Hello Hello!
Another week has just flown by and we are just having a blast. I guess
the saying is true that time flies when you're having fun!
I know I say this every week but we are seeing so many miracles here!
Day after day we are seeing so many great things. We are trying to cram as
much as we can into the short amount of time we are given, really
there is just so much work to be done and never enough time in a day
to do it!
We got to go to the temple this week for the adjusting to missionary
life meeting, it's always fun to go and see all of the missionaries
and learn from their great spirits. I really love the temple. There is
such a wonderful spiritual boost that comes from there, how I love it.
Getting to see president and sister Francis again is
always a great experience!
We are meeting many people with lots of potential, but I really want to talk about is Andrea. We met with her for the
third time on Friday and had a wonderful lesson with her. We
always meet with her at the public library out on a terrace they have
there, and each lesson has gone really well. We taught her the plan of
Salvation and she seemed very fascinated by the plan. We also were able to
offer to go with her to the sites in Palmyra and she accepted. She will go
with us that Sunday! :)
Saturday evening there was the adult Stake conference and
there were only four people there, us and the Moores. Haha. Other then the Seventy that spoke my favorite talk was by a
dear black sister, she got up and wore a silver jacket that just
sparkeled in the light and she gave the most empowering talk about Holiness
I have ever heard! She talked about her conversation to the church and
how she loved the holiness of the temple, By the way she presented I
just wanted to stand and shout Hallelujah! It was empowering and not
at all what is common in our church culture. She then said how she had
only been a member for ten months. That's when it hit me! It was the same
lady that I had had the opportunity to give her baptismal interview! I
didn't even realize it until then, but it was amazing to see the light
of Christ just fill this sister! It was a wonderful moment.
Sunday morning we had stake conference and this was not your normal
stake conference --they were calling a new stake president. Both elder
Beheshti and elder Perkins of the seventy came to reorganize the stake
presidency. We were watching the broadcast of it down here in
Wellsville, it was great and the men they have called seem like they
will do many great things for the stake, I am very excited. The sad
part was half way through Elder Beheshti's talk the sound cut out so
we could only see what was being said but could not understand
anything. They tried several times to get back on but it was to no
avail so we missed out on both of the General authorities messages. It
was a real bumber but the experience reminded me of Apostasy once we
were cut of from the revelation, we could only see with our natural
eyes and try to come up with what is being said, but once that happens
conversation turns to talking about recipes or how the lady in the
choir looks like she has puppy dog ears, or that person falling asleep! What once would of been very spiritual uplifting, fell into
mans own ways. It was an eye opening experience, don't cut yourself
from the source that gives me you enlightenment!
After that we felt a little spiritually deprived, but we were able to
make up for it. We went with the Moores and picked up Andre and we drove
the two hour drive up to Palmyra! It was a wonderful experience for
everyone! God was being very kind with the weather it rained the whole
way there and then once we got out it stopped, and then when we got to
the farm home it poured! And then once we left
out it stopped! It wasn't until we left the Hill Cumorah to come back
that it started raining again, it was such a tender mercy. Kind of a
neat experience was while we were there Elder Perkins and Elder
Beheshti came in so we got to meet and shake their hands! (I wasn't
able to hear them that morning but I got to shake their hands!) Andrea
loved the sacred grove and also the Christis statue at the Hill. I
think she really felt some thing there! We are just really enjoying
working with Her and we wouldn't of been able to do it with out the
Moores! They really just made it a wonderful experience!
I am constantly reminded of how much I just love being a missionary!
I am just embracing every moment!
Hope you all have a great week!
Sending love from the east!
Elder Todd Houghton
Tuesday, July 19, 2016
Happy Memorial Day May 30th 2016
Hello hello and Happy Memorial Day!
I am so excited for the new Parents of the family! Brooklyn looks
adorable! I can't wait to see her as well. She sure is a lucky girl to
come to such wonderful parents! I am so excited for you! I am now
exited to bear the title of Uncle!
Also congrats to the new Grad of the Family! Jenn if I could have been
there I would have!
It also sounds like you all had a full week! I am grateful
every one is alive and well!
We too, here in New York, have had very busy and exciting week! We
have just been seeing countless miracles and also have been having so
many interesting moments.
We started a Book of Mormon challenge this week to read the
Book of Mormon as a mission in 34 days, so these letters are basically
my small plates. When I get home ask and I will pull out my large plates(aka journal).
First one
On Tuesday we had planed to go and visit Dustin and
Ashely, we really prepared a great message that focused on families
and the Plan of Salvation, it was going to be great, so after all of
our preparation we went over and they weren't there. So we dropped by
later and caught them, the lesson did not go the way we had planned
they both don't have much of a religious background so they were
confused by even what I though was simple. We threw our lesson plan out of the window. However, later that night we went and visited
a lady name Frieda. She is a lady that the sisters had met with a few
times before we got there. She was a pretty sweet lady from Texas. We
met with her on her porch and then we started to use the lesson plan
that we had prepared and she loved it! We ended up committing her to
go to the temple, and then to prepare for that to be baptized! So it
was pretty exciting!
We also had a great opportunity to help the family that is distantly
related to the elder Cummings. We went and helped them move their
son who lives in friendship New York. It was such a good opportunity
helping them. We were having lunch with them and the
conversation turned to where they started talking about what happens
after this life, like purgatory and what it is. And then they turned
to us and asked us what we believed! We were very happy to explain
God's Plan of Salvation. It was a perfect opportunity! The Mother
after words told us we were welcome to come back any time to see her!
After that we went over to the cemetery
that has Sydney Rigdon's grave stone. We cleaned the headstones to help the cemetery look a little better before some tours come over the summer.
It was something I never expected to do, but we got to do it!
The very first person we met here in Wellsville was named Shane he
was open to learning more, but we just were never able to meet with
him. Well we stopped by on Friday, and he was home! He let us in!! He turned
off his music and sat down ready to listen, as if he had been planning
on us. We taught the message of the restoration and he agreed with
everything and accepted the commitment to be baptized as well! He is a
sincere man! Now I just hope they can follow through because if they
do their lives will be changed for the better!
I am loving this area, there really is no place I would rather be! I
love you all so much and happy Memorial Day!
Love
Elder Todd Houghton
I am so excited for the new Parents of the family! Brooklyn looks
adorable! I can't wait to see her as well. She sure is a lucky girl to
come to such wonderful parents! I am so excited for you! I am now
exited to bear the title of Uncle!
Also congrats to the new Grad of the Family! Jenn if I could have been
there I would have!
It also sounds like you all had a full week! I am grateful
every one is alive and well!
We too, here in New York, have had very busy and exciting week! We
have just been seeing countless miracles and also have been having so
many interesting moments.
We started a Book of Mormon challenge this week to read the
Book of Mormon as a mission in 34 days, so these letters are basically
my small plates. When I get home ask and I will pull out my large plates(aka journal).
First one
On Tuesday we had planed to go and visit Dustin and
Ashely, we really prepared a great message that focused on families
and the Plan of Salvation, it was going to be great, so after all of
our preparation we went over and they weren't there. So we dropped by
later and caught them, the lesson did not go the way we had planned
they both don't have much of a religious background so they were
confused by even what I though was simple. We threw our lesson plan out of the window. However, later that night we went and visited
a lady name Frieda. She is a lady that the sisters had met with a few
times before we got there. She was a pretty sweet lady from Texas. We
met with her on her porch and then we started to use the lesson plan
that we had prepared and she loved it! We ended up committing her to
go to the temple, and then to prepare for that to be baptized! So it
was pretty exciting!
We also had a great opportunity to help the family that is distantly
related to the elder Cummings. We went and helped them move their
son who lives in friendship New York. It was such a good opportunity
helping them. We were having lunch with them and the
conversation turned to where they started talking about what happens
after this life, like purgatory and what it is. And then they turned
to us and asked us what we believed! We were very happy to explain
God's Plan of Salvation. It was a perfect opportunity! The Mother
after words told us we were welcome to come back any time to see her!
After that we went over to the cemetery
that has Sydney Rigdon's grave stone. We cleaned the headstones to help the cemetery look a little better before some tours come over the summer.
It was something I never expected to do, but we got to do it!
The very first person we met here in Wellsville was named Shane he
was open to learning more, but we just were never able to meet with
him. Well we stopped by on Friday, and he was home! He let us in!! He turned
off his music and sat down ready to listen, as if he had been planning
on us. We taught the message of the restoration and he agreed with
everything and accepted the commitment to be baptized as well! He is a
sincere man! Now I just hope they can follow through because if they
do their lives will be changed for the better!
I am loving this area, there really is no place I would rather be! I
love you all so much and happy Memorial Day!
Love
Elder Todd Houghton
Sunday, July 17, 2016
I Haven't Gotten That Far Yet May 23rd, 2016
Hello again!
I can't tell you how much I just love being a missionary and also
getting to just get out and do the work! Every day is an adventure
with new and random things happening. There is so much to tell you!
First there is something called "cruel and unusual punishment", last
Tuesday was my last zone conference so they had me bear basically my
farewell testimony. Which is different because I still have lots of time to
be a missionary! It was a very powerful meeting, because it is also
President Francis last zone conference. Let's just say the spirit was
very strong and now I am just pumped to go as hard as I can!
Ok we have had some great experience, so we were going to go visit
someone that lived on Main Street where there is paid parking. We
went and parked on the side street because we weren't paying for
parking! When we got out of the truck there was man kind of on the
other side of the road so we just said hello to him. He looked at
us and walked over to us. Once he was close you could smell the
alcohol on his breath and he had badly burned skin. He asked us
what we were doing? So we told him, but I wasn't really wanting to
spend to much time on him because you could tell he was very
intoxicated. His name was Robby and as he was talking to us he leans up
against the truck and was just chatting away. When a lady roles by in
her wheelchair and he looked and said "Hey that is my sister! Do you
want to go meet her?" We agreed and walked over with this guy and he
turned around and said, "hey don't say anything but she doesn't have any
legs, she was hit by a drunk driver." We got to meet Andrea and she
was just a wonderful ray of sunshine! We told her about the Hill
Cumorah Pagent and then about the restoration, and she told us how she
has been investigating other religions and how she likes to learn more
about them. So we set up a time to see her again on Friday at the
Library.
Friday came and we invited sister Moore, a member from the branch, to
come help us for the lesson. It was her first time going to a lesson
with missionaries and it was going to be Elder Cummings first sit down
lesson. So it was a lot of first for everyone. As we were waiting I
wasn't sure if she would come but just at that moment she rolled up
in her wheel chair with a big smile on her face! Just that little scene
made my day!
Andrea has had a very hard life she used to be an alcoholic but has
been clean for ten years and because of all she has went through she
has a powerful testimony of God!The lesson was fantastic and she
really love the principles of the restoration and was just soaking it
all in! Sister Moore was such a big help as well! I don't think
members really understand how much it helps In a lesson when they are
there. After that lesson we had a thought pop in our heads to invite
her to a service project that next day where we were going to be
planting several flowers for that library. And she said she would love
too.
So Saturday morning came around, we went over and just started weeding
We had all the elders from our district come and help
and we had several members from the branch come to help out, it was a
fantastic project. And guess who should up In her wheelchair and Work
gloves! Andrea! It was wonderful for her and sister Moore was such a help. During that service project she got to make new friends and she
got to meet most of the branch, so that was just such a great
experience! We will be seeing Andrea next Friday! Which I am really looking forward too!
I just find it remarkable how the lord really can lead us to those who are prepared, even if it is through a drunk man!oh side note we saw Robby again the next day. He offered to take us out to dinner which would have been
quite the experience, but as he talked to us the offer from taking us
to dinner turned to have us take him to our apartment and we would
make dinner tonight and he would take us out another night. Haha. It
was pretty funny.
One more neat miracle, we went and dropped by a less active members
house that didn't say much about him in the record. He lived out in
the boonies next to a couple Amish farms. So we got there and this man
was out in front so we asked him if he was Christopher and he got a
grin and said you finally caught me! And told us he had been there for
over 2 years and no one had caught him home, he said he had gotten
cards, a notes but no one had every gotten him before. This man is
basically an investigator because he doesn't remember anything about
the church, so we told him about the Book of Mormon. It was funny-- we
asked him if he remembered anything about Nephi and Lehi and said "no
I haven't gotten that far yet," haha this man has a wife and four
kids and he was open to having us come by again! So that was just one
huge miracle! I am really excited about just all the great things we
are seeing!
I hope everything is going well for you all! Missions are the
greatest! And I hope you all have a great week!
Love,
Elder Todd Houghton
I can't tell you how much I just love being a missionary and also
getting to just get out and do the work! Every day is an adventure
with new and random things happening. There is so much to tell you!
First there is something called "cruel and unusual punishment", last
Tuesday was my last zone conference so they had me bear basically my
farewell testimony. Which is different because I still have lots of time to
be a missionary! It was a very powerful meeting, because it is also
President Francis last zone conference. Let's just say the spirit was
very strong and now I am just pumped to go as hard as I can!
Ok we have had some great experience, so we were going to go visit
someone that lived on Main Street where there is paid parking. We
went and parked on the side street because we weren't paying for
parking! When we got out of the truck there was man kind of on the
other side of the road so we just said hello to him. He looked at
us and walked over to us. Once he was close you could smell the
alcohol on his breath and he had badly burned skin. He asked us
what we were doing? So we told him, but I wasn't really wanting to
spend to much time on him because you could tell he was very
intoxicated. His name was Robby and as he was talking to us he leans up
against the truck and was just chatting away. When a lady roles by in
her wheelchair and he looked and said "Hey that is my sister! Do you
want to go meet her?" We agreed and walked over with this guy and he
turned around and said, "hey don't say anything but she doesn't have any
legs, she was hit by a drunk driver." We got to meet Andrea and she
was just a wonderful ray of sunshine! We told her about the Hill
Cumorah Pagent and then about the restoration, and she told us how she
has been investigating other religions and how she likes to learn more
about them. So we set up a time to see her again on Friday at the
Library.
Friday came and we invited sister Moore, a member from the branch, to
come help us for the lesson. It was her first time going to a lesson
with missionaries and it was going to be Elder Cummings first sit down
lesson. So it was a lot of first for everyone. As we were waiting I
wasn't sure if she would come but just at that moment she rolled up
in her wheel chair with a big smile on her face! Just that little scene
made my day!
Andrea has had a very hard life she used to be an alcoholic but has
been clean for ten years and because of all she has went through she
has a powerful testimony of God!The lesson was fantastic and she
really love the principles of the restoration and was just soaking it
all in! Sister Moore was such a big help as well! I don't think
members really understand how much it helps In a lesson when they are
there. After that lesson we had a thought pop in our heads to invite
her to a service project that next day where we were going to be
planting several flowers for that library. And she said she would love
too.
So Saturday morning came around, we went over and just started weeding
We had all the elders from our district come and help
and we had several members from the branch come to help out, it was a
fantastic project. And guess who should up In her wheelchair and Work
gloves! Andrea! It was wonderful for her and sister Moore was such a help. During that service project she got to make new friends and she
got to meet most of the branch, so that was just such a great
experience! We will be seeing Andrea next Friday! Which I am really looking forward too!
I just find it remarkable how the lord really can lead us to those who are prepared, even if it is through a drunk man!oh side note we saw Robby again the next day. He offered to take us out to dinner which would have been
quite the experience, but as he talked to us the offer from taking us
to dinner turned to have us take him to our apartment and we would
make dinner tonight and he would take us out another night. Haha. It
was pretty funny.
One more neat miracle, we went and dropped by a less active members
house that didn't say much about him in the record. He lived out in
the boonies next to a couple Amish farms. So we got there and this man
was out in front so we asked him if he was Christopher and he got a
grin and said you finally caught me! And told us he had been there for
over 2 years and no one had caught him home, he said he had gotten
cards, a notes but no one had every gotten him before. This man is
basically an investigator because he doesn't remember anything about
the church, so we told him about the Book of Mormon. It was funny-- we
asked him if he remembered anything about Nephi and Lehi and said "no
I haven't gotten that far yet," haha this man has a wife and four
kids and he was open to having us come by again! So that was just one
huge miracle! I am really excited about just all the great things we
are seeing!
I hope everything is going well for you all! Missions are the
greatest! And I hope you all have a great week!
Love,
Elder Todd Houghton
Happy Mother's Day May 9th 2016
Hello family!
It was so wonderful to see all of your wonderful beautiful faces! I am
seriously the luckiest missionary with the greatest family! It is always
such a boost to see you all!
I got to tell you about a few of the amazing experiences we have had this week! By far the coolest experience was going to Palmyra with Paco and his girlfriend who is a member from Florida! It was
absolutely beautiful! All of the trees are blossoming and green wase = everywhere! I will have to send some more pictures because
it was just so great to be there then! We were heading back from the Sacred Grove and we asked Paco what he thought of
everything, and he said to us that he felt like he already knew
about these things before, and he felt good about everything. So we
asked him if he would be baptized and he said he would! :) It was a
wonderful experience!
Another neat experience we had this week happened on exchanges in
Henrietta ,a suburb of Rochester. We went and dropped by a potential
that had been found like a year ago but hadn't had any contact since.
So we knocked on the door and these two little dogs came bounding
around the corner and one started nipping at my ankles. ( Which made
me want to just kick the dog) but we waited for a second then this lady
answered. She looked at us and invited us in. It really caught me off
guard, So we went in. We sat on her couch and just started to talk
to her and learn about her life and who she is. She then asked
what she could do for us? Which we were happy to tell her. We told her
we would like to share a message about the restoration of the church. She agreed and we proceeded with the lesson. It was awesome!
Afterwards she told us we would not convert her but she was willing to learn. Which honestly is what they all say. We most certainly won't convert her but if she is willing to listen, and ponder and pray about the the things that are taught, then the spirit will do the rest!
There are a lot of changes coming here. Many of the people we have been working with are going home for the summer and members are going home and others are coming back! So it's a big changing time right now!
It is official I am getting transferred to my last area! (Most likely
unless something crazy happens) I am going to Wellsville! Which you
should know is the area everyone jokes about. They say you're getting
banished to the boonies were the closest missionary is a 30 minute
drive away! I am so excited!
It was really cool this morning they did our transfer calls a little
different, instead of calling it through to each companionship they
had us a do a conference call so everyone could here about everything
for transfers! It was really cool having everyone on the same phone
call!
I am super excited for the new changes! And I love you all so much!
Hope you have a wonderful week and next time I will be writing from
the middle of nowhere! :)
Love,
Elder Todd Houghton
Oh How Lovely Was the Morning May 2nd 2016
Greetings from the East!
I hope everyone is all doing well! School is almost out and summer
break is almost here! Woot woot! For those of you with work. Just keep
on keeping on, you will have nice warmer weather to work in! :) That
is what I am very excited for!
We had a good week here in the semi- beautiful city of Rochester. New York.
Monday night we went to the a Book of Mormon publication site for FHE
to celebrate the 186th anniversary of the publication of the Book of
Mormon. They had senior couples and missionaries dress up as people
from that time period and gave the tour! It was packed that night with
many people and tons of missionaries! Haha It was really was a fun
night!
We also went up to the Hill Cumorah with Tandra this week, we went
into the movie theater and watched the classic 20 minute restoration
video. When we got there there were no sisters at the front so we took Tandra
and started the video by ourselves. We were site Elders for
the day! I love that video of the restoration, and have seen it many
times. This time, I will be honest, I was kind of zoned out but right
at the scene of the First Vision I was drawn back in and a sweet
feeling came over me that it was true! I was grateful for that! Then
we went straight to the Sacred Grove where it happened.
It was a beautiful spring day and we got to walk through the grove
when everything is just starting to become green. It is what I imagine
it looked like when Joseph walked through. Before we left the grove
we stopped and gave Tandra the opportunity to pray by herself and to
ask for herself about the things that had been taught to her. She
later told us that while she prayed she started to cry and that
she had never cried when she prayed before. We asked if she felt like she was
ready to be baptized and she said she was! It sure was a wonderful
experience! So we had her baptismal interview on Saturday! She passed
and will be baptized next Saturday! I am so super excited for her! :)
I again am amazed at the variety of things we can do on a
mission. Before I came out I imagined doing almost the same things
everyday, we wake up, get ready, study, get out the door and teach
people about the restored gospel and have occasional service
opportunities. However, I didn't realize how many variations could go
into that. We were meeting with a really nice guy and setting goals
and making plans to help him overcome his addiction to alcohol We saw
him over three times this week, trying to help him. It wasn't
something I thought I would do much of but it is definitely a part.
I am reminded of how grateful I am for the freedom that the gospel of Jesus
Christ brought into my life. I am thankful for the teachings of Prophets
that have helped me avoid substance or situations that might tie me
down and hold me back. And I am also grateful for Jesus Christ's
Atonement which allows us to repent and be forgiven. I know this man
we have been meeting with can be forgiven and can be freed from these
Bonds. It's just sad because it is definitely not easy but I know it
is possible.
I hope you all have a most wonderful week and are able to see the many
things that your doing to lift those around you!
I am very grateful for this gospel! What a great work we get to be apart of!
Love you all so very much! Also I just remembered next week is
Mother's Day!!!!!! :) if possible I would to Skype with you around
4 pm your time! If there are problems with that time just let me know!
I can't wait to see you!
Elder Todd Houghton
I hope everyone is all doing well! School is almost out and summer
break is almost here! Woot woot! For those of you with work. Just keep
on keeping on, you will have nice warmer weather to work in! :) That
is what I am very excited for!
We had a good week here in the semi- beautiful city of Rochester. New York.
Monday night we went to the a Book of Mormon publication site for FHE
to celebrate the 186th anniversary of the publication of the Book of
Mormon. They had senior couples and missionaries dress up as people
from that time period and gave the tour! It was packed that night with
many people and tons of missionaries! Haha It was really was a fun
night!
We also went up to the Hill Cumorah with Tandra this week, we went
into the movie theater and watched the classic 20 minute restoration
video. When we got there there were no sisters at the front so we took Tandra
and started the video by ourselves. We were site Elders for
the day! I love that video of the restoration, and have seen it many
times. This time, I will be honest, I was kind of zoned out but right
at the scene of the First Vision I was drawn back in and a sweet
feeling came over me that it was true! I was grateful for that! Then
we went straight to the Sacred Grove where it happened.
It was a beautiful spring day and we got to walk through the grove
when everything is just starting to become green. It is what I imagine
it looked like when Joseph walked through. Before we left the grove
we stopped and gave Tandra the opportunity to pray by herself and to
ask for herself about the things that had been taught to her. She
later told us that while she prayed she started to cry and that
she had never cried when she prayed before. We asked if she felt like she was
ready to be baptized and she said she was! It sure was a wonderful
experience! So we had her baptismal interview on Saturday! She passed
and will be baptized next Saturday! I am so super excited for her! :)
I again am amazed at the variety of things we can do on a
mission. Before I came out I imagined doing almost the same things
everyday, we wake up, get ready, study, get out the door and teach
people about the restored gospel and have occasional service
opportunities. However, I didn't realize how many variations could go
into that. We were meeting with a really nice guy and setting goals
and making plans to help him overcome his addiction to alcohol We saw
him over three times this week, trying to help him. It wasn't
something I thought I would do much of but it is definitely a part.
I am reminded of how grateful I am for the freedom that the gospel of Jesus
Christ brought into my life. I am thankful for the teachings of Prophets
that have helped me avoid substance or situations that might tie me
down and hold me back. And I am also grateful for Jesus Christ's
Atonement which allows us to repent and be forgiven. I know this man
we have been meeting with can be forgiven and can be freed from these
Bonds. It's just sad because it is definitely not easy but I know it
is possible.
I hope you all have a most wonderful week and are able to see the many
things that your doing to lift those around you!
I am very grateful for this gospel! What a great work we get to be apart of!
Love you all so very much! Also I just remembered next week is
Mother's Day!!!!!! :) if possible I would to Skype with you around
4 pm your time! If there are problems with that time just let me know!
I can't wait to see you!
Elder Todd Houghton
Hello It's Me April 25th 2016
Hello again from the other side!
I hope you all have had a great week! Jenn what a great thing that you
won the best supporting actress out of 17 schools! I am so proud (in
the most righteous way I can be).
We have had many great lessons this week! We met with this one girl
named Elizabeth at Eastmen school of music on Tuesday. Eastman is such
a cool school-- it's like Hogwarts for musicians! We brought a member
named Cierra with us and the really cool thing is that Cierra is a
convert of about three year. Her contact with the church was
that she had a roommate that was a member that became her best friend,
and she eventually joined the church. The really cool part about
that was Elizabeth has had the same experience. She had a roommate
that is a member that became her best friend and that is why she is
willing to meet with us even though her friend lives out west now. It
was such a good lesson. We read out of The first Chapter of 1 Nephi! It
was really good!
I got to go on exchanges with Elder Gibby again on Wednesday. This time
in his area in Batavia. It was such an interesting day. We went to go
do service for this one investigator because the other elders in their
districts were sick and couldn't go. So we went instead.
and when we got there, in our service clothes, the man was like, "what is
this casual Wednesday?" We were like, "did you want us to do service?" and
he was like, "no, we aren't doing that today." So we sat down for a
lesson. This man had read alma 40-41 and had done one of the most in
depth studies of it I had ever seen. He was asking us a lot of
questions. I didn't even know how to answer many of his questions. But
I knew if he kept studying the Book of Mormon and comparing to the
bible as he had then he will be able to find many of those answers!
Not to mention this man had one of the most adorable little kids there.
he was like, "no, we aren't doing that today." So we sat down for a
lesson. This man had read alma 40-41 and had done one of the most in
depth studies of it I had ever seen. He was asking us a lot of
questions. I didn't even know how to answer many of his questions. But
I knew if he kept studying the Book of Mormon and comparing to the
bible as he had then he will be able to find many of those answers!
Not to mention this man had one of the most adorable little kids there.
Also during that day we were walking through the streets dropping by
some of their investigators and this lady pulled into her drive way in
front of us. And the first thing Elder Gibby asks is "Have you ever
read the Book of Mormon?" The lady was like actually yes! I have one on
my night stand and have reading through it! (I was just blown way by
her response!! Most of the time people haven't even heard of it) She said
she had just had one mailed to her and has been reading through it
because her brother in law is a member and she wanted to know what he
was going to be teaching his children. We were then able to set up a
return appointment which was awesome! It was an inspired
question!
Thursday we were on our way to see an investigator on the RIT
(Rochester Institute of Technology) campus. Well we needed to take an
elevator to get to her floor. Whilst in the elevator we met two girls
and initiated our awkward elevator talk. They were probably thinking
"Mormons are freaking weird". Eventually we got to our floor and the
girls got off with us and then we did that awkward thing where you say
goodbye and then go the same direction. Well we get to our
investigators door and they went into the dorm across the hallway. We
are knocking and waiting, no answer. Finally the door across the hall
opens and the two girls come out and one left. The other girl (Megan)
just stood there. So we asked her if she knew Tandra (the investigator
we were there to see.) she said no but she said she had seen us on
campus before walking around. She then asked how long we had both been
out... Not a weird question, some people know we serve 2 years. So we
told her, She then says, "so you both have like 3-4 months left? Cool,
when are the next transfers?" That was when we were like hold on-- how
does this girl know what transfers are? So now we start questioning
her. "Is your family Mormon?" "No" "do you have friends who
are Mormon?" "No" then Elder Tomlinson asked, "are you a member?" She
laughed and said no and then He was like, "you're lying! You are a
member!" She just laughed and shook her head. Then we somehow got
talking about the temple and how we were there earlier that day with
the new missionaries. She asked how long it took for them to adjust.
Elder Tomlinson had an "adjusting to missionary life booklet" with
him, and pulled it out of his bag and she said, "I have one of those."
To which He responded, "NO YOU DONT!" Then she said she would prove
it. She went into her dorm and then came out after a bit. She said she
couldn't find it but she showed us a letter instead. Turns out she has
a "boyfriend" serving in Thailand! She was from Ohio and had gone to
church with him there and even helped in primary. We asked if she
would like to meet sometime and she said, "yeah we can not go get
coffee or tea sometime!" Haha she is awesome! So we should be seeing
her this week! It was such a cool miracle!
This is an adventure of Elder Houghton and Elder Tomlinson written
by elder Tomlinson : Once upon a time there were two missionaries.
They were trying to contact a potential when all of a sudden they come
across two people waiting at the bus stop! They approach them and ask
them what they know about Mormons and the Book of Mormon. They don't
know much so they proceed to teach. The bus comes and the two miss
their bus but by the time the next one comes the missionaries have
successfully placed two copies of the Book of Mormon and got a return
appointment! This is how we met Archie and Maribel! They are a couple
that live together, he is 20 and she is 17. We went back to see them
and they kinda live in the ghetto. Their apartment is sketchy from the
outside but inside it was really clean and modern and nice! And they
are so humble and awesome! We taught them the restoration and they are
excited to learn more. Plus they are really normal! Before we started
our lesson Archie wanted to tell us something. Now let's rewind and
watch his side of the story. Archie had been deciding whether or not
to get a car, a fast car. He was afraid that if he did he might hurt
himself, plus the loan for the car was $6,000. He decided that he
would pray about it. The day before he went to get the loan he prayed
that if God did not want him to get the loan that he would stop him
from doing so, or give him some sort of sign. The next day Archie and
Maribel set out to get said loan. While at the bus stop two wild
missionaries appeared and caused them to miss their bus! They
eventually got one and were off to the loan agency. With a newly
obtained Book of Mormon in hand he reaches the office door and
realizes they are just minutes late and can't get a loan. He was
thankful that God had answered his prayer and now wants to know more!
I BELIEVE IN MIRACLES!
It has been such a great week! With many miracles and so many more! I
look for ward to a time when I can actually tell you them all!
The Gospel is true! Missions are great! And I love you so all so much!
Love,
Elder Todd Houghton
|
Good Morning Sunshine!! April 18th
Hello Again!
Once again it's that time of week. I am always amazed by how quickly a
week goes by and yet so many things can happen!
It is finally just beautiful out here! The sun is shining and I think i
might have gotten slightly dark over the past few days. It will be about time
to bring out some sun screen! I can't tell you how refreshing it is to
walk outside and have it feel warm! We have had some great
opportunities out in the sun, and I love it!
We got to go on two exchanges (where we switch companions for the day)
this week. One thing about exchanges is there is such a thing called
exchange miracles! and that is where on the exchange we just see so
many miracles. Since I have been out I have been on 67 exchanges! And
of those I have been with 46 different missionaries! It is such a
great opportunities to serve with so many different elders and
learning from every single one of them! I don't know many other places
that would allow someone to get to work with so many people on such a
personal level as a mission does!
And speaking of Exchanges I got to go back to Rochester Spanish area.
It was my second apartment in the mission and it was
just interesting to be there again and thinking of who I was then
and who I am now. We had two wonderful service
opportunities on that day, one was we helped out a church, called the
Angels of Mercy, set up for a spaghetti dinner, and then we went over
to the Rochester Farmers market and we helped out with a cool program
where after the market the farmers bring the leftover fruits or
vegetables and we would sort them into three categories, A's would go
to food banks, b's would be taken and cooked that day and served to
the homeless and C's taken to feed animals. It was really a great
opportunity to work side by side with many others from the community.
One huge blessing from that exchange was that there
was a member that we used to visit often to help him. He was
really good at coming to church each Week. But sadly he hasn't been to
church in a long time like over a year. So we dropped in on him and it
was such a good visit with him and we committed him to go to church
again! He said that that was what was missing in his life, and he knew he
need to go again. It was a tender mercy to see him again.
It's such a blessing to serve!
I am glad things are going well for you! Keep on seeing the miracles
around you!
Love you all so much!
Elder Todd Houghton
Once again it's that time of week. I am always amazed by how quickly a
week goes by and yet so many things can happen!
It is finally just beautiful out here! The sun is shining and I think i
might have gotten slightly dark over the past few days. It will be about time
to bring out some sun screen! I can't tell you how refreshing it is to
walk outside and have it feel warm! We have had some great
opportunities out in the sun, and I love it!
We got to go on two exchanges (where we switch companions for the day)
this week. One thing about exchanges is there is such a thing called
exchange miracles! and that is where on the exchange we just see so
many miracles. Since I have been out I have been on 67 exchanges! And
of those I have been with 46 different missionaries! It is such a
great opportunities to serve with so many different elders and
learning from every single one of them! I don't know many other places
that would allow someone to get to work with so many people on such a
personal level as a mission does!
And speaking of Exchanges I got to go back to Rochester Spanish area.
It was my second apartment in the mission and it was
just interesting to be there again and thinking of who I was then
and who I am now. We had two wonderful service
opportunities on that day, one was we helped out a church, called the
Angels of Mercy, set up for a spaghetti dinner, and then we went over
to the Rochester Farmers market and we helped out with a cool program
where after the market the farmers bring the leftover fruits or
vegetables and we would sort them into three categories, A's would go
to food banks, b's would be taken and cooked that day and served to
the homeless and C's taken to feed animals. It was really a great
opportunity to work side by side with many others from the community.
One huge blessing from that exchange was that there
was a member that we used to visit often to help him. He was
really good at coming to church each Week. But sadly he hasn't been to
church in a long time like over a year. So we dropped in on him and it
was such a good visit with him and we committed him to go to church
again! He said that that was what was missing in his life, and he knew he
need to go again. It was a tender mercy to see him again.
It's such a blessing to serve!
I am glad things are going well for you! Keep on seeing the miracles
around you!
Love you all so much!
Elder Todd Houghton
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