MY NEW COMPANION.....

Introducing: Hermana Laursen… and she totally knows what she’s doing here. So just in case you forgot my life, this has been my first week training. My companion is from Utah! Yay, so we can play when we get home! And play we will. She’s awesome. I feel like I’m not training though. She has handled everything really well. She’s not going through culture shock like I did. She just hopped in here and is ready to go to work. And work we have. I literally have not thought about home or anyone there this entire week. I have been so incredibly focused on this work. Last night was the first time this week I actually remembered I HAD a family. haha Just kidding. But we’ve been working our tooshes off.I have been SOOOO incredibly overwhelmed with the responsibility of being a trainer. You’re looking at senior comp, Spanish teacher, tour guide, church teacher and much more. It’s been crazy. I have been praying so hard to have the help and guidance I need. I know the Lord expects a lot of me in this capacity.

I forgot that when we get here we literally know NO Spanish... so I have had to take the lead in teaching each and every lesson. It’s pushed me to get to know the scriptures better and the doctrines of the gospel and focus on my testimony to get me through. I have been humbled and this for sure will be a stretching and growing experience. But it’s just the next step of the ladder that Heavenly Father is building for me.

It’s crazy… the transformation that has taken place over these months, inside me and just on the mission in general. I remember my first day at transfers when I got my trainer not knowing anyone or anything. The second I walked into the church building after I got my new comp it was just a whirlwind of emotions and feelings and memories. Everyone was coming up to me and congratulating me on training, EVERYONE was telling my comp she had the best trainer. Nice, eh? I smiled and laughed with the friends I’ve made over the past 9 months and I was hit with the realization of how great the mission is. I never thought in my life I would experience the things I have, feel the things I’ve felt, say the things I’ve said, do the things I’ve done and most importantly grow like I’ve grown. I know my Savior on a whole new level, and even though I’m still trying and working for more, I know he’s pleased with me. I felt an overwhelming sense of love and it was amazing.

I had to say goodbye to Hermana Hite and I was so sad. We cried in the church building hugging and saying how much we loved each other. You learn something new from each and every companion and you grow to appreciate them in ways not possible with other friends.

We are trying to work more with the ward now. The mission is moving to what’s called level 3. Level 1 is just us doing the missionary work. Level 2 is us doing the work with the help of the members. Level 3 is US HELPING THE MEMBERS DO MISSIONARY WORK. They provide everything: the setting, the planning, the support and we are just there to teach. It’s difficult because it requires more work on their part, of course. But we have the support of the bishop. He’s great! We are planning youth activities, and lots of other fun things. We’ll see how it goes. The leaders love my companion and at church yesterday they told us that we now have their full support.

I think this transfer will be the best one yet. We’re working hard and relying on the Lord in everything we do. I have all the hope and faith in the world that we will be able to do great things. I’m really excited.

I love you all so much. I haven’t had time to write anyone letters these last few weeks, but that’s because we’re working so hard. I’m sorry, please just be patient with me. Remember to put the Lord first and everything else will fall into place. I have faith in that. You’re in my prayers. Thank you for yours. They have surely been felt. I love you. Love, Ash