week 5

Hello, No, I didn't get the package. yet. The day I read the e-mail that said you were sending it, they told us that all packages would be held till Christmas. I'm pretty tight with the office elders though, so I might pop in and see if they will give it to me. Elder Wilkins is way cool. He would probably bring it to our house if I asked him to.
      When we teach, We switch off during the lesson teaching different points, and support each other. You really have to listen to Spiritual promptings so you know what to say. We have taught a few times this week. We found a new investigator, his name is Carlos, he is 18 and looks like he should be in a gang, but is the nicest guy. He got in trouble with the law for doing something, IDK what, and he did a lot of his community service hours at a church. That got him interested in his salvation. When we knocked on his door, we told him about the Book of Mormon, and He was pumped about it, because we told him it would help him get to Heaven. I went on splits with a member and sat-down and talked with him about faith and prayer. We are going to see him again tomorrow. A couple other Investigators are progressing, the girl that Purcell has been teaching for a while is only a couple steps away from baptism. We just told her that we wouldn't be coming by for awhile so that she notices that We bring something with us, and when we leave it's not there.
                Christmas, as my roommate puts it, "Means jack squat out here!" We won't go tracting because people get really mad at us for disturbing their holidays. We have a dinner appt with a member. But she doesn't have a phone so we will have to call from elsewhere. All the members here love us and I'm sure anyone we ask would love to let us use their phone. Because of that, I have no idea when I will be calling. Some random time probably. Or not at all. Just kidding, Relax! It was a joke! No! Not the Spoon! ow. If i have a approximate time, I will let you know. Wait, Cam is still in the MTC? I thought he was in Peru by now.... hmmm.
Disneyland is about 2 hours away if the traffic's good. Don't worry, after my mission, I plan on coming back for a nice visit. We can hit the 3 southern Cali temples. Redlands, LA, San Diego. It will be fun. Check out a picture of the San Diego temple, it's way cool.
       Love you! It's 80 degrees here! Keep the Faith! Go Chargers! -Elder Williams

week 4

 So... work has been really slow until this week. Now we have so much work, we don't know what to do. The girl that Purcell has been teaching for awhile says she wants to be baptized. We ran into another lady who agreed to take the lessons. Then there is some guy named Ray who says we can stop by and chat sometime. We're getting less-actives to come back to church. (Which is really hard) I'm just living it and loving it. (I got your Gingerbread package on Thursday. Thank you. The gingerbread thing made me kind of Trunky though. I'm trying to decorate it. I still have no artistic talent. Chuck's letter wasn't very uplifting. He basically just told me all the fun he is having with his Xbox. Tell Debbie and the girls thank you for their letter.) Other than that it is pretty much just same old same old. I gave dad a spiritual thought for Family home evening. It's a good one. I'm reading the Book of Mormon. I'm about to Alma 15. After I'm done with that, I'm going to read Jesus The Christ. Which is a beast BTW. Oh! Another weird California thing is that nobody has a basement. People talk about going to Utah and going in a basement. (They say it reverently) It's like a legend. One lady commented on it, "Well I guess it's a good place to send the kids when they're bad." I didn't tell her my room was in the basement. Love you! Stay strong and remember that working out is worth it! -Elder Grandote. (Spanish. Run it through a translator)

week 3

Wow. Pretty intense. Snow.... yeah it sometimes get to like 40 degrees here. Natives act like it's the next Ice Age. Christmas is not really a big deal out here. All I can think of is money for Christmas, Then I can buy whatever I need. (It's interesting how Christmas has changed from want to need) I have taught a few lessons. We don't really have any solid investigators we can teach right now. It's kinda like, "Hey, lets go see her." "Oh, her family hates us" "Let's go see him. "Oh He's sick" And then you have people who are only available once a week at a certain time. There is one girl who Purcell has been trying to convince her to take the discussions for six months and last night she said she would. We've given out a few BoMs but not a lot. (They don't keep track like in the Best Two Years.) Just a few random things that are different about Cali; Living rooms don't have lights. You always have to get a lamp and plug it in. There are no ceiling lights. I don't know why, it's really weird. The blinds on windows are different too. They are all vertical. None of the blinds are horizontal. It takes some getting used to.
         I can't believe that BYU lost by a point! They were up 13-0 in the 3rd quarter! (There is a phone service called Tell Me, that tells us the scores) I got your package with the oranges and poptarts. Thank you. When I take a few more pictures I'll send you back the SD card.
            Thanksgiving was alright. The Turkey Bowl was awesome. We had so many people that we had linemen. I got a few sacks because the old guys aren't that hard to get around. We played for 3 hours and my team ended up winning. Then an hour later (12) We went to a families for "dinner" and ended up going to their sister's house. They are all nonmembers and it was kind of awkward. We watched the Saints-Cowboys game. Pretty intense. We just happened to be there for 4 hours and the game just happened to be on. Besides, our District Leader said it was OK. Then we were pretty hungry and had nowhere else to go for an actual dinner. Our roommates dinner invited us over. They are Mexican. that was awkward to because we were like, "Hey we're just here for the food!" "Gracias!" "Adios!" Plus they had like Mexican lasagna instead of turkey. It was way hot. I thought I was going to die. It's going to be really hard to lose weight out here. You eat until you are full and then the members basically force more food down your throat. The day after Thanksgiving we went to The Tuala's and helped set up their Christmas lights. We founded a company called MAD. Men Attempting Decoration. "This year, Get MAD for Christmas" "Don't get pissed, Get MAD."
                              I love you so very much. I'm having a good time, I'm safe, I'm happy and I'm welcome here. Please don't worry. Put faith in Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father That I will be fine. I love you. -Elder Williams (Take that Colts!)

Week 2

Well,
        I've got to tell you, the work is slow here. We've been trying and trying to contact Investigators, but something always comes up. Satan works extra hard on them when they are trying to better their lives. We continue to press on in the service of our Lord! It's hard but seeing all the members here who are converts make you want to press on. Elder Purcell is way cool and is working me hard. my bike is tiny. my knees are starting to hurt. We are going to try to find an older bike used by some elder who is home. We live at the bottom of a hill and the only good thing about that is coming home after appointments. We got going like 30 mph, there were cars barely going faster than us and the limit is 35. Of course, nobody drives the speed limit. I thought that Utah drivers were bad. They don't even compare to Cali drivers. I'm going to come home and laugh at how nice all the drivers are.
     Sounds like a nice day at the temple! I found out I get to go once every other transfer, and they just went, so I wont be going for a while. Oh well, We're doing work for the living, not the dead. That's way exciting that Grannie and Pa went through! Totally Bombtastic! yeah, that was dorky. 
       On Monday's I have an hour to e-mail.  As far as downtime goes, we don't have much. maybe an hour or two. I have discovered naps. They are pretty awesome. The members food has been pretty good so far, nothing I have regretted eating. Miguel made us some spicy soup, but it was delicious and I ate it anyway. I have had Tacos, burgers, casseroles, and this one family made a rib roast that was fantastic! probably my favorite meal so far. With A green bean casserole and sweet potatoes and rolls. I figured I was at home and it was my birthday. I don't even like sweet potatoes and these were good.
         Christmas? Idk, just like ties and stuff. I'll let you know if I want anything specific. I'll give you the generic missionary answer, "Ponder and pray about it." 
          It rained here for like 3 days straight. It was so cold, you have no idea. hee. Riding biking in cold rain is no bueno. My legs were soaked and freezing. When Purcell complains about the cold I just tell him, "At least we're not in Utah!" Time is flying by so fast I can't even get my days straight. If it continues this quickly, I'll be home in no time. How's Chuck doing with his papers?
        The only thing I have had shot at me are dirty looks. Sometimes we have to ride down dark alley's with dogs barking at us and I'm glad to have the Lord's protection. Everyone has a dog. There are stories about some missionaries getting attacked and actually killing dogs.
     We have been visiting Sister Marquez who is actually EP's aunt. She was telling us stories last night. She used to deliver mail to Beverly hills. She had a few run-ins with celebs. Apparently the guy who plays chachie on Happy Days is a real jerk. And on the other side of the spectrum, Simon on American Idol and Chef Ramesy on Master Chef are really nice guys. They just play jerks. And Keanu Reeves told her that he is half Hawaiian. You meet all kinds of people out here.
I love you and hope you don't miss me too much -Elder Williams

Rancho Cucamonga.week 1

So.... Lots has been going on. I left the MTC and got on the smallest plane since the wright brothers, flew for a short time and landed in Ontario California. Pres Godwin was waiting for us and he gave us hugs instead of handshakes. We then went over to a park that has a lot of Mormon pioneer history and we learned about pretty much all of it. We then jetted over to President's house and met our trainers. My comp is Elder Purcell. Again, you all called it, He's Samoan. He is way cool and he's been out for about eighteen months. I'm currently serving in Rancho Cucamonga. We are in the Red Hill Ward. We live close to the intersection of Arrow and Vineyard, in the Willow Apartments. EP has been here for almost 8 months. He knows the members really well. They are all cool. Our roommates are spanish speaking. All of us are from Utah. We are on bikes and they have cars. It kind of stinks because most of our area is uphill. (That should help me stay in shape. We eat at member's every night) My bike is pretty much a piece. What can you expect from Walmart? It gets me from here to there I suppose. We went shopping the second day at WINCO!! Yeah, I was happy. We went with Elder Brown and his Greenie, they are in our District, with EP as DL. Anyway, we were talking about shows we watched as a kid and the subject turned to the show Recess. Now EP calls me Mikey. It fits I guess, and I don't mind. Friday we went to the Bel-air swap meet in Fontana. It's pretty much like a hard-core DI. Tons of Mexicans with their booths selling cheap stuff. Because EP is DL he has lots of meetings so I get to go tracting with E. Mortensen, one of our roommates. It's really not that hard, even when a guy opens his door and yells, "Get Back!" Everyone has a dog here. They are all little yappers too. One family we went to, had a Chihuahau that took a liking to me. After dinenr they asked us to Dedicate their apartment. It was pretty awesome. We also blessed one sister on Friday who wasn't feeling well, On Sunday she was just fine and gave a talk. Church was pretty standard except that every class I was in they made me say the prayer because I'm new. The weather here is pretty sweet. Except it's freezing! It almost got down to 40 degrees the other night! How's the Snow? Mwahaha.Thanks so much for all your good thoughts, I love all of you and keep you in my prayers, keep the faith! -Elder Williams

California

Riley left the MTC today and arrived at the mission home in San Bernardino. He will spend the night there and go to his apt tomorrow.

So... Richard G Scott is awesome! It is such a testimony builder to see an apostale. When he walked in the room it was like a wave of spirit, WHAM! He Said in his testimony that Jesus Christ lives and he knows this because he knows him. Awesome. I enjoyed getting all of your goodies today. I think the package came yesterday, but I went and got them today. Thank you for all your love and food. Just FYI, We are not allowed to chew gum. thank you for the 5, and I wish I could chew it. The bookstore is extemely stocked and if I knew what stuff was here for so cheap, I wouldn't have bought a lot of stuff.

                     Thank you for your support.

With all the love that I posess. -Elder Riley Williams

Hi,

     This is hard. I'm being tested left and right. As soon as I walked into my classroom I knew I was in trouble. There hasn't been 30 mins to rest since then. Nothing but being busy. And they invite us to fill what little free time we have with more busy.  My companion is Elder Bohman from Virginia. We share a room with Elder's Stansfield and Hatch, from Altamont and Layton. Elder Hatch is the one we saw in Sizzler Yesterday. We are all going to San Bernardino. We are in a district with 4 other elder's going to San Jose, where Matt is. Brother Gannaway is our teacher, and he is rough. role-playing is really taken seriously here. People don't break character. Elder Bohman and I were a little late to class this morning and so Bro gannaway made us do a door approach. He was a devout christian who believed that he knew everything there was to know. It was hard. we had to try 4 times. I finally got him to let us in when I mentioned modern revelation. Or he was just tired of us failing, and let us in anyway. I've seen a few people here that I know, Jake Isaac is one of them. The Cafeteria is huge and that's where I see most of the people I know. They really push the title thing. Elder this and Elder that, It's hard to get away from "Dude, Guys and Bro." I have never felt so welcome before. So many friendly faces and people. All will greet you with a warm smile and an enthousiastic "Hi, Elder!" Everyone is more than willing to give ancient MTC wisdom such as, "Check your Narnia hole!" One Elder told me that the first few days are the hardest and then it just gets fun. He has only been here for a week and already he looks like the nicest person you could ever meet. They always ask where you are from and where you are going. There is never a lack of enthousiasm. I tell people I'm from 10 minutes south of here. They always ask if it's going to snow. I always tell them that it's the warmest October I've ever seen, and that it will probably snow on Halloween because it always does. I did forget some things (Shocker) If you could please send me my gym shoes that would be fantastic. I can't believe i forgot them.  I don't have a mailbox yet, but I might tomorrow. Saturday at the latest. I miss the family and I would love a picture when you get them back from the softball/picture guy. The bookstore here may be stocked with everthing else, but it doesn't have a picture of our family. As Bob Ross would say, the clock tells us the time is up. I love you very much and look forward to sending you letters with more detail.(I really have to tell you more abvout my companion) Please keep me updated. I already fell like I've been here for a million years. Love you and remember, "Whatever you do, DON'T Drink the Orange juice!" -Elder Riley (Your son) Williams

The Beginning

Elder Riley Williams will enter the Provo Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, October 20, 2010