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! 

Cold

It was extremely cold this week! It seems like winter has finally come
out of hiding!

Other than the bitter cold paired with 30mph wind, the week was great!
We worked really hard!

We have had a lot of member meals this week which was good. We were
able to spread the word a little more about the "mission vision" which
is where each member will set a date to have the missionaries each
someone in their home in 2016! We are working really hard to help all
the members be better missionaries themselves, by just being the great
examples they are. I know that they are way more effective
missionaries, because they're walking talking proof that the gospel
can help you in every day life and bring you joy! So we have
challenged a lot of members, and a lot of them are stepping up! One
family already has someone they want us to teach! MIRACLE

Bill and Jill are still going strong! We actually gave Jill a large
print Book of Mormon, and she was so excited! She was so happy that
she would be able to read it a lot easier! It definitely reminded me
not to take the little things for granted! The scriptures are so
wonderful, and I am grateful for their guidance and comfort.

There is a poem I read this morning that really hit me:

"Good timber does not grow with ease,
The stronger wind, the stronger trees
The further sky, the greater length
The more the storm, the more the strength
By sun and cold, by rain and snow
In trees and men, good timbers grow"

President Monson shared this when he was talking about how the Savior
never leaves us alone in trials. However, often the trials we have in
our lives are for our benefit. As we learn to overcome the seemingly
endless sorrows of the world, we learn we must turn tot he Savior to
find the strength we need to endure. Only in His arms can we find
unchangeable safety. I know it, and I have felt it so much more as i
have come to accept this gospel. It isn't easy being out here, but the
strength the Lord gives me each and every day is another testimony of
the truth of this gospel I teach. I love the Lord, and I know He
lives.

Have a great week you wonderful humans!
Sister Lescarbeau

1. A giant icicle I knocked off of a roof! 2. And again. 3. I didn't
choose the mug life, the mug life chose me.

If You Give a Sister a Waffle

It better be topped with Maine maple syrup

Which is apparently better than Vermont's

Either way it is all good!

This week was very, very busy! Sister Payne and I have worked way hard! we have tried to contact new people each and every day, and we are definitely exhausted by the end of the night. I thoroughly believe the only way we had the energy to go on was because we are on the Lord's errand.

We had some amazing lessons this week! We had a lesson with Vicky, a sweet southern woman, this week. She is studying the Book of Mormon diligently to come to know it is true. As we testified of its truth to
her, you can tell she felt the spirit very strongly. It is amazing the power the Holy Ghost brings. Its presence as we talk about the gospel proves to me over and over the truthfulness of this gospel we teach.
She felt that this week, and said she would be willing to attend church!

We also taught a lot of members this week. One family we taught really touched my heart. The Hyde family took in two teenage boys into their home after their mother passed away. They treat them as their own
children, and the spirit of love in their home is very strong. We had a wonderful time with them, and they are a great example to me of Christ-like love in action.

Actions are what makes us Christians. As we are examples to others, and live the commandments of our father in heaven, we can show others the way to true happiness. I know that is through this gospel. As I teach it, and learn it myself, I become a better, more Christlike person. That is a testimony to me of its truth. Anyone can feel this
love and happiness in their lives as they accept the gospel. I know it, and I love it! And I love teaching it as a missionary!

Hope you all have a fantastic week!

Sister Lescarbeau

Bye Bye Vermont

Yep. I am getting transferred. I am so sad to leave this wonderful
area, but I know that I must be needed somewhere else! It is going to
be an exciting adventure.

This week was kind of sad and slow in the beginning. We had a ton of
appointments fall through, so it was a bit discouraging. The rest of
the week was amazing though! More evidence that miracles always come
if you work hard and follow the Spirit!:)

Christmas eve was wonderful! We were able to go to a Christmas Party
at an active members house, but they invited 3 non members that were
interested in meeting with us. We had the opportunity to share "A
World Without a Savior" and bear our testimony about how the Savior
and how he has changed our lives. The spirit in the room was palpable,
and everyone in the room could feel the truth of what we talked about.
It was amazing, and we were able to set an appointment to go see them
later this week.

On Christmas we had dinner with an investigator which was amazing. We
got to share a message with their whole family. We share a Christmas
message from the Old Testament. Isaiah 60:19 reads: "The sun shall be
no more thy light by day; niether for brightness shall the moon give
light unto thee: but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light,
and thy God thy glory." and in verse 20 " Thy sun shall no more go
down; niether shall the moon withdraw itself; for the Lord shall be
thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended"

Because of Christ's birth, we are free from all present cares. We are
given light in the deepest darkness, and comfort in our deepest
sorrow. we need only rely on the Lord and all other things will fall
into their proper place.

Our mission president challenged us to set goals for the coming year,
and center them around giving our gift to Christ. I would challenge
you all to do the same! The new year is the perfect time to start a
new, and because of Christ we can continue to have a clean slate all
throughout the year.

Next time you hear from me I could be in New Hampshire, Maine, or
Massachusetts!

Until next time,
Sister Lescarbeau

On the Maine Land

Wow this week has been absolutely insane! Mix snow, a 6 hour drive and
wonderful Mainer accents and it makes a good week!:)

The whole mission got hit pretty good with snow. And can you guess
what day it decided to show up? Tuesday. Day of transfer meeting. So
after driving 3.5 hours from Vermont, I found out I would have to
drive about 6 hours to my new area. It was a long  day, and the snow
certainly made things even more interesting! But my great week made up
for the crazy.

I came to Farmington not quite sure what to expect. But I am happy to
report that I love it! There are some amazing members and
investigators here! Bill and Jill are two investigators that I am so
impressed with! They both are very intel
studying out of curiosity, but soon felt the spirit. They have a date
for baptism in March, and I am so excited to help them get there.

One cool thing I learned about Mainers is that they all have a great
sense of humor. They are cheerful people, although many of them have
had hard lives. They definitely press forward through the hard times
and I admire them greatly for it. I am just so excited to meet more
wonderful people, and spread the gospel even more.

I'll leave you with a great quote I found. " Love is the measure of
our faith, the inspiration for our obedience, and the true altitude of
our discipleship" President Ucthdorf.
Love is the basis of the gospel of Christ. We serve others because we
love them, and we follow Christ because we love Him. Love is
everything, and because Christ loves us with a perfect love, we can be
saved from all trials and sadness in life. So remember to live with
love in your heart. If love is not the motivation behind everything we
do, life can be so much harder than it needs to be. And I sure love
you all!!

Hope you have a great week!

lectual, so they began