Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Standing for Truth with Fervent Accord....


Hello All!

Greetings from Sudbury, Ontario.  It is getting colder now.  We woke up yesterday and there was some strange white stuff on the ground.....It had snowed!  Snow in Canada - who would have thought.  It was only about a half-inch, but it was still snow.  We had a grand old time walking around in that.  It was -2 degrees yesterday morning with a wind chill that took it to -8.  Let's just say it was difficult for my ears to wiggle.  They were frozen stiff.  It's always funny trying to write down someone's contact information as well.  You can't really do it with gloves on, and when your hands are cold, it is very difficult to grip the pen.  We have had many laughs at that in the past little while. 

Anyway, things here are going well.  We are meeting with a lot of members, and we have a few investigators that we are able to teach.  One of them is Matt.  He is 14 years old and is almost a member.  His mom and older sister are, but he just never thought about getting baptized.  We had a lesson with him and the spirit was very strong.  He wasn't at church with us on Sunday, but he had a legitimate excuse.   Matt is a Bull-Rider, you see.  He is the best bull-rider in Ontario.  He was down south in a competition on Saturday, and he and his mom did not make it back to Sudbury that night, so they stayed the night in Bracebridge with her sister.  Matt took 1st place in the bull-riding, and 2nd place on the bareback bronc.  Very impressive, especially considering the fact that before Saturday, Matt had never ridden a bronc before.  From never riding before to taking second place?  Pretty good if you ask me.  Maybe he will get a belt buckle for me....

We also taught Victoria, one of our investigators.  We taught her about Joseph Smith, and the Spirit was there.  It was great.  The spirit works on people.  It is incredible. 

We have been blessed by the ability to share our talents.  At church on Sunday, Elder Smart was asked to speak.  The bishop called him about an hour before church and asked him.  He did a wonderful job.  After the sacrament, Sister Mantysaari, the chorister, pulled me and Elder Lahaderne into the Hall.  She had not changed the numbers for the hymns on the little board, so we were singing the same hymns as the last week.  She told us that and then she said "i need you to sing the Intermediate hymn.  You can sing whatever you want.  You have 10 minutes.  Thanks"  uh.....okay.  So Elder Lahaderne and I went into the Relief Society room for a minute and picked a Hymn for me to sing.  I picked "Lord, I would Follow Thee."  We went back into the Chapel and I asked Sister Mazey if she could play it for me, and so.... Bob's you're uncle..... Elder Ashcraft sings a musical number in Sacrament Meeting.  It went well.  It was good to participate. 

Randomness.....Taylor and Bryson - Good Luck in the Musical.  You will be great and remember your Missionary Brother is Praying for You.  Hopefully you will do well and when you are done, YOU WILL WRITE ALL ABOUT IT TO YOUR OLDER BROTHER WHO IS SERVING A MISSION AND WANTING TO HEAR ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON IN YOUR LIFE!!!....anyway....Mom- there you go again giving a stellar Primary leadership Presentation, and everybody wants to use it....Michael is home!  You will have to tell him to let me know how his mission was.  I am always ready to hear from people.  And I hope that somebody ate and enjoyed my share of the prime rib..... Jon is engaged?  Well Jon, I appreciate being informed about the matter.  You will have to let me know the details.  You know what I am talking about.  We have talked before.  Mom - if you could kindly pass that on to him.....Dad - congratulations on being made Second Counselor.  You will do very well.  We are put into positions like that for a reason..... BYU lost - how thoroughly disheartening.  Bryson, thanks for the play-by-play, even though you were half asleep.  Shanna - that is an awesome editorial.  You could seriously have that published.  Well Done.  I was impressed....But anyway.... I hope that each of you have a wonderful day!  Smile, and everything will be better.  Have Fun!  The Church is true!  I love you and miss you all!

Your Obedient Servant,
Elder Austin James Ashcraft

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