It's the Little Things

Hello :)

I hope each of you are loving life and summer. Can you believe it's
the last week of July?  Time goes scary fast.  I had a little bit of
an overwhelming feeling riding on the subway last night,  because I
won't wear a name tag for forever.  That's good! I couldn't do
missionary work forever, but I really am so lucky to have Jesus
Christ's name on my heart.  I won't be able  to talk so openly & forwardly
about the Gospel that's gone from my head to my heart.  Especially The
Book of Mormon. It's a different feeling being set apart by a representative 
of Christ and given that authority.  I'm grateful!

Now I think the most difficult part about being a representative of
Him full-time is the responsibilities that are on us and the
stewardship we have over our area. I think if someone asked me 
the hardest thing about my mission for me I would say
PRIDE.  Doing the things that I don't want to do, which can be
prideful, but also being kind to myself! And giving myself credit for
trying! Doing my best! At the end of the day, we are all doing our best!  
I think we are too hard on ourselves & need to remember the why of 
the Gospel and missionary work.
LOVE.

I love my Savior. I love the ways we grow closer to him.
Zone conference was yesterday and I felt the spirit so strong in my
heart. Lots of things & feelings like I just have so much to do and
work on. It can be discouraging. I  just have a lot of things I want to do 
to help this ward. The list of our ward is so long, but sister Heiner is 
great and helped me think one thing at a time.

We had an APF the other day and I saw a girl out of the corner of my eye.
I decide to go talk to her and ask them where they're from!
They were from Germany and very sweet girls!
The mom told me she was not religious because she feels every religion
has corruption. She didn't not want a copy of the BOM...
I had the opportunity to share the restoration with her and testify of
how perfect and pure the gospel of Jesus Christ is that's found in the
BOM. She told me her sister is Mormon.
She completely changed her mind and wanted the Book of Mormon!
I promised her she would understand her sister as she reads it.
It was the sweetest experience because,
Her countenance completely changed and she had a big smile on her face
as she left our conversation  :)
We also walked the Pier the other day right before flood warnings
(picture below to show how wet we were.) The lightning was so close.
Hahaha
Well we met Ricky. Ricky told us of his life & experiences on the
street and I won't
share the term he referred himself as. So sad and so much guilt from his past.
We told him of the Book of Mormon and opened to Alma 36 and read it.
He loves Jesus Christ and was thankful we talked to him because he is
trying to turn his life around. That can be a daunting thing without a
knowledge
of how we can truly be at peace.

I know everyone can change. I know it's by doing the simple things for
the rest of our life that bring happiness and progression. I know it's
our desires that mean the most to our Heavenly Father. D & C 137:9.
Our desire for reading & praying will determine how much we will get
out of them. Please don't forget the little things! Remember it is the
spirit that leads us to do good! Text or message a friend today that
needs to know you're thinkin of them & love them! That's my invite :)

I love ya. I'm so grateful for my family.
Have a great week.

Xx: Sister Vassau!

July 20, 2016

Hi guys!

This week we got a lot done and I had some personally meaningful faith

building experiences. I feel like being a missionary in Manhattan

requires a lot of creativity!

We've been doing our Book of Mormon board and handed out a lot of Book

of Mormons this week, we printed off a map of our big area and where

all members live so we can look up multiple while we are in an area.

We're going to make a super big map and color coordinate everyone!

hopefully know something about each member here. The walking makes it

feel like we sometimes aren't effective and don't reach all the people

we could be trying. I've been thinking more if each thing we plan is

the best thing we could be doing.

The best thing has been difficult & changes day by day. in a city like

this one. I've just seen how Heavenly Father trusts his missionaries

so much. He wants us to come up with the ideas and ways we

individually, with our own talents & abilities can make the area the

best it can be... So we're working on it, but sister Heiner is really

great and teaches so beautifully.

The first few days of this transfer, I'll be honest, I felt like the

only way I will get through these next weeks here is if we are serving

& busy.  So I've been sincerely asking for service opportunities...

Lots of prays!

We had a sweet experience teaching the Feria family the Plan of

Salvation. Vicki and Nelson are partially blind. Vicki's has a kidney

disease and her husband has suffered from a skin cancer. They have two

little girls! Gracelyn Faith and Sky Miracle and  a little boy who is

special.  Before the lesson Vicki asked us if we would go to trader

Joe's and help her with groceries this week. So we were able to do

that for her! Haha (Groceries in the city is such a work out.  Ah Who

woulda thought!?)

We sang I Am A Child of God and later read the scripture about how

ever limb will be restored to it's perfect frame. It was so sweet.

They all talked about it afterwards.

Yesterday we walked past a food kitchen thing going on and have a new

service opportunity there. We had dinner with the Hartley's at this

salad place called SweetGreen last night, my favorite place. They are

the most sweet & genuine couple. They are sadly moving so asked us if

we could help them! So many opportunities to serve the people around

us. How cool is that.

Prayers are answered and God wants us to be happy!

I have been able to see so much of the Lord's hand in my life by

strengthening me and blessing me with energy and confidence. I am

loving Manhattan. I really love the union sq. ward. I realized that a

lot this week and on Sunday. We have been in so many sweet members

homes.  I never knew I needed to live in Manhattan, New York to learn

so much about myself.  I love the people and I love the different

reasons why everyone is here.  There are just so many opportunities &

exciting things to do with our lives!  It's exciting so see as we more

perfectly live the gospel, more faith, confidence, joy, hope enter in

our lives. I know that's true.

Love, Sister Vassau!!

Also,  Jeff & Miguel came to the city to see us! It was sooo happy! I

miss that family & they are still planning on being sealed August

27th.

Transfer Week! Pizza for the FINISH!

Hi!

Wednesday again! This week was good. Longer than others because Sister

Hart was transferred and is whitewashing Monticello with another

sister in my district, Sister Johnson. She's so excited to be in

nature again. Haha I don't know much about that place, just a lot of

cows. we talk about how much we miss it often. But I had the thought

last night that I could only be living here for 5 more weeks! I do

love everyday in the city, however it's really hot and exhausting

sometimes. I'll seriously miss sister hart so much. Every day was just

a joy to be with her and grow along side her.  I am a better

missionary and human because of the time we spent, serving, teaching,

walking, talking, laughing, eating, and confiding in each other!! My

new comp is sister Heiner. She's here from Darien, Connecticut. The

dream! She's from Odgen, UT. Is a dancer. Loves Legos. And seems to be

excited about everything. It will be great.

Sorry this is short! I love you all and hope each of you are doing well.

Love, Sister Vassau

July 6, 22016

I have been thinking a lot again about joy this week. I have every reason to have joy 

& share my joy.  I have just learned so many lessons lately. One being how much Heavenly Father wants me to feel a deep sense of joy.  In my studies I have learned every little thing in his plan is for our personal joy.  We can never receive a fullness of joy without spirit & body, given the test & trials we each have.  I know my trials are for a very special purpose and that purpose I have to trust!  A quote I have loved is by Elder Russel M. Nelson. "Joy in The Morning" I have felt a deep inner joy each morning since I've been in union sq.  I've never felt so in tune with the promptings and revelations of the spirit & my love for the Book of Mormon has never been so strong. I know it's true!! I have grown such a testimony of what wonderful things can happen in our lives as we study it daily. The Book of Mormon can change ones heart. I've felt it change my desires. 

“The gospel of Jesus Christ offers hope. It declares joy to be part of our divine destiny... In order to experience true joy.. At least three factors are needed. 

You need to feel good about the people with whom you live and work--your companions in life. You must feel good about yourself--not in any sense of conceit, but simply a proper esteem for yourself, well deserved. And possibly most important, you must feel good about your relation to God and sincerely love him.”

I love that! 

Let's see this week I found joy in service.

In other missionaries around me. 

Prayer!

Holding up a big flag & thinking about freedom to worship & to share this message 

Joy in The restoration of the gospel! And a prophet. I'm so grateful for the prophet Joseph Smith!! (watched it on the 4th) (did not see any fireworks.. Haha) 

Doughnuts! Lol. 

Teaching Irene & Henry about the change that can come about as they read & pray & come to church! 

I would love to hear about ways each of you are changing in your lives though the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Study a Christlike attribute each week and it will bless your life & others around you!! Mosiah 5:2! 

So much love, Sister Vassau!