End of the Month Rush

Yup, it's rush season again. Every month I have to get all the baptism

records from the previous month into the Church's records before the

6th of the current month. Almost there! I'm missing a few, but I'm

getting on the missionaries' tails for them. Don't worry, it's all

under control. I went traveling all over our mission this week as a

few things had to be taken care of. What's really funny is how

Halloween came and we saw a few people out in costume going from door

to door asking for candy. They weren't very successful though.

Halloween is definitely an American holiday, so no one buys candy to

hand out. Whoops!

Everyone's doing well here. We all get really tired from all the

constant work, but we learn so much as well. It's truly a once in a

life time experience that I'm trying to live up while I can. My

scripture study has still been awesome lately as I study about God's

mercy and love through the atoning sacrifice He did for us. How we can

be forgiven and saved despite our imperfections. There are tons of

examples of people being forgiven of their sins. The biggest way

that's done is by true baptism. Over the years, baptism has been

perverted and manipulated to have different forms and meanings.

However, God doesn't change and neither should we. Baptism can be for

the remission of sins, as long as it is done correctly. We can be

completely forgiven of all our sins and wrongs by being baptized with

the proper authority. Just as Christ had the authority to forgive

sins, that power still exists today and people can be forgiven by

being immersed in the waters by a holder of the priesthood then being

given the Holy Ghost, God's cleansing spirit and present to us. Then

we are clean and we become candidates to God's Celestial Kingdom. We

know all this thanks to the Restoration of the Gospel that happened

when a latter-day prophet was called directly by our Heavenly Father

and His son, Jesus Christ. How glorious is that! How joyful to know

the plan of God! We still make mis
takes again and again, but we have

more access to God's power to be forgiven time after time. We have

many examples from the scriptures of people who were completely

forgiven of their sins by their faith. They prayed fervently and after

all their effort were rewarded. Enos did this, as well as Alma the

Younger when he finally called out for Christ's help. We as well can

have this forgiveness in our lives as well seek it. I'm so grateful

for the plan of happiness that I get to share with everyone here. It's

truly amazing! Christ lives and loves us!

Elder Ashford

Here's some pictures! The first is of one of the Zone Leaders here who

got overexcited by the mustache he got from the avocado and milk

vitamin shake we made, 

and the other is a much more handsome picture

of my companion and I, since the one I sent last week wasn't up to par

for us. Enjoy! Have a great week!!