My Choice To Change

This week i turned 20! I cant even believe it! 
On my birthday i had a moment where i was just laying on the floor thinking. I started thinking about what i have learned over the course of my life. I started playing back a lot of moment in my head of where i learned these lessons. 
There was two thing that all of these moments had in common. And that is they are made up of choices and change. 

The importance of choices has been something that quite fruquently crosses my mind. I think its because each day my schedule is based on the choices of others. 
But, that day on the floor i began thinking about my choices. 
More so my choice to change. 

There were many choices before my mission that initiated change. Whether it was because i chose to or not, the change still came. And it led me to this place. 

I'm 20. In a foreign country. Surround by strangers. Inviting people to choose Jesus Christ. 
Its the greatest choice i have made. And it has changed me forever. 

As well as turning 20 i found out that i will be moving to Preston! 
My hearts aches at the thought that i only have one day left in Ashton. My heart has grown to love this place. The people here are special. Ashton has become a place where i truly have come to know my Saviour. There have been many challenging moments here. But, challenges lead to changes. And for me that change has come in humility. There have been so many stretching things i have done here. Its a place that has been engraven upon my heart. And i am forever grateful for it. I am certain that the Lord will continue to take care of this special place as he has with me. 

There were some moments in this final week here in Ashton that have just touched my heart. I would love to share them with you! 

There was one day that as we prayed we envisioned this family. A family that wasnt from england. And then we saw a place. This factory that i had been near just a couple days prior. We knew we needed to go there.
The only problem is that i didnt know how to get there exactly. So, we decided to trust in the Lord and we got on a bus and went on our way. As i look out the window i saw this street and the spirit hit me prompting me that we needed to get off. We got off and prayed. We then had the strongest feeling overcome us that we would be able to find this family. 
We began walking. Stopping each person we saw, but no luck. We kept walking and walking and walking. But not family. 
Time came for us to head to a service activity. We were sad but knew that we did all that the Lord needed us to do.
As we came to a cross in the road we looked down a ways and saw a woman. And this woman looked unique. She wasnt from here. 
Sister Carter and I looked at each other and said, "thats her!"
We ran to her and asked, "What is something at the moment that you need God to help you overcome?"
Her eyes and face saddened as she expressed that her mother just passed away. We continued to get to know her and her needs. All she wanted to know is where her mother was. 
We taught her about this restored plan. And her face began to be lifted with a smile. Hope was now let into her life. We shared the Book of Mormon with her and she expressed that her husband already reads it. 
The dots all connected. The Lord led us. 
For a moment the spirit of the Lord overcame me as i looked behind me and saw the factory and then to look in front of me to see the face of a mother whos family is in need of the gospel. 
He is so good. He always delivers and finds a way to lead us to his aching children. What a joy it is that i get to be apart of his tender mercies. 

On friday we had the opportunity to go to the temple with our dear friend, Mark. Mark was able to get a couple of family names to take to the temple which was so amazing! He had the opportunity to be baptised for his dad and granddad! Sister Carter and I got to be baptised for his mom and grandmother! The spirit filled my heart as all the missionaries who have taught him gather with us on this special day. I have loved getting to be apart of Mark's journey is finding Jesus Christ. 

My heart was full as i spoke to Jon on Sunday. We talked about how the Lord placed us in each others paths. I will never forget what he said as we said goodbye to each other. Tears began to fill his eyes as he said,
"I will never forget the day we met. It was as if a pillar of light was shining over you. I knew i needed to speak to you. And now my life is forever changed, thank you for everything."
Jon is so special. He is one that i know i needed come on my mission for. He will change many. The lord has prepared him to do so. He has become one of the miracles of my mission. 

I will miss many things about this place. But, i also know what comes as we choose to give the Saviour everything. As i choose to continue to let the lord change me, i know that the Lord will astonish me. Because he already has. 

I love you all. Thank you for being in my story of life. The Lord knew i needed all of you. And through it all he has change me. 

With love, 
Sister B. 







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