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

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

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

Apple Pie and Sunshine

Happy New Year! Also, Happy 11 Months out on the mission to me!!! So this is my second week in the new transfer in my new area. Concordia, Missouri is another little small town area. Meaning that the area is BIG, but NO ONE lives here! Haha! It's definitely has that small town friendly feel to it! Concordia is "Apple Pie and Sunshine" ...even though the town is pretty much RUN by the Lutheran Church... there's always a lot of potential anywhere you go. Heavenly Father is always preparing the hearts of his Children to receive more.

On Christmas Eve my new companion (Sister Smith) and I decided that since we didn't have a Christmas Tree that we would set up a Christmas Manger, AKA a tent. We put up Christmas lights and pulled our beds in... and slumbered. Then we decided that we liked sleeping in a tent, so we decided we would keep the tent up all transfer. "And the Sisters dwelt in a tent." Haha. Sister Smith sings me campfire songs with her guitar and I cuddle with my new favorite friend Bradley the British Teddy Bear (Thanks Mom and Dad!) Sister Smith and I are very very different, but we sure do laugh a lot!

Christmas was great! My favorite part of course was calling home and talking to my family! I love them so so much!

Then for New Years, we had a sleepover at the Odessa Sisters house (Sister Webb and Sister Blunt). Sister Webb and I stayed up WAY too late talking about life and everyone from home. She is an amazing Sister Missionary. I am so glad that she is here with me. Every time I see her, it's like a tender mercy from home! We were in bed by 10:30. We were obedient to the rules. We just didn't go to sleep until... well... After 2010! WOOP WOOP! HAPPY NEW YEARS!!!!

The next day we had District meeting!!! Elder Owens is our District Leader. He is HILARIOUS! He had Elder Nielson, our Zone Leader, do this crazy Superman impression where he ripped off his tie and shirt (but don't worry he had another shirt on underneath!) symbolic of Captain Moroni "Renting his clothes" for the title of Liberty. HILARIOUS! My email to President VanKomen today will say, "Dear President- This week the Zone Leader ripped off his shirt!" too funny!!! Great times with the Zone. Then we went to Lunch at a Spanish restaurant and the Waiter was hitting on Sister Webb and he called me "Bonita." SUPER AWKWARD WHEN YOU'RE A MISSIONARY!

Yesterday was the President's fireside. We had a recent convert from Concordia named James Duncan who was speaking. When I got there it was SUCH A TENDER MERCY BECAUSE I HAD SO MANY FRIENDS THERE! The young man, who was the Muslim I taught in Liberty 2nd was there! I LOVE HIM! He is amazing! He got baptized right after I left Liberty despite of the opposition he was facing. The power of the Lord is ALWAYS more powerful than any other. And Melody and Connie Oberg were there! Melody is still my little twin. I love her so much! It was so amazing to see them!


This new year, President VanKomen has extended an invitation that we all read the Book of Mormon in the first 60 days. So I forward that invitation to all of you!

I love you all! Keep dreamin' big. Wishin' Hard, and Love always-

Jessica Rose Wathen

Dreams of Sugar Plums

This week there is magic in the air. I love Christmas. Most hilarious week of my mission I think. And most of it had NOTHING to do with missionary work. But bear with me. These have been some of my favorite craziest moments of 2009.

First off, Sister Bradley and I were driving to Bishop Curtis's house. Sister Bradley was driving and I was co-pilot. The roads are still pretty slick, so we went to stop to turn, the car slid past the street. GRRR. Bishop Curtis was RIGHT BEHIND US TOO! He was on his way home from picking some of his kids up from after school activities. How embarrassing! He just kind of laughed at us, and continued on making a left turn onto his street.
And I really didn't want to get out of the car and guide back Sister Bradley to make a three-point turn (it's cold out there!) So I told Sister Bradley that we could just drive through the cemetery. Well. we were on the road path and we hit a HUGE snow drift in the path. We made it through it though! ~phew.~ THEN THERE WAS ANOTHER ONE AND WE HIGH CENTERED OUR CAR! "WAY TO GO WISE GUYS!" So we got out of the car and started stamping down the snow around our wheels. Haha. No sooner than we said, "Bishop is going to think we're ridiculous!" did we see his truck pulling up. ~GUH!~ Then all the kids piled out of the car. We were all laughing so hard. We ended up pushing the car out of the snow. Thanks to awesome Bishops and cute kids who rescue the Sisters when they do stupid things. HILARIOUS!

Sister Bradley and I also rode bikes this week! It was sunny on Sunday and we decided to save miles we'd ride our bikes to church. This is the first time I've ridden a bike my WHOLE mission! I think I was riding for like 20 minutes before I felt like I was going to fall off because of exhaustion. So we walked with our bikes the rest of the way. -It's lame to be weak sauce!- And we laughed a lot. It was pretty pathetic.

Then, transfer calls came this week. Another funny story. So Sister Bradley and I were walking all day in Larned and we decided if neither of us was training, we would stay together in Great Bend. President VanKomen usually calls new leaders and trainers between 12 and 3 so we figured if we didn't get a phone call by 3 we were set to go! So 5:00 roles around and we were talking about transfer calls when the PHONE RINGS! And we both looked at each other sorrowfully and I reached in my bag. It was Kim! ~phew!~ Not President. So then we laughed at how we were SOOO WORRIED! THEN not even 1 minute after I'd gotten off the phone with Kim, the phone rings again. We're thinking it's Kim calling back because she forgot something. Then I look at the phone. "President." My heart dropped. Okay, maybe not THAT hilarious but, super ironic.

News came that the Lord has called Sister Bradley to train a new Sister from Samoa in Great Bend, and I'm getting shipped out to Concordia, Missouri to follow-up train. -sigh.- So tomorrow, the 22nd I'll be shipped out to the OTHER side of the mission. 7 hours on the bus! Hooray! It's weird to be transferred right before Christmas. But it is what it is.

I CANNOT WAIT TO TALK TO MY FAMILY! Hooray for Christmas!
Love ya'll.

Dream of Sugar Plums. Wish for Snow. Love Always. Merry Christmas!
Jessica Rose

Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas any more....

It was transfer week, and as of today I find myself in the middle of nowhere Kansas called Great Bend. This is exactly where I told my Dad I was getting my mission call to go. (I really need to stop jinxing myself!) The great thing is that I'm out here in the middle of nowhere with one of my favorite sister missionaries, Sister Shelby Nicole Bradley! Love this sister! A few weeks ago, I saw her at the All-Mission Conference and I told her to pray for me to be with her, and today here I am. Heavenly Father answers Sister Bradley's prayers.



Leaving Liberty was hard though. Leaving Sister Maxfield was hard. She has been my angel! It's the first time I have cried about a transfer. As I left that house in Liberty I quoted one of my favorite Cds, "Farewell Nauvoo, the Beautiful. The city of Joseph. The city of so much joy, the sacrifice was so great. Farewell Nauvoo." That house WAS my Nauvoo. It was never better or harder than it was in THAT house. Liberty has had my hardest, and best transfers yet. And so as I was leaving I knew that I was about to board a bus for 5.5 hours to an unknown place... UTAH! JK! Not quite Utah... but I'm sure as the Saints were going west the view they had of the flat prairie was pretty close to what I saw on the bus coming out here!!!

I LOVED THE TRANSFER BUS!!!
Mostly because Elders are a very peculiar type of person! Haha! All of the sisters on the bus were sleeping (lame!) but honestly, it was sooo funny to watch these guys in action! They were HILARIOUS! Elder Baird was busy worrying that his girlfriend was going to Dear John him, and Elder Nash was TOTALLY egging him on. It was mean! And Elder Nelson talking about girls he dated before his mission... I won’t go into details, but trust me: it was hilarious! Fastest 5.5 hour bus ride EVER!!! And we passed through a town from a song that pretty much is about my FAVORITE MOVIE EVER, the Notebook. The song is Ellsworth, Kansas 1948 by Rascal Flatts. Yeah. We drove through there! I was STOKED! Haha. I LOVE THAT SONG!

Okay, so now onto more spiritual things!!! THIS AREA OF GREAT BEND IS ON FIRE!!! The Zone Leaders are calling it the new "Pratt, Kansas" which is President VanKomen's miracle area. They had a TON of baptisms last transfer, and now we have more who are still committed for this transfer AND we committed some more this week! AAAHHH!!! It's so exciting!!! Being a full-prosyliting sister feels a LOT different than being a VC Sister. It's going to take some time to get used to, but I know the Lord is blessing me in great ways. In Alma 26:5 it says, "The field was ripe, and blessed are ye." Saying that the field is ripe already to harvest is pretty common amongst missionaries, but this time I MEAN IT! This area has a spirit and an energy! I know that great miracles are about to come to pass! I cannot wait to see them unfold!

This week we met a woman named Tracee. She has a daughter Ashley who is 10. They are darling! She has attended several different churches in the past but said that she always felt like something was missing. Of course, WE HAVE WHAT THEY'RE MISSING! We taught her the plan of salvation and she expressed what an overwhelming peace and understanding she had. She said that many church she had been to made her fear death, but that now she was feeling so much better. I told her, "THIS is the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is a gospel of hope." And she expressed the great hope that was filling her heart. We could tell the spirit of the Lord had truly touched her. We serve missions to find women like Tracee... to find the elect. I love her. She is an angel to me! I can't wait to teach her again!

This week I was studying in the war chapters of the Book of Mormon. They are great!!! I haven't always thought that way, but this week, they were full of inspiration! They fueled that missionary fire in my heart!!! Alma 26:27-"Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy brethren the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions and I will give unto you success." Even though it has been a temptation to turn back around so many times on my mission, I know that I did NOT come out here to turn back, to give up on everything that I believe in! I came here to fulfill my purpose, to strengthen my faith in the Lord, and to strengthen my faith IN MYSELF! I know that with the Lord I can do all things! I know that THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH. That He is my constant. That there is NO ONE who could ever love me more than he does! I will be true to him all the days of my life!

Another great lesson learned was in Alma 46-48 Captain Moroni! Now this man was VALIANT! He trusted in EVERYTHING the Lord said. He was probably not the type of man who would want to back down. HE WANTED TO FIGHT! Yet, he knew that it was ONLY by keeping his covenants, by his faithfulness, that he would be preserved. So as Moroni covenanted to keep peace he "Rent his coat." HE RIPPED IT! And not that he was mad, but he was passionate! He knew EXACTLY what he was doing!!! And he relates it to Joseph in the wilderness as he was sold into Egypt, half the coat kept- the witness symbols were preserved, the other half was destroyed- rent and written upon or dipped in blood in symbolism of sin. A reminder that the LORD ALWAYS protects his covenant people! I LOVE CAPTAIN MORONI! He was strong and mighty, perfect in understanding, cared for others not just himself, a hard worker, and firm in the faith... PERFECT MAN! Jk! Alma 46:18 reminded me that Moroni CAN be duplicated... Christ can't. But ANY OF US can be valiant and faithful like Moroni, or the sons of Mosiah, or the Sons of Alma... "For they were all men (or daughters) of god." That is empowering!

The potential that we all have as Children of God... it's beyond me. But I know with this new area comes a new opportunity for me to learn and grow and stretch even further than I have been before. Elder Maxwell once said, "The Lord loves each of us too much to merely let us go on being what we now are. For he knows what we have the possibility to become." I don't completely understand my divine potential, but I'm starting to... I know that as I read the scriptures, and say my prayers, that I find a strength and an understanding beyond my own. Yet, I know that courage and wisdom is a gift from God. I know that I am clay. I know that I am being molded... It's kind of strange sometimes to look back on who I was just 9 months ago, and although I would say my personality is quite the same, within my heart I am very very different. I am changed.

"He turns not back who is bound to a star." -Leonardo daVinci

DREAM BIG. WISH HARD. LOVE ALWAYS.
LOOK FORWARD... ONWARD....UPWARD...
Love you all.

-Jessica Rose

GREAT investigators

So I have an investigator coming into town this upcoming weekend. Her name is Sarah Black. She's 18 and a total doll. She is pretty much already a member she just doesn't want to get baptized until she has finished the Book of Mormon. She is a lot like my sister Sara. She's super funny and very earth friendly. She wants to be either a park ranger or a vet for a zoo. Haha. This week we taught law of chastity and she said, "Boys are intimidated by my backpack. Let alone my brain." Sister Maxfield and I were on the floor laughing!!! It was great!

We committed one of our GREAT investigators to be baptized on Sept. 19th. He's great!

We also had CRAB LEGS at a members home this week. It wasn't the blue shell.... I think it was Alaskan crab. But oh boy did I struggle with it! Haha. It made me really miss Maryland.

We've been busy which is good. Really good. Keeping my mind a little more distracted. But this week I was reading in the Book of Mormon in 1Nephi 7:6-13 and it says.

6 And it came to pass that as we journeyed in the wilderness, behold Laman and Lemuel, and two of the daughters of Ishmael, and the two sons of Ishmael and their families, did rebel against us;

7 And it came to pass in the which rebellion, they were desirous to return unto the land of Jerusalem.

****And I don't blame them for wanting to go back to Jerusalem. Back in Jerusalem they had their riches, they had their friends... and their father Lehi DRAGS them to America because it was the commandment of the Lord. They leave everything behind and then come to this lame land... I feel a lot like Laman and Lemuel. And they are the "bad guys" in the story.... haha. So we'll continue...

8 And now I, Nephi, being agrieved for the hardness of their hearts, therefore I spake unto them, saying, yea, even unto Laman and unto Lemuel: Behold ye are mine elder brethren, and how is it that ye are so hard in your hearts, and so blind in your minds, that ye have need that I, your younger brother, should speak unto you, yea, and set an cexample for you?

9 How is it that ye have not hearkened unto the word of the Lord?

10 How is it that ye have forgotten that ye have seen an angel of the Lord?

***I haven't seen an ANGEL. but I know that I HAVE been PROMPTED by the spirit. I have been given a witness that I should serve a mission. I'm still fighting it... but I know I'm supposed to be here. My Patriarchal blessings makes it pretty clear as well.

11 Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten what great things the Lord hath done for us, in delivering us out of the hands of Laban, and also that we should obtain the record?

12 Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten that the Lord is able to do all things according to his will, for the children of men, if it so be that they exercise faith in him? Wherefore, let us be faithful to him.

13 And if it so be that we are faithful to him, we shall obtain the land of promise;

***The Lord has done so much for me. He died for me so I should live for him. And I know that he has a great promise awaiting my sacrifice and service.

Dream big, wish hard, love always

-Jessica Rose

This week is transfer week! We'll find out today if I'm staying or going...

I received a blessing from president this week. In his blessing he assured me that "all would be well with me." For those of you who know me, "It's going to be okay" is a pretty common theme in my life. Haha. Sometimes I want better than okay... but humility is something I'm learning. He also gave me other blessings I have been waiting for. I'm grateful for President VanKomen. He is a truly inspired man and I love him very much.

We had a great teaching week. One of our investigators named Angie gave the sweetest prayer. She said, "Hey God... it's me again, Angie." Then in closing she said, "Okay. That's all. I'll talk to you again in a few minutes God. Amen." She has a beautiful heart. Her prayer was darling. Just thought I'd share.

I also had the opportunity to show the Munos family the Joseph Smith movie in the jail last night. Her brother is from New York and has been inactive for 25 years. Last night was a life changing night for him in the jail. There are a lot of details that I wont go into at this time, but I am grateful to be used by the Lord as his instrument. Sometimes I don't know how or why he uses me. But last night the spirit was with me so strong. I was very grateful, and the spirit really touched him.

Another tender mercy is being around Sister Webb. I love her. She's not my companion, she's serving in Carnie... but she's a friend from home. I've seen her a lot recently. I think it's because I need someone who can relate with me. And Allie knows everyone I know. We both worked at Studio 600 together. I'm grateful for her love and friendship.

Sister Brooks is going home in TWO DAYS!!!! AAHHHH!!!! What am I going to do without her? I don't know. But I'm excited for her. She is the most amazing Sister missionary I have had the opportunity of serving around.

I had the opportunity to bare my testimony at the Presidents Fireside on Sunday. That is typically open for brand new members, converts. But health reasons left two of the speakers at home, so President asked me to speak. I remember as Miss Murray I would do firesides the topic almost ALWAYS being based on my conversion. It felt good to be able to bear it in that setting again. It was a great privilege.

I've been learning so much lately. I LOVE studies. I could just study all day. There is never enough time on the computers to cover the full bases. But one day when I get home, we'll all chat!!!

Love you all! SO SO SO MUCH!
Jessica Rose

I LOVE THE JAIL

Hello friends and family at home-

I'm still in Missouri. That has not changed. But I got transferred from Independence to Liberty. Visitor Center to Liberty Jail. I LOVE THE JAIL. I feel like I'm in a whole new mission. I really do love relating to the experiences Joseph had while he was here for four months. More details on the lessons learned later. I have so much to say.

I have a new companion. Sister Maxfield. She is amazing. She is from Sandy, UT. Graduated from Brighton. She is cousins with a bunch of people I know from Murray. She is SUNSHINE. She reminds me of Danielle Nicole Bozarth in the way that she glows. I love her very much.

We went to the St. Louis Temple today and did baptisms with Cassandra. Sorry I haven't written home in a while. Cassandra was baptized about a month ago by the Blue Mills Elders, but I was able to develop a pretty close relationship with her during zone conference and several visits to the Visitor Center. The elders couldn't take her so they asked if we could. It was pretty cool. It took pretty much our entire P-day, so I'm exhausted. But it's the life.

We have another recent convert we're working with named John, who was baptized last Saturday. He is 84 years old and has twinkly eyes like Grandpa Wathen and Elder Wirthlin. He makes me cry a lot. Just because he is so sweet. His sweet wife passed away four years ago and they were never able to have any children. So sister Maxfield and I said we would be his grandchildren. We now call him Grandpa John. I love him.

One more thing to add to my list of things I love about Missouri. The RAIN STORMS. They are amazing. Have any of you ever seen the Notebook? It's like that. Amazing. Warm. Clear skies. Then those clouds come rolling in and it just POURS. It's beautiful and amazing. I love it!

That's in summary of what has happened this week. A lot of change.

Love ya'll.

The sun will come out tomorrow

Vicki was BAPTIZED THIS WEEK!!! HOORAY! She is such a sweet lady. It was so great to see her so touched at her baptism. She has truly been prepared for this great day to come. Her husband Richard (who is a member) was touched as well. They look forward to getting married in the Temple next May. I'm very excited for them and their beautiful future together.

We had a birthday party for Sister VanKomen at President's house. It was pretty VIP. There were only 12 missionaries invited. Sister Brusch and I were 2 of them. WOOP WOOP! We were feeling pretty loved... and maybe a little prideful. Haha. We were pretty humbled when we walked in with the goofy birthday hats on though. And Sister Vankomen sat in her royal thrown and wanted to take "sassy" pictures. THAT was HILARIOUS!!! The Elders had our cameras and sister VanKomen and all the Elders were telling us to be sassy. HAHA. It was weird! Needless to say with all of my practice, I had this one down. The other three sisters were HILARIOUS. They had a really hard time keeping a straight face.

Also had the opportunity to go on a Church History tour it was awesome! We went to Liberty Jail, Far West, Richmond, and Adam-On-Diaman. I love Liberty Jail. I hope I have the opportunity to serve there during my mission. Adam-On-Diaman was SO beautiful and had a very special spirit. I love studying the doctrine of the area and the significance. It is a very special important land from beginning to end. Forever and always. Love it there.

We got transfer calls last night. I will stay here in 4th Ward with a new companion - Sister Michelle Moody from California. I'm SO EXCITED!!! I love Sister Moody. She is a doll. She is a pretty little thing, probably 5'4 blonde hair with big brown eyes. She is one of my favorite sisters at the VC so I'm VERY excited to be her companion!!!

Our AP Elder Seethaler is going home this transfer! I'm SO SAD! He's my favorite Elder in the mission! :( I don't know how I will endure the next 14 months without his leadership and guidance. ~sigh~ Kidding! His replacement Elder Eraso will be AWESOME! Independence Mission for Life!!! 

I found some really good quotes from the Emma Smith Movie that reminded me of my life right now...

"Strength isn't something you have. It's something God helps you find. And usually we find it one day at a time."

"God's ways are not always our ways."

"God's tender mercies are all around us, we just have to be willing to see them."

"There comes a time when all of us must be more than we are"<<

"That was the hardest test for me... Being alone."

"Sometimes when we have trials we forget God is our friend. He always has our best interest at heart."

"Being strong can be a very lonely thing." <<

Tough times. Homesickness is stupid. I'm pulling out of it though. Slowly. I met with President and he said it was pretty normal for a missionary to hit rock bottom at SOME point during there mission. This is just mine... Now I can get up, get out, STOP FEELING SO LONELY, and go to work!!! "It is as if I can hear the Savior saying, "I don't need you to DIE for me. I need you to LIVE for me." -Brent L. Top ... I need to stop feeling like I'm DYING and start living. He already died for me, I need to live for him. These next 14 months will fly by. If I don't start living it up every day I know I will look back with regret. And trust me, this good attitude thing isn't always easy... But I know the Lord will continue to bless me as I try to seek the desire to love the work.

But for now, I still love all of you at home. With all my heart. Thank you for your prayers. They are definitely felt here in Missouri! And just remember that "The sun will come out tomorrow!"

Dream Big. Wish Hard. And Love Always-

Sister Jessica Rose Wathen

 

 

Walmart and the Easter Bunny!

So this last weekend was Easter and I realized that I am the luckiest girl in the entire Independence Mission. I appreciate all of the letters and packages I got this week. They all made me feel very close to home. So a special thank you to everyone who wrote me this past week. Especially all of you in my family. You're the best!!!

Last preparation day, Sister Jacobs and I got really excited because we were going to go to Walmart and see the Easter Bunny. BUT HE WASN'T THERE! HE STOOD US UP! Crazy bunny... It's no wonder I like Christmas. Santa always follows through. Sheesh. I have a question: Where did the Easter bunny come from anyway? Hmmm...

I'm so grateful for the true meaning of Easter. I know that the resurrection of our savior Jesus Christ is the meaning for this holiday. It is the greatest day for celebration. It is the day of greatest hope in celebration of Christ's greatest victory. Our savior Jesus Christ broke the bonds of death that Easter morning that we might all live again. That is truly the most amazing miracle in all of history. I testify that he lives. I feel his presence with me everyday in Independence. Whenever I am sad, I know I can turn to him, and I feel his love fill every corner of my heart. He is not only my Savior, but he is my constant, and my best friend. It's good to ALWAYS have a best friend, even when I'm so far away from all of you from home.

I had the opportunity to watch a video called "The Lamb of God." It illustrates the final week of the Savior's life from the persecutions, to the garden, to his death on the cross. And I always think to myself, why did he have to go through SO MUCH suffering? And I'm reminded of a song from home that I highly recommend listening to. It's called "Why" by a Christian artist named Nicole Nordeman. Find it. It's amazing. I promise you that you'll be touched by the spirit. I know that the Savior died for US as children of God, so that we might not suffer as much if we would come to him. Because of the Savior, no matter how dark our Friday is, we have a promise that our Sunday will always be bright.

We got our transfer call last night. I'm staying in Independence 4th ward. Sister Jacobs is going to Great Bend, Kansas, full-proselyting. My new companion will be Sister Brusch from Sandy, Utah. I am really excited to be her companion. She has been out over a year and has a lot of experience and drive. She is a super pretty girl who reminds me a lot of some of my pretty friends at home. The Assistant’s to the President also preside in Independence 4th ward, Elder Gallacher and Elder Seethaler. Elder Seethaler goes home to Utah at the end of this next transfer.

WE HAVE A BAPTISM TONIGHT. Miss Connie Sue Oberg. I love her. She has grown so much in the gospel. She truly has learned to love the Book of Mormon, and it has become so much a part of who she is.

We have been "sowing a lot of seeds" here in 4th ward, so hopefully we'll be seeing some fruits soon. We've been teaching a family that I have truly grown to love. Their last name is Bell. Their daughter Sylvia reminds me so much of me before joining the church. I'll tell you more about them later, but if you could keep that family in your prayers, I would really appreciate it, as well as the Henry family. I LOVE THE HENRYS. Sister Henry is 26 and JUST like me... Just like me when I'm at home. Sometimes I find a need to repent because she makes think of all the worldly things I once enjoyed. And her husband is DARLING, I love them. They are both new in the gospel, but both have a desire to learn more and be baptized, so pray for them too.

AHHH!!! THERE ARE SO MANY MIRACLES HAPPENING OUT HERE!!!

Transfer #1- Done. Only 11 more to go. At this rate I'll be home in no time at all

I LOVE YOU ALL!

Dream Big, Wish Hard, and Love Always-

Sister Jessica Rose Wathen