April 8, 2013

April 8

Hello Family, 

It was good to hear from you. Thank you for your emails. Sounds like you are all having a wonderful time. How is the weather? Is it getting warmer and starting to be spring there? Yay I am so excited to be an aunt again. I am glad that everything worked out okay for Will and Kallie. I know that I have asked this before, but does anyone have their address or email? I would love to write them sometime. If not, then I will just have to talk with them when I get back. I can't wait til I get to see Quincy. If you see them, give them my congratulations for me. 

Conference was great. One of my favorites was also President Monson's on Obedience. Mom, that same thing stuck out to me as well. I think that obedience is the greatest test of life. Jesus Christ even showed obedience when He was here on the earth. Even though he was perfect, he still followed the commandments of Heavenly Father and was baptized. I have greatly learned about obedience and how important it is to obey all the commandments and other guidelines that we have been asked to follow in the church. Being obedient shows our love that we have for Heavenly Father and when we are obedient we will be able to receive the great blessings that the Lord has promised us. Conference went by way too fast and I really enjoyed hearing from everyone. Another thing I loved about conference is how many of them talked about Love and how everyone needs to feel loved. I instantly thought about everyone that I am serving with and my investigators. They all are children of God and deserve to know how much I and their Heavenly Father loves them!! I am glad to be a part of God's work and helping people to feel His love for them. I also LOVE all of you and I am grateful for all that you do for me. 

This transfer is going to be challenging, but I am ready for whatever comes in my path. I woke up on morning this past week freaking out. Sister Yoon leaves to go back to temple square in three weeks. So for two weeks I will be over the Korean Branch, with no one who knows Korean and can help translate. I called President and told him how I was feeling and asked for permission to have an extra 30 mins of Language study. He said that I could and that I shouldn't worry because I will  have a new companion who will speak Korean. So in few words, he pretty much told me that I will be training the new Korean Sister next transfer. I have been trying to learn Korean ever since and it is hard. I am really relying on the Lord for help. There is no way that I can do this on my own. I don't expect to be fluent in Korean in three weeks, but hope to know some of the basics so that I can some what communicate with the ward members and find new people to teach. Sister Yoon is great and so patient with me. I love her and will miss her greatly. Other than that, Rowland Heights is great. I am getting to know lots of the members here and they are great. I think I will grow to love this area. 

The area is kind of slow right now, but we had a great week. We have awesome plans for this week and hopefully will have new people to teach. I have faith that the Lord will lead us to the right people and those that are ready to hear this great message that we have. We were able to visit a lot of the less actives in the RH ward. We working with a family right now and helping them go to the temple. Brother Runner hasn't been active for 11 years now and has been feeling that he needs to come back to church. From what Sister Yoon has said he has been coming to church for a couple of weeks now. We had a great lesson with him on obedience and the word of wisdom. We shared with him the importance of obedience and that sometimes we don't know we are asked to do something, but If we obey we will see the blessings from the Lord. We committed him to stop drinking coffee for four days. He said that he would try. We promised blessings and that the Lord would help him as he strives do this willingly. Brother Runner is a great person and his heart is being soften.

We taught some English classes this week. That was a lot of fun. I have enjoyed doing that. We are teaching a lady named Kimmie. She is Korean and is a potential investigator. She doesn't really want to talk about religion, but she will let us read the Book of Mormon with her. She is great and is learning English so well and fast. She has been in the US for about 30 years now. Something about the Koreans. They are all so nice and welcoming. They love to hear that I am trying to speak their language. We also taught English and a senior community place and taught some Spanish speaking people. They really enjoyed the class and said that they were excited to come back again.

We are doing FHE with a part member family in the ward. The Nauman's. Brother Nauman hasn't been active since he was 18 years old. His wife is interested and loves when we come by. On Saturday we taught them the Gospel of Jesus Christ and they really enjoyed the message that we shared. We invited them to watch conference with us on Sunday, but they weren't able too. They are an amazing family and I will enjoy getting to know them better and to hopefully help to become an eternal family.

This is all about what happened this week. Before I go I just want to let you know how much I love this gospel. I love being a member of it and to be a missionary at this time. I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ loves each and one of us. I know that we each have a purpose her on this earth and that Heavenly Father is always at our sides, never leaving us alone. I have know that no matter what happens, we can ask for forgiveness for our short comings and we can healed. I am forever grateful for the Atonement in my life. I have faith and I trust in the Lord with all my heart that I will be able to do all things that the Lord has in store for me. 

I love you all and I hope that you have a wonderful week!!

Love Sister Ackley