Hello amazing family!!
Ahh, what a great week... The snow is melting, it's 40* today, it's been downpouring for the last 12 hours and so the Olentangy river is flooding parts of our little town of Galion. No doubt this will produce some good service opportunities for Sister Vaasili and myself. The flooding river is actually quite appropriate for how I'm feeling right now. My heart is overflowing with gratitude for the good work that is going on here, the wonderful people we have the opportunity to work with in this great Clearfork ward, and for the exciting news I just received about my acceptance into BYU as a transfer student for this fall. Truly I am so blessed. I know that the Lord is in charge and he has given me the means to bless others and return to live with him eventually-- I know I am having experiences now so that I can serve and strengthen those around me for the rest of my life; I'm grateful for them... The good ones and the "refiner's fire" ones too :)
So we had a few interesting experiences this week beginning Monday when we went to Brother and Sister Rondon's home for dinner... It was snowing quite heavily so they came and picked us up from our apartment. Well fast-forward three hours and it was STILL snowing heavily and since they live out in the country a bit, are an elderly couple, and there was 8 inches of unplowed snow on the roads, it wasn't a great idea to attempt the 20 minute drive home. They said we would just have to spend the night, and after informing our mission president and receiving permission from him, we had a 'slumber party' at the Rondon's home... It was like a mini vacation at a bread and breakfast. Kind of fun!
Thursday we went to check on a member referral we had been trying to contact for a month. They live in a small town that we only make it out to about once a week, and they never seemed to be home when we were in town! Brandon is a less active member whose records we don't have in our ward and his girlfriend, Amber isn't a member. She has two darling daughters (6 and 4) and they are so dang cute! Anywho, we knocked on their door Thursday night and Amber answered the door! She invited us right in after we told her who we were and that the Anderson's from the Mansfield ward said we should come and get to know them. We sat down and spoke with her for about 30 minutes. Brandon was out of town for the weekend, but she says he faithfully reads his book of Mormon. She also told us that they are engaged to be married in May and that they are looking for a church where they will learn things as opposed to the church they are currently attending only because Brandon was volunteered by her grandpa to play the base guitar in the church band. We have an appointment with them this Thursday and I just feel like the Lord has been preparing this cute couple to join (and become active in) His church! This is evidence of the great power that exists in member missionary work! Pray about who the Lord is preparing to receive the gospel in your life and the invite them to be taught by the full-time missionaries in your home! If you want to make a friend for life, share your time-- If you want to make a friend for this life and the next, share your time and the gospel!
This gospel is so true. Jesus is the Christ; He is our savior, and it is only through Him that we will be able to return to live with our Heavenly Father. This is the true and restored gospel of Jesus Christ. The priesthood is on the earth again. We have a living prophet, even Thomas S. Monson who is the mouthpiece of the Lord today. The Book of Mormon is true. Life is good. We are to be happy and have joy.
I love you so so much.
Love,
Sister Chelsea LeSueur
Go Cougars!
Monday, February 28, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
Tune them with the key of love
Hello all you wonderful people whom I love so much!
Thank you, thank you, thank you so much for the wonderful Valentines day paper crane notes... It made me feel so loved and reminded me how blessed I am that our family can be together forever! This was the best Valentines Day I've ever had. Truly it was a day of LOVE!
It has been an excellent week, peaking this last Saturday when Regina Parsons entered into the waters of baptism! It was a beautiful 50*, blue sky day (the highest it's been since October) and I told Regina that God gave her a beautiful day for her baptism... She said, "I know, I was praying for it!" The power of faith is real because yesterday it was back to the freezing rain, snow, and 30* weather more typical of Ohio in February-- Daddy, you said it was 80* in Dallas last week? Enjoy it! :)
Regina's baptismal service was excellent... She is moving to Mansfield in the next two weeks, so unfortunately the Clearfork ward doesn't get to keep her-- but Mansfield is just the next town over, so there are lots of ties in between the two wards, and I know she'll be well taken care of over there! Anywho, for the service we had one of the two talks and one of the two prayers be given by a member from Mansfield; there were several members there, and Regina felt well loved! She was glowing the whole weekend!
We had a neat experience earlier in the week-- Marla and Carla's mom had a heart attack and was in the hospital down in Columbus. She really loved us the three times we've met before, and asked if we would be able to come and see her. Normally we wouldn't have been able to because of how far away we are from EVERYTHING, but because of the ice storms we had the first week of this month, our new missionary/trainer meeting was rescheduled for last Tuesday and it was only about 15 minutes away from the hospital Delilah was at. We received permission to go and went to the hospital and told her how much we love her. We were only able to stay about half an hour and when we left, I 'forgot' the copy of the Book of Mormon I was carrying on the chair in her room. After we left, Marla said her mom saw it and said, "Oh no, that girl left her book here!" to which Marla replied, "Well, there must be a reason for it... are you going to read it?" and Delilah said, "Probably..." Well, I didn't really think anything else about that until Sunday when, in Relief Society, our lesson was on service and the instructor asked what service we had received in the previous week and Marla talked about how we went out of our way to see her mom and it really meant a lot, not only to Delilah, but to Marla as well. Marla also said that her mom's heart has been softened significantly towards the church because of this... so when I was complaining about all the ice earlier in the month and all the meetings that were canceled and all the days we couldn't leave the apartment.... I take it all back! Heavenly Father knows what is best and I need to trust in Him more. Because the meeting was rescheduled we were able to go to the hospital and see Delilah last week and she is being prepared to receive the gospel. Heavenly Father's plan is always the best!
We were reading the Book of Mormon last night as a companionship and we were reading 2 Nephi 4-- 'Nephi's Psalm'... I feel so much like Nephi. Why should I ever be discouraged? Why should I ever give into temptation ' that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul'? Why should I be angry or slacken my strength? I echo Nephi when I say, " Awake my soul, no longer droop in sin! Rejoice, o my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul... O lord, wilt thou encircle me around in the robe of thy righteousness!" As I work to increase in my Christ-like attributes, I know I can become more like Nephi. He wasn't perfect over night and neither will any of us be... We must make it a constant process to become like Christ and as we work on things like patience, charity, and diligence, we too can have the faith and zeal of Nephi, Moses, and Samuel the Lamanite-- but it's a process! Let us work every day to have the faith they have!
I love this gospel-- It's true and I am so grateful for my savior, Jesus Christ. It is only through Him that we can return to live with our Father in Heaven. Families are forever, and for this knowledge I am eternally grateful! Have an excellent week <3
Love,
Sister Chelsea LeSueur
Thank you, thank you, thank you so much for the wonderful Valentines day paper crane notes... It made me feel so loved and reminded me how blessed I am that our family can be together forever! This was the best Valentines Day I've ever had. Truly it was a day of LOVE!
It has been an excellent week, peaking this last Saturday when Regina Parsons entered into the waters of baptism! It was a beautiful 50*, blue sky day (the highest it's been since October) and I told Regina that God gave her a beautiful day for her baptism... She said, "I know, I was praying for it!" The power of faith is real because yesterday it was back to the freezing rain, snow, and 30* weather more typical of Ohio in February-- Daddy, you said it was 80* in Dallas last week? Enjoy it! :)
Regina's baptismal service was excellent... She is moving to Mansfield in the next two weeks, so unfortunately the Clearfork ward doesn't get to keep her-- but Mansfield is just the next town over, so there are lots of ties in between the two wards, and I know she'll be well taken care of over there! Anywho, for the service we had one of the two talks and one of the two prayers be given by a member from Mansfield; there were several members there, and Regina felt well loved! She was glowing the whole weekend!
We had a neat experience earlier in the week-- Marla and Carla's mom had a heart attack and was in the hospital down in Columbus. She really loved us the three times we've met before, and asked if we would be able to come and see her. Normally we wouldn't have been able to because of how far away we are from EVERYTHING, but because of the ice storms we had the first week of this month, our new missionary/trainer meeting was rescheduled for last Tuesday and it was only about 15 minutes away from the hospital Delilah was at. We received permission to go and went to the hospital and told her how much we love her. We were only able to stay about half an hour and when we left, I 'forgot' the copy of the Book of Mormon I was carrying on the chair in her room. After we left, Marla said her mom saw it and said, "Oh no, that girl left her book here!" to which Marla replied, "Well, there must be a reason for it... are you going to read it?" and Delilah said, "Probably..." Well, I didn't really think anything else about that until Sunday when, in Relief Society, our lesson was on service and the instructor asked what service we had received in the previous week and Marla talked about how we went out of our way to see her mom and it really meant a lot, not only to Delilah, but to Marla as well. Marla also said that her mom's heart has been softened significantly towards the church because of this... so when I was complaining about all the ice earlier in the month and all the meetings that were canceled and all the days we couldn't leave the apartment.... I take it all back! Heavenly Father knows what is best and I need to trust in Him more. Because the meeting was rescheduled we were able to go to the hospital and see Delilah last week and she is being prepared to receive the gospel. Heavenly Father's plan is always the best!
We were reading the Book of Mormon last night as a companionship and we were reading 2 Nephi 4-- 'Nephi's Psalm'... I feel so much like Nephi. Why should I ever be discouraged? Why should I ever give into temptation ' that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul'? Why should I be angry or slacken my strength? I echo Nephi when I say, " Awake my soul, no longer droop in sin! Rejoice, o my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul... O lord, wilt thou encircle me around in the robe of thy righteousness!" As I work to increase in my Christ-like attributes, I know I can become more like Nephi. He wasn't perfect over night and neither will any of us be... We must make it a constant process to become like Christ and as we work on things like patience, charity, and diligence, we too can have the faith and zeal of Nephi, Moses, and Samuel the Lamanite-- but it's a process! Let us work every day to have the faith they have!
I love this gospel-- It's true and I am so grateful for my savior, Jesus Christ. It is only through Him that we can return to live with our Father in Heaven. Families are forever, and for this knowledge I am eternally grateful! Have an excellent week <3
Love,
Sister Chelsea LeSueur
Monday, February 14, 2011
If there's sunshine in your heart...
Dear family,
Happy Valentines day!
It's 38* outside and it is DELIGHTFUL! I never thought I would be so excited about temperatures in the high 30s, but here we are-- by the end of this week, we should be up to the 50s and I can't wait... I'm breaking out the short sleeve shirts and sunscreen already! Hah, just kidding, but we are very excited! Bring on the sun!
After the discouraging week last week, I went to zone conference completely drained and deflated Tuesday morning. By the end of the six hours of being fed spiritually by President Jensen, the assistants, and the zone leaders, I left feeling happy and ready to convert the world. It was a reminder to me that we must allow ourselves to be spiritually fed in order to keep going-- Increasing our testimonies is a vital part of 'enduring to the end' and sometimes that gets put on the back-burner as we spend our days feeding and increasing others' testimonies. Now, I'm not saying we should lessen how much of our time and energies we give, BUT I am saying that we need to make sure we're providing ourselves with enough oil in our own lamps so we have something to give. When I went to zone conference, It refilled my lamp with the oil I needed to continue fueling others' lamps, and it made me realize that I need to figure out a better way to study in my personal studies which will prepare me for the lessons we have coming up AND give me the spiritual strength I need. Any thoughts would be so greatly appreciated!
Regina has been taught all the lessons and been interviewer in preparation for her upcoming baptism this Saturday! She and her husband are moving to Mansfield right after the baptism, so after this week, she'll be attending that ward, but I know the ward will do a great job of fellow-shipping her. Because of this sudden transition, we are having 0ne of the talks and one of the prayers and the pianist come from Mansfield-- the other things will be done by members she already knows from the Clearfork ward. Hopefully she will understand how much she is loved in both places and will feel double the support! She's wonderful and we're praying that her husband's heart might be softened and that he will be open to receiving the gospel in his life so they can become a forever family. Please keep Regina and James Parsons in your prayers :)
By the way-- Carla will be speaking on the holy ghost, and Lee will be baptizing Regina. I love seeing recent converts progress and serve! Ooh, and Marla was just sustained and set apart as the new visiting teaching supervisor-- They're doing well :)
I love this gospel. I love my Savior and my Heavenly Father. I love the chance we can bring about in our lives through repentance. I love that the love of a family can last forever and be deepened and increased through the plan of salvation and temple covenants. I love the temple. I love missionary work, and I love you! Have a wonderful week <3
Love, Sister Chelsea LeSueur
Happy Valentines day!
It's 38* outside and it is DELIGHTFUL! I never thought I would be so excited about temperatures in the high 30s, but here we are-- by the end of this week, we should be up to the 50s and I can't wait... I'm breaking out the short sleeve shirts and sunscreen already! Hah, just kidding, but we are very excited! Bring on the sun!
After the discouraging week last week, I went to zone conference completely drained and deflated Tuesday morning. By the end of the six hours of being fed spiritually by President Jensen, the assistants, and the zone leaders, I left feeling happy and ready to convert the world. It was a reminder to me that we must allow ourselves to be spiritually fed in order to keep going-- Increasing our testimonies is a vital part of 'enduring to the end' and sometimes that gets put on the back-burner as we spend our days feeding and increasing others' testimonies. Now, I'm not saying we should lessen how much of our time and energies we give, BUT I am saying that we need to make sure we're providing ourselves with enough oil in our own lamps so we have something to give. When I went to zone conference, It refilled my lamp with the oil I needed to continue fueling others' lamps, and it made me realize that I need to figure out a better way to study in my personal studies which will prepare me for the lessons we have coming up AND give me the spiritual strength I need. Any thoughts would be so greatly appreciated!
Regina has been taught all the lessons and been interviewer in preparation for her upcoming baptism this Saturday! She and her husband are moving to Mansfield right after the baptism, so after this week, she'll be attending that ward, but I know the ward will do a great job of fellow-shipping her. Because of this sudden transition, we are having 0ne of the talks and one of the prayers and the pianist come from Mansfield-- the other things will be done by members she already knows from the Clearfork ward. Hopefully she will understand how much she is loved in both places and will feel double the support! She's wonderful and we're praying that her husband's heart might be softened and that he will be open to receiving the gospel in his life so they can become a forever family. Please keep Regina and James Parsons in your prayers :)
By the way-- Carla will be speaking on the holy ghost, and Lee will be baptizing Regina. I love seeing recent converts progress and serve! Ooh, and Marla was just sustained and set apart as the new visiting teaching supervisor-- They're doing well :)
I love this gospel. I love my Savior and my Heavenly Father. I love the chance we can bring about in our lives through repentance. I love that the love of a family can last forever and be deepened and increased through the plan of salvation and temple covenants. I love the temple. I love missionary work, and I love you! Have a wonderful week <3
Love, Sister Chelsea LeSueur
Monday, February 7, 2011
Teach me, Lord, to be a shepherd; Father, help me feed thy sheep
Hello sweet family,
Well, it's been quite the week here in the Ohio Columbus Mission-- one that I'm quite glad is over! Between being snowed in, sick, finding a GREY hair, and driving (or rather, sliding) on ice... I am learning (and experiencing) first hand that "there must needs be opposition in all things". We must be snowed in to appreciate going out, we need sickness every so often to help us realize how blessed we are to have good health. I guess a grey hair is the Lord's way of helping me focus on... well, I'm still trying to figure out the lesson behind that one. And as far as the ice goes, I guess it was a very humbling experience to have to call our ward mission leader while standing in the middle of an iced over Ohio cornfield as our car was lodged into three inches of ice. Yes, lessons are being learned, attitudes are being shaped, and tender mercies are found in abundance. The Lord is so aware of us and our needs, and for that I am completely grateful.
Last week, I spoke of Regina Parsons, a friend of Marla and Carla's who we were beginning to teach. This week we invited her to be baptized on February 19th, and she is so so excited. She was brought to church yesterday be some members who live not too far from her, and I hope they will be able to develop a friendship.
It was fast and testimony meeting yesterday, and about half way through the meeting, Carla stood and bore her testimony-- she spoke from the heart and talked of the great change that came about in her life when she began learning about the gospel. She said, "before I was found, I was hopeless, I had given up on so many things. But I am so grateful that I have found a church and that I know I can have a forever family." Umm... I definitely felt the overwhelming joy that is spoken of in the scriptures when you help another come unto a knowledge of the gospel. Carla has had so many terrible experiences and she is overcoming them through her knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ. She is glowing! Later on in the meeting Marla stood to bear her testimony and spoke of how the ward has helped her feel at home and how the gospel has changed and saved her family. She spoke to the happiness and peace that comes from the Book of Mormon, and how prayer has become such a huge priority in her life. I said a silent prayer, thanking Heavenly Father for allowing me to hear these wonderful testimonies borne by women whom I love so much.
I love this gospel. I love the change it brings about in peoples' lives. I love the Book of Mormon-- we need it as much as we need oxygen. We need to study it daily as individuals, as families, and as couples. I love my Savior, Jesus Christ-- he truly is our Redeemer, and I am eternally humbled by and grateful for His sacrifice and death on my behalf. God is love. Families are forever. Missionary work is joy.
Have a happy week :)
Love,
Sister Chelsea LeSueur
Well, it's been quite the week here in the Ohio Columbus Mission-- one that I'm quite glad is over! Between being snowed in, sick, finding a GREY hair, and driving (or rather, sliding) on ice... I am learning (and experiencing) first hand that "there must needs be opposition in all things". We must be snowed in to appreciate going out, we need sickness every so often to help us realize how blessed we are to have good health. I guess a grey hair is the Lord's way of helping me focus on... well, I'm still trying to figure out the lesson behind that one. And as far as the ice goes, I guess it was a very humbling experience to have to call our ward mission leader while standing in the middle of an iced over Ohio cornfield as our car was lodged into three inches of ice. Yes, lessons are being learned, attitudes are being shaped, and tender mercies are found in abundance. The Lord is so aware of us and our needs, and for that I am completely grateful.
Last week, I spoke of Regina Parsons, a friend of Marla and Carla's who we were beginning to teach. This week we invited her to be baptized on February 19th, and she is so so excited. She was brought to church yesterday be some members who live not too far from her, and I hope they will be able to develop a friendship.
It was fast and testimony meeting yesterday, and about half way through the meeting, Carla stood and bore her testimony-- she spoke from the heart and talked of the great change that came about in her life when she began learning about the gospel. She said, "before I was found, I was hopeless, I had given up on so many things. But I am so grateful that I have found a church and that I know I can have a forever family." Umm... I definitely felt the overwhelming joy that is spoken of in the scriptures when you help another come unto a knowledge of the gospel. Carla has had so many terrible experiences and she is overcoming them through her knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ. She is glowing! Later on in the meeting Marla stood to bear her testimony and spoke of how the ward has helped her feel at home and how the gospel has changed and saved her family. She spoke to the happiness and peace that comes from the Book of Mormon, and how prayer has become such a huge priority in her life. I said a silent prayer, thanking Heavenly Father for allowing me to hear these wonderful testimonies borne by women whom I love so much.
I love this gospel. I love the change it brings about in peoples' lives. I love the Book of Mormon-- we need it as much as we need oxygen. We need to study it daily as individuals, as families, and as couples. I love my Savior, Jesus Christ-- he truly is our Redeemer, and I am eternally humbled by and grateful for His sacrifice and death on my behalf. God is love. Families are forever. Missionary work is joy.
Have a happy week :)
Love,
Sister Chelsea LeSueur
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)