Bear It No More

Good Morning!

We've had some very needed miracles this past week! Chance, an individual we've been teaching, was baptized last Friday! And we found our first two new people to start teaching on Saturday. Ultimately, we're working to shift the area towards a higher productivity level, it's exciting!

One of the two new friends we have is a very young girl, the oldest of six in a large family. This was one of those rare times where I'm actually able to communicate with kids, so I led a very entertaining and insightful discussion on God's Love with them! That never happens to me. Right after we were referred to this random apartment lot and we're about to leave, but instead we decided to knock on one of the doors right in the middle. Lo and behold the door opens, we talk to the gentleman for a few minutes, and set up a return appointment in a week! He's from Texas too, so it's meant to be. 

We also found a bear. He's our new best friend, he was willing to sit in on some of our photos too. He held the Book of Mormon, it was wonderful! In all honesty, he was carved from a tree stump with a chainsaw, and was therefore very cooperative. He sits in the middle of Salina, we've driven by him probably a dozen times and are glad we finally visited him properly. 

I think it's getting colder, or the butterflies are moving on, either way I used to see a lot of them, especially in the car. While driving. To Aurora. For 7 minutes. Watching them smack into the grill at 60mph. Hmm. Maybe that's why I don't see them anymore. The great butterfly massacre wiped them all out!

I participated in an exchange to Ephraim with Elder Eskelsen, and thoroughly enjoyed it. We talked a lot about the mission, and I focused my questions on his development throughout his experience, as this is his last transfer. He had some wise words to say, particularly concerning finding joy in your service. It's something I could probably experience a bit more. Or perhaps simply express the joy I feel with more than just a straight face. Hopefully I'm a bit better over the next couple years! 

My biggest struggle in Salina has been balancing joy and fun, with productivity and effectiveness. Some of the teaching friends here are simply friends, there's little to no teaching previously involved. Many haven't received an official lesson in 5 weeks or more! It's difficult to find the sweet spot between inviting these people towards the gospel, or letting them sit while we search for other people to teach. That's partly why our two new friends are such a wonderful miracle! Their main language is English, and we can start fresh with setting expectations for lessons moving forward! 

The work here is exciting, yet different, but that's okay. I'm grateful to be here in Salina and explore more about the people here, myself, and how God works. Then I have to figure out how to apply this knowledge. That's probably the hardest part. 

I'm ultimately grateful the Savior understands how to bear our burdens, and assist our own efforts. I wouldn't be here without Him, and I'm going to continue to need that support for the rest of my life. 

- Elder Williams

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 360
85 N 150 E 
Redmond, UT 84652

Pictures:
1. I made friends with the bear.
2. Our district, I have the longest arms, so I got to take the picture!
3. The best photo from our hike!
4. Photo #1 of our hike!
5. Photo #2 of our hike!
6. The bear likes the book.
7. Early morning sunrise during a run!
8. Elder Stucki and myself. 










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