First Week in the Field: IS THIS REAL LIFE?

So my week has been INSANE. I got to the NH airport Monday, stayed overnight in the mission home, then went right to transfer meeting the next morning. At the meeting they announced all the trainers, and I got Sister Bishop! She actually just finished her 12 week training and

had to turn right around and train me! We took the two hour drive to Lyndonville Vermont, and we have become great friends/ companions ever since!

Sister Bishop (my mission mom) me, and Sister Harward (my mission grandma)<because she trained Sister Bishop> I was thrown right into the fray the first day. We put my stuff in the apartment, did a quick planning session, then flew out the door. We started right off the bat with (dun dun a dun) TRACTING. Knocking doors slightly nerve racking, but I was able to become more comfortable. Sister Bishop made me feel better when she talked about how we are representatives of Christ, and he would go to every single door excitedly to save his fellow man. And he suffered way more than just slamming doors. We've tracted almost every day this week, and I've felt a lot better because of this advice and praying to Heavenly Father that I can be more bold. Plus the views we see while outside are insane!

It's crazy that our area is so big that there is such diverse parts!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the people here. And my first visit with some of the investigators here was absolutely crazy. I met Kim and Adam, and the very first day I met them, ADAM PROPOSED TO KIM RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME! It was so cool! Their wedding is on Friday, then they get baptized on Saturday!! Wow!!! I was so blown away that I was lucky enough to get sent to an area where there will already be two baptisms. I get to help them prepare for baptism with the last of the lessons like missionary work, obedience, and teaching in the church. They have inspired me and built my faith so much through their story. Sister Bishop keeps telling me how much they have changed, and you can see how much the Savior's Atonement has changed their lives. Kim even came with us to teach a lesson to our other investigator, Mary. She is so amazing!

We focus a lot on less active members of the church, because I guess there are several hundred people in membership records, but only about 70 or less that attend church. So we spend a lot of time helping them feel comfortable coming back or even re-teaching lessons. There was two or more less actives that needed to be refreshed on the restoration, and the plan of salvation. It's almost more heartbreaking to see them struggle to come back, after they were able to feel he joy the gospel brings.

The only other investigator I have gotten to teach is Mary. She used to live across the street from an LDS family, and she has been looking at the church for 2 years. She struggles with the social issues, like if she will fit in and what her husband will think. She talks a lot! And this is coming from me! Haha but we have really been trying to help pause for a minute and let the Holy Ghost testify the truth to her.

I've seen that being obedient to the mission rules and putting my whole heart in the work had brought the spirit into my life so much more. Like we were walking back to to our car and we actually walked one street too far and actually met a guy named Robby that was talking about how he wanted to go back to a church. We were able to teach him the restoration, and when we talked about how much Heavenly Father loves each of us individually, and he restored the true gospel through Joseph Smith so we can know exactly how to return to heavenly fathers presence. It's simply having faith in Jesus Christ, being willing to change, baptism by the proper authority, receiving the Holy Ghost, and enduring through it all. I love knowing that! And being able to teach people the gospel has expanded my understanding, and helped me grow.
I've definitely been humbled as well. I have to remind myself that none of this is about me. It's all about others, and by giving it all away to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ my first hard days of many are made light by the end of the day when I get one my knees! I love the gospel SO very much, and I'm excited for this journey!

---Sister Lescarbeau (or Sister L as I am fondly called)

Sister Bishop (my mission mom) me, and Sister Harward (my mission grandma)<because she trained Sister Bishop>

                                                    The closest nearby city is St Johnsbury

                                                   My beautiful green scenery!

Mission Field

Emily made it safely to New Hampshire and was assigned to serve in Lyndon, VT. Here she is with her new companion.

Missionary Training Center (MTC) Life...

The days here feel like YEARS. Its almost been a week but I feel as if It's been a year because I can already see a great change in myself. I learned to be a little more humble because I realized that we are truly never done being converted, by learning that my heart has been so much more open to learning more. The lessons here have seriously changed my LIFE! The teachers are so inspired and I have been able to learn how to walk right into an appointment and create a learning environment. This has made such a difference, and my lessons have become so effective, and the Holy Ghost is so strong that I really don't need to say much. I have been teaching two women, Angel and Erika. Angel is a role play with my teacher Sister Jones, but it really feels so real. We have been able to teach about how much God loves her, and that through the gospel and atonement she can change and her past sins are washed away. We had a really powerful moment with her when we read Helaman 5;12 (Book of Mormon) and talked about how if we put our trust in god then we will never be able to be pulled down. Erika is way different to teach. She has been learning about the church for about three years, but hasn't be able to commit to be baptized. WHAT A TESTAMENT TO HOW AWARE GOD IS OF ME. My conversion I think would be a really good way to help her know of the importance of baptism, and HEAVENLY FATHER KNEW THAT. The spirit here is THAT strong. It can also be a little intimidating, and crazy stressful here. Thats when I am so grateful for my super amazing district, they are very spiritual, and HILARIOUS. There is 3 companionships of Elders ( Montgomery, Eubanks, Simmons, Logan, Hone, Goodrich) and another 2 sisters (Lee and Monjar). We sit together at every meal, and we have become such good friends, and we have a lot of fun together. For example, Elder Goodrich got a huge package from his family and there was a letter in there from his "special someone" and it included a BRAID OF HER HAIR. I am completely serious, it was nasty and totally hilarious all at once. Then on the flip side, we are able to talk about our lessons openly and we are able to talk about how we can all improve . 

I wish I could tell you everything I've learned, but it is truly too much to even begin to explain. Just know that I already feel myself changing, and I love it. I  also learned that everything goes back to basics. Faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism, the gift of the holy ghost, and enduring to the end. that is the only way we can fully access the atonement, and always be representatives of Christ. 

Until next time...Sister Lescarbeau

Mission Doll: What's a Mission? And Why I'm Serving One

Hey there friends and family! I want to start by saying how much I appreciate all the support and love I'm recieving! You are amazing and I love and respect you greatly, and in some of your cases, you are supportive even though you don't know a ton about what exactly this mission thing is. Well, folks, today's your lucky day because I'm here to elaborate! So sit back, relax, and let me lay down some sweet Emily history down for ya;)

About one year and five months ago, I was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I had been going to chuch for about six before that and each and every day I grow to love the gospel of Jesus Christ even more. His love is the foundation for my beliefs and the beliefs of my church. I believe the our Heavenly Father sent His Son to suffer for our sins, so that while we are on earth we can repent of our sins and become clean. I believe in the Book of Mormon and the Bible, both works are the word of God , and I study them both. I also believe in modern day prophets. Just as God spoke to Moses, Abraham and all the prophets of the old and New Testaments, he speaks today through a chosen man. I believe that Heavenly Father and Christ have provided us a way to be happy on earth and after we pass, including the opportunity to be sealed to our families for all eternity, and we can be with them forever!
It is because I believe so truly that this church is the truth that I have been called to serve a mission in New Hampshire , Vermont, and Maine! This choice was completely voluntary, and while the full length is 18 months, I am in no way required to stay that long. It is a choice, just as everything is in life. 😄 I will teach the things I believe and love, and share the good news! My ultimate goal is to teach as many people I as I can, and let them know that they are loved and not alone in this life. Heavenly Father loves all his children, and Jesus Christ is there for us! I will also be doing service along the way.
I know it is a huge sacrifice. I am giving up social media, TV, and many other things. Ultimately I know that the blessings will come to others will be immense, and that gives me joy to know that others may be able to feel the happiness I feel. I hope to be the hands Jesus Christ and reach out to those that are in need of his love.
If you have any questions, be sure to message me within the next 5 days. I would love to answer any questions. I'll leave you with a verse or two:)
2Nephi 2 (Book of Mormon) verse 25 and 27
"Adam fell that men might be, and men are that they might have joy...wherefore all men are free  according to the flesh; and all this are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to chose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men..."
John 15: 10-11
"If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my fathers commandments, and abide in his love"
"These things I have spoken unto you, that  my joy might remain in you and that your joy might be full"