Ashton blog: I found my life when I laid it down

All I can really think of this week was the Martin Family!!! Sister Christensen and I have been knocking door after door and things just weren't really happening (all the craziness of school starting has been totally knocking people off their rockers so they are not really interested in Mormon missionaries) and a lot of members are unavailable right now just because school is a lot! so we were a little discouraged this week to say the least.

But Wednesday we had a lesson scheduled with the Martin Family! They are neighbors of a family in the ward and are just AWESOME! I was feeling really really nervous for the lesson with them! Which i haven't felt in a while...just anxiousness for a lesson! but we really didn't want to mess it up! hahaha so we were just praying together and in our hearts THE WHOLE DAY! so we come for the lesson and they were happy to see us! They sat us down and it was SO cool! As we were sitting and teaching about the restoration, we turned on the video of Joseph Smith seeing God and Jesus Christ and (I know that EVERYONE USED THIS TERM) the SPIRIT WAS SO STRONG! and that is what we want anyways right?? so that was great! And Alyssa said "you know I've gotta say...the Mormon church ever since I was young has been popping up in my life in a bunch of ways!!" and It was cool that she could see that in her own life God has been preparing her for this! They are great!

Fridays we have youth volleyball nights! although it has turned into something called "deathball" which is just crazy no-team dodgeball. it gets intense but the youth love it and love that the missionaries play with them! well the day before we felt like we should text the youth and just say "Hey! Who are you bringing to Volleyball tonight??" and they texted back and we had youth bring friends! SO COOL! We got to talk to them about church and where they go to church and why some of us were wearing nametags and some weren't! It was great!

Speaking of the youth! SUNDAYS after church for 5 minutes we have MISSIONARY CLUB!! its something that sister Christensen and I were told by a ward missionary worked for him in his mission so we started doing it with the youth! they all come in chanting "Missionary club missionary club missionary club!" and then we start with prayer! Ask about what missionary opportunities they had that week and then issue a new challenge! and last week the challenge was to invite a new person to sit with your "group" at lunch at school! or go sit with someone! And a bunch of them did it! THEY desire so badly to LIVE their religion every day of the week!!!!!! so cool!!!!

okay. that is all! I love being a missionary! so much! I know that Wisconsin is where the Lord would have me! When i first received the call I was a little bummed that the Lord "didn't trust me with an exotic part of the vineyard" (whatever THAT means right? haha) but I know that all parts of the vineyard matter to the Master! I love these people! i love the message we share with them!!

"Because I have been given much I too must give"

-Sister WIse

PIC 1: A member's garage! #gopackgo they are DIEHARD FANS HERE!

PIC 2: we really like each other.
PIC 3: our investigator Jim. He is really progressing! SO CLOSE to being baptized....he reads preach my gospel for crying out loud! very knowledgeable! and loves his Lord!