Friday, September 21, 2012

This week was tough. It was good, but tough

Hey ma (and any one who reads the blog.)
This week was tough. It was good, but tough. Here's why.
Each week Elder Souza and I teach "investigators" (who are actually our Spanish teachers). It's basically role playing taken seriously . We got a "new investigator" this week and got to know her a little. Her name is Ana maria she is 45 has two kids and lives with her boyfriend Luis. She runs a a book shop and is catholic. Any way, we thought that since she was religious and owned a book shop that she must have read the Bible and that she new a lot about prophets and that kind of thing. Advice for future missionaries: never assume anything. Turns out, she didn't read much and didn't know anything about the prophets. Elder Souza and I had counted on her being well versed in the Bible and at least having a basic knowledge of its contents. We were so wrong. Basically, we were caught off guard and instead of relying on the Spirit, we panicked. after our discussion, the teacher pulled us aside and humbled us. She basically said that we need to speak more Spanish all the time, study better, and rely on the Spirit in our lessons. It was like a Spiritual punch to the face. Yet, I think we needed it. We are already improving on many aspects of our lives and I know we will be better because of this experience.That's the best part about the MTC. You can be completely uncertain as to what you are doing here one day and find renewed purpose the next.
 I wanna thank my Dad for his well timed words of wisdom. Every one of his letters has come at exactly the right moment to buoy me up and keep me going. Thanks Dad. 
To everyone else, WRITE ME! Dear Elder makes it easy and in 6 short weeks you won't be able to use it anymore. I promise to Write you back =) I'm glad i am here and i love you all.
With all my love,
Elder Benjamin David Williams

Saturday, September 8, 2012

I´m not going to lie. This is tough! The MTC is very structured(which isn´t a bad thing). The structure makes things a tad bit easier but there is so much going on. Its overwhelming but not in a bad way.  how much we have to do here. Yet i Love it. the spirit here is stronger than any where i´ve ever been before. that alone makes it wonderful. my companion, Elder Souza, is from california but he lived in a tiny town(so small, i forgot its name...) He is a great example to me. He speaks Spanish well, better than i do. I was surprised when, on the second day we had the opportunity to teach an investigator. in spanish. we tried to teach him to pray. which seemed silly since i still don´t really know how to pray in spanish. but it was a good experience. i think. its incredibly humbling to be here. i have come to know that i need to rely so much more on the savior and the Spirit, especially when my companion and i teach. its hard, but i´m glad that it is. i feel like the level of difficulty has caused me to have to grow in leaps and bounds over the past few days. i can´t wait to see what will happen after a month or two =) my p days in the future will be on fridays so if you want me to write you back in a hurry, send letters before then. I love and miss you all!
Con mi amor,
Elder Williams
Ps Congratulate Mitchell and Josh for me! That is awesome for them!

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

September 5th Finally Here

The Farewell Crew

Grandma Brown
Aunt Shannon


Joshie

Sadie

Big Squeeze for my big sis

Bye Mom

Never looked Back

Monday, September 3, 2012

Missionary Training Center Address

PS This is my Mailing address while I'm at the MTC. Write me!

Elder Benjamin David Williams
MTC Mailbox # 357
MEX-LEON 1105
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793

Family Night....All Day!



These are a couple of pictures with my fam. what a great last day =)

Thoughts.....

So I'm not officially a missionary. That all happens tomorrow. I cannot tell you how excited I am to be going to the MTC and from there to the actual mission in Leon. Of course I'm a tad nervous/sad due to the fact that I won't be seeing my family or friends for the next two years. But I know that I have been called of God to serve the people of Mexico. That makes leaving a little easier. Not really, but a little. I only hope that I am an adequate servant of him.