March 17, 2014

It's Still Winter!

Here is Bethany with Brother and Sister Smith, and Sister Escobar (Bethany's companion in the Saco Ward) at Stake Conference!

Dear Family,

This week we were blessed with yet another snow storm on Wednesday and Thursday. The Mainers have been telling us that this has been a bad winter and how the winters "used" to be. Well I am glad that I got the "real deal Maine winter" and not some mild winter. Now I would get to show off how tough I think I am. 

Besides that, the Spirit has truly been strong and powerful this week. Our bishop has really wanted us to take members out with us and this week we had 4 different people come out with us. It has really changed how I look at working with the members. I noticed that the lessons that we had were a lot more productive and powerful because we had a member with us. And each lesson had the Spirit 10 times more than it would have without them. Especially with the less active members that we saw. It was really cool! At one of the lessons we went to see Diana who is less active and her active sister Evelyn came with us. It was so powerful to have Evelyn there to testify about the gospel and she even thanked her less active sister for sending the missionaries to her house years ago and told her that it was her turn to help her come back. WOW! One of the most powerful moments on my mission! 

Another person that we taught was Elliot. He has such faith in Christ, but just hasn't put two and two together that when he feels the warm and good inside (the Spirit) he needs to act on that! I can't wait to see him this week. Heavenly Father has been helping us out with what we need to teach him this week. 

We were teaching another Less active this week Naomi. It was so cool because it was a "discerning their thoughts" moment. I just knew what she was really thinking and feeling and that what she was saying wasn't the truth about how she felt. 

It has just been a really powerful week. 

We also had Stake conference this week so I got to see my family! Well some of my Saco family! It was so good to see them. And I saw my old companion Sister Escobar as you can see in the picture that Brother Smith sent you, I just love her.

I also learned how to put up an electrical curtain rod this week, so watch out.

Love you All!

Sista Lassen

March 10, 2014

Just Crazy

This is a picture that Bethany sent to her dad in the mail.  She wrote, "Don't you have the most beautiful daughter ever?  Augusta, ME, Feb 2014, Red Barn Sea Food Chowder -- Butter and Lobsta Up! <3 Sista Lassen"

Dear Family,

So this month is going by freakishly fast, and is going to go by even faster. I really just don't know what to say because this week was just crazy and they are just getting crazier and I am already crazy and it is just crazy.

Like listen to this: The same day that we were yelled at to get off someone's property is the same day that was the most spiritual day ever. We had dinner with a family in the ward and one of them really opened up about all of the regret and sorrow that he has been feeling, looking to us for the answers. It was one of those times where you just say what comes to your head (by the Spirit) and then when you leave you have no memory of what you just said. 

For this past week we made a goal to find 2 new investigators, which is a lot for us. So we were praying and praying that we would not only make this goal, but find those that have been prepared. Then on Tuesday I had no desire or motivation to go tracting, so of course we prayed! At the end of the prayer I got the "I am the Tiger" song stuck in my head. So my companion and I started singing that as we walked down the street and the second person that we saw and talked to.... new investigator. mind blow. blessing. #godanswersprays. The next day we also found another investigator and made our goal. 

Oh, another story about prayer this week. So we have this person that we met who has potential to take the lessons, but is "too busy with work." I'm not bitter. Anyways so we stopped by and talked and before we left we asked if we could bless her home. She agreed and I said the prayer. As I prayed you could feel the Spirit come stronger and stronger and know that she felt the Spirit and he told her to remember the feelings that she was feeling. I said other stuff but I don't remember, because it wasn't really me saying it. 

One more person I want to tell you about. Marybeth. I just love her so much. I can't get enough of her. She is one of my kindred spirits... even if she doesn't like my nail polish. 

I'm off to another busy week! I love you all!

Sista Lassen

March 3, 2014

Lobsta

This is a picture of the Seafood Stew from the Red Barn website!

Dear Family,

This week was a fast, exciting, fun week. I feel like this whole transfer is going to go by so fast! First I want to say that I am SO excited for stake conference in 2 weeks because I will get to see my FAMILY!!! -- well, my Saco Family -- at stake conference! I don't know if I have told you this a million times but it is harder to leave an area than it is to leave home. 

This week I got a new companion, Sister Miller. She is from Utah somewhere. Completely opposite of my last companion. And I love her! It is going to be a great transfer and we are already working our butts off. Well freezing our butts off is a better way to put it. My body has really adjusted to the cold, thankfully. If it is in the high 20s I don't have to wear my coat any more and I get so hot I feel like I am going through menopause with all the hot flashes! It's pretty fun. 

This is the Red Barn Restaurant/Store that Bethany likes!
(Thanks, Google, for making it easy to find a picture!)

In Augusta they have a really good sea food place called Red Barn that is less than a mile away from our apartment, so I had to take Sister Miller because this is her first time in Maine. I got Seafood chowder of course and their was like a tablespoon of butter on the top of it and whole lobster claw meat in it. It was to die for, but a lot of butter, even for a Dane. That day we went tracting and came to a house that had a car with the license plate RBARN. And guess what?! It was the owner of Red Barn! He was super nice, I told him that we had just gone there, and the chowder had a lot of butter. He said that they would take care of me and I could get it without the butter. It was really funny. 

It has been really good to get a new companion and to learn from different strengths and talents. I just love the people here. Each and every one of them. They inspire me to do better and one of them I am pretty sure is one of the 3 Nephites, no joke. The spirit is so strong in my life the more I love, serve, and try to help (even though in the end they just help me! :) I love you all!  You know you da best! 

Sista Lassen 

February 24, 2014

La Familia!

Dear Family,

Yet another week gone by, and this was a good week. I wish I could remember it better! This week was so warm! The sun just makes me so happy inside. Do you know what else makes me so happy inside? SEAFOOD CHOWDER!!! IT IS SO GOOD!!!! I AM OBSESSED WITH IT!!!!! I AM A SEAFOOD CHOWDER MONSTER MISSIONARY!!!!!!!! I had it for the first time this week. I didn't think I was going to like it as much as I do. I guess I am a really MAINEiac now. I think I say that every letter. I might as well face it. I have been one my whole life. 

On Saturday we found out that I am staying in Augusta for another transfer and Sister Wray is leaving. :( We have been together for 3 transfers and have grown quite fond of one another. But that is mission life I guess!

This week we had some really cool first lessons with people and the spirit of the Restoration has been so strong. It is so cool how as my testimony increases so does my knowledge and as my knowledge increases so does my testimony. 

I am loving my mission, the people, and I'm still teasing the members the way I always have! Love you!

Sista Lassen

February 17, 2014

Presidents' Day

[on Feb 17 Bethany said she couldn't email… so here is the traditional letter she sent that week!]

Dear family,

With it being Presidents' Day the libraries are closed to use the computers.  So an old fashioned letter will have to do this week.

It's so good to hear of all of the wonderful things happening at home with the missionaries leaving… and soon coming home!

Mom, I really like the insights you shared about Alma 50.  I like the war chapters too!  Well, all of Alma… and Mosiah… and 3 Nephi… alright, just the whole Book of Mormon.

The past week I have been really studying my patriarchal blessing.  As I read I made a list of what Heavenly Father sees in me, what I am preparing for, and what I can do to prepare now and become what He wants me to become.  After days of reflecting and pondering, what it all comes down to for me is: 

All the answers are in the scriptures!

How true and cool that is!  I can have answers my whole life of what to do as long as I search for it in the scriptures!

This week being missionary was fun!  We had a bunch of snow storms, but it looks absolutely beautiful.  Today we are going to the light house around here.  I hope it has snow on it!  Won't that be cool?  I'll get pictures.  

On Friday we stopped by a potential investigator.  We have been praying that she would take the lessons because she is so ready.  As we talked the Spirit reminded me of something I read that day, "She knows what we have in common with beliefs: she needs to know the differences."  I testified of the Restoration and gave her a pamphlet.  We have appointment with her on Friday!

We also had FHE with a very dysfunctional family last Monday.  It went really well, once we broke a plate (as part of our visual.) We are doing FHE with them today too.

I don't remember if I told you, but a girl Eliza that I taught in Saco was baptized!  I'm so happy for her!  And Rae (in Saco) is doing great as well.  I love them so much!

I'm working, and having fun with my wonderful companion Sister Wray… Maybe too much fun!

Love ya,

Sista Lassen

February 10, 2014

Where Has This Week Gone?

Dear Family,

This week was just insane in the membrane! Part of the reason was we didn't have a normal day until....wait there wasn't one normal day.

Monday and Tuesday we had an extra companion because her companion had to go to a meeting. 

Wednesday I was in Damariscotta on an exchange and it snowed all day. But it was fun because we weren't able to use the car so we helped paint a member's home!

Thursday was Zone Conference- which was amazing! I felt I needed a whole day just to sit and process and think about everything that was said!! A lot was talked about how we need to give it all to the Lord, submit to His will and give it all to Him. In the end that is the only way that we are going to be happy. And I got to see my past favorite companions Sister Cowley and Escobar! Tri-fecta was back! 

Friday- because we hadn't been able to get much done for the week we were catching up with appointments

Saturday- we were catching up with the things that we usually do on Friday.

Sunday- I gave a talk in church and we met with the bishop for a long time after church and talked about the people in the ward and how we can better help them. My talk went pretty well. I got to pick my topic and I talked about how we need to prepare each week for taking the sacrament. I learned way more than what I was able to talk about. I didn't realize how much studying I could do on just preparing for the sacrament. I don't think I have ever really done that until the last few months. I am getting better and better each time. The more that I prepare the more meaning that it has to me. It is such a blessing that we get to remember the what the Savior did for us each week and promise to have a deep commitment to Heavenly Father. 

I got most of my information for my talk from a talk giving by L Tom Perry "Now we take the Sacrament"...or something like that. and True to the Faith- Sacrament and reverence and the bible dictionary on Sacrifices. 

It was actually really cool after preparing all week for this talk, while preparing to take the sacrament. Before I gave my talk and took the sacrament I couldn't help but cry right when the sacrament hymn started. One of the quotes that I liked was "we can have a spiritual experience each time we take the sacrament in a holy place" that made me realize that when I am prepared to take the sacrament the chapel has the same feeling as the temple. WHICH REMINDS ME OF THE GREATEST NEWS EVER!!!

If we are serving in an area 2 hours away from the temple we can go every 6 months!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am too far away to go in this area, but there is hope! I can't wait! I just want to go now and see the new temple video! And I want to go on the same day as Lori, wouldn't that be crazy! 

I love you all! 

Sista Lassen

February 3, 2014

All a Blur

[By the way, it was one week ago yesterday--on Fast Sunday--when Bethany came home from church and announced that she had decided to go on a mission.  What a whirlwind year it has been!]

image from http://www.aqnb.com

Dear family,

This week I am telling you was all a blur. I never knew what day it was, forgot what happened the day after, and had no idea what we were doing the day of. It was just crazy and it went by really fast. All I can say is if this is how the rest of my mission is going to be I am screwed because it will be over like yesterday.

I am going to be super missionary and sum up my week in a scripture -- "He gave them strength, that they should suffer no manner of afflictions save it were swallowed up in the joy of Christ." (Alma 31:38)

My companion and I had this conversation of frustration because no one ever says how hard being on a mission is and how sometimes it just plain sucks, but after this week I understand more why. 

On Tuesday we had a very disappointing day. It was going to be a great day, we were super prepared...but everything fell through. I was kind upset like, "Come on Heavenly Father!  I prayed with such faith that this would work! We are trying really hard! Why disappoint me? Why aren't I like Alma where my afflictions are swallowed up with joy?" Then the Spirit keep trying to cheer me up or something and quotes that I love popped into my head, but I was too grumpy to take them that day. 

Two days later I was talking to my companion and she asked me, "What even happened this week?" It wasn't until then that I remembered what happened on Tuesday. All the bitterness had been forgotten and swallowed up in joy! Even greater joy than I had before! That is how awesome Heavenly Father is, he must love us or something. 

Like I said I don't remember what happened this week, but I am Happy! so what else matters?! Love you all! 

Sista Lassen