June 23, 2014

So my email this week will probably just be the spotlight thing.

Well, I am currently serving in the Holmes Lake Ward in Lincoln Nebraska.

I  have been in this ward since the middle of January so I've been here for a long time,

and I love ever minute of it. The people in t his ward are amazing. We just visited
with a man who just entered hospice and will probably be passing away in July. And he

is still doing his home teaching via Skype. He has the most optimistic attitude about everything
 and continues to serve in the temple. I feel very privileged to have gotten to know him. The members in this
ward are excellent at fellow shipping. They are very simple people who love the Lord and because
of that they are doing amazing thing. We had a member invite one of our investigators to be baptized

a couple of Sunday's ago at church and our investigator agreed.  That was a miracle. Because of

that we were able to set her for baptism in July. We are seeing miracles more and more everyday.

Currently our mission is focusing on "Miracles." We had a awesome zone conference where we just
discussed miracles and what they were and how we recognize them. One of my favorite quotes is

"coincidences are how God stays anonymous."   So we have been asked to specifically pray for
miracles in our area. Everyday we have been able to see small miracles here and there. Whether it
be members putting our bikes in the back of  a van so we didn't have to ride home in the heat. Or we were

blessed to get a member referral. I could go on. "Miracles were and are a response to faith, and it best encouragement.
They were never wrought without prayer

,felt need, and faith." (BD Miracles.) I have a firm testimony of prayer. It's kind of this really amazing thing. I

more specifically have a testimony of keeping a prayer journal. That has completely changed the way I pray and

made my prayers much more meaningful, because I am able to write down thoughts and impressions down and then
be able to recall them and then act on the inspiration we have received. By doing that it  helps me be more specific
and it helps me see the Lords hand in EVERYTHING we do.

Anyway, my companion right now is Sister McCauley and she is from South Weber Utah. She's hilarious
rarely is there a couple of seconds where we are not laughing. I am very thankful to be serving with her. She

is a great teacher and we have a great friendship. :) She has taught me quite a bit and I pray that I will continue to learn
from her. 

Fun Facts about Nebraska...it's annoyingly humid. Be thankful you have dry heat. I wake up and go to bed looking like

a lion. I'm pretty sure it's because of my hair that people are running away from us when we try and talk to them. I

really can't blame them. I would run away too. :)

Also, Nebraska is very religious there are different churches on each corner. So it's really easy to talk about

God here because they're all very familiar with the Bible and its teachings. However it makes it difficult
because they're not willing to change. They are happy where they are and don't really feel a need to change.

So as missionaries we have to show them that need, which is a challenge.  It's really caused to me know my
stuff. My favorite part about being a missionary is my personal study in the morning. I have a whole hour to read
and learn and improve as a missionary. It's great. :) Although sometimes I fall asleep...but I feel like that's pretty human.

Another thing is people really like to eat here. A lot. I don't think I have ever eaten so much in my life. Hence the reason

why we got bikes! Everyone knows how to cook ridiculously well. I'm a fan!

We also have a lot of fun with the other missionaries in our zone. I didn't realize when I chose to serve a mission that

I would make so many lifelong friends. We have a lot of fun. Some Elders in our zone put the some of the packaged

big bubble wrap stuff under the tires of our car so when I started the car and put it into drive I thought I had set off a bomb and that we were
going to die. And we look out the windows and the Elders are just laughing. It's funny  now but at the time I considered running them over.

But yeah. I have enjoyed my mission very much and I dread the day I come home. I love this gospel

and I love my Savior Jesus Christ. I know that this is the true church is the same church Jesus Christ set up when he was
on the earth. I know that a modern day prophet is a divine pattern that is found all throughout the scriptures. I love having a living prophet
 on the earth that guides us through this mortal life in safety when we follow his counsel.

Thanks for all the love and support that you have given me and my family.

Love, Sister Ashley Curfew