Week 26: Connecting with Richard Dawkins (google him)

1. Welcome to Lake Erie. The frozen ocean.
Like my Asian eyes?

You guys! It's officially SPRING. We exercised outside for the first time since December today, and guess what. I didn't even wear a coat. And I ran a whole two miles. Impressed? Neither am I.  And cute little birds are always chirping now. Welcome, Spring. Nice to see you. 

This week was a good one. I didn't cry! Not even a little bit. We took some rough chats though. I guess there was a website that told people to go onto mormon.org and mess with us. Something about Battletoads? Whatever that is, those little rascals. But so I had a really great conversation with this guy who seemed to be sincerely interested in what we believed it. I told him about Christ coming to the Americas which led to the Book of Mormon, which led to Joseph Smith and it was SO GOOD. But then... not so good. He was like, "So Jayne, (we go by our first names on chat) what would you do if I told you that I was Richard Dawkins? Would you hate me?" I guess Richard Dawkins is hardcore atheist and has written several books on his beliefs. I told him I'd still respect him, then asked if it was him. He said, "Yes, I really am Richard. Do you mind if we use this conversion for a BBC documentary on Mormonism?" Ohhh my goodness, I died. All of the sudden I just lost all confidence in the things I had told him. Not in the events that I told him about, but in the way I told him about  them. I wanted to cry. So if there's a documentary on Mormonism by Richard Dawkins and it poorly portrays our beliefs, my bad. Except it probably wasn't actually him. Still though, scary bears. 

2. Darlene, the leader of the Bible Study we've been going to, made this statue of Jesus.
She told us we could sit on His lap. We decided we weren't little enough.

We did some hefty cleaning this weekend for a member in our ward. I really like my ward. I feel like it's my home ward since I've been serving in it for so long. Anyway. We showed up, and the member's Visiting Teacher was there and the house was completely torn apart! Literally, everything was out and just being completely organized/tossed out. It was crazy. So we spent quite some time doing that and I loved it. The Visiting Teacher just called us "Sis"."Hey Sis, can you throw this away?" "How ya doin', Sis?" Because "Sister" is too long. It was quite funny. 

Um. What else. I don't know. But I love my mission and I love my Savior and I love the SAINTS! Holy smokes I love the saints. They are my role models. So strong and faithful. I love this gospel. I'm so blessed for being able to serve here! AHHH I need to stop. I might explode. Too much love. 

I love you guys.

Love,

Sister Livingston

Week 25: One of the harder weeks, filled with sad and happy!

Did you know there's grass in Kirtland?

Hello! This week was one of the harder ones on my mission so far. But I still loved it. 

On Tuesday Mr. W. cancelled our appointment because he didn't want us to get hurt driving on the icy roads. It's rough when people do that because we go out no matter what, but oh well. So we didn't see him until Friday night. And he told us he couldn't meet with us anymore. He's trying to retire and he had a little dilemma with some finances. I'll spare you the details. But he is now working from 1am to about 7pm, then doesn't get home until 9pm. And it hurts. Because he needs this gospel. It will fill the void he has in his life and I think he recognizes that, but he just so badly wants to retire by June. I strongly dislike seeing him suffer the way he is. I really questioned why Heavenly Father is making him deal with the things he's dealing with and honestly, I still don't understand why. But I know that He is aware of him and loves him, because I love him. Does that make sense? I don't know. But he had me say the closing prayer before we were leaving and I just broke down in the middle of it. I don't think I've every prayed harder for anyone or exerted so much energy into trying to help someone. And I didn't realize how much I cared for him until that night. I don't even like thinking about it. But we'll just keep calling him and making sure he doesn't give up. Then in June he can meet with some missionaries again. 

The Madame M goods.
She said she picked out the pants and shirt
 thing specifically for me. Thank you?
They make me look even shorter that I am. Perfect.

Okay, too much sadness. There was a lot of good this week too. Like getting to visit the Deckers in the hospital and see their new baby! Oh my goodness I loved it. But also not because we couldn't actually hold the baby. I could have just looked at him for hours and been happy though, so it's okay. He is such a little cutie! It was a happy day. I don't think I've ever seen a newborn that wasn't family that I loved so much. 

Madame M gave us some more of her goods! We'll be stopping at goodwill on our way home. Oh and she fed us. I don't know if I've ever been more nervous to eat. It was crusty/stale/dry rice with rotten brown peas and some sort of meat juice poured over the top. Usually we can avoid eating there by saying we have to go or we'll just take it home, but this time she wouldn't let us leave until we tried it. So we did. And let's just say it wasn't my most favorite meal. 

Also I sleep talked last night. Slept talked? I don't know. But I don't think I've ever done that before. So it's really exciting. I said something about working with the members. You're welcome. 

Okay. That's all. Have a wonderful week! Love you guys. 

Love,

Sister Livingston

Week 24: An Experience Not Too Many Get To Have

1.  Madame M

This week was great. Surprise! Just kidding. It's not really a surprise because all weeks are great. "The worst day on your mission is still a great day." -Brother Decker. It's so true. He's pretty cool. And his wife just had a baby about 3 hours ago. 

But really. It was a good week. We've continued to meet with Mr. W and he is doing great! He breaks my heart though! He has such a good heart and just wants those around him to be happy, but he is so sad and depressed. It's painful. But that's why I'm so excited to continue meeting with him. The gospel will really change his life if he lets it. And I think he will. 

Yesterday we took a little family on tour, and they had 7 kids. I saw all of them and thought to myself, "Sheesh! Such a huge family! How do they do it?" Then I remembered that there are seven kids in our family too. Tee Hee. But anyway. We were in the School of the Prophets bearing our testimonies, and the spirit was SO strong, as it always is in that room. Then all of the sudden we hear the mom say in a panicked voice , "WAIT! Can you just hang on a minute? Hyrum is having an accident." We look over at the little boy, and there's a puddle of some liquid substance underneath his feet, getting larger and larger. It was so funny. He peed. On the floor. In the School of the Prophets. Needless to say, it was an experience that not too many get to have.

2.  Chevron Twins

Also, we got attacked by a mute dog and it was just.... really strange. We were out tracting and as we were walking up to one of the homes, this dog came up to us and started jumping up on us. We thought he was just playing because he wasn't barking or anything, but then he started getting more aggressive and started biting. And we were confused. So we just walked away and tried to comprehend what had just happened. The silent guard dog. He did its job. 

Um. I got kissed this week. By a BOY. But he's only 1 so it's okay and made my day. I just miss little kids. But I'm pretty sure Bryn needs to marry this little boy. And Jayden needs to marry his sister. And Kyrie needs to marry Brother Decker's son. Then, I will be happy. Just kidding. I'm happy now. Tricked ya. 

I hope you all have a wonderful week and take some time to reflect on our Savior. You should read 3rd Nephi 17. Not just read it, but discuss it. We read it with Mr. W, and it was really amazing. Christ is our perfect exemplar of so many things, but especially of loving everyone. That's something I want to get better at. Not saying that I don't love people, because I can assure you that I do. A lot. But I could always do a better job of showing it, ya know? I love you guys. 

Love,

Jayne

Week 23: "SHE hasn't given up on me yet."

This week was a good one! But, they all are. So what's new? 

Sister Allen, my new companion, is from Grantsville, Utah, and she is AWESOME. She's really prepared. And she's very motivated and enthusiastic. It's been really neat

hearing her talk about her MTC experience and what she learned. It's really allowed me to reflect on my experience. Granted, mine was a little unusual due to the whole eyeball deal, but it was still such a great learning experience. 

So Mr. W. I've talked about him a bit before. He is very depressed and we met with him a few times and our message cheered him up, but then he told us that "Mormonism" and just church in general weren't for him. He had "given up". But I told him that we were going to keep calling him and sending him links to uplifting video clips and he said that would be okay. So we did, every week for about a month and a half. But we never heard back from him! And I'll be honest, it was a bit discouraging. I had no idea if he was listening to the voicemails or watching the videos, and I was questioning whether or not it was doing him any good. So then last Tuesday, we were in his neighborhood and I told Sister Newren, "Lets just go stop by Wendell really quick and see how he's doing." So we knock on the door, and our hands almost fall off because they're frozen, and he opens it! He was very surprised, but very happy. He told us that he had just been reading from the bible. Then he looked at Sister Newren and said, "You know why I haven't give up yet?" Then he pointed to me and said, "Because SHE hasn't given up on me yet." Then he told us he'd like to continue meeting with us. Oooh my goodness. I can't tell you how good that made me feel. I was starting to get so weary! But it really just goes to show how a lot of times, you don't realize what kind of an impact you're making on people. So, moral of the story: never give up. We're meeting with him tonight, and I really hope that it goes well. 

I really love missionary work and all of the opportunities that come with it. It truly is a great learning and growing experience. I'm excited for Cameron. He's going to be great and do great. 

Congrats to Laker, Cohen and Dallin! I'm so excited for them to be baptized. I wish I could be there, but I'll be there in spirit. Don't you worry. The invitations killed me. Why are they all so cute? Little models.

I love you guys! 

Love,

Sister Livingston

Hooray for rice cheeks. In Ohio. It doesn't even make sense!

A Poem, in response to the picture of Jayne's empty mailbox

What a treat, from Jayne's Uncle Mike, a not yet famous (or maybe facebook famous?) poet!

TO MY NIECE, JAYNE, ON HER MISSION

When I saw the empty mailbox on your blog
About your mission in Cleveland, Ohio,
The thought struck like sun, driving out of a fog,
I should write; she hasn’t had mail in a while!

Since you left home, like a bee from the swarm,
I’ve followed your blog with great interest,
Your writing is good, both welcome and warm;
You’d certainly make a good journalist!

But now as you’re bringing the Truth to the Earth,
As it is spreading from mountain to reef,
Know that your efforts are of unquestioned worth
To those lingering or lost in disbelief.

Before your time ends and you have to depart
I’ll send this poem of support and affection;
Continue your work, it’s God’s personal art,
While we pray for your success and protection.

Week 22: I Just Love a Lot of Things

The Putnams

Oh, hey.

Guess what! I didn't laugh while singing at Zone Conference this time. Not even once. Can you believe it? Neither can I. It was a miracle. Zone Conference was so good though. We talked about working with members and some lady came in who is a convert of 7 years, and has brought 82 people into the church and reactivated 5 families since her baptism. Isn't that crazy?! So cool. What if everyone was like that? Heaven.

2. Rosie. The cutest little lady you'll ever meet. Or not meet.

We were stuck inside for 2 days due to the weather. Also we just got a text that said to stay in again today. So 3 days. Yikes. It was -15 this morning. So crazy! And my fingers and toes are burning with coldness as I type. And just my whole body is shaking. But it's fun. I like the cold. Except for the part where it caused the temple trip to get canceled, so Madame M couldn't go! Ahh it made me so sad. Church was cancelled yesterday too, but we still wanted to take the sacrament so we texted a senior elder and he told us that we could have a Sacrament meeting at the sites. We were so excited! We thought it would be just a cute little meeting with all the Kirtland sisters, but no. We got there, and there were a bunch of MILITARY CADETS there. What the. Where did they come from? It was really confusing. And scary. One of the 3 female cadets spoke and swore in front of everyone. It was awkward. Also, our new site director had us sing during the meeting. He said to a room full of Military Cadets, "Hearing sister Missionaries sing is like listening to angels. Plus, they're easy on the eyes." Sooo so creepy. Yuck. So yeah. Yesterday's Sacrament meeting was a once in a life time experience. 

Also, transfers are on Wednesday. And I'm training. And I'm scared. But also excited. But mostly scared. And excited. So I just have a bunch of emotions going on right now. We went to a training meeting on Friday, and here's what president had to say: "If you train wrong, I'm going to take away your favorite tie, tie you up with it, throw you in the dumpster behind your apartment, throw a bunch of crazy literature on you, and light a match." See why I love president?  I thought he was going to end with "take away your tie", but then it kept getting better and better. He's the greatest. Sad to lose him in July. But the new President will be just as great, I'm sure. 

3. Our District. Have you ever seen so many Sisters in one District?

We also had a Kirtland Training meeting on Friday morning in the Kirtland temple. It was definitely one of the most spirit-filled meetings I've yet had on my mission. It was one of those times that made me wonder what I'll be like when I'm pregnant that I was talking about. But being in the temple is so amazing. I always love it. It's neat, because you can see so many little mistakes that the saints made while building the temple. Things that could have been done so much better. But Heavenly Father still accepted it as His house. He knew they did the best that they could do, and that was enough for Him. And it's the same with us--we're not perfect, nor will we ever be in this life. But as long as we're sincerely doing our best to be the best we can, God will still accept our efforts. We're so blessed to have such a loving and understanding Father in Heaven.

I love my mission. Like, a lot. I love Ohio, I love the people I serve with, I love the people I serve. I just love a lot of things. I'm happy. And I hope you are too. I love you guys.

Love,

Jayne

Week 21: Creepy Doll, Eating like a Man, and Healthy Cookies

This week was a very busy one and I loved it. But what I loved the most about it is the fact that Madame M got her TEMPLE RECOMMEND yesterday and will be going on Saturday!!!!! Ahhh it's just so fun to think about. And she was so excited when we told her she could go so soon after her baptism! Which is saying a lot, considering she doesn't get too excited about many things. Except for dancing with her dog, Pepperoni. It's great. She's great. Life is great.

What else. Ohh. Madame M gave me this creeepy doll. I mean, dolls are already a little creepy, but this one is over the top.  Its hands are sewn to its head, and it's just supposed to lay face down on your bed. And it's face is drawn onto its head with red marker. So scary. Also, it has a full head of hair so it looks like a grown man. And it has a clubbed foot. And only one shoe. And it has a mouse on its diaper. I just... Don't understand why someone would made such a creepy doll. It literally could have come out of a horror movie. But we've been placing it around in our house, scaring the other sisters. It's like a little war. It's hilarious. Mom, it reminds me of the clown that we found in the house and how you and your friends did kind of the same thing. So funny!

Also, you're never going to believe this. I'm singing at Zone Conference tomorrow with a few other sisters. Can you believe they still trust me after what happened last time? It confuses me. So hopefully I don't mess everything up again. Sister Heckert (I live with her) (( And I really love her a lot )) read me her journal entry from the last Zone Conference and it was so funny. We were just cracking up. "I was just praying that it would end." Classic.

I also eat way too fast. Whenever we're at dinner appointments, I finish my meal, and Sister Newren and all the other ladies are only half done with their meal. But the dad is usually done by the time I'm done. So it's okay. I just eat at the pace of a grown man. 

Mom, you would love the sisters here. They make cookies out of beans. And they use whole grain flour. And instead of chocolate chips, they use raisins. And instead of butter, they use applesauce. And sometimes, I just want a regular cookie with some sugar. 

I love my mission. I love my Savior, and I love His gospel. It's brings me so much peach and comfort. I love all of you and all that you do. You guys really are the best. 

Much love,

Sister Livingston

1. Creepy doll haunting our house

2. Our mail box. Every day. Let's make a goal to change this. 

3. If you look really hard, you can see me hiding behind the Book of Mormon. 

Hooray

for fun hats

and for little Jackson.
What a cutie he is.