September 17
Hello all,
This past week has been so amazing and a testimony builder for me. Sister Davidson and I have had so many miracles happen to us this week and have been spiritually uplifted. So we actually got a call last night from the Assistants and they said that we will no longer be over the La Crescrenta Ward. So now instead of three wards we are just covering the two wards La Canada 1 and 2. This week with three wards though was amazing. We saw the Lords hand in our lives so much and have been able to really learn to rely on the Lord. I know because we were ready to work hard and that we showed the Lord that we are trying our hardest and not going to give up and go till the end even though we end our nights super tired, we have been blessed and the Lord has put those people in our paths that have been prepared.
The first thing that we did was called and made appointments to meet with all of the axillary leaders and Bishops to see what they needed and to see what we could do to help them with the ward. Everyone was so excited to meet with us and I know because we called them first and showed them that we were so happy and excited to work hard they began to trust us. One of the cool experiences that we had this week is when we met with a R.S President from the La Crescrenta ward and has we were walking back to our car we see this guy and he was out walking his dog and we stopped him and started to talk with him. We introduced ourselves and starting asking him what he's purpose of life was and explaining to him what we believe our purpose is and then we got talking about the restoration a little bit and we felt prompted to give him a book of Mormon and explained that to him. The whole time that we were talking I knew that the spirit was with us and that we were testifying the truth from the spirit. He then asked us what we do as missionaries and we told him that we devote 18 months of our lives to teach the gospel to people all around us and that we go and find those who are ready to hear our message. He then stated, "So you just out looking for people like me?" We said yes. The funny thing is that he told us he wasn't even going to go out and walk his dog, but something told him to walk the dog. When I heard this I was overwhelmed with the spirit and knew that at that moment we were suppose to meet him and to talked about the gospel to him. We then started talking about faith and we mark the chapter on faith in Alma 32 and told him to read it. We also gave him our number to call us if he had any questions. A couple of days later we had dropped by his house and no one was there so we left him a note and invited him to a sports night we were doing. The next day he texted us!!! He said sorry for not coming to the activity and said that he was going to read the chapter we gave him. We haven't heard back from him yet, but I really do feel that the Lord is working with him and is preparing him for great things. This was a super great experience and I felt the spirit so strong and knew this man was placed in our paths for a reason.
Another cool experience we have had is that we helped a non member family move out of their apartment into another. This was such great experience as well. They were so grateful for the help and they were crying and saying thank you over and over again. This touched me so much and made me realize how much we as members and especially us as missionaries really do touch the lives of others around us. Even though sometimes we don't see it at first. This family is the Gutierrez family. Angelica, Frendano, and their son Steven. They are the sweetest family and were very touched by our spirits and the light of Christ. Frendano just had surgery and almost died. They didn't have insurance and weren't going to be able to do the surgery, but the Dr said that he really needed it and that he would just do it for them. They were so touched by that. Frendano told us that this has changed his whole life and that he thinks that God was trying to tell him something. He even said that after he heals that he wants to give back and wants to come to our services. This touched me so much for him to see the hand of the Lord in their lives. At the end of the moving and after we got them all settled in their new place, the Elders dedicated their home and blessed them to have the love and the spirit of the Lord with them. During the prayer, the spirit was so strong and I was so touched and know that the Lord has also blessed me with this family.
Last night we had dinner with a family in the La Canada 2 ward and they invited their friends over that are non members. We had a very yummy dinner and got to know the family really well. Their names are, Matt and Sara and Erin. They have had a tradegery about two years. They lost their daughter in an accident. I guess there was a police chase and they guy that was running away from the police turned the corner and hit the little girl. They have had a hard time getting past that, but the wounds are starting to heal. We taught the two families about our purpose on earth and the Atonement. When we were bearing our testimony of the Atonement the spirit was so strong and I knew that He was comforting the family with the trials that they are facing right now. They got a little teary eyed and were pondering what we were teaching. This was a great experience for me and for them as well. At the end of the lesson we sang I Am a Child of God and as we sang it, it was so powerful. I know that this family was touched and I can see great things and know that they will be an eternal family someday. They are amazing and great things are going to come into their lives.
We have had other great little tender mercies that we have seen from the Lord and it has really touched me to know that because I am willing and giving my whole 100% to the Lord and being obedient to all the rules, that He is blessing my life and it makes me feel good to know that the Lord trust me with His children. Like I said before this has been a super spiritual week and I have felt to the spirit so much in my life. I have seen my testimony grow so much and have really realized that I need to be focused and to really stay close to the spirit to listen to those promptings that I get. I am so grateful for the blessings that I have seen this week and for the trust that Heavenly Father has shown me. I love the scriptures and have learned great things this week about myself and how I can better help me be a better missionary. I am so grateful for prayer. I have prayed so much more this week because I needed the Lords help with the work and I can honestly say that if I didn't pray to my Father In Heaven there is no way I could have had a great a successful week. I am so grateful for Sister Davidson. She truly has been an answer to my prayers. I love her and I am so grateful that she is willing to work her hardest along side with me and that she is always happy and has a great attitude about the work. I love this gospel so much and every time I see someone out on the street and want to talk with them and share my testimony with them. I know that this is the only way to get back to our Heavenly Father and I know that He loves me for the way that I am.
I love you all so much and grateful for the love that I feel from you. I hope you all have a wonderful week and keep your heads up high and pray to your Heavenly Father when you need a friend. He is always there for you. Much hugs and kisses from me to you!!!
Love, Sister Ackley
P.S. Here are some pictures. ENJOY :)
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