YEAH FOR INVESTIGATORS!!

THE PLAZA
Ah! I don't even know where to begin this week. It has been.... crazy, let me start with this. I love you all so much. I love you for your support, love, kind words, encouragement and all. I don't know where I would be without you. Thanks for everything. How is everyone? Things here are... well :) por fin!

First things first: small list of exciting things that happened.

- I went to one of the nicest houses I think I've been to yet while being here... by the ocean, craft shed, painting room, apartment out back, pool, huge room for BBQ and games and much more. It was there that I got fed octopus haha. Yes. It was good too.

- We had interviews this week. Surprise! I love president. It went really well. Once again, he told me that I have a gift to love and to USE IT with my investigators. He says it's a gift and a Christlike attribute and I need to use it. He specifically said to use my smile. It will work wonders with our investigators. (Did I mention we have investigators?)

Alright, now to the good stuff. When I first got to the mission home, my first day in the field, pres gave us something that said, Expect to see miracles, Expect to feel the spirit as never before, Expect to rely on the Lord like never before. Be willing to be a tool in his hands and be subject to his divine work. SIGH... this week has been that. I getting teary eyed just thinking about it. I forgot for a minute that this is HIS work. I was trying to do everything by myself and it's not even close to being possible. A visit with a good ole friend, Hermana Lundskog. Yeah!
We fasted on fast Sunday as a zone for Maldonado zone. After reading last week's email from dad, my comp and I decided it might be good to do it again for our area. We were fasting when we got calls late Tuesday night that we were going to have interviews on Wednesday. What a perfect way to end the fast... with president, his uplifting words and a devotional from Elder Holland. We felt inspired and good to go. What we didn't realize was that the Lord had something much greater planned for us than we could imagine.

We've been working side by side with the zone leaders this week. They called us and told us they had a reference, a girl who moved out of her boyfriend's house so she could be baptized. She is now living in our area and they wanted to take us to meet her. We went, shes awesome. We've been teaching her and she has a date to be baptized next week. Ah! They gave us a bunch of other references too. We went to church on Sunday and out of NOWHERE we had 5 investigators in the building. What the junk... yes, FIVE! We were shocked, amazed, and soooo grateful. Out of NOWHERE we have 5 new people to teach. We were running around the church building literally to talk to everyone before they all left. Not to mention new members who wanted to talk with us, and new recent converts who moved into our area. The work the Lord poured upon us was almost more than we could handle. It reminded me of the tithing blessing. Ah! We are so excited. What a little patience, faith and hope will teach you, eh? We have this whole week practically filled up with lessons and we haven't even gone out to work yet. Crazy.

On top of that, Veronica. She is so amazing. She didn't come to church yesterday, but we have taught her a few more times. She's so great. She seriously is too smart for her own good. She has so many questions and ideas, but we're teaching her the way things really are. She has her Book of Mormon now and is going to pray this week. Ah! She better. She already accepts everything though. Shes' scared to receive an answer because she knows with that comes responsibility. Her situation is very complex. I wish I could explain it over email but, I can't. With all her knowledge of religion she didn't know Christ suffered for her sins. It was the first thing we taught that she didn't argue against. She was touched by the spirit. I couldn't even talk during the lesson, it was so powerful. I bore my testimony at the end with what I could through the tears. She was so touched and started crying too. Then she did what no other person has ever done here. She got up, came to me and hugged me so hard and we both cried together over our Savior. It was soooo powerful. I felt her love. She felt mine and most of all we felt the love our Savior has for us. I have never had to work so hard for an investigator. I think I love her more than any other gator for that reason. Her way of thinking is sooo dominant that we really can't help her. Talking after the lesson with my comp, we realized she's not going to progress or doing anything without her answer from the Lord. I have never had to leave things up to the Lord like this. I'm hangin' on pins and needles, pleading with everything I am that she can pray, and get an answer that she will recognize is an answer. Like my president told me the first day I got here, I am having to learn to trust in the Lord like never before. Now... it's up to her and him. And I know he'll take care of her. I have to learn to accept his will though, it may not be her time right now. But I pray with everything I am that it is. She is AMAZING! There is nothing better than meeting these people here that you learn to love so much. I can't express it in words, I really can't.

Sigh again. This week has been crazy! But our work is paying off. Eh, it's not even our work... We are witnessing the Lord's blessings even though we don't deserve it. On a lighter note... right now the "Copa de America" is going on down here in good ole South America... the soccer tournament. It's crazy. These people are crazy for their soccer. We tried knocking doors one night while 'Guay was playing... yeah so not happening. Every single person was watching, every single tv in every store, restaurant, household, everywhere was turned on to the game. People watching in the streets, restaurants full with people cheering. And what's worse was the game this week was against Argentina our arch enemy/ rival. We totally killed them though! When Uruguay scores, every single man goes out into the street, pounds his chest and screams. They shoot off fireworks and it really is dangerous to be out. We ended up going to a member's house because we couldn't get any work done. We watched the game with them, taught a lesson at the half, downed a pizza and booked it before our curfew. When the game ended, ALL NIGHT LONG, people were partying, honking horns and screaming. We are number 4 in South America now. We play Peru tomorrow and then we'll see who next. It's against Venezuela, Chile, Brazil and Paraguay. I can't wait to see what happens. (Hey, I have to be excited about soccer, it's the only sport they have here. I got nothing else.) Then, we see who goes to represent South America for Mundial. Crazy. Wish us luck :)

Alright, we best be going, I love you all so much. Pray for our investigators. I'm so glad we have some now. Oh! Transfer calls are this Sunday. Crazy how time flies when you're having fun. I don't think I'm going anywhere.

I love you all more than words can express!!! Keep the faith. It pays off ;) I love this gospel, I love this work and it IS the Lord's work. I'm glad I get to see the blessings, witness his love and share in his glory. I love the gospel and it is true!!!

Hasta Luego, Ash

THE MIRACLES CONTINUE...

This week has been challenging. We cannot find investigators and it has been weighing very heavily on us. We had the hope of Natasha. We proposed baptism and she accepted. Then we had to get permission from her gramps and, of course, her mom. Well, the unbelievable happened. Her grandpa said no. He's a member! We couldn't believe it. This was yesterday. So we have no need to ask her mom. I don't understand. When we finally find someone to baptize, the things of life get in the way. This work is so much more complicated than I EVER EVER EVER imagined. So we were back to no one.

Then we went contacting and that's when we found a miracle. Her name is Veronica. She let us right in her house. What?! That's unheard of. Every word that came out of her mouth was... wow! My mouth dropped open and I don't think I closed it. She told us what she's looking for in a belief and everything she wanted, we have. We prayed with her and she loved how we communicate with our Heavenly Father. She said just the day before she had been wondering about whether or not to baptize her 2 year old son. We told her it didn't need to be done. I asked her straight up if she thought he had sins. She laughed and said no. I asked then why does he need to be baptized? She loved that too. Ah! I love her! We can't see her again until Friday and so I'm praying with everything in my soul!!!!!! that she will read and pray. Oh and she wants to read the Book of Mormon so bad. She said she heard a little bit about our church from a guy on the bus who was Mormon. Thank heavens for that man who planted a seed... who knows how long ago. I'm so grateful to him. I hope we can keep her and teach her. I just hate that I get excited about someone and the next minute they fall off the face of the planet.

My companion, Hermana Puentes, and me
The youth came back from EFY and spoke in Sacrament yesterday. It was probably the most spiritual Sacrament I've ever been too, with the exception of the Sunday before my farewell when the youth sang. They experienced such a change. You always appreciate something more when you don't have it, or don't have much of it. This EFY program in South America has changed the lives of these youth. They are so grateful for the opportunity to do something together and grow together. I was touched because, at the very least! we have 3 trips every summer as youth in Utah. Youth conference, girls camp and trek some summers. Appreciate the church we have! Appreciate the technology and the development we have. It's incredible!!!

I have felt overwhelmed, but once again happy. I can't even begin to tell you the things I am learning here. My comp and I had an intense conversation this morning about gospel principles and I am amazed at the things I'm learning that I wouldn't have learned without this mission experience. I'm grateful for that. One of my former companions called me last night crying because the mish is so hard. It happens... this place is not easy! But I love this gospel. I love my life. I am so unbelievably blessed I can't even stand it. I love you all. Be good. Be strong. Stay true to the faith. Love, Ash
The beautiful sunset overlooking the ocean! I love it!

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

THE DEDOS (Famous hand statue at Punta del Este)

Hermana Hite called me this morning and sang the national anthem. Afterwards she said, "God bless America." Yeah!

Lots of stuff has happened this week. As for the work, I feel like we’re in a ditch with investigators. We still have no one, with the exception of one little girl. We are finding more success with the members and their incomplete families. If I can help with that in this area, then that’s fine by me. I’ll take whatever I can get as long as I’m helping the church grow in some way here. But this little girl is the granddaughter of a member. She’s so sweet. Natasha. 11 years old and has been going to church with them for almost two years, but isn’t baptized. Her gramps thought that she needed to change some things (her attitude) before getting baptized. Whoa! No! She needs it now! He said no at first, and then after talking to him he said, “Well... you’re the missionaries, what do you think?” Well, heck yeah she needs to be baptized! So we are starting teaching her this week. She already was at church yesterday. Score! The grandpa is really sweet. I said to my comp, he likes us (after we left the house). She said he likes YOU! What! noooo... she said It’s ok, every family, every investigator always has a favorite. But he trusts us. So it’s good. I hope nothing goes wrong. We’re excited for her.

Other than that, there has been so much opposition this week. I feel like I roam the streets with nothing to do. And we plan well, with back-up plan after back-up plan. Everything falls through, people won’t talk to us, it’s too cold... ugh. Yesterday we were in this richer area. One man came out and told us to pray with him. When we looked at him with confusion, he said if you won’t pray to Mary with me, I won’t listen to what you have to say... alright. Rude. Then another man said he didn’t believe in God. We asked if something had happened or... what? He said “No, I’m smart enough. I don’t need a God. I can think for myself.” OK.... then we invited him to church. Still he said we were stupid and that we were also invited... invited to "review" our brains... whoa. All I could do was shake my head and say wow as we walked away. This happened over and over again yesterday. We can’t even get people to talk with us, let alone teach lessons. We have been redoing our way of contacts because obviously this isn’t working. Oh well, we will move forward and keep working hard.

Mom, you’ll be happy to hear that the Relief Society has gone way out of their way to help us. They made calendars for meals, they are coming over to inspect our living conditions and many other things. I told the pres my mom would be very happy. And that made her happy. She is doing her calling soooo well. My comp said this is the best pres she’s had on the mish. I’m so grateful for people who fulfill their callings. We are being taken care of though.

We had a ward activity this week. Best part... we didn’t plan it. The ward is functioning on their OWN! It’s a miracle! And it had the best turnout of any I have seen here. The youth are doing EFY. It’s the 2nd time they’ve done it here in South America. They go to Argentina so it’s a big deal. They performed that cup game but so amazingly, they altered it a bit. They did it for everyone and the ward was in awe. We had 4 less actives come, 2 non members and many ward members. It was so great. The spirit was there, and then we ordered pizza! It is Guayan pizza, which is way different than ours, but still good. The bishop likes his sweets. After church all the kids run to his office to get sweets (including us). The youth here are amazing. Everyone of them reminds me of someone at home. They are cool. I love that they actually exist in this country.

During weekly planning I got so overwhelmed this week. We have so many people to take care of. I know we can only plan the best we can, work hard and the rest is in the Lord’s hands. So much to do better here.
Yes... we did go to Punta del Este. It was a blast! I ran and jumped and laughed along the ocean. I was giddy and crazy. It reminded me so much of Cali. Home Sweet Home. I wrote lots of stuff in the sand. My comp had never done that before. Whoa. She loved it. We saw the Dedos and other cool things. Sheyla, the recent convert, wanted to go into this 5 star hotel. So, we went. It’s called Conrad, so pretty and right on the beach. They were in AWE!!! My comp and Sheyla, that is. They had never seen anything like it. They were amazed that there was carpet, and in the bathrooms automatic paper towel dispensers. Wow, I was humbled. I said I missed carpet. They asked if we had that in our country... um... only every household. I didn’t say that, but man I am so grateful for my life. This hotel would be considered... not so great in comparison to most in the U.S. But they were excited. I was just glad the place was heated. We roamed around there doing some fun stuff. They even had a theater in there. Cool beans. Punta is gorgeous. The next day at district meeting our leader told us we're not allowed to go there ever. Even to teach people. Weird. Our pres is coming DOWN with the rules. Oh well, I know there’s a reason. I guess it helps us stay focused.

Today we are going to.... MCDONALDS!!!!! Wahoo! First time eating out in seven months! We’re so excited. Whoever knew McDonalds was so good. Not me. That’s what happens when you are deprived of American food. Also, we borrowed the movie "Errand of Angels." My comp hasn’t seen it so we are going to go to the church to watch that. She’s excited and so am I. Good stuff.

I hope you are all enjoying the warm summer heat. Jealousy times a thousand... but I still love you all, more than words can express. Be good!

Love me, Ash

I HAVE ARRIVED!

Two weeks and I’m used to my new situation. I’ll tell you something funny. I am trying to type in Spanish, my brain is having a hard time switching to English. Crazy. I accidentally speak in English with my comp sometimes and then when I try to speak English with zone leaders or members who want to practice, only Spanish comes out. It’s really embarrassing. At least that means I’m getting good. : ) It’s a crazy talent to be able to speak two languages … to switch back and forth is so cool!

Wow, we have experienced so many weird things. The people here are intense. As we continue to search for members, less actives, recent converts and investigators we come across some interesting people. We had some seriously crazy experiences. One of our converts is 12, Sheyla. She’s awesome. Her family is a little different, they practice black magic. Seriously scary stuff. We got to her house to have a lesson and all the lights were out. The houses here don’t have windows and so it was pitch black. She lights a candle and we proceed to have the lesson like that. We were kinda confused. Then she tells us they are doing some ritual. uhhh... ok? Her uncle later comes out and starts talking gospel with us. It was good, until he went off. I was really scared. He was talking all quiet, by the candle, talking about spirits. He then tells us the scariest story I’ve ever heard. Ugh, the spirit left for sure. I felt so unprotected… naked, spiritually if you get what I mean. Oh man... so scary. We had to get outta there!

Then we were looking for someone specifically, and we knock on this door that looks like a house. A girl who was for sure on drugs opens up and lets us in. The roof is open and there is a dark alleyway with several doors on each side with a staircase at the end… People drinking, smoking, drugs and scary stuff. I felt like I literally walked into the movie "Taken." Holy cow. There is some sketch stuff here, and we continue to discover more. I’m constantly nervous about where we’re knocking, who will come out and what we’ll find. It’s been interesting. In the meantime, we have found some awesome people. That really is the greatest part of the mish. All the people you get to meet and know who you would have never met otherwise. It’s the greatest. We have two investigators with baptismal dates, but neither came to church and so we gotta see what’s up. Also we had a reference and she is awesome! She tells us she wants to be Mormon. So cool. We have been finding part member families all over the place and our goal is to work with those to complete them.

I’ve learned a lot this week. I have learned to lean on the Lord so much. It’s been really cool. Every single one of my prayers was answered this week. Every day I had something else that I needed and Heavenly Father gave it to me. That’s the awesome thing about the mish. You get to test the Lord. In return, he tests you but you get to learn so much about the Savior and your testimony grooooooows. Just a simple example, it’s been pouring, freezing cold all week. We made plans last week to go to Punta del Este today with Sheyla. It was pouring yesterday and we didn’t think we’d be able to go. I prayed so hard it would stop, if it was the Lord’s will. This morning it was so windy, freezing, and cloudy, cloudy, cloudy. I was so bummed. What do you know? 30 minutes before we leave the house, the sun comes out, the sky turns blue and there ya go. Heavenly Father wants us to be happy. I can surely testify of that.

I have also learned I have to be myself here. It’s been hard with the language and when I don’t understand generally I would just sit there and listen, try to make sense of stuff and get nothing out of it. But! this week, like I said, there’s no holding back. I feel really good about myself. It’s been difficult, but when I don’t understand, I just ask. I learn, and it’s been so good. Yesterday we had ward council. The first in my whole mish, and it was awesome. The ward needs each other, just like any, and my comp wasn’t saying anything. So I stood up and spoke in front of everyone what the needs are, what they can do to help us and it was great. We have a rescue plan we’re going to put into practice, activities we’re going to do and lives we’re going to change. I love the feel. It’s good. It’s how the whole mission should be. I feel lame that it took me so long to get here, but here I am. Ready and willing, trying and striving, learning and growing, that is for sure.

With this part member family, the dad isn’t a member, but the wife and kids are. She said so many missionaries have tried working with him, but he won’t listen to anyone. While we were visiting he was staring at me, with a puzzled look. He said I reminded him of a dear friend. My comp started plowing down with gospel principles and I knew it wasn’t the right time. I felt he was getting frustrated and I starting asking his wife questions. That’s how we found all this info out. She said she knows one day someone will come along. He’s just waiting for "his" missionary. I decided to write a little note to him. We left it. If no missionary ever tries, then he won’t ever be baptized. This is what I mean by being myself. Also, I have been able to laugh more this week, and everyone makes comments about it. Generally, I laugh at everything but... with difficult times it’s hard to do, so I am being more myself with the language and culture and it feels so good! I’m happy...

We’re out of time here, but ocean here I come. I love you all so much. I’m always thinking and praying for you. I hope you feel my love. I know I sure do feel yours.

I love you, Ash

ASHLEY'S BIRTHDAY!!

Hey all you fellow bloggers! Ashley's birthday is coming up on August 18th. I will be sending her a package and thought if any of you would like to slip in a little birthday wish, you can email it to me (Tammy) at tfarri@gmail.com. She would love it! It doesn't have to be anything elaborate, just a simple note. I need to have this package in the mail July 14th so get your email to me before that. Thanks for all your support!!

TRANSFERRED!!!

Hello all... oh how I've missed you. Seriously, this week has been intense. HAPPY FATHER'S DAY DAD, I hope it was truly amazing.

(Sigh).... a big, big one... Where do I start with this week? This city is HUGE and there is so much work to be done. I am upset that the elders ruined the missionary work reputation here (and left our house so completely and entirely disgusting). We've wasted so much time getting things in order. I don't even know where to begin telling my week. The elders before us slept during siesta. And there hasn't been a baptism here the entire year. We don't have a ward mission leader and so... we're flying solo for now.

On the other hand, our area... we have the stake center for our church, it's nice. We have every resource of the church here in our area, including family history center. That's pretty cool, eh. We don't have any new investigators because we've been spending all our time orienting ourselves, trying to find the members, the recent converts, the elders supposed investigators, and getting all that sorted out. We met with the Bishop and his counselors and they are ready to work. Miracle of the week. When we met with them, they told us they have been praying for months for sisters in this area. So... they say we are an answer to their prayers and they expect a lot from us. It's cool. The difference here is the members are FULL of references, and ready and willing to go to any lesson with us to help move the work forward. This area has been at rest for so long they are now pumped. It's good. There are other problems here, like some lack of trust.... ugh! It's been very interesting.

On the bright side, my language has picked up. Yeah! I can feel, hear and see the difference. This no longer is my first area, the members don't baby me and so they just expect me to talk... and I do. It's been good. Also, my comp is very, tight mouthed. She doesn't really try to get to know people and I feel that is the way into their hearts. Hermana Hite felt the same way and so she would make conversation with people and all was well. Now I'm the one who has to make conversation to get into people's hearts. If I want it done, I gotta do it myself. And so... my Spanish is gonna be sweet. I'm excited for that.

My comp is good... she is very by the book which is good in the work aspect. I love her. It's gonna be good. Really, it's been hard getting used to things here. Like every change here on the mish, I just need to give myself a little time to get used to things. I've never prayed so much in my life. I guess that's why sometimes we have trials, so that we remember the Savior and that we really do need him. There, seriously, is soooo much to be done here. I'm so excited to get to work for real, for real. The problem now is just having the patience to get everything started up and rolling. It'll take some time, but hopefully I'll be around to see the fruits of our labor. I'm well and working hard, I can promise you that. I love you all so much. Thoughts of you is the only thing that keeps me going. I hope you guys are well.

I love you more than ever. Love, Ash

CHANGE IS IN THE AIR....

Whoa! This week has been crazy… So many weird things happening. It was transfer calls yesterday, transfers manana. I´ll tell you what’s going down. I just want to say hi first! hello!!! I love you, I love you, I looooove you all.

Alright... to start off, this week has been another rough one, but we´re used to those here. It’s all good. We mostly spent the entire week preparing for our library presentation of the Book of Mormon. We made so many invitations and invited over 200 people personally. It was crazy. Just to give you an idea of how intense that is... the mission standards require you to do 150 contacts a week. We did 200 in a couple days. It was crazy. We wanted a good turnout. The day comes, and I’m freaking out because I have to speak in front of lots of people. And in Spanish, none the less. Whoa! Crazy! And we had to go there early and set up. The bishop made us teach him first so he could approve and make sure it was politically correct. It was a big deal. The hour comes... and not one person shows up!..... Luis comes and a very few select members. Ah, we were so bummed! We wanted to find new investigators. We spent hours putting things together, getting Books of Mormon, organizing, practicing, and then nothing. It was the MOST disappointing thing ever. Oh well, dust off our boots and get back to work.

Second thing this week… Package! Yes! I got the package. It had wonders inside. I was in love. Everything fits perfect and it’s golden. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Along with the package I got several of mom's dear elders.

ZONE CONFERENCE
We had a conference on Friday. We got to go to Florida and Elder Foster spoke to us with President there. He’s a Seventy kinda, well, counselor to a Seventy, Elder Arnold. It was soooo awesome. He talked about prayer and working with members here. So great. I was very touched by the spirit. Yay for conferences! The cool thing is for conferences, we get to go far away and spend all day there with them and eat lunch. It’s an all day event. Pretty fun. It was awesome to see Pres too. We only get to see him once a transfer. He doesn’t come for district meetings.

Then!!!!! As for last night, ah! Cambios! So... I am being transferred away from San Jose. Sad day indeed. I have grown to love this area, just like the CCM, even though I’m ready for a change. I’m ready to see other parts of the church and hopefully strengthen it in other places besides here. So! I’m going to Maldonado. Yes... it is a dream city: tourist area central for Uruguay, next to the beach, rich and supposedly awesome. Hermana Hite totally called it. It’s going to be freezing, and my new comp (Hermana Puentes) and I will be whitewashing. Whoa! Yes, apparently we don’t have a ward mission leader and so we will be going off very little to get the area going. You were right mom, more responsibility. I’m so excited though. Maldonado is the zone, my specific area is Punta del Este. Look it up! All the pictures that ever come up for Uruguay are from this area. "The Dedos" is the most common thing there. It’s a giant hand statue that is coming up out of the sand on the beach. Tourist site. Shakira has a summer house there by the way. Too bad it’s not summer and I´ll be freezing my toosh off. I’m also going to be in Hermana Lundskog’s district! Wahoo! So I’ll see her every week. What else about the joint... my comp is Latina again. She trained Hermana Lundskog too. My comp, Hermana Hite, is staying here and she’s training again. She started crying. She’s so stressed. Hermanas never train twice. That means she’s good. We´re so sad to be parting, but it’s a new chapter. I’m ready for something new, although I’m so nervous as well. I’m excited for my new area. It’s where every hermana wants to go haha. Yes! the beach... Heavenly Father knows me well. I’m worried I’m being too spoiled though. I haven’t really been in an area that is too ghetto, the really poor places. Now I’m going to a place where apparently there is a mall and bowling and Burger King! Whoa... I hope I don’t get too used to the nice stuff. It’ll make it harder when I get transferred again. Oh well. I’m just trusting in Heavenly Father. He knows what I need. And besides... by the time I’m done with this area, I’ll probably have the mission stuff totally down and by then I’ll be mature enough to handle anything that comes my way : ) That’s what Hermana Hite says anyway. haha Crazy, two more transfers and I’ll be half way done. Yes, it’s still a long ways away, but time flies when you’re having fun! ENJOYING SOME MUCH NEEDED HEAT-AGE ON MY TOOTSIES
Aw... Stephani is doing well right now. We´re proud of her. She is also going to the temple on Saturday!!! Wahoo! Yes, they are taking a temple trip with the ward. She had her interview yesterday to get her recommend and she’s good to go! Miracle of the week!

All is well here. I hope I can say the same for next week. Haha I’ll be in a completely different world next week. Scary! But it’ll be good, I’m excited.

I miss you all so very, very much. Thank you for the package. It was heaven in a box. And all your notes and letters too. You guys are the best. : ) I gotta go say goodbye to all the members here now and my converts Hector and Steph and get packingggggg!

Until next week, hugs and kisses....

Love, Ash

AMERICAN CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES!!

Aw, how I love Pdays. I seriously can’t wait to hear from you all. It’s the best feeling in the world. You keep my going, you keep me strong. Thank you.

First off, how grateful I am for this opportunity to grow and learn. Wow, it’s a challenge every day. This week was another one of those weeks. I’ll get to that in a minute.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BROOKE! I love your sweet face. 17 years, oh man. I hope you have the best day ever. Actually, I know you’ll have the best day ever. Is it crazy that I know some secrets about your day all the way over here that you don’t know?? haha love it. Enjoy it alright. I love you.
Well... it is FREEEEZING here. I can’t describe to you the amount of pain that is going through my body. Seriously, the humidity sticks to you all day every day and it hurts. Our heater is broken and we don’t have anything to keep us warm. Whoever said Uruguay wasn’t that cold or that hot before I came here was WRONG! My toes and fingers are numb. Hence, this week I got sick. Very sick…. Head cold and sinus infection. I’ve been coughing up crap and wheezing up nonsense and I’ve been miserable. When you get sick on the mish, you gotta call "the" Hermana, that is Hermana Da Silva. I was prescribed to two days in bed pretty much. So the work again this week has been slow. My comp went crazy without me. I slept for HOURS upon end. It was crazy. I have regained most my strength but I’m still stuck with a cold and my frozenness. It’s all good.

As matters of work, we had an all time high of lessons with members this week. It took a lot of time, but we got them to come out with us. Church yesterday was awesome, the class for investigators and recent converts was full (both with a some of ours and many of the elders)! I felt the sprit really strong at church though. It was good to have so many people there. We found a family as we ventured out to this field. They live forever out in the middle of nowhere and that’s scary here in Guay. At dark... we talked to a guy and his son saw us, said "hola preciosas" and his dad decided it might be good for us to talk to him... so awkward. Welp mom, I can say our good looks did get us into this house. We taught him barely before he had to leave. We asked if we could pray with him and I asked if he needed anything. He said work. So in the prayer I asked that he could be able to find work... he texted us the next day and said "welp thanks to you, blondie, I found work. I want to be with you more so I can have more luck like this." Awkward. But AWESOME his prayer was answered! He continued to text us as we talked about gospel stuff and then he started getting out of hand, saying not very good things and so we had to stop talking to him. Hermana Hite didn’t want to go back to teach him but with the help of Alejandro and Adriana, a married couple in the ward, we went back and saw him. Nothing really has happened more, we bore strong testimony last night but he had to go again, to work I might add. It would be a cool story if he got baptized eh? haha.

Also... mom, I made cookies this week haha. I have to say, we only ate 5 of them. We bundled up the rest and tried to decorate them all cute, hence the picture, and wrote notes to our new investigators and delivered them. The people here are obsessed with your cookies! Everyone wants the recipe. I think they won a few hearts and a few more appointments for us. And we´re making more! It felt good to just serve people. That same day, we saw a man who could not walk carrying wood into his house for his fireplace. Holy cow! What a pile of wood. He needed help. While he was inside, we dropped our bags, grabbed some wood and met him at the door. He was really old, but we took the whole rest of the wood inside for him. He was so relieved. It felt so good to serve! That’s the first time I’ve done service just like that here because no one will let you help them. It’s a pride thing, but it felt right. Loved it. That’s what we're here for… also to baptize, of course.
Yesterday in our class, we talked about the roles of family members. What the mom and dad role is and the kids’ role in the family. It was such a good lesson. I have to say thank you to you all. The other missionaries and ward members and investigators were bearing testimony of their family not doing those things and then the difference when they started to do them. I couldn’t help but think, my family has never faltered, never fallen, never lacked the faith. It’s most certainly for that reason that we girls are the way we are, because you, mom and dad, raised us that way. We are strong, because you are strong. I’m so grateful for that. It’s been such a huge blessing in my life; you have done everything perfectly! Thank you for your dedication and faith. I love you so much.

That’s pretty much it. I hope this next week will be better. I have seriously had to look at a picture of Christ and force myself to do the thing he would do, and it hasn’t been easy. But in the meantime I have been "leaving behind" some of those things on my list I made. It’s been hard, but worth it. It seems to be the theme of life, eh? Anyway, I’m off. Love you all so much. Stay strong.

Love, Ash

P.S. I miss you like a fat kid loves cake ; ) cup cakes... with lots of sprinkles on them. Doesn’t matter what flavor. They’re all good ; ) haha chao!

I HATE PLANTING THINGS.....

I just wanna eat! ...that’s the quote of the week.

Oh how I miss your beautiful faces. All is well here, for the most part. That’s not counting this week, because let me tell you… It’s been the hardest one so far. Even Hermana Hite said this week was the hardest of her entire mission too (and she is almost done with this whole trip) so...
First off, the package!!! It was all my dreams plus more! I love you mom. You are inspired to get me what I need, that is for sure. The journal is AMAZING!!! I love it. Thank you, thank you, thank you! So awesome. Kenya... WOW! That’s all I have to say. I LOVED your frame you made me! It is so cute and it has my adopted mission quote on it. I love it! I almost started crying. Well, I got teary eyed when I saw it, but I tried not to let them out. I love it! It’s sitting on my nightstand now. The story, mom, entitled “The Room” is so amazing. Hermana Hite and I sat in the church reading it and yes, we did cry. She translated into Spanish and we have been sharing it with many here. They love it too. She tells everyone about you. She spoke in Sacrament yesterday and talked about you and how cool you are and that you make journals and she told everyone the quote that was on there. You are loved. And dad... we won’t go there. I have been telling stories of you all week and a lot of missionaries are taking into practice the advice you have given me. I love feeling close to you guys while being so very far away. The pictures were so good. It’s good to see faces. Cass looks huge! And looks like her birthday was a blast. Kenz’s race was awesome to get to see as well. I’m so proud of you love bug! The food is awesome, Modge, and the Ensign has been missed. They don’t really get them here. I loved it! Thank you!

Alright, so after Pday ended last week we had several lessons planned... good ones. Ones we were excited for, but it was not meant to be. They both cancelled on us before our Pday was over. Lame. Oh well, we got through it. Next day... we decided to pray that our lessons would stay in place and right in the middle of our prayer we got two texts... both cancelling. All our lessons that day got cancelled. Alright, rough start to the week. It’s alright, it can’t continue like this, right? Wrong. Wednesday... again during our prayer for people to meet with us that we had planned to see... they called and cancelled. This is getting repetitive. I’ll just say... we had every single one of our dozens of lessons cancel... (sigh) We had to drop all our investigators because they refuse to progress. Sonia, Luis, Andrea and Leo... and the many others who won’t go to church. On top of all that, it’s been raining all week: cold, dreary. I told my comp that the rain was just the cherry on top of a very crappy sundae this week. We definitely got to the end of our rope... but like dad told me, I’m trying to hang on to the knot I tied at the end. I just keep slipping. So now... we get to start all over... zero investigators. Clean slate.

The good thing about all of this was we clearly saw that we are just planting seeds for right now, which is where the quote of the week comes in. I really just want to eat and harvest. But it’s all gotta be done. We are prepping the way for two others to get here and they are going to rock this area. As a result of our discouragement, we got creative... yes! We are good at that. We are planning some awesome stuff to get new investigators. 1) We are planning a presentation at the library for the Book of Mormon. So cool. We´ll teach about it. 2) The plaza. I think I already mentioned this, but chalk drawing there for the plan of salvation. The elders are coming to help. 3) We made a survey. A new way to do contacts. We knock doors, introduce who we are and we have a survey with questions from the main points of every principle of the gospel. We are finding out people’s needs like that! It’s been so fun and a new way to go about doing the same ole stuff. We are proud of ourselves. Another good thing. We can truly say we have thrown our hearts into the work this week, and even though we have nothing to show for it... we have no regrets. It’s a good feeling even though it has been SO HARD.

On the plus side... when it rains, everyone here makes tortas fritas. It’s like a tortilla and then they put dulce de leche on it. It’s really yummy. So the bishop’s wife invited us over to do that for FHE this week. We drank hot chocolate and ate tortas with them. It was fun. I miss the simple things of home. I consider that a tender mercy though. Life is still swell, just the mission life. We´re pushing through the fog and coming to the light I think.

I love you all so much. I appreciate you more than you know. Hope all is well and that you’re growing closer to the Lord continually. Keep strong. The church is true. Everything happens for a reason and there is a plan for us. Thanks Shaq for reminding me of it. I LOVE YOU ALL CON TODO MI CORAZON!!!

Love, Ash.

ROCKIN' IT!

FAMILY!!! I love you... SHAQUEL!!! Happy Birthday my dearest. I love you so much and hope you have the best day ever. Sorry I can’t do much for you from here. But I’ve been thinking about you all day and all week, since it took me that long to get this sign made with the little spare time we have. (gosh can’t believe you’re 20!)
This week has been somethin’ else. Oh my gosh. I have felt the stresses of taking care of these people here like never before. No wonder missionaries mature so much: we’re like the ultimate babysitters, psychologists, and bishops. uh... I can’t even believe the things we’ve been faced with this week. Crazy stuff .

We did intercambios, which in English is exchanges, I think... it’s where you and your comp split up with a different set of sisters. I went and stayed with Hermana Watkins in Santa Lucia and her comp came here to San Jose with Hermana Hite. We did it after district meeting on Tuesday and stayed until Wednesday afternoon working there and then switched back. It was SUCH a good experience! So Hermana Watkins, as you know, is younger than me, by one transfer. So... I got to be senior comp for a day. It was interesting. She freaked out because she still doesn’t understand any Spanish... she told me I’d have to pick it up. And pick it up I did haha. We pretty much rocked it. I know so much more than I give myself credit for. It’s hard to see that while leaning on the Hermana Hite crutch. I don’t actually lean on her, she just babies me cuz I’m still young in the mish. It was cool to see I can totally do this. It was a real eye opener. We got to go to the young men’s activity and give a devotional before they played soccer. Wow... 25 youth, just young men. There is hope here in Uruguay! You want to know the coolest part? NONE of them were members...yes, I said it. Not a single one. The Young Men’s leader actually went out... found a ton of kids who like to play soccer and invited them into the huge church with an indoor soccer court and said, "Hey, every Tuesday at 7 we will play here. The deal is, we’re gonna teach you something every week, then to keep playing you gotta come to church on a Sunday." Alright... someone who does their calling, and does it well. It made me so happy, I was almost in tears looking at all these kids who were being taught by someone who loves the work and loves them. So cool. And they’ve had major success! Six of them showed up at church last week. They have nowhere to play after dark so it’s a golden thing to do. Too bad we don’t have the facility here in San Jose to do that. It was just really cool to see another side of the work, ya know? So we got to teach them about prophets. I did this really cool activity with them and they started fighting over who would do the activity with me. That was cool. Afterwards I told Hermana Watkins, “Let’s go and talk with these kids.” So we did and made friends with them. It was so fun. Awe... love this work! Hermana Farr with little Naomi
Then, when I got back here, we had a really bad day. We had a lesson with this lady we are teaching... oh man, good news is, she accepted a baptismal date. Yeah! Bad news... like dad said, she really has to trade her entire life in for the gospel. But, she’s willing to do it. She’s a mom... and she has been receiving "help" from someone to pay for her house and her kids. When I say help... oh man, she has been selling herself to a married man for 13 years to receive this money. I couldn’t really understand completely what was going on and my comp went completely speechless. That NEVER HAPPENS WITH HERMANA HITE! Not ever. I knew I didn’t get it completely. When we walked out she told me that, and in the middle of the street, I felt the weight of her pain on my shoulders and just broke down. I felt a TINY smidge of what Heavenly Father must feel... just a smidge. This is going on all over the world in every country, every city... oh my gosh... it’s unreal. I never in a million years thought I would be dealing with these things here. It’s no wonder missionaries are so stressed! This is a hard life, having to care for these people. I read in Jesus the Christ this week (which by the way I’m loving dad), that we are NOT babysitters. We have the seeds of faith and we are responsible to disperse them to the people of Uruguay. That is the responsibility we have as missionaries. Then we are to do everything we can to pull the weeds from around it and water it, but we are not responsible for the sunshine... that’s the responsibility of Heavenly Father and the investigator. They gotta pray for that sunshine and then if it is His will, He will pour down rays of sunlight and make the seed grow. If they don’t do their part... it’s not gonna happen. I thought that was interesting, because Hermana Hite and I have been running around, trying to do all these extravagant things for our investigators. That’s nice... we are supposed to care for them, but we can’t make the seed grow. It’s been frustrating because no one is progressing over here. But we’ve taught them and like dad says, we’ll find those who are willing to trade their lives in for something better. Pray for her... she needs it.

On the same day that we found that out about her... we got verbally attacked by some lady we contacted... she accused us of so much stuff. First time that’s ever really happened to me. I had to suppress my angry feelings because that’s not what Christ would have done. But man, she said some hurtful things. She said Joseph Smith was made up. She accused us of preaching false doctrine. She said it was a huge shame that we were wasting our youth on something that didn’t exist. She even went as far as to say that when Christ comes to the earth, we are going to find out the truth and it’s going to be a real shame because by then it will be too late for us. We tried bearing testimony but she just yelled at us more. Thank heavens for fences on every house here, cuz we just walked away and she would have followed, if it wasn’t for that. It was so sad... Hermana Hite reminded me that Christ said our names or image will be "dirtied" for his sake. That was definitely how it was. But I KNOW! that what I’m here for is not a lie. Christ gave his life for me, and so ... who cares if people accuse me of false preaching. It’s sad for them, but I would suffer anything for Christ’s name. I would. (P.S. someone spit on one of the Elders this week too. Can you believe such horrid things go on?) It was a growing experience that’s for sure.

I love this gospel. I love you all. Can’t wait to hear from you again. Be so good! Keep the faith! I love you!

Love, Ash

THE TRUE CHURCH

Hello family! I love your guts so much. Everyone wrote me a ton this week! I’m excited to read what’s been said. Lots has happened this week:

Steph had an interview with the bishop and got a blessing. She’s doing better and actually offered the opening prayer in Sacrament yesterday! Wahoo! First convert in this ward for the last few months to do so. She did great. Before the interview we found a HUGE spider the size of a quarter. She just decided she wanted to play with it... hmmm. She let it crawl all over her while Hermana Hite and I freaked out. Then she was holding it in her hand when she realized it had an egg sack on it and it burst open and babies went everywhere. Luckily, she flung it to the ground before they could get on her. I think...

We had some more stalkers... worse this time. They followed us. We turned corners trying to get away from them, they continued to follow. We eventually started running...and when they saw us run, they ran after us. We decided we had to book it around a corner and duck into a shop somewhere really fast so they couldn’t see us. We did so... into a hair salon and a thousand girls were staring at us breathing hard and scared out of our minds. It was actually kinda funny. These boys were just teenagers, but still! We don’t like being followed. For real! It just reminded me of a movie scene or something haha. We had a good laugh afterwards, and it worked sooo... :) don’t freak out mom. It’s just Uruguay.

Miracle of the week. Well, it was for me, not so much with investigators. We had just gotten done with our meeting with the ward mission leader and we were late getting to an appointment. So we were bookin' it. We ran past the big Catholic Church and as we did two nuns come out. Now... I have never seen a nun in real life, it was crazy! As I ran past them, I started to think about the things I am doing here. They have quite literally given up their lives for their church, and for now... so have I. The only difference is... I’m doing it for the REAL true church. It’s sad that they have given up everything for the rest of time to preach and work for a church that isn’t even true... my comp and I talked a lot about that this week. It’s been cool. I’m glad I have the true gospel of Jesus Christ. Then, I realized that my comp and I are like the Savior, only in 2011 and just for the city of San Jose. But it’s big! That’s a whole city... and we are two girls, 21 and 22 years of age. What a great responsibility. We are responsible for this city and strengthening the church here. Holy cow! What a calling. And here we are, running our bums off to do so, and here they are... walking very properly and slowly. That’s the difference between our church and theirs. Just a thought… It got me thinking all week long.

Lastly, yesterday all the lessons were on talents. Of course, when you start talking about talents you start thinking about all the things you can’t do, and especially here, all the things you NEED to be able to do. I got frustrated. Thank goodness for good comps like Hermana Hite. She sat me down and we wrote down each other’s talents and shared with each other. It was cool to see all the things she thinks of me that I had no idea she would have thought of. I guess that’s what you learn about a person after you’ve been living together for almost three months. Crazy... we´ve been living together for three months. Weird.

I love the mission… with all of its ridiculousness and hardships. It really is good. And we have so much fun. I wish I could share all the funny things we do, but it’s just too much. We get in bed on time and are up for hours laughing... I love my comp. Cody wrote me and I guess they got their first baptism in A YEAR! Oh man, that’s rough, but I’m so proud of him. GO CODY! I love you! Keep up the fantastic work. I will see you three weeks after you get home :) I love the mission. I love the gospel. I love my Savior Jesus Christ. And I love my family. Thank you so much for everything you do. Loves...

Love, Ash. Be good!

BEST MOTHER'S DAY!!

Here it is.... from the madre! So, Saturday morning about 8:00 a.m. (the day before Mother's Day) I am running around gathering last minute things for Brooke who is going to Prom, getting ready to leave for her day date to Lagoon, and I get this call from some "Unknown Number." I answer, "Hello?" and most of what I hear is just feedback from my own voice..... except for a very faint, "Mom?" "Hello?" I say again.... more feedback... "Mom!!" comes the reply. Instantly I get goosebumps... "Is this my Ash?" I ask. "Yes!" comes the reply. I start jumping for joy. I ask her how she is doing. There is silence. I ask, "Can you talk?" She says... "not really!" And at that very moment I realize that the only thing being exchanged between the airways of Utah and Uruguay are some very deep emotions of gratitude. Awe... I miss that girl. We were only able to speak for a few moments as she gave me instructions on how and when we would be speaking on the following day. Yeah! Then Brooke stole the phone from me and spoke with her big seesta for another minute, as Ash offered her some imperative "Prom" advice that could only come from a big sister. Thanks Ash!!

Then came Sunday... Mother's Day. We all waited for the moment that afternoon when we could talk to Ash for about an hour. An hour seems like so long, but those of you who have been on missions, or have/had a loved one serving a mission, know that one hour feels like 15 minutes. We gathered around the speaker phone and listened to her explain only those things that somehow get lost in written correspondence. It was so awesome to hear her voice!!! We laughed and we cried. She is still Ashley. She sounded the same, only a little more mature and filled with a lot of gratitude. She is doing awesome, loving her mish and being stretched all along the way. Now that I got my Ashley fix..... I'm sorta going through withdrawals, but this too shall pass! It's all good. It was the best mother's day ever!

Now a word from our missionary.....

This little girl calls us Hermana Tupper and Nike. She’s funny: looks like a Latin version of the tiny Raven from Disney, hilarious just like her too. I’m Hermana Tupper, like a Tupperware, and Hermana Hite is Hermana Nike, cause she big ha, like the shoe ;)

Alright, that is beside the point. HELLO FAMILY AGAIN!!! Oh man... I’m not gonna lie…. It was soooo great to hear everyone’s voices on Mother’s Day, but I almost think it was harder to hear you guys than to not. I’ve just gotten so used to not talking with anyone. It’s weird. It was weird describing to you all what my life has been for 5 months and not have anyone really know about it. I realize that life at home isn’t changing in a way I can’t handle, everyone is still there. I appreciate that more than any of you will ever know. It’s crazy to think the next time we talk I will be pretty close to coming home… on the downhill slope anyway. Crazy! I can’t get over it.

I’ve been thinking about what dad said. I’m trying to find the needle in a haystack. I guess I thought it would be easier to find that needle than this. It’s difficult having to go through the whole city to find one person. It’s hard when our President asks us set a goal every month for how many baptisms we feel we’re going to have and then not having any. We are trying so hard. We have done literally everything for our investigators: made them General Conference CDs, daily contact, prayers, fasting, taught and invited them to feel the spirit... everything. I was reading in Jesus the Christ this morning... I found a little thought in the notes. It said, "There will be missionaries who will bring the message of great joy to others, but ultimately it is up to them to gain the testimony." Obviously, I knew this. It’s just challenging when you feel that no one is doing their part to feel that or to permit it to enter their hearts. We can only do so much, and we have done our part. We can only nudge them in the right direction. If it’s not their time, then it’s not their time. We have to let that be and know the will of the Lord is going to be something greater. I read in an article by Jeffery R. Holland (I love the man) that "faith is HOPING for a better future, trusting that the Lord has something better in store for us than what we have now. Faith builds off the past, but never longs to stay there." He referred to Lot’s wife, who looked back because she thought that what she was leaving behind was better than what the Lord was leading her to. She lacked in trust. I will not do that. I just gotta keep moving forward. That’s all. Like Shaq kept telling me, if someone doesn’t accept the gospel, just move on because there’s someone else who is being better prepared. Thanks for helping me keep in mind also that it might not always be during this year and a half that I see the results of my work. I just gotta keep pluggin :)

So funny story... right after I tell you my mission schedule, the district leader calls us and says.... major changes in the mish haha. Uh... what the junk... we have 2 hours of companion study, and then we have to do language study right after. Then we have lunch right after. So pretty much we stay in the house ALL morning until approximately 1-1:30. So weird. We’re kinda worried. That means we have to go out and talk to people during the siesta (naptime) and NO ONE likes to talk to us then. We just have to trust that some good will come out of it. What’s in the future is better than what is in the past, right? It just also means we have to go out and do contacts in the dark cold instead of the morning like we usually do. He never said it would be easy, right? So anyway, Elder Arnold, our Area President and Seventy, sent us 22 pages of info about all these changes and we´re required to print it out and use it and read it obviously. Both me AND my comp, crazy eh? That’s a lot of pesos haha… anyway, its good. I guess I´ll update you more on how it’s working next week.

I pray for you guys daily… like 30 times a day. I love you all. You and the gospel are my life. I don’t need anything else. Life is swell. I love the gospel. I love you... Happy Mother’s day and Happy Birthday, dad, again. Shaquel... ah! a few weeks till your 20th, and Brooke a few more till your 17th! Woo! Have some fun, but not too much without me. I love all your guts!!!! and faces too. Be good.

Thank you so much for your encouragement, support and undying LOVE!!! I will forever and ever be eternally grateful!!! I LOVE YOU WITH MY HEART AND SOUL. DONT EVER FORGET IT! The church is true :)
Love, Ashley Nicole

A STALKER?!?

I don’t think I mentioned the fact that we had transfer calls this week, last night to be exact. I can’t even tell you the amount of butterflies that make their way into my stomach for transfer calls. We had it bad last night. We were pacing the apartment waiting for the calls. We actually decided to make tortillas and ate them with jam and played Go Fish while we waited. It was quite fun. We are staying together. They white washed the elders right out of here. We are getting two newbies. We´re nervous about that. One will be a greenie, so we´ll see what he’s about. We got really close with the elders, (as close as we can be as missionaries). They were cool. They came over to the house last night to check on us because yes... we have a stalker. More about that later...

This week went well. It’s weird how this happens… I feel the hard days, but when I go to write you all, only the good can be remembered. I guess that’s how the mish works. Good times. I’m glad it’s that way, otherwise no one would ever come on a mission for REAL! This who-bizzle is hard.

The elders had two baptisms this week. It was so awesome to watch. One lady who quit smoking, they didn’t think she would be able to get baptized but I guess she called one hour before the baptism was going to start and said she was ready. It was awesome. Then the little son of the old bishop was baptized. He got to do the honors. It was so cool. We sang Child’s Prayer in Spanish. It’s hard! The spirit was so strong. It’s even cooler on Sunday to see them receive the Holy Ghost and get their blessing. The lady (Laura) started crying. Man it’s the only person I have seen cry when she received the Holy Ghost. So that was cool. I like to look at their faces when they receive it. You can see their countenance change. I cry every time. What’s new, eh?

Our investigators are... somewhat progressing... we are having a hard time with them. We have been fasting like crazy nuts and praying for them but... man Satan is working hard. We heard another set of sisters in the mish had 19 investigators with baptismal dates but not one of them got there. Really makes you wonder what the purpose behind it all is, huh? Obviously it’s not their time and we are to be learning something from the hardships here, but MAN! Some of the elders here have about 40 baptisms, but I don’t even know how that’s possible. Of course the number doesn’t matter... but we want to find those who are ready too. We´re working so hard and doing everything we can. I guess that’s all that can be done...we just gotta keep pressing forward and having the faith.

Luis... dear sweet Luis…. Poor man, went way out of his way this week to make us and the elders lunch. It was so fun. We made apple cinnamon muffins for dessert and he was in SHOCK! It was so funny. We are such good friends with him. We talk so frankly with him these days and we find him everywhere in the city and he always stops to talk with us. He’s so much more than an investigator to me. He is my brother, someone I’m trying really hard to save (for himself and for our Heavenly Father). He told us when the storms hit this week, when Bin Laden was killed this morning, called us last night to find out if I was staying or going and all sorts of other things. He’s the best. I just hope he can rise above his challenges and step in the waters of baptism for a better life. He deserves it and so much more.

As for our stalker… apparently he has been doing it to all the hermanas here for 3 years. But it got really bad last night when he came to our house at almost 10 at night... we freaked out! We called the elders and they rushed over. Our district leader says now we have to call the police... no worries. It’s all good! I’m honestly not that worried about it. We had a dance party with the elders... ha that sounds bad. Actually, we mostly just watched the elders dance to this CD a member gave us. She’s a singer and she taught them the funniest dance moves. So they showed us what it was about, from outside our door of course, [they can’t come in the house]...so funny. I haven’t laughed that hard in a long time. One elder is finishing his mish and the other was almost going to go home because of back problems, but now he gets to work in the office doing finances, so he gets to stay. It was a bitter sweet moment with them leaving. I thought to myself, this is one of those memories I’ll remember when I get home and feel sick remembering my mish and wanting to come back. It was a good feeling. Life here is good.

Love you, love ash

P.S. Regarding hardships… I read this scripture the other morning and it struck me really hard. It’s so cool. Ether 6:5 The Lord CAUSED the wind to blow hard… now why on earth would he do that? The same reason he gives us trials. It says right in that scripture... he causes the winds to blow to get us to the promised land. He tries us to make us the people he needs us to be, to become what he knows we can become and to have us learn what we need to. So cool!

This week was quite interesting. So because it was Easter all the Catholic people (which is everyone), went to Melo (a different part of Uruguay) to go to the Virgin Mary and worship her. Go figure… Easter, resurrection of Christ… and they go worship Mary? So, this week really was like a ghost town. We didn’t have any appointments with our investigators all week. They all cancelled on us. So hard! Thing about Uruguay is, people close down shop and cancel school for any reason they can come up with. So all the stores were closed, and no one had school all week long. So this place really was deserted. They call it "la semana de turismo."

We did, however, have a ward activity. We planned it so last minute, but even though we were small in numbers it went SO well! It was an Easter activity and the elders did a treasure hunt using key words from the scriptures. Hermana Hite and I were on different teams and my team totally dominated. I have never seen the ward get so crazy, but we were running around the church trying to find the hidden clues. So fun. I found pretty much all of them with the help of the bishop and his daughter ha. We rocked! We saw the ward bonding a little bit, with us and together as a ward. It was awesome.

Me with Luis' little boy and nephew
Hermana Hite and I shared Easter traditions with each other and as an Easter surprise(during the week while I was showering and sleeping and such), she made an Easter egg hunt for me (without the plastic eggs because they don’t have them here). But, she did little coupons like we do as a family. I got a back rub, muffins and a pizza day from her! It was so sweet of her. I loved it. It was so nice of her to make it as close to home as possible. I love her.

I had my first getting sick experience here. We got fed raw tuna the other day... yeahhhhh. It was rough. My comp and I got really sick and had to spend a few hours of the night inside. It was like tuna jello, ha! That’s what we call it now that we are better. Not fun.

Miracle of the week... The bishop, for whatever reason, decided he wanted to cancel the "talks" in Sacrament and instead called on random people to bear their testimony of the Savior and the atonement. The whole ward was in tears by the end. You could just FEEL of the power of the atonement and the resurrection… the whole reason we are here and the reason this gospel is true. It was awesome to say the least.
My comp and I have been "called on" to talk in district meeting tomorrow. We are to talk on receiving revelation through the BOM and church attendance. She was studying the church attendance and I the BOM. As she was talking to me, she said, I have NEVER gone to church to receive revelation. I was shocked. I sat there with my mouth open just staring. She said she only goes to church because it’s a commandment and because she knows she’s supposed to. She teaches the investigators it’s important to go to partake of the Sacrament and to renew our covenants and start a fresh week. Mom and dad, I would like to thank you for teaching me... yes, it is a commandment to go, and yes the Sacrament is TAN importante (so important). We also go to be uplifted by others, to hear testimonies, to be strengthened and be happy in life. I love church. I have always gone to receive revelation. That is why I "take notes" every Sunday (or I did anyway). It’s a little more difficult being here, worrying about the investigators and Spanish and all. But, of course I’m here to help them. But, at home I always had that notebook with me and I was always taking notes, because I received revelation from others, I was uplifted and helped with my problems. That is so fundamental in church attendance. Anywho, I just wanted to point that out, because I couldn’t believe she only went because it was a commandment. Crazy stuff. The things you learn here.

Be good everyone. I heart your faces. Stay true to the faith.
Love, Ash

BAUTISMO!!!

The happy Hermanas Hite and Farr

So much to tell about this week.... and so little time. Stephanie finally got baptized!!!!! Praise the heavens. It was intense, but she is officially a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The first baptism of my mish! Well, actually the first person I taught from start to baptism. Man, what a crazy ride we've been through with her, eh? She was so happy afterwards. It was the greatest. Her dad and grandpa came too. We got to watch from behind the scenes in the girl’s dressing room and help her change afterwards. It was awesome.

Stephanie's baptism day with her father and grandfather

We LOST Santiago. Ugh! He texted us only saying he needed time to figure out family problems and that was it. No more Santiago. We are so sad. But we’re ready to find those who are ready to accept the gospel and be baptized.

Interviews this week were so good. Pres loves me, pretty sure :) They went so well. He said he was going to do it in Spanish as long as I could understand everything. I was fine with that, of course. I responded in Spanish and then he just switched to English for some reason. I still spoke in Spanish. He said my pronunciation rocks! Thank you very much, daddio. While it was my comp's turn, I spoke with his wife, Hermana Da Silva and she said I speak way better than lots others at this time in the mish. I don’t feel like it AT ALL! But it’s all good. Pres says I have that going for me and then he said I had another thing going for me. He really knows next to nothing about me. It was so cool what he said! He said, you just have the sweetest spirit about you. I can feel your love and that will touch many investigators and contacts as well. He said to make sure during my whole mission that I don’t lose that about myself. It is a very special gift I have. It made me feel so good! I loved it.

Our humble abode.... the gates to our house, our bedroom and our kitchen

Pres brought two packages for me with him. Yep, that’s right... EASTER packages! Thank you so much everyone! I loved it. Mom, you’re gonna kill me, but I did open them. Ah, don’t shoot me. I wasn’t going to, but my comp wasn’t that much help either. But, I mentioned we have been starving and so we needed the candy. Too bad it lasted us all of two seconds. Kenya, your little bag of candy you made is sooo cute! I love it. Thank you so much! And mom... I love your guts! Those flowers are so perfect. My comp loves them and they do bring me sunshine every day. I love the bookmark too. Everything is perfect.
















We’re back to starving. Yes, mom, we do have a store we can buy stuff from, of course, but we have not near enough money to provide ourselves with good stuff. I mean good as in healthy. I just want to say, I liked the food when I first got here. It’s not terrible, but I quickly realized, their menu consists of only about five meals. I’m not kidding. I have eaten the same greasy, oil-covered fattening things since the day I got here. I feel bad saying that, but it’s true. It's just not the variety we have in the U.S. It’s all good though! All is well. I am happy!

Miracle of the week... Hermano Ery Ramon gave us a reference this week. Score! We have been trying to work with the ward to get references. We were only doing contacts in the morning so we decided to go visit her. She is awesome! Fabiana is her name. We walked in and talked with her and her daughter. It’s just them. She’s a ballerina and so cute, in between Cass and Kenya’s age. Her name is Denise. We gave the lesson of the restoration and the BOM. They had questions galore. She even asked about tithing. Questions are good from investigators. That means they have questions of the soul and are looking for something. If they sit there and just say they understand everything, it’s a sign. Anywho, we decided to end with a prayer. We taught them how to pray. When Hermana Hite ended with Amen, Fabiana slowly looked up at us and said you almost put me to sleep. Hermana Hite flipped out and said I’m so sorry! It was kinda long, wasn’t it? I apologize. Fabiana said no... that’s not it. I feel at peace. I feel so calm and ... good. She held her hand up to her heart and got a titch emotional and said I can’t explain this feeling I have in me right now. I feel so good, what is this? We got to explain the spirit to her and of course I started tearing up. She asked why I was crying and I said it was because I knew she was feeling what Heavenly Father wanted her to feel. And that the things we were teaching her were right and true. She said I have a lot of love, just like president said. I guess people can see it more now :) It makes me feel good. She said she felt the same spirit when she was with the Ramon family and she wanted to feel it all the time. It was so awesome.

The streets, buildings, shops and artwork of Uruguay















Later, we saw her in the streets. She loves us. We invited her to church and she said she probably couldn’t come, but she would try. I decided to ask Ery Ramon to invite her. He said he was on it. He invited her and lo and behold they showed up to church on Sunday! Ah! It was a miracle. The church yesterday was full of about 10 investigators of ours and the Elders. That is so awesome for this ward! We were so happy. Interesting thing happened though. In Relief Society the lesson was on tithing. We thought good; she'll learn about tithing here. But, “no.” The Relief Society got in a giant argument about it. Fabiana is very bold. She said straight up in front of everyone that she thought it seemed like a burden. The ladies freaked out! I was afraid she was going to walk out, but thank heavens, she didn’t. I said a little prayer and Heavenly Father made it okay. She stayed for all meetings and got to see Steph receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Now she wants a BOM along with a Bible. She doesn’t have a Bible, which is weird for here. We will meet with her this week, so I think everything was alright.

Man, I just love her. She has bonded with me. She expresses emotion and hugs and stuff (which isn't typical of the culture), so I feel so connected to her. She is just great. We can only hope for the best, right? I’m excited to see what will come with her.

I had an overwhelming experience... mom and dad, with that thing you told me to do... make a list of what I want to become while I’m here and one with what I want to leave behind. Shaq sent me her testimony with a quote that said, "The scariest thing in this life is that through the atonement and Jesus Christ we can be whatever we want to be and have whatever life we want." I love that and I’m finding it to be so true... it changes lives out here and it can do the same for me. Now I’m scared... because I can be anything I want. I want to be me... a better me... a me that Heavenly Father needs for my future family, and my future callings and ward and life and you guys. I just happened upon an old conference talk that went right along with all this stuff. Faith. Faith builds off the past but never longs to stay there. Faith is for the future, faith is knowing God has something in store for us, something that’s better than what we have now. And by trusting in that faith, we can have anything we want. I guess Heavenly Father really wants me to start being the better me. I get overwhelmed with that. But I also know, "Whoever shall lose their life for my sake, shall find it" and that’s what I’m trying to do. Oh man, good stuff this mission teaches you. I don’t even know who I’d be without experiencing these things I am. I love this gospel. That’s all there is to it.


Ash with the little ninas


In the meantime, Hermana Hite and I are slowly rockin’ San Jose. We have more lessons with members, more lessons period, more investigators and life is good here. Slowly but surely San Jose is growing.

Thank you for your testimonies, your love and support and packages. Until next week, loved ones. Be good. Strengthen your testimonies! This church is true, without a doubt. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t. I love you all! Love, Ash