ONE MONTH

Hey Ya'll!

Monday-

PDAY! AKA Perfect Day as the Elders say. We played sand volleyball with em and were able to get sunburned really bad...I mean I looked like a tomato! Also the farmers tan is coming along great because of all the sunshine here! We then went to have fhe with a recent convert family, I was able to show em my bball skills and teach em a few moves, pretty fun. They are the greatest and have a firm faith in the gospel! 

Tuesday- 

I was in the SOUTHERN HOOD! Sister Winkel's gps was taking us the backway to a members house and it took us through the thug land! It actually wasnt to bad but different from Idaho thats for sure! We were able to meet a family today that reminds me of little rascals and kid history. They were the funniest family and they loved hearing about the gospel. Cant wait to go back and teach em next week!

Wednesday-

Miss Georgia Ann's car broke down in Biloxi and we saw and met her on our way home from a meeting there with the elders. So we stopped and helped her get her car going again. She's been a member for over 40 years but has been less active for 15. She said we were sent as a sign that she needs to get back to church. She was the sweetest old lady I've met in the south!

Thursday-

Thirsty Thursday's are the pits! I mean its hot and humid and we walk everywhere all day! BUT we do meet so many people and hear all about their life stories in under 5 min of meeting them. hehe its great how friendly everyone is here! We also were able to watch Sister Winkel's brother open his mission call. Her parents sent a dvd with him opening it. He is going to BRAZIL on October 7th! It was so different being in the field and hearing about a mission call and seeing how different its going to change their lives. and the funny part is I've only been out a MONTH! So you really do learn a whole lot in a little amount of time, but it's the greatest learning ever!

Friday-

We met the CRAZIEST man in the world while tracting. He opened the door in next to nothing (people in the south never wear clothes, fyi, hehe) and says "oh hey church people" then slams the door. We werent sure what was going on but then we here him come around the side and he just starts talking away and telling us all his problems. He had a lot btw! In the middle of him talking about his problems he goes "Sister Durtschi, the Lord is above you right now! He's telling me that at TWENTY FOUR your life will be in order and you will be successfull! By THIRTY TWO you will have your family set and you wont be worried about a thing! You hear me! You facebook this crap and tell the world Anthony Lucas has seen a vision! Sister Durtschi is an angel and Sister Winkel is her protector!" hehe we were trying so hard not to laugh and so we kept a straight face and told him we had to get going (cuz we'd been there for almost 2 hours) He was just the funniest man...he also stomped the ground all the way down the road telling Satan to get back down there. Made for a good laugh this week:) 

Saturday-

Exchanges! I was able to go to Diamondhead, which is only about 20 min away from Long Beach. Sister Kelly and I planned the night before what we were going to do....but as any missionary knows plans fall through a lot! So all of our plans fell through actually....and it rained all day! and not like an Idaho or Utah rain...this was like monsoon rain! It was like when the grandparents flood the yard kind of rain that to this day (monday) has puddles everywhere! Its crazy! but I loved it. So we went back to a little old mans house and heart attacked his door and car. Then knocked and ran and watched his expression of happiness come to his face. It was so great! 

Sunday-

Number day! So on Sundays we give our district leader our numbers. Last week our high was 12 hours of tracting. So we knew we didnt get 12 hours this week but we had 18 other lessons, which means we taught 18 lessons to people we just met and 15 of them are accepting it! I just loved how much light comes to their eyes when they realize the Holy Ghost is in the lesson with us and when they realize how true what we are saying is! This gospel brings so much light to people! I love it!

This week was so good and was so fun to be able to learn more about people and what to teach. I have been giving more in lessons and have been feeling the spirit more as I work and focus more on the work. The gospel really does bless us and the people around us. This week I challenge you to invite someone to church! I know its hard but you never know what just an invite shows to them that you care about what you believe. and its ok if they dont come, but if you show just a little bit of love to them about what you believe you will be gaining that much more of a closeness to Christ! 

Love yall and talk to ya next week!:)

Sister Ashley Durtschi

Hannah:)