Week 67: BEST LESSON OF MY MISSION!

Hello?

Basically... this week was filled with non-stop miracles. Seriously. It was the best! Candy and Zinnia were baptized! That was really exciting, and they're both doing well. Also, on Christmas Eve, we were able to give out about 20 Book of Mormons, 3 of which the new owners became new investigators. Christmas was amazing, we got fed SO MUCH good food and I'm still about to explode, but it's all worth it. Then on Christmas night, we went caroling to a former investigator. While singing, his neighbor, Donnie, came down and was like, "You got some carolers!" Then we sang some more songs for him, then he recorded us and put us on Instagram. #instafamous But we talked with Donnie, gave him a brief restoration lesson and asked if he'd let us come back. He said yes! And he talked about how turning to Christ is a much more mature way of dealing with the stresses of life than doing what lots of others do. Mind you, Donnie is 19 yrs old. Super cool. So we got a return appointment for Sunday and it was the BEST LESSON OF MY MISSION!

We taught the Restoration lesson in more depth and the entire time, he was asking awesome questions and answering our questions with prime answers. At times though, he wouldn't look at us. He would just look at the floor and we weren't sure if he was listening or taking any of it in. But then we had him read the last 2 paragraphs of the Introduction to the Book of Mormon and asked what he thought, and he said, "Wow. That was really powerful." Then we testified of the Book of Mormon and how he can know for himself if it's true, and he started crying! He was so touched. He opened up to us about his upbringing, and I guess the lesson just really touched him. Sister Tibbitts committed him to baptism (what a great trainee she is) and he said yes! Then we got him on date for January 23rd! He seems pretty solid. As we were leaving, we asked if there was anything we could do for him and he started crying again and said, "I don't know what more you could do for me. This is exactly what I need right now, I'm just going to go read this book." It was so powerful! We just testified of God's and Christ's love for Him and explained how even though we don't know what it was that he is going through, they do. And it's so true! I know it's true. That's why I love Alma 7:11--Christ experienced everything for us. Literally everything. And why? Alma 7:12--so that He could know how to help and comfort us when we are in need. And even when we don't think we're in need! He's simply always there. I love Him and love coming to know Him better. He's my best friend. 

I love you all and hope you had a Merry Christmas! Now, continue celebrating His life. It will make you happy. I promise.

Love,

Sister Livingston

Week 66: Christmas!

No letter from Jayne this week because.....

WE GOT TO SKYPE!  She looks great.  She is so happy.  It was so much fun talking to her.  The hour went by quickly.

They had a marvelous day with other missionaries and ward members.  She ate Christmas lunch at the Bishop's home and dinner with one of her favorite familes.  Christmas Eve was spent with Madame M!  She loves being back in Kirtland and was warmly received by the members there.

Thanks to all of you who sent her cards, emails and packages.  I know she feels very loved and supported!

Merry Christmas to ALL of you!

A Picture This Week From Danyelle

Sister Davis and her companion on the left.  Jayne (Sis. Livingston) and her new companion, Sis. Tibbitts from Panaca, NV, on the left.  Isaac in the center.


Danyelle says she is glad she has gotten to know her.  She loves her sweet spirit.  She thanked me for raising an awesome young woman!

Week 65: The Eyeball Issues Companionship

Hello! What's up? I got my new companion, I'm back in Kirtland, the weather is that of a summer's day, life is great. Sister Tibbitts is from Panaca, Nevada and is doing awesome! You know how I know we're meant to be comps? Fine, I'll tell you.

Because we're both "new" (I'm an old new) to the area, we didn't have any appointments set up for week, so on our first night together, I just planned to take her around to some members I knew to introduce them to her. After we left the first house, we got in the car and her hand was over her eye and she said, "My eye is killing me! Can you see anything in it?" I looked over, her eye was BRIGHT red and she had thousands of tears on her face. "WHAT'S HAPPENING TO YOU? Did I say something wrong? It's not you, it's me." But I gave her eye a little looksey-- Sweet nothin'. We didn't know what to do, so we just drove to our next appointment with Danyelle and Issac. Before we went inside, I looked at her eye again and couldn't really see anything. It was just swollen. But then we went inside where there was better lighting and the white of her eye had a giant bubble on it! Like, a huge blister. It was the freakiest thing. So we left and called to get the Doctor's opinion who told us to get allergy pills. And that we did. As we were driving home, she was like, "I'm going to need an eye patch!" "Well friend, today is your lucky day. I just so happen to have one. Welcome to Ohio!" Except she didn't actually need it. It was just funny how it all worked out. They eye ball issues companionship. Lovely. She's all better now, though. We think she's just allergic to guinea pigs. 

We don't have any investigators right now, so we'll be doing lots of finding activities in the future, but I think that'll be a good experience for a new missionary. And she's all for tracting, so things are looking good!

It's so fun being back in the Kirtland Ward, though it now feels like I never left. You know how RMs always say that when they come home, their mission feels like it was just a dream? I feel like Kirtland is my home, Shaker was my mission, and now I'm back home in Kirtland. Like, did I even serve in Shaker? Yes. And I loved it. I miss it, but I'm excited to be in Kirtland. The first shall be last, and the last shall be first. 

For Christmas, we're going over to Bishop's for lunch and to skype. Now sure what time exactly, but I'm guessing it'll be between 12-2 my time. I hope that works for you! I'll be able to send a quick little email on Thursday to get a more definite time. 

I love you and am excited to see your faces next week! But I'm also freaked out that it's already almost Christmas. Where has the time gone? I don't even know.

But I know with all my heart that this is the Lord's work. I know that this is His church and that it contains the fullness of His gospel. The Book of Mormon is the best book in the entire world and I love it so so SO much, I wish I had it all memorized. I just wish that everyone would take the time to read it! If you haven't, you're missing out. Read it, and then pray about it! You won't regret it. Not even a little bit. 

Love,

Sister Livingston

Week 64: A story (with a high and no lows), a transfer, and a picture!

Goodbye to the cutest family there ever was! The little girl trying to get away kept trying to sit on my lap so that I could read to her. THE BIGGEST TEMPTATION! I just want to hold a baby again.

Hello! This week was really great. We were able to find some new investigators (one of whom was high at the        time, but he's still a child of God so we love him) which is always exciting. Hopefully we'll be able to help them       progress soon. I just have one story to share this week:                                                                                           

Okay, okay I could tell you many stories. But this one is my favorite. So, here we go!

Enjoy:

On Sunday, our Zone Leaders had an investigator come to church, whom some Sisters had been teaching online. The sisters invited him to church, gave him the address, then told the Elders to look out for him. So at church was the first time they ever met. Pretty neat. But he was way cool! It was fast and testimony meeting and the spirit was very strong. We even had a gospel lady share her testimony through song as she pointed out to the crowd. Several members mentioned Kirtland in their testimonies, so during Gospel Principles, the investigator asked what it was and said he'd like to visit it. And Sister Beck and I just happened to be assigned to sites that day! So we told him that we give tours there, and he said he would like us to take him on one. And that's really neat just by itself--here he had just spent 3 hours at church for the first time in America (he's Indian), but he wanted more! Luckily, the elders schedule allowed them to come so we took them on tour. The elders really didn't know much about this guy, so on their way over they got to know him a bit more so that they could tell us if he had any concerns. That way we'd be able to cater the tour more to his personal needs. They texted us as they drove over and said he didn't seem to have any, and that they wanted to commit him to baptism in the School of the Prophets. SO COOL and SO EXCITING. Then they arrived, and away we went! 

He was very prepared. After we watched the "Kirtland film" (covers the history of Kirtland from 1831-1838), he expressed how he felt this power go through his body when it was showing the acceptance of the Kirtland Temple. We explained to him how that was the spirit and one of the Spirit's roles is to testify of truth. And he kept bringing up how good he felt! He was just amazed at everything we shared with him. Then, we eventually made it to the School of the Prophets. (Side-note: We did a little pre-set and explained how special that room was, and he asked if he was allowed to take of his shoes before he went in. So cool!) So we were in the School of the Prophets and we told the story of all the men who were using tobacco, but gave it up immediately when Joseph told them about the Word of Wisdom. Then we talked about the other events that took place there (Mom, just wait till I take you on a tour when we come back to visit.:) ) and he explained how he felt the spirit more and how much he loved it. I then explained how everyone can feel the presence of the Holy Ghost, but once we are baptized by the proper authority, we can have have him with us at all times. He loved the sound of that. Perfect gateway into the baptismal invitation. Next thing ya know, Elder Bowcut committed him to baptism! The investigator said he would really like to, but he needed to make sure he knew what he was doing, so he wanted to attend a "session" (church) at least 2 or 3 more times before he was baptized. GOLDEN. So they got him on a date, and he is all set to be baptized on December 26th! The merriest of all Christmas presents. It was so neat! One of my favorite tours. It was just so neat to see how prepared he was. He said, "I've found something that I didn't even know I was looking for." It's almost like he read Preach my Gospel or something. But seriously! It was so amazing. And a lot of times when missionaries bring their investigators they (the missionaries) don't participate much, but the Zone Leaders were right there, teaching with us! And that really added a lot. It was like we were one giant companionship. #shakerunity. 

So yeah. He's really neat and I hope I get to go to his baptism. I think I will, because even though I'm getting transferred tomorrow, I'm staying in the Kirtland Zone. And guess. What. I'm going back to the Kirtland ward to train a new missionary. I'LL BE IN THE KIRTLAND WARD AGAIN!!!!! Isn't that so crazy?! I honestly can't believe it. They're going to be so weirded out when I show up on Sunday. "I'm baaaaack!" So crazy. So exciting. Such a tender mercy. I thought I was going to train in an area that I didn't know, but nope! Going back to Kirtland, baby! So I'll only have served in 2 areas my entire mission. And that's a little weird. But they're the best areas I could have asked for, so it's fine by me. :) I just need to figure out a way to convince President to let me bring Sister Beck with me. And to bring DK back, of course. 

Okay, that's my life. Christ lives, and he LOVES! Don't you forget it, ya hear?

Love,

Sister Livingston

Pictures sent by a couple on one of her tours

They said she was lovely!  And she wanted to share her with me.  So sweet.  :)

She sure looks happy!

Week 63: THANKSGIVING and MIRACLES

Hello! This week, you actually get to hear about my life. You're welcome. 

First off, Thursday was Thanksgiving and it was wonderful. Our Zone all met together at the Stake Center and did fun things together, then we went over to the VC where the seniors hosted a HUGE feast for us. So we ate until we exploded, then we got to go home and relax! It was quite nice. Then, the next day, WE WENT TO  THE TEMPLE WITH BILL! It was so good. It was like a little "Shaker Heights missionaries and their Recent Converts" trip. It was me, Sister Beck and Bill, the Elders and their 2 recent converts (one of whom I found out I'm related to. Not even kidding. See attached picture.) and our Ward Mission Leader. All 8 of us squeezed into a little van and took a nice little road trip. It was really fun and all of the Recent Converts had great experiences. Then, Friday evening, we headed back to the VC to watch the lighting ceremony. (Elder Wynder hired professionals to light up the VC. It kind of looks like Temple Square not, but not even close). While we were there, we saw Candy! Candy 

is the biggest miracle to ever take place. Here's her story:

Candy was walking around in the mall one day and saw a little wreath Christmas tree ornament with a white star in the center of it. She said that when she saw it, she felt like she needed to go somewhere, but she wasn't quite sure where. So she began to drive home and on her way, she drove past Historic Kirtland, where she saw a big wreath hanging on the building with a white star in the center! A huge version of the ornament she saw in the mall. She said she knew that was a sign, so she turned into the parking lot.  Sister Beck and I got to take her, her daughter and their friend on a tour, and the whole time she was very in tune with the spirit. She kept mentioning how she loved how she felt as she walked on the sacred sites and how inspiring all of the saints were. We could just tell there was something special about her.

Towards the end of the tour, she said to us, “This may seem like an ‘out there’ question, but I need to know--Do you guys believe in the power of healing?” We went on to explain the Priesthood power and told the story of Elsa Johnson, who had an arthritic arm and was miraculously healed after a blessing of healing given to her by Joseph Smith. I then told her the story of my eye situation. She was amazed! She explained to us that she didn't have the best health and had been diagnosed with cancer multiple times in the past. She then
said, “Now I know where to come next time it comes back!” 

At the end of the tour, Candyy accepted a Book of Mormon but didn't want to give us her contact information. She said she would come back to see the Nativity display, though! We were very hopeful and we prayed for her multiple times the following days. We prayed that she would either come back to the sites or that the missionaries in her area would find her. About a week later (Friday night), we saw Candy and her daughter wandering around the sites looking at the Nativities. We ran up to her and began talking. She explained that within the past week, she met two elders who talked to her on the street. She told them how she had taken a tour, received a Book of Mormon and couldn't wait to go back. They were able to set up a return appointment and she became a new investigator. During that week, she also found out that her cancer had come back, and she knew she needed to come back to the Historic Sites. Once she arrived at the Visitor’s Center, she approached two random elders (the Assistants, no less) and explained how she needed “the Grace of God” and needed a blessing. They were able to take her up to a quiet room and give her a blessing of healing. After talking for a few minutes, they committed her to baptism, and SHE ACCEPTED! She continues to meet with the Elders and has come back to the sites multiple times. She just can’t get enough! It's so crazy! At our Zone Training Meeting yesterday, we spent a few minutes talking about miracles we had recently seen, so we told that story and as we were, other missionaries were throwing in bits and pieces that they had heard about from other missionaries who were involved. It was so neat! It was like a mission-wide miracle. Okay, not mission wide. But Zone-wide, plus the Assistants. SO COOL! So we are now meeting with her at the VC while the elders in her area work with her out in her area. It's the neatest thing! Everything about it. 

Then on Tuesday, we had our Mission Christmas Conference. It was SO GOOD! It started out at the VC where we all looked at nativities and watched the new videos the church has produced. Then we had 2 hours for lunch. We were all way confused and didn't know what we were going to do with our lives for all that time, but then lo and behold, "The Best Two Years" began to play on the projector! WE WATCHED THE BEST TWO  YEARS! Ahhh it was the best 2 hours of my life. Just kidding. But it was really exciting/fun/weird/letsdoitagain. Then we all headed to the temple and had a devotional. We sang Christmas songs, listened to special musical numbers, and heard the testimonies of multiple missionaries/church leaders around our mission. It was so good! The spirit was so strong. I love love LOVE it when all of us missionaries gather together. The spirit can be felt like none other. I wish you all could have been there. I wish everyone could experience being a missionary. There really is no greater way to spend 18-24 months of your life at this age. I love it so much. Thanks for the support. :) And sorry I wrote an entire novel. 

I hope you had a good week as well. If it was anything like mine, you're probably in heaven.

 I love you!

Love,

Sister Livingston

1. My cousin, thanks to Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemmings.

2.  Sister Evans. Apparently I'm her "special friend". Whatever that means.

2. Yay for chubby cheeks! (Elder Bowcut and Jensen (ZLs) have a goal to make all of the Site Sisters fat. Isn't that horrible? Yet, SO hilarious. It's working.)

I just realized it looks like all I ever wear is black/white patterned shirts with the yellow cardigan.  Perfect.

Week 62: Reassurance!

IM ALIVE AND DOING WELL! Gotta go. love you!

-me