Elder Alex Watts: First Letter from the MTC

Alex has had a great experience in the MTC. He has written us several letters and one email which is posted below. He was put in a threesome with a companion from Wyoming and a companion from Idaho. He loves his two companions and his district. He was called to be the district leader on the day he arrived in the MTC.

His first letter to us indicated he had received his Visa and travel plans and would be leaving the MTC on Monday, August 26th. We were expecting him to be traveling today but we received an email over the weekend that said there was a mix up and he didn't receive his Visa yet. At this point he will be in the MTC until Thursday, August 29th. We are not sure what will happen then.

Following is his first email from the MTC we received last Thursday:

Dear Family,

Hey everyone how is it going in Kaysville?! The MTC is great!! I am for sure excited to get out of here but I also love it and will miss my comps and the rest my district so much!! I wish the food was better at times but for the most part it is pretty good.

We have been doing TRC training and what that is, is the MTC brings in volunteers from off the street for us to teach. We had two investigators and I want to tell you about one of them. His name is Jose and is from Guatemala. He moved to the United States when he was 26. He had a really rough childhood growing up and worked very hard. We were teaching him the first lesson and finding things out about him. He was asking us where God was when he needed him when he was a little boy. It was really hard cause he seemed so sad. We taught him God gives us weaknesses or challenges in life so we can become strong. A scripture came to my mind (Ether 12:27) that I shared with him. We finished that lesson and went about our day. We challenged him to read the BOM and Pray to know God loves him and cares for him. The next day we taught him again and at the end of the lesson he seemed really engaged but confused a little. I talked with him for a sec and asked him to pray right now and ask if God is there and if he loves him. He said the most beautiful sincere prayer I have ever heard. He had hardly any knowledge of the gospel but had faith. When he finished the prayer I looked at him with tears in my eyes and said we love you Jose. He started crying and said he felt the love of God. It was an awesome experience! The Lord blessed me so much to be able to communicate with the spirit.

Mom, the packages are amazing!!!! Like everyone in the MTC looks at me like I am a celebrity cause of all the packages I bring into my room hahaha! So thank you!

Olivia!! the drawings and notes you have sent me are hung up all around my room and desk!! Thanks so much! They help a lot and I feel loved! I love you!! Have fun in school!!

Joseph!! Jr. High Baby!!!! Heck yeah!!! You will love it and good luck!! Thanks for the notes man! They mean a lot and I read them every night! I love you booz!

But mom thanks so much for the packages and Dad thanks for the letters and your testimony! The articles you have sent me help so much and I read them a lot!! If you could send me a few hangers that would be awesome and maybe my CTR ring if possible!!

I really can't describe how much I love all of you! The support is unbelievable and I feel so special. Thanks for everything Mom, Dad, Olivia, Joseph and Riley! You guys are my hero's!! Thank you, thank you, and thank you!!!! The church is true! I know it is. With out a doubt in my heart. I love this gospel and teaching it to others and am so blessed to be able to go to Australia!! I will send a few pictures and describe them and hopefully call you guys in a few days!! Love you all and can't wait to hear from you!!

Love, Elder Watts

Here are a few pictures Alex sent with his email:

Alex and his two companions