July 1, 2013

July 1

Dear Family and Friends, 

It is really good to hear from you all. It has been a tough morning. Thank you for all your love that you all have shown me. I miss you all a lot right now. I'm glad that everything is going well for you. I hope you will continue to have a great week. 

Alex is doing awesome. He is 100% following the Law of Chasity now. He has been sleeping in his car for the last several days. We have found someone to let him stay the night, but Alex doesn't want to do it. He says that he doesn't mind sleeping in his car. People keep offering though to let him stay the night. The one concern that we has is that he doesn't want people to think that he is using them. I know that the members would not think of him in that way. He is loved by all the people in the ward. They have made him feel like family here. Alex really does love the ward and loves feeling the spirit and cannot wait til he can have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. We plan on seeing Alex this week and setting another baptism date with him. He is still progressing and is keeping the commandments.

Makaylee Martinez got baptized this last Saturday. She is a daughter of an investigator that we are teaching. The baptism was so special and the spirit was there. Brandy was touched by the spirit. She was crying and I can honestly say that the Holy Ghost was testifying to her that this is the right church. She is the last one in her family that needs to be baptized before they can be an eternal family. I really want this for their family. It makes me so sad to see that saying up on their wall "til death do we part" I want them to know and to have the blessings of being an eternal family forever. This family is special to me and I love them very much. I hope that when Brandy was at the baptism that she could recognize the spirit and the peaceful feeling that she had felt. I know that it was there and I know that she did feel it.

Meeting with these two people this week have been the highlight of our week. The work is still slow, but it is starting to pick up. I know that with my faith I am able to move forward and find those people that need me! 

This week for I read an article in the Ensign that really touched me. I would like to share some of my thoughts on it. The talk is called "A Time For Faith Not Fear" By Elder Larry W. Gibbons

"When the night is dark and the clouds are thick, we have an opportunity to put our hand in the Lord's hand and rely on Him to help us though." I love this. It is so true. When we are stuck in the dark and don't know where to go. We can always put our trust in the Lord and He will take our hands and lead us to the light. This has brought me so much peace and comfort this week. I have been going through a lot what now and I know that my Heavenly Father loves me and is always there beside me no matter what I am going through. One of my new favorite scriptures is Mark 5:36 ..."Be not afraid, only believe." If we are afraid we cannot have faith. We cannot have faith to get through the challenges that we go through in this life. I know that because I have faith and that I trust in the Lord I can get through anything. I know this to be true because I have felt the love that He has for me. I have been able to have that peace and comfort that I need at this time in my life. I love my Heavenly Father and my Savior so much. I am so grateful for all that Christ did for me so that I can put my burdens on him whenever I need too. I love you all so much and I am grateful for everything that you do for me. I can feel all the love and prayers that each of you do each day. I know that God lives. I know that we are a forever family and this makes me the happiest. 

I love you all and I hope you have a wonderful week. Lots of hugs!!

Sister Ackley