We were rescued by angels...

TRUTH: im exhausted!!! haha seems like the alarm goes off right when we hit the pillow. I have 9 months in my mission this month. Half way done! Woot woot! Rollercoaster this week. After emailing our family last Pday my Companion was angry and impatient with me and I was confused. Being how we do not speak the same language, this was bound to happen at some point haha. We returned back to the apartment and with great help from the spirit we were able to communicate, pray and fast for patience in our differences. We ended up hugging with tears and now... we are best friends stronger and closer than ever hahaha. It was hilarious trying to communicate when we were frustrated not being able to understand the situation and then after we talked for hours and we had to look some words up in the dictionary we were laughing at how silly it all was. haha. COMMUNICATION is huge!!!
Our attribute of the week to study and apply was Charity and in the words of Hermana Gulbrandsen, we put it right into action haha. The weather has been really whacky. One day is bitter cold, the next its humid and hot. and some days its back and forth so we never know what to leave the house in. So My comp and I had to change our plans and go pick up another sister flying in from the South to get her paperwork done for her mission in Mexico. We were a Trio for two days and she was such a sweet girl to have around. Turns out her aunt was our neighbor and members of our ward in Campana (my first area) Family Arrieta! I love them! I was able to help her with some struggles and doubts because shes new to the mission and I felt similiar to her in the beginning. But we sent her on her plane in high spirits. She is strong and I know exactly why the Lord called her as a missionary. Shes awesome. On our way to the airport to get her however, I found a package in the car we rode in with my name on it. Turns out we were riding with the delivery guy who works for the offices and I was given permission to open it.

PACKAGE in the mail:

Robin Vaughn, you never cease to amaze me! I recieved your heavy package that you sent me full of a whole Kiosko (candy store) haha I was so excited, then as I opened it with my companion and kept pulling stuff out of it like Mary Poppin´s purse, I couldnt beleive all it contained. Each item pulled out, I was in tears... it was way more than I ever imagined and it was really hard for me to accept that it was real. I cannot thank you enough. The candy, the lifetime supply of chocolate, the millions of photos of all the precious kids in the fam! Wow I couldnt believe it! There are no words for my appreciation and gratitude. When I imagined you all in Deseret Book picking out these little crafty special things to send me I was so touched. I pictured all the thought and work and money and creativity it took to put into everything and I was so overwhelmed. All the kids are growing up so fast its crazy. Seeing them all ride was too good to be true. Just like their parents! I loved haileys drawings and they are hanging on my wall where I study. I never expected to receive a whole two years worth of holiday gifts and gadgets but I assure you that I prayed for hours that night for you to eash be blessed for every ounce of your love. My comp from Nicaragua was also very happy to be able to share the goodies from the states that she never has tasted before. When I showed the children in our ward the puzzles and rings and candy their eyes lit up. parents were so grateful because that kind of stuff is very hard to get out here. I am already halfway through one of the books you sent and I will cherish all the rest as I study them in the morning throughout my mission. I have recieved a lot of revelation for our investigators through them already. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!! There never was a missionary more happy than I am for the love and thought you put into EVERYTHING that you do for others!!!!!!

 

 This week we did alot of service in the clothing storage for needy families with the Bishop´s Mother Rubia. She knows EXACTLY what she wants that little lady haha. She is great. Its a blessing to be able to join in on all the service projects. Friday 13 de Mayo was a very good day for us. We had much success with Juan! He is homeless and sleeps in the park. His family turned him away for being poor and so he looks forward to our lessons in the nice cozy church (with a member ofcourse) to be able to feel welcome and wanted. We explained the importance of paying tithing and fasting when neccesary. He was very happy and receptive. We diciding to walk with him to get some empanadas and hot chocolate so he could have a warm meal for walking so far to the lesson.

 

And now the part that I never thought would happen to us... We were walking to a members house Elisa. We had a very spiritual lesson with her that was very powerful and we walked out of her house smiling ear to ear with the progress and the good that we felt. "hermanas be careful walking home tonight please!" We had a route planned to return home and it was about 9:10. We had just enough time to get home and still have about 5 or ten minutes left. We had walked this before in the day. This time was much different. As I was folding down my umbrella and we were talking of the great lesson, just above us on the stairs their was a man against the stairs in the dark, and two gangster girls walking in front of us whom we thought were normal at first. they kept walking in front of us over this overpass walkway that goes over the train tracks. They turned around at us when we were the only ones on the walkway with them and asked for coins (common for collectivo bus) as I went to reach into my bag and grab out some coins I never took my eyes off of them and their faces changed into an agressive attitude. One girl grabbed my companions arm, stepped on her foot to keep her from running and held a weapon to her stomach. While the other grabbed my arm pulling me to seperate us and stepped between my legs holding a knife to my face and throat. They were yelling in our faces Tu Cellular Tu Cellular! They yelled for us to give them all the money and stuff that we had threatening that if we didnt they would hurt us. This all happened so fast and yet it seemed like forever at the same time. The holy ghost immediately impressed into my mind to kneel and pray in that very instant as my comp gave our cell to them (its an antique thank heavens) the girl shoved it back at her asking for money. they were threatening us with everything all at once and the knife to my face, I was about to kneel, my comp showed her Missionary Plaque to the girl in the dim street light far away and I did too and we said, "were sorry, were missionaries for Jesus Christ, we dont have anything!" Their eyes went so big and I felt a huge protective force all around me and they were absolutely terrified! They went running begging for us to not tell anyone. I cannot tell you how calm in my heart I was. I know with all my heart, this is the work of God, or else why would he send his powerful angels to our protection and to safely guide us home afterwards? This is Christs church without any doubt and we are His missionaries. Our President is very professional and very kind. He made sure everything was recorded and he has given us a new rule to be inside at 9 pm not 930. He and his wife were very considerate and caring and everyone was glad we were not harmed! Turns out the next day, a member had a smiliar incident IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY! We were told by the ward to be careful because the girls here are much more dangerous and always have guys standing by to help. We have no fear. Our testimonies are set in stone. We were protected by angels of God and we now have witnessed the full power of our Plaques bearing Christ´s name.

 

 Saturday was Juan Javier joffre´s baptism! He entered the water with the Bishop at 5:30pm and came out all smiles as a new person. He bore a beautiful testimony and we got him a nice outfit to wear from the storage we had. He looked like the saint that he now is and always desired to be. He is so strong already and the light is apparently showing in his face. He was Confirmed with the gift of the Holy Ghost on Sunday and all smiles! In the night we visited Family Feresin who had the ward over with the Bishopric for a going away for Nicolas Feresin (leaving on a mission to Chile on thurs.) We all sat around the table sharing spiritual experiences of missionary work and getting to know one anothers testimonies of how we came to be here. It was a very special spiritual time. I told him that when my mom was about to drop me off at the MTC for my mission, she didnt want to say bye yet so she made a circle around the block haha. But then when it was time to go, I got out of the car with my stuff and never looked back, just looked forward. I told him leaving your family for this long is the hardest thing ever. But this sacrafice is of the most worth. It was incredibly spiritual. I wish him luck but know hes in good hands.

  Congrats to my trainer, KENZI JOY ALLEN (GARCIA) NOW!!!! whoot whoot! we all love you! and thanks to all of you who support and pray for us, I love you guys so much! Orar sin cesar!!!!! The Lord is forever on our side to encircle us in His arms.

 

love your missionary

Ashley Ann Gillum

buenos aires norte

argentina

Lovin it....

Hey! Wow you guys, SO MUCH HAS HAPPENED! I couldn´t be more happy with where I am then right here right now. Almagro is wonderful in every way. This city is like New York mixed with Los Angeles Spain and TJ mexico haha it has a little bit of everything all mixed in one huge city. We live on the tenth floor and minus all the cochroaches its the greatest view ever! Every morning we wake upo and say, wow... look at all the opportunity out there! There are billions of people needing the message and service we are here to freely bring. Theres nothing more fulfilling than knowing we are bettering the world a little at a time and doing our part to show a little more love in a world that often forgets how to love. A world that often sits in the midst material things with a frown and so many people searching for something more to fill their needs. I am so grateful to know what I do. I have experienced so much this last week. The world is beautiful. Especially Argentina and Capital. I love this city so much. I have seen some of the most beautiful people ever and the children here are all models. Everyone has different styles and very unique features and way of speaking. I have been speaking Castellana (ARG. español) todo día cada día con mi compañera Hermana Moreno. She is from Nicaragua and its been such a great time learning so much from her here. She has a very strong personality and she is strong in the work. We work really hard together. Its a good balance for us. The ward here is incredible!!!!! Its so solid! The Bishop and the Ward Missionaries and Mission Leader... everything is so solid! This ward is so loving and appreciative of all of the missionaries and they love to help out. So we have really set high goals for this month. We have no doubts that the Lord will work miracles through our obedience and dilligence. Im so glad that I was stationed in Campana for 6 months to have gained the humility that I have now and the charity that has increased in my heart for this work and these people. Im just full of gratitude for all that I have and I always want to share what I have.
  So I never thought that this would happen but Im a Missionary AND an English Teacher! Every Saturday for service, I teach an English class at our Church for all of our Investigators and members in our stake to come and learn and then we explain Gospel terms in English and Pray together in English. Its wonderful to help these people because when they know how interested we are in them, they really become interested in WHY we have the desire to be. We have had a lot of success. Also the work is growing, so we have newly called 6 other ward Mission helpers. We will be meeting often and working hard.
  I also never thought this would happen but we are teaching some people from India that are here for school. They hardly know any english and only two words in Español so its difficult but it is really funny to try and communicate with them. Its the spirit that matters anyway and thats sufficient. We are also teaching a married couple from China! They also know very little Castellana but we were able to get ahold of a Gospel Principles book for them in CHINESE! Listening to her read it and watching her eyes light up was so cool! She loves learning about everything.
  We are going to be working with members like crazy in our lessons because that will bring us success just as the 1st Presidency of the Church has promised. We Have also been strengthening recent converts. One is from Ukraine and she speaks Castellana perfectly. My trainer Hna. Allen baptized her and she is such a fun and sweet person. She is beautiful and whacky in all the best ways. She reminds me of Kierstie Leavitt. I Miss you Kierst! Also we have visited with Tereasa Pernía and her wonderful family. Her husband is famous for playing professional Futbol all around the United States and for Argentina and is now coaching for my fav. team here in Capital Boca! His Brother is famous for racing cars professionally and just won yesterdays race, making the headlines. So yesterday when we were at their house to call our Mothers for Mothers Day, they were all pretty excited about the success. She is like a model, her husband is like David Beckham and they work hard to be really great parents. Their boys are adorable. They all speak English and Spanish very well and they all play Futbol ofcourse. They gave me a jacket to use if I go to the South. Its a jacket that BOCA just gave her husband to use. She has so much desire to help other people. It was such a blessing to have dinner with them and be able to call our Mothers there.
   We have seen so many miracles already! We have recieved a lot of revelation for what we can do at this time and we plan to keep moving forward. We are teaching a man who is currently homeless and we invited him to eat with us at a members. It was so neat to see him interacting with the members and so happy. He will be baptized this Saturday! His name is Juan, pray for him!
We also have Alexander who will be baptized the end of this month and two other possibilities that we are going to go visit today and see how we can help them. We are full of energy and all is well!
 It was amazing talking to you on the phone for Mothers Day mom. I really miss hearing yoru voice every day. Its crazy how much a daughter can miss her Mother (and sister) ;) I love you all so much. Taizley Ella WELCOME TO OUR FAMILY YOU BEAUTIFUL LITTLE ANGEL! I CANT WAIT TO HOLD YOU IN MY ARMS!!!! Congrats Ry and Alesha! Jocey, you are my girl, keep doing well in School! hope you all had a great mothers day!! you are all in my prayers!

WITH ALL THE LOVE I CAN MUSTER....
hermana ashley ann gillum yours truly