Hurricane came, Hurricane went

The extent of the mess outside the mission home. The coloring is pretty accurate of the atmosphere. Wacky, eh?
Only a small sample of the type of mess we cleaned up all week after the storm.

It's Monday again!Well we got back into the area finally and our power is back on in our apartment. We ended up leaving the mission home four days ago because it took until thursday to get power back. But we're here in the ghettos of Houston talking to as many hispanic people as possible and finding some real good potentials. It's exciting to be opening up an old area that other missionaries have labeled as wasted and hard to baptize. The elders who are already here have zero motivation and I don't know the ward well enough to know how all the members feel about missionaries and missionary work, but we have a wonderful member who we're going to meet with tonight and she's going to help us get ourselves situated.
Training requires a lot more responsibility than I expected. Sister McDonald is doing pretty good for where she's at. She knows spanish really well for a newbie and she is really good at voicing her opinion. But I realize just how imperfect I am and how I could be just a little more obedient to be an example. I think I understand why some people take up smoking when they become a parent.
This past week we've been talking to a lot of people outside of their apartments and houses. We've found that by talking to and setting an appt with one person, we find a different person even more prepared in the process. Last night we knocked on the door of one guy we'd talked to the week before but he wasn't home. We tried knocking the next door neighbor's door but no answer there either. When we started walking towards our car, Hna McDonald heard someone call to us and it was a Mexican guy who was standing in his doorway. He asked us what church we were from and what we believed in. He looked so scared and shy but he had a fire in his eyes. He told us that he wants to find God and wants to change who he is. He's been in jail for drugs but he's so ready to change. We taught him a little bit about repentance and how God has an amazing plan for him, then we set up an appt for another time. It may or may not lead to his conversion, but it was such a cool experience to know that God had placed us in his path even though we had no idea we were meant to be there.
Also during this week, we were called out of our area to go do service again. I was super excited when I heard this cuz, heck, its only once in a lifetime when you get to experience the aftermath of a hurricane. Am I right or am I right. Yeah.... So a large group of us missionaries drove the hour to San Leon. We were right on the beach cleaning up one guy's house. His neighbors' houses were literally blown away. We took a picture of one spot where there once existed a house, but now its only a cement pad, fallen walls, and bits and pieces of sinks, cupboards, and stuffed animals. They got it BAD. This one guy who's house didn't blow over had a little boat house that did. He asked us to help him clear a small area on the cement pad so that he could set up his tent. (although his house was still intact, it was a mess) Arthur was an older guy in his late fifties or early sixties and just barely had heart surgery so we wanted to help him more. We cleared almost the whole cement pad (I used my giant ox-like strength to help lift the roof off a fallen wall) and then we helped pull his boats out of other people's yards. It was quite the day--muy pesado! And after all of it, the man was so grateful. He kept saying as we were straight up moving a wall or knocking down a fence, "I just can't believe this is happening!" It truly would have been impossible for one of us to do it by himself, but because we had strength in numbers, we got a lot accomplished. And hopefully that area that we were in will once again be as beautiful as Arthur said it was before.
I'm sorry I haven't been very good at keeping up on letters. These past weeks have been so stressful and disorganized. I'm sending out a tape today along with a few pictures, and to as many people as I can, I will respond to your letters. I love you all very much. I've thought about you all very much in these past few weeks (maybe too much but sometimes I just love me my family and friends, you know what I mean?) I hope all is going well.
Love, Hermana Langston

We heard from her!

Hola Familia y Amigos
First off, what I'm about to write in this email will not do justice to what I experienced this past week. Each day was a learning experience of some new principle. Each day I worked harder and harder. And each day I grew more and more tired. But throughout it all, I thought A LOT about the ones I loved most and how I wanted to be with them.It all started at transfer meeting where I met my baby. She's from Oakley, California and is eager to learn. From that meeting, we drove to our new apartment in Houston 9. We're in the city. We unpacked a little bit, backed our emergency three day pack, bought some food and water, and went to sleep. In the morning, we evacuated to the mission home where I still am currently. Four companionships stayed here and all the elders who didn't have members to stay with camped out at the church building (I have pictures and a cassette tape that hopefully I'll have time to send today).Friday night the storm came through.In the morning we went outside and saw a lot of fallen trees and tree limbs littered the streets. We began small by helping the neighbors in this rich neighborhood of sugarland and they were all SO grateful. We didn't realize the work that lay ahead of us cleaning up all other parts of the Gulf area.The storm affected the northern parts of our mission the hardest. Unfortunately where I got moved is pretty north so our apartment complex is still without power but nothing within our apartment is destroyed. In the complex, a few buildings had its siding and shingles ripped off. One building was stripped down to the insulation is some parts. Gas station coverings were completely toppled. Street lights were dangling by the cords at some intersections. There's been a lot of cool damage but nothing too major. Once our apt gets power we'll move back in.The yellow shirts have brought us a lot of attention. In fact, on Saturday, the missionaries split up into groups and we went down to Lake Jackson, TX and Friendswood with over 1,000 volunteer members from Austin to clean up the area. The mayor of Lake Jackson gave a speak thanking the mormons for the selfless service. It made me want to join the army. But people have been coming out of the woodwork to greet us and ask us what this is all about. I've seen people cry at their doorstep when we showed up to help them. I've gotten more hugs during this time than I've gotten in my whole life---and I've received a few awkward man hugs.
DAVID!! I met a black guy from Oklahoma who graduated from Langston University. I told him about you and luckily the guy has a license plate cover that says Langston University so we got a picture next to it.My companion is learning a lot and I'm learning a lot of patience. I've had to throw aside a lot of bad habits and a lot of my pride to raise her up proper. I'm anxious to get back to prosyliting and so is she. She's got the greenie spirit and that's good.I still don't know my address but until I get it to you all, PLEASE write me at the mission office address:4627 Austin PkwySugarland TX 77479It's amazing how much the Lord has blessed us in this past week. The members have taken really good care of us. The mission president has been very organized and orderly in taking care of business and we've been able to work hard but be safe.I wish I had more time to write all my spiritual experiences because there have been many, but you'll be getting a tape in the mail.
Thank you all so much for your encouraging and uplifting emails. I love knowing how you're all improving and growing in your own lives and the growth that you're seeing around you. Keep sending me these experiences and please find time to write me a quick letter. Daniel and David, I really want to hear just a quick what what from you guys because I've been thinking about you two a lot lately. (Turns out I've been carrying around a picture of you two with your beards on St. Patrick's day more than I've carried around a whole family picture...meh).
Peggy, I've enjoyed getting every single one of your letters and I'm so grateful to have a best friend like you. I love you all so much. I'm grateful for this gospel more than I'm grateful that I've been able to eat cereal for free this whole week. I love this gospel! I love cereal, but I love this gospel more than words can express. I love the Lord and I truly love people. I love that everyone is different and that from each person I can learn so much to make me a better person. Learn to love your neighbors. Learn from them.
Mom, you're my hero. Thank you for being there for me always and thank you for the pictures.
Love,Hermana Langston

President Allred's emails

Dear Parents & families - Sent September 18, 2008

All the missionaries are doing fine. I am in touch with them daily. We now have 86 of the missionaries back in their apartments with power, water, etc. We have 20 missionaries still at the Lexington Building (Stake Center). The members are taking care of us wonderfully. We have a generator, water, bathrooms, showers, cots and everything we need. We have 32 missionaries staying with members outside of their proselyting areas. These homes have power and water.

We are all involved in cleanup projects with the members and the communities. The missionaries are working hard and providing much needed service. All that we serve are very grateful, and this has created missionaries opportunities as well.

I have been so impressed with the willingness of the missionaries to work and serve and to cooperate during these difficulties. It is an honor to serve with them. Everyone that works with them is impressed by their cheerfulness and their willingness to work. We are trying very hard to arrange for all of the missionaries to email their parents on Monday.

It is a unique and gratifying experience to witness missionaries joining with other to provide service to those truly in need.

Thank you for your support.

Love,

Pres. Allred


Sent September 13, 2008
Dear Parents & families:

I have been in touch with all of the missionaries today and all are fine. They are now involved in clean-up efforts and are enjoying being of service. Thank you for your prayers and concern. We have been blessed.

With love,

Pres. Allred

From President Allred - 9-11-08

Dear Parents:

We have evacuated much of the Mission. We currently have some missionaries in members' homes for tonight. Most of the missionaries will be moving into a church building in North Houston tomorrow night, which will be the most dangerous time. Everyone is safe and the missionaries are cooperating.

Thank you for your love and prayers. I will let you know as we proceed.

Love,

Pres. Allred

Email from Monday, September 8th

I got some good and bad news this morning. While I was running around the track, Hna Torres sat and waited for the transfer call saying where we'd all be going this upcoming transfer. For those who don't habla español, or who haven't been up to date with my mission-either one-, I've been in the same area since the beginning of my mission. But I only had to do one lap around the track before I found out that I'm being transferred. And not only that, but I'm pregnant! I'm going to have to train my daughter in a completely new area! So after I found that out I took out all my stress on the track.

The past two weeks have been so much fun. I can't even begin to explain how much of a difference live is with someone who you love and can get a long with--someone who has the same interests as you and same goals and is equally yoked so to speak. Hna Torres and I have been working hard, spending time in the street, hurting our brains planning good lessons for these people we're teaching, and yet it doesn't seem like work. I wonder if I've been slacking off these past few weeks but I think about it and no. We've been working really hard, and pushing ourselves just a little bit at a time, but because we're still laughing and having fun, it does not seem like work at all. I'm going to miss my dear Hermana Torres very much.This last week we decided we wanted to know what it was like for the elders who have to ride bikes all day. So for one day, we switched our car with the elders and took the bikes across town. It was AWESOME!!! I've never been so sweaty in my life! I took one picture so I'll send it your way. The elders told us when they gave us the car back that they felt like they weren't even working. They had taught a lot of lessons that day and said they'd felt the spirit so strong. We had taught two lessons and were just drained and sweaty and somewhat stressed that we didn't hit our numbers. I now have a great respect for what the elders do. And am more grateful for our car
Jesus Guerrero has a baptismal date but I won't be here to see it. He's been growing so much and has even been a missionary himself. He invited one of his work friends to the Charla Fogonera and since then the friend has been to church. The Charla was very stressful in the beginning---no one showed up on time! I knew that hispanics just have a tendancy to be late, but I seriously wondered if anyone would come. And the mission president was there! I just relaxed and let my inner Ray tell me, "If you build it, they will come." I knew they'd show up eventually and sure enough we had a great turn out. The spirit was so strong. One of the slightly less active members sat next to me and was in tears, saying it was a reawakening. My Inner Ray knew that what we'd built truly was inspired.You know what's frustrating sometimes? You don't always get to see the fruits of your labors. Part of being a humble missionary is serving because you love the Lord, and you're a worker in his vineyard. But sometimes I work because I want the glory of knowing what I'M doing is making a difference in others. But I've honestly not seen a lot of the fruit of my labor. I've only had 2 baptisms while I've been here and neither of them are around anymore. I sometimes get caught up in the statistics of this work and use it to measure how successful I've been as a missionary. But last night a tender moment changed my attitude.

I have to go. I sure love this gospel. I love the scriptures. Oh my holy yum yums, everyone, read your scriptures!!! I can't believe how COOL they are
I love you all tons!Love, Hermana Langston

Monday Greetings

Well, I can't believe its another Monday already. Time is flying by so fast and its making me wonder what I'm accomplishing as a missionary. So far this week, though, we've seen some great things happen. We're preparing for a Charla Fogonera on the 5th of Septiembre and so a lot is going into preparing that. The ward mission leader has had a lot on his plate and so I offered to make the invitations. He had an idea of how he wanted it, and I just did my thing. I did it by hand and inserted a picture in the background and it wasn't anywhere near my best quality but it was a huge hit in the ward. So now we're hoping it will get them all pumped for this Fireside about Missionary Work and eventually we can start getting more member referrals and start doubling baptisms. Its exciting when we have a vision of what's to come and ideas to accomplish it. I love having these ideas and hearing the ideas of others. I've been trying just a little bit harder to utilize all the time I've been given to get this work to move forward.
Yesterday we were given a referral from another missionary and decided to contact this lady--Flauvia is her name. We went to her little run down house and talked to her and her whole family of six kids and husband. She's a member and so is the oldest three, but the rest of them aren't members. Including the husband. But they've been so busy with getting enough money for their "new" house they'd bought that they haven't been active for almost 5 years now. But they are all SO POLITE. The kids all came into the living room and listened to us--three of the younger ones sat on the floor sharing a blanket, the oldest sat against the wall and was incredibly open and sincere about his love for the missionaries who found and taught their family, and the mom and dad also sat on the floor and told us how they're ready to move forward and increase their faith. We've set an appt with them for Wednesday and are bringing them 6 copies of the Book of Mormon. I feel so blessed to have them in our teaching pool. They're such a close-knit family who, as the oldest son put it, "have been taught old-school" so that's why they're so polite.I realize more and more just how much the gospel affects families and how much the families here love each other. Families really are an incredible organization and for that reason, Satan is trying to destroy the establishment of families.
This week we've been meeting with the ward members and having Family Home Evenings with them. Even the families who are too busy to have us come by for a lesson have gladly made time for us to come for family home evening. So Hermana Torres and I are trying this out to gain the trust of the ward members, and to help them strengthen their own family bonds. It's been incredible to see how its affected the Branch so far. On the flip side, we saw a family that didn't look so happy and strong. The elders and us cleaned out a mobile home as a service project for a member who is about to move in it. So as we were cleaning up all the stuff that was left behind, we found schoolwork of the young kids, love notes from so-n-so, beer and vodka under the sink, business cards for a lady (named Jeanette!) who worked as a therapist for Juvenile Delinquants (sp?), and all sorts of fun stuff that helped us piece together what this family was like. Oh and not only that but one of the bedrooms' walls were COVERED in swear words and hateful things. We just kind of laughed it off until in the end of our adventure we found a lock box that Elder Beesley just HAD to open. He was expecting to find money or something, but instead we all got a peek of porn and other gross things that I really could have gone without seeing. We left that service project kind of saddened that there are so many families who are being ripped apart by this grotesque addiction that is plaguing the world. I left wanting even more to learn how to reach these people so that they will accept this message of good news and joy. The gospel could have changed that family.
Hna Torres and I are doing great. She's a good worker and we have some good giggles together.Say that reminds me. We had an appt with Julio and he had just eaten at an all-you-can-eat Pizza Buffet so he was really full and uncomfortable. So we told him, well, you shouldn't eat so much. But he said, "Si, pero cuando la panza esta llena, corazon esta contento." Which basically means when the stomach is full, the heart is happy. Ok. So ten minutes later his friends come into the yard and we start teaching. But Julio was still uncomfortable so I decided to explain to his friends why: I said, "Es que sus pantalones estan llenas..." thinking that the word "panza" meant the same as "pantalones" and they all stared at me wide-eyed. I asked, "Tiene sentido, o no?" Basically I had just said to everyone that Julio's pants were full instead of saying his stomach was full. Poor guy was so embarrassed for me but I was embarrassed for him--filling your pants is SO uncomfortable, I'm sure. After that appt, Hermana Torres told me she had the hardest time not laughing.Anyway, I'm doing good out here. This week has been fun and we've been working hard but we can always work harder. I hope that this week we will have worked our guts out. And hopefully I can learn to say things in spanish that doesn't embarrass me.I love you all. Make the family strong in the gospel.
Love,Hermana Langston

Monday Greetings

Hello Fam!
I didn't get an email but I'm thinking its all good. More time for me to write.This week has been an adventure. Not because we had any crazy amazing conversion experiences or anything--I'm thinking that the Lord is preparing something great and right before is just a lot of trials to test my faith--so the adventures have just been between me and the Lord. Oh and other missionaries. Oh and a black lady who backed up into the mission car, but that adventure ended rather quickly and I felt ok knowing that it wasn't an accident that I'd caused. The little adventures have just been little opportunities that the Lord has put in my way and seeing if I'd take advantage of them--talking to people when normally I wouldn't has paid off this week. Two experiences: the first happened when I was about to leave an area of tracting but we saw on the street an old hispanic lady walking. We drive so I thought, nah....too awkward to drive up to her. The spirit got the best of me and I turned around and parked the car. I literally chased after her but I caught up to her and she had just arrived at her friend's house. Her friend stayed outside and talked to us. The old lady disappeared, and for the next hour, we talked to Rosa about her doubts she's had with all the churches. Nothing huge happened--she didn't accept a baptismal date or anything--but us chasing after her friend gave her an opportunity to hear the truth and solve some of her doubts. The other experience: Saturday night we met Julio in Subway to teach him and eat. Behind the counter was a somewhat unhappy looking teenaged girl who was making my sandwich. I knew I should talk to her but I really didn't want to or even knew what to say. The spirit directed me and I found out that she used to go to the "Mormon Church" when she was little. We left it at that, and while we were eating, she came up to me with her cell phone and said, "I just talked to me aunt who's Mormon and she got after me for refering to you as a Mormon. But she says, 'Go Missionaries!' I thought you'd like to know that." And she walked away looking a lot happier. The spirit whispered to me to do something-anything-after we were done eating and I have her a pass along card with our cell phone number and told her if she wanted to come back to church to give us a call. She was so happy to have received it and thanked me genuinely. I don't know what's going to happen with her, but I know that that action alone has helped direct her in the right path. Her unhappy countenance is going to go away real soon.Oh dear, I never have enough time to write everyone or anything. I guess I'll just leave by saying I love you all so much. We were at a Fireside Chat at the Mission President's house and I thought about how much I want all my family to taste of this happiness that I have. I want everyone's faith and hope to be sky rocketing because if it were, they'd be the happiest people. Never give up on your dreams. Never stray from being obedient. Never doubt the power that comes through obedience and faith.I love you all. Peggy, I'm finishing your letter today and sending it out ASAP. Sorry about the delay. Camille, thank you for your email--I'll keep you in my prayers and am happy to know that I'm still on your mind.--Hermana Langston

Monday E-mail 8-11-08

Dearest Family and Friends,

After a close call from Hurricane Ditca--or in other words, Edouard--I'm writing you to say all is well. Actually, it wasn't a close call at all. Last Monday, the stores were FULL of people buying tons of water and food and the Branch President called us to deliver emergency forms to all the ward members. But when Tuesday morning rolled around, all we experienced here in Rosenberg was a day's worth of sprinkles. It was a good excitement, though.This week hasn't been amazing in the sense of finding golden investigators or reactivating members, but I have been learning a lot of great life lessons. First of all, my companion is amazing. She's so fun to be around and likes to work hard at the same time so we're able to reflect the true character of love when we're OYM'ing and talking to people about the gospel. Together we're able to be ourselves and show personality while we teach the gospel, and I think a few people have been touched by it.Remember how I said in a past email never to let your faith be hard to detect? How's everyone doing with that, anyway? Have any of you had experiences of trying to be better at showing your faith? Well I almost didn't live by my own advice last night. Hermana Torres and I were out in the country and came across an English speaking man who was very animated and overly-zealous about his faith in Jesus Christ. He congratulated us for doing the Lord's work and over and over talked of doctrine that actually was true. He said that to everyone is given the light of Christ to know good from evil. He said that when we have faith in Christ, that light grows and we should share it with others. And he even said the the Holy Ghost will testify to those we share this with that it is true or not. The only thing he said that was NOT the truth was that all we needed to do to be saved was confess that Jesus is the Christ and as soon as those words leave our mouths, His blood covers our sins. I think maybe he's been watching Beetlejuice a little too religiously because that's definitely NOT true. I even said that in the Bible it says that we must be baptized by water and of the Spirit. But he wouldn't really give us a chance to speak more and I was about to give up and just let him think what he wanted to think. Then Hna Torres spoke. She asked, Can I share something that we have with you? She began to explain the Book of Mormon and how just like the Bible, it gives testament of Jesus Christ and brings the fullness of His teaches to us. He wouldn't have anything to do with it but she bore testimony that the Spirit would tell him whether or not the book was true through sincere prayer. He insisted we pray right then. He grabbed our hands and we stood in a circle and he told Hna Torres to pray. I only felt the spirit of contention in that moment but we prayed anyway and all the while, he was muttering his own prayer under his breath. I almost wanted to start laughing but I didn't because the sad thing is that this really meant something important to him. When we were done, he told us very politely that his faith in Christ will save him and pretty much cautioned us of false prophets in sheep's clothing. In that moment I knew I was being backed into a corner of faith and I couldn't leave him without him knowing exactly what I believed. I bore testimony of the validity of the Book of Mormon and how I've searched to find this testimony. I knew without doubt that the teachings within the Book of Mormon are true and that the prophet guiding us on the earth is truly a prophet, receiving revelation from God. I was brief but I was bold and I know he felt something. In the end, we gave him a number to order the Book of Mormon and I walked away a little shaken, but feeling so good that we didn't leave him without him knowing that there's more than what he has.Its a different experience going from house to house and talking to people in all different walks of life. Some (many) think that we're just too young and innocent to understand what they're going through. Some think that their problems are too big or complicated to be solved by the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. And some have just lost all hope of there ever being a God because of what they've experienced. It's sad to see people suffer. I'm really starting to see that each person is a child of God and is going through trials and experiences that influence their mindset. I absolutely love being a missionary, folks. Can I just tell you that? I've never been so happy and yet so challenged in my life. I want everyone to have a missionary experience because its incredible the joy you will feel when you see someone's life touched by the spirit. When that person begins to understand and feel the truthfulness of the gospel of Christ, and then begins to change, it's something that causes your heart to explode. Literally, explode. It's a health hazard, so, you know, look out.Jill, tell little Keiti that jelly fish aren't her friends. Candice, tell Emily thank you for the wonderful picture and letter in a giant envelope. Is emily really writing full, legible words now? Rach, thanks for sharing your spanish skills with me in the form of Chris Farley quotes. Yo vivo en un apartament cerca de la Biblioteca! Camille, I hope all is going well with you because I haven't heard anything recently from mom or otherwise. Mom, I sure enjoyed the letter about Jacob's wisdom teeth and a very brief explanation about your trip to New York. My companion loves Jacob and sometimes acts like him actually. A few nights ago we fell asleep with a cd of Jacob talking at our bedside. Ahh, there's nothing like the sweet sensuous sounds of Little Brother to lull a person to sleep.I love you all. Siempre voy a amarlos, pero mas que nada, quiero que sepan que los amo a todos. Estoy muy agradecida por todo que yo he recibido por cada uno de ustedes.Haz lo Justo.Hermana Langston

Sisters, Sisters

Just a few pictures of Jeanette, Hermana Kearl, Hermana King and Hermana Hansen (on the top picture). Jeanette has been companions to both Hna King and Hna Kearl.

Young Women Activity

"Hermana Allred and I with the Young Women in Brazos branch. The lady down in front is Hermana Lopez, the wife of the branch president. She's an awesome lady." The Young Women were making camp shirts

email 7-30-08

Hello Utah! First of all, I loved getting a pizza from Pizza Hut from my family, and I loved the accidental phone call too. You guys are the coolest family I've ever had. Funny story--the pizza guy was all sorts of confused because we were confused. And when he pulled the box out and it said "Congrats on six months," he was even more confused. We told him we were missionaries and that I had been in tx for 6 months. And he became so scared! He immediately backed away and said, Whoa ok I see. You guys scare me. I'm really Catholic but you guys scare me. We told him he doesn't have to be afraid when he sees us walking down the street. I felt like the scary shovel man from Home Alone talking to Kevin.
This week has been a trip and I feel like I'm being forced to grow up faster than I'd expected. I'm maturing yet at the same time feel so young still. Not only that, but I'm killing my companion today because she's going back home. I'm going to introduce another missionary to my area and reluctantly say good bye to my dear companion Hna Kearl. Basically I know that I could be telling all the crazy stories of tracting and the adventures we've had of going into other parts of our area (scary) and the awkward moments of trying to get a man to pray and how incredibly awkward it ended up, but I need you all to know how crucial it is to be missionaries yourselves. The Brazos Branch is struggling and its because of the selfishness and pride of a few people. Never let pride get in the way of your serve to others. Never let your faith be difficult to detect, either. Others can and will learn from the testimony you have. Share your testimony freely by the way you act, by the way you speak of others, and by your willingness to serve.Hermana Kearl has been such a HUGE influence on my growth. It's going to be hard to live without her because she is such a solid example of someone who has shared her beliefs and standards with me without embarrassment. Her strict obedience and willingness to stand up for what's right has made a huge impact on this area. Our new converts have noticed it. Our district leader has noticed it. When certain missionaries would complain about the hard work or the stubborness of the people, without flinching she'd correct them and tell them the positive side of all this work. We at first hated to hear her say that but it truly affected them and they now have changed their topic of conversations for the better. It's obvious that it has helped all of them. Because of her willingness to stand up for what's right and share her own level of righteousness with us in a loving manner, it has lifted up everyone of us around her.Words have a way of affecting people.
.I don't know if I'm adequately expressing this idea of making your faith and testimony apparent to everyone. I don't have a lot of time to proof read it. But every person is on a different level of faithfulness. That faithfulness is only able to grow when we live by the teachings of the gospel and practice what is preached. This gospel teaches true eternal principles that have consequences. And sometimes those around us are blind to what they're doing wrong or what they could be doing better. If you know something is wrong or right, make that known. If you know that what your co-worker, friend, or even family member is saying isn't right, be the stronger person and let them know. Truly the bad words, hateful comments, sarcastic remarks, murmuring in obedience, and complacency in inadequacy REALLY DOES AFFECT people. But what's amazing is that the opposite affects people too. I'm so grateful that Hna Kearl has been strong enough to stand up to me and to others. Don't let your faith be difficult to detect.I love you all so much. I'm so grateful for this gospel I can't express that enough. I know that these principles that the church teaches brings happiness. I've never been so happy in my life. Live righteously. Serve others. Love obeying. It will bring such a renewed sense of joy that you can't feel otherwise.Los quiero y los extrano mucho. Los doy mis besitos y abrazos.Sean firmes y fieles en su Fe.Con mucho amor
Hermana Langston

Alligator Park

Hermana Langston, Hermana Hansen, Hermana King, Hermana Kearl at Alligator Park


Elder Franco found this turtle at Alligator Park and fell in love with it. Elder Cordova has his credit card out to touch it because he doesn't want to touch it with his fingers.


Part of Houston 4 District half way through our walk around Alligator Park. We are all "bien cansados!"

Awesome Pictures!

End of 2nd Transfer. HOUSTON 4 DISTRICT We just finished eating at a Chinese Buffet and everyone was bloated. Nobody has the energy here to stand up straight apparently.
L-R Hna King, Jeanette, Elder Jones, E. Thatcher, E, Cordova, E. Franco, E. Stack, Hna Kearl, Hna Hansen, E. Persian


Hermana Kearl and Hermana Langston

"The Mormon Choir" The original group when I first got here. May 1, 2008


Jose Molina, Alonzo Salazar, Jeanette, Hna King, Dimas Mondragon, and Hna Kearl in front. When I look at this picture I remember how difficult it was to get these guys here to this devotional. But the guys were glad to see Hna King again.


This is a picture of Jeanette and Hermana Kearl after being in a down pour for 20 seconds!

Service at the Old Folk's Home on the 4th of July

Jeanette and Helen. "She dressed herself and the picture is of her son."


"Bean Bag Toss. Most of the old people just watched but those who played really enjoyed it."

Hermana Kearl and Jeanette with some of the residents. Notice Jeanette isn't wearing her name tag!

Email from Jeanette 7-21-08

"What I have to deal with any time we go places with the elders!"

Well this week has been an amazing adventure. It started out really good by doing a service project instead of going to a slip-n-slide activity with the zone and it just got better from there. Remember the guy who we oym'd who was working on his car? We've met with him thrice thus far and he's so cool! He totally prayed to Satan before he met us but told us not to worry because he doesn't believe in satan anymore. He's an interesting fellow and he's reading in the Book of Mormon but is embarrassed or something to actually pray about it. We're going to keep working with him and hopefully he will cut off his long ponytail and become converted to the Lord.It's so true what you said about true conversion. So many people join the church for the social aspect or just to impress someone they like. This week has been a struggle with Julio and he's been treating our visits like a social engagement. He's not progressing anymore and last night after being too jovial with us I had to chastize him. He needs to really think about why he's taking the discussing from us and why it would be a benefit to him. When I told him this he said, Yeah I already know the Book of Mormon is good. The Bible is amazing. I'm understanding more and more. But, Langston, you don't understand. The Book of Mormon can't help me in my personal problems that I'm going through right now. Oh man when he said this i nearly yelled. I told him "WHAT? Are you kidding me? Do you really think that the work of the Lord REALLY can't help you with insignificant little problems like your day to day problems? God is all-powerful and Christ suffered EVERYTHING you've experienced. How dare you doubt that His ability to help you." It hurt me to think that he really lacked that much faith. It was weird because it really felt like he was insulting my best friend by saying that the true church of God can't help him. I've come to realize that the Book of Mormon was sent to us in our days exactly for the reason that Julio feels can't be solved. The Lord knows EXACTLY what we're experiencing in this life yet too often we are incredibly stubborn or prideful and selfish to think about that. I couldn't let another minute go by without telling Julio this and he felt the sting. He knew I was right and he told me so. Hopefully something will change this week.Another cool adventure happened. A golfball flew into our apartment and smashed out our sliding glass door. We've been finding little shards of glass along our path these past few days and are still waiting for maintenance to come fix it.Ok the main thing I wanted to write about is this: Utopia. Living in a perfect world with everyone being perfect people is not too far from possible because I got a taste of it this week. This Saturday we had a Ward Mission Activity but hardly anyone showed up. In fact, aside from the ward members who were assigned things to do, only 4 people showed up. And the activity we had planned involved a lot of people playing :"carnival" games in the gym then going to one of the three different kingdoms of glory. The three rooms were decorated beautifully to fit the atmosphere of each glory, but not a lot of people were there. Rather than becoming bitter or giving up, the ward members worked together to make the activity so much fun and to involve each person. Hermanas were naturally going out of their way to help little kids get involved in the not-so-amazing games and by some miracle everyone was enjoying themselves. After it all, we had an incredibly spritual experience sitting in the "Celestial Kingdom" altogether. I looked around at each member. They each have their own story and their own area where they're weak. Yet in that moment I could feel their love one for another and their desire to be worthy servants of the Lord. It was a humbling experience and I thought, you know, probably the most important missionary work is within the bonds of our family and friends and fellow members of the church. Showing a humble desire to serve each other and having a love of Christ really is amazing. When everyone is unified in that feeling, it's indescribable. I wished in that moment that I could have shared that experience with each one of my family members and friends.Missionary work is incredible. It makes me a LIIIITTLE bit teary eyed to think about all the blessings I've received by doing this work. I can't even begin to describe the love I feel for these people. I never thought it possible to actually look at someone I don't know and desire their salvation. When I meet new people on the street, I think of that experience in the "Celestial Room" with the ward members and I truly want them to have that same experience.I love you all so much. Everyone is changing back at home and it's kinda scary, you know? But I hope everyone reads these emails. I hope all my brothers and sisters know how much i look up to them and want them to feel this same joy that I feel. I hope my grandma and grandpa know how special they are to me even though I don't write them letters a lot.This church is true and everything you all are going through is meant to be solved by the message this church shares. Nothing and no one is an exception to that.Los quiero mucho!Love,Hermana Langston

Cartoon

This is a drawing Jeanette drew of an experience she had last week. This is what she said about it: "Jesus Martinez was super distracting one night while we were trying to teach Julio. He went into his Gallinero (hen house of a house) and brought out a guitar and played it a little. He tried talking to me while Hna Kearl was teaching tithing to Julio. Then he got up again, went into his house, and a few minutes later the door opened and he comes rolling out on a skate board saying 'Hey, Look!' (But with an accent. ) How I drew it is exactly how I saw it. It was hilarious and I just busted up laughing right there in the middle of the lesson. The guy is almost 40 years old but he acts like he's 16. So here you go. Enjoy the drawing."

Temple Trip

Hermana and Hermano Avila went through the temple for the first time and all the missionaries involved in their gospel journey are in the picture. Such a special experience to be in the temple with Brother and sister Avila for them to receive their endowments. Familia Garcia, Lopez and Hno Rodriguez with his fiance Manuela were all in attendance.


L-R Jeanette, Hna Kearl, Lucy Avila, Hna King, Sergio Avila, "Stacy" Pasley, and Hna Johnson

Bad Driving!!!

We've teased Jeanette about her driving skills. When we saw this picture we figured it was Jeanette driving but according to her....This is what she wrote:
I've also included a picture to show you that I'm not the bad driver in this companionship--I've actually been able to find someone who's a worse driver than me. Hermana Kearl drove the car into a ditch when trying to turn around, and a guy had to pull us out. It was awesome. We gave him a pass along card and said, Hey if you had this much fun with the missionaries, think of all the fun you'll have when you're baptized and part of our church. Call us! He mostly didn't call us.

Baptism

Yesterday, June 29th, Garrett was baptized! Hermano Avila is the shorter guy who baptized Garrett. He doesn't speak English, and Garrett doesn't speak Spanish. But they're pretty much best friends. Jeanette is on the left, Hermana Kearl on the right.

Email from Jeanette 6-23-08

Sometimes I forget the real reason for doing this work. Sometimes I get so caught up in my own fear to speak about controversial things to people that I forget about the big picture. Today I was blessed with that kind assurance from Heavenly Father that He is real--that this work is something real and exciting. I received another building block to my testimony that Joseph Smith was such a marvelous man for not giving up through the painful trials and that because of him, we are able to have the truth once again on the earth.This week was such a blessing. Nothing extremely amazing happened except for the usual going to meetings, receiving more help and guidance to do our work effectively, and obeying that guidance that I received. Because I obeyed, we came away this week with 4 baptismal dates and a better perspective on this work that we're doing.We're still teaching Julio and Garrett. Garrett's going to be baptized next Sunday and Julio on the 13th. But along with that, we've given a date to Jesus Andraden for the 6th of July (Happy Birthday Emily and Jake). HE's a man in his forties from Mexico who started out so slow and somewhat stupid. He's told us of all the blessings that the Lord has blessed him with since meeting us (including receiving a miraculous phone call on Father's Day from one of his daughters that isn't allowed contact with him) and tells how he's changing. Even though to the ward he's just another single guy that's adding to the collection of single guys we're bringing into the ward, we've been able to see his change and how he's been blessed. He's going to grow even more after his baptism date.Last night, after a long day of not-so-goodness and stepping in a red ant hill, we met with another friend of Julio's and Jesus's. His name is Jose and is only 17 years old. We had only taught him once but we could just tell that he was interested. I remembered the talk that our Zone Leader gave us about being bold and challenging missionaries, and I offered him a baptism date. He was a little surprised but gladly accepted it. He's getting baptized July 26th on Hna Kearl's birthday.We're still trying with Jose and Maria. We asked them to pray about being baptized and they said they would. That's a huge step in progress with them. I have to learn to be patient with some people--I know when they are or aren't progressing and I just need to be patient knowing that some people take longer than others.The two guys we were teaching, Alonso and his cousin Jose, who were flirty are out the door. Others are also out the door and we're getting some new people in. It's so difficult still to talk to everyone without getting a little bit scared, but i'm trying so hard.
Love you all. Stay strong in the gospel!
Hermana Langston

Jesus is Coming!

Hermana Allred jumping for joy.

That's enought to make Jeanette dance!

Sweet Reunion

MTC companions for 2 short months. Sisters forever! Hermana Langston and Hermana Burke

Birthday Surprise!

"It ws Mary Elizabeth's birthday so we went early in the morning and decorated her room's door. Elder Sessions is listening after knocking. We waited forever before she finally came out. When she did she didn't look too happy."

"We warmed her up with a nice bouquet of flowers - compliments of some stranger who happened to bring them at the exact time we were there. She was so glad to see she was loved. That grumpy face when she came out of her room was a total front!"


"After a quick wardrobe change and hair brushing, Mary Elizabeth came back out for the picture. By this time we had a good crowd of residents watching."

Here is Jeanette, Hermana Kearl and the "birthday girl" standing outside a decorated door.

After a Fireside

Hermana Kearl, Jesus Martinez, Juanito Torres, Julio, an investigator, and Hermana Langston. This picture was taken at President Allred's home after a fireside.

Mexico Chicito

This is in Roseberg, Texas. The people in this area don't have a lot of money. Doesn't Jeanette look cute knocking on the door of this small house. This is what she wrote:
Que chido este gallinero!