April 22, 2018

This week was great! We had two exchanges, I was deathly sick all Wednesday, we got three new investigators, and almost all our investigators came to church yesterday! We had to say goodbye to the Scotts (saddest thing ever) but we also were able to celebrate Sister Stewart's birthday! SO crazy but so good!

So a few weeks ago I hit my halfway mark on my mission, and now I am on the downhill. I have been reflecting on all the things I have accomplished and have learned so far, and all the things I still want to do. Something that I have seen completely change in myself on my mission is my testimony of each gospel principle we teach as missionaries. I have seen in my own life and the lives of others here in Cambodia how each and every single principle has changed their lives and helped them come closer to their Savior. For the rest of my mission, I have decided to write a little section in my mass emails about my thoughts, beliefs, and testimony on each gospel principle. Surprising to me, I have less weeks left than principles to share, so hopefully this project I am doing will go until I end my mission :) I hope that as I share my feelings with you all that my testimony will continue to grow and my love for my Savior and Heavenly Father will increase as well.

Principle #1: God is our Loving Heavenly Father

There are so many reasons why this is the very first thing we teach any person investigating the church, but the most important I think, is because everything in our lives and in this gospel rides on the fact that GOD LOVES US. He loves each and every one of us, and we are each spirit sons and daughters of Him. Something Massimo De Feo quoted from Jeffrey R Holland in this last conference was, "the first great truth of eternity is that God loves us with all of His heart, might, mind, and strength." I agree with that truth with all of my hear. I know that all that we have, all that we are, and all that is, is because of the infinite love God has for each and every one of His children. 

Here are some scriptures I found that best describe God's infinite love:

1 Nephi 11:17

1 Nephi 11: 22-23 

2 Nephi 1: 15

2 Nephi 4: 20-21

Alma 24:14

Alma 26:37

D&C 18:10

D&C 138:3

Moses 1:39

John 3:16-17

1 John 4: 7-9, 19

Hymn 187: God Loves Us So He Sent His Son

If any of you want a good personal study ides, read through these scriptures and find some more that teach about God's love and write your impressions about how you know that God is your Heavenly Father. 

Even if we feel as though God is not listening to us or God has forgotten us, I can promise every single one of you that GOD LOVES YOU. He is aware of every person and their situations. He is aware of your trials and triumphs, your successes and sorrows, when you are feeling at your highest high and your lowest low. Even when we reject God, He is always waiting fr us with His arms of mercy reaching towards us. I love my Heavenly father and all that He has done for me!! I love this Gospel and am so grateful I have the opportunity each week to share the great message of love and salvation for each of us!

Love, Sister Bashford

Pictures:

Goodbye, Scotts!

Happy Birthday Sister Stewart from the best district ever

Me and Sister Soeur jumping for joy! (because I get to skype my family in less than a month)