In Zambia!!!

P.S. Elder Stewart from cañada says hello. And the magnificent and wonderful, awe-inspiring assistant Elder Cook Congratulates you all for the blessed and wonderful son [or friend or sibling or family member] Witchdoctor Williams that you have. And Elder stewart from cañada says that the almost as wonderful assistant elder mantchitchi says hello too. 

~Elder Williams

On Mon, Apr 29, 2013 at 6:42 PM, Taggart Williams <taggart.williams@myldsmail.net> wrote:

Yup. I am, once again, in Zambia. My TEP was rejected the second time around, so i had to leave Zim. We don't know, as of yet, if it will be permanent or temporary, but the final decision will be made by the area presidency (Africa southeast) as to whether they continue trying or just transfer us to Zambia, Lusaka mission for the duration of our time (there are presently 8 missionaries from ZIM mission here in Zambia, and more will come if things aren't fixed). In the intermittent time (since thursday), I am in a 4some companionship. I am with Elders Majofe (botswana), Stewart (Cañada), Shurtz (Orem). We are office elders! This means that, because Zambia's office couple (who take care of finance, reception, immigration etc) don't get here until july (just before the new mission president), there are 4 elders (kinda 2 companionships, but still just 1 companionship) who do these things. Myself and elder Shurtz are immigration, and the other 2 are finance. Man! We have a car! this means that I have already shattered my plan to not drive on mission except exchanges! As the office missionaries, we are very busy and don't get as much proselyting time, but we do more of helping things work correctly. Long story short, until further notice, I am part of the Zambia, Lusaka mission. If I end up staying here, I will, over the course of my mission, have served for a good period of time under 4 mission presidents. Cool beans, eh?

P.S. I still haven't gotten to watch general conference because Zambia watched it 2 weekends ago, and Zim watched it yesterday and the day before, so I jumped sides and missed it. 

Also, in other news, I think that I have begun contracting a strange accent with an unknown source. The closest that comes to my mind is almost a southern accent, but I can think of no particular cause. Maybe I will get some assistance identifying it on mother's day.

Well, on to  the questions:

Aunt Michelle:
Do you think that it may be a good thing that someone close passed away? as then  more family was around and their hearts and minds were open to  listen to you and your companions  about the life  after death? and that our lives , just don't end , they continue on?

That is a great question. I will take a minute to talk about this because some thoughts popped into my mind. We could all use a little change (name that song). We will not, however, change without a reason to. One thing that can prompt a needed change is a question (just like negative changes can also be begun by a question). When we experience the death of a family member, it can bring to mind questions that we REALLY WANT to know the answer to. These questions can soften the heart of someone to the gospel. I am reminded of the story President Monson shared in conference a few times ago about the atheist who had his heart softened towards Christianity with the death of his wife. Pain and loss, as I say, opens up room for growth and learning. Pruning a tree or plant (plucking off/ removing dead/finished branches) allows new/better growth to come. Not saying that the gospel takes the place of a loved one, but the principle applies nonetheless.

love you all! keep up the good work!

~Elder Williams

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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)