The Plan of Happiness

Dear everyone on earth,

 

I want you all to know how grateful I am for the knowledge that I have of my Heavenly Father's plan. It has blessed me so much in my life and kept me going through the times. As Alma said, "I have been supported under trials and troubles of every kind."

 

I Know that God lives. I know that we were sent here for a purpose, to prepare to meet God. I know that because of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, we are able to be with our Families forever, in eternal happiness. I know that God looks after us and that we are never out of His sight. He loves us. More than we can ever begin to comprehend. His love for us is a perfect love.

 

I know that the true church of Jesus Christ has been restored to the Earth, and that it is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I know that it is the only way to eternal happiness with our families. I know that God listens to our prayers, and answers them, even when it doesn't seem like it. The Gospel is true, and it will bless your life it you let it. God's plan is perfect. The only thing missing is us.

 

I love you all so much and I am so grateful for everything that you have done for me! I love you! Keep the Faith!

 

Love,

Elder Ashcraft

Mission Hairy

Dear Everyone.

 

I need a haircut a little bit. And there's your random observation for the day.

 

Well, things here in England are going really well! The only hard thing is getting in touch with our investigators. We teach a lot of first lessons, but then after that, it's tough to get them to come to church and to see us again. But we're doing our best.

 

I really love Birkenhead a lot. The people here are great, and Elder Starr and I are having a blast. As a missionary you find things that are funny all the time. Otherwise, you go insane. One of these was actually something that Elder Starr said a bit ago. We were speaking to this woman, and she said she didn't believe there was an afterlife. Elder Starr testified that he knew there was, and she asked, "How do you know? Have you been?" I don't know if Elder Starr heard her correctly, because his response to said question was, "Yes!" as she walked away. After I told him what had just occurred, he realised what happened, and we still laugh about it. Missionary life is great.

 

One insight I had this week came during Zone Conference. One of the Sisters said, "I know that Heavenly Father listens to our prayers." I then thought about how hearing and listening are different. And I realised that Heavenly Father doesn't just hear our prayers, He listens to them. I testify that God loves us and that He listens to and answers our prayers, even when it doesn't seem like it. I love the Lord and His Gospel so much!

 

I love you all! Thanks for everything, and Keep the Faith!

 

Love,

Elder Ashcraft

Ock word.

Ello, ello!

 

How is everybody doing on this beautiful day?! I'm doing great! It's a beautiful day here in Birkenhead!

 

Well, the subject sums up one lesson that we taught this week to two of our new investigators, Kyle and Vicky. They are hilarious, but throughout the whole lesson she was saying how beautiful Elder Starr and I were, and that she could just marry me. It was quite strange, but they are great.

 

It was a really great week here. We saw a lot of miracles, including just watching the Spirit touch the hearts of the people.

We were speaking to this man named Andy, and he was very contentious, just wanting to tell us that the Mormons were a bunch of hypocrites and that it was all fake and things like that. I tried reasoning with him, but that did nothing. So I did the best thing I could've done: bear testimony. I told him that I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true church and the only one with the authority of God. I told him that I knew that it was only through it that we would be able to be with our families forever, and the only way to find true peace and joy in this life.

 

As I testified, he shut his mouth, something that hadn't happened during the whole conversation. He listened. And afterwards, he asked where our church was, and when we meet.

 

I know that the Spirit of God is real. I know that it is the only way that we can know truth in this life. The Holy Ghost protects us, helps us, and guides us, if we are but willing to listen. So listen to the Spirit. You will not go astray.

 

I love you all so much, and I am grateful for the chance I have you know you! thanks for everything!

 

Love,

Elder Ashcraft

Super Starr

Hiya!

 

well, it's been one crazy week. We spent much of thursday at the hospital getting Elder Starr's knee looked at, and pretty much they gave him a brace and crutches and said, "Well, it's not broken. Come back on monday so we can see if you tore any ligaments." Yeah. Bummer. So he's been hobbling around all week, but it's been good. I think a lot of people have given us more attention and listened to us because of sympathy for him. Nice work. Hopefully we won't have to be at the hospital for too long today. P days are precious.

 

It's crazy windy right now, by the way. While we were waiting at the bus stop, the wind kicked up some dust or something and it felt like a legitimate smack in the face. Quite funny.

 

Let's see. What else.

 

Oh yeah, So I asked a drunk man what brought him the most happiness in his life, and he said, "Knocking you out." Yeah. Pretty sure I could've dropped him with one punch, but thankfully he didn't try anything, keeping my perfect record of not killing anyone on my mission untarnished.

 

But it's been a really good week. We saw much success and the Lord is blessing us for our work. I know that this is the true Church of Jesus Christ and that He stands at the head of it. I know that Thomas S. Monson is a true prophet of God, and that through Joseph Smith, the priesthood was restored. I know that God lives and loves us.

 

I love you all so much! Thank you for all of your love and support! You are all amazing, and I look up to you like nobody's business! Trust the Lord, Keep the Faith, Do your best, and the Lord will bless! I love you!

 

Love,

Elder Ashcraft

More Moreton!

Deer, Everyone!

 

Wow, what a lame pun-like comment. Sorry.

 

Well, it was transfers this week, and I am blessed to be able to stay here in the Moreton ward! But Elder Mecham, however, is not. he has been transferred to Littleborough to serve with Elder Ballantyne, who is actually his best friend from home. Nice.

 

My new companion is Elder Cameron Daniel Starr, from Mapleton, UT. I think it's by Springville or Spanish Fork. He is great! He is a baller, so he is quite a bit taller than me, and he's super nice. He reminds me a little of Josh Jefferson, only stretch Josh to make him taller. I'm excited for this transfer. The only tough part is that as we were getting off of the train, he tweaked his knee pretty bad and it's hurting him. It's pretty swollen, and so we're going to get it looked at today. Keep him in your prayers, please!

 

But other than that, things are going just swimmingly here in Moreton. Our teaching pool is finally being built up again, which is good. We're working hard, and the Lord is blessing us.

 

I love being a missionary so much, and I know that I am doing what the Lord wants me to. I know that this is the true Church of Jesus Christ and He stands at the head. I know that Thomas S. Monson is a true Prophet of God, and I know that the book of Mormon is truly the word of God. I know it. I know it with all my heart.

 

I love you all, and I am so grateful for everything that you do, for everything you are, and for everything that you are trying to become! I love you so much! Keep the Faith!

 

Love,

Elder Ashcraft