December 12, 2014
Happy Birthday my wonderful Missionary!!! I hope you have had a wonderful day sharing your 19th birthday with the people of Fort Worth Texas. We love you!!!
Elder Lickiss' changing point of view
"I'm making myself realize that instead of saying "wow I still have 2 years" its easier to say "wow I only have 2 years." There is this talk that really makes you think about who you were before you were born and it makes it eaier to make decisions when you know that you were captians in the Lords army and that thousands and thousands of people followed you becasue of the decisions you made before the earth was made. Studying deep doctrine is cool, I recommend Abraham, but its also nice to start with the basics like the Book of Mormon. I love you guys and I know that through Christ we aren't even separated, I will see you again and we will be together forever, only through God!"
Family Love
I'm doing ok on food, I survive on peanut butter and honey really, and I love it. I have also survived on those wonderful fiber bars, seriously I love them. We are working harder on getting member meals, know that Heavenly Father will provide so don't ever worry, lets make this fun. Nothing knew on ipads. And also today is tranfers, well tomorrow, but nothing in changing, almost my whole district is staying the same! And hurray, I can't wait to send these boxes, I'm sending a Christmas gift soon, you wait.
During certain parts of the month the moon light shines in right onto my face and I love it because it reminds me of you guys and lets me know that you aren't far away at all. I love eating the food you gave me and wearing the clothes you sent, me because it reminds me of you guys, and it doesn't even make me sad because I really do know how close you guys are. Tell that boy (Charles) I love him and can't wait to see him and all of you again. I'm sad I am missing Charles when he is going into the hardest time really of school. I pray that he will keep his wonderful smile and hilarious personality and that not a single person will be able to change him for the worst, I will do everything in my power to make sure that boy stays happy and close to Jesus Christ.
So our mornings go much like this...
The only thing different in our mornings is when a cocroach crawls out. These cochroaches are huge btw, they are also as long as my thumb and almost as wide. But I have become very good and destroying them with my shoe.
A son's encouraging words...
If I can learn this language in 6 months, be completely fluent, than you can complete everything that you set out to do. You are the one who taught me and keeps teaching me hardwork, remember that mom, I love you guys so much. I know that through God nothing is impossible, no matter how impossible it may seem. Never listen to satan tell you you can't, because oh boy you can. Keep telling me everything you acheive because then you will know how much you achieve. I love you and will always. Also I will make this mission fun, I will not waste 2 years, this will be so much fun, for all of us, that is a promise.
The Love of Christ...
I have my good and bad days definitely, but over all between the love of Christ and my family, I am making it. Honestly the hardest part is the language and all the missionarys around me that pretend to have Christ like love but talk bad about investigators and members behind their backs, that's not Christ like love. Its a good thing I had such good examples I can remember from home and from the Ward that help me through these hard times. The rest is awesome though. IT SNOWED LAST NIGHT TOO. I didn't think I would see snow for 2 years, it was cold but awesome.
The Mansion...
Found this in the mansion closet, love it. And so do all the investigators. |
Selfie inspector gadget |
A brothers love...
(William to Charles)
Hey dude, if you're in school be sneaky and use your phone, just don't get it taken away. Hey how's life man, I missed talking with you. Tell me all about middle school, how are the lockers, and how is having 7 classes a day, it must be crazy. I am really sad I couldn't be here for your first days of middle school, but I will be there for high school man.
(Charles to William)
Hey bro so a little while ago we were doing a service project raking leaves, we passed by a house and saw the Priest quorum hanging Christmas lights on a house. Well they were trying to but no one can beat the master of lights. There are a lot of people who are trying to get their lights hung and don't know what to do without you here.
(William to Charles)
I know, its sad I miss doing that service for the Ward. Maybe you can take my place, you're are so good at everything else, I know it shouldn't be a problem for you. Hey know that I love you and you are the coolest little brother any one could ever have. I miss you, stay awesome, practice that Spanish, and remember that Heavenly Father always knows what is better for us including which school to attend, ask him, he will answer.
(Charles to William)
How do I know that he will answer?
(William to Charles)
Knock and he shall open, ask and it shall be given. This type of scripture it repeated over 40 times through the bible and the book of Mormon, obviously Heavenly Father was trying to say something, he is our father and if we but just ask and if it is right for us, because he knows what is right for us, he will answer. It requires work on our part though, you need to make sure you know all the facts. The best way I found answers to my questions was through reading the scriptures!
(Charles to William)
I hope I know how to do that. I wish your were here though to help me through this. But I know you have to be there and its only for two years, actually 20 months now. Mom and I have been doing months instead of years. It sound a lot shorter.
(William to Charles)
Yes only 20 months, I only have 2 years to be a member of the church in this way, its so different being a missionary and I will never have the opportunity to do it like this again!
Fort Worth's Bipolar Weather and People...
This week has been crazy, the weather ranged from 28-80 degrees. I use my wet sad self as pity to get into peoples houses, it is a good tactic. This place doesn't have any mountains, any cold or warm fronts that blow in change everything! I've gone from hanging my companion to hugging him, and we've been yelled at to thanked for our work. I would say that the work here in Fort Worth is as bipolar as the weather.
Voices from Home...
Thank you so much for the package, I am still listening to the cassettes, I am in the middle of James telling me his camping story. Some people think that continuing to listen to stuff from home makes you trunky (wanting to pack your trunk and go home) but really it reminds me why I am hear and gives me confidence to continue, strength like no other, so thank you and I will keep reading. I love hearing your voices, its like the best gift I can have. I can't wait for you to get my letter, I think you will like what is inside!
Christmas presents, Catherine's birthday presents, and Texas souvenirs are coming in one big holliday package, it will be there before Christmas. I cant wait, I love your packages so much and I want you to have the same happiness that I do when I get your stuff.
I love you all, you just wait for my package, know that I love you and can't wait to be home and go to the movies, or watch Disney channel, take care of Olivia, go to the gym, cheer Charles on at football, and eat some watermelon and taquitos. Love you all see you in a few!!!
Ok, I'll get you this picture, I don't have much time, but here it is. Thank you so much for the goodies, I love them, and you have also made Elder Tulaga very happy, he loves candy's!
Thanksgiving...
Happy thanksgiving! Lets be thankful for all the Lord has given us, for it is much, and may we give as we have been given, that is the law and govern of heaven. When we live the laws of heaven, what other place would we end in other than heaven. it only makes sense. I will see you in a moment, I love you and will never leave your side.
Mom, I love you so much, don't even worry, I budgeted perfectly, I was able to buy a turkey, butter, and everything we needed for thankgsgiving with just the money in my church account, it came out perfectly.You will see when I send the flash drive with all my new videos and pictures on it.
Happy thanksgiving! Lets be thankful for all the Lord has given us, for it is much, and may we give as we have been given, that is the law and govern of heaven. When we live the laws of heaven, what other place would we end in other than heaven. it only makes sense. I will see you in a moment, I love you and will never leave your side.
Mom, I love you so much, don't even worry, I budgeted perfectly, I was able to buy a turkey, butter, and everything we needed for thankgsgiving with just the money in my church account, it came out perfectly.You will see when I send the flash drive with all my new videos and pictures on it.
My week has been amazing, my Thanksgiving was the best.
I filled and ate 2 of these at my first house! The pie was even better! |
William's first Thanksgiving in the Mission Field
Just a sneak peak of all my thanksgiving photos and videos. I love you so much, thank you for the turkey cooker!!
|
This was the dinner we made at the house. It was a mix of what we made and what members have us. |
That is what I call a full plate! |
Yummy Yummy. That turkey made meals for us for the week, it seriously came out perfect! |
"It feels like I am eating at home" was a line from Elder Tulanga, when eating our turkey dinner.
I sent a letter describing it and I will be sending my flashdrive with all my Thanksgiving videos and pictures on them. Oh, hey I recorded some awesome video of Thanksgiving and took a lot of pictures, I will send you guys that too, soon. That is honestly what I am excited for most, we really had a good Thanksgiving.
The sights of Fort Worth
I believe they filmed part of walking dead here, I don't know if David watches that but its pretty cool!
The people of Fort Worth
Isn't he just the cutest kid you ever saw. He is four and freaking full of energy. Too much energy.
Christmas Happiness
I am excited to finally have real steady conversation again. I love it and I am so excited! Here comes Christmas, you guys are my gift.
Puppy Love
Oh I miss my puppy, how is she handling with me gone?
Yummy Goodness...
Look what I made, I've still got it, I remember the recipe well. It was delicious, and when I send you my SD card you will have all the video to go along with it!
Transfers Came In...
I am being transferred. My new address will be:
2251 W Tarleton ST #108 Stephenville TX 76401
Its crazy. I am stressed yet excited. My new companion will be Elder Myer. I hear he is really good at Spanish. I will be in a car area!!!! Also Stephenville is the cowboy capital of the world! It's about an hour west, you can probably see my house before I do if you look on google maps.
My Sons Love...
Mom you were my foundation in the gospel, it was your simple example that kept me going long enough to gain my own testimony, don't ever doubt that you are one of the reasons I am here. I seriously think about you and everyone else everyday. Jacob 4, the final verse I believe says "I stumble for my anxiety over you" I believe it is Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ talking about us, but I will apply it to you, I literally stumble for my anxiety over you. I will do anything to make sure you have a wonderful holidays, and I will do anything to make sure this will be a positive experience. I love you and that will never change. you will always be my mother, that will never change, I will make sure you are happy, during and forever after the mission, you will be happy.
Time apart will go by fast, and as long as we keep doing the things were are to communicate it will be as if I haven't even been gone, we will enjoy this mission. I have to go now, know that I love you and see you every night. I think of you everyday, I stumble over my anxiety for you all. I will do my best to send love this Christmas, can't wait to here your voice through the phone, this will be the best time of year, I know it, I know it. Love you more than any thing, see you in a few!
Merry Christmas Everyone,
Love Elder Lickiss