Well, we had a great time talking with Elder Williams on Wednesday. It was a little late because they had to got to the church building. The two sets of Elders had to use an Ipad and Laptop to skype with us, but it worked!! We also got to quickly see Elder Flores (who stayed another transfer) and then the two new elders, Elder Lines (DL) and Collin's companion. They all seem like nice guys. I guess the two new guys are a little "stiff". They think that Elder Williams is having too much fun with the members and not enough spiritual. Elder Williams is trying to find a balance with this new addition. He thinks that this will be his last transfer in Autlan. He is sad to go, but looking forward to a new adventure.
"I miss a lot of people here already and knowing that I will be leaving Autlan soon is starting to sink in. I'm going to do everything I can to make this possibly last transfer
here the best it can and carry the momentum to the next area. I really
want to finish strong and I want to look back and not have any regrets
on the work I "could have done" and see "I did enough".
"I hope you enjoy your NYE (New Year's Eve) because we can't do anything fun here....
Christmas was fun and we ate a lot!!!! We had pizza twice in one day
and then we had a very yummy "Turkey" dinner with a very yummy fruit
salad that I am begging for the recipe. I loved spending time with some
of my favorite families here even though my comp didn't let me joke
around with them as much as I would have liked. He just cut right in to
teach a lesson..... Oh well. Still trying to find a balance."
"I had to talk last minute yesterday because we had 45 people at church
for the rain storm... It's been raining for 3 days straight. It's
terrible. I talked about the same thing as the Elder there (in Florida). Don't be
afraid to talk to someone about the church and just do it with a prayer
in your heart. The Spirit and faith will take over the fear."
Elder Williams looks great! He is definitely a MAN! He is no longer my little boy or my little young man. I can't believe how much he has already changed! He sounds happy and is really enjoying his mission. He had a hard time talking with us...he kept reverting back into Spanish as he was talking. Chris laughed at him the whole time! Our only bad part of the skype was when the rain storm came into Autlan and took out our connection. We had to type and stutter our way through the last 10 minutes of the call. And as you can tell from his email, it has been raining ever since Christmas Day.
Well, as we leave the wonderful warmth of Florida and Elder Williams gets to forge through the rain of Autlan, we will see what the new year brings to us all. We hope you had a very Merry Christmas and a fantastic New Year!! Elder Williams only has 8 months left!!!!!!
Monday, December 30, 2013
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
week of 12-16-13
Well, it is only 8 days away before we can skype to Elder Williams!!!! We are so excited we are about to jump out of our skin!!!! We will be leaving for Florida on Wednesday...WARMTH!!!! I don't know if I will have time to do a blog while I am there, but I will try! I might even include pics of us on the beach just to rub it in!! :-)
Elder Williams had transfers this week. He is staying in Autlan again, but Elder Snyder is homeward bound and Elder Barrera got transferred. So he and Elder Flores are still in Autlan. They are both getting new companions and they are supposedly having a missionary dinner to all meet. Sounds like he will get his packages there, too!
Brother Jones, Collin's old YM leader asked me to ask him to send his testimony that he could share with the Priest's quorum. It is soo wonderful I thought I would put it on this weeks blog! He also got a wonderful letter from his Mexican "Omi" that shows how wonderfully loved and taken care of he was in Residencial.
"The mission is the best decision that I could have made. I have seen so many different people have their lives changed for the better that it has made my testimony of this wonderful gospel grow. The way that people put their complete trust in us as missionaries and in the Lord is remarkable. There are so many people that have learned by experience that obedience brings blessings. Just as President Monson said in his talk in April blessing are brought to pass by obedience to the gospel of Christ. Just as it says in Mosiah 2:41, we receive all kinds of blessings by living the gospel and keeping the commandments of God. The saints here in Mexico are so happy to have found the truth and live these standards. The majority are converts and have told me that they haven't felt this happiness anywhere else. The Church is true and this is His work. Being a missionary requires a lot of preparation but it will make things so much easier once you are out in the field. Study PMG and read the BoM before you head out. It will give you a wonderful headstart. Keep yourselves clean and don't have any "addictions" to things or it will be very hard to go "cold turkey" here on the mission. Make sure you sanctify yourselves and be ready at all times to talk to anyone about the gospel. Be ready to share this wonderful life changing miracle of the restoration with everyone. The only way they can receive eternal life and families is through what we teach. Joseph Smith restored the full truth to the earth by the power of God. We are privledged to hold this wonderful power but we can only use it if we have the Spirit. Keep yourselves clean and follow the counsels of your leaders. The leaders of your mission will be your most trusted friends if you earn their trust and keep it. The Book of Mormon is the word of God and Another Testament of Jesus Christ. It contains the answers to all the questions of humanity. If you read it with the Spirit and a prayer in your heart, you will learn something new EVERYTIME you read. This is my testimony in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."
Letter from Sister Zaldivar (google translated)
My guerito so far I got your mail. and with all the gusto I'm
Have a super fantastic Holiday!!!! We will be basking in the sunshine!!!!
Elder Williams had transfers this week. He is staying in Autlan again, but Elder Snyder is homeward bound and Elder Barrera got transferred. So he and Elder Flores are still in Autlan. They are both getting new companions and they are supposedly having a missionary dinner to all meet. Sounds like he will get his packages there, too!
Brother Jones, Collin's old YM leader asked me to ask him to send his testimony that he could share with the Priest's quorum. It is soo wonderful I thought I would put it on this weeks blog! He also got a wonderful letter from his Mexican "Omi" that shows how wonderfully loved and taken care of he was in Residencial.
"The mission is the best decision that I could have made. I have seen so many different people have their lives changed for the better that it has made my testimony of this wonderful gospel grow. The way that people put their complete trust in us as missionaries and in the Lord is remarkable. There are so many people that have learned by experience that obedience brings blessings. Just as President Monson said in his talk in April blessing are brought to pass by obedience to the gospel of Christ. Just as it says in Mosiah 2:41, we receive all kinds of blessings by living the gospel and keeping the commandments of God. The saints here in Mexico are so happy to have found the truth and live these standards. The majority are converts and have told me that they haven't felt this happiness anywhere else. The Church is true and this is His work. Being a missionary requires a lot of preparation but it will make things so much easier once you are out in the field. Study PMG and read the BoM before you head out. It will give you a wonderful headstart. Keep yourselves clean and don't have any "addictions" to things or it will be very hard to go "cold turkey" here on the mission. Make sure you sanctify yourselves and be ready at all times to talk to anyone about the gospel. Be ready to share this wonderful life changing miracle of the restoration with everyone. The only way they can receive eternal life and families is through what we teach. Joseph Smith restored the full truth to the earth by the power of God. We are privledged to hold this wonderful power but we can only use it if we have the Spirit. Keep yourselves clean and follow the counsels of your leaders. The leaders of your mission will be your most trusted friends if you earn their trust and keep it. The Book of Mormon is the word of God and Another Testament of Jesus Christ. It contains the answers to all the questions of humanity. If you read it with the Spirit and a prayer in your heart, you will learn something new EVERYTIME you read. This is my testimony in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."
Letter from Sister Zaldivar (google translated)
My guerito so far I got your mail. and with all the gusto I'm
writing eperando find yourself really well, we're
well but, yo. I've missed you so much I wrote you a letter if you do not
would come, the elders come to eat with us, and always remember you
much, and you were my grandson comes to want much my guerito and your
be happy, I do not forget alberto sends you greetings, I command all
my baby, please take care much, and do not forget we love you very much.
greetings to your beautiful family,,,
Sister Zaldivar
Have a super fantastic Holiday!!!! We will be basking in the sunshine!!!!
Monday, December 9, 2013
week 12-9-13
After such a fun week during Thanksgiving, Elder Williams has settled back down again. The best gift that a parent can receive is the wonderful testimony of their children. Here is Elder Williams wonderful testimony:
The plan of salvation is a wonderful thing and a marvelous gift to all mankind. It gives us meaning in life and an answer to the many questions about birth, life, and death. I know that God is always wanting the best for us and that He is looking down at us hoping and praying we will use our agency wisely and for the right path. God loves us so much to give us His son to give us a chance to return. He knew we couldn't do this without the sacrifice of Jesus the Christ. I've seen many people become touched by this knowledge that we have of the Great Plan of Salvation of our Father. I'm grateful to know that so I don't have to be so sad when our loved ones die. We have a young woman who was a widow at 24 and at her husband's funeral she had no tear in her eye because she knew the plan God prepared for them would allow her to see him again. What a testimony!!
And seconded by his own wonderful testimony!
Here are a few more pics that were sent a few days later from a ranch right outside of Autlan.
Have a great week!
The plan of salvation is a wonderful thing and a marvelous gift to all mankind. It gives us meaning in life and an answer to the many questions about birth, life, and death. I know that God is always wanting the best for us and that He is looking down at us hoping and praying we will use our agency wisely and for the right path. God loves us so much to give us His son to give us a chance to return. He knew we couldn't do this without the sacrifice of Jesus the Christ. I've seen many people become touched by this knowledge that we have of the Great Plan of Salvation of our Father. I'm grateful to know that so I don't have to be so sad when our loved ones die. We have a young woman who was a widow at 24 and at her husband's funeral she had no tear in her eye because she knew the plan God prepared for them would allow her to see him again. What a testimony!!
And seconded by his own wonderful testimony!
Here are a few more pics that were sent a few days later from a ranch right outside of Autlan.
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| Snyder, Barrera, Flores, Williams |
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| Names, country flags, sport numbers and nicknames |
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| The Manzanillo Zone |
 |
| Rock Jumping! If you can't jump in the water, why not try the rocks?? |
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| Elder Snyder protecting Elder Williams from the crashing boulders? |
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| Corn on a stick! Almost like at home or is that from Nacho Libre? |
Have a great week!
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
week of 12-1-13
Well, between Thanksgiving and trying to get Christmas packages off, we finally got a letter from Elder Williams. He had a day to go get his Visa renewed and then Thanksgiving and then he got an extra P-day because of all that. Wow! I even got an email conversation with him on my birthday! It was the best Birthday present ever!!! This week's blog is full of pics and vids, so ENJOY!
The three muskateers reunited! Elders Williams, Farmer, Eagan. Elder Farmer was his MTC companion and Elder Eagan was the one that almost broke his finger playing basketball! They look GREAT!
Elder Snyder replaces Elder Sanders at the transfers. He happens to be a PHS alumni just like Collin! The world just keeps getting smaller with two PHS boys not only serving in the same mission, but in the same district!!!!
Collin wanted Frog Eye Salad sooooo badly this year that he asked for the recipe and made it himself. The biggest problem was getting the correct pasta...with no way of getting Acini de Pepe Chef Williams improvises with cutting up spaghetti!!!! Way to go Chef!!!
Speaking of cooking... these two dishes are polar opposites...
According to Elder Williams it is biscuits and gravy over pancakes!!!! Go ahead, I dare you to try it!
Now for the P-day fun (as if the cooking fun wasn't fun enough!)!
Now for the Action Video of the races... Snyder VS. Flores... you time them!
Then there is the beauty of living in the tropics! While we are weathering one of the worst storms in Utah, Elder Williams is out running through the rocks and streams on a beautiful summer day! Just doesn't seem fair, does it...
Well, it seems the Elders are keeping themselves busy with less actives and part member families. This family with the push cart is a part member family. The older girl, Mitzi, is a member, and they are hoping for the mother to get baptized soon. Keep them in your prayers!
The last thing that Elder Williams said before he signed off was, "I am sick!" Oh, boy! I hope it is something quick. He hasn't been sick hardly at all this mission, so hopefully this will pass and all will be feeling better. We may be in for a little more info tomorrow, but we know we will be skyping in about 20 days!!!!!! I love Christmas!!!!!
See you next week for the continuing Williams saga...
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| Frog Eye Salad for Thanksgiving! |
 |
| Chef Williams' improvising with ingredients. |
Collin wanted Frog Eye Salad sooooo badly this year that he asked for the recipe and made it himself. The biggest problem was getting the correct pasta...with no way of getting Acini de Pepe Chef Williams improvises with cutting up spaghetti!!!! Way to go Chef!!!
Speaking of cooking... these two dishes are polar opposites...
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| Barbocoa Tacos...Yummy! |
 | ||
| I have no idea who the chef was on this one...YUK?! |
According to Elder Williams it is biscuits and gravy over pancakes!!!! Go ahead, I dare you to try it!
Now for the P-day fun (as if the cooking fun wasn't fun enough!)!
 |
| Elder Snyder as his "pit crew". |
 | |
| Go-Kart (push cart) racing... |
Now for the Action Video of the races... Snyder VS. Flores... you time them!
Then there is the beauty of living in the tropics! While we are weathering one of the worst storms in Utah, Elder Williams is out running through the rocks and streams on a beautiful summer day! Just doesn't seem fair, does it...
Well, it seems the Elders are keeping themselves busy with less actives and part member families. This family with the push cart is a part member family. The older girl, Mitzi, is a member, and they are hoping for the mother to get baptized soon. Keep them in your prayers!
The last thing that Elder Williams said before he signed off was, "I am sick!" Oh, boy! I hope it is something quick. He hasn't been sick hardly at all this mission, so hopefully this will pass and all will be feeling better. We may be in for a little more info tomorrow, but we know we will be skyping in about 20 days!!!!!! I love Christmas!!!!!
See you next week for the continuing Williams saga...
Monday, November 18, 2013
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!
"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!
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
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!
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!
Monday, November 4, 2013
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!
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!
"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!
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| Arachnophobia!!!!!! |
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| 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!
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