July 8, 2013

July 8

Hello family and friends, 

I just have to say thank you so much for your kind and uplifting words. I really needed them. Last week was a hard week, but I was able to get through the dark clouds and to be happy. I love you all so much and I really appreciate all that you do for me and for your prayers. I can feel the love all the way from California. 

We had an awesome lesson with Sister Martinez this past week. We talked to her about her feelings of the baptism of her daughter. She sad that it was hard for her at first because she is Catholic and it is hard letting her girls be baptized in the Mormon church. (for those of you who don't know this is a part-member family we are working with) She did mention that has soon as she entered the church all that worry went away and that she felt this peaceful feeling and knew that everything was going to be okay. We explained that what she had felt was the spirit. She said that she could recognized that and she knows that this gospel is true. She doesn't know what is stopping her. We introduced the Book of Mormon to her again and she said that she would read it and pray about it. Sister Martinez is almost there and we are going to set a baptismal date with her hopefully this week. 

Let me just share something that I learned this past week. Some of you know what happened and some of you don't, but I got hurt by someone that I loved. It was a hard thing to take. I was distracted and could not focus on the work. I ended up asking our District Leader to give me a Priesthood Blessing. While he was giving me a blessing I could feel an overwhelming love from my Heavenly Father and Savior. After the blessing I knew that everything was going to be okay. I talked to my Mission President that night and he was able to say great words of comfort. When I found out that dad had called him, that made me feel good. I needed to hear that and I was able to settle down more. That night, I did something that was super hard. I prayed for that loved one. I prayed that I would still love her and that I would be able to let go of the hurt feelings that I had and that I would be able to forgive her. I woke up the next morning and I was happy. I was happier than I have been in a long time. I then knew what I needed to do. I need to forgive her. Forgiveness is not an easy thing to do, but because of the Atonement we are able too. In my studies this week I studied about forgiveness and in the scriptures it says... it is required for us to forgive EVERYONE and that the Lord will deiced who He will forgive. It is a commandment to forgive others. (D&C 64:9-10) Another scripture that I really like is Matthew 5:44 "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despite-fully use you, and persecute you." I love this scripture and it has helped me be a better person. PRAY FOR THEM WHICH DESPITE-FULLY USE YOU, AND PERSECUTE YOU! The more I pray for them, the more love that I feel and the less hard feelings I have toward them. It was been an amazing experience for me and it is super hard to put into words of how I feel, but I feel that peace. I know that everything is going to work out. Also something else that I really liked in the True To The Faith is, "Pray for strength to forgive those who have wronged you...It may be difficult to let go of hurt feelings, but you can do it with the Lord's help. You will find that forgiveness can heal terrible wound, replacing the poison of contention and hatred with the peace and love that only God can give." This is one of the hardest things to do, but from mine own experience, passing my burdens onto him has made my week so much better. I really have learned so much about the Atonement and that if we use the power of Atonement in our lives we can be healed, we can be strengthened, and we can still love the ones that we love. I know that with out a shadow of a doubt that my Heavenly Father loves me and that he has been here with me the whole time. He has been carrying me through the darkest days. He has given my the peace and happiness and the strength to keep going strong. I love the Atonement and this is why I am here on a mission. I want people to have this same peaceful feeling and hope as they go through difficult times in their life. It is only through the Atonement that we can be healed and have that everlasting happiness. 

I love you all so much and I hope that you all have a wonderful week. Remember that you Heavenly Father that loves you and is with you everyday. Always depend on Him to help you with the difficult times in your life!

Love Sister Ackley