The Source of True Freedom

Good Morning!

I must say I'm a bit nervous. It hit me yesterday that I'm home for one more week. Just one more! That's an exhilarating yet bittersweet realization. I'm excited to leave, Utah feels like the place to be. But I'm a bit nervous about my capabilities, and how quickly I'll pick up the missionary way of life. 

My advice to my friends is to be confident in yourself. You know your capabilities, but God knows them even better. With that in mind, you can do whatever you work for. Probably the best advice I heard on this topic was "remember to be kind to yourself."  I know I can serve a full and worthy mission. I just need to swallow my own words and do it. 

A friend of mine who's serving in Dallas recently stated that he "missed social interaction with other missionaries". To be honest, that's something I've missed too. There were a few weeks where I felt, socially, adrift. That has since remedied itself in part as I've made friends with the people in my ward, but it is a genuine concern when you just have your companion as the only person to interact with regularly. 

In this jump from a social life amongst your friends and family to the field, there can be a reasonable amount of loneliness for missionaries. As I'm about to experience this, I'm surprised by how much it concerns me. I know I'll be okay once I'm in the field, but this line in the missionary handbook caught my eye. 

2.2.2 - "Staying with your companion will help provide protection from physical and spiritual dangers, false accusations, and loneliness."

Loneliness is a real thing, but with the Holy Ghost as our constant companion, and the missionary support from those in your District and Zone, and the Christlike members in your area, there will always be support. I'm leaving one group of friends for another. Even transfers will be a positive note, because of the chance to make new friends and relationships. 

To take a jump away from emotions, I want to share a couple fun ranch experiences. First, we would spend all day at the ranch from Thursday through Saturday, but we weren't always working. After doing a fair bit of mowing I was exhausted, so I joined our dogs in their enclosure and took a nap with them. I don't have photos, but they were very comfortable sleep companions!

The number of violent creatures has increased at our property. For example, I picked up a log and was walking to our trailer (we were clearing fallen trees) and all was well, until I felt a pain on my wrist. I glance down and find my right arm covered in ants. Luckily only two or three actually bit me, but that was an adrenaline pumping moment! I freaked out and screamed a very manly scream, swatting at my arm. Then the next half hour was spent trying to avoid every ant possible. 

Lastly, We found a copperhead snake while throwing logs around. We had our local Elders helping out, and one who was skilled in the methods of snake elimination handled the situation quite well. But we're definitely a bit more wary of the deadly snakes we know are there. It was pretty awesome to see a dead snake up close, though another Elder was a lot more nervous around snakes than expected . . . he's doing fine though! His companion was the snake killer, after all. 

Even though the emotional burdens from the beginning of this email aren't going to change my life forever, they still carry some weight. In fact, life carries weight from everything we do. There are bills to pay, obligations to meet, work to get done. The list goes on, and the childhood dream of a 'free, adult life with no cares' is shattered pretty quickly. You could argue that life isn't so much freeing as it is a choice between two or more paths, each with obligations that shape your potential future. 

I know I struggle with burdens. Everyone does, that's why we're alive. Those burdens shape our development. Yet, we don't have to bear these burdens alone. 

There is freedom in the Atonement of Jesus Christ. He suffered for our sins, our burdens, and our trials, individually, in the Garden of Gethsemane. I've felt, personally, how that strangling, demoralizing weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I know for a fact that you can be free if you rely on Jesus, follow the simple commandments, and strive for a change. He assists our efforts daily, allowing for a slow but continual growth. I have experienced this for myself, and know it to be true. 

Have a wonderful week! Keep your eye out on the little, positive things. They'll change your life. 

- Talmage Williams

Pictures: 

1. #109 is so cute!

2. A beautiful flower photo that took forever to take.

3. #18, she's a very pretty lady.

4. Chicken quotes are my favorite!

5. The herd enjoying a bit of fresh grass.

6. If you look closely, you'll notice #111, the subject of last week's email.

7. The headless copperhead.