7/26/16--Busy week

Well 5 months have come and gone. I can't believe how fast time is going.  Oh and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Tuesday Sister Bandeaux was at the temple all day and I hung out with Sister Tarnasky one of my sister training leaders. We had a blast. First they practiced a song for sister's conference. Then we went to the mall to get food and just walk around. We decided shopping as a missionary isn't as fun because you just see everything that would be good to wear after the mission.  We had a great time just hanging out and talking about life. Then we went back to Plainview to wait for our companions to be done. We went and knocked doors with a member. We had a great time. Then Sister Bandeaux and I took our hour and half trip home.

Wednesday we went to the Sullivan's house trying to meet with one of our investigators but she was leaving for the beach with her husband. We ended up watching the restoration movie with Sister Sullivan and one of her sons. They both loved it and they said they hadn't seen it before! Then we had a good gospel discussion with Sister Sullivan about life and where we are headed with our lives. She just has so much knowledge and loves talking gospel with people. We spent quite a bit of them with her. I loved it. Then that evening we went knocking in East Hampton and didn't find anyone terrible interested to talk to us but we did find some people who might be in the future. Then we had a lesson with a new person. She is super sweet and seems pretty interested.

Thursday we had district meeting which was really good! We did a lot of talking on what we want to do to be better missionaries. Then we did a couple look ups. Then we realized that we needed a oil change so we made a few calls and then headed to out of our area to get our oil changed. Fun part is one of our members owns a pizza place in the same shopping center as the car place. At the pizza place all missionaries for the church get free pizza. So we got free pizza and hung out until our car was done. Then we had a lesson with Sebastian. He is one of our main focused people. If only you could hear his testimony and how much he believes in this church. His testimony is so powerful and he isn't a member. We haven't been able to meet with him as much as we liked because he has been so busy so it was a miracle he was home! Then we drove out to East Hampton to visit Eddy and Blanca. So cute Eddy told us how on Sunday he really wanted to go to church but his dad wouldn't take him. He said his dad offered to go to the zoo instead and he got mad and told him no he wanted to go to church. Then he said he would take him at 3 but church ends before that so Eddy got mad and told him by that point it was pointless. He is trying so hard to live the gospel and follow all of God's commandments. It is so cute and he is trying so hard. He asked quite a bit of questions about the word of wisdom when we talked about it. He wanted to make sure he would follow exactly.

Friday was SISTER'S CONFERENCE!!! Best thing in the world next to general conference!!! It was all the sister missionaries in the mission come together to have workshops and listen to talks. It was awesome!!!! The conference was titled Choose Joy. So we talked about ways to be happy and to find the joy in our missions and share that with others. The senior couple in my area the wife gave a talk in the opening session. She had her daughter talk a little bit because she is a returned missionary plus was in the are visiting her mom so she talked. They did an awesome job. Mainly talked about finding joy in the hard times. Then we had a taco salad lunch, cafe rio style for those of you who know what that is. We even had green dip! Made my day. Plus seeing Hermana Williams, Hermana Spencer, and Hermana Gourley. Then we had workshops, one on stress, one doing service, and the last by president and sister Reynolds on our divine nature. Then we had the closing secession and sister Reynolds talked. Then got dinner and took the two hour plus drive home.

Saturday we did some weekly planning then headed to Southampton to look someone up. No body wanted to talk to us. So we looked up some apartments to move further out into our area at the library. Then we saw the lady I talked about last week. The one who took the pamphlet and read it then called us the next day. She called us this week to have us come by for her to share her beliefs and listen to more of ours. So we took a member with us so excited. We spent 45 min listening to her and hardly got a word in. Then she gave us a packet full of things she made to show us what she believes. It was a fun, interesting 45 min. Then we headed back to Southampton to go see Jhonny and investigator. Went super well. Hopefully will get baptized next transfer! Then went to east Hampton to see Blanca and Eddy but they were headed out the door when we got there. So quick lesson it was.

Sunday was all over the place. Start our day off Eddy texted saying he could come to church because we was sick. He asked if we could give him a blessing over the phone. So we called him and explained we couldn't give him a blessing but we could say a prayer with him. He said the first one and asked Heavenly Father to allow his dad to take him to church next week. Then I said the next prayer to bless him with strength. He was so cute about it and really wants to come to church. Boy guy. First we had branch council meeting which we left early from to go knock our investigator's door. First to Sebastian and then to Jhonny. Sebastian answered and said they were getting ready. So excited. Jhonny didn't answer. Then we had church. I had to give a talk on the English side so I left my companion and gave a talk there. Then I taught the gospel principles class for the Spanish side. Then in relief society the person didn't know she was teaching so Hermana Bandeaux and I took over. Let's just saw I didn't seat and enjoy most of church. It is ok. Then we had lunch at the Martino's house with a member. Lesson went super well. Then spent most of the day knocking doors. We didn't have much time this week having been in the city for two days. So we did a lot of make up work on our goals. We did pretty well. We knocked about 60-65 doors yesterday. Which is a lot for us. Usually it is like 20 doors. Then had a lesson with the Lucerio family. It went well!

So from Sister's conference one of the things that kept running through my head most of the day is a saying my dad tells to me quite often. A quote we heard a long time ago but keep is well said in my
home. It is, "Remember who you are and Whose you are."

Some thing I found myself saying a lot to my companion is life happens. Things happen and life just gets a little crazy. We find ourselves on a path wondering an hoping we find a way to get out and to float. It is in those moments we need to remember who we are and whose we are. We are children of a God. Sons and Daughters of an almighty God. He loves each and everyone of us. He wants to see us happy and find the joy in the little things we do. He knows life won't be easy but he has a way to help us through every trial we face. I know that I am Child of God. I am daughter of a King. I am grateful for this gospel. I know my Savior lives and he loves me. I know that this church is true. I love y'all and have a great week!

7/19/16--Hope

So this week started off in adventures. Monday we had a district activity which was a tons of fun! We went to the Martino's house and we had lunch. However there was a catch.  First off we ate with different serving utensils like giants spoons, spatulas, tongs, and so forth. Catch number two was we had to eat tied to the people next to us. So our wrists were tied to the people next to us. It made eating a fun adventure. Then we played get to know you bingo and a paper airplane contest. Sister Martino gave a little lesson on helping us get more investigators to church. Then we just hung around at the Martino's house for he rest of our preparation day and we had a family home evening at the Alamia's house again.  She had her niece and nephew over so it was a little crazy like a normal house. Then we had a quick lesson at a less active's house named Lucerio.

Tuesday we spent a lot of time driving. First in the morning we drove to west Hampton to have a lesson. We had it win Blanca and Eddy. They are both working so hard. We were supposed to have a lesson with Blanca's friend but she never showed up and it was so sad but it was still a good lesson. Then we drove back to Hampton bays which is an hour drive and had district meeting. Hermana Bandeaux and I had to give a mini lesson in the meeting. It went really well! Then we drove back to west Hampton for another lesson but she wasn't home:( Most of the rest of our evening our plans were always changing, but we went out to Sag Harbor and did some knocking and then looked up a
member named Mirian. We had a lesson on the beach it was super fun. It was fun to have a lesson in nature. Then we went to the Martino's house to do a Skype call with Johnny our new investigator.

Wednesday we did some look ups and then spent a good amount of time at the Sullivan's house doing service for them. My mom would be proud I spent the day organizing her kitchen. We spent 4 hours on one cupboard. Yeah fun stuff. But then we made brownies and it made up for it. As well, we had a lesson with her sister-in-law, a nonmember. We have been trying to work with her but she is always busy and it is hard to keep her in one place to have a lesson. Then we had some time to knock. A miracle happened--we were knocking and one older lady opened the door and literally said "I have been looking for someone from your church and I want to know more about your church. But my husband won't let me go anywhere else so this were we have to part ways." Super awesome! Yet super sad. Then we had a lesson with another lady we found. She is super cute. It was a small first lesson. Her name is Deborah. She sweet lady. Then we took the YW president out with us and found a less active YW. She wants to build her relationship up again with Heavenly Father. Super excited to keep working with her more and get her back to church.

Thursday started off so amazing. So you know that lady we knocked into and she had been wanting to talk to someone from the church. Well she called us! We had a nice little conversation. Basically the Holy Ghost testified the truth of the restoration pamphlet. It was awesome. However she still won't get a lesson with us. Uh so close and yet so far. Anyways, then we had a lesson with Jenn. She is a single mom of four children. She is in a huge trial and she is slowly seeing the help the gospel can bring. Then we did service for her and helped her clean her house. Then we had our weekly planning. We basically spent the rest of the night looking people up.

Friday we first had zone training meeting. So fun. I got to see Hermana Gourley and Hermana Spencer! Then we had exchanges with the sister training leaders. I went win Sister Urizar! I love her! We did a look up and then went out to dinner with the other set of sisters.  Then Sister Urizar talked the others to stay the way we were. So I stayed with Sister Urizar for the rest of the day. We did some
knocking and look ups. We ended the night with someone who was half drunk and smoking. His drunk great aunt came out and started basically yelling at us telling us to question our religion and about everything we believed in. I am so glad that I know this church is true and no one can make me change my mind.

Saturday we went with the sister training leaders to do service. We were doing service at the national park where Teddy Roosevelt used to live. We got a tour of his house! We couldn't take any pictures so I don't have any but it was cool. Then we helped pull weeds in a grass but there was a bunch of poison ivy. Hermana Bandeaux and I didn't have pants on so we left early. Then we had some time to study. Then we had a mini lesson with someone else we knocked into. It was good. Then we went out to east Hampton again to have another lesson with Blanca and Eddy. They are progressing so much and Eddy is really trying to come to church.

Sunday we had church. We had some one come to church with a friend. So we talked to her afterwards and she was somewhat interested. She lives in Queens so we sent her information off and hopefully she will start learning and coming. Then we had time a bunch of time to knock and try
to find anyone. Then we had a lesson with a less active.

Monday we had the morning to do laundry and shopping. Then we spent the evening cleaning and had another family home evening at the Alamia's house. She had invited Jenn and her family over for dinner it was so good. We watched he restoration video. It went so well. Then we went to the Martino's so Hermana Bandeaux could get a blessing.

For this week my message comes from the November 1994 Ensign talk by Elder Neal A Maxwell called, Brightness of Hope. He says:

"Significantly, those who look forward to a next and better world are usually “anxiously engaged” in improving this one, for they “always abound in good works”. Thus, real hope is much more than wishful musing. It stiffens, not slackens, the spiritual spine. It is composed, not giddy, eager without being naive, and pleasantly steady without being smug. Hope is realistic anticipation taking the form of determination--a determination not merely to survive but to “endure …well” to the end.  While weak hope leaves us at the mercy of our moods and events, “brightness of hope” produces illuminated individuals. Their luminosity is seen, and things are also seen by it! Such hope permits
us to “press forward” even when dark clouds oppress. Sometimes in the deepest darkness there is no external light--only an inner light to guide and to reassure."

7/11/16--Another Week in Hampton Bays

Well another week gone. I feel like they are flying by yet going so slow. It is a weird mind game the mission plays on you. Anyways this week was pretty good. Monday was Fourth of July. To be honest I spent most of the day in the church emailing home and talking to my family. I loved every second of it! Please feel free to email me whenever. I can see emails throughout the whole week with my iPad. I would love to hear from everyone! Then we had dinner at a members house. Her twin boys made us dinner and dessert. So good. Then we had family home evening with them and shared a quick message. Then we talked win he mom sister Alamia for a good hour or more on how we could help her in relief society. As well how we could work together to help this branch grow and expand hopefully to have a ward in two years. It was a great conversation and it got me really excited to work in this area. Then we did some look ups trying to talk to anyone.

Tuesday in the morning we had district meeting which very well. We had a nice discussion on our investigators and how to best help them. Then  we went with Elder and Sister Martino to a lesson they had set up. It was a mom and her four children. She just had a death in the family so we were there to talk to her and help her have a little more hope in her life. It was a powerful and amazing lesson. Then we tried a less active but she didn't answer. That night we had dinner at the

Martinos's house we our investigator and his less active mom. The mom is named Blanca her son Eddy is our investigator and he has a sister Alision and brother Jack. Super cute family. Eddy is 12 and he is working so hard to learn and grow from the gospel it is awesome. We had dinner there and then went to knock doors. We took the YW president with us who recently graduated from BYU. She is super nice. We are trying to help her build up her young women program because there are no young women right now. Then we went to an investigators/less active home to give the investigator a blessing. Come to find out they just had a death in the family so we stuck to the blessing and a quick lesson. It was great.

Wednesday we did some weekly planning. Then Sister Martino came out with us to a lesson with a less active named Ethel. The lesson was interesting. Ethel really likes to talk and is very animated in
everything she says. We tried really hard to push church but she really didn't want anything to do with it. It was so sad to see. Then we got our car washed and all nice and clean. Then we drove to the restaurant of our mission leader to have correlation. It was a little all over the place but we did get to talk about some things that we needed to. Then we had a bunch of time to knock doors. Then we taught English class to two people. I thought it was super fun. I learned some more Spanish and they learned some more English. I thought it was a win/win situation, but my companion isn't that big of a fan.

Thursday was zone conference. We had to leave kinda of early. The chapel we went to was about an hour away. So fun! I got to see Hermana Williams, Hermana Gourley, and Hermana Spencer!! I loved seeing them! We spent quite a bit of time going over the good old days and the fun times we had. We also heard from many different people. It was such a good conference and I learned so much. Mainly I felt the Spirit so strong it was no denying that I am doing what I need to. My favorite part was they showed part of remember the Titans when the coach has him carry the boy across the field and the coach encourages him on. It made me think of band and the directors pushing us. Or basketball when
the coaches would push for more from us. Or winter guard when Duffy would always expect the best because he knew what we are capable of doing. I am grateful I had directors, coaches, and teachers who would always push me to go farther. It made me realize I was losing a little steam to keep pushing, and that I have so much more my Heavenly Father wants to give me but I need to work for it. After zone conference we had a lesson with Eddy and Blanca.

Friday we helped get some things ready for the primary activity on Saturday. Then we had weekly planning which was nice and short. Then we went to a less actives house and she let us right in. To be honest I left that house super sad. She told us she grew up in the church and now no longer believed in the some of the things the church does. It was so sad to see that flame that had gone out. She had been so strong and firm at one point to now where she doesn't really want to go to church at all. I just don't understand how some people go from having the biggest blessing in their lives to not really caring about it at all. It just broke my heart. I know how much this gospel has blessed my life and my family's lives. I wish they could see that again. Anyways, then we went out to east Hampton and did some look ups and tried to find someone. At one point Hermana Bandeaux told me to choice street so I did. We got there and one of the houses just stood out to me so I told which one and we knocked the door. It was a cute little family. I don't know how interested they were but you could tell they felt the spirit and they liked the feeling.

Saturday was a crazy day. First we had a FaceTime lesson with a new investigator we are working with. It was an awesome lesson and he had so many questions that were good questions. It was great! We had the activity for the primary. It was a America party. We spent the last two weeks handing out invitations like crazy and trying so hard to get a bunch of people there. It was a descent size amount. There were for sure more non members than members in attendance. It was super fun! I played Betsy Ross and I taught them about the American flag. As well how to respect the flag. The children loved it! They watched a movie about Abe Lincoln and made cute flags. The whole thing was a big success. Then we spent the next like two hours trying to find any less active or investigator to talk to. Like no one answered the phone or door. So annoying. We did talk to one less active family though which was a little crazy because the kids were running around like crazy. So in order to have dinner or lunch at the Martino's home we have to have an investigator or less active there. So we were trying to find some one to come to the dinner that we had that night with a member. We talked to the Martino's and told them about our troubles and how the best we could find was to do a FaceTime lesson with Eddy and his mom. So we had the lesson and the member cooked us amazing food!! So good! I left to full and happy. I have to say as a side note the Martino's are awesome! I really love working with them! They are like second parents to me. Maybe because they are from Texas too.

Sunday we had branch council before church. Then we had church which was a little crazy. One of our investigators came!! We were so happy he was there! Then after church I was talking to one of the members who used to live in Pflugerville back when we first moved into the ward 15 or more years ago. She was asking a bunch of questions of how Pflugerville is and how much it is expanding. Fun fact her husband is in round rock right now visiting his dad. So you know if you see a brother Tran next week at church don't be surprised! Plus he and I have talked so he would be the most recent person to have talked to me in person down there! Then we went home and tried making some calls to investigators trying to set up some lessons for this week. Then we took the new YW president out with us to find her some YW we went to one less active home and they let us in. Let's just say it was a very interesting lesson. Then we had found some Texas pork at the store and we had that for dinner! Then we headed out to east Hampton. So something I haven't mentioned is Hampton bays is the biggest area on the mission. It takes two or more hours to drive one end to the other and we are not in the middle of the area so going to east Hampton is an hour drive or more. So yeah fun stuff. First Hermana Bandeaux had to go to the bathroom so we stopped at Blanca's house to use the restroom and give a small lesson. Then we looked up a referral. We found her!!! She was home. So this was the lady who like a week ago sent a referral through the church requesting a Book of Mormon. She
sounded kind of interested and we shared what we do as missionaries with her. So exciting to finally meet her. Then we went knocking. Didn't really find anyone who was really interested. Then we did some look ups and called it a night and started our hour drive home.

My thought for the week comes from a scripture I read the other night. So due some different things I have to practice a lot of patience. I was frustrated one night so I told myself I needed the scriptures to
help me feel better. Like they always say we talk to God in prayer and he talks to us through the scriptures. So I turned there. I flipped open to a scripture in Romans. At first I was like I don't want to
read in the bible I want to read in the Book of Mormon. Then I had the thought saying you want me to guide read where I flipped the scriptures open. So I went back and read through some of it and this
is what really helped me. It is Romans 15:13:

13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

He is the God of hope. He can feel us with joy and peace. I know as soon as I read that verse I was filled with joy and peace. I know we can't control everything we go through and there is times when it is rough. However when we put our faith and trust in Heavenly Father he feels us with hope, joy and peace. It is through the Holy Ghost we can feel this feelings. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve a mission and to learn more about this gospel. I know this church is true and blesses lives as long as you let it change you. I love y'all and I y'all have a great week!

Love
Hermana Ashford

7/5/16--New Week, New Area, New Companion, New Me

Well it is a new week, new transfer, new companion, and a new area!

Monday morning we found out I was on my way to a new area so I started getting ready to transfer. First we did our laundry. Then we headed to a lesson with the ASL sisters. They are working with a Hispanic family and can't talk to the mom or dad but only the son. So we went to translate. It was interesting, the mom kept having another one of her kids translate for us. So it was just awkward and weird. Then we went home for me to pack and get ready to go. Then we went and visited Yanci who didn't want me to leave at all. Then we went and visited Chelsea and her mom for a couple of minutes. I got a shrimp soup recipe from them! Super excited to make it some day! Then we saw Anguie and her family took some pictures and helped them make food. Then she gave me a picture from her baptism of us and one from the temple trip with her. So cute! One of them said love you sis Ashford. So sweet! Then we saw Erika, Caitlin, and Lindsey. I was doing good until Caitlin started crying. Then I held it in until I got into the car. Then we went back to Chelsea's house to get some food. Then back to Yanci's house for some more food and pictures along the way.

Hermana Bandeaux & Hermana Ashford

Tuesday was a crazy day. The morning I spent packing and making sure that was all ready to go. Then I wrote letters to some of the members in the ward for Hermana Williams to give to people. We spent the last morning as companions goofing around and enjoying our time together until we are roommates in college. I just can't wait for that day! I love her so much! Then we headed to The mission office. Once there we got to see a whole bunch of people. Out of the people in my CCM district I was the only one getting transferred. A little sad. We found out our new companions and headed to my new area. So my new companion is...... Hermana Bandeaux. She is Hawaiian but her family lives in California. She played flute in high school band but nothing like our Texas high school marching band. She was at a 1A school so super small. This is her last transfer so I am killing her off. In October she heads to BYU Hawaii. My new area is Hampton Bays. The farthest part on the island and the biggest area. We cover most of the end of the island. We are in a branch of about 20 Spanish members and 25 English members. Like I said a branch. Then we had dinner at the senior couple's house who are in our area. We were supposed to have an investigator over but they never showed. The senior couple is Elder and Sister Martino from Denton, Texas!! I love Texas friends. So we talked Texas and had dinner then we're on our way! Then we just knocked doors for most of the evening.

Wednesday we had district meeting. There is a Spanish set of elders and an English set of elders and the Martinos. This district is super great! We did service were we helped a member, the Sullivans, clean out their RV for another member, the Barrilas, to live in. I am in the rich summer houses of New York. How there are Hispanics out here I have no idea. In the summer prices go up so the people who live in their homes live for the summer to somewhere cheaper until the winter. So the Barrila's needed somewhere to stay so they are staying in the RV. So we helped clean that and then we had correlation meeting with our ward mission leader which is actually Brother Barrila. Then we had a miracle! So we felt like we should go out to east Hampton which is about 45-60 min away to look up a referral. We get there and she is there with a less active they had been trying to find for the past couple weeks. So we got to have a member present lesson without planning it! So fun!

Thursday we had weekly planing which was good. Then we did some look ups and trying to talk to anyone. Then we we choose a random street to go to in Moriches. We started knocking then got to one house of another less active that they have been trying to get in contact with for a while and as soon as we walked up she was pulling in her drive way! Miracle number two! So we set up a return appointment and went on our way. Then we went to a member's house to skype one of our investigators named Sebastian. Hopefully he will be getting baptized in August! He is super cool and has a strong testimony.

Friday we finished up weekly planning and worked on a puzzle during our lunch break. We are on our third puzzle for the week. So fun! Then we helped Sister Barrila move her stuff over into a cottage they are staying in with the RV. That took a while. We found a less active and taught her super cool! Then we were in East Hampton trying to look some people up when it started to rain down pour!! It was raining so hard we couldn't see the street in front of us and the road was flooding so we turned around and headed home for the night. The storm was crazy.

Saturday we did a bunch of knocking out in East Hampton again. There is some big rich houses out there. Oh my! Then we had a lesson with Eddy a less active non member son. He is 12 and super cute. We taught him and he is trying so hard to understand the scriptures it is just awesome. Then we traveled back to Hampton bays. We looked one person up but they weren't home so we started to someone else's house. We passed by a less active members home and saw that he was there. We had an awesome, powerful lesson with him. There is no denying the spirit was there as we taught. Then went to the other members home and had a quick lesson with the dad. So we were doi our nightly planning and Hermana Bandeaux made a commit about needing to shave. Some how she talked me into shaving them so she would do my nails. Still don't know how that happened but it.

Sunday was a strange day. I don't play the piano any more only in relief society so it was different just seating there relaxing during all of sacrament and Sunday school. So the branch is a Spanish and English mixed branch however Spanish and English meet in speared rooms in their own language. The branch itself has like 50ish people half the size of my last ward. The Spanish section alone only has like 15 people including the 4 Spanish missionaries. Super small. After church we finished our studies and worked on our puzzle. Then we looked up a less active who has a daughter who is interested in the church.

However she was in the shower so when she got out she called us back and we should see her next week. Then as we were driving to our next lesson we saw the Sullivans pulled over in their RV. They were driving to the cottage where the Barrilas are staying but it broke down a quarter of the way there. So we gave them a pray and went on our way. We then met up with a college student who is back for the summer. She just graduated in April so she heads to medical school next. She just got called to be the YW president and there isn't any active YW so we took her out to go find some. We didn't find anyone but we will keep working with her on it. Then we went home and made some Hawaiian bread. So the Spanish elders live in the same complex as us so they come over and steal food.

So this week has been full of new beginnings and learning to be the missionary I really want to be. I have been reading a lot of talks on patience and how to develop this quality more in my life. In one of the talks I read from General Conference October 2006 by Robert Oaks, called The Power of Patience he says, "We can grow in faith only if we are willing to wait patiently for God’s purposes and patterns to unfold in our lives, on His timetable."

Sometimes we don't understand why things are the way they are. Right now I have no clue why I am in Hampton Bays and with Hermana Bandeaux but I know I am here for a reason. I am excited to see in time God's purpose for me. I personally love seeing that on a mission how much God works in our lives. I know he is always there for me and he is there to guide me. I love my Heavenly Father more than anyone else in this world. I am so grateful I have this gospel in my life to help me and guide me. I know Heavenly Father watches out for us. I love y'all!

Have a great week and a great Fourth of July!

My Texas Straw

  

Con Amor
Hermana Ashford

A Week to Endure

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

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.

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