January 14, 2013

January 14

Hello Everyone! 

I hope you are all doing well. I have so great news! Sister Davidson and I are STAYING TOGETHER!! This makes me so happy. I love Sister Davidson and we have become such great friends. Sister Davidson is doing better. She still has her rough days, but I am trying really hard to be patient and to help her through her struggles. I think that she is stressing because she is going home in five weeks and does not want too. She has been such a great example to me and I am so grateful that we have been able to be her companion for the past four months and I will be sad to see her go, buy our friendship will always stay.

Some exciting news. Robin our investigator is doing better. We have been really constant with her and helping her out. She has not been feeling great and we have not been able to have a lesson with her. She, however, wanted to go to the farewell that we do for all of the departing missionaries. What they do there is have the missionaries going home bare their testimony. Sister Davidson and I were really surprised that she wanted to go. I am so glad that we were able to come with her. The testimony meeting was so good and the spirit was so strong. She was touched by some of the testimonies and really enjoyed her time there. I know that she felt the spirit because she got a little teary eyed during some of the missionaries testimonies. I think this was a great experience for her. I pray for her daily and that she will be able to heal quickly so that we are able to teach her about the gospel.

We were able to meet up with Kelsey this week. We had lunch with her and she asked us a lot of questions about what we believe. She asked a lot of good questions and asked about what the difference was about Mormon weddings, funerals, and baptisms. We explained everything to her and she stated that what we do is similar to what other churches do. Which is true. We just have the proper authority to make the ordinances valid. We talked about baptism and what it symbolizes. We even explained why were are here as missionaries and said that we invite everyone to be baptized and we invited her to be baptized. She did not say no, but did say that she wanted to be in the religion for about a year before she commits to anything. We told her we understand and want to make sure she really understands what we are teaching her. She is an amazing girl and is really wanting to learn more about what we believe.

Sheri Dew came to speak to three of the stakes here and we were able to go with two investigators of ours. Leslie and Sarah. Sarah really enjoyed it, but I think a lot of what Sheri Dew talked about went over her head. Sheri Dew talked about our own identity and how the women of the church have a great responsibility and that men and women are equal and not one of us gets put down. This was really good for Leslie to hear. One of her concerns that she has is that she looks that the women of the church get looked down upon. Sheri Dew nailed her question and I hope that this was able to help Leslie understand more about our roles as women of the church. We are planning on visiting with Leslie tonight to see what her thoughts were and to answer any of her questions she might have.

We were able to meet with the Cotten's again this week. They are doing well. Brother Cotten is preparing to get the Priesthood. Last week we taught about the Priesthood and how great of a blessing it is to have. We told him that he will be able to provide blessings for his family when they need it. He is very excited to be getting the Priesthood. This is one of the first steps that they are taking and preparing to be sealed together as a family. It makes me so happy to see how excited he is to be doing this. Sister Cotten is also very happy and their family is doing so well. They have been coming to church almost every week and the feeling when they come. They say that they have better days when they come to church. I know that they Lord is watching over their family and is guiding them along this journey they are on.

We are working really hard to find new investigators. We are really focusing our dinner thoughts on how the members can invite their friends into their home and how they can share the gospel with them. Yesterday Sister Davidson and I decided we would fast to find new investigators and because we have such great faith we have already started to see miracles. After church a lady said that she knew of a part member family that she feels like we could go visit. She said that she feels like the husband is ready and may be interested in taking the missionary lessons. We also looked back and thought what a miracle it was to have Sheri Dew come and to have Leslie there. We are so excited for this transfer and can feel that great things are going to happen. 

I just want to end with my testimony that I know this is the only true church on the earth today. I am so grateful for Joesph Smith. I am grateful for the Book of Mormon and know that it is the true word of God. I am so grateful for this plan of happiness, to come down to earth and gain a body and to go through all of the challenges that I have and will face in this lifetime of mind. I am grateful for Jesus Christ and his willingness to come down to earth to suffer all of my pains, sufferings, and afflictions. I know that because of Christ I am able to pour all of my burdens on Him and I can have the strength to overcome all these. I am grateful for the trials that I go through. I know that they are to help me grow to become the person that Heavenly Father has planned for me. I know that I am a daughter of Heavenly Father and that He loves me. I am grateful for my family and all of the love and support that they give me.

I love you all so much and I hope you have a wonderful week. Stay warm and stay safe. Until next time!

Love Sister Ackley

P.S. Sounds like you boys are doing well with all of your activities. Good luck with your wrestling matches. Win some for me. 

Chelle good luck with your mission preparations.

Jeremy and Justin, I love you and keep smiling

Mom and dad, Love you and thank you for all that you do and don't worry about replacing the money. I want to contribute has much as I can while I am out here. You all do so much and I am very thankful.