Lead Me, Guide Me, Walk Beside Me

Good Morning!

This has been a very solid week to end the transfer on. No crazy successes, but lots of planning to move the area forward and ensure those we work with actually progress. On Sunday, two of our friends (different households) got sick and couldn't come to church. One is on date for October, hopefully it still works out. The other is close to setting a date, and we put Finnegan on date! He is planning to be baptized with his 8 y/o cousin, Cayla. Okay so maybe we did have some crazy success!

Transfer news came out the other night, remember how I've never stayed anywhere longer than a transfer? That phase is behind me now, I'll be staying in Salina for another transfer, and I'll be training! I'll figure out who my new missionary is on Wednesday, I'm already plotting his future success. Fun times!

As I've continued my journey to understand personal revelation and the Holy Ghost's presence, I've found struggles and success. Some days our lessons are guided well, other times lessons feel slow and scattered. It's been difficult to fix halfway through, but wonderful when the lesson is held with the Spirit. 

Honestly, I need God's help with all this. My nightly prayer thoughts are starting to turn into something finally! I've had a few good ideas, and followed a couple. Nothing mind blowing, but it's been a helpful way to catch stray thoughts in my mind and write them down. I've had many questions for myself, but not a lot of answers yet. That's okay, I can be patient. 

Here's one that's been on my mind recently:
What does God need me to achieve? How do WE do this? (Meaning God and myself)

That answer is somewhere in the distance, hiding fairly well. But, I am reminded of a story from the Old Testament, that is discussed by the Book of Mormon Prophet Alma. 

This is the story of the fiery serpents, and Moses' brass serpent!

Alma 33:
   19 Behold, he (Jesus Christ) was spoken of by Moses; yea, and behold a type was raised up in the wilderness, that whosoever would look upon it might live. And many did look and live.
   20 But few understood the meaning of those things, and this because of the hardness of their hearts. But there were many who were so hardened that they would not look, therefore they perished. Now the reason they would not look is because they did not believe that it would heal them.
   21 O my brethren, if ye could be healed by merely casting about your eyes that ye might be healed, would ye not behold quickly, or would ye rather harden your hearts in unbelief, and be slothful, that ye would not cast about your eyes, that ye might perish?
   22 If so, wo shall come upon you; but if not so, then cast about your eyes and begin to believe in the Son of God, that he will come to redeem his people, and that he shall suffer and die to atone for their sins; and that he shall rise again from the dead, which shall bring to pass the resurrection, that all men shall stand before him, to be judged at the last and judgment day, according to their works.

It is concerning how easy it was for some of the Israelites to refuse to look upon the brass serpent and live. I love the comparison to us 'casting about our eyes and beginning to believe in the Son of God'.

That idea is special to me. I want to do the right things, for the best reasons. I want to look towards the Savior in every aspect of my life, but I want to do it with a focus on others, rather than the direct benefits for myself. I want to lift those around me, not exalt myself above those I work with. 

This transfer is a big change for me, but I know all things are possible to them that believe. As I work with greater responsibilities, I have resolved to turn to the Savior for the help and strength I need. I'm trusted enough to be given these opportunities to serve, now time to fulfill them!

- Elder Williams

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

Pictures:
1. The District at Zone Conference!
2-5. Photos from the top of Big Red! We climbed him for morning exercise once.
6. The last District Council picture!
7. The weekend sunset.
8. The final Preparation Day hangout! 










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