Hello y'all!!

 It seems as though Arkansas is kicking me out....it's had enough of me. I say that because I am supposed to be getting transfered to Bartlett, Tennessee on Wednesday (right by the Memphis Temple!!) I say "supposed to" because President Petersen originally said that I was staying in Danville then on Friday said I was getting transferred, and I haven't got a transfer call yet today. So we will see....If so, my companion will also have been out here for 6 weeks, so it should be interesting...Anyways, I hope you all were able to watch General Conference this weekend. It was AMAZING! I learned so much, and wished it could have been longer...I loved how on Saturday the focus was on Member Missionary Work. I just want to re-emphasize what they shared. We (Missionaries) cannot do this work alone, the members are the key! How great will be YOUR joy when you bring your friend, neighbor, or family member into the gospel! We need you, and the Lord needs you! Get. to. work.! :)

 The area here is really starting to grow. A lot of exciting things are happening, and I can feel the work progressing rapidly here. Keith is our main focus right now since he is getting baptized this Thursday! He has not had a cigarette for about 4 days now, and it's amazing to see how focused he is on quiting cold turkey. He neither confirms nor denies that it is easy or hard but he says that everytime he has the temptation to smoke he prays, and it goes away. What's remarkable to me is the great Faith he is, and how strong he is. He has Faith that God will get rid of the temptation and as a result God does. He came to the Sunday Morning Session of General Conference and loved it! He said what great talks they gave, and I could tell he was uplifted by what he heard. He is excited for Baptism, and looks forward to being able to go to the Temple when he is able. We have another investigator; Chelsea that has said yes to Baptism. But it is really hard to catch her because she is never home. However, when we have been able to have lessons with her she just radiates the spirit, and listens very intently to the message we share. Our main goal right now is to get her reading the Book of Mormon every night.

My companion and I are doing well. I am constantly learning from her, and she has definitely helped me to become a better missionary. As we have strived to teach more in unity, I have noticed that the Spirit is a stronger presence in our lessons. The great thing about my companion is that she challenges me to do hard things. We went street contacting this week, and she had me start a conversation. I was hesitant but after I did it I recognized that it isn't as hard as it seems. What's also great is that she uplifts me when I am down, and keeps me from dwelling on the negative.

This week we had a remarkable experience with Violet. The last time we had seen her she wasn't too keen about talking with us. This time she came out and actually seemed happy which is unusual. As we were talking with her I was really trying hard to listen to what she needed. As she spoke I noticed how charitable she is to her family. I also noticed how even though Violet has gone through some really hard things, she has Faith that it will get better. All because according to her, "it has to." As I listened I felt prompted to share Alma 7:24, "And see that ye have faith, hope, and charity, and then ye will always abound in good works." I told her how she inspires me because of her faith and hope that things are going to get better. Also, how I can see the love that she has for her family and that that's a great quality to have. As I shared this, her countenance changed even more, and she laughed and smiled. Sister Martell built on that scripture and shared a little more. After sharing those scriptures Violet said, "I found that book in my closet" and mentioned that she has a lamp so she can read at night. She hasn't been reading it, but as she said that comment I knew that she was going to read The Book of Mormon.

This week during studies I have really been trying to study the scriptures. As I have, I have been able to recognize how great of a book The Book of Mormon really is, and how God truly reveals things that we need to know in our lives as we do so. I have also studied the notes that I took during General Conference. What really stuck out to me in Conference was when Boyd K. Packer mentioned that "the scriptures hold the keys to spiritual protection." The word keys really stuck out to me because keys are usually associated with the Priesthood. This helped me recognize that as I immerse myself in the scriptures I will be protected from evil, and that it will provide me with the tools to better myself.

 I hope that as you watched General Conference something pricked your heart, and that you recognized what God wants you to do right now to better yourself. I know that as you take what you learned and apply it, you will receive blessings beyond measure. I also know that your relationship with God will be stronger than ever before.

 Love you all,

 Sister W. Williams