Called to serve in the Adriatic North Mission.

Thursday, November 20, 2014

New address as of Nov. 24:
Sister Katarina Watts
Svačićev Trg 3/1
HR-10000 Zagreb
Croatia

Dobar dan, friends and family!

I don't think I need to say this, but we fly out on MONDAY! As in, four days from nowNovember 24th! The only downside is that we leave the MTC at 3:30 in the morning to catch our 7:30 flight, but it's not like I'll be sleeping much anyway. It's getting real, people!

This week was phenomenal. I love my district. We all decided to make this one awesome, and focus even harder than we have before, and it's worked! I'm so grateful for the people that I have met here and the dedication they have to this work. I can see the Lord's hand in this work when I look at them and how we all work so well together. My companion and I, Sister Washburn, just keep growing closer as we get to know each other better. She has taught me so much. She is the kindest, most caring person that I know, to be completely honest. I am going to miss her and the rest of my district so much when we part ways! Good thing we're in the same mission and will be able to see each other at conferences and such all the time. It just won't be a 24/7 thing anymore. 

This week Sister Wixom (primary general pres) spoke in Relief Society, and Sister Linda K. Burton (Relief Society gen pres) did a devotional. They were both fantastic, and I have come to love and respect them. They are both such strong, influential, spiritual women. If I could be half the women they are at their age, I could die a happy death. What inspirations.

Sorry this was a little quick, but it is dinner time, and I love me some food! Another tender mercy of the Lord is that I'm not sick of this food yet! The church is true, everyone.

Okay, fraza dana. This one is my favorite thing ever.
Ne ću moći doći, ja ću ići kući: (nay choo moe-chee doe-chee, yah choo ee-chee koo-chee) "I will not be able to come, I am going to go home." Probably the most fun thing you will ever say. I can guarantee you that I will use this at every possible opportunity.

I love you all! As ever, thanks for your love and prayers and whatever else you do for me!
 
Vidimo se,
Sestra Watts
Spikeball team.

Thursday, November 13, 2014

My district in the MTC. We have a good time!
Hey all!

It's snowing..... I hate the snow, but complaining is for the weak, so I'm not going to let you know how terribly sad, angry, upset, and in denial I am that winter is here. 

This week was great! Some people told me the last three weeks you get nothing done since you're just so pumped to get into the field, but I am seeing quite the opposite happen. We as a district have been doing incredibly well with maintaining a spiritual and hard-working atmosphere. The MTC is a valuable place.

I am going to miss this place. So much instruction happens here. We have had some pretty cool devotionals this past week that are just all about loving the people you serve. I love them so much already and I don't even know them yet!

Beba Jacobsen is BORN! My teacher's wife finally had her baby! We think. We know she was in labor yesterday at 12 because he called in a sub to work for him. So, hopefully, the baby has arrived. We are all pretty excited. Probably more so than our teacher. 

We should get our flight plans TOMORROW! But who's thinking about that? Not me.

You all have a great week. I know I will. God be with you till we meet again!

Now for the best part! Fraza dana:

Grudva snega: (groo-dvah sneh-gah) Literally, "clump of snow." Snow ball! I hate those. Bah humbug.

Love,
Sestra Watts
This is my room, except for my companion Sister Washburn.

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Hey all!

Can you believe that I only have two and a half weeks left in the MTC!? We should get our flight plans by the end of NEXT WEEK! It is not real that we are leaving that soon. I'm not ready! But also, I am so ready! I think 9 weeks is perfect. It's just enough time where you know you're maybe not ready skill-wise, but you'll still go without complaint because you've been here for so long already.

Okay, I have developed a big appreciation for Neal A. Maxwell this week. I read a talk by him called "Swallowed Up in the Will of the Father" that was exactly what I needed to hear. I highly recommend it. He is a powerhouse speaker. The Apostles, old and new, really know what they're talking about. 

This week, the MTC had the wonderful opportunity to attend the Tuesday morning devotional on BYU campus! the devotional was really good, but I'm afraid my favorite part wasn't the speaker at all. My brother Clayton is in the BYU Singers, and they performed, and that meant that his wife Shauna and my 1-yr-old niece Ariana were there!!!!! I got to see her walking! I couldn't believe it! She is the cutest thing I have ever, ever seen! Ever! I might have cried a little bit. Or, like, a lot. that was a huge blessing.

GUESS WHAT. We got to Skype a real, live, Croatian-member-who-lives-in-Croatia yesterday! His name is Jusuf. He barely spoke a bit of English, so it was the REAL DEAL! And we did it! We managed to have a conversation! It just made this whole experience so much more real. I can't stop smiling still because of it. I already love him and all of the people of my mission. What an experience.

Alright, so, last thing. This past week was Halloween, and my district decided that I was going to dress up like one of my teachers, Brother West. It was only for that class period, since we didn't think it appropriate for me to look weird all day. Mom will post the picture. It was a hoot! He loved it. He's buff on top, but he has chicken legs, hence the pictures of chickens on my legs. The whole district was in on it.

Anyway. Time for the fraza dana!

Iznenađenje! - (eez-nen-ah-jen-yay) "Surprise!"

Sestra Watts