Monday, June 25, 2018

Family and Friends,

Well... This is it! The last weekly email I will send as a full-time missionary. It is really crazy how fast these two years have gone. My heart is full of gratitude for all of those who have supported me. All of you back home, those who are here in California, and all of the missionaries that I have associated with throughout my mission. This has been such a sacred experience that I will never forget. There are a lot of things that I have learned on my mission, but I would love to expound on 3 things that have impacted me so much out here. 

The first thing I would like to write about is the importance of family. By God's wisdom and love we were all put into families. Each family is different. But with the gospel, families can prosper and be united. As I have been able to help other individuals come closer to the Savior it has taught me that my personal choices can effect my family members now, my ancestors, and my posterity. Choices we make now will effect generations before and generations to come. As families work together in unity we can all make it back to our Father in Heaven. His plan is a perfect plan. 

Second, I would like to talk about integrity. I have learned that integrity builds the trust that the Lord has in us. If we do what we say we will do, even if no one is watching, the Lord will bless us. If we do not do what we say we will there are so many negative effects. This is key in this life because we make covenants. We also make promises to leaders and friends. I have learned it is imperative to be who you say you are and to do what you say you will do.

Last of all I have learned who my Savior is. He is so merciful and loving. I have had many personal experiences with His redeeming love. And I have had the wonderful opportunity to represent Him in His wonderful work. God loves His children. Our Savior is there when we are weak, when we are low, and when we feel like no one understands. I have come to know my Savior through study and prayer. I hope to continue to learn more about Him. 

I cannot wait to see all of you in a couple of days. I have waited for this moment a very long time. I have longed to hug my wonderful Mom. And to tell my Dad thanks for everything. I am very excited to be back with my siblings. With that said...I will forever remember the California Modesto Mission because of the impact it has had on my life. My love for the people, the area, and my mission will never diminish. I am so grateful for these two years and what it has taught me.

Our last weeks have been pretty crazy. We have had a lot to do on the administrative side of things. This past week we were busy cleaning our house out and getting everything ready for the transition. We have been fed a lot, luckily I have not gained back any weight that I have lost. The Lord blesses His missionaries. I love you all and I will see you in 2...DAYS!

Love, 

Elder Willden 

Sister Palmer sent these last two pictures and said,
"Wee will love him forever"

Monday, June 18, 2018

Family and Friends,

This week was a good one! Another week of a lot of exchanges and planning. We have been working on the mission transition/dissolution as well. At least we got time to proselyte! We picked up a new investigator this week named Brianna. She is cool. The only thing that is hard with her is that she goes to a Christian college so she knows the Bible and believes a lot of philosophies of men. So we will see how that continues to go, or maybe we won't haha. 

I got to go on exchanges in my old area of Turlock YSA! It was so good to be back. Unfortunately I did not get to see a lot of people though. We went out and tried a lot of old investigators that Elder Stewart and I way back when. Most were not home, but at least the Elders down there know where they live.

I have learned so much on my mission. This is something that will never be forgotten. I have also had the opportunity to learn from such a great mission president. I am so glad that I have had the sense to write in my journal each night of my mission. I will reflect on these experiences for the rest of my life! I am going to write a really good email next week! I apologize for the length of this one. One more....

Love you all!

Love,

Elder Willden

June, 4, 2018

Family and Friends,

This week was pretty good! Every week seems to be going by quicker and quicker. I apologize in advance for how short this email is going to be...Not too much that happened this week. We have just been so busy with administrative things. We moved some missionaries on Monday for a little bit. That is why I was able to send a couple of emails on Wednesday. We played some basketball and did our preparation for the rest of the week. It was nice to be able to play some ball.

We did pick up a new investigator this week. So we did get some time to proselyte. His name is Francisco. He committed to be baptized on June 16. We are excited because he already attended church and he will be coming to FHE tonight. He asks really good questions and wants to come closer to the Savior. I am so thankful that the Lord has given me yet another opportunity to teach someone. Teaching is the best feeling as a missionary. You have the opportunity to have the spirit work through you. I have noticed that when you prepare as a missionary things never go the way as planned, but the Lord gives you utterance if you put in the work. My companions are also great teachers so it helps me to be better each and every day. Please pray that Francisco continues to read and pray about the Book of Mormon. We are looking forward to his baptism day.

I have been reading in 2 Nephi for my personal study recently, specifically in 2 Nephi 28-31. It has helped me to understand the importance of the scriptures more. I know that if we read wanting to learn the Spirit of the Lord will help us to understand. 

I know that my time in the mission field is winding down...there is nothing I would rather be doing at this time. I absolutely love the Lord. He is good. I know He lives. I pray for all of you. I love you!

-- 

Love,

Elder Willden

May 28, 2018

Family and Friends,

This week has been crazy! As the California Modesto Mission's closure is coming very close we were cleaning out a lot of apartments and getting things ready for the transition. It has been such a very busy time for me in my mission. Unfortunately this week it was more on the administrative side, but we hope to have a little bit more time this week to proselyte. I definitely got sunburned today as temperature reached 98 degrees. It is soooo hot right now!

I want to share an experience from this week that was small, but meant a lot to me. As we went throughout the week, when we had time we would drop by some referrals or potentials that have been found in the past. I have always felt that knocking on doors next to them is the right thing to do because the Lord already put us in the area we might as well see if there is someone there that will listen. Well we had been doing that with little to no success. But we found some time yesterday to go out and try some of the less-active members in our ward and also referrals. We got to one of them and we were just super tired...ready to get out of there. I felt a VERY subtle prompting to knock on the door next to us as we were walking to the car. Well...we knocked on the door and went in with our normal approach. As we were speaking this lady told us that she knew who we were. She explained that she was a member of the church, but she hadn't been since she was 18. She told us missionaries would definitely be welcome at her home. As we left that house I thought of what would've happened if we did not follow that subtle prompting. The Lord has so much trust in us. If we listen to what He asks, He will trust us even more. I know that the spirit encourages us to do good always. I love missionary work. We can each take initiative by reaching out to our friends and neighbors.

This week I have had the opportunity to start the my plan program for missionaries that will be returning home in the very near future. It has been a great time of reflection and goal setting. One of the things I was asked to do was to study my patriarchal blessing. I am still in the process, but this has been such an amazing experience. If you have your blessing study it! If you do not, I invite you to contemplate receiving it. It is pure revelation given to you from a loving Father in Heaven through his called and ordained patriarchs. This church is so true. If you are questioning your testimony look into it a little deeper. Study your scriptures daily, talk to your Heavenly Father in prayer daily, partake of the sacrament weekly, put the work in and the Lord will always keep his promises(:

Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. 

-Doctrine and Covenants 88:63

I am so grateful for all of your prayers and support. I feel it and I love it. Pray that we can find all  of God's children that He has prepared for us to teach! Have a wonderful week. I love you all!

-- 

Love,

Elder Willden

Elder Ray's bday!