Long Drives, Good Time

Yeah I probably spent half my time this week in a car.....but thats the reality of Maine! 

This week was learning week! We had Zone Meeting this week, which was amazing as usual. It always great to be in a room with a bunch of missionaries. They all have such strong testimonies of our Savior, and hearing their testimonies strengthens mine. 

We met with a lot of our members this week! We taught them the missionary discussions, and it is pretty amazing to hear their insights. Everyone has such amazing experiences that bring them into the gospel and keep them here. The gospel becomes more true as we live it and apply the principles we learn, and the members of our church are perfect examples of that. our lives are better as we live this gospel, and you see it radiate from their faces as they share their experiences. 

We have had some great lessons this week, especially with Ellen. She really has a strong desire to grow her relationship with Christ and allow Him to make her better. She is loving the Book of Mormon, and it helps her a lot. 

I learned a lot about following spiritual promptings this week. On Saturday night I had a strong feeling we should go visit a less active sister in the ward that wasn't even on our plans for the day.It was really random, but we decided to follow it. We went to her house, and she was there and let us right in. She is really busy, and she said we were lucky to have caught her! She hasn't come to church for a while, but she had recently pulled out her BOM and was thinking about it a lot . We came at the perfect time, and she said we could come back! MIRACLE

This Sunday was great too. I always love the opportunity to partake of the sacrament and to be forgiven and cleansed by it. I know that I am not perfect, but Sunday is the day I can really see the ways I can improve, and turn to Christ to help me. He is the only one who truly knows what we are going through. He has felt it all, emotional or physical. He knows you, loves you, and wants you to come closer to him. 

LOVES. 

Sister Lescarbeau

1The Stinsons 2 Missionaries

I'm feeling 20, Dude!

Well at least tomorrow I will!! No longer a -teen. That will be cool.
But I also have on more birthday on the mission! That is crazy!

This week was adventure! Transfer calls came and went, and nothing
changing here!
We did a good amount of teaching this week, which is always amazing.
Some of the best days on the mission are the ones where you get to
share the gospel with as many people as you can. I love it!

We revived some former investigators, which is always an adventure!
One in particular was dropped because she didn't pray to God...she
actually prayed to Mother Theresa. Yes, very interesting. But since
the sisters stopped teaching her a year ago she has prayed to God and
received answers! She was being prepared, and I think she is ready to
be retaught. She still has a long way to go, but much more receptive
now. Bill and Jill are still doing well. They are getting very excited
for baptism, and are learning a lot. It is amazing to see people
accept the gospel. It bring me back to my journey, and it feels like a
million times better! There is a promise in the scriptures that says
our joy will be so great if we bring but one would to Christ. That
promise is so real!

I am learning more about the gospel everyday, especially about the
amazing effect it has on families. Most of the members in New England
are converts, or the children of converts. Five different converts
bore testimony of the impact of the gospel on their lives. It was
amazing to hear their different journeys, but that the result is the
same. So much joy. And a closeness  in their families. And just SO
MANY MIRACLES. I love the people of New England . They are an amazing
example to me, and they have shown me so much Christ-like love. They
are living proof of this quote I heard many times this week:
"Men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He
can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He will deepen
their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their
muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their
opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends, and pour out
peace."

I know that this is true. Christ and Heavenly Father have bigger plans
for you than you could ever know. And they will provide the way, and
we just need to follow them. I know it is difficult. But it is so
worth it!

Have a great week lovely people!

Sister Lescarbeau

TWO YEARS

That's right folks. On this day two years ago I was baptized as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It was the best decision I have ever made!! It has blessed my life so much and I know that this is one and only true gospel on the earth!

This week was super busy! We saw a lot of people and taught a lot of lessons! But most of all, we saw a lot of miracles! 

Bill and Jill are still on track to get baptized on the 19th of March! Last time we were there we committed them to read and pray together as a couple. They accepted but Bill asked us "So...does that mean once we finish reading the Book of Mormon together we are expected to get a divorce?". We laughed pretty hard together, and they are really progressing!

This week I learned a lot about how Christ sees us. We saw a Sister in the ward who has really been struggling. She began to weep as she told us the many things that have happened to her. She then bore her testimony of how God has given her the strength to overcome it all. In that moment I was so filled with compassion for her, and I knew that Christ loved her so much. It doesn't matter that she has made mistakes, He loves her now and always will. He feels that way for all of us. I know that is true, and I was grateful that I get to learn that lesson over and over. 

I hope that we can all be better at showing our love for Christ. We show our love for Him and Heavenly Father by doing what they ask and remembering them always. This scripture says it best 

" Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever.

 Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day" - Alma 37:36-37

I know that Christ loves us all more than we can comprehend. It never changes,no matter what we do. I have seen His love change lives, including my own. What an amazing truth!

Sure love you all! 

Sister Lescarbeau

1. A lake that is completely frozen. The ice is so thick cars can drive on it. 2. Close up on the car! 

You've been in New England to Ling When...

You get excited that it is 15 degrees outside. Yep. This week was
cold. Like it was -15 (-33 with windchill). Brrrrrrr

Other than that this week was great! I had my birthday Tuesday, and my
6 month mark Friday! The mission has made time fly by for sure! A ton
of amazing things have happened in these past 6 months, and the next
12 should be even more incredible.

This week was filled with surprises, but some great miracles. However,
I had to learn some patience because most of them happened later in
the week. It was a great example of how obedience and hard work
eventually pays off. After a long and cold week, I was just exhausted.
Then we came to church Sunday and Heavenly Father just let the
blessing rain down!

First, Shirley Braley, a sister who has started coming back to church,
told us her neighbor was interested in learning more! She got a book
of mormon form us and said that she would have us over and introduce
us to her! Then our investigator Tina, made it to church. She had a
great time, and the members were very kind and welcoming, as they
always are. Then at the end of the night, we just looked at the week
that had passed, and saw that we had taught quite a few lessons. It is
amazing to end a week knowing you did everything for the Lord. I love
it!

I know the things we teach are true. I have learned so much for
myself, and it has truly changed my life. I know what my purpose is in
life, and I know that no matter what happens in my life, Christ is
there and is just waiting for us to come closer to Him, so He can lift
us up. I know this is true with all my heart, and the Lord has been so
good.

And here is a scripture for you to ponder: James 4;6-8
"But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the
proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore
to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you"

Lotsa Love
Sister Lescarbeau

1. Birthday cake/6 month cake. Can you tell Elders made it? 2.Now I am a Mainer

Never alone in a Zone

I We started off the week in Newport. Which was a long drive, but was definitely worth it! We had a great Zone Meeting, and I always learn a lot from other missionaries! We learned, ate food, and had a ton of fun! 

This week has gone by way too fast. But it makes the statement "time flies when you're having fun" very true! We got to teach a lot of lessons this week, especially about the Plan of Salvation, which answers the questions where we came from, why we are here, and where we go after this life. It is greatly comforting to know these answers to these questions, and also that God has a plan for each of us. He cares about us and our families, and he wants us to find happiness now and in the eternities, with our families. The Holy Spirit is always so strong as people realize all the possibilities we have as we accept Christ. We taught it to both members and non members, and it touches everyone! It is incredible!

And, as always, Maine always surprises me. The people are endearing and so loving. I hope to leave this area being more like them...I may even pick up the accent! So you will know where it came from when I say "Hi HOW AH YAHH?!" after my mission!

I will leave you with a wonderful quote from President Ucthdorf: "Christ did not just speak about love; He showed it each day of His life. He did not remove Himself from the crowd. Being amidst the people, Jesus reached out to the one. He rescued the lost. He didn’t just teach a class about reaching out in love and then delegate the actual work to others. He not only taught but also showed us how to “succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees 
Christ knows how to minister to others perfectly. When the Savior stretches out His hands, those He touches are uplifted and become greater, stronger, and better people as a result." 

"If we are His hands, should we not do the same?"

I promise that as we all strive to be Savior's hands in our lives, our joy will grow. We will rescue the lost. We will help others find hope and light when they feel so surrounded in darkness. And we will also bring more happiness,purpose, and comfort in our own lives. I know it is true, because I am seeing it now, as I serve these wonderful people in Farmington. 

HAVE A GREAT WEEK WONDERFUL HUMANS

Sister L 

Here is some fun pictures from our zone meeting!