Hey you guys! How
are you doing this splendid day today? I hope well. Most of this
was written on Monday, I just had to slip in the mission call story. Here
are some highlights of my week:
Experience #1:
It is now common
knowledge that my companions and I are complete and utter goofballs.
Sister B was assigned to give the training on transportation at district
meeting this week, but the funny thing is, she hasn't driven once on her
mission. She grew up in a really small town in Utah, and doesn't feel
comfortable driving on main roads where there is a lot of traffic.
Understandable. So her companion always drives. So she looked at us
when she got the topic and said, "Help me! I don't know what to do."
So we put a little "role play" or skit together.
Basically Sister G was the driver, Sister B was the passenger, and after they
had made up about 8 mistakes going against our mission driving rules, I got to
come in and "pull them over" acting as the Cop. The funniest
part is, when I came to the window of their "car", they said they
didn't have registration with them and that they were missionaries, so they are
protected by the Lord. Then they proceeded to tell me what missionaries
did and asked if I had ever read the Book of Mormon. The district got a
pretty good kick out of it, and if not, at least we did. It was really
fun! No more boring trainings for us! ;)
Experience #2:
We were able to teach T
again! It was such an amazing restoration lesson. The C's/B's are
amazing fellow shippers. They don't so much wait for us to ask them to
say something, instead, they just jump right in and bear their testimony about
something or share an experience from their lives. And it is so much
easier having fellow shippers that know the person we are teaching because they
know exactly how they are, how they learn, and what will be best for
them. So pray that we will be able to catch his interest and help him
realize that this is something that he wants for himself. But like I
said, it went really well. He had read the restoration pamphlet that we
left with him the first time cover to cover. So as we were going through
the lesson, HE ACTUALLY ASKED QUESTIONS! And he was able to answer our
questions with what he had learned or retained from the pamphlet. We
introduced the Joseph Smith Story and the Book of Mormon and invited him to
read it. But of course, we were low on miles and had to have J pick us
up, and NONE of the three of us grabbed a Plan of Salvation pamphlet or a Book
of Mormon. So when she dropped it off, we sent it back with her. :P
We are excited to see how he progresses on Wednesday when we are able to
teach him next. Hopefully all goes well. Cross your fingers!
Experience #3:
A couple of days this
week were thrown off because one morning, Sister G woke up with a pinched nerve
in her neck and couldn't move her head. By this time, it was too late to
set up slits or anything, so we were all just kind of stuck in the house for
the better part of the two days. We did get out to do a wee bit of
finding, but didn't see any real results coming from it. But hey, it gave
me a little time to catch up on Book of Mormon reading and Journal
writing. I am trying to have the Book of Mormon read all the way through
by Sunday. Hopefully I can finish! I am so close! But these
things are not the experience. So since I have had a stiff neck before, I
told her that she should try putting some Bengay on it. Since she was
laying on the ground, unable to move, I told her to put her hand out and I
would put some on it, but that she would have to wash them afterwards so that
she doesn't risk getting it anywhere near her eyes. Well, she did put her
hand flat, but just as I was putting it on her hand, she flinched and a big glob
of it landed right on her eyelid. So much for that! She started
screaming, "I'm blind! My eyebrow is going to singe off! What
do I do?" I couldn't help but hysterically laugh at this
point. I just wiped it off and told her to go wash her eye with soap and
water. But since her neck was stuck, it was quite the challenge. So
I pretty much blinded my companion this week... Whoops? ;)
Experience #4:
On Friday, we were able
to go do some sidewalk chalk at the park. We asked the man running the
carousel if it would be okay, and he said yes. So we drew out the Plan of
Salvation, which also looked like the word love. (I sent you a
picture). It was really fun and it looked pretty decent.
(Unfortunately, we came back the next day and they had hosed it off).
I don't think they were too happy with us. But oh well. We are
sharing the gospel, here. Not looking for approval. Right after we
had done the chalk though, we decided to go knocking a little bit. We had
actually planned to go downtown, but I felt impressed to go back to this
neighborhood that we had never finished knocking a few miles up the road.
So we went. Door shut after door shut, and then... A man answered the
door and said he was on his way out. I asked him where he was going and
if we could come back. He said he was taking his son to baseball
practice, I think. And he said to come back the next afternoon. We
were so excited because he said that he wanted to hear more. We did go
back on Saturday, but we think that he had just left and the car that was there
wasn't answering because they didn't recognize us. So we are hoping that
we can go see them on Tuesday and talk to them. :)
Experience #5:
One of my favorite
members got her mission call this week. She got it today actually, before
we went to the zoo. Her mother was the one taking us, so we got to talk
about missions with her all day long. It was so great! Today in the
car, Sister G asked if there was anything that we could do at the mission call
opening. Sister C asked if we could share a short message about
missionary work before she opened the call. We were more than happy
to. When we arrived, everyone sat down and ate for a few minutes, then we
delivered our message. We read Alma 7:11-12
11 And he
shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of
every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take
upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
12 And he
will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which
bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels
may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to
the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.
and Sister G discussed
how she would be sharing this message in her missionary work for 18
months. I then added my testimony about how important the missionary work
here is, how important it is in the world, the blessings that will come to her,
the people she works with, and her family and friends at home. We closed,
and she started opening it. We told her to put the book in front of it so
she doesn't read ahead. She started reading it and started crying.
This made me choke up a bit knowing how important missions are to me and the
Lord and knowing what a great missionary she is going to be. She read a
little bit and it said that she has been called to São Paulo, Brazil,
Portuguese speaking, and she leaves October 7th for the MTC in Brazil! We
are so excited for her!
Now, THANK YOU A
TRILLION TIMES OVER FOR TELLING ME ABOUT PRINCE WILLIAM AND PRINCESS KATE'S NEW
LITTLE GIRL! You're right. I wasn't waiting by the TV. In
fact, I didn't even know she had been born yet. I am on a mission,
yes. But I am still as obsessed as ever with the British culture.
So that filled my little British void. So thank you! ;)
This last week was
decent. We are noticing that the work is getting slower and slower
here. It's kind of hard when you don't have members that are really on
board with how the work is changing and don't want to help out that much.
I mean, changing in that, there are other ways of doing it now. It isn't
just door knocking anymore. But I am hopeful for this next week because we
had a relief society lesson on Sunday about missionary work. I think some
of the sisters got the real idea and some didn't, but hopefully it helps.
However… we were able to serve others this week and that always makes my week
better. Elder M, Sister B, and I were able to sing at a member's funeral
who just passed away. We sang I'm a child of God because that was her
favorite church song. Elder C played the piano and it was really
important to the ward and the family because the family isn't very active in
the church and they were really grateful that the bishop let them hold the
services there. Sister G said she didn't want to sing because she and
Elder C were "voted off the island." Originally it was supposed
to be the five of us, but turned into three because of that. ;)
We have a couple of
potential investigators and a couple of new investigators that we are working
with, but we are trying to get a feel for their potential at this point.
The investigator that we are most excited for is T at this point. Like I
said, pray that everything works out with him.
We are trying to work
with a couple of inactive members, but they don't seem like they want to come
to church yet. M, the less-active that Sister B and I found is still
progressing nicely. He calls us every once in a while just to hear from
us or get a lesson over the phone. He is one of my miracle stories from
my mission for sure because he tells me every time we talk that we were able to
change his viewpoint and that we were an answer to his prayers to God asking
for someone from a church to come visit him. So that makes me
happy. To know that I affected someone's life like that. Everything
else is doing okay.
Companions are doing
well. Sister B is starting to come to the realization that she is going
home soon and I think that's getting to her a little bit, but she is charging
through that. And I am just little old me. Still blonder than ever,
getting a few cuts and bruises every now and again to keep myself sane and
still obsessed with Britain bviously. ;) The food is still fried,
salted, and buttered, but it's good most of the time here. The members
are pretty good. They're preparing for one member to get married next
month and I think two or three of them are expecting kids this year. So
fun! :)
We are going to get
transfer calls on Saturday night. So I will definitely let you know about
that on Sunday night. Speaking of Sunday, I am planning on calling you
guys so that we can Skype. I am going to use the same account that
I did at Christmas time I am just going to go off of the username and password
that you sent me at Christmas. I just need to know what account to call
now. So let me know if you can.
I can't believe Roxie is
turning 1 already! That's crazy! That means she is going to be
almost 2 when I get home. Aaahhhh!
I am glad to hear that
Bethany made it home safe! Totally jealous when it comes to what she got
to do while she was there though! Sorry she didn't make it to finals, but
hey, at least it was fun! But I
can't believe she got to go to Harry Potter World, Walt Disney World, EPCOT,
and the Animal Kingdom. Soooo envious! Soooooooo.... Does this mean
that we get to go to Disneyland when I come home AND Disney World?!?!? I
hope so! ;) Did I mention that my companions and I are planning
this epic trip to Disneyland next year and we are going to call it, NCCM goes
to Disneyland?! We already have the sister training leaders and the zone
leaders on board and we are slowly spreading the word throughout the
missionaries. So whoever decides to come next August, who is going to be
home, can come! It's gonna be the best!
I'll have to let you
know if I see Elder B next week. Does he know that I am serving here so
it isn't super creepy if I say, "Hey my Grandpa Deinstadt helps your
family with genealogy." If not, tell me so I don't embarrass myself.
Cait mentioned to me
that she is going to a competition for soccer this year! Way to go
girlie! And Em, who knew that you would like choir so much? I am so
beyond proud of all three of my little munchkins!
I wish I could have
heard what Caitlyn said in her testimony in sacrament meeting. I am so
glad that she has her sights set on the temple, as do my other two
sisters. That is the ultimate goal that we can obtain as youth and young
adults. Get to the temple and keep going and going and going! And I
didn't know that you were thinking of going on a mission when you're old enough,
Cait! That will be so exciting if that is what you choose to do! I
am slightly biased, but they are so much more than worth it!
And thank you for the
sweet words of love after that mom! I love hearing little things like
that because the love I have for you, dad, and my sisters is indescribable and
it has grown even more on my mission! I am so lucky to be able to spend
eternity with the five most amazing people I have ever known. And my
mission has made me have an even greater respect and love for each of
you. It makes me want to strive my best - to be the best that I can and
share what I learn with all of you.
I liked what Sister P
said. It's so true. A lot of times, people look at other people and
think that they are better or that there is no way they could ever associate or
be around someone else. But reality check people! We are all
heavenly brothers and sisters! No escaping that one! I did have a
question about that though. There is a lady in Shelby who said that the
Irvin's are all connected somehow. She went on and on about how we are
all tied to celebrities and things, and that I was even tied to her. And
her last name isn't even Irwin. She said if you go to clanirwin.org,
you will see what she did. Can you check that out for me? It
doesn't seem to reliable, but I never know without looking. So let me
know what you find. In fact, I am doing genealogy again today. So
let's see what I can find out of that today. I will let you know on
Sunday if we find any more names.
Thank you for your sweet
testimony mom. I love you so much and I am so glad to know that because
of Christ's love for us, he has given us modern day prophets and apostles, the
Book of Mormon, and the atonement. If you think about it, Christ and
Heavenly Father are all powerful and all they ask of us is that we love them
and follow them. They give us so much. Including the opportunity to
be washed clean and forgiven instantaneously, if we will just turn to them in
repentance. There is nothing more glorious than this gospel. I am
so grateful for the opportunity to be in the family that I am in as well.
I am so grateful for the opportunity we had to go to the sacred grove. I
don't think I really knew the importance of it, even when I was standing in its
midst. But there is nothing in the world I would trade for the testimony
and knowledge that I am gaining.
I am so happy that you
get to volunteer in the temple as well. Way to be a member missionary and
help hasten the work of the Lord in these, the last days. I know all who
are reading this are doing their very best to strengthen and uplift those
around them and I am so proud of each and every one of you.
I love you to heaven and
back.
Ash
SEE YOU ON SUNDAY!!!!!!
P.S. I had a couple of
questions, but can't remember what they were. And I am going to bring up
some of the things from sister's and dad's email on Skype, but will respond to
them next Monday so that they can add to them after we skype. If that
makes any sense. ;) LOVE YOU!!!
