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!
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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