Six on Sunday and Loving Being a Missionary!!

So hey,

Well its official, I've finished one transfer on the mission!  Six weeks in the misison field complete. And good news, Sister Smith and I are staying in Cooperstown!  Holla.

This week was pretty much the greatest. We saw so many blessings this week. So do you want to hear about them, Mmmmm Okay.

1. Grandma Dorothy is sooo ready for baptism. We went over the interview questions and she totally aced them! Now we just wait two weeks! She will be the greatest member EVER!

2. Another amazing lesson with a woman and her son.  This boy, who is 14 is probably the cutest. He asked us "When can I be baptized? Today? We have a swimming pool out back!" to which I just died laughing. They are great and we are so blessed to have found them!

3. A creepy hippy man told me I had "deep eyes, like the virgin Mary" and that he could 'Learn more from staring into my eyes for ten minutes then listening to me talk." It was pretty uncomfortable. I have come to the conclusion that people in New York are weeeird. But you know, thats why I love them.

4. We got to contact some of our potentials that we have been trying to see for FOREVER!  Such  a blessing.

5. I sweated so much that I probably lost 10 pounds.

6. We helped out at a random bible camp and the women really liked us! Thank heavens!  They  invited us to this concert we couldn't go to, and they are taking us to lunch on Tuesday! Its really nice when these things happen.

7. This is the biggest one. are you ready? We had SIX INVESTIGATORS AT CHURCH YESTERDAY!  SIX!  Not to mention 3 others who are kind of our investigators as well (except the Elders stole them from us).  This is the biggest blessing ever. In the past we had none, except Grandma Dorothy, but yesterday we had SIX! They all had such great times! The greatest was in Sunday School. One of our investigators,  there, we had just taught her the Plan of Salvation a few days before. In class they asked if someone could explain the Plan and she got up and did it!  Not to mention she answered all these questions, ah!  It was heaven!  I could have cried for joy when they all came to church. They're all getting baptized. I know it.

 

8. I get to stay in Cooperstown with Sister Smith. So so grateful that I didn't get transferred!  I'm not ready to leave!

9. I really learned how important it is to act upon our faith. We had a man tell us that he didn't believe that faith needed works. I was so confused how anyone could believe that. The truth of the matter is, If we truly understand Christ, if we believe in what he taught, there is no reason we shouldn't be trying to act in a Christ-like manner. Following Christ is an action. It's  not something we can sit idly by and expect to happen. It takes constant work. Work, work,  work. That's our motto here in the New York Utica Mission!

10.   I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY.

That is all.

Thanks for all the support and prayers!  Missionary work is a rollercoaster, but it really is the best. Being a missionary is the most important thing we can do!  It is our calling as members of the church to share his restored gospel. Always share it!

I love you all!

XOXO,

Sister Langford

Golden Investigators, Fireflies, Service!!

 Hello everyone,

Another week of the mission has flown by. Seriously. What happened to this week? But let me tell ya, we had some amazing experiences this week! So let me tell ya,

1. Golden Investigator:  So we have this investigator and she is the best. We taught her Monday and it was only the second time we had ever met her. We taught her the Plan of Salvation and she was just really into it. She was like "yes this all makes sense. I feel so great right now!" and we were just so excited and the spirit was way strong! So we said 'Will you follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized?" and she said "well, what do I have to do to be baptized?" We look around, she is drinking coffee and her house smells like smoke so we briefly talked about the Word of Wisdom and she says "ok I will make a plan to quit both. what else?"  We told her she would need to come to church and continue to learn and pray and read, and she was just like ok ok ok. So then her husband comes in and she looks at us and says "Is it ok if I tell him now?" and we're just stunned like... ok go! So she says "So I've decided to be baptized into their church and in order to do that I have to quit smoking and drinking coffee. Also I'm going to church. You don't have to come at first, but eventually you will bring up the rear.  Now, can we pray?" Sister Smith and I just sat there stunned. So basically she is fantastic! We taught her again on Saturday and she is doing so great! We just need to figure out a baptism date with her!  Pray that she stays strong!

2. Flood Clean Up. It was flood clean up round two. We helped Thursday and Saturday. It was really, really hard work, but we had so much fun! It was a blast to work with all the other missionaries. I swear I haven't laughed that hard since I've been on my mission. It was fantastic. But also... dirty. At this one house, there was literally a foot and a half of mud covering everything. But we had a good time cleaning it out and the woman said she wanted to learn more about the church and that we really lifted her spirit! On the less positive side, we found two dead cats, a 5 foot wall of spiders, and the worst smell in the entire world. So.... it was good times. Hopefully we get to do it again!

3. Fireflies! We spent Thursday night at the mission home in Utica. While we were there we all went out back and caught fireflies! It was so magical!

4. Sunday. Sunday (yesterday) was a day full of miracles! The Lord truly blessed us because we had been out of our area for so long to serve. We got to contact all these investigators that we haven't seen in forever! We had fantastic lessons, and really saw them grow. It's  true that when you are in the service of your fellow men you are only in the service of your God. He blessed us big time!

Basically, it was a wonderful week. I'm excited for what is to come!

Thanks for all the support!

XOXO

Sister Langford

(Or as the Elders named me, Sister Short-Chevy.... Don't ask me how that makes sense

Trying to help Dorothy Get Home and Muddy Helping Hands!!

 Hello Peeps!

It has been quite the week in New York! Let me tell ya, we started out July right! I feel like I have just been getting more and more into the missionary mode. It's hard work, but it  builds character. That has been my motto for this week. Let me explain.

So first, we experienced the greatest miracle! We have been teaching a woman who we call "Grandma Dorothy". Grandma Dorothy is 89 years old and her daughter and her husband who she lives with are like some of the greatest members in our branch. But, Grandma Dorothy is not a member. Like, her entire family is, but she has always said no. He daughter had finally given up on her. But one day we asked Grandma Dorothy if she would be willing to take the missionary lessons. She said "I guess... as long as no one makes me get baptized!"  Haha little did she know the spirit would make her get baptized!  So we taught her a few times and this week we were teaching her the plan of salvation. We explained all the different kingdoms and asked her where she wanted to go. She said "Well the Celestial I suppose."  Then we asked her "So what do you have to do to get there?" and she said "Well, I've been thinking I should get baptized!" Sister Smith and I just died. We were like... ya! So we have set a date for her! I HAVE A BAPTISM!
Yay! Haha Last night we taught her Word of Wisdom and threw away all her coffee! We are so excited for her.

Now here's where the hard work comes in.

This weekend we had a really great service opportunity. There has been some serious flooding here in Herkimer. Tons of damage. So all the missionaries in my zone got to be part of the Mormon Helping Hands! I shoveled mud for two days straight. 8 hours a day. It was how you say... exhausting. The worst moment was when we were helping this one family move all of their stuff out of their basement. It was all completely covered in muck and I swear they were hoarders. They had SO MUCH STUFF. But anyway, we were carrying it out and a man handed me a box and said "this one should be covered in JUST mud" and I was like........ I'm sorry what? Are you implying that these boxes have been covered in things other than mud. Needless to say, I have never been so disgusting and tired in my life! But it was really great to help. You could tell the people really needed it! We actually get to go help again this week! Hello muscles! So... the work was really hard. and hot. but... it builds character right?

So that was the week! Thanks for all the support! Love you all!

XOXO

Sister Langford

Momon Cliches, Trees, Cows, and Teaching with the Spirit!!

Holla for missionaries!

So this week has been a roller coaster. I swear, every minute on a mission has like a thousand ups and downs. But, lets talk about the ups right?

 

So we found and taught quite a few new people. I think my best experience this week was teaching this great investigator . Ugh, I just love her. She is so smart and she is just searching! So she had us over and we talked to her for a really long time! She just asks so many questions and goes off on a lot of tangents. But anyway, as we were teaching her, the spirit was so strong and we started teaching her about faith and repentance and baptism, which we had kind of done before. But Sister Smith just looked at her and said "I just... have to ask you a question. Will you be baptized?" and she just sort of looked stunned. She was like "Well I know you girls would only ask if you really meant it, but no I don't think I want to." So then we asked some questions about why she felt that way, and we were able to address her concerns. Then Sister Smith and I both bore powerful testimonies of the importance of baptism and the blessing of having the Holy Ghost. But she was still not sure. She was really concerned about not knowing the Book of Mormon is true and things like that. So then I told her about how I gained a testimony of the Book of Mormon, how she can too, and then I really bore my soul to her about the Book of Mormon. It was one of those moments where I didn't know what I was going to say, but the Holy Ghost just filled my mouth and she started crying too! It was crazy powerful! When we left, she still hadn't committed to baptism, but you could see a change. She is just so on the right path. I know she  can do it!

 

Also this week I went on my first exchange! Since Sister Smith is a sister training leader (so basically I am too), I was in charge of training the other Sister (who has also been out like 2 weeks), and being in charge of our area. Needless to say, I was terrified, and basically not excited at all. But I did it. I took charge! It ended up being really great! I really learned how much I can do! Its true what they say "God doesn't call the qualified, he qualifies the called!" It was such a growing experience for me! It really taught me to, (Mormon cliches comin' up), "Come what may and love it", "Try a little harder to be a little better" and "Forget myself and go to work!"

We also really experienced the joys of farm life! Haha these one investigators have horses that just roam all over their property! So we went up to their porch and there were two horses just hanging out by their porch! What? So naturally we took some sweet pics! We also stopped and petted some baby cows and took a nice picture with them. I guess what I always said about upstate New York is true. It really is just trees and cows.

Well team, that's all for now! Hang in there! Thanks for all the support.

XOXO

Sister Langford

Rainy, Hot, Humid but I love Cooperstown!!

Hello from Cooperstown, NY.

This week has been fairly uneventful if we are being honest. We mostly tried to find. A lot of our investigators have been super wishy-washy lately. I tell ya, people here in New York struggle with making commitments. We think we have found an awesome investigator, then they totally bail on us! Such is life I suppose! We just keep looking until we find the prepared right?

We have had some amazing lessons this week though, and we have really been uplifted by the spirit. I guess we just have to focus on those times when it starts to get rough! We found this really great girl to teach who seems super prepared! We really are hoping it works out and that we can help her progress! Prayers in this direction are always appreciated.

It's starting to get very hot here, which is no bueno for tracting. then again, maybe people let us in their houses because they see how sad and sweaty we are! Haha oh the life of a missionary!

This week, I had my first experience with someone trying to chew me out. It was such a terrible experience. The whole time this lady was yelling at us all I could think was "the Lord loves her. Do not fight. We need to leave. The gospel's true." It was sad we couldn't get her to feel the spirit, but honestly more than anything it confirmed to me how true the church was. Every day I feel like I have some revelation, simple though they may be, that testify to me how true the church is and how blessed I have been in my life! I truly believe I was called to this day and age to help spread the gospel. Its a hard work, but it really is worth it.

Well, since not much happened, I figured I would tell ya'll about New York. What I like, and what I could do without.

What I love:
1. When it rains, it really really rains. (none of this Utah sprinkle crap) (can you say crap when you're a missionary?)
2. The people are all super friendly to us. Even if they don't want to hear our message.
3. Delicious pizza and ice cream (holla fat kid problems)
4. Beautiful scenery and landscapes (valleys, rolling hills, sunsets, lakes, etc)
5. The most charming and adorable architecture you have ever seen
6. New York accents
7. Stunning flowers
8. The Amish people (specifically their baked goods)
9. The small town mentality
10. Jamming to EFY songs in the car
11. Teaching by the spirit
12. Seeing people in Cooperstown from Utah.

What I do not love:
1. Suicidal animals (beavers, porcupine, turtles, deer, etc. all run out into the road. Hello road kill)
2. Everyone owning a million stinky, annoying animals
3. the humidity
4. Creepy men
5. How everyone smokes (ew)
6. Everything is way far away (hello mile restrictions on the car)
7. non-committal people
8. These weird animals that are everywhere and I don't know what they are but I have decided to dub "wombats"

There is probably more I could write, but its impossible to remember! Well I love you all! Thank you so much for the support (can I be an annoying missionary who throws in how they want people to write them? seriously my comp gets like 5 letters a day....)

XOXO
Sister Langford

I LOVE COPPERSTOWN, NEW YORK!!!

Hello friends and fans of blogging,

I have officially made it to the big NY. Life has been busy, crazy, rewarding, trying, and amazing. I'm learning to love it ;) just kidding, its been great.

If there are any tidbits of knowledge I have learned from my first week in New York it is this:

1. It will probably rain. Always have an umbrella on hand!

2. Pizza in an acceptable food choice for every meal!

3. My companion and I are either: A: "nuns or somethin'" or B: "too beautiful to be into that church stuff"

4. Everyone has at least one dog, 5 cats, and 1000 birds. Everyone.

5. Every day is an adventure.

So that"s the life right now. As for the series of events that have occurred since the arrival in Utica? Well, we arrived at the airport and we were greeted by the Mission President and his wife. We all went for pizza then went back to some members house to sleep. (Well, Sister Church and I did, most of the missionaries slept at the mission home but there wasn't enough room).

The next day we had some training and whatever and the President was having interviews with all of us so he would know where to send us and with who. So I go in for my interview and we talk for a bit and the President says "Well Sister Langford, I know where I'm sending you. You are going to a pretty new area. It's only been open for one transfer. The branch is pretty small and about 45 minutes from where you are. You will absolutely love your companion! I trust you!" and I was like ... ok.... trying to figure out what all this means of course.

So they gather all the new missionaries and we are standing outside of the chapel where all of the trainers are waiting for us. Then Sister Church looked at me and was like "You know, I think this is exactly what it would feel like to be sorted at Hogwarts." and I was like "Yes. yes it was." it was hilarious. Anyway, we all walk in, newby Hogwarts style. and we see all the trainers eagerly waiting for us. When who do I see, but my friend Olivia Smith from high school.

Well, after a bit, the President calls my name and I stand. And the President just looks at me for a long time, then he starts to cry a bit. Then he looked at Olivia, and said "I don't know why, but the Lord feels very strongly about this. Sister Langford, you are with Sister Smith"

Then obviously we freaked out and hugged each other and we were so so so excited! So yes, my companion is Olivia Smith from Alpine Utah! Graduated from the Lone Peak with me. It has been great though. We get along super well! We are serving in Cooperstown which is known for the Baseball Hall of Fame and the Dream Park. I don't know. It means nothing to either of us but there are tons of tourists up in here!

We have tons of investigators but no baptisms set up yet! We've had some really cool experiences though. My first day we were out knocking doors in Hartwick, (not sure how you spell it), and we weren't having much success (obviously) and we knocked on this one girl's door who Sister Smith said they had knocked like a million times, but this girl named Tara answered, who was somewhere in her twenties. We talked to her a bit and she said she was interested in hearing more. So then we tried to go back a couple other times but she was never home.

Well then Friday we were out and Sister Smith and I both just did not feel good about what we were doing. We were both like, I don't know why but I feel really bad. So we left the area we were in, and said a prayer that we would be guided to where we needed to go. As we were praying all I could think was "Tara, Tara, Tara, Tara." After the prayer I was like Sister Smith I think we need to visit Tara. And she was like ok. So we went and knocked on her door and she answered! She was like "sorry I work a ton and I just got home!" and we asked if we could talk with her, which she said we could so we taught her a mini lesson. She was really concerned about how a loving God could send people to Hell who didn't get a chance to hear about him. We taught her about the plan of salvation and she seriously just lit up. She told us that she had just moved here and was having a really hard time. Her job sucked, her family wouldn't talk to her, and she didn't like any of the churches (there are like a million churches in Cooperstown) and so she had prayed that she would know what to do. Well I guess that day we had knocked on her door. She said she thought it was a sign from God. I have never felt the spirit more strong! I then felt inspired to invite her to church! I said "Tara, this may be bold, but would you come to church with us on Sunday?" and she just looked too excited and was like " yes I would love to!" She ended up not being able to, but we have another meeting with her today so I'll let you know how it goes! It's so great when you feel like you are being led by the spirit! We have had so many experiences like that!

I suppose that's all for now! Cooperstown is a gem of a town and the companion is great. The apartment is darling. The work is moving forward. We are excited for the big announcement on Sunday!

Talk to Ya'll in a week!

XOXO

Sister Langford

Sister Langford's loving the MTC and the Mission!!

Hey peeps!

I've officially been in the "empty sea" for a week now! One week! Can we believe this? Time has flown! Actually, there is this super weird time warp that happens here at the MTC.  Everyday seems like it takes one hundred years, but then flies by. Makes no sense I  promise. Today was our first P Day and then we don't get another one until we are out in the field. We already got our flight plans! We leave June 11th early in the morning. My flight is connecting through Atlanta if that means anything to you!    

Well, I absolutely love it here. At first it was kind of hard... and overwhelming. But what they say is true. Make it to Sunday and you are golden.

 I absolutely adore my district! Which is probably good since we literally spend all day together in a teeny classroom! The Elders and hilarious and I love all the sisters to death! Most of us are going to Utica but weirdly 3 of the Elders in our district are going to Uganda. So we will miss them a lot when they are gone! All of us sisters share a room so we've all gotten really close.  To quote our dear Sister Bangerter "Every time our district is together its like 2 am at a sleep over". Basically we all are really slap happy. But we all love each other so much! Which has been a huge blessing! It almost feels like we have been friends forever which is so cool!  My companion's name is Sister Church (ironic we know) but we get along so great and teach really well together. Which has been fantastic.

 

Its hard to think of what we have even done since we've been here! Study, like a lot! I've never studied and prayed so much in my life! But it has for real made a huge impact in my life! We have two teachers. Their names are Sister Gibson and Brother Felstead, (not how you spell it but whatever).  They are so great and have helped me progress so so much! We doing a lot of role playing here. We have been teaching Sister Gibson (pretending to be an investigator named Selam).  It has been such a strengthening experience! I have really learned how important it is to follow the spirit when you are teaching. There was one time Sister Church and I went in and tried to teach Selam, but we just didn't really have the spirit. We had had a really long, tiring day. So we just gave the lesson we prepared. It went ok, but just not fantastic! The next time we went it, we prepared a little less, and relied on the spirit a whole lot more. The lesson was one of the more incredible things I have every felt. We were totally led by the spirit and ended up teaching not exactly what we had expected, but exactly what she needed to hear. Even though it was a fake investigator, the experience was so real. I'm so much less nervous to get out to Utica, and so much more excited to go!

 

Today we got to go to the temple as a district which was so great. Such a nice peaceful afternoon. (PS: I saw Katie Kirkham on the way to the temple! Her dad got a pic to send to Jeff ;) )   We love every time we get a break since we are non-stop working!

Oh,  PS: Thank you to everyone who sent me letters and packages! I currently have more candy and junk food than any person should have in their life! Haha! Everyday my district leader Elder Geilman goes "um... Sister Langford... there's another package for you..." haha my district thinks its hilarious!  But they love me since I share!

Well, before I go, I wanted to share some hillarious moments that happened this week

Moment 1:

"Elder Farris have you read D&C 6? It's gorgeous!" - Elder Geilman

Moment 2:

 "How do you spell prison?" - Sister Lynes

Moment 3:

One of the Elders going to Uganda was reading the part of 1 Nephi where it says the Lamanites were cursed with black skin and asked our teacher,
"What the heck am I supposed to tell  the Africans?!?"

Moment 4:

Everyone in my district (including elders) throwing up the double peace sign and calling it the "Sister Langford"

Moment 5:

Elder Allred thinking he found a super cool and uplifing scripture to share... only to find its not..

" I thought it said leading AWAY from whoredoms! Not TO whoredoms!"

 

Haha as you can tell, we find joy in the little things!

Well that's really all for now! I leave for  Utica early Tuesday morning so I won't get  another P day for a week and a half... so this will have to hold ya'll over until then!

 Love you all and thanks for the support!

XOXO

Sister Langford