BACK TO UCR

Hey everyone! Sorry this email is going to be super short. I am now in UCR again with Elder Yang! We have no time haha. I am excited for another transfer here and we are going to work our hardest! Love you all!

Elder Willes

HOW DOES THE SAVIOR SEE MY FAITH? (January 22, 2018)

"I am so beyond thankful for all of the amazing blessings that Heavenly Father 

has given to us in our area. Without Him and a loving Savior, this work would be impossible." 

Hey everyone! This past week has been another incredible week here in the CRM. We continue to see many blessings each and every day and it is the best thing to be out here and doing the Lord's work. There have been many exciting things that have happened this past week and I am excited to give you all a little update. Here is how my week went! 

A shout-out to Mamoo. Her book is in my church building.

P-day Catan! A super fun game.

Brother Li took us to CAFE RIO this past week. #奇迹

This past Tuesday we had our multi-zone conference. The meeting was awesome and we got to hear from President and Sister Hammon which is always a boost. We also had the opportunity to watch the special announcement with President Nelson as the new Prophet. What a special meeting. I love and sustain President Nelson. I know that he truly is a Prophet of God! At the multi-zone, Elder Nelson and I gave a training on Having Great Faith. During our training, we asked the missionaries, "How does the Savior see your faith?" It was really awesome and we had a spiritual day. 

On Wednesday morning we had a service project at the Ranch Jurupa Park. We cleaned trash and leaves out of the little pond that they have there. It was super fun! For the rest of the day, I was on exchanges in the Jurupa Elder's area. I was with Elder Roper and man we had a killer day! We picked up 3 new investigators for their area, and we put one of them on date for baptism! It was an incredible day and was another one of those days where you eat dinner at like 8:30-9 pm. Now that is a sign of a great day :)

Thursday morning we had the opportunity to travel to Lake Elsinore and to see Evangel one of our recent converts! We met with her at McDonalds, which meant that I had to eat McDonalds for the first time on my mission! I thought I was going to make it the whole time without! She told me I looked fatter and that Elder Nelson looked skinnier. We shared some scriptures with her. She is doing awesome. She attended the Eastvale Ward this past Sunday with Blair and Kerry which was great. We also saw Ryan Chen and continued to review the missionary lessons with him. We really have developed a great relationship with him and he is slowly remembering! During the lesson, Ryan's wife Selina who is not a member and has not expressed interest, actually came and joined in on the lesson! 

Elder Willes, Elder Nelson and Evangel

Elder Nelson and I taught Lucy and Lucia at Harada Park. They are some of our new investigators. Elder Nelson met them on exchanges. Lucia accepted a baptismal date for February 11th. She is returning to China on the 15th. We are super excited for her! It was a great lesson and the Spirit was very strong. 

We had another Weekly Blitz and I went out with Elder Lowry. We were able to find a referral for the missionaries in that area! I also went on exchanges later that day with Elder Hale. We worked together in my area and had a great lesson in the afternoon with William Hu and his wife Fu Jie Mei! We taught them at Orchard Park. It was a great lesson. It was a very busy day as we then traveled to Corona to meet with Pius and Arthur again! We read with them from Alma 32 and it was super awesome. Man I loved that chapter. 

3 investigators at church this past week. Xun and Sara and Lucia! We were super happy for them. We also met with President Jergensen and President and Sister Hammon to discuss the missionary work in the Jurupa Zone. We have made some really good strides in our zone.

This past week has been incredible. Sorry this email is so long haha but I am so beyond thankful for all of the amazing blessings that Heavenly Father has given to us in our area. Without Him and a loving Savior this work would be impossible. Continue to make Jesus Christ the center of your lives, and constantly ask yourself, "How does the Savior see my Faith?" Love you all have a great week!

Also, Happy Birthday to Beef51 this upcoming week! Thankful to have the best Dad and an amazing example in my life. Thank you for all that you do for me Dad! Love you!

pig's tongue anyone?

Elder Willes 

MUD BLIZZARD (January 15, 2018)

Hello everyone! This past week has been another week FULL of Miracles, including a miracle from today where the orthopedic specialist I saw said that everything looks good with my knee! I am so happy!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Elder Willes, President and Sister Hammon and the Jurupa Zone

This past week, Elder Nelson and I have worked really hard. We were able to find 4 new investigators, which was super awesome and we are super happy about that! We have been extremely busy! The Lord continues to bless us each and every day. It is the greatest blessing to be a part of the Lord's work. We did get to watch President Monson's funeral. A little sad for sure, but yes, a very very spiritual meeting. President Monson was an incredible person, prophet, and leader. He was my prophet. He signed my mission call. I love him and will miss him! 

On Monday night we had the opportunity to teach a new investigator from this past week, Winnie Cui. We found Winnie in the middle of Harada Park and taught her at the library. We invited Su Jie Mei to attend the lesson. It was super awesome! Winnie currently attends another church but really liked the Book of Mormon and the uniqueness of the message of the Restoration. Please pray for her!

Tuesday night we went over and had another lesson with Brian Chen! Brian and his family just recently got back from Taiwan. It was another great lesson and the Spirit was strong as we taught him! 

We also had another awesome visit with Ryan Chen! Ryan called us this past week and said that he needed some help translating some documents. Ryan is starting to trust us and we are slowly developing a great relationship with him. Ryan has been very less-active for roughly the past 2 years. It has been so awesome to see and be a part of him coming back to church. We also taught Wesley, another new investigator, at Harada Park. It was freezing outside (probably 60 degrees haha)!

Saturday morning we had a big service project in Corona. We scooped mud for like 4 hours out of people's backyards! About a week ago, we had a big rainstorm come through which caused some serious mudslides. It looked like a blizzard, but a mud blizzard! Crazy! We also had the opportunity to have a first lesson with Jack and Kelly, more new investigators from this past week. We originally had received a referral for them and we finally got to go over and teach them on Saturday! Jack is a USC graduate and Kelly graduated from UCR. They are really nice and speak English very well. Please pray for them that they can attend church!

Sunday was another awesome day although we were not able to have any investigators attend church this past week. Missionary work is the absolute best. What a blessing it is to be a part of the greatest and most important work on the earth today. Love you all have a great week!

Elder Willes

NOT EVEN BIRDS CAN STOP US (January 8, 2018)

Elder Zeng, Elder Nelson, Elder Willes and Elder Merriman
(Elders Zeng and Merriman are previous Mandarin speaking missionaries from the CA, Riverside Mission.
They stopped by for a visit. Elder Zeng is from Mainland China and is headed towards BYU-I
and was Elder Willes' trainer. *Both pics "borrowed" from Elder Nelson.)

Hello everyone! This past week has been another amazing week here in Eastvale. Elder Nelson and I have seen a lot of miracles over the past week and the Lord continues to bless us each and every day. Here is how my week went! 

This week we had the opportunity to meet with Terry Li, who was one of our new investigators from this past week. We met with Terry at the park and taught him the Restoration. He had a lot of questions and currently attends another church but was willing to read from the Book of Mormon which was awesome! He is a super cool guy. We also taught another new investigator from this past week, Alex Sun. Alex is super cool, and he just texted us out of nowhere a couple of weeks ago about our English Class. He finally came on Wednesday and we got to teach him right after class! It was a pretty good lesson. It is pretty cool when investigator's hearts are willing to hear and listen to the Spirit.

On Thursday we had our "MLC" (Missionary Leadership Council) meeting. It was super awesome! We received awesome trainings from President and Sister Hammon, and also the APs. A couple of takeaways for me were an emphasis on teaching from The Book of Mormon, trusting in the Lord to work through our fears, and having a change of heart and truly turning our hearts over to the Savior. I definitely learned a lot. That night, we went over to YuTong Li's house and we had another lesson with him! We taught him the Plan of Salvation and it was a great lesson! He accepted an invitation to be Baptized on February 11th! We are really excited for him and we look forward to continue to help him progress towards that baptismal date. 

The MLC (pic "borrowed" from President and Sister Hammon's blog)

Friday we spent a good amount of time out and about doing some more good old seeking with faith. The Lord really has been blessing us through our diligence in always being out looking for those who might be ready. And recently, we have had a lot of people to teach which is always one of the best blessings for a missionary! Friday night we also had another great English Class. After class we met again with Xun and Sara! We read through Mormon chapter 9 with them. Xun expressed to us that he does not believe that The Book of Mormon is true and he is not really willing to read. Xun and Sara are some of the best people I know so it is always hard when you feel people's hearts that you love, hardening instead of softening. Please pray for him that he can come to know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God! 

This week we also had our weekly district meetings and service at the Rancho Jurupa Park. We cleaned up a bunch of trash around a small lake. On Saturday morning we had another "Weekly Blitz." Elder Casper and I went out together and we were able to get 3 referrals for the other missionaries in their area. Awesome! That afternoon, we had the opportunity to meet with Crystal Cui again! She expressed to us that she is thinking about trying out other faiths, so please pray for her that she may come to know by the Spirit that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is God's true and restored Church! That night, we also met with another new investigator from this past week, Andy Wang. Andy was basically a referral from Annie Zhang. Andy really wants to be baptized, but is only here for a short amount of time. He leaves to go back to China very soon and won't be able to attend church and have all the lessons before leaving. It is also hard when as a missionary you have to tell someone whose heart is so open that he cannot be baptized because we don't have the time to teach him and for him to attend church before returning to China. Andy is coming back to America in April so we hope that we will be able to continue to work with him when he returns. 

Elders Nelson, Phister and Willes with matching ties

Sunday was such an awesome day! We had 5 investigators that attended church! Li Feng, Crystal Cui, Xun and Sara, and Angela Zhang all came to church! It was so awesome and a really spiritual day overall. 

FUNNY STORY!!!!! Not even the birds can't stop us! This past week while we were out seeking at a park, Elder Nelson and I contacted some super cool Chinese guys; they were brothers - Austin and Jin. In the middle of the contact, Elder Nelson and I felt something hit us! Turns out, a bird decided to poop all over Elder Nelson and I! Some of it landed on Elder Nelson's arm and I got coated. All over my shirt, my back and down my leg. Hahahaha it was definitely something to laugh about, freaked us all out a bit, but we finished the contact strong and got their contact information to hopefully meet with them later!!!!!

Words cannot begin to describe how much I love missionary work. It truly is the greatest and most important work on the earth today. Go share a little of your testimony with others and I will too. I am so excited to continue to work hard, and to bring souls unto Christ. Love you all have a great week!

P.S. For you mom -  My knee is doing much better. I am not wearing a brace right now and haven't really felt the need for it recently. Hardly any pain now. It definitely is improving and that is a good sign! Everything is going to be perfectly alright :) I am here to stay!!!!! 

加油!

Elder Willes

新年快乐

"I love my mission. I am so grateful for the privilege that I have to help bring 

souls unto Him. I love the Lord and I love His work."

Hello everyone! Happy New Year and Merry Christmas. Thank you to the many of you who I heard from this Christmas season and especially for your love and prayers. This past week has been another awesome week here in the CRM. We truly have seen a lot of miracles, and the Lord continues to bless us each and every day. This past week, we had 4 investigators that attended church and we were also able to find 2 new investigators which was awesome! 

This week Elder Nelson and I had the opportunity to go on exchanges with the APs. I went with Elder Dew again and we had a great day together. We taught a family of 5!!!!! It was super cool and so awesome to teach a big old family. They will be passed to the Spanish missionaries. I'd love to see them progress and bring the blessings of the Gospel to their family. It was a great day!

Elder Zeng, my trainer, from Mainland China, surprised us and showed up to our English Class this week. He finished his mission and went home last Spring so it was super good to see him. He has always been a great example to me of one who has given up so much for his testimony. He is on his way to BYU-I.

*Mom note - We were also lucky enough to meet Elder Zeng on Christmas Eve. He was kind and generous
in what he told us about Nathan. It was awesome to meet him and Elder Merriman (both Elders from the CA-Riverside Mission speaking Mandarin.)

Thursday morning we went to try and meet a potential investigator named Albert. Albert opened the door, and said that he had some time, so we could meet with him then! We taught him the first couple of points in the Restoration on his front porch, and it was a good lesson! He gave the prayer at the end of the lesson which was awesome! I love hearing people speak to God through prayer. 

Friday afternoon we went by Shen Di Xiong, another new investigator from this past week. Shen Di Xiong and his family just moved to Eastvale from Hacienda Heights, and they are super cool! He has two daughters, and they are a really cool family. When we went by, we only met with Shen Di Xiong, and taught him the Plan of Salvation. It was a great lesson! We hope to pick up the rest of the family as new investigators this upcoming week. Please pray for them! 

Saturday morning we had another "Weekly Blitz." Elder Hale and I went out again, and we were able to find 1 referral for the missionaries in their area. It was super awesome! That afternoon, we had another lesson with Crystal Cui! Crystal is doing so awesome! We taught her the Ten Commandments, Obeying the Law, Sabbath Day, and some important Commandments. In the closing prayer, Crystal prayed that everyone would have an opportunity to read from the Book of Mormon. It was really powerful, and the Spirit was really strong. She is still on date for baptism for February 4th. Please continue to pray for her as well!

Sunday was awesome as always. Before Church on Sunday, we had the opportunity to meet with Li Feng again! We taught him the Plan of Salvation, and it was a great lesson. We invited him to be baptized, and he declined. His wife doesn't really support him, which is sad. Also, he owns his own business and is worried about having to keep the Word of Wisdom. Please pray for him, that he can overcome these concerns and have faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ. Sunday, we had 4 investigators come to Church, which was super awesome! Li Feng, Crystal, and Xun and Sara all came to Church! It was a special experience, and we are working with a lot of really cool investigators!

Look who came to see us Christmas Day?!?! Hank and Tina (recent converts). I love them so much.

Things are going awesome here. I love my mission. I am so grateful for the privilege that I have to help bring souls unto Him. I love the Lord and I love His work. Love you all have a great week!

*Mom note - We were able to spend the day with Xun and Sara and baby Grace (pictured above) during the Christmas holidays. They came to Utah with friends for a vacation and are current investigators of Elder Willes and Elder Nelson. They came with the beautiful Lin family. We have new life-long friends! All are from Mainland China.

Elder Willes

圣诞节快乐

MICE EVERYWHERE

"Despite having no investigators at church this past week, 

I was grateful for the amazing opportunity to partake of the Sacrament, 

and renew my sacred covenants with a Loving Heavenly Father." 

December 18, 2017

Hello everyone! Another incredible week here in Eastvale. Transfers came this past week, and Elder Nelson and I will be staying in Eastvale together! I was so excited as we are working hard and trying to help a lot of people here. We are excited to help as many people as we can truly Come Unto Christ. This past week, we were able to find 5 new investigators, which truly was a Miracle! Here is how it all went down!

I had a cool experience this week. Last Monday night we were out and about doing some good old fashioned Seeking With Faith. I felt a really strong prompting to go and knock on the door at a house that we have already knocked on before. Hua Di Xiong, our Ward Mission Leader, had told us that the people living in the house were Chinese. We went and knocked and met He Di Xiong, an awesome Chinese man. He invited us in and we shared a couple of points from the Restoration with him. We taught him how to pray and we are excited for him to continue to learn! We are going to try to see him again this weekend. It was a small little miracle for me this week. 

We had another lesson with Angela Zhang this week and it was another great lesson! Please pray for Angela, and also her mom Annie, that they can recognize the importance of baptism! Our English classes this week were great and on Friday, Tom, one of our students, taught me about the name of the company, North Face. One of my favorites. Pretty cool stuff!

The Elders with the Li family from the Eastvale Ward

Aileen and Linda giving us some Christmas gifts

Thursday was so so awesome! Because we had absolutely NO time that day, we ate dinner at like 9:40 pm. A good sign of an awesome day. :) That afternoon we went by and visited Pius and his son Arthur. Pius was a referral from some other Elders in the Corona Zone. Pius is from Taiwan, and is super cool! He loves camping, and the outdoors. We were able to teach him and his 15 year old son Arthur. They were super excited about reading from the Book of Mormon, and it was an awesome lesson! Right after that, we went and visited Brian Chen. Brian was a referral, and we first contacted him through a doorbell contact where we rang the doorbell and set up an appointment. Brian knows the Jiang's (a Chinese family in the Eastvale Ward), and is super cool! We taught him a little bit from the Restoration and about the importance of prayer. It was a great lesson! Soon after that, we went to Wang Jie Mei and Yang Di Xiong's house to have another lesson with them! We taught them the Plan of Salvation and it was a great lesson too! We brought Jiang Di Xiong along with us, and the spirit was really strong. Directly after that lesson, we went and taught Cliff Yang, another super cool Chinese guy that recently moved into Annie Zhang's house. We first met Cliff when we went over and taught Angela this past week, and set up an appointment with him. We taught him the Restoration, and he accepted an invitation to be baptized on January 21st! We are super excited for him, and please pray that he can continue to progress towards that baptismal date! 

Pretty funny story...Wednesday morning we had a cool service project and moved a ton of gifts into the Stake Center for them to be wrapped for Christmas. These gifts had been stored in storage units. Our job was to move them from storage units to the church. Funny thing about this, when we were opening up some of the boxes, there were mice! Mice everywhere! We chased some mice around, inside the building and all over the parking lot. We caught like 11 of those babies! Of course, we let them free later, but it was super funny! 

Saturday was another day full of service! We did an awesome service project at Roubidoux High School, where we gave out a bunch of presents, blankets, books, and other awesome things to the kids there. I love the Spirit that comes from serving others! That afternoon, we had another lesson with Crystal Cui! We taught her about the Law of Tithing, and it was another great lesson! Crystal is doing so awesome and has read to 1 Nephi Chapter 14 in her personal Book of Mormon reading!

Elder Willes and Elder Nelson with their investigator Crystal

Sunday was another great day! Despite having no investigators at church this past week, I was grateful for the amazing opportunity to partake of the Sacrament, and renew my sacred covenants with a Loving Heavenly Father. 

*Mom note - (Elder Nathan and Elder Willes became companions January 23, 2016.
Since then, they have served together as companions except for a 6 week period of time. Crazy unique huh?? We are so grateful for Elder Nelson and how hard he and Elder Willes are working together. They are planting seeds
all over the Riverside Mission. Picture "borrowed" from Elder Nelson.)

This week has been amazing. Love you all have a great week! Merry Christmas!

Elder Willes