Yet thou art there.

That's been my favourite little line this week. It's been a nice reminder that the Saviour is always there, regardless of how we feel. Not much has changed since last week, we're still doing the same work, still on Facebook, still wondering when it'll all go back to normal. It's a funny old time to be in, kind of just taking it all a day at a time because that's all you can do really. I've found a lot of peace in prayer and scripture study. Those basics that we're always reminded to do, but they're so powerful. That's one lesson I've learned from all of this, just how much Heavenly Father wants us to talk to Him and tell Him everything that's going on. 

Prayer really is what connects us with Heaven and there's a quote I love from President Hinckley,

"when life gets too hard to stand, kneel."

It's so true and I have felt the power of prayer in my life. So too with scripture study, I'm grateful for what I'm learning and the peace that it brings. I'll say that word a lot.

Peace. 

But that's what this gospel offers. Peace, hope, joy, renewal, happiness, purpose and so much more. One of my favourite things as well is that we can access all of this through scripture study and prayer. 

I've been reading the gospels recently in the Bible, and it's been a really profound experience. My testimony and gratitude and love for my Saviour have continued to grow and I just love the New Testament you should all read it. There's too much to talk about but I've loved comparing all of the final events of Christ's life in the gospels. 

There's one part that stood out this time as I read them all, and it's when the Saviour goes back to Peter, James and John after coming out of the Garden of Gethsemane and He says,

"sleep on now, take your rest." In the Bible it emphasises the word 'your'. The Saviour had compassion on His disciples, and told them to take their rest, while He knew there would be no rest for Him. He would be betrayed by one of His own, face illegal trials and then move on to crucifixion. I'm just amazed again and again and again by the love of my Saviour and His example. What a time to be a missionary and bear His name. 

Speak to you all soon! 

Starszy Ashworth. 

:)

I had 0 clue what to put for a subject so yeah. This week has been eventful, to say the least. In terms of missionary work it's actually been quite boring haha, but like the world is going crazy because of coronavirus. Poland has shut everything down, nothing is open apart from Lidl which is actually super useful as we were able to do our weekly shop this morning. Besides that, we haven't really done much this week. The work has been pretty slow here in Łódź so we'll see what we can do now that we're kinda stuck in our apartment all day. 

Overall though I'm happy. There's not much else to say. I'm the happiest I've been for a little while, I feel calm and peaceful about everything, I know Heavenly Father is in control and He won't forsake His people. That doesn't mean life is perfect, it just means that we can have the surety that God is with us in all things and it brings comfort to the soul. I love my Saviour and I'm grateful for Him, I'm coming closer and closer to Him and for me, it's been the best thing about my mission. 

Warsaaawwwwww

So this week was such a good week, its flown by, I can't believe how quick time goes, and it's because I'm having so much fun. The mission is such a huge blessing. It stretches you and pushes you to the point where you feel that you can't carry on, and then comes the sweet relief from the Saviour, who finished His course for me, who never gave up and pressed on to the end in faith. I know I can do whatever my Heavenly Father asks of me, because the enabling and strengthening power of the Atonement is real, and I really have felt it carry me.

This past week I turned 19 which is crazy! I'm like nearly 30 lol. But seriously it's wild that I've been alive for 19 years, whatttt happened hahaha. It was such a blessing though, I went to see my family in Warsaw and it was the best birthday ever. My Polish family have such a special place in my heart, and I'm so grateful to my Heavenly Father, and for the tender mercy of being given the opportunity to labour for His people here in Poland. Speaking to my family in Polish was such an amazing experience and quite surreal, I remember like 4/5 years ago when Josef got his mission call to Poland and we'd talk about me one day serving there also, speaking to each other in Polish etc. and now here I am! It's such a blessing.

I spent Saturday in Warsaw with my family and got to see old town, it's so beautiful, and I'm looking forward to going back some day. The rest of the week was just the usual missionary work, I'll save you from the details haha.

Sorry for not replying to everyone's emails but I read them all and I'm grateful for those who write to me. It puts a smile on my face.

Speak soon everyone!

Starszy Ashworth x

Family

Cousins

Birthday Cake

I'm a missionary (still doesn't feel real).

So this week I was on exchanges, which means I went to a new city and had a new companion for a couple of days. We were walking around and it hit me again that I was a missionary and I looked at my companion and I was like woah I'm a missionary. 

I still sometimes can't believe it, my whole life I've been waiting to serve a mission, the missionaries were like superheroes to me, and now I'm here living in Poland, fulfilling my dreams and it's the coolest thing ever. I get to share with people the message of the restored gospel, a message that can and WILL change lives. 

It's a message that brings hope, peace and comfort to the soul. Without the gospel and without my testimony of it, I wouldn't be able to have hope in the fact that I'll be with my grandad Brian again, but because of the message of the restored gospel, and through the Holy Ghost, I know that I'll see my grandad again and that I can live with all my family throughout the eternities. This is just one example of how the gospel has blessed my life and the comfort that it brings. 

There are countless examples and I see it each day and I am so so grateful for it. But, back to exchanges. I was with one of the zone leaders called Elder Long and the guy was a machine. I learned so much from him. We spoke to a ton of people and We did a street display which was fun. I spoke to like 50 people and about 2 people stopped to talk but that's just the life of a missionary here in Poland haha. It's fun though, as I've mentioned before, I know that the Saviour is there with us, He promised us that He always will be, and He doesn't break his promises. 

I read a really good talk earlier this week by Jeffrey R Holland called songs sung and unsung, and there was a quote in there that really touched my heart and it says, 

"But I plead with each one of us to stay permanently and faithfully in the choir, where we will be able to savour forever that most precious anthem of all - 'the song of redeeming love.'" We all have moments where we feel like there is no place for us in the 'choir', where we feel that we're just not quite good enough but I know with all my heart that this is not the case. A kind, loving Heavenly Father knows our hearts and He knows our desires. He blesses us for wanting to do good, He blesses us for wanting to improve. We are exactly what our Heavenly Father wants us to be, and with His help He can help mould us into what He knows we can become. 

One thing I've learned from my short time on my mission is that because of the Saviour Jesus Christ and His infinite atonement, divine love and compassion are never far away, and a loving Heavenly Father is always close by. Just keep going, and do your best, because that's all that our Heavenly Father asks for. 

Speak soon everyone and have a great week!

Starszy Ashworth x 

Łódź - The Manchester of Poland.

So, it's been my first week in Poland, and in all honesty it's been pretty hard. I was super excited to be here, and I still am, but it's taking me some time to adjust. What's giving me comfort is knowing that the Lord is with me, he's mindful of me and he knows how I feel and this brings me comfort. Also, the Lord won't ask me to do anything that I can't do, so I know that as I continue to work hard and have faith that I'll do alright.

 As far as Łódź goes, (pronounced woodge) it's a really pretty place, there's a huge street that runs for like 4.3 km, it's huge, and I've spent most of my time there lol. Also the name of the city means boat, but there's no water near it whatsoever which is confusing. 

My only funny story from this week was that while contacting in the streets, I went up to someone to just say hi, but I panicked and said thank you instead and they just laughed at me and walked off, quite awkward but ah well.

 I've heard some really uplifting things this week and have had many moments that have given me strength and reminded me of where I am and who it is that I am serving. My favourite though was that God doesn't care about how many people I baptise, He doesn't care about numbers, He just cares that I give my will. The one thing I can give to my Heavenly Father that is truly mine is my will, and so long as I submit my will to my Heavenly Father then I'll be okay, and my Heavenly Father can't ask for anything more. As well, when I serve and I go forth, Christ has promised us that He is with us, He is on our right hand and on our left and His angels are round about us to bear us up. This brings me great strength and I am so grateful for this knowledge.

Another thing this week that I've realised how important the Book of Mormon really is. Of course I knew this before but I know it even more now. It really does provide us safety for the soul, it is the word of God and gives us the guidance and direction we need, and it also teaches us of Christ and his Love, and reminds us that we are Children of God. I've found comfort and peace in it's pages, and I know that it will bring peace to your lives too as you read it. I promise you.

Lastly, I want to just testify of the power of prayer. This week I've really had to rely on my Saviour and His atonement, and I've had to turn to my Heavenly Father in prayer. We should always have a prayer in our hearts, always keep our minds on the things that bring us peace and joy. As we always have a prayer in our hearts, we keep our feet on the ground, but we have our minds in Heaven. 

I hope to hear from you all soon, do widzenia!

Starszy Ashworth x