Last Transfer.

Well family, I am entering into my last transfer this week. And, my last transfer is only 5 weeks! I know. I am so sad. Well, actually, it is only 4 1/2 weeks because the new transfer does not start until Wednesday. They had to shorten my transfer a week because of a mission presidents seminar that is happening the week that I was suppose to be going home. But, my time as a missionary has flown by. I just wish that I could be a full time missionary for ever and ever! But, I cant. :(
So, to start off, I want to start with something that I was reading during personal study today... It was exactly what I needed to hear. So, I was reading in Doctrine and Covenants and this scripture really stood out to me... 
"Let no man be afraid to lay down his life for my sake; for whoso layeth down his life for my sake shall find it again. 
"And whoso is not willing to lay down his life for my sake is not my disciple." 
-D&C 103:27-28
I also read this scripture in an article...
"Whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall find it."     -Luke 9:24
Then, in another article... I read this scripture. 
"Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it."    -Luke 17:33
I think that the things that I was reading was a way of Heavenly Father telling me that I need to lose myself more in the work and that I need to forget myself and go to work. Yesterday, for fast Sunday, I was fasting to know of ways that I could become a better missionary. Especially for the last five weeks of my mission. And, I think that today during my personal study that I was able to receive my answer. There have been some things in my personal life that keeps coming up and have been somewhat bringing me down. And although my thoughts are not on that during the day, my thoughts tend to wander towards them as I study or while I have down time (which is not very much). But, What I learned from today was that even in the down time, I need to stay focused on the work and not let those other thoughts come to my mind. 
Something that I also read about was service. And actually one of the scripture above was from an article that I read that was about service. But, I would like to share some quotes with you that I read today. 
“I believe the Savior is telling us that unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose to our own lives. Those who live only for themselves eventually shrivel up and figuratively lose their lives, while those who lose themselves in service to others grow and flourish—and in effect save their lives.”


“Great service is given when we perform vicarious ordinances for those who have gone beyond the veil. In many cases we do not know those forwhom we perform the work. We expect no thanks, nor do we have the assurance that they will accept that which we offer. However, we serve,and in that process we attain that which comes of no other effort: we literally become saviors on Mount  Zion. As our Savior gave His life as a vicarious sacrifice for us, so we, in some small measure, do the same when we perform proxy work in the temple for those who have no means of moving forward unless something is done for them by those of us hereon the earth.”
I think the key to coming home is continual service. I have been serving for the past 17 months and I know that continuing in service will help me to stay strong in the gospel and will help me to adjust to the home life. I have been thinking about what I will do when I get home and I know that a big thing that I will want to do when I get home is 1) go out with the sisters and 2) go to the temple at least once a week. 

Well, as usual, mom has asked me some questions and I will now answer them...
Q. I dont want to make you trunky, but what is the thing you look most forward to when you get home? A. I had to put the first part in there because I thought that it was funny. haha. But, I am not trunky at all. :) So, I guess that is good! :) But, I think that the one thing that I look forward to the most is being able to see family again and to be able to talk to them when ever I want to. And, also, being able to talk to people not as a missionary and have real conversations with them. Lol Oh, and I am looking forward to getting out of my missionary clothes. Haha. I love the clothes that I have. But, wearing the same thing for a year and a half is a little much. Its time for some new clothes! :) And getting to wear what I want! :) Haha 


Q. What will you miss most about your mission?                                                                            
A. I think that the thing that I will miss most about my mission is the people. I love the people here. And also the spirit that I always have with me. People say that they love the spirit that we bring into their home and that they can feel a difference when we come into their home. I hope to have part of that missionary spirit still when I get home and the name tag comes off. I will truly miss being able to teach the gospel to those who are searching for the truth as well. I will miss everything really about being a missionary. 

Q. Which of your companions has had the most influence on you?                                              
A. I would have to say that Sister Espiritu has helped me the most on my mission. She was such a great companion to have. She was so strong and I am so grateful for her and all that she had done for me. I was able to help her through some hard times and she was able to help me. And to this day, we are still helping each other. I think that it was with Sister Espiritu that I grew the most as a missionary. :)

Well, this past week has been so much fun. I really enjoyed it. Guess what happened on Saurtday! We had a baptism! YAY! It was for Kendra Windsor. She is so sweet.

Her baptism did not go super smooth but, it was still good. When she was getting baptized, her boyfriend was baptizing her and he had only done one baptism before and it was his little sister. So, Kendra was a little bigger than an 8 year old. It took five times to get her fully immersed in the water. But, she was finally fully under on the last one... Of course. Lol So, we gave a little message while Kendra was changing and we got done early... So, I decided to sing a song, acapella... It turned out really well. I was just super nervous haha. But, all in all the baptism went well! :) I am just happy that she was able to be baptized! :) 
This week we were able to go to the fair and it was so much fun. I really enjoyed it.The food was so good! :) YUM! And, last monday, we were able to go on a ride! I loved it! We only had enough tickets to go on one ride. I wish that we could have gone on more. But one was good enough. :)

 

This week we were able to teach 28 member present lessons! It was great! We were able to go on splits a few times. I really enjoy going on splits! :) We will be going on splits again on Tuesday! I just love everything about missionary work! :) Lol 
Well, I know that this is not the best email and that it is all over the place.. But I didnt have my thoughts together very well when I started this email haha. I will try and do better next week! I promise! Hey, at least I sent pictures and a thought! :) YAY! 
I love you all and I hope that you all have a wonderful week! I look forward to next weeks emails! I promise, they will be better! 
Love, 
Sister Ashley Halbison 
Ps Here is a really good video... you should watch it! :) 
https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2011-10-050-whosoever-will-lose-his-life-for-my-sake-shall-find-it?lang=en