November 12
Hey there everyone! Don't worry I haven't forgotten about you. Yesterday all the libraries were closed, so we couldn't email. Yesterday was a really good day. We decided to go to China Town with a lot of the other missionaries and that was a lot of fun. I have never been to China Town my whole mission and thought that it would be fun to go once before I have to leave. It was so crowed and there was a lot of stuff. It was a little too much for me. I have found out that I really can't be in big crowds with lots of noise now. It gives me a little anxiety. I am sure that will go away over time. I had lots of fun seeing the other Sisters there and some of the Elders from my past district. I am surely going to miss everyone that I have met. The closer I am getting to coming home, the sadder it is. I have loved every min of this mission and wouldn't change it for anything. I hope that you boys (Jeremy and Tyson) will want to come and serve a mission. It really is the best thing you can ever do. You will never be happier than serving a mission. Seeing peoples lives change is so great and to know that you have been a part of that too.
I was asked to speak in sacrament on Sunday and they wanted me to talk about the highlights and the challenges of my mission and how the gospel has blessed my life as a missionary. At first I struggled to find the words to share with them. I have had a lot of highlights and a lot of challenges. I would like to share some of my thoughts with you as well. One of the greatest highlights that I have had on the mission is teaching families. Heavenly Father loves all of us so much that we has blessed us with families and wants us all to return to live with him again as families. Being able to see families from the beginning to the end is quite an amazing sight. The amount of love that I feel for each on of them and those I come in contact with, there are no words that can even begin to describe that feeling. I can honestly say that I have been able to see more clearer how our Heavenly Father sees them and how I continue to see them. There is no greater sight then that. I have had an experience where I was teaching a family, and some of you may recall me sharing this with you, but I was teaching a family for a long time and I got really close to them. I had a perfect vision for them. I wanted to see them get sealed in the temple for time and all eternity. However, my vision was not God's vision for them at that time. The family told me how grateful they were for us and all that we had done for them and with out us they would of never went back to church. They as still going to the Presbyterian church and has far as I know they are happy. I know that my time with them was not wasted and that they have been changed just a little bit with the spirit that we brought into there home. This was one of my greatest and challenging times. It was hard for me at first, but I know that the Lord will bless them and that they will one day come to know this true gospel.
Another experience that I have had was in my last area. We taught Gloria. She found the missionaries and wanted to change her life around and wanted to be better for her son. She came a long way and the spirit testified to her about the truthfulness of our message. In one of the lessons we had with her I stopped and asked her what was one of the blessings she has seen in her life? She said with a big smile one her face that she has never been happier and never wants to go back to her old self. She felt her Heavenly Fathers love for her. They were so many challenges to get her baptized. Somebody did not want to see her baptize, but all went well and she was able to be baptized. The reason why I share this experience it was also a highlight and a challenge. Satan is trying his hardest to stop people from doing great things. It is super important to not let him discourage us and to keep going. We need to remember to pray. Pray to overcome his temptation. When times get tough our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ will also be there to help us and comfort us. I am grateful for the wonderful experiences that I have had.
I know that my prayers are answered and that my Father in Heaven is aware of me and aware of all of His children here on the earth. He wants us all to be happy and to have the great blessings from him. Heavenly has shown his love by sending Christ down to atone for our sins and to be there for us when we fall short. I am grateful to have this gospel in my life and I am grateful to be here on a mission to share with people this great message about Jesus Christ and to help them have a remission of their sins and to receive the holy ghost. I am grateful for the spirit and know that with out the spirit this work would be impossible. I know that as we continue to b e the best person we can, the Lord will truly be there for us and give us the comfort and strength that we need.
I hope that you all have a wonderful week. I love you all so much and wish nothing, but the best for you. Big Hugs!!
Love, Sister Ackley
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