Look who had dinner with Jayne!

Jayne's Aunt Linda and Cousin Hillary made a surprise visit to Kirtland, and by chance ran into......YOU KNOW WHO!  Sister Jayne Livingston!  Aunt Linda generously treated them all to a nice dinner!  Hillary returned home from a mission in Washington DC South just days before Jayne left for her mission to Kirtland in September 2014.  What a fun place to meet up and catch up!

Week 34: The Red Bar

Hello! I want to tell a story so here it goes.

On Friday, we went and did some yard work for a member in our ward. She asked if either of us wanted to mow the lawn and I said I would be happy to! So I did. And for some reason it was really hard and really heavy. Heavier than any other lawn mower I'd ever used before and I felt like a wimp. But they have a pretty big yard! I could tell I was getting blisters on my hands, but I just kept on going. Once I got to the very end of the yard, their son came and lifted up a red bar that was on the handle. I asked what it did, and he said it made it so that I wouldn't have to push it! I then finished the last two strips of grass in about a minute. It made my little journey so easy! Afterwards, I tried to be like my dad and Brother Decker and find a way to relate it to the gospel. Here's what I came up with:

The red bar is like the Atonement. Whether or not I used it, it was there. It was there to make my load easier. It was there to assist me, and to even push me forward when things got hard. As soon as I used the bar, everything became much easier and I wasn't as miserable in the hot humid sun. That is exactly what the Atonement is there for-- Whether or not we know it is there, whether or not we use it, it is there. I didn't know that that red bar was there, and I didn't know of the power that it had in easing my burdens. But once I learned of it and used it, I was happier.  Likewise, there are many who aren't aware that they have a Savior. Someone who has died for them and taken upon Himself their imperfections, weaknesses, sadnesses and infirmities. I have felt the power of the Atonement in my life in numerous ways, and I know that it is real. It has allowed me to be happy, to become better, and to grow. And that is why I decided to serve a mission. To teach others about the "red bar" that is there, but they don't know about or aren't sure how to access it so that they, like me, can experience the enabling power of Christ's Atonement. So there you go. It's kind of silly, but I liked it.

Transfers are this week, and I'm actually leaving my first area this time. I think I cried more after church yesterday than when I left my last church my last Sunday in Auburn. Either that's a really good thing, or really bad thing... I don't know. But I didn't think I would be so sad to leave! I really love the Kirtland ward. 

I have been called to serve as a Sister Training Leader. I'm still not sure which area I'll be over, but President called last night to ask if I'd do that. Of course, I said yes. If you want to know how I'm feeling, go ahead and read Elder Trentman's letter from a few weeks ago. He summed it up perfectly. 

It was so nice speaking with you guys last night! It went by too fast. But I love you all and hope you are having a wonderful week. :)

Love,

Sister Livingston

1. Ohio is pretty.

2. Left hand

3. Right hand

4. My little friend who helped me take chats and make phone calls

Week 33: Dreams, Hard Work, Lessons and Love

Hi! It's me. Sister Livingston. 

This week was so good! We were at the Visitors' Center 5 days this week. And the two days that we were in our area were P Day and Thursday, which is when we have our District Meeting, then weekly planning, then Ward Coordination. So basically non-existent. But still full of many miracles! We received 2 HQ referrals and were able to contact them both, offer the item they requested, introduce the Book of Mormon and get a return appointment. They are both young moms with cute little families and it's only my biggest dream to teach a family. Too bad I'm leaving next week. Well, not for sure. But most likely for sure. I've been here for 5 transfers and transfers are next week. Looks like it's time for me to grow up and leave my first area! I'm sad about it. I love this ward so much. I feel like it's my home ward sometime. No offense, LOP. I love you guys, too. 

Sad news of the week: Brother Decker got released as our Ward Mission Leader. It makes me want to cry. I was able to learn so much from him. Like how to use a table saw and how to build a table and how to build a fence and how to be happy even when everything around me should make me sad and how to love people more fully.  Long sentence? You're welcome.

We took two really amazing tours yesterday. We were reading the testimony of one of the men who met in the School of the Prophets when sacred events took place, and they couldn't even read because they were so touched by the spirit. It's always a shame when I have to bear my testimony after reading John Murdock's, because his is so powerful. Will I guess shame is the wrong word. I love sharing my testimony with others. And I suppose all testimonies are strong, are but it's a big task to follow John Murdock in testifying. Does that even makes sense? Probably not. Especially if you don't know what I'm talking about. Ir you have question, I'd be happy to answer them. In Kirtland. We're open everyday from 9am-9pm. Just in case you were wondering. 

I can't believe that next week is already Mother's Day! What in the world! Hopefully this time I won't have to be like Ariel and not speak. Because I don't know sign language. I'm excited to speak with you guys. I really like you guys, you know that? It's true. I love my family. The end. 

Have a good week and I will see you SOON! :)

Love,

Sister Livingston

1.  Meet My Friends

2. Welcome to the Ashery. 

3. CHEESE!

Week 32: She got a penpal!

Hello! This week was really good. Really really good. Missions are fun. But also really hard. I might have said this last week, but we've been working with our area book a lot  because there are literally 100s of people in that thing from 2005-present and it's overwhelming. But also fun. I love organizing and cleaning things out. 

Social Media splits was amazing! Actually, planning it was really stressful. We didn't have a car of our own, so we had to rely on members all day to pick us up and drop us off. But, a lot of times appointments fall through so you end up doing backups and then you aren't where you tell the members you're going to be. Does that make sense? I don't know. But I don't have time right now so I'm not even going to re-read this. But look at #clevelandldsmissionaries and find me. I'm famous. Just kidding. Gotcha!

Ohio weather doesn't make sense. One day it's beautiful and warm and sunny, and the next there's a dreary rain storm. But the skies are always SO pretty. I love it. Also I almost just spelt "skies", "skys". And that would have been silly of me. 

I GOT A PEN PAL THIS WEEK! That was definitely my highlight. We were taking chats at the VC and this girl came on asking about a missionary pen pal service. She isn't a member. I told her I wasn't sure what she was talking about (it wasn't DearElder) but that I would be happy to write her. She said she wants me to teach her about the gospel! So I'm really excited. Though, I'm not sure how to teach through letters. Because I won't be able to tell how she takes things... so it'll be interesting. 

But yeah. The church is true. And I love it a lot. My testimony is growing ever stronger. And that's a good thing. So the end. I love you all!

Love,

me

A letter from Sister Heckert, who lives with Jayne

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Hello there-

So my name is Sister Heckert and I live with your daughter (or sister) Jayne.  She serves in Kirtland & I'm in Kirtland North, so we get to interact a fairly good amount.  I just wanted to write & let you know how wonderful Sister Livingston is.  I love her and am so happy I've had the chance to spend some time with her while we are serving missions. She loves people here so deeply and sincerely & is truly such an amazing example of charity.  I think she tends to be hard on herself but she really is doing INCREDIBLE things for the people in Ohio--whether it's long term residents or people who stop in for a tour.

She always makes me laugh.  HOLY COW is Sis. Liv funny.  Probably the most hilarious sister in all of Kirtland.  She makes everyone laugh.  Which is something we as missionaries REALLY need.  She is also incredible at teaching & testifying.  I am grateful for her testimony and her y . 

I hope I get to meet you one day cause I've heard a lot about you & if you're anything like Sister Livingston, you're probably ridiculously cool.  Have a good week! Don't worry about writing back.  I just wanted to write a quick note.

Love,

Sister Heckert

Week 31: Stone Quarry with Touch Drill Marks and Social Media! (Last Paragraph)

First off, I would just like to formally congratulate Elder Trentman. Why is he so cool?!! I'm so happy for him! Ahhh he's going to be so great. I know it. (Chancey Trentman just got called to serve as the youngest zone leader to ever be called in his area.  He's feeling very inadequate and humbled by this leadership opportunity but we know with the Lord on his side he will do a great job.)

Second off, hello. This week was fabulous. Allow me to tell you about it:

Last P-Day  (Preparation Day:  A day they have "off" to prepare for the week and get mundane errands and necessities done) we got to go to the Stone Quarry where the saints got stone for the temple. You can still see the drill marks so it's really neat. Being here just makes everything so much more real. I don't know how else to describe it. But I love it so much. The more I learn about the early saints, the more I love them. They had such strong faith and were so devoted to doing whatever it was that God asked of them, giving up anything/everything on the way. I want to be more like that. 

We took lots of tours this week. It's getting really busy, like to the point where sometimes we don't eat lunch till 3pm because we're out on tours all morning. And I love it. It's so neat how even though we're taking people to the same rooms, all of the tours are different. My favorite thing is when people come in and are just so touched by the spirit that is there. And when people really appreciate the buildings and the history that is there. Sometimes I think I take it for granted--getting to live in such a spiritually rich environment. 

We had exchanges on Friday! Exchanges are always fun. Except for I met this little boy in the area I went to and he kept asking me if he could sit on my lap, which isn't allowed. I didn't really know what to do. So, I was a mea to him unfortunately and just said, " Nope!" Hopefully he'll forgive me.

Also, this Saturday we're having what's called "Social Media Splits" where we'll be going out with members all day. They will be taking pictures of us, then posting them on Social Media such as instagram, twitter, facebook and whatever else is out there. They will be using the #socialmediasplits #clevelandldsmissionaries and #adayinthelifeofamissionary hashtags. So if you can, it would be great if you could like/share pictures of me that you see. Okay that sounds super vain. But it's something we've been asked to ask of those back home so that more people can see the pictures and we can spread the gospel more using social media. It should be really cool. 

And that's it. I'm just really happy for Elder Trentman right now. Okay. Have a nice week everyone! I love you. 

Love,

Sister Livingston

Week 30: Without Christ I am Nothing

Hello! We were at the Visitor's Center 4 days this week. I feel like there was someone I partially knew that came in who I wanted to ask about, but maybe not. Oh! Actually, this is it: Elder VanLeewen or something. I'm not sure. A bunch of sisters told me he came in with his family and asked for me. He served in our ward and knew our family apparently. Do you guys know him?

I had a dream that I forgot to do a homework assignment, and I woke up feeling really nervous and sick, but then remembered I'm on a mission--no homework. One of the many blessings that come from serving a mission. I don't miss homework. 

Anyway. We also had a Zone Training Meeting and a few other meetings, as well as Stake Conference, leaving us a total of 1 full day in our area. It was kind of sad. But, there were still little baby miracles that were seen which I am grateful for. Without them, missionary work would be impossible. We were able to meet quite a few people who have potential. And they're all girls, so hallelujah! Teaching men was hard. Especially during the winter because we couldn't just meet outside, but we couldn't meet with them inside. You know?

This week, yesterday actually, we went street contacting and met a man who had 9 cats. Nine cats. What in the world. Can I move in? Just kidding. We also met a little old lady while trying to stop by to see some less actives. She let us in and had 4 cats. So many cat people.

I love my mission. Really, just everything about it. Even the things that are hard and really stretch me. But, I need the stretching for multiple reasons. 1) I'm short. 2) There is so much room for improvement in myself. And I've come to realize just how nothing I am without Christ. Literally. Without him, I am nothing. John 15:5. Love it. So I am forever grateful for him. I know that he sacrificed himself because of his eternal, perfect love for us. And because of that, we are not only able to be forgiven of our sins so that we can be worthy to live with Heavenly Father, but we are able to lean on Christ and receive comfort and strength so that we can enjoy life's journey through the hardships that come with mortality. I loved Elder Holland's talk and how he pointed out that there's no way we  could come to understand, even a little bit, the Atonement if there hadn't been a fall, because it wouldn't be necessary. It was a neat perspective. Elder Holland has a lot of those. 

I have to go take another load of Madame M's stuff to Goodwill now. I love you guys! Thanks for everything. Have a grand week.

Love,

Jayne

Sister Clarkson, the cute little less active in the pink, is my favorite person ever.