A spiritual week.

Area: Blackfoot
Companion: Sister Okotulu

This week I have been doing a lot of reading and I have so much that I want to share with you. So, there will be a lot of quotes! I feel that I have grown so much this week and I love it! I have grown so close to the spirit and to my Savior Jesus Christ. This week, I have learned of how to rely on my Savior and to know the He has a plan for each of His children. And, if something goes wrong in our lives, look forward, because the Lord has something great in store for you. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf has said, "Often deep valleys of our present will be understood only by looking back on them from the mountains of our future experience. Often we cant see the Lord's hand in our lives until long after trials have passed. Often the most difficult times of our lives are essential building blocks that form the foundation of our character and pave the way to future opportunities, understanding, and happiness." I dont feel that much needs to be said after this quote because I feel that President Uchtdorf said it perfectly. But, always put your trust in the Lord. Even when we are in the deepest valleys of our lives. We will soon look back and realize that those moments that tore us down were really only there to build us up. 
I read an article in the Ensign and I forgot the title of the article but I love what it said. It was written by Elder Baxter and I would like to share some quotes with you that I have written down. "When you live to lift the burdens of others, your own burdens become lighter. Although circumstances may not have changed, your attitude has. You are able to face your own trials with greater acceptance, a more understanding heart, and deeper gratitude for what you have, rather then pining for what you yet lack." I love this quote. And it is so true. I have been able to put that to the test since I have been on my mission. I can testify that as you serve others and help them, that your burdens will become lighter. As I experience trials in my life that come with burdens, and as I throw myself into the work of the Lord, I can handle my burdens so much better than if I were to just think of myself. Forget yourself and get to work has been my motto for the past week. Elder Baxter continues to say, "Although you often feel alone, in truth you are never totally on your own... your perspective and view of life will change when, rather then being cast down, you look up... As you do your very best in the most difficult of human challenges heaven will smile upon you... Let the redemptive, loving power of Jesus Christ brighten your life now and fill you with the hope of the eternal promise." I love that quote as well. It is so true. We are never alone. And if we feel that we are alone, just pray to our Father in Heaven and He will show you that you are not alone. Never have been and never will be. There is a story that I love that I am sure that you all know. But I would love to share that with you. And I will end with that then go into my week. :)  

One Night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand; one belonged to him and the other to the Lord. When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life. This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it. "Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you you'd walk with me all the way, but I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me." The Lord replied, "My precious, precious child, I love you and would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."This week was very good. I loved it. I had the opportunity to go on my first exchange. I was so much fun. The Sisters are so sweet! While I was on exchanges I had a wonderful experience. We were in our dinner appointment and we shared a message with them before we left and all three of us bore testimony of how if we build our foundation on Christ that we will stay strong. The scripture that was shared was Helaman 5:12. And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon therock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.
When we were done sharing our testimonies, the people we had dinner with also shared their testimonies. They were so powerful. I loved what the wife had to say though. She said that she could really tell that we were representatives of Jesus Christ and she could see His light shining through us. I loved that and she also said that she could feel the Spirit so strong as we were speaking. There were a few thoughts that were running through my mind... When I take off this name tag, is some of that light going to leave me, is part of the spirit going to leave me? As I continued to ponder those questions through the day, the answer came to me, only if you let it. The things that I do when the name tag comes off will determine whether or not I have the spirit with me. And the spirit that I feel as a missionary is so powerful, I will never want to lose it. So, I will not do anything that will make the spirit leave me. I will always stay worthy of the spirit. So, at the end of exchanges, I asked what they learned during exchanges and I loved what both sisters had to say. One sister said that she learned that she was a representative of Jesus Christ and to always do and say things as if He were next to you. And the other sister said that she has learned that she really does carry the spirit of the Lord. What a great lesson to learn! :) I loved it!
This week we went to see one of our investigators and he is so great. Gary. I am pretty sure that I have told you about him. But, in case I didnt or if you have forgotten. He is not a member but his wife it. When we first got there, Gary told us that someone had come and visited him... I asked if it was the stake president, President Rose and he said yes. And he said that Elder Webb from the 70 also came with him! And they were telling Gary that the ward needs him and that he needs to be baptized! Yes, Elder Webb came and talked with one of our investigators! How crazy is that!? I was so excited when he told us that! :) We had a great lesson too. He was telling us that he knows that the church is true and he believes in everything that is said in the sacrament prayers, and it is hard for him to pass the sacrament up when it gets to him. I then told him that he is aloud to partake of the sacrament. And he was surprised when he heard that. But, he did not come to church on Sunday because, this is what is daughter told us, he is not worthy to partake of the sacrament and knowing that he can partake of the sacrament scared him a little because he cant partake of it. He drinks with his friends when he golfs and he does not want to partake when he is not worthy. I felt so bad but his daughter said that it is good and is probably an eye opener for him. He has made a lot of progress and I know that his day will come for him to be baptized and I am so excited for that day. :) 
So, we have a new baptismal date! It is for September 6th and her name is Kendra! She is so sweet! She lives in an assisted living house but she seems to be all there. But, she came to church with us on Sunday and she is progressing! September 6th is her and her boyfriends 2 year anniversary and she was hesitant on setting the date, but we told her what better way to spend her two year mark with her boyfriend and him baptizing her! She agreed and talked with him and he agreed as well! So, her boyfriend will be baptizing her on the 6th of September! I am so excited for her! 
Oh! I almost forgot! Well, not really, it is just weird having it during the week and I feel that I have already written you about it, but I havent. Lol But, we had a baptism on Wednesday for Ruger Capson


and he was confirmed a member of the Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints on Sunday! It was so wonderful! Ruger was so happy on Wednesday. He had such a big smile on his face while he was getting pictures taken and all dressed in white. I believe that was the first time that I have seen him really smile. :) I love my job as a missionary! 
Well, that is about it for the week! I am so grateful for all the experiences that I have had on my mission. I love what I do and I would never give it up for anything and I would never trade this experience for anything. :) I look forward to this upcoming week. We will be going on two exchanges and that means that we will be out of our area for two days so, that means we will just have to work extra hard when we are in our area so that we can reach our goals that we have set! :) I love you all family! Thank you so much for all of your love and support. I hope that you all have a great week! Stay amazing! :) 
Love, 
Sister Ashley Halbison