My Last Pictures

I haven't had a lot of time lately so I thought I'd just get on and send my last pictures before I come home. I love you all and see you in 3 days.



Hermana M... and I waiting in the airport for an Hermana at 4 in the morning. Our faces were a little rough

My last moment with her in the mission. Bye

HERMANA C.....

The cutest little kid eating an apple

Elizibeth and Kris. Last photo

My favorite child. His faces crack me up

 

Cusco is Good for Rocks

 The cool Inca bridge that we got to cross. (made out of straw)

So, this week was really great! We got to visit lots of new people that are excited to hear about the gospel. This week was my last concilio (lider conference). It was also the last one of presidents too. So, we went to Qeswachaka, an Inca bridge that is made out of straw that they rebuild ever year. It was amazing. President taught us so many things. He talked about going back home and what things we need to learn. Everyone says that returned missionaries are weird and awkward when they get home and I'm starting to understand why. We are here for SO MUCH TIME and the mission is all we know. So bear with me when I get back, ahah. 

 

This week we were able to visit so many people but I think something amazing that I learned this week was the worth of all of these people. Everyone is a child of God. Everyone is searching for some form of happiness and as missionaries, as leaders and members of the church, it is our responsibility to help all of them have an opportunity to receive the gospel. You never know who will accept it. 

 

This week we decided to contact a woman that we had talked to several times and had always spoken to us in a very grumpy tone. Well.. this time she looked at us and goes, "share something with me right now. I have time" So we sat down on the curb of the road and we shared a message with her. We had to explain why we don't worship saints and why we don't say the same prayer over and over again because she is super catholic but at the end of it all, she understood and she thanked us for teaching her things that she had not heard before. It was really great to see that hearts do change in the littlest ways.

 

In the mission, we see miracles everyday but as I think about it, I think that we see miracles everyday in our ordinary lives. We just have to have the spiritual eyes to see them.

 

I know that the gospel is true. I love it. 

-Hermana Wattles

I told you Cusco is good for rocks




Last night, we were out a little too late because the Hermana
who was going to Machu Picchu got here late.
Then we had to wait outside for someone to open the door and
as we're waiting, some drunk is trying to get at me and touching me,
so my companion pushes him and we walk to the corner.
Then I tried on the Hermanas cool glasses. It was a weird night.

 

 

Crazy Week

Okay, this week was crazy. Every week just goes by faster and faster. So does that mean that these last weeks will feel like days? I think so. I think this week, I am learning to love what comes at me. BECAUSE everything has come at me. This week we got to visit many different people and wow their spirits just lift me up. I love being a missionary. I think that I learn more and more about why I'm here every day. Isn't that amazing? Life is just great. We are all here to learn and grow and really... if we are doing what is right, we will learn and grow. It's not always easy but it is 100% possible. I really do believe that. I feel so thankful that my Heavenly Father has sent me here to serve where I am and who I am with. The Gospel is so beautiful and we can only recognize the beauty of the gospel when we take one step at a time, doing what is right and just enjoying everyday. I think that is my current goal, to really enjoy every moment. I think I am.

So this week, we visited a less active family that has always told us that going to church would be impossible for them. We decided to share a scripture about the love of God and ended up talking about our priorities as members of the church. Soon, the mood changed and they started sharing their testimonies on why it is important to be faithful and complete with the commandments. It was so amazing. They even gave us bread and hot chocolate after! AND you know what? Two of them came to church yesterday. Wow, I was so happy.

It is amazing how the progress of others can really affect us if we love. Love is so important and I think that is one of the biggest lessons that I am learning and continuing to learn. I love the gospel. I love our Father in Heaven and his son Jesus Christ. I love this work. I love who I am. I love my companion. I love my mission and all of the things that I am learning. I feel so thankful for my trials because they have shaped me to be who I am.

I know that the Gospel is true.

- Hermana Wattles
 

We made brownies last night... lots of brownies and I ate almost all of them



Cusco is great for taking pictures in front of rocks

 

3 generations

QUILLABAMBA so beautiful

This week was fantastic. I feel so blessed to be where I am and know the missionaries that I know and to teach the people I teach. All have such tender spirits and I am truly learning SO much. This week my Hermana M... left and is now at home, and now I have my new companion, Hermana R.... I feel so blessed to be with her and I know that I am going to learn so much. 

 

This week we picked up all of the new missionaries and the whole routine. After all of the missionaries came, met their new companions and went home, it was Thursday and we got to work! We met lots of really cool people. One day we were walking down the street and Hermana R... contacted two women and we started talking and shared a message with them. One of the ladies was pregnant and at the end of it all, I asked her what she was going to name her baby and she had no idea. I told her I could give her American names and she was like, "YEAH" so I sat for like 15 minutes thinking of white baby boy names, ahaha, at the end of it all she chose Jordan. Her due date was yesterday so we'll see.

 

We also taught another lady in the street (well right outside of her house). We taught her about the reunions in the church and at the end, we taught her how to pray and she offered the closing prayer. In her prayer she asked God to help her come to church. She asked that when Sunday came that she wouldn't have any obstacles that kept her from coming. WOW, that was such a faith builder for me.

Last night, we taught Hermana R.... and the Elders came. We talked about faith. Hna R... nephew told us that he had never seen a miracle because of his faith and then we started talking about how when we truly show our faith, the Lord opens our eyes. I think that is so true. The more we exercise our faith, the more it grows and we are able to see the little tender mercies in our lives. I know that the Lord lives. I know that His love is real. I know that He has so much for us to learn, we just have to open the door and let Him teach us. I know that the Gospel is true and I love it with all of my heart. 

 

I hope that you all have a fantastic week.

-Hermana Wattles



Me, my daughter (the missionary I trained), and her daughter (the missionary that she is going to train) 3 GENERATIONS. wow now I have 2 grand daughters.



My new companion and I in the plaza our first night



Hna A.... my favorite girl from payta!!! she's going to do great in Juliaca. I miss that place.