Woodstock Letter #18

One of my favorite Book of Mormon stories is the story of the people of Jared in the book of Ether. They are directed to leave one area and travel to a "promised land", a land full of promise and potential.  They face some obstacles along their journey.

They arrive at a body of water and have to make barges to travel in. They had no source of light in the barges. The brother of Jared makes little stones and asks that the Lord would touch them and make them provide light. The Lord does. Ether 6:3 says "that the stones would shine in darkness to give light to men, women, and children, so that they would not travel the great waters in darkness". I got to thinking: What are the "stones" that give light to me in my journey on this great water called life, so that I do not travel through life in darkness?
My "stones of light" include people, scriptures, experiences, memories, physical objects, and so much more. It was a fun activity. (hint hint hint)

Here is my FAVORITE part of the story: Ether 6:5 says that "the Lord God caused that a furious wind blew ... towards the promised land".

What "furious winds" (difficult experiences, challenges, sacrifices, etc.) have blown you towards a "promised land" (a better experience, a better you, a new opportunity, blessings, etc.)?

This part really helped me to see how the Lord has been intimately involved in all of my difficult experiences, proving true the Lord's promise that: "I, the Lord God, visit my people in their
afflictions" (Mosiah 24:14); and His promise to prepare the people of Jared against the winds, storms, and trials as they are pushed towards the promised land.

The Lord does not leave us alone nor unprepared. Let Him prepare you, push you by the waves, and shape you. The Promised Lands He has to offer are greater than any lands we can find without Him.

Have a great week!
Leshelle

PS:  Our investigator Aline is planning to be baptized on August 25th! Aline is terrified of water (she nearly drown as a child) yet she is willing to put that fear aside and be baptized! What a joy that I will be able to see Aline baptized before I conclude my mission.

Woodstock Letter #17

 Hermanas Rasmussen & Hoer with Rocio's daughter.



Hermana Hoer with Rocio and family at the Chicago Temple.



In district meeting we were invited to share our experiences with the Book of Mormon: of our experiences and other's experiences gaining a testimony of it.

I spoke about Eliuth. She found answers to deep concerns regarding women and the Priesthood and gaining forgiveness. She put the promise to the test in each case: the words may not spell out your answer word for word; but words WILL appear in your heart and mind which undeniably address your specific concerns, if you will but have faith to search the Book of Mormon. Drink it. It will nourish freely.

Eliuth never told me how her concerns were answered. She simply said that it was an experience just for her - too sacred to share. She read the Book of Mormon nearly twice before being baptized.

The Book of Mormon did not just lead to her baptism. It lead to her conversion. Frankly, it was more important and more valuable to me to see her come to discover Heavenly Father than to attend her baptism. I think I got the better end of the deal. I saw her - I stood by her side spiritually -  as she discovered her divine identity; she found her relationship with Christ grow to depths she'd previously been unaware of; she learned that God is HER Heavenly Father, and that she is His daughter. In the pages and power of the Book of Mormon, she found God's love. She found Christ's forgiveness. She found her eternal identity. All of that through the Book of Mormon.

She found what I find daily; she found what I also have found to be an undeniable and eternal truth: that the Book of Mormon is literally the tool in God's hands. It does exactly what God would do were He seated beside me. It comforts, guides, speaks, listens, loves, helps, pacifies, teaches. It wipes away tears and offers a shoulder. It directs important choices and speaks answers to our questions according to our understanding. It says what mortal mouths will never be capable of uttering. It proves that God knows me. It answers questions that no other human being knows of. It is Jesus Christ in my life.  I've seen the Book of Mormon give peace to a hurt, sad, confused young girl; I've seen it listen to a teenager cry because she's sacrificed everything to do the right thing, yet confirm to her a difficult to swallow will of the Lord, with the promise that everything will be okay.

It speaks to me. It hugs me. It has the same intimacy which I share with my Heavenly Father and my Savior, Jesus Christ.

I LOVE THE BOOK OF MORMON! And, it loves me back.

Have a fantastic week!

Love,
Leshelle

Woodstock Letter #16

 Leshelle & Aline's daughter

Hermana Rasmussen & Leshelle

Zone Meeting was great. I had a one on one interview with President Fenn. He is bummed that I will only be with them for a little longer (I am as well). He is a GREAT man. He gave us permission to use a P-Day to go to the temple with a less active family whose marriage is on the rocks. He also gave Elder Chicavivas (our district leader) permission to watch the best two years as a district activity. That's what we will be doing today at the church. I'm going to make salsa.

We had FIVE miraculous MEMBER PRESENT lessons this week. That was a first for me. The branch is small, making it difficult at times to have members accompany us to lessons. However, we worked really hard to make them happen - I waited on the street praying one day in full faith that Rocio (a branch member, with no phone, never having been to Aline's house before,with no plan to come that day) would drive by and see me so she could visit Aline with Hermana Rasmussen and me. I waited longer than I probably should have. However, I refused to give up. I knew that Heavenly Father could and would work a miracle. I prayed to know if I should stop waiting there. I felt I should stay. I did. Hermana and Hermano Calix pulled over to tell us hello. She had seen me on the side of the road. That was my first time meeting Hno Calix. Rocio eventually DID come, making a forever impact on both her and Aline (as you can see in what I will write below about their friendship). Heavenly Father really does answer prayers of faith.

I truly believed that two weeks ago had been the peak of the Sunday miracles. Well...yesterday FOUR INVESTIGATORS WENT TO CHURCH!!! (plus four children). I have to start from the beginning:

Aline had been looking forward to attending Church all week. She had plans to attend, and all was well. She texted us Sunday morning to say that she would arrive late. Her car was in the shop because her battery had some problems. She would be able to arrive for the last hour. Not so. Later she texted to say that her car was still acting up after she'd got it back. Rocio (member) overheard us in the hall when I called her, and offered to go pick up Aline and her three kids. Aline didn't want to have Rocio go all the way into Woodstock. Rocio insisted, and off she went. I went in to play the piano for Sacrament Meeting. Aline arrived with Rocio a bit later, three kids in tow. We occupied the kids with my kid-pack  (crayons, stickers, paper, cards, etc, etc, etc.). Then, the English Elders showed up in our Spanish meeting with a phone, telling me that I needed to give Paz directions. Several times before Paz said that she would attend Church, but had yet to come. She arrived just three minutes later, with both of her kids. Carlos, the older of her two children, is the one who read the entire illustrated Book of Mormon in just one week (we left him only one chapter to read); he not only read it - he understands it. He knows more about the Book of Mormon than several adults in the Church. Jose was also able to go to Church yesterday; even with his knee injury, he made a great effort to be there at Church. 

To top things off, the Elders had an investigator attend all three hours of Church, and Hermano Calix (the member I met while waiting in the street for Rocio)  was there as well! He has been inactive for many years. His sweet wife comes to Church faithfully. I was so happy for her.

The man from the High Council that came to speak in Sacrament Meeting did a wonderful job. He frequents our branch and speaks Spanish. He is one of the sweetest men I've ever met. He shared a beautiful message from his genuine, tender heart. His message really touched Aline and Paz. I was very grateful for his words and how they effected these special friends of mine.

We left Church overcome with joy! These people have become my friends - my family. To see them come to Church, and to see them grow closer to their Heavenly Father, has been the highlight of my experiences here. They are wonderful people. I love being able to share with them. I think I am a bit closer to understanding the joy that comes solely because of the joy of someone else. The good in their lives - the changes and growth - are more important to me than my own!

Rocio texted us after Church to thank us for her new friend, informing us that she and Aline had become fast friends. It is as if they are sisters, she said. (It's true - once I saw them together, I laughed. They are adorable. Their kids get along really well, also). The idea to have Rocio come to an appointment with us had come to my mind as I prayed for both of them one night. I realized that they needed to meet. The Lord is so good! He was able to answer the prayers and needs of two of His daughters through one another.

We fasted on Sunday for a family who really needs their papers. They are really struggling. The father just informed us that his papers are two weeks away! We  are still praying that his wife will be able to get her papers soon, also.

After church the branch president pulled me aside and told me that I have done a wonderful job here, making a difference and having a great impact. Boy, seeing him so happy was a very happy moment for me. The hope in his faith is something that I will not forget.

I know that the Lord is using me to the fullest capacity in these last weeks of my mission. The stretch marks are already showing on my soul - I feel it daily. Yet, I know that He is working me into something greater than I could ever mold myself.

Love,
Leshelle

Woodstock Letter #15

Saturday, June 30, 2012

Leshelle in her bridesmaid outfit

to wear on her sister Monica's wedding day.

Leshelle, in Woodstock, matched her mom and sisters, in San Diego!



President Fenn, our new mission president, shared TONS of awesome things with us. He is a great leader and a great man.

"Love is an acquired virtue. You don't always have it. It must be earned", he said. He then added, "it comes through prayer (Moroni 7:48); you acquire love as you are righteous" We receive power from heaven when we are righteous. Perhaps we can specify that we receive the heavenly power to love when we are righteous, and when we ask for it. The greatest things we can do in this life are to learn to 1-love as the Savior loved; and, 2-think as the Savior thought. In other words: Charity and Virtue. Virtue is a laser-like focus on that which is of eternal significance. It is the determination to focus on things that do not distract from faith, but develop faith. It is to be constantly, unceasingly trying to put our lives in harmony with the Savior.

As I was studying this morning, I was not able to continue past a particular verse: 3 Nephi 20:26 after I read it,  I was prompted to keep studying and pondering it. Knowing it was the Spirit, I went with it. I followed footnotes and the mental footnote to Preach My Gospel, page 4: The power and authority of your calling. I've always had a little thing for the words "set apart". It is far more than having hands laid on your head. Spencer W. Kimball covers some of my feelings about it: "The setting apart may be taken literally, it is a setting apart from sin, apart from the carnal; apart from everything which is crude, low, vicious, cheap, or vulgar; set apart from the world to a higher plane of thought and activity. The blessing is conditional upon faithful performance" (PMG, pg.4). In my copy of Preach My Gospel, I've added a few things. One particular addition is that we are set apart from ourselves; we are set apart from the person we used to be; set apart from habits, thoughts, words, or actions of the past that distract us from our ultimate goal of living in complete harmony with the Savior's will. We are set apart from who we once were, thereby beginning the conversion into who the Lord sees in us.

Spanish is what caught me up in this process: in Spanish, 3 Nephi 20:26 says "apartado" (set apart), while it says "turning away" in English. So, I combined the two, substituting the Spanish version of "set apart" in the following two scriptures:

3 Nephi 20:26
the Father "sent me [Christ] to bless you in SETTING APART every one of you from his iniquities; and this because ye are the children of the covenant"

Proverbs 16:6
"By mercy and truth iniquity is purged, and by the fear of the Lord men are SET APART from evil"

As missionaries, we are not simply set apart so that we can wear a badge for two years or 18 months. We are set apart for life. For eternity. We are set apart from ourselves - our own evils and iniquities; set apart from anything which falls short of celestial glory. However, just as President Kimball said: "This blessing is conditional upon faithful performance". We need to do our part. As we follow the Gospel, and follow the Spirit's individualized promptings, we change our hearts -  thereby confirming the setting apart which we have received. Alma 19:33 reports such a group of people who took the action necessary in order to allow themselves to be set apart in the Lord's way: "their hearts had been changed; that they had no more desire to do evil".

That was my fun study this morning. I've added these thoughts into my Preach My Gospel. I was not set apart to merely be a missionary for 18 months. I was not merely set apart for each of my previous callings in the Church. Each time, I am set apart to be more like Christ. We are set apart each time we attend the Temple, and every single week as we partake of the sacred Sacrament. If we will but follow Him in order to confirm this, we WILL be set apart in every way that He has designed.

Have a great week!
Love, Leshelle

Woodstock Letter #14

Hermana Hoer with her new companion Hermana Rasmussen

Our new mission president arrived this past weekend.  I will meet him, his wife, and their 15 year old son this Thursday. They are traveling to each of the zones in the mission, and we have two hours with them. I'm excited.

Yesterday at Church....THREE INVESTIGATORS CAME!!!!!!  That has never happened during my mission. Never. We are seeing miracles!

Aline and her three kids came.
Tello came.
Jose came.

And...Sori (an inactive) came for the second time in two years! She's come twice in the last month and a half.

And...a couple - la pareja Parra - came. They're inactive members who live in Harvard.

And...Alicia was there. We visit her weekly. She was a missionary who has become inactive but still has a love for the Gospel. She just needs some help realizing that what she taught to others applies to her as well.

I was so happy. It was crazy, with two of us missionaries and three investigators (plus three kids). I had put together a big pack of "kid stuff" to take to Church. It was a lifesaver! The kids really enjoyed it, allowing Aline to listen to testimonies more. She was a little stressed when the kids made noise, but she seemed to like attending. I have never seen the Chapel that full in my two, going on, three transfers here! It was joyous!

We've been teaching Aline since the week I arrived here. We've been teaching her since I was transferred here. She has certainly made her way into my heart. I love her so much. She is a sweet mother. She is protective of her children. She's worked really hard to change her life for the better. She made specific decisions on how to change, and then followed through. I admire her SO much for who she is. I feel so blessed to be part of her finding the other half of real change: the Atonement of Jesus Christ. She's never been baptized. She agreed to be baptized over a month ago. We're waiting on a specific date because she wants her brother to be able to attend. He will be visiting sometime in August. It was a HUGE blessing for Aline to attend Sunday as it was a fast and testimony meeting, and we had a break the fast following Church. It was wonderful! She was warmly welcomed in by the members. Her kids enjoyed their classes. I was overjoyed.

Tello is the neighbor (more or less) of the English-speaking Woodstock Elders. They taught him a little on their porch one day (one Elder is from Ecuador, and speaks Spanish; Tello speaks a bit of English as well). We taught him one night, and he fed us. We have another appointment to eat and teach this evening. He is confused about so many religions. We taught a powerful lesson on the Book of Mormon, and our investigator (Brenda) came with us. She  testified of the Book of Mormon, and she was able to be a HUGE support to Tello; she had the EXACT same questions and concerns, and she's found answers in the Book of Mormon. Incredible! God is SO good! Amazing!  I invited Tello to Church and to the Break the Fast. He said he had lots to do. So, I encouraged him to come just for Sacrament Meeting and the Break the Fast. He said maybe. We called. The Elders stopped by and called him. HE CAME! He was a bit late to Sacrament Meeting, but he was there! Oh my goodness, my heart sang to see him and Aline's family there.

I want to share about our investigator named Brenda: Brenda lives with less active members of our branch. She's 17. She didn't believe in God. She always avoided talking to us about anything religious. Until one day. She  asked about what we do, which ignited a long conversation in which we shared about the restoration and the plan of salvation (generally, with not too much detail). We especially shared the Book of Mormon. When we left, she said that she had a new purpose: to discover God. She read the two chapters we left her, and found specific answers to her questions. Really specific - and we knew very little about her doubts and concerns when we gave her the reading assignment. We had nothing to do with the answers she received. It was the Spirit, and the power of the Book of Mormon. Since then, we have had INCREDIBLE lessons. She basically taught us principles of the plan of salvation. She talked about science being merely information that God lets us have, and truth being things that we knew before this life but we are just remembering. She doesn't know much about Jesus Christ. We left her scriptures about Him. After we left she texted us before we were even able to arrive at our apartment to explain what she'd read the scriptures we gave her and learned about Christ, His suffering, why He wants us to be good, and what it means for her. She is soaking up the Gospel like I have never seen another person do. She prays sincerely, honestly from her heart. I love to hear her pray. I have faith that, as she continues discovering Christ, God, and the Gospel in her life, she will continue to move in the right direction toward baptism.

Last night we taught Nick/Caspar - he is a friend of Brenda's. He is very involved in gang activity. He is also 17. We taught him the plan of salvation. Later, a phone call informed them that a high school classmate had just died in a car accident. He spent some time on the phone while we talked with Brenda. He came into the room later and stated "I want to pray. I want to pray for Jake". Pray, he did. A gang-banger prayed with us. That's a statement.

Have a great week. We're playing tennis today with the Elders. It's really humid. So gross. HumidHeat is making his comeback. What a punk.

Love,

Leshelle