Transfer Number 2

Hi Everyone.

This week has had its up and down, but its another week out in the Lord's vineyard.  Today is the official start of a new transfer here in Carthage/Fort Drum area.  Been a few changes, only two people in my district have left and we have a greenie that we can go on exchanges with now.  We've been helping out this really cute family that has been discharged  from the army medically and they have been going  through some severe challenges financially and spiritually.  They are also slightly quirky, but we love them.  We made dinner for them yesterday (a dinner for 9) and then watched the Testament on their huge couch with the dogs.  They don't have much, but it was so awesome to sit down and have a movie night and both me and my companion afterwards were both like "So, did you like getting really excited for the future and can't wait to have a family and have kids and do things like this?  It was sweet and I am pretty sure that we got Sister Scott to cray at the end of the movie.

The brightest part of the week is with our 16 and 18 year old investigator Gabbi and Cameron.  We love them so much.  We taught them 4 times this week and both are progressing quite well.  They accepted to be baptized.. but when.. that is still in the works. Cameron is this super logical, reserved kid who loves all things dinosaurs and wants to be a paleontologist when he grows up.  I have learned more about valociraptors more in the last week than I have my whole life.  Gabbi is this kind hearted, super sweet and mellow ballet dancer who is dancing for companies in NYC and is now on track to eventually be dancing for the New York City Ballet.  Just super cool.  Our lessons are the best.  We typically have to relate everything back to the scriptures and draw pictures and try to act things out and make it fun.  We even acted out 1 Nephi 7 with parts and everything.  It has been awesome.

Acting out the scriptures with Gabbi and Cameron 

 For the next two weeks, we are going to teach as much as possible before Gabbi has to go back to college and work in NYC.  We are going to get her solid enough to stand on her own two feet faith wise and then transition to the NYC sisters over Mormon.org.  But, she is not quite ready to be baptized.  Time is a very important factor.  As a missionary,t here is a common dilemma "to baptize or not to baptize'  that is the question.  I have met too many people who have not been ready and were forced into it for the wrong reasons, and then fall away.  Teaching a less active is 100X tougher than an investigator.  So, the trick is to find those, and teach those that want and desire to be baptized and not matter where they are they will stay active.  More often than not, time is the biggest factor for the seed of faith to turn into a tree of action to follow our Savior.   Maybe in Brazil or in other countries, some can just feel the Spirit and say it is true and then get baptized, but due to  the lack of support and help in the Northeast of the US, people have to be able to withstand the mists of darkness, the great and spacious building and the rivers and all the other lovely temptations.  Cameron will be baptized this transfer which is going to be sweet.

The other family that we have been working on has two sons that are not baptized.  The parents used to be super solid members, but #life #priorities got in the way and they have fallen a little.  But, the Mom still wants her sons to have what she knows.  Oh and they are friends with the Mission President.  We are slowly teaching them and trying to get their 10 year old and 8 year old baptized and reactivate them.  Lots and lots of hardships with them.  But, Cooper and Cruise will also get baptized sometime next month.  The real thing will be to keep them active.  We did meet one of their neighbors that is 15 and she is super sweet and did great in our plan of Salvation lesson.  Hopefully we can pick her up soon.

We saw Wayne, taught him a sweet restoration lesson.  He was excited to read the Book of Mormon.  But he got a hold of some anti-Mormon literature and things kinda got messed up. Thankfully, he has got 10 years left in him.  Hopefully he accepts things on the other side.  Nothing more we can do here for now.

There was a clothing exchange at the Church for a Relief Society activity and it was fun.  I got some much needed clothes  I was so done with wearing the same 10 things for 9 months.  Tender Mercy.  It is the little things in life that matter.

Our recent converts are doing awesome and staying strong despite challenges.  Our less actives are still being less active.  :(  Not a huge surprise.  You can only do so much.  People have to want or desire to have a relationship with God; and if they don't, it really doesn't matter what we say as missionaries.  It has to be the Spirit and what they want to do.  All divine intervention.  We just invite, and try to fellowship them. :)

Also, I have been working with ward members in auxiliaries to identify certain people to visit.  Record keeping and updating is normally a struggle in New York due to the amount of less actives in a ward or branch.  We frequently have to go to the middle of no where and see if people have moved and if they have, find out where too.

Institute has officially started up  Yayy!  We have the best teacher and can spend more time with the single soldiers and YSA.

As of September, I will be halfway through my mission.  :D  It was a year ago today that I went through the temple for the first time.  Where has the time gone??? Aww, I am going through a mid mission crisis.  I miss the temple more than anything.  My favorite time of the day is when I am either in the middle of a lesson or during personal study time.  I have fallen in love with the scriptures again.  I actually don't have enough time to study.  I kinda want to study everything from ancient laws of Israel to the Godhead to the priesthood, church history and repentance.  I can finally read the scriptures and understand who is talking, where the setting  is and what is being said and it is the coolest thing ever.  I wish more people would have it too.  Life would be a lot easier while teaching.

On Sunday, I taught Gospel Principles and the Sunbeam class.  I much prefer Gospel Principles over Sunbeams... haha!  I have decided that after my mission, I hope I can teach at Church.  It is one of my favorite things to do.  It brings me a lot of happiness and teaching is one of my best strengths on the mission.  As for the Sunbeams, I'll be sure to bring cookies and coloring books!

As I have been studying and teaching, everything just continues to make more and more sense.  This Church is True.  I know it is and I love it.  I wish that people could just take a moment and set aside their pride and just listen.  We are in the latter days.  The world is getting weirder by the minute.  I know that truth has been restored and what we have to share is for everyone and it can add to their happiness!!

Please everyone, just make good decisions and keep the commandments!!  Can we just do that??? I promise blessings!!  :)

Love you all!!

Sister Kylie Williams