March 4, 2013

March 4

Dear Family, 

It is crazy to think that it is already March. Time is surely going by really fast. Congratulations Chelle on getting your Endowments. I bet the experience was amazing. I wish I could have gone with you. You will have to let me know how it went and how you felt. It sounds like things are finally starting to turn around with Will and Kallie. I am so excited to hear that they are having a girl. I cannot wait to see my little niece and my other little baby (chelsie's) I am glad to hear that Utah is starting to warm up and that you all are having a great time. 

Mom, I was thinking of you yesterday and about your lesson. I am sure that it went great. I am glad that you were able to get everything done that you needed to and although we were busy that you didn't feel so stressed out about it. I think that was God's way of showing you that maybe you needed a break and alone time with your Hubby! :) You are amazing and deserved that little break and relaxation.

Training has been fun. It is a little stressful and sometimes it does seem like a lot of pressure. I know that I can do this with the help from the Savior. I pray everyday for the help that I need to help Sister Allan become that great person that the Lord knows that she can be. It makes me feel good to know that Heavenly Father trusts me enough to leave one of his new missionaries in my care. I hope that I am a great example to her and that she is learning a lot. I am learning a lot from training about myself and I have been changed for the better has well. I have learned how to be patient with myself and to know that what I am doing is what I am suppose to do and to teach Sister Allan. I am growing have built a lot of confidence in myself and know that I can do hard things. 

This week has been kind of a challenging week. I think we are being prepared for great miracles that the Lord has for us. We have been having a hard time with the Erckenbrack family and I just haven't known what else we can do to help them progress. We asked President for some help and he said to have them come over to his house for a family night. We all thought this was a good idea and could help the family. Well, we went and invited them to come with us and they kindly declined the invitation. They stated that they are happy in the other church that they are attending and feel like that is where they need to be right now. I was having a hard time with this because I KNOW that Julie wanted this for her and her family. She has felt to the spirit testify to her that this is true, but she is staying along side her husband. Bryan stated to us that right now he is not seeking for any truth and doesn't know what the important thing is in life. They like the other church because it is easy and fun and they don't need to do anything. This was a hard decision to make, but we will no longer be teaching them for a little while. I am sad about this because I have built such a great relationship with them and really felt their hearts being soften. I know that I did play a huge role in their life and that they will never forget that feeling that we brought into the home. I am still praying for them and hope that they will one day realize what they are missing and want that peace and comfort and happiness that they have felt every time we have come by or that they have felt when they came to church.

On Saturday, Our stake did a "Mini Mission" Where the missionaries go on splits with the youth. That was another great experience for me. Sister Allan was a little nervous about this whole thing because she has only been out for two weeks and didn't know if she could do it by herself. I had faith in her and strongly felt like this is just what she needed to help her build her confidence with herself. I was on foot the whole day and I let her take the car. Being on foot was so amazing to me. I worked really hard that day with my little friend (Kristin) We walked and talked to everyone that we saw and even did some contacting in the park. It was a cool experience for her to see and to get a good look at what missionaries do when they are not teaching.  She was able to talk to some people that let us talk to them about our beliefs and she did amazing. She will be such a great missionary if she decides to serve a mission. We were able to talk to a guy about makes us different from everyone else and that we were able to get his contact info to give him a church tour. We will be contacting him this week. I am hope that he will be able to meet with us and to let the Holy Ghost testify to him that what we are teaching him is the truth.

Even though is has been a rough week, we have been able to see a lot of success in ourselves. We are getting more comfortable talking to people and sharing the gospel with them. Everyone that we have stopped to talk to have been really nice and have wanted to leave their info with us. I hope that we will be able to see these peoples lives change as we teach them about the gospel of Jesus Christ. We have been putting ourselves out their and showing the Lord how diligent we are and how dedicated we are. I want so badly to find those who I am suppose to meet here and to find those lost sheep. I pray everyday to find families and individuals. I know that if I put myself out there more each day that the Lord will bless me with miracles. Going through this tough time I have really exercised the Atonement. I am so grateful for Jesus Christ and for all that he did for me. I am forever grateful to be able to cast my burdens on Him and to know that I will be given the strength to get through anything. As I have prayed for comfort I am filled with the peace that I need to keep going strong. I know that the Lord is with me and that He will never leave my side. I want to be able to share the Atonement with everyone so that they can cast all of their troubles so that they can have that same peace, comfort and strength to keep going. I know that this is the one and only true gospel. I love being out here serving the people and love helping people who are wanting a change of heart.

Sorry this email isn't one of the best ones. I will have lots more to tell you this next week. I can tell that great things are about to come forth. I love you all so much and grateful for the love you all show me. I hope that you all have a great week and are safe in all your travels. I LOVE YOU. Big hugs and kisses!!!!

Love Sister Ackley 

Pictures: For Zone Conference we did Birthdays for all those who are having a birthday in the next couple of months and so here are pictures of me and my cupcake and companion Sister Allan.