Letterpress

For Thanksgiving I tested out my mother's letterpress by helping to print the lyrics of "For the Beauty of the Earth" for each of the place settings.

We set the type letter by letter for each of the 3 verses. It was fun, but time consuming.

In my smock for some printing:

Definitely a success.

Napolitanas!

My sister Megan returned home from Spain and brought with her some delicious napolitanas (basically bread with chocolate inside) from the place I introduced her to a few years ago.

Still delicious.

The Help

I LOVED this book. I would highly recommend it to anyone. It is both well written and captivating. I had a hard time putting it down. I am excited to see the movie now.

Jessie goes to Washington

A rainy day in Washington D.C. didn't stop us from seeing all of the sights.

Of course it all culminated with a visit to Tangy Sweet. I have tried many frozen yogurt places, but this one always remains the best.

Washington D.C. Temple

Though it's beautiful in San Diego, I had missed seeing this lovely sight, so we took a trip to the D.C. temple. It is still just as beautiful as when I left.

Home Sweet Home

After 18 months I returned from serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After a long flight, my family awaited my arrival just outside of these doors:

Unfortunately, I was unaware that there were multiple exits and just walked out of the first doors I saw. I looked around for my family, but they were nowhere to be seen. I made my way toward baggage claim trying to figure out how I would find them since I didn't have a phone, but as I was walking, they found me.

November 8, 2011

I thought you all might like to know about my last week on the mission.

Last tuesday we had a fun day. We went to lunch at las cuatro milpas - my favorite! After that we went back to my old area in Barrio veinte to see some people. First we saw Hna Rivas. She was excited to see me and we had a nice chat. After that we went to see Linda and Luis. As we were walking up to their house, Noemi came running out and gave me a huge hug. It was so adorable. Then Paula ran out and hugged me. We went in and had a good time with Linda and Luis. They were exasperated with their lives just like always. Linda is probably one of my favorite people from my mission. When I left she asked why I was abandoning her, but I said I would be back and we could be friends on facebook. After that we went to los morales house and had dinner with them and daniel and cleo. The food was good and at the end they brought out a big cake for me. It's a mexican tradition to smash the cake in someone's face on their birthday, now this wasn't my bday so I thought I would be safe, but no, elizabeth and her mom both smashed frosting onto my face. haha. That evening we went to see Hna Alvarez (a less active). She had several questions about the church changing, but we just talked about how God is always the same, but we change and times change and so God gives us different commandments at different times in order to help us with what we need at that time. I loved it when I learned while we were teaching.

Wednesday morning we picked up Hna Garcia to come with us to a lesson with Los Roman. The husband was asleep, so it ended up just being a lesson with Ivan and his mom and Hna Garcia. It was really good though, we taught about the plan of salvation. As we were talking about baptism Hna Roman said that she really wants to get baptized, but her husband won't let her, so we suggested that we would all pray and fast for a miracle that his heart would be softened. We were just talking about miracles and how we knew God could soften his heart when Ivan suddenly said "does anyone want some watermelon?" WHAT? we all looked at him very surprised and confused. He thought we didn't understand so he asked us in english, but we said we understood and just kept staring at him. haha. He got up and started cutting the watermelon, but then I guess it wasn't a good one because he threw it away and then started making a way fancy fruit salad for us. He's such a funny guy. It all worked out and Hna Roman agreed to ask her husband if she can be baptized. The fruit salad was delicious.

After the lesson we were at the battalion. I took a tour of a big group of people. When I came out Juanito was there, so we chatted with him for 20 minutes or so until Hno Chavez and Ivan came. We had invited the 3 of them there to celebrate Ivan's birthday and watch Legacy. We went outside to the picnic tables and ate brownies with them and they all loved it. Then we went into the theater and watched legacy in spanish. They loved it! It was so funny, because they are 3 single mexican men in their late 20's, but they loved the movie. When the love story was introduced I asked which man they thought she would pick and they all said - the attractive one. Ivan then said "they always pick the better looking one." haha. It was so fun.

Just before the movie ended we had to leave to take a tour because the mission president from tijuana had come for a tour with some of his missionaries and family, so that was a fun tour to take and we managed to slip out to say goodbye to the 3 recent converts.

Thursday morning we had devotional and then went to a meeting for all trainers/trainees. After that meeting sis stirling left with a different companionship to serve at the battalion and we stayed for zone leader council, which was good. Pres Clayton talked a lot about how we can encourage other missionaries to search for their own answers and receive revelation rather than going straight to him.

After that we served at the battalion for an hour and then taught Juan. We talked about receiving a calling and service in the church. Then we headed to our area. We went to see candy. She had some plates of cheese and crackers set up when we got there which we munched on while we chatted. Her husband had his guitar out when we got there, which we commented on and so he played us several songs and we asked him to play in the primary program and he said he would, which is great because I don't think he's gone to church in 15 years or so. The lesson itself went really well too. We taught the plan of salvation and candy was on the edge of her seat when we told her about eternal marriage. Last time it seemed like she had no desire to change religions, but this time she seemed a little more willing.

After that we had coordination at the church and then went to see Ana Andrews. When we got there her cousin Ruby said she wasn't home yet. We had talked to ruby briefly before and I knew that she loved martial arts, so I asked her to show us some kung fu moves. She was more than willing and actually taught us a few moves right there in her yard. Picture this: 3 girls in skirts with a kung fu instructor out in the yard in the dark doing kung fu. It was excellent. And I was wearing a pencil skirt. haha. SHe taught us how to attack someone who is trying to choke us from behind. Eventually Ana came home and we talked to both of them about the book of mormon. Ana seems more excited about it, but I think Ruby will come around eventually.

Friday was an interesting day. Sis lee, evans, adams and I headed off to departures together. We went to the temple first and had a nice meeting with the claytons and the temple president and his wife. Then we did a session and then headed to the mission home to eat pizza and have out exit interviews. Then the claytons gave us some advice for going home and we all ate dinner together. Then my companions picked me up and we tried to see some people who weren't home and then headed back.

Saturday morning we were at the battalion. I gave a few tours, but it wasn't super busy. That afternoon we had district meeting and then we wen to see claudia. SHe doesn't usually let us in, but somehow we got into her house and had a nice lesson with her on the gospel. We invited her to be baptized and she accepted for december 31.

Sunday morning we served at the battalion, but it was really slow at first, so I trained Sis Nelson on chat. We mostly just had lots of strange questions from people who didn't seem serious. Eventually I gave a tour with sis Nelson, but partway through I got pulled out to do a spanish tour for a man from Chile with sis Christensen. After that we rushed home to change and then rushed off to Yolanda's to help her get to church. Hno Chavez followed us over. We knocked on the door and no one answered, but the door was open, so we peered in. I thought for sure we would find her dead on the floor or something (she is super old) but there was no one. Sis Lewis yelled her name out and she came out of the neighbor's trailer and said she was sorry but she couldn't come to church because she had to go to the store for her neighbor. We tried to convince her for a bit, but to no avail. Hno Chavez was just sitting in his car watching and smiling. haha. Also, it was raining pretty hard. Don't worry, I got a photo of this moment.

Church was really good. It was fast sunday, so I bore my testimony. It was sad when I was walking back to my seat I think it hit me that my mission was almost over. It was pretty devastating. To top it all off they changed the last hymn to god be with you till we meet again, so that was sad. Then we spent the next two hours practicing for the primary program, which is going to be on the 20th.

After church we went over to sis Lock's and brought some food to make dinner to break our fasts. Then we visit taught her. We had been planning on going to the fireside that night, but every one we invited canceled while we were at dinner. We had given up and were just planning on trying to see some people when Hno Marquez called asking for directions to the fireside. I asked him if he could bring Ivan too and he said yes. He ended up bringing Ivan and his brother (who is not a member) so we rushed off to the fireside, which was excellent. It was a miracle that everything worked out for us to go. Ivan and Jose both really enjoyed it too.

Monday morning we picked up hna garcia and went to see Julie, who had invited us over to eat enchiladas with her. We had a really fun lunch with a great conversation about family history. Julie is writing a history for her mother, Jesusa. She even showed us a bunch of pictures of her mom growing up. Then we read in the BoM with her and invited her to be baptized on Nov 27 and she accepted. After that we took Hna Garcia home and I said goodbye to her. She is an incredible woman.

Then we served at the battalion. I gave a tour with sis burden and then with sis smith. I was planning to give another tour and was waiting up at the front, but no one else came in! I did manage to get a few excellent photos though with some of the sisters.

At 9 we had a goodbye party for all the sisters leaving, which was more of just a cry-fest than a party. It was so sad to leave them all! We each bore our testimony and then said goodbye and ate some delicious treats.

The next morning I got up and got ready and then headed out to say goodbye once again to all of the sisters. Elder Evans had to force us all into the van and shut the door. The Assistants got permission to drive the 4 of us to the airport. They even brought us mcdonalds for breakfast on the way over. We said goodbye to the claytons at the airport and then headed through security. Then we parted ways, everyone went one way and I went the other to fly to dallas and then to dc. As most of you know, I arrived and came out expecting to see my family, but no one was there waiting. I figured I would just walk to baggage claim and wait there since there was nothing else I could do, but as I was walking I saw a group in red t-shirts with balloons, and sure enough it was the fam!

Well, I love you all! Thanks for the support this last year and a half. It was the greatest experience thus far.

love
hna livingston

photos!!!

November 1, 2011

Happy halloween!!!! I hope you all had as much fun on halloween as I did. I will tell more about that in a bit.

So last wednesday we were on exchanges with Sis Evans - she just came with sis stirling and I. That morning we were at the battalion and I took a fun spanish tour with just one woman from Argentina. She loved the tour and referred herself and a friend that she met on her trip in the U.S. Then I took a tour with Sis. Kearsley and a few people. In our area several people weren't home that we tried to visit. We had an appointment at 5:30 to visit teach Hna Patterson with our Hna Angulo (a less active who hasn't done her visiting teaching in about 2 years). I was a little skeptical about whether or not she would come, but we went and she came! It was so perfect and Hna Patterson was so excited to see her she could hardly contain herself. Also, Hno Patterson showed us a picture of a picture of joseph smith (supposedly). So I know have a picture of a picture of a picture of Joseph Smith.

After that we went to the branch halloween party. The branch pres. had asked us to be in charge of the sombrero toss. It was fun. We helped kids throw sombreros onto pumpkins. I will try to include some photos.

Thursday we had lunch with the Woodburys (one of the senior couples) at Phil's bbq. It was excellent and so fun to hang out with them. AFter that we weekly planned and then taught Juanito at the battalion. We taught about temples and baptisms for the dead, which he is excited to do soon. We served at the battalion that evening and I gave several tours, but nothing super eventful happened.

Friday morning we were at the battalion and I can't even remember anything about the tours I took. haha. That afternoon we had district meeting. Then we went to see Julie. We brought pumpkins to carve and it turned out that her family who was visiting from mexico was there, so they joined with us. None of them have ever carved a pumpkin before, so we made it a team effort for our 3 pumpkins. It was super fun. We gutted the pumpkins and then Jesusa (Julie's mom, who is super old) said that we should cook all the guts and then make pumpkin empenadas, so we did. Well, we cooked it at least, but we had to leave before it was finished. We roasted the seeds. And of course, we carved the faces. Louie did one, Julie did one, and I did the other. They turned out excellent. Especially if you consider that we did it with a steak knife.

After we carved the pumpkins we watched a mormon message and taught about the book of mormon to Julie's Niece and Louie (her son). Then Julie told us that she was definitely coming to church on sunday because she couldn't sleep at night when she remembered how sad our faces looked when we showed up on sunday and she said she wasn't coming. I gues it pays to be devastated when people don't keep commitments.

Saturday I was on exchanges with Sis. Lee and Burleigh - this meant that I was back in the Barrio!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So fun! We studied and then went to teach one of their investigators. First we picked up Lupita Garcia - one of my favorite people - to come with us. She thought I was home from my mission and back visiting when she saw me. haha. We walked into their investigator's apartment (named Carla - she is new) and there was a very familiar smell. Normally it would be a very bad smell of old food/cigarettes/bad smell - but it was just so familiar that it was almost good to me. haha. IT just doesn't smell like that in la mesa - too ritzy. We had a really good lesson with Carla. She will probably get baptized soon I bet. She is going through a lot of hard things and wants the gospel, she just wants to wait till her dad gets out of jail to get baptized.

After that everyone else we tried wasn't home, but it was just fun for me to be back at home.

That night we were at teh battalion and I gave two tours wtih Sis. kearsley, which were both fun. After that sis nielsen and redd came in (they used to serve here) so it was so exciting to see them. I just love all of the sisters at the battalion. We have a blast together. It was fun to catch up with them a bit.

Sunday was an excellent day. We spent the morning writing a primary program - the songs and parts and everything. Then we went to branch council, which was good. We actually discussed the people of the branch, which we were excited about. The best part of the day was that JULIE CAME TO CHURCH!!!! and she loved it. She just stayed for sacrament meeting, but that was a HUGE step! During sacrament meeting, I played the violin (I just borrowed Sis Evans' violin) and Hna Lewis played the piano. We played the most beautiful version of come thou fount. The piano part is so pretty.

Then during sunday school we got the youth and primary together to prepare for the primary program. We mostly just practiced some songs. Then we went to the combined RS/priesthood for the first few mintues. We got to see Javi receive the priesthood from his dad (he turned 12 this week). His dad just got the melchizedek priesthood, so it was his first time giving someone the priesthood. The spirit was so strong and it was really special to see that. Their family is preparing to be sealed in the temple.

After that we went back to primary to do the music time in which we of course played musical chairs.

The other great news about church was that Juan and Ivan came and got there all by themselves. Usually we have to call them and get them a ride, but we tried and they didn't answer and just showed up. So excellent.

That evening we had dinner with the Morgans (the branch president and his family). It was way fun. We had a nice classic american meal with mashed potatoes and rolls (they are white). They made us each introduce the other companions, which was fun. And they fed us pumpkin chocolate chip cookies - so great.

AFter that we had an appointment with Ximena. We had a good lesson on tithing, but then started talking about some other commandments which she is struggling with, so it appears that we will have to move her baptismal date back a bit, but she really does have a desire to change her life and find out if the book of mormon is true. Hopefully she will figure that out soon.

Monday was also excellent. We were at the battalion in the morning, which was way fun. I had a ton of candy thanks to a loving mother, so I went into one of the rooms and closed the door and we did some trick or treating. Luckily we were all in costumes as pioneers. We also helped Sis. Evans stuff the haversacks with halloween candy that we gave out on the tour - so fun.

The last room of the tour has been struggling lately and keeps getting out of synch - the sound and video, so they sent someone from SLC to fix it. I took his wife on a tour and a couple from Austria joined us part way through. IT was a fun tour and they loved the halloween candy in the haversacks. After that tour we couldn't run the tour at all while they were fixing the system, so we just had to walk people through without the videos. Luckily it wasn't too busy, but I did take a couple of ladies through. They still enjoyed it and said they would come back to do the real thing later.

After our shift we ran to our area and went to visit the Romans. Only Ivan was home and he was singing a long to barbie girl when we arrived. He is such a funny guy. We taught him the word of wisdom and then he told us he wanted us to call one of his friends that he thinks needs to learn about the word of wisdom, so we said we would. He said to just say we had gotten the number from " a little bird". haha.

After that we visit taught Hna Miller and then we had to head in to be in by 5:30 since it was halloween. We finished weekly planning and ate dinner and then headed over to the mormon battalion for a halloween party/talent show. It was hilarious. All of the senior couples got super into it. Elder Evans/Woodbury did a carnacki the great act, which was hilarious. The Brenchleys/Stallings did that thing were the man sits in front and the woman acts as his hands to brush his teeth and shave and stuff like that. It was pretty hilarious. Also Sis Stallings brought homemade spudnuts. We are pretty spoiled at the battalion. I passed out the bookmarks mom made and everyone LOVED them, so thanks for doing that mom!!!

It was a pretty excellent week and it looks like I have another good one ahead of me. I love you all!!!
love
hna livingston