Where to start? I haven't written in two weeks, and SO much has happened in that amount of time! I guess I'll give you a quick run down of the highlights.
Transfers
Lame. I was really upset, and I don't feel like my work was finished in Show Low... 6 weeks is not long enough to be in an area! I LOVE the people there and am really going to miss, them, but there is a possibility I could end up back there before my mission is over. I am now in Gilbert - back in the valley, and I must admit this is the perfect time of year to return... went from 32 degree weather to 80s in less than 3 hours. My new companion is Hermana Johnson, and the best part is this is the area Hermana Wilkins just left so I get to follow in her footsteps. As I said, I wasn't thrilled with the change, but I'm excited to make the most of it!
Halloween Extravaganzas!
This week was FULL of Halloween adventures. It started on Wednesday with our zone Halloween party that I organized (right up my alley!) - most of the missionaries dressed up and we had some "gross" finger foods and played volleyball.
The people of Show Low voted for Saturday night to be the official night for trick-or-treating... we were going to go "tract-or-treating" but our mission president put us on lockdown for Saturday and Sunday night. Those of us who didn't have appointments went to the church for our lockdown party. We had an appointment Saturday night so we missed out on the Elders' capture the flag game, but Sunday we went to the stake center with our district and ended up forming a quartet singing group. We sang hymns for an our (cheesy, I know!) but we sounded awesome!
To wrap up our celebrations we had our branch Halloween/Dia de los muertos family home evening at the church on Monday night. Unfortunately it turned into more of party than an FHE, but we had fun! And we had investigators there who very much enjoyed themselves. Hermana Jones and I also dressed up for this one... well, as much as we could with missionary attire... I wore a metallic silver shirt and a purple wig, and she pretty much had all red on with a tall red Cat in the Hat style hat. I want to show you all pictures but this computer I'm at won't let me load my camera :/
Pranks
The Elders put a TARANTULA in our apartment! A living, breathing, out in the open tarantula! Ridiculous! We did not know how to retaliate without getting sent home, so things have mostly died down, although we formed an alliance with a member in one of their wards should something need to happen in the future. Unfortunately I won't be there, but I'm sure I'll still hear about it.
Missionary work
Oh yeah, that one thing I'm out here to do! I LOVE it, and even though it hasn't been my focus on the things I've shared with you I promise it is my focus EVERY single day. I love the people we work with, and we've had several awesome lessons recently - one with a man named Oliverio and another with Lourdes. I love being able to answer people's real questions and help them come closer to Christ. The spirit in these lessons is incredible.
Obviously being in a new area will mean a new teaching pool, but I'm excited to find those people that have been prepared for me and are ready to receive the gospel at this time.
This transfer has been amazing, and even though there have been PLENTY of hard times and struggles, I have learned SO much. As I look back over the past years its so interesting to see how much more I have learned in the times that are more trying... that's when I can see the biggest personal growth.
Hermana Jones and I gave talks in our branch on Sunday, and that's basically what mine was about. I think if I were to put a title on it it would be "Don't Give Up". I talked about how our reaction to our trials basically determines our destiny. The question isn't when we will receive trials, but how we will react to them when they come. I gave three examples of people's whose decisions have impacted our lives - Nephi, Joseph Smith, and most importantly the Savior. If these men had decided to give up we would not have the Book of Mormon, the restored gospel and the blessings it brings, including temples. And, most importantly if the Savior had given up after all his persecution, or even after Gethsemane we would not be able to enjoy the infinite effects of the atonement. It is that same atonement that empowers us to continue forward when times get tough.
I know that the Lord will bless us in our righteous desires, and that sometimes we have to go through the refiners fire. But, as Elder Hallstrom said "Never let and earthly circumstance disable you spiritually." I think this simple piece of advice is critical, especially when we put our lives and our trials in the eternal perspective. Don't give up!
Love & Hugs,
Hermana Richelle Ouellette
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Halloween Pictures (10/27)
These are photos that Richelle sent home the week after Halloween....the top one is a Ward Halloween Party in Show Low, AZ.
Middle one is Richelle's pumpkin creation.
Bottom one, I believe, is the tarantula that the Elders put in their apartment as revenge for the pink bike attack (see previous blog November 4)
Thanks to ALL for your love and support of our missionary
Mom Ouellette
Sunday, November 28, 2010
BIG Changes (11/24)
This week has been interesting, to say the least. It all started with a voicemail from Sister Stringham, another sister in our zone, last Wednesday night that basically just said "Hello Companions!" We called her back and found out that she wasn't kidding... she is our new companion in the power trio. (We have also been dubbed "Tres Amigas" and "Charlie's Angel's" among other things.) There was a sister in another area that got sick and had to go home, so some rearranging was done and they combined our area with Sister Stringham's. With that we had a "corporate acquisition" (that's what our District Leader called it) of 5 new wards! This week has been exciting, stressful, hilarious, frustrating, and so much more as we try to figure out how to make things work.
Saturday night we had a baptism in the Spanish branch for Angel, probably the biggest, non-Mexican-looking-Mexican you have ever seen (not obese or anything - just football player big - see picture :). It was kind of an ordeal getting a baptismal suit for him, since the largest one we had in the building was too small! Panic Mode!
Fortunately, we have another companion (who was on exchanges with a member at the time). We called her and she picked up a much larger suit at one of her stake buildings. It worked, the baptism went well, and afterwards we took the extra suit home to wash it so we could return it to the other building. I threw it in the washing machine right as we walked in the door, and we started our nightly planning session. After we were done I took it out of the washing machine and we all kind of freaked out when we realized that it was now BLUE! We thought it might have been the detergent at first, but checked the washing machine and found the culprit: a blue sheet that has been left in there to spoil the load.
We did the only thing we could think of and re-started the washing machine, this time with some bleach in the water. We were relieved that our plan worked, because I don't think the person in charge of the baptisms would have been very pleased with us returning a 5X blue baptism jumpsuit.
It was a miracle of forgiveness! Just like when we made a mistake we were able to correct it with bleach, our spiritual mistakes can be corrected by something far more powerful than any chemical. Sometimes we are involved in things that leave stains in our lives, or even completely change our colors. As we apply the atonement in our life we can be made pure and clean no matter what... there is NO stain that Christ's atonement can not wash away. I paraphrase the words of Isaiah... "though your sins be as turquoise, they shall be as white as snow" (Isaiah 1:18).
True repentance is a complete change, and sometimes those set-in stains take a lot of work and will power, but it is possible as we rely on the Savior. As we focus on His life and Atonement (especially this holiday season) I know that our true colors will shine through as we rid ourselves of our stains and sins in our past. The future is bright... especially when we look into the eternities!
Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend with family and friends. Our goal for tomorrow is to eat as LITTLE as possible with the 5 or so dinners we'll be making an appearance at. I'll be thinking of you!
Love,
Hermana Richelle Ouellette
Saturday night we had a baptism in the Spanish branch for Angel, probably the biggest, non-Mexican-looking-Mexican you have ever seen (not obese or anything - just football player big - see picture :). It was kind of an ordeal getting a baptismal suit for him, since the largest one we had in the building was too small! Panic Mode!
Fortunately, we have another companion (who was on exchanges with a member at the time). We called her and she picked up a much larger suit at one of her stake buildings. It worked, the baptism went well, and afterwards we took the extra suit home to wash it so we could return it to the other building. I threw it in the washing machine right as we walked in the door, and we started our nightly planning session. After we were done I took it out of the washing machine and we all kind of freaked out when we realized that it was now BLUE! We thought it might have been the detergent at first, but checked the washing machine and found the culprit: a blue sheet that has been left in there to spoil the load.
We did the only thing we could think of and re-started the washing machine, this time with some bleach in the water. We were relieved that our plan worked, because I don't think the person in charge of the baptisms would have been very pleased with us returning a 5X blue baptism jumpsuit.
It was a miracle of forgiveness! Just like when we made a mistake we were able to correct it with bleach, our spiritual mistakes can be corrected by something far more powerful than any chemical. Sometimes we are involved in things that leave stains in our lives, or even completely change our colors. As we apply the atonement in our life we can be made pure and clean no matter what... there is NO stain that Christ's atonement can not wash away. I paraphrase the words of Isaiah... "though your sins be as turquoise, they shall be as white as snow" (Isaiah 1:18).
True repentance is a complete change, and sometimes those set-in stains take a lot of work and will power, but it is possible as we rely on the Savior. As we focus on His life and Atonement (especially this holiday season) I know that our true colors will shine through as we rid ourselves of our stains and sins in our past. The future is bright... especially when we look into the eternities!
Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend with family and friends. Our goal for tomorrow is to eat as LITTLE as possible with the 5 or so dinners we'll be making an appearance at. I'll be thinking of you!
Love,
Hermana Richelle Ouellette
Halloween Fun (10/27)
Richelle didn't write a blog this week because of transfers (moving)....but she did send pictures she wanted me to upload....so here they are.
ENJOY!
Love
Pat Ouellette
Computer is being STUPID! I'll try again in a few minutes.
ENJOY!
Love
Pat Ouellette
Computer is being STUPID! I'll try again in a few minutes.
Faith + Diligence = Joy (11/17)
As of this week I have officially been out a year! Weird! Thursday was my year mark, and it was actually one of the hardest days of my mission. I hardly ever complain, especially on the blog, but this week I feel like it's important for you to see the "real me", and it will also help me explain another powerful experience I had later in the week.
Last week was really a struggle for me. I've been feeling like I haven't been having as much "joy" in the work, or as much fun as I did in the first part of my mission. I haven't given up at all, but recently I've felt like I've just been going through the motions of tracting, contacting people, studying, teaching, etc. It's really taken a toll on me emotionally and was starting to wear me down. Thursday we had zone conference and our trainings were perfect for me! Although... it led to a bit of a "breakdown" later in the evening when my thoughts and feelings overwhelmed what my brain and spirit could handle. I was able to talk about some of the problems with my companion (besides Heavenly Father I don't really have anyone else to talk to about these things!), and that helped me a lot.
What helped me more was one of the most tender experiences of my life... The next morning in personal study after I finished reading the Book of Mormon I decided to pick up my reading in Doctrine & Covenants instead of continuing my usual path to the New Testament or another topic. I was on D&C 6, and what I learned is that that chapter was written for me. I have had experiences in the past when I've read in the scriptures something that I needed to read, but I have never felt so strongly that my Heavenly Father was speaking directly to me. As I read the section I literally felt that I could hear His voice telling me the words that he wanted me, his daughter, to hear. Verse 16 says :"Yea, I tell thee, that thou mayest know that there is none else save God that knowest thy thoughts and the intents of thy heart." Then to prove it the verses that followed spoke directly to the thoughts and intents of my heart - there were several verses that answered exactly my doubts and concerns.
The verse that stuck out to me at the end of the section was the promise of obtaining joy in missionary work, something that (as I mentioned) I have specifically been struggling with. The promise was an exact answer to the question that has been in my heart. I was reminded of my knowledge that there is joy in this work, and that it only comes after we have labored with great diligence. I was also reminded of a verse in Alma: "this is the account of Ammon and his brethren, their journeyings in the land of Nephi, their sufferings in the land, their sorrows, and their afflictions, and their incomprehensible joy, and the reception and safety of the brethren in the land of Jershon." Yes, there are many sufferings, sorrows, and afflictions in this work, but the joy it brings is literally incomprehensible. I too rejoice in "the reception and safety of my brethren" to the kingdom of our Heavenly Father.
This section and the fact that I read it the day that I most needed it was a tender mercy of the Lord. I know that as I labor diligently and faithfully I truly do experience that level of joy. Especially as I testify of my Savior, and see how that changes attitudes and lives I am filled with the love of God and a joy that I can not describe with words. I testify that our loving Heavenly Father knows and loves all of His children, and His Son Jesus Christ "suffered for all" to help us on an individual level. As we keep our part of the promise, He will bless us with His. His promise includes joy in this life, and an even greater eternal joy in the life to come.
Love always,
Hermana Richelle Ouellette
Last week was really a struggle for me. I've been feeling like I haven't been having as much "joy" in the work, or as much fun as I did in the first part of my mission. I haven't given up at all, but recently I've felt like I've just been going through the motions of tracting, contacting people, studying, teaching, etc. It's really taken a toll on me emotionally and was starting to wear me down. Thursday we had zone conference and our trainings were perfect for me! Although... it led to a bit of a "breakdown" later in the evening when my thoughts and feelings overwhelmed what my brain and spirit could handle. I was able to talk about some of the problems with my companion (besides Heavenly Father I don't really have anyone else to talk to about these things!), and that helped me a lot.
What helped me more was one of the most tender experiences of my life... The next morning in personal study after I finished reading the Book of Mormon I decided to pick up my reading in Doctrine & Covenants instead of continuing my usual path to the New Testament or another topic. I was on D&C 6, and what I learned is that that chapter was written for me. I have had experiences in the past when I've read in the scriptures something that I needed to read, but I have never felt so strongly that my Heavenly Father was speaking directly to me. As I read the section I literally felt that I could hear His voice telling me the words that he wanted me, his daughter, to hear. Verse 16 says :"Yea, I tell thee, that thou mayest know that there is none else save God that knowest thy thoughts and the intents of thy heart." Then to prove it the verses that followed spoke directly to the thoughts and intents of my heart - there were several verses that answered exactly my doubts and concerns.
The verse that stuck out to me at the end of the section was the promise of obtaining joy in missionary work, something that (as I mentioned) I have specifically been struggling with. The promise was an exact answer to the question that has been in my heart. I was reminded of my knowledge that there is joy in this work, and that it only comes after we have labored with great diligence. I was also reminded of a verse in Alma: "this is the account of Ammon and his brethren, their journeyings in the land of Nephi, their sufferings in the land, their sorrows, and their afflictions, and their incomprehensible joy, and the reception and safety of the brethren in the land of Jershon." Yes, there are many sufferings, sorrows, and afflictions in this work, but the joy it brings is literally incomprehensible. I too rejoice in "the reception and safety of my brethren" to the kingdom of our Heavenly Father.
This section and the fact that I read it the day that I most needed it was a tender mercy of the Lord. I know that as I labor diligently and faithfully I truly do experience that level of joy. Especially as I testify of my Savior, and see how that changes attitudes and lives I am filled with the love of God and a joy that I can not describe with words. I testify that our loving Heavenly Father knows and loves all of His children, and His Son Jesus Christ "suffered for all" to help us on an individual level. As we keep our part of the promise, He will bless us with His. His promise includes joy in this life, and an even greater eternal joy in the life to come.
Love always,
Hermana Richelle Ouellette
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Friends FOREVER! (11/10)
All of a sudden its summer again! I LOVE it! The warm weather makes it so much easier to work hard, plus there are lots more people outside to talk to.
This weekend we did a really fun activity called "Prepare The Way" with the youth of our branch. We had come up with four survey questions and had our mission leader type them up for us. On Saturday we all gathered together at an apartment complex, paired off in twos, and went door to door asking the survey questions. If the people answered yes to any of our questions the youth got their information for us. I paired up with a laurel named Daniella and we had fun knocking our assigned buildings.
It was a great experience for the youth to be involved in missionary work and see a little bit of what our life is like. Each one of them had some negative experiences (rude people, etc.) but they all also had at least one positive experience. Daniella and I talked to a guy named Nick that doesn't really have a belief in God, but has always wanted to learn more about our beliefs, and has always been curious to attend one of our church services. So we invited him!
It was so cute to watch them after we all gathered back together because they were so excited to share with each other some of the things that had happened. On Sunday, several of them also shared their testimonies in sacrament meeting and it was so sweet to see the joy of missionary work that they had experienced.
On Sunday we went to the Mesa Visitor's Center with one of our investigators to watch a movie about Joseph Smith. It was great, but the absolute best part for me was seeing one of my very best friends, Sister Chelsea Everette who is serving in that mission. It is such an amazing feeling to see someone you love and know that they are doing so well in life and in their testimony. I felt just like Alma when he reunites with the Sons of Mosiah (Alma 17:2) knowing that she has "waxed strong in [her] understanding of the truth."
The gospel is amazing. It blesses lives, and I know that when we all meet again after this life we will be filled with an incomprehensible joy as we experience eternal life with our Heavenly Father. The relationships we have cultivated with our friends and family on earth will be continued after this life... I can not imagine any blessing more incredible. Heavenly Father loves us and wants us to be happy, that is why he has taught us the plan of salvation. We have the "map to happiness" in our hands, and we have to use it! Take a moment to reflect on your life and make sure you are on course for those eternal goals!
I love you!
Hermana Richelle Ouellette
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Pray Always (10/20)
The weeks keep going by faster and faster! This week has been a blur, and I don't really know what to even write about.
We got the Elders back! Their bikes looked fantastic, and I don't have my camera with me to upload a picture for proof, but know we were satisfied with the results. We wrapped pink ribbon all the way around the frames, covered their seats in pink fabric, stuck heart & flower stickers on their helmets, and placed a "Princess" tag on the front. Of course, when we got home that night all of that stuff was on our door instead of their bikes! :) Things in the prank department have ceased for the time being...
Last week when I was on exchanges in Eagar the sisters in Pinetop lost our cell phone, and we were almost an entire week without one. I don't know how missionary work was done without cell phones! Well, we managed, but it definitely made some things a little more challenging... and interesting.
As I thought about the frustration of not being able to communicate by phone (we don't have a landline either) with our members and investigators, I thought about the frustrations that come with not communicating with our Heavenly Father through prayer. Unlike the phone He will never be lost, although sometimes WE misplace Him in our lives. Then comes the frustration... we try to do things on our own, but are so inefficient and ineffective by ourselves. We are so blessed to have prayer as a tool in our lives (I'm realizing cell phones are a big blessing too!) so we need to USE IT!
Yesterday we ran into a 13 year old girl, MaryJane, that was sitting on a cooler in a trailer park crying. I sat down next to her and talked to her, and although she didn't want to tell us any of her problems it was clear that things were not going well for her. I talked to her about the fact that she is a daughter of a Father in Heaven that loves her, and Jesus Christ suffered for us so that he knows how to help us. I then taught her how to pray and she offered a simple, but sweet prayer. After our conversation and her prayer she was much more calm, and promised that she would continue to pray to Heavenly Father.
Prayer is something that MaryJane has never really been taught, but she was grateful to learn and I know as she continues to pray she will grow in her understanding of her Heavenly Father's love for her, and that He is there for her. I know He listens AND answers prayers. Prayer is a power tool, and we waste a lot of time not using it! Pray always. (Alma 37:37)
Have a great (prayerful) week!
Love,
Hermana Richelle Ouellette
We got the Elders back! Their bikes looked fantastic, and I don't have my camera with me to upload a picture for proof, but know we were satisfied with the results. We wrapped pink ribbon all the way around the frames, covered their seats in pink fabric, stuck heart & flower stickers on their helmets, and placed a "Princess" tag on the front. Of course, when we got home that night all of that stuff was on our door instead of their bikes! :) Things in the prank department have ceased for the time being...
Last week when I was on exchanges in Eagar the sisters in Pinetop lost our cell phone, and we were almost an entire week without one. I don't know how missionary work was done without cell phones! Well, we managed, but it definitely made some things a little more challenging... and interesting.
As I thought about the frustration of not being able to communicate by phone (we don't have a landline either) with our members and investigators, I thought about the frustrations that come with not communicating with our Heavenly Father through prayer. Unlike the phone He will never be lost, although sometimes WE misplace Him in our lives. Then comes the frustration... we try to do things on our own, but are so inefficient and ineffective by ourselves. We are so blessed to have prayer as a tool in our lives (I'm realizing cell phones are a big blessing too!) so we need to USE IT!
Yesterday we ran into a 13 year old girl, MaryJane, that was sitting on a cooler in a trailer park crying. I sat down next to her and talked to her, and although she didn't want to tell us any of her problems it was clear that things were not going well for her. I talked to her about the fact that she is a daughter of a Father in Heaven that loves her, and Jesus Christ suffered for us so that he knows how to help us. I then taught her how to pray and she offered a simple, but sweet prayer. After our conversation and her prayer she was much more calm, and promised that she would continue to pray to Heavenly Father.
Prayer is something that MaryJane has never really been taught, but she was grateful to learn and I know as she continues to pray she will grow in her understanding of her Heavenly Father's love for her, and that He is there for her. I know He listens AND answers prayers. Prayer is a power tool, and we waste a lot of time not using it! Pray always. (Alma 37:37)
Have a great (prayerful) week!
Love,
Hermana Richelle Ouellette
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