January pictures

January 24, 2011

"Miracles happen when you come to truly know HIM!"

 

When we ate lunch with flia: Amores (what a great name) and we just love them because they are such a super happy family! We are always laughing. Hermano Amores calls us his daughters and he is always protective of us. I found out that they are such amazing people because they have suffered and experienced so much. Hermana Amores said that both of her parents passed away when she was 12 years old! I cannot imagine! Hermano Amores was falsely accused of things when he was bishop and President Arnold of the 70 restored his authority to him yet they have NEVER LEFT the church! They easily could have blamed God for their trials but they would never do that. They are so strong in the church and have such great faith in the Lord. Their faith has carried them through the troubles to the great positions they are now in. I look up to them.

That brings me to one of our favorite talks that we have been handing out to families. The talk by Elder Anderson called "no lo dejen a EL!" (we never leave Him) Its so inspiring. My favorite is the end of the talk when the Lord asks his Apostles: "Will ye also go?" and Peter says something like Lord to whom shall we go, ye have the words of Eternal life, we know thou art the Christ. That is powerful! I tear up every time I picture the Savior asking will ye also go? because when times are hard I stand up and tough it out and say the words of that song, "No Lord, Ill never no never, ill never no never, ill never no never, no never forsake!" We all need to pull our own hand carts in this life( which is shorter than we think)  because He suffered the Garden and the Cross for us to have rewards of Eternity.

 Familia Amores are great examples of enduring til the end. We talked with their inactive son at the table because its our goal to bring incomplete families together in the church again. We will be talking with him more often, because we can see the love they have in their eyes for their son. Our first big miracle was when we went to Flia: Tapia. Estefania´s mother Alejandra recieved her powerful answer that THE BOOK OF MORMON IS TRUE!!! She is very excited for her baptism. As we were traveling on the collectivo back to centro, this boy got on the bus asking for charity all covered in dirt with holes in his shoes. I thought, how sad, I would love to get him some food or a pair of new shoes but then i thought, even better, I can share the gospel with him and his family. While we were getting his address we passed our destination. so from there, we let the spirit guide and surely... the spirit did. We were next to the church so we knelt there to pray for inspiration of where the Lord wanted us to go. I rose up and told my companion we needed to cancel our appointment in villa 9 and stay in this area for the remainder of the time. We walked all day without any success but planted many seeds along the way. it began to get very dark. Our watches read 8:30 and we were far from home. The next thing we know, we are walking back to a bus stop and I am ever so strongly prompted back track a few steps and speak with this guy in his yard. The girlfriend comes out and says "oh yes, we have been looking for a religion!" As misionaries our eyes got really big and we replied with excitment: "ok, well we have been looking for you" We ended up teaching them the first lesson that night and she told us we were a miracle because her friend had texted her to ask her when she was going to come to the Evangelical church, but right when she read that text she heard our voices in the front yard. she knows we were sent from God. That was such an incredible blessing from the Lord, I know we were directed to them from the spirit the whole day we just didn´t know it.

Over the weekend we had to travel to San Fernando for another meeting from 6 am to 6 pm. During our meeting with President and the other missionaries. We had random news reporters come and interview us and take pictures of us for the paper of Buenos Aires in Capital. It seems to me that people are really interested to know why there are so many missionaries here in their country and these women came to investigate. little did they know the spirit they would feel. A few of us stood up to bear our testimonies of how we came to be here and of course my heart was pounding for me to stand.They left with two Book of Mormons in hand and smiles on their faces. It was an incredible experience.

 

Saturday was Hermana Romo´s Birthday, I woke up in the morning feeling kind of sick, i feel that our diet hasn´t been very good for us. My stomach can´t handle all the greasy food. Before we left the house we knelt to pray with Heavenly Father in a very sincere, long prayer. As i was speaking, a very dark shadow passed over my eyes as if the clouds had covered the sun in our window, (but there were no clouds) thinking nothing of it I started praying for protection over us and the shadow moved. Right before I was about to finish, I felt a presence of some sort behind me and then we heard noises as if a gust of wind had brushed the wall and shut the closet door. We opened our eyes and nothing was there but we felt great peace. This day was filled with many miracles. I sure can feel the difference when people pray for the missionaries because it really helps us. We were walking to a cabina to use the phone, little did we know that our first miracle awaited us there.The store owner Esteban spoke with us about his family, we shared our testimonies and left him with a Book of Mormon. He took the words right out of our mouth when he tried to speak in English and said "perhaps God is calling me and that is why you are here" Of course we responded once again, "EXACTLY! thats exactly why we are here" haha We met a remise driver that sure enough we know has been prepared for the gospel. He says he wants to leave a legacy for his children and always be married to his wife. Sure enough he lives four houses away from Familia Tapia, the exact area were we were looking for more people! We also have been blessed financially, in the fact that many people have cared enough for us to not charge us full price for things. I got a chocolate cake for that night to sing Hermana Romo Happy Birthday. It was such a good day that i stared into the sunset with gratitude in my heart and thanked Heavenly Father for this adventrue we are living in this wonderful country as missionaries of the Lord.

Sunday was crazy and still wonderful because the life of a missionary is still wonderful, but the things that happen are crazy. Church was great, even though a couple of our ivnestigators didn´t show up. (disappointing) We had several miracles also. People that haven´t come to church in over 3 years, were sitting with their whole family  row by row in sacrament meeting and our faces lit up with joy. We visited Esteban to see if he had read at all and surprisingly he had. He says the book is beautiful and he knows its true. He says he plans on reading the entire book. We look forward to the joy he will obtain from doing so and we hope to soon meet his family. On our way home we contacted Norma and her daughter was overly anxious to visit with us. They are two new investigators that we are so excited for. As we were coming home we were cautious of the park thats never lit at night because we have been followed before. But we are very protected by the Lord, so we are also very smart and alert. Plus it helps that we are both from Cali haha and Hermana Romo probably has a black belt in karate because she is from L.A. haha When we got home, while planning, a strange man was at our door staring into the peep hole and the lock. We shut the lights off and we peeked out and he hid on the other side of the door. He was there for a good enough amount of time that we called our leaders and sure enough Hno. Arrieta from our ward came with a policeman. We were thankful to Heavenly Father for keeping us safe and thankful to the help we recieved. Right when we think the adventures were over, before laying in bed we noticed a gigantic red spider on the wall above the bed. It was for sure poisonous! and Hermana Romo cracked me up attempting to kill that thing. It would not die, It was so freaky! 

Looking back at how much the spirit has guided me to go one way instead of the other, and talk to one person or another, I am AMAZED at the power we are endowed with as Missionaries! There are too many miracles too even count, there are too many times we have been magically guided and protected by the spirit, that strengthen our testimonies. This is the Lord´s church, and this is His work that we are carrying. We know it and therefore, He is with us. I have really come to be aquainted with my Father in Heaven more than ever before and really talk with Him as His daughter. I have felt his love more and come to truly know how he speaks to me. I invite all of you to pray UNCEASINGLY to Him all the day long about anything and everything. I promise that your relationship with Him will grow and having a strong personal relationship with Heavenly Father will cause your heart to grow. It will expand in ways you never knew possible.

Thank you all for your encouragement. Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for your love. May God bless you for all that you do. I pray for you all!!! I REALLY DO! I´m sending letters in the mail so please send me your home addresses.

Till next week, stay classy,

haha love you guys.

 

con amor,

Hermana Ashley Gillum

Ashley Ann Gillum from Argentina....

Campana, Argentina update!!!

Sí todovía estamos sudando a full!!!! hahaha ITS SO DANG HOT!! Good thing Heavenly Father is nice enough to have sent us a huge rain and lightning storm yesterday so its cooled of the ground a little today but we are still cookin! haha. There has been so much progress with our new changes in our area and companionship. We knew that Satan was switching up his game plan so we knew that much fasting and more prayer were necessary for progress and IT WORKED! My companion and I care so much about these people here in Campana that we have organized everything and worked worked worked. We now have many progressing families and the work is rolling forth. Lucas, Ariel, Alejandra, Luis all have baptism fechas and many more to come for this week! We went to two big trainer meetings in San Fernando with all the Leaders and President Gulbrandsen and his assistants really brought the power of the spirit and pumped us up for the work as always. I also got my Visa info. Elder Peterson drove us to Capital Buenos, and it was HUUUGE! We saw a HUGE river that looked like an ocean, then we saw the HUGE city spread out with buildings as far as the eye could see, then we saw countless Villa´s or (slums) and that was incredibly sad!

Whats hardest for me is seeing all the garbage filled shacks with clothes lines that have pinned up baby clothes. Tiny shirts and pants hanging out to dry of children born into that.

Everything on the mission is humbling. I have felt a huge change in my heart being here.

we got off the freeway onto this huge street with 22 lanes! (the widest in the world) and we saw the huge buildings and millions of people I was amazed because my whole area is more out in the Campo area with fields and spread out villa´s but this was the biggest city ive ever been to in my life and gorgeous architecture and european influence. I have an awesome picture of capital on my laptop at home and it was so unreal being in the center of the picture in real life! It became so real to me that im living one of my dreams. We got all my paperwork situated for me to be an official ARGENTINE! whoooo! We also got letters and packages from the office and ofcourse the package had tons of JUNK FOOD haha STOP trying to make me gain weight on the mission people! haha just kidding I was so very thankful for the peanut butter and the real chocolate thank you so much Ro! and thanks for the letters in the mail that I got from all of you, Ben, Chloe, Jesse, Rory, Marlin, Mom, Geralann, Nick & Judy,Elders, Heidi Morris, Erica Page, You are all so awesome for your great support and encouragment! you all know that letters really help the mission work! We never have time to write letters out here in our area so bear with me I promise to acknowledge your efforts and respond as soon as possible. Its nice to be cheered on by all of you! My english skills are dying, my Castellana (Español) is improving by the days so bear with me in my horrible blog skills as I type you letters of updates and just know that im communicating better here and thats what matters. Mom, If you can, you should go to the St. George Temple and leave a message at the visitors center for this really nice man named Mark. He is in a wheel chair suffers from Alzheimers(spelling?) but I met him before my mission there and he goes there often. He has faithfully sent me one letter every single week about his life events and efforts of service that he puts forth everyday. He has a way with words because every single one has me in tears from his incredible courage and desire to serve people in the community. I have not had time to respond to him still so please let him know he is making a big difference in my mission and i appreciate his service of encouragment for me. He pushes me to want to be better. I have told everyone to not send me any packages but there have been a few that have come in the mail, and its been so humbling, because its never expected. I appreciate those of you who support the missionaries. This work is hard for every missionary and the letters mean a lot. I have a few Elders in my zone that hardly ever even get one letter every two months so ladies... I encourage you to get writing them and cheering them on as well, because they work really hard and I know it would make their day to get even one little note of encouragment. ALSO FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO SEND PACKAGES TO ME OR ANYONE IN THE BUENOS AIRES NORTE MISION, YOU MUST ADDRESS THE NAME TO KAREN GULBRANDSEN and a side note saying: for Hermana Ashley Gillum because karen is (the mish. pres. wife) so that way we do not have to travel long distances to the post office in the city to sign for them. and just a little note of advice, putting pictures of Mary on the package HELPS! hahaha trust me! Mom, healthy food and vitamins pretty much dont exsist out here, and thats all im lacking.all american stuff is super pricey. one little clean and clear face scrub costs 70 pesos! its nuts! and theres no such thing as handy little perfumes or body sprays, its all wierd spray on deodorants. I should of stalked up more at wal-mart before I left. oh well, now I know. My shoes are all thrashed but no worries! I bought this awesome super glue stuff that will work just fine so im good! We get hastled every once in a while by men that call stuff out to us and Ive been proposed to more times than I can count now but for the most part I just feel a very powerful protection over us and we are gaining a great reputation in Campana because the people are seeing why we are here and the good that we are doing.

The work is going so well, the noche de hogar went good, we baked a cake for the members and had a little party to help them recieve revelation for more references for us we watched the first vision and asked inspired questions. We have recieved tons of references now! We are going to blow last weeks numbers out of the water and do all that we can in our power to help every person we meet. We have already seen the teary eyes of the families now that are realizing God´s hand in their progress and we are watching them transform their lives for the better in a world thats spinning out of control. They are finding the stability and safety that this Gospel brings and I really feels good to be a part of this change for them. I have always wanted to make a difference somehow, and as a missionary of the Lord I see that I am. All by keeping myself clean and worthy to be an instrument in His hands everyday. Im growing so close to these families that I cant imagine telling them goodbye without making sure they are holding tight to the Iron Rod so they and their families can live together forever. I have felt all of your prayers and trust me it makes a difference. But more than praying for me, pray for these people to prepare themselves for baptism so they can find the happiness that they are so deeply searching for.Thank you all for your selfless acts of kindness and support. I love you with all my heart. chao for now,

con amor, hermana ashley ann gillum

Pictures!!

I've lost count:)

QUE PASA MI LOVES!!! haha Campana, Buenos Aires is still alive and well but Satan is for sure on the attack as usual. Even though we have great people with baptismal dates that we are very excited for, Satan too has been switching up his game plan so we are re-adjusting ours as well! Since my amazing companion Hermana Romo came to the area and hermana Allen left, we have worked harder than ever and the work has become even harder. She has joked around a lot like, wow, you had a lot of baptisms for your first bit here, Im worried that when I come to the area everything slows down, I must be bad luck. I just laugh at her because shes incredible. Im just grateful for all that my amazing trainer taught me and left with me. I love and miss her very much. Hermana Romo is full of life. She keeps me laughing on a constant basis and has taught me a lot more Español. Im so grateful to have her as my companion and I know that Satan wants her to think shes bad luck. She is an amazing girl. So a lot of our plans have changed and are being revised in this area. I have worked three times harder than I did when I first got here and I know the people and the area well enough that ive been doing exactly what our leaders have asked of us and yet, people are not committing!! The have excuses that I just cant seem to understand. One is an ex- missionary and her whole family and her wont go to church anymore all because she says she doesnt have a long skirt. so I tell her she can have one of mine and she says, she doesnt like wearing a long skirt so she wont. She says she does everything else but will not go to church and she doesnt think its a big deal. We have tons of great families but no matter what we do they will not come to church, they say they are to shy or cant take all their children and even when we figure out every possible answer for their problems, they still say they want to listen to our message, they will read scriptures and have us come over but are afraid of committing to church. We travel to the farthest villa to make sure that they are committed to coming and they promise they will yet they never show up. We have even tried picking them up but that also doesnt solve it. So we have realized, instead of lacking faith and getting discouraged like the adversary would like us to do... we spoke with our zone leaders Elder Bond and Elder Macavilca and they said that we are going to keep going. Keep working with the members, continue the hard work but now see what we can add to our recipe. So Hermana Romo and I are setting up a Noche De Hogar meeting with all of our ward members to get them excited about helping the missionaries with finding and welcoming people. We have some pretty inspired thoughts and analogies we are preparing and we are using the prophets inspired questions in the end for them to think of people they know who are ready for the gospel. We re-colored the area map to start tracting and contacting in a more effective patern rather then traveling to far away and wasting time with random appointments.

In my morning studies as I have been reading in the Book Of Mormon I was reading in Mosiah about all the wars between the Nephites and Lamanites. All the good and the wicked people. My teacher in the MTC really had me focus on recognizing Satan´s counterfeits for everything in this life and since then especially now this has become a greater search of mine. Ive been realizing Satan´s counterfeits for EVERYTHING. For example, this past Sunday in Church we heard the example of two cups of what appear to be clear water, but really Satan has dropped in clear chemicals into one of them, fooling us to believe the if its not completely cloudy then its probably ok. Point being that Satan is all of the following things: Cunning, sly, craftiness, lying, evil, dark. These are all proof that he is skilled at these things, he knows exactly how to lead us astray, discourage us, get us down, little by little. He does this especially by making us forget these three things: 1) who we are as children of God 2) what the Savior has done for us and what that means exactly 3) that we can recieve personal revelation. Satan wants to confuse us entirely but he Does this a little at a time or all at once in our weakest of times. Ive realized that he, from the very beginning has always had a way of getting people to wander from the iron rod even a little at a time with his counterfeits. For example: in Mosiah 10:13-18 it describes why the Lamenites had such hatred towards the Nephites... They believed the traditions of their Lamenite fathers who believe Satan´s counterfeits. They believe that when Lehi was commanded by God to travel into the wilderness with his family, that they really were foolishly tricked, They believe when Nephi was commanded of God to retreive their Plates from the wicked king, that he stole them, They believe that when they were punished it was because God favored Nephi over them, but really it was that Nephi was courageous and righteous in all things the Lord required. Therefore, Satan´s craftiness has been on going ever since the beginning. I also noticed with King Noah taxing the people for his pleasures and his many wives was as if it were Satan mocking tithing. Taking righteous and sacred hard work and sacrafice and turning it into things of the world or in King Noahs case, for building up his riches and his palace rather then building up the kingdom of God. We can recognize his counterfeits from the times he tried tempting Christ during his ministry here on earth. The poisens Satan slips into our minds while he tells its oh, its ok, its not THAT bad or well, its just missing a little truth. He does this with everything that the world is so comfortable with excepting as normal. Countless counterfeits throughout the scriptures can keep us far from falling into the trapts he leaves around us today. With worries of the latest fashions and looking our best on the outside, when we forget the most important attributes our Father in Heaven has bewstowed us with from within.

This reminded me of a talk by Boyd K. Packer when he spoke of the Iron Rod in Lehi´s dream."vs. 1 nephi 28:33 - that was the test... then... Lehi said: "and we heeded them not!" and THAT was the answer. Largely because of television, instead of looking over into that spacious building in Lehi´s dream, we are, in effect, living inside of it." Elder Packer warns: "After baptism/confirmation you take hold of the safe iron rod. But you are not completely safe. It is AFTER you have ´partaken of the fruit´that your test comes! If you hold to the rod, you can feel your way through darkness. FEEL your way forward with the gift of the Holy Ghost. Grasp the iron Rod tightly and never let go!" He asks, "Who wrote this incredible vision? There is NOTHING like it in the Bible. Did Joseph Smith compose it? Did he write the Book of Mormon? Ofcourse not. That is much harder to believe than the account of angels and golden plates! Joseph Smith was only 24 yrs. old when it was published." Just as Holland says in response to the critics and non-believers, "No evil man could write this book, and no good man would, unless it were true and inspired by God."

Being an official representative of the Lord Jesus Christ at this time in my life that Im but one missionary out of the millions of incredible others that serve in this work, I leave you my testimony that the miracles ive seen in this Gospel are real. I have seen countless works of Heavenly Father transform before my eyes. I have read the Book of Mormon through and through again and I will continue to -ponder the message and - ask God if its true... and I will continue to recieve the answer "yes my daughter, it is" I am only one of the millions that know these things are true and Im so humbled that he has called me, at 21 years old, to carry His love to the people of Argentina when I never thought I could. when we feel that we are lacking one thing or another we need to search for Him more diligently. Because He is the ONLY one that carries us. I LOVE YOU ALL. I COULDNT DO THIS WITHOUT EACH OF YOU AND YOUR SUPPORT AND CHARITY! You all make a difference to me and to this work of the Lord! Til next week, Suerte y besos! Chao,

 

Hermana, Ashley Ann Gillum

Letter #8

BUEN DíA FAMILIA Y AMIGOS!!! :)
HOLA everyone!!! Thank you so much for the emails of support and love
its nice to have a break for a second and remember all the people that
love you while you are so caught up in the mission work. Its just what
I need to get all recharged for the week! There have been some scary
things ive seen and felt a few times in the mission now but these
things have only proved to me even more, how the battle of good and
evil are raging about us day by day. I not only want to sit on the
right side but I want to prepare each day and fill my testimony as
much as possible to fight against the pushes of the adversary and his
followers. EVIL is REAL, and so is GOOD and LIGHT and PEACE. So which
side do we choose? Every day should be spent bettering ourselves. I
have such a firm testimony of the priesthood authority in our Church.
May we never ever take it for granted! So Hermana Romo from Los
Angeles is SO FUN to have as a companion because shes super obedient
and HILARIOUS! She makes me laugh constantly and it makes it more
enjoyable! I love her dearly. We have been working mostly with the
less actives from the ward because the ward has dwindled. Sadly when
missionaries get transfered their investigators stop coming and so we
have all been trying to follow what our President wants most...
STRENGTHEN THE WARD through the members!!! Im not really sure what Ive
told you in past emails or not but REVELATION in this work is REAL! I
have recieved so much revelation and not even realized it was until
later! Lately ive just had strong feelings that we need to strengthen
the ward and bring them more together... I didnt know why this was my
focus. Several times it was impressed on me to express to members how
important it is that we do this together even when the missionaries
leave. Also once at a members house I felt the strong prompting to
teach about the temple and covenants that we make with our Heavenly
Father. My comp wasnt sure if that was too much info since they are
recent converts but sure enough... I felt it was important and later
we went to a meeting with our president and those are the things he
spoke about most that came from the prophet. So this is what my comp
and I have been doing now. TONS of walking (my shoes are still hangin
in there) TONS of work and pouring sweat in this heat haha. Ive been
telling me comp, I used to not like the wind... now I PRAY for it!
haha now i know that the wind is a tender mercy for the over heating
missionaries haha. We usually wet our clothing with water and wring
them out to wear them but they dry up fast. We have found some amazing
people and we have strengthened the people that have been fading
away... its lots of work. Some days i wonder... man... was all that
walking a waste of our time since no one wanted to listen to our
message... but then Im assured by the tender mercies of the Lord that
is NOT the case. We are examples everywhere we go and we wear Christs
name under ours with gratitude and appreciation. Not to mention... our
families are greatly blessed and every single prayer that ive prayed
HAS BEEN ANSWERED! My mom and sister and friends have been blessed and
I pray that each person who helps the missionaries may recieve
blessing one hundredfold. I have no doubt that they are. Heavenly
Father takes care of them that sacrifice and give, I know because Ive
seen it time and time again already. I have learned so much in my
study time in the mornings... I was reading in 2 Nephi and I love
verse 23 : ¨FOR I AM A GOD OF MIRACLES!¨ I looked up Miracles in the
Bible Dictionary and found this description: =an important element in
the work of Christ, not only divine acts but forming divine TEACHING.
Intended to be proof of Christ. Most teach by symbols and the cure of
sin; the value of FAITH, the law of LOVE. Miracles of healing also
show how laws of love are to deal with actual facts of life. Miracles
were and are a response to FAITH and its best encouragement. Miracles
were NEVER WROUGHT WITHOUT prayer, need and faith. They are VISIBLE
TOKENS of INVISIBLE POWER. Miracles are mighty works because they are
the works of one who is ALMIGHTY! - now this is the best part... THEY
ARE THE NATURAL RESULTS OF THE MESSIAHS VERY PRESENCE! I thought that
was incredible! Everytime in the Bible before the Lord would do a
miracle He would ask ¨do ye have faith enough to believe that I can do
this?¨and all of us need to remember to answer "Yea Lord, I do!" If
miracles cease its because FAITH has ceased. He understands us better
than we think. We often forget how much that is! like the scripture
that says: " shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had
no understanding?" He DOES understand us all and he is the ONLY thing
that carries us.

My comp left me 5 really great pieces of advice to always remember: 1)
we dont change the people, the Holy Ghost does! 2) Everything happens
for a reason, God is the master potter and we are the clay, He places
us where we need to be when we need to be there. 3) Obedience is
EVERYTHING 4) Trust in the Church, its organization is perfect even
when all the PEOPLE are not. 5) Dont ever doubt yourself, the Lord did
not intend for you to do that. He loves you so YOU should love you.

We have had a lot of people that lack the faith to proceed with
learning because SOMEONE in their life is stopping them but my
insightful comp found this passage in the Scriptures that was real
helpful... Matthew 19:29 - Everyone that hath forsaken houses, or
brethren, or sister, or father, or mother, or wife or children or
lands FOR MY NAMES SAKE... SHALL RECIEVE AN HUNDREDFOLD, AND SHALL
INHERIT EVERLASTING LIFE! Ive just come to know that when our leaders
and loved ones are asking us to follow rules and be better, we need to
do it, not because they say so but because God has asked us to be
obedient in ALL things and honor thy father and mother. And above all
CHARITY is most important. He knows what will set us free so its His
will we need to follow . Ive come to believe so strongly that a
CONSECRATED life is the way of true and lasting happiness.

I loved Apostle Elder Christofferson´s talk in October when he said: "
Every minute of our span of mortal years must sometime be accounted
for. And it is in THIS life that you walk by faith and prove yourself
able to choose good over evil, right over wrong, enduring happiness
over mere amusement, and your eternal reward will be according to YOUR
choosing... A life dedicated to service, to love and harmony in the
home, and the fruits of honesty toil - an acceptance of the Gospel of
Jesus Christ- of its requirements and commandments. To consecrate is
to SET APART or dedicate something as sacred devoted to holy purposes.
True success in this life comes in consecrating our lives- that is,
our time and choices- top God´s purposes."
I also loved in Apostle Elder Anderson´s talk he spoke of not getting
offended nor being ashamed of Christ. " the soul that on Jesus hath
leaned for repose, I will not, I cannot, desert to his foes; That
soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake, ill never no never ill
never no never ill never no never no never forsake!" "when the Savior
asked his apostles "will ye also go away?" Peter answered: "Lord, to
whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. ..."we believe
and are sure that thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."
I as a missionary, can also testify that I know this Church is true
because I see countless miracles in this work and people emerging out
of despair into a beautiful new hopeful life of lasting peace. This is
the ONLY way. and just and Joseph Smith testified... It shall roll
forward until it has sounded in every ear. I love these people here, I
love this work, and I love all of you for being the greatest examples
and support. Thank you, with all my love, until next time, suerte
Con Amor,
Hermana Ashley Ann Gillum