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| Member Appointment #1 |
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| Member Appointment #2 |
Collage
Sunday, June 14, 2015
Have Fun! :) haha - Letter to Dad - 6 April, 2015
Hey Dad!! :) How is Superman??
So, if you are reading this, and haven't read Mom's yet then go and read Mom's email first, and then come back to this one. :) haha
So, now that you have read that other email, you know that I am going to be transferred to Kichijioji! :) I am so excited. From what I understand, Kichijoji is the biggest church building in Japan (as far as meeting houses go). It is three stories tall, and maybe about as big as a stake center over all. :) It is way cool. And the mission home is the building right next to it. (I am sure that you will google map it. Haha) The address that you are sending packages and letters to is the address for the church. My address is different though. I will send that to you next week. :) Feel free to explore Kichijoji on Google Maps and on the internet! It is an incredible place. :)
I am so excited for this opportunity to become a zone leader. What are some suggestions that you have for me, Dad? I always looked up to you as a leader. Thank you for just being incredible. I remember some of the times that we went Home Teaching I would always think to myself, "Oh man, this might take a few hours." haha Thank you for taking a long time to talk to people. You did the right thing, and my young mind just didn't understand. I am still young now, but I am so glad
for the example that you sent. You taught people as a home teacher, not lessons. There are too many people that teach lessons as home teachers, not people. If everyone in the church faithfully fulfilled their calling to fellowship and help those that they are assigned to serve as home and visiting teachers (and not just on the day that you visit to teach, but every day the whole month) there would be a lot less-actives.
A quick note for the trip to Japan. I think what you suggested is a super good idea! I will for sure ask President Wada. I am not 100% sure on what the brethren have asked, so I will ask President Wada what they have asked of us. Thank you for being understanding about Jenna. haha That means a lot. But, instead of scrapping the idea if we can't right at the end of my mission, I have a better idea. :) Keep saving, and the Spring of 2017 come back (this is all if we can't make the first idea work). The Cherry Blossoms are worth the wait, and not only would that give us time to save more money, but it will give us time to settle in, prepare, etc. Also, the U of U does have a spring break (I believe) and I would be willing to go for that and miss a little to to have a good nice trip here. I really want to come here sooner than later, or the plans will get delayed for too long until it is too late. It is absolutely incredible here. You will love it. :) It is also incredibly nice weather right now! So, that is always a plus. :) Just some ideas. What do you think?
Well, it seems that I have run out of time, but know that I love you, Dad!! Keep working hard, and loving mom and the girls for me! :) Tell them all hi! :) <3
Love, Elder Livingston
So, if you are reading this, and haven't read Mom's yet then go and read Mom's email first, and then come back to this one. :) haha
So, now that you have read that other email, you know that I am going to be transferred to Kichijioji! :) I am so excited. From what I understand, Kichijoji is the biggest church building in Japan (as far as meeting houses go). It is three stories tall, and maybe about as big as a stake center over all. :) It is way cool. And the mission home is the building right next to it. (I am sure that you will google map it. Haha) The address that you are sending packages and letters to is the address for the church. My address is different though. I will send that to you next week. :) Feel free to explore Kichijoji on Google Maps and on the internet! It is an incredible place. :)
I am so excited for this opportunity to become a zone leader. What are some suggestions that you have for me, Dad? I always looked up to you as a leader. Thank you for just being incredible. I remember some of the times that we went Home Teaching I would always think to myself, "Oh man, this might take a few hours." haha Thank you for taking a long time to talk to people. You did the right thing, and my young mind just didn't understand. I am still young now, but I am so glad
for the example that you sent. You taught people as a home teacher, not lessons. There are too many people that teach lessons as home teachers, not people. If everyone in the church faithfully fulfilled their calling to fellowship and help those that they are assigned to serve as home and visiting teachers (and not just on the day that you visit to teach, but every day the whole month) there would be a lot less-actives.
A quick note for the trip to Japan. I think what you suggested is a super good idea! I will for sure ask President Wada. I am not 100% sure on what the brethren have asked, so I will ask President Wada what they have asked of us. Thank you for being understanding about Jenna. haha That means a lot. But, instead of scrapping the idea if we can't right at the end of my mission, I have a better idea. :) Keep saving, and the Spring of 2017 come back (this is all if we can't make the first idea work). The Cherry Blossoms are worth the wait, and not only would that give us time to save more money, but it will give us time to settle in, prepare, etc. Also, the U of U does have a spring break (I believe) and I would be willing to go for that and miss a little to to have a good nice trip here. I really want to come here sooner than later, or the plans will get delayed for too long until it is too late. It is absolutely incredible here. You will love it. :) It is also incredibly nice weather right now! So, that is always a plus. :) Just some ideas. What do you think?
Well, it seems that I have run out of time, but know that I love you, Dad!! Keep working hard, and loving mom and the girls for me! :) Tell them all hi! :) <3
Love, Elder Livingston
MLC...and other last week things - Letter to Mom - 6 April, 2015
Hey mommy! ;D haha <3 How are you? I figured I hadn't called you mommy in a while, and it would be funny for you to read. I love you!! <3
Well, let's dive right into last week with....MLC! Who knows what that stands for? Let's do a little multiple choice quiz:
A) Martin Luther .... Cing?
B) My Legs Cramped
C) Milk-Like Chocolate
D) Mission Leadership Council
E) Major Laxative Counsel
What do you think? That's right it is.....E! I was pretty sick this last week, but I am slowly getting better...... ;D haha no, the real answer is D. Mission Leadership Council is a group that comes together once a month to talk about the mission and to receive training, etc. It consists of: President and Sister Wada, their counselors (if they come), the Assistants to the President, the Zone Leaders, and the Sister Training Leaders. And guess what?? I got to go last week! :D It
was so fun. Now, before you jump the gun, I was a district leader, not a zone leader. ;) haha It was so insightful, and so amazing to feel the spirit of those incredible people. I learned a lot, and I hope to apply it into my missionary work. I also learned a bit about patriarchal blessings from Sister Wada. Did you know that you can request the patriarchal blessings of your deceased ancestors? You should do that, for someone that you felt pretty close to. I would love to get James Campbell Livingston's if possible. :) Also, thank you so so much for working so hard on getting those pictures to me, and to Dad for getting the P90X3 stuff all worked out for me so that I can do that! I am so grateful for that.
Oh, so this is completely random and off topic, but I wanted to throw in something that I learned today in personal study. Did you know that when you are humble, it is living in gratitude for the dependance that you have on the Lord. Interesting, huh? Read that again. Gratitude for the dependance that you have on the Lord. Cool, huh? I absolutely loved that. How many times are we not just acknowledging, or accepting of our dependance, but grateful? That really stuck out to me.
But, the big news for the week will wind back around to MLC. This week was ...... (trumpets playing)........(drums rolling).........(people dancing)..........(you guys cringing that I am still putting things in parentheses)........(me continuing to do it ;D haha).........Transfer Week!!!! Crazy huh? This past transfer practically flew, and I can not believe that it is already time for transfers again. Sadly, it is time for me to leave the nest that I grew up in here in Japan. :) I am very excited for my new area, and my new opportunities. I will be going to:
Kichijoji!!! :D and I will be a zone leader! :D (basically I'm freaking out right now haha) :)
So, a little bit about Kichijoji. That is where the mission home is located. My district (even though I am no longer district leader) consists of me and my companion (Elder Scott), the District Leader and his companion, the Assistants, the Office Elders, and a Sister Training Leader and her companion. Crazy, huh? I think that I will be seeing a lot more of President Wada. :) haha I am so excited, and just slightly overwhelmed at this opportunity. It has been really humbling to be assigned there. Recently I have been learning a lot about leadership and what it really means.
All growing up (and all three of you can attest to this, but particularly you, mom) I have loved leadership. I have always wanted to be the captain of the team, the leader of the group, the top,
whatever you may want to call it. I am not sure why. I think it started out as a prideful, boastful thing, but the more I have grown up, the more I think that it has moved from that to wanting to do the best that I can. However, I do think that there is, as Elder Uchtdorf puts it, "a casual if not intimate relationship" with pride. haha I don't think I am super prideful, but there is that part of me that wants to be the best. Always. :) haha But, recently I have learned so much more how that is not the case, and how being the best is something that should be measured in your heart, not by the chain of command. In fact it is something that I have been trying to change. Changing my thinking from, "higher is better" to "my best is my best, whether as Junior Companion or Assistant to the President". It has been such a good experience, but quite interesting that as soon as I started to really desire to shift my thinking, I was thrown into the Zone Leader position. It has given me lots to think and ponder about, and I am grateful for Christ and His Atonement. I could not overcome my weakness without Him, but with Him by my side, I will always be strong. I love Him, and I testify that He lives. He loves each and every one of us. I love you, Mom, and I hope that you recognize how present the Lord is in your life. I am so glad that you got your question answered at conference. I challenge you to ponder that answer, and pray to know if that is all the Lord needed you to know. Then ponder again. Then pray again. By doing this, you can find out other things that the Lord is dying to give to you, but is requisite on your seeking for them. Ask, and I promise you will receive. Knock, and I promise it will be opened unto you. Thank you for your example, Mom. I love you so so so so much!!! <3 <3 :) <3
Love, Your Son, Your Favorite Child, Your Only Tanner, Your Brown-Eyed Boy, Elder Livingston
;D <3 Love ya!! Don't forget to laugh a healthy amount! (which means you can laugh until your stomach hurts.....and then some. ;D Love ya!)
<3
Well, let's dive right into last week with....MLC! Who knows what that stands for? Let's do a little multiple choice quiz:
A) Martin Luther .... Cing?
B) My Legs Cramped
C) Milk-Like Chocolate
D) Mission Leadership Council
E) Major Laxative Counsel
What do you think? That's right it is.....E! I was pretty sick this last week, but I am slowly getting better...... ;D haha no, the real answer is D. Mission Leadership Council is a group that comes together once a month to talk about the mission and to receive training, etc. It consists of: President and Sister Wada, their counselors (if they come), the Assistants to the President, the Zone Leaders, and the Sister Training Leaders. And guess what?? I got to go last week! :D It
was so fun. Now, before you jump the gun, I was a district leader, not a zone leader. ;) haha It was so insightful, and so amazing to feel the spirit of those incredible people. I learned a lot, and I hope to apply it into my missionary work. I also learned a bit about patriarchal blessings from Sister Wada. Did you know that you can request the patriarchal blessings of your deceased ancestors? You should do that, for someone that you felt pretty close to. I would love to get James Campbell Livingston's if possible. :) Also, thank you so so much for working so hard on getting those pictures to me, and to Dad for getting the P90X3 stuff all worked out for me so that I can do that! I am so grateful for that.
Oh, so this is completely random and off topic, but I wanted to throw in something that I learned today in personal study. Did you know that when you are humble, it is living in gratitude for the dependance that you have on the Lord. Interesting, huh? Read that again. Gratitude for the dependance that you have on the Lord. Cool, huh? I absolutely loved that. How many times are we not just acknowledging, or accepting of our dependance, but grateful? That really stuck out to me.
But, the big news for the week will wind back around to MLC. This week was ...... (trumpets playing)........(drums rolling).........(people dancing)..........(you guys cringing that I am still putting things in parentheses)........(me continuing to do it ;D haha).........Transfer Week!!!! Crazy huh? This past transfer practically flew, and I can not believe that it is already time for transfers again. Sadly, it is time for me to leave the nest that I grew up in here in Japan. :) I am very excited for my new area, and my new opportunities. I will be going to:
Kichijoji!!! :D and I will be a zone leader! :D (basically I'm freaking out right now haha) :)
So, a little bit about Kichijoji. That is where the mission home is located. My district (even though I am no longer district leader) consists of me and my companion (Elder Scott), the District Leader and his companion, the Assistants, the Office Elders, and a Sister Training Leader and her companion. Crazy, huh? I think that I will be seeing a lot more of President Wada. :) haha I am so excited, and just slightly overwhelmed at this opportunity. It has been really humbling to be assigned there. Recently I have been learning a lot about leadership and what it really means.
All growing up (and all three of you can attest to this, but particularly you, mom) I have loved leadership. I have always wanted to be the captain of the team, the leader of the group, the top,
whatever you may want to call it. I am not sure why. I think it started out as a prideful, boastful thing, but the more I have grown up, the more I think that it has moved from that to wanting to do the best that I can. However, I do think that there is, as Elder Uchtdorf puts it, "a casual if not intimate relationship" with pride. haha I don't think I am super prideful, but there is that part of me that wants to be the best. Always. :) haha But, recently I have learned so much more how that is not the case, and how being the best is something that should be measured in your heart, not by the chain of command. In fact it is something that I have been trying to change. Changing my thinking from, "higher is better" to "my best is my best, whether as Junior Companion or Assistant to the President". It has been such a good experience, but quite interesting that as soon as I started to really desire to shift my thinking, I was thrown into the Zone Leader position. It has given me lots to think and ponder about, and I am grateful for Christ and His Atonement. I could not overcome my weakness without Him, but with Him by my side, I will always be strong. I love Him, and I testify that He lives. He loves each and every one of us. I love you, Mom, and I hope that you recognize how present the Lord is in your life. I am so glad that you got your question answered at conference. I challenge you to ponder that answer, and pray to know if that is all the Lord needed you to know. Then ponder again. Then pray again. By doing this, you can find out other things that the Lord is dying to give to you, but is requisite on your seeking for them. Ask, and I promise you will receive. Knock, and I promise it will be opened unto you. Thank you for your example, Mom. I love you so so so so much!!! <3 <3 :) <3
Love, Your Son, Your Favorite Child, Your Only Tanner, Your Brown-Eyed Boy, Elder Livingston
;D <3 Love ya!! Don't forget to laugh a healthy amount! (which means you can laugh until your stomach hurts.....and then some. ;D Love ya!)
<3
Letter to Dad - 6 April, 2015
Yep, I am on right now! I love you! :) <3 I hope that you sleep well! And thanks for all of the work on the P90X3 stuff. It means a lot. The problem isn't the text descriptions or the videos, but the fact that our iPads are extremely restricted, particularly where we can search on the internet, and I would not be able to even access the site. (as far as I know).Love you!! <3
Elder Livingston
Elder Livingston
Pictures this week - 30 March, 2015
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| Blossoms |
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| Sakura - cherry blossoms |
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| Elders Frischknecht and Livingston |
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| Making gyoza |
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| Making gyoza |
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| Elder Livingston and the blossoms |
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| Elder Livingston's serious side :-) |
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| At the park |
New iPads and Other First World Problems - Letter to Mom - 30 March, 2015
Dear Mother,
Have you ever heard rants about first world problems? It is kind of sad, but it really opens your eyes to how weak and meaningless our complaining is. Are you ready for some of the first world problems that I have experienced in Japan? (Read this in as whiny of a voice as possible, and it will be really funny....I hope ;) or just read in my voice.....or perhaps Kronk's voice....something you enjoy. ;) haha)
First world Problem: We finished the testing program for our iPads being the only missions (Tokyo as well) internationally. And had to get NEW iPads! Can you believe it? We had to set them up, and take time, and it even has more storage. But, I lost all of my pictures to the cloud and am not sure how to get them (help dad!! haha).
First world Problem: I went on splits with a traveling AP and used the other one's bike. His is an American bike with disc brakes, so I almost died because Japanese bikes have their brakes switched (I pulled sharply on the front tire....with disc brakes....don't worry, nobody was seriously injured. :) haha)
First World Problem: We were using too many electrical devices so the breaker flipped and I had to wait to turn back on the shower to exactly 40 degress celsius (We choose to the degree how hot our showers are! Crazy huh?)
First World Problem: We ran out of rice so we had to eat the bread that ward members give to us.
We will now stop the first world problems. I want you to think about the times that maybe you have complained about similar things. For example, how many times did we complain about our broken Air Conditioning, forcing us to go downstairs and use fans? How many times do we complain that we don't have food, when in reality what we mean is we don't have the food that we want? How many times do we complain that the chord to our computer is all the way across the room, and we have to stand up and get it, and then move positions to get close enough to the outlet in the wall so that we can charge it while we are using it? How many times do we complain that we have to wash the hand dishes or clean the kitchen?
When we look at the blessings instead, we get quite a change in perspective: When our air conditioner broke, I was so grateful that we could go to our cool basement. I was also grateful that we had extra fans that we could blow. I was also grateful that we even have
electricity. I was so grateful that we had enough wheat to make bread. It was so fun to get closer to mom while we made it, and it was delicious to eat after! I also loved eating those vegetables and salad that Ammon prepared for dinner. I am so grateful that Dad has a nice job, supplying us with all that we could ever want as far as technology goes. I am so grateful we have electricity to supply our home with light and warmth. I am so grateful that we have nice couches and seats to sit on while I use the computer, and I am grateful that we have food that makes our kitchen dirty, as well as the appliances that need cleaning, and all of those things.
So, what happened there? What takes a "first world problem" to a blessing? The answer is a change in perspective. Particularly in this case, living in gratitude as opposed to living in greed. I encourage you to live in gratitude all of your life.
This week was way good. Like I mentioned before, I got to go on splits with one of the traveling AP's and it was so good. He is an incredible missionary.
Overall it was so good! I love you, mom! (This is where my iPad died. Haha) Take care! Love ya! <3 <3
Love, Elder Livingston
Have you ever heard rants about first world problems? It is kind of sad, but it really opens your eyes to how weak and meaningless our complaining is. Are you ready for some of the first world problems that I have experienced in Japan? (Read this in as whiny of a voice as possible, and it will be really funny....I hope ;) or just read in my voice.....or perhaps Kronk's voice....something you enjoy. ;) haha)
First world Problem: We finished the testing program for our iPads being the only missions (Tokyo as well) internationally. And had to get NEW iPads! Can you believe it? We had to set them up, and take time, and it even has more storage. But, I lost all of my pictures to the cloud and am not sure how to get them (help dad!! haha).
First world Problem: I went on splits with a traveling AP and used the other one's bike. His is an American bike with disc brakes, so I almost died because Japanese bikes have their brakes switched (I pulled sharply on the front tire....with disc brakes....don't worry, nobody was seriously injured. :) haha)
First World Problem: We were using too many electrical devices so the breaker flipped and I had to wait to turn back on the shower to exactly 40 degress celsius (We choose to the degree how hot our showers are! Crazy huh?)
First World Problem: We ran out of rice so we had to eat the bread that ward members give to us.
We will now stop the first world problems. I want you to think about the times that maybe you have complained about similar things. For example, how many times did we complain about our broken Air Conditioning, forcing us to go downstairs and use fans? How many times do we complain that we don't have food, when in reality what we mean is we don't have the food that we want? How many times do we complain that the chord to our computer is all the way across the room, and we have to stand up and get it, and then move positions to get close enough to the outlet in the wall so that we can charge it while we are using it? How many times do we complain that we have to wash the hand dishes or clean the kitchen?
When we look at the blessings instead, we get quite a change in perspective: When our air conditioner broke, I was so grateful that we could go to our cool basement. I was also grateful that we had extra fans that we could blow. I was also grateful that we even have
electricity. I was so grateful that we had enough wheat to make bread. It was so fun to get closer to mom while we made it, and it was delicious to eat after! I also loved eating those vegetables and salad that Ammon prepared for dinner. I am so grateful that Dad has a nice job, supplying us with all that we could ever want as far as technology goes. I am so grateful we have electricity to supply our home with light and warmth. I am so grateful that we have nice couches and seats to sit on while I use the computer, and I am grateful that we have food that makes our kitchen dirty, as well as the appliances that need cleaning, and all of those things.
So, what happened there? What takes a "first world problem" to a blessing? The answer is a change in perspective. Particularly in this case, living in gratitude as opposed to living in greed. I encourage you to live in gratitude all of your life.
This week was way good. Like I mentioned before, I got to go on splits with one of the traveling AP's and it was so good. He is an incredible missionary.
Overall it was so good! I love you, mom! (This is where my iPad died. Haha) Take care! Love ya! <3 <3
Love, Elder Livingston
Letter to Dad - 30 March, 2015
Hey Dad!
I am so sorry, I actually have about no time either, haha, but I wanted to thank you for the little update. :) It was so good to hear from you. I am sure that the format is great, however I am not allowed to access the site. The sites that we have access to are extremely limited. The best way would be if you could PDF the pages that you have there, and I could open them in iBooks. Also, how do you access the cloud better? I have access to it a bit but the things that I stored in there from my last iPad are not coming down onto my new one (were you able to access it?? :) ) But, I will trust you. Thank you so so so much for all of the hard work that you have put into this. I am so grateful. <3
I would love a shirt! haha :) You don't need to get me anything, though. Honestly, just saving so that you can come would be great. Speaking of which, how is that plan looking? When I have more time I would like to talk more about that, and to try and see how things will work logistically. It will be super interesting for a few reasons. 1. The time of the year that I end my mission is a lot of people in Japan's least favorite time of the year because of how hot and humid it is. Maybe mom would love that haha 2. Probably more important is the switch in mission presidents. Because of the way that mission presidents switch, I believe that there will be a new mission president right before I finish, and I do not know how coordinating that will all go with him 3. Talking about Jenna coming. haha so those are some things I would like to talk to you more about in the future. I am not super worried about it right now, and it all looks like it should work out, just things that I want you to be aware of. Also, when are you planning on buying tickets (just so that I can talk to President Wada and see what his counsel is before you do that)?
I love you so much, Dad!! Have a fantastic week!! <3 :)
愛しています！
リビングストン長老
I am so sorry, I actually have about no time either, haha, but I wanted to thank you for the little update. :) It was so good to hear from you. I am sure that the format is great, however I am not allowed to access the site. The sites that we have access to are extremely limited. The best way would be if you could PDF the pages that you have there, and I could open them in iBooks. Also, how do you access the cloud better? I have access to it a bit but the things that I stored in there from my last iPad are not coming down onto my new one (were you able to access it?? :) ) But, I will trust you. Thank you so so so much for all of the hard work that you have put into this. I am so grateful. <3
I would love a shirt! haha :) You don't need to get me anything, though. Honestly, just saving so that you can come would be great. Speaking of which, how is that plan looking? When I have more time I would like to talk more about that, and to try and see how things will work logistically. It will be super interesting for a few reasons. 1. The time of the year that I end my mission is a lot of people in Japan's least favorite time of the year because of how hot and humid it is. Maybe mom would love that haha 2. Probably more important is the switch in mission presidents. Because of the way that mission presidents switch, I believe that there will be a new mission president right before I finish, and I do not know how coordinating that will all go with him 3. Talking about Jenna coming. haha so those are some things I would like to talk to you more about in the future. I am not super worried about it right now, and it all looks like it should work out, just things that I want you to be aware of. Also, when are you planning on buying tickets (just so that I can talk to President Wada and see what his counsel is before you do that)?
I love you so much, Dad!! Have a fantastic week!! <3 :)
愛しています！
リビングストン長老
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