Amber, Elder Walters and Ani

We had a great conversation with Elder Walters on Mother's Day. Whitney and Justin's family were at our house for dinner so Tate, Izzy and Callum all got to talk with Elder Walters . . . they were excited to talk with him and are counting the days until they will see him again.

Elder Walters see his cousin, Ani, frequently when she comes to visit her fiance' Daniel who is in Elder Walters' ward. This time Ani also brought along her cousin/roommate aka Amber. Elder Walters' said he was surrounded by family in Sacrament Meeting and how good it felt. Unfortunately he was running a fever so he left after Sacrament Meeting but was happy to see his cousins as well as President and Sister Wallis.

Elder Walters wants to finish his mission in the best way possible and continues to be grateful for this opportunity.

We will pick him up in 22 days but whose counting!

Love, Bridgette

Pauline Lamb was baptized . . .

. . . and confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and given the Gift of the Holy Ghost!!!

She passed her interview Friday morning and just came out smiling so big! She was really nervous all day, but showed up with a white flower in her hair at 5:00pm really excited. She also had about seven of her friends there.

Elder Bigelow put a plastic chair at the bottom of the font then he and Elder Peterson carried me down into the font and put me on the chair. Pauline came down and stood to my side. I raised my right hand and said the baptismal prayer. Elder Peterson steadied me and Elder Bigelow helped me lower her into the water, we had to sort of shove her under (there wasn’t much room with four people in there) and we lifted her up.

Pauline’s conversion has been amazing. Truly the Lord uses weak and simple things like myself to accomplish His Purposes!

Love, Elder Walters

Pauline Will Be Baptised on May Day!

April 27, 2009

I am serving with Elder Peterson (3 months left) and Elder Bigelow (13 months left). They are both great missionaries. They work hard and are very excited to be here in Chapel Hill!

Pauline Lamb will be baptized on Friday, May 1st! We are so excited for her! She is as well. She has had a lot of good questions along the way and is doing this all for the right reasons. She is already singing with the ward choir, which will be singing “My Shepherd Will Supply my Need” at her baptism. The song is one of her favorites...mine too!

After a couple of years of contacting at the pit, both Christie (who Elder Milovich contacted) and now Pauline (who Elder Farrell contacted) are or will be fully active members of the Church. They both even sing in the choir! They are more active than I am!!!

I feel blessed to have been here at this time.

Love, Elder Walters

Transfers!

April 20, 2009

Elder Wright has been called as a Zone Leader in Kinston and Elder Farrell has been called as a District Leader in Wilson. Elder Wright has been here in the Durham Third YSA Ward for 6 weeks, which has been great. He served nearby in the Chapel Hill First Ward several months ago. Our ward will miss his big smile and kindness. Elder Farrell has served here for four and a half months, and will be missed by everyone.

Perhaps they will be most missed by two current investigators, Pauline and Greg. Pauline was sitting next to Elder Farrell at a “Pit Sit”, where different clubs give out information about their group and upcoming activities. In this case the tables for the dance group “Misconceptions” and the Latter-Day Saint Student Association were near each other.
Elder Farrell taught Pauline a little bit and she seemed interested. As we continued to meet with her, we extended a commitment to be baptized. She accepted, but was soon pretty worried that the date, May 2nd, was so soon.

She heard some rumors about the Church and was kind of confused. She said that it didn’t seem consistent with the message that we taught or the way that the missionaries or members conducted themselves. She asked us about these falsehoods and has since spoken to her friends about the concerns they brought up. Her friends changed their minds, are supportive and are planning on coming to her baptism now on May 1st!

Greg came to church! This is a huge step for him and he said he enjoyed everything. He wants to be baptized, which is wonderful. When we first started meeting with him, he didn’t know if Christianity was true. He now believes that Jesus Christ is his Savior and that His Church was lost, and then restored in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Greg prayed for the first time out loud with us in our last meeting. It was so incredible. He sincerely said, “I thank thee for sending these men, thy missionaries to teach me the truth.”

I can’t imagine a better group of people to be working with at the end of my mission. I was worried I would end on a lull in the work as summer approaches, but Pauline, Greg and others will need our help in the coming months. I have enjoyed being a district leader, especially the opportunity that gave me to interview baptismal candidates.

I love my mission and am grateful for the opportunities the Lord is giving me right now.

Love, Elder Walters

A Visit from Cousin Ani

Elder Walters' cousin, Ani Gneiting, is living in the Washington DC area with another cousin, Amber Jensen. Ani has a friend, Daniel, she visits who goes to medical school at Duke. Daniel is also in the Durham Third Ward so Elder Walters gets to see him often. Elder Walters loves seeing Ani and recently said, "She is really pretty, Mom, and so poised." It's true she is a beautiful, talented young woman!

Dear Walters Family,

It was fun to talk to Ryan and see how he's doing this last weekend.

I realized I'd never taken a picture so we took advantage of the good weather and Daniel having his camera on hand.

Ryan is so well lovedby the ward there and is always introducing me to a recent convert or a new missionary.

This time he even shared his treats!

Just thought I'd share.

Love, Ani

Member Missionary Work is Wonderful!

We just finished a wonderful lesson with Pauline about the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ! She was at a table at ‘The Pit’ for her Hip-Hop dance group when Elder Farrell contacted her. She has been interested and very friendly, but this lesson was particularly great. She had a lot of honest, sincere questions and concerns. She talked about what her friends might think if she got baptized. She said they were watching TV and something came up about members of the Church in a negative way. Her friends were surprised that Pauline would want to meet with us after seeing this portrayal by the media. She told us about what had happened and said that instead of just not meeting with us, she had wanted to ask us in person about it.

We explained, as did an Apostle in General Conference this weekend, that most people know little or nothing about the Church, and that she made the right decision in asking us about her concern. We felt prompted to tell her that her answers won’t come through the media, friends, or even us, the missionaries. We told her that her answers would come from the Holy Ghost and ultimately, her Heavenly Father. At the end of the lesson, she said, ‘Oh, before you go, could we schedule another time to meet? I would really like to meet with you again.”

We are also teaching a great young lady named Leigh. She met some members in Alaska, then Utah who really impressed her. She is very excited about the Church, came to General Conference, and is very, very positive and fun to be around. She is getting to know our amazing ward and we love teaching her the Gospel.

Member missionary work is wonderful-thanks for your missionary work, letters and love!

Elder Walters

Things are Going Great!

I have been with Elder Farrell for three transfers now. We've been working with Elder Wright who has been out as long as Elder Farrell. They are great!

Elder Wright always has the biggest smile and is always happy and laughing and so friendly with members and non-members. Elder Farrell and I love him!

The three of us have been on our missions for a while...almost 5 years combined! That's more than any companionship other than President and Sister Wallis, the Mission President and his wife.

We are still meeting with Greg. It's been going well. He still feels like we were guided to meet with him. He seems to understand and agree with what we say. We're just trying to help him have a spiritual confirmation. He is still unsure about being baptized soon. He said it is definitely something he wants to do some day. We will continue to be hopeful and prayerful with Him!

I truly appreciate your prayers and letters and all that you do!

Love, Elder Walters

Hello! I am feeling better!

March 23, 2009

Hello! I am feeling better! The antibiotics are working on my arm and I’ve been able to work and teach Institute. Our Ward Mission Leader was substitute teaching for me the last couple of weeks while I was sick with a couple of infections. The ward was really kind to visit me. Two members even played a board game with me on Preparation Day. One of them, our Ward Mission Leader hates board games, so I’m thankful for everyone’s sacrifices on my part.

Before I was admitted to the hospital we were in the Emergency room starting at 3:00pm. We had hoped to be out of the hospital in time for a dinner appointment with an engaged couple in our ward, but there were a lot of people waiting to be seen. We called the couple and we all decided to just have dinner at the hospital. It was kind of them and a lot of fun! It was a good thing we ate, too, we didn’t leave the hospital until 1:00am the next morning!

I got a call from someone on my hospital phone and I answered, ‘hello, this is Elder Walters.’ I heard a familiar chuckle and voice say ‘you can run, but you can’t hide!’ Sister Gwyn came to see me in the hospital! She was in Chapel Hill for Visiting Teaching, but we don’t think it was a coincidence that the appointment was canceled, giving us the opportunity to visit.

While I was still in the Emergency Room President and Sister Wallis came to visit. Sister Wallis got in a little bit of trouble with my doctor for taking off my bandage to look at my arm’s infection. President Wallis said, ‘Well, they’re either going to have you arrested or hire you.’ I have appreciated their love and support so much on my mission. Somebody said that God does watch over us, but it is usually through another person that He meets our needs. I have found that to be very true on my mission.

President Wallis also talked with some Stake and Ward leaders to let them know I’d be willing to speak at firesides. I’ve had a couple of great opportunities to do so already. Our last second counselor in the Bishopric in the Singles Ward went to another ward as the Young Men’s leader (he’ll do GREAT!) and asked me to speak to the youth there. It was a great opportunity to meet people and feel their testimonies and spirits. I also had the chance to speak last night in Roanoke Rapids. What a friendly, amazing group of people! Everyone was so kind, and I got to meet a lot of them. I have loved the opportunity to bare my testimony to many different people on my mission, members and non-members alike!

I thank you all for your support and prayers! Thanks for the get well cards and packages, too!

Love, Elder Walters

Medical Update

Dear Family and Friends,

We wanted to give you an update on Elder Walters last couple of weeks. Since Elder Walters has been in North Carolina we have taken great comfort in knowing that he hasn’t been hospitalized for the last 20 months. About a week ago he noticed his forearm had swollen up like it did when he had the brown recluse spider bite a few months ago. After culturing the sore on his arm, the doctors determined he had a staff infection which is resistant to many antibiotics.

Medical Description: Staph skin infections, including MRSA and ORSA, generally start as small red bumps that resemble pimples, boils or spider bites. These can quickly turn into deep, painful abscesses that require surgical draining. Sometimes the bacteria remain confined to the skin. But they can also penetrate into the body, causing potentially life-threatening infections in bones, joints, surgical wounds, the bloodstream, heart valves and lungs.

After spending an average of 7 hours a day from Thursday through Sunday in the emergency room to have the sore cleaned and drained, Elder Walters was admitted to UNC Hospital so he could have IV antibiotics on Sunday and was released on Tuesday. Originally they were going to give him a pick line so he could receive IV antibiotics at home for the next two weeks but opted for an oral medication. He will have a nurse visit every day for the next two weeks to clean and dress the wound. We are very thankful the emergency room doctors decided to hospitalize him and for the infectious disease doctor who cared for him.

The antibiotics make him extremely tired but I think the worst part for Elder Walters has been the missed teaching opportunities. His companionship is teaching a young man who has a sincere desire to learn more about the Gospel. Elder Walters first introduced himself to this young man on campus several weeks ago. His ward members have been wonderful to visit him at the hospital, as well as President and Sister Wallis and Sister Gwyn. Thank you for caring about our son!

Please keep Elder Walters in your prayers for a safe and speedy recovery.

With your love,

Bridgette and Barry

Rugby Tournament Pictures

Elder Walters'

Rugby Fans from the Durham Third Ward

Message from Sister Wallis, Elder Walters' Missionary Mom

Dear Family and Friends,

We just returned from speaking in the Fayetteville Stake Conference and it's raining again today - hasn't stopped for two days - so much for all the hyperventilating about another drought! It's just a little unsettling when they announce on the news that we have 100 more days of water, and you feel like you're living in a jungle - but what do I know!

February has been a full month with the addition of using one of our preparation weeks to take the missionaries to the Temple. It takes four days and nine sessions to get them all in, but we all look forward to the opportunity to go every quarter. That same week was designated as another "Week of Miracles" where the missionaries park their cars and spend the week walking or riding their bikes. Last week we held Zone Conferences and it was incredible to hear their experiences as they exercised their faith and looked for miracles.

One of our Assistants, Elder Jensen was on exchanges with two missionaries in the Wake Forest area. As they were biking down a country road, they noticed a street sign that read "Miracle Lane." The Elders did a double take and decided there must be a miracle waiting to happen. Parking their bikes, they began to knock on doors. A Spanish speaking woman opened her door and said, "Habla espanol?" As Elder Jensen testified, in the little Spanish he knows, about the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, the woman's husband walked up and said in English, "I have a surprise for you!" He then held up a Spanish copy of the Book of Mormon and explained that a friend had given it to him at work the previous week, and told them how much he was enjoying reading it! He asked if there were Elders who spoke Spanish so his family could understand too. The Elders wrote down the Gonzalez family's information and gave the referral to the Spanish Elders! What an amazing miracle, on "Miracle Lane", during the Week of Miracles.
While one of our newly arrived missionaries was still in the MTC, he made a confirmation call to Roxboro, NC to make sure that a young man named Jeremy had received the media item he had ordered. Jeremy replied that he had, was meeting with the missionaries, and was attending church. Elder Anderson replied that maybe he would see him when he finally got to North Carolina. As it turned out, Roxboro was where Elder Anderson would first be assigned. He and his trainer met with Jeremy the first night he was there, and a baptismal date was set. Even after encountering some resistance from his family Jeremy still had a strong desire to joing the church. He was baptized by Elder Anderson and confirmed by Elder Rowe.

Ashton is an 11 year old boy who is terrified of water. He's not just had baptismal dates, he's actually been in the water four times, panicked, and backed out. Missionaries have worked and worked with him trying to help him overcome his fear of water. Another date was set, the Elders gave him a blessing, got him into the water, and when the same panic began to overcome him again, Elder Birrell, simply "kicked" his legs out from under him and put him down. He went down screaming, but was so happy and relieved when it was over. Sometimes you just have to do what you have to do.
I could go on and on and perhaps the biggest miracles of all are the ones that take place in the lives of the missionaries. As they have the faith to open their eyes, and open their mouths to teach everyone they see, they become successful instruments in the Lord's hands.

Elder Walters belongs to a Wheel Chair Rugby league. We have watched him play before and recently we attended a tournament his team participated in. This is a very fast paced, competitive game played in special chairs that are designed for stability and contact. That being said, it's not unusual to see them crash so hard that one tips over, and its driver has to wait patiently for someone to come and get them back up on their wheels so they can go at it again. It is a very fun sport to watch, and was not hard at all for me to get into the fray of yelling and screaming - especially when Elder Walters got the ball. I suddenly had this image of myself as Eliza Doolittle at the horse races and decided I better put on a little more dignified face since I was there in my official capacity. The whole center section of the bleachers was filled with students from the Durham 3rd Ward who had come to watch and cheer for their favorite missionary.

During our interviews this time I asked the missionaries to bring pictures of their families to share with me. I've done this one other time and it's always fun for them, and for me as I try to pick out their siblings vs in-laws etc. It's always enlightening to see them in their family setting - and as always - a picture is worth a thousand words.

One of the highlights of each Zone Conference is hearing the testimonies of the missionaries. Their wisdom and insight always touches me - especially when I'm aware of struggles they might have had. Here are a few from last week.

Elder Olsen, whose father passed away last spring: My mission means everything to me. It has changed my life. I feel like I'm being selfish as I strive to be selfless.
Sister Smedley (the greatest miracle of our mission - going home): I thought I was making sacrifices - this is only the beginning. I love the Savior. He is my friend, I am teaching His Gospel, He is a part of my life. I hope I shared the message with the ears that were supposed to hear.
Elder Atwood: Knowing that God knows me and loves me has made all the difference.
Elder Farnsworth: I'm thankful for trials. When everything goes smooth we can't appreciate the good.
Elder Carrick: Show gratitude to God for miracles, show humility and He will continue to bless us.
Elder Nelson: This is the happiest work we can be doing in spite of discouraging, hard days and times. A change takes place when His image can be seen in our countenance.
Elder Campbell: Most men have the face they deserve at the end of their lives because of the things they've gone through. What kind of face will we have at the end of our mission? Our change will be based on our commitment.

I am so grateful for the missionaries; for their commitment, for the things they teach me, for their example, and for their love and service. I knew in the beginning the easiest part of my job would be loving them, I was right! I thought I came to help strengthen them and their testimonies, but they have strengthened mine.

Love to all,
Linda Wallis

Random Pictures from North Carolina

Tyler Hansbrough going for a layup in warm ups before UNC beat Orrell Roberts University

Jessi's baptism . . . Elder Walters, Jessi, Cayce, Elder Farrell and Elder Milovich

Celebrating Elder Farrell's 18 month mark with a Chili lunch.

I'm taking a wild guess . . . all these tents are set up prior to the UNC / Duke basketball game.

Elder Walters and their district on P'day . . . Elder Walter's exercising using his rugby chair while playing basketball with the other Elders.

Jessi was baptized!

February 16, 2009

Jessi was baptized! She asked Elder Farrell to baptize her and our ward mission leader, Bradley, to confirm her as a member of the Church and give her the Gift of The Holy Ghost. President and Sister Wallis also attended. It was a great service, about forty minutes long, which is the right amount of time to focus on why we were there, Jessi’s baptism, not the talks or the songs.

The talks, by the way, were great. They were given by Cayce, a recent convert, and my companion, Elder Milovich. Maria, who was baptized in October, sang ‘Baptism’. It was neat to see how Maria, Cayce, Christie and other new and not-so-new members gravitated around Jessi and included her as part of the ward. Jessi has also done her part in jumping into a new social network because she’s realized the truthfulness of the Church.

On Wednesday the University of North Carolina’s men’s basketball team competed against Duke University’s men’s basketball team. The score was 101 UNC 87 Duke. We have members attending both Universities whose trust in the missionaries might be compromised if they were to read Elder Walters’ feelings about the outcome of the competition. This being said, my thoughts will remain unwritten in this email.

I’ve been practicing wheelchair rugby with a team in Raleigh and we had a tournament a week ago which went well. We ended placing 4th out of 6 teams.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true. Both good and bad experiences have proved this to me, but mostly the sweet feelings of the Holy Ghost.

Thank you for all that you do!

Love, Elder Walters

Modern-day Prophet

February 9, 2009

We contacted a young man on UNC campus that seems pretty interested. He’s a Religious Studies major and had learned a little about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in a class of his. I asked him if he thought it were possible for a prophet of God to be on Earth today, leading His Church. He really seemed to connect with the idea of a modern-day prophet. He said, “It seems like Christianity, both before and during Christ’s time, always had a prophet, a leader for the Church.”

Greg also really connected with the whole idea of another witness of Jesus Christ, namely the Book of Mormon. He had a lot of questions about the book, where it came from, how it compares with the Bible and why it is important. We met with him again on campus and it was really one of the best lessons of my mission. I think it was so great because the Spirit was really there, and Greg was really receptive of the main principles of the Restoration of the Gospel.

Thank you all for all you do. Please pray for Jessi, who will be baptized by Elder Farrell this Saturday, February 14th!

Love,

Elder Walters

"Condition of our Heart"

I believe that the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ is the saving power for every person on the Earth. My mission and these last few weeks especially, have really solidified this fact. While Jesus Christ suffered for everyone’s sins and pains, he also won’t force anyone to do anything they don’t want to do, or to be somewhere they don’t want to be. In life, I really believe we eventually get exactly what we want.

We met a young man near a member’s home and chatted with him, then saw him the next day on UNC Campus and contacted, taught and set up a return appointment. We struggled to teach him over the next several months because he and his wife wouldn’t return calls. The real reason they failed to truly investigate the Gospel, however was the condition of their hearts.

This young family lacked just one example of an element of the Gospel that many don’t accept or don’t really believe in. This element is personal revelation, the fact that God can and does speak to man. There is a promise in the last pages of the Book of Mormon, assuring that any person can know of the book’s truthfulness by receiving a spiritual confirmation from the Holy Ghost. However, there are requirements. We must have a sincere heart, real intent, having faith in Christ.

I wonder how often I lack these requirements, limiting my opportunity to receive revelation from God. I love this Article of Faith, which is one of several short statements describing the basic beliefs of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

9 We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.

Another scripture came to mind.
1 Cor. 2: 14
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Long story short, we had to stop teaching this family because they were unreceptive, and it was a sad, frustrating moment. However, we are teaching an amazing young lady named Jessi.

Jessi went to church with a member family in her hometown in North Carolina to help take care of one of the family’s children who is disabled. She loved what she learned at church and felt that it was true. I was preparing for the Book of Mormon class so I missed the first lesson with her when Elder Milovich and Elder Farrell taught her the Restoration. She has accepted to be baptized on Valentine’s Day, February 14th! She hasn’t told her parents about it and is worried about how they will react. Please pray for her to be true to her witness and for her parents to be open and understanding!

Thank you for your love, prayers and support!

Elder Walters

Can you tie my shoe?

January 12, 2009

We are emailing at Davis Library and there are finally students here! After about a month long break for most students, classes started today, and we are excited! We will be able to work in our own area now!

Last week we were on exchanges with some Elders in Durham. Elder Milovich and I were with Elder Banner. We stopped by a lady that had requested the Joy to the World DVD. We had already dropped of the DVD so we were teaching her about the Restoration of the Gospel through the prophet Joseph Smith.

She was 25 years old and had 6 kids. The last two were really cute twins about two years old. They were eating cereal and milk, spilling it all down the fronts of their shirts. The young lady really said that what we were teaching made sense. She is excited to read the Book of Mormon.

When we were about to leave, one of the two year-old twins, Tyquell, asked me to tie his shoe, which had fallen off. He did so by holding it up, with this sad puppy-dog face and said a string of almost English words. I thought, ‘buddy, I can’t even tie my own shoes!’ We managed to get it on and as we were leaving, he and his twin sister said ‘Thank you’ in the language of two-year-olds.

It has been fun teaching the Gospel to some who are slightly different than those I talk to on UNC campus.

Thank you all very much for all your love, letters and prayers!

Elder Walters

Book of Mormon Challenge

January 5, 2009

I love the Book of Mormon! It really is the keystone of the Restored Gospel. In fact, Joseph Smith said something like, 'Take away the Book of Mormon and the revelations, and where is our religion? We'd have none!'

Preach My Gospel, a guide to missionary work, describes how obtaining and maintaining a testimony of the Book of Mormon is as important for a missionary as it is for an investigator! President Faust said something like, 'you can't raise someone above the spiritual plane you are currently at; you can't convert someone beyond your own testimony.'

In harmony with this, President and Sister Wallis gave all the missionaries a gift and a challenge this Christmas; a nice hardcover copy of the Book of Mormon and a challenge to read it from front to back from January 1st to March 1st. They also asked us to mark each reference/name of Jesus Christ, each time He speaks, and each time doctrine surrounding his ministry/atonement is mentioned.

I have loved doing this challenge. I have felt more at peace and closer to the Lord over the last week. We even extended the challenge to a member of our ward, and he is enjoying reading it as well!

I love the way I feel when I read the Book of Mormon. President Ezra Taft Benson, a modern-day prophet, said, "There is a power within the Book of Mormon which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the Book."

I would recommend anyone reading this to evaluate their testimony of the Book of Mormon and study and pray about the Book of Mormon. Ezra Taft Benson also said something like, 'at some time in our lives, each one of us must discover the Book of Mormon for ourselves-and not just discover it once, but rediscover it again and again.'

I am so appreciative of friends and family, Bishops and youth leaders who counseled me to read the Book of Mormon. I know it is the word of God, and because of that, I really do know that Jesus is MY Savior, Joseph Smith was His prophet, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Church that the Lord guides today.

I love you all and thank you for your love, letters and prayers.

Elder Walters

Happy New Year

December 29, 2008

Elder Marlatt has made it home safely to Washington state and Elder Farrell has joined Elder Milovich and I in the Durham 3rd Singles ward! I knew Elder Farrell as Jack back at BYU! We had Physical Science and a lab together. He even pushed me up the hill to class once when we were running late. We also sat next to each other at a few BYU volleyball games after he broke his leg and had to use a wheelchair. He is a good teacher and a hard worker!

I was at a doctor appointment when the Elders saw a member of UNC's Basketball team walk into a restaurant on Franklin Street, the happening place of Chapel Hill. Elder Milovich was thus prompted to eat at the same restaurant/pharmacy, Sutton's Drugstore. While there, a bunch more players walked in and, you guessed it, Elder Milovich got his picture with everyone of them. There are now only a handful of players he hasn't gotten his picture with!

At my doctor's appointment, my doctor told me that there was a young man who had received an injury similar to mine at the c6-c7 level of the neck. Last night, the Spanish Elders and I went to visit him.

It is hard to express my gratitude for the Gospel. This young man was hopeless, like so many others I had seen in the hospital and in so many other places. I told Elder Farrell that he was just so sad and wondered how we could help.

Elder Farrell pointed out that not everyone can have a good attitude because not everyone has the Gospel. His comment made me realize again how grateful I ought to be for what I have been given, and how I ought to share it with others as much as I can.

We had a great Christmas. We went to a bishopric member's for breakfast and another Bishop's home for dinner.

Thank you all very much for your cards and gifts. It was wonderful to see pictures of friends and family, especially a 'Walters Family Reunion’ book. Thank you especially to all who were involved in making that.

Happy New Year!

Elder Walters

Faith, Family and Friends

December 22, 2008

This is always an interesting time of year in Chapel Hill! Student at UNC and Duke got out of school recently so we've been going on a lot of exchanges in other missionaries' areas.

Elder Milovich and I were with Elder Semler in a poorer part of Durham stopping by one of their investigators. They weren't home so we started talking to this guy that was holding what we thought was an energy drink. We told him about the Book of Mormon and asked him how the Gospel of Jesus Christ would be strengthened by having two witnesses of Christ's role as our Savior. We then realized he wasn't holding an energy drink but some liquor as he gave some random response about, 'I WENT to Catholic school, I know exactly what you're talking about.' While often friendly, people can't really feel the Spirit when intoxicated.

As we were headed to the next stop-by, these two little kids ran up to me and one asked, 'Wha's wrong wichu?' I said, 'Nothing, I'm just a lot faster than everybody else.' He goes, 'No you ain't!' So challenged him to a race to the end of the curb...it was close...but he beat me.

Elder Semler said, 'Do you want a picture?' and gave the little kid, Elsey, a pass along card with Christ on the front. He said, 'Wha' dat?' 'That's a card' 'Who' dat?' 'That's Jesus Christ, our Savior.'

It's always interesting going to different areas and seeing how Jesus Christ is literally the Savior of the whole world, and noticing how He saves us all from a variety of challenges, making bad men good and good men better. I know myself and my own weaknesses better than I know anyone else and I am thankful for the way the Gospel of Jesus Christ gives me hope and strength in my own challenges.

Yesterday, December 21st, was 3 years since I had my accident at work. A few months after my accident, our Stake President asked me to speak on what I was most grateful for. I focused on faith, family and friends. Those are the three things that have gotten me happily and hopefully through the last three years. I love testifying of the importance of these three things everyday in North Carolina.

The three are connected. The Gospel, keeping Christ's Commandments, is what makes us His friends. The unit of the Gospel is family, where we can obtain our greatest happiness. I love the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. It brings me hope and happiness continually in a way nothing else can do. And I am appreciative of you, my friends and family who I am strengthened by daily.

Thank you all for your love, letters and prayers!

Elder Walters