Elder Michael Watson

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

2011-12-26T08:35:00.000-08:00

Dear Family,

That's pretty awesome that Fillmore had a baptism! :D

So, here is the last letter of the mission. What a crazy week to end the mission. All in all we had 10 baptisms in the zone and 7 of them were confirmed. The missing 3, we looked for high and low before sacrament meeting and couldn't find them. A bit frustrating if you ask me.

We had a Christmas activity on Thursday. We all went out to Pilar (well, all the missionaries up north... the ones down south missed out) and had a blast. We sung hymns, played the White Elephant game, had a scripture chase and then listened to President. Every time we talk to him it is so inspiring.

We spent a lot of the week in other areas, trying to help them out and teach them through divisions. Honestly, being a zone leader makes you really tired with all the stuff you have to do, but there are great rewards for the work, especially the feeling of satisfaction as other missionaries learn, grow and have success.

Well, today is my last pday so I am going to try to buy a couple things and then we are going to play soccer. What else would I do in Argentina my last pday? Haha. Well, thank you for all the support you have given me. That Skype call was fun yesterday, especially that I could see you this time. Lol.

Well, see you Thursday!

Love,
Elder Watson

Navidad Blanca

2011-12-21T14:15:00.001-08:00

HEY! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

So this week is going to be super exciting! We have 12 baptisms set in the Zone in our building for the 24th. If we can help our investigators and a couple of possible people to be baptized in our area we can have 16 or 17 baptisms in the Zone. Not to mention all the possibilities in the other areas. This is going to be a great Christmas!

This week was pretty hard. We found a couple of new investigators that accepted baptismal dates (I don't know them because I was on divisions with Lima that day) and we couldn't get a hold of them afterwards so they didn't come Sunday. Also the three girls we have baptismal dates for Christmas Eve didn´t come to church because there was a wedding in their family until the morning so they didn't come either. But they know the church is true and the only thing we really have to do is work with the parents.

On Thursday we have a mission activity in a church campsite so that's going to be fun. Other than that, things are going and we've got a lot to work on and get better. There's never things to stop getting better at. That's for sure. Well, the place is closing for the siesta.

Love you!
Elder Michael C. Watson
Misión Argentina Buenos Aires Norte

White Christmas... During the Summer!

2011-12-12T17:20:00.000-08:00

Hi!

I am doing wonderful! The zone is really exploding! We are expecting 17 baptisms or so (maybe more) for Christmas Eve. Our Stake President told us about a tradition they do is that they bring all the investigators from the stake by bus to the stake center to be baptized on the 24th and they will be confirmed the 25th. We talked to President and he's fine with that. We already have 7 baptisms and 15 confirmations this month - that means we would have at least 24 baptisms in the month of December (we are hoping for a lot more!). What a White Christmas! :D :D :D

Zárate is doing fine. We are really focusing on the Zone so we don't have insane numbers, but we are doing fine. Obviously we can do better, so we are working on that. But we are really happy with the energy and excitement the Zone has is really amazing!

Last night we were visiting some members and they happen to have a cousin that is serving in the Ogden mission. When I said that I had family there, they asked if I could take a Christmas gift to him. I said yes. That family called their uncle and I talked to him (he lives in Buenos Aires South) and told me that there was an Elder from Santa Paula there in that mission as Assistant, Elder Castro. So I would be Alex Castro who's coming home, no? We are still rivals even though I don't know him. That's just taken for granted ... being from Santa Paula :)

Well, that's about it for now. TTFN! Love you!
--
Elder Michael C. Watson
Misión Argentina Buenos Aires Norte

Short again

2011-12-11T20:34:00.001-08:00

Dear Dad y Mom,

So I am in downtown again finishing up my DNI. We took the opportunity to go to the Calle Florida (Florida Street) where there are TONS of shops and stuff to buy. Well, you know me, I am not all for shopping but I did end up getting stuff. I just think when I come back I can buy souvenirs. Right now I just want to help people to come unto Christ.

So we are probably going to get to Zarate late so I gotta go. It's always unpredictable our route and how much time it takes, but it's the only one we've got. Unless President wants to give us a car. That would be cool. :p Anyways, Thanks for all that you do! I LOVE you so much!

--
Elder Michael C. Watson
Misión Argentina Buenos Aires Norte

Short and Sweet

2011-11-29T18:24:00.000-08:00

Hi Family,

Well, today was fun! We went down to the mission offices in a big van with the zone for transfers - it is less expensive and more enjoyable than just taking a remis (taxi type thing). So we went down, got some mail, talked with some friends, got to meet the Hermana Sperry and Dunn who are friends of Michelle´s that say Hi, and then we came back. That's all we've done today so far.

This week was good. We had a baptism, Julia Knulst, the godmother of Hugo our recent convert. That was cool. We really didn't organize it too well so I ended up baptizing her instead of a member, but hey, it's a baptism! This week was super hectic. As a zone we had 11 baptisms. We spent all week verifying and helping missionaries with the investigators. We even sent Elder Lane to San Pedro for a couple days to help them get their 8 baptisms. Super tight. Just a long week with lots of calling and going to bed late from calling the zone and planning for our area.

Well, that's all the time I have to email today. Love you all and hope you are great! See ya!

Elder Michael C. Watson
Misión Argentina Buenos Aires Norte

Hey There

2011-11-22T19:12:00.001-08:00

Hi Family,

Well, I don't have that much time today. I feel like I say that every week.... Today we played soccer with our district so that was fun. I played barefoot on the concrete so we'll see how my feet come out! haha

This week was good. I went to Baradero again to help them out. We found a guy that's going through a tough time but was like a perfect investigator for the restoration. Wednesday we had Training with President and this Wednesday we'll have training again. Fun stuff! I also went to Campana on divisions as well. It was a good day. Both days I learned a lot... from the other elders and the situations we were in. Nothing bad, just different.

Well, I still have to write President. I'll try to write more next week. I am learning and growing every day. It's amazing! I hope all is well with you!
Love,

Elder Michael C. Watson
Misión Argentina Buenos Aires Norte

GREEN ALERT? NUCLEAR POWER PLANT? IN LIMA?

2011-11-14T19:03:00.000-08:00

Attn: READ ALL BEFORE DOING ANYTHING

On Thursday morning we received a call from a couple Elders in an area called Lima telling us a man from the Army came to their house, gave them a note saying that they should lock all their doors and windows because the nuclear power plant was on green alert and if anything happened they should take the pills in the paper bag they received. So they ask me what they should do. I say, well, let me call President. The Elders in San Pedro almost went to the Rosario mission! So I call and relate what had happened and we start an emergency evacuation of the whole zone. So we put the whole zone on a conference call and tell them to get to the offices of the mission a.s.a.p. Five minutes later we get a call from the Elders in Lima - saying, "Hey... ummm................ so guys. This was a simulation..... I didn't know what the word simulacro meant and yea. It's something they do every year." So we start calling the whole zone so that no one leaves on a bus... because they would be disastrous and take 3-4 hours to get them back to their area... if not more. We call President and say that its a false alarm and everything is all good. Everyone stays and all is well. BTW - The pills in the plastic bag? Candy. Well, that was a good experience. Good maybe isn't the right word. Interesting, breaking the routine. Something like that. Anyways. So. Yea. That was fun.

Well, I am in downtown today. Elder Lane had to do some stuff for a visa and so we woke up at 4:30 this morning to come down to the area offices. So let's just say I am tired. But the people at the office are nice and as they pass they say Hi Elders and that makes me feel good. :D The receptionist is a lady who worked at the mission home for 11 years, cooking and stuff. Let's just say AMAZING cooking. :D Now she doesn't work there... :( as much I guess. She is pretty cool.

Well this week FLEW by. INSANE. But we had some miracles! The sisters in Campana had four baptisms this weekend so we went out one afternoon to go try to help the father of one of the girls be baptized. We got to the point where he was going to pray to find out if he should be baptized. I don't like pressuring people anyway, but that answer sufficed.

So yea. Todo bien. Not much going on. We are working with Hugo's Godmother and she has a date for the 26th. We are also working with a less active and his girlfriend to get them married so that she can get baptized. Other than that we are kinda dry on investigators at the moment. We've left the ones we have because they aren't progressing and we have to get back in touch with a few. But we have LOTS and LOTS of appointments this week. Like Bastante. Going by members and less actives and investigators. We got our plates full. We need four missionaries again!

Well. That's about it. Thanks for the news - it's always good to hear about stuff. I am going to see if I can buy some jerseys today because downtown is the place to get them. If not, oh well. I still need to eat... I haven't eaten breakfast or lunch yet. That could be a problem. Well. Love you all! I am doing my best and we are seeing good fruits. We had 91 people in church yesterday, that is up 20. So that was good. Hope all is well with you!

Love,

Elder M. Watson

November Already?

2011-11-07T17:12:00.000-08:00

Dear Family,

Happy Birthday Mom! I know it's a little early, but it's better than late. Haha.

This week. Well, we did exchanges with our district leaders on Wednesday and Friday so that was good. We also had a baptism! :D :D :D :D :D His name is Jonathon, 20 years old. Super Capo (Stud). We had stake conference so we had another area in the zone that baptized their investigators with ours. So cool. :D Things went very well... I baptized Jonathon. Usually we have a problem that the water is super cold. But this time it was super HOT. I almost cooked. Oops. It was my fault for leaving the hot water on so long. But I thought it was the cold that was on... Oh well. We also had interviews with President. Amazing like always. Better that he came to our church to do the interviews. Sweet! :D

This week should be good! Elder Christofferson is here for a special conference with all the mission presidents of South America. One of the topics will be presented by President Gulbrandsen about Recent Convert Trees. Basically, our mission is having tons of success teaching and finding through the recent converts. One area had 19 baptisms in two months. It's a tree because it starts with a member or family and it branches out and out. It is absolutely amazing. My last 6 baptisms are the result of this style of work. And I am convinced it will work anywhere! As you teach the recent convert/less active/member and receive references from them and teach those references with them, you not only find new and better and investigators but you strengthen the testimony of these members. It is absolutely amazing the results. We should be getting a booklet of examples and I can send pictures of examples. It's AMAZING! :D

Well, that's about it. I am in Baradero, a town an hour north of Zárate. I will be on divisions for a couple days here so that will be sweet. The only place farther north is San Pedro. Let's see if I can get up there. Haha. Anyways, Love you all! Be good!

Love,

Elder Watson

News Letter...

2011-10-31T17:14:00.000-07:00

Dear Family,

Well, this is going to be really short. I ask for forgiveness now.

We had a baptism at 8 o’clock Saturday morning, which went well (yay for waking up at 5) we are expecting two baptisms this weekend. We also have stake conference. I am finding real joy working with and through the members. Things are just doing great. Love you all! Love,

Elder Michael C. Watson
Misión Argentina Buenos Aires Norte

(P.S. Mike spent a lot of his time this morning scheduling his classes for winter semester at BYU).

Elder Quintana Transferred

2011-10-24T17:05:00.000-07:00

Elder Lane & Elder Watson

Hey all!

This week has literally been crazy. I know I said it's been busy lately. But this week was absolutely crazy. Monday went well. Tuesday was a bit different. We had weekly planning and then went to go do service - when I get a call from the assistants telling me that Elder Quintana has to be in the Mission Home ASAP. So we run back to the house and throw everything in the suitcases and off he went. Emergency transfers are quite fun. Anyways, so now I am only with Elder Lane.

Last week was just a blur. Trying to see everybody and help everybody get to church. We literally had so many things to do with no time to do it. Thursday we had set up an appointment with the Stake President and President Gulbrandsen came. But the Stake President didn't show up. So it turned to an hour lesson with President Gulbrandsen, Elder Lane and I. Wow. Can I say amazing? Sure, we've got quite a bit of changing to do, but President helped me to get a better vision on things and how to be a better leader. He really made a point when he said that he wants us to work with the recent converts and the members on the 5-5-5 program (Do you have this in our ward?). This is really where we've been having success. President went with us to a recent convert family and we had a great lesson. So that was cool. Every second I am with President I am learning something. He is SO AMAZING! :D

Elder Lane and I are getting along pretty well. He likes to be clean! (YES!) and helps out a lot. We've been trying to figure out how to best work the area. Last transfer we just went out and found people and taught. All the people that we found last transfer (that weren´t baptized and aren't progressing) we've dropped. Right now we are making a HUGE map and organizing all of the members, former investigators, and all that jazz. It's gonna be sick. Like 2 meters long... so 7 feet by 3.5? something like that. It's gonna be legit. I'll take pictures of it when I am done.

So you want to hear a miracle? Well, it's not HUGE, but it's big enough for me. We've been teaching a 13-year old and his Dad kinda got a little mad at us for coming by often. So he restricted us to only pass by on Fridays. The kid freaked out a bit of baptism because we showed a lot of urgency to get him into the water. Well, we had a lesson on Friday with his Aunt (an awesome active member who is a PERFECT missionary) and we just took it cool. We read 3 Nephi 27 with him (he didn't read it for homework so we read with them) and explained about the Church and about the doctrine of baptism. Suddenly he clicked and understood the importance of baptism and why we need to get baptized ASAP. So I asked him when he wanted to get baptized and he said next Saturday. That night he asked his Dad for permission and everything is all good! :D :D :D :D His dad is a less active member and his mom isn't a member. The mom is going to the service with various other family members that aren't members. The Dad wants to go back to church, but in his own time period. So we can't do anything about that. But we are going to have an awesome baptism to round out the month. :D

Things are pretty awesome here. We've got some sweet plans for the zone and we are seeing the Lord's kingdom progress here in Zarate. Things are going very well. I love you all and hope everyone is well. Until next Monday! :D

Love,
Elder M. Watson

Short Note

2011-10-24T16:52:00.000-07:00

Hola!

Well, I don't have much time today. Being so far from the Mission Offices has really made us short on P-Day. We went to go pick up our new companion Elder Lane. Yes, the same Elder Lane who was in Rio Gallegos and the same who added me on Facebook before the mission. Oh yea!

So Elder Harris and Elder Heath went home. That was sad. And tough. Having not one but two elders just getting close to the end of their missions was pretty hard on Elder Quintana and I. But we had a rocking week still and everything went great. We had a baptism and two confirmations. Things are doing really well.

So that's basically all the time I have today. Love you all and be good! :D

Love,
Elder Watson

Another Week - a ton of stuff!!

2011-10-10T12:00:00.000-07:00

Divisions with Baradero

Dear Family,

Well, this week was pretty amazing! I'll let you in on it as I go. :D

Tuesday was District Meeting and Divisions! I went to a city nearby called Campana. We were able to teach a lot and I was able to do a baptismal interview for one of their investigators. The work is about to burst here! The zone Zárate is just so ready! I had a good time with Elder Curbela. I even got to show my cooking skills. :D

Wednesday I went back with McDonalds for Lunch with Elder Harris. We went to work and had a good day. Thursday was a lovely planning session! (It's really hard to stay focused for 4 hours straight with 3 other elders with one of them not wanting to do it at all....... Ugh.) But we split the weekly planning session up into two groups and we were quite productive. Then I left with Elder Heath and went out to work. Friday was a great day. I went with Elder Quintana and taught a lot and got a lot done. Oh... by the way - It rained from Thursday to Saturday. And when it rains here, it pours. And that makes riding bikes fun - especially when you're going through the mud. Friday, we shot over to find an investigator who lives on the OTHER side of town --- with lots of mud in between. Apart from sliding in the mud on bikes, one happens to lose control and eats it. Yea... I fell. But I didn't get too dirty. It was funny - afterwards. You can ask Elder Quintana.

Saturday we had a baptism! Micaela's mom got baptized. Afterwards, we visited with an investigator that can get baptized at ANY moment. We just need to help him gain his testimony again. Then we went to Campana again for another baptismal interview and we helped them with the baptism due to the fact that not many people showed up. We got back and visited with another couple that we are working with (the boyfriend has been inactive for 6 years). They went to general conference and we watched the restoration with them and we got down on our knees and prayed. She received her answer! How cool! We left committing them both to go to church and they said they would.

Sunday was an interesting day. Elder Harris woke up with a big fever and body aches and so I volunteered to stay home with him. Just to say right now - what torture for a missionary to be inside ALL DAY LONG. I about died. I studied in the morning, watched a talk by Elder Holland on our DVD player we got from the mission and Legacy. I also cleaned and organized and paced a bit. I read a couple letters and listened to a tape I received. But being stuck inside all day long is not a good thing. AT ALL. I think if I ever stay inside a house all day long again I will go crazy! Haha. But now he's better and so we are all good. But we also had Micaela´s dad baptized and Micaela and Claudia (her mom) got confirmed. It was a good day even though there were only two going out and about.

We played soccer again! :D Tomorrow Elder Heath and Harris have to go to the mission home for their going home interviews ---- they have a LARGE group so President is getting ahead on that. That's weird. People go home from the mission? This is the first time I have been with someone that goes home and luckily we have SO much work there is no time for them to be trunky. This transfer has been very very fast. But very good as well.

Well, that is about it. Thanks for all that you do! If you can, can you make most of my classes in the morning and before 2? I just focus way better on books and stuff in the morning. Thanks!

Love you all! Be good!

Elder Watson

Conferencia General!

2011-10-03T16:37:00.000-07:00

Elders Watson, Harris, Heath, and Quintana

Dear Family,

What a week! Time flies by so fast now! It is UNFAIR!

We did divisions this week. We brought Elder Caon to our area Tuesday and Wednesday (One day with Elder Harris and one day with me. Elder Heath went to Baradero). That was a good experience.

I lost my voice this week... It's still in the process of coming back. But Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday were bad... like it hurt to talk. But now everything is good. :D This week we prepared a zone baptism---- 4 people! :D We had one baptism, Micaela, while the sisters in Zarate II baptized a Father and Daughter and the Elders in Lima (not Peru) baptized a little girl of a part-member family. That was an adventure and a half. Talk about complicated. We did not prepare very well but in the end, it all came out well.

Conference was AMAZING! I love conference sooooo much! I think it goes by so quickly because I am writing the whole time! Haha. I loved Elder Callister's talk as well as Elder Scott's. Basically they were all inspired and amazing!

Well, we played soccer today (is there a surprise? :D) but this time on an Astroturf field. We paid 20 pesos each to play on the field for an hour and a half or so. That was nice. :D

Micaela's parents are getting baptized this weekend so that is awesome. We are really doing some great work, enough to keep the four of us VERY busy. :D I am loving every minute of it.

BTW - Mom, if you can get a weight class in, that would be WONDERFUL! My legs are getting much more pumped, but overall I am out of shape. I am definitely going to have to go running and play lots of sports when I get home. It's just not fair when there are so many good sweet things! Alafajors.....Lots of stuff. :D

Anyways say hi to everyone for me. Mom, can you say hi to the Vera Family for me?

Love,

Elder Watson

Real Fast

2011-09-29T15:20:00.001-07:00

Dear Family,

Well, I just got back from downtown (Capítal) from doing a bunch of paperwork to make me legal again... (I should have done this when I was in Río Gallegos but all the papers were here so that was a bit of a complication. So here I am with a little bit of time to write.

This week went well. We are working hard to help people understand the importance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ - Going to Church, living the Commandments, that sacrifices are rewarded with blessings and most of all, following the example of Jesus Christ and being baptized by someone who holds the priesthood authority of God. We have 2 or 3 baptisms planned this weekend for conference so that is good! :D Good, I mean great! I am really pumped for General Conference! It's going be great. We are getting down the working in between four and things are really turning out.

I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer. Every time I bear my testimony and teach about Him, I feel the Holy Spirit so strongly. I am grateful (like David) for His love for me, that He was willing to suffer and die for me - for my imperfections, weaknesses and sins. The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ and testifies the truth of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I know that Joseph Smith was called of God to be the first Prophet in the dispensation and that Thomas S. Monson is the living prophet today. This simple truths come from asking God with real intent, with faith in Christ that comes from a desire to follow Him. I love Him. I don't know where I would be without him.

Thank you for all that you do for me. I am forever grateful. Everything sounds great back at home. Say hi to everyone for me! :D

Love,
Elder Michael C. Watson
Misión Argentina Buenos Aires Norte

September 19th Already?

2011-09-23T15:16:00.001-07:00

Dear Family,

It's already Monday the 19th? Freak... How does time go by so fast? This week was pretty busy.

Tuesday and Thursday we had training meetings. We had to take an hour and a half bus to downtown and then take a train up to San Fernando. All around it's about 4 hours round trip each day. But we learned a ton! It kinda sucks now that I have to go to the meetings... I can't go to a computer nearby and just watch from Skype. But now I can participate more and understand a lot more of what is going on. (Doing meetings by Skype can be tricky.... especially when you can't see the chalkboard or hear what's going on.)

Wednesday was District meeting and then back to Zarate 1 to go find some people to BAPTIZE. Thursday after the training meeting I went with one of our District Leaders to his area that is about 3 hours away in bus. So after that ride we got to the area about 8:30 so we had time enough to go by one house. Friday we had weekly planning and then I went out with them to work. Let's just say it wasn't the best of days. I was actually kinda stumped and didn't know what to do but to just say keep going and everything will be all right. Talking with President this morning helped to realize more of the purpose of divisions and I learned a lot. Hearing, you forget, Writing it down, you remember, Doing, you learn. I could have done better in the showing and doing part. I kinda sit in the back and observe and kinda comment and talk with the Elders.... What I need to do is talk with them and then show what they can do. I'm a leader for a reason. So that was a help to realize one of the purposes of divisions. I really didn't know what to do on divisions but now I've got a better view on it.

Saturday morning we came back and rocked the day. We passed by a bunch of investigators trying to find a baptism for this weekend and inviting everyone to Church. Sunday came around and we had 4 investigators in Church and had some good meetings. Elder Heath and Elder Quintana had to give talks so that was fun. Lol. Today we just got done playing soccer.... (HURRAY FOR THE NORTH! :D) and now have the rest of the day to do the stuff we need to. :D

That's tight that Dad went surfing! I saw the picture and said "What in the world is he doing on a surfboard? He's gonna get a bleed!" (Who do I sound like? jaja) So I guess you're doing well health wise.

I am doing well. We are working super hard.... Slowly we are learning how to plan between the four. We might have to split the area and assign two and two (President's idea) but we'll see. It's nice that we can be all over and have two appointments at a time. Now imagine that the 4 of us knowing the area and getting four members to do divisions. SWEET! That would be super tight. Anyways, hope everything is well. Love you all and be good!

Love,

Elder Michael Watson

Working in a Foursome!

2011-09-12T18:47:00.001-07:00

Hello Family,

Well, I don't have much time but here's an update.

Working in a foursome is quite the chore. We are always rotating who goes with who and where we go. We aren't two companionships but we are one of four. It's different but it's pretty awesome. I am with Elder Heath, Elder Harris, and Elder Quintana (From Chihuahua Mexico... He speaks PERFECT English ---- even street talk ---- everything. It's like I am back home when I talk to him.) Things are going really well. We've been struggling with planning because we have to do twice as much in the same time but it's getting better. Sunday at church was the best. We could all split up and talk to everybody we needed to right after Sacrament meeting ended and split up two here and two there to go do stuff. It's tight! Being in four rocks!

We played soccer today so that's the reason I don't have much time. The Cybers (we were do our emailing) were all filled up so we wasted a bit of time looking for one with computers open. But it's all cool. Anyways, I love it here in Zarate and we are going to work very well here. Everything's all good. :D Say hi to everybody and I love you.

Love,
Elder Michael C. Watson
Misión Argentina Buenos Aires Norte

Back in Buenos Aires

2011-09-05T16:37:00.000-07:00

Hey!

So guess what. I am no longer in the south.......... I am in Buenos Aires! I am in a place called Zarate. I am with Elder Heath and Elder Harris. For now. We are supposed to get a newbie tomorrow. So we three are zone leaders/trainers. It is an experiment I am told. I didn't even know where I was going and who my companion was going to be. I left yesterday at 5:30 and got to Ushuaia about 10:30. Just then Elder Brown told me that I was going to be in Zarate. So yea. That was fun. So after a 4 hour flight and an hour drive I am in a short sleeve shirt with my hands sweaty. The coolest thing? We have bikes. YEA!

Anyways... That's the update. The week went well. We did divisions with the members a bit so that we could get more work done. I like being on divisions with the members and you can tell the members enjoy doing the work too.

Well, that's about it. Just tired after traveling so much. How does it (traveling) do it to you? I am so excited that the Solarios got sealed! That's so tight. Thanks for keeping me updated on everything. Even though I don't comment on everything I appreciate every bit.

I will be sending pictures next week. Love you all and talk to you soon!

Love,
Elder Michael Watson

Another Crazy Week!

2011-08-29T16:23:00.000-07:00

Dear Family,

Well, every week is becoming an adventure! :D

This week we did exchanges, two baptismal interviews, went to Ushuaia (oo-shwhy-a) for interviews with President, had two baptisms in our building (not ours but the zone´s) and yea. That was fun. Wednesday we did exchanges with Austral - an area of just mud. Just like San Benito. I felt at home. :D That was fun. Thursday we had a baptismal interview in Chacra (the other area in our zone/district - there are only 6 proselyting missionaries, 8 with Elder and Sister Downs. Elder Downs is the branch president of Austral). Friday we left Río Grande at 6 in the morning to go down to Ushuaia (the most southern tip of missionaries in the world) for our interviews/zone conference with President Gulbrandsen. I was hoping to have a second interview, but he remembered that he interviewed me in Calafate so I didn't get another one. Bummer. Anyways, a pretty drive and good socializing with the other missionaries.

Other than that everything is going well. I am learning a ton and being humbled every step of the way. I am nothing, but with Christ I can do everything. Every time I think I have a hold on something, something happens to show me my dependence on the Gospel and my Savior. He is the only one who can save us. Through the Spirit, he leads and guides us. We have to shut our mouths sometimes and just listen so that we can do His will and not ours.

That's sweet that you got to spend time with Papa, and the Watson Clan. Send my love to all. I am glad you are doing well. I was sad last week because there wasn't an email but there were two this week... Haha. Anyways, I've gotta go. Love you!

Elder Michael C. Watson
Misión Argentina Buenos Aires Norte

Saludos del Sur

2011-08-22T15:44:00.000-07:00

Hey all!

This week went by way too fast. Time just keeps getting faster. Sometimes I wonder if I even sleep. But hey, life keeps going if you are ready or not.

I really don't have that much to tell this week. We had 8 investigators in church! :D That was awesome. Things are a little complicated to put a baptismal date with them right now, but we are working on it. It's weird how things can be so close yet so far. I think I need to rely on a bit more on revelation. Only help from Heaven can get us around some things.

We got our mail this week. I got a letter from Cybill, Joanna, and Michelle. Actually a couple from the last. ;) Michelle sent me a small painting of Jerusalem that I put up on the wall by my study desk. I always feel a bit better after getting mail. It's kinda like a battery charger.

We are working hard to find more men and families to teach. Without finding new investigators, we are going to run out of people to teach. We talked with President today over the phone about the zone, how it’s doing and what's going on. I love talking to president. He is so inspired and helps us so much! I wish I could be as inspiring.

He talked to us a bit about faith. It never ceases to amaze me how many opportunities we have to show our faith. If I would realize and act on every opportunity that I receive daily to act and show my faith, there would be a lot more spiritual growth on my part.

Something cool that happened. We did exchanges and I went over to Chacra to work with Elder Lemo. The last appointment of the day was with a young man. Our goal for the appointment was to put a baptismal date with him. We get there and settle in and Elder Lemo asks the mom and grandma to share with us a scripture (because we do it all the time haha). They sat there looking or thinking, maybe both when an 8 year old girl that was recently baptized says, "I like 2 Nephi 31:13." I looked over at her and said, "You were inspired, let's go there." How could an 8 year old girl choose the perfect scripture about baptism? The Holy Ghost brought the scripture to the mind of the special daughter of our Heavenly Father so that this young man could receive the teaching he needed. With a couple of testimonies of baptisms, Elder Lemo commits this young man to baptism, which he accepted. Before when he heard the word baptism, he turned off. That day, the Spirit touched him and this Saturday he enters into the waters of baptism. Maybe we should pay more attention to the small impressions (or maybe start involving children in our spiritual experiences).

Anyways, I don't have much more to say. Hope you are all well. May the Spirit be with you. Always.

Love,

Elder Michael C. Watson
Misión Argentina Buenos Aires Norte
La Mejor en el Mundo y Lo sabes!

Huge Letter

2011-08-15T17:18:00.000-07:00

Mis seres queridos,

Well, you guys got to see your fair share of cool things! Let me share with you the GLACIERS! They were amazing! On top of that, we saw a huge chunk of ice fall... about the size of a house! It was like the movies... all slow motion... even the water spraying up from the lake. It was insane. I hope we can come back one day as family so you can enjoy it! On the way up.... All the snow! The picture outside of us... it was VERY COLD and VERY WINDY out there... if you zoom in you can see hair being pushed up....

I think I said last week that I needed to buy boots... This is why --> After one day of work... (he sent pictures of his shoes) I bought some boots for 415 pesos... There wasn't enough money on my card so I bought them with cash that I pulled out from Calafate. Just so you know what's going on with the expenditure of the money I pulled out.

Alright... so I realize it's been 3 weeks since I've written an acceptable letter... so here's what happened; two weeks ago we went to Calafate (People say it's like Park City, Utah, huge tourist attraction) and then we scooted on up to the glacier about another hour north. We went with a member who had a convi (a van with lots of seats!) with the zone. We had lots of fun talking on the way up... It took us about three hours to get to Calafate. Once there, we got the elders there and started the drive up. The snowy landscape was incredible! The mountains were amazing and in places the mountains were orange from the reflected sunlight... it was so beautiful! The glacier was up in the mountains so we hit a windy road up (at least it's paved now... it wasn't a little while back). When we turned a corner and saw the glacier it was jaw dropping! You need a VERY BIG glass of root beer to put the piece of ice in it. Basically yea. So we got up to parking and President was there waiting for us with his wife and his son Brad. While we walked down to the observation balconies, President pulled us aside one by one to a balcony so that we could have our interviews. What a special experience! I am sure that will probably never happen again. While waiting we talked with Brad about his mission and what he did. (Let's just say he was very successful in the Philippines.) We were inspired and uplifted and received some very good ides. Now that part is to put them to practice. After everyone was done, we said good-bye and headed back down. We got some sandwiches at a local grocery store and headed back down to Río Gallegos. We got home around 10:30 or 11 and we were very tired. It was an amazing experience.

That week went well. We struggled a bit to find our investigators but everything turned out to be all right. The shocking moment came right after church. We were standing in the halls trying to set up some appointments and we got a call from the office elders advising me that my plane to Ushuaia would be leaving tomorrow and I would be going to Río Grande. Can you say shocked? We were just finishing week 2 of the transfer and I thought I was home free for at least until September. I guess not. Anyways, that was sad news. So we finished the day as normal as we could. That night I packed everything up and was filled with mixed feelings. Going to a new place and then leaving a place I had come to fall in love with. There are some amazing people there. Anyways, my plane left at 1 on Monday so a couple we are teaching and the Vera Family came to say good-bye. That was tough, but what are you going to do about it?

I got on the plane for an hour and then we were in Ushuaia.... NEVER thought I was going to ever go there! Well, I was only there for a couple hours, but hey! I was there. I took a van up to Río Grande at 5 and enjoyed the ride up.... the only bad part was that I was sitting above a heater. SOOOOOOO HOT. That wasn't fun with my jacket, suit coat, sweater, and shirt... Ugh. I was able to take it off but in doing so, my nametag (in Guaraní) fell off (yes David, I wear it sometimes...) and the magnet strip on the back of it fell into a crack that leads to the frame. So I still have the important part, I just can’t wear it now. I tried super hard to get it back, but we would have had to take apart the whole floor for it. Anyways, after the ride I got to the apartment around 9 and we left to go teach a family a couple blocks away. We finished teaching, came back, planned and I hit the sack. Traveling is tiring! I am still tired.

All right, now we've gotten to this week. I am in Río Grande in Tierra del Fuego (for real this time). This area is amazing. Apart from being COLD.... it is ready to burst. We had two people come up to us and contact us... one a member from Corrientes another a former investigator that wants to start listening again with his girlfriend. This place is ready for a lot of work. I am in Centro (basically down town) so that is sweet. We have a ton of people to teach and baptize... we just have to help them progress a bit. :D I am SUPER SUPER SUPER DUPER EXCITED! Río Grande is really an amazing place and there's going to be some awesome stuff happening. The branch president is amazing; as well with almost every member I have met. There's going to be some great stuff. I'm excited! :D

Well, it was snowing earlier but now it's stopped. I am happy and things are going great.

Now to all the stuff you are doing. That's pretty sweet you were able to talk to a lot of people. So the Genesis is the Kat's replacement? Pretty gnarly. Hiking and Canoeing! I miss that. There's going to be a lot of stuff to do... After hibernating for the time that I can. I think I can take power naps with Dad now... haha.

Send my love to Kyoko and all the family. That's some tough stuff. We just need to trust in the Lord and His Plan for us.

Well, that's all I've got now. I love you and hope all is well. Thank you for all the stuff that you for me. I really appreciate everything. Talk to you next week!

Elder Michael C. Watson

Misión Argentina Buenos Aires Norte

La Mejor en el Mundo y Lo sabes!

Transferred! Further South...

2011-08-09T13:39:00.000-07:00

HEY!

So I am not dead... just in Tierra del Fuego... For reals this time. I am in place called Río Grande with Elder Finlay (He's from California... ROCK ON! :D) I flew down to Ushuaia and took a four hour van north up to Río Grande. It was a sweet drive. Lots of mountain ranges and snow. Something that wasn't in Río Gallegos that much. This will be fun. Oh... I am going to have to buy boots because the shoes that I bought won't work too well here.... Seeing that they are broken with my eccos and rockports. But I can take these to a shoemaker and he can fix them. But boots are kinda necessary I guess.

Leaving Gallegos was hard. Right in the middle of a transfer with lots of good stuff going on. I got a call after church yesterday telling me I was going and basically had my last day to do things. I am going to miss the Vera Family a lot as well as our investigators.... But hey, you gotta do what you gotta do.

Well, I will send more next week with lots of pictures of the glaciers- They were fantastic! A block of ice the size of the house fell off and it was amazing. I just couldn't get a picture of it because my batteries died after like 5 minutes of use. (I charged them for like 3 days.... I need new ones too.) Hope you are all well!

Love,

Elder Michael C. Watson
Misión Argentina Buenos Aires Norte
La Mejor en el Mundo y Lo sabes!

Short Letter This Week

2011-08-01T13:59:00.001-07:00

Dear Family,

Well, this week is going to be a small letter. We are going to Calafate tomorrow (an area within our zone – 2 ? hours away from the city...) to have our interviews with President and to go see the glacier Perito Moreno. :D Usually the Elders from Calafate to come see us... but now we are going to go see them. Sweet!

So Elder Simper and I are going to stay together for another transfer! That'll be fun. :D We are going to have an amazing month - lots of teaching and baptizing. By the way... Our mission broke the record for most baptisms in a month in the history of Buenos Aires Norte - 146. That's more than double of last July. We are really focusing on planning in chapter 8 of Preach My Gospel and getting people to go to Church - members and nonmembers. Our job is not to only baptize but to lift where we stand. I am learning some great stuff that will help me for the rest of my life.

This week we taught a lot about becoming who God wants us to be rather than what who we think we want to be, inspired by the talk from General Conference. Ser o Hacer - To be or to do. We can do the things without being. We can become the thing by doing. We become holy and pure by keeping the commandments and making sacred promises (covenants) and staying faithful to said promise. When we are baptized by someone who possesses the holy authority of God (The Aaronic or Melchizedek Priesthood), we are cleansed of our sins and we make the promise to keep the commandments and to always remember Christ. Since we are not perfect, we must renew that covenant (or make it again) by partaking of the Sacrament every week. If we do not partake of the Sacrament, the Holy Spirit will distance himself away from us until we purify ourselves. It's simple, the Spirit cannot dwell in unclean temples. We cleanse our temple (1 Corinthians 3:16-17) by repenting (which includes humbling ourselves (Mosiah 3:19)), being baptized if you haven't been and if you have, partaking of the sacrament, bearing your testimony and participating in the missionary work. The important thing is that we become like Christ - and the way we become, is to do. So let us make sure our to do switch is on now and not later. And if you have a doubt, what do you need to do to obtain an answer? The response is to ask God in the name of Christ if it is true - and if it is, the Holy Ghost will answer that prayer because it testifies of all truth.

It may sound like we've got some hard stuff to do. We do. But our Heavenly Father does not expect more than what we can give - every effort is pleasing unto him. We can make the ride and ending better by having a great attitude. BE HAPPY! The glass is half full, not half empty and it's always a good day. Look for the blessings - there are SO many. Usually they are just hidden. And what fun is it if it is obvious? Looking for them makes them all the more worth it.

Anyways, I am happy to be here and to do the Lord's work. I have SO much time to make a difference and that's what I am doing. I love you all and thanks for all that you do. "If Your Happy and You Know It" is a great song. As well as "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes!"

Love you all! Thanks for all that you do for me. :D

Elder Michael Watson

Walking on Water

2011-07-25T16:23:00.000-07:00

Hey all!

Well, this has been interesting... Transfers are on hold for a week. I don't know if it is only for the south and the ashes from the volcano or what... but we've gotta wait a week. That's fun stuff. I hate transfers.

Wait.... yesterday was Pioneer Day? That's cool. We watched Legacy yesterday with the Vera Family. Haha. What a coink a dink.

This week we did a lot of service. We've been helping the Vera Family with their upstairs room. Putting up Dry Wall and fiberglass. Fun stuff! Haha. I can totally build a house when I get back. Well. Maybe. The cool thing is that a couple we are teaching wanted to come with us to do service. How many investigators offer to do service with us? Not many! That's WAY awesome. Anyways, that was fun.

We are really focusing on working in harmony with the members. It is MUCH more difficult but I know it's worth it. President Gulbrandsen showed us a graph.... If the mission is totally obedient and do everything they should alone, we would baptize around a 100 people a month. If we add on members helping us, that would be 200 people a month. When we get to the point where WE help the MEMBERS with the missionary work, we would have 300 baptisms a month. That means every missionary would have at least 2 baptisms a month. So we are trying to get to the second category first. It's going to require a lot of waking up on the member’s part. It's going to require a lot of change. We can't keep doing things the way we are used to doing to doing them, but it will require adaptation and effort. It's not easy to do missionary work, but it is worth it. Some of the greatest joys in life are reserved for the missionary work. As members, if we get involved with the work, doing what we can to help, not only will they be MUCH more successful, but our lives with be filled with a greater measure of the Holy Ghost. And who doesn't want that? Sure, it means we have to get out of comfort zone. We can help to save the salvation of all those who are around us and help ensure our own personal salvation and the salvation of our loved ones.

I know that the Book of Mormon is true. It has an inspired promise from God that you can read it, ponder its teachings and ask Him in the name of Jesus Christ if it is true. How great a promise! To ask the most Supreme Being in the universe that has all power and He will take the time to answer you personally. The way he will answer is personal and unique. But the Holy Ghost will testify that it is true and you can know it without a doubt. Well. That's about it for now. Next week we'll find out with if I stay or not. (Imagine a pouty face).

Love you!
--
Elder Michael C. Watson
Misión Argentina Buenos Aires Norte
La Mejor en el Mundo y Lo sabes!

Walking on Water

2011-07-19T12:11:00.001-07:00

Well, I am going to start out with the usual phrase - It's cold. Like... I crossed the pond next to my house.... Like literally walking on water. That was a fun experience. The wind was pushing me and it was rather hard to walk. But it saved like .... 2 minutes? If that's worth it, haha.

Well, this week flew by. I was reading dad's journal entry and I realized that my journal writing is lacking.... ALOT. Gotta make that change. We had Zone Conference on Thursday by Skype. That was fun. We learned alot about having a prayer in our hearts as we are teaching and working, asking for Charity. For me it's pretty difficult to think of two things at the exact same time, but it does help you to feel the Spirit. We also learned some great stuff. I can't wait to go over my notes with you to show you EVERYTHING that I am learning. It is so amazing.

We found a couple this week! The girlfriend is a former investigator and already had all the lessons! :D The boyfriend is amazing! Soooooo cool! :D They just have to get married and ya stá (That's it?) We've got to teach him everything, but he didn't even freak out about the law of chastity or anything. He just accepts it. The Lord is really preparing people to hear the Gospel --It's just our job to find them and teach them (it's actually part of the members´ job to help find them, but more on that later). We also have another couple that have almost completed their divorces and can get baptized in September (that may seem like a long time but they've been going to church for a year). They are really excited and so are we. :D

Well, that's about it for now. We are getting a better relationship with our branch - so that's good. And that's about it for now. Love you all. Talk to you next week!

Love,
Elder Watson #2

--
Elder Michael C. Watson
Misión Argentina Buenos Aires Norte
La Mejor en el Mundo y Lo sabes!

Learning and Teaching

2011-07-11T21:27:00.000-07:00

Hey all!

A boring week is all right - it's good that you are healing Mom and it's good to keep Dad busy.

This week went by fine - we had lots of training meetings and lots of things to do so we were plenty busy. Being a zone leader sometimes feels like I am not a missionary - just running around and doing a LOT of errands. But hey, it's part of my responsibility now.

Yesterday was a good experience. Basically, President called early while we were sleeping so that we could get on our knees and pray for the Lord to bless the members and investigators to come to church and so that we could receive revelation on what we could do to help them get to church. After the prayer we called investigators and some members, etc. to no avail. Anyways, we gathered a report for the Zone and related it back to President. President then told us some success stories as well as his point of view on the activity - that it was a demonstration of who had oil in their lamps and who didn't. I learned that I need to be doing the small stuff daily to have the wondrous results that my Heavenly Father has planned for His children. By way of me, He can bless the lives of those who live in Seis de Abril. Now it's up to me to live up to His expectations and llevar a cabo (bring to pass) His desires for the people here. This works for everything - we need to be doing to little stuff every day so that the Lord can bless us - both in the small everyday matters and with miracles.

Elder Simper received a score of talks from his parents last week. (MAIL CAME! Thanks for all the stuff! :D) We've been listening to Michael Wilcox and he is awesome! We've listened to - "The Fourth Watch" and "Walking on Water." Both of them are pretty sweet. I would definitely recommend listening to them - they certainly helped me out.

I've been learning more and more about becoming a missionary of action and of faith. It's been a real wake up call but it's helping me a ton. It's kind of hard for me to make decisions, but I am definitely learning (slowly but surely) of how to live the commandments rather than just follow them. It requires a LOT of action - more than I am used to but it's helping me to grow up.

Like I mentioned, I've been listening to Michael Wilcox - and he brought up a point I had never thought about. I thought that our Father might be slow to forgive or that it requires a ton of work to receive forgiveness. While it requires a lot of work, he will forgive us immediately - just like Christ taught we should forgive someone seven times a day if they are truly repentant, Heavenly Father will forgive us seven times in a day because He would not command us to do something if He does not do or had done it. Now it's not an excuse to sin - it's more of how merciful He is and His desire to help us grow. I've always been hard on the justice side of things - living the law and being perfect. While those are commandments, realizing the merciful side of our Father, it has helped me to come closer to Him. The only reason to fear His presence is if we are wicked and unrepentant. If we are striving to live the gospel, repenting as necessary, and really give all of our efforts - there is no need to fear. Just like D&C 45:3 states (I think) that Christ is our advocate and He will help us to overcome what we could not. We are not perfect - but we can be through the merits and blood of the Lamb. I started to read 2 Nephi 9 today and thought a lot about the Atonement and apply it to one of our investigator who is waiting for a sign to be baptized. In my studies for him, I found many things that helped me - how about that -> studying for my investigators actually helps me; a fulfillment of a promise President Gulbrandsen gave to us.

I am really learning so much out here - sometimes I feel like my head will explode with so much information. But I enjoy learning. :D I hope you are well and aren't hurting a lot. I love you a lot!

Love,

Elder Michael C. Watson
Misión Argentina Buenos Aires Norte
La Mejor en el Mundo y Lo sabes!

Happy 4th of July!!!!!!!!!!! The Weather Outside is Frightful... Wait - that is Christmas Music.

2011-07-04T11:16:00.000-07:00

So we started off this morning in a very special way. Calling the American Missionaries in our zone and singing them the Star-Spangled Banner to start off the day. :D And then we listened to a WHOLE bunch of American music - America the Beautiful, Amazing Grace..... stuff like that! :D

You also know you are in the bottom of the world when there is snow and ice on July Fourth. That's right... It SNOWED! It snowed on Friday but it's all gone - but the ice is EVER present. For instance yesterday morning I completely biffed it. It reminded me of a time when I was walking with a couple of friends at BYU where I biffed it hard when I told them I would catch them and we fell down together...(Smart thing for a California boy to say.) But this time I just hit the ground hard by myself. But it was all cool. More cold. But yea. Anyways, let's just say that's what the weather is like. COLD! I am kinda tempted to put my tongue to a metal pole to see what would happen. And then again.... that's probably not too smart.

So this week went by really fast. But it was really good. I had a really good self-analysis this week and with the help of Elder Simper I totally was able to make some decisions to better myself. We also had a leadership counsel where all the zone leaders get together to discuss what's going on in the mission and how we can get better. We are in the south so we get to participate via Skype. It was pretty neat. We have another one on Tuesday and Wednesday so that'll be fun too. We have a couple of investigators that are progressing and they have baptismal dates for the 16th. We are pretty excited to be working right now. We've got a whole bunch of good stuff going on. We talked to President this morning and that was VERY enlightening. It was amazing. He shared with us an experience he had recently when he was meditating on the Atonement and the importance of going to Church. Basically, making things short - The mathematical process of The Gospel of Jesus Christ is Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ which leads to Repentance which leads to Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins by those who hold the authority of God (Priesthood - Article of Faith 5) thereof which leads to the Gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying of hands by those who hold the Priesthood. After all that we keep doing the process (equation) until we die. That's the letter of the law. Now here comes the Spirit of the Law. What is Our Father's purpose for us - "To bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man" Moses 1:39. We gain the ETERNAL LIFE by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel. We become as the Father is by leaving the evil and cleaving unto everything that is righteous. Basically if it does not coincide with the Father, we should leave it. Now. But how can we become like the Father - again, another process. We desire to change, so we are baptized, leaving the old person behind and starting over again. We go to church to unite the family, and to further the changing process. We are literally trying to leave the natural man behind. All of him - desires, flaws, mortality. Mortality is already taken care of by the Atonement. Our desires and flaws are part of our decision to change. We decide to repent. We decide to go to Church. We choose our environment (our friends, homes, work... basically everything.) Is what we have inviting us to come unto Christ? If it doesn't, should we have it? Does it invite us to become better people? I know it's a hard decision to make - we have grown to love many things that are good. But we must think about better and then BEST. How would we feel if Jesus Christ should come into our home? Would he be comfortable? Would everything inside be appropriate for a perfect being to behold? There might be a lot of sacrifice involved - but I declare unto you that it is worth it. It is worth every bit - why? Eternal Life and Eternal Progression are things that are not worth giving up. Having the eternal guilt that things COULD have been better? Not for me. The mission has changed a lot of my points of view - but I have one goal- to become as close unto Christ as I possible can. I won't be perfect - but I can try to be. You may ask, what's the point if you cannot do it in this life? My point is that you reap what you sow. You spend your whole life sowing, you will spend eternity reaping the benefits. Is that worth 100 years of hard work? You Betcha. We are in the world but we are not of the world.

So yea. I've been realizing a lot of great things and I hope I am helping your testimonies to grow and flourish. I know I am not perfect and I do not know a lot - but I do know this - Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer. He died for me. All He asked me to do is to take my cross and follow Him - be obedient, follow His example, do my best and let every thought glorify the Father. Easy, right? If it was easy, it wouldn't be of God. The things he requires are simple, but yet so difficult. May we always choose to do what is right (CTR). To judge the right from the wrong is as plain as day from night. Now choosing to act upon what is right is the test.

I love you all. I really do. I know I come down hard every email. I am sorry if I offend anyone. If you feel hurt or angry, I apologize. But I also ask and even invite you to do something if you feel so. What is it that makes you hurt? Is it in accordance with the Savior and His teachings? I make mistakes of which I am fully aware. But my belief and resolve is this - that we leave the natural man and become like a child - submissive, meek, humble, willing to submit to all things. Leaving is a process. You have to unlock the door, turn the handle, pull open the door, step through and close the door. (Locking it is a GREAT idea) But as we are leaving the bad and cleaving unto the good, please don't look back. And ripping off the Band-Aid is much better than slowly tugging. Just keep your sight forward to the goal - Eternal Life with our Family and loved ones, our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ and our Beloved Heaven Father. May we do this, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

_ _
Elder Michael C. Watson
Misión Argentina Buenos Aires Norte
La Mejor en el Mundo y Lo sabes!

Schools Out!?!

2011-06-27T18:10:00.001-07:00

Buenas!

So basically Mom's description of her week reminded me of my last week of high school. I am SO GLAD I NEVER have to go through that again. Senioritis is horrible. Wow... Jonathon Freeman is giving talks and playing the piano? When I get home he's going to be taller than me! That's just weird. But that's all right - because I am never coming home! :D

So this week was very interesting. The best part was that... we had a baptism! :D Everything just worked out perfectly (which was weird. VERY weird.) The only bad thing that happened is that neither of us had our cameras (my batteries were dead) so there are no pictures. But comparatively, that is something really minor that can happen.

Also, we talked with President this morning and he told us that Elder Simper is going to stay with me - SWEETNESS! That's basically awesome if you can't tell. He's a very good elder and we're going to have a lot of success and fun. :D Which means one of two things. He either leaves next transfer or I will stay here until like... September/October. I hope the second option. This area is so amazing. One of the reasons is the Vera Family. They are just amazing! Oh, Mom! She studied a bit to become an English teacher and can totally read and write in English. So you can talk to her! This is the family that is going to get sealed in a temple in a year. Without a doubt. They are awesome! They are my second family here! We are having a “war” right now. You remember what we did with Uncle Chris with ALL that candy inside of our car and then we did it back to him... Yea. So they gave us "Cascarilla" or the shells of cocoa beans. You put that in a coffee maker and it makes something like hot chocolate but less sweet and less thick. It is basically amazing. Anyways, they gave us a Tupperware filled with Cascarilla and so we hide it in their car (when they give us rides home basically every night from San Benito), in their house.... It's a ton of fun! :D

Something funny that happened. You know how EVERYBODY who has been to Argentina says that there are a ton of dogs? Well, proof of that would be the dog in our sacrament meeting. Somehow it got in right before the meeting started and we had to take it out. That was weird, but funny. Oh yea. As well, you remember when I struggled to give a 10 minute talk. Yesterday I gave a talk and it could have easily gone for 30 minutes. There's just not enough time. And teaching lessons are better. There's interaction and you are not listening to Elder Watson blab and blab about missionary work. I choose a talk in the Feburary 2005 Liahona as my theme; Seven Lessons on how to Share the Gospel by Elder Clayton Christiansen. That was cool. But I guess I need to say the most important things. Anyways, talks at home are gonna be fun! :D

So yea. Seis de Abril is amazing! We have three investigators that we are teaching that can be baptized in July. Two of them on the 16th and we are going to see if the other one can be baptized on the 8th (The 9th is a branch activity.) but we'll see. That's about it. I am doing good. It's not actually THAT cold. Just a bit. Love you all. Be good. I hope to hear from you. That's if we get our mail. Awesome Volcano. Anyways, take the good with the bad.

Say HOLA to everyone, Los Johnson, Jones, Jelaty, Watson (Pres y his wife), the WARD, and the Family... Basically EVERYONE!

Love,

Elder Watson #2

Happy Father's Day!!

2011-06-20T16:35:00.001-07:00

Wow. Talk about a week that FLEW! I can't believe it's over. Everything just kinda blurred together and I really don't remember much. President Gulbrandsen called to see how the week went and basically Elder Simper (my temporary companion and my x-zone leader :D) took it under control and did the report. I was just basically... uhhhhhhhhhhhh yea. That. Now I have more of an idea of how to do the report over the phone. It was weird, but it's what President Gulbrandsen does with the Zone Leaders so that was really cool.

I basically had a lot of meetings this week due to being a zone leader. We do our meetings through Skype because we can't go up to Buenos Aires and back... that would be a little inefficient. So that was interesting. The mission is still waiting to fly the missionaries up because the there aren't any flights. That's all right; I am learning a bunch from Elder Simper. He's AWESOME! :D So yea... that's a fun situation. But the work still keeps going.

So something that we do now is that we pray before every visit to find new investigators, to have the love of Christ and the Spirit with us. And when the scriptures say "Pedid y recibiréis, Llamad (SHamad) y se os abrirá." "Ask and ye shall receive, knock and it shall be opened unto you." it means exactly that. We're just starting to see the miracles that the Lord has prepared for us. He is ready to give, but are we ready to receive? Are we working diligently for our Salvation? Are we doing the daily little things to gain our testimonies and to feel the Spirit? Are we making the little decisions to help us get closer unto our Father? This life isn't about making huge decisions... it's about making the small ones. Sure we've got big decisions to make every once in a while - the mission, college, job, marriage - but how many decisions are those? And then think about your day today. How many decisions did you make? Did they draw you closer to the Savior? You may be thinking that there are decisions that really don't matter. You may have a point. But even what clothes we wear is a decision to come closer unto the Savior. Are we looing for the bulls-eye or are we looking for the limits. If we talked about archery, where do you want to hit? Obviously the center. The same way with obedience. We try to get the closest as we can to the center. That way if we miss, there is a margin of error where we'll still be all right. But if you are a semi driver and you think you can drive on the edge of a cliff and not fall off - good for you. Now what happens if you make a mistake? Chau. We AIM for the center, not for the limits. It's not important if we think that doesn't break the "rules" - It's important that we would do as Christ would or as He would want us to do. There is a ton of stuff that is good. There are more that are better. And then there are those that are best. Which one will you choose? Which one would our Father in Heaven want us to choose? Wow. That's two emails in a row about obedience. Sorry. It's just something I can get carried away with.

Well, there's not much more that is interesting. We could have two baptisms this weekend. That would be amazing! Miracles are something to be worked for, not to be waited for. D&C 58:26-27.

I hope all is well, that everyone is good. Say "Hi" to everybody. Love you! :D

Elder Watson

The quickest companionship ever...

2011-06-13T16:45:00.000-07:00

Dear Seres Queridos,

What do you mean a bore? It's awesome all the things that go on at home! :D

So this week was interesting. It was hard but I learned a lot. A lot of things fell through and people are just tough to work with sometimes. I don't think I will go into customer service when I get home.

So we have transfers this week, right? Well, I thought I was safe. Like I didn't have a big leadoff or anything. But the pitcher is way too fast and unpredictable. Basically I am not training anymore. I am a zone leader now. Hm. At least I don't have to change areas! I LOVE SEIS DE ABRIL!!!! LO MEJOR AREA EN TODO EL MUNDO. PERIOD......... (that's quite a bit of periods. Haha)

So this is the low down. Elder Giraldo goes to another area within our zone/district (being that it is the same) with another companion. Elder Berríos goes up north. Pobrecito. I will receive my new companion when there are flights. (Due to the eruption of Argentina/Chile and all the ashes, they aren't any flights). So I am with my ex-zone leader so he can teach me a bit until he goes up north too. Pretty exciting, no?

Well, we lost all of our baptismal dates. For one reason or another. So we got some work to do. But I am not scared or disappointed. I KNOW that the Lord guides us in the work. I am just trying to be the most efficient instrument I can be. If He wants me to train for a week, sweet. If He wants me to be a zone leader... well, I can do it. I can do all things through Christ who strengthen me. What I am trying to do is focus more on the Spirit and what the Lord wants me to do, not what I want to do. It's tough trying to focus on the Spirit, but when you're paying attention, humble and obedient, you'll be able to recognize it.

When we live the commandments, our desire becomes to live the commandment. When you first start living the Word of Wisdom, maybe you live it because it's a commandment, even if your body desires to break it. Over time, through obedience, diligence and faith, you won't have any desires to break the Word of Wisdom. Thus your desire has become the live the commandment.

Think about it. What things in our lives are we doing because it is a commandment? What things are we doing because it is a desire? My life before the mission was to keep the commandments. My life now is to live the commandments. If that makes sense. If all of our desires are in compliance with the laws and ordinances of our Eternal Father - we will just be filled with joy and happiness. The Holy Spirit will seal us and we will become as our Father in Heaven. Too bad I've got a LONG way to go. But I am working on it.

The mission has completely changed my life. There is no way I can go back to the way I was. Maybe except long hair and a goatee. That sounds cool, especially here in the South. At least it's not snowing or too cold. I just might have to buy some boots to walk in the mud.... It rained a lot and San Benito is a real kick walking around in dress shoes. We'll see how much time I have today.

So you remember how we baptized a family recently. Guess what? The father now has the Melchizedek Priesthood! :D :D :D :D :D. Matias is amazing! And now I have at least 6 more weeks with him and his family. YEA! :D

So we had a special conference for all of Argentina yesterday. Apparently every 2 years there is a broadcast from Salt Lake with special counsel for the members of Argentina. Pretty cool, no? Anyways, I got to listen to Elder Zivic of the Seventy, Sister Wixom (the Primary General President), Elder Neil Anderson and President Boyd Packer. Yea.... AMAZING! Some highlights -

Elder Zivic: The Second Coming: if it was tomorrow what would you be doing? If you died tomorrow, what would you be doing? Guess what - do it now and don't wait!

Sister Wixom: Three commandments for the family: Scripture study, Family Prayer and Love.
Elder Anderson: Missionary Work comes right below in importance of the Atonement

President Packer: The Gift of the Holy Ghost : the only church who has it and the importance of it in our lives and how it´s helped him.

Listening to General Authorities now is an amazing opportunity that I wouldn't miss for anything. Why did I sleep during them beforehand? Those who have ears to hear, LISTEN. Those who have eyes to see, LOOK. Basically, don't be hearers of the word only, but DOERS. Analyze your life - recognize your mistakes (it's a part of repentance and it's a blessing to do so). If someone doesn't come to church, pray that they'll come. Then go out that day and help them get there. May we not give vain prayers, but fulfill God's will for us and our brothers and sisters.

I love you all. I pray that you are all right and that everything is going well. Life is meant for service. The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve. Are we better than Him? He has descended below all things and has risen triumphant. May we follow his example and not give up. It's never too late to start but it's already too late to wait. May we do so now; sharing our testimony of our Lord and Savior with all those we come in contact with. 2 Timothy 1:8 - In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Elder Watson #2

Hospitals, Transfers, Training...

2011-06-06T15:58:00.000-07:00

Hey all!

No news is good news right? Haha. Don't worry about being boring. It's the best way to be! :D Now my week was not boring at all.......

So what a week.....

We started out going to the hospital........................................................................................................

Don't get worried, not for me. Elder Berríos had been having severe headaches, dizziness, etc. We went to the hospital Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday for various tests, appointments, checkups, etc. Let's just say I relearned my love for the hospital. Go over here, go over there, go upstairs, no the other window. Fun! Lol. Anyways, it got all figured out by Friday, but President was worried enough that he was going to send E' Berríos north to be closer to better hospitals. Thursday night we received a call that E´ Berríos was going North. As he was already starting to feel better, he was able to get another day and that solved the problem. Now he's fine and healthy. But meanwhile President had already arraigned for a new missionary to come in his place. And when I say new... I mean N. E. W. Like I am now a trainer. Anyways, we walked around in 3 for a while and took advantage of the situation and did lots of divisions. Which helped us to cover all the days we missed. In fact, we had a most excellent week according to the results of the week. Which is fine with me. It was a spectacular weekend.

So Elder Berríos is now replacing an Elder in our zone due to emergency transfers and I am here with Elder Girado. (Hee-ra-do) My new companion. I did take pictures... but I brought the wrong memory card! Figures, right? Well, next week there will be pictures. Anyways, he's from Lima, Peru. He's super super super super super excited to go to work. Oh yea. Did I say super excited! It's amazingly awesome. AND! He likes to be clean and organized. :D :D :D :D :D That makes my life SO much easier! :D

We are working with various families right now. The work is going well and I am having fun. I get to have more fun now that I am training! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA!

So everything is beginning to freeze over. It's crazy! But it's not snowing.... Only ice! Igual, (Still) it's not fair that there is cold w/o snow. Actually, as a missionary... I wouldn't mind if it only got cold. The snow would be different to work in. But hey. I am here for whatever.

Well, that's the weekly report from Rio Gallegos (Ga - Shay - gos for all those who tend to say it wrong ---> Ga - yea - gos JUST SO YOU KNOW!) Nothing new. But the newbie right next to me. Ha. That's a good one. Just wait until I come back.... I have been learning some great jokes. That can be said in English. And some better ones in Spanish. And for all those who don't appreciate my punny jokes. Well. Sorry. LOL. I've got to spread the love, you know?

So you've been losing weight? That's great! Just don't buy steak unless it is high grade. Less calories that way. Sweetness! You're going to have to send some pictures so I can see the difference! :D

So. Yea. That's me and my life. Short and sweet and to the point. Love you all, close and far. Be good, stay safe. Keep going forward with steadfast and unbreakable faith in Christ and his Atonement. Never get discouraged. And when you are tired, think about Christ and his sufferings and know that He suffered for you. He already suffered your grief’s and pains and sicknesses. All He asks is that we keep the commandments. And if we keep the commandments, He blesses us. We are in debt to Him. However, because He loves us so much, He has marked the path we must tread. We must bear our crosses for a short moment and then shall we be made strong. I really do love you, distance really does make love stronger. I've never had so great of an appreciation of my family until now. Don't get into too much trouble with the garden Mom! ;) And Dad, I've got a whole bunch of sweets to bring from Argentina! THEY ARE SO GOOD! :D Just you wait.

With lots of love,

Elder Watson #2

The wonderful area of SEIS DE ABRIL!

2011-05-30T14:15:00.000-07:00

Hey all!

The first thing is that it's not getting too cold. Kinda wierd being really south but... yea. I mean the water freezes here during the night and the morning - but it's a lot warmer that I thought it would be. I thought I would be a snowman here. But I guess that is more south in Tierra del Fuego. Actually... Only in Rio Gallegos is it not snowing... Like a big bubble. Bummer.................. haha.

Wow… you just got my letters? That took a while... but at least they got there!

Well, this week. Busy busy. We are looking for more families to teach and we're getting there. The Vera Family was a blessing as that they were pure gold in teaching. It looks like we'll have to work a little bit harder (and smarter) in teaching our investigators right now. Really this week we tried to focus on priorities. We could teach a bunch of people and be crazy going from here to there to everywhere, or we could plan well and have better results. In the beginning of my mission, daily planning was a bit dull... just fill in a bunch of names and try to go by them all. I realize now that daily planning is not only putting a name, but also realizing what we are going to teach them and to what end we want them to get. As we put specific goals and plans for each activity we do, we become more efficient with the things we do. We won't be running around like chickens with our heads cut off, but be calm and peaceful as we do what is required. I read Abraham 4 and 5 today - President said last week that it was the first recorded weekly planning. As I read it, I realized that I could do our weekly planning a LOT better. Going back to school will be a piece of cake when I plan out the week and days to do what I need to. The things you learn on the mission, kinda neat. You really learn more as you put your focus on other people more than yourself. Sure I can learn a lot studying each morning to improve myself but studying and planning for someone else helps me to focus on what they need and how I can help them, which helps me to know what to study. Mosiah 2:17. There's a lot more blessings to service than just serving God. Cool stuff.

I have been learning a lot lately on relaxing and easing out a bit. Just trying to enjoy life a bit. Doesn't mean that I am working less - just trying to take a different point of view on things. Being so serious isn't as great - we are not fulfilling our Father's purpose for us - Adam fell that men might be and men are that they might have joy. Sure we've got to be serious - but as several companions have pointed out to me... I need to ease out, smile and enjoy life a bit. It's not easy changing, but life sure does have more meaning to it. Being serious, downtrodden and discouraged doesn't come from God - It comes from Satan. I need to be serious, but happy, joyful, going about my work with a smile. As we learn to find the joys of life, we truly come to appreciate the good things in life - family, nature, friends, investigators, service, and members... Things like that. :D

I heard a couple of good talks the other day while I was on divisions with Elder Simper. One is by Jack R Christianson - Healing the Wounded Soul, another is Hank Smith - Be Who You Are. Those where really cool to listen to. They helped me a lot to recognize some stuff to change and become a better servant of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

I chuckled a bit when I read the journal entry - "We went on a new report system today – it is church wide. It’s great, they are so much easier to work with, the only rough part is sitting down and planning a whole week at a time." That's missionary work right now. We found some teaching records from 2002 and that era. They were really old and really different. The ones we use now are much more up to date and easier to use that provide more information. Missionary work now is just so sophisticated! Hahaha. ;)

Say hi to everybody: the Jalatys, Conaways, Paces, Boons, Los Gonzales , Utah Watsons y Papa Cliff, Aunt Darlene y Uncle Jon, Bentleys.... Just like what the other Elder Watson said - EVERYBODY! HI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So yea. That's life and the work. Stay tuned in for next week's version of "Seis de Abril - A marvelous work and a wonder!" Haha. :D

Love,

Elder Watson #2

I DID NOT Forget you!

2011-05-24T15:36:00.000-07:00

Hello Family,

So today I am writing because yesterday we had INTERVIEWS! That means that President Gulbrandsen came down with his wife and an assistant to teach us and interview us. It was like a zone conference, but a lot shorter, kind of. It was really good and even though I talked to President Gulbrandsen for like only 5 minutes... I feel a lot better and more determined to do the work!

JACOB GOT A CALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I AM SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO EXCITED! :D :D :D Like yea! :D Bryan is almost on the mission! Wow.... I am old. :(

So this week was another hectic week. It seems the weeks of baptisms are always hectic- but if it means we are bringing another soul unto Christ, it's a good thing! :D Nothing too big happened during the week - we taught, found some investigators and in short ... another missionary week. On Saturday we did splits for the baptismal interview and I went with Elder Simper to do service. Mind you.... Saturday morning was COLD! WITH A CAPITAL C !!!!!! Like.... I thought my hands were going to fall off as we were carrying things. What I wouldn't have given for my work gloves from the ranch! Everything was iced over and yea......... toooooooooooo cold! Today it rained a bit and now the sun came out so it's a nice day to do things! :D

Saturday we also had a baptism! Cristian was really excited and we were too. Although he can't see well enough to read the Book of Mormon, he has enough faith to know that it is true. We've read parts to him and he's asked God and he got his answer. Like what Elder Watson #1 said - if we have faith in God that he will answer our prayer, he will do so. The thing is that you have to believe.

Sunday was a good day. We had 86 people in church and it was amazing. The amazing part was that the 7 converts that I've had here were all at church. (One of my converts moved to the Buenos Aires Mission West... their home teacher is a 70's brother so I think they are good! :D) One was confirmed, 3 received callings and 1 received the priesthood. How big of a smile did I have on my face? You don't even know! We are probably going to have another baptism this week ---- all depends if he has to work. He basically knows it's all true, we just have to tie the loose ends. So yea. We are really working hard to find and teach and to baptize. This trick is working with the members. The faster members are involved, the more comfortable investigators are, the spirit is much more stronger, and everything is just better. The ideal situation would be that we help the members with the work, but right now we are just focusing on having them help us. But that's the next step!

Well, that's all I have to say for now. Things are going great and I guess I am getting the hang of being a missionary - the thing is that we should always be a little uncomfortable, always looking for ways of doing things better and looking to bring all unto Christ. That is, after all, my calling - I've left my nets and my boat and I am feeding the sheep. Hope all is well and BE GOOD!

Love,

Elder M. Watson

MAWWIAGE! A Busy Week!

2011-05-16T15:55:00.000-07:00

Hello Family,

Well, this week was fun! Busy? Tell me about it!

Satan was working hard to stop this baptism - but in the end good triumphed over evil and now the best family ever are members of the Church of Jesus Christ! They were so excited to be baptized! I had the pleasure to baptize them all - what an experience! But first they had to get married! AH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MAWWIAGE! I was nervous for them! We got there about 20 minutes early and no one was there ------- Talk about nerves... so we went to the Ría and took some pictures of the sunrise and soon after the Vera Family shows up. We ALL (The Vera and Saravia families with the Missionaries and a counselor from the branch) go into the registro civil (civil register?) and start waiting inside the room for everything to start. I think I was as nervous as Matías was while we were waiting for the civil rep... But in the end she showed up, started the process, the cameras began flashing and the process was underway. Everybody signed the books and at the end they became Cintia and Matias Vera! OH YEA! I was sooooooooo happy! :D I guess it'll make up for missing the wedding of Katy Scarlett - I thought I was going to escape all my mission without hearing about a wedding... oh well. I got to attend one so hah!

The baptism went without a hitch and it was great. Rio Gallegos cut their water supply to clean out the tanks or something - at what time? Saturday in the morning... A baptism would be really hard without water... So finding this out Friday, we filled it up half way so that the tanks would be full Saturday to fill it with hot water. The water wasn't freezing cold... just a little bit. Saturday came and we filled up the font without any problems and the baptism was amazingly awesome - I was super super super super happy! :D The next day came the confirmations and various people performed the ordinances and it was great. Now - The Vera Family are members and are amazingly awesome. Today or next week we are going to go around Rio Gallegos and see all the "hot spots." This family is just too cool. If I ever leave this area I will miss them A TON! They're just too awesome! I promised to come back for their sealing next year - A promise I will go to all ends to keep. We not only baptized four people, but a family. A family that has a goal to be eternal. This family not only sets goals, but also works to complete these goals. They are truly trying to serve and follow our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. They are awesomely awesome. Wait... did I say they were awesome? Yea. That awesome! :D

Well, that was the highlight of the week- Christian is getting ready for his baptism on Saturday. He stopped smoking on Saturday in the morning so we are happy! He went from smoking 60 cigarettes in a day to 1 in a period of 2 weeks. Who says miracles don't exist? I thus cite Moroni 7:37 - He aquí os digo que no; (And behold I say unto you that no;) porque es por la fe que se obran milagros; (because by faith are miracles performed). Miracles do happen! When we put our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and give up our will to do HIS will, all things can and will happen - according to the plan of the Great Creator. We don't choose what happens, we only choose what we will do to show our faith and obedience to the commandments of God. So remember - put your trust in Him and all things will work for your good - Ether 12:6, 1 Nephi 3:7, 1 Nephi 17:3. We will never have a trial that we cannot overcome. I leave this with you knowing the God lives and loves us. He sent His Only Begotten Son in the flesh to save us and by obedience to the Savior Jesus Christ we will be worthy to enter into the Kingdom of God. May we choose to do so in humility, surrendering our will to the Father's and leave this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

With lots of love,

Elder M Watson

Short but Sweet

2011-05-09T15:55:00.000-07:00

Hi Family,

I don't have too much time to write today. I will hit the highlights of our week.

The Vera family is getting ready to be baptized! They are so excited and want to do everything it takes to follow the Savior. They are really an example for me. It's amazing to see. They are really busy this week with their marriage and baptismal preparations but they are in for a weekend of pure joy! We are super excited for them and this baptism will be one of the highlights of my mission - that's for sure!

As well, we have Cristian who is losing his eyesight but is a man filled with faith. He accepts what we teach and then strives to complete with the teachings of Jesus Christ. He has a baptismal date for the 21st. He's working on a couple of things so that he can be baptized, but without a doubt he's going to make it. He brought his Book of Mormon to church even though he can't read it. Goes to show the power that the Book of Mormon has - of comfort, of guidance, revelation. We should be as attached to our copies of the Book of Mormon as he is.

Elder Berríos and I are looking to baptize every week this month (except the week that just passed). We are working hard to bring all unto Christ. Each week is a ton of work - but it's what I look forward to. There are no reasons to sit back and relax - too many opportunities pass by in front of you. We'll have time to rest after this life- this life is so that we can work for our salvation. May we do so with love, hope, joy and happiness as we follow our Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Nephi 31:13, 19, 20) Have a great week and lots of pictures next week are coming! See ya!

Love,

Elder Michael Watson

Happy May Day!

2011-05-02T15:43:00.000-07:00


The Vera Family

Dear Mom and Dad,

The other elders are always asking me how my family is and all I every say is that "they are still boring as ever"... We were really boring before the mission... weren't we? Anyways... I wonder if the other Elders will learn to stop asking me - hahaha. I am just a boring person with a boring life. What else is new?

The big news is I STAYED! I am just too excited about that! The small news is that I don’t know if I will need to buy a new coat or not. I am slowly learning how to “abrigarme” or to dress for the cold and I don’t seem to be getting as cold – but then again, this week hasn’t been as cold. I don’t want to get another coat if the one I have will work. I don’t know.

Elder Berríos has a web cam and so we are going to SKYPE! Yea baby! I just hope it'll work for David - if not... Well, I won't get to talk to him until after the mission. Bummer! I am usually nervous that I will give you the wrong number - but now through Skype I will be much less worried! :D

Wow! An interview. I got to hold a baptismal interview once! Usually district leaders and zone leaders handle them, but as our zone leaders are the district leaders, they needed someone else to interview their candidates - it ended up being me. A very spiritual experience! That was cool. :D

I ended up bearing my testimony as well yesterday. Usually I try to let the people bear the testimonies because I get to bear mine every day, but I felt I had to get up. What did I talk about? Thankfulness for my mother and father and the support the members give us. So I devoted some time for my mommy - :D It was really good meeting. :D

We met a guy who is going blind but came to church this Sunday. He is really awesome and has received an answer that the Book of Mormon is true! :D The hard part is getting him, his mom, and nephew to church. They live out in San Benito (we were spend most of our time) and don't have a car to get to the chapel. They do have a friend that takes them where they need to go though. We are going to see if we can get some members to help them or if not, we'll baptize his friend too!

This week passed by really fast. I am sure this one will too. We've got a lot of work to do, so that is good news. I am trying to send letters but the line is always a million miles long and I don't have that kind of time. So they'll get out... eventually!

Well, I love you and we'll be talking more this Sunday. Be good!

Love,

Elder Watson #2

Happy Easter!

2011-04-25T16:34:00.000-07:00

Dear Family,

What a week! It went by way too fast. At the beginning of the week we were projecting to have 19 investigators at church. We have been truly blessed by the Lord with many people who have open hearts and minds to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. By Saturday we were expecting 13 to 16. We were really excited! We had arranged with members to take our investigators to church and our investigators found out this week that some of their friends or conocidos.... (how do you say people you know? It starts with co....) are members of the church and were excited to come to church. We ended up with 6, our family and a couple that have come to church for a year working on a divorce issue so that they can get married. Does that mean we are discouraged? Not at all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We know the potential our investigators have and now we can focus on them coming to Church without worrying about a holiday weekend. So next week we'll have a ton! :D There were 5 people who couldn't come due to sickness/health problems (only two people but their families were affected), 3-4 probably couldn't find a ride, another 4-5 had family visiting and couldn't make it. So if you add all that up and plus a few of their family members that weren't here this weekend - you've got more than 20 investigators that would have been to church. Right now I quote Ammon and do not glory in myself but in the Lord and the miracles and changes He is working within the people. Sure we are working our butts off to get everyone to church. But left to our own power, we are nothing. Our only success comes from the Lord and our efforts combined. (Part of the faith I was explaining a couple weeks ago.) And we are only seeing the beginning of the work here in Seis de Abril. We are really excited! :D

I got to see Priesthood session! :D :D :D My zone leaders are studs and got permission to go early in the morning during studies to watch the session by internet on a church computer. So our district was together watching Priesthood. Que tal! :D I missed the first half because I had to go look for my DNI (my Argentine ID to be a witness in Matias and Cintia's wedding) and other things to help them get a date in the register office for their marriage. In Argentina, it has to be done in the office or in another place with a representative from the Government... Branch Presidents and Bishops do not have the power to marry. So they took out a date and are getting married on the 13th of May! That means they are going to be baptized the 14th and confirmed the 15th! Too cool! We also have a ton of people who can get baptized in the following weeks - like 18.... Too cool, right? Now I better not get transferred... so yea. Priesthood was cool. And in this session of conference they talked way too much about marriage. I don't need that as a missionary. It only distracts me from the Lord's work. But all is good now and full steam ahead! This branch is going to explode! We already have 70 people coming to church on a weekly basis and with all these new converts we might be able to open a branch that closed a couple years ago. Can you say excited? :D I want a car to get around... It would be so much easier... Because half of our investigators are in and area like Piru while we are about as far away as Fillmore. There is only one bus that goes to San Benito (about as far as Piru) and doesn't travel on Sundays. A bit of a problem for those who don't have a car but it's all right, there are only a couple of investigators that we have to find a ride for right now. For us to get a car would mean a lot of paper work and licensing for us and future missionaries and I would have to go to Buenos Aires to get a license and everything, so yea. Not gonna work. Besides... I had nightmare last night that I went back to Buenos Aires. Rio Gallegos is just way too cool to EVER leave. LIKE EVER! I am definitely coming back to visit the members whom I have taught here. :D

Well, that's about all I can think of. It's starting to get cold. If I don't get transferred, I will probably have to buy a thicker or better jacket. The black one I have isn't going to cut it. We had a REALLY nice summer so this winter is going to be very HARSH! The meteorologists (what people have told us) are expecting a winter like '95 or over 6 feet of snow at times. Sounds fun! I just don't want to be cold. :/ Living at BYU is nothing compared to cold we are feeling now. Sometimes it gets below 32 during the day/night, but the wind is arctic cold... Like really. It comes from Antarctica or from the Cordilleras mountains where its snowing right now. So it's gonna get really cold soon. I just hope it snows... because the only good thing about cold is the snow. Without snow.... it's just not worth it. (Wait until it snows and we'll see what I say! Hahaha)

This Sunday is transfers but nothing will happen here. E' Berrios and I are going to continue together baptizing THOUSANDS! :D Love you all. Be good. Enjoy spring! I miss it! Haha. See ya later,

Love,

Elder Watson #2

IT'S COLD!

2011-04-18T16:15:00.000-07:00

Elder Berrios & Elder Watson

Mis Queridos,

Well, this week was insane but well worth it. During the week Elder Berríos had an INGROWN toenail taken out. That was fun. A doctor came to a member's house and did it while E' Berríos was sitting on the couch. That was fun to watch... probably not fun to feel. But yea. That meant a day of rest the next day. Talk about sitting in the house all day. Torture for a missionary! That's for sure.

Thursday we got a lot done and Friday was zone conference with Elder Aidukaitis of the Seventy. A mission president, a seventy and 10 missionaries in the same room. Talk about privileged? Not only that, we are the ONLY zone to have him in our zone conference. It was amazing! We learned sooooooooooo much! From how to teach with power to the meaning of faith. He pretty much ripped on us a bit for being lazy and not working all out every minute to bring people to church, complete daily goals and to gain a testimony of the Book of Mormon. When we have a testimony of the Book of Mormon, we will be motivated to do ALL that it takes to complete with the Lord's desires for us. We need to develop that testimony now - He told us not to eat or sleep until we had obtained that testimony. That's how important it is. Saturday we worked hard for everybody and anybody to come to the district conference. Why?
Elder Aidukaitis spent half of his talk DIRECTED at the people visiting. We had 8 investigators there (1 family and 2 couples) and it was absolutely AMAZING. Elder Aidukaitis is not an ordinary man. He is filled with faith and inspired of God. He not only believes but does. That's how we should be. It's good that we believe, but the devil and all of his followers believe as well (James 2:19). What's the difference between them and us? We read in the verses before that our faith is shown by works and if "Faith hath not works, it is dead." The difference is our works. The devils believe and work for our destruction. We need to believe and WORK for our good. It is not good enough to only believe. True belief comes with actions. How do we work for good? Following the teachings and Gospel of Jesus Christ. Faith in Jesus Christ and his Atonement, Repentance, Baptism by immersion for the repentance of sins, Receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and Enduring to the end. We build our faith by reading the scriptures, praying, serving others, doing good unto all men, living the commandments (John 7:17). We repent by changing - now? There is no reason to wait. The Second Coming is rapidly approaching. Are you ready if it came today? What do you need to do to be ready? Take a minute to think about it. I invite you to do to do what came to mind - it is inspired of God. Do everything within your power NOW to be ready! Why do I keep talking about baptism? It is the key to the Celestial Kingdom and can only be done with the proper authority. Just like I can't go to the freeway to pull over a speeding car, a man cannot baptize without having receive the proper authority. Sure I am a good guy trying to do what is right. But it is not enough. This power and authority was lost after the resurrection of Christ and the death of His apostles. Lost means cannot be found. The authority of God did not exist for centuries. Why are there so many churches? Because they do not have the guidance of a prophet, chosen of God having received His authority. This dark time ended in the year 1820 when a young boy, Joseph Smith humbly asked God which church he should join. The divine answer that he received let him know that the Church of Christ did not exist. He, Joseph Smith, received this power and authority and was "called of God, as was Aaron" (Hebrews 5:4). How was Aaron ordained? By someone who held the authority. Joseph received his authority from John the Baptist, Peter, James and John now resurrected beings. Why is this important? The power to baptize had been restored! The power to seal the family for time and eternity was restored. Why is this important. The way was made open again to return to the Kingdom of God. How can you know if this is true? There is a Book, the Book of Mormon - translated in 3 months by a poor farm boy. "No bad man could have written this book and no good man would write it." - Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. There is a promise that is within its pages. You can read it, ponder its teachings and ask God in the name of Christ if it is true! You don't need to believe me. Believe God. I beg you, if you have not read this book. Read it. Consider its teachings. Then ask humbly in prayer if it is true. I promise you that you will receive an answer if you are willing to follow whatever God says; what God commands us to do is never unrighteous or wrong. Put your trust in Him. And if you have done this, do it again! You will gain a testimony or the existing will grow. It's a promise from God and I authorize it as a representative of His Holy Son, Jesus Christ.

Well, I gotta go. Love you all and hope all is well. The Vera Family is taking out a date to be married for the 6th of May and with be baptized the 7th of May! How exciting? The work is progressing here in Seis de Abril. It only requires effort and divine guidance. Be safe and good.

Love,

Elder Michael Charles Watson.

It's Official - My Shoes are Goners!

2011-04-11T16:45:00.000-07:00

Queridos Padres,

Well, I got some news. We are teaching a COMPLETE FAMILY! :D A father, mother, daughter, son! AND... The son (who is younger) just turned 8 yesterday! They were a referral from another branch here in Rio Gallegos and live in a neighborhood about 3-5 miles from our area where we work. The only way to go is to take a Vista bus type vehicle from a terminal... We would have gone last week but we didn’t have the money... The budget from the North isn't enough for the South. (Everything is more expensive here). So anyways we taught them Thursday and they loved it. The father's brother served a mission and he is basically a dry Mormon. Doesn't drink, smoke... Nothing. The only thing is that the parents have to get married. The wife and daughter went to the district’s Mutual (there aren't enough kids to do it on a branch level) and had a blast. They learned how to make smoothies while the guys made cookies. Our Branch President went personally out to the neighborhood (San Benito) with his wife to invite them to the mutual. How awesome is that?! President Pontelli is working so hard to bring the branch together. The two weeks he has been president we have seen a huge change in the branch. We are super excited! Anyways, the family came to church and left with smiles! :D E' Watson = HAPPY!

We also have another couple we are teaching (the husband works for the police) that have to get married to but their schedule is much more complicated as he works his shift and extra to train the younger cops. That gives us from 2:30 - 3:30 one or two days during the week to teach them. But their friends that live up north in a branch home type deal came down to visit them and we were able to have a great lesson and this couple came to Church as well! Basically it was a good day yesterday! :D

So, my shoes have died. My Eccos are talking in front (the sole is coming away from the shoe) and my Rockports are opening up in back.... I can stick a couple fingers in. I would just have the sole replaced (way easy to do in Buenos Aires!) but the leather is coming apart.... So new shoes it is; and something to help keep my feet warm. I think I said this last week. IT IS COLD! And it's only fall and the members are saying it's going to be a bad winter because summer was so great. Oooooooooooooooo........ At least my package is nice and warm in Australia. (Are we playing where in the world is Carmen San Diego?) Murphy's law works everywhere unfortunately and you can't escape it by going to South America... not even the SOUTH of South America. It's like a piece of gum on your shoe that you can't scrape off. Haha. Anyways, so I will be buying shoes today (hopefully... it's been raining lately and wet socks aren't fun!)

So this weekend we have District Conference with Elder Aidukaitis of the Seventy... We also have Zone Conference on Friday. Which might mean he will come with President Gulbrandsen. Which is way awesome because there will be 10 elders with a mission president and a seventy. Que tal. Can you say super excited? The privileges of the South! :D

Like Elder Watson #1 said, we are focusing more of strengthening the branch and working with the members - which is different because we are going by the members all the time instead of just for meals and stuff. It's a different way of working, but it will lead to great results! :D

Well, that's about all I can think of. It's snowing everywhere but Rio Gallegos I've heard. Que macana.... Or Murphy's Law! Hope all is well and everybody is doing great. Love you all and never give up! :D

Love,

Elder Michael C. Watson

Conference was GREAT!

2011-04-04T16:45:00.001-07:00

Dear Family,

This week has been pretty boring... EXCEPT for the action packed weekend!

This week was filled with trying to find people. For some reason nobody was at home when we passed by.... Oh well. I guess it happens. But we have been working with 2-3 people to be baptized this weekend.

We have one man, Miguel Angel who is a son of convert members. Over the past two weeks we have seen great changes in him. He is looking a lot happier and has been reading the Book of Mormon. He has been making some good changes and he’s feeling better about being baptized this weekend. He is an awesome guy and I can’t wait to send a photo of his baptism! :D

We are working with a couple whose children were baptized but they weren’t. The father has been reading and even came to a session of General Conference in spite of having problems at work. He is really awesome and really desires to be baptized. We are really excited when we teach him. His wife is really nice and we are working so that she can be baptized this weekend too.

So. That one church meeting that happens every 6 months that those one people talk in.... Oh yeah.... GENERAL CONFERENCE! How amazing was it? I loved it! I felt like every talk was directed at me. After each session I could do nothing but smile. It was absolutely amazing. My favorite talk was Elder D. Todd Christofferson and The Chastisement of God. That really touched me and now I have some definite changing to do... But I am looking forward to it! :D And! I was with Elder Simper again to watch it! The last time, in Villa Adelina... We were stuck in a closet watching an itsy bitsy television. Now we had desks and comfortable seats with a normal television. We were excited.

Well. We are chugging along. We received a lot of guidance and counsel from the prophet and the apostles and the other leaders of the church. Now it is time to put it in practice! I challenge each one of us (yes, even me.... LOL) to pray and ask God how we can apply what we learned so that we become better people and servants of Him. Mosiah 2: 22-24 ---> What can we do to show our love for God? John 14:15, 22, 24. We will always be in debt to God and He will help us reach our Divine Potential if we listen to Him, obey his commandments and harken unto his servants the prophets. Love you all! Be Good!

Love,

Elder Watson

It's Getting COLD!

2011-03-28T15:20:00.001-07:00

Hello,

Wow! A ton is happening at home and Paraguay. I am gonna have to make this email interesting to keep up with you! ;)

First off.... Thanks for all the packages and letters! I haven't forgotten you all... I am just a bit slow in responding... Sorry!

Papa moved? :( I was going to ask why he is moving to Utah in the Winter but its getting to be summer there. Re-confundido. Oops.

So I am back with a Latin comp. Which means.... my Spanish is getting better! (or so I hope.) At least Elder Berrios is willing to correct me on it. And for pay back I get to correct his English. Ha! Na... Can't do that because his English is good. Fail. Elder Berrios is a worker and wants to stay obedient so we get along just fine. I try making jokes with him in English but he doesn´t get it all the time. Oh well.

So we didn't find too many people this week but we have just been working with the ones we already have and trying to get references from EVERYBODY! If the missionaries ask for references and a name comes to your head, please tell them the name and introduce them to your friend. Please. The missionaries are allowing you to have a chance to receive revelation of who is prepared to receive the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Anyways, we are working with a guy work works on a fishing boat that goes down to the South Pole. Like "Deadliest Catch" but in the south. He was telling us you know it is cold when you are wearing three pairs of work gloves and your hands still freeze... (Freeze, they aren't stiff) It's just a wee bit cold. Anyways, he's amazing and has a lot of faith and has been looking for the truth. We had an amazing lesson with him yesterday and really felt the Spirit as he accepted to be baptized the 9th of April. As well we are working with a father of some kids who were baptized and he accepted the be baptized the 9th. (His work schedule is crazy!)

We were walking on the sidewalk yesterday and a van was parked diagonally making the path cut close to the fence of a house. Instead of going around the car into the street, I walked by the house. The result? A ginormous St. Bernard tries to take my head off. Luckily I've got quick reflexes ( ;) ) and the dog bit my jacket. After I looked stupid running like a little girl for a couple of yards to get away, I checked my jacket and there weren't any marks. That and other things have helped me to know that angels do watch out for the missionaries. So watch out evildoers!

So yea. That's about it. It's getting cold. COLD! Yea. The wind is crazy too. Crazy cold and strong. But hey, it's the South. It doesn't get any better than this. Love you all! Be good, stay safe!

Love,

Elder Watson

I have a new companion and I WILL be speaking better Spanish :D

2011-03-21T15:28:00.000-07:00

Elder Berrios & Elder Watson

Hi All,

Wow. What a crazy day. Transfers are always stressful... Even if you don't go anywhere!

So Elder Beck went back up North to Buenos Aires... Much to his chagrin... We stayed up all night to go pick up an Elder from the Airport and then went back later to drop off our companions... It was an amazing night with little sleep, but Oreo pudding helps a bit! Haha. Elder Beck loves the cold and now has to go back to the heat and that he had to leave the best CONVERT that we have had ---> MONICA!

Monica was baptized on Saturday. Unfortunately there were a couple of complications that started about an hour and a half before the service. Yes, there was hot water to start... but it was all dirty. You couldn't even see the bottom of the font. That was fun. So we had to drain it by bucket and by pump (that is super slow). Then we filled the font back up again but this time with cold water. Two reasons. #1 - The cold water fills up faster and #2 - Maybe it wouldn't be as dirty. So we got that filling up. Five minutes before the service was supposed to start there wasn’t enough water to do the baptism so we were trying to get our ward mission leader to delay the service a bit. After a bit of frustration we started a little bit late and by the time we got to the font it was all filled up, although, it was freezing cold water. Elder Beck and Monica pulled through like the champs they are and the baptism went through. The next day the confirmation went without a hitch and Monica is now a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Never have I had a more stressful day in my whole mission than Saturday... Wow! But everything is good now! :D

So my new companion is Elder Berrios from Chile. He has about 7 months in the mission and is really excited to work here in the South (Because the South is the BEST!!! Por supuesto!) and to find people to teach. He is really awesome and I think we are going to get along very well. Finally I have someone to help my Spanish... It's been suffering lately due to the fact that I have been talking in English with my companions for the past 4 months. Now I will be cracking down on my bad grammar, accent and dialect. Yea baby! :D

Well... Not much else is going on. The start of a new transfer is the start of a new life - at least for me in Seis de Abril (April 6th). Hey... I wonder if anything special happens in my area on the 6th of April. Hm. I'll find out, won't I? Love you, mean it, let’s do lunch! Hope everyone is great y manden mis saludos a todos! (Say hi to all for me!)

Con Mucho Amor,

Elder Michael C. Watson

Oh Yea!

2011-03-14T18:24:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

So this week went by.... guess! Too fast! Like it always does. Haha

Well. Update on Monica---- She's getting baptized on Saturday! But first she has to overcome her addiction to coffee... She's gone 18 hours without it! :D That's really good. I've never helped someone really drop something before so this is a really interesting experience. Let's just say it's not easy for someone to drop something. But she's doing well and is motivated to drop it. It's just not easy.

Nothing much has happened. A new family moved into the branch and already they have helped us quite a bit! :D OH. Big News. ITS COLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Like. Like. Yea. It's cold. It's summer and I am wearing almost all my clothes for winter. AH! It's cold!!!!!!!! And on top of it... It's windy. COLD wind. Like the Santa Ana's but all day long and almost every day. So yea. Fun. The members say the wind gets to 120 kilometers per hour at the strongest points in the season. So. That'll be fun. And interesting. I am really glad I have sleeping bag. I am going to be pulling it out soon.

So I heard there was a tsunami that hit cali from the Earthquake in Japan... I suppose it wouldn't be very big but that's what I heard. So. Oh yea! I got mail. And as usual the other missionaries hate me because I got so much. But I'll share with them so it's all good. I got a couple packages from you and a ton of letters. So that's good. Michelle told me her sister wanted to go to Japan for her Senior trip. I don't know if she still wants to go after what happened. I saw glimpses from the news and almost every member we have talked to has told us about it. Pretty scary. Like the introduction in the Book of Mormon says that its purpose is to help everyone to gain a testimony of Jesus Christ as our Savior, Joseph Smith as a true prophet of God that received His Authority to act in His name and to know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the kingdom of God on the Earth to prepare for the Second Coming of the Messiah. I testify that the Book of Mormon is true and those who read it, ponder its teachings and pray to God in the name of Jesus Christ and ask him if the book is true will receive a witness from the Holy Ghost that it is. The Book of Mormon is sacred scripture that comes directly from God through the ancient American prophets and those who read it and abide by its teaching will draw closer unto Him and His Son more than any other book in existence. These are the last days and as Alma says in Alma 34 that the time to repent is NOW and do not leave it for later! Also in Alma 7:14-15 that today is the day to be baptized unto repentance. I like the phrase "Venid y no temáis, y desechad todo pecado" which would be come and do not fear and leave all sin. The invitation is to come unto Christ and His teachings. Even if we have been baptized we still need to come unto Him. We are far from perfect and it requires all our efforts to follow Him. I promise as you read the Book of Mormon, liken (1 Nephi 19:23) and apply it to YOUR personal life, you WILL see profound changes - from how you keep the commandments to the very relationship within the members of your family. This book is a book of miracles and will help you to realize some in your personal life. God loves you and wants you to come unto Him and has provided the way for you to do it - The Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. When we are humble and submit ourselves to the will of God, anything can happen and we will feel the Spirit in our lives. No Temáis! Do not be fearful, but full of faith! :D It may be hard, but it IS worth it! :D

So. Yea. That's about it. We made 20 liters of juice from tang packets in a 20 liter bottle of water. Fun Stuff. Love you all!

See ya!

Elder Michael Watson

Happy Anniversary

2011-03-08T07:58:00.000-08:00

Dear Family,

I have to write a really quick letter this week, p-day ends soon and we still have stuff to do. I am writing to you later than usual today because we went to see the penguins today. It took 5 hours of driving over dirt roads, wow. We thought the penguins had already left and we gave up hope of seeing them but we had success! I have a ton of pictures but I don’t have time to send them today, so I will send them next week. I will also write you a longer letter next week.

This week, we had a baptism of a 9 year old child of a family we are helping to reactivate. It was pretty sweet! We are also making a lot of progress with Monica. Hopefully we can announce her baptism soon.

We are looking for people that are ready to hear the gospel and it’s definitely not easy but I am happy with our efforts and can feel the Spirit! :D

Love ya!

Elder Michael Watson

Out With The Old...

2011-02-28T21:13:00.000-08:00

Buenas!

Time does not have meaning anymore.... It just comes and goes without me noticing. This week was good. Monica is changing a ton and might be baptized on Saturday! :D We also have another baptism of a nine year old child of a less active family on Saturday – so this week will be fun working with them to get there! :D This Saturday is going to be a White Saturday because almost every area in our district/zone (for Rio Gallegos it's the same) are baptizing someone. So it should be an awesome experience.

Other than that we are in the stage I think David was in a little while back. Looking. We really don't have many people to teach and are searching for the people who have been prepared from the Lord. We have found a couple of people, and the mission has helped me to not jump ahead of myself but to keep on trucking. One sad thing is that an RM that helps us a ton is moving to Chile this week or next week... I really am going to miss that guy. He helps us out so much and is really awesome!

Well, not a lot to comment on this week. Just working hard to find people to teach and to do the work of the Lord. We are cleaning out our apartment though! Missionaries who leave tend to leave useless things or trash behind and it just gathers and gathers until the Elders who live there want to do something about it... In this case Elder Beck and I. So that’ll be fun! Haha. But yea. There were four of us living in this apartment but now the other two elders have moved back to their own apartment and we actually have a lot of room.... It’s kinda weird. Anyways. That’s all I have for now. Love you lots and be good!

Con Mucho Amor,

Elder M. Watson

Rio Gallegos-Crazy Week

2011-02-21T16:09:00.001-08:00

Wow! What a crazy week! First off I will start off with that we had baptisms! A couple of kids wanted their grandfather to baptize them (their mother is member and father is not). We were really excited when their grandmother told us this and we went over to their house to the next day to meet Christian and Gustavo. They are 8 and 10 years old which is great but we needed to find authorization to baptize the 8 year old (as that he would be a baptism of the branch). They moved from another district within our mission (further south from us) and were staying here until they moved up to Buenos Aires to a different mission. So we called the branch president and found out that he had already moved the mom´s records to Buenos Aires.. So we had to get in contact with their mission president. It ended up as a three way call from our zone leader to our mission president to their mission president. In the end all was settled and we got authorization to baptize Christian. So Sunday morning at 9 we had their baptism and at 10 they were confirmed. It was a crazy week but way good. We also tried to get the father to commit to baptism but he is rather stubborn and wants a bit more time. So yea. That was awesome.

Other than that we are continuing to teach Monica (I talked about her last week). We have made some leaps and jumps but there is still a bit to go with her. But we are excited at the progress she is making.

Well, that's about it for this week. I forgot to bring my camera to send pictures but I will bring it next week. :D Hope all is well that everyone is good. Love you all!

Elder Watson

Happy Valentine's Day

2011-02-14T16:07:00.000-08:00

Dear Family,

Holy Cow... I am in the south... So unreal. This week has been real pleasant as with the climate and the people said it was hot... I don’t want to see what normal is. And it’s summer... Today has been a bit windy and cold...

In reality, my area reminds me a lot of Cambria. We are right next to the ocean (well a river that leads to the ocean) and just the terrain is so similar. And it’s windy all the time. I have heard it gets super, super windy so more on that when it comes.

Next week we will go to see the penguins. They are only here for a short time and we gotta go pretty soon. And it will be an all day thing (Like 8 hours) so we will leave early to get there and get back so we can still do the stuff we need to do. :D I will be in normal clothes but teaching a penguin was definitely on the list.

As well I think Alex was in the South when these Areas belonged to his mission. Can you ask him where he was? Maybe I can look for some of his converts of friends here...

I didn’t get any packages or letters but I will get them in Zone Conference/Interviews or at the end of the transfer.

Other thing! Because it is a lot lighter longer during the day we moved our schedule an hour ahead. So instead of going to bed at 10:30 pm, we go at 11:30 pm and wake up at 7:30 am instead of 6:30 am... That has been interesting. There are some days where I am just dead tired. But we will go back to normal soon.

This week had been crazy but good. We are on the hunt for people to teach as well as baptize! We passed by a neighbor of a less active who had recently moved and she was venting out to us. We set up an appointment to come back and teach her because she realized that she needed spiritual help. So we came back the next day and taught the restoration. That was such a spiritual lesson! We were able to talk a lot about how to become more like Christ. Anytime we talk about Christ it’s just a wonderful opportunity to bear my testimony... And I can feel the Spirit bear testimony through me to people here. It is sooooooo amazing! Anyways, we set another appointment and came back and she had read what we left and prayed and felt way better. So we took her to a baptism of the sister missionaries. We came back and she was like I can’t be baptized... And we were thinking maybe it was wrong that we took her... She said she wasn’t going to come to church but Elder Beck saved the day and challenged her to pray about it to see if she would come. Usually, they don’t pray. But she did!

The next day I called her in the morning and she said she was ready to go to church. I was surprised... So we went by some members that live close to her to see if they could take her in their car and it turns out that they are friends and knew each other from before and that their kids had been friends. So they took care of everything and church went by great. After church we stopped by and she told us how she couldn’t sleep because of her migraines and decided to pray and ask. When she got up she felt better and had the desire to go to church and started reading in the Book of Mormon. All this in three days! She is really prepared and is an amazing woman.

Well, that’s all I have to say for now. We are working hard to do the work and I am really excited to be here in Seis de Abril and in the South working in the Lord’s vineyard. Amazing!

I know the Church is true and that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God and that Jesus Christ died for us and the way to get back to heaven is through His restored Gospel in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Love you all and hope to hear from you soon.

Con Mucho Amor,

Elder Michael Watson

I Took an Airplane Ride Today...

2011-02-07T15:48:00.000-08:00

Argentina From The Sky

Hello Family,

Surprise!!! I received a very exciting call yesterday! Not just any call, but a call to be transferred. So why the plane? [He sent home pictures out the window of a plane] That’s because I am not in Buenos Aires anymore… I am in Tierra del Fuego!!!! I received a call to go to the SOUTH! Yea baby! I am in Rio Gallegos in an area called 6 de Abril. :D :D

Wow. This week went really well! We had Miguel and Celiás baptism on Saturday. That went really well! It was really spiritual and just really, really good. Everything went by really smoothly and it was great! Miguel received the Aaronic Priesthood yesterday too so that was exciting!

P-days have been changed for transfers and will always be on Mondays (except for special changes). I am now senior companion with Elder Beck (who was companions with Elder Godfrey before... my companion from the MTC). I spent most of the night packing and I couldn’t really sleep. A remis (a taxi kind of thing… you call them and they take you to the location) came by at 3:45 in the morning to take me to the airport. It was supposed to come at 4:15 but hey at least I had woken up a bit early to finish getting ready… And I am pretty sure I forgot at least one thing. Anyways, I got to the Airport at 5 a.m. and took a plane at 6:30 a.m. to Rio Gallegos. I got there at 9:30/10 and got together with my companion and other elders from our district. I then got to the house and started to unpack. Our schedule is different down here, it has been pushed an hour back… we get up at 7:30 a.m. and go to bed at 11:30 p.m.… That’ll be hard to get used to. Anyways, I am way excited to have been called to the South and it looks like Elder Beck and I are going to get along really well. We both have a vision to grow this branch (we are a district, not a stake.... at least until Elder Beck and I change that!) and are just super excited.

For now though, I am just way tired and can’t think of much more to say. I hope all is well at home: Love you all, be safe. Say hi to the missionaries for me and tell them great work! :D See ya!

Love,

Elder Michael Watson

Miracles Continue to Happen!

2011-01-31T16:49:00.000-08:00

Hi All,

Wow. This week passed by really fast. Too fast, but we have some good things going so I am happy!

First of all, we have a couple that went to Bolivia to get married and they came back this week. The first thing they did, when we went by to visit, was show us their rings and told us now they can get baptized – without us saying anything. How awesome is that? The missionaries beforehand did a good job teaching and preparing them. They had their baptismal interview yesterday because we also had Stake Conference and it was just way easier to do it then. And now we have two baptisms this Saturday! :D :D :D :D

Stake Conference was really good. They talked a lot about families and young men serving missions! :D They are really asking for EVERYONE who can, to serve a mission. I whole heartedly stand by them. Everyone who can should, but… I didn’t get to listen to the whole session because we were trying to fix the water pump or find a way to get water into the building for the bathrooms and the baptismal font for a baptism. Nothin’ doin and they had to postpone the baptism. :/

A miracle that happened this week is that we received a call from our district leader passing a reference to us (usually we pass references at night because it is easier.) We happened to be close to the family so we went and contacted them. It happened to be that the missionaries talked to this lady earlier that day and she was really surprised that we came so fast. She told us that she was happy to see us (that alone is a miracle… We don’t get that too often). So we sat down, invited her brother and his wife to listen but they didn’t want to so we went ahead and started the lesson on the Restoration. Everything was going good and she is really interested but… Her brother left… This means there wasn’t a man in the house so we had to leave too. We wrapped up the lesson and left a Book of Mormon with her before we left. We are now trying to schedule an appointment with her because her 22 year old son that lives with her didn’t come home one day and we are hoping that all is well with that. We also don’t have a guy in the house to enter so that’s a big drawback too. BUT - She is AMAZING. She’s a widow and is like 65 and is interested! Anyone over the age of 50 usually just flat out rejects us. Like I said. MIRACLES! :D

Something that really touched me this week is Moroni 7:47-48. It talks about charity and how we can get it. We know that without charity (or the pure love of Christ) we are nothing (Moroni 7 and 1 Corinthians 13), but how do we obtain it? Through practice and asking the Father with ALL the energy of heart. That was something touched on in Stake Conference, that people who have trouble in their marriages often say they are not in love anymore. (The Stake President even said “fall in love” in English) Falling in love isn’t enough… It’s obtaining the pure love of Christ that will overcome all problems. Within a marriage, a friendship… anything. Charity really is the key to all relationships. I invite you to study Charity in the Bible, Book of Mormon, Ensigns and Liahonas… You’ll find out a ton and really find the needed help, especially for your personal life.

Bueno. That’s pretty much it. Love you all. Be good, stay safe and don’t get into too much trouble!

Con mucho Amor,

Elder Watson

SMORES!

2011-01-24T17:25:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone,

This week flew by. We worked a lot with a guy named Davy (que tal, no?) who has a baptismal date for the 13 of February. He is the nephew of a recent convert and is really accepting. We talked with him almost every day this week. He didn’t come to church this Sunday for some reason so we gotta find him and see if he is all right. He’s basically the bright point right now for us. We have been finding other people but it is just way hard to find them on a regular basis.

Very soon we will have two baptisms! It’s a family that has been listening for almost a year. The only problem is that they weren’t married. So they have been in Bolivia this month (I’ve only met them once or twice) getting all that paperwork done and getting the rings on officially… They should be coming home this week… Their nephews, who are also recent converts, have been talking with them by phone and they are officially married! Now they are coming back with every intention to get baptized ASAP! That’s way cool to see. :D

Other things that have happened… Hm. Some dude "hail hitlered" us so that was way weird. We had SMORES! The lady that lives downstairs wasn’t home last week so she gave us permission to use the back porch and downstairs. So we used the grill to cook up some marshmallows and had smores (graham crackers don’t exist here so we did the best we could). Elder Farias, Elder Howard’s companion, has never had smores before and he finishes his mission in a couple weeks so it made it even better. :D

Well, that’s about it for now. Everything is going good and the work is great. Working through trials of faith really help you to gain a testimony. If everything came easy, it wouldn’t be worth that much, would it? We really had to push through some things this week but we are really seeing the fruits of our labor. Hope all is well at home. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to write me up. I’ll still have the same address for a while. =) Haha. Love you all. See ya

Con Mucho Amor,

Elder Mike Watson

Summer Rain

2011-01-17T11:01:00.000-08:00

Dear Family,

Wow. So this week has been LLENÍSIMO of work and meetings. But it has been one of the best! :D Our zone leaders (who we live with) told us that we did the best this week. We are really trying to work through and with the members but its hard. We are receiving a lot of help and offers to help so that is great. We are trying to find new investigators that will progress and we have some good things going on right now.

We had Zone Conference on Tuesday, can I just say amazing? We worked on a lot of stuff, including inspired questions and obtaining charity (or the pure love of Christ). Overall, it was all just amazingly awesomeness. I also got a couple of letters so that was good I guess. ;) (I got more on Friday because of a 3 day Leadership conference.... of which I didn’t go but it’s one of the many advantages of living with the Zone Leaders.)

We walked a ton this week teaching and trying to teach all of our investigators and find new investigators. It wouldn’t be as hard if everyone had varying schedules. It seems everyone is open at night and no one is at home during the day. Bummer… It’ll all work out though. We started teaching a family member of a recent convert and he has a baptismal date for the 13th of February, just after transfers. So I will be praying that there won’t be a transfer for us! :D

We got soaked going to church yesterday. I don't have an umbrella and it didn't look like it was going to rain. Our meetings start at two so we went to visit people at 11. Right before we went to take the bus, it started to rain. The bus drops us off like 10 blocks from the chapel. And it was pouring. It was fun! Hahaha. The rain coat I have only works for a certain amount of time. Like an hour. After that it doesn't matter if you have had a coat on or not. I still have to ask if we can wear hats out to work. If we can, I want to get a hat like the missionaries in the twenties! :D

Well, that’s all I can really think about. We are just really tired today. We’ve done a lot this week and today will really be our day for rest and writing letters. I’ve been kind of bad about that recently. Soccer, sometimes, is just a lot more fun. I thank all who have/are writing me. It really helps me a lot and helps me apply things to the missionary work (believe it or not!). I hope everyone is good and safe. I am having the time of my life in Argentina. I wouldn’t give it up for anything… Being on the Lord’s errand just brings DEMASIADO happiness! :D (Or as Argentines say "Too Much") Haha. I am loving it here.

Love,

Elder Mike Watson

Making Friends

2011-01-10T16:51:00.000-08:00

Hi All,

This week has been so long but so fast. So much to do and people to see. Ah!

Soccer was fun on Monday and we had a good time. I got to see a couple good friends and got to meet a couple of good people. I met an Elder who is friends with a son of the Family Wajchman (in Villa Adelina) that is finishing up his mission in Mendoza (a province in Argentina). So that was pretty neat. Wow. I really miss a lot of people from my other areas. Many members ask if we will come back to visit after the mission and almost all say yes but almost none do. I really do want to come back to visit the people and friends I have made here. And I have only been here for a year. Imagine how many more friends and desires I will have this coming year. Soooooooooo excited.

Something that we have been learning is that as missionaries we need to become part of the lives of the people, members, investigators and non-members. As I have been meditating on how I can do that, my mind has led me to the Elders that have come to our house for 19 years. Some of the names that I remember are Elder A from Australia, Elder Apadaca, Elder Lang, and Elder McClesky. And then I have thought why I can remember their names. Elder A was just so loving and just unforgettable. Elder Apadaca was so passionate about the gospel and so kind. Elder Lang always was trying do things with us and was just way awesome. Elder McClesky just had a huge impact on me that made me want to get better and be the best I can be. This has led me to think of how I can make an impact on the people here in Argentina in a manner comparable as our Elders have made on me. While being me, I can help the people here get involved with the work and following the Lord Jesus Christ. I have realized that there is a difference between being a member of the church and BEING a member of the church. The mission has helped me to realize, as well as other things, that the purpose of our life is to make decisions. The biggest decision is to follow Jesus Christ or not. This decision will affect all the rest of the decisions in our lives. What music we listen to, who we talk to (how and what we talk about to them), the relation and feelings we have to other people. There’s just so much riding on this one decision. And not only will it affect us now, but affect us forever. We need to make the decision right now of who we want to follow: Jesus Christ or Satan. Not making a decision is making a decision to not follow Christ. Like it says in the Bible whoever is not with me is against me, we need to choose to follow Christ. This means that we must study the scriptures daily, pray daily, go to church so that we can come to know what the Lord expects of us. I know that as we choose to follow Christ, we will receive many blessings and I know that we can receive the fullness of the blessings God has in store for us by way of this church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the only church that has the authority to perform the saving ordinances and to act in the name of God. The way you can find out is by reading the Book of Mormon and asking God in the name of Christ if it is true. I testify to you that it is and you will receive your answer through the Holy Ghost. I encourage you to listen to the missionaries and their message (even if you are a member) because you will feel that their message is true and will have the desires to follow Christ.

Well, I gotta go. Love you all. Be good. Stay Safe. See ya!

Love,

Elder Michael Watson

Strawberry Cake is the Best!!

2011-01-03T16:22:00.000-08:00

Elder Watson & Elder Ure

Hi All,

I have one word that describes this week. Wow.

So I am in Villa Lugano within the city of Buenos Aires. It’s like Glendale within Los Angeles… It’s on the western outskirts of the city. There is a highway called General Paz that circles the city of Buenos Aires or as people call it Capítal (ca-pee-tahl). On the other side of the highway where I am, is mission oeste (the West Mission). I am with Elder Ure who has two transfers more than I do. We are living with the Zone Leaders because our apartment has a bad gas leak (started about a month ago) so we have to travel a little bit until we can find an apartment in our area. It’s awesome living with the other Elders and hearing their advice and experiences. It’s awesome!

So this week has been really tiring. We found a couple of new investigators in a tower system as we were looking for less active members. That place is really confusing… We wandered around for a bit. At first they really didn’t want anything but after trying to explain our message in a different way, they let us come in. Before we started, we asked questions to get to know them and find what role religion has played in their lives. This helped Miguel, the uncle, relax and start to trust us. After a bit we shared the first lesson and Miguel accepted the commitment to read and pray about the Book of Mormon. It was amazing to watch the change in his attitude from first contact to after the lesson. I was amazed and I learned to be a bit more persistent.

New Years passed without any conflict. We went to sleep at 10:30 like we should have and one of the other Elders came into our room at midnight and yelled Happy New Year and we didn’t even roll over. We have been dead every night trying to find our way around and find new people. I was kind of surprised. We ate my cake last night with a recent convert and his family due to our oven not working… :( So they sang happy birthday to me and we ate cake. They really, really liked it. That’s right. Strawberry cake is the best. Not German Chocolate. ;(

Well, we are gonna go play soccer! Elder Green from my district in the MTC is in my district now so I am way excited! :D I love you all and hope all is well. I am glad to hear Michelle is alright and hope everything goes well with recovery.

With lots of love from Argentina,

Elder Michael C. Watson

New Transfer - New Changes

2010-12-28T15:36:00.000-08:00

Hi All,

I am not in Tortuguitas anymore. I am in Capítal, the city, in Lugano. My new companion is Elder Ure from Morgan (I think) Utah. This past week in Tortuguitas has been really full and fun. We got to watch fireworks on Friday Night and on Sunday Lucas passed the Sacrament for the first time. Yea! :D

Well, there’s not much going on. It’s really hot and at night it is really hard to sleep. One of our fans broke the other day so we are using one for two people. We use the fans to blow air on us as we sleep.) We are working with some less active families to bring them back to church.

I am not sure what else to say. I am in a new area so that’s exciting… I'll be sure to keep you all updated next week. Stay safe during New Years!

Love,

Elder Michael Watson

The Week Before Christmas

2010-12-20T20:51:00.000-08:00

Elder Cranford & Watson & Christmas Tree

Hey!

This week was really good but went by really fast. We had the two confirmations from our two baptisms of Lucas and Wanda from the previous weeks. We also had a Christmas conference that was awesome. It was a lift that I really needed. As well I received some mail and a couple packages from Michelle. I got letters from Jessica Jelaty, Paul Gonzales, and Michelle. Looks like I have a bit of writing to do. Could you send a short note to Spencer Brown wishing him Merry Christmas and Good Luck in the MTC! I wasn’t able to send a letter…

Well, I gotta go. We are working hard to apply what our inspired leaders have taught us and how the Lord would have us do His work. Thanks for all the help that I receive from you. Every bit is appreciated. Have a great Christmas and as a gift for Christ I would ask that we could all recommit ourselves to live the commandments and do the things He would do if He were in our place. May God Bless you all.

With tons of Love,

Elder Michael C. Watson

12 Days Until Christmas

2010-12-13T16:40:00.000-08:00

Divisions

Hi All,

There are only 12 more days until Christmas? Crazy!

Well, this week hasn’t been the most exciting but here it goes.

On Tuesday we did divisions with our district leader and I went to Saavio. I was with Elder Caon from Santa Fe, a province here in Argentina... Like 30 minutes from the borders of the mission. So we spent the day going by their investigators and teaching. We taught Alma 47 to their investigator couple that got married on Friday and baptized on Saturday. That was a really good lesson to never give in to the temptations of Satan even when it doesn’t appear harmful or that we will have power and control over the situation.

Wednesday - We had a teaching appointment with Susana, Byron and family, but as being feriado (or holiday) Susana took the kids to her mother’s house and Byron was home alone. I let them borrow my transformer and some adapters so that they can plug in their TV and we can watch the restoration together. But as Byron was only there, we let him borrow the things and continued with our plans. And we did splits again, but with members. I went with Hermano Gomez, Elder Cranford with another member. We went to a teaching appointment and taught the restoration to a couple and committed them to read, meditate and pray about the Book of Mormon and go to church. We called them on Saturday night but they are really busy now and can’t set up an appointment or tell us for sure when we can pass by. Hm...... Interesante....

Thursday - Planning! It’s always fun to plan out the week, who we are going to teach and how we can help to be baptized. However, every week seems to be faster and every day shorter... What’s going on? I am confused. We are so busy and have a ton of people to go by so I think that might be one reason. We had Lucas’s baptismal interview and everything went fine.

Friday - We met with Susana and Byron and their family to watch the restoration to only find out the transformer to convert the energy didn’t work for their TV. It says max 1600 watts and the TV 155 but that didn’t stop their TV from smoking. Like literally. There were billows of smoke issuing from the TV. We took apart the TV and found a mini breaker had popped so their TV still might be saved. If not... Well. I feel really bad then. Susana had to leave for work and we shared a couple things with Byron and his oldest daughter Micaela.

Saturday - We did service this morning for a family and then ate lunch with them. Afterwards we spent running around trying to get everything together for our two baptisms on Sunday, Lucas y Lautaro. We also taught a couple, Silvio y Alejandra, for the second time. The first was right before I got here to Tortuguitas. Lots of canceling and missing appointments but por fin! we got to teach them. It was a good lesson.

Sunday - Hectic day. We had the baptism for Lucas Perez which was awesome, but Lautaro didn’t show up to Church. We left during the second hour to go to his house and bring him for his baptism but he wasn’t there because his Grandma took him to another church in another city (who is a member by the way-inactive but still, a member). It appears that we will have a bit more work to get Lautaro in the water. He’s ready to be baptized but I guess his family isn’t... Well, that was the week. A ton of walking and some good results. This week was really a trial of faith as we had to do a ton of stuff and watched a lot of things fall through or didn’t happen. But I will stay strong and have faith all will be well. Like it says in Santiago 1:6 that we have to be steady and firm in our faith and not be tossed and turned as if we were in a stormy sea. That foundation we can build on is Jesus Christ - our Savior and Redeemer. Only by his grace can we be saved. And we can only attain his grace through the principles and ordinances of the Restored Gospel and the authority of the Holy Priesthood that has been given to men once more to establish the Kingdom of God and bring all of God’s children back to His presence once more. It will not be easy. It wasn’t easy for Christ who paid for every single living being’s sins, pains, and sicknesses and neither will it be easy for us. We have to give all that we got to attain eternal life. Like the saying goes, I never said it would be easy. I only said it would be worth it.

Well, I gotta go. The siesta is starting. Love you all. Be good. See ya!

Love,

Elder Michael Watson

Finding Families!

2010-12-06T17:20:00.000-08:00

Wow. What a week. Very full, but very good.

Monday – We went to Saavio to jugar con la pelota, to play soccer. One of the other elders kicked my ball and se pinchó.... It got punctured... Oh well. Less for me to carry back to Tortuguitas I guess...

Tuesday – District meeting and Service. The meeting was really good. As well as service. We helped a family paint their fence. This family is so awesome!! If I say "Agua!" to dogs when I get back; to get them to go away, it’s because of them. Hahahaha

Wednesday – We were walking behind a family so I decided to contact them… But they talked with us first… The husband said, "You speak English?" We talked for a little bit and found out they lived in Connecticut for 7 years. They have 3 daughters ages of 11, 8, and 2. I asked the wife if she would like to be with her family forever and she said yes. We wrote down their names and directions to the church and invited them for Sunday. Originally we were supposed to be doing service but it didn’t work out. Instead we found this family… there is a reason for everything!

Thursday – Service again, this time helping another family move. Where did they move? Right in front of the family we had found the day before. Que tal. How about that? :D We had an appointment at 6 so we had to dash, but found the house.

Friday – A lot of running around trying to find people and invite them all to church and teach them. We taught the last of the teachings to Lautaro and set up his baptismal interview for Saturday. We stopped by the family we found to set up going to church and planned to walk with them. Oh yea!

Saturday – Crazy day. In the morning we went to Lautaro to make sure everything was still good. And then we went to go eat lunch. Then we went back with the District Leader for the interview… Only to find that Lautaro’s dad wasn’t there and there wasn’t a man of 18 years or older so we couldn’t go in. We ran around for a bit and ended up taking Lautaro over to a member family that lives by him and had the interview there. We came back, finished up the register and left for our other appointments.

Sunday – Church! We walked with the family and got to church a little early. The members did their part and started talking with them and welcoming them. Then we had two more investigators show up right after that. We also had Wanda there but she arrived right before the Sacrament so there wasn’t time to confirm her. But the good part was that she was there. Also a former investigator came with his friend (who happens to be a member) and the bishopric blessed their baby. Lautaro didn’t show up and we haven’t had time to go by and see what happened so we have to do that really soon. So no baptism. The rest of the day we went around trying to find people to teach and in the night we went over to Susana and Byron (the parents of the family that came to church) and taught the restoration in English to the girls because they understand more English than Spanish. Now that was hard… I kept slipping back into Spanish… But it was a lot of fun. I think we are going to teach everything in English to them, but we’ll see. The parents understand a lot of English as well, so Elder Cranford and I are really excited! :D

Why in the world would we want to come back at the same time? (We asked them to write each other to confirm which transfer they will be coming home and what semester they will go back to school… we don’t want them coming home at different times!) We’ve always done EVERYTHING at the same time........ Ugh. Na, just kidding. I am super excited to spend a good chunk of time with my bro speaking in Spanish all the way home. It’s gonna be great. We can now speak code at the dinner table and you’ll have no idea what’s going on. And David will teach me Guarani and then you’ll be even more lost!!!! Yea. He’s already started too! :D

Well, that’s about all I have to say this week. Time is flying by way too fast. The one year mark is rapidly approaching and I feel like I’m just barely getting the hang of things. That’s all right. There’s always something to work on and always something to get better at.

Oh! I just made a bookmark thing for the Plan of Salvation. Re-Copado – Awesome! I plan to do one for a lot of things; the Law of Chastity, the Word of Wisdom, Tithing, the Ten Commandments. Visual aids help. Well, that’s really it. I hope all is well at home and that everyone is great.

I have a couple questions that I would like you to ponder. By what conditions are we saved? How can we fulfill these conditions? God is just and perfect. He has given us the commandment to be perfect. He’s also been merciful and let his own Son, Jesus Christ, come to the Earth to suffer for our sins, pains, sicknesses, and die on the Cross. The Atonement grants us the mercy to satisfy the demands of Justice. How can we apply the Atonement to us? The answer is through the Priesthood and the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Priesthood was lost after the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ were killed and martyred. Without the guidance of the priesthood, men became confused and began to form their own churches, using the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Many churches teach good things! But what they lack is all of the teachings of Christ and more importantly the authority of God to perform the ordinances required for Salvation, namely baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost (John 3:5 I think). It’s like if the Ice Cream man tried to pull you over and give you a ticket. He can try to do it, but he doesn’t have the authority to do that. Now if a policeman did the same thing, it’s valid, right? It’s the same with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There are many good people out in the world doing good things, but they lack the authority to do so. That’s why God and Jesus Christ came down from Heaven to answer the humble prayer of the 14 year old boy of Joseph Smith. They restored the authority to Joseph Smith and through him restored the same Church that Christ set up when he was on the Earth during his ministry: a prophet, 12 apostles, Seventy, and so forth. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true church on the Earth today. Within it you find the authority of God as well as all the teachings of Jesus Christ. Within it you can receive a remission of your sins, and receive the gift and companionship of the Holy Ghost. Nothing has been lost and nothing has been added. Why is all this important? Because God is the same yesterday, today and forever. He did not set up 50 ways to gain salvation, only one. I know Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God and that he received the divine priesthood power and authority. With that power he translated the Book of Mormon and reestablished the Church of Jesus Christ again on the Earth. You can know what I have just written is true by reading in the Book of Mormon, think, really think about what it teaches (and that nothing contradicts the bible, only clarifies it and helps us to understand, it’s a companion!) and pray to God in the name of Jesus Christ and ask him specifically if it is true, you will receive an answer from the Holy Ghost through your thoughts and feelings. You will feel that it is true. You won’t be able to deny it. If you didn’t receive an answer the first time, don’t worry. Keep on trying. It’s a trial of faith. And a promise. And God will fulfill all of his promises. I promise you in the name of Jesus Christ that if you read the Book of Mormon, ponder its teachings, and pray to God and ask Him if it is true, you WILL receive an answer. The answer might now come right away, but surely it will come. Knowing the Book of Mormon is true means that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God with His power and authority. Knowing Joseph Smith was a prophet means that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true church of God.

If you really have interest to know that what I have said is true, there are two young men or women that live by you who can teach you more. They have the same power and authority I have received to preach the Gospel. You will feel and know they are really true servants of God, with the divine commission to share the restored Gospel with the world. If you can’t find them, ask a member of the Church. They will help you find answers to all of your questions and doubts.

Well, gotta go. Love you all. Stay safe, be good and Choose the Right. See ya!

Love,

Elder Michael C. Watson

I Keep Breaking Umbrellas!

2010-11-29T16:20:00.000-08:00

Well, this week has been quite a roller coaster. Let me start with the beginning.

Monday, after emailing we went back to the apartment to do a spring cleaning. Elder Cranford cleaned the floor Argentina style (soapy water with a squeegee type broom) and I cleaned out the fridge, scrubbing it and removing all the ice. It started raining in the afternoon so we didn’t do much after. I didn’t feel like writing so I fixed a couple buttons on my pants, a shirt pocket, and stitched my name on the inside of the funda por mi biblia, the protective cover for my bible. After that we left and started the work.

Oh the weather here. If it’s hot for a couple days, its sure to rain the 3rd or 4th day. Its a good 30 degrees Celsius and then it rains. And every time it rains I tell myself I need to buy an umbrella (the three I have bought have broken within a week.... maybe I should spend more money and get better quality....) but afterwards I always forget... Ooops.

Tuesday through Saturday we spent a good deal of time preparing the two baptisms we had planned this weekend, Wanda and Lautaro. We ran into a bit of trouble with Lautaro and his father so his baptism has been postponed for a bit... (hopefully this weekend). But we finished teaching them the things they needed to know before baptism. We held the baptismal service for Wanda right after Church on Sunday and it was awesome. A ton of members were there and as well as some family members of Wanda. Overall it was a great baptism. :D

Well, my mind just blanked out so I guess I am going to end this letter… I know that Jesus Christ lives and that He loves us. He’s always ready to help us get up when we fall, that’s why He suffered and died for us. Without the Atonement that He suffered for us, we couldn’t return to our Father’s presence again. Our Father commands us to be perfect, but as we can’t be, He has provided a plan of mercy. The only way to receive His mercy includes the Atonement of Jesus Christ as well as His Gospel. We cannot receive mercy freely, but only through faith in Jesus Christ, Repentance, and Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins by the proper authority, receive the baptism of fire or the Gift of the Holy Ghost and Enduring to the end. All the Father asks us is to keep the commandments. Yes, we will fall and make mistakes, but that’s why we can repent and get better. It’s like riding a bike. When we fall, we have to get back up and keep on going. And if we try to learn from our mistakes, we won’t fall as much. This process of showing our faith by keeping the commandments, reading the scriptures and praying daily, going to church - (even when we are in the most difficult times) will lead us to feel sorrow for our actions and we will repent. Repenting leads us to baptism and after baptism leads us back to church to partake of the sacrament, renew our baptismal covenants and leave the heavy backpack of sin behind. We don’t just go to church to learn, but to be free from sin. The learning helps us to not sin as much as we gain spiritual strength and knowledge. Being clean helps us to have the Holy Ghost with us so that we can make the right decisions and press forward with steadfast faith in Christ. As we fulfill our part, God will help us to do what is right, but we have to act first. Without action there are no responses. Action = blessings = more action = more blessings, and it keeps on going. We just have to keep going. Love you all. Be safe. Be good. Always remember our Heavenly Father and His expectations for us. Psalms 85:6 and Romans 8:16-17… He’ll never command us to accomplish something we can’t do.

Gotta go, Love you,

Elder Michael C. Watson

Families, Agency, Chastity

2010-11-22T14:47:00.000-08:00

They're Out There, We'll Find Them

Buenas tardes a todos!

This week wasn’t all that exciting. We did confirm Cecilia from last week because she arrived a bit late last week...

With the work right now we are teaching a lot of kids. We are trying to teach (or find...) their parents and bring whole families into the gospel… The problem is that either their parents aren’t interested in religion (better to say that they are more interested in the things of the world) or that they work all the time. It’s hard to find a complete family here. This has helped me to realize that the Law of Chastity is sooooo important. God wants a couple to be married before they have children. There are too many reasons. With their parents just together, there is no commitment, no loyalty. When times get rough, they split. Being married brings many blessings as well as many responsibilities. Responsibility to the wife (or husband), the children, to provide for the family, and to raise the children with love and unity. When there isn’t a mother or there isn’t a father, the children not only lack someone to provide for them or someone to care for them, but they lack the role models and the teachings that children desperately need these days so that they won’t fall into Satan’s traps. There are too many reasons for this law and the power to have a family should not be played with or treated lightly.

Well, we are really busy trying to find people to teach and help those that we are teaching progress towards their baptisms. Next week I will send a list of 17 points that list characteristics that the true Church of Jesus Christ should have. It’s pretty neat. And I like it.

Well, that’s about it. We have two baptisms this weekend so I will inform you about them next week. Sooooooo excited! :D Missionary work is the best!

OH! We watched a clip when Elder Bednar came to Argentina. He was speaking in English with a translator by his side. But he is awesome. Basically he said the power of faith comes by action. If we pray (the example he used) that the people who didn’t come to church this week can come next week, is a faithless prayer. He said for us to go out, find a less active (better a nonmember friend!) and help them. Go to church with them, walking, giving them a ride, visiting their home, lending your ear. It will take faith to help them because many (if not all) times we don’t know what to say or do beforehand. But like the Lord says many times in the Bible to his apostles and to us in the Doctrine and Covenants to not worry about it beforehand and it will be given to us in the moment we need it. Like Obi-wan says to Luke, trust your feelings. That’s how the Spirit guides us (Galatians 5:22-23) and we will feel what we need to say more than we think of what we need to say. Anyways, Elder Bednar is awesome!

Well, gotta go. Love you all. Be good. Stay safe. Happy turkey day. I would have forgotten about it if I didn’t read it in your email to me. Haha. Love ya,

Con Mucho Amor,

Elder M. Watson

PS. We get mail tomorrow!!!! (I don’t know how much because we just received it like 3 weeks back, but still... MAIL! HAHAHA!)

Transfers came and went. We weren't touched! :D

2010-11-16T14:38:00.001-08:00

Hola a todos!

I am soooooooooo excited! I am still here in "Tortugas" with Elder Cranford. This transfer is going to be so awesome. We have a ton of people we are teaching and have many possible baptisms! :D

Mom... You have more cakes than years old! 23! What’s up with that?

Anyways, my week. We had a baptism this weekend. I baptized Cecilia Peralta. They are 3 siblings that live together. Their parents have passed away, their father a couple years ago and their mother passes away a couple of months back. They are in their mid 20’s (Cecilia is thirty) but it is hard for them to keep everything up. What has given them hope is that they can do the temple work for their parents. Their dad didn’t get baptized and their mom did. In a year they are going to go together to the temple to do all their work and get sealed as a family. We are really excited for them and are helping them so that they can complete with their goal. (Cumplir con su meta)

We had a lesson with a less active member yesterday. She was baptized when she was 14 and stopped going to church a little while after. She is teaching and learning English. (We often talk in English to help her out! Fun! :D ) So yesterday we started out with the primera charla o sea la restauración. (the first lesson, the Restoration) We ended up talking a lot about apostasy and about Joseph Smith. She asked us how he died and I think this was one of the first times I have been able to testify about his martyrdom. It was so hard trying to find the words to use but throughout the lesson I was able to bear my testimony about the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith and I could feel the Holy Ghost so strongly. Joseph Smith really was a prophet of God and restored the Church of Jesus Christ back on the Earth and you can know it through the Book of Mormon! (Ask the missionaries or members... They are very willing to help you know how you can know for yourself that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true church upon the face of the Earth.)

As we share the gospel and bear our testimonies, God is willing to testify to us, His children, by way of the Holy Ghost. Any member and every member should share their testimonies with others. If we don’t feel like we have that strong of a testimony, read the Book of Mormon. Get on your knees and really pray to God and ask if it is true. You can ask Him about anything. Any commandment, any prophecy, any revelation, anything (Moroni 10:5). Pray to God and ask Him if Joseph Smith was a prophet, if the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only church with the authority of God to perform sacred ordinances, if we should pay tithing, if the Book of Mormon is true. The Holy Ghost is ready to testify to us the truthfulness of ALL things. Every time you ask with real intent, you will receive an answer. Every time. Study it, ponder it, and ask God. I promise you as a Representative of Jesus Christ that He will answer you and you will come to know with all your heart that all the things I have testified and shared are true. It’s not only my religion and beliefs. It is the ONLY way to return and live with God again. Baptism by the proper authority and confirmation in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the door that leads to the straight and narrow path back to God (camino angosto). And as you strive to live the commandments and understand why you need to obey the commandments, more understanding will come to you and you will gain a testimony of it or your testimony will be strengthened. Like Alma says in Alma 32, that you need to plant the seed (the word of God) in your heart and nourish it. As you nourish it, you will feel it grow within you and you will know for a surety that it is good. God will not give you a commandment you cannot live. Have faith in Him and all things will be possible for you. You can overcome any temptation. Any habit. Anything. Our Heavenly Father wants you to be happy and only by obeying all of His commandments can you really attain true happiness.

Other than that, the week has been pretty quiet. We are working hard to find people that will listen to us and choose to follow the example of Jesus Christ. I am so stoked for this week. It’s gonna be great! I love you and hope all is well. If you need any help or have any question, doubts, or comments, please write me. I feel like Ammon and Aaron and just want to serve and help people. I don’t judge and just want to be able to see you again with our Father in Heaven in the Celestial Kingdom. Love you all. Stay safe. Time flies when you are having fun and a year has almost gone by.... too crazy. Anyways, see you all soon.

Con Mucho Amor,

Elder Michael C. Watson

Zanja (Zan-Ha) - Ech!

2010-11-08T16:21:00.001-08:00

Well, this week has been way crazy. We’ve gone on splits twice and tons of other stuff has happened. I will try to remember todo.

First off. I know I can’t email on Thursday the 11th of November so HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM! HAHA! 21! Again! :D :D

I got my packages and letters! :D Super excited. Thanks to the Pitcher clan for all the goodies! I LOVE it! :D I also got my packages from the parents, the first one and the Christmas one. I put my stocking up in my closet with the stash that was inside. I won’t wear those until Christmas and my Birthday! :D And the ballot. I got it after Election Day so it is void. But, I still voted. And even though I had no idea who was who, I knew some people and made sure my vote counted for Fillmore. ha! Even though it doesn’t do anything. Bummer.

Alright the week. Tuesday I went with Elder Rodriguez on splits in Del Viso. He was the first missionary I saw in my area. Elder Garay and I were walking to the apartment and I saw Elder Rodriguez leaving to go down south. Now he’s back as my district leader. Too cool. And miracles always happen in splits. Always. We found a woman by asking for references and she was praying for someone or something to help her. Too awesome.

Thursday we had a baptism! My foot. In a water ditch. More like a zanja (Zan-Ha). The main difference is what is inside. In a water ditch you would expect to see water, no? Well, I guess you can call it water. Except it stinks really bad and there’s a lot of stuff inside the zanjas that really shouldn’t be there. Anyways, I was pulling out a mint and a little kid that was playing in the calle asked if he could have one. So I stepped over to give him one and didn’t see the zanja because there was grass covering it. Well, my foot, ankle and pants sunk into sludge. I pulled it out gave the kids their mints and left as they were laughing at me. It was pretty funny I admit. But when I am cleaning my shoes in the sink and black is everywhere... So not cool and they still stink. I might have to give them a better cleaning. I did use some liquid soap but I guess that didn’t work. Anyways, yea. Zanjas.

Friday was divisions again with Elder Ramirez from Chile. He’s brand new on the mission but way old. Like 25. He’s finished most of his medical school and is cool. The best part is that he likes Star Wars so we got a long. Hahahahahaha. But that was a good experience.

Sunday we brought 5 kids to church. One is a grandson of a less active woman and the other four live in the back house. The family in the back is literally de diez, 10 people that can be baptized. And 2 of them have already gone to church and liked it. Oh yea! This next transfer is going to be way awesome.

So the weather. When it gets really hot here in the spring (33 degrees Celsius - how much is that in Fahrenheit????) the following day or days it will rain. So today it rained. Even with the foul weather we went to San Fernando so that Elder Cranford could sign for some packages and I went with the companions who hadn’t received packages (pobrecitos nosotros... haha jk) and we went and got the best ice cream in Buenos Aires supposedly. I’d agree! :D Yum! hahaha! So it’s starting to warm up. And they say it’s nothing. This summer is going to be full of a lot of water drinking. For sure. But I like it more than cold! (I say that now)

Anyways, I am happy and the world is rolling and I gotta go. I love you all. Smiles aren’t enough. Keep it on!

Con Mucho Mucho Mucho Amor,
Elder Michael C. Watson
Vamos Vamos Argentina
Vamos Vamos a Ganar

White Rabbits!!

2010-11-01T16:32:00.000-07:00

White rabbits! Haha. I may have actually done it today, but I don’t know. December I will do for sure! Haha.

Well, this week was interesting. Tuesday we had District meeting which is always great. This week we learned how to help our investigators to pray and learn the importance of it. There is a DVD that we use called The District. They just did the second part so we are watching every District Meeting one segment or two. It’s pretty awesome to watch other Elders teach with the Spirit. Also they are teaching in English... I don’t think I could do that. We are thinking of trying to teach a less active in English because she is learning it and teaches it, but we’ll see. It’s probably better we do it in Castellano (Spanish but South American version it’s not the same as Spanish as many people have told me) but it would be awesome to try!

Wednesday was the national Census. We had to stay inside until a census worker came by and asked us some questions. I was thinking that if they didn’t come until the afternoon I would die, but they came in the morning so it was fine. The thing was, that we could only go to citas fijas...uh fixed appointments... How do you say that in English? We couldn’t knock on doors or anything (which we never do... toooooooo busy) but that means we couldn’t go by people that we hadn’t been able to get a hold of. We were walking down the street and some women called us over and had a ton of questions. They are from the province of Fermosa and son Paraguayas... um from Paraguay. Anyways, they had tons of questions and one of them came to Church on Sunday so we will see how much they progress.

Thursday was planning and too much didn’t go on. Friday we had interviews with President Gulbrandsen and his wife... in our apartment. If we hadn’t received future notice and if we were lazy that would have been disastrous. But we received notice and we worked hard to clean up after the missionaries who were before us (it looks like that had a BBQ "asado" on the porch because there was a bunch of charcoal. and a bunch of broken stuff) so it went fine. We learned a lot of stuff and it was awesome the 10 or 15 minutes they were with us.

Saturday was our day to go by a TON of people and we actually were able to teach a lot. It was good. Sunday was Halloween. I was sad because I don’t have a black and orange tie so I could really celebrate it. Nothing really happened. In some places the local stores have treats for the kids, but other than that, it was just a normal Sunday night. There is this one less active family, the Gutierrez Family, and we are teaching them and all their family (a lot of success is found in part-member families!) and there are always a bunch of kids. They asked us how Halloween was in the States and so we told them a general scope of it. Maybe one day Argentina will do it like the States, but that’s a long way off.

That’s nice of mom to take Rice Krispies Treats over! Rice Krispies treats don’t exist here... Mainly because marshmallows don’t. But the Gutierrez Family keeps asking us for some. Maybe if we go to one of the stores that sell American products we can find some. But we would have to search and travel a bit to find some. What they need to start selling in the States are alfajores. They are awesome! I was talking with a member in Villa Adelina and he told me that they exist in Utah. So I will be looking when I get back! Haha. And the funny part is that there are a lot of American companies that make alfajores.

Well, that’s what happened this week. Well, some of the things. Really, there are just too many things that are go on. I hope that everyone is great and that all is well. I will be getting mail tomorrow in District meeting so that should be a lot of fun! And I have a couple packages so that makes it even better! Haha. Anyways, stay safe, keep studying the scriptures, praying and striving to keep the commandments. As you do so, the Lord will provide the ways (proveer los medios) so that you will be able to keep the commandments and follow the example of Jesus Christ. (1 Nephi 17:3) Well, until next week. Un beso y abrazo muy fuerte.

Él Amoroso Querido Watson - "Elemental, mi querido Watson" ---> Our foundation is Jesus Christ and his Gospel- Faith in Jesus Christ, Repentance, Baptism by the proper authority, receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost by the same authority, and Enduring until the end (building your faith, keep on repenting and going to church to renew your baptismal covenants and keeping the commandments)

Love,

Elder Michael Watson

There is so much to do!!

2010-10-25T16:00:00.001-07:00

Hey all!

First the news: Jacob got his call?! Attaboy! :D That is awesome that he is leaving for his mission. :D :D :D Brother Luloff is moving? :( :(

This week was really long but really good. I learned a lot and it was just great. We found a lot of people this week. The problem is trying to find them again because many times schedules aren’t very fixed here. We found 15 new investigators of which 12 or 13 are still interested. We have a lot of work in front of us but it is a very exciting time. We have to get the investigators to come through with commitments come to church, but we are working on that. We are doing really good.

As well we have found a couple families to teach. Not all are interested, but it is a starting point. There is just so much to do here. We’re never bored. :D

On Wednesday we had a special conference with all the missionaries who came to Argentina during December until March (Justo!) President Gulbrandsen helped us to realize our potential and that as we hit the one year mark, it’s not the time to start down the hill but to grow wings and fly as one missionary explained it. There are a lot of things to accomplish on the mission and my goal is to do all that the Lord expects of me. Not very easy, but it is so worth it. The blessings I have seen up to this point are amazing; I can’t wait to see what is to come! :D

Today I went to sign for my two packages. The office Elders went to customs today (or very soon will go) to get our packages. So yea, that took a lot of time out of our P-day today. But hey, you gotta do what you gotta do. We also spent some time with a member who was baptized when she was 14 but didn’t have any support so she went inactive and now is coming back. She is learning and teaching English and so we spent a couple of hours eating and talking with her in English. It was a bit difficult but good. (I am so not used to speaking in English...) We couldn’t go or do anything in the afternoon because everything is closed for the Siesta (the afternoon nap here in Argentina - EVERYTHING closes down).

Well, I don’t have that much time today. I still have to go buy food and some other stuff for this week.

Well, gotta go. I am writing letters (I found a place to buy envelopes!) and will be sending them soon. Love you all and be good.

Con mucho Amor,

Elder Michael C. Watson

Bautismo!

2010-10-18T17:00:00.000-07:00

Elder Watson, Luz, Celeste, Elder Cranford

Hey! :D

First of all, Happy Mother’s Day! It was Mother’s Day yesterday here in Argentina (and I am pretty sure almost all of Latin America).

Alright, this week.

First off, we had two baptisms on Saturday for two cousins of a less-active family. Their names are Celeste and Luz and really are great. I baptized Luz which really was an amazing experience. She has been kind of on and off about being baptized because she is scared of water. Saturday morning she told me she didn’t want to be baptized because she was scared. I talked to her as well as one of her Primary teachers and she was decided to go through with it. Her sister went first and kind of threw herself back in the water which scared Luz. She ran out and didn’t want to do it. Nothing I said, her mom, her sisters, the members would convince her. It wasn’t until her father came (who isn’t a member...yet) and said that he would be right by her the whole time would she do it. So he was at the top of the stairs of the baptismal font and I baptized her.. Not only could I feel the Spirit, I can understand more of the role of a father on his kids. When there is love, understanding and trust between a father and his children, the children can do anything as long as they have their father’s support.

Now, applying this to the Gospel, we have a loving Heavenly Father who loves us and wants to help us. How many times are we scared or afraid to follow a commandment or a prompting of the Holy Ghost? How many times do we think we cannot do something even if we tried our hardest? This is where our Father in Heaven comes in. God wants us to follow the commandments. He wants us to be happy. He wants us to learn and progress in this life (that’s why we have trials). He is willing to be right next to us as we try to follow His will. He knows what is best for us. We just have to trust in Him. How do we build that trust and confidence though? This is where fervent, heartfelt prayer, scripture study and going to church come in. We can build trust in Heavenly Father as we learn and understand more of what He wants us to do. We learn and understand more about the Father through Jesus Christ (Christ teaches His apostles that knowing Him is knowing the Father - not the same person but as knowing a son can lead you to know what his father is like). We learn about Christ through fervent scripture study, really thinking and applying what Christ teaches us and understanding the example Christ has set for us. We can find many of his teachings in the Bible as well as the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. When we read both, we can come to know more about Christ and what he wants us to do. As we learn this, we know what the Father would have us do because the Son doeth nothing but what he hath seen from the Father. (John 5:19)

As we learn this, we can start to recognize all the blessings and help from God we have received in our lives. Our families, friends, homes, the food on the table, etc., etc., etc. Really there are just too many to count. As we start to recognize the blessings, we can trust in the promise that we are obedient, that God will bless us. As we strive to be obedient, because no one is perfect, we can start to see the support in our lives that God gives to us. But all of this doesn’t come in a snap of the fingers... It’s a long, long process that takes a lot of concentrated effort and persistence. We are going to fall, a lot. But we just have to get back up and keep on going. It’s like riding a bike. We are going to get a lot of scrapes and bruises (or maybe only a few if you are lucky) but as we overcome the obstacles, the blessings of God will come pouring down from Heaven. As an authorized representative of Jesus Christ, I promise that as you obey God’s commandments, he will bless you. We can ask for help. He wants us to ask for His help. As we humble ourselves down in prayer, recognizing of our own strength we are nothing, and as we strive to carry out what the Father would have us do, we will be strengthened and guided in all that we do. We won’t avoid all the obstacles... More might even come in the way. But I promise you that you will have the strength to overcome every single trial and follow the example of Jesus Christ and obey the commandments.

We had stake conference yesterday. We learned a lot about cleaning the windows to see the real side of people, not taking offense (because really when we are offended we are just giving our free will to someone else. No one else can MAKE us offended. We choose to be offended), the missionary work and not judging others (because we will be judged with the same judgment... scary thought if we are really hardcore, no?) That really was just an awesome experience because we had an Area Seventy come and speak and I just learned a bunch! :D

OH! Funny story. Actually a couple. As my last name is Watson and my badge says Elder Watson, a lot of people quote Sherlock Holmes to me. Elementary, my dear Watson. (In Castellano of course (Not Spanish because that is TOTALLY different.... haha.)) Even the Area Seventy came up to me and said it as he shook my hand. It’s hilarious.

Another funny story. Jack Sparrow lives in Villa Adelina. Not the actor Orlando Bloom but Jack Sparrow. We met him one day in the train station and he stopped us and talked to us for a bit. It was on P-day so we are already strained for time so we had to go. But before we left, he picked up Elder Southern to guess how much he weighs. We saw him a couple of times and how he talks, walks, runs, (smells) and how his looks match Jack Sparrow (the character). Kind of weird but funny.

What else... Oh. Photos... Sorry Mrs. Wortham... I’ll stop taking snapshots. Literally I haven’t really even been thinking when taking pictures. Just thinking, oh that’s cool. But yea. I don’t exactly have a lot of time to think and plan, but I will mejorar! (Get better)

Wow... So many people getting mission calls and getting married... Time really flies.

Well, I don’t know what else to say. The work is great and we have more things to do than we have time to do them. But I am having a blast and serving the Lord 24/7 is the best thing I have ever chosen to do. EVER. :D

I sent home some pictures. One is the bicentennial peso ($1 coin) which is worth about 25 cents. Another is a monedero where you can keep all your change to ride the bus and for things like that. The others are the 20 peso bill and the 50 peso bill which are 5 and 12.5 dollars, but are like 20 and 50 dollars to the states.

Love you all and miss you. Write me if you have time. I’ll write back asap. Today I am starting on the list I have to write to people. Not too long, but if I wait... Well, let’s just say its better to do it now... :D Be good, stay safe and don’t get into too much trouble. Love ya,

Chau!

Elder Michael C. Watson

General Conference, Zone Conference, The Zoo!

2010-10-12T16:44:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone,

Today for P-Day we went to Temaikén which is a zoo! It was a lot of fun. We were supposed to go with our district but they didn’t show up for some reason... We saw other Elders from the Zone though! There is a picture of me under the zoo sign… can you see me?

I am going to send home a bunch of pictures today… a few are of my shoes so you can see how they are doing 9 months into my mission. I know they are dirty but the streets here are just dirt so as soon as I step outside, they are all dirty again. The shoes I wore mostly in Villa Adelina are now my Sunday shoes here. That’s just life outside of Capítal… The ¨Provincía¨ is not in really good shape. I was lucky in Villa Adelina. What splits the two is a big highway called General Paz that is a circle around Capital. People call this ¨Capítal¨ and outside of this circle is Provincía.

I am not having any problems with my weight so far. I can gain weight or lose weight really easy. I just have to eat a bunch of junk food or abstain from it. It’s kinda funny. I think I have gained 10 pounds and then lost it like 4 times already. I think I need to watch my weight during the summer though; it’s going to be blazing.

I hope my package got delivered (the status shows an attempted delivery on Oct. 6th to the mission office). I really don’t know when I will get my mail this month. This week has been absolutely crazy. Good but crazy. I am going to start first with the most recent.

Yesterday we had a special conference with our Area President, Elder Arnold. Let me just say that it was absolutely amazing! Honestly, I was scared because I had heard that when Elder Aidukaitis came to the mission (right before I got here) that he really laid into the missionaries. But really President Arnold lifted and lifted us up. Even though we haven’t been doing things in the best way, he encouraged us to start anew every day, leaving behind what we have done (good or bad) and sleeping well, as long as we have worked our hardest. There are lots of things that we have to change but they are all great things. I am really excited to apply them to the work and my life (because almost everything I learn on the mission applies to me for the rest of my life).

The Zone Conference was really strict. We had to show up an hour early and be studying quietly and we couldn’t talk with any friends. Right after conference we got to hug President Arnold and shake his hand, along with his wife’s hand (as well as President Gulbrandsen and la Hermana Gulbrandsen) and then go straight to our areas. (I got to go to Villa Adelina because that’s the only way that I knew how to get to the conference and it wasn’t very expensive... I was WAY excited even if I was only in the train station... LOL) President Arnold told Elder Cranford about when he and his companion had competitions to see who could get in the most doors and whoever did had to buy the other one a soda. Really, President Arnold is awesome. He was so happy and he talked about obedience the whole time. When he bore his testimony about Joseph Smith it was amazing. I was translating for an Elder in my district because President Arnold was switching from English to Spanish. Just WOW! It was sweet. He spoke in General Conference about honoring our name and the name of Christ. It was absolutely fantastic! :D

Elder Green, in the picture you saw posted, was in my District in the MTC and is a friend on Facebook. There should also be pictures of the zone conference going up soon! All three zones took a picture with Elder Arnold and his wife. I am on the stage on the right hand side.

General Conference was amazing. It has been a week and a half of intense Spiritual experiences. The talk I really remember is from President Monson about gratitude. (It probably doesn’t help my memory that I watched it all in Spanish... I understood most of it! I won’t be able to listen to General Conference in Spanish very much after the mission so I took advantage of it... I took some good notes! LOL).

I want to thank EVERYBODY for all the help they are giving or have given to me. Everything you all do lifts me up. Thank you thank you thank you.

Bueno, I have to go. The train leaves in 5 minutes. LOVE YOU ALL!

Con mucho amor,

Elder Watson

Transfer Week - My New Area is Tortuguitas

2010-10-05T16:14:00.000-07:00

Hey all!

Well it’s a new month. And a new month brings new changes right? Well, the transfer ended with a big change. I knew it was coming but I didn’t want it to come. I have left Villa Adelina and now I am in the area of Tortuguitas (Tor-tu-gi-tas is how you pronounce it) in the partido (county) of Pilar. I am excited but really nervous, this is my first change to a new area. I loved Villa Adelina but it was time for me to go. Seven months in one place is a looooooooooong time, but it’s all good.

Transferring is an interesting experience. We get called Monday night at 9:30 - 10 (usually 10:20) with news if we have to go somewhere or stay. And then, when you get the call your head spins. You can’t sleep so you start packing your bags. As you are packing you start to think where you had gotten all this stuff. It’s hard to think late at night when you can’t sleep. I thought I didn’t really get anything new but my baggage lets me know otherwise. (PESADISIMO! Really Heavy!) And then it’s walking in circles, waiting. We all gather at the mission office (unless you’re in the south, then you go to your new area all by yourself) at 11:30. Here we see old companions and friends and we get to talk for a bit. After a while, you find your new companion, talk for a bit and then leave. Usually we go to our area in a remis (think taxi but a normal guy with a normal car driving you to a destination). This time, however, we had a member drive us from the office to our apartment which is on the third floor up a narrow staircase right next to an auto mechanic. Apartments in Argentina are put into any place they can fit.

So nothing really great happened this week. We just worked hard to find and get people to General Conference. Fabian, an investigator went and had a great experience. He is moving to Orem in a couple weeks for work and will be in Utah for a couple months. I hope that he keeps on going to church and the missionaries there baptize him.

My new companion is Elder Cranford and is from Montana. He is really cool. This transfer is gonna be great. Well, gotta go. More stuff later. Love you all! Catch you later!

Con mucho amor,

Elder Watson

Short message: Sept 27

2010-09-27T16:43:00.000-07:00

Buenas!

I don’t have much time this week so I will just be quick.

I love the scriptures. They have so much meaning in our lives. We can learn from almost every verse and apply it to our lives. This is one of the ways God answers our prayers and how he helps us to know His will for us. This life isn’t ours, but a gift from Him to help us show our love and loyalty to Him. As we learn how to show our love for God and obey his commandments, we will have so much more freedom in life and the life to come… John said that the truth will make us free. This truth is the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Plan of Salvation. When we conform to God’s will, this is when we will find true happiness, peace and joy. He wants us to be happy and knows the best way of how we can get there. We just have to be willing to sacrifice a couple of things and do what He wants in His ways.

I love you all and hope everyone is good. Stay safe!

Con mucho amor,

Elder Watson

Monkey in the Middle?

2010-09-20T14:01:00.001-07:00

Buenas!

Wow... Esta semana voló! It really did fly. It felt like I was just writing you yesterday. I hope this doesn’t become a running theme in my life or this next year and a bit (I can’t even say year and half... :( ) is not going to last very long.

Let’s see what happened. We had zone conference this week which was really great. We really focused on asking heaven-inspired questions and having love for the people we teach. Something that requires a lot of patience (something I don’t have). We have been really trying to find someone to teach on a regular basis but things just keep on happening. Just gotta keep chugging... That’s what the Lord wants us to do; never give up in trying to what the Lord has asked. He will provide a way to help us complete with the work He has given us. Oh! I found a scripture I really liked in Alma 29:9-10. Really missionaries are on the Lord’s errand and seeing people change because of the influence of the Holy Ghost is one of the greatest joys I have had in the mission.

So with Zone Conference comes MAIL. And with my mail came a package from PARAGUAY! :D :D :D :D :D :D :D I think I was the most excited to get a letter from David. I have been smiling for days on end. He sent me a plaque in Guarani and a Paraguayan tie. It was the best! :D I also got a couple other letters from Michelle, Joanna, Josh Jelaty, Jessica Jelaty and our cousin Crystal Yokom. It was a good haul. Lol. :D

We are working with some inactive families right now who have children who are not baptized but we are still searching for a family of investigators to teach. I know there are TONS of people prepared here in Villa Adelina, we just got to find them. And I won’t stop until I do!

We went to a park by the Rio de Plata today and hung out with our district. Those who had guitars played them, we played monkey in the middle with my soccer ball, Frisbee and just relaxed. It was a lot of fun. But the down part is that we had to find a way back that took longer than we would have liked so I don’t have too much time. I love you all and hope all is well. Be safe and stay good. Les quiero!

Con Mucho Amor,

Elder Michael Watson

Ya Septiembre??? Peruvian Food - YUM!

2010-09-13T13:23:00.000-07:00

Buenas tardes a todos! :D

Well, this week was really good! The best part was Sunday so I will get to that last.

In the beginning of the week we really couldn’t find anyone and it was really hard to teach. But we started passing by lots of less actives to invite them to the Stake Conference with President Arnold this weekend. Many said they would think about it, but we found an part-member family of the Mom who is member and her 3 daughters, Celeste, Barabara y Valentina and all of them can be baptized. They all came to church and are really excited. :D We are now working with 3 less active families to reactivate them and help them to come back to church. It is so awesome!

I don’t remember if I told you about the member and her boyfriend who stopped us in the street to ask where the Chapel was... Anyways, it was about 3 months ago and many things have happened since then. But finally, her and her two daughter came to church!!!!!!! I am soooooooo excited. I was about ready to give up going by. But that is twice where I have found people when I felt like it wasn’t worth the effort. It was awesome when they walked into the chapel. And now she has an interview with the Bishop in two Sundays so she can arrange everything. It’s just way awesome.

On Sunday we went to a member who has been struggling with health problems and discouragement. He is the only one in his family that is a member and it is really hard for him. We were able to have a good lesson with him and his wife (she came in at the end). We shared how our examples can help build up other people. We shared how Alma was really worried about his son and tried to help him. We then shared how in the Alma the Younger’s most difficult moments he remembered the testimony of his father. This member is a good missionary. He has written out his testimony and put it in the copies of the Book of Mormon of his oldest daughter and a present for his friend. He worries and works with his family so much to get them to go to church and to realize the blessings of the gospel. Even though right now they are going to church or reading, we shared with him that they would remember the testimony of their father (and husband) in their darkest moments and help them to realize the truth of the Gospel and its importance in our lives. It was just a great lesson.

Today we went over to the Zone Leaders’ area to eat food from Peru (It’s really spicy) and to hang out. It was a lot of fun. If I ever go to Peru (which I would like) I will have to bring a lot of milk…

Well, that’s the big stuff that happened. We have Zone Conference this Wednesday. Rumors are that President Arnold is going to be there which brings us great fear but (at least to me) excitement. We will receive a lot of good advice and teachings and MAIL!!!! All three are VERY important. LOL. Anyways, it’s a lot of fun the Missionary Work. There are lots of times where it is way difficult, but it definitely has its rewards.

Here is a scripture to keep kids in line (Elder Southern found it) Deuteronomy 21:18-21. I was going to send some thoughts but they left... Oh well. I hope all is well and that everyone is being good! Stay safe!

Con mucho amor,

Elder Michael Watson

Soccer & Pizza... Fun P-Day

2010-09-06T14:56:00.000-07:00

Elders Watson & Southern

Hey all!

This week was alright. We had splits so I was with Elder Cortés from Chile for a day. That was fun. Splits are always interesting.

Today, Hermano Cano, my first zone leader, came to visit us. He finished the mission and played Soccer with us at the Stake Center. No one had a ball so I bought one... for 56 pesos... so it was like 14 dollars. But it’s from Boca so it’s pretty cool. The ball doesn’t look as nearly as good as it did new but what can you expect playing on concrete. I took a lot of pictures with it BEFORE we played so I would have good memories! :D Afterwards, we went to an all you can eat pizza place with our district. That was pretty fun.

The Patriarch for the Stake is in our ward (Its way cool to say that we are a ward) and we went to his house the other day. As we were talking he asked about Dad and what position he held. When I told him that he was a bishop, Patriarch Leotta told me that being a Bishop is one of the hardest callings of the Church. (He was called 3 times). But it is always interesting talking to him. He is like 80 years old and acts and looks like he is in his 60s or 70s.

I met an Elder Johnson (in our zone) who knows me from Baseball camp and BYU. Truthfully I didn’t recognize him at first but after thinking for a bit I did remember him. He knows Dave too. I think I have a really bad memory... Oh well. I will get to talk to him more. He just barely got to the field but he is way excited.

Well, that’s about all that happened. We are working hard to find people that we can teach. It’s hard work being a missionary. But it is so worth it. Every time I testify I can feel the Spirit testify to me. I know that as we, the members, work to bring the Gospel to our friends and family, that we be given the words to speak. (D&C 84:85) This is the work of the Lord and when we work and try to take a part in it, we will be blessed abundantly with the Spirit.

I hope all is well and that everyone is being good. I am way excited that Josh is set apart. I will definitely write him. Hopefully sooner than later, but I will. Oh, speaking of letters... I forgot them in the apartment today so they will have to wait until next week to be sent. Sorry! Anyways, may the Lord be with you in all you do. Love you all.

Con Mucho Amor,

Elder Michael Watson

Casí September?????? Where did time go?

2010-08-30T17:28:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone!

Well.... Time certainly has flown. Elder Southern keeps saying I have 1 year under my belt (I only have 8 months) but really, in a blink of an eye I will be there. How scary...

We received some exciting news this week. We are officially a ward now, not a branch. We had a special sacrament meeting which was overwhelmingly powerful and awesome. It was great to see the members so excited and happy. Eight years ago they were meeting in a house by the railroad tracks and now have their own WARD building. It’s pretty sweet!

This week was pretty hard. Lots of our investigators are gone on vacation or are moving so we have to pretty much start over. But that’s alright, we will go where the Lord would have us go and do what he would have us do…

So more about Elder Southern. He’s from Indiana, has been on his mission for a year and 3 months, loves to play soccer, his Spanish is really good and is a great guy. We are excited to work together here in Villa Adelina. He’s taller than me, a first for a companion in the mission. ¿Que más?

It’s great to hear the progress of everybody and hopefully I will get some letters in a couple of weeks so that I can catch up on everybody else. I still haven’t sent letters but I promise to send them next week. I don’t know what more to say. I hope everyone is great and being good and studying their scriptures. I don’t know how I went throughout the day before the mission without reading the scriptures... That’s something I want to keep for many many years to come, daily scripture study. Well, that’s it for me. Ta ta for now!

Con Muchísimo Amor,

Elder Michael Watson

Still in Villa Adelnia. Now with Elder Southern

2010-08-24T11:13:00.000-07:00

Elders Hales & Watson

Hey all!

Well, this week has been a little bit crazy. We walked and taught a lot and received many ideas and revelations for Villa Adelina. Elder Hales and I found some people who have so much potential and we will work faithfully with them. Transfers were today and went well. I am still in Villa Adelina and now with Elder Southern from Indiana. I thought I was gone for sure! We have a lot of good ideas that we can carry out together. I finally have a fixed schedule with one companion. I was supposed to send a picture of the baptism we had so that you could send it to the parents of Elder Hales, but I forgot to bring the stuff. It’s just as well since there is a druggy going in and out and a bunch of kids so probably it’s better that I forgot it.

Elders Hales & Watson

I love Villa Adelina and the people here. There is a lot of abundance and potential. The members of the branch help out a lot and together we have been able to do a lot of stuff. In the near future if the missionaries and the people work together, we can fill the chapel. I know it! I hope one day to come back to Argentina and see it as a Stake. It can happen, just as long as the people and the missionaries work together.

Well, I gotta go. If you can, read 2 Nephi 31 prayerfully and meditate what it means for us. I had an awesome experience with a family that not all are active and really it is awesome. There is the painting of Jesus Christ with all the angels behind him in the sky with his hands extended. Really, this chapter and the painting go together. The way that we can return to live with God and our Families forever is through the Doctrine of Christ and his Atonement. I hope that all will be able to feel and know that really the Gospel of Jesus Christ is restored on this Earth again. We have the power and authority of God restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith. This power and authority is what validates the ordinances of Baptism and the Gift of the Holy Ghost and what opens the door to the path we need to take to return to live with God again. I testify this is true and know that if you read this chapter in the Book of Mormon and pray about it with sincerity, you will know for yourself that the Book of Mormon is true, Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God and the Church of Jesus Christ was restored through the boy prophet. I love you all and hope all is well. Be safe and good!

Con mucho amor,

Elder Watson

(P.S. Thank you to Elder & Sister Kroff for the pictures!)

Saludos de Argentina!

2010-08-14T11:16:00.001-07:00

[Mike will be getting a new companion, who he has been partially working with this week, starting Monday. His name is Elder Hales and he also has a blog. I have added a link to his blog in Mike's Blog List. I have been reading Elder Hales' blog off and on for the last couple of months, he is a great missionary and I know Mike will love working with him.]

Hey all!

Well, this week has been really busy but really good. On Monday I am going to stay with Elder Hales! :D At least until transfers... After that, we´ll see.

Elders Hales, Watson, Leavitt, Paz and Peterson

This week I have gained a lot more enthusiasm for talking with everybody. Elder Leavitt has that MTC excitement and wants to talk with EVERYBODY! While it is great to do so, we also have to teach people. We contacted many people but really couldn´t find anyone to teach. We have to find the balance in between visiting people and doing contacts. But I believe it is just something I have to learn through experience and time. As well I went on splits with one of the assistants. In this half-hour to 45 minutes, we found two new investigators and taught two lessons. In all reality, I learned so much in this little time, smiling, how to receive references, how to get in to teach, and many other things. That was a great experience.

Today we are going to have a baptism, completing a less-active (now active :D) family. I am sooooo excited! And Lucas is too! The service is going to be awesome because lots of people from the ward are going and we have invited other people as well. It´s going to be great!! :D

This next Stake Conference, September 19th, the Stake has put a goal to have 200 investigators present in a meeting especially for investigators, recent converts and less-actives with the new President of the Area, President Arnold. Which breaks down that each area needs to bring about 30 people. Elder Hales and I have put a goal to bring 50 and I know we can do it if we work hard and with the members.

Well, that´s about it that´s going on. The week has been crazy busy but nothing really new. I hope all is well and that everyone is being good! :D

Con Mucho Amor,

Elder Watson

¡Sorpresa!

2010-08-07T11:15:00.001-07:00

Hey all!

This week has been very complicated and interesting. Much different from last week!

As you can see I am sending this on Saturday. My P-Day is today because my companion Elder Paz is going to go to the offices to work and the office missionaries have their P-Days today. Right now I have Elder Hales and Elder Paz as my companions. It’s really awesome! :D

So my schedule during the day is a little hectic. Elder Hales and Elder Paz go to the offices at 9 in the morning and I receive Elder Leavitt. Elder Leavitt had his visa delayed so he went for a week in Mississippi and is now here in Argentina. He spent two weeks with the assistants as his trainers and now is with me in the mornings (Monday - Friday) and with Elder Peterson (an office elder) in the nights. So I guess that makes me a bit of a trainer.... Kinda weird and scary, but the responsibility helps me a lot. Plus, Elder Leavitt has so much excitement to work that he is teaching me a lot too. :D Anyways, I receive Elder Hales and Paz around 5 and we leave to work the rest of the night.

This week also we put a baptismal date for two boys of a less-active family. I have been teaching them (I started teaching them with Elder Garay so like 4 months) and finally he has a date for the 14th! We’ve been waiting for the whole family to be ready to come back. Lucas, who just turned 12, will be a baptism for the mission while his brother Gaby will be a baptism for the Branch. Still, I have been working with them for a long time and finally we are going to see him baptized by his father! :D

Hmm... What more can I say. Things are going great here in Villa Adelina and I am learning more each day of how to be a better missionary. Thanks for everyone that is supporting me and I hope all is well at home.

Con Mucho Amor,

Elder Michael Watson

We have a new Mission President!

2010-08-02T17:52:00.000-07:00

Hey all!

This week flew by. We had a zone meeting we were interviewed individually by President Gulbrandsen. He really is called from God to be our Mission President. We talked a lot about how to use silence when we teach. When we ask a question we should not be afraid of the silence. This is when the Spirit ministers to us as teachers as well as our students (or investigators). We can really follow the Spirit and learn when we take time to settle down, be quiet and listen.

I also received a package from the parents containing things that are really important. Things like socks, candy, peanut butter and POP TARTS. :D I also received two packages from Michelle along with a couple of letters. I am working on writing to all those who have written me... It takes a long time to write and that´s something I don´t have too much of.

We didn´t have anything else too exciting go on this week. We are working hard to find people to teach and to help those we have to progress to their baptisms. I hope all is well at home and that this finds everybody great.

Con mucho Amor,

Elder Watson

¡Buen Día!

2010-07-26T12:46:00.000-07:00

¿Cómo estáis? (you plural)

How’s it going? This week wasn’t too exciting. We did start teaching two sisters of a sister in our branch. The thing is that they pertain to another area so we are going to have to pass along the reference to them. They are really anxious to learn about the gospel and have lots and lots of good questions. They both accepted a baptismal date and are going to read and pray to see if the Book of Mormon is true and pray to see if Joseph Smith was a prophet. It was a lesson that was really awesome!

Every time I testify about the Book of Mormon and about the Restoration, my testimony grows a little bit. The feelings the Spirit brings to us as we testify are undeniable and unexplainable. It says in Doctrine and Covenants that if we open our mouths to testify, the Lord will fill us with the words to say. I tried out the promise and the Lord will really help us. As we learn to follow the Spirit and its guidance, we can and will testify with power to all. Even though living the gospel and the commandments might be hard at first, as we strive to do what we have been commanded, it will get easier. President Argyle told this to me during one of our interviews and it is so true. When we put out the effort to obey, God will provide the means and way for us to accomplish our goals. (1 Nephi 17:3) I testify that we are commanded to live every commandment and it is not impossible to follow the guidelines of the Church and the commandments of God. As we exercise our faith (works) and show that we are willing and want to obey, the Lord will help us. That’s why He suffered the Atonement for us. He knows how we feel at all times and knows how to succor his people. (Isaiah 53:3-5, Alma 7:11-12)

I don’t know what else to say. We have interviews on Thursday with President Gulbrandsen. I am so excited! For one, it will be a 15 minute interview (which is really long!) and two that we get our mail, packages and "pedidos" (things we can order). This week we have a lot planned and hope to find a lot of people. Oh! We have a branch missionary family home evening on Saturday and it should be great! :D Family Home Evenings are always fun! :D

Well, I gotta go. I hope all is well and that everyone is great! I love you all and Hasta vernos cuando reunamos otra vez! (Until we meet again!)

Love,
Elder Michael C. Watson

Testimony of Church Videos

2010-07-19T20:53:00.000-07:00

Hace un poco tiempo que he escrito una carta larga y probablamente algunas personas son un poco frustrado conmigo... Por eso voy a trabajar para corregirlo... :D

Está semana fue de diez! Encontramos un hombre que nos contactó en la calle y dijo que necesita ayuda en su vida y quiere cambiar. Pensamos que él pensó que fuimos Testigos de Jehóvah, pero cuando nos reunamos, empezamos a enseñar y ¡todo estaba de diez! Fijamos una fecha bautismal para 7 de agosto y Gerado (su nombre) encantó las reuniones de la iglesia. Fue muy muy bien y somos preparando todo por su bautismo!

Voy a compartir una relación que fue muy espirutal para mi. Empezamos a enseñar un antiguo investigador en Jueves. Miramos la Restauración y todos sentimos el Espíritu refuerte. Antes de la primera visión, el hijo de 14 años dijo que sentió muy bien y quiso comprar el video. Despues la pelicula, testifique que la iglesia de Jesucrist en verdad esta restaurado y que la representamos. Testifique que José en verdad vió nuestro Padre Celestial y su hijo Jesucristo. Al yo testificaba, podía sentir el Espíritu testifica a mí y a todos. Antes en la semana estaba un poco debil y dudando un poco acerca de mi testimonio. Pero al yo comparto mi testimonio con todos, estoy sentiendo el Espíritu testifica a ellos. La verdad, es el mejor sentimiento que he sentido. Ahora quiero testificar acerca de José Smith y nuestra Iglesia en todo momento. Estoy reanimado para hablar con todos y testificar a ellos. También, ¡los videos de la Iglesía son tan poderosos! Cuando los vimos con atención, podemos sentir el Espíritu testificar por medio de las verdades que nos enseñan.

Quiero testificar que sepan esta es la iglesia verdedera de Jesucristo.. Al leimos en el Libro de Mormón y preguntar al Padre si es verdedero, Él va a contestar sus preguntas con poder. Pueden sentir y saber sin dudas que la Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Ultimos Días es la única iglesia que pueden conducirnos a nuestro Padre Celestial. Solomente por medio del Evangelio de Jesucristo podemos ser perdonados de nuestros pecados. Necesitamos fe en Jesucristo, Arreptirnos de nuestros pecados, ser Bautizados por la autoridad de Dios, (el Sacerdocio cual solo está Iglesia la tiene por medio de la Restauración), recibir el Espíritu Santo (También por esta misma autoridad), y perservar hasta al fin. Al hacemos esto, vamos a recibir perdon de nuestros pecados y recibir poder para seguir adelante en esta vida. Tenemos un profeta hoy en día, se llama Tómas S. Monson. El recibe revelación de Dios para ayudarnos evitar las tentaciones de Satanás y pecado. Todos los mandamientos son importantes!!! Sigálos y van a ser bendicidos.

Les amo y quiero que sepan! Perdonáme para no escribiendo en mucho tiempo. Voy a esforzarme cada semana para escribir una carta rebuena. Hasta la proxima semana!

I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!
Elder Michael Watson

P.S. Zone Conferences are every 3 months which means (right now) that I will receive packages and letters every three months.

P.P.S. I forgot something important.... It must not have been that important.... Oh well. ¡Chau!

It has been a while since I wrote a long letter and probably some people are a little frustrated with me ... So I will become better... :D

It was ten weeks ago we found a man who contacted us in the street who said he needs help with his life and wanted to change. We think he thought we were Jehovah's Witnesses, but when we met, we began to teach and everything was great! We set a baptismal date for August 7 and Gerardo (his name) loves the church meetings. It’s going very very well and we are preparing for his baptism!

I will share an experience that was very spiritual for me. We began to teach an older investigator on Thursday. We watched the Restoration movie and everyone felt the Spirit testify. Before the First Vision, his 14 year old son said he felt very good and wanted to buy the video. After the film, we testified that the true church of Jesus Christ is restored and that we represent it. We testified that Joseph truly saw our Heavenly Father and his son Jesus Christ. When I testified, I could feel the Spirit testify to me and to everyone there. Before this week I was a little timid and hesitated a little bit about my testimony. But when I shared my testimony with everyone, I felt the Spirit testify to them. The truth is the best feeling I’ve felt. Now I want to testify about Joseph Smith and our Church all the time. I have a renewed enthusiasm to talk to everyone and testify to them. Also, the videos of the Church are so powerful! When we watch them carefully, we feel the Spirit testify by the means of the truths that they teach.

I testify that I know this is the true Church of Jesus Christ… When we read in the Book of Mormon and ask the Father if it is true, He will answer your questions with power. You can feel and know without a doubt that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only church that can lead us to our Heavenly Father. Only through the Gospel of Jesus Christ can we be forgiven of our sins. We need faith in Jesus Christ, and repent of our sins, be baptized by the authority of God (which is the priesthood that was only restored with this Church), receive the Holy Spirit (also by the same authority), and endure to the end. When we do this, we receive forgiveness of our sins and receive power to move forward in life. We have a prophet today, who is Thomas S. Monson. He receives revelation from God to help us avoid the temptations of Satan and sin. All the commandments are important! If we follow them we will be blessed.

I love you and want you to know! Forgive me for not writing a long letter for awhile. I will strive each week to be better at writing letters. Until next week!

I LOVE YOU ALL!!
Elder Michael Watson

P.S. Conferences Zone are Which Means every 3 months (right now) That I will receive packages and letters Every three months.

P.P.S. I forgot something important .... It Must Not Have Been That important .... Oh well. Chau!

I am still in Villa Adelina!!!!

2010-07-13T10:25:00.000-07:00

¿Cómo estan?

Estoy muy feliz. Anoche encontré que voy a quedarme acá en Villa Adelina! Amo esta rama y area! No tengo mucho tiempo porque estaba enviando muchos fotos y charlando con Dad. Promete que voy a enviar un email muy grande la proxima.

He recibido cartas de Spencer, Gianluca, Tara, Elder Ian Ray y Michelle. Muchas gracias para me escibieron!!!

Gracias por todo!

[I pieced together our chat to compose this letter]

I received my package (Envelope) and other letters! We had zone conference on the Saturday before transfers!! We are going to have Zone Conferences every 3 months now, not every transfer so it won’t be until September or October until I get to check for mail again. We are still unsure whether we are going to get mail every 6 weeks or so because we need to order books of Mormon and other materials periodically... So that might change... But right now, that’s how it is. But I am not too worried. I don’t live from transfer to transfer off of mail so I will be just fine. :D But that doesn’t matter! I am still in VILLA ADELINA!

I have had to go to "capítal" a lot recently because my compañero has back problems and had an endoscopy a couple weeks ago. My companion isn’t familiar with La Rural Convention & Exhibition Centre on Av. Sarmiento 2704 so it probably isn’t in our mission... [this is where the 2010 Hemophilia World Congress is being held this year, this week and a couple of my doctors are there and said they would keep an eye out for Mike]. He was in Capítal for a while and knows it pretty well as well as in the offices... Anyways, that is way cool!

That is a nice picture of you on the couch with the casts on your legs! You are using my glass to drink water by the way!!! ;) How are you?

I received my DNI which is my official ID for here in Argentina. It is like a mini passport. It has pages for changes of address and voting and things like that. It also has the date I entered into the Country, I am here only temporarily and from the United States. Oh yeah. It has a spot to show if I get married here… I think that page will stay blank though! It also has my fingerprint.

Oh well. We will see. [I don’t think this last comment was regarding his DNI but rather the doctors that will be watching for him… I think].

As we were going to Zone Conference on Saturday, in Belgrano in "Capítal", a group of Americans got on the subway and were talking in English. It was so weird… It was like I was listening to an alien language. I can understand the Elders alright, but grown-ups talking English is so weird now…

The picture of the apartment is down the street from our “casita.” I will take a picture of our "casita" today and send it to you next week. We moved from my first apartment and are in a different part of the area now. The silver van is just a car, it is on the same street (across the street) from the apartment building picture.

The pictures of the plastic bags in the trees are the NICE garbage cans… That is how we take out the trash…

I also sent a picture of some vegetables were 50 cents at a local verderduría.

Did David find a way to make his teeth white again because mine are starting to go clear as well… I’ve been taking a bunch of calcium this week but there really hasn’t been any improvement. There is a Dentist in capítal but I will have to pay my own way to go to him. Were you able to find a solution?

Con mucho amor,

Elder Watson

Short message

2010-07-05T18:40:00.001-07:00

Dear Family,

Ok. I have two minutes again...

This week has been really good. We taught a contact I made yesterday and he has a lot of desire to learn more. :D We are teaching a couple and they want

to get married and learn more! They first need to get all the paper work together but they are a family of God! This transfer has been really hard, but really

fun and good at the same time.

Overall I am good. Just out of time. Love you all and hope everyone is well. I hope Dad is feeling better and I will be praying for him.

Elder Michael Watson

Is Jesus Here?

2010-06-28T17:20:00.000-07:00

¡Buenas Tardes! Dias! Noches!

¿Cómo estan? Espero que todo esta bien! Estoy muy feliz para escuchar que Josh va a ir a St. George! Me pone muy feliz!

Ahora la obra es un poco difícil.... Somos esforzandonos muchísimo para hacer que el Señor nos espera y hacer nuestra parte. Nonetheless, we are working in the work of the Lord and with his help we cannot fail! :D I am enjoying the mission so much! I am learning a lot of how to be a better man and servant of the Lord. It’s wonderful the things that I have come to realize and learn and how I can have more of the Lord’s blessings in my life.

A little funny story...

We were passing by some former investigators to see if we could continue with them and help them to come unto Christ. I wrote in my planner the names and addresses that we were going to pass by that night. When we were outside of a house that I thought a man named Jesus lived there, we clapped (normal knocking on doors) and a lady came out. I asked if we could find Jesus (Se encuentra Jesus?) and she responded yes, in her heart! I was so confused... A minute or so later we were able to find out that Jesus didn’t live there and we moved on because she was alone and we can’t teach women without a man present. As I was reviewing the list I wrote I realized I crossed the name and the address... Oops....

Anyways, I don’t know what else to write. We are working hard and I cannot wait each day to talk to people about the gospel! The gospel of Jesus Christ really does help people in every aspect of their lives. We need to continue each day working to become more like Christ and doing the things that our Heavenly Father would have us do to earn our salvation. Nothing good in this life ever comes easy, but when we do our part the Lord will do the rest.

Well, I hope all is well at home. I am going to be sending a bunch of letters soon so I hope that I can catch everybody before things change again. Cuantas cosas cambiar cuando una persona esta en la misión? Hahaha. Anyways, love you all, stay safe, study the scriptures and be happy! Life in the US is truly a blessing. Love you, mean it, let’s do lunch. Chal! :D

Con mucho Amor,

Elder Michael Watson

Getting Ready For Our New Mission President

2010-06-14T17:42:00.000-07:00

Hey!

Sorry I haven’t emailed a long letter in a while... Things have been pretty hectic. Our new apartment is pretty far from everything (not like David and his 30 min walk to his area) But it’s getting there... Oh well. At least it is a nice apartment. As soon as I get a card reader, I want to send a whole bunch of pictures. As well as this, can you look through the album Michelle gave me and help me remember what I am supposed to take pictures of? I would be glad with any help I can get. ;)

Anyways, last week we had our last interview with President Argyle because Wednesday is his last transfer. He is a man of God, called by a prophet to help us in this work. We have truly been instructed and helped by him and I don’t want him to go... But I am excited for our new mission president as well. At our interviews we received our mail. I received the box of flat sheets and peanut butter and a lot of letters. :D Some of the other Elders were giving me a bad time because I got a lot from Michelle, but I like reading so it’s good. :D I also received one from Alexis, Cybil, and a couple from Joanna. I don’t want to leave anyone out but thank you so much for writing me!!! :D I will be getting to those as soon as possible... I still have to respond to letters from the last transfer.... I think I am pretty bad at this whole writing letters thing... But I will probably be a pro by the end of my mission. ;)

So I was reading through the dear Elders I got and I read about the time you [mom and dad] went to the Argentina restaurant. Mom - the black sausage is an acquired taste, even for the people here. I bought an Argentina Jersey, #10, Messi... It was 10 dollars. :D

Congrats to Bryan! :D :D I am glad the week and everything went well, including the drive. :D If you could send me a ballot that would be great. :D I have no idea what’s going on in the US except for what I get in letters, but I would like to vote. :D

Elder Raymond - Yes!!!! His companion was Elder Healey. Elder Charles es un CAPO! He is so awesome. :D I really enjoyed my week with him! And we also know the same person at BYU, Ethan Watts... Pretty crazy.

Also there is an Elder from Neuquen in my zone as District Leader. His name is Elder Diez and says he went on splits with Alex Cahan... If I understood right. Anyways, I thought that was pretty cool. :D

Anyways, I have to write my letter to the President and we have to get going... There’s never enough time on P-Day.... :( Oh well. Necesito aprovechar que tiempo que tengo! Say Hi to everyone for me and that I love them. Thank you for all you guys do for me and I will see you all really soon! (If time keeps flying by like this! :p)

CON MUCHO AMOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Elder Michael C. Watson

Where does the time go?

2010-06-07T16:40:00.001-07:00

Hey!

I don’t have a lot of time today. Like thirty seconds... But things are great here! We are working hard to find new investigators and progress with the ones we have. I testify that this work is of God and that I am seeing many miracles in the lives of the people here in Argentina. Also the Book of Mormon is the word of God and was written for us. We can apply every chapter to our lives. I testify that as you read the Book of Mormon you can feel the Holy Ghost and know for a surety that the Book of Mormon is true and that the Church of Jesus Christ is the only true church and that by and through the restored priesthood we can receive the necessary ordinances and blessings to live with our Heavenly Father again and with our Families for Eternity! I love you all and please keep praying and studying the scriptures. As we do this, Heavenly Father will bless us in more ways than we can imagine! Stay safe and be good! :D

Love,

Elder Watson

New Companion, Same Area

2010-06-01T18:03:00.000-07:00

Hey All!!!

This week I don’t have much time to type... Today was transfers and that took a while to put everything in order. As well, we moved to a new apartment... I am no longer in an apartment with three other missionaries but an apartment of two with my new Companion Elder Paz. He is from Peru and is our new district leader here in Villa Adelina. I don’t know much about him yet, but as we move along I am sure I will have more to tell you about him. Elder Garay is now a Zone Leader and a District Leader in a Zone that is way north called Zarate. I am very grateful to have had him as my companion and he has helped me to become a better person, missionary and servant of the Lord.

I can’t wait for Zone Conference next week. :D Hopefully I will have some packages waiting for me! ;) With Peanut Butter! ;D Lol...I want to tell you all that I know that this church is true and that you can find out for yourself by reading the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon has the answers to our souls and as you read it, you will find the answers Heavenly Father wants to give you. He loves you and wants you to have peace and happiness in this life.

I love you all and can’t wait to hear from you!

Love!!!
Elder Watson

It's Raining, It's Pouring!

2010-05-24T16:10:00.000-07:00

¡Hola! ¿Cómo andan?

Esta semana fue muy bien! Tuvimos un bautismo y fue de Diez. Este hombre, Alfredo, esta dispuesto para hacer que el Señor le manda y realmente tiene un gran testimonio del Evangelio de Jesucristo. Yo puedo ver los cambios en su vida al Alfredo leyó, estudió, oró y cumplió con los compromisos nosotros dejamos. El Evangelio de Jesucristo tiene cinco pasos por medio de podemos ser salvos en el Reino de Dios con nuestras familias para siempre jamás Primero es la Fe en Jesucristo. Necesitamos creer que Él es el Hijo de Dios y que Él dio su vida para nosotros. Su sufrimiento en el Jardín de Getsemane y en la cruz nos permite para arrepentirnos de nuestros pecados. Al nosotros reconcimos nuestros pecados, sentimos culpa para ellos, pedimos perdon de Dios y nuestros semejantes, y dejamos de hacer el pecado, podamos ser limpio de nuestros pecados. Despues arrepentimiento es el bautismo por la propia autoridad de Dios. Esta autoridad fue restorado por medio del profeta Jose Smith y este poder se llama el Sacerdocio. Solomente La Iglesia de Jesucristo de Los Santo de Los Ultímos Días tiene este autoridad y poder de Dios. Despues bautismo es el recepción del Espíritu Santo. Recibimos el Espíritu Santo por el mismo poder cuando somos confirmados en La Verdedera Iglesia de Jesucristo. Despues este necesitamos perserverar hasta el fin por siguiendo aumentar nuestra fe y arrepentir de nuestros pecados. Al hicimos esto, vamos a ser salvo en el Reino de Dios.

Wow... It is so much easier just to talk in Spanish… :D Anyways, we had a good week. Our investigator, Alfredo was baptized and confirmed which was really awesome. We also had President Argyle in our branch to teach the third hour. Everyone was together and we had a question and answer session. La verdad, fue de Diez! It was really awesome. I love listening to him teach and I have had many special opportunities to hear from President Argyle. He doesn’t visit with every missionary’s investigators and go to their ward’s to teach. It really has been a blessing to having so many opportunities early on in my mission to listen and learn from my Mission President. He is truly called of God and has the Power and Authority as a Disciple of Jesus Christ to preach the Gospel here in Buenos Aires Argentina. It is a treat to hear him speak.

It was raining really hard yesterday! I guess there is a lot more rain to come. The Relief Society President said that we haven’t had as much rain as we should have by now. I guess I will get used to water filled streets! Lol.

Thank you for your letters! I look forward to them with anticipation. And in two weeks hopefully I will get a whole bunch of letters! :D And maybe some packages. ;)

Well, I have run out of ideas of what to say. I hope all is well at home and that you are great!

Con muchísimo amor!

Elder Michael C. Watson

Intercambios means - Splits

2010-05-17T16:44:00.000-07:00

Buenos Dias Padres y mi Hermano!

¿Cómo andan? Estoy muy bien! La obra aca en Villa Adelina es muy buenisimo! :D

So on Tuesday I had the opportunity to listen to my Mission President teach. La verdad, fue amazing! Everything he tells us to do, he does. And he follows the steps of Preach My Gospel as well! Really, it was a great experience to sit and listen to him. We got to share our testimonies, and then we had to leave because we had some appointments to get to. Really, Mission Presidents have the power and authority of God to do the missionary work in their areas. They have the vision of what needs to be done and how to do it. If every missionary were to follow exactly what he says, they will be more blessed in everything they do.

This week also was intercambios. In our mission, intercambios (splits) are longer than a day. They last until the leader and the other missionary baptize someone and the leader feels comfortable with the progress they have made. So this week I have been with Elder Charles, who was in Villa Adelina the transfer before me! He only has three more months in the mission than I have and we have definitely learned loads! He is an awesome missionary and we have had a great time this week. Hopefully I can take what we learned and apply it to the rest of my mission so that I can become a more effective missionary of the Lord! It was great to walk around with another missionary and talk about everything. I also learned the importance of knowing everything that is going on.... It doesn’t help if your companion has information you need and he is in another place. That wasn’t really a problem for us, but I definitely had it confirmed that both companions should write things down and talk about everything.

I want to tell you that faith is such an important aspect in our lives… Faith is what drives us to action and we can receive MUCHO fuerza to follow the commandments and do what the Lord would have us do. It takes a lot of work on our part, but that is what is required to receive personal inspiration and blessings. When we do our part, we can expect the Lord to do His part. All blessings really are predicated on the laws and commandments of God. Also, we need to have hope! If we do not have hope, faith is nothing. We need to hope that the world will be a better place through our actions, our lives will be better and blessed if we follow the commandments, and that in general we can be happy and have joy as we follow the commandments. To have this faith we must read the scriptures daily, pray to our Heavenly Father for strength and the gifts of faith and hope, go to all three hours of the TRUE CHURCH of Jesus Christ, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and obey the commandments. As we do this I can promise that we will see the hand of the Lord in our lives and can experience and see many miracles. Miracles still happen today and they are a result of our faith. Miracles do not bring faith, faith brings miracles.

I want to tell you that I love you very much and I pray for each of you daily! Stay strong, keep studying, and we will see each other soon!

CON MUCHO AMOR!

Elder Michael C. Watson

Happy Belated Mother's Day

2010-05-10T16:43:00.001-07:00

Hola a todos!!!

¿Como estan? Todo esta bien acá en Argentina! :D Being a missionary is so awesome! I am learning so much from my studies, from my companion, and from the people!

I would like to bear my testimony that I know this Church is true. I know it to be true through the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon is evidence that God does talk to His Children today. Our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith in the year 1820. By the power of God, Joseph Smith was able to translate the Book of Mormon. Por medio de el Libro de Mormón, (Through the Book of Mormon) I know that families can be together forever, that the same Church that Jesus Christ established when he was on the Earth is now restored on the Earth as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and that we have a living prophet on the Earth that has been called by God to help us keep the commandments and avoid sin. You can know the same for yourselves. All you have to do is read a little bit of the Book of Mormon, kneel down and ask sincerely in prayer that if the Book of Mormon is true. I testify that you will feel the Holy Ghost as described in Galatians 4 (I think): peace, comfort, tranquility and happiness. The Gospel of Jesus Christ brings peace and happiness into our lives. We can live together with our families after this life through the restored ordinances and by proper authority. I encourage everybody to read the introduction to the Book of Mormon and to pray about the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon answers so many of the questions of our souls. As you read, I can promise that you will find answers to the questions you have, whether they are questions you think about or not. As you do this, you will feel the Holy Ghost and the feelings it will bring. Jesus Christ suffered for our sins and we can be forgiven of all our sins through repentance and baptism. This work is amazing and you can feel the joy, comfort and happiness I feel if you read the Book of Mormon, pray to our Heavenly Father and talk to the missionaries.

It is such a blessing to serve the Lord. I can see every day the blessings the Lord has for all of His children, including me. It is great to have access to the Atonement of Jesus Christ and be cleansed of the sin and the resulting guilt we feel. We can´t be perfect, but every day we can repent and progress a little bit more.

Thank you to all that have helped me to get to this point. I will be forever grateful for the many lessons I have learned. And again, I am way behind in my letter writing, so I will get back to all who have written to me as soon as possible. Love you all, and I pray that God will be with you until we meet again.

Love,

Elder Michael C. Watson

He Received His Package!

2010-05-03T16:56:00.000-07:00

Dear Parents,

So here´s the low down. I will be awaiting your call at 6:30 my time. I am pretty sure that is around 2:30 your time. Hopefully that will give enough time for Dad to get home from meetings and such.

Wow, you have a lot of courage sticking a kitten with Flash! ;) I hope all turns out well and that they can find homes!

Thank you so much for the package!!!!!!! I received one package that had my ties and my deodorant, toothpaste and POP-TARTS!!!! :D Super excited. :D I also received a LOT of letters, so it will take some time to answer everybody. I am already a bit behind, so I will probably have to keep them really short. Thanks to everybody who wrote me and I will try to get back to them asap!

This week we had Zone Conference, which was absolutely amazing! I felt like it was just for me! It was really great. Now I need to take everything I learned and apply it to myself and change and become a better person and missionary. There´s always something for us to change and do better. We just need to follow through with our decisions (I forgot how to spell that.. and no, not t-h-a-t... ;) ) and work for our salvation. We cannot sit back and wait for the Lord to answer our prayers. We need to work for our blessings. Like it says in D&C 131:20-21, all of our blessings are according to our obedience. I really need to work to change and not just ask to be changed.

This week was good. We found a couple new people and a former investigator. As long as we do our part, we can find the Lord´s chosen and help them to come unto Christ. The mission is difficult, but I can already see the blessings from it in my life.

Well, that´s all I can think for this week. I hope all is well at home and that everybody is doing well.

Love,

Elder Watson

Missionary Work is GREAT!

2010-04-26T18:46:00.000-07:00

Queridos Padres,

That conference sounded like it was a blast!!! I hope that I get it in the Dear Elder’s tomorrow! Wow! I glanced over your notes and I learned some. It’s hard to read long letters fast, so I am glad you are dear eldering me all your emails so I can have a copy of them in my apartment. I wish I had more time because 24 hours is not enough!

When we really learn true principles, our behavior will change. That is some great advice. We need to know things in our hearts as well as in our minds and be determined to be disciples of Jesus Christ.

That’s great that you are trying to change things up in Mutual. Doing different things each week can really help build excitement and desire to go to Mutual instead of knowing exactly what we would do each week. That’s what I liked about Mutual right before I left for school.

That’s great that this year’s students are better! I hope you are enjoying teaching history!

This week was semi-difficult. We have run out of a lot of people to teach, so we are searching for new investigators. A lot of contacting. But it’s great! I am learning how to have a positive attitude and outlook on life.

I ran out of time today. Again. I hope all is well at home! Keep reading the scriptures! Helps a ton! :D

Love you tons!

Elder Watson

Transfer Week - I Am Still With Elder Garay in Villa Adelina!

2010-04-20T16:02:00.000-07:00

Queridos Padres!

Esta semana fue muy bien! Tenemos dos bautismos! Tuve la opotunidad para hacer mi primero bautismo! I was kinda nervous and stuttered a little, but it all went well on the first try, so I am happy! :D The past couple days as we have been teaching I have been trying to go with the Spirit on which scriptures to share. Yesterday I was prompted to share a scripture which I thought would be disastrous and it turned out to be great because it went with something she had said and the Spirit was able to help make it a great lesson. Sister Conaway --- Scripture Mastery scriptures right now are my diet of scriptures to share. Thank you SOOOOO much! :D

I forgot to tell you last week our P-day got changed. Sorry if it made anything inconvenient... Transfer week P-days are on Tuesdays, so you should expect every 6 weeks for a Tuesday P-day. I am still with Elder Garay. How was going out with the missionaries? Or is that this week? [I asked him if he heard how his box was received] I will let you know in two weeks. Our zone conference is scheduled for Tuesday and we have P-day on Monday. Hopefully it will all come out well! Can you give me a list again of what was inside? I can go back and look, but if you know off the top of your head that would be great.

Mother’s Day… I need to find a member or the chapel phone and I will give the number to you and you will call me. It’s a bit away but as soon as I get the place, time and numbers I will give them to you. That should be next transfer I think... What is the date of Mother’s day?

That’s awesome to hear about Josh! I hope all goes well and that he can finish his papers soon! I’ll get to see who I get letters from next week! :D

I can’t wait for pictures! :D The other elders have mini scrap books of pictures from home and on the mission and always tell stories. Pictures are awesome! :D

That’s too bad to hear that BYU Baseball lost... I can remember hearing them practice outside my dorm window when I was at school... Good times!

So it rained for like 30 minutes on Sunday.... With balls of hail the size of my fist! Pretty crazy. We were inside a house so no worries. It was pretty crazy though.

That is so awesome Elder Bednar is going to come to our area! [Ventura, not Buenos Aires] He is so awesome! Take some good notes! ;)

Anyways, time is running out. I hope all is well and that you are fine.. I love you and don’t stop studying the scriptures! They have the answers to our lives, especially the Book of Mormon! The Book of Mormon is truly the inspired words of God to the people here in the Americas!

Con MUCHO Amor,

Elder Michael Watson

Mosquitoes Are Eating Me Up!

2010-04-12T18:29:00.000-07:00

Dear Mom and Dad,

Yes, the mosquitoes are eating me up... Less so than at the beginning of the transfer but I still have a lot of bites. I am using it [mosquito repellent] at night... Maybe I should use it when I go out too... oops... I still have two more bottles of repellent and I can buy it here too, so that won’t be a problem. At least here in Villa Adelina.

I bought a new watch for 16 pèsos. Let’s see how long it lasts... ;) I’m not going to let something like that to get me up in arms... It takes much more than that. I am definitely learning patience and how to grow up. These lasts 6 weeks have been a real eye-opener and I am doing much better now than at the beginning of the transfer.

So this is the last week of the transfer. My companion thinks I will leave because he was just made District Leader and a Trainer. We’ll see. I’ve learned to not guess what the Lord’s will is and to go with what he commands us to do right now.

Thank you for all the advice. It has helped confirm what I was thinking and gave me a new light of looking at things, of which I really needed. Thanks! :D

We didn’t have to rebaptize the family and yesterday one of our recent converts of a month baptized their daughter! It was awesome! This convert reminds me of you, Dad. He’s always looking up things in the scriptures and online to find answers to his questions. He is awesome!

I remember the name Elder Ray. That is awesome! And we are back to 4 missionaries? When I get back I want to go out with them. Going out with missionaries is way cool... I wish I did it more before my mission.

I haven’t really gotten home sick... I did in church yesterday when the hallways were crowded and reminded me of our chapel, but it didn’t last too long. It’s really different being away from home. Good, but different.

Well, that’s about it. I am loving the work and working hard to invite others to come unto Christ. I hope all is well at home!

Con Mucho Amor!

Elder Michael Watson

No Boxes PLEASE - Only Flat Rate USPS Envelopes... PLEASE!

2010-04-05T17:41:00.000-07:00

¡HOLA!

The other three missionaries missed home a bunch yesterday. I did a little bit, but I am glad to be doing the Lord´s work. It is truly a blessing to be out here. And perhaps I haven´t been out as long... ;)

I don´t know about the box situation so waiting a little bit until I know what I can get might be a good idea. Peanut Butter... I don´t know. The missionaries in my apartment haven´t got any and I haven´t asked any in my zone... I will have to ask around. [We have learned that it is safer to send items in a USPS flat rate envelope, Mike's box we sent him is stuck at the airport with no way for him to get there to get it. The Assistants may be able to make a trip there but he is not sure].

As for conference, we watched it live in the Stake Center. I watched the first two in Spanish, missed priesthood because it started at nine, and had the blessing to watch the last two in English. We fit 5 elders into a 4 ft wide 10 feet long room to watch it in English on a small TV. It was so worth it! I got the general idea in Spanish, but missed a lot of good stuff. Gratefully, the Spirit was able to help me get some key points I needed. Watching the last two sessions was absolutely amazing. I cannot wait for the Liahona with the conferences to come so I can read them again and get the stuff I missed. Watching conference as a missionary is so COOL! I could find an application with every talk and I was so excited to watch and listen to our leaders. It was awesome! :D

So this week we were able to have a couple of good lessons. We are teaching the wife and daughter (sometimes separately, sometimes together) of a recent convert (less than a month) and the Spirit was so strong! We were able to help them recognize the Holy Ghost. They know its true, we just have to help them commit to being baptized. We are working towards a baptismal date and I am sure that they will be baptized soon. It is so awesome to see the Spirit work on other people! :D

Well, that was the highlight of my week apart from Conference. I love you and miss you!

Con MUCHO Amor,

Elder Watson

It's almost April!

2010-03-29T10:16:00.000-07:00

(We sent the boys an email letting them know that I would be home on Monday because of it being a City holiday. Mike took the opportunity to exchange some ideas and get a few things off his chest. It was great being able to communicate in real time... makes a real difference! I have combined some of the small conversations with his main email... it is funny the first thing he wanted to know was how to microwave a baked potato... I almost said, wash it, fork it and stick it in the microwave and push "Potato" but then I came to my senses and figured if it was that easy, he wouldn't be asking - LOL).

Buen Día!

If you are on, could you let me know how to microwave a baked potato? I will send a longer email shortly… Thanks!

I can´t wait for zone conference in 3 weeks! I get all my mail then so I hope I have a lot. The only bad thing is I have to carry it a LONG way back to my apartment. Like two buses and a long walk. I am thinking of bringing my small suitcase to carry everything. Last zone conference I had to carry a box of Book of Mormons and that wasn't any fun…Mom, I miss your "evil cackle"… It´s kind of funny… And those kids shouldn't be complaining about a lot of things. I´m not going to write anything bad about here but at least they have clean water coming from the tap… It´s kind of annoying to have to purify your water all the time. I didn't realize how many comforts we have in the States that we take for granted. I am never going to be looking at our style of life the same way as before my mission. It´s really startling how different lifestyles are here. But I am getting used to it; it’s a good lifestyle, just different.

Stores… We have a supermarket here where we buy groceries… Which reminds me… THEY DON´T HAVE PEANUT BUTTER! And if they do its really expensive… It makes me sad… Oh well. There are a lot of little shops, like at a mall, all along the street. There is a Wal-Mart in my district I think, but I can´t go because it’s really far away and we don´t have that much time on pday. I bought another towel so I could have one while the other is being washed. It was like a little over 4 us dollars. Oh, which reminds me… I only packed flat sheets, not any fitted sheets… so in the next package you send, could you include one or two for me? Right now it’s way too hot to use my sleeping bag… I will try to soon, but I was sweating like a pig last night… The place to get first aid supplies would be the supermarket. I haven´t really entered the other shops… Just a watch shop and a towel shop. There are also a lot of other stores like the liquor stores in Piru. Well, not a lot, but a fair few.

My companion is from Biablanca, a region 10 hours southwest of here. It´s like from home to Provo. Kind of weird it’s so close. He is the first in his family to go on a mission. He is excellent and already has helped me a ton! From what we know, he is the youngest trainer (being out only a year). I like him a lot and am working hard to try to learn Spanish so I can communicate better and help him with his English. Right now, I think he knows best how to argue in English. It’s actually quite funny. We were joking around yesterday and I was talking to him in Spanish and he to me in English. We had a good time.

PLUMS! I bought some plums. They were pretty good. But they were kind of expensive so those will only be sparingly. The oranges here aren´t very good, or maybe I am just spoiled from the ranch and in Piru. But yea, those will be the first fruit I will have when I get back.

We can learn a lot from Joseph. I certainly need to. I don´t have much time to read from the Old Testament, but I am certainly learning a lot from the Book of Mormon and Isaiah. There are so many applications from Isaiah. It is so COOL!!!! :D Preach My Gospel is amazing as well. I am kind of sad I am not in the MTC anymore because I don´t have as much time to study. But I am certainly enjoying being out here.

We have an investigator that we are hoping will be baptized next month… She said at the end of the lesson if God answers her prayers she will do what He says. Also, she asked us to pray for her to know the truth. How amazing is that! We were sooooooooo excited as we left that appointment. We are doing well, we just need to find more people to teach. It´s kind of hard but I hope we can find more soon! :)

Anyways, I am doing well. One of the Elders in my apartment had his birthday yesterday so we had some Torta (Cake). He made it himself so it was nice and sweet and American. It was good and I can´t wait to have some more! Lol.

I haven´t used most of the money I withdrew, only 4 dollars (17 pesos) on that towel and some on mailing letters. Not much. I still have about 160 pesos left. I think I took out 200. I am looking for a jersey to buy. I don’t know whether to get a Boca jersey or not. It’s like rooting for the Yankees… Lol. I think I am going to get one that has the best colors. I don’t know. We´ll see. I am also looking for some Argentine stuff to bring home. I will let you know as I spend it.

I can´t wait to hear back from you guys! I love you and hope all is well!

Con MUCHISIMO Amor,

Elder Michael Watson

Boulogne, Not Villa Adelina

2010-03-23T12:48:00.000-07:00

Hola!

It´s good to hear from you and see you! [We sent them a picture by email] I don´t think pictures are against the rules because my trainer receives them from his family. I don´t have a picture of just me and my companion but I do have one of us with a couple we baptized. Next week I will get one for you guys.

The modern things are very hard to deal with. I just have to focus on what is being said and trying to understand. Sometimes I have a hard time when I have no clue what is going on.... But it´s getting better! :D

So to answer your questions:

I am getting the chance to play the piano more than I thought I would. I play every once and a while when we are at the building and I played for the baptismal service we had. One-handed, but hey, I was able to do it. :D

Honestly, I don´t know how many members are in our branch. Yesterday was stake conference and the week before we had about 70 people I would guess.

The church building has an all tile floor. It´s shaped kind of like D--! with rooms off of the exclamation mark. The d is the chapel and we set up metal chairs for church. The stake center looked more like a ward building.

My area is kinda like Santa Paula I would guess, just a bit bigger. There are a lot of businesses. There are lots of trees. FLAT! I can´t tell north from south from east to west when the sun is high in the sky. It´s crazy, but I´ll figure it out. :)

I am sleeping pretty well. If there weren´t so many mosquito bites on me it would be better but that is only a slight problem… Nothing more. The best food...Hmmm... Well, mostly I have had a lot of fried carne asada or steak... But I did have some spaghetti that was good… Not AMAZING like yours [moms], but it was good. My companion didn´t like it. OH! He looked at me so weird when I had some peaches after the spaghetti and then had some more spaghetti.

I was laughing. It´s normal for me but so weird for him. For breakfast I usually have cereal or oatmeal with an apple or banana and lunch I have some kinda steak or pasta. More steak than pasta. I haven´t had any weird food yet.

My apartment is one of the nicer ones from what I´ve gathered. It´s in a smaller building kinda like the building the missionaries used to live in across from the High School. All the houses here have gates in front of them. Well, almost all. So instead of one key to get to our apt, we need two. We also have 4 elders in our apt, the district leader and his companion. I haven´t really seen the neighbors... They aren´t around when we are. Oh yeah, I live on the outskirts of Boulgne (I am not sure how to spell it), Not Villa Adelina... We have a part of Boulgne in our area.

The office is a half hour bus ride and a 10 min train ride away. There are 8 in my district. They are from Chile, Peru, Utah and Washington, I think, not sure. I haven´t been able to talk to them much.

On P-Day we go to the bank, send letters, e-mail, shop for food, go back to the apartment and cook a good meal, and clean. The service we do is clean the church once a month and whatever we can find. The only other service I have had was we helped move a family.

We have about 7 investigators that we visit. We are trying to see more people so we need to make our visits shorter.

Well I still have to write my letter to the president so I have to go. Love you and I hope all is well!

Con Amor,

Elder [Michael] Watson

Update 3/15/2010 - Cyber Cafes, Queen and Counterstrike?????

2010-03-15T19:39:00.000-07:00

Hi Mom and Dad!!

I am writing in a cyber cafe and just heard Queen playing.... And the kids next to me are playing counterstrike. Just thought that was funny.

The language isn't too daunting; it's trying to understand the people that is the hard part. I can only catch the themes to conversations. But, I am learning so much and am so happy to be here! The humidity isn't so bad. I am adjusting and everything is great!

So there is a lot more English here than what I thought. I’ve already heard 3 songs from the US and there are a lot of English T-Shirts down here. It's really crazy!

We are teaching a lot here in Villa Adelina. We are in San Isidro (or close to) if you want to find it. Oh, by the way we are supposed to triple the baptisms from 1000 to 3000... I misinterpreted the figures... It's really hard to be the one left out on conversations. I kinda know what's going on but not really. I really just have to rely on the Spirit on what to say and when I do, I make sense and am a great contribution to the lesson. (Or so my companion tells me.) Every day I am speaking more and giving more of the lesson.

My companion is the district leader so we have to travel around a lot. It´s alright though, I get to see more of Argentina. We are still teaching a lot and having a lot of success. I love being a missionary! It's great when you can see people's faces light up because of the gospel!

We are going to the Capital for zone conference tomorrow and that is where I will receive all of my mail. We get our mail every six weeks so I will probably have a handful (Hopefully LOL). I will be getting mail again in 6 weeks so that´s probably when you want me to get my packages. Just letting you know. On Wednesday morning I am going to the Capital again to fill out some papers so I can be legal here.

Well, that's all I can think of right now. I love you and thank you for all you do!

Con Amor,

Elder Michael Watson

First Area and Companion - Villa Adelina / Elder Garay

2010-03-09T16:44:00.000-08:00

We were able to speak with Elder Watson yesterday while he had his layover at the Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX airport. It was wonderful to hear his voice and how excited he is to enter the mission field and start teaching.

As part of his trip, a couple of things we noticed were, that he left the Salt Lake City airport about 4 hours after David and arrived in Dallas about 15 minutes after Dave left for Miami. They both called us at the same time, so we had to shuffle the calls around so we had one on each phone (I called back the payphone in the Miami airport). In addition, they both left about the same time for Argentina but Dave arrived about an hour earlier than Mike. We don't know if they were able to greet each other in Buenos Aires because Dave said he had to get to another terminal right away or he would miss his flight (even though his layover was about two hours).

This afternoon we received an email from President and Sister Argyle (Mike's mission president) that he arrived safely and that he was assigned to work in Villa Adelina with Elder Garay. We are very excited for him. We will post his first letter home when he writes us on his P-Day.

¿Cómo estáis? :D

2010-02-18T20:37:00.000-08:00

Buenos Dias!

Well, this week has been really good. I have been learning loads! Last night we talked about the plan of salvation with my teacher and learned some pretty neat things. I want to make a copy of my notes and send it to y'all. Most of it is in Spanish, but it's pretty easy to figure out. The most important stuff is in English. We did talk about some great stuff. One of the most important things I learned was that as members and missionaries when people look at us, they should be able to look at us and see Christ. It's really hard to get to that point but with all of your heart and help from God, you can do it. My teacher was talking about how more people focus on becoming perfect in this life than learning and doing the will of God, making our eyes single to the glory and will of God.

D&C 45:3-5 [Doctrine & Covenants] is a really good scripture of learning what the Judgment will be like. We need to focus on living the Gospel of Jesus Christ: Having faith in Christ, repenting, being baptized by one holding authority of God, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. We repeat this process daily as we try to become perfect through the Atonement of Jesus Christ and be like Him. We trusted Him before this life, we need to trust Him during this life, and we will need to trust him after this life. Like it says in the scriptures, we must rely on the arm of the Lord rather than the arm of flesh. Only through Christ can we be saved and be able to dwell in the presence of God with our Families for all of eternity.

As we practice contacts here, I like to say, "Mediante la Expiación de Jesucristo, podemos ser juntos con nuestros familias para siempre." [Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can be together with our families forever.] The Atonement of Jesus Christ is central, and has been, to God's plan. The only way we can have access to it is through obedience to the commandments of God, faith in our Savior Jesus Christ, and Enduring to the End. We must always strive to keep the commandments of God with exactness. I know it’s hard and that we make mistakes all along the way. But little by little we can achieve this perfection by becoming like Christ. He can and will show us the way to do it, if we are willing to listen and obey what he tells us. I have a sure testimony of that. When I am righteous and am striving to be exactly obedient, I have so much more help in my life from the Spirit and from Jesus Christ.

I don't remember which Apostle or General authority told this story, but Jesus Christ will walk with us always. In the story, Christ and a man were walking along a sea shore. As the man looked back he saw the two different trails in the sand. After going through a very difficult time, he looked back and only saw one set of footprints. He turned to the Lord and asked him where he was during the time he needed him. The Lord meekly replied that He had carried the man through that difficult time. I know that the Lord loves us enough that He is willing to do that for each of us. As we put our trust in him, we can look back and see how the Lord has carried us through difficult times and when He has walked beside us.

I am so grateful to be here at the MTC. I am learning so much! I wish I could have time to study like this for the rest of my life. I wish I had learned in my heart the true joy that comes from studying the scriptures. I love you all very much and hope my e-mails strengthen your faith in Jesus Christ and His gospel. My purpose is to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel by having faith in Jesus Christ and His atonement through repentance, baptism by one holding the priesthood and authority from God, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end. I find complete joy when others choose to walk in His footsteps and try to become better men and women through Christ. I love you all and hope everything is well with everyone!

Always,

Elder Michael C. Watson

Buenos Dias!

2010-02-11T18:32:00.000-08:00

(We received two separate emails from Mike today, so I edited the two together)

Buenos Dias,

Alright, so this week gone by so fast! And a lot has happened. So let me get to it.

So Tuesday was another hectic day. I am no longer companions with Elder Gillette. I have actually switched rooms and I now have two companions, Elder Dewitt and Elder Godfrey. The reason for the switch is that their companion, Elder Amasio, and Elder Gillette are the new Zone Leaders. Pretty crazy. I am the District Leader. Which means I still have the privilege of checking mail, but I have a lot more responsibilities now.

So on Friday we went to the Referral Center. We make outbound/confirmation calls to make sure people receive the movies and Bibles/Book of Mormons. Well, as you know, I am not one to talk on the phone. As I made the calls I got a lot of answering machines, people hanging up on me and wrong numbers. There was even a man who said he didn't want any stuff under his roof of ours and that he never ordered anything. I had no idea what to say and my mind froze and stuttered a good-bye. (This happened on both the wrong number and the man who didn't order anything.) A pretty bad first time. Since then I have gone back a couple times, but I really haven't had any opportunities to talk. I am trying though.

We had a Zone Conference on Saturday. It was so awesome!!! It was very spiritual and I learned a lot! I cannot wait to get in the field! :D

Thank you for the package! I am going to ENJOY it! :D

I have met Elder Banks here. I was only able to speak to him for a little bit, but I was able to nonetheless.

I am wearing a jacket now so you don't have to worry about me getting cold. I am tired of the cold. The snow has almost melted all away so I am wondering if they are going to go let us play some futbol! :D Yesterday I got an awesome spike in Volleyball. I was so happy! More so because it was my first, but hey, it was pretty! :D

So I was told today that David was put in Quarantine. I do not know what he has or why he was put there... I hope everything is alright. Anyways, I thought I should let you know. Don't get too freaked out. I don't think it’s really bad.

Thanks for the tie! Oh, and I don't know if I have told you about this, but Tie Trading is some serious stuff around here. I haven't done it because I am satisfied with my ties, pero people keep telling me to get some polyester ties because silk ones will curl up in humidity. I am not too worried. Anyways, now I hit my time limit. Thanks for everything!!!! :D

Well, I don't know what else to say. It feels like I repeat myself when I e-mail you because we do a lot of the same things. I hope all is well at home!!

LOVE,

Elder Michael C. Watson

¿Que tal?

2010-02-04T22:39:00.000-08:00

Dear Mom and Dad,

So first off, I saw a sister that looks almost EXACTLY like Aunt Carol. She even does some of the same things. Kinda weird and cool.

This week has been great but has been kind of a roller coaster. Especially Tuesday. Tuesday morning was slow and I didn't get as much done as I would have liked, but I ended the morning with companionship study whit Elder Gillette to fix some kinks and questions in our "Plan of Salvation" lesson which ended the morning very well. After lunch we went to the TRC as a class for a 15 minute Spanish situation and a 35-45 minute lesson. (We do this every week. Next week is our first Spanish lesson! Ay!) The Spanish went alright because the investigators didn't play the part exactly which threw us for a bit of a loop, but we ended it well. The lesson, however, was AMAZING! It was the best lesson we have taught yet. The Spirit guided our words and questions and everything just flowed. I didn't even have to think/stutter of what I was going to do next. It is such an awesome feeling to have the Holy Ghost with you that strongly. And the Spirit brought some experiences and memories to my remembrance which was great and took the lesson to the next level! :D Like I said, it was absolutely amazing. I couldn't stop smiling during the lesson and after. It was great.

After we came back to class we discussed the TRC with nuestro maestro Hermano Williams and then went to go drop our stuff off at choir practice. As we were heading back to the room, one of the Elders in our district pulled Elder Gillette and I back into the empty classroom and told us he was being sent home on medical leave. I was so struck. I had hardly known this elder for a month, but I was so devastated. So we helped him pack up and saw him off. That was really hard. His companion, Elder Gillette and I didn't sing in the choir that night and just listened. Then Elder Richard G. Hinckley and his wife gave talks that were really incredible and uplifting. After the Devotional we, the district, gathered for a review and obviously being one elder short we had to break it to them. The district was really torn up. The good thing is that the Elder will be back in two months though. There's just something as you study the gospel with someone or a group of people you build a deep relationship. It's really neat. We are working hard and keeping him in our prayers, but that was quite a shock. Shows you that as people gain significant spiritual experiences, Satan works his hardest to make us lose that testimony and deny what we have learned.

Well, we finally hit the point where our district is the second oldest district in the zone. Kinda scary. It doesn't seem we have been here that long yet as each new district comes in, they seem younger and younger even though some of them are older than I am. Kinda weird. Our district has set a goal to only speak Spanish. It's going to be tough, but we are going to give it our best effort. It will really help out in the long run.

The MTC is still great and I am really learning to delve into the scriptures with the help of teachers and the Spirit. It's great now that I have some friends from BYU here now and Elders Banks and Whipple from the Stake are here also. It's becoming a lot of fun. :D

I hope everything is well at home! Stay Strong! :D

Love,
Elder Michael C. Watson

Como Les Van?

2010-01-28T16:44:00.000-08:00

Hola! :D

First things first, I do have my card. I will send back the other one with my memory card. I am thinking of putting little descriptions on each one, but that is A LOT of work... The video I am sending home is a Zone 50 tradition of singing “God Be with You Till We Meet Again” (in Spanish) whenever a district leaves. That's the only video I have on there.

Mom, that is so awesome that you are teaching history! That is so awesome! Thank you for not giving people my email address. I hardly have enough time emailing you! Dear Elders are great though! (Hand written is better but DE's are free...)

Dad, in the end of Preach My Gospel (PMG) Chapter 1 is a bunch of quotes from General Authorities about missionary work. I don't know if it’s appropriate, but could you put them up on the wall at the ward building? They are so amazing and I wish every member could/would read them! I also have some other things in the mix in my mind to help out with the work, but I will talk to you about them when they are spot on. I hope everything is well with you!

I can't say it enough! The MTC is so awesome! It gets better every day! Although we do the same stuff from week to week, I get more from each study and each activity I do every time! :D

One thing I have learned up here is how to set specific, meaningful goals. I am still not perfect at it, but it has helped me so much! In chapter 8 of PMG President Monson says, "When performance is measured, performance improves. When performance is measured and reported, the rate of improvement accelerates." I have only been here for 22 days, but I have already seen how true that quote is! Also Coach Wilbur and the Free Throw chart during HS Basketball has helped me see this quote really works.

So I have been singing in the MTC choir lately. We sing twice a week, once on Sunday to learn a song and twice on Tuesday, once to perfect the song and once to perform. This week we sung "Joseph Smith's First Prayer" and it was amazing! The director pointed out that every time we, as members and missionaries, sing this song, it is our (or can be) our testimony of the next best thing to have happened since the Life and Atonement of Jesus Christ. Oh, and I get to sit next to Elder Watson and Elder Raymond, so that's a plus! :D How sweet is that?

Yesterday my district watched a talk by Elder Holland given to just the MTC in 2000. The video doesn't exist outside the MTC so I took a LOT of notes! It was absolutely amazing! I know now why Elder Holland is so passionate about the Gospel and about Missionary Work. I hope if he ever stops by Argentina and sees my work he will be proud of it! It will take everything I have, but that's what I am supposed to be doing, right? One thing that he said really touched me. "Salvation is not a cheap experience. Salvation was not cheap (or easy) for Christ" and neither will it be for us. (I don't remember how he said the last part so I took it out of quotes.) As we are the Saints of God, we must suffer a SLIGHT portion of what Christ suffered. If we didn't, can we call ourselves disciples of Him? We have to give everything we have to do the will of God and suffer with Christ to earn that eternal reward of living with God again. When we do the will of God, we are not giving up our agency. Rather, we are CHOOSING to follow God and his commandments. Life is so much happier and joyful if we are obedient! Exact Obedience to the commandments will bring peace, joy, and happiness. It has for me and it can for you too. Elder Holland emphasized the five steps of the Gospel, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His atonement, repentance, baptism for the remission of sins (by the proper authority), receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end. As long as we do and have these things faithfully, we are pretty well off. Everything is based off of these five steps and as we follow the Servants' of the Lord counsel for us, we can return to live with God.

Well, I hope everything is well! If I don't answer anyone's letter, it means I didn't have enough time. I would really like to be able to answer everyone, but there just isn't enough time on P-Day to do it. I will get back to everyone ASAP, however. This I promise. Anyways, gotta go. Love you all!

Elder Michael C. Watson

Week Two in the MTC

2010-01-21T15:49:00.001-08:00

Querido mis padres,

Thanks for the shot updates! I don't think I will need them right now, but they are nice to have. I can't wait to get my box so I can play basketball!!! :D

My zone, Zone 50, has what they call pass-a-longs. When a district leaves, they sign some random object that has been passed to them or they want to pass down, and give it to the other members of the zone. We were lucky enough to get this "perfume" thing that makes our room smell amazing! Best Pass-a-long Ever! :D

At the MTC they have removed all of the word processing programs. They really just want us to have thirty minutes. If those Elders are at the MTC, they are using a long, complicated method to copy/paste. Some of the Elders in my zone were showing some of the Elders in my district, but I have more important things to do than find my way around the Church computers.

Elder Raymond received a letter and a four-pound jar of jelly beans and he couldn't figure out if it was from you or Uncle Chris and Aunt Jen. Just throwing that out there.

That must have been nice to be able to sit together! I am sure President Uchtdorf and Elder Holland had some great things to say! We had Elder David F. Evans of the seventy and his wife talk to us at the Devotional on Tuesday. Sister Evans talked about Obedience and shared a story about an Elder in Elder Evan's mission when he was a mission president. Elder Evans promised this missionary if he was obedient and worked diligently he would see a baptism before he was released as a missionary. Well, the end of his mission came and he had been faithful, obedient and worked really hard but he didn't have one. Long story short, he was able to baptize his father the night he came home and before he was released. Obedience is really necessary for everyone to acquire! It will bring so many blessings!

Elder Evans talked to us about using the Book of Mormon more when we teach because we are not using it enough. Elder Gillette and I had just taught lesson one, The Restoration, in the Teaching Resource Center and I was contemplating how much of the Book of Mormon we could actually use before we introduced it. We need to have faith in the Book of Mormon and the power it possesses. President Ezra Taft Benson said, “There is a power in the Book which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the Book of Mormon."

I can testify of this. I went out and got those crayon-like scripture markers and started studying and marking (according to a key I made) the first ten chapters of the Book of Mormon. I feel like I have gotten so much more out of the Book of Mormon and I felt the Spirit SO much more!

Elder Gillette and I made a weekly goal to be exactly obedient. We did really well except we were a couple minutes late (and I mean JUST a couple) to maybe like 3 classes. Exact obedience to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, prophets and standards of the Church will bless your life. Elder Evans said that we, as missionaries, are authorized to promise spiritual blessings. I promise anyone if that they will "do (God's) will, he shall know of the doctrine and whether it be of God or whether I speak of myself" (John 7:17). I also promise that if one will sincerely read the Book of Mormon and pray to the Father with a "sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it to you by the power of the Holy Ghost" (Moroni 10:4). You must have a real intent to act upon the answer you will receive and I promise that if anyone will take this challenge, they will receive an answer that the Book of Mormon is true and Joseph Smith did indeed restore Christ's Church back on the Earth. I know this because I have done this myself. God will answer your prayers. He loves us and wants us to be happy in this life.

I am enjoying the MTC so much. The spirit here is incredible! I love you and want to thank you so much for instilling gospel principles in my life! I hope everything is well and I will be praying for Dad. Prayer is an amazing thing!

Love,

Elder Michael C. Watson