Sunset in Hermiston

We all really enjoyed watching conference. It was great to be able to feel the spirit during it as well. Seemed to me they talked a lot about families, especially about parents and children. I really enjoyed President Monson’s opening remarks and his talks as well.

We had another good work week. There was many things we were able to accomplish. We’ve worked with the ward a lot to get us exchanges for two hours every night and it seems that it’ll work great. We have also continued doing our best to work with members to get referrals, tracting, and simply teaching current investigators. We have met many interesting people and it is really fun to talk to all of them.

It sounded like everyone had a great Easter. We were invited to a member’s home and had some good ham etc. Yeah, I got my package too. Aurora seems to be running the family well. I like her dress. I really liked the pictures too. Is that picture of the yellow bead thing really the one we had from forever ago? I can tell Jake has been putting on a little extra weight too.

It would be great if everyone could send a highlight of their favorite part or talk of conference. I know the one that caught my attention the most was President Uchtdorf with talking on patience. More growth comes from waiting then receiving, plus the concept of what you consistently focus on and work towards eventually happens.

Also the way missionaries are called was great to hear. I heard it once before in the MTC. The part when he said something like all missionaries have been assigned or reassigned by inspiration made me smile as I have a few reassignments. I know that I am called to be a missionary and assigned to where the Lord sees the need.

I had an idea. Can you send me conference in Mongolian? I have a mp3 cd player, so just on a normal cd would be great. The faster you can do it the better!

Well thanks for all the support and letters,

Love, Elder Willoughby

Elder Daniel Willoughby is serving in the Washington Kennewick Mission. If you want to communicate with Daniel, write in the comments or use one of these addresses.

Elder Willoughby (left) with Elder Kelly tasting Mongolian candy, and Elder Clark

Last Week

This week was full of exciting things. The best was Zone Conference. They taught us a new approach to use while tracking door to door. We intermediately afterward used it and to our surprise the first door let us in. It also has allowed us to meet with people that have said they aren’t interested at first. We have gotten a lot more investigators from it and it also makes tracking fun to do.

That is neat you got the package. I’m really grateful that they did that for me, it saved lots of money! There is Mongolian candy in the black bag wrapped up in the coat. I’d like for everyone to try some. Let me know what it tastes like. I have some of my own here that I chomp down on. It’s good stuff, but the other box is off limits. :) I’ll mention that the Wilsons are in my home ward to President and I’ll get back to you on what he says. Have fun on your temple trip Dad and Jake. I think I get to go in three weeks or so to the temple. The first time since one year.

Lisa, the person preparing for baptism, passed her interview and will be baptized this Saturday. It is neat that I’ve been here since the first time we met with her. She has made lots of changes in her life and you can see how it is blessing her. She met with missionaries before, like I said, so knows the material well. It is so great to meet with people that actually want to listen and keep their commitments.

Daniel (left) and Elders Clark and Kelly at Lisa's baptism

We also had a cool finding experience while we were trying to meet with members to get referrals. The member wasn’t home so we were walking away when we saw across the street someone working in his yard. He had a sling on his arm and his friend was helping him move some dirt. We asked if we could give him a hand and he agreed. It was kind of shocking as most people don’t let us help them. Turns out he met with missionaries a long time ago, so he knew how to “take advantage” of our help. He thought highly of our church because he said we are willing to help first, then preach, just like Jesus did. We’ll see how he progresses.

We found another family that recently moved in. Their names are Jenifer and Nat with five children. They were really receptive and open minded during the lesson. They especially liked how we focus on youth and taking care of their needs. When we first knocked they said they had their own religion and weren’t interested. We asked them a simple question and taught short doctrine and they allowed us to come back at a better time. It does seem though that everyone says they’re not interested at first. Once again the Zone Conference approach works great and I think it increased our faith when we track.

So you might be asking yourself… What is the new approach… Well let me tell ya. Instead of saying, “We are missionaries from the Church… etc.,” we just up front ask them a question. Example: Have you ever considered our relationship with God? Have you ever wondered what is the purpose in this life? It opens up their mind and allows us to teach a short principle to almost everyone we meet before they cut us off. Our President was the one who taught us. Of course we have still gotten the door slammed on us, but that just makes you want to keep going. :)

Columbia River Washington Temple

Looks great Dad! [The temple photographs] I really like going to the temple. I’m also happy that you raised me good enough to get me there. Thanks for everything you do. The temple is just like missionary work, but for people that have died. I took the temple picture when we had transfers about a month ago.

With all of that we also had many opportunities to do little acts of service to those around us. It is great to follow the example of Jesus Christ and represent him as we travel the streets. I know that this work is true and that God truly does love us. He answers our prayers and is aware of our needs.

This Week

Sorry that last’s week letter didn’t send… I can’t seem to figure out why these computers don’t like my camera either so no pictures.

This week was full of working hard and finding people to teach. We tried to get members to come tracking with us. It was a mission wide thing we did, and the members that came seemed to like it. Lisa was baptized and it went very well. It was neat to see how much more she is smiling etc.

We had a great experience one day while tracking, one lady called after us and said, “I’m one of yours!” So we talked to her and in what she said had lost her way, but was a convert to the church and wanted to go back. We set up for her to get a ride from some members and she came this Sunday.

We are really excited for General Conference. I really enjoy listening to the leaders of the Church. Anyhow I think I’ll get all the doctor stuff figured out. I’ll let you read last weeks letter today, it was really good, too bad it didn’t get sent. Let me know how you like that Mongolian candy.

Love, Elder Willoughby

Travelling to Zone Conference in the Tri-Cities area

Elder Daniel Willoughby is serving in the Washington Kennewick Mission. If you want to communicate with Daniel, write in the comments or use one of these addresses.

Daniel (in Mongolia) carefully extracting the sheep's eyeball for consumption

We had transfers here, but I stayed in the same area. We got Elder Kelly from Gilbert, Arizona to replace Elder Seymore. He is a lot of fun and we’ve been getting along great, so Elder Clark is still with me. We had a great new investigator that you could call golden. She had been taught by missionaries before, but couldn’t be baptized. We met with her for the first time and she said she wanted to be baptized and when her kids get old enough that she’d want them to be baptized too. We were excited and are planning on her baptism soon.

We have been doing some tracking and it brought back memories of my Atlanta Georgia Mission when I was in Alabama. Seems that there are less preachers at doors here, but people have very similar responses. That they have their own religion and aren’t interested. It is interesting here though we still take the opportunity to talk to those people and teach them a principle or two at the door. So with my “third” mission I’m getting better at teaching and talking to people.

At the transfer site I met Sara Hewlett’s brother. He was actually companions with Ben Jacobsen’s best friend, Aaron. It was cool to meet one of my best friend’s best friends and also the brother of another friend. They said they both saw me and said, that looks like Dan Willoughby. Then were thinking, no it can’t be because Ben was his friend and I think he said he went to a foreign mission. So we eventually saw each other and talked for awhile. Other than that I don’t know many other missionaries, but I am meeting them.

My president is President Belnap. He actually lives or lived in West Kaysville. He helped me to get nicely adjusted. The ward and branch is great. We work with a lot of less actives and have quite a few investigators. We have a car so we don’t do much walking. It is strange to go from full-time walking to full-time riding.

There isn’t that much wind here at all, it has been really good weather. The biggest change in culture would be simply how big everyone’s house is, paved streets everywhere, landscape, Walmart, etc. The food is all different, everything is different and very modern. All of it is a huge change and took a bit of adjusting. I really miss being in Mongolia, even though it lacked all those things. The people here are very kind and nice, but I will always like being around and talking to Mongolians. I’m not sure of my release date, probably will be the same, who knows now…

Looks like the trip was lots of fun. Don’t forget to send those boxing gloves :). I am going to be sending a box home with some members that are driving to Utah this weekend. They said that they could stop by and drop it off so I took the opportunity. I’ll give them Dad’s cell phone number so if they need to call they can. I’m not sure when they will get there, but don’t open the box when it comes. If I decide to send a bag with it, you can open that, and it will have some Mongolian candy in it for everyone to try.

I know this work is true and that the Lord is guiding me. I am happy to serve Him and do His will no matter where He decides to put me.

Thanks for all the support and love. I love you all.

Elder Willoughby

Photo Credit: Check out the Anderson’s blog with the story of Daniel eating a sheep’s head and eyes.

Elder Daniel Willoughby is serving in the Washington Kennewick Mission. If you want to communicate with Daniel, write in the comments or use one of these addresses.