Hey y'all,

I hope everyone had a MERRY CHRISTMAS. I sure had a good time here. We had a very busy couple of days, and were able to make contact with quite a few Less-Actives.

Things are going pretty great here in Senatobia. DJ and Rea are getting married tomorrow. I am so excited for them!! I love how the gospel is truly changing their family. The spirit is in their home. Whereas before it wasn't really present. They both are making their lives right with God. I love seeing the transformation in their appearance as they become more Christ-like. We are just praying that DJ is able to get work off this Sunday. We were pretty disappointed when Sister Hodges didn't show up to church yesterday. On Tuesday she made multiple references to us of coming at 9. I am praying that we can get to her deep concern. I know how much she needs church. I really want her to make the first, and hardest move. To just come, and walk in the church building. I know that when she does this she will get back to weekly attendance in no time.

On Saturday we had a neat experience with a recent convert; Ramona Breazele. After visiting Brother Wolfe with her she took us out to dinner. What we didn't know is that she was going to use her Christmas money on us for the dinner. As she got to the counter to pay the cashier said that it had already been paid. Ramona, and us were confused. Ramona kept handing the cash over when finally the waiter mentioned that the people behind us had paid the bill. Now, what had happened is that a member, and her non-member husband paid the bill. It was a great example to me of how I can do random acts of service.

Today in studies I received a lot of revelation on how I can be more Christ-like. I studied a talk titled "The Merciful Obtain Mercy" by President Uchtdorf. This was a great talk for me to read since one of my New Years resolutions is to become "really, really, good at forgiving." This talk allowed me to see how I can stick to, and accomplish this resolution. Two things that really stuck out to me in this talk were that "we must not cast stones". Also, "the moment we judge someone else, we condemn ourselves..." (Quote from the Apostle Paul). I liked these quotes because it made me realize that I need to only focus on the positives and strengths of others. I need to forgive others of everything so that I can be made spotless. My goal this week is to only focus on the positive.

My invitation to everyone is make New Years Resolutions that you can keep. Set spiritual goals that will allow you to become more like Christ. May we forget and forgive so that we can obtain mercy, and forgiveness ourselves. I know the Savior lives, and loves us. He is the reason for the season.

Love, 

Sister W. Williams

MERRY CHRISTMAS y'all,

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas this year enjoyed with family, and friends. Also, that you are able to focus on the true meaning of Christmas; Christ's birth. 

This week has been a great week!!! Full of lots of exciting things. First off, DJ AND REA CAME TO CHURCH!! DJ was nervous, and ended up leaving right before priesthood which made us sad. But he did participate in reading during the Sunday school lesson. We were really shocked and happy about that. Since it took a couple of lessons for him to just read with us there. He really enjoyed church, and is very excited for his Baptism on January 17th! :) Also, DJ and Rea have made plans with Bishop Chisholm to be married on December 31st. It's exciting to see the rapid progress they are making. I know that Heavenly Father is proud. Jarrod Gant is doing really well. He is loving his job, and is doing great with the Word of Wisdom. He is regularly studying the B.O.M personally, and they are reading as a family as well. He did great at friendshiping DJ yesterday. As he invited DJ to go to Priesthood with him. What's neat is that Jarrod is recognizing the Holy Ghost more and more in his life. He feels as though every Priesthood lesson is directed directly at him. As he shared this with us it was a testimony to me of how important the gift of the Holy Ghost is in our lives. 

Robin Wilson who is a recent convert is doing remarkable! She told us this week that she feels inclined to finally share her testimony next fast Sunday. Since her family received a much needed "Secret Santa" this Christmas. She also mentioned that she had an incredible missionary experience this week. She corrected anti that her friend Heather had heard about the church. She also invited her to try church sometime. I loved seeing the excitement, and joy that came to Robin from her sharing the gospel. 

I feel like I need to share this quote from Bishop Gary E. Stevenson. Since two of my friends sent me it this week. Bishop Stevenson says, "This Christmas, mend a quarrel. Seek out a forgotten friend. Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust. Write a letter. Give a soft answer. Encourage youth. Manifest your loyalty in word and deed. Keep a promise. Forgo a grudge. Forgive an enemy. Apologize. Try to understand. Examine your demands on others. Think first of someone else. Be kind. Be gentle. Laugh a little more. Express your gratitude. Welcome a stranger. Gladden the heart of a child. Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth. Speak your love and then speak it again." This really speaks to my heart because this is how I need to be living everyday of my life. This quote tells us how we can live a CHARITABLE life. So my goal this week is to work on all these things. To truly see others as Christ sees them. 

My invitation to everyone is to pray, and seek to know what gift you can give Christ this year. I know that as y'all do. Christmas will have a stronger meaning, and you will feel yourself becoming more "perfected in Christ." 

Love y'all and Merry Christmas, 

Sister W. Williams

Hey y'all,

Even though our teaching pool still is extremely low. We had a lot of amazing miracles happen this week. First off, DJ and Rea told us that they are going to get married!!! :) They are planning on getting married the week after Christmas, and I am so excited for them. They really want to make things right, and work things out. Also, on Thursday the flushed a pack and a half worth of cigarettes DOWN THE TOILET!! Sister Goodwine, and I couldn't believe what we were seeing...it was incredible. Rea is doing really good with not smoking. DJ however, is having a hard time with it at work. We are sending DJ Book of Mormon verses to read each day to try, and help. We also invited DJ to get work off at least one Sunday this month. He said of any Sunday it would be this week. So are praying for another miracle. That he will be able to get work off, and will come to church with Rea, and their girls! :)  Oh, and we were able to set a Baptismal date with him for January 17th! I am just thrilled at the progress that both Rea, and DJ are making. 

We are making very good strides with Sister Hodges. In fact, on Tuesday she mentioned that she almost came to church last Sunday. She said that just as she was getting ready to bring her grandsons with her. Her daughter-in-law mentioned that she was taking the boys to the Baptist church. Sister Hodges said that she got discouraged. So she ended up just staying home. This broke my heart! However, it made me extremely happy since she is SO CLOSE to coming to church now. Also, she mentioned to us that after reading through the Gospel of Jesus Christ pamphlet. She now understands that in order to be a "true Christian" you need to come to church weekly. 

Sister Holley really surprised me yesterday. She agreed with Sister Linda Welch that I should get a priesthood blessing for the sleep problems I have been having. (Talking/ moaning/ crying in my sleep). Yes, I have no recollection whatsoever that I do this. My companion sure does though! In fact, she said that this morning at 5:30 a.m. I said, "That's good. Now we know what's wrong. So we can fix it. Apparantly, I am teaching in my sleep....;) I didn't realize she really understood what priesthood blessings did. So that was exciting to hear! :)

I really love 2 Nephi 25:26. It mentions that "we TALK of CHRIST, we REJOICE in CHRIST, we PREACH of Christ, we PROPHESY of CHRIST." What a great reminder to focus our attention on Christ. Especially during this Christmas season. I think that the best gift we can give Christ this season. Is a renewed effort to focus on HIM throughout the year of 2015. During this season the world focuses on materials. God wants us to focus on Christ. As we focus on Christ our souls will be filled. We will receive the gifts that we truly want to receive- Peace, Joy, Comfort, and Love.

May y'all feel of Christ's love during this Season
Love,

Sister W. Williams

Hey y'all, 

This week has been very interesting. Our teaching pool has dropped while trust with members has increased. Sister Hodges is really coming along. Each week we visit her we make more, and more progress with her coming back to church. This week we taught her about C.P.R and the importance of it. (Church, Pray, Read) It made my heart happy when I asked what got her back into reading the Book of Mormon. That she said that the assignments we gave her week after week got her back reading.:) I am looking forward to day that she comes back to church. Since I know how much she will benefit from it.

It thrilled me yesterday when Jarrod came to church!! He has missed the past two weeks, and we could definitely tell a difference in him. I could tell that he was struggling spiritually because of all the trials he has been experiencing. Church attendance, and reading the Book of Mormon is what he needed! I loved how much happier he seemed yesterday at church. :) 

Sister Goodwine, and I are seeing amazing progress with gaining trust of members. Each week we visit several different families to leave spiritual thoughts. Even though we haven't received any referrals from it. The members are wanting us in their homes more resulting in more dinner appointments. :) 

We had a great visit with Patricia Carter this week. It was an interesting visit in that she mentioned to us that Taylor; her 8 year old wants to be Baptized. So not only are we going to be working with her husband Michael. But we are going to start working with Taylor as well. It's so neat to see how much this gospel can bless this family! 

This morning in studies I started out by focusing on God's love. That lead me into studying about trials and afflictions. The reason why God's love lead to studying about trials. Is that God shows us how much he loves us by letting us experience hard things. During my studies I read "The Currant Bush" By Elder Hugh B. Brown of the Council Of The Twelve. He says, "I just want you to know that if you don't get what you think you ought to get, remember, 'God is the gardener here. He knows what he wants you to be.' Submit yourselves to his will. Be worthy of his blessings, and you will get his blessings." I love this quote since it's a good reminder that we can only reach our divine potential through trials. They are the only things that can shape is into ETERNAL beings.

I would invite each of you to read "The Currant Bush". It will change your life completely. It will help you to realize how blessed we are that God "loves us enough to cut us down." May y'all realize the Hard Things that you can do. Anything is possible with God.

Love y'all!!

Sister W. Williams

Hey y'all,
 
I hope and pray that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Let us use this season of giving as a reminder of being more Christ-like. Afterall, As "we are in the service of our fellow beings, we are only in the service of our God." (Mosiah 2:17). We had a pretty great week this week.
 
Michael Carter is doing extremely well. We had a great lesson with him on Friday evening. We taught the Restoration, and he was able to really comprehend the Priesthood. As we concluded our lesson with him. He said that he now really understands the importance of the Book of Mormon. He loves how he now understands how it connects with the Bible. He committed to praying, and working towards Baptism on December 13th!! :) My prayer is that we are able to meet with him enough times so that he can get all the lessons in time.

This morning we received a sad text from Sister Holley. She cancelled our appointment with her for this Wednesday. In fact, she said that we will resume our lessons at the beginning of the new year. This absolutely broke my heart. I was saddened that she is inhibiting her progression right now. But I can keep my head high in knowing that I have tried my best to help her to progress.

Rea Sanders (less-active) is really doing well. We are struggling with getting her to come to church on Sundays. But she really wants to get her life in order. She is working on being fully Repentant. She mentioned to us the other day that she, and DJ are thinking about getting married within the next 2 weeks! Word of Wisdom is also an issue. But we are just trying to help her overcome one thing at a time. I love how she is really trying to make positive changes in her life. She seems to have a great desire in getting back right with God.

Sister Goodwine, and I are continuing to work on member trust. Since the key to finding now is going to really be member referrals. Since, I have knocked most of the doors in Senatobia now... Please pray that we find new people to teach!! ;)

We had another great visit with Sister Hodges this week. I was happy when she mentioned that her son; Jeffrey asked her when she will be coming back to church. Even though she wouldn't commit to coming to church this past Sunday. We are continuing to make great strides in getting her back to church. I am praying that we find out what her deep concern is for coming back this week.

I love this quote from President Uchtdorf's talk, "Living the Gospel Joyful" from this past Women's Conference. "being a daughter of eternal parents is not a distinction you earned or you will ever lose." I absolutely love this quote. It helps me to truly realize the diving worth and potential we have as children of God. His love is eternal and infinite. Our duty is to look and pray to him so that we can reach what he knows we can become.
 
May we all become who God wants and needs us to come. I know that we all will be able to reach our divine potential as we seek God's guidance in all things. Also, as we grow and develop on all Christ-like attributes.

Love y'all!

Sister W. Williams