College Hill

Hi everybody!!!  So college hill is a little more populated city-like than Holton was, but it's great and Sister Gunderson has a lot of energy and is already really fun to work with.  We're ready to get out and go!  She also has a ukelele and can sing really well so we've been having fun with that :)  We've already been out and chalked up some street corners with "Families can be together forever, Find out how atmormon.org" which was really fun.  We live with Bishop Daley and his family (wife, 2 daughters Abby and Cassie both of whom are thinking about going on missions, and a son Michael) We have a little bedroom and closet and bathroom downstairs that we get to use.  It's kind of funny because they have a big pool in their back yard which is right outside our sliding glass door, so we just keep the blinds closed mostly....hahaha  The ward has been fun to get to know.  They feed us practically every night, but we've also been biking every day.  The Daley's bought a couple of expensive bikes for the sister missionaries to use now and for their kids to use in the future so that's been really really nice :) Won't gain too much weight if were out biking everyday! haha we'll have part time car though. My new address is: 120 N Longford Ct, Wichita, KS 67206

It was definitely a challenge to leave, but I know I have enough room in my heart to love these people too, because God gives us the ability to love more and more as we lose ourselves in His service.  It's really cool because "there is no end to love."  In the orange shirt picture at the bottom, it's Sister VanWagoner who is friends with Helen on facebook. Cool right?!  They did send me off with a bag of treats including brownies, chocolate, peanuts, crackers, etc.  They are too good to us!!! Sure love them.

Mom that is awesome that your talk came together so well. I've been praying for you and your test so I'm sure your score will be great!!! :) That's a cool story that you shared though.  We really don't know anyone until you talk with them.  We have no idea what they've been through so it's always best to be kind first!  So happy to hear you got to go to do a family name at the temple! Always a special experience :) Transfer day was crazy.  We all drove to Wichita and had a song fest of missionaries performing songs that they've written about the Kansas Wichita Mission, and missionary work in general.  These people are SO TALENTED!!  then we had a spiritual devotional which was, of course, a feast :)  I also got to see Sister Tycz, Elder Owens, Elder Sweeten, Sister Heger (who is now a Sister Training Leader in another zone, called it! haah), and a few other awesome missionaries from past areas. Gave Sister Hartung a big old hug too.  Be safe flying to TEXAS! Hope you're having fun :D

DAD, what a crazy,yet cool experience.  I'm glad Chae is doing all right!  I'm also glad you were already prepared to be an instrument in God's hands.  You really never know when God will call your name to go. Let the Holy Spirit guide!  I'm also excited to hear your girls camp experiences.  Is that this week or next?

So miracles are already happening here in College Hill.  On Friday we were biking around to different places, and Sister Gunderson had had the idea to go to this cute little neighborhood, but was second guessing biking that far until I mentioned going there (just cause I didn't know anywhere else she had talked about) and we went over.  We weren't really having any success.  We had to walk through a wealthier part and people there just aren't has receptive.  We were a little discouraged but kept walking.  Sister Gunderson said a little prayer in her heart like, "I know we need to be here who do we need to find?!"  The very next door, a lady named Cathy came out on her porch to see us.  it's 8:50pm She has talked with mormon friends before who gave her a Book of Mormon.  She's been reading it on and off ever since.  She's also been struggling because of the many deaths that have happened recently in her family.  She wasn't sure whether to continue to go to her church or not.  We were able to share about the Plan of Salvation briefly and the Spirit was totally there.  So grateful we followed the Spirit!  Even though we didn't necessarily realize that until afterward.  We also got to talk to two 20 year old young women on their porch earlier that same day.  They had some really good questions and both took copies of the Book of Mormon :)  What a great week!

I know that the Lord is directing us.  Alma 57:26-27 about the sons of Helaman "And now, their preservation was astonishing to our whole army, yea, that they should be spared while there was a thousand of our brethren who were slain.  and we do justly ascribe it to the miraculous power of God, because of their exceeding faith in that which they had been taught to believe - that there was a just God, and whosoever did not doubt, that they should be preserved by his marvelous power.  Now this was the faith of these of whom I have spoken; they are young, and their minds are firm, and they do put their trust in God continually"  Faith is the first step and we must increase it daily or we will lose it. God works according to our faith, and His power is matchless.  I will never ceased to be amazed at the miracles He works according to the little bit of faith we show.  He lives!

I love you all!  Nichole, hope that baby isn't weighing you down too much!  haha  Go forth with faith!

Photos: 1st one is BUTCH!!!  2nd one is the Van Wagoner family.  They always wear orange so we put our $2 orange shirts on to help them scrub down their muddy car.  Liz is the one with a little bit of autism who is sitting on her mom's lap.  3rd Sister Gunderson!!!

-- Love always and forever!

Sister Harston