Email from 9/16

Hello Familia!

Whew -- Missionary work is tiring! I love it. Every night we lay on our beds exhausted, but completely happy. I love Paterson.

Adventures that happened this week:

• Gave an impromptu talk on missionary work in sacrament meeting (...what better thing to speak on?)
• Ate Pilipino food
• Parallel Parked!
• Bore my testimony to an Atheist
• Told I was crazy for serving a mission :)
• Bore My testimony to a staunch Italian Roman Catholic
• Live on a street of straight up Italians, “bongiorno”
• Bore my testimony to Born Again Christians
• Got Juked (stood up)
• Bore my testimony to a Buddhist
• Felt the Spirit every day
• Smiled, even when people turned us down
• Learned how to be a better companion
• Life as a missionary is challenging but soo GOOD

We have been trying to talk to everyone, even the two Spanish men that couldn't understand English.  I thought Portuguese and Spanish church words are the same apparently it’s not or maybe it’s because I was saying it. We met some really good potentials street contacting and we are excited to meet them for reals!

At the end of one of our lessons we asked our investigator if we could do anything to help her, she started sobbing. She told us that she has no food and is starving. There was literally nothing in her fridge, my heart just broke for her and I couldn't hold back the tears. We ran out to our car and gave her the lunch we had, she was so grateful for anything to eat. I can't even imagine how the Savior must feel, but he has felt her pain, and then that made me want to cry even more reflecting on his suffering. Serving out here has opened my eyes to see how deeply the savior has suffered for us. He knows you! He wants you to utilize the atonement, we have the key to get back to our Savior and now we just need to use it!

Every day we are seeing miracles and meeting so many people that need the gospel. I can't even write them all. I love this work and this gospel and my companion and the scriptures and this weather and the people here!

I also LOVE YOU ALL! Keep sharing the gospel!...and when necessary use words :) D&C 84:85 I love you all!

Hurrah for the GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST!

Sending love from Joisey

Sister Houghton

On Mon, Sept 9, 2013

Hi Family!

Oh man! I just love all of you soo much!

This last couple of weeks has been a blur; I honestly cannot even remember what day it is today? Time is flying. In the last two weeks I have been tripled out of my area, doubled into another area, and training. I had a little bit of anxiety BUT I know that this is HIS work and I'm just putting my trust in Heavenly Father, he knows what’s up, always :)

I'm training the cutest little (I mean little 4'11) Philappino. She has an adorable accent and is so EXCITED to work. How much luckier can I get? This is her first time in the United States and she is just surprised by the cultural differences, it is so different and I hope and pray that she will feel more at home soon.

We were doubled into Patterson...Patterson South to be exact. just for the record, this is the one area that I was thinking "Oh man I hope I never serve there" ha famous last thoughts right? But I love it! It reminds me a lot of New City;  lots of humble people.

Our first day out here, I forgot the phone at the apartment (sound familiar mom ;) ) we had to drive back and get it...then I forgot the ward directory....we had to drive back to get it...then I went to the wrong appointment...and had to drive home to figure out where the real address was and show up 45 minutes late...oops See a pattern? I’m hoping I will be able to figure it out soon. My poor companion!

Sister Pastres came down with a bad sickness; she was down for 3 days, on a "broth and water" only diet. I managed to call 25 of the 27pages of members on the Branch list. There are 500 members in this ward and maybe 50 active. There is a lot of work to do. I'm excited. Some of the phone calls were very...interesting. I love Jersey. Also “Jesus the Christ” is becoming one of my favorite books! Read it!

We have been living with the Passaic sisters (love them) for the past week but today we moved into our official apartment! IT IS SO CUTE! EVERYTHING in it is bran new! It feels like Christmas, I was dancing around just soaking everything up. Oh man. It is beautiful, but I’ll have to  parallel park. Oh boy.

This week we are praying really hard to find people to teach. We know there are people who are prepared; we just need to find them.

So like usual I'm a little stressed, but loving it! I wouldn't want to be anywhere else right now. Thank you for your support and love!

LOVE YOU!

Sister Houghton

Also my last companion Sister Sprague said my spirit animal is a bunny....haha (get nervous easily...jumpy etc) I think it might be true. haha :)