Feeding Faith & Starving Doubts

Good Morning! 

Of our five friends preparing for baptism, four of them came to church! We also had a very successful Zone Conference and a wonderful couple exchanges. We did only find one new friend, Robin, but she's fantastic and is doing very well. We will see her again on Tuesday. 

The theme for this past Zone Conference was "Holiness". This is a subject I really appreciated, as sometimes I need a little kick to recognize some of my own habits that could make me a holier person. It was a wonderful experience to be with so many missionaries, I met a lot of friends while there, I loved it. 

I did another exchange in Salina. I promise there's a good reason for going there so often, it's only really my second exchange there. I got to teach Estella again, and Elenor, her younger sister who is getting baptized in a couple weeks! That was amazing, I also met their new hedgehog. They're wonderful people. I met with David Ritchey for a few minutes, he is willing to keep meeting with missionaries! And I met Braden and Bailey Butcher, they were fantastic as ever. 

While on this exchange, I was praying for a key-indicator focused miracle. I wasn't sure why, but I felt that I needed to have the faith to realize one. About midway through the day we get a text from one of their friends, Ruby Williams (she has the best last name). She expressed over text that God had answered her prayers about if she should be baptized in a miraculous way. He sent her a dove, and though I don't know the details I know this much: the answer she received was a testimony to her of a loving God, and the truthfulness of this work. She will be baptized on April 8th. I'm really excited for her, and though I've never met her, I know she is an amazing daughter of a loving God. 

I also did an exchange, in Ephraim, with Elder Stucki! It was absolutely fantastic to be with him again, and though his personality is very similar to a few months ago, I can recognize the ways he's changed since we were companions. We had an excellent chapel tour with a friend in their area, Leon. We also visited a number of people trying to find friends to teach, but with no success. However, the very opportunity to be with Elder Stucki and to support him was a blessing in and of itself to me. 

It was while with Elder Stucki that I hit one year of missionary service. I think. We'll just go with the idea that I've been a missionary for a year and run with it. I'm honestly not sure about all the details, just the fact that I know I've been serving for a total of 12 months. It's been the best, however, and I wouldn't trade it for anything else. Occasionally I'll scroll through all my photos and wonder where the time went. One of these days I'll look back and realize all the missionaries I've taken photos with are home! That'll be the day. I'm very grateful to be a missionary, to have witnessed success, and to be in a place where I can help many of God's children learn of him. 

Sometimes I get discouraged. I'm great at feeding my doubts, but that's actually not how faith works. The entire principle is to starve your doubts, and feed your faith. I'm seeking to feed my faith through my studies and my actions, but the discouragement gets stronger sometimes, especially these past couple days. However, it's as I write this email that I realize how many different ways God has blessed me. 

- He's allowed me to be a part of a fantastic Zone Conference
- I've felt the Spirit on a personal level many times this past week
- Being a small part of Ruby's miracle was a huge blessing and testimony builder
- It was a blessing to work with, and meet, David Ritchey again
- Not to mention all my other wonderful friends in Salina!
- I have a fantastic companion who knows how to love others, even when I'm frustrated
- Tristan has selected a date for baptism! What was once a shaky situation for him has turned around quite well!
- We found Robin, and she wants to progress, which is a blessing I should be content with, as God didn't have to give me any new friends if He didn't want to
- The Richfield Zone set 8 baptismal dates, and has been consistent with success for the past couple months!
- I'm still in Richfield, the best section of the mission
- It rained yesterday. I really love rain, and the fresh smell it brings
- I had the opportunity to discuss stories and books with a wonderful member family
- God supported and guided my words during a sacrament talk
- Our friends are coming to church
- Elder Stucki and I still blend very well
- My friends in Beaver are progressing!
- I'm surrounded by fantastic missionaries who have supported me many times in many ways
- I'm surrounded by beautiful scenery, clouds, and sunsets
- I know that I am loved. At the end of the day, isn't that enough?

When I write this out, I realize that I should cease being discouraged over a few things that didn't go as good as I'd like, and find joy in the many things that did go very, very well. I suppose, in one year, I still haven't fully learned humility! When I worked in Beaver it took too long to figure out why I was there. However, being in Richfield, I have a sneaking suspicion that God wants me here not just to move the work, but to better refine myself. 

Whatever the reason, I'm determined to feed my faith. I will strive to recognize the many miracles in my life, and I will seek to be a blessing to the many friends I've made; both here, across the mission, and throughout my life. 

- Elder Williams

Pictures:
1. It's the sky.
2. Elder & Sister Bradshaw, also from Beaver!
3. Estella's hedgehog.
4. Braden and Bailey Butcher!
5. The mountains outside Monroe.
6. I tell everyone I'm still jumping in the snow . . . About time I share some evidence!
7. One of Elder Stucki's friends has a beautiful horse. We gave him a snack while we knocked on their door.
8. Rossten was baptized in Beaver! (Of the three kids in white shirts, he's on the right.)










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