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

August 10, 2015

Dear mom,

I imagine you’re tired after the week in camp. I too am feeling a bit under the weather. It’s has been rainy and windy almost every day this last week.  I’m little tired physically and mentally. I am working to get Elder Bowden up to speed in the sector so he can help me.  He’s doing fantastic.  He's got a real motor on him! I am accustomed to have a more senior missionary then me as my companion.  So it’s weird being the one who is remembering everything, doing the phone calls, etc. He has progressed miles in his language though. The next challenge is getting him comfortable using the phone! It’s a lot different when you can’t see someone’s lips and hand motions.  But I know he’ll do good.

As a mission we started BOM over together. We’re on 1st Nephi 20. It called my attention to how much I respect Nephi had for his father when his bow broke. Lehi was complaining, Laman and Lemuel were being the typical antagonists.  Even though Lehi was complaining, Nephi followed courtesy, the chain of command, respect for his father, whatever you want to call it, and asked him where he should go to find food. WHY???? Things like this make me ponder on how to be more like those men of the scriptures, men of character and honor!

Pamela and Gonzalo are committed to go get a date of matrimony this week at the civil registry!  Fingers crossed that its before I leave!!!!!  I really care about them a ton and know that we’ll be friends for a long time! They’re simply good people.

Something else that has crossed my mind, despite the fact the Chilean’s have a different culture and different values and all sorts of things that bother me sometimes or I don’t understand... I love the Chilean people. I love serving them and being here. I wouldn’t trade this for anything! I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!

Have a great week!

Elder Watts

August 3, 2015

August 3, 2015

So glad you had a fun week. I too have noticed the power of hymns. Whenever we enter a house and we can’t find anything to teach, I try to sing a hymn and usually some inspiration comes!

This week has been different! I’m still getting the groove as far as being a trainer. I’m really trying to make sure Elder Bowden is learning and progressing, but the language is a big challenge for him. Its weird teaching Spanish!!! I understand that it’s really hard for him. He is progressing with his language like I couldn’t have hoped for! The first day jitters seem to be gone and now we’re starting to get in a better groove as a companionship. Found out that he was the drum major in his high school band and that his dad builds replacement spines! How crazy is that!

This week, as a companionship we have been trying to be more grateful for the blessing we have received! We really have started to notice more how many blessings we receive when we pay special attention to be grateful for all of them. Makes me think how ungrateful I was before the mish. Mom, thank you for all the sacrifices you made and make for me! I am forever in debt to the Savior as well, and I’m so grateful for His Atonement!

D&C 78:17-19 was the scripture of the week! Take a look if ya want!

Gonzalo y Pamela came back from Chillan.  Elder Bowden invited Gonzalo to be baptized after their marriage and he accepted wholeheartedly! I felt so proud of my son!!!!  I almost shouted for joy!! Pamela is getting really active too! We eat lunch with them tomorrow even!

Sergio and Andrea are filling out their family tree and are doing well. They cant’ stay for  the entire meeting block cuz León is really cranky by the end Sacrament meeting.  But they have the desire to learn more about the Church and Temple work!

That was the week! Not too many new people, but some might develop in the next week! We shall see right?

Much love!  

Elder Watts

July 27, 2015

Hey mom!

Well cambios came in today and Elder Bennion is heading off to Linares as a zone leader! It’s gonna be hard seeing him go. We got along really well and had  alot in common.  God willing we'll be hanging out in Colorado this time next year!

I have news!!!! I’m going to be a dad! Now don’t miss understand.  Being a dad in the mission means I’m going to train someone! It’s going to be a trial by fire of whether or not I can be a good leader. I was thinking about the examples of leaders in the Book of Mormon and other scriptures. Of all the greatest is The Lord obviously! He always cared to make sure that his disciples learned and learned well, that they were taken care of, and that they had opportunities to have their faith tried and to grow even stronger. President Spencer W. Kimball gave a wonderful talk exactly on being a Christ like leader. I’ll be reviewing and it for sure!

Andrea got baptized on Saturday!  The faunt was taking a really long time to fill up so we had to start filling water in pots from an instant heater to get the water up high enough! Elder Bennion had the blessing of being able to baptize Andrea and the following day or yesterday, I was blessed with the opportunity to confirm Andrea a member of the Church and give her the Gift of the Holy Ghost! It was a wonderful experience.  One of the member family we visited with, Hna Carla Miranda, gave a fantastic talk about how the Holy Ghost has been her guide and best friend during her activation in the church! The Spirit was very strong and hopefully Sergio and Andrea will never forget that moment and how they felt!

This week in studies, I made the commitment to use a study journal. Man, I wish I had used it from the get go! I am more alert and I retain more information this way! I am currently in D&C 77.  In D&C 76 there is a lot of really intriguing information about the kingdoms of glory! In the BoM I’m working on the tree of life chapters in 1st Nephi.  I am really trying to understand the way that we can help those who are lost in the mists of darkness!

I’m excited for the change, for the opportunity to train, and hopefully for some drier weather! Have a great week at girls camp mom and stay busy!

Lots of love!

Elder Watts