Monday, May 21, 2018

Family and Friends,

Not too much to report on from this week! We were crazy busy with our transfer planning and going to and from Stockton. It was definitely a week that was packed with revelation and guidance. I wrote in my journal last week that these experiences I am having now I will never forget. There is something that has been coming to my mind as I have thought about the contents of this letter. We were talking with President Palmer last week on what the California Modesto Mission's Vision means to us. (Mission Vision: We are one with the Savior in doing the will of the Father.) As I contemplated that question I realized this isn't just a vision I will carry with me for 2 years. I want to carry it into my life after the mission. Because of the Savior we can change and become better human beings. The Savior walks with us through life's troubles, trials, and experiences. I have seen it more on my mission than ever before. I am grateful for such a wonderful Mission President and Wife. As I start my last transfer I feel like this has gone too fast.

We were able to go to Stockton a lot this past week with dinner's and everything we had planned. We went to Cafe Rio a couple of times for sure;) We were able to go out with one of our members Saturday evening to teach a lesson. We taught a man named Adrian. The lesson went super well. We were able to talk about the Book of Mormon and the blessings from reading it. I hope that he takes the time to read and pray.

Today has been really crazy because we will be taking departing missionaries to the airport. We had to get everything ready for them today. I hope everything goes smoothly this week. Please if you have some time pray for Lizette, Frankie, and the investigators that we were working with in Stockton. I finally finished my time out there. I love Stockton and I hope that I can go back soon! I hope that this email isn't too short. I love you all and hope you have a great week!

-- 

Love,

Elder Willden

Andi's Temple Day 

Sister Palmer sent mom a picture of Assistants
Elder Willden, Elder Wray, Elder Cook

Big Trees Park
Assistants and President Palmer

Skyping on Mother's Day

Monday, May 14, 2018

Family and Friends,

I don't have too much time to email today because we were at Big Trees park! But I will say we had a great week this week with a lot of opportunities to work with the missionaries. 

I enjoyed talking with my family on mothers day. It has been such a great experience serving a mission. It was good to hear Luke saying that he is looking forward to a mission. I know that a mission is something the Lord has asked us to do so that we can help others. As we help others we find ourselves. 

Thanks for all of the love and support! 

Love, 

Elder Willden

Monday, May 9, 2018

Your trip

Booking ref:

VYZD9O

Check My Trip

Issued date:

06 April 2018

Baggage Info

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Traveler

Kolton William Willden (553589-R)

Agency

CHURCH TRAVEL CWT

50 East North Temple St

SALT LAKE CITY UT 84150

Telephone

801 240-5111

Fax

801-240-5115

Agent initial

M4

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Wednesday 27 June 2018

Delta Air Lines DL 2742

Departure

27 June 01:30 PM

Sacramento, (International) (+)

Terminal: A

Arrival

27 June 04:05 PM

Salt Lake City, (Salt Lake City Intl) (+)

Terminal: 2 - Terminal Unit 2

Duration

01:35 (Non stop)

Check-in

Distance

530 Miles

Booking status

Confirmed

Class

Economy (X)

Baggage allowance

2 Piece(s) for Kolton William Willden

Seat

27E (No smoking seat) confirmed for Kolton William Willden

Equipment

BOEING 737-800

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Ticket details

E-ticket DL 006-7107936808 for Kolton William Willden

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General Information CALIFORNIA MODESTO MISSION PRESIDENT BRENT A PALMER 1-209-988-7889 CELL 2040174@LDSCHURCH.ORG *** PLEASE CHECK YOUR ITINERARY TO ENSURE THAT YOUR RESERVATIONS ARE BOOKED AS REQUESTED *** . *** THANK YOU FOR CALLING CHURCH TRAVEL-801-240-5149*** . MPWILLDEN@COMCAST.NET RKHONDA@COMCAST.NET BRADLEYJWADDOUPS@GMAIL.COM *** ELECTRONIC TICKETS HAVE BEEN PURCHASED AND ARE READY FOR TRAVEL*** *** WE HAVE 24 HOURS AFTER TICKETS ARE PURCHASED TO MAKE ANY CHANGES AT NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE. AFTER 24 HOURS ALL APPLICABLE CANCELATION OR CHANGE FEES MAY APPLY. *** **NOTICE** ARRIVE AT THE AIRPORT 1 HOUR PRIOR TO DOMESTIC FLIGHTS AND 2 HOURS PRIOR TO INT*L FLIGHTS WITH REQUIRED STATE OR FEDERAL PHOTO ID AND TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, FLIGHT CHANGES ENROUTE, OR SIGNIFICANT DELAYS, IMMEDIATELY TELEPHONE MISSIONARY TRAVEL (800)537-3537 OR (801)240-5111 EMPLOYEE TRAVEL (800)537-1232 OR (801)240-1000 GENERAL AUTHORITY TRAVEL (800)453-3860 OR (801)240-1000

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Wednesday, May 9, 2018

Family and Friends,

I apologize for not writing on Monday...I know that you were all probably just sitting on my blog all day Monday and Tuesday waiting...haha just kidding. But we definitely had a crazy Monday. That is why I am writing today! We actually had a really good week last week. We weren't able to teach too many lessons, but we have been going all over the mission. We have been attending interviews with President Palmer and giving some personalized training on phone usage and how to help protect our companions. It has been such a learning experience for me; it helps me to be a better missionary and a better person.

Last week we conducted a mission leadership council and a new missionary/trainer meeting. We have just been very busy with trying to help the missionaries. Something that I got from both of the meetings was a word that is often over-looked in our missionary purpose. It says to, "HELP others to come unto Christ through..." I love that we get to help others. President Palmer took us through a training about helping others. It was very simple, but I took so much from it. The biggest thing I think I need to help others with is enduring to the end. We can help our Brothers and Sisters every where endure to the end. I like how we have been reminded to take a holier way to minister to those in our lives. The church is definitely true!

I was able to go on exchanges with Elder Miller this past week. It is crazy because the last exchange I had with him was about a year ago. I have a great friendship with him so it was cool to be able to learn from him. We also got to go work for the day out in Manteca! I had never been out to Mountain House so I thought it was a blast. It is allergy season though, so I am kinda dying out here.

Elder Cook and I now have a new companion. Elder Wray has joined us in the Modesto YSA. We will also be covering the Brookside ward again for a couple of weeks! It's crazy...I am going back a 3rd time! I am so excited. I am also super stoked that we get to go to the temple with Andi this weekend to witness her take out her endowment. She is such a great convert. She was called to be int the Young Women's Presidency last Sunday. It brings me joy that I would've never had if I wasn't on a mission.

Sorry for the short email. I got to go get some pretty good Chicago style pizza with President and Sister Palmer this past week. I am still losing weight though...we're good!:)

-- 

Love,

Elder Willden

Monday, April 30, 2018

Family and Friends,

This week went by so quickly! We were very busy with zone conferences. We split them into two days. We did the north zones in the mission on Tuesday and the south zones on Wednesday. This zone conference was focused on working with members now that we have technology and more phone safety. I thought that it went very well this week. We had the zone leaders give trainings on Mosiah 5. The spirit was very strong as the missionaries re-evaluated their commitment to the Lord. I also felt the spirit strongly as I evaluated myself and where I was at. We have to constantly re-commit ourselves to the Lord or we can find ourselves getting complacent. 

We had an exchange this week with the Turlock zone leaders. It was super good. I will send a picture of me and the elder I was with. He is actually from Kaysville so that's cool. We went out and did a lot of proselyting that day, definitely more than we usually get! It was so nice. While we were planning our day in the morning we planned to go to "airport." This is the sketchy side of Modesto. I thought it was baby-food compared to Stockton, but we enjoyed it! Had some wonderful contacts. We were also able to place a Book of Mormon. It is the best when you are able to have a gospel conversation with someone and they are willing to listen. During exchanges we had to go to a special webinar from Salt Lake. It was to train us how to use our technology (again) haha. After everything we went out to Oakdale for the evening. We had set a goal previous to going out that night to share the "Because of Him" video 2 times. Well, on our second time sharing the video we had such a wonderful experience. We approached this woman and asked if she believed in Jesus Christ. She answered yes. So we pulled our phone out and showed the video. As the video was playing we could feel the spirit very strongly. We knew this lady was feeling the spirit as well. With tears in her eyes she accepted our invitation to send some sister missionaries by. Another observation I made during this contact was that this lady's son ran to us as we were showing the video and he was very engaged. I know that everyone can and will feel the spirit as they learn of Christ. Missionary work is the best!

We had a great opportunity this week to teach one of our prospective elders. It was sad though because he will be moving to Wyoming this week. We taught him of obedience and how it brings blessings. It was a very good lesson. Whenever I teach I learn something new about the gospel. It is pretty cool because sometimes you say things that are completely directed by the spirit...then you think "oh...that's true!" After our lesson with Kallan we drove up to Lodi....that was a long drive. A lot of fields too because we had to drive through Oakdale. A lot of driving this week!

I was given the opportunity to give a talk in church on Sunday! It was on forgiveness. The Bishop asked me to also introduce myself and talk about my conversion. It went pretty good! I felt a little bit under-prepared because I didn't have a ton of time to prep. But I definitely enjoyed being able to speak. I got to share some experiences that have happened in my life. I also got to reflect on what the spirit was telling me so that I can apply it into my own life!

I appreciate all of your love and support! I love my mission and I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I feel your prayers. I hope you all have a wonderful week!

-- 

Love,

Elder Willden