September 1, 2014

Life's Funny and then you Die

Dear Family,

I feel like everything that I have learned in the past 16 months of my mission was just preparing me for this week. If I would have known how awesome the last part of my mission would be, it would have made the hard parts not as bad. I truly believe that I had to go through all those crappy experiences and trials so that I could be shaped into what Heavenly Father needed me to become. Weeks like this one only happen in "The District."

 How amazing it is to see the changes that I have made in myself. I could not begin to start to tell you of all the miracles of this week. I feel like Heavenly Father is so close to the work that we do and that what we are doing is what He would have us do. I have felt this way especially as I have made a conscious effort to act on every single prompting that I receive. 

I feel like I have been able to take myself out of the work and to just think about others and what they need.

What I believe as a result of dropping the unprepared for the prepared we got a new investigator this week. Her name is K. YOU WOULD NOT BELIEVE K. She has no religious background, knows nothing of Mormons, but felt that she needed to read the Book of Mormon and that it would help her. She requested a Book of Mormon on Mormon.org. While we were teaching the restoration she had the most amazing insights to the pictures that I have never heard. During the whole lesson I was just thinking "Don't mess this up; she is golden!" I am so grateful that Heavenly Father has blessed me with this opportunity to teach K. After that lesson Sister Shipley and I freaked out. Later that day we went even more crazy because we were street contacting and talked to a family who is looking for a church and asked us to stop by their home to teach them. I feel like everywhere we go God is placing us where he wants us to be. I feel so blessed for the trust that Heavenly Father has put in me. We have had countless experiences this week. 

So in a nut shell this week has been "off the wall"

I was on exchange in  Dover ME this week. I was able to show the sister how to just go up to people and talk to them.  Even if you feel weird about it, just do it. She is way pumped now. It was really cool/weird to see the table turned because I remember when I was out for 3 months and went on exchange with a Sister and she showed me how to street contact and it changed everything for me. It's cool to be able to share the knowledge. I was worried about the exchange in the beginning because I didn't feel as spiritually prepared as I wanted to be. That night I prayed for the strength and that He would make up for my weakness. Heavenly Father did answer my prayers and made it a great exchange.

We received one of the weirdest promptings this week. My whole mission I have been preaching that going to other churches is a waste of time. But for some reason Sister Shipley and I really felt that we needed to go to a Catholic Mass this week. So we did. We both gained a better understanding of where other people are coming from and how to help our investigators come to church. The coolest past was we sat in the back and there is a part in the service where you shake the hands of the people around you. We ended up knowing the man who was sitting right in front of us. Right when I recognized him the thought "this is why you are here" came to my mind. The rest of his story will be continued....

So the lesson I learned from this is follow your promptings, even if they are really weird. 

Alright, last story. We were talking to this girl and she was going through something that I have been through and I was able to totally relate to her and help her. That's the end of that story, but the cool part was seeing why Heavenly Father has put me on a mission, why he has me in Bangor ME, and why he needed me with my flaws and experiences to help another of his loved daughters.

I love you all so much! The work is going great and I got no regrets!

Sista Lassen

August 25, 2014

Family

Dear Family,

I could not express my gratitude, frustrations, and love that I have felt this week.

First of all. I love the picture I got of Lucy with her poking herself in the eye balls. I love it so much that I stuck it on my planner with the caption "if it's awkward make it more awkward, then it's funny." And I am showing everyone. It comes in handy when I needed to make L. laugh.

So let me tell you about L. She is just a good soul and I love her to death. We have been teaching her for a month and a half and it is amazing to see the change that she is making. I remember the first time we taught her she told us that she wanted to get baptized, but she didn't think that she would be very active in the church. And now she has the mind set that Christ has done so much for her that she can do this for Him. When we taught her this week she told us how much happier she is and just can't believe it! Her testimony of the gospel brought tears to my eyes as she reminded me why I am serving a mission: To bring happiness into people's lives. Yesterday was the first time that she came to church since we have been teaching her. I was so happy i was going to explode! When I saw her outside I RAN to her, Sister Shipley (my companion) having to chase me. The best part about her at church was in Relief Society she introduced herself saying "I'm L. and I am getting baptized September 20th." I cannot tell you the joy that she is. She is a kindred spirit. To be able to teach her has made my life and mission complete. I love her so much.

Another miracle was that P. came to church today. Missionaries have been coming to her home weekly for dinner for the past 3 years. As far as I know she has come to church once, maybe twice. I think what it was to help her go to church was our consistent annoyance of telling her to come to church, and her granddaughter. Her Granddaughter is at BYU-I and she posted on Facebook how grateful she is for church and the Sabbath day. This really hit P. Social Media is for our benefit!

The most powerful testimony that I have ever heard was from a 12 year old boy. We went over to a less active family this week. The two 12 and 13 year old boys are the strongest members in the family. As we were teaching them we asked them why they were baptized. Austin told us that at first he want to be a part of this gospel, but then he was wondering if he even wanted to do this any more. So he told us that he "got down on my knees and prayed." After he prayed he realized the blessings that the gospel has brought to his family in the past and wanted it again. As we were leaving their home he came up to us privately and ask for some copies of The Book of Mormon so that he could write his testimony in each one of them to give to each member in his family.

Those are but a few of the experiences that I got to be a part of this week. I am loving my area, ward, mission, companion, and life. LOVE YOU ALL!

Sista Lassen

August 18, 2014

Reign of Lasso and Ship

Dear Family,

Well this week didn't go as planned. We had another super road trip to Manchester, NH. (a 4 hour drive that makes me want to blow my brains out) to get my new companion Sister Shipley! She is from LaVern CA and I love her to death. 

Before I go on about my week I want to rant about being surrounded by Elders all the time; it is doing things to my head. I thought I would be fine because I grew up with 4 boys and have 4 nephews, but nothing could prepare me to be surrounded by so many Elders all the time. Some of them I want to punch in the face because they act like the little brother I never wanted to have. Some, after I talk to them, all I want to do is drink protein powder and lift weights. And the few left are normal. Lizzy, you have been warned. 

So. Many. Elders. [image from the Huffington Post website]

Anyways, so this week was so spiritual that I don't even want to tell you over e-mail: Too sacred to write. But I will say this. I have never felt the Lord's hand in this work like I have felt this week.  He is in every part of our lives and it is crazy to see. 

We had a lesson with L. my favorite person ever.  To prepare in the morning Sister Shipley and I practiced and one of us pretended to be Lindy. It was so crazy because the same questions, comments, and concerns that we practiced were exactly the same questions, comments, and concerns that she had! L. is preparing for baptism; She has been the easiest person to teach. Her heart is so open and she feels and recognized the spirit. I JUST LOVE HER!

This ward is doing amazing, and great things are happening. I am just trying to keep up! I love them so much! I also got to meet the first member in this ward. Hazel Thomas--she was baptized in 1951, When Howard and Hattie Maughan were here! I have been searching for a someone old enough to know them my whole mission. Finally found someone. She didn't remember knowing them, but still cool. 

I just feel like I should share my testimony today. I am so grateful for the testimony that I have and the many chances that I get to share it everyday.

I know that Heavenly Father hears our prayers. I know that the priesthood has been restored to the earth and we can have access to that power every day. I know that Heavenly Father isn't expecting me to do this on my own. He shows me that I am weak so that I will go to him to be strong. I know when I feel close to God it is easier to be kinder, to love, and to know what to say to testify to people in a way that touches their hearts. I am so grateful for the right perspective and purpose that the gospel and covenant gives me. I know I can become closer to God when I am truly reading the scriptures, sincerely praying, taking the sacrament, and receiving priesthood blessings. He hears and loves all of us. Something that was said at church yesterday was this: we can love people until we have felt the love of the Savior for us. How true that is.

I love you all!

Sista Lassen

August 11, 2014

Power

Dear Family,

First of all, I am upset that Sister Houston is getting transferred and I will be training a new Sister Training Leader. I only got to be with Sister Houston for 1 transfer! And she goes home in 6 weeks, and we just shot gunned this area. We thought we were bullet proof. I guessed wrong. We should have known though; we get along way too well, and we could read each other's mind too early in the transfer. Usually when you can read your companion's mind is when you are getting transferred.

Our ward is amazing. We got 2 great referrals that we can't wait to contact. We had an amazing ward council last Sunday. We had been feeling that our ward councils needed to have better coordination and be more effective, so we were praying to know what we could say or do to help them. The ward council started with the ward clerk talking about how they need to be open and safe with the discussion and be unified in the work of the ward. Then the Young Women's leader taught about making ward council more effective so we actually talk about the needs of families in the ward. The Relief Society President later in the meeting brought out a ward activity flyer and idea that she had all ready to go. She felt that they need to do more activities as a ward. Now it is set for September and almost already to go. We and the Elders highly suggested using the new and returning progress record and the oval chart. After ward council I had to brace myself and put my hand on the table so I wouldn't hyperventilate. It was amazing. Later that day we met with the ward clerk, brother Stinson. He is taking over the Ward Mission Leader job until a new permanent one can be called. At our coordination meeting we showed him the new and returning progress record and gave him the L. Tom Perry video about the oval chart to watch. GREAT things are happening in Bangor ward. I have never seen so much potential in a ward for my whole mission.

As for our investigators-- We have been having trouble making set appointments with some of them, but we will continue to follow up with them. The most amazing lesson was with L. A. We were teaching her about baptism and confirmation and talking about the covenants we make at baptism and what Heavenly Father promises us in return. We read Mosiah 18:8-10 with her. When she read Mosiah18:10 she read the question "what have you against being baptized?" over and over. It was quiet for a long time and she then looked up with tears in her eyes and said, "these verse have more power than any priesthood blessing." She told us how she wished she would have read that years ago and is planning to share that with her daughter. She is getting baptized September 20th.  

I am so grateful for the power of the Book of Mormon. If I have learned anything on my mission it is that. Another note on the experience. These woman that are mad that we don't have the "priesthood" obviously have never served a mission. I have never felt so much power from God and being a instrument for that power. And that power can be nothing else but priesthood power. I have been the instrument to bless people's homes, read the word of God in the scriptures, and to request blessing for people in prayers. It has been amazing to be that instrument and have access to that power from God.

I got to go on an exchange with Sister Cowley, which was great. I was first companions with her a year ago; she goes home on Wednesday. It was amazing to be with her one more time before she goes home. It was definitely a confirmation to both of us that we have become better followers and disciples of Christ over our missions.

I love you all! I am loving my mission!

Sista Lassen

August 4, 2014

Ideer

[I'm not sure what her title means...]

Dear Family,

This week was good, but not as eventful. Which is kind of a nice break so we can focus on other parts of missionary work. Some of our investigators were out of town, which gave us more time to talk to people on the streets. I love street contacting; it is so fun, and when people have kids I keep princess stickers in my bag so their parents have to talk to us while we are giving their child a sticker. The only bad thing to this is most of the kids want the Frozen stickers, but I have none and have no idea who these characters are. That's okay! It is quite hilarious.

The most exciting lesson we had this week was with Derick. To be honest the first time we met him and invited him to learn more I thought he just wanted to talk to girls. So when we came back we brought a member with us. We were pleasantly surprised when we found out that he had read the pamphlet we left him and the next time we came he had read the first few chapters in the Book of Mormon, prayed about it and received an answer that it is true. He is definitely one of my better investigators who actually keep their commitments! Look at that!

This week is going to be exhausting. Today we are leaving for a meeting in Manchester (3 hours away) and won't return until late Tuesday Night. Then Wednesday night to Thursday night I will be in Belfast Maine on an exchange with Sister Cowley (one of my past amazing companions.) It will be way fun because she goes home next week!

I love you all!

Sista Lassen

July 28, 2014

Hot Sauce

Image from Wikipedia

Dear Family,

It has been a wonderful week in Old Town Maine. Everyday I am happier and happier that the humidity isn't melting my face off. This summer has been quite lovely.

Alright, so something you should know about Maine is that people think that pepper is spicy. So if they tell you something is hot, add a cup of hot sauce and maybe you will taste some heat. This rant is coming from when we went to dinner with a member at a Chinese food place. He asked for some hot mustard (which has wasabi) in it. When we got the hot mustard the member (who is a 6.5ft. giant) told us "Now, please be very careful with this it is very hot and please mix it in with your food." So naturally I stuck my clean fork in the hot sauce and ate it straight. at the same time he is going, "NO!"....... Yeah it wasn't hot at all.

This week has been amazing. Lots of miracles. Especially with less active members that we have been contacting. I have a strong testimony that all we should do with less active members is to treat them like they are investigators and if they aren't progressing then we shouldn't be teaching them. I feel that some less active members feel that we are here to counsel them, which we are not. We met with a less active sister who was asking us all these questions about her Patriarchal blessing. Before it got too far I told her that we were going to teach her the restoration and let the Spirit teach her. We did and she felt the Spirit really strong. It was awesome to see that the most powerful thing that we can do is teach the lesson with the Spirit. We also met another less active sister that past missionaries had seen. We taught her the restoration and when we recited the first vision her eyes lit up and she felt the Spirit. She didn't even remember learning the first vision.

I also really like this area because U Maine college is here, so we get to meet and talk to people our age. Not that I don't like people that are older than me, but every time we meet someone my age I think, "they do exist!"

I love my companion and love this work! Love you all!

Sista Lassen

July 21, 2014--Letter to the Ward

Letter to the Camarillo Third Ward

[Bishop Fisher asked all of the missionaries serving from Camarillo Third Ward to write a letter to the ward.  The letters were read in Sacrament meeting on July 27, 2014.  Bethany's letter was read by Lizzy.]

Dear Ward Family,

First of all I want to say that writing this has been nothing short of pure torture. How can you expect this MAINE-I-ACT to pick one faith promoting experience from over a year of trillions of experiences? Good thing my mom always taught me that, "I can do hard things."

The experience that I have decided to share is not the most spectacular, but it has taught me how much our Heavenly Father knows, watches, and cares for every one of us.

It was our first lesson with our new investigator, Eric. We asked about his religious back ground, what he's expecting to learn, etc. We soon found out of his unsureness if God was there and thought that he had NEVER felt God in his life.  But he was sincere and had a great desire to learn. So we taught him the restoration, and testified of our knowledge that God is there for us and does love us. Nothing super-spectacular during his lesson, but at the end, Eric prayed. He prayed for the strength he needed to finish the farm chores, and he prayed that another worker would come and help him soon.

We had already planned to help him on the farm, which we proceeded to do. Soon more help came to finish the chores and we finished them in record time. Before we left we went to Eric and with excitement said, "Your prayer was answered!"  Without delay this quiet man said, "I feel like someone has my back"

In less than 3 hours Heavenly Father touched this man, going from thinking that God has never been there for him to knowing that God has his back.

I think that sometimes we are all scared of sharing the gospel with people, we are scared that what we hold dear to us will be mocked, or we are scared that it won't turn out the way that we want it to. Brothers and Sisters, the only reason why we don't share the gospel is because we are forgetting the we are. not. alone. It is NOT up to us to convert people. The Spirit does that. All we must do is to increase our trust and our faith in Him. And do as President Uchtdorf suggests and look in the mirror and say, "I fear no man." (Not kidding I actually do this when I am scared to talk to someone.)

I love the scripture in Mosiah 8:18 that says,

 "Thus God has provided a means that man, through faith, might work mighty miracles; therefore he becometh a great benefit to his fellow beings."

God has provided a way for us to be a great benefit to our Brothers and Sisters. We can help them prepare for the blessings of the Celestial Kingdom. One more thing I have learned on my mission is that serving people physically is great, but it comes NOTHING close to the joy and happiness that I feel as I help them spiritually.  I love this gospel.  I know it is true.  I know that this is Heavenly Father’s work and we can partake of more blessings as we increase our faith, our trust, and share it with others. I promise that you will see miracles.

In the name of my beloved Savior Jesus Christ

Amen