Traveling, Training and Teaching

Neither rain nor sleet nor HUGE snowy storm...stops Kylie from emailing her Mom :)

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Kylie's email excerpts:

We may actually get 1 baptism by the end of the month.  Her name is Marie and has lived with a less active family in my Branch for the past 6 months.   She is the sweetest woman with very simple faith and she LOVES church.  That's the one thing about Marie that is different than any other investigator I have taught in the last 2 months.  SHE WANTS THE CHURCH in her life.

Our little Branch is rather small and slightly overworked and stressed.  I also learned this week after an Exchange in Horsehead, NY and meeting with the Stake Missionary Director, that Corning is actually one of the harder missionary areas in the Owego Stake.  Apparently, everyone in the Stake feels Corning has missionary potential, but its just not happening.   Other areas have had 20 baptisms this past year, while my area had 4.   I'm pretty protective of my Branch and anyone who knows me, knows that I am always up for a good challenge!!  So, to help fix this problem, Sister Yancey and I are going to redo the Branch Mission Plan.  That will be fun!   

This week has also been super fun because I was able to spend 4 days in Elmira, NY doing Exchanges with the Sister Missionaries there and "tore it up down there".  The Sister I was with on Exchanges has been struggling with her confidence and teaching techniques and just overall the work has been slow.  So, I did a lot of teaching with her and just tried to help her out and then get to know the members.  Elmira has 300 active members which is a lot!!  But, probably the best compliment that I've received so far on my mission happened while coming home from the Exchange from the other companion... "Hey Sister Williams, Thank you so much for everything you taught Sister H.  She's like a whole new missionary.  She is on FIRE !"  It made my week.  :-)

Sister Yancey and I have found out that we are good at helping out others and helping their ward areas.  But, then we took a good look at our own area, and asked, "How do we fix ours and improve ourselves???"  I wish I had my own STL (Sister Trainer Leader) to tell me what to do, but the Lord instead trusts me and my companion to make our own decisions.  

This coming week I have another 1 day Exchange with a Sister from Owego and then for the biggest challenge, Sister Yancey and I have to train 30 missionaries at Zone Conference.  It has to be a 30 minute lesson on faith, grace and Christlike attributes.

 I am super excited for things to come, and prayers always help. :)

Love,

Sister Williams

A Stone Cut Out of the Mountain

Window at the Corning Museum of Glass

Well,  this week the work has just been rolling forth.  Yes, we experienced some set backs, but this week it has been great to look back and see how much I have seen the Hand of the Lord guide us the last six weeks and how He will continue to guide us!  I just love being a missionary !!  I mean there is nothing like waking up at 6:30 am feeling exhausted, but after a meaningful prayer, a handful of raisins, and reading a quote from an apostle, you are just pumped to get out and work and see people.  I mean I have even learned to appreciate the little things in life more... like a morning when the sun is out, or limited editions stamps at the post office!  I have never been so excited to by Batman stamps ever!!  But honestly, I just love being out here.

I also guess that along with the spiritual things, we always have fun on a mission.  Sometimes me and my companion will "rap" the missionary handbook rules in the morning.  That has been FUN !!

The ice out here in New York is crazy and I am getting good at sliding in my boots and keeping my center of gravity low.  I still haven't fallen... but I'm crossing my fingers that I never will.

Each day I try to think of something small that I can improve on, so over time the things that are uncomfortable now won't be uncomfortable tomorrow.  I can then continue to push myself and be better.  With the enabling power that comes from the Atonement, we can see improvement as a process, and not something that we need to be perfect at.

On Saturday, I realized that I had a small fear of waving to cars as we tracted and smiled, because deep down, fear is the killer of missionary work. When we are scared or anxious, we can't see the people, talk to the people or served them... so I talked to my companion and we made a game out of it.  If we waved and someone responded back with a wave... we got a point.  If they didn't wave back, we went back to zero and it became a competition.  After 4 hours of waving to every single car on the street, I no longer have a fear of simply stopping, smiling and waving to people as they walk by!  It was so much fun.  Now street contacting won't seem as difficult... we at least the approach !! :P  Ha Ha.

This week, my companion and I have worked a lot with the Branch members and trying to get to know them and their situations and then find ways to serve or teach them.  I love hearing their testimonies and sharing my own and together we really are strengthened and edified!

We have also been working closely with a lady who is a mother and desires to know more about the gospel and has been reading the Book of Mormon.  We taught a great lesson on the plan of salvation and the Spirit was so strong in the lesson.  The Spirit really is the teacher and sometimes I have to remind myself that it is not my job/calling/or purpose to convince people or to make them keep commitments.  It is 100% their choice and if they do pray, read the scriptures, and go to church, then they too feel the Spirit when we missionaries are not around.  That is how real conversion takes place, not when we push people into the font, but when they chose to walk in!

We also met another lady yesterday that has had some exposure to the Church, but has learning and developmental disabilities and she wants to be baptized.  We are still trying to gauge her accountability, but it was amazing to see someone who has had such challenges in her life, and yet have great and simple faith in her Savior!

LOL, These are the symbol notes we make before we teach a lesson....
we call it "Reformed Missionary"

I love this gospel.  :)

Love Sister Williams

Busy, Busy, Busy

Hi Everyone.

Today is probably the craziest P-day yet.  My companion and I won't even have enough time to clean or do our laundry today.  :(   We have so many things we have to do, this will have to be super short.

First off, my Companion and I survived "Transfer Calls" and we are staying together for another month and a half !!!!  I am so excited we get to stay together.  She and I work super well together and have such a fun time :)  We also get to continue serving as Sister Training Leaders!  So, I will have more "exchanges" and training meetings in the upcoming weeks.  I am so much more excited and pumped for this responsibility this time because I feel like I know so much more about what I'm doing and what is going on.  I've learned that getting to know more people and developing relationships is huge!!!

Sister Yancey and I have been working really hard this week.  On Saturday, we had zero (0) appointments, so we went tracting for almost 4 full hours.  That was the longest period of time doing dedicated tracting not only for me, but also for my Companion... and she has been a missionary for 7 months.  Yes, and it was super cold!   Anyway, my anxiety and nervousness to knock on doors and approach people is no longer there, which is SO MUCH BETTER!  We did pick up 2 potentials and 2 new investigators during our 4 hours knocking on doors.

I also had a really cool faith promoting experience this week.  For some reason, I never connected the dots that THIS church is the only one with a Prophet AND Apostles.  I have discovered that even very devout Christian people out here have no idea what an apostle is, or why the priesthood is important.  But when Christ came and established His Church, he called 12 Apostles (representatives) to teach, bless, baptize and perform ordinances.  So, another reason why this is the true and living Church is because we have the same organization as when Christ was here.  We have 12 Apostles!  We have a Prophet!  Not a cardinal, a pope, a paid preacher, etc.  So, that is really cool.

One last thing the members here taught me this week.  "It is better to prepare and prevent, than to repair and repent.'  True, very true.

Love,
Sister Kylie Williams

First month out in the Field, Things I have learned!

I can't believe that I have been out in New York for a month now.  So much has happened!  A lot of growth, challenges and opportunities to get personally get better!  Even though some days are tough, I am grateful for every one of them.  I feel like a  different person in just one month.  I can't wait to see what happens in the next month.  

I really like the quote..."Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift... that is why it is called the present".  Today I was thinking about all of the things I have learned as a missionary and as a person and decided to write them down.  My list was bigger than expected... in just 1 month I have learned the following:

1)  The Mormon Tabernacle Choir can put me to sleep faster than Nyquil.  I have developed a deep love for LDS artists like the Lower Lights, and Rob Gardener (Lamb of God).  I didn't know that I liked country gospel music until being out here and now I can't get enough of it... crazy right?

2)  A missionary's saving grace is peanut butter sandwiches, quesadillas and Cliff Bars.  Chocolate is the enemy!

3)  Alpaca wool gloves are warmer than anything else.  And, it's not about the thickness of the clothes you wear, but the materials... so you stay warm.

4) Wear 3 layers of socks with boots.  Regular tights, tennis shoe sock and then a wool sock (in that order will allow for you to not freeze the toes off).  Also, mink oil waterproofs anything!

5)  Make sure to smile.  ALL THE TIME!! :)  People like it when you smile.

6)  Every missionary has their own talents, we are all different instruments in the Lord's Symphony!  Just because I might be a trumpet and my companion is a flute, does not make me any less important or needed!  We also should not compare ourselves.

7)  WORK HARD, WORK SMART AND WORK CONSISTENTLY.  You need all three all the time.  All three must equally be applied or else the results will not meet the goal that we are striving towards.

8)  There is no comfort in the Growth Zone, and no growth in the Comfort Zone!  Get out of your comfort zone!! That is when change occurs.  The 'natural man' does not want change, because it is not comfortable!  If we put our faith in the Savior and look to Him and rely on Him, we can do anything!

9)  Faith without works is dead.  Activate your agency and get to work!  That is when we allow the Holy Ghost to testify and sanctify ourselves!

10)   I should be (am) my first convert!  My mission is successful if the only one I convert is me!

11)   Hope endures when faith is weak!

12)   Meekness means "strength under control".  

13)   Write things down!!  Especially promptings or impressions from the Spirit.

14)   Time.  It's kinda important!  Don't waste it!

15)   The Spirit is the teacher.  I am merely a vessel of the Spirit.  That is why attitude and obedience is key.  Our thoughts, words, deeds, and actions do turn into our destiny !!

16)  As Abinadi says, "we need to apply our hearts to understanding".  When we do this, that is how we get wisdom!  Experiencing and testing out parts of the gospel will build our faith!

17)  Application.  Application.  Application.  After Church or any other spiritual experience you should also ask "How can I apply what I learned today, TODAY?"  Through application comes power and progression!!

18)  Sometimes hymns make for amazing study materials.  If you have a question about something, look up the topic in the back of the book and just start reading hymns!  My new favorite Hymn, number 100 "Nearer My God to Thee".

19)  I really should not sing... but yet people still want me too.. Ha Ha, their mistake.

20)  The priesthood is soooo important to this church.  It is what make it the TRUE  and LIVING Church.

21)  Prayer.  As they say, "Duct tape is silver, but silence is golden."  After praying, spend 30 minutes to just sit in silence and think about what you just prayed about.  Quiet time = revelation time!!

Working with the Sisters in Owego, New York

I had a lot of great experiences seeing old MTC friends, but also making new friends this week!  Also New York is really pretty... I have seen Ithaca, Syracuse, Utica, and Cortland in just the last few days. 

The Church is True !!!  Stay Awesome !!

Sister Kylie Williams

A New Year

Susquehanna River Bank 

So 2015 is here!! I have almost been out in the mission field for a month!  It does not feel like it...where does the time fly?

Goals are so  important.  Right now as a missionary, I have set A LOT of goals for myself.  Some of my goals include:  Trying to talk to 3 new people each day, not eating chocolate for breakfast, read the New Testament and finish the Book of Mormon this year.  Also, I still have my prior goals of strengthening my testimony and being a super awesome missionary!  All of those goals are much easier said than done, right??? :)

Anyways, I had a very fun New Year's Eve.  I was on a  3 day "Exchange" down in Owego, New York with the Sister missionaries there and we had a blast.  I did not get to do a lot of teaching due to the holidays and all of the sickness going around.  But, I had the opportunity to continue to learn from another companionship, see their successes, spend time with them, develop friendships and also get to know the people down in Owego.  Within 3 days, I did come to love them.  Such a sweet town, with amazing 1800's architecture and history.

I took a picture of myself out in front of the Susquehanna River!!  That was so cool.  We did get to spend New Years Eve at the Bishop's house and we watched the movie "God's not Dead".  That was such a good movie.  I may have shed a tear... okay, maybe a few tears.  But, this week I learned a lot about he spirit and how to use it to teach effectively.

I'll write more next week!!

The Church is True!!!!

Love, Sister Williams

Mission Home :)

Christmas Fun !!

Hello Everyone !

I hope that everyone had a safe and great holiday week !!  I know I did. With the Christmas week and the cold virus going around, we did not do as much proselyting as we hoped, but I still saw a lot of miracles happen during the week!

Christmas Eve was a blast :)  We spent the afternoon with some of our recent converts and got to do some much needed cleaning up around the apartment.  Then, it was time to start going to members homes and eat dinner with them.  We stayed at one family's house for 5 hours because they had their annual Swedish Christmas Eve Extravaganza!  It was a fairly large party.  I have never spent Christmas Eve with 24 other people eating and singing carols for 5 hours, so that was new and exciting!  We ate a TON of food !  I am glad that I own a stretchy skirt.  LOL.  The family had us try all of the Swedish delicacies (Lutfisk, pickled herring, beef tongue, rye bread with lingonberries, Swedish meatballs and potato sausage etc)  It wasn't actually that bad... except for the beef tongue... that was gross.   Afterwards, we practiced caroling and then caroled to all of the neighbors which is part of their tradition.  It was amazing to see the tears well up in the neighbor's eyes as we sang to them.  Everyone needs a little cheer on Christmas Eve.

Christmas Day came the next morning and as a special present, we got to sleep an extra 30 minutes... which ended up just making me more tired.  Funny how living the Mission Rules changes you.  We opened our presents and ate chocolate for breakfast :)    We relaxed and enjoyed our time to take care of ourselves and prepared for the rest of the day.

I got to call my family!!  That was so much fun!  I am glad to hear that they are all doing good.  It was very interesting to hear their voices.  These last 3 weeks have gone by so much faster than the 3 weeks at the MTC!  

Next, we got to spend time at a hospital in Corning and we sang to those who needed it most.  Even though I am not the best singer, we continued to spread the Holiday Cheer.  I did lose my voice for about 2 hours after all of the singing though!  We then went to 2 other member's homes and ate and ate.  I loved getting to know them better and we even listened to a few conversion stories!  Those stories are the BEST!    I was full, happy and very tired when we got back to our apartment late that day.

But, no time to waste... after a day or two of relaxing it was back to work!  We had companion exchanges, and I took over the area with a Sister in the southern Ward below us.  I had to set up lessons, contacts, teach, lead the discussions, make travel plans and extend invitations to those we taught.  We even had time to street contact and tract.  By the end of the day, I was exhausted!  But, I gained so much more confidence in myself and the Lord.  After a short period of learning, I had to quickly start using things tools and principles that I have learned over the last month to teach and bring the Spirit into peoples' homes.

I have seen miracles EVERY TIME that we ask either members, less actives and non-members to pray after we teach an inspired lesson!  As long as we do everything in our power to have the Spirit with us, people feel it and the Spirit teaches them and makes them feel so good and peaceful.  I have even had a few members start crying during the lessons this last week as they have prayed for specific things and God answered their prayers as we sat in their homes or at other gathering areas.

I have learned this week that the gift of Agency is one of the most important aspects of the gospel.  As we ACT, as we make choices and do things, we experience changes and feel power in our life to change anything we desire.  But, we also need to focus on the small and simple things first to experience the greatest changes:   prayer, scripture study, church attendance etc.  Just as the story of Aaron and King Lamoni's Father in Alma 22, God answers our prayers as we turn our hearts to Him and forsake our sins and humble ourselves.

Well, I got to go!  Love you all!

The Church is True!

Sister Williams

Serving as a Bell Ringer