October 27th, 2014 - Hey!! (Oroville)

Hey there Everyone! 

Had a busy week this time! Had tons of finding and tracking going on and met tons of interesting people throughout the week. I'm working hard, as usual, and I am always trying to find ways to serve others. We also got our car back on Wednesday and it's kind of nice to have it back because we don't have to ask member's for rides to places anymore. Which has been really hard to do and it's really hard to find someone who is willing to fellowship. 

So Thursday we did something called a Zone Blitz, meaning all the Missionaries in our Zone go down to one area (in our Zone) and work there for a whole day. Parentally the work hasn't been going well in Live Oak so we conducted the Zone Blitz. It was tons of fun, Elder Hanson and I was assigned to a part were there lots of members close to one another. We also managed to pick up two new potential investigators and placed a Book of Mormon. 

During the Blitz, we also did a service project were we went to the highway in Live Oak and picked up trash off the side of the road. There were so many cigarette butts every where that eventually our District gave up on picking them up and left them, except for Sister Jones, she faithfully stayed behind and picking up every cigarette she found. It was tons of fun and found some pretty interesting things also. We even got a picture taken by someone who said they wanted to it to their boss. 

While we were there, we found a Penny Candy Store and Elder Hanson and I agreed to go in. The place was amazing! They had a shelf were you can buy pieces of candy for only a penny and tons of fairly descent priced candy! Along with some candy that is now really hard to find! Such as both the bubble gum and chalk-like cigarettes (I didn't buy any. However, we did go back down on Friday with a couple of Elders and Elder Benedict bought four packs of the bubble gum candy cigarettes.) and the Harry Potter candies, the Gummi Slugs, Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, and Chocolate Frogs with a collectable wizard card inside (I got Gildroy Lockhart.) 

We had Stake Conference this week and the adult session talked a lot about using modern technology to help spread the Gospel. Like using hashtags, Facebook, Twitter, etc. it was really interesting and I did have different views on social media after that. 

I hope you all have a good week ahead of you! Keep working hard and keep doing the things that you need to do! I love you all and miss you all so much! 

Love, 

Elder Paul Willis

October 20th, 2014 - California! (Oroville)

How's it going Everybody!

We had a good week here in Oroville. Our car was in the shop the whole
week (the previous Missionaries driving the car ended up getting two
dent in it and NOW they find the time to send our car to the shop.),
so we shared the bike area with Elder Benedict and Elder
Shapiro.mother then that, nothing too crazy happened this week. Even
if we were Southside.

Sunday seemed to be our more fruitful day of this week. We ,managed to
visit some people who we haven't seen in a long time and we placed two
Book of Mormons. I was really happy when Elder Hanson and I were able
to do that.

We did something different this week. President Marston has ask that
we do a "Dinner Fast" this week. I think I explained it in my last
email but we are not allowed to have any dinners with members unless
they have a Less Active, a Nonmember, or a Recent Convert with. It
went really well this week and there was on,y one time that we didn't
have dinner.

Other then that, nothing much happened this week that I feel like I
need to mention.

I'm sorry for such a short email. I'm a boring Missionary, I'll repent
and try to do better from now on. I hope you all have a really good
week ahead of you and I look forward to hearing about it! Love you all
and I miss you very much!

Elder Paul Willis

October 13th, 2014 - Hey Y'all, Again! (Oroville)

Hey Everyone!

I hope all your guys' week been good! Even if you've all been really
busy lately, I understand if y'all are. I can't blame ya for that.
Haha.

Things have been going really good here in Oroville but there has been
tons of stress lately. I'm finding it easier and easier to go to sleep
at night.Yet, there is a enough work to keep Elder Hanson and I going
and busy during the days and I thoroughly enjoy that. We have been
really successful in some areas of work, like we picked up two
investigators that use to be taught by the Missionaries a long time
ago. We've also received some referrals from the Mission Office and
had the chance to make contact with them!

We also had Mission President Interviews on Friday also! It went
really well and President Marston has given Elder Hanson and me some
really good advice about our Weekly Planning. It requires asking some
information from the Ward but I think that it will be good for them.
President Marston is great and I'm really glad that he's my President.

This week we are doing something called "Dinner Fast," by request from
our Mission President, we are to not have dinner with members unless
they have less-actives, nonmembers, or recent converts with them.
Other then that, we are encouraged to find nonmembers, less actives,
and recent converts to have us over for dinner or else we would have
to provide for ourselves. Some of the members of the Ward are really
unhappy about that and have actually complained to their Bishop about
(anyways, these families haven't even fed us once even before this
week.) . Bishop Trinnaman, however, is very supportive of this idea.

Things are going great and I'm always trying to work hard and to do
the things that the Lord has commanded. I'm tired and stress, but I am
also having fun. Take care everyone.

Sincerely,
Elder Paul Willis

October 6th, 2014 - Love Y'all (Oroville)

Hey there Everybody, 

Things have changed quite a bit here in Oroville. First off, Elder Moseley left to Auburn to be a Zone Leader now and I got a new do all ion, Elder Hanson! The first couple of days was getting Elder Hanson settled in and quickly adjusting him to the area. Things kept popping up all around us. Got a new Zone Leader and Sister Jones had oral surgery on Monday. Fun times! 

The Sister Missionaries were living with members for the past couple of transfers but since the family's son is returning from his mission, the Mission Office assists that the Sister Missionaries move to a new apartment (despite the assurance from The family that they're going to kick out their son out as soon as he is released. Apparently, they like the Sister Missionaries a lot more then their own so .). They moved in Thursday and, as last minute, called Elder Benedict, Elder Shapiro, Elder Hanson, and I to come over and help them move furniture in and out beds together. We did that, including the Hmong Elders. When we got there, Sister Jones was all hipped up on pain mess, to the point were she couldn't stand up without support. Eventually, all the Sisters left to go do work while we put the beds together but we wanted as little stress for them as possible (since Sister Jones just got out of surgery.) so we out the whole house together for them! After that, the Hmong Elders invited us over to their apartment for some Fa for lunch! 

General Conference was amazing and I thoroughly enjoyed watching it! I got tons of good notes from watching it and the other Elders got an investigator to come watch four sessions of it (including Priesthood Session!). I liked the idea of speakers being able to speak in their native language but I didn't like the voice over, I felt like that it away from the power of their voice. I was a little disappointed that Dieter F. Uchtdorf did t speak in German. During Priesthood session, I saw one of friends from Pleasant Grove singing in the Missionary Choir! I thought that was pretty cool!

We are having a good time here and working hard as best as we can. I hope everyone is doing alright and I can't wait to hear from you all! You're all in my prayers and I'm thankful for the support you have given me. 

Sincerely,

Elder Paul Willis 

September 29th, 2014 - 3rd Month (Oroville)

How's it going Everyone!

I'm past my three month mark! That also means I'm done with Training! Oh well, doesn't mean much because I'll probably learn a lot more in the next twenty three months then I did in the last three. Kind of a neat way to think about it.

To be honest, we kind of had a slow week. Guess that's common though when it's the last week of the Transfer. We have given quite a bit of blessing this week, but that's hardly new since I gotten here in Oroville. I gotten to know that Hospital like the back of my hand, well almost. We have been trying to get in some last minute in since we had a crazy week last week. We did exchanges, paperwork, and lots of crazy stuff. 

Even though we only have one investigator (though we are trying to convince her to go the YSA Branch in Gridley.), we have been having a lot of visits with Less Active Members and we are making lots of progress with them. One family we manage to get the daughter and son over to church! All there left is to get the mother! I love them all the same though and aim always excited to go see them. 

Interesting story, so we have doing some service for a member of ours (and an investigators lives with her.), tearing off dead ivory of the tree and then getting on her roof to cut off limbs of that tree. The limbs of the tree are really high and we have to cut them down using this long stick with a small saw at the end called a Pruning Stick. (Now, if your wondering "Why" we have to cut the limbs down, because they are over her roof and that's a fire hazard.). So, this week did some more of that and everything was going really well. However, there was this big limb that had to be cut down but it was too high for anyone to touch, even if you tried to jump. Elder Moseley and I agreed that I would start cutting the branch really slowly, then, when we cut deep enough, I would lightly tap it to make it start breaking downward, so that Elder Moseley could grab the end and we can slowly grab hold of the limb. We did just that, but as soon as I lightly tapped it with the Pruning Saw, that thing came down real fast. Luckily, everyone was safe and the only damage done to the roof was that the metal outline was bent out. 

So we got transfer calls last night and Elder Moseley was called to a Zone Leader at Auburn! I'm staying in Oroville but my new companion is going to be Elder Hansen. I'm really excited to see how this transfer is going to be and looking forward to do some more work in Oroville. 

Thank you all for the support you all give me. I miss you all and I hope to hear from any of you real soon! Have a good week and let me know how it goes. I love you all!

Write me, 

Elder Paul Willis

September 22nd, 2014 - (Oroville)

Happy Monday Everybody! 

How has everyone week been going? How has the weather been? We got rain yesterday morning and everyone was really excited! Too bad we were asleep during it, though. Doesn't matter, Northern California needs it. 

I know that my last P-Day was last Wednesday but I'm amazed at how much work has been accomplished since then. We visited a lot of people and met some new part member families. There are times were I'm just plan tired from working but I do feel like I'm doing good while I'm out there working. 

This is my last week being a "Greenie!" The training program ends for next Tuesday when the next Transfer starts. Though I'm pretty blunt with myself when I tell myself that I'm never going to stop being a "Greenie." Guess there is always more stuff to learn over the next two years. 

So my district consists of four companionships, three elders and one sisters, and two Elder Companionships (Elder Moseley and I and Elder Benedict and Elder Shapiro.) cover the Oroville 1st Ward and one Elder and Sister Companionships (Elder Page and Elder Gardanier and Sister Willis and Sister Jones.) cover the Oroville 3rd Ward. These two Wards also share the same Church Building but hold separate activities all the time. Like the 3rd Ward held a Talent Show last Friday. The Sisters really wanted us, all the Elders in the district, to join them in the talent show and sing our "Mission Song" in front of the whole. With much persuasion (and going on a small guilt trip as we realize how much the Sister Missionaries do for us, Elders.) we agree and we all sang at the Talent Show, and as the last performance. It was a lot of fun and Elder Benedict and Elder Shapiro got one of their investigators to come! 

Other interesting things: We have an investigator on date for a Baptism. We went to the Fish Hatchery today for a P-Day activity. Gave tons of blessings this week. And a General Authority came last Monday (but I mentioned that last Wednesday.) 

So, not only is our mission blessed with the use of iPads, we also have the time and calling of online proselyting. Meaning, I have a Facebook account as a missionary. I never mentioned it before because I didn't know what the regulations were about having friends and family as friends on Facebook. I didn't want to add you all as friends then having to defriend y'all. I found out more, I'm allowed to friend you all but I'm not allowed you message any of you unless I have special permission from my Mission President. I'm also not allowed to be in Facebook on Sundays and P-Days. 

Well that's all I have for the week to give y'all. I hope I get to hear from everyone soon! Hope y'all have a good week!

Love,

Elder Paul Willis

September 17th, 2014 - Hey (Oroville)

Hey Everybody!

Did everyone have a good week? Anything new or exciting happen to anyone?

We have had a busy week in the previous week, lots of finding Less
Actives and had a Zone Meeting, too. We did manage to get someone on
date, though, but we are still going slow so that the Investigator has
plenty of time to prepare. Tons of work to be done but I don't have
that many stories to tell this week, it have been stuck in a car for
most of it.

Sunday we had an interesting Second Hour. Instead of heading off to
our normal Sunday School Classes, they had the whole Ward come back
into the chapel and they had a presentation set up. The focus of the
presentation was on protecting our families from Satan. They talked
about how Satan been really trying to destroy families by making them
to forget some of small, but important, things we should be doing.
Like: Reading our Scriptures together, Praying Together, etc. They
based the whole presentation for. The story of Captain Moroni and the
Title of Liberty, since he was fighting to protect his family, and the
Ward had their own Title of a Liberty made for them.

So P-Day was switched to today because Monday we had a member of the
Seventy, Elder Brent Nielson, touring our mission. So we had a
Half-Mission Conference (since half the mission came to that one
building to hear him speak.) and I enjoyed it a lot. There were many
great talks that I found very interesting and found so ,any things
that I can use in Missionary Work. I got to meet and take a picture
with Elder Nielson and thanked him for his visit.

That's all I got for everyone! I love you all and I hope to hear from
y'all very soon! Have a good week everybody

Elder Paul Hyrum Willis

September 8th, 2014- Sup Pups? (Oroville)

Hey Everybody!

Hope you all had a good week! It's been a really hot one here! It's
been around the hundreds for the whole week. Elder Moseley and I are
actually really grateful to be in the car! We still miss biking,
though.

Other than that, we had spend sometime out in the country part of the
area. It's been really fun and yesterday we took the time to do some
tracting on a country road. The houses were pretty spread out but
close enough that we could walk to each one. The last house we went to
was at the bottom of the road and we saw a man outside his house. When
made it to him, we called out to him, he turned around and looked at
us for a moment. Then he point a finger up the road and said, "Back up
the road, boys!" And to be honest, we had similar experiences with
other people who live in the country. It was still fun.

It seemed like a lot of members we know have been getting surgery
recently. I don't know, it seems like but we had some medical stuff
happen to us today. For example, on argues day we had a blood drive
and, with much convincing from Elder Benedict, I donated blood. It
wasn't all that bad, but the Sister Missionaries (Sister Jones and
Sister Willis.) were freaking out a bit. Later on the week, Elder
Shapiro (one of the other elders who serve in our ward.) got sick for
part of the week. So I spent some of the days with him so that his
companion, Elder Benedict, can go out a work. It's been a fun week!

The work here going good, and I've been really busy this week with a
lot of appointments and those small moments to teach others. We did
some service also and straighten up out apartment.

Thank you all so much for the letters you have all sent me! I will
always try and write you back! Hope you all have a good week ahead of
you!

Love,
Elder Willis

September 1st, 2014- Look at Your Life Through Heaven's Eyes (Oroville)

Hey Everybody!

How was everybody week? I understand that most of the kids are back at
school already, isn't that exciting? Haha. Yeah, things have been
really slow in Oroville right now because of that. Except South Side
but, sadly, we are in car and we now don't cover that part of the
area.

We had some exciting hinge happened his week but it also has been a
rough week for about everyone in the District. We don't know why, but
it has. Still, we work hard none of the less.

On Thursday we did exchanges and I was with Elder Shapiro for the day
and in South Side! We visited a family in there and things almost
instantly became chaotic! First, Elder Shapiro is really into guitar
and when the father brought out some his guitars, Elder Shapiro got
really into it and the two began to have a "jamming session." The
mother left had left somewhere and I ended up dealing with their kids,
an one or two year old boy (who was covered head to toe in dirt.) and
a four year old girl. I had lots of fun, the little boy played with my
companion's bicycle helmet and the little girl drew a picture of me
and showed me her pet kittens. We did this for about an hour before we
were able to find a way to leave. Luckily, the father said to my
companion "you gave me an hour of your time so, next time, I'll give
you an hour of my time." So it wasn't a total waste.

On Saturday, we ended going to a baptism for an investigator of the
other Elders. The whole district came! And it was a great change in
the week and I enjoyed it a lot. The woman seemed so happy when she
was baptized and I saw the spirit strong I her, it was wonderful.

In our apartment, we are having the carpet replaced so we had to tear
it out this morning. It was bad and it didn't even take so long. Less
then an hour, actually. The place was so old and poorly taken care of
that the carpet basically jumped off by itself. Oh well, now we get
new, clean carpet and we are thinking about changing the apartment up
a bit.

Sorry I have t been sending pictures, but there are certain card
readers you need for the iPads and the only person who had one left at
the beginning of the transfer. So everyone is unable to send pictures
at the moment. I will try ASAP.

I hope you all have a good week and take care! Love you all!

Love,
Elder Paul Willis