STAY TUNED

"FEAST on the words of Christ. Don't snack, don't diet, 

but FEAST on the words of Christ - just like it's Thanksgiving Day."

Ni hao! This week has been pretty awesome. We have found a lot more success this past week and we even taught 2 lessons. Slowly but surely this area is about to blow up with so many MIRACLES. Stay tuned! :) Here is my week!

Elder Willes with his companions Elder Zeng and Elder Nelson and missionaries that served previously in the
California, Riverside Mission - including Dexter Murray, a friend from Bountiful.

On Tuesday we had an exchange. Elder Nelson and I worked with Elder Sanchez, a Spanish Elder, in our area. We spent most of the day Seeking With Faith at UCR. It was super fun and we talked with a lot of cool people!! 

Wednesday was a pretty long day and most of the day we spent at the hospital. Elder Nelson was in the hospital because they thought he had appendicitis. He doesn't and is doing well and we are grateful that everything turned out okay for him. That evening I went out and worked with the University Heights Elders. We stopped by and saw a few of their potential investigators, and even found this way cool guy, Steve. He randomly asked us to share a scripture with him, so I shared Matthew 19:26. ["But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible."] Steve loved it! We got his contact information, and the University Height Elders are teaching him again later today :) We also went by and visited the Armstrongs - an awesome family in our ward. I also had a soda for the first time on my mission!!

WE TAUGHT A  COUPLE OF LESSONS! We are beginning to see a few small miracles as we taught Fred, a UCR student, who has some interest in listening to our message about Jesus Christ on Thursday. We actually taught him in English, because English is his first language. We taught him about the Restoration of the Gospel. He liked it, but doesn't really see a need for religion in his life. Please pray for him! Also, on Saturday we had another lesson with Mike, who is another student at UCR. He has a man-bun! Makes me miss the good old long hair ;) Mike's family has a Christian background and he has a twin brother! This lesson was in Chinese. We taught him also about the Plan of Salvation. It was great! Mike gave an awesome prayer at the end of the lesson. We think we will have another lesson with him on Saturday. He is another who could use all of your prayers.

We again did service this week and cleaned up the softball field for the ward game this Saturday. We also had multi-zones training and I learned a lot. I want to become a better servant of Jesus Christ. At the end of the meeting, we had a big testimony meeting and Elder Zeng gave his final testimony and Elder Nelson gave his first. Super cool! 

You might recognize him from a few movies including a personal favorite, "Church Ball"

Something awesome that I learned this past week was from President Mullen. During multi-zones he talked about the Doctrine of Christ, and how in 2 Nephi 31:20 it encourages each one of us to FEAST on the words of Christ. Don't snack, don't diet, but FEAST on the words of Christ - just like it's Thanksgiving Day. Love you all and have a great week! 

Elder Willes

SUNNY CALIFORNIA

"This week has been better, and I know that things are going to start to pick up in our area. 

I know that if we RELY on Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, that is how we are going to find success. 

This is THEIR work, and OUR JOB is to SPREAD THIS PERFECT MESSAGE, for all to hear."

Ni Hao!! Sorry the caption to this email is the lamest thing ever, but the weather here today in California is amazing, so I thought I would let you all know. It's been a real rainy, wet and cold winter here and I'm focusing on small blessings and a bright sunny day is one. :) This week has been pretty good. Things are looking up here in the UCR area and I am super DETERMINED to find, teach and BAPTIZE and get things picked up in this area!  I know that will happen as we show Heavenly Father our work and faith. 

The glass are from a Valentines Day package from Kenzie

Elder Nelson's mom, Sister Nelson, sent us some awesome ties!

On Thursday, after going to the Temple, we had a Weekly Correlation Meeting. We discussed the work in our area and how we can improve. It was awesome! We have an awesome Ward Mission Leader. His name is Brother Haren. He has tons of energy for the work and helps us a lot. 

Friday we spent quite a bit of time hitting the good old streets of campus at UCR. :) We talk to a ton of people, but the level of interest in the Gospel tends to be pretty low, which is why we are doing our best to push English Class, which will help us to open up new opportunities in the work. We had a really cool tender mercy though. Towards the end of our seeking with faith time (contacting), we had one more English Class card to give out, before we were all out for the day. We decided to stop, and in the middle of campus, in the middle of all those college students milling around, we stopped and said a prayer. On our way back, we were able to find two Chinese people, and gave them our last English Class card that we had. Cool little story :) Heavenly Father answers prayers!!! We also were supposed to have "class that evening, but no one showed up. :( We are working on getting some better materials to pass out on campus.

Right outside our apartment. Lots of homeless live in the deserted lot.

Elder Willes and Elder Phister wearing their matching sweaters from Ross

Getting the apartment cleaned up

Saturday we spent a lot of time walking around the UCR Campus. Since it was Saturday and the weekend, there weren't a ton of people out on the streets. We didn't really find anyone to talk to that afternoon. That night, we did our weekly planning session and came up with a lot of great ideas that can help our area. I know as we continue to show our faith, we will be able to see miracles. 

Sunday was pretty awesome. We had some really great talks given in Sacrament Meeting about the importance of forgiveness. Forgiveness is so important, and we constantly need to seek forgiveness, or give it to others. Anyways, super cool. I could feel the spirit. Sunday afternoon, we had a lesson scheduled with William, who we taught the Restoration to in our car a couple of weeks ago. We were super excited, but he ended up not showing up. It was a bummer. That is okay though!! We just keep seeking. We are doing all that we know to do and I know we will find those that are prepared :)

This week has been better, and I know that things are going to start to pick up in our area. I know that if we RELY on Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, that is how we are going to find success. This is THEIR work, and OUR JOB is to SPREAD THIS PERFECT MESSAGE, for all to hear. Love you all have a great week!

Elder Willes

NEVER TAKE THE TEMPLE FOR GRANTED

"The Redlands Temple is small, but so beautiful. I am so thankful for the House of the Lord, 

where we can go worship and become closer to the Lord. Never take the Temple for granted. It's amazing! 

I am so thankful for this opportunity I have to represent my Savior, Jesus Christ. 

I love Him. I know He loves me. I know He is constantly aware of His missionaries."

Elder Zeng, Elder Willes and Elder Nelson

Hello everyone! This week has been another good week here in the California Riverside Mission. Today, (Thursday 2/9/17), was our p-day and we were able to go to the temple. It was the first time I have been able to go since being out here in the field. It was so amazing. I don't think I have ever felt the Spirit so strong. When I walked into the Celestial room, it just felt like everything was okay, and that my Heavenly Father loves me and is proud of me. I knew that Heavenly Father is certainly watching out for me and the Chinese people here. I am going to work my hardest to continue planting those seeds of faith!!!!!!! This is a tough area but we will continue to work hard and be obedient so that MIRACLES will come. 

This week we had an exchange with the Office Elders. Elder Heyward came into our area and Elder Zeng went to their area. Elder Nelson was sick for most of the day, but he was feeling good enough to come to English class on Wednesday night. The best thing is, we had people at English class too! Elder Zeng and Elder Nelson met Jack on campus and he brought 3 friends! Sadly, they all go back to China in about a week. It was a little miracle to have people come. Awesome.

Exchanges with Elder Heyward - Elder Nelson and Elder Willes

English Class

We spent most of Thursday, Friday, Monday and Wednesday on the campus seeking Chinese who are prepared so we can teach the Gospel. Lots of walking, walking, and more walking. We have met a lot of awesome Chinese people and are doing our best to find the elect and prepared. 

I am grateful for the training we continue to receive on family history. This work is so sacred and I really have gained an appreciation for it since I have been on my mission. So powerful.

On Saturday we had a really awesome service project with both our zone (Mt. Roubidoux Zone) and the Riverside Zone. We cleaned a lot of garbage off the streets of downtown Riverside. It was super fun! I love giving service. Service is another principle I have gained so much gratitude for on my mission. 

We continue to pray, fast and discuss how we can improve the work in our area. We are working hard. On Tuesday we had our ZDM meetings, where once a transfer, our zone gets together, and receives training from our ZLs. It was awesome. A lot of training about the Doctrine of Christ, specifically repentance. It was super cool! 

Sunday was awesome. This past week was Fast Sunday, so I got another opportunity to bear my testimony during Sacrament Meeting. It was a great day, and I love ANY opportunity that I have to share my testimony about the Gospel. 

The Redlands Temple is small, but so beautiful. I am so thankful for the House of the Lord, where we can go worship and become closer to the Lord. Never take the Temple for granted. It's amazing! We also went to Cafe Rio after :) Super amazing. 

I am so thankful for this opportunity I have to represent my Savior, Jesus Christ. I love Him. I know He loves me. I know He is constantly aware of His missionaries. Love you all have a great week!

Elder Willes