Come Let Us Anew....

Hello All!

It's that time again....HAPPY NEW YEAR!  I can't believe that 2009 is almost over.  it's been a great year.  I have learned so much and I have loved serving the Lord and His Children in Orillia, Woodstock, Barrie, and Kitchener.

Christmas was great.  We ate breakfast with the Baker Family.  Pancakes and Eggs - Yummy!  we sang them a song (Which Sister Baker e-mailed to you, mom...) and shared a message about Christ!  The reason for the season. After breakfast, we headed to lunch.  Yes that's right.  We basically drove from one to the other.  Michael Drick, one of the members who is in a nursing home with a shattered kneecap had us over for lunch.  It was great.

We  went Christmas Caroling with some of the Other missionaries and then went to the Holden’s for dinner.  Their son, Micah, reminds me of Adam Hebdon (but not Matt, for some reason - crazy) It was good.  Beautiful day!

We have had a hard time meeting with our investigators due to the Christmas Season, but we have appointments today with 6 more and we are very excited for them.  Last night, we met a man from Thailand named Sao.  He was very nice and we taught him the first lesson in his garage.  He doesn't speak English very well, so it was interesting as we used all the hand gestures and pictures we could think of to teach him.  We didn't get through the whole lesson, but we are going back tonight to give him a Thai Book of Mormon, so that should be good.  We are excited for the week ahead.  A good time to reevaluate our efforts and set goals for the coming year.  It will be a great one.  I'm going to say the best one yet.  I love you all and have a great day!

Your Obedient Servant,
Elder Austin James Ashcraft

Silent Night! Holy Night!

Hello All!

How are things!?!?  Is everybody ready for Christmas?  I sure hope so. There is snow all over up here, and it looks all Christmas-y!  Christmas lights on houses, Santa Clauses, etc.  And the Spirit of Christ is in the Air!  What a wonderful time of year!

It was a good week!  We had Zone conference, the Night In Bethlehem Pageant (A huge walk-through nativity), and I was also able to go on a couple of exchanges with Elder Dudley and Elder Kelly.  Great men.  Good Days.  We taught a few new people this week, but one of the problems that we ran in to was holding on to them.  We had Sunny, last night, tell us that he wasn't really interested, and Greg didn't give us the right address for the return appointment. So we have more time for finding this week!  And with Christmas it is just going to be a week of miracles!

If I could ask for your prayers in behalf of Sandra.  She is working a lot and as such, we have not been able to meet with her much lately.  Please pray for her protection that she won't be dissuaded by the adversary.  We need Heavenly Father's help.  Thanks!

I love you all!  Have a Merry CHRISTmas!

Your Obedient Servant,
Elder Austin James Ashcraft

O little town of Bethlehem, How still we see thee lie....

Hello All!

Greetings from Canada!  It's finally starting to look like Canada.  There is snow on the ground, and it is cold!  It's wintertime.  No holding back.  On Thursday, Elder Hyde (one of the Assistants) and I were downtown almost all day street contacting.  The temperature was about -11 with a wind chill that took it to about -20 or -25.  It was fun.  We had a blast talking to everybody that was brave enough to go out in the cold.  We actually talked to a lot of people.  I was surprised that so many were outside.  But hey - the truth doesn't rest.  They needed the Gospel.

We met with Sandra, and she agreed to be baptized on January 3rd.  She was planning on coming to church on Sunday, but we think she got called in to work.  Your prayers on her behalf would be greatly appreciated.   It has been a beautiful week.  We are excited for all that is coming up as well.

The ward here is having a big walk through nativity (kind of like the one that the Jensen's ward would have) and we are going to be a part of that. We get to be nice and warm inside handing out hot chocolate, though.  It's going to be great.  And Zone conference is coming up on Thursday, so it will be magnificent.  I am very excited.  This is a great time of year, and I look forward to hearing from each of you about how you have shared the gospel with others!

I love you all! Have a great Day! Merry CHRISTmas!

Your Obedient Servant,
Elder Austin James Ashcraft

While Shepherds Watched their Flocks by Night....

Hello All!

How are things?  It finally has started to snow up here!  We had a light dusting yesterday morning, and it is snowing as we speak (Or type....).  It doesn't look like it is sticking very much, but it is snowing nonetheless.

It was a good week.  We were able to drop by and say hello to Sandra.  We still have not been able to actually visit with her, but we have an appointment for tomorrow evening.  I am excited.  We dropped by last week. We were in the neighborhood, and thought we should drop by.  We gave her a copy of the Book of Mormon and a chapter to read.  As we were leaving, she said, "Every time I need you guys, you knock on my door."  A great testimony to me that Heavenly Father knows and loves each of his children,  and he will work through each of us to help others.  President Kimball said something to the effect of, "God does notice us, and he hears our prayers, but it is usually through another person that he meets our needs."  By small and simple means, are great things brought to pass.  This is true.  

We have been looking for divine Rendezvous lately.  A divine Rendezvous is when you run into someone that only the Savior could have placed in your path.  Someone who pulls into their driveway as we are knocking on their door.  Someone who walks outside as soon as we are getting out of the car.  The timing is too perfect to be coincidence.  I love it.  The Lord's hand is in this work, and is in our lives.  I love Him, and the things He does for Me.  He is the Good Shepherd, and he is watching over His Flock.

I Love You All! Have A Great Week!

Your Obedient Servant,
Elder Austin James Ashcraft

O Come, All Ye Faithful....

Hello Everybody!

How is the marvelous Christmas Season going?  I hope that your spirits are merry, your countenance bright, and your trees decorated!  This is a magnificent time of year.

So there is a bit of news that might affect all of you planning to e-mail me in the future.  Our Preparation Day will be moving to Monday.  So Starting next Monday, 7 December, The day will be Monday.  So I look forward to hearing from each of you first thing Monday morning!

This has been an interesting week.  We got everything taken care of with transfers and getting everybody where they needed to go, we were able to have an amazing lesson with Rina (I think i have told you about her.  She is from Thailand).  The Spirit was very strong.  She prayed in the appointment and asked if the Book of Mormon was true.  She felt the Spirit, and she knows it is true.  The problem with Rina is that she is afraid.  She doesn't think she is ready.  We got a concerning phone call from her on Monday, and she wanted to take a break from our visits and just read.  We can't really force her to meet with us, so we are praying that she will call us later this week.  Your prayers on her behalf would also help. Thanks for that.

Prayers are answered.  I know that.  This is God's Work.  I am very grateful to be a part of it.  I have noticed recently how important it is to have pure motives for helping people.  It really does take your efforts to a whole new level.  Our Mission President always says, "People won't care what you know until they know that you care."  It is very true.  Love is the great motivator, and it should be at the center of everything that we do, especially in missionary work.  I know that God loves me.  And I love him. God loves others, and I will too. Try it out.  Just love.  It works wonders.

I love You All!

Your Obedient Servant,
Elder Austin James Ashcraft