This past week was pretty much the same as any other week in this area. Full of finding, teaching, and serving! One particular experience that sticks out was with a family in the ward called the Fitzgeralds. They are a couple that fell away for a little bit but just recently invited us over for a dinner appointment (miracle). Sister Fitzgerald told us that a week prior, when we met her on her porch and she told us to leave, was the same night that she had a dream that completely changed her desire to live the gospel. The day after she shooed us away then had the dream, she called us and invited us over for dinner. We were so excited!! The actual Fitzgeralds that nobody has been able to contact for such a long time were reaching out to the missionaries.
As we were sitting in companionship study that morning and planning for their lesson, our first thought was to share the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ since that's the best way to bring the spirit and remind them why they joined the church in the first place. But as we were sitting there, I had a very strong and sudden impression that they needed to hear about Lehi's dream of the tree of life. There are many times where I get an impression and I immediately think that it was my own thought, not the spirit, and I get very confused...but this time there was no doubt that the spirit was telling me what the Fitzgeralds needed to hear. It was a really cool experience and it was so cool to plan that lesson and be lead to the quotes and scriptures that we needed to focus on.
Something that we talked a lot about was the iron rod that lead to the tree of life, or the love of God. The fruit on the tree represents the atonement, and the iron rod is our way of receiving those two things. In 1 Nephi 8:24, it says "And it came to pass that I beheld others pressing forward, and they came forth and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press forward through the mist of darkness, clinging to the rod of iron, even until they did come forth and partake of the fruit of the tree." This large group of people saw the blessings ahead of them and they had the sincere desire to partake of it so they CLUNG to that rod, pressing forward and enduring through the mists of darkness and the mocking from others and any other challenge that was thrown upon them. They didn't just simply look at the rod from a distance and walk next to it. They didn't gently slide their fingers along the rod, hoping that Satan doesn't throw and big slab of grease on the rod to get you to let go. They clung, they fought, they prayed, and they endured, until eventually they made it to the tree and partook of the fruit.
We can NOT have one foot in the gospel and one out. We can NOT say that we love God, and not show it. We can NOT be like the group of people that held on for a few steps, but eventually decided to let go and join the world. This is Jesus Christ's church. This is a lifelong commitment and the end results are eternal. We are promised a life of joy and happiness and love in the presence of our family, our Heavenly Father, and the Savior if we just CLING to the rod. We must see the end from the beginning, no matter what trials may come in between. All we're asked is to read the scriptures, say our prayers, and attend our church meetings. Even those small things will give us the great strength to hold on. I have faith in every single one of you.
I just got preachy, and I'm sorry. But this lesson has really impacted me and there is so much power and truth in it! There is a quote I read that said, "this vision (the tree of life) is the central message of the Book of Mormon." I challenge all of you to take a moment this coming week to read it in 1 Nephi 8, and then read about what everything symbolizes in 1 Nephi 11. I promise you that you will feel the spirit and the power of its message as you do so!
Oh yeah, and guess what?! On Friday, we were working in Manchester-by-the-sea (yes, that's what it's called...) and we were starting our lunch hour when we realized we were RIGHT by the ocean. There was a blue mass on my GPS which indicated where it was so I drove toward the blue mass on my GPS and got us to where the ocean is. The parking was crazy (accidentally ended up parking in an illegal spot without even knowing) (thanks new england roads) and after walking about a half mile toward the beach, we found out that we had to pay. Neither of us had cash. Oh. My heart was breaking! I have a strange infatuation with the ocean and it's turned into a sick obsession. I was so excited to spend my lunch hour there! Out of the pure grace of God, the teenage kid let us go in anyways. WHAT.
If the Lord didn't have a part to play in that, then I don't know what did. We had to walk through a building to get to the beach and as soon as I walked through it, I entered heaven. The beauty took my breath away and I couldn't even handle my happiness in that moment. The sky was blue, the water was blue, the sand was white, and there were families playing and relaxing on the beach with their colorful umbrellas. It smelled like a combination of sunscreen, ocean, and summer. Yes, summer has a smell. I felt SO incredibly blessed to be called to serve in such a beautiful area. I am spoiled.
Alright, I'm off to sleep and relax and clean and shop and get my nails painted by a girl in the ward who has vibrant purple hair :) I love you, I miss you, and I pray for you all every day!
Love, Sister Watson
Here is a panorama of the beach....it doesn't do it justice, but you get the point :)
Ocean in Gloucester. While we were here, a super cute lady came up to us and was SO happy to see us. We had no idea who she was, but apparently she was a member in another ward in the Boston mission. She saw us walking and her and her husband wanted to stop us and take us to dinner if we hadn't been fed yet. Sadly, we already had dinner before she found us but it was so nice of her to offer. I wish I could explain the joy of meeting another member of the church in the busy street of Gloucester. That town isn't known for religion or nice people so the chance that that happened made our whole day :) I love other members of the church!! We are truly one big happy family.
We HAD to get a picture with Gloucester Man
#welcome2newengland
I HAD to get a picture with the Sisolaks (minus Brother Sisolak) because they're my favorite family ever and I've grown so close to them. And that's the girl that'll be painting my nails.
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