#October84

Good Morning!

I have survived my first week working with people my own age, it's intense! There's a lot on my shoulders, but I'm grateful for the change of pace. For reference, it's easy for me to adapt to a family Stake, because I grew up in one. The structure is what I'm used to. However, in the YSA Stake, I have to fit in and bring the Spirit to people with crazy lifestyles and much more adaptable perspectives. Not to mention everything else I do as a missionary!

We found a few new friends to teach, and some wonderful friends who came to church for the first time yesterday! We will continue to work with them as we move forward. Also, we have a baptism on Saturday, his name is Sean. Stay tuned for the photo!

The day after transfers the departing missionaries left for home, but they had to spend the night somewhere. As I live in St. George now, some slept over with Elder Koyle and I! The best part of this opportunity was that Elder Bailey (after finishing two separate baptisms in his area) showed up at 10:15pm to stay the night with us! I truly enjoyed spending some time with him again, and learning from the wisdom he has to share. 

One thing I'm grateful for is the compatability Elder Koyle and I have. We carry the same vision, and desire to be united. As such, we've had some very spiritual lessons this past week, especially as we've incorporated the Restoration message better into our teaching. 

I will share a fun story on that topic! We attend this steak dinner with some students and things are going well, though they're a little rowdy. It didn't feel like the Spirit was super strong. But we ask to share a message with them anyways, and drop the Restoration on them! (Adapted to their circumstances of course.) The Spirit in the room is palpable, everyone can feel it. After the message we ask around, and one of the people there wasn't a member, so we asked her if she wanted to learn more. The Spirit was still there when we talked, so she pondered for a second and said she would! 

This work is truly God's work. A note on the title; we had a mission goal to achieve 84 souls baptized in the month of October. We've averaged about 45 these last couple months, so this was a stretch for the mission as we headed into October. But miracles abounded, and we realized an increase in God's hand in the work! In total, 64 souls stepped onto the covenant path. Though we didn't achieve our goal of 84, it has highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of the missionaries in our mission, and will set us up for more than just An Astonishing October, but an exciting 2023! 

I don't have much time this Preparation Day, but it's been exciting! I was trashed in pickleball, but I got a haircut so that's a bonus. On to another week full of success and hard work!

- Elder Williams

Pictures: 
1. Farewell, valiant Elders.
2. Elder Bailey and I!
3. Elder Goolsby and I!
4. The best view from an apartment (not mine, shame).
5. Time for some St. George sunsets!
6. Working at the Iron Man (I got a free shirt!)
7. The sign above the printer in our office.
8. Elder Koyle and I!
9. The Shaw family from Salina.











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