One less active, two less active, red trees, blue frost

Hey pals!!

 First of all I want to thank you for taking the time to read through
my crazy thoughts and words. I am grateful for your time and support!
I hope I can bring you some inspiration, and if not some laughs are
sufficient! 😬

This week was the week I learned a valuable lesson about doing things
that you don't really like to do. For me that is knocking doors. I
kinda hate it. But this week, I did it and I actually enjoyed it! Yes
you read right, it is somehow possible to enjoy knocking on someone's
door and them staring at you awkwardly. The reason I did was because I
knew it was what Heavenly Father wanted and needed me to do. Because
of it we met someone who was interested!! Funny how that works out😉

We set a goal to see 5 less actives this week and we saw....
Drumroll... 7!!! Wow we were so blessed! We are working really hard on
getting people to the temple for the ward trip in November. I know
what amazing blessing come from it, and I know that it is an amazing
product of living this wonderful gospel, that and a hundred fold more!

We taught Shane again this week,  and we were able to set a baptismal
date with hi for November 14th! He keeps sharing all these expenses
about how the gospel has already brought him so much more peace in his
life, and he's excited to have that constantly through the power of
the Holy Ghost! We hope that he will continue to turn to the lord in
prayer as he learns more and more about the gospel. So that he can
know with a surety that this is the true church of Jesus Christ. Once
we gain a testimony of the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith, then
everything else falls into place.

We got to teach Mary again last night and I think we were actually
able to get through to her! We watched "Finding Faith in Christ" and
talked about her progression. She said that we have helped her more
than most missionaries have in the past. She is really just struggling
with putting her trust in the savior, and really praying with intent.
She was really pondering when we left, so she will hopefully say some
heartfelt prayers!

We will hopefully teach the Silva- Morse family again soon! We are
hoping to use the "Stop Smoking in a Week" workshop, that we just
found! It looks pretty effective! We also hope to use it with Lance.
He is really struggling with worthiness. He feels like he has way too
much repenting to do, and that he can never really be redeemed. I know
that's not true!! As Sister Marriott said " When we offer our broken
heart to Jesus Christ, He accepts our offering. He takes us back. No
matter what losses, wounds, and rejection we have suffered, His grace
and healing are mightier than all. Truly yoked to the Savior, we can
say with confidence, 'It will all work out.'" I truly know in my heart
without a doubt that the savior can a will redeem us all,  and we can
find rest in his infinite atonement. What a blessing it is to be a
missionary and she the atonement work in other's lives. And of course
on my own. I am in no way perfect, but I know that through the
atonement I have the capability to always improve. And when I stumble
or fail the savior will be there to comfort and sustain me.

Keep warm! Oh wait... It's probably way warmer where you are!! It's in
the 20's here though.. 😢❄️❄️
Well remember that I love you all!! I hope and pray that you see hoe
much the Savior and our father in heaven loves you as well. Because
that is what can help us in every aspect of our lives😊😊😊
Farewell and good luck in all your endeavors! I'd love to hear about
how all of you are doing!!!
Love love love,
Sister L

Sinclair, Sheep, Shane, SHenanigans and the Spirit

Hello all you incredible people you! Wow this week has been crazy cool let me tell you! The Lord is so good
to me and my companion, we have been blessed to see many miracles and beautiful growth here in beautiful Vermont!

First of all, we got to meet Shane! He was the one who called us last week and just said he wanted to set something up!! He is about 22 ish and a student at the college here. We taught him the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and Aitanna, a less active member, was there as well! He has already begun reading the Book of Mormon and has seen the blessings therein! He has also found answers to his prayers as he has prayed more often and with that real intent. He has accepting the commitment to be baptized. He is so excited to find constant peace in his life through the Atonement of Christ. I am so excited to help him to see all the ways the gospel can bless him and give him guidance.

Aaron, Morgana and their son Anthony hit a little speed bump this week. They posted on Facebook how excited they were about baptism, and their family gave them some anti Mormon literature in return. They still met with us, and they seemed like they didn't really believe it but we were still able to talk it through with them, and they are still reading and praying about everything! They actually sent us a way sweet text a few days later thanking us for being genuine in caring about them, and for bringing the gospel into their life,  and are grateful for all the blessings they have seen! I am so excited to see this family continue on their journey to be sealed as a family!
They are such wonderful parents and people, they are so ready for the gospel and all the blessings there!!

This week was also pretty full of meetings! We had interviews with the mission president, zone meeting, and stake conference! It was crazy busy, but I received so much revelation through our powerful leaders! At Zone Meeting, we talked about how to reach our goal of rescuing (bringing back less actives or baptizing converts) 170 more people in our stake boundaries! Wow crazy goal huh?! But you could really tell that the Zone leader and Sister training leader knew we could do it, and I know we can do it! In our area, we need to baptize 3 more people and rescue 15 less actives! So as many prayers you can give we need 'Em! I know that we can only reach his goal by wholly relying on the Lord and the enabling power of the atonement !! We receiving counsel on this from our stake president and an area Seventy Paul Sinclair. They talked about how the missionaries and the members need each other to reach this goal. The put a big emphasis in doing all that is in our power and truly pushing ourselves. But we also have to remember that the results are in Gods hands, we can only do our very best and wait for his arm to be revealed. I am so excited to be apart of something so incredible!!

I  hope all is going well in all of your different activities! Just remember that you are a child of God!! Something I thought about this week is prayer. He wants to hear from you ! I know that prayer is so powerful, and we can truly ask for anything er stand in need of. It is a humble act, and we show our love for the Father as we tell him the desires of our heart! He will answer your prayers, I know it! Check out Alma 34:17-28 in the Book of Mormon!!
I leave you with my love and pictures of my shenanigans !!

Sister L

                                                                   making apple cider!

First exchange in Montpelier with Sister Gillies

Sister Bishop

 Sheep in someones's front yard

Us and Sister Baker and the

foreign exchange student from Germany we taught, Jonas!

Six Weeks Gone!!!

Hello all you wonderful humans! Well this week was a toughie! We didn't have a ton of lessons this week, everybody was either sick or busy so a lot of our appointments got cancelled. But of course there were still plenty of miracles, because of course they never cease! One investigator we did meet with this week was Lance. Sister Bishop both prayed to know what we should teach him, and we both thought about Ether chapter 12 in the Book of Mormon! So we read that with him and taught him about how we see miracles and answers to our prayers after a "trial of our faith". Which simply means that we need to put full trust in Christ and have full faith that we can be given what we have asked for. As long as we ask humbly of course! He really liked the lesson, and the Holy Ghost was very present. I am so incredibly grateful that the spirit guided us to teach that lesson!! And throughout the lesson he asked some tough questions, but we were able to answer them well. He has a real desire to know, and now we hope he will experiment on that tiny spark, and turn it into a bonfire.

We saw a lot of less active families this week. It is so amazing to see how their faces light up as we help them remember simple wonderful truths of the gospel. For one it was the fact that she is a cherished daughter of God, and he loves and knows us all individually. For another it was knowing that we have so much to look forward to and hope for after this life, including being with our families forever and being able to live with Heavenly Father again.

We went to the DeGeorges for dinner, and the father, Milton, has been less active for a few years. We had a way fun dinner with them! Sister Bishop laughed until she almost cried, and we had fun stories and games all around. Afterwards we did a Family Home Evening on our living prophets that lead and guide us on earth toys. And Milton
participated!! I guess he hasn't even sat in on one for a while, let alone participate in the lesson. It was amazing to see how much he admired the prophets and their inspired words from God! We have a busy week ahead! It's he last week of the transfer (6 week period) and we also have exchanges with the sister training leaders! We have quite a few appointments all week, and I am so excited to teach so many. And to help hem prepare to be baptized, which is that first step on the way to becoming like Heavenly Father one day, and being able to find joy in the savior's atonement. What a blessing it is to be serving our God!!

I love you all!! I hope you are loving everyone and serving as many as you can!!

Seester Lescarbeau

Hey there Cool Cats!
Miracles are a foot in Lyndon Vermont! My companion and I had some wonderful miracle this week, and it just goes to show that miracles come in the hardest of weeks.  The days have been pretty long, and it is hard to find people. But we have come up with creative ways to get referrals, and just continue to build trust with the members!
The miracles we see far outweigh the rough days! Our investigator Mary, who came to church, has such a glow about her now! She really seems like she is accepting the message more, and we are even reading the Book of Mormon with her every night! We are so excited for what her future holds!! We are just continually praying for her heart to be softened, and that she will seek out the wonderful spirit the gospel brings!
I think the Book of Mormon is central to everything I've learned this week. We had Zone Conference at the Joseph Smith memorial in Sharon, Vermont and it was all about the wonderful blessings the Book of Mormon brings. I think it's such a blessing that we have both the Book of Mormon and the bible that work together to guide us back to Jesus Christ, and together they give us a clear path! The magical thing the Book of Mormon brings is that it is so true! It was only translated once, and it was completely done by heavenly inspiration, so we know it's from God. I gave a training on how it can answer " questions of he souls" and others have trained on how it can help us feel the Holy
Ghost, and how it sets us free! All of these trainings ended at the same point: Those who truly desire to know, and will act on the promptings they receive from the Holy Ghost,  will know for themselves this book is true. And not only that, we can find the truth again and again as we continue to read. As long as we read and listen to the Spirit, we can learn something new each day, and it can guide us the good times and the bad times. The Book of Mormon shows how aware Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are of us, and how they seek to guide us in our lives!
And I find it so comforting to know that Heavenly Father didn't forget about us in these latter days, and he continuously provides us with guidance through prophets!! I am so excite that general conference is coming up!! I have learned so much about prayerfully seeking answers, and I am excited to see them answered!! I attached one of my favorite conference talks, to get everyone pumped up for it as well!:) I hope everyone gets their answers, and a greater testimony of the power of God through His prophets.
I'll end on another wonderful miracle. We met with Morgana, her fiancée Aaron and her beautiful family on Saturday! This was our first time teaching them, and it was amazing to see how the Lord has guided them to the gospel. They both have had powerful ( and I mean INSANELY POWERFUL)  spiritual witnesses of Jesus Christ. And they recognize that God works in every single thing that happens, and they really know that we are there to help them act on those witnesses . We hope to see them continue to grow in faith as they read the Book of Mormon
as a family!
I am so grateful for each of you! My hope is that you will all continue to seek out ways to be more like Christ in as many ways as you can! It's a big task, but I know if I can try to do it, then you all definitely can! Sister Bishop shared a wonderful letter her Grandpa wrote. The message was just that as we just we live the way we should, and try to just emulate Christ by loving those we come in contact with, they will wonder how we are so happy! Then we can share the wonderful blessings of the Gospel, of Jesus Christ, and just that Heavenly Father loves us all!!

Be most excellent to each other! (If you get that reference you are my best friend!)


Love ya!!!
Seester Lescarbeau

General Conference Talk by Bishop Cuasse

Miracles Happen

This week has been interesting to say the least! It has been interspersed with wonderful miracles and slightly disheartening things... But the hard days make you appreciate those miracles even more! This week Sister Bishop and I were able to travel back to Manchester from here in Vermont for new missionary and trainers meeting!! We were able to be taught by the Mission President, and the

Assistants to the president. One of my favorite things they talked about is to never get down on yourself and think our mission isn't successful! Our mission is a baptizing and rescuing (less active

members) mission as long as we have a good attitude and expect miracles! So that is one of my goals, to pray for and expect miracles.

My amazing view of an amazing sunset.

And lo and behold, I experienced some awesome miracles. The first was that we were able to get a hold of a potential named Morgana. She actually called us! That really blew my mind because some people will never call back, but we were able to set up an appointment with her whole family! The next miracle came Ina rather sneaky way. We were trying to visit a member in St Johnsbury, but her address was impossible to find. We stopped by an apartment to ask if she knew where it was, and we were able to teach a lesson! Her name is Shannon ( shout out to my Momma!) and she is really looking for the support to change her life and become better. We were able to teach her that through the atonement of Jesus Christ, she can have that support and feel clean. It was an incredible lesson and we should see her soon. And Mary, who has Ben investigating for two years, went to church for the first time! So exciting!!!!!!

We did have a few investigators drop off the map, and one of them actually got a hold of some anti Mormon literature 😢😢 I sometimes just want to scream that you should only look at LDS. Org or Mormon.org! But there's so much anti out there....it's sad and slightly damaging to he work. 

I get to go to my very first Zone Conference this week! It's actually being held at the Joseph Smith Memorial ! I can't wait to see the birthplace, and I'm excited to feel the spirit there. I was actually asked to give a training there! I'm a little nervous... But I'll just pray that the spirit is there because that's the most important thing. But just pray I don't mess it up! 😁

I love this work so so so so so much. It's way spiritually draining, but in the best way. Every day I'm so tired I want to go right to bed,I feel like I've worked hard for the Lord! I love that I have such a supportive companion, and that we can help each other reach our goals! 

I have such a testimony that people can change through Jesus Christ. The spirit that comes into the room as you talk about the atonement is palpable, and I love my savior so much for the sacrifice he made!

 I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!! 😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘

Sister Lescarbeau

Week Two Whoo Hoo!

Week two was actually almost as exciting as week one, but also pretty stressful. Adam and Kim, our awesome investigators, were married Friday and baptized Saturday! It was amazing to see how wonderful their spirits are and I can't wait to see the amazing things they do! They have such strong testimonies, and I know that this step is just the beginning in their journey to becoming more like Christ and Heavenly Father. After all, that is the reason we are here, to be tested on our faith to see if we turn to Christ in love!

The Wedding Friday Night

The Baptism Saturday Night

I learned two stressful things about baptisms:

First, it takes TWO HOURS to fill the font. Crazy town, Right?!

And second, behind the scenes is pretty crazy because you don't want the peeps getting baptized to worry! I am so grateful that I was able to experience that now! Now when I get more baptisms (Hopefully 🙏) then I know how much needs to go into it.

This week was pretty hot and humid! So, of course we spent a lot of it walking outside! Haha I love it though. It is amazing to see the people the Spirit can guide you to! I have two great examples:

First we street contacted a lady named Morgana, who said that she was so glad we came up to her, because her family had all had a "spiritual awakening" and are looking for a church!

Second was what I like to call " inspired tracting". Sister Bishop and I prayed before we knocked on doors, and we were able to find Tony! He was very receptive, and he is very excited to learn more.

Sadly, that's all the action we've been getting out here. Our pool of investigators had kinda dried up. So our goal this week to to find two new investigators! We are praying and we did our fast this week focused on finding the people ready to be taught. I can't wait to find those people that are out looking for the greatest joy in the whole wide world!!

I'm still learning more and more each day. I also find that every time I learn something new, it can help me better teach the people here. Yet another assertion that none of is is about me, it's all about bringing others to the knowledge that Heavenly Father loves them, and that He wants them to come back home eventually! I can't lie though, I have caught myself thinking that I know enough and I can do it all. Then I'm kindly reminded that the only way to be successful in this work is by literally giving my whole life, and giving it to God's will. The only way I can give my whole heart, is by continually allowing the spirit to blow my mind with wonderful new thing to learn.

Being a missionary is definitely the hardest thing I have ever done, but I am always positive, because I know that Heavenly Father and Christ are proud!

Bye homies! Keep doing good!

Sister Lescarbeau

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!