Well to be honest this week was pretty rough all around. Monday, we did our shopping at the mall and tried to just relax. We had a family home evening with the Artola's and Erika and her girls. It was a really good lesson. It was simple because, like most Hispanics, we spent most of the time talking. Then we spent the rest of the night knocking doors and looking up some less actives.
Tuesday, we spent the the beginning part of our day knocking doors and trying to find anyone who would listen. Then we tried a less-active named Claudia Requeno. She was there which was awesome because we hadn't been able to talk to her in a long time. She had surgery on Sunday. So we shared a quick message and tried to help her feel good. Then tried Anguie but she wasn't home. So we went to an investigator the Elders gave to us. We gave a quick lesson and spent time trying to get to know her. Then we had dinner with a member named Raquel. She is super nice and she makes some good food! She is from Columbia. Then we helped her out and did her dishes.
Wednesday was a day of knocking doors. We spent most of our time going door to door because all of our lessons canceled. Then we tried Myriam Perez. She was home but so was most of her family and one of her friends. It made it more of a conversation than an lesson but it was pretty good. Then we went to Lourdes and Mynor's. Once we got there no one was there so we tried calling them but no one answered. So we left to go look someone else up. We got like 5 min away and they called asking where we were so we turned around. We had a good lesson with them. They are really progressing to baptism!! It is so exciting seeing someone so ready to make this covenant and to progress closer to our Heavenly Father.
Thursday was a little crazy. We had service at a community place and we planted flowers and pulled weeds. It was fun! Then we had district meeting. It was kinda of funny. We practiced door approaches and what we say when we knock doors. Our district leader was an old woman, and I was the mean one that slams the door. It helped a little bit and changed what we said some what to hopefully get more people. Then we just counseled about our people and went our ways. We did some more knocking doors and just trying to find someone. That evening we talked to a less active named America. She is from Peru. Super sweet. She told us that she doesn't work Sunday's any more so she can come to church! Yay! Then we had a really good lesson with Anguie that night. We learned more about her thoughts and feelings.
Friday was really slow. We had weekly planning which takes a while anyways. Then we had deep clean so we had to do a really good cleaning of our apartment. My mom would be so proud of me. I did a lot of mucking and chucking. We tried to get rid of anything we didn't need and reorganize. We moved out beds back to our bedrooms to get more room in the living room. Then we had dinner at Hermana Quispe. She makes some yummy food. She even like had made up the recipe and it was still really good. Then we tried meeting up with the ASL sisters but they were running late and that person couldn't do it any later. They were working with a deaf kid but his parents speak Spanish so they don't understand the parents and wanted our help to help the parents and make understanding.
Saturday we painted some guys back patio. The ASL sisters had been knocking and he need help so we helped. It was kinda of fun. Then we went to Artola's and I did Hermana Artola's hair for a wedding she was going to that day. Then we did some knocking. However we found an investigator who had been taught in the past that we have been trying to get in contact with for the past almost 12 weeks. Her name is Joana Rivera and she is from Honduras. Then we had our lesson with Milagro and her kids. It was good we are trying to figure a way to get her to church. Then we spent the rest of our day knocking.
Sunday was Father's Day!! Happy Father's Day to all the dads! We went to the English ward to translate for Kelly. After church she told us she wanted to get baptized Saturday. no matter what it took. So maybe a baptism this week! Then we had Spanish ward which was only sacrament because not many people came so there was more point in the whole three hours so it was only one. Then we had dinner at the Artola's. Then knocked some doors. We went to our appointment with Hermana Mercado but the Elders were there so we couldn't be there. Hermana Williams was not all that happy they took our FHE. So we knocked some more doors and looked up a less active named Rossy which in the end was good.
Funny/ rude moments of Geraldine Artola.
On Monday she told Hermana Williams she was getting a little chubby.
On Tuesday she said she guessed she liked her new skirt but it would have been better in white.
On Sunday she told me If we get married we had to invite her to the wedding. So over all Hermana Williams and I will most likely not get married because we are chubby and have no fashion sense. So everyone knows
this is our future. Which is ok cause Hermana Williams and I can just grow old together.
This week I did a lot of study on the atonement and enduring to the end. I was looking for a talk for one of our less actives and this is the one I found which helped me a lot. It is from October 2015 General Conference called "The Strength to Endure" by Elder Maynes he says:
"Every morning when we wake up, we face a new day filled with the challenges of life. These challenges come in many forms: physical challenges, financial setbacks, difficulties with relationships, emotional trials, and even struggles with one’s faith. Many of the challenges we face in life can be solved and overcome; however, others may be difficult to understand and impossible to overcome and will be with us until we pass on to the next life. As we temporarily endure the challenges we can solve and as we continue to endure the challenges we cannot solve, it is important to remember that the spiritual strength we develop will help us successfully endure all the challenges we face in life."
I know each of us face hard things in our lives. I know that some seem impossible to overcome. However I do know that through the atonement or suffering of Jesus Christ anything is possible. My companion and I saw small miracles of the Lord leading us to some people to at least talk to when knocking doors. None of which we have been able to talk to again but at least they know the name of the church. In those miracles we became stronger and relayed a little more on the Lord. This week I learned the importance of pushing forward and giving everything to the Lord. I would encourage each one of to find the strength in the atonement and put all your trust in the Lord. He will make you strong in times of need and he will see you through. I love each and everyone of you! I pray and hope you have a great week! Maybe share the gospel with a friend😉
Love
Hermana Ashford
Monday, June 20, 2016
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
Come What May and Love It
I would like to apologize my email was so short last week. Monday was kinda of crazy and not much happened so it was a little short. However, we started this week of with a great day. Monday we were doing our laundry when a member, Hermana Mejano, called us asking for our help setting up for her son's wedding that day. So we went over to help set up chairs and put seat covers on them. As well, we put a purple band on them with a bow in the back. Let us just say, Hermana Williams is really good at bows and I am not! She didn't let me make any bows,only put seat covers on. Afterwards we ran to Walmart to do our shopping and then home to put everything away. Then over to the mall so Hermana Williams could get her eyebrows done. Then we spent the evening at a wedding. It was our ward mission leader and his fiance who got married. It was kinda of crazy. We first grilled some meat and then served the food and by the time we looked at our watches, we realized we had to go. The wedding went well and she looked beautiful.
Tuesday we had a district meeting and it was interesting. Hermana Williams gave the workshop and it went really well! Then we had service for three hours--moving mulch and I got a nice sunburn. Hermana Williams couldn't stop laughing at me because she didn't realize how white I am. Then we took Anguie out with us to try and have some lessons but we ended up just knocking doors. We had some success but not much. We also looked some people up and then went home.
Wednesday was a pretty full day. We first had to get our tire changed so while we waited we walked to a Burger King to relax and use WiFi. We also found out while we were there that one of our investigators moved to Boston. Then we were hungry so we got salads. Once with our car we went to our appointment where the elders where there. Both the English and Spanish elders and the elders the Spanish zone leaders were on exchange with so let's just say there were 7 missionaries at the home. The member ended up only feeding us pizza. Then we went to our next appointment which we had forgotten was our lunch appointment where she feed us soup, rice, and vegetables. Let me just say I didn't eat anything else the rest of the day. I was so full, no wonder I am gaining weight!! We spent most of the rest of the day knocking doors. Then we had a lesson with Lourdes and Mynor!! It was a really good lesson!! They are realizing the importance of baptism and having the Holy Ghost in their lives!
Thursday was a simple day and we had a lesson with Cesar and Sayda. It was our last lesson with them because they moved to Alabama Friday. It was so sad to have to say goodbye to them and wish them well in Alabama. Especially since he is the person we have really been focusing on to help him progress. We have been fasting and praying for him for the past couple of weeks and he was just beginning to look upwards. Now we pray and hope he goes to church in Alabama. Then we had weekly planning and that took kinda of long. Then we knocked doors. Mari Rodriguez, Yanci's sister, asked if we could go to her friends house to have a lesson so we went. It was a ok lesson we spent most of the time just getting to know them.
Friday was pretty good. We had zone conference and we had some LDS salesmen come and talk to us on how they do door to door sales. They took a long time but I learned a couple new things on how we could do door approaches. Then we had a lesson with Kelly and Geraldine. They are really progressing towards baptism! I am so excited! Then we helped decorate for the Father's Day party, had dinner at Hermana Qusipe's house and it was sooo good we had pasta! Then we knocked some doors. Let's just say it was an adventure.
Saturday was a pretty good day. We went to Yanci's to help dig more of the hole for the pool. It might be a pool by the end of the summer. We will see if that happens. Then we had a lesson with a new investigator. She seems like she has potential. She has a bird that walks the house. It just walks around our feet while we are having a lesson. Kinda of weird but that is ok. Then we knocked some doors before going back to Yanci's house for a lunch. Then we went to another investigators house and had a lesson with them. It was Milargo, Javier, and Monica. Hopefully they we start seeing the importance of the gospel. Then we got ready for the party. The activity was huge!!!!!!!! There were so many people there!!!! We also got quite a few of our investigators there which was awesome! We spent most of the night running around serving people and helping the relief society in any way possible. We had a DJ come and he dressed up like a guy from a mariachi band--like the ones we see at the river walk!!! Super fun! Super loud! Jokingly I told my companion we were breaking mission rules because we weren't in hearing of each other even when standing right next to each other because the music was so loud.
Sunday everyone was on a party hang over. He whole ward kinda seemed out of it. I know I was. After church we had left over food from the activity so they just served up dinner to anyone who stayed around to have food. We then said goo-bye to our ward mission leader and his new wife as they left to move to North Carolina. We then had a couple of appointments with some new investigators and some less actives. Over all a slow kinda of day! Today has been pretty good. We went to the mall and just hung out and relaxed most of the day.
Well my thought for the day comes from the November 2008 Liahona titled "Come what may and love it." By Joseph B. Worthlin. He whole talk was good but I like this story because my whole life my dad always related things to sports and so instantly this story made sense to me.
"When I was young I loved playing sports, and I have many fond memories of those days. But not all of them are pleasant. I remember one day after my football team lost a tough game, I came home feeling discouraged. My mother was there. She listened to my sad story. She taught her children to trust in themselves and each other, not blame others for their misfortunes, and give their best effort in everything they attempted.
When we fell down, she expected us to pick ourselves up and get going again. So the advice my mother gave to me then wasn’t altogether unexpected. It has stayed with me all my life. “Joseph,” she said, “come what may, and love it.” I have often reflected on that counsel.
I think she may have meant that every life has peaks and shadows and times when it seems that the birds don’t sing and bells don’t ring. Yet in spite of discouragement and adversity, those who are happiest seem to have a way of learning from difficult times, becoming stronger, wiser, and happier as a result."
The mission isn't easy and there are days I don't feel like picking myself up and moving on with the days. There are times when I just want one person so badly to listen to us and want this greatest joy and the best thing that could ever happen to something. I want someone to hear and apply the things we teach so there lives can be lived in happiness and not have to worry about the hard times. And when the hard times come they can say come what may and love it because they have the true and everlasting gospel to lean on. In those moments is when ever door is shut only a card is passed out or people turn away because they don't want us to talk to them. It is these moments I learn so much how to grow from the hard times. It is in those moments I feel the importance of the Savior in my life helping me to grow and become stronger through the times when I don't want to move on or another no. I know this is the only true church in this world. I know this gospel can change lives and I can see it in the lives of those we teach! I love he mission and I love New York! I hope you guys have a good week come what may and love it! I love y'all!!!!
LoveHermana Ashford.
Tuesday we had a district meeting and it was interesting. Hermana Williams gave the workshop and it went really well! Then we had service for three hours--moving mulch and I got a nice sunburn. Hermana Williams couldn't stop laughing at me because she didn't realize how white I am. Then we took Anguie out with us to try and have some lessons but we ended up just knocking doors. We had some success but not much. We also looked some people up and then went home.
Wednesday was a pretty full day. We first had to get our tire changed so while we waited we walked to a Burger King to relax and use WiFi. We also found out while we were there that one of our investigators moved to Boston. Then we were hungry so we got salads. Once with our car we went to our appointment where the elders where there. Both the English and Spanish elders and the elders the Spanish zone leaders were on exchange with so let's just say there were 7 missionaries at the home. The member ended up only feeding us pizza. Then we went to our next appointment which we had forgotten was our lunch appointment where she feed us soup, rice, and vegetables. Let me just say I didn't eat anything else the rest of the day. I was so full, no wonder I am gaining weight!! We spent most of the rest of the day knocking doors. Then we had a lesson with Lourdes and Mynor!! It was a really good lesson!! They are realizing the importance of baptism and having the Holy Ghost in their lives!
Thursday was a simple day and we had a lesson with Cesar and Sayda. It was our last lesson with them because they moved to Alabama Friday. It was so sad to have to say goodbye to them and wish them well in Alabama. Especially since he is the person we have really been focusing on to help him progress. We have been fasting and praying for him for the past couple of weeks and he was just beginning to look upwards. Now we pray and hope he goes to church in Alabama. Then we had weekly planning and that took kinda of long. Then we knocked doors. Mari Rodriguez, Yanci's sister, asked if we could go to her friends house to have a lesson so we went. It was a ok lesson we spent most of the time just getting to know them.
Friday was pretty good. We had zone conference and we had some LDS salesmen come and talk to us on how they do door to door sales. They took a long time but I learned a couple new things on how we could do door approaches. Then we had a lesson with Kelly and Geraldine. They are really progressing towards baptism! I am so excited! Then we helped decorate for the Father's Day party, had dinner at Hermana Qusipe's house and it was sooo good we had pasta! Then we knocked some doors. Let's just say it was an adventure.
Saturday was a pretty good day. We went to Yanci's to help dig more of the hole for the pool. It might be a pool by the end of the summer. We will see if that happens. Then we had a lesson with a new investigator. She seems like she has potential. She has a bird that walks the house. It just walks around our feet while we are having a lesson. Kinda of weird but that is ok. Then we knocked some doors before going back to Yanci's house for a lunch. Then we went to another investigators house and had a lesson with them. It was Milargo, Javier, and Monica. Hopefully they we start seeing the importance of the gospel. Then we got ready for the party. The activity was huge!!!!!!!! There were so many people there!!!! We also got quite a few of our investigators there which was awesome! We spent most of the night running around serving people and helping the relief society in any way possible. We had a DJ come and he dressed up like a guy from a mariachi band--like the ones we see at the river walk!!! Super fun! Super loud! Jokingly I told my companion we were breaking mission rules because we weren't in hearing of each other even when standing right next to each other because the music was so loud.
Sunday everyone was on a party hang over. He whole ward kinda seemed out of it. I know I was. After church we had left over food from the activity so they just served up dinner to anyone who stayed around to have food. We then said goo-bye to our ward mission leader and his new wife as they left to move to North Carolina. We then had a couple of appointments with some new investigators and some less actives. Over all a slow kinda of day! Today has been pretty good. We went to the mall and just hung out and relaxed most of the day.
Well my thought for the day comes from the November 2008 Liahona titled "Come what may and love it." By Joseph B. Worthlin. He whole talk was good but I like this story because my whole life my dad always related things to sports and so instantly this story made sense to me.
"When I was young I loved playing sports, and I have many fond memories of those days. But not all of them are pleasant. I remember one day after my football team lost a tough game, I came home feeling discouraged. My mother was there. She listened to my sad story. She taught her children to trust in themselves and each other, not blame others for their misfortunes, and give their best effort in everything they attempted.
When we fell down, she expected us to pick ourselves up and get going again. So the advice my mother gave to me then wasn’t altogether unexpected. It has stayed with me all my life. “Joseph,” she said, “come what may, and love it.” I have often reflected on that counsel.
I think she may have meant that every life has peaks and shadows and times when it seems that the birds don’t sing and bells don’t ring. Yet in spite of discouragement and adversity, those who are happiest seem to have a way of learning from difficult times, becoming stronger, wiser, and happier as a result."
The mission isn't easy and there are days I don't feel like picking myself up and moving on with the days. There are times when I just want one person so badly to listen to us and want this greatest joy and the best thing that could ever happen to something. I want someone to hear and apply the things we teach so there lives can be lived in happiness and not have to worry about the hard times. And when the hard times come they can say come what may and love it because they have the true and everlasting gospel to lean on. In those moments is when ever door is shut only a card is passed out or people turn away because they don't want us to talk to them. It is these moments I learn so much how to grow from the hard times. It is in those moments I feel the importance of the Savior in my life helping me to grow and become stronger through the times when I don't want to move on or another no. I know this is the only true church in this world. I know this gospel can change lives and I can see it in the lives of those we teach! I love he mission and I love New York! I hope you guys have a good week come what may and love it! I love y'all!!!!
LoveHermana Ashford.
Thursday, June 2, 2016
5/30/16--Sickness and Miracles
Well the rest of my Monday last week was pretty good. We went to Yanci's house and had dinner with her. We had a good discussion with her. She had a couple different questions for us so we did our best to answer them. She asked more about meaning of the scriptures. It made me realized in Young Women's all the time they would tell us to share the gospel with friends and it was ok when someone asked a question to say you don't know but you will ask the missionaries. Well now I am a missionary and people do ask us questions to many things both for themselves and for their friends. I am grateful I have the Holy Ghost with me to be able to answer those questions. Then we went to the Fuentes to have a Noche de Hogar which is family home evening. It was fun they feed us too. So did I mention I am gaining weight. Their cousin is visiting and she is a returned missionary of six months. She is from Honduras. She served in Guatemala and she is getting married next month to a missionary who was in her mission. A www crazy!! Lets up just say there isn't cute enough missionaries in my mission. Plus j don't want to get married that fast. Hermana Williams and I like to tell people that they changed it to were Elders serve for two years and they change Sisters from 18 months to 18 years because we love it out here so much and don't want to get married. Anyways we had a good lesson with the Fuentes in obedience. Their daughters are super cute and super fun.
Tuesday a day full of adventures. So we had district meeting which was good. I like my new district not the same as the last one. We lost our district leader last week and he was Hawaiian and he liked doing a Hawaiian word of the day each district meeting. So now I know some Hawaiian. The new district leader is cool and good as well just different. He is a little more chill and relaxed but hard working missionary. We also have the ASL sisters so it fun to see them sign. Then we had lunch with Marleny a less active. She makes some good food. We always leave full. We had a good lesson with her we are trying to get her to church. When we left we were driving to our next appointment when a car accident happened right behind us. I didn't see it because I was typing up our lesson report but Sister Williams did. So we pulled over to help out make sure everyone was ok. Everyone was good. I called our next appointment to reschedule and say sorry luckily it was a recent convert we were headed to and she understood and was willing to set up a new appointment. Then we called the police and they came. They were both Hispanic so we talked to them in Spanish. They were in shock from the accident so they were in even more shock when we spoke in Spanish. Then the police officer and everyone else was shock we stayed to help and make sure everyone was ok. They were impressed. It is kinda of sad that they were shocked we made sure everyone was ok. Then we had dinner and Hermana Williams took a nap. Then we had a recent convert lesson with Anguie and it went well. It is cool seeing people grow so much in their faith.
Wednesday Hermana Williams slept the entire morning while I studied. Then we had a lesson with Lourdes Lizma who is a recent convert in the English ward but speaks Spanish and prefers the lessons in Spanish so we teach her. The lesson was great and her testimony is strong. She was so cute she asked us questions about being a missionary. She was so interested in what we do. As well she is so excited to go to the temple to be sealed after she did baptisms for the day about a month ago. Then we went to the doctor and found out Hermana Williams had the flu. Gross. So I drove for the next couple of days because she would sleep in the car on our way to lessons. Then we got her medicine and a nap. Then we had a lesson with Erika and Lindsey. Really simple and short. Then we had a lesson with our investigator Myriam and her friend was there. Her friend asked some questions and it went well.
Thursday was weekly planning and napping for Hermana Williams. She slept a lot because she was sick. Then we spent the rest of the afternoon looking up referrals and knocking doors and Hermana Williams taking more naps. In the morning we did have a lesson with a investigator and her less active husband. They are both living the gospel we just need to work towards baptism and marriage.
Friday we did a lot. Hermana Williams was feeling better so we got our move on. We had six lessons that day. We started with Geraldine, Kevin, and Kelly. They are a mom (Kelly), a daughter (Geraldine), and son (Kevin). They are a solid family they are doing great! Then a new investigator named Diana who it was our first lesson. We have high hopes for her. Then a less active named Hermana Quispe. She makes dinner for us about every Friday. She is awesome. Then we had a lesson with an investigator named Ana who is a mom of a daughter and two boys. We have had a couple lessons with her before. Right at the end of her lesson her daughter Nancy and her friend walked in. So we had a lesson with them they have so much potential. They had a lot of questions for us from religious to if we are like normal people. Then we ended the night with a lesson with a less active named Rossy. She is super sweet and feed us more food. She has a big desire to come
back to church. So we will work hard with her.
Saturday we helped some of the members start learning a Hawaiian dance for Father's Day. We were watching a video and helping them learn it. It was so much fun! Then we did some knocking and referrals. Then we had a lesson with Milargo (mom), Javier (son), and Monica (daughter). They are related to a member. We had a good lesson with them and there is bright hope in their future. Then we went to a members house to have dinner at their party. They were having a family party for Memorial Day. There was a bunch of food. I was so full by the time I left. Wow but it was all soooooo good!!! Then we had a lesson with Cesar. It was a deep lesson. He needed a little push in some areas but now he is doing great!
Sunday we went to English ward to translate for Kelly, Kevin, and Geraldine. Well Hermana Williams translated for Kelly and I just helped Kevin and Geraldine where ever they needed help in understanding what was going on. Then we hung around for a little bit and had our correlation meeting. Then it was ward conference so their was a bunch of other people. As well a lot of translating going on. So a recent convert from a couple months ago showed up which was awesome because his mom didn't want anything to do with the church which she told us like the second week I was here. So sad!! Her son the one who came is deaf so Hermana Williams had to translate into English so the ASL sisters could translate it into ASL. Lots of translating. Then we listen to the next two hours in Spanish and English. My head hurt after that because it didn't know which language it wanted. Then we had dinner and Hermana Williams had a nap. She is feeling much better but is tired still a little bit. Then we had a lesson with Wendy and her mom stayed and listen which was awesome. Then we went to Erika's to have a FHE but Erika was asleep so we just had it with the girls. Cool part was their less active step dad listen from the other room. Both Hermana Williams and I saw him praying afterwards. We hope we touched his heart. Then on our way to the next less active house I had mentioned how thirsty I was and Hermana Williams couldn't offer me her water because she was still a little sick. Cool part was at the less active members home her son gave us Gatorade. Such an answer to my prayer. Then we saw some fireworks which I know we're meant for my mom cause it was her birthday! So if you haven't said happy birthday to my mom go for it!! I know it is a day late but she will still take it. Happy birthday mom!
Today we had a phone call with Cesar to read scriptures together. It was a short quick lesson. Then we did laundry and stood shopping. Then we played soccer for a couple hours and now I am finishing writing this.
So I am trying to read the Book of Mormon in six weeks and I am doing good so far but I came across a scripture that to me is why I am on a mission. It is Mosiah 18:30 and this is the part that is why I am on my mission: "how beautiful are they to the eyes of them who there came to the knowledge of their Redeemer; yea, and how blessed are they, for they shall sing to his praise forever."
My favorite part about being a missionary is seeing the light of Christ growing in the eyes of others. Seeing them come to love the gospel and wanting so much from it. Seeing people soak up the gospel with everything they have. Most importantly seeing them come to know Jesus Christ and what he has done for them. I love my Savior and Redeemer. I know he died on the cross for me and for you. I know he suffered in the garden of Gethsemane for me and for you. Use the atonement it is here to help us learn and become better.
I love y'all! Have a great week!
Con Amor
Hermana Ashford
Tuesday a day full of adventures. So we had district meeting which was good. I like my new district not the same as the last one. We lost our district leader last week and he was Hawaiian and he liked doing a Hawaiian word of the day each district meeting. So now I know some Hawaiian. The new district leader is cool and good as well just different. He is a little more chill and relaxed but hard working missionary. We also have the ASL sisters so it fun to see them sign. Then we had lunch with Marleny a less active. She makes some good food. We always leave full. We had a good lesson with her we are trying to get her to church. When we left we were driving to our next appointment when a car accident happened right behind us. I didn't see it because I was typing up our lesson report but Sister Williams did. So we pulled over to help out make sure everyone was ok. Everyone was good. I called our next appointment to reschedule and say sorry luckily it was a recent convert we were headed to and she understood and was willing to set up a new appointment. Then we called the police and they came. They were both Hispanic so we talked to them in Spanish. They were in shock from the accident so they were in even more shock when we spoke in Spanish. Then the police officer and everyone else was shock we stayed to help and make sure everyone was ok. They were impressed. It is kinda of sad that they were shocked we made sure everyone was ok. Then we had dinner and Hermana Williams took a nap. Then we had a recent convert lesson with Anguie and it went well. It is cool seeing people grow so much in their faith.
Wednesday Hermana Williams slept the entire morning while I studied. Then we had a lesson with Lourdes Lizma who is a recent convert in the English ward but speaks Spanish and prefers the lessons in Spanish so we teach her. The lesson was great and her testimony is strong. She was so cute she asked us questions about being a missionary. She was so interested in what we do. As well she is so excited to go to the temple to be sealed after she did baptisms for the day about a month ago. Then we went to the doctor and found out Hermana Williams had the flu. Gross. So I drove for the next couple of days because she would sleep in the car on our way to lessons. Then we got her medicine and a nap. Then we had a lesson with Erika and Lindsey. Really simple and short. Then we had a lesson with our investigator Myriam and her friend was there. Her friend asked some questions and it went well.
Thursday was weekly planning and napping for Hermana Williams. She slept a lot because she was sick. Then we spent the rest of the afternoon looking up referrals and knocking doors and Hermana Williams taking more naps. In the morning we did have a lesson with a investigator and her less active husband. They are both living the gospel we just need to work towards baptism and marriage.
Friday we did a lot. Hermana Williams was feeling better so we got our move on. We had six lessons that day. We started with Geraldine, Kevin, and Kelly. They are a mom (Kelly), a daughter (Geraldine), and son (Kevin). They are a solid family they are doing great! Then a new investigator named Diana who it was our first lesson. We have high hopes for her. Then a less active named Hermana Quispe. She makes dinner for us about every Friday. She is awesome. Then we had a lesson with an investigator named Ana who is a mom of a daughter and two boys. We have had a couple lessons with her before. Right at the end of her lesson her daughter Nancy and her friend walked in. So we had a lesson with them they have so much potential. They had a lot of questions for us from religious to if we are like normal people. Then we ended the night with a lesson with a less active named Rossy. She is super sweet and feed us more food. She has a big desire to come
back to church. So we will work hard with her.
Saturday we helped some of the members start learning a Hawaiian dance for Father's Day. We were watching a video and helping them learn it. It was so much fun! Then we did some knocking and referrals. Then we had a lesson with Milargo (mom), Javier (son), and Monica (daughter). They are related to a member. We had a good lesson with them and there is bright hope in their future. Then we went to a members house to have dinner at their party. They were having a family party for Memorial Day. There was a bunch of food. I was so full by the time I left. Wow but it was all soooooo good!!! Then we had a lesson with Cesar. It was a deep lesson. He needed a little push in some areas but now he is doing great!
Sunday we went to English ward to translate for Kelly, Kevin, and Geraldine. Well Hermana Williams translated for Kelly and I just helped Kevin and Geraldine where ever they needed help in understanding what was going on. Then we hung around for a little bit and had our correlation meeting. Then it was ward conference so their was a bunch of other people. As well a lot of translating going on. So a recent convert from a couple months ago showed up which was awesome because his mom didn't want anything to do with the church which she told us like the second week I was here. So sad!! Her son the one who came is deaf so Hermana Williams had to translate into English so the ASL sisters could translate it into ASL. Lots of translating. Then we listen to the next two hours in Spanish and English. My head hurt after that because it didn't know which language it wanted. Then we had dinner and Hermana Williams had a nap. She is feeling much better but is tired still a little bit. Then we had a lesson with Wendy and her mom stayed and listen which was awesome. Then we went to Erika's to have a FHE but Erika was asleep so we just had it with the girls. Cool part was their less active step dad listen from the other room. Both Hermana Williams and I saw him praying afterwards. We hope we touched his heart. Then on our way to the next less active house I had mentioned how thirsty I was and Hermana Williams couldn't offer me her water because she was still a little sick. Cool part was at the less active members home her son gave us Gatorade. Such an answer to my prayer. Then we saw some fireworks which I know we're meant for my mom cause it was her birthday! So if you haven't said happy birthday to my mom go for it!! I know it is a day late but she will still take it. Happy birthday mom!
Today we had a phone call with Cesar to read scriptures together. It was a short quick lesson. Then we did laundry and stood shopping. Then we played soccer for a couple hours and now I am finishing writing this.
So I am trying to read the Book of Mormon in six weeks and I am doing good so far but I came across a scripture that to me is why I am on a mission. It is Mosiah 18:30 and this is the part that is why I am on my mission: "how beautiful are they to the eyes of them who there came to the knowledge of their Redeemer; yea, and how blessed are they, for they shall sing to his praise forever."
My favorite part about being a missionary is seeing the light of Christ growing in the eyes of others. Seeing them come to love the gospel and wanting so much from it. Seeing people soak up the gospel with everything they have. Most importantly seeing them come to know Jesus Christ and what he has done for them. I love my Savior and Redeemer. I know he died on the cross for me and for you. I know he suffered in the garden of Gethsemane for me and for you. Use the atonement it is here to help us learn and become better.
I love y'all! Have a great week!
Con Amor
Hermana Ashford
5/21/16--Allergies and a Plain Week
Sunday was a pretty good day. We went to the English ward in the morning to translate for our investigators who could only go in the morning. Then we went to our ward making a total of four hours of church. Then we had a lesson with a less active named Wendy. She is super cute and has such a strong testimony. She joined the church about 9 years ago. She wants to come to church but she has to work on Sunday's. That is the hardest part about being in New York because it is so expensive out here everyone has to work on Sunday's in order to make enough money. Our lesson was great with her and it is fun seeing her testimony so strong and so bright. Then we spent the rest of the day just looking people up.
Monday was a weird day. We had to go to the city to have driving training for Hermana Williams. Then I took my driving test so maybe next transfer I will be driving. Then we stopped at a Panera bread to get food. It was good. Then Lourdes texted us saying that she had to cancel on us because of some issues. Then we went to a less active house and she told us she never wants to come to church again but she says she still has a testimony. It was so sad. Then we had dinner at Yanci's and it was fun. We basically relaxed and they made us feel better. Then we went to the Fuentes. Had a good family home evening with them and they feed us as well. So we had like three dinners that night. Too much food.
Tuesday was transfer day!! However we didn't do anything because we weren't going anywhere because I am still training. We had lunch at a less active members house and it was good. Then we did a lot of finding. Mainly knocking doors. We then found a less active and we talked to her. Man it is going to be a lot of work with them. They are a little worldly.
Wednesday through Saturday wasn't all that exciting mainly knocking doors. Although our recent convert came out with us Saturday which was fun. As well on Friday we went to a fun frozen yogurt place called Menchies. Apparently that is a place in Ohio and Hermana Williams used to go there all the time with her sister so she was super excited to go there. It was a hard working week. Then Sunday was about the same as last week but we spent Sunday school and relief society talking with Erika. The sad news is my allergies kicked in. I have been sniffing and sneezing and uh it is just no fun. I feel awful but I am going to keep pushing forward.
Sorry it wasn't as detailed as normal but this week wasn't that full of many great and exciting things. But my spiritual note for the week is I am trying to read the entire Book of Mormon this transfer but I am marking every time it says one of the God heads names. It is cool to see how often Heavenly Father, the Savior, or the Holy Ghost is mentioned. My scriptures are going to be so bright with yellow markings. I am loving reading the Book of Mormon for myself and seeing how often they are mentioned and how important they really are. It just shows me that the Book of Mormon really does testify of Jesus Christ and his atonement. I love this gospel and the peace it has brought me. I love each and one of you. I hope y'all have a great week!
Love
Hermana Ashford
5/14/16--Week of Miracles
Wow a week of miracles!! This is the title because I am going to try and point out all of the miracles we saw throughout the week. There were so many so I may not get to all of them. We will start with Monday. We went to Yanci's house to do family home evening and have dinner. I learned to make an El Salvadoran dish called papusas. It is kinda of like meat and cheese in dough flatten like a pizza. Then you put it on a skillet and flip it every now and then. Then you but lettuce, onions, and tomatoes on top with a salsa dressing. It is so good. It was fun to help and learn of to make it. Then we went to a less active home and her daughter was there which was a miracle because the daughter is hardly ever there. We had a short lesson with them because it was getting late before we had to head home.
Tuesday was our slow day. We did some knocking and talked to many different people. Most of the people we looked up didn't answer which was a little frustrating at times. Then I we had lunch at a less actives home. The best part is we got to share a lesson with her husband who we were trying to talk to the past couple of times. Another miracle right there. We had a great lesson with them on hope which should led to faith and then action. We then had a lesson with Anguie on the plan of salvation. We taught with the spirit which was awesome. I could see we touched her heart and we have slowly seen a change in her through out the week. Then we were still full from lunch that we skipped dinner and kept going. We spent the rest of the day knocking doors and we found so many people when we asked with a specific prayer. As well tonight was the first night I had someone who was rude to us. She cute me off in the middle of it rolled her eyes and said she didn't want to listen and shut the door in our face. Fun... But that it is ok because the rest of the week was so great one person can't bring me down.
Wednesday we had district meeting which was super powerful. One of hte sisters in my district is going home on Wednesday so she gave her testimon on the mission and how much it can change you. It super powerful and really motivated me to work hard and keep moving forward. Then we had a lesson with Patricia Merlos who has amazing testimony. We are just working with her to get Sunday's off to come to church and marry her husband. Oh let me say most people here in our ward don't make good hot chocolate. I hope to get used to it..... Then we went to an appointment but the person wasn't home so we went around he corner to knock doors. Turns out it was a street of a less active so we knocked his door but no one answered. So we talked to a couple other people. Then we saw a late get out of her car so we talked to her. She led us to her house and she listen to the whole lesson. She seemed to understand everything we were saying. We set up a return date and were on our way. We left the house and saw a car pull into the less active house and a lady got out. So we went over and talked to her turns out the family move so we are on a hunt for them now. However we were able to talk to her and she said she was only there to move some things out so we offered help. She said she was good but we told her if she needed help at all to call us. So there is hope. Then we had a quick lesson with Erika, Caitlin, and Lindsey. It was super short but powerful. We taught plan of salvation and temple work. Then we had a lesson with a new investigator and she is super excited to hear he lessons. She is an older woman and most of her family is LDS so she decided to give it a try and has been loving it. She has been coming to church before we even had the lessons with her. Her name is Myrium Perez. She is super cute. That was that day.
Thursday we had weekly planning. We really thought and pondered about each person. It was cool to receive that revelation that I am now seeing helping them. We then had a lesson with Kelly and her daughter Geraldine. We got there and she was super excited to see us. So she had been praying for a new job she applied for that gave her Saturday's and Sunday's off so she could come to church. Well she quit the job she had and was waiting on this new one. Well she was praying and as soon as she was done her phone rang. It was her old boss saying he needed her back and they would give her Sunday's work in the night so she could go to church in the day. She was like wow so great God hears our prayers. Then the other job called two minutes later offering her the job. If that doesn't show God's love I don't know what does. She didn't know what to do but her daughter told her to take the one with Saturday and Sunday off so they could go to church. So we got there and she told us this story. So it led perfectly into our lesson on the gospel of Jesus Christ and faith, repentance, baptism, Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. So perfect. Although during the lesson I thought of the scripture in Malachi saying if you pay your tithing that the lord would bless more than room to hold it. I realized because she paid her tithing a couple weeks ago she was seeing the blessing unfold more than she expected. It was all just so amazing. Then we knocked a door to try and find some one but not much came of it because it was so late at night.
Friday we had a mission tour. Elder C Scott Grow from the quorum of the 70 came and talked to us about repentance and how to be better missionaries. I really don't have the words to how awesome it was. I received a lot of revelation for myself personally. The thing lasted almost all of the day. Then we had dinner with a less active and had a really good lesson with her. Then we looked for another less active and we found her!! So we set up an appointment and are good!
Today. Wow what a day. So all week we were working with Anguie to have everything ready to go. This morning she went to print her names with the bishop. Apparently she need permission and she had gotten the permission but didn't fill out the permission slip and send it to headquarters to review it and approve it. So she didn't have family names which meant we couldn't go to he temple. Mind you it is five in the morning. So we called mission president and he didn't answer. So Sister Williams said we should pray. We walked into a room and asked if I would pray. All I said was "Heavenly Father we want to go to the temple to day with Anguie. If there be a way help us find the way." When president Reynolds called us back. After talking to him for a couple minutes and explaining the situation like four times he finally asked us what we should do. We said the rule was the recent convert needs the names in order for us to go so we should go. He told us that we tried our best and we could go. I was beyond happy and it was truly an answer to our prayers. This week we have seen so many miracles. I will try to list them all in my group email. The temple itself was amazing and it was fun to see the glow on their faces afterwards all of them said they never wanted to leave. Then when we were leaving we say a bride and groom go into to the temple. Turns out that wedding was from the ward next store so we are off to a wedding!!
My message for this week is to look for the good! Life happens and it is hard but as Ether 12:6 says, "6 And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith." Show your faith and he will answer! I love you all have a great week!
Love
Hermana Ashford
Tuesday was our slow day. We did some knocking and talked to many different people. Most of the people we looked up didn't answer which was a little frustrating at times. Then I we had lunch at a less actives home. The best part is we got to share a lesson with her husband who we were trying to talk to the past couple of times. Another miracle right there. We had a great lesson with them on hope which should led to faith and then action. We then had a lesson with Anguie on the plan of salvation. We taught with the spirit which was awesome. I could see we touched her heart and we have slowly seen a change in her through out the week. Then we were still full from lunch that we skipped dinner and kept going. We spent the rest of the day knocking doors and we found so many people when we asked with a specific prayer. As well tonight was the first night I had someone who was rude to us. She cute me off in the middle of it rolled her eyes and said she didn't want to listen and shut the door in our face. Fun... But that it is ok because the rest of the week was so great one person can't bring me down.
Wednesday we had district meeting which was super powerful. One of hte sisters in my district is going home on Wednesday so she gave her testimon on the mission and how much it can change you. It super powerful and really motivated me to work hard and keep moving forward. Then we had a lesson with Patricia Merlos who has amazing testimony. We are just working with her to get Sunday's off to come to church and marry her husband. Oh let me say most people here in our ward don't make good hot chocolate. I hope to get used to it..... Then we went to an appointment but the person wasn't home so we went around he corner to knock doors. Turns out it was a street of a less active so we knocked his door but no one answered. So we talked to a couple other people. Then we saw a late get out of her car so we talked to her. She led us to her house and she listen to the whole lesson. She seemed to understand everything we were saying. We set up a return date and were on our way. We left the house and saw a car pull into the less active house and a lady got out. So we went over and talked to her turns out the family move so we are on a hunt for them now. However we were able to talk to her and she said she was only there to move some things out so we offered help. She said she was good but we told her if she needed help at all to call us. So there is hope. Then we had a quick lesson with Erika, Caitlin, and Lindsey. It was super short but powerful. We taught plan of salvation and temple work. Then we had a lesson with a new investigator and she is super excited to hear he lessons. She is an older woman and most of her family is LDS so she decided to give it a try and has been loving it. She has been coming to church before we even had the lessons with her. Her name is Myrium Perez. She is super cute. That was that day.
Thursday we had weekly planning. We really thought and pondered about each person. It was cool to receive that revelation that I am now seeing helping them. We then had a lesson with Kelly and her daughter Geraldine. We got there and she was super excited to see us. So she had been praying for a new job she applied for that gave her Saturday's and Sunday's off so she could come to church. Well she quit the job she had and was waiting on this new one. Well she was praying and as soon as she was done her phone rang. It was her old boss saying he needed her back and they would give her Sunday's work in the night so she could go to church in the day. She was like wow so great God hears our prayers. Then the other job called two minutes later offering her the job. If that doesn't show God's love I don't know what does. She didn't know what to do but her daughter told her to take the one with Saturday and Sunday off so they could go to church. So we got there and she told us this story. So it led perfectly into our lesson on the gospel of Jesus Christ and faith, repentance, baptism, Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. So perfect. Although during the lesson I thought of the scripture in Malachi saying if you pay your tithing that the lord would bless more than room to hold it. I realized because she paid her tithing a couple weeks ago she was seeing the blessing unfold more than she expected. It was all just so amazing. Then we knocked a door to try and find some one but not much came of it because it was so late at night.
Friday we had a mission tour. Elder C Scott Grow from the quorum of the 70 came and talked to us about repentance and how to be better missionaries. I really don't have the words to how awesome it was. I received a lot of revelation for myself personally. The thing lasted almost all of the day. Then we had dinner with a less active and had a really good lesson with her. Then we looked for another less active and we found her!! So we set up an appointment and are good!
Today. Wow what a day. So all week we were working with Anguie to have everything ready to go. This morning she went to print her names with the bishop. Apparently she need permission and she had gotten the permission but didn't fill out the permission slip and send it to headquarters to review it and approve it. So she didn't have family names which meant we couldn't go to he temple. Mind you it is five in the morning. So we called mission president and he didn't answer. So Sister Williams said we should pray. We walked into a room and asked if I would pray. All I said was "Heavenly Father we want to go to the temple to day with Anguie. If there be a way help us find the way." When president Reynolds called us back. After talking to him for a couple minutes and explaining the situation like four times he finally asked us what we should do. We said the rule was the recent convert needs the names in order for us to go so we should go. He told us that we tried our best and we could go. I was beyond happy and it was truly an answer to our prayers. This week we have seen so many miracles. I will try to list them all in my group email. The temple itself was amazing and it was fun to see the glow on their faces afterwards all of them said they never wanted to leave. Then when we were leaving we say a bride and groom go into to the temple. Turns out that wedding was from the ward next store so we are off to a wedding!!
My message for this week is to look for the good! Life happens and it is hard but as Ether 12:6 says, "6 And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith." Show your faith and he will answer! I love you all have a great week!
Love
Hermana Ashford
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