Sister Houston's email:
June 6, 2011
Hey family,
ooooohhhh a package? Im excited for Tuesday! Mail day!! whoo hoo!! Thanks so much!
I feel this week flew by so fast. Its like it didn't even happen. It was a good week. Exciting things are happening here in the Hiram area.
We are now up to two days at the Johnson Home, Wednesdays and Fridays. It seems to be getting busier! With little time to study and prepare to present these rooms, most of the time i've just been trying to memorize what to say. You would think after a year it would become natural to teach people! Not quite there yet :) So many amazing things took place at these historical sites. My mind understands that but not so much my heart. I know that the more we feel that something is true, the more spiritually prepared we are to feel the power of the spirit confirm that they are. Then as a result the more powerful our testimonies will be as we share them with others. Sometimes I just find my self going through the motions! I've been praying that my testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith and of the sacred things that took place here would be strengthen. Section 76 of the D&C was revealed at the home. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared in vision to Joseph and the whole plan of salvation laid out for all to know!!! Thats pretty amazing right!!! This event gave us all greater understanding of what the purpose of our lives are. The more i've studied, pondered and presented these things, the more i feel the power of them. Im going to be sad when i have to leave. Transfers end in 2 weeks. Lets hope i stay!
oh and yes im very excited to tell you that we are having a baptism on the 18th of June!! Vera Holzer is her name. Its a pretty spectacular story. Vera is originally from Hungry (I dont think thats how you spell it but you get the idea hee hee). She grew up there, moved all around Europe and eventually moved here to the United States. She is a concert pianist and owns a music school. That is where she met Christophe, her newly married husband. Christophe is a less active member. He was a convert some years back. Well, Vera and Christophe started dating, then eventually moved in together with there three children. Vera has a daughter Sophia who is 5 and Christophe has 2 sons, 10 and 12...im not going to attempt to spell there names :) Anyways, missionaries stopped by, tried to teach but Christophe was always pretty hard headed and anti. Vera was open to a point. With her running her school she is always busy. It was hard for them to meet with her. Eventually she started coming to church and loved it. That was about a year ago and has come pretty consistently since. The ward loves her and she even plays the piano for Relief Society. The main thing keeping her from being baptized was the fact that her and Christophe werent married. Well....right before i came to Hiram, they took a little trip to Hungry and got married!! Whoo hoo. I found this all out the first week in my area. It was exciting news for the ward. Although she comes to church regularly, missionaries have never been able to consistently teach all the lessons. That was the next thing keeping her from being baptized. Anyways long story...we finally are teaching her. This last week we've met with her three times! Vera has met a handful of sister missionaries but just hasn't been ready. She is prepared now. Its kind of backward with her. She comes to church but hasn't been reading the Book of Mormon. I hear she's come a long way. Since she has been meeting with us and is now reading the book of mormon church has a new feel for her, a new purpose. My testimony of obedience has strengthened. I've seen it through her example. She is gaining a testimony and everyday is more and more excited for her baptism. Even Christophes heart has soften. They are an awesome family!
Well family....i love you so much. I know that christ lives, that his atonement is real and that its for us. Its there to help us in the ways we need. Through the power of it we can feel of their love, their perfect love. Always remember that!!
I hope everyone has a fabulous week!!!
I LOVE YOU
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY
Looks like a beautiful day in Kirtland for a Memorial Day BBQ
and a little performing too!!
and a little performing too!!Sister Houston's email
May 31, 2011
Hi family,
Happy memorial day!! I hope everyone had a fabulous time at the lake. I had a great memorial day. We served in Kirtland at the sites. Took a couple tours and then after had a bbq with the senior couples and all the sisters. It was fun and yummy. Im beginning to become brown again. Yay!!! I have hope that this pale skin of mine will soon be gone :) heehee It basically became hot and humid over night in the last week over here in Ohio. Summer is here! I think....
Actually, last Monday Sister Morrell and I had a pretty eventful evening with a tornado warning. We were in a little tiny town called Windom visiting a less-active family. We were discussing the tornado in Joplin MI and they also mentioned that there had not been a tornado touch down in Windom since the 50's. Ok so we get on with the lesson and soon find out that there is a tornado warning IN WINDOM and then the sirens went off!!!! hahaha to make a long story short we kind of panicked...especially with all the talk of tornados just shortly before. Sister Morrell got a couple of cool pictures of the clouds. I'll have to send them to you. No tornado touched down thankfully.
There is a sister serving here from Joplin. It was a blessing that her family is all safe and accounted for. What a humbling experience that would be for Mitch if he had a chance to be apart of the clean up.
Oh yes and this last Friday we served at the Johnson Farm again...for the second time and guess who showed up?? Brad Wilcox! Ha ok so i don't really know him very well but i know that mom has a couple of talks on CD from him. Apparently he has really great books out and is a Fabulous speaker. Well, he was here this weekend to speak at a couple of church events and came on over to the Farm for a tour. We didn't take him through the tour but it was awesome to meet him. I wanted to get a picture with him to show you but i felt really really silly asking :) hee hee sorry
Anyways, through my experiences this week my testimony of prayer was strengthened. Sunday we started teaching a 13 year old girl named Natalie. Natalie's grandpa, Bro. Watson is in our ward. I don't know all the details but some how Natalie's mom is in jail and the dad i believe is not in the picture. Right now Bro. Watson and his ex-wife have custody of her. She's living with her grandma and comes to see her Grandpa, Bro. Watson and his newly established family on the weekends. She's been going to young womens too and seems to like it. Natalie doesnt have much of a religious background. She really is only aware of Heavenly Father and Christ because of her family talking to her about them. She has the attention span of a Nat hee hee so it was a challenge to teach in such a way that would help her feel of God's love. At the end of the lesson we invited her to say the closing prayer. Natalie said no way! We tried to encourage her. Bro. Watson felt we shouldn't push her and volunteered to say it and to give her time but his wife Sis Watson promised Natalie that she would help her. After a little discussion, Bro. Watson said a short prayer and then right after Natalie said one. Sister Watson whispered into her ear what to say. She had prayed for her mom in jail that she would be safe and would know of there love. The spirit was there and after Natalie had the biggest smile on her face! She has the sweetest spirit and although she doesnt know much about Heavenly Father hes fully aware of her and loves her so much. I could feel that. Through her example i was strengthen and im so so grateful that Heavenly Father allowed me to feel the love he has for her. i know that prayer is such a real thing.
Well family, you have know idea how much i love you all so so much. Im so grateful to have you in my life. Im so excited for next summer to come back with everyone!!!! it will be the best trip EVER.
you are constantly in my prayers. I know that this gospel is real. That its true. We are all part of the greatest work. What a blessing!!
I love you! have a great week
LOVE,
Sister Houston
Happy memorial day!! I hope everyone had a fabulous time at the lake. I had a great memorial day. We served in Kirtland at the sites. Took a couple tours and then after had a bbq with the senior couples and all the sisters. It was fun and yummy. Im beginning to become brown again. Yay!!! I have hope that this pale skin of mine will soon be gone :) heehee It basically became hot and humid over night in the last week over here in Ohio. Summer is here! I think....
Actually, last Monday Sister Morrell and I had a pretty eventful evening with a tornado warning. We were in a little tiny town called Windom visiting a less-active family. We were discussing the tornado in Joplin MI and they also mentioned that there had not been a tornado touch down in Windom since the 50's. Ok so we get on with the lesson and soon find out that there is a tornado warning IN WINDOM and then the sirens went off!!!! hahaha to make a long story short we kind of panicked...especially with all the talk of tornados just shortly before. Sister Morrell got a couple of cool pictures of the clouds. I'll have to send them to you. No tornado touched down thankfully.
There is a sister serving here from Joplin. It was a blessing that her family is all safe and accounted for. What a humbling experience that would be for Mitch if he had a chance to be apart of the clean up.
Oh yes and this last Friday we served at the Johnson Farm again...for the second time and guess who showed up?? Brad Wilcox! Ha ok so i don't really know him very well but i know that mom has a couple of talks on CD from him. Apparently he has really great books out and is a Fabulous speaker. Well, he was here this weekend to speak at a couple of church events and came on over to the Farm for a tour. We didn't take him through the tour but it was awesome to meet him. I wanted to get a picture with him to show you but i felt really really silly asking :) hee hee sorry
Anyways, through my experiences this week my testimony of prayer was strengthened. Sunday we started teaching a 13 year old girl named Natalie. Natalie's grandpa, Bro. Watson is in our ward. I don't know all the details but some how Natalie's mom is in jail and the dad i believe is not in the picture. Right now Bro. Watson and his ex-wife have custody of her. She's living with her grandma and comes to see her Grandpa, Bro. Watson and his newly established family on the weekends. She's been going to young womens too and seems to like it. Natalie doesnt have much of a religious background. She really is only aware of Heavenly Father and Christ because of her family talking to her about them. She has the attention span of a Nat hee hee so it was a challenge to teach in such a way that would help her feel of God's love. At the end of the lesson we invited her to say the closing prayer. Natalie said no way! We tried to encourage her. Bro. Watson felt we shouldn't push her and volunteered to say it and to give her time but his wife Sis Watson promised Natalie that she would help her. After a little discussion, Bro. Watson said a short prayer and then right after Natalie said one. Sister Watson whispered into her ear what to say. She had prayed for her mom in jail that she would be safe and would know of there love. The spirit was there and after Natalie had the biggest smile on her face! She has the sweetest spirit and although she doesnt know much about Heavenly Father hes fully aware of her and loves her so much. I could feel that. Through her example i was strengthen and im so so grateful that Heavenly Father allowed me to feel the love he has for her. i know that prayer is such a real thing.
Well family, you have know idea how much i love you all so so much. Im so grateful to have you in my life. Im so excited for next summer to come back with everyone!!!! it will be the best trip EVER.
you are constantly in my prayers. I know that this gospel is real. That its true. We are all part of the greatest work. What a blessing!!
I love you! have a great week
LOVE,
Sister Houston
THE JOHNSON FARM....READY OR NOT
Well Tori is getting to give tours in Hiram at the John Johnson Farm! She is really excited to be a part of this special place and to get to testify of the truthfulness of Joseph Smith!! She will also keep going to the Kirtland sites on tuesdays and do tours there also!! Busy summer time at the Church History sites!! Busy busy Sisters!!
Sister Houston's email:
May 26, 2011
Hello family,
Wow! Mitch you have only 2 days left! I wonder how your feeling?!?! :)
Im excited for you and also very happy to hear you survived your talk yesterday! I bet you did fabulous. You should mail me a copy so i can read it! I would love that.
I hope everyone is doing well! Its been a good week for me. Saturday was our first day out at the Johnson Farm. We were there from 11:00 to 7:00. It sounds like a long day but it actually went by quite fast. Right now there are three senior couple assigned there that rotate shifts through out the day. Then there are two sets of sisters, us and the sisters serving in Ravenna who also will be rotating days with us. Saturday we had a good number of tours. We started off by just following and listening in on the senior couples tours. By the end of 3 or 4, we were asked if we wanted to give a couple rooms a try. No no no i said. Im not ready! Sister Morrell of course said yeah sure! ha dont judge i know im a big chicken. Ok so we started off the next tour to a seminary group. Sister Morrell did the first two rooms. She did awesome. Mean while all the other couples were ahead of us doing there own tours. While we were in the middle of it more people showed up. The moral of this story is that Sister Morrell and I ended up having to take a tour all by our selves. Of course the silly people had to show up all at one time right! Im pretty sure Heavenly Father was just telling me that i needed to just go in there and do it and since i was holding back he decided to provide a way. I was sooooo nervous but by the end i was just a little bit grateful that he basically made me jump right into it....just a little grateful :) I did my best and so did Sister Morrell. Im really looking forward to serving there and learning more about the history of the Church. The room where section 76 was revealed and where Joseph saw in vision God and Christ and the plan of salvation has a pretty awesome feel to it. Im a lucky Sister to have the opportunity to testify of Christ and of our Heavenly Father right there in that room. So cool.
As for the rest of the week, Bro. Gibson is still being pretty stubborn. We had another lesson with him on Wednesday. It went ok. Bro. Young and Bro. Garcia, the members that came testified and did amazing trying to help in any way they could. Right now Bro. Gibson is working 12 hour shifts and so whenever he has spare time all he wants to do is sleep or work on projects around the house. Since he's been extra tired and busy hes kind of lost his fire to learn about the church. But we know there is still a little desire somewhere within him...enough to keep us going back for at least a little while. We continue to pray for him and seek guidance from the Lord. Something just has to take place for him to have that burning fire to learn or its not going to go any where. Whatever happens I'll be fine with. I know that Heavenly Father knows his children the best. He'll just continue to prepare Bro. Gibson in whatever ways he needs so that someday he'll be ready for this wonderful gift.
Sister Morrell and I are continuing to find and teach. We are working with a couple of less active families and also a couple of new investigators. I'll have to tell ya about them next time. heehee we had a pretty funny experience with one this last week. Her name is Diane and for some reason she doesnt really feel comfortable meeting with us in her home so we went to a McDonalds. At the end we invited her to say the closing prayer. She looked at sister Morrell and I and said "well why dont we all say one. I feel we all have something to say" hmmm....we tried to kindly explain thats not quite how we do it but it didn't get through to her. So we ended up all saying a little prayer while holding hands, yes while holding hands, right there in the McDonalds. Talk about feeling pretty silly! I don't know if that was even right for us to do....hmmmm definitely a concern we'll have to address. it sure does make me laugh though!!!
Anyways, thats my week in a nut shell. I love you all very much! Your the best. I hope everything goes well this week with getting Mitch off. Good luck Mitch!! Make sure you write me whenever you can. You'll do great. Just always remember that your family and friends are praying for you and that your Heavenly Father loves you sooooo soooo much. He's called you to this work and He'll be right there beside you.
Have a great week!!!!
Love,
Sister Houston
PS we heard due to memorial day next monday we will be having p-day on tuesday....i think :) just wanted to let you know just in case!
Sister Houston's email:
May 26, 2011
Hello family,
Wow! Mitch you have only 2 days left! I wonder how your feeling?!?! :)
Im excited for you and also very happy to hear you survived your talk yesterday! I bet you did fabulous. You should mail me a copy so i can read it! I would love that.
I hope everyone is doing well! Its been a good week for me. Saturday was our first day out at the Johnson Farm. We were there from 11:00 to 7:00. It sounds like a long day but it actually went by quite fast. Right now there are three senior couple assigned there that rotate shifts through out the day. Then there are two sets of sisters, us and the sisters serving in Ravenna who also will be rotating days with us. Saturday we had a good number of tours. We started off by just following and listening in on the senior couples tours. By the end of 3 or 4, we were asked if we wanted to give a couple rooms a try. No no no i said. Im not ready! Sister Morrell of course said yeah sure! ha dont judge i know im a big chicken. Ok so we started off the next tour to a seminary group. Sister Morrell did the first two rooms. She did awesome. Mean while all the other couples were ahead of us doing there own tours. While we were in the middle of it more people showed up. The moral of this story is that Sister Morrell and I ended up having to take a tour all by our selves. Of course the silly people had to show up all at one time right! Im pretty sure Heavenly Father was just telling me that i needed to just go in there and do it and since i was holding back he decided to provide a way. I was sooooo nervous but by the end i was just a little bit grateful that he basically made me jump right into it....just a little grateful :) I did my best and so did Sister Morrell. Im really looking forward to serving there and learning more about the history of the Church. The room where section 76 was revealed and where Joseph saw in vision God and Christ and the plan of salvation has a pretty awesome feel to it. Im a lucky Sister to have the opportunity to testify of Christ and of our Heavenly Father right there in that room. So cool.
As for the rest of the week, Bro. Gibson is still being pretty stubborn. We had another lesson with him on Wednesday. It went ok. Bro. Young and Bro. Garcia, the members that came testified and did amazing trying to help in any way they could. Right now Bro. Gibson is working 12 hour shifts and so whenever he has spare time all he wants to do is sleep or work on projects around the house. Since he's been extra tired and busy hes kind of lost his fire to learn about the church. But we know there is still a little desire somewhere within him...enough to keep us going back for at least a little while. We continue to pray for him and seek guidance from the Lord. Something just has to take place for him to have that burning fire to learn or its not going to go any where. Whatever happens I'll be fine with. I know that Heavenly Father knows his children the best. He'll just continue to prepare Bro. Gibson in whatever ways he needs so that someday he'll be ready for this wonderful gift.
Sister Morrell and I are continuing to find and teach. We are working with a couple of less active families and also a couple of new investigators. I'll have to tell ya about them next time. heehee we had a pretty funny experience with one this last week. Her name is Diane and for some reason she doesnt really feel comfortable meeting with us in her home so we went to a McDonalds. At the end we invited her to say the closing prayer. She looked at sister Morrell and I and said "well why dont we all say one. I feel we all have something to say" hmmm....we tried to kindly explain thats not quite how we do it but it didn't get through to her. So we ended up all saying a little prayer while holding hands, yes while holding hands, right there in the McDonalds. Talk about feeling pretty silly! I don't know if that was even right for us to do....hmmmm definitely a concern we'll have to address. it sure does make me laugh though!!!
Anyways, thats my week in a nut shell. I love you all very much! Your the best. I hope everything goes well this week with getting Mitch off. Good luck Mitch!! Make sure you write me whenever you can. You'll do great. Just always remember that your family and friends are praying for you and that your Heavenly Father loves you sooooo soooo much. He's called you to this work and He'll be right there beside you.
Have a great week!!!!
Love,
Sister Houston
PS we heard due to memorial day next monday we will be having p-day on tuesday....i think :) just wanted to let you know just in case!
ONE YEAR OLD!!!!
We sent Sister Houston some flowers for her "YEAR MARK" I can' believe she will be home in 6 months!! You go girl.....we love you and are proud of you!!
Isn't she just a Beautiful angel....(she gonna shoot me for saying that haha)
Hello to Sister Morrell
Good bye to Sister AndersenSister Houston's Email:
May 16, 2011
Hey family,
Well....im almost complete with the first week of transfer 9...less then 4 to go! Its been a good week...quite stressful trying to take over an area I've only been in for 6 weeks. I do have an amazing companion that has been so patient with me! You already know her. Its Sister Morrell....the one that was sniffing the concrete steps at the Johnson Farm :) heehee Yes she is one of a kind. I love her! I got to know her pretty well when I was in Solon. We saw each other almost everyday...served in the same ward, had member dinners together, drove together down to Kirtland on our site days, etc etc. I was pretty excited to find out that she was coming to Hiram with me. She went into the MTC last September and has been serving in Twinsburg since she arrived in Ohio back in October. Hiram is her 2nd area. She is from Eden, Utah which is up north by Ogden. She is the 2nd oldest of nine kids. Her younger brother is serving in New Mexico right now spanish speaking! So......Sister Morrell is a little youngen heehee she just barely turned 21 in December...two days before my birthday! How did Sister Morrell get to come out on a mission as a 20 year old?? hmmm...well...its a long detailed story...im not sure if i even remember all the details but to sum it all up...her family is currently living in Iraq. Yes Iraq. Her dad apparently supplies the water for the military out there. Her and her brother were getting ready for their missions around the same time. So everything kind of just worked out to make it all a little more convenient for their family. Its a pretty cool story. She is quite the happy person, always has a smile on her face. She keeps me on my toes :) its definitely hard to get discouraged around her. Heavenly Father apparently knew i needed that. Im excited for this next transfer.
Oh and guess what? Starting this coming Saturday we will be serving at the Johnson Farm!! Woohooo. We get our schedule tomorrow at training meeting so I'll know more details then but as far as I know every Tuesday we will serve in Kirtland and then on Saturdays we will serve at the Farm. Pretty cool.
hmmmm...well im not to excited to tell you about Bro. Gibson. We saw him on Wednesday. Had a great lesson with him again about the Godhead. Bro. Allred, one of the members in the Hiram ward, came and he really helped us out alot. Bro. Gibson was even down to one cigarette!! We committed him to come to all of Stake Conference this last Sunday which was AWESOME by the way. It was broadcast from Salt Lake with Pres. Eyring and Elder Ballard and a couple others who spoke. He was even planning on staying for a baptism of one of the little boys in the ward that was right after. Well, we called him up Thursday night to see how he was. Apparently he had a rough day at work. Because of all the stress he went back up to a half a pack of cigarettes. no buen. I was heart broken. The Lord provided a way for us to see him that night. As we were on the phone with him finding all this bad new out, we were on our way back from an appointment that ended up not being there. We were pretty bummed about that because we had picked up a member to come out there with us, Sister Garcia. But, since we arent aloud to go in his house with out another women, it was all perfect because we decided to stop by and see Bro. Gibson with Sister Garcia. We talked with him and shared some videos on mormon.org. It seemed to give him a nice spiritual boost. He did better for the next couple days and even when we talked with him Saturday night he still planned on coming to church. Well, He didn't come. We haven't been able to get a hold of him which is unusually so we hope everything is ok. Im worried but know that the Lord is aware of us all. He is aware of him, of this area and he's aware of me. We are continuing to see everyday the Lord's hand guiding us in this work. He's providing me with strength to bare these heavy burdens. So many!!
Saturday, Sister Morrell and I were walking out of the Higley's home after having lunch when a little van pulled up with my flowers you sent! Ha tricky family!! hee hee It was perfect timing! Like I said, i know the Lord is aware of us all! They are beautiful and were exactly what i needed. I love you family. Thank you so much for all that you do. For all of your prayers and encouraging words. I need them more then you think. I feel the power of them everyday.
i hope everyone is doing well and has a fabulous week! Mitch your getting close!!! I wish you luck on your talk on Sunday. I was going to write something for you but i don't think i will have time :( sorry. i was asked to do a little talk in training meeting in front of all the Sisters tomorrow and im a little bit frightened...ok alot a bit frightened. I'll be spending most of my p-day working on that. I will be thinking of you though!! Im proud of you and everything you've accomplished and will soon accomplish! Make sure to let me know how it all goes!
Tell all the family coming in to town that i love them MUCHO!!!!! and miss them a ton!!!!
and don't eat to much :) hee hee
I love you All
Love,
Sister Houston
PS. Hunter, woohoooo good job on your fight!!! Write me soon!!!! Love you.
PSS Ha that is so awesome about Cameron. Give him a big hug for me!!!!! I wish i could be there to go through with him!
Well....im almost complete with the first week of transfer 9...less then 4 to go! Its been a good week...quite stressful trying to take over an area I've only been in for 6 weeks. I do have an amazing companion that has been so patient with me! You already know her. Its Sister Morrell....the one that was sniffing the concrete steps at the Johnson Farm :) heehee Yes she is one of a kind. I love her! I got to know her pretty well when I was in Solon. We saw each other almost everyday...served in the same ward, had member dinners together, drove together down to Kirtland on our site days, etc etc. I was pretty excited to find out that she was coming to Hiram with me. She went into the MTC last September and has been serving in Twinsburg since she arrived in Ohio back in October. Hiram is her 2nd area. She is from Eden, Utah which is up north by Ogden. She is the 2nd oldest of nine kids. Her younger brother is serving in New Mexico right now spanish speaking! So......Sister Morrell is a little youngen heehee she just barely turned 21 in December...two days before my birthday! How did Sister Morrell get to come out on a mission as a 20 year old?? hmmm...well...its a long detailed story...im not sure if i even remember all the details but to sum it all up...her family is currently living in Iraq. Yes Iraq. Her dad apparently supplies the water for the military out there. Her and her brother were getting ready for their missions around the same time. So everything kind of just worked out to make it all a little more convenient for their family. Its a pretty cool story. She is quite the happy person, always has a smile on her face. She keeps me on my toes :) its definitely hard to get discouraged around her. Heavenly Father apparently knew i needed that. Im excited for this next transfer.
Oh and guess what? Starting this coming Saturday we will be serving at the Johnson Farm!! Woohooo. We get our schedule tomorrow at training meeting so I'll know more details then but as far as I know every Tuesday we will serve in Kirtland and then on Saturdays we will serve at the Farm. Pretty cool.
hmmmm...well im not to excited to tell you about Bro. Gibson. We saw him on Wednesday. Had a great lesson with him again about the Godhead. Bro. Allred, one of the members in the Hiram ward, came and he really helped us out alot. Bro. Gibson was even down to one cigarette!! We committed him to come to all of Stake Conference this last Sunday which was AWESOME by the way. It was broadcast from Salt Lake with Pres. Eyring and Elder Ballard and a couple others who spoke. He was even planning on staying for a baptism of one of the little boys in the ward that was right after. Well, we called him up Thursday night to see how he was. Apparently he had a rough day at work. Because of all the stress he went back up to a half a pack of cigarettes. no buen. I was heart broken. The Lord provided a way for us to see him that night. As we were on the phone with him finding all this bad new out, we were on our way back from an appointment that ended up not being there. We were pretty bummed about that because we had picked up a member to come out there with us, Sister Garcia. But, since we arent aloud to go in his house with out another women, it was all perfect because we decided to stop by and see Bro. Gibson with Sister Garcia. We talked with him and shared some videos on mormon.org. It seemed to give him a nice spiritual boost. He did better for the next couple days and even when we talked with him Saturday night he still planned on coming to church. Well, He didn't come. We haven't been able to get a hold of him which is unusually so we hope everything is ok. Im worried but know that the Lord is aware of us all. He is aware of him, of this area and he's aware of me. We are continuing to see everyday the Lord's hand guiding us in this work. He's providing me with strength to bare these heavy burdens. So many!!
Saturday, Sister Morrell and I were walking out of the Higley's home after having lunch when a little van pulled up with my flowers you sent! Ha tricky family!! hee hee It was perfect timing! Like I said, i know the Lord is aware of us all! They are beautiful and were exactly what i needed. I love you family. Thank you so much for all that you do. For all of your prayers and encouraging words. I need them more then you think. I feel the power of them everyday.
i hope everyone is doing well and has a fabulous week! Mitch your getting close!!! I wish you luck on your talk on Sunday. I was going to write something for you but i don't think i will have time :( sorry. i was asked to do a little talk in training meeting in front of all the Sisters tomorrow and im a little bit frightened...ok alot a bit frightened. I'll be spending most of my p-day working on that. I will be thinking of you though!! Im proud of you and everything you've accomplished and will soon accomplish! Make sure to let me know how it all goes!
Tell all the family coming in to town that i love them MUCHO!!!!! and miss them a ton!!!!
and don't eat to much :) hee hee
I love you All
Love,
Sister Houston
PS. Hunter, woohoooo good job on your fight!!! Write me soon!!!! Love you.
PSS Ha that is so awesome about Cameron. Give him a big hug for me!!!!! I wish i could be there to go through with him!
"I LOVE SKYPE"
I LOVE MOTHERS DAY.....and skype too!! It was so good to not only talk to Tori but also to SEE her!!! Isn't technology amazing! Happy Mothers day to me!!
Transfers again and on the 12th of May is Tori's year mark!! Sister Andersen is one of the Sisters who were companions at the MTC together and it was so nice for them to be together because usually you don't get to be companions out in the mission with your MTC companion!! But i know that they were meant to be together at this time!! They were really hoping to hit there "year mark" together as companions! they only missed it by a day!! she will miss her but on to a new companion!!
Sister Houston's email
May 9, 2011
Hey family,
Sunday was the perfect day. I LOVE Skype!!!!! and I LOVE my mission even more because we have permission to do Skype!!! From what i hear not very many missions can. I would of sat there all day if i could have. Everyone looks so happy and healthy. Still can't believe Kael! Yes, Claire is getting quite big but since i really only know her through pictures its more of a shock to see how much Kael has grown. He has the cutest little voice! Ahhh...i have the best family.
Well, Sister Andersen and I just got back into town. We had district meeting this morning down in Kirtland. Sad sad news.....Sister Andersen is getting transferred :'( ...........sigh
Really this was very unexpected for both of us. We really were sure that we would stay together for another transfer. Usually you'll get a feeling...USUALLY. Apparently not this time :) I feel this area needs her, the people we are teaching need her and i need her!!! selfish selfish me i know but i really am sad. I think I am more scared to take over this area then Norwalk and Solon combined....for a lot of reasons. It will be fine. I know its what the Lord wants...
The plus side is that i am not training!!! ffewwww
I guess the sisters from Korea and Ukraine are not coming out until June and nobody else is coming out this transfer. Its been a couple transfers since we got any new sisters! Im sure we will soon for the Summer. Oh my goodness the weather is beautiful again today. It finally feels like spring. I thinks its safe to put my puffy coat away...well maybe not completely away. Im sure I'll need it a few more times :) This Ohio weather is the craziest thing I've seen
Anyways, i don't really know how to put this week into words. It was one of the hardest most miserable weeks of my mission (sounds gruesome and so drastic i know) its the truth. BUT it was also one that i wont ever forget. A few experiences we had changed the way that i recognize and see the Spirit working through us as the Lord's missionaries. One was with Bro. Gibson. Sister Andersen and I have been so happy about Bro. Gibson. We've felt that he's been progressing well, he's reading his Book of Mormon, praying, he came to sacrament meeting once before this last Sunday. But we knew he was getting content with things and we also both felt there was something not right. We just couldnt figure it out. Last Sunday Bro. Gibson said he would come to church but he didn't show up so later on that day we stopped by. He had helped a friend move and i guess hurt his back so he didn't feel like getting out of bed that morning for church. But he let us stay and read a little from the Book of Mormon with him. So after we had read we were getting ready to ask him to say the closing prayer. Before we did we kindly and boldly told him that he needed to pray to Heavenly Father in the name of Christ. He didn't get it. He just kept saying I know....and had this "don't i do that already" look on his face. We have tried to address this issue for a while now but he would always just say ok and then do his same way of praying. ahhhh frustrating...we couldn't figure out how else to put it so that he would pray properly. Well anyways in the middle of discussing all this with him Sis. Andersen had the thought come to her mind that maybe he thinks they are one person but she pushed it aside and didn't say anything. She didn't say anything to me either. The next week, on Wednesday we taught about the priesthood. During the lesson Bro. Gibson said something that made me have the strongest impression that he didn't understand God and Christ. We had another lesson with him the next day, Thursday, so we went home and during planning that night while discussing what to teach him i told sister Andersen how i felt and that i thought we should teach the Godhead. She agreed and again didn't saying anything to me about her thought she had. So Thursday we went over planning on teaching about the Godhead and after the very first scripture we shared with him D&C 130:22 which says God and Christ have bodies and the Holy Ghost is a spirit we asked Bro. Gibson how he felt about that. He said.....well, im confused. I've always thought they were one person. AHHH!! We had left that night both feeling a little discourage because we knew this was an important thing to know!!!!! Duh and Its something that should of been dealt with when we first started teaching. Sister Andersen then told me about her thought she had a couple weeks ago. This was just one of the experiences this week that really opened my eyes to the ways the spirit is working with us. I wish I could tell you all of them!! I do know that Heavenly Father knows his children and he is going to use us in the ways he needs to if we go to him seeking for help and guidance. He uses both of us, both sister andersen and I, and together we can receive the revelation we need to help those we are inviting to chirst. He opened our eyes to Bro. Gibson's concern. After that lesson he finally prayed to Heavenly Father in the name of Christ with out us even mentioning it and he came to sacrament meeting on Sunday.
This transfer changed my mission in so many ways. Im sad to see it end.
I have a testimony of missionary work. I know that God is our father in heaven and that Christ is our savior. I know that the Holy Ghost is real!
I love you family. Mitch i will be thinking about you all day tomorrow. Please remember what a special thing you will be doing and what a HUGE blessing it is to be able to have your family going to the temple with you. Your amazing!! Keep doing what you can now to prepare for your mission. Heavenly Father loves you!!
i hope you all have a wonderful week!!!
Love,
Sister Houston
PS Hunter good luck with your fight Friday!!! Kick so bumm!! Wooohoooooo
PSS mom, yes i will send you that address in the mail because i don't have it with me right now :) hmmmmm....i wonder what your sending me?????
Transfers again and on the 12th of May is Tori's year mark!! Sister Andersen is one of the Sisters who were companions at the MTC together and it was so nice for them to be together because usually you don't get to be companions out in the mission with your MTC companion!! But i know that they were meant to be together at this time!! They were really hoping to hit there "year mark" together as companions! they only missed it by a day!! she will miss her but on to a new companion!!
Sister Houston's email
May 9, 2011
Hey family,
Sunday was the perfect day. I LOVE Skype!!!!! and I LOVE my mission even more because we have permission to do Skype!!! From what i hear not very many missions can. I would of sat there all day if i could have. Everyone looks so happy and healthy. Still can't believe Kael! Yes, Claire is getting quite big but since i really only know her through pictures its more of a shock to see how much Kael has grown. He has the cutest little voice! Ahhh...i have the best family.
Well, Sister Andersen and I just got back into town. We had district meeting this morning down in Kirtland. Sad sad news.....Sister Andersen is getting transferred :'( ...........sigh
Really this was very unexpected for both of us. We really were sure that we would stay together for another transfer. Usually you'll get a feeling...USUALLY. Apparently not this time :) I feel this area needs her, the people we are teaching need her and i need her!!! selfish selfish me i know but i really am sad. I think I am more scared to take over this area then Norwalk and Solon combined....for a lot of reasons. It will be fine. I know its what the Lord wants...
The plus side is that i am not training!!! ffewwww
I guess the sisters from Korea and Ukraine are not coming out until June and nobody else is coming out this transfer. Its been a couple transfers since we got any new sisters! Im sure we will soon for the Summer. Oh my goodness the weather is beautiful again today. It finally feels like spring. I thinks its safe to put my puffy coat away...well maybe not completely away. Im sure I'll need it a few more times :) This Ohio weather is the craziest thing I've seen
Anyways, i don't really know how to put this week into words. It was one of the hardest most miserable weeks of my mission (sounds gruesome and so drastic i know) its the truth. BUT it was also one that i wont ever forget. A few experiences we had changed the way that i recognize and see the Spirit working through us as the Lord's missionaries. One was with Bro. Gibson. Sister Andersen and I have been so happy about Bro. Gibson. We've felt that he's been progressing well, he's reading his Book of Mormon, praying, he came to sacrament meeting once before this last Sunday. But we knew he was getting content with things and we also both felt there was something not right. We just couldnt figure it out. Last Sunday Bro. Gibson said he would come to church but he didn't show up so later on that day we stopped by. He had helped a friend move and i guess hurt his back so he didn't feel like getting out of bed that morning for church. But he let us stay and read a little from the Book of Mormon with him. So after we had read we were getting ready to ask him to say the closing prayer. Before we did we kindly and boldly told him that he needed to pray to Heavenly Father in the name of Christ. He didn't get it. He just kept saying I know....and had this "don't i do that already" look on his face. We have tried to address this issue for a while now but he would always just say ok and then do his same way of praying. ahhhh frustrating...we couldn't figure out how else to put it so that he would pray properly. Well anyways in the middle of discussing all this with him Sis. Andersen had the thought come to her mind that maybe he thinks they are one person but she pushed it aside and didn't say anything. She didn't say anything to me either. The next week, on Wednesday we taught about the priesthood. During the lesson Bro. Gibson said something that made me have the strongest impression that he didn't understand God and Christ. We had another lesson with him the next day, Thursday, so we went home and during planning that night while discussing what to teach him i told sister Andersen how i felt and that i thought we should teach the Godhead. She agreed and again didn't saying anything to me about her thought she had. So Thursday we went over planning on teaching about the Godhead and after the very first scripture we shared with him D&C 130:22 which says God and Christ have bodies and the Holy Ghost is a spirit we asked Bro. Gibson how he felt about that. He said.....well, im confused. I've always thought they were one person. AHHH!! We had left that night both feeling a little discourage because we knew this was an important thing to know!!!!! Duh and Its something that should of been dealt with when we first started teaching. Sister Andersen then told me about her thought she had a couple weeks ago. This was just one of the experiences this week that really opened my eyes to the ways the spirit is working with us. I wish I could tell you all of them!! I do know that Heavenly Father knows his children and he is going to use us in the ways he needs to if we go to him seeking for help and guidance. He uses both of us, both sister andersen and I, and together we can receive the revelation we need to help those we are inviting to chirst. He opened our eyes to Bro. Gibson's concern. After that lesson he finally prayed to Heavenly Father in the name of Christ with out us even mentioning it and he came to sacrament meeting on Sunday.
This transfer changed my mission in so many ways. Im sad to see it end.
I have a testimony of missionary work. I know that God is our father in heaven and that Christ is our savior. I know that the Holy Ghost is real!
I love you family. Mitch i will be thinking about you all day tomorrow. Please remember what a special thing you will be doing and what a HUGE blessing it is to be able to have your family going to the temple with you. Your amazing!! Keep doing what you can now to prepare for your mission. Heavenly Father loves you!!
i hope you all have a wonderful week!!!
Love,
Sister Houston
PS Hunter good luck with your fight Friday!!! Kick so bumm!! Wooohoooooo
PSS mom, yes i will send you that address in the mail because i don't have it with me right now :) hmmmmm....i wonder what your sending me?????
ALMOST MOTHERS DAY!!!!
Ok so i need to apoligize to everyone about getting so far behind on Tori's Blog!! please forgive me!! i am sure most of you know that my son got his mission call and only had 8 weeks to get ready so, thats my excuse....its a good one right? well anyway been getting him ready to go and then he left and then summer was here and well i could go on and on!! so needless to say i am 2 plus months behind!!! urg!! so i am gonna get her emails posted and try to get caught up soon!!so i hope that you all will come back and get caught up too!! Thanks to everyone for all your love and support for Tori while she is in Ohio serving a mission!! and a big thanks all of you who gave your love and support for Mitchell too! Shalyse set up a blog for him to so be sure to check it out and see how he is doing!!
Sister Houston Email:
May 2, 2011
Hey family,
Ha i get to talk to you again in less then a week! Kinda weird to me that its already been about five months since i last talked to you. Im not really sure what time I'll be calling. We have church from 10:00 to 1:00. I think Arizona is two hours behind us so since you have church from 9:00 to 12:00 i will probably call between....hmmmmm i have no idea.
Ok so let me explain my thoughts...hopefully they make sense....we can skype again but the problem is that the members we live with dont have skype or any kind of video chat. I have to see if I can find someone in the ward who would be so kind to let me use there computer. If i do find someone, I'll have to go over to there house when its convenient for them of course especially since its mothers day....the problem being that i have know idea when that would be. If I don't, then I can call whenever...late afternoon or evening. Hmmmm...not really sure what else to say about me calling hee hee sorry doesn't help much i know. Maybe when i figure things out i can call even if you guys are at church and I'll leave a message saying what time i plan to call so you kind of have an idea. About Skype....i would hate to have you set it all up and go through all the trouble if things don't work out but i guess that i will leave up for you to decide :) Hopefully this makes sense and its not all mumble jumble....
Anyways, we had another great week with Bro. Gibson. Remember I told you last week the next step was tackling the word of wisdom with him. Well...we sure tackled it alright! heehee Sister Andersen and I have been praying that Heavenly Father would soften and humble his heart and that he would be prepared for this lesson. Bro. Gibson is a heavy smoker and a coffee addict! My goodness! Really though not an exaggeration. He said his normal coffee intake for the day would be about six cups. Thats a little bit much right? Well, the lesson went pretty ok. I know it was a ton for him to take in but the Lord provided us with the Spirit and with another member that was yet again perfect for him. Sister Lewis had quit smoking a while back. She told him that every time she would have a craving she would get on her knees and plead for strength. Exercising her faith to pray is what got her through it. The amazing part about that night, was how well Bro. Gibson excepted this commandment. He understood clearly that this is what Heavenly Father needs him to do. His heart was humbled. It was kind of hard for us to have to pri into his personal life and ask those bold, deep questions of what of the word of wisdom he has problems with and how much he smokes and how much he drinks etc etc etc....ha boy has heavenly father strengthened me!! hee hee It ended up being pretty awesome by the end because we had made a plan for him to slowly cut back so he can make his baptismal date on June 12th. He's been doing great with it so far! Lots of Hot Coco he says :)
Anyways, as of other things happening....lately Sister Andersen and I have been striving to talk to EVERYONE we see in sight, everyone that Heavenly Father puts in our path. And you all know how much I Love to talk right hee hee. Well, the longest length of time we tracted this week was on Saturday. It seemed everyone and there dogs were out doing yard work....seriously! It was a nice sunday day. Perfect for yard work....and missionary work. We ended up tracting most of the day and by the end of the night oh my i was seriously socially exhausted!! I didn't know you could get socially exhausted. I just wanted to crawl into my bed and not talk to anyone for a long long time :) hee hee poor sister andersen. its ok though she felt the exact same way. It was a great opportunity for us and we found a few potentials that we pray work out. I've learned that it takes passion and determination to find people to teach. It takes all of you...literally. And as we exercise our faith, we'll gain the Lord's trust and we'll see miracles.
Well, I should stop blabbling...
Transfers are next Wednesday, the 11th. So we should find out Sunday or Monday if one of us is being transferred. I'm not sure when my p-day will be next week...sorry. Its either Monday or Tuesday.
I love you family! I hope you all have a fun fabulous week! Talk to you soon!!!!
Love, Sister Houston
PS Hunter...have fun at prom, be safe and smart and i hope you kick everyones bums in your fight!!!!! :) I'll be waiting for your letter
PSS Mitch I so excited for you!! I hope things work out this week for you to be able to go to the temple! Can't wait to find out how it all goes!
Sister Houston Email:
May 2, 2011
Hey family,
Ha i get to talk to you again in less then a week! Kinda weird to me that its already been about five months since i last talked to you. Im not really sure what time I'll be calling. We have church from 10:00 to 1:00. I think Arizona is two hours behind us so since you have church from 9:00 to 12:00 i will probably call between....hmmmmm i have no idea.
Ok so let me explain my thoughts...hopefully they make sense....we can skype again but the problem is that the members we live with dont have skype or any kind of video chat. I have to see if I can find someone in the ward who would be so kind to let me use there computer. If i do find someone, I'll have to go over to there house when its convenient for them of course especially since its mothers day....the problem being that i have know idea when that would be. If I don't, then I can call whenever...late afternoon or evening. Hmmmm...not really sure what else to say about me calling hee hee sorry doesn't help much i know. Maybe when i figure things out i can call even if you guys are at church and I'll leave a message saying what time i plan to call so you kind of have an idea. About Skype....i would hate to have you set it all up and go through all the trouble if things don't work out but i guess that i will leave up for you to decide :) Hopefully this makes sense and its not all mumble jumble....
Anyways, we had another great week with Bro. Gibson. Remember I told you last week the next step was tackling the word of wisdom with him. Well...we sure tackled it alright! heehee Sister Andersen and I have been praying that Heavenly Father would soften and humble his heart and that he would be prepared for this lesson. Bro. Gibson is a heavy smoker and a coffee addict! My goodness! Really though not an exaggeration. He said his normal coffee intake for the day would be about six cups. Thats a little bit much right? Well, the lesson went pretty ok. I know it was a ton for him to take in but the Lord provided us with the Spirit and with another member that was yet again perfect for him. Sister Lewis had quit smoking a while back. She told him that every time she would have a craving she would get on her knees and plead for strength. Exercising her faith to pray is what got her through it. The amazing part about that night, was how well Bro. Gibson excepted this commandment. He understood clearly that this is what Heavenly Father needs him to do. His heart was humbled. It was kind of hard for us to have to pri into his personal life and ask those bold, deep questions of what of the word of wisdom he has problems with and how much he smokes and how much he drinks etc etc etc....ha boy has heavenly father strengthened me!! hee hee It ended up being pretty awesome by the end because we had made a plan for him to slowly cut back so he can make his baptismal date on June 12th. He's been doing great with it so far! Lots of Hot Coco he says :)
Anyways, as of other things happening....lately Sister Andersen and I have been striving to talk to EVERYONE we see in sight, everyone that Heavenly Father puts in our path. And you all know how much I Love to talk right hee hee. Well, the longest length of time we tracted this week was on Saturday. It seemed everyone and there dogs were out doing yard work....seriously! It was a nice sunday day. Perfect for yard work....and missionary work. We ended up tracting most of the day and by the end of the night oh my i was seriously socially exhausted!! I didn't know you could get socially exhausted. I just wanted to crawl into my bed and not talk to anyone for a long long time :) hee hee poor sister andersen. its ok though she felt the exact same way. It was a great opportunity for us and we found a few potentials that we pray work out. I've learned that it takes passion and determination to find people to teach. It takes all of you...literally. And as we exercise our faith, we'll gain the Lord's trust and we'll see miracles.
Well, I should stop blabbling...
Transfers are next Wednesday, the 11th. So we should find out Sunday or Monday if one of us is being transferred. I'm not sure when my p-day will be next week...sorry. Its either Monday or Tuesday.
I love you family! I hope you all have a fun fabulous week! Talk to you soon!!!!
Love, Sister Houston
PS Hunter...have fun at prom, be safe and smart and i hope you kick everyones bums in your fight!!!!! :) I'll be waiting for your letter
PSS Mitch I so excited for you!! I hope things work out this week for you to be able to go to the temple! Can't wait to find out how it all goes!
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