Endure to the End

Dear Family and Friends,

This was a windy week down here in Nebraska. We did a lot of Less active finding using our ward list. One of my favorite parts of missionary work is feeling like a detective trying to find these people and find out their stories and how I can help them to feel of Heavenly Father's love again. 

We met a less active this week named Alyssa. Her father recently passed away and she moved back here to Chadron to be with her mother. As we met with her we talked about the Plan of Salvation and prayer. She told us it was really comforting to have us there and she wants to work on coming back to church. I'm very grateful we were led to her and I'm excited to continue meeting with her. 

We were able to meet with John and Vickie again this week and they have such a special place in my heart. They are so genuine and real about their Faith and struggles. They love to reach out in love and they are some of the most Christlike people I've met. 

I've been very impressed by the examples I'm surrounded with of "enduring to the end". Our District Leader, Elder Hansen, is one of these examples. He's been out about 8 months and he has faced a fair amount of adversity in his life. When he was 14 he was in a rodeo accident where he was trampled by his horse. As a result about 70% of his body is now metal. He is in pain almost always and needs to have a very risky surgery soon in order to extend his life. Despite this personal hardship and pain he goes through his days with humor and love for the work. His desire to serve the Lord is stronger than any mortal pain or fear. I'm grateful for his example of having an eternal perspective. 

Enduring to the end is an essential step of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and I would say it is the refining step of His gospel. I love how it is explained in the Book of Mormon in 2 Nephi 31

20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

21 And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God.And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen.

I know that living the gospel of Jesus Christ is indeed the only way to happiness and joy in this life and eternal joy in the life to come. I love living this gospel and I love my Savior Jesus Christ.

Love,
Sister Williams

Snowy, Windy, and Cold--trying to find Less-actives in the Nebraska flatlands!

 I call this Snow Poop! It is what builds up around your tires out here in snow country!

                 Funny photo hehe =D