Week 57: Forgive me.

Heyheyhey!

This week was great! I'm safe, happy, growing (in more than one way) and loving life. We went to the temple this morning and it was WONDERFUL! Love that place SO much. Though the Columbus temple is TINY!!! Still grand, nonetheless.

I can't remember much other than that. But most likely more stuff happened than the temple. If you're lucky, I'll tell you some day. 

Much love,

Sister Livingston

"Short and sweet, just like her."  Mike Trentman

Week 56: "You Wanna Go Where Everybody Knows Your Name" (Cheers)

Hello! Get ready for the shortest email you've ever received from me. 

We found a new investigator this week! We'll call him Marley! He's Jamaican, so it's hard to understand. But he's JAMAICAN! So neat. We taught him twice last week, then he came to church and got there half an hour early, and was asking about baptism! So amazing! Pray all goes well with him. :)

Yesterday, I got to take the Bishop of the Kirtland ward on tour with his family! He was actually released yesterday, so with all of the time that he had when he wasn't in meetings/interviews, they decided to come to the sites! It was really fun and nice to see him again. And he remembered me. I don't know why, but that ALWAYS shocks me. And when people know my name. For example, this lady in the Elders area called me by name yesterday. I was wondering how she knew my name, and when I looked down at my name tag, it was covered by my hair. HOW DID SHE DO THAT?! So yeah.

Also, I sang in church yesterday with the Elders and that was scary. But it went decently well. We sang "I'll Go where You Want me To Go". On the first verse, we each had a little solo, and my line was, "It may not be on the battle's front, my Lord will have need of me." It was supposed to be silent humor. Because I'm a girl. And they're boys. But I got that line. Get it? Battle's Front? Okay, okay that's all I have time for. Missionary work is the best and I'm in love with my Mission. Christ lives! 

Love,

Sister Livingston

Week 55: 5 points from General Conference Weekend!

This week was quite a bit slower, but good things still happened! I can't really remember it at all though. Shoot. I went on exchanges back to my baby area! It was actually really weird--I was in the Kirtland area with Sister Finlinson. My old area with my old companion. But it was so good! I got to see Sister S, and she is doing awesome. She's working towards going to the temple in November! 











Then I also got to see Sister Clarkson, and she is one of my favorite people EVER. Love that lady. Then we had dinner with a family that I absolutely LOVE. And they actually remembered me! And random things about me, like my birthday and the fact that I like spicy food. So that was nice. Sometimes I feel like no one is ever going to remember me. 







 


Then after that we went to see Danyelle and Issac, my
best buddy. He gave me a big fat hug. Lots of them, actually. I'm not sure it was allowed though, so shhh. It was so fun being back! It kind of felt like coming home

. 

And General Conference was amazing, as always. 3 new apostles! So exciting.  When they walked to their new chairs--what a scary/exciting walk. On Saturday we were serving at sites so we just watched it there on the big screen. It's the next best thing to actually being there. They also show the Priesthood session, and the Kirtland Ward always comes to the sites to watch it, so I got to see Brother Decker! It's always so good seeing him. Then on Sunday, we watched the First session at Bishop's house. It was so fun/weird. I almost didn't feel like a missionary. Originally, we planned to meet there with the Elders and Bishop to discuss our "non member" sacrament meeting and the needs of individuals in our ward. But when we showed up, they had a huge feast for us! Probably for Korea's Thanksgiving. 

I ALSO GOT TO SEE Madame M LAST WEEK!!!!! Sweet, sweet miracles.

Then we had the meeting. Afterwards, Bishop wanted us to play a game of ping pong with his boys to interact with them a little more, so we did. #dutycalls. Then we all headed back up to the kitchen to do the dishes and clean up. Then they invited us all to stay for conference since we had no where else to go. Then after conference, Bishop's wife hemmed a dress of mine while we did studies on their couch. So it felt like we were just hanging out with friends all morning. It was definitely a different day in the life of a missionary. Here's a quick summary of what I got out of conference:

1. Make Christ the center of your life, and He will mold you into who you are capable of becoming.

2. Mother's are the best! But mostly mine. 

3. Keep the commandments, stay within the boundaries.

4. Always seek to have the Holy Ghost with you. 

4. PONDERIZE!! Loved that one. 

5. Our leaders are called of God and are inspired. 

And lots of other little golden nuggets. Here's what I'm ponderizing this week:

"But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God." Moroni 7:13

So good and so true. I just want to be better. Luckily for me, I can become better through Christ. I love Him and know that He lives. I hope you have a wonderful week and are able to personally apply the things you learned during conference. 

Much love,

Sister Livingston

Look who got called to serve in Kirtland!

This is one of Jayne's best friends from when she was in elementary school!  Brenley just got called to serve in Cleveland, OH, in the Historic Kirtland Visitor's Center, just like Jayne!  Brenley leaves February 10th, so they'll miss each other.  Jayne's release date is March 5, and Brenley will have 3 weeks in the Missionary Training Center.  But we want to take our family back so we may see her then, and enjoy getting to be the ones to take the pictures and send them to her family!t  What a special treat for these girls!

Week 54: BILL WAS BAPTIZED!!

Heeey! This week was a good one! BILL WAS BAPTIZED!! It was so neat. The spirit was strong, he was excited, the water was warm, the members were involved and everything about it was perfect. Except for the part where I attempted to sing. But let's not talk about that.

 

 After he was baptized, he got up and bore his testimony. He said that when he first gave us his number, it was because he liked to mess around with missionaries of other faiths (JW), but then after we met, he realized that we could answer a lot of questions we had, so he took it very seriously! And he moved right along. Originally we had set a baptismal date with him for October 17th, but then after the first 3 lessons we realized that he was ready RIGHT THEN so we moved it up to September 26th. But now he's going to the temple on the 17th! Then he got confirmed yesterday and said he felt remarkable. He also said he's really happy with the timing of everything because now he'll have the Gift of the Holy Ghost while he watches General Conference. Basically, he knows what's up.

 

Ignore the fact that I'm standing a mile away from him. I was scared to get too close.

Then after his baptism, the Zone Leaders brought their investigator to Kirtland and Sister Beck and I got to take them on a tour! It was really good. She was a bit quiet at first, but we tried really hard to involve her and get her to interact more. Then when it came to the School of the Prophets, we told the story of all of the men throwing their pipes into the fireplace when they learned of the Word of Wisdom and asked what she thought of it. She said, "They must have really known Joseph was a Prophet of God!" And it's TRUE! They really did. She later went on to say that she does too! So neat. Then we left her in that room with the Elders and she was able to pray to our Heavenly Father. The Elders said it was a super good experience for her and that the spirit was so strong! She is getting baptized soon as well. 

THE SITES ARE THE BEST! They are so powerful. Some like to put it this way: The Sites are the best missionary in all of Ohio. Amen to that, my friend! Just being there is amazing, but learning about all of the stories and things that took place--nothing better.

Have a great week! Say your prayers, read your scriptures, brush you teeth, you know. The usual. 

Love,

Sister Livingston

Week 53: The Spirit in the School of the Prophets

Greetings, friends. 

This week was really great! Though I'm not too sure what all happened. I feel like it was preparation day just yesterday! Weird.

I get to stay in Shaker Heights for another transfer which I am absolutely THRILLED about! #shakerboundbaby! I just really like it here. Like, a lot. Bill is getting baptized on Saturday! We had our first lesson with him on August 28th, and he's getting baptized on September 26th. Less than a month. It's so crazy! That never happens here. Well, rarely. Veeeery rarely. But when we told our WML about moving Bill's baptismal date forward so much, he was like, "Are you sure he's ready?" We explained that he was. Then yesterday Brother Rhodes, WML, took Bill from church to work and afterwards he said to us, "He's definitely ready. His understanding is incredible." YEAH IT IS! Hes' so neat. 

#siteelders

Last Tuesday, the Elders had their Preparation Day on Tuesday because it was Transfer week. But we were serving at sites, and they all came in and wanted to take a tour-- That's just something they do the Preparation Day before transfers, especially when elders are leaving the Kirtland zone. It's like a last hurrah kind of thing. So Sister Beck and I took them, but we made them give us the tour based off of what they remember from bringing investigators and what not. Plus they threw in some random ridiculous "facts". It was so funny! But then we got into the School of the Prophets, and two of the elders really took control and buckled down. They just talked about how special that room is and how blessed we were to be in it, and the atmosphere completely changed! They invited us all to kneel down and pray to re-dedicate our missions to Heavenly Father. We all did that at the start of our missions, and the spirit was strong, no doubt. But get that room full of Elders and Sisters who have done nothing but pray about, study and preach the word of God for the past 3-18 months, and there is nothing better! The spirit was SO strong, I didn't want to leave. I'm just so grateful I was able to experience that. It was so neat to see the contrast of everyone before the School of the Prophets, and in the School of the Prophets. The spirit--it's a powerful tool. 

The Baby District

I don't really know what else to talk about. But I do know that Christ lives, and I know that He is the one leading and directing us today, through His servant, Thomas S. Monson. I'm grateful for the knowledge of a Savior who died for me and you and knows us individually, perfectly and eternally. It is only through following him that we are able to make it back to live with our Heavenly Father, who is there for us every step of the way, but is SO eager for us to return to him. I am so excited to go home (not Auburn home) ((gross)) (((just kidding, its' a good place))) and speak with them! It is going to be the best reunion of my life. 

I love you guys! If you have time and they have the need, feed the missionaries soon! They'd probably really appreciate it. :) Have a wonderful week.

Love,

Sister Livingston

Week 52: One Year Out and One Happy Girl!

Hey, ya little rascals.

This week was so good! Again! At Mission Leadership Council, President announced that more Site Sisters were going to go full-pros, so that we could have more elders in our Stake. (We have like 26 Sisters and 8 elders in our Zone. Nuts. (Grapenuts)) So I was TERRIFIED that I would get sent full-pros! Not because I don't want to experience that, I really do. But because I'm not quite ready to leave Shake! I love love LOVE this area. So I was just real scared. But we got transfer calls last night and I'm STAYING!!!!! Oh, blessed day. I'm so happy. Because this means I will be here for Bill's baptism! BEST DAY OF MY LIFEEEE!!

Speaking of Bill, he is on FIRE. We taught him the Word of Wisdom this past week. But we first followed up to see how his Book of Mormon reading was going. He said it was good! But that it made him laugh. I wasn't expecting that answer and didn't know what to think of it. I was a little scared, actually. But when I asked what it was that made him laugh, he said, "Because I can relate so well to Nephi! We're like the same, and it was just funny to me!" What in the world! So that was glorious. Then we started reviewing Joseph's role as a prophet. We asked what his understanding was of whom Joseph was, and he said, "Well if I remember correctly, he was the first modern-day prophet for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was able to receive revelation to guide the people and opened the path to a new faith." Speechless. Yes, Bill, that's exactly who he was. Is someone whispering the answers to you or something? Crazy. So then we taught the Word of Wisdom. We gave him the pamphlet and let him read the little box that lists the things that we don't use. He said, "The only thing I've had a problem with is the last one--harmful or addictive substances. I drink Pepsi, but I actually quit 2 days ago and have the headache to prove it!" We explained how Pespi is fine. But he was like, "No it's not! Not according to these guidelines!" HAHAHAHA Bill! Why is he so cool?! G-O-L-D-E-N. So golden. So we just told him to not judge members if he sees them drinking soda. Also, he came to church yesterday and it was the best Sacrament Meeting we've ever had. He loved it and said he's going to try to get work off next week. And he's looking for a new job. I DON'T DESERVE THIS!!!!!! It's so exciting!

And that's my life, everybody. Bill is doing amazing, I get to stay in Shaker, I get to be with Sister Beck for another transfer, I'm still living with Sister de Kock, and I know that his gospel is true. What could be better? Sweet nothing. 

I love you all!

Sister Livingston

The Childrens

Met them on the street

and they wanted to take pictures,

And that we did!

Have some DQ

Then take a hike.

Jayne and Elder Jones must have met at EFY?
Spiritual Giants--Both of them! :)