Short and Sweet

"Shall we not go on is so great a cause? Go forward and not backward, Courage.... And on, on to victory." D&C 128:22

Y came to a baptism the other day. He dressed up in a suite! He said that in the Children's Book of Mormon they dressed up in nice cloths. So he wanted to dress up in nice cloths. He enjoyed the Spirit that was felt at the baptism. At some point he'll be baptized. I just know it!

We are working with this lady named W who has been reading the Book of Mormon with her kids every night! She is such a sweet lady. At some point she will come to church. She is always going through something hard.

Sorry this is so short every one!!

Love,

Sister Preston

"The Spirit of God like a Fire is Burning!"

One of the sweetest thing any missionary experiences is when a person who they found, taught, baptized is active and IS HOLDING A CALLING AND GOING TO THE TEMPLE!!!!!!

That's what motivates me. There are people like BH out there. Ready and eager to have this Gospel be familiar to them. I remember the day I found him. I was with dear Sister Vance on the eve before the transfer call. We were in Lexington, Ohio a small suburb outside of Mansfield. We were knocking on doors like crazy, praying that we would find someone who would be prepared for us to teach. Remember that day Cassi?? The principle that helped BH understand that this is the Lord's Church is knowing that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God and that he translated the Book of Mormon by the Power of God. I remember clearly the day he told us that he knew the Church was true.

I love how the Spirit testifies of truth. I have been thinking a lot about that lately. In the Book of Mormon we read that "...By the Power of the Holy Ghost, ye may know the truth of all things." As a missionary I have the opportunity to fine tune to the promptings of the Spirit. To really know how the Father communes with me, and to better help those I meet understand how the Father communes with them.

To go along with this thought we have been talking to a lot of people who are a part of Strong Christian backgrounds. They bare testimony of what they believe and tell us to read the Bible. I have found myself walking away feeling frustrated and hurt all at the same time. If they took one second to just listen, they would feel the love that God has for them. I often wonder if they aren't listening to me because I am too focused wanting theme to listen to me and the Lord's message. I've come to realize that I like doing the will of the Lords a lot more than doing my own will. I found a talk given by Sister Burton last year about the Spirit. She adds a poem that her blind mother wrote. It

says:

                                 "I know not by what methods rare,

                                  But this I know, God answers prayer.

                                   I know that He has given His Word,

                                 Which tells me prayer is always heard,

                                 And will be answered, soon or late.

                                 And so I pray and calmly wait.

                                 I know not if the blessing sought

                                Will come in just the way I thought;

                               But leave my prayers with Him alone

                                Whose will is wiser than my own,

                                Assured that He will grant my quest,

                                Or send some answer far more blest."

I love that poem! Aren't we far more bluest when we follow the voice of the Spirit?

  

This last week in MLC we talked about the basics of the Book of Mormon. It is the Keystone of our religion. Through it we come to a deep understanding that Jesus Christ is the Son of a living God, and that Joseph Smith is a Prophet of God who through God's power restored His church.

Our mission is super young. 48 of the companionships are training.

President Daines wants to have theses young missionaries be passionate about the Book of Mormon. I love how many restored thirties there are in the Book of Mormon. From Baptism to the Sacrament -- it's all in there. I want to read these sacred scriptures over, and over, and over again to be able to stay away from the adversary. I want to be a better person because of this Book.

We've been doing all that we can to help T and C to understand this. C often forgets to read, now I don't blame her for forgetting when she had a pile of homework to do. Sister Corbett and I are able to bare our testimonies about the divinity of the Book of Mormon to her and teach her why God commands us to read and study the scriptures. She wasn't at church this Sunday... I have hope and.

LOT of faith that she will be baptized at some point. I know she knows this church is true. She sees how happy it makes her friend who is a member of our Ward. I know that they feel the Spirit as they love the Word of Wisdom. They're good girls, and I love them SO MUCH!!

Poor Y. He's having a lot of medical problems, but he's holding in there.  When we were on exchanges the other day we read 1Nephi with him. Let me tell you, the Spirit was SO strong hearing him read the chapter heading in English. I was in awe of the Spirit. After he read the heading he said " I read, but no not what it says!" So we explained it to him. The funny things is, and the Spirit was growing stronger, a storm came and drove us out. Literally it was crazy!

Sister Morgan and I were soaked from head to toe. I know Heavenly Father is looking out for Y.

We have been doing a lot of finding. We have a deep, strong desire to see these people progress. Sometimes agency isn't my friend because these good people end up telling us to not come back. I have faith that as long as I invite everyone to be baptized on the first lesson that at some point someone will be baptized.

This Gospel means a lot to me. I was asked to beat my testimony at MLC and I walked about thinking and feeling that I had so much more to say about our Savior. My words can't even begin to express just how much love I have for Him. I know He lives and loves everyone. He is my brother and dearest friend. Through Him I can have a better relationship with our Heavenly Father. They answered Joseph's humble prayer. Through him Christ's church was restored to the earth and the Book of Mormon teaches us of our Savior's doctrine. I know that Thomas S. Monson is a Prophet of God. I have read his words and studied them in my mind and the Spirit tells me that he is. I love our Prophet. I know that the Spirit directs him as he does the Lord's will. I know that the Spirit will continue to teach us all things, as long as we are willing to act.

I hope everyone is preparing for General Conference!!!

Any guesses as to who the new Apostles will be??

I don't have any.

Make this week a happy one!!

Love,

Sister Preston

Almost the 9th hour...

This week has been so busy!

We have been doing a lot of everything.

Since I remember Sunday the most, I'll start with that.

I gave a talk at church. All of the missionaries spoke. Guess who went last? If you guessed me, you are 100% correct. I don't know why this always happens.... It went well though. The Elders gave a 3-4 minute talk, and Sister Corbett gave a 3 minute talk. So it was up to be to talk for the next 20 minutes!!! Remember when I gave a 3 minute talk before I left Bishop Walker? For once I spoke for the whole 20 minutes! Who knew how fun it is to talk about out Savior and invite others to come closer to him. We almost had a cute little Asian man at church. He was willing to come-all he needed was a ride. I'm not gonna lie, I came really close to just giving him a ride. Since I love God more I didn't.

C was at church. She is currently working towards baptism on the 19th of September!!!

We have been meeting with her quite a bit. She misses the other Sisters. But I assured her that we are just as cool as Sister Beebe. :) It's been so much fun to teach her! She will be the second person whom I've taught who is under 20!

Sorry this is short!!

But I'll end with a bang.

I know Jesus Christ can and will help us if we call on Him. The friends that we make in the Gospel are eternal and precious. I know God loves me and will direct me.

Peace, love, and mucho fun!!

Love,

Sister Preston

New Area, New Companion, Thug Life

So this week has been WILD.

I am in a new area, it's not too far away from Riverside. In fact I switched areas. I am in THE HEART OF COLUMBUS!! And I have a lot of homies who are teaching me how to be a "Straight up G." My new companions name is Sister Corbett. She is from West Jordan in Utah.

She is a straight up cool person. We get a long well. :) I forgot to mention that we were doubled in. This means that we were put into a new area without having a previous person here who knows it. It was a tender mercy for us since I have been on exchanges here, so I know my way around just a little bit. Our first couple of days have been really exhausting. On top of getting to know the current investigators here, we have been finding through our own efforts. It was kind of hot the other day when we were out knocking on doors. There were a lot of people out. We talked to a lot of people who would be interested in learning more.

 I have been hitting a big wall lately. Not a wall of not wanting to do the work, I am just extremely tired. My heart has been drawn out in prayer in order to push past the wall and to keep going against the grind.

In Columbus there are all sorts of different kinds of people. I like the verity. We had an interesting lesson with one of our investigators the other day. She mentioned to us that she has a problem with the men holding the Priesthood. I listened to her as she told us how "women don't have a say in our church, and how the men have all the say." My heart hurt for her, or maybe it hurt for me, I'm still trying to decide. I expressed to her as simply as I could that the Priesthood is a sacred gift given to men to help God's children. I told her that the best way to find this out for herself was to read the Book of Mormon and find out for herself if what we are saying and what the Book of Mormon are saying are true. We have a Mission Wide Leadership Training on Tuesday, so President Daines has asked us to come prepared to learn. He assigned a talk given by Elder Oaks to read entitled " The Keys and Authority of the Priesthood." click here for a link to the talk  Perfect timing if you ask me!

As I read this talk this morning I couldn't help but feel the love that God has for us. He must really trust us if he would give us His authority on the earth. I'm just going to throw this out there since I am being "straight up", men and women need each other. The more righteous men and woman are, the more they can influence one another.

Not only that but in order to reach exaltation we need the new and everlasting covenant  that is preformed under the priesthood authority. And I feel like I have a voice in this Church. Even though I am in a Missionary Council, I feel like my voice is heard. Any who, that's my soap box for the day. :) Our apartment is kind of ghetto. All of you wouldn't believe what I found.....

Life is like a box of Chocolates...

The other day I was in Alma 26, better knows as Alma's psalm. Click here for a link to this chapter of Alma He was testifying of the goodness of God for all of the success that he had had during the course of his mission. He said these words that I totally concur with. He said "Now if this is boasting, even so will I boast; for this is my life and my light, my joy and my salvation, and my redemption from everlasting wo. Yea, blessed is the name of my God, who has been mindful of this people, who are a branch of the tree of Israel, and has been lost from its body in a strange land; yea, I say, blessed be the name of my God, who has been mindful of us, wanderers in a strange land." The only person that I can boast in is my God who has saved me from "the bonds of iniquity." Okay, I am still really dramatic, but seriously, I do dumb things and He forgives me. He has guided me to those in this area who want to feel their burdens be lifted from them. The joy that I feel from seeing someone even invite us back is glorious. This week we have been seeing miracle after miracle. And all of it is due to our Father in Heaven. For instance, on exchanges we tracked on a street and found 4 new potentials. Sister Crandall and I went back and met whom we thought was a lady named R, we met a lady named K. She mentioned to us that she was was just talking to her mom about going to a church. The Spirit was SO strong as we talked to her about what this Gospel can do for her, and especially what the Gospel has done for us in our lives.

Oh yeah on top of all of these miracles, we had a member of the 12 come to Columbus. We had Elder Cook!!! He met with all of the missionaries. President Daines promised us that if we came to this meeting prepared that we could influence the Spirit. Sure enough we did, and we ended up having a question and answer with Elder Cook. We also had Elder Hallstrum with us. He's in the presiding Bishopbric.

Meeting with these men was highlight of my  mission. Before we started the meeting, Elder Cook and Elder Hallstrum shook each missionaries hand. There was a special Spirit of love in the Chapel. I was so excited to hear his words. It was a very special experience to hear from an Apostle of the Lord. I know that he has been called of God, and I know that he can only do the will of the Lord. I am so grateful to have this opportunity to serve and love and be who the Lord would have me be.

Before I forget, I chopped ALL of my  hair off and now I look like a boy. Just kidding!! I did cut my hair though. It's a good 5 inches shorter. Guess who did it.... If you guess Sister Crandall, you win the big prize. :) Any who, the church is true. I have been so happy serving my fellow beings. I know that living within the bonds of the Restored Gospel that I can be infinitely happy.

I love you all. Live long and prosper. Don't let the muggles get you down!

Love,

Sister Preston

The Adventures of Crandall and Preston

I'm a bit behind sending all of you an email. We ran out of time last preparation day... Sorry about that.

Last week we had a super fun Preparation Day. We went to all of the Brutus's that are on Ohio States' campus. We went with our investigator. We took some priceless pictures.

Every Monday evening at 6:30 we have been visiting with S and D. S is from Peru and D is from Mansfield. They're a cute couple. S is coming closer and closer towards baptism every time we meet with her. D isn't as invested as S is. We know that if she were to join that he would be really supportive. Also, D and S came to church yesterday!! It was nice having them there.

On Tuesday we were on exchanges with the Madison Lake Sisters. I was with Sister Folsom for the day. Sister Folsom has been out for 3 months and is really diligent. I love how much she loves the work. We found a few potential investigators while we were working together. I love working with Missionaries who are still green. They have a lot of fire in them. Wednesday was District Meeting. Elder Cameron our District Leader is super cool. He plans really fun activities for us to do. What I love the most about them is that not one of them are the same. We talked a lot about our testimonies of God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. He has us write our thoughts and feelings in our journal. Which lead to us talking about the Prophet Joseph. It was a perfect preparation for Zone Conference. President has all of the Zones read "Path to Palmyra" and "The Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon" so that we could have a discussion about it. I noticed the Spirit being particularly strong  as we talked about the Smith families journey to Palmyra. They went through a lot. Although they went through a lot their lives went bad. They had each other. And Joseph became a strong man because of it. Zone Conference is perhaps one of my favorite events. Good food, even better Spirit, and people that I love. What could be more joyous than that?! Well a few things come to mind.... But I won't say it. :) Ohio had their annual State Fair... And guess what! We contacted there! It was so much fun! We saw a lot of great people who were interested in learning more. Among that we saw a lot of fried food booths. I kid you not, there was not one healthy thing out there. I did partake of a few of those things... And I regret nothing. #fairfood We saw a huge cow and a Brutus made out of BUTTER!!! It was crazy!!

I feel like the whole week went by super fast.

Any who, have a great week everyone!

Love,

Sister Preston

Invictus

"Out of the night that covers me, black as the pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever gods may be for my unconquerable soul. In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced nor cried aloud. Under the bludgeonings of chance my head is bloody, but unbowed. Beyond this place of wrath and tears looms but horror of the shade, and yet the menace of the years finds, and shall me unafraid. It matters not how straight the gate, how charged with punishments the scroll. I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul." By William Earnest Henry. The title of my email is the name of this poem. On my mission I have gone through some hard things, and I probably will continue to go through hard things. But I know that when I do not allow Satan to get in he way of my happiness and allow Jesus Christ to "captain my soul"

I am a much happier person. And the trials I go through ultimately work out for my good and the good of those who are around me. So if you're having a hard time - join the rest of us! Allow the Savior and His perfect infinite Atonement to help you out. Go to church and partake of the Sacrament. Do all you can to come closer to Him. There is a scripture in the Doctrine and Covenants that I think about a lot. It says: "Or canst thou be humble and meek, and conduct thyself wisely before me? Yea, come unto me thy Savior. Amen." I love how He pleads for us to come unto Him. I will never be perfect in this life, but I know that I can come unto Him and feel of His perfect love.

Let me update all of you on S. He's had a bit of a rough week.  But from my observation I can see that he is not becoming hard heartened, but rather his heart is soft. Due to some of the issues he's had this week he hasn't been able to study his scriptures, so we gave him the Book of Mormon on cd to listen to. I see how the Savior has helped S. In fact he may be ready to take upon him the name of our Savior here soon. We're planning on extending a baptismal date to him. I don't remember if I have told all of you about St. St is a great cook. His meals are one of my favorites. We usually go over for dinner and have a lesson right after. He has been a little stubborn about coming to church. Miracles happen all the time.... And it was a miracle that he came to church!! Sister Crandall bore her testimony about coming to church and he couldn't argue about that. One thing lead to another and by golly he was set to come! He's one of those guys who stays true to his word.

Great news!!! Ohio is having their state fair this week all the way until the end of next week. We have an investigator who runs the art booth, and she asked us for help. SO WE ARE GOING TO HELP HER OUT AND THEN CONTACT AT THE FAIR!!! I tell ya, the things we get excited for as a missionary!!

I am so grateful for what this mission has done for me. I heard a phrase the other day that I love. " The mission is the MTC for life."

( MTC means Missionary Training Center)

Any-who, ya'll have fun!

Love,

Sister Preston