Week 22

Mom!! It was so nice to talk to all you guys for Christmas!! It seems like just yesterday that I was packing up my room getting ready to head to the MTC! Man time is flying!

So this week was pretty great! We got fed a lot and were able to visit lots of people even though it was Christmas. Just last night we found two new really prepared people which was sweet! We stopped by a former who has been having a lot of marriage issues. We showed her a video and then bore simple testimony to her that her Heavenly Father loves her and is very aware of what she is going through. She instantly started to cry and opening up to us a lot. We told her how much we care about her and how we want to help as much as possible. She said she really appreciated it and would call us this week to let us know when we could come back over. It was so amazing to see the Holy Ghost really work through us to help touch this ladys heart.

I am still learning so much right now. Im really learning how all missionaries DO NOT all think a like. Im learning that there are some things that other missionaries dont understand that I do and also that I dont understand everything they do. Working with all the companionships and helping them as much as i can has helped me gain A LOT of patience. I am always saying in my head "Lord, Is it I?" It has helped a lot! Its like saying "SERENITY NOW!!!" hahahah man I miss hearing dad laugh hysterically at 11 at night while watching Seinfeld! :)

So it has been soooo hot here lately!! The day after Christmas it was 85 and I was sweating bullets! I was like "This is not Christmas..." it feels so weird. Its like having an eternal summer.... I dont like it! hahah Good thing im not here for vacation... strictly business! :) So thank you so much for sending us a new shower curtain!! We were seriously going to go buy one today because of how gross ours was!

Thank you for everything mom! I Love you so much! I couldn't do it without you guys. All the support and help has made all the difference in my mission, i know it. I hope you have an amazing week you Beautiful lady who i get to call MOMMA BEAR!:)

Love your son
Elder Ashworth

Week 21

Dad,

Im excited to talk to you guys as well! I will be Skyping you at around 3 so set up a skype because we cant facetime. If their are any technical difficulties ill call and we'll work it out. So we actually read that scripture with all of our investigators. We have been working really hard and helping them realize that they should start to become happier as they change their lives, repent, and start reading praying and coming to church. Verse 41 has really stuck out to me on my mission so far. I am the happiest i have ever been and i know its because im not being as selfish as i used to be and im focusing more on the souls of others rather then mine.

So this past week in church we talked about memorable Christmas's. One that really stood out to me was when i was really young we got a sub for santa family and i distinctly remember going to walmart and buying them a scooter. I really wanetd it so mom said that she'd let me decide if i wanted to give it to the family or if i wanted to keep it. If i remember correctly i decided to let them have it and i was so happy i did. At first i was sad but then i thought about how much fun this random kid would have on the scooter i picked out for him or her. Its just like missionary work. Are we gonna take and keep all the blessings of this gospel with only ourselves or are we gonna share it with others to see the happiness they receive from it. One other instant stood out to me a lot too. I remember being in the Airport about to fly somewhere with the family. Right before we boarded i saw you go to the front desk by a lady and give the flight lady money. You then walked back over to the family acting like nothing happened. I asked you several times what you did but you didnt tell me. I knew that you helped pay for that ladys ticket. You didnt know her, you didnt know why she couldnt afford it, you just acted, exactly how the Savior would. Dad I noticed almost everything you did. I looked up to you and still look up to you so much and watch what you do so i know what to do. I picture you being out here on the mission with me sometimes. I know you were probably a much better missionary then i was but I know together, we'd baptize the Scriptural 'Hell' out of these people, literally :) (That is a quote from President Berry by the way so its ok ;) ) I love you Dad. Thank you for setting such a great example for me to follow in and being so Christ like.

Love Elder Ashworth

Week 20

The hand is doing well. I haven't played any basketball or done any BMX'ing this past week so it should be better;) This past week flew by! Nothing crazy or big happened but it was still a good week. Its interesting you talk about Erik's mission dropping people. We have a few investigators that are doing just enough, but not everything. We know that thats whats holding them back from progressing but its hard to drop someone who still has some potential. This next transfer I really want to try my best to drop the ones who aren't progressing and move on. So i am staying in Clermont which I'm so excited  about!! I love it here! Unfortunately Elder Norton is leaving. Its weird he's one and done here but the Lord has good things in store I'm sure of it. This is a short email but the work is progressing so well here. Haven't seen a lot of baptisms but I know that I'm doing the things that I need to and that God will do the rest. He will put the prepared people in our path so we can teach them. We have several investigators really close to baptism, its so amazing to see the changes in their lives! I feel like I'm a builder. This area wasn't doing well and now its doing much better. I know its not because of me though. The Lord has been blessing this area so much. Im just working for him.  I love you guys so much! Hope you have a great week!! Tell Steven to buy some "UP YOUR MASS" :) haha have a great week

Love your son Elder Ashworth

Elder Ashworth, Elder Chidester (just arrived in the mission) and Elder Kruger.
All Lone Peak knights serving in the Florida Orlando Mission

Week 19

Thats crazy that Kassi and Erik are home! I can't believe it. I swear it was last Christmas that I said good bye to Erik and right before I left that I said goodbye to Kassi! So ya this past week we have been showing the video “He is the Gift" http://www.mormon.org/christmas  to everyone we come in contact with pretty much! We have gained a couple new investigators from it as well which is cool! The video is so inspiring. Christmas is supposed to be all about Christ but unfortunately its not quite like that in this world. I think this is going to be one of the best Christmas's ever because all I think and talk about pretty much is Christ and his teachings. I was thinking about it and not being around the media and seeing all the Christmas commercials and presents has really made me forget about all of the worldly things about it. The only thing I want for Christmas is for all of the people we are working with to progress and keep their commitments. I see people with the new iPhone, the new Corvette Stingrays and Porsche twin turbos and it doesn't amuse me as much as it used to. Ya they look cool and would be fun to drive but truly none of that stuff matters... at all. 

This past week has flown by. Satan is hittin our investigators hard right now so we had a fast for some of them yesterday. We and they know that all of it is happening because satan knows its true and doesnt want them to join, but its still frustrating at times. We are working really really hard though. Their isn't a second where im not mentally and physically tired. It's kinda cool though, It shows that there is hard work being done. We were directed by the spirit to go visit some less actives this week and talk with them a little and guess what, they showed up!:) One of them has a husband that is not a member who usually hates missionaries but he allowed us to come help him put Christmas lights on his bushes! 

So my finger is doing fine! It doesn't hurt much and I have another check up on it next week! Thank you for all the packages!! theres one thing that was weird about them though... YOU SENT ME ACTUAL TEA!!! Haha you must miss me a lot if you're tryin to get me sent home early!!! Haha I was like "What the heck... is my family going less active on me? I mean I know Dad likes to watch golf on Sunday but they were doing great when i left" Hahahaha man im still laughing over it!! So im sending a package home this week. It will be pretty heavy! Don't open it until we Skype so I can watch you guys open it!:) I love you guys so much!!! Time is going by way to fast mom... It's crazy. I miss you guys but love my mission more ;) ;) hahaha 

LOVE YAAAAAA

Elder Ashworth

From Denise:  So I found out Amazon.com sends pantry foods.  I thought it would be nice to send Elder Ashworth some food so I clicked and ordered away.  Well, they must have been out of something I ordered and threw in some iced tea thinking we wouldn’t notice HAHA (I checked my order and for sure DID NOT order tea)  We all thought it was hilarious!!! 

 

The Clermont Ward Christmas Party

Looks like Elder Ashworth's broken fingers are healing nicely haha!! He is so crazy!!!

Week 18

Thanksgiving was amazing!! We ate at a members home and they cook a goooood turkey!! It was nice to sit and relax a little and just talk as well. The mission is always GO GO GO and its nice to relax for a bit. But not for to long!! Haha i get antsy when i sit for too long, i feel like i need to be out working!

So this week went really well! We were able to still teach a good amount even though it was a holiday week. Most people use that as an excuse not to meet, but they didnt! The Lord is blessing us a lot lately! We have a couple investigators preparing to enter the waters of baptism within the next month which is so exciting! Seeing peoples lives truly change is the most amazing thing anyone could be a part of! I love it so so so much!! Its going by too quick.

So i could be transferred the 13th. Its crazy we are only two weeks away from transfers! I'll let you know as soon as i find out though! I did get you packages! Thank you so much!! Haha i love the Christmas tree and all the food!! I didn’t know amazon shipped grocery! I guess when your Dad is their # 1 customer in the WORLD they'd ship just about anything for ya ;)

Life could not be better!! I’m sleeping awesome with my new duvet and my memory foam pillow, Investigators are progressing well, the ward and I are truly starting to become family, and I feel the spirit constantly! Thank you for supporting me so well!! You guys are the best family any missionary could ask for!! Tell everyone I said hello and that I love them! Hope you have a great great week! Be safe and know that I LOVE YOU SOOOOOO MUCH!:)

Love your son
Elder Ashworth

P.S. I fractured both my knuckles playing basketball last week... LOVE YA :) I have to wear this splint for 6 weeks :) I LOVE MISSION BASKETBALL!!