Hey Everybody!
Hope your guy's week has been great! Especially since I know a lot of
kids have been going back to school. If anything, I bet it was busy.
Like my week.
Since transfers happened and we got some changes in our district, it's
been very busy for us. Got a new Zone Leader, Elder Shapiro got a new
companion, and one of the sisters is now trainer (the other left.), so
we have been doing a lot of introducing them to the area and helping
them settle in. Cool thing is, Elder Moseley and I are now driving the
car!!! Before that, we were on bike but, since Elder Benedict (Elder
Shapiro's new companion.) doesn't have his license and Elder Shapiro
doesn't have his paperwork in (and considering the fact that he only
had his license for less then six months.), now we have the car!
Problem with that is that we now are switching areas and that's
confusing.
*Editor's Note (from a separate private letter):
**Sister Willis is my dad's cousin's husbands niece. We found out they were going to be in the same mission just a little before this AND that they had the same last name :)
So, interesting fact, Sister Willis is in my district! Her trainer is
Sister Jones and she's the Sister I mentioned in my General Email.
Other interesting fact, when you sent that email (which was like two
weeks before transfers.) I had told everyone in the district about
this and all the Elders claimed that Sister Jones was going to train
Sister Willis in the following transfer. Yeah, Gift of Prophecy in
action right there.
Picked up a new investigator last Sunday and had another on with her
on Tuesday, which both went well. That was cool!
*Editor's Note (from a separate private letter):
That's what I love most about my mission right now: meeting people. I meet al
kinds of people in Oroville, from drug addicts to merchants, young to
old. As much as it is a struggle for someone who is so insecure as me,
I love talking to people because I have the chance show them that I
love them and God loves them
On Thursday, Elder Moseley and I were doing service for a woman in our
ward. Cutting down her large bushes. Her mother gave us a hack saw
this time to help us cut the bushes down faster. Well, I handed it
over to Elder Moseley for a while and he went to town on the bushes as
I was using the clippers. Then, Elder Moseley went to far and cut his
finger. We shrugged because it kinda looked liked he graced it and we
asked if we could use her hose to clean it. As he was washing it, I
looked closer at it, looked at him, and said, "Elder, that's a pretty
deep cut." We left and, despite his protests, had the Zone Leaders
look at it then we began calling around the Oroville wards (1st and
3rd) for any nurses. We found one, but wasn't able to get to her until
nine o'clock at night! When we finally found the time to get over
there, the nurse said it could have used some stitches but it was too
late and used some kind of stitching tape. He's doing great though and
it wasn't anything serious.
Other than that, nothing else really happened this week. I've been
receiving everyone's letters and emails and thank you so much! I love
you all and I hope you have a good week!
Love,
Elder Paul Willis
PS Everyone keeps calling me by "Elder Willis" or "Willis" that
sometimes I forget that my first name is Paul. Ha ha.
Sunday, August 31, 2014
August 18th, 2014 - First Transfer (Oroville)
Hey Everybody!
Made it through my first transfer! We did have a good week though.
Slow, hot, hard work, but still very good. All the Elders in the
District are getting excited for transfers, though; Elder Lords and
Elder Stein are hoping to get transfers to new area. Especially since
Elder Stein spend 1/4 of his mission in Oroville. And they did, both
are becoming companions together and shot gunning in the area they
desired the most.
Other than that, work in Oroville has been slow a bit since school
started. Families we have been visiting want us to come more often,
though. And we are slowing getting to know the ward members a little
better each time. Speaking of which, I have two interesting stories to
share with you all that happened this week.
So we had dinner with a part-member family this week and the father,
Pete (he's the active member parent.) has a HUGE thing for hot food! I
mean, the guy goes through hot sauces like it's candy, which they are
to him! Anyways, we has this one sauce called The Source, and it's so
hot he literally, as he was buying it, had to sign a waver stating he
was over 21 years of age and that he should not eat it directly! Yet,
dumb missionaries as we are, the four of us decided to try a drop of
it and see who can last the longest without drinking milk. Pete join
in, too. That stuff wretched our stomachs! I got it all on video too!
If email allows me, I'll send it to you all!
On Saturday we had a Pool Party for the Ward and the Ward was
basically torturing us because we Missionaries are not allowed to
swim. Anyways, we got one of our investigators to come with us to the
party! He enjoyed it and we played some basketball and frisbee with
him. It was ton of fun!
I love you all very much! Can't wait to hear more from you all! Take care!
Love,
Elder Willis
Made it through my first transfer! We did have a good week though.
Slow, hot, hard work, but still very good. All the Elders in the
District are getting excited for transfers, though; Elder Lords and
Elder Stein are hoping to get transfers to new area. Especially since
Elder Stein spend 1/4 of his mission in Oroville. And they did, both
are becoming companions together and shot gunning in the area they
desired the most.
Other than that, work in Oroville has been slow a bit since school
started. Families we have been visiting want us to come more often,
though. And we are slowing getting to know the ward members a little
better each time. Speaking of which, I have two interesting stories to
share with you all that happened this week.
So we had dinner with a part-member family this week and the father,
Pete (he's the active member parent.) has a HUGE thing for hot food! I
mean, the guy goes through hot sauces like it's candy, which they are
to him! Anyways, we has this one sauce called The Source, and it's so
hot he literally, as he was buying it, had to sign a waver stating he
was over 21 years of age and that he should not eat it directly! Yet,
dumb missionaries as we are, the four of us decided to try a drop of
it and see who can last the longest without drinking milk. Pete join
in, too. That stuff wretched our stomachs! I got it all on video too!
If email allows me, I'll send it to you all!
On Saturday we had a Pool Party for the Ward and the Ward was
basically torturing us because we Missionaries are not allowed to
swim. Anyways, we got one of our investigators to come with us to the
party! He enjoyed it and we played some basketball and frisbee with
him. It was ton of fun!
I love you all very much! Can't wait to hear more from you all! Take care!
Love,
Elder Willis
August 11th, 2014- Hey Again (Oroville)
Hey Everybody!
We had a slow week this week, but I'm still enjoying Missionary work.
Not much has happens this week, we did a lot of service (we literally
had service everyday this week!), and not that many people wanted to
talk to us this week (we had a few doors slammed in our face this
week, actually.). But we had a couple of things that were exciting
that happened this week.
On Thursday, I took over my area for the first time! We had exchanges
with Elder Stein and Elder Shapiro. Elder Shapiro and I ended up being
companions for the day and covered our area (since Elder Moseley's and
my area is covered by bike and Elder Shapiro and I are both Greenies
(meaning we are not allowed to drive a car.).). That was fun and have
so,e interesting stories under our belts (mostly for Elder Shapiro to
tell.).
We do have a new investigator and, I can't say much about him right
now because of privacy reasons, he is so ready. When we have our
lessons, he looks stuff up and wants some explanations on something's.
In fact, he asked us if he can go to church! He did come and he really
enjoyed it, was very participant in the lessons, and said the three
hours went by fast.
I do have some pictures for you guys! One of Elder Moseley and I (it
was taken on the day We first met at the Mission Home.), picture of
President Marston, his wife, Elder Moseley, and I, and the last one is
all the Elders in our district at our apartment, making homemade
sushi!
I love you all and hope to hear for. You all soon!
Love,
Elder Willis
We had a slow week this week, but I'm still enjoying Missionary work.
Not much has happens this week, we did a lot of service (we literally
had service everyday this week!), and not that many people wanted to
talk to us this week (we had a few doors slammed in our face this
week, actually.). But we had a couple of things that were exciting
that happened this week.
On Thursday, I took over my area for the first time! We had exchanges
with Elder Stein and Elder Shapiro. Elder Shapiro and I ended up being
companions for the day and covered our area (since Elder Moseley's and
my area is covered by bike and Elder Shapiro and I are both Greenies
(meaning we are not allowed to drive a car.).). That was fun and have
so,e interesting stories under our belts (mostly for Elder Shapiro to
tell.).
We do have a new investigator and, I can't say much about him right
now because of privacy reasons, he is so ready. When we have our
lessons, he looks stuff up and wants some explanations on something's.
In fact, he asked us if he can go to church! He did come and he really
enjoyed it, was very participant in the lessons, and said the three
hours went by fast.
I do have some pictures for you guys! One of Elder Moseley and I (it
was taken on the day We first met at the Mission Home.), picture of
President Marston, his wife, Elder Moseley, and I, and the last one is
all the Elders in our district at our apartment, making homemade
sushi!
I love you all and hope to hear for. You all soon!
Love,
Elder Willis
 |
| Making Dinner |
 |
| Elder Mosely and Elder Willis |
 |
| Posterity |
 |
| Sister Marston, President Marston, Elder Willis, Elder Mosely |
August 4th, 2014 - Hey! (Oroville)
Hey Everyone!
It's been a busy and VERY hot week. It reached about 115 degrees and
stayed in the triple digits for the whole week. However, it did cool
down to 80 yesterday and it felt nice.
So, before I continue on, there is something I'm going to tell you
about Oroville that I didn't mention before: it's, literally, the
Ghetto, especially the part of our area (Southside.) that we work in.
I haven't mentioned this before because the Handbook said "don't talk
bad about your area," but the other Elders explained the difference
between talking bad and telling the truth. Seriously though, there are
drug addicts all around and people growing there own drugs. I love
this area! Never a boring day!
Example: One day (a couple of weeks ago.), Elder Moseley and I were
walking down the street, we just finished talking to a woman (who was
homeless.) about the Book of Mormon and genealogy, and a woman comes
running to us saying she wanted to talk to us about how there are two
parts of the spirit world. We thought she meant Spirit Paradise and
Spirit Prison so we talked to her. After a while, we looked at and
noted that she was shaking like crazy and it confirmed that she was on
something. She began to spitting nonsense how not everyone can be
saved, that she is a prophet, kept spirits away by burying rocks I'm
the ground, and (she's roughly thirty.) claims she gave birth to
Thomas S. Monson. To top it all of, she began touching our ties and
gave us 4 different names.
But there many wonderful and good experiences that we have had. Like
we met a man yesterday who really wanted to know what we were about
and nearly talked about everything in the Preach My Gospel in one
night. There are many miracles here in Oroville and just about a
Mission in general and I am able to see almost all of them.
I did give my first blessing Sunday (besides anointing the oil.)! We
had visited a woman who was I. The hospital and suggested a blessing.
She accepted and Elder Moseley and Elder Stein said that I should give
(since she had no preference who did what.) it. I was nervous at first
but after I sealed the anointing, the Holy Ghost guided me and it felt
natural.
So, the one thing I found out since I had gotten on my mission, I love
receiving pictures! Some of my family have already sent me some
photographs (physically and through email.) and I love and cherish
them. Please send more! I would like some wallet size pictures also!
Would you all do that for me?
Thats all I got for you guys today, hope to hear from all of you soon.
Love you all and take care!
Elder Willis
It's been a busy and VERY hot week. It reached about 115 degrees and
stayed in the triple digits for the whole week. However, it did cool
down to 80 yesterday and it felt nice.
So, before I continue on, there is something I'm going to tell you
about Oroville that I didn't mention before: it's, literally, the
Ghetto, especially the part of our area (Southside.) that we work in.
I haven't mentioned this before because the Handbook said "don't talk
bad about your area," but the other Elders explained the difference
between talking bad and telling the truth. Seriously though, there are
drug addicts all around and people growing there own drugs. I love
this area! Never a boring day!
Example: One day (a couple of weeks ago.), Elder Moseley and I were
walking down the street, we just finished talking to a woman (who was
homeless.) about the Book of Mormon and genealogy, and a woman comes
running to us saying she wanted to talk to us about how there are two
parts of the spirit world. We thought she meant Spirit Paradise and
Spirit Prison so we talked to her. After a while, we looked at and
noted that she was shaking like crazy and it confirmed that she was on
something. She began to spitting nonsense how not everyone can be
saved, that she is a prophet, kept spirits away by burying rocks I'm
the ground, and (she's roughly thirty.) claims she gave birth to
Thomas S. Monson. To top it all of, she began touching our ties and
gave us 4 different names.
But there many wonderful and good experiences that we have had. Like
we met a man yesterday who really wanted to know what we were about
and nearly talked about everything in the Preach My Gospel in one
night. There are many miracles here in Oroville and just about a
Mission in general and I am able to see almost all of them.
I did give my first blessing Sunday (besides anointing the oil.)! We
had visited a woman who was I. The hospital and suggested a blessing.
She accepted and Elder Moseley and Elder Stein said that I should give
(since she had no preference who did what.) it. I was nervous at first
but after I sealed the anointing, the Holy Ghost guided me and it felt
natural.
So, the one thing I found out since I had gotten on my mission, I love
receiving pictures! Some of my family have already sent me some
photographs (physically and through email.) and I love and cherish
them. Please send more! I would like some wallet size pictures also!
Would you all do that for me?
Thats all I got for you guys today, hope to hear from all of you soon.
Love you all and take care!
Elder Willis
July 28th, 2014- 1st Month!!! (Oroville)
Hey Everybody!
It's been a long, hot week last week! However, a lot of fun and
interesting things have happened this week!
After P-Day on Monday, we were going around Southside of Oroville and
we had an "inspiration" to go in a certain direction. We were walking
down the road we had a feeling to stop and talk to an elderly woman
who was watching some neighbor kids. She loved talking to us and we
asked her if she wanted to take discussions from us. She replied yes!
Ten minutes later, I was still walking down when I saw, out of the
corner of my eye, creep out of sight. A woman had pulled over on the
side of the road and beckoned for us come over to her. One of the
first things she says to us is "I want to be baptized." We found out
that she was taking lessons from the previous Elders but suddenly
stopped when they left. Since was not in our part of Oroville, we had
to transfer her to the other Elders in our Ward. Still, some pretty
amazing work by The Lord.
Had my first companion exchange and it went really well. Elder Stein,
the district leader, is really and his companion, Elder Shapiro, are
always hanging out with us since we are doubling in the same Ward.
Anyways it was nice to ride in a car all day.
Friday marked my first month of my Mission! Twenty-three more to go!
Whoo! More time!
Saturday was Elder Moseley's birthday and he finally turned nineteen!
All week he has been receiving packages from home ( and it became a
common practice from our Zone Leaders (who we share an apartment
with.) to hide his packages all week long.) and he finally opened them
on Saturday. Surprisingly, his family had sent ME some gifts also. I'm
sending them a thank you card, also. I had bought Elder Moseley a hat
that he really wanted (I managed to get it secretly with the help of
the Zone Leaders.) and he lived it.
Later, we had a stake party for Pioneer's day and had tons of fun,
meeting up with other missionaries, members, and investigators at the
party. The missionaries were in charge of putting everything away but
we did play some softball afterwards (members/investigators vs
missionaries.) I, surprsingly, made a name for myself from playing
softball that day. Proud of me, Bryant?
That's my week! Love ya'll and thank for your support!
Elder Willis
It's been a long, hot week last week! However, a lot of fun and
interesting things have happened this week!
After P-Day on Monday, we were going around Southside of Oroville and
we had an "inspiration" to go in a certain direction. We were walking
down the road we had a feeling to stop and talk to an elderly woman
who was watching some neighbor kids. She loved talking to us and we
asked her if she wanted to take discussions from us. She replied yes!
Ten minutes later, I was still walking down when I saw, out of the
corner of my eye, creep out of sight. A woman had pulled over on the
side of the road and beckoned for us come over to her. One of the
first things she says to us is "I want to be baptized." We found out
that she was taking lessons from the previous Elders but suddenly
stopped when they left. Since was not in our part of Oroville, we had
to transfer her to the other Elders in our Ward. Still, some pretty
amazing work by The Lord.
Had my first companion exchange and it went really well. Elder Stein,
the district leader, is really and his companion, Elder Shapiro, are
always hanging out with us since we are doubling in the same Ward.
Anyways it was nice to ride in a car all day.
Friday marked my first month of my Mission! Twenty-three more to go!
Whoo! More time!
Saturday was Elder Moseley's birthday and he finally turned nineteen!
All week he has been receiving packages from home ( and it became a
common practice from our Zone Leaders (who we share an apartment
with.) to hide his packages all week long.) and he finally opened them
on Saturday. Surprisingly, his family had sent ME some gifts also. I'm
sending them a thank you card, also. I had bought Elder Moseley a hat
that he really wanted (I managed to get it secretly with the help of
the Zone Leaders.) and he lived it.
Later, we had a stake party for Pioneer's day and had tons of fun,
meeting up with other missionaries, members, and investigators at the
party. The missionaries were in charge of putting everything away but
we did play some softball afterwards (members/investigators vs
missionaries.) I, surprsingly, made a name for myself from playing
softball that day. Proud of me, Bryant?
That's my week! Love ya'll and thank for your support!
Elder Willis
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