email from Oct

Hey guys! sounds like everything is just heaven there!!!


Mom i sure loved the quote that you sent!! I know that it is a fact, because I have seen this in my own life. I am grateful that you can benefit from my good old days from seminary!

I would like a favor - dad or mom, i would like the recipe for the homemade chicken noodle soup and the noodles if you could type it up and email it ASAP that would be awesome!

Tyler, my old companion sister assunção is serving in an area where your old companion served. i dont remember his name, but she said that he said you are an aweome person and that you were zone leaders together!
Hahahaha daddy you are the best....i love you so much and i know that Heavenly father is very proud of the family you have raised. I am proud to be your little girl. I still hope... as i did when i was talking with mommy as a little girl...to marry someone as special as you! Mom - i know you are an elect and special daughter of heavenly father. i know he loves you and prepared you and blessed you greatly because of all of the fabulous and righteous choices you made as a young girl. Nothing is greater than my desire to follow in your footsteps and be the kind of mother you are!


Well Russell!!!! I had a dream about you last night! HAPPY BIRTHDAY LITTLE BROTHER - BEET ROOT ONSTABEE RAT RAT FUSSELL ahhahaa... I hope you still have your little hymn book. Go and read what i wrote to you last year. Know that i feel the same still and that i love you and miss you even more than i did last year!!! I dont have much money, but i will bring you something great. I love you more than anything.


Jesse boy... how the heck was sadies... what did you guys do for the date and what did you dress up like? i remember how great the dances were back in the days. take advantage of every second of high school because it is almost 5 years since i graduated....what the heck, i am an old geezer! but it sure flys by fast!!! Keep your standards and help others live righteously and you wont have any regrets!

Logan - remember that time i picked you up from your basketball game? You were way ticked because your team lost. I tried to cheer you up but it wasnt working. So i asked you "What was the score?' and you said 40 - 15. I said oh thats rough....How many points did you have??? and i remember you looked at me and said

15!!!! hahaha i never laughed so hard. you were so disappointed that your team lost that you forgot to tell me that you made all of the points haha... life is like that sometimes.


I have learned here in the mission the importance of teamwork. Even though sometimes no one else seems to be making baskets, their influence on the court still counts. Somebody gave you a good pass, or blocked one of the advisery. Sometimes people are feeling so crummy about themselves that they dont feel like taking a shot, or doing something new. It can be a real bummer, especially when you set everything up perfectly -to give them a chance to feel the joy that comes from a "SWISH" But the thing is you have got to do is give others the opportunity, set things up for them again and again, because what matters isnt if they make the basket or not, it is if they feel confident in themselves enough to make a good decision. SHOOT IT! as dad always said from the sidelines... Keep moving forward...as you say.

I know that the saying is true about you can never make a basket if you dont shoot it. and you get better with each hit or miss. you learn, you grow, and you become grateful for those special people as you think back, who unselfishly gave you the chance of a lifetime. Who set things up for YOUR BENEFIT. -and i know that as you are the one who sets good things up for others, that your skills and talents are sharpened as well!

That is my basketball talk for the day and even though i never liked playing bball - i sure learned a lot from watching you guys all those years! Thanks so much for your dedication and love guys!!!

Ashley's latest email

Thank you all so much for the wonderful christmas wishes. I love each of you very much. I was truly touched by your Christmas story dad. I love christmas here! We know that the message of Christmas is Love. The first gifts of christmas weren´t gold francencense and myrr but it was Christ, the son of god, given to us to redeem us from our sins and from death. My love for my Savior is indescribable. I know that he sends prepared people to his prepared servants. Truth and Comfort have testified to me that I am where I need to be. I love my mission. I love my life. I am so blessed.




Thank you so much for the package that I recieved! I loved your letter mom. I know you will have the chance to see all of the extended family and please tell them that i love them and that i love this gospel. Thank them for the help and love they have always offered me, and invite them for me to choose something to do that will help them improve their lives.

to Cottonwood Ward

Dear Cottonwood Ward


Merry Christmas to all and a great big hug from Sister Rowland in Brazil. I thank each one of you for the prayers and sacrifices offered in my behalf. These past few days I have been reflecting in all the ways I was prepared to serve here.

I want to send you all my love. I feel so grateful for the many kind acts of service that I recieved from many of you during my life. I recieved a small piece of information this week from my mission president in response to my last report i sent him. He said the following
"No effort in righteousness will go unrewarded in eternity - that is, everything good that we do has an effect, whether we see it or not. Be consistent in all that you do and attend to the seemingly small things and you will be amazed at what the Lord is doing and will do - for you and for the work."

I know that this is true. I am certain that the lord is working miracles in each of your lives this Christmas season. Tender mercies and kind acts are quite common this time of year. I remember when we would go and do baptisms for the dead as a Christmas present to Christ. I know that these special trips strengthened me and also helped very special people in the spirit world. As you share with others gifts for Christmas , dont hesitate to share your testimony and love for them and for the gospel. I love you all deeply. I pray for you daily, and I think of The Cottonwood Ward often! Merry Christmas

With Love -Sister Rowland!

Ashley latest email

I love my family

Ashley Amber Rowland to rowlandbunch@gmail.com

11:54am

How blessed we are to be here - at this point in our lives. What a tender week this will be. I am so proud of my Tyler boy - I am not sure he will ever know of the impact he has had on my life. I thank Heavenly Father so much for giving me the opportunity to serve in the same country as him during the same time period. Ty taught me and lifted me up with each email and experience he shared. I am so grateful for all of you guys too. It is incredible how much the emails of friends and family inspire me to do my best.

 

This week was rough - One of the most difficult of my mission. How grateful I am for free agency. For Christ. He was my rock this week. The waves crashed and the storm raged, but the difficulties and trials passed. The sun came back out, and the light of the gospel is shining a little stronger, a little brighter in my eyes. Mom - I remembered your famous words this week!  anytime there´s work to be done and you think there´s too much to do for one, do yourself a favor - do it yourself. Thanks so much mom. I am also grateful for the scripture that I remember hearing for the first time as my daddy was teaching me by my bed. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.  This week, i fought, I prayed, i worked, and i chose faith instead of doubt.  I testify that our Heavenly Father loves us, and answers every single prayer we say. He leaves the work to us, but makes the impossible  ..easy.

 

I know the lord is very pleased with the service of my younger brother. I pray that I can serve as he did. With all his heart, might, mind and strength.

DANE WOMACK taught and baptized my District Leader - Elder Amauri da Silva  - this week we were talking and he said that he recieved a letter from dane a year ago saying that I would be serving in the same mission as him.  Tell Dane way to go next time you see him. It is so neat to see the fruits of the mission....

 

 

Ashleys latest email

Well mom, This week i prayed for lots of help as to know what i should talk about. I had a dream during the week that helped me a lot. I decided to talk about harmony. I had a dream about pops. He and i were sitting at the piano and he was teaching me how to play a beautiful song. He said a family must have harmony. But, as you notice, if one finger is out of its place, the chord suffers. Just like our families. If one person is out of place, a little or a lot, the family suffers. Not just the person, but the whole family feels the pain, the sadness, the worry.   Christ also knows our pain, our sadness's and our worries. I know everything is going to be wonderful. Tyler coming home will be such a blessing to each one of you. Ask him to teach you guys...the lessons, portuguese, everything!!! You wont regret it!

I wont get to see Ty boy before he comes home, but i know the wait will be worth it.

 

So Sunday came. I had much inspiration and felt very prepared. I spoke and it went really well. I know The spirit was with me, I felt it, and it was very special for me. I don't know if the ward was really listening to me or not, but I know heavenly father was proud of me. I felt his love. I know you guys are proud of me, and i am so proud of you all!

 

Heavenly Father is so marvelous. He trusts us with working out our own salvation, he trusts us with our own lives.  And he loves us enough to trust us with the lives of others. It is such a neat experience to help 'save the life' of a friend, or member of the family in need.  I am so grateful for this blessing. I know that it is a sacred calling to be a mother or father. A missionary, a friend, a sister, a daughter.  It all means divine responsibility to bless the lives of those around you.  I am so thankful for who i am. I am doing the very best I can. I know Heavenly Father is proud of me.

 

I love you all so much! Have a great week. Saudades (I miss) the Hot air balloons and the leaves changing. Are you guys going to cut some wood??

have a great week and know that i love each one of you so much

Ashley's email

Hey guys!!! It is great to hear from you! Sure miss the good old days and visiting grandma. Boy it sure is great to be a Rowland!!!

This week we helped a lady clean her house on saturday so she would have no excuse to miss chruch. We are teaching her and her husband and it is really great. I have learned in the mission that preparation (Planning) is the key to all our worries.   If we will just ask the lord to help us get our ducks lined up, and then do our best a little at a time, we will accomplish everything we hope to.

 

It is such a blessing to be in the constant service of others.  I know that as we serve the people around us, we bless them and our own lives get better too. I challenge you guys this week to look for more opportunities to serve eachother. I know how easy it is to serve people who arent in our family, but this week i want you all to be creative and find ways to lighten each others burdens.  Leave notes, go find that stupid troll that appeared when something was cleaned magically, and just be grateful for the blessings we have.

 

I love you all so much! Keep moving forward! Be smart! Say your prayers each day and the lord will take care of the rest!

 

Love your daughter and sister

Ashley's email

Hey guys...How are things going? Yesterday i recieved a call that I will be transfered. This week we had a really great week. I learned a lot and we recieved a training about the way we are teaching. I cant tell you   how incredible it is to be a missionary and invite others to recieve the gospel. This week we taught with real power and with the spirit. It was very special and in one house, a man prayed one of the most beautiful prayers i have ever heard for his family. It was really great.

 

It will be really hard to leave the area AGAIN. I will miss these people very much. I am a better person because of them! And I love my companion so much. I had some really neat experiences with her this week. She told me after I wrote my email that her family is having a pretty hard time, and that she was sorry for taking her worries out on me.  I was too busy thinking about me instead of trying to see if something was the matter.

 

This week I feel very happy. I know that the lord is helping me so much. It is terrific. Hope you all have a wonderful week. I love you all so so much!

-sis ash

Ashlety Email and Pictures

Hey mom. How are things going? Happy anniversary!!! I love you and dad so much. Last night me and my companion couldnt sleep and she said oh i´m not tired...and i said me either and she said Lets talk! so we talked all about my family and her family and she said that she wants to meet you all. I told her all about how you and dad met and how your anniversary is today 25 years. she says to tell you happy anniversary and that she loves you and she is glad you are my parents.

 

I am so grateful for our precious family. THe time goes by so fast. Seems like yesterday we were running around with flour sticking to our feet in the restaurant and now we are 5000 miiles or more away from eachother. I sure am grateful for every sacrifice you and dad made for us and this includes all the sacrifices of worldly things for our sake. There is nothing in the world that can replace the loss of the precious years of childhood being taught righteousness by loving parents. You did not fail as so many others sadly have. I love you so much and wish you the best day ever!!!

 

-ash

Ashley's email

So this week has been awesome - here are some pictures..

we had a ward party...night of desserts!! it was yummy....

here are the winners and the desserts haha

 

Rowland Paper Airplanes!!!! Famous here in Brazil now....

 

I got to go to the temple last week and it was so great! It is beautiful...It is cold here winter time but it doesnt look like it huh?

 

We also had stake conference this weekend

It was broadcast to all the stakes in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo

 

This week i learned something so awesome!!!

 

THINGS WE DO

1. essentials

2. necessities

3. ...i´ll call this one enjoyables...

 

Essentials are things that MUST BE DONE on a daily basis to gain Our Salvation

These things are -Personal Prayer  -Scripture Study   -Seek Personal Revelation   -Repentance  and on Sunday   -Take the Sacrament   -----ESSENTIALS ARE:  THINGS THAT SAVE US-----

 

Necessities Things that WE NEED to be free from worries

These things are -Support your companion (spouse)  -Clean your house  -Be auto-sufficient  -Serve others and -Develop your talents   ---NECESSITIES ARE: THINGS THAT MAKE US BETTER---

 

Enjoyables Things that ARE GOOD to do   (Enjoyable)

These things are -Hobbies   -Vacations   -Recreation  -Entertainment

---ENJOYABLES ARE: THINGS THAT MAKE THIS LIFE ENJOYABLE OR COMPLICATED

 

When this list of things to do is applied in this order (essentials necessities and then enjoyables) Life works PERFECTLY

But when this list is inverted (enjoyables, necessities, and then essentials) Life is  COMPLICATED

 

Before my mission, I lived with these things inverted. The essentials were at the bottom of the list. I hope that you can believe me, that I know that when the essentials are done every day, the angels are with us, we recieve promised blessings, and life is always sunny. I know this church is true, that heavenly father loves each one of you. I love and pray for each one of you DAILY>>> I know that the book of mormon is true, because I wanted to know for myself. I promise if you pray to know it is true, you will know. I have seen this miracle change the lives of so many people here. It can happen for you too...just let it happen. Desire to know. I´m sorry I wasnt stronger when I was at home with you all. Im sorry I wasted time doing things that dont matter (cell phone...text messages...listening to music) instead of talking with you and enjoying the time i had with you all. I promise not to let it ever happen again when i get back!!!! I have a testimony and I am grateful for each one of you!! You have no idea, but the people of brazil already know practically everything about you and eveyone here is super jealous that I have such an awesome family. They all want to meet you because they know you all are superstars and huge examples in my life. I talk about at least one of you everyday. I love you all so much. NEXT YEAR I`LL BE BACK to enjoy the reunion!!! Time flies... I love you -have a great week. if you need anything -i am only an email and a weeks wait away!!!!

 

 

I love you all. hope you have a wonderful reuinon and i sure will miss being there with you all...

Who is reading the book of mormon????

Send me pictures and love notes okay?!?!?!?!?!!!!

Ashley's email

Hey dad. This week I recieved a compliment from our bishop. He is without work and a little sad. discouraged. He asked me about hard times in my life and gave a little picture of the hardships we have experienced and how the hard times blessed my life. he cried and he said ´ I know you were very faithful and had a big influence on lots of people in the pre existance. ´ I said, why? and he said ´you were sent to an amazing family who lives in the united states, without problems with worldly things.´ All that matters to you is love and sharing that love with others. You dont realize how rare you, and your family are. I know your parents were very valiant and strong as well. one day i hope to shake your dads hand and give him a big hug and tell him thanks.

It was really special. Hope you know I love you and that I KNOW that you are the best dad in the whole world. I am so blessed.
Love you.
Your girl..ash

Ashley's email

So dad...I am so glad it is the REAL you...hahahaha I thought about you a lot this week because the bishop is having problems with people accepting callings. I remembered you getting home late one night -preoccupied and worried about the people in the ward. I saw you when I looked at the bishop. It sure is difficult when people cant see the vision you can. But you always trusted in the lord and knew that he was preparing a way for everything to work out. I talked about your example with the bishop and he said that one day he wuold like to meet you. Who knows! I said.    So thanks for your example dad. I look up to you and think about you in your mission. How grateful I am to have a righteous family with a father who isnt afraid to teach correct principles and stick to his guns once in a while.  Satan is doing all he can to confuse the path of righteousness and justify sin. He knows our family is on the right path...and he is pretty livid. Dont give him any advantage....I know you already know how to defeat him, but read the scriptures with the boys and mad daily and help them establish an unshakeable habit of scriptures and prayers so that he cant get to them.  You did a great job with me, but I was lazy...I said I read sometimes when I really didnt and said I prayed sometimes when I hadnt been praying for a few months. I admit it now and I am truly sorry that I didnt take advantage of all those opportunities to talk to my father in heaven.    

 

have a super week okay? Make some plans and new goals this week as a family for me and tell me how it goes.

 

p.s. interviews in the mission is one of my favorite days because I think of all the things I learned when you interviewed me as i was growing up. .. You all are the best.

Ashley's email

Hey mom! Yes mothers day...I think the best time to call will be 4;00 your time, the number -a sister from the ward will email you with the number because I dont have it right now...sorry! her name is vanessa.

 

Mom, that is so sweet!!! I will forward our pictures of zone conference for you! Isnt it amazing!!!!!

 

I got to go to the temple this week! It is soooooo beautiful. I will send pictures next week and will tell you more about it on sunday. I dont know when tyler will be calling you guys but if he calls before me, ask for the number so i can call him. If i call before him, i will leave my number for him to call me.

  So what is new with you guys? I cant wait to talk to you all. I am so excited! I was reading the other day in alma 56 about the sons of heleman. i like how it says in vrs. 45 Never had I seen so great courage. They said 'our god is with us and he will not suffer that we should fall. Then let us go forth. Now they had never fought, yet they did not fear death, and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their own lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt god would deliver them. And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying; we do not doubt our mothers knew it.

 

as i read this I thought about all of the things my sweet mother has taught me. How grateful I am to have been raised by a righteous, valiant, loving, determined mother. I see children here who are not as fortunate and my heart breaks. I think more upon the liberty of these families than I think about my own life right now. It is so wonderful to have the gospel in my life. I feel the love of christ through my mom. I want to do all I can to make her proud. I hope you know I am proud of you! Sure talk about you all the time.

Another verse stood out to me...This is how i want to be and how i am striving to live right now. alma 57:21

yea, they did obey and observe to perform every command with exactness; yea, and even according to their faith it was done unto them; and I did remember the words which they said unto me that their mothers had taught them.

I do not doubt that Heavenly Father loves each of us and has a plan for us. The book of mormon is the word of god. We have living prophets who lead and guide us. THere is always hope and repentance is real. Life is easier if we worry about others. Anytime there´s work to be done....hahaha....THe most important person in your life at any given time is the person next to you. The most important things in life arent things.... All of the tender bits of advice and counsel have not been wasted. I love everything my mom has done for me, big or small. I know it wasnt easy for her at times. I gave her reason to cry many times and for this i am truly sorry. I would not be where I am today with out her. I owe everything to my wonderful family. how blessed i am!

email from Marcela Costa

 Dear Family Rowland,

I am writing this letter to thank you for supporting your daughter or sister, to serve a full-time mission in Brazil.
The reason to be writing this post is to say that Sister Rowland has a very sweet spirit, she is a great missionary.
She can do something for my family who were trying for years because my father was inactive from the church for more than 10 years, and his daughter can visit her and give her testimony and made my father could return to feel the desire to going to church.

He went back to church so that his daughter had our ward for the first time and today he is serving a mission of wellness in the church.

My family and I are members of the church for nearly 30 years, I had the privilege of serving a full time mission in the Mission in Brasilia in 1991 until 1993, I married in 1995 and have three children, served as bishop for five years and am currently serving as 1st counselor Stake Grajaú.

I pray to our Heavenly Father to bless your family.

Thank you for sending the Sister Rowland.

Please, sorry my inglish.

Sincerely,
Marcelo Costa

Ashley's email

Hey fam! SO guess what??? I was transfered back to my beloved first area, Jardim Mirna! My companions are Sister Wosnjuk again and Sister Macedo! We are working so hard and I have so many good friends here. Everyone is so excited and saying that I speak so much better. I remember the days when Dr. Tyler would say, You should run for Mayor, you know EVERYONE.... When we got here, I was so happy to be back. We were walking down the street and I said Hi Joao! and then a car drove by and honked and Fransisco waved at us and they said that I should run for mayor here. Hahaha It was so funny. I remember everyone and I love everyone here so much. I loved my other area so much. It is like traveling to a big city and then returning to the little town that you love so dearly. You know everyone´s name and everyone is excited for your return and wants to help you succeed. This ward is so great. The members are so strong and they have such a great vision as a ward. I am so blessed to be back in this area.

 

So when I was in the MTC elder burton spoke to us too. It was awesome. I love the churhc and the leaders who have so many wonderful things to teach us. It takes a lot of work to live the gospel. People ridicule you and may not agree, but the plain and simple truth I have learned since I have been here is that the gospel and my family and dear friends i love are the important things. the most important things in life arent things - as my dear home says.

The other day i was reading in 3 Nephi 13, and i thought about you all when i read That thine alms may be in secret, and thy father who seeth in secret, himself shall reward thee openly. This week I have decided to stop wasting time on myself. To do things for others...for my companions for my neighbors, for our investigators, and for the ward members. I dont care if they know It was me. I dont want a little taste of the glory.... hahaha I just want them to be happy. To know that the lord loves them. I hope I can extend this goal to you guys as well. It sure is difficult to send letters and think of ways, but know that I love you nonetheless.

 

Ashley's email

Sounds litke things are just awesome there! This week for me was awesome. I love myk familly so much. sorry for the typos. this keyboard once again is dreadful.

This week i prayed for extra help, for extra strength. for more faith and for more power to teach and to do the things that I am here to do. I dont know but i think my companion liked the idea and she did the same thing. I know heavenly father answers our prayers. we had so many miracles this week. It was so amazing!!!! I have a testimony that when we ask for things with real intent and then give it our all - heavenly father WILL and DOES bless us. He is required to bless us when we do what he asks.

The experiences I have had HERE in this area have

TESTED, STRENGTHENED, and SOLIDIFIED

-My TRUST in my Heavenly Father

-My TESTIMONY of my Savior

-and My FAITH in the Plan my Father in Heaven has for Me.

 

I love you all dearly. I miss you all terribly. I cant wait to talk to you all. I have developed a love for life like i have never had. I know what things truly matter. I have a knowledge that the gospel is true and a desire to do everything that heavenly father requires of me. I wish i had time to tell you every detail. I hope you are writing in your journals. I cant tell you how strongly I feel the spirit when i look back on things i have learned here and feelings i have had. WRITE THE IMPORTANT THINGS DOWN so that you can always be reminded of the things that truly are important to you.

 

Who took the challenge to read the book of mormon??? I hope you all did. I will look you in the eye when i get back and the happiness we will have will be like none we have ever known. Truly, you and I will both have a greater knowlege of the love of our Heavenly Father. And this, my dear family, is the greatest most desireable blessing in the world. I testify that we will be closer because of this experience. Heavenly Father desires this of you. I know these things are true. Please, Read The Book of Mormon. I know how important it is now. Dont waste time like I did.... I was missing out on so many blessings. Dont miss out on the same blessings because of a little pride. I know it is hard. It takes determination. But you can do it!!!

I love you with all of my heart! I hope the best for you this week!

Sister Ash

email from Jill Taylor

Hi Sister Rowland,

I recently returned home from a trip to Brasil.  Some of our dear friends are Chris and Becky Jackson, your daughters' Mission Presidents in Interlagos.  I had the opportunity to stay with them for a week, while my husband was in the southern part of the country for business.

  During that week I was able to attend a Zone Conference with The Jackson's and was able to meet Sister Rowland!  She looks great and is full of the Spirit!  I loved visiting with her and feeling of her powerful testimony.  I asked her for your email so when I got home I could contact you and let you know that I saw her and she is doing fantastic!!!  I understand that you have 2 missionaries serving at the same time!  That is so great!

Sincerely, 

Jill Taylor

Ashley's email

Shoot! You guys are awesome! I just want you to know that I am so blessed to have you guys! I hope you know that I pray for you everyday. When I have a challenge ahead of me or a problem to solve I think of you. I think, how would Russell talk to this person? What would he say? What would Mom do in this situation? Dad told me a story once that will help this person. Maddy is a perfect example of how I want this person to be. Jesse once said this to me when I was having a hard time. How would Logan talk to all of these people? I wonder how Tyler is doing? Maybe he is having the same problem down south. You all are huge examples for me and for the people here. I talk about you all day long! I promise people blessings that I have seen in our lives. I hope you know that you are close by me always. You are always helping me even though you aren´t here. 

I can´t believe that general conference is here already! I remember watching it on the BIG SCREEN. hahahaha I have played that weekend over and over in my mind this week. I love you all so much! I am so thankful for my family. For prophets and for this church. Please keep working hard. Keep being yourselves and keep sharing your testimonies. Your laughs and smiles alone work wonders. I hope you know I am doing good. I miss you all so much, but I know you are doing good!

Here are some pictures of the week. These people are so special to me. It is so cool how quickly you become connected to people. I will be close to them forever.

I love you all so much. We are teaching lots of great people! The area is new, but So many people are ready to accept the gospel. This work is directed by Heavenly Father. I know that Christ is our Savior and Redeemer and through him we are made whole. Heavenly Father hears and answers our prayers. I know this church is true. The Lord has never let me down. I know that when we are obedient we recieve everything and more than we need and ask for.

Love you all so much!

xoxoxoxoxoxo

Sister Ash!

Ashley email

This week really is going to be awesome! Obedience is definitely the key in this work. I miss you guys like crazy. I cant believe school is almost over for the boys and that i have been on the mission 5 months already. How time flies.

Thanks for your sweet spirit and strong testimony mom! You are awesome!

Dad what a great email. Thanks so much. I have so many people that need to hear these things. I always loved activities like youth conference. Reminded me of all of the great activities i had with the ward. Tell everyone I miss them. You know what I would love??!?! Someone in the family or in the ward to send me a ward newsletter every month. The missionaries of the ward need to know what is happening in the ward too!!! It will be fun!  Tell the ward I miss them. I was thinking about all the ward activities we have had. This week another ward will be having a dessert festival! How fun huh! I served in that ward for 3 weeks but now i am in the other area. wish i could try all the delicious brazilian desserts!!! My ward is going to have a special activity dedicated to the first vision. It is going to be incredible. I already know that IT will be a very spiritually strengthening activity for everyone who attends! You would not believe how good these activities are for the investigators we have. Our ward back home always had a great turn out. I miss those days. Wont be long before i will be back there again eating dutch oven and funeral potatoes. hahaha Keep up the good work dad. thanks for the updates about the missionaries returning! his picture is of our neighbor! Silene is great. I hope one day I can be as good a neighbor as she is! Her family is awesome. It was her birthday! We made her cookies. And i cut a flower to make it all pretty! She is the relief society president. I am strengthened everytime i talk to her! What a blessing it is to have good friends and neighbors in the church!!!!

Keep up the good work little brothers!!! And send me pictures!!! I miss seeing your beautiful smiling teasing faces...I am proud of all of my family and I talk to everyone about you!!! Hope the best for all of you this week!! Love you tons!

Thanks for all the birthday wishes!!!! I had more letters than everyone else in zone conference and everyone was jealous! haha Thisngs are great! Thanks so much

March 15 email

Hey guys! Thanks for the email! Sorry for the Typos in advance - This keyboard really is one of the first invented! I was thinking about something this week. I realized that any time we experience the atonement in our lives we cannot help but have a concern for the welfare of others. a great indicator of ones personal conviction is the desire to share the gospel with others. You are all great examples to me of this. You all have a desire to help other people. If at times you feel like you are suffering- it is because you are forgetting that the Atonement is there. Be strong, rely on the savior, and know he is always there for you. All things are possible when we rely on the lord. This week was the first week on our own. The area is huge. We don't know directions or streets. I will tell you a cool story next week when I have a better keyboard. I don't have enough time today. I love you all more than anything. Keep Moving Forward!

Love you !

xoxoxoxoxo

Sister Ash

Email

Ashley's email

hey fam! thanks for the email. i will take a picture and send it next monday...

so this is the 3rd transfer and today i found out that Sister Assuncao and i will be opening a new area. I have been asked to be senior companion. Sister Assuncao doesnt speak much english...we will be relying completely on the lord. It is going to be awesome. We both are really excited for the challenge. This past week we had a baptism of one of the neatest girls i have ever met. She got married and was baptized on saturday! It was so great!!! She has so much faith. I will send some picitures if i have time. I have been thinking a lot about you guys this week. I have so much I want to tell you but dont have time or words. Thank you for your emails. Every word of each persons email means so much to me. I love you all! Have a great week!!!