Teaching by the Spirit

Email From Alyssa:
Hola Familia!!!

This last week was so incredible. I had the opportunity to go on an
exchange and work in Preston with Sister Gong. Wow, is she amazing! I
truly felt the spirit so much while being with her. I felt very united
with her despite only working with her for the first time. I feel that
everything and every place we went was guided and directed by the
Lord. One of my goals of the exchange was to teach more simply by only
saying a few sentences for each principle that I taught and then get
someone else involved, either my companion, the investigator, or the
fellowshipper. I feel I did a lot better at this. I learned a lot by
simply watching and doing. It was a fabulous experience for me.

On Saturday we had a wonderful baptismal service where three of
Heavenly Fathers children made the sacred and righteous decision to
follow our Savior into the waters of baptism. We are so grateful that
our mission president was able to show his love and support by
attending the service. We were a little bit anxious at the start
because Dean, the man we have been teaching, was late to his own
baptism. YIKES! I think he was just trying to prove to us that he is
truly fit to be a member of the church and run on Mormon Standard
Time. Let’s just say we were truly so happy and relieved when he came
walking in with his three children at his side.

Another very special experience for me was during the actual baptizing
section of the baptismal service. I went into the women’s room with a
member and Shelan, one of the individuals to be baptized. Shelan was
terrified! She was scared to go into that much water and to be watched
by many people. She was visibly shaking. I tried to calm her with my
words and hugs but her fear persisted. I decided to ask if we should
say a prayer to have Heavenly Father comfort her. She agreed and asked
if I could offer it. After the prayer she was a little more at ease,
but as she took her first step into the baptismal fount the terror
flooded back into her mind. It was like trying to put a cat into the
bath tub. I felt so sorry for her but the second that Richard started
to offer the baptismal prayer I felt a chill run up my spine and I
knew that angels were amongst us. It was a very spiritual experience
for me. I knew that the Lord was pleased with the decisions of these
individuals. I know He was smiling as He looked down upon us that
night. It was truly an amazing event; one that I will never forget.

We are continuing to work hard here in Liverpool. We have found some
very prospective individuals to teach. One I actually envisioned
before we met him. It was the first time this has ever happened for
me. I was told to try to invision someone before leaving our flat in
the morning. I did that and felt kind of rediculous. I felt like my
imagination was taking over. A thought came into my mind of a man
dressed in a bright green jacked with a hood his hood on walking down
the side-walk. Later that day we talked with many people. We did
however stop a man that as we were talking with him I realized it was
the man I envisioned. His jacket wasn't bright green, but it was green
and he had his hood on and was walking down the side walk the way I
imagined it. Nither him nor his wife have a job right now and have to
take care of their 3 children and his mother-in-law. They truly need
the gospel in their life. Meeting him was divinely directed by the
Lord, the master micro-manager. Last night we went to meet and teach
David, the man I envisioned, and his family. When we got to his home,
there were about 20 people that came to listen to us, all of which
were his family. They all are from Romania so we struggled greatly to
express basic things about the gospel with them, but I know that as we
use the amazing resources that we have been so blessed to have this
family will soon be gathered in white to enter the waters of baptism
together. What an incredible day that will be!

I love you all so much and hope everything is going well in the good
old land of America!

-Love Sister Longmore

Not Missionary Shoes

Sister Jones came back from her visit to England with a package from Alyssa including some wonderful notes to each of us, chocolates, a cute English Satchel and some shoes that apparently did not work out for the missionary lifestyle. I have to laugh--check out the 4 inch heels that for some reason were not quite as useful as Alyssa had hoped.
After Sister Jones dropped off the goodies I thank her and as she turned to leave she stated, "That Alyssa of yours is quite a hooga." I had no idea what she was trying to say. She then said "Alyssa loves to give hoogs." I had given Sister Jones a hug to say thank you for bringing by the treats. It was then that she told me my Alyssa is quite a hooga. Ahh hugger! Yes we Longmores love giving and receiving a good hug!

Sister's Conference

Glimpses

On occasion I am reminded what a small world we live in. A sister originally from England who now lives in Draper, Utah (where we live) was visiting her sisters who still live in England. Guess who she ran across? My Alyssa--I mean Sister Longmore!!!
When Sister Jones came back to Draper, she called me and left a message stating that she had a few of Alyssa's belongings and a few treats she had sent back with Sister Jones for us. I couldn't call Sister Jones back fast enough!
When I spoke with her my heart was so full as I heard the words she spoke. She described Sister Longmore the missionary & she described Alyssa Longmore the person she always has been. Sister Jones has a sister that is struggling with depression. She said that when Alyssa entered this sister's home she went into her bedroom where she was laying and sat right next to her on the bed and listened with compassion and empathy.
Sister Jones said, "That daughter of yours is somethin' special"
I would have to agree

Tea Time

hello 1
FROM:Alyssa Longmore
Monday, January 9, 2012 5:07am
This last week has been eventful. We spent one of our days doing a service project for some sisters that are a part member family. We cleaned up there back yard and got rid of so many weeds. What was great was we were able to organize this with the other 2 sets of missionaries in our ward, another ward member, and even bring along an investigator who happens to be a professional gardener. It was an amazing experience to all come together and do something good for someone else.

I also had the opportunity to go out with the sisters in the Man South (Manchester South) area. I learned a lot from getting out of the regular routine. I decided I want to carry a Book of Mormon in my hands where ever I go because it is the Book of Mormon that is the key stone of our religion. It will help me to talk about the restoration with more and more people.

Yesterday we had an amazing miracle that happened. We took advantage of our opportunity to fast to prayerfully seek assistance from the lord in faith, that we might have someone new to teach, specifically for the coming week. We fasted for what seemed like the longest time I have ever fasted in my 21 years of life. We went to a part member families home after church to have dinner. We had to wait for a while because the meal wasn't done cooking. So we played with the members grand kids. They were so cute. We had a little tea party with them that is what the picture is of. lol Once we finally ate it really wasn't much food but we were grateful for what we got. When we got home for the night we were starving, but we were supposed to get right into planning so we were obedient and we did. After our planning we ate something and got ready for bed when we got a text from a girl. She said her name was Nichole and that we met her a little while ago at the Christmas Concert. I knew exactly who she was. Her boyfriend is living in New Castle and they were on a train coming to Liverpool and met some missionaries. Those missionaries invited them to the Christmas Concert that very night and they came. I met Nichole and set up and appointment with her but lost my planner before we met. It had all of her contact information in it. I was so upset with myself. We tried so hard to get in contact with her. We asked the missionaries for Andrew’s number but weren’t able to get a hold of him. When we spoke with Nichole she said she had been trying hard as well to get our number and finally got it. We are seeing her this Monday evening. Our prayers were answered. I know that the Lord will keep His work rolling forward despite the imperfections of people. I love the Lord with all my heart and want to share experiences like this with everyone because they happen all the time on my mission. It’s amazing!

Our investigators are doing wonderful. We are just excited to have more. The many recent converts too are doing great and I love how sincere they are.

Personal study is one of my favourite parts of the day. It is the time where we can be showered with knowledge and inspiration all through the spirit.


Sister Chuo is a great example to me. She knows how to have fun yet still have the spirit. She will always be someone I look up to.

-Love Alyssa Ann

Service

From:Alyssa Longmore
December 27th
I was glad I was able to see you on skype:) My Christmas was amazing. I felt the love of Christ more than ever and that is really what Christmas is all about. The mission is going great. We hopefully will have a few baptisms in January so that is very exciting. We are teaching many people and I feel we are making a big impact in the Liverpool area. We just had our transfer calls a few days ago and both my companion and I are staying in Liverpool. I know the Lord has great plans in store for the Chinese people. We are teaching so many of them and they have great faith. It is amazing because they come from a country that teaches them to not have a belief in God. I am really starting to feel like I am just an instrument in helping Him accomplish His work. I feel the spirit is starting to work through me. I am learning so much out her. I love it! I love you!
-Love Sister Alyssa Ann

A note from the mother of a missionary(me): The only time I cry for Alyssa is when she writes. I am so grateful that she is having this experience and that she is loving her mission and especially the Savior--more than ever before. I can tell in her words she wants so badly to help others find the joy that she has found through the gospel. A big part of this joy comes through families sharing their love for the Savior and their desire to choose the right. Thank you everyone for the example you have set for my kids. It has not gone unnoticed.
The woman Alyssa mentions (Christine Jones) is from Draper and was visiting Liverpool for a while. We look forward to meeting her.
Thanks-Melanie
From: Alyssa Longmore
Sent: Friday, January 6, 2012 5:44 AMThat makes me so happy that you met with the missionaries. And yes I got your letter and I must have looked sad when we skyped because I am always so tired but don't worry mom, I am happier than ever! I am loving it here! Missionary work is great.
I am so happy for Chelsea. Yay finally! lol So are you enjoying the time with dad. You probably will be going to Idaho today. That is fantastic.... Oh I have a question for you. I shared a story a while ago, I think it was the first year I was in college it was called "The Birdies, or Little Birdies or Free the Birdies" something like that. I think I have it saved on one of the many computers but will you try to see if we have it. If it is not there will you try to find it on google. It is a story of how a little boy was crushed by the garage door and he was visited by angels, "the birdies" and he said he flew with the angels to all different beautiful temples and he said there were so many birdies in the temple and some where locked in cages. The birdies that were with him said that he needed to live so he could come to the temple to free the birdies..... It was just an amazing story but a member we really need to win over wants that story and I told her I would ask you if you could find it. If it is too hard to find though don't worry about it.
I love you so much mom and I hope you have been able to get in contact with Christine Jones. If you do, please do something for her. She took care of Sister Chuo and I and fed us and she is a truly amazing woman. She probably will tell you about her stay here in England but she was working so hard everyday to help her sisters. One of her sisters is very overweight and sick with many illnesses and the other is extremely depressed. They both are chain smokers and there house is being destroyed by their smoking and lack of cleaning it. So Christine spent everyday while being here looking after her sisters and fixing up the home. We had a missionary service project where we fixed their front and back yard. We wanted to cook a meal for Christine but she had already started making it and fed us instead. She is a really Christlike women. She is even dropping off a bag I sent back with her to you. It has some shoes in it that I don't need and some candies and little notes. I hope you get them.
Well, mom, you are amazing I love you so much. Please write me. Even though I am miles away please know I am there for you. Remember DONT LET SATAN WIN! I love you! The church is true.
-Alyssa Ann

Christmas in England

We were able to Sype with Alyssa at about 7:30am Utah time. As we all gathered aroung the computer we may or may not have shoved eachother to get a front row seat of Alyssa. She looked beautiful-so excited and full of life. She panned the camera around a little so we could see her companion Sister Chao (she had twisted her ankle playing basketball the night before) and we also saw the 3 girls who's flat she was in, and who let her use their computer to Skype. Their names where Phoebe, Sheena and Nikki--all very nice.
Alyssa and her companion said thank you for the gifts. They were excited to have a few gifts to open, but honestly I think they were just excited to be missionaries and serving the Savior who's birth we celebrate at this time.
We asked a few questions and these were her answers
Mom: What do you eat for breakfast? Alyssa: Salad, we also eat a lot of lamb and
and Parsnips
Cassie: Do they have a Walmart? Alyssa: It's like Walmart. It's called ASDA
Dad: Is it hard to understand the accent? Alyssa: Sort of. It sounds like a mix
between Irish and English (the
girls from England disagreed)
Grandpa: Are the people very receptive to the Gospel?
Alyssa: At first the English might seem
cold, but they are not. They are
very nice. There are a lot of
people who smoke and a lot who
are Atheist.
Taylor: Do you like your new camera? Alyssa: Yeah-but I haven't gotten to play
play with it much
Alyssa also told us she is continuing to work with a lot of Chinese people. She said her and her companion asked a couple what they had heard about Christ. They responded by saying-oh he's the one that multiplied the rice. (um....I think that was loaves and fishes)
She also talked about an investigator named Dean and how strong the spirit felt each time they entered his home. He is great at sports and was in some sort of accident about 7 years ago where he lost all his memory. He is studying the book of mormon diligently and wants to read it cover to cover and get every question answered before committing to baptism. Alyssa and Sister Choa have tried to teach him that he doesn't have to be perfect before committing to baptism. They are hopeful for him.

Alyssa just looked so happy and so intently focused on all of us. She was radiating with light. When I told her this she said it was just the light shining in from the window behind her. I beg to differ.