Links and Lessons on Love

Good Morning!

It is time to celebrate, I'm officially being reinstated to the Utah, St. George Mission!

I received the news last week Monday, but as I was having difficulties with my email I held off on announcing this. Another part of me was hoping to get my flight info reasonably soon after, but my Mission President is working with the Missionary Travel Department to organize a few more details. I'll throw something on Facebook when I have my plane tickets. 

In retrospect, I'm glad I sent that email on Sunday. One day I'll look back and see what it was like waiting for my reinstatement, and contrast that experience to how I felt after finally receiving that good news. 

I was waiting a long time for my reinstatement, and I'm still waiting for flight plans now. I've been waiting for almost four months to return to St. George. It is easy to ask God, why am I waiting? What purpose could he have for my delay?

My mission has ultimately been delayed for a host of reasons. I could have left when I was 18, but instead after some inaction on my part I received a call to serve a month after my nineteenth birthday. Then, two months in, I return home and spend four months in a different aspect of service. 

I know many missionaries who's mission was delayed through Covid-19, and every missionary has been affected by this pandemic in one way or another. I know a certain Elder who was called to Australia, but the country hasn't opened up yet, so he's spent over half his mission serving in Texas. He could totally be justified in asking God, "Why am I waiting?"

I wonder if the question, "Why am I waiting?" isn't even ours to ask. Perhaps we're placing ourselves in positions where God is waiting on us. This certainly isn't the case with the Elder waiting on Australia, but certainly applicable to most scenarios.  It's a good thing God uses these periods of 'waiting spaces' to teach us important lessons, or provide opportunities we'd never considered. I encourage you to ponder how you're making God wait on your timing, and what you can do to align your life with His plan for you.

To a new question, what have I learned in this time of waiting? 

First and foremost, I have improved relationships with my parents and siblings. The Prophet asked us to remove contention from our lives by Easter. This is a goal that my siblings and I have made steps to accomplish. The change is slow at times, but it has been noticeable. We're strengthening the links that form our family, which has helped me feel more at peace at home. I also know that my presence at the ranch has been a great benefit to my family, and my practical knowledge of hard work.

I feel that my relationship with my Heavenly Father has strengthened, and it's something that I'm putting more time into every day. Many of my priorities in life have shuffled around, showing me what is more important, and what desires are irrelevant at this time. President Rhodus has been a wonderful example of a spiritually solid man, and helped witness God's love for me. 

Many members of my ward have exhibited charity and understanding towards me, allowing me to feel at home with kind words and simple conversations. Perhaps most notable in this group is the making of a good friend, someone to share my own interests with. 

The last point I'll mention is my newfound respect and understanding towards my mission. Utah was not the first destination in my head when I opened my call, but the five weeks I spent in the field gave me a taste of what true service in the hands of God felt like, and a glimpse at the overwhelming love our Heavenly Father has for each of us. St. George, Utah, is where God wants me to serve, and I intend to go forward developing charity and love for the people in whatever area I'm in. If I can share the message of the gospel in a small part, then it will be a success to me. 

There is a song titled "The Motions" by Matthew West. It proposes the question, "What if I had given everything?" I know I've found greater purpose and duty in my life as I've centered myself on Jesus Christ, his Atoning sacrifice, and the reality of God's plan for us. As we've celebrated Easter, I can confidently proclaim that He lives, Jesus Christ's sacrifice was for us, and that the only complete way to find peace in this life and the next is through Him. 

I hope to be in Utah by my next email, but nothing is ever certain. Thank you to everyone who's followed my journey this far, I'm grateful someone reads these besides my immediate family. Until next week!

- Talmage (soon to be Elder) Williams

Pictures:

1. Mr. Darcy in all his fluffy glory.

2. Pretty flowers!

3. A lovely, peaceful moment in early Spring.

4. Mr. Darcy and his domain.

5. The buffalo engineered a way past the hay ring to orchestrate their own plans.

6. Prettier flowers!

7. Achmed playing with his food.

8. Ranch work can be interesting . . .