Week 47: Hashtags for Days

Hello! This week was a VERY good one. We had transfers, so I am now serving in Shaker Heights with Sister Beck! She is from New Zealand! Originally from Oregon, but she and her family have lived in NZ for the past 10 years or so. She is the greatest and I am so grateful that I get to work with her. I've already been able to learn a lot from her and can tell we'll have a good time (we already are) and work hard together. Best of both worlds. Thank you, President. :)

Also, yesterday we saw a #sweetmiracle. We have been teaching these two girls, they are 8 and 10 and absolutely LOVE the Book of Mormon. It's the cutest. But the one thing that was making us a little hesitant about teaching them was the fact that their parents never listened in or cared about what we were teaching them. But then we went over yesterday, and the grandma (4 generations live in one household. Crazy.) was like, "Step outside. Can I talk to y'all for a minute?" I had a mini heart attack. I thought we were busted. But then she just said how they wanted to know what exactly it was that we were teaching the girls, so we explained and she loved it! She went on to explain how she had been reading from the Book of Mormon (real version) that we left with the girls and agreed with it. Then she asked if she and her daughter (the girls' mom) could sit in on the lessons and asked if we could come back on Thursday! #everymissionary'sdream AHHHHH! MISSIONARY WORK IS THE BEST THING YOU'LL EVER DO!!! I love it so much. 

We had Mission Leadership Council yesterday as well. And guess what! We are in the process of getting bikes!!! I've always wanted to ride a bike. I think it would be the neatest thing to ride one in a skirt. So cool! I'm excited. Sometimes I think it would be funny if missionaries used roller-blades instead. Classic. Also, our new Zone Leader is Carter's twin. Literally. With both looks and mannerisms. It's really weird but really funny. He even said, "Otay" this morning. What the. We also wear the same glasses. #iwearmanglasses

I left my planner at home today so I can't really remember what else went on. But basically I'm very happy right now. I love my mission so much and wouldn't trade it for the world. This truly is the work of the Lord. I know that it is, and I know that Christ lives. I'm grateful for the opportunity that I've had to serve and share my testimony of Him with those around me, and for the many blessings that accompany missionary work.

I love you all! Thank you for your love and support. It is much appreciated. PS Sorry for all of the #hashtags. Sometimes I think they're funny, but then, turns out they're actually not. But I'm too lazy to delete them, so I will just continue to take some time to defend and justify my overuse of hashtags. You're welcome.

Much love,

Sister Livingston!

Week 46: It's always a good time despite the gray hair!

Hello! This week was a good one! We were able to meet with several of our investigators and find a few more. But here's the thing: I went on 3 exchanges this week. I also served at the Visitors' Center 3 days this week. So moral of the story: Sometimes I don't always get to see my investigators and it makes me sad. But, sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven. So I'll do it. 

I first went on exchanges with Sister Sorensen (my MTC companion). It was interesting to be back with her. Felt kinda weird, like I needed to be at a doctor's appointment or something, but it was fun! It was neat to see how much both of us have changed since our time together. Then the next day I was with Sister Holmes. I lived with her for a transfer and absolutely love her. We were painting some member's cabinets white, and then I accidentally brushed my hair through the wet paint. So I had white hair for the rest of the day and people thought I had gray hair. I don't really. It's brown. Well actually, I still have some paint in my hair so that's fun. Okay, enough about gray hair. Then yesterday, I went on exchanges with the one and only Sister de Kock!! It's so neat getting to serve in the same area as her because that means we get to go on exchanges a lot. And she makes me laugh like no one else. Except for maybe Lucy and Chancey. They're pretty funny, too. I like funny people. Laughing is fun.

This morning we had district meeting, and we got to hold it in the School of the Prophets. It was so neat. It's not every day that you get you have meetings in that room! For our mission study, we focused on how we can better help both members and investigators see the importance of families. So we discussed that, then we all went around and said one thing that our families have done for us. It was tough to narrow it all down to one thing, because you've really done everything for me. But something that I have really been grateful for, especially lately, is how you never just gave anything to us with no effort on our part. We've always had to work for things! And I love it. Hard work is so important, and I'm blessed to have been born into a family who values it. So thank you for that. And I'm sorry for the times I was less than grateful to work for different things. But you guys are great and I love you! Thank you for all that you do and for the love/support you show me. It is greatly appreciated. 

I hope you all have a wonderful week! And happy Birthday, Dad! Sorry I haven't gotten you anything yet. I'm running out of monies. And birthdays kind of just come out of nowhere here. How in the world is it already August? I'll see what I can put together. I love you so much! I hope it's a good one. :)

Love,

Sister Livingston

Week 45: Honey, I'm hooome! Just kidding. Still in OH.

Good afternoon!

This week was miraculous. Literally. SO many miracles. The work here has been pretty slow lately, but we found 9 new investigators this week! All of that walking and talking with people is starting to pay off. Okay, it pays off no matter now many people we actually get to teach from it, but just in different forms. Because God is good! But before I get too excited, we need to continue working hard so that they can all be progressing.

I also got to go on exchanges with Sister Morrison again, and this time we stayed in her area, which is Kirtland! Kirtland is where I have left a piece of my heart. So that was really fun.

 I got to see Sister Clarkson. She is a less-active that they're trying to get to the temple, and she is my favorite person that I've met out here so far. I LOVE that lady like no other. 

Then I also got to see the Putnams, Danyelle and Isaac, and Sister Shepard! She's the 96 yr old roller-skater lady. Remember her? Me too. But she remembered my name! That was exciting. I didn't think she'd have a clue who I was.

. 

Danyelle started to cry when I walked in. Either she was really happy to see me, or really sad to see me. Probably the latter of the two. But I was really happy to see her, so that's good.

Because that's all that matters, right? That I'm happy? Just kidding. Not even close to the truth. Tricked ya! But it was really fun getting to go back. It felt like I was coming home. Plus, I got to drive the van again. 

Yesterday was the end of my chocolate fast, thank goodness. I did it! Except for I have a confession. I accidentally had an Oreo at District Meeting on Thursday. I forgot about my "no chocolate" thing when they were offered. So I took it. And I ate it. And I loved it. It was a s'mores one. Not the classic. Just in case you wanted to know.

Okay my companion is done emailing and I feel bad for making her wait so I have to go. But I love you guys and I'm so happy here!

Love,

Sister Livingston. 

Week 44: Blame it on sugar withdrawals

Hello! This week was great! Sound familiar? Probably, seeing as all weeks are great when you're a missionary. Even when they're not great, they're still great. You know?

We had exchanges on Friday, Sister Burns and I stayed in my area. We went to see our investigator who has been struggling a little bit. She just has a lot going on in her life right now, so we had some men in our ward come and give her a blessing! And they were SO good to her. They were genuine, caring, thoughtful and sincere. As we were getting ready to leave, one of the men said, "We'd love to see you at church on Sunday!" She's always been a little hesitant, and she still was, but she had made some new friends that day and was excited to come. Then on Saturday, we were going to go over there to mow her lawn for her, but they both offered to! They are both pretty young fathers of multiple kids, but they chose to take time out of their day to fellowship and serve our investigator. Then on Sunday, she came to church and was happy and excited to see them. It just made me so happy! I have taught numerous lessons with a member present before, but I am so grateful for these two men. It reminded me once again, of how key members are in missionary work. Really, it's impossible without them. So, keep that in mind. :)

In the Site Director's office, there are always large bowls of candy/pretzels/chocolate/sugary things. Sister Finlinson and I spend quite some time in there trying to figure out how we can help the Sisters and improve what is being done at the Visitor's Center. And I don't have much self control. So I eat. A lot. Elder Wynder, our Site Director, thinks it's hilarious and always teases me about it. Except he also gets mad at me because I haven't gained as much weight as I deserve to and in his words, the second he thinks about eating chocolate, he gains 5lbs. So I told him that I was going to go a full week without eating anything from his office, and let me tell you. He's holding me to it. And not only that, but he's making others hold me to it as well. And not just other Sisters, but people I take on tours and members from the Stake. Allow me to explain:

On Sunday we had a fireside where our new Mission President spoke to us. I was conducting. So we had one of the Recent Converts in the Stake bear her testimony, then BRAD WILCOX (he came to the sites) (( Elder Edward Dube came, too)) bore his. After the recent convert bore her testimony, President leaned over to me and said, "Remind me of her name?" But I thought he said, "Remind me of your name" so I said, "Sister Livingston!" Then after Brad Wilcox spoke to us, President got up and kept referring back to "Sister Livingston's" testimony and conversion story. I felt so horrible! Eventually, the recent convert corrected him. Then after he spoke, I got up to announce the rest of the program and explained how it was my bad that he called her Sister Livingston. Everyone thought it was pretty funny for some reason. Then Elder Wynder got up to say the closing prayer. Before he prayed though, he said, "I have two things I'd like to say. First off, There are refreshments that will be served in the view room. And Second, Sister Livingston has sworn off Chocolate for a week and is having withdrawals, hence the mistake. So if you could all help her out and  make sure she doesn't eat any, that would be great." Then, everyone laughed. A lot. I'm not sure if it was at me or with me, but it was definitely there, and it was hilarious. He's never going to let my love for chocolate slide! Mom, he's actually threatened to email you a couple of times to tell you that I need an intervention. Hahaha so funny. So yeah. I've gone 2 whole days now without any chocolate/candy. Definitely the best I've done on my mission so far. And it's really boring. Come Sunday, I'll be in the office back to my usual business. But this time, with the bowl of chocolate in my lap. 

Aaaand that's my week. I love you all. I appreciate your examples and support, and I'll see you next year! By the way, Congrats to ET for making it to his year mark on Thursday!!! (PS: ET=Elder Trentman) ((in case you didn't know)). 

I know that Christ lives. He has been there for me through it all. I've come to know that he lives in a much more real sense than ever before, living on these sacred grounds. That is why I'm so grateful I chose to serve a mission. Because it's allowed my relationship with  him to grow so much. See how selfish I am? Lets blame it on my withdrawals. 

I love you guys. Have a wonderful week!

Love,

Sister Livingston

Week 43: Men in Blue?, Cool Cats and Smoking Hot!

Hello! This week was great. For several reasons:

1.  I don't want to make anyone jealous, but guess who came to the sites on Saturday. Only Elder Jeffrey R. Holland!!! And guess who got to shake his hand. Me. It was the neatest! He just radiates with the spirit. It was an experience never to be forgotten. I still haven't washed my hand. Just kidding. But really, It was a very special experience. I recorded it! (He didn't even know.) So maybe some day you guys can see it. 

2. I got to play the violin at Zone Training Meeting, then at church, and tonight I get to play in the temple! Except for I always get really nervous then my hand shakes which makes the bow bounce which which results in the not most pleasant sound there ever was. But also not the worst. So that's something I guess. 

3. Yesterday Sister Finlinson and I got to be a part of the CTR 5 class, because the lesson was on missionary work. It was really fun. One of the kids in the class is named Jett. Short for Jettai. From Tahiti. I think. But the kids wrote letters to missionaries! And it was the cutest thing. And I really liked it. And I think it would make a missionary's day to receive letters/drawings from kids in their ward. And.... I'm a missionary. :)

4. I took SUCH cool families on tour! It's so weird how you can know someone for 1.5 hours and love them so much by the end of it. But I don't think they love me. Mostly I just love them and they don't even know it so I'm just a creepy missionary who likes the idea of receiving letters from primary children.

But during one of the tours, we were walking out of the Whitney store, then this blue mini cooper comes rolling on in through the Visitors' Center. That's not supposed to happen. Because, well, there's a gate to prevent that from happening. But, it happened. So I just kind of looked at them with a confused look on my face. They were two 50ish year old men just smoking with their shades on and their hands hanging out of the window. Cool cats, really. So I walked up to the window and was like: (now I'm going to write out a play)

Me: "Hey!"

Driver: "Hey there! Just taking my friend on a tour here. This building is where Joseph reformed the church, right?" I explained how it was restored in New York, but really developed here in Kirtland. 

Driver: "Ohhh okay. But you like, had to meet here to become an apostle or pilgrimage, right?"

Me: "No, it's where the saints gathered for a time, but it wasn't required to join the church."

Driver: "Hmm. Okay. Did I come in at the wrong place?" 

Me: "....l .....Yeeeeah, kinda."

Driver: "Okay!" *Drives off through the rest of the sites and turns around and drives past us again. Then I went up to him and asked if they'd like to take a tour. I said we'd be happy to take them on one! His response:

"Ooh, oh no, I've been here plenty of times. I'm just showing my buddy around. How evangelical of you though!" *rolls up the window and drives away*

Then we all just stood there dumbfounded, confused as to what just happened. And then we laughed. A lot. And that probably isn't even that funny to you guys, but it was hilarious. I've noticed that things are funnier in person a lot of the time. But I'm also really bad at telling stories because I just laugh the whole time and no one actually knows what I said. But that's okay. 

I love you guys! I hope you have a wonderful week. 

Love,

me

Week 42: God has a plan for us!

Sister de Kock and I calling our RCs/LA
 to set up a TEMPLE TRIP!!!!

Hello! 

This week was swell.  Much better than my sick week.  That one, I think I'll rip out of my journal.  Except for I'm the worst journal writer there is and I didn't actually write about it.  Or anything else really.  I've spent my time from 9:30pm-10:30pm these past couple of nights trying to get caught up on my journal though.  I was about 3 months behind.  Yikes.

On Friday I was kind of having a hard time. I'll spare you the details, but I was just really down and being hard on myself. I felt worthless and like I was no good. Well, okay. I feel like that a lot actually. But especially on Friday. So yeah. I was sad. But then we went over to see one of the less active members that we've been working with. She really doesn't know much, so about a week ago we felt that it would be good to just start with the basics and go through the Gospel Principles Manual with her. Chapter 1 is on our Heavenly Father. We just talked about Him and who He is. We talked about His love for us and His awareness of each and every one of us. We talked about how our trials are opportunities to grow close to Him and our Savior and come to know Them more personally. We also talked about how He has a plan for everything and how everything, even when we don't recognize it or see His hand in our lives in the moment, is part of a bigger picture that He sees. And that is exactly what I needed to hear. I wasn't sure of why things were happening they

were and I let it get me down. But, Heavenly Father 

had a plan. In my personal opinion, I think that He 

I really love these little rascals.

knew that I would be having a hard time at that 

moment, so He put into our minds, through the spirit, 

a WEEK ago, what we should teach this less active. And it just so happened that what "she" needed was actually what I needed in that very moment. And he knew it the whole time. That's just my opinion. It may or may not be true. But God is our Father. He knows us, loves us, and wants us to be happy. And THAT is true. I know it is.

 

The VC Sisters.

On Saturday we took a really cool tour. We were doing our little introduction to a family, and they were all solid members. But then the seniors added two more people to our group--two non members. Their car had broken down right in front of the Visitors' Center (Happy 4th), and they decided that they would take a tour as they waited for the tow truck. So we took them on tour! And it was amazing. They seemed a little bit closed off and were pretty quiet at first. They just didn't seem too happy. Maybe because their car had just broken down and ruined their plans? Probably. But we took them through all of the rooms in the store and it was AMAZING! The spirit was so strong, and they got more into it the longer we were on tour. In the Hired Man's room, we like to take the opportunity to talk about the Book of Mormon. We had the parents of the member family share their testimonies of it and it was PERFECT. So powerful. We offered the non-members a copy and they accepted.Then they got a call--they had to leave to go deal with their car. I walked them back to the Visitors' Center and asked what they thought about the tour. Their response: "God has a plan! There must be a reason our car broke down where it did." And then I died of happiness. They didn't leave us with their information, but they promised that they would read it. That's the thing with serving here--We get to have so many opportunities like that, where we plant seeds, but we don't always get to see what happens with those seeds which would be nice. But that's okay. Because, God has a plan.

I love you guys! Glad you had a Happy 4th, and Happy Belated birthday, Mom! You're #1. I love you.

Love,

Sister Livingston

Week 41: Lots of awesome quotes!

Maybe this is what
caused the sickness!

Hello! Transfers were last Wednesday. But weren't transfers like 2 weeks ago? Alright everybody, what's going on here? Anyway. I'm still serving in the Shaker Heights East area with Sister Finlinson. And thank goodness, because there is much work to be done here. And everywhere I suppose. 

I've been sick. So this week has been extra slow. It all started Thursday night and has been going pretty strong since. But that's okay. I'll get over it. Luckily, I've had a cool little book to keep myself entertained as I spend too many hours inside taking it easy! #thankyoutrentmans #you'rethebest #youcanexpectsomemailfromme #again #okayenoughwiththehashtags

Alright. So, since I don't really have any other news, I'm going to share with you some of my favorite President Vellinga quotes in honor of them returning home yesterday. 

"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 Jehovah's Witness literature on you and light a match." (I've shared that one before, sorry. It's just SO good.)

"In this mission, we obey ALL the rules because we're going to heaven. But don't be Hitler. Have fun being obedient."

"Learn to like good music so that you like it when you get to heaven."

"If you think Heavenly Father didn't know what He was doing when He sent you on a mission, then you're dumb." (I might have shared that one already, too.)

"Look at these earrings {on the dress and grooming website]! These are petrified raspberries."

"Boys have fleas. When you're on your mission, they've got big ones."

"Some Elders get lazy and don't want to cut their head for a certain amount of time, so they buzz their hair and look like boiled chickens. You ever seen a boiling chicken?"

"Keep your eyes, minds and hearts on your purpose because you're ugly. So don't flirt."

"Make sure your tie isn't a thin silver space blanket tie, and make sure it's not huge. It's not your bib."

"You can't control the length of your life, but you can control what you make of your life."

"If you don't like work, you won't like heaven."

"There is no room for rebellion in full-time missionary service. It will only shut out heaven. There is no room for rebellion in the heart of a missionary."

"All boys have fleas while you're on a mission. All girls have cooties when you're on a mission. And you're all ugly until this [name tag] comes off."

"People like to be around people who love everybody. Love everybody. Love is a choice. Choose it."

"We love all missions. They're all true. But with the Historic Kirtland sites, we have a thread of gold in ours." 

"You'll get old, too! I mean, Look at them! *points at senior couples*  Can you spell fossil?"

"You haven't been translated yet, so there's still room to grow."

"I just want you to know that you're good enough. Okay? You're good. Satan's a liar. Believe that you're good."

"Love your mission. Love life. If you know how to love your mission, you'll love life."

"Believe in Miracles. Love your mission. Go to Heaven!"

Blurry, but treasured.

So there's a little taste of how great President Vellinga is. Do I need his permission to share all of these gems? Shoot. I don't know. Probably. But too bad. In conclusion, I would like to say that I love President Vellinga. I love his testimony and his humor. I will be eternally grateful for the time that I have had to serve with Him. 

I love you all, too! I hope you're all happy and are loving life.

Love,

Sister Livingston