October 15
Hello Everyone!
This week we had a mission tour which means that we had a General Authority come and tour our mission. We had Elder Corbridge come and visit with us. He taught us great things and trained us how to be more effective missionaries. We talked about our missionary purpose and what we expected of ourselves as missionaries. Some of the things that I put were to be like Christ and to invite others to come unto Christ and to find that peace and happiness in their lives. I want to be able to learn that I am more capable of doing great things then I know that I can. We also talked a lot about the Restoration and the most important thing. The most important thing is to be redeemed of our sins, receive the Holy Ghost and to endure to the end. While going through this he also talked to us that it is so important that people understand our message before we invite them to be baptized. We are doing a lot of baptizing in the church today and a lot of them aren't fully understanding what we believe and go inactive right after. He gave us a lot to think about and made me want to do even better in the work. I have been going out of my way and talking to a lot of people and I can see a difference in myself as well. I have come such a long way and I am still improving every day that I am out here.
This past week we were able to teach an investigator the Restoration. His name is Mekel and he is from Finland. He is down here for a little while visiting with some of his friends that have come home from their missions. He wanted to meet with us and see what his friends have been doing for the past two years. This was an amazing experience for me. This was the first real lesson that I have taught in a long time. It went really great and the spirit was so strong there. I could tell that he was feeling the spirit as well, but he just didn't seem like he was too interested in what we were saying. It kind of seemed like he said yes to listen to us for his friends. It didn't matter though because I know that he felt something as we were teaching. We committed him to read the Book of Mormon and to pray to know if it is true. He said that he would sometime. I hope that he does find time to read and to know for himself that this book is the only true word of God. He also came to church on Sunday as well and enjoyed it too.
We also had our little girl Gabby attend church as well. We haven't been able to meet with her and her dad this week because they all have been sick. We tried to set up an appointment and never could get a hold of them. Some of the members did have dinner with that family and said that they are doing great. I hope that we can teach them this week and set up a baptism date with them or at least see if we can with Gabby. This family is so amazing and are going to be members of the church. I have really grown a love for them and want to help them know that they can have everlasting happiness and that their family can be together forever. Hugo wants to be baptized too, but the only thing that is holding him back is his wife. His wife isn't all that interested right now and so we are trying our hardest to do things with the whole family so that Erin will want to join us and we can start teaching her as well. It will take time, but I know that she will feel that sweet spirit that her family is and will want to hear more.
We also never were able to set up an appointment with our investigator Kristian. We actually ran into him the other day and just talked with him for a little bit and he said that he had been reading the Book of Mormon and the other materials that we had left with him from our last visit that week. He also said that he watched General Conference and really liked it and wants to go back and watch the Saturday Session that he missed. We are planning on meeting with him this week and hopefully set a baptism date with him as well. He is ready and I know that the Lord will help him along this path to be baptized.
We also visited with our family Matt and Sarah that we have been working with and gave them a talk to listen too about loosing a child. I don't know if you remember, but they lost their little girl about two years ago and when Elder Bowen was giving his talk in conference both Sister Davison and I thought of them the whole time and we felt impressed to share it with them. Sarah was so happy to see up and when we told her about the talk she started to cry and started to tell us memories of her little girl Kayla. She told us that it is still very hard for her to talk about her and that she doesn't open up to anyone. Well that day she opened right up to us and I believe that we have helped her in so many ways. Sarah is starting to heal and I can feel that her heart is changing and that she is wondering more about what we believe. We are going to be teaching them the Plan of Salvation this Sunday. I hope that this lesson will touch them. I know that they feel the love of their Heavenly Father and I know that they feel the spirit every time that we come and teach them. Sarah told us that we also come to her when she needs us the most. This made me feel really good. I know that Heavenly Father is looking out for them and is letting us know when the right time is for us to go over and visit with them. I can see them all in white being baptized and being sealed together in the temple. I love this family so much and I want them to have this gospel in their lives.
Well I just want to end with my testimony that I know this church is true and that Jesus Christ is our living savior today. I know that the Book of Mormon is the true word of God and that if you turn to the scriptures that you will find answers to your questions. I know that my Heavenly Father loves me and has a special plan for me. I know that families are together forever and that there is more to life after death. I am so grateful to the blessings in my life and for everything that the Savior has done for me and if it weren't for him I would not be able to get through the trials that I am faced with in my life. I know that these hard things come for a reason and that we are suppose to learn and to grow from them.
I Love you all so much and wish the very best for you this week! Keep smiling! :) I will try and write some letters next week
Love Sister Ackley
Pictures!!
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