Transfers!

Hi everyone!!!!

For the past three days, Sister Hansen and I have been in the office from about 7am-9pm working on schedules for the upcoming transfer.  There is so much that goes into it.... I seriously never knew!!  I figured it would be complicated, but there is just so many things!  Like getting all of the sister's Teaching Center needs and putting them in their schedules, putting in assignments like tabernacle, assembly hall, the three different desks, and opening/closing the Joseph Smith movie, etc.  The tough part is going through all of the schedules and seeing who can do what at what time and trying to spread it out equally. Then going through and putting the TC times in a template for the purpose of us making sure that there are enough phones/computers for every sister that would be in there. Annnd there's lots of other stuff, but this explanation is getting long.....haha. 

 

Sister Lopez is going Outbound to the New York Unica Mission! I maybe bawled.  I am so proud of the missionary she has become!!

There have been some awesome things from earlier this week!!  I love that when Sister Hansen and I are in TC or on the Square that we are super effective!  The other night we were in the Teaching Center and we were able to contact so many of our investigators!  It was great! There were some who weren't interested anymore, but there were some who wanted to continue learning! We had a lesson with Sandy (who we met in the North Visitor's Center a week or two ago) and we taught the Restoration and all she could say was "....Wow!" after the First Vision. We felt the Spirit and we know that she felt the Spirit. It's the best kind of lesson when we are both edified! I loved it! And Sandy is such a sweetheart. We will call her again this week :)

Also, I was looking through my Area Book and I saw Colton's name. He is someone I met last Conference and who I started teaching, but then he stopped picking up the phone....then I went to Montana. However, when thinking "Hm, I should call him" I got nervous and thought, "No....maybe  not right now", but then I remembered how Satan is the one who puts fear into our hearts and minds so I called Colton and he picked up! I introduced myself and asked if he remembered me and before I could even finish my sentence he said "Sister Asay!! Of course I remember you!!" It was a great lesson and he is doing SO good!!!  He has continued going to church and is now meeting with the local missionaries!! I couldn't believe it! I thought when he stopped answering he wasn't interested in learning anymore, but he explained to me that his summer job (he was a fly fishing guide or something) made it hard to balance other things. He is willing to keep in touch and I emailed him Elder Bednar's conference talk which we will talk about next time! As well as following up with his lessons from the local missionaries! He is doing great!! 

 

Basically what we do each night when we get home....hahah. S. Hansen on Left and S. Ferguson on right.

Another transfer awaits!! And my new companion is my current roomie, Sister Ferguson, from Arizona!!!!  I'm flipping stoked!!!!  She has been my close friend for almost my entire mission!! Sister Hansen and I kinda tricked her to think that she was training and got her ZL's in on it, haha. Usually if someone is training, it's announced as "Your companion is coming from....the MTC!!!"  When her ZL was announcing her transfer info, she said "Sister Ferguson, your companion is coming from....the Temple Square Coordinator Cubicle!!" (Yeah, we have a cubicle, not even a real office, haha) and I jumped out from behind some sisters. Hahah. She was so surprised and it was so funny! It will be a good transfer! :)

I love my companion!

I love you all! Remember that Christ's Atonement can overcome anything.  He went through it all because He knows us and loves us for who we are individually. If you think that no one could understand what you're going through, turn to your Savior.  He is always by our side.

Have a great week :)

Sister Asay

Our Paths are Guided!

Hi everyone!!

The happiest thing ever happened this week!!!!

I had the opportunity to teach James and he was baptized in March. However, he fell away from the church after a month of being a member, BUT the good news is that I emailed him at the beginning of October and asked how he was doing, shared my testimony about Conference, and invited him to watch it.  He emailed back talking about the new church he was going to and his experiences over the past 3-4 months.  Then, last week, he told me he really felt he should go back to his LDS ward on Sunday and make amends with his friends there.  He then explained that when he got there he felt so much peace and that the Spirit so strong that he knew he had to go back!  And then yesterday, I received another email from him that he had met a wonderful woman (in the church that he had been going to) and brought her to the LDS church and how she felt the Spirit and wants to keep going.  He then testified to me that he knows that he has been on this path so that he could know without a doubt that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true and that he knows Joseph Smith is a prophet of God.  I teared up as I read it!  He struggled so much, but now his testimony is so firm.  God truly does have His hand in the details of our lives and James is a wonderful example of that! Ah, so happy, happy!!

Another desk assignment miracle this week!!!  Sister Hansen and I covered the NVC desk for the AP's the other day and while we were on desk assignment, this elderly lady came up to me asking for a Book of Mormon.  I gave one to her and then asked her how she has come to know about our church.  She then explained to me how she had taught Ken Jennings (the Mormon guy who won Jeopardy) and how she was so impressed with him.  Ken has kept in touch with her over the years and he has talked about his religion with her before.  She REALLY wants to read the Book of Mormon and said "I have to read this book".  Her determination was impressive and I invited her to stay in touch with me so that I could help her with any questions that she has while reading.  She agreed and we set up an appointment for Wednesday.  It was funny because her daughter said, "Mom, what are you committing to over there?" And Margaret, the elderly lady, firmly held her Book of Mormon and said, "None of your business!".  Haha.  Turns out the daughter was just making sure that her mom wasn't going to commit to something that she wouldn't be in town for (since Margaret was only in town for a few days).  I explained that it would just be a phone call, haha. Margaret has got some spunk!

I have been reading the book "Our Search For Happiness" by Elder M. Russell Ballard and it has been such a good read!!  It's hard for me to put it down.  I love it because it talks about the basic principles and also the history of this Gospel.  A few days ago, I read about the Reformation and how it prepared the world for the Restoration of Christ's Gospel.  It talked about how religious doctrine was decided by popular opinion at the conference in Nicea in 325 AD (I think that's the right year), and how those decisions were applied for hundreds of years afterwards.  Then, people like Martin Luther, John Calvin, etc came into the picture and wanted to reform those beliefs because, they realized, especially Luther, how much it varied from actual Biblical doctrine.  Over time, many people moved to America and many churches sprang up.  It was the first time in over a thousand years where people were free to voice their opinion about religion and search for truth without intense persecution.  Elder M. Russell Ballard then talks about how those men of the Reformation were definitely guided by Heavenly Father and that, because of their courageous efforts, this country was "ripe" for the restoring of Christ's full Gospel on the earth once again.  Reading this, I reflected on the progression of the world and how there were the Dark ages and then from that time on, there continued to be more and more religious light in the world.  And I know that that "more and more" religious light has progressed to full and complete light. 

I know this Gospel is true and that it's the exact teachings of Jesus Christ when he was on the earth.  We are children of a Heavenly Father who loves us and who prepared the way for us to have complete light in our life.

I love you all! Enjoy every day!

Sister Asay

Birthday pic with S. Ferguson and S. Hansen. I love them so much!!

The Hill Family!!

I'm Feelin' 22!!

Happy Birthday Sister Asay!!  Thanks to Mr. Mark Olateju for making this photo collage!

I can't believe that it's already my birthday again! Ha, what?  This past year has flown by so fast!!! This time I'm lucky though since my birthday is on Preparation Day, so we are getting dinner at Zupas tonight with our roommates. YUM! :) 

My mom gave me the best nail polish in the world! Formula X!

 "I don't know about you....but are you feeling 22!" So cute!!

This week I want to start with some funnies...

The other day, a previous T-Square sister introduced us to her two new Nigerian friends. (They met in the mall because they thought the sister had fake hair and a fake face, haha...she is a makeup artist).  They were OBSESSED with taking pictures and we literally took 10 minutes at the Christus for that reason. And it was so funny because every time we posed we had to say "Jesusss!". Hahah... every single picture! They were a hoot. And the RM can sing super well so the two ladies asked her to sing Amazing Grace for them. We walked outside so it wouldn't disturb too many guests and after she sang one of the ladies told her to sing again and had everyone join in! So, there we are on the Square singing Amazing Grace. Haha, so great!

The next funny thing was this morning when Sister Hansen and I were on desk assignment and this group of like 20 Asians walked by.  One woman signaled to both of us asking for a picture and after that, one by one, about 7 of them took pictures with us! I have never felt so famous for being American before. They were so sweet!

Miracle time! So, a miracle that happened this week was when Sister Hansen and I were in the North Visitor Center on desk assignment.  I was finishing a conversation with a guest when this lady came up to me and asked where she could get a Book of Mormon. I replied, 'Right here!". I walked around the desk and grabbed her and her husband a Spanish and English Book of Mormon (they requested both). Turns out they were visiting from Puerto Rico and had just been given a tour of Temple Square.  They had a few questions which I answered and we talked about the Gospel and their experience here so far.  They were so nice and willing to learn! I asked if they would like to stay in touch and learn more and they were more than eager!  They said they would love for us to call them and that they would read the Book of Mormon!  Meanwhile, Sister Hansen was talking with their friends and later I found out that they admired the Mormons so much because of their light and how nice and happy they always are.  It was just an overall cool encounter with both couples and we have two new investigators from it!!  They return to Puerto Rico at the end of this week so we will be calling them then :)

Also, a lady, Renee, who I taught before going Outbound to Montana got baptized!!!  She had a date set before I left for July 19th and I was able to call last week and hear all about it!!!  She is so happy and her whole family ended up being baptized too!! Miracles!! The Gospel truly does bless families :) 

Last, but not least,...... David Archuleta spoke in our mission last night!!!!!! Um what?!?!  I know. I couldn't believe it!!!  Turns out one of the senior couples, Elder Howell, is really close with David's grandpa and he wanted to do something for the sisters before they leave at the end of this month, so he asked the grandpa about it and the grandpa talked to David!  So COOL, right???

Proof that David Archuleta came....haha

His voice is amazing and his testimony is rock solid!  I have so much respect for him and for how dedicated he is to the Gospel, especially with the world tugging at him.  He literally sounds even better in person than he already does in his songs! Crazy!  I also sat next to his family during the fireside.  They were so nice!  His little sister was next to me and we talked for a while. We also got pics with David in our zones, but I sadly don't have those yet.  I'll send them next week! 

Well, as you can see, it has been a pretty good week!! We received a ton of new investigators, one of which is Chong Gong who came to the Square.  I love his name and he is super prepared! I know that God blesses us with so many miracles when we are doing our best! I love teaching and I love being on the Square!  The Holy Spirit is so powerful and can touch our hearts when we are open to it, and I love feeling that each day while walking on this sacred ground!  Pray always and look for good in everything!

I love you all!! Thank you for all of the birthday wishes! :)

Sister Asay

Conference!!

Hello everyone!! Wow, so much has happened this week that it's hard for me even to remember!

However, one thing I will for sure never forget is when Sister Hansen and I had Tabernacle assignment this past Tuesday and in walks President Utchdorf! Yep!!  He walked in and since it was pretty bright with the sunlight shining in from the open door that it was hard for me to see him so I probably had a face of confusion/surprise as I was trying to figure out if it was really him.  He smiled and said, "Well, hello sister!" Haha.  And he shook my hand and then Sister Hansen's.  We had a nice one minute conversation with him and then he continued taking his friends from Germany on a tour.  So cool!!  My dream literally came true.  I obviously think it would be cool to meet all of the apostles, but I had always wanted to meet President Utchdorf in particular! And it happened! :) 

Heather & Kayla!!  Texas girls!

 

The Masses!

Conference was wonderful this weekend!!!  Definitely a hustle and bustle of over 100,000 people, but I loved every second of it! Especially since it is my last Conference as a missionary.  I was able to go to the Sunday Afternoon session of Conference and I loved every single speaker!! I loved Richard G. Scott's talk about what we can do to actively exercise our faith and stay on the path.  He mentioned four things and they were prayer, scripture study, weekly Family Home Evening, and then going to the temple.  I love how simple it is, but how important and essential those 4 things are.  Something else I enjoyed was how he said that the challenges we have in life help us to become more like our Heavenly Father and that Christ's Atonement is to help us overcome those challenges. Pretty cool!

Sunday Afternoon Session w/ Sister Hansen :)

David A. Bednar also had a great talk!  He shared a story about how his two sons and how the younger son received a scratch on his arm while they were playing outside.  The older son then washed, put ointment on, and bandaged the younger son's arm and showed brotherly love and kindness.  After that, the younger son gathered up the materials and went out and did the same to his friends.  Elder Bednar related that to the Gospel and how when something helps us so much we just want to share it with others!  I love that analogy because it's so true!  No member who shares the Gospel with friends or family is compelled to do it by someone else or does it for personal gain....we do it because the Gospel is something that has helped us and healed us through our difficult times in life.  We share it because it is something that has brought us so much joy and happiness that we want everyone to be able to experience it too :)

I love this Gospel and I'm grateful that I can testify of its truthfulness every single day! I love you all!!

Sister Asay

Marissa a.k.a Sister McDaniel

Editor's Note:  Sister McDaniel served her mission in Dallas, Texas.  How blessed we are to know this wonderful sister and to see first hand the wonderful things she did here on her mission.