tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63556368361405339722024-03-05T22:30:08.823-08:00It's a little bit ChileMissionary blog for Sister Melanie Williams serving in the Chile Osorno Mission.Ken Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682831452548303236noreply@blogger.comBlogger77125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6355636836140533972.post-37333268274500603042016-01-26T07:57:00.005-08:002016-01-26T07:57:35.685-08:00January 25, 2016 - The Best Year and a Half<div dir="ltr">
Hola familia y amigos,
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<div>
So this is it. the end has come. This is my last email as a
missionary. </div>
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Wow I can't believe this day is already here. I feel like its not actually
happening, that I'm dreaming... </div>
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Well this week was pretty normal. I won't spend too much time on details
because I'm going to be seeing you all soon... </div>
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On Wednesday we had a world wide missionary training conference and we got
to watch it through satellite transmission. we got to listen to Elders Anderson,
Bednar and Oaks, and it was awesome. I felt really animated to work and then it
was like "wait, I go home in a week" but we still worked hard. </div>
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Friday I had my last interview with Presidente Obeso. It was a really
special experience. So much has changed since our first interview when I didn't
know what was going on and he had to speak to me in broken English haha. We
talked a lot about what I've learned in my mission and what I will continue to
learn after. I was relieved that he didn't tell me I have to get married within 6
months haha. </div>
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On Friday the branch threw we a farewell party along with a family home
evening. It was really sweet. They made cupcakes and printed out signs of my
nametag to put on all the walls. I shared my testimony with them and cried. The
members here in San Pablo are like my family. </div>
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Sunday I gave my last talk in church. I also had to teach the Sunday School
class so the branch was tired of listening to me haha. I`ve already started
saying goodbye to people and packing suitcases... </div>
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Presidente Obeso told me that when a missionary goes home, its normal to
have three feelings 1. excitement 2. sadness 3. fear. I'm excited to see my
family and friends. I'm sad that I have to leave Chile, leave the people I love
and stop being a missionary. And I'm afraid and nervous of what the future holds
and what it will all be like when I get home. </div>
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Well, I would like to end with my last testimony: </div>
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I remember what I came into the mission, I thought a year and half would
last an eternity. But it has gone by in the blink of an eye and it has surely
been the best 18 months of my life. It hasn't been easy. I have passed through
pain, suffering, sadness, but it was all worth it. Because now when I look back
all I remember are the wonderful moments. </div>
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someone very dear to me once said that the mission is like a beautiful
field of white roses. from a distance it all seems spectacular but as you start
to work your way through the field the thorns start to prick and you bleed and
it hurts and you start to think that you don't want to do this anymore. but you
keep going. and in the end when you make it through the field you look back at
all the beautiful roses and you realize that it all seems even more wonderful
now and it was worth every painful step. </div>
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It has been a complete honor and privilege to serve my Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ for the past 18 months. I wish I could do it for the rest of my
life. I wish I could have more time, but it must come to an end. Heavenly Father
has other plans in store for me. More people to serve, to love, and to help.
More blessings to discover and more lessons to learn. The end of the mission and
the removal of my nametag do not mean that I stop being a servant of the Lord. I
will serve Him for the rest of my life until the day I die and then for the rest
of eternity. </div>
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As a representative of Jesus Christ I testify that He lives. He is the Son
of God. He is our savior and redeemer. He suffered and died for every single one
of us. His sacrifice, His atonement is powerful, it can clean and purify us. He
is the only way we can return back to the presence of our Heavenly Father. He is
my example, my friend, my teacher. He is my Master. I serve HIm. I have not been
a perfect servant, but I know He loves me. </div>
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I testify that God and Jesus Christ have restored their church on the
earth. That Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and today we have a living
prophet, Thomas S. Monson to lead and guide us. He holds the priesthood keys
and power to direct the work of the Lord here on the earth. </div>
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I testify that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I know it is true. That book has changed my life. Every chapter, every verse testifies of Christ and
of God`s plan for all His Children. </div>
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I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the church of
God and of the living Christ. </div>
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I will never forget these days. I will never forget the blessings, lessons,
trials, and miracles that I have seen. I don't want it all to end. </div>
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But the Lord calls me to a new work. I will serve Him for the rest of my
life. </div>
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I want to thank all of you for you love, support, letters, and
encouragement. I love you all. see you soon. </div>
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<br /></div>
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love, Hermana Williams </div>
</div>
Ken Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682831452548303236noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6355636836140533972.post-42939012041727861432016-01-24T10:02:00.000-08:002016-01-24T10:02:07.792-08:00January 18, 2016 - One Week Left<div dir="ltr">
Hola familia y amigos,
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This week was very busy and time is going by very fast. </div>
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On Monday we finished up our pday making tacos with our side kick Aldo and
his family. Delicious. there isn't much Mexican food here in Chile. </div>
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We left to work in the afternoon and we walked around and knocked doors and
visited people who were home. I was tired and feeling a bit frustrated but we
kept going.The last door we knocked before we had to walk home was an old
contact that Hna Pinto and I found back in October. a lady named Marisel who
told us she just found out she was pregnant. We could never find her again. We
knocked her door and she came out and she smelled strongly of beer. She had been
drinking. She recognized me and started crying. She explained that she had been
pregnant but a couple weeks ago she had a miscarriage and lost her babies, twin
girls. </div>
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She was really discouraged. crying and asking me "what do I do? I don't know
what to do? Tell me what I need to do?" It broke my heart. but it was a really
special moment because I was able to testify to her of Christ´s Atonement and
power and that one day she will see her daughters. I told her to stop drinking
and that we were going to come back and visit her tomorrow in the morning. I
gave her a big hug. I don't think I've ever felt so much love for a complete
stranger in my whole life. I was really glad we found her. </div>
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We came back the next day with two sister members. We taught marisel the
Plan of Salvation and helped her understand that she can see and nurture her
daughters one day, but only if she completes with the commandments and necessary
ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We invited her to be baptized and she
accepted a baptismal date. She said she felt a kind of joyful squeezing of her
heart and we explained that its the Spirit, testifying of what we taught her. It
was one of those moments that reminds me why I came out into the mission- to be
able to help people like Marisel. </div>
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We were able to find lots of new investigators this week and have more
lessons with members. The branch members are stepping up so we´re happy. We
taught a referral from our branch president, a 19 year old kid Diego. We taught
him the Restoration and he accepted a baptismal date too. In the same day we had
a member who just a few months ago was less active take us to visit her friend
Ingrid and we were able to teach her as well. It was a good day!</div>
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We had district meeting. Hna Villena had never tried a pichanga before.
Pichanga is a Chilean food with french fries, meat, cheese, avocado, tomatoes,
etc. Delicious. Our district leader brought us a pichanga! so she could try and
also so it could be my last pichanga. Hna Villena didn't like the pichanga....
but it was still a good district meeting! </div>
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We taught Coni and Aldo with a member! We taught them the Restoration.
They're awesome. Aldo reminds me of my brother Phil. </div>
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We helped a member cut her grass. Here in Chile no one has lawn mowers.
They either use scissors or a weed wacker. We borrowed a weed wacker and helped
her cut her grass... but in the end it turned into the member cutting grass, I raked up grass and Hna Villena played soccer with the three children of the
Hermana. </div>
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Sunday we didn't have any investigators in church. We tried our best but
everything fell through. Diego was in Osorno, other investigators just couldn't
make it and we couldn't find Marisel after our first lesson. But it was still a
good day at church. We ate dinner with Hno Aldo and his family and I shared my last
scripture with them.... sad.... that's when it really hit me that I'm going
home. </div>
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Sunday in the afternoon we knocked about 50 doors and only about 5 people
opened up and all of them rejected us. We knocked one more door and a guy came
out and started talking to us. He shared with elders a while ago and really
didn't have any interest to progress or get baptized. We talked to him for a long
time and finally Hna Villena asked him for a glass of water. He invited us
inside and we were able to meet his other brother and sister and their children.
We talked with them for awhile and they gave us ice cream! We kept mentioning
that we wanted to share our message with them but they didn't really want us to.
I thought "yeah, let's go, we're wasting time here" but something told me to stay
and keep trying a little more. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWWQB0H0ULny5lr67gRO2_D9Bm6vcKys538Kslm0_qI6zxONKBB95R7xF91Zz3ZEhZJOoKIaW2iXlzGvFI1R027JGV3mGBY1p9qPTyoJOexCg8523AIsgbdli4XFLibF6Ix8Hl8k3T4Es/s1600/2016-01-18-01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWWQB0H0ULny5lr67gRO2_D9Bm6vcKys538Kslm0_qI6zxONKBB95R7xF91Zz3ZEhZJOoKIaW2iXlzGvFI1R027JGV3mGBY1p9qPTyoJOexCg8523AIsgbdli4XFLibF6Ix8Hl8k3T4Es/s320/2016-01-18-01.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEito0ko2NUFtx__yd94t428iWYf5LZSN6Zd4HbDhv704T4iGVGXFXeWB_WGwemfFVVP3jZsE9cVmwj19P4a2Acd9Kjy22U3M_4U3UW8NrR-nqQFDHI2IhvznxTsZtfn9Y9JQ7xJ8wwEXpc/s1600/2016-01-18-02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEito0ko2NUFtx__yd94t428iWYf5LZSN6Zd4HbDhv704T4iGVGXFXeWB_WGwemfFVVP3jZsE9cVmwj19P4a2Acd9Kjy22U3M_4U3UW8NrR-nqQFDHI2IhvznxTsZtfn9Y9JQ7xJ8wwEXpc/s320/2016-01-18-02.JPG" width="240" /></a>Five minutes later they said "yeah, okay, let's hear your message" Whoot! So
we shared the Restoration with them. The guy who originally opened the door
didn't pay much attention but his brother and sister couldn't take their eyes off
of us. The spirit was suuuuuuuuper strong. You couldn't deny it. It was awesome.
We set up another day to come back and teach them and the sister wants us to
come visit us in her house this week! We're<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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excited. 50 doors later and it was
all worth it. </div>
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Today we went on a field trip with Aldo and his sister Sandra today! They
took us to a river and we took tons of pictures on an old bridge and we made a
firepit on the river bank and cooked hot dogs and hamburgers. It was super fun.
Perfect last outing in the mission. </div>
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This is my last full week in the mission. Sometimes I feel like its not
real and other times I just kind of want to cry... but other than that I'm doing
okay! haha. I'm determined to work really hard and enjoy my last days here as a
servant of the Lord. I feel like the Lord is blessing and testing me. I feel
very grateful for everything He has given me. Ror the chance to serve Him. I
know that He lives and loves me. </div>
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Have a great week! </div>
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<div>
love, Hermana Williams</div>
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Ken Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682831452548303236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6355636836140533972.post-8647550276644058982016-01-24T09:41:00.001-08:002016-01-24T09:41:34.977-08:00January 11, 2016 - Somos Hoy Llamados al ServicioHola familia y amigos,
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This week went by really fast. and I'm not going to say how many weeks I
have left. My companion is already counting the days.... I think she wants to
get rid of me haha. </div>
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<div>
Last week we passed through a lot of rejection and kind of a slow moment in
the work here. We`ve been doing a lot of contacting but without seeing real
success. Monday and Tuesday we were a little down in the dumps. On Monday we
made and ate pizza with the family of Hno Aldo, our trusty returned missionary
side kick. We expressed to him how we were feeling and the next day he asked us
to come over to his house for twenty minutes. </div>
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We stopped by and he basically had a mini district meeting planned for us
haha. In his mission he was a district leader for 6 sister missionaries. So he
gave us encouragement and we read the scriptures and then afterwards we asked
him to give us each blessings because we both felt discouraged and tired. </div>
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We left his house super excited and ready to work and we stopped by to
visit a woman we contacted a week ago. An elderly lady, we greeted her, said hi
and then she started yelling at us about how we`re never going to convince her,
stop pestering her in her home, she's Catholic and will never change, to stop
obligating her.... let me point out that we have talked to this woman twice...
we didn't even really teach her anything. and she started yelling at us. It was
pretty rough. I realized that I had two choices. I could get depressed and upset
or I could let it all go and keep working even harder. We said goodbye and left
to go work really hard. </div>
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On the same day we were able to find a new golden investigator named Gina
who said she wants to get baptized, have two lessons with members and contact
some really awesome people. We saw a lot of miracles, but only after the trial
of our faith. </div>
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This week wasn't perfect, we still had some hard days but at the same time
we saw miracles. On Tuesday we helped our landlord cut her grass and I learned
how to use a weed wacker for the first time. </div>
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We had a noche de hogar with the Familia Fuentealba and with Hno. Aldo. I made
them brownies. I had been promising them brownies for a long time. Chileans love
brownies. </div>
<div>
It was adorable because their 11 year old daughter called to tell us that
we should bring our swimming suits to the noche de hogar because she was going
to have her little swimming pool set up.... it broke her heart when we said
that we cant go swimming. It was hilarious, she was so excited to go swimming
with the sister missionaries. haha. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFkuIXrKzxAs3pPz5p8mPxTHxzXrEEuTyOq2GMy-sFm6jaJMhISC6hg3QPYnqkL1ce7uTmTJ64f3eZmvF49cZgasDumMNi6p2mfSrK82pOjjiblmPxCN8rKc9s3-KDXcIbM_oc2XaxQAE/s1600/2016-01-11-01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFkuIXrKzxAs3pPz5p8mPxTHxzXrEEuTyOq2GMy-sFm6jaJMhISC6hg3QPYnqkL1ce7uTmTJ64f3eZmvF49cZgasDumMNi6p2mfSrK82pOjjiblmPxCN8rKc9s3-KDXcIbM_oc2XaxQAE/s400/2016-01-11-01.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Selfie with the Familia Fuentealba and Hno. Alba.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div>
on friday we taught a couple the plan of salvation and it was really
special because the woman had just had a miscarriage a couple weeks ago. i
shared moms story. it really touched her and the spirit was really strong. it
felt really great to be able to help them. </div>
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On saturday our mamita taught us how to bake kuchen. I'ts a Chilean pastry
that's a lot like a crumble- </div>
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We also saw an elderly lady carrying firewood into her house all alone.
Here in Chile everyone uses wood burning stoves and there are big trucks that
drop off big piles of firewood outside your house or on the sidewalk when you
pay for more wood. But then you have to move all the firewood from outside and
into your own house property, patio, backyard, etc. There was a woman with a
huge mountain of firewood and she was entering it all alone! So we immediately
helped her. She was a little scared of us Mormons because she was Catholic but
we still helped her. The two of us alone threw all her firewood over her fence
and into her patio. There were about ten men that passed by on the street but
never offered to help. The woman also said that she was going to pay a guy to do
it but he never showed up....I felt like we were really an answer to her
prayers and even though she wouldn't let us share the gospel with her we still
felt really good to be able to serve a daughter of God. </div>
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Yesterday we were able to teach Nataly, a new investigator, the Plan of
Salvation and we found another new investigator, Pamela. Last week on one of our
hardest days we contacted Pamela and we felt something really special with her.
We came back to her house yesterday and she let us in and we were able to teach
her and she said that she had been thinking about us all week, she was glad we
passed by. She's awesome. </div>
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I feel that we were really blessed this week. I'm really grateful to be a
missionary and to be an instrument in the hands of the Lord to be able to help
His children find peace and joy in this life and the life to come. I testify
that the only source of true happiness is the restored gospel of Jesus
Christ. </div>
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Thanks for all the letters and support. have a great week! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
love, Hermana Williams</div>
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Ken Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682831452548303236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6355636836140533972.post-58408896302115176922016-01-24T09:27:00.002-08:002016-01-24T09:29:22.535-08:00January 4, 2016- New Year ResolutionsHola familia y amigos,<br />
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I'm going to be honest, this email will probably be short because this week
was a lot of walking around and contacting people. So nothing really that
exciting happened. </div>
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Our mission changed the goal of 10 contacts everyday to 30 which means we
have to talk to at least 30 strangers in the street everyday haha. It doesn't
sound that hard but in San Pablo its sometimes a little difficult because there
are not many people in the street, or in their homes. A lot of people work
outside of San Pablo. So this week we really pushed ourselves to do the 30
contacts everyday. We ended up spending lots of hours just walking around and
talking to people. </div>
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On Tuesday we had intercambios. I stayed here in San Pablo with the hermana
lider Hermana Segura who is actually from Utah. She´s gringa but her dad is
Colombian! I love Colombians haha. It was a good day and it was fun to be able
to speak English with someone for a little bit haha. </div>
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The elderly lady that was on her death bed, Hna Ena passed away on
Thursday. We were able to visit her one last time on Tuesday and sing her more
hymns. We were able to share the Plan of Salvation with her family. They all
live in different cities so we could only send them as referrals. </div>
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Thursday was New Year's Eve and we contacted some more and then ate dinner
with a menos activa Hna Olga. She was the only person to offer to cook us dinner
early. Here, everyone eats dinner at 11 at night... but we had to enter our
house at 9:30pm. We ate with her and made her brownies for dessert. Hna Olga
is a little crazy,.... but she really does love us. </div>
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That night we went to bed like normal but set an alarm for midnight and we
woke up and celebrated for 10 minutes haha. We wrote down all that we've done
this year and then burned the papers outside on our front porch... don't worry,
we were being safe and careful.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTE9So-OEgHdg9b2J8kKBxJBoQAgHsGWeVIqmPjUpTuZF0-tjXRr8RPi-V1D4eECrbzDKnC9wUm-HWQqwOd9N4s403Sdk_2s3pXDqlChyphenhyphengP1KoIWU_6vxMxT8y2peV6PBkieuAdGlJWZE/s1600/2016-01-04-03.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTE9So-OEgHdg9b2J8kKBxJBoQAgHsGWeVIqmPjUpTuZF0-tjXRr8RPi-V1D4eECrbzDKnC9wUm-HWQqwOd9N4s403Sdk_2s3pXDqlChyphenhyphengP1KoIWU_6vxMxT8y2peV6PBkieuAdGlJWZE/s320/2016-01-04-03.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div>
We also wrote our goals for this upcoming year. It was weird to not write
about the mission. Hna Villena who only has 5 months in her mission wrote goals
about baptisms, companions, scripture study and I wrote goals about work,
studies, friends and getting married.... haha just kidding !</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Saturday I think was a hard work day. Everyone had left for vacations, it
was super hot outside and we knocked practically every door in San Pablo but
only 5 people opened up and wanted to talk to us... we talked but then they said
they weren't interested... we also contacted a crazy man who told me that the
United States has it's own Abraham, like from the Bible.... Abraham Lincoln....
that was an interesting conversation. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On Sunday we had a noche de hogar with Hno Aldo and his family, then they
fed us lemon pie. I love pie de limon. They take care of us. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And that's really all that happened this week. We´re just trying to work as
hard as we can and I'm trying not to think about how I'm coming home in 3
weeks.... there's still a lot I can do in 3 weeks. I'm really grateful to be here
and to have a new year to dedicate myself to the Lord's service, with or without
the nametag. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
happy new year! I encourage you all to set new goals and resolutions with
the question in mind "what can I do to improve? what can i do to serve Jesus
Christ? what can i change in order to become who Heavenly Father wants me to
be?" love you all! thanks for all the love and support!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<div>
love, Hermana Williams</div>
Ken Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682831452548303236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6355636836140533972.post-51019648244319720592016-01-01T17:24:00.006-08:002016-01-01T17:35:10.580-08:00December 28, 2015 - We Wish You a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!<div dir="ltr">
Hola familia y amigos,
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This week was great, went by really fast. and it was Christmas! Wow. I can't
believe a whole year has passed since my first Christmas in Punta Arenas. My
best Christmas gift was being able to skype my whole family and meet my baby
nephew for the first time! But it was very difficult to speak English and not
Spanish. Sorry if I said some things that you didn't understand.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivB1HGJy_zrE3RHGGSG4mANC7UUM-q7_wlmFKHyOaN2LU_QmRoDXfsFfSHZ_QYzE5DLqka-3gdiywgYf5DMB5LXysfnOE8rXyOgq7UnuyRf0j7X_D_wQXW_gq6L59fiuCH40ywJ6xBQik/s1600/2015-12-25-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivB1HGJy_zrE3RHGGSG4mANC7UUM-q7_wlmFKHyOaN2LU_QmRoDXfsFfSHZ_QYzE5DLqka-3gdiywgYf5DMB5LXysfnOE8rXyOgq7UnuyRf0j7X_D_wQXW_gq6L59fiuCH40ywJ6xBQik/s400/2015-12-25-01.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A four-way skype with the entire family!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On Monday we had a branch choir practice. President Vargas asked me to
organize something for our Christmas activity on Wednesday. Hna Villena was sick
with a bad cold on Monday and part of Tuesday so we couldn't do much, but it was
still a good day. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Hna Villena and I are doing well; we get along great and she's really
excited to work hard. She`s super funny and we are already acting like we've
been companions for more than one cambio. It was really easy to get used to her;
she`s really chill. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On Tuesday we had district meeting. We have a new district of all elders.
We're the only hermanas and I'm the only gringa! It's crazy to think about that.
But it was fun, the elders become like you`re brothers. We had a white elephant
gift exchange for Christmas and ended up sharing all the chocolate and treats
with each other. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We were able to teach a lot of lessons this week. We taught our mamita Cecilia with Hno Aldo and she really doesn't want to progress so we`re going to
be dropping her as investigator... as mamita no, we still need to eat! Haha!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We helped a member do yard work in her house. I`ve never done so much yard
work in my life like I have here in Chile. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On Wednesday the branch had their Christmas party dinner. A ton of people
came and we sang in a choir and it turned out really well. Marion, familia
Fuentealba, some menos activos and friends of members came. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On the 24th we worked normally all day. We spent all day contacting because
our mission came out with a new rule/ meta. We have to do 30 contacts everyday.
Before, it was only 10. It's a lot, especially for San Pablo. It's so small here
that there are not a lot of people walking around in the street and lots of
people were not in their houses this week. We were able to do 34 contacts on
Thursday! We felt pretty good. In the nighttime we ate once with Hno Aldo and
his family.(Familia Muñoz) then we found out we were able to stay out until 11pm
so we stayed and ate dinner with them too. Here in chile they eat dinner at 10
or 11pm. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The familia Muñoz gifted us Chile keychains and mugs and we came home, I
opened my christmas stocking from home (thanks mom!) and we went straight to bed
haha. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Christmas day it was pretty hard to work because everyone was sleeping all
day long. But we were able to visit an elderly lady named Hna Ena, that was
baptized but never signed her baptismal registro (license, paperwork, document, I can't remember the word) bueno, in the end it was like she was never baptized
and she got offended and never went back to church. But now she`s on her death
bed and there isn't more we can do for her. We visited her and we were able to
share the Plan of Salvation with her family and I sang her a Christmas carol and
some hymns. It was awesome when we sang because the Spirit filled the room; it
was super strong. A couple days later the family told me that after the songs
Hna Ena was finally able to relax and sleep so it really helped. We visited them
all on Sunday again and when we asked if there was anything we could do for them
they asked me to sing her more hymns because it really helps her to rest. The
power of song!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The rest of Christmas was skyping my family, eating Christmas food and
contacting. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This week ended really well because Sunday morning I received a huge
surprise. We walked into the church right when the meeting was starting and I looked back and saw a woman sitting in the last row.I thought "wait...I know
her" It was Hermana Lidia Contreras, the mom of my ward mission leader in Punta
Arenas! In my head I was like "what is she doing here all the way in San
Pablo?" Five minutes later I looked back and my ward mission leader Johnnie walks
in!!!!!! I wanted to scream I was so shocked! but I couldn't because the meeting
was starting. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After the meeting ended I greeted them. It was so crazy wonderful to see
Johnnie after all this time.I was speechless haha. They were traveling from
Punta Arenas to their new home in Rancagua and they thought to stop by and visit
me in San Pablo. I never thought that I would ever see Johnnie in San Pablo
haha. It was great to talk and catch up with them. I felt really grateful for
the visit. They stayed all 3 hours and we took photos and then they left to
drive back up to Rancagua, which is only 45 minutes outside of Santiago. </div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3tmC-gpIpNaQ1GmFvPqJxD7rAY1qhs9y5368-jGwoOdLrKZry3B2P9OxDx-MXq27ZFeC40rF5r_xgMTub1k9h-2bWHkNtYQTPXd3XrS8GE3dx-uKjb_mWPfTAxUFWBfydPcpkVzNOfmc/s1600/2015-12-28-01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3tmC-gpIpNaQ1GmFvPqJxD7rAY1qhs9y5368-jGwoOdLrKZry3B2P9OxDx-MXq27ZFeC40rF5r_xgMTub1k9h-2bWHkNtYQTPXd3XrS8GE3dx-uKjb_mWPfTAxUFWBfydPcpkVzNOfmc/s400/2015-12-28-01.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Best surprise ever haha. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Thanks for all the Christmas wishes and emails and support. I love you all
very much. That's all I have to really share this week. We were able to contact
and find lots of new investigators so we are pumped. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I know that Christ lives and I'm grateful to be His servant. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
love, hermana williams</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Ken Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682831452548303236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6355636836140533972.post-28179293303990175992015-12-22T16:03:00.000-08:002015-12-22T16:03:08.215-08:00December 21, 2015- Trio Part 2<div dir="ltr">
Hola familia y amigos,
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Feliz Navidad! It`s been raining and sunny every other day here so it
doesn't really feel like Christmas. This week was crazy, a ton happened. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On Tuesday my companion, Hna Torres had to leave for Punta Arenas. She has a
lot of stuff and it took her a long time to pack. I had to convince her to leave
things behind. We kind of had an emergency transfer when the zone leaders called
and said that we needed to be in Rio Bueno in an hour. Hna Torres freaked out
and started laughing hysterically from the stress because she wasn't going to be ready
in one hour. Two hours later we made it to Rio Bueno! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Apparently all Chilean airports were going on strike so we had to hurry and send
Hna Torres on her flight to Punta Arenas before they closed everything. I
stayed with the hermanas in Rio Bueno, Hna Kogianes and Hna Torres (from
Argentina). Yes, I got to be companions with Hna Kogianes again! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Hna Torres2 (Hna Torres from Argentina ,I shall call her Torres2) was
finishing her mission. She was supposed to be in Osorno on Wednesday but with
the airport strike no one was going home. Crazy cambios happened and she stayed
in trio with us (triplet companionship) on Wednesday we traveled to Osorno to
drop Hna Kogianes off at the terminal so she could travel to Valdivia to be with
her new companion. I stayed with Hna Torres2 and we waited for my new companion
Hna Villena. She arrived 2 hours later. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Hna Villena is de Ecuador! She came from Valdivia, Rio Cruces and knows
Rodrigo and Margareth! She has 4 months in the mission. I'm her third
companion. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Hna Villena and Torres2 and I stayed and worked in trio in San Pablo for
three days. Hna Torres2 was a good sport, but she was stressed out about not
going home, her family was probably freaking out. We joked about how she was in
overtime and her authority card already expired so we should be able to have
tons of lessons with member present haha. But it was super fun to work with both
of them. Hnas Torres2 and Villena are really relaxed and quiet and chill, the
opposite of Hna Torres de Colombia haha. I miss her and su merced haha. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On Thursday we had to build a giant Bible costume out of cardboard. The
zone leaders asked us to make one for a Christmas activity the next day. I never
knew a Bible could take so much time to make. But it was fun to get to know the
hermanas better. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We taught the Familia F on Thursday.We invited them to be
baptized and they told us they're tired of the missionaries always asking them
to be baptized. They don't feel prepared and they want to wait.... it was a
little disappointing, but at least they were honest with us. They said they have
desires to be baptized in the future but not so soon. They want to investigate
the church for a couple years... so they're not really progressing that much
right now. but we're still going to pass by every once in a while to read the
Book of Mormon with them and invite them to church. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Their son, V is 29 years old, but looks like he's 24. His progress is
different. He likes the church but he works a ton. He's gone for 3 or 4 weeks
at a time so he can't commit to anything. We're going to keep trying with
him. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Friday in the afternoon we had a big Christmas missionary activity. We went
to Osorno and a choir sang Christmas carols in the plaza and we contacted and
passed out balloons and cookies to everyone. The elders dressed up as the Bible and
the Book of Mormon and took selfies with people haha. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Saturday Hna Torres2 finally went home! We sent her to osorno in the
morning. We had fasted that she and the other missionaries would be able to go
home and a day later the zone leaders called and said she was going home.
Miracles happen!!!!!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It was super fun to be in a trio, I'm going to miss Hna Torres2. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Now Hna Villena and I are together just the 2 of us in San Pablo. She`s
used to busy crowded Valdivia so she got here and was like "where are all the
people?" haha. The members are super excited to be able to 'kill me off', or
rather that I'm ending my mission here. They say they are already planning my
farewell party. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Sunday we only had Victor in church. It was our Christmas program and I
sang a solo of Away in a Manger. We did the same missionary activity in the
plaza of La Union and it went well. We walked a lot </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Hna Villena caught a cold. She`s not feeling very well but she`s still
really excited to work hard and be here in San Pablo. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It was a great week and time is flying by and im really enjoying the 12
Days of Christmas packet that Mom and Dad sent me. I'm trying to improve on being
more grateful and prayerful during the day. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas! I know that Jesus is the Christ
and that He lives and that He is the Savior of the world. I'm so grateful to be
His missionary. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
love, hermana williams</div>
</div>
Ken Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682831452548303236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6355636836140533972.post-31709895081849173372015-12-19T10:44:00.000-08:002015-12-19T10:48:53.034-08:00December 14, 2015 - The Final Countdown<div class="gmail_quote">
<br />
<div dir="ltr">
<br type="attribution" />
<div dir="ltr">
Hola familia y amigos,
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I have officially started my last transfer in the mission. In exactly 6
weeks I will be coming home. Scary. We found out transfers today in the
morning...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I am staying in San Pablo and Hna Torres is going to Punta Arenas to be in
my first sector Ovejero!!! I am receiving a new companion. She`s Latin. That's
all I know. I can't even remember her name... but she's relatively new and she`s
coming from Valdivia. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I think I'm more excited that Hna Torres is going to Punta Arenas than she
is... she`ll be able to see Victor y Blanca and Nibaldo and everybody!!! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Well the most exciting part of this week is that Marion was baptized!!!!!
She was baptized and confirmed on Tuesday and the baptism was beautiful! I sang
Abide With Me Tis Eventide. In the morning we had to clean and fill the
baptismal font and the water was way too hot, we had to turn the cold water on
and wait a bit so that she could enter haha. After the service we borrowed her
husband's keys and ran to their house and decorated it with white balloons and
gifted her a hymnal. It was awesome. She was baptized by an hermano in the
Branch, because her husband doesn't have the priesthood yet. But they are
super happy and excited to go the temple next!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiUnAaH3RvpwMZXlIGZ0dAbD9XxoJd-xNlCNMBHMLE27bNPAAvI2Yd2vULgQvF8X-Xhhzvx4El2pDKtu53i3JYVhb7kJtqAUlYNfKgHwvXbsseqvN6DdqRV1sIqby6RCSAv0nHKpoMFt0/s1600/2015-12-14-05.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiUnAaH3RvpwMZXlIGZ0dAbD9XxoJd-xNlCNMBHMLE27bNPAAvI2Yd2vULgQvF8X-Xhhzvx4El2pDKtu53i3JYVhb7kJtqAUlYNfKgHwvXbsseqvN6DdqRV1sIqby6RCSAv0nHKpoMFt0/s400/2015-12-14-05.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marion's baptism.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On Thursday we had a huge mission conference and a member of the Setenta
came to talk to us, Elder Texeira. It was awesome to listen to him and he gave
us tons of advice and guess what.... I SAW HERMANA BRAITHWAITE!!! It was a
glorious reunion. We ran and embraced each other like a slow motion movie scene
haha. It was so good to see her and it was hard to say goodbye
afterwards. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Friday we had intercambios with the hermanas lideres and I went to Osorno
again with Hna Call. Hna Call finishes her mission this week. It's funny because I
was her first intercambio when she was called as hermana lider and friday I was
her last intercambio. Sweet. </div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-vP_NfRbMz7lp1GvSWNrW1zv7D3sSPVLhX14wWt43kF3u-U501WQ1g3-mj24T9E9ceIBOydsGByqGeyG41rPfo27g7NnhIWln4H51hT6Xfh0VRGe2j-bi3IXqmFDJgNnbqQZv9R9UtqM/s1600/2015-12-14-03.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-vP_NfRbMz7lp1GvSWNrW1zv7D3sSPVLhX14wWt43kF3u-U501WQ1g3-mj24T9E9ceIBOydsGByqGeyG41rPfo27g7NnhIWln4H51hT6Xfh0VRGe2j-bi3IXqmFDJgNnbqQZv9R9UtqM/s320/2015-12-14-03.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hermanas Williams and Braithwaite reunited!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Saturday the branch had a big luau Hawaii activity and the Familia
Fuentealba came! It was hilarious because their daughter, Karen is 11 years old.
She really wanted to go to the party but then her parents said no, we're going
to Osorno... and she cried! She cried so hard that her parents changed their
minds and they all came to the party haha. We had a blast and they showed a
short 10 minute video from the church about us Mormons, It was awesome. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Sunday we had 2 investigators in the church. Victor came alone because his family ended up going to Osorno after the party and didn't get home
until super late so they never woke up in the morning. We picked up an elderly
man who we contacted yesterday and said he wanted to go to church with him, We
walked with him and a member and he stayed for all the classes.We`re going to
visit him on Wednesday, His name is Osbaldo. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
That same night there was a young women's activity and we brought Karen to
it and she really liked the program; she wants to come to mutual now. She`s only
11, but more young woman than Primary. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It rained really hard all weekend, so I take my words back about sunshine
and heat. But the pulgas (fleas) are back. They are eating my ankles. One bit me
right where my spider scar is.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaNbjPe0OCzPHr-CdzjMjHeuAmPJ4R6oVs4ULHZ30Zdi56SPaOz47WMExNusWW-hsaSjFzsxMZFb7JA8hMK0A109QV395jOr8-YS9qvDK4DwJSIRJgpLsz8To_cjJ9134ci_Rwsh9OOw4/s1600/2015-12-14-02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaNbjPe0OCzPHr-CdzjMjHeuAmPJ4R6oVs4ULHZ30Zdi56SPaOz47WMExNusWW-hsaSjFzsxMZFb7JA8hMK0A109QV395jOr8-YS9qvDK4DwJSIRJgpLsz8To_cjJ9134ci_Rwsh9OOw4/s320/2015-12-14-02.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hnas. Williams & Torres at Branch activity.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We`re getting closer to Christmas, we've been sharing the new video with
people and I`ve been trying to sing everybody Christmas carols haha. We still
don't know all the details for Christmas yet, I don't know with whom we are going
to skype... probably in the Relief Society Presidents house. but I`ll let you
know next Monday. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG8UOJ__OshT1twAzoTdMK2FBtJOf5R7n9Y5OAP2fb4R530Pnfi9H59k6zBPa_Ei_0zPhWV5BJ8LFQT1MwULXuV7YLwe0E9j6SFFomBOp30LapkfEMDcdvqIAH0-0UGW-HzySrbZn3iqA/s1600/2015-12-14-01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG8UOJ__OshT1twAzoTdMK2FBtJOf5R7n9Y5OAP2fb4R530Pnfi9H59k6zBPa_Ei_0zPhWV5BJ8LFQT1MwULXuV7YLwe0E9j6SFFomBOp30LapkfEMDcdvqIAH0-0UGW-HzySrbZn3iqA/s400/2015-12-14-01.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">San Pablo Branch Activity</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Those are all the highlights of this week. I'm really excited for my last
transfer... it doesn't feel real. I'm determined to make the best of my last 6
weeks. I'm grateful to be a servant of the Lord. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Thanks for all the letters and love, </div>
<div>
have a great week!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
love, hermana williams</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Ken Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682831452548303236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6355636836140533972.post-56608407847941244392015-12-19T10:02:00.006-08:002015-12-19T10:02:59.328-08:00December 7, 2015 - Here Comes the Sun!<div class="gmail_quote">
<br />
<div dir="ltr">
Hola familia y amigos,
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This week was great! It`s starting to feel like summer here in San Pablo.
The sun has come out and we've been dying under the heat haha. I had my first sun
burn of the season, but don't worry mom, I've been putting sunscreen on everyday.
San Pablo is beautiful in the summer, with tons of roses and cherry trees in
bloom. Hna Torres says there are no cherries in her country, so she's been
taking tons of photos and stealing tons of cherries off of people's trees. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This week we had lots of lessons and contacts and walking in the sun.
Nothing really that exciting no crazy mission stories. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Monday we taught the familia F and it turns out their oldest son is more receptive than they are haha. He hasn't been living in the house
with them for awhile for work, but now he is. He was super excited about
everything we had to teach. He told us he wanted to come to church on
Sunday!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On Thursday our mission president, Pres. Obeso came to San Pablo for
interviews. I had a real nice talk with him. We mentioned our investigator
Marion to him and it turns out he already knows her. He came to church in San
Pablo once and she was there, This was over a year ago. He knows that she's been
attending church and investigating the church for a long time. We explained that
we put her with a baptismal date but it keeps falling because she has to work on
Sundays. We thought that she needs to attend church at least 3 times with us but he told us that's a lie! She has been investigating the church for so long
that she can be baptized whenever she wants to. We don't have to worry about
church attendance or reteaching her the lessons or anything! MIRACLE we were
shocked and so happy. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We ran to Marion's house to tell her the good news but before we even
explained what happened she told us that her job didn't renew her contract and
now she`s not working. Sad that she lost her job but at the same time its a
miracle because now shes not working every Sunday!!!! We told her the good news
and invited her to be baptized. She said she wanted to talk with her husband and
pray about a specific date this month. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Friday we found a grandma who investigated the church for a super long time
because her husband was member but she never got baptized. Her husband passed
away a year ago and the missionaries stopped coming by because she wasn't
progressing. We taught her the Restoration and we had to yell because she can't
hear very well. We explained that she can be sealed in the temple to her husband
so they can be together forever. She told us that she has been having tons of
dreams where she sees her husband in a suit and tie telling her to get ready and
dress herself up because they need to go get remarried.... like to get sealed in
the temple!!!! It was super awesome to hear that; the Spirit was super strong.
We invited her to be baptized but she`s so old that she really can't comprehend
the need to ¨change religions¨we're going to keep working with her though. This
woman needs to be baptized !</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On Sunday we committed the familia F and their son V and
Marion and her less active husband to all come to church. We set out
super early in the morning, calling and picking them up, in the end they all
said they would come on their own. We got to church and it started and time
passed...... and we were on the edges of our seats..... and they all came! We
had a total of 5 investigators, 4 less active members and a total attendance of
40!!! Thats huge!!!!! We were so excited. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It was fast and testimony meeting and the testimonies were awesome, the
Spirit was strong and towards the end, the dad of the familia F,
dagoberto, got up and bore his testimony!!!! Our jaws dropped to the floor! He
said that he`s really happy to be here in the church and to have the
missionaries visit him and it looks like now they know which road they need to
take in life...... :) </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After Sacrament Meeting Marion announced her baptism date..... December
8th!!!! tomorrow!!!!! it's a holiday here in Chile and its the only day that both
she and Marcos can be there! We were completely shocked! We were praying that she
would choose at least 1 day before the transfer, this weekend. But she decided
on Tuesday! We are so happy!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Marion had her baptismal interview this morning and she passed. We spent
all day yesterday running around to get everything set and ready for Tuesday.
After more than a year investigating she's finally getting baptized! She`s super
excited! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It was awesome because in my interview with President I expressed to him
some discouragement because I haven't been able to see a baptism in almost a whole
year. He told me that answers to prayers sometimes come faster or slower
than we think :) This time it was faster. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So the familia Fuentealba and the Marion need tons of prayers. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
That was the best part of this week. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
A big hug for Sarah White and Kaylyn next week from me! Tell them to write
me haha. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I testify that Heavenly Father answers prayers and that miracles are real
and that He loves us a lot. I'm really grateful for this week and so excited for
the weeks ahead. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Thanks for the love and support. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
love, Hermana Williams</div>
</div>
</div>
<br />Ken Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682831452548303236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6355636836140533972.post-18404864668767780022015-11-30T17:39:00.001-08:002015-11-30T17:39:13.165-08:00November 30, 2015 - Sweet 16!<div dir="ltr">
Hola familia y amigos,
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Yep that's right, today is my sweet 16, I complete 16 months in the
mission! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm pleased to report that this week nothing crazy happened! There were no
freak accidents, injuries, dog drama or hospital visits. It was a normal,
average week in the life of a missionary. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On Monday I passed the day with the hermanas lideres and worked with them
in their sector. It was great to be able to work without holding back for my
foot or my knee. The doctor in the clinic told me I'm good to go with my
spider bites. They have already formed into nice little scars that I will have
for the rest of my life. It will be a great mission story. I was talking to our
ward mission leader the other day and he said that you haven't served a mission
in Latin America until you have a scar somewhere to prove it! haha. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On Tuesday Hna Torres and I reunited and it felt so good haha. I saw Hna
Pinto in the bus terminal! She's doing great and loves Chiloe but she said there
are tons of hills to climb and the house they live in is haunted. Other than
that she`s good. It was great to see her and hang out with her and Hna Torres
for a little bit. Two Colombians together is a real show. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On Tuesday we were also able to contact 4 cute old grandpas that have known
eachother for over 50 years and meet up at the same park bench everyday in the
plaza at about 7pm. We made plans to come visit them the next day to teach them
the Plan of Salvation and bring them cookies but it rained all week so they
didn't meet up outside.... Today it's sunny so we`re hoping to find them again
haha. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We also contacted a 22 year old girl with her 4 year old son in the plaza, At first she didn't want anything to do with us but then she opened up when she
heard Hna Torres speak because she loves the Colombian accent. Hna Torres has a
very unique way of speaking and it really calls people's attention. We talked
with the girl, Pamela, for a while and made plans to visit her in a couple days,
she was really cool. We took a selfie with her haha. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On Thursday we called the same Pamela to see if we could come visit her,
she said she was at a friend's house but told us to come over because her friend wanted to meet us too and hear Hna Torres 'accent. So we found Vanesa's
house and they let us in and were super nice and fun and Hna Torres made them
arepas from Colombia. We taught them the Plan of Salvation and the Spirit was
super strong; it was an awesome lesson! They were super receptive. We set up
another day to come back. </div>
<div>
What's super cool is that Pamela is a cousin of a member family in the
ward. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
on friday we did service and helped our mamita cecilia do yard work in her
patio. dad, thanks for always making me do yard work when i really didn't want
to. now i understand why you always said that we had to do it so we would learn
to work hard. thanks for not letting me be lazy (even though i was still pretty
lazy)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We taught the familia F and our RM friend Aldo came to the lesson. It was great because their 22 year old son who works Puerto Montt was there and
Aldo was able to build confidence with him and the rest of the family. Hna
Torres made her famous arepas rellenas and Colombian hot chocolate. Delicious. I
want to visit Colombia one day. We taught the familia F about the Book
of Mormon. They`re struggling with their progression, we feel that we are
running around in circles with them. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Saturday we planned a family home evening for the whole branch and
investigators and friends and we were going to watch the movie Meet the Mormons... but in
the end only 5 people came and they were all members and we couldn't get the movie to stream. We had an awesome lesson about the Atonement and watched
Mormon Messages instead. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Our investigator M had a baptismal date for the December 5th and then
she had to work last Sunday and couldn't come to church so her date fell through,
We put her back on for December 12th... but she didn't come to church yesterday
either. We even called and reminded her a billion times and called and woke her
up in the morning and we offered to go pick her up but she said no she would
come alone ... but then never showed up. So her date fell through again. We are
feeling a little exasperated but we have faith and determination that this woman
will be baptized! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Our mamita served us pasta with red sauce three times this week and then
we ate the same thing with members yesterday. We don't want to eat pasta ever
again haha. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Yesterday we contacted a lady who was really nice and we talked with her
about the Plan of Salvation and we were about to ask her when we could come back
to teach her when she realized we were Mormon missionaries... turns out she's a
less active member who was baptized years back and became less active because
the Branch President said something that offended her. We listened to her rant
for about 20 minutes about how mad she was and how she swore never to come back
to the Mormon Church. It was sad.... it hurt my heart. We tried to explain to
her that Christ's church is perfect, but the people in it are not. She
wouldn't listen. You would think that after 16 months of hearing lots of stories
like that, it would stop hurting, but it doesn't, you just get used to it. But
i'ts okay, I've learned that we should never let anything get in the way of our
personal salvation. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Overall it was a good week. We are struggling to have more support from
the members. We planned to have a mini training for the members in how to help
the missionaries but they never gave us time to do it. We have some good
ideas to get the members pumped. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It wasn't a very exciting week, thank goodness, so there really isn't
anything super interesting to write. We didn't celebrate Thanksgiving, I tried to
get Hna Torres and other people excited about it, but they didn't really get it.
We did eat arepas with the familia F... so it was kind of the same
thing. I missed my family dearly on Thursday and thought of you all a lot
(without getting too trunky) </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Something that I've learned on my mission is: if you`re not happy, work
harder. We are never in a standstill moment, if we are not progressing,
improving, we are moving backwards. We should always strive to be better every
single day, which comes with hard work and dedication. I bear testimony that God
lives, His Son Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world and that this is their
work. I am grateful to be a missionary. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
love, Hermana Williams</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Ken Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682831452548303236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6355636836140533972.post-69501545380751246252015-11-28T20:08:00.005-08:002015-11-28T20:08:35.559-08:00November 25, 2015 - Trio<div dir="ltr">
Hola familia y amigos,
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Just so you all know, I went to the clinic today for my treatments and they
told me my foot is healed and good to go and I don't need to come back for more
treatments and I can walk again yay! I have three little nasty wounds that will
turn into little scars. Cool mission story. But I can go back to being a normal
missionary! It healed in only 1 week which is really fast, miracles yay! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Monday and Tuesday we still had to stay inside the house. We did splits
with some members so we were still able to visit and teach our investigators.
Team work! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I had to walk around on crutches for a couple days to avoid using my foot
so much. It was awful. My arms died. I have a big nasty bruise on my left arm.
my whole body hurt after the first day. I swore to never use crutches
again. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm typing right now and I just SAW A SPIDER CRAWL ACROSS THE DESK I'M
FREAKING OUT okay sorry I have a phobia. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But anyways, on Wednesday we had a family home evening with our
investigator M and her husband and 2 year old daughter. It went really
well. We taught about forever families and how she can be with her family for
eternity. We invited her to be baptized and she accepted! She`s on date for
December 5th! We`re super excited for her. Her husband is less active member and
we committed him to help her towards her goal and to prepare to receive the
priesthood so he can baptize her. We celebrated with brownies and then their 2
yr old daughter peed on the floor.... the fun ended and we left haha. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We had to go to curaciones on Wednesday and I went with my crutches. We had
to wait outside at a bus stop in front of the hospital across the street. And I
saw my old doctor, Dr. Garcia in the window. He helped me with my knee and then
he left the clinic and I never saw him again. But we were able to communicate
with hand signs through the window. He saw me with crutches and threw his hands
up in the air as if to ask "what did you do this time!?" hahaha made my
day. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On Thursday I ditched the crutches. We had district meeting and we
celebrated Hna Kogianes birthday, she's still in my district. She and Hermana
Braithwaite also completed 6 months in the mission this week! Shout out to
Hna. Braithwaite! Congrats!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Hna Torres and I both have been nursing a cold this week. I got pretty bad
on Thursday but now I'm much better. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On Saturday Hna Torres had to travel to Puerto Montt because Sunday she had
a flight from the airport there scheduled to go to Santiago. She`s Colombian and
all the Colombian missionaries have to renew their second visas in Santiago. She
comes back on Tuesday .Maybe she`ll see Scottie while she`s there. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
she left me with the hermanas leaders in osorno, hna call and hna davila.
and now we are in a trio! three missionaries instead of 2. its crazy. we`re not
used to it. its hard to stay all together. on saturday the hermanas had a
baptism so i got to go to that and i sang in a special musical number with hna
davila, that was fun. we sounded good together. sunday i went to church with
them, it was weird being in a big ward again instead of my little branch in san
pablo. we`re going to be in trio until tomorrow in the afternoon when hna torres
gets back. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
it is fun though, more people to talk to. its like a big party and i feel
more powerful when we walk down the street haha. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
well that's all I really have to tell this week, Not much. next week will be
better because I`ll actually be able to work normally. Thanks for all your
prayers. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In the morning I was reading in the book of mormon in Ether chapter 2 and 3
and I learned about the importance of personal prayer and receiving revelation.
It says in ether 3:2 that it's a commandment to pray in order to receive personal
revelation. Heavenly Father doesn't just want us to tell Him how our day went, or
just give thanks, He wants us to ask, seek, search for what we need in our
lives. for revelation that He is more than willing to give us, we only have to
ask. Sometimes the Lord asks us what we want Him to do. Sometimes the Lord
wants us to show our faith, solve problems, look for solutions not excuses and
He will help us know if its what we should do. That is personal
revelation. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I testify that God answers prayers, He loves us, He wants to hear from us.
He is a God of miracles and I am so grateful to be part of His great and
marvelous work. I know Jesus Christ lives, He is our Savior. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Love, hermana williams</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Ken Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682831452548303236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6355636836140533972.post-12359783892965302392015-11-28T17:59:00.000-08:002015-11-28T17:59:20.692-08:00November 16, 2015- Crazy Mission Stories<div dir="ltr">
Hola familia y amigos!
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This week has been the craziest week of my mission... I`ll let you know
why. I've decided to split this email up into titled parts. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The Normal Stuff: part 1 </div>
<div>
Hna. Torres and I are adjusting to each other and enjoying our cambio.
She`s a lot of fun and she loves to talk about her returned missionary boyfriend
that's waiting for her at home haha, sometimes it's a little trunky but very
entertaining. I hope I get to end my mission with her. On Monday my knee started
hurting real bad, I don't know why, so we had to take a couple minutes in the house
to rest and ice it and afterwards I was fine. Other than that I didn't have
any problems this past week. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We were able to go out to work Monday and teach our new investigator O,
she`s really nice and really open to listening and becoming closer to God. It
was a great lesson and we made it all the way to prophets.... but then there was
an interruption... </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Johnnie & Rambo:part 1 was edited due to content. Hna. Williams and Torrez were at a lesson with their investigator, O. The two dogs were outside during the lesson. They killed O's neighbor's pregnant cat and the rest wasn't pretty. Everyone was traumatized.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Johnnie & Rambo: part 2</div>
<div>
okay you might think this story is a little disobedient...it was a lack of
good judgment, good intentions, but ended very complicated... </div>
<div>
The next day we had heard that at the same local animal hospital they were
doing free sterilizations of pets and stray dogs and we thought it would be a
good idea to take Johnnie to see if they could fix up his leg. I honestly don't
know what we were thinking, at the time we thought it was a great idea, that it
would only take 20- 30 minutes..... nope we were there waiting for an hour when
finally they told us they would only look at Johnnie's leg if we were going to
get him fixed( sterilized)... they convinced us that it would be a good idea to
get them both fixed, Johnnie and Rambo, that they would be calmer afterwards and
not chase after so many cats. we thought, ya! wow great idea! So we talked to
Johnnie and Rambos supposed owner and he was all for it! So we thought, ya!
Servicio! drop off the dogs at the clinic, pick them up later, half an hour
maximum! Wrong.... </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We took Johnnie and Rambo to the clinic ,Johnnie went in just fine but
Rambo is big so they had to tranquilize him and put a leash and collar on him
and he started freaking out, it looked like he was having a seizure! He bit the
leg of one of the workers! We called out returned missionary friend Aldo who has
helped up with Johnnie and Rambo to see if he could come and carry Rambo inside
because he has more confidence in Aldo. so aldo came running but then another
guy was able to calm Rambo down and carry him inside.... so we called Aldo and
told him not to come, and that we owed him ice cream for all the trouble. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Two hours later the clinic called us to say that our dogs were ready. We
called Aldo again to help us carry Rambo. We arrived and Johnnie came out just
fine but Rambo was traumatized. We had to coax and drag him outside and when he
was out he sprinted away towards home... he was super scared. so Aldo carried Johnnie and we went to talk to the owner.... turns out the fixing was free but
you have to buy them medicine and clean their wounds and we don't have time for
that so we explained everything to the owner but he didn't do anything.... so now
we`re worried that Johnnie and Rambo will die from infection... but I think they
are okay. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So thats a crazy mission story... we sterilized two dogs.... I don't know
what we were thinking. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Bad luck part 1: Spider Woman</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On Wednesday we had a normal day and we worked and it was great. In the
afternoon we had to go to the house to do our progress form and I sat down to
call someone and felt something sting me on my ankle and it itched really bad. I
thought, oh no pulgas! fleas! So I itched and scratched but it hurt so bad that I took off my boot and tights and saw 4 big red bumps come up on my ankle and
heel. and a little bubble blister appeared! Hna Torres said it wasn't pulgas it
was a spider bite! We didn't find the spider but I didn't freak out too much
because I didn't think a spider bite could do much. We went about the day and the
blister got bigger and bigger and burned and it hurt to walk. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We had a meeting with our ward mission leader and I asked him about spider
bites and he told me I should call our mission nurse asap because it might be
the Rincon spider, a deadly poisonous spider here in Chile. So then I started
freaking out. I called the nurse but she didn't answer. We went about with the
rest of the day. We had a noche de hogar with M and M and Hna Torres
made arepas! We came home at night and the blister had doubled in size and
filled with yellow liquid. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The nurse finally called me at 10:55pm and I explained what happened. she
was about to send me to the nearest hospital asap to make sure it wasn't Rincon.
But I explained more details, I didn't have any of the symptoms or anything so we
decided to wait till morning. But she said if I start to feel a fever during the
night, to call her, because I might be dying.... I didn't sleep very well
haha. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-lD3EK_9awhQnqJgmMuYUwbNpv1oN_3tyI3vV60fiZqF63aKb1A2c8HJdDnQXk0z87huSNuFKfNgyENh5Wz7Vv43icU-5ZkdVDScCoTdIL6iXtD8Go9R_mS5Ni1-lva9Amv8D9XFoP1k/s1600/2015-11-16-02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-lD3EK_9awhQnqJgmMuYUwbNpv1oN_3tyI3vV60fiZqF63aKb1A2c8HJdDnQXk0z87huSNuFKfNgyENh5Wz7Vv43icU-5ZkdVDScCoTdIL6iXtD8Go9R_mS5Ni1-lva9Amv8D9XFoP1k/s320/2015-11-16-02.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In the morning I took a look at my ankle and there were 4 big blisters and
they hurt super bad! So I called out branch president and his wife and they
drove us to Osorno the the clinic so I could see a doctor. My ankle and foot
was super swollen and it hurt to walk. The doctor said that it was a spider that
bit me, but not a rincon or anything like that. Yes the spider had venom and
it's sitting in my ankle and if I walk to much my foot will swell up more and the
bites will become infected. I promise its nothing dangerous, I am not going
to die or lose a foot or anything. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
They treated my ankle, broke and cleaned out the blisters - that hurt really
bad. Bandaged me up, gave me pain meds and antibiotics and sent me home to rest.
I've been in house rest since Thursday. I can't go out to work or walk or
anything .I returned to the clinic on Friday to do a blood and urine exam and
everything came out okay. They cleaned out my wounds again and it hurt so bad I
cried. It's like a stinging, burning pain.... like my ankle is on fire. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH92Vpmzup5l16SGqB15-anjP46_yEIw20SawJwoHdAcvq0CMDocwloczDXD-klxdC1jmSg4V5i5-CX2LblJZto3-WT-AF5Zja1OwWQ1lD6b1hofElAorW8xIr4kzUf3hbfrnzzVSoZb0/s1600/2015-11-16-05.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH92Vpmzup5l16SGqB15-anjP46_yEIw20SawJwoHdAcvq0CMDocwloczDXD-klxdC1jmSg4V5i5-CX2LblJZto3-WT-AF5Zja1OwWQ1lD6b1hofElAorW8xIr4kzUf3hbfrnzzVSoZb0/s400/2015-11-16-05.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Bad luck part 2 </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So I'm in the house again! At least until this Wednesday. I have to take
tons of pills and rest and try not to walk. I have a big fat bandage and I can
only take baths now, I cant get my left foot wet. My foot is so swollen and
tender that I can only wear my slipper... so I've moved from tennis shoes to one
slipper! The mission nurse gave me crutches today to help me walk, it's only so I
don't put too much weight in my foot and so I can walk around to meetings and
stuff. it's not a big deal! We`ve been receiving lots of help from members,
driving us around, bringing us food, we were able to do splits on Saturday and
Hna Torres went out with a member and I stayed inside the house of another. Our
RM friend Aldo has been stopping by to do us favors, chop firewood, drop off our
laundry. . </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We have been studying the scriptures a ton.I feel bad for Hna Torres to
keep her inside, but shes a good sport. We have been trying to spider proof our
house this week. I officially have a phobia of spiders. But we`re doing just
fine! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The Normal Stuff part 2</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I was still able to go to church on Sunday, with my slipper and everything!
We had the Primary program. it's funnier in Chile because kids here are crazy. I
had more treatments today in the clinic. the clinic is my home away from home. I am a little frustrated that we can't go out to work but I`ve decided to have a
good attitude. I am trying really hard to follow all of the doctors orders so
that the wounds don't get infected or else I'll be in the house even
longer. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
When I went to the clinic the first time and they told me I couldn't walk
the thought came that I have 2 choices: I can get really sad and depressed and
have my own pity party for being in the house again.... or I can have a good
attitude, have enough faith and hope that everything will turn out okay and that
this is just another part of God's plan. I thought to myself, "look, another
chance to prove yourself" I feel like I spent a lot of time with my knee moping
about and whining and this time I'm going to use my time better, study harder, be
humble, prepare myself so that way when I can leave to work, I can work super
hard. I have faith that it will all be okay. The Lord tried and healed me once,
He can do it again. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So don't worry about me! Prayers are needed but I know that in a couple days
I`ll be fine. I'm thankful that it wasn't worse and that I'm still alive haha. I
know that God knows me, He watches over me, He will help me through this. I am
His daughter, and even more, I am His servant and His soldier and the Lord needs
strong soldiers. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Thanks for all the love and support and prayers everyday! love you
all!. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
love, hermana williams</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Ken Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682831452548303236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6355636836140533972.post-78090143218412502212015-11-28T17:04:00.000-08:002015-11-28T17:04:51.684-08:00November 9, 2015 - Su Merced<div dir="ltr">
Hola familia y amigos, <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-6Q9bQGAlPNoIfjtmHpFxTYK46lvuN2Du4Oc5SNN75do4OuPEBJjAh5aM6QqaFvCsxyJ5gI265HZcZriJhYRfEcbqw1SPM4gskHgRFdSm422wmaGPcOOAKmRvMZeVuBX5IjhOHk2LavA/s1600/2015-11-09-01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-6Q9bQGAlPNoIfjtmHpFxTYK46lvuN2Du4Oc5SNN75do4OuPEBJjAh5aM6QqaFvCsxyJ5gI265HZcZriJhYRfEcbqw1SPM4gskHgRFdSm422wmaGPcOOAKmRvMZeVuBX5IjhOHk2LavA/s400/2015-11-09-01.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hermana Williams and her newest companion, Hermana Torrez</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Okay I know you`re all dying from the suspense so I`ll let you know who my
new companion is.... Hermana Torrez from Colombia. Thats right, another
Colombiana. I'm really excited because she`s more Colombian than Hna Pinto.
Hna Pinto had already lost her accent and acted more like a Chileana. Hermana Torrez in one hundred percent Colombian. She has 10 months in the
mission, the same group as Hna Pinto. She is super energetic and talks really
fast, but she talks clearly, so I can still understand her. She uses a lot of
words from Colombia. For example, they use a more formal word than 'usted' when
talking to people. They use 'su merced' which means 'you' but really formal. When
she first started talking to me I had no idea what 'su merced' was. I was like
"who is she talking about?" who is su merced?" She had to explain it to me. So
all week it has been su merced. It's starting to stick. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This week was really good and busy and fast. Monday and Tuesday was
crazy trying to make sure Hna Pinto said goodbye to everyone. She was only here
for 6 weeks and everyone was super surprised that she was leaving. She still
managed to form some close ties with the members so it was hard for her to
leave. On Wednesday morning we were told to take the bus to Osorno and we had to
haul her suitcases up to the highway which is about a 20 minutes walk at normal
pace. But her suitcases were so heavy that we had to call a ward member, the
strongest hermano we knew, to come help us. It was a show. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We made it to the bus terminal in Osorno in the morning and we had to wait for the bus to Chiloe for 2 hours. I saw Hna Espinoza and Hna Jenkins and tons
of other missionaries I know. I was hoping to see Hna Braithwaite, but I missed
her. It looks like she got changed to Los lagos, close to Valdivia and she`s not
with Hna Smoot now. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Hna Pinto left for Chiloe and my companion, Hna Torrez arrived half an hour
later. She is a very fun, dramatic person and I felt very overwhelmed when she
greeted me haha. But we`ve been getting along really well and having lots of fun
and working really hard. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We taught lessons, found new people, contacted, worked, the usual. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On Sunday we committed the familia F to come to church so we
showed up early with breakfast ready for them so they wouldn't have an excuse not
to come (i.e. "oh we just woke up, we haven't eaten yet,I have to cook..".) they got a
kick out of it, and they came to church, it was awesome. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We had ward council and as a branch we`re trying to focus on 4 of our
investigators in particular: familia F, M and our mamita
cecilia. they need prayers! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My knee is okay. there are still days when it hurts. Today it hurts but its
never so much pain like before. I can still work and walk, just a little slower.
I get more hip pain now too. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm really excited to be with Hermana Torrez. She knows a ton about the
Bible and the Book of Mormon and she`s helping me get more excited to study and
learn more to help me teach better. She has a lot of really good fun ideas to
help the work progress that aren't just knock doors for three hours. She`s
helping me to be humble, to remember that yeah, I have 15 months but I still
need to learn, study and improve everyday. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm really grateful for all the experiences that the Lord has given me in my
mission and all the people he has placed in my life. I'm grateful for the chance I have to serve Him every single day. And I don't plan to stop after my mission
is over. I want to serve Him in every single day of my life. People always told
me before the mission that this is the greatest work you can do with your life
at this moment... and now I understand why. I thank my Heavenly Father every
day. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Have a great week everyone! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
love, hermana williams</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Ken Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682831452548303236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6355636836140533972.post-82205867629515785752015-11-03T20:15:00.002-08:002015-11-03T20:15:31.250-08:00November 2, 2015- 15 Months<div dir="ltr">
Hola familia y amigos,
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This week went by unbelievably fast. We did a ton but I can't remember
everything. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On Monday we had a noche de hogar with one of our menos activos that's been
reactivated, She`s awesome. She also came to our stake conference
on Sunday in Osorno and she brought her two little babies. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On Tuesday all of San Pablo was freaking out because three times there were
military fighter jets that flew over the city. No one had any idea why, but of
course everyone was talking about all sorts of government schemes. Our mammita, hna Cecilia got real heated and rambled to us for half an hour straight. We
taught our investigator M the same day and right in the middle of the
lesson there was another airplane and they were super loud. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On Tuesday I also received a call from Hna Braithwaite calling from Hna
Obeso's cell phone! We were right in the middle of a lesson so I could only
talk for 2 minutes and I had to contain my excitement in front of M. But it
was so good to talk to her!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We`ve been trying to heal Johnnie all week. He survived! But we do have to
give him pain meds and clean out his wound everyday, or at least try to. A
member here named Aldo, who just got back from his mission in Mexico has been
helping us out with Johnnie. Rambo gets really jealous when we pay too much
attention to Johnnie so we need one person to hold Johnnie down, the other to
clean out his wound and the other to entertain Rambo. Johnnie can't follow us
around anymore but Rambo is loyal, and he`s actually calmed down a lot. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We had our branch Halloween activity on Friday night! Hna Pinto dressed up
as Little Red Riding Hood and I went as Snow White (they were the easiest
costumes we could think of.) The activity went well, but the hermano who was in
charge of games forgot so we had to think of games on the spot. In the end
it was super fun. I made a big platter of brownies. Members here are obsessed
with brownies. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We did a lot of service this week,which always involves chopping firewood.
I cant remember if I already told you, but I finally learned to chop firewood!
Hna Pinto taught me- it's super fun. So I did that a lot this week.We also
trimmed the grass of our landlord. People here don't own lawn mowers, you have to
cut your grass with big scissors. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
on saturday we contacted a woman who started preaching to us about the end
of the world and the second coming of christ. we tried to share with her but she
talked for a good half an hour quoting the bible and then started crying because
the end is near.... i admired her passion. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
we had stake conference this weekend! it was great! our stake president is
super young and energetic. it was a great conference that really focused on
members and missionary work. love it. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This week I completed 15 months in the mission. Wow. Hna Pinto surprised me
and made me breakfast and sang quinceañera songs all morning. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This week we have cambios. Hna Pinto is leaving me and going to the Island
of Chiloe and I am staying here in San Pablo. I still don't know who my companion
is, I'm waiting for the zone leaders to call and let me know. More
suspense!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm really grateful to be a missionary! I love being a servant of the Lord,
I know that this is His church and His work and I cant do it without His help
everyday. I know that Heavenly Father is a God of miracles. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Thanks for the emails and photos and support, </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
love, Hermana Williams</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Ken Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682831452548303236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6355636836140533972.post-76612181013825190682015-10-28T19:47:00.003-07:002015-10-28T19:47:53.381-07:00October 26, 2015 - Aperradas<div dir="ltr">
Hola familia y amigos,
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This week went by very fast, but we did a lot. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoihIlCd7PbficHhZ4BRiQV2YjUweSZDj8C-l3pDUiWFYfj-6fDu7KZCeHjIKbcvVb3rwK_NWQIRsT7m6ZzicDCnRI2VhjZRs2q0Bvohgi70Zj5bMYjyB4lyo516223D0ljFUCi_En990/s1600/2015-10-26-03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoihIlCd7PbficHhZ4BRiQV2YjUweSZDj8C-l3pDUiWFYfj-6fDu7KZCeHjIKbcvVb3rwK_NWQIRsT7m6ZzicDCnRI2VhjZRs2q0Bvohgi70Zj5bMYjyB4lyo516223D0ljFUCi_En990/s320/2015-10-26-03.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hna. Pinto and Hna. Williams under a new umbrella</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We taught our investigator who has dementia. She`s really sweet but
she can't remember anything. She told us she would come to church this week,
We`ll see if she remembers. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I titled this email aperradas because that's what the Chileans say when you
have lots of dogs following you "andan aperradas" It's funny for them. Yes,
Johnnie and Rambo are still following you. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On Monday Hna Pinto and I bought a dog whistle. It looks like a taser gun
actually but it just radiates a high pitched whistle that we can't hear. We tried
it out on the dogs Johnnie and Rambo. Turns out the only dog that it bothers is
Rambo, the rest could care less. But that's okay because Rambo is the most crazy.
He freaked out when he first heard it and wouldn't come near us for a couple
hours, haha. I promise the dog whistle doesn't do them any harm. It just stresses
them out enough to make them stop doing something. It's like conditioning and
training. Rambo still follows us around but has toned down a ton, He doesn't bark
or chase cars anymore. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We helped an hermana in the ward who has been sick chop firewood. That's right,
I chopped firewood for the first time. That was actually a couple weeks ago, I
just forgot to tell you. but I finally learned how! I'm not very good, I'm still
learning but I've lost the fear and it's actually pretty fun. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We taught an investigator that has been learning about the church for 30
years but never got baptized... I bore the most powerful testimony I've ever
given in my entire life. (The Spirit made it powerful not me) we invited her to
be baptized and she said she would pray and ask God. </div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy1oud1loHpr-Aaw-N18fMho-vRNTIuEV1WyizADwKiAHwmKFUTj6PNN0Hn0Zly8b55rgma9dim-FTnoB-PYQ7XoLR6SN74yMFaxMyf7jgaV7WPgv2AqzfIAx5nc-pqAf5_8eDiDRYVhg/s1600/2015-10-26-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy1oud1loHpr-Aaw-N18fMho-vRNTIuEV1WyizADwKiAHwmKFUTj6PNN0Hn0Zly8b55rgma9dim-FTnoB-PYQ7XoLR6SN74yMFaxMyf7jgaV7WPgv2AqzfIAx5nc-pqAf5_8eDiDRYVhg/s320/2015-10-26-01.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Piglets in the street in San Pablo.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On Friday we traveled to osorno to the clinic to see Dr. Garcia, He told us
to come back to see him so he could check my knee. We waited in the waiting room
for almost 2 hours only to find out that Dr. Garcia doesn't work at the clinic
anymore so they sent me to see a different doctor there who only looked at my
knee for 5 minutes give me some pain meds to take if I feel pain and signed a
document that says I don't need to come back. The clinic is the trial of my
patience, but I'm in the clear with my knee, that's good! I can work without
worrying! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Yes I still feel pain every now and again but its not serious pain. So don't
worry about me. I'm fine. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We helped a less active member, N clear grass from her back yard. That
was fun. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On Saturday we were walking home at night and outside the church Johnnie
and Rambo started attacking another little dog in the middle of the street. We
tried to stop them, yell, throw rocks, the dog whistle wasn't working on them.
Then suddenly a car came up and drove right through them to stop the fight and
the car ran over Johnnie! We just stood in shock. Johnnie survived and
walked away but the tire ripped his left leg open on the inside, you can see
bone. It was pretty traumatic. There's not much we can do for him because he`s
not ours. He cant walk now, really only hobble. We`re pretty sad. We`re afraid
it will get infected. Johnnie is our favorite, He`s sweet, but an hermano in the
branch offered to go check on him. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Our investigator M and her less active husband came to church!
Yay! <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMKjkre4lBpyglaQENbxiCqO1KYoyq4EiFUpO70sTCtnNqJ2BFJGTuKSRPrgdz3AMXsYx-aZ_E9Q905fjIGOrAsek76rHyC-Cjl14eJ_3vWIxqf2o4ZM4V4XCwnX4ztr2L4EkeVdQeT38/s1600/2015-10-26-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMKjkre4lBpyglaQENbxiCqO1KYoyq4EiFUpO70sTCtnNqJ2BFJGTuKSRPrgdz3AMXsYx-aZ_E9Q905fjIGOrAsek76rHyC-Cjl14eJ_3vWIxqf2o4ZM4V4XCwnX4ztr2L4EkeVdQeT38/s400/2015-10-26-02.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">San Pablo after the rain.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We were able to find 9 new people to teach this week, and some of them were
really special and have a real strong desire to know the truth. We`re
excited. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I don't have very much time left. I'm trying to send photos, but the computer I have is acting weird. So sorry. But I'm doing fine, still really tired but
excited. We have cambios in one week. Hna Pinto and I honestly don't know what
will happen. I'm good with anything, but I would like to see a baptism here in
San Pablo, they haven't had one in a year. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I know that the church is true, I know that God loves us and Jesus Christ
is the Saviour of the world, He loves us too. I'm so grateful to be His
representative and that I get to help so many people everyday. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
love, hermana williams</div>
</div>
Ken Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682831452548303236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6355636836140533972.post-10931151448804613412015-10-20T20:13:00.002-07:002015-10-20T20:13:26.068-07:00October 19, 2015 - 100 Days!<div dir="ltr">
Hola familia y amigos,
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Thank you all for reminding me that I only have 100 days left in my
mission.I actually had a trunky moment earlier this week and did the math
myself. But for me its not that trunky. I don't see it as " wow I only have 100
days until I get to go home" I see it as, I only have 100 days left to be a
missionary so I better enjoy it. It motivates me. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This week was great, we worked really hard and I'm exhausted. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On monday we taught the familia F. We teach their daughter K
English for half and hour and then we teach them for another half an hour. Or
rather, I teach English haha. we`re trying to teach them the Restoration. they
have a lot of desire but it's hard for them to remember what we taught them or
read. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We also taught M, she is an old investigator who now wants to start
taking the lessons again. She`s great and we`re helping her with growing her
faith. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Tuesday we had intercambios (exchanges)I went to the sector of the sister
training leaders with hna Call! I was Hna Call's first intercambio in Valdivia 6
months ago. It was fun to work with her again. I got to attend a leader meeting,
where all the hermanas leaders, zone leaders and district leaders meet up. It
was interesting, I felt a little out of place, haha. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We`ve been teaching a lady named I but its been hard because she has
dementia. We just found out. So she can barely remember anything. We've invited
her to be baptized twice and she said I`ll think about it both times. We`re
going to teach her today and see what happens. We might have to stop teaching
her, if she cant remember what we teach her, She can't progress. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On Wednesday we had correlacion meeting with our ward mission leader and he
and his wife made us dinner. It was delicious. They are newlyweds and are about 25
years old, so they are our friends. They showed us their wedding photos. It was
only a little trunky haha. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We went to teach a menos activa less active member this week and we caught
her right in the middle of cleaning and organizing her house. We offered to
help. I love washing other people's dishes, so I told her I would take care of it. I`ve
never seen so many dirty dishes in my entire life. It was a real deep cleaning.
but we made it through and felt pretty proud of myself and the menos activa was
very grateful.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Our dog sidekicks Johnnie and rambo are still following us around. We tried
to trap them in the church parking lot and close the gate but they found a way
out. We tried to trap them inside our patio but they escaped again. They are
very loyal, but it's hard to work with them when they're fighting with other dogs
and barking and jumping all over us. On Friday they killed another cat right in
front of us. We feel traumatized. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On Saturday we got to watch the palada inicial ( first stone laying?) of
the temple they're going to build in Concepcion Chile. It was awesome to hear from
all the speakers. Everyone is really excited. The temple should be finished in 3
years. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm back to playing the piano again in Sacrament meeting here in San Pablo.
Actually its a keyboard. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This week we were able to find 11 new people to teach and teach a total of
26 lessons. There's still a lot to do here though and we have to work on making
sure those new people progress. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
like I said before I don;t really feel trunky to know that I only have 100
days left. It makes me want to work harder and not waste anytime. I still feel
tired and my knee still hurts but I feel motivated enough to push that all away
and work really hard. I'm so grateful to be a missionary, a servant of the Lord. I know that this is His church. The church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
I feel honored to be carry His name. I feel grateful for every experience, every
day, He`s already given me. and He reminds me everyday "Forget yourself and go
to work"</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
love, hermana williams</div>
</div>
Ken Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682831452548303236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6355636836140533972.post-65679014085061292872015-10-14T18:19:00.000-07:002015-10-14T18:19:07.857-07:00October 12, 2015 - Miracle!!<div dir="ltr">
Hola familia y amigos!
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Wow this week was very crazy but wonderful all at the same time. </div>
<div>
I was finally able to get the results of the ct scan on my knee and the
doctor told me that there is nothing seriously wrong with my knee. I have a
ligament that's probably messed up a bit and swells and hurts when I walk a lot.
but there is nothing broken or anything that can get worse or keep me from
walking. Basically, if I walk like normal, I'm not going to mess my knee up
anymore than it already is. </div>
<div>
Actually, the doctor told me that I need to walk, I need to exercise it and
strengthen it to get over the pain. </div>
<div>
He told me I can continue working as a missionary,I can take off my knee
brace and walk all day long without worrying. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I don't think I`ve ever been so grateful in my entire life. It's a real
miracle, honestly.I thought I was going to get sent home for surgery or
something, but I get to finish my mission! Return 2016 !! The doctor told me I
do need intensive therapy, but I can help my knee just the same with doing my
own exercises in the house in the morning. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The pain hasn't disappeared or anything. There was still pain this week. I had to stop and take rests. but now I don't need to worry about making my
knee worse, so I can deal with the pain. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On Wednesday we had zone conference! It was wonderful. Guess what, I saw 2
of my past companions, Hna Jenkins and Hna Espinoza and they are companions now!
Crazy. Sometimes our Mission president's wife, Hna Obeso lets us call past
companions on her cell phone, and I called hna Braithwaite! I told her all about
my knee and it was so nice to talk to her. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We worked really hard this week, especially because President Obeso changed
our work schedule. Before, we would return back to the house to study after
lunch and leave to work at 3pm. Now we just study in the morning and we leave
to work right from lunch, so we have 1 1/2 hours more to work, and we worked a
lot. We found 9 new investigators to teach this week.The zone goal was 8.
that`s the most I`ve ever had. we feel pretty pumped to be working here in San
Pablo. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There are two stray dogs here named Johnnie and Rambo that follow us
everywhere and bark and get into trouble with other dogs. They are really loyal
to us and we love them a lot, but it's hard for us to work sometimes because
they're always barking when we try to contact or knock doors. This week they
attacked and killed a cat.... that was horrifying to watch. We`re afraid that
people are going to think they belong to us. We`re trying to get them to leave
us alone but they are too loyal. They are the biggest trial of our sector right
now haha. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On Friday we were supposed to have 6 appointments and teach 6 lessons but
all of them fell through. That was hard, but we bounced back. I have to readjust
myself to mission life and remember that i'ts not always rainbows and
butterflies. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I missed working a lot though. 2 months is a long time. I was still able to
work in the 2 months, but not full out, full day, with all my energy. Now I'm back to working and it's wonderful. It's still hard.I feel pain, I get real
tired, my body got used to sitting in a house all day. and I forgot how hard it
can all be sometimes. but this week we were able to have some really power,
spiritual moments and lessons. It was great to be able to feel like an
instrument in the Lords hands again. to feel the Spirit working through
me. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Hna pinto and I are having fun. She`s a really good missionary. She`s very
responsible and takes a lot of initiative. She is the youngest of 4 brothers and
sisters. She's really young in her family, She has nieces and nephews that are
older than her haha. She`s really funny and sassy and she`s trying to learn
English so sometimes we have short conversations in English. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm really grateful to still be here in the mission haha. The Lord really
does work miracles. Thank you for all of your prayers. I know that Heavenly
Father answers our prayers, maybe not right when we want them, but He does
answer. We just have to be patient. I know God is our loving Father and Jesus
Christ is His son and our Savior. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
love, Hermana Williams</div>
</div>
Ken Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682831452548303236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6355636836140533972.post-5097415445565623532015-10-08T19:48:00.000-07:002015-10-08T19:48:30.650-07:00October 5, 2015 - Paciencia<div dir="ltr">
Hola familia y amigos,
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This week was interesting. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Monday and Tuesday we were able to go out to work and teach lessons and it
was awesome! We still had to sit and rest or take a break and go back to the
house for a bit, but we spent almost the whole day out working.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My bronchitis is better; I don't feel nearly as sick. I still have had to take
tons of pills everyday but I finished them all today! I still have a cough and
sometimes it's still hard to breathe, but I'm good. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My knee has been weird. Monday and Tuesday it was fine. Then wednesday we
went to the doctor and he finally gave the order to get the CT scan! But then he
told me I might have to wait till next week to go and get it. Chile is weird and
you cant get a ct scan asap, you have to schedule an appointment. I was worried,
but then the nurse came back and said they had an opening that same day! So we
hung out in Osorno for a couple hours. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In Osorno we went to the mall to eat lunch and I ran into hno y Hna
Troncoso from Puerto Varas! Hna Troncoso always came with us to appointments and drove
us around places. It was so good to see them! I sent my love to Hna B
and filled Hna Troncoso in on everything with me knee so she could let Hna B know I'm okay. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We had the ct scan at 2pm but we got stuck in a long waiting room line and
I was freaking out to miss my slot but we made it in. The scan only took 10
minutes, they slid me into the big round machine and then slid me out and that
was it. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We came home and left to work. then later that night my knee started to
hurt like crazy... like more than it ever has... like a 8 or 9 out of 10. so of
course we went home and I iced it. I think all the stress and walking in Osorno
did me in. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
That same day I completed 14 months in the mission and Hna Pinto completed
9! She`s halfway through! We celebrated with homemade brownies and balloons and
we bought donuts in the mall. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0UdJYEs-CjDIyCBN5Gz4HIlKdD6ggQAeW3xuPdygE_2A06CLo0H83y1Ewx0Y0Tg-CG-3tKHaF2Z_JtxaUwSyZLGhQdDXq6eiEM9gkM8BuMZhrkm5J8ECyEMy3txgX3aUPdMlI3aqCCho/s1600/2015-10-05-01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0UdJYEs-CjDIyCBN5Gz4HIlKdD6ggQAeW3xuPdygE_2A06CLo0H83y1Ewx0Y0Tg-CG-3tKHaF2Z_JtxaUwSyZLGhQdDXq6eiEM9gkM8BuMZhrkm5J8ECyEMy3txgX3aUPdMlI3aqCCho/s400/2015-10-05-01.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Saturday was General Conference! General Conference for missionaries is
better than Christmas. It's a glorious gift of modern day and personal revelation
direct from the heavens!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We were able to watch conference in our branch building. We were the first
people there... the Branch President arrived 5 minutes before to set up the tv
and cables.... and the tv wasn't working. other people arrived and 5, 10, 15
minutes passed as we waited for the tv, internet and video to work. in the end
we missed about the first half hour of Conference. The same thing happened in
the second session on Saturday and we missed about 15 minutes. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Sunday we arrived for the morning session and they once again had problems
and were late setting everything up, so we missed 10 minutes of the Prophet
speaking. In the afternoon the internet was really slow and it kept pausing and
loading every 15 minutes. We had an investigator there and we were a little
embarrassed, especially when the internet froze right in the middle of the
closing prayer. It froze for like 5 minutes and we just sat there in silence
haha. It finally started up again but then froze one more time. It took us 20
minutes to make it through that prayer! We couldn't help but all laugh. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I think Heavenly Father still wants me to learn pacience, haha. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But overall, Conference was a wonderful experience, I especially loved the
talks by Sister Marriott, Elder Christofferson and Elder Kiochi Aoyagi. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Later Sunday night we left the Conference to go work, but I guess I ate
something bad that day because I got hit with serious stomach pain and the
runs... it was not fun. Theres my bad luck again haha. We weren't able to work
the rest of the night.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Today we finally went to see Dr. Garcia to see the results of my ct scan. I
have to be honest I was kind of an emotional wreck this week. I was so nervous
to know what the results would be. But the conference helped me find answers and
calm my fears. But that didn't keep me from being at least a little anxious. We
arrived in his office and he told us that that results hadn't arrived yet! I will
have to come back tomorrow in the afternoon! Talk about trial of my pacience
haha. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It's been an emotional rollercoaster this week, but the Lord has spoken
peace to my mind and given me tons of tender mercies. I think I'm going to be
okay. I know that He takes care of his missionaries. This week I think I finally
learned to be able to say "que sea tu voluntad Padre" thy will done father. I
know that God lives, He is our loving Heavenly Father, He speaks to us through
prophets, apostles and the quiet whisperings of the Holy Ghost. I know that He,
and His son Jesus Christ are the fountain of my hope for a better future. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Thank you for all your love and support!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
love, Hermana Williams</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Ken Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682831452548303236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6355636836140533972.post-82986393011935757292015-09-29T10:49:00.001-07:002015-09-29T10:49:38.038-07:00September 28, 2015 - Bad Luck<div dir="ltr">
Hola familia y amigos,
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This week was crazy and went by very fast. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Monday and Tuesday were spent running around San Pablo to let Hna K
say goodbye to all the members and investigators. She really loved this sector
and it was very emotional for her. Reminded me of when I left Punta
Arenas. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Wednesday I woke up with a horrible cold. I felt awful. I had aches and
chills and a fever and everything. We had therapy in the morning and I slept on
the medical table haha. We had cambios, my new companion Hna Pinto came. She is
from Colombia and she is really nice and cute and funny. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzuj1nk7MJznIpz5MzBWx5uAtNQ_qWGLzChMVMkJMRWWEY429_8-eIs0e-bTZfjlOhqU-Dig_eRzTOYqn_vp5pPH869BTDJtC2Mh6GYcXyPHJgZb9dL7-0m7jVOTSgU3mz9UkoqQ19znA/s1600/SAM_2704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzuj1nk7MJznIpz5MzBWx5uAtNQ_qWGLzChMVMkJMRWWEY429_8-eIs0e-bTZfjlOhqU-Dig_eRzTOYqn_vp5pPH869BTDJtC2Mh6GYcXyPHJgZb9dL7-0m7jVOTSgU3mz9UkoqQ19znA/s320/SAM_2704.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hermana Williams and Hermana Pinto</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I feel bad because we came home, I showed her around the house and then I
slept some more while she unpacked. So we didn't do much Wednesday. I felt
awful. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Thursday I was still horribly sick; I had a gross cough and I could barely
talk. we were able to visit some people, but not the whole day. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Friday we met with Doctor Garcia so he could check up on my knee. I finished all the therapy sessions so he was going to tell me if my knee is
better and if I can walk or not. My knee felt pretty good this past week. except
on Thursday. Wednesday night I made the mistake of walking really fast so we
could get to the house on time and Thursday my knee was suffering. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
When we saw the doctor he took a look at my knee, but then he heard my
cough and he was like ".... you have bronchitis." and I'm like "WHAT NO" so he
took a look and listened to my lungs and diagnosed me with bronchitis. He wrote
me a prescription for a million pills and an inhaler. He told me he wasn't going
to do anything for my knee until my lungs were better. I was to go home and stay
inside and rest and not go outside if it was really cold or windy. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As for my knee, he looked at it, moved it around, etc. and he still says
something's wrong, because it still hurts and it shouldn't hurt anymore. He wants
to take an xray or a ct scan or something and he`s already sent to order to the
Mission to start doing the paperwork for it. So we`ll see how that goes. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So I'm in the house again! I'm beginning to think I have the worst luck ever.
I'm pretty sure the mission nurse laughed when I told her I have bronchitis now. I am the mission´s problem child haha. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Friday we stayed in the house! Saturday we went out to work because I was
feeling a lot better and it wasn't that cold or windy. We worked for almost the
whole day and we taught 3 lessons. I felt great!!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwtaPjO6PjRIGnrdOtMrw34-o-pG_srEkxkIQ9_9cdUWHXSSIWAMmSVu4pm_ZCw22xGO-Km0iKw34Y3I3WugOEaO75b5f4DWF9BfGVqBzgDKeW7Gt9L2g1f9VHvFqIV3qwIJ9Zum8fHE4/s1600/2015-09-28-01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwtaPjO6PjRIGnrdOtMrw34-o-pG_srEkxkIQ9_9cdUWHXSSIWAMmSVu4pm_ZCw22xGO-Km0iKw34Y3I3WugOEaO75b5f4DWF9BfGVqBzgDKeW7Gt9L2g1f9VHvFqIV3qwIJ9Zum8fHE4/s320/2015-09-28-01.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stray dog, Johnny that follows us around all day and waits for us when we're inside a house. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Sunday we had a big conference in Osorno. They are combining the District
of La Union with the Osorno Stake and we got to hear from Elder Ferrera from the
Seventy and Presidente Obeso. But we were sitting way in the back and the sound
was bad so I barely heard anything... but it was still good. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Sunday in the afternoon it was really rainy and windy and I felt sick
still, worse than Saturday because I kind of overdid it. So we called the nurse
and she told me to stay inside. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
That`s basically all that happened this week; kind of boring. I have a
little cardboard box of all my medications and little post it note schedules for
when I have to take them. I take about 6 pills in the morning and night, three
during the day and an inhaler every 6 hours. So i have to wake up at 1am
every night to take it or else I have a cough attack. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxn07mX4kRxXXQ3O2FrttQ_7pTf2TxNTi8u43RURm8ctT7SvPbU7dMyQfmTZzWZWynJfso1quAKh76L4_Yv-48eWVNSB_AOmvajzhJNEtp73G22r6SapizQQQfg-LErmqgDK4PxFo4Dto/s1600/SAM_2702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxn07mX4kRxXXQ3O2FrttQ_7pTf2TxNTi8u43RURm8ctT7SvPbU7dMyQfmTZzWZWynJfso1quAKh76L4_Yv-48eWVNSB_AOmvajzhJNEtp73G22r6SapizQQQfg-LErmqgDK4PxFo4Dto/s320/SAM_2702.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So many pills!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This week I will complete 14 months in the mission. 4 months until I come
home. it has gone by very fast. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Thanks for all the emails and support every week. I'm going to be just
fine. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I know that God lives, He is my loving Father in Heaven, and his son Jesus
Christ is my Savior and that is our greatest source of hope in this life. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
love, hermana Williams</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Ken Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682831452548303236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6355636836140533972.post-35758322948300320792015-09-24T15:40:00.001-07:002015-09-24T17:54:01.703-07:00September 21, 2015 - More Changes<div dir="ltr">
Hola familia y amigos,
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Well I guess I should clarify that am alive. I know that there was a
big earthquake in Chile this week and that it was all over the news. It was
in northern part of Chile, and my area was not affected at all. We didn't even
feel the ground move or anything. So yes, I am safe, don't worry.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ZRwiRbBDdYRwJE5c5EOGdkSybWXSTog0ie5MyX0Wy5ZpIMwzTyrpKMN3_NqNGp3Z_VmrUWUOUkaMe0ikDR2K8dEUG5qhWu6xcioHTXJzCsPdz7HPN-p-qkM-aJCLszH3qDbSWPAC5Ok/s1600/2015-09-21-01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ZRwiRbBDdYRwJE5c5EOGdkSybWXSTog0ie5MyX0Wy5ZpIMwzTyrpKMN3_NqNGp3Z_VmrUWUOUkaMe0ikDR2K8dEUG5qhWu6xcioHTXJzCsPdz7HPN-p-qkM-aJCLszH3qDbSWPAC5Ok/s320/2015-09-21-01.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hermana K and Hermana Williams</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I was more worried for Scott than anything but it sounds like Easter Island
wasn't hit, so he`s okay I hope. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This week we went to the clinic a lot and had a couple of inside the house
adventures. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On tuesday we made empanadas with our landlady who lives next door- so I
only had to hobble five steps haha. Her name is Maria and she lives all a lone
and she loves it when we come over and talk to her. She showed us all her photo
albums and got so excited. She also taught us how to make empanadas and she`s the
cutest. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On Wednesday I was cleaning and polishing my leather boots that I bought
here and I replaced the soles with my Superfeet. Turns out the soles were
completely shredded. There's a tradition here in the mission that when you
complete one year you have to burn something; a shirt or skirt or something. So we
burned my shoe soles in our beautiful little wood stove!I wrote the names of
all my previous sectors on the soles with a Sharpie and we took pictures and
videos.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirU_NLolc_gsNOTAAC6FCYXqzRfxorl7PCfP9YEqk0VwgJ1qmfSPXqqOcy8vIZoOwGCJzRs0k87-OEQBVTtyHIoYUjQ5iQrYJ2LgetwLExyM059aDbTuvkXTSyvC7YokX9a_SJC_iWkK0/s1600/2015-09-21-03.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirU_NLolc_gsNOTAAC6FCYXqzRfxorl7PCfP9YEqk0VwgJ1qmfSPXqqOcy8vIZoOwGCJzRs0k87-OEQBVTtyHIoYUjQ5iQrYJ2LgetwLExyM059aDbTuvkXTSyvC7YokX9a_SJC_iWkK0/s320/2015-09-21-03.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hna. Williams baring her SOLE!</td></tr>
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<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On Thursday we went to the clinic like normal and I met with a new doctor
to try to get my pain medication refilled. He took a look at my knee and told
me I can start going out to work again! He said I can walk, but not fast and of
course if my knee starts to hurt I need to rest and take a break. So I can last
about 3 hours maximum, but that's better than nothing! He also told me that I
need to start wearing tennis shoes.... right when I though I had already learned
my humility lesson, now I have to wear my tennis shoes with a skirt..... it was
hard enough to buy and wear mission shoes... trial of my faith haha. But I know
it will help my knee so, I will obey. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Friday was the 18 of September CHILEAN INDEPENDENCE DAY!!! It's a huge deal
here. We had permission to hang out with the members in the activity all day
because there are a lot of drunks in the streets. We made sopaipillas,
empanadas, played games, danced cueca and ate Once, It was awesome!! It's a small
branch where the members are one big family. I wasn't able to tap dance this
year... but Hna K enjoyed herself, It's her first 18.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3lMdN-mZ0tT4U4Jjjn0EkShde1v7wusHQ4-C49z1djFmC554Fno5P55l5iFwhFc3qMpZ6cpJkHxt8ZeasL8msSIRsGlSe6GSBl73QpyQ0TMUAah9oZjHTHV-j3__siw47uFcv-5GyrXg/s1600/2015-09-21-07.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3lMdN-mZ0tT4U4Jjjn0EkShde1v7wusHQ4-C49z1djFmC554Fno5P55l5iFwhFc3qMpZ6cpJkHxt8ZeasL8msSIRsGlSe6GSBl73QpyQ0TMUAah9oZjHTHV-j3__siw47uFcv-5GyrXg/s400/2015-09-21-07.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hermana Williams Making Sopaipillas for the Sept. 18th Activity.</td></tr>
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<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGXh5uiQmN9nyJWVyotWFps_fl_UZqd8OA8yUxjybMIIZO1URWeHIwbYwpBMfD5aD1gsBzwBvXvMSHGnmTvqk2ao5KTZiW7b2LAoNUqa9xZhLpWw0nb5ASLAw3ffIaXIp0WC-dDeMqa8Q/s1600/SAM_2679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGXh5uiQmN9nyJWVyotWFps_fl_UZqd8OA8yUxjybMIIZO1URWeHIwbYwpBMfD5aD1gsBzwBvXvMSHGnmTvqk2ao5KTZiW7b2LAoNUqa9xZhLpWw0nb5ASLAw3ffIaXIp0WC-dDeMqa8Q/s400/SAM_2679.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chilean Independence Day Branch Activity</td></tr>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Saturday we didn't leave out to work much because Chileans love to party and
there were lots of drunks. We worked until it got dark outside. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
sunday we had church and it was great, i had to give the sunday school
class. i was thinking that if someone had asked me to give a class in spanish a
year ago i would have died.... but now its a little more fun. we`re going to
have a big conference next week because they`re combining our district and
branches with the osorno stake. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This week we have cambios! Hna K and I thought we were going to
stay together because I just got here, but wrong! She`s going to Rio Bueno and
she`ll be in the same district with me still. I am receiving a new
companion,Hna P from Colombia. I'm excited. I don't know the sector here
yet.... but I did it in Puerto Varas and I can do it again. I'ts a small town. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Sorry I don't have much to write. That's about it. </div>
<div>
Let hna Braithwaite know that I did recieve all my stuff... thanks for the
toddys! I love her. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm still learning a lot of pacience and humility this week. but I am
feeling better. I have faith that I'm on the path back to being better. I know
that Heavenly Father is with us every step of the way when we pass through hard
times, I know that we are His children and He loves us. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm grateful to be His missionary. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
love, Hermana Williams<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAgQbK6aUWREjrxB_sXj5Y2BRakBMBVgl7_66z456CQngP8hAYf84-gmZOmGXXVJ6_yC_E0kXj5VNaWbMDx_zhFwfmaR8cnyh18ml7bNM23hKa4pjYJEQvDvB1lZx3slOOSoohkr2oca0/s1600/2015-09-21-04.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAgQbK6aUWREjrxB_sXj5Y2BRakBMBVgl7_66z456CQngP8hAYf84-gmZOmGXXVJ6_yC_E0kXj5VNaWbMDx_zhFwfmaR8cnyh18ml7bNM23hKa4pjYJEQvDvB1lZx3slOOSoohkr2oca0/s400/2015-09-21-04.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnWrROdWVdNkHEcaZWF0i76wDx9LNXIb_tfEJKw7IrJrSW9Js-yerTohhYsR10q91Pm6lKUZKBeNY_RTfntVUelq0qMwlRCOAAgzEkpUPICa_5Bko4Ie_57JTEESiv4nUFwBgWEVwm6Y0/s1600/2015-09-21-05.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnWrROdWVdNkHEcaZWF0i76wDx9LNXIb_tfEJKw7IrJrSW9Js-yerTohhYsR10q91Pm6lKUZKBeNY_RTfntVUelq0qMwlRCOAAgzEkpUPICa_5Bko4Ie_57JTEESiv4nUFwBgWEVwm6Y0/s400/2015-09-21-05.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Subway with Hermana Jenkins!</td></tr>
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Ken Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682831452548303236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6355636836140533972.post-58482429690547452532015-09-14T13:33:00.001-07:002015-09-14T13:33:13.834-07:00September 14, 2015 - One Year in ChileHola familia y amigos,
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This week I completed one whole year in Chile! it seems like just yesterday
I was getting off the tiniest plane in the tiniest airport in Osorno and shaking
President Obeso´s hand for the first time. A lot has changed in one year and a
lot has changed in only one week. I can say that I never planned on the mission
turning out this way when I completed a year in Chile. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So Monday they called and said I had sobre cambios. I thought they meant I
would leave Tuesday in the morning, but no, they called and told me I was
scheduled to leave on the bus at 7pm that same night! That was a nightmare. We
ran home and Hna B helped me pack while I tried not to have a break
down and still call and say goodbye to members. We got everything packed up in
time and headed to Puerto Montt to take the bus there. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Saying goodbye to Hna B was very hard; we both cried a lot. I
know we`re going to see each other after the mission, but it was still hard. I
wanted to at least finish her training. I don't think I`ve ever cried so much in
my entire life. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I arrived in La Union at about 9:30pm and the hermanas lideres were there
to greet me with my new companion. My new hermanas lideres are Hna C, from
Valdivia and Hermana L V, (my former roommate! We were super excited! And my new companion
is Hermana K from Salem Utah. She was actually Hna B's companion
in the CCM. She was really sweet and really excited to see me. We got on another
bus to go to San Pablo. On the bus we talked and got to know each other better
and I explained everything with my knee. Her companion, Hna S, got bit by a
dog a couple weeks ago so they had already been in the house for awhile too. She understand why the change had to happen. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
San Pablo is un pueblito, a very small small town in the middle of nowhere.
It's all campo/ country. Everyone already knows each other. We have a small
rama/branch of about 30 people that regularly attend. There are tons of cows,
pigs, roosters, chickens, and dogs that hang out in peoples back yards or in the
streets. There are more dogs than people I swear and every morning we get to
wake up to roosters... which isn't as cool as you think, it's just
annoying. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The sector is small and very flat. I'ts really cold here, like really cold,
and my first day it was really windy, It reminded me a lot of Punta Arenas.
Flashback. There are two dogs named Johnnie and Rambo that follow us around
everywhere an make trouble- bark and pick on other dogs, pee on stuff, search
through garbage, chase cars... they are ridiculous. but they are funny. On
Tuesday we left to work and it was great, but towards the end of the day my knee
started hurting bad so we came back home. Hna K bought me a Berlin
(Chilean pastry) for my one year birthday in Chile. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQtAeXKkqjGsllVRsjIH8ZVU-YwnOnC1f0qC6Km7bWM9Svh8HCJ-Uu5r1woQcFg4hojz1pYi3h5HzkGT-H-YGjtxMm1eHX-k_JaM1aB1c9l5gVJN9o23B5ovJKhAKlqeZYVEal8ohvjM/s1600/2015-09-14-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQtAeXKkqjGsllVRsjIH8ZVU-YwnOnC1f0qC6Km7bWM9Svh8HCJ-Uu5r1woQcFg4hojz1pYi3h5HzkGT-H-YGjtxMm1eHX-k_JaM1aB1c9l5gVJN9o23B5ovJKhAKlqeZYVEal8ohvjM/s1600/2015-09-14-01.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chilean Berlin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
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<div>
Hna K is really nice, she comes from a family of all boys. She is also a farm girl so she knows how to work hard. She`s very loving with the
members and is everyone`s best friend. She has been very patient with me and
everything that is happening. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On Wednesday we got permission from the nurse to go to the clinic in Osorno
and see a doctor yay! The doctor looked at my knee and wanted to take x rays and
run tests and stuff but the mission doesn't want to go through the expensive
paperwork for that. so the doctor prescribed me some pain meds and creams and
signed me up for 10 sessions of physical therapy. If the therapy doesn't work,
then we can talk about x rays. So we still don't know exactly what is wrong, but
we are doing something to help. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So this whole week was going to therapy sessions! And then coming home and
staying in the house because the doctor says I shouldn't walk a lot after
therapy. So I am still not working. and I think Hna K has cabin fever. We
were going to therapy in La Union and the doctor told me I couldn't go out to
work this past weekend; only to go to church, to cross the street, walk to lunch
etc. But today we changed to Osorno because it's easier and the new doctor told
me I need 2 days of complete rest - like I cant walk anywhere. so we`re starting
that tomorrow. I`ve been taking lots of pills and putting on lots of creams and
trying to stay positive. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This week were helped a girl with English, we shared scriptures with our
Mamita, we don't eat with members- we have a Mamita the church pays to feed us
everyday. And we went to a noche de hogar on Saturday. The members are very
loving and funny and relaxed. Of course they all wanted to know what happened
with Hna S . But they are already joking about how they`re going to kill me
off, that I'm going to finish my mission here in San Pablo.... lets not jump the
gun. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This week we studied, cleaned, organized, slept, baked, hung out, got to
know each other, read the scriptures. Our house is small and it has all wooden
paneling and I feel like I'm trapped in a wooden box. We're trying to
mentally prepare ourselves for the upcoming week of more time in the wooden
box. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This week is the 18th and we`re excited! It will be Hna K's first
18, its Chilean Independence Day! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I've been trying really hard to have a good attitude this week and its been
hard.I missed Hna B and Puerto Varas a lot and more than 100 times
the question crossed my mind "why me? why now? why everything?" But the lord
helped me see little miracles and tender mercies every day that reminded me that
He has a plan behind all of this. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Something that happened on monday, that I feel that I should share, and if
Hna B's parents end up reading this it would be great if they could let her
know.</div>
<div>
Before the mission I had to wait a long time to leave and I did not enjoy
it. I didn't understand the reason behind having to wait and suffer and stay home
while everyone else left for missions. I asked Heavenly Father a million times
why I had to wait. Well I came on the mission and I thought I understood why, I
thought there must have been lots of reasons I had to wait. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
When I was saying goodbye to Hna B, I told her ¨thank you for
making all the decisions you did so you could come on the mission and be my
daughter" and then she turned and told me "thank you for coming on the mission
when you did so you could train me" and suddenly a light came on in my mind and
I started to cry again and the Spirit told me "you had to wait to come on your
mission so you could train Hna Braithwaite... you were waiting for her". </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I thank my Heavenly Father everyday that he let Hna Braithwaite come into
my life and that I could have this short time with her. I now know that God
always answers prayers, sometimes years later but He always answers. He has
a plan and a purpose behind everything. I have faith that all of this is
happening for a reason. I just have to be pacient. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Have a great week!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
love, Hermana Williams</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Ken Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682831452548303236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6355636836140533972.post-53271343026015134982015-09-08T17:56:00.001-07:002015-09-08T17:56:41.134-07:00September 7, 2015 - Changes<div dir="ltr">
Hola familia y amigos,
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm not really in the mood to write a big long email this week because we
kind of just had a very rough past couple of hours. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In the morning the mission nurse called me and we talked about my knee and
she gave me orders to go to the hospital in Puerto Montt to get my knee checked
out by a doctor today. Of course I was super nervous. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We left to go do some paperwork to start Hna. B's Chile carnet,
ID and then later today we were going to go to Puerto Montt, but then I called
President Obeso. He gave me permission to call him today to see how things with
my knee are. I told him that things are a little bit better but it's still hard
to walk a lot and that there is still pain. He told me he would call the mission
nurse and then call me back. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Half an hour later I got a call from the AP Elder Medel and he told me
that I am going to have a sobre cambio. A sobre cambio is basically an emergency
transfer. Presidente does a switch out with missionaries in sectors. I'm being
sent to La Union which is a lot closer to Osorno and the sector is smaller and
flatter so it will be easier to walk on. I will be closer to the office and the
clinic there in Osorno so I can get the medical help I need. </div>
<div>
Hna S., a missionary from my group will be coming to be Hna B's new companion and I will be replacing Hna S and finishing the training of
her companion, who was actually the ccm companion of Hna B.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I have to pack all my things today and I think I'm leaving tomorrow. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I am very sad. Hna B is very sad too. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm going to miss Puerto Varas a lot. and Hna B of course. She is
my best friend. I don't want to leave her. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This week we had 4 lessons with members. It was great! I was still in the
house a lot for my knee. We had interviews with President on Tuesday. He came to
our house to review it. It was a good interview. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We had our investigator M.L. in church today and she loves it and is going
to progress very fast. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It was our ward mission leader, R´s birthday so we celebrated with
them. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
yeah I can't remember anything else that happened. That`s all I really feel
the need to write. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm trying to accept the changes as the Lord's will and understand that it
will be better this way. I´ll be able to get better and Hna B will be
able to work and finish her training like a normal missionary. I'm very grateful
for the time I've had here in Puerto Varas and for all the members. Above all I
will miss Hna B, she changed my life. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Next week I´ll have a new sector and a new companion, should be a new fun
adventure!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Mosiah 3:19 "<span class="verse" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino, 'Palatino Linotype', Pahoran, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino, 'Palatino Linotype', Pahoran, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px;">For the </span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino, 'Palatino Linotype', Pahoran, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px;">natural</span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino, 'Palatino Linotype', Pahoran, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px;"> </span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino, 'Palatino Linotype', Pahoran, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px;">man</span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino, 'Palatino Linotype', Pahoran, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px;"> is an </span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino, 'Palatino Linotype', Pahoran, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px;">enemy</span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino, 'Palatino Linotype', Pahoran, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px;"> to God, and has been from the </span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino, 'Palatino Linotype', Pahoran, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px;">fall</span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino, 'Palatino Linotype', Pahoran, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px;"> of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he </span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino, 'Palatino Linotype', Pahoran, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px;">yields</span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino, 'Palatino Linotype', Pahoran, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px;"> to the enticings of the </span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino, 'Palatino Linotype', Pahoran, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px;">Holy Spirit</span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino, 'Palatino Linotype', Pahoran, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px;">, and </span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino, 'Palatino Linotype', Pahoran, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px;">putteth</span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino, 'Palatino Linotype', Pahoran, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px;"> off the </span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino, 'Palatino Linotype', Pahoran, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px;">natural</span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino, 'Palatino Linotype', Pahoran, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px;"> man and becometh a </span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino, 'Palatino Linotype', Pahoran, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px;">saint</span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino, 'Palatino Linotype', Pahoran, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px;"> through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a </span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino, 'Palatino Linotype', Pahoran, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px;">child</span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino, 'Palatino Linotype', Pahoran, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px;">,</span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino, 'Palatino Linotype', Pahoran, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px;">submissive</span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino, 'Palatino Linotype', Pahoran, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px;">, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father."</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
love, Hermana Williams</div>
</div>
Ken Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682831452548303236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6355636836140533972.post-74479224215894166342015-09-01T18:58:00.001-07:002015-09-01T18:58:21.311-07:00August 31, 2015 - 13 Months<div dir="ltr">
Hola familia y amigos!
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Well this week I completed 13 months in the mission. That means 5 more
months until it ends. I can count it on 1 hand. Thats weird. I don;t like this
feeling. this month has gone by very very fast but at the same time very very
slow. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Well my knee has good days and bad days and I'm kind of just taking it one
day at a time. I still haven't gone to see a doctor. I`ve been trying to remind
the leaders so they can remind President to look for someone. I kind of have
to wait patiently. We only have 3 weeks of this transfer left which is weird
because I feel like we just got here! <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTKUNKtNfbaxgt5lGdSodAbULrz736kjcSlNweKBKRFoAl243qTEjd1GS1wHkCr13lJhwx_IL3UsHFlbghy3_Drx1AtBmGRqd9AcKu6xA7nye9N95hp5gND-7NeTATbHARTdFN1x9rymA/s1600/SAM_2609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTKUNKtNfbaxgt5lGdSodAbULrz736kjcSlNweKBKRFoAl243qTEjd1GS1wHkCr13lJhwx_IL3UsHFlbghy3_Drx1AtBmGRqd9AcKu6xA7nye9N95hp5gND-7NeTATbHARTdFN1x9rymA/s400/SAM_2609.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hermana B and Hermana Williams</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On Tuesday we had intercambios with the hermanas leaders and Hna
B went to Puerto Montt in their sector and I stayed here in Puerto
Varas with Hna O! She was my Hermana leader in Valdivia so it was super fun
to be with her again. We were able to go out and work the whole day! It felt
awesome, we taught 2 menos activos and we taught really well together and it
felt so good to be in a lesson and feel the Spirit and it made me fall in love
with being a missionary all over again. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But the next day we didn't go out much because the consequence of working
all day on Tuesday was having a swollen, throbbing knee on Wednesday! so that
was fun.... we studied a lot. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Thursday we taught our new investigator M.L. and she read The Restoration
pamphlet and said she believes it's all true and she`s super excited to read the
Book of Mormon. She even came to church on Sunday with her member friend and she
stayed all 3 hours. We`re super excited for her. The first time we taught her
she had no make up on and was in pajamas but the second time she had dressed
herself up more, cleaned the house, and she said she felt really good, excited
to learn more and that a space in her heart was finally being filled. Lots of
prayers!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We had a noche de hogar with S and R, our adoptive parents, and it
was great. We gave the lesson on conversion and the Spirit was super strong and
everyone was crying then we finished and ate salmon! Chileans are hilarious and
loud and we are one big happy family. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbnYSsdcJxyQyDOtv5yRREBjsg09GzbDyvckwOUtqxnQABy5GmDOgWEvXJvxeShwJ5fOKgQU2er3LQT6tXJRDpnTs176HRUwG9W6fHs5NYPhQOSLxdouNGEPb0h-dtIN1a4921GrbC0T8/s1600/SAM_2607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbnYSsdcJxyQyDOtv5yRREBjsg09GzbDyvckwOUtqxnQABy5GmDOgWEvXJvxeShwJ5fOKgQU2er3LQT6tXJRDpnTs176HRUwG9W6fHs5NYPhQOSLxdouNGEPb0h-dtIN1a4921GrbC0T8/s400/SAM_2607.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hermana Williams and B made "las once" or Chilean afternoon tea.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In church we had miracles happen. First of all, M.L. came and it was a
really good experience for her, There were tons of people that came up and
introduced themselves and were friendly and sat next to her. </div>
<div>
Plus 2 menos activos that we've been teaching, M and M came to
church! It was awesome, they haven't come in years! it was great to see them, We
didn't even have to pester and call them they just both came and we were so
happy! I felt like they really were miracles from the Lord because I did
absolutely nothing. I was very grateful. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Shout out to Elder Williams, have fun on the Island with his companion, Elder A! I
know you`ll be just fine! Heavenly Father takes care of His missionaries. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
love, Hermana Williams</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Ken Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682831452548303236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6355636836140533972.post-29041767251252476152015-08-26T14:13:00.000-07:002015-08-26T14:13:02.187-07:00August 24, 2015 - Waiting...<div dir="ltr">
Hola familia y amigos!
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The weeks are going by so fast. it scares me. I think I have said that in
every single email I have sent on my mission, but its true. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Well, the report on my knee: this week we could go out and work! yay, not
like normal 6 or 7 hour days but we could still work. We did have a lot of
complications though. I think our house is cursed because all 4 of us are dying
from some kind of sickness or accident or something. On Monday- Tuesday I was
still pretty sick and it was awful and we couldn't go out to work that much,
especially because people were like "you`re sick, don't come near my house and my
children" haha. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Then on Thursday I got hit with the worst headache of my entire life. It
was worse than the migraine I had a couple weeks ago. I cried because it hurt so
bad. but I took plenty of pain meds and slept it off. I still don't know where it
came from but it hasn't come back. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Then on Saturday Hna B fell down the stairs.... I know, so not
like her, but she fell pretty bad. It's a serious problem in our house. Right
before we moved in the Elders waxed all the wood floors and wood stairs but they
didn't finish sealing it or something so everything is really slippery. The
stairs are a death trap. Hna Bn has already fallen 2 times. but hna
B fell and now has a huge bruise the size of a baseball on her hip,
more bruises on her back and shoulders, her elbows were red and swollen and she
thinks she bruised a rib..... but she`s basically okay! She`s tough. but yeah,
that night her whole body hurt and the next day she suffered a bit, but now it`s
better. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Other than that we`re doing just fine here! Please dont freak out haha.
This week we were able to teach a couple menos activos and a member called us on
Wednesday and was like "I have a friend who wants the missionary discussions,
will you come visit her with me tonight? I can pick you up"It was a miracle! So
we had a lesson with member and a new investigator. This woman has gone through
a lot of trials in her life and it was a very spiritual lesson, She is prepared
to receive the gospel but still very hesitant to open up and trust us. It was
one of those lessons were I really felt, yeah, this is why I'm here in Chile, in
Puerto Varas, at this time. She`s great, lets just call her M.L. for now. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Saturday we went to the adult session of our Stake Conference! It was
great. I also got to see Hna C!!! She`s serving in Puerto Montt (we`re in
Puerto Varas but our Stake is Puerto Montt) it was awesome to see her. She
finally was transferred out of Valdivia, she was there for 10 months. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Sunday we had Stake Conference and it was packed. Presidente Obeso and Hna
obeso spoke and gave great talks. The rest of conference was very uplifting.
I came with a lot of questions and I got a lot of answers. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After stake conference I met with Presidente Obeso and we talked about my
knee and about having me see a real doctor to figure out
whats happening and then we`ll take it from there. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I was feeling very much frustrated with my body and disappointed with
everything that he gave me a blessing and promised that everything was going to
be okay. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So now its just kind of wait and see what happens, and try not to make my
knee worse. I want to just get up and go and work and ignore my knee and just
endure the pain but that`s not going to make anything better. But we really are
doing better and working and walking more. It's better now than it was three
weeks ago. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Well thats basically all I have to say for this week, not that much
happened. I still really like being a missionary! 'Im so grateful to be here and
to be a representative of Jesus Christ. I know that He lives and I know that God
is our loving Heavenly Father. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
love, Hermana Williams</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
sorry I don't have photos! my computer doesn't have a usb drive!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Ken Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682831452548303236noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6355636836140533972.post-35435288085333780362015-08-20T12:39:00.000-07:002015-08-20T12:39:10.067-07:00August 17, 2015 - Back in Action ... sort of ....<div dir="ltr">
Hola familia y amigos!
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This week was better, not perfect, but better. We could actually leave the
house and work and it felt great! Of course there were some days when we left
to work all afternoon and then there were days when my knee was like "haha
nevermind" and we had to stay inside so I could rest. but we actually
accomplished a lot this week and I felt good. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We taught a lot of menos activos this week. One is named P and she has
two little babies that are the cutest. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We also taught our investigators C and P, who have been meeting
with missionaries for almost an entire year. We put them with a bautismal
date! ... for November... but its still a date! and we`re going to help them
progress more quickly. They are great and we`re really excited for them. The
Spirit was really strong in the lesson. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We were able to visit a lot more people this week and set up appointments
to visit them this upcoming week. We taught our recent convert E and she`s a
sweetheart, She has a great testimony. She even invited her daugher to sit and
and listen. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This whole week our leader misional, R and his wife S were gone in
Santiago to visit the temple and they called us almost everyday to check up on
us. They are like our parents here, they are so cute. They brought us back the
movies 'The Restoration' and 'Testaments' so now we can watch them with
investigators! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Friday night the ward had an awesome activity. Here in Chile the month of
August is the month of cats... I have no idea why, but its an excuse to have cat - themed parties. So the ward put on a big dance party and people wore cat
costumes and painted their faces and it was crazy haha. There was a dance
competition and and the missionaries were the judges haha. In the end R and
S won and everyone thought it was fixed, But it wasnt! They really were the
best! It was a great activity. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Saturday I woke up with a sore throat and a stuffy nose, but I didn't think
much of it. Then Sunday I woke up and it was worse, I felt awful. It was just a
cold, but my head felt like it was about to explode, I couldn't think straight.
We made it through church and lunch with R and S. It was S's birthday
and we had made her brownies and we celebrated together. But we came home from
lunch and I could barely keep my eyes open so I slept for awhile. Today I still
feel pretty sick and really congested. It's not very fun. It's rough because right
when I'm starting to get back into the swing of the things I get sick.... but by
tomorrow I`ll be fine. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Today we had to wake up super early and travel to Osorno in bus so that I
could go to the mission office and renew my visa.... I am old in the mission.
but it all went well and we hung out in Osorno a bit. We visited the big
Catholic church in el Centro, we ate lunch and did some shopping, Or rather Hna
B did some shopping. She bought new rainboots because hers were
already dead. I decided to just hold off because winters going to be ending
soon. We just got back from Osorno, That's why we`re writing late. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUw8G6jboueXT4WbgW74AYN01G6kwab3F_AWHoMJP9RBM3J9JC4IZkRjBBFilpjj0AWyRYmRHIr5UzKkk5cuDXz0vCGcTsRu9uGfTvUelbLRbdf7YxAiLzmZ24-FsjY4E7FDPPUxAy9aA/s1600/2015-08-17-04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUw8G6jboueXT4WbgW74AYN01G6kwab3F_AWHoMJP9RBM3J9JC4IZkRjBBFilpjj0AWyRYmRHIr5UzKkk5cuDXz0vCGcTsRu9uGfTvUelbLRbdf7YxAiLzmZ24-FsjY4E7FDPPUxAy9aA/s640/2015-08-17-04.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hermana Williams and Hermana B in Osorno in front of the Catholic Church.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVmPAXUb7PT9HpcLv-dLPX5oXOvxdKalLvlXJQ8jlGltuKI7GxE4F-__cozaUxbA0m-Q-YSffjfFhPwndLHyI4YlMA54Cc091mCmXa2vIc0j3Mr-k2S1hg5Ztana-T2K_BxzKq4yGIkMY/s1600/SAM_2596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVmPAXUb7PT9HpcLv-dLPX5oXOvxdKalLvlXJQ8jlGltuKI7GxE4F-__cozaUxbA0m-Q-YSffjfFhPwndLHyI4YlMA54Cc091mCmXa2vIc0j3Mr-k2S1hg5Ztana-T2K_BxzKq4yGIkMY/s400/SAM_2596.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">District photo before transfers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Thats all I really have to say for this week, It went by really fast. Oh hna
R left and hna E came! It was great to see her again. and to have a
Latina in the house is awesome! Of course she`s still a bit of a clean freak,
but she hasn't broken anything yet. She`s super funny still, I'm already used to
her, Hna B and Hna B are still getting to know her but its all
good. I'm glad that shes here. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Thanks for all the letters and support. Love you all alot. I'm really happy
to be a missionary and I know that everything in the mission happens for a
reason and that Heavenly Father watches over us and I'm so grateful to be a
representative of His Son Jesus Christ. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
love, Hermana Williams</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Ken Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682831452548303236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6355636836140533972.post-62682372117990449422015-08-12T19:04:00.000-07:002015-08-12T19:49:09.809-07:00August 10, 2015 - Better<div dir="ltr">
Hola familia y amigos!
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Well this week was a little uneventful because we spent a lot of time in
the house. My knee is doing better, it's still a little swollen now and again and
some days are better than others .I just have to rest it. It's like if I think it
feels good and we go out to work and I walk too much it gets swollen and hurts
again. So there were a couple days when I said "I feel fine!" but everyone
else told me no! "You need to rest!" So we spent a lot of time studying, and Hna B reorganized the entire house while I sat on a mattress on the floor. She wouldn't let me stand up, she had to do everything for me. She really is very
selfless and patient. I'm so grateful for her!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But yeah, I think that today and tomorrow I'll be able to leave to work
like a normal missionary! Maybe not for the whole day, but for a good amount of
time. I've been taking medications and putting on cremes and taking Ibuprofen a
lot too, and I feel good.I also bought a knee brace today so now I dont feel
like my knee is going to buckle out from under me when I walk. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This week we had intercambios with the hermanas lideres on Tuesday! Hna B's first intercambio! She was a little nervous haha. So she went with
the Latina hermana to their sector; her first Latina! and I stayed with Hermana
H who is actually from my group. We went out and taught some menos activos, M & M and it was a great lesson! <b></b>Then we went back to the house
for my knee.... but it felt really good to teach again. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On Wednesday we left to work too in the afternoon, we visited a good amount
of people and we visited a part member family and the hermano had Hna
B show off her wood chopping skills, and he was pretty impressed. I'm
sure he has a little crush on her now because he lent her his guitar so she
could play in our house. Now we have a guitar and that's pretty sweet! </div>
<div>
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Thursday my knee hurt so we spent a lot of time inside. Friday we helped
paint a new preschool and we got to paint little cartoons all over the walls it
was the cutest. But that involved a lot of crouching and bending of the knee so
the next day we didnt leave at all cause it hurt so bad. Sunday we made it all
the way through church and we sang in a musical number with some other ward
members. I'm pretty sure the ward is tired of me because I've sung like 4 times
already.... </div>
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So there`s not much to report... just trying to get better. and reallyI do
feel better. oh and this week we have cambios! But of course Hna. B and I are staying together and we are really excited. Hna R is going to Los Lagos and guess who`s coming here to be Hna. Br's companion and live in the
house with us??.... Hermana E!!!!!! my companion in Valdivia!!!! I'm so
excited, its going to be awesome, and it will be great to have a Latina in the
house to help Hna B, and really all of us with our Spanish. I just
hope Hna. Espinoza doesnt destroy the house... I like our house here!! haha.</div>
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I'm happy, I'm okay! thanks for all the prayers and advice. I promise I'm
trying to be good and not overdoing it. By next week I think I'll be fine. I'm
really happy to be here in Puerto Varas with Hna. B and to be a
missionary. I know that Heavenly Father is taking care of me, everything happens
for a reason and I have faith that everything will be fine. </div>
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Thanks for all the emails!</div>
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love, Hermana Williams</div>
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Ken Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682831452548303236noreply@blogger.com0