Happy Thanksgiving!
I love this mission, you guys. I love learning so much about the gospel and putting it into practice. I love the Lord with all my heart and am so grateful that despite my weaknesses and tendency to forget Him, He still loves me too. I am so grateful for you all. I'm so blessed to have such a large, supportive family that radiates joy and happiness. I love life. I love being alive. I love waking up each morning! I love going to bed each night knowing i've done my best and deserving the short night's sleep. Thank you all so much for sacrificing so much. Thank you for your testimonies. You strengthen me just by writing to me.
Anyway, allow me to answer a few of your questions. Elba and Fernando are doing GREAT. They finally came to church!!! Last Sunday they didn't after they promised they would. We passed by their apartment on Monday and had a real nicechat with them. Fernando is so smart and in tune with the spirit. He explainedthat after searching for work with his friend in the morning, they found anopportunity to work. He had promised Elba he'd be home in time for church,but when the opportunity for money was before him, he couldn't resist. Hetold us, It's like Satan put that beautiful, shiny trap before me and I justcouldn't resist. He was so sorrowful and said, "The one Sunday when she[Elba] was ready and willing to go, I prevented us from going." Theyrecommitted to coming and sure enough yesterday they showed up. Elba was evenwearing a dress! And they stayed for all 3 hours. They are so faithful.Wendy is experiencing some slander from her friends and family. We triedtalking to her and addressing the doubts, but she just doesn't seem to wantto talk to us about it anymore. However, we have an amazing story about a womannamed Elsa. We met with her for the third time on Saturday and she was soexcited to tell us what she'd learned in her Plan of Salvation pamphlet. Shehad answered all the questions in the back, written out the answers, and thenhad gone to her sister's house to share with her what she'd learned.Elsa told us that it was so exciting to be able to know something and to be ableto teach her sister. She said that she felt like we must feel each time we teachand that sent chills up my spine when I heard it. My little Elsa is growing up!!My student is teaching her own student! Anyway, she's been reading the Bookof Mormon, she's been praying every night, and she told us that she KNOWSits true. It just feels right. She's studied a little with the Jehovah'switnesses and other religions and she said that this just has a completelydifferent feel. She said she wants to be baptized so as soon as she comes tochurch, we're giving her a date. I had a little eye-opening experience, too, when I went on sister exchangesthis week. I was with Hermana Burke for 24 hours!
This week has been a rollercoaster of emotions and events. I've seen some really bad days, but also extremely good days. I was able to go back to Galveston and do some final service there with my district, one other district,and the AP's. I love being able to bring fun and joy into the lives ofothers and I have seen where I've been able to do that this week. In church,Hermana Estrada, a slightly grumpy old lady was called on THREE TIMES to give a prayer. She's the type of person who really doesn't like to do it. The third time was in Relief Society and I said to her, "Hermana, you are going to be RICH with blessings after saying so many prayers." Her frown went away and she just laughed. It makes my heart glow when I can help others laugh and enjoy their lives.
My testimony is like gold to me. I treasure it and love to share it with others. I know that my Heavenly Father is real. I know that the atonement was a real thing that helps me everyday to heal and grow stronger. I love the prophet. I love reading the words of the prophets and apostles of Christ and I know that their words are the very words of Christ.I'm so sure that the Book of Mormon is real that I would sacrifice everything I have if it meant another soul could come to that same realization.This is the work of God.His children are coming to a true knowledge of their Savior.So many lives are being blessed by this gospel.Treasure your own testimonies. Live your testimony.I love you all. I miss you and can't wait for the day I can talk to you.
Have a very happy Thanksgiving and know that I am so grateful for you. I will be praying.
Love,Hermana Langston
Monday, November 24, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
I Love This Gospel!
Oooh eee I love this gospel so much. I love it, I love it, I love IT!! (Leg in the air). It brings so much happiness and not only that but protection.
Two good stories to tell: The other night Hermana and I were knocking doors in an area that we just felt needed to be knocked. I just KNEW there was somebody who needed to be found. After the night was over, we found a few "meh" people who had "meh" interest, but we set up an appt with them and returned the next night. Both of them weren't there so we kept knocking. We found a lady named wendy who spoke to us in really good English but is from El Salvador. She was home with her two kids who look black and so it confused us as to whether or not we should speak Spanish or English. But we sat down with her and spoke English. She first saw us a missionaries for a church. She was curious because she had been a part of another church before but didn't like it and she hasn't been to church since. She basically was "church shopping," you know what I mean? But we started talking, and we started teaching real doctrine, and suddenly the spirit was so strong. I saw tears come to Wendy's eyes as she listened. Suddenly she asked, "Are you two in charge of the church? Do you do the sermons?" A little confused and surprised, we both said no. She said to me, "because I feel something with you. I trust you. You just seem like you know what you're talking about. You [hna Mcdonald] seem a little more nervous or scared or something, but I can tell you [me] know what you're talking about." It kind of made both of us laugh but we explained that what she's feeling is the Holy Ghost. Her original church shopping attitude changed into her life story of how she feels so empty. Her reason for talking to us became less superficial, but instead filled a deep cavity that she perhaps didn't realize she had until she got a taste of what she could have in its place. She was more than willing to let us come back and said she'd be more comfortable in a church in Spanish, so we've set up another appt and she's excited to come to church on Sunday. I was so glad after that appt that we kept on knocking even after the original appts fell through.
The spirit has also protected us in a few small situations this week. One happened last night when we were trying to find the house of a less active member. It was out in the country and we walked up to this house that was very dark. I didn't feel in danger. But as soon as we got to the door, we both noticed a GINORMOUS dog just sitting there. The owner came to the door and was amazed that his dog didn't attack us. He said that Jesus must have been protecting us. Turns out that all around the house was warning signs for this dog and usually the dog is pretty angry. I felt like Daniel must have felt in the lion's den. Truly the Lord protects His servants.
Elba and Fernando are doing well. They're having a hard time financially but they're practicing more and more faith. The ward is needing more help and us sisters are trying to excite everyone to practice faith and have hope for the future. I love you all. I love this gospel. I know that its true. We have such a huge responsibility to help and lift others. Lift where you stand.
Love, Hermana Langston
Two good stories to tell: The other night Hermana and I were knocking doors in an area that we just felt needed to be knocked. I just KNEW there was somebody who needed to be found. After the night was over, we found a few "meh" people who had "meh" interest, but we set up an appt with them and returned the next night. Both of them weren't there so we kept knocking. We found a lady named wendy who spoke to us in really good English but is from El Salvador. She was home with her two kids who look black and so it confused us as to whether or not we should speak Spanish or English. But we sat down with her and spoke English. She first saw us a missionaries for a church. She was curious because she had been a part of another church before but didn't like it and she hasn't been to church since. She basically was "church shopping," you know what I mean? But we started talking, and we started teaching real doctrine, and suddenly the spirit was so strong. I saw tears come to Wendy's eyes as she listened. Suddenly she asked, "Are you two in charge of the church? Do you do the sermons?" A little confused and surprised, we both said no. She said to me, "because I feel something with you. I trust you. You just seem like you know what you're talking about. You [hna Mcdonald] seem a little more nervous or scared or something, but I can tell you [me] know what you're talking about." It kind of made both of us laugh but we explained that what she's feeling is the Holy Ghost. Her original church shopping attitude changed into her life story of how she feels so empty. Her reason for talking to us became less superficial, but instead filled a deep cavity that she perhaps didn't realize she had until she got a taste of what she could have in its place. She was more than willing to let us come back and said she'd be more comfortable in a church in Spanish, so we've set up another appt and she's excited to come to church on Sunday. I was so glad after that appt that we kept on knocking even after the original appts fell through.
The spirit has also protected us in a few small situations this week. One happened last night when we were trying to find the house of a less active member. It was out in the country and we walked up to this house that was very dark. I didn't feel in danger. But as soon as we got to the door, we both noticed a GINORMOUS dog just sitting there. The owner came to the door and was amazed that his dog didn't attack us. He said that Jesus must have been protecting us. Turns out that all around the house was warning signs for this dog and usually the dog is pretty angry. I felt like Daniel must have felt in the lion's den. Truly the Lord protects His servants.
Elba and Fernando are doing well. They're having a hard time financially but they're practicing more and more faith. The ward is needing more help and us sisters are trying to excite everyone to practice faith and have hope for the future. I love you all. I love this gospel. I know that its true. We have such a huge responsibility to help and lift others. Lift where you stand.
Love, Hermana Langston
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Let Us All Press On
Cooking with Fernando and Elba
Dear Family and Friends!It's raining and I'm wearing a sweater! A SWEATER! I love Houston in November!
The days are flying by and can I tell you a little secret? I'm scared for my mission to end. Good thing I still have a while. I love the spirit of the Holy Ghost and I just know it will be harder to keep it with me as much when I go home. I've felt the guidance of the Holy Ghost a lot this week.This ward is going through a rough time and one of the elders was emergency-transferred just recently so everyone is a little weirded out. We're not sure why he was, but it was very weird. The members love missionaries and love missionary work, but it seems like perhaps their hopes aren't very high right now because there haven't been many baptisms. Right now it is our responsibility as missionaries to instill hope and love towards one another in this ward. We're working really hard to find and bring people to baptism. Allow me to esplain...Elba and Fernando are our most golden people up to this point. Elba got really sick this week and was working herself too hard so Hna and I woke up really early to be able to help them make their pupusas and rice in the morning. Selling that stuff is how they make their living. Elba was so sick but she got out of bed and told us what to do. I think we didn't do much, but the fact that we were there bright and early to help meant a lot to them both. Fernando has been reading the Book of Mormon and practicing a lot of faith. The elders gave Elba a blessing of health and it was amazing. The words touched both Elba and Fernando. She is still very hesitant about coming to church. On Sunday, after a very stressful morning and guiding our other investigators through church, we went to Elba and Fernando's apartment. They were watching a movie but we invited them to a charla fogonera that was to start in less than an hour. Fernando was very excited to have an opportunity to show the Lord his sacrifice. He said, "I'd be more comfortable here watching this movie but I know that He will bless us if we go. Even if the sacrifice is chicito, He will still bless us." Ok so he doesn't actually speak spanglish but you can imagine what it'd be like if he did, right? SO...they came! It was a very uplifting and inspiring thing and what's cool is that a member took them to the charla, so they got to know her and socialize a little bit more.I realize more and more how CRUCIAL normal, average, everyday members are to this work. I've been nobody in this work. All I do is listen to the promptings of the spirit. And I work hard to do it. The people who make a difference in bringing people unto Christ through His restored church are the everyday members of this church. The investigators have gained much trust in this message by hearing sincere testimonies. They've seen how charitable these members are. Some members work 10-12 hours a day, yet still will come out with us missionaries because they want to look for "las ovejas perdidas." It's touched me so much to see how hard they're willing to work and what they're willing to sacrifice for their Lord.I love this gospel so much. I just can't believe I've lived my whole life in this gospel and only now have I come to see the marvelous truths that it holds. There is an eternal truth in this universe that none of us can escape. We can either accept that truth and live happily because of it, or we can fight it to the death and live in complete misery. I love sharing this message with others. Sometimes. Sometimes I get scared. If I were an angel, I'd totally trump up my voice and cry repentance like a big ol' trumpet slash trombone. Maybe I could get more attention as a trombone. Keep striving to better yourselves and look for opportunities to sacrifice. Just like Fernando's little sacrifice brought him blessings, so will your little sacrifices...aunque sean bien chicitos!
Love, Hermana Langston
Monday, November 3, 2008
Its better to offend man than to offend God
Hello Familly and Friends!
I've been so excited these past few days to come here and write you. This week has been flying by and we have been working more by the spirit than we ever have before. We've been able to see a little fruit of our labors and also the blessing of obedience. Not only that, but I've encountered fun little messes that I still haven't learn to clean up myself.
I haven't put any thought into what I'm going to do when I get home, but I hope whatever I do involves my family. What did everyone do for Halloween? What did the kids dress up as? I and my companion got to come in early for the night since Houston gets crazy on Halloween. We worked hard to meet our goals for the day then went home and enjoyed ourselves a nice frozen pizza and watched a Christmas movie while wrapped in a blanket. Nothing like Mr. Krueger's Xmas on a scary Halloween night.
Guadelupe isn't progressing as nicely as we expected but she is still reading the Book of Mormon and has lots of questions. We just need her to start keeping appts and maybe she'll progress better. The little girl Ana isn't technically progressing but we're still teaching her and her little brother and sisters. Its been amazing to feel the difference in their house after we turn off the tv, sit the kids down, and sing hymns with them. I'm starting to see more and more how blessed I was to grow up with the gospel teachings in my home.
Did we tell you about a couple named Elba and Fernando? We've known them for a few weeks now but just recently we had time to sit down with them. They just moved here from NC and they'd talked to missionaries a lot in North Carolina. Fernando is so sweet and humble. Elba is so hard working and strong. But she didn't want to go to church or be baptized into our church. After teaching the first lesson to Elba, we set up another appt to meet with the both of them. The second time, though, we just talked to Fernando who was so open to listen. He told us about one time he was taken to jail and he prayed to be released so that he could go take care of his wife again. He told the Lord he'd read the whole Bible if He'd free him. Fernando read the Bible and 30 minutes after he finished it, the guard let him out. When we talked about the Book of Mormon, his eyes lit up and said, "I'm going to read that book from beginning to end. When I finish it, I know the Lord will solve the problems I'm having with Elba right now." Last night we had a miracle lesson with them. We hadn't planned a specific principle to teach them but after talking to them and listening to their doubts, we sang "I Stand All Amazed" and I tell you honestly the words that came out of my mouth after that did not come from my own brain. The spirit inspired my every word and at the end of it, Elba was crying. When I asked, "Elba, when you know that these things are true, will you be baptized?" she only hesitated a moment and said, "yes." Her husband explained so much about the Book of Mormon to her. He's begun reading it and he understands better than any investigator I've met why the Book of Mormon "Is the most correct of any book on the earth." Elba let go of a lot of pride last night and we committed them both to learn more about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and prepare for baptism. I feel so much love for them. They're like my second parents. When we went home, Hna McDonald asked me, "Was that you talking in that appt?" She could tell that the spirit was guiding me cuz, shoot, I sure can't say anything as smart as I said last night. In fact, I can't even say a firm no to people who I want to go away. We've had a creepy encounter from a sort of investigator who asked us if we could marry and then kept calling and calling and leaving messages and being too flirty. I tried to kindly tell him that it wasn't allowed and that we can't sit and chat because we're busy missionaries. He still kept calling so finally the district leader told him off. One day I'll learn to clean up my own messes.
This area is growing. It's happening slowly but since we got our new district leader, things have been improving. The bishop is very hard working. The members are very excited to welcome new people at church. We're starting to put this work back in order and we're starting to accomplish goals that we set. One thing I've come to learn is that this gospel teaches order. God is a god of order and the more organized we are, the more we are able to feel the spirit. Obedience by faith is the only way to learn of the happiness that God has prepared for us. Seek to organize your lives a little more. Seek to organize and clean your minds. Seek for that which is virtuous and lovely. The spirit will dwell with you and I'm telling you it's the most amazing feeling to have the spirit guide your very thought and action.
Este evangelio es bello. Este plan de felicidad es posible. Trabajemos para encontrar felicidad.
Love,Hermana Langston
I've been so excited these past few days to come here and write you. This week has been flying by and we have been working more by the spirit than we ever have before. We've been able to see a little fruit of our labors and also the blessing of obedience. Not only that, but I've encountered fun little messes that I still haven't learn to clean up myself.
I haven't put any thought into what I'm going to do when I get home, but I hope whatever I do involves my family. What did everyone do for Halloween? What did the kids dress up as? I and my companion got to come in early for the night since Houston gets crazy on Halloween. We worked hard to meet our goals for the day then went home and enjoyed ourselves a nice frozen pizza and watched a Christmas movie while wrapped in a blanket. Nothing like Mr. Krueger's Xmas on a scary Halloween night.
Guadelupe isn't progressing as nicely as we expected but she is still reading the Book of Mormon and has lots of questions. We just need her to start keeping appts and maybe she'll progress better. The little girl Ana isn't technically progressing but we're still teaching her and her little brother and sisters. Its been amazing to feel the difference in their house after we turn off the tv, sit the kids down, and sing hymns with them. I'm starting to see more and more how blessed I was to grow up with the gospel teachings in my home.
Did we tell you about a couple named Elba and Fernando? We've known them for a few weeks now but just recently we had time to sit down with them. They just moved here from NC and they'd talked to missionaries a lot in North Carolina. Fernando is so sweet and humble. Elba is so hard working and strong. But she didn't want to go to church or be baptized into our church. After teaching the first lesson to Elba, we set up another appt to meet with the both of them. The second time, though, we just talked to Fernando who was so open to listen. He told us about one time he was taken to jail and he prayed to be released so that he could go take care of his wife again. He told the Lord he'd read the whole Bible if He'd free him. Fernando read the Bible and 30 minutes after he finished it, the guard let him out. When we talked about the Book of Mormon, his eyes lit up and said, "I'm going to read that book from beginning to end. When I finish it, I know the Lord will solve the problems I'm having with Elba right now." Last night we had a miracle lesson with them. We hadn't planned a specific principle to teach them but after talking to them and listening to their doubts, we sang "I Stand All Amazed" and I tell you honestly the words that came out of my mouth after that did not come from my own brain. The spirit inspired my every word and at the end of it, Elba was crying. When I asked, "Elba, when you know that these things are true, will you be baptized?" she only hesitated a moment and said, "yes." Her husband explained so much about the Book of Mormon to her. He's begun reading it and he understands better than any investigator I've met why the Book of Mormon "Is the most correct of any book on the earth." Elba let go of a lot of pride last night and we committed them both to learn more about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and prepare for baptism. I feel so much love for them. They're like my second parents. When we went home, Hna McDonald asked me, "Was that you talking in that appt?" She could tell that the spirit was guiding me cuz, shoot, I sure can't say anything as smart as I said last night. In fact, I can't even say a firm no to people who I want to go away. We've had a creepy encounter from a sort of investigator who asked us if we could marry and then kept calling and calling and leaving messages and being too flirty. I tried to kindly tell him that it wasn't allowed and that we can't sit and chat because we're busy missionaries. He still kept calling so finally the district leader told him off. One day I'll learn to clean up my own messes.
This area is growing. It's happening slowly but since we got our new district leader, things have been improving. The bishop is very hard working. The members are very excited to welcome new people at church. We're starting to put this work back in order and we're starting to accomplish goals that we set. One thing I've come to learn is that this gospel teaches order. God is a god of order and the more organized we are, the more we are able to feel the spirit. Obedience by faith is the only way to learn of the happiness that God has prepared for us. Seek to organize your lives a little more. Seek to organize and clean your minds. Seek for that which is virtuous and lovely. The spirit will dwell with you and I'm telling you it's the most amazing feeling to have the spirit guide your very thought and action.
Este evangelio es bello. Este plan de felicidad es posible. Trabajemos para encontrar felicidad.
Love,Hermana Langston
Monday, October 27, 2008
Nine-Month Mark!
The picture was taken on my 9 month mark. Get it? 9 months equals big stomach. Yeah....sister missionary traditions.
I've just got to say this much....missionary work is AMAZING! I've never had to endure such hardships for so long and I've also never experienced more happiness than I have once sharing the gospel. It's so ridiculously difficult to get these people here to progress. We're in the Bible belt so practically everyone is God fearing, but it just seems like we have a hard time bringing them to the knowledge of their God. Most of the excuses we see come from people being complacent in believing they can eat, drink (a lot), and be merry, receive a few lashings, and in the end God will save them and take them to live at His right hand. The other excuses come from people being very competitive in their Bible bashing. But a few good things have come from our work this week and we're starting to see more and more potentials.
First, we found Maybeline after losing her this past Sunday. She apologized profusely for not being home for her appointment and as it turns out, her aunt doesn't like us very much. We're going to have to deal with some family differences. But she was eager to introduce us to her cousin who's had a lot of mormon friends but never got into the church. We taught him and he seems somewhat curious too. She still doesn't have a baptismal date but we'll see what the future brings.
Also, one day we were knocking and something told me to go out of the order we were knocking and go to a certain house. We knocked on the door and a little latina girl answered. She didn't say anything to us but turned around, turned off the tv, and called for her mom. Her mom came to the door and when she saw us, she was all smiles. "Pasenles!" she told us (which means come in!). We sat down and her two kids and her were all ears. It was really eerie. But as we started talking to this lady, her son whispers, "Hace mucho tiempo que vinieron las hermanas." Turns out that this lady, Guadelupe, was being taught by missionaries a year ago but with changes in missionaries, the sisters stopped coming. Guadelupe expressed her love and admiration for the missionaries and for the church. We asked if she'd read the Book of Mormon. She said yes. We asked if she'd gone to church ever. She said yes. We asked if she had ever prayed to know if the church was true. She thought long as though that idea had never crossed her mind. She's never asked in prayer if this church is true nor if the Book of Mormon is true. We gave her another copy of the Book of Mormon, committed her to read a chapter, and we have another appt with her this week.
We've also re-found a lady who we met in our first week here. Her apt was being remodeled when we first talked and she was really pregnant, so we gave her a pamphlet, asked her to read it, and told her we'd stop by in a few weeks to see if she was available. Last week we finally stopped by and she was happy to see us. She was still pregnant but she asked if we had another pamphlet because the one we gave her was destroyed by the men working on her apt. She'd been waiting for us to come back again so she could get another one. We gave her a book of Mormon and even though she had her baby less than 48 hours ago, she's read all of the pamphlet and has been reading in the Book of Mormon. She's always believed that amidst all the confusion of religion, that there has to be only one that's true. She's an amazing lady and her husband is pretty cool and humble too. Her baby is still in the hospital, but Maria, the mom, came home last night. We've just barely started teaching her but hopefully with service and genuine love, we can help her to progress in this gospel.
The primary activity was a success! There were so many kids from the apartment complexes who showed up. In fact, I did a jump rope contest with a couple of them. They had so much fun at the activity that I think the mom of Ana is starting to trust us more. We've realized that if we want to teach her or Ana's grandma, we need to teach Ana. Yesterday we taught the little kids of that house a lesson in obedience. So far its been slow going, but something's going to happen very soon.
It's amazing how much I learn out here. It's really a trial of faith to be on a mission. Its so easy sometimes to just stop caring so that the pain of disappointment doesn't hurt so much. But I learned something yesterday--God is always aware of us. He is aware of what we're capable of. He rewards us when we work hard. He consoles us when we're feeling like failures. He loves all His children. All of them. I've just got to remember that so that my own pride and riches doesn't prevent me from sharing this plan of happiness that the rest of God's children need to have.
Anyway, I love you all so much. Thank you all for your loving and supporting letters. Thank you for helping Jordan and I in this work. I know God is aware of everything we do here as His children. I think of everyone back home a lot and hope that you're all able to feel strong in your faith and your hope for your own personal future. God knows you. He wants you to work hard for what you believe in. He will bless your for your sacrifices.
Love,Hermana Langston
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Half-Way Through!
To Everyone Who Reads This:Know how much I love you.
Know how much more grateful I am for the blessing of having such a loving and supporting connection of friends and family. And know ... believe that God is aware of EVERY prayer you give unto him. Know that He answers prayers. I know that my prayers have been answered this week with a miracle. For the past 3 weeks, the mission has had a new goal for each companionship to get one more baptismal date before the transfer ends so that we can reach our goal to double baptisms (as the prophet has commanded). I was REALLY nervous to be able to accomplish this goal since I'm in a newly opened area and have ZERO real progressing investigators. Hermana McDonald and I have been praying so hard for the ability to reach that goal. We knew it would take a miracle.
Just this last Friday, at about 8:40 p.m., Hna McDonald and I found an open door in some apartment complex and inside were two latina women with a pile of kids around their feet. One of them was in her thirties and kind of grumpy but the other one was younger and very enthusiastic to see us. She agreed to let us come back the next night. On Saturday night we returned with an hermana from our ward. It was the first time we'd gone out with this hermana and we later were so grateful that she came out with us to witness what happened. This 18-year-old girl, Maybeline, is from Guatemala and has been in the US for only a year. She has a 4 month old baby. In Guatemala she talked to sister missionaries and actually took the lessons from them. We didn't think anything of it and before we even got into the meat of the lesson she said, "You know what I like about your church? That you don't let just anyone get baptized. A person has to know things, has to believe things, and has to go through an interview and stuff." Something came to me saying, ask her if she knows its true. She responded that she knows its true. I asked her if she felt ready to be baptized. She said yes. I couldn't believe what was happening. Hermana Escobar invited her to church and she gladly accepted. I asked her if she wanted to be baptized and she said yes because she was going to be baptized with the missionaries in Guatemala but then she had to move and lost contact with the church.The crazy thing about this story is that it happened the day before the transfer ended and we made plans to give her the date Sunday night (last night) but then something happened and we couldn't give her the date. The transfer ended without a baptismal date. I had a hard time trying to accept this and wondered if this was a cruel trick the Lord was playing on me to show me that I didn't work hard enough. But I've decided this: everyone has their agency. The Lord cannot force anyone to stay in their apartment when someone goes there to pick them up for church. The Lord blessed us in leading us to the person who needed us--who was ready for us. He truly showed us the miracle that we needed to increase our faith and showed us that He does answer the prayers of His children. I don't doubt that Maybeline will be baptised and I know that we will see so much more success in this area too. I've had to change a lot about myself to see a change in other people.
This past week I've been thinking, shoot, why not do missionary work by using some of my talents. It turns out I'm a gosh dang kid magnet so we're trying this new thing called reaching the hearts of the parents through the children. In the same apt complex that Maybeline lives, there is Ana, a 10 year old who loves us because we gave her a diary when she was crying. Everytime we go to the apt she follows us. Last night we pulled out the jump rope with her and all her friends. It was cool because we were in the courtyard and there were several adults on their balconies watching us. We have a primary activity coming up and we hope we can get the kids to come and bring their parents.We're teaching a few more people. Veronica is one who is very simple but eager to learn. Hermana Escobar agreed that she has a spiritual hunger that needs to be filled. Yoni lives in our apt complex and loves the Bible. He finally read some of the Book of Mormon that we gave him and was very disturbed because the Intro says that the BoM is the most correct of any books on the face of the earth. We did are best to put his mind at ease but we'll see what he decides to do.
The weather here is finally cooling down. A lot of Halloween decorations are going up. And I'm coming up on my half way mark on the 23rd of Oct. WEIRD!!
I love you all. I know that the Lord is taking care of you from the sounds of your letters. Thank for sacrificing to keep me out here. I'll do my very best to make the best use of the Lord's time to of your money. He's truly in charge of this work. We all become blessed so much when we take part in this work and become servants in the Lord's vineyard. Open your mouths and find opportunities to share the gospel with others. I can promise that when you do, your joy will become full. Your trials will seem so small. Your faith will increase 1 MILLION percent.I love you all.
Los quiero mucho a todos!Con cariño,Hermana Langston
Know how much more grateful I am for the blessing of having such a loving and supporting connection of friends and family. And know ... believe that God is aware of EVERY prayer you give unto him. Know that He answers prayers. I know that my prayers have been answered this week with a miracle. For the past 3 weeks, the mission has had a new goal for each companionship to get one more baptismal date before the transfer ends so that we can reach our goal to double baptisms (as the prophet has commanded). I was REALLY nervous to be able to accomplish this goal since I'm in a newly opened area and have ZERO real progressing investigators. Hermana McDonald and I have been praying so hard for the ability to reach that goal. We knew it would take a miracle.
Just this last Friday, at about 8:40 p.m., Hna McDonald and I found an open door in some apartment complex and inside were two latina women with a pile of kids around their feet. One of them was in her thirties and kind of grumpy but the other one was younger and very enthusiastic to see us. She agreed to let us come back the next night. On Saturday night we returned with an hermana from our ward. It was the first time we'd gone out with this hermana and we later were so grateful that she came out with us to witness what happened. This 18-year-old girl, Maybeline, is from Guatemala and has been in the US for only a year. She has a 4 month old baby. In Guatemala she talked to sister missionaries and actually took the lessons from them. We didn't think anything of it and before we even got into the meat of the lesson she said, "You know what I like about your church? That you don't let just anyone get baptized. A person has to know things, has to believe things, and has to go through an interview and stuff." Something came to me saying, ask her if she knows its true. She responded that she knows its true. I asked her if she felt ready to be baptized. She said yes. I couldn't believe what was happening. Hermana Escobar invited her to church and she gladly accepted. I asked her if she wanted to be baptized and she said yes because she was going to be baptized with the missionaries in Guatemala but then she had to move and lost contact with the church.The crazy thing about this story is that it happened the day before the transfer ended and we made plans to give her the date Sunday night (last night) but then something happened and we couldn't give her the date. The transfer ended without a baptismal date. I had a hard time trying to accept this and wondered if this was a cruel trick the Lord was playing on me to show me that I didn't work hard enough. But I've decided this: everyone has their agency. The Lord cannot force anyone to stay in their apartment when someone goes there to pick them up for church. The Lord blessed us in leading us to the person who needed us--who was ready for us. He truly showed us the miracle that we needed to increase our faith and showed us that He does answer the prayers of His children. I don't doubt that Maybeline will be baptised and I know that we will see so much more success in this area too. I've had to change a lot about myself to see a change in other people.
This past week I've been thinking, shoot, why not do missionary work by using some of my talents. It turns out I'm a gosh dang kid magnet so we're trying this new thing called reaching the hearts of the parents through the children. In the same apt complex that Maybeline lives, there is Ana, a 10 year old who loves us because we gave her a diary when she was crying. Everytime we go to the apt she follows us. Last night we pulled out the jump rope with her and all her friends. It was cool because we were in the courtyard and there were several adults on their balconies watching us. We have a primary activity coming up and we hope we can get the kids to come and bring their parents.We're teaching a few more people. Veronica is one who is very simple but eager to learn. Hermana Escobar agreed that she has a spiritual hunger that needs to be filled. Yoni lives in our apt complex and loves the Bible. He finally read some of the Book of Mormon that we gave him and was very disturbed because the Intro says that the BoM is the most correct of any books on the face of the earth. We did are best to put his mind at ease but we'll see what he decides to do.
The weather here is finally cooling down. A lot of Halloween decorations are going up. And I'm coming up on my half way mark on the 23rd of Oct. WEIRD!!
I love you all. I know that the Lord is taking care of you from the sounds of your letters. Thank for sacrificing to keep me out here. I'll do my very best to make the best use of the Lord's time to of your money. He's truly in charge of this work. We all become blessed so much when we take part in this work and become servants in the Lord's vineyard. Open your mouths and find opportunities to share the gospel with others. I can promise that when you do, your joy will become full. Your trials will seem so small. Your faith will increase 1 MILLION percent.I love you all.
Los quiero mucho a todos!Con cariño,Hermana Langston
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Did I mention I want some FUERZA?
Gas station in Galveston.
Jeanette and companion and Elders in front of Houston Temple.
To My Dearest Family and Most Treasured Friends:
I can not even begin to express the joy and peace I feel right now. After struggling so much these past few weeks in so many aspects of this work, I finally know right now that my Heavenly Father loves me and wants me to carry on cheerfully. He shows me so many miracles. He shows me He's aware of me. It's such a wonderful feeling and makes all the challenges worth it.
This past week we've been trying to get to know the members better and also knocking doors and talking to EVERYONE to get people into our teaching pool. My desire to get this area more alive and energetic is so strong, that each day becomes a game to figure out how I can find that missing piece of the puzzle to make it all fit together.One piece that's been essential is just having love for others. On days when I'm too wrapped up in getting things done and don't have the patience for other people, those are days when we don't see success. The love of Christ brings a change of heart in people. We should never lose sight of that true principle.I've included a few pictures of our service in Galveston. The cool thing is that the stores flooded so this one grocery store had to give away all their food or throw it away. I came out of there with 8-10 boxes of cereal and poptarts. The rest of the food was taken to the church and stored to give to the Spanish Branch. Also, the Chevron station is just a small example of the damage that was done in the Galveston area. There were much worse things but my camera didn't catch it. And finally there's a picture of the church with all its cleaning kits, hygeine kits, and basketball hoop. It was weird to see a chapel in this condition.
I love you all so much. I'm so glad to have a huge support system like you. Thanks for believing in me and for sacrificing so much for Jordan and I to be serving the Lord. Its so humbling to be out here.I know this gospel blesses families. I know that God exists and I know that more than I can explain. He is so much more aware of us than we think. I invite everyone to search Him. Come to know Him. Come to know of Jesus Christ through obedience to His teachings and you will come to know that God exists.Los quiero mucho, mis tesoros.
Love, Hermana Langston
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Hurricane Ike Clean-up
SMASH! I bet that was the noise it made when it fell!
SATURDAY - Cleaning up fallen branches in the greenbelt of Sugarland. Yes... I don't mind posing.
Once the city allowed us out of the house, we went around the neighborhoods and did service. This family was especially grateful.
Me, Hna McDonald, Sister Allred. The mission home was virtually untouched. Even the fence that fell over, tipped to the yard of the neighbors. (Love their natural poses)
SUNDAY - This is our group who went around Houston to clean up instead of having church meetings. They were so fun to be around!
SATURDAY - Cleaning up fallen branches in the greenbelt of Sugarland. Yes... I don't mind posing.
Once the city allowed us out of the house, we went around the neighborhoods and did service. This family was especially grateful.
Me, Hna McDonald, Sister Allred. The mission home was virtually untouched. Even the fence that fell over, tipped to the yard of the neighbors. (Love their natural poses)
SUNDAY - This is our group who went around Houston to clean up instead of having church meetings. They were so fun to be around!
Hurrican Ike - Evacuation
The sisters who stayed in the mission home took dinner to the Elders. They were grateful to see us!
Just a few hours after everyone was evacuated to the Lexington Building. This is what the gym looked like. It quickly lost its excitement and energy.
Just hamming it up at the Lexington Chapel. L-R Hna Bozarth, Hna Hammeren, Hna Langston, Hna Torres. Back row: Hna McDonald, Hna Greenberg's eye.
Candid shot of all the Spanish sisters while at the Lexington building....I now understand why most of the elders say I have the biggest smile in Texas...uh...Yikes!
Just a few hours after everyone was evacuated to the Lexington Building. This is what the gym looked like. It quickly lost its excitement and energy.
Just hamming it up at the Lexington Chapel. L-R Hna Bozarth, Hna Hammeren, Hna Langston, Hna Torres. Back row: Hna McDonald, Hna Greenberg's eye.
Candid shot of all the Spanish sisters while at the Lexington building....I now understand why most of the elders say I have the biggest smile in Texas...uh...Yikes!
Monday, October 6, 2008
Tender Mercies
The roots of a fallen tree. It was a giant tree and rested on a house while we chopped it up.
Friday night before the storm. Look how colorful the sky was. Pictures just don't do it justice.
Hi everybody!
What a wonderful, merciful, hopeful, joyful plan of happiness that God has prepared for us. So many of my prayers were answered this week. I got to attend the Houston temple and there for the first time I took time to listen....I know God answers prayers. There's so much hope in this life and for the past few weeks I've been blind to it. I've been too focused on myself to look at the needs around me and the blessings too.
The tender mercies of the Lord are amazing. He answers our prayers through other people. David's care package made me cry because it came when I needed it most. Some of the stuff that he sent must have been divinely inspired because I just flat out needed to get it to strengthen my faith in the power of prayers. I wish I could write more but I only have 10 minutes today. I sure love you all. I wish I could give you all a big hug and kiss. I know this gospel is true. I know our Heavenly Father loves us. I can't believe He knows us like we do. It's worth enduring the hard times to feel the joy that the good times bring. Keep going everyone!!! Have hope!!! There's hope in all things.
Love,
Hermana Langston
Friday night before the storm. Look how colorful the sky was. Pictures just don't do it justice.
Hi everybody!
What a wonderful, merciful, hopeful, joyful plan of happiness that God has prepared for us. So many of my prayers were answered this week. I got to attend the Houston temple and there for the first time I took time to listen....I know God answers prayers. There's so much hope in this life and for the past few weeks I've been blind to it. I've been too focused on myself to look at the needs around me and the blessings too.
The tender mercies of the Lord are amazing. He answers our prayers through other people. David's care package made me cry because it came when I needed it most. Some of the stuff that he sent must have been divinely inspired because I just flat out needed to get it to strengthen my faith in the power of prayers. I wish I could write more but I only have 10 minutes today. I sure love you all. I wish I could give you all a big hug and kiss. I know this gospel is true. I know our Heavenly Father loves us. I can't believe He knows us like we do. It's worth enduring the hard times to feel the joy that the good times bring. Keep going everyone!!! Have hope!!! There's hope in all things.
Love,
Hermana Langston
Sunday, October 5, 2008
"I Have No Greater Joy than to Hear that My Children Walk in Truth"
We received this letter and picture from President Mark Palmer, from the Austin, Texas Oak Hills Stake. If you click on the letter below the picture, you'll be able to read it. I can see Jeanette doing exactly what he says. She is a hard worker and an absolute joy to be around. We love you Jeanette!
Monday, September 29, 2008
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.
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
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
Monday, September 22, 2008
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
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
Friday, September 19, 2008
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
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
Thursday, September 11, 2008
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
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
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, August 25, 2008
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
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, August 18, 2008
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
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, August 11, 2008
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
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
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
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
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
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
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
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
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!"
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!
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!
"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!
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