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

Sister Bedke :)

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

Sister Bedke- the elder :)

Ashley Ltr: 2013-12-02

Subject:  Why is it already December??

December 2, 2013

Hey family!

Sounds like things are going good at home!! I'm glad y'all had such a good Thanksgiving!  Mine was pretty good, we went to a couple different members homes, the Smiths and the Carters and had a good time! It was kinda different just being the missionaries and the family, with the Smith's it was just the 4 of us missionaries and Brother and Sister Smith and with the Carters it was the 4 of us and Bishop and Sister Carter and Jason, just small groups but we had a good time.

It was a pretty good week, kinda slow at first it was FREEZING earlier this week and we got our first snow! It wasn't a ton but it really does snow here in Tennessee!

Patty Nisbet is finally back in town! It was so good to get to see here again finally! She'll get there I know she will, right now it's just taking some time because she just really wants to know and believes that God will show her a sign of some kind... It's kinda frustrating because she's been given several answers, she's just having a hard time realizing that. We did a fast with her yesterday to help her get answers to her questions, I'm hoping and praying that she took it seriously and that it will hopefully help with some of her concerns.

The Shorts are doing great!! We taught the Restoration and the Plan of Salvation this week both of which went really well. Sister Huber had an idea to teach the Plan of Salvation using play doh which turned out pretty cool. I forgot my cord I'll send a pic next week. They really are so excited to be baptized on the 21st. Unfortunately they didn't end up coming to church yesterday... :( They overslept which was a huge bummer but they should be there next Sunday for sure. We're really hoping to get Kallie with a date here soon, she listens so intently to the lessons and I'm thinking she really wants it she just doesn't want to admit it just yet.

We saw Kim this week and had a scattered Restoration lesson with her, I feel bad for her she's got a lot on her plate, we're going over tonight with the Elders to give her a blessing which I know will help, she's so close! I know it and I think she knows it, she just needs to take that leap of faith and do it. Just like Patty.

Things are going well here in good old Kingsport! I really love it here a lot. I feel kinda bad for my companion though, because I've been here so long people talk to me a lot and kinda leave her sitting there sometimes, been there done that and it sucks. I wish I knew how to help change that. Any suggestions?

I got a package from grandma and grandpa Kinghorn this week! Please thank them for me, I didn't wait to open it haha yah I know I'm like a 5 year old...

We've got MLC tomorrow down in Knoxville, another 6 hour meeting ugh... One of the downers to being in leadership. Sometimes I feel like we just over complicate things in those meetings and take some simple thing and turn it into a huge meeting. I know they're necessary sometimes but I feel like a lot less time would be wasted if we didn't have meetings.

The thought for this week comes from Elder Ballard's conference talk from this last session, I think it's on page 44 it talks about sharing the gospel with one person before Christmas is here... The whole talk is really good but I'd like to challenge y'all to do that.

Thanks for all the love and prayers. I love y'all!! xoxo

Sister Bedke :)

Ashley Ltr: 2013-11-25

Subject:  This transfer's gonna be a good one!!

November 25, 2013

Hey family!!

Happy Thanksgiving Y'all!!!! :)

Sounds like things are going pretty good back home! I hope Jace gets feeling better, he's probably just anxious cause I'm coming home so soon, he's just not even sure how to handle it! I'm not even sure how to handle it. You just keep working hard and moving forward, that's what you do. I just feel like there's so much do to still and I'm running out of time to do it... Lucky for me I have an incredible new companion! Her name is Erin Huber from Amarillo TX. We were in the same district about a year ago and went on a couple of exchanges down in Chattanooga when she was first out and now it's coming full circle! I'm way excited to work with her and I feel totally and completely 100% confident that she will take great care of Kingsport after I leave.

We started our first day off with a bang, we got 2 baptismal commitments! Remember the Short family I told y'all about a few weeks back, Debbie and Hunter well we were FINALLY able to get in with them on Thursday, and set a date for Dec 21, they are so golden! We're hoping to get Debbie and Eric's daughter Kallie for that same day, she's close. She recently started coming to church with Debbie and has really enjoyed it, she was like it wasn't as weird as I thought it was going to be haha! Eric is a member already but has been inactive for a lot of years, a few months ago Debbie was like I want us to go to church, Eric said I'll only go to my church so Debbie said fine if you'll go to mine, I'll go to yours. When Debbie went to our church there was no turning back, she said this is so much better than anything I've ever heard experienced! And they've been going faithfully for awhile up in the Powell Valley ward (which is about an 1 1/2 drive for them) they were going there though because they used to live up there and Eric's family goes there but they've finally agreed to come to the Kingsport ward. Hunter is 10 and Kallie is 14 and we have an awesome Primary and YW program here, Powell Valley is so small they don't really have that at all, so that would be awesome for them to get involved. I'm so excited! It's been my dream my whole mission to get to work with a family and finally at the end it's happening! :)

Sister Fox headed down to Hixon in Chattanooga, she's still an STL so I'll get to see her when we have mission leadership council which will be good, I'm going to miss working with her. And Sister Roundy is in Lafollette (sp?) and I have no idea where that is. She was a little nervous and started crying but I know she'll be just fine, she's made so many strides to becoming the missionary I know she's capable of becoming.

There's still no change with Vivian or Marge, Marge told us to stop texting her last night... :(  Man it just sucks when you know people know and they reject it, rejection really doesn't get any easier I've decided no matter how often it happens. But that's what the area books for hopefully future missionaries will find her again and she'll accept the gospel in the future.

No update on anyone else either this week, Patty Nisbet finally got back in town so I'm excited to get to start working with her again. Kim Williams is making slow but steady progress as well, it just seems like when she starts to take steps forward something sets her back every single time. Their little girl Trinity is in the hospital right now, prayers for them would be appreciated.

I don't know if I've ever really mentioned the LA's we've been working with but one of them is Debbie Hickman she used to be a seminary teacher, YW President, several things but then about 5 years ago things just started crashing down on her and she stopped going. We've been working with her for about 4 months now and she came to church yesterday!!!! :) :) She brought her 7 year old grandson Ezra, who she has custody of and he really enjoyed it as well. It was awesome! Seriously working with LA's is one of my favorite things in the world to do! Seeing that light come back in their eyes is incredible!

Our plans for Thanksgiving should be good, we've got a few people who have invited us over and we're playing in the turkey bowl! It should be fun. I'll be thinking of y'all.

Yah Brielle e-mailed me and says he has pancreatitis I guess he's dropped a lot of weight and has been in a lot of pain, she said he's also been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes... Other than that I'm not sure all whats going on. Keep me updated please.

Well I think that about covers it for this week. Thank you again for your constant prayers, love, and support it's what keeps me going a lot of days. I hope you have a great week and a Happy Thanksgiving!

I love, love, love you!!! xoxoxo

Sister Bedke- the elder :)

p.s. Yes I got my ensign thanks again for sending that! You da best.

p.s.s. Jace I don't think I've gotten anything from you in awhile bud... I think I replied to your last letter. Maybe I'm wrong though, you should write me again and I promise I'll get back to you! Love you bud.

p.s.s.s. That goes for all you siblings!!