Last Day; Because I Have Been Given Much

Guess what..... it is my last day as the regular joe Ashley Nelson! Tonight I'll be set apart as Sister Nelson and I could not be more excited! It has been such a humbling experience to watch the Lord's hand in my life over the last couple months preparing me to serve him.

Before I got my call, It was amazing to me how the Lord taught me so much about myself. I realized a lot of my faults and become more aware than ever that I am a very imperfect human being. At times in my personal prayers I felt like saying something like this..."Thank you for these humbling experiences but.... you know if you let up a little bit it would be ok with me." hahaha I don't want to make it sound like it was a huge trial or anything like that but I have notice the lord is teaching me about how he is going to change me.

I love the movie Joseph Smith; the Prophet of the Restoration (you can watch it on youtube here; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xVw6PsSinI ). I found myself quoting from a particular scene quite frequently during my preparation time. Joseph was playing stick pole (one of his favorite games) against a man who was obviously very good. Before the game begins the prophet simply said, "Sometimes the Lord brings us low before he can lift us higher". That is so true. The trials that we go through are stepping stones to lift us not to break us down. I want to emphasis the amazing ways that the lord has blessed me! There have been so many miracles I am seeing in my life and I know that it is because he loves the people of Chile and he needs me to be his hands in blessing their lives. I only hope that my faults don't get in the way too much.... Like Elder Holland Said " Imperfect people is all the lord has to work with and that must be terribly frustrating at times for him" (that is almost direct quoting... I think.. :)

Later this evening.......

Now that most all of the shopping is done, concluding with a LONG errands run today, I just need to finish packing and guess what people..... I THINK IT IS ALL GOING TO FIT!! yet another answer to my prayers. hahaha my Dad (who is one of the most amazing packing men I know), had me lay out all of my clothes to go through it. I knew that it was not going to be the most "fun" bartering for what I could keep and what needed to be thrown out so I said a quick prayer for help in giving up even my most "prized" possessions if needed and what do you know.... Heavenly Father loves us and answers our prayers! It all fit and we only have a couple more things to squeeze in the carry on!

I am so grateful to know that God who is our Heavenly Father Lives and that he loves us! That Jesus Christ is our savior and that his atonement has the power to heal any heartache, change any person, and forgive any sin. I feel so blessed to know that.

Sidenote:

Stake conference was this past weekend and I was able to sit with my whole family (minus alyse and diane) for the last time. My adorable sister carly sat beside me and snuggled right up while we sang the opening hymn "Because I Have Been Given Much". As we sang the last verse, the spirit peacefully touched my heart and testified of the truth of those words.

Because I have been blessed by thy great love dear Lord,

I’ll share thy love again according to thy word.

I shall give love to those in need. I’ll show that love by word and deed,

thus shall my thanks be thanks indeed.

I Believe that the very best way for us to show our love for anyone is Loyalty. We don't speak unkindly, give up on, or ignore those that we love. We of course are not perfect human beings so naturally we are not perfect at loving but, like all things we must strive to perfect our love. Loyalty to our savior Jesus Christ includes loyalty to his church, to his gospel, and to the people he loves so much. When we recognize how much he loves us, and how much he has done for us, it becomes easier to make even the most difficult sacrifices because I have learned that when you truly love someone a sacrifice is not really a sacrifice at all.

Leaving my family for 18 months is not easy. I will miss them terribly along with all my friends and extended family but, i am so grateful for the opportunity to share my knowledge of the savior with others. This Gospel is beautiful, it blesses my life everyday. The Book of Mormon is the word of God and it was translated by the prophet Joseph Smith. If you have not taken the chance to read it take the challenge to do so with a sincere heart. You can order on online through this website http://mormon.org/free-book-of-mormon/ or your can just read it online at this website http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm?lang=eng.I Love the lord and i am so excited to serve him wherever he needs me. It is all true and it is that simple.....

until my P-day,

Ashley Nelson

All the Shirts and sweaters and guess what.... IT ALL FIT!! 

yeah... packing.... it's a work in progress