What Matters Most

This week I want to talk about some great knowledge I've been blessed with and will keep with me for the rest of my life. Its rare when in life you have a moment to pause and look at your life. And where you want to find yourself in the near future. This week I had a strong reconfirmation that this is where I'm supposed to be. How grateful I am to have been humbled enough while at home to listen to the still small voice telling me to go and serve a mission, even when I did not want to go. Now here on my mission I've had time to reflect on my life, what I want to become and what I want for my future. I love these insightful questions from Elder Utchdorf...

"Pause for a moment and check where your own heart and thoughts are. Are you focused on the things that matter most? How you spend your quiet time may provide a valuable clue. Where do your thoughts go when the pressure of deadlines is gone? Are your thoughts and heart focused on those short-lived fleeting things that matter only in the moment, or on the things that matter most? What grudges do you bear? What excuses do you cling to that keep you from being the kind of husband, father, son, and priesthood holder you know you shouldl be? What are the things that distract you from your duties or hinder you from magnifying your calling more diligently?...It is my fervent prayer that in spite of temptations, we will never lower our standards; that in spite of distractions, whenever they may come from, we will not lose focus on what matters most"

I've learned from the past 9 months being out on my mission that we are more happy when our wills are in line with gods will. I am amazed when reading about the apostle Peter in Luke 5 8-11 when Christ asked him to "Come, follow me". In response the apostle Peter "forsook all and followed him". As I kept reading I understood that a person who "does not forsake all, is not a disciple" of Jesus Christ. To forsake is to give up EVERYTHING! To give it all to the Lord and hold nothing back. God knows what trials we need to face to become perfected. All my faith and trust and confidence is in my Heavenly Father. He knows me perfectly and loves me. Now more then ever do I understand why he wanted me on a mission here in Texas. I know that "for whosoever layith down (their) life for (the saviors) sake shall find it" (D&C 103:27). As I align my will with Gods will I'm understanding more about what I want. I want to be happy and I know that to be happy for eternity I need to keep following in the footsteps of my Savior. Though its not an easy road I know in the end when I finish my mission or even my life I will look back and be happy that I gave my all and held nothing back!

To those who are going through a trial I want to speak to you. Please know how much your Father in Heaven loves you. He cares for you and hears your prayers. He knew we would have trials in this life and make mistakes. This is why he sent his son. Christ knows exactly what you are going through! Hes felt your pain, guilt, sorrow, grief, he has felt everything you have felt and are feeling. Know that your Father in Heaven is aware of you and he wants you to "be of good cheer, thine advercities and afflictions shall be for a small moment. and if thou enders it well thou will be exalted on high" (D&C 19) I know my Savior lives. How blessed I am to be a member of this church. I am who I am today because of my parents raising me in a gospel centered/Christ centered home. I'm thankful to be a missionary and to be a representative of Jesus Christ.

Love- Hermana Ashley Jaeger 

Stress and Sickness

Got a hug in the mail from my little brother!!!

I was hoping that someone would be on (haha right as I was typing that sentence mom emailed me back!) Before I start explaining about my week I want to give a big thank you to my mom. Mom you have been been faithfully writing me weekly. I cannot put into words how grateful I am for all you do for me mom. I seriously cherish the small time I get to have with you every P-Day and I wish it could last all p-day haha. How fortunate I am to have such a supportive and loving family.

This week has been really hard for me in all aspects. Mentally, physically, and spiritually and because of the crazy weather here in Texas and having some days where the weather is in the 30s and the next day its in the 80s I've gotten pretty sick. I laugh at when people give advise to the sick missionaries to rest when you can....but I never can because I'm on a bike!!! IN the weather! Sometimes I even lose my voice and can barely teach people. Okay but instead of focusing on all the negative things that happened this week I will focus on the good and funny things that happened.

1) Comp thought itd be a good idea to stop and talk to a group of about 15 workers while they were on their lunch break. Most intimidating thing in my life hahaha but somehow they all accepted a pass along card with address to the church building in Houston where they live!

2) As I shook one dudes hand he wouldn't let go...then he wouldn't stop starring at me!!! He told me I was beautiful and we just left and told him the Elders would come to see him haha! Another guy was in his truck and started talking to us. I could tell he was trying to make a move cause he kept asking whats my name was. Then as we were leaving he asked how old I was so I said, "I'm 21. But I have a boyfriend back in California. Bye!" Haha it was so funny.

3) We dropped or stopped teaching R. i know one day he will accept the gospel.

4) teaching an amazing 11 year old girl! She was so happy to get a book of mormon and loves learning about the church

Sorry this letter is short. haha. Love you and happy birthday dad! I'm sending both you and mom your gifts this week  -Hermana Jaeger

New Companion & Baptism!!

Off to our apartment with my new companion Sister C!  :)

This week I got my new companion, Sister C! She has 5 months left of her mission. She is such a sweet missionary and I have learned so much from her in just this past week. she is a sister training leader which is like a leader of a couple girls in the mission, for her shes over about 6 different sister companionships. i could not imagine doing missionary work AND taking care of missionaries haha, 

The work here in B is slowish :[ but i have the faith that it'll build up pretty quickly. Oh I have a funny story to tell before I forget! The other night we were talking on the phone to someone in Spanish when all of a sudden this car stops by us and a younger looking guy sticks himself out the window and says Hola in a flirty way then drives off. My comp and I were laughing so hard I felt so bad for the person who was on the other side of that phone call. 

We've strived to talk to EVERYONE that comes into our paths. We've talked to like 70% of them. One guy was awesome he was hanging outside a laundry mat and as we passed he waved. I felt like we needed to talk to him so we turned back around and went to talk to him. He was interested in our message and gave us his info :]  One guy was drunk and started crying, another lady was so interested in our message until we brought out The Book of Mormon and shut us down. But i know God knows we are trying our best to talk to all of his children and soon enough we will find those who are ready to be baptized.

Okay I would like to share one of my favorite scriptures to help bring in the spirit to this email. this week Ive been studying about Jesus Christ. i want to invite you (mom dad Garrett Blake AND Taylor) to meet together and have an FHE about the atonement of Jesus Christ. In Luke 22 verses 39-44 explain the atonement so vividly for me. Please read these verses toge her as a family. Then I want to invite you to write a letter to a friend who is struggling or going through a hard time in life. Help them understand that Christ has felt their pain and he can help!!! Then fold that letter and put in in your scriptures. Keep it for you and when you have a hard day. read it. please never be afraid to talk about the church with anyone. its Christs church and he wants all his children to know about it. take the challenge from Elder Ballard and pray to know who you can invite to come to your home and take the lessons from the missionaries. God knows which one of your friends needs this. 

I love you all with all my heart. I know this is not my mission but the Lords mission. Weird to think this month I hit my half way mark. Its going by too fast. OHHHH also I had a baptism in my first area M C!  his wife has always been a member and finally he was baptized!!! I spoke on the topic baptism at his baptism and couldn't help but cry. Now he is a member and in a year him and his wife will be sealed in the temple!!! His wife kept telling us we were angles. I remember the first few weeks Hermana M told us hermanas that we were going to help baptize her husband. Oh my heart is so full of joy!!! :)

A joyful day!!!  :)

I love The words of my savior Jesus Christ have always given me comfort, "Whoso receiveth you, there will I be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and your left, and my Spirit shall be in your heart, and mine angels round about you to bear you up". i love you all than you for everything!!!

Booming Week!

Mi Familia :]

Wow this week has been a miracle. We had to combine our bike area with the other sister area in out district because hermana s companion left to Argentina. So we were in a tri companionship and it was AMAZING!!! We never had down time, we were always teaching! I've never had so much work and so much fun ever since I've came out on my mission! All I can say is how grateful I am to the Lord for sending me here to B, TX. The branch needs a lot of help. But in our district this past transfer we've been able to see a lot of miracles because we have been so united and unified and a district. Also on a personal note I've have seen the blessings of paying a full tithe. After I sent that letter in I've been able to see many miracles here as well as see dad have enough work to support the family and 3 kids on a mission. 

An investigators who's mother passed away a week ago. Her mom found out she had cancer a little after Y met the missionaries which was about 5 weeks ago. We went over to her house that night and had an amazing lesson on the Jesus Christ and the power of the Atonement. We were able to share a few scriptures to help give her comfort. We also gave her the picture of Christ walking out of the tomb. We explained that because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ all those who live on this earth will be resurrected. We promised her that someday she'd be able to see her mother again and all other family members who've passed on. She put the picture of Christ in a place that she could always look at it. We also pointed out how God put the missionaries in her path just a month ago for a reason. It wasn't by chance she's been taking the lessons right before her mother passed.

A has a date for Nov 16. He is so prepared and ready. He has no doubts. He's a golden investigator.

M the mother of two daughters in the branch finally accepted a date for December 14! We taught her 3 nephi 11 and focused on baptism. The spirit was so strong the whole time and she expressed her feelings that she knew The Book of Mormon is true and that Joseph Smith was a prophet. She loves this church.  Isabel and her kids are wonderful and we have FINALLY been able to meet her husband! Weren't able to teach him yet but we have an appointment with the whole family this week. They were able to meet some members in the ward who live on the same street. The same member family is coming with us to the next lesson.  Also were able to meet and teach M a friend who lives at their house!!! He was sad he couldn't come to church this Sunday cause of work but promised to come this next Sunday! hes excited to read The Book of Mormon and help the family, especially the kids, go to church.

We were able to teach 26 lessons this week! It was a miracle because normally we get MAYBE 14 or less. I know I will be helping SO MANY people to be baptized by the end of this year. I know I need to help 6 more people to be baptized this year, by the end of December. I pray and have faith this is possible. thank you for all your support and love!!! Hwo grateful I am for my savior Jesus Christ. He is my everything.

-Hrmana Ashley Jaeger