Radiating Sunshine or Something

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY WISHES! I love you all so so much! Thank you always for your prayers and thoughts. :) 

Friday: We talked to an investigator we haven't seen in a while and she told us she was moving, so we volunteered to help. Hermana Barlow and I thought there would be a lot to move, so we called up Elders Gleason and Durham to help. She was moving just barely out of our area, and into theirs. They enlisted Elders Encarnacion and Ordaz to help too, so we were set. When we got over there, she told us there wasn't anything else left to do! The elders put her air conditioner in the window, and had to leave for another visit. Hermana Barlow and I stayed and asked her how things were going. She has a Gospel Principles book from church, and showed us what she had read. She made it to the page that showed "la Expiacion" and told us she didn't understand this chapter. THIS IS MY FAVORITE CHAPTER! For those of you who do not speak Spanish, la Expiacion is the Atonement. She has a catholic background and unfortunately for many catholics, they don't understand the amazing power of the Atonement!! I told her the Parable of the Bicycle and she was amazed. She said she never understood it that way. THEN SHE TOLD ME I SPOKE LIKE A PROPHET! And that I was full of the Holy Ghost and calling her to repentance. She told us that she was living with her boyfriend, and wanted to be married immediately. That was a pretty legit lesson. 

Saturday: We went to our investigator Luis's house to have his baptismal interview. Elder Critchfield, our district leader came with us. After the interview, Luis told us he was still drinking coffee and beer, and that we wanted to be done with it before his baptism. We are going to be setting a new date this Friday. Prayers would be awesome! After that we went to look up a less active. We buzzed his door and a woman came on and told us that she knew no one by that name. We sat down and looked at what else we could do. The thought to "knock it" (knock on all the doors in the building) came into my mind but I really don't think knocking is an effective contacting method...thoughts go to my mother whenever someone would come to the door we didn't know...we said a prayer and Hermana Barlow said, If someone comes to the door in the next 2 minutes, let's go in. So within 1 minute someone was at the door and in we went. We knocked all 6 floors and didn't have one door open. hahahaha I love when that happens. It really just makes me laugh. :) We left cards in all but one door (because she said she didn't want it.) Then I asked where Hermana Barlow wanted to go. I am pretty sure she is taking over the area...She told me Jarome. I was like, uhhh Jarome is ummmm good. But in my head I'm thinking that it is probably the scariest street in our area. We walked to the bus stop and looked at the schedule. After 2 minutes of waiting, I told her "we can just walk, what street do you want to go to?" She said "Kingsbridge." Kingsbridge is about 4 train stops up, not within walking distance. Then my thoughts went to the diner that is on Kingsbridge and Jarome. "OHHH" I said, "Let's go up there." We walked in and there were the Elders. THEY THREW ME A SURPRISE PARTY! hahahhaahaha!! I love these guys so much. They are like my best friends! This is something that I love so much about missionary work that I had no idea about before. Other missionaries become your best friends! 

I got a bacon grilled cheese. Yes I know. It was my birthday dinner so yes I can get whatever I want! :) They each gave me 2 dollars and a card. For those of you who have been missionaries, giving any money for a birthday is kind of out of the budget. I LOVE THEM! :) best birthday. :) 

Sunday: MY BIRTHDAY! We had ward council at 8 am so I took a shower the night before so I could have dry hair and curl my hair. :) I did my make up, and put on some nice clothes. Everyone at church told me I looked so nice! hahaha it was so nice. 

Sister McNairy, a senior missionary, returned a pan to us and loaded it with my favorites! hahaha dill pickles, black olives, and crasins. :) wrapped up in target bag strips because that is our favorite place to go! :) I love her so much and I am so thankful for all she does for us!

We came home from church and Hermana Barlow made my favorite brownies, with the chunks, and we took a nap. (don't tell anyone.) Then we went out and visited Sulenny who just got back from the DR. It was a chill day which was good because we got a break from the crazy missionary schedule for a little while. :) And in other words, I am now old in the missionary world. I AM 22! 

Monday: We went on a split with the Sister Training Leaders! I stayed in the area with Sister Keanini! She is a cycle older than me and I met her in the MTC! We had so much fun. and 4 lessons! 2 member withs! that's what's up! It was nice to talk and let her know what I am feeling about the work in our area. 

Ashley and the famous Hermana Blosil from NY, NY South mission

Tuesday: Yesterday we went to visit a sister who is headed to Honduras soon. We had an awesome lesson about sacrifice and how blessed we are to live here. And also how to take the bus to the temple from the Bronx. :) 

Wednesday: We got to go to the city!! I used my birthday as excuse to come down to 59th street H&M and J.Crew. I bought a new side bag (backpacks are no longer allowed) and that is it so far. I almost died when I saw the prices of things at J.Crew and Zara! But I think that's because I only have been shopping at the sale racks of gap and forever 21. :) I am trying to find something good!! It's my only birthday in the City!! 

Times Square

Everyone, okay every guy lately has gone out of his way to tell me how beautiful I am. one even held my hand! Yeah I must be radiating sunshine or something. I just know when I go home, my self confidence is going to plummet because I wont have people telling me I am beautiful anymore! hahahaha 

I love you all so much! Thank you for all that you do! You are so awesome! 

I hope you all have a great week!! 

Love, Hermana Lancaster