Why should we mourn or think our lot is hard? 'Tis not so. All is right...

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