Claudia

Sister Swanson, Claudia and Sister Ashton

Hey everyone! It was so great to hear from everyone! Thank you so much for all your e-mails and prayers. They were much needed this week. I am sure you have all heard of the tragedy this week at the A.M.E Church in Charleston. Although we don't get to watch the news we definitely heard about it and it broke my heart. But those people are so forgiving.  It is inspiring.

 I can't lie, but this week was hard! It has been the most trying week of my mission so far. Over these past months on my mission I have had to deal a lot with death. I didn't think that would be one of my mission trials; but it seems like I have had to deal with death quite frequently. On Thursday night Dan called us with news that completely shocked me. He called to tell us that Claudia had passed away last night in her sleep. It crushed me. I have gotten to know this woman since my very first week in South Carolina. I watched her heart completely change and start to accept the gospel. If y'all don't mind, I would like to share my favorite and last memory of this dear, sweet friend of mine that I love so very much. 

On Thursday night Sister Hill and I went over to Dan and Claudia's home to teach Dan more about the temple. I didn't know why at the time, but I felt impressed last minute to add Dan into the plans as our last stop for the night. So we went over to teach Dan a lesson.

After the lesson, Claudia came out of her room and into the kitchen. She had a big smile on her face. She looked so happy and full of light. She looked at us and said; "I read the book by myself for the first time!" I was a little surprised...Claudia had been taking the lessons and reading the Book of Mormon with us but never alone. I was so happy for her! Here was the lady who once said the Book of Mormon was evil. She read it! We asked her what she thought and how she liked it. She responded: "I liked it. It's about a family. I'm going to keep reading." I thought I was going to burst, I was so happy for her! We encouraged her to keep reading. She then gave me a huge, sweaty hug and said, " Sister Ashton, I love you so much." And then we parted ways. Little did I know this would be the last time I would see Claudia in this life. I love this lady so much. I was so sad when I heard the news and I still am but also happy -happy because I am so glad that I had the opportunity to meet this lady. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a small part of teaching her the gospel. I am confident that Claudia is still being taught the gospel. That there are people who are continuing to teach her and that someday she will soon receive the gospel. 

Sorry for all the heavy stuff. I promise next week will be back to fun stories and such! Don't worry. I am doing just fine. 

Also, I killed a snake this week so pretty happy about that too. I felt like I was saving my fellow mammals. 

I hope y'all have a great week!

Elder Caldwell

Sister Hill and Sister Ashton

Hello everyone! Summer is here and so are the fireflies! They are everywhere and I love them so much. It's beautiful here in South Carolina but also really hot! We come home every night pretty wet.

This week was good but also kind of sad. One of my dear ward members passed away on Saturday. His name is Brother Caldwell. He the coolest, funniest guy. I sat on the same row as him during General Conference. After the meeting he pointed his cane at me and said, "Don't you ever watch general conference at home. Always, always watch it at the church. Remember that."

 My last memory with him was coming over to his house and singing "Families Can be Together Forever." It was a good last memory. I miss him dearly but I am happy he isn't suffering anymore. I am so glad we know that families can be together forever and that "death has no sting."

I love you all! Hope you are having a great week!

Zone Conference

Hello one and all!

As always it was another entertaining week in Moncks Corner--people wanting to get baptized all over the place. 

The only problem is they don't completely understand what baptism is..that just want to be dunked and cleansed by the priesthood and then never come to church again. We taught a lady this week that loved the Restoration lesson. She committed to be baptized then said, "Oh heavens no! “I aint coming to church.” I just want to be baptized by that priesthood authority you talkin' about and then call it GOOD."

We tried to explain that it doesn't quite work that way. This happens a lot here though. Doctrine is ALL over the place in the land of South Carolina.

This week was really, really good though. It was a hard one but ended to great and continues to go well. Elder Christofferson came Saturday to visit our mission and it was just what I needed.

President Turner spoke as well. It was really cool because he read in D&C 100: 3-8 and it says:

 
3 Behold, and lo, I have much people in this place, in the regions round about; and an effectual door shall be opened in the regions round about in this eastern land.

 4 Therefore, I, the Lord, have suffered you to come unto this place; for thus it was expedient in me for the salvation of souls.

 5 Therefore, verily I say unto you, lift up your voices unto this people; speak the thoughts that I shall put into your hearts, and you shall not be confounded before men;

 6 For it shall be given you in the very hour, yea, in the very moment, what ye shall say.

 7 But a commandment I give unto you, that ye shall declare whatsoever thing ye declare in my name, in solemnity of heart, in the spirit of meekness, in all things.

 8 And I give unto you this promise, that inasmuch as ye do this the Holy Ghost shall be shed forth in bearing record unto all things whatsoever ye shall say.

He talked about how this verse is amazing because it says, "in this eastern land (South Carolina)." It felt like the scriptures were speaking directly to our mission.

Elder Christofferson's talk was amazing because it wasn't a talk; it was a discussion. He let us ask questions and then he would answer using the scriptures. His ending testimony was something that I will never forget. He said something like, "All of us probably won't be all together like this again in this life; but I want to remember this moment when you see my lips in person say that I know that my Redeemer lives." It was really powerful. It was such an incredible experience. We are kinda lucky that we have had so many meetings with general authorities lately.

Anyway, I hope you all have an amazing week. I love you all! Thank you for all the support. I know I say that a lot but I really do appreciate it.

Laura 

Three Generations
Sister Swanson, Sister Ashton and Sister Hill

What's a Comfort Zone?

Rachel and her cute newly adopted daughter, Emily.

Feeding my favorite horse, Georgia

Some of my favorite ladies at the rest home we visit.

Hello all from Moncks Corner! It's been an eventful week in the Corner. We had the big I-pad training this week. It was really good. I am actually getting excited for them to come. It should be really useful for investigators. We get the I-pads in about 3 weeks but we aren't going to be on Facebook for another 3 months! So that's good! Not that I am anti-Facebook or anything. It just has been a nice break. :)

We had a really good lesson with a really cool couple, Betty and Patrick. We met Patrick a couple weeks back but didn't think too much about it but we went over to his house again and his wife was there. They are both searching for the gospel. Pray for them! We hope that this week goes well with them.

Well, Sister and Swanson and I got a call from President Turner on Friday. Sister Swanson is getting transferred to Columbia to be a Sister Training leader, which is like a zone leader but for the sisters. I am going to miss Sister Swanson lots and lots but I am excited for her new adventure. Another surprise came with the phone call as well. I got called to be a trainer. I am a little overwhelmed. This is going to be like a toddler training a baby how to walk ha-ha. Pray for me? I am excited to meet the greenie though. We pick her up on Wednesday in Columbia. Sister Swanson and I told Ursula that Sister Swanson was leaving. Ursula said that she is going to call President Turner and tell him that she would convert to Mormonism if he let Sister Swanson stay ha-ha. There was also a big argument among Ursula and friends what the new sister's name was going to be. After a long discussion they decided to name her Sister Rachel. So it's Sister Ruth and Sister Rachel in Moncks Corner now. Training lasts for three months so I am going to stay in Moncks Corner for another three months. :)

We got lots and lots to do today so I better go! I love you all! Thank you for all your prayers!

Love,

Laura

The Gift of Tongues

Feeding members' horses.

It's been another great week in Moncks Corner. Actually, it's been an AWESOME week! We have seen Moncks Corner really progress this week. We have 3 people on date for baptism. That hasn't ever happened to us in the Corner yet!! It's starting to pick up here and the ward is getting really excited about missionary work. We've had a couple of ward members come up to us and tell us about their missionary experiences throughout the week. We are super excited for the ward.

This week is Ipad training for the whole mission. We are getting Ipad’s this month. I am excited about it besides the fact that we have to get back on Facebook. I have been told we are going to proselyte on FB for an hour a day. It's been really nice not to have social media in my life. I am going to create a new account for my mission self though. So hopefully that will be good and fun for the kids!

Thank you all for your support! 
I love you all dearly!

Thought of the week:

Faith without works is dead but works without a pure heart is also dead.

Have a great week!

Love,

Laura

Sister Ashton