MTC - Week 2

Still going strong here at the MTC... despite the severe lack of sleep. One of our roommates, Hermana Erickson left for New Jersey today, so we were up late helping her pack and then had to get up early this morning to send her off. It's hard to say goodbye to people here because we become such great friends so quickly... but we're all excited for her to get to the field, and I now I'm really looking forward to my own departure date.

So apparently I was talking and singing in my sleep this week... IN SPANISH. Boo-ya. I don't remember dreaming in Spanish, but from what I've heard from language teachers and people who have learned a second language, this is a pretty good sign. It's definitely taking a lot of effort on my part though... I learned 56 new Spanish verbs on Sunday. At this rate, I'll probably speak better Spanish than English when I get home.

Hermana Taylor and I had a great experience in the TEC (Teaching Evaluation Center) this week. We can make appointments there during our free time to practice our teaching skills with MTC teachers posing as Church Investigators. We went with the goal of adapting to teach to the needs of our investigator so we can help the people we are teaching understand how the Restored Gospel will benefit their lives. We prayed to be led by the Spirit and the lesson was such a success! Our "investigator" was from Moldova, and didn't really understand God, or see a need for prayer. We were able to share examples, scriptures, and testimony to help her understand that God is her Loving Heavenly Father and he hears and answers our prayers. We saw the feedback from that and another TEC appointment, and basically the teachers said that Hermana Taylor and I will single-handedly destroy the forces of evil.

I really do have a testimony that God hears our prayers, and DOES answer them, even if it's not always the answer we are looking for. I have received distinct answers to my personal prayers that I know have changed my life for the better.

I have been thinking a lot this week about Mosiah 2:41. Basically it says that the Lord will bless us spiritually AND temporally for our obedience. I can see the blessings in my own life that have come from my obedience to the commandments of God. I know that when we are choosing the right and standing in holy places, things will ALWAYS work out. I believe that happiness is just another commandment, and we can keep it (and therefore be happy) by following the other commandments.

Hope all is well in your families and homes.

Much love,

Hermana Richelle Ouellette

MTC - Week 1

Week one, almost done! I LOVE it here at the MTC (Missionary Training Center)! The days are ridiculously long and the food is not great, but I love the work that I'm doing. I have so many amazing opportunities to teach and bear my testimony, and my own testimony of Jesus Christ continues to grow every time I share it.

I got placed in an intermediate spanish class and the 4 other people in my class make up my district. There is a triple of elders, and my companion, Hermana Taylor (more on her later). Everyone in my district has red hair, so they all look like a family. I obviously don't have red hair, so I'm the odd one out... Although my freckles help me fit in a little bit. We've been joking about how I'm the "sister from another mister", or "hermana de otro papa".

Hermana Taylor (my companion) is great. I was worried about adjusting to spending 24/7 with someone, but since I have to do it, I'm glad it's with her. She's from Southern California and she's heading to the SLC mission. SLC mission doesn't sound that fun until you realize that she has several temples and every single apostle living within her misison. Awesome. One of our teachers, Hermano Haight, served in the same mission and he has a picture of him and his companion at a dinner appointment with Pres. Hinckley. No big deal.

I'm learning Spanish pretty quickly... they have us start praying in Spanish on day 2, and basically the total immersion helps a lot. I'm surprised at how fast the language is coming back to me. I keep thinking or saying phrases in Spanish rather than English without even really thinking about it. Can't wait to be completely fluent.

The Spirit is so strong here. The situations aren't unlike others that the Spirit would be present, but the feelings are completely intensified, perhaps because of the setting... Thousands of people my age, working towards the same purpose of helping people come to Christ. On Sunday we had the opportunity to listen to Sister Oaks, AND Sister Sheri Dew, who are both such great speakers. What a wonderful place this is!

Through learning how to teach the lessons of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, I've already feel like I've come so much closer to my Savior, and I've only been here a week! I can't imagine what I'll be feeling at the end of 9 weeks... or 18 months for that matter. I'm so grateful for the opportunity I have to be here, and to be a full time missionary for the Church. Thank you so much to everyone who played a part in getting me here. You all have helped me grow so much, and I love you.

Keep the letters coming! My favorite way of getting mail is through DearElder.com (while I'm in the MTC). It's as easy as emailing for you, but I don't have to wait until Tuesdays (my preparation day) to get the message! Snail mail letters (and packages!) are also greatly appreciated! I'll do my best to get back to all of you, but I'm working with a really limited amount of time. If you don't hear from me for a while, it's not because I don't love you! Hope you all are doing great in the "real world".

Much love,

Hermana Richelle Ouellette

Family Photos-Day Before Leaving

These are the family pictures from the day before Richelle left from Rochester. We visited the Peter Whitmer Farm, where the LDS church was organized on April 6, 1830. We also visited the Hill Cumorah Visitor's Center, where the statue of the Christ is. Other pictures are taken at the Joseph Smith Homestead in Palmyra, New York. The pink back hoe was on the way to the Whitmer Farm...Richelle and Kendelyn couldn't resist the photo op.

The last picture was taken here in Connecticut near the time of Eric high school graduation...the kids hate it when I say I want a family photo! Anyway, thought you might enjoy the photos of the whole family.

Pat-TM

Richelle's Home in CT

Thought I'd give some background to Richelle's roots. This is a picture of her current home in Connecticut. It's a farmhouse, built in 1784 (BEFORE George Washington was President of the US!!). This was taken last winter--it hasn't snowed yet this year (thankfully!)....But as you can see, a mission call to Arizona and her arrival there in January 2010 might be looking pretty good! I know summers are hot, but at least she won't have to shovel snow for a couple of years. Seems to me she might have an adjustment coming home!

I expect to hear from her next week. We've already mailed a package and a letter, so her spirits should be UP. Thanks again to all of you who have supported Richelle in this endeavor. She sure has made lots of friends in her journey through life.

Love to all, Pat-TM (The Mom) :)

Day 2 - MTC Arrival (11/11/2009)

Well, as blog-challenged as I am, I have made it here to make my first official post to Richelle's Mission Musings! Yeah....it's 4:56 a.m., and I have seminary in a few minutes, but I thought I would quickly post Richelle's address so she can begin receiving mail....missionary life line! Thanks to all who have supported Hermana Ouellette in her endeavors. She's going to make a fantastic missionary as she learns to humbly serve the Lord.

Her MTC address is as follows:

Her full name
MTC Mailbox #153
AZ-TEM 0112
2005 N 900E
Provo, UT 84604-1793

I'm now going to attempt to upload a photo sent by Erin, the dear friend who last saw Richelle alive and well. :) OK, I know she is STILL alive and well, but do wish I could have been the one taking the pics at the MTC sign.

I talked to Richelle yesterday as she was heading to the Provo Temple to do a session with our friend who housed her in Provo. She's excited about her calling and is looking forward to "getting on with it." She's hoping lots of people will take the time to write.

Love you all!

Missionary Picture (11/9/2009)

... and I wasn't even a missionary yet. I went to the Church History sites in Palmyra and Waterloo, NY today. (If you haven't had the opportunity to visit.. GO!) While I was there all the new missionaries in the area arrived for a tour of the Visitors Center at Hill Cumorah. Elder Hamblin decided I should be in the group picture, since I'd be one of them in less than 24 hours! I think you can tell from this picture just how excited I am to get out there and do the work!

Woman on a Mission (11/9/2009)

So I've taken the plunge... sold everything I own worth anything. Given up music, movies, and men (and more)... Why, you ask? Because the gospel of Jesus Christ has brought me such intense joy, and I want to share it with everyone I know! As of Wednesday, November 11, 2009, I'll be serving a full time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Tempe Arizona (Spanish Speaking). I'll spend the next two months at the Missionary Training Center in Provo, UT, and I head to AZ on January 12, 2010. My mom will be updating this blog regularly with my emails, as a way to keep in touch with everyone. Please feel free to write to me as often as you like, I'll do my best to respond! I'm so excited for this opportunity, and I look forward to hearing from all of you! For those of you unfamiliar with the concept of Mormon Missions, here's a little video that explains exactly what I'll be doing for the next 18 months :) Much love, Hermana Ouellette.