I Need Thee, Oh I need Thee....

Hello All!  

How is life?  I hope all is well.  It has been a bit of a roller-coaster this week, in more than one sense.  Can you all pray for Mark Nowlan this week.  He is experiencing some pretty fierce doubt, and all this just after his baptism.  He saw that PBS special on the Mormons and that shook him pretty bad.  He needs a little spiritual help right now, I hope you can all help.  It was a decent week otherwise.  We had a great Zone Conference.  I love conferences.  General, Stake, Ward, Zone, Mission.  Conferences are just great.  It's really good to hear the words of our leaders and of the Spirit.  We have been doing a lot with members lately.  We are trying to work more closely with them and use the tremendous resource they are.  We have run into some less active members that are less than pleased with the Church.  It has been interesting to see that every one of their issues comes from Pride.  It truly is, as President Benson describes, the Universal Sin.  I have noticed how much we truly need the Savior.  Those who push his hand away and say "I don't need you." are truly lost, and they are without His blessings.  It is sad.  I know that he lives, and that he directs this work.  I love Him.  I love you.  Have a great Week!

Your Obedient Servant,
Elder Austin James Ashcraft 

Oh, There's sunshine, blessed Sunshine....

Hello All! 

Greetings from the southern-most point of Canada.  It is the only place where you have to actually go north to get to the Contiguous states (excluding Alaska, of course).  I learned that this week.  We had a good week of finding.  We were able to be led to four of God's children this week.  There has been some progress made on some of the others as well.  Kyle, an 18 year old from Mississauga, wants to be baptized.  Due to his circumstances and history, it will take some time, but the desire is there.  We will be working with him to help him move toward that.  We also were able to meet with Elvis (Yeah,  I know).  He is from Albania.  He is really busy with school, but we were able to take 15 minutes and share the Plan of Salvation with him.  It was good.  He will have a lot more time when exams are finished at the end of April. 

It has been a good week.  The sun is shining!  The plants are coming back to life!  The Gospel is Restored!  What a great time to be alive!  It is a great time to share the Gospel and to shout as Paul did, "I am not Ashamed of the Gospel of Christ!"  We have had a few people come up to us this past week and bring up some rather uncomplimentary accusations against us, due to the showing if that PBS documentary on "The Mormons."  I love that the gift of the Holy Ghost allows us to sift through all the nonsense and the lies and that it testifies of Truth.  I just was thinking about it, and every question, concern,  that was brought up, the gospel has an answer.  I love it.  I am very grateful for this opportunity for others to show how THEY can know.  What greater thing could we be doing than bringing our Brothers and sisters closer to Christ.  That was something I picked up on in Conference As well.  We need to come to Christ and Bring others with us.  I love it.  I can't say that enough.  Alma 26:16 (Look it up, I recommend it.  That's how I feel....) I love you all!  Have a great day! 

Your Obedient Servant,
Elder Austin James Ashcraft 

We Listen to a Prophet's voice, and hear the Savior too....

Hello There!  

How are you?  How was conference?  Pretty much amazing for myself.  It's crazy how much we can learn about things we already know.  The Spirit is just incredible that way.  Everything from President Packer telling us that we need more Priesthood POWER, not just Priesthood Authority, to Elder Andersen encouraging us to Tell the Stories Of Jesus, and everything in between.  From beginning to end, it is just phenomenal.  A Spiritual feast. I thought it interesting the common theme of teaching the rising generation.  And that theme was only compounded and emphasized when Elder Andersen mentioned that none of the speakers are assigned their topics.  Each felt inspired to give the message that they did, and they came together, each playing their part in a "Beautiful Spiritual Symphony."  Magnificent.  I was very grateful for those who have played a part in my learning. 

To those mentors that I have had, and to everyone who has been an example to me, I was profoundly grateful.  Each of you have played an integral part in helping me to become the person I am, and yet hope to become.  Thank you for that.  There truly is a prophet on the earth today.  This Church, Christ's Church, is truly the divine establishment that we need to be a part of to find true happiness.  I know that as we heed the counsel of the Leaders of the Church, and as we strive to apply that into our lives, we will truly see our lives change for the better.  I know that. 

Have a great Week!  I Love You!

Your Obedient Servant,
Elder Austin James Ashcraft 

The Spirit of God like a fire is burning.....

Hello All! 

The spirit truly is burning within Mark!  He was confirmed yesterday!  It was great!  He is very happy and he knows that he is doing what is right.  It gives him a great peace of mind.  That change in him has been miraculous to see.  Nancy and Dawn were able to see it, and so we are hoping and praying that they felt that spirit and desired, as did the Nephites, the gift of the Holy Ghost.  Kyle, one of our other investigators will be trying to quit smoking this week, so prayers for him would be helpful.  Claudette and Brian told us that they want to stay Catholic, but that they still want to be friends.  It sounds like a bad break-up, i know.  They are great people and I am sure they will come around in the future.  We also found a few new investigators (One if which is named Elvis - really good man from Albania).  We are excited for more blessings from the Lord.  

Oh Yeah - Transfers are happening tomorrow.  I am staying here.  My New Companion is Elder Harper.  He will get here tomorrow evening.  New transfer.  New Companion.  New adventures.  It's gonna be good.  Anyway - I love you all!  Have a great week!

Your Obedient Servant,
Elder Austin James Ashcraft 

When Jesus Christ Was baptized.....

Hello All! 

How's Life?  Things are going just swimmingly up here (Pun Very Much Intended).  MARK GOT  BAPTIZED!!!!  It was so great to have that happen.  Elder St. Pierre was able to perform that great ordinance.  I felt kind of bad for him because it was his first one and Mark is no small child of God.  He probably weighs about 400 lbs.  The font was not the deepest I have seen either, but Elder St. Pierre is a linebacker and he got him fully immersed in the first shot.  It was great!  I really enjoyed watching that.  Things are going really well.  Dawn Oullette came to the baptism and we are going to talk to her about that next time we are over there.  Hopefully hers will not be too far away.  It's amazing to see people make that sacred covenant of baptism.  I love it.  It truly is a gateway as Nephi said it is.  We are having a grand old time up here, and March is definitely going out like a lion.  The wind this morning walking to the library was almost blowing me over.  It was really fun.  I love the Gospel.  Baptism is probably one of the greatest things ever!  I love it.  I love you!  Have a great day!

Your Obedient Servant,
Elder Austin James Ashcraft 

Join in the joy of the Sabbath School Throng!

Hello All! 

How's it going?  I hope it's good.  It is up here!  It was pretty warm this past week.  It got up to 15 degrees on Wednesday, and then we got rain the past 3 days.  it was chilly with the rain and the wind, but it was better than snow.  

We had a good week!   Mark, Nancy, Dawn, and Odette all came to church.  It was great!  We were able to meet with them and they are progressing nicely.  Mark is preparing to be baptized next week, and the others are excited to see it.  We are hoping that it will be a motivator to each to prepare for her own baptism. It was really good.  

It was a solid week.  I got attacked by a dog (Just Kidding - He only jumped on me).  He completely cleared the fence that was SUPPOSED to hold him back and I thought he was going to eat me.  It was just like on the sandlot, when the Beast jumps over the fence.  I just caught him as he jumped and threw him off to the side.  He didn't get me at all, except for the part where he got muddy paw prints on my suit.  His owner came and took him away after that.   It was fun.  So yeah.  I hope that you are all doing well.  Keep your stick on the ice.  Keep strengthening your testimonies.  I love you!  Have a great Spring Break! 

Your Obedient Servant,
Elder Austin James Ashcraft 

Come, Follow Me....

Hello All!  

It sounds like a great week back home, and it was a great one here!  Mark is getting Baptized on the 21st of march.  We are very excited for him.  We also were able to have a special stake conference with Elder Ballard yesterday.  He and Elder Clayton were up here doing some leadership training and they held a special stake conference so that he could speak to us.  He talked a lot about missionary work, getting the members all exited for it.  It was really good.  We were able to find a few new investigators this week as well.  One of them, Aaron, was really almost grudgingly letting us in because we had an appointment, but as we shared the message of the restoration with him, his countenance completely changed and he was attentive and interested.  It was phenomenal to see that.  The Spirit truly can do great things.  I love it.  Things are doing well.  The Lord is truly blessing us.  And we know that it is only through him that we can do His work.  Have a beautiful day!  I love you!

Your Obedient servant,
Elder Austin James Ashcraft