Discouragement is of Satan

I have to say the beginning of last week we were both feeling down and out. We couldn't find people to teach and we have been working so hard to build the area. We were feeling pretty sad. Then Wednesday we were at the Martino's house for dinner with a less active and Sister Martino gave us a good pump me up talk. So Thursday we hit the ground running. We worked so hard and were more focused then ever. That night we went to bed so exhausted and so worn out! It felt good! We are super excited to continue this routine because we are staying together! We are just becoming a trio! Super excited for a threesome! 

On Saturday we went party hoping. First we helped decorate for the branch Halloween party. Then helped decorate for our less active member's granddaughter's first birthday party! Super crazy! Then we went back to the church to judge the chili cook off at the branch party! Super good! Then last night my lovely companion thought our phone needed some Chinese water torture, I mean go swimming for an hour in the rain while we were in an appointment. So yeah now we are out of a phone for a day or so. Hopefully no one will call us.

The miracle of the week well there were a couple of them. The first was Wednesday the person we had set up to have dinner with at the Martino's canceled on us. Well the less active member and Elder
Martino had the thought to go wash their car. So they both go and end up running into each other. They both had thought it was strange that they had the prompting to wash their car. In the end it was a blessing for us because then we got our pep talk from Sister Martino and free food. Plus it was felt good to testify to the less active on the blessings of doing temple work for our ancestors as I got to testify of the experience my family had when my grandpa was baptized! It was the best feeling in the whole world! Then Friday night we were out nocking in East Hampton and we meet a newly wed couple from.......San Antonio Texas!!!!!! They are super interested plus he thought it was awesome that I am from Texas. Hermana Johnston just thought it was crazy that us Texans can bond so fast! I am super excited for this couple and I hope to see them make some progress in this next transfer.

This week as I was studying I came across this scripture that is beyond true! It is in Alma 36:21. It says: "Yea, I say unto you, my son, that there could be nothing so exquisite and so bitter as were my pains. Yea, and again I say unto you, my son, that on the other hand, there can be nothing so exquisite

and sweet as was my joy."

I really liked it because it can be used in my context. First it can be used with the atonement which is what Alma is talking about. That with sin and errors our guilt and pain is so big it causes us to
shake and want to fall. However with the power of the Atonement we can be made strong again to with stand the world. As well we will feel a great joy then ever felt before. I know I have felt that joy this week as the times were rough yet there was still a smile and laugh as Hermana Johnston and I pushed through the week!

The other way the scripture can be taken is in our day to day life. There will be days that are crazy and busy and just plain hard. But when we taken a minute or more to simply pray or read our scriptures the blessings will come. It was fun to hear from a member how when she listened to the scriptures as she got ready the other day she saw so many more blessings that day! As well she received so much revelation on some of the things she needed to do! I know the power of just
reading is true and it can bless our lives if we just do it! So I encourage each of you to find some time each day to simply read from the scriptures and to pray.

I miss y'all and love y'all! Have a great week!

Con Amor
Hermana Ashford