tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53862761936021024662024-03-14T01:13:34.705-07:00A Man on a MissionAdam Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03690345115849819757noreply@blogger.comBlogger105125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386276193602102466.post-62359602988594837002012-09-10T04:28:00.003-07:002014-04-14T01:02:51.588-07:00The Last Ahoj!<div style="position: absolute; z-index: -5;">
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Let's just get this out of the way: I have no idea how to start this email. So I'll just jump right into it. <br />
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Elder Osterloh and I had another good week. This transfer has just been kind of a breeze. We've been working hard and enjoying ourselves. It's kind of disappointing that I have to go home just as things feel good and natural. It really doesn't feel like this is the last email you will all get from me from Slovakia. But it is! AHH! Elder O and I are pushing for a miracle week. It is the last week for both of us in Slovakia (he has to go back to the Czech Republic) and we are determined to make the most of it. We both love these people so much. From the people we meet on the streets to our insane English class and down to every member here. They all have their quirks and I adore them all SO much because of them. They have left an indelible impression on me and I hope I can internalize and remember the lessons they've taught me forever. <br />
This last week I had another visit to the foreign police. I don't know if I mentioned it in my last email, but Elder Bacon and Nichol had quite the adventure trying to leave the country; they were thrown in a holding cell, missed their flights and was banned from Europe for a year. We don't want that same experience for me so our attorney here has been working hard getting applications and everything for me to renew my visa properly. She was going nuts because she was sure they were 2 year visas. Turns out our visas were good for 2 years after all! It was just the sticker in our passport that expired at the end of 2011. So I got an official paper saying that my visa is still good and everything is just fine so I won't have trouble traveling home.<br />
Church yesterday was great as well. I gave my last Slovak talk. Hallelujah. I hate speaking in church in Slovak. Everyone just listens and picks up on every mistake--at least that's what I imagine. Turns out everyone was surprised I was leaving already. They were surprised I stayed behind when Elder Bacon and Nichol left ("I thought it was about time for you to leave already!") and then they were surprised again when they learned I was <i>actually </i>leaving next week. ("Already?!")<br />
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It really hasn't sunk in that I am leaving these people. <br />
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This whole experience of a mission is impossible for me to articulate on a keyboard within an hour. It's been hard enough to describe week by week. I will be eternally grateful for the decision I made to go on a mission. I'm grateful for bishoprics who worked with me and helped me prepare to serve. I'll never forget the army of youth leaders who never gave up on me, even though I desperately wanted them to at times. I feel like I had a hand in helping some of God's children come to know Him better. To feel like they are loved and appreciated and that He has sent his restored gospel to save them. But like all service, I've come away with so much more than what I could have possibly given. I love these Slovak people, their culture and even their impossible language. I'm walking away from this incredible country with a sure knowledge that God still works with us and really wants us to be happy. He lives, isn't that great?!?<br />
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Look out for some more quick updates on my Eurotrip. I'm not really thinking about it too much. Members get a little annoyed when I tell them I'm not sure where I'm going or for how long-- so thanks for the itinerary Dad. Jana and Dagmar want to meet up for lunch in Blava when we go through.<br />
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Thanks for the emails Sister and Elder Williams! Glad to hear things are going well and that you are HAPPY!! That is always most important. <br />
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Love you all and talk to you soooon!<br />
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Elder A. Williams</div>
Janet Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03838461037905916331noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386276193602102466.post-86738022139573677972012-09-08T09:42:00.000-07:002014-04-14T01:07:26.647-07:00September 3, 2012<h2>
Is It Labor Day?</h2>
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Monday, September 3, 2012 8:10 AM</div>
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Cau Cau,
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Hope you all are doing fine this fabulous Labor Day. (We ran into an American today who let us know that today is Labor Day-- otherwise I had completely forgotten)</div>
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This past week was kind of a whirlwind. On Monday we had a fantastic day. We taught two new investigators and taught our recent convert. The meetings were SO good and the people were SO sweet. Investigators have been coming up out of the woodwork for us. Tuesday and Wednesday were pretty normal, (English class was a hoot as it always is with a rousing game of Bunko) but Thursday was awful. We taught a lot but some of our investigators just kind of turned on us. Just one crazy lesson after another. We have the weirdest teaching pool. Half of them are miracles that will grow the branch, and then the other half are seriously crazy. (I really need to update my journal....) But then on Friday we had another miracle day. We contacted this young girl, like 17 years old (Slovaks look older then they really are) We invited her to take a tour of our building (BIG hit lately). She was kind of scared-- thinking we would kill her (*Note: usually I would say NEVER go alone into a building with 2 foreign dudes, but we're missionaries, so it's a little different, right? right.....) She agreed to go up with us for a couple minutes and we gave a quick tour and set up a meeting for the next day saying we would invite one of our members who is a girl and a recent convert, blah blah blah. We planned to introduce the restoration but we mostly wanted them to become best friends. So we dedicated some time for them to have "girl talk" (Missionary work is hard, you taking notes Logan?) Our member is a little late so we are doing our best at small talk. When our member walks in she drops her bag, the investigator screams, they both jump around and hug each other. We were SO confused. Turns out they were already bffs from grade school. They went into girl talk straight away- but only lasted about 2 minutes as their Slovak went from a normal speed to a speed I have never heard before. So that was easy.</div>
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After that meeting we run into P, another 17 yr old kid. A boy this time so less "scary." He readily agreed to take a look at the building. After a tour we sit down with him (We can give tours to girls, but we have to stay on our feet without another man in the building). He was way cool and so open to hearing the message and starting the Book of Mormon. So we are starting this week with some more normal kingdom building investigators! </div>
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Hope everything is perfect for you all! </div>
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I love and miss you! </div>
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Elder A. Williams</div>
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Janet Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03838461037905916331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386276193602102466.post-32601666013922445682012-08-27T07:26:00.000-07:002014-04-14T01:14:22.898-07:002 Year Mark<div id="yiv1452381328">
Hello family, friends and other blog buddies!
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Hope everyone is doing well! We had another great week. The weather has been warm-- but last night got really cold and I was able to sleep! Yesterday at church we had 4 visitors-well, not really visitors, but 2 American couples that just moved to Bratislava and will be living here for 8 months! Wahoo! So we got some more help for the branch for a least a little bit. The two guys are playing volleyball for the Bratislava team and their wives are bored here so we are going to try to take them out on teaching appointments. Will be great! Now we just need to find English speaking investigators....</div>
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My companion and I are doing well, I really do love Elder Osterloh. We are having a good time with each other. I couldn't have asked for a better companion. The last couple of companions I've had have been perfect. I wish I had been able to recognize the quality of the missionaries I served around sooner. I'm trying to be a better than I am for Elder Osterloh. Don't know what I would do without him. </div>
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Last week we had a specialized training, my last as a missionary, so I bore a "closing testimony." A tradition here for departing Elders and Sisters. It was a weird experience. Almost felt anti-climatic. I still have testimonies to share people! But it is a mile stone as a missionary I guess. Saturday was my 2 year mark. We celebrated by contacting all day after weekly planning... fun. :) But today we are hitting up the all you can eat Chinese place in town. My favorite. :)) </div>
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Thank you for the email Joe! I will tell everyone hello from you. Elder MacNeish and Meredith are in the Czech Republic so I prob won't be seeing them. :( But I'll relay the message.</div>
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Not a lot of time today, so I will talk to you all next week!</div>
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Elder A Williams</div>
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Janet Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03838461037905916331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386276193602102466.post-9035318259397783132012-08-20T06:27:00.004-07:002013-07-01T17:06:19.711-07:00A Car RideHello everyone! <br />
Hope all is well. Thanks for the emails and updates. I'm so excited for Logan to actually get to Boston. Will be exciting! <br />
This was a pretty normal week. I did have an exchange in Brno- a nice little switch-up. I drove with a Brno Zone Leader so that was definitely the highlight of the week. Do you know when the last car ride was for me?? <br />
Elder Osterloh and I are doing great! He really is a great companion and I'm grateful to serve with him. I'm trying to be a good companion for him-- but I'm really difficult sometimes ;) <br />
Our investigators have been doing really well actually. We've had some breakthrough lessons where they "get it" now. That is the hardest part. Getting a person to that realization. Until a person realizes how important the gospel is if it's true they have to find the answer themselves. It's hard because I'm convinced there ain't nothing we can do or say that can convince a person, or change a persons mind. We just have to invite the spirit and allow it to work the person's heart. I love the people we're teaching right now. They are all really special to me and I really hope they keep hold to that desire and keep reading the Book of Mormon and keep asking God if it's true. Then everything else will fall into place for them. <br />
Tomorrow we head out to Brno for a Zone Conference. If I wanted to be trunky I would let you know that it will be my last. (But I'm far from "trunky" :) ) It's weird-- because on Saturday I hit my 2 year mark and I still have a month to go. But I'm excited for the next couple weeks. I'm SO glad I decided to stay just a little longer. <br />
Love you all! Hear from you soon!<br />
<br />
-Elder A. Williams<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">13 Augusta 2012</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Service</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Can I just mention how much I can't wait to be able to write you all without having an hour on the clock?? </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">With the "going home comment" out of the way I can say that we have had a pretty good week. Saturday we had another service project where we picked up trash along the canal. Went pretty well. A TON of trash. I'm sure you'll see some pictures on the internet soon. (By the way-- I apologize for NEVER sending pictures) I just never use my camera... Logan- you can do better at that. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">Yesterday Elder Bacon and Nichol had their last talk in church. I secretly cannot wait until they leave. It's been hard focusing with them around. They hop on the train to Prague tomorrow morning and it will be much easier to live in denial that I will be released in a few short weeks. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">We've seen some more cool things with our investigators, one of them is doing extremely well and finally came to church! There was a visitor who asked him how long he had been a member, the visitor was visibly surprised when he heard that it is was his first time at church-- thought he was already a member! He had such a good time. It just feels good as a missionary to have an investigator at church. :) </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">So Elder Osterloh and I had this really cool investigator who was just excited about everything we were teaching him. We were SO stoked for our meetings. He accepted a date and everything the very first lesson. But then he never responded to our messages/calls. We were so confused and little torn up. Elder Osterloh ran into him on exchanges and set a tentative meeting up for yesterday-- he seemed excited to see Elder O and for meeting with us. Over the weekend we had the same problem with reaching him. Then Sunday evening comes around and we find his name in the phone again under a different contact. The number is exactly the same, only it has the area code in the number-- so we try it and he answers in the first two rings! After we hang up we tried the other name we had for him and we got the same result from before-- a dead line. We COULD have contacted him this entire time under this other contact! We were just thankful for the breakthrough that we had finding his actual number. I'll keep you posted on what happens. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I'm excited for the 2nd half of this transfer. There will be some exciting thing happening soon, I'm sure. :) We are going to start doing "power exchanges" where we go out with a different companionship in the city once a week for an hour for some intense finding. Should be good!</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Love you! Miss you, see you soon!</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Elder A. Williams</span>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">August 6, 2012</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Baptism Anniversary</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span>Hello everyone<br />
I woke up this morning unable to believe that it was August 6-- again. A year ago today Marek and Ivet were baptized! It was really nice to remember that day during my studies and I couldn't believe that they have been active members of the church for a year already. Time really does fly and in a couple weeks will be Lenka's anniversary too. I have a feeling that these dates will forever be imprinted in my mind. :) I was in a little bit of a slump-- but remembering what this is all about has helped me put things in perspective. And in 2 weeks we'll have another baptism! This work seems a little insane at times. We see so little obvious success that any normal person would feel like quitting. But instead it refines us into better people who are more equipped to serve. Instead of feeling like this is useless I started seeing success in other areas. That is what the Gospel of Christ does to us though, right? It transforms us and, as one that needs a TON of improvement, I am grateful for that. This week my area hit standards for the first time. I have NEVER hit standards before. (Standards are mission-wide goals for our "key indicators" things like # of lessons taught, # of investigators, etc). Our investigators are progressing and coming to church and are loving the gospel. Elder Osterloh and I found one woman last week and he had a lesson with her whilst on exchanges so I wasn't there. But she was really excited to come to church and both her AND her husband came. They had a son who drowned at 19 so she had a lot of concerns about post-mortality. It was fast and testimony meeting and BAM! first testimony was all about the plan of salvation and forever families. She LOVED church and the atmosphere and wanted to bear her own testimony but we ran out of time. (NEVER happens) It was such a good Sunday and I am really excited to start teaching her and her husband this week. Elder Osterloh and I are having some great experiences together and I'm looking forward to the next couple weeks as our people start meeting with us more. Glad to hear Logan made it to the MTC ok. Gooooood luck with the food. It got old for me real fast. You're lucky you're there for only 3 weeks.... It's gotta be weird at home with just Aaron and Mom and dog. (Let's face it, Dad pretty much lives at the airport) What am I going to do??<br />
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Love you all!!<br />
Elder A. Williams (<--- the "A" is there so we don't got confused with the other Elder Williams!) :)<br />
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<br />Janet Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03838461037905916331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386276193602102466.post-34143401356597313092012-08-04T00:02:00.004-07:002013-07-01T17:14:28.730-07:00The Slovak Front<h3>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"></span>July 29, 2010</h3>
Hi!<br />
<br />
Thanks for the emails this week! (I missed you all last week...) And<br />
the letters, Family, I got your card the other day, and Julie, I got<br />
your letter/pictures. Thanks!<br />
<br />
This past week was a good one. Elder Osterloh have been able to find<br />
some cool investigators this past week-- we were just shy of our goal-<br />
but we've been pretty good. We have a goal of getting 3 new<br />
investigators every single week of the transfer-- which would do<br />
wonders for this area. At first I was a little peeved that I got sent<br />
to such a slow area-- but it'll give me some more opportunities to<br />
work as hard as I can to the end.<br />
On Friday we had Specialized Training in Brno and among a lot of<br />
things we talked about our studies and how we can improve. It was<br />
definitely inspired because that has something that has just died for<br />
me this transfer. I used to love my personal studies, but very<br />
recently I can't get into them. At the end of last transfer I finally<br />
finished all of the standard works and the missionary library, so I<br />
think that had something to do about it. But now I have some new found<br />
motivation to get some more things out of my personal study. :) I hope<br />
that is something that will stick for me post mission; personal<br />
scripture study. The scriptures are really full of stuff that we need<br />
in day-to-day life.<br />
<br />
Glad to hear things are good at home. It'll be an exciting week,<br />
that's for sure! I'll be thinking of you Logan Tueday night! (Well,<br />
early early Wednesday morning for me) I'm kind of bummed I miss yet<br />
ANOTHER setting apart of one of my siblings. But oh well. Aaron will<br />
get a lot of attention... per usual.<br />
<br />
Reasons why Logan will be a great missionary:<br />
-He is a Williams<br />
-He has excellent examples of missionary siblings ;)<br />
-He works hard<br />
-He likes (and knows how) to have fun<br />
-He knows who he is and he is confident around others. He has a clear<br />
place in his peer group and is fearless with them. He doesn't let the<br />
teases or the taunts of an older sibling stop what he wants to do. He<br />
goes out and does it. I've always been impressed with how consistent<br />
he is. Growing up he lived for scouts and would insist on setting the<br />
timer for when it was time to go (often times it was set to go off in<br />
2 or 3 hours). It used to annoy me SO much because Scouts was, and<br />
continues to be, the bane of my entire existence. But Logan never<br />
allowed himself to be influenced and kept doing what he enjoyed. (even<br />
though it was something as dumb as scouting <-- my own opinion :) And<br />
that's how he has always been. Doing what is right because he wants<br />
to.<br />
He is going to see a ton of miracles if he keeps that up. The<br />
opportunity to serve like a full-time missionary comes once and I'm<br />
confident Logan will make the most of it!<br />
<br />
I love you all! Hear from you all soon!<br />
<br />
Elder Williams<br />
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<h2>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">July 19 2012</span></h2>
<h2>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Another Transfer!!!</span> </span></span></h2>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Hey everyone!</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;">I am way short on time this week-- I'm sorry about that. But I am</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;">alive and happy in Bratislava still. :) I am serving with Elder</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Osterloh who has been serving in the Czech Republic for the past year.</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;">I'm pumped for a new transfer and excited that it's my last. (A good</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;">kind of excited. Not a OMG-I-just-want-to-go-home but a</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;">OMG-I-can't-believe-it's-already-here) I'm not going to get "trunky"</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;">so don't worry about that. (that being said, I have been craving Taco</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Bell a lot more frequently...)</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Our investigator will be getting baptized on Saturday! We are all so</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;">excited about it! It's been a long time coming, but he is so prepared</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;">and excited for it! I just love it. I love being around people who are</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;">coming to know that these things are true and are getting EXCITED</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;">about it!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;">I'm in a very large district this transfer: </span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;">First is our fearless District Leader Elder Osterloh and I together. Elder O is from Utah</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;">then Elder Robison (my boy :) and Elder Nichol who are</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;">training Elder Marriot together. Elder Marriott is from CA </span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;">My old companion Elder Clem and Elder Bacon are</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;">together (again) training Elder Hammond, a cowboy from Logan, UT.</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;">With the Senior couple we are quite the group! Some really new missionaries and some really old ones. Love it. But Elders Nichol and Bacon are leaving in 4 weeks for school so we'll become a normal Bratislava district soon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Everything is good. Hope things are good with you all! Glad to here</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;">the CA trip was fun. Happy Birthday Grandpa! Sorry I missed out.</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Buuuut I will see you all soon. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Love you,</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Elder Williams</span><br />
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Janet Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03838461037905916331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386276193602102466.post-34915850444430894272012-07-17T07:25:00.003-07:002013-07-01T17:59:07.377-07:00July 9, 2012Hey everyone!<br />
Another week has flown by for me in Bratislava. All of them seem to<br />
mesh together now. Nothing too exciting to report. It's been hot, but<br />
it rained all night and was drizzly this morning so we have some<br />
relief. It'll get hot again... The heat here isn't quite as bad as<br />
Phoenix (though the humidity kills) but the lack of AC is what gets<br />
you. You truly can't escape it. We happen to have AC in the chapel<br />
of the branch building so sometimes we'll run in there and just<br />
sit for a little bit during the day. We just live with the fan on day<br />
and night.<br />
On Saturday we did a service project with the Ostergaards picking up<br />
trash around the city. My trash bag was 90% cigarette butts. The street<br />
we went down and the park we went to to looks a lot better now. It<br />
felt good to do something a little different and to see some physical<br />
results of my service. We did some good in the world and had fun doing<br />
it! :)<br />
Hope everything is going well for you all back home. Transfer calls<br />
are coming next Monday so I will email you all next Wednesday. Isn't<br />
it amazing how fast this transfer went?? It's my last transfer and I'm<br />
already anxious about it. I'm looking forward to not having to worry<br />
about the "transfer call" anymore... Hear from you soon!<br />
<br />
Elder Williams<br />
<br />Janet Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03838461037905916331noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386276193602102466.post-88496331313433314212012-06-25T05:18:00.000-07:002013-07-01T18:02:07.926-07:00Fried food nightCau cau,<br />
<br />
Hope everyone is happy and enjoying their summer! Elder Clem and I,<br />
per usual, are having a blast and working very hard! We have seen<br />
amazing results this week-- 3 of our investigators are on track for<br />
baptism and I have taught more this week then ever before. I feel like<br />
the worst Slovak speaker as a result-- I'm using it a lot more now lately, so that's<br />
good. We never improve if we don't practice-- right?? We are very<br />
thankful for the success the Lord has given us seeing as we were<br />
walking into this week with pretty much nothing concrete on plan.<br />
Today we are planning on working out with one of the other Elders'<br />
amazing investigator. A woman who just walked into church a couple<br />
weeks ago who was dying to know everything. She's getting baptized<br />
this Saturday and is SO excited for it. The whole branch is really<br />
pumped for her too. She is a personal trainer and owns her own studio<br />
so she is going to beat up all the missionaries today. We're excited.<br />
Do you know when the last workout was for me??<br />
I'm grateful to be in Bratislava and seeing that there really are<br />
people here who are looking for, and recognize, the truth. Sometimes<br />
you find someone who is already radiating with light and as they learn<br />
about the gospel, as they start learning and living the commandments<br />
they start to shine even brighter. They are happier than they thought they<br />
were before. It's amazing to see and is humbling and exciting to<br />
witness first hand.<br />
Other than real missionary work, something Elder Clem and I have been<br />
experimenting in the kitchen and we've come up with fried food night.<br />
On Wednesday we fried all sorts of stuff: peppers and cream cheese,<br />
mushrooms, sausages, byndza (how jealous are you Joe?), onions,<br />
cheese, etc. It was quite the feast and we went to bed absolutely sick<br />
(pictures coming soon). We can't wait to do it again. :) Right now we are<br />
trying to perfect biscuits. My dream is biscuits and gravy. Uvidime.<br />
I love you all so much and I hope you have a great week! Don't be<br />
afraid to write me! ;)<br />
<br />
Elder WilliamsJanet Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03838461037905916331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386276193602102466.post-25066925040182858912012-06-19T13:17:00.004-07:002013-07-01T18:05:18.639-07:00Hot in BlavaHellooooo everyone!<br />
<br />
It is getting hot in Bratislava. Today was pushing 32 degrees<br />
(Celsius, I'm in Europe, remember??) Which is better than the<br />
impossible winter, but still. It is better for finding, but harder during<br />
studies. I miss studying with a hot mug of caj....<br />
<br />
As far as new things, nothing much to report. (weekly updates make it<br />
hard to come up with something new) The work in Slovakia is still<br />
taking off-- especially in member lessons. We hit 50 as a country-not<br />
sure if that ever happened before- so that's exciting. Elder Clem and<br />
I are still plunking away and working hard. We have an exciting day on<br />
the plan with some lessons with some new people/ people we're trying<br />
to get progressing. Our baptismal date dropped off the face of the<br />
Earth-- again. So we'll see about that...<br />
<br />
On Friday we had Zone Conference that was fantastic! I love when we<br />
get together. It was with half the mission in Brno. I'm crossing my<br />
fingers that we have another one next transfer. I always hear what I<br />
need to hear and I am reminded of what I need to do.<br />
<br />
Sunday was a busy day for us. We had Branch Conference so it was a<br />
packed house. President and Sister Irwin were there as well as some<br />
other leaders from the District. My companion and I had nursery duty<br />
for some of the Czech kids that came. Nursery kids are very<br />
uncooperative-- especially when they speak Czech and we speak Slovak. We just<br />
drew pictures on the black board and then their mom sang songs to them<br />
in Czech. After church we jetted off to Nitra where we hold church for<br />
about 5 members once a month. It was a different experience and I'm<br />
already looking forward to next month. On the way there I left<br />
my scriptures at a bus stop. :( That is the third set of scriptures I've<br />
misplaced. I think I'm just going to wait until I go home to get<br />
another set. I still have my blue paperback Book of Mormon-- so that's<br />
good. BUT I had just started the D&C and I wanted to finish it by the<br />
time I go home. Oh well. I could order another set-- but by the time<br />
they come it will be time for me to go.<br />
<br />
I love you all and I hope to hear from you all soon!<br />
Elder WilliamsJanet Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03838461037905916331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386276193602102466.post-10474147229737463142012-06-11T06:16:00.001-07:002013-07-01T18:08:03.255-07:00Losing Track of TimeHey everyone!<br />
<br />
It's been another great week for us in Bratislava. Elder Clem and I
are having a blast together. We are starting to lose track of
time--which is always a good sign. It means you're too wrapped up in
what's happening around you to worry about how long it's taken.
I had an exchange with Elder Nichol--that was fun. It's amazing to me
that we've known each other for nearly 2 years already. Two years is a
long time--but it flies by. Elder Clem and I are getting close to
breaking some Bratislava district numbers, and that is very exciting.
We've been really motivated to go out and just do our best and it's
paying off. We are meeting with a lot of interesting people that are
progressing nicely. We're just hoping and praying that they continue
and start coming to church! That's been a huge challenge for us
lately: getting people to church. They can't join the church if they
don't go to it. Part of the big mission vision is to get a new
building in Bratislava-this one is a little too small for what we
want/need, but to get it we need to start getting around 50 people to
church every week. We're about 10 people short of that goal, so we're
just plugging along trying to invite the in-actives back and finding
new members.
I love being back here- I wasn't here for very long last year and it's
been good to get back and see how much the branch has changed and
grown and help it move along. The members here have supported us so
much in teaching with us and fellowshipping our investigators. Nothing
beats member work :)
Emily: did you know that both of our companions are from Florida?!
He's from Tampa. Where is yours from? ps if I send in a referral to HQ
do you get those?? We have an investigator from Georgia (the country,
I'm in Europe you know) who is going to the US to work and then to
Holland for school.
Logan: I'm so excited for you! So much is happening for you right now!
Isn't it exciting?? (I sent you a letter, a response would be nice,
but I won't hold my breath...)
Aaron: Hi.
I hope you all have a great and happy week! Looking forward to talking
to you next time!<br />
Elder Williams<br />
<br />
ps Mom, I got the picture book from Aunt Patti-- I sent them a letter
thanking them. It was perfect! I got it right before I left Zilina.<br />
<br />
pps My address is:<br />
Radarová 8<br />
821 02 Bratislava<br />
Slovakia
Now you can all write me letters! :)Adam Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03690345115849819757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386276193602102466.post-87707954080481451602012-06-04T06:56:00.000-07:002013-07-01T18:09:58.257-07:00June is Busting Out All OverHello rodina!<br />
Nothing too much to report this week. Elder Clem and I are doing well.<br />
I'm really sorry for the quality of my emails. It seems that as time<br />
goes on my emails get more boring. I hope I don't get too boring for<br />
you all before I get home...<br />
Elder Clem and I have been working hard and literally running around<br />
trying to meet with as many people as we can. We had just as many meetings<br />
this week then I had my entire last transfer. So it's refreshing. :)<br />
One of our investigators is an older woman who is in the hospital and<br />
we've been trying to meet with her throughout the week. We planned to<br />
go out there on Saturday with the Ostergaards (the AMAZING senior<br />
couple here). We took the bus, obvi, and when it came time to do a bus<br />
transfer Elder Clem got off and then the doors shut and the bus took<br />
off. All I saw was my companion waving us off. It was quite the ordeal<br />
getting back together, Elder Clem waited for us to just get on the<br />
next bus back to that stop--but that particular bus only goes in one<br />
direction, and we were already at the end of the line. (Sometimes I<br />
wish we had separate phones like we did in Zilina) So the Ostergaards<br />
and I went on some other buses trying to get back to Elder Clem (It<br />
was great bonding time, I adore them both) and when we FINALLY got<br />
there maybe 45 min later he was gone! So Elder Ostergaard went ahead<br />
to see if he went on to the next stop or the church building and<br />
Sister Ostergaard and I went to the hospital. With prayers in our<br />
hearts we opened the hospital room door and there he was chatting with<br />
our investigator! He had waited a long time and figured that we went<br />
on to the hospital. He was there for maybe 10 minutes when we walked<br />
in. We agreed never to separate again. I really do love the guy.<br />
We also went to Nitra this past week to visit with some members. Its a<br />
beautiful city about an hour outside of Bratislava. There used to be<br />
missionaries there and we're trying to start a branch-- but the<br />
members are few and not terribly thrilled at the thought of callings<br />
and running everything-- so maybe that will have to wait. But my<br />
companion and I have to go down once a month and have a little<br />
sacrament meeting/sunday school. It will be fun and I'm looking<br />
forward to being there more.<br />
Nothing much more to report-- thanks again grandma for the package, my<br />
companion and I polished off those oreos no problem ;)<br />
This is going to be an exciting week for sure-- nothing too much on<br />
the plan, yet. We have a baptismal date that we are trying to get<br />
solid and we know he will get there. In our district we have about 6<br />
people planned for baptism on June 30! It's going to be a huge day! We<br />
got lots of work ahead of us :)<br />
Love you all!<br />
<br />
Elder WilliamsJanet Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03838461037905916331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386276193602102466.post-40231178896046419222012-05-28T09:36:00.001-07:002013-07-01T18:10:56.733-07:0028 maj 2012<div class="details">
Hello family!<br />
Hope everything is good with you all! Elder Clem and I had a very busy<br />
week-- one of the busiest of my mission I think-- at least in recent<br />
history. We taught as many lessons this week as I did the entire last<br />
transfer. And we will continue to push ourselves and teach more! I'm<br />
looking forward to it. :) I'm sure I mentioned it last week, but we've<br />
heard prayers in like 5 different languages the past couple days-- and<br />
we can add sign language to that list again. Remember that deaf member<br />
in Bratislava? We're meeting with him again-- he pretty much only<br />
turns up when someone knows asl or is willing to communicate with him<br />
by writing.<br />
I absolutely love it here in Bratislava. Elder Clem is a great<br />
companion and I'm looking forward to the next couple of weeks with him.<br />
We are having a ton of fun and working hard.<br />
Thank you Grandma for the package and the note! My companion and I<br />
have been enjoying them. :)<br />
Shout out to Logan on the graduation!! WAHOO!! I loved the pictures--<br />
and you should send me that video of you taking a dive! I can't<br />
believe I graduated 5 years ago already- time flies! (Elder Clem was<br />
shocked when I told him that-- he was still in middle school when I<br />
graduated...)<br />
<br />
I love you all!!<br />
<br />
Elder Williams<br />
<br />
ps thanks for the emails and updated addresses-- I will try to get to<br />
you all sooooon!!<br />
<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"> <span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">May 21, 2012</span></span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Back in Blava</span></h3>
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Everyone,<br />
<br />
The past couple days have been a complete blur. It's been a trip. I<br />
spent 3 days in Zilina training Elder Bateman as my replacement-- he's<br />
already doing a fantastic job. It was an exhausting couple days of me<br />
just talking and going over everything there is about the branch here.<br />
But E. Bateman is as ready as he can be. It runs itself, really, you<br />
just have to do it once and it all makes sense. He didn't believe me.<br />
And now I'm back in Blava!! I don't know my address yet, sorry. I'll<br />
include it in a future email. I am serving with Elder Clem from Tampa,<br />
FL and I just know that this will be one of the best transfers of my<br />
mission. He has a ton of energy and is ready to work. He was hanging<br />
out with Elder Nichol and Fenn waiting for me to get here and he had<br />
the area ready to go. We got meetings and investigators coming out of<br />
our ears. I lOVE it! Elder Rhodes and Wykoff were here before us and<br />
they found a ton of people. So our job is to keep them progressing<br />
towards baptism. Church yesterday was great and the branch has grown a<br />
lot in the past year. It has matured into a completely different<br />
branch and I am really looking forward to the next two months here and<br />
seeing it continue to grow. I am all excited to be a "regular"<br />
missionary and not worry about anything else but "my people".<br />
In other news, Slovakia placed second in the World Hockey Cup<br />
yesterday and the town is a blaze in celebration. Elder Clem and I<br />
will be inside during the festivities trying to call all of these<br />
people in our phone. :) I just love missionary work sometimes and its<br />
crazy to think that I DIDN'T think this would be a good thing for me<br />
to do. :)<br />
<br />
I love you all and talk to you soooon!!<br />
<br />
Elder WilliamsJanet Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03838461037905916331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386276193602102466.post-55723820174627107882012-05-16T18:34:00.001-07:002012-05-16T18:34:40.705-07:00Switch-upHello family!!<br /><br />First off it was great to hear from you all on Sunday! Can you believe I have no more phone calls left?? <br /><br />So
as you all know, its TRANSFER WEEK! President Irwin has, true to form,
shaken things up. My companion, Elder Johnson is staying here and I am
serving with Elder Clem..... in Bratislava! (I was really confused about
it too) Elder Bateman will be taking over as Branch President here and I
will be hanging out with him til Saturday giving him a little crash
course on how to run things. He goes in and out of "freak outs". I keep
telling him he'll be fine. <br /><br />I'm really nervous for him. <br /><br />But he is going to do a
fantastic job! It just feels right. He's a 4th transfer missionary and
is ready to get to work. This city/branch is ready for a missionary like
Elder Bateman and I'm looking forward to what he'll do. I'm just sad I
won't be here for it all. <br />
<br />It's been a weird time for me- trying to get everything packed and
ready for Elder Bateman. I know how Elder Tomlinson felt I think. Kinda
relieved, but at the same time like old garbage. lol I CANNOT wait
to get to Blava with Elder Clem. I've heard a lot about him and I'm
looking forward to hit the ground running with him. He's heard some
things about me and I'm preparing to prove them all right! (or wrong if
they're bad things.... :) <br />
<br />It's been a wild ride here in Zilina. I love this city and these
people. I'll think about them often, I know I will. I've learned a lot
about myself and what I'm capable of--and a little of what my potential
looks like. This upcoming transfer will be one of expanding and
unlocking that potential. I'm SO excited to be 100% dedicated to
missionary work-- it's what I was sent to do. :) <br />
<br />I love you all. Stay close to the Lord, read your scriptures, say your prayers, and remember, I'll see you soon. :) <br /><br />Elder Williams<br /><br />ps Mara, I miss you toooooooo!Janet Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03838461037905916331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386276193602102466.post-25890797946092533772012-05-08T08:09:00.001-07:002012-05-08T08:09:17.149-07:00Baptisms, new bathroom and a wedding?I'll explain the title later....<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Hello
everyone! I hope this week was a good one for you. The excitement came
Wednesday when our landlord's brother came over and demolished our
shower room (Toilet and shower are in separate rooms. It's brilliant)
Everything out. That was fun for us. I learned some new words as they
asked for tools. (I've already forgotten them all. When will I use
"sandpaper" or wire cutters" again?) I'll attach some before and after
pictures next week. We've been going to the other Elders apartment for
the past couple days for showers. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This Friday we will be having 4 baptisms in Zvolen!
It's about 2 hours away from Zilina--but they are the newest members of
the branch! We're excited for them all. It's been a long time coming for
them all and two will be getting married that day as well before hand.
I'm still a little confused about who will be performing it... Uvidime.
It's been quite exciting for them though. And for me up here. I gotta
figure out what new members need from a branch president that lives 2
hours away.. anything?? It's been a learning process for me. I'll let
you know how everything works out. :) </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Our baptismal date is doing really well. I'm so
excited for her. She's so special and will be such a boost for the
branch here. she has a ton of faith and just loves the church and the
restored Gospel. She's facing a ton of opposition-- mostly from her
husband who changes his mind whether or not she can be baptized. But we
are moving forward with faith. We've been praying for him to have a
softer heart. I'm certain she will be baptized. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I have been thinking a lot about missions and the
gospel lately. Why me? How do I have the gospel in my life? Why does the
Lord see me fit to do the things He asks me to do? I'm grateful that He
doesn't look at me as I am right now-- but that He looks at me in terms
of who I will become. At what I am capable of- not what I've done in
the past. To God it's all about the future. His is an eternal
perspective. One that I lack sometimes. But that's why we are here. To
learn how to stretch ourselves and become something. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I love you all and I promise I don't need anything. Looking forward to talking to you about 6 my time!! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Elder Williams</div>Janet Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03838461037905916331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386276193602102466.post-36623090413145353542012-04-30T07:56:00.001-07:002012-04-30T07:56:25.948-07:00Remodeling!I can't believe that tomorrow is MAY! Whoa.... Thank you all SO much
for the birthday wishes/cards. I added another "Hoops and Yoyo" card to
my collection--those things crack me up. Thank you family!<br />
<div>
<br />
</div>
<div>
On my birthday I went to Mikulas where we taught our
investigator who has a baptismal date (What more could a missionary ask
for?) and on the way there Sister Bohne from the office called and her
and her husband sang happy birthday and then told me that Logan got his
call to the Boston, MA Mission!! WHOA!!!! I am SO excited for you Logan!
I have so many questions that you will need to answer for me. I'll be
shooting you a letter soon, neboj sa. It felt like Sister Bohne had just
called me about Emily's mission call.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Logan's call was definitely the highlight of my
week. I will be looking forward to Monday emails with two missionary
updates. I'm grateful for missionary siblings who have been examples to
me for a long time. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Another exciting thing this week is our shower. We
have probably the worst bathroom situation in the mission-- it's close
with the Kosice West apt-- and it's all getting remodeled this upcoming
week! All the new tile and shower supplies are in the center of the
living room and we're looking forward to when it gets in order. We have
plastic bags all over the walls so that the water doesn't peel off the
paint. No more getting hugged by the shower curtain the the plastic
bags! (I'll send some pictures, some before and after. It's actually
horrendous) President Irwin was pleased-- he hates our apartment. Only
problem is that the shower will be out of order for 10 days. We'll be
showering at the other elders apartment... it'll be interesting.
Missions are so much fun Logan!! :) </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Hope everything is good and everyone is happy. It is
summer weather outside and I am loving it.It doesn't get dark until
8:30 or 9:00pm. I love this time of year here in Europe!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Love you all!</div>
<div>
Elder Williams</div>Janet Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03838461037905916331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386276193602102466.post-11396595449194190942012-04-23T07:10:00.000-07:002012-04-23T07:16:02.340-07:00Looking for peopleHello everyone!!<br />
I hope you are all doing well. Things are good in Zilina. Not much,<br />
per usual. But we are happy. :)<br />
<br />
Thursday we had a District Meeting with President Irwin, went really<br />
well. I just love that man. I will be forever grateful that I served<br />
under such a mission president.<br />
<br />
On Saturday we had a Family History class that the Stiles taught. A<br />
lady from our apartment building came and it went really well. Sister<br />
Stiles has a very good class on how to start looking for people on the<br />
internet. (Takes facebook lurking to a whole new level really.) It<br />
made me kind of homesick for Kosice being around them-- oh well, we<br />
have to move on every once in a while, right??<br />
<br />
Its been really hard to find people to teach lately. I'm willing to<br />
talk to literally anyone now. Even to those that are CLEARLY not<br />
interested- just so I can talk to someone. I don't understand really,<br />
why more people aren't interested in what we are talking about. Our<br />
message is actually outrageous: That God and Christ showed themselves<br />
to a boy in upstate New York and called him to be a prophet-a man just<br />
like Moses, or Abraham. That God had prophets in ancient America, just<br />
like he did in ancient Jerusalem. That he has prophets walking the<br />
Earth today. How outrageous is that?? I think it's at least worth<br />
learning a little more about, right? Ale každy má svoj, však? But in<br />
the midst of this lack-of-a-teaching-pool situation my desire to share<br />
has grown and Elder Johnson and I are practicing in comp studies a lot<br />
more. That's good.<br />
<br />
Shout outs: I turn 23 on Friday!! I expect some love. And Happy<br />
Birthday to Aaron on the 28!!<br />
<br />
Notes:<br />
Mom-- tell me how many eggs you want. I found them- they sell them<br />
year round. The wooden ones are around 2 euros a piece and the ones<br />
made from real eggs are about 3. Not very expensive.<br />
<br />
Logan- looking forward to the call that's on the way!! Here are some guesses:<br />
Ja-- Atlanta Mission speaking Creole<br />
Elder Johnson-- Kansas<br />
Elder Sell-- Brazil<br />
Elder Peterson-- Paraguay<br />
<br />
Hope you all have a good week! Talk to you soon!<br />
<br />
Elder WilliamsJanet Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03838461037905916331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386276193602102466.post-77911397979440228542012-04-21T18:36:00.000-07:002012-04-21T18:39:15.717-07:00The Slovak Front April 16, 2012Hello everyone! <br />
First up, thank you for the letters/ emails. I always appreciate them. :) It's good to hear how things are going. <br />
This
has been a pretty good week-- all around the mission things are
happening and we're moving forward and it's exciting to watch. In my
particular area it's been a little harder to get the fire going. But
we're working hard and working smart and amidst it all we're happy. God
doesn't expect us to only have success, he's the giver of it anyway-
instead he just wants us to do our best and not be idle. And that is
what I am trying to do. Do my best. :) As a country we have about 20
people on date for baptism- which is absolutely amazing. The country
baptized 7 people my first year here. We have one investigator on plan
that we are really excited about-- she has a lot of things to work
through and lives pretty far- but she has a firm testimony that the Book
of Mormon is true. When we know that, ain't nothing standing in the
way. So I'm confident she'll make it. Send me some good vibes! She is
extremely anxious for Uncle Randy and asks about him constantly. She's
amazed at the faith he has -especially in the priesthood blessings he's
received. We're pulling for you Uncle Randy! :) <br />
I don't have much else to report, just a thank you in advance to Grandma
Marilyn for the upcoming birthday package! You all know you don't have
to send me anything, right? Just spoil me when I get home. ;) But I do
love presents. <br />
I forgot to mention something from a couple weeks ago. I got a call from
my favorite AP, Elder Nichol and apparently when was introducing
himself to some members in Prague this woman came up to him and said, "I
know who you are. You served in Bratislava with Elder Williams" He was
surprised and asked how she knew that. She introduced herself as MARY!
You remember the secret postcard and birthday card I got from a random
person??-- turns out she is a member in Prague! She found my blog when
she was living in London and was really lonely-- but felt better reading
after my letters home. That mystery has finally been solved. I feel
like we helped each other. Her cards made me feel like I wasn't alone
either and that I there were people hoping and praying for my success.
So thanks again Mary! <br />
<br />
Shoutouts!!:<br />
Happy Anniversary Justin and Stephanie Morris! Is it
the 2nd one already? I've lost track of time... And happy 23rd to Katie
Watkins tomorrow! Whoa, you're old. <br />
<br />
Love you and think of you all!<br />
Elder Williams<br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span>Janet Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03838461037905916331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386276193602102466.post-23185717201198062342012-04-10T07:22:00.002-07:002012-04-10T07:25:16.337-07:00Happy Easter!Hey all! <div>So sorry for the late email. Everything was closed yesterday for the holidays so we had to wait to email today. I am doing well. Happy and healthy and grateful. :) </div><div><br /></div><div>The Easter holiday is a big one here in Slovakia. It's celebrated by the men whipping women and splashing water on them. It was explained to me that it is a favor, as it gives them health and beauty. "You should do it in America if you want beautiful women there too!" Something tells me, at least from the women I know, that they wouldn't appreciate it. Yesterday was a "visiting" day. Slovaks literally visit people throughout the day. We visited one of our English students who had other visitors for lunch- then they left to visit some other people. It was a fun time for sure. I just love Slovaks here and it's a fun time when they are all together. Just relaxed and comfortable. It's a culture I can definitely appreciate. </div> <div><br /></div><div>This past weekend was general conference for us. We are a week behind as we have to get it translated first. We got to have an English room for the missionaries so that was nice. It was a fantastic conference and I'm pumped for the next 6 months. Isn't it amazing that we have living prophets and apostles???</div> <div><br /></div><div>Things are slow right now- but we are working through it. G.C was a nice time for me to slow down a little and think about the more important things. I am grateful for the chance I have to lose myself in the work of the Lord. The atonement of Christ is such an amazing thing and takes an eternity to understand. And I am excited that we have an eternity to understand it. The Church of Jesus Christ is such a blessing for us and I'm thankful to have it. I have been thinking about grace a lot lately-- as I feel like I need A LOT of it right about now- I know that it's always there for us at every point of our lives. Not just at the end. We can plead for that power to see us through everything. </div> <div><br /></div><div>I wish I had more than an hour to write to you all and that I had stronger writing skills. :) Know that I love you all and miss you all even more. Thank you for the Easter letters and packages! I forgot I liked jelly beans as much as I do. :p Hope everything is perfect for you all! Praying for you daily! </div> <div><br /></div><div>Elder Williams</div>Janet Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03838461037905916331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386276193602102466.post-88952746488774546392012-04-02T07:48:00.000-07:002012-04-02T07:49:33.637-07:00Adoj!This has been a good week-- like every other week really. I just love being a missionary.<br /><br />Our referral that couldn't wait to see us had to go to the Czech Republic for two weeks- so we will see. But we did meet a couple whose daughter is a member in America- she had called us to tell us to visit her parents and give her father a blessing. Which we did. They are a very nice couple and would be such an insane addition to the branch. There was a very sweet spirit as we gave him a blessing. Priesthood power is real and it is such a blessing that we can have that in our homes. We're hoping to see them again. This weekend is Easter and everything is a little crazy. (Easter is a big deal here) So we will see. The daughter happened to be outside the Conference Center on Temple Square when she called us, so I told her to go to the Beehive House and look for a Sister Williams.<br /><br />On Friday we had Specialized Training and we got a Zone Leader Training from Elder Romero and an Assistant's training from Elder Nichol. I realize that none of you know who those people are, but it was by far the best Specialized training we've had so far. Then on Saturday Elder Johnson and I were off to Brno for Leadership training for the Brno district. We traveled with some members so we wouldn't have to spend money on a train or spend the night in Brno. (I miss having my own car). I love seeing members here get together for meetings like this. They get so excited about seeing each other. On the way home Sister van Dalen made the comment, "Wouldn't it be wonderful if we all were in the same branch and meet every Sunday with each other??" That's the vision. It was a fantastic training- I'm getting a lot better at understanding Czech, so I'm actually getting something out of these meetings.<br /><br />I hope you all are happy and healthy. I'm praying for you all everyday. Hope conference was good (I'm sure it was) we get to watch it this weekend--very excited. I just like it because I get a little break from planning church. :)<br />Love you,<br />Elder WilliamsJanet Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03838461037905916331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386276193602102466.post-66606036750654375922012-03-26T06:25:00.000-07:002012-03-26T06:26:07.344-07:00I Call This Week Greasing the WheelsHello everyone!!<div><br /></div><div>I hope we are doing well, the weather is fabulous now-hurray for working without a jacket- finally. The best part is that I don't have any of the anxiety that a 120 degree summer is coming- it stays pretty much perfect until October.</div> <div><br /></div><div>This week was pretty slow but we met with some new potentials that have me all excited. Along with a referral this morning that said, "I really want to meet soon. Like tomorrow. Can we meet tomorrow?" (The answer was yes, btw. It always is) I am just super pumped for this week! Ever since I got to Žilina its been a challenge to get the ball rolling. But now it is. I am convinced its because we finally started cleaning up the membership records. During Branch Council we identified about 15 names who don't even live in the boundaries of the branch (one in Mongolia, what??) and a couple who have already died. In the Book of Mormon there is a part where (I think Alma) cleans up the records of the church and the church was able to grow as a result. I know the same thing will happen here. </div> <div><br /></div><div>The past couple of days have been really good for me. Sometimes I just find myself smiling. Why am I so happy?? The work here is impossibly slow and I feel like I am just running into one brick wall after another. But I am happy because I am confident in who I am. I know who I worship and He helps us every single day. The atonement of Christ is probably the most underrated and under utilized tool in the entire world and I am SO happy I get to be out here telling everyone about it! And me sharing that wont end in September. I promise you that. :)</div> <div><br /></div><div>I hope things on the home front are going well. Its a shame you were cheated out of the Mr. Highland title, Aaron. It sounded like you deserved it. There is always next year and I'm sure you will come up with something that will top the ribbon dance. Good luck though. I'm waiting for the updated bicep measurement. Ill have you know I exercise everyday and will always have bigger arms than you. </div> <div><br /></div><div>I'm sure I am forgetting something. Hope the Hunger Games lived up to its hype Catherine and that you get to work EVERY week at EFY Morgan. Pozdravujem všetkých doma. And congrats to Chad and Hilary on the healthy baby girl, Norah. I'm sure shes adorable. </div> <div><br /></div><div>Love you all,</div><div>Elder Williams<br /></div>Janet Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03838461037905916331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386276193602102466.post-81625933954896905392012-03-25T06:00:00.001-07:002012-03-25T06:06:58.705-07:00Aloha! March 19It's aloha because I just got a postcard from Hawaii-- thanks Aunt Patti and Uncle Steve!<br /><br />The weather has been fabulous lately- even worked without a coat on Saturday. But now it's looking quite gloomy today, like it might rain. It's a good chill-out-in-a-chair-reading weather. Good thing it's p-day, and by reading I mean Jesus the Christ :)<br /><br />The past couple days have been quite uneventful. Elder Johnson and I are trying to do some inactive work. We went over the branch list in Branch Council yesterday and there are so many people who no longer want any contact with the church at all. It's all so weird to me. What happened to these people? They all agreed to be baptized not too long ago and within a few months or years they just stop coming and then want nothing to do with us. It all comes down, I think, in our desire to follow through. If we don't keep reading the Book of Mormon or go to church or pray we'll lose that desire to stay active.<br /><br />As a district, under the absolutely brilliant district leader Elder Williams (not me :), we are reading the Book of Mormon together this transfer. It's about 10 pages a day for the next 9 weeks. So far I have gotten so much out of it. I never want personal study to end and the positive feelings I get push me through the day. Sometimes, it's just those personal studies that keep me driven. I would be absolutely lost without that book. And I want the world to know about it!<br /><br />I hope everything is perfect for you all! I will talk to you next week :)<br /><br />Elder WilliamsJanet Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03838461037905916331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386276193602102466.post-74712380723941343352012-03-14T09:31:00.000-07:002012-03-14T09:32:39.160-07:00Transfer #9Hey everyone!<br /><br />So I'm sure you are all wondering about transfers. Don't worry, I'm still in Zilina so letters can still go to that address. (Kevin, I got your letter. It was a beautiful sight for me)<br />Elder Robison has left me. And Elder Johnson has taken his place. He's from Provo and this is his third transfer. The district hasn't really changed- Elder Peterson is still here, and he is serving with Elder Sell, who used to be in Trencin. Elder Romero left to be a big bad Zone Leader in Zvolen, and then Elder Williams (I know, right, another one) is serving with Elder Loynes in Trencin. He is one of those Czech missionaries and is my new mission hero. (Not just because he has a great name.) It will be an exciting transfer for sure. I'm expecting a lot of growth in this town.<br /><br />The past weekend was AMAZING. On Saturday Elder Meredith and I traveled to Prague to go to the Priesthood leadership conference with Elder Christofferson. It was very good. Elder Causse of the 70 accompanied him. President Irwin introduced the mission vision for having a stake in 5 years and Elder Christofferson talked about hometeaching. (I felt ahead of the game a little bit, seeing as the Sunday before I also harped about hometeaching in Priesthood) And then we also saw the Adult session that night with the Causses and the Christoffersons. Elder and Sister Causse were great and Elder Christofferson lived up to my expectations. Turns out you can expect an Apostle to deliver. Sunday morning was our general session of conference for all of the members. We managed to get our two investigators there. They LOVED it. It was so good. And then after that was the session with just the missionaries. Elder Christofferson's son, Peter, came with him who served in this mission 17 years ago. He spoke a little to us and he nailed a lot of things on the head about work in these countries. When Elder Christofferson spoke with us he turned it into a sort of question and answer time. It was just a cool experience for me listening to an Apostle of Jesus Christ. They are incredibly human, with extraordinary callings. He gained all of his knowledge and faith the same way the rest of need to. Prayer and scripture study.<br /><br />It was really nice to be with the whole mission again. We don't do it very often- it just too expensive I think. I got to see Sis. Anderson and Bartholomew before they left. And Elder Nichol (who is now an Assistant! Brother Van de Graf, he really became the first Slovak AP!)<br /><br />I hope everyone is doing well, where ever you are. I love it out here and I'll be forever grateful that I decided to follow the call to serve. There is nothing more worthwhile for me to be doing at this point in my life and I really can't wait to do it again. (Gimmie like 40 years. I can't wait to be a senior missionary.)<br /><br />Love you all!!<br /><br />Elder Williams<br /><br />PS dear Emily, get used to weeks where you have no emails or letters. Guilt trips don't work.Janet Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03838461037905916331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386276193602102466.post-28312822123040699482012-03-05T07:00:00.001-08:002012-03-05T07:00:52.442-08:00CAU!<div>Hope all is well with everyone. We had a nice week-- warmer weather in our sights and an exciting week ahead. ELDER CHRISTOFFERSON!!</div><div><br /></div><div>Nothing really new to report. We're looking at our last week of the transfer, which is always exciting. I just love transfers. It's a new boost to get things rolling again. I thought it would get tiring being in the same city for a long time-- but I'm looking forward to the coming weeks/months. Yesterday I taught priesthood and talked all about home teaching and how we need to get the ball moving on that if we want to get ready for a Stake somewhere in the mission in 5 years. I imagine it was a similar experience to the early church when Joseph Smith told the entire priesthood body at the time that the church would fill the entire earth. I'm trying to get these members to see that the church will fill the entire country with enough priesthood holders for a stake. Right now, in Žilina we have 2 active priesthood holders. But like the prophet said, it will happen because it's <b>happening</b>. </div> <div><br /></div><div>I feel for you Emily, we've ran into a lot of people this week who just seemed to waste our time. It's all a weeding process to those that are elect. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'll be thinking and praying for you Uncle Randy. But if you were promised to be healed, then I'm not worried about it. ;) Congrats to Nicole on the wedding! It's coming up! Man, did that happen fast, or have I just been out of the loop?? I got the Christmas card and picture from the Birds and I'm in the process of responding. Aunt Cyndi, Uncle Randy, your family like tripled in size. </div> <div><br /></div><div>Hope all is well for you all back home! I'll talk to you next week (on Wednesday! Remember transfers? Ale neboj sa, I'll still be here.) </div><div><br /></div><div>Elder Williams</div><div><br /></div> <div>Which reminds me, I'll miss Catherine's birthday on the 12! Happy Birthday! (You'll get another shout out I'm sure...:)</div>Janet Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03838461037905916331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386276193602102466.post-77586217901603990372012-02-27T06:08:00.001-08:002012-02-27T06:11:42.189-08:00Isn't Today a Holiday?Hello everyone! Hope all is well, where ever you are.<br /><br />Things, as always, are exciting here in Žilina and its going to get more exciting soon. Our investigators are making some awesome progress and we are looking forward to seeing some new members in the near future! We had an exchange with our Zone Leaders on Friday and Elder Nichol and I were back together for the day. It was a fantastic exchange and we got 9 phone numbers, met a future missionary and I feel a little more rejuvenated to continue giving it all I got. We all went to bed completely exhausted, which feels SO nice as a missionary. I love looking back on my day satisfied that I did my very best.<br />On Wednesday we had possibly the best Specialized Training I have ever had. First off, I love my mission president. He has a vision. We talked about the Elder Causse conference and the survey that we took, we learned that we need to improve just a little in a couple areas, but Elder Causse said that of the 31 missions he has toured we were one of the most obedient and that we are now in a position to grow. Elder Causse, when he was here pounded on the need to have a vision. With no vision we cannot go anywhere. We cannot reach the end if we do not have an end in mind. (ps, this keyboard cannot do apostrophes...) Then he admonished us to have the faith to see that vision materialize and go out and do it! So President Irwin presented the Czech-Slovak Mission Vision for 2012. Basically the goal and vision is to see a stake within the next 5 years! Can you imagine a stake here in 5 years?!? (I can, because I have a vision ;) It is definitely an exciting time to be serving here as a missionary, it also means that we need to step it up to another level. Teach at least 21 lessons a week by December, a majority of that with members, of course, and maintaining our retention rate above 80 percent. I spoke in church yesterday and shared the plan with the members. The response was kind of shaky. They are thrilled at the possibility of a stake with the mission, but it will likely be in the Czech Republic and not directly affect them- but a stake will definitely bless the lives of every member within the mission. And we all got to work towards that end. The mission vision came at a good time- Ive been pushing our branch mission plan and this gives us all another source of motivation.<br />I just love this work that we are engaged in. Its been far from smooth sailing for me, but I am beginning to see what it is that is required of me and what the Lord has in store for me should my faith and persistence continue to grow. I was reading in Alma ch 13 today and I learned that God is willing to give us anything we ask- as long as our faith matches what it is that He has in store for us. He is perfectly fair.<br /><br />Hope everyone is doing well! Talk to you next week!<br /><br />Elder Williams<br /><br />ps hope you all have been getting my letters. I sent one back in December to Catherine and I just got it returned to me. Know that I love all of you!Janet Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03838461037905916331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386276193602102466.post-81882088855315075182012-02-27T06:05:00.003-08:002012-03-25T06:08:19.345-07:00Busy Week February 20, 2012Howdy everyone! Hope all has been well since last week. Elder Robison and I had a busy busy week. We had about 3 exchanges this week so we haven't really been working together. This week we have another exchange--one day we will learn how to work together.... I did have an excellent exchange with Elder Romero on Tuesday-- he's been a great district leader for me and I feel loads better about the future. Elder Robison and Peterson had to go to Bratislava on Thursday for visa so we were separated again, and then Saturday I went to Banksa Bystrica with Elder Peterson for church. It was a good time, as always. Met with a few members I had missed my first time around--still missing a few. We really don't have that many members, but it is impossible to get EVERYONE to come to church at once. Elder Romero led church in Zilina so he has something to write home about :p<br /> Big news in the mission! Remember that story I told last summer about the huge family who were taught by the missionaries? Well, they are unable to get to church in Banksa Bystrica and one of the members of the family, who was baptized in Sheffield, England, is moving back to Slovakia and President has decided to form a group for them in Zvolen!! Elder Nichol and Durrant, our Zone Leaders, are moving down to Zvolen pretty soon and they will hold Sacrament Meeting there every week. We are all pretty excited about it. A little confused how it will work out--but we know it will. It will be the new "group" under the Banksa Bystica "Unit" under the Zilina Branch. That's how small it is. But I'm guessing that they will have better attendance than the Zilina Branch. We will see.<br /> On Thursday we were supposed to have Specialized Training, but it got cancelled because we got an obscene amount of snow. Just as it was going away. But it's been really warm the past couple of days so it's melting fast. I'm dying for spring and summer. I was looking back in my journal for the summer and I wrote, "I am kind of looking forward to winter--just got a change in scenery" I take that back.<br /> This week will have specialized training-- which is something I am excited for. I love trainings. As well we are going to try to look for our inactive members. I've allowed myself to be a little frustrated at the rate things are going out here-- I know that I'll have only been here for 2 years, which will be such a small sliver of the history of the church here, but I just want to see some BIG progress. But like the Book of Mormon teaches, great things come as the result of simple things. So I'm trying to be a little more simple. We finally had our first mutual of the year-- it was a success-- meaning that no arguments ensued between siblings and everyone cooperated. We wrote collage letters to the two missionaries from the branch. We're going to finish it up next time. I'll be trying to come up with some other brilliant youth activities for the futue. Any ideas?<br /> Thank you all for the Valentines! I got nearly all of them ON Valentine's Day. I have to say, it was a good day. :) Thanks Kate Mower for the picture of the cutest baby in the entire world! You lucked out. As well as all the scoop going on over there. There are just too many weddings and babies that happened for one email shout out. You will all have to wait until I come home and I can congratulate you to your face.<br /> Things are well here in Zilina and I hope things are perfect for you, where ever you are! :)<br /><br />Elder Williams<br /><span><span style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span>Janet Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03838461037905916331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386276193602102466.post-44231397851914227782012-02-27T06:03:00.004-08:002012-03-25T06:09:28.452-07:00V-Day! February 13,2012<span style="font-family:times new roman;"><br /></span>I heard Valentine's Day is tomorrow-- hope you all have one! I don't-- so don't worry Mom. (Elder Romero told me I probably won't have one next year either, I wasn't too worried about it anyway ;)<br /><br />This was another slower week. We started off the week with some super goals that we wanted to see accomplished. We failed, but we failed gloriously. I'm really looking forward to the day when my area is hopping. It will. (Probably in September.) The truth is that we have some really great investigators that we are excited about. (counting <b>TWO </b>potential families) It's my dream to find a family. That's who the gospel blesses the most anyways and I don't want to the Seidlovci to sit by themselves anymore. We're making some progress with some inactives and the branch as a whole is in a better position than before. I'm trying to remind myself of how far we've come. Whenever I do it gets me more excited for the future. :)<br /><br />Sister Seidlová tells us every week to write a long letter home--not like her son who writes about 5 lines every week. But I don't have very much to say this week. I'm sorry Sister Seidlova.<br /><br />Shoutouts: HAPPY (blelated) BIRTHDAY MARA! Love you!!<br /><br />I have an exchange with Elder Romero this week along with Specialized Training and a trip to Banksa for church--so I'm sure there will be some more fodder next week.<br />But I love you all! Keep reading your scriptures and saying your prayers.<br /><br />Elder Williams<br /><br />ps How are you all getting along without Whitney?? An investigator called me last night to tell me if I heard. The members were all talking about it at church. I didn't even like Whitney Houston that much-- but now I'm sorry I didn't buy her comeback album. If only I had known....<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><br /><br /></span>Janet Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03838461037905916331noreply@blogger.com0