Dearest family,
What a wonderful time to be alive and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with our friends and neighbors. Indeed we are privileged to be on the earth at this time! I was having a discouraging moment earlier last week and out of nowhere the words above in the subject as penned by William Clayton in the great hymn 'Come, Come Ye Saints" entered my thoughts and I had the thought, "what do I have to complain about? If the pioneers could bear and bury children on the plains in the middle of winter and sing these great words in the second verse, surely my lot is anything but hard. yes, 'all is right'... so get over it!" Haha, after I had this little pep talk with myself, the rest of the week went more smoothly and I was able to recognize the discouraging and unproductive feelings I had been having as an attack from the adversary to tear me down and discourage me from engaging in the work of the Lord. He does this to all of us and we need to be aware of his tactics so we can see him for the deceiver he is. Regardless of what he will tell us, we ARE good enough, we CAN do it, and we ARE worth it. We are children of a king who has promised he will ALWAYS make us strong enough to bear our burdens and who will ALWAYS make us equal to our callings. HIS is the voice we MUST listen to.
In other news-- Carla Willoughby entered the waters of baptism last week on Saturday, received the gift of the Holy Ghost on Sunday, and is just walking on sunshine. She described the feeling on Sunday when she was being confirmed as "a tingly feeling all over and it was just like being baptized all over again!" I am so happy for her and excited for her future!
Lee Saunders was ordained into the Aaronic priesthood on Sunday in the third hour too-- he went to good will and found a white collared shirt and a black tie just for the occasion. Before church he came into the foyer with the tie undone because he realized that he didn't know hwo to tie a tie, so our ward clerk, Brother Racey, showed him how. It was great to see him in that white shirt! I know that if they will let it, this new change in their family will change them. I just love the Saunders-- We're having FHE with them tonight about the temple :)
Regina is one of the new investigators we are teaching-- she is a friend from high school of Carla and Marla's. She came to Nathan's 4th birthday party at the Saunders' home Friday night and then to the baptism on Saturday and then to church on Sunday and told us she wants to become Mormon. Hah-- wow. We taught her after church yesterday and she loves everything she hears. Her husband is very Baptist and so we'll see how the Lord works to soften his heart-- but we're excited to work with Regina!
Anywho. The gospel is true. God loves us so so much. Jesus is the Christ. Families are forever. Go be a missionary-- February Ensign First Presidency message is inspired and so so true. Read it!
Love,
Sister Chelsea LeSueur
Monday, January 31, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
May my heart be turned to pray
Hello wonderful family,
It has been another superb week here in the Great Ohio Columbus Mission which has sped by. Holy cow, where does all the time go? Can't we just press pause or something? Well, I guess that's not a part of the plan, so I'll just be grateful for what I've been given!
Speaking of what I've been given-- I've been given an amazing new companion! Her name is Sister Seminare Vaasili from Western Samoa. She is so cute! Since this is her first area, I have the privilege of being able to introduce her to all things American-- like Taco Bell! Hah, it's awesome. She's taught me some words in Samoan and this morning she cooked us breakfast like she usually eats in Samoa-- ramen noodles, a chicken drumstick, and white rice. I'm still not hungry for lunch! She's sweet, and I know I'm supposed to be the one teaching her, but I'm learning so much more! I am very grateful for this opportunity!
Oh, and Sister Lillywhite is now in the Moundbuilders ward-- which is where I started my mission! I'm so excited she's there-- she'll be there when Nancy goes through the temple in a couple of months! She is going to do such amazing things there with Sister Whitney (my MTC companion)-- I'm excited for them!
This weekend we went to meet a member referral we received from a member in the Marion Branch. Hellen Tennar lives in Bucyrus with her son Robert who's in his mid 20s... Her best friend of 50+ years is a less active member that the Marion sisters visit frequently, and she it the one who thought her friend Hellen might like to hear the gospel. When we went to introduce ourselves to her, it was snowing. They live out in the country and have a big long unpaved, unplowed driveway. I said a little prayer and with the Lord's help, we made it up the drive. When we were talking to Hellen and Robert, Robert asked us what we were driving-- I told him it was a Toyota Corolla and he was shocked that we made it up the drive. Apparently his older brother got stuck in his truck... well, that made me nervous for getting back out. After a nice lesson and scheduling a return appointment, we said a prayer and made it safely out of the driveway. It was definitely the Lord helping us in and out of the driveway because these people need the gospel right now. So many miracles every day!
Carla Willoughby will be getting baptized this Saturday at 1:00, and I am so excited for her. She has changed so much from the first time we met her-- she even told us she took down pictures from her facebook and myspace that weren't appropriate. She recognizes more her individual worth and divine nature and I am so proud of the things she has done to change her life! She has a much brighter future in store for her now. Please pray for her this week :)
Well, the gospel is so true. The Lord blesses us with tender mercies every day. Jesus is the Christ. Families are forever. Go and do missionary work in your neck of the woods :)
Love,
Sister Chelsea LeSueur
ps-- Good luck with your wedding this weekend, Jenn... Have fun being married! You're in my prayers <3
It has been another superb week here in the Great Ohio Columbus Mission which has sped by. Holy cow, where does all the time go? Can't we just press pause or something? Well, I guess that's not a part of the plan, so I'll just be grateful for what I've been given!
Speaking of what I've been given-- I've been given an amazing new companion! Her name is Sister Seminare Vaasili from Western Samoa. She is so cute! Since this is her first area, I have the privilege of being able to introduce her to all things American-- like Taco Bell! Hah, it's awesome. She's taught me some words in Samoan and this morning she cooked us breakfast like she usually eats in Samoa-- ramen noodles, a chicken drumstick, and white rice. I'm still not hungry for lunch! She's sweet, and I know I'm supposed to be the one teaching her, but I'm learning so much more! I am very grateful for this opportunity!
Oh, and Sister Lillywhite is now in the Moundbuilders ward-- which is where I started my mission! I'm so excited she's there-- she'll be there when Nancy goes through the temple in a couple of months! She is going to do such amazing things there with Sister Whitney (my MTC companion)-- I'm excited for them!
This weekend we went to meet a member referral we received from a member in the Marion Branch. Hellen Tennar lives in Bucyrus with her son Robert who's in his mid 20s... Her best friend of 50+ years is a less active member that the Marion sisters visit frequently, and she it the one who thought her friend Hellen might like to hear the gospel. When we went to introduce ourselves to her, it was snowing. They live out in the country and have a big long unpaved, unplowed driveway. I said a little prayer and with the Lord's help, we made it up the drive. When we were talking to Hellen and Robert, Robert asked us what we were driving-- I told him it was a Toyota Corolla and he was shocked that we made it up the drive. Apparently his older brother got stuck in his truck... well, that made me nervous for getting back out. After a nice lesson and scheduling a return appointment, we said a prayer and made it safely out of the driveway. It was definitely the Lord helping us in and out of the driveway because these people need the gospel right now. So many miracles every day!
Carla Willoughby will be getting baptized this Saturday at 1:00, and I am so excited for her. She has changed so much from the first time we met her-- she even told us she took down pictures from her facebook and myspace that weren't appropriate. She recognizes more her individual worth and divine nature and I am so proud of the things she has done to change her life! She has a much brighter future in store for her now. Please pray for her this week :)
Well, the gospel is so true. The Lord blesses us with tender mercies every day. Jesus is the Christ. Families are forever. Go and do missionary work in your neck of the woods :)
Love,
Sister Chelsea LeSueur
ps-- Good luck with your wedding this weekend, Jenn... Have fun being married! You're in my prayers <3
Monday, January 17, 2011
My weakness, in mercy, He covers with power
Hello my wonderful family,
Sister LeSueur here, reporting from the freezing and frigid very very north of the Ohio Columbus Mission where miracles are happening despite the temperatures in the single digits! It has been an absolutely excellent week-- Our zone leaders, Elder Upton and Elder Tanner dubbed this last week 'Standards Week', a week where there was a special focus and push on each area reaching the mission standard for the key indicator numbers we report each week which was set by President Jensen. These numbers include 20 lessons, three new investigators, five lessons with members present, and so on... I am happy to report that our whole zone did quite well with this challenge, and I found as we made 'the standard' (which we usually reach by coincidence) more of a focus in the forefront of our minds, we were more able to notice the Lord's hand in helping us get there!
One of those miracles occurred Tuesday night. We had been in Columbus all day for a specialized training zone conference (which was incredible, by the way!) and on our way home, we were debating about visiting a less active member whom we have been trying to get into contact with for the last several weeks before or after our 7:00 appointment. We kind of felt like we needed to go before, but I wanted to run home and change my shoes, but we decided to go ahead and try to see Shannon. We knocked on her door and she wasn't home... As we were getting back in our car, we noticed a woman across the street shoveling her driveway (it had been snowing all day) and so we went to see if we could finish shoveling it for her-- we got to talking, her name is Marion, she's retired and a widow, and it turns out her sister has been a member of the church for 20 years. Marion noted how her sister's faith has gotten her through a lot of rough patches in her life and she was really quick to say yes when we asked if we could come back the next day to teach her more about the Book of Mormon. If we hadn't followed the promptings to go see Shannon before our 7:00 appointment, we wouldn't have met Marion, and I feel like the Lord has been totally preparing her. The next day, we had a wonderful first part of lesson one. She's great and I love how the Lord works in our lives!
Another miracle the Lord has worked this last week is the way he has prepared Carla to enter into the waters of baptism. We had a great second lesson on the Plan of Salvation Wednesday and at the end we asked her if she would prepare to be baptized on the 29th of January and she was excited and said, "yes!" She then went on to tell us that when she first agreed to meet with us, she did it just because we were nice, but the more she has read the Book of Mormon and prayed and come to church, the more she KNOWS it's true. She is so much happier where as before she was depressed-- she hated people and was really downtrodden by all the pain in the world. Now, she has faith and hope and the light of Christ shines through her! She's getting baptized a week from Saturday and I couldn't be happier! Also, Marla and Carla's nephew Tony has stayed the weekend with them and he has sat in on our lessons and he and his girlfriend came to church Sunday and LOVED it. He's going to be next :)
The work is going so well. Transfers are this week and Sister Lillywhite is leaving me-- but it will be so good for her to have a new area and love a new ward and learn from a new sister... I'll be staying here in Clearfork and I'm getting a brand new missionary straight from the MTC. I'm excited to train in an area where I'm not being doubled into... That hasn't happened before!! I know that the Lord will be with me as I work to overcome my weaknesses so that she will have the training experiences she needs. I'm excited for this transfer and I'm excited to be a missionary. It is the greatest! The gospel is true and I love my Savior and I am so grateful for him and the Atonement which allows me to overcome all the pain, struggles, and sorrows I will ever experience. The Book of Mormon is the word of God-- we need to want it like we want oxygen. I love you guys-- have a fabulous week, and please keep Carla in your prayers!
Love, Sister Chelsea LeSueur
Sister LeSueur here, reporting from the freezing and frigid very very north of the Ohio Columbus Mission where miracles are happening despite the temperatures in the single digits! It has been an absolutely excellent week-- Our zone leaders, Elder Upton and Elder Tanner dubbed this last week 'Standards Week', a week where there was a special focus and push on each area reaching the mission standard for the key indicator numbers we report each week which was set by President Jensen. These numbers include 20 lessons, three new investigators, five lessons with members present, and so on... I am happy to report that our whole zone did quite well with this challenge, and I found as we made 'the standard' (which we usually reach by coincidence) more of a focus in the forefront of our minds, we were more able to notice the Lord's hand in helping us get there!
One of those miracles occurred Tuesday night. We had been in Columbus all day for a specialized training zone conference (which was incredible, by the way!) and on our way home, we were debating about visiting a less active member whom we have been trying to get into contact with for the last several weeks before or after our 7:00 appointment. We kind of felt like we needed to go before, but I wanted to run home and change my shoes, but we decided to go ahead and try to see Shannon. We knocked on her door and she wasn't home... As we were getting back in our car, we noticed a woman across the street shoveling her driveway (it had been snowing all day) and so we went to see if we could finish shoveling it for her-- we got to talking, her name is Marion, she's retired and a widow, and it turns out her sister has been a member of the church for 20 years. Marion noted how her sister's faith has gotten her through a lot of rough patches in her life and she was really quick to say yes when we asked if we could come back the next day to teach her more about the Book of Mormon. If we hadn't followed the promptings to go see Shannon before our 7:00 appointment, we wouldn't have met Marion, and I feel like the Lord has been totally preparing her. The next day, we had a wonderful first part of lesson one. She's great and I love how the Lord works in our lives!
Another miracle the Lord has worked this last week is the way he has prepared Carla to enter into the waters of baptism. We had a great second lesson on the Plan of Salvation Wednesday and at the end we asked her if she would prepare to be baptized on the 29th of January and she was excited and said, "yes!" She then went on to tell us that when she first agreed to meet with us, she did it just because we were nice, but the more she has read the Book of Mormon and prayed and come to church, the more she KNOWS it's true. She is so much happier where as before she was depressed-- she hated people and was really downtrodden by all the pain in the world. Now, she has faith and hope and the light of Christ shines through her! She's getting baptized a week from Saturday and I couldn't be happier! Also, Marla and Carla's nephew Tony has stayed the weekend with them and he has sat in on our lessons and he and his girlfriend came to church Sunday and LOVED it. He's going to be next :)
The work is going so well. Transfers are this week and Sister Lillywhite is leaving me-- but it will be so good for her to have a new area and love a new ward and learn from a new sister... I'll be staying here in Clearfork and I'm getting a brand new missionary straight from the MTC. I'm excited to train in an area where I'm not being doubled into... That hasn't happened before!! I know that the Lord will be with me as I work to overcome my weaknesses so that she will have the training experiences she needs. I'm excited for this transfer and I'm excited to be a missionary. It is the greatest! The gospel is true and I love my Savior and I am so grateful for him and the Atonement which allows me to overcome all the pain, struggles, and sorrows I will ever experience. The Book of Mormon is the word of God-- we need to want it like we want oxygen. I love you guys-- have a fabulous week, and please keep Carla in your prayers!
Love, Sister Chelsea LeSueur
Monday, January 10, 2011
Patient, firm, and persevering, God speed the right
Dear family,
Last week is over-- thank goodness. It was quite a week. It felt like 75% of all our appointments bailed on us, no one was home-- ever, and then there was more drama than there ever should be at church yesterday. So, when I said my prayers last night, I thanked Heavenly Father for all the learning experiences and opportunities to develop patience last week and kindly asked for this week to be a little less intense in the learning opportunities! Hah, just kidding-- but I am happy for this new week!
We had a wonderful experience teaching Shirley Hancock last week-- we met Shirley at the beginning of December in the craft section of the Bucyrus Walmart, and in the busy isles of Walmart, we got to talking about her trip to Jerusalem and this book she has been reading about how Christ came to the Americas and all the different legends from the various native tribes who tell the same story. After she told her about her book, I thought, "Have we got a book for you!" and we proceeded to tell her about the Book of Mormon. She was super excited and we left her with a copy and got her phone number to set up an appointment with her-- well we tried and tried for the better part of December to get a hold of her-- after January came, we were back in that Walmart and we looked for her and low and behold, there she was! Turns out she was ALWAYS working in December... like all day every day and apologized for not calling us back. We set up an appointment with her for this last week and when we went we were really pleasantly surprised to hear about her beliefs about how we all have Heavenly names, how we lived with God before we came to earth, and how we have the potential to become like Him. She was incredibly touched by Joseph Smith's first vision, and she agreed to read the Book of Mormon now that she isn't working so much and is excited to pray to know of its truthfulness. The spirit was so strong during this lesson and I'm really excited for and about her!
We also got into contact with some former investigators, Rusty and Valorie Williams. He is crazy busy with work as an electrician and she has health problems. They have had some really wonderful spiritual experiences and I think they know the gospel is true more than they realize. We had a really wonderful discussion about how doubts come from the adversary, and how the feelings that come from the Lord are only peaceful, even when He's telling us no. In 1 John, we read that "perfect love casteth out all fear"... and right now, they are caught up in their fearful doubts. They made some wonderful connections with the ward when they were actively meeting with the missionaries, and they had nothing but good things to say about the wonderful Clearfork Ward--- There's no doubt in my mind that they will soon become members, thy just need to realize this is the most important thing in the world and realign their priorities. I'm hopeful!
Missionary work (on both sides of the veil) is the most important thing any of us can do-- it takes on many forms: being a good example, having a copy of the Book of Mormon out and visible for all to see, talking about gospel related things with friends and neighbors, etc-- Go and do, and God will bless you!
LOVE,
Sister Chelsea LeSueur
xoxox
Last week is over-- thank goodness. It was quite a week. It felt like 75% of all our appointments bailed on us, no one was home-- ever, and then there was more drama than there ever should be at church yesterday. So, when I said my prayers last night, I thanked Heavenly Father for all the learning experiences and opportunities to develop patience last week and kindly asked for this week to be a little less intense in the learning opportunities! Hah, just kidding-- but I am happy for this new week!
We had a wonderful experience teaching Shirley Hancock last week-- we met Shirley at the beginning of December in the craft section of the Bucyrus Walmart, and in the busy isles of Walmart, we got to talking about her trip to Jerusalem and this book she has been reading about how Christ came to the Americas and all the different legends from the various native tribes who tell the same story. After she told her about her book, I thought, "Have we got a book for you!" and we proceeded to tell her about the Book of Mormon. She was super excited and we left her with a copy and got her phone number to set up an appointment with her-- well we tried and tried for the better part of December to get a hold of her-- after January came, we were back in that Walmart and we looked for her and low and behold, there she was! Turns out she was ALWAYS working in December... like all day every day and apologized for not calling us back. We set up an appointment with her for this last week and when we went we were really pleasantly surprised to hear about her beliefs about how we all have Heavenly names, how we lived with God before we came to earth, and how we have the potential to become like Him. She was incredibly touched by Joseph Smith's first vision, and she agreed to read the Book of Mormon now that she isn't working so much and is excited to pray to know of its truthfulness. The spirit was so strong during this lesson and I'm really excited for and about her!
We also got into contact with some former investigators, Rusty and Valorie Williams. He is crazy busy with work as an electrician and she has health problems. They have had some really wonderful spiritual experiences and I think they know the gospel is true more than they realize. We had a really wonderful discussion about how doubts come from the adversary, and how the feelings that come from the Lord are only peaceful, even when He's telling us no. In 1 John, we read that "perfect love casteth out all fear"... and right now, they are caught up in their fearful doubts. They made some wonderful connections with the ward when they were actively meeting with the missionaries, and they had nothing but good things to say about the wonderful Clearfork Ward--- There's no doubt in my mind that they will soon become members, thy just need to realize this is the most important thing in the world and realign their priorities. I'm hopeful!
Missionary work (on both sides of the veil) is the most important thing any of us can do-- it takes on many forms: being a good example, having a copy of the Book of Mormon out and visible for all to see, talking about gospel related things with friends and neighbors, etc-- Go and do, and God will bless you!
LOVE,
Sister Chelsea LeSueur
xoxox
Monday, January 3, 2011
...to rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine
Dearest family,
Happy 2011! I hope you all are looking forward to this new year, thinking and planning for all the wonderful changes this year can bring if we let it... Let us all look inward and reflect on the little 'weapons' we can bury (see Alma 24:17-19)-- let us not 'procrastinate the day of [our] repentance'-- all those little things which are keeping us from a full and joyful relationship with the Lord, lets get rid of them and determine that each day we are going to be closer to the Lord than the day before. After all, there is no standstill in our testimonies. They are always either increasing or decreasing... What are you doing TODAY to increase your testimony?
I have had some really wonderful personal studies in the last week-- one of which was when I was reading in the begininng of the Book of Mormon. In 1 Nephi 9, Nephi is telling about the second record he is beginning to keep because he has been commanded of the Lord to do so. We know that the 116 pages of the translated manuscript of the Book of Mormon that was lost was the Book of Lehi and contained more of a secular history of Lehi's family and journeyings in the wilderness. The book of 1 Nephi contains more of a record of the spiritual things, because that's what the Lord told Nephi to do. Heavenly Father, 2,400 years before part of the manuscript was lost, prepared a way for us to still have the doctrine and knowledge we would need to learn, understand, and apply the doctrine of Christ in our lives. One day we will receive the Book of Lehi when we are obedient enough for it-- until then, we have what we need because the Lord prepared a way for us to have it. Amazing.
When studying the story of Korihor and Alma, I was struck by the evidence Alma offers Korihor in Alma 30:44 as to the reality of God when Korihor asks Alma for a sign that God exists. Alma points out that the scriptures, prophets, the earth and all things in it, the planets all witness that there is a supreme creator. God gives us evidence everywhere as to his divinity and omnipotence, but if we don't have faith to begin with, we will explain it away and consider it to be a things of naught-- just like Korihor did. It wasn't until Korihor was stuck dumb that he realized he had been deceived by the devil who pretended to be an angel of light. Korihor was deceived, and so he preached things he knew to be wrong until he believed them... but when he realized his error and was struck dumb, do you think the adversary whose bidding he was doing stood by him? No! He was 'trodden down even until he was dead'... The devil will not support those who follow him. What a powerful example of why we want to be on the Lord's side!
Family, the gospel is true. We have this knowledge and so we are charged with the responsibility to sound the trumpets and declare it to all our friends and neighbors. We will be blessed for all the missionary moments we take advantage of, and held accountable for all those we ignore. Homework assignment-- Study Abinadi's words in Mosiah 15-17. He sets forth the doctrine so clearly of the Atonement, the resurrection, and being on the Lord's side-- go be a missionary and you will be on the Lord's side!
I love you!
Love, Sister Chelsea LeSueur
Happy 2011! I hope you all are looking forward to this new year, thinking and planning for all the wonderful changes this year can bring if we let it... Let us all look inward and reflect on the little 'weapons' we can bury (see Alma 24:17-19)-- let us not 'procrastinate the day of [our] repentance'-- all those little things which are keeping us from a full and joyful relationship with the Lord, lets get rid of them and determine that each day we are going to be closer to the Lord than the day before. After all, there is no standstill in our testimonies. They are always either increasing or decreasing... What are you doing TODAY to increase your testimony?
I have had some really wonderful personal studies in the last week-- one of which was when I was reading in the begininng of the Book of Mormon. In 1 Nephi 9, Nephi is telling about the second record he is beginning to keep because he has been commanded of the Lord to do so. We know that the 116 pages of the translated manuscript of the Book of Mormon that was lost was the Book of Lehi and contained more of a secular history of Lehi's family and journeyings in the wilderness. The book of 1 Nephi contains more of a record of the spiritual things, because that's what the Lord told Nephi to do. Heavenly Father, 2,400 years before part of the manuscript was lost, prepared a way for us to still have the doctrine and knowledge we would need to learn, understand, and apply the doctrine of Christ in our lives. One day we will receive the Book of Lehi when we are obedient enough for it-- until then, we have what we need because the Lord prepared a way for us to have it. Amazing.
When studying the story of Korihor and Alma, I was struck by the evidence Alma offers Korihor in Alma 30:44 as to the reality of God when Korihor asks Alma for a sign that God exists. Alma points out that the scriptures, prophets, the earth and all things in it, the planets all witness that there is a supreme creator. God gives us evidence everywhere as to his divinity and omnipotence, but if we don't have faith to begin with, we will explain it away and consider it to be a things of naught-- just like Korihor did. It wasn't until Korihor was stuck dumb that he realized he had been deceived by the devil who pretended to be an angel of light. Korihor was deceived, and so he preached things he knew to be wrong until he believed them... but when he realized his error and was struck dumb, do you think the adversary whose bidding he was doing stood by him? No! He was 'trodden down even until he was dead'... The devil will not support those who follow him. What a powerful example of why we want to be on the Lord's side!
Family, the gospel is true. We have this knowledge and so we are charged with the responsibility to sound the trumpets and declare it to all our friends and neighbors. We will be blessed for all the missionary moments we take advantage of, and held accountable for all those we ignore. Homework assignment-- Study Abinadi's words in Mosiah 15-17. He sets forth the doctrine so clearly of the Atonement, the resurrection, and being on the Lord's side-- go be a missionary and you will be on the Lord's side!
I love you!
Love, Sister Chelsea LeSueur
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