March 25th Email

Easter egg hunt ehh? Nice! It was a pretty sweet week. Dad's email was about a lot of the things I have been thinking about. Easter is Amazing to me. I have contemplated a lot on my feelings of Jesus Christ. Without His Light, I would have no Hope but thank goodness for that Foundation:) So Jasmine gave her farewell?? That is way Exciting!!! Tell Her hi, and good luck for me! She will do Amazing:-) So this week was Good. One of our investigators is progressing a lot. Changing a lot, and it is so Exciting seeing that change. On Saturday we played Basketball with him, and this other recent convert and it was super fun. He Loved it loads. But there has been quite a bit of snow and they only had Sacrament meeting yesterday. There was only like twenty people at church or so. Next week when I Email I will be with Elder Vilchez, so that will be crazy fazy applesauce. Oh, so with thew Mormon Musical thing going to London? I don't know if you guys have heard but The Church is doing this MASSIVE Advertising Campaign. So in London ALL over there is Mormon Message stuff. It's Fantastic. And then this coming Sunday all of The Ward Mission team and Missionaries will be Training on talking to Friends about The Gospel. Really Exciting. It is a bit nerve-racking going into another new area already, but I am excited about it. I can't believe how much things have changed in the last few months for me haha. But It's all for a reason. There have been times where all I could rely on was Heavenly Father. And that is a very Interesting feeling. Broken things are what God uses. And submitting to the Will of God, is a Beautiful thing. But Me, and Elder VK have had a good time, and some really good laughs:) We couldn't see one of our investigators this week because he got stuck in traffic, and we were trying to fix this person's tire... Tomato, Potato. Dad, what is the biggest thing you have learned since becoming Bishop? And you too Mom? How is The Missionary work going? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm What else has happened? Elder Vk's Bike has broke so we have been taking the bus... Always a new experience on the bus haha. Have you guys ever heard this thing called "The Garden"? Michael Mclean did it with a few other people. It's called an Allegorical Oratario, it is really really Inspiring. So I will probably have a lot more to say this week. But Thank you for The Prayers. They do so much for me. Mine are with you guys too. God Lives, I know it. Jesus Christ paid The Price for us. Everything Good points towards that Great Sacrifice. Conversion is like that Regina Spektor song from Narnia. "It started out as a feeling which grew into a Hope, which then turned into a quiet thought, which then turned into a quiet word. Then That word grew Louder, and Louder until it was a BATTLE CRY!" Something like that. I Love you guys. Have an amazing week. Thanks for EVERYTHING. Sincerely, Elder Wilson

March 18th Email

Your Email's were really funny! I was laughing super hard. You guys are the best. Sounds like an eventful week. It's been a good week for us. We taught that greek guy. He is Amazing! He is very weary of organised religion because of experience with it, but he is growing very fond of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints:-) He was telling us how in the Greek Bible that when Jesus was talking to peter and was asking him for those final time if he Loved him. And the first two replies that Peter Gave to Him was that he had deep affection for him because he was ashamed after so strongly saying that He would die with him but then denied him three times. But the Third, and final time The Saviour asked "Do you Love ME? Peter's Reply was that he did LOVE Him. And that was the Transformation. He is Loving The Book of Mormon too. One of my favorite things as a Missionary is the following up on The Book of Mormon with people who have that real intent. You can see when they are starting to catch that vision. It is one of the best feelings. Another of our investigators is doing great. Struggling a bit. But I am Proud of him for his tremendous effort. So the Sheldon ward has been struggling because a lot of their members have moved away recently. So they really need some Priesthood Holders. And this last week a Member from Romania moved in, and he tried to get to church yesterday but got lost. But we had his phone number so we called him trying to find him knowing only that he was at a tesco somewhere in Birmingham Because we couldn't understand each other. His English is very minimal. But we spent about an hour and a half looking for him and finally we found him. It brought a new meaning to me of Finding The Lost Sheep:-) But we found them and he was with his nephew and walked with them to the church and taught them a bit of English. Then after getting permission we gave him The Sacrament with the only thing we had; a bit of chocolate. Seeing him partake of The Sacrament Changed something in me. There is something very unique about him and I know without a doubt that he is literally an answer to the prayers of The Sheldon ward. An Honourable, and Worthy Priesthood holder. We have been studying a lot on The Atonement as a Zone and it has been a really good Adventure:-) I think I am seeing more and more of that vision. The Lord wants all of His Children with Him. And I am trying to do my Best to gather them. I still can be a lot better though, but I am working on it:-) That is pretty crazy about cody's foot! And Jordan got another Scooter!? We had a D.A. With the italian family on saturday:-) Well. I Love you guys. I am still happy. I still fall. But I know I am where I need to be. And I know Consistently, and Dilligently Living The Gospel is where we can be happy. I Love you! Love, Elder Wilson

March 11th Email

I really needed the email's this week. Thanks. We had four Investigators at church yesterday! And one of our investigators will be getting Baptised on April 19th. Which is Amazing. Since I am so close I will be able to go to The Baptism. He is such a funny guy, he is struggling a bit with The Word of Wisdom. And has been involved with Hippy-ish things in the past so it brings a good experience to teaching Him:-) When we found him he already had a Book of Mormon that he bought from some guy at a hostel... haha. Tell Brachen Congradulations! What a guy. Tell Rylan hi for me too. I Love them:-) That is way cool that Chris anderson's cousin is coming here! I will definitely look out for him. Oh, Dad so how it will work with him learning Chinese is just that we will still work together. But I guess pretty much it's so that Chinese people feel more comfortable talking to us. I think it's mainly for the talking to them on the street. I will learn a bit of chinese too Probs. Nothing like him though haha. But we will be studying from 8 till 12 average on everyday:-) But there is another fairly new Missionary that is around us and they might study together sometimes but I don't know. The Office Couple Missionaries are in our ward in Sheldon so Sister Morris was telling me about the flat. Apparently it's really nice so that should be good. And she brought me your guys package:-) Thank you so much for that!!! Army Men!!!!!!!! One of the biggest things I am learning now is that I want to be someone that The Lord can Trust. And Mom, thanks for writing in the journal:-) I heard about one of our investigators in Lincoln, she is just ready for The Gospel and will be Baptised on March 30th. So The Lord is blessing us. One of the other investigators is doing really good and Loves Church but she has quite a few health issues but she is Amazing. Oh, and dad that Book on The Atonement, that's from Brad Wilcox isn't it? I listened to a talk from him called "His Grace is Sufficient" He is super good. Thank you for your words Dad. I needed them. Sometimes it can be really tough. But so Rewarding. And if it isn't really tough, I probably should be working a bit harder:-) I Love you guys Loads. Thank you thank you thank you for The Prayers. I hope you have an Amazing week. I pray for you too. Love, Elder Wilson

March 4th Email

Hey Guys!!!! It has been a Great week. I am supposed to have my new Companion right now but he is in the Provo MTC until March 27th learning Chinese:-) His name is Elder Vilchez, and speaks Spanish too AND is from Kaysville!! So I am really Excited about that. And we are going to be White washing into the Harbourne ward which is still in Birmingham. Harbourne is at the very Heart of Birmingham so it should be really good. I'm doing this thing where for each transfer I will study a Christlike Attribute Thouroughly. So for the next 6 weeks it's Faith. Our investigator came to church again! It was really good. He is definitely seeing the difference in us I think. Elder VK has been sick this week so it's been hard to work. And I'm dying to get out and work harder haha. But we did have a Really Amazing New Investigator last night. This guy named from Greece. He is a Biblical Scholar and basically explained The Restoration to us to the Apostasy. It was way crazy. But We couldn't teach him for long so we will be back soon:-) He is a really nice guy though. I was Amazed at his understanding of The Gospel. And we started teaching this Cristadelphian (Not sure if that is spelled right) Family. I wanted to say Happy Birthday to Scout! That is so crazy that she is one! And Kit will be three soon! Just too crazy. I Love hearing about you guys going to The Temple:-) SPring is coming Eh? I think it is here too but you never know. It has been really sunny for the past few days so that has been good. It's kind of sad leaqving sheldon just after barely getting here, it is a really good place to be. But Oh well I guess:-) UMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM Yeah it should be a really good week coming up. I have been reading Jacob 5 and drawing like a comic book and it is helping me learn a lot! It's pretty cool. Mom, I completely agree with the Education thing. I had no idea how to effectively study haha. And now I am learning a liiiitle bit more. But it's good. As Always, Thanks for being the best. I Love you guys. I Love The Lord. Have an Amazing week. Love, Elder Wilson P.S. Look at the size of that forehead!

February 25th Email

Hello! Thank you thank you thank you for the emails. Tell Kraig hi for me!!! I can't believe he is home! And that is so Exciting about The Baptism! Keep finding and finding. So many people need this. Haha Everyone needs it. SO.... I have been called to be a Trainer of a new Missionary. I am really excited about this!!! But kind of scared. Because I still feel young in the Mission to do this, and with the shorter MTC experience The Trainers have a lot more responsibility. President Rasmussen really Emphasized that at the Trainers meeting. It was funny, they said for the first time there was more sisters to be training than Elders because this is the start of all the Missionaries coming in. But it will be a really good Experience, and I will figure out tonight. It's a possibility I might be white washing into an area but most likely not because I am already brand new in this area. I will do my Very Best. The Lord Blessed us and we got four new Investigators this week! And they are really good! This guy named Simon came to church yesterday. We knocked on his door, and yeah just started teaching him. He has a sweet beard, and I am slightly jealous... But Seriously, he is someone who has been looking for Truth, and feels very confused. And I could almost literally see worries in his life melt away as we were at church. And we found this Muslim family, Then there is this Lovely older Woman from Zimbabwe, who is so nice. She came as a referral from another ward in Birmingham. This city is very Interesting. It just has like every sort person and culture you could think of. And I mean it haha. The ward is really small, but really Amazing. Listen to this, The Bishop is German and his job takes him to Israel all the time. That's two Bishops that I ahve served with that have had jobs that take them there! So I was asking him loads of questions about it yesterday:-) And he acts like brad, and sounds like him so it is way cool. THEN a member in The Bishopric is Italian! (From Northern Italy though) And do you want to know where he served his Mission?!!!?? The Boston Massachusets Mission from 1998 to 2000. So yesterday when we were at the Bishops for dinner it was crazy becasue he had a friend from portugal over. And so they were all speaking all these languages haha. It was really cool to see though. That's pretty crazy about the snow! It has been really cold here but surprisingly not too much snow or even rain! Thanks for sharing what is going on back home. I Love hearing about you guys. Especially the Pre school stories:-) I wish you guys could see President Rasmussen in action. He said so many things that really touched me at the trainers meeting. He expressed that him and Sister Rasmussen want more than anything for their Missionaries to come unto Christ themselves. And that is what we should want as Trainers. He told us that when he was little his dad would say to him "Craig, you have two ears, and one mouth, act accordingly" Something I have learned a lot is how Important it is to actually listen to people, and actually think about them. Before in my life I had a strong Testimony, but it wasn't enough I don't think. Over the last few months of my life I have been more, and more Converted to Jesus Christ. I understand slightly more why President Houtz and others Love referring to Him as The Master. The things Preach My Gospel, and The Scriptures teach are True. Because I have felt The Atonement in my life I want nothing more than other people to feel this sweet, sweet Peace. And see The Perspective that The Gospel Brings. We don't even understand The Happiness that will come from Honorably returning Home. I Love you guys. I Love being Missionary. I want to invite you guys to do what Grandpa always says. Write in your Journals. I know that when you will do it you will see The Hand of God and where it has guided you. Then you will know how to ACT when a similiar Experience comes a long. I have seen these Blessings, and there have been moments where I know I have been on The Lords Errand. I will ever be Grateful for those Oppurtunities. I need them. Thanks for being The Best. It is always said, but I wouldn''t be here if It wasn't for the lessons you taught me. Those memories have been a training ground for me, and Holy ground too. All My Love, Elder Wilson

February 18th Email

Hey! I am in Birmingham, in a ward called Sheldon. It was really tough leaving Lincoln. We just started having so much Blessings from The Lord. But now I am in Birmingham, we have no one to teach. And a few Less active's. My Companion is Elder Van Kerchoven, But just goes by Elder VK. (From Belgium:-) It was insanely hard leaving my Companions, and Lincoln. I felt very much attatched to that City. But a new Chapter is about to unfold in my life. And I am excited to see where it is going to go. We are going to be doing a lot of finding:-) Which is exciting! President Rasmussen has shown us this wonderful way of finding, and I have seen Miracles from it already. One of our investigators is going to be Baptised in March. She is Literally like the Scriptures say "Elect". It means so much that we were able to find her through Music. The Lord is So Amazing. I didn't know about our recent convert's kids???????????? That means so much to me. I Love that Family so so so so soooooooooo so so Much. Thats sweet that you found that guy who went here! But I don't really know what else to say. Oh, I was by myself travelling which was quite terrifying to be honest haha. But Something I would like to say is that I know that we will find people here if we are being Obedient to God's Commandments, and The Mission Rules. I have gained a Testimony of that. I Love being able to Feel The Spirit and to say what God would have me say, or do what He would have me do. It has changed my life, and I am beginning to see clearer. Oh, and I am serving near Elder Jones! Woot!!!!!!!! So things are pretty good:-) I am really excited to get to work here, you guys are the best. I have so much Love in my heart, and it feels so full as I read your Email's. I Love you so much. Have an Amazing week. Love, Elder Wilson

February 11th Email

Loved The emails!!! Did one of the kids say that I was a Cheeky Monkey??? I don't really know how to explain what it means haha. Cheeky means that you like to raz a little bit. So they just say cheeky monkey as a phrase. So we taught our one investigators, and it was so good. She said that when she comes to know it's True she will be Baptised, but she wouldn't set a date. She is SO cool!! When I went With The Zone Leaders on Thursday Guess where I got to go? TO a Baptismal Interview of a guy I taught with Elder Zundel, and Elder Jones!! That was SOOOOOOO Good. It felt weird being in Leicester though, but still really good. SO the thing in Stroud was really cool, Stroud is Incredibly, and unbelievably Beautiful. There was actually Mountains there! (Hills) The music arrangements were slightly cheesy but The Spirit was there and that is all that matters. So when I got back Elder Taylor, and Elder Watt asked if I remembered talking to this lady, and I couldn't remember. But She had called The Mission office and talked to one of the Ap's and asked for Elder Wilson. Me, and The Missionary Missionary Jared Williams had talked to her. So we went, and had a lesson with her on saturday and I recognized her. And it was a lady we just talked to for like a minute and I didn't think she would be interested at all. But she is really good, but really shy too. And She came to to church yesterday! And Accepted to be Baptised on MArch 30th. I am being so blessed as a Missionary. It is so crazy that we didn't have too much going on here, but President Rasmussen still knew that this place would catch fire and it really has these last few weeks. President Rasmussen is So Amazing! He is teaching us to have Christ the center of our lives. And he wants everyone in the Mission to be Obedient. So he says "No Lost Missionaries." Oh, I have been crazy sick these last few days too. They made me stay in last night which was slightly upsetting. But it's just this like random cold thing, at church I literally couldn't keep my eyelids open, But I am feeling better now. It just feels like a regular cold now though so It's all good. One of our other investigators is doing really good, apparently in relief society she basically said that she would be Baptised! She is so cool too! But we figured out that a MASSIVELY huge obstacle why she hasn't been Baptised is because her husband doesn't support her so she wanted him to see that this wasn't just something silly that she got into for the moment but that it actually means a lot to her. Last Transfer was really cool because she is REALLY Smart, and into Pagan Nature stuff. But Just randomly in the middle of the lesson Elder Taylor asked is she Believed that Jesus Christ was the Savior and she said yes. But then had a confused look on her face, and said that she didn't know why she said that but she Believed it. I am slowly learning more, and more that I am not alone in this work. It isn't just me, and two other Elders. We are getting so much help. Oh, Mom it snowed last night here too haha. Zone Conference is this week so that is pretty Exciting! I can not Believe we are already midway through Transfers. But things are going really good. I Love you guys tons. Thanks for The Prayers, They are really making Miracles. Have an Amazing week. Love, Elder Wilson