My week of traveling & pictures

Hi Everyone.

This week has been slightly crazy... but that is how we like it!!  Haha.  For the first time ever, I was in every single part of the Stake for more than 3 hours this week.  (Pretty sure that is a mission record).  I had 2 exchanges this week and also this weekend was Stake Conference in two towns.

New York, I love the rolling hills

So, I started off in Horseheads, NY and got to spend 36 hours with a Sister that I was with me in the MTC.  That was great fun.  I felt very blessed with how well the first 4 months of my mission have gone compared to her experience.   Unfortunately for her, the area that she is serving in has 0 investigators and she and her companion are struggling with anxiety and some other hard things.  We spent that time trying to work with the members in her area and create trust within the auxiliaries which amazingly turns into referrals.  Then as she follows up on the referrals, she would have investigators to teach.  I have noticed that 90% of the investigators that progress in the Gospel and eventually get baptized are those who have a connection to a member.  Member connections are SO VITAL.

Then, we came back just long enough for a District meeting and a few appointments before me and Sister Brooks had to split and exchange again, but for a longer period of time.  We did have our very first church tour with a sweet girl that is preparing to be baptized  It was great and the spirit was so strong!  I really enjoy church tours now.

Then, I was back on the road and I went to Vestal, New York for 3 days to spend time with those Sisters.  I got to meet some of their super adorable Chinese investigators and the AMAZING member ward missionaries.  They made such a difference in the coordination meetings and also when teaching the investigators.  I also met the sweetest recent convert ever.  Her name is Robin.   I just love her.

Vestal NY Sister Missionaries and Robin

We spent time serving some people in the Vestal area and also taught some great lessons.

Then it was off to Ithaca, NY for the Stake Conference Adult Session.  We learned about different counsels within the Church, but especially ward counsels.  I loved it because the principle works with how to effectively communicate with our companions.

Buttermilk Falls, Ithaca NY

We then went home and passed out.  I woke up early the next morning and went to Owego, NY for State Conference on Sunday.  It was also very good and focused on our conversion.  I drove back and had meetings with the Elders and Branch President to follow up on counsel from the Mission President. We discussed things such as communication and unity within the Branch. IT WAS VERY NEEDED.  I had a great experience and now we work more effectively and positively with the Elders in our Branch.  The Work just keeps going forth :)  But it is good work!!

This is Mormon Hollow Road.  Brigham Young lived on this street long ago!

Love you all.
Sister Kylie Williams

Consecrated Services :)

Hi Everyone.

I found spring flowers and sunshine even in all of the New York snow and ice!!!

I have come to realize that I will probably be in either a leadership or training position most of my mission because of 2 simple things: 1) I am motivated and I know my purpose.  2) I am also confident and I know how to work with people.  SO MANY SISTERS struggle with this.  It's slightly frustrating... I mean, I could just tell them to be motivated and confident, but I am quickly learning that that is NOT a great way to truly lead, serve, and help someone in their life.

Give a man a fish, feed him for a day... Teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime.  I just love fishing!  Being a missionary has taught me so much more about fishing.  Even Christ, himself, called his disciples "fishers of men" and performed many miracles with fish. Coincidence.. I think not!!  As missionaries, we are fishers.  Many fisherman can spend 9 hours a day, prepping their lines, packing lunch, setting up for the perfect spot, taking a break and fixing equipment, but their lines are only in the water for 3 hours.  Then, they get discouraged because they did not catch any fish.  Well, other times, you can have your line in the water all day, and only catch one.  As a missionary, I need my line in the water for 10 hours a day, not 3 hours.

Great fishermen know that 90% of the fish live in 10% of the water, and they put more weight on their lines so that they can catch with more force and power.  As a missionary, I have learned the principle of work hard, work smart, and work consistently.  If you don't do all three, then you are just working.  Faith without works is dead, and work without faith is just hard work with leads to discouragement and being burnt out.

Well, this then lead me to think about what does it mean to be consecrated??  Well, during Zone Conference, we focused all of our study on that subject.  We all thought of Abraham and how he was so willing to sacrifice the thing he loved most because he obeyed the commandments of God.  But come to think of it, what he loved most was God.  Abraham not only loved God, but he had 100% trust in Him.  Abraham was promised, that through Issac, he would be the father of all nations.  Instead of doubting or even complaining, both he and Issac submitted their will to the Lord's and did what they were told.  Such a powerful example, they submitted everything.  So, we must too.  We can't experience the blessing of being consecrated servants and being blessed with everything we need until we let go of that control that we hold so dear.  Because control is comfortable.  But instead, I've learned that we need to be comfortable with being uncomfortable.

There's been a lot going on here in New York, so many struggles, and so many miracles.  :)  My testimony of the enabling and cleansing power of the Atonement has grown so much in 4 months with my experiences and with serving others.  This has probably been one of the most unexpected but exciting weeks of the mission.  I haven't been stressed out, I have been for the most part, at peace.

My new favorite quote is:"Worry is what happens when we try to play God.  Peace is what happens when we simply trust God."  That is going to be my motto for the next month.  I have a companion who is struggling to learn her new area and struggles with her confidence, I have many Sister Missionaries that look to me as their leader as an example and they are struggling with their confidence and sometimes their failing assigned areas.

Attitude is the only thing that we really can control in our lives.  If we can be positive and determined, so much more gets done.  Sometimes I too am humbled and need to remember the Lord's timing.  When I get home, I know I won't be the same person... because I have finally realized how much more I could do to help people and be productive and not just sit and waste so much time behind my phone or computer.  To be consecrated, you take more on in faith and devote all of your time, talents and abilities to the Lord.  Because truthfully, are my time, talents and abilities even mine?  Well, yes and no.  But mostly NO.  Ha Ha.

So, my new goal is to be a CONSECRATED MISSIONARY for the rest of my mission.  What does a missionary like that do??  Hmm..  well, they talk to everyone and allow them the opportunity to accept the gospel.  They love, serve, and listen to their companion and people around them.  They obey standards with exactness and have the goal to inspire, lift and bless.  They teach men to fish, and not just throw a fish at them.  They always seek improvement and are humble enough to let go and allow other missionaries to take charge and learn from their experiences.  A consecrated missionary just knows how to fish... and fish well.

This week I got to meet an amazing young woman, through members, and she is excited to hear the gospel and is on fire.  We've had some great experiences with less-actives and their friends asking questions during lessons.  We've helped serve and love many members in the Branch.  We have worked diligently with trying to prepare the cutest 70 year old couple for baptism in April.  With time and effort, they will soon become members.  We've given out a few Books of Mormon and now this week I will be out of the area traveling to Elmira for one day and Binghamton for three days.  Then I go up to Ithaca and Owego for Stake Conference this weekend.

So many great things are in the works, and I still have a lot to work on.  I have my faults, and I get tired and even eat a few cookies here and there, but i just love being a missionary.  It's not easy.  But if things were easy, then you never experience the joy of working hard and seeing results and knowing that you gave your all.

I can't believe that I have been out around 4 months now.  time flies :)

I love this gospel!
Sister Kylie Williams

Ups and Downs

Hello Everyone!

The Big News this week is that my new companion is Sister Brooks from Oceanside, California.  She served on Temple Square for 6 months at the Beehive House.  Basically she knows the gospel, but she teaches much differently than we do out here.  So, I am trying to teach her how to work with members, the leadership, and find new investigators as we go through the next 6 weeks.  Thankfully she is super sweet and she has a powerful testimony!  With her silent example and her ability to love the people, things will move forward here in Corning.

The Bad News... I am SICK!  Ugh.  It stinks!  I feel like I have been run over by a freight train and my throat/nose is killing me.  :(   As a missionary, I am used to always running around.  Now that I have to be inside and force myself to sit/lie on my bed, it just makes me wanna go crazy.  Ha Ha.  But, today I will rest some more and tomorrow we have Zone Conference.  I get to be part of the training again and help the missionaries in my zone.  I get to pretend to be a teacher in the MTC and then President Wirthlin will give an hour training on family history and the assistants will teach on consecration.  I am excited about going because a)  I will get to see all of the new Sisters in my zone, b) I need a good spiritual uplift and c) Zone conferences are the best. :)

The Good News... the two people that we have on track to be baptized on General Conference weekend, came to Church for the first time in months!  They are this really cute senior couple in their 70's.  Sometimes they understand what is going on, other times not so much... Oh well.  I've learned that usually everyone has a hard time grasping all of the gospel principles at first, both young and old.  They are trying and that's all that matters.  They were able to stay all 3 hours for Church so they are progressing towards their date for baptism.  They even had a friend over last night that we were able to teach the Restoration Lesson to.  His name is Ernie.  He enjoyed it, but his "deceased wife is Catholic" so he is undecided about learning more about the Church.  But, it was still cool.

But, the other cool thing from last week, we went to the Rockwell Museum on Saturday to attend a lecture on Mormon theology by Terryl B Givins, and how it related to some of the art pieces in the museum.  One of the artists who helped make the Angel Moroni Statue for Temple Square made a Native American piece that was on display at the Museum.  That was pretty cool :)

So, that was my week... Sister Yancey saying goodbye to the Branch, drive a lot, get a new companion, Leadership Conference, teach a few lessons, get sick, go to Church and now start a new week.  You could say that I am a little stressed... probably because I put a lot of stress on myself to not only be a perfectly obedient missionary, but train effectively and make sure the area is doing well and making sure investigators are progressing and that the Branch is moving forward, and take care of my Sisters and fulfill leadership stuff.  Ha ha,  I am just gonna go take a nap!!

Thankfully I am quickly learning that I need to prioritize, delegate, and trust in God that He will take care of the rest.  :)

Love you all!
Sister Kylie Williams

Crazy Crazy Life

Hi Everyone!!

Sorry this is late, but today is Transfers and my Companion is leaving Corning and going to Glens Falls, NY.  :(  I will miss her greatly.   So, this means that I will be taking over the Corning area.  Crazy!  But, I love the members here.  Good things are finally starting to roll!

With Sister Yancey leaving, that means I'm the senior Companion and I will be training a Sister who has been serving on Temple Square.  (Yes, my heart is pounding.....)   So, I get to spend the next 6 weeks training a Sister how to spread the gospel by working with members, Wards, Stakes and the Elders.   I will either be training a Sister Rasheed from Pakistan and help teach her English as well, or a Sister Brook from California!   Both Sister Yancey and I have a feeling that I will be called to be with the sweet Sister from Pakistan because Sis. Yancey said that it would force me to teach-- simply.  No pressure right??   Be sure to check my post next week to see which Sister I was assigned!

In addition to being in charge of Corning, I am still a Sister Training Leader (STL) over 4 areas and all 4 areas will have new companionships with today's transfers.  Holy Cow!  I will spend almost this whole week in Utica for 2 special training meetings and then Mission Leadership Conference.  I have the feeling that I will either be in Corning for 6 more weeks (1 more transfer cycle) or 4 and a half more months.  There is SO much to do here.

I am truly blessed out here though.  Compared to the other 3 Sisters who flew out to New York with me from the MTC, my experience in the mission field has been so different.  I have had so many opportunities to be a Sister Training Leader, and now a trainer, and I am spending time in other areas, meeting other people, going to training meeting etc.  Yes, it is stressful at times, but the opportunities for growth are amazing.  I can't describe it.

Now...I just pray that our investigators progress... that we find new investigators, that my Sisters have success in their areas and don't kill each other (yes, part of my responsibility is to deal directly with all their drama) and that I stay relaxed and manage my time well and can remember to do everything so that the Lord's work gets done!!

Saturday was the best though.  WE HAD A BAPTISM!  Marie G.!  She is a sweetheart and it was a great baptism.  It was the first double baptism in the Corning Branch (The elders here had one also), so President Wirthlin came!!  It was great.

My 1st Baptism - Marie from Corning

Monday, in addition to helping Sis. Yancey with all of her packing, we went to the Rockwell Museum, had FHE with some great members and  ate at a famous Corning Pizzeria with 2 great women from the Branch.  We were also able to give a Book of Mormon away to a super sweet lady who has lived her whole life only 30 minutes away from the Hill Cumorah !!!  She works as a tour guide for the City of Corning.

Well, I have like 16 hours of driving to do in the next 3 days.. ugh!  With the snow and bad weather, wish me luck!!!

Love,
Sister Kylie Williams

After the Baptism, Corning Members

The end of the beginning

Hi Everyone,

So, as of next week, I will no longer be a greenie and my training will be done.  Do I still feel like a greenie?  Yes!  Does everyone think I act like one??  NO.  But, I can't believe how fast time flies.

There were some really cool things that happened this week.  First, my Branch Family finally had a successful "Linger Longer" this Sunday.  It's like a potluck after church.  People brought food, they ate food, and they talked and had a fun time.  It was a great way for our little Branch to bond together.

Next, we have a double baptism coming up.  The Elders have a baptism this Saturday and after the baptismal interview for our investigator this Thursday, the Corning Branch may have a double baptism for the first time ever !!!  YEA.

We were able to get in contact with 4 less active members that nobody has been able to contact or find for months.  We even picked up a former investigator that we had taught who we thought wasn't interested anymore... joke's on us, turns out she was just busy!

Finally while at a member's house for dinner, an Energy Salesman came to the door and the family let him in.  We ended up actually talking about he Church and we ended up giving him a Book of Mormon and he asked that we call him for an appointment.  Unfortunately, he lives in Syracuse, but we can still refer him over to the Syracuse missionaries.  :)  Unexpected opportunities are the best !!!

And for the Grand Finale..... I had an all out Nerf gun war for 2 hours today while at a super fun District Activity.   Yes, that was awesome!!

Well, gotta go, busy, busy busy!!

Love, Sister Williams

ps. The Church is TRUE!

Valentine's and COLD Temps

Hey everyone!

This week has been a good one.  I cannot believe that we are halfway through the month of February...time certainly flies.  

Valentine's Day was great :)  Some of the kids in the Corning Branch made us cards and I cannot even keep track of the amount of heart shaped cookies we ate.  :)

This week, I had opportunities to teach both missionaries and women within the Branch.  Zone Training Meeting was Tuesday, and Sister Yancey and I had to give a 30 minute Training session on having the patience and faith to seek out the "fleck" or Christlike attributes in others.  We based it off the Mormon message, "Flecks of Gold." We went through multiple instances in the scriptures of people being Christlike but also delved deeper to find the little things that make a big difference.  For example, we talked about Joseph Smith and the 1st Vision.  He went out and prayed in a quiet place which would later become known as the Sacred Grove.  However, Joseph did not have to pray in a quiet grove of trees, it could have been in the streets or in his own home with his family.  Personal Revelation must take place in personal quiet places.  It takes faith and we must be humble.  So, our presentation was cool!  President Joseph Wirthlin also participated!

This Sunday was crazy cold and we had wind chill temperatures well below zero... (it was -28 actually).    We were called upon at the last second to teach the Relief Society Lesson during Church.  It was the first time I've had to teach Relief Society and it fun!

The weather here has been crazy cold... Personally, I like winter and cold temperatures more than hot weather.... but I'm not enjoying the cold so much as a missionary.   :(  Ha ha on me! !  People here all stay inside and don't want to come out and talk with us.  Sometimes we are even forced to go back to the apartments to study.  BUT I WANNA DO MY MISSIONARY WORK!!!  Thankfully, the Lord has been merciful and put me in the most southwestern part of the mission.  So, I am in the warmest region and I have the least amount of snow to deal with.  I should be more grateful.

We have been working hard helping our recent converts go to the temple and strengthen the members within the Branch.  We are still working with a lady that is looking to be baptized on the 28th of this month!!  Woop woop!  We are excited... and also this week we picked up some former investigators that just got overwhelmed with life about 4 months ago.  But, they allowed us back in and now this super cute couple in their 70's are working to be baptized in April!  The husband especially wants to feel the love of God in his life, and they are just the sweetest people.  So, we will continue to work with them :)

This upcoming week should be good!   I get to spend 3 days with a Sister from Manchester, England and I will not rest until I can perfect my English accent !!  I may even take her tracting with me... maybe we can pick up a few new investigators.. haha I can always hope.

Have a great week, the Church is true!

Love, Sister K. Williams

Corning Branch Young Woman
Volley Ball 4x Champs!

Miracles and Flecks of Gold

Hey everyone!

I hope that things are going well for everyone.  It has been a crazy week here in New York.  I've had lots of snow storms, one Sister that I am over got her Visa to Portugal so I had to help with emergency transfers, there was a Mission Leadership Conference in Utica and :( a couple of investigators dropped us.  However, the Lord's hands are always in our lives and when I take a minute to stop, slow down and look around, I can see the rewards of my efforts.

Miracle #1:  Our 8 Sister Missionaries
As a Sister Training Leader, my companion and I are over 8 Sisters within our Owego Zone.  When I was first called to serve as a STL, I was nervous because I thought I had to train them, be the "perfect' example, and help them with every problem.  HA!  I was wrong.  Sister Yancey and I have been so blessed to get to know personally these 8 wonderful Sisters that work so hard.  They are really the "example" to me.  I've learned from every single one of them as we work during Exchanges, spending between 1 to 3 days with them in their area or in Corning, NY.  Yes, they may have struggles, but everyone of them has a divine characteristic that makes them amazing missionaries.  I get the opportunity to try and emulate 8 of these characteristics and make myself better. It is also a miracle that our Sisters have no "drama"... it is great :)

One day at the leadership conference, my companion and I were able to discuss the problems within the mission and receive revelation on how to help solve the problems and try to help those under our direction.  I have felt the promptings of the Spirit as we and the Zone Leaders decided where to transfer the Sisters.  The Lord really cares for all of them individually.  Not only have we answered their prayers at times, they have answered our own.  If I wasn't called to be a STL, I would not have had some of these amazing experiences, and would not have gotten to know so many amazing people.

Miracle #2:  The Corning Young Women
The Young Women in the Corning Branch have a volleyball tournament every year.  They have won 3 years in a row.  However, a few of the players have graduated and the remaining girls were slightly scared.  Kinda reminds me of my home girls back in Reunion.  :)  So, Sister Yancey and I for the last 3 weeks for Mutual have been playing volleyball and practicing with them.  Despite everything... THEY WON THE CHAMPIONSHIP!  They were so happy and I am so proud of them.

Miracle #3:  A Baptism
If all goes as planned, there should be a baptism this month!!  M.G. is the sweetest, most faithful person ever.  She is 39 and has some learning handicaps, but if she continues to keep her commitments and progresses, she has been approved for baptism.  We try to work with her everyday on Skype and go over the simple things of the gospel.  I do love her! :)

Miracle #4:  Diligent Investigator
We have an investigator that is probably the sweetest/best father ever to his 4 kids.  He has had a very  HARD life, even though he refuses to see it that way!  He has been taking the discussions for the last year, but he cannot be baptized until he is off probation.  He still has 1 more year to go. It has been difficult to have a really good lesson with him because of various challenges like his schedule, crying kids or the requirement to have another female member present during the lesson.  Miracles do happen, because a member just happened to text us and was impressed to want to come teaching with us.  We were able to have an AMAZING LESSON that this man very much needed.  The Spirit was so strong and he still wants to get baptized!!  Woop, Woop!  Now to just wait and see what happens over the next year.

Miracle #5:  OYM (Open Your Mouth)
I had the best OYM experience this week too.  We went to go see another investigator and knocked on her door but she was not there.  But, a man was outside shoveling snow.  We were both nervous and kinda scared and did not want to talk to him about the gospel. (Big mistake... if you are afraid, then Satan wins and can stop the Lord's work).  Fortunately, this man actually approached us and said he wanted to talk.  We ended up giving him a brief discussion on the Restoration and I had a BOM in my hands that I thought I was going to give to the investigator, but it was actually meant for this man shoveling snow.  Some of the things that I was prompted to write in the front of the BOM were PERFECT for him!  So, we will give him a few weeks to read, and then we will try setting up an appointment with him (however, his wife doesn't like us.. so who knows).  It was still a really awesome experience!

Miracle #6  Don't Misjudge a Situation
We had an investigator that we have not been able to contact for 3 weeks now . Come to find out, she had been in the hospital with the flu.  We stopped by her house (which was on the boarder of New York and Pennsylvania) after a dinner appointment and at first we didn't go in because we thought she was having a party...turns out, she wasn't. (I've learned that Satan likes to make us fearful a lot, which causes us to hesitate... Not good!)   Thankfully, we got brave and went inside.  I am so glad because she is awesome.  We set up an appointment to give her a church tour and found out that she read the entire Book of Mormon in A MONTH AND A HALF and is re-reading it.  We would have dropped her most likely if we hadn't stopped by and gone in.  We are so glad we did.  Hopefully she will accept the baptismal challenge.

Miracle #7:  ME!
I feel like I have changed a lot, all for the better :)  I love New York, I love being a missionary and I love the gospel.  I love wearing skirts and being dressed up now, I can recognize how it helps me invite and feel the Spirit.

Miracle #8:  Funk-in-Waffles  
Funk-in-Waffles is a restaurant here in New York.  They probably have the best waffles I have ever had in my entire life!!  I had some in Syracuse (which is a college town - think Boulder Colorado... but with the color orange).  The waffles are expensive, but sooooo worth it!  Even Triple D (Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives) from Food Network ate here too, so it must be a great place. :)

BTW:  In the February Ensign, the article "Vital to the Kingdom, Single Adult Sisters" is all about the women in the Owego Ward, Owego Stake.  This is my area!!  Huge Shout out to my Upstate New York Sisters!!!  I haven't met them personally, but I have heard great things about them.

Service Project with Sister Yancey.
We found a vintage bottle while cleaning out a "hoarder's" apartment. 

The Church is true!
Love, Sister Williams