling and everything. It was crazy. We got soaked!! And the power went out for the night. Also i can feel my patience is going to be tested this change lol. Oh goodness, my companion is a little bit different. I think he was one of those momma´s boys who played alot of video games and stuff. And not sports video games like the real hard core stuff! It keeps things interesting and i just laugh about it later! I get really excited for district meetings and pdays to be with the whole zone! I think i might jsut be completely crazy insane by the end of this change!! Oh the experiences out here!
Well this week is really busy. We have alot going on. We have Sector conference on Thursday in Paysandu. We have to leave about 4 am to get there on time, oh how fun! My pillow tie will really come in handy then! That package was the best for valentines day! I have not eaten good chocolate like that in a long time, especially with peanut butter! Thank you so much!! We also have chior practice alot this week! Oh boy, its so so so so much fun, i can´t even tell you how excited i get to go........... Haha hopefully its only for this change thats all i have got to say! Salto is great, its been really hot lately, i´m ready for winter! I would do anything to be in the snow and cold right now! I have also been getting eaten alive by mosquitos at night! Its really fun! Every day i wake up with misquito bites all over the back of my arms. It looks like i have chicken pox!
We have had some crazy experiences this week! Some lady called us racists because were white and that we are lucky to have a new president! It makes me laugh! Then when we keep talking about Jesus Christ their perception changes! They start thinking that we are actually good people! Its quite hillarious! I love people telling me who I am without even knowing me! There are alot of things you just have to shake your head at and laugh about!
So we have 4 really good investigators right now. I think they will be getting baptized next week. They have been smokers for about 15 years. I thought they would have taken the Word of Wisdom a little harsh but they loved it! They knew that it actually was for the benefit and health for all God´s children. They doing great with stopping. It has really shown me the power that our Father in Heaven has to help His children. Its true that God always provides a way for us to keep his commandments! I have been noticing that God really is preparing people out there to hear and accept His gospel. I know without a doubt that He is preparing his children. I also know that if we do all we can He will place those people in front of us. We have quite a few more hopefull investigators that are starting to progress. Every day I testify of the reality and divinity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Çhrist and His church upon the earth. It is so wonderful for people to look straight into my eyes and have the spirit confirm to them that its true. That Jesus Christ does live with a body of flesh and bone and His Chruch is upon the earth this day. That our Father in Heaven still has communication with His children today just like He always has. When i study and think of the whole Plan of Salvation I am amazed. I am amazed at how perfect it is and how it just fits together and makes perfect sense. I am amazed at the love that our Father in Heaven has for His children. I know that God lives and loves us. I know that Jesus is the Christ and He also lives. I know that this is His Church on the earth today, the same one that he established when He was living upon the earth, and I know that it has been restored in its fullness this day after many years of being lost. I know my Savior lives.
Well this week should be interesting, i´m excited for Sector Conference on Thursday! Mostly to just use my pillow tie on the bus! Yeah yeah! Only one more pday left in the month! Its crazy! Time is going by fast, the end of this change will be coming up soon! We have alot of work to do, so were going to be getting down do business! Like we say back home Git-R-DUN!!! I think after this change i´ll be ready to enter the military as an officer because i´ll be driving our companionship so hard! haha That thought has actually crossed my mind a few times over the last couple days!
Well, i sure love all of you and appreciate everything! All the love and support through emails, packages, and letters. And most importantly your prayers! I can really feel them out here. Thank you mom and dad for all you do for our family. It doesn´t go unnoticed. I promise, and I was thinking the other day, every dollar I take out while i´m here, i´ll repay it! That is my word! Thats what i plan to do! I just need a REALLY GOOD JOB!! I love you all so much! Keep taking on life´s challenges strong! Don´t forget that you stand your tallest when your on your knees! Have a great week everyone!
Love always, Elder Mitchell A. Williams
It has been an interesting week. On tuesday after we emailed it started to rain the hardest i have ever seen in my life. It was seriously like a hurricane. You could not see a block in front of you because it was that thick. Trees were falling and everything. It was crazy. We got soaked!! And the power went out for the night. Also i can feel my patience is going to be tested this change lol. Oh goodness, my companion is a little bit different. I think he was one of those momma´s boys who played alot of video games and stuff. And not sports video games like the real hard core stuff! It keeps things interesting and i just laugh about it later! I get really excited for district meetings and pdays to be with the whole zone! I think i might jsut be completely crazy insane by the end of this change!! Oh the experiences out here!
Well this week is really busy. We have alot going on. We have Sector conference on Thursday in Paysandu. We have to leave about 4 am to get there on time, oh how fun! My pillow tie will really come in handy then! That package was the best for valentines day! I have not eaten good chocolate like that in a long time, especially with peanut butter! Thank you so much!! We also have chior practice alot this week! Oh boy, its so so so so much fun, i can´t even tell you how excited i get to go........... Haha hopefully its only for this change thats all i have got to say! Salto is great, its been really hot lately, i´m ready for winter! I would do anything to be in the snow and cold right now! I have also been getting eaten alive by mosquitos at night! Its really fun! Every day i wake up with misquito bites all over the back of my arms. It looks like i have chicken pox!
We have had some crazy experiences this week! Some lady called us racists because were white and that we are lucky to have a new president! It makes me laugh! Then when we keep talking about Jesus Christ their perception changes! They start thinking that we are actually good people! Its quite hillarious! I love people telling me who I am without even knowing me! There are alot of things you just have to shake your head at and laugh about!
So we have 4 really good investigators right now. I think they will be getting baptized next week. They have been smokers for about 15 years. I thought they would have taken the Word of Wisdom a little harsh but they loved it! They knew that it actually was for the benefit and health for all God´s children. They doing great with stopping. It has really shown me the power that our Father in Heaven has to help His children. Its true that God always provides a way for us to keep his commandments! I have been noticing that God really is preparing people out there to hear and accept His gospel. I know without a doubt that He is preparing his children. I also know that if we do all we can He will place those people in front of us. We have quite a few more hopefull investigators that are starting to progress. Every day I testify of the reality and divinity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Çhrist and His church upon the earth. It is so wonderful for people to look straight into my eyes and have the spirit confirm to them that its true. That Jesus Christ does live with a body of flesh and bone and His Chruch is upon the earth this day. That our Father in Heaven still has communication with His children today just like He always has. When i study and think of the whole Plan of Salvation I am amazed. I am amazed at how perfect it is and how it just fits together and makes perfect sense. I am amazed at the love that our Father in Heaven has for His children. I know that God lives and loves us. I know that Jesus is the Christ and He also lives. I know that this is His Church on the earth today, the same one that he established when He was living upon the earth, and I know that it has been restored in its fullness this day after many years of being lost. I know my Savior lives.
Well this week should be interesting, i´m excited for Sector Conference on Thursday! Mostly to just use my pillow tie on the bus! Yeah yeah! Only one more pday left in the month! Its crazy! Time is going by fast, the end of this change will be coming up soon! We have alot of work to do, so were going to be getting down do business! Like we say back home Git-R-DUN!!! I think after this change i´ll be ready to enter the military as an officer because i´ll be driving our companionship so hard! haha That thought has actually crossed my mind a few times over the last couple days!
Well, i sure love all of you and appreciate everything! All the love and support through emails, packages, and letters. And most importantly your prayers! I can really feel them out here. Thank you mom and dad for all you do for our family. It doesn´t go unnoticed. I promise, and I was thinking the other day, every dollar I take out while i´m here, i´ll repay it! That is my word! Thats what i plan to do! I just need a REALLY GOOD JOB!! I love you all so much! Keep taking on life´s challenges strong! Don´t forget that you stand your tallest when your on your knees! Have a great week everyone!
Love always, Elder Mitchell A. Williams
Moved to SALTO!
Hello family! So this was my last week here in Paysandú! We found out changes yesterday and are changing today! Both my companion and I are changing. He is going to Colonia and I am going to Salto! My new companion will be Elder Allen. This is his last change in the mission. I will be killing him this change! I´m very excited for changes. I have alot of things I want to do differently and better in this next change. I can feel its going to be good.
I was thinking of everyone this week as you traveled to California for Savannah´s baptism! I´m glad everything was so wonderful for everyone! She really does sound like she is a perfect little angel. Its amazing how powerfull a little child´s testimony can be. She has made such a wonderful choice that will affect the rest of her life. When I was reading how everyone was describing her and the weekend I was reminded of when the Savior taught that we must become as little children, humble, meek, and submissive, or in nowise can we enter into the kingdom of Heaven. I know thats true. I can just feel how pure and clean Savannah is. She is probably so small and doesn´t have alot of knowledge but she does have a testimony of the Savior His gospel and she knows He lives. Thats the most valuable knowledge anyone can attain in this life. I hope she gets the card I sent her in the mail.
We had a baptism this Saturday as well. Her name is Kimberly Rodriguez. She is 9 years old. It was great! Her uncle from a different ward her in paysandú baptized her. I let the music in the baptisimal service! Lol and i did it without a piano! I was also a witness. She had a little bit of a fear about being submersed completely in water. She didn´t quite go all the way in the first time so we had to do it again! The second time was a success! On sunday she was confirmed and I stood in the circle when we layed our hands on her head to give her the gift of the Holy Ghost. Thats the first time I had ever done that. It was great. I could feel the power of the priesthood. I feel it everytime I lay my hand on someones head, or when someone lays their hands on mine to give me a blessing. Which happened two weeks ago with my zone leader. Every time I get the reasurring feeling that the spirit is there. I know that it really is the power of God given to man to act in his name. I know that it has to be because normal human beings don´t have the capacity to do some things they do without divine help and inspiration. My testimony of the priesthood has really grown. Especially as we listened to the priesthood session from last conference on CD. Wow. The mood was somber, the spirit was ever so present. I have really come to understand what the priesthood really is. It truly is the power of God delegated to man to act in His name. But it goes beyond that. It is the perfect plan of service. As priesthood holders, we are expected to serve others. We are expected to serve everyone. We have the responsibility and opportunity to help bring the precious children of our Father in Heaven back into his presence. Thats what the priesthood is. Service. Thats the one word definition for it. I have definately come to understand more of what my duty is here, and through out my life.
Yesterday we said some goodbye´s to some people in the ward here. We taught a family home evening lesson on the Plan of Salvation last night. It was great. How wonderful it is to know where we lived before this life, why we are here, and where we are going! We are so blessed to have the Gospel of Jesus Christ in its fullness on the earth today. It really is the plan of happiness. I know that by following in the Saviors footsteps we can all achieve true happiness in this life and in the next.
Well mom, I sure hope you got some rest lastnight for work today. I´m sure glad everyone traveled in safety! I hope everything is going well at home! I want to thank each and every one of you for your examples to me. Each one of you have taught me something special and different. You all have a special place in my heart. You are all a strenght to me and will always be. I hope this week brings joy and happiness to everyone! I will let you know how the changes are next week! And we have district meeting on Thursday so im hoping i get that package then! We will see! I love you all so very much! Take care!
Love always, Elder Mitchell A. Williams
I was thinking of everyone this week as you traveled to California for Savannah´s baptism! I´m glad everything was so wonderful for everyone! She really does sound like she is a perfect little angel. Its amazing how powerfull a little child´s testimony can be. She has made such a wonderful choice that will affect the rest of her life. When I was reading how everyone was describing her and the weekend I was reminded of when the Savior taught that we must become as little children, humble, meek, and submissive, or in nowise can we enter into the kingdom of Heaven. I know thats true. I can just feel how pure and clean Savannah is. She is probably so small and doesn´t have alot of knowledge but she does have a testimony of the Savior His gospel and she knows He lives. Thats the most valuable knowledge anyone can attain in this life. I hope she gets the card I sent her in the mail.
We had a baptism this Saturday as well. Her name is Kimberly Rodriguez. She is 9 years old. It was great! Her uncle from a different ward her in paysandú baptized her. I let the music in the baptisimal service! Lol and i did it without a piano! I was also a witness. She had a little bit of a fear about being submersed completely in water. She didn´t quite go all the way in the first time so we had to do it again! The second time was a success! On sunday she was confirmed and I stood in the circle when we layed our hands on her head to give her the gift of the Holy Ghost. Thats the first time I had ever done that. It was great. I could feel the power of the priesthood. I feel it everytime I lay my hand on someones head, or when someone lays their hands on mine to give me a blessing. Which happened two weeks ago with my zone leader. Every time I get the reasurring feeling that the spirit is there. I know that it really is the power of God given to man to act in his name. I know that it has to be because normal human beings don´t have the capacity to do some things they do without divine help and inspiration. My testimony of the priesthood has really grown. Especially as we listened to the priesthood session from last conference on CD. Wow. The mood was somber, the spirit was ever so present. I have really come to understand what the priesthood really is. It truly is the power of God delegated to man to act in His name. But it goes beyond that. It is the perfect plan of service. As priesthood holders, we are expected to serve others. We are expected to serve everyone. We have the responsibility and opportunity to help bring the precious children of our Father in Heaven back into his presence. Thats what the priesthood is. Service. Thats the one word definition for it. I have definately come to understand more of what my duty is here, and through out my life.
Yesterday we said some goodbye´s to some people in the ward here. We taught a family home evening lesson on the Plan of Salvation last night. It was great. How wonderful it is to know where we lived before this life, why we are here, and where we are going! We are so blessed to have the Gospel of Jesus Christ in its fullness on the earth today. It really is the plan of happiness. I know that by following in the Saviors footsteps we can all achieve true happiness in this life and in the next.
Well mom, I sure hope you got some rest lastnight for work today. I´m sure glad everyone traveled in safety! I hope everything is going well at home! I want to thank each and every one of you for your examples to me. Each one of you have taught me something special and different. You all have a special place in my heart. You are all a strenght to me and will always be. I hope this week brings joy and happiness to everyone! I will let you know how the changes are next week! And we have district meeting on Thursday so im hoping i get that package then! We will see! I love you all so very much! Take care!
Love always, Elder Mitchell A. Williams
12 January 2009
Time is really flying by fast
We have interviews with the President on Thursday of this week. And probably sector conference next week. We have three weeks left in the change today. Man it has gone by pretty fast! We are also moving two block up the street to a new apartment cuz its not so high up. But its a lot nicer and bigger, we already had the nicest place in the whole mission but this new one is going to be like heaven! Lol but heaven in Uruguay is a lot different than Heaven in Utah! We are probably going to pack everything up on Tuesday after district meeting and clean the new apartment and then move in on Wednesday! lol what an exciting week! I´m excited for changes coming up though! Its going to be interesting, I for sure will get a new companion cuz i don´t think you stay with 1 companion for more than 2 changes. Time is passing so fast! Were almost half way through the first month of 2009! I feel like this year is just going to fly by.
So the people here are pretty difficult to work with, even the members! Its been a challenge. We are hoping for 1 baptism by the end of this month, hopefully it doesn´t fall through like the other ones we have had dates for! We will see! This week has been really hot and full of walking! My feet have been killing every day especially cuz they just bake with black shoes and sock and with the humidity! I think i´m fine without epson salt, i have some really good antibacterial soap i bought the other day! Maybe some odor eaters or something i could put in my shoes cuz they stink!! haha maybe those balls that smell good you put in shoes!
We did divisions with two members this week. It was great cuz I was like the senior comp! I definitely felt more energized and more enthusiastic! I had to talk a lot more with was great, it boosted my confidence! I was able to talk and understand just fine, i knew that the Spirit of the Lord was right there helping me! It was a great feeling! I was also able to take control of the conversation more, rather than my comp. I directed all of them more towards the savior! Its always a good feeling having the opportunity to testify of the Divinity of our Savior Jesus Christ!!!
Well this week is going to be busy, a lot of stuff going on! These next three weeks are going to fly by and then changes will happen and i could possibly be in a new area! I hope all is well back home! Enjoy the snow! I´m sure missing it! I love you all so much and hope you have a wonderful week! Thanks for all the love and support! I probably will be getting your letters tomorrow and maybe the package of things i need! Have a great week! I love you all and miss you dearly!
Love always, Elder Mitchell A. Williams
PS. Lol I don´t get home until Sept 14 2010! You have a lot to count! It makes me feel important though mom! I LOVE YOU!
So the people here are pretty difficult to work with, even the members! Its been a challenge. We are hoping for 1 baptism by the end of this month, hopefully it doesn´t fall through like the other ones we have had dates for! We will see! This week has been really hot and full of walking! My feet have been killing every day especially cuz they just bake with black shoes and sock and with the humidity! I think i´m fine without epson salt, i have some really good antibacterial soap i bought the other day! Maybe some odor eaters or something i could put in my shoes cuz they stink!! haha maybe those balls that smell good you put in shoes!
We did divisions with two members this week. It was great cuz I was like the senior comp! I definitely felt more energized and more enthusiastic! I had to talk a lot more with was great, it boosted my confidence! I was able to talk and understand just fine, i knew that the Spirit of the Lord was right there helping me! It was a great feeling! I was also able to take control of the conversation more, rather than my comp. I directed all of them more towards the savior! Its always a good feeling having the opportunity to testify of the Divinity of our Savior Jesus Christ!!!
Well this week is going to be busy, a lot of stuff going on! These next three weeks are going to fly by and then changes will happen and i could possibly be in a new area! I hope all is well back home! Enjoy the snow! I´m sure missing it! I love you all so much and hope you have a wonderful week! Thanks for all the love and support! I probably will be getting your letters tomorrow and maybe the package of things i need! Have a great week! I love you all and miss you dearly!
Love always, Elder Mitchell A. Williams
PS. Lol I don´t get home until Sept 14 2010! You have a lot to count! It makes me feel important though mom! I LOVE YOU!
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