week of 11-17-13

More fun news from Autlan:

"I am excited to tell you that we found more new investigators.  I also won the scripture chase but because my comp didn't know them as well as I did (being a recent convert of a passive catholic aka not knowing much of any scriptural references) I didn't win the general score.  Elder Snyder and Elder Flores from my district did that.  It's nice to be the best district in the zone.  We also are having fun teaching a new investigator that has 3 kids and has accepted to be baptized.  hahahahaha yeah!!!!!  but didn't go to church.....  booo.....  I love you so much and I know that prayers are answered and always give us the guidance that is needed in that time period.  When we need guidance we need to turn to the only one that knows which way we should go and then trust in him to follow those promptings!!!!!  I love you so much and I can't wait to see you at Xmas.  Thanks for all that you do for me and the support."

And on a little lighter (Collin) note:

" I hope I won't be too "grown up".  I still want to have my boyish charm about me.  hahahahahaha.  I actually got wolf whistled at yesterday by four young women in a car as they drove by.  That was a good sign that I'm still GORGEOUS and not fat....  hahahahahaha.  I hope that you guys don't fatten up as you eat 2 Thanksgivings!!!!  hahahaha just think of it in this way.  Extra veg and nap time.  I wish I could get some Thanksgiving Feast.  One of our Sisters in the branch is going to her husband and kids in Vegas for Thanksgiving and I told her to bring me some Turkey and pumpkin pie.  hahahahaha she just laughed and said yeah, right.  Our new leadership (Elder Snyder from PHS) is great.  He is very driven and doesn't want to die these last 4 weeks.  hhahahahaha.  He's very fun, loving, caring, helpful, and has changed a lot since his high school days.  We are working as hard as the work is allowing us.  We are struggling still to find more new investigators but we did find one lady who has a whole family that could be baptized.  We are working hard to get her to be our next baptism."

Elder Williams leaves for Manzanillo tomorrow for another meeting.  It will be fun to hear about all his travels this month!  Looking forward to lots of pictures soon.

If you want to send him things for Christmas, send it before Thanksgiving or he will NOT get it!  He just barely got his Halloween package that I sent at the end of Sept.

Thanks for all your support of Elder Williams!  Happy Holidays! 

week 11-11-13

After all the traumatic things we have heard about the storms in the Philippines, we are all grateful that all is well in Mexico!

Well, prayers must be being heard.  This week was an upswing for Elder Williams and Elder Barrera!  First of all, Elder Barrera's mother was baptized this past weekend.  He was the only member of his family before he went on his mission.  Now he has had his mother join him!  How wonderful for Elder Barrera!  In Elder Williams' district they had a baptism.  Not him specifically, but they all celebrate each others' successes.

From Elder Williams recent letter:
"We have found some new investigators and we are really excited to get them on the path to the true church.  I hope I'm being an asset to the Lord's army.  My testimony of the Atonement is growing so much.  To see people pull a full 180 is just amazing.  I love to see that change in the people I teach and in myself as well."

As for a "small world" incident:
"Hey and guess who's together for the last time possible?!?!?! ELDER CODY SNYDER!!!!!  He's my DL.  How sweet is that going to be?!?!?!  The PHS boys of the mission are together at last.  hahhahahaha.  So stoked.  He goes home on his B-day.  And if they cut my mission another week I'd be doing the same.....  AAAAAHHHHH!!!!!"
It turns out that another boy from Provo High School, that Collin knew, is also in the Quad Mission and now he is Elder Williams' district leader.  How cool is that!!!!

Well, it sounds like things are moving up in Autlan, Mexico.  Please keep your prayers coming for Elder Williams!  They are being answered!

weekly post 11-4-13

Things seem to be going well with Elder Williams.  His hand is healing ok.  He says he isn't getting the same straightening in his pinky finger that he used to. 

"I wish I could be as obedient and faithful as the early saints too but we were chosen to be put in this day at this time to see how we can grow and progress in the Lord's plan.   Elder Barrera is doing really well.  His mom actually just got baptized this weekend!!!!!  I am so happy for him and his family.  He is really excited that he is not alone anymore in this faith.  We are slowly starting to communicate better but there are some times when we are talking to the members and he doesn't even understand them either so I don't feel so bad...  hahahaha The funny thing is that his vocabulary is way different than the Guadalajara vocab.  The Mexico City Spanish is very different from the Guadalajara Spanish.  There are words here that I've been saying for months now that members have taught me but I say them to him and he's like "what are you talking about dude?"  ahahahahaha It's kinda funny.  We are having a hard time finding new people to teach but the "GF" of a young man in our branch is starting to be more and more interested.  She's already been to church 6 times now and we are just trying to get her some lessons.  She lives in a little outskirt town and we are having a hard time getting to her to teach her.  We should have a lesson tomorrow with her."

Sounds like things are on an upswing!  Here are some interesting pictures for the week!

Arachnophobia!!!!!!

This is more like the Burro, not a Burrito!

The burrito is from their next door neighbors who make them all the time!  No wonder Collin is worried about his weight!!!  I hope he isn't eating one of those every day!!!  As for the spider....
That would scare ALL the weight out of me!!!

Till next time!  Pray for Elder Williams and Elder Barerra!