Dec 19, 2011

Merry Christmas - Dec 19, 2011

Hi everyone!!
 
So not much of a report today.  Thank you for the gifts I've received and will receive.  And thank you for you letters of support as well as your prayers.  It was another trying yet blessful week.  I hope you all enjoy the christmas season.  I love you and mom and dad, I'll call after 1pm your time. Not exactly sure when because I haven't quite found a place to call from yet.  I might be calling you briefly the day/night before to ask if you could call me on christmas day. At that time I'll give you the number to call and the time.  If not look out for my call christmas afternoon/evening. I love you and talk to you agin next week!
 
Elder Watson

Dec 12, 2011

Dec 12, 2011

Hey everyone!
 
Hows it going!  Things are moving in the maryland baltimore mission.  It was a tough week this past week but expected since it's getting close to the end of the year and getting really close to our goal for the year.  The adversary is working twice as hard not to make things happen but we know who will win this battle.  This message is really short only because we are running short on time today.....actually everyday.  I want you all to know that I love you and miss you.  We have a missionary in my zone that is returning home with honor this coming thursday.  We had the opportunity to spend time as a zone today for pday and play volleyball.  Before we finished we got to hear Elder LaRose bear his testimony!  It's always sad to see a missionary finish their mission, especially one as he who has been such a great leader, example, and has effected the mission so much.  With him leaving and with another transfer ending I can't help but thing of the time I have left.  Less than 6 months and 4 more transfers to go.  It's gone by way to quick for me and it scares me how quickly these last 4 transfers may go by.  It makes me sad to think. Maybe you all could help!  If you so feel, please help me to stay focused on the mission and help me not to think of the end! aaaahhhhhhh.  Spiritual thoughts and scriptures are great!  Follow up on me and make sure I'm staying focused!  If you could that would be sooo awesome!  I hope all is well at home with all of you.  Please update me on Jayren and Jevin!  Are things still okay with them after the car crash?  I love you all, merry christmas and happy holiday season.  If you haven't had the chance to watch the christmas devotional from the first presidency please go watch it on lds.org   Alrighty then.  Take care and talk to you next week!
 
Elder Jesse-James Watson

Nov 28, 2011

Guess What? Nov 28, 2011

So this week......I'm still tired!   hehe  We had another great week and continue to see our Heavenly Father bless us.  We are seeing miracles in the Maryland Baltimore Mission.  We are going to achieve a record this mission has never seen before.  It's pretty exciting.  As President Belliston likes to say, we are going to make this christmas a white christmas...also a wet one.  We have beautiful weather again today, warm and clear sunny skies.  What a blessing.  We have another baptism this saturday, Adam Antonelli.  A bright young man, 25, that pretty much walked into the baptism font the day we met him. It's been really cool to see our most recent converts, Patrick and Bintu, prepare to enter into the temple to do work for their family members who have passed, especially their daughter who was killed in Sierra Leone during the civil war there.  Patrick lost his mother to some robbers that broke into her home and took her life.  But they are so happy to know that they can not be a family forever!
Good stuff going on but unfortunately i have to run.  I love you all and will talk to you all next week!  Happy Holidays and Happy Birthdays to all the birthday peeps!
 
Elder Watson

Nov 14, 2011

Nov 14, 2011

Hey everyone!!  How is everything going?  So guess what? I said we were going to have a better week last week and sure enough it was better.  We still have a lot of work to be where we need to be at but it's sure getting there.  We got a media referral from a young man at the end of the week before last week but was not able to get in touch with him until early this past week.  He is golden!  He has a very limited knowledge about God and the gospel of Jesus Christ but he has a strong testimony of the divinity of Christ.  He was invited to go to a dance at the stake center across of the temple visitors center.  After  the dance he decided to take a tour of the Visitors center and felt that he needed to learn more.  He asked for a Book of mormon, we got the referral and contacted him.  When we met we taught him about how the church was restored to the earth and invited him to read and pray about the Book of Mormon and also invited him to be baptized!  The spirit was so strong he agreed with no hesitations.  He came to church and absolutely loved it.  He told us he was excited but nervous about the baptism which is set for Dec. 3.  We are so blessed and excited to be teaching him.  The Lord is truly preparing people all over, especially those around us. He places them in our path daily.  I like to ask myself, "Am I always looking to see if those that cross my path are the elect that Heavenly Father has prepared to accept his restored gospel?"  Most times I find that my answer to that questing is no.  So I have to repent and do better the next day.  It's amazing to see all the random people that I come across that the Lord has prepared to meet with us day to day.
 
Other great things are happening.  We've been meeting and teaching this woman who is a relative to our recent convert.  It has been a slow process with her.  But she recently went through a scary experience in which she wasn't able to breath for some odd reason.  She was rushed to the hospital and the nurses fixed her right up but wanted to keep her for a while to monitor her a bit and make sure that whatever happened wouldn't happen again.  She had promised us weeks in advance that she would come to church with us but ended us this sunday, the one she'd promise to save for us, she ends up going into the hospital.  She called us Saturday from the hospital just to let us know she wouldn't be coming.  I had planned to go and visit her that night but circumstances didnt allow us to make it.  So Sunday night we planned to go and see her.  When we walked up to her room she lit up like a christmas tree.  She was so happy to see us.  She said that she told all her family members that she was in the hospital but not one person came to visit her.  We shared a message with her that really seemed to give her comfort.  Then before we left we gave her a blessing of healing.  She was the happiest I had ever seen.  The Spirit was soooo strong in there.  Knowing the spirit was so strong we talked about baptism, a topic she isn't very fond of.  She told us, I'm scared of water so I don't think I can do it!  We taught her about the importance of it and explained how it goes.  She finally said.  Let me prepare myself and pray about it so I can be baptized.  Once again the Lord preparing peoples hearts to accept his gospel. 
 
We have a great pool of solid investigators and we continue to help it grow by asking for referrals.  Everyone we teach have lots of friends who are in need of the blessings of the gospel.  The lessons we teach sparks a name in their mind, someone they feel could use that message.  We ask them if they know anyone who might need the blessings of the message we teach and they refer their friends to us.  They are truly inspired by God to mention them because so far, everyone referral we've met have truly been in need of those messages.  I would encourage and invite you to invite the missionaries over to hear a message.  As you listen pay attention to the spirit.  He could reveal unto you someone you know or will come in contact with that would benefit and be ready to meet with the missionaries.  President Gordon B Hinckley said, "  Do you want to be happy? Forget yourself and get lost in this great cause."  As we take the time to put some effort in this great cause of inviting others to come unto Christ we receive great happiness.
 
So that in a nut shell we are doing great!  oh yeah and it's been nice and warm here.  I think that that means it's going to be a bad winter.  Errrrg.....  We'll see.  Hopefully this is just blessings from the Lord!  I love you and thanks again for the updates.  Talk to you again soon!
 
Elder Watson

Nov 7, 2011

Nov 7, 2011

Hi Everybody!!
Dad- Thanks for your email.  You'll have to tell me what was good in the Stake Conference. I'd love to hear what was talked about.  It's great to hear that the Hee's are sending yet another missionary out.  We definitely need him!  I loved Elder Hollands talk in the Priesthood session calling out recruits for the spiritual war we are battling!  These are the last days and we need to help our saviour gather in his children like a hen gathers her chicks.  Anyway, It's good to hear that Amber and Jayren was able to make it to church. Amber and Jay, did you like it?  Learn anything new?  I hope so. Tell me about it as soon as you can. Well thanks for the update Dad.
So this week was a difficult week.  I don't know the area very well and I love my new companion but I think he's a bit frustrated that things are moving as quick as he would like.  He just came from a very productive area and is on fire!  But my lack of knowlege with the area is slowing down the work a bit.  So I'm working extra hard to get things into shape on my end!  Its making me push harder and stress a bit but its good.  I need to be pushed every now and then.  Help me stretch my limits.  This week is going to be much better.  I really feel great about the end of the year.  We are so close to the goal we've set for ourselves and I really hope to achieve it!  With increase faith and diligence the Lord will definitely help us to reach this goal. 
I've started to read the Book of Mormon again and I just love it.  Still finding more and more great insights and being taught a lot.  Finding a lot that pertains to the importance of parents and families....hmmm...I shouldn't be thinking of stuff like that yet but it just keeps coming?  Maybe it's for a future investigator. At least I hope. 
My new companions name is Elder Christensen, From Centerville, Utah.  Interesting fellow for sure but such a great missionary!  He comes from a family of 6 and he is the fourth child.  He has been out in the mission for a little over a year now and came out with the first missionary I trained, Elder Chandia.  Right now we have it good.  We just got a new district leader in our zone. His name is Elder Weeks. I made mention of him before, I'm sure.  He is a spanish missionary and he and his trainee (yep he's training for the second time in his 6 month in the mission and is district leading) live with us.  He's so awesome and I love serving with and around him. He's from California and we click really well.  I think I just get along with most Californians! (ie: Elder McMaster, Elder Cragun, Elder Weeks.)  They are definitely going to be lifelong friends.  Anyway, our zone is filled with great missionaries and our responsibility as zone leaders is to help each missionary achieve their fullest potential!  What a great responsibility.  I don't even think I know how to achieve my full potential!  haha.  It's fun so far as a zone leader.  But there are not so fun times as well, like teaching zone conference!  We are doing that tomorrow.  Luckily I don't have to teach it myself.  Any, it's really not all that bad. I love being able to serve in the capacity that I am.  I want to make the best of it for sure.
Alright, other than that not much happening on my end.  You'll all have to update me on how it's going on your end.  I love you and thank you for the letters I've been getting.  Jevin thanks for your letters and Angie and Ashley.  Amber and Jay, are you mia?  I haven't heard from you in ages!  Write me.  Tara and Cody, I love you and you'll have to update me on halloween and what not!  And mom and dad, keep up the great work.  Be safe and take care of yourselves.  I love you and will hear from you next week......I hope.
Elder Watson

Oct 31, 2011

Happy Halloween - Oct 31, 2011

Hey everyone! Happy Halloween!!!  This is going to be an awkward day today but we'll make the best of it.  We had a great week with two baptisms, Patrick and Bintu Mbayoh!  They are just soooo amazing and their love and faith in God is incredible.  Patrick, earlier this week, has been feeling very ill.  He had a headache that just wouldn't go away so last sunday after church he went to the emergency.  The doctors ran tons of test and could find nothing wrong with him.  He decided to go to a friend for help and through the testing that they did his friend felt it might be neurological.  He made an appointment with the neurologist but in the mean time he'd have to endure the pain.  We visited him a couple times and gave him a blessing and then he rested the rest of the week.  We hadn't contacted him up to the day of baptism, this sat, so we weren't sure if he was feeling better or not.  But at 9:30am sharp he arrived with a big smile on his face and ready to jump in the water!  I thought, "Great, he made it!"  Later we found out that that morning had been the worst his headache had ever been.  He felt too sick get up and was a bit dizzy so he jumped back into bed.  But a dream that he had made him feel that he needed to be baptized.  He awoke, looked at the time and decided that if he was indeed going to get baptized today he needed to leave now!  He woke his wife and through headache, dizzyness, and with a determination to follow God he and his wife left without even taking a shower.  He said he didn't feel well but he had to do what the Lord asked him to do so that's why he was there!  They are so awesome and the baptism was beautiful.  There was a handful of people that came to give there support and the talks were perfect. 
 
I just love seeing people make that wonderful commitment. It always helps me to remember the covenants that I've made and gets me all pumped up again.  It feels like being in the temple which is great since we don't get to go there often.  I've also seen a difference in my studies again and my teaching.  The spirit has become even stronger.  I read moroni in the book of mormon today and there is just so many great things in there.  I was highlighting everything and making tons of notes.  I think I may have highlighted every single verse in Moroni! haha.  The Scriputres are just great.  Today is the last day of the month of October and I will be finished with the book of mormon once again, for the third time on the mission.  Tomorrow I will start it all over again and I can't wait.  I encourage each of you to read the Book of Mormon.  The Bible is great too and I sometimes find myself trying to look for a verse in the bible and end up reading a few chapters instead. But I encourage you to read the Book of Mormon because there is great power and knowledge in it.  It was saved to be brought about in our time for a reason.  As Joseph Smith said, we will get nearer to God by abiding by it's precepts than by any other book.  It is sooo true.  It's sole purpose is to bring us to the knowledge of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ and each time I read it and apply the things that I learn as I read it, I truly come to understand my Saviour more and more and feel myself come closer to him.  So read the book of mormon, from the beginning, or continue where you left off.  Make it a habit to do it daily, whether for 1 minute, 5 minutes, or an hour. And when you read it take time to ponder on the things you read.  It is during the pondering that we ask questions for understanding, and then as we listen and pray about the things we learn that the spirit answers our prayers, gives us guidance and direction.  And as you follow the promptings of the spirit your mind will be opened and your view of things will change, becoming more like our heavenly fathers.  Things that would bother you will become small in unimportant.  All this takes time but time that would be well spent. True Happiness and Peace will enter more fully in your life and many other blessing you will experience. 
 
Okay, enough of that. I'm just so excited with all the things I've been able to learn from the scriptures.  We'll I hope all is well. I am doing great.  Freezing my okole off but It's all good.   I love each of you and hope you are doing great.  Let me know how things are and I look forward to that time.  I love you!
 
Elder Watson

Oct 24, 2011

Here's a Few Pics For You

My mtc district back together again after more than a year at the Orioles Baseball game
 where they have mormon night and tickets are cheap.  President Belliston allows all the 
missionaries in the mission to attend so that we have an awesome event to invite our 
investigators too.  We use it to reunite with our beloved missionary brethren.

The Berryville zone missionaries after basketball/volleyball on p-day

The annapolis zone missionaries at the ice skating rink for pday

Oct 17, 2011

Oct 17, 2011

How's it going??  I loved conference this year.  I really enjoyed the talks and took a lot out of it.  I really loved President Monsons.  It was such a great message and kind of ties in with President Uchtdorf's talk.  "Fear not, I am with thee..." Hit me really hard.  I spend a good amount of time after conference looking up verses in which he tells his disciples that.  I love knowing that when we are doing what the Lord asks he is always with us, through the good and the bad.  
 
I am doing just fine out here.  Struggles here and there but alls good.  It's so weird how you learn so much about your flaws out here. haha.  It's good though. Helps me to repent!!!  Was thinking about my life the other day and evaluating where I am now.  It's so crazy how much I've changed.  I'm still here but there is still many things that have developed, and good habits that I've picked up that I hope will help to shape me into an even better person.  I remember hearing once that I won't be the same person, that the mission would change me.....boy were they right.  I have had so many experiences out here and my mind has been opened so much, I almost don't want to let this great experience end.  But there will be many more wonderful experiences to enjoy after the mission. I just hope I can take everything that I've learned so far and apply it in the "real world".  With such a short time left (I know, seven months isn't short, but it seems to go in a blink of an eye out here) I want to work my butt off.  I want to see miracles happen each day of my life out here and I want to be able to grow twice as much as I have so far!  What a great desire!  Now....to only accomplish it! hehe. 
 
Anyway, if you haven't heard I'm out in Annapolis and loving it.  It's such a pretty city and I'm getting so fit with all the bike riding and motivation to keep in shape by all the Navy midshipmen out here.  Unfortunately I'm not gaining any weight but I feel like I'm a little stronger than the start of my mission!  We'll I'll let you go for now. Please tell everyone....and I mean everyone!....that I love them, miss them and say hello to them for me!  A hui hou a me malama pono.
 

Oct 3, 2011

The Bike Accident - October 3, 2011

How is everything?  I'm doing well.  I'm cold but don't worry, I have enough warm clothes and am doing just fine.  Funny thing happened to me this week.  So like I mentioned before I ride bike and it was saturday and our turn to ride bikes.  After the first session of conference we decided to stop by one of our investigators we have on date.  We haven't had the chance to see her all week and were starting to worry about her. Divinely inspired we went at the time we did because she had just gotten dropped off and was about to hope into her car and head off to work.  We got to stop her, talk to her a bit, and set up an appointment to meet with her.  Not knowing what to do with the rest of our time we decided to try by a less-active near by. The destination was on a slight down hill so we just cruised it down......until I squeezed on the brakes in a bit of a panic (for some odd reason I thought a parked car was going to hit me). My leg slipped off my pedal, got caught in the chain, flipped my bike so quickly I wasnt able to brace myself, and landed me on my side.  I skid for a few and then quickly got out from under my bike and sat there. My companion saw me laying with the bike on me and then rushed to my side.  For a good two whole minutes we just laughed,real hard, about the situation.  He help me get back up and I examined myself and found my self unhurt, only a little sore.  I did however find out I got a big cherry on the side of my left knee and my shirt very dirty, my knee swelled as well as my ankle.  My shoulder still bruised but all in all  doing just fine. LoL... Oh my goodness if you had been there you would still be laughing. I am!
This week was absolutely wonderful. I'll save my thoughts for next week but tell me which talk you all liked and why.  I have to review the talks again and get my thoughts together for next week!  Love you all and miss you alot.  Talk to you again soon!!!
Elder Watson

Sep 26, 2011

Sep 26, 2011

Hey everybody!!  So currently I'm serving in Annapolis, MD.  It's soooo beautiful here.  My companion is one of my good friends in the mission, Elder Smith.  We served together early on in my mission. I was in Mt. Airy and Elder Smith was my second district leader.  It's really cool to be companions with him and to have someone I know and like to train me as a zone leader.  Annapolis has been doin very well.  This month they hit kind of a speed bump and the rainy fall weather and cloudy skies don't seem to be helping motivate the missionaries in this area.  So I guess that's where we come in.  The ward I am attending is quite small but they are just awesome.  The few people that I've met so far have made such a great impression on me.  They are devoted to the work and ready and willing to be of service anytime and anyday! I love to work with members like that.  I feel a great unity with them and know that Heavenly Father will bless us.  For as He has said, "If ye are not one, ye are not mine."  Member missionaries and full-time missionaries must work together in order to fulfill the vision Gordon B Hinckley saw. (http://lds.org/general-conference/1999/04/find-the-lambs-feed-the-sheep?lang=eng&query=Gordon+concerted+effort). 
I am living in my first four man house. It's pretty interesting.  I was a bit concerned of how this was going to work.  Almost every four man house that I had in my district ended up being a headache for me.  The missionaries tend to waste time "hanging out" with each other rather than being obedient and going to work.  But this house is just awesome.  We share an apartment with the spanish missionaries, Elder Weeks and Elder Johnsen.  Elder Johnsen is new and is turning out to be quite the missionary.  He is just so awesome and I think they are going to be able to turn this spanish branch into a ward!  Elder Week, only two transfers into his mission is training Elder Johnsen and doing a great job at it!  Both impeccable missionaries. Just was this mission needs.
I am doing very well.  This area is a half bike, half car area meaning that we share a car between companionships. So this is the schedule:  Monday is Pday so we both have the car. Tues-Annap Car/Spanish Bike; Wed- Spanish Car/Annap Bike; Thurs- Spanish Car/Annap Bike; Fri- Annap Car/Spanish Bike; Sat and Sun it switches every other week.  So at least three days we are on bike.  I thought I was going to die!  But it turns out its nice excercise and I'm really starting to like biking.  I'm hopin to get big legs and hopefully some kinda butt!  We'll see.  But that's that.  Elder Cragun seems to be doing well. He and his companion get along great. He's happy to have a companion that can actually play basket ball. haha
I don't know my current address right now but if you can just send letter and packages to the mission office that would be awesome.  I'll get the address as soon as I can! I love you all. Thank you for your letters of support and love. It's great to hear the updates going on with each of you!
--
Elder Jesse-James K. F. Watson

Sep 19, 2011

Zone Leader! Sep 19, 2011

Oh my goodness! Can you believe its another transfer come and gone. I can never seem to keep track of time.  So great new and exciting adventures are ahead of us!  Elder Cragun is going to be training this next transfer after just two transfers. He is a great missionary and will do just awesome.  But that means that I must leave Berryville! :(  I am very sad about this fact but I will go will the Lord wants me to go!  I don't know where I'll be going but I do know that it will be with a Zone Leader....yep! I'm going to be a zone leader.  More responsibility and more stress. Also more chances to serve which will be the most favored part.  I hope and pray that I can develop the attributes needed to accomplish such a grand responsibility!  President is really working hard to get this mission into shape so that we can be the best that we can be.  There is a lot of work to be done but we are determined to do it with the Spirit of the Lord. 
We had a baptism this past friday and it went well.  Ron Frazier Jr got baptized and confirmed a member and received the holy ghost on sunday!  We are sooo excited for him. I'm sad that I have to baptize and leave but I know that he is in good hands now.  This past week has been a solemn week.  There have been many deaths and a few funerals we have attended.  Lots of teaching the Plan of Salvation.  Our bishop was number one in helping to console members and non-members, even those that we have been working with.  But friday, after leading a graveside service he finds out that his dad passes as well.  He is such a wonderful bishop with a heart of gold.  I've never seen a bishop give so much of himself to those who are in need. I was hoping to be able to stick around a little longer to be able to give the same service back but Elder Cragun will have to do it for me now.
So it's getting cold again!  I'm getting bad headaches from the changing of weather but all is well.  With the new season comes a new chapter in my mission life and I look forward to it.  I'm going to miss everyone here as I always end up doing but I pray that they will be in the Lords hands.  I've got to get a move on and pack up bags so I'll leave for now. Love you and see you next week!
Elder Jesse James Watson

Aug 29, 2011

Aug 29, 2011

Hey, how are you guys?!  Things are going well here.  Finding some bumps along the way...probably more than I'd hope for.  There have been challenges for sure.  Not giving up.  We had a pretty exciting week with all that has happened.  I experienced my first earthquake!!  It was pretty cool even though it felt more like a shimmi.  I was hoping to feel more.  Everyone said to be careful because more quakes would be on the way but nope!  Nothing.  Then there was the excitement of the coming hurricane. I was wondering if it was going to be another Hurricane Ike!  But nope, thhe day it was supposed to arrive it went down to a level 1 and we, in Berryville, had sunshine and blue skies.  Pretty uneventful :)  Other than that nothing too exciting.  We are breaking records in the mission which is great!  Please tell everyone I said hello and that I love them and miss them...whoever they are.

--

Elder Jesse-James K. F. Watson

Aug 8, 2011

Miracles are Happening - Aug 8, 2011

Hey everyone!!!  Its a great day.  We just found out that I am staying once again in Berryville!!  I'm excited for that.  I just love Berryvile and we have a lot of things going on right now.  We are teaching two people who are one date for Aug. 27th and we are teaching a family of soon to be 10!  They are so awesome!!  We hope to get them to baptism as well!  We'll miracles are happening in the Maryland Baltimore Mission!  The Lord is continually pouring out his blessing upon us.  We are hoping to be able to bring 400 of our brothers and sisters on the the road back to our heavenly father this year!  By the looks of it we are going to make it.  Elder Cragun and I are excited and really just trying to improve ourselves in every way that we can so we can be more fully prepared to do the Lords work in this area!  I love you all and miss you very much. I hope all is well.  I'm well and happy and thank you for all your love, prayers, support, and letters.  Sorry I haven't been writing back as much.  I always mean to but end up planning for our investigators or getting into the book of mormon again or preach my gospel. I've never loved the gospel of Jesus Christ more than I do now!  I'll talk to you all next pday!!

--

Elder Jesse-James K. F. Watson

Jul 25, 2011

Repentance, a fresh view - Jul 25, 2011

Hey everyone!!  Another Monday and another great day in the mission field!  I don't have much time today.  Elder Cragun and I are trying to get as many things done today so that we can be more focused throughout this coming week.  We have been having a difficult week in trying to find new people to teach and keep the work going on in this area. So I just want to let you know that I'm am doing awesome! I do miss and love you all.
So the people here in the Berryville, VA area are so awesome.  We had the opportunity to have dinner with President Shake, one of the counselors in the stake presidency.  We were talking about how when we, as missionaries, ask investigators to act (pray, read, come to church, keep the word of wisdom, keep the law of chastity, etc.) we are asking them to repent!  From that conversation President Shake referred us to the bible dictionary definition of repentance which states: 
Repentance. The Greek word of which this is the translation denotes a change of mind, i.e., a fresh view about God, about oneself, and about the world.
I never thought about repentance as a fresh view but have noticed that as I repent I understand more fully the eternal plan. I see clearer.  I am more happy because I see things the way Heavenly Father would see them rather then how man would see them.  With this new understanding up repentance, repentance becomes less of a dreadful thing.  Though the process of repentance is hard and difficult, when we have finally and fully repented our minds are opened, changed.  We see through God's eyes.  Who doesn't want that!!!  When we repent, we are converted!  If you look at conversion in the bible dictionary it is defined as changing ones view.  So as we willing evaluate our lives and repent of the things we are not doing right or well, we are more fully converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ!  Our testimony is strengthened.  Our knowledge increased.  I have been trying hard to repent each day.  I have been blessed to be able to see more like Christ, more like Heavenly Father.  I'm not even close to seeing exactly how they see it but I see a bit more clearly each time I repent.  I am less angry, stressed, impatient, and more happy, proactive, loving.  The restored gospel of Jesus Christ is just soooo awesome and true.  I'm grateful to be part of Christ's church where I have all that is needed to make me a better person. I have all the tools needed to guide me and strengthen me through each test that comes my way.  I love this gospel and love our Father in Heaven and the Lord Jesus Christ! I leave these things with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!
-Elder Watson

Jul 11, 2011

Jul 11, 2011


Aloha everyone! Thanks for all the birthday packages, Thank you thank you thank you!!!  I have been sharing it with my companions, forcing them to like it!! Hahaha.  I also have been giving the necklaces to the personal favorite elders of mine.  hahah. Any way, thank you so much for the packages and letters. My birthday was good.  We taught a couple great lessons but had a hard time getting in with people.  That's a saturday in Berryville! 

Forth of July was non-eventful.  We taught on lesson to an investigator of ours and had a bombing lesson so it made it a great fourth of July.  Then we retired to bet on time and chose to skip on the firework display.  
 
Everything else is doing fine for me.  Loving training.  Still trying to figure things out.  Just when you thing you've got it.....you don't!  Alright, well love you all! A hui hou!
 
 
Elder Watson

Jul 4, 2011

Happy 4th of July!

Aloha everyone!!
 
Happy forth of July! I am doing great! I have been wonderfully busy with the work here in the Berryville area.  I will hope to write and send some pictures soon!  Depending if I can make some time. Still trying to balance everything.  So I didn't get to send out a letter last week.  Sorry!  It is a new transfer and Elder Hess, my last companion is now in the Baltimore Stake serving in an area called Winters Run.  He was a very awesome companion.  Second to Elder McMaster!  That's saying a lot.  I am training again.  My new companion is Elder Cragun.  He is from Corona, California.  Very laid back and easy to get along with. I think we are going to make this area go crazy!!!  I can't wait.  Oh, he is 6'6"!  Crazy tall.  From far away he doesn't look it cuz he's very proportionate but when you come up he can be a little intimadating.  I am still a district leader and I have a very young district this go around. 
 
For July 4th we got together as a zone and played soft ball.  I decided to stay out cuz I wasn't feeling it.  But I had fun nonetheless.  We are going to get out and work now sooooo  I love you all and happy fourth of July!!!
 
--
Elder Jesse-James K. F. Watson

Jun 13, 2011

Missionary Work is so Awesome - Jun 13, 2011

Aloha Everyone! Well the work is coming along!  I love to be of service to anyone in need.  Sometimes I do get hardened but the Lord always softens my heart once again so that I may give and love freely.  I love to work with investigators and see them come unto Christ through the covenant of baptism but I equally love working with the less actives.  I feel such a connection with them.  When a less active becomes converted again it reminds me of the feeling I had coming back into the church.  Missionary work is so awesome!  I still can't believe I'm here.  The year has gone by so quickly and I feel it's going even quicker now that I'm over the hump!
 
The work is crazy out here.  Always moving, always thinking, always praying, always working.  I feel so exhausted and I love it.  It's the exhaustion that is so satisfying and gratifying. So awesome! This week was great. Found a couple of new investigators.  We are really trying to improve and step it up!  I can't wait to get back out and just do it!  Keep in touch and thank for the update. I'll talk to you next week! 
 
Elder Watson

Jun 6, 2011

Jun 6, 2011

So this past week we were able to have a baptism.  Kayla Budija. She is a 10 yr old girl that my companion and his previous companion have been working with for a while, ans she was able to get baptized by her father, a recent convert.  It was so awesome and her mother, Sister Budija, who converted a long time ago, was so ecstatic to have been able to see her husband get the priesthood and baptize their daughter!  That was the highlight of the week.  We are just trucking along, getting fat from all this wonderful Virginian food!  I love and miss you all!  I didn't get any email love this week! :(  That's okay!  Let me know how thing are going.  Thanks for all the snail mail!!!  Until next week!

--

Elder Jesse-James K. F. Watson

May 30, 2011

Memorial day In Berryville - May 30, 2011

Hey everybody!  Today was a wonderful memorial day!  We spent the morning doing our necessary errands and the rest of the afternoon with the Pearsons, a member that used to be in the Berryville ward before their ward split earlier this year.  We celebrated their daughters birthday and played kickball and wiffleball (sp?)  It was loads of fun especially because we got to spend it with some of the elders in the zone.  Today it got to 96 degrees while we were playing and my heat rash it coming back out!  Not fun.   We've, Elder Hess and I, have been sweating so badly its gross.  I'm going through clothes like crazy!  After a nice p-day I'm ready to get to work!  There is just so much people to see and work to do here it's hard for me to get it off my mind.  For instance, I was singing happy birthday to Alyssa Pearson, and after singing I thought of her friend we were teaching and wanted to ask her how things were going with him, if she felt like he was progressing, things she could do to help in the process.  Just all throughout the day people pop into my head.  I love it! 
 
We'll things are going great in Berryville.  We have been running out of miles each day so we've been riding bikes in the hot hot weather!  It's a killer but I like it!  Gets my legs back in shape and I feel like I'm being really productive!  I don't know why but yeah!  Anyways!  I love you all and I'll talk to you all laters!!!!!

--
Elder Jesse-James K. F. Watson

May 23, 2011

Transfer to Virginia - May 23, 2011

So I have transferred to VIRGINIA!!!!  I'm out in the west again and even closer to the sticks than before! LoL... I absolutely love it here in Berryville.  The people are nice and ...... interesting! Virginia is way beautiful. Very green and lucious (sp?).  My new companions name is Elder Todd Hess.  He is quite awesome!!!  I love him already.  He's a great missionary and he came into the mission field at the same time that Elder Savage did.  According to the Mission Lineage he is my nephew because he was trained by Elder Barlow who was trained by Elder McMaster, my trainer.  Elder McMaster served here in Berryville after leaving Mt. Airy and people are still talking about him.  He is an extraordinary missionary that has Christ in his coutenance that whereever he goes people love him!  Elder McMaster is now serving as an assistant to the President (AP).  He is doing really well.  I am doing soooo much better now that I'm out of Baltimore.  The spirit is flowing through me like crazy.  I didn't realize how hard Baltimore city was until now.  So I'm loving life right now.  It's great to be here in Berryville and can't wait to share the experiences I'll have out here.  I hope you all are doing well.  Please let me know how things are going.  It's getting real hot out here.  Summers are killers up here.  Way more humid than Hawaii!  Oh and the pictures I send before was taken today.  For our P-day we went disc golfing.  It was way fun and I heard we do lots on P-days so I'm looking forward to our next one.  Elder Hess, my companion was the one all the way on the left.  The tall, large in stature, blonde. ;)  He's so awesome!  Anyway, let me know how things are!  I miss and love you all. Take care and God speed!
 
PS: My new address is: 1104 Conway Street
                                    Winchester, VA 22601

May 16, 2011

May 16, 2011

Aloha ! 
 
Another transfer has come and gone and only after 4 and a half months I'm getting transferred!  Crazy! I though I was going to stay there longer.  I will be leaving tomorrow so this day is kind of a jam packed day with packing, washing clothes and preparing everything for when I leave. Like always this transfer is bitter sweet. I'm still district leader, after this next transfer I'll be DL for 9 months. CRAZY!  It was a difficult position this past three transfers but it's taught me a lot. Hopefull I can take what I learned and apply it in my next area!  Anyway, Aloha no and malama pono. I will send you all the information on where I will be asap!  Love you all!
 
Elder Jesse-James K. F. Watson

May 2, 2011

May 2, 2011

Hey everyone!  Just wanted to say hello!  It's finally nice and beautiful out here. I wish I had pictures to show you all how beautiful it gets in the spring.  I am loving the weather and loving that I can wear short sleeves again. I was just thinking the other day how crazy it was that I'm finishing up my final season making it a full year out on my mission.  At first, to think about another year, it seems like a long time.  But looking back on this last year it went by in the blink of an eye.  I look forward to another year of challenges and blessings.  It's makes life sooooo much like a roller coaster ride. All you wanna do it get off this crazy ride and then you look back and want to do it all over again. crazy.
 
So guess what, yesterday the investigator, Corrine Stanely, got baptized.  I didn't get to baptize her or see her baptism but it's all good. I was soooooo excited to hear she is finally baptized.  A woman, who at the first meeting seemed to have no potential and totally not ready for the gospel,  but, when you add diligence, godly love, and use spiritual eyes, you see their true potential and help them get to where they need to be.  I am going to see if we can visit her sometime today and if so I think I might break rules and give her a hug!!! hehe.  I'll take a picture with her and send it to you all! 
 
We'll how is everyone doing??  I hope you have been doing awsome and if not keep your head up. The Lord is watching and standing next to you with his arms outstretched.  Grab hold and let him lift you up.  And once you're up you see how much you've grown. I love you all and miss you so much but I'll be home soon.  Take great care and I will talk to you all laters!!  Love you!

--
Elder Jesse-James K. F. Watson

Apr 18, 2011

Meeting an Apostle of the Lord - Apr 18, 2011

This week went pretty well. We had the opportunity to see and meet Elder Andersen, one of the twelve apostles, at stake conference.  He grabbed my left shoulder as he talked with a few of us missionaires.  Everyone wanted the jacket I was wearing! lol....so crazy.  It was a wonderful meeting and we invited a few of our less actives we had met this past week and all of them came!! I was soooo excited.  It was everything they needed to hear and I needed to hear a few things myself!  I am so grateful that we have prophets and apostles today just like during the time Christ lived on the earth. I'm grateful for their love and service in helping us and guiding us back to our Father in Heaven again. 
Other than that I'm just trying my best to do all I can to help others come unto Christ by helping recieve the restored gospel.  I'm enjoying my time as a district leader even though times get real tough. But I know that I can always rely on the Lord to help me through those rough times.  After each challenge that comes my way I am made stronger in faith and I feel myself grow.  I guess i can only expect it to get harder and harder.  And as I continue to put my faith in Christ and God and follow the promptings of the spirit, I will be able to overcome each challenge and come out stronger than before.  I love this gospel and know that it is true.  I love you all and I can't wait to hear from you all again. 
Elder Watson


--
Elder Jesse-James K. F. Watson

Apr 11, 2011

Apr 11, 2011

Hey all!  So I now have my new companion, Elder Wong, from Irvine, CA.  He is actually in my lineage!  Elder Forbush trained Elder Wong and Elder Mcmaster (who is my trainer). So in the mission he would be my "uncle".  How funny is that.  He has a fire for the work and the area and he is ready to make things happen in the city!  I surely do miss Elder Savage but know that he is where he needs to be. 
 
Elder Wong and I have had some great experiences talking with people on the street. Almost everywhere we planned to tract, the moment we stepped out of the car someone was ready and willing to talk with us.  Now as for meeting with us again.....that's a different story. ;)  But still, it was awesome to have that happen. It really boosts my spirits and helps my faith to remain strong. 
 
So how is everything going with each of you!  Please tell. Please send some uplifting and encouraging letters from time to time.  Sometimes the work gets a bit difficult and in the city with so many things going on, my mind gets cloudy once in a while.  But for the most part I am doing well and enjoying the work. I must say that President Belliston is awesome and so are the leaders of the church. 
 
I love you all and hope you are in the best of health.  Take care and keep in touch!  Aloha!

--
Elder Jesse-James K. F. Watson


Apr 4, 2011

Apr 4, 2011

Aloha! 
 
Well I loved Elder Andersons talk. I loved all of general conference. I always do.  It's been pretty difficult here in this area but difficulties are part of life.  Just gotta handle them the way Christ would like us to handle them.  I will try to send some pictures or put them on a cd but I really don't have much money.  In the city every penny goes to food.  We don't get fed much out here but it's because everyone is already so much in debt for school. I wouldn't expect them to feed us and we are greatly appreciative when someone does.  We live like a true baltimorian...poor! LoL...We live in an empty two bedroom, one bath, kitchen, dining and living room apartment.  Everything we own is in the master bedroom which consists of our clothes, two beds, two tables (as our desks) and two folding chairs.  I love it!  It's so easy to clean up after ourselves and everything is just simple!  Missionary life is really the life.  I wish I could do it forever. But there are more missions we can look forward to after the mission.  I doubt it's as easy as this one.  Well, everything is fine with me.  Keep me updated on how things are going with you guys.  Give my love to all you see.  I'll talk with you again soon!
 
Aloha oe,
Elder Jesse-James Watson

Apr 4, 2011

Another transfer has come and gone.  Time is just flying by.  We found out today that my trainee and companion, Elder Savage, is leaving the Baltimore Young Single Adults area coming this weds.  Sadness.  We got along well and felt that we worked together well as well. hehe.  But I'm sure he's off to bigger and better things in the mission and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to serve with him.  Finally someone more my age and as mature as Elder McMaster! and now on to another companion.  I'm pretty nervous about who my next companion is going to be.  But whom ever it is I'm sure the Lord wants him here and that he will have a lot to offer Baltimore.  I will give you more information next week monday!  As for this week, we really struggled to find people who are ready as well as keep those we were teaching.  Pretty much all of our investigators decided to discontinue taking lessons.  After having such a wonderful spiritually uplifting week with a suprise zone conference, ward conference, and general conference, I wasn't expecting that to happen.  But everything is for a reason.  I'm just going to continue putting our trust in the Lord and allow him to lead to me to do his will in this area.  I love this people here in Baltimore even though they are a bit hard-hearted.  But notwithstanding their hardness I shall continue to labor with all my might that their blood may not come upon my head!  Fun!  Blood on my head....not at all what I want! hehe.  Well, I hope you are all doing well.  Remember the talks given at General conference and if you haven't had chance to hear them please do so asap.  Everything that was talked about is exactly what we will need to fight the upcoming trials ahead of us! I love you all. I know that God lives and that he loves us.  I know that he has called a prophet to guide us and lead us today and that Thomas S Monson is that prophet.  I know that the if we follow the commandment of God and heed his words and warning we shall be safe both spiritually and physically and we can know and be assured that we shall be with our Father in Heaven again!  I love you and take care!
 
Elder Jesse-James K. F. Watson

Mar 7, 2011

Mar 7, 2011

So this week was a very awesome week.  I was able to attend another Leadership Training meeting.  You know how I love those things!  They changed it up this time and improved it by getting us involved in the teaching.  I hate to be put on the spot but it wasn't as bad as I thought.  I really enjoyed it, plus the spirit is always soooo strong there.  Also, we were able to teach Clark Valerie, our first investigator in the Baltimore Singles area and he's progressing nicely.  In fact he was able to introduce one of his friends, Jason Headrick, who is now our new investigator.  Clark hasn't come to the full knowledge that what we are teaching him are true but has felt the spirit everytime we've met with him and feels that others should hear it.  In turn, he is inviting all of his friends to come and meet with us with him.  What a great missionary and experience we are all having.  That's why I love the gospel. 
 
I believe I mentioned to you about another person we met, Corrine Stanely.  I may or may not have mentioned about her.  Anyway, she is a 60 year old woman that we meet over a month ago knocking on doors.  She allowed us to come in and has some reservations when we talked about Christ's Church being restored on the earth again.  She is an avid Bible reader, not a scholar, but loves to hear the "word" and apply it in her life as much as possible.  She has wonderful relationship with our Father in Heaven and has reached a point where she can easily identify the spirit.  Because of that it was easy for her to feel the truth of our message.  We gave her a pamphlet to read about the restoration.  After reading it a few times she felt the spirit confirm that what we had was something she needed.  We met with her once after that where she told us of her spiritual experience from reading the Restoration Pamphlet and asked us how she could get a copy of the "mormon bible".  Needless to say she was ecstatic to receive a free copy from us.  She's been reading it every night since she's gotten it. 
 
Then this sunday she woke up and called us to find our what time our services started. We told her and eagerly waited to see if she was really going to show up.  She faced some challenges on the way to church, namely her family and friends telling her she needs to stay away from the mormon cult, and other things that kind of frightened her.  But she prayed and asked God and her answer was that she won't know until she show's up to church.  She came and Everything taught answered every question she had.  She said she knows now that this is Christ church! Amazing!  It has been a wonderful experience meeting with her and going through these miraculous experiences.  Unfortunately we are not her missionaries so she is officially handed over to her missionaries.  I'm going to miss her a lot but as long as she is set on the right path I know I shall see her again! 
 
More great things are going to be coming and I can feel it!  I hope you are all doing well.  I love you and I will talk to you all next week!

--
Elder Jesse-James K. F. Watson

Feb 22, 2011

Feb 22, 2011

My goodness! This past week has been a crazy week for me.  We've had so many blessings.
Here's what happened! First, we were going through the former investigators again two weeks ago and Helen Hendricks popped into our head again.  She was met and not really taught anything and then could never be contacted again. We too have tried a few times and wasn't successful.  Well, as we were planning two weeks ago we decided to put her as a back up if our appointment with a member fell through. Our appointment didn't fall through but we decided to try by her anyway and if she was home and let us in we would have the member already. She was home! But she was busy so we made an appointment with her for this  last week.  She kept her appointment and has soooo many questions.  We focused on two principles: God is our Loving Heavenly Father and The Holy Ghost.  Testimony was given as we taught and the spirit was soooo strong.  After bearing testimony of the spirit she immediately asked where our church was and the time.  She commited to come and was very excited about it!  She didn't come to church though. We are seeing her again tomorrow.
The second blessing that was given to us was this 40 year old man named Coleman.  We were knocking on doors and was finished with the block and on our way back to the car we passed Coleman. We stopped him and briefly shared our message of the restoration.  We gave him a book of mormon and asked for his number and a time when we could meet again.  He took the Book of Mormon and gave us his number and asked us to call him.  We called and met with him. In the beginning our our lesson we used the 10 teaching points, specifically, "We will be guides..." one of course saying in our own words as the spirit directed.  He told us after how he had been praying for some guidance in his life and now we were here telling him that we would be his guides.  It was pretty amazing even though we aren't going to be teaching him.
But all that is not as amazing as our last blessing for the week!  Corrine, older woman, Elder Hale and I knocked on her door while we were on exchanges.  She kindly let us in and we told her we were in her neighborhood sharing a message centered on Jesus Christ.  She asked us to share that message for she loved hearing the word.  We started to talk about Christ church when he was on the earth and how it's on the earth today and she responded very negatively to it.  She didn't believe in the need to go to a church. She felt that all she needed was to read the word and live it.  We decided to leave her with a Restoration pamphlet and see if we could set up another appointment to talk more about the pamphlet.  She took the pamphlet and agreed to meet with us again.  When we went back at the time we set she wasn't home, nor was she home the next few times we tried to visit.  I decided to try one more time and we were in luck!  She rushed down the stairs invited us in and began to tell us of her remarkable experience.  She said she read the pamphlet after we left the first time we met.  While reading she felt a warm feeling just overwhelm her whole body.  She said she felt the spirit so strongly that she decided to read it a few more times and each time felt the same feeling.  She decided to say a prayer and asked God that if we indeed came back at the time appointed she would take that as a sign that we  were "angels sent from God".  Of course she wasn't able to be there at that time but her cousin was there to answer the door when we came and tell her that we came.  She was sooo excited it even scared her.  She said she needed to learn more so she went on the internet (not our website, scary) and looked up Joseph Smith. After reading all about him she testified how she knew he was a true prophet of God.  She was sooo excited she began to tell everyone.  She was met with negative remarks from family, friends, and strangers.  But she said she knew it was true and God told it was true.  She said she wanted to join our church and come to a service as soon as she can!  That was indeed crazy! I told Elder Hale of the crazy experience and he had the Loch Raven Elders take over her teaching. Currently they haven't been able to get in and teach her again but I really feel she is Solid! 
That has been our wonderful week. Now we need to have experiences like that with young single adults!
The past few days has been very warm and I have been sooooo grateful for it. And then last night, when the weather man predicted it was to only rain, it snowed like crazy!  The next few days is supposed to get colder and colder. I thought spring had finally arrived. Syke!  Oh well....  Back to layers again. hehe  Anyway.....
Thank you for all your love, letters, thoughts, and prayers.  The Lord is blessing us and keeping us safe and its partly due to you. Thank you!  I miss all of you and hope you are doing well.  I'll talk to you all again next week!  Bye Bye for now.


--
Elder Jesse-James K. F. Watson

Feb 14, 2011

Let Us Labor Diligently - Feb 14, 2011

Alright so this week was great for us!  We found two new investigators and they are so ready to receive the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.  They are excited to read the book of mormon so that they can find out if the things we have taught them are true.  I'm so excited because I know that as they sincerely read the book of mormon and pray about the truth of our message they will receive answer to their prayers!  As blessed as we have been this week I know that I must work harder.  I think I have lowered my bar and want to raise it higher than ever before.  We are seeing throughout our mission that miracles are happening and I do believe that the Lord has prepared many at this time to receive his gospel.  I want to be able to really work hard and find them.  A scripture I recently memorized that I love is Moroni 9: 3-6.  Verse six explains the way I feel very well.  "Now behold, notwithstanding their hardness, let us labor diligently; for if we should cease to labor we shall be brought under condemnation; for we have a labor to perform whilst in this tabernacle of clay, that we may conquer the enemy of all righteousness, and rest our souls in the kingdom of God."  I love and miss you all.  Sorry I don't have time to right more but this will have to suffice! 
 


--
Elder Jesse-James K. F. Watson


Feb 7, 2011

Fruit Of Our Labors - Feb 7, 2011

Aloooooooooha ku'u ohana!!!
 
How is everyone doing?  We'll I'm doing great.  We have finally received some fruit from our labors!  We found our first investigator this week and he is totally awesome.  He is 25y ears old, black man, very religous and has even been to our church before in Utah but no one talked with him or referred him to the missionaries to teach!  Crazy.  But the Lord put him back in the path of the missionaries...us....and we are teaching him now.  We've only met with him once and are meeting with him again at Family Home Evening tonight.  We are very excited.  That's pretty much the highlite of the week.  We've been working very hard and it's been quite warm lately which makes it easier.  Almost all the snow has melted and then I'm sure we are going to have another snow storm.  There have been many changes going on out here to constantly keep me on my toes but I welcome it.  Other than that I'm doing fine.  I do miss all of you and can't wait to hear more about how things are going where you are at.  Please take care and I'll talk to you soon!
 
 
--
Elder Jesse-James K. F. Watson

Jan 24, 2011

Jan 24, 2011

Hey everyone, so this past week.....pretty uneventful.  We have been spending much of our time tracting in the cold to find people to teach.  So far no luck.  But we know and can feel them coming soon.  I think we really need to strengthen our faith and our diligence to find and then the blessing will start to flow.  I really don't have much to say this week except for that I miss all of you and am looking forward to a wonderful week this week!
 
Love you all!!!!!

Jan 18, 2011

The New Area and Companion - January 18th, 2011

Soooo the new area I am serving in is the Baltimore Singles Ward!  I'm so excited to be here. It is a new area that President Belliston decided to open up and we, Elder Savage and I, get the priviledge to open it!  We work with only young single adults which is very different from what I am used to working with, and we tend to street contact around the universities.  It's been a bit of a challenge so far because single people our age are not very interested in religion.  They are very much into the world and career driven.  But that's okay.  The Lord opened this area because he knows the potential of it and we are determined to do our best to help it along as fast and as much as we can.  Elder Savage is from Applevalley, CA.  He is 24 years old and has a very good head on his shoulders.  We have almost the same story except he never strayed from the church but willingly made the decision to serve and I am very grateful for it!  He is very driven and very smart and we get along well.  Currently we are living with the assistants to the president (AP's) because our apartment is not fully furnished at the moment.  It will be about a week or two before we end up moving in. I'm very happy where I have been placed and the situation I am currently in right now.  I truly feel my spiritually growing and I am learning lots.
My district is very interesting.  One of the elders in my district used to be the district leader here and I am hoping he isn't holding any grudges against me.  I knew him before and liked him alot.  But he hardly says a thing in district meeting.  hmmm...oh well.  I'll be going on exchanges with him soon. Hopefully I can show him how much I love him and am willing to be of service.  I love everyone in my district and we have many personalities in it but we have a lot of work to do to be our best! 
Alrighty then, I hope you have a blessed rest of the year. 
Elder Jesse James Watson

Jan 18, 2011

Hey Everyone!!
The new area I am serving in is the Baltimore Singles Ward!  I'm so excited to be here. It is a new area that President Belliston decided to open up and we, Elder Savage and I, get the priviledge to open it!  We work with only young single adults which is very different from what I am used to working with, and we tend to street contact around the universities.  It's been a bit of a challenge so far because single people our age are not very interested in religion.  They are very much into the world and career driven.  But that's okay.  The Lord opened this area because he knows the potential of it and we are determined to do our best to help it along as fast and as much as we can.  Elder Savage is from Applevalley, CA.  He is 24 years old and has a very good head on his shoulders.  We have almost the same story except he never strayed from the church but willingly made the decision to serve and I am very grateful for it!  He is very driven and very smart and we get along well.  Currently we are living with the assistants to the president (AP's) because our apartment is not fully furnished at the moment.  It will be about a week or two before we end up moving in.  I'm very happy where I have been placed and the situation I am currently in right now.  I truly feel my spiritually growing and I am learning lots.
Elder Jesse James Watson

Jan 10, 2011

Transfer Time - January 10, 2011

So it's that time again....TRANSFERSSSSSS!  Boy do I hate when transfers come around.  It's soooo stressful and depressing thinking of all the horrible possibilities that may come.  But then it comes and things work out. 
So as for the verdict:
I, Elder Jesse-James Kamahaku Faraon Watson, am leaving.  Leaving my home in Mount Airy, MD.  As sad as I am to leave I know that where I will be will be wonderful.  I don't know where quite yet but speculations are saying that it may be in a place called Savage Mill.  I am also called to continue to serve as a District Leader and train.....again......ugh.  Nah, I'm excited to train again.  I loved training and have learned much from the experience. My companion, Elder Chandia is training as well.  Elder McMaster has been called to serve as Zone Leader and his current companion and trainee will be training as well.  It is an exciting time here in the Maryland Baltimore Mission.
 Alrightly, just wanted to keep you updated on ME. hehe. I love you all and will talk to you again soon!

Jan 3, 2011

January 3, 2011

Hope you had a wonderful new year.  We sure did.  I got to sing in a quartet and also along with the entire maryland baltimore mission on New Years at the Washington DC temple visitors center.  It was soooo awesome.  In the quartet I was able to sing a tiny solo which was sooo nerve racking!  But fun afterwards.  We had a good turn out too.  OUr member's brought investigators and we are hoping to teach them soon!!!  Please keep the missionary work in our prayers.  I shall continue to keep you and your family in mine.  LOve you and talk to you again next week!


Elder Watson