I'M FLYING SOLO

CALI BOUND! Let's Go!!!

"As I think back on my time at the MTC I feel really accomplished and that I am about to complete one of the hardest things i have ever done. My time here hasn't been easy, but I have loved every second of it." 

Another Legendary Picture
Brother Xiao who is the 1st Counselor in our Branch Presidency.
Brother Xiao is from China and is the coolest guy. 

Hello everyone! :) This week has been awesome. My travel plans came this past week!!! I leave Tuesday morning, the 18th (mom note: TODAY). I report to the MTC travel office at 3:50 am. My flight leaves for Ontario, CA at about 8:50. Haha I am the only missionary in my travel group but it is going to be so awesome I am so excited!!!! Also, this last week I got my Chinese tags, Now I'm ready.

This week has gone by so fast, and I was really busy. We have taught so many lessons and had so much fun. Let me tell you a little bit how it went down!! Wednesday night Elder Shakespear and I gave a tour to all of the new missionaries in our zone. We got 8 new missionaries. They are great. We met all of them, had a little meeting, conducted a mock companionship inventory for them, and gave them a tour of the MTC. It was funny reliving the memories that I had just 8 weeks ago :)

Teaching, teaching, teaching. That's what we've been doing. We've had lessons with Liu Di Xiong and one with Wei Kai. and with Ou DX. We have been teaching a lot on the Word of Wisdom lately. Some of our investigators have problems with giving up tea, and so we are trying to work those out. Wei Kai also said he would try and commit to live it, despite his problem with alcohol. We have also been practicing our teaching on the principle of keeping the Sabbath Day holy. I am ready to get to California and try to help someone make real changes.

Elder Willes' last day at the MTC

Friday morning we got up and did service. I have one more service opportunity this coming Friday! I am kinda sad though. I really do love service. On Saturday night Elder Shakespear and I interviewed all of the district leaders, that was pretty great too. Being zone leaders is a lot of new responsibility, but we love it so much and are both so grateful for the opportunity to serve our zone. 

Sunday was awesome! As usual :) Elder Shakespear and I blessed the Sacrament in Chinese! It was a super cool experience. It was also Fast Sunday. I promised myself last month that I would get up and bear my testimony this month. I was pretty scared but the Spirit was prompting me so I got and and did it. I am so thankful I did. It was great!  We grow through sharing and speaking those words aloud. Sunday night's devotional was President Heaton, who is one of the guys in charge at the MTC. He spoke all about repentance, and how repentance is one of the biggest gifts that Heavenly Father has given us. I loved it! 

Monday we had another Skype TRC, I love those :) We Skyped a guy from Taiwan and taught him about Christ, His Atonement, and Christlike attributes. It was awesome. At the end of the lesson, we sang a hymn for him and it was my first experience singing during a lesson. I loved it and I love how easily I can feel the Spirit through music. 

Yesterday was so cool. ELDER BEDNAR came and spoke to us!!! He taught us the importance of re-studying General Conference. So I'm gonna do that. One thing Elder Bednar shared is that Conference topics are not assigned, and common themes emerge through the Spirit and power of Heaven. I loved that. General Authorities are some of our best examples of following the Spirit. 

Well everyone, I can't believe I leave in about 5 days. Crazy and so exciting :) Love you all have a great week!!

[Mom note: At 4:00 a.m. today William popped out of bed and raced to the train station. Will bought a Front Runner ticket and found his brother, Elder Wei (the 2nd) - Nathan, sitting on the upper level waiting for the train to take him to the airport. They visited for a few short minutes, Elder Willes shared his testimony in Mandarin and Will jumped off the train before it left Provo. And just like that Nate is off to spread the good news to the people of Riverside.
Elder Nathan Willes takes with him our hearts and prayers and love. Go teach peace my sweet son.]

Elder Willes