Christmas Week in Review

On Monday we had our P-day. We didn't really do much seeing as we had
to have district meeting still. But I did scrub down the bathroom. Man, it was a little scary. The shower hadn't been scrubbed down in a while and the corners of the bathroom were scary! I think that when I go home I will adopt these new cleaning habits to my life. I for sure hope so.

Tuesday was chill! We went to the church early and got hot chocolate ready because we were going to carol outside of Stamford library. We practiced a few songs then headed out. It was so fun to make the hot cocoa with them. Elder Gleason calls me mom. In Kingsbridge it was like, a "mean mom" thing, but here, it is just chill. We stood on the street holding signs like what we did in the BX, but there were a lot less people walking around. We sang every half hour and contacted the other times. It wasn't super cold! I was happy seeing that Sister Card is the new owner of my coat. I have a nice peacoat now and luckily it is providing sufficient warmth! 

We went to bishops house for ChristmasEve brunch. He is a cool guy and his wife is so sweet! They have a daughter who is serving right now in North Carolina! We got to see a little of the Christmas program Elder Archuleta did down in Chile! It
was nice! I tried to sing and I am just sick. I was sounding so horrible in the choir I felt bad for everyone else. But bishop did say that I sounded good so that's good! They had like a testimony meeting before we ate. We were like all sitting starring at our food, watching it get cold and trying hard to listen. Man, hunger gets me. After we went to the church to have an interview via FaceTime with the STL's. They are cool! I am happy with them. I don't know why but I didn't have that much patience that day. I was definitely praying hard for it. That is for sure. That night we went to the most ROCKING party. So there is a member who is in the English ward who's mom is in our ward. The member, owns 3 or 4 mcdonalds. He makes a very good living. Their house, is amazing. It was like going home to Utah for a few hours. Living room, beautiful kitchen! We walked in and they asked us to take our shoes off! They asked if we could help set up the nativity scene
and I was like yeah! So I started working, then the dad came over and was like, let's move this back, so I am moving stuff, next thing I know, the wise man is on the ground missing a hand and his staff. I broke the wise man! I was so embarrassed. He said it was okay but hey. They have 2 boys and the mom is about to have a little girl! Their boys are so cute! Ethan and George. They have a play room. It is full of noodles that you would use in the pool but here, they were used as swords! It was so fun to play with them. I just miss little kids so bad. Really being there made me realize how much I want that! I want a big family full of kids to love and teach. 

It started snowing at the party and I was worried about driving home. The food was amazing and brother Michelle, the member who owns the McDonalds, who had the party, talked to us about flavors and food, and eating as an experience not as an act. I really liked it! Mostly because I love food! I love flavors! So it was cool to hear him talk like that. I ended up driving home and it was the first time I had driven in snow in about 21 months. It ended up being good except for missing some exits and turns. We all pulled out beds out into the living room and had a sleepover. It was fun to spend the night with other sisters! Seeing how I haven't had that yet it has been a really fun experience! Me and sister Udy are like, both in love with One Direction! I love it. She is the first sister who I have talked to who has liked One Direction as much as me! I love it. She is really fun!

Wednesday was Christmas! We woke up and opened presents. It was pretty
cool except I had one thing to open. then I had to remember my present is Broadway! We had a breakfast appointment at 10:30 in Greenwich with
the Arenas! They have a son who is leaving on a mission in 2 weeks. It was cool to talk to him and help him out with stuff he should pack and the MTC and stuff. They have a sweet basement with a projector and huge amps. The have dance parties all the time with the ward. It was so fun to just chill with the other missionaries. They have become like family to us. I love them so much! Elder Berryman, Elder Gleason, Elder Longmore, Sister Parkin, Sister Hansen, Sister Wilkes, Elder Duvall, Elder Ordaz, I am going to miss them all a lot when I go home! 

After we went to the bishops house because he lives in Greenwich also,
and talked with our families!! It was so cool. The connection was kinda bad at first but then the elders left for the church and it got a lot better. I love them!! I miss my family and honestly can't believe that I am going to be seeing them so soon. It is kind of mind blowing in all honesty! My family made me a music video of "All I want for Christmas is you" I love it!! It was hilarious!! I can't wait to see their faces! After we face-timed we went to the Molina's house. They are a recently reactivated family and are SO sweet! Hna. Molina got us presents! She got me a purple and grey striped shirt! I was like, "so these are my favorite colors in my favorite pattern in the most comfy shirt! THANK YOU!" We talked with them and I painted my nails with Alexa their 10 year old daughter who was just baptized 2
weeks ago! After we went and dropped off a gift card the bishop gave us to a sister in the ward! She was so thankful! That is one reason I love working with these people. They are very humble. They are also very acceptant of us coming around spreading the word. Then we went with the Elders Gleason and Longmore and Hermanas Parkin and Hansen to a dinner in Stamford. They were so kind to us! I love seeing the families open their homes to us in this season. I just want to be able to do this for other missionaries in my home!

Thursday was planning day. Really we were wiped out! We got out at 4 to go to Hna. Roman's with Elders Ordaz and Duvall. She loves to talk. We shared an article about loving those children who are homosexual. She really loved it. It mostly just talked about the power of prayer and the power of a good example. After we went to get air in our tires and gas in our tank. It was a little hard to find where there was free air and how much to put in. Luckily there was a nice guy who helped us out. I was like, "I am sorry this is what my daddy is for!" I wish I knew more about this stuff. I used to be able to call him all the time about these kinds of things. All was well. Then we went and did some "look ups!" The first wasn't home, a less active member, the second was just leaving to the airport, an investigator. So we set up an appointment and we headed home because it was literally 9! I couldn't believe how time flew that day!

Friday was an interesting day! We had planned to go to New York for our registration check up. But before we got ready to leave, an investigator texted and said we could come over. We jumped on that and headed over. Sister Hoyos said that she and Sister Jensen had talked about giving them over to the elders so we invited elder Ordaz and Elder Duvall. We got there and they have the cutest little house! Her name is Christina and her mom who is also investigating is named
Cilvia. Christina has 2 boys the same ages as my cousins Luke and Cole! I told her that my aunt had the same age boys and also a 2 year old little girl and she was like, "Oh man, that is too much to handle!" It was fun to think of how much more grown up everyone will be when I get home! Weird! We talked about their past visits with missionaries and what they expected. Then Cilvia asked if she could be baptized. Hahaha! We were like "For sure!!!" Christina seemed to have some
reservations. Elder Rutland, who was with Elder Ordaz because of a split, said, "you know why we get baptized? it's because we aren't perfect." It was setting the perfect layout for what Elder Ordaz said next. Elder Ordaz said that when we are reborn we were given a piece of paper and we were told to keep it clean. But as time went on we got marks on it. We couldn't take them away. Then, when we were baptized, we were given a brand new sheet of paper. As we go on, we may make mistakes and try to erase them but the paper is not perfectly clean anymore, so we take the sacrament each Sunday and get a brand new piece of paper. Christina's eyes lit up and she said, "Wow, no one has explained it like
that before." We set the 20th of January for Cilvia's baptism and invited them to church on Sunday. ROCKIN LESSON! 

After that we stopped at Wendy's and then we were off for New York, thinking it would take us an hour to get there, we left at 1:30 for our appointment at 3. When we typed it into the GPS and it said we would get there at 2:10, we were a little confused. Little did we know, Scarsdale is only a half hour away! We were a lot closer than we thought we were! We got
there around 2:30 and dropped our car off then went in search for wifi. We walked down to the Main Street and ran into a Starbucks. It was packed. Then from the corner of my eye I saw Sister Bloxham and Sister Dalley. Earlier that day I was like, man how funny would it be if we ran into the westchester missionaries here. Well, we ran into ALL of them! They were having an APF outside of Starbucks! Elder Zazueta was there, Elder McCekren, Elder Durham, Elder Orellana. It
was so funny! We chilled with them for "a hot minute" as Zazzy would say, then they headed home and we tried to find wifi again. We ended up going to the Atlanta bread company. We bought some tomato basil soup which was bomb and planning. We headed back for our car then went back to Connecticut. The other sisters weren't able to come so we went to Hermana Vidals by ourselves. Sister Hoyos had eggs, and I had an amazing hamburger with pineapple and bacon and BBQ sauce. :) then the kids started playing just dance. Watch out!! I was so excited! We totally played with them. It just reminded me how much I love music
and dancing. I loved the little kids too. One is named Ashley! I told her my name was ashley too and we totes bonded and had ashley power. Even sister Vidal was playing with us! After we went to McDonalds to finally get wifi. We got it all done and headed home. It was a good day. :)

Saturday was pretty chill. I braved up and Put my hair up and took a coldish shower for the first time. I just usually don't want to shower if it is cold because that just ruins it. We had coordination with our district for the first time. We are all a little confused but I think that as we work together we can get everything going great! After, we hung out at the baby shower of a sister in huge ward! That's where I met Sarah. A 6 year old who runs about a million miles a minute. I
love it! We made some CDs, I got my first Piano Guys! I love them! Then we headed off for the baptism in New Caanan. Sister Campbell came up from the city to see the baptism of the couple she taught here. She was companions with our roomie sister Barlow. It was the sweetest baptism I have ever seen! the cutest young couple taking the first steps into eternity! Ahhhh talk about love! I am so excited for them!

After we went to dinner with Elders Gleason and Longmore and Hermanas Parkin and Hansen at Hermana Maggie's house with Hermana Blanca! They are the sweetest ladies ever! It was such a good time! Sister Hoyos and I had a great time!! We talked a lot with Hermanas Parkin and Hansen, more than we ever had! We talked about life and boys and just stuff that missionaries usually don't talk about, which actually ended up making the elders not so happy. They were just not happy that we went talking to the Hermanas as much. But we gave a bomb lesson about prayer. And then headed home. It was a great Saturday.

Sunday was a good day. We went to church and I can honestly say I was
spiritual nourished! I loved it. Our church is backwards and so we start with relief society. We had a combined class with the elders quorum and we talked about Moses and how when he talked with God, God told him that he was His son. The teacher explained that we are the literal children of God and that our potential is so great! It was boss! I loved it. Then for Gospel Principles, we talked about the
second coming and the Millennium. Our teacher was again boss, and taught super well! She really engaged everyone and made sure we understood what was going on. It is really awesome because we actually have a lot of investigators who are coming to church! And less actives who are coming back, when they hear this, the spirit can testify that it is true and reaffirm the faith and testimony that they once had! Sacrament meeting was also boss! We had a missionary farewell. His
name is Victor Arena and he is going to Mexico! He gave a legit talk about why he wanted to go on a mission. I am so excited for my brothers to go on missions, and even Allie! I cannot wait to tell them all about it and help them prepare! This is an experience that NO ONE can pass up. We sang "I'll go where you want me to go" and there wasn't a dry eye in the house. There are a lot of families with missionaries out. One family even has 2! A brother and a sister! 
Then Victor's dad spoke. He is also the one who taught the bomb lesson about Moses. He talked about a talk President Monson gave a couple years ago. It was about courage and self confidence. He gave his son some awesome advice. Then we sang "God be with you till we meet again" yet again, not a dry eye in the place. These families have lived here for a very long time and their kids have grown up so close to each other! It is very much like a ward back in Utah! 

After church we headed home to study. At 5 we headed out to look up a less active. We knew she lives close to the church but Sister Hoyos couldn't remember exactly where. We typed her address into the GPS and set off. We parked and got out of the car, it was raining, like a heavy mist with occasional big rain droplets. And it was cold! We headed up the road and were dodging puddles everywhere because there wasn't any sidewalk, my boots aren't necessarily quality. When we got to 1146 Still water Rd, we were thinking the next house should be 1150, but it
was 1154. We were puzzled and tried to figure it out again, it was so dark and wet we couldn't decide whether we should go or stay, unfortunately, time won and
we had to head off to another visit, but we plan to go by in the day time so we can figure out what is up! Keep ya posted! 

We went to a dinner appointment with Hermanas Parkin and Hansen with the Garcia family. Then the Afaro family showed up, remember Sarah the six year old? Her family. Then a missionary who served his mission here and his wife came. They are so cute! Emma served her mission in London while Michael was serving here. She is majoring in English and knows my next door neighbor Jessica Bodily! Michael does Yoga with my mom! He was like, Lancaster, I think I know your family, does your mom teach yoga? I was like, no way. My mom totally told me about him! I couldn't believe I was meeting him in Connecticut! 

Sister Garcia talked about the message from President Uchtdorf in the Liahona and it was bomb! She asked us what we thought about it and what goals we want to make this year then she asked us how we are going to achieve them! She and her husband are planning on going on a mission! They are planning to sell their house and move somewhere cheaper to help save money. They are so humble. I love it. What an amazing example of putting Christ first!

Monday was district meeting. We talked about the consecration talk by Elder Callister because a lot of us have the goal to be more consecrated this new year. I want to be more consecrated in speaking Spanish. I only have a short time where I can be fully immersed in español entonces, tengo que hablar más en español! After the meeting we headed off for lunch at the mall. We literally were looking for
parking for an hour. First we drove into the wrong parking complex and it took us like 10 minutes to get out. Then we had to drive around for a very long time to get parking at the actual mall. When we finally got there, everyone was leaving. It was sad. So I got some yummy frozen yogurt. :) it was first time being in a mall in 15 months! After we came back to the church and Facebook proselyted. Then
we headed off to the Molina's, a recently reactivated family. We talked about how we need to make good goals for this new year and sister Molina said she is planning on attending the temple more! I love it!

Tuesday was a funny day. We went to the library in the morning. We talked to some people there and made sure they are doing well. Then we started going through the ward list with Elder's Duvall and Ordaz to see if we could get everything figured out. Then we headed to a dinner appointment with Isabel our investigator. She has been investigating the church for probably 5 months. She said when she first met the Elders she was like, yeah come back later, then she said that she was planning on telling them no. Then one day they showed up
without calling and had an awesome lesson, then the sisters started teaching her and it took off from there. She says she feels very welcomed by the ward and loves everything about families being together forever. She has 5 kids but only 1 lives in the U.S. He is 7, the others live in Guatemala with their dad. She said that her
ex-husband is a preacher, and that even some of her kids have made fun of her choice to come to our church but then she said, I don't let any of that bother me. I know this is right. She straight up asked us to be baptized! It was awesome. When sister Hoyos and I went to the car we were like, "What did we do to get to be the missionaries that help these women be baptized?!" I am so thankful to my Heavenly Father. It is amazing to feel of this love at He has for these women, and the love He has for me. I love it! Then we headed home and about 1/4 of the way, our car started jerking around. It broke just the way it had when I got here. For some reason I thinks the traction control is on. It is weird. And of course the next day is New Years and nothing is open. We got home safe and everything is good!

Wednesday is P-day and New Years Day. Which means half of the stores are closed today! Not good. We went to Costco this morning only to find it empty. We went to Walmart, which is only a "half Walmart", and there was barely anything! Luckily there was another store down the street. We are having a zone activity today and needed to get eggs! We are going to watch 17 Miracles at the church. It should be good!

Remember that setting goals is only the first step! We have to make plans to act out these goals! Break things down! It will make it so much easier! Take the time to so it now so that you can have success! 

I love you all! I can't wait to see your beautiful faces at the airport greeting me back into the land of Zion! ;) have an amazing first week of 2014! 

Lovesssss!

Ashley

More specifics on the week of Ashley's last transfer

Well, in a dramatics turn of events, I'm in Stamford, Connecticut!
Okay not so dramatic but still pretty dramatic. We got the call in
Saturday and I knew I would be moving. Silently wishing I wasn't going
too far, The Lord chose to send me to Connecticut. Earlier that night
we went out to eat with the elders and Diosfer. We ate at the diner
that has really good donuts! It was a fun chill night.

Sunday was tough! Everyone was pretty sad but wished me the best. In
sacrament meeting I played the piano for the last time. It was a
bitter sweet moment. That night me and sis dodson just got everything
ready to go. I packed a suitcase and started gathering all my hard
cover books together to send home.

Monday district meeting was good. We had a fun time! We were supposed
to be talking about rake plays about the 3 laws but instead we ended
up using the 10 points in dating scenario. It was so funny! I am
really going to miss those elders. Especially Elder Gamble. Maybe it
is because we served with each other for so long, but we just became
really good friends. :) They threw ivey a little funeral. He was
angry, or pretended to be angry about it. Oh Elder Ivey. (I wanted so
badly to give him a hug at transfers, but I was too chicken.
Homecoming for sure!) After we ate lunch we took a picture in the
mothers room at the church! I was shoved in the back corner with elder
Ivey. Hahaha too funny. We all walked out and Elder Powell, the elder,
said remember in the Book of Mormon where it talks about the wicked
traditions of their fathers? Hinting at to what we had just done.
Elder Wit Beck was just like, yeah I do remember that! Then we headed
to the train to do train caroling. Legit. The train conductor got mad
at us and made it so we couldn't get on the next cart! We wonky made
it from Kingsbridge to Tremont. But it was a good experience. That
night we went over to Suzy's house. She is so sweet! I am going to
miss going over there on Monday nights. We talked about courage with
her because she is starting her divorce papers. We got stuck in the
elevator again! For the last time. :)

Tuesday we went out to take my 5 packages to the post office and 75
dollars later they were sent home. Lame. We did laundry and so I had
all clean clothes and I was ready to go out and say "good-bye" to people. We literally started visiting people at like, 3 and didn't get home till
9:30!

We started out visiting Hermana Marta Santiago. Oh how I love her! I
am so happy that I got to teacher her and love her. We ate arroz,
abichuelas, and pollo for the last time. :( after that we went and saw
Cesaria Lopez. It was slushy outside and of course I had worn my long
skirt! It was wetttt! We got to Cesarias and she is watching Family
Feud. I ask for some water and she gives it to me and the next thing I
know I am waking up on her couch and sister dodson is just sitting
there. I was like, dude how long have we been here? She was like, I
don't know maybe a half hour? Creeper max came in and talked about how
cute you looked asleep. That scared me. He is a big time creeper.
Unbeknownst to me, Cesaria was making us another dinner,I was STUFFED.
Painfully stuffed. She brought out the heaping rice and and omelet of
salami and peppers and I was like, I can do this, I can do this, then
it took one bit and I was like, I can't do this. I poked around at
it, and then I just told Cesaria Hermana, no puedo! I asked for her to
box it for me and luckily she didn't seem too mad at me. After we
tried to go see the Pascuals but only the grandma, Georby and Stacy
were home. I said good bye to them and sis Dodson said she would be
back soon. Then we went to Sulenny's and met up with Jahaira there. I
am so glad I got to meet those girls too. They really helped me
understand my future with teaching a little more. I influenced them. I
touched their lives because I cared about them. I think that I can be
that way for even more students in the future as I peruse my
education. We took pictures then I headed home to finish shoving
things into my suitcase. All was well.

We woke up on Wednesday, I was still in shock, and got ready. Luckily
the Lowell's could take my stuff for me! We got to Inwood and everyone
was like, oh my gosh, sister Lancaster I can't believe your leaving! I
told them all how I knew it was crazy! Elder Price, Duvall,
Chritchfield, and me are all headed up state. Duvall is in my
district! Elder Kerr is the new ap! Pretty crazy to see my boy grow up
like that. He is a good kid. As I got in the van to go upstate, still
things were so surreal. We drove and drove and drove. Then we got to
Ossining. When I walked in, everyone's reaction was like, whaaaat? It
was so funny. Sister Skinner was there and sister Richardson. We got
to hear the intros of the new missionaries again and get grilled again
about using Facebook to talk to our friends and families. Which is a
big no no. And I am guilty. Repentance is real! I met up with sister
Hoyos and we talked to peeps. I gave sister Skinner's baby my coat
because she didn't have one! I was never going to wear it again
anyways. Sister Hoyos told me we didn't have a car and that we would
have to ride with someone else and that my stuff would have to ride
with someone else too. So we put my stuff in Rutland and Sato's car
and headed to Norwalk with sister Barlow and sister Udy. Sister Udy is
from Idaho by Pocatello. She has an older sister who is the same age
as me, lives in rock springs, and is named ashley too! Crazy! The
drive home was longer than I thought it would be. We went straight to
the library and then waited for Gleason and Longmore to come pick us
up and take us to correlation at the church. We got home and I got to
some what unpack my stuff then we hit the sack hard!

Thursday was kinda crazy! We had a little singing practice for
Saturdays APF at 10:30. So we called Rutland and Sato to come and get
us. Luckily they live in Norwalk too! We sang some songs as best as we
could! But we were still sounding a little off. So we set up a choir
practice at new Canaan chapel Friday at 10:30. After our practice we
had Sisters Parkin and Hansen take us to get our car. We got in it and
tried to turn it on and it made a lot of clicky noises and the locks
started going crazy! We went back inside the firestone and told them
something is wrong. They kinda looked at us funny like we were 2
twenty year old girls who didn't know how to take care of their car.
Oh wait...;) Pedro jumped it for us and all was well! We haven't had
any problems since! We went to Hermana Roman's house for dinner that
night! She made us amazing arroz y abichuelas y ribs! We shared with
her and her grand kids a kids at Christmas video. They liked it. Then
Hermana Roman started telling us her life story. It was kind of scary.
She's had a hard time! But she is strong in the gospel. After, we went
to the church to practice the nativity thing for the ward Christmas
party Saturday. It was chill! We live pretty far from our church
though. We have to take the free way and it probably takes about 15-20
minutes.

Friday we went and practiced at the New Canaan church and we even
wheeled the piano outside to hear how our voices were. Hahaha it was
so funny! After we went to Costco for lunch with the zone. I still
can't believe how different it is up here. A member sat next to us at
Costco, sister Morgan walked in, and we saw another member in the
garage! So crazy! There are also Hispanics every where! You go to
Walmart, Costco, any big store and there they are. They look at my tag
and are kind of like, wait, that's my language. It is pretty cool. :)
I love it here now! There is only one thing that is not so great. The
fact that there is never any hot water for the shower. This is not
good. That is my favorite part of the day. And I just can't handle a
40 degree shower! It already cold outside!

Saturday I woke and my companion was throwing up.. Yeah so Saturday
was spent inside with my comp and unfortunately by the end of the day I
was throwing up too. We missed caroling with the zone and the ward
Christmas party but hey, we got more sleep! :) Sunday we did get
to go to church so that was good!

Church is backwards here! It is actually really good because it is
relief society when the English ward has sacrament then all the youth
classes are together, in English. We walked in and were volunteered to
be in the choir for sacrament meeting. It is kind of funny because
since sacrament meeting is last and no one is waiting for us to leave
we can go for as long as we want. Sometimes it isn't so easy to stay
awake. ;)

Monday is today! We have our p-day today to get us ready for Christmas
on Wednesday. It will hopefully be good! We spent the morning in a
short district meeting then broke off to lunch. Sister Hoyos and I
went home and scrubbed the bathroom. Now we are here at the church!

I am pretty excited to talk to y'all this Wednesday! I can't believe
it is this time again! Seems like yesterday we were trying to get this
all to work on Mother's Day!

In some other news, Hermana Reynoso that we visited in the BX passed
away this weekend. She was such a great example of strength to me. I
love her and I am so thankful for the opportunity I had to know her!
She is going to the DR to be buried. Her family could use your
prayers!

Have a very Merry Christmas! You guys are awesome!

Love you!!

Love, Hermana Lancaster

Final Mission Transfer!

Holy cow. I've been transfered to Stamford, Connecticut! I can already assure you that Connecticut is completely different than the Bronx!! 

We don't have a car right now which isn't fun. Especially because everything is so far away. It makes things more difficult because we are at the mercy of those who have a car and can give us a ride to get around. Sister Barlow is my roommate!

Ashley and Sister Barlow when they were companions this past summer

And she is training! It should be a great cycle. (There are 2 companionships in her new apartment) I heard our apartment is amazing. Like, we have a separate bathroom from the other sisters! Legit!

I can't believe my mom and dad already have my flight plans to go home! That is so weird! I am happy to be home so early in the day! (Ashley comes home Thursday, February 6th. Her flight lands at 2:10 pm) 

Oh yeah, guess who is the new AP? Elder Kerr! He will be awesome! Whenever I see him he is always like. I can't believe you are going home! Actually that is what everyone says. When I walked into upstate transfers everyone was like, "Lancaster what are you doing here?" Everyone thought I was going to stay in the Bronx, including me!

Well, Hermana Hoyos is my new companion, and she has already proven to be wonderful! I am so excited for this next cycle!!

Hermana Yesenia Hoyos, Ashley's new companion!

When I told other missionaries I was going to Stamford, they were like, "oh man I am so jealous!" The ward here really functions well. This will be a nice place to end my mission!

Love, ashley!

Baptisms and Friendships

Hey everyone!! 

So this past week was pretty cool!! 

On Thursday, we had a ward baptism. A lot of you have already seen the picture we took with Alexon. His Grandma is an active member and is just a hoot. I love them so much! We came early to the church to decorate with her and helped her set everything up. Balloons hanging from the ceiling, huge cake, you got it. It was really nice though. I love how much the Spirit testifies of the truth of baptism whether is is an 8 year old or and 80 year old. The Spirit testifies of truth! 

On Friday we got to go up to Ossining, New York for our Mission Christmas Devotional. 

It was so amazing! Some of the missionaries were asked to be in the choir and some were assigned special musical numbers. We have so many talented missionaries in our mission! Sister Morgan read us a Christmas story and we had a great dinner with all the missionaries. I love it. I never, ever thought about all the friends I would make on the mission. I can honestly say that I have at least 20 new friends for life thanks to my time serving here in NY. LOVE IT! We came home around 6 and went over to mutual at a Young Woman's house. We talked about friends and it was cool just to see how they are all friends despite the circumstances that surround them in this city. 

Saturday we went to the baptism of Gabriel and Fernando Lorenzo. They are 2 youth who really were prepared for this gospel! It was so cool to see them grow! 

Sunday we watched the Christmas devotional in the clerks office because the tv's weren't working in the other rooms! How amazing were those talks!? I love Sister Wixom's talk about seeing Christmas through children's eyes. How awesome is that!? If you haven't watched it, go watch it!! 

Christmas Devotional 2013

Monday was our District Leader Elder Gamble's birthday! He turned 20!! He has been such a great leader! I have served with him for 4 cycles now and he helps me out so much. We set up a surprise party at a members house the week before. She made us abichuelas and arroz y pollo and we feasted! It was an awesome time to spend together remembering why we are here on missions and how much this will help us in our future lives. After the dinner we all piled into the elevator, 8 missionaries and 1 ward mission leader, and tried to head from the basement floor to the 1st floor. let's just say it may have taken us 30 minutes to get out of that elevator. But we did it!! hahahhaaha

Tuesday we had a lesson with an investigator who recently returned from the DR! She has a lot of family members who are Mormon but doesn't really know that much about us. She has been to the church here and in the DR. She lives right next to a member so it is so amazing that she already has a friend!! That is something that is so important in missionary work. If you are going to help anyone become converted, give them a friend to help them along their way and they will grow strong! 

Today was a chill P-day yet again. IT IS MY FATHER'S BIRTHDAY! 

I love him so much!

Next week is transfers!!!!! And my brother Jacob's birthday! Sweet 16! I can honestly say I do not know whether I will stay or go. I am kind of freaking out considering I just received 2 big boxes i will have to transport with me if I do move! crazy! We shall see what the Lord has in store for us! 

I love you all so much! thank you for all that you do!! Keep going strong! 

con mucho amor, 

Hermana Lancaster

Thanksgiving Week Recap

Hey y'all!

I hope this past week has been awesome! I hope everybody got some
pumpkin pie! Because I sure only got one. :( it is definitely my
favorite! :)

This past Thursday was Thanksgiving! We had weekly planning that day
so we were at the church for the majority of the morning. That is
where we have wifi. The youth came up and played basketball with the
elders and it was nice. Later that night we met with the members who
live below us for dinner! They are in the English ward. They are from
Sierra Leone! That is in Africa! They are so sweet! Let's just say I
was not expecting spicy food, but it was spicy! They kept saying how
much they loved spicy food! Even the baby was eating the same food as
me and I was like, man I am a wimp! We had cous cous (spicy),
ribs (spicy), and turkey! :) It was so fun to be with them. They are
the cutest family! Their daughter even wakes up at 6 to go to seminary
everyday!

On Friday we met up with the Tifa family! I love them so much! Wilson
made us awesome elastic bracelets and we watched spiritual crocodiles.
For those of you who haven't seen the seminary video, it is a classic.
We asked them about what kinds of spiritual crocodiles they have in
their lives, their answers were really good, they talked about how
judging others can be a spiritual crocodile! I love it! Those kids are
legit.

On Saturday, I was asked to sing in a quartet of a baptism! We sang
away in a manger! It was really awesome. I love that song. It was also
cool to be at an English baptism! Usually we sing, pray, and just do
everything in Spanish so it was pretty cool. 

Later that night we went and talked with Sulenny about an awesome article in the New Era! It is by Elder Holland about the Second Coming! I posted a link to it on Facebook if y'all wanna check it out! 

Preparing for the Second Coming

In the article he talks about strengthening Gods kingdom on the earth before The Lord comes. It was just what Sulenny needed to hear. It is amazing when The Lord knows just what we need to talk about with everyone. That is something that has been so awesome to see as a missionary!

Sunday was fast Sunday. I'm not going to lie, it's been a little while
since I have fasted. I have gotten really sick when I have, and
usually at members houses. Not good. But I fasted and felt AMAZING! I
loved it. And then during sacrament meeting I found an amazing hymn
that was what I needed during my fast. 

Hymn Number 139 (In Fasting We Approach Thee)

1. In fasting we approach thee here

And pray thy Spirit from above

Will cleanse our hearts, cast out our fear,

And fill our hunger with thy love.

2. Thru this small sacrifice, may we

Recall that strength and life each day

Are sacred blessings sent from thee--

Fill us with gratitude, we pray.

3. And may our fast fill us with care

For all thy children now in need.

May we from our abundance share,

Thy sheep to bless, thy lambs to feed.

4. This fast, dear Father, sanctify--

Our faith and trust in thee increase.

As we commune and testify,

May we be filled with joy and peace.
I love how it talks about being filled. Aren't the words just so
awesome?! I love it.

Monday we had Zone Meeting. We talked about using the iPads and online
proselyting. Sister Dodson gave an awesome discussion on using the
Internet and blogs and stuff. We are learning! It is cool being a
guinea pig but I am excited for the future missionaries who get the
best from this. It will be legit!

Tuesday we had an APF which means area proselyting focus. We were in
our area this week and had a pretty legit idea. We got a huge box and
wrapped it like a present then we cut up strips of paper to have
people write what they would give Christ for Christmas! We got to talk
with a lot more people than we usually do, and it was just awesome to
see people get excited about Christmas and not just presents. One kid
did write that he would give Him a Xbox. Hahaha!

Today was a chill p-day. We got done everything we needed to! Yay!
This Friday is our mission CHRISTmas devotional! We get to go upstate!
It will be the farthest I have ever been upstate! It is called
Ossining. I think. I love Christmas!

I hope you all have an awesome week! Make sure and read the friend,
there are cute things to do everyday with your family! We are working
on a little something too. Keep an eye out on Facebook! Just remember
to share posts you like! That way the gospel spreads to more people!
Love it!

Love you!

Love, Hermana Lancaster

Laughing with her muscles giving out

"Pray" on the subway

Setting up Christmas at Suzy's

Happy Thanksgiving

Hello friends and family!

I hope you all have had a great week! We have reached winter here! It
hasn't snowed yet but last night we had a pretty big storm! It is
beginning! I really do like winter in the city. Especially because I
am not a good snow driver. If I do get transferred this last cycle
upstate and have to drive, well, Heaven help me. ;) I haven't driven
for almost 15 months!

This past week has been pretty chill. We really focused on members
this past week to build trust and help teach them how to teach so that
we can help them be better member missionaries! It has been good to go
and visit the active members! Especially because they feed us. :) We
have been focusing on teaching them basically chapter 3 of Preach My
Gospel. When we all truly understand these themes, we can teach the
gospel simply and clearly.

So after p-day on Wednesday we went over to a members house. She is
Mexican and is so sweet! She always makes us yummy Mexican food. So we
sit down and she tells us she has molé for us and some soup. Then she
said the word mondongo. I knew I had heard that word before and I was
a little worried. From what I had heard it was either platanos or
stomach. Mofongo or mondongo. At first I didn't say anything, thinking
that the thought would slip from my mind and I would be able to chow
it down. Then Sis. Dodson started eating it and was like, what is
this? I was like, wellllll....it is most likely from a cow. So my
friends, we ate stomach soup. Okay I had a few bites. It was the
texture of chicken skin which I can't stand but, I couldn't leave that
place without trying it. Sis. Dodson was a lot braver than me!

On Thursday we had our last primary program practice! I play the piano for the
ward and offered my services to the primary back in August to play for
them in November. I thought for sure I would be transferred by now
but, alas, here I am! We practiced for an hour and just sang the songs
over and over and over again. There were only 4. La fe (faith), Con El
Salvador al lado (if the savior stood beside me), mi Padre Celestial
me ama (Heavenly Father loves me), and la oracion de un niño(A child's
prayer). It was such a good experience to work with them. We tried our
hardest to just help them have a good experience through all of it. I
am so thankful for all my primary teachers! Teaching the songs is so
hard! Props to all ya'll! :)

On Friday we went to the Reynosa's house. They are a less active
family in our ward. She is very sick with cancer. For the past 6 years
she has been fighting with it, which is also the same amount of time
she has been in the US. She is so strong! She has been such an amazing
example to me of strength and testimony through trials. I am so
thankful that I had the amazing opportunity to meet her.

After the Reynosa's we went to mutual at the YW presidents house. She
asked us to talk about the temple and fasting because they were going
to the temple to do baptisms the next day and invited us to fast with
them. We showed them the cover of the personal progress book and the
cover of the for the strength of the youth booklet. They both have a
picture of the salt lake temple on them. Coincidence, I think not! We
tried to help them understand that the temple is our goal. That the
temple is the place we should all be aiming for and that our decisions
now, will make or break us getting there. I have so much respect for
these girls. Life is so tough here! Good is evil and evil is good.
They have so much courage to stand up for what they believe!

Saturday was a crazy day! We had so much planned to do! It was
wonderful! We had correlation with our ward mission leader then at 12
we had a zone finding activity. Finding is when you find new people to
teach whether it be through tracting, contacting, basically just
talking to random people! My companion, being the artist she is, drew
a huge picture of the angel Moroni! Then we handed out chalk to people
to write down what they were thankful for on the ground around him. A
lot of people talked to us about the church and what we were doing.

Then it usually turns into talking about them. It is really so
interesting to just talk to people about their own lives. That is
something really cool I like about the mission, being able to just
talk to people about their lives! I think it is the history teacher in
me, I love hearing about people's lives. Even though it was cold
outside, this zone activity was so fun!

After the activity, the sisters in the other Spanish ward had a
baptism. We helped them teach a few lessons with him because they
didn't have a third female. His name is Joel. He is so awesome! It was
cool to witness him changing and seeing that the gospel was changing
him into the person he wanted to be. So awesome.

Later that night, we had a relief society baby shower for our relief
society president! She is so cute! She is having her first baby! It is
a girl! There were so many people at the party! It was kind of cool to
see so many members in one place outside of church! I love it. We just
chatted up with the members and they blasted bachata music. For those
of you who don't know what bachata is, google Prince Royce. I love
him. :)

Sunday was the primary program! It was so good! Hahaha I just love
those kids so much. They are so hilarious! They just scream the song
instead of singing. I love that I have gotten to stay in Concourse for
so long because I really did get to develop relationships with the
members here!

Later we went and visited a YW. She is having problems with posting
not good stuff on Facebook. I am so amazed by the world. We literally
are serving in Babylon. I think of all of the prophets who literally
cried because of the wickedness of the people and their love for them.
We have had much sorrow over a few investigators and members who are
choosing to use their agency badly. It it so hard to stay true to what
you believe in this city but, it is possible. I love the YW so much.
They have so much strength and are willing to stand up for what they
believe in.

After we went to a members house to talk about the Book of Mormon. It
was awesome because the members less active grandson was there too and
he was really into it! It is really hard because a lot of kids
grandparents are active but their parents are inactive. It's really
hard to see that, especially when the kids want to come to church.
Sometimes it motivates the parents to reactivate themselves but
sometimes it doesn't. We left him with the commitment to read the Book
of Mormon and to come to church on Sunday and he was like, "you'll see
me there!" It is cool to see the youth grow.

Monday we went to a recent converts house, Marta Santiago. I love her
so much. She is another one of the ladies that I am so happy I got to
meet in my life. She is probably 70 and was baptized last year. She is
going to take the temple prep classes in January! This next week she
is going to get her temple recommend so we can go down to the temple
and do confirmations with her. It has been so amazing to see her grow.
She was so prepared for this gospel and now only wants her family to
be able to enjoy it.
After we visited Marta, we went to another members for dinner with the
elders. Her name is Susie. Her husband just left to Peru for the
winter and she is here by herself! She is so awesome and a very strong
member. She leads me every Sunday as the ward music director!

Tuesday was the International Day of Merengue! If you don't know what
that is Google it! You will want to get up and dance though, so be
warned! We met up with Ceyline. She is a teacher of the 12-15 year
olds in Sunday school. At first she was having a hard time with them
because she doesn't speak much English but she said that now it is
much better. She is only 25 so when we get together it is always fun.
She knows the gospel really well too so when we get together it is
always a good spiritual experience.

Then we had an APF, which is an "area proselyting focus." We gave out
free hot chocolate and pamphlets. It is pretty cool how fast all the
Book of Mormon's and pamphlets go when you tell people they are free.
I am also a strong believer that even if we don't explain much about
the book, if they have it in their home, it has power. Isn't that
amazing? I just love that The Lord places people in our paths to get
the information they need to make the choice to change and follow the
gospel of Jesus Christ.

I can't believe that my time is coming to an end here in New York.
My time serving The Lord  is coming to an end. It is so crazy how
fast time has seemed to fly! I am so thankful for this opportunity to
be here. To have had this experience that has changed my life forever.
I am so thankful to all of my family and friends and people I don't
even know for their support. I can feel your prayers. I know Heavenly
Father is aware of His missionaries and their families.

I love you all so much! Thank you so much for everything you do for
this work! Keep being strong! Remember that we all have to take part
in this work. All of you know someone who is not a member of the
church. Share your testimony, share your example, share up the love
that you have for your Savior! Actions often speak louder than words.
:) Remember to share through Facebook! We can reach the four corners
of the earth with Facebook!

I love you all!

Love, Hermana Lancaster

Your Once Upon A Time Is Now!

Today I was studying about the Plan of Salvation and my studies ended up at this amazing talk by President Uchtdorf. 

"We all search for happiness, and we all try to find our own “happily ever after.” The truth is, God knows how to get there! And He has created a map for you; He knows the way. He is your beloved Heavenly Father, who seeks your good, your happiness. He desires with all the love of a perfect and pure Father that you reach your supernal destination. The map is available to all. It gives explicit directions of what to do and where to go to everyone who is striving to come unto Christ and “stand as [a witness] of God at all times and in all things, and in all places.” All you have to do is trust your Heavenly Father. Trust Him enough to follow His plan."

It has been the most amazing experience to help others find the map of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Not only have I been able to help others, but I have even been able to help myself understand more clearly the map Heavenly Father has for me.

How has following your map helped you understand and trust Heavenly Father? I invite you all to read this amazing talk and share it with someone who comes to your mind while reading it. I know that the Spirit can help you share the gospel in ways only you can.  

Happily Ever After