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

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

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

This was no Coincidence

INVESTIGATORS: We met with Rodrigo again this week. He is wonderful! He is committed to be baptized. He has some things he will need to work out, so we don't have a set date yet, but I'll keep you posted. We were discussing Joseph Smith's first vision, and we turned to James 1:5, and he felt the spirit so strongly. He was truly touched. After we bore witness of what he saw, Rodrigo said, "Look at verse 17. Every good gift is from above... I know I'm heading in the right direction. That you sisters are a gift from above." I went on to explain how ALL friends are a gift from above. But he explained that he felt like the Lord has truly blessed him to have the chance to meet with us. I can already see the changes in his life.

We also met with Caroline. She has a testimony of the Book of Mormon but is not ready to make certain commitments yet. We've only been meeting with her for two weeks, but she is amazing. She went to the Relief Society Enrichment Activity last Saturday and Bishop Cato told her, "It looks like you've been here for the last 20 years." She just fits right in with everyone in the ward. Everyone just loves her!

We had this REALLY amazing miraculous experience this week. The Elders had given us a Spanish Speaking referral to go visit. Ishmael who lives on 17231 Stone Oaks #7. Then they called us and told us that they had made a mistake. The address was 17241. So we went to contact him and as we approached the door there was a notice on the door that the resident had been kicked out. Eeek! So, then we decided to knock on the neighbor's door to see if they might know where we could find Ishmael. His neighbor's name was Bill. And he said that he didn't know his neighbor too well, but he hadn't seen him around for several weeks. Hmm... But the Elders JUST gave us this referral. -Weird.- So then, of course, we start talking to Bill about the gospel. And he explains that he has been looking for a church. He has been looking for a way to unify his family. He explained that it was not a coincidence that we knocked on his door. That we were there for a reason! "You don't believe in coinsidences either?" I said. We laughed. Then, I went to the back of my planner to set up a return appointment with Bill and realized that we had gone to the OLD address, then it was made SURE that it was NOT a coincidence that we had knocked on Bill's door. I'm excited to see him again next week!

VISITOR CENTER EXPERIENCES: Sylvia Bell also came into the Visitor Center this week. She is someone that I helped baptize when I was serving in Fourth Ward. She is my angel. When I saw her. I cried. And cried and cried and cried. (I'm such a girl!) It was just such an amazing experience because I hardly recognized her!!! When I met her last April, she had no sense of self and doubted her faith in God. She was too young to have experienced all that she had gone through. She was too young for thick black makeup under her eyes. She was too young for makeup covering bruises given to her by undeserving guys... SHE WAS TOO YOUNG. And the Lord put me in her path. And I related to her. I had stood where she had been. And it was such a blessing to be a part of her life because as we taught her the gospel last year I saw the light of Christ change this 13-year-old girl's heart. In a life full of chaos, she found a new hope, despite of her same old difficult circumstances. In 4 months of knowing this girl... she changed. This week, she was wearing a beautiful pastel colored shirt, and her hair was long and beautiful. I could hardly believe my eyes. She is such a different girl than the girl I met last year. The gospel has changed her life. If the ONLY reason why I served a mission was to find her... It was worth it. She is my angel. It was soooo good to see her.

This week President VanKomen had his nephew in town from Washington State. "Bishop VanKomen" and his beautiful wife and 5 darling children. They were all so sweet. There were four girls and one boy. That little boy already had the spirit of a missionary. I guess he takes after his forefathers. HAHA!!!! I read him a quote from President Kimball: "You young boys need not wait to be great. You can be superior missionaries. Strong young men. Happy trusted church leaders. You need not wait until tomorrow." Take the prophet Mormon for example. He was only 11 years old when his father first recognized his potential and his faith in the Lord. It was an awesome experience... a little intimidating maybe. But amazing! Update on President VanKomen: He started treatment last week. He looked great. He said he felt great. Continued prayers would be appreciated.

This week at the VC I have had some tender mercy time while Sister Bradley and I have both been on shift to have the chance to sit down and just talk. It's strange how attached I am to her still... my OLD companion. Haha. I'm praying her back to me a third time. We'll see if it happens!!!

OTHER INFO FROM SISTER WATHEN: I finished reading a GREAT talk by Elder Holland called Cast Not Away Therefore Your Confidence. I have read it once before, but it was really profound to me this time around. Elder Holland explained how this life is a contest for our souls between good and evil. The adversary would have us FEAR. Fear rejection. Fear decisions we have made. Fear the future. The Lord would NOT have us fear. "Don't you DARE draw back in fear Sister Wathen!" <<< That is what it said to me! God will HELP US. The Lord would have us TRUST in whatever is expedient in him. In Exodus 14:13-14 it says, "Fear ye not... The Lord shall fight for you." I have seen that on my mission. The way the Lord has fought for me. The great thing about this battle between the Savior and Satan is that the hero has already won! I'm grateful to be on a winning team! "Cast not away therefore your confidence!"

I had an interview with Elder Nelson, the Visitor Center Director this week. He expressed how when I first I came into the Visitor Center with an energy and excitement and youthful vivaciousness about me. He said, "You were ready to conquer the world!" I said, "Yeah, and then reality hit." He paused and looked at me with this "Elder Nelson Look" HAHA. If you knew him you would understand. He said, "Sister Wathen. Your mission has changed you since you were at the Visitor Center last. The experiences you had at Liberty and out full proselyting have refined you." He said, "You left the VC a beauty queen, but you have come back a lady." ...wow. Really? I guess it's hard to see change when you're with yourself everyday. But I felt that was so humbling to hear. The Lord really HAS changed me while I've been out here. The Lord has done great things for me. Even in my hardest trials, he HAS made it ALL work out for my benefit. And I am nothing but grateful for the experiences he allows me to have everyday. I know I must live these days up to their full potential. Only 4 more months!!! I can't believe it's Easter Weekend! Just remember that he lives! And don't FORGET to watch General Conference. As you watch conference this to yourself, "What do they know? What have they seen? And what are they doing about what they know and what they have seen?" These are prophets, seers, and revelators. They know what things the Lord wants us to prepare for. So I would invite you all to listen with your SPIRITUAL EARS and SPIRITUAL EYES (See Rev. 2:11) Have a wonderful week and continue forward in faith. Forward, Onward, Upward.

Dream Big. Wish Hard. Love Always.
Sister Jessica Rose Wathen

The LORD has strengthened me.

So, this will cover two weeks of events. Let's just say a lot has happened! A lot always happens when you're a missionary. Haha.
First things first, Sister Bradley and I are not sick anymore!!! HOORAY!!! We've been working our tails off trying to catch up for all of our down time. Our Members here in Concordia are great! They help so much with the missionary work! The Carrs got released as the ward mission leaders, which we were sad about. Our branch president is praying to know who would be best to be called to the position next. We went to the Liberty Jail with Casey and went to the Visitor Center with the Bergs and with Dawn and Jeremy. We've been spending a lot of time in Independence and Liberty these last two weeks! It's been a lot of fun. Our investigator Patty bore her testimony to her friend at work, and now HE wants to hear about the gospel! I love it when our investigators do missionary work! It is SOOO cool! Patty has come leaps and bounds these last couple of weeks. It's taken a LONG time to get her to this point that she's FINALLY progressing! She's finally reading and really investigating the doctrine of the church! It's great.

Two weeks ago we had interviews with President and Sister VanKomen. I love them! President VanKomen said that my mission was similar to running a marathon. He said, "You're near the end, and you're tired, but you keep going. The reward is at the end." 100-yards Sister Wathen. That's been a pretty common theme of my mission. Then in my interview with Sister VanKomen, she called me a Steel Magnolia. What I gathered is that a steel magnolia is a woman who is strong but still remains beautiful! I think she is sweet. I told Sister VanKomen that SHE is a steel magnolia. Haha. I took some time to expound upon what they told me. What it means to ME to be a steel magnolia. To be strong enough to finish any race, endure any trial. I think the word is FEARLESS. I was reading a talk by Sheri Dew this last week, she talked about our loyalty to god, and that in the preexistence we were the ones who stood loyally by God and by Jesus, and did not flinch. We believed. We followed. And when we fought for truth in the most bitter of all confrontations, we did not flinch. She explained that we are much more valiant that we think and that we have so much more divine potential than we yet comprehend. We are noble and great. Courageous and determined. Faithful and FEARLESS. That is who we are that that is who we have always been.
I know that the LORD has strengthened me to get where I am today. I love the scripture in 2 Samuel 2:7 where it says, "let your hands be strengthened, and be ye valiant." I also love the scripture in Nehemiah 8:10 that says, "the joy of the Lord is your strength."

Love is the fire in my heart that keeps me going. Love always hopes. Love always believes... even when you don't. Love is the place you fly to. Love will never fail you... Love gives me the power to endure. Love teaches me what I need to learn from difficult situations. Love is my light and happiness and my joy. Love is everything...

Thank you for the constant love and support you have given me on my mission. I don't know where I would be without you. There is someone else who is in need of your love and prayers.

Last week, we found out that President VanKomen has cancer. But he is fearless. He is determined to remain here as our mission president as he does treatments in Kansas City and he is determined to win. He inspires me. Please pray for him. I love him so much. He has shown me love that has strengthened me in my times of need. Now I need to extend that same love and prayers for him.

PRAY FERVANTLY. Dream Big. Wish Hard. LOVE ALWAYS-
Jessica Rose

A new Investigator!

So... Happy 23! I've decided that this year is going to be much more beautiful than last year! Magical moments await!!!

I also finished the Book of Mormon this week!!! HOORRAAAYYY!!!! Just as a side note: The book is STILL true! And it's awesome to read and feel of the love of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. It's awesome to be directed by the spirit to a higher level of appreciation and knowledge. I'm grateful for the fullness of the gospel and I too can testify as it says in the History of the Church that it is the book that will get a man "nearer to God by abiding by its precepts than any other book."

"God expresses his love for us by providing the guidance we need to progress and reach our potential. He who knows most about us, our potential, and eternal possibilities has given us divine counsel and commandments in his instruction manuals- the Holy Scriptures." - M. Russell Ballard

It is my opportunity that I have now, to share that special book with everyone in Concordia who will hear my voice! Heavenly Father has set up his restored gospel with the Book of Mormon to "sweep the earth as with a flood, and gather out His elect." (Moses 7:62). We have a new investigator named Shirley. She's in her mid-60’s and widowed. Has a Methodist background. She began reading the Book of Mormon and in our last appointment she told us that she feels the spirit when she reads, that she KNOWS the Book of Mormon is the word of God. Shirley is the elect, even if she doesn't know that yet. She knows that the Gospel is true... even if she doesn't know how to apply that truth yet. Haha. Yay! That's what missionaries are for!!! She had a 96 year old mother that she lives with right now, who she takes care of, so that stops her from coming to church... But we'll keep teaching her and nourishing her testimony. I know that in the Lord's timing, she will be baptized. That is a great feeling!!!

I love you all!
Dream Big. Wish Hard. Love Always-
Jessica Rose Wathen

A thing called LOVE

This was a great week! Elder Bednar came to our mission and spoke at an all mission conference. It was amazing to listen to an apostle of the Lord say some very profound, deeply spiritual things pertaining to the spirit and receiving revelation. I will keep most of my thoughts to myself because this meeting was amazingly inspirational to me... AHHH!! It was SO COOL though! Just trust me on that! It wasn't a "meeting" or a "fireside." It was a "Revelatory experience." I was so grateful for that opportunity to sit near him with 200 other missionaries and hear him speak. He is amazing.

So, this week was transfer week. As usual, there was a change. President really likes to move the Sisters around in this mission. BUT GUESS WHAT? I GOT MY OLD COMPANION BACK!!! My bestie Bradley! Sister Bradley LOVES Concordia! And we are tearing it up! We moved Casey's baptism up to Feb. 26th and he's doing great! He's ready for this! Sister Bradley and I have this thing called LOVE that we LOVE to share with people. We are definitely love bugs! Haha! She is definitely my best friend out here on the mission!

I found a scripture this week that inspired me to reach higher. 1 Cor. 9:24 says, " Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain." Everyone runs a race, but only one wins. SO RUN LIKE YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT! Don't hold back. Words from one of my favorite Jessie Clark Funk songs: -I'm ready to live not only survive. I'm ready to dance like no one's watching. Climb a mountain. Kiss the sky. And do it all again. I'm ready to love like I've never been hurt. I'm ready to sing like no one's listening. Watch more sunsets. See the world. If not now when?- And 1 Cor. 9:26- "I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air." Do everything with purpose. Do everything with your whole heart! Don't beat the air. Master your fears! Conquer the world! With the Lord on your side, there is NOTHING that can stop you!

Live the Life you've always dreamed of!
"If you can dream it, you can become it." - Walt Disney

...I came to win.

Dream Big. Wish Hard. Love Always-
Jessica Rose

Will you be baptized?

This was a good week. Yesterday we had a few of our investigators at church. Hooray! Our friend Casey came too. Yesterday, Casey's countenance was different. His light was brighter. And he had on a great new suit, white shirt, and tie... Wow! Casey has come such a long way! Last night we took him to the Visitor Center with his 4-year-old son Tryston and we were down in the play room talking about family and the spirit told me to commit him for baptism. And I thought, "in the playroom? No..." But the prompting came again. So then I asked him, "Casey, I know that getting baptized will be the beginning of a new life for you. Will you prepare to be baptized on February 27th?" And he paused, and then said, "Yeah. Let's do it." AHHHH!!!! CASEY'S GETTING BAPTIZED. MIRACLES!

I also got to speak in church this week at Corban Curtis's farewell. It was kinda crazy to be speaking at someone else's missionary farewell AS A MISSIONARY... but it was cool. I love speaking in church!!!

District meeting was amazing this week as ever. I love Elder Owens. We focused on District Unity and he bought us all "Unity" candles. We were all like, what is this? A wedding? Haha. Right. I LOVE THIS DISTRICT. It's not going to be the same with Elder Owens going home this week. Best District Leader EVER!!! I also had the chance on Friday and Saturday to be companions with Sister Ali Webb. We talked about who we were before our missions. Funny story- Ali used to HATE me before the mission. And I... Didn't really like her, because she didn't really like me and I didn't know why... But as we were on exchanges, we were talking about how the Gospel changes our lives. She was just like, "Sister Wathen, you are not the same girl that you were a few years ago." She and I apologized for all that we had been towards each other in the past. Then we both cried as we talked about the love that we share now. Sincerely. Ali Webb changed my mission. Ali Webb changed my life. She is one of my most cherished friends. My perspective on my "old- pre-mission" life to now... lets just say that she really opened my eyes to see how different I HAVE become. And I love her. She has been powerhouse since the day that she arrived to Missouri. Teaching together was POWERFUL! I hope I get to be her companion someday!


It's the last week of the transfer, we get transfer calls on Tuesday. Sister Smith and I have NO IDEA what's going to happen. Our District Leader Elder Owens is going home this week after 2 years in the mission field. A couple nights ago he and I were talking on the phone- just about our missions, our lives, our lives after the mission... and we started talking about change... Change- big, hairy, scary word. But what I realized when I was talking to him is that it's not necessarily a bad thing at all. By experiencing change is the only way that we can progress... but of course change is hard. Sometimes change can really hurt because it physically, emotionally, spiritually changes you. It stretches you. But then you become a new and different person. You evolve... That is the dynamic laws of the universe. That's the gospel.

I love the gospel. I love my mission. I LOVE MY FAMILY AND MY FRIENDS AT HOME! Love you so much! I'm so happy and excited, I pray that all of the blessings of heaven will be with you always!

Today is Zone P-day. We're going to go play on a zip line and play in the mud! We are missionaries!!!! I LOVE P-DAY!!! I'll send pics next week! Love you all with all of my heart!

Dream Big. Wish Hard. Love Always.
Jessica Rose

The Lord STILL Provides Miracles

Hello everyone that I love!!! This has been another crazy week in Concordia. Last P-day we went bowling with our District. I got the score of 97! Not to bad! My favorite part was when Sister Smith bowled before me and got a strike. Then we were all joking about how we needed companionship unity then I bowled a strike RIGHT AFTER HER!!! HOORAY COMPANIONSHIP UNITY! Haha! We all laughed a lot! Then, on my next bowl I BROKE the machine. Or rather the MACHINE BROKE ON ME! I was bowling my second ball and the bar came down FOR NO REASON and covered the pins, then my ball HIT the bar... and it was broken... for like 15 minutes. The Elders were mad! Haha! Just kidding! They weren't mad! This is my favorite District EVER! We have a lot of fun together! We're laughing all the time!!! ***BONUS: Allie Webb is in my District. Love having that tender mercy from home! Love that girl so much!

Then... as for the rest of the week... Sister Smith has been having really bad headaches for the last three weeks. I'm talking really really bad. She hasn't been sleeping, and she gets really light headed and dizzy. It's been rough. So on Tuesday I FINALLY talked her into going to the doctor. He gave her a medication that was supposed to help her sleep and make the pain of the migraine go away. Well, let’s just say, it hasn’t been getting better. It’s been much much worse. I won’t go into details, but we’ll just say we’ve been spending a lot of time inside… which is STILL weird as a missionary because we still WANT to go out, but it’s just NOT a smart thing to do. We’ve been advised by the mission nurse and President VanKomen not to worry about missionary work until she is feeling better. We still go out when she’s up for it, but it’s been a slow week. We’ll be back at the doctor’s this week. Hopefully he’ll figure out what’s going on. She’s scared that President VanKomen is going to send her home. I pray it doesn’t go that way… It’s a little overwhelming for me because I don’t really know what to do to help her. I try to tell her to go SLEEP, but she doesn’t listen to me. So I just pray and pray and pray all the day…. And read scriptures… I’m getting a long just fine! I just hope SHE gets feeling better soon!

On the flip side, it’s also been a MIRACULOUS week. Despite of the fact that we haven’t been teaching a lot, the Lord is still blessing us with much success. Even though we weren’t able to attend our meetings, we had two of our investigators in church this week!!! Casey and Jeremy! Then we had six less-actives who we’ve been working with come to church!!! I was so excited when Sister Curtis called and told us!!! AMAZING AMAZING!

I received a letter from Vickie and Richard Andre this week. I taught them Independence 4th ward at the very beginning of my mission. In her letter she told me she and her husband Richard were getting sealed in the temple in May! I started to cry! It was such an amazing feeling. To know that someone that I had helped teach, someone I had seen enter into the waters of baptism is preparing to be sealed to her amazing husband for time and all eternity… I don’t know how to really describe it, but it’s amazing!

More great news, Elder David A. Bednar is coming to our mission on February 6th. That’s in less than two weeks!!! It’s such a great blessing when apostles come visit. President VanKomen was really surprised because we JUST had Elder Russell M. Nelson come visit in November. I’m really excited! I love Elder Bednar! He has always been very inspiring to me.

So, what I’ve realized this week is that even though it’s been a difficult week… that the Lord still provides miracles in the midst of adversity. When many people face trials in their lives they have a tendency to lose hope. There is no reason left to try. They give in. They decide that the world is too cruel and that the evil side has won… But things CAN change! We must NEVER give in! No matter how difficult the circumstances may seem. A quote from my Sister Wathen quote book: “There is evil cast around us, but its love who wrote the play.” In the end love will win. Love will always win. Even this week with all of our adversity through illness, His hand has still shown through. My testimony of his love deepens every day.

That’s the miracle of the gospel! That’s the significance of the atonement. That everything can change. That everything is good. Think about it. Everything is rooted in its creation. As the world was created by the Lord, everything has, “good roots” (relating to Jacob 5- the parable of the Olive Tree). We were all born with noble blood. We’re all children of our Heavenly Father and in the end, “good will overcome evil.” –Jacob 5:59. That’s our promise. Be believing and all things will work together for your good. Promise!

Love you all! I keep you in my prayers always! Please write and let me know if there is ever anything I can do for any of you!

Dream Big. Wish Hard. Love Always. Be believing.

Jessica Rose

Chicken Noodle Soup

This was an interesting week... mostly because I was SICK!!! It's so frustrating to be sick as a missionary, because you WANT to go out and do the work, but you know that it's for your own good, and the good of those around you that you STAY INSIDE. But then you feel like you're not being very diligent because you're not out and about. It's quite the interesting complex. It also makes me miss home! I JUST WANT MY MOM!!! Haha... and Chicken Noodle soup and Disney Princess movies!!! My magic cure-all! Haha! No Disney Princess movies out here! But of course we managed to get lots of soup from members! They're so great!!! It's not a substitute for Mom's love, but it's good to know that there are people who love and care about us as missionaries!

This week I think I would have done anything for a hug from my mom! I love reading the scriptures though. They have always brought me such great comfort! I know that they are words from a Heavenly Father who knows our needs! Did you know that the scriptures talk about hugs all over the place??? 2 Nephi 1:15- "But behold, the Lord hath redeemed my soul... I have beheld his glory, and I am encircled about eternally in the arms of his love." A scripture all about a hug! Alma 5:33 "Behold, he sendeth an invitation unto all men, for the arms of mercy are extended towards them." -SPIRITUAL HUGS!!!- Haha! Seriously though! I have a testimony of spiritual hugs! That peace and warm feeling that can ONLY come through the spirit and the love of Christ. It is a very real thing! I'm grateful for the testimony I have of them during those most difficult moments on my mission, and last week while I was sick, that I can feel his arms around me! And I can feel His angels around me!

Aside from that, it was a bit of a tender mercy because I had time to do some very important things that I have been putting off for a very long time. It was like, "No excuses! I'm giving you this time! Make it happen!" He knows me... I know he knows me. And I'm grateful that he has allowed the spirit to be with me that I have been inspired as I have gone throughout this week despite of my crazy bad symptoms!

This week we saw miracles in our investigator Casey. We can really see his life starting to change. This last week was HUGE for him and now he is well on his way to progressing in his life. He is no longer held bound by his past but is free to make the changes that will bring him greater joy and happiness in this life. He has a long ways to go still, but I have faith that he will be baptized in the upcoming months! He is AMAZING! And he COMMITED HIMSELF to read the whole Book of Mormon. I love it when investigators make their own commitments! It's the best! Casey's story is kind of complicated. But miraculous! I love him so much! I'm grateful for his friendship and grateful that I've had the chance to serve here and be involved in this spiritual journey he is on!

Zone Conference is always my favorite! Sister VanKomen showed us a video we've seen before. It's a clip called "the death crawl" from the movie Facing Giants. (Dad, you should see if they have it on Youtube.com and post it to my blog!!!) It's intense. The coach is just on his star player saying, "Don't give up! Don't give up on me! Keep going! Keep going!" I feel like the Savior is saying that to me! "Keep going! You promised you'd give me your BEST! Your BEST!" And the player is saying, "But it hurts! It hurts!" "Keep going! Keep going!" -Intense!- But the Lord believes in me! He believes in all of us! With Casey this week and with being sick I can hear the Lord, "Keep going! Do your best! You promised me your best!" And that as we do the best that we can, he makes up the rest! That is the atonement! That is the gospel!

That is the vigor and the excitement of the gospel! In sacrament meeting this last Sunday we were singing Hymn #2 - The Spirit of God. And all I heard was primary children.... "We'll sing and we'll SHOUT with the Armies of Heaven!" It was so powerful! I love children! I love their love and enthusiasm towards life! "Keep going! Keep going!" Like the little train who could, "I think I can. I think I can." I know the Lord has carried me much further than I ever thought that I could go. 100-yards! I love him! I love his gospel! I love sharing it with others! I love ALL OF YOU!!! WITH ALL OF MY HEART! Thanks for being my friends! Keep dreaming big. Wishing hard! And Loving ALWAYS!

Jessica Rose

Trust in the Lord

Hello friends!
I love you all and miss you so much! I hope that everyone is staying warm. I've heard that it's been a cold winter for everyone! We had temperatures in the negative degrees this week. Talk about COLD. School was out for all the kids in Concordia this WHOLE week. So they got an extra week added onto their Christmas vacation. Talk about every kids dream come true! Haha. Sister Smith and I think that they should let missionaries have Snow Days too. It's COLD out there! But alas, Sacrifice, Endurance, and Diligence... we went out anyway! And I felt like we might FREEZE to death! Haha! I guess it must be part of my sacrifice. As my Dad would say, D&C 121 "Many are called, but few are FROZEN." Thanks Dad! Haha!

My dad always sends me great cartoons to make me laugh. Last month I got one from him of Peter walking on water... but it's Winter so the water had frozen into Ice. The caption says something like, "Peter finds his faith to be much stronger in the Winter." haha. Hilarious! I showed it to President VanKomen and he said, "I always wished I could have the faith to walk on water, but I guess I was just trying it in the wrong season!" haha! My goodness! I was reflecting upon that story this week. As I was pondering upon this story, even though Peter didn't stay on top of the water for very long, I thought about how BRAVE Peter was to even get out of the boat! To even have THAT much faith! "And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto the water. And he said, "Come." And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water to go to Jesus." -Matt. 14:28-29 The Lord called him to come, and without hesitation he went forward... He TRUSTED in the Lord. For me in my life. I feel like my mission has been getting out of the boat. Going into the unknown. And there have been times on my mission when I've noticed the storms and the wind just as Peter. And there have been times when I have sank in the water. But the Lord pulls me up and tells me to keep going. To never give up... To keep moving forward. To not look back, but to press forward.

"Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore."

My mission has been such a great blessing for me thus far. A very difficult, trying blessing... but a blessing none the less! I can feel myself changing so much. Within my heart I know that these new oceans, these new opportunities in my life will be far grander than anything I left behind. They will be far greater than anything I had ever planned for myself. Because I'm following the Lord, I trust that he has great things in store for me.

This upcoming week will be a big week in Concordia. We have some investigators who are going through many great challenges and changes in their lives. So this week will be a turning point for a lot of them. The work is moving forward. The members of the Branch are so great at helping us out! This last week, Sister Smith and I were out in Higginsville without a car and our appointments were falling through, so we really didn't have any place to go inside, unless we could tract into someone who wanted to hear our message. No such luck. But then we received a phone call from one of our members, Sister Day, asking us if she could come out with us RIGHT NOW. -MIRACLES! Tender mercies!- Sister Smith and I did NOT turn into popsicles because the Lord provided Sister Day to be so sensitive to the spirit, that she thought to call us. She saved my life that day! I am thankful for small miracles like that in my life. They remind me that the Lord is very aware of me!!!

It is such a great blessing that I get to serve here in the Missouri Independence Mission as a Visitor Center Sister. Even though I'm in a full-proselytizing area right now, I have had a great opportunity to learn a lot of about church history. This cold weather reminds me of something that they have in Nauvoo called the Trail of Hope. When the saints had to cross the Mississippi River, in the middle of the winter, they had such great hope and faith. It's humbling for me to remember those early saints when I'm out knocking on doors for 5 minutes and I think to myself, I really want to go inside... then I remind myself that I can't complain, the early saints didn't have homes to go into, just wagons, and many of them didn't even have shoes! My goodness! I am humbled by their stories and am empowered by their examples.

I know this is the true gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that the spirit blessed them with the courage and power to press forward... because I know I feel that same spirit, that same courage, the same power in my life. It is the power of our Savior Jesus Christ. And I know he lives...

I love you all and pray that you might be able to find that courage and power in your lives to keep you warm and happy this winter season.

Dream Big. Wish Hard. Power Forward. Cultivate Faith. and Love always- Jessica Rose