This Season is His Season

Good Morning!

Happy Thanksgiving! So much has happened that I don't know where to start. I'll do my best, but next week's email may be "less epic" because it will contain fewer days to pull from. Bottom line, everything that has happened has been good, even if it doesn't always feel like it.

We've found 9 new friends these past 10 days! Sam Broadbent lives in the Cane Beds, Amos is willing to feel out our message, and all the rest are kids who live in Fredonia. Namely Ryder, Nash, Kolton, and the siblings of Nathan, Candice, and Natalie. Their older brother Nathaniel was baptized a few weeks before I got here, so we're going to help them move forward as well! The best part is, most of these people want to be baptized!

I absolutely love Colorado City! It's an amazing place full of amazing people who think they're right . . . it's interesting. We challenged 19 separate people in one day to consider baptism into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Most said they "already have because we're like the same thing" which definitely isn't accurate. There's some 5-6,000 people who believe the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that Joseph Smith is a prophet. They just got confused about 80 years down the line and haven't come back. It's a weird environment, but a big adventure every time we go.

We've officially met all the ward leaders (it feels like) and the work is moving forward. There's quite a bit of potential here in Kaibab so I'm grateful to be a part of it all. Here's a few of our friends:

Kaylen is 16 years old and absolutely loves the Book of Mormon. She has a sincere desire to be baptized and is still figuring out when. I love lessons with her because she spent a lot of her life in Texas and knows a lot about the area. She's also just super sincere about her gospel interest, which is always rewarding.

Desmond is 11 years old and about as tall as my brother, Clark. He's got the same personality too, which is always fun to teach. I love his desire to understand what we share, and be baptized. His baptism is set for December 16th.

Meghann is preparing to be baptized on December 9th. She loves the light of Christ and the fellowship she's experienced in the ward, and is committed to the daily habits. She grew up religious but feels more fulfilled as she studies the Book of Mormon and has strengthened her connection to God. She's very serviceable and charitable, which are marks of her consistent commitment to Christ and His gospel.

Here's a specific miracle I'll share involving our friend, Sam. We were knocking homes in Colorado City and got a call from him. We were meant to have a lesson in about a half hour, but over the call he informs us that he's babysitting some friends' kids and won't be home in time for the lesson. So we call it off and plan to meet in a few days when he is available.

Elder Hironymous and I look at each other, sigh a little, and move on. We knock on the next home and some kid opens, so we say hello, and introduce ourselves as the missionaries. Then Sam pokes his head into view! He was so surprised and I was so floored that I almost didn't recognize him! He invites us in and we share a lesson with him and the kids he's watching over, and then we go back to his place and share another one with him and one of his friends in the ward. That was a beautiful miracle, as it can be hard to catch Sam right now with his life all over the place. But he's sincere in his commitment, so I am honored to work with him.

As a mission we have recently put a focus on miles, and how much we are driving. In an effort to drive less on a monthly basis, Elder Hironymous determined that we need to drive (on average) less than 60 miles a day for our area. Now you'd say that isn't too bad, right? Here's the problem: Within the month of November the truck has driven to St. George and back twice, to Cedar and back twice, and will go to St. George again and back on November 30th. Go figure. We're at about 400 miles left? We are officially praying for miracles, hopefully all goes well!

I did particularly enjoy our time at the Trainer / New Missionary meeting in St. George yesterday. I was able to see some missionaries I really love, especially Elder Rasmussen. He's an amazing missionary, and I have a lot of respect for him. I have a lot of favorite videos the Church has produced, but one of my top favorites is titled "The Growth of the Church". It highlights how the church has grown over the past years and the good that has come from that. I always feel the Spirit to this video, especially in the Temple Visitors' Center. When I come back to St. George I'll request they play it for me.

Everything about missionary work isn't always so grand! Almost every single lesson was canceled on us last night because of Thanksgiving. So we went from 6 lessons to 1. We survived, but it was a lot of homes we visited instead of teaching opportunities taken. Such are the holidays; everyone's super busy but still striving to be thankful and focused on Christ. I really enjoy this time of year, for the most part. I'm looking forward to our Zone Gathering (in Cedar of course) today, and the fun that will come with it. One of our Bishops invited us over (last night) to lunch at his home today at noon. I'm grateful for him and his dedication to his calling.

I've had a lot of role models in my life, and many of them are receiving this email. Thank you for everything you've done to help support me in my life! I couldn't have come this far without you. Every gift from God is a blessing, but they often come in the form of everyday people who do good and support those around them. I pray all of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and are prepared for the Christmas season! It's all meant to focus on Christ, giving, and gratitude. If we keep that in our hearts then we'll feel more fulfilled this time of year.

- Elder Williams

P.S. To all those missionaries from the Utah, St. George Mission: The floor has been achieved! We are on to a stronger tomorrow as we continue the momentum within the mission. Thanks for everything you've done to bring souls unto Christ in 2023!

Mailing Address:

881 South River Road

St. George, Utah, 84790

Pictures:

1. This is a chicken that unfortunately doesn't glow in the dark :(

2. But this is a giant glow in the dark chicken. It's my favorite Christmas decoration.

3. Double rainbow in the ranchos!

4. Pretty sunset.

5. Another sunset.

6. Myself and a Colorado City cat. I don't know how else to describe him.

7. Elder Rasmussen and I!

8. Elder Hironymous and I at the Visitors' Center!