Week 71: An answer to prayer...and lots of pictures!

Hey! Hello. It's me. 

This week was wonderful! Well actually, as a whole it was pretty slow. We're struggling to find new investigators. Once again, everyone we come in contact with while tracting: "We're catholic." *door slam* *tears*. 

BUT! We got to go to the temple with Missus T! Baptized on Saturday, Confirmed on Sunday, Temple on Friday. And she did the work for 35+ people. Boom. So crazy. But she loved it! So that made up for all the doors in our faces.

Also, we had the neatest lesson with one of our investigators! His name is Jamie. We taught him about 2 weeks ago and had made the goal to get him on a baptismal date by the end of the lesson. So at the end of the lesson we were talking about it and he seemed like he wasn't looking to be baptized at the time. But we just said, "That's okay! You don't have to be completely ready right now, but we want to pick a date for you to work towards." He just looked at us kind of dumbfounded. I was scared. I had no idea what he was thinking. So what did we do? Promise blessings. So many blessings. He said he'd pray about it and we said thank you. Then we left. Fast forward 2 weeks to last Saturday. We asked what he was thinking about baptism. He said, "I wasn't going to tell you until after my baptism, but I guess I'll tell you. Last time, right before you came over I said to God, 'God, if this is what I'm supposed to be doing, I want a date to know when it should happen.' Then you asked me about a date to be baptized. That's why I just kind of stared at you." And then I EXPLODED inside. Such an answer to prayer--both ours and His. And that's how you know it's of God. Then during the closing prayer, we were all on our knees, and he started to CRY! Ahhh so powerful. It was so neat. I wish you all could have been there. Especially Lacey. She's my niece. 

So those were the highlights of our week. Sorry if I made you break the 10th, I didn't mean to. I just love my mission. The church is true. I know it is. And I LOVE it. I have come to really love Joseph Smith. My stomach hurts sometimes when I think about it too much because I just want to meet him. He's my hero. 

That is all.

I love you. Don't forget to say your prayers. 

Love,

Sister Livingston

MISSION BUDDIES

BAPTISM/SITE ADVENTURES

TEMPLE TRIP

Week 70: When you're so happy that you cry!

HELLO! I just want you to know that I forgot to wear my glasses today. So in order for me to see the screen, I have it really blown up. Basically the whole world can see what I'm saying. Except for I'm in a corner. So nevermind.

Anywho.

This week was fabulous! Missus T got baptized and it was amazing! I've never seen her smile so big. It was very happy. When she first told us she wanted to get baptized, she explained how she had never seen people so happy that they were crying (Fast and testimony meeting. Classic). It was just unlike anything she'd ever experienced or felt. We explained how a lot of people cry when they feel the spirit, but we also explained that it's okay if you don't cry. You're still allowed to feel it. Then after she got baptized, she was able to say a few words and she thanked everyone for coming out to her baptism. She then paused for a bit and said, "I don't know why, but I feel like crying!" Then there were tears. "This makes me happy. This makes me really happy" were her next words.  She was so happy that she was crying! It made me cry! Something she had never experienced before. It 's been amazing to see her growth in these few short weeks that we've been able to meet with her. And it's really amazing to see how the word of God really does heal the wounded soul. That's something I've really learned on my mission--the gospel changes lives in the best way possible. It's also amazing to see how much you're able to love people after knowing them for so short a time. And that's why I love my mission. I love loving others. That might be weird, but it's true. It's a happy thing.

I have to go. But I love you all and I'm eternally grateful for my Savior who truly is able to heal us when we let Him. It's the best. 

I'll send pictures next week. 

Love,

Sister Livingston 

Week 69: A year older and she can't remember anything!

Hello! 

This week was grand. So grand I don't even remember what happened. Nothing too special, I suppose, but we've been able to work with the members a lot and we're seeing results! Members are key in missionary work. Things are really taking off in this area and it's exciting to see. 

I love being back in Kirtland. It's so fun to get to see the people I grew to love again. And to receive Madame M's gifts again (see picture), of course. That's how you really know you're in Kirtland. 

I love this work, I love the early saints (especially Joseph and Emma) and I love my Savior. I know that He lives and that He loves us perfectly. 

That's all. Until next week, pals!

Sister Livingston

Week 68: Happy 2016! Many and Mini blessings

Hello! Happy 2016! Weird, right?

This week was a bit slower. We've been facing a lot of rejection lately. Like, more than I've ever faced on my entire mission. But that's okay, it's all part of the experience and I love opportunities that allow me to stick up for my beliefs. It kind of makes me feel like a super hero, too. So that's good. 

But, we did see a HUGE miracle this week! On Christmas Eve we were tracting, and at one of the doors a man answered, we introduced ourselves, then he was like, "Hey! I think Tammi is looking into your faith!" We were mind blown. Tammi came to the door and we talked and we talked a bit. We told her we'd love to share more with her and answer any questions she had, but she was a bit hesitant. She took our number and said she'd text us after the holidays. Not ideal. But, we knew where she lived, so we were fine. Then on Christmas, we got a HQ referral from her! She had requested a Book of Mormon. So we went over the next day and were able to teach her about it. She doesn't have a Christian background. Her family isn't religious at all, so it was unlike any lesson I'd ever taught. It was actually really hard and she had a ton of questions. But she said she wanted to come to church! And she did. The very next day. After church we asked what she though of it, and she said it was okay. I think it was just different from anything she'd ever experienced before. But she stayed all 3 hours! So that's saying something. 

Then, we texted her later in the week to set up a time to meet with her--no reply. So sad. But on Saturday night we texted her again and invited her to church and she said she was planning on it! So she came, and stayed for all 3 hours again. Sister Tibbitts and I didn't even stay all 3! We had to go to the VC. But while we were there, she told us that she had come to the VC the previous week to just read from the Book of Mormon. SO COOL! So then, after church ended, she came to the VC and the first thing she said was, "I have a question for you two! How do I go about getting baptized?" Every missionary's biggest dream come true. I was blown out of my mind. But we told her about the different lessons we would share with her, set a date, and a time, and even set a temple date with her! So amazing! Such a blessing. Also, she's only 20 so it's really exciting.

Even with all of the rejection we've been facing, we've been able to see many blessings and mini (and gargantuan) blessings, which I'm grateful for. It's really exciting to see how the Lord is hastening this work. I love it so much.  I just wish you could all come here and experience it with me. Maybe one day. 

Hope you all have a great week! Love you. 

Sister Livingston

#snowtractingallthedaylong

#throwbackmondaywiththebest