Sister Brianne Watson: Birthd(AYYY)

First of all, thank you for all of the birthday wishes!! It was such a wonderful day. There wasn't really anything different than any other day since I'm a missionary and everything, but I felt so much love from people here and from you all at home :) i will get to my birthday later though.

I GOT TO GO TO THE TEMPLE TODAY!!!!! It was my first time going since I've been out and that's why I am a day late with emailing you. It was the best experience EVER and I truly needed that spiritual upliftment...the spirit was so strong and I was so at peace for the first time in 11 months. I had a really neat experience there which is something I prayed for before going. I had the chance to be the only person in the celestial room for about 3 whole minutes until my companion followed me in! I sat in tears as I felt so close to my Heavenly Father sitting alone in that beautiful room. I felt such a deep connection and I felt of His love so deeply. I never wanted to leave!!

When we first got there, Sister Watts (the member who came with us) said she forgot her temple recommend and the session was starting in about 5 minutes. We ended up having to wait an hour for the next session but after solving the recommend issue, we had the chance to do initiatories before our session. Two ladies that were doing them were members of the Georgetown ward! It was wonderful! Today will be a day I will never forget.

Back to my birthday...we started out the day going to two meetings and then church, then we went and had lunch at a member's home and they were so cute about celebrating my birthday! They made me a birthday cake and everything. I love them...then we went out to Newburyport to contact people but we weren't having ANY luck. It was pouring rain outside and nobody was home. BUT ALAS, we saw miracles!

There was one point where we were contacting a less active member of the ward and she lived in a big apartment building. In order to get in, you had to find their name on a list and use a buzzer to call them so that they can open up the door for you to enter the building. After searching the list, we couldn't find her name anywhere. Then, a cute little old lady walked past the doors/windows and saw us and asked us what we were doing. We tried yelling through the glass to communicate with her but it wasn't working so she opened the door for us and talked to us. We told her the name of who we were looking for and lo and behold, she knew her!

Apparently the member moved out a little bit ago but the lady talking to us (Hayden) knew the street she moved to. Yes! They were great friends and Hayden also told us that she's related to Joseph Smith. What. She proceeded to let me in to use the restroom since I had been dying to go for a long time and didn't think I'd ever get the chance....not that you needed to know that but it just adds on to the multiple blessings I saw on my birthday :) then we drove back home and spent the remainder of the night in our apartment eating frozen pizza, chicken, rice, and birthday cake. My ward mission leader surprised me by stopping by with a plate of cupcakes as well! Such a great day!

During one of the meetings on Sunday morning before church, we were with our ward mission leaders (we have 2) and the elders talking about the work in the area. One of the elders was giving us some advice about contacting people and he said, "ya know, there are a TON of embarrassing situations and lots of awkward people and experiences out here on a mission but something that me and my companions do is look at each other, say YOMO, and approach them to invite them to learn. You Only Mission Once!" I don't know why, but that struck me so hard!

I'm literally only out here doing this for 18 short months. This is my only shot at setting myself apart from everything else to bring others to the truths of the gospel...It's so important for me to remember THAT instead of shying away at opportunities to teach people because it's "too awkward" or "too embarrassing". I only mission once! I'm sorry this is a day late but I hope you're all doing well! Enjoy the pictures because I've got tons.😂

Love, Sister Watson