Hello all you wonderful children of God!
It hit me this week what my job as a missionary really is-- I am to tell those who don't know how much their Heavenly Father really, really loves them. I'm slightly ashamed to admit that it has taken three months to realize this... I think I was getting all caught up in the extra stuff-- but really, my job is to tell those who are sad and lonely how much our Father in Heaven has a perfect love for them! What good news to those who don't know it!
It's been another wonderful week here in The Great Ohio Columbus Mission. I feel so blessed to serve the people here!
We had the opportunity do some service for Sister Hull this last week... She's a 73 year old woman who is recovering from cancer and when we were at her house last last Saturday she was telling us about how she was going to mow her lawn after we left. We told her how much we would love it if she would let us mow her lawn for her... So we made a service date for this last week-- Yes, I got pictures because I knew none of you would believe me when I told you I edged a lawn all by myself! Sister Parry was a natural on the riding lawn mower and the edges of the lawn were pretty straight when I was done! There's nothing quite like service to put a smile on your face!
Another family in our ward that is near to my heart is the Haltoms. They are an elderly couple from Mesa, Arizona and were married by a Bishop LeSueur in the early 90s I think. When we went to visit them last week, she was in the hospital with infections complicated by her congestive heart failure. We spoke with Brother Haltom for a time and then called the elders who covered the area where the hospital is to go and give her a blessing. We were pleasantly surprised when she was there this week when we paid them a visit. They are the cutest, happiest, most caring people I have met up here-- Dispite the rough circumstances they find themselves in, they are always trying to make us laugh and figure out what they can do for us. We were thrilled when Brother Haltom (who always refuses our offers to help them around the house) finally let us do their dishes-- a little coersion was involved... but we all ended up happy campers!
The world is such a beautiful place, and despite our circumstances, we can always CHOOSE to be happy. I am so grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ and all the wonderful knowlege I have because of it. I am grateful that I get to be a missionary. I am grateful for all the people I've met in the short time I've been here who have touched my life forever. Thanks for all your love and prayers--- They're felt and very much appreciated :)
Loves,
Sister Chelsea LeSueur
Monday, April 26, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
"Finding Strength Beyond My Own"
What a wonderful week it has been here in the great OCM! Sorry this email is coming so late... but we were playing nerf gun wars with the Newark elders at the church. And Apples to Apples. And exploring the church's attic. It was awesome and it has been a wonderful P-day thus far!
Two wonderful things happened this week.
1.) Bob gave up smoking. He was smoking two packs a day and when we went to his house on Thursday to come up with a quit smoking game plan, and initially we had set a date of May 1 for him to quit smoking on because he didn't want to 'waste' the money he had spent on the several packs of cigarettes he had bought recently. As we continued talking after setting the May 1 date, I felt prompted to ask him if he wanted to quit anyway because he knows the church is true and that smoking is bad for him, why not just quit today. Sister Parry then pointed out that the money was already wasted, so either he could burn it in his lungs or he could throw it in the trash. He sat there for a second and then opted for the latter. He went in his house (we were meeting on the porch) and gathered up all his cigarettes, lighters, big bag of tobacco and papers to roll, and ashtrays and threw them into a big trash bag. When S. Parry and I got home, we counted 75 packs-- That's 1500 individual cigarettes! Friday he smoked one and Saturday he bought and smoked a pack, but I know that with the Lord's help, he will be successful. This week we're going to work on the coffee :)
2.) Cindy Gunn is a less active member in our ward and she has two kids, Athaena (9) and Chris (7). Chris has autism. She started coming back to church a few weeks ago and signed up to feed us on our meal calendar. We went over there and had a lovely dinner and she really opened up to us about her situation. She got offended by a remark another ward member made over the pulpet during fast and testimony meeting specifically about her and has struggled with feeling judged because she smokes and drinks tea. The reason she decided to come back a few weeks ago was her daughter who told her, "Mommy, my spirit is starving". She knew she had to set her hurt feelings aside and come back to church. She told us she was just so tired and wanted to feel peace. I felt prompted to promise her that she would find the peace she is looking for through the Book of Mormon. We then asked her if she would commit to reading a chapter a day from the book with at least her daughter and she agreed. A few minutes later she confessed that she needed a copy of the book of Mormon. We were happy to oblige. We talked to her yesterday and she told us she was having a hard time following the story, but she was continuing to read. We set up an appointment to come by and help her with the story line tomorrow :)
I love being a missionary. I have seen the tender mercies of the Lord in my life more abundantly these last few days then ever before and I am so thankful for his love and guidance. The gospel is true!!
Love, Sister Chelsea LeSueur
ps-- Bethany, I got your announcement this week... LOVE it. Letter soon to come :)
Two wonderful things happened this week.
1.) Bob gave up smoking. He was smoking two packs a day and when we went to his house on Thursday to come up with a quit smoking game plan, and initially we had set a date of May 1 for him to quit smoking on because he didn't want to 'waste' the money he had spent on the several packs of cigarettes he had bought recently. As we continued talking after setting the May 1 date, I felt prompted to ask him if he wanted to quit anyway because he knows the church is true and that smoking is bad for him, why not just quit today. Sister Parry then pointed out that the money was already wasted, so either he could burn it in his lungs or he could throw it in the trash. He sat there for a second and then opted for the latter. He went in his house (we were meeting on the porch) and gathered up all his cigarettes, lighters, big bag of tobacco and papers to roll, and ashtrays and threw them into a big trash bag. When S. Parry and I got home, we counted 75 packs-- That's 1500 individual cigarettes! Friday he smoked one and Saturday he bought and smoked a pack, but I know that with the Lord's help, he will be successful. This week we're going to work on the coffee :)
2.) Cindy Gunn is a less active member in our ward and she has two kids, Athaena (9) and Chris (7). Chris has autism. She started coming back to church a few weeks ago and signed up to feed us on our meal calendar. We went over there and had a lovely dinner and she really opened up to us about her situation. She got offended by a remark another ward member made over the pulpet during fast and testimony meeting specifically about her and has struggled with feeling judged because she smokes and drinks tea. The reason she decided to come back a few weeks ago was her daughter who told her, "Mommy, my spirit is starving". She knew she had to set her hurt feelings aside and come back to church. She told us she was just so tired and wanted to feel peace. I felt prompted to promise her that she would find the peace she is looking for through the Book of Mormon. We then asked her if she would commit to reading a chapter a day from the book with at least her daughter and she agreed. A few minutes later she confessed that she needed a copy of the book of Mormon. We were happy to oblige. We talked to her yesterday and she told us she was having a hard time following the story, but she was continuing to read. We set up an appointment to come by and help her with the story line tomorrow :)
I love being a missionary. I have seen the tender mercies of the Lord in my life more abundantly these last few days then ever before and I am so thankful for his love and guidance. The gospel is true!!
Love, Sister Chelsea LeSueur
ps-- Bethany, I got your announcement this week... LOVE it. Letter soon to come :)
Monday, April 12, 2010
He Sent Me Here To Earth By Faith To Live His Plan. The Spirit Whispers This To Me And Tells Me That I Can
Hello all you wonderful people!
What a wonderful week it has been in the great OCM! Stellar news-- BOB STROSHINE is getting baptized and so is Tevon!!! Bob has a date for the 15th of May (Bethany's wedding) and Tevon's is set for the 8th of May. I LOVE MAY!
Bob came to church yesterday wearing a white shirt and black pants. He looked so good! It made me reflect on 'the tough of the master's hand' and how through the gospel of Jesus Christ we can all have our rough edges smoothed away! Tevon lives in Zanesville, so she isn't technically ours, but since we've been teaching her and talking to her every day, we're basically sisters. I just think she's great and so is Bob and I am so excited for them!
The stake president at ward conference was really pushing for member present lessons more often than not, and so yesterday, we had S. Eros (a ward missionary) send around a sign up sheet for people who could go out with us. S. Parry didn't have much confidence in this tactic because she had fruitlessly tried it before, but being the optimistic greenie I am, I insisted we do it with faith. That sheet went around the entire RS room and only accumulated two signatures. One of them belonged to a woman who literally has no short term memory. Awesome. After RS a girl came up to us who we hadn't actually met before and told us she was the other signature... She's 20, her birthday is in October, and she's working on submitting her papers! She's not going to school because she's waiting to serve a mission, and she wants very badly to come out with us... YES! Whenever the Lord asks us to do something and we press forward in faith, he WILL provide a way for it to be accomplished.
Haha, in other news-- Here are a few signs of the times:
1. S. Parry got her trainer's wedding announcement. They registered only at a bank. I didn't even know you could do that.
2. We got a notice on our door telling us we had to take the picture of Jesus out of our window.
3. I'm seeing more and more shirtless men walking around Newark. So good.
I found the perfect missionary song. "How will they know" in the primary book. Look up the words. It ties in perfectly with the themes this last conference.
I love you all and I want you to know you're constantly in my prayers. Thanks for all the letters and emails-- It sure makes the week go much more smoothly when I'm reminded of my family's love for me! :)
The gospel is true!!
Love,
Sister Chelsea LeSueur <3
What a wonderful week it has been in the great OCM! Stellar news-- BOB STROSHINE is getting baptized and so is Tevon!!! Bob has a date for the 15th of May (Bethany's wedding) and Tevon's is set for the 8th of May. I LOVE MAY!
Bob came to church yesterday wearing a white shirt and black pants. He looked so good! It made me reflect on 'the tough of the master's hand' and how through the gospel of Jesus Christ we can all have our rough edges smoothed away! Tevon lives in Zanesville, so she isn't technically ours, but since we've been teaching her and talking to her every day, we're basically sisters. I just think she's great and so is Bob and I am so excited for them!
The stake president at ward conference was really pushing for member present lessons more often than not, and so yesterday, we had S. Eros (a ward missionary) send around a sign up sheet for people who could go out with us. S. Parry didn't have much confidence in this tactic because she had fruitlessly tried it before, but being the optimistic greenie I am, I insisted we do it with faith. That sheet went around the entire RS room and only accumulated two signatures. One of them belonged to a woman who literally has no short term memory. Awesome. After RS a girl came up to us who we hadn't actually met before and told us she was the other signature... She's 20, her birthday is in October, and she's working on submitting her papers! She's not going to school because she's waiting to serve a mission, and she wants very badly to come out with us... YES! Whenever the Lord asks us to do something and we press forward in faith, he WILL provide a way for it to be accomplished.
Haha, in other news-- Here are a few signs of the times:
1. S. Parry got her trainer's wedding announcement. They registered only at a bank. I didn't even know you could do that.
2. We got a notice on our door telling us we had to take the picture of Jesus out of our window.
3. I'm seeing more and more shirtless men walking around Newark. So good.
I found the perfect missionary song. "How will they know" in the primary book. Look up the words. It ties in perfectly with the themes this last conference.
I love you all and I want you to know you're constantly in my prayers. Thanks for all the letters and emails-- It sure makes the week go much more smoothly when I'm reminded of my family's love for me! :)
The gospel is true!!
Love,
Sister Chelsea LeSueur <3
Monday, April 5, 2010
"...I'm sure He'll call His little ones to gater 'round His knee"
Hello my wonderful, treasured, amazing, eternal family!
Hello from your much uplifted and edified sister missionary up here in The Ohio-- and Happy Easter! What a wonderful week it has been, I feel as though I could just BURST with love and happiness! A few big ticket items--
Bob is NOT dead. We got a call from him at 7:00 am Friday morning and he said,
"Hello, girls! There was a note on my coffee table that it was the Newark Police Department who kicked in my door, and I called them, and they told me to call you because it was you who was worried. There was a missing person's report out on me and everything! I just was in Kentucky, listening to country music-- because they have good country music down there and I like it a lot! I ran out of money though, so I had to wait 'till the first of the month to come back home!"
How crazy is that!? haha, We're just glad he's alive and well and uplifted from all those country tunes and back in Newark so we can get back to teaching him!
Happy Birthday to Kevin, Congrats to Wes on the mission call, and yay for new babies for Kristen, Connie, Heather, and Amy! What an exciting time in our cute little Jones Family-- Thanks for keeping me updated, Grandma and Mom!
Sister Parry and I are able to work together for another transfer... I've officially made it through one of my12 transfers, and I'm no longer the newby! We were able to go to transfer meeting on Thursday, and I saw Sister Whitney there, as well as Elders Hansen and Haws. We're all doing so well! We got a ride from the RS president in our ward who attends the temple on the first and third Thursdays every month along with a few other women in our ward. They're all of retirement age, and they were the funniest women to ride with. They were cracking jokes about the mess our country's in, they were teasing each other, and they all have this Thelma and Louise 'air' about them-- I'll send a picture home! It made me think of my two cute grandmas and their faithful temple attendance!
I've made it a goal to be able to play the piano by the end of my mission. We've been spending preparation days at the church, and I'm teaching myself how to play 'I am a Child of God'. By the end of this week, I should have it down pat, and I'll send a tape home with it! I just love the idea of being able to play hymns at church or being able to serenade my future kids on the piano. I'm going to do this :)
I was so thankful for the awesomeness that ensued this weekend. General Conference is always awesome, but when you're a missionary it's amazing times a thousand!! Is there any question now how important it is to teach our children? I am so thankful for the prophet, the apostles, and all the other church leaders who guide us in all we should do! Between sessions yesterday, S. Parry and Elders Carrinder and Howell and I dyed easter eggs! It was a blast and now we have yummy hardboiled eggs for the next week or so!
I know the church is true, I know Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God, I know our Savior lives, and I know as we teach our children about Him, we will ensure strong leaders in tomorrow's church! The gospel is true, and I love all of you! :)
Love,
Sister Chelsea LeSueur
Please forward to Lance, Bethany, and Michelle
Lance- I got your email-- I love you... Letter soon :)
Bethany-- Your wedding date is OFFICIALLY on my 6-week planner! HOLY COW!!!
Hello from your much uplifted and edified sister missionary up here in The Ohio-- and Happy Easter! What a wonderful week it has been, I feel as though I could just BURST with love and happiness! A few big ticket items--
Bob is NOT dead. We got a call from him at 7:00 am Friday morning and he said,
"Hello, girls! There was a note on my coffee table that it was the Newark Police Department who kicked in my door, and I called them, and they told me to call you because it was you who was worried. There was a missing person's report out on me and everything! I just was in Kentucky, listening to country music-- because they have good country music down there and I like it a lot! I ran out of money though, so I had to wait 'till the first of the month to come back home!"
How crazy is that!? haha, We're just glad he's alive and well and uplifted from all those country tunes and back in Newark so we can get back to teaching him!
Happy Birthday to Kevin, Congrats to Wes on the mission call, and yay for new babies for Kristen, Connie, Heather, and Amy! What an exciting time in our cute little Jones Family-- Thanks for keeping me updated, Grandma and Mom!
Sister Parry and I are able to work together for another transfer... I've officially made it through one of my12 transfers, and I'm no longer the newby! We were able to go to transfer meeting on Thursday, and I saw Sister Whitney there, as well as Elders Hansen and Haws. We're all doing so well! We got a ride from the RS president in our ward who attends the temple on the first and third Thursdays every month along with a few other women in our ward. They're all of retirement age, and they were the funniest women to ride with. They were cracking jokes about the mess our country's in, they were teasing each other, and they all have this Thelma and Louise 'air' about them-- I'll send a picture home! It made me think of my two cute grandmas and their faithful temple attendance!
I've made it a goal to be able to play the piano by the end of my mission. We've been spending preparation days at the church, and I'm teaching myself how to play 'I am a Child of God'. By the end of this week, I should have it down pat, and I'll send a tape home with it! I just love the idea of being able to play hymns at church or being able to serenade my future kids on the piano. I'm going to do this :)
I was so thankful for the awesomeness that ensued this weekend. General Conference is always awesome, but when you're a missionary it's amazing times a thousand!! Is there any question now how important it is to teach our children? I am so thankful for the prophet, the apostles, and all the other church leaders who guide us in all we should do! Between sessions yesterday, S. Parry and Elders Carrinder and Howell and I dyed easter eggs! It was a blast and now we have yummy hardboiled eggs for the next week or so!
I know the church is true, I know Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God, I know our Savior lives, and I know as we teach our children about Him, we will ensure strong leaders in tomorrow's church! The gospel is true, and I love all of you! :)
Love,
Sister Chelsea LeSueur
Please forward to Lance, Bethany, and Michelle
Lance- I got your email-- I love you... Letter soon :)
Bethany-- Your wedding date is OFFICIALLY on my 6-week planner! HOLY COW!!!
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