Mr. Moreton knocked on her door, Mr. Moreton knocked

Top o' the mornin' to ya!

 

Hello Everybody!

 

Well, we got transfer calls on Monday, and Sadly, I am being transferred to Moreton in England. It's kind of a strange situation though, because I'm not going until next zone conference just because of travel convenience. so I'm still on the Isle for 7 more days! I'll take what I can get. My new companion will be Elder Mecham, and that's all that I know about him. Just his name. But i'm excited. It's good to go to new areas and meet new people and such. I'm definitely going to miss this place though. But i'll come back someday. Maybe with you, Mama and Big Papi. Or maybe a wife. Or maybe both? We'll see.

 

It's been quite a crazy week! With Christmas and Boxing Day, it's been a week full of people on Holiday. boxing day is big over here. Almost like a second Christmas. Kind of. Not that big, but they definitely celebrate it. But it's been fun.

 

On Christmas, we went to the Clagues and had a huge Christmas dinner and then I skyped to you, family. That was great. I love you :) haha smiley face. Long time no see. After that, we went to the Sayles' house and stayed with them for the rest of the day, and it was great fun. There are some wonderful people here in the Douglas ward. They took care of us this Christmas. It was great. I love it, love it, love it!

 

Then Boxing day, we were right back to work again, which was good. Being a missionary really is the best thing ever. I highly, highly recommend it. Seriously, though. It's fantasmagorical. I don't remember where that word is from. Oh well. The Church is still true.

 

Well, I love you all, and I'll email my address in Moreton as soon as I can, which will probably be in like a week and a half, or summat. But I love you all so much and I hope you have a cracking new year! I love you!

 

Love,

Elder Ashcraft

Christmas is coming, the Elder's getting fat...

Hiya peeps!

 

It's been a crazy week this week. People are so busy and a lot of them "don't have time" for God. Which is really sad, because that's what the season is about. It's not about us it's about Him. I had been telling Elder Metsaranta about how it didn't really feel like Christmas to me. I just brushed that thought aside, because I figured that Christmas as a missionary is a lot different than anything I'm used to. But upon further reflection, I realised that my perception of Christmas had been a little bit skewed. I realised the reasons why it didn't feel like Christmas to me: because I hadn't been to any Christmas parties. I hadn't spent oodles of money and oodles of time in shops buying things that I'll only see for one day and then will disappear. I hadn't watched any classic Christmas programs on the telly, and I hadn't listened to any cheesy Christmas songs. Then I started thinking of what I have done instead: I have testified of Jesus Christ every single day. I have shared with complete strangers the fulness of His gospel. I have taken time each morning to study His words and the words of His prophets. I have been praying constantly for His guidance, His love, and His protection. And then, finally, it hit me: It feels more like Christmas to me now than it ever has before. And I absolutely love it.

 

My Challenge to you all is to Testify to someone in this upcoming week that you know that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Saviour and that He Lives! I promise you that as you do, you'll feel His Love and you will feel the Spirit testify to you that it is true.

 

Have a great week! Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night! or day, or morning or whatever it is right now. Anyway, Merry Christmas! I love you!

 

Love,

Elder Ashcraft

 

p.s. sorry this is so short, but time is of the essence at the Library! I love you!

Patience, my young Padawan.

Heigh-ho!

 

Hey ever'body! How are you all?! Good! Me too!

 

Well, it's been another good week here on the Isle. This is such a beautiful place! I love it so much! I can't believe it's already December 13th!! That's so crazy! Time has flown by like a shaved pig with a jet engine attached to the back, hopped up on energy drinks. Yeah, you're welcome for that image. I thought it was funny. But the work is going well. It's just tough sometimes because people get caught up in the frivolity and commercial side of Christmas that they forget what it is really about. So pray for the people here to soften their hearts and to remember the reason for the Season, the cause for the Claus. haha that was kinda clever. Yay, me!

 

Anyway, this week, as I studied patience, I really loved a scripture that I came across in Romans 5:3-5. It says: "And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed..."

 

We should glory in the trials that God has given us, because it is those trials that help us become who and what the Lord wants us to be. So when the hard times come, just remember that Christ already went through this for you, and He is there to help guide you. Trust in Him, and "bear with patience thine afflictions."

 

I love you all! Thanks for everything, especially your prayers! I love you!

 

Love,

Elder Ashcraft

Hi there! (to be said like Doug from UP!)

Dear Peeps I love,

 

HAHA! I think that everything is better when there is laughter at the beginning, so, HAHA!

 

Anywho, it's been a cold week. Yeah, it's really cold here, but just because the humidity takes the cold straight to your bones. It's Crazy. But I love it. 'Tis quite amazing. But it's been a good week. We talked to a whole load of people, including this one woman who tried condemning me to Hell because I'm preaching that Prophets are on the earth today (yeah, pretty sure she's crazy, and also, pretty sure that she doesn't have the power or authority to condemn someone. That poor woman.), but it was good. Also, I met an American! But he wasn't very friendly. My countryman! What's gotten hold of your heart?! Knowest thou not the treasure that I long to share with the and thy brethren, and your wives, and your children, and your flocks, and your fatlings, and all manner of beasts of the field?!?! I guessest not. haha guessest isn't a word.

 

But really it's been a good week. As I studied this week about knowledge, I started to also think about wisdom, and the difference between wisdom. One morning, I was reading in Mosiah 12, where Abinadi is preaching against the wicked priests of King Noah, and in v. 27, he says, "Ye have not applied your hearts to understanding; therefore ye have not been wise." So when you apply your heart to the knowledge that you have, and therefore apply that knowledge to your heart, your understanding and knowledge becomes wisdom. As great as an attribute as knowledge is, I know that the Saviour wants us to turn that knowledge into wisdom. So BE WISE! What can I say more?

 

Well, the Librarian isn't in a good mood, so i'm going to go baptise her, but I want you all to know that Jesus Lives, and that no matter what so crazy people say, there IS a living prophet on the earth today, and his name is Thomas S. Monson. I know that if we follow his counsel, we will not go astray.

 

I love you all, and I want you to remember this Christmas season (not Holiday season, but CHRISTMAS season. It's not the holidays, IT'S CHRISTMAS!) that Christ lives and He loves us all! I love you all as well! just not as perfectly as He does. But pretty close! I love you!!!

 

Love,

Elder Ashcraft!!!!!!

 

P.S. CONGRATULATIONS ON BEING BAPTISED, PIEFACE!!!!! I LOVE YOU!!!!!

Tractin' in a Winter Wonderland. Or at least for the next few hours.

Top o' the mornin' to yeh!

 

Hello everyone! It has been a crazy week, and IT SNOWED!!! Yeah, it's only about for inches or so, so nothing really compared to what you got in Utah, but hey. I'm on an Island. Yes.

 

Well, speaking of snow, and winter, and cold, it's crazy here. By Utah winter standards, the temperature isn't too bad, probably just about 0 degrees or so (in Celsius, so about 30 or so Fahrenheit), but the cold here is so different from the cold in Utah. You can just put on more clothes there, and your fine, but here, the cold is just penetrating because the air is more moist. Crazysauce. But it's good. I'm staying warm....ish.

 

We got back from Preston on Friday, but on thursday, we had Sports day, where half of the mission got together (the other half was on friday) and played sports. It was because President and Sister Bullock are American, and so are a lot of the missionaries here, and they wanted us to have a thanksgiving-esque experience. So we all got together and played football (both American and European. Yes!) and also ate Costco Pizza. hahaha yes, they do have Costco here. I know, right? But it was absolutely fabulous. So much fun. President even played with us, and he is in great shape for his age. haha he caught a pass and was running down the field, and he even started showboating a little, haha. amazing. I loved it.

 

But it is so good to be back on the Isle. I have missed this place, and I'm sad that I'll probably be transferred right after Christmas. But that's okay. I'll go where you want me to go, Dear Lord.

 

This week, I studied virtue, and I was thinking about that scripture in D&C 121, that says "Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly...". I love that scripture. To garnish is to decorate or adorn, to make it look better, and unceasingly means never stopping. We should always be striving to improve, and to make our thoughts better and more virtuous. One of the ways that Satan works is that he tricks our minds. Don't let him trick yours. Trust in your heart, because Satan has no power over your heart, unless you give it to him. So Decorate your thoughts with thoughts of Christ, and of the Gospel.

 

I love you all so much! Thanks for your wonderful examples and for everything that you do for me! I love you! Keep the faith, and keep praying for me!

 

I love you!

 

Love,

Elder Ashcraft

Preaching in Preston!

Hello, ever'body!

 

Whew! It has been a crazy week! It was zone conference, so we took the ferry across to Heysham, and we've been staying with the Zone Leaders in Preston all week. It was kind of a rough ferry ride. the seas were pretty tempestuous (nice word! Oh yeah!). But it was good. The Zone Leaders here are hilarious! Elder Aaron Darrow, from Peoria, Arizona, and Elder Joel Sherrard, from Lester, England. So funny! Elder Darrow  is pretty much Sean Stringham. Pretty much the same. I love it. and Elder Sherrard is going to be famous. He has an amazing voice and it way musical, so watch for him one day. But it's been a great time.

 

haha I just remembered something funny that happened yesterday. Elder Sherrard and I tried to speak with this man, and he said, "No! I'm in love!" Pretty sure he was in love, I'm just not sure with what alcoholic beverage yet. strange man. But it's amazing. We also taught this man from China, and he didn't know who Jesus Christ is. It was quite the experience trying to teach him. He had just never been brought up to know about Christ, and so it was interesting. But It was a good learning experience for me. I'm so grateful that I know that Christ is my Savior and Redeemer.

 

So I studied Charity and Love this week, and I was thinking about how Charity and unconditional love are alike. But then I started thinking of how much they are different. With unconditional love, it requires no effort. You can love someone unconditionally and not do anything about it. but as Preach My Gospel states, "Charity, like faith, leads to action." In order to have charity, you must do something about it! So really, Charity isn't unconditional love at all, but rather it is unconditional selflessness. To be charitable, you must be reaching out to others and trying to help them as best as you can. You must put them before you. That's what Christ did for us. He put us, His brothers and sisters, before Himself, paying for our sins, when He himself didn't have any of His own to pay for. But because He loves us, He was willing to carry out His task, and He succeeded. He did not fail, because, just as the scriptures, say, Charity Never Faileth.

 

I love you all so much, and I am so grateful for the love and charity that you have shown me! It means so much to me to have you all praying for me and supporting me even though I'm thousands of miles away. For that I will be forever grateful. I love you!

 

Love,

Elder Ashcraft

Missionary. Work. Word up.

Ello, all! Alright?

 

It has been a marvelous week with Elder Metsaranta! He is amazing! I love working with him! We have been working hard, and I love it! The Isle is such a blessed place. You should all come visit one day.

 

We were able to teach a lot of new people this week, some of whom are really ace, and so we're excited to continue teaching them. It's been wonderful!

Well, as a mission, we are studying Christlike attributes, a different one each week until Christmas. This week's attribut was hope. And I would just love to share something I learned.

 

As I studied hope this week, I came across a scripture that I thought applied wonderfully in Hebrews chapter 6. It says that hope is the anchor of our souls. On a ship, the anchor is lowered so that the ship does not drift away in the waves and become lost from its original mooring. It is used to keep the ship in the right place, where it belongs, and where it won't be damaged by the rocks that are hidden in the water. In that same way, hope in Christ is what keeps us in the right place. It keeps us from being swept away by the tides of the world and dashed on the rocky shore, and keeps us from drifting away from safety, which is Jesus Christ and His gospel. Without hope in Christ, we are soon to be lost and wandering at sea, with no real chance of finding our destination. Hope is such a vital attribute that we need to have. I know it sounds obvious, but truly, without hope, we are hopeless.

 

I love you all so much, and thanks for everything! I know God lives and He loves you and me and everyone, and He wants us to be happy! So BE HAPPY! The Gospel will help you to be happy. Learn it. Live it. Love it.

 

I love you!

 

love,

Elder Ashcraft

I'm Finnished!

'Ello, all!

 

It's been a crazy past few days, but it's been great!

 

Transfers were this week, and sadly, Elder Cunningham has been transferred off of the Isle. but in his place is none other than......Elder Metsaranta, from Finland! hahaha he is amazing and hilarious. And he also has a pretty sweeeeeeeeeet accent. By the way, finnish is a crazy language. So crazy it's not even funny. Well, it is a little bit funny but it's mostly AWESOME! But I love him, he is great. This is going to be a good transfer.

 

Well, Guy Fawkes day was on friday. I know right? It's a celebration of the capture of Guy Fawkes, who was some man that tried to blow up the parliament building, but they caught him instead. Every has a big bonfire and lights of fireworks and stuff. We weren't allowed to go out proselyting, but we were able to go to a ward party at the Clagues. They are great people and they do a lot for us. They had a huuuuuuuge bonfire and a lot of food and fireworks, and it was really good.

 

Well, I'm running out of time, but I'll write more on monday! I love you all and thanks for everything! Keep the Faith, and God Bless!

 

Love,

Elder Ashcraft

Hop tu Naa!!!

Hello All!!!

 

I hope that you had a wonderful week full of adventures and mythical creatures! Or at least a lot of candy. Or at least mythical creatures.

 

Anywho, this week was awright. Talked to a lot of funny people. We were on the street speaking to God's children and we tried talking to this one man and he said, "No, sorry, I just got out of prison." Hadn't heard that one before. But whatever. I think he was telling the truth, haha, which is the funniest part about it. Let's see, we spoke with a Catholic Man who doesn't believe in God, an Irish Jehovah's Witness (they are everywhere over here!! It's ridiculous!), and may others, some of whom were interested and some were not. One man had "written a prophecy" about the world, he was pretty great. But the work here is going pretty well. I love it here, it's way beautiful.

 

Well, Halloween, or Hop Tu Naa as the Manx call it (pronounced hop too nay) was fairly uneventful. We weren't allowed to do any proselyting after 5 pm, so we had tea with the Sayles, who were just baptised and then went home for the rest of the night. Kinda lame. But at least we got to go to bed earlier than usual.

 

So here for Hop Tu Naa, they carve Turnips instead of Pumpkins and instead of saying trick or treat, they have this song that they sing and some litte dance that they do. and some people give out money instead of candy. crazysauce, but it's good.

 

Well so we live in an apartment in this member's home, sister Joan Radcliffe. she is hilarious! she is so funny. She gives us food a lot, which is great, and she tells us cool places to go see on P Days. haha plus she has two artificial hips, so her hips, they do lie. haha sorry that wasn't funny. But she is hilarious. You'll have to meet her one day.

 

But life on the Isle is amazing. I'm eating way too many sweets, though. There's a sister in the ward, Sister Christian who brings us a bag of food every Sunday and there's like pretty much a huge Hoho in it as well as some little pies. Fatty. wow. but anyways, things here are going swimmingly.

 

Well, My time is drawing short, and so in closing, I just want to let each and everyone of you know much I love you and how grateful I am for your examples, love, kindness, support, friendship, and prayers. I can feel them helping me and keeping me going. The Church is so true! And Christ truly lives and loves each of us and it is only through Him that we can be saved. But keep the faith, Don't go astray, and remember, Above all the clouds, the sky is still blue! I love you!

 

Love,

Elder Ashcraft

YEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dear Everyone and their dog. Or other household pets.

 

It was a wonderful week, finishing off with 3 baptisms!!!!! AH, it was amazing! I love the gospel so much! it changes people's lives and their hearts and it makes everything better! so amazing! Jeanine, Hannah, and Henry Sayle. they are amazing people. They have such a strong love in their family and now the gospel is there to strengthen that love. amazing.

 

Well, some interesting things happened this week. We got stopped by the cops because apparently two people had called in and said that we were "harrassing them", which of course isn't true. society is just becoming more and more antisocial nowadays so when some stranger walks up to you on the street with a smile, automatically, he's  weirdo and harassing you. But if they consider eternal salvation "harassment", then we don't want them anyway! haha no just kidding. we want everyone :) But it was just funny. So the cops told us that if they're not interested, than just leave them alone, which is pretty much what we do anyway. go figure.

 

So, on Saturday night, we were tracting in Union Mills, a small village, and we were able to teach this one woman who was really humble and ready for the Gospel. It was great. a few doors down from her, we spoke with another woman who wasn't interested. she said she was busy baking. So of course, we said that we were starving, haha. Then, she asked if we wanted some freshly baked gingerbread, which of course, we did, and she actually gave us some! It was amazing!!!! She still wouldn't have any of our message though, but the gingerbread was really good.

 

On Sunday, we had the 3 confirmations as well as primary program, hahahaha. It's so great to see that even 6,000 miles away, primary kids are still the same. I loved it.

 

Well, the work here on the Isle is progressing so great! I love it here! it's so beautiful and calm and serene, except for Douglas, but still. The people here are amazing as well. But it is pretty cold here. And I think I'm getting fatter. I've gained 25 lbs. since  coming on my mission. hahaha that's a lie, I haven't. That would be way bad. But really though, it's amazing here.

 

Thank you all for everything that you do for me, for your prayers, and for your support! I love you more than you'll ever know! I love you!

 

Love,

Elder Ashcraft

Back in Nam. I mean, Man. Ho Chi Minh. Sorry. I'm weird.

Ello, all!

 

How goes life in the blessed land of the states? Well, I presume. Good. Glad that that's settled.

 

Wellllllll, for starters, we have a baptism scheduled for this weekend! Jeanine Sayle and her daughter Hannah. They are wonderful! Their family is so close and remarkable! They remind me a lot of our family, only about half the size and Manx (well, the husband, Keith, is Manx. Jeanine is Irish.) Anyway, so Keith an Jeanine have 3 kids. Henry, who's 14, Hannah, 11, and Jenna, 7. They are such a joy to be around and there is so much love in their home. I love it. But yes. Hopefully we can get Henry soon as well. Their kids are so down to earth it's amazing to see people like that in this world. I'm so excited!

 

The work here is going amazingly! the ward is really good and I'm finally starting to click with them, because we took a week break in liverpool pretty much.

 

Anyways, I'm running out of time, but know that I love you all and that I am praying for you, so don't be afraid of anything! God is with us!

Thanks for everything that you have done for me! I love you!

 

Love,

Elder Ashcraft

 

Ps sorry this is so short, but I love you more than an email's length can tell you. Wow. that was pretty good. maybe a song. no. not a song. sorry. Bye.

Live, from Liverpool

Dear Everyone that I love,

 

This has been a crazy week! We caught the ferry on wednesday to come to zone conference, and the seas were rough! You would think it was 9th grade Guys and Dolls at Evergreen how much people were rocking the boat! (hahahahahaha that was way funny, at least for me. But really though.

 

Zone conf. was moneysauce. So great. President Bullock is pretty much an Apostle. He talked about the Dead Sea Scrolls, which pretty much (really though) prove that the Book of Mormon is true. There is so much evidence and it is statiscally impossible that it is coincidence. But even with that proof, you need a spiritual witness to know that the Book of Mormon is true. Laman and Lemuel saw angels, but they still fell away. Proof could never take the place of the Testimony of the Spirit.

 

But we worked in Liverpool and Crosby and St. Helens this week, so pretty much it's been like a week long exchange. oh yeah, there was this one man I spoke with, and he said, "I'll listen to you if you can catch me." he was on a run, and so I totally ran with him and stayed with him stride for stride. In a suit. talking the whole time about the gospel. I love it. He didn't listen though. But it's been way fun. We've been staying with the Zone Leaders, Elder Oliver Kersey (originally from England but lives in Utah) and Elder Benton Sturt (went to Cottonwood High). They are awesome and hilarious, and wonderful missionaries. It has been such a good week. But I do miss the Isle. So it will be good to get back.

 

Ah, I love all of you so so sososososo much! without you, I definitely wouldn't be where I am or who I am. You are all a part of me and I will be forever grateful for your love, friendship, and support. I love you all so much!

 

Love,

Elder Ashcraft

Manliness

Party People!

 

Hey y'all! The Isle is AMAZING!! I absolutely love it here! It's incredibly beautiful, lush, quiet, people are nice, and the work is trucking right along!

 

So, the isle only has about 70,000 peeps on it, and it's about 30 miles long and 13 miles wide-ish. roughly 220 square miles. So it ain't that big. But it's way awesome.

This morning we went and looked at a castle near where we live, which was way awesome. So cool. Also, I live maybe 45 seconds from the beach. Yeah, that's walking. pretty awesome, I'd say. too bad I'm a missionary and can't really enjoy the beach fully. but I'll come back someday with my wife or summat and visit. hahaha I love being a missionary! It's amazing.

 

Conference was incredible, wasn't it?! on your mission, conference is even more awesome because, well, it just is. Go on  a mission and you'll see.

 

My companion is great. he kinda looks like a blonde Christopher Reeve, yeah the old superman. He's from Arizona, and he went to Byu before he came out. I love him, he's great.

Well, the Library is about to close, and so I'm tryin my best to write fast, but whatever. It really is incredible here and I am so blessed to be serving here at this time. The work is going so well!

 

Sorry if this is short or lame. But what can you do. So am I. hahaha. short and lame.

 

My new address is:

 

Elder Ashcraft

Ground Floor Flat, Ribblesdale

Shore Road

Castletown

Isle of Man IM9 1BF

 

I love you all and thanks for everything!

 

Love,

Elder Ashcraft

This is my island, in the sun, Oi, Oi!

Hello Everybody!

 

Well, It has been a crazy past few days. So on Sunday, I got a call from President, he told me what my new assignment was. I will no longer be serving in Darwen & Blackburn :( sad. I am going to miss that place and those people. But I have been assigned to serve ON THE ISLE OF MAN!!!!!! YEAH BOY!!!!! So needless to say it's been a crazy past couple of days, yesterday in particular.

 

So I woke up yesterday, and got ready for transfers. We caught a 9:40 train to Blackburn, then a train to Preston, then got on a coach in Preston and drove to Wythenshawe, where they do transfers. It was good to be with so many missionaries in the same place. There's a special spirit when missionaries gather. So yeah. We all greeted the new missionaries (one of which Elder Readhead is training), and then I loaded my stuff on another coach to Liverpool. Then we drove to Liverpool and met some of the Elders in the Zone, and the Zone Leaders (they are money). My companion, Elder Cunningham from Phoenix, AZ, was still on the Isle. President decided that his old companion would come over alone, and so that means that I would go over alone. Yeah. By myself. On a ferry. So I was with the Zone Leaders for a while, because the Ferry didn't leave until 7:30 pm. So they dropped me off at the ferry and I set off by myself. No companion. It's weird being alone.

 

So yeah. Well, turns out that it's a 3 HOUR ferry ride, so I didn't get there until 10:30. And that's all that I was told. they didn't say if Elder Cunningham would be waiting there or anything. He spent the day with Elder & Sister Allen, a missionary couple here on the Isle. So I got off of the ferry, got my luggage, and then followed the group of peeps who had gotten off of the ferry. We ended up at a car park (that's a parking lot) and lots of them got taxis and drove home. But no Elder Cunningham. So I waited. Still nothing. I didn't have a phone or anything, so I thought maybe they were waiting for me somewhere. So I saw a Vauxhall Meriva (the kind of car that the missionaries drive, and so I thought maybe it was them. so I went to it, but no one was in. But then Elder Cunningham and Elder Allen drove past and picked me up, so all is well :)

 

But the Isle of Man is beautiful! And turns out, it's a different country than England. I thought it was the same, but it ain't. They even have their own language: Manx. But no one speaks it really anymore. Crazysauce. But yes. It is great here. Elder Cunningham is sweet. I'm excited for this transfer. Oh yeah. President Pretty much told me that I'll be here for two transfers and then I'll move. But yeah, it is absolutely breathtaking here. But I don't know my exact mailing address yet, so I'll send it on Monday.

 

Well, I love you all, and I want you to know that I am safe, and that I am well! Thank you for your prayers and your love and support! It means the world to me! I love you!

 

Love,

Elder Ashcraft

It's raining really hard outside and I didn't bring my brolly to the library. Aw, peas.

Dearest everyone I love. (If unloved by me, stop reading now. Just kidding. I love everyone. mostly.)

 

This week was a pretty good'un. We were blessed to find 9 new investigators, which is an incredible amount! We saw a lot of miracles as well, as we were finding them.

 

There's this woman, Linda, who we found while tracting and she let us in and we taught her! she accepted a baptismal date for October 9th, so hopefully I don't get transferred so that I can witness her enter the Fold of God. But she is very excited and is even telling her friends about it! She came to church yesterday, which she loved, and so it's awesome. Her parents are divorced, Jehovah's witnesses in Australia that are re-married to Australians. Yeah, I know, right? But she is great!

 

We also teach this man named Joe Szabo (sweet sidenote: szabo means tailor in hungarian. tailor is mostly like Taylor. therefore, Szabo = Taylor......ish. Yes please.) He makes a lot of things (i.e. guns, tables, walking sticks, you name it, he's made it.) He used to be a welder, but lost his job and now just sits at home and then goes archery shooting on sundays. He is 60 years old and looks like he's maybe 40. crazy. But he has a ton of deep questions about the plan of Happiness and such, so we'll do our best to get him.

 

One crazy thing I've noticed is that over here, every once in a while, i meet someone who loves my accent! weird! but oddly enough, they are usually men. explain that one to me. wait, no don't. but anyways, it's nice to be appreciated in a hostile foreign land, that's what i'm trying to say.

 

I love this work! It's amazing to see how people can change, and I absolutely love it!

 

But thank you all for everything you do! For your love, kindness and prayers! Keep the faith, and don't die while I'm gone!

 

Looooooove!

Elder Ashcraft

Bible Speak. O Yes.

O ye fair ones! How art thou?

 

My time draweth short, but nevertheless I will convey the yearnings of my soul unto you, my beloved brethren and sisters.

 

The people of this nation do harden their hearts against us, and do speak ill things to us and all manner of persecutions do they perform toward us. But notwithstanding their hard hearts, I am constrained by the Spirit that I should tell them of the things of the Lord, and of His Gospel and the marvelous wonders He has worked among the children of men. For behold, the time is at hand where they must make the decision to choose liberty and eternal life, or to choose captivity and death. For the Lord will not compel any man to accept His word, but it is given unto men that they may choose for themselves, whether they choose good or whether they choose evil.

 

For behold, it came to pass in the seven days since my last epistle, we have encountered much tribulation in our labors in the Land of Eng. That wicked one doth put it into the hearts of men that they shall not listen to the message that we bear. Nevertheless, my brethren and I do continue to labor diligently in behalf of our brethren in this land, for we know that the Spirit of the Lord is with us, and is leading us to those whom the Lord hast prepared to enter His fold, and we know that the Lord will show unto us success because of our many labors and trials and persecutions in this land.

 

And I say unto you that this work is great, even the greatest work of all. For I know that the Lord's hand is manifest in this work unto the children of men who hearken unto us. Yea many mighty miracles we have seen and wrought in this land because of the Spirit of the Lord which is with us, which is our guide. Behold, hearken unto the words of the ancient prophets. Heed their counsel and study their teachings, for we know that they truly testify of Christ the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, and we have seen, yea, even in this distant land that through the power of God these words can heal and strengthen even the most infirm and frail of God's Children.

 

And now, by brothers and sisters, I close mine Epistle. I am Elder Ashcraft, a servant of the Lord, in whom my soul delighteth. I love you, and your families, and your wives, and your children.

Brethren, adieu.

Crazy Week

Hmmmm....suddenly the library just started smelling like chocolate cake. I'm so confused, but I don't want it to stop. Awwwwwww. I want some cake. Also, there is someone outside who is doing a less-than amazing impression of Jonny Cash. Huh. Go figure.

 

Weeeeeeeeellllllll, it truly has been an insane week. Elder Readhead had to go to Manchester for a 3 day leadership training that was going on, and so I was put in a threesome with Elder Stubbs from Australia, and Elder Diatel from Germany. It was pretty sweet. We were able to find 4 new investigators, two of which accepted a baptismal date, and also we talked to a bunch of people. It was sweet.

Then, when Elder Readhead came back, we found three more new investigators, and 2 of them accepted a baptismal date as well! Awesomesauce. I love missionary work so much! I hope that these wonderful children of God that we have found can progress and make their way to the Light Side.

 

hahaha we talked to this one girl, she was probably 16 or so, and we were testifying that God lives and that he loves her. But she just said, "How do you KNOW? Think about that." Then, she just turned, stuck her nose in the air and SKIPPED away. That's right. Skipped. Not walked, waddled, ran, or rolled. Skipped. I laughed so hard, it was incredible.

 

There was also this other man that said that we weren't Christian, and I always get a little upset when that happens, because His name is on my badge. Anyway, this man said that in the Bible, it says that the Mormons are incorrect. Yeah, right, sir. We figured out that he was talking about the verse where it says "you cannot serve God and Mammon." He then explained to us that Mammon was the Mormon God and that is why we aren't Christian. Elder Readhead and I were just laughing at him (in a loving way, but laughing nonetheless) as we tried to explain to him that his explanations were inexplicably wrong. We are MOST DEFINITELY Christian, even though many half-drunken ignoramuses seem to think otherwise.

 

But I know that truly, without Jesus Christ, there is no way that this work could progress, there is no way that we would be here, and there is no way that we would ever be able to achieve salvation. There is no other way nor means, but Jesus Christ. I love Him, and He loves me. As a representative of Jesus Christ, I declare to you all that I KNOW that Jesus Christ lives, and that through the Atonement of Him we can be cleansed, comforted, and healed. I KNOW that He loves us, and that He wants us to be happy. He has promised us that if we follow Him, we will be happy. So why not do it? Sometimes when I talk to be people, I tell them that God has a plan for them to be happy. The overwhelming majority of people usually say, "I'm not interested." Those poor unfortunate brethren and sisters. If only they knew what the Gospel could bring them, they would beg us to share it with them. But they don't even need to beg. We share it freely, and with everyone. So at this time, I invite all of you who are happy to stay happy. And I invite all of you who are not, to join me in my happiness. I truly am the happiest that I have ever been, and it is only because of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Come and be happy with Him and with me! You will never regret this happiness.

 

I love you all, as does He, more than you will ever know or comprehend. Thank you so much for your love, and your wonderful examples to me. I have no doubt that I would not be as happy as I am now without your influence, love, and support. I love you so much!

 

Love,

Elder Taylor Blain Ashcraft

Guardo il mare, e vedo te. Guardo il sole, e vedo te. Guardo il cielo, e vedo te. Forza, spostati!

Ello, all! Alright?

 

It has been an interesting week. I went on exchanges with Elder Winward, from Holladay Utah. He went to skyline, the poor thing, but he's a great missionary :) haha smiley face. We worked super hard and did a lot of good here in Darwen.

 

but we talked to a lot of weird people this week, as well. This one man just grabbed my arm while I was talking to him, and it was weird. This other lady tried tickling Elder Readhead under his chin, and I about died laughing, it was so funny.

 

The work here is going well. We met a lot of people this past week who really seem prepared by the Lord for us, so hopefully we'll be able to finish the job.

 

We went to the temple yesterday for P Day, which was just an awesome experience. Usually the Temple isn't open on Mondays, but it was a Bank Holiday, which is like a national holiday over here, I guess, and they open the temple. But it was great. I love the temple. It is there that you can feel the closest to God, so all of you should go to the temple as often as you can.

 

Last night, we talked to a less active woman and her husband that we met while tracting. Their little baby girl is very sick, and the mother feels as though God is punishing them for things that they've done, and so we told her that God will always love her, and he wants her to come closer to him. We were able to spark her husband's interest in the church, and he asked us for a Book of Mormon. So we're teaching them again on Saturday, and hopefully everything will go well.

 

So recently I've discovered these treats here called Hob Nobs. They're pretty much the best thing ever. You should go to the British market on 7th east and see if they have some. I lie dem ( to be said like Esqueleto from Nacho Libre when he's talking about how he doesn't hate orphans anymore. sorry, random.)

 

Well, I've got to go, but I know less than half of you half as well as I would like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve. Just kidding. I love you all and thank you for everything! Have a great week!

 

Loooooooooove,

Elder Ashcraft

Everybody, Everybody ( a little Homestar Runner Throwback, for ya)

Howdy y'all!

 

This week was crazy. Training camp, transfers, plus missionary work = madness. But good madness.

 

My new companion, Elder Readhead is a BOSS!! I love him! He is one of the missionaries that really knows how to find Joy in the Journey (joy in the climb. Day of Celebration. Cell phone dancers, holla back). We worked really hard these past couple of days, but we had a lot of fun as well. It's been great serving with him and i am really looking forward to the rest of this transfer.

 

Well, We talked to some weirdos this week. One man kept ranting on about how we persecute the Jews, and something about a desert, another man tried to tell me that it was widely accepted American History that Brigham Young Slaughtered 400 people in a wagon train and blamed it on the Indians, and someone else just started talking about how "Obama will sort it out." Haha I actually just laugh out loud sometimes.

 

But the work here is progressing. I absolutely love it here! It's beautiful, the people have terrible teeth sometimes, and many of the women have facial hair. But I absolutely love it! Missionary work is incredible and I know that this is where I need to be and this is what I need to be doing.

 

Sorry these are short sometimes, but time is of the essence. haha really though, time runs out quick. But I love you all, and you are in my prayers, so keep me in yours! I love you!!!

 

Love, Elder Ashcraft

Thyme fly's win yore have in phun!

Holy Smokes!

 

The end of my first transfer already! I can't believe that it has already been six weeks since I came to Darwen! Well, I am still in Darwen, and my new companion is none other than..... Elder Sebastian Readhead (yes, pronounced "read-head", like a childish insult to a young lad who loves books). He is great! He is from Pool, England, and He kinda looks like Clark Kent...Well, a little...well, not really, but he has glasses and dark hair. Also he's tall, and has a great accent. However, I must say that so far, the most beautiful English accent that I have heard so far is that of Elder Joshua Stevens, from Sussex, England. He was an AP this last transfer and is now headed home. As he spoke, it was like honey, coated in chocolate, slightly chilled and lightly dusted with powdered sugar, all being poured into my ear. I made him say "I love magic!" from Harry Potter, and I giggled like a school girl (you're welcome, Kylie Neslen). But Elder Readhead is money and it's going to be an awesome transfer with him!

 

Well, the baptism on Saturday...WAS PERFECT!! Everything went according to plan and the Spirit was so strong as I stood in the font with Joseph. He is going to be such a strength to the Blackburn ward as well as the church. We actually have an appointment tonight with one of his friends that he has talked to and is interested in learning more, which is sweeeeeet! It is so amazing to be apart of something as incredible as missionary work. As the scriptures say, "How great shall be your joy" when you bring souls to the Kingdom. It truly is joy, and it truly, truly is great.

 

This week has been an interesting one. On Tuesday, all of the newer missionaries like myself went to Training Camp in Stretford, and they just reviewed with us some of the things that they talked to us about our first day here at the mission home, and then just helped us with things we're struggling with and such. And Elder Weidmann and I needed to be in Wythenshawe for transfers on Wednesday, and so they didn't want to make us make the Journey to Manchester twice in one week, so they had us stay at the Assistants' flat on tuesday night. So that meant that Monday was Elder Weidmann's last day, and we spent most of it packing. It was kinda wierd, but you know. Whatevs. It's kinda sad to see him go. I have learned a lot from him, but he has served the Lord well these past two years and it is time for him to go home.

 

So anywho, it's been a busy day today. Elder Weidmann and I were with Elder Stevens helping him get things ready for the transfer, because there are 18 new missionaries that got here today! That's a ton! so that was pretty exciting. I got to see my good friend Elder Jeffrey Moss, which was great. He is hilarious and an excellent missionary. But my whole district is pretty much gone. Elder Readhead is the new District Leader, and some sisters are whitewashing into Chorley, replacing Elder Chris Sorensen and Elder Giovanni D'Oppido (the true Italian Stallion, from Crotone), and Elder Tanner Hanks got transferred as well. So it's just myself and Elder Jager, the german firefighter with 10 siblings, that are the same as last transfer. Sweetsauce. We had a great district last transfer, and I'm sure we'll have an awesome one this transfer as well.

 

Well, I've got to go, but that's what's happened! I love you all and I hope that everything is going just swimmingly! Stay true to the faith and you will never, ever go wrong! I love you all so much! Keep praying for me! I love you!

 

Sincerely,

Elder Ashcraft

Hey You! Yeah, You!

Hey y'all!

 

This week was kind of hard and lame, but it's alright. A lot of our really solid appointments fell through, and it was tough finding because everyone's on Holiday, and also, people were just jerks, haha. That's okay, I still love them. Also, Elder Weidmann got sick, so we had to stay inside for a couple days, which was tough. But I did a lot of studying, haha. It just didn't feel the same as getting out there and teaching the heathens.

 

Well, in other news, Joseph's baptism is this saturday! He's super excited and so are Elder Weidmann and I. He's ready, which is awesome. He'll be a great strength to the church.

 

Well, the copmuter is screaming at me because I'm out of time, so I love you all! Love you all! Love you all!!

 

Love, Elder Ashcraft

Mai mishun iz gowing greight! Thenx foure asckeeng!

hey y'all!

 

Whew, it's been kind of a long week, because a lot of people are out of town on summer holiday, but we're trying.

 

Let me tell you about Joseph. He is one of our investigators and he is awesome! he is 19 and has been investigating the church on and off for about a year and he has read the Book of Mormon 42 times!!! are you serious?! yeah! That's what I'm talking about!  In the past he has struggled with some stuff but now he is doing great and he's gonna be baptized on the 14th of August! His parents are not members and won't let us teach him in their house, so we teach him in a park by the library here in Darwen. He is golden! He knows everything, probably more than I know, and he knows that it is all true! We're so stoked for him and excited for the Church to get him!

 

We were tracting earlier this week, and we knocked on the door of a man named Stan. He used to be a Jehovah's witness, but he decided to take a break from that and has been interested in what we believe. he let us in and we taught him, and he's excited to learn more! AHh I love the Gospel!! Such an excellent thing!

 

Well, it rains a ton here. like a ton. yesterday was the first time I saw the son in forever, so I'll probably become like albino. not really. But we'll see.

sorry this is so short.

 

I love you all! the Church is SOO TRUE! Don't you ever forget it, and if you don't know yet, pray to know and you will! It's the greatest thing on earth! I love you all, and keep praying for me!

I love you!

 

Love, Elder Ashcraft

Hiyo!

Hey everyone!

 

It has been a great week here in Darwen! We had Zone Conference on Thursday which was awesome, but they announced that the Brethren sent a letter telling them to only have zone conferences once a quarter, rather than once a transfer, which is kind of a WAY BUMMER, but that's alright. I guess it's better than nothing.

 

We had exchanges with the APs on Friday, and that was awesome. I went with Elder Stevens, who is a Spiritual Boss, so to speak. He was incredible! We talked to so many people today and we ran everywhere! He is like in way good shape and skinny, so I got quite the workout, but it was awesome. We worked on bus contacting a lot, so we took a three hour round trip bus ride and talked to everyone that got on that bus. it was pretty crazy, but way awesome.

 

The next morning, we hiked up to Darwen tower, which is some tower up on top of the hill where you can see for miles in every direction. It was way sweet. Beautiful country, England is. Absolutely beautiful.

 

Well, we have a new investigator, named Joseph and he wants to be baptized! It's excellent! Hopefully everything goes according to plan and he doesn't lose the faith, so that he can come into the Fold of God.

 

Sorry this is kind of short and lame, but the computers are acting up all of a sudden, so i've got to get off real quick. But know that I love all of you and that your love means everything to me! Keep praying for me and the people of England! We both need it! Thanks for everything that you all have done for me! I love you so much!

 

Love,

Elder Ashcraft

One month in England!

Crazy how time flies, innit?

 

I have officially been in Merry Ole England for a month! I can't believe it! It has flown past!

 

This week was pretty great! We talked to loads of people, and although not a lot of them accepted our invitation to teach them, Preach My Gospel says that My purpose as a missionary is to "INVITE others to come unto Christ," not force them to. No matter what I tell them, they still have to exercise their agency to listen to me. So I'm doing my best to invite them all, and the ball is in their court. I'm playing a lot of games, I guess haha. Good thing I'm such a baller. Not. Good thing the Gospel is such a baller. Yes. That is right.

 

So we met this guy on the street who told me to open my Bible and if there was a twenty pound note in it, he would believe everything I said. I opened it, just in case there was, haha, but of course, God doesn't work that way all the time and there was nothing but the word of God in my Bible. So we started talking and I tried telling him about Alma 32:17-18, I think, where it says that people ask for signs, but when they see them, it's a perfect knowledge, not faith, or something like that, but he wasn't having any. But after that he was really polite and all, which was nice. But I think I might start keeping a 20 pound note in my Bible in case that ever happens again....hahahaha no not really.

 

Well my companion is pretty awesome. We are a lot a like, I think, just he's Swiss and I'm American. Like Cheese. We are getting along great, and we work well together. It's kind of polar opposites, though, because I'm in my first transfer, and he's in his last transfer. I can tell that he's worked really hard on his mission because he is just way exhausted, but he keeps on trucking which is exactly what you need to do as a missionary. I'm way tired all the time too, and I don't think that it will go away, but I'm gonna keep working my hardest so that I have no regrets when i come home and so that I get a way amazing wife. Just kidding. But really though.

 

We have zone conference coming up this week, so that'll be way sweet. I'm way excited for that. Also we are going to play zone football today, so that should be way awesome as well. Hahaha i feel like such a little kid when I play, because everyone here is like twenty thousand times better than me, so I just fall down a lot and pretend like it was someone else's fault. It's pretty great.

 

But yes, it's been a good weak. It's finally starting to look like England, as far as raining goes. They're in a drought right now, so the weather is like beautiful, but now it's starting to rain a lot more. Good thing I like the rain so much. the only thing is that the weather is like A.D.D. to the max, so it'll downpour for like thirty seconds sometimes, which is just enough time to get my brolly (that's what they call umbrellas here, i don't know if I told you that) out, and then it'll stop raining so I have to put my brolly away again. Then whenever Elder Weidmann and I put our raincoats on, we walk out side, and as soon as we are five minutes away from our flat, the sun will come out and cook us as we walk up these crazy hills here. But I love it :) haha smiley face.

 

Well, This truly is the Lord's work. My testimony has grown so much this past month I can't even tell you. It has been such a great experience so far and I know that It will only get better. This church is absolutely true! There is not a doubt in my mind about that. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and that He is strengthening me as I preach His gospel to the people of England. I know that He is taking care of all of you back home for me as well. I love this work. Absitively, posolutely love it.

 

Thank you all so much for your love, prayers, advice, friendship, love, prayers, and also your love and prayers. They strengthening me more than you know. So not to sound greedy or anything, but please don't stop praying for me :) I love you all so much! Keep the faith while I'm over here, and after I get back and forever. I love you all!

 

Love,

Elder Ashcraft