Closure in Queen Creek (5/23)

This has been an incredible week. It never ceases to amaze me how the Lord continues to bless us with miracles each and every day.

On Thursday we went on exchanges, which means that I was able to go with Hermana Adams again who is now in Queen Creek (my first area). Returning to my old area brought a wide array of emotions... I'm not ever sure how to express everything that I felt. First of all, I can not believe how it felt like it was not that long ago that we walked up the stairs to our apartment in the Johnson's home every day (the distinct smell brought me right back!), even though it has been a year. At the same time, I think about all that has happened since then and it feels like eons ago that I called that place home.

Thursday night we had dinner with a part-member family that we had started teaching over a year ago. Although Rigo has not been baptized, it was AMAZING to see the progress that he and his wife Sandra (who was just coming back to church) have made. That night we slept outside on the balcony - to remember the good times with Hermana Wilkins, and to create new memories with Hermana Adams :).

Friday was one of the longest days of my life. I was exhausted by the time it was over, but it was because we worked SO hard. We had set some goals, and were going to do everything possible to accomplish them. We totally pushed ourselves and the results of the day made it completely worth it. I don't have time or space to write everything that happened (my 7 page journal entry for this day took me an hour and a half to write!) but I will give you the highlights.

Thursday evening as we were planning, I looked at one of the teaching records I had pulled of people that I wanted to see, a lady named Monica. I told Hermana Adams the miracle of how we had found her (short version: inspired street contact) but was disappointed to see that someone had written on the record that they had moved to Phoenix. While we were studying as a companionship this morning we got a call from a woman named Monica. Since this is not my area anymore I had assumed it was one of their investigators, or someone the sisters in this area had taught sometime in the past year. Then she asked for Hermana Wilkins or Ouellette... what?! I talked to her and found out that it was the very same Monica we started teaching last year!! She happened to be in the area today and was hoping to meet with us! What are the chances that the ONE day I happened to be in Queen Creek was the day she called looking for me? Zero... if it had been any other day the sisters wouldn't have known who she was or what she needed and probably wouldn't have been able to help her.

Anyway, we ended up meeting with her that afternoon and it turns out she needs some help with something... basically a letter from a character witness (long, complicated story) but I'm the only one in the area that could help her. When we explained this miracle to her that she had been able to get in touch with me, and that it happened because our Heavenly Father knows exactly what she needs and how to help her, she was so touched. We had met at the church and she mentioned that she would like to see inside because she had never been before. Unfortunately we didn't have keys... BUT as we were finishing up our meeting at the picnic tables someone with keys miraculously showed up and let us in. They loved it... and committed to come to church (in Gilbert) on Sunday. You can imagine how excited I was to see Monica and her ENTIRE family in the chapel yesterday when we came in. They loved sacrament meeting, and she was excited when I told her we can send missionaries to her home in Phoenix... "Yeah! So we can go to church closer!" I love it!

It was an incredible experience, and it was not isolated... we had two others that day, just as powerful (which you'll have to wait until I get home to hear!). All I know is that Heavenly Father answers prayers, and as long as we provide that faith and action necessary, he will provide the miracles.

Rigo and Monica, along with several of the other people we were able to teach was such a powerful way for me to receive a little bit of closure to my mission. I was able to witness some of the "fruits" of my labors and see how some of the seeds I planted almost 18 months ago are still being nourished and growing. I am so grateful for the missionary program, and I know that this is Heavenly Father's work. There is no other way to explain the miracles and blessings that we witness every single day.

Much love,

Hermana Richelle Ouellette

PICTURE - Giant water cups... kept us going on our busy, miraculous day in Queen Creek.

NOTE FROM MOM: This coming week is Richelle's last as a missionary Next Sunday, she goes into the Mission home in preparation for her return to Connecticut. She arrives at Bradley airport, Tuesday, May 31 at 5:15 p.m.!!!

I'm pretty sure there will be another blog...just not sure when.

Thanks to all of your for your love and support of our missionary. She has had an incredible experience, and it's been fun to share this all with you!

Mission = Bootcamp (5/16)

We had zone conference this week, and I gave my departing testimony... it was pretty surreal. It still doesn't feel real that I'll be home in two weeks, and I don't think it will hit me until I get off the plane. I wanted to share with you some of the thoughts I had as I shared my testimony on Thursday, and some of the things I've been thinking about recently.

As I'm sure you know my family (especially Mom) has been counting down the days until I come home... it stresses me out to get the weekly reminder, and every time I think about leaving everything I'm doing right now it puts me into anxiety mode. I've been putting my all into missionary work for the past 18 months, and this is who I've become... I don't know how I'm going to go from doing that and BEING that to being a normal person with a less defined purpose when it all comes crashing to an end.

Something that has been helping me reduce the stress is NOT thinking about this experience as the climax of my life and feeling that it's all downhill from here. It's difficult, since this year and a half has been the most intense, wonderful time of my life (cliche, I know), but that doesn't mean things have to be different afterwards. I've come to realize that the mission is pretty much like bootcamp... a really intense growing period meant to prepare us for continued service. As I've been pushed to the edge physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually I know that I have been molded to continue consecrating my life in service to our Father's work.

We have been doing a Jillian Michael's workout video in the morning for exercise, and every time she says something that's supposed to motivate us to push harder physically I think of the spiritual application.

For example, "If you want change, you have to put stress on your body." Often we face struggles with the attitude of "why can't this be easier?", or "why can't this problem go away?" But if we want to grow (which I'm assuming each of us does) we need to experience the hard times to help us push to the next level. There have been many times during the mission when I've felt that I can't do it, that I'm not capable, or strong enough, but the thing about the mission is that giving up is not an option! We take our struggles to the Lord, continue to be diligent, and in the end we come out stronger than we were before.

I am so incredibly grateful for this bootcamp experience that has pushed me every single day. And the beautiful thing is, the challenging moments are quickly and easily forgotten (in fact hard to remember) because of the intense joy we feel as we experience the miracles of missionary work.

Furthermore, I am amazed at the results. As Jillian says, "they don't come for free", and they certainly haven't. I have grown so much in every aspect of my life - most importantly my testimony. I am looking forward to "graduating" from missionary bootcamp and moving on to more challenges. I am grateful to have had this "training", and I know that it has prepared me to be a better wife, mother, and servant of the Lord than I would have been otherwise. Thank you to each of you who have supported me during this process!

But.... It's not over yet! :)

Love always,

Hermana Richelle Ouellette

PICTURE - Hermana Mugar and I at the Mesa Temple this week.

Message Received (5/9)

Ok, so I know I talked about technology a couple weeks ago, but can I just say how awesome it was to be able to Skype with my family! It was so great to be in different parts of the world, and talk as if we were in the same room. Love it!

Along the same lines of technology... this week we were eating dinner with the Cowgurs (which we do once or twice a week) and following our spiritual thought we said the usual closing prayer. Cindy offered it, and literally as soon as we all said "Amen" her phone went off. That wouldn't be an interesting occurrence, except for the fact that it is programed to say "message received". Now I know Heavenly Father answers prayers, but it was fun to have an extra confirmation that he had received this one :)

Once again, we saw many prayers answered this week. One night last week I was thinking about how we've been trained that our nightly planning sessions should be a spiritual experience. To be honest, I am usually so exhausted at the end of the day that they are usually far from spiritual. Anyway, as I was thinking about it I tried to follow the spirit and really be guided in who we needed to visit and at what time.

The next day, I saw just how guided we had been. We decided to visit Zobeida and her family (the cute family that came to the Easter Pageant with us). Unfortunately, she has not been progressing because her husband is not ready to commit to anything yet. Still, I had felt we needed to see her that particular day, and when we showed up she invited us in, and we were able to talk about how important the gospel is for the family. We also found out that it was her son's first birthday. The adorable four-year-old Amelia kept saying how she wanted to have a party, and her Mom would kindly explain in somewhat of a hushed voice that they can't have a party right now because they don't have money for a cake or balloons. It broke my heart!

So, Hermana Mugar and I called for permission to go to the store, and we came back later in the evening with a bouquet of balloons, cake and ice cream. They were so excited!!! I want to show them how much we love them, even if they can't progress in the gospel... so even if our service doesn't translate to them meeting with us, or attending church, I was so grateful for the opportunity to brighten their day... it certainly improved mine!

I know that we were sent there for a reason that day; and that we are guided every day as we seek to follow the promptings of the spirit. As we ask the questions "where should I go?", "what should I do", and "what should I say?" Heavenly Father places thoughts and ideas in our minds. As we act on those thoughts we are led to the places we need to be in, and the people we need to meet. I am amazed by trust God places in us as he sends us out to serve his children. I love seeing those miracles every single day!

Happy (late) Mother's day... actually Mexican Mother's Day is tomorrow... so I guess I'm a day early! I truly appreciate all those of you who have played a motherly role in my life!

Love you all,

Hermana Richelle Ouellette

PICS - 1. Zobeida and her four adorable kids celebrating Sebastian's birthday! :)
2. I hit a bird... and it didn't make it... oops!

Just Do It (5/2)

Another week... they just keep rushing by!

Funny experience of the week: We were going to visit an investigator and when we got to her home there were a bunch of men out front (drinking, of course). We didn't get out of the car immediately because we had a few phone calls to make... so, we did that, and as we waited most of the men began to leave. When we finally went to talk to them, we found out that they had all left because they thought we were the immigration police. Oops! I felt bad that the situation is that horrible that everyone is so scared of being deported. But on the other hand, really? We're two 22 year old girls in less than official clothing (except for our badges, I guess). Anyway, I laughed pretty hard, and just told them that we weren't from immigration, but we had still been sent there... by God. :)

I've been thinking about commitments this week... wondering HOW in the world to get people more committed to the gospel. In every teaching situation (lesson, or street contact) we always leave people with an invitation to act on our words - an action that will help them come closer to Christ.

However, rarely do they seem to follow through on their promises. It seems we are forever committing people to do the same three things - read the Book of Mormon, pray, and come to church (they are learning the primary answers - the most important basics!!). Anyway, it reminds me of when I taught piano lessons, and if the children hadn't practiced their songs we couldn't move on to the next one. Until we master the basics we can not progress to the more difficult (yet more enjoyable) challenges (and blessings that come with them).

Our investigators are more than aware of the commitments we leave. Recently we were teaching our investigators Ixchel and Rodrigo about the importance of the Book of Mormon and as we finished I said, "Now, I have an important question." Ixchel responded before I even got it out and said... "I know what you're going to ask... will we read?" That actually isn't what I was about to ask (at least at that moment) but I was so pleased that they understood the importance of acting on the things we have been teaching them. Similarly, every time we teach Lionel and Connie we ask them, "So what are you going to do..." Lionel always grins, and it seems no matter what the lesson is on he says "I know, I know! We need to get married, and get baptized!" Yep.

So, let's be honest, we all KNOW the things we need to be doing, but the question is, are we committed enough to be DOING them? And really, what is stopping us? Many of our investigators say they don't have time to read the Book of Mormon, etc. because they are so stressed and busy with day-to-day life. I realized this week if we look at these things as more "To-do's" on our giant list of accomplishments, it's easy to push them to the bottom because we can't always see the immediate effects of doing them.

Really though, these are the things that need to be at the top of our list! If we are going to procrastinate things to do, this is what we should be doing it with... I don't know if that made sense... but what I'm trying to say is if we feel too stressed to read or pray, that is the exact moment that we need to do it! What a wonderful gift it is to have these stress-relieving tools that make our lives so much easier! To be able to take 10 minutes and forget about all of our concerns and stress, and feel the peace of the gospel. People pay for prescription drugs, massages, and expensive vacations for this kind of peace, but I can't think of anything better that the gospel - because the peace is permanent!

And in one of those paradoxes of life, we are always blessed with more patience and calmness as we move on to our other responsibilities... and somehow we have MORE time in the day to be able to accomplish the rest of our "to-do's". I know that as we put the Lord first, literally everything else falls into place. He will not let us fail, so let us not fail him. Commit yourself to putting the Lord on the top of you list, and then do it! You will feel a difference in your stress level, and in your ability to do things you need to this week.

Love you all,

Hermana Richelle Ouellette

Happy Day After Easter (4/25)

Surprise! P-days were changed to Mondays... so it's only been a few days since I last wrote... and not a whole lot new has happened since then.

Easter was great! We participated in a gratitude fast with all of the missionaries in the mission, and it was an amazing experience! Yesterday during every prayer I offered I ONLY gave thanks, and although it was a bit of a challenge to not ask for things, it helped me learn a lesson. I loved how I felt all day as I thought about all the things I was grateful for! Also, Lionel and Connie were fasting with us, not out of gratitude, but to know if they should be baptized on May 14. That made it an extra-interesting experience for me because normally I would be praying for them to get an answer, but because I couldn't ask for it I had to change the way I addressed it in my prayers. Instead of saying "please help them to get an answer" I was able to express gratitude for the opportunity to have met them and teach them, and for the knowledge that I have that they WILL receive an answer. My faith became perfect knowledge in "that thing" (Alma 32:34).

We went to the Easter pageant again this weekend, which was fun. I enjoyed the pageant last year, but this year everything felt so much more real to me. Of course everyone in the production is still an actor playing a part, but the stories, and the truth of the message are REAL. I testify of the reality of the Savior, that he lived, that he died for us, and that HE LIVES. It was wonderful to ponder the significance of these events yesterday, and to grow in my faith and testimony of His resurrection. I know that because of these acts, we too, will live again in the presence of our Heavenly Father.

I love the gospel of Jesus Christ and everything that comes with it. I know that I am truly happier because I live according to these eternal truths, and I am so grateful for my knowledge and continually growing testimony of each principle.

Have a wonderful week,

Hermana Richelle Ouellette

Pray Always (4/11)

We had an amazing baptism this week! Javier and Guillermo (I know I've mentioned them before) were baptized on Saturday, and it was so great! We had tons of support from the branch, and everything worked out smoothly (turns out the more baptisms they have the better they get at planning them... good to know!). Javier and Guillermo shared their testimonies right after they were baptized - it was so awesome to hear their simple, yet powerful testimonies of how they felt, and why they chose to be baptized. Again, I am so impressed with the strength of the youth in this area... they do things I'm not sure I would have been able to do when I was that age. The boys return to Mexico in a few weeks, but hopefully they will be back here in the fall with a student visa. I am so grateful for the opportunity to have gotten to know them and teach them.

We had a training on prayer last week, and although it seems like a simple concept, I feel like my prayers have been taken to a whole new level. We have made a conscious effort to pray more often (I counted once at the beginning of my mission - we pray at least 15-20 times a day). Anyway, as we have been doing this I have felt that each prayer is literally a continuation of the one it follows. My conversation with my Heavenly Father is not one that stops and starts throughout the day, but it never ends, as I sometimes vocally express myself, but carry a prayer in my heart through the rest of the day.

It brings a whole new meaning to the commandment to "pray always". I think of Amulek's testimony of prayer, and how he exhorts us to pray in our houses, and in our fields (mission field!), morning, mid-day, and evening. "Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually..." (Alma 34:27) As I have increased the power and frequency of my personal and companionship prayers I have felt my relationship with my Heavenly Father grow. I'm not just checking in with him every morning when I wake up, or at night before I go to bed, instead I have a consistent TWO-WAY conversation throughout the day. As I strengthen that relationship it helps me understand His love, and I see answers to my constant pleas, I know that he really does hear and answer us according to our faith, just as any loving father would.

I challenge you to carry a prayer in your heart at all times this week. And as often as time allows, take the time to kneel down and express to our Heavenly Father gratitude for the little things. I know that you will feel a closer bond to Him and that your lives will be blessed because of that.

I love you!

Hermana Richelle Ouellette

PICTURES

TOP: Baptism! Hermano Manjarrez, Pablo, Guillermo, Javier, Hermana Adams & Me!
BOTTOM: Our adventure to the park this morning... we found a turtle! We named him Tim, which is short for "timido"... he was pretty shy :)

Happy Birthday Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (4/6)

General Conference was AMAZING! I loved it, as usual, and was so grateful to hear the words of our prophet and apostles, men that I know are called of God to speak His will. I am so thankful for my knowledge and testimony of these things! It was such a blessing to be able to be so edified and uplifted by their words... I think Elder Holland summed it up when he called it a phenomenon. The only difficult thing for me during the weekend was to be so spiritually fed, and then have to talk to people that just didn't get it... that didn't want to feel what I have felt, or understand what I have understood. I just wish everyone would LISTEN!

We had four investigators that were able to watch general conference, and they all loved it! Erika, 15, came with us to the Saturday afternoon session, and loved it. I was so grateful because we were nervous she might find it boring, or not get anything out of it, but that was so not the case. Afterwards we were talking and she told us all the stories/principles she likes, and how she has officially added to her "bucket list" watching it in the conference center. We can make that happen!

I love knowing that Heavenly Father answers prayers. All of my "conference questions" were answered, and so far everyone I have followed up with has had the same response. Who knows if I will be able to look back in 10 years from now and get the same things out of it, but for now the Spirit taught me things I needed to know now. I loved the call to action from everyone, to choose the right, SERVE others, and truly LIVE the gospel. As I have mentioned many times before, that is what it is all about! The gospel doesn't mean anything if we aren't living it! Many of us have the DESIRE (see Elder Oaks' talk!) to come closer to Jesus Christ, but are we taking the necessary steps to shorten the distance between ourselves and our Savior?

I have seen many other answers to prayers this week. We continue to see miracles daily, and have been blessed to see our investigators continuing to progress toward baptism. We are making a conscious effort to pray more often, and with all the energy of heart (Moroni 7:48) and have secured that blessings that God is so willing to grant (Bible Dictionary; prayer).

I don't have much more news... as you can tell General Conference was the highlight of my week! I would be satisfied to know you enjoyed it half as much as I did! (If you haven't watched all of it yet, don't worry, it's available online at www.lds.org!) Things are great, and I STILL love being a missionary!

Much love,

Hermana Richelle Ouellette

PICTURE:
This is what we look like at the end of a day of miracles... super excited! :D