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 

The Divine Gift of Gratitude

This week has been one of the best so far. It started off pretty rough because a lot of my friends were leaving who had finished their 6 weeks. My good pal Elder Degener left for the Belgium Netherlands mission and so I was gutted about that but I'm sure I'll make some new friends. I'll add some pictures hopefully next week because I haven't been good at that so far lol. 

The devotionals this week have been amazing. We got shown the new Light the World video this year and we got to see it early! Let me just say you're in for a treat. It is such a moving video, it is so real and we really get to see the journey that Joseph and Mary took, and their characters and their care for the baby Jesus. Also, the portrayal of the wise men is amazing, it had me in tears, I can't wait for you all to see it. 

I was kind of struggling to be positive this week, but this Thomas S Monson talk kept popping into my head, about the gift of gratitude. I was sat in class on Monday or Tuesday I cant really remember which, and I said the most simple thing in Polish but I used it in the right context and I was super happy with myself. But then I gave all the thanks to God, I was grateful for Him for helping me and answering my prayers, and after this I was even more happy, God had blessed me for being grateful and I felt the Holy Ghost in my heart. Think of what you're grateful for, write them down, even if it's the simplest of things and I promise you'll see Gods hand in your life, no matter who you are. 

I've had some good teaching experiences this week also, teaching has been a struggle of mine, especially when it's in Polish, but this week the Lord has shown me what I'm capable of through Him. I bore simple testimony of the Book of Mormon and of its truthfulness but for me it was one of the most powerful experiences I've had. It's amazing being a missionary, it's amazing being set apart from the world, having the Lord on your side always and knowing that Heavens help is all around you. 

Speak soon,

Starszy Ashworth x