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

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