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


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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!

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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