Hello beautiful people! So I have officially been in Tallahassee for one month and tomorrow will be my three month mark on the mission. What in the world is happening to all this time?!
What have all of you been up to? I'm really very curious since only about 3 people besides my family have written me letters... Come on people, show me some love! I at least have an excuse to not write first because I don't have your addresses! Even if you email me your address I will write you a letter! Empty mailboxes at the end of the day are so lame for missionaries.
Anyway, this week was definitely your typical roller-coaster ride as a missionary! We had days that we taught 7 lessons (a large feat on TCC Campus) and we had days that we didn't get to teach a single soul and we had everything in between. We found a few new people who are very interesting and potentially sketchy... So, keep my safety in mind on Tuesday if we end up going over to his place for dinner! Haha I'm kind of kidding…
But what I learned from this week is that we are going to have some incredible days that don't compare and we feel on top of the world, but we can't enjoy those days if we don't experience the trying days, too. How boring would it be if we just did the same thing every day with the same results and never had to deal with disappointment? After all, we learn best when things don't happen the way we want. What I'm trying to say is that even though the bad days are really tough out here, knowing that our Heavenly Father is in charge and will bring us success makes everything worthwhile. Elder David Bednar spoke in a CES Fireside last night and said it really well, "Strong faith in the Savior is submitting to His will, even if the outcome is unfavorable... Do you have the faith NOT to be healed?" Do you have the faith that everything will be for the best when you let Heavenly Father direct your path, or only when it's convenient to what you want? It's hard to keep that state of mind, but it makes life much more enjoyable; I promise!
He also said "Not shrinking is much more important than surviving." Our faith is always either increasing or decreasing... Be productive in your lives and take 10 minutes each day to read your scriptures! It is TRUE power against the adversary and you will notice a difference in your happiness!
Okay, enough chastisement.
So, yesterday was Mary's baptism (we moved it because we had to work a Family History Fair all day Saturday) and it couldn't have been a better ending to my first full month in the field. I was privileged to perform the baptismal ordinance for her and it was the most amazing thing I have done. To be able to do something for the Lord that literally cleanses someone from all sin... That is so much power and so humbling. The service was incredibly spiritual and nearly the whole ward was there since it was right after church!
More than ever, I know that this is the true Church of Jesus Christ on the earth. I know that my work as a missionary is bringing people closer to Him and only through these ordinances are they able to return to live with our Heavenly Father. Being a part of the reason people can have that amazing gift is mind blowing.
The Book of Mormon is true and has brought me closer to my Savior as I have read and tried to abide by its teachings. There is nothing more that I want than for all of you, my wonderful family and friends, to have the happiness that comes with being a valiant follower of Christ. Please, read the Book of Mormon daily and gain that personal testimony of its truth! It will come to you, I promise! But, no matter what I say, it has to be through your desire.
I love you all so very much and I pray that you continue to find success in this life! Remember you are a child of God and He loves you more than you can comprehend! I testify of that in the name of Jesus Christ. Be happy and serve someone in need this week :)
Love,
Elder LeSueur
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