And now onto something completely different*.
*(bench explodes)
Well hello friends and family,
If you got that reference, good for you. If not, go watch monty python's flying circus (sorry, am I not supposed to ruin it like that?). Well, This last week we received our transfers, and I was moved to Gweru, in Mkoba. I spent the first 4 1/2 months on mission In Sakubva, so parting was a little difficult, but hey. What's done is done. This week was difficult in missionary work, but it ended nicely. We had a very good amount of investigators at sacrament, and I was able to say goodbye to some good friends I made while in Mutare. The parting letter written my Justice, our most recent convert, was touching and brought tears to my eyes. He was my first so far who I feel truly understands what it means to be a latter day saint.
In my new area, I have first African companion, and it is going to be fun. I just met him today, and his name is Elder Nyoni. He grew up here in Zim, but moved to South Africa with his family about 5 years ago. He seems like a great guy, and I can tell that this is going to be a fun transfer. Also, one of the other elders in the house is Elder Pehrson! He was a good friend from my district in the MTC and now we are in the same house (which has now been given the new name of "the party house") He likes to cook, or "play with pots" and since I do to, and mission introduced my nearly perverse love of food-we are, needless to say-going to cook/eat a lot this transfer. I have been doing very good at staying active, so even though I eat a jack-load I am still weighing in at a constant Buck-Fifty, so. . . good stuff =P
There aren't any stories That I have from missionary work this week, but I will share a good one about myself in the questions.
so, let's hop to it.
Questions:
Grandma Twila
Have you boys ever tried the "Gallon challenge"? They say it is impossible to drink
a gallon of milk without throwing up; but there are Elders who
are determined to do it. Never happens. yuck!
I haven't, because... I enjoy not throwing up. Elder Shields has tried it. He obviously failed =P (back home)
I haven't, because... I enjoy not throwing up. Elder Shields has tried it. He obviously failed =P (back home)
Do you remember the first time you really KNEW that the
GOSPEL was TRUE. How about your testimony of the Book of Mormon?
Story time!
At some point in my younger years (I honestly can't give more than an estimate of an age range of 10-14), I was at a fireside or something and the speaker was talking on happiness. He said that "happiness is a choice. Every day you wake up, and you choose whether to be happy. Other people and incidents that happen don't make that decision for you, only you can make the choice of whether to be happy or not". At that time, I really took it to heart, and always tried to make that a centerpiece in my life: that is, to make the choice to be happy everyday.
Throughout my life, I have always accepted the Book of Mormon as a good thing, and as scripture etc. etc. and it was strengthened by the fact that I knew it helped me to have an easier time 'choosing' to be happy. However, as time progressed on, my testimony of the Love of God and of the Atonement grew, while I still really had just an 'I believe the book of mormon is true, and that Joseph was a prophet' attitude. I never really knew that they were true. While on my second transfer on mission, I realized this, and that If I were to truly help my investigators gain an unshakable conviction of the prophet and the Book of Mormon I need that unshakable testimony myself. So one night, I got down on my knees and really asked to know if these things were true. My mind was flooded with memories, scriptures, and thoughts which helped me to know even more surely of the truth of all of this. I have always believed they were true, but having a true and pure knowledge of things is something I strive for, and I feel I have so much more of this now. Just as my pursuit of happiness helped me to believe that the book of Mormon is true, in turn, knowing so much more surely of it's truthfulness has helped me to more strongly maintain an attitude of happiness at all times. Both Elder Shields and Elder Toomer said that that was something they learned from me this transfer: to be happy and work hard always.
I love you all, and wish you the best this coming week! I forgot my camera cord today, and the computers here ion Gweru don't have an SD slot, so pics/ videos will need to wait until next time. Story time!
At some point in my younger years (I honestly can't give more than an estimate of an age range of 10-14), I was at a fireside or something and the speaker was talking on happiness. He said that "happiness is a choice. Every day you wake up, and you choose whether to be happy. Other people and incidents that happen don't make that decision for you, only you can make the choice of whether to be happy or not". At that time, I really took it to heart, and always tried to make that a centerpiece in my life: that is, to make the choice to be happy everyday.
Throughout my life, I have always accepted the Book of Mormon as a good thing, and as scripture etc. etc. and it was strengthened by the fact that I knew it helped me to have an easier time 'choosing' to be happy. However, as time progressed on, my testimony of the Love of God and of the Atonement grew, while I still really had just an 'I believe the book of mormon is true, and that Joseph was a prophet' attitude. I never really knew that they were true. While on my second transfer on mission, I realized this, and that If I were to truly help my investigators gain an unshakable conviction of the prophet and the Book of Mormon I need that unshakable testimony myself. So one night, I got down on my knees and really asked to know if these things were true. My mind was flooded with memories, scriptures, and thoughts which helped me to know even more surely of the truth of all of this. I have always believed they were true, but having a true and pure knowledge of things is something I strive for, and I feel I have so much more of this now. Just as my pursuit of happiness helped me to believe that the book of Mormon is true, in turn, knowing so much more surely of it's truthfulness has helped me to more strongly maintain an attitude of happiness at all times. Both Elder Shields and Elder Toomer said that that was something they learned from me this transfer: to be happy and work hard always.
Kenzie
Do you have any other funny stories that you have not shared?! Share them, mister!
One day, while my companion and I were in the area, I needed to go to the bathroom, and there were no convenient trees nearby. We went to one of the public bathrooms (these things are nasty and smelly by the way). So, I go to go in, but the sign is faded which says men/women (in shona as well, so what I can see I don't know). I poked my head in and back out, but saw nothing decisive as to the assigned gender for this end of the bathroom/shower complex. My companion had no clue, so I stuck my head in a little farther. In a jiffy I was walking around to the other side, knowing full well which one was the women's room and which the men's. Upon leaving the men's room, I had a similar assurance as to the correctness of that conclusion. Well, that was quite an adventure I deign to never repeat.
One day, while my companion and I were in the area, I needed to go to the bathroom, and there were no convenient trees nearby. We went to one of the public bathrooms (these things are nasty and smelly by the way). So, I go to go in, but the sign is faded which says men/women (in shona as well, so what I can see I don't know). I poked my head in and back out, but saw nothing decisive as to the assigned gender for this end of the bathroom/shower complex. My companion had no clue, so I stuck my head in a little farther. In a jiffy I was walking around to the other side, knowing full well which one was the women's room and which the men's. Upon leaving the men's room, I had a similar assurance as to the correctness of that conclusion. Well, that was quite an adventure I deign to never repeat.
Have you been staying in the same place the whole time?
I just moved for the first time. (see above)
Do you have a nice landowner person?
only ever met her once, and she seemed nice. . .
What new thing did you learn this week? :)
I am not taking questions today. . . haha just kidding. It was probably in patience. I have been doing my study on patience and there really is a lot to it. I will go more in depth at a later date, but suffice it to say I am really enjoying my studies at the moment.I just moved for the first time. (see above)
Do you have a nice landowner person?
only ever met her once, and she seemed nice. . .
What new thing did you learn this week? :)
Srai Zhakanaka!
~Elder Williams
--
Remember: Pray always, and look to the Lord. Write often, and live life to it's fullest.
Doubt is the seed of failure. ~Taggart Williams
Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not. ~God (D+C 6:36)
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