Dear Stupendous Family,
The gospel of Jesus Christ is true-- it is the thing that drives us to bless others, act in faith, and consecrate our lives. In the new testament, Matthew 7:20, we are told, "By their fruits, ye shall know them"-- what sort of fruits are we producing for all to see?
This week has been wonderful. We had Family Home Evening with an investigator, Angell, and her daughter Kirsten on Monday evening. We talked about self-worth and the importance of recognizing our spiritual gifts and using them to bless others. Tuesday we spent the morning with Kim and Eric Valdez and her son David and Sister Drake cleaning the Boyd's home. The Boyd family had to move to an apartment on one level due to Renee's cancer. Renee was supposed to be there to help, but when we were all there and she wasn't, we found an unlocked window, I climbed in, and let everyone else in! In a matter of three hours, we had the place spotless. We got a tearful phone call thanking us the next day. The chemo had made her sick and she had forgotten about our appointment to help clean. It was nice for them to have one less thing to worry about. That evening, we had a very spirit-filled lesson with Brandon and Amber Niccoletti about Joseph Smith. We watched the movie 'The Restoration' and she knows he's a true prophet. She and Brandon have been praying nightly both individually and as a couple and Amber has been reading and enjoying the Book of Mormon and the gospel principles book. They're doing very well! Wednesday we had dinner and Family Home Evening with Kim, Eric, and David. We had a lesson on David and Goliath and then went to the Book of Mormon class after-- the whole evening was spiritual, and the Book of Mormon-- we read Mosiah 8-- class was probably one of the greatest we've had in the nine months I've been here! Friday was President's last Specialized training (he and Sister Jensen will leave on the 30th) and it was spectacular. Very impacting. Saturday we spent helping at the wedding of a member who has been less active to another member who has been less active. When they got together, they just strengthened each other and came back to church and they will be sealed in the temple in one year. Sunday, Rob prepared and passed the sacrament, then after church, the Bishop's wife had us over for dinner, after which we went to see the temple and on to the mission home fireside. The Valdez family and Angell and Kiersten also came to the fireside. It was amazing. Everyone is just doing so well-- they are the fruits of this true gospel!
I love my Savior, Jesus Christ. The Atonement is real. The Book of Mormon is true. Families can be together forever.
Have an amazing week-- go share the gospel!
I love you!
Love,
Sister Chelsea Lynn LeSueur
Monday, June 27, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
Fill our hearts with joy and peace
My dear, wonderful, superb, excellent, amazing family,
What a week it has been here in the Ohio... a good week with lots of emotion--- I'm still exhausted!
It seems like Satan's pattern is this: right before and/or right after something amazing happens he likes to throw a wrench in our lives. Well, with the amazingness that happened last invitation Sunday and all the good work we have happening here in the Clearfork ward, this last week was evidence of his sneaky slimy ways. Things were ok until Wednesday, then-- for whatever reason-- me, Sister Oliverson, Brother Brandt (our ward mission leader), and Rob Baker (our recent convert) just all had our own terrible emotional days! Now that doesn't mean we succumbed. We all took it in stride, and continued working to build the kingdom, but man, it was tough! Friday was probably the worst for me. It is our weekly planning day, I wasn't feeling well, and i was in a grumpy mood and we had an appointment with a sweet sister in the afternoon and because of everything going on, I wanted to be anywhere but that appointment. Sister Oliverson and I pleaded with the Lord before we left the apartment for his spirit to be with us-- we acknowledged our faults, expressed our desires to overcome them, and asked for the negative feelings to leave. When we pulled up to Angell's house in Shelby, we didn't feel miraculously different, but when we went in and began talking about the gospel and encouraging her in the things she is doing to bless her life and her daughter's live-- i was overwhelmed by a feeling of peace and joy. As she said a few things, just in conversation, I knew that my Heavenly Father was using her to answer my prayers and questions I had been having-- Angell really was an angel that day. We are each others angels, and so it is imperative that we listen to the promptings from the spirit to help our brothers and sisters out... even if we don't realize were doing anything! As emotional as it was, we taught a lot of lessons last week and got a lot done. I love being a missionary, because even the 'bad' weeks really aren't THAT bad! I tell you this not to evoke sympathy or what have you, but rather to showcase the Atonement and how aware our Heavenly Father is of each of us. No matter what feelings you're having-- good or bad-- He knows and is either rejoicing with or sorrowful for you. He wants us to be happy and receive His help, we just have to be willing to grab His hand.
Kim Valdez had us over Thursday night for their family home evening, which they planned and executed all by themselves! It was on Noah's ark and for dessert we had rainbow sherbet and animal cookies. I was so proud of them for doing such a great FHE-- It was kind of nice just to be a participant and not the teacher, but to recognize the changes they are making in their lives as a result of them learning about the gospel principles we've been able to teach! They are learning an applying and THAT is the Atonement in action!
Wow, how truly amazing the gospel of Jesus Christ is. I've seen it change lives and heal hearts in the almost 18 months I've had the privilege of being a full-time teacher of it. It's changed my life and healed my heart. How amazing that if we just give things over to the Lord we come out with more than we ever imagined-- we truly do have to loose our life in order to find it.
Jesus is the Christ and He is our Savior. He loves us and through His stripes we are healed. The gospel is true.
Happy Fathers day daddy-- you are an amazing man and the woman I am becoming is because of the daddy you are. Thanks!
Oh, and Congrats Ashley and Spencer on baby #3! I can't wait to meet her :)
I love y'all so much! Have a phenomenal week <3
Love,
Sister Chelsea Lynn LeSueur
What a week it has been here in the Ohio... a good week with lots of emotion--- I'm still exhausted!
It seems like Satan's pattern is this: right before and/or right after something amazing happens he likes to throw a wrench in our lives. Well, with the amazingness that happened last invitation Sunday and all the good work we have happening here in the Clearfork ward, this last week was evidence of his sneaky slimy ways. Things were ok until Wednesday, then-- for whatever reason-- me, Sister Oliverson, Brother Brandt (our ward mission leader), and Rob Baker (our recent convert) just all had our own terrible emotional days! Now that doesn't mean we succumbed. We all took it in stride, and continued working to build the kingdom, but man, it was tough! Friday was probably the worst for me. It is our weekly planning day, I wasn't feeling well, and i was in a grumpy mood and we had an appointment with a sweet sister in the afternoon and because of everything going on, I wanted to be anywhere but that appointment. Sister Oliverson and I pleaded with the Lord before we left the apartment for his spirit to be with us-- we acknowledged our faults, expressed our desires to overcome them, and asked for the negative feelings to leave. When we pulled up to Angell's house in Shelby, we didn't feel miraculously different, but when we went in and began talking about the gospel and encouraging her in the things she is doing to bless her life and her daughter's live-- i was overwhelmed by a feeling of peace and joy. As she said a few things, just in conversation, I knew that my Heavenly Father was using her to answer my prayers and questions I had been having-- Angell really was an angel that day. We are each others angels, and so it is imperative that we listen to the promptings from the spirit to help our brothers and sisters out... even if we don't realize were doing anything! As emotional as it was, we taught a lot of lessons last week and got a lot done. I love being a missionary, because even the 'bad' weeks really aren't THAT bad! I tell you this not to evoke sympathy or what have you, but rather to showcase the Atonement and how aware our Heavenly Father is of each of us. No matter what feelings you're having-- good or bad-- He knows and is either rejoicing with or sorrowful for you. He wants us to be happy and receive His help, we just have to be willing to grab His hand.
Kim Valdez had us over Thursday night for their family home evening, which they planned and executed all by themselves! It was on Noah's ark and for dessert we had rainbow sherbet and animal cookies. I was so proud of them for doing such a great FHE-- It was kind of nice just to be a participant and not the teacher, but to recognize the changes they are making in their lives as a result of them learning about the gospel principles we've been able to teach! They are learning an applying and THAT is the Atonement in action!
Wow, how truly amazing the gospel of Jesus Christ is. I've seen it change lives and heal hearts in the almost 18 months I've had the privilege of being a full-time teacher of it. It's changed my life and healed my heart. How amazing that if we just give things over to the Lord we come out with more than we ever imagined-- we truly do have to loose our life in order to find it.
Jesus is the Christ and He is our Savior. He loves us and through His stripes we are healed. The gospel is true.
Happy Fathers day daddy-- you are an amazing man and the woman I am becoming is because of the daddy you are. Thanks!
Oh, and Congrats Ashley and Spencer on baby #3! I can't wait to meet her :)
I love y'all so much! Have a phenomenal week <3
Love,
Sister Chelsea Lynn LeSueur
Monday, June 13, 2011
Oh what songs of the heart
Dear wonderful and amazing family,
Life is good and I adore being a missionary. I cannot even describe the feelings I receive as I put on the name-tag that bears the name of my family and the name of my Savior. When I get to represent Him all day, every day as I preach His gospel and help Him change the lives of my brothers and sisters, i receive joy unmatched by any other moment of my life. My purpose, as a representative of Jesus Christ, is to invite others to come unto Him by showing them that they deserve better than anything the world can give them. The good news of the gospel is that families can be together forever, and I get to help people learn this wonderful truth each and every day-- how great is my calling?! Preaching the gospel as a full time missionary and helping others the way Christ would if He were here has become the song of my heart :)
Yesterday our ward had an 'Invitation Sunday' where all the talks and lessons were focused on the Plan of Salvation. We made up invitations for the members to hand out to those they have wanted to invite to church for a long time but haven't for whatever reason so make the invitation as unawkward as possible-- it was a great day and we had several people accept invitations to attend church! The two I was most excited about was Troy Collins and Brandon & Amber Nicoletti who all came to church yesterday for the first time. Joy was brought to my heart when I saw them enter the church and then as I was able to watch the fellowship happen with the members, i wanted to sing! Everyone there truly felt welcomed and the spirit was felt so strong. We have our first 'official' lesson with Brandon and Amber tomorrow evening and we will be teaching Troy again on Saturday. These people are so precious to our Heavenly Father and I am so grateful to our merciful God for preparing them to receive the gospel the way He has!
The gospel is true. Living it brings happiness. Families can be together forever. Life is beautiful. I love you all more than life-- keep the commandments and be prosperous!
Love,
Sister Chelsea Lynn LeSueur
Life is good and I adore being a missionary. I cannot even describe the feelings I receive as I put on the name-tag that bears the name of my family and the name of my Savior. When I get to represent Him all day, every day as I preach His gospel and help Him change the lives of my brothers and sisters, i receive joy unmatched by any other moment of my life. My purpose, as a representative of Jesus Christ, is to invite others to come unto Him by showing them that they deserve better than anything the world can give them. The good news of the gospel is that families can be together forever, and I get to help people learn this wonderful truth each and every day-- how great is my calling?! Preaching the gospel as a full time missionary and helping others the way Christ would if He were here has become the song of my heart :)
Yesterday our ward had an 'Invitation Sunday' where all the talks and lessons were focused on the Plan of Salvation. We made up invitations for the members to hand out to those they have wanted to invite to church for a long time but haven't for whatever reason so make the invitation as unawkward as possible-- it was a great day and we had several people accept invitations to attend church! The two I was most excited about was Troy Collins and Brandon & Amber Nicoletti who all came to church yesterday for the first time. Joy was brought to my heart when I saw them enter the church and then as I was able to watch the fellowship happen with the members, i wanted to sing! Everyone there truly felt welcomed and the spirit was felt so strong. We have our first 'official' lesson with Brandon and Amber tomorrow evening and we will be teaching Troy again on Saturday. These people are so precious to our Heavenly Father and I am so grateful to our merciful God for preparing them to receive the gospel the way He has!
The gospel is true. Living it brings happiness. Families can be together forever. Life is beautiful. I love you all more than life-- keep the commandments and be prosperous!
Love,
Sister Chelsea Lynn LeSueur
Monday, June 6, 2011
I have work enough to do.
Dear family,
My attention this week has been brought to recognize and understand the dire effect our choices can have on us. Life is made up of choices-- and the fact that we have the ability to choose is evidence of God's love for us. I am so grateful for His love and His mercy and His forgiveness. The fact that we can either choose to follow God or not is a huge deal-- it breaks His heart when we choose to be disobedient, but when we choose to then become His disciples, it makes the latter choice all the more powerful. This is why agency is an essential part of His plan and an eternal principle. God's power has a lot to do with our agency. I love the Plan of Salvation and my Savior Jesus Christ. Repentance is real-- the Lord doesn't care so much about where you've been as he cares about where you're going.
Robert Baker was baptized of Friday evening and it was one of the most spiritual baptisms I have ever had the privilege of attending. Sister Oliverson and I sang Sweet Hour of Prayer because it is Rob's favorite song, after which he stood and bore powerful testimony of the Atonement and the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that I am the missionary, but I have learned so much from Rob. He truly is a student of scripture and a seeker of truth. He is preparing to serve a mission and wherever he goes, he will be the key to thousands of peoples' conversions. He's phenomenal.
Kim and Eric Valdez have made numerous changes in their lives so they can live more in accordance with the gospel of Jesus Christ. He is working on himself so he can baptize his wife and step-son-- and that may be happening sooner than we thought... like, this weekend. After learning about the Word of Wisdom, Kim emptied all her wine bottles and other drink mixers. She has such strong faith. It's another instance of the future being more important than the past.
Wow. Time is flying so quickly. Sometimes I just want to press pause, but that isn't in the Lord's plan, and so we just must make each moment matter. How grateful I am for this time to learn and grow in The Ohio. It is the greatest decision I have ever made to be here. Thanks family for helping me get here.
I know this is the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I know the Book of Mormon contains the information we need to be happy. I know we can be together as a family forever as we live worthily of the blessings. I know that Jesus is the Christ. I know that we can change and become better as we live His gospel and allow Him to enter into our hearts. Of these things I am sure.
I love you more than life!
Love,
Sister Chelsea LeSueur
My attention this week has been brought to recognize and understand the dire effect our choices can have on us. Life is made up of choices-- and the fact that we have the ability to choose is evidence of God's love for us. I am so grateful for His love and His mercy and His forgiveness. The fact that we can either choose to follow God or not is a huge deal-- it breaks His heart when we choose to be disobedient, but when we choose to then become His disciples, it makes the latter choice all the more powerful. This is why agency is an essential part of His plan and an eternal principle. God's power has a lot to do with our agency. I love the Plan of Salvation and my Savior Jesus Christ. Repentance is real-- the Lord doesn't care so much about where you've been as he cares about where you're going.
Robert Baker was baptized of Friday evening and it was one of the most spiritual baptisms I have ever had the privilege of attending. Sister Oliverson and I sang Sweet Hour of Prayer because it is Rob's favorite song, after which he stood and bore powerful testimony of the Atonement and the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that I am the missionary, but I have learned so much from Rob. He truly is a student of scripture and a seeker of truth. He is preparing to serve a mission and wherever he goes, he will be the key to thousands of peoples' conversions. He's phenomenal.
Kim and Eric Valdez have made numerous changes in their lives so they can live more in accordance with the gospel of Jesus Christ. He is working on himself so he can baptize his wife and step-son-- and that may be happening sooner than we thought... like, this weekend. After learning about the Word of Wisdom, Kim emptied all her wine bottles and other drink mixers. She has such strong faith. It's another instance of the future being more important than the past.
Wow. Time is flying so quickly. Sometimes I just want to press pause, but that isn't in the Lord's plan, and so we just must make each moment matter. How grateful I am for this time to learn and grow in The Ohio. It is the greatest decision I have ever made to be here. Thanks family for helping me get here.
I know this is the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I know the Book of Mormon contains the information we need to be happy. I know we can be together as a family forever as we live worthily of the blessings. I know that Jesus is the Christ. I know that we can change and become better as we live His gospel and allow Him to enter into our hearts. Of these things I am sure.
I love you more than life!
Love,
Sister Chelsea LeSueur
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