So this week has been super fun seeing a lot of the members. It just makes me happy that most of them remember me and get so excited to have me back. It was funny one of the girls in the ward who is like 10 was like I don't remember you. She told me I was just a replacement for the other sister who used to be here. I reminded her that I was here before the other sister was here. She went quiet and then said not for me because I don't remember you. Then I jogged her memory on some of the fun things we did and she remembered me and said we were best friends now. So fun how you can persuade little kids to love you by just being fun.
As well this week was fun because this past weekend we had stake Conference and I got to see all of the members from Hampton Bays branch. It was cute the branch president invited us to a munch and mingle they were having after stake Conference. So it was fun to walk around and talk with them. Most of them were like I thought you had finished your mission because we saw pictures of you at home on Facebook. So I think I explained what happen at least 20 times to different people. But that was alright because I got to see them and talk with them.
Tender mercies- because we had so many tender mercies I am going to make a list of them with a small explanation.
1) Anguie- She is the first person I watch get baptize. About a year ago when I was here three weeks after getting here she got baptized. This past week she told us that she and her family are getting prepared to be sealed together. Her parents are already sealed but Anguie isn't sealed to them. So we are super excited for her to get sealed! As well we are preparing to do a mini mission with her to prepare to go on a mission.
2) Yanci- She was a less active we worked with to help get her active. We would play soccer with her and even tried to dig her a pool. Now she is active and has taken to the necessary steps to go to the temple for herself. She told yesterday she is preparing to go this coming Saturday and invited us to come. I am so excited for her to further feel of God's love for her!
3)Sebastian and Esther- While visiting with the members of Hampton Bays I realized a former investigator I would teach was there with his family. Now this is a family I love dearly and can't count the times I cried for them and wanted them to feel of the full blessings of the gospel. Well after talking with the Sisters they said the whole family is preparing for baptism. My excitement was and still is through the roof. I am so excited and happy they are progressing. To feel of the full blessings of the gospel.
4)Referrals- We have had countless members come to us saying they have a friend they would like us to teach. We have so many people we can tell are ready and prepared to hear the gospel. I am excited to see where everything goes.
5)Alex, Carlos, and Leslie- They are siblings who just recently got baptized a week ago. Carlos is 16 and had his interview for the priesthood yesterday. Bishop said that once he gets the priesthood on Sunday he can then give it to Alex who is 12. We are so excited to see them get to experience the priesthood and give it to each other.
6)Snow- Others may not see this as a tender mercy but I do. This week it snowed hard and then we are supposed to have a blizzard tomorrow and may get snowed in. The tender mercy is that I am in an area that has a car. I don't have to walk around in the snow and cold and make my companion mad at me because I complain about the snow too much. Hermana Reeve at the end of a day made the statement that she realized I really hate the snow and cold.
This week I have been thinking a lot about God and his will for me. I was a little nervous about coming back into an area I have already served in. I don't know why I am here, if it for my companion, to see some of these people progress, I missed teaching someone I was supposed to teach, or someone is now ready for me to teach. Whatever it is I want to make sure I do it and it to please God. I found a scripture in Moroni 7:33 that gave me strength. It says:
"33 And Christ hath said: If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me."
I realized that God will give me power and strength to do his will. If I simply have and do the things I am supposed to do then I will be given power and guidance to the people I am here to influence to be influenced by. I am excited to learn and become a better person. I realized I don't have those life changing moments that define a person. For me personally the understanding comes with time. I have recognized differences in myself and seen how I changed with time. I love the mission and they make you forever changed. I love y'all and have a great week!
Picture 1: last day in Flushing and maybe last day serving in the city. Which is fine two weeks was good enough for me.
Picture 2: the gang back together. I was so happy to see them!
Picture 3: our sad face that our recent convert didn't answer our call....
Picture 4: our sassy face to a teenage less active who wasn't home but her mom was so she let us in. So at her house without the person we wanted to see
Picture 5: snowing hard core
Picture 6: winter wonderland
Picture 7: it was his birthday this week so we took a picture.
Picture 8: while waiting for Carlos to get out of his interview we took a picture with the Velasquez family.
Picture 9: Us and Yanci getting ready for the temple
Picture 10: more awkward bed pictures. I am really good at making them awkward.
Con Amor
Hermana Ashford
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