Here Is Why I Chose To Serve

       For a long time I have made it known that I planned to serve a two year mission.  That service includes postponing college plans, only being able to call home twice a year, only getting to mail home once a week, and having to give up my phone, my social media, movies, and more.  For a long time, as I shared my plan with others as we discussed our post-high school plans, I received various questions, many of which essentially consisted of "Why in the world would you want to do that?" Here is my answer.
       Ever since I was a kid, I was encouraged and expected to serve as a missionary and so for me it was always "part of the plan", but it wasn't until much later that I understood it's importance and figured out for myself why I wanted to be a missionary.  Over time as I got older and learned and gained my own experiences, it became clear to me.  I learned for myself that God loves me, that Christ is my Savior, and the joy that comes knowing and following that Gospel of Christ.  Knowing that, it became clear to me that it was my duty to offer and share that same opportunity with others and sacrifice my time and energy to God to do his work.
       At that point the only question that remained was as to when I needed to serve.  Do I go to college first?  For a semester?  For a year?  Or do I follow the minimum requirement of being 18 and having graduated high school?  As I thought and contemplated I decided that I should serve as soon as I could.  This decision was not strongly definitive however until a trip to the temple during January or February this year.  As I sat in the temple I realized that I had not actually taken the opportunity to ask God if that was his plan for me.  So I asked.  I prayed about whether my decision was the right decision for me and I received an answer.  I felt the Holy Spirit and the peaceful feeling that yes, I needed to prepare to serve this fall.  My future was clear and my decision was firm: I need to serve.
       In the next few months after that experience in the temple I filled out my mission application and submitted it in May.  A month or so later I received my call to go to Sweden.  A few more months of preparation later and here I am ready to serve.  I know that I am needed in Sweden and I am anxious to do my part.  This is what is meant for me and I know that this is part of God's plan for me.  I want to bear you my testimony that I know that God is real and He loves all of us, that He wants what is best for all of his children, and that we have a part in helping each other as God's children.  I bear witness of this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Palmyra New York Trip

We took a family trip to Palmyra, New York.  An important church history area for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  It was a rainy weekend but is was wonderful to be together.  We took some time to ponder in the Sacred Grove and then also visited other sites in the area.

While at the Hill Cumorah Visitor's Center we found a Swedish Book of Mormon.

We thought it was pretty appropriate to have President Monson's photo looking over his shoulder.

Opening His Call

The call: a large white envelope addressed to Elder Spencer Thomas Ashford

arrived on June 18th. 

  

It was opened the following day, after church and just before he left for a week long trip.  His family (especially his mom) was happy to have it come and be opened before he left.  Looking at the envelope would have been torture.  There was also a lack of trust that Mom wouldn't try to steam it open to check the location if it came while he was gone.

 And the call: Dear Elder Ashford, you have been called as a missionary to labor in the 

Stockholm Sweden Mission!

You will teach in the Swedish Language.

You will enter the Missionary Training Center on November 2nd.

 Nothing like Root Beer Floats and Banana Pudding to host our first celebration on our new deck.

Such a great gathering.  November 2nd seemed so far away.  And now he leaves this week!

Welcome to Äldste Ashford's Mission Blog

Äldste is the Swedish word for Elder.  And will become the proper way to address all future communication to the newest missionary in our family.

A Sojourn is a temporary stay and seemed perfect in describing a mission.  Sweden will be home for about 2 years following a 6 week training period in Provo, Utah at the Missionary Training Center (MTC).

It is Mom's job to keep everyone updated from this blog and a group email will be sent by Äldste Ashford.  Basically the emails will show up on the blog so either method works.  If you would like to be added to the email list contact a member of his family.