Forward...Onward...Upward

What an amazing week this has been. Christy Cato's baptism was wonderful! I have never seen someone so excited to be baptized! She was running around giddy! It was so fun to watch! During the program, peace entered into the room, and into the hearts of all those in attendance as Papa Cato and Bro. Mendosa spoke of the power of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost and how it would bless Christy's life forever. Then as her husband Harrison said the baptismal prayer, tears swelled in his eyes, and it reminded me of my dad. Harry has a tender heart just like my daddy. So then I began to cry. Then I'm pretty sure that EVERYONE in the room was crying because everyone in the room could feel the Love of the Lord and the power of his presence. As Bishop Cato gave his niece her confirmation blessing, he blessed her that she would be a mother in the house of Israel, and that her family would be united eternally through the covenants and ordinances of the gospel.

It was such an amazing blessing to be a part of that miracle. To play a part in that special day for the Cato family. It is amazing to me to KNOW how our loving Heavenly Father truly values each individual soul. I know that being a part of this baptism was a gift from the Lord. I know that I have needed Christy and the Cato's this last month of my mission, and I know that they have needed me. We are bound in heart and spirit, in genuine love and care. I feel more a part of this family more than ever.... just in time to go home to my mom and dad at the end of this week. It's kind of a strange thing... going home. As one friend explained it to me, "The great and dreadful day." I'm so excited to go home to Utah, and yet, change takes time. So if I'm crazy for a bit when I get back to Utah, know that I'm just feeling a little homesick.

Wherever you go, go with all of your heart. Go forward with faith and hope. Reflecting back on my mission, I know that the Lord has taught me so much. During those times at the 20 yard line when I didn't think I'd make it, or even at the 60, or 80 yard line... Paul, speaking to his son Timothy says, "Notwithstanding [my trials] the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion." I know that he has strengthened me to move forward during the hard times, and other times he has sent his angels to carry me when I felt as though I couldn't take one more step forward. Now I'm in the end-zone and I am grateful for everything I have been through. I know it has been through all of those hard times that I have come to better know the Lord. I know now more than ever the reality of his mission. The reality of his existence. I know that his gospel has been restored to the earth to day for such great and marvelous purposes... many of those miracles are still to come forth. It has been such a sacred opportunity to serve in Independence, Missouri: the Land of Zion. The Land of the New Jerusalem, where the Lord will come at the beginning of his Millennial reign... and even if it doesn't make sense to our mortal eyes, with an eye of faith I can feel the power in this land. I can't begin to fathom the beauty of this kingdom, but I know the majesty of God's Love. I can feel it in every corner of my heart... I know he lives.

As I move forward in faith, as I take this next step, it is not a step into the dark. I know that God has a divine purpose and plan for every single one of us and I look forward with hope and know that there is a bright future awaiting me. It is the prayer in my heart that I could share with you the light of the Lord. That you could feel that fire within your hearts. That you might be inspired this day, this hour, to stand as a disciple of Jesus Christ. To seal his name upon your heart and be moved to go and do something that makes a difference for someone else. Cultivate change. Rely on the Lord. Dream Big. Visualize success. Be a Hero. Pray fervently. Wish hard and Love Always,---

I love you. I love you. I love you.
Sister Jessica Rose Wathen

FAMILY AND BEST FRIEND TRUNKY!!!

It was another great, miraculous week in the life of the Missouri Independence Mission.

Sister and Elder Rowe are a senior couple who serve at the Visitor Center with us. This last week there was a flood in their home and it did a lot of damage to their home and to a lot of their belongings. I was talking to Sister Rowe and I asked, "Where was the most damage? To your home or to your things?" She said, "Most of what is inside can be laundered but the biggest loss was my baby grand piano." ...Ouch. But then she proceeded to explain to me that it's just STUFF. She said that it's during times like this that you really come to realize what's truly important. It's not your most prized piano. It's not your 30 pairs of shoes. It's not even your home. That you come to realize that if you have your loved ones and you have the gospel... then, that's enough. No more truer words were ever spoken. She is an inspiration to me. I think my mission has taught me about STUFF... or maybe about how unimportant STUFF is. Haha. Downstairs in the Visitor Center we have a model of a cabin the saints would have lived in in 1831-1833. It's small, and they would have had up to 10 families living in ONE CABIN. And I'm thinking to myself, "YEAH RIGHT! Maybe for a weekend." But in the cause of zion, they HAD to make it work. And they couldn't be so selfish. I remember going to Vegas with probably 12 girls for Megan's Bachelorette party and we were CRAZY trying to fit everyone into one hotel room... And for those of you who were there, you probably remember that we were all really CRANKY because certain girls ALWAYS got the bed. And certain girls ALWAYS had the floor. And then... some of the girls didn't care. That was great. I remember that I didn't sleep much on that trip, but spent most of my nights up late talking on the phone in the Casino... Anyway... that's not the point... In ZION, they were of one heart and one mind. I'm sure it wasn't always EASY sharing a home with so many people. But they had the perspective of gratitude in their hearts. That it wasn't about, "ME and MY HOUSE and MY BED and MY SPACE." But rather this small cabin home was seen as a palace--- and they were EXCITED to invite everyone they could to come and live with them there.

I feel like it's such a great blessing on a mission to go into homes that feel like home. Feeling like you are surrounded by family even if your family is clear across the WORLD in Salt Lake City, Utah. (haha!) I can't even begin to list all of the homes and all of the people who I have become close to on my mission, but I'm starting to realize that as excited as I am to go home, it's going to be hard to leave them all here... President VanKomen emphasized in our Presidents interviews this week that Missionary work is about teaching PEOPLE, not lessons. He is an amazing inspired man and I love him very much!!!

I also love doggies... RANDOM! But SO TRUE! Friday morning training meetings are hard for me because we have to wake up an hour earlier than normal and we don't get to exercise and we get to get trained on rules, and doing referral calls, and obedience... and still being happy missionaries.... some of my favorite things to talk about. Blah blah blah. So Friday morning, we show up and I'm more tired than normal, and we get there and Elder Nelson says, "You all need to work on being on time." BLAH BLAH BLAH... and I start doodling in my notebook... Then he says, "We're not having training this morning, we're going to have breakfast at my house!" All the sisters are like, "YAAAYY!!!!" And I'm still being a jerk-face because I'm tired... but I'm excited even if I don't show it. Then we get to the Nelsons house and there is a DOGGIE TIED UP TO THEIR FRONT PORCH and I yelled, "DOGGIE!" (Sometimes I swear I still act like a 10-year-old. haha!) And the Sisters are all like, "Why is he here?" I said, "Because Heavenly Father Loves me!! IT'S SO TRUE. That dog made my whole day better! Sister Stanton rescued him from the street and brought him to E. Nelsons house. We called the owner and returned him. The owners car broke down in the Community of Christ Auditorium parking lot, so I EVEN GOT TO TAKE HIM FOR A WALK!!!! OH MY GOSH!!! HAPPIEST MOMENT OF THE DAY! ....Thanks for letting me share that! I was really excited! I can't wait to see my puppy Sophie! I'm so glad she isn't dead yet! Haha. I'm totally doggie trunky, and temple trunky, and... FAMILY AND BEST FRIEND TRUNKY!!! I miss you all so much! But I told Sister VanKomen in interviews this week that I was only going to allow myself to be trunky for 1 hour a day! So after emailing is over, I'm not thinking about ANY OF YOU THE REST OF THE DAY!!!

Haha. It's going to be a great week! We are going to teach 20 lessons and have a baptism at the end of the week and see LOTS OF MIRACLES!!!!! ---Happy day!!!---- Miracles! Miracles!!! This is the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that he lives and provides tender mercies in our lives everyday. With an eye of faith, things that seem impossible to overcome become possible to endure. Endure to the End. 100-yards. I'm going to give my best. My very best. All the way to the end. Even if it hurts. I'm grateful the Lord has helped me to get this far. The Lord is amazing! In his strength I can do all things!!!

I LOVE YOU ALL! Continue in love and faith!!!
Dream Big. Wish Hard. Love Always-
Jessica Rose

Laughter and Miracles

What a fun weeks it's been. I haven't laughed this much in a long long time. So for the 4th of July fireworks on the 3rd, Sister Adamson and I decided to dress up like Lamanites!!! WOOP WOOP! It was so fun because EVERYONE WE LOVE WAS THERE... okay... not EVERYONE, but there were so many friends and we had so much fun! This week we made a Cake for the APS- Elder Clayton and Elder Thomas because they beat us in golf a couple of weeks ago, and we hung a Miley Cyrus banner in the mission office for them that says, "Rock-Sensation." I don't think President was very fond of the sign, but he probably thought it was pretty funny!!! President is going to miss me and all of my racket!!! Haha! It's true... We were playing over at Melody and Connie Obergs house. Melody is doing some modeling, and so she was practicing runway in the living room when we showed up... so of course I WANT TO PLAY TOO!!! Then Connie says, "I asked Father God for more kids, and he sent me Mormon Missionaries!" Haha. I'm ridiculous. Sister Adamson and I have so much fun!!! Yesterday for P-Day we went to Barnes and Noble with Katie and Kimbre. We had so much fun in the kids section reading Dr. Seuss as quickly as we could... HILARIOUS!!!!

I LOVE TO LAUGH! In the midst of the miracles of the mission, the Lord also allows us to have joy! I think of moments with Sister Bradley making Valentines Day videos or making our "Love wall"---times when we could not contain ourselves from laughing! Or Sister Smith and her lamp!!! My gosh... I still cant think about that moment without laughing!

I think of Alma 27 where Alma and Ammon (BFFS) had such great joy "even that he was full; yea, he was swallowed up in joy of his God, even to the exhausting of his strength; and he fell again to the earth." Haha... Remember that times in life when you laugh so hard that you actually hurt yourself??? THOSE ARE THE BEST!!! Two Summers ago at the County Fair on the Zipper... Haha. I really thought I might die! Thank you for those memories!!! I love letters from home with memories that still make me laugh!!! I can't wait to make more memories like that when I get home!!!

Miracles Miracles! Candy Phillips from Great Bend got baptized this week! Sister Bradley and I always knew she'd come around!!! And not so miraculous... President Beck (of the mission presidency) passed away after a long reoccurring battle with cancer. He was an amazing example of devotion to the Lord. He will definitely be missed among all of the missionaries here.

Christy is doing great. Still set for the baptism on the 17th. We went to Liberty Jail with Sadi Cochran this week! I got to give the tour! Probably my last Liberty Jail tour of my mission. The spirit was POWERFUL, we didn't want to leave. But she's doing great as well! I saw Vicki and Richard Andree from 4th ward. They've talked to the Stake President about getting sealed, but it probably will happen in August AFTER I go home. Vicki says that I HAVE TO BE THERE... so hopefully I can make it work.... Anyway...
Another great week in the mission. Only a couple more weeks to go. Happily Ever After... and much laughter awaits!
I love you all! Dream Big. Wish Hard. LAUGH HARDER!!!!
Jessica Rose

Eyes filled with tears

Just some P-DAY fun!!!

This was a great week! We changed Christy Cato's baptismal date to July 17th, which is A-OKAY by me, because it will be the last week of my mission! That will be really neat! Her husband Harry Cato is a long time member and is SOOO excited for his wife! Their daughter Emily will be turning 8 in August and will be baptized less than a month after her mom. Brother Cato is so excited to go to the temple with his wife. What a great blessing this has been for their family. I can SEE the peace that has come into their household since we've been meeting with them. Bishop Cato (Christy's uncle) is very very pleased! it's always good to make your bishop happy!!! haha!!!

So I'm to the last month of my mission and Heavenly Father is blessing us with so much success! We committed Sadee Cochran to pray about the church and she received an answer that it is true!!! Sadee is the 15 year old daughter of Mic Cochran, who was a miracle himself! He had been inactive for years and years, and came into the VC probably 3 months ago and has been active ever since. Sadee was raised mostly by her mom, because she had full-custody after their divorce. her mom belongs to the Church of Christ temple lot... which is a break off church from Nauvoo. (Complicated!) But they don't believe in temples the way that Joseph Smith had restored them... so we taught Sadee about temples and she searched out some differences between the churches... and now she wants to be baptized!!! miracles miracles! It's kind of tricky with her mom, so we don't have a date set yet... but I know that the Lord is preparing her to do great things in her life! Even in her youth she is already a great missionary and a great example of faith and perseverance.

This week Elder Sanders from the Independence 3rd Ward returned home! The music director had asked us to sing a special musical number. After we were finished, and we were walking away from the pulpit, Bishop Cato gently grabs my arm and pulls me back to the center, "uh oh." I said... it's not uncommon for Bishop to pull stunts in sacrament meeting. So as he begins to speak, he puts his arm around me and tells me that he had spoken with my mom on the phone this last week. he expressed the love that she had for me, and how proud she was of me. and i started to cry... i love my mom so much! he said, "She is a wonderful person... Now, Sister Wathen goes home in about a month, and her mom is excited, but I'd like for her to bear her testimony for us now." and Bishop pulls me in close and says, "Just speak from your heart and remember that I love you." I love bishop Cato!!! as I bore my testimony the spirit within my heart was so strong and as I looked into the congregation there were very few eyes that weren't filled with tears from the love in that room. so... thanks mom... your love changed more hearts than mine this week...

This week with all of its highs also had some sad times. I received news that Carmen Phillips, one of the recent converts who was baptized when Sister Bradley and I were in Great Bend, Kansas, passed away due to health complications... ~sigh~ Please keep her family in your prayers. Sister Adamson and I were driving in the car this week and the spirit brought to my mind a girl that Sister Moody and I had found while I was serving in Independence 4th ward. The Mengle family. The daughters name was Gloria and she was going through treatments when we were meeting with her. we called 4th ward sisters and told them that they needed to go visit her, and they were in shock! They had found a video the Mengles let them borrow and were going to go visit them this week!!! MIRACLES!!! Gloria's family is more prepared than ever to receive the gospel and the 4th ward Sisters are teaching them now. Gloria is battling Leukemia now... so the Mengles need prayers too. With all of the highs and lows. I know that gods hand is in everything.

This week I was doing calls in the referral center and I called someone in Price Utah who was referred by his friend and he said that he had been waiting for me to call!!! Miracles!!! So, as I was setting up the info in the computer to send the missionaries his way, I was making small talk and found out that he was really good friends with my zone leader, Elder Vogel!!! SOOooo cool!!!

All in all it was a great week. Sister Jenn Day and her cute girls came to visit me at the VC too. I love them and miss them. It's funny because i think that everyone on my mission gets sick of hearing me talk about people from home. And everyone at home will probably get sick of hearing me talk about people from my mission. I love them all very very much! I love all of you very very much!!! Continue in love and faith!
dream big. wish hard. love always-
look up my new favorite song that Connie Oberg introduced me to... it's called love by Chris Tomlin.... "when our hope is hard to find and our faith is in decline. we need a cause to stand behind. love... there is love. there is forgiveness. there is love in times of need. when life is cold there is a promise. YOU WILL NEVER GO WITHOUT...There is love...

love love love.
jessica rose

The Spirit was INCREDIBLE

This was a miracle week. The Oliveras Family was baptized on Saturday. John, Heather, John Jr., and Cora... The WHOLE family. This was such a rare and special occasion to see an entire family be baptized, and the spirit was so strong. The two sister missionaries who taught the family four years ago flew in town from Mesa, AZ, and SLC, UT to be a part of their special day. Sister Ashton and Sister Judd were beautiful women of faith and I thought to myself, I still want to have that glow that they have, even years after returning home from their missions. They are amazing. And what a great miracle for them. They both said that they KNEW that this family would get baptized one day, they just didn't think it would take 5 years! Yet, even if they didn't see the fruits of their labors from this family during their time on the mission field, in the Lord's own timing, those seeds that they planted came to full fruit. We can never underestimate the impact that we can have on someones life. Sister Adamson and I feel like it is a great privilege to know this family they are so prepared. We're talking future bishop and future relief society president. And their kids are both so gentle and sweet. I love them all so much. They asked Sister Adamson and myself to sing a special musical number. We sang a song called "The Olive Tree" and Connie Oberg (my first convert from my mission) played the piano. Near the end of the song we could hardly get the words out... We were overwhelmed by the love in the room and the love that we have for this family. Bishop closed the meeting with welcoming them into the ward, then we concluded by all singing "The Spirit of God" <<< Bishop Cato's favorite hymn. During the third verse of the song, Bishop Cato came up to us and said, "This is a day you will never forget." He's right. Even if I don't remember the words that were said, I will ALWAYS remember the spirit that was there. The feeling in the room was full of energy and power as everyone stood and sang. "Glory to God in the highest be given. From now and forever, Amen and Amen." BOOM!!!! The spirit was INCREDIBLE! Indescribable. You'd probably have to be there to fully understand....

This week marks a big week for me as well... This week, 5 years ago, I was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. A day that would forever change my life. Reflecting back to 2005 I know that as much as that day changed me, that I'm a very different person NOW than I was back then. I look back on my mission and I know that these last 18 months have changed me tremendously. I've raised above who I used to be. These last couple of weeks I've been reflecting on who I was, who I am, and who I want to become, and I am determined to remain on this path of progression, even after I return home... I read a scripture this week in the epistles of Paul to his son Timothy. The verse said, "Endure HARDNESS and be a good soldier in Jesus Christ." And I woke up and I said, I'm so TIRED of my mission feeling HARD! Then I realized that it hasn't been hard lately.. The Lord has blessed me so so much. And I dedicated myself that from this point on that I was going to let the Lord take my yoke and help me! I was going to stop focusing on everything being so hard, and focus on being a SOLDIER! I know that the Lord has helped me do great things, hard things, and with his help I know that there is NO MOUNTAIN I can't conquer. I was born with FIRE IN MY BONES. With a passion and energy to change the world! I know that I have been called to be a part of something bigger than me, and I am so grateful to be a part of this great work!This week was my last Zone Conference. Sister VanKomen appropriately played the video from "Defeating the Giants" again. About being a 100-yard missionary. What a powerful impact that video has had on me my entire mission. That determination to finish. I'm at that 90 yard line and I am pushing towards the finish. and I know that there is no turning back. I know these upcoming weeks may still have their challenges but with the Lord's help, I will do it! THIS IS THE START OF A NEW DAY!

Elder Clayton on P-DAY
Elder Clayton gave a powerful training about hope. He talked about how he finds hope in his challenges by realizing how much the Lord has changed him. As I reflected upon that I realized that even though I have not enjoyed some of my trials from my mission... I would have liked to have been spared some of those. I know that in all of my trials, I have come to know God... I am not the same naive girl that I used to be . Before my mission I had a pretty little perfect princess life. Really... I'm pretty sure my life was perfect. That is why I struggled for so long out here. I thought if I could JUST go back to the way that things used to be, that it would fix everything. It has taken me a long time to figure out why I was struggling so much. I just wanted my perfect life back. But it took walking away from my life to see how jaded my life really was. Just when I thought my life couldn't be any more perfect, he took my life and broke it. And when I couldn't go home and fix everything... HE FIXED ME. My perfect life will never be what is used to be because I am different now. This reality and change in my heart has been a long time coming, but I am grateful that it's finally here. Forward. Onward. Upward.

The Lord has created each of us with a divine potential. But it is up to us to seek after his will and become as that he has designed us to become. Don't be influenced by the WORLD. Don't let the world tell you that you're not good enough. Don't be distracted by things that are of fleeting value. Don't be a part of Hollywood. He didn't say, "Be ye therefore perfect to look at." <<< I'm pretty sure that is NOT what he meant. He wants us to become like HIM. Go out today and do something nice for someone else. Do something that makes a difference. I love you all with all of my heart and pray that you will seek after things that will cultivate and create change in the world around you.

Create your own world. Make a Change.
Dream Big. Wish Hard. Love Always.
Sister Jessica Rose Wathen

Heavenly Father's Most Obedient

This last week was a PARTY week! Last Monday was Preparation Day and the 5- PDAY sisters went to lunch with Elder Cisternas and Elder Davis to a fancy Italian Restaurant called Veronas. We pretended like it was Sister Bradley's birthday and she was really embarrassed. It was fun! I miss Sister Bradley. I tried to get the mission president to extend her call in Independence... but he transferred her home to Utah. Sad day for me.
Good thing her companions Sister Maddox and Sister Byam are still here to help me cope with missing my bestie Bradley! Haha! Tuesday we had a PJ party with all of the Sisters. It was fun! Mostly because we got to play dress up and a lot of the Sisters played with makeup crayons and drew fun things on their faces! (I'm so grateful that I bought those!) We had fun interpretive dance parties and Sister Stevens and Sister Sasaki were the stars of the show!!! Then Wednesday we had Sister Bradley and Sister Blacks farewell breakfast party! Scratch that! It was NOT A PARTY! It was depressing!!! Haha! Thursdays were transfers which is ALWAYS a party! Sister Adamson and I will be staying in 3rd ward together for the next 6 weeks! Hooray! I've been so blessed throughout my mission to have so many great companions. Speaking of great companions, Sister Megan Maxfield is ENGAGED!!!! Hooray! THEN SKIP FRIDAY AND SATURDAY FOR THE PARTY WEEK... because lets face it, I'm a missionary. I only party at weekends AT HOME... NOT on my mission! JK JK! Then Sunday was Sister Adamson's birthday! PARTY AT CHURCH, PARTY AFTER CHURCH, PARTY AT THE VC, PARTY AFTER NIGHTLY PLANNING! PARTY PARTY PARTY!....Then repentance, because I ate WAY too much cake!!! Haha! The big 23!!! Woop Woop!!!! It was a really fun week! Now it's P-day! The happiest day of the week except for Sundays!!!! Haha! Just FYI- P-days will be on MONDAY from now on!!! So, you will all get another email in 5 days! Yay!!!

Speaking of parties... there is a party happening in our HOUSE that we want to GET RID OF!!! The Missouri Bugs have decided to make our home their home! Little do they know that they are NOT INVITED! It is DISGUSTING! Last year it was lice, THIS YEAR its fruit flies and cockroaches! I ALMOST DIED THIS WEEK! THERE WAS A HUGE COCKROACH THE SIZE OF MY THUMB ON MY LEG IN THE SHOWER! I SCRAM AND JUMPED OUT THE SHOWER GRABBED A TOWEL AND THEN SCRAM SOME MORE! ~sigh.~ I hate bugs. Sister Stanton thought it was cool so I let her take care of it! Haha! Then the fruitflies, as much as they are unwelcome, they might be some of Heavenly Father's most obedient creatures, when he said, "Multiply and Replenish the Earth" THEY GOT IT! BLAH! I hate bugs! I'm going to buy some INTENSE BUG SPRAY today at Walmart and KILL THEIR PARTY!!!!! I'm such a party crasher. Sorry bugs!!!

Okay. Okay. Okay. NOW onto the REAL STUFF! This is a MIRACLE MONTH! Rodrigo was baptized on Saturday! Hooray! The spirit was so strong. I know that he is a changed man! The spirit of the Lord was with him, and I know that nothing will ever be the same. His mother was there, who is already a member, as well as his 15 year old daughter Esmeralda. She was so proud of her dad! It was such an amazing day! This Saturday the Oliveras family is getting baptized, then the FOLLOWING week, Christy is getting baptized! MIRACLES MIRACLES!!!!

Miracles are not contrary to nature, only contrary to what we know about nature. Heavenly Father knows that all things happen for a reason! I am grateful for a loving God who knows each and every single one of us so personally. To know that I am engaged in his work. I'm grateful for the Lord Jesus Christ for always being there for me. I know that the greatest miracles in my life have been involving his atonement. To feel him lift burdens from me, to feel his love and influence in my life. He has changed and continues to change me every day. I am His miracle....

Dream Big. Wish Hard. Love Always.
Jessica Rose

Gratitude, Blessings and Miracles

MIRACLES! MIRACLES!!! The Oliveras Family, are members of the Restoration Branch (Which is a break off of the Community of Christ (RLDS)) are getting baptized in TWO WEEKS. They were taught by missionaries a few years ago, but said that they were "comfortable" where they were at, but in the last year they started to see some doctrinal things that were missing from their church. So, they went to mormon.org. Reviewed and discussed what they had previously been taught by missionaries, prayed to ask God if this was the right decision and called the Bishop. We just started meeting with them, now they're getting baptized!!!

It really has been a week of miracles. It seems like people are coming out of the woodworks! It's about time! Sometimes as a missionary you just have to be PATIENT! <<
I'm super scared. It's transfer week. I feel like I'm leaving 3rd ward for my last transfer, and I really don't want to. But I could be wrong. I could just be psyching myself out! Transfer week is always a really weird week. My Bestie Bradley is going home on Friday... speaking of weird! I'm going to miss her so much! But we'll be friends again when I get home, so I'm not too worried about it. My goodness, I LOVE being from Utah!

This week I had a really great study in the Book of Mormon from Alma 29. Alma is talking about his calling as a missionary so of course it applies to me. Alma says that he knows that the Lord has commanded him to come, "that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God." He calls us to a "holy calling, to preach the word unto [his] people." that we may be able to bring, "some soul to repentance." I believe that in the world before we came here that the faithful were given certain assignments and tasks, and that we will be accountable for those things which we promised Heavenly Father we would do. I am SOO grateful for this calling. As hard as it has been, I know that I am doing what the Lord needs me to be doing. I know that I am involved in his work and he blesses me in small ways everyday. And SOMETIMES, he blesses me in BIG ways!!! I'm so soooo grateful for the gospel, for as Alma says, When I see the gospel changing other peoples lives, "then do I remember what the Lord has done for me." He has done SO much for me. He is everything to me. He has given me ALL OF YOU!!!

I love you all and miss you soo much! Continue in love and faith.
Dream Big. Wish Hard. Love Always.
Jessica Rose

Missouri the "Show Me State"

Sorry that this is coming a day late. The libraries were all closed yesterday for Memorial Day. But what a great week it has been. Our investigator Rodrigo Jimenes was interviewed for baptism this week by President VanKomen. So, now we just have to wait for approval from the First Presidency and he will be able to be baptized!!! Hooray!!!

I went on exchanges with my bestie Bradley this week. She is an angel. She is definitely going to be one of my best friends when I get home. I love teaching with her. We have such great unity and the spirit is always so strong.... and we have so much fun together! I love her! I can't believe she goes home in less than 2 weeks! I super love my companion Sister Adamson too! She is a dollface! The other day when I was driving to an appointment, Sister Adamson was looking at a map for things to do in Indpendence on Preparation Day. She found a place called, "Monkey Mountain National Park." Are you kidding me Missouri? I said, "Show me!" I figured she HAD to be kidding... but nope. She wasn't kidding. I think that's why they call Missouri the "Show Me State." Things that are just SOOO crazy that you'd have to SEE IT to BELIEVE IT! Haha.... I love Missouri!

This week Elder David Kent completed his mission from California and came home to Independence Third Ward. His homecoming address was this last Sunday and he had such an amazing spirit as he spoke. I could tell that his mission really meant a lot to him. He left on his mission when he was 23 and he's 25 now... And he definitely had a great spiritual maturity and is looking forward with great ambitions in life. He has already offered to help us work with fellowshipping with Rodrigo and some of the other less-active Priesthood Holders in the ward. It is great to have his fire and energy! He is an amazing guy, and I look forward to learning a lot from him. Speaking of great missionaries... we have two new Assistants to the President: Elder Clayton and Elder Thomas. I don't know Elder Thomas, but Elder Clayton was my District Leader when I was serving in Liberty, then he was my Zone Leader when I was in Salina. Right NOW he is my Zone Leader in Independence. So I've served around him for 4 transfers already. Kinda crazy.. One thing to know about Elder Clayton, He's British. <<
Now for some good news and some bad news. Bad news: Elder Glad and Sister Glad, one of the Senior Couples who were serving at the Visitor Center are going home this week. He just found out that his cancer has relapsed, and it's at a pretty crucial state right now, so Salt Lake advised them to go home so he could start advanced treatments of Chemo or Radiation or whatever else might be required. It was a really hard goodbye for all of us. We could hardly hold back the tears as we sang to him and his wife at their farewell party...

Good News: President VanKomen completed his 39th and FINAL Radiation treatment right before our District Meeting this week. President VanKomen has a spirit and light that always seems to glow, but recently he's been joking about not needing night lights because of all of the radiation, that he glows. Even if HE thinks its the radiation, WE all know it's the spirit. But he said, "THE GLOW SHOW IS OVER!" And we all signed his "Purple Heart Certificate" from the Hospital. Sister VanKomen says that he never complains. When going through radiation treatments you're supposed to take a nap EVERY DAY. Sometimes Sister VanKomen will FORCE him to take a nap, but he says, "Why should I sleep if I'm not tired?" Then, tears filled his eyes as he spoke and he said, "The Area 70 has put my name on the prayer roll of the temple every week. In the weekly meeting with the first presidency and the quorum of the 12 apostles they read those names individually and aloud and offer a prayer for them... Now you know why I don't get tired." I am grateful for people around me who inspire me, people like President and Sister VanKomen. I am truly aware of the treasure it is to serve her amongst so many of the Lord's Elect.

This week Sister Adamson and I held a WAR COUNCIL like in Alma 52- to TAKE BACK THE CITY OF MULEK, or rather to take back what was ours... to take back what SATAN has tried to take away from us! It was powerful.... We just had a candle, and "Onward Christian Soldiers" playing in the background. We wrote down on an index card all of the LIES Satan tells us, THEN WE TORE THEM UP AND BURNED THEM!!! HAHA! Then... we sat in silence and wrote down all of the truths and promises that Heavenly Father has for us. I am confidant and happy. I am gracious and full of courage. I am a daughter of the almighty God and with his son, the Lord Jesus Christ beside me, I cannot be knocked down! I will walk tall! I want his light to shine in my countenance. I was to be his hands. I want to be his light. I know I can put my trust in him and that he will still deliver me... Alma 5:26, "If ye experienced a change of heart... can ye feel so now?

Dream Big. Wish Hard. Love Always.
Jessica Rose

I am bound to the Lord

This week reminded me WHY I am serving a mission... Because the Lord needs me here. I am exactly where I am supposed to be.

Lately I've been reading the epistles of Paul. I love Paul! And he addresses the people in Ephesians as, "I, Paul, the PRISONER of Jesus Christ." Haha. At first I laughed HISTERICALLY and thought, I've felt that way... but as I let the spirit teach me I learned that there was a lot more than what I read. Symbolism in the word... Because to be imprisoned is to be TRAPPED, but what is TRUE FREEDOM? It is freedom through the spirit and the atonement of Christ. We best apply the atonement when we make sacred covenants with Heavenly Father. When we are baptized, for example, we take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ and we become BOUND to those covenants. Not that we lose our agency, but we are accountable to the promises that we made to the Lord. We become bound or imprisoned to the Lord as we promise to do his will.

In the book called The Three Pillars of Zion, it explains our covenant relationship with Christ like this: The new and everlasting covenant emerges from the atonement and makes us PARTNERS with Jesus in all things, both the easy and the difficult. By means of the covenant, we are yoked with the Savior to inseparably face every eventuality. In this relationship, we pledge to eachother all that we have and are and therefore we are entitled to draw upon the resources of the stronger partner in any eventuality. In everyway, we are ONE in the covenant. Neither are we divided or alone. Now, because of our covenantal relationship, life's adversities are consecrated to the Lord for the welfare of our souls... By experience, we discover that in the covenantal relationship, we are absolutely safe...

I, like Paul, am a Prisoner of Jesus Christ, I am bound to the Lord. I know that yoked to him. Even in my weakness I will do whatever will be asked of me. I will strive to be all that I was called to be. And I know that in this cause I am safe in the his love.

As we partake of the sacrament we promise to always remember him and to remember the covenants that we have made with him. May we always have perspective to understand the blessings of the Lord. That although they may not come within, days or weeks or years... THEY WILL COME.

My companion and I took a woman named Guadalupe through the Visitor Center this week. She has terminal cancer and one month to live. She was a woman of great faith. Like the faith of Job. That although this illness is eating her body, she KNOWS that in a perfected body that she will see God. She is currently meeting with the Elders in the Riverview Ward in Kansas City and will be getting baptized this week.... I am humbled and touched to be in this service. Guadalupe is an angel to me. She truly was sent to touch my heart this week. I have a deep love for her...

May we always remember the Lord in all that we do and remember that his promises are true.
I love you all!

Dream Big. Wish Hard. Love Always-
Jessica Rose

Fairytales and Miracles

This is my new favorite picture in correlation to Preparation Day. My idea of P-day: "ROAD TRIP TO UTAH!!!" Sister Adamson: "You know we can't drive to Utah so stop saying that." Haha. We almost died when we saw this card... Oh, how accurate! Great news: Only 10 more weeks until I'm on an airplane heading your way! MY GOSH I MISS YOU ALL SO MUCH! COUNTDOWN COUNTDOWN COUNTDOWN!!!
This week was a Less-Active miracle week. Actually, the last three weeks have been pretty miraculous. We've been working with a lot of people who have been inactive and helping them to re-develop a testimony of the gospel, and rededicate their lives to the Lord. It's fun to see them make changes and come back to church. It is a great work I am involved in.

In all honesty, this was one of the hardest weeks of my mission. Fortunately the May Ensign arrived on Monday to carry me through full of great inspiring talks from General Conference. I was flipping through and stopped at a talk by President Uchdorf called Happily Ever After. Yup... For those of you who give me a hard time about my fairytale way of life: President Uchdorf says that "happily ever afters are not something found only in fairytales." So now, my fairytale life isn't just a good idea of a day-dreaming girl, it's DOCTRINE! Haha. He explains where I am at in MY FAIRYTALE. He says that all fairytales have their own, "sadness and trial before they can reach their happily ever after. In between the once upon a time and the happily ever after they had to experience great adversity... Adversity helps to develop a depth of character that comes in no other way." So... I'm holding onto the Lord and trusting that he's shaping me continually, even though to ME, some of these trials SEEM RIDICULOUS AND UNNECESSARY... I know that he knows better than I do, and I can trust in that. I know I have to rely on him. I guess they couldn't call it a TESTimony, without the test. Like the Brother of Jared, in the Book of Ether in the Book of Mormon... He was traveling across the great waters in a boat... The Lord had directed them to go to the promised land. So they were obedient, then the Lord sent these HUGE STORMS! HUUGGGEEE STORMS! And I'm sure they thought, "He's going to KILL US OUT HERE! Did we do something wrong???"The trick is that this boat wasn't really a boat like we would commonly think, it was much more like a submarine of sorts... Anyway, point being that they had no paddles to steer the boat. Without these STORMS it would have never found shore. The storms were to help the boat go where it needed to go. I guess that is how all trials are. Even though we feel like "GOD MUST HATE ME!!!" but he knows that these storms are only helping us turn and be directed to our own place of peace and rest, our own Happily Ever After. My goodness, my happily ever after better be good after these last 18 months. REFINERS FIRE!!!

But this talk did help me. Because I DO believe God has great things in store for my future. I do believe that my "perfect life" is now. But my happily ever after awaits... I can't wait.

Dream Big. Wish Hard. Love Always.
Jessica Rose

Cinco de Mustache

I know that my mom has a place in my heart that no one else can touch. No one can comfort me the way that her words can. No more tears have I shed than that of the shoulder of my mom. She is my mentor, my confidant, and my bestfriend. Words cannot describe my mom and the love and charity that she has for everyone around her. She inspires me. I love her very much.

This week begins the construction of the Kasas City Missouri Temple. The groundbreaking was on Saturday in which President VanKomen got to take a part. It is a beautiful templre from the pictures that I've seen. I can't wait to come back when it's done. What a great honor it is to have a temple so close by for those here in Independence. The temple will be located about 10 minutes west of the Historic Liberty Jail.

Last week, Casey Hopper FINALLY GOT BAPTIZED! ~Miracles! Miracles!~ Casey has come so far in his life since I met him. It is amazing to see how the spirit has truly touched his heart and has given him the courage to change. Casey asked me to give the talk on baptism, which was such an honor. And I got to see my favorite friend Sister Smith, and she gave the talk on the Holy Ghost. She prepared an analogy about how Dory from Finding Nemo was like the Holy Ghost... Of course I can leave it up to Sister Smith to make any ordinary experience... well, not very ordinary. Sister Smith is definately one of a kind and I still miss her all the time. That crazy Sister. I love her.


My new companion Sister Adamson makes me laugh a lot too. So we decided that we needed to have a Cinco de Mayo party, but by the end of the night we were SOOO TIRED. So I got home, took of my makeup and was getting ready for bed, and Sister Adamson stops me and reminds me that we haven't had our party yet! Haha. So, in remembrance of Utah we didn't celebrate Cinco de Mayo, but like many people in Utah, we celebrated Cinco de mustache! MOST HILARIOUS IDEA EVER! Sister Adamson and Sister Stanton make such great dudes! And I had Sister Adamsons trucker hat from Kansas. We had a lot of fun! Another fun thing that happened This week, Sister Adamson and I saw a TRACTOR PARADE!!! (Only in Missouri!) My camera was in the back seat of the car so I don't have any pictures, but trust me, it was AMAZING!!!


I love you all so much. As Dory from Finding Nemo would say, "Just keep swimming... swimming... swimming..." I'll see you all soon! In the meantime, Dream Big. Wish Hard. Love Always.

Jessica Rose

An attitude towards gratitude

We got transfer calls on Tuesday. I'm remaining here in Independence 3rd ward with a new companion, Sister Roo Adamson. Roo is really her name. Isn't that great? She is a doll! She's from Orem and went to school at Utah State. She played Rugby with Sister Smith before the mission, so... expect many more crazy moments to come! Haha. I'm sad that Sister Smith is leaving me... but her legacy and craziness will continue on!!! Haha. Sister Villalobos is in Riverview with Sister Knuckles and Sister Smith is in Odessa with Sister Fakai.

So, the email would not be complete without more crazy experiences with Sister Smith. However, this week I was far more funny than she was. WE EVEN GOT IN A FIGHT ABOUT IT. But I won! I had the funniest moment! So... we were tracting (knocking doors) and NO ONE WANTED TO HEAR OUR MESSAGE... but THEN there was this SUPER cute cat that started following us, and we got to a front porch and no one was home so I decided to teach the cat about the Seed of Abraham. His name was Abraham. THEN THERE WAS ANOTHER CAT... his name was Samson. He was pretty receptive too. I love animals. We laughed a lot. BUT THEN A MIRACLE HAPPENED. As I was teaching Samson and we saw a young man walking down the street named Cameron. He had a lot of questions we were able to answer. We got to teach him about the Book of Mormon and he came to another appointment at the Visitor Center with us. He is a GREAT kid. Then we sent him as a referral to Kansas City where he lives and the Elders are teaching him now. HOW COOL IS THAT? If I hadn't stopped and talked to Samson... we may not have run into Cameron. I have such a testimony of talking to everyone. Haha.

Okay enough of that. It was kind of a tough week with the work. But I know that even when life seems a little bleak, that it still looks great on paper. I have a lot to be grateful for. "Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he's been robbed... Most putts don't drop. Most beef is tough. Most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration. Life is like an old-time rail journey- delays, sidetracks, dust, cinders, and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed... The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride." -Jenkins Lloyd Jones. Gratitude unlocks the fulness of life. It turns what we have into more than enough... There is no need to play the "My life will be perfect WHEN" game... I'm trying a new attitude that my dad taught me, it's called "My perfect life."

Look around you right now. Think of 10 things you're grateful for. Do you have a roof over your head and food to eat? I'm guessing the answer is yes. Do you have at least a few good friends or close relationships? Then appreciate them too, right now. Keep going, and practice being in the present and being grateful for what is here and now at least a couple times a day.
You're also probably sitting there thinking "yes but." Yes, but I want more money, a better relationship, more time to travel, to be thinner, happier or whatever. It's one of the great mysteries I'll never figure out. The minute you stop focusing on what you lack, start focusing on what you've already got, and add the "magic" ingredient of action, you actually begin to attract more of what you want. It's an amazing formula for really living your perfect life!

Today I am grateful for laughter. I'm grateful to have the truths of the gospel. I am grateful for my family. I am grateful for my friends who still write me letters (the rest of you are JERKS! JK!) I even love my friends who DONT write me letters. I'm grateful for the springtime. It is beautiful here. I'm grateful to have the opportunity to serve in the VC and testify of the gospel everyday. I'm grateful for Sister Bradley who I still get to see everyday! I'm grateful for the Lord for providing TENDER MERCIES on a daily basis. Today I got to see Elder Ryan Swayt who is going home tomorrow. He's going to be a good friend when I get home. THAT was a tender mercy. Serving with Sister Adamson is something that I'm grateful for. I'm grateful for great ward members who take such good care of us... the list could go on and on.

A good friend sent me a letter this week that really touched my heart. I hope she wont mind if I share a part of her letter with all of you. "Yesterday was fast and testimony meeting. A Down Syndrome man got up to enlighten us with his testimony... I have never had a testimony touch me so much in my life. He said the words, "I am thankful for me." ...Here he is saying how it is hard for him to get from place to place, he is severly disabled, and yet he sdtill thanks his Heavenly Father for himself." ... D&C 78:19 "He who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious." I believe that. I believe the power of a good attitude and a little love can turn a dark day into light. Those who bring sunshine to others cannot help to keep it from themselves.

I love all of you so much. I'm grateful for your love and support always. Never forget, "You are my Sunshine... my only sunshine..." Shine on. Dream Big. Wish Hard. Love Always-
Jessica Rose

That's what you needed to learn

Hello everyone. Another great week in the trio means more crazy moments with Sister Smith and Villalobos. So, in trying to train Sister Smith to be a Visitor Center Sister, we were on a tour together in front of the Christus. After we had finished the intro, she yelled "I get to push the button!" Then she proceeded to HURDLE over of the large plants to make sure that she got to the button to make the presentation play first. Crazy competitive girl! I love her SOOO much. Last week we went "roo huntin'" with nerf guns. This week we went "walabee hunting" after Sister Collado, a sister from New Zealand. Hahaha... We also decided to make my life a sitcom. Sister Smith is the producer of the new upcoming show LONE TREE HILL. Joseph Smith said that a lot of trees standing together could withstand storms just fine, but one tree standing alone has to get deep roots really fast to withstand the winds. Sister Smith said, "It's like your mission! Lone. Tree. Hill." I almost died of laughter. "On the latest episode of Lone Tree Hill..." BAHAHAHA. It's probably not that funny to all of you at home, but I'm loving it! President VanKomen is now enforcing the OLD music rule again in order to try to "increase spirituality." For about 6 months, we could listen to anything white handbook approved. AKA. Jessie Clark Funk, EFY, anything Christian. NOW, it's back to ONLY Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and Hymns... And I'm back to being a grumpy gus!!! Haha. I'm kidding. Sister Smith and I found a way to make it fun. So, we turned on some classical Vivaldi and Sister Smith says, "This is great! Just make up cartoons in your head! ...Silly little gray cat!" Hahaha!!! Oh man... Transfers are this week and I don't expect us to stay together which I'm super sad about!!! I don't know what I'm going to do!!! Last time I lost Sister Smith, I got Sister Bradley... So I'm kind of praying that I get Sister Bradley back again for a THIRD TIME. I know it's not reasonable or even probable... but a girl can dream! Sister Smith and Villalobos are probably SO excited to get rid of me though. This week, I thought Sister Villalobos was in the car and I drove off and didn't notice she wasn't in the car until I'd driven about 3 blocks down the road, and I jammed Sister Smith's elbow in the car door. Haha. I'm the worst companion ever!!! But we sure do laugh a lot!!!

This week the Community of Christ conference came to a close and they made some changes in their church and there is already a new break off church! ~sigh.~ It was fun to visit with so many members of their church however. It was interesting to see some of the differences even though we have the same restoration.

I had an amazing experience on Sunday that I wanted to share with you. So Melody is a beautiful 16 year old ballerina and a Recent Convert to the church since last June. She's been going to her old church a lot, because she doesn't feel like she has any friends--- except for me. But she has a STRONG testimony of the restored gospel....But recently, she just got a new boyfriend who goes to a different church, so I was thinking she was lost. -Where is your faith, Sister Wathen?- We've been working with her a lot and so, miracle #1--- Melody came to church on Sunday and sat by me and my companions! After Sacrament meeting she asked me if she could go with me to my adult class. I told her she would have to go to the "young Sunday School" but that I would go with her just this one time. So I go on a split so my companions can stay with our investigators who also attended this week. So Melody and I walk in, and a member of the bishopric is there and I could tell he was scrambling. I asked, "Is there something I can help you with?" He said, "Two of our Sunday school teachers didn't show up." I told him I would be happy to teach the class. And I said to them what elder Snow had told us a few weeks ago, "I don't have a message for you. But I know that God does." So I told them revelation starts with questions. I asked if they had anything they had been wanting to learn more about. One young woman raised her hand and said, "The second coming." I started to teach of the signs of the second coming... then paused. Listen to what the Lord wants you to say, Sister Wathen. He didn't want me to teach about what happens at the second coming, but how we are to prepare for the second coming. We do that by building Zion. Like the city of Enoch. A city of one heart and one mind. So then we talked more about Zion. I asked them if we had Zion in our ward, if they had Zion in their families. Then I asked, Do we have Zion in this room??? Are we all of one heart and one mind? So we did an activity. Kind of a get to know you type of game. What are your favorite hobbies. If you prefer to play sports go to the left side of the room. If you prefer reading a book go to the middle. If you prefer shopping go to the left. Then I asked other fun questions. Then I said, If you consider yourself shy go to the right, if you consider yourself outgoing go to the left. Then we talked about Zion again. To reach out to those who are maybe different than you in order to be of one heart and one mind. They decided that in order to be Zion in that room that they all had to be friends and that they all had to have a love and concern and charity for one another. And I said, "THAT is exactly what the Lord wanted to you to learn today." At the end of class two beautiful young women were talking to Melody and invited her to go to the mall with them this Saturday and I wanted to jump for JOY! THEY GOT IT!!! They got the message. I was grateful that the Lord directed me to that very spot that Melody could have FRIENDS so she wouldn't feel so weird going to church. I've decided that it's time to change the status quo. And I'm starting with me. In order to build up Zion, I have to be a better friend, not only to strangers on the street but to those in my midst. A better friend to those whom I already love. So this is my shout out!!! I LOVE YOU ALL SOOOOO MUCH! Tomorrow I have 3 more months until I'm home! And I will give you all HUGE HUGS! <<
I was reading about Abinidi this week and I told Sister Smith that I really wanted to be like Abinidi. I wanted to be brave like him. She said, "You have time to BECOME like Abinidi. Don't forget. He was really old!" haha. She is right. The Lord is CHANGING me. I can feel it. I can almost see it! But I'm not there yet. I have to keep pressing forward. I was talking to Elder Nelson about the same thing and he told me, "Sister Wathen, Abinidi couldn't be Ammon. Someone had to hold the sheave." Haha... Elder Nelson is so deep! What he meant was that I couldn't be Abinidi and I couldn't be Ammon. That I just have to be the best Jessica Rose that I can be. I have to lead my OWN legacy of faith. I want love to be my legacy. So I will strive to love the best I can. To DREAM THE BIGGEST I CAN DREAM. TO WISH THE HARDEST THAT I CAN. TO FIND A SHOOTING STAR....AND TO LOVE... always.

Everyone of you can be that light on a hill. Just find it within you. You don't have to be Joseph. You don't have to be Daniel. Just be YOU and shine bright.

I love you all!
Forever and Always, no matter what-
Jessica Rose

Enlightend by the rearview mirror

Just another crazy beautiful week in the life of Jessica Rose. Let me just start off by saying that I LOVE Sister Smith as a companion. We have a lot more fun now that we're not both SICK all of the time like we were in Concordia. I have never laughed so much in my entire life. We're so polar opposite, but somehow we manage to use our differences to have so much fun together. This week was her first week at the Visitor Center and so we focused on making her a LADY. Sister Smith is very tom-boy, very rough around the edges. So I kind of felt like I was living "Princess Diaries" or "My Fair Lady" as I instructed her not to fall on the ground and pout when she dropped her pencil, and not to SHOUT, and not to jump down 5 stairs at a time or slide down the banister. HILARIOUS! I LOVE this girl! She tolerates my Princess Complex! Last night we made a DRAGON DUNGEON movie. The Lacey home is remodeled as you all know, but it's super ancient. Downstairs in an unfinished limestone basement. So we went on an ADVENTURE, and decided to make a movie about a DRAGON... THEN, (this was not a part of the script) SHE RAN UPSTAIRS, AND LOCKED THE DOOR AND I WAS IN THE BASEMENT BY MYSELF, SCREAMING BLOODY MURDER BECAUSE I WAS SURE THE REAL LIFE MONSTERS THAT LIVE DOWN THERE WERE GOING TO GET ME! ....Then she unlocked the door and we laughed for like 20 minutes. We also got Nerf guns and decided we were going to attack the Riverview Ward Sisters, who live upstairs with us. Sister Adamson used to play Rugby with Sister Smith before the mission, and knows her nickname is Roo. So this video was titled, "We're gonna go... Roo hunting!" My goodness!!! We are ridiculous! We laugh at everything! I love her!

It is such a tender mercy to be with her. Sister Villalobos still has to keep us in line, because we're constatnly play fighting over SOMETHING! Haha! So aside from my amazing companions, I have AMAZING NEWS, Casey (Who I was teaching in Concordia) came into the VC on Monday and told us that his troubles were cleared and he's getting baptized May 4th!!! He asked Sister Smith and I to speak at his baptism. Sister Villalobos, Sister Bradley and Sister Scott will be coming with us, since they all taught Casey too. Casey wants them to do a musical number. I LOVE CASEY! I'm so happy that his life is FINALLY starting to fall into place! MIRACLES! MIRACLES!!!! Haha.

It's finally Spring time here in Independence!!! Sorry to everyone in Utah for all of the snow, I'm praying some sunshine your way! It is beautiful here! There is no other sky as blue as the skies here in Missouri, and there is no other grass as green, or trees as lush as they are here. It's no wonder we call this the Garden of Eden. It is just beautiful! Elder Nelson, our Visitor Center Director, moved into a new home this week, so he held and open house and we all got to go visit! It was a lot of fun!

This week the Community of Christ (Formally known as the Reorganized Latter-Day Saints) is holding their World Conference, which takes place for a week every other year. They vote on new doctrines and rights for the church. They operate with Delegates, who debate over different topics, THEN it goes up to the First Presidency. The Delegates are talking about some pretty hot-button topics this conference. Then after the first presidency puts their say in, it goes out to a general vote, and majority wins, and that becomes the doctrines and rights of the church. Anyway, I've had the chance this week to take two men from their Quorum of the 70 on Tour, as well as many of their delegates and members. It has been interesting. We all have the same heritage, so it is neat to share more about that with them. They don't believe in eternal families the way that we do, so it's been interesting to talk about that as well. The three of us also had the chance this week to teach some Jehovah Witness Missionaries about the Book of Mormon. They approached US actually, and we thought they wanted to bash, but they asked their questions, and we gave them both a copy of the Book of Mormon and we told them to continue in faith, that there were people out there waiting for the message of Christ. It has definitely been one of the most interesting weeks of my mission!

I had this really profound moment this week as we were driving to one of our appointments. On a street corner I saw a homeless man holding a sign, "Homeless Vet. Need help. God Bless." And out loud I said, "I only have my credit card. I wish that I could help him." Then kept driving... THEN I HAD THIS MOMENT as I looked behind me, that with all of the traffic behind me in my rearview mirror that there was not A SINGLE PERSON within my sight who stopped for that man. And I thought, how sad is that. It's like in the Book of the prophet Mormon where he says, "Ye do love money, and your fine apparel, more than you love the poor and needy, the sick and the afflicted... Ye adorn yourselves with that which hath no life, and yet suffer the hungry and needy, and the naked, and the sick and afflicted to pass by you, and notice them not?" WILL NO ONE STOP TO HELP THIS MAN? ...Then I had another moment, his sign didn't say he needed money. His sign said that he needed help. It wasn't just that no one stopped to give him money, but no one stopped to be his friend. And it started to weigh on me, and a thought came to my mind. "Keep your money, I want CHANGE." It's not about building people mansions, it's about reaching out with love. Satan will try to tell us that what little good we could do, wouldn't really make a difference. WELL DON'T LISTEN TO HIM! That is a big fat, Satanic lie! Everything little thing we do creates a change in the world. I began thinking about my calling as a missionary. That this is not about money... This is not about the a NUMBER- number of baptisms, number of lessons taught... This is about CHANGE. This is about helping people KNOW that God loves them. Letting them know that they have a SAVIOR WHO DIED FOR THEM and rose again. That there is HOPE FOR CHANGE.

I'm so done with the status quo. Keep your money, I want change. That change is starting with me...
Dream Big. Wish Hard. Create Change. Make a Difference... and above all. LOVE ALWAYS.
I love you with all of my heart! Continue in love and faith. Forward, onward, upward.

Jessica Rose

The Two Most Important Words

I love the spirit of Conference Weekend. Miracles always seem to happen this time of year! We were fortunate to have many of our investigators attend sessions telescast at the ward, some of them were able to come and watch all 4 sessions! Many of their testimonies grew as they listened to the words of our living prophet and apostles. As me myself, I watched about 2.5 sessions... Other times I was in the visitor center giving tours. I'm grateful that they print all of the conference talks in the Ensign next month! Reguardless of what I may have missed, I felt the spirit directing me and providing answers and needed council for my life and my stewardship as a servant of the Lord.

My favorite talks... The ones about love and forgiveness... Love, of course, is the great commandment!!! Good thing it's my favorite! I only got to see a part of Elder Holland's talk, but conference after conference he seems to be one of my favorites. I love that he said, "True love endures." With family, with friends, with investigators who don't keep commitments... Love tells us that we cannot give up on the hope that people can CHANGE when they make mistakes. "We CAN be rescued," he said. It reminds me of a William Shakespeare quote, "Love is not love which alters when alterations finds." But when things get hard. When things CHANGE. True love remains the same. If this is love. If this is real. It will conquer all things, and nothing will stand in the way of us. Love believes. Love hopes. Love endures all things. President Uchdorf is becoming another regular favorite. He spoke of being commited to be the Lord's hands. To love at all times. He said that true love requires ACTION! To uplife and build, to support and heal. I pray that I can be his hands and always be a positive uplifting influence in the lives of my fellow brothers and sisters. That I might be seen as a light and an example of love at all times. -Love. Love Love.-

I loved all of the talks about strenghening families and securing the priesthood in the home. There were some many inspired talks about the home. It was inspiring to me. I loved that so many people talked about the value of a righteous woman. One of my quotes from my quote book says, "Women of God can never be like women of the world. The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are course; we need women who are kind; There are enough women who are crude; we need women who are refined. We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith; We have enough greed. We need more goodness. We have enough vanity. We need more virtue. We have enough popularity; we need more purity." I am inspired and devoted to be a woman of faith. M. Russel Ballard said, "It is for YOU to lead the women of the world."

Elder Nelson's talk on families was amazing. He is always amazing. This week, his beautiful grandaughter, my former companion Megan Maxfield came through the mission with her family. I love them so much! It was great to see her! She talked about things and home and told me that she couldn't wait until we could be friends after the mission! She looked beautiful! She still shone with that same angelic light that she did as a missionary. She inspires me. Megan Maxfield is a woman of faith! Her grandmother, Wendy Watson Nelson is another woman who inspires me. She is a woman of faith.

Easter was so much fun we went over to a recent converts home for lunch and had an Easter Egg hunt with her three boys (Thanks to my mommy for sending the goodies!) It was a lot of fun! Those boys were sweet hearts! Then we had Dinner Sunday Evening with President VanKomen and Sister VanKomen at Sister Williams home. Our investigator Caroline was there too. By the way... She commited to be baptized April 17th!!!

Other investigators: Rodrigo started paying tithing. He loves the Book of Mormon. Even during conference, he couldn't put it down!!! Haha! He has a baptismal interview next week! Bill and Trisha... Sister Missionaries to the rescue again. We love them.

So... BIG NEWS!!! I'M IN A TRIO NOW!!! My former Companion Sister Smith and her companion Sister Jenkins had to get transfered out of their area and now she is here with me and Sister Villalobos in 3rd ward. What a tender mercy! I love that girl! She arrived yesterday afternoon and we have just been laughing ever since!!! I LOVE HER SOOO MUCH! What's up with me getting my ex companions back? Kinda crazy right? So Sister Smith has had a rough couple of weeks, so she was grateful for this change. Now that we are in a trio we had to move in another bed. Our room is small so president approved that one of us could have our own bedroom. That would be ME. This is pretty much unheard of that I would have my own room AND my own bathroom AND my own closet. But I am LIVING IT UP for the next three weeks. It's the best!!! This morning, 6:30 AM I was awoken by Sister Smith shooting her nerf gun at me! I LOVE HER SOOO MUCH! Haha. We have so much fun!

Randomness:::: We got a new kiosk at the VC this week. It has some fun homefront commercials on it. I'll try to send one home every week. My favorite for this week is called, "I want a drink!"

Updates on President VanKomen: He's doing well. We had interviews with him this last week, and with tears in his eyes he said, "With all that I have been going through, I know that there are many of you who have been through a great amount of trial and hardship on your missions as well. I do not know why such sacrifices would be required. But remember that the Lord is on our side." Sister Villalobos in her sweet Spanish accent told President, "I know you don't have to worry President. Because I've been praying for you." Then we were all crying. President then said, "No matter what happens I know it's going to be okay." The faith of President VanKomen amazes me every day. I would ask for your continued support and prayers in his behalf.

I proclaim as did President Monson. The two most important words: Thank you! Thank you for your love and support towards me and this great work I am embarked in. May you be blessed for those things which you stand in need of! I love you all!

Dream Big. Wish Hard. Love Always.
Jessica Rose

Heros, Miracles and Blessings

Hello everyone! This is going to be one of those LONG LONG LONG emails. If I have time to say all that I WANT to say! So much has happened. And I got JIPPED a P-Day... So I'm feeling a little behind. Haha.

So first things first. Sister Bradley and I BOTH got transfered out of Concordia, Missouri! We were so sad to have to say goodbye to some of our favorite families and investigators! It's getting easier to say goodbye though... because I know I'll get to talk to them all again soon!

I'm serving now in Indpendence 3rd ward with Sister Villalobos who is from Mexico. English is her second language, so sometimes she says the FUNNIEST things! She makes me laugh! But she is a HUGE sweetheart! She's kind of quiet, but has a heart of gold!

We live in a newly remodeled home on Willis, right by the Visitor Center. It is BEAUTIFUL! It was actually donated by Brother and Sister Lacey, a couple from the area. It is such a blessing to get to live here. The home is much like something we would see in Utah. I LOVE IT!!!

So about the 3rd ward, Nine months ago, I told Bishop Cato (the bishop of the 3rd ward) that I was going to pray myself here... and today... here I am! And he still remembers that I told him that! The Lord must have been listening. We are promised that if we are faithful that we will get whatever we desire if it is according to the will of God. I LOVE THIRD WARD! It is the highest baptizing ward in all of Independence. Really... it's just because the members are SOOO great! And... they are HILARIOUS! This Saturday the relief society is having a Bob Barker, Price is Right Birthday Party! Sister Villalobos and I will be on shift at the VC, so we'll be unable to attend. But it will be great!!! Connie and Melody were recent converts that I helped prepare for baptism while I was serving in Indpendence 4th ward, but now their records are in 3rd ward. They're both active and lovely as ever! I also have an adoptive grandma here in 3rd ward- Her name is Sister Williams. She is a seniors sister from Highland, Utah serving as a geneology missionary. I love her. She gives me good advice and great hugs!!! It is such a blessing to be here!

We have some great investigators. We have an investigator named Rodrigo who we just committed for baptism! He's got some things to work on, but his spirit is prepared. He's great... more on him another week.

I'm back at the Visitor Center. Back to studying history! I have missed it SOOOO much! My first day, I gave four solo tours! I surprised myself by how much I remembered. Actually, it wasn't me... The SPIRIT knew that this work I'm involved in is IMPORTANT so he blessed me with remembrance. I took a couple on tour this week from Springfield, Missouri and to me they appeared to be just your ordinary LDS couple. When I was taking them through, I felt pressed upon to speak more on W.W. Phelps than I normally would. I explained how he had fallen away from the church. He had betrayed Joseph. Phelps was one of the key players in Joseph Smith ending up in Liberty Jail... but he returned and asked for forgiveness. Joseph told him, "Friends at first are friends at last." And W.W. Phelps was faithful until the end and is now buried in the SLC cemetary. Despite of EVERYTHING he did in his life, the MOST IMPORTANT part of his journey was his return. In the end, W.W. Phelps is a HERO. Praise to the Man is a song to celebrate Joseph's life, but W.W. Phelps holds credit for this song. He is an incredible man. I then closed by bearing my testimony of the Savior and his church. After I had finished, I noticed the man was crying. He then continued to explain to me that he has been inactive for years, and came on this trip with his friend (not his wife) looking for peace, and the courage to go back... He said he had found his answer... I am always humbled when the Lord uses me as his instrument. For I know that these words are not mine. They are his.

A young boy named Joey walked in out of the rain last week. As he entered, I felt his spirit. He was sitting on the couch and I felt prompted to talk to him... So we talked, and talked and talked... He is not a member but has felt like he needed to come in the VC for a while. He has had a hard past, which was a past I could relate to.... and we talked and talked and talked. About the gospel, about the miracle of the atonement, about the miracles that continue forth today. And he's getting baptized April 17th... Another Miracle Mark (<<< from the beginning of my mission). There are miracles all OVER THE PLACE! The spirit here is so strong.

I wish I had time to write more... but this week we had Zone Conference with Elder Snow of the 70 and we saw President VanKomen. He is looking well. He JUST started treatments. The Conference was POWERFUL! I'll share more insights later.

I love you all! Don't forget to dream big. Wish hard. And Love Always-
Sister Wathen

Winter Quarters

Happy late Halloween to all my favorite people at home! It's always been my favorite time of year, so of COURSE I played dress up! Missouri Independence Mission, Sister Wathen style!

Elder Russell M. Nelson will be coming to the Missouri Independence Mission in THREE DAYS!!! What an amazing blessing an opportunity lies ahead. It's going to be another great week!

This was a great week as we had the opportunity to go to the Winter Quarters Temple with our Recent Convert John Atkisson (84 years old). This was an especially wonderful day as John had the temple work done for his beloved wife Rose who passed away about five years ago. John is looking forward to going to the temple next July so he can be sealed to her for time and eternity. It is his goal to go to the Salt Lake Temple. I told him he could stay at our house. Thanks in advanced mom and dad! He is such a sweet man. He reminds me of Grandpa Wathen. Sweet little twinkly eyes! Beautiful heart and spirit. That little chuckle. I love John.

We also had the opportunity to go to the Winter Quarters Visitor Center...To learn about the early saints who lived there for two years. During which time there was much sickness and death. The Winter Quarters temple is
erected right next to the pioneer cemetery where all of those who died those two winters were buried. There is a lot of symbolism in that. "Death where is thy sting? Grave where is thy victory?" We are reminded that although the early saints went through much loss... that loss isn't permanent. John knows that he will be with his wife again one day. What a great blessing the temple is. To remind us that we as a people believe in the immortality of the human soul, of the eternal bonds of family. President Hinckley said, "Those who enter the temple gain blessing there that are not found anywhere else on the face of the whole earth. The temple stands as a monument for all to see. Everything that occurs in the temple is uplifting and speaks of
life here and life beyond the grave. It speaks of the importance of the individual as a child of God. It speaks of the importance of the family as a creation of the almighty. It speaks of the eternity of marriage relationships. It speaks of going on to greater glory. It is a place of light. A place of peace. A place of love, where we can deal with the things of eternity." I have a testimony that the temple is the House of the Lord. That there is no other place I have been where I have felt so at peace. It is truly a place between heaven and earth. A place to gain greater understanding of the fathers great plan and the Savior's infinite love and atonement.

Sometimes when we (I'm mostly referring to myself here) experience loss, It FEELS like LOSS. It feels like the end of the world! But I was humbled this week as I studied more about the saints in Winter Quarters. They did know why it would be required to sacrifice all things, even unto death. But they were willing to go. Their lives belonged to God. THEIR FAITH SURMOUNTED THEIR HEARTBREAK. I'm still learning THAT kind of faith, but to recognize that many of us are pioneers...sometimes the price we pay feels way too high. But I know that one day when all is said and done, as hard as this has been, I will realize that this was
not a sacrifice. It was a blessing. And it doesn't always feel that way...But I know that with faith in the Savior Jesus Christ there is a bright future ahead.

In the 7th Lecture of faith Joseph Smith writes, "[Faith] is the principle upon which all eternity has acted and will act... it is by reason of this power that all hosts of heaven perform their works of wonder majesty, and glory. Angels move from place to place by virtue of this power; it is by reason of it that they are enabled to descend from heaven to earth; and were it not for the power of faith they never could be ministering spirits to them who should be heirs of salvation, neither could they act as heavenly messengers, for they would be destitute of the poor necessary to enable them to do the will of God."

I love you all.
Jessica Rose

The Spirit Manifests Truth

My Companions; Sister Maxfield and Sister Ayala, they are my Angels.

Miracle week for the Missouri Independence Mission! Last week was Zone Conference. My companions and I sang "Yo Trato de ser como christo" I'm trying to be like Jesus, in ESPANOL, along with "a Child's Prayer." I was really nervous when our zone leaders asked us to sing... but it was such an honor. We practiced a lot, and then when it came time to perform the spirit was so strong! Even president VanKomen was crying! In zone Conference, President VanKomen challenged us to get 250 investigators to church this week. With 190 missionaries,about 95 companionships, we typically get around 175, and our record was 212. SO THIS WEEK, the stats came back that we had... 356 INVESTIGATORS AT CHURCH!!! Amazing! Blew everyone out of the water! President VanKomen truly is a visionary man!!! The Lord is helping the work progress in amazing ways! THAT is the Independence Missouri Mission!

My companions and I have been busy teaching! We've gotten 20 lessons every week since we've been together! We found some new investigators this week too (which is ALWAYS a good thing!) We even found 2 new Spanish families to teach! Sister Ayala brings miracles to this area!!! I still love teaching... and seeing the miraculous ways that the spirit works!

Next week Elder Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will be coming to our mission. I look forward to the opportunity to hear him speak and shake his hand. It is such an honor to be here at this place in this time. This mission where Zion will be, Adam-ondi-ahaman, Liberty Jail, we have a new temple that will breaking ground in the next few months, we have general
authorities coming to visit, baptizing, miracle performing, 356 investigators at church mission!!! THIS IS THE MISSOURI INDEPENDENCE MISSION!

This week I was studying the gospel of John. Chapter 4 is about the woman of Samaria (the woman at the well). What an amazing chapter, as it talks about the living water which IS the gospel of Jesus Christ, which IS eternal life. But this last week as I was pondering, I discovered something about this woman... She was an outcast. When she went to get water from the well, in
verse 6 we know she went at the "sixth hour" (which is about noon). Typically women would go twice a day, once in the morning and once before dinner. She went in the middle of the day, because she knew no one would be there. She knew she could be alone... When the savior comes and sits by her, he converses with her about some of the struggles that she has, "thou hast
had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband." In my own words, "I know your deal." The woman does not need to say a word, she has no need to explain herself, the Savior already knows her... Without saying anything, he calls her unto repentance, and she recognizes him as the "Messiah." And THEN this woman, who probably has a lot of insecurities, who is an outcast... she "left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, come see a man, which told me all the things that ever I did: is this not the Christ?" (v. 28-29) #1 SHE LEFT HER WATERPOT! NOT GOOD! Water is VERY important for survival, and without this water, her family would have to thirst for some time. But she knew what she was doing. She left something that was important to do something that was MORE important. To testify of Christ. And despite of her past, despite of her insecurities, she goes STRAIGHT INTO THE CITY! she is an amazing woman of courage. a great missionary. All of us have insecurities... a lot of us have somewhat of a 'past'. But we have to recognize that JESUS is the CHRIST. That we have no need to be ashamed, but to leave our past behind us, and move forward. I’m grateful for the guidance of the spirit. I testify that Heavenly Father is VERY AWARE of me right now. I have been learning some very important lessons lately. Recognizing as I read that story that there are a LOT of very important things I could be doing in my life right now... but that THIS WORK, testifying of Christ, is more important than the waterpot, it is MOST IMPORTANT.

I'm grateful again for the guidance of the spirit as I know it has unfolded direction to me this week. I’m grateful for the gospel, for the answers, insights, and perspective it allows into my heart... I’m grateful for the peace it gives me. I know that these are inspired writings given through prophets for all of us to learn and benefit. I know they are the words of God as the spirit manifests truths unto me. I know that the fullness of the gospel has been restored in this final dispensation of time... and I am so so grateful for all of you! I love you all so so much!
Thank you for your support!

-Jessica Rose