Everything is changing back at home! Stop it. Did you know when a missionary goes on their mission they expect everything to pause until they get home? Well we don't like change, as much as we ask it of everyone we meet and we change ourselves. Change back at home tends to throw us a bit even if it's good.
But oh well I'll get use to it all. This week. It was great!
Monday we had coordination. Chatted with the elders a bit and got to know some members that were about to have a family party at the chapel. It was fun
Tuesday... We visited a less active family that said they are not less active - but they are. When they realized that we thought and some of the ward thought they were less active, it kinda jump started them back into activity and they came to church yesterday!! We had an awesome lesson with Billi, and Sister Craven came. We taught temples and eternal marriage. It got to her. We are still trying to get her to pray but no luck that we know of. Then we had dinner at the Cravens and it's always a blast. We helped her clean. You would be proud of me mom!! Haha
Wednesday... we had zone meeting. It was fun getting to know our zone. They are a fun group of missionaries. Did a quick stop by at Billi's and took a different approach to prayer. It seems it might be working its way in a bit at a time!! So that's good. But no prayer yet.. :(
Thursday....We had a lesson with Kondwani. I wasn't happy with that kid. You could say I lost my temper a bit... I know I shouldn't have but it did shock him into doing things haha. And he said after that, I am one of his favourite sister missionaries. Sister Jian asked why and he said it's because I explain things really well and that I care. That was nice of him!! Gary and Sue had us for dinner and they invited their son Andrew. Andrew isn't a member and is kinda anti, but is going through some hard times. It seems to be that the Lord is humbling him, but those are Sue's words, not mine. It went really well!! Andrew and I are now friends! Also, we taught Natasha and we asked her who God is to her. And the spirit was so strong. She is doing well. Also her brother said he is interested in learning more after seeing a difference in his dad and small differences in his sister. Those were some of the miracles this week!
Friday... Weekly planning and we had dinner at an investigator's. She is from China and made legit Chinese food. Homemade string bean chicken is so good!!
Saturday... We had lunch with Natasha. Fish and chips! It was good. Not healthy, though. And then we cleaned while doing planning. The sister training leaders gave training on being clean and asked us to make a difference in our flats and bodies, so we did! Had dinner at the Maughans and it was a blast as always!
Sunday... Taught RS and it went really well. Helped the elders teach Sunday school and Sister Jian had to play the piano for Sacrament and give a talk. So we were a bit of a two man show. Actually, it was Sister Jian, with me as her assistant haha. Today is her birthday though so we are going to have fun!!
It's cold! Honestly when we leave the flat in the mornings it's like what winter feels like back home, or at least fall. Summer was so short. I'm excited to be able to enjoy the heat next summer :)
Enjoy the family reunion. The lesson was on marriage and family, yesterday and it was cool to think about how when we get together for a week as a huge family, that week really is a week of heaven. A glimpse of heaven. Oh, I'm missing the testimony meeting. You will have to take notes of everything (mainly testimony meeting) and send them to me. But you can let everyone know that I have a strong testimony of the gospel. Heavenly Father loves us so much and he has only done things out of love for us. His son Jesus Christ is amazing. I love him with all my heart! I love this opportunity to serve him and to learn so much of him. I know this time that I am on my mission isn't easy, but it's worth it. When times are tough, the first person I go to is the Lord and I get through it. Families are so important and I wouldn't be me without all of them. They are my biggest support, not just immediate, but also extended. Sorry this is a novel.
Oh, a bit about my study recently... It's interesting to think why we are set apart whether it's to be a missionary or just to be primary pianist. Have you ever thought that you were set apart to do something specific before you came to this earth? Interesting thought. Also, "to be one with" the Lord - it's interesting to think how we can truly become one with the Lord to become an instrument in his hand. It comes as we make our desires the same as His and as we choose His will for us willingly. Their work and glory is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. Our goal, if we are to become one with them, will be the same. I guess that is the conclusion that I've come to of why I love the mission and kinda what my purpose is - to become one with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, and to bring this gospel to my brothers and sisters. I'm still trying to digest that, but it's a start.
Love ya,
Sister Ash
But oh well I'll get use to it all. This week. It was great!
Monday we had coordination. Chatted with the elders a bit and got to know some members that were about to have a family party at the chapel. It was fun
Tuesday... We visited a less active family that said they are not less active - but they are. When they realized that we thought and some of the ward thought they were less active, it kinda jump started them back into activity and they came to church yesterday!! We had an awesome lesson with Billi, and Sister Craven came. We taught temples and eternal marriage. It got to her. We are still trying to get her to pray but no luck that we know of. Then we had dinner at the Cravens and it's always a blast. We helped her clean. You would be proud of me mom!! Haha
Wednesday... we had zone meeting. It was fun getting to know our zone. They are a fun group of missionaries. Did a quick stop by at Billi's and took a different approach to prayer. It seems it might be working its way in a bit at a time!! So that's good. But no prayer yet.. :(
Thursday....We had a lesson with Kondwani. I wasn't happy with that kid. You could say I lost my temper a bit... I know I shouldn't have but it did shock him into doing things haha. And he said after that, I am one of his favourite sister missionaries. Sister Jian asked why and he said it's because I explain things really well and that I care. That was nice of him!! Gary and Sue had us for dinner and they invited their son Andrew. Andrew isn't a member and is kinda anti, but is going through some hard times. It seems to be that the Lord is humbling him, but those are Sue's words, not mine. It went really well!! Andrew and I are now friends! Also, we taught Natasha and we asked her who God is to her. And the spirit was so strong. She is doing well. Also her brother said he is interested in learning more after seeing a difference in his dad and small differences in his sister. Those were some of the miracles this week!
Friday... Weekly planning and we had dinner at an investigator's. She is from China and made legit Chinese food. Homemade string bean chicken is so good!!
Saturday... We had lunch with Natasha. Fish and chips! It was good. Not healthy, though. And then we cleaned while doing planning. The sister training leaders gave training on being clean and asked us to make a difference in our flats and bodies, so we did! Had dinner at the Maughans and it was a blast as always!
Sunday... Taught RS and it went really well. Helped the elders teach Sunday school and Sister Jian had to play the piano for Sacrament and give a talk. So we were a bit of a two man show. Actually, it was Sister Jian, with me as her assistant haha. Today is her birthday though so we are going to have fun!!
It's cold! Honestly when we leave the flat in the mornings it's like what winter feels like back home, or at least fall. Summer was so short. I'm excited to be able to enjoy the heat next summer :)
Enjoy the family reunion. The lesson was on marriage and family, yesterday and it was cool to think about how when we get together for a week as a huge family, that week really is a week of heaven. A glimpse of heaven. Oh, I'm missing the testimony meeting. You will have to take notes of everything (mainly testimony meeting) and send them to me. But you can let everyone know that I have a strong testimony of the gospel. Heavenly Father loves us so much and he has only done things out of love for us. His son Jesus Christ is amazing. I love him with all my heart! I love this opportunity to serve him and to learn so much of him. I know this time that I am on my mission isn't easy, but it's worth it. When times are tough, the first person I go to is the Lord and I get through it. Families are so important and I wouldn't be me without all of them. They are my biggest support, not just immediate, but also extended. Sorry this is a novel.
Oh, a bit about my study recently... It's interesting to think why we are set apart whether it's to be a missionary or just to be primary pianist. Have you ever thought that you were set apart to do something specific before you came to this earth? Interesting thought. Also, "to be one with" the Lord - it's interesting to think how we can truly become one with the Lord to become an instrument in his hand. It comes as we make our desires the same as His and as we choose His will for us willingly. Their work and glory is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. Our goal, if we are to become one with them, will be the same. I guess that is the conclusion that I've come to of why I love the mission and kinda what my purpose is - to become one with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, and to bring this gospel to my brothers and sisters. I'm still trying to digest that, but it's a start.
Love ya,
Sister Ash