Sister Brianne Watson: So lucky.

Another week, another email! And again...its a day late.😁 BUT that's only because I had the wonderful and unique opportunity to attend GIRL'S CAMP for the day!! It was so much fun. I guess the kitchen staff was short so they asked the sister missionaries in the stake to switch off days and help out and yesterday was our day. I loved it! It seriously made me miss girls camp so bad and I wished I could've stayed there all week with them BUT ALAS I'm a missionary so I'm officially back in the beloved town of Ipswich :) we made 400 cookies, 7 giant pizzas, 75 ham/cheese wraps, and put together 30 sack lunches for the girls going on a hike.

This was held at a campsite called Camp Zion in New Hampshire and it's so pretty! It's literally in the middle of some woods and it's a dedicated area which enhances the feeling of the spirit even more. My favorite part was the realization that I was gathered with so many people who have the same goals, standards, and faith as one another. There was a defined feeling of home and safety which is something this world is starting to lack. It's the feeling you get with the members at church on Sunday or at the temple or in the comforts of your own Christ-centered home. We are all here trying our best to progress and become more like our Savior and we are so lucky to be doing it together under the direction of a loving Heavenly Father :)

I wish I could say that my entire week was that happy and uplifting, but of course we have days that are hard and stressful and this past week had a couple of those days. Sigh. Wednesday was an especially difficult day for Sister Brown and I... Many things were burdening us and we felt helpless. We literally ended up finding a park and swinging on some swings right in the middle of the day to give ourselves some personal therapy. To our astonishment, it worked! That relief lasted us until about Sunday when we experienced yet another hard day. We both felt sick and depressed and disappointed and we felt like there was nobody to turn to except each other.

Many people would ask us how we were doing and we told them we were fine...little did we know that they saw right through us! We received calls and texts from two different people that day, both asking us what was wrong. We finally decided to talk to someone and it was the best decision we've
ever made! I know that the Lord was hearing our prayers and He was preparing some of His children to bless us when we needed it most. Many of our burdens were made lighter that night and we felt so grateful to know that the Lord was aware of us and our struggles. I know that we are given trials and challenges for a purpose and we are NEVER left alone, even if it may feel like it. There is always something to learn and as long as we are patient and trusting, we will grow more than we could ever realize. In fact, we need to be thankful for the hard times we go through! It sounds ridiculous, I know, but we aren't ever given something that we can't endure, especially while leaning on our Savior and His atonement. We are so lucky..

On a happy note, I had the stinkin' awesome opportunity of eating fish and chips in downtown Newburyport right by the coast. The bishop and his wife treated us to The Grog which is a cute little seafood restaurant and I had my first plate of fish and chips. It was my first time ever and it was DELICIOUS. I felt like a true easterner :) Guess what?! One year ago today I was set apart as a full-time missionary. I have come full circle and I still can't believe it! I love looking back and remembering my first moments on my mission from the MTC, to meeting my new trainer, and to the start of my service in Bath, Maine. I have made so many memories and I've met so many incredible people and I've had so many experiences that have helped me grow. I have a great love for sharing the gospel with those who are unaware of the blessings that come from it.

Missionary work is the best and most rewarding thing we can ever choose to do! I will never regret a single minute of this. I will never feel ungrateful for the days that are long or the amount of rejection we receive. I will never forget the light and the spirit I feel as I testify of Jesus Christ and His restored gospel. I will never forget the companions, ward members, and investigators that have helped me become a better person and a better follower of our Savior. I will always cherish this dedicated 18 months and I know it will have an overwhelming positive impact on the rest of my life after I return home.

Please, if you aren't or haven't already, read the Book of Mormon. If I have a testimony stronger than anything, it's about this book. There truly is an undeniable power if you read it and study it with REAL INTENT. Before my mission, I read the Book of Mormon...but I didn't READ it. I read it to say that I've read it. It wasn't until I was out here that I really read the words and studied it and applied it. I have a deep sincere love for this book and it really is a gift that keeps on giving. In the introduction, Joseph Smith says, "...a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book."

I can testify of this 100%. I have found my relationship with Heavenly Father through this Book of Mormon as I've put myself in the scriptures and feasted upon its words. You don't have to be a missionary to have this connection with Him or the scriptures! Please, read it and ponder it and I promise you (missionary promises are real okay...listen up) I PROMISE YOU that if you read it and take the time to truly search and ponder its teachings, you WILL be happier and you will find a source of joy that you didn't know was there. I love this gospel. I love my mission. I love the good days and especially the hard ones. I love the atonement of Christ that is so available to all of us. I love the scriptures and the words of our modern day prophets. I love all of YOU. Have a great week :)