This past week has been crazy..let me explain. First off, we got a call from the Sheriffs office and soon found out that there was a bike there that resembled E. Peel's. We shot over there and sure enough, it was his. The only difference was some parts. The guy who stole his bike is apparently famous for it in Yucaipa and what he does is he steals bikes, switches out parts, then sells them again. To E. Peel's luck, he received his bike back with a new bike light, 2 new tires, 2 new breaks and break pads, and a new gear system. The Lord works in marvelous ways. It's such a testament to us that the Lord is always watching out for his agents.
Last Wednesday we were on splits, and Elder Peel was in our area with another missionary. A man named Jeffrey rode up to him on his bike and asked if they were the Mormon missionaries. He then described that he had been trying to self-refer himself to the church for ages and wanted us to come over and teach him and his wife. He has a child due in October, and is 18 years old, but he wants his son to be raised in the right environment. I'm sure that soon we will baptize both of them, they are very receptive to the lessons.
On top of that, Sister Provence's husband has completely transformed. He is ripe for baptism. Everything about the Gospel makes sense, and in many cases at his work place he's defended Mormonism. I never would've thought that he would accept baptism so soon, but we went over and taught him a lesson with his wife, and he soft committed to baptism ...
So many things are happening right now and I can't help but ask why me. What did I do to be placed in these amazing situations? I won't deny the blessings, but it's much like the Atonement. I can never be worthy of it, but I freely accept its blessings.
Apart from that, things have gone well. ... I've really seen the Lord's hand in my life over the last 2 days. I've been blown away really. Throughout my entire life I've had so many blessings and they just keep on coming. I've received personal revelation concerning a few things. Thanks for always being my mentors. I'm so lucky to have such a solid family at home. I've got loads of things to work on, and when the Lord brings you low, he always provides a way back up.
We had a training on the attributes of Christ today, and this morning in fact they called and asked for me to train on humility. It was an answered prayer. I can be so much better, I know that. Keep me in your prayers and have a great week. Love you guys,
Elder Watson
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Friday, June 17, 2011
First Baptism in Yucaipa
Baptism of Sister Provence. From left to right: Elder Watson, Sister Provence, Elder Petersen and Elder Peel.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
5/9/11 Letter
Wowee, I got to talk to you guys last night haha.
Thank you so much for being there. I'm looking forward to other skype sessions. They're like a recharge. A lot of missionaries get trunky or homesick when they call home but that wasn't the case for me haha, I loved hearing from you all.
I'm at the Enos' house, he let us come over and email. Andrew is the man. He used to do screamo christian music haha. He got married when he was 18 and now he's living at home. Youtube "Shawn Teller's" and he'll probably pop up.
Anyways, I'm so glad you're all doing good. I love that you all had questions, it really gave me the chance to express my experiences in a way my restricted brain couldn't explain on its own haha.
Today we woke up and I was sooo tired, I wrote some letters and we went shopping at Von's and I got slim fast shakes, bananas, orange juice, and Chinese food. my weekly pig out day haha.
I really noticed a huge change in me when we talked. I guess just seeing your faces and my face right below, the way I talk and use words is totally not Kalihi anymore. It's a sad realization..haha. But the good thing is when im back i'll lose the twang and keep the knowledge.
Anyways, we're coming up on 3 months out. It feels like its been longer, but I'm loving it. I'm pumped for the next 21 months. Have a great day, love you guys
Elder Watson
Thank you so much for being there. I'm looking forward to other skype sessions. They're like a recharge. A lot of missionaries get trunky or homesick when they call home but that wasn't the case for me haha, I loved hearing from you all.
I'm at the Enos' house, he let us come over and email. Andrew is the man. He used to do screamo christian music haha. He got married when he was 18 and now he's living at home. Youtube "Shawn Teller's" and he'll probably pop up.
Anyways, I'm so glad you're all doing good. I love that you all had questions, it really gave me the chance to express my experiences in a way my restricted brain couldn't explain on its own haha.
Today we woke up and I was sooo tired, I wrote some letters and we went shopping at Von's and I got slim fast shakes, bananas, orange juice, and Chinese food. my weekly pig out day haha.
I really noticed a huge change in me when we talked. I guess just seeing your faces and my face right below, the way I talk and use words is totally not Kalihi anymore. It's a sad realization..haha. But the good thing is when im back i'll lose the twang and keep the knowledge.
Anyways, we're coming up on 3 months out. It feels like its been longer, but I'm loving it. I'm pumped for the next 21 months. Have a great day, love you guys
Elder Watson
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
4/18/11 (Excerpts)
Dear Family,
This week we started off with Zone Conference. That was SO GOOD. I was spiritually re-energized. It was so sweet. President and Sister Reeves trained, and so did the AP's.
The Reeve's did something awesome. They took all the missionaries and blindfolded them, and put them in a line with their left arm on the person in front of them's shoulder. They led us to a room, and started playing a talk by David O. Mckay (I think) called the purifying power of Gethsemane. They played it over a soundtrack of the savior. When it talked about the people spitting in the face of Christ, they sprinkled water in our face (While we were blindfolded). When they talked about the rope around Christ's neck, they handed us each a rope for us to feel. When they went over the crown of thorns we were each handed a crown of thorns. When they went on about the nails of iron, they handed us each an iron nail for us to hold. Because we can't see, all of our other senses are stronger therefore it was just crazy. Everyone was crying. We took off our blindfolds and looked at a picture of Christ while listening to This is the Christ by the MoTab. We looked like a classroom full of 7th grade girls watching the Notebook, but no one regretted it. We were trained for a while, then had lunch and then watched a mission slideshow.
This week we went on an exchange. There's a guy in our zone named Elder McNew who I love. He's just the man, he's been out about 4 months. We exchanged and immediately I saw the fruits of two obedient Elders doing hard work. We as missionaries are supposed to talk to everyone we see. A mission is about making people change, and no big change is comfortable. With Elder McNew, we spoke to everyone we saw and got some referrals. We work so well together and I hope that we'll someday be comps. That would be prime.
So the 27th this month we will be having a joint Mission Conference with the San Bernadino mission, so that'll be about 450 missionaries in one area. Elder Packer of the 12 will be there to address us. I'm so excited, it'll be awesome.
I want to THANK you guys so much for your package. It was so nice to get that big thing and be able to restock my cabinet, and especially for your letters Mom and Dad. Words are just as prized as is food..haha. But seriously, I loved them. Thank you for taking care of me. I'm so spoiled. I got another package the same day from the Kaluhiokalani family, it was just a festivus! So i'm stocked on food and candy.
Elders in different countries don't really have to deal with this, but anti tends to be a big problem in California. My bike has been serving me well, but i've had to take it in a couple times. The guy who had it last had duck tape handle bars, which soon melted and got my hands all disgusting, and I guess he was a big boy and broke some spokes. It's all cheap stuff though, so it's no problem.
Dinner with the ward has been..interesting. It's where me and Elder Peterson really get into friendly arguments. I need to work on that. But on the other hand, I've told members that English is my second language, and down in Hawaii we communicate by grunts. Most people get the joke, but it's sad to see how much people don't know Hawaii. It's much more built up than Yucaipa will ever be, and i've been asked if I wear shoes to church, and the whole grass shack shabang. I've learned to shrug it off and try to educate them rather than get frustrated.
Anyways, my sleep talking is ever present, and Elder Peterson doesn't hesitate to tell the families we eat with all about them. I made a new hole in my belt because it was getting to big, and it's working out.
I want to thank you guys for your prayers. I love you, I'm praying for you too. Thanks for your kind words. Take care, be safe and know that I love you guys.
Love, Elder Watson
This week we started off with Zone Conference. That was SO GOOD. I was spiritually re-energized. It was so sweet. President and Sister Reeves trained, and so did the AP's.
The Reeve's did something awesome. They took all the missionaries and blindfolded them, and put them in a line with their left arm on the person in front of them's shoulder. They led us to a room, and started playing a talk by David O. Mckay (I think) called the purifying power of Gethsemane. They played it over a soundtrack of the savior. When it talked about the people spitting in the face of Christ, they sprinkled water in our face (While we were blindfolded). When they talked about the rope around Christ's neck, they handed us each a rope for us to feel. When they went over the crown of thorns we were each handed a crown of thorns. When they went on about the nails of iron, they handed us each an iron nail for us to hold. Because we can't see, all of our other senses are stronger therefore it was just crazy. Everyone was crying. We took off our blindfolds and looked at a picture of Christ while listening to This is the Christ by the MoTab. We looked like a classroom full of 7th grade girls watching the Notebook, but no one regretted it. We were trained for a while, then had lunch and then watched a mission slideshow.
This week we went on an exchange. There's a guy in our zone named Elder McNew who I love. He's just the man, he's been out about 4 months. We exchanged and immediately I saw the fruits of two obedient Elders doing hard work. We as missionaries are supposed to talk to everyone we see. A mission is about making people change, and no big change is comfortable. With Elder McNew, we spoke to everyone we saw and got some referrals. We work so well together and I hope that we'll someday be comps. That would be prime.
So the 27th this month we will be having a joint Mission Conference with the San Bernadino mission, so that'll be about 450 missionaries in one area. Elder Packer of the 12 will be there to address us. I'm so excited, it'll be awesome.
I want to THANK you guys so much for your package. It was so nice to get that big thing and be able to restock my cabinet, and especially for your letters Mom and Dad. Words are just as prized as is food..haha. But seriously, I loved them. Thank you for taking care of me. I'm so spoiled. I got another package the same day from the Kaluhiokalani family, it was just a festivus! So i'm stocked on food and candy.
Elders in different countries don't really have to deal with this, but anti tends to be a big problem in California. My bike has been serving me well, but i've had to take it in a couple times. The guy who had it last had duck tape handle bars, which soon melted and got my hands all disgusting, and I guess he was a big boy and broke some spokes. It's all cheap stuff though, so it's no problem.
Dinner with the ward has been..interesting. It's where me and Elder Peterson really get into friendly arguments. I need to work on that. But on the other hand, I've told members that English is my second language, and down in Hawaii we communicate by grunts. Most people get the joke, but it's sad to see how much people don't know Hawaii. It's much more built up than Yucaipa will ever be, and i've been asked if I wear shoes to church, and the whole grass shack shabang. I've learned to shrug it off and try to educate them rather than get frustrated.
Anyways, my sleep talking is ever present, and Elder Peterson doesn't hesitate to tell the families we eat with all about them. I made a new hole in my belt because it was getting to big, and it's working out.
I want to thank you guys for your prayers. I love you, I'm praying for you too. Thanks for your kind words. Take care, be safe and know that I love you guys.
Love, Elder Watson
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
4/11/11 Letter (Excerpts)
Dear Family,
This week has actually been really good concerning persecution. I don't think we had any swear words or middle fingers the whole week, it's been a nice change.
This week we had exchanges, and I was with a guy whose been out 22 months, named Elder Gordon. He is the nicest Elder i've ever met. He is quiet and exactly obedient. He knows how to do the work, and does it. He's from Moab Utah. We got work done when I was with him, and felt the spirit strongly.
Oh, and 2 days ago it SNOWED. That was not what I expected coming to SoCal, but it was sweet. We looked out the window and we had about 2 inches. I'll send some photos. It disappeared, but the temperature right now ranges from about 30 on some days to 100 on others. Its been a wild ride, and somedays we come home and cant feel our hands with sore knuckles.
We're teaching a girl named Cassie, and I hope she's still interested. We went and visited with her and she knew nothing about anything religious, and Elder Peterson basically gave her the first discussion.
What was cool was that at one of our dinner's, we were with an older couple in a trailer park, and she told us after the message that she could feel our priesthood. That was cool, I'd never heard it in that way before. I know that as I continue to do the work, i'll be blessed with the spirit ...
A story I want to share with you is something that means a lot to me. It comes from some random village, but it talks about the master of the field taking his worker to a huge boulder, and telling him to push it. He leaves and comes back at the end of the day, and the worker looks at him in sorrow and says, i'm sorry, I just couldn't move it. It was too big. The master of the field tells him, I didn't ask you to move the boulder, I asked you to push it. In that same sense I know that as long as i'm doing what i'm supposed to, I will be blessed even if it doesn't immediately result in a baptism.
Thank you SO much for all of your words of encouragement. It means the world that you are all there for me. I know some Elders who aren't as lucky, so for that I am grateful. Give my love to the family and Tutu. I love you guys, take care. My prayers are with you,
Elder Watson
This week has actually been really good concerning persecution. I don't think we had any swear words or middle fingers the whole week, it's been a nice change.
This week we had exchanges, and I was with a guy whose been out 22 months, named Elder Gordon. He is the nicest Elder i've ever met. He is quiet and exactly obedient. He knows how to do the work, and does it. He's from Moab Utah. We got work done when I was with him, and felt the spirit strongly.
Oh, and 2 days ago it SNOWED. That was not what I expected coming to SoCal, but it was sweet. We looked out the window and we had about 2 inches. I'll send some photos. It disappeared, but the temperature right now ranges from about 30 on some days to 100 on others. Its been a wild ride, and somedays we come home and cant feel our hands with sore knuckles.
We're teaching a girl named Cassie, and I hope she's still interested. We went and visited with her and she knew nothing about anything religious, and Elder Peterson basically gave her the first discussion.
What was cool was that at one of our dinner's, we were with an older couple in a trailer park, and she told us after the message that she could feel our priesthood. That was cool, I'd never heard it in that way before. I know that as I continue to do the work, i'll be blessed with the spirit ...
A story I want to share with you is something that means a lot to me. It comes from some random village, but it talks about the master of the field taking his worker to a huge boulder, and telling him to push it. He leaves and comes back at the end of the day, and the worker looks at him in sorrow and says, i'm sorry, I just couldn't move it. It was too big. The master of the field tells him, I didn't ask you to move the boulder, I asked you to push it. In that same sense I know that as long as i'm doing what i'm supposed to, I will be blessed even if it doesn't immediately result in a baptism.
Thank you SO much for all of your words of encouragement. It means the world that you are all there for me. I know some Elders who aren't as lucky, so for that I am grateful. Give my love to the family and Tutu. I love you guys, take care. My prayers are with you,
Elder Watson
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Elder Watson Quoted in 04/2011 New Era Article
Elder Watson was reading this months New Era last Friday and found an article that quoted him! It had to do with the stake's Ho'ike performance that he participated in. What a coincidence. Article can be found at:
http://lds.org/bc/content/shared/content/english/pdf/magazines/new-era/2011/04/NE_2011_04_15___09644_000_016.pdf
http://lds.org/bc/content/shared/content/english/pdf/magazines/new-era/2011/04/NE_2011_04_15___09644_000_016.pdf
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
President and Sister Reeves
Monday, March 14, 2011
Lead Kindly Light
Received an email from Elder Watson today. He is doing great and getting used to the rigors of missionary work. He mentioned a hymn that he turns to for strength as he faces the trials and challenges associated with the work, and I thought it would be good to share those here. Aloha!
Lead Kindly Light
Lead, kindly Light, amid th'en circling gloom
Lead thou me on!
The night is dark, and I am far from home;
Lead thou me on!
Keep thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene - one step enough for me.
I was not ever thus, nor pray'd that thou
Shouldst lead me on.
I loved to choose and see my path; but now,
Lead thou me on!
I loved the garish day, and spite of fears
Pride ruled my will. Remember not past years.
So long thy pow'r has blest me, sure it still
Will lead me on
O'er moor and fen, o'er crag and torrent, till
The night is gone.
And with the morn those angelic faces smile,
Which I have loved long since, and lost a while!
Lead Kindly Light
Lead, kindly Light, amid th'en circling gloom
Lead thou me on!
The night is dark, and I am far from home;
Lead thou me on!
Keep thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene - one step enough for me.
I was not ever thus, nor pray'd that thou
Shouldst lead me on.
I loved to choose and see my path; but now,
Lead thou me on!
I loved the garish day, and spite of fears
Pride ruled my will. Remember not past years.
So long thy pow'r has blest me, sure it still
Will lead me on
O'er moor and fen, o'er crag and torrent, till
The night is gone.
And with the morn those angelic faces smile,
Which I have loved long since, and lost a while!
Friday, March 11, 2011
1st Email from Field!
Dated 3/9/11
Aloha family,
So I am now in Riverside California. Wow, what a rush. I'm serving in Yucaipa, Riverside and my trainer, Elder Peterson is from Wyoming, but i'll get into that a little later.
Tuesday morning we woke up at 3AM and went to the airport, which was interesting. A car crashed into the rail in front of us and swerved out in circles into the middle of the road because of the ice. No one was hurt, at least I don't think so, but it definitely woke us all up. We flew in to Vegas and then to Ontario Cali ... President Reeves and his wife along with the office missionaries greeted us.
We loaded up our bags and from there went straight to the mission center which is where we send all of the mail. We got our pictures taken, got our debit cards and had a driving test and orientation. We then had lunch, and honestly everything was so surreal. ... I know i'm prepared but seriously, the MTC was a fairy land compared to the field. I really enjoyed everything I learned, but we were not prepared for denial at all.
From there, we went to President and Sister Reeves mission home and introduced ourselves to everyone, it was pretty cool. ... We then watched some talks and just basically waited around while the president interviewed everyone. From there, we got ready for dinner, and ate our first HOMEMADE meal. It was so different from the MTC. We had lasagna and salad and cheesecake.
Anyways, after that we had a huge testimony meeting with all the greenies and the president. It was really spiritual. ... From there, the mission president interviewed me and I told him about Dad and 29 Palms. I'm pretty sure i'm being sent there once I'm a better missionary. We all went to sleep on the couches and mattresses.
I woke up at 630 and got dressed and ready. It was basically just us waiting around for our trainers. When they got there, we had another brief testimony meeting and we were paired up. By about 12 we were in the truck on the way to Yucaipa. I'm lucky, because Riverside is a more conservative family centered area. It's full of people waiting for that gospel. It was a 45 minute drive to Yucaipa ... I got the bike at the mission home and its beat up but it works, which is all that matters because Yucaipa for the most part is a biking mission, which is what I will be doing for a while.
I know that Hills Grandpa's funeral is today, so I hope that went alright. I thought she would be in Logan, so I sent a letter to her home address but turns out she's not going to be there, so that will have to be forwarded.
So far we hung out with the zone leaders for a while. They asked me what I was excited about for the mission, and I said learning how to take rejection because as of now i'm having a hard time. Immediately after, one of the zone leaders said, i'll teach you come with me. We ran to the first person we saw and she told us that we were misled and she hopes we find the truth. Sweet start haha. We then knocked on about 10 doors, some said no engles, some said i've heard it before and others said i'm a nazareth. No real success.
Just pray for me to love the people enough to know that they have their agency. Gospel principles are only effective if you live them. Its one thing to say it, but its another thing to live it. I need grace.
Elder Peterson is a good guy, he's been out for about 18 months or something like that. Hopefully I can pump some excitement into him just like the other greenies. Anyways, thats everything thats been going on so far. ... Hopefully all is going well with you guys, give Hill my love when she returns. I'll continue praying.
We have a dinner appointment tonight and since my companion is the District leader, he'll be gone all day tomorrow which means i'll be with some other elder I dont really know. Oh boy. One day at a time I guess.
But yeah, my Pdays are on Monday and that's when I'll normally be emailing you guys. ... Thank you for your words of advice, i'm sure i'll adapt quickly. Both of my bags for luggage came out to exactly 50 pounds each which was funny, I didn't have to pay. It's so weird just transitioning from fake food to real food, fake people to real people and stuff like that.
I hope you are all doing well, I love you guys.
Love,
Elder Watson
Aloha family,
So I am now in Riverside California. Wow, what a rush. I'm serving in Yucaipa, Riverside and my trainer, Elder Peterson is from Wyoming, but i'll get into that a little later.
Tuesday morning we woke up at 3AM and went to the airport, which was interesting. A car crashed into the rail in front of us and swerved out in circles into the middle of the road because of the ice. No one was hurt, at least I don't think so, but it definitely woke us all up. We flew in to Vegas and then to Ontario Cali ... President Reeves and his wife along with the office missionaries greeted us.
We loaded up our bags and from there went straight to the mission center which is where we send all of the mail. We got our pictures taken, got our debit cards and had a driving test and orientation. We then had lunch, and honestly everything was so surreal. ... I know i'm prepared but seriously, the MTC was a fairy land compared to the field. I really enjoyed everything I learned, but we were not prepared for denial at all.
From there, we went to President and Sister Reeves mission home and introduced ourselves to everyone, it was pretty cool. ... We then watched some talks and just basically waited around while the president interviewed everyone. From there, we got ready for dinner, and ate our first HOMEMADE meal. It was so different from the MTC. We had lasagna and salad and cheesecake.
Anyways, after that we had a huge testimony meeting with all the greenies and the president. It was really spiritual. ... From there, the mission president interviewed me and I told him about Dad and 29 Palms. I'm pretty sure i'm being sent there once I'm a better missionary. We all went to sleep on the couches and mattresses.
I woke up at 630 and got dressed and ready. It was basically just us waiting around for our trainers. When they got there, we had another brief testimony meeting and we were paired up. By about 12 we were in the truck on the way to Yucaipa. I'm lucky, because Riverside is a more conservative family centered area. It's full of people waiting for that gospel. It was a 45 minute drive to Yucaipa ... I got the bike at the mission home and its beat up but it works, which is all that matters because Yucaipa for the most part is a biking mission, which is what I will be doing for a while.
I know that Hills Grandpa's funeral is today, so I hope that went alright. I thought she would be in Logan, so I sent a letter to her home address but turns out she's not going to be there, so that will have to be forwarded.
So far we hung out with the zone leaders for a while. They asked me what I was excited about for the mission, and I said learning how to take rejection because as of now i'm having a hard time. Immediately after, one of the zone leaders said, i'll teach you come with me. We ran to the first person we saw and she told us that we were misled and she hopes we find the truth. Sweet start haha. We then knocked on about 10 doors, some said no engles, some said i've heard it before and others said i'm a nazareth. No real success.
Just pray for me to love the people enough to know that they have their agency. Gospel principles are only effective if you live them. Its one thing to say it, but its another thing to live it. I need grace.
Elder Peterson is a good guy, he's been out for about 18 months or something like that. Hopefully I can pump some excitement into him just like the other greenies. Anyways, thats everything thats been going on so far. ... Hopefully all is going well with you guys, give Hill my love when she returns. I'll continue praying.
We have a dinner appointment tonight and since my companion is the District leader, he'll be gone all day tomorrow which means i'll be with some other elder I dont really know. Oh boy. One day at a time I guess.
But yeah, my Pdays are on Monday and that's when I'll normally be emailing you guys. ... Thank you for your words of advice, i'm sure i'll adapt quickly. Both of my bags for luggage came out to exactly 50 pounds each which was funny, I didn't have to pay. It's so weird just transitioning from fake food to real food, fake people to real people and stuff like that.
I hope you are all doing well, I love you guys.
Love,
Elder Watson
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