Companions make all the difference in the world!

Meeting Up!

Dear President,

This has been one crazy week. Wow! I was able to go on an exchange with Sister Crookston. It was so good to see her and work with her again. She is the same Sister I worked with 9 months ago, but she has just grown and become more like the Saviour than even before. We had the chance to have a very fun but spiritual exchange.

 In the busy city of Manchester I saw a bus that said Sale on the front of it. That caught my attention because I have a relation that lives there. Sister Crookston then mentioned Sale was in her area. I reminded her of how long ago we had a family friend, Pauline, join the church in Manchester and later move to California introducing my Grandma and Grandpa, my Dad, and his siblings into the church. Well Pauline's sister, Margaret, lives in Sale. What is really amazing is I never usually bring my address book with me places. It usually stays at the flat, however, for some reason I brought it with me on exchange, and now I know why. We figured while on the exchange it would be the perfect time to go and see Margaret. During nightly planning we prayed whether to ring her first or just call by. We both felt the need to just call by.

 The next day we spent the morning in Piccadilly. We had miracle after miracle happen. It felt like we were back in Kendal. I felt the unity we felt 9 months ago come right back into our companionship. After having lunch in Piccadilly we hopped on a bus to Sale and realized we didn't have the map, but we figured we knew the general area where Margaret lives. When we got close we would ask people for further directions. As we got there and were asking around no one knew where this street was. For some reason though, we weren't worried. We said a little prayer and started walking to the post office to ask them where the street was. As we were walking Sister Crookston suggested we try down a certain street; what was crazy is literally just before she mentioned that I had that same thought. As we walked down it sure enough there was Margaret’s street.

 As we approached her home my heart started to beat faster and faster. We knocked a few times but no one answered. Both of us said, "They will be here." We just felt it. We ended up tracting her street while we waited, figuring they were out and would be back soon. As we did her neighbour’s let us in and offered us a biscuit and some hot chocolate. We sang her a hymn. She was such a sweet old woman. We told her what we were doing as missionaries and specifically why we were on her street. She had her son look out the window and let us know when he saw Margaret and her husband Bob get in. Sure enough about 30 minutes later they came home.

 That evening we were supposed to teach a lesson back in Stretford area however we got a phone call saying he had to cancel, which actually was a blessing because it gave us just enough time to visit with Margaret and Bob. As we approached their home a strange sense of calmness and excitement filled me. They were in their drive way and as I said I was Karen Prices grand-daughter they embraced us immediately and invited us in. Wow! It was fantastic.

 Margaret and Bob were very surprised we took such a risk in going out there without even calling. We told them of our experience of praying whether to ring first. Bob has cancer and so he could have had a hospital visit or many other things going on that very easily could have caused us to miss them, however the Lord brought everything into alignment. What a massive miracle. I will forever be grateful for this exchange.

 It truly felt as if this day was planned from even before I came to earth. It was probably one of the most significant days on my mission thus far. They showed us pictures and told us stories. We even sang them a hymn. They listened as I shared why I was here on my mission and how I gained my testimony. Margaret is a strong Catholic, however, the spirit was felt as we spoke of how our Heavenly Father has helped both of us. About 12 years ago Margaret had lessons with the missionaries and even read parts of the Book of Mormon. She did this mainly because her sister Pauline really wanted her to. They are very supportive of one another. I do not know what the results will be of our visit however; I do know that it was divinely designed to happen. 

 I am so happy I got to go there with Sister Crookston of all people. I have such a great love for her.

 President I know I am here serving in England for a reason. I know that this day was planned from long before. I love you.

-Sister Alyssa Ann Longmore

PRAYER

Dear President Preston,

Wow, missionary work is great isn't it? I am learning so much about myself, especially as I have been able to serve around Sister Dunn and Sister Alston. Sister Dunn is very quirky and able to reach into the hearts of the Ashton people in a way that no one else can. She has a very strong testimony and isn't afraid to show it. As for her confidence in the area book and in planning, well, it is improving. I have been able to slow down and go through things more thoroughly with her. It makes me so happy to see both her and Sister Alston starting to grasp things that they find to be difficult. I have also done this with Sister Alston but more so with finding. She has found it very difficult to street contact, but she is starting to get it. This may sound weird, but, I really look forward to the day where I one day have actual children of my own, not missionary children, ha-ha, and get to help them in their progression in life. It is a very visible way to see the hand of the Lord.

As I have studied further into humility and virtue, the attributes I want to work on this year, I have discovered that they, and really all of the Christ-like attributes, can be developed by doing the simple things in the gospel. We must study the scriptures and pray earnestly if we want to change, develop, or become anything. This is one of the best ways to learn more of Christ, to come to know Him better, and to rely on the grace of God to help you become like Him. Whatever we focus on, that will end up happening to us. We see this even in different aspects of missionary work. If we focus on finding families, we will find families. If we focus on lifting members, we will be able to lift members. This flows naturally, as we involve the Lord in everything that we do constant communication with Him through prayer. Sister Dunn asked me this week what has helped me the most through out my mission to help me get to the 17-month mark. I told her that it was PRAYER! I have learned so much about prayer since being out, but the greatest thing I have learned about it is that I can do nothing with out it.

Our finding day was great! We saw many miracles as we involved the members. We went out finding with Cerise Brooks, Naomi Fletcher, and also with Lauren Hopwood.

I hope you and Sister Preston are doing all right. I appreciate what you both do for us. You have a long few weeks ahead of you with interviews coming up. Take deep breaths it will all be over soon. We do benefit from them though so thank you for doing them. I hope your Easter was fabulous. Have a happy General Conference.

-Love Sister Longmore

2 Companions & 2 Baptisms

March 27th

This last week has been the week of miracles. The icing on the cake was the baptism of Masoud and Habib. They both are from Iran and have lived here about 5 months. We met their friend on the street who said he was from Iran but was Christian and looking for a church. He didn't have too much time so we exchanged numbers and left him with a pass along card. Masoud and Habib came to church the following Sunday with the pass-a-long card with my hand writing on it. I was confused at first because I couldn't remember meeting them but then they explained how their friend had given it to them. A belief that there is a prophet on the earth today sparked an interest for them to learn more. We met with them about 3 times per week, each time with a member of the church. Because of this and their dedication to do what is right they progressed quickly and were excited to share the gospel and the news of living prophet with their friends. They were baptized on Saturday and were confirmed on Sunday, just one month from the day we met them. WOW!!!!! I am amazed. After church on Sunday we were able to witness them recieving the priesthood. After Masoud, recieved the Aaronic Priesthood, under the direction of Bishop Cook, he confired the same priesthood to Habib. He said the first bit in English to make sure he got the wording right but then he said the second part, the blessing, in Farsi. What was incredible was the ordinence took place in the high council room directly in front of the picture of the Savior ordaining the apostles. Wow! The spirit was so intense. I couldn't stop smiling. In addition to this excitement they were both called to be ward missionaries. We just had a lesson yesterday where they introduced 2 of their Iranian friends to us and one of them is a new investigator. Also another one of their friends came to their baptism. I love this work so so much. I know that it is by God's hand that it moves forward.

By the way today is transfers but I am staying in Ashton with Sister Dunn and Sister Alston for one more transfer. Yay! I like it here. This will be my last area. I can not even believe how quickly my mission has come and gone. I am just trying to work my absolute hardest. I told my companions I don't want to just fizzle out but rather I want to go out with a BANG!!!!