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
Sunday, November 28, 2010
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
Friday, October 15, 2010
Hard Work Works! (10/13)
"Remember, the worth of souls is great in the sight of God." (D&C 18:10)
This week was filled with about 3 weeks worth of activities. First of all, it has been one of incredible success. We have been working hard (see picture for proof!), and it is finally paying off! We found TWELVE new investigators this week, and most of them are pretty solid! We already have one (Ricardo) with a baptism date for next weekend and he is so excited. His grandmother also wants to be baptized, but she hasn't been to church yet, so we'll be working with her a little bit longer. The cool part is that by the time she's ready Ricardo should have the Priesthood and be able to baptize her!
We are in the middle of heated prank war with the Elders. It started purely with sticky notes based on inside jokes, but this Sunday increased in intensity when on our way out the door for church we found our door mat covered in shaving cream, and our truck covered with silly string and messages on the windows. We didn't have time to wash it before church, so it was slightly embarrassing driving around like that... vengeance will be ours.
So, after several days of brainstorming it is finally P-day and we can purchase supplies for our retaliation. Since the Elders actually live outside their area they have been leaving their bikes on our porch at night. Let's just say that this evening when they come pick them up to proselyte they are going to find some beautifully decorated bikes. I'll send pictures next week :) Other ideas may be submitted in writing to: 1871 E Del Rio Dr, Tempe, AZ 85282, or emailed to richelle.ouellette@gmail.com.
(Yes, this is a call for letters, it's been a slow week in the mail department... although maybe the Elders that share our PO Box are hoarding my letters as part of the prank war... hmmmm....)
The other exciting thing this week was going on exchanges for the first time. Yesterday I returned to Eagar to work there for the day with Sister Peters, and my companion stayed in Show Low with Sister Hay. It was fun to be able to return to the area and see people, but I had the very distinct impression that this is NOT my area anymore. I am definitely supposed to be where I am, and as much as I loved the area, my time there is over and there are people in Show Low that I have been sent to find and teach.
So much happened in Eagar that I can't even BEGIN to describe everything. I was able to show Sister Peters the area (they are struggling to learn it), and we had four lessons (good day!). The highlight of my day was with Paul, the investigator I believe I was sent to the Arizona Tempe Mission to find.
Like most of the other people they are teaching, he has regressed slightly with two new sisters. He's going through some really hard times, but I feel that him seeing me (he could not get over the fact that I was back) really helped him remember that our Heavenly Father is mindful of him, and I made him promise to keep meeting with the sisters and to step up his prayers and scripture study!
I also got to talk to Ronnie, our recent convert that we hadn't gotten to see before we left the area (because he was in Colorado). He is doing so well, and said he took his Book of Mormon with him on his trip and read it every day! Yay! I feel like a proud mom!
Well, the good news is I still love being a missionary! I can't believe I'm on the downward slope. Time seems to be going by faster and faster! Hermana Wilkins (my trainer) goes home in three weeks, and it is so surreal. I'm just working my hardest to make every moment count.
Thanks for your love and prayers, it made a difference in my week!
Love you,
Hermana Richelle Ouellette
Monday, October 11, 2010
Conference Weekend (10/6)
First things first: I saw a tarantula this week. We were walking on a dirt road and I didn't notice it (I had my chin up, mom!), but Hermana Jones made a strange noise and jumped out of the way, and just kind of pointed. It was the biggest spider I have EVER seen in the wild... the size of my fist, all harry and tarantula-like. There it was just crawling down the dirt road we were walking on. I wanted to catch it and put it in a jar, but my companion wouldn't let me. We currently have a pet caterpillar named Fuzzy Wuzzy that we are waiting to cocoon, but Hermana Jones said "I put my foot down at the tarantula!" So, no new pet, but just another crazy experience with Arizona wildlife.
Conference was AMAZING! I love hearing the Brethren speak and instruct us. Most of them talked about the basics of the gospel, but I love learning things in new ways that strengthen my testimony. I felt like some of the recurring themes included faith, prophets, and families... these are all really basic doctrines but I feel they were focused on because of how very important they are. As Elder Uchtdorf said, quoting Vince Lombardi, "we can only become great by mastering the fundamentals." I know that it is these basic building blocks that make up our testimonies and allow us to build a strong foundation on Christ.
One exciting thing from conference was President Monson's announcement of the Hartford, CT temple! It is awesome to know that the church is growing strong enough at home to merit the construction of a temple in the area. One of the other themes that stuck out to me this weekend is the impact of the gospel on generations. It is through the work done in these holy temples that the links between generations are made possible, as we are sealed to our ancestors who have gone before us, and prepare future generations to be born in the covenant and receive the same blessings.
We had one instigator come to conference, Ricardo. He had come to church a few weeks ago and had gone to the wrong building because stake conference was that day. Fortunately, one of the members of the branch presidency happened to drive by, spoke to him, and brought him to the stake center. But then this week, he came to the wrong building again! General Conference was being broadcast in Spanish at our regular meeting house, but he came to the stake center thinking that's where we met all the time. He ended up stayed and watching the Sunday morning session of conference even though it was in English and he didn't understood any of it! He still told us that he really like it, so he must have been feeling the spirit! We started teaching him yesterday, along with his grandma and niece, and he is really excited about learning more about the gospel.
I, too, am really excited about the gospel, and grateful for the instruction we received this weekend. If you were not able to watch conference, it's available on line! Go to www.lds.org and enjoy a session! Thank you for your prayers and support.
Love always,
Hermana Richelle Ouellette
Conference was AMAZING! I love hearing the Brethren speak and instruct us. Most of them talked about the basics of the gospel, but I love learning things in new ways that strengthen my testimony. I felt like some of the recurring themes included faith, prophets, and families... these are all really basic doctrines but I feel they were focused on because of how very important they are. As Elder Uchtdorf said, quoting Vince Lombardi, "we can only become great by mastering the fundamentals." I know that it is these basic building blocks that make up our testimonies and allow us to build a strong foundation on Christ.
One exciting thing from conference was President Monson's announcement of the Hartford, CT temple! It is awesome to know that the church is growing strong enough at home to merit the construction of a temple in the area. One of the other themes that stuck out to me this weekend is the impact of the gospel on generations. It is through the work done in these holy temples that the links between generations are made possible, as we are sealed to our ancestors who have gone before us, and prepare future generations to be born in the covenant and receive the same blessings.
We had one instigator come to conference, Ricardo. He had come to church a few weeks ago and had gone to the wrong building because stake conference was that day. Fortunately, one of the members of the branch presidency happened to drive by, spoke to him, and brought him to the stake center. But then this week, he came to the wrong building again! General Conference was being broadcast in Spanish at our regular meeting house, but he came to the stake center thinking that's where we met all the time. He ended up stayed and watching the Sunday morning session of conference even though it was in English and he didn't understood any of it! He still told us that he really like it, so he must have been feeling the spirit! We started teaching him yesterday, along with his grandma and niece, and he is really excited about learning more about the gospel.
I, too, am really excited about the gospel, and grateful for the instruction we received this weekend. If you were not able to watch conference, it's available on line! Go to www.lds.org and enjoy a session! Thank you for your prayers and support.
Love always,
Hermana Richelle Ouellette
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