Week 34, March 28, 2016

Area:  Lake Mills

Companion: Elder Joaquin Lopez Alatrista

Date:  March 28, 2016

Everyone,

This week was good, we got to go to Milwaukee and work with the Zone Leaders for a day which was fun to go to a big city again, man so many people compared to lake mills where the population is not even six thousand. After that I started to feel kinda sick like the flu and so we went out but we didn't find anyone. Then on Sunday Angel and his family came again which was awesome the talks were so good and they really enjoyed it! I think they will get baptized this next month and it is a family of 7 which is so cool and rare! During the second hour I asked Hermana Cabrera (investigator) to say the closing prayer and I was shocked she said yes cause that is one thing they haven't done yet was pray in front of us but she said it and they were both in tears before the end of the prayer which was so cool the spirit was so strong, I know the spirit was telling me to ask them how they feel right now but everyone got up to start to leave so I didn't and I am mad at myself cause I need to help them understand when they are feeling the spirit! Next time I guess well anyways that Easter was great we went and visited Patt this 80 something year old lady who I just love man she makes me laugh all the time and she loves us coming, she is a convert and has a really cool story that I will tell when I am home one day but we were teaching her the Plan of Salvation and there are two parts I want to talk about neither of them spiritual so sorry but the first one is when I used this Plan of Salvation diagram my mom made for me it is spanish so I opened it up and I was like sorry Patt this is spanish but don

't worry English is underneath and I jokingly asked her if she knew these words and she just started saying the words in English and I was so freaking shocked I look at elder lopez and was like this lady has the gift of tongues right now, she looked at me and started laughing I majored in spanish in college but I was still impressed cause this lady can't even remember Elder Lopez name she calls him elder cruz haha so that was super funny but this next one makes me laugh so hard ok so we got to Adam and Eve and when they were in the garden and I said they need to have children but didn't know how and she said and I quote "they could have just watched the birds" ah man when she said that I couldn't stop laughing man I love that lady. Well now to have more of a Spiritual message I want to give my testimony of the Savior and his resurrection this Easter was probably the first time I ever studied his life and read from the Bible and all the different Gospels of his disciples. I gained so much knowledge and have grown to know so much more that the Savior is my actual Savior and for a moment during his suffering he thought of me and all the things I will go through, he then broke those bands of death the bonded us all from the fall of Adam. He asked Mary "why weepst thou" and I feel at times he asks me the same thing during hard times why do I cry why do I try to go through these things alone don't I know that my Savior Lives and that because he does I can too and that everything will work out in the end. In Spanish there are two words to say "to know" one is Saber and the other is Conocer. Saber means to know facts or things along that line but Conocer means to know someone. I believe yo Sabia (knew) Christ before my mission but now I can say Yo conozco Christ which is the real importance because when we actually know someone and love someone we will do all they ask and try and try again till we will need is Everlasting Atonement in the end, we will all fall short without Christ but with him all becomes possible! I love you all and hope you had a great Easter now we have a great opportunity to listen to our Apostles and Prophet, take advantage of it listen with an open heart! Have a great week!

Love Elder DeSantis

Week 33, March 21, 2016

Area:  Lake Mills

Companion: Elder Joaquin Lopez Alatrista

Date:  March 21, 2016

Hey everyone,

 This week was really good we had a lot happen this week first off was Zone Conference and it was nice to see other missionaries being all the way in the country that doesn't happen to much. One thing that was cool was Bridger Hansen knows the Bishops sons of the ward I am serving in because they are both serving in Russia so I asked Bridger or Elder hansen if he knew him and he did so small world I guess. So we did a bunch of service this week we helped this family move out there whole house pretty much all day one day and half the day the other time so that was fun to do service I honestly don't know what they would have done with out us they needed to be out on Saturday and me and my comp and a member of our church were the only ones there. They were older people so my comp and I carried everything and man they are pretty wealthy so they have legit wooden stuff that isn't cheap or light so you have to one make sure not to break it and then make sure you don't break you back but sorry don't mean to complain about doing service cause I really enjoyed it actually they are super nice people. Then we also moved out this other family whose sons lived above us we carried there stuff out so we are experienced movers now. This Sunday though we had a great miracle but it starts with Saturday so we go to one of our investigators house on Saturday like usual and this time his whole family is sitting there (7 in total) and they tell us that they are going to come to church and I just couldn't stop smiling I was so stoked because we have been trying to get them to come for so long and finally they did they actually showed up. We had this whole family show up and man the whole ward was shocked because there aren't too many members that go so this family took up a whole row. They speak spanish though so I am not sure how much they got out of Sacrament and the 3rd hour but they said they are coming back next week so that is awesome! So ya that is pretty much my week. My little spiritual thought today comes from the new Easter video that the church made if you have yet to see I would say to watch it cause it is amazing, also here is my challenge after watching it show it to one friend who isn't a member obviously. I promise it will make you happy because sharing the Gospel does that it makes you happy and who cares if they nothing comes out of it you will never know till you try! Love you all

Elder DeSantis

Week 32, March 14, 2016

Area:  Lake Mills

Companion: Elder Joaquin Lopez Alatrista

Date:  March 14, 2016

Hey everyone,

 Well this week was good I went on exchanges with the other Elders in my district which was nice cause I went to their area and I like there area a lot they have a lot of cool people over there. In our area though we haven't been able to find much success yet but we keep on trying. We have been able to teach a lot of people the First Vision but they don't allow us to come back or they say "ya come back in a couple of months." Well lady I won't be here in a couple of months so how about in two days I don't say that it like that ya you get the point. This area must be an area of patience for me I have been praying hard for that attribute of Christ and to help me grow each day. The one thing I have noticed about being in this area is my understanding of the who Jesus Christ actually is has deepened so much. There are days when I am studying and I swear that hour we have feels like 2 minutes just because of how much my desire to read has gone up. I love reading the New Testament and then and going and finding the same teaching in the Book of Mormon. My testimony of this is actually the only true church has strengthened immensely. So if that is why I am in this area then that is good enough for me but I hope that there is someone here that needs to hear this message from me! Little cool story is we had one of our investigators randomly show up to church which is weird cause she works every Sunday but what happened is she forgot about the time change so she went into work late and so they got mad and told her to leave so she freaked out and she said the only thing she could think of to do is go to church. So sense she doesn't have a car she started knocking on random peoples doors telling them she is having a bad day and needs a ride to church and so someone gave her one. So it was great to see her there!  Well for my spiritual message it today comes from John 6
 66 ¶From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
 67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?
 68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
 69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.
This is part is when Jesus is telling his disciples that they must partake of the "Living bread" and they say that it was too hard and that is why they no more walked with Him. We find ourselves when things are get too hard that we don't walk with Christ anymore which is the exact opposite of what we should do as Petter says "to whom shall we go?" There is no where else to go but to Christ in His true Church that is the only path to actual eternal happiness. Also much more joyful is the path to walk with our families whether they be the families we have no or future so do all we can to walk unto Christ! I love you all and hope you have a great week!

Week 30, February 29, 2016

Area:  Lake Mills

Companion: Elder Joaquin Lopez Alatrista

Date:  February 29, 2016

Well everyone this week was full of new stuff such as a new area, new investigators and new news about my family. My new area is very different from my last one. I now cover 9 small towns all spaced out from each other. It is a little more difficult to plan our days but oh well. Elder Lopez and I are getting along well. As many as you know my grandpa passed away this last week and I just want you to know that prayer and the atonement are real and they can get you through any problems we may face in the future. Heavenly Fathers hears and answers our prayers I know this to be true. I am sorry I am going to be shorter this week because I feel as though I have talked to all that read this already haha. This morning I found a great scripture found in Alma 37:33  This is exactly what we do as missionaries and this is what we believe. I love you all so much I hope your week goes well!

Love Elder DeSantis

February 26, Special letter about Grandpa Hugh Hogle

Well everyone I have had special permission from my Mission President to come and write my thoughts and feels to everyone. As I have recently found out about grandpa and his passing I pondered on what to think, say and do. I first want to talk about the man grandpa was I have never met a more grateful man in my life. He taught us all that the small things we do for people mean so much no matter what it is and it is because the small things for us were huge to him. I will never forget those words after I helped him with anything "Thank you very much I apperciate it." My grandpa also taught me patience I wish I was a better person and I wish I served him out of love more then obiligation but I will also remember these words from him "HEY come ear!" There were times I wanted to act like I wasn't there and there are times when I probably did but now I just wish I could hear him say those words to me again but I know one day He will but, this time I will be happy to do it! I know grandpa had an impacted many people in his work or in just his acts of love he did for people he was one to always think of others whenever they are in times of need. The world has lost a great man but the mormies he left us will forever be with us and as we know through this Gospel this is not the end. This morning my studies were focused on Grandpa as I read and found scriptures that may brings us comfort and joy. This first one I found is what I believe grandpa became while here on earth Mosiah 3:19 " becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father." he has developed all those attributes fouond in the verse and that is why I thought of him. The next is Alma 40:  23 "The soul shall be restored to the body, and the body to the soul; yea, and every limb and joint shall be restored to its body; yea, even a hair of the head shall not be lost; but all things shall be restored to their proper and perfect frame." I know from pictures and many stories that grandpa loved adventures and just the out doors but sadly for the last 21 years of his life that was some what taken away from but, I know with my whole heart that grandpa will be restored to his perfect frame and that he is going to do all those things he loved to do and this is because of the loving Savior that we all have He took upon him the sins of the world the pains of the world and broke the bands of death so that we may all live. As found in Luke 24  36" ¶And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you" may we all have that "Peace" because he lives because he has imprinted us on his hands and feet let those scares engulf our saddness let the Lord bring us up. I know that families are forever and I know that Grandpa is right now learning about this Gospel and hopping that we all stay faithful to the end so that we may live with him forever! I love you Grandpa you can finally rest in peace now. I love you all so much and for any of you who neeed comfort I invite you to read Alma 7;11-12 and then to pray for strength and comfort, my prayers are for you all and I love you so much! 

Love Elder William Hogle DeSantis

Week 29, February 22, 2016

Area:  Green Bay, Wisconsin

Companion:  Elder Christofferson

Date:  February 22, 2016

Hey everyone,

 Well a lot of exciting news from me so I will finally be leaving Green Bay I didn't think I would be leaving this transfer but I am. I am sad though cause Elder Christofferson and I are like way good friends and so it sad to be leaving him cause we were way close but its ok. Also it was hard to say good bye to the members cause I felt as if that was my home ward and they were just awesome members really hope to go back and visit them all one day! So I will be companion with Elder Joaquin Lopez Alatrista he is from Peru so that is super fun, I don't think he knows English so I am super stoked my Spanish will get really good! I will be serving Lake Mills little town so we will see how that goes! Man just pretty shocked about all this but, anyway this week was good we went and toured Lambaue field those who don't know that is the stadium where the Packers play and for those who don't know who the Packers are that is the Football team here. That team has so much history behind them and the tour was so cool the stadium is huge! I took a lot of photos so I will send them! I love Green Bay but this area is a little hard right now so I am glad to have a change. This week we worked a lot with less actives and we are breaking down walls they have so that has been really good, our investigators are kinda at a stand still right now so hopefully things will pick up here. Sorry this email is going to be pretty short because with looking at transfer and everything but my spiritual message today is about an experience I had last night at a recent convert/less active. So this recent convert is married to a member who is active but she for some reason hasn't been coming to church so we went over I felt that I should kinda of give my testimony on the Book of Mormon and I told them that if they read this book each day that any doubts they have will go away and that they will stay active in the church. I told them that my mission would be worth it all if they all stayed active and made it together in the Celestial Kingdom. If I could have that family stay together because of my little weak testimony then that was all work it. As I was talking to them I felt the spirit so strong and I am not sure why it was super strong but it was and I know that the Book of Mormon is true and that we can all find out for our selves! I love you all hope you are all doing well!

Week 28, February 15, 2016

Area:  Green Bay, Wisconsin

Companion:  Elder Christofferson

Date:  February 15, 2016

Hey everyone, 

 This week well it was not the most eventful one but something that happened is the weather started dropping again so that was fun it got to like -20 this week and man let me tell you when it is that cold any bare skin feels starts to actually feel like it is being sun burnt kinda weird but ya. We are trying to find new investigators so we went tracting for like 7 hours on Wednesday and wow that was a learning experience our patience was tested and grown a lot that day haha I love the people here but thats only a one way thing haha good times on the mission. I am glad that Elder Christofferson get along cause if we didn't this would be a lot harder time but, we just make sure to know that every missionary ever has had hard times. For some good things that happened this week is we have a lot of really good lessons on The Plan of Salvation we had one with some investigators and we were able to set a baptismal date with them super cool people, then we had it with the a less active Luis and I don't how but I always end up learning something new about the Plan of Salvation the Plan is so big and has so much that we can study it our whole life and still not comprehend it all. We had a Valentines Party for our Branch, they got a Mariachi guy to come sing so that was super fun - I wish I could send the video of him but my email wont allow me. We find out transfers this Sunday so I will keep you posted on that. Well on to my spiritual message it comes from Alma 5 this chapter is amazing and there are so many good verses I want to hit on "16 I say unto you, can you imagine to yourselves that ye hear the voice of the Lord, saying unto you, in that day: Come unto me ye blessed, for behold, your works have been the works of righteousness upon the face of the earth?" I love how he says "can you imagine.." ah so cool to think of Christ and his arms of mercy extending towards us leading us to the Celestial Kingdom. I just have to say how amazing that would sound and feel you know as missionaries we have that comparison I mean that tiny minuscule comparison for the day we go home and huge our family. It will be that times a billion with our Heavenly Father. So lets all work hard to have our works be good so we can all hear those words one day! It goes on to say in 37  
"..as sheep having no shepherd, notwithstanding a shepherd hath called after you and is still calling after you, but ye will not hearken unto his voice!  38 Behold, I say unto you, that the good shepherd doth call you; yea, and in his own name he doth call you, which is the name of Christ;" At times we may think that God or Christ has abandoned us but in all reality it is us who stops listening to his voice. He is always calling unto to and know that is Atonement is infinite there is nothing that the He didn't suffer for doesn't matter what it is he has felt that and he offers his Atonement to the World - even these stubborn people here in Wisconsin- it is for all who harken unto his voice! Let us all work hard and be able one day to have our Savior, Jesus Christ guide us by the hand into the our mansion! I love you all and I want all of us to make it back!

Love Elder DeSantis