"Much of the major growth that is coming to the Church in the last days will come because many of the good women of the world (in whom there is often such an inner sense of spirituality) will be drawn to the Church in large numbers. This will happen to the degree that the women of the Church reflect righteousness and articulateness in their lives and to the degree that the women of the Church are seen as distinct and different--in happy ways--from the women of the world... Thus it will be that female exemplars of the Church will be a significant force in both the numerical and spiritual growth of the Church in the last days" President Spencer W. Kimball

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

It's A New Year!!!






Putting up my calendar this past week helped me to realize two things: one, this entire calendar will be on the wall of one of my apartments as a missionary, that's 365 days that will involve nothing but THE work. Second, this calandar represents "once around the sun", aka the time I have left to do THE work is closing in on me fast!
The time is moving quickly and the work is progressing, in fact transfers have just elapsed once again here in NYNYN mission and all I can think of is how grateful I am that Sister Fuimaono is once again my companion. It is obvious we have work to do here in Harlem! Its almost as if the Lord has lit a flame under our bums cause we have been walking around the streets, going the speed of "missionary purpose" like there is no tomorrow. I dont know that there is any real reason for this besides the ball dropping in on our new year and giving us light that we only have this priviledge for so long. Studying the scriptures these past few weeks has also really emphasized this. You cant help but really commend Alma, Ammon and all those guys for the work that they did for YEARS! among friends and foes. They are such champions, haha! They really make the streets of New York look likeDisneyland, and heaven knows how much I love Disneyland, so it got me thinking "What the heck, right?! Its time to really go to work." I have to give credit also to my girl Lindsey Rowe for finishing strong. She really helped me see how amazing the work can be when you are doing it with obedience and charity. Sometimes I wish I could have served with her in Vegas but then I realize, I can be Lindsey Rowe for someone else. She helped me see the work transformed for me to the point that I almost dont want to call it work anymore. It is weird to say that Ash is back in the sense that Im out for making friends, whether in the Gospel or not because I realize the example I set by living the Lords standards is enough that people are going to ask themselves what "makes you different?" The answer is simple and obvious, God. All the work that I am doing here is for and through that purpose. I am simple an instrument in His hands.
Two thousand eleven is definitely going to be a year of miracles, whether small or big I dont think it is unreasonable to think this. I have seen the hand of the Lord thus far in my life preparing me to genuiely count my blessings this year. Such an amazing gift He has granted me this year, to see all that I can be through Him. I would like to take this opportunity to really bare testimony of the things I know. First and foremost God is a loving Heavenly Father who has sent His son, even Jesus Christ, to atone for my sins. The Gospel is real and the power to act in the name of God, even the Priesthood power has been restored to this earth in and through the prophet Joseph Smith. I do have a personal realtionship with my Father in heaven through prayer and he does send His Spirit to be with me. The Book of Mormon is true testimony of Jesus Christ. And lastly to say but definitely not in conclusion I know that I will grow closer to God when I follow His commandments and He will pour His blessings out on me.
I just love being on a mission, its definitely an addition to my life. I love seeing peoples lives changed when the too find out the things I know. I love new beginnings and opportunities to become better. Its just an amazing thing! I love all of you also, you help me so much and I cant thank you enough for your support! Love you love you, and so it is...

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