Sis. Young is Called to Serve in the MMM

Monday, November 9, 2015

November 9, 2015 “Prepare to take the Sacrament”

Area: Anoka Minnesota

Companion: Sister Kiersten Mortensen

Hometown: Driggs, Idaho

Snail Mail:

Minnesota Minneapolis Mission

5931 West 96th Street

Bloomington, MN 55438-1715

Email: ashlee.young@myldsmail.net

Hey!!!

Here's a quick rundown of what happened this week :)

Monday: We cleaned, shopped, emailed and then went with Mazie to “Two Scoops”. It was kind of a bummer because all of our appointments fell through; but hey it was still a great day!

Tuesday: Happy 24th Birthday Sister Mortensen!!! First, I made her some breakfast then I made her bed to surprise her! I also bought a birthday card without her knowing………that's kind of hard to do when you are with someone 24/7! We then went to District meeting where we had the best training on the sacrament and what it truly means to us. I couldn't help but think about our dear Bette as she

partook of the sacrament for the last time on her birthday. The Spirit that I was able to feel there was so strong. Partaking of the sacrament should always be a sacred and reverent time for us. I know that too many times in my life I have taken the sacrament for granted and that is not ok. I want to live each moment preparing myself to partake of that sacred ordinance. The Spirit is amazing. The Holy Ghost can speak to each of us individually. l encourage all of you to listen to the Spirit and prepare yourself each day to partake of the sacrament. I promise it will strengthen your relationship with your Father in Heaven, Savior and those around you each day.

After District meeting we celebrated Elder Johnston’s and Sister Mortensen’s birthdays. I had made a birthday cake for Sister Mortensen and Elder Johnston. (even though his birthday was the first) We put 19 candles on, then after singing to him we added 5 more for Sister M. It was so funny! She had a hard time blowing out all her candles! Then we gave Elder Johnston his present from us. It was a “beach in a bottle” because he loves the ocean and warm weather. It's really funny to see him get cold and grumpy! We took a jar with a label and wrote Beach in a Bottle. Then we put some little sea creatures inside with sand. We also got him a card that was a scuba mask! He loved it! It was really funny watching him get all excited about the gift. So…. then for lunch we ate squirrel. Yes, you read that right. SQUIRREL. The Elders killed a squirrel and decided to cook it for lunch. It smelled so weird..... They wrapped it in bacon, and tossed it in the oven at church. I couldn't help but laugh at the thought of the Relief Society President

walking in and seeing a dead squirrel being cooked! So after it was done we all ate some. It was pretty good. It tasted like greasy chicken! It also could have used some spices….. but hey, it was free meat! We then went to the Library. Then, to Sister B. and Pats for Birthday dinner! It was a lot of fun being together and celebrating her birthday! They are like my 60 year old bff's haha! We then went and saw Gladys and her girls! It was really fun! Then the Andover Elders Oldroyd and Dygert called us and said they needed us to come to an appointment with them to a woman's home named Denice. We had a lesson about the Book of Mormon, which was really great. She said she would be baptized if she knew it was true. It was really amazing to see this woman who has been through so many trials in her life light up so much to read the Book of Mormon and ask us “what is my next step?” We then finished off the night with hot chocolate and presents from home.

Wednesday: We went to ACBC as usual then the Bishops house. The Elders in Anoka, Johnston and Coon, got a call from the Mission office. Elder Coon was being ET'd to Lake Nokomis tomorrow. He has only been out 7 weeks so he was pretty sad to go. I told him that he would love the ward and I printed off a LN ward list and wrote notes by people to help him get around. Elder Johnston’s new companion would be coming from the airport, Elder Fabrizio. He had been out previously but had to go home because he tore his ACL. A funny thing is that he and Elder Johnston were best friends back home and they are both committed to play football for the U of U. So he was way pumped to see him. Sister Jacklin and I went on exchanges. We saw Peggy, Pat, and Sister B. She had previously served in Anoka. We felt that it would be good to go see the people she had really connected with. We also raked with the Elders. It was really good. After, we taught the Preach my Gospel class on the Book of Mormon. It was really good.

Saturday: We filled the font to be ready for Gladys's baptism, but she didn't show up. She ended up being too sick to come. L I have been sick also. I have been coughing up who knows what and so has Sister Mortensen. Don't worry!! I will get better. We're going to be at Bette's funeral most of Saturday. Please pray that we can do that. The Elders have been teasing me that I sound like I smoke 6 packs a day. It's super nice outside. Oh by the way, Elder Johnston was kicking rocks and he kicked so hard, his shoe flew off! It seriously went about 50 feet up in the air! It got stuck in a tree so we tried throwing things at it. It wasn't moving at all, so I suggested we pray. We said a prayer and then threw rocks at it again, this time it came down!! So, after that we said a thank you prayer.

I love you all to the Moonisota and back! Have a great week in the 801!

Sister Aunt Ashlee Young

Monday, November 2, 2015

November 2, 2015 “Happy Halloween from ‘Anoka the Halloween Capitol of the World!’ #13mos”

"Sister Mortensen & Sister Young, Happy Halloween!!"

Area: Anoka Minnesota

Companion: Sister Kiersten Mortensen

Hometown: Driggs, Idaho (By Yellowstone & Jackson Hole!)

Snail Mail:

Minnesota Minneapolis Mission

5931 West 96th Street

Bloomington, MN 55438-1715

"Yes"

"13 Months"

Email: ashlee.young@myldsmail.net

“Happy Halloween from ‘Anoka the Halloween Capitol of the World!’ #13 mos”

Hey Everyone!
This week was crazy! We visited so many people. We wanted Sister Jolley to be able to say goodbye. It was sad to see her go because she is such a wonderful companion. I am so grateful for the time I was able to spend with her. Wednesday, was transfers. I picked up Sister Mortensen. She is super nice. She has been out just one transfer less than
me. She is from Driggs, Idaho. (Yellowstone and Jackson Hole Area) Sister M.
is turning 24 tomorrow, November 3! It is kind of fun to have a companion with curly hair. You can see us coming from a mile away! We did the usual visits and appts. this week including ACBC, random raking and of course the Halloween festivities!

Friday was the “Big Parade of Little People” which is basically all of the kids in elementary school parade down Main Street. Because it is the end of the month and we were all out of miles, both the Elders and us thought we could walk from the church to the parade. Let’s just say I will check the distance on the GPS before undertaking a walk like that again. After
a long, long walk we finally got there. Just in time to see the last elementary school children parade by. We were so ticked! We walked for so long and went so far. Then to get there, and not be able to see the whole parade was a huge disappointment. It’s all good though, it made for good memories. Saturday was a great day! I felt so lucky to be able to spend a happy Halloween from Anoka Minnesota, the “Halloween Capitol of the World!” Sister B. and Pat took us to the Parade! IT WAS HUGE but SOOOOOOO COLD!!!!!!! There were so many people! The parade lasted almost 3 hours! It was insane!!!! After we were so frozen we all needed to defrost ourselves. Sister B. bought us all pizza. It was really yummy. Oh, during the parade there was a cute little boy who we were trying to help get candy. He was so cute; it was fun! Sarah would love it here on Halloween! She will have
to come back with me sometime! We went to the Fossum’s home afterwards

and watched “The Best 2 Years” together as a District! Man, that movie is 10x funnier as a missionary! Flip Elder! Hahaha!

Remember, I was sick last week, but instead of getting better this week, I am worse. L I sound like I smoke 10 packs a day... so that isn’t much fun. Oh my! I bought a sweater at Target that says OCD “Obsessive Christmas Disorder!” Hahaha I had to buy it! I am totally wearing it today too! I am stoked for Christmas #Saviorsbirth #skypefamilia.

Cute Sister B. fed us yummy chicken noodle soup last night for dinner. It was so yummy! I also hit my 13 month mark yesterday! What!?! So crazy! Thank you to all family and friends for all the love and support yall give to me! I truly appreciate it! Sorry I am still trying to write everyone individually back but, the mission life in Minnesota is a little hectic! Thanks for your patience!

Oh, and a HUGE SHOUT OUT TO AMMON for his 8th Birthday this SATURDAY! I LOVE YOU BUDDY!!!!
Love you to the Moonisota and Back!
Sister Aunt Ashlee Young
2Nephi 31:20

Monday, October 26, 2015

October 26, 2015 "Beloved Bette"

Area: Anoka Minnesota "HALLOWEEN CAPITAL OF THE WORLD!!"

Companion: Sister Macey Jolley

Hometown: Alpine, Utah

Snail Mail:

Minnesota Minneapolis Mission

5931 West 96th Street

Bloomington, MN 55438-1715

Email: ashlee.young@myldsmail.net

“Beloved Bette”

So this week...

I chopped 5 inches off of my hair……. yeah it is a lot healthier! We had a lesson with the Yanqoui family so that was good. We talked about the Holy Ghost and the importance of being worthy of His companionship.

We went to ACBC (the food pantry) which is always so much fun. It was Estella's 8th birthday. We called Yammah’s and spoke to her dad about receiving his permission for the girls to be baptized. He yelled at us on the phone and long story short told us that his daughters don't have permission to get baptized. So that was a big bummer. But, on the bright side Gladys is still on for November 7.

We also went on exchanges in Medicine Lake. I was with Sister Jacklin. It was a lot of fun. We were able to visit a couple of cute families. We also had Interviews with President Forbes. This was much needed by Sister Jolley and I. We were so happy to receive some counsel from President Forbes. Friday we had our Anoka Ward Halloween "Fall Festival”. It was so much fun! We dressed up as cats and we had the Elders dress up as mice! People loved it!

Saturday we went to go see our dear Bette Rinke as usual. We found out she was put on hospice this week, so we were anxious to go see our sweet "Grandma Bette." When we walked into her room she wasn't sitting in her chair like she normally is. We heard the nurse call us into her room. We went in and saw our sweet little Bette sick in her bed. When we sat down and tried to talk to her the Spirit filled the room. Sister Jolley and I shared precious time and precious conversations with our dear Bette. Even though she was so, so sick, in the clearest voice she said; “What are you girls doing tonight?” “Knocking doors?” We laughed that we were what she was worried about! She was such a wonderful missionary. Everyone knew who the Sisters were, and they called us her "girls." I will forever cherish the visits I had with my cute Bette. I don't want to share much more, as I am holding the time, the visits and words with Bette very sacred. Sunday Morning our dear Elizabeth Irene Rinke "Bette" passed away. She was reunited with 2 of her 4 children and her husband. October 15, 1923 - October 25, 2015. Remember to always “Choose the Right”.

Shout out to Dad for having his birthday! I love you so much Daddy! Thanks for being such an amazing father and example to me! Oh, and transfers... Sister Jolley is leaving….. L I am sooo sad! But, she is going to still be in our Zone. She will be serving as one of the STL’s!!! Sister Mortensen will be my new companion. I am excited to stay here in Anoka and to learn from my new companion. Sister Jolley has taught me so much. Most importantly, Sister Jolley showed me how to strive to be like the Savior. She is committed to try to truly emulate Him at all times. I loved the time I was able to spend with her! I know we will stay buds forever.