Week 53 - What a Week - Must Read.

Hola mi familia!

So this week was especially special for me. I've had a lot of experiences that have caused a huge change and growth in me. I'm just going to get right into it. 

So it all started with about two weeks ago, how I felt like I should start reading Jesus the Christ. I've been reading it every chance that I can and I finished it yesterday! I learned a lot of things that I didn't know before, but the best part of it happened as I read the last words of the book. The instant that I read the last words of the book, the spirit filed my body and I felt prompted that I needed to pray. So I did, and I felt that I should ask God if it was all true. If Jesus really does live on. Not because I didn't already know before, but because I needed to be a stronger witness of him. As I prayed I was filled with such a sweet peace. I now know with a much stronger conviction than before, that Christ lives and that he is our savior. That was experience uno. 

The second happened during zone conference this. My mission president shared story of a missionary without a testimony of obedience, because the times in his mission when he had the most success was when he was the least obedient. It really struck me. His answer was that of "imagine the greater blessings you could have received had you been obedient during the times of success, and you missed out on the opportunity to have the spirit with you." It made me look at myself and think if I was trying to be obedient just to be obedient or if it is to strive so that I can have the spirit to be with me. Both attitudes are being obedient, but the one of striving to to it to have the spirit is one of a full, consecrated heart. I realized that I had been depending mostly on my own merits most of my mission, and not what the spirit had to say. This day forward that changes. I'm not here just to be here, I'm here to do the will of the father and help his children return to him. And I can only do that by following the Holy Ghost. And I can only follow him if I am obedient. That is my new reason to be obedient. That is my new reason to work hard. That is my new reason to be here. I invite all of you to look inward and ask yourself "why do I follow the commandments?" And then study the sacrament prayers and see if you can see why God wants you to be obedient. Experience dos.

Yesterday I had the wonderful blessing of interviewing Daniel and Maria onofre. They are the parents if one of the recent converts of the ward who got baptized the first week I got here. What a sweet experience that was. As I sat there, listening to their testimonies, I thought of the first time I saw them. It was the first weekend I was here, and it was at their daughters wedding so she and her husband could get baptized the next week. I remember thinking that they had a long way to go, but I felt that they could do it. And over the last 7 1/2 months I have watched them grow. They are new and better people. And it's all because of Christ. During Maria's interview, she brought up her fear of water. So I asked her who she was going to have baptize her, in hopes to reassure her that that person would be there for her to pull her back out. And to my surprise she said "well actually I was wondering if you could?" I was very surprised, because I had never taught them or anything. So I asked why she wanted me to do it. and then she continued with "it's because I trust you" I felt such a love for her, it's hard to describe. Anyways, they both are fully prepared for their baptism this Saturday at 11. I can't wait! Experience tres. 

On Thursday we finally came in contact with a person who had requested a book of Mormon from Mormon.org. She told us how she had been reading it online because a coworker back in New York who is a member invited her to read it. So we set a return appointment for the next day. When we came back, we taught the first part of the lesson with just Alondra outside, because José was working late. We had gotten to the restoration of the priesthood and Jose came, and so we asked her to give a summary of what we had taught. she gave him a really good summary of what we had talked about. So we hit some of the points she missed and continued on. At the end José said a great prayer and We invited them to church and they said they'd come, and we showed them the worship with us page and walked them through it. Then yesterday Alondra was able to come with her 7 month old son. José got special called into work, normally he doesn't work on Sundays. So sadly he couldn't come. But she stayed all three hours and really felt good about it. We have really high hopes for them. We have a return appointment with them today! Experience cuatro. 

There were so many other miracles and great experiences this week but these are the most important and impact full to me. I'm so grateful for these blessings that the lord has blessed us with this week. I love being a missionary. 

Love y'all!

🇺🇸Elder Williams🇲🇽

Less important things but still cool

• yesterday we had English classes and 20 people showed up, it was crazy. Last week we had 5!
• Today I'm probably in one of the best places to be for the eclipse, because the best place in the world is Hopkinsville, Kentucky. Which is an hour from here. So I'm super excited for it, and our president provided the whole mission with glasses!

🇺🇸Elder Williams🇲🇽