Grateful

Happy Thanksgiving!  What a special time of year to pause a moment and consider the rich blessings the Lord showers upon us.  Let me share a few of my blessings with you.

I am grateful for the woman who took pity on two rain-soaked missionaries trying not to slip and fall in the mud as we made our way through the surprise rainstorm.  She invited us into her home and fed us delicious homemade bread and even offered to let us stay the night if the storm didn't let up.  When the rain eased up, she lent us two warm sweaters so we wouldn't freeze while waiting for the bus.

I am grateful for a companion who speaks Guaraní and tries to teach me.

I am grateful for the woman who had the courage to stop us in our path to ask where our church was.  She explained that all her family are members and she also used to participate in the church but had fallen away, but now has desires to return.  And I am grateful for the other woman, who stopped us the very next day in another part of town, and explained that she had been baptized and served a mission in Argentina, but fell away from the church some twenty years ago, and now wants to come back.

I am grateful for a ward mission leader who is willing to sacrifice his time and energy to work with the missionaries and fulfill his calling.  And I am grateful for his mother who always gives us big hugs and makes us feel loved.

I am grateful for the green green plants and the blue blue sky of Minga Guazú, and I am even grateful for the rain that makes everything grow so beautifully here.

I am grateful for a Heavenly Father who loves me and is patient with my weaknesses.
I am grateful for my Savior, for His love and mercy.  I am grateful for the opportunity He has given me to repent and be better.  I am grateful for the great Plan of Redemption prepared by our loving Father before the beginning of the world.  And I am grateful for the opportunity to teach others about this plan.

Love,
Hermana Watts

Found my juice!

Fotos with the children and niece of Ramona and David, newly-baptized members as of about two weeks before I arrived.  I love this family so much!

We invited Francisca, the 17-year-old sister of Ramona, to the stake Young Women in Excellence night.  Each ward/branch put together and performed a zumba dance - super fun!

Proud of the Minga Guazú YW!

"Paraguay...My country...My world,

Root of my being and guarani soul...

Rich in history and unique in her essence,

And it is solely from within that one can

Appreciate her true colors,

Her own light and the warmth of her people.

From without,

It is easy to confuse her reality,

But from within,

It is impossible not to fall in love..."

Look! That's where I am!

A beautiful mural at the new Jesuitas shopping center (which is basically a portal to the United States - they have Nike, TGI Friday's, and Burger King)