Week 62! "So...Who Speaks Spanish?"

From 3/16/15

Hola Family and Friends!!

 

¿Como estan? Bueno, la verdad es que no tengo mucho mucho tiempo hoy para escribir. Pero, queria decir que AQUI ESTOY, todavia vivo! Hoy fue un dia muy bueno, fuimos a conocer a Xochicalco. Son piramides en Morelos. Mi compañera, yo, Hermana M, y Hermana C disfrutabamos mucho de estar juntas y tomar fotos chistosos. Luego lo subo esa fotos. Estoy pensando en español. Esto es mas facil....

We had a great week. It’s been a difficult couple of weeks, but we’ve been doing the best we can to find those that are waiting for the gospel. Tenemos un desafio en la mision a leer un promedio de 10 paginas diarios del Libro de Mormon para acabarlo en 65 dias. El mismo tiempo en lo que jose Smith tradujo el libro. Y...

 

In reading in the Book of Mormon this week, I’m realizing just how much the Book of Mormon testifies of Christ and shows us how to diligently live the gospel. Each choice we make during the day allows us to exercise our agency and truly show the depth of our faith and conversion.

 

I love the example of both Nephi and Lehi! Lehi was a good dad. There are no perfect parents or families, but Lehi never hesitated to share his testimony with his family, especially his sons who needed it most. I also love how Nephi’s faith allowed him to overcome extremely challenging trials. With each difficult moment that he endured, his faith grew and strengthened sufficiently to endure the next (sometimes more intense) trial. I’ve been trying to remember that example this week when small trials face us. I love when Nephi says:

 

“Nevertheless, I did look unto my God, and I did praise him all the day long; and I did not murmur against the Lord because of mine afflictions.”

 

My district leader also told us something great! There will always be days when things go wrong, but don’t let these moments discourage you. They can disappoint you but discouragement impairs our faith. :) So that’s what we’ve been striving to do!

 

A tender mercy this past Sunday was in our gospel principles class. There were three male investigators in our class and our recent convert, Ao. Our gospel principles teacher was also a priesthood holder who gave a lesson on….the priesthood. It was really powerful to see the potential that these men had! And it testified to me the work and purposes of the Lord go on. :) It was really great to be able to see how areas can become. I was grateful for that moment that the Lord taught me a little of how He might see this work.

 

We had a huge blessing this week of being instructed from 3 members of the Seventy and their wives this week. Elder Peiper, Elder Clayton, and Elder Miron taught us about the Principles of the gospel and also opened a "question and answer" portion of the conference. It was super cool to see how they let he Spirit direct their answers and teachings. The spiritual impressions that we received might have been different from the words that were spoken, but the ambient allowed us to be instructed in a special way. At the very beginning of the conference, what struck me is that Elder Clayton invited each stake president present, President, sister Kusch, and the members of the seventy and their wives to bear their testimonies. It was a powerful experience to hear their love of the Lord.

 

I am grateful for the gospel in my own life. It helps me in ways that I cannot number. I love my Savior Jesus Christ and I'm grateful for the love He has for each one of us. The number of times I see that in a day for strangers and for us too is impressive:

 

One day this week, we went to visit a less active member of the church--who was not home. We saw a woman sweeping outside her house and felt impressed to speak with her. She verbally expressed disinterest...but there was something about her that filled us with great love and gave us a feeling to stay where we were. We took interest in HER. We asked questions about who she was, and how she felt. She slowly opened up to us, she explained that in a difficult time of her life, she went to an LDS church on her own account and went several times until she felt more stabilized. We invited her to learn more.. She had a tiredness in her face and spoke with weight in her voice. When we spoke with her, love filled our hearts and we felt more capable of sharing the gospel with her. It was special.

 

Those moments helped me realized how greatly our Heavenly Father loves us. I hope each one of you know that; and know that you have a great purpose in this life!

 

I love each one of you and appreciate all the support you give to me and to my family. I hope that this week is awesome for each of you. :)

 

Con Amor,

 

Hermana Fernelius

 

Photos from the Special Conference of March, 2015 for the Mexico, Cuernavaca Mission, including the presence of visiting General Authorities.  NOTE from Ashley's dad: Ashley is in the front row on the far right hand side of the second photo - if she's in the first photo, I couldn't find her.