Tue 6/26/07 10:51 PM

Dear Family,
I thought that I would share with you this special departure letter written by Sister RaNae Ashton from our ward. She has just completed her Family History Mission. Love Dad



Jun 26, 2007
Dear President Weight

This will be the last chapter in my missionary adventure series as
the book is drawing to a close. A new one is awaiting, the next phase
of which I have no idea about yet. This one has been a grand
adventure and although we've been busy it really hasn't been "work" it
has been most rewarding and a lot of fun. I guess it really isn't bad
to make work into play is it?

We have met a lot of new people who have added to the life story in a
myriad of ways. Some have been on the streets or busses and helped us
understand the culture of this beautiful country while others have
been in the different branches we have been privileged to attend.
They all (except for the few tiny kids) are first generation members
and have such interesting lives and conversion stories to tell. And
of course it wouldn't be complete without the many missionaries, both
young and old, who have added such beautiful memories. They have
touched my life in a way I never thought possible. It is truly God's
army of strong, faithful and diligent people who go forward and spread
sunshine to the souls of everyone they meet.

We have also had the opportunity to serve these people both in the
church and out, as we try to gather names of their ancestors and help
them to become eternal families. It has been most difficult at times
as we try to read and interpret the writing of priests from centuries
back who scribbled or wrote flamboyant, making it hard in either case
to read. (Not to mention the old, faded worn out books we were looking
in.) They also were mostly in German or Latin languages of which we
did not know and were asking a person who spoke Slovene to translate
into English. So you see any success we had was directly from the
Lord, there is just no other answer. I cannot begin to tell you how
many times and after awhile how easy the names appeared. They would
almost jump out at us.

The members who came into the center searching and finding their
families and then taking them to the temple were most rewarding too.
The joy they had upon returning and sharing their feelings when they
were able to take their own families through the veil was worth the
whole time spent here. One girl came back and said "now my sister and
I aren't the only members of the church!" At home it is just another
day but to the people here it's a really big deal, and I am so
thankful for the blessing of just participating or contributing in a
small way to the joy they feel.

We have been blessed to have a most wonderful, spiritual giant for a
Mission President! And sweet Sister Weight who helps him accomplish
all his many tasks. And I do mean many, they are amazing people and I
can't say enough about the love I have for them. They have made it
possible for this bank of people we now know to grow. Serbia, Croatia
and Slovenia have been added to our travel logs and the beauty of the
countries will forever be in our hearts thanks to their caring and
sharing with us. Just being in their presence makes me a better
person.

We have other friends who have been so kind and gracious to show us
around and help us to feel of their love of this area. We have been
adventures in moving about town with the bus system and found laughter
in the many mistakes we would make. After we learned our way about and
the different things there were to adjust to, life became routine and
it took some new ways of adding fun but that we did. We decided we
were only crucifying the language and not able to understand it anyway
so diverted our attention to learning a new craft. Cipka is an art
created here in Slovenja and looked so beautiful and challenging we
just had to tackle it! Although we aren't masters at it for sure we
have produced some very pretty articles. It was a way of learning and
without TV, instead we could turn our computers on and listen to
scriptures, conference or other talks from BYU while making our own
gifts. Seemed like a good way to spend the evenings.

We have been blessed to have a nice apartment and comfortable
surroundings. I could go on and on with the many ways the Lord has
blessed us but I think the main thing is the trials and lessons we've
learned along the way. For me I guess it was more patience. Whether
searching and not finding or trying to motivate others to grasp the
vision, I learned its just as important to follow along and pick up
the little rocks as it is to be the mover of a big mountain. It's a
lot easier to share the load but sometimes that's not possible so
doing something to contribute is better than nothing at all. And
whether close or far away you have to leave it to others and rely on
Heavenly Father to make things work. And this He does if we will
listen. That is another important thing I've learned, to follow the
spirit. I've always tried to do that but I've never had it so close
before. It's almost like walking in a dream and having your own
personal tour guide with you all the time. The trick is to listen and
act!

This is a most important work and it will go forth, albeit it in Gods
time table, but the blue print is in place and whether we do it or
someone else, whether it is finding eternal families or bringing the
light of the gospel into lives it will be done according to God's
plan. I am grateful I have been able to participate in some small way
and help the work progress. This is my testimony; that God truly lives
and through His son we can talk with Him and know that He is there.
Through Joseph Smith we can again partake of the fullness of the
gospel and learn and grow in this earthly state. And the most amazing
gift – the atonement, makes it possible to know and feel our Saviors
love.

My wish is that all those I meet or know will take advantage of the
blessings in store and be able to know and feel and grow! It truly is
a great chapter in my book of life and I think everyone should be so
blessed. I will be eternally grateful for the opportunity of serving
in such an awesome way.

Love Always,
Sestra Ashton


P.S.
I wrote this before I knew I needed to write one for you. I tried but
just couldn't come up with anything else since this pretty well sums
up my 18 months. I thank you for the love and support you've given me
and I hope I haven't been a burden or detracted in anyway.