10/11/16 Temple!!!!!

Well before I get into the exciting part of being at the temple I must talk about some of the exciting things that happened leading up to the temple. First we went to a member's house late Monday who super sweet and miracle said she would come out with us! It was so great to see her desire to come with us and share the gospel. Truly touched my heart! Then we had dinner at a member's house which sadly is something that doesn't happen often in this area. Anyways it was so nice to have a home cooked meal and enjoy a normal family home evening, on a Tuesday night. 

Then that night when we got home I looked at my companion to unlock the door so we could go into the apartment and she looked at me in terror. She LEFT THE KEYS INSIDE!!! So we sadly walk to the elder's apartment not too far from ours and wait outside their apartment for 30-40 minutes until they got home to let us in with the spare key. We decided that I will be keeping all the keys just so nothing happens! Wednesday in the morning I gave in and wanted a hair cut from a branch member who gives really good haircuts. So I texted him and he had an opening and I went for it. So I got a haircut.... Still trying to decide if I like it. You tell me. 

Friday may have been the next exciting day of the week. In the morning we worked with the people at the Senior Center learn how to use their technology. They are so cute, fun, and funny. I have my normal two people I work with. Each week the guy Jerry always claims me. Makes me feel good. I worked with them on how to use FaceTime. So fun to see them get so excited to use it. Then we worked with Elder Asplund and Elder Heiner on cleaning he church and getting it ready for a wedding!

We were considering how we were going to do some of it and Elder Asplund looked at me and said "Sister Ashford you are now district leader you get to make the decisions." Then Hermana Johnston looked at me and said, "Wow Sister you just got the priesthood and a lot of power!" We just laughed and for the rest of the day and Saturday when it came to the wedding I was district leader. Kinda fun! Anyways that night we had a lesson set up with a referral from the church for a bible. We went over and a different guy came out and said he wasn't home. So we go to talking and he is a Jamaican in the states to work. Most of the time I couldn't understand him one he was further away from me, two he had an accent, and three he was speaking quietly. Towards the end he asked if we want to come in and have some herb. One I didn't hear that and two I had no clue what he was talking about.  Well once we got in the car Hermana Johnston cleared some things up for me. The GUY WAS OFFERING US MARIJUANA!!!!! We then joked the rest of the night about how the only time we ever get offered drugs is by a Jamaican on our missions. Then we told Elder Asplund and Elder Heiner about it as well that we were going to pass them off to them for multiple reasons. We told them not to take any brownies from them.

Then the most exciting part of last week! We had a wedding! One of Elder Hardy and Elder Pena's investigator was living with a less active. So they got married so she can get baptized! The whole day was crazy between helping decorate the chapel. Then later helping Sister Sullivan and Corissa decorate the cake and the wedding itself. My feet were killing me! But I have to say the bride looked beautiful and the whole thing went great! Not to mention the food and cake were delicious! The whole was was pretty good. Then Sunday evening we had dinner at the primary president's house because yesterday was Canadian thanksgiving. The president is Canadian so she invited the whole
branch over for dinner! It was just like a thanksgiving feast! I was so full! I ate way too much food but it was worth it!

Then the temple!

This week I want to share a scripture that I found Sunday during my studies. It is in Alma 31:38 and it says: "And the Lord provided for them that they should hunger not, neither should they thirst; yea, and he also gave them strength, that they should suffer no manner of afflictions, save it were swallowed up in the joy of Christ. Now this was according to the prayer of Alma; and this because he prayed in faith."

I like this scripture for many reasons. First we see we have two actions to do in order to have many blessings. The actions are pray and have faith. This week those two things are two things I have been
trying to work on much! To pray to my Father in Heaven with much love and sincere heart. As well acting in faith with everything the Lord has asked of me to do. The blessings are that he will provide for us spiritually as well as physically. He provide the physically things we need in order to survive in this life. As well he will give us the strength to endure many trials we face everyday. And the part I like the most is we will be swallowed up in the Joy of Christ. We will be encircled with the joy and the happiness of the gospel! I know that if we simple pray and look to Him for help he will guide us. I love y'all and have a great week! Like the hymn says don't forget to pray!