Welcome Home Elder Watson!

Today Elder Watson returned from his mission. He spent two years serving the Lord and the people of Maryland and it was a wonderful reunion welcoming Jesse back home!

Meeting Elder Bednar

What an amazing week!  Highlight?!  Elder Bednar, a living apostle of the Lord.  This past Saturday we were invited to attend a tri-mission conference with Elder Bednar.  We were very lucky because orginially we weren't invited!  We must have really needed his instruction because I'm sure the Spirit told him to make an exception.  It was three hours long and it surely didn't feel long enough.  Bishop Causse (Sp?) and Elder Snow from the Quorum of the Seventy there as well as a few others that I wasn't very familiar with.  We learned so much I can't tell everything that happened but it is enough to say that it was like being instructed by Christ himself.  As the three hours came to the end I was overcome with sorrow because I knew he would be leaving soon.  I felt like the ancient american people at the time Christ came to visit.  (3 Nephi 17:5-6)

 

5 And it came to pass that when Jesus had thus spoken, he cast his eyes round about again on the multitude, and beheld they were ^ain tears, and did look steadfastly upon him as if they would ask him to tarry a little longer with them.

 6 And he said unto them: Behold, my bowels are filled with ^acompassion towards you.

I was hoping he would be filled with compassion toward us and stay a little longer. But if he had the work wouldnt get accomplished.  Everytime he spoke you could feel the spirit so strongly. You can just feel as he speaks that he is truly speaking the words of God. That everytime he talks it is by the spirit. Now there were times that he talked to share a story or two and you knew it was of him. But everytime he taught us a principle or doctrine the spirit was there to testify of it!  Also, it wasn't a  meeting in which we just sat and listened to him talk for three hours.  He assigned us to read a couple of talks and while at the meeting he asked us what stood out to us or what we learned from it.  As each person shared what they learned, he followed up with asking us if we applied them in our missionary work and how did it help us.  I really wish I could articulate how great the spirit was felt there but unfortunately I can't.   Anyway, Basically he taught us through example how to teach by the spirit and learn by the spirit.  One of the talks we read beforehand was about learning by faith and I would encourage each of you to read it when you get the chance. 

http://www.lds.org/liahona/2007/09/seek-learning-by-faith?lang=eng&query=seek+learning+faith+(name%3a"David+A.+Bednar")

Anywho things are going great I love it still! I hope all is well. mom and dad do you happen to have any word yet from bishop whether or not he know's when I'll be talk or not?  Please let me know when you get the chance or if you happen to know it by sunday tell me over the phone. I love you all and will be seeing you soon!  Take care and love you!

Elder Watson

April 23, 2012

So I'm am doing great!!  This week has been fun with my new companion!  As you know I was released as a zone leader and called as district leader again.  It's been confusing trying to transition back to district leader.  I've been all scattered-brained. I've also been called to train my new companion!  His name is Elder Hibbard. He currently lives in Lugano, Switzerland which is the italian part so he does speak italian fluently.  He's originally from Iowa so he speaks perfect English too!  He's lots of fun.  He's going to be a great missionary as well.  I must say I wasn't expecting to train for my last transfer but I'm extremely excited that I am. It's so much fun!  Anywho, the week is going well and I'm excited for this week. We have the priviledge to go to a meeting in which Elder Bednar is talking on the 5th of May! So excited!!!  I'll let you know how that goes.  Love you all and talk to you laters!

 

Elder Watson

One more transfer!   Oh the mix emotions! So last week was just awesome and this week was so trying!!! As goes missionary work.  We have been working with such choice people but because of the wonderful gift of agency and also the work of destruction of the Devils part we are no longer teaching them.  It makes me soooooo livid to see the adversary win for a time! At least we know it's just for a time.  Eventually the Lords purposes will be fulfilled.  We continue to pray for these great individuals because we love them and wish for their well being.  I must admit it was tough for me!  The Lord really tested my faith, once again. When you think your faith is so strong he shows you exactly how strong you faith is and then helps you to make it stronger if you allow him to.  So many things were taught during this experience which lasted about three days but felt like three weeks! The Lord is wonderful!  The lessons learned really helped me to open my eyes a little more and understand others, allowing me to become more humble and compassionate towards other.  Slowly by slowly I am dealing with the trials that the Lord gives me better.  Learning from it rather than giving up.  All because of the gospel I am able to do this. 

So transfers is this wednesday and I will be staying in Monocacy, Frederick, MD for my final transfer.  I have been released as zone leader which is a big relief and have been made district leader again.  I'm really happy about that!  My companion, elder Hill is leaving, sadness but all for the best. I'm excited to see what will happen. but notwithstanding, we will tear it up!  Go Last Transfer!!!!

Elder Watson!

April 9, 2012

I just loved conference, what I caught anyway. We were with investigators most of the time and they and their kids were very distracting that we missed most of the talks.  kinda disappointing but worth the sacrifice for our investigators.  Can't wait till the issue of conference ensign comes out.  Haven't heard anything about our going home times and what not but I'll be sure to let you know as soon as I find out.  I just may never get them...hmmm....wouldn't that be just great! hehe.  Work is going well.  We have another baptism coming up on the 21st of this month.  It's a family of three, Grandfather, daughter and grand-daughter.  But we are thinking only the grandfather will get baptized and we might have to push the daughter and grand-daughter back a bit.  The adversary has done a number on her and she hasn't been able to put the effort into really finding out this is true.  We'll see. Other than that all is well. Got bit by a squirrel but I'm okay.  Not going to die....I think.  At least that's what the doctor says.

Love ya and will talk to you laters!

Elder Watson

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

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!!!