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