September 21, 2015

Dear Mom,

Well, the highlight of the week was yesterday, when we were able to help a couple understand the importance of being married. The woman, María Lopez, REALLY wants to get baptized. She has truly converted and has mentioned how frustrating it is not being able to do what she wants (and needs to do) because of her civil standing.

Well as far as preparation for the PT test, I’m doing well.  Got up to 5 pull ups now so tha’s an improvement of the 2 I could do when I got to this sector!  I feel like the sprint is going to be the hardest. Hopefull, the weather will warm up this week.  It may be spring but it’s still winter here.

I was asked to give a talk at the branch conference we will this week. The talk is on how we can prepare and get something out of the conference talks and classes. It was perfect because the following week is GENERAL CONFERENCE!!! WOOHOO!!!!

Overall were just getting in our groove still. This week was pretty uneventful for us (even with the earthquake).  All the families are with their families in the CAMPO (countryside) for the Independence day activities. We missed out big time, but still managed to get some really good empanadas!  So, it wasn’t a complete loss!

The branch put on an activity and we ended up being waiters.  One more thing to add to my resumé!!  Lol

David didn’t end up coming to church, but we found out that he's probably not going win his court case.  We will be patient and support him as he goes through his trial.

During studies this week, I learned from the example of Amulek. You can be a great missionary and really get to the people, if you are patient and soft spoken and ask good questions. SO, I’ve tried to be soft spoken. For example here is the discussion I had with a less active sister recently: "Okay where are we gonna see you? IN church! , Okay, and at what time? 10am!  Now how about you show up early? OKAY!  What are you gonna do tonight? READ! and why? BECAUSE I NEED THE BELSSINGS, ALRIGHT HERMANA!!!! WOOHOO!!  She ended up making it to church.  I still need to be fine tune my approach, but I am getting better.

Have a great week and stay safe!

Elder Watts

 

 

September 14, 2015

Mom,

Well, this week was pretty fast paced to say the least.  Getting to know the members, investigators and companion that all come with a new sector.

Elder Livingston is a really relaxed dude. We crack each other up.  We have really hit it off well. Probably has to do with the fact that we’re both from the greatest state East side of the Mississippi, VA.  #VAinVAdesLinares.

We have an investigator whose name is Davíd.  He is very cool. Has a past he’s really trying to forget about and the only thing that is delaying his baptism is his own insecurity. He hasn’t had a lot of the doctrinal lessons.  So this week we’re really going to focus on how he can come to know if Joseph Smith was a prophet and the truth of the Book of Mormon.

I’m currently studying in Alma.  Had a really good week of studies and my testimony grew about patience in our trials.  Alma and his people weren’t allowed to pray but they put on a happy face and did the best they could with the situation they were given!  The Lord knew the prayer of their hearts.  I think we could all be a little better at that, and I‘m currently focusing on that.

Also, I have been asked my President to make a set of workout videos for the mission with the Zone Leaders.  I will send a separate email asking Coach Getty if he can put a program together.  If he is not, could you ask Ricky.  I need some ideas for a 30 minutes body weight program. We have limited access to stuff like that. The reason President is asking for that is because he doesn’t want us going to/paying for gyms and the workout videos that are available to us have less than modest apparel.

All in all, doing well. Animated and working hard. Please pray for David and that he will feel the Spirit and receive answers to his questions and commit to being baptized at the end of the month!

Love,

Elder Watts

 

 

September 7, 2015

Mom,

Well, I’m off to Linares!  This week was super hectic but it ended up well. Gonzalo and Pamela got married on Friday and on Saturday they got baptized. It really was awesome to be here and to be able to help them on their path as an eternal family. I know they’re going to de great and through their faith in the Lord they’ll make it to the temple to be sealed!

Elder Bowden is going to finish up his training with a Peruvian Elder and I’m going to finish the training of an Elder Livingston, the only other guy from VA in the mish.

Two more elders from the Academy get here tomorrow.  We’ll see if I’m in the same zone as one of them!

Lots of pictures this week. Not a ton of time with the Academy stuff I have to do. Trying to stay on top of everything and still have time to pack and say goodbye.

Elder Bowden is going to do great as a missionary and I’m glad I was able to be with him during this cambio.

I’m reading a lot lately about how Abinadai.  He didn’t’ baptize a single pèrson, and almost nobody listened to his teaching until after he was gone. I wish my testimony was as strong as this Prophet.  But that’s why we’re here, to learn and to serve and to come to know the Lord for ourselves.

Elder Watts

 

Pam and Gonzalos Wedding

 

Baptisms

 

 

Being a missionary

Elder Bowden

 

 

August 31, 2015

Mom,

Glad to hear the Read family games are still going strong!

This week was difficult, mostly because Gonzalo came out of nowhere with a bunch of doubts regarding the BoM and Joseph Smith. We all fasted to help him receive answers to his questions.  We know the Lord will answer his prayers..

Not a whole ton of time but a spiritual thought from studies this week.

Enos is one of the 1st chapter book in the Book of Mormon.  He is well known for the scripture that says "and my soul hungered, and I kneeled down before my maker". The verse before that however stresses the importance that Enos’s father Jacob had prayed in his hunger for God. He talks about how the words that his father said repeatedly passed through his mind until they reached his very core!

I know that I have a great mom who did the darn best she could. She worked her butt off to make sure that I was raised up right before the Lord. The Gospel is applied in the home!

SO, thanks mom. For everything since day 1,  You’re the best! LOVE YOU!!!!

Elder Watts

August 24, 2015

Hey mom!

This week was good but weird. I kind of got the feeling I was going through the motions or not giving it my all, but I’ve been doing everything the same up until this point. I think that was the Lord’s way of letting me know that what I can actually do is much more and that I should give a full 110%.

Elder Bowden is getting a little bit better regarding his boldness. As missionaries, we have to be able to say the hard things, lovingly of course. He expressed to me that he was feeling a lot of stress inviting people.  He is a bit shy.  So we’re both working little by little to help him be more open and feel more comfortable with the job we have to do.  As a trainer, I am actively thinking of different ways to help him.

Pamela and Gonzalo are doing great.  We encourage them to strengthen their testimony regarding the Lord and the Restored Gospel.

We also talked with President this week in interviews. He asked us to share our favorite scripture.  I shared 3 Nephi 18:19-21.  I firmly believe that when we are constantly praying, than we won’t fault under pressure.  I know that my future wife and kids are being blessed because of my decision to pray now and to keep praying. It’s the breastplate of our spiritual armor.

While with the President, we also talked a lot about missionary work for those who have passed on (Family Search). I would like to know a little more about Grandma Herwig’s parents. Please ask Grandma to send me her thoughts. Thanks.

Mom, you’re the best!  I want ya to know that.

Love Garrett

August 17, 2015

Dear Mom,

PAMELA AND GONZALO GET MARRIED THE 4th! He and Martin their son GET BAPTIZED THE 5TH!!!!!!  Right before transfers on the 7th! Gonzalo said he was really was moved by the Priesthood blessings we gave to Martin who was sick one day this past week. The next day, Martin was at 100% and Gonzalo felt his answer about the true power of God and where it was located.

AHHHH I’m really excited! We’re focusing a lot on finding new people to teach before I go and Elder Bowden can continue with his step dad and keep the sector going strong!

This week in the BOM, I finished 1 Nephi and fell in love with 2 Nephi 9. I can’t wait to study it again because it really explains the Atonement! President Arrington talked to us this week about how the only person who puts a limit on the amount of help we receive from God is ourselves (2NE 9:9).

Everything is going well with Elder Bowden. He is getting a lot better with his Spanish.

I’m preparing to take the fitness test for the Academy.  We are starting to run more continuously and I feel much lighter. I don’t’ know how much I weigh right now but I’m watching what I eat and doing workout stuff every morning.

Got the package. The hot chocolate was a lifesaver and the Quaker oatmeal is so delicious!  Thank you so very much!!!

I found a TRX band down here for 10.000 pesos ($16) and that’s helping me with some new exercises!

Thanks for the wonderful stuff from Sacrament meeting! I’m slowly reading that book you sent and lots of other literature that requires first priority.  Fantastic choice of card. Tough cookie, very nice!

Mom have a great week!

Elder Garrett Watts