Mighty Labors and Humble Desires

Good Morning!

Ever heard the phrase, "I wouldn't touch that with a ten foot pole?" Well, in my case the pole had other plans. 

Our days at the ranch were busy, I was working most of Friday and all Saturday. We removed some of the ten foot wooden posts to make room for a different project, but it wasn't all smooth going. My dad lifted a post with the tractor, but it caught in the forks and the leverage slammed it into my forehead, dropping me to the ground. No concussion yet! 

See an epic five-minutes-after photo below. 

We set about 80 metal posts on Saturday in preparation for our future handling facility. We were working from 7am to 7pm, and throughout the process I moved 8,000 pounds of concrete and 2,000 pounds of metal poles. That's definitely one of my favorite physical accomplishments so far in life. And yes, I went home and ate 5 slices of pizza, 3 glasses of milk, and crashed. Sunday was a day of rest and recovery from the sunburns (sunscreen is for wimps) and sore muscles.

I've spent more time this week trying to pay attention to those around me. It's definitely a humbling experience, considering others preferences and view points before demanding my own way. One of Christ's attributes is humility, and it's one I'd like to develop in myself.

My Stake President asked me in our weekly meeting what humility is. I was stumped for a minute, but my best response was "not bragging?". Definitely not my finest moment. Technically I was correct, but there's more to it. Towards the end of the meeting I had a better response for him. 

Humility is acting with others in mind. 

This doesn't mean abandoning your values or goals in life, but it does require thinking outwardly, rather than inwardly. As a missionary there is a lot of motivation to have an outwardly focused mindset. The more we focus on leading others to Christ and His Atonement and forgiveness, the more we grow as individuals. 

I have tried to focus on being respectful to others, and acknowledging when I'm wrong or made a mistake. It takes effort to think about others before myself, and in many cases I find I'm reluctant to acknowledge a mistake I made. However, with work, I hope to keep my efforts focused outward rather than inwards. Instead of "I want" I hope to develop a habit for compromise and understanding. 

My baking adventures have continued, I can now successfully make dough and breakfast cookies. The first is a good skill to have, but I'll probably spend more time making breakfast cookies. They're a filling, healthy breakfast item that is simple to make. They'll probably become my breakfast food of choice when I return to the field. 

This week was good, though physically strenuous at times! Grant, my younger brother, flies to the MTC tomorrow for his mission. It's bittersweet. I wish it was me on the plane, but I also see that there's a reason I'm home, and I'll soon be on my own flight, ready to join my friends in God's work. 

If you have questions about the church, my situation, or just want to talk, please contact me. If I can help clarify something, then all the better. Make it a good week, and focus on those around you! Everyone wants the best, the more love we can share the more joy we'll find. 

- Talmage Williams

Pictures:
1-2. Breakfast cookies!
3. Boar or deer footprints
4. Our two bulls, Achmed and Bartok
5. The after effects of 10 foot posts . . .
6. (Most of) my family after 12 hours of hard labor








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