The Boys and Baptism

Sunday January Nineteenth Two-Thousand and Fourteen----

THE BALDENEGRO BOYS WERE BAPTIZED!!!!

I have had the privileged of working with these cute boys for 7 months. It was such a wonderful experience! So, many people came out to support the boys. It reminded me of how important baptism  is, and why we make the covenant to be baptism. Because, we WANT to follow Jesus Christ, we WANT the gift of the Holy Ghost. And in return Heavenly Father continues to bless us more than we can imagine. 

My Companion and I sang "Teach me to Walk in the Light" at the baptism, and then I also gave a talk on my experience with working with the boys and what I have learned from them.

(A story I told the Boys, and they wanted me to share it in their baptism) 

An old Bishop of mine shared this with me when I was being interviwed for baptism. 

When he was a teenager, he got his license, and his parents we're letting him drive the car. But when he driving he started driving as fast as he could down the road, and as he was driving the back door slide open and slammed shut. He said he knew that the Holy Ghost had left him, because he was being disobeident. 

That's how the Holy Ghost works. We receive Him as a gift from Heavenly Father and he becomes out constant companion. He will always be with us, but we are warned that the Holy Ghost will not dwell in unclean things. So, that takes in everything. If we are being disobedient, in-taking things into our bodies that are not good, using bad language, being in places were we should not be, or participating in activities that are not inviting to the Spirit. He leaves us. He doesn't want to stick around and be apart of the adversary's games. 

I started working with the Jr. and Micah about 7 months ago. 

I remember the first time we meet with them they asked if they could be baptized. They wanted to be baptized right then and there. They have been in foster care, and the Clarke's who are caring for the boys brought them to church with them and they loved it!

This actually was just a dinner appointment, we didn't realize it was going to turn into such a blessing. 

We started working with them, and due circumstances they couldn't be baptized right them and there. 

Something I learned from working with these boys was to have HOPE. They never lost HOPE in their desire to be baptized. 

Hope is to have the abiding trust in the Lord, it requires patience, confidence, and optimism that The Lord will take care of everything. 

Though there may have been many trials on the journey to baptism, the boys never lost hope.

Through out the Scriptures we read consistently The Lord telling us to become as Little Children. 

Little Children are great examples of Hope. When the boys came upon discouragement, they conquered it by having Hope. When the Journey got rough Hope reassured them that they would make it there one day. They constantly persevered with Hope. 

Working with Jr and Micah I now understand a little bit better what it means to become as little Children. 

Matthew 18:3

Verily, I say unto you, except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye, shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. 

Little Children are easily converted to our Heavenly Father, because they are not distracted by the worldly things that poison out Spirits.

 They have Hope that leads them to Faith in Jesus Christ, and know that they are loved by Heavenly Father. Their little testimonies, may be small and simple, but they know for the facts that they can trust that The Lord will always take care of them. This is how we enter into God's Kingdom, remembering the innocence of Children and having Hope in all that Heavenly Father does for us. 

In psalms it tells us that we are all children of the most high. 

We are all God's little Children, no matter out age. If we come to Him with the innocence of a little child, He will accept us, and with that we are more subject to feeling the Holy Ghost testify to us, because we are opening our hearts with real intent and sincerity to learn and grow in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I have learned so much working with this sweet family. I have a deep love for them, and so grateful for all the wonderful things they have taught me. I know that this is the True Church, and Heavenly Father loves us all. If we have Hope in this Gospel, we all can return to live with Heavenly Father in the highest kingdom.

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

 The Boys gave us Flowers :)

Repentance! Thee Greatest Gift!

Doctrine and Covenants 16:6

And, now, behold, I say unto you, that the thing which will be of the most worth unto will be to declare repentance unto this people. that you may bring souls unto me, that you may rest with them in the kingdom of my Father. Amen.

The greatest gift that we have is the ability to Repent. Soooo, many times we think that repentance is a "bad thing". It's not! It's a great thing! 

Repentance is the act to change, to change ourselves for the better. To become closer to Heavenly Father and feel at peace. 

Doctrine and Covenants 18:11-13

For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him. 

And he hath risen again from the dead, that he might bring all men unto him, on conditions of repentacne.

And how great is his joy in the soul that repenteth!

Our Savior Jesus Christ made repentance possible. He suffered and died for us, so we could be forgiven of our sins and return to live with out Father in Heaven. That truly is the greatest gift we could ever relieve. To have the knowledge that someone loved me so much, they we're willing to die, so that I could have a happy ending.

Mark 1:15 

And saying, the time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the Gospel.

Heavenly Father and His divine Kingdom is awaiting us. When we humble ourselves enough, we will have the desire to change and want to repent.

Heavenly Father loves us so much, and He wants us to return to live with Him. He wants us to be happy! To have Peace, and feel His love. He desires all that for us! We are so blessed to have a Father in Heaven who loves us, that He is waiting and wanting to forgive us. 

I know that repentance was made possible through our Savior, Jesus Christ. I am forever grateful for the sacrifice He made for me. I have a firm testimony that if we live the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and want to change ourselves to become closer to Heavenly Father we will have many blessings in store, and we all can have a happy ending.

I love you all

-Sister Ashcroft

MurMuring? ...I think NOT!

Many, many, many, many MANY, many, many, MMMMMMAAAAANNnnnnnyyyyyy.... YEARS AGO! 

Heavenly Father spoke to Nephi and commanded him to build A SHIP! 

WHAT?!?!?!?!

 Nephi didn't  know how to build a ship, how can he do something that he has never been taught to do?

 The Lord would teach him how to build a ship. 

Nephi's older brothers Laman and Lemuel MURMURed. "Our brother is a fool, for he thinketh that he can build a ship..." (1 Nephi 17:17)

They didn't want to help him. They wanted to hurt him, and make fun of him. Nephi told them to repent. They became even more angry and wanted to throw him in the sea!

Well, the story goes on that The Lord tells Nephi to "stretch forth thine hand again into they brethren, and they shall wither before thee, but I will shock them, saith the Lord, and this will I do, that they may know that I am the Lord their God."(1 Nephi 17:53)

Laman and Lemuel learned that Nephi was telling the truth, so they repented and then helped Nephi finishing building the boat.

1 Nephi 18:4 "And it came to pass that after I had finished the ship, according to the word of the Lord, my brethren beheld that it was good, and that workmanship thereof was exceedingly fine; wherefore, they did humble themselves again before the Lord."

Moral of the story is - DON'T MURMUR! When The Lord gives us a commandment He is ALWAYS going to provide a way. He will never leave us a alone to figure it out ourselves and set us up for failure, He loves us way too much! 

We all pull a "Laman and Lemuel" once in awhile, but we put our trust in the Lord He going to bless us and help us in whatever we face in life. 

I know that this Gospel is true! There are times in my life where The Lord needed me to do something, and I didn't think I could. Yes, I murmured! (GASP!) A grand Example- SERVING A MISSION! I did not think I could do it, and I came up with every excuse (murmuring) not to serve a mission. But look at me now! I have nearly been out for 10 months, and yes it is the hardest thing I have.ever.done.in.my.ENTIRE.life! But it is the greatest blessing I have ever received in my life. The Lord has helped me so much, I can't even express the amount of help I have received from The Lord in the past 10 months.

I know that when we put our faith in The Lord, He will always provide a way! 

I love this Gospel! The Church is true! 

Love-

Sister Ashcroft

The Voice of the Spirt...LISTEN UP!

So, sorry! It's been awhile since I have posted anything! But it's a new year! Happy twenty-four-teen! 

let's make this a great year, but coming closer to Christ.

THE SPIRIT-

"And I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do." (1 Nephi 4:6) 

Yesterday, my companion and I were walking home form a Zone Lunch. Early that day we had a zone training and we made a goal to talk to everyone we see about the gospel. We are both really good at just walking up to people and carrying on a casual conversation, and as always extending our help. But, so many times we walk off without inviting them to hear the Gospel.

Aftter discussing this weakness we came to the conclusion that we want to change that. NOW!

"It's better to bomb it, than walk by" 

Which means, it's better to talk to someone and them totally shut us down, or we totally just bomb it than walk by and never give them a chance, because everyone we talk to we are planting a seed in their hearts whether they accept us or not.

So, walking home yesterday we see someone walking towards us, and I know that we are suppose to talk to this person. 

As, he gets closer we say "hello"... no response. We then slow down and asks "how are you today?" He walks right past us, as if we weren't even there! 

So, I'm thinking to myself why did I feel so strongly to talk to that person if he wasn't even going to acknowledge us? It bothered me for awhile and we continued to walk home. Then we see another man, who looked Polynesian. 

My companion shouts "Talofoa!"

...no response

I shout "Aloha!"

He starts to laugh at us, so we ask "well, what are you" 

He replied "Mexican!" 

The two of us together "HOLA!"

We giggle and then tell him to have a nice day and start to walk off, but then the SPIRIT reminded me that we made a goal we wouldn't just walk past anyone without inviting them to hear about the Gospel. 

So, I turn back to go talk to him. We carry a casual conversation and then guided by the SPIRIT we start asking him questions that are related to the Gospel. We told him that we were Sister Missionaries serving for The Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints. Ha, he knew who we were. Serving in  Utah almost everyone knows who we are. 

Sadly, he wasn't interested, but that's okay! Because He wasn't  prepared to hear the Gospel at that time in his life. He was very friendly and he listened to what we had to share, but when the day comes that he is prepared to hear the Gospel he will know how to reach the missionaries. 

As we reflected back on the two experiences we realized that Heavenly Father was preparing us for the next person we were about to meet.

Going into that situation Sister Greene and I had no idea what we were going to say, but we were led by the Spirit. The spirit told us what to say, and because we listened to the Spirit we were able to plant a seed in that mans heart, and he is one step closer to coming unto Christ. 

"For when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men"(2 Nephi 1:33)

We read throughout the scriptures that the Spirits voice is not loud, it's not harsh, rude or anything of the sort. The voice of the spirit does not compete, it comes, but only if we want to listen. 

We live in a world where there is so much that can distract us from the voice of the spirit; music, language, clothing, magazines, television, jokes, phones, and more. 

The adversary is all around and will do anything to distracts us from the spirit and bring us further away from Christ. 

Always remember to be alert and listen to the Spirit. In Moroni 10:5 it tells us "And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth to all things" I know that this is true! If you are listening to the Spirit He is going to tell you exactly what you need to hear. 

If we try our best avoid the worldly things that are louder than the Spirit, than we will hear and feel the Spirit more strongly in our life!

This Gospel is so amazing! We are so blessed that it is possible for us to receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost.

Alma 5:16 "I say unto you, can you imagine to yourselves that ye hear the voice of the Lord, saying unto you, in that day: Come unto me ye blessed, for behold, your works have been the works of righteousness upon the face of the earth."

IMAGINE THAT! 

I love you all! 

Love, Sister Ashcroft

The {Stories} of the ten lepers and being thankful.

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving! 

We read in the book of Luke about the ten lepers---



"And as he entered into a certain village,there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off."(Luke 17:12)

And they pleaded with The Lord to make them clean---

"And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master have mercy on us." (Luke 17:13)



 Jesus Christ saw them, and told them to go to the priests, when the ten lepers turned to go to the priests the lepers were cleansed.---

"...Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed." (Luke 17:14)

But only one out of the nine came back and thanked The Lord for healing him. This one man thanked The Lord and kissed his feet, and gave all they glory to God.---

"And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God... And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him, thanks..." (Luke 17:15-16)





Our wonderful Sister Roden invited us over for a Family Home Evening last night, and this is the story that she told. It was so much fun listening to the children in the room say things they were thankful for. 

Our Heavenly Father has blessed us with everything we have, and sometimes we may not think its enough, or at least I have. 

Until one day last week I was reading in the book of Alma Chapter 29 verse 3 which read "....For I ought to be content with the things the Lord hath allotted unto me." 

Hmmm... I think the Lord was trying to humble me. He is very good at that! I stopped to think about all the wonderful gifts and talents He has blessed me with. I soon realized that The Lord has already blessed me with more than I deserve. 

So, many times we forget to thank The Lord, like the nine lepers who were healed. They may have had the faith to be healed, but they didn't give The Lord thanks. 

When looking back on all the wonderful things we have in life, we forget that they were given to us from our Heavenly Father.

Alma 29:6 It tells us "Now, seeing that I know these things, why should I desire more to perform the work to which I have been called?

We should never expect more, if we aren't doing anything to receive more and most importantly if were  not thanking The Lord.

I know that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ He can heal us, I know that Heavenly Father has blessed each one of His Children with different gifts and talents.

And continues to give us more and more. 

I invite everyone to think about the things Heavenly Father has given us, and thank Him. Don't be one of the nine lepers and forget to thank The Lord for all that we have.  

I love you all very much and say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 

Love, Sister Ashcroft

The {Stories} of Scriptures and Friendships

Hello, Hello!  
Let's chat! 
About the Scriptures and Friendships! 
Wait, huh? 
Yep, Friendships! We find them throughout the scriptures! What makes a friendship stronger?

As we read in the scriptures, we read different accounts of friendships! In the scriptures we read about the friendship bonds many people had, but we're made stronger through the Gospel Principles.

In the Old Testament we read about the friendship of David and Johnathan. 

Jonathan the son of King Saul, was a valiant solider and a worthy prince of Israel.But when David came into the scene, Jonathan did not have the amount of glory or praise. David had just had a victorious battle over Goliath, and also was anointed by the Prophet Samuel.

David could have easily became a threat to Jonathan, especially since Jonathan's Father was King and he could have possibly been next in line. But David was anointed by the Prophet Samuel and he was a man called of God. 

Jealously and anger could have stepped in the way, but Jonathan loved David so much that he claimed their souls to become knit.

“the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul” (1 Sam. 18:1).

David and Jonathan loved each other so much that they made a "covenant of loyalty".

"Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul."(1 Sam. 18:4)

The King Saul became evil and seeked to kill David, but Jonathan secretly assisted David and protected him. 

 “the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee” (1 Sam. 23:17). 

And always they renewed their covenant of friendship and loyalty

  The friendship of Jonathan and David is a great example of loyalty and protection.

While serving my mission I have met many great Missionaries. But My MTC companion, Sister Joseph is my "Jonathan and David" friendship. We had an instant connection. She has been a great example to me, and has helped me immensely on my mission. I know that she would do anything for me, and I would do anything for her! And, that's all because of the Spirit. We have a special connection because of the Spirit! 

(Picture Credit to Sister Joseph and the "For the Strength of Youth" pamphlet)

 

The Book of Mormon teaches of very special friendships that became stronger when it is focused on gospel principles.

When Alma the younger and the son's of Mosiah were out to destroy the church. Alma the younger's father, Alma had been praying for his son have a change of heart. Alma's prayers were answered! An Angel apperared to Alma the Younger and the Sons of Mosiah saying...

"...If thou wilt of thayself be destroyed, seek no more to destroy the church of God." (Alma 36:9)

The scriptures tell us that Alma the Younger was not able to open his mouth, neither use his limbs for a space of three days. And when we awoke from his "sleep" the scriptures tell us that...

“Alma did rejoice exceedingly to see his brethren; and what added more to his joy, they were still his brethren in the Lord; yea, and they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God.

“But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God” (Alma 17:2–3).

The four of us Sisters come from all different parts of the world! Virgina, Texas, New Zealand and New Mexico! Our Friendships have been built off of the Spirit, we have a bond and connection that brings us closer together through living the Gospel principles.

Having good friends who chose live the Gospel of Jesus Christ makes it easier for us to live the Gospel Principles. 

When you developed friendships based off the Gospel we can recieve more strength and blessings.

I am so grateful that I had friends who were faithful to my standards and beliefs. I'm grateful that I had their support, because it made it easier for me to make right choices. Since being on a mission and making new friends, I'm making friends that will last a life time because of our love for the Gospel. I love this with all my heart! I know that it can strengthed families and friendship relations. 

I love you all, and I am so extermely grateful for those who take the time to read my BLOG! Thanks a millions! 

Love, 
Sister Ashcroft :)

The {Stories} of The Lord's Servents

How important is the Gospel to us? Are we willing to do everything The Lord asks us to do? 

We are faced everyday with Trials and Tribulations. We are faced with Satan's evil temptations. We are mocked on every hand. We have to deal with problems every day.

 How do we handle them?

When problems strike do we relay on The Lord? 

What about the people we read about in The scriptures? 

What did they do?  

  

"And my soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul; and all the day long did I cry unto him; yea, and when the night came I did still raise my voice high and it reached the heavens."
 (Enos 1:4)
 

How many of us pray for our enemies?

  
And it came to pass that there was a man among them whose name was Abinadi; and he went forth among them, and began to prophesy, saying: Behold, thus saith the Lord, and thus he commended me, saying, Go forth, and say unto this people, thus saith the Lord- Wo be unto this people, for I have seen their abominations, and their wickedness, and their whoredoms; and except they repent I will visit them in mine anger.
(Mosiah 11:20)

Do we stand for what we believe?

"Yea, and they did obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness; yea, and even according to their faith it was done unto them; and I did remember the words which they said unto me that their mothers had taught them."
(Alma 57:21)



Do we listen with exact obedience?

"And it came to pass that they would not suffer that he should enter into the city; therefore he went and got upon the wall thereof, and stretched forth his hand and cried with a loud voice, and prophesied unto the people whatsoever things the lord put into his heart. 

"And he said unto them: Behold, I, Samuel, a Lamanite, do speak the words of the Lord which he doth put into my heart; and behold he hath put it into my heart to say unto this people that the sword of justice hangeth over this people; and four hundred years pass not away save the sword of justice falleth upon this people."
(Helaman 13:4-6)

Do we fear God more than Man?

 "Behold, O Lord, thou canst do this. We know that thou art able to show forth great power, which looks small unto the understanding of men."
(Ether 3:5)



Do we believe that The Lord can do anything? 

I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the thing which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them"
(1 Nephi 3:7)

 

Do we trust in The Lord to always provide a way?



 

"But, to be short in writing, behold, he saw other multitudes pressing forward; and they came can caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press their way forward, continually holding fast to the rod of iron, until they came forth and fell down and partook of the of the tree.

"And he also saw other multitudes feeling their way towards that great and spacious building."
(1 Nephi 8:30-31)

Which path are we taking?

How did they do it?

(Picture 1) Enos- "Because of they faith in Chirst, whom thou hast never before heard nor seen.."(Enos 1:8)

(Picture 2) Abinadi- "...but he answered them boldly, withstood all their questions.." (Mosiah 12:19)

(Picture 3) The Stripling Warriors- "Now this was the faith of these of whom I have spoken; they are young, and their minds are firm, and they do put their trust in God continually." (Alma 57:27)

(Picture 4) Samuel the Lamanite- "But behold, the voice of the Lord came unto him, that he should return again, and prophesy unto the people whatsoever things should come into his heart." (Helaman 13:3)

(Picture 5) The Brother of Jared- "And never have I showed myself unto man whom I have created, for never has man believed in me as thou hast..."(Ether 3:15)

(Picture 6) Nephi- "Therefore go, my son and thou shalt be favored of the Lord, because thou has not murmured." (1 Nephi 3:6)

(Picture 7) The Tree of Life- "...I began to pray unto the Lord that he would have mercy on me..." 
(1 Nephi 8:8)

 Are trying to have faith, determination, boldness, diligence as Enos? Abinadi? The Stripling warriors? Samuel the Lamanite? The Brother of Jared? or Nephi? 

If not, then what are we doing? 


I know that this gospel is True! I know that The Lord asks many things of us, but He never gives us more than we can't handle. He will always provide a way. Through Faith and Prayer The Lord can make anything possible. 

I know that when we obey His commandments and His will everything will work out!

He isn't asking us to put our physically well-being on the line, He is asking us to share His Gospel and bring His children to return to live with Him. 

I encourage everyone to read, search, ponder and pray the scriptures. We can find complete happiness in them! 

WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

I love you all :)

Love, 
Sister Ashcroft