Email from 12/17

Hello!

This past week has been a whirlwind—literally. Too many things to do and not enough time. We dropped off Sister Dorneles at the mission home, hardest day of my mission so far. She has been such a wonderful mentor for Sister Ward and me, now it’s time to put on my big girl pants.

I jinxed it last week when I said it’s been the warmest winter of my life. We literally have had 3 walking days in the snow. I love walking in the snow BUT Sister Ward and I both thought we were about to lose our toes one night. I told her if we didn't get toe warmers I might not make it home. (Ok soo I was a little dramatic, but it was COLD) we stopped at a Walgreens to buy the life saving toe warmers. One of the workers kept staring at us, which isn't anything new...but I felt like there was something different to her. She came up to us and asked if we were "Mormons" We smiled and said yes! She told us she had been praying for a sign to come back to church and had just started reading the Book of Mormon 2 days earlier, (Warmed our hearts right on up) and had never seen any members of the church at work until we showed up. Alicia is now ready to change her life and come back to church. I'm grateful that our toes almost fell off, for the spirit guiding us and for this work.  

Because of the snow storm on Saturday everything but sacrament was cancelled on Sunday....? Not really a lot of snow on the ground but what can ya do? We had Louis his girlfriend Klare and daughter Kira come to church! They have been investigating the church for a while and now ready to change. Al is also set for baptism at the end of the month. He is wonderful and we are excited for him!

I have discovered a couple things this past week, One I am a really good at shoveling snow. I think I can thank the many cold winters in Utah for that (dad too) and Two time goes so fast and every second is precious on the mission. I have loved every moment out here (even the hard ones) and don't want to take one for granted. I am grateful that I have a little bit longer to serve out here. This is the best work, the best rewards and the only way back. I’m so grateful for this gospel.

I love you all! Thank you for your support and love this holiday season! Let’s not forget who is behind all of the festivities!

Sending love and hugs from the Winter State

Sister Heather Sue Houghton

President and Sister Jeppson

Email from 12/09

Hi Family!

I hope you’re not all ice blocks! It sounds like everywhere in the U.S is snowing....and it has barely even snowed here. Warmest winter of my life. Oops probably just jinxed it. 

This past week has been wonderful and so busy. We had an exchange In West New York where I tried to put my Spanish skills to the test. Basically I just said "El Libro De Mormon is BUENO" over and over street contacting people, should really have paid more attention in Spanish class. I also got a bloody noise, which turns out to be a great contacting tool. I decided I really like walking areas annnnd am praying that they will open an English walking area for Sisters.  On Saturday I had an exchange in Jersey City, and we literally had so many miracles. We were getting into the car after getting juked and I saw this woman walking up to her door, I felt prompted to go and talk to her, she was wellll not the nicest person when we first started talking to her but I felt prompted to ask right away if she was baptized. She admitted she was and wanted us to leave, I felt very strongly that we should stay and asked if we could help clean her house and her attitude completely changed by the end of our conversation she said we could come back anytime. Miracle!  Almost the same experience happened with a less-active 5 minutes later, Learned a powerful lesson on following the Spirit.

I am learning a lot from these exchanges and getting so many incredible ideas on how to become better. Now hopefully I can implement them :) 

We went to see a former that Sister Dorneles taught while she was here a year ago; Louis is an eternigator from Hungary, when I saw him I instantly loved him. We had a really powerful lesson and his friend, Claire that speaks almost no English said she wanted to be baptized and Louis said seeing Sister Dorneles was the sign that he needed. It was a huge miracle after a pretty tough day. 

We watched the Christmas devotional and one of our family investigators came! The mom, Maria, cried during the last song. It was powerful! I love this holiday year and I could just imagine how ya'll were watching it...or watching it behind closed eyelids ;) 

With Christmas coming up a lot of magical things are happening in the mission. So grateful to be out during this time of year were more people are aware of our Savior, and remember what he has done for us. It is my prayer that we will ALWAYS REMEMBER HIM.

I love you all! Please be safe in the ICE cold! Stay safe!

Sending love from Joisey

Sister Houghton

New Zone

Cake Boss Delivery Truck :)

Email from 12/02/13

Hello Family! 

I'm transferred!

Leaving Paterson was hard, we packed up all my stuff (which is now turning out to be a lot of stuff) I got to transfer conference ummm just a little bit late. Transfer conference is really fun, President goes through each zone specifically and each area, you never know when your name will be called and who your companion is.... its nerve racking but so fun to see who's with who...maybe it’s a girl thing? I thought I was going to Brunswick but another Sister Training Leader was assigned there, it wasn't until zone 1 that he called my name, to be a sister training leader with SISTER WARD.......annnndd SISTER DORNELES!!! I couldn't believe it, I was so overcome with emotion I just stood there hand over mouth, bawling, I get to be with both of my trainers again. This has never happened in the history of this mission. We are in the beautiful area of Emerson, right next to the Hudson Front and the George Washington Bridge. We only get Sister Dorneles for an extra 2 weeks to help train us and then she will go back home to Brazil. I love both of these sisters so much.

This area is beautiful and very different from my last area, finding is a little more difficult but I know that with Heavenly Fathers help we are going to find those prepared. We literally had 3 thanksgiving dinners and have been fed almost every day; this ward is talked about in the mission for being so missionary focused. They pass around a calendar for the members to fast for the missionaries during the month and try to share with their friends, I have a lot to learn from these wonderful members and I'm grateful to be here in this area. 

 There's a woman who has Parkinsons in this ward, we wash her hair once a week. She is so fatigued that she cannot stand without help. It was a special experience to watch Sister Dorneles and Sister Ward tenderly hold up this sister and delicately wash her hair, I was so touched thinking about how gently our savior holds us up in our time of need, when there is no energy or power left in us he is there to hold us and guide us along, we cannot go through life without him. 

My thoughts and prayers are with you Judie! You have impacted my life in ways that I can't describe. I love you with all my heart! "The Lord...did speak peace to our souls, and did grant unto us great faith, and did cause us that we should hope for our deliverance in him" Alma 58:11 I am praying for you and Don and your whole family! xox! 

I love you all! Have a wonderful week

Sending love from Jersey

Sister Houghton