Full Steam Ahead

This week was a little hard, but it didn't phase me much! I kept working hard. All our prospective investigators and baptisms fell through, including one sweet, 60 year old lady who died in between our visits. It was super weird and sad, but at least she died free of drugs, cigarettes, and coffee! She'd also accepted to be baptized and had been reading the Book of Mormon every single day. We trust that she'll accept everything in the spirit world.

We had an awesome meeting with Elder Schmeil of the 70. He was super great and helped a ton! I also had my penultimate interview with President Farnes. He also helped me a ton and I will keep myself working and excited during this last month! Full steam ahead! Love y'all! Have a great week!

Elder Ashford

The Final Stand

Really June 1, 2015

News came in yesterday of what will happen with my next and final transfer. I'll spend the last six weeks of my mission here in Araçoiaba da Serra, so I won't be move, but I will be receiving a new companion. Elder Gomes here will go to a part of Sorocaba, the nearby city, and Elder A. Souza will come down to stay with me. Elder Gomes and Elder A. Souza have the same time on the mission and are from the same city in Brazil. Crazy, huh? It'll be fun and I'm excited to get to know another missionary.

It's strange thinking that this will be my last mission companion. Weird thinking that the next time I'm transferred, it'll be to my own house. Sad thinking that I only have six more weeks to preach the gospel as a full-time missionary. I'll miss this a lot, so I'm going to make the most of every moment here. I've made a few goals for myself about what I want to accomplish here in these last few weeks. I hope that everything goes well and that Heavenly Father blesses me even more openly during this time. I hope to be able to help even more people, especially being baptized to receive a forgiveness of their sins and the Gift of the Holy Ghost. I pray that everything goes well!

It's been weird seeing my companions and friends go home after their missions. Elder Carney, who I met on the plane ride coming to Brazil, goes home this week, and it's just crazy! He's been awesome to work with and was seriously a great missionary! I've met so many great friends here and I'm truly grateful for the opportunity I've had to have so many great experiences here in Brazil. I'm grateful for all the people I keep meeting every day and hope to help them lots!

I know that this church is true and that this is Christ's true Gospel. It's truly a miracle! I know that Christ lives and loves us. He guides us through living prophets and personal revelation! I love sharing the message of the Restoration with everyone, because it's such a great story of love to know how God brought back His church in modern times! He's not silent, but speaks! He loves us all and sent His son to die for us and rise with living breath! I hope that y'all always remember that! Have a great week! Love y'all!

Elder Ashford

Araçoiaba da Serra

I'm liking my new area! It's like a farming town basically. No tall buildings, everything's spread out, and it's got that calm, slow, country feel to it. It's awesome. :)

My companion is great as well. Elder Gomes is from the northeast of Brazil, a city called Fortaleza. He's helping a ton and we're working well together. I'm a district leader again, so I'm having to get back into the groove of actually calling people to see how they're doing and having to follow up with missionaries and stuff. This week was fun, despite being crazy. We traveled a ton! I especially loved the visit we got from Elder Clayton and Elder Aidukaitis from the 70. They passed lots of inspiration to work harder! It was fun. I'm doing well and liking things. I'm grateful for the blessings I have, especially to be able to Skype call my family this Sunday! Woo hoo! Love you all! Have a great week!