Jul 26, 2010

Progress and Change


Monday, July 26, 2010

So here is some good news. We have a family that have been taking lessons from the missionaries for about two months now and they have agreed to get baptized as a family. I am sooo excited and happy for them. They have shared with us how the book of mormon and the church has changed their lives. Their names are Jack, Denise and Jake Bishop. A wonderful family I wish you could meet. You can see the change in their lives and in their countenance. It's such a wonderful thing to experience and see. They are hoping to be baptized by the 21st of August so please keep them in your prayers. Pray that they continue to progress and that they may have the strength to overcome any challenges they may face within the month ahead.
Now for a little bad news! My trainer and companion Elder McMaster is being transferred! I am extremely saddened by this but I know that it is the Lords will. I may not agree or like the fact that he is leaving but I trust my Mission President and know that he receives revelation from God. I don't think that I am ready to continue in this area without him but I guess that's where I need to rely heavily on the Lord. He has trained me well and has become a very close friend of mine. I am going to hate to see him leave. But these past few weeks have given me experiences that I believe are very critical in helping me to overcome this period of time. I know that things will be fine but its so very scary and undaunting if you know what I mean. I was never good with change. LoL...
That is the status with me as of now.
Elder Jesse-James Watson

Jul 19, 2010

Trials & Blessings in the Mission Field

June 19th Letter from Elder Watson:

Hey everybody!
So I just have to tell you what's been going on here. So far, I've been meeting many of the investigators and members of the ward and area. We have some great investigators establised and the members of the ward are all so awesome, so sweet, funny, full of faith and life. We never go a day w/o being fed so we save a lot of money. Plus, we don't need to cook. We then get to spend most of our much needed time doing missionary work. So my Companion Elder McMaster is just the best. He works so hard and is just the greatest example of a missionary. I'm so blessed to have him as my companion and to be in such a fruitful area..
So from the time I got here to now, only bad things seemed to be happening. Things like a a less active member breaking into tears while I was teaching her (her mom is ill and is frustrated over this), an investigator with a baptsimal date cancelled and totally dropped us, and to top it off a member was killed. None of these were directly my fault but still, they're all happening within the first three days of my being here. But today! Today we taught six people ( almost unheard of in this mission)and even though we lost one investigator we gained one today. It was awesome. Elder McMaster said that whenever we lose or drop an investigator that isn't or no longer wants to progress the Lord will bless us with another and sure enough, He did!

Missionary work is so hard and sometimes discouraging, but I know that as I am exactly obedient to the Lords commandments and as I try my hardest the Lord will bless us. I have already begun to see that for myself. There are many, many more things that I can do better and know that as I improve the Lord will bless us even more . I hope I can 'reap' as many blessing as are ready.

I want you to know that missionary work isn't only for full time missionaries. "(We are) disciples of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. (We) have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life!" We are so blessed to know that there is a way to return to our Father in Heaven and live with him, as a family together forever in a state of never-ending happiness. It is our dutry to share it with those who don't have it and might be looking for it. More importantly, it is a blessing to share it with others. How great shall be your joy save you bring one soul unto Christ. I pray you will all have the opportuny to share the gospel w/ someone ..everyone and receive all the blessings that come with it. I love you all and encourage each of you to 'open you mouth' and share the gospel. 3 Nephi 5:13 "Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life." I hope you are doing well. I miss each and everyone of you so much. Malama pono & God be with you!
Aloha Nui- Elder Watson

July 19th 2010

Monday, July 19, 2010


Alrighty so, this week went alot better than last week. We did my first exchanges with the district leader. It was pretty cool. He taught me a few things that my trainer had a hard time doing but in doing so really helped me to gain more confidence and see more results. I'm still trying to get the hang of things in the mission but it's coming along. My trainer is getting quite mad at me cuz I'm so hard on myself. I just want to be perfect. But he's a great support and an awesome example and leader.
My ward is great but I could use some ideas on what I can do to increase the missionary thinking in the ward. Well, the work in the Lord's vineyard is slowly moving along and I predict many ripe fruits in the future to be collected! I can't wait. I'll be looking forward to your letters and emails. Take care until then and I give you this challenge - At least one letter a week share a spiritual experience you have had. I love to see how the Lord is blessing each of us. I will try to do the same. Alrightly then, I love you guys, take care and God bless!
Elder Jesse James Watson

Jul 12, 2010

Hau'oli la Hanau Elder Watson!


July 12, 2010 Letter from Elder Watson:

Hey everybody!!!
So my birthday was awesome for sure for sure. I sent you a letter explaining how my birthday went but I'll tell you right now as well. So first of all, my companion, Elder McMaster, cooked me a birthday breakfast! It was sooooo ono. It was an egg sufflet that containted bacon and mushrooms as well. It was a big pan and we just finished it off today. He's going to give me the recipe so I can make it for you guys when I get back. Then we went out and knocked on houses and visited our scheduled appointments. That part of the day didn't go over so well. We've had lots of people cancel our appointments and through all our knocking we didn't find any new investigators. Most would say it was an unsuccessful day, but I did get to talk to a few people and they accepted the Book of Mormon and read it. We didn't get a return appointment with them but it plants the seeds.

Elder McMaster feels that he might be leaving this coming transfer so he's giving me many opportunities to do things all by myself which I must say I have mixed feelings about! hehe. It's very intimidating doing things on your own but it helps me to learn and gain confidence in my self and in God. He is such a good trainer and if he does get transferred I will miss him terribly. Later that night we went to dinner at our bishops house. They were so funny. They coordinated with Elder McMaster what types of food I liked and dessert I would eat. So they made ono homemade pizza and we ate strawberry shortcake for dessert. You don't even know it was soooooooo good. I left full and satisfied. The shortcake was sooo delicious too. They were so awesome! I love my bishop and his family. they even decorated my chair with streamers. lol too funny. Anyway they took pictures and I'll send them as soon as I get a copy.

As for the over all of this week? It was kind of a bad week. We lost a lot of potential investigators and everyday somebody cancelled an appointment. When stuff like that happens its so frustrating and dissappointing. But my faith is not shaken. I know that I've worked really hard this week. I just have to start working smarter. Couple things we decided we would focus on to try to better our results is working more with setting up appointments ahead so we can get members to come with us to the appointments. We want to work on extending baptismal commitments on the first lesson so that they know what we expect of them and that no time is wasted if they don't want to be baptized. This week is going to be a better week I just know it.

Thank you sooo much for the box of goodies. I've already dived into them and it's effects are working as I type. LoL... Please thank all the young women for their letters of encouragement. They are sooo awesome for it! And no worries on the card. I thought it might be in the box so I was looking all over for it. Funny huh, I bypassed all the gooding and went straight for the letters. I was like, "Where is the birthday card?" LoL...Thank you for all the birthday wishes and keep a look out for my letters. More than one should be on it's way. I love you guys and talk to you again soon. Love you! Talk to you laters.