Mar 20, 2012

Mar 19, 2012

Hey everybody!  This week was a great week!  The Lord just poured out his blessing upon us!  Here's the scoop:
 
So we have been struggling just finding investigators that are "golden" which is the term for those people who have been prepared to just receive his gospel.  In the scriptures they are referred to as the "elect".  As Christ said in Doctrine and Covenants 29:7, "And ye are called to bring to pass the gathering of mine elect; for mine elect hear mine voice and harden not their hearts."  We find many that are being prepared but are not yet "white already to harvest".  We know that they are out their but we have been having a hard time finding them.  After much praying, diligence, and even fasting we have finally found one!  But it is not enough.  There are many more out their and we feel that we must work harder. Anyway, I will tell you a little about this elect.  Her name is Mimi and she has made friends with members.  A claimed Lutherin she has felt like she was lost and that her connection with God slowly dissapaited when she moved away from the church she normally attends.  Her parent being of the Jewish faith and Protestant helped little as she tried to find a church nearby to attend.  Her husband, who is athiest, suggested she try out the mormon church because he liked the mormons he once met at a lds social they were invited to.  So she decided to try it out.  After attending church three times and feeling the spirit more than she had ever felt in her life she decided she wanted to take the missionary lessons.  After teaching her the restoration she began to cry!  She said she had no idea what was going on.  She's never emotional like that. We asked her how she was feeling and she explained that at the time she heard about the joseph Smith seeing God the Father and Jesus Christ in answer to his prayer she felt enlightened. Like her mind began to open up and understanding started to come.  She felt an overwhelming feeling of Love from our father and felt that it was true.  We invited her to be baptized at the end of the month and without hesistation she accepted.  She is so awesome!  She does have a lot of opposition in her life but her faith in God is so strong.  Her only will and desire is to follow our saviour and she has recognized the spirit testify to her of the truthfulness of the restored gospel!  I love these wonderful experiences. How can you ever doubt that these things arent true!  We experience moments like these everyday of our lives as members of Christ's church, being priviledged to have the gift of the Spirit to be with us ALWAYS.    There truly are many "elect" out there and are just looking for the way back home.  We have the map, the tools to get back home.  Shall we not share it with them!  Go out and find them.  We are called to bring to pass the gathering of His elect.  As we talked with those around us and those that we love about the simple restored truths of the gospel those that are elect shall hear his voice.  Then we invite them to make the next step, MEET THE MISSIONARIES! Or whatever the spirit may direct.  Then we shall feel as Ammon in Alma 26, and rejoice in helping our beloved brethren and sisters come out of the darkness of the world into the light of our saviour! Then shall we feel the joy that comes with bringing those unto Christ, to enjoy eternal life with them in the Celestial Kingdom.
 
Many other great things have happened this week in which I don't have time to tell but I will have to share more when I get home.  I don't have my information yet as to the when's and where's and things like that.  But I don't mind not getting it at all.  I wish I could have an extention for another 50 years! haha.  But there will still be more work to do even as a lifetime missionary!  The mission is great.  There is no way that I am trunky.  I have had a couple of panic attacks lately, waking up in the middle of the nite with the realization that I only have two months left. That is still a while but in retrospect it's seems to be just a second.  I love my mission.  I'm doing fine! In the maryland baltimore mission we don't get trunky! We baptize! I love you all and hope you are doing fine!  keep your faith up! Keep it strong! Study a faith scripture everyday if you need to!  And you will see miracles happen. I know this!  I've seen it!  My faith is nothing compared to ammon, nephi, the brother of jared, or moses. But with the small faith that I do have the Lord has blessed me to see miracles! He will bless you too. I love you and will talk to you all laters!
 
Elder Watson

Mar 12, 2012

March 12, 2012

Hey everyone! So crazy week.  We didn't do so well. In fact, we got scolded by our president! I probably should be telling you this but this is the reason why I love my President!  He tells us like it is. When we are being slackers he lets us know. I've come to appreciate criticism.  When done the way he does it ( like D&C121:45-46) you feel the love and desire to improve!  I know that under his direction and council I will become my best!  Today is going to be short cus i want to get out their and work!!!  i love you and thanks for your emails and great experiences.  Talk to you laters!!!


Mar 5, 2012

March 5, 2012

So today was a great p-day after a long week!  Boy the mission is just great! hehe.  It really is though, otherwise I wouldn't be so depressed to leave.  Let me give you another examples of how great sharing the gospel really is!  Today we went on a 5 mile hike. We kinda got lost on the trail so we may have hike more than 5 miles.  Let me just tell you it took 5 hours! AHHHH. But I feel so good. Anyway, an investigator from Mt Airy took us on this hike. With the Mt. Airy district we hiked to the top and ate lunch and then came back down. There was beautiful scenery. At the top we could overlook all of the town of Sugarloaf.  We could even hear our echo as we talked.  So we decided to sing some hymns.  Mrs. Mack loved it! She totally felt the spirit. On the way back down from the top we had really great discussions about the gospel. We each had the opportunity to explain our conversion story (how we came to know the book of mormon was true and how we know that the gospel of jesus christ has been restored on the earth again), share our best experiences on the mission, and answer many questions she had.  She just loved it and so did we.  She wanted to do it again!  Needless to say we are tired, both physically and spiritually. 
 
My goodness gracious!  This gospel is TRUE! It is the best thing that has ever happened to me in my life, knowing that it is true!  It has given me the most happiness and joy in my life and I will never ever give it up for anything!  ANYTHING! Mom, dad, brothers, sisters, cousins and friends, this gospel is true and if you don't know that it is, find out! Read the book of mormon with sincerity, desiring to know that it is true.  Ponder its messages of Jesus Christ.  Pray and ask God to know that it is true.  He will tell you in your mind and in your heart.  Then live it! Live his gospel! And share it with others!  It will be the best thing you will ever do. I know it!  You will not have anything better than to the knowledge that God and Jesus Christ loves you and that they have called a prophet on the earth today. They give us guidance through a living prophet today.  That you can receive happiness in this life. Happiness that you have never experienced before.  And you can receive an assurance that you will return to live with Him again in the next life with you family for all eternity.  If you choose not to find out you are refusing the greatest gift the Lord wants to give you.  I love you all and hope you are doing great.  You are all so awesome and I will be seeing you soon.  Forgive me if I'm a little awkward and different when i get back. ;) I love you!
 
Elder Watson