Look who had dinner with Jayne!

Jayne's Aunt Linda and Cousin Hillary made a surprise visit to Kirtland, and by chance ran into......YOU KNOW WHO!  Sister Jayne Livingston!  Aunt Linda generously treated them all to a nice dinner!  Hillary returned home from a mission in Washington DC South just days before Jayne left for her mission to Kirtland in September 2014.  What a fun place to meet up and catch up!

Week 34: The Red Bar

Hello! I want to tell a story so here it goes.

On Friday, we went and did some yard work for a member in our ward. She asked if either of us wanted to mow the lawn and I said I would be happy to! So I did. And for some reason it was really hard and really heavy. Heavier than any other lawn mower I'd ever used before and I felt like a wimp. But they have a pretty big yard! I could tell I was getting blisters on my hands, but I just kept on going. Once I got to the very end of the yard, their son came and lifted up a red bar that was on the handle. I asked what it did, and he said it made it so that I wouldn't have to push it! I then finished the last two strips of grass in about a minute. It made my little journey so easy! Afterwards, I tried to be like my dad and Brother Decker and find a way to relate it to the gospel. Here's what I came up with:

The red bar is like the Atonement. Whether or not I used it, it was there. It was there to make my load easier. It was there to assist me, and to even push me forward when things got hard. As soon as I used the bar, everything became much easier and I wasn't as miserable in the hot humid sun. That is exactly what the Atonement is there for-- Whether or not we know it is there, whether or not we use it, it is there. I didn't know that that red bar was there, and I didn't know of the power that it had in easing my burdens. But once I learned of it and used it, I was happier.  Likewise, there are many who aren't aware that they have a Savior. Someone who has died for them and taken upon Himself their imperfections, weaknesses, sadnesses and infirmities. I have felt the power of the Atonement in my life in numerous ways, and I know that it is real. It has allowed me to be happy, to become better, and to grow. And that is why I decided to serve a mission. To teach others about the "red bar" that is there, but they don't know about or aren't sure how to access it so that they, like me, can experience the enabling power of Christ's Atonement. So there you go. It's kind of silly, but I liked it.

Transfers are this week, and I'm actually leaving my first area this time. I think I cried more after church yesterday than when I left my last church my last Sunday in Auburn. Either that's a really good thing, or really bad thing... I don't know. But I didn't think I would be so sad to leave! I really love the Kirtland ward. 

I have been called to serve as a Sister Training Leader. I'm still not sure which area I'll be over, but President called last night to ask if I'd do that. Of course, I said yes. If you want to know how I'm feeling, go ahead and read Elder Trentman's letter from a few weeks ago. He summed it up perfectly. 

It was so nice speaking with you guys last night! It went by too fast. But I love you all and hope you are having a wonderful week. :)

Love,

Sister Livingston

1. Ohio is pretty.

2. Left hand

3. Right hand

4. My little friend who helped me take chats and make phone calls

Week 33: Dreams, Hard Work, Lessons and Love

Hi! It's me. Sister Livingston. 

This week was so good! We were at the Visitors' Center 5 days this week. And the two days that we were in our area were P Day and Thursday, which is when we have our District Meeting, then weekly planning, then Ward Coordination. So basically non-existent. But still full of many miracles! We received 2 HQ referrals and were able to contact them both, offer the item they requested, introduce the Book of Mormon and get a return appointment. They are both young moms with cute little families and it's only my biggest dream to teach a family. Too bad I'm leaving next week. Well, not for sure. But most likely for sure. I've been here for 5 transfers and transfers are next week. Looks like it's time for me to grow up and leave my first area! I'm sad about it. I love this ward so much. I feel like it's my home ward sometime. No offense, LOP. I love you guys, too. 

Sad news of the week: Brother Decker got released as our Ward Mission Leader. It makes me want to cry. I was able to learn so much from him. Like how to use a table saw and how to build a table and how to build a fence and how to be happy even when everything around me should make me sad and how to love people more fully.  Long sentence? You're welcome.

We took two really amazing tours yesterday. We were reading the testimony of one of the men who met in the School of the Prophets when sacred events took place, and they couldn't even read because they were so touched by the spirit. It's always a shame when I have to bear my testimony after reading John Murdock's, because his is so powerful. Will I guess shame is the wrong word. I love sharing my testimony with others. And I suppose all testimonies are strong, are but it's a big task to follow John Murdock in testifying. Does that even makes sense? Probably not. Especially if you don't know what I'm talking about. Ir you have question, I'd be happy to answer them. In Kirtland. We're open everyday from 9am-9pm. Just in case you were wondering. 

I can't believe that next week is already Mother's Day! What in the world! Hopefully this time I won't have to be like Ariel and not speak. Because I don't know sign language. I'm excited to speak with you guys. I really like you guys, you know that? It's true. I love my family. The end. 

Have a good week and I will see you SOON! :)

Love,

Sister Livingston

1.  Meet My Friends

2. Welcome to the Ashery. 

3. CHEESE!