Hello dear family and all. How are all of you doing this fine day? Well, this week the question of the moment... Oh! So you want to hear the exciting part first?! Well, we were able to teach our newer investigator (the one that we thought disappeared, but came back) - we taught her 2 this week. And! We set a baptism date with her for December 1! That was exciting. Yes, indeed. And! This weekend we are having a baptism! The investigator who had been exploring the church for the last 2 years and has been consistently coming to church since January and already has a calling in the primary and she had been out of town in the month of September and is back and was interviewed and passed and is getting baptized this weekend. Pretty exciting, yes indeed. So that's the real exciting news. Otherwise, we are still trying to teach and help increase people's faith in Jesus Christ. One of our investigators, well, he's got his walls up and is being stubborn and a little argumentative, but then wants to know and learn... The 13 year old son, well he is doing just great. He is so funny though. So, funny. Just got to be there to know it. Otherwise, we haven't been able to meet with any of our other investigators. Due to being busy, doctor appointments, or being doubtful. Yep. Oh, one of our investigators...whom we haven't been able to meet with for a whole transfer and a week...well, she had her birthday on Dad's birthday! So this past Saturday, we made her a card and left it with her grandmother to give to her. So yep... really that's our investigators in a nutshell. Oh...and the person we were hoping to pick up last week...he canceled :( Life of a missionary. Period. But we did miraculously have 4 member present lessons with investigators. We strive hard to do that and for the last while we were struggling to get any, but we finally did! Yea! We've also been meeting some possibly potential investigators...and trying to get back in contact with them... One step at a time... We've been visiting some of our less actives and trying to uplift and help them increase their testimonies. Talking about testimonies, I'd like to share mine. I know that God loves me. I know that He loves all of His children. I am so grateful for the scriptures. The testimonies we have about God, His love, and about Jesus Christ, who is our Savior and Redeemer. I am grateful for Jesus Christ and the atoning sacrifice He paid for us. He truly does know what each of us goes through. He understands our feelings, our weaknesses, our concerns, our pains, our confusion, He understands it All. Yes, sometimes we go through hard things. But we do not go through it alone. He is there to uplift us. He is there to carry us through. But we must reach out to Him. I am so grateful for the scriptures. I love reading through them. Learning about the experiences the prophets went through. I am so grateful for the history, the prophecies, and the testimonies that are contained in them. I am so grateful for God's plan for us. It truly does help us to become better - improvement is good. Necessary to help us become a God-loving people. I know this is God's true church. I know it with all the fiber of my being. And I am grateful for my mission. And for all of the support you all lend me. Thank you! Love always, Sister Walston

October 22, 2012

So what's up there? Well...what's up here? Well...let's see. Craziness happened at church. When your bishop randomly decides to have testimony meeting at the end of ward council...you start wondering...when you go out to the chapel in preparation for sacrament meeting...you start really wondering...needless to say. Our bishop got released yesterday after being bishop for 7 years. It was a tender experience. He really loved being it, but was very loving to our next bishop - his use-to-be counselor. Anyway...it was a really great experience. One of our investigators was there! The one who we thought moved with her family elsewhere, but she came back because it didn't work out. The less active she lives with now again came as well, since it was her birthday and she'd been talking about coming back since her husband passed away. Um...what else. We had some good lessons last week with our 3some part member family. We started teaching the son and father separately. The dad got a priesthood blessing, in which he felt the spirit strongly. It was an amazing experience. Oh how I love the power of the priesthood. It is so powerful, so right. It is God who truly ordains His chosen people to use it. The son is very willing and very open and very desirous to be baptized. The dad...well, he's starting to make some progress. Saturday we did a lot of service...moving help - new members in our ward. And we helped cook and set up for a Halloween event that one of our struggling members was doing. It was so good to help. On Thursday we did exchanges, I was with Sister Montgomery in Roseville. That was good. Nice. This week should be really good. We have lots of lessons set up and we have members coming to them. And yes...goodness is happening... Um...yes... And we should be able to pick up a new investigator tomorrow! Great potential! His dad is a member in the Folsom ward (that I served in last year). He's realized how much the church has helped and blessed his dad's life, so he's willing to learn. The first time we met him we were tracting and he didn't really want to talk to us. He was like, Oh you... Haha...but after that meeting with us he called his dad and told him how he regretted rejecting us. So we went back and finally after months have been able to set up an appointment. Yay! So yep. That's exciting. Transfers have come again. No change. Get to continue training my trainee. Haha, I love my members here. Yesterday, the high priests leader asked when transfers were, I said, "Tonight we get the call." He got really sad looking and then as we were walking out the door he said, putting his hand up to his forehead, "How far away is that plane?" Haha..."What plane?" I asked. It was funny. But really, I do love the members here. I can see their love for us and I feel connected, like they are here for us whenever we need them. They are so willing and helpful. Well, in a nutshell, I think that's all that happened this week. Love you all bunches and bunches! Have a lovely week filled with the Spirit of God! Sister Walston

October 9 & 15, 2012

October 9, 2012 How are all of you? Well, life here has been peachy. We were able to teach more of our investigators and with members present! That was exciting. Our investigators though have difficult concerns though that we are trying to work through...sometimes as the missionary, for me it's hard to see what the major problem is though...but we are working through it all...and trying to help them to are best ability. Sister Slaugh is good though. She really is perceptive of people. Anyway...that's the life with our investigators generally. We did pick up a new investigator! She's pretty awesome. She's been staying and helping a less active lady out with the sick husband who just died. But other than that she's homeless...so...yep. But life is good anyway. It's always a beautiful chance to share one's testimony with others. Last Thursday was Sister Slaugh's birthday. And I also got my new glasses that day. They're good. I like them. Wasn't General conference amazing! I just love our inspired leaders! They are so awesome! And I was really excited to hear the age changes for missionary work! I know it is inspired of God. And that it's the right thing to do. I am so excited to see the changes it will make in the number of missionaries. Especially sisters! It will be awesome! So I really liked all the talks, a lot. My favorites that I can think of right off the top of my head are: Elder Nelson's - "Ask the missionaries" talk. That was pretty cool and legit. One good talk for people who are not members of the church. And Elder Holland's talk about Peter and serving others, loving and serving the Lord's sheep. So good! Yes. They were all pretty amazing. And yesterday was Columbus Day; hence writing today for the library was closed yesterday. This morning we had interviews with President Weston. It was good to see him. Yep. We've been really working with our ward lately to get referrals. So far, no luck with them. But we have hope. We do still have a baptismal date for November 3. So that will be good. And yeah...yeah. Anyway, love you all so much. Love you all bunches and bunches! Have a wonderful faith-filled day! Sister Walston October 15, 2012 How are all of you? Well, this week... let's see. We met with our doubtful investigator...we brought a member that is scientific, more logical minded (our investigator wanted that). He was told that the gospel is an emotional process and cannot be proven logically. Our investigator definitely felt the spirit...he was shaking and struggling against his emotions afterwards...it was intense. He's not sure what to think...because he wants to prove it logically. But miraculously he came to church on Sunday! And I think he enjoyed it. So that was good. Our other investigators...let's see...the one who is getting baptized in November...her knee started acting up so she was unable to come to church Sunday, but she is eagerly putting together her baptismal program. She is wonderful! Sometimes it doesn't seem like she's an investigator, but a member...who just hasn't gotten wet yet. Hah...but yeah...She's doing beautifully. Hmm...one of our part member families were going to come to church yesterday...but didn't. But we're teaching the son tonight and the dad and less active mother tomorrow. Our other part member family...we had a lesson on having faith in Jesus Christ. One of their non-member friends stopped by joined in our discussion. I really liked their friend. He was a good guy. I just had a thought...I need to learn to be bolder. Sometimes I think I get nervous or scared what they might respond, but I am a servant of the Lord. I should not be fearful. And just ask. I'm mean, I'm not that scary looking, am I? Anyways, there's always room for improvement. Let's see...oh the new investigator we picked up last week...well...she went back down to her hometown...where her family resides...so...hopefully we can get her information and send the missionaries down her way. She is so good and ready to receive the gospel. One of our single men investigators came to the adult singles dinner on Monday night for FHE. He enjoyed it. He was actually the 3rd youngest there. The other 2 young ones was my companion and myself. Ha...we have a lot of older people in our ward. But I love them all so much. They are so dear. Yesterday we had a BOM awesome day. We went tracting to these 2 courts I've been dying to tract. And! We gave away 5 Book of Mormons! 5! It was beautiful! We were able to testify of their truthfulness! And the people agreed to have us come back...but I guess there's room for our improvement...we didn't exactly set return appointments...next time I guess. One step at a time. Baby steps for improvement. That's what I say! Otherwise one gets overwhelmed. Oh! We had sister's training this last Friday. It was good. The Weston's talked about looking at God's hand in your life. And about making our prayers meaningful. They are so sweet that family. I am grateful for them and their wonderful words. Often I forget to look at the good things in life. But boy when you do there are so many things God has blessed us with! So many things! I am so grateful to Him and for the things He has given me in this life to help me though. He truly is a God of miracles. A God of faith. A loving, merciful God. I am so grateful for Him. Also, Saturday we did exchanges. I served here in Lincoln with Sister Hurtado. She came out into the field with me. :) It was good to serve with her for a day. It was my first with her and my last...she goes home at the end of this transfer. Back to Peru. It was fun serving with her. She's funny. I feel like the way we talk to one another is almost like talking to one of my brothers. :) Haha, I love people who make me feel comfortable like that. Love you all so so much! Have a lovely wonderful day!!! Remember to smile! Remember to trust in the Lord! Remember, remember who you are! (I like the word remember. Just saying.) Love you all!!!! Sister Walston

October 1, 2012

Dear family, How are all of you? So...this week........we picked up a new investigator!!! And had 2 member present lessons! Problem though with our new investigator....he's very doubtful...very doubtful of feelings (which includes how the spirit talks to us...) so we'll see how it goes. Even though we picked him up last week, this week’s lesson will be a make or break. We've done a lot of tracting. We handed a couple of Book of Mormons out to people who originally weren't interested, but we'll go back and see. One man is a retired Christian minister. Before that he wasn't religious at all - a punk he said. And his wife was Jewish. But they made changes in their lives. He wasn't really interested, but he liked us and our countenances he said. So, he gave us a little pamphlet of his beliefs and his wife gave us a book! Her memoir! About how they changed their lives! I'm excited to one day read that when I'm no longer a missionary. And then we gave him a plan of salvation pamphlet and a Book of Mormon. He kind of had an experience like Alma the younger...so we left him that chapter to read. They were such a nice couple! I want to bring them the happiness of the gospel. Let's see what else...We've been singing people songs. That's kind of fun. We had trainer/trainee meeting. That was good very good. It reminded me that we are to teach searchers of truth. I feel like some of our investigators aren't really searching. Just willing to listen and to give their insight about life...not really willing to commit themselves to learn and to grow. :( Went to the relief society broadcast that was really good. We have been asking for referrals. Been planning how to work better together to make synergy...been trying to help uplift people. Teach them the gospel... anyway, I feel like this suddenly got boring...sorry. Some moments...yep. Let's see what's exciting. We are starting to teach a few more people. Less actives in the ward that is. Our investigators...well, we have appointments set up with most of them this week... one of our part member families will be out of town. One we are going to see if he is really committed to learning. Another we will finally be teaching after months of not teaching. Another is not currently living in the area (temporarily). And one has already taken all the lessons and is back in town and is excited for her baptism in November. So, not really much change in the consistency of our investigators. What we really need is some more searchers of truth. They are the ones that get baptized. The ones that stay committed for life. Anyway---I know this church is true. I love the gospel. I am super excited for general conference and the chance to hear the words of our inspired leaders. Anyway---that's the words of Sister Walston for this week. Love you all bunches and bunches. Sister Walston