Sunday, February 13, 2011

Heavenly Father is aware of ALL His children

Sister Houston's email
February 9, 2011

Hello family!!
How is everyone this fine morning?
WE FOUND A NEW INVESTIGATOR!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sorry so dramatic i know but its been sooooooo long. I have to emphasize my excitement as best I can! heehee Not only is it a new investigator, its someone that seems promising, someone that is in desperate need and is ready to feel of Gods love. Her name is Marlayn. She is a single mom of two boys, a 9 year old and a 9 month old. We think she is in her late 20's or early 30's. Marlayn grew up baptist, but didn't have a great experience with going to church. She says basically her grandmother forced her to go and so for a long time she's never really had the desire to attend any church. We don't know a lot about her past life or her current life for that matter, but she and her mother are currently in the process of packing up and moving to Charlotte, North Carolina at the end of March. She says she needs a fresh start at life and this is their way to do that. Sisters had knocked on Marlayns door about two years ago. They had only met with her once, not sure why it didn't work out then, but when Sister Lyman and I stopped by a couple weeks ago she recognized who we were. Saturday we got to go back and teach her! It was a special experience for all of us. After teaching about Joseph Smith Sister Patterson, the member we brought, asked Marlayn how she was feeling. Marlayn had stopped to think about it, and said she felt a feeling of peace she's never felt before!!! We then were able to help her recognize that as the Spirit. Marlayn had even planned on coming to church but unfortunately it didn't work out. We texted her Sunday morning to tell her we were so excited for her to come and she called us immediately after crying......
She had just found out that one of her best friends had been involved with a shooting at Youngstown University and was killed. It broke our hearts. She's been so sad. It was not a coincidence that we had taught Marlayn around the time this had happened. It was not a coincidence that she was able to feel the peace and comfort of the spirit right before these tragic things took place in her life. Heavenly Father is aware of ALL his children. He loves us so much and wants us to know that! Sister Lyman and i have been able to keep in touch with her and are hoping to meet with her this weekend.
Im grateful for this experience! This is the Lords work and its awesome to be apart of it.
Thank you for all your prayers and all of your support and love!!! I love you all!!!!
I hope everyone has a fabulous week!!!!

Love,
Sister Houston

Saturday, February 12, 2011

THE GOSPEL IS AN AMAZING THING!!

Aren't Sister Missionaries just Beautiful


Look they even wear there name badges with their PJ's on!!
how cute is that!!


Sister Houton's email
February 2, 2011

Hi family!
How are you??? I'm doing wonderfully. It was a good week. No new investigators, but we are still working hard to find them!!! They are out there somewhere.....just hiding! Sneaky things :)
I've had some experiences this last week that have helped me be even more grateful for the gospel....if thats even possible, right....
Kim Dinkins....
She is a recently re-activated member of the church who was baptized in her 20's along with her mom. Her grandma introduced them both to the church. Sister Dinkins has had a rough life. She fell away from the church for a long long time. She's a single mom and her 4 kids are all inactive. Her girls, who are younger then I all have babies and her son Terrell who is the youngest is into drugs....no good.
She doesnt work, doesnt have a car, has no furniture and a not so clean house......one time i was over there and a coach roach almost went up my leg!!! It took all of me not to scream! Anyways, usually our lessons are so hard to get through. So many distractions....babies, loud kids, etc....its really hard to recognize the spirit when we are there. However our last lesson with her was a little different. Terrell was there and her niece Nia who was just recently baptized in September. Terrell was just obnoxious. He has to be talking ALL THE TIME!!! and Sister Dinkins had her grand babies so she just wasn't as attentive as we hoped. Toward the end of the lesson I asked Nia how the Holy Ghost has helped her. The spirit flooded the room because of her testimony...first time I've felt it in there home.
and last night we met with Amanda....
Amanda was just recently baptize a year ago. Her husband is living in Mexico, trying to get permission to come to the United States. They just had a baby this last October who he's never met before. She is the only member in her family and among her friends....doesn't have much support from them either. Seems like they are always giving her a hard time. Life's been a struggle for her for the last few months. During our lesson last night, she stopped in the middle and asked us why she doesn't feel like she did when she was baptized. She's felt angry, depressed and lonely. She described in as a wall blocking her from feeling the spirit and she doesn't know how to move it.
I've never felt the weight of missionary work can be hard, but it makes me more grateful for the blessing of the gospel in my life. It can change peoples lives, its changes there hearts...it changes who they are....as long as they are living it.
The gospel is an amazing thing. I'm grateful for this opportunity to share it with others!

Well I hope you all have a wonderful week! I love you!!!!
Remember people need this in there lives!! look for opportunities to share it with those around you!!!

LOVE,
Sister Houston

MY LIFE IS BLESSED

This email is one of my favorites that she has written! She is so HAPPPY and content with were she is and what she is doing right now!! She has been richly blessed by her Heavenly Father and we as a family back home have been blessed just as much because of the sacrifices that she is doing at this moment. Because of her sacrifice to be a missionary, she taught and baptised a beautiful young women and saw the changes that the gospel brought to her life and now this women's mom is now going to be baptised and they will become an eternal family!
ENJOY!

Sister Houston's email
January 26, 2011

My dearest family,
How are you all doing??? I LOVE getting to hear from you every week through email and letters. You each have a special place in my heart. I hope you all know that! A senior missionary in the office sent this quote out to the mission:

“All that I now hold dear in life began to mature in the mission field….My life has been richly blessed beyond measure because I served a mission.” (Elder Richard G. Scott, May 2006 Ensign)

Although I am not finished with my mission just yet, I can feel a change in myself. I've gained a greater appreciation and love for the things that matter most in life. I know what matters most! Its a learning process, but Im grateful for the things that I've learn so far and the many many blessings that you have received and will continue to receive through my service as a missionary for the Lord.
It's been a wonderful week. No funny stories, but I do have the best news ever!!!!!!!!!
First let me tell you that Elder and Sister Butterfield, the site directors for Kirtland, ended their service and flew home Saturday. We had a farewell dinner for them a couple weeks ago and last week they had a open house where all their fellow friends and loved ones could come say Adios. Even though the Butterfields love all the sisters so dearly, for us to be able to attend this party we had to have an investigator, recent convert, or less active. Mission Rules. Sadly, Sister Lyman and I didn't get to go to this festive event. Anyways, why I am telling you this is because Sister Everson, who is still serving in Norwalk came to the open house and told Sister Stewart some FABULOUS NEWS!!!!!
K, remember Jocelyn and her mom Dayle??? Remember how I said that it was only a matter of time until Dayle would be baptized???? GUESS WHAT? Dayle finally asked to take the missionary discussions!!!! OH MY GOODNESS!!!! I can't tell you how excited I am to hear this! They are going to be an eternal family some day! This is why I am out here. To help people receive all the wonderful blessing heavenly father wants to give them. All the hard work, stress and heartache are completely worth it. Its an amazing feeling when you get to hear of someone you love so much finally except the gospel! I received a letter both from Jocelyn and Sister Everson this last week telling me again of this wonderful news. Jocelyn is getting her patriartical blessing soon and on Saturday Her and her mom are coming out to Kirtland to take a tour and watch the Joseph Smith film, which by the way is now on DVD! I'm sad that I wont be there but Sister Stewart will be and she is going to give them a big hug for me! I'm so happy for them. Keep them in your prayers k!!!!
To add to the goodnews of Dayle, Sister Lyman and I found a couple of potential investigators. We hope and pray they will continue to want to learn, but even if they don't we know its just a matter of time until we are guided to someone who is. No effort is wasted!!
Well family I love you! If you haven't checked out the new mormon.org you definitely should! Look at the January Engsign. It will tell you more details! Getting people to look at this website is one of the main focuses of the mission right now. There are some pretty amazing videos of people and theIR life experiences. You should watch them for family night. One of my favorites is Paris Thomas. Mitch and Hunter please watch. This is the blessing of missionary work. I promise you'll love it. Paris is now serving a mission. One of the sisters I serve with was in the MTC with him. So cool!!
I hope you all have a wonderful week!!!! I LOVE YOU

Love,
Sister Houston

TRACTING......SNOW


YES, this is the Sisters driving in the snow!! Scarey!! I love Arizona!!

Yes, Tracting in 2 feet of SNOW.....sounds fun? Well what a trooper her and Sister Lyman are. Oh how they are doing what Heavenly Father wants them to do even in difficult situations!! Keep it up Sisters!! We will pray for you here in warm Arizona!!

Sister Houston's Email
January 19, 2011

Hey family,

Well another week has passed away....
Nothing funny to tell sorry, just a plain ole week :)
Sister Lyman and I did tract into a man whom we both thought was...i feel weird saying the word but........gay. Our area covers quite a few cities spread out. Bedford and Maple Heights are where past sisters have spent the majority of there time in. So we decided to branch out a little and tract in Solon. Now Solon is a pretty wealthy area, not very fun to tract in. Giant houses, a large population of jews, and we found that not very many people want to talk to ya. After hiking, yes literally hiking through 2 feet of snow to get to the door, Bob answered and invited us right in. Bob frightened sister lyman and i a little....his response to us was "yeah come on in. you want to know what I know? i'll tell ya what I know." hmmmm....ok....silly bob. We had an interesting conversation with him. His wife didn't want to talk to us and it turned out that when Bob's kids were younger he wrote a book all about religion. He has some strange beliefs about God and also believes that when we do something good it sends some kind of signal wave out to others....yeah, way to smart for my tiny little brain to understand and a little to strange if ya ask me. We did get to share with Bob a scripture from the Book of Mormon and Pray with him before we left. There has been a handful of times tracting where i've felt the spirit....this being one. He wasn't interested in us coming back, but hopefully someday Bob or someone in his family will want to learn.
We did get to finally meet with Dwain and Desiree again. Yahoo! Things are not exactly where Sister Lyman and i would like them to be, but they are at least still wanting to meet with us. There priorities right now are wrestling, yes wrestling! Over Church Come on!!! heehee Apparently wrestling is quite a huge deal for this family and all there kids. Thats there reason for not coming to church. At least thats what they say any way. I've been realizing that alot of people taught understand with there minds the things we are teaching, some more then others of course, but 99% of them don't understand with there hearts. How do we help people feel this is true with there heart? Thats what Dwain and Desiree need. Once they feel it, then i think everything will fall into place. Hopefully!
Well i love you family and miss you a ton! i hope that everything back home is fabulous for you all! Im doing great. The mission is moving along quickly and I'm growing in more ways then i ever expected. I'll make sure to try and have a funny story to tell ya next week :)
Talk to soon!!!

LOVE,
Sister Houston

NEW COMPANION

Another Transfer and Tori is staying in Solon but she has a new companion
Sister Lyman from North Carolina. It seems to me that time is flying by! I know Tori is really starting to realize that her time is going to end soon and she has so much more that she wants to accomplish. Hopefully this next 6 weeks will be a successful one!!

Sister Houston's email
January 12, 2011

Hi family!!
It does feel like forever since I last emailed you. Its been a slow week....transfer weeks usually are. hmmmm....why is that?? Its been a week of adjustments for both Sister Lyman and I. Let me first start off by introducing you to my new companion.
Sister Lyman is from North Carolina, has been going to school at BYU for the last few years, getting her degree in piano, who i have to say is an amazing piano player and singer. She is the oldest of six, her dad grew up in the church but her mom was a convert at the age of 18. She is the sweetest thing, so proper and soft spoken and an awesome awesome missionary. She always wants to do her absolute best and is such a great example for me. Im pretty sure that i am going to love serving here with her! Your probably thinking why in the world would the Lord put two quiet, soft spoken sister togther....well i not really sure heehee. Maybe its what we need but I'll be sure to let ya know when i figure it out :)
Well, lets see...
My my my....this area is a hard and difficult area to find new investigators. As far as i've heard its always been that way. Oh man does heavenly father know me so so well. He is testing me so much in so many ways!! Im grateful for struggles though...maybe not at the time but its the only way Im going to strech my self out of my comfort zone. President has been focusing alot on "PURPOSE" and trying to help us missionaries understand our purpose in a way that is more then just knowing your a missionary....its hard to explain. I've noticed since serving here that i am coming to understand more fully what is expected and required of me.

Well aside from the fact that we havent been able to meet with Dwain and Desiree, Sister Lyman and I found a new investigator!!! Yay woohoo!!!!! Its been forever! His name is Michael, he is a deacon in the Baptist church that he's been going to forever, very very involved and active in his church. We met with him for the first time on Saturday. He has a family too!!! Even better. We haven't met his wife yet. Shes in the Bahamas! They have 4 kids from 24 to 11. The three older ones are all moved out and the 11 year old we met briefly on saturday. Things could go good with Michael. We are really praying for them. He said that he usually doesn't met with other church members but recently hes had questions about life that he hasn't been able to find the answers to! As far as Dwain and Desiree, we've talked with them over the phone a couple of times but thats all the contact we've had since our last lesson with them. I pray for them everyday and hope things turn around for the better.
Well I better get going....sorry no exciting news or stories for the week!! I love you family so much!

Love, Sister Houston

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

A NEW YEAR with NEW GOALS

Sister Houston's email
January 4, 2011

HELLO!
Another transfer is coming to a end....this has been the HARDEST one yet, but I have to say that i am grateful for this struggle only because I am coming into this new transfer and new year with a different set of mind....
I get to stay here in Solon for at least six more weeks and well...Sister Lee is being transferred. Its a good thing (I know not a very nice thing to say but i can tell you more details in my letter of why i feel this way)....I'm sad things were rough for both of us but I know this is the best thing for us and the area. I definitely stressed and worried...i know, when am i not :) hee hee. I still don't know the area very well or my way around and me and maps....not so good, but hopefully my next companion with be patient and we can learn the roads together!
Its been an ok week. We are really struggling to find people to teach. The Standard of Excellence for the mission have increased. As a mission whole we are setting our goals higher specifically of the number of lessons we have with investigators with a member present. They raised the standard from 4 a week to 8 even for us site sisters with less time in our area!! Its a struggle to even find investigators. Sister Lee and I have been struggling with meeting these goals...our numbers have not been so good. I've been praying my little heart out for help and have worked extra hard. Through out the week i've been blessed to see the results in many ways. Our numbers were not the greatest but they were the highest Sister Lee and I have had since being together. I've learned alot about the importance of setting goals this transfer. Of course this work is not about the numbers and who gets the highest...but as we prayerfully set these goals I am more determined to stretch my self and do everything I can to fulfill the will of the Lord. I know with the Lords help and alot of hard work and prayers, we will be able to see this area grow!! You may not recognize me when i get home....i may be a little bald or perhaps I'll have some grey hair....hee hee
I love this work. I love this opportunity to grow as a person in my character, my testimony and my way i look at the world and the people in it. I think I am beginning to understand my purpose as a missionary a little better :)
Anyways, we finally were able to teach Dwain and Desiree and their kids again this week! YaHoo!!! Its been 3 weeks since we last met with them. Sister Rust, a member from the solon ward came with us. We taught the plan of salvation for the first time. It went ok. Honestly i think they were overwhelmed with all the new things they were being taught. They were a little quiet about it but we invited them to pray and ask Heavenly Father for understanding. We are hoping this next Sunday they will be able to come to church again.
Other then being kissed by a big, fluffy dog while tracting and almost hitting a deer driving home last Sunday.....thats about all thats happened this week. On to another one!!!!
Im excited for this new year. Its going to be a great one!!! I hope everyone is doing well.Remember my invitation i extended to you!!! Keep praying to know of someone ready for the gospel or to meet someone that is....be ready for it because it'll come!!! I pray for you every night family!!! I love you all!!!

Love,
Sister Houston


Happy Birthday to Sister Houston!!

She was 23 on December 17th..... We sent her a box of goodies and she even made her own birthday cake!!