This Side of Heaven

Hello y'all,

So, my recommendation for the week is to watch The Other Side of Heaven 2.  It is phenomenal.  Don't ask. Just do. 

This is our district after watching the Other Side of Heaven 2

Now, for this Side of Heaven (otherwise known as Charlotte, North Carolina).  We had some pretty amazing miracles this week.

For starters, Enrique came to church! Enrique is the one who stopped us before we left our teaching lesson and basically begged us to teach him.  He came to church and was 15 minutes early, ready to go.  He loved it, and we taught the second hour about the Restoration.  It was so good and he just soaked it all in.  He is so ready.

The other thing is that we did a booth at a Flea Market.  We were able to talk to over 200 people, and all of them were really awesome.  I saw this one guy walking around, and he kept eyeing our booth, but he never came close.  He kept walking by, then finally I went and talked with him.  He was SO surprised to find out that we speak Spanish and readily accepted a Book of Mormon and a  restoration pamphlet.  We got his number and told him that we had church the next day.  I kind of forgot about him until around 4pm Sunday when he called us.  He apologized he wasn't able to make it to Sacrament Meeting, but asked if we could teach him in an hour.  Gladly! So we met him at the church and had one of the most spirit led lessons I've ever had.  His name is Arturo and he is amazing.  He told us that his soul is broken and he needs to be healed, but he knows he can't do it by himself.  He pleaded with us to share with him scriptures out of the Book of Mormon that would help him.  He'd never prayed before, but we taught him how and he said he'd do it.  He is truly one of the most humble people I've ever met and I love him. 

Miracles happen everyday.  It's amazing to be super close to the Spirit and tell when people are hungry for the Gospel.  So many of Heavenly Father's children really want to come home, but don't know how.  I'm so glad all of us have the chance to reach out and help the rest of Heavenly Father's children come home.  I love them.

Exchanges with Sister Powell

Just my favorite person,  eating elote 

And Hna Dibble and I. It's the closest we get to being Hispanic.

My word.  I love this place and these people.  They have changed me and I couldn't be more thankful.  Heavenly Father LOVES making miracles happen. 

Hey I love y'all.  Don't forget it ;)

....and loving it
Hermana Belliston

We do not need Pharisees in the Mission Field

From June 24, 2019

Hello y'all,

Sorry in advance.  It'll be a very long email because it was an amazing week.  Truly.

Highlight of the week was having Elder Bowen from the Seventy here at our Zone Conferences.  He is an amazing teacher and trainer.  He helped us all see our potential by teaching us about the House of Israel, the Abrahamic Covenant, and the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood.  He explained our lineage and purpose and it was just so easy to understand and such a great talk.  He also gave us 6 steps to being a successful missionary and I can now say that my mission has been changed.  Flipped 180 degrees.  Its awesome.
1) Obedience.  He told us arising at 6:30 is so important because it brings in the spirit and sets the mood for the rest of the day.
2) plan for 30 minutes every day
3) Testify to 30 people daily.  This is so good.  We were able to do that yesterday and it felt so good and productive.
4) teach 30 lessons weekly
5) Urgency
6) quiet dignity.

I feel like these are all things we can apply in our lives! it makes missionary work such a joy and so much fun.  I love being a missionary.

Zone conference with Elder Bowen

Elder Bowen came and inspected our apartment and put a blessing on it.  

He looked at us dead in the eye and, referring to the challenge he gave us 

at zone conference to testifty to 30 people daily,  he said, "You have to do this.  

If you don't no one will.  We are counting on you to do it." Wow.  So we'll do it. 

Great story of the week: we were teaching Cindy and her son, Carlos David, and a man who is renting a room in her house came out and sat in the kitchen as we taught the Plan of Salvation.  I honestly forgot he was there until we got up to leave and he intercepted us.  He told us he'd listened to the whole thing and really wanted to learn more and have a Book of Mormon.  WOW. You never know who you'll touch until it's been done sometimes!

The week was so good.  We went up to Greensboro and I was able to see some of my best friends.  I love them so much.  Life is good.  The church is true.

Exchanges with Hna Bucknum and dinner with Rosa Maria

The Vazques - Gladys and Fernando in Greensboro.

Polpo... the reason why you need to be fluent in Spanish is so that you are aware 

that polpo doesn't mean pulp.. it means octopus. Long story short, 

I learned that polpo means octopus this week and it was nasty.

I've been studying faith and charity this week and it has been so good.  They go hand in hand and I'm so grateful we have the example of our Savior to follow.  I know that as we strive our best to help those around us and serve them, that our charity and ability to love them will increase. 

I love this work.

...and loving it
Hermana Belliston

Here in Charlotte...

Hola y'all,

I love being a missionary.  That's all. 

This week flew by! We went on two exchanges which were both really fun.  Our people have been working a lot and haven't really had time to meet with us, but we've had fun trying to find and teach.

Sister Walburger!

Sister Davis (we're the same person.  Youngest of 7, loves Louisa May Alcott 

and Don Knotts and Danny Kaye.  Definitely a kindred spirit!)

We got our mouse friend Paul out of the car last Monday.  It was revolting, but it was done.  Good ol' Paul.  As of right now, no other mice have been reported.  Thank the llamas.

Paul.  With some peanut butter.

This letter is short because really not a lot happened this week.  Thanks for all the love and support!

Us and the super nice Toyota Tundra we got to drive for 5 minutes 

while the mouse got exterminated.

Fathers day activity! As usual, dancing was provided at the end. I belong here, y'all!

I love this Gospel.  I love the ah-ha moments people have when we're teaching them and they just get it.  The Gospel was made to be understood :)

I love this photo.  All of us are under-shepherds, just learning from the Good Shepherd. 

...and loving it
Hermana Belliston

Pedro's Baptism

June 10, 2019

Hello hello!

This week was great.  Can't be better when you have a baptism on the weekend right?
So, Pedro got baptized and it was great. He came early and basically the whole Monroe ward showed up to support him.  He was so good.  His son Jeffery baptized him and after, they just stood in the font and hugged.  It was so sweet.  Pedro was completely radiant and so happy.  He was a changed man when we came out of the water.  It was amazing.  He is such a good guy.  After his baptism, he came up to us and gave us big hugs and said that without us, he wouldn't be there. We were also able to attend his confirmation on Sunday, which was great.  He is such an amazing man.  He invited both of us to come to his sealing in one year.  He is so excited to go with his wife and kids.  Wow.  When the temple is the ultimate goal, they get so excited and are willing to make sacrifices.  The temple is worth it!

Weather update: we've had a drought for the past 2 weeks, so for the past 4 days we've had a flood warning and have experienced hurricane type rainwater.  SO fun. 

It was raining like crazy this week and Sister Dibble didn't know 

how to work an umbrella, so it opened in our car.

Okay, here's a story for you.  Sister Dibble and I have been hearing a little scratchy thing above our heads as we've been driving. As a joke, we called the sound Paul, the cockroach.  We thought it was a cockroach that had somehow gotten into our car.  UPDATE: it's a mouse!  We found that it had chewed through a granola bar and had made a disaster in the trunk of the car.... We called our vehicle coordinator (who is so tired of hearing from us) and explained our new problem.  It was intense and so funny.  We can still hear the mouse running, alive and well.  We're terrified it'll come out when we're driving.  Today we get to drive the mission truck and have our coordinator dispose of the rodent.  Wish us luck.

This week we found a nine year old named Camila.  Camila's mom and grandma are members, but she hasn't been able to be baptized yet.  They're from Venezuela and have been in the US for 2 years.  The Grandma still lives in Venezuela, but she used to take Camila to church and read the Book of Mormon with her every day.  Camila brought us her Book of Mormon that she reads every day and she marks every name of Christ in it.  It was amazing.  We said a prayer with them, and they both just sobbed.  They told us it's been such a long time since they prayed as a family and that it brought the spirit so strongly into their home.  Camila really wants to get baptized and become a member of Jesus Christ's church.  Her desire is so pure and she is completely converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  We read through 3 Nefi 11 with them and at the end it talks about becoming as little children and she is the greatest ever.  The longer I've been on the mission, the longer I've known that I need to become more like a child.  They are truly so close to Heaven and they understand the Gospel better than anyone else I know. 

Anyway, I love y'all.  You are the best.  I hope you have a great week :)

 Haha so it wasn't my birthday last week,  but all the members had so much pena because 

they didn't know that it had already passed so they insisted on singing to me and

 shoving my face in a cake. It was delightful. Except the one point 

where the frosting went up my nose.  Now I know pain. 

Sister Dibble's and her birthday cake

Mini golfing with President and fam on his and Hermana Dibble's birthday:)

...and loving it
Hermana Belliston

What a Week

June 3, 2019

My word, it's been a week.

So I don't know if you recall Pedro, our person who is getting baptized on Saturday? we had a lesson with him on Tuesday, and lo and behold, he didn't know that we don't believe in the Trinity.... Folks he's getting baptized on Saturday and he thinks the Trinity is a thing!..... This is why English missionaries really should not teach people who speak Spanish.... But we cleared it up and he's good now.  He came to a baptism on Saturday and we were able to teach him about the plan of salvation afterward.  The Spirit was SO strong and he loved it.  He says his ultimate goal is the temple and he is so excited to be sealed to his family for time and all eternity.  It was so sweet. Wow! I love him. 

Darwin is good.  On Thursday, he texts us out of the blue asking if we could have a lesson.  I love it when our people ask to have lessons with us.  Of course we can! But he didn't have a ride.... so he said, "tell me where to meet you, and I'll use my brother's bike to come." What investigator do you know that will hop on a bike in 100 degree weather and 85% humidity just to have a lesson?? It was so sweet and really increased my testimony that there are people out here, waiting and ready to receive the Gospel.  He still hasn't been able to come to church, but we are praying and fasting that he can this next week.  He is amazing and the best person I know.

We were able to have a Spanish conference this week.  Highlight of that is that our ward got to provide the real authentic Hispanic food which was a game changer for sure.  It was amazing, and President Adler loved it! During the meeting, President promised us that no matter where we go or what we do in our lives, because we've had the opportunity to serve the Lamanite people, we will always love them till the end of our days and we will always know that they are a blessed people. It was such a strong promise and I know it's true.  I have such a deep love for these people   and I know they are a chosen people.  They will love you until the end of your days if you gain their trust.  They are so special to me and I love them so much.

Me, Sister Dibble, Sister Boone,Sister Johnson, and Sister Wessling 

after a long day of exchanges.

Sister Jackman! She goes home in four days.  I lived with her for 2 transfers 

and she is amazing.  Look for her at BYU ;)

Noemi Caudillo got her mission call to Salt Lake City Spanish speaking!! 

I am about to feed her all the day long.  

Our district: Elder and Sister Mattson, Sister Workman and Sister Taniguchi, and us!! We love it!

We helped one of our members, Keyling, move, and she has 2 super cute kids, 

Ashley and Carlitos.  They are so great.

Sad thing of the week, Tanya moved to Connecticut! We will still try to stay in contact with her, but we shall see what happens.

Anyway, today is Sister Dibble's birthday, so look for pictures of us playing mini golf with President Adler, who also has a birthday today :)

I sure love y'all.  Being a missionary is the greatest thing ever.  OH - we also got transfer news, and looks like Sister Dibble will be in Charlotte for at least a year, and I'll be staying with her ;) 4 transfers and counting ;)

...and loving it
Hermana Belliston

Meetin's

From May 27,2019

Hola y'all,

So we had about 100 meetings this week, but it was good.  Not a ton happened to say the least.

Us and the fam Cielo.  They are so funny and I love them.  We are eating Elote.  

Mexican Corn.  Mayo, Parmesean cheese, and tajin.  Don't knock it till you try it, y'all

But... once upon a time it was Saturday, and the sisters in Monroe called us and wanted to do a pass off lesson with us.  They had been teaching someone who spoke "pretty good English" for a while, and they wanted to go put him (Pedro) on date.  "Okay," said we.  We went, and not too surprisingly, he spoke NO English.  But that's beside the point.  He was cool.  SO great.  I don't know if you remember Santos, but he's a lot like him.  All of Pedro's family are members, and one of his sons is preparing to go on a mission this summer.  Sister Dibble and I chatted with him and his wife for awhile, and we asked him what his goal was.  "To be with my family and be included in the church." "Okay, so lets pick a date."  "Okay."  "How about June 8th?"  "Sounds great!" I love that.  So, moral of the story, Hispanics are awesome and prepared - they just need someone who can speak their language :) So, Pedro is awesome and we're really excited to be meeting with him and teaching him.  I wish y'all could meet him and his wife.  They're the best ever.

Sister Dibble and I after putting Darwin on date :)

We also had our ward Mother's Day activity. It was a blast and a half! And a bunch of the people we're teaching showed up! That was awesome.  They all had a great time.  The Elders Quorum was in charge of the food, so of course we ran out, but it was good while it lasted ;) Then they played some really fun games.  I've never laughed harder than seeing a bunch of really feisty Hispanic mothers play musical chairs.  It was intense to say the least! Haha I love these people.  A woman we are teaching named Cindy came with her son, David.  David and Cindy just got here from Honduras about 2 months ago, so he doesn't have any friends.  All the primary kids were running around playing tag, and he was just watching them.  I went up to one of our kids, and asked if he could play with David.  Without hesitation he walked right up and David immediately started playing with the kids.  It was such a heartwarming experience.  I LOVE these people.

This was at our ward party! From right to left: Yugo (sometimes called Cesar - I don't actually know) Noemi Caudillo, Ebony Kishi, Josh Dickson, Yo, Sister Dibble, and Anthony.  Some of my best friends right there, y'all.

We had zone conference this week, and as usual, it was a home run (as Dad would say).  President Adler has noticed some jealousy going on in the mission in regards to leadership positions. He has no time for that.  So he calmly and VERY clearly told everyone that leadership positions don't matter.  He asked us two simple questions and I loved them.  They were: "Did you help people become better? Did you serve the people you love?" Those are the kind of questions Heavenly Father is going to ask us someday, and if we can answer those honestly and well, it really doesn't matter in what capacities we have served.  Right now, my calling is to find, teach, and baptize.  Everyone else has different callings, but it all boils down to if we helped people become better and if we love and serve them.

Tanya and Sister French on exchanges

I sure love y'all.  Life out here is SUPER hot (93 degrees and 85% humidity) and SUPER awesome.  I really wouldn't change it for a thing.  Bless this place.  It's the greatest thing known to man.

Some more of my best friends at an escape room today :) 

We escaped, but barely and with 100000 hints.

Have a great week y'all

...and loving it
Hermana Belliston

Photos

From May 20, 2019

This was mothers day with Hna Keyling and her super cute kids

Tacos durados de la hermana Vizcarra, after a HUGE bowl of camaron soup

Some random pictures...