Hi y'all,
I hope you had a WONDERFUL Christmas, and that you were able to focus on Christ and all of the things he has done and continues to do for you. I had a GREAT Christmas here! This week we taught a lot of people, and met many of God's elect.
 
Like I said, the area here seemed to explode this week. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were spent finding and teaching many whose hearts seemed to be softened with the spirit of Christ. On Christmas Eve we found a man named Cory and his family. We had a unique experience with this family. We received them as a referral three times that day. It seemed to us as though it was a sign from God telling us that Cory and his family are his elect. We prayed with Cory, and taught him The Restoration. He mentioned that his family recently moved, and has been looking for a new church to attend. He asked if our church had programs for children. We explained primary and the family centered atmosphere our church has. As we taught the Restoration he was interested in the priesthood, and the fact that our curriculum is taught in the same manner all around the world. Instead of preachers in the same church teaching different doctrine. We will be seeing them this week, and I am excited to go through the Restoration with all the family members listening.

On Christmas Day we found a couple who is also the elect. Tim showed us his tattoos after we extended the invitation to pray with him. I think he is bothered by his decision to get them. He mentioned that he isn't as close to Christ as he should be and was previously. In response to the tattoos I said, that a believer in Christ is a believer in Christ. I think my remarks shocked him because I was non-judgemental. He is interested in rekindling his relationship with Jesus Christ. He was quick to accept our return appointment. We weren't able to see him and his wife again though. But I look forward to teaching them about the Restoration of the church and gospel of Jesus Christ.
On Christmas we also met a lady named Kim. We taught her The Restoration the next day and she seemed to be quick to understanding. I extended the baptism date of January 16th and she said yes. She seemed to understand the Priesthood (which seems to be everyone's hold up). Our appointment fell through with her the other day but I look forward to getting back in contact with her. I know how much this gospel can bless her and her family. After these 3 pretty remarkable teaching days though (Dec. 24, 25, 26). The 27th was a really rough day. We knocked on at least 15 doors, and people either didn't answer, or they weren't interested at all. It was quite rough. It definitely was a trial of my faith. Luckily, I remembered President Petersen telling us. That when we are having a rather rough day. We need to DOUBLE our Faith instead of Halfing it!! The silver lining in the day though was that we met a lady named Susan. Who we will be seeing this week. She is quite familiar with Mormons I am just not sure to what extend yet though.. We will be figuring that out this week though.

Hermana Ives has been a joy to serve with. I will miss her positive attitude, and optimism she shares with all those we talk to. It is great to see the progress she made as a missionary this transfer. She went from not talking at all, to talking on door-steps, and we have been working on talking in lessons. It's been great to see the progress she has made, and her GO and DO attitude. I have learned a lot from her, and I am grateful I had the opportunity to be her companion.

On Friday we went to visit Anna & Patrick. Patrick is a non-member, and Anna was baptized years ago but quickly fell away. She told us that she had been reading the Book of Mormon and wanted to discuss things AFTER Christmas. So on Friday we knocked on the door, and immediately got bashed. She told us how she is never going to convert back to "Mormonism". Because she doesn't believe the temple is secret not sacred, and she believes in "beware of false prophets". She made these points several times wanting an argument from us. We didn't give it to her though. We walked away sad that her heart is so hardened.

This week in studies I have been really trying to liken the scriptures to myself. As I have done so it has helped me to get more out of the Book of Mormon. It has also helped me to further my relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I know that as we make the Book of Mormon a priority to read in our life we will be happy, and we will feel and notice God's presence more in our lives.
 
I pray that y'all will have an AMAZING start to the New Year, and will think of ways that you can come closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ this year. May we all rededicate ourselves to the Lord. 

Love y'all!!
Sister W. Williams