Dear Dad and Mom,
So this week has been really quite good. I've kind of gotten over the initial shock of what is going on with Mom right now. I know everything will turn out for the better just as D&C 122 says. I'm so grateful for your love and your prayers. I can feel them everyday because there is no way I could learn the language without them. The language is coming along. It is still pretty tough though. By the way, my companion and I have just been made the new zone leaders. It is tough because we have to address anything that is going wrong or isn't in accordance with the Spirit. I'm a little worried about it because I'm not sure if I can still learn the language as well if I have to miss a little class. I'm just relying on the Lord right now though. It has been pretty crazy. Tomorrow we have to meet with a new district for the first time. It is really weird. Today I went to the temple and instead of doing endowments we went and started with iniatories. It was really cool. But the thing I wanted to talk about was what we did next. We went and were proxies as children in the sealing room. Since it was my first time I was totally blown away. We also were able to see some sealings of husband and wife. The Spirit was so strong and I couldn't help but think about how overcome I would be if I could see the Mongolian people being able to do the same thing. It was absolutely stunning, espcially some of the promises given there. I'm so grateful that I'm sealed to my parents and want you to know how much I look up to you for being sealed. It made me realize just how strong our bond as a family is. I hope and pray everyday that I will be able to endure to the end and be with you in the Celestial kingdom. I love you and hope you are doing fine.
Love, Ахлагч Williams

Dear Kristalyn,
This week has been pretty good so far. I'm dealing with Mom's ordeal well and I know everything will be alright. If you get a chance you should read D&C 122. (you probably have already read this). It has really been a great week so far. I can finally (with the Holy Ghost's help) speak Mongolian rather well in our lessons. Except that is to our teachers. We had a native speaker just recently and it was literally impossible to understand her because she talked really fast and she didn't speak up. I guess that is how all Mongolian girls are though. It has been pretty cool though. I am finally able to put together sentences together. I am still kind of worried about learning this language though. Yeah, this week me and my companion were asked to be the Zone leaders. It is pretty tough because if anything gets out of hand back at the dorms me and him have to take care of it. It is okay though. We also have to show all the new missionaries how to live. And a whole bunch of other stuff. The one thing I hate the most about P-Day is the laundry. It is torture getting it done with a whole bunch of other elders sitting around just watching for a free washer. So enough about me. I'm so glad that you were able to start class. Don't stress about it. You have always done fine and you will continue to do fine. I bet you will love going to all the BYU football games and guess what, you had better go to all of them. You are a cougar now and that takes a lot of hard work. Well good luck! Keep up the good work and have a great time there. I love you soooo much. Ахлагч Williams

Dear Becky,
So you are finally living it up in Senior year. I promise it is not as bad as it sounds. You will do fine. I'm so grateful for you being my sister. It has been so good going outside and playing frisbee or just talking. I hope you have a wonderful Senior year, and always remember that it is so much more fun to be yourself. Just relax and have fun. So, I'm doing fine, and my companion is too. We are still getting used to being Zone Leaders but I think we will get the hang of it. The language is coming along and my testimony is being strengthened day by day. Except for the fact that this is, in an essence a very very spiritual........prison. I can't wait to be out and teaching the gospel to the Mongolian people. Remember to have fun and once and a while try and talk to someone you don't know. I love you.
Love Richie

Dear Caelen,
So I'm sure your a little scared about highschool but there is no reason to be. Especially with Rebecca there. She will protect you from all the evil students there. Just tell her to slap someone and she will. By the way i though you might appreciate this. In Mongolian, everything sound just like Yoda speaks. If I were to say "I am having a bad day" it would sound like this. "I bad day am having" It is a little weird to think up sentences but it is okay. Have fun in highschool Caelen. One thing I am really beginning to learn is that everything is 100% attitue and I mean that. it is all how you view the world around you. Good luck in math and good luck in your new art classes. I love you.
Love Richie aka Reggie (by the way your package is coming)

Dear Rachel,
So seventh grade is happening. It is a little scary but you don't need to worry. It is all about if you use it as and opportunity or a cursing. I am so proud of you especially you and all the advances you are making. you are going to grow up to be a strong young woman and I can tell that. Just keep on the track and everything will be fine. Never let anyone ever tell you different. So, you have better been making a movie list for me. I don't want to miss any good movies just because you haven't been watching any lately. ;) keep up on the mistborn series. They are really good and promise me you will read the next one that is coming out in November. Keep up on your scripture reading. That is where the most good will come. I hope you will get through Alma. It is long but it is filled with gems all along the way. Good luck and I love you.
Love Richie

Есүс Христ бол бидний аврагч гэж би гэрлэж баина учраас би аз жаргэлтай баина. гэр бүл бол мөнх гэдгээг би мэднэ учраас би баярдэг.
(I testify that Jesus Christ is our Savior, therefore I am happy. i know that families are eternal therefore I rejoice.)
I love you all and wish you the best.

For those that do not know, last Thursday night, Richie's mom was taken to the hospital. She hasn't left since. They found six masses in various places in her abdomen--they guessed that it was Lymphoma Cancer. To everyone, this was a complete shock. Although the doctors are still doing tests, she hopefully will be able to come home soon. We appreciate all of the friends and family that have prayed for Mom.
Richie just barely found out about Mom today. He talked to Mom and Dad early this morning. Here was his response today:

Dear Dad and Mom,
Today has been really hard for me but I have had a lot of spiritual insights. I admit I am really worried and apprehensive. Thank you for the email. It was something I needed because I will be the first to admit that I was a little bitter when I first heard. I was also in a lot of shock. I'll be open with you in telling you that I have prayed very sincerely for our family's financial situation. I even asked for a miracle from Heavenly Father because I know that eventually you won't be able to work and easily support yourselves. So, last night I really prayed for a miracle. And then this. At first I wondered why it happened to me but then in the temple the spirit gave me some inspiration. First, it testified to me that the miracle I had asked for has already taken place. The "cancer" has been found and that it could have been found a lot later. I realized that Heavenly Father will always answer my prayers if I have sincere desire. The last thing I had happen to me was a little voice in my head, whether my own thoughts or one from another source, told me that this is molding me and us, for us to become something better and stronger. I have since gone and prayed and asked for forgiveness of the faithless thought I've had and have asked his help in everything. I love you both. I don't think I could have asked for better parents. You may think that I am just saying that but it is so true. I too, have been born of goodly parents as Nephi was. I'm so grateful for the example you have set for me and I love you both. So, now past all that this week has been pretty good. I'm learning the language better and I can feel the Holy Ghost speaking through me. I have also felt your love and prayers. I am finally able to put down my phrase book while I am talking and communicate better. I still can't comprehend that much but that is slowly coming along. By the way, I got your package and am so thankful for it. The cookies are fabulous and I am having a good time. Grandma, thank you for the letter. That was just what I needed, right when I got it. It really got me thinking about how some years ago you and grandpa were here. Now to anwer some of your questions. I have been in the choir and it has been a really good experience. My district consists of 8 elders (including me) and zero sisters. I actually enjoy having no sisters because it is really a brotherhood in our district. The other two elders that couldnt' get their VISA's finally did. They are in Mongolia right now. I am already excited to get to Mongolia. I love you all. Ахлагч Williams

Hi Kristalyn!! I'm kind of having a hard time right now. I just learned about Mom and it is really tough espciallly when I have been praying so hard for our family. I'll be honest with you. The night before, I had sincerely prayed for a miracle with our family's financial situation. I knew that it wouldn't be long before it would be really hard for Dad and Mom to work to make money the rest of their lives. I earnestly prayed for a miracle. Then I heard about Mom. I admit at first I was a little bitter. How could Heavenly Father do this to me while I was serving a mission? Then when I was in the temple several thought came to my mind. The first one was that there was a miracle. I just hadn't seen it. The miracle is that they did find it, and that it is not to bad to deal with. I have been really trying hard to develop the faith to have Mom healed totally and completely. When they were talking to me on the phone the only thing I could think of was that this wasn't really happening. I was in shock for like 10 minutes. I then decided to pray right after the telephone call. I prayed that somehow my family could still be blessed and that it would be easy for them to pay for my mission and the chemotherapy. It is so hard. I then thanked Heavenly Father for all he has given me. Already I have prayed and prayed for him to help me with all the thoughts welled up inside me and hopefully forgive me for all the negative thoughts. Thank you for emailing me and I hope your time at BYU is well spent. I love you and please keep me posted on Mom's medical condition. Dad said he would too, but I would like an opinion also from the outside. I don't think you realize what a great example you have been to me. You probably don't even realize just how much I love you. I love you sooooooooo much. ;) Good luck and have fun. Ахлагч Williams

Dear Becky, So how is highschool. I know it might be pretty hard, especially right now but everything will be okay. Good luck and remember that being yourself is a whole lot funner than being somebody else. Also you need to try out for every solo you can in choir. You need to remember that if you have faith and just open your mouth than beautiful things can come out. I'm kind of learning this principle right now. Always put your trust in Heavenly Father first, even before yourself. I love you.

Dear Caelen, Highschool is tough and especially freshman year but it sounds like you hardly have to walk down freshman hall so you are lucky. Thank you for the kneadable eraser you gave me. It brought me back to the good old days when that was all I did in front of the TV. Caelen, don't you worry about anything. Heavenly Father will make it alright in the end. And always remember he is there watching over you and that through prayer you can always confide your deepest feelings to him even when you feel like nobody else will want to listen. I love you and by the way Happy Birthday. I'm sending you a gift and I hope you like it. By the way if anyone else wants the gift I'm giving you, they will have to send up some money so I can order some for them. I love you

Dear Rachel, I really miss you right now. I just love seeing your smiling giggling face every day. I know I teased you a lot but you have to know that I really didn't mean anything I say. More and more I'm regretting teasing you so much. Please forgive me for that. Rachel know that you are a beautiful daughter of God, and always have that at the front of your mind. You are turning into a young woman and Heavenly Father loves you. Rachel I hope someone is tickling you, because right now I can't really reach that far. Have a great day and I love you.

I know this email was a little somber but don't worry I'll be fine and so will you all. Have fun and tell Shylo to work out. би та нарт хайртай (I love you all or the actual translation I you all with love) By the way I'm pretty sure the way I wrote that was wrong.

Ахлагч Williams

Dear Dad and Mom,

I am doing really great today. We were just able to go to the temple for the first time and it was really spiritual. The Provo Utah temple is a beautiful temple and I'm so thankful I could go there. By the way, I am having enough bread to eat. In fact, maybe a little too much. I've been watching my eating but it is really hard not to eat a lot of food. I heard that you lose weight in Mongolia and I think it is pretty accurate (I Hope). But don't worry I haven't really gained any weight. So my daily schedule is quite busy. It usually involves 6 hours of class time and about 4 hours of personal study time with about another hour of personal language study. I have PE 5 days out of the week. We have about 50 minutes to just go and play whatever we want. I normally stick to the basketball courts even though I'm not the best. I really do it just so i can get exercise. It is really fun though and we also play some really competitive four square. IT is awesome!!! I have also just recently started choir with all of my district. We all are musical so we are all really enjoying it. Our service is really cool, because we have to set up the entire gym for the devos and firesides. It holds about 2000 missionaries. I finally got my EFL certificate so the only thing I need left to get me into Mongolia is for a company over there to sponsor me. The language is slowly coming, but I personally feel it is not coming fast enough. by the way, I mispelled the way to say elder. It is actually Axlthlagch. But you just keep spelling it the way you have before. My mouth is finally beginning to get around the sounds of Mongolian. I am constantly feeling the spirit here and it is just amazing. I have never felt this kind of constant companionship with the Holy Ghost in all my life. And yes I have gotten the Dear Elders. Mom, I did get your package and I really liked the chex mix. I was wondering if you could also send a few extra t-shirts up here. but make sure they have writing because I don't want them to look like garment tops. It has been a pretty busy week. I got to do my first TRC, and it is pretty much like being in a observation room while you are teaching with cameras pointing at you and people watching you in the other room. the weirdest thing about the MTC is how distorted time is here. The days are sooooo long yet when I look back I realize that the week is pretty much over. It is so weird. Well, the other two elders that are going to Mongolia still haven't got their VISA's and we are a little scared about it we can get them. But it has been a wonderful week. By the way Mom I'm not dead and can still touch you last after my mission. I love you.

Kristalyn, I got your dear elder and I am glad you sent it to me. I love you soo much and good luck at BYU!! (I can see most of all the campus from here)

Becky, Your first date? I'm going to have to come home right now and talk with you if you keep this up. Just kidding! That is so cool and I hope your face goes really red. And you want to go out again?! This is getting pretty serious. By the way good luck with your senior year. Hint, there are guys at your school that would like to date you too. But don't do it until I get back. I love you.

Caelen, I got your dear elder and I can totally tell it was you. Who else puts hehehehehe on a letter. Well this is really weird that you are growing up and you are a freshman. (NO MORE DANCES) I love you.

Rachel, you haven't been with any guys right? Well I hope so. I heard about your gourds and that is really cool. I hope you have a good seventh grade. It is pretty weird at first but you will get used to it. I really miss you and I love you.

Well sorry if the end of my letter was pretty quick but they have a little timer up in the right hand corner that says I need to get off in 45 seconds I love you all and I so thankful that you are my family. (DON'T GET OLD)

It is finally my P day. It has been a great couple of days. At first I was a little homesick but I really got over it pretty quickly, especially after the Sunday devotionals. My companion's name is Elder Stranski and he is really awesome. Sorry, I don't know if I will have any time to send pictures this time because we are having four hours of our P day taken out due to our EFL training. I have met several Mongolian elders and sisters here. One of the sisters told us that we were the answer to her prayers because she had prayed for missionaries to be able to get back into Mongolia. It was really spiritual. The language is one of the hardest here and it really shows. At first I almost felt overwhelmed but through lots and lots of prayers I was able to begin to pick things up a little faster. The way to say Elder in Mongolian can't actually be spelled out on the computer so I will Romanize it for you. You would say it Aklagch. It has taken quite a long time for me to be able to say the g and the ch all in one consonant sound. Also, one of the hardest letters in the alphabet has the sound of LTHL. I just stick my tongue to the top of my mouth and say it. We have already taught an "investigator" 3 times. It was really hard at first, because it is hard to read the new alphabet and I couldn't pick up anything he was saying. But, after the third lesson I began to feel like we were using a little more of the Spirit, and I could finally understand a tiny tiny tiny bit. I am feeling the Holy Ghost constantly through the day. It is like a little peaceful fire that is always in my chest. It feels so cool. Our district has 8 elders all going to Mongolia the same time I will. Two others were there before us but there Visa still hasn't come in and we are all still a little worried about that. Right now I have a little bit of a cold because one of the other elders in our district came in with a little cold. I think that just a few more days and I should be over with it though. By the way, if you want me to get letters really quick go and use Dear Elder .com. They copy out and email and stick it right in the mailroom. I am really excited to be here and you guys don't need to worry about me. I'm learned so much about the gospel of Christ and how the Atonement can apply to everyone. I have really had a strong witness that my Heavenly Father loves me and I am so grateful for it. Now on a personal note, don't have Kristalyn come and see me at the MTC. Everyone else is making a sacrifice and so I will too. If I see her I will shake her hand, say hello, and then explain that I have to leave. I don't know my mailing address but I think mom actually has it. Also when you write it put my full name because there was another Richard Williams that came in on the same day. I love you all and good luck with everything.

Richie

His 1st little letter!

Written the first evening he enter the MTC
　
Dear Dad, Mom and family,
I have officially survived the first day of the MTC. There were some little times when I felt a little overwhelmed, but as things came to a close, I felt a lot better. My companions name is Elder Stanski who is from New York. He is pretty awesome and is way more outgoing than I was. I will try harder though.
We got to have a huge group lesson with individuals. I didn’t say anything but there are some great missionaries here. There were about 500 who came in with me, and we are the very first to be taught in a new curriculum. The others in my room are Elder Newberg from Missouri and Elder Call from Springville.
It has be one huge day. Right now, I’m just worried about being able to get a shower in the morning, and if I will have any huge problems with warts. I’m so glad that I am here, but it is a little scary.
Good luck at home, and I love you all. I’m still a little weirded out that I’m actually here, but I know I’ll get over it. I love you all!
　
Love,
Elder Richie Williams

Richie is in the MTC

Elder Richard Ronald Rawle Williams is officially in the MTC! It was hard to let him go, but we are soo proud and happy for him!

Stay updated! We will post Richie's letters and photos!