Surprise! I'm EXTENDING MY MISSION!!

This week I received my "trunky papers". Here is a little of what the letter said from president, "I am sure it is with mixed emotions that you are realizing that your release date is just a few months away...I am writing to extend a challenge to you. With all of the experiences, speaking skills, knowledge and faith you have acquired since your mission began, there has never been a time in your mission when you were more qualified and able. You are at the height of your missionary service. Never have you been more capable to have a powerful impact on this sacred work of the Lord...I challenge you to utilize these remaining sacred weeks in the mission field to increase your pace, and acheive a great work in the name of the Lord...These last precious days will never come again...I pray the Lord's greatest blessings to be upon you as you sprint to the end".

I have spent the last few weeks praying to know whether I should extend my mission or not. After countless prayers and trying to find an answer I have come to the conclusion that the Lord trusts me enough to make my own decision. I talked to my mission president about it and he said that I am only obligated to serve until August 26, and the Lord is so incredibly happy with me for serving that long. He said to go to the Lord and ask him if he would be fine with me extending if that is what I would want to do, then finished "us as a mission would love if you extended". As I pondered the next few days about this I realized something. At the beginning of this transfer I asked the Lord why I was in the area. I just wanted to know who needed my help. Since that prayer there have been countless moments and struggles from members and nonmemebrs that have shown me why I am here. I have very specific investigators who are in my area who I know I was sent here to help them be baptized. I feel I must give them all that I have (including all the time I can have to serve here) to help them be baptized and then work towards going to the temple. 

After also talking with the family :] I have come to a conclusion that I want to extend my mission and stay the extra 4 weeks until september 26th. The only reason I am making this decision is because of the people here. Form my investigators, memebers, and less actives. I feel I can really help them even more if I stay until september and not leave in august. I know right now it feels like the 4 weeks will be so long, but thinking in an eternal perspective its only a little moment. And to think how many people I can help bring unto christ in those last 4 weeks. I know this gospel is true. I want to help as many people as I can be apart of this great joy in the gospel! 

I love you. How grateful I am for your support and love. I am so lucky to have such an incredible family. I know he will watch over you until I come home :]  love- hna ashley jaeger

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 :]

Thank You

It was so niec to see all your faces and hear your voices Skping :] Its weird to think how long its been since I've hugged you all (not for you Aus, you were sneaky and saw me here before you left on your mission haha). 

This week was awesome! Hna B and I have been helping our recent converts with family history so they can take names to the temple. When we had a zone conference with the mission president he talked about how we need to help people with their family history, which is what my comp and i were already doing! Last week the ward had a temple trip set for the youth and recent converts to go to , we had 2 recent converts and made it our goal to get them to the temple!  With L and his family we went to their home, his mom E said they were trying so hard to get info about SOMEONE but found nothing. I told them, "Well I know there is power in prayer. If we pray with faith that we will find an ancestor of yours to take to the temple the Lord will help us!". After about 2 hours we found the info of a grandfather that the F family was able to take to the temple :D J the other recent convert also went to the temple. We watched them do temple baptisms, it was an incredible expereince. To see them be baptized is one thing, but to see them THEN go to the temple is incredible. I want to help EVERYONE not just be baptized but go to the temple. That is the place were testimonies are strengthened. On Sunday J actually stood infront of the class and bore his testimony about bapstims for the dead and his experience in the temple :] it was so awesome! 

I love you all so much! I know the Lord is watching over you all and protecting you :] let me know if you want me to send you something cool from Texas before I go home!!

P.S. i love that you ate elotes hahaha. for my homecoming maybe we can cook come hispanic food :D

HAAAAAPPPPY BBIIIRTTTHHDDAAAAY mi hermanito (little brother)! I love you so much Garrett you are getting SO OLD! and what the you have facial hair and your voice is deep?! where did my little garr bear go?!! I hope you have a great 17th birthday bud :] eat lots of cake for me and give yourself a BIIIIG hug for me haha. I love you sweet garrett :]

Consider the Lillies‏

I remember a couple years ago while we were watching conference at home, the mo tab came on and sang "consider the lillies". I remember how touched I was to hear the sweet words of this song and from then on I desired to know the meaning of the scripture. In 3 nephi the savior brings this phrase up to the nephites, "consider the lillies, how they grow, how they toil not nor do they spin". The savior goes on to say "if god so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, even so will he clothe you, if ye are not of little faith. ..for your heavenly father knoweth that ye have need of all these things" (3 nephi 13:28-33).

Ran into a EFY friend in the
hall from 7 years ago!

This past week which all the transfers and at our transfer meeting Pres said they were closing down parts of our mission because they didn't have enough missionaries coming in to fill those that are leaving. So some got switched to english speaking.  I am still spanish.  Getting a new companion we realized we didnt have much food. We seriously only had cereal, milk, and bread and some cheese and ham. I felt so bad for my new comp and I barely had any other money to go buy fast food cause its too expensive. So I prayed really simply to God that he would provide food for us. After that prayer we were fed twice that day and the next days after. I know with all my heart the Lord takes care of his servants. I am so grateful for him and the faith I have in him to see many miracles in the lives of others and in my own life.

Okay now onto the crazy week I've had haha. So my comp and I know drive the mission van, we are now in charge of picking up 5 other hermanas for church and other meetings. Just to pick them all up and drop off takes 3 hours out of our day. For transfers we were squished into the van with A TON of luggage and everyone was talking. of course im the one driving cause we have the car and all the sisters are new. I was pretty nervous that at one point I started driving away as one of the hermanas was trying to get into the van!!! HAhaha that night I had a dream that I was driving the van full of little children and I was telling them to calm down. 

My new companion is Hna B from NY. her parents are from mexico so she is the bomb at spanish because its her first language. sometimes we will start speaking english then switch to spanish and it takes me a second to keep up haha but i love her and we get along really well:] The past sunday I hit my 1 year and 2 month mark. Its weird to think i have a little less than 4 months left, kind of weird but I'm okay with it. It gives me a bitter sweet feeling. I love you all and hope you have a great week!

Love Hna Jaeger

P.S. CONGRATS to my brother AUSTIN in Chile on your baptism!!! I am so extremely happy for you :] you look so happy and nice.

*For my brother Elder Aus & week of Miracles

Saint Patricks Day

This week has been full of miracles!! I want to share one story with you but for some reason I got the prompting today (a REALLY strong prompting) to focus this email to my brother Austin. I'm not really sure what you are suppost to hear from me austin but know that I'm going to try real hard to be lead by the spirit right know to know what the Lord is trying to tell you :]

Missioanry work is hard. For the fam at home ask Kels about it haha. This work was not meant to be easy., look at the life of Christ. his whole life he was doing his fathers will even though many hated him for it. They beat him and spit upon him and crucified him. And even then when he was on the cross, he loved them and forgave them "father, forgive them for they know not what they do". Even after christs death we understand that he was working in the spirit world organizing the work to being more souls unto him! He never stops doing this work. We are far from being like the savior, but we as members are asked to do the same work as our savior, to preach his gospel. when we were baptized we "took upon us the name of christ" meaning we promised to do as the savior did. Austin, I know you are working SO hard in your mission!!! To the point where your legs are starting to give out on you haha. And for this you heavenly father is extremely proudof you  and grateful for your service. Can you picture yourself at the end of your mission? I hope you picture a tall tan man with worn out shoes and soul but still with a smile on his face :] this is the most important work we can be doing. I know even after my mission and when the name tag is ripped away from me (haha cause i never wanna get released) i will still be doing missioanry work. ive come to realize HOW IMPORTANT it is to proclaim this gospel to EVERYONE because without baptism they will not be saved. This week I want to ask all of you (ecpesially austin) to read 3 nephi 11. I want you to see what is the FIRST principle christ teaches the people when he visits the nephites. That chapter in the book of mormon changed my whole outlook on   missionary work. I love you all. And austin, even if you cant see the fruits of your labors yet, i promise you....they will come. in the lords timing. 

This week our main focus was getting J baptized. Starting out the week J explained to us he was not ready to be baptized, he felt he needed more time. He said he wanted to know more before being baptized. During one of my personal studies I prayed so fervently that heavenly father would help me feel how J was feeling, and that I may find scriptures that could help J really understand the importance of baptism and that he was ready. As I was reading I came across 3 nephi 11: 29-30 "... and I and the father I r commandeth all men, everywhere, to repent and believe in me. and whoso believeth in me and is baptized the same shall be saved; and they are they who shall inherit the kingdom of god. and who so beliveth not in me and is not baptized shall be damned" (versus 32-34). At first I felt this message was a little TOO strong and bold to share. Then I realized that these are the words of our Savior. He is lovingly bold. I can picture him crying out to each of his brotheren and proclaiming that that they need to be baptized or else they will not be saved. 

We read this scritpure and explained that these are the words of his loving savior PLEADING for us to follow him, repent, and be baptized. This message touched J's heart, he prayed right there to know if he should be baptized and after the prayer said he felt at peace. We explained that this was the spirit testifying to him that he is ready to be baptized on sunday. Hna W and I did EVERYTHING we could to help J prepare for his baptism. 

How grateful i am for this gospel in my life. I LOVE MY FAMILY! how happy i am to have them for eternity because honestly 1 1/2 years is way too long to be away from y'all haha. I lvoe you all and pray for you always (especially you Kels ;]). Thank you for supporting me and loving me when im far away.

Bus rides & sharing the gospel in JAIL

Buenas dias a mi familia :]

Had such a good week! Valentine's day was fun, my companion and I ended the day with watching this SUPER old mormon video "together forever" HAHA with cookies, pizza, candy, ect. Thank you to my amazing mother for being so kind and sending us stuff for Valentines :] Oh also the whole valentines day when we were in the car we wore some heart glasses that mom sent us haha.

Downtown Houston TX

A lot of things happened this week. This past week was my first time riding on the bus in Houston! It was pretty fun. We first get on the bus and the driver starts driving away before I even start to sit haha so I almost fell over. As we were sitting on the bus Hna W realized one of the passangers was a lady we have been trying to get ahold of for 3 weeks! We went and talked to her and set up an appointment :] I was SUPER nervous to talk to people on the bus. I didnt know how to walk up to them, what to say, I've never done it before. After a few minutes I got enough guts to get up from my seat and go sit behind a guy who I thought I should talk to . Right as I sat down next to him I realized he was sleeping...I started laughing because NOW everyone saw me sit down by this guy who is asleep. My companion eyeballed me to go talk to the guy behind me but I was nervous. Then I thought, "Well, maybe I can just ask him a direction question." I I turned around to him and asked, "Are we going to Downtown?" As the 26 year old started to reply I noticed something hiding on the back of his neck. I quickly realized it was a SNAKE haha so I replied, "WOW is that real?" He, E, laughed and pulled the snake from behind his neck. My companion and I were so amazed. He said the snake was a baby python...haha we were tempted to hold it but decided itd be best just to tke a pic of it. We then started talking about life and he started to explain that his mother passed away after Christmas and his dad died 2 years ago. I asked if he went to a church and he explained how after his mother died he stopped going to church. That that experience weakened his faith in God. It was a perfect opportunity to talk about the Plan of Salvation and how he will be able to see his parents again after this life. We were able to get his information so the missionaries can stop by and visit. We were able to talk to about 6 more different people on the bus, it was a really cool experience. All the people were pretty different. After talking to one guy who asked what I represented he remarked, "No I dont want missionaries to come visit me. I just started talking to you cause you have a pretty face" HAHA I just said, "Well thanks...if you want to learn more heres our website". I am excited to ride the bus more and find those who are prepared :]

Houston Bus Rides with friends 

Last night I realized how worn out missionary work makes you. After I fell asleep I woke back up at 11pm. I dont even know why but for some reason I thought it was time to get up HAHA so I pulled myself out of bed and started praying. As I was praying I thought, "Why isn't she praying too?" I was so confused and so I thought, "Well maybe I have more time to sleep" and crawled back into bed haha. I think it would be so funny in heaven to read through your prayers because I'm pretty sure in all my morning prayers I'm talking about what happened in my dreams. 

This week we also found out one of the less actives in our ward got put into jail. We decided we should go visit him and give him some hope that things will turn out okay. We got to the Jail in downtown and had to wait an hour for it to open. So we called people to try and set up appointments. Finally we were able to go in. As we walked through the doors there was a pretty good size line to see those who were in the jail. Lots of people could tell this was our first time visiting. We really did stand out from the crowd. Finally after a lot of confusion and an hour later we were just waiting for our friend to come up to the glass window. As we were waiting I was looking at ALL the other people who were talking to the inmates. Basically, I saw mothers with their children on one side of the glass trying to speak through a little speaker to their husbands on the other side of the glass-dressed in orange. It broke my heart to see families so close but so far apart. The spirit was totally not there, mothers were screaming to their kids to be quiet and yelling and cussing through the speaker to talk to their loved ones who were locked up. 

Instantly a feeling of gratitude came over me of how blessed and lucky I am to have been born to loving parents who raised me in the gospel of Jesus Christ. With this knowledge I learn of the things I need to do to make me happy, and free. As we follow Jesus Christ we really are freed and do not become inprisoned by things of the world. Finally we were able to talk to our friend. I've never met him or seen him before but somehow his face seemed familiar to me. Since we were not allowed to take ANYTHING with us to talk to the inmates we just taught through testimony to him. We told him how much God loved him and that through is son Christ we can be clean of all sins. We told him how much his family loved him and prayed for him always. He explaiend to us that many years ago he was SUCH a faithfl member in the church, he had even gone through the temple. Something happened in his life where he started to turn to alcohol to solve his probelms and became an addict to alcohol. As he talked to us he had shame in his countanence. You can tell he was upset for what he had done and wanted to change. Before leaving we asked if we could say a prayer with him, he said he would offer the prayer. With people screaming all around I could barely hear his soft words, but what I did hear touched my heart. In a place of no hope I felt peace, I felt the spirit. As E prayed his eyes filled with many tears of sorrow for what he had done and for gratitude for his family and the missioanries. Leaving the jail I came out with having an even greater desire to share the gospel with everyone. I want EVERYONE to have what I have, I feel for those who suffer.

Pizza with the Hermanas

I look at my life know and am grateful for this opportunity I have to see how our actions today really do take a big role on what happens tomorrow. This past week we also had a zone conference with our mission president. He talked about setting life long goals, we had a few minutes to write out what we wanted in our futures and how we would acheive them. One thing I mentioned was how I want to be a good wife and mother and that the mission was helping me prepare to do that. Reading my patriarchal blessing reminds me of the potential I have and how I want to always be a strong member of the church so I can fulfill what God has in store for me. Thank you for supporting me and giving me this opportinuty to serve a mission, to help others, to save souls. As I am about to hit my 22 years since I was born I still to this day am so grateful for the loving family I have. I cannot put into words my love and gratitude I have for you all :] I pray for you all individually and lvoe you with all my heart. How joyful the day will be to hug you all again :

Miracle Baptism

Hermana Jaeger is in the first row ~ right side ~
5th one in black jacket/peach shirt.

Wow this week has gone by fast!! This past week I was able to meet our investigator L. The first time I met him, right away he reminded me of my brother Garrett :] so kind, doesnt want to get in anyone's way, has a good sense of humor, always looking our for others. My first lesson with him was so cool! His mom and sister are members. Right in the middle of our lesson L speaks up and says, "Hermana's, I've been praying to know if I need to be baptized. The other night I was praying in my moms room and I felt something in my heart. At first I didnt notice what it was but now I understand that it was a sign from God that I need to be baptized". Haha we were soooo excited and taken back!!! We invited him to be baptized this Sunday (5 days later). He was super nervous but we all knelt down and L prayed to know if he should be baptized on Feb 9th. After the prayer he said he felt good about the date :D so the next few days we taught all the lessons and planned a baptism. I'm getting better at not getting stressed out with limited amount of time haha. Sunday came and the baptism went well :] At first L was REALLY nervous! I think it was because all of us were running around like chickens getting everything set haha. But it was so cool to see him get baptized. After he was baptized and came and sat by hermana W and I we asked how he felt and he responded with a big smile, "I feel GREAT!" L has a special little place in my heart, especially because he reminds me of bro Garrett :]

I love my companion Hermana W so much!!! We get a long SO WELL and seriously everything that comes out of her mouth happens haha. Examples; during church we were SO HUNGRY and wanted a valentines cookie. After church a young woman comes up to us and gives us this BIG valentines pizza cookie haha! we wanted a baptism together and after a 1 1/2 of being together we had L baptized. She is just SUCH an amazing person and I have so much love and respect for her :] We have had some great times together already.

Downtown Houston Texas

The other night we were driving and we pull behind two cars. As we are waiting at the light the car infront of us had his back hood pop up. We thought it was so weird. As the trunk slowly pulls up we see these HUUUGE speakers blasting bumpin music and lights ALL inside the hood. We started laughing so hard and were trying to get our cameras out to take a pic. Then we read the message and it had some bad words in it haha. The light turned green and the hood went down and the car drove away. 3 seconds later the car next to us had his back trunk start pulling up HHAHAHAHA we were in so much shock!!! This second car had huge speakers too with decked out lights and music in the trunk haha. To this day we regret not taking a picture. The poeple here in Houston city are craaazy. We had to go to downtown houston and look up some people. One guys info directed us to this SUPER nice apt complex that we couldnt go in without a pin to buz in :[ im pretty sure my whole wardrobe cost the same as one of the plants sitting outside haha! Then we went into the city and we pull up to this weird building. We walk in and find out its a jail haha but the guy had already been released a few days ago. 

I love it here in Houston Texas :] I'll be sure to take some more better pics. Love you!

Letter to my BROTHER Elder Jaeger

Family-  

This week I feel a great urge to direct this letter to my little brother. Austin, I want you to recap and think about all the fun events that have occured for you these past few weeks leading up to your mission. Can you see and feel the love from those who you are surronded by? I want you to remember that all those people who wished you luck will be praying for you. Every day. You will be prayed for in the temples several times a week. Angels will be with you all day. Every day. To bear you up. To protect you. To watch over you. You're setting apart as a missionary is a real thing. You have authority to preach the gospel. elder godlen from the 70 shared an interesting knoweldge with us missionaries. Austin, did you know there are 3 main powers on the world today?

The power of faith. The power of the priesthood. The power of the devil. Many times I have seen and used the power of faith on my mission. Faith seems like such a primary/basic topic but its important. You will see as you are on your mission that you will be put through situations that will test your faith. Trust in God. As you are stretched because of trials you begin to use and rely on your faith and it starts to grow. Faith brings miracles.

You have the power of the priesthood. Austin always stay vitruous and clean so you have use this power to its full advantage. How grateful I am for the power of the priesthood in my life. Without the priesthood I wouldnt be a missionary. I wouldnt have been baptized. This church wouldnt exist today. One of the things we have in our church that makes us different from the rest is the power of the true priesthood. We teach the restoration as the first lesson with people because its what our church has that no other church has claim on. How blessed we are to live during a time where the true church has been restored back ont he earth.

And here is the reason why God has called you, Elder Austin Charles Jaeger, as a missionary of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Lucifer has power and is trying to destroy your precious brothers and sisters. But remember, Gods power is much greater. We know that in the end Gods team will win in this battle. You have power. Remember that your Father in heaven" worketh by power, according to the faith of [his children]" (moroni 10:7). Trust in God. Without his help Austin we cannot be successful in our work as missionaries. If you struggle with learning the language, trust in God. If you are scared to open your mouth to someone on the street, trust in God. If you are feeling homesick or like you dont belong, trust in God. He knows you perfectly! He loves you and knows what to put in your path for you to endure and make it back home to him.

How proud I am of you Austin to go and serve your mission. The people in Santiago need you. God is preapring people over there for you to teach and baptize. All you must do is pray for guidance from God, and go out and work HARD to find those who are prepared.  "And ye are called to bring to pass the ^agathering of mine ^belect; for mine elect ^chear my voice and ^dharden not their ^ehearts;" (d&c 29:7). The elect are waiting for you Elder Jaeger! So tighten up your tie, lace up your shiney new shoes,  and go to work. I love you with all my heart.

Love- your sister Hermana Ashley Jaeger

For with God, nothing shall be impossible

what a wonderful week. I loved Conference. i received so much revelation during the sessions. When the prophet spoke tears came to my eyes. I know he is the one and only true prophet that lives today on the earth. How blessed we are to have a living prophet today to give us guidance and direction.

R has his interview with President Ashton to see if he can be baptized. He has a testimony of this gospel. R attended priesthood session, and both sessions of conference on sunday! AND between the 1st and 2nd session the other sisters in our branch had a baptism!!! Brazos branch has not had a baptism in almost a year and V was the first baptism of 2013. We know this is just the start of many more baptisms to come.

This past week we've been praying to know who is ready to be baptized this weekend (oct 12-13). We made a list of people who could be baptized. On this date my comp wrote MILAGRO (miracle) haha. We also have been giving up things to show the Lord were ready for a baptism. This week we decided to do a 9 day long english fast. Meaning we only speak spanish for 9 days.

During personal study in the morning a thought came to my mind, "I needs to be baptized". I thought what no way, shes still in the hospital and her condition is not good. Her name isn't even on the list of people who could be baptized. But the words wouldnt leave my mind, "I needs to be baptized". So I stopped what I was doing and offered up a simple prayer to God. I felt a peace after the prayer that this was possible. But how? Then the words came to my mind, "God can do anything". Then I looked right at my scriptures to the page that was open and this was the first thing I read, "For with God, nothing shall be impossible". I started to cry. I told my companion about this and she also cried. We prayed to know if this was His will and we recevied a confirmtion that it was.

Sunday during the 2nd session we drove to the hopsital to show I conference. Somehow I dont even know how but everything worked out and I was able to see the prophet speak. I started to cry again axplaining to I that we've been praying and know she needs to be baptized this weekend. She smiled and said she wants to be baptized. Even more tears filled my eyes. We went through all the baptismal questions and she had no problems. She has her interview this tuesday to see if shes ready.  She will leave the hopsital this thursday, be baptized amd confirmed this saturday and sunday and then tuesday she will have an opperation done on her heart.

For my family and Taylor I'de like to please ask if you could all individually and as a family pray that I will be ready physically, spiritually, and mentally for her baptism this weekend. I really appreciate all your help and support in my life.

I just want to share my testimony of my father in heaven. I know he is a god of miracles. I am a witness of this. Even when things dont seem logical, God understands perfectly and he knows all. I trust in my God with all my heart. I know I could not do this work with out his guidance, help, and direction. I am eternally grateful for his son Jesus Christ. I will always live my life in a way that brings him glory. He is my savior. My light. My salvation. Because of him I can be with my family for eternity. What greater blessing is there then this. i know this gospel is true. In the name of jesus christ, amen.

He Knows Better Then I

Photo of Brazos District!

We saw the amazing miracle of having 4 people attend church this sunday!! How grateful I am for the lords help and guidance in this work! We visited I.  Shes is a special person.  Also I found out hermana oneill and i are staying here for another transfer YAY! We love this area. We had a really good week this week, were able to teach a lot of people and attend some branch and ward activities where we were able to meet new investigators! i know this work will not move forward without the help of the members.

this weeks email is going to be a little different. its more about what I've learned then a focus on a specific investigator but i feel impressed to share with you the knowlegde I've received this week. I'd like to share a scripture in the book of Alma that I've been able to relate to while I've been out on my mission.

"Yea, O God, thou hast been merciful unto me, and heard my cries in the midst of thy congregations... Yea, and thou hast also heard me when I have been cast out and have been despised by mine enemies; yea, thou didst hear my cries" (alma 33:9-10)

I know my Heavenly Father hears my prayers. I feel an urgency to talk with my Father in Heaven everyday. Without his help and his guidance I could not do this work. I want you to always remember how merciful our Heavenly Father and His son is. This past week I've been studying a lot about Repentance. 

Me & my Companion

Never in my life before have I feared so much for the salvation of a lost soul. I worry for those who do not feel godly sorrow for what they have done they will not be saved. But in my studies today about repentance I found hope. To repent we need to change our thoughts, beliefs, and actions. We need to feel SORROWFUL for what we have done, pray and ask forgivness, and strive to not repeat the same sin. Results from repentace is that we feel Gods forgiveness in our lives, guilt and sorrow are taken away, we feel the influence of the spirit in greater abundance, and when the day comes when we pass through this life we will be more prepared to live with our Father and His Son. In Helaman 5:10-11 It explains that the Lord, our Savior Jesus Christ, came to earth to redeem his people FROM their sins, not IN their sins. And christ has power from his Father to redeem his people from their sins BECAUSE OF REPENTACE. the scritpure goes onto say, "Therefore, he hath sent his angels to declare the tidings of the conditions of repentance, which bringith unto the power of the Redeemer, unto the slavation of their souls". God has sent his angels, his missionaries and more specifically Hermana O'Neill and I to declare repentance unto everyone living in Rosenburg. What great urgency I feel to cry repentace unto anyone and everyone I come in contact with.

I know the savior rejoices in the souls who repent (D&C 18:10-13). I know if we do not repent of our sins we cannot enter into the kingdom of God. I love the parable found in Luke 15 of the lost sheep. That what man having 100 sheep and if one of them is lost doeth not leave the 99 and go after the lost one until he finds it? And when he finds the lost sheep, he puts it onto his shoulders, rejoicing! And calling together all his friends and neighbors saying "Rejoice with me! for I have found my sheep which was lost" "I say unto you that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repentath, more than over the 99 just persons, which need no repentance" (Luke 15:3-7). I know the savior is our Shephard, el gran pastor. He is calling each of us to come unto his fold. Hes asking all of us to go out and find the lost one! To give them rest, peace, and eternal happiness.

It is of great importance, wether you have a missioanry nametag or not, for all of use to preach the gospel. "And now, behold, I say unto you that the thing which will be of the most worth unto you will be to declare repentance unto the people, that you may bring souls unto me, that you may rest with them in the kingdom of my Father. Amen."

I know this gospel is true. I charish the time I have right now to be a missionary. The work is hard but oh so worth it. I love being in the service of my God. I know he watches over and protects all those who trust in Him.  

Love- Hermana Ashley Jaeger

Keep moving forward ... Saving lives!! Ah Ha Moment..

Thank you for your emails, they really do bring a lot of happiness into my life. I get pretty dang emotional when I teach about the plan of salvation and how families have the opportunity to be together forever. When it feels right, I explain that as a missionary I am away from my family for a year and a half to help other families be together forever. i miss my family so much and its sad being away from y'all but how much more grateful I am for the plan of salvation and to know that I will be with my family not just temporarily in earth but forever.

This sunday we had two people attend church! R and a new guy J.  is hard because he feels he is going to receive his answer in the bible. We are praying that we will know which of our investigators is ready to be baptized.

This week our investigator I was in the hospital. sunday we got to go visit her with some members of the church. How sad it was to see 50 year old I sitting in the hospital bed with tubes hooked up and needles intact with her skin. And still with all shes been through, she was wearing a smile. We made her a card and she loved it.  she cried as she expressed how she didnt want to be like this anymore, be so sick.  As we stood and listened my companion started balling. We decided to sign a hymn to her because she loves the church songs, they give her peace. As we sang in her hospital room a group of people stood outside the door, listening. I know the some didnt understand the spanish words we were singing but I know that they were drawn to the music becuase they could feel the spirit. We sang "Abide with Me" which brought tears to my eyes. We prayed with I for strength and comfort. Afterward she prayed, expressed her love for her heavenly father and for the members of the chruch who came to visit, she named us off all individually. she expressed in her prayer her desire to be baptized. this made me cry even more. Many things limit her.  we promised her we would stop by when we can and pray with her. Walking out of the hospital I realized why I am a missionary. I want to be a nurse because I love helping people. i feel its my job to save lives. Now is the time for me to save lives spiritually. As my cimpanion and I knelt in our apartment to pray we asked our father in heaven to take special care our Irma. I know the lord watches of her his children.

I've noticed a difference in myself since when I came to Texas and where I am at now. At first I was super shy to preach the gospel. I was nervous. I worried people would judge me and I would be picked on. I barely opened my mouth because I didnt know what to say, especially in a new language. Coming to a new area my 3rd transfer, having to be a senior companion, and follow up train was an even bigger struggle. I already relied so muchon the lord because of the language but now I was desperate for his guidance because now I was over a whole new area. Instead of being the junior companion and following what my senior companion would do, I had to be the one to say the first word, I had to lead out the lessons, I had to start out extending baptismal dates. A lot is put on the shoulders of a senior companion and after 12 weeks of being in texas i didnt think i was ready for this. I remember, and still have, many nights where I cry unto my father in heaven to help me speak the language, to help me meet people who are ready to change, to help me be a good servant of his. As I started to shift my thoughts from myself and all my worries and struggles to worrying about my investiogators i believe this was the moment when the miracles started to pour in. Yes I havent had a baptism yet. But I have seen this gospel change lives without them commiting to baptism yet. Ive seen eyes light up as we share about the story of a boy who humbled himself to his Father in heaven to know which church he should join and in the procees he sees God and Jesus christ. I see peoples hearts touched by the spirit as we bear testimomny of our savior and his life. I see those who are sick physically, confused mentally, or lost spiritually find hope in this gospel, the gospel of jesus christ. I know with all my heart and souls that this is the true and only church of jesus christ. I will not stop moving this work forward until my savior says so.

I love this work. How gratefulI am for this opportunity in my life to help others

Storm Season

We thought the storm would pass... nope

This week we had such a crazy storm!!! The weather here is so weird! Its been so hot and sunny. then after dinner the other day we walked outside and the sky was crazy gray. we knew a strom was coming but just thought its pass. as we were biking to our appartment to get something the wind got soooo strong haha we couldnt bike so we got off and started pushing our bikes along the side of the road (rememebr in my area theres no sidewalks haha). some car pulled infront of us and stopped. it was a lady with a 6 month old baby in the car. she asked us if she could take us home. we told her we were only 2 minutes away from our house and she said, "please i want to take you home! if my kids were in your position i would hope someone would take them home too". as we started putting our bikes in her car lighting cracked 20 feet away from us no joke!!! it was so loud and crazy! we got in the car real quick, her poor baby was crying :[ as she took us home we quickly got to know shes a baptist and has a big family.  shes so sweet and she accepted for us to leave her a church cad with our number on it. as we walked away the lady said, now you all be careful!! i know you go around knocking doors" haha,. as we got in the appartment the assistance told everyone to stay in side for the next 1 1/2 hour until the storm passed. as we waited we got a call. it was the same lady saying we left a helmet in her car haha! she said she could drive it right over. i struggled to think what we could give her a s athank you.  for some reason a book of mormon popped into my head. SO I grabbed one, wrote a quick thought in the front, and as we meet with her i said, "i know this is random but if you ever want to know more about yout purpose here on earth, read this book" she smiled and tookt he book. I'm not sure if she'll ever read it or ever join the church but one thing I do know is that on that stormy day a tiiiny little seed was planted into her heart.

Pday with the Hermanas

This past week we have been praying fervently for R. we prayed that hed have the opportunity to go to church this past sunday because mission rule is investigators need to go to church twice before they are baptized. we even did a fast for him saturday that hed have the chance to go to church. We meet with R saturday night at the church. then after the lesson we asked if he is going to church on sunday. he said he couldnt because he had work. my heart sunk so low and my comp and i just looked at each other. we explained he needed to go twice before his baptism. he said he just wanted to learn more before being baptized. we finished the lesson real quick and left. for the next 25 minutes ebfore we could head home i just cried. i felt i did all i can as a missionary to have R go to church and he wasnt able going. this moment was probably one of the hardest moments ive had on the mission. because R is ready!! he knows its true and its sad that work is going to keep him from baptism. sunday night we actually ran into R and taught about the mercy of god and how we need the atonment or else we cannot be saved. it was a powerful lesson and he said hed make a rgeater effort to goto church this time.

I lost one of my name tags and was really sad.  I prayed and prayed that I would find it.  One day I went out and somehow it was clipped onto my bike helmet :).  I was so happy!

My lost name tag appeared!

today i read a talk by deiter f utchdorf titled your ownderful journey home. its amazing that as i read the words of prophets and apostles i find exactly what i need to hear, "it is not your responsibility to convert anyone. that is the work of the holy ghost. your task is to share your beliefs and to not be afraid". i quickly realized after entering the mission field that this work was going to be hard. i believe christ understood the same about his mission here on earth. but i know with all my heart that as we endure well our trials in the end it will all be worth it. just hang in there! And as trials come upon you remember the sweet words christ spoke "do not fear, for i the lord am with you".

love-hermana ashley jaeger

We bike at 8am to get people up for church! :)

good morning everyone! This week has been good! A lot of our investigators are showing interest in learning more. We are trying to prepare all of them to be baptized :] 

We love P...

The other day I was on my bike and I decided to start praying to myself. I was praying to know why I was sent to Brazos area and who I was suppost to talk to that day. i asked my Heavenly Father to open my ears so I may understand others.I asked him to guide me to those who are ready to hear the gospel. Every person we went to contact opened their doors and let us in! I was able to understand them and get to know them. God has shown theres a purpose and a reason to why I am serving where I am serving and why I am serving my mission at this time in my life. I know Heavely Father listens to ALL of our prayers and if we have anough faith in him and trust in him with all our hearts he will answer our prayers.

This is P... he was baptized 8 months ago! Hes 78 and is a fireball HAHA! We go over and teach to help prepare him to go to the temple. The other day he was talking and all of a sudden just stood right up and walked away. Then my companion goes, "Uhh SIster Jaeger P... is on your bike!" Haha I turned around to see Panchito struggling down the driveway on my bike! It was so funny he loves to joke around. Hes the member who has a picture of me as his phone screen saver haha!

We've been able to meet A LOT of new people who we are planning on teachinng this week! Its so true, the Lord does put people in your path who are prepared to hear about the gospel. i wish I had time to share about all the investigators we are teaching haha but I guess I will just focus on the ones that are progressing.

R is wonderful we took him to a devotional last night and he loved it! He has a desire to learn more and be baptized. We've had some powerful lessons with R, we taught him in the church and the spirit was so strong!

Sweet I is doing better. shes preparing to be baptized the end of september. Shes so sweet and I care a lot for her, i think my nurse instincts kick in when I arrive at her home haha. P brought her over a new wheel chair and she was so excited!!!

We were able to teach I who has just recently had a baby! As we were teaching her her 2 sons came in and one of their friends!!!! We were able to teach them and set up an appointment for next time, I loved that we were teaching her children :]

So this is what we eat on a normal day!  This is called a Papusa and we made bomb spanish rice.

Sunday morning we biked at 8am to get people up for church! Hermana ONeill and I are getting very bold with people but in a loving way haha. We knocked on our other investigators door and a roommate said they were sleeping :[ but the roommate wanted us to go over later that day and teach him!

Our area is doing well. I thank the lord everyday for the miracles he gives us in our area. I know my purpose here, to invite other to come unto christ. And how important it is to call people to repentance!!! Sorry this letter is short but know that I am doing well and my area and investigators are well :] Ilove you and hope you have a good week!