Scatter Sunshine

Good Morning! 

This has been an amazing week! We didn't find any new friends, but the Spirit has been in the work and I'm excited to watch it flourish. 

There's this young woman we are teaching, her name is Lily. I've always wanted to help someone named Lily be baptized, and now my opportunity is finally here! We tried to set her on plan three separate times but it's just not working out. However, she wants to be baptized! We just need to help her dad be prepared to do it. Fun fact, my other name goals have been Serenity, and literally anyone with the last name of Williams. My friend Serenity was baptized nine months ago, but I'm still waiting on a Williams . . .

The biggest inhibitor for our friends' spiritual progress has been whatever sickness is going around. I think half our teaching pool is sick right now, and missed our last appointments because of it. Most of them are sincere though, so there's that at least! They're all reading the Book of Mormon, and some have attended church! We are teaching another family of three kids, who walked themselves to church on Sunday! That was a miracle for us, I'm grateful for their willingness to follow Christ's example. 

On Saturday all our lessons in Milford canceled on us. In an effort to be more mile conscious, we decided not to drive out and instead spend our time visiting literally every single house in Greenville! For reference, I don't think we ended up saving more miles. However, we have started organizing our map a lot better! No new potentials in that ward, but they need the work and we need to know who lives in the Greenville ward. Something funny I learned is that there are only 15 homes in Greenville proper, and about 10 of them are part time homes anyways! The other half are FLDS or inactive members. 

My favorite day this week was our Zone Conference day. We focused on joy, and taking responsibility for our actions. The Assistants called us out a little, stating that the mission has grown comfortable with the success we've had. It's time we challenge our friends to use their agency righteously. Really, they are encouraging us to not lose focus, and instead retain in our memory the blessings of the gospel, and teach our friends with that focus. One goal I have attained is to bear testimony in contacts more often!

I have actually seen this affect the work already. Again, we didn't find any new friends this week, but for half the week I spent almost every precious sentence at a door contact sincerely stating our purpose and how the gospel has changed our lives, and then inviting each individual to ponder on that implication. Many said they would, but even if only one truly does, I know my efforts are not wasted. At the very least, I am ending each night with more joy and satisfaction in the work than I've felt recently. 

There are a lot of tender mercies I'm witnessing. On Wednesday, (Valentine's Day, also Zone Conference) we took the opportunity to go through the Red Cliffs Temple Open House as a District. Really it was as a Zone, but our District stuck together. A main reason this is a tender mercy for me, is that a year ago my Valentine's was spent revisiting all my friends in Salina! This year it was spent in the House of the Lord. What could be a better use of a holiday on the mission than that? Salina still holds a special place in my heart, right next to the Temples I've had the opportunity to attend. I'm grateful for how the Lord shows me His tender mercies, and for the time I spent with our District. 

I have received a lot of revelation this week. It's been a good experience, but also one I can continue to learn from. Constant and never ending improvement has become a focus for me, yet it's always a struggle to try and improve. I feel that progress in that regard comes in waves. I feel like I've had a strong grip on missionary work for a while now, yet that focus to improve has helped me do increasingly better. I know that Christ is my Savior and He's allowed me to be the tool in his vineyard. Everything I've been a part of is because of him. I am thankful for His love, mercy, and care. 

Keeping Busy!

Scatter Sunshine, Hymn #230

v3

When the days are gloomy, 

Sing some happy song;

Meet the world's repining

With a courage strong.

Go with faith undaunted 

Thru the ills of life;

Scatter smiles and sunshine 

O'er its toil and strife

^Enoch Sisters

Jesus Christ will help us find joy in every circumstance we encounter. I testify that He is your Redeemer and has marked the way Home. Take the time to read in the scriptures, particularly the Book of Mormon, to best realize your eternal potential as a son or daughter of Heavenly Parents!

- Elder Williams

Mailing Address:

881 South River Road

St. George, Utah, 84790

Pictures:

1. Elder Bagley!

2. Elder Denhof!

3. Elder Armstrong! He's a powerful, up and coming missionary!

4. Two hawks were on top of the Temple! Native stories say that two hawks imply a location is holy. I'm not sure how true that is but it's definitely applicable!

5. Random photos at the Temple.

6. Elder Dale & I at the Temple!

7. District Pictures at the Red Cliffs Temple Open House!

8. Tracting in our suits, plus sheep!

9. Elder Dale & I on Sunday.

10. Chicken pictures in Greenville.

11. Zone Conference!