Thanks for the email. It was such a sweet one. I'm so thankful for such a good family that is always there to support me.
Monday was a bank holiday here and so the library was closed. We were at the mission office emailing. Sister Rasmussen walked in right as I got the email to find out McKay isn't waiting for me. She was amazing. I got a blessing from two of the senior elders that work in the office and it was a short and sweet blessing. It helped so much!! We went out and worked as p-day ended. We went tracting for an hour and we found 5 potentials. That is a lot for tracting and in England. I was able to smile. The weather was amazing and I enjoyed it.
Tuesday- I went to type up the progress record and I saw the emails from McKay and Dad. I was allowed to look at them. So I quickly printed them off. But as I read them, there was a huge burden lifted. Then we had to go help Sister Rasmussen. The sister training leaders left their phone at our flat so we had to stay in until they came back.
Wednesday- We went to see Jose. Jose made me a baby's cardigan and booties a while ago. Then this time she surprised me with a beautiful knitted baby quilt. Its beautiful. Then we went street contacting and the weather was beautiful and we had prayed that we would find people prepared and we did. A girl named Chris and a lady named Narissa. It was amazing! Miracles were happening everywhere. We had dinner at the Fells. One of the previous AP's told them a long time ago about McKay, and it came up. They were really sweet. They are a funny couple but we love them to pieces. Brother Fell told me that he could tell that I had lost some weight. We then went tracting to finish a street from Tuesday night and as I was standing there I looked at my reflection in the window of the door and I was smiling. And I realized that I had been smiling so much that day and the whole week. I couldn't tell you why I had a big cheesy grin on my face but I knew I was happy and the Lord was watching over me.
Thursday- We had interviews with President. Before we left the flat I weighed myself and I don't know what small amounts I had lost here and there but I know since the beginning of my mission til now I have lost 35 lbs. I am lighter then when I was a BYU-I. I got to talk to Sister Rasmussen and I really am happy. So many tender mercies have been sent my way this week and even before to prepare me for this. She was telling me about what I need to look for in a husband, and it was really good advice. Then I went into President and I updated him on everything very quickly and he was laughing!!! Head back, mouth open, laughing haha. President is awesome. I know I have learned many things already this week and we were talking about them. It was good. Then we talked about some missionary work and I asked for another blessing. It really helped. The blessing on Monday prepared me for Tuesday. This one helped me forgive and fully move on. It told me some of the attributes of my future husband and that I would get married on this earth haha (ppheww... That was a close one haha). It said I would receive more inspiration of what to look for in a future husband and that what I have gone through is a blessing of protection (that really hit me). It really helped. It wasn't all about my future husband.... I just don't feel like writing everything. We also taught Jake and it went really good. There is some slight progress there and its better than what we could have asked for.
Friday- Beautiful weather again. We were both wearing summer dresses and no tights!! We got to visit less actives and it was just a good day! We helped out at the follow-up trainers meeting and I got to see Elder Lu. He is one of my favorites! I finally got a picture with him. Might not get to see him again :/
Saturday- We got to watch the Women's Broadcast and it means a lot that Rachel compared me to the girl who stood up to the mob. Thanks. That whole talk really helped me. I really have learned that an eternal perspective is required and that the Lord's plan is always better than one that we can think of. We also got to talk to this cute old man named Ron. It was a pure delight! That night, I was thinking. I know I started to become "me" while at BYU-I, but Heavenly Father really is shaping me to become more than I thought I could be and I am seeing hints of a few possibilities.
Sunday- We didn't have nice weather but it was a good day. Just an ordinary day but a good one!
I am so thankful for the opportunity to be on a mission. I wouldn't choose to be anywhere else or surrounded by any other people. I love my family, both earthly and heavenly. I can say without doubt that I am loved. I am excited for what lays ahead for me in the next few weeks!! I love you all!!
Sister Ashley MacKay
Monday was a bank holiday here and so the library was closed. We were at the mission office emailing. Sister Rasmussen walked in right as I got the email to find out McKay isn't waiting for me. She was amazing. I got a blessing from two of the senior elders that work in the office and it was a short and sweet blessing. It helped so much!! We went out and worked as p-day ended. We went tracting for an hour and we found 5 potentials. That is a lot for tracting and in England. I was able to smile. The weather was amazing and I enjoyed it.
Tuesday- I went to type up the progress record and I saw the emails from McKay and Dad. I was allowed to look at them. So I quickly printed them off. But as I read them, there was a huge burden lifted. Then we had to go help Sister Rasmussen. The sister training leaders left their phone at our flat so we had to stay in until they came back.
Wednesday- We went to see Jose. Jose made me a baby's cardigan and booties a while ago. Then this time she surprised me with a beautiful knitted baby quilt. Its beautiful. Then we went street contacting and the weather was beautiful and we had prayed that we would find people prepared and we did. A girl named Chris and a lady named Narissa. It was amazing! Miracles were happening everywhere. We had dinner at the Fells. One of the previous AP's told them a long time ago about McKay, and it came up. They were really sweet. They are a funny couple but we love them to pieces. Brother Fell told me that he could tell that I had lost some weight. We then went tracting to finish a street from Tuesday night and as I was standing there I looked at my reflection in the window of the door and I was smiling. And I realized that I had been smiling so much that day and the whole week. I couldn't tell you why I had a big cheesy grin on my face but I knew I was happy and the Lord was watching over me.
Thursday- We had interviews with President. Before we left the flat I weighed myself and I don't know what small amounts I had lost here and there but I know since the beginning of my mission til now I have lost 35 lbs. I am lighter then when I was a BYU-I. I got to talk to Sister Rasmussen and I really am happy. So many tender mercies have been sent my way this week and even before to prepare me for this. She was telling me about what I need to look for in a husband, and it was really good advice. Then I went into President and I updated him on everything very quickly and he was laughing!!! Head back, mouth open, laughing haha. President is awesome. I know I have learned many things already this week and we were talking about them. It was good. Then we talked about some missionary work and I asked for another blessing. It really helped. The blessing on Monday prepared me for Tuesday. This one helped me forgive and fully move on. It told me some of the attributes of my future husband and that I would get married on this earth haha (ppheww... That was a close one haha). It said I would receive more inspiration of what to look for in a future husband and that what I have gone through is a blessing of protection (that really hit me). It really helped. It wasn't all about my future husband.... I just don't feel like writing everything. We also taught Jake and it went really good. There is some slight progress there and its better than what we could have asked for.
Friday- Beautiful weather again. We were both wearing summer dresses and no tights!! We got to visit less actives and it was just a good day! We helped out at the follow-up trainers meeting and I got to see Elder Lu. He is one of my favorites! I finally got a picture with him. Might not get to see him again :/
Saturday- We got to watch the Women's Broadcast and it means a lot that Rachel compared me to the girl who stood up to the mob. Thanks. That whole talk really helped me. I really have learned that an eternal perspective is required and that the Lord's plan is always better than one that we can think of. We also got to talk to this cute old man named Ron. It was a pure delight! That night, I was thinking. I know I started to become "me" while at BYU-I, but Heavenly Father really is shaping me to become more than I thought I could be and I am seeing hints of a few possibilities.
Sunday- We didn't have nice weather but it was a good day. Just an ordinary day but a good one!
I am so thankful for the opportunity to be on a mission. I wouldn't choose to be anywhere else or surrounded by any other people. I love my family, both earthly and heavenly. I can say without doubt that I am loved. I am excited for what lays ahead for me in the next few weeks!! I love you all!!
Sister Ashley MacKay