There are no words that could ever describe how jubilant this Gospel makes me

We have an investigator who is getting Baptized this Saturday at 10 in the morning!! Yay!! You should see how happy she is!! It's truly been an incredible invariance teaching her. She told us the other day that she finally had a spiritual confirmation that she needed to be baptized. She said that on her bike ride, she stopped by this old church that she would normally go to pray. She has been having a few problems with her family, and she has felt like she should take it to the Lord. She said that as she was praying, this unimaginable feeling came to her, and that the words that she was saying were not her own.  She continued to express how the feeling that she had in her heart was so peaceful (the spirit) was helping her to feel better about the 25th. I am so happy for her.
I've noticed thus far on my mission that each person that has to come to a decision like this makes it with the Lord. I have NOTHING what so ever to do with it. I am amazed at the love that is shown towards those who are about to embark on an incredible journey. A journey that reveals unto us our true identity, and our true potential. Our investigator sees the significance of this; and I couldn't be more giddy for her.

The more I read the Book of Mormon, and ponder it's words throughout the day, the more I know that it is indeed the word of God. The more I know that I must have a balance of all things in my life. There are no words that could ever describe how jubilant this Gospel makes me; nor for how much it has helped me, and the people that I have grown to love.

I hope everyone has a wonderful week!!

Love,

Sister Preston

We Thank thee Oh God for a Prophet

Family and Friends!! We have had the blessed opportunity to hear from a Prophet of God. I hope all of you took notes!

There is certainly a special feeling when we gather together to hear from our Father in Heaven's servants. Quite a few of the talks were focused on those who are investigating the Church; I know that those who are investigating over here in Powell enjoyed it. We got to watch the Priesthood session with one of our investigators. It honestly was an interesting experience... especially compared to that of the Woman's Conference. :) Sister Skillings and I got a kick out of it.

We have seen MIRACLES. MIRACLES I tell you!!

Miracle #1. There is this man who Sister Skillings has been teaching for the past four months. He was on the verge of becoming an internigator (or someone who loves the church but isn't interested in changing... yet.), until we had an fantastic lesson with him about eternal marriage. The Spirit was incredibly strong, and when you looked at him in the eyes, you could tell that he could feel the Spirit. We invited him to follow the example of our Savior, and he gladly accepted. He'll be baptized on November 1st. It's been a long time coming, and we couldn't be more grateful. He was also one of the ones that we had watch Conference. He was a trooper and watched all of the Saturday sessions. We asked him how he felt afterward, and he said "Well, I have a lot to process. It feels like my head is going to explode." He cracks me up. 

WE GOT TO WATCH THE NEW MOVIE THAT THE CHURCH PUT OUT. "MEET THE MORMONS"

It was honestly an incredible movie, and I HIGHLY recommend it.

Miracle #2. The other person that we have on date for baptism for the 25 of this month watched Conference. SHE LOVED IT!! She liked the talk about the Sacrament, and afterward, she had a whole bunch of questions about it.

All in all, the Spirit of General Conference has been one that I very much enjoy as a missionary. In fact, I always want to be missionary so that way I am always prepared to receive the revelation. Now, I've been asked what my favorite talk has been, and I honestly can't choose. I loved all of them. There were some that appealed to me more, because I felt that my investigators would need to hear these words. The longer I am out here in the Great Ohio, the more I realize each day that this work is not even about me. This work is about the doing the will of the Father. I am the privileged one who get's to help out our Savior in the gathering. The field is white, and ready to harvest. I know that the words of our Prophet, Thomas S. Monson are true. He is a Prophet of God. I know that the men and woman who spoke at this session have been inspired by God. I have experienced for myself the power and the happiness that this Gospel brings. There is no greater joy than doing the work of our Lord.

I pray everyone has a wonderful week!!
Love,
Sister Preston 

Fall in Powell

I am so excited that is is fall!! I am in the BEST AREA, we have so many trees!!

Last week in Powell:
We have been meeting with this woman. She has quite a tragic story... but we are working on helping her to ignite that testimony of the Restoration, and the Plan of Salvation. We have been meeting with her once a week. So far, it's going well. :)

We have been doing a lot of reactivation over here. There is another man whom we are working with. He is excommunicated, and is wanting to come back. He gets lost on some of the deep questions that all of us have about the gospel. He's doing wonderfully though.

 

There is this lady who we are working with. She is wonderful. She went to a baptism for the first time this past week. She loved every moment of it. She is looking forward to her own baptism, which will be on the 25th of this month.

The longer I am out, the more I realize that this work is not about what I want to get out of it, although that is very important, but it's what I can do for the Lord. What talents I can gain for those who stand in need of comfort. For those who just need to be loved.

I hope everyone is getting super pumped for General Conference!! The General Woman's meeting was amazing!! We are incredibly blessed to have modern day Prophets. Take advantage of that!!

I love this Gospel, and I am humbled to be a servant for the Lord.

I love all of you dearly.
Love,
Sister Preston

Transfers

Hello family and friends!!

I am in the blessed land of Powell. :) My new companion is Sister Skillings. She is from Utah. She is literally the cutest thing I've ever seen. She is incredible in every single way imaginable.

Powell is more south of the mission, and if you were to look at a map, it would be right in the middle of the mission. It's absolutely gorgeous here. We are working with a lady. She is so cool. She showed me how to do a more intense workout the other day. She mentioned to us the other day that since she has been coming to our church that she couldn't imagine going any where else. She has accepted October 25 to be baptized. She is excited!! I learn a lot from her.

We are teaching this one man. He can speak 3 different languages. He understands the Gospel. All in all, Powell is treating me well.

I hope that everyone is having a great week!!
Love,
Sister Preston

 

(I've noticed that she stopped using her first name.  She must be getting use to the title and loosing herself in the work.)

First Six months

Family, and Friends, the first six months that I have been out here in the blessed land of Ohio have been incredible. Especially since I have been in Mansfield. There have been some really hard times, but our Father in Heaven has a way of blessing us with even sweeter times to help us know that this is Truly His Work.

I found out today that I am leaving Mansfield. I have no idea where I am going yet, so on Monday, I will let every one know.  Here are some thoughts about the last six months in Mansfield.

When I first came here, I had no idea what I had gotten myself into. But, as I dedicated all that I had to the Lord, and then some, I saw miracles. First, one of the new members introduced us to her twin Sister. About a month later, she was baptized. I can't even express how much I love the Lord. The beautiful thing about it is, we (the baptized twin) are wonderful friends. Second, a man we tracked into started taking the discussions. His story is crazy. He fell off of the face of the earth for a while. And we thought that we lost him. But when we knocked on his door about a month later, he had read half of the Book of Mormon, and he knew that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is true. He was baptized a month later. Withe each person that is found and moved to the next ordinance, I honestly feel like I have grown the most. I think about all of these people all the time. When I wake up, when I go to bed, and during the day. Most of all, I think about our Lord, and Savior, Jesus Christ. These are HIS children, and I am humbled to be apart of there progression. You can see the Spirit working in someone. All of those RM's (return missionaries) out there know what I mean. You know when someone has been reading the Book of Mormon when they radiate. You can see that they know that this Church is true.

What a wonderful feeling it is to be in the service of our Lord!! Because of this mission, my dreams are higher, and I have more specific goals, and a vision of how everything is going to be accomplished . This is the same method that I have been using with those new investigators. I have to practice what I preach, right? Our Heavenly Father wants us to make goals, to think positively, and to petition for His divine guidance, for help. Without His help, we would be wandering generalities. I have 12 months left, and each and everyday I will work harder, and harder. I will be obedient, and I will love everyone. Mansfield has changed me, and I am incredibly grateful. The members say that I have changed them, but they couldn't be more wrong. They have changed me.

This weekend one of my investigators is going to be baptized. He is incredible. When you talk to him about our Savior, his eyes shine, and you can clearly see that he has been reading, and praying. That has to be one of the COOLEST things that I have ever experienced as a missionary.

To close since this e-mail is a short novel, I know that this Church is true. I know that my Savior has been there with me through hard times, and especially for the the good times. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, and when it is read in conjunction with the Bible, there is no doubt that both support each other. This is our Saviors work. He is my master, and I am so grateful to be doing His work. I pray that I may be what He wants me to be each and every day. I know that our Father in Heaven answers our prayers. He is the best listener. I know that we must also listen to what He has to say also. His promptings are quite, and come in many forms. I pray that everyone at home is having fun, and enjoying life!!

Love,

Sister Preston

"What-e-er' thou art, act well thy part!" :) 

Oh how I love the Gospel

We have been taking our new convert out to lessons with us, and just hearing his testimony assures me that this is all of our Saviors work. I learn so much from my recent converts. One of them, blessed the sacrament this last Sunday. Oh how I love the Gospel!!

We have a man on date to be baptized for the 20th of this Month. He's a really cool guy. He is a former Catholic, and so far, he's really enjoying the Gospel.

We have been focusing a lot on Retention, and Reactivation, so we are reaching out to those who are lost.

Transfers are coming up, and I don't know what will happen. I've been in Mansfield for 6 beautiful months. If anyone sends anything, please send it to the Mission Home.

I hope every one has had a fantastic week!!
Love,
Sister Preston

What a week of miracles!!

This week we had a baptism. Funny story, I accidentally spelt his middle name wrong on his baptismal program. He said "You would!!" to me. It was funny, and sincerely on accident. Anyway, the best part about teaching is being taught. I walked out of his lessons feeling spiritually uplifted, and awakened to seeing the way our Savior works in his life. Just before his baptism, we had a great lesson with him. We went to a members house to study the scriptures and to talk about and mark our favorite ones. He was in Mosiah 6 (Here is the link to this scripture), so we read with him those chapters and asked him what he liked about them. From there we went on to share our favorite scriptures. Sister Carter shared her favorite scripture in Alma 26:12 (Here is the link to this scripture) and bore a powerful testimony about how the Lord helped her to come out on a mission. I was very impressed to share a scripture that had spiritually slapped me in the face. Alma 34:38-41 (Here is the link to this scripture). This scripture caused me to seriously think about my actions. That whole week had been kind of a stressful one, and I literally felt like I was "contending with the Holy Ghost." After I found that scripture I was WAY humbled, and submissive to the Spirit. I shared this and he smiled at me, and said "I felt that way. Everyone said that I was ready to be baptized, and I didn't see it. I prayed day, and night, day and night for 3 days, and I got the same answer. On the 4th day, I just knew that I was ready. I doubted myself, and I stopped doubting when I stopped contending with the Holy Ghost." Now, you can imagine that the Spirit was incredible strong, and my heavens, it was!! He is an incredible man. He already has names to take to the Temple to do baptism for the dead. He calls Sister Carter and I his "Little Sisters." :) Tender, I know. :)

The other day, we were going to go visit a less active member who has been coming to church again, and on the way we stopped by an ice cream store names "What's the Scoop?!" I looked at Sister Carter and she said "Maybe we can go if the member isn't home." (side note, Sister Carter has a connection from home to this less active member, so they clicked right away.) We go to this members house, and she isn't home. So, guess where we go? All of you guessed it, we went to What's the Scoop and got some ice cream. While we were there, we talked to the man that owned the place. He asked us why we wear name tags, and we explained to him that we are missionaries for our church. He then told us that since his wife had passed away that he wasn't able to go to church since him and his daughter run the ice cream shop. We invited him to church, and mentioned to him what time the services start, and he told us that he would try and make it in October when things start to slow down. (here is the cool part). After we talked to that man, this young man and 2 little kiddies walk up and get ice cream (at this point Sister Carter and I had our ice cream and were walking to our cars), as we walk by, he says "Hey, are you missionaries?" We were like "Yeah!! Have you met girl missionaries before?" He then began to tell us that his son's mother was a Mormon, and that he had gone to church a few times. We told him about church and nonchalantly asked him where he lived, so that way we could refer him to the Elders. A few days later, we went to this less active members house and she asked us if there are any other Sister missionaries in the area. We told her about the other sister and she was like, I have an ex-son in law who says that he saw two girl missionaries at the ice cream shop the other day, and I feel like I need to go to church. Sister Carter and I were in awe. The spirit hit both of us. We knew that we were meant to be at that place at the right time. It was incredible. The guy that we met at the ice cream store was at church this Sunday. It was pretty sweet.

There has been an infinite amount of experiences that have happened that have changed my life. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. This is our Savior, Jesus Christ's work. I see it on a daily, hourly, minute by minute basis. I am incredibly humbled to be His servant, and to do what He wants done, and to say what He wants said. This October we get to hear from His servants, and I am incredibly EXCITED, and Grateful to be in this position. I love my Savior, and I love my Father in Heaven. I pray that all of you are having an Incredible week!!

With all my love,
Sister Preston