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
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