Week 16

MIRICLE WEEK!!

Tuesday: We got a text from Jason Devlin (an investigator we were trying to teach, we taught him once on the 7th, but couldn't ever get a return appointment.) He texted us and said he would have to cancel due to a presentation he would have to give for a new job he applied for. So we rescheduled for Wednesday. Later in the day we taught Anaya Cox, we read some stories out of the Book of Mormon stories and asked her how they applied to her in her life. And she shared a personal experience that fit in perfectly with the parable in the stories!

Wednesday: After our companionship study in the morning we decided to watch a video on "the District" (a video of good missionaries teaching and telling their stories) and Elder Fitzgerald was like why can't we be amazing like them! And as he finished saying that. Jason Devlin texted us and said he had a crazy day and would have to reschedule for next week. And Elder Fitzgerald was like NO!  You tell him we have to meet with him, and the longer he waits the more Satan will have to work doubt into his life. So I texted him back and said we needed to share a quick message with him, even if it was only for 5-10 minutes.  He agreed to let us come over. So we went over and started talking about the first vision with Jospeh Smith, but this time we talked about the part where he was seized upon by some unseen being. And how he went through this power struggle. And in his own words in Jospeh Smith History verses 15-17 he stated.

15 After I had retired to the place where I had previously designed to go, having looked around me, and finding myself alone, I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my heart to God. I had scarcely done so, when immediately I was seized upon by some power which entirely overcame me, and had such an astonishing influence over me as to bind my tongue so that I could not speak. Thick darkness gathered around me, and it seemed to me for a time as if I were doomed to sudden destruction.

16 But, exerting all my powers to call upon God to deliver me out of the power of this enemy which had seized upon me, and at the very moment when I was ready to sink into despair and abandon myself to destruction--not to an imaginary ruin, but to the power of some actual being from the unseen world, who had such marvelous power as I had never before felt in any being--just at this moment of great alarm, I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me.

17 It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other--This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!"

I promised him that Satan tried everything he could to prevent Jospeh Smith from praying, because he knew that he would restore the church of Jesus Christ again on the earth. And I said "Jason I promise you that the moment you step into the waters of baptism you will know undoubtedly that this is what God wants you to be doing. And that this is all true in the name of Jesus Christ amen." He replied with, "what do I need to do to be baptized?" So we told him all the details to be baptized and he still wanted to be baptized on December 24 (on the 7th we invited him to be baptized on the 24th) so we knew we had to teach him all the lessons in a couple of days.

Thursday: We started our day by teaching Jason about some of the commandments we've been given by prophets of old and modern day prophets. And he said he would live and abide by them. It was a good thing our ward mission leader was there to help us talk about the word of wisdom and the reason behind it even if the person is already healthy and fit. Later in the day, President Peters (Our mission Presidents assistant) interviewed Jason due to a past experience, to see if he was ready to be baptized.

Friday: We taught Jason his final lesson and he is prepared to be baptized. After our lesson we helped him set up all the painter tape around the window seals and in other places in his basement and helped him paint a little bit. Our District Leader Elder Rodriguez had to do the baptismal interview with him at night and he passed and is all good to be baptized! We taught the Marzban family English again and man is it fun to teach English to them. We are learning some Farsi (or Persian) as well.

Saturday: Today was on of my favorite days of my mission so far! We went over to the church building at 6:30 and started filling the font for Jason's baptism at 10. (Yes it took that long) It was a great baptismal service. I was asked to give a talk on baptism. I mainly focused on how baptism is only the first step. How going to the temple and being sealed with his family for time and eternity was the ultimate goal. Jason asked his friend Chris Reese to baptize him and he is a smaller guy, and Jason is like 6'4 so that was very interesting and fun to watch. While Jason was changing, Elder Fitzgerald started talking about our story with Jason and how it all went down and how fast we taught him and his conversion story. After the service and everyone left, he came up to us and was grateful for how bold we were with him, and the spirit we brought into his home. We didn't plan very well, and realized we didn't have a dinner appointment for Christmas Eve, so we went to Cafe Rio. At night we went over to Thal Dixons home. Who has been one of my favorite people on my mission so far. We did their family traditions and all the fun stuff. He gave us a gift, the gift was one of his poem books he wrote while on his mission. The Book won best in state for poetry. It's called "A Called Servant" (he has 6 children books published so far)

Sunday: Merry Christmas! My first Christmas out on my mission. We went to the special combined sacrament meeting with the crescent ridge 5th and 6th Ward. Jason was confirmed. Bishop Davies from the 6th Ward did the ordination. After sacrament we started shoveling snow around our car so we could get out! It snowed like 9 inches last night! After we got the car out, we went over to the Jones home. With all 8 of their kids (one is on a mission so they have 9) we opened up our Christmas presents at their house with their kids. I got a few ties, a sweater, some food, and a basketball. After that We got to Skype home for an hour and it was an amazing experience to talk back home with family.

One of my closest friends Steve Luther got to come over for the last ten minutes and I got to talk to him. After the call, we played games with all the Jones family. Great Christmas and good way to end the miracle week. I hope everyone had a great Christmas.

Love,
Elder Ashby

Pictures of Jason's Baptism

Week 15

Tuesday: In the morning we packed up all of Elder Costa's stuff! He's going over to West Jordan and I am staying in my area in Sandy for another transfer! I got my new companion Elder Fitzgerald, it is a nice change and always good to have someone who speaks English as their natural language. He is from Virginia. And he came out the same time I did. So almost 4 months.

Wednesday: For exercise in the morning we went over to the church and played basketball with the YSA Elders (They cover Young single adults 18-30) in our district. Elder Fitzgerald is pretty good at basketball but didn't play on the high school team. We went to brother Dixons house at night to talk about some names we got in their ward. He always teaches us so much and he blew away Elder Fitzgerald's and my mind with the stuff he knew and taught us. He told us some important things to study to be better missionaries so we have some homework. He also showed us some of his books that he writes and gets published. He writes books similar to Dr Seuss and they are really good. He's won a medal for best book written in Utah for the past 5-6 years and gets a new book published each year. He has written around 15 and has 6 published.

Thursday: we had a Zone conference with the South Jordan Zone as well.  We listened to a talk by David A Bednar, a member of the quorum of the 12 apostles, about how to be a preach my gospel missionary. (A church approved book for missionaries) there are five things missionaries must do to be a preach my gospel missionary. 1. They understand that they serve Jesus Christ. 2. They are worthy. 3. They treasure up the words of eternal life. 4. The Holy Ghost is the ultimate and true teacher. 5. Understanding teaching is more than talking and telling.

After the talk the mission assistants Elder Stout & Bowen did a training for us. They had an Elder from Hawaii (who was very built and strong) be their test dummy. They had a bag of candy and asked people if they wanted some. Each time someone took some candy Elder Kaka had to do 10 push ups. People began to see him struggle after 100 push ups but even if they didn't want the candy when they were asked, they had to take it and he had to do the push-ups. They related it to the Atonement and how Jesus suffered for all man kind, even if they don't accept him to be their Savior and Redeemer.

Friday: Friday call ins to talk about our investigators was a little weird because Elder Costa was our district leader so he would be getting calls from all the missionaries in our district them telling the Zone leaders about all of them. So instead of sitting around for a long time. I had to call our new district leader about our investigators and then we were done. We had a big snow storm here in Sandy and we went out to work and started shoveling people's driveways! We probably did 10 driveways by the end of the night. We shoveled a driveway for a former investigator and she came out with her son and started helping us and was grateful for our service. We finished the night by trying to get a program made up for Selina's baptism on Saturday but couldn't get the printer to print them correctly.

Saturday: Today was very hectic! We went to try to get the programs for Selina's and her cousin Daniels baptism, we still had problems with the printing, but eventually found a way, it wasn't the best job but we got it done. We got to the stake center and realized we left the jumpsuits for the baptism at home! We had to run home and grab them. We got a call for, the bishop saying that the fount wasn't filled! Our ward mission leader forgot to inform the guy who fills up the baptismal fount that the baptism was at 11, not 3. So we knew the water wasn't going to be high enough for the baptism by 11. So we waited about 45 minutes and then our bishop said hey let's just get this done with, the water was only above their knees and Daniel went first, his friend was baptizing him and Daniel didn't get all the way under water so he had to redo it. The second time his feet slipped out from under him and his friend pushed him down so all his body could go under! Then Elder Costa baptized Selina, the same thing happened her feet slipped and basically laid down. All that matters is that they go all the way under water! Wasn't the prettiest but hey the church is still true!

Sunday: We started our day off by heading over to Herriman so Elder Fitzgerald could confirm  and give the Holy Ghost to one of his investigators in his old area. After that we headed over to Sandy in our area so I could confirm and give Selina the Holy Ghost. It was a really neat and spiritual experience, because it was my first time doing it. After dinner we headed over to the mission office. We had a special mission fireside where Elder Ronald A Rasband (a member of the quorum of the 12 apostles) spoke to us. That's the third apostle I've had the opportunity to listen to in person! (Two were at the MTC) He shook everyone's hand and look them in the eyes. He said he could tell the type of missionary we were by looking into our eyes. And told us that "some of you need to add wood to your fire of a testimony." It was pretty cool and gave me chills. He talked about how we are called by a prophet of God to serve in our missions. And that we are "perfectly" placed where we need to be. And he had an experience earlier in his life when he was a member of the 70 that Henry B Eyring (First counselor in the First Presidency) invited him to observe and watch as he assigned missionaries "perfectly" to their area. After awhile of assigning missionaries, he said "Elder Rasband where do you think this elder should go?" He was startled and said a mission and Elder Eyring said "no that's not right!" So as they go on assigning missionaries, Elder Rasband got the strongest impression that this missionary should go to Japan. Elder Eyring asked him about this missionary as well, and said Japan. "Perfect Elder Rasband!" He exclaimed. And he didn't ask Elder Rasband what mission in Japan he should go to, but he didn't say (Sapporo Japan) and Elder Eyring assigned him to that mission without asking Elder Rasband. I know that each missionary is called to their area by direct revelation and that we are in our areas to change people's lives.

Love,

Elder Ashby

Few pictures of Selena's baptism

Elder Fitzgerald and I

Week 14

Thursday: Not much other than getting to go to the Draper Temple! We did some endowments for Elder Basseras deceased family members who he did family history work for. It was a really cool experience and how the Draper Temple is on the hill and we can see the whole salt lake valley! Had a really spiritual experience while in the temple and loved every second of it.

Friday: not a big fan of Friday's, especially since Elder Costa is our district leader. Because he has to call each set of missionaries in our district and talk about all their investigators. And after he is finished calling all the missionaries in our district he has to call the Zone leaders and report all of the investigators from all companionships to them. So for me, I just end up sitting around while he is on the phone. We had a lesson with Selina Gao, just asked her a few things about what we had previously taught her. She is doing really well and her and her cousin are going to be baptized on the same date this next Saturday! We just need the Provo missionaries to call their Mission President, to call ours so they can approve her cousin to be baptized here in Sandy.

Saturday: Our day started out very interesting so to say. We went to a church building where a ward meets, because they had a ward party.

Well when we got there, there was cars so we went in. Little did we know it wasn't the Albion Ward party, (who meets in the building) but it was the Indian Ridge relief society party (who meets in the stake center) they welcomed us in and let us eat breakfast with them though!

After that we went to the Stake Center and went to the Albion Ward Christmas party. Elder Costa did a lot of his online drivers ed stuff.

He is trying to get it done before the transfer but doesn't look like it's possible (transfers on the 13th) We have some complications with the missionaries in Provo. They are "unaware" of Daniels choice to be baptized in Sandy this next Saturday and they didn't talk to their mission president and it seems like they are trying to prolong his baptism, so they get to baptize him in Provo. Which is understandable because they want to see him get baptized after they taught him, but people aren't lifeless objects and these people are baptismal statistics. They should care about his willingness to be baptized and not the fact that he is "theirs."

Sunday: We went to the Crescent Ridge 6th Ward sacrament meeting, after that we went to the Crescent Ridge 3rd ward Sacrament meeting.

Elder Costa played his violin there, with his usual song Amazing Grace. We talked with Selina and her cousin Daniel (Daniel by the phone) and got the date and time for all this and is finalized! All we need now is for the Provo missionaries to do their part. At night we went to the Crescent Ridge stake center where we had a community Christmas celebration with the crescent ridge stake and the hill top Methodist church. Both had their own choirs and sang songs, and were combined for some songs. Was a really cool presentation and glad I got to go to it. Sadly we couldn't proselyte, or light candles! (They can light candles in their church and they switch buildings each year.)

Short letter week!  We did find out today that Elder Costa is getting transferred tomorrow and I will be getting a new companion.  His name is Elder Fitzgerald.  He started his mission the same time as I did, but we don't really know each other since we were in different districts in the MTC.  I will tell you more about him next week.

Love you all,
Elder Ashby

Week 13

Tuesday(29th): we shoveled some driveways in the morning and did it for the O'Connor family (a family we are working for) she was really happy that we helped her out. We got a new Ward Mission Leader for one of our wards. Brother Barfuss, he's a really cool guy and loves Utah football and goes on splits with us so he's great.

Wednesday(30th): Always follow the promptings you get! We taught English to a recent converts parents. They are from Iran, and speak farcy. Surprisingly it was enjoyable and fun to see them learn. Early in the morning during our companionship study time I felt prompted to go visit this guy and his family. And while Elder Costa was in the middle of talking I said "we need to go visit Martin Jacobson tonight!" So we put him in the planning and went at night. He wasn't home but his wife was and we talked about the new Christmas initiative. We got a call from our ward mission leader and he said Martin Jacobson called me and wants to take the missionary discussions. He is a non member, all his family is active in the church, all his kids served missions. He has been going to church for 10 years and now wants to take the missionary discussions!

Thursday(1st): we had another good discussion with Bruce Erickson, he really likes proof about every single thing we say, so it's hard to always find the scriptures for them. We talked about our pre earth existence with him and he told us there is no scriptures in the Bible that says we had spiritual bodies when we were with God in heaven before we came to earth. We have only found some in the Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price, so only modern revelation. Not any of the "word of God" but we will continue to try to answer his questions! We had a lesson with the Malmstrom family again. Brother Malmstrom was talking about how he could become closer to God by reading the scriptures, going to church, etc. But said he's good with God and Gods good with him with what he's doing... it's hard to explain to someone the blessings they get from following God and his commandments if they are content with what they have in their life. We will be going over to their house in two weeks to play games with them and their family on pday. We will see if the kids are interested in lessons. (They are unbaptized)

Friday(2nd): we started our day out going to visit the other Elders in our district and see how Elder Peterson is doing. He's been sick for three days. He felt good enough to go work today so that's good. We had a lesson with Selina Gao, sadly she has the ACT on the 10th so we will move her baptismal date again, to the 17th. As well her cousin from BYU is going to come here and get baptized on the same date as her. He took all the lessons with the missionaries and just needs to be interviewed and baptized! And we figured out today he will count towards our mission instead of Provos since he will be getting baptized here. We need to have our mission President talk to Provo's and have them confirm and accept him to be baptized here. So we found another person to baptize! His friend however will baptize him and Selina. Elder Costa is really sad because he doesn't think he will stay in our area. Transfers are on the 13th. So he would miss her and Daniels baptism.

Saturday(3rd): Christmas parties and more Christmas parties! Since we are over 14 wards, we had three Christmas breakfasts parties and two dinners. At one of the breakfasts we had two non members come and we talked to them. One is a part member family, so he's not a member but his family is. He surprisingly has a calling in the church, even though you aren't supposed to. But he said he would take the missionary discussions now! We have a lesson with him on Wednesday.

The other is a family that's non members. The father and his son were the only to go, his wife was sick. But he talked to the bishop before we got there and he told the bishop he works from 7am-2pm and wants to help out with stuff at the church. So another non member wanting a church calling?! Simple a miracle haha! We will teach them on Sunday!

Sunday(4th): We went to the Crescent Ridge 3rd Ward council. We figured out that a family we were going to work with in our other stake is moving into our ward mission leaders home! They are moving to Australia for a mission. So we will stop by and see if they need help moving into their new house and let us teach them and their kids (unbaptized). Elder Costa played the violin for the Crescent Ridge 1st Ward before people bore their testimonies. I bore my testimony on enduring to the end and how important it is to continue to follow the prophets and keep the commandments. I related it to my ACL story and how I couldn't give up in physical therapy, I had to endure to the end to get to my goal of being healthy. Our goal is to live worthy here in our probation period here on the earth so we can return to live with our Heavenly Father after we pass away.

Monday(5th): Sadly it wasn't pday today! We are going to the temple on Thursday so our pday will be on Thursday. We taught the Iran couple English again and they are learning very quickly! (Mahi Marzbans parents) We taught Martin Jacobson today and he committed to read the Book of Mormon again and to read it and be willing to read it with an open mind and to pray to know if it is true. Good start for him and will see how it goes. We will teach him ever Monday night.

Tuesday(6th): We had a Zone conference in the morning and we learned about our new December mission training plan. Which is to do as much service for others as we can! And follow this years new Christmas initiative in 25 ways over 25 days we can do simple acts of service.

If you want to know more go to Mormon.org and it is the LightTheWorld thing! Good way to bring the Christmas spirit! We had exchanges with the Elders again. Elder Rodriguez was in our area this time. We taught Orry and Christine Albertson for the first time! Have been trying since the start of my mission... we shared the new Christmas video and brother Perry gave Orry metal gauntlets, (metal gloves for knights) he's into all that kind of stuff and loved it. His wife is a drawer for Disney and wow her drawings are crazy good! We have a lesson with them on the 20th! While Elder Costa was in the other Elders area, they put an investigator on date to be baptized on the 17th!

Wednesday(7th): We ended our exchange in the morning. I learned a lot from Elder Rodriguez. How to be more efficient in finding and planning. Elder Costa and I taught Jason Devalin, the guy who came to the Christmas party. He said he would read the Book of Mormon and ponder what it says. He didn't accept to be baptized just yet, but said he will when he knows it's true! With our ward mission leader in the Crescent Ridge 7th ward we went and visited the Cox family and had some good discussion with their personal lives and what they do. They both help people who have gone through mental trauma and need help with their life. We introduced the new Christmas initiative and they loved it. We will go to Anaya's band concert on the 19th to show support for her, and then teach her on the next day!

This is it for this long week.  Next week will be a short update since we will only have a couple of days. 

Love you all,
Elder Ashby

Picture of me in front of the Draper Utah Temple

Bro. Hawkins (he made me the pen out of Zebra Wood...