Did I seriously shake and apostle’s hand??? Yes I did!!

HOLA MI AMIGOS AND MI FAMILIA!!! 

No, I haven't been reassigned Spanish speaking, but I totally should...right? Just kidding. Teaching in my native language can being trying enough. Plus, I am learning to be fluent in the language of the spirit. True story. Chapter seven of preach my gospel is one of the chapters that our mission is studying right now. Yay! I seriously love our personal study time. It is truly my appointment with the Lord. That is my time when I can pray to my Father in Heaven and ask Him what He needs me to learn and know. What really amazes me is that every time, without fail-if I'm humble enough- He will instruct me through the scriptures, through modern day prophets and through my patriarchal blessing. I would suggest to anyone who wants more answers or who is needing more guidance to set a specific time that you are going to do personal scripture/gospel study  and make sure that you place that window of time as a priority in your life. Make sure you treat it like your appointment with Heavenly Father. Don't let things get in the way. Make sure you set aside time for Him, so He can have more time for you. He loves us and will really truly bless us and our lives. In fact, He does every day. He wants to tell us things, to give us instruction, but are we always looking or searching for it? Are we listening? I have even set aside some study time to truly ponder on the miracles that are around me or try to feel his love.  Well,  that's not even my spiritual thought! I wasn't planning on that, but apparently this is something I felt I needed to share today. 

Okay, here we go!!!!!!!!!!! Sister Esplin's week👏🙌🎉🎬🚗🚌

This week we didn't get to see many investigators because we had a ton of meetings and poor Sister Fogg was sick for several days. On the bright side, we did get to see EDDIE!!! HE IS SO EXCITED FOR HIS BAPTISM! He chose who he wants to baptize him and who he would like to confirm him, which was so sweet. He is getting baptized on February 11th so keep him in your prayers. He is such a sweet person. He doesn't have to be baptized because he is a very special son of God, but he genuinely wants to and his sister is so excited for him. Sister Fogg has been working with him from the beginning and she says that he has changed so much. Yay for the spirit!

This week we had the missionary broadcast which was wonderful. I took tons of amazing notes, but truly the greatest highlight of my week was Elder Anderson's visit to our mission!!!   

Here are some highlights that I absolutely loved:

-we need to be experiencing repentance everyday so that we will be able to teach repentance. (Side note, we often think of repentance asa hard, difficult, pain inflicting thing. That should not be our mentality. In reality, repentance is such a gift that we are given. We GET to repent. Yes, there will be some suffering, but that is the price of sin. I often think of Alma 36:21. Use repentance daily. If you think you don't need to, re-examine your life. You do. We all do. The only one who doesn't need to is Jesus).

-as people change we can see the countenance of the Savior.

-as we teach the commandments, our investigators will feel the love of God.

-The Holy Ghost is the senior companion and the teacher. We need to live our lives in a way that will invite the spirit into our lesson so that the spirit can touch our investigators and help them to receive guidance and revelation from God.

There is so much more that I could share. In a nutshell, our mission conference with Bishop Waddell, Elder Klebingat, Elder Beheshti, and Elder Anderson was SO AMAZING!!!

OKAY so NOW for our trip to ARKANSAS! Yes, my birthplace (in real life and mission life 😃). The ride to Little Rock was about two and a half hours, maybe three. It was crazy fun though. Imagine over 55 missionaries in a big bus. It was crazy. I sat next to Sister King, aka my favorite person ever, and in front of Sister Duffin, another one of my favorite people. Yes! We got to Arkansas and we immediately started getting ready to take our picture with Elder Anderson. That took a long time to get 187 missionaries situated for one  picture. Phew!! But we did it. It was so neat to see Elder Anderson. When he walked into the room you could just feel the authority and power that he held. He is truly a disciple of Jesus Christ. We were all standing there very quietly and he said that we were so reverent! Squeal.

Our first speaker was Elder Klebingat.  The night before he asked President Wakolo to send out a mass text to all the missionaries to read Acts 5:1-12, which tells the story of Ananias and Sapphira, his wife, who both died because they withheld a portion and didn’t lay everything at the apostles feet that was asked of them. That day, Elder Klebingat talked about what we aren't giving up. He shared how in verse 2 we learn that they kept part of the price of their sold possessions, Ananias's wife being privy to it. In essence, they had secret combinations. He then asked us, do you and your companion have secret combinations that get in the way of the work and consecrating yourselves to the work? What are you holding back? What are you not sacrificing? Here are some other amazing things that he shared: Let me tell you, Elder Klebingat basically threw down!!

-A member becomes a saint when they are willing to give up all their little sins

-It is a privilege to serve and it is a privilege we must earn. 

-We never approach the throne of God with conditions. 

Bishop Waddell

-we are representatives when we open our mouths.

Elder Beheshti

-Our parents need to be strengthened and nourished by our spiritual experiences and testimony

-We should bear testimony as frequently as possible to our family and loved ones

Elder Anderson later said that he was there to soften the blow of Elder Klebingat. Haha!! Here are some things that Elder Anderson shared:

-They want us to be disciples our whole life

-Set our feet on a course we can stay on moving onto eternal life (both of these were conserving the new schedule changes. How they will

help us our whole lives. Namely our studies . *insert eyebrow raise here*).

-We need to not only be converted to the church, but converted to the Lord.

-We should find ways to make our mission work for us and plant our feet firmly in the gospel.

-We should strive to have the pages of the Book of Mormon come into our hearts like fire!

-I should promise myself that I have decades to fill in the gaps of my knowledge. That I am never going to be just a material-oriented being. That throughout my mortal life I will always deal in things that are unseen.

-If a person hasn't suffered then he hasn't repented. In a way, we are bringing our investigators suffering, but it is the best kind for it yields eternal blessings :)

-Testimony is to know, conversion is to become.

I truly loved everything. I have such a testimony of this gospel. I truly believe and know that this is Christ's church restored to the earth again. I know that he loves us and suffered for us. I know that there are prophets and apostles on the earth today, that the priesthood is restored. I love all of you. You are amazing. Keep upthe work you do each day and know that God loves and recognizes your work and effort. You are sons and daughters of God. I know that. I love y’all!

Love,

Ash

Sister Esplin

P.S. They said President Wakolo is the best mission president serving right now. I truly agree. :) Full heartedly.

The bus to Arkansas. It was a blast!

This hand shook an apostle’s hand!

 Drinking immunity smoothies which Stella, Dallin and I made.

Woot! Woot! They’re SOOO good!

 Every week we visit Rosie (a member) and her brother,

Eddie (who is preparing for baptism). This is a pic with

Rosie’s granddaughter, Mia!

 SEVEN MONTHS!!!!

LakeLAND of Plenty

Hello beautiful friends and family! I love you all and I just love and adore all of your emails, letters, and pictures. Thanks for all the love and support that you give me each day and week. You are all truly amazing and I feel extremely blessed to have y'all in my life. 

I just adore Lakeland. Can I just say that? The ward is just fantastic and they just saved my life this week. Since our mission has to put limits on car miles each month, we were scheduled for a walk week  (🎶 walking in Memphis🎤), but I was super stressed about going on walk week with my ankle-yes it's still a problem (I'm acclimating to the pain).  Fortunately, the amazing (member) sisters in our ward took such good care of us. We made a sign up sheet for people to pick us up and come out with us, and seriously, SO many people did! And miracles really did happen!! WE SET TWO BAPTISMAL DATES!!!!!! HOORAY!!! 

Here is the highlight reel for the week! 🎬

On Tuesday we had district meeting, which was awesome. Our district leader told us to share gospel truths with those we meet. So we did! When we went out with the Young Women's President, we met a boy named Jay-who is now avoiding us, so dang it- and I gave him a restoration pamphlet and told him that the priesthood of God had been restored and is on the earth today to bless each one  of us! 

Thursday was truly our miracle day!!!! We started out our day by going out with Sister Miani. We were attempting to visit some former investigators, and when we got to the first house the lady told us her dog had made a huge mess so we would need to come over some other time. Well, we were walking down her driveway and I saw this girl with a straight outta Memphis beanie on and decided to run over to her and give her a card. Well, the spirit obviously had other plans because, oh man, I invited her to baptism. Outside. On the curb. In the rain. Two minutes after meeting her. We actually gave her the restoration pamphlet and the Book of Mormon and she looked at us in wonder and asked how she could learn more! Crazy! She accepted the baptismal invitation and Dominique is her name. We just got in the car and I just sat there for a second. It was so amazing. I felt like the spirit definitely was the one that did that. Not me. We just testified of God's love for us. And she wanted to know more. 

We later went to Rosie and Eddie's house. Rosie is a returning member and Eddie is her brother. They have been taught for a little while, but last week Eddie came to church which was HUGE! We went to their house and we talked about the priesthood and about learning and serving in the church and he was so excited about everything, so we set a date with him,  as well!!!!!! He also asked us to please keep teaching him about baptism so he can learn. Okay Eddie!

On Saturday our Sister Training Leaders spent the day with us. We actually went and cleaned someone's house in the morning and then we split off, Sister King worked with me, and Sister Decker worked with Sister Fogg. Well, lucky for me....Sister King was assigned to CLEAN THE TEMPLE!!!!!!! It was so amazing and peaceful and just fantastic. I truly felt so clean and happy. And the coolest thing happened. I walked into the temple and who did I see? Brother and Sister Pierson from the NLR ward!!! Later, Sister Wing (the wife of my former Stake President in NLR) came  up to me, as well, and gave me a giant hug! It was like I was home! All these people at I had grown to love in NLR were here at the temple. Then, I saw some other people I knew from Tennessee! It truly was amazing to me. For a moment, I felt like I had a small glimpse into comprehending what  it will probably be like in the spirit world someday. That everywhere we look we will rediscover people that we love and have missed and that it will be such a happy and joyous reunion. It was such a privilege to clean the temple. As I was dusting I felt so strongly that my Heavenly Father knows me and He trusts me and that He is proud of me. When I glanced into  the mirrors where you can see for eternity I noticed that it when I looked only at myself I could only see a little ahead of me, but when I would look at Sister King or someone else in the mirror, I could see forever. This experience reminded me that I truly need to be looking towards eternity for my investigators. I need to stop looking at myself and noticing how I am right now and start looking at how I can help others to come closer to the temple and to having eternal life. When I could see others forevers, I could better see mine. I just love the temple. 

This week our Sister Training Leaders had us do an exchange for several days and it was so much fun to be in Bartlett with Sister King! She is adorable and we laughed so hard, but got a lot done. We even went out with a cute girl in the ward. It was so fun. 

My spiritual thought actually comes from the Book of Mormon. I have been studying leadership qualities so that I can better appreciate my leaders and recognize their love for me and one thing that I have really loved is that in the Book of Mormon Nephi often says that he is telling us these things for our own eternal welfare. In 2 Nephi 6:3-4 it says, " 3 Nevertheless, I speak unto you again; for I am desirous for the welfare of your souls. Yea, mine anxiety is great for you; and ye yourselves know that it ever has been. For I have exhorted you with all diligence; and I have taught you the words of my father; and I have spoken unto you concerning all things which are written, from the creation of the world.

4 And now, behold, I would speak unto you concerning things which are, and which are to come; wherefore, I will read you the words of Isaiah. And they are the words which my brother has desired that I should speak unto you. And I speak unto you for your sakes, that ye may learn and glorify the name of your God."

I love that we lead and serve others for the welfare of their souls. I love you all. I hope you all have a wonderful week. I am so grateful to be a disciple of Jesus Christ and have a part in this great work. There are hard days, sure. But they are so worth it. I just adore everything about Lakeland. Everyone is great. The work is good. I love my companion! Life is just dandy. It is hard, but so fulfilling. I love y'all.  Have a fantastic week!!!

Love, 

Sister Esplin

Ash 

 Cleaning the Memphis Temple with Sister King

 Memphis Temple

 Picnic outside the temple with my STL’s Sister King & Sister Decker

 Raising the roof with Gracie

Miracles in Memphis

Hello everyone! Good day!

This upcoming week is going to be a week of miracles. I just know it. Do you know why? First of all, because I'm on a mission and Heavenly Father is a God of miracles. But secondly because "🎶 I'll be walkin in Memphis". If you don't know that reference, that's fine. I don't really like the song anyway. It is my first walk week in 5 months. I have to admit that with my bad ankle I am a little stressed out, but I know that walk weeks bring miracles and heaven knows that we need some miracles. Recently,  Lakeland has seen some MIIIIIIIRRRRRAAAACCCCLESSSSSSSS!!!

Alright. This week was just awesome. We started out with EXCHANGES!!  Sister Decker, who served in Conway as my sister training leader for three of my four transfers in

Sherwood came over to the Memphis north zone with me and is my Sister Training Leader again! She is simply amazing and I am so grateful for the opportunity that I have to serve with her again. She is also in my district now! Yay! We recently had exchanges which were fantastic. It was a really neat experience and it was really a time of reflection for me to see much we have changed. Even in six months. I feel like I have changed a lot. I truly feel like our trials are such a blessing. I can see that the trials which have occurred in my life have been the refiners fire that I needed to truly make me who my Father in Heaven would have me be. There is so much growth that takes place when we are going through the difficult times in our lives. At least there is a lot of growth, if you turn to your Father in Heaven and ask for His help. The most comforting thing that I have in my life is that my Savior, Jesus Christ, is someone that I can always turn to in faith and ask for help. He has already suffered for our sins, our pains, our afflictions, and our sicknesses. He wants us to come to Him and ask for help. His hands are reached out still. 

When we had exchanges we had an amazing lesson with a former investigator named Hope. She was awesome, we sat down and started talking to her but the weirdest thing happened. The spirit just said to stop teaching her and ask to come the next day. We stepped out of the lesson and I turned to sister Decker to apologize and she just said not to worry, that she was not in the right frame of mind anyways because she was stressed out. But she then encouraged me to invite Hope to be baptized the next lesson because she felt really strongly that Hope needed that invitation. So the next day we went over and taught her the Plan of Salvation and she was really happy to talk about it. We also talked about the temple and how we can be together with our families forever and she thought that it was really neat. She was so interested in the lesson. We then extended the invitation of baptism to her and she said she would, if she wasn't on partial bed rest for the next 3 months. NO. Oh well, she is truly being prepared and we will continue to teach her and help her to grow in the gospel.

On Thursday we had zone conference and some really cool things happened. First of all, Elder Anderson is coming!!! We get to see him in Little Rock on January 28th. So exciting! 2nd thing. We are now a skype mission. We are now allowed to skype our investigators and mission leaders. That is seriously a huge step and truly an example of how our Father in Heaven is hastening the work and truly putting everything that we have to work to bring the gospel to everyone. I don't fully know how it is all going to work, but I am excited. We had phenomenal instruction from our sister training leaders, zone leaders, and President Wakolo. President Wakolo talked about how this is a gospel of miracles. Setting goals is an act of faith. That goals are the desires of our hearts. He also talked about how high expectations and high love for ourselves/Jesus Christ/our

investigators brings miracles. Our zone leaders talked about if we don't receive the spirit we cannot teach others. We need to be teaching by the spirit. And asking what the spirit would like us to share. They also talked about how when our investigators feel the spirit and receive it, they will gladly be baptized. The STLs talked about how our name tags are just a piece of plastic. We need to have the words written on the 'fleshy tablets of our hearts' (as President Wakolo says).

This week was just  a bunch of talking and preparing for miracles and I cannot wait to share with you the miracles that I am sure are going to happen this week. I know that Heavenly Father will provide a way. He has done it for me time after time. It is often after a trial of our faith though. I am so thrilled to be serving here right now. This

year we are reading the book of mormon in six months and it has been such a joy for me to do that. Here is my highlight for today. I really loved 1 Nephi 13:37. I love that I have a chance to bring forth Zion. I love this work and I love all of you! Have a wonderful week!

Love, 

Sister Esplin

 Exchanges with Sister Decker and Sister King

 This group of photos are entitled:

 “Oh no, I haven’t taken any pics this week. Quick Sister Fogg, come outside and snap some random pics with me!”

The garden of Lakeland

Well, I just have to say...I love Lakeland, Tennessee!!! It is legit. Sure, we aren't teaching anyone right now, but I truly believe in miracles and I think that we, as missionaries, each have a role to play in each area. I have heard it related to a garden. Some people are the ones that plant seeds. Some nurture the plants and help them to grow, and some are the harvesters. I believe that Lakeland might be in the seed planting stage, but you know, sometimes while you are planting seeds you find fruit that is ready to be harvested! I truly believe in miracles and I am so happy to be here. I have learned that a happy heart and good attitude can go a long way. I know that attitude is truly so important. We often talk about the four pillars of missionary work in this mission. They are attitude, obedience, work ethic, and gospel knowledge. I really, really think that they all tie together. When you have a good attitude you will be more obedient, thus have a good work ethic, leading to learning more and increasing your gospel knowledge. I really have been learning that putting a smile on your face just helps you to feel good. There have been many days when we have knocked on SO many doors, and all of our plans have fallen through, but I can honestly say that I don't feel discouraged. In fact, just the opposite. I believe that my hope and faith in Jesus Christ are the very things that buoy me up. I think I have hit my rest easy point every night-the point were I can go to bed comfortably knowing that I did all that I could do that day. Even though our numbers were not great this week-which isn't why we do this work- I can honestly say that there was a lot of unseen work behind them. 

Alrighty. Well, I don't have a ton of things to share. I worked a lot. I knocked on a LOT of doors. I didn't talk to a lot of people. I got sick...again. Woot woot! OH!!! It snowed!  People were losing their minds over this. Seriously, it was just a little bit of snow…like not even enough to make a snowball. They cancelled school. They almost had us stay inside. What?! It did get crazy cold, but that’s okay. My Utah upbringing had my driving covered. Yup. I'm still the designated driver. So all of my pre-mission stressing when I got into my car accident was for nothing. Hahahaha. 

Oh! I had a miracle happen this week.  Since our mission had discouraged us from being outside in the cold weather, we decided to do some service while we remained indoors. We decided to visit members and nonmembers with cookies, so made a quick pitstop to Kroger to pick up some cookie dough. We drive a 2017 Malibu, which is a keyless car. I understand that the car usually works great, but when we arrived at Kroger and got outside of the car,  I tried to lock the car and it wouldn’t lock.  So we got back in the car and tried to start the car.  Nope. Didn't work. In fact, it didn't detect the key…the key that was in my hand! At this point, we started freaking out. We tried everything. We called the members we lived with, other members who live close by, even our sister training leaders and our district leader. Nobody could help us. The problem also was that I didn't know how we would lock the car, so we would have left the car unlocked all night-yes, now I know that I could have locked the car on the inside of the door and then left it. Don't judge me…I was stressed!!!  At this point, I was feeling pretty frazzled, so I basically just started talking to God, asking Him to help me. I just needed to vent to Him before I asked Him for help (forgive my irreverence). Well, I basically told Him that I KNEW that he could do miracles, that I knew he could start our car. After all, He created the universe!! After my that,  I humbly prayed and pled for help, asking that if it wasn't His will to start the car, that He would guide us as to what we should do. And what happened??? The. Car. Started. WHAT!?!!?! It was so cool. Also, the music was on and what was the song?? “Hallelujah” by the MoTab. I seriously was dying. It was so cool. So that is my miracle. I will attach the video I made afterwards. It pretty much sums up my excitement and the joy I had. 

My spiritual thought for this week is about the restoration.  It comes from a talk that I read recently about how we really need to have a testimony of Joseph Smith and the first vision, because if we don't believe that, then everything else is a fraud. We cannot say the church is true without believing in the first vision, because if that didn’t happen, we would not have the priesthood and that would make it so that we were just like all the other churches. I have prayed and pondered a lot about that and I know that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God and that he truly saw God the Father and His son, Jesus Christ. I would invite all of you to pray about that, as well..especially if you have doubts. I know that this is Christ's church on the earth again and that the priesthood truly is on the earth. I know the gospel of Jesus Christ can bring us so much joy! I love my Savior. I love my Father in Heaven. I love all of you! Sorry for the preachy tone. I just feel pretty passionate about it. That is something else I have learned on my mission. I am passionate about the gospel. Thank y'all for the emails. Thank you for all of the letters and the pictures. I love them. Thank you for your prayers and support. I love you and I know our Heavenly Father loves you too!

Love,

Sister Esplin

Ash

A keyless car driver

Someone who occasionally rants to God

A girl on a mission;)

The sun has set on my time in Sherwood

Well, I'm gone. I'm not in Sherwood anymore. In fact, I am not even in the state of Arkansas ...I am  in TENNESSEE!!  My new area is Lakeland, Tennessee, which is actually where Sister Jensen came from when she came to Sherwood. I was so sad to leave Sherwood, but I think this is going to be good. I am super pumped. My new companion is Sister Fogg and she seems super sweet!  I have been told that Lakeland is a pretty upperclass area, which is pretty funny, considering that I am not. I also am going to be living with the Seamans, who are members. I am really excited to get to know them!!

Here is my week in a nutshell: "Twas the week after Christmas"

On Tuesday we had a zone meeting, which was simply great. I really enjoyed the things that were shared and the instructions that were given by our stellar sister training leaders and zone leaders, Sister Decker, Sister Kirby, Elder Plaira, and Elder Johnson. I also was touched by the testimonies given by the four departing missionaries (including my companion, Sister Farr).

On Wednesday we had exchanges. Since the sister training leaders in Conway were dealing with bedbugs (Ooooooh Fun!!!), the sister training leaders from the Little Rock Pinnacle Mountain Ward came to do exchanges with us instead. During exchanges, Sister Minster worked with me while her companion, Sister Skordas, worked with Sister Farr and Sister Jensen.   To be completely honest, since I was planning for the day without my companions, I was a little nervous that they day would not go well.  The day before I had expressed my reservations to my companion, Sister Farr, and she  had turned to me and said, "exchanges can bring miracles”. Well, I really took that to heart and hoped that this exchange would, so I took a deep breathe, planned the day out,  and just prayed hard for miracles. I really wanted to get to work! And as Whitney Houston sang with Mariah Carey, "There can be miracles! If you believe!!!!" And, boy howdy, were there some amazing little miracles that occurred that day. ;) Sister Minster and I started out the day in the best way possible. We met with Chelsea who holds such a special place in my heart. The last time we met with her we wanted to teach her about tithing and fast offerings but the lesson got derailed and we never had an opportunity to share those truths. On Wednesday, I wasn’t sure if we should discuss the topic of tithing, but the spirit boldly let me know that this was, in fact, what Chelsea needed. That day, Chelsea had great questions that led us to teach her clarifying truths about tithing as well as the word of wisdom. I just have to say that I love Chelsea so much.  In many ways, she feels like a sister to me and there have been times when I have wondered if we knew each other in the pre-earth life and made a deal to help each other down on earth.  After our visit with Chelsea, we visited Kathy, who is a bible referral that we had been trying to see forever. We knocked on the door and she actually opened the door! As a matter of fact, she was pretty excited to see us. She let us in and started to pour out her soul to us. We offered to help her move, if she needed help, and she just turned to us and said that we must have been angels. She said that you can know a lot about where somebody is sent from based on what they say and do and because we offered to help her she said that she knew we were sent from God. 😊 Isn’t that sweet?

On Thursday we went to Maumelle! We went and visited Gina, who was recently diagnosed with MS and has been dealing with a lot of pain and health issues. Well, that day she agreed to let us in and she was so happy to see us. We talked to her about the Plan of Salvation and she was just awesome. She was really grasping everything we taught her. Sometime you hear about super prepared people. I believe that this is Gina. She is crazy prepared. We extended a baptismal invitation to her, but her mom burst through the door-who we are also teaching- and distracted her. They did say that they thought that we were angels. Gina actually turned to Sister Farr and said, I hope it doesn't offend you, but we call you our angels. Awww. Why would that offend us?? Seriously. 

Saying goodbye to everyone was REALLY hard. I have been in Sherwood for six months….SIX MONTHS, people!!! Also, it is hard to be away from Sister Jensen and Sister Farr. I am so grateful for Sister Jensen and Sister Farr and all that I learned from both of them. I am so sad that Sister Farr is going home. I mean, I'm happy for her, but I wish that I could have been with her longer and gotten to know her even better. She truly is amazing. I miss her already. But bigger and better things, right? As much as it hurts to leave so many people that I have grown to love, I feel so much peace about being in Lakeland and being with Sister Fogg. She is seriously such a sweetheart. It is scary to be in a new place, but I have faith that this next chapter in my life will be wonderful, as well. Also, I hit my six month mark on the 29th! I have finished a third of my mission. Crazy sauce, I tell you!!  

Spiritual thought. Thought. Do I have any? I have been up since five this morning so I am a bit frazzled. Forgive my frazzled state.  It’s a New year, right? I mean, I have been so in the thick of saying goodbyes, packing, and moving, that I didn’t even realize that it was a new year until about 9:00 in the morning. This new year is going to be a great one. I just know it! Basically, I have one year left. My goals this year are essentially the goals I make for the last year of my mission. That is a little daunting! I really like what my mom encouraged me to do. She challenged me to counsel with my Heavenly Father and work hand-in-hand with Him in setting my goals.  I really have been trying to do that. I, likewise, challenge all of you to pray and counsel with your Father in Heaven to see what He would have you strive for. And don't be scared to challenge yourself or go out of your comfort zone. There is no growth in the comfort zone and no comfort in the growth zone. I love y’all. Stay safe! Remember who you are and what you stand for!

Love, 

Sister Esplin 

Ash

Memphis missionary

Goal maker

Excellent packer....with the help of awesome companions

 My final zone conference as a Sherwood Sister

 Lunch with the Routts after Zone Conference

 Sister Edgar's Family

 David's Burger on New Year's Eve!

The Miller family 

 The Kabaou Family, our investigator family 

 The Flakes

 The Repponds in Maumelle

Goodbye, Arkansas!

 My new home away from home….Living with the Seaman in Lakeland, TN

My new companion, Sister Fogg