Thank you for all of your gifts! Especially your letters you sent in
the box that went to the mission office. That was so fun to get a
letter from everyone! This week has been a very good one. We have been
very spoiled. I have never received so much love from so many people
in my life! People here are so giving! We had our mission Christmas
party this Wednesday So we were able to go to the temple in the
morning. President Packard spoke to all of us before we went in. He
said to learn to pay attention to others emotions. He talked a lot
about the symbolism in the temple and that it is a journey to learn
all about it and that every time we go we learn something new! This
week things have been picking up a bit. We were able to meet with hope
and her kids this week. We helped the kids clean their living room
before we gave them a lesson. Tariq said, "So are you gonna talk to us
about baptism." And we said yea. Taraja his little sister asked what
it means to be baptized and Tariq said, "it is a washing away of all
your sins." He was a little confused on how we got baptized so we
explained it and asked when he would like to be baptized. He asked if
he could be baptized that day. We told him that probably wouldn't work
so he picked February 15th. We were told that he wasn't too interested
in being baptized but he prooved us wrong. He is such a sweet little
boy. And Taraja will be baptized that day as well. So we will get to
be teaching them every day. We had the ward Christmas party on
Saturday night which was a lot of fun. A family in our ward has a son
that is less active and he is engaged to a girl who has a boy that is
almost a year. He came up to us at the party and said that she asked
him what he would think if she wanted to become a member. So we will
get to start teaching her as well. It has been a crazy few weeks
trying to work around everyone's busy schedules but we have been very
blessed. One of the young men on Sunday asked for a book of Mormon so
that he could give it to his drama teacher. The courage of this
generation of youth never ceases to amaze me. I have a lot more
struggles here in Ellington then I did in Billerica but things are
starting to get better. Some one shared a quote with me this week. JOY
stands for Jesus, Others, and then Yourself. That is when true Joy
occurs when Jesus Christ comes before any thing else in your life. And
then others, specifically your companion or your spouse, then all
others, and then yourself. Our mission president is so big on the
concept of Zion and building up those around us. I feel truly blessed
to be a part of this mission. One of my favorite scriptures has become
2 Nephi 25:26 "And we talk of Christ, re rejoice in Christ, we preach
of Christ, We prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our
prophecies that our children may know to what source they may look for
a remission of their sins."
Here is a quote from our letter from our mission president that I
really liked! He is such an inspired man.
"We keep asking ourselves, “What was Jesus trying to teach us through
His birth?” and we are struck with the thought of Jesus’
condescension. The Jesus who created this world, who spoke to Moses
from the burning bush and who brought fire from heaven, went down,
down, down, smaller and smaller, until he became a tiny embryo, then a
fetus and then a helpless baby who could not swallow solid food or
control his bladder, totally dependent on his teenaged peasant mother.
One of the things that struck ancient and modern prophets so forcibly
is that when Jesus came to earth, he was not trying to avoid suffering
and pain like we do. In fact, experiencing pain and suffering was one
of the primary reasons He came. Of course, He came to give us a
perfect example, but there was something even deeper at play. Through
his life and ministry, Christ created an intimacy with us that
transcends the theoretical. He suffered with us and for us. Isaiah
taught: “In all their afflictions, he was afflicted.” (Isaiah 63:9).
Alma taught: “…and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his
bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may
know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to
their infirmities. Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the
Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon
him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their
transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now
behold, this is the testimony which is in me.” (Alma 7: 12-13). In
these fascinating verses, Alma seems to be saying that Jesus
understood suffering in His head when He was presiding in the
pre-mortal heavens, but He learned about suffering in a different way
when He actually went through it, when He actually experienced every
kind of suffering. The Spirit already knew, but Jesus suffered in the
flesh so that He would know according to the flesh.
Jesus truly understands us. He has been there. He is a God who weeps
when we suffer, who truly comprehends and even feels our pain, and He
truly knows how to help. Sometimes, He knows when to do nothing
because that is what we need. Sometimes, He knows to give us increased
capacity to carry because that is what we need, and sometimes, He
relieves our burdens because that is what we need. He truly has been
there and knows, according to the flesh. That is one reason we
celebrate. God was not just with us in the sense that He was present
on the earth, He was really with us through all our successes,
failures, disappointments, sicknesses, sins, pains, and joys. We thank
Jesus for all He did and for who He is."
I love you all so much and am so excited to get to talk to you on
Wednesday! I love you:) Love Sister Rushton
Rushton Family
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Monday, December 16, 2013
Abbey's letter December 16, 2013
Only 9 more days until Christmas, which is so crazy!
This week was a
good one. Things are starting to pick up here a little. We were
finally able to meet with Gary and Don, this week, our two
investigators. These were our first investigator lessons since I have
been here. We were also able to have a first lesson with Ron who we
met at the library. I was in Hartford on Tuesday for exchanges. I was
with a sister from Argentina. There was a snow storm and it was the
first time that she had ever seen snow which was fun. It is a Spanish
branch there so I wasn't much help but it was a good day. We had
dinner with a lady who moved here from Peru 4 months ago. She has a
three year old daughter and is pregnant with another. She is trying to
learn English so that she can give her neighbors books of Mormon and
share the gospel with them. She is such a sweet lady. This last week
we were at food shelf helping out again and they had some packages of
q tips that they were giving out. One lady when she was leaving was so
excited to have q tips because her daughter has always wanted some but
they could never afford them. It reminds me to stop and be thankful
for all of the little things even q tips something that I know I take
for granted. There is a man at Food Shelf that always volunteers
there. He is probably in his 60's and his wife passed away about 5
years ago of cancer. He spent most of their married life cheating on
her. When she passed away he felt guilty and decided to change his
life around trying to make it up to her. You can tell that he still
has a lot of baggage. Makes me grateful for the atonement but also
that I was raised to know what was right and wrong so that I won't
have to deal with guilt like that later in my life. In our lesson With
Gary he expressed to us that he does not want to get baptized on Dec.
28th anymore because he wants to feel that it is his own decision. So
we are still meeting with him and praying to know how to help him. He
is a very tender hearted and anxious man.
Our bishop spoke on Sunday about the new vision for our ward. For this
year they will work on saving themselves and then next year will work
on saving others. He has asked us to use preach my gospel in every
member lesson to help them do this. I am grateful for this opportunity
that we have to build the ward up. There are a lot of broken down
people here who need a lot of love. We have a good bishop and I am
grateful for his vision. There is a man in my ward, Brother Bohne, who
served in Billerica 51 years ago. It was his first area in his mission
as well. On Monday we found out that Christin was getting baptized
this Saturday and that she really wanted me to come. Brother Bohne had
said that he always wanted to go back to Billerica. So he and his wife
drove me down for the baptism. It was very sweet of them and I don' t
know how I will ever repay them. Christin was 30 minutes late to her
own baptism:) So everyone was already seated when she showed up. When
they walked in we embraced in a very tearful hug. It was very tender.
I didn't know that I was on the program but I was able to bear my
testimony. She was baptized by her Husband! They went into the fount
and kissed before he baptized her and all the kids giggled, it was
cute! What a blessing that she is now baptized! Life is good here. I
miss Billerica but when I was there this weekend I realized that
Ellington is home now and where I need to be. And after all its not
about me and what I want but what the Lord knows is best. I love this
gospel, and the message of hope that it is. We never have to wonder
about what lays ahead of us if we just trust in God. We were able to
go to a catholic choral performance last night that a couple invited
us to. It was very beautiful and I did feel the spirit when they were
singing. But looking around at the art displays of Christ they all
pictured him being very sad and distressed and in turmoil. It kind of
made me sad that that is the only perception of Christ that they
remember. When really he is this glorious being who is all light and
is our savior. Their idea of him stops when he was crucified for our
sins when really HE LIVES and that is the most glorious thing about
it. He wasn't born into this earth just to die but to live again. And
that is why he can look toward our future with hope that we will get
to live with our Heavenly Father again. I love this gospel and I love
my savior Jesus Christ. I know that he is very involved with our lives
and that we should seek to involve him more. I love you all and hope
that you have a very good week!
love Sister Rushton
good one. Things are starting to pick up here a little. We were
finally able to meet with Gary and Don, this week, our two
investigators. These were our first investigator lessons since I have
been here. We were also able to have a first lesson with Ron who we
met at the library. I was in Hartford on Tuesday for exchanges. I was
with a sister from Argentina. There was a snow storm and it was the
first time that she had ever seen snow which was fun. It is a Spanish
branch there so I wasn't much help but it was a good day. We had
dinner with a lady who moved here from Peru 4 months ago. She has a
three year old daughter and is pregnant with another. She is trying to
learn English so that she can give her neighbors books of Mormon and
share the gospel with them. She is such a sweet lady. This last week
we were at food shelf helping out again and they had some packages of
q tips that they were giving out. One lady when she was leaving was so
excited to have q tips because her daughter has always wanted some but
they could never afford them. It reminds me to stop and be thankful
for all of the little things even q tips something that I know I take
for granted. There is a man at Food Shelf that always volunteers
there. He is probably in his 60's and his wife passed away about 5
years ago of cancer. He spent most of their married life cheating on
her. When she passed away he felt guilty and decided to change his
life around trying to make it up to her. You can tell that he still
has a lot of baggage. Makes me grateful for the atonement but also
that I was raised to know what was right and wrong so that I won't
have to deal with guilt like that later in my life. In our lesson With
Gary he expressed to us that he does not want to get baptized on Dec.
28th anymore because he wants to feel that it is his own decision. So
we are still meeting with him and praying to know how to help him. He
is a very tender hearted and anxious man.
Our bishop spoke on Sunday about the new vision for our ward. For this
year they will work on saving themselves and then next year will work
on saving others. He has asked us to use preach my gospel in every
member lesson to help them do this. I am grateful for this opportunity
that we have to build the ward up. There are a lot of broken down
people here who need a lot of love. We have a good bishop and I am
grateful for his vision. There is a man in my ward, Brother Bohne, who
served in Billerica 51 years ago. It was his first area in his mission
as well. On Monday we found out that Christin was getting baptized
this Saturday and that she really wanted me to come. Brother Bohne had
said that he always wanted to go back to Billerica. So he and his wife
drove me down for the baptism. It was very sweet of them and I don' t
know how I will ever repay them. Christin was 30 minutes late to her
own baptism:) So everyone was already seated when she showed up. When
they walked in we embraced in a very tearful hug. It was very tender.
I didn't know that I was on the program but I was able to bear my
testimony. She was baptized by her Husband! They went into the fount
and kissed before he baptized her and all the kids giggled, it was
cute! What a blessing that she is now baptized! Life is good here. I
miss Billerica but when I was there this weekend I realized that
Ellington is home now and where I need to be. And after all its not
about me and what I want but what the Lord knows is best. I love this
gospel, and the message of hope that it is. We never have to wonder
about what lays ahead of us if we just trust in God. We were able to
go to a catholic choral performance last night that a couple invited
us to. It was very beautiful and I did feel the spirit when they were
singing. But looking around at the art displays of Christ they all
pictured him being very sad and distressed and in turmoil. It kind of
made me sad that that is the only perception of Christ that they
remember. When really he is this glorious being who is all light and
is our savior. Their idea of him stops when he was crucified for our
sins when really HE LIVES and that is the most glorious thing about
it. He wasn't born into this earth just to die but to live again. And
that is why he can look toward our future with hope that we will get
to live with our Heavenly Father again. I love this gospel and I love
my savior Jesus Christ. I know that he is very involved with our lives
and that we should seek to involve him more. I love you all and hope
that you have a very good week!
love Sister Rushton
Saturday, December 14, 2013
Abbey's letter December 9, 2013
Hola Family,
This week has been a good one! Saturday and Sunday night we had our
big nativity that the ward put on. It was so fun to watch the ward get
ready for it. They did it as an opportunity to do misisonary work and
they were all so pumped. We had many members stay there the whole time
and bishop and his wife were walking around. She invited quite a few
of them to come to church the next day for sacrament meeting. And then
joked that she didn't mention that there was a second and third hour
also. It was a good turnout! We had quite a few non members there
Saturday night and I overheard quite a few of them say that everyone
was so nice. Nice is good so we'll take that! The nativity display
inside the gym was beautiful! We were able to watch the last run
through of the live nativity outside last night! It really brought the
spirit and reminded me of how glorious this christmas season is. I
discovered Isaiah Chapter 53 this week! I think it is one of the most
powerful testimonies of Christ that has ever been written! Yesterday a
man came to church that hasn't been to church since the 70's. He
called the bishop this last week and told him that he was coming to
church. My companion asked him what inspired him to come back and he
said that he never lost his testimony but he just got a little lost.
And the Holy Ghost touched his heart and helped him find the courage
to come back to church. The atonement is a glorious thing. It just
shows how much our savior loves us and that it is never too late to
come back to the savior. We were unable to meet with Gary again this
week. He canceled our appointment with us on Friday. And he was not
responding to us throughout the week but he did come to the nativity
Sunday night. I just have to remind myself that it may take him a
while but he will find the courage to be baptized when he is ready.
This week I am grateful for little tender mercies that help me to know
how to be better and that this is the Lord's work. Little Grantlee and
Rueben, Raquels son from back in Billerica were baptized last night
This week we will start to teach a little 9 and 8 year old in the ward
who are not baptized! I am looking forward to that! This is a glorious
season and there is so much good around us. We work with quite a few
shelters and food shelfs in the area. There may be alot of bad things
in this world but there is still alot of good! I know Jesus Christ is
our Savior and that he came into this world to complete our Eternal
Fathers plan of salvation. He is the light of the world and the only
way to be saved. I love the savior and know that this is his restored
gospel on the earth. And that through the ordinances that we partake
of in this gospel we can become like our savior. I love you all! Thank
you for all of your support! Have a good week:)
Love Sister Rushton
This week has been a good one! Saturday and Sunday night we had our
big nativity that the ward put on. It was so fun to watch the ward get
ready for it. They did it as an opportunity to do misisonary work and
they were all so pumped. We had many members stay there the whole time
and bishop and his wife were walking around. She invited quite a few
of them to come to church the next day for sacrament meeting. And then
joked that she didn't mention that there was a second and third hour
also. It was a good turnout! We had quite a few non members there
Saturday night and I overheard quite a few of them say that everyone
was so nice. Nice is good so we'll take that! The nativity display
inside the gym was beautiful! We were able to watch the last run
through of the live nativity outside last night! It really brought the
spirit and reminded me of how glorious this christmas season is. I
discovered Isaiah Chapter 53 this week! I think it is one of the most
powerful testimonies of Christ that has ever been written! Yesterday a
man came to church that hasn't been to church since the 70's. He
called the bishop this last week and told him that he was coming to
church. My companion asked him what inspired him to come back and he
said that he never lost his testimony but he just got a little lost.
And the Holy Ghost touched his heart and helped him find the courage
to come back to church. The atonement is a glorious thing. It just
shows how much our savior loves us and that it is never too late to
come back to the savior. We were unable to meet with Gary again this
week. He canceled our appointment with us on Friday. And he was not
responding to us throughout the week but he did come to the nativity
Sunday night. I just have to remind myself that it may take him a
while but he will find the courage to be baptized when he is ready.
This week I am grateful for little tender mercies that help me to know
how to be better and that this is the Lord's work. Little Grantlee and
Rueben, Raquels son from back in Billerica were baptized last night
This week we will start to teach a little 9 and 8 year old in the ward
who are not baptized! I am looking forward to that! This is a glorious
season and there is so much good around us. We work with quite a few
shelters and food shelfs in the area. There may be alot of bad things
in this world but there is still alot of good! I know Jesus Christ is
our Savior and that he came into this world to complete our Eternal
Fathers plan of salvation. He is the light of the world and the only
way to be saved. I love the savior and know that this is his restored
gospel on the earth. And that through the ordinances that we partake
of in this gospel we can become like our savior. I love you all! Thank
you for all of your support! Have a good week:)
Love Sister Rushton
Abbey's letter December 2, 2013
It is good to hear that everyone had such a good thanksgiving!
Ours
was very good! We were able to work at the food shelf this week. There
are a lot of good people there who volunteer their time. A member of
our ward took us to the Manchester Road race to watch their daughter
in law and grandson run. It is a five mile race that has been on
thanksgiving for the last 75 years. It is the second oldest race in
the new england area. There was about 15000 people who ran in it. Alot
of people wear costumes and there was some very interesting ones:) We
had a dinner at 1 and then another at 5. It was a good day. Derek, one
of our investigators decided to remain catholic this week. Gary was
not answering our texts or calls and we were getting worried, so we
decided to intervene:) He has a baptismal date for December 28th and
is having a lot of doubts. His family is very catholic and he has
decided to not tell his family about his decision to be baptized. We
dropped by his house on Friday and gave him a talk called "Cast not
away therefore thy Confidence." By elder Holland. So we continue to
pray for him that he will have sufficent faith to go through with his
baptism. He came to church on sunday and someone bore their testimony
on their ancestor who joined the church during Joseph Smith's time. A
boy who was a member of the church came to stay with them and taught
them about the gospel. This woman's family warned her that it would
kill her mother if she joined the church and she said well that is a
price I will have to pay because I know that it is true. So she joined
and her mother did get sick but did not die. Her mother investigated
the church so she could prove her daughter wrong and ended up joining.
It was such a tender mercy that Gary was able to hear that story. He
found out about the church through mormom.org and called the
missionaries a few months ago and said that he was ready to talk
"mormonism". He has read just about everything there is on lds.org and
half of the book of mormon. He knows that it is true. But the
adversary sure is working hard on him. It is however comforting to
know that the light of christ is much stronger than the power of the
devil. I have been thinking a lot lately about my journey to come on
my mission. It is crazy how something that now makes so much sence
could have been so confusing just 5 months ago. I was so confused at
what i was to do and was not completley sure I needed to be on a
mission until I got here. But I have no doubt that I was meant to come
here. I was meant to go to Billerica when they opened the area for
sisters and it has forever changed my life and the way I look at the
gospel. It makes so much sence now but just a few short months ago I
was so confused. It is such a testament to me of the hand that our
Heavenly Father has in our lives. And I am very grateful that the Lord
and my family helped me through that crazy confusing time. Thank you
for that. It is crazy that now I can look back on that and smile
because it makes so much sence now. Shawn received the priesthood
yesterday and will baptize Grantlee this Saturday. They asked me to go
but it is too far to drive and we have the nativity this weekend that
we need to help out with. More little miracles that happened this
week. Two women who are converts and very timid to bear there
testimony in church got up this sunday and bore simple beautiful
testimonies. Also there is a man in our ward who says he has lost his
faith and comes to church with his family but shops on his kindel
during sacrament meeting. His 7 year old daughter got up and bore her
testimony and he didn't look up. I was so mad and wanted to chuck his
kindel out the window. Which is not a christ like thing to do but I
just did not understand why he would not look up. But then two other
children bore their testimonies and he started to look up. So he was
listening. I was very humbled and know that this was a small and
simple step for him. And if the savior were here he would love him
back into the gospel through small and simple things. It was a good
reminder that I need to be more christ like:) I love Ellington and
Sister Barney. My Heavenly Father has been very good to me this week.
I know that he is watching over us. Thanks for all the love from home.
I sure do love you all! And feel so blessed to be apart of this
family.
Have a great week!
Love Sister Rushton
was very good! We were able to work at the food shelf this week. There
are a lot of good people there who volunteer their time. A member of
our ward took us to the Manchester Road race to watch their daughter
in law and grandson run. It is a five mile race that has been on
thanksgiving for the last 75 years. It is the second oldest race in
the new england area. There was about 15000 people who ran in it. Alot
of people wear costumes and there was some very interesting ones:) We
had a dinner at 1 and then another at 5. It was a good day. Derek, one
of our investigators decided to remain catholic this week. Gary was
not answering our texts or calls and we were getting worried, so we
decided to intervene:) He has a baptismal date for December 28th and
is having a lot of doubts. His family is very catholic and he has
decided to not tell his family about his decision to be baptized. We
dropped by his house on Friday and gave him a talk called "Cast not
away therefore thy Confidence." By elder Holland. So we continue to
pray for him that he will have sufficent faith to go through with his
baptism. He came to church on sunday and someone bore their testimony
on their ancestor who joined the church during Joseph Smith's time. A
boy who was a member of the church came to stay with them and taught
them about the gospel. This woman's family warned her that it would
kill her mother if she joined the church and she said well that is a
price I will have to pay because I know that it is true. So she joined
and her mother did get sick but did not die. Her mother investigated
the church so she could prove her daughter wrong and ended up joining.
It was such a tender mercy that Gary was able to hear that story. He
found out about the church through mormom.org and called the
missionaries a few months ago and said that he was ready to talk
"mormonism". He has read just about everything there is on lds.org and
half of the book of mormon. He knows that it is true. But the
adversary sure is working hard on him. It is however comforting to
know that the light of christ is much stronger than the power of the
devil. I have been thinking a lot lately about my journey to come on
my mission. It is crazy how something that now makes so much sence
could have been so confusing just 5 months ago. I was so confused at
what i was to do and was not completley sure I needed to be on a
mission until I got here. But I have no doubt that I was meant to come
here. I was meant to go to Billerica when they opened the area for
sisters and it has forever changed my life and the way I look at the
gospel. It makes so much sence now but just a few short months ago I
was so confused. It is such a testament to me of the hand that our
Heavenly Father has in our lives. And I am very grateful that the Lord
and my family helped me through that crazy confusing time. Thank you
for that. It is crazy that now I can look back on that and smile
because it makes so much sence now. Shawn received the priesthood
yesterday and will baptize Grantlee this Saturday. They asked me to go
but it is too far to drive and we have the nativity this weekend that
we need to help out with. More little miracles that happened this
week. Two women who are converts and very timid to bear there
testimony in church got up this sunday and bore simple beautiful
testimonies. Also there is a man in our ward who says he has lost his
faith and comes to church with his family but shops on his kindel
during sacrament meeting. His 7 year old daughter got up and bore her
testimony and he didn't look up. I was so mad and wanted to chuck his
kindel out the window. Which is not a christ like thing to do but I
just did not understand why he would not look up. But then two other
children bore their testimonies and he started to look up. So he was
listening. I was very humbled and know that this was a small and
simple step for him. And if the savior were here he would love him
back into the gospel through small and simple things. It was a good
reminder that I need to be more christ like:) I love Ellington and
Sister Barney. My Heavenly Father has been very good to me this week.
I know that he is watching over us. Thanks for all the love from home.
I sure do love you all! And feel so blessed to be apart of this
family.
Have a great week!
Love Sister Rushton
Abbey letter November 25, 2013
Hello Family!
My knew companion is Sister Barney! She is 19 and is from Salem, Utah!
She is a very cute girl! Leaving Billerica was very hard but I have
said many prayers and my love for Ellington has grown. It is a very
cute town. We cover alot of area, about 5 or 6 towns! The ward is
small but very excited about missionary work and the Bishop is all
about it. We have a big nativity activity a week from Saturday! They
have done a lot of advertising in the community so we are hoping to
see a lot of non members there. I havent gotten to meet any of the
investigators yet but the ward members are very nice and welcoming!
One cool thing that happened! This ward building is very small and if
this ward were to split it would be a little tricky to fit another
ward in here. In ward council on Sunday Bishop was talking about a
meeting that he had with other bishops and leaders in the area and
with the mission presidency. He said that because of the expected
expansion in china and the increased need for buldings the church is
saving supplies and money and will not be building any more church
buildings here in the East for a while! Crazy exciting! The Lord truly
is hastening his work! There is a temple being built in Hartvord
Connecticut and a member of the mission presidency was confused why
becase the Boston temple is usually pretty empty. So he kept asking
the Lord why another temple is being built in New England. The answer
that he kept recieving was that the Lord is hastening his work and
there will be a need for it! Something amazing is happening here! And
I am blessed to be apart of it! Yesterday we had an appointment with a
newly wed couple for dinner and their power was out because of a bad
wind storm. So we had a candle light dinner in the cold, and then ate
ice cream! They are a samoan couple. She was raised in the gosple but
left it for a while! He is convert! They live so humbly but yet are so
happy and were sealed in the temple five months ago. There is an older
gentleman named Al Waite who just started coming back to church. He
lives on a hillside in the middle of no where in this beat down house
and looks like a mountain man. He is the sweetest guy! He baked us an
apple pie that looks better than any woman could of cooked it! It was
the funniest thing! This week has been a good one! I have realized how
much I have to learn and how much I need to rely on the Lord! I know
that through him all things are possible! I love all that I am
learning out here and the frienships that I am gaining! I know that
the Lord is very mindful of us and what we need! I love you all! Happy
Thanksgiving!
Love Sister Rushton
My knew companion is Sister Barney! She is 19 and is from Salem, Utah!
She is a very cute girl! Leaving Billerica was very hard but I have
said many prayers and my love for Ellington has grown. It is a very
cute town. We cover alot of area, about 5 or 6 towns! The ward is
small but very excited about missionary work and the Bishop is all
about it. We have a big nativity activity a week from Saturday! They
have done a lot of advertising in the community so we are hoping to
see a lot of non members there. I havent gotten to meet any of the
investigators yet but the ward members are very nice and welcoming!
One cool thing that happened! This ward building is very small and if
this ward were to split it would be a little tricky to fit another
ward in here. In ward council on Sunday Bishop was talking about a
meeting that he had with other bishops and leaders in the area and
with the mission presidency. He said that because of the expected
expansion in china and the increased need for buldings the church is
saving supplies and money and will not be building any more church
buildings here in the East for a while! Crazy exciting! The Lord truly
is hastening his work! There is a temple being built in Hartvord
Connecticut and a member of the mission presidency was confused why
becase the Boston temple is usually pretty empty. So he kept asking
the Lord why another temple is being built in New England. The answer
that he kept recieving was that the Lord is hastening his work and
there will be a need for it! Something amazing is happening here! And
I am blessed to be apart of it! Yesterday we had an appointment with a
newly wed couple for dinner and their power was out because of a bad
wind storm. So we had a candle light dinner in the cold, and then ate
ice cream! They are a samoan couple. She was raised in the gosple but
left it for a while! He is convert! They live so humbly but yet are so
happy and were sealed in the temple five months ago. There is an older
gentleman named Al Waite who just started coming back to church. He
lives on a hillside in the middle of no where in this beat down house
and looks like a mountain man. He is the sweetest guy! He baked us an
apple pie that looks better than any woman could of cooked it! It was
the funniest thing! This week has been a good one! I have realized how
much I have to learn and how much I need to rely on the Lord! I know
that through him all things are possible! I love all that I am
learning out here and the frienships that I am gaining! I know that
the Lord is very mindful of us and what we need! I love you all! Happy
Thanksgiving!
Love Sister Rushton
Abbey's letter from November 20, 2013
Hey there family,
Transfer texts came in this Saturday and I am being transferred to
Ellington, Connecticut. My new companion will be Sister Barnie. I was
really heartbroken at first but it gets a little easier every day. It
is crazy how fast you can come to love people in such a short amount
of time. This truly has felt like my home, and I feel so blessed to
have been able to serve here. It is comforting to know that this is
the Lord's work. The Lord is very mindful of us. I had two letters in
the mail on Saturday when I went home and had 16 emails in my inbox
today. I am sure feeling loved. Billerica has truly changed me and I
will never be the same. Last week was very eventful. Christin had a
little hiccup with the baptismal interview on Monday. She decided that
she needs a little more time. I think she was a little thrown off at
how fast Shawn switched gears and was all of a sudden all in. She is
still progressing though. When we went over on Thursday Grantlee
bounced down the stairs and told us that he wants to be baptized! He
will be baptized this Sunday with two other 8 year olds. His dad will
receive the priesthood Sunday Morning and will then get to baptize him
Sunday night. Shawn was baptized and confirmed Saturday Morning. We
had doubts on whether he was ready or not because his conversion
process was so fast, but we were quickly humbled! He is very
intelligent and every gospel principle just made sense to him
mentally. And so he knew that it was true. But on Saturday he felt it!
The baptism was late starting and so Brother Koyle suggested that we
take pictures so the baptism could start, he asked if he could go say
a prayer. Before he was baptized he stood up and thanked everyone for
being there and said that he had never before felt so loved and
invited in his life. When he went into the baptismal font he said
another prayer with Brother Wright. The man is so tall he basically
had to curl into the water:) His countenance seemed so different after
that. The spirit was so strong when he was getting confirmed! After
the service he was talking to us and got emotional when he was talking
about his 12 year old daughter not being to interested in the gospel.
He was saying that he now has to tear down that wall that he has
built. I think that she is a little confused since he was so
antagonistic and then converted so fast. Shawn said he has only cried
a few times in his life. He shed happy tears a few times that day!
Shawn said that he didn't feel anything when he was baptized into a
church a few years ago. When Sister White and I were leaving he looked
at us and said, "I know now, I know now!" Ah he knows its true and
wants nothing more than for his family to join. I know that they will
get to be sealed together in a few years. I have so much love for that
man! Once he recognized a small truth in the gospel he took a huge
leap of faith, wanted to know everything, and was baptized a week
later. Raquel and Reyni were also baptized on Saturday! All three of
her boys were there. Rudy the 15 year old opened up to Sister White
this week. He will come around it just may be a while. We got to stand
in the bathroom by the door to the font when Raquel and Reyni were
baptized. Reyni was baptized by Nathaniel Decker, one of the priests
in our ward. After Reyni was baptized us four embraced in a huge wet
and tearful hug. It was a beautiful baptism and a lot of people came,
they were confirmed on Sunday. Zone conference with Elder Nielson was
very good and I got a lot of good take aways. His biggest stress to us
was not to waste one minute of our mission. I wasn't going to tell
many people that I was leaving but Brother Lazenby a high council man
from our ward announced it from the pulpit! haha so there have been
many good byes and some of them tearful. People have been too good to
me. After so many goodbyes part of me is just ready to get it over
with and leave. Being a misisonary is not a sacrafice at all because
of all the love you receive. We receive many blessings everyday. I
hope I will never forget what I have learned here. Yesterday I said
goodbye to Sister Kohler and Dante, Raquel and Reyni and the Hoffmans.
The spirit hit me really strongly yesterday that this is why we do
missionary work. So that one day we can again be in the presence of
God all together. I sure do love them. Saying good bye to the Hoffmans
was emotional, Shawn excused himself because he was getting emotional.
He then followed us to the gas station because our gas light was on,
and insisted on pumping our gas for us. What a guy! I sure have loved
the time that I have been given here. On Monday Ann Marie found out
that her mom has muscle degeneration and will likely pass in a year.
She said that all she wanted was a drink, and we begged her not to do
it! poor lady has a lot on her plate! We went to Cryss' and she said
that she has lost her faith. After that I was really scared to leave:)
But they have been doing better and Ann Marie has been strong! Its
good to know that the Lord is on our side. I have said many prayers
and the Lord has blessed me to feel a lot better about leaving. It is
sad but it feels right. I know that Ellington is where I need to be.
And that this new sister is what Billerica needs. I am going to miss
Sister White. She is pretty crazy! And has kept me laughing:) She has
definitely taught me how to relax and enjoy all the little things in
life. We have had some pretty crazy happenings together. I know we
will be friends for life. Life is good! And I sure do love being a
missionary! I do appreciate all of the love and support I have been
receiving from back home. I am truly blessed. I pray that everyone is
doing well! Thanksgiving and Christmas are coming! I am so excited:)
Love you all! Brother Lazenby reminded me that the church is true in
Ellington too, so all is well:) Have a great week!
Love Sister Rushton
Transfer texts came in this Saturday and I am being transferred to
Ellington, Connecticut. My new companion will be Sister Barnie. I was
really heartbroken at first but it gets a little easier every day. It
is crazy how fast you can come to love people in such a short amount
of time. This truly has felt like my home, and I feel so blessed to
have been able to serve here. It is comforting to know that this is
the Lord's work. The Lord is very mindful of us. I had two letters in
the mail on Saturday when I went home and had 16 emails in my inbox
today. I am sure feeling loved. Billerica has truly changed me and I
will never be the same. Last week was very eventful. Christin had a
little hiccup with the baptismal interview on Monday. She decided that
she needs a little more time. I think she was a little thrown off at
how fast Shawn switched gears and was all of a sudden all in. She is
still progressing though. When we went over on Thursday Grantlee
bounced down the stairs and told us that he wants to be baptized! He
will be baptized this Sunday with two other 8 year olds. His dad will
receive the priesthood Sunday Morning and will then get to baptize him
Sunday night. Shawn was baptized and confirmed Saturday Morning. We
had doubts on whether he was ready or not because his conversion
process was so fast, but we were quickly humbled! He is very
intelligent and every gospel principle just made sense to him
mentally. And so he knew that it was true. But on Saturday he felt it!
The baptism was late starting and so Brother Koyle suggested that we
take pictures so the baptism could start, he asked if he could go say
a prayer. Before he was baptized he stood up and thanked everyone for
being there and said that he had never before felt so loved and
invited in his life. When he went into the baptismal font he said
another prayer with Brother Wright. The man is so tall he basically
had to curl into the water:) His countenance seemed so different after
that. The spirit was so strong when he was getting confirmed! After
the service he was talking to us and got emotional when he was talking
about his 12 year old daughter not being to interested in the gospel.
He was saying that he now has to tear down that wall that he has
built. I think that she is a little confused since he was so
antagonistic and then converted so fast. Shawn said he has only cried
a few times in his life. He shed happy tears a few times that day!
Shawn said that he didn't feel anything when he was baptized into a
church a few years ago. When Sister White and I were leaving he looked
at us and said, "I know now, I know now!" Ah he knows its true and
wants nothing more than for his family to join. I know that they will
get to be sealed together in a few years. I have so much love for that
man! Once he recognized a small truth in the gospel he took a huge
leap of faith, wanted to know everything, and was baptized a week
later. Raquel and Reyni were also baptized on Saturday! All three of
her boys were there. Rudy the 15 year old opened up to Sister White
this week. He will come around it just may be a while. We got to stand
in the bathroom by the door to the font when Raquel and Reyni were
baptized. Reyni was baptized by Nathaniel Decker, one of the priests
in our ward. After Reyni was baptized us four embraced in a huge wet
and tearful hug. It was a beautiful baptism and a lot of people came,
they were confirmed on Sunday. Zone conference with Elder Nielson was
very good and I got a lot of good take aways. His biggest stress to us
was not to waste one minute of our mission. I wasn't going to tell
many people that I was leaving but Brother Lazenby a high council man
from our ward announced it from the pulpit! haha so there have been
many good byes and some of them tearful. People have been too good to
me. After so many goodbyes part of me is just ready to get it over
with and leave. Being a misisonary is not a sacrafice at all because
of all the love you receive. We receive many blessings everyday. I
hope I will never forget what I have learned here. Yesterday I said
goodbye to Sister Kohler and Dante, Raquel and Reyni and the Hoffmans.
The spirit hit me really strongly yesterday that this is why we do
missionary work. So that one day we can again be in the presence of
God all together. I sure do love them. Saying good bye to the Hoffmans
was emotional, Shawn excused himself because he was getting emotional.
He then followed us to the gas station because our gas light was on,
and insisted on pumping our gas for us. What a guy! I sure have loved
the time that I have been given here. On Monday Ann Marie found out
that her mom has muscle degeneration and will likely pass in a year.
She said that all she wanted was a drink, and we begged her not to do
it! poor lady has a lot on her plate! We went to Cryss' and she said
that she has lost her faith. After that I was really scared to leave:)
But they have been doing better and Ann Marie has been strong! Its
good to know that the Lord is on our side. I have said many prayers
and the Lord has blessed me to feel a lot better about leaving. It is
sad but it feels right. I know that Ellington is where I need to be.
And that this new sister is what Billerica needs. I am going to miss
Sister White. She is pretty crazy! And has kept me laughing:) She has
definitely taught me how to relax and enjoy all the little things in
life. We have had some pretty crazy happenings together. I know we
will be friends for life. Life is good! And I sure do love being a
missionary! I do appreciate all of the love and support I have been
receiving from back home. I am truly blessed. I pray that everyone is
doing well! Thanksgiving and Christmas are coming! I am so excited:)
Love you all! Brother Lazenby reminded me that the church is true in
Ellington too, so all is well:) Have a great week!
Love Sister Rushton
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