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
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
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
Monday, May 24, 2010
Teaching by the Spirit
Hey Mom Dad and Family!
Im glad you liked the package Mom and Dad, that will probably be the only one I send you haha. Ive attached a few photos, Im trying to be better about taking pics. Im glad you had fun in Boston Mom! Dad congrats on being out of school! I would advise not to try and read the Book of Mormon by the end of June though. Take your time and really study it, prayerfully. Our mission president has counciled us to read the scriptures slowly. He said when we read slower, we better allow the Spirit to speak to us. Just a suggestion. Im glad to hear that Grandma is ok! I will definitely keep her in my prayers!
This week was pretty crazy. I have lots to tell you, but I dont have much time. I had one of the greatest lessons of my whole mission this week. We had our first lesson with our new investigator Jill. She was referred by a member who had been teaching her about the church on her own. The member just moved to Utah, so before she left she called us and referred Jill. It's hard to even explain the lesson but the spirit was super strong! Lately, Ive been trying to rely more on the spirit rather than intelect. We've been taught to teach people not lessons. It sounds like an easy enough concept, but it can be a challenge when youre teaching with 2 other missionaries. There's a scripture in Alma 4 that Ive been reading over and over to remind myself to frequently bear testimony. Bearing testimony is one of the quickest ways to invite the spirit. So all three of us were on the same page when we were teaching Jill, and we taught by the Spirit. We werent planning on committing her to be baptized on that first visit because she is very shy and timid. However, I felt prompted to extend the invitation. She was hesitant at first but after we assured her that we would continue to support her and teach her in preparation, she accepted! We are excited for Jill, but we're going to take it slow with her. She now knows our purpose and she knows that baptism is important. After the lesson, we got in the car and Sister Frisch and I cried. It was powerful to receive a prompting, act on it, and then see the results! I love missionary work!
The next story I have for you isnt spiritual at all. Its actually quite embarrassing. We had zone conference this week. There's a part of Zone Conference when we return and report. Each companionship stands and gives their baptism and baptismal date goals for the month and their actuals so far. Well, we stood up and gave our numbers...and here comes the embarrassing part. My chair wasnt scooting in, so I grabbed it from the top and the seat part to pull it in. As I attempted to sit down the chair folded up and I fell! Everyone was watching and it felt like I was moving in slow motion! Next thing I know someone is helping me up and it was my mission president!! haha I stood up and for some reason I felt the need to announce to everyone with my hands up in the air that I was ok lol. When I sat back down I looked at the Sister Sanchez and Sister Wilks who saw the entire thing unfold (no pun intended) and they were crying because they were laughing so hard. I was laughing just as hard! Unfortunately, none of the Elders were laughing, I think they were trying to be polite but it just made things more awkward! Yikes! Oh well, I should be used to awkward moments by now right?
Well, I dont have much time to tell you about the other things that happened this week. Ill save it for next time. Just know that I love you all tons!!!
Love Sister Kingston
Monday, April 19, 2010
Book of Mormon Challenge
Hey Mom and fam!
Wow it sounds like you have a busy week ahead of you! But like you said, it will keep you out of trouble haha. Good luck with everything this week let me know how it goes! That's awesome that you're doing a B.O.M challenge! We did one as a mission recently. As we read we circled all of the references to Jesus Christ (i.e Lord, I am, Savior, Redeemer, His) and in another color we underlined Christ like attributes. You might want to do the same, it pretty neat. The Book of Mormon truly is Another Testament of Jesus Christ!
I'm jealous that you get to go to Boston! Take lots of pics and tell me all about it! Mother's Day is in just a few weeks, crazy! Are you gonna try and set up a conference call again? Mother's Day this year is 2 days away from my going home date (May 11, 2011). It's kinda scary to think about haha.
Well, this week was good. The mall was fun last Monday but kinda weird too! haha Three sisters go home this next week, and it's going to be really sad! They were my roommates for my first two transfers and I love them tons! We're losing 15 sisters in the next three transfers! There's gonna be lots of change in Kirtland.
Sister Frisch and I had a couple of powerful lessons with our investigators. We basically told them our purpose and that if they're not willing to do the work then we can't meet with them anymore. It's tough when you have to drop investigators, but we can't waste our time on those who won't commit when there are others waiting to be found. I've been focusing a lot on my purpose lately. We had zone conference a couple weeks ago and it was all about our purpose as missionaries. Studying chapter 1 in Preach My Gospel has helped me to truly understand my purpose. I encourage everyone to read from Preach My Gospel! It was written by the Prophet and Apostles. Our purpose statement was the last thing written in Preach because it took so much time to make it perfect.
Well, I have to go now. Thanks for writing Mom and Dad! I love you all tons and I'm grateful for the gospel and I know it blesses families!
Love,
Sister Kingston
p.s. Hey Mom I have a big favor to ask. Can you order me a new Preach My Gospel from the church's distribution center and have it shipped directly to me? I have an older version and just noticed that some things have been changed. I think it's only $6. Thanks!
p.p.s When you feed the Elders tell them I'm still trying to get info on Simone's schedule and that Ill call them as soon as I get it. Thanks again!
Wow it sounds like you have a busy week ahead of you! But like you said, it will keep you out of trouble haha. Good luck with everything this week let me know how it goes! That's awesome that you're doing a B.O.M challenge! We did one as a mission recently. As we read we circled all of the references to Jesus Christ (i.e Lord, I am, Savior, Redeemer, His) and in another color we underlined Christ like attributes. You might want to do the same, it pretty neat. The Book of Mormon truly is Another Testament of Jesus Christ!
I'm jealous that you get to go to Boston! Take lots of pics and tell me all about it! Mother's Day is in just a few weeks, crazy! Are you gonna try and set up a conference call again? Mother's Day this year is 2 days away from my going home date (May 11, 2011). It's kinda scary to think about haha.
Well, this week was good. The mall was fun last Monday but kinda weird too! haha Three sisters go home this next week, and it's going to be really sad! They were my roommates for my first two transfers and I love them tons! We're losing 15 sisters in the next three transfers! There's gonna be lots of change in Kirtland.
Sister Frisch and I had a couple of powerful lessons with our investigators. We basically told them our purpose and that if they're not willing to do the work then we can't meet with them anymore. It's tough when you have to drop investigators, but we can't waste our time on those who won't commit when there are others waiting to be found. I've been focusing a lot on my purpose lately. We had zone conference a couple weeks ago and it was all about our purpose as missionaries. Studying chapter 1 in Preach My Gospel has helped me to truly understand my purpose. I encourage everyone to read from Preach My Gospel! It was written by the Prophet and Apostles. Our purpose statement was the last thing written in Preach because it took so much time to make it perfect.
Well, I have to go now. Thanks for writing Mom and Dad! I love you all tons and I'm grateful for the gospel and I know it blesses families!
Love,
Sister Kingston
p.s. Hey Mom I have a big favor to ask. Can you order me a new Preach My Gospel from the church's distribution center and have it shipped directly to me? I have an older version and just noticed that some things have been changed. I think it's only $6. Thanks!
p.p.s When you feed the Elders tell them I'm still trying to get info on Simone's schedule and that Ill call them as soon as I get it. Thanks again!
Congratulations!
Hey Dad and Fam!
Yay! I have a new niece! She is sooooo cute! Congrats on your newest edition Takahashi fam! Wow, it sounds like it's been a crazy past couple of days. I'm glad the baby arrived safe and sound.
Well I have to make this a short one too. 7 of us sisters are going to the mall today to pick out going home outfits for two of the sisters who go home in 2 weeks. It will be my first time going to a mall since I've been out so it should be an interesting experience.
This past week I had some cool tour experiences. We took a British family on tour. It was a family of four (mom dad brother sister). The son had just returned from his mission in Canada so they visited his mission and decided to visit some church history sites as well. Mom you would have loved talking to them! Their home in England is over 100 years old! They were really sweet people. Another cool experience we had was when we took a return sister missionary on tour. She served in Nauvoo about 10 years ago. When we stepped into the Newal K. Whitney store she immediately started to cry. She was overwhelmed by the spirit. She also mentioned that there's a familiar smell to places where the prophet has been. She was awesome! We took a young family out on tour who were from Illinois. They had four kids with them and their oldest was 11. Her name is Hannah and she had such an enthusiasm about everything we showed her. More than once I heard her exclaim, "WOW!" as she looked around the store and the home. It's my favorite when someone so young is so intune and excited about church history!
Well I have to go now. Hope all is well with everyone back home! I love you all so much! The gospel is true!
Love,
Sister Kingston
Yay! I have a new niece! She is sooooo cute! Congrats on your newest edition Takahashi fam! Wow, it sounds like it's been a crazy past couple of days. I'm glad the baby arrived safe and sound.
Well I have to make this a short one too. 7 of us sisters are going to the mall today to pick out going home outfits for two of the sisters who go home in 2 weeks. It will be my first time going to a mall since I've been out so it should be an interesting experience.
This past week I had some cool tour experiences. We took a British family on tour. It was a family of four (mom dad brother sister). The son had just returned from his mission in Canada so they visited his mission and decided to visit some church history sites as well. Mom you would have loved talking to them! Their home in England is over 100 years old! They were really sweet people. Another cool experience we had was when we took a return sister missionary on tour. She served in Nauvoo about 10 years ago. When we stepped into the Newal K. Whitney store she immediately started to cry. She was overwhelmed by the spirit. She also mentioned that there's a familiar smell to places where the prophet has been. She was awesome! We took a young family out on tour who were from Illinois. They had four kids with them and their oldest was 11. Her name is Hannah and she had such an enthusiasm about everything we showed her. More than once I heard her exclaim, "WOW!" as she looked around the store and the home. It's my favorite when someone so young is so intune and excited about church history!
Well I have to go now. Hope all is well with everyone back home! I love you all so much! The gospel is true!
Love,
Sister Kingston
Monday, April 5, 2010
Easter/Conference Sunday
I'm glad to hear you all had a good Easter/conference Sunday! It sounds like Katrina's gonna pop any day now...keep me posted! Tell all of the kids I said hi and that I miss them! So it was rainy there? The weather here was perfect! I think it was 75, with a nice cool breeze :) One day this week, it got up to 80. I thought 80 degrees would feel good but the humidity makes it seem a WHOLE lot hotter! Summer's gonna be intense.
I had a great day yesterday as well! Thanks for the Easter packages Mom! Thanks for sending my shoes too! All of us sisters in the Boynton home died eggs on Saturday night and ate egg salad sandwiches on Sunday :). We started our Easter by going to a morning service that the Community of Christ had in the Temple. They invited us, and we've always wanted to know what their church services were like. Normally they meet in a church building across the street from the Temple, but since it was Easter they met in the Temple. Us missionaries made up over half of the people who were in attendance. It was very interesting. They had a pastor who preached and talked about Easter. They placed a 5 foot cross draped with a crown of thorns, on the puplit where Joseph Smith used to sit and where Christ most likely appeared. It made me sad, yet I was happy to know that I belong to the true church with the correct priesthood authority!
After their service, they had a breakfast for us across the street. The food was pretty good :)
The rest of the day was pretty relaxed. We watched both sessions of conference at the visitor center. I loved it! It was weird being on east coast time though. The first session doesn't start until 12 and the last session ends at 6. Pretty late huh? My comp and I were able to watch all four sessions of conference! Some other companionships had to give tours, but luckily we didn't get called! Wasn't the theme of conference interesting? It was especially interesting watching it in a room full of sisters haha. It was funny to see the reaction of those who will be going home soon, they felt a little over whelmed haha. I loved all of the talks but my favorites were from Elder Holland (he's always my fav no matter what the subject is), President Uchtdorf, and President Monson (sunday morning session). I cant wait till the Ensign comes out so I can read ALL of the talks again!
After conference, we had dinner with a less active couple in our ward. They had a traditional Easter dinner complete with ham, rolls, funeral potatoes, etc. We had a good lesson with them too! Then we had an appointment with one of our investigators, we taught them a lesson, and then we went home. It was a great day!
Well, I have to go now. Hope all is well at home! Love you all bunches and thanks for everything!!! The gospel is true!
Sister Kingston
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