Weekly letter 8-26-13

It sounds like another busy week for Elder Williams and Elder Montano.  As Elder Williams said, they went to the house of the investigators and baked the cake, lit the candles, sang happy birthday, blew out the candles and then smashed Elder Williams into the cake!  Oh, what fun!

20 Birthday Candles!

One face into the cake!

 

 

 

Hope you enjoy the video of this happy birthday song!  Looks like they had lots of fun! (At Elder Williams' expense)

Here is a look at Elder Montano: (sideways, sorry I can't get it to flip!)

And here is another one of their room mates...

A scorpion!!!!!!  And this one looks awfully small.  Doesn't that mean BAD POISON!?

We also found out today that there was one day Elder Williams actually got bit by a dog!:

"When I first got to Autlan I was in Manzanillo for Interviews.  We were walking with some other elders that we were staying with and a dog bit me!!!!  He barked and barked and barked and I just thought "don't look at him, don't show fear, just keep walking and he won't do anything"  NO!!!!  The dumb animal bit my leg.  It was pretty crazy and funny. "

(Elder Williams and Montano are Co-Senior Companions)  "Co-Sr. means that there is no difference in rank or leadership but I do the majority of the stuff like get the money to pay rent, phone calls, data, etc.  Just because I've been here longer." 
We had Zone Conference this weekend and we got to learn a lot about the plan of salvation and the Atonement and it's importance.  I'll tell you more in detail later.  We have 2 YSA I think at the most. We are doing FHE's and we are starting English classes in the chapel this week.  That should be fun."

That is all for this week.  Next week will be Both Elder Williams and Montano 1 year mark!

Now the birthday is not only for 20 year olds, but for 1 year olds, too!

"I have a great companion in Elder Montaño and we will be turning a year the same day.  We will have the shirt burning ritual and we'll send you the video.  hahahahaha."

This sounds ominous!  Chris had no idea what a shirt burning ritual is, soooooo I guess we wait for the video footage and hope they don't burn anything down!!!!!

Love from all the Williams, including Elder Williams! 

Happy Birthday Elder Williams!

My prayers were answered!  Elder Williams' birthday package arrived safe and sound and all parts intact!  He had other members celebrate his birthday with him as well.  In fact one sister (we didn't get told her name) made an incredibly scrumptious looking cake!!!! 

Are you eating your arm or the cake?

Oreos, strawberries and kiwi!  Is this boy spoiled or what?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Also, Elder Williams got to spend his birthday with a baptism!  In his own words.. "(the best bday present ever) Salvation of a family"!  Here is what happened at that very special baptism:

 

"I really had a hard time keeping the tears back during the baptism this Sat.  Jahir was having a really hard time with his fear of water and asked to give him a blessing.  We did and then he just went and hugged his dad until the time came for the baptism.  He then had a really hard time getting into the water.  He conquered his fear and with the help of his loving father he got into the font.  He then was having a hard time now realizing that he was going under the water.  He did not want his dad to let him go.  The father then held his son close and whispered comforting words to his almost histeric son.  I just couldnt help but feel the love in that building and remember the many times that you have given me advice and whispered words of comfort to me in times of struggle.  The son then allowed us to open the curtains to the font to start.  The father as he pronounced the prayer was really feeling the Spirit and almost couldn't finish the prayer.  He did so and helped his son perform the first of many ordinances in his life.  The curtains closed and there was just a moment of love and affection for one another as they held each other smiling, crying, hugging, consoling.  I lost it.  (I'm losing it now as I write this).  It was such a wonderful experience and made me reflect on how much I love and miss my father....  I love you so much and am so happy for the example that you have set for me.  I'm so grateful for your love and for your support.  I miss you and I wish I had told you more at home that I love you."

Jahir Alejandro Sevilla Rodriguez

What a wonderful experience for all of us!!!  We love you Collin!

 

As for his birthday celebration:

 

"I was able to celebrate my birthday with that family the day of the baptism.  The family had found a store that sold american cuts of meat and bought me 1 Kilo of Ribeye!!!!!  WOW!!!!!  I was so overwhelmed and full as I ate that marvelous meat.  hahahahahaha  I am now going to make the cake that you sent me with a family.  I'll send you pics and vids of that next week."

 

Elder Williams in his "birthday suit!"

 

Elder Williams does have a new companion now.  He had to return Elder Vega to Guadalajara for his first transfer in 9 months!

 

Goodbye Elder Vega!  We will miss that bright smile!

"My new comp is from my generation.  We are co-Sr. comps.  The trip to Guad was good.  My new comps name is Elder Montaño.  He seems really cool and he loves all sports.  Good sign.  He is from Pachuca.  We have a goal date for the Brother in law of Jahir for the 31st.  We hope that he can come to church and keep those blasted earrings out of his head.  I am still using the bunk bed but I'm using the top bunk for my "dresser".  My comp was pretty excited to use the loft so I let him have it. "

Well, it was an eventful week!  Birthday, Baptisms, Transfers...  Next week will seem awfully boring!  See you at the same time next week!

Mommy Williams

weekly letter 8-12-13

Well, no pictures, but great news!!!

The best experience that we had this week was that we were given the green light to baptize that boy that was being help up.  He also told us of his testimony experience yesterday as he prayed and read the BOM.  He said that he had a feeling in his chest like a fire and his fear of water was instantly gone.  He is now super excited to be baptized by his dad.  We aslo had his brother in law accept a date to be baptized by his example.  It's for the 24th.  We are so excited for this family and the progress they are showing.  Yes I am still writing in my journal but it's getting harder because we have so much to do in our "freetime".  Laundry is going well thanks to the members.  I will send pics of the new shoes next week.  We are planning to have a BBQ on my bday with this family that has all the baptisms planned.  So excited.

Sounds like all things are going well for Elder Williams!

Make sure to send your birthday wishes next sunday!!!!!  Elder Williams is 20 years old!!!!

weekly update 8-5-13

This week seems to be going better!  We even got pictures!  Elder Williams' Birthday is August 18th!  Let's bombard him with emails on that Sunday!  Just put Happy Birthday in the subject line and hopefully he will get lots of Birthday wishes.  If you have some how misplaced his email it is

jeffrey.williams@myldsmail.net

Here is an update from Elder Williams:

I am having a tough time and I know that I will become stronger by this mission.  Thank you so much for your love and supportive words.  I am feeling the love of God and am learning of the forgiving power that He is willing to give to all of us.  I am so happy that I have been able to feel that love and I know that I can be that strong man He wants me to be.  

Elder Vega and I are doing really well.  We really like being companions and even though he wants out of this area(being here for 9 months now) he wants to still be comps with me.  That's always a good sign.  We have one new person but we haven't seen her yet.  We have an appointment tomorrow night and she and her daughter want to listen to us.

The reactivating is becoming a pain.  Elder Vega has gone with these people for at least half his time here and they won't budge.  We are trying to teach them something different, using FHE's, Scriptures from the BOM that will help them but nothing.... (SO FAR?) 

The branch is great and they are taking great care of us.

I hope that I can get my package next week or possibly the week after that.  We have Zone Class next Tuesday, Changes on my Bday, and possibly Zone Conference the week of my Bday.  I love you!



Pictures from Elder Williams:
This was a FHE that we did with this amazing family.  They are always willing to help us out with washing machine, food, taking Elder Vega to the Dr, etc.  We decided to give them an awards ceremony.














My last pair of shoes now down for the count.... I bought new ones this week and they have a much bigger sole and better last me at least the rest of my mission.