July 22, 2013

July 22

Hello family and friends, 

It is good to hear from you all. It sounds like you all are having fun. That is so neat that you were able to see Marcus get sealed. I wish I could have been there. That would have been neat to see those to get married. Mom, I am glad that you are hanging in there and staying patient with putting your room together. I can't wait to see pictures when it is all done. I love hearing from you all. It brings me such joy and happiness to know that you are doing well. 

My weeks are going by faster and faster each week. I can't believe that it is Monday again. It seems like just yesterday that I was sitting here emailing you all. Being a Sister Trainer has been keeping me super busy. I love these Sisters that I am able to go on exchanges with. These sisters are great and know what their purpose is. I was able to do two exchanges this week. On Saturday I was able to go to a pioneer party that the Glendora Stake was putting on and I was able to see some familiar faces and it was so great to know that I have been remembered. I wasn't sure if anyone would remember me because it has been over a year since I was there. It was neat. I was able to teach a family with one of the sisters and this family is amazing. The mom of the family has had a hard life. The sisters have been meeting with her for a couple of months now and she was baptized yesterday. The missionaries came to her in a time that she needed the gospel the most. She is amazing and even though I don't really know her, I could see that she was really committed to this gospel and she was happy and knew that everything was going to be okay. The sisters are now teaching her children. She has a 16 year old who is awesome and is really wanting to know what her mom has been doing. We taught them the Restoration and she was asking a lot of great questions and it was amazing that we could answer all of her questions with the lesson that we had prepared for their family. The spirit was so strong and we committed her to read and to pray about the Book of Mormon and she said that she would. Great blessings are going to come to this family. They made me so happy!!

We had dinner with Alex and his ex-wife on Wednesday and it went really well. We wanted to have dinner with them so that we could get to know Jovita a little bit better and to see how interested she is in learning about the gospel. We had a great conversation about the Atonement and talked about the temple and the spirit that is there. Alex took her to see the visitors center and she really enjoyed it. She said that she felt happy and peaceful there. We explained that what she was feeling was the spirit. She said that she liked that feeling. I guess Alex has been reading some of the scriptures to her as well and she has mentioned to him that she likes the feeling that she gets when he reads. We showed her a mormon message video "Lifting Burdens" and that brought the spirit in the room. In all honesty, I don't think she is all that open yet and wants to see if Alex will really do this. She has noticed a change in him and likes the change that he is making. Alex is trying really hard to save his marriage, but what he doesn't realize is that he needs God's help. We are trying to help him understand that nothing is possible with out the help from our Father in Heaven. He wants to wait for Jovita to be ready, but he needs to be the one to change first. If she sees this great change then she will most likely follow him because she has already felt the spirit. He needs to be the example and change. If he does this then the Lord has promised Alex blessing will come and everything will work out if it is suppose too. 

In my studies this week I wanted to study more about the Atonement. I love reading and studying about the Atonement I learn new things each time. In the Bible Dictionary it says that the Atonement is to correct or overcome the consequences of sin. In the PMG says " to receive the blessings of the Atonement, we must be cleansed from sin...Only through the Savior's grace and mercy can we eCommerce clean from sin so that we can live with God again... As we rely on the atonement of Jesus Christ, He can help us endure trials, sicknesses, and pain. We can be filled with joy, peace, and consolation. ALL THAT IS UNFAIR ABOUT LIFE CAN BE MADE RIGHT THROUGH THE ATONEMENT OF JESUS CHRIST." With out the atonement of Jesus Christ we can't do anything. Everything in the end will be made right. We need to always remember what the atonement is and use the power to overcome such trials, and pains in our lives. Through the atonement all things are possible. I know that My Heavenly Father loves me and that I am able to conquer anything that gets thrown into my path. I know that I can trust in God and to have the strength that I need to stay strong. I am grateful for Jesus Christ and for his atoning sacrifice. I know from what he did, he loves his Father in Heaven and loves each of us. I am grateful to be a missionary at this time and to be teach people about this great gift to others who are seeking the truth. 

I love you all and I hope you have a great week. 

Love Sister Ackley