NZ MTC - "One Week Down - Two To Go!"

(Wednesday 25 January 2012)

As you may have figured out, my p day is Wednesday and most of that day is taken up by an early morning start then traveling to and from the temple and two temple sessions and lunch and the distribution centre then we arrive home.

Everyone fell asleep on the bus on the way home and only Elder Mohring and myself were awake. We took some HILARIOUS sleeping photos of elders. And I may have found a competitor in the sport of non-stop talking.

Dad says he made a blog about my adventures, just so you know I can't look at it. I can only email you on the computer

I got your package yesterday and I also got a letter from Kate.

On Saturday I had a hard day because I have found my problem with missionary work is that I am unable to feel the spirit. When I teach I mean. I was so down and upset on Saturday and my teacher showed me a clip from a talk by elder Bednar about "feeling the spirit" which helped.

Yesterday afternoon we had volunteer investigators from the public come to the mtc so we could teach them and Sister Kapalu and I had a good try at it. The last investigator was really talkative and I thought we did great, except I knew I was failing. If the spirit isn't there you can't teach. But, if you have the desire you are called to the work (D&C 4). I’m not lacking faith in God; I’m lacking faith in myself. I just couldn't comprehend why I wasn’t teaching with the spirit. And it's hard for me. Sister Kapalu is the quietest person I’ve ever met. I’ve figured that I need to learn to have silence and not to talk so much.

Yesterday I was feeling so bad because I didn't understand that heavenly father wanted me to serve but maybe I had done something to block the spirit. I’ve never prayed so much in a single day! But it's good. I love it here. I always get up on time; classes are great the missionaries are awesome. I pray every time for the spirit to be with me. Yesterday I was feeling so bad I was crying out of despair. I do my scripture study I learn in class but I was missing something.

I asked Elders Matautia, Whitehead and Macrae to give me a priesthood blessing and I felt a lot calmer after that. Then we had a lesson on stress management. MIGHT HAVE BEEN NICE TO KNOW BEFORE.

I’ve got 3 minutes left.

I sent India a letter, and Aliyah to our address because I don't know hers. Ask India to please find the Book of Mormon on my desk and give it to Aliyah with her letter and tell Aliyah it explains it in the letter.

I gave my winter jacket to my companion. She has so little. She is serving here in Auckland and was shivering and it wasn't that cold to me. Please don't buy me a new one; I’ll wait till Perth to see if i need one. And I don't care if you're mad, she needed it more than I did and you'll cool off in a year and a half ha-ha.

30 SECONDS!

I’ll tell you more about the missionaries here later!

Love Ash

New Zealand, Missionary Training Centre - "Here I am!"

(Thursday 19 January 2012)

Hey everyone!

I’ve been allowed to quickly email you to let you know I’ve arrived safely at the MTC.

It’s 6.40pm and we're about to have an hour and a half long devotional. I have a headache from lack of sleep so I’m hoping I’ll be ok until bed tonight. The missionaries i came across on the plane have been really friendly and as I type this I’ve met my mtc companion Sister Kapalu. She is from Vanuatu. We’re waiting on the final lot of missionaries to arrive. I believe they'll be here about 7.30pm. There will be a Scottish elder coming. I want to hear his accent. His name is Elder Keogh (not sure how to pronounce it) and the poor guy has been on the plane since Tuesday because of time differences.

All of the mtc presidency and staff members have been really nice. Apparently there is a stake presidency member of a stake not too far from the mtc by the name of Parsons. He must be pretty well known around here because every time someone learns my name they ask if I’m related to him. And I have to say every time that I don't know of any relatives in New Zealand!

I was greeted at the doors of the mtc by Sister Bleak (pronounced Blake), the wife of the mtc president and she said "we have a letter for you already!" Thank you dad for the kind words. I’m really trying to open my mind to take in and remember a lot but i have a hard time of it. So I’ll keep trying!

I just noticed there is a timer on this computer. 16 minutes left? Aw man!

I may decide to send some clothes home from the mtc if it's possible, as I don’t want to have too much over when I travel. I’ll wait for a while though, to see if any sisters need any clothing. Oh and a small pack of lollies would be nice. If you want. If you can. I’m sure the sisters would enjoy it.

I think Monday is our prep day here so I’ll be allowed to email you again then. Although with this time limit thingy and 12 computers among 50 odd missionaries, it may be easier to write a letter.

I hope everyone is doing ok and India isn't drowning her sorrow in too much ice cream. And remember, you borrow my DVDs, PLEASE PUT THEM BACK. Oh and mom can borrow my speakers for primary if she wants to.

Surprisely i don't miss you yet. I’m not trying to be funny, but I’m hoping I don't become homesick. I’d like to stay focused and not cause more problems for myself than I already have.

I’ll type/ write soon,

Love Ashlea.

"Sister Parsons is Set Apart"

(Wednesday January 18 2012)

On Wednesday, January 18th 2012, Ashlea was set apart as a missionary to serve in the Australia Perth Mission. The above photo shows Sister Parsons with President Peteru of the Hebersham Stake.

We are so proud of Sister Parsons and her desire to serve the Lord. She has had the desire to serve a mission since she was three years old. Sister Parsons follows in the footsteps of her mother and father who both served honourable full time missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in The Australia Sydney Mission (1986 - 1988).

(Thursday January 19 2012)

The next morning Sister Parsons had a 7am flight to Auckland where she will be attending the Missionary Training Centre for three weeks. We were at Kingsford Smith airport at 5am to check her in for the flight and say goodbye. As the above photo shows, even at that early hour, Sonya, Erin, Milla and Ilet came to the airport to see her off on her 18 month mission.