Another Splendid week!!!!!!!! I don't know if I told you guys last week, but last Sunday, we met a girl named Kenia who is super elect!!! We taught her for the first time on Sunday and she told us that she wanted to be baptized. Well, we worked with her all week and sure enough, by Sunday, she was baptized. It was so awesome, we had an amazing baptism yesterday. The spirit was so strong and everything worked out great. The only problem was apparently the font water was super hot!!!, so when Kenia came up out of the water, she was pretty much panicking and gasping for air. It was pretty crazy!!! All the little primary kids were like "o que o que?" She is going to be a great member though. She has had some real difficulties in her life and now the church is taking her in!!! I'm very happy for her and I know her Savior is happy for her. I have included some photos of her baptism with the email.!!!

Other than that, we had 25 lessons taught this week which I think is a record for us!!! Everything has just been running really smooth. We have been getting references and new investigators and we are always staying busy!!! As for Manuela, she wants to get baptized this next weekend and she is SO CLOSE to stopping smoking. We have been working with her really hard. Oh, also cool news... her 12 year old son, Rodrigue, told her the other night after we finished teaching her that he wanted to be baptized as well and he wants to be baptized on the same day as her!!!! WE are so excited. We just have to keep praying for her and hope that she can overcome smoking. She is so close!!!

We also have a few other investigators we are working with towards baptism!!! This transfer has been very successful. It feels like the last two transfers were a lot of preparing people for baptism and finding the elect and this transfer almost feels like now we can just gather in all our labors. Poor Elder Carter. ha. he got jipped. Things are going great though. Other random things that happened this week, well, our whole day Saturday was wasted because me and Elder Stanley were hurrying to catch a train back to Massama and in our hurry we got on one of the few trains that doesn't stop at every stop, but goes straight to the heart of Lisbon. I was a little worried as I noticed we weren't slowing down to stop at the Massama train station but as we sped right past. We ended up in Sete Rios and we had to wait for a train back. Good week though.

People we want to baptize this week. Angelo, Manuela and Rodrigue!!! I'll be praying hard for them. Thank you all for your letters and emails. I love you guys so much. I'll keep you in my prayers everyday. Until next time!!!!

Elder Willes

Hello again!!!!!

It's so good to get everyone's emails again!! I miss you all a ton!!!!!

This last week has been great!! We have still been working hard and we have quite a number of people marked to be baptized!! Cool huh? These are who we have marked: Tania at the end of the month, Maria in 2 weeks, Joao at the end of the month, Manuela at the end of the month, Ezikiel in one week, and a girl named Kenia next Sunday. Get this... yesterday, we went to church and one of the members brought a friend of hers named Kenia. It was her first time ever coming to our church, but she really liked it. The member that brought her introduced her to us and said that we could pass by later that night. So, later that night, we passed by and spoke with her and taught her the first lesson. She told us that she really liked our church so we started talking about baptism. We just threw it out there. She agreed to be baptized and we felt we needed to do it next Sunday. She is now marked to be baptized. This is going to be a really busy week with her, considering she still needs to learn 2 more lessons and the commandments, but we both know that this is one of those girls that has already been prepared by the lord to be baptized before she even met us!!! Really cool huh? The members are going to think we are crazy baptizing her so fast, but we know what we felt and it feels right. Wow, first day we meet her and she is already marked for baptism. It's a miracle!!!!!!!! Keep her in your prayers as well.

As for other investigators, we had a really spiritual lesson with Manuela about smoking. It was cool because at the beginning of the lesson she was angry because she thought that it was dumb that God wouldn't accept her into his church and into his kingdom just because of some cigarettes, but at the end of the lesson her opinion had totally changed and she was determined to try and stop again. Well, when we showed up two days later, she told us that the day previous, she went out to smoke and her cigarette was disgusting to her and she couldn't do it. So now, she thinks that smoking is nasty and she has stopped and she is still going strong. We are praying she keeps this up. Wow, little miracles huh? As for everyone else, they are coming along pretty well, we are still working with the marriages and such.

So last Monday was our zone pday and it was a blast!!! We went to Sintra and we didn't quite make it up to the palace on top of the highest peak, but we were able to get up to the castle wall right next to the palace. It was AMAZING!!!! I have included some pictures of it for you!! Anyways, we had to hike up to the peak and about half way up, me and Elder Stanley decided to take it off trail and we just hiked straight up the mountain. It was sick. Anyway, all of a sudden, I looked up and saw a Portuguese flag. There we were at the castle wall. We couldn't find the opening so we just rock climbed over it. Needless to say, we got the weirdest looks from the tourists.

Today, I woke up at 5:30 in the morning. Today and tomorrow we are doing things for our visas over here for our residence in the country, so I'm in Lisbon again. and I have to do the same thing tomorrow. It's all good though. It was really cool to see all the Elders from my old MTC district. It was like a flippin' family reunion. haha. So thats whats going on here for the weekly update of the mission. I miss you all so much. I've been blessed with the best family. You guys rock. I love you all. Ate proximo semana ta bem? fixe!!! Tchau Tchau!!!

Elder Willes

This last week was a great week!!!!!!! Ah you guys won't believe it, but guess what? We had yet another baptism yesterday!!! It was so amazing!! It was a little 8 year old boy from Brazil named Vitor. His mom is a member and his dad is not yet, but we are planning on baptizing him this month. It didn't count in the mission records as an actual number because of his age and his mom is a member. But it counted in the best book of all, the book of life right?? It was SPECTACULAR. I was able to do his baptism and I felt so much love for him!! He is a really great kid!!! I have included a picture of the baptism down below!!!

So how was everyone's New Years? Ours was awesome!!!!! Our ward threw a ward party that started at 9:30 and went to who knows when, but it was really crazy and fun. We got permission from President Torgan to stay up late with our ward at the party. Needless to say, right now I am REALLY tired. I'm still trying to recover. We stayed there until 2 in the morning and I still don't think it was close to being done but we decided we had best leave. Yeah try waking up at 7 the next morning haha. It was tough stuff, but the party was all worth it!! There was a lot of food and tons of music and everyone just went CRAZY because of the New Year. New Years is really big here!!! So what did you guys do? Was there the usual New Years Eve family get together and party? I was thinking about you guys. I hope your holidays were amazing!!! Yes Mom, I have set New Years resolutions as well and one of mine is the same as yours. Lose some weight. hahaha. I have gained a bit the last 2 transfers with Elder Carter and here in the holidays, so its time for me to get back in the program. As for important things, we were asked to set a personal goal of how many baptisms we would have the year of 2011, I'm feeling really good about 32 baptisms, but I still haven't prayed to confirm it!!! We'll see though.

Well, everything else in the mission is going really well. Elder Stanley is a really solid missionary, I'm really blessed to have him as a companion. Right now we are working with a woman named Manuela that wants to get baptized, but can't stop smoking!!! Yesterday we fasted with her, we would go 24 hours without food or water if she could go 24 hours without smoking and so far she hasn't smoked another cigarette. Keep her in your prayers. We gave her a blessing and everything is looking great!!!!!~

I would like to hear some of your new years resolutions!!! Once again, thank you everyone for the gifts!! You guys are the best!! I was so glad to hear all of your voices on Christmas. It was really funny, as I was talking to you guys, I was pacing back and forth because I was excited and the office elders stood off in the distance and watched me. Elder Stanley pulled out his camera and filmed me and he was like "yup, this is my new companion" hahaha. it was funny. Obviously I miss you all.

I'm bummed you guys still haven't received the package. I'm hoping it gets there soon.

Oh today is the first pday of the month and me and Elder Stanley are going to the palace of Pena in Sintra on top of the mountain. I'm really excited. I'll take lots of pictures for you guys.

Well, that's whats on the weekly update. Everything is going GREAT!!! I miss you guys a ton but I'm loving my mission so much!!!!!

I'm so thankful that we are all a part of this gospel. Its funny I kind of took that for granted before I came out here. But now that I'm here I know how important the Gospel is for me. I love my Savior with all my heart and I know that He lives. I'm so grateful for all of you and I love you and miss you!!! Well, until next time eh??? Tchau Tchau!!!

Elder Willes

Daisy's Baptism....

It was so awesome to talk to you guys during Christmas. It was really funny. While I was talking on the phone, the office elders got their cameras out and started filming me because I was pacing back and forth outside because I was so excited and I didn't even know it haha.!!! They showed me after and I looked like a goon. It was so great to hear from all of you though. I'm so grateful for the packages I received, but my best present this Christmas (besides the baptism) by far was hearing from you guys!!!!

So great news, yesterday the baptism pulled through and it was really amazing!!!! It was a really hard week for the mission overall though. We were one of 4 baptisms for the entire week, so president isn't too happy I hear, but the good news is the baptism was amazing yesterday!!! I have included some pictures of the baptism on the bottom and the other picture is of the Ben Fica soccer stadium from the office Elders window!!!

That's cool you're getting a new primary class!! Do you miss the old class? I sure do!!! I love children haha. You should see some of the children here in our mission. They are so funny. some of them remind me of my 4 favorite nephews haha.!!!

Other than Daisy, we are hoping to have at least three baptisms this next week!! I know the goals are really high, but we have been seeing miracles. We hope to baptize a kid named Vitor, a girl named Vanise, and a guy named Joao!!! I'm so excited!! Elder Stanley is solid man, he has such a desire and we are going to do some great work here.

I really miss you!!! It was so good to hear your voice on Christmas!! Sorry I don't have much to tell you that I didn't already on the phone, but know that things are going great!!!!! Thank you so much for everything!!! Ate proximo. Te-Amo.

Coulton Got To Be An Angel Of The Lord!!!

Momma!!!

Ok here is the great news!!! I'm staying in my area for yet another transfer. After I am done with this one, I will have been in my first area for 6 months. I really love it. My next companion is named Elder Stanley!!! Apparently he is coming straight from the office so he must be a great elder. I hear he composes his own music on the piano!!!! Thats a cool little random fact. Anyway, I'm really excited to meet him!!! I'm also really excited to stay in my area. The only sad news is Elder Carter is leaving to go home now!!! We said a lot of goodbyes yesterday. It was really sad, as we left Deritson's house, he was crying and he even called us at 4 in the morning!!! But he is going to the Madrid temple with the ward today and this week, so he will have a good time!!! I'll miss him though, he was a great friend to me and a great elder!!!

As for Daisy, she told us she really wants to be baptized, so thank goodness I'm here to witness it. I think it will only be a matter of 1 or 2 weeks now!!! She is elect!!! I'm grateful to my Heavenly Father to be here yet another transfer.

I have been enjoying my presents so much!!! Thank you!! They bring a lot of joy into the house. I only read that paper after each present so its a surprise to me. As for the packages, I have recieved all 3 of yours and Grandma's, but I have not yet recieved the ones from the siblings. No worries though, I'm sure it will all work out!!! Tell me when you get your package k?

OK so on Christmas Day, I will be at President Martin's house, our stake president. He says that he needs to get us a number that you guys can call us from and so when he gets that this week we will have to send ya an email with the number. If however for some reason you don't recieve it, you can get a calling card and call the number that I sent to Dad, it is our cell phone number.!!!!! I'm so excited to talk to you guys!!!!! Besides being able to share the Gospel here, that will be my most cherished present this Christmas!!! Well, I really have to hurry!!! I once again have emails from the whole family!! Ha I love you so much!!! You've been such an amazing mother. Merry Christmas mama!!! I love ya!!!

Elder Willes

Hey!!!!!

Another great week has passed on!!! We are going to try to commit a girl named Daisy to baptism hopefully this next week and we are teaching another new investigator this week named Diamontinho, which means little diamond ha!!! He is really cool!!! We are still working with the investigators that need to be married. We found an easy way that they could get married through the Cape Verdian embassy that's a lot easier so hopefully we can hurry and get them married then we will have a lot more baptisms!! other than that, we have just been finding new investigators and teaching them!!! The work is going great!! I'm loving the mission right now!!! I'd say the biggest problem though is our investigators commit to coming to church but then they flake out on us, so we are still working on that!!!

This last week was fun!! I'm sure you know that we had a little Thanksgiving feast with Deritson's family and Aroldo!!! It was a lot of fun!! E. Carter cooked corn bread stuffing and we bought chicken from Pingo Doce and there was bread and cake and juice!!!! The food turned out great!! I'll try to email you a picture of the feast!! Only problem with that day is that we had two more eating appointments that day!! One was with a member from Sri Lanka who fed us really spicey food!! I ate a pepper and almost died ahahaha!! She fed us a ton and we had yet ANOTHER eating appointment right after that~!!! We were so full that on the way home, Elder Carter vomited in the street and I almost did as well. Yes we were that full!!! ha it was crazy!!!!

It sounds like getting ready for Christmas has been a lot of fun back at home!!! That's awesome!!! You're the coolest mom ever to be sending me all of those packages!! Ha! I'm very very excited to get them!!! It feels like Christmas here!!! Wow!!!! It's already SOOOOO cold!!! It feels like a Utah winter here I can't believe Portugal doesn't receive snow!! It rains a ton and the days it doesn't rain, it is windy and the wind goes right through you!! So it definitely feels like Christmas!! Ha

I'm very excited for Christmas this year!!! There is no better way to celebrate Christmas than to share the news that the Savior bore!!! I hope that people are extra receptive during this holiday season!!! I'm always thinking and praying about you!!! I'm so grateful for you and your love and support!! Thank you so much!! I love you!! Until next week!!!

Hey how are things!!! Its great to hear from you once again!! It sounds like your Thanksgiving was a blast and judging from the pictures I got emailed to me it was!!! We won't really celebrate Thanksgiving here, actually, I take that back. I just remembered, on Saturday, me and Elder Carter are going to put a small little feast together at the church for 2 families in our ward. One family is the family that feeds us every week on Saturday. They are the Santos. And the other is Deritson and his parents. They want to try American food, so we will do our best ha!! It will be fun!!! So I finally got my camera card and I'm sending my pictures home to you guys today, so be expecting those soon I hope!!!!

Life is going great here in Portugal. We haven't gotten any baptisms since Francine, but we have been finding new investigators. The biggest problem we have right now is that people really want to be baptized and they have a testimony but they can't because they are living in couples and they aren't married, so we are waiting on 6 investigators to get married before we can baptize them!! It takes a lot of patience, but its good to encourage them and strengthen their testimonies!!!! This week was a lot of door knocking because so many of our appointments fell through, but it was good because we found a new family!!! This family has 10 people living in one house and they are so cool!!! They are from Cape Verde and so far they seem receptive!! Its going great!! I have high hopes for them too!!!

Wow!!! I really want to hear this "Scarlet Dawn", that is so so so cool!!!! They are actually like a singing group!! I'm so proud of my sisters. They have all my support. I know they will be great, I remember when they sang for a funeral and it was amazing!!!

I'm really sorry to hear about Elder Bell!!! I remember he had a REALLY hard time waking up in the MTC!! A really hard time, but he never slept during the day. It sounds like whatever it is has just gotten worse. That's unfortunate, I'll keep him in my prayers!!!!

So how is weight watchers?? I can still cheer for you even here in Portugal. Its probably going to be next to impossible now that its holiday season though ha. But after wards I'll be cheering you on the whole way. I pray about you every night!!!

Well, all is well here!!! I hope all is going great for you guys. I miss you all so much. I'm so thankful for you!!! You're the worlds best mother!!! I love you so much!! I'll be thinking about you a lot this Thanksgiving holiday!! I'm so thankful for you and my whole family!!! I'm so lucky to be a part of this family! I'm especially thankful for this Gospel. I know it is true now more than ever and I'm grateful you raised me in the Gospel. I know my Savior lives and I love him with all my heart!!! I love you!!! Tchau Tchau!! Ate Proximo!!

Elder Willes