Shifts of Perspective

Good Morning! 

I need to stop pretending I know what will happen for transfers, it really is an achilles heel of mine. I definitely guessed right that I was leaving the St. George YSA 1st Stake again, but I didn't have any clue what God had in store for me. 

I am being asked to serve in Ephraim, and one of the YSA Stakes up there. This is an out-of-the-blue change for me, and I wasn't sure what to think for a couple seconds. I have been asked to lead a District of missionaries, which is a smaller version of the responsibilities I've been managing for the past 7 1/2 months. I'm grateful I have a testimony that transfers are direct revelation from God to President Staples. I am already formulating how to make the Ephraim District the best District . . . Sorry to everyone else's Districts!

I suppose what ultimately matters is our perception of things. My mom taught me a valuable lesson about myself; I really benefit from a change in perspective. God knows this so He just flipped me on my head and is teaching me a lot more than I thought I needed to learn. 

We had a Mission Conference with Elder Dale G. Renlund, one of the 12 Apostles on the Earth today. That was truly a wonderful experience, it was interesting to compare my understanding of him in his Conference talks to our brief interactions and his teachings through the course of the Conference. I shook his hand. People become more real when you shake their hand. 

I had the opportunity to sit with Elder Jorgensen & Elder Nabors while at the Mission Conference. Elder Jorgensen is wise as ever. Elder Nabors seems so genuine and eager. I absolutely love the two of them, and I'm excited for them to continue their respective journeys as missionaries. Both have done and will do great things in the Utah, St. George Mission. 

Contrast this perspective of missionaries I love with our teaching friends, and how they view us. One of our friends will not be getting baptized. She isn't ready to change everything the Lord requires of us, but those feelings are normal. Change takes time. We are still working with her before she moves to Canada, but I'm afraid her perception of us may drift too far towards friendship and away from "Representative of Jesus Christ." Perhaps I'm wrong in my perception of this situation, as I know she has grown so much since we began meeting. But it never hurts to ponder this idea. 

What does it mean to be a regular, person, and a missionary? As missionaries, we have our hobbies, interests, and personalities. Yet we are asked to change through the Atonement of Jesus Christ to become holier, more Christlike, and charitable. I strive for this as a missionary. I have succeeded in many aspects. I seek improvement in many more. 

A wonderful example of change is Serenity. Elder Shipp & I began teaching her the first week of our transfer together. She was baptized on Saturday. The entire family attitude toward the church has transformed, and the ward is welcoming them in. David, Serenity's father, has taken a huge interest in the gospel and recently messaged us requesting to be baptized with Serenity's 8 y/o sister, Faith. I know that true change comes from the Atonement of Christ. I know that the way I have viewed this family has changed, and how they view missionaries, the Church, and their Savior, most certainly has. I love Serenity and her family so much. 

At the end of the day, the ultimate perspective shift we need is that of the Savior. He changes us. The Holy Ghost guides and directs us. And all of this is presided over and orchestrated by a loving Heavenly Father who sent me here with a plan. That plan involves going to Ephraim in an alternate capacity to what I have served in the past. I trust God, and am eager to seek answers to the following questions:

- What can I accomplish in this situation?
- What do I need to learn from this experience?

Elder Shipp taught me many things about myself. He also taught me that I can be companions with most any missionary. He has shaped the way I work and deepened my dedication to the gospel, for which I am grateful. He is also my second-longest running companion, by about a single day. Transfers were extended (so today is my Preparation Day) and therefore Elder Shipp takes second place by a single day. It's quite impressive! 

My new companion is Elder Bagley. I have heard many wonderful things about him. I called him earlier and asked if he was excited for the best transfer in Ephraim and he's absolutely ready. However, we'll see if he's my companion for longer than a transfer! I just don't keep them very long. :) 

- Elder Williams

I'm tired of finding new mailing addresses. I'll get back to you on Monday about this one. 

Pictures:
1. Elder Mather. Another powerful missionary on to the next steps in life.
2. This was actually a beautiful desert garden, I had a lot of fun exploring.
3. Literally the best cactus name I've seen. #CactusoftheWeek!
4. It's also cool because buffalo. 
5. Serenity and her family!
6. Serenity + Missionaries.
7. Shelley!!! We set her on-plan again. Just in time to leave, let's go!
8. Julia & Desiree + Missionaries!
9. Elder Renlund. Good luck finding me.











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