And Nothing Shall Offend Them

Another week gone by ridiculously fast. I've been thinking about what I am going to write today, and I have honestly had a hard time coming up with something. I guess I'll just tell you what's been on my mind...

On Friday we tracted into a man, Domingo, who had been taking discussions with the missionaries and attending Church for a long time... almost 2 years I think. He finally made the decision to be baptized, but at church a week before his baptism someone made a comment to him that offended him and he decided not to be baptized, and has never returned to church. This situation was sooo sad to me for two reasons: 1) Because Domingo is missing out on A LOT of blessings from his Heavenly Father because he is not willing to forget what someone said to him that was more than likely just some kind of miscommunication. He will not accept that no one is perfect (including members of the Church), and is letting this unfortunate experience ruin his chance to receive the blessings of participating fully in the gospel, which IS perfect. AND 2) It has been really frustrating seeing members with negative attitudes, or that are so quick to judge situations or people without really understanding their circumstances.

A few other (frustrating) situations this week (I'll avoid being too negative by not going into detail) have made me think a lot about this and I want to offer advice to people on both sides of the offense.

To the offended (most of us at some point in our life): First of all, whatever caused you to feel the way you are feeling was probably said or done unintentionally, and is really a miscommunication. Second, the feelings you are having are ABSOLUTELY un-Christlike and by not offering forgiveness you are denying the power of the Atonement, which is a sin. And finally (most importantly), if you are not going to Church or participating fully in the gospel because someone/thing offended you, you have cut yourself off from the blessings of the sacrament, Priesthood, temples, etc. and are REALLY missing out on lots of blessings, and lots of joy. (See Elder Bednar's October 2006 General Conference talk, "And Nothing Shall Offend Them", Ensign, Nov. 2006, p. 89-92)

To those who offend (i.e., everyone, at one point or another, whether you realize it or not!): You have the same responsibility to seek forgiveness and to be at peace with all of God's children. Sometimes this requires lots of humility, but is absolutely necessary, and absolutely worth it in the end. If you are a member of the Church you have covenanted to comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and mourn with those that mourn.... that's everyone, including those you may have offended. It is not your place to judge, and you probably are missing the big picture, so look for the good in everyone, and go out of your way to recognize it in them - in private, and in public. People are people, and we are ALL God's children.

Hopefully someday Domingo will come around and realize that the blessings of the gospel completely outweigh the feelings of pride and grudge that he is dealing with. I pray that any of you who may be suffering from the same issue will make it a matter of prayer and take your feelings to Heavenly Father and ask Him to help you overcome the situation.

I know it will not be easy, but I bear my testimony that no matter how imperfect we are as humans, the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is 100% perfect, and Heavenly Father is always there waiting for his children to participate and receive the blessings He has to offer us.

This post is a little more bold, and less general that what I usually have to say, so I apologize if it doesn't apply to everyone, but I really felt like someone needed to hear something I have been thinking about. Even if that's not true, there is always something we can change in ourselves to become more like our Savior and Exemplar, Jesus Christ. These same things I have been challenging you for the past 5-ish months I have been working on myself, and I have seen how the changes I have made have blessed my life. Thank you all for your love and support!

God Bless,

Hermana Richelle Ouellette

Ride in the Light

We have seen lots of success this week... I finally feel like the Lord is blessing us for all our hard work! First of all, we have several new investigators that seem pretty solid - Giovanni, Cesar, and Jose. We have actually been teaching Jose for about 3 weeks now, and he has been reading the Book of Mormon in every spare minute he has had... He's in mid-Alma right now! Crazy! Now we just have to get him to come to church. He is afraid of making commitments he can't keep - including coming to church if he has to work, or being baptized if he can't keep all of the commandments. We're trying to help him understand that no one is perfect - that is what the Atonement is for. Church is like a hospital, and we all come in "sick" from our faults and errors needing to be "healed" by the gospel.

Several of the investigators we've had for a while have also been moving forward. We have been teaching two children, Edith and Alonso (11 and 9) for about a month - their mom is a member, dad is not. They are so excited to get baptized, but their dad, Jose, does not think they are quite ready. Yesterday we had the kids teach their parents the plan of salvation, and it was awesome! They used our visual aids, and explained to their father why it is so important to be baptized. It was so adorable (and inspiring) to see their pure desires to follow the example of their Savior Jesus Christ, become clean, and live with their Heavenly Father again. We have a tentative baptism date for them, and Jose has said that if they keep reading in the Book of Mormon and going to church, maybe they will be ready.

A few of our other progressing investigators are starting to understand the importance of sacrifice to receive the blessings. Yes, it can be hard to come to church every Sunday, or read the scriptures, etc, but it is always worth it. Hermana Wilkins and I were talking about that this week, and compared it to an experience we had:

We have been riding our bikes a lot more recently, and my bike is the only one that has a light on it. So when we ride at night (rarely, don't worry mom) she has to follow me closely to be able to see. I like to ride a lot faster than she does, so she has to pedal harder and faster than may be comfortable to stay within the light. However, to stay safe and to be able to see she has to put forth the effort. The same is true for our lives... the light of truth.. Christ... will always keep us safe from the perils of the dark that surrounds us, but as we give all our energy to follow and stay within the light, we will be protected. The light, or the gospel, will keep moving forward - make sure you are focused on the things that are important, and remember that even though it isn't alway easy, it is ALWAYS worth it.

Love you all,

Hermana Richelle Ouellette

Forever Families

Big news... Hermana Wilkins and I are staying together! I was 100% sure that one of us would be leaving, but we found out Monday night that we're together for at least another 6 weeks, so we're pretty excited! Since we had been planning on being spit up we made sure to have extra fun this week and worked hard at creating some memories... this week was filled with Easter themed activities, including a Friday night "Easter Campout" with carne asada, and smores and an Easter egg hunt on Monday. Anyway, we definitely have more memories to make and more importantly much more to accomplish in the work, and we're excited to have the opportunity to do this together.

We're focusing a lot of our energy on two families that we have - the Hernandez family (wife is a member, husband not, 2 unbaptized children) and the Garcia family (Consuelo, Oswaldo and their 2 kids... I've talked about them before). I (we) have so much love for these families, and want them to be able to enjoy the fullness of the blessings that Heavenly Father has for them.

This gospel is designed to bless families - the family unit is central to God's plan of happiness. This was made even more clear to me this past weekend during General Conference. First of all - how awesome was conference!?!? (gc.lds.org for those of you who didn't get the chance to listen to any or all of the sessions.) I love love love hearing the words of our prophet, apostles, and other leaders. I know that they are inspired men that have been called of God to help us understand the Lord's will for each of us at this exact moment in time - April 2010. The recurring theme of families, and teaching our children was clear to me, and I know it was no coincidence.

Early in the first session, Sister Julie B. Beck said that there has NEVER been a greater need for strong families and homes, and it is so true! Strong families produce strong leaders (both civil and in the church), and more than anything strong families produce strong nations, and a solid future. I have seen how the lack of a strong foundation in Jesus Christ weakens a family, and weakens opportunities for children as they grow. Just the other day we talked to this girl that had a pretty rough appearance - scantily dressed, facial piercings, smoke stained teeth, and on the way to her boyfriends house to go out (presumably to a bar) to sing karaoke. Maybe not too un-normal (according to the world's standards) until we found out she was 12. I really had a hard time believing this, and even more so when I thought about my own little sister Merideth who is the same age. My heart aches for this poor girl that has no idea who she is or what her purpose is on this life. I couldn't help but wonder where her parents are, or what they are (or are not) teaching her. I know that the counsel we have received from our leaders to teach our children about faith, the plan of salvation, and how to recognize the promptings of the Spirit are things that Heavenly Father wants His children to know, and I just pray that more parents will listen and follow this crucial advice.

It honestly surprised me that as a missionary so many of my thoughts during conference were on families, the family that I will someday have, and the responsibility I have as a woman to be a mother and raise righteous children. What an incredible duty this is, and right now I am preparing for this calling by teaching other children these same principles - all of God's children in Tempe, AZ.

I am grateful for my parents for teaching me true principles in my youth, and I hope to someday have the opportunity to build on this and help the future generation be even stronger. I urge all of you to accept this sacred responsibility as parents, relatives, teachers, friends, and mentors to teach youth that they are children of God, and they have incredible physical and spiritual potential. I add my testimony to the witness of the apostles of the importance of raising our children in righteousness - we have a duty to nurture and love them, help them understand who they are, and give them a chance to succeed in the future. Use the scriptures, the words from conference this weekend, and whatever resources you have to teach all of God's children true principles that will offer them happiness in this life, and eternal bliss as a "forever family".

Much love,

Hermana Richelle Ouellette