Hi!!! How are you all doing? Our investigator, Jacob, is doing wonderfully!!! He is golden! As we teach him we can tell that he has a testimony. And it really helps that he has his wife to answer any questions and nudge him in the right direction. But whether with or without her I think he would be golden nevertheless. We also have picked up a few other investigators. Actually 3 of them were former investigators. One of those 3, her husband is an inactive member, but it seems that he really does want to come back; he just seems slightly hesitant, but relieved at the same time. So we have a total of 5 investigators now! Except one of the 5 we have met with since before I got here... so I don't know if that really counts. And we have at least 3 potentials that might become real investigators this week, hopefully!!! The work is going great! Things were starting to build, but my new companion is great! She really knows how to work it. I love it. She's great. She is persistent and personable and outgoing and she knows why she is here. She's wonderful! And great teacher! She actually has only been out for 5 months. But she's a great follow-up trainer. She's from Snake River (Blackfoot), Idaho. She's already taught me a lot. I'm really grateful to have her as a companion right now. She knows how to work. She's a good role model. Yep. And the work in this area is moving. It's going good. Very good indeed. We told the zone leaders about our 2 new investigators of this week and he called telling us congratulations and that he told us so. He's always said this place had potential. He was right. I think it just depends on how you work. Yep. Life is going good.
About my eyes... they still hurt. I've taken restasis... pataday (the stuff I use to get), and I'm trying some of the random other dry eye drops that Dr. Houge gave me. But nothing works. My eyes are a lost cause... Or something like that. Nothing of late helps. And I have lots of restasis drops, so I really don't need any for a while. I barely have dented into the first box that I opened. So you don't worry about getting it. But yep. That's my eyes.
Crazy, crazy! Sounds like it's still crazy in the Walston household, getting ready for Ryan's wedding. What a crazy thing. That's good that Trevor got home to be able to help out. And that Sister Wade and Sister Dangle have offered to help. That's sweet of them. Good luck. I bet you all will be glad when it's done with. That will be fun.
Well, oh... so you might be wanting to take money out of my account for all this shipment I've been asking of you... but my companion and I have started running in the mornings (are you proud Dad?)... I only have 1 pair of shorts... do you mind sending me a pair of mine... the black ones with some grey and white on them that use to be Trevor's? I think I left them in one of Trevor's drawers with some random clothes of mine. And my Isla Rotan purse? I keep thinking how it might be nice to have it... or something like that. Yeah? Possible? I would appreciate it.
I love you all bunches and bunches!!!! Good luck with Ryan's and Katie's wedding!
Love you!
Sister Kristi Walston
Monday, July 25, 2011
Monday, July 18, 2011
July 11, 2011
Hello dear family! So you are in Moab now. I hope everything goes well for Grandma's funeral and such. I wish I could be there to help support. It's actually weird not being there. I've been there for everyone's funeral, but know that I love you all and that my heart is with you.
So... you are the assistant scoutmaster, Dad. That's cool! I bet that will be fun! At your age! Fun stuff. Oh and I would help edit your book... but it probably won't work since I'm here serving a mission until November of 2012. Good luck on it though.
How is everyone else in the family? I received a letter from Trevor about 2 weeks ago now from the Hill Cumorah. That was fun. And I received the big letter and Granddaddy's history. Thanks :D
How is everybody? I know I just asked that, but I love you all and miss you. I was thinking the other day how I wish I could be home this month to experience all the happenings with all of you. But it struck me once again; this is where I am supposed to be. There are things here that I will learn here that I won't be able to learn anywhere else. Life is a continual learning process. My new favorite conference talk is "More Than Conquerors Through Him That Loved Us." Everyone should read that talk. It is amazing. It talks about how life will be hard, but that's the purpose of this life is to experience things and become better people. It's awesome. Life is so fascinating; there are so many things we can learn from it. And one thing I am learning is to be more patient and loving - just like you said Dad.
Anyways, what else have I done this week? Good question. I have to look at my planner. The days are passing by me. I often forget what happened the day before because it feels like it happened eons ago. Crazy, huh? So, one thing... last week the zone leaders caught me playing the piano. They asked, "Why don't you play for district meeting?" "No one asked me..." For my defensive the one time they asked President Chapman (a counselor to my mission president) volunteered and since then the district leader said that we would just do it acapelo... or however you spell that word. Hopefully you get my meeting. Anyways, they told me I was the newly called "zone pianist." And I played for district meeting this past Friday. I was nervous and told them that I didn't know the song but could play the right hand. I didn't do too badly on the songs... I guess I underestimate my abilities... actually I think I do that a lot. Oh wells. At least I'm not puffed up in pride. That's what I try to stay away from.
We picked up an investigator!!! She's actually a former and she really just wants a nice gospel discussion. So we'll give her gospel discussion and hopefully through it she will feel the truthfulness of our words. We visited another former investigator. He's a sweet man who's from Iran, I think. He believes in the church, but it seems as though he wants a huge lightning bolt revelation telling him that he should join the church. I think it's because he doesn't understand that often the spirit comes in a quite form that often that will be our answer. I hope we can help him understand that he doesn't need the lightning bolt revelation.
The elder's in our zone came and blitz our area, since we were struggling. We received a few potentials and an appointment. We already visited a couple of the potentials... and they told us they weren't interested. Hopefully the others won't be like that. When the elder gave us those addresses, he didn't even know the people's names... oh wells. Talking about tracking, it's something that I struggle with. I feel like the method my trainer has taught me isn't effective, but she doesn't know how else to do it. I'm trying to figure out how to make it more beneficial and I've asked some of the elders, but still I'm not sure... hopefully one day I'll be able to master it. The problem is I don't want to come off like a salesman. I want to come off as a real person to them and something... I don't know how to describe it.
Well, that's all of the real excitement I think of now... oh! guess what??? I just got a letter from Randi Mosher (my old dear roommate)! And!!!! She's about to turn in her mission papers!!! I'm way excited for her. She finally realized that this is the thing she is supposed to do right now. Sometimes it's hard to make decisions, but all we have to do is trust in the Lord and everything will work out to our benefit and we will learn the lessons that are necessary for us to become better and more awesome.
Love you all so much!!!! Have a good week in Moab. I love you and love you!!!!
Yours truly,
Sister Kristi Walston
(Oh and I almost goofed again yesterday... I almost said my name is "Kristi", but I caught myself. Good thing.) Love you!!!
So... you are the assistant scoutmaster, Dad. That's cool! I bet that will be fun! At your age! Fun stuff. Oh and I would help edit your book... but it probably won't work since I'm here serving a mission until November of 2012. Good luck on it though.
How is everyone else in the family? I received a letter from Trevor about 2 weeks ago now from the Hill Cumorah. That was fun. And I received the big letter and Granddaddy's history. Thanks :D
How is everybody? I know I just asked that, but I love you all and miss you. I was thinking the other day how I wish I could be home this month to experience all the happenings with all of you. But it struck me once again; this is where I am supposed to be. There are things here that I will learn here that I won't be able to learn anywhere else. Life is a continual learning process. My new favorite conference talk is "More Than Conquerors Through Him That Loved Us." Everyone should read that talk. It is amazing. It talks about how life will be hard, but that's the purpose of this life is to experience things and become better people. It's awesome. Life is so fascinating; there are so many things we can learn from it. And one thing I am learning is to be more patient and loving - just like you said Dad.
Anyways, what else have I done this week? Good question. I have to look at my planner. The days are passing by me. I often forget what happened the day before because it feels like it happened eons ago. Crazy, huh? So, one thing... last week the zone leaders caught me playing the piano. They asked, "Why don't you play for district meeting?" "No one asked me..." For my defensive the one time they asked President Chapman (a counselor to my mission president) volunteered and since then the district leader said that we would just do it acapelo... or however you spell that word. Hopefully you get my meeting. Anyways, they told me I was the newly called "zone pianist." And I played for district meeting this past Friday. I was nervous and told them that I didn't know the song but could play the right hand. I didn't do too badly on the songs... I guess I underestimate my abilities... actually I think I do that a lot. Oh wells. At least I'm not puffed up in pride. That's what I try to stay away from.
We picked up an investigator!!! She's actually a former and she really just wants a nice gospel discussion. So we'll give her gospel discussion and hopefully through it she will feel the truthfulness of our words. We visited another former investigator. He's a sweet man who's from Iran, I think. He believes in the church, but it seems as though he wants a huge lightning bolt revelation telling him that he should join the church. I think it's because he doesn't understand that often the spirit comes in a quite form that often that will be our answer. I hope we can help him understand that he doesn't need the lightning bolt revelation.
The elder's in our zone came and blitz our area, since we were struggling. We received a few potentials and an appointment. We already visited a couple of the potentials... and they told us they weren't interested. Hopefully the others won't be like that. When the elder gave us those addresses, he didn't even know the people's names... oh wells. Talking about tracking, it's something that I struggle with. I feel like the method my trainer has taught me isn't effective, but she doesn't know how else to do it. I'm trying to figure out how to make it more beneficial and I've asked some of the elders, but still I'm not sure... hopefully one day I'll be able to master it. The problem is I don't want to come off like a salesman. I want to come off as a real person to them and something... I don't know how to describe it.
Well, that's all of the real excitement I think of now... oh! guess what??? I just got a letter from Randi Mosher (my old dear roommate)! And!!!! She's about to turn in her mission papers!!! I'm way excited for her. She finally realized that this is the thing she is supposed to do right now. Sometimes it's hard to make decisions, but all we have to do is trust in the Lord and everything will work out to our benefit and we will learn the lessons that are necessary for us to become better and more awesome.
Love you all so much!!!! Have a good week in Moab. I love you and love you!!!!
Yours truly,
Sister Kristi Walston
(Oh and I almost goofed again yesterday... I almost said my name is "Kristi", but I caught myself. Good thing.) Love you!!!
July 18, 2011
July 18, 2011
First - the EXCITING news of the day!!!! WE HAVE A NEW INVESTIGATOR WITH A BAPTISM DATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Miracles and blessing are happening left and right. He is a miracle and a blessing wrapped up in one. He has been searching for truth for most of his life. He never liked any of the churches he went to. But he loves ours!!! Well, he loves the gospel!!! He is golden. So he found the church through his girlfriend... now wife. She told him right away that she wouldn't date him because he isn't a member. But then she ended up dating him, but broke up with him many times because she struggled knowing whether it was right to date him or not since he isn't a member. But she came to the realization that she was supposed to be with him and they eloped and got married 3 weeks ago. Because they married they moved into our ward! And we get to teach him! But really he's teaching us! We can tell that his interest is solely for himself, not for his wife. He knows the gospel is true. He studies it in depth. He is AMAZING!!! He is getting baptized on August 6... originally we asked if he wanted to be baptized on the 13th, but they have a wedding to go to... so he asked to move it up! Exciting, huh? Doesn't happen that often. But WAY exciting. So August 6th I get to witness my first baptism in the mission field. Really, I'm doing nothing to help him. He (with his wife’s help of introducing the gospel to him) is doing it himself. He is a miracle and a blessing.
Other exciting news! We've been visiting a less active member. She's really fun/funny. Great lady who is legally blind and has MS. But! She admitted to us that she actually started thinking about coming to church. And we didn't even ask her! She on her own decided that. And it's been 15 years since she's thought about it! So cool!!! Another miracle.
More! We visited with a former investigator twice with the last couple of weeks. He told us he would come to church and then he didn't. But the 2nd time we visited with him he said he would try to come, but wasn't making any promises... but HE CAME!!! We were real surprised when we saw him. It was after the meeting had started and our ward mission leader was trying to signal us and then finally I realized and saw him! So cool. He came with his youngest daughter. We have a meeting with him on Wednesday. Hopefully we will be able to clear up some confusion we feel that he is experiencing... yep. We have a member coming with us, maybe two. It'll be good.
Also, we had dinner with a less active family! She signed up on her own will! It was so fun! The husband was boycotting us though... oh wells. But they 3 girls, they are so cute. Ages 2, 3, & 7. It was fun.
So for the other news.... today was transfer calls..... dunt dunt da dunt...! I AM STAYING!!!! I'm really glad. I love the people in this area. My companion.... is leaving.... she's not excited, mainly for the companion she is about to have. I've met the sister and she was nice to me, but Sister Grant told me of something this one sister said to her once. So I can see why she's not excited. But it will be a good learning experience for them both. I am getting a new companion named Sister Withers. I don't know anything about her because my companion is lost in her own world of crying... but some other sisters texted me to find out who I was getting and they told me that Sister Wither's is awesome and that I will love her. So, it should be good. I won't get her until tomorrow. It will be different. New people everywhere. We have one new zone leader. A new district leader. Yeah... one of the elder's thought he was leaving and started packing, but he's staying and going on 7 1/2 months being here. It's the only place he has served. Kind of funny. I think everyone expected him to go. Oh, life of transfers. Fun stuff. Different stuff. It will be a good change I'm sure.
Friday we had interviews with the Mission President. President Weston. It was good. Um... yep... I can't think of anything else exciting or new. But I love you all so much!!!!!! Very much!!!!! And hope you have a wonderful, fantablous day. LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!
Yours truly to infinity,
Love always,
Your favorite girl,
Sister Kristi Walston
First - the EXCITING news of the day!!!! WE HAVE A NEW INVESTIGATOR WITH A BAPTISM DATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Miracles and blessing are happening left and right. He is a miracle and a blessing wrapped up in one. He has been searching for truth for most of his life. He never liked any of the churches he went to. But he loves ours!!! Well, he loves the gospel!!! He is golden. So he found the church through his girlfriend... now wife. She told him right away that she wouldn't date him because he isn't a member. But then she ended up dating him, but broke up with him many times because she struggled knowing whether it was right to date him or not since he isn't a member. But she came to the realization that she was supposed to be with him and they eloped and got married 3 weeks ago. Because they married they moved into our ward! And we get to teach him! But really he's teaching us! We can tell that his interest is solely for himself, not for his wife. He knows the gospel is true. He studies it in depth. He is AMAZING!!! He is getting baptized on August 6... originally we asked if he wanted to be baptized on the 13th, but they have a wedding to go to... so he asked to move it up! Exciting, huh? Doesn't happen that often. But WAY exciting. So August 6th I get to witness my first baptism in the mission field. Really, I'm doing nothing to help him. He (with his wife’s help of introducing the gospel to him) is doing it himself. He is a miracle and a blessing.
Other exciting news! We've been visiting a less active member. She's really fun/funny. Great lady who is legally blind and has MS. But! She admitted to us that she actually started thinking about coming to church. And we didn't even ask her! She on her own decided that. And it's been 15 years since she's thought about it! So cool!!! Another miracle.
More! We visited with a former investigator twice with the last couple of weeks. He told us he would come to church and then he didn't. But the 2nd time we visited with him he said he would try to come, but wasn't making any promises... but HE CAME!!! We were real surprised when we saw him. It was after the meeting had started and our ward mission leader was trying to signal us and then finally I realized and saw him! So cool. He came with his youngest daughter. We have a meeting with him on Wednesday. Hopefully we will be able to clear up some confusion we feel that he is experiencing... yep. We have a member coming with us, maybe two. It'll be good.
Also, we had dinner with a less active family! She signed up on her own will! It was so fun! The husband was boycotting us though... oh wells. But they 3 girls, they are so cute. Ages 2, 3, & 7. It was fun.
So for the other news.... today was transfer calls..... dunt dunt da dunt...! I AM STAYING!!!! I'm really glad. I love the people in this area. My companion.... is leaving.... she's not excited, mainly for the companion she is about to have. I've met the sister and she was nice to me, but Sister Grant told me of something this one sister said to her once. So I can see why she's not excited. But it will be a good learning experience for them both. I am getting a new companion named Sister Withers. I don't know anything about her because my companion is lost in her own world of crying... but some other sisters texted me to find out who I was getting and they told me that Sister Wither's is awesome and that I will love her. So, it should be good. I won't get her until tomorrow. It will be different. New people everywhere. We have one new zone leader. A new district leader. Yeah... one of the elder's thought he was leaving and started packing, but he's staying and going on 7 1/2 months being here. It's the only place he has served. Kind of funny. I think everyone expected him to go. Oh, life of transfers. Fun stuff. Different stuff. It will be a good change I'm sure.
Friday we had interviews with the Mission President. President Weston. It was good. Um... yep... I can't think of anything else exciting or new. But I love you all so much!!!!!! Very much!!!!! And hope you have a wonderful, fantablous day. LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!
Yours truly to infinity,
Love always,
Your favorite girl,
Sister Kristi Walston
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
July 5, 2011
Well, sounds like things have been busy there at home. Crazy. How was Aidan's baptism? That's awesome that he bore his testimony during sacrament meeting. Tell him congratulations from me. I'm sorry about Grandma. I got the package with Mom's letter a few days ago. But I know Grandma's much happier since she's not suffering any more and that she is happy to be with Granddaddy and Pam again.
Well, life is interesting. In Dad's email, you said something about a mission being about learning to control yourself... or something like that... rather than doing lots of teaching. That's how it has been for me so far. No teaching really, a lot of learning how to deal and interact with people. Sometimes it can be hard, but I have realized that if we have patience and the pure love of Christ we will just be fine. The only teaching we've done since I've been here is to a less active teenage boy who actually doesn't live in our ward boundaries. His best friend does and he likes coming to our ward better. But we haven't been able to teach him for a week or so. It's hard to set up a time when 3 people are involved and not including us missionaries. Oh well. Besides that we have been tracking, where we get a lot of rejection, we've visited potentials and former investigators, and less actives. Last week we visited a less active who is legally blind and has ms. She's really funny. The 3 of us got along real well at the very beginning. So much so that I asked a really silly question in a moment of blondness. And now she likes to tease me every time I see her. :) I asked my companion, "Do they have cows in Utah?" I don't think I've ever seen any. But I've only been in southern Utah, but now that I think about it... across from Grandma's house were there some cows? Silly question, I know. Opps. But it slipped out of my mouth before I thought of it. That's okay though. Our less active friend enjoyed it a lot. And I am able to laugh at myself about it.
We got a new mission president last week. We met him and his family today at a zone conference. President and Sister Weston are from Murray, Utah. And they have 4 children ranging from 9-15. 3 girls (the 2 oldest are twins), and one boy who is is the middle. They all seem really great and awesome. My favorite one is the youngest girl. She is so cute and always smiling.
This past Saturday we went on exchanges. Sister Totau came to me. She is from Tonga, so I got to drive for the day. I was a little scared because I still don't know my way around - are area consists of houses, streets, grass, and more houses, streets, and grass. But it was fine! Didn't get lost once. I studied the map, wrote directions down and we were good. One person we visited that day was a less active. She was really nice. She showed us a little white wagon she had been painting earlier that day. I really want to activate her. I know she knows the church is true. I just think it's because she feels uncomfortable about coming back. She stopped going after her divorce 10 years ago. Maybe she was embarrassed by that?
A lot of the inactives I come across are inactive because their testimony was never built. I have come to realize that in order to know the gospel is true one must have the desire to know whether it is true or not. To study it and to pray about it. And to have faith that you will find an answer. The gospel is so important. It truly has brought peace to my life. I am so grateful for it. To know that we can live together with our families for eternity. To know that God loves us that he has given us this chance to come to Earth to learn greater things about life. I love you all so dearly. I miss you. I love your letters. Thank you for being so supportive and always there for me. I know that I am doing the Lord's work. I know that I am here for a purpose.
Love you all!!! Good luck with the busy next 3 weeks. I wish I could be there will you all, to help support, but this is where I am suppose to be. Know that you are always in my heart, no matter where I am. I love you.
Love you so much!
Yours truly,
Sister Kristi Walston
Well, life is interesting. In Dad's email, you said something about a mission being about learning to control yourself... or something like that... rather than doing lots of teaching. That's how it has been for me so far. No teaching really, a lot of learning how to deal and interact with people. Sometimes it can be hard, but I have realized that if we have patience and the pure love of Christ we will just be fine. The only teaching we've done since I've been here is to a less active teenage boy who actually doesn't live in our ward boundaries. His best friend does and he likes coming to our ward better. But we haven't been able to teach him for a week or so. It's hard to set up a time when 3 people are involved and not including us missionaries. Oh well. Besides that we have been tracking, where we get a lot of rejection, we've visited potentials and former investigators, and less actives. Last week we visited a less active who is legally blind and has ms. She's really funny. The 3 of us got along real well at the very beginning. So much so that I asked a really silly question in a moment of blondness. And now she likes to tease me every time I see her. :) I asked my companion, "Do they have cows in Utah?" I don't think I've ever seen any. But I've only been in southern Utah, but now that I think about it... across from Grandma's house were there some cows? Silly question, I know. Opps. But it slipped out of my mouth before I thought of it. That's okay though. Our less active friend enjoyed it a lot. And I am able to laugh at myself about it.
We got a new mission president last week. We met him and his family today at a zone conference. President and Sister Weston are from Murray, Utah. And they have 4 children ranging from 9-15. 3 girls (the 2 oldest are twins), and one boy who is is the middle. They all seem really great and awesome. My favorite one is the youngest girl. She is so cute and always smiling.
This past Saturday we went on exchanges. Sister Totau came to me. She is from Tonga, so I got to drive for the day. I was a little scared because I still don't know my way around - are area consists of houses, streets, grass, and more houses, streets, and grass. But it was fine! Didn't get lost once. I studied the map, wrote directions down and we were good. One person we visited that day was a less active. She was really nice. She showed us a little white wagon she had been painting earlier that day. I really want to activate her. I know she knows the church is true. I just think it's because she feels uncomfortable about coming back. She stopped going after her divorce 10 years ago. Maybe she was embarrassed by that?
A lot of the inactives I come across are inactive because their testimony was never built. I have come to realize that in order to know the gospel is true one must have the desire to know whether it is true or not. To study it and to pray about it. And to have faith that you will find an answer. The gospel is so important. It truly has brought peace to my life. I am so grateful for it. To know that we can live together with our families for eternity. To know that God loves us that he has given us this chance to come to Earth to learn greater things about life. I love you all so dearly. I miss you. I love your letters. Thank you for being so supportive and always there for me. I know that I am doing the Lord's work. I know that I am here for a purpose.
Love you all!!! Good luck with the busy next 3 weeks. I wish I could be there will you all, to help support, but this is where I am suppose to be. Know that you are always in my heart, no matter where I am. I love you.
Love you so much!
Yours truly,
Sister Kristi Walston
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