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| Ashley, Sister Huber, Debbie and Hunter Baptism |
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| Ashley, Sister Huber, and Hunter Baptism |
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| Ashley and Sister Huber Christmas Card Photo |
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| Ashley and Sister Huber Christmas Candy Train |
Monday, January 6, 2014
Ashley Pics: 2013-12-23
Ashley Ltr: 2013-12-30 ===> THE LAST LETTER!!!
Subject: Bring it on 2014!!
December 30, 2013
Helloooooo
family!!
Man this
seriously is the most surreal feeling sitting here in the Kingsport, TN library
for the last time writing to y'all... Honestly it still hasn't really hit me
yet I don't think that I'm heading home in just a couple of days. I'm totally
and completely at peace with it all though, I know that Kingsport is going to
be in great hands with Sister Huber at the reigns.
Yesterday was
hard. I HATE goodbyes ugh... Thank goodness for Facebook though right? :) The
bishop had me bear my testimony which I was grateful for. I had so many people
come up and hug me thanking me for my service, I'm really going to miss this
ward. I have met so many incredible people who truly have changed my life for
the better! I thank Heavenly Father every night for sending me here.
I'm with
y'all it's hard to believe that Christmas was this week... It feels like
forever ago, this whole week has been just crazy, it's flown by but also
dragged on. Holidays as a missionary are hard, most people are gone or are busy
and have family in, they all say come back after the Holidays, so it's been
kind of a slow week work wise.
Remember
Shelley that I told y'all about last week though? She came to church yesterday!
We had a lesson with her afterwards and committed her for a baptismal date!
She's set for February 8th. :) Shes' such a sweet lady and the gospel is just
what she needs in her life right now, she's had it rough, really rough.
It's hard to
believe that 18 months has already come and gone, I'm definitely not the same
person I was when I left, I've learned and grown so much. It's kinda scary to
me that I wasn't going to do this, I wasn't going to serve a mission, I've wondered
a few times where I'd be and what I'd be doing. I'm just so grateful that
Heavenly Father stepped into my life when He did and let me know what it is I
needed to be doing. I've been able to do things I never thought I could, I've
been stretched in ways I didn't think I could be stretched and come out on top
and I've come out a much better person because of it all.
I can for
sure stand on my own two feet now when it comes to my testimony of the gospel
of Jesus Christ, I know it's true without a shadow of a doubt. I know that
through Jesus Christ and His infinite Atonement anyone, anywhere, anytime can
change. I've seen it and experienced it myself. I know that the Book of Mormon
really is the word of God, another testament of Jesus Christ and I know that in
its pages you can find peace and solace to your heart, I know that because I've
experienced it time and time again. I'm so grateful for the prophet Joseph
Smith for the courage, strength, and faith he had to go through what he did so
that we could have the gospel in our lives today, can you imagine what the
world would be like today if we didn't have it? But we do! And for whatever
reason I was blessed to have it my whole life, I don't know why but I'm going
to do my best to try and keep paying it forward so that others can experience
the same joy and happiness I've had. The gospel is true and I'll be forever
grateful for the chance I've had to let others know that.
Thank you all
for the love, prayers, and support you've given me. I honestly couldn't have
done it without y'all. Love, love, love you!! :)
See y'all in
a couple of days!!! xoxoxoxo
Sister Bedke
:)
Ashley Ltr: 2013-12-23
Subject: Two more people have entered God's kingdom! We had an
AWESOME baptism!
Yo yo yo it's letta
time!!!!!!!!!
Hey family!! So good
to hear from y'all! Glad to hear things are going great! Court I loved yours
and Brooke's pictures!! The two of y'all are going to have to teach me how to
be stylish again haha I've kinda lost it on the mission...
2 MORE
DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Doing it at noon should work just fine for me! I
think I know my gmail account...
Man we had such a
great week! The Shorts got baptized on Saturday! Seriously one of the best
baptisms I've been to. Family baptisms are where it's at! Debbie has been working
towards this for about 3 years now and because of Hunter she was able to kick
her smoking addiction and finally do it! They had several family members there
who aren't members, Kallie just cried through the whole thing, the spirit is
definitely working on her and she should get there soon. I LOVE that family!
And now they're working towards going to the temple! The church is so true!! I
got to speak on the gift of the Holy Ghost, everything just went perfectly!
They were confirmed in the Kingsport ward yesterday and the ward just fellow
shipped them right on in! They're going to be just fine and they're going to be
strong active members! :)
We made some more
headway with Patty this week, we decided to go back to the basics and taught
the Restoration again we really focused on priesthood authority and how she can
find the peace and comfort she's looking for by being baptized. The spirit was really
strong, we had brought Debbie Smith with us and she bore testimony of how she
came to know. And she committed to praying about a date in February, it's so
far out because she is going out of town again for a couple months dang it...
But at least she is willing to do that! :)
We had some good news
from Kim this week too! She texts us and was like I have an early Christmas
present for you, I haven't drank sweet tea for 2 weeks now and I have no desire
to! We're not sure what changed that but we're hopefully going to find out
tonight! Keep them in your prayers, Bobby has been sick again.
So we had a pretty
cool experience this week! I think I've told y'all a little bit about Sky Byars
we've been seeing her pretty regularly the whole time I've been here, so we get
there on Thursday and she's like I have a surprise for you! It's someone to
teach, right here right now! Her name is Shelley and she is dating Sky's uncle.
Basically Shelley was like I would really like to be a member of this church,
is the first step baptism? What the?! Haha so we talked to her a little bit
about the church then went back Saturday and taught the Restoration, which went
really well. She's got several things she needs to overcome so please keep her
in your prayers but she's pretty golden! Heavenly Father is blessing us a lot
right now!
I have been pretty
sick this week, I've had a nasty head and chest cold but it's on its way out
and I'm feeling much better now. I've passed it on to Sister Huber though... :/
Man I can't believe
it's Christmas this week!!! We don't have a hint of snow here and I don't think
we're going to get any, I think it's going to be a pretty wet and rainy
Christmas. But it should be good, the ward's taking great care of us! Yesterday
the Primary kids sang Christmas songs to us missionaries and then gave a us a
HUGE box of wrapped food! :) It was so nice and will keep us fed for awhile.
Things really are
going so great! I am going to miss mission life so much but I've still got a
week left to make the most of it!
Again can't wait to
talk to y'all so soon!!!!! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
Love, love, love
y'all!!!! xoxoxoxo
Sister Bedke :)
p.s. yes Sister
Colwell's name is Valerie.
Monday, December 16, 2013
Ashley Ltr: 2013-12-16
Subject: What the?! Where did this week even go??
December 16, 2013
Helloooooooo
family!!!
Holy smokes
the weeks are just going faster and faster! This one has been a complete blur! Sounds
like things are going great back home! I'm so glad to hear Jace is feeling better
poor kid has had a rough year...
I did get my
package the other day, thank you! I did practice some self control and didn't open
it. :) I am all for 3 way calling!!!! I'm sure dad could figure something out. Would
11 AM Christmas day work? So 9 MST? Amb does that work for you?
Like I said
this week just has flown... But its been a good one!! The Short's came to church
yesterday and loved it! They are all set to be baptized on Saturday, it's going
to take place up in the Powell Valley building because they have family there and
then they will be confirmed here in Kingsport on Sunday. We were really pulling
for the baptism happening here in Kingsport but it's just not going to happen, Hunter
really wants to be baptized there, as long as it happens is really what matters.
They are both thrilled about it though! It was funny in the Powell Valley ward there
are maybe 5 kids but in our ward there are tons, they got up to sing a couple of
Christmas songs yesterday and Hunter's mouth just fell open he was like, 'there
are so many kids in this ward!! It's insane!' Haha so I think he'll do just fine,
Debbie of course also got a very warm welcome, Kallie didn't come this week because
they slept in a little late and she didn't feel like she had much time to get ready
but she should be there this next week. I LOVE THAT FAMILY!! :)
So we had the
coolest experience on Monday! Sister Huber and I were at our apartment working on
our training for zone training Thursday, when we get this knock at the door. So
I go answer it and it's this guy about my age and this is how the conversation went
down....
Nick: "I'm
looking for an Edward, he either used to live in this apt or one of the ones next
door, do you know him?"
Me: "No
I don't I'm sorry!"
Nick: "How
long have you lived here for?"
Me: "About
6 1/2 months but missionaries have lived here for a couple of years."
Nick: "Missionaries?
-looks at my tag- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter... Hey I've been meaning
to talk to you guys!! I've been going to a Pentecostal church and it just is not
doing it for me at all I don't get anything out of it, can I talk to you for a few
minutes?"
Literally I
think my mouth fell wide open haha this never ever happens!!
So we talk
for a few minutes about the church, he's like, "I've been studying your church
a little bit and I agree with everything I've learned so far. I want to feel at
home at church and I'm tired of feeling alone and that no one cares."
We testified
to him that he has a Heavenly Father who loves him and cares about him and is very
aware of the things that he's going through. He just smiled and said, "You
know I think we were meant to meet today!" We exchanged info and gave him a
Book of Mormon and he said I'm going to go home and start reading this!
Holy cow it
was so cool!!! The only downer is he's not in our area... He's in the Rotherwood
ward boundaries so that kinda sucks but as long as he gets taught that's really
all that matters. Sometimes people will literally just fall in your lap!
We went on
three exchanges this week, all of which went pretty good I was just out of my area
a lot. We've been praying about who could be a good fellow-shipper for Patty and
who could maybe help her move in the right direction a little faster and we felt
like Debbie Smith would be the perfect fit and guess what the spirit was right!!
Sister Huber reported an awesome lesson with her and that they just hit it off,
they are planning on doing things as couples which would be great for Phil (Debbie's
husband) too! Miracles are happening there slowly but surely!
Zone conference
was great! Our training went really well I think, we taught on the importance of
working with members we really can't do what we do without the members and it is
SO important to work closely with them. We talked about making where you're at home,
this is your home ward for the foreseeable future so get to know people, take an
interest in them and help them with missionary work by starting where they're at
then growing from there.
We had our
Christmas party afterwards, each district did a skit ours was missionaries got talent,
Sisters Stewart, Brown, and I were judges, Elder Simmons was the host and everyone
else did talents. Sister Irion brought bells to play Christmas songs with. We had
lunch and TONS of sweets and we did a scarf/tie exchange, it was fun!
Well I think
that about wraps up the week, thanks again for everything family and friends!! Your
prayers and support mean the world to me.
I love love
love y'all!! xoxoxo
Monday, December 9, 2013
Ashley Ltr: 2013-12-09
Subject: BRRRRRR!!!!!
December 9, 2013
Hellooooooo family!!
Dad you are my
hero. Seriously Bishops are incredible, I don't know how y'all do it, and mom you
too! I don't envy the work load you have sometimes but I also know the many blessings
that come. I was talking about that a little bit last night with Sister Carter,
she said its been hard at times but the blessings make it all worth it.
I seriously don't
even know where this week went! This transfer is just flying... It's already half
way over. This week is probably going to fly as well, we've got 3 exchanges to do.
Sometimes I wish I was just a "normal" missionary and could stay focused
on my area but again it's the whole sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven
and we've definitely been blessed, sometimes I don't know how we do what we do haha
but it all gets done somehow. :)
We had a pretty
good week! We got in with the Short family a couple of times and they are doing
great! They are so excited to be baptized! It's been so cool teaching their family
when we started it was just Hunter and Debbie we were teaching but now it's her
daughter Kallie and Debbie's brother Luther. Teaching families is where it's at
and that's really what it's all about! Please continue to keep them in y'alls prayers,
Debbie hasn't quit smoking yet... And pray that Kallie and Hunter will be able to
integrate themselves into YW and scouts easily.
Speaking of baptizing
families, the Elders had a family get baptized yesterday! Kelvin and Adrianne Gunter
(couple) and their oldest daughter Ashley who is 9. It was such a neat experience!!
They were absolutely glowing and so happy! They have 4 other kids too! There was
a huge turn out from the ward and Sister Huber and I taught the Restoration to all
of them a handful of them being non-members man it seriously was so cool! The gospel
is so true I just wish everyone in the world would come to realize that.
I think we had
a bit more of a break through with Patty this week, we told her we wanted to fast
with her last Sunday, that we wanted her to have a specific question in mind to
fast and pray about, which she did. She didn't tell us what it was but she said
that she felt really good afterwards. We then taught about how to recognize the
promptings of the spirit and how the spirit speaks differently to all of us but
He will always testify of truth to anyone who asks. We also testified to her that
she doesn't have to be perfect in order to be baptized, she's getting there slowwwwwly
but surely!! I sure love that family though!
We saw several
less actives this week, have I mentioned how much I love doing that?! Seriously
it is so cool to see these families that for whatever reason have stopped coming
to church start coming again and to see that light come back to their lives.
We had MLC this
week, which I reallly enjoyed this time around. A lot of times I feel like they
are just really loooooong drawn out meetings but this one was good! It was fun to
get to see everyone it just kinda hit me though that this would be last one and
the next time I made that drive I'd be heading home... I'm starting to hit a lot
of last times, it's bittersweeet, I really just am trying not to think about it
and for the most part I do really well some days are easier than others.
It is crazy to
see people go home... Sister Holsclaw and I are officially the "oldest"
sisters in the mission ugh!
Brooke I'm so
proud of you for inviting that girl!! Don't give up on her! Just keep being her
friend and keep inviting! :) Sorry about the loss in volleyball, that sucks. We'll
have to play when I get home!
I love that y'all
are giving out 'The Power of Everday Missionaries' to everyone!! That is so cool!
I'm anxious to read it when I get home.
It's been pretty
cold here not terrible but the humidity makes a HUGE difference! For the most part
I'm staying warm enough, my boots got a hole in the bottom so it makes for a cold
left foot haha but other than that I'm good! At least we're not below 0!!
In grandma's letter
she said that she has 3 granddaughters out serving and one preparing to go?! Who
is that? Jordan? Aubri? Can you send me Kristen's e-mail address please?
Well I think that
about wraps up the week... Things are going well and I'm finishing strong!
I love love love
y'all!! xoxoxo
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