Dear mi familia,
What a beautiful day today is. I can't believer we're to the end of March already, and that another season has passed. Time just flies much, much too quickly! With General Conference this weekend, and the knowledge that Jesus Christ lives and is our Savior, what is there to worry about-- nothing else matters!
I told you about Gene and his two boys, Zack and Jacob, last week-- the new family we're teaching who was brought to church by a sister in the ward three weeks ago. We have had some really wonderful lessons with them this last week, and they readily accepted the commitment to prepare for baptism on the 9th of April, in two weeks! Gene has quit smoking and committed yesterday to quit drinking coffee. He already is noticing the blessings in his life and in his family since focusing more directly on living the gospel of Jesus Christ. Yesterday, as we spoke to Jacob, the 13-year-old, about his reading in the Book of Mormon, he commented on how amazing Nephi is to be so obedient and faithful despite his wayward brothers. I was so proud of him for catching onto that key detail. They are both bright boys who want to do better, and I know there is a void being filled as they come to church every week, and read and pray daily. Their family is happier, and Jacob looked a little less like an angsty teenager yesterday than in the previous weeks we've seen him!
In the Book of Mormon Class that we teach at the church every week, we were teaching Jacob 5-- the allegory of the tame and wild olive trees. In the allegory, the tame olive tree represents the House of Israel and the wild olive tree represents the gentiles; there is the master of the vineyard and he has a servant-- the Master represents our Father in Heaven and the servant represents anyone laboring in the Kingdom of God-- for this email, the servant will be representative of Christ-- It really struck me, as we were teaching, the numerous chances the Lord gives the trees (us) to produce good fruit. When the master is ready to burn his vineyard because of the no good trees (justice), the servant pleads with the master to allow him to work a little longer and a little harder to make the trees bring forth good fruit (mercy). We are given so many opportunities to bring forth good fruit-- whether through trials or blessings, we have the opportunity to change-- nevertheless, at the end, if those trees still were no good, they had to be burned for the good of the vineyard, and so it is with us. If time after time we refuse to change, the hand of the servant can only stay the master's inevitable plan so long. I am grateful for the mercy and justice of the Lord's kingdom, for we are blessed by both. One cannot exist without the other-- and I am eternally indebted to my savior who made it possible for mercy to be exercised in my behalf.
The gospel is so true-- we have the opportunity to watch conference this weekend and pray to know without a doubt that Thomas S. Monson is the Lord's prophet on the earth today-- don't miss this opportunity for spiritual growth and testimony strengthening!
I love you tons and tons,
Sister Chelsea Lynn LeSueur
Monday, March 28, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
My heart shall triumph in my Lord
Dear family,
Happy Spring!! Oh, I just love this time of year! Spring is just one more evidence of our Father in Heaven's love for us!
It has been a wonderful week of member missionary work up here in the great Clearfork ward... Last Sunday, Iris Jiminez in the ward brought a new friend and his two sons to church. They loved it, and they left right after church, before we could set up a return apt with them. So, Thursday, we called Sister Jiminez and she told us that Gene really wants to take the lessons, and yesterday after church we taught him about the restoration of the gospel. He said that in the last week, he has already recognized bits and pieces of truth that were left out of his Pentecostal upbringing. We explained that the light of Christ, which we're all born with, lights up around truth as the Holy Ghost bears witness about things of God. He is a good man who sincerely wants to raise his 11 and 13 year old boys up to be good men-- we talked a lot about how the gospel blesses families and how the Book of Mormon is the best parenting manual ever written. He is reading and praying every day and we will be teaching them again Thursday night. Iris was just glowing as her new-found friend was learning the gospel. Member missionary work, the act of sharing the gospel with our family and friends, is so rewarding for both the giver and the receiver!
A recent convert, Abby Ritchey, also brought a friend, Mona, to church yesterday. The lesson in gospel principles class was on the Atonement, and so were the talks in Sacrament meeting-- it was perfect for her, and it really seemed to fill a need that she had. We have an appointment to go and teach her more this Friday. I'm go excited! She seems like a wonderful woman who sincerely wants to draw nearer to the Lord. As we talked about the resurrection in Sunday School, she wasn't understanding everything, so she raised her hand and asked! I was so glad that she felt comfortable enough, and desired to understand enough, that she did that!
Also, last night, we were able to meet with Brandon, the less active member, and his fiance Amber, that I emailed about a few weeks ago. Her little girl got her tonsils out a week ago so it was hard to get together with them! It was our first time meeting him, and so when we knocked on his door and he opened it looking less than friendly, I thought "oh no!" but he invited us in and we talked to him and Amber and he softened. It turns out that he works right down the street from where the church is-- he passes it every day! They said they would try to come this week, and we set up an appointment with them for next Sunday to begin teaching them after church. This family needs the gospel, and I know the Lord has been preparing them!
One of my zone leaders, Elder Upton, has taken to calling me 'Ringleader' because he says that whenever there is a gathering of missionaries, I'm always the one heading it up-- I thought that was a much nicer title than the one my sister gave me a few years ago: "Little Mao" (as in the communist China dictator...) I just like making things happen! Today we're getting together for a spring festival to play sports outside... I'm excited!
I am so grateful for this wonderful gospel of Jesus Christ. It is amazing and it blesses individuals and life. I am so grateful for the Atonement and what it means for each of us-- it means that we are able to return to live with our Father in Heaven again if we try our best to overcome our weaknesses and work to be forgiven of our sins. The Atonement is the most important thing to happen in the whole world. Ever! It is wonderful!
I love you so so so much-- be happy. The gospel is true!
Love,
Sister Chelsea LeSueur
Happy Spring!! Oh, I just love this time of year! Spring is just one more evidence of our Father in Heaven's love for us!
It has been a wonderful week of member missionary work up here in the great Clearfork ward... Last Sunday, Iris Jiminez in the ward brought a new friend and his two sons to church. They loved it, and they left right after church, before we could set up a return apt with them. So, Thursday, we called Sister Jiminez and she told us that Gene really wants to take the lessons, and yesterday after church we taught him about the restoration of the gospel. He said that in the last week, he has already recognized bits and pieces of truth that were left out of his Pentecostal upbringing. We explained that the light of Christ, which we're all born with, lights up around truth as the Holy Ghost bears witness about things of God. He is a good man who sincerely wants to raise his 11 and 13 year old boys up to be good men-- we talked a lot about how the gospel blesses families and how the Book of Mormon is the best parenting manual ever written. He is reading and praying every day and we will be teaching them again Thursday night. Iris was just glowing as her new-found friend was learning the gospel. Member missionary work, the act of sharing the gospel with our family and friends, is so rewarding for both the giver and the receiver!
A recent convert, Abby Ritchey, also brought a friend, Mona, to church yesterday. The lesson in gospel principles class was on the Atonement, and so were the talks in Sacrament meeting-- it was perfect for her, and it really seemed to fill a need that she had. We have an appointment to go and teach her more this Friday. I'm go excited! She seems like a wonderful woman who sincerely wants to draw nearer to the Lord. As we talked about the resurrection in Sunday School, she wasn't understanding everything, so she raised her hand and asked! I was so glad that she felt comfortable enough, and desired to understand enough, that she did that!
Also, last night, we were able to meet with Brandon, the less active member, and his fiance Amber, that I emailed about a few weeks ago. Her little girl got her tonsils out a week ago so it was hard to get together with them! It was our first time meeting him, and so when we knocked on his door and he opened it looking less than friendly, I thought "oh no!" but he invited us in and we talked to him and Amber and he softened. It turns out that he works right down the street from where the church is-- he passes it every day! They said they would try to come this week, and we set up an appointment with them for next Sunday to begin teaching them after church. This family needs the gospel, and I know the Lord has been preparing them!
One of my zone leaders, Elder Upton, has taken to calling me 'Ringleader' because he says that whenever there is a gathering of missionaries, I'm always the one heading it up-- I thought that was a much nicer title than the one my sister gave me a few years ago: "Little Mao" (as in the communist China dictator...) I just like making things happen! Today we're getting together for a spring festival to play sports outside... I'm excited!
I am so grateful for this wonderful gospel of Jesus Christ. It is amazing and it blesses individuals and life. I am so grateful for the Atonement and what it means for each of us-- it means that we are able to return to live with our Father in Heaven again if we try our best to overcome our weaknesses and work to be forgiven of our sins. The Atonement is the most important thing to happen in the whole world. Ever! It is wonderful!
I love you so so so much-- be happy. The gospel is true!
Love,
Sister Chelsea LeSueur
Monday, March 14, 2011
They are seeking to be great and good and wise.
Dearest family,
What a wonderful time to be alive. Spring is just around the corner, it stays light 'till about 8:00 now, and the gospel is true. We are a wonderfully blessed people with so many tender mercies around us-- we must take time to notice them and thank our Father in Heaven for all His love!
It's been a great week-- we spent quite a bit of time looking up former investigators and less active members here in Galion and in Shelby. There was a woman we looked up, Nikki, in Galion and we knew from the teaching record that she had only been taught once. She has a little girl and the elders wrote on the record that she was currently going through a separation from her husband. We knocked on her door and when she answered it, she had two little girls right at her feet. We explained who we are and told her that we are the new missionaries in the area and that we would love to just get to know her a little better. She told us how she has no time because she runs a daycare out of her home and has kids there all the time, both during the day and during the night. With great enthusiasm, I told her how much I admired her for that. I explained that I am going to school to become a preschool teacher and told her how much I love little ones! She softened, and invited us in. When we got inside, she told us that she was going through a rough divorce, and mentioned a few of the other difficult things going on in her life. We talked for about ten minutes and asked if there was another time when we could come back to talk more-- she told us Wednesdays are her least busy days and that between noon and 2:00 is when quiet time is... Well, this is where we really see the hand of the Lord come into play-- Usually we have district/zone meetings Wednesday mornings and we don't usually return to our area until 2:00/2:30... BUT this week, we have our mission tour where Elder C. Scott Grow of the seventy (who I saw at a devotional in the MTC) is coming to speak to us this Saturday-- so our Wednesday this week was free for Nikki! We will be going to her home again at 12:30 on Wednesday to get to know her better and have the opportunity to teach her about how the gospel can bless her life. I'm really excited for this, I know she needs it, and I know the Lord was present in helping is get to her at this specific time! He is so wonderful!
Our Relief Society lesson yesterday was on the Word of Wisdom, and I'm so grateful for this wonderful Law of Health the Lord has given us for our bodies. Truly, living this law will help us be whom the Lord knows we are capable of becoming. It keeps us free from things which will limit our abilities to serve and bless the lives of others (by refraining from drinking alcohol and other addictive substances), it helps us to know the things we must put into our bodies to keep them running right (fruits, veggies, and whole grains), and it shows the love and concern the Lord has for us. Just as parents won't let their kids eat all their Halloween candy the night they bring it home because the parents understand that too much candy brings tummy aches and cavities, out loving Heavenly father wants us to feel healthy and happy, so he advises us as to the things we should and should not take into ourselves! What a wonderful blessing!
I know our Father in Heaven lives. I know He loves us. I know Christ is our Savior and that He knows each of us personally and intimately. He wants us to come to him so he might relieve us from our struggles and pains... but we must CHOOSE faith. The gospel is true. The Book of Mormon is the word of God and it supports the Bible in testifying of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Families can be together forever :)
I love you all bunches! Go spread the gospel!
Love,
Sister Chelsea LeSueur
What a wonderful time to be alive. Spring is just around the corner, it stays light 'till about 8:00 now, and the gospel is true. We are a wonderfully blessed people with so many tender mercies around us-- we must take time to notice them and thank our Father in Heaven for all His love!
It's been a great week-- we spent quite a bit of time looking up former investigators and less active members here in Galion and in Shelby. There was a woman we looked up, Nikki, in Galion and we knew from the teaching record that she had only been taught once. She has a little girl and the elders wrote on the record that she was currently going through a separation from her husband. We knocked on her door and when she answered it, she had two little girls right at her feet. We explained who we are and told her that we are the new missionaries in the area and that we would love to just get to know her a little better. She told us how she has no time because she runs a daycare out of her home and has kids there all the time, both during the day and during the night. With great enthusiasm, I told her how much I admired her for that. I explained that I am going to school to become a preschool teacher and told her how much I love little ones! She softened, and invited us in. When we got inside, she told us that she was going through a rough divorce, and mentioned a few of the other difficult things going on in her life. We talked for about ten minutes and asked if there was another time when we could come back to talk more-- she told us Wednesdays are her least busy days and that between noon and 2:00 is when quiet time is... Well, this is where we really see the hand of the Lord come into play-- Usually we have district/zone meetings Wednesday mornings and we don't usually return to our area until 2:00/2:30... BUT this week, we have our mission tour where Elder C. Scott Grow of the seventy (who I saw at a devotional in the MTC) is coming to speak to us this Saturday-- so our Wednesday this week was free for Nikki! We will be going to her home again at 12:30 on Wednesday to get to know her better and have the opportunity to teach her about how the gospel can bless her life. I'm really excited for this, I know she needs it, and I know the Lord was present in helping is get to her at this specific time! He is so wonderful!
Our Relief Society lesson yesterday was on the Word of Wisdom, and I'm so grateful for this wonderful Law of Health the Lord has given us for our bodies. Truly, living this law will help us be whom the Lord knows we are capable of becoming. It keeps us free from things which will limit our abilities to serve and bless the lives of others (by refraining from drinking alcohol and other addictive substances), it helps us to know the things we must put into our bodies to keep them running right (fruits, veggies, and whole grains), and it shows the love and concern the Lord has for us. Just as parents won't let their kids eat all their Halloween candy the night they bring it home because the parents understand that too much candy brings tummy aches and cavities, out loving Heavenly father wants us to feel healthy and happy, so he advises us as to the things we should and should not take into ourselves! What a wonderful blessing!
I know our Father in Heaven lives. I know He loves us. I know Christ is our Savior and that He knows each of us personally and intimately. He wants us to come to him so he might relieve us from our struggles and pains... but we must CHOOSE faith. The gospel is true. The Book of Mormon is the word of God and it supports the Bible in testifying of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Families can be together forever :)
I love you all bunches! Go spread the gospel!
Love,
Sister Chelsea LeSueur
Monday, March 7, 2011
Let Thy enduring love guide me to Heaven above
Dear family,
Well, we were experiencing lovely blue skies and temperatures in the 40s last week then Saturday it dropped back down to freezing and Sunday, we awoke to see snow on the ground again! Everyone here says, "you can't count on no more snow 'till June!" Man, oh, man, I miss March in Texas! But it was nice to have a week of reprove though-- It was kind of like Heavenly Father was smiling at us to get us through the end of the winter... Something to look forward to!
We visited an older less active sister last week, and had one of the best visits about being active in the church we've ever had. We have visited Sister Payne pretty regularly since I got here, and it isn't that she doesn't have a testimony- she just suffers from depression and is really good at coming up with excuses... well, last week we were talking about how the Lord blesses us with personal revelation through three main ways-- 1.) revelation through prayer, 2.) revelation through scripture study, and 3.) revelation though church attendance. As we discussed the importance of personal revelation and her need in particular for it, she really opened up to us and told us how she feels about different things she's struggled with-- feeling accepted by the ward in particular. Well, we told her how the friendships that we form at church are just an added bonus, but they should never be why we do or do not go. We told her how the sisters of the ward really do love her and would do anything for her (and have on several occasions) and then we talked about the love the Savior has for her, and it's His love that matters most. She talked about her love of the gospel and committed to do better. Imagine my joy, when on Sunday morning, she walked into sacrament meeting and sat by us in the seat we promised we would save for her. It was a wonderful moment, and I was so proud of her for making the first step!
Also at church yesterday, Lee blessed the sacrament. Abby Ritchey (a recent convert from Marion who moved into our area in Bucyrus on Saturday) was there with all three of her kids who had a hard time going to church in Marion, and they loved church and their primary classes! I am so grateful the Lord is blessing people with the things they need to progress spiritually. He is so mindful of us and the things we need.
This is the Lord's church. The Book of Mormon is true. Joseph Smith is the prophet called by God to restore the fullness of the gospel in these latter days. When we keep the commandments and are true to our covenants, we are blessed and happy. Our Father in Heaven loves us, Jesus Christ is our Savior, families can be together forever.
Have a really good week-- go share this wonderful gospel with those around you!
Love,
Sister Chelsea LeSueur
Well, we were experiencing lovely blue skies and temperatures in the 40s last week then Saturday it dropped back down to freezing and Sunday, we awoke to see snow on the ground again! Everyone here says, "you can't count on no more snow 'till June!" Man, oh, man, I miss March in Texas! But it was nice to have a week of reprove though-- It was kind of like Heavenly Father was smiling at us to get us through the end of the winter... Something to look forward to!
We visited an older less active sister last week, and had one of the best visits about being active in the church we've ever had. We have visited Sister Payne pretty regularly since I got here, and it isn't that she doesn't have a testimony- she just suffers from depression and is really good at coming up with excuses... well, last week we were talking about how the Lord blesses us with personal revelation through three main ways-- 1.) revelation through prayer, 2.) revelation through scripture study, and 3.) revelation though church attendance. As we discussed the importance of personal revelation and her need in particular for it, she really opened up to us and told us how she feels about different things she's struggled with-- feeling accepted by the ward in particular. Well, we told her how the friendships that we form at church are just an added bonus, but they should never be why we do or do not go. We told her how the sisters of the ward really do love her and would do anything for her (and have on several occasions) and then we talked about the love the Savior has for her, and it's His love that matters most. She talked about her love of the gospel and committed to do better. Imagine my joy, when on Sunday morning, she walked into sacrament meeting and sat by us in the seat we promised we would save for her. It was a wonderful moment, and I was so proud of her for making the first step!
Also at church yesterday, Lee blessed the sacrament. Abby Ritchey (a recent convert from Marion who moved into our area in Bucyrus on Saturday) was there with all three of her kids who had a hard time going to church in Marion, and they loved church and their primary classes! I am so grateful the Lord is blessing people with the things they need to progress spiritually. He is so mindful of us and the things we need.
This is the Lord's church. The Book of Mormon is true. Joseph Smith is the prophet called by God to restore the fullness of the gospel in these latter days. When we keep the commandments and are true to our covenants, we are blessed and happy. Our Father in Heaven loves us, Jesus Christ is our Savior, families can be together forever.
Have a really good week-- go share this wonderful gospel with those around you!
Love,
Sister Chelsea LeSueur
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