1/2/2016
Hello Family and
Loved Ones!
I hope that you all had a
wonderful holiday season and that you are ready to go for 2016! Because I am! I
honestly never thought I would actually see 2016! Just because I came on the
mission in 2014, and 2016 seemed so far away! It was quite the celebration over
here in Hungary. I hope that you all had fun, and that you all stayed
safe!
It was so good to see you
guys last week! :) I can’t believe that only in a short 6 weeks I will actually
be home with all of you and be able to see and talk to you in person! It feels
so surreal to me that it sometimes doesn't feel real that I am actually coming
home! Every once in a while it hits me though!
This last week has been
really cold! But, as I have been informed.. Nothing like it is back in Utah! It
just feels a little bit colder than it is here because of the humidity. It cuts
you right to the bone! and well.. when you have to be outside in it every day..
after a few hours of tracking outside it gets to ya! But it still hasn’t
snowed! I miss it!
This week was a pretty
normal week for us. Monday and Tuesday we just were finding.. and meeting with
our investigators.. then on Wednesday we went on splits with the kis pest zone
leaders.. I spit with elder cannon. It was a good split. then we met with our
recent convert Matyás! and drum roll please........... MATYÁS is officially
engaged to Luca! ( president Szabadkai daughter! ) they are planning to get
married in May. It’s really exciting:) Building eternal relationships over
here! Midas-well just call us Heavenly Hitch 1 and 2! ha That was probably the
most eventful thing this week! We are all really excited. Then on Wednesday
night there was a new year eve party for the youth here in Buda.. and I was
able to stop in and see some of my győr friends including alaudin! one of the
kids that we found while being in győr. It was really rewarding to see how far
they have come from the very first moment I saw them standing outside the fence
of the győr branch house watching us play soccer. ha Its true that out of small
and simple things ( acts, feelings, changes, etc ) great things come to pass.
And usually it takes time.
On Thursday night we were
able to be at another party here in Buda with the young single adults. That was
really fun. There I was able to be with more of my győr, szeged, and kis pest
friends. They had tons of games.. music. foosball. The senior couples here in Buda
ran the music and provided the food. They had to stay here till 1 in the
morning poor things. ha We had to return to our houses at the regular time.. ( I
was super tired anyway ) so we weren’t allowed to see the fireworks over
the duna.. but funny thing happened.. that night I had a dream and I dreamed
about them! so that’s the same right? But we did here fireworks going off all
night! it felt like we were sleeping in a war zone! Then on Friday we had
district meeting and then we met with klara and her family for the first time.
They took a little bit of time to warm up to us but then we became good
friends. We had to be on our A game that day. and it was successful :)
only 6 weeks left and for
us.. those 6 weeks will be busy. I guess that’s a plus being AP at the end of
your mission. But I still have days where they are super long. ha sadly. But
all is well here in Buda:)
Here is my quote for you
this week:
" The most important
work that you will ever do will be within the walls of your own homes.
"
never forget what matters
most. This quote also connotes the importance of missionary work. This "
work within the walls of your homes " falls under the definition of
MISSIONARY WORK. and missionary work is the greatest work that we can possibly
do here on earth. For it is God’s work and His glory!
Have a great first week
of 2016! Don’t forget to set new resolutions to come closer to Christ
throughout this next year!
I love you all!
Watson Elder
1/9/2016
Dear family and
Loved Ones,
I enjoyed everyone's
emails this week and I am so happy that everything is going well! :) Bri and
Ash you have prayers coming your way. :) But This whole experience
reminded me of something that actually just yesterday we taught to our
investigator who is really close to baptism. We talked of faith along with many
other things. But we taught her that where Doubt.. Discouragement.. and Fear
is.... Faith cannot be. But where faith is.. Doubt and discouragement, and fear
cannot exist. That they are complete opposites of each other. Not saying that
any of us have fear or doubt of discouragement in our hearts.. but my
experience tells me that most of us do at one point or another, especially when
trails beset us. I also learned.. that if we fear.. or have fears in our
hearts.. It’s not of God. But I have also learned.. that if we have fears,
whatever they may be.. , Maybe we don’t know God as well enough as we should.
Because if we would perfectly know God.. then we wouldn't need to fear because
we would perfectly realize.. that GOD.. the creator of all things.. including
ourselves.. This perfect being who we call our Heavenly Father.. is perfectly
watching over us. His hand is more in our lives than we even know. He is closer
to us that we even know. And he will protect us and watch over us if we put our
faith in him and fear not. He has said countless times in the scriptures to
fear not.. and believe in him. and to come unto him so that he can make our
burdens light. He has also said through his prophets that:
But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto
you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he
hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of
deliverance.
or
Yea, and how is it that
ye have forgotten that the Lord is able to do all things according to
his will, for the children of men, if it so be that they
exercise faith in him? Wherefore, let us be faithful to him.
or
And now my son, Shiblon,
I would that ye should remember, that as much as ye shall put
your trust in God even so much ye shall be delivered out of
your trials, and your troubles, and your afflictions, and ye shall be
lifted up at the last day.
or
And Christ hath
said: If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do
whatsoever thing is expedient in me.
These are only a few of
the MANY examples where God has told us that he would help us and comfort us
and strengthen us.. IF we put our faith and trust in Him. He is in our lives.
He takes care of us. and everything will work out! EVERYTHING! and on a side
note.. fear is something that is MAN MADE. SELF MADE. we create it. in our
minds. It’s something that could NEVER EVER EVER come to pass. It’s not real!
We make it real. So. what I’m trying to say.. is that to fear.. is the most
pointless activity we can engage ourselves into. instead let us choose to
believe and have faith. Because there is special peace that we only
receive when we totally rely on the mercies.. and the merits.. and the power of
our lord and savior Jesus Christ.
This week for us
was another busy one. we went on two splits, we visited szeged for the last
time before I come home, we visited kecskemét. It was kind of weird to
see people for the last time! ha Insane. Time is truly flying! We had New
missionary training this week and I saw some of my best missionary friends who
are out here right now for the presumably last time! It makes me really excited
to come home:) ha But this week was really good! busy, but good. We taught some
great trainings to the missionaries about obedience and "the shield of
Fatih" :) We had a fun object lesson to go with it as well! It was fun. :)
Only 5 weeks left! pretty
crazy! :) Im just finishing strong out here and preparing to come back
home!:)
Have a great week this
week and be safe!
I love you all!
Watson Elder
1/16/2016
Dear Family and Loved ones,
I was really glad to hear that everyone is doing much
better this week. And I was also Really happy that bro is out of the hospital
and is back at home!:)
This week was a wonderful.. busy week in the mission
field. Full of lessons.. finding miracles.. life lessons, trials, and the most
random things you can possibly imagine! The weather was as if spring was on the
brink. But then tonight the storm clouds just came in, it dropped a few
degrees.. and now it’s snowing again. haha. Almost.
Outside of splits this week with the Miskolc Zone leaders,
Elder Evans and Mortensen, ( Evans was the student body council pres. at bear
river for 2014 and we had a lot of funny jokes to share with each other and he
apologized for all the bad stuff that he yelled at me during the years that I
played. ha It was pretty funny. We also had to deal with a couple of emergency
transfers, several other meetings, and unexpected requests. Outside of these
things we had a phenomenal week that boosted our work out of the roof. We
found a lot of new investigators and people are popping up left and right
wanting to meet with us.
This week I would like to share with you 1 miracle that
happened to me and Elder Mortensen as we conducted splits here in Budapest.
Through this experience I have learned so much about how the spirit works and I
have also used it to teach others how the spirit works.
On Thursday morning we left our apartment at 11 o clock
after studies and preparation for the day. Elder Mortensen and I stood on the
corner of the street and decided to take a left that lead us up the to the
hills of Buda. We only took 3 steps when a very clear thought came into my mind
that said " go towards Széll Kálman Tér. ( which was in the opp.
direction.) " It was accompanied with a freeing of peace in the heart that
one cannot perfectly describe but only can experience. I told elder Mortenson
that instead we should go towards this Tér. We turn directions and we get to
the other corner and cross the street. As we are walking on the sidewalk along
next to these 4 story buildings that lead to this tér.... at the very first
building I get another one of these very clear.. clean... as if it was written
in my head.. sentences that came into my head. It said "This is the house,
there is someone that is in need of you two." And this time with
this one accompanied a warm feeling in the heart. To myself after receiving
this I thought " wait, we are supposed to go to széll kálman tér. That’s
what the first one said. " So I kind of shrugged it off and continued to
walk. about 3 minutes later another one came into my head as clear
as ever and said " Go back, someone is in need of you two in that
building." with the same feeling of warmth in the heart. As we stood at
the lamp waiting to turn green so that we could cross into the Tér I told my
companion that instead it would be better if we tract all of these houses on
this street. ( he probably was like " elder watson! make up your mind!
" ha but he didn’t really say that. -- So we started with that first house
that was closest to us. We talked to a nice man who accepted a book of Mormon.
We went to the next house.. nothing. The next... nothing. The next.. nothing.
The next. everyone just slammed the door. Then.. we finally reached back to
that first house where this prompting, inspiration and revelation came into my
mind. This one was interesting because there was a gate at the front.. then the
front door. So we had to door bell in and ask someone to let us into the
building. The first person didn’t answer.. the second one though did. It was an
older lady and she let us in. We caught her on the stair way and I introduced
myself as "Watson Elder, a Mormon missionary who has brought a very
special message about Jesus Christ." and I asked her if she had a couple
minutes. She said that it didn’t really interest her but to try the rest of the
people. We tried everyone and got a couple people that was interested. But, as we
arrived to the last door this 27 year old man named Richard answered the door.
He was a short.. buff little man. He just opened the door and smiled. I
introduced ourselves again and he immediately invited us into his house. After
we declared ourselves as missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ and that
we had a special message about Jesus Christ.. he paused us and explained that
just recently he had had a really terrible, eye-opening experience and that he
was in the process of changing his life for the very first time. He explained
that he has been trying to get off drugs and that he wanted a better life. He
said that he had just started to read out of the bible for the first time and
he, for the first time in his life, learned of Jesus Christ, and that he has
been waiting for something to happen. He then explained how interesting it was
that we showed up the exact time that we did because he usually works at that
time every day.. but for some reason just happened to be home ( because he had
ACCIDENTALLY slept in.). He then told us that he took this as a sign that Jesus
Christ really does live. --- we went on and told him about the book of Mormon
and testified to him that Jesus truly does live. And that the fact that we met
this morning wasn't an accident but that God had lead us directly to him. -- He
believed it and accepted to learn more. Next week we will be teaching him
again.
I would encourage all of you to read this talk: https://www.lds.org/
This whole month I have been studying the topic of
personal revelation and obedience. This example that just happened to me is a
perfect example of how we, most of the time, receive revelation from the
spirit. But most of us are too blind to see, or too deaf to hear the voice of
the spirit for one reason or another. ( loud music, un-virtuous thoughts,
word of wisdom problems, other sins, or just a lack of faith and desire.)
--- Most of the time we won’t receive everything at once.. just like I didn’t
in this example. But instead like Nephi " I was led by the spirit, not
knowing beforehand the things which I should do." in other
words, " go left, go right, stop. don’t do that, do this, wait a little
bit, have faith, write a letter to your grandma, don’t forget to say your
prayers or read your scriptures! Go to church. clean up your language, make
your bed, obey your parents, etc." These "words" that we
"hear" from the still small voice are actually like pure intelligence
flowing through your mind accompanied with a warm, peaceful feeling in the
heart. and instead of "hearing." it’s more.. "feeling". The
more one man gets familiar with recognizing and then following these
revelations from the spirit, the more powerful he will feel them. But if
ignored.. the spirit will withdraw. As baptized members of the Church of Jesus
Christ.. God has given us this gift. The call it the Gift of the Holy Ghost. He
promised that it could be with you always.. if you are worthy.. humble.. and
sensitive to the promptings that it gives you. It is also called the
"comforter" To comfort in times of trial or sorrow. I met with an 88
year old man, who has been a member of the church for 38 years today. After 58
years together.. his wife died and he deeply misses her it pains his soul every
day. I’ve never seen an old man cry like this one did today. We taught him
about this spirit.. and he paused us and said.. " I KNOW.. I know..
Every morning.. I get home.. ( the mornings are the worst ) and I come out here
in the front room and I kneel down.. and I pray. I cry every morning because I
feel this warm.. powerful feeling that gives me goose bumps, every morning. I
know that she is here and watching and is with me. I know that the spirit is
real and that we will live after this life." --- With him, I want
you all to know that it is real. The spirit is real. And it is there. All we
need to do is ask, seek, and pay attention. If you haven’t felt it yet and you
are like most youth and say "what are they talking about?!??! holy ghost?!
I’ve never felt anything like it. is it real? how do I feel it?" 1. Pray
to God and ask him to help you recognize it. 2. study it. read the talk I just
gave you. read the scriptures more. pray more. be still more and " know
that" he is God. Listen. practice. Avoid evil places. Avoid hard, swearing
music. don’t sit on the computer or game or phone or TV all day.. that will
dual your spiritual senses. 3. Go out and look for opportunities to serve
and teach others about the gospel. Go to the temple. You will find that as you
go about planting righteousness.. that the spirit will give you feelings of joy
and warmth in your heart. You will also find that the Lord, through the spirit,
will lead you to those who are in need. 4. Be patient. Over time you will
become better and better at recognizing those "written sentences"
that come into your mind that will lead you, guide you, and protect you. And
eventually it will lead you step by step.. back to your heavenly father. 5.
Have faith. Don’t doubt. don’t fear.
If you are like me. and you ask " how can I feel it
more?" .. ask yourselves how many time s a day do you stop. pause... and
pray? how many times do you turn and look to god in your hearts? How often do
we read from the scriptures? How often do we serve others? How often do we go
to the temple? -- One of the biggest tricks satan will play on you in this
modern day is to help you think that " I’m just too busy... I just have
too many things to do... I just have too many kids... I just have too many
duties." or that " just skipping scripture study today because I have
to.. iron the clothes... or something practical like that. These are all..
along with several more. big lies. The greatest thing that you need to study is
the gospel and the scriptures. It takes priority over chemistry, math, health,
history, business.. etc. For the Iron rod represents the word of God that
leads us to the tree of life. If we let loose our grip or completely let go..
WE WILL BE LOST and walk down forbidden paths. Don’t let yourself do that. IF
you have.. grab that rod before it’s too late.
Christ Lives. He personally guides this church. He sends
his spirit.. along with us.. to gather his elect! open your mouths and share
the gospel!
I love you all!
Watson Elder
1/23/2016
Dear Family and
Loved Ones,
This week in Budapest the
weather dropped again below freezing, but still there was about sunny skies every
day. Nothing too special happened this week other than I had my last zone
conference! President traveled to Miskolc and we traveled to Győr. As I was
sitting there in the Győr chapel it dawned on my half way through the training
that this is my last zone training. Actually this is my last training at all!
There will not be any more zone conferences.. no more missionary leadership
trainings.. no more New missionary trainings.. because president told me that I
am going to be spending my last week in Hungary somewhere else other than
Buda.. Im kind of sad about that, but its oké :) And then at the end of each
zone training we usually have the departing missionaries bare their testimonies
for the last time in-front of everyone. And it came to the end and the Zone
Leaders told me to come up and bare my testimony because I was going home and I
about fell over! ha I didn’t wake up that day thinking "I’m going to share
my departing testimony today!" It didn’t even cross my mind. Usually the
"departing testimony" time is a big thing for missionaries. something
that you all look forward to.. but at the beginning you never think it’s going
to be your turn. ha Well.. as fast as it hit me.. it left. I got up there.. I
had tons of things to say but I only said a few. And as I was sitting down I
realized that my very first testimony in a zone training or conference was here
in győr when I was a new missionary. And it was weird to think that I just
shared my last one! and that it was also in Győr! One big circle! ha -- That
night I was able to visit with the wounderliék.. we went to my favorite place
in Győr, ate some good food. Then we spent the night at the Zone Leaders
house.. which was my very first apartment here in Hungary. That was also weird.
ha - Time really does move!
On Monday we had our
normal meetings with president and we spent the day planning and doing
administrative things. Tuesday we spent meeting with a lot of investigators..
We weren’t able to meet with Richard this week, because of how much he worked,
but he is coming to church this Sunday. I will also be speaking in church this Sunday.
:) it’s like.. my.. 7th.. or 8th time giving a talk in Hungarian during sacrament
meeting. Till be easier for me to give a talk in Hungarian than it will be in
English! ha btw. apparently my homecoming talk date is Feb. 28th.
Hope that all of you can make it:) Wednesday was the same.. and then Thursday
we went to győr.. we came back Friday. Saturday is today and we woke up earlier
this morning and went and played basketball with a member family who lives
about 45 min. drive outside of Budapest. It was really fun. I was able to teach
their 14 year old boy, who loves basketball, some moves and stuff:) Then
we came home, showered, ate, now we are here in the mission home emailing.
Tonight we have a lesson with a new investigator over skype.. and he actually
lives in Holland. The Holland missionaries got in contact with us, because they
don’t speak Hungarian, and they need us to teach him. So that will be a fun
experience. Hopefully the connection is good :)
Kind-of a funny story
from the week was when the office couple was trying to figure out how they were
going to get rid of the old office shredder, because they got a new one for the
office... and we happened to be there and suggested "Just put it out on
the street. The homeless people or the gypsies people will surly take it.....
in-fact we bet you that if you put it out-front.. it will be gone within 30
min. We bet for Sister Simkins cinnamon rolls.. and WON! 30 min... it was
GONE! ha just disappeared! ha Welcome to Budapest, Hungary.
my one thought for you
this week is from D&C 58
"Behold, he who has
repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the lord, remember them no
more. By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins -- behold, he will
confess them and forsake them. "
wow! I forgot to tell you
something. This week we had a very first.. world wide.. missionary broadcast
from Salt Lake City and we received council and guidance from the apostles and
the seventy. The theme was that we "Preach repentance, and baptize
converts" It was a great meeting and we all learned a lot. They emphasized
that we need to bare our testimonies often of the reality that Christ lives.
And that when we teach and give challenges.. that we also promise blessings.
They re-stated how we are the only ones in the whole earth who can do what we
are doing right now. And how Missionary Work is the greatest work that anyone
can do while they are here on earth.
My short testimony to you
today is that BECAUSE OF Jesus Christ... the sins, and the consequences of the
sins (feelings of guilt, etc), that we have committed in days that are past..
the colored spots on our souls.. the mistakes, the slips, the trips, and the
dives into the muddy water that has covered us in dirt... CAN be washed away.
In Hungarian they use the word Törölni. Which means to erase. In the Hungarian
scriptures God promises those who repent that their sins shall be erased. Isn’t
that amazing? Im not sure if we have all noticed, or experienced the saving
power of the atonement in our daily lives.. but we will all need to someday in
order for us to be cleansed and purified so that we can live with God and our
loved ones again. And I can tell you that the moment that you kneel and pray
with a "real intent" with "godly sorrow" and a
determination to never commit past sins again.. IN THAT VERY MOMENT.. or soon
after, after you have proven yourselves through righteous works, the Sin is
erased and the effects of the sin is lifted. And that is ONLY because of the
Atonement. And with the saving power of the atonement comes the Enabling power.
That power will fill your souls to feed your fire and determination to do, to
think, and to plant good in your lives and in the lives of others. It will also
give you power to resist temptation and evil. -- I know that Christ lives. HE
LIVES and is waiting for us to turn to him so that he can endow us with power.
The power is real. You will feel it as you diligently seek, earnestly ask, and
humbly work works of righteousness.
Have a great week
I love you all!
Watson Elder
1/30/2016
Dear Family and
Loved Ones,
Can you believe it?! 19
days! When I first started my mission I felt as if I had an endless road of
days and hours and well.. doors to tract. ha. But as the end of the tunnel
approaches my eyes finally begin to see the light and the truth of that the days,
hours, and doors that I have to tract here in Hungary slowly, but quickly come
to an end. It honestly hasn't taken full effect yet. Sometimes I still feel as
if I was never going to leave. But at times here and there it really dawns on
me that I really am leaving so soon. Looking back on all my experiences that I
have experienced, all the miracles, trials, good times, hard times, times of
joy, times of sorrow, the quick times and the slow times.... I truly just
become grateful to Heavenly Father for this wonderful opportunity to share the
restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. To grow faster and more than I ever have
before, to learn a new language, new culture, to live in Europe for 2 years! To
make many new friends, to truly realize, in some fashion, what the word
sacrifice means, to learn what family means, and to realize how blessed I was
in my old live to be surrounded with so many amazing people who gave me
everything I needed and more. But I am especially grateful for the knowledge
that I have gained of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It’s been a miracle to
me to get to know the spirit better than I ever have before. To understand
better how it works, what it sounds like, and how to recognize, and act on its
promptings. It’s been wonderful to have the calling and authority to represent
Jesus Christ in bringing and teaching His gospel to all the world. I have
learned lessons of love, leadership, patience, diligence, faith, and obedience
that I will never forget but that will stick with me for all of my life. And I
want to thank all of you, especially my parents for their loving, inspired
support and help. Without them I wouldn't be here. neither would I know the
things that I know.
A quick wrap up of my
week...it was 100% normal.. to be honest. It was so normal and routine that I
almost have no idea what to write. On the mission you learn to enjoy the small
and simple things of life. Like.. for example. meal times. They are so very
sacred. Or.. personal study.. where each morning we get to read and learn
out of the scriptures for an hour! yes! a full hour!!!! Or each night when you
get to sit in your bed and take out your journal and write about your
experiences. Im so grateful that I started my journal writing when I was a
freshman in high school. Looking back throughout just these two years I have
learned so much about myself.. and I have learned and have received strength
from my past. And let me tell ya what.. you really learn to enjoy your time to
be outside and to workout. ha. -- so, for my week. I can tell you that I
thoroughly enjoyed the simple things that consist of missionary work. yes, even
including knocking on hundreds of doors daily. ha
This week I would like to
point a few things out that I learned this last week as I read out of the book
of Nephi. I would suggest all of you to read 1 Nephi 13 and 14. At this point
in the book of Nephi, Nephi has received a vision about what it’s going to be
like in the last days. He saw the church of God and he also saw the great and
abominable church that whose founder is the devil. And no. it’s not the
catholic church. It reads:
And it came to pass that I saw among
the nations of the Gentiles the formation of a great church.
And the angel said unto me: Behold
the formation of a church which is most abominable above all other
churches, which slayeth the saints of God, yea, and tortureth them
and bindeth them down, and yoketh them with a yoke of iron, and
bringeth them down into captivity.
And
it came to pass that I beheld this great and abominable church;
and I saw the devil that he was the founder of it.
And
I also saw gold, and silver, and silks, and scarlets, and
fine-twined linen, and all manner of precious clothing; and I saw many
harlots.
And
the angel spake unto me, saying: Behold the gold, and the silver, and the
silks, and the scarlets, and the fine-twined linen, and the precious clothing,
and the harlots, are the desires of this great and abominable church.
We
learn that The great and Abominable church is everything that is not the church
of God. or, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Which we believe,
and I know that its true, that it is the one and only true church of Jesus
Christ. That he reigns, guides, and directs it personally. That he has called
prophets, apostles, seventies, stake presidents, bishops to represent him and
to minister unto his "sheep". That he has also called missionaries,
to represent him to declare repentance unto everything.. and declaring that
ONLY by coming unto Christ and being baptized in his name in HIS church.. and
being obedient to the principles, and ordinances of the gospel ( including
baptism, confirmation, Priesthood for men, and all temple ordinances ) until
the day that they die, is the only way they can receive eternal life with the
Father and the Son. May we be aware of the desires of our own hearts. Where are
they laid? Where should they be laid? If we are to translate what Nephi said in
modern day English it would be maybe something like this, that the people of
the "world" or of this "great and abominable church" whose
founder is the devil.. their hearts are so set upon money, wealth, position,
the nicest, best, most popular clothing, Newest phones or devices, the next
best thing. video games, computers, etc. and then the last one that Nephi
said.. harlots. or in other words.. pornography, lusts, players, people who are
obsessed with and only search for and seek to fulfill their physical
desires. Alma strongly preached against this and said to his son: and
also see that ye bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with
love; see that ye refrain from idleness.
I
know that I live in Budapest.. but I am assuming that the Lust of the World..
is growing ever quickly in America as it is here. and we.. must
especially be careful that we avoid allll of these things that Nephi foresaw..
We must have God at our first priority and we must resist temptation. for it is
satans tool to " which slayeth the saints of God, yea, and
tortureth them and bindeth them down, and yoketh them with a yoke of
iron, and bringeth them down into captivity."
Get
it? addictions, chains, tricks to drag us all down to where he is.. It
WILL LITERALLY do this to us if we are not careful. instead do and ask for what
Nephi saw about the saints of God in this same vision:
And
it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the power of the Lamb of God, that it
descended upon the saints of the church of the Lamb, and upon the covenant
people of the Lord, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth; and they
were armed with righteousness and with the power of
God in great glory.
Keep
your covenants. If you haven’t made any yet with him. Make them. They only
bring you power into your life to overcome all things that one day we might
live with God and Christ again. I promise you that this is true. I have felt it
in my life. I can promise you that you truly will feel power and the glory of
God.
I
love all of you! See you in 19 days!
Watson
Elder
2/6/2016
Dear Family and Loved
Ones,
Guys! I only have about
one week left! How crazy is that?! My next pday will be next Monday (not
Saturday) Feb. 15. I will most likelyy
be spending my last week either in Pest or Kis Pest. But by the time you find
out for sure I will be saying „see you on Thursday!” J This last week
in Buda has been one for remembering. Today we spent the day with the Szabadkai
Family up in the mountains of Hungary near Visegrad. There we explored the mountains
and saw many old castles along with spectacular look out points. Hungary truly
is an amazing, beautiful country that I am going to miss very much. I can only
thank my Heavenly Father for the opportunity he gave me of serving the people
of Hungary. When I opened my call letter back in 2013 I didn’t even know that
Hungary existed, let alone become a country that I would fall in love with.
Hungary has been some sort of a „Refiners Fire” in my life. It has caused
me to go through things I never thought I would go through. There was never a
period of time during my time here in Hungary when there was not a trial that I
had to overcome and conquer. It has taught me a lot about the virtues of
patience, diligence, temperance, perseverance, endurance, and obedience.
It has taught me how to reach out to people more and express love. It has taught
me the value of family, friends and loved ones in my life. It has taught me a
completely new language! It has taught me another way of living. It has taught
me how to push through the hard times with faith in Jesus Christ and in God. It
has taught me more of how God works with his children here on the earth. It has
taught me a lot about personal revelation, the priesthood, the organization of
the church, and many many more things. But most of all I would have to say that
it has taught me more about the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The saving power and
the enabling power of the atonement. I will tell you with all the energy of my
heart that I would not have been able to do the things that I did here without
God, Christ and the Atonement. These past couple weeks I have been trying
really hard to reflect on everything that has happened over these 2 years and I
have had the hardest time putting it all together and let alone getting enough
words to describe all the experiences that I have been through. I don’t know if
I will ever get the exact, perfect words to describe everything that has
happened here. But hopefully with the help of the spirit I will be able to put
together some words so that I will be able to share my experiences with others
in hope of strengthen them and helping them.
All I am able to say now
though is that these 2 years have been a miracle to me in my life. I couldn’t
have done it without the support of my loved ones back at home, especially my
parents, brothers, and Hannah. I love you guys and am so excited to see you!
If I could say one more
word of encouragement to all who usually read my letters it would be this:
I know that
the Lord, our savior lives. He lives. He personally directs his church
upon the earth today through his ordained prophet, President Thomas. S.
Monson. I know that God loves and watches over his children. Although he
might allow trials and hard times to come upon us... for our benefit and
growth... he never leaves us alone. He is there right by our side. We do not
comprehend all things that God comprehends. For his ways are higher than our
ways. And His view is higher and greater than our view. No matter how faithful
someone is in their life... it will not prevent them of going through trials or
„dark hours” in their life. As Paul said to the Hebrews : „For it became him,
for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto
glory, to make the captain for their salvation perfect through
sufferings.” He wants to see how we react. So that he may know what
he can do with us. So that, proved faithful, he may trust us and put us at
higher callings and higher responsibilities. Which brings me to my next word of
encouragement: KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS. There is safety and peace in keeping the
commandments. As the words of Mosiah go: „And moreover, I would desire that ye
should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the
commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal
and spiritual. And if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into
heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness.
O remember, remember that these things are true for the Lord God has spoken
it.” All people search for peace and happiness in this life. Some of us are
searching in the wrong places. We are searching too much in the things of the
world. Things that will eventually „rust and thieves will break in and steal”.
We are commanded instead to first search the Kingdom of God and His
righteousness.. And then all things will be added unto us. And to instead layup
treasures in heaven. I will bare my witness that true and lasting happiness is
founded in keeping the commandments of God and following our savior and Lord
Jesus Christ. All other forms of worldly happiness are to end in this life and
only result in regret and pain. Now is our time to prepare to meet God. We live
in the last days. The signs of the times have been and are being fulfilled. May
we always remember that the greatest characteristic of love is and always will
be LOYALTY. May we always grasp onto the iron rod and never let go no matter
how thick the darkness becomes.. For we will all have our own hours of
darkness. To that the lord says: „These things I have spoken to you, so that in
me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage, I
have overcome the world.” With the power of Jesus Christ and his
atonement, we too may overcome all things and be heirs of the Kingdom of God.
The lord will make us able to overcome. It’s our job to put forth the effort.
Salvation does come to those that wait. Instead it comes to those who „ask,
seek, and knock”. DO.
I am excited to see all
of you in just a few days!
Sok Szeretettel,
Watson Elder
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