2019-09-24

Hi ya'll!

Tomorrow is transfers and I am staying in Hazelwood for another six weeks, meaning I will be spending 6 months in Hazelwood. I am keeping Elder Brown as my companion and he is going home at the end of the transfer so I will have helped two different missionaries finish their missions from this area. Pretty bizarre experience being with missionaries that are going home! In other news, the other set of elders serving in our ward, one of them is leaving and the one staying will be training a brand new missionary! Finally, the craziest news is we are having our car taken away. So going forward, I will be back to a busing/walking area. It's like being in Lindell (Downtown St. Louis) again only not as crazy, haha! And same time as last year too, haha!

My year mark is this Thursday and so to commemorate, I want to report on how this past year has gone. It has had many ups and downs. I have noticed that with every companion I have had, there has been a major trial to work out with them. This however has helped change and refine me. I must say, I am getting better at seeing other peoples' perspectives and understand where they are coming from. I feel greater and greater responsibility and trust being put on me but feel greater confidence in fulfilling those obligations. My teaching skills have been honed, but I realize that there are so many other areas that could be improved and I look forward to continuing to work on those skills with the time I have remaining.

One of my greatest joys has been to see two wonderful men enter into the font of baptism and commit to follow Jesus Christ. One of them, Dan, will soon be able to go and receive his endowment this December and I am deeply anticipating that wonderful event. I hope to see many more people enter into the covenant path this coming year, starting with Michael who has his baptismal date for Oct. 5th. He has some concerns and some health problems so please pray for him for the next week and a half so that he can achieve his baptismal date!

I would like to wrap up by bearing my testimony. I know that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God, that he helped restore Jesus Christ's church under His direction, and that he endured valiantly to the end despite so much persecution. I know that Russell M Nelson is a prophet of God, and was specifically called for this specific time in history. I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints holds the authority necessary to bind family and loved ones together for time and all eternity and not til death do we part. And I especially know that Jesus Christ lives and that He is leading His people to Him. This mission is His work and I get to see how He is leading me everyday. I know that is is not I that is making the difference but that it is Him and that I am merely an instrument in His hands. I love Him and am very grateful for the help He gives me everyday.

Love, Elder Wilson

[Note: We are not able to load the Mp3 file, "I Believe In Christ", which Hunter sent, on this site directly. Instead, you can play or download the song at the following link...]

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/music/library/hymns/i-believe-in-christ