Week 19: Madame M's Birthday and Bonnets at Church

Hello!  

1.  Dinner with these lovely ladies!

Madame M has been coming to church for about 6 months now. How did the missionaries find her? Well, one day she was walking to church and a lady in our ward asked where she was going and if she needed a ride. Madame M said sure, then the member asked if she'd just like to go to her church with her and ever since then, Madame M Garcia has been attending The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. And now she'll be baptized on Saturday and I'm just way too excited. It'll be grand. 

Last week was actually her birthday! We were sitting in the middle of a lesson with someone else, then the thought came into my mind-- "It's Madame M's birthday. We don't have anything for her and we're seeing her in 20 minutes. Shoot." So we scurried over to a little convenient store and bought her a piece of cake and hot chocolate. Except for we almost bought her coffee on accident. There were a bunch of flavors and we just assumed they were all hot chocolate. Nope. "Here Madame M, have some coffee. Just don't drink it, okay?" Sheesh. 

2. Exchanges with Sister C. Smith.
One of the 3 Smiths serving in Kirtland.

Also we've been asked to sing in church. This lady in our ward picked out a song that's about family history. It's a duet, one singer from the past, one from the present. She was so excited about it! She was like, "Maybe the singer from the past could wear a bonnet and a shawl so people would know!" Then we were joking about pulling each other up to the pulpit in a hand cart or something. It was funny. We're not actually going to sing that song though. So no costumes in Sacrament meeting, don't worry.

I started wearing my contacts this week. Is that dumb of me? I don't know. I'm just a little tired of my old man glasses. But don't worry, I'll clean my contacts SO GOOD. Every night. 

Okay that's all for this week. I don't even remember it. Oh we went on exchanges! It was good. Cleaned more for the pee bottle lady. So nasty. I just bring her piles of things to go through and say, "You don't need this, right? Doesn't it feel good to get rid of things?!" And motivate her to get rid of things. And it works. 

I love you all! Have a wonderful week. And also, give the missionaries in your ward a referral. They'll love you. 

Love, 

Jayne

January 26, 2015

Week 18: MADAME M IS GETTING BAPTIZED!

1. Love this little lady!

MADAME M PASSED HER INTERVIEW!!!!! Is this real life? She had her baptismal interview yesterday after sacrament meeting, and it was probably the most stressful moment of my mission so far. I don't know why, but it was just a very nerve-racking/exciting moment. While she was being interviewed though, I looked in through the little window to see how it looked like things were going, and she had her elbow propped up on the desk and was resting her head on her fist with closed eyes. "She's asleep. No, she can't be asleep. What is she thinking? Why is this happening? What's going on?" I felt so sick. But she passed and is getting baptized on the  31st! Happy Birthday, Gracie. You're welcome.

 

2.  Action shot.  #embarrassed #doublechin

 Yes, I have a new companion! She's great. I really like her. Sister de Kock is now in the Chardon branch. It's funny because Sister Newren served in Chardon before coming to Kirtland. So they literally swapped places. No more training, and no junior/senior companions. Not really sure why. I drove when I was with dk because she didn't have an american license, and I guess I drive now because there's no point in Sister. N driving because she's leaving so soon? I don't really know. But I sure as heck don't mind! I love driving. We've shoveled for members in our ward and some less-actives that we're trying to get in contact with. We'll see how that goes.

3.  Oh hello!  CM Christmas Conference

Also we were a little disobedient this week on accident. We shoveled snow for 6 hours straight one day and our bodies were physically drained. Then the next day, we were home for dinner and after I finished eating, I went up to my room to read the Book of Mormon and just passed out! Then I heard some people laughing downstairs, and jumped up and saw that it was 6:20pm and we were supposed to be done by 6. I was so confused and felt so guilty/mad at myself. Never again. But it was a little funny. Sister Newren was passed out on the floor downstairs and some other sister came inside to do some laundry and found her then just burst out laughing, which was when I woke up. 

4. Sir Isaac Newton.  Kind of.

 We made dinner for Rosie this week! It was the best. She's the 96 year old lady in our ward that we visit. She is too sweet. She's been living off of Meals on Wheels for the past few years, and when we asked if we could come make dinner for her her eyes just lit up and she was so excited. It was so cute. I love that lady so much. 

4. Sometimes I just want to spend the whole week with Rosie.

We're also getting a new Site Director today. Actually, like in a few minutes. We're waiting for him and his wife to arrive right now. It'll be exciting to get a new Director, but also so sad to see the Sorensons go. They really are like our grandparents. They're always willing to drop anything they're doing to answer a question, check up on us, and just see how we're doing. So selfless. I have a lot of really great examples around me and I just want to be more like all of them. There is so much that I need to improve on. It's a little overwhelming. I get annoyed with myself sometimes so I don't know how my companions did/do it.

Yesterday in Relief Society we were talking about prayer and fasting and how powerful it was. We were told to think of how prayer/fasting has benefited our lives, and immediately I thought of my eye situation. I realized I never thanked everyone back home who was praying for my eye and I felt really bad. But I hope everyone realizes how much their prayers on my behalf meant to me. It's really because of them that I was able to get through that rough little patch. So thank you. 

I love my mission. As of Saturday, I have officially been out for 4 months and it freaks me out. Didn't I just receive my call 2 days ago? What the heck? I don't know. Luckily though, I still have lots of time to improve and learn more. 

I love you all so much and hope you have a wonderful week!

Love,

Jayne

Week 17: A Lost Wallet--God Answers Prayers!

Hello! This is going to be a real short one. Maybe. I always think that, then they're always way too long. Whatevs. This week was TRANSFER WEEK! So I got a new companion. Her name is Sister Newren. She's from Mapleton, Utah and is great! She's been out for 17 months, so this is her last transfer. Therefore, it needs to be a good one! The best one. Pressure's on. Yikes. PS, don't worry. I'm still the driver. My goal is to never be the co-driver. Except I really have no say in that. 

Peecture: Meet The District.

Madame M gave me some more goods! This week I got 3 more pairs of size 8 shoes, a jacket that has the biggest shoulder pads you've ever seen, a black sparkly belt, a tie, and a garden gnome. I put him in our window in the kitchen. Also, somehow she manages to move all of her 5 tables around by herself. In a room where you can hardly walk. But her furniture is different every time we go over there. It just amazes me. She's doing well though, showing more signs of understanding and progression. 

We did a bunch of service this week. Service is definitely one of my favorite things ever. It just feels good, you know? We painted some walls, cleaned out some sicknasty cupboards and shoveled some snow. At seven at night. In the -8 wind chill factor weather. And I loved it. Your toes pretty much never get the chance to thaw here, but that's okay. Right? Right.

Also, I lost my wallet a few days ago. And I was freaking out for several reasons:

1) My monies are in there 

2) My temple recommend is in there

3) My driver"s license is in there

4) Some pictures of loved ones are in there

So it was scary. I emptied my bags multiple times, checked all of the 4 cars that we drove, checked my pockets countless times, no wallet. Shoot. I was praying, pleading with Heavenly Father that I would be able find it. Then, I decided to check my bag one last time and... there it was. Right under my scriptures. I had emptied that bag probably 4 times looking for my wallet and I never saw it. God answers prayers. I know that He does. I know that he is aware of each and every one of us, and that He wants us to have success and be happy. I love my Heavenly Father, and my Savior, Jesus Christ. I love this gospel. I love being a missionary. Really, I just love life. And I love all of you.Thank you for all of the support and love you show me! It really means a lot. Have a wonderful week. 

WWJD? CTR. 

Love,

Jayne

Week 16: I'll Choose To Be Happy. Will You?

Hello, what's up? This week was a good one. I loved it. But don't I love all weeks? Yes. Yes, I do. 

Meet the Cardon Family

Emergency Transfer.
 I am now serving in a triple up in Seusong
 with Elder Trentman and Elder Early.
Lets get to work, boys. 

So last Monday, we went over to Madam M's to teach her a little lesson or two, and she's started to clean out her house! Like, we can fit through the door now without knocking something over. It's a big deal. And guess what. After all this time, she finally found out I was from California. She said her son's aunt lives in LA and told me to keep an eye out for her, then to call her so that she can get her son in contact with his aunt. The name to look out for is Cameron Quitanilla, Rosales or Murillo. She didn't know the last name. My only question is, how exactly does she expect me to find this person? Beats me. She also gave me some more gifts. She looked at my feet then asked, "You have small feet?" "Yes, I KNOW, Madam M. Please don't make fun of me." Just kidding. didn't actually say that. I just said, "Yes! I do." Then she waltzed on over to her kitchen and pulled out some sandals for me. Size 8. Only a few sizes too big. They're keepers (not really). But speaking of new shoes, TRENTMAN FAMILY: You   guys are the best! Literally. Way too kind of you. Thank you so  much. I can't get over it. I owe you big time. 

We had a member meal this week. Meat loaf, to be specific. Meat loaf is already a little sketchy just because you never know what exactly has been thrown into it. But this one was exceptionally scary because we had previously heard that we should try to avoid eating at this member's home due to the messiness of their house. But it was mostly                                                                                                            scary because it had a giant cockroach butt                                                                                                          on it. Not even kidding. Yum. A little extra                                                                                                                crunch. 

Jenna Kim Jones!

We got to meet Jenna Kim Jones this week! She's the news girl on Meet the Mormons. She married the son of some members in our ward so she came to the VC and talked about the movie a little  bit. It was pretty neat. Also, you know you're a missionary when you celebrate New Year's with a glass of sparkling cider at 7:30 pm with a senior couple. It was funny. But hey, I got some free cookies. Like 30 of them. But then I woke up the next morning and there were only about 6 left. I only ate 3. Some sneaky little rascal had a midnight snack. 

Courtesy of Milagros Garcia

We had a very humorous/uncomfortable/unnecessary encounter yesterday. I won't use any names, but I think it's worth telling. An older man came up to Sister dk and me while we were observing the nativities and made a comment about how he can't sit in one place for very long. He said something about needing a warranty for when he goes back to heaven. Then he cupped his cheeks (not the ones on his face) and said, "I thought these were supposed to cushion me when I sit! But instead, I just sit on two bones. Then when I stand up, they just sag down!" Ohh.                                                                                                            Oh my. Thank you for that. TMI? TMI. Never                                                                                                            again, please.

It's transfers week, so I'll be getting a new companion. It'll be sad because I really like Sister de Kock. But the good news is that I really like all the sisters that serve in the Visitor's Center. So no matter what happens, I'll be happy. I'll choose to be happy. Will you? "Yes." Good. Thank you.

I have to go. I love you all! Have a wonderful New Year. Also, if you haven't seen it already, you should check out the "Look not Behind Thee" Mormon Message. It's a good one. Okay, bye.

Much love,
Sister Jayne Livingston

Happy New Year to you.

Happy Birthday to me.

Happy Birthday to me.