September 25, 2017

Hey Y'all!

Well Monday is already here again and I am once again writing you guys another letter that probably only 10 of you read all the way through but hey that's alright. This past week was a little bit slower of a week missionary wise, the flu is running like mad in our area so a lot of our investigators are either getting sick or they are getting over their sickness which has made it hard for us to get out and meet the people that we wanted to meet with this past week, but its OK because we were still able to see miracles and blessings either way. Its amazing to see how God works with each of his children, Just goes to show that he knows us each individually!

Saturday this past week we had a baptism in the ward for 8 Year old Bently Caviness! It was such a great meeting and at the end I had the opportunity to Confirm him a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. What a remarkable experience that was for me. I love being able to feel the Spirit of God work through me to bless the lives of others around me. I don't remember much of what I said, But I do remember how I felt while I gave the blessing and I will never forget the light that was about Bently after the confirmation. I love this gospel and I love the Power that the Priesthood has in each of our lives. I love being able to have the opportunity to act and do these wonderful ordinances in his beloved name! It truly has shaped my life for the better.

Yesterday Jason Paris came to church! He was the guy that I talked about last week. Its been such a testimony strengthener for me to see someone who two weeks ago had no faith, to now attending church and wanted to grow and learn spiritually. It was cool I was talking to him yesterday and he said: "Ya man its weird when I read the Book of Mormon my day/week just goes so much better" I was so pumped haha. If we show heavenly father that we are willing to take that step in being better, HE WILL BLESS US. I know this to be true. All it takes is the simple things in the Gospel and in life and you will be happy. God is great!

For my spiritual thought this week I'm going to share a picture of the Parable of The Pillow Case that our Primary President shared at Bently's baptism this past Saturday!

I love you all and hope you guys have a great week!

The Parable

Some sheep we found :)

Me and Bently :)

September 18, 2017

Miracles

Hey Y'all!

Well what a week it has been! as you can tell by the subject of this letter that this week was a pretty good one and boy was it! So many spiritual experiences that I will always remember and look back on for strength and guidance. Also had a lot of good laughs. Missionary work is only fun if you can find joy and crack a joke and laugh about things.... or at things...... or even at your self :) haha annnnyyyy wayyy this week was great. let me tell you why!

So last Sunday (a week ago) we went with our Elders Quorum President to go see a couple that live in Hillsville by the name of Jason and Valentina. When we met with them it was a really good lesson and the spirit was there and we were able to get them to open up to us about everything that they have gone through and how they are feeling with all that has happened and they told us that they pretty much have lost all faith in anything because no matter what they did things only got worse and the less they tried to be better the easier things seemed to be.. so we explained how Satan tries harder when we are on the path and doing our best then when we give up and all that and just invited them to PRAY. we know that prayer is the foundation of what we do and how we can communicate with our Heavenly Father and explain to him what we are going through and how we align our will with his so we left them with that commitment. ANYWAY fast forward to yesterday (Sunday) We stopped by to see them again and it was just Jason home this time and he said that when we left last time he and Valentina sat down and talked about it and both decided that they wanted to start just reading a verse a day in the scriptures (which is awesome) and he told us that when he reads he doesn't understand anything but he feels that what he is doing is good. All this was coming from a guy that a week ago didn't even care to talk about God and BOOM here he is wanted to read and come to church for the first time in YEARS. It was such a testimony builder to me that no matter how far away we are or what we are going through, its the simple things that strengthen us and keep us on the path. The power of prayer is REAL, the power of scripture study is REAL and will tell you all things what ye should do, The spirit at church is REAL and will strengthen you more than this world can. I know with out a doubt that this gospel brings peace to us when we never thought we could find it. Trust in the prophets and head their voice. 

I want you all to try your best this week just to PRAY. dont just say prayers... PRAY AND TALK TO GOD AND ASK FOR STRENGTH WHERE YOU NEED IT. I promise you will feel him there. He loves you and so do I. have a great week!!!!!

Elder Wilson

Walking through Shoes and such...

shout out to elder stephens for the awesome birthday package with the chicken mask!!!!

September 11, 2017

Tender Mercies

Hey Y'all!

Hows it going??? Sorry I wasn't able to send out a weekly last week... We went hiking the Cascades last week and at the top is a really big pretty waterfall! When we got to the top I had the greatest idea as to hike the water fall which I guess was illegal but I didn't see the sign after but anyway long story short I hike just about to the top of the water fall and when I was about to the top I slipped and fell off.. I'm not sure exactly how high it is but I have been told its anywhere from 40-75 ft. I'm alright and don't have any major injuries which is a miracle because everyone that falls from that waterfalls dies. So in other words I shouldn't be alive right now. But luckily I have some amazing angelic protectors that watched over me and took care of me the past few days. Just goes to show that heavenly father really does watch over his missionaries. 

Other than that things have been going really good! I got a new companion, his name is Elder Matchett. Hes a great guy and has one of the strongest testimonies of the gospel I have ever witnessed. 2 weeks ago he lost his father, and had the opportunity to go home and be with his family but he new the importance of this message and he knew that if the knowledge he has can still bless his life at the lowest point of his life then there are others out there who need to hear it. He inspires me so much to be better and to work and and have a deep conviction for the work and the people here in Virginia. This transfer we have the opportunity to have 5 baptisms and we plan on getting every single one of them in the font to make that promise with heavenly father and begin their walk with God. I love this work and I love the tender mercies that the lord puts in our life that helps us recognize how blessed we are.

This last week we also had the opportunity to go up to Charleston West Virginia and hear from an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. Elder Quentin L. Cook came and spoke to us as a mission and informed us of the urgency of this work. I feel so blessed to have been in the presence of someone that gets to talk with Jesus Christ. During the meeting Elder Cook looked us all in the eye and said "I know the savior lives, I know his voice, and I have seen his face." this impacted me in so many different ways. I know that this church is led and guided by men who have been called and inspired of God. and I know that they are here to help us prepare to meet our heavenly father again. I'm so grateful for this opportunity that I had to look deeper into my self and see who I am as a missionary and as a disciple of Christ. I will always need improvement but this is my time to do my best and give my all to the Lord, and that's exactly what I plan on doing, I thank my heavenly father each and every day for all of you and what blessings each of you are to me each and everyday. thank you for your love and support. It means so much. I love y'all so much and hope you guys have a great weeek!!!!!

Elder Wilson

The Rockstar Tower Me and Elder Clark built last transfer

My boys Elder Price and Elder Hanson

The wonderful sunset

Hillbilly flee market

Ride back from West Virginia

Soaked after the fall

Last selfie of me and Elder Clark

Me and the Cascades

The waterfall I fell off of.. I didn't fall off the very very top but from the left side underneath the water