Temple Trip

Another good week in a life as a missionary! Last week sure does seem to have been a long time ago! It truly been a wonderful week. So on Monday of last week we had a whole Helena/Butte Zone together for P-day and we hiked Mt. Helena which was amazing. It was about a 2 mile hike up. Then we had a devotional up on top of the Mountain, because we related how in the Bible the Mountains was where Prophets went to receive instruction and revelation from Heavenly Father. Sister Johnson gave a discussion about how we have been and how we can still prepare to go to the Temple. It was really good. We even had a non-member listen and joined in in singing Nearer My God to Thee. It was super spiritual and uplifting. Then Elder Gunnerson and I with 3 other missionaries ran down the mountain which was fun. Then of course I played basketball all day, so with all those activities I was really sore the next day.

So Elder Gunnerson and I had to find housing for the whole Zone for Monday night as we had Zone Training the next day. So we found housing for 14 Elders and for 6 sisters. Luckily Helena 4th Ward is amazing and was able to house all of them. Then Zone Training was great! We talked about the Law of Sacrifice, Consecration, Gospel of Jesus Christ, Obedience, and Chastity which we have been studying the last month and a half to prepare for the Temple.

So on Thursday we finally went to the Temple! It was so nice to go to the Temple again and I learned so much and could really feel the Spirit. I learned so much when the Temple President spoke to us before the session started. I learned so much and it was just a great experience. After the Temple we all went to Golden Corral which was good. I was also able to see Elder Bishop  and Sister Pattullo who I haven't seen in quite awhile, so that was an awesome reunion.

Sunday was great as well, had people come to church, and the Halls are doing great! They are really looking forward for their baptism on Sep. 28. In fact they told us they want to plan out their program this Saturday after attending the Baptismal service which Elder Gunnerson and I have this week with the 3 lamanite kids we have been teaching, which reminds me, Elder Gunnerson and I are going to baptize the kids this Saturday! Should be an awesome week! Anyway, the Halls are super excited and already have speakers for their baptism.

This week will be super awesome. Oh, Yesterday we picked up a new investigator, Alex, who is 9 and has a date for Sep. 28 as well. Tonight on exchanges we will be contacting our potential investigator who randomly called us up saying he wanted to meet with us! Super exciting day and week!

Hope you all have a great week!

Elder Ashcroft

Montana Billings Mission in Newspaper

Here is the link to the Newspaper article about this mission!

 http://billingsgazette.com/news/local/new-minimum-age-guidelines-increase-ranks-of-mormon-missionaries/article_4fdd0160-454b-524f-833c-7585e6184041.html#comments

August 26

So this has been pretty decent week. Not much to talk about for this week. For exchanges Wednesday night Elder Gunnerson won and got to see and teach Leah, our recent Convert who is doing awesome and staying solid! Also Elder Gunnerson saw Hannah who is a solid and awesome girl that we are teaching. She wants to be baptized but she has to wait till she is 18, which will be another 2 years. Anyway, she is awesome, going to church every week and reading in the Book of Mormon and is in Alma 40! Were hoping and praying she gets permission to be baptized. I went around trying to see people and they were all not home. :(  Well, we're still getting things done.

So Friday we saw the Halls who are solid. Bro. and Sis. Hall are doing great and still progressing. The Grandma unfortunately backed off the baptismal date but still wants to learn and take her time, but she is still progressing! Then the Halls invited us to go to a rodeo with them and the Steinagels in Boulder, outside our area but in our Zone, and we got permission to go! I'll have to send some pictures next week. That was super fun, however the bull riding was a disappointment as all the riders fell off in less than 3 seconds. But the rodeo was great! Been forever since I have been to a rodeo!

This week will be super busy! Zone Training is tomorrow so everybody is coming up tonight and we are going to hike Mt. Helena as a zone. That should be exciting. Also this Thursday I will be going to the temple! The Temple President and President Mecham are holding an hour session to explain things before we start a session, which should be cool and interesting. Can't wait!

Other than that, nothing much is happening, at least not that I can think of right now. Hope you all enjoy your week!

Elder Ashcroft

Elder Devin Ashcroft Facebook Account

I now have a facebook account, but with that there are several rules I need to keep. One of those things is unfortunately is that I can't add family and friends as my friend on facebook. However you can still follow me on facebook. This is pretty simple to do, go as to where you would add me as a friend and there should be an option where you can choose to follow me. So if you like me enough you can at your own will follow me. I will be your new leader bwahaha, you are now my followers and my servants. Haha just kidding. Everybody is invited to follow me so spread the word! Love ya all!

Elder Devin Ashcroft

Elder Thomas

So Elder Thomas' youtube video is called "Unicyle see you in 2" since he is on his mission. Also he is in "unicycle freestyle" first one that pops up. In case you're interested.

Swicheroos

Well, this has been an interesting week. I had five companions this week. So I had Elder Gunnerson till Tuesday after District Meeting, which was really good and we talked about facebook. I should be creating my facebook account this week, I already had my interview by my Zone Leader so I'm good to go. Anyway, After District Meeting Elder Gunnerson went with the Lincoln Elders for a week long exchanges and not going to be back till tomorrow for District Meeting. So the plan was I was going to be with the Zone Leaders Elder Southwick and Elder Zacchilli, but we had a change of plan. Elder Smith, our AP(Assistant to President) came down from Billings to go on exchanges with the Zone Leaders, so I ended up being with Elder Thomas, who came with Elder Smith, and Elder Smith just came into the mission the day before, he is waiting for his visa for Brazil. So I had Elder Thomas from Tuesday afternoon to Friday evening. Elder Thomas is amazing! He is from Fort Collins, Colorado, an hour North of Denver. I found out that he holds the world record for the longest grind on a Unicycle. Meaning he rode 250 ft on a rail with the pedals of the unicycle. That is pretty amazing and he is on youtube apparently. So, anyway, after Friday evening Elder Smith and Elder Thomas left for Great Falls and I ended up being with the Zone Leaders.

So on Saturday with the Zone Leaders and I had to take one of the Sisters to Dillon to be on exchanges. So we had a long drive, pretty much took up most of the day. Dillon has two sets of missionaries now, a set of Elders and a set of Sisters. Then on Sunday I went to 3 wards for church. My two wards of Helena 2&4 and the Zone Leader's ward, Helena 5. So anyway, early in the morning we gave the presentation to Helena 2 and Elder Smith and Elder Thomas came back. So I ended up being with Elder Smith for sacrament meeting for 2nd ward while the ZLs and Elder Thomas went off to do something. We then went to my place for lunch before Elder Smith and Elder Thomas went to Missoula.

Gaaahh, I'm running out of time! So right now I'm with Elder Zacchilli and Southwick till tomorrow. Been a good week. Love ya bye!

Goofy Pictures

Elder Gunnerson, Elder Ashcroft & Elder Wilson (Visa Waiter to Brazil)

Helena District (Not exactly a goofy picture though!)