May 19, 2014

Instant Application Brings Miracles

Dear family,

What an absolutly amazing week it has been!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Boston Temple, Sister Lassen and Sister Magnusson

A sister couldn't ask for anything more. First of all the temple was amazing. We were there as long as we were allowed to be there. I didn't see Lori Bell, But I did see someone in her Mission Presidency. I asked if he knows Sister Bell and he said yes! She is in his ward. I told him to tell her that I said hi. Hopefully he will.

This week started off with us trying to contact all of the less active members. That day we did not meet a single one of them. Which is a miracle because it gave us an opportunity to follow the promptings of the Spirit and box them out (knock on the surrounding homes). Every time we did we found someone who was interested in learning more about the Church. One is a family who has been looking for a church and has had a loved one recently pass away and has lots of questions. We were acting on a prompting when we went to that door because we weren't even planning on going to that one! This week I have also been studying miracles. I love Mosiah 8:18. "Thus God has provided a means that man, through faith, might work mighty miracles; therefore he becometh a great benefit to his fellow beings." The greater faith we have the greater miracles and the greater we can help our brothers and sisters. Just think about it. Compare the miracles to the Nephites in comparison to the New Testament. The Nephites got to see Angels! If I were to pick I would rather be in the Americas when Christ came. And it says that Christ was able to do such great miracles because of their great faith. So everyone needs to have greater faith so we can have greater miracles in Missionary Work. That's what I have been praying for.

You know what the best part of Wednesday was? Seeing the S. family. We are teaching them. We stopped by and the Spirit was so strong that you could cut it with a knife. And it is amazing how Brother S. is able to recognize the Spirit without us even pointing it out to him. He is realizing the peace that he can't find anywhere else. It has been such a blessing to meet them. The best part about seeing them was the spirit totally prepared us for what we needed to teach them and say. And then when I prayed at the end the Spirit told me exactly what I needed to pray for them, which moved them to tears. #faith&spirit=miracles.

The end of the week we got to do some fun service. We helped the Library with their garden, and helped a member move into their new house. We had a conversation with the member we were helping about how serving others makes you feel so good. All I could think about was, "Try sharing the gospel with people 24/7 -- the awesome feeling doesn't even compare!"

This week was also our stake conference, and Elder Perkins was there. It was all on missionary work. How neat is that? And I am staying in Laconia another tranfer with sister Magnusson (I was praying for that.)

Love you all!

Sista Lassen

P.S. If Andrew read my letters he would know what I do all week and wouldn't have to ask a million times

May 13, 2014

Mother's Day Call and the Temple, all in One Week!

We talked to Bethany on Mother's Day, via Skype.  Our connection was not wonderful so we didn't take a picture.  But it was great to talk to her, and she is super happy!  She loves describing what it is like to live on a farm--she is in love with the baby calves.  

Then on Monday, May 12 she had a regular day; her P-Day was moved to Tuesday so that they could visit the Boston Temple!  She wrote a letter to me during her trip to Boston last week, and I received it today (Monday, May 19)  Here are some excerpts:

"Dearest Mom,

"I am on my way to the temple right now.  The trees are finally greening up.  I was looking at how vibrant the green leaves are; I would say they are your favorite color--LIME GREEN!  You would love it.

"I just got out of the temple.  We stayed there all day.  It was wonderful; Couldn't ask for a better P-Day.  I can't believe I haven't been here for a year--way too long.  I never want to go this long before going to the temple ever again.  It's so awesome how our 'thing' is going to the temple together.  Most mothers/daughters go shopping, get their nails done, or get facials.  Us?  Nope.  We go to the temple. You only have to go 25 more times without me.

"You know what I kept thinking when I was in the temple?  How much I just don't get or understand the potential within me, and all of us.  I mean if I really understood that, wow.  Think I am going to add that to the million other things I am going to study.

"Well, I feel as if at this point of my mission it is all or nothing.  Naturally I am putting my all in.  That's just how I roll.

"Love you!

"Sister Lassen

"aka Boopsie"

May 5, 2014

May, Already?

photo from http://www.free-picture.net/animals/cows-and-bulls/two-cute-calf.jpg.html

Dear Family,

I seriously cannot believe that it is May already, but then again I say that every month.

Mom asked me to talk more about what it is like in Laconia, New Hampshire, so to make it fun I will compare the difference between Maine and New Hampshire in my eyes.

1. Maine has a lot more dead people. What I mean by that is there are TONS of cemeteries in Maine. I mean in the middle of a busy intersection.

2. New Hampshire has a lot more hills/mountains

3. Maine has a lot more people that don't have teeth

4. Where I am living in Sanbornton is farm land, and I live on a farm. It is a lot easier to find service opportunities because everyone needs help on their farm.

5. There are a lot more lakes in New Hampshire

6. I feel like I am where they filmed Pride and Prejudice.

Hopefully that will satisfy your interest.

This week the most exciting lesson that we had was with C. She asks tons of great questions -- the ones that missionaries love to get! Such as How do you know truth? (Moroni 10:3-5)  Where do we go after this life? (Alma 40). We stopped by on Saturday to see how her reading was going and she informed us that she read the chapter we left her and all of 1 Nephi! She is loving it and thinks it is so interesting. She told us how bad she thought Laman and Lemuel were. It is a joy to see her excitement. We are teaching her the restoration tonight. It is amazing to see some of her questions and worries go away as we teach her, and are not an issue anymore.

One other person we taught was G. She's a less active member and going to another church, but she knows that she needs to go to the LDS church. When we were with her it was amazing to see the Spirit teach her. For example I asked, Do you think there is a difference between us and the church you are going to? At first she said no. And then as the Spirit directed me to what to say she told us that she does know the difference and she knows where she needs to be. Then she told us how she tells the pastor when he is wrong about doctrine and gets all mouthy when he tells lies about the Mormons. I just love her so much.

One thing that I figured out: I think that the best way to teach people is just like My Big Fat Greek Wedding. When the mom and aunt are trying to convince Gus to do something and make him think that it was his idea in the first place. I think it's the best because that way I let the Spirit teach them, not me.

One last tid-bit. I love baby cows; they are so cute. When you put your hand by them they start licking it and then sucking on your hand. It tickles! It is so funny!

Love you and can't wait to talk to you on Sunday!

Sista Lassen

April 28, 2014

Oh Yeah Yeah Yeah

Joseph Smith Birthplace Memorial in Sharon, Vermont.  Grandma Hattie and Grandpa J. Howard Maughan made many recommendations that made this beautiful Visitor's Center what it is today.

Dear Family,

This week has really flown by with lots of great experiences. We had a special Sister Conference at the Joseph Smith Memorial on Wednesday. It was awesome. Spirit like super strong, and we all felt more united as sisters by the end. I loved being at the JSM -- the Spirit hits you like a wall right when you drive up. It was fun to be a missionary where I know Grandma Hattie was. 

The next day we had Zone Conference, so rest assured I had a full week of self evaluation! It was wicked cool. 

We had an amazing miracle. We stopped by a less active family, who has a strong testimony but don't come to church for health reasons. They told us how the wife's mom was asking tons of Plan of Salvation questions at Easter Dinner. They did their best to answer her questions. We gave them a Book of Mormon and Plan of Salvation Pamphlet to give her and asked if we could stop by and talk to her Mom, C. They told us we could, so we did. C. let us right in and we had a very powerful discussion. We were truly guided on what questions to ask her and what to say. You could cut the Spirit with a knife! We are teaching her again today with her daughter. After we had the lesson with C. we called her daughter. She was so excited and told us that this was a long time coming and she has been praying and hoping for this for a long time.

Funny Story time- There is a young family in my ward. The wife is from Colombia and the husband an American. She was telling us about an episode of Modern Family, and how she relates to the Colombian woman in the show. In the show the woman was telling a boy Luke to Look. But her accent made it sound like "look, look" instead of "Look, Luke." As this member is telling us this story she is making the same mistake and saying Look instead of Luke. Her husband looked at us and said "Do you hear it?" We starting laughing.

That's all for today! We are going to Lake Winnipesauskee today! Love ya!!

Sista Lassen

April 21, 2014

Alma 26

Dear Family,

I had the most wonderful Easter. This week has just been awwwwwwmazing. Words just can't even say it. I really get so excited and people need to tell me to calm down. I feel like I am in heaven on earth.

So many miracles this week; it was amazing. It has been such a blessing. We had 5 new investigators this week, ALL of them were member referrals  We still have more to contact! The work is truly moving forward in this area. One of the member referrals that we were contacting was P. and L. They have been taught a little by missionaries in the past, but it seems that it kind of died out because of his health problems. (He has cancer.) When we went to contact him he let us right in, kind of like he was waiting for us to come.  The spirit was so strong you could cut it with a knife. He recognizes and is in awe of the Lord's timing in us being there on the day that he needed it most. He has a true desire to improve his relationship with God. He is so prepared. He told of how grateful he is that we are out serving the Lord and for the work we do. He was emotional the whole time we were there. We were so excited that we drove to the member's home (where we live too) with the windows rolled down yelling out to him of what happends. Not to metion the numerous happy dances when we were out of their sight.

Another Miracle was J. She was another member referral who is really prepared. She is a recovering alcoholic and in the process has been going back to her Catholic church, but has also been questioning a lot of their teachings. I love her already. This week we are going to teach her again with her member friend. The funniest thing when we met her -- We were answering her questions and then we gave her a Book of Mormon and told her a little about it and asked her to read 3 Nephi 11. I guess she thought that we wanted her to read it that second so she was reading it as we were just sitting there answering questions about it. And as I was looking at her I was in the missionaries' shoes who taught Bedstemor. She was reading it with a cigarette in her hand and drinking coffee. I just had to laugh when we left; guess we are going to have to go over that this week :)

 

Easter day was a beautiful day -- we had dinner with the Swains (the members we live with).  It was quite delightful. It is so fun living on a farm. Unlike anything I ever grew up with, but it is a lot of fun.

 

On Sunday there was a girl visiting with her boyfriend in our ward and we talked to her and she said she has been off her mission for 4 months now. All I could think about is how much that must suck to be her...don't know if that is normal.

Do you want to hear the saddest thing ever? This week will be my one year mark. So I decided to share some of my testimony from the last year.

 

The gospel of Jesus Christ is pure JOY. It is not the happiness that you get from a new outfit, spice cake, or watching a chick flick. It is a trillion times better than that. It is the joy that I get everyday from the knowledge that Jesus Christ is my Savior, he did died for me, and most importantly He lives again. How indescribable is that?! Our Savior broke all the chains of physical and spiritual death. Because of Him all of my pain, heartache, and hardships can be "swallowed up in the joys of Christ."  Man, do I know that is true. I feel as if I have no reason ever to be sad, because of my Savior Jesus Christ. And that is what the gospel brings to people -- the hope, love, and peace that we all need and search for in life.

I know that God has a plan for me and he has perfect timing and a perfect plan. Man, do I know that is true. There is no way that I am not guided in my everyday life and situations to where I need to be, who I need to be with, and what I need to say. "Just don't mess with the plan."

I know that Joesph Smith is a prophet. That knowledge came from being touched by the Spirit that it was true and no one can ever take that away from me and I can never deny it.

I know that God loves all of his children, and he is always there watching over us.

I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord's kingdom on Earth and has all the fullness of the gospel.

 

I could have never expected the experiences that I would have been blessed to have over that last year, I am looking forward to what the next 6 months have in store for me.

 

Love you all!

 

Sista Lassen

Because of Him

April 14, 2014

I feel EXTREMELY Good, I feel EXTREMELY Great, I feel EXTREMELY Wonderful!

[This picture is a hint, along with the title (which Bethany wrote) of where she is now!]

Dear Family,

Words cannot describe my week. WHAT A WEEK!! Life could not have gotten any better! I have been so excited to tell you all!

My last day in Augusta, ME was a great one. Sister Harrington made me Danish meatlof and we went on a hike called Hobbit Trail where I got a perfect picture of a bridge for Grandma Hattie's poem. I have been look for one my whole mission!

Tuesday was a great day -- transfer meeting. And I found out that I am shot gunning an area (which means that the area is getting two new missionaries and we have to rely on the past missonaries' records). And any guesses to where I am!? Anyone?

LACONIA, NEW HAMPSHIRE!!! DO YOU KNOW WHAT IS IN LACONIA? LAKE WINNIPESAUKEE!!!!!! It is breath-takingly beautiful here. Not that Maine wasn't beautiful; it is a different beautiful. Lot of rolling hills, streams, and lakes. The best part of it is that we live with a member family who lives. On. A. Farm. On our way to our home we picked up some raw milk and took a tour of their maple syrup making machine and pancake house restaurant. And their chickens and horses.  

On Friday we got a call from the member we live with, Sister Swain, asking us if we could help with kids that were coming for a field trip. OF COURSE! The kids were coming to see them boiling the maple syrup. It is incredible. Massive amounts of steam billow off the soon-to-be syrup in the barn. And we were able to go on the second floor balcony and be engulfed in maple-smelling steam. How heavenly! We also had lunch at their pancake house. The pancakes were delicious and you all would LOVE them! I had a massive lemon berry pancake.

The rest of the week was filled with meeting the members and the people that the previous sisters were working with and trying to remember everyone's names. It has been quite hysterical. Sister Magnusson and I have had so much fun on this adventure together. It's a great ward and I can tell that we are going to have even more miracles here.

One more story -- This morning we walked over to the chicken coop to get some eggs for breakfast and we watched a chicken lay an egg and took it right after. To this, Sister Magnusson said, "Now, that's a farm-fresh egg!"

I know their are so many other wonderful things that happened this week but I can't remember, just know that I have been walking in beautiful weather with my head up thinking, "It doesn't get any better than this."

Love you all!

Sista Lassen

April 7, 2014

Last Week in Augusta, ME

My Dear Family,

On Friday I got the call that I am being transferred. I can honestly say that I didn't think I was going to. Which made the call even harder. One of the hardest people to say good-bye to was M.B. I started teaching her right when I got here. Oh, how I will miss her. When I told her that I was leaving, she had the saddest face and said "NOOoooo!" I totally started crying. And then she realized I was crying and did everything to cheer me up. She hugged and kissed me goodbye, a little too many kisses for comfort, but that's M.B!

Tomorrow I go the New Hampshire office to transfer meeting and then my new area. 

We had a great week with a lot of our potential investigators that we consistently stop by to see. One of them was J. We stopped by to invite him to watch general conference which he accepted. It was amazing because he told us all about how hard the past winter has been for him and how God has help him through it. I really felt that I should be really honest and tell him that he should get baptized, so I did! We just need to keep working with him and he will get there. He has already told us how he sees the glow that Mormons have in them. 

Another miracle was from a referral that we got from a member. We contacted them a few months ago but felt that we needed to follow up on them. When we asked the member about it she said that this person has been going through a hard time and would love anything uplifting. When we contacted the referral she let us right in and we talked about Mosiah 24 and how Heavenly Father will lift our burdens. 

General Conference was amazing...as expected. Many answers to questions as I am sure you had too. 

Today we are going to one another one of my favorite people's house for dinner. She is making Danish Meatloaf for me :)

Love you all!

Sista Lassen