Blue Island Letter #8

Here's the current "jump into Leshelle's brain" time:

I try to imagine myself years from now. What will I see when I think back on my mission? What will come to mind? Who will I think of? What will make me smile to remember?

Thinking back on my life, this morning several memories were brought to my mind. They were not of great accomplishments. I don't hardly ever think of winning the county speech contest, student leadership positions, or first place in Parli-Pro. I don't remember awards I've won or recognition received.

Instead, when I inhaled the crisp morning air, my heart filled as my mind went back to mornings with Rashauna. On our way to school in mornings just like that one, we'd crunch the frozen dirt and look over dew covered fields. The brisk air also reminds me of walking to morning classes in Reno, which was always a peaceful, quiet, and reflective time each morning. I remember cool softball days. I don't remember my classes, or whether or not we won the softball game. I only remember walking and feeling, playing and loving it.

I was flooded with memories this morning. Not one of them was a big, special event. They were all normal, daily activities. Building cities in the sand with Seth's matchbox cars, going for Sunday walks in Roseville, watching baseball games at BYU.

I remember with joy the times in life where I simply enjoyed the journey. Those are memories I love. The accomplishments, the stresses, the recognition, the popularity of the past doesn't even exist. I don't remember the goal or destination; I only remember the journey well traveled.

I remember sitting on rocking chairs in Costa Rica, talking to Rashauna. I don't remember the exotic things we saw or what we got done in the programs. I simply remember the peace and joy of being with her. I remember conversations while driving with Mom. What did we get done? I have no idea! Though, I remember that feeling. Working with Dad, stopping to eat lunch. I don't know what I worked on. But, I remember enjoying that time. Photo shoots with Brans; a road trip years ago with Taraleigh, walking to the store with Taven or pushing baby Riah's stroller in the endless Montana expanse with no destination in mind. Seth running into my room to wake me up in the mornings; waking baby Kaniesha up to play even though she was supposed to be napping. I remember feeling love and comfort with the people that matter most, whether or not we were not doing anything "significant". I don't remember that part of it anyway.

I remember people along the way, not where I was going or what I was aiming for.

I'm not going to remember how many lessons I taught on my mission. I won't remember specific days of success and accomplishment. I won't remember the cool landmarks of Chicago.

Years from now, when I'll look back on my time as a missionary, I will remember moments on my knees in which I knew without a doubt that God was listening. I'll remember Hermana Mackley's laugh. I will remember kids asking me for stickers. I will never fail to feel joy as I recall Monica's letters and random gifts in these months. I will remember the landmarks in my heart. I'll remember the journey well traveled, not the destinations reached.

So, although I don't have many destinations to report, I do have lots of journeys to tell of. I'm trying to better live the journey instead of worry so much about where I'm trying to go.

Blue Island Letter #7

Note from Carolyn: Stan, Seth, Kaniesha and I flew back east this week to visit Brandilyn and family. Our flight included a lay-over in Chicago at Midway Airport! We knew that we couldn't see Leshelle, it's against mission rules, so rather than think too much about missing her, we thought about the advantages of being so near to her for an hour. One of our positive thoughts included being able to see some of the sights from the plane that Leshelle has been to and has written home about. Her blog this week -- she was short of time -- is mostly in response to our email about our lay-over in Chicago.


You saw the Temple!??!?!!? RAD!!!!! Downtown is really close to the lake, isn't it? I miss that area. It's so different here. But, it will be a blast to return some day and tour downtown in a way that I didn't as a missionary. I want to go downtown this Christmas. There are killer decorators here in Chitown, I hear. Maybe my companion and I will go on a city trip in December for P-day and take all sorts of pictures. It'll be freezing and I can bundle up. OOOH...sounds fun!

Hey, guess what? I got a big, puffy, long jacket for FREE yesterday. It isn't super cute, but it will keep me warm! Haha. Someone donated a ton of things for misisonaries and it was all at the Zone Conference. I've heard SEVERAL times that this winter will be a doosie, worse than the past many many years...scary for a California girl. Good thing I love scarves and sweaters. And that I'm in a car.

You saw a huge park near downtown, huh? Could it be a ton of cemeteries all next to each other? That's what we've got around us. Lots of cemeteries. And funeral homes. And funeral processions that have cop escorts so we have to sit at green lights sometimes and watch them all zoom past. I'm not sure why there are so many cemeteries here, but I'm shocked they aren't full yet. It seems like there is always a funeral. Anyway, maybe you saw that. We're just south of the city. Not too far - especially from a plane. It's about a thirty minute drive on a not-too-bad traffic day. The other day, driving up to Zone Conference (north of the city because it was a special meeting with Elder Ellis of the Seventy) took us an hour and a half! Horrible traffic. But, I was able to listen to my AWESOME music from my AWESOME mom!!!!! Thank you. I especially love the one that has spanish music on it. When you have some time, can you scout for more spanish music? It helps me learn a lot. And I really, really like it. It's exciting to understand things and try to figure out what I don't understand.

When we come back to Chicago someday - post mission - we have to go to Tony's Restaurant. Tony and Eliuth want to meet my parents. They are great people. They feed us at least once a week as we teach them. Often we are there more than one time a week. Eluith loves the gospel. Eats it up. We're working on Tony. He's a great guy, but he's always in and out. Though, Eluith tells us he won't talk religion with anyone else. Only us. That's a good sign.

I got a letter this week from Taraleigh, reminding me of the scripture in Doctrine and Covenants 18, about how great will be your joy when you save even one soul in the Kingdom of God:

"And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my father.

"And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto the kingdom of my father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me." D&C 18:15-16

Awesome!

Blue Island Letter #6

I have to be honest...I am low on time and emotional energy. It's been a rough one...

I have a goal: I want to laugh more. I am going to work more diligently to find and appreciate the little joys in life.

That said, I have a special request from you all: I want funny stories. Jokes. Cute things kids said.

It'll cost a stamp and a few minutes of time. You don't even have to write anything else if you don't want or have time. Think of it as donation to a charitable cause: the Laughing Leshelle Organization :)

Blue Island Letter #5

First of all, I have to pass on some wonderful advice. I was talking with my mission president about the companionship of the Spirit. He put it quite simply that one of the greatest keys to having the Spirit's companionship is to be grateful, especially in those "tough to see the blessings" situations. I'll be really honest, I've been in "tough to see the blessings" situations. However, the blessings are always there.

In these past weeks, each time I dug to find the blessings, I hit gold every time. More than gold. Despite battles and hardships, I can honestly say that I have had the companionship of the Spirit more prevalent to me. I didn't connect the dots before; but, as I increased my efforts to search out the blessings and show Heavenly Father my gratitude, the Spirit's influence also increased.

As we find ourselves in difficult situations, look for the hidden treasure. You'll find it, as you express gratitude. Thank Heavenly Father for the gold mines we come across, no matter where we find them. I think some of the greatest gold mines I've come across this past week were very small things: a pair of shoes (thanks Mom and Dad), an invitation to a sticker club (shout out to Taven Duffey), letters of understanding, four cancelled appointments in one night (I'll explain later), and a random hug from a nice lady. Those were some treasures that came to me this week. I also dug to find some treasure in the sunshine, seeing a suburban like Mom's and thinking of memories with her, and searching for opportunities to share some gold with other people. Then, by the end of the week, another gold find: GENERAL CONFERENCE!

Wherever they are, there are treasures to be found. Sometimes I just forget to look. Then, I forget to say thank you. I think the greatest treasure of all these past weeks has been getting on my knees and praying. What a priviledge to talk to Heavenly Father and to be heard. It's become my map for finding all the hidden treasure. He gives me new maps everyday - often several maps at one time.

Let's switch gears and talk baseball. I always understood "three strikes & you're out" in the game of baseball (it's happened to me before, I know -- but, it only ever happened once or twice...) Well, the other day, we got four strikes, then a Grand Slam! That's going to throw sports commentators for a loop! The other night we received a phone call. Appointment cancelled. Backup plan. Cancelled. Next plan. No go. Next...nope, not happening. So........what now? Let's visit this man at the taqueria that the Elders told us about. Arturo. We headed for the taqueria, and found it easily. There was legal parking just across the street, to top it off. Arturo was there, and sat to talk with us. We talked about his life and experiences, and his struggles. We began teaching, but were interrupted several times so that he could tell us he'd like to arrange a ride so that he can go to Church every Sunday, and to plan a regular time that we can come to teach him. The next day, we went to our scheduled appointment with him. He wasn't there; his doctor's appointment had been changed. Tuesday, we strike out again! (so we thought). Our regular appointment cancels, our referral shuts us down, and our phone rings. Arturo. We went to visit him in the hospital, where he opened up to us about his desires to follow Christ; his willingness and desire to change his life in order to do so. He's had so many struggles in the past; yet, he is a man of faith and hope. He's planning to come to Church this Sunday and to be baptized the end of October!

I'm grateful that the Lord's work isn't a game of baseball. Life doesn't have to abide by the same rules. God guided us by our cancelled plans to His far-better-plan. Four strikes was just what we needed, and what Arturo needed. It's easy to get down, thinking that nothing's working out; in reality, EVERYTHING is working out just right. Sometimes we need to swing a few times before we make solid contact.

Maybe that's why I still strike our a lot in Spanish...I'm warming up for a grand slam, right?

Thank you for the letters. I've been lifted and comforted by some unexpected letters. Thank you. I pray that you each find gold mines equal to the ones that you've placed in my hands.

Happy Face :)