We were able to go on two exchanges this week.  One was on Tuesday and I was able to be with Elder Larsen who has just got out on his mission.  It was really fun to work with him and see the amazing testimony of new missionaries.  He is also a Spanish missionary so I am sure he enjoyed getting away from Spanish for a day.  We were also able to do another exchange on Saturday and I was able to go with Elder Rust who was in my first Zone in Baytown.  It was really fun, and that is where we took the picture of the church with the painting on the side of it.  I was able to learn so much from these exchanges.  After the exchange on Saturday night I was pondering leadership and I realized something....  That Ammon went into the land of the Lamanites not to chastise them for their unbelief, but to serve and when the opportunity would come, to teach them.  I feel that, that is so important, that we as leaders need to first serve and love those we are over and when they come asking us questions or anything in those types of matters then we teach them and help them understand the greater light and truth.  I love the scriptures and how they relate to every situation in life.  

  Ken Jones is doing fantastic.  He was confirmed on Sunday and after church he was interviewed by the bishop and will be on the fast track to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood and will be receiving a calling quickly.  He and his wife will start feeding us hopefully every week so we are excited for that! :)  His wife has started talking to us more often and hopefully from feeding us she will become open to listen to our message.  Ken will be receiving the Aaronic Priesthood though the week after next because this week we have General Conference (which I am stoked for) and the week after we have Stake Conference.  Ken continues to progress leaps and bounds and will be a great asset for the church. 

  Andy and Jamie weren't able to make it to church this Sunday due to Jamie's Dad coming down to help them out with something.  Also this week they didn't have money for the light bill and supposedly there electricity was turned off.  Hopefully everything has worked out for them in that regard.  Andy has been reading a lot about his Priesthood and studying it.  Jamie said he has been changing a lot in the past week!  Over all they are doing well and the ward is taking care of them.  

  We haven't heard from Erika yet.  She wasn't able to talk to her parents on Sunday night because they got home late and were tired, but she told us after our lesson on Friday that she would be talking to them about it that night, so when we meet with her this week I will let y'all know how it went.  She continues to read and pray and keep all of her commitments with the exception of coming to church due to her situation.  I will keep y'all updated on her though.

  Carisil is doing GREAT!  She read 1 Nephi chapter 3 and learned a lot from it and we were able to teach her the Plan of Salvation.  She is really putting an effort in coming to know if what we are teaching her is true.  We will continue to work with her and I know that if she keeps this up she will be baptized on the 12th of October.  

  Yesterday as we were driving back towards our area coming from the church we decided to try by Dante's.  If y'all remember him Elder Hoyt and I taught him way back when.  But, we stopped by and he had a few of his siblings over and we had a little discussion with them and we taught them about the Atonement.  We went through the whole process of how Christ did it.  Afterwards they had lots of questions about the Sacrament and etc...  It was so powerful.  The spirit was so strong in the room that you could cut it with a knife.  It was amazing.  When that happens I feel that our mouths are being filled and the words coming out of our mouths are the spirits.  

  I am doing really well.  I continue to survive and Elder Sully and I have a really good, fun time together.  I love y'all and would invite every single person who reads my email today to read through the last and greatest thing Christ has done for us in Mathew chapters 26-27.  And after you read those two chapters to get down on your knees and thank our Father in Heaven for sending his only begotten son to save us from our sins.  I love y'all and hope y'all have a great week this week!

Elder Willden 

#missionarywork

Painting on church in Houston area

Elder Willden cooking hamburgers

p-day kite flying and soccer game