Back to the States

Hey Guys,

Yesterday we got word from the mission president. He sent out a video explaining the situation. It came by surprise, but we can use Facebook now! Also all the foreign missionaries are going to be going back to their home countries within the next two weeks. It's hard to describe how I feel. It's odd, missionary work is hard but being stuck inside is much harder. I'm sad to be leaving, but at peace that this is God's will. This poem sums it up pretty well:

I stared out the window,
The tears still in my eyes,
I saw the friends and those I loved,
As we said our last goodbyes.

The ride was long and trying;
Two questions plagued my mind.
Do I want the life that's up ahead
Or the one I left behind?

Two years is such a long, long time,
For going door to door.
In my reflecting, I thought to myself--
There really must be more.

I dragged myself down off the plane
and stood smiling at the beach.
There a man turned to me,
Saying, "Elder, go and teach."

I sit reflecting once again
As this day is my last.
Please, Lord, this isn't fair,
The time goes way too fast!

I stared out the window,
The tears still in my eyes.
I see the elders and sisters and those I love,
As we say our last goodbyes.

The ride was long and trying;
Two questions plagued my mind.
Do I want the life that's up ahead
Or the one I left behind?

--Author Unknown

Love you all,
Elder Watts

Quarantine

Hey everyone,

Short update. Yesterday we received word from our mission leaders that we can't leave our house, and if we do leave we have to wear casual clothes and we can't wear missionary placks (tags?). Still we are doing our best to stay positive. We have a new schedule that allows for more time doing activities in house such as family history and extra language and companionship study. We are also going to do our best to teach people using video calls. Lately I've also been enchanted by Parley P. Pratt's autobiography, which is super interesting. I'd highly recommend it, especially in preparation for the upcoming conference.

I've been thinking a lot lately about the scripture in Helaman 5:12:

12 And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.

It definitely feels like the devil is sending forth his mighty winds, but I know that Christ is a sure foundation upon which if built we cannot fall. Despite the concerns of the world we can feel peace in our Savior and stand firm against the storm.

Anyways if anyone is bored and would like to talk, I can now talk Mondays and Fridays. 

Love you all! Hope you all have a great week,

Elder Watts

Also my companion went home :( because he was scheduled to leave in two weeks but Uruguay is stopping flights.

Final photo the night before my companion left.

Everything is fine

Hey everyone,

Wow what a week! Just want to let everyone know that even with the virus, we are doing fine. We can still go out and teach. though we've been encouraged to stop street contacting. I don't think there have been any reported cases of the virus in Uruguay, but everyone is a little on edge and rumors are going around like crazy, which is kind of annoying because it's the only news I get. Just in case, we put together 3 weeks worth of food and are doing our best to limit gathering and contact in general.

On a more upbeat note, I decided to try my hand at cooking this week. Twice. And they both failed. The first time I decided to whip up some brownies for a family home evening. I found a recipe and bought the ingredients but thanks to all my shopping being in Portuguese I accidentally bought chocolate milk powder instead of cocoa powder. I realized the mistake too late and the brownies came out burnt and super sweet. Then I attempted to redeem myself by making some brigadeiro (a chocolate Brazilian dessert) using a packet I found at the store. Instead of coming out cake-like, it came out like a pudding and looked like a brown blob. Still tasted good. I'll attach pictures.

Yesterday we had the opportunity to go out with a member of the ward to administer the sacrament to a couple of houses without priesthood holders. It was a really special experience to bless and share the sacrament with so many people and share a brief message with them. Even with everything that's going on, with each meeting we felt a spirit of peace and comfort. It helped strengthen my testimony that the Lord continues to watch after his church and his people.

I love being a missionary and I love the gospel. Love you all,

Elder Watts

Attempting to make brownies

Attempt at brigadeiro

A Little Chuy

Hey Everyone,

This week has been super great! I've been settling in nicely to Chuy and I am starting to get to know the ward and the awesome people we're teaching.

First a little bit about the new area: We share a ward with two other Elders, Elder Halls and Elder Quiroz. The ward is pretty small, but the few people we have are really strong and faithful in the church. The ward is a Spanish ward but many members live in Brazil and speak Portuguese. My first Sunday in the area one of the speakers spoke in Portuguese and the other in Spanish. Other people speak Spanish but carry a heavy Portuguese accent, including the bishop and his family. Other than that the area is pretty normal. There are a lot of shops here to buy imported goods and other stuff for super cheap, at least compared to Montevideo. The food and culture actually remind me a lot of Mexico and there are a lot more Brazilian influences than there were in Montevideo.

Super cool story from this week: So a week before I arrived here the missionaries gave away a Book of Mormon to a guy, but because they were running late to catch the bus they couldn't talk for long. Then because of the craziness of changes we weren't able to talk to him again until this past week. When we passed by he invited us in and expressed his sincere gratitude for having given the Book of Mormon. He had read and marked the scripture Alma 36:3:

"And now, O my son Helaman, behold, thou art in thy youth, and therefore, I beseech of thee that thou wilt hear my words and learn of me; for I do know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day."

He told us that after reading that verse he wanted his daughter to learn in her youth, and that he felt a great peace in his home. He also shared some scriptures with his girlfriend who is atheist and she also felt a great peace. It's so wonderful when the spirit touches the hearts of the people! They are both super prepared and we are really excited to teach them.

Final thought: I was recently reading the invitation from President Nelson to #HearHim who said: "I invite you to be proactive and look for opportunities to share your feelings about the Lord Jesus Christ with your family and friends" It is with this in mind that I bear my witness that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. I know He lives, that He loves us. I am forever indebted to him for his infinite mercy and love for me and I know that through him we can find peace and joy. I love my Savior and will serve him forever. I have received great joy and peace through him and I know that his hands are outstretched to me and to all who will come unto him.

Lots of love. Hope you have an amazing week!

Elder Joseph Watts

Elder Watts & Elder Hoskins

Elder Quiroz & Elder Halls

At Lunch with an awesome member family

Best dessert Ever!

Funny sign we saw (Translation: We have Bidrios(Glass).  We spelled it wrong but we place them well!)