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