February 11, 2013

February 11

Hello Family, 

Congratulations Chelle! I am so excited for you. You will have so much fun and I cannot wait to hear all about your mission experiences. For some packing advice. Pack what will fit. The good thing about serving in states is that it is easy for mom and dad to send stuff and plus you have all of the normal stores so that if you didn't bring something you can always get it from the store. You will want to have outfits that are colorful. Plain colors get boring. I will write you a letter and tell you more. 

Alright so another update on the Bed Bugs. Oh before I forget. Yes I did go to the Doctors in Dec. I was really worried because I hadn't had a period for about five months and Sister Becerra wanted me to go see a Dr. Turns out it was just caused from stress. Everything is okay now. The exterminator came Thursday and found the nesting of the bugs. They were living right above my head. I was freaking out. They were starting to nest up towards Sister Davidson's bed. He said that she has been getting bit too, but I am the only one that has been reacting to them. Everything seems to be better now. I hope that we don't have anymore and that they are all gone. We are going to have a follow-up this week I think. Cross your figures. I didn't end up going to another doctor because the exterminator clarified that they WERE bed bugs. The bites are healing, but some of them still itch pretty bad.

We had a miracle this week. We had contacted this guy named Dave back in Nov. We were already late for our dinner appointment and we were about to get in the car. We saw him outside his house and had the thought we needed to turn around and talk to him. He was really easy to talk to and we offered him a Book of Mormon, but he didn't want to take it. We left him our number and said to call us if he ever needed anything. Well..the other day we had this missed call and I kept feeling like we needed to call it back. When we called him back he said that he was Dave. For a min we didn't remember who he was then he said that he was Sister Herrick's neighbor. We were so excited to hear from him. He had mentioned that he was thinking about us and remembered that night and the feeling that he had when we talked to him and that he wanted to call us and tell us. Isn't that cool. It was so nice to hear that and to know that I am really making a difference on people. Sometimes it is hard to see, but it is always good to be told of the great work that I am doing. 

We have done lots of service this week. One morning we were driving and I had this thought that we needed to go see this lady named Leslie. She is the neighbor of our ward mission leader. She is going through a difficult time right now and is in a middle of a divorce. She had to move out of the house she was living in quickly. When we stopped by and asked if she needed help. She said yes and almost started crying. She was so touched that we felt like we needed to stop by. She really appreciated our help. It took a lot of stress off of her as well. I love doing service. It always makes me so happy and to see those that we help so happy too. Serving people is the best way to reach out to people. They are more receptive and their hearts are softened. Leslie is a great lady and I hope that we will be able to teach her soon. 

We weren't really able to teach Loly this week. She had to cancel our appointment we had this past week. We did teach her a little bit while we were doing service. She has been going through a difficult time as well and can feel the Adversary working really hard on her. We comforted her and told her that because she is doing the right things and staying close to Heavenly Father that He will be able to help her and give her comfort and strength to get through her challenges. We also gave her some scriptures to read that will help her. I hope that we will be able to teach her this week and that the rest of her week went well. I love Loly and she has such a strong and amazing testimony. She will be a strong member of the church one day.

Crazy story. Back in Oct we went contacting in the park and stopped and talked to this lady from France. She was a good contacted and we got talking about the world and how scary it is becoming. Well, last week we had dinner with a family and she said that she invited a friend to come eat with us as well. When we got to the house we introduced ourselves and guess what? It was that same lady. Isn't that so crazy. This lady whose name I cannot remember seemed really excited to see us. We had a nice conversation about the youth program and then Sister Ishaida started talking to her friend and gave her a Book of Mormon. She seemed interest and we are going to try and get her a french one so that she can understand what she is reading a little better. I hope that she had felt the spirit that night. I know that the spirit was there with us and was testifying to her. She is a great mother and wants to the best for her son, especially since the world is becoming scary.  

 

Well another week has gone by and again I am so grateful for all of you and so grateful that we have the gospel in our lives. I know that because we are striving to be the very best that we know how to be, we are being blessed and that Heavenly Father is watching over us. I know that God lives. I know that He has a perfect plan for each of us and knows the best way to help us. I know that He hears and answers our prayers and that we can do anything if we put our full trust in God and have faith. I have seen so many miracles on my mission because of my faith and because of my obedience to the commandments and the mission rules. The Lord truly blesses us and wants us to be happy. I am grateful for families and the love and support that we show each other. I am grateful for this gospel and the joy and happiness that it brings to me. I know that I have the love of the Lord with me and that I am here to touch those who are prepared for me. I love being a missionary!

Love you all so much and I hope you all have a great week. Oh, next week I might not be able to email till Tuesday because of the holiday and the library will be closed. Just a heads up. 

Sister Ackley

P.S.

Here is the address that I am staying at, but don't send anything to this address til I let you all know that I am staying in La Canada. transfers are next week. I able probably staying in La Canada and I might even be training someone new too. I will let you all know what happens next week. LOVE YOU!!!

4916 Alminar Avenue

La Canada Flintridge CA, 91214