Hello Y'all!!

I hope everyone has a GREAT Thanksgiving this week, and enjoys the company of family and friends. I am doing well, and am learning Spanish slowly but surely. I remember a few things from High School which is helpful. We have ran into one Spanish speaker so far. But a lot of Branch members have told us how many Spanish speakers are here. So we just need to find them.
The area here in Pocahontas has a lot of potential. While we haven't had a lot of success yet, I know that it will come. The Branch here is small because the majority of the branch is Less-Active. We had around 45 members there yesterday. So we have a lot of work here to do with re-activation. The Branch consists mostly of Grandparents right now. Since the middle-aged individuals aren't coming. The ward is really into Missionary Work which is exciting. They really want to find people for us to teach, and as a result we have gotten quite a few referrals. We have quite a few part-member families that we are really trying to work with right now. One consists of a 10 year old girl named Heather who is wanting to be Baptized in December around Christmas. So this week we will be starting to teach her the lessons.

My companion and I are doing GREAT! She is teaching me Spanish, and it is a great companion building activity. We are working hard to find people to teach, and to re-activate many members.

My story this week comes from my last area; Bartlett. On Tuesday we met with our investigator, Angela. When we went in and asked her how her Book of Mormon reading had been going. She said she hadn't been doing it because work, and life had been so stressful. So we read Ether 12 with her, and what happened was remarkable. The Spirit was so strong as she read. When we asked what God was telling her she wept, and said that she needs to read his word. She could feel God's love for her so strong. She kept saying how she knew God placed us in her life for a reason, and that this is the path she needs to be on.

I loved being able to "Go Vertical" this week. As I had my two hour personal devotion. I really felt a connection with my Heavenly Father like never before. I really tried to study what Heavenly Father would have me learn. I prayed and really was guided. I could really feel God's arms around me as I studied. I am loving being able to participate in the 40 day Fast- as I turn my will over to God, and try to become a new creature in him I feel strengthened. Although, I am not perfect at doing or not doing every behavior I have listed. I love being able to re-covenant with God to do better every morning and evening. I hope that this week you really thank Heavenly Father for all that you have, and seek his guidance on who you can reach out and help during this season.

Love,

Sister Whitney Jo Williams