Hope - Becoming A Little Boulder

May 10, 2023

Good Morning!

I am learning so much from my missionary experiences. It's surreal how much I've grown, and how much I still lack. Nonetheless, allow me to share how I am developing and strengthening, because of my Savior.

First, in my responsibilities as a leader, I am still growing. Elder Shipp and I have realized that we need to put more effort into planning the meetings we run, as when we don't plan it never runs as well as we'd like. This applies to everything we do; working to be more unified and striving to encourage and inspire other missionaries around us. We ran our Zone Council this past week, and it went pretty well! It also could have gone better, but it's a growing process. I am proud of my capabilities in regards to leading and conducting meetings! That is a talent I am grateful to have learned.

One thing we learned from Zone Council was to become a little bolder. Elder Gibson, one of our District Leaders, invited us to become a little boulder, and grow in our capacities to invite our friends to grow in their faith. He gave us all little rocks to write bold scriptures on, hence the 'little boulder'. I have seen boldness at work in my life as I strive to help my friends progress.

One friend has had some struggles. They were preparing for baptism, but we have had to readjust some plans due to some concerns. We weren't sure how to approach the situation, so we did the best we could. In the end, after leading a lot of the lesson, that friend is excited to continue their covenant journey! Miracles come when we are bold. We weren't sure if our friend would want to still progress, but I clung to hope and God worked His miracles.

We have another friend named Delphine. She has been taught for a long time. Elder Shipp taught her on an exchange and set the expectation that we would plan for a baptism with her at our next lesson. She had two dates to pray for; May 13th and July. To our astonishment, she desires to be baptized on May 13th! Many small concerns have appeared as Satan has tried to dissuade her from making a covenant, and finding true hope in her life. But he has been unsuccessful. She is finally ready to take this act of faith!

We have another friend named Felice. She is fantastic! She set her own date for September before we visited with her. It has since been readjusted for June 3rd. She has many sincere desires, and is so much fun to teach. She also is a writer, which is one of my passions. Teaching her is going to be so much fun!

Sometimes I feel discouraged. That's normal, but it's not what God intends. I turned to Him in prayer this past week and found myself more willing, more bold. The next person we visited after one instance of prayer tried to dismiss our testimony because of our age. I took the opportunity to bear testimony of the joy and peace the gospel brings. That family is not willing to receive the gospel yet. But that encounter gave me the fire I needed to press forward with intention. It gave me hope.

The bottom line is that I've come to love the people here so much. Teaching others about the gospel has changed my perspective and focus in life. Seeing others change, when at first they don't appear ready for the gospel, is always a humbling experience. I am grateful to have witnessed that time and time again. Boldness is not overbearing when it comes from a place of love.

I have made many friends on my mission, but the closest friend I claim is the Savior Himself. As I study Him I come to love Him more. He brings me strength, gives me hope, and helps me to be a little boulder, each and every day.

- Elder Williams

Mailing Address:

881 South River Road

St. George, Utah 84790

Pictures:

1, 3. St. George clouds!

2. Felice!

4. This is the cutest dog I saw all week!

5. This is the reservoir we fished at!

6. We went fishing this morning. This is a bluegill. It's about the smallest fish in the reservoir. But I caught four of them so I'm happy!

7. Elder Shipp

8. Everyone at Zone Council.