Hey Mom and Family,
Wow, thanks for the rundown on the reunion. Sounds like all of you had lots of fun! Ill be looking forward to seeing those pics! Im not gonna lie though, missing the reunion does hurt my heart a little. It sounds like everyone was there except for James and me :( Tell everyone that they ALL better come next year too!
So Ive been having my bff out here (Sister Wright) call Uncle Max's mom and talk with her about the gospel. Shaefer gave me her name as a referral. Sister Wright talked with her for a good 45 minutes this past Sunday, and she's going to keep calling her every couple weeks to see how she's doing. She left her with some scriptures to read and sent the missionaries to her house so hopefully all will go well.
Well, I dont really have much to report this week. We still dont have any investigators in my new area. We have a few potentials though so thats good. Sites has been crazy! Ive even had to take some tours by myself. There were so many groups that we had to split up companionships. On Friday we had about 1600 people come through. One of my favorite tours thus far was one that I took by myself the other day. The youth group was from Las Vegas. There were about 60 of them, and I took about 20 on my tour. They were the sweetest kids ever! My favorite room is the School of the Prophets. The spirit there is amazing. After reciting a testimony by John Murdock, I bore my testimony that Christ lives and loves us all. I tried not to cry, but I couldnt help it. Normally, however, if I do cry I at least have a companion there to jump in when I can no longer speak. When I felt the tears coming on I thought to myself, "oh no, what am I going to do!" Fortunately for me the man who organizes this youth trip (this was his 36th time) was on the tour and he asked if we could sing a hymn. One of the kids suggested "I Know that My Redeemer Lives". So, we sang the first verse of the hymn and it was powerful. Ill always remember that tour. I saved some of the comment cards that the kids left and Im putting them in my journal :)
Sister Shoell and I met a cool man last night while tracting. He was sitting out on his front porch enjoying the cool summer breeze. His name is John Turner. John is 60 years old, African American, and has dark blue eyes. Just by looking at him you can tell that he's had a rough life. After talking with us for a while he told us that he's been trying to change his life around. We taught him the healing power of the Atonement and that he can be forgiven of things he did in the past. Before we left we asked if he would offer a prayer. We knelt in his front yard and he prayed, probably for the first time in years. Maybe even for the first time ever. After he closed, he had tears in his eyes. He was so humble and sincere. We're going back tonight to give him a Book of Mormon, Ill let you know how it goes. Well that's pretty much all I have to report. Hope everyone is back safe and sound at home. I love you all! Ill be thinking of you on the 4th!!
Sister Kingston
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Busy Summer!
Hey Mom Dad and Family!
Dad , Happy belated Father's day! It sounds like you had a good day up at the farm. Tell everyone at the reunion I said hello and update me on how everyone's doing! That's cool that Jake gets to be baptized in the river! Take pictures! Who from Auntie Leslie's family will be there? If Mike and his wife are there tell them the Sisters here who know them loved them! Mike sold security systems(?) in Ohio last summer and lived in one of the ten areas that sisters serve in. My last companion Sister Frisch was serving in their ward. She said they probably wont remember her, but she was super impressed with them. Kate talked with her one night at an activity and Sister Frisch said Kate made her feel normal because she talked to her as if she didnt just see the name tag :)
Mom Im so proud of you for being a missionary! I used to think it was so hard to talk to people about the gospel, but really its not. What do you have to lose? The worst they can do is say no, and you move on to the next person until you find people who are prepared to accept. You should carry around pass along cards with you. I like the "Finding Faith in Christ" cards and the "Book of Mormon" cards. They have a website on the back that I always tell people to check out (mormon.org). I challenge you to get some from the missionaries in Grandma's ward and then give at least one away as you travel home. All you have to do is say, "Can I give you this card? It's for a free Book of Mormon. Reading the Book of Mormon has helped me find happiness and I know it can do the same for you." You can tweak it to your liking of course. Let me know how it goes :)
Well this week has been good. As far as investigators go we don't really have any. We are in finding mode. We have one at the moment but he's what we call an internigator. He's been investigating for a year and a half now. His name is Tony and he's a youth minister. I love him, dad he looks like Emit Smith haha. Tonight will be my first sit down lesson with him so I'll let you know how it goes. I love Tony's neighborhood. He lives in Maple Heights. It's part of my new area and it's just outside of Cleveland. There are a lot of humble people there.
Sites are getting busier and busier. This Friday we have over 1,000 people scheduled to come. Not to mention all of the families that come through. There are some extra things happening this summer too. We have the Emma festival, held in the Kirtland Temple in July. "This is Kirtland" a play put on by the Kirtland stake is every weekend in July. We just had strawberry festival (it's a carnival at the Kirtland Highschool) where all of us Sisters sang. We also had a BBQ with the Community of Christ this past week. I have a feeling that summer is going to fly by.
Well I'd better get going. Have fun on vacation and dont forget to write me! Tell everyone at the reunion to write me too!! Love you all!
Sister Kingston
Dad , Happy belated Father's day! It sounds like you had a good day up at the farm. Tell everyone at the reunion I said hello and update me on how everyone's doing! That's cool that Jake gets to be baptized in the river! Take pictures! Who from Auntie Leslie's family will be there? If Mike and his wife are there tell them the Sisters here who know them loved them! Mike sold security systems(?) in Ohio last summer and lived in one of the ten areas that sisters serve in. My last companion Sister Frisch was serving in their ward. She said they probably wont remember her, but she was super impressed with them. Kate talked with her one night at an activity and Sister Frisch said Kate made her feel normal because she talked to her as if she didnt just see the name tag :)
Mom Im so proud of you for being a missionary! I used to think it was so hard to talk to people about the gospel, but really its not. What do you have to lose? The worst they can do is say no, and you move on to the next person until you find people who are prepared to accept. You should carry around pass along cards with you. I like the "Finding Faith in Christ" cards and the "Book of Mormon" cards. They have a website on the back that I always tell people to check out (mormon.org). I challenge you to get some from the missionaries in Grandma's ward and then give at least one away as you travel home. All you have to do is say, "Can I give you this card? It's for a free Book of Mormon. Reading the Book of Mormon has helped me find happiness and I know it can do the same for you." You can tweak it to your liking of course. Let me know how it goes :)
Well this week has been good. As far as investigators go we don't really have any. We are in finding mode. We have one at the moment but he's what we call an internigator. He's been investigating for a year and a half now. His name is Tony and he's a youth minister. I love him, dad he looks like Emit Smith haha. Tonight will be my first sit down lesson with him so I'll let you know how it goes. I love Tony's neighborhood. He lives in Maple Heights. It's part of my new area and it's just outside of Cleveland. There are a lot of humble people there.
Sites are getting busier and busier. This Friday we have over 1,000 people scheduled to come. Not to mention all of the families that come through. There are some extra things happening this summer too. We have the Emma festival, held in the Kirtland Temple in July. "This is Kirtland" a play put on by the Kirtland stake is every weekend in July. We just had strawberry festival (it's a carnival at the Kirtland Highschool) where all of us Sisters sang. We also had a BBQ with the Community of Christ this past week. I have a feeling that summer is going to fly by.
Well I'd better get going. Have fun on vacation and dont forget to write me! Tell everyone at the reunion to write me too!! Love you all!
Sister Kingston
Monday, June 7, 2010
Fourth Transfer
Hey Mom Dad and Family!
Hey fambam! Can you believe it's summer already?! Crazy! It sounds like you have a busy few weeks ahead. Make sure to tell everyone at the reunion hello for me! Have fun at girls camp Mom! Dad I'm sure it was sad leaving the River City ward. There's a quote from the Kirtland movie that we sisters usually recite around transfer time, "Whatever happens the Lord is in it" haha. Youll love the Talaofa Ward...try not to butcher their names lol.
I have to make this e-mail short. It's tranfer time again which means we have to deep clean our house today. Plus I got the news that I will be getting transferred so I have to pack again. This will be my fourth area in five tranfers! Most Sisters serve in 4 areas total their whole mission. Im sad to leave but I know everything happens for a reason. I just wish I could stay for a couple more weeks because our investigator Christy is getting baptized on the 18th. She's 16 and super cute! She has turned her life around 100%. She now has a sense of who she is and why she's here. She comes from a very wealthy family and her parents are so busy that they're not really involved in her life. She lives in a mansion and has everything she could ever want, but until she found the gospel she was sad all the time. The gospel is our greatest treasure in life! Christy bore her testimony yesterday in church for the first time. It was AWESOME! As I listened to her simple and sweet testimony of how the gospel of Jesus Christ has changed her life, I couldn't help but cry. The Spirit was so strong. After Sacrament everyone asked about her baptism and wanted to know if they could participate. Ive never been in a ward where the people love and support everyone like they do here. It's truly the way it should be!
Well, I have to go. Thanks for all of your love and support! I look forward to hearing about your lives each week :) Love you all tons!
Here's some pictures from sites:
Hey fambam! Can you believe it's summer already?! Crazy! It sounds like you have a busy few weeks ahead. Make sure to tell everyone at the reunion hello for me! Have fun at girls camp Mom! Dad I'm sure it was sad leaving the River City ward. There's a quote from the Kirtland movie that we sisters usually recite around transfer time, "Whatever happens the Lord is in it" haha. Youll love the Talaofa Ward...try not to butcher their names lol.
I have to make this e-mail short. It's tranfer time again which means we have to deep clean our house today. Plus I got the news that I will be getting transferred so I have to pack again. This will be my fourth area in five tranfers! Most Sisters serve in 4 areas total their whole mission. Im sad to leave but I know everything happens for a reason. I just wish I could stay for a couple more weeks because our investigator Christy is getting baptized on the 18th. She's 16 and super cute! She has turned her life around 100%. She now has a sense of who she is and why she's here. She comes from a very wealthy family and her parents are so busy that they're not really involved in her life. She lives in a mansion and has everything she could ever want, but until she found the gospel she was sad all the time. The gospel is our greatest treasure in life! Christy bore her testimony yesterday in church for the first time. It was AWESOME! As I listened to her simple and sweet testimony of how the gospel of Jesus Christ has changed her life, I couldn't help but cry. The Spirit was so strong. After Sacrament everyone asked about her baptism and wanted to know if they could participate. Ive never been in a ward where the people love and support everyone like they do here. It's truly the way it should be!
Well, I have to go. Thanks for all of your love and support! I look forward to hearing about your lives each week :) Love you all tons!
Here's some pictures from sites:
Memorial Day at Chardon Square
Hey Mom Dad and Family!
Those pics of Malia are too cute! Im glad the baby blessing went well! Her hair cracks me up :) Sorry most of the pics I sent dont have people in them. I was trying to capture the essence of Chardon square. It reminds me a lot of Stars Hallow (Gilmore Girls). Since today was p-day we did get to enjoy some Memorial Day festivities. In Chardon we watched a small parade and walked around the square for a while. We then went to a BBQ that our branch was hosting at a near by park. I love BBQs! The branch has one every year and it includes a dessert auction (to raise money for girls camp). Apparently they had to put a cap of $100 on any one item, because people were bidding way too high. Crazy, right? I guess it's all for a good cause though. Right after the BBQ in Chardon we drove back down to Kirtland where the Butterfields held a BBQ for all of the Sisters and some of the Elders who serve near Kirtland. Due to the crazy Ohio weather, the BBQ had to be moved in doors because it started pooring and thundering/lightning. The thunderstorm lasted for about 2 hours and then it was bright and sunny again. Its about 85 degrees here but it feels about 100, with the nasty humidity. Summer should be fun!
This week was a bit busy at sites. We had a bus tour of youth from D.C. come through as well as a YSA conference called Zion's camp. Zion's camp is held here in Kirtland for about three days for YSA's in about 4 different states. It was weird to take groups of my peers on tour. John Bytheway came and spoke at the Stake Center. I wish I could've gone. My first comp/trainer Sister Wilks got to take him on tour! Cool huh?
I had my first taste of what it's going to be like here for the next few months! Im excited though! This summer is going to be an adjustment though. Next transfer (in about 7 weeks) 8 sisters go home. 10 new sisters will be coming out to be there replacements. This means that pretty much every sister in Kirtland will be training during the busiest time of the year. YIKES! Ill let you know how it goes.
We found out this week that a General Authority will be coming to our mission conference next month. His name is Elder Foster, he spoke in conference in April. He's doing a Q and A session and then speaking to us. I was just asked to sing a duet with another sister at this mission conference, so Im pretty much freaking out. Its a song that Ive never heard before so cross your fingers that it goes ok.
Our investigators are still doing well! They are progressing and changing more and more each day! I just love being able to teach people who are truly ready for the gospel. Its theeee BEST! Well, I have to go now. Love you all soooooo much!!!!!
Sister Kingston
Those pics of Malia are too cute! Im glad the baby blessing went well! Her hair cracks me up :) Sorry most of the pics I sent dont have people in them. I was trying to capture the essence of Chardon square. It reminds me a lot of Stars Hallow (Gilmore Girls). Since today was p-day we did get to enjoy some Memorial Day festivities. In Chardon we watched a small parade and walked around the square for a while. We then went to a BBQ that our branch was hosting at a near by park. I love BBQs! The branch has one every year and it includes a dessert auction (to raise money for girls camp). Apparently they had to put a cap of $100 on any one item, because people were bidding way too high. Crazy, right? I guess it's all for a good cause though. Right after the BBQ in Chardon we drove back down to Kirtland where the Butterfields held a BBQ for all of the Sisters and some of the Elders who serve near Kirtland. Due to the crazy Ohio weather, the BBQ had to be moved in doors because it started pooring and thundering/lightning. The thunderstorm lasted for about 2 hours and then it was bright and sunny again. Its about 85 degrees here but it feels about 100, with the nasty humidity. Summer should be fun!
This week was a bit busy at sites. We had a bus tour of youth from D.C. come through as well as a YSA conference called Zion's camp. Zion's camp is held here in Kirtland for about three days for YSA's in about 4 different states. It was weird to take groups of my peers on tour. John Bytheway came and spoke at the Stake Center. I wish I could've gone. My first comp/trainer Sister Wilks got to take him on tour! Cool huh?
I had my first taste of what it's going to be like here for the next few months! Im excited though! This summer is going to be an adjustment though. Next transfer (in about 7 weeks) 8 sisters go home. 10 new sisters will be coming out to be there replacements. This means that pretty much every sister in Kirtland will be training during the busiest time of the year. YIKES! Ill let you know how it goes.
We found out this week that a General Authority will be coming to our mission conference next month. His name is Elder Foster, he spoke in conference in April. He's doing a Q and A session and then speaking to us. I was just asked to sing a duet with another sister at this mission conference, so Im pretty much freaking out. Its a song that Ive never heard before so cross your fingers that it goes ok.
Our investigators are still doing well! They are progressing and changing more and more each day! I just love being able to teach people who are truly ready for the gospel. Its theeee BEST! Well, I have to go now. Love you all soooooo much!!!!!
Sister Kingston
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