Elder Watkins Japan Nagoya Mission: Susume!

20th Birthday Party!!

Hello family and friends,

   I just turned Hatachi (20) in japan that is a big deal. It is crazy right? So as some of you may know, this is usually when I write my big review of the past 12 months and the things I've learned. However, because my year mark is next month, I've decided to wait until then to write that. In this email, I will rather share some thoughts about the past few years of my youth.

You know I've not really been homesick so far since the third day of my mission. But as my birthday came around, I began to miss home a bit more. I wanted to just go and visit for the weekend. Then I got that awesome package and cool video filled with messages from my family and my home ward. It was just what I needed. Although hearing people call me "Cullen" is really strange.

   Things have changed since I was last in the Conway Ward, now I am in Seto Ward and the things I knew and prioritized are far different from what they are now. I am still very much the same but also different, I have learned more this year about life and myself than perhaps any other previous year.

    I think back to all of the people who have influenced my life, all my heroes: My parents, grandparents, YM president, Bishop, Scout leaders, Primary teachers, friends, all the way down to my trainer, TuAkoi, and my comrades in the Japan Nagoya Mission. These people and more were sent my way to prepare me for "a future that only God knows." I am so thankful for their love and examples.

   Yesterday in church, we had our ward Primary Program. The Spirit in the room was special as 4 eight year old girls shared their testimonies of baptism, one of them even got baptized later on that very day. And while the children sang familiar songs from my childhood, in Japanese, not only was I amazed that I understood what the words meant, I also remembered my primary days in the Florence Ward.

I still don't know much and any of my companions can testify that I make at least 10 mistakes a day, but one of the things I do believe is that what we do in this life matters. I have learned this year the importance of revelation, friendship, and to see people as God sees them.

   Now as we approach the Christmas season, the Lord through our Mission President Yamashita, has given us a goal; each companionship gets 3 baptisms before Christmas, as a gift to our Savior. Many of us here would think, "how can we even get one?" But our Zone Leaders and Assistants and District Leader have testified to us that if we will have the faith to find, we CAN do this.

Please pray for all of us in this mission and for us here in the Seto Ward of the Nagoya East Stake to be able to have that faith and reach this goal that the Lord has set for us.

   Lastly, you know, I was asked last week by Elder Bills, who I came here with, "We all have that one thing that we miss, what is your one thing Watkins?" my response to this question is always, to put it simple "I miss going to Grandma's house." What that entails is not just the house or the food, but sharing stories and time with my family there and the memories. And I might add that I miss my boys, going camping, and everyone in the Conway Ward. I will never forget those days of seminary, or going to the movies, or any of the other fun things we did.

    So as I begin the 20th year, I am thankful for all the people and events that have shaped my life so far. There have always been rough times too, but those are small next to the good and fun and blessed times. Let us all press on in the work of the Lord, and bring the world His truth in Conway and Japan!

    Everyone I've mentioned in this letter, you know who you are, and many others too, you are all in my prayers.

   I leave you with the Japanese word used to mean "onward" in the hymn "Called to Serve"; 進め/ Susume! And the words of the Doctor "Allons y!"

Love,
Elder Watdawg Watkins

And Happy Birthday to Everyone!