Then Is My Soul Filled With Joy! ~ 2 Baptisms! ~ Last letter as a Missionary!

My companion Hermana B and I

Wow, my last letter to send home as a missionary. I cannot put into the words all the good and sad emotions I have felt the past few days. I think at church on Sunday it really hit me that I am going home (especially after having to say a closing prayer or bear my testimony in each class or meeting haha). I love the Hispanic people, every time I see one I just want to talk to them and just help them feel of the love their Savior has for them :] they are a beautiful people and I have been so blessed to work with them throughout my mission. 

good bye cake  ~  hispanic tradition to "mordida" or bite the cake 

(so they can push your face into it)haha

How grateful I am to have followed the prompting of extending my mission. The few weeks before the extention and during the last 4 weeks that I extended my mission were probably some of the most hardest weeks I had to face during my whole mission, actually during my whole life to be honest. But I have grown from those experiences, and I am who I am today because of what I have gone through and grown through :] A few weeks ago I had a normal interview with President Ashton of the mission. As I expressed to him my concerns about my area and going home he simply said, "Stop stressing. Just put your trust in the Lord". That has been something I have been learning even BEFORE my mission! To trust in the Lord, replace my fear with faith. 

Our investigator C has been progressing so well! The other day we stopped by to say hello and found her mom and grandmother came to visit from Mexico. We shared a quick message about families and left. I put my trust in the Lord that things will be fine :] and she will be baptized when she is ready. She called us later that week andshe said she was ready to be baptized:] We also have another investigator J who has been progressing so well in the gospel! The only things holding him back was that he just wanted to know more before baptism. J didnt even have his baptismal interview until sunday morning before church started, he passed:]

C and J Baptism  :]

Hermana B  and I were able to be apart of the baptisms for BOTH C and J!!!!!!!! My heart was filled with so much joy!!! How grateful I am to have been able to see the fruits of our labors, especially right before I head home :]

"I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it. I do not glory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hath commanded me; yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy. And behold, when I see many of my brethren truly penitent,and coming to the Lord their God, then is my soul filled with joy;then do I remember what the Lord has done for me, yea, eventhat he hath heard my prayer; yea, then do I remember hismerciful arm which  he extended towards me."(alma 29:9-10)

I testify to these words, all the good that has occured on my mission has not been because of me, but of the Lord. How grateful I am to have been an intrusment in the Lords hands for the past 19 months, the mission I've experienced has not only changed the lives of others but has changed mine as well. No joy has been greater for me then that of seeing others change for the better and follow Jesus christ.  I am forever grateful for my savior jesus christ, and will serve him for the rest of my life and onward. How blessed I am for my family in California :] for my parents who have supported me here on my mission through all I have gone through. How happy I am to also have another part of my newly found family here in Texas :] I know one day I will return to see all those who I have met on my mission, if not then I know in Heaven I will be able to see them with open arms and smiling faces :]

Forgot umbrellas...SOAKED  ~  Sister pic :]

Zone pic  ~  J took me here!  :]

I know without a doubt I have a Heavenly Father, he loves me. How grateful I am for ALL the good and bad I went through during my mission. It has changed me for the better. How excited I am to be reunited with my sweet family :] returning with honor not as a returned missionary, but as a released missionary :]

I love you all! See you all very soon :] Adios!

love- Hermana Ashley Susan Jaeger

Hermana P teaching me to cook  ~  Rainy days in TX

Payback for scaring her  ~  Last time I will see this

Houston Texas

What are you willing to give up?

The work here is going so well!! The members in this ward are so amazing and they work so hard to help others. Our ward mission leader had a ward FHE at the church on saturday and we had a great turn out! The WML Hno R spoke on gifts we receive from god/christ like attributes. Each person wrote a gift or attribute of christ they felt they had and then they passed the gift to someone in the room who they felt had that gift from god. it was a sweet lesson and at the end we celebrated Hno Rs' birthday. 

Our most progressing investigators right now is C. They are expecting to have a baby girl the end of august. She is ready to be baptized. Please if you could pray and fast this sunday for C that she can get baptized? ;] The relief society is throwing her a baby shower which is so sweet because all her family is down in mexico. 

I wanted to share a quick story, something I learned this sunday about sacrifices. The teacher had us read two stories from the bible, first is the story of the young rich prince found in luke 18:18-24. This young prince is a good guy, he keeps all the commandments and does what is right. With this he askes christ what more does he need to do to enter into the kingdom if God? Christ tells him he must give up all he has and follow him. the young prince then turns and walks away crying sorrowfully because he had many great riches of the world. We then ready a story of the fisherman in matthew 4:18-22. This is when Christ tell the fisherman to forsake all and follow him, so the fisherman drop their nets and leave their father to follow Christ. These fisherman become apostles of Christ, James and John. 

Now I want you to think for a moment. From these two stories do we know the name of the fisherman? Yes, James and John. Do we know the name of rich prince? No...why is that? Because is we do not follow christ we will make nothing of ourselves, in the end. To truly follow Jesus Christ and be his disciples we must "forsake all" or give up all we have to follow his example. Then he will make of us more then we can make of ourselves. So what are you willing to give up to follow Christ's example? Through out my mission, little by little I have given up more and more of myself and I have seen the blessing from it. I have received more happiness in my life because I have been focussed on helping the lives of others. My mission has and is changing me for the better :] I know as we trust in God and follow his sons example we will return home to him with great joy. I love you so much and am so blessed to have such an amazing family! 

love-hermana jaeger

10 more to go

Texas Houston District  ~  Signing my TX flag

Yep walked like this

We got transfer calls today and I found out I am staying in H 1 with Hna B :] I am so grateful to have another 6 weeks here and I'm positive the extra 4 weeks President will just keep me here in the area until I am called home. I'm starting to get emotional with knowing how fast the last transfer went and how I only have 1 1/2 left. How grateful I am for this time in my life to find out who I am through serving others 24/7. In church today we heard a really cool story as we were learning about the sabbath day that I would like to share with you.

 Afraid of B's sweet bird  ~  friend on ground trying to get in our place

My friend kept following me  ~  made left turn this sucker scared me

 L teaching me how to eat a mango & I'm messy  ~  Service for sweet friend & it was worth it!

"There was a fisherman who lived with his wife and 5 children. This father loved his family and wanted the best for them. He went out to work hoping to catch enough fish to give him income to take care of his family. As the fisherman pulled the net out of the water he found that his net was empty of fish, but found 7 clams. In each clam he found 7 beautiful pearls. The fisherman was happy and knew that with these 7 pearls he would be able to give much to his family. As the fisherman walked home he passed by a man sitting on the road, begging for food. The fisherman had compassion on the begger and decided he would give this poor man 6 pearls, for with the 7th pearls the man could support his family for awhile and then go back to work. As the fisherman traveled home the begger decided to follow this fisherman home. The fisherman walked into his home and closed the door. The begger peaked inside the window and say the fisherman put the one other pearl on his nightstand and turned in for the night. The begger quickly reached through the window, took the 7th pearl from off the fishermans desk and walked away."

Now, what did you get from this story? Maybe not much at first but that the begger is supper greedy. In this story the fisherman is like Jesus Christ, he has given us 6 days out of the week to do what we need and want. But are we sometimes like the begger, greedily taking the 7th day and doing what we want with it? The Lord has asked us to sanctify the 7th day of the week to him. and when you think about it, after ALL that Christ has done for us, all he asks of us is to spend this one day out of the week in reverence to him. Are we doing so?

So happy to have a couch

I am grateful for Sundays. though on the mission it is far from a day off rest for me haha I am grateful for the opportunity to go to church and partake of the sacrament. I love H 1 ward and am so grateful and blessed to be in this ward. The members are so willing to help our investigators. I know in the next 10 weeks I will be able to see the fruits of my labors. I know god is a god of miracles and as i trustin him and do his will I will be able to see and experinece these miracles! i just need to be patient. I love you all :] And pray for each of you everynight.  love- herman ashley jaeger

Members, Missionaries & friends came together for a service project for Hermana P

 Deer in headlights ~ District Hermanas & J from ward ~ Service for Hna P

 We love Hna P  ~  1 2 3 smile and he kissed me haha

Cutting the grass with a machete

Patience Pays-Off

Me and my Comp Hermana B.  Representing our TEAM!

This week was a pretty normal week, we visited a lot of member. I've come to a conclusion of the different ways members react to trials. The conclusion was that those members who have already been through the temple bear their burdens with more strength in the Lord then those who have not gone to the temple. Our goal for the rest of my time here in H 1 is to get at least a temple picture into every one of our members homes, so they may remember where they should be heading in life.

 A couple of members have been asking me why I decided to lengthen out my mission for a month. I told them its because I have a great desire to help others come unto christ. And its true. I have VERY specific people here in H 1 that I want to help them progress towards baptism before I leave. I know if I have enough faith in God and work to my full potential I will be able to see these miracle baptisms happen. How grateful I am for this time I have to be here. Thank you mom and dad and grandparents for all the sacrifices you go through to help support me here on my mission. It is the best decision I have ever made in my life. 

this past sunday we had stake conference. As I looked and said hello to familiar faces I went up and talked to the M couple, the first of my investigators that got baptized. As I talked to them and reminded hno M that he said hed share his testimony before i left my mission he replied back that he was sharing his testimony that day in sacrament meeting and how nervous he was! Haha it was so incredible hearing his beautiful testimony of how his wife had waited 27 years until he was baptized. He said how MANY missionaries would come and go but hed never want to listen. He expressed his gratitude for the patient sisters who worked with him for so long to help him get baptized and he named off each sister, sister k, m, j, and jaeger. My heart filled with gratitude for the tender mercy I had to be able to listen to hno m testimony and to see how the gospel has changed his life. I know this gospel can change lives, for the better. Now him and his wife are working to be sealed into the temple :]

I know the importance of being patient in life. SOmetimes the lords timing isdifferent from ours, and in these moments we just need to wait and remember that he is waiting with us too. i like the lyrics of an EFY song that explains of how we need not rush things "I dont need to rush or wait for my future, He knows I'm strong enough and he has a plan...for the girl I am"

I know He has a plan for me and each one of you. Trust in him and believe in good things to come :] be patient and faithful until he calls you home.   love- hna jaeger

New hair cut & Making cupcakes with little A  ~  The S Family

Waiting at church

Make the Sacrafice

Rainy days in Houston Texas
won't keep me from saving souls!

Found out I will have a least one more transfer here in Houston with Hna B :] which will be good! The work is slow but I know it will pick up as long as we just keep working.

This past week we helped out a member in our ward who has cancer. Some of the other hermanas came with us to help clean up her home. We only spent 2 hours helping give service but you could tell by the look on the sisters face it made all the difference. All day she just sits in the home, alone fighting the pain her cancer is causing. She will have an oporation this week that can hopefully help cure her cancer. She is such a strong woman. 

This past week we didnt have much luck with seeing our investigators. It was hard but slowly we started to see miracles. People that we talked to from outside started letting us into their homes. We focussed a lot this week on how we can help our investigators get to church. Instead of praying to have them come to church, I asked in my prayers what I can do to help more of hs chrildren keep this commandment, the sabbath day. Instead of sitting at the church forever for our investigators to show up, we sacrificed our miles to drive all the way back to the homes of our investigators to help them get to church. door after door and call after call it seemed like no one wanted to come and we made a great sacrifice for nothing. Last investigators door we tried, D and H, said that they could come :] WOW I have never been so happy helping someone come to church haha. Though we were all late by 20 minutes, we made it on time for the blessing of the sacrament. 

Mexican Walmart in TX

From these two experiences and more like them I am remined of one of my favorite scriptures "The trial of your faith (is) more precious than gold" (1 peter 1:7). 

Also, I restudied what I learned in the temple :] I know my heavenly father was really speaking to me in D&C31:5 "thrust in your sickle with all your soul...and ye shall be laden with sheaves upon your back for the laborer is worthy of his hire. wherefore your family shall live". As I looked up the part that talks about that my family shall live it means that the lord will take care of their well being. This tender mercy of the lord gave me so much peace. Many times on my mission I worry for many members of my family!!! It does hurt my heart that I cannot be there when I know someone in my family is struggling. But I know the lord will watch over and protect my family as I am doing his work. I know he never breaks a promise. I know this is his work and his church. I will keep saying that until the day I die, and then on into the eternities haha. I know how precious life is, its short compared to eternity. Live, learn, and love. Forgive those who've wronged you. Live up to your potential. Let people know you're a member of the church of Jesus Christ of lattter day saints! and remember if anyone treats you poorly, or you feel like you cant handle anymore, remember your savior. and know that he's been there before. he knows how to help. i love you all so much :]

FHE fun with the C Family :]

Blessing From On High

All the Hermanas in our Mission.  Houston Texas Temple Day 
(Thanks to Hermana W's mom for the pic)

Last year we as a mission worked very hard bringing souls unto Christ. Because of how hard we worked our mission president and wife celebrated our success by taking the whole mission to the temple. Wow it was an incredible experience that I will cherish through out my life. Because our mission is so big they made groups of 4 and had each of us go on different days of the week. All the Hermanas went and did a session at the same time. And the temple president (president Crane) did the session! I was actually the first one to go into the celestial room and there was Sister Ashton the temple presidents wife waiting to great all the missionaries into the room :] after the session they took us to a room where our mission president AND temple president spoke to us and answered questions for us while we were in the temple. I had an amazing experience while there that I want to share with you. Here is one paragraph of what I wrote to my mission president,

" Wow I learned so much but I feel impressed to share one specific experience that I had that opened my eyes. Before the session started I opened up the bible and started reading in Matthew 20:8 and this phrase stuck out to me, "Call the labourers, and give them their hire". For some reason this phrase wouldn't leave my mind so I made a mental note to remember where this scripture was and look it up during a personal study. Then after the session while you were speaking you read the scripture D&C 31:5 which reads, "Therefore, thrust in your sickle with all your soul, and your sins are forgiven you, and you shall be laden with sheaves upon your back, for the laborer is worthy of his hire. Wherefore, your family shall live". When I heard you share this scripture wow I had a reconfirmation that I do have a father in heaven who knows me and leads me through out my life and in what i do. Many times in my life I do not notice his hands guiding me with where to go or what to read but from that experience in the temple I know, without a doubt that there is a God. And he is my father. I went home and for the past few days have been striving to study these scriptures to understand what my father in heaven is trying to tell me."

With one of our investigators she wants to wait another 2-3 months until she is baptized. When I heard this it broke my heart, I know I was sent here to the area to help her and to hear she wants to wait longer after all the studies and prayers and fasts ive done for her it was hard to hear. But I know that as for me as a missionary I have done all I should and could to help her. She is an amazing person and has no doubts.,

And to the men of the world who have the priesthood I repeat the words of our prophet Thomas s monson, "Live worthy of it!" Remember, your actions do not just effect you, they effect SO MANY PEOPLE!!!!! We are blessed and protected when we live gods commantments, when we dont we become miserable, wether today, in a couple years, maybe not until heaven. WE must keep all the commandments of God to be happy and to return to him. I know this is the true gospel of jesus christ. I know he lives. This is his church. 

Finally P-Day! Elder Russel M Nelson, my sis, temple

I cannot explain how much I needed this P-Day hahaha. So We had stake conference this weekend and Elder Russel M Nelson from the 12 came here and spoke to us!!! Oh my gosh it was the coolest experience ever! Sunday morning he was the last speaker and at one point he asked all the little primary kids to stand up and wave their arms to him! Our little investigator K came and she counts her self as a primary kid :] our mission presidents little 8 year old daughter sat by us and we had to help interprate the talks into English for her. Anyway, as the primary kids stood up he asked them to sing Soy Un Hijo De Dios. Their little voices were so soft and sweet, just like the spirit. I cried. At the end Elder Nelson, who is 89, took both his hands, kissed them, and waved them to all the children :] He stood at the door for like 2 hours afterward to shake everyones hand :]

Me and my sister!

oh no I only have 8 minutes left cause ive been emailing mom and kels HAHAHA ill send a written letter home but know im doing a lot better. it was hard to hear about kels going home but I am relieved to know she is honorably released from her mission and is safe at home :] I went to the temple today and prayed so much for my sister. Kels and mom I also put your names in the temple.

Houston Texas Temple trip

Kels I know God loves you. My mission presidents wife receved some revelation for you that I want to share :] God doesnt go by measurments. Like in school we see how we are doing by our grades which tell us how we are doing and where we need to improve. But God doesn't measure like that. He loves you because your his precious daughter. He is EXTREMELY happy to see that you served with all your heart :] He knows your heart and he knows your sacrifices. He is so proud of you for serving more than other teenagers would! God wants to teach us what we are ready to learn. He realizes your sacrifice and is so grateful for the missionary you were and the person you have become.. I am so proud of you my sweet sister Kelsey. I cannot put into words what an inspiration you are to me. You are my best friend and I will do everything and anything to protect you and to make you happy. As I entered the temple today my mind flooded back with a moment when we served together in the temple :] I got emotional. I didn't want to take of the temple clothes because I felt like I was at home. So after the session, in the locker room I sat in my white dress and said a prayer that I will have the strength once I put my street clothes back on to do the lords will and that I can feel okay for the next 7 months. And you know what, I feel okay :] I know God will help me. I know he will watch over you Kels and I am just so happy you are back safe in loving arms. :] Take care, my heart is always with you all. P.S. Kels every time I put on my nametag I still think of you, my other Hermana jaeger (my sister)

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 

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