Email from October 28th

Hello familia!

"Faith can give you the strength to press forward and face your hardships with COURAGE" This literally has been my motto this week. Even through the hard times we are seeing Heavenly Fathers hand in his work. I am grateful every day to be here.

We had zone conference and Sister Jeppson put on a Hot Dog costume and talked to us about eating healthy no "Hawt Dawgs" (she's hillarious) we learned how to ask more focused inspired questions something I Had made a goal to do earlier that week! On saturday we had International Night! We have been telling people about for months! Everyone brings food from their country to share. I tried food from everywhere....even some some that looked like throw up and tasted like cat food. We invited our investigators to come and THEY CAME! annnd the ones we weren't expecting to come did too! I couldn't help but jump up and down when I saw them. It was a wonderful night.

The Paterson Branch put on the smoothest running Primary Program that I have ever seen, no kidding this is a Miracle. Quiestest sacrament meeting Paterson has had EVER. We had lots of non-member familiy members come and from the opening song of "I am a Child of God" they were crying. It was a really touching experience, and the soon to be investigators :) said they would be back again. Little children have power when they share their testimony through song. Maybe the mission age should be lowered to 5? ;)

Druing Sunday School they had everyone introduce themselves and cute Sister Bosket (a returning member) stood up and said in her southern accent "Hi I'm Caroline Bosket and I'm here to serve my king" We ARE ALL here to do just that, to serve our Heavenly Father so we can one day return to live with him again. I love the simpleness of the gospel and the power of those words.

We made Robert and Marabell a countdown calendar for their baptism, and they are so excited, they both had parts in the Primary PRogram and said their parts so wonderfuly! I felt like a proud mom...sister? I got a lot of waves/thumbs up from them in the bleachers. So cute :)

I love you all soo much and I'm so thankful you all had a safe hike to Havasupai and back! SO impressed with how brave ya'll are, becasue I definatly would not be cliff jumping.... NO JOKE. AND you looked amazing hiking that whole way! Way to go. :)

With the Halloween holiday coming up remember that "Perfect Love casteth out all FEAR" Moroni 9:16 Let's remember who is really in charge! Have a wonderful Halloween dinner, eat lots of nasty looking food (but the kind that tast good too! ) I think I will make a little Houghton halloween suprise dinner for Sister Pastores, she's never had Halloween before :)

Oh also I contacted a man that was walking his cat...it was on a leash, it's a very good conversation starter. I love Jersey.

Sending love from Joisey

Sister Houghton

Email from October 21st

Hello Family!

Heavenly Father is helping his work go forward and a sprinters pace here in Jersey! Literally miracles everywhere.

Al was confirmed on Sunday, he thought he was late so he came running into the chapel his hair was flying, cutest thing I have ever seen. After he was confirmed he sat down and said "I'm so warm, I don't want this feeling to ever go away" Melted my heart. Al is so excited about the gospel and the chance he has to be a member.

We have started teaching two of Al's future grandchildren and they are getting baptized in November! They are the sweetest kids and we are so excited to help them embrace the gospel. I love teaching children they are just like Mosiah 3:19 humble, patient and FULL of love! We are excited for them. Also I might get to help plan Al's wedding.....fingers crossed ya'll know how much I LOVE doing that! Speaking of weddings, A 67 year old man asked me to marry him, I don't think he was functioning on all wheels because the day before he told us to get lost. Got to love it here.

We had a MIRACLE media referral  We showed up Monday night with the bible she had requested...and of course a Book of Mormon :)....we gave her the bible and she started crying, she said she had a dream where she heard Heavenly Fathers voice tell her their was a special bible she needed to read and she saw a "Big bible" in front of her. The spirit was so strong and we testified to her of the bible and the Book of Mormon! She and her husband are going to read them together and we are excited to teach them! Also they are Philipino...and I have a Philipino companion, these things don't just happen. Heavenly Father is in charge :)

Two other woman that we taught this week had specific dreams about us. One of them kept saying she had seen my face in her dream, and that she knew this was God talking to her. Well I can honestly say never in my life had I met this woman before but Heavenly Father was preparing this woman for the message of the restoration. This week I have been blown away at the love Heavenly Father has for each of his children. He knows the way to best communicate with each of us, we are his children after all :)

I'm excited for you all to hike to Havasupai! I remember how much I HATED Hiking and walking the 10 miles with a heavy backpack to the bottom of Havasupai seemed like an ETERNITY and I definitely  was not the happiest camper around..... we almost made it to the bottom of the canyon when I tripped and face planted at mile 9. I was ready to give up. It was hot, I was sweaty, exhausted, emotionally on end and to top it all off I was now bruised and bleeding (you all know how I am with blood) I literally  felt so hopeless sprawled in the rocky path. BUT then Dad was there to pick me up, he brushed away the dirt and encouraged me. He told me I could make it, just a little bit long..."it's around the corner" well lets just say there were MANY corners until camp came into site but he lightened my heavy load and with his help I was able to hike the last mile into beautiful Havasupai. Thinking about this experience this morning I realized that's exactly what the Savior does for us when we feel helpless, exhausted and alone, he is there to pick us up from off the ground, wipe our tears away and remind each of us that WE CAN MAKE IT! and then guides us to the beautiful place prepared for all. I'm grateful for our Savior and for his ultimate sacrifice for EACH and EVERYONE of us. He lives.

I love you all! Hope you have a FANTASTIC WEEK! Please be safe down in the grand canyon and try not to face plant ;)

Lots of love from Joisey

Sister Houghton

SHOUT OUT TO RACHEL DAWN!!!! GURL You are turning 14!!!!!!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY ON FRIDAY! you best believe I will be singing to you from Joisey. I love you Sista! 

Email from October 14th

HI FAMILY!

I can't express ENOUGH gratitude for praying for Al this week! We've seen miracles all week long.

We had a couple more principles to go over with Al before he could be baptized, AND not enough days to get it all done. I said a prayer and we realized that the only way he could be baptized in time is if we saw Al on walking day. We put our trust in the lord that a way would be prepared for us to get to Moonachie. well....we literally could not find a ride and we only had an hour to get there. I felt like we could walk there.... we only had a few highways to cross and with the help of Garmin' we made it half running/walking in an hour and 15 minutes, and we were able to teach Al (on his porch) so he could be baptized on Sunday! I learned that sometimes we have to put our faith into action. Heavenly Father will provide a way ONLY after we do our part...and do everything we possibly can.

AL was baptized! He came out smiling and happy. Watching someone you love so much enter into this sacred promise with our Heavenly Father is hard to describe, I couldn't help but say a prayer of gratitude for all of the miracles that we have seen and for AL making these changes to start his journey on the path. Also Tom Devingo (someone I got to teach in Caldwell) was baptized yesterday! I couldn't go but I am so excited for him! Miracles are happening here in Joisey. 

We helped a man push his car up the hill to a gas station. Found some new investigators! Ate Korean food, Philipino Food, African food and Italian food. AND we are NOT getting transferred. My very first time ever, not going to transfer conference. I'm excited for the opportunity to stay in this area and find more people to teach!

The gospel of Jesus Christ changes lives. I'm grateful to be here in this LOVELY GARDEN STATE (you can check out our mission theme song on YouTube New Jersey Morristown mission song...its really cool and I might be in it)

ALSO you are all the best. Thank you for your love and support and the prayers. Time to get to work! Lets go and share the gospel to the whole world.

I LOVE YOU

Sending love from the beautiful Garden State

Sister Heather Sue Houghton

P.S You can see our names on the mission blog about Al's baptism njmm.org....pretty sweet!

Hello my BEATUIFUL FAMILY!

 

This last week we have seen Heavenly Fathers HAND in his work! This is the best calling. I got to mow a lawn! (Felt like I was home) ate Goose Liver, it’s actually not that bad, but I might have dry heaved when they told me what it was. AND AL's on track for baptism on SUNDAY! He stopped drinking coffee and watched 2 whole sessions of conference! He even shaved his beard. It is amazing to see the changes the gospel brings in people's lives.

I have never EVER been soo excited for conference, we had a countdown. It felt like CHRISTMAS DAY! But better. I loved the action words the speakers used to encourage us to join in the movement, "COME" "FOLLOW" "ACT" "SHARE" "INVITE" "RELY" all of these words require our effort. We must show Heavenly Father we ARE excising our faith AND because of that he will be bless us for our work!

 

Yesterday we went to see an "Eternigater" (someone who has been listening for the missionaries for a LONG time) When we got to her house she saw us and shut the blinds. An obvious sign that she doesn't want to talk to us....Sister Pastores started to walk away but I heard the scripture "FOR I AM NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST" (Romans 1:16) almost shout in my head. I told her to wait and we knocked again.  This sweet lady opened the door and LET US IN! (Miracle!)

 

First time we meet with someone we try and discern what their needs are. This is one of the reasons why the spirit is the key role in telling us where we should take the lesson. BUT she had a 2 year old a grandson who was going CRAZY, like Tarzan of the jungle cray cray. He was throwing volleyballs at us, (I think Sister Pastores has a bruise on her face because of it) yelling, running around, beating his chest. I'm not kidding. It was crazy and so hard for us to discern what she needed. I felt the hymn book in my scripture case almost start pulsing and I knew the spirit was telling us to sing. Nowwww... ya'll know how much I like singing in front of people. I would probably rather eat goose liver again, BUT I knew that was what the lord was telling us to do.

 

We pulled out our hymn books and started singing "Love at Home" The effect was immediate. Little Tarzan boy stopped crying and thrashing on the floor and sat next to his grandma on the couch. The spirit just flooded into the room and we were able to talk about the gospel of Jesus Christ and discern this wonderful lady’s needs. By the end of the lesson she committed to pray about the Book of Mormon AND the Church (something she never had done before) She said "This time I really will ask God" I'm grateful for the power of the hymns (even if I can't hold a note) I know that Heavenly Father was helping us find a way to touch her heart.

 

Right now we are teaching a Bolivian family. a Chinese man (who doesn't believe in God...yet) a Jamaican woman, and some people from Mexico. Man I love Jersey. The work is going forward! I LOVE THIS GOSPEL!

Now’s the time for us to LIVE what we heard at conference! I love you all and I'm soo grateful for all of your love and support! Now let’s go share this happiness with others!

 

I LOVE YOU ALL SOO MUCH!

Hugs and kisses from the Garden State

Sister Houghton

Sept 30 2013 Email

Hi FaMiLy!

I loved seeing all the SPUD pictures. I’m actually impressed with how that little town embraces their potato love. Gives potato's a whole new meaning out here.

Time is a weird concept; I can't believe it’s the last day of SEPTEMBER! whaa? Time is just flying. We've had miracles here! 3 INVESTIGATORS came to church! (First time in this area) Nothing makes missionaries happier! There was a baptism and some less-actives came to church!  

Hearing the bad news about Caliente I couldn't help but laugh a little....that would happen. He has been through so much. (A lot of it my doing...ooops) May it rest in peace, speaking of cars; we had a little incident this week... We had just dropped off some Sisters in Union City (traffic there is CRAZY, I'm not even kidding--Horrible).  The car in front of us started backing up. I made a goal to not honk here, because everyone and their dog does but oh man I hit the horn. The man just kept backing up and he hit us and then drove away. I didn't know what to do, there was a cop on the side of the road so I waved him down and he ran after that man. The car is only scrapped a little, but still it’s a mission car and I'm responsible for it. Side note police officers over here mean business. They are probably the most intimidating humans I have ever met on earth; their arms are the size of my thighs. Anyways the cop brought the man over and said he wasn't going to fill out an accident report...even though the man hit us and drove away? (Only in Jersey right?) The missionary in charge of cars told me to get a report no matter what. I sucked up all my courage and told him that wasn't acceptable and we needed a form. He seemed a little surprised but gave me one to fill out by myself.....Man I was scared. When we got back to our town a group of 13 year old bike bullies rode around our car for about 5 minutes. We were just stopped in the middle of an intersection. Oh I love this area, never a dull moment.

We are teaching a family! The children Edward (14) David (12) and Monique (9) they all want to get baptized! It’s been a fun new challenge for us to teach little children. They only stay focused for a minute or two, but they are the sweetest kids and I love them! We also taught primary on Sunday to the 7 year olds. One of two kids was fighting over a tie I took/wrestled the tie from them, they looked at me and said "Oh BOY, she's strong!" I seriously considered flexing my muscles for them but decided that would detract from the spirit. It was a wonderful Sunday! And so much fun to teach children and feel their love for the savior. Mosiah 3:19 We must become like a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, FULL OF LOVE all these attributes most kids have. I realized I had a lot to learn from that primary class. In a way they were teaching me.

Sister Pastores and I are doing GREAT! I just love my Filapina (not spelled like Philipina). We are working on Unity and teaching thought the spirit. He is after all our third companion. Our favorite place to talk with people is this awesome trailer park. It’s almost like our second home. We also went to Liberty Island to help volunteer with the Family search names. It’s fun to meet people from all over the world, but it also makes me feel like a failure because I only speak one language. Oh well one day I will master another.

WHO IS PUMPED FOR GENERAL CONFRENCE?!?!?!?!? It literally feels like Christmas! We have been counting down the days till we can hear the words that Heavenly Father wants us to hear! Sister Pastores and I keep hoping and maybe praying that part of the sealed portion of the BOM will be available to us....if only :) We went to the church to watch the Relief Society General Broadcast. They had satellite issues so we heard part of a talk. I was thinking only in jersey and then all of the woman starting singing hymns together and it turned out to be a very spiritual experience and a good bonding time with the woman in this branch. I was humbled and felt guilty for thinking that. I'm grateful for this gospel and the unity we have when we are living righteously! LOVE THIS CHURCH!!!

Let’s all prepare ourselves to hear the words of the prophets! I love you all!

Sending love from the beautiful state of New Jersey

Sister Houghton

September 23, 2013 email

Sakpasai?? (What’s up in Creole)

I LOVE wearing this name tag, this work and OH MAN is the church true!

Things I've learned this week:

• It’s important to clean your apartment otherwise cockroaches can evade.
• Utah seems like the holy land.... literally
• Being a mom means dealing with Throw up
• Car insurance must be really EXPENSIVE in New Jersey
• Angles surround our car when we drive, I'm not kidding
• I speak in the "we" form, even when writing in my journal at night
• Drunken people say the funniest things
• Driving in NY traffic is insane. Also a good leg workout. 
• Heavenly Father provides a way for us to find people to teach
• Miracles come from obedience

I can't believe I've been out 5 months. Where has the time gone?  It’s starting to get really chilly here; Poor Sister Pastores is cold 24/7. I think it’s the Pilipino blood.

Nydia (the referral that we had been teaching) dropped us REALLY hard; she had gotten some false information. Sister Pastores and I couldn't help but cry and cry and cry! We love her so much and want to help her. We prayed for strength and felt the spirit come over us telling us everything was going to be ok. I hope one day she will accept the gospel!

We had a special Leadership training to help us improve our teaching skills and teach with the spirit! It was powerful! President told us to use what we learned into our lessons that night...sooo we prayed really hard and saw miracles. We went to visit a LA and met Al her boyfriend! With the help of the spirit we were able to talk with him about the gospel and he asked US when he could get baptized. We have him set for the 2nd Sunday in October. Miracle!

We had a special "Passaic Day of Service" Activity on Saturday with half the mission. We wore Mormon Helping Hands clothes and cleaned up Passaic (probably my favorite city in the area, nobody speaks English) and now we have some new investigators! yay!  The link for the YouTube video they made is at the bottom, a lady from the ward gave me the link.

A lady (a new investigator) was completely drunk yesterday and kissed both Sister Pastores and I.   She’s such a sweet woman and really needs the gospel, obviously we have some word of wisdom issues to work with, but she loves Jesus and sits on the steps of her church every day. We said a prayer with her and as we were walking away she yelled at the top of her lungs "THANKS FOR PREACHING THE LORD TO ME!!!! I DRINK TO MUCH BEER.......I LOVE THE LORD. COME READ THE LORD TO ME AGAIN. YOU GIRLS ARE BUUUTIFUL." Everyone stopped and stared at us as we walked by. Well at least they know who we are now :)

We have a LOT of less actives in this area and we met one yesterday that was just attacking us, with faults he found in the church, like the Sabbath being on Sunday and people saying 'I know the church is true" trying to tell him stuff wasn't working, it was only after Sister Pastores and I bore our testimony on different elements of the gospel did his heart soften and he said we can come back and teach him like a new investigator. He said the closing prayer and asked that we would find success and help people. It was like night and day from the first part of the lesson. Testimonies have power (when combined with the spirit) I'm grateful for the 3rd member of our companionship. Without him we can't teach!

I LOVE wearing this name tag, this work and OH MAN is the church true! Lots of work to do! I love you all! Have a wonderful week! CTR. Make good choices! 

Sending love from Jersey 

Sister Houghton

 this is the link

youtu.be/jzGjAhGCcWM