Week 32: New Area, New Companion, and A New Challenge

Unfortunately, no letter or pictures this week. He was having trouble downloading his recordings, so none of those this week either :(

Here is a summary of what we chatted about:

He loves the new area!! It is definitely more challenging that the last area because the lack of investigators or progressing investigators.

The Arayat Branch is considered a subdivision and is at the base of Mt Arayat. There is lots of farm land around the area. The Branch is great; the meeting house is right in front of our apartment which is really convenient. His partner is a great elder and super fun. The members are really nice and like to work with them just about everyday, especially the Mission Leader. They work with the youth a lot. Church attendance varies quite a bit from week to week. This week it was 62 which is really high; the week before it was 42.

Travel is a mix of walking and trikes.

The weather is about the same as in Cabanatuan - HOT!!  He uses an umbrella because it is just too hot to walk around in the sun. Dustin says he is a little more tan, but still light haha

We look forward to Skyping with Dustin on Mother's Day!!!

Week 31: Transferred to Arayat Branch, Challenging Work, and District Leader

Hey guys!

First off sorry to you all that I am on so late and not able to chat with you guys. It sounds like your trip to CA was an absolute blast and I pray you all make it home safely :)

So yes this week I transferred to a new area in Angeles zone. It is about 2 hours from the city in a beautiful 'bukid' or farm area, but to to me it looks like a kinda jungle :) We are at the base of a gorgeous mountain that looks like a volcano. It is not near the size of the ones back home but it is magnificent to look at with all the flat space and trees surrounding it. I look forward to hiking it in the coming weeks :)

First my new companion is Elder Gaudiano. He is from Visayas, and has 3 transfers left in his mission. He is easily the funniest missionary I have met on the mission. He is a very good teacher and definitely knows his stuff! I have progressed quite noticeably in the short time we have been companions concerning Tagalog. We speak on a regular basis and it is starting to become natural to speak about other things besides the gospel. I'm super excited to keep working with him :)

Our area is a challenging one. In terms of work. The average lessons per week is 25 when it should be closer to 40. We only have 3 Investigators w/ Baptismal dates and 2 are quite tentative. But the members here in the branch are quite amazing. Our ward mission leader is blind but he works with us every day! He loves missionary work and is super enthusiastic! I love the guy. So the members are pumped and I'm pumped to work with them along with Elder Gaudiano. I'm hoping to see some miracles happening here :)

I also got called to be the District Leader here. LOL of me and my companion!! Our district used to be comprised of other Elders but apparently there was an emergency transfer and their area was dissolved. President plans on having more missionaries out here next transfer... but they were supposed to be here this transfer so who knows :) I'm just excited to have some extra work and responsibility. It'll help me grow and learn to render more Christlike service :)

One sad experience from this week was Friday morning. Although I was sad to leave my last area, I was very excited! But Friday morning was our first companionship study. To start the study we obviously begin with prayer and reciting a few things, followed by reading 3 pages of the Missionary Hand Book. We started where I had left off and it happened to be "Communicating w/ Converts" I just started bawling my eyes out when I read it. I was just so sad to leave them. It didn't hit me until that moment that they were gone, or rather I had left them... Even though it will be hard and I will continue to miss them. I know the Lord has need of me in other places and I am so happy to continue serving wherever he may call me. I love His work, and it is going by too fast... I cannot believe I am going on 8 months... 1/3 of the way through... only 16 more months to change peoples lives... Gotta get busy :) love you all again have a fantastic week!

Your missionary,
Elder Watkins :)

Elder Gaudiano (Dustin's new companion) and Elder Watkins and
Mt. Arayat(an extinct volcano) in the background.
Elder Watkins is all kinds of adorable!!!  

Week 30: Saying Goodbye, Lehi's Vision, and Gratitude for My Family

Hey everyone! :)

This has been a sad week for me. I've been saying good bye to most of the people that I teach. You truly don't know how much you'll miss someone till they are gone... It's been sad but I have loved all the experiences and memories that we have shared together. There was a farewell lunch after church and we all ate then it was kinda awkward/sad but I sat in the middle and then people around the room just said their goodbyes. What I mean be awkward is that on the 1% chance that I stay in this area, I return to church after all the goodbyes and say, 'I'm back!' hahah I think it would be funny.

Anyways I had been really worried with leaving the area with something to build on. As 4 of our investigators became Recent Converts, it left our teaching pool for potential baptisms on low. We really focused the past few weeks on finding new people to teach. For the past 3 weeks we have had over 7 new investigators every week! and a lot of them have baptismal dates for May. So I am pretty excited about that. The work will hopefully continue to grow here in Talavera Ward. It's interesting but the work in terms of baptisms is basically doubling every new companionship. Before me there was 1, then Gomez and I 2, then Choresca and I 5, and hopefully Choresca and his new companion get 10! :) The work is starting to pick up in the area and I'm excited for it.

As I was going to teach my favorite person I've met here, sister Nela, I had no idea what to share with her, as it would be our last teaching appointment. We got there and I still didn't know what to teach. So we had the opening prayer and I thought to teach Lehi's vision. I had no idea why but as I started it I realized that it was totally her story, as with most people. Lehi starts in a state of confusion then prays and the Lord shows him a tree off in the distance that would make him happy. No coincidence that the tree was inferebly far away. The Lord requires us to work and show faith to him to receive his blessings. I really thought this was Nela, she was in a state of confusion in her life when we met her. We showed her a way out, the tree. Not only did she eventually partake of the fruit, she sprinted to it. We then went on to enduring to the end and holding to the rod. But that lesson was so powerful and I could just feel the spirit so strongly. It goes on how when Lehi partook of the fruit he desired it for his family.

On a slight tangent from that, I'm still in touch with my friends that are on missions and a few that are at home, and I am so happy to be where I am today. I was reading my Patriarchal blessing last night, and the first thing is how blessed I am to be born into the family that I have. It's so true. I see so much sadness here and hear about others back home. And it is most always due to family problems. Everything starts with family and I am so happy with the one that I was born into. I love you all so much and am so grateful for the great examples you are to me. I couldn't be here if it were not for each of you.

I hope you all have a fantastic week :0

Love you all 

Elder Watkins

Most of the Benedicto Family

Family Home Evening hosted by Sister Maan. She is on the right, Rochelle is on the left.

Elder Watkins with Javen before he moved.

Elder Watkins with Sister Balangatan and family. She gave a talk at Rochelle's baptism.

Dustin loves caribous!!!

Sipping on a drink Sister Nela made...yum :)

Dinner at Sister Nela's!

my groupies... after my lovely singing...  lol jk this is jus after the missionary musical fireside :)

Elder Watkins with some elders from The Zone

Elder Watkins with the dude that cuts his hair (in the black shirt),
Elder Choresca, and  another stylist at the salon. 

Week 29: Zone Concert, Transfers, and House Mouse

This week we did not receive a family letter or pictures or recordings :( Elder Watkins checked his email really late on his Pday, so it was early in the morning for us. We did "chat" for a bit, meaning that we sent emails back and forth. Following is a summary of our conversation:

Zone Concert - The Zone has been practicing for a 10 song program themed "Come Unto Christ" for the  Mission President and the Asia Area Presidency. Three people will be speaking, then a recent convert, Elder Watkins will give a closing testimony, followed by either President Martino (Mission President) or the Area President. Although Elder Watkins is nervous about speaking, he is looking forward to listening to the speakers!

Transfers - this next week transfers are coming. Elder Watkins expects that he will be transferred to a new area since he has been in Cabanatuan for 3 transfers. He will miss the ward members and the people he has been teaching. It will be sad to leave, but is looking forward to serving in another area. 

Something Funny - This morning while Elder Watkins was getting ready to go on a nice jog with Elder Gordon, Elder Watkins was brushing his teeth a mouse crawled onto his foot!!! From his email it sounds like he thinks it is really funny, but EWWWW!!!!

That's the gist of what we chatted about...he says there will be pictures next week!

Week 28: Quiet Promptings, A New Convert's First Sacrament Meeting Talk, and a Baptism

Hey Family :)

So the time is absolutely absurd here! I can't believe I'm already sitting at the computer again writing to you all. Also can't believe that I am going on 7 months! Time just goes by so fast. It's exciting.

So highlights of the week.

1) I chipped my tooth! 

I was eating some rice and then chomped on a rock on a rock... someone didn't clean the rice very well haha... It isn't very bad at all. You can only tell if you look directly at it... it's my bottom tooth, like the third one from the middle. It kind of has a sharp point so if you look carefully and use your imagination, I look like a vampire :)

2) Quiet Promptings

Yesterday we were walking quite briskly to an appointment. We had been low on lessons this week so we were trying to get in as many as we could this Sunday. As we were walking I saw this guy maybe 18-20 years old, long hair, a beanie, and wearing a cross necklace. He didn't look too friendly on my first impression. And I just said, "Magandang hapon!" or "Good afternoon!" as we walked past. He kind of nodded his head acknowledging my greeting. As I passed I had a feeling to talk to him but I ignored it. I thought to myself, "We have a lot of people to meet and very little time. We need to keep going." Again I felt that I should go talk to him as we continued walking...It wasn't a super strong feeling but it was just a thought. I decided to turn around and return to him. I just said, "How are you doing brother?" He responded by saying, "I'm Mormon also." We started talking and we found out that he has been wanting to return to Church but he doesn't know any of the people. He asked if we would take him next week to introduce him. I was so happy that I heeded the prompting. Sometimes we may think we need a strong feeling or evidence that a thought is from the Holy Ghost and not just our own mind. My main man President Hinkley said that anything that is good or invites you to do good, is likely from the Holy Ghost. The only way to know is to act on that thought or feeling. I know that as we act on our positive thoughts and feeling we will increase our spiritual sensitivity to the Holy Ghost.

3) Sis Nela's talk

Sister Nela is a girl that I baptized back in December. She gave her fist talk in Sacrament meeting yesterday and was super nervous. But she seriously killed it! The whole congregation was like bawling... Sis Nela has such a strong spirit, it was so cool to see. She's just so good and possesses so many Christ-like attributes that she just radiates the spirit. I loved being able to listen to her speak and feel her testimony.

4) Rochelle's Baptism!

On Saturday March 22, Rochelle was baptized! I was so happy for her! The entire day she was texting us updates as to how much time was left until her baptism. It ended up being a great experience for everyone that attended. Normally only a few member show up. But at this one, there were around 20 members there! Rochelle bore her testimony after and my favorite line that just kept replaying in my mind over and over was "Ang gaan ng pakiramdam ko ngyn" or roughly "My feeling right now is light." When she said that, there was so much happiness in her countenance. I couldn't stop smiling the rest of her testimony.

The work isn't always glamorous. The work is hard, tiring, and often straight up frustrating. But the hard times always just fall away. The good memories are priceless to me and are so worth it! They will be the things I remember. I love being a missionary.

Love you all tons :)
Have a great week :)
Elder Watkins

Family Home Evening with neighborhood youth.

Fun Family Home Evening with the Youth. 

Brother Gaspar and Elder Watkins

Elder Choresca, Sister Rochelle, Elder Watkins
March 22, 2014

Elder Watkins, Sister Rochelle, and Elder Choresca
on her baptism day!

Week 27: Cousin Baptisms, The Missionary Posterity, and a visit with Elder Bitters?!

So we received a lot of pics this week in lieu of a family letter. There was a cousin baptism on March 8! Marianne and Angela asked Elder Watkins to baptize them, which was a great honor for him :) Their decision to be baptized brought many family members back to activity. As you will see in the family picture, there are quite a few! This is so exciting for the family. Marianne and Angela are great examples to their family and the Talavera Ward.

Marianne and Angela Benedicto baptism. March 8, 2014  

Elder Choresca, Marianne, Angela, and Elder Watkins

The Benedicto Family with Elder Choresca and Elder Watkins

The Posterity - Elder Gomez to Elder Watkins to Elder Chroesca

Santo Nino wearing a Chicago Bulls onsie...
Don't know which I like better, this one or the
Santo Nino wearing the Angry Birds t-shirt

This is a bridge that Elder Watkins walks by almost every day.
He thought he would take a pic of it.

Elder Watkins getting a little too close to a carabou...

Elder Watkins and Elder Bitters?!!
Haha This isn't really Elder Bitters. Just an Elder Bitters look alike.
Elder Blackham was the AP when Dustin arrived in the mission and was
the first missionary he met in the field. Elder Blackham was at the apartment
when Dustin was really sick. Elder Blackham stayed up with
Dustin  for a few hours just talking to him.
 Thank you Elder Blackham for taking care of my missionary!
Big hugs for you!!

Week 26 : A Nagging Distraction, Reactivating Families and Baptism, and Embracing the Gospel with Enthusiasm!

Hello everyone! I hope you are all well :)

This week was kind of slow for me... I cannot get rid of this cough/cold! It has been over 2 weeks now. I honestly do not mind being sick, actually I am used to it. However the cough is so annoying! I will try to teach and I just start coughing! To me it is really distracting to the Spirit because I am trying to teach something that could change their lives and I'm hacking a lung! Oh well just another trial that will somehow make me better.

This Saturday we had two baptisms! Angela Benedicto and Marianne Payongayon. They are 9 and 8 year old cousins. Their family had been less active for a long time. Elder Gomez and I began teaching them and they returned to activity in December! Then we found out that the 2 girls had not been baptized. Now that their family comes to church they basically double our attendance. There are the parents and grandma plus a flood of 11 kids that attend with them haha. So Aaron and Mike are 2 of the kids that returned and they were ordained teachers recently. So their whole family is starting to be more active in the church! Hopefully they can keep it up :) This Saturday we have another baptism of Sister Cherry Lyn Cawit. She's 13 and another less active family that has returned to activity and is now getting baptized. So re-activating is really the way to go. 

Then on the 22nd Sister Rochelle is getting baptized! I am super excited for her :) Last week she sent a text to us at like 6 AM saying "I had a dream again last night about my baptism. When you come over today will you teach everything I need to follow?" Upon arriving at her house she told us about how she had stopped drinking coffee and wants to know what else she can do to be better prepared. This week we will teach the 10 Commandments to her and she has this St. Nino statue in her house, and he wears a Chicago Bulls onesie... so smooth... But we are going to ask her to move it and instead after her baptism we will give her a nice picture of a temple. She loves the temple! I am really excited for her. 

Well family I love you all and miss you tons :) Have a great week!

Elder D. Thomas S. Watkins :)