Happy Thanksgiving!

FAMILY. FRIENDS! HI! 

This is not the first time I will be not with my loved ones for Thanksgiving. Thinking back on Thanksgiving of all Thanksgivings...there was Disneyland one year where we ate weird French food, remembering 2 years ago I was in India and boy, would I never give that one up, ate some curry & some more curry stuff and NOW, I'm here, NY, food can only be more appetizing than those.. probably will eat some amazing feast because The Darger's and Lanier's are just those kinds of families. They'll have all the good stuff, minus grandma's heavenly rolls.

Okay... The week began with the opportunity to go to an innerfaith Thanksgiving breakfast with around 300 people where we sat around a table and got to know each other. Jumpstart on the Thanksgiving festivities! There are far more similarities than there are differences! As we listened to the different speakers, I thought it was cool to hear Palmyra pop up out of the many different places that may be important to each of us. He then said you can ask someone at your table about these places.. Palmyra, New York. We have the opportunity every day, especially living in New York, to share the facts about Joseph Smith and The Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It's a wonderful thing that I know the spirit can confirm to each of us who earnestly prays to know. That was really neat to see so many people come together, especially with everything going on around us.

We had met this man after tracting this whole neighborhood and no one was home. This one man said we could come back another time so we said okay, Thursday! Well Thursday came and mid weekly planning, I did not think we should drop everything and drive all the way to Valhala...not super close and it was pouring outside. Sister Hislop said we probably should since we said we would come back even if he did not seem so interested. We made our way back to Valhala through the rain to Robert's home. Robert opened and talked to us for about 45 minutes just about everything. Kindest man in all of Valhala. I've met maaaany. People call him Bobby Z. He told us about his lack of interest in the religion he's been raised in and a little about his life. His wife passed away and he has raised his 2 kids and mom for a long time. He is single and a selfless man. He asked us all sorts of questions... Even if we have events for single men like him :) yes we do Bobby :) And temples :) he wants us to come back after the holidays to discuss and feed us!  I felt so humbled that this man, I didn't think much of, is soooo prepared and I almost let him fly by us. Heavenly Father taught me of integrity also that every person we meet could be that one he has been working with because they are turning to Him. We don't know who our Heavenly Father's trying to communicate with. This day, Robert was that one. This man is a saint and absolutely needs the Gospel in his life. 

A small thing that was big for me that also happened was a specific prayer to find just one person to talk to. Just one! When we went to look someone up there was a group of people in the elevator. I opened my mouth and we were able to go into this ladies home to share with her a message and set a time to come back. Simple things like that are the big things here. This work never happens though if we don't open our mouths. Open your mouth= miracles. Heavenly Father will always answer a specific and sincere prayer if we do our part afterwards.  

Then, on the way down. I asked this man if he'd had a good day and if he's staying warm or something (it's getting supa cold) and he said, "no!" he works outside. I said, "do you do construction? Do you know Jeff Lanier?" He said yes!! He's grown up with him!! Nice guy. We gave him our card. Open your mouth!! You never know. 

Well, I am really thankful for each of you. I know that as I have been here the times I have had to dig out happiness I have tried to take a step back and look at the many things Heavenly Father has done for me. He blesses each of us so much. The secret is, the happiest people are the most grateful people so I want to be one with an attitude of GRATITUDE. 

Thank you for everything you all do for me! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and show some gratitude to our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. This is something I feel grateful for, especially now, is the closeness I am able to have with my Savior through the holidays away from home. 

Love, Sister Vassau 

Temple Day!

Here I am again!!! Writing to you from the subway. I love the state of New York. I feel like it had my heart even before I'd been here.

20 years old! 

Happy Birthday to ME! 

I am so blessed and I have been overwhelmed with love on my Birthday. You made me feel so so loved!!!!! Heavenly Father looked out for me. There is no place I'd rather be. I always love the week I get to celebrate with super special people. Kyle and grandma, I hope you were shown love all week!!! Next is big D. My birthday started off with 15+ emails from my mom.. Hahaha I got sung happy Birthday to that many times. My companion and I were LOVING THEM. Hahahaha I think my favorite was Brandon's. Actually, I can't decide they were all so good. I think it just showed her what a unique and fun bunch I have back home. You all are great. I woke up to my companion who decorated our place, made me breakfast, and then opened my packages of love. Loved everything!! I had an interesting lunch and got sang to by Sita sham (greatest lady), did so much finding, and then at the end of the night we got cheesecake at the Cheesecake Factory because it's right next to us. SUCCESS!  Also the Lanier family bought me a NY Jets shirt because they loooove the Jets and are Treaver Reilly fans. That was so nice of them! Haha They love that we know him!  Every letter I read reminds me how much my family is sent here just for me. You all are special. Thank you, thank you!!

Another great thing was our Primary Program this past week. Westchester 1st Ward kids testimonies are so amazing of their Savior. Children just get it! We had ward council with our new bishopric before and I'm amazed at the leadership in this ward. Truly amazing. It's a really neat thing being able to be in on it all at this time in my life and see how each leader is so involved in this work. Bishop Mortensen does everything with such care & understands how it's the small little things in the church that are pleasing to God. Their consecrated examples have made an impact on me. His life and family is consecrated on the Lord. There are definitely a lot of things we have to give up to live the law of consecration in our lives!! 

Quote I love: 

"Christlike conduct flows from the deepest wellsprings of the human heart and soul"

The people we are teaching are great! We saw the Garcia's this week and taught them about the Plan of Happiness. We taught a lesson to the Lanier's and Cotton about the "Tree of Life" and they loved it because we talked about how the temple is on this straight and narrow path, but it's not the end, we have to endure. They are excited to get there because they understand that they can be an eternal family as they make it to the temple! Cotton is leaving for North Carolina for a month so that's sad, it will take time and patience to see him into the gates of baptism!! Aaaand Meava Meava is so great. Ahh, haha this is the woman from Ireland, who told us last night she wants to come to church and who knows maybe she'll really enjoy it. She has so many questions when we go over there. Only, she asked us to pick her up coffee this week. Uhh 

We had dinner with a member last night who has served his life in various callings. He was a mission President in Africa. Fun fact. He quizzed us on PMG. There are 126 chapters/verse references in PMG that he challenged his missionaries to memorize. They are all the doctrine and many of them did it and knew the doctrine so well. That is the basis of what he had them study on their missions and I thought that was cool. He showed us his marked up scriptures of the pure doctrine. After I finish the Book Of Mormon I would like to do that. He said they could dig into the scriptures as they did this. 

I'm going to the temple right now :) :) 

Have an awesome week.

Love you, Sister Vassau 

Spiritual Feast

I feel as if our area just exploded, there are so many families and people interested in the Gospel and we are just trying to keep up and plan well for them, because their Salvation is in our hands... No big deal. I'm serious. The blessings are pouring out to us. So we have the Gracia's who I will share more about, Karla Martinez and her family, Cotton, Lia, and a few more awesome people we have tracted and found. I literally have felt that this week we had so many experiences, meetings and trainings, that the spirit was so high we literally felt our bodies were exhausted. It's crazy how that happens because our spirits are even stronger than our physical bodies... Although my body is not so strong, anyways. This reminds me. I will start with funny because there are always funny times here, too.. This is New York City! We knocked about 2 doors later at night until this Biiiig man, I mean huge belly with no shirt on in his pj's yells at us on his porch, "Who are you? Go away! Leave!!" We didn't really even get to explain who we are, I don't think he would have cared anyway because it was dark and we were across the street, but the visual just made us laugh after the fact. The humor is sooo good sometimes. 

The Garcia's are a special family. They are the family who showed up at church, however they have been unable to come since. Coming into their home is one of my favorite things. It is humble. The walls with holes and drawings from the kids, small 2 bedroom home that they all six live in. One couch, so we sit on their baby chairs and the kids all just listen so intently. Annalie is the six year old, she's so beautiful. Coming into their home I just feel there doesn't need to be much to make a home of love and closeness. They each love each other. They showed us their pictures they have of Jesus Christ, but don't know much about Him. We were able to ask Priscilla what her relationship is with Christ and when she feels the closest to Him. We discovered that Priscilla not only went to church as a young woman, but was baptized. Her husband works now In New Jersey so is only here on the weekends. She is doing everything alone. She is sincere and wants to come to church, pray with her family, and read but it's so hard because she has to do it alone while her husband is away. Her son now has a baptismal date for December and is excited. We are still figuring out how we can teach the whole family. Keep them in your prayers

Sister Hislop and I were able to be at a training by President & Sister Smith with Elder Donaldson who was a mission President for the district. We sang for the elderly for Sister Friehofner, had stake conference and then zone conference yesterday. We have the most amazing leaders in this mission. We were even told by Elder Donaldson while he was here that he's been to many missions and the leaders in this mission are special, which was really cool. I was able to be taught many things multiple times, which is always how we should teach, in repetition because, boy, do I need it. A few things out of so many I wish I could share. Our mission is seriously going to double in numbers. We have a new standard of Excellence and it's amazing and motivating. We were able to see miracles just this week because of it and I can only imagine what it will be like in a few months!! 

The doctrine of Christ is what I hope will become written on my heart from here on out. 

It's what Christ taught and it must be lived!! It's so simple but it is everything. Everything!! 

(1 NEPHI 8) 

President talked about the iron rod, about his son William and how if William ever becomes tired of holding it...if he switches hands like he asked his dad he could do.. He will put his hand over Williams.... He will hold on to him... Wrap his arms around him and make sure he does not fall from it.... With tears in his eyes and a room FILLED with the spirit I thought of our Savior... When we fall and are barely holding on... Our Savior wraps us in his love.. He saves us... He will not let us fall if we but try to hold on.. I just felt President's overwhelming love for his son and thought of it in my life for those I love, who I will do anything for them not to fall, but most important our Savior's love for each of us, for the Atonement. We also were able to watch the new Christmas initiative we will be sharing with all of NY. It was actually my favorite one, you'll have to see why. I can't wait to share it with people! 

So much of our meetings were about Planning!! As a missionary you plan for everything and when we plan it should be a revelatory experience.  

Some of the things we here again and again are...IT'S NOT ABOUT US!!

"When we deal in specifics we rarely have failure,  when we deal in generality we rarely have success." Thomas S. Monson 

Today we are doing an apple theme Pday at the church with our Zone. Who knows what that means. It's the Big apple-- so apple cider, pie, apples to apples and more. 

I'll be 20 in 2 days.... I'm scared! 

20 year old advice for a girl on a mission anyone? 

I love you family, friends, anyone else who gets my emails. Love love love,

Sister McKell Vassau

Me and Sister Hisplop

Gratitude, Ideas, eh?

HELLO EVERYONE!

Sister Hislop and I are focusing in everything on relying on the Lord. It is so wonderful feeling just that and seeing the Lord literally take you places and then put prepared people in your path. This happened to us this week. This one day we were able to tract a lot. In the morning, we got out of our car didn't know which street to knock so we pulled somewhere and said a prayer to know WHERE. About 5 houses that no one answered and then turning a corner I saw a boy run in his house. I thought in my mind maybe not and then walked right up to the door to find this kind boy so open to here us and told us he loves to read, he has a lot of extra time right now, and thanks so much for sharing the message. We were able to find a good amount of people this day, but it was so long. Haha seriously the longest day, I don't know why. At more towards the end of the night. Once again, said a prayer asking WHERE we should go. Praying about an area is so great. I remember saying, "I'm so tired, but we're going to keep going." Well if we wouldn't have gone to this one specific area we would have not met the most incredible woman I have met on my mission who I just adore. She is a true disciple of Jesus Christ. Light seriously just shines from her. She is so happy & so filled with love. She shares the gospel with everyone.

Those were a few experiences... where we saw prayer & relying on the lord unfold. 

In my studies this week I am reading in Alma. I read about when Alma told of his conversion story to his sons just father to son, it's really cool. I noticed in verses 18-21 that Alma told about how much pain he experienced because of his sins. When he cried out, turning to Christ, he remembered his pains and sins no more. I love these verses: 20. And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain!  21. Yea, I say unto you, my son, that there could be nothing so exquisite and so bitter as were my pains. Yea, and again I say unto you, my son, that on the other hand, there can be nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy.

I have been thinking about this a lot. The more deeply we feel pain, sorrow, sadness at times, the more fully we feel joy in our lives or "The greater our sorrow is the greater our capacity to feel joy!" There is a reason for trial, for opposition. All things work together for our good to help us in Gods' plan of happiness, believe it or not! 

I really feel I am being strengthened and helped every day here as I rely on the Lord. There are just so many wonderful people that I am able to meet every week and bring closer to Christ, but I couldn't do it alone. I am grateful for my Savior, His love, & for His help. I'm grateful for His spirit. The Spirit is what matters the most!!! I'm grateful for the times I feel the Spirit teaching and testifying because they are the most precious times here. I am also grateful that this month we can reflect on all we are grateful for. NOVEMBER!! Make it a month of gratitude. 

Here are a few things I am grateful for right now off my head:

-My family- best bunch in the world!!!

-love from home

-sister Hislop

-warm showers. Ours broke a couple times this week

-funny times that keep my spirits up, like when we went on a run & my companion completely fell face to the floor and we died laughing. 

-trader joes

-the opportunity to serve in Scarsdale NY

-The Gospel of Jesus Christ

See.. Already happier!!! Just like that. 

Ideas: gratitude door or wall, gratitude prayer each Sunday, rake leaves, pumpkin cookies, write someone new each week and tell them why you are grateful for them, show Heavenly Father you are grateful by serving someone TODAY.

Have an awesome week everyone. I'm so happy to have heard Lexi Lu had a fun birthday and that everyone is enjoying fall festivities. People thought we were trick or treaters this week. Haha we went in early and watched the Restoration. Yep one for the books.

 

Love you, Sister Vassau 

Goodbye Sister Eastman and Hello Sister Hislop!

Let's see. The highlight of this week was our Ward Halloween party. We helped the YW set up and this Ward knows how to throw an awesome party. Decorations were so cute. This was so great because the Garcia family came! Also, a couple other friends of members were there and we were able to get their numbers. One was being taught by sisters in another area and moved to this area. 

We found a woman living in Scarsdale interested in the Book of Mormon this week. That was a little miracle because knocking doors in Scarsdale is hard. Not many are interested. Sometimes I laugh remembering before I got my mission call wanting to go somewhere poor & humble (maybe like India where I love) then I'm walking down streets with the most expensive real estate eva and I think how Heavenly Father really has a reason for where he sends us & a good sense of humor i think. I guess there are both ends of the spectrum here! 

We had a media referral who we called and gave the Book of Mormon to and he had some questions for us. Does God have a plan? Is it a perfect plan? He is from France so that was so cool!! 

Sunday we helped knit and we sat with the Primary kids on the stage while they practiced for their primary program. This is silly, but that was such a highlight for me!! As the kids were wiggly and wouldn't stay still, some screaming the songs, I felt the spirit so much!! I LOVE PRIMARY SONGS. They are so simple and they are so true. Why did I never listen when I sung them once upon a time. Children are so pure and just hearing them sing "This is my testimony that HE LIVES- Jesus Christ, and He loves us," made my testimony grow. We've been singing it all week. Haha 

On my fridge was a quote for a long time that my mom had up. I read it again this week and feel that is exactly how I feel about the abundance of blessings that come from the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We shared it with a few members. "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. Whoever will lose his life in the service of God will find eternal life" so I'm going to relate my life or missionary service to this reeeeal quick... As I have served people here in New York I HAVE felt a deep joy for what I am sharing- The Gospel! It comes when I study it (read the Book or MORMON) then GO out and share it on door steps. My perspective on many things/ my vision for my life is changing/ has changed already! I know more of who I want to be & who my Heavenly Father wants me to be. This one is a good one... Because I feel like I'm suuuper slow at times.... Haha like my memory is HORRIBLE, but I'm asking Heavenly Father to help me remember things so I can teach better and I have seen he does help.. Missionary service is hard WORK. Waking up early and going all day is tiring but I have felt extra energy to do what I need here. My spirits have been lifted and I have been comforted as I've focused on my Savior, blessings do come each day (although, sometimes it's easier to see the challenges in each day.) I feel like the people here are my friends. I feel that the opportunity I have to meet such kind and loving people is a privilege and I know everyone can benefit from the blessings of giving ourselves more to God everyday and asking "what more can I do?" The blessings are Ours, He asks us that we only do our part and Keep the Commandments. 

Now I know you might be wondering who is coming to Scarsdale? I will be getting Sister Hislop who came out from the MTC with me, she is so sweet. She has been in Manhattan so I'm excited for her to come here, because this is the best place you could be right now! I think it will be really awesome because we are both at the same point on this mission journey. Well really, I feel like I just got here.. It will be so good. I always get anxious, but this scripture has really brought me peace. --- Alma 26: 7 But behold, they(I am) are in the hands of the Lord of the harvest, and they are his; and he will raise them up at the last day. My companion reminded me that This is the Lord's work & he can do this work on his own. He knows His children and who Sister Vassau and Sister Hislop need to meet. All he asks is we have a willing heart and are His hands to do His work. I love her, my heart is a little broken but all is well! 

What else? We got our flu shots this week and then we both got sick/ ache... One day we went to the office building and President told us to "come on!!" He was taking us to lunch! Ha ha "Are you sure President?" He talked to us about how he started his career and to get things done in life! 

 Another thing I feel like writing because boy are my letters random.  Prayer is so good. Make sure to take 5 minutes every morning to communicate with Heavenly Father. Sit for a while and collect your thoughts and feelings and then check in with Him. How deeply involved in your prayers are you? I have found that I have had some really amazing prayers this week by putting in more effort. Prayer is a work! That's my invitation :) 

Okay I love you guys, 

Sister McKell Vassau

Happy Fall Days!

Dear family and friends, 

I would love to tell you everything about this week, but I really can't remember. This is where journaling comes in, but I'm not the best at that either. I try and then just think of Parker who wrote in his journal every single day on his mission and I feel horrible.. That's okay. I do try to write down one thing every day that I learned or that I saw God's hand in. God is so good and is ever so present in every little thing in our lives.

However, one skill I never thought I'd pick up on my mission, KNITTING!!

Sister Louis calls us and asks us if we will help her in her class knit with the kids because they want to do it so bad but they get so frustrated that they can't. So if 20 year olds can slowly learn how to knit, 7 year old can too... Right?? Still unsure about that. But hey ,we go knit with sister Louis and she teaches us. I love knitting!!!! In my mind I'm thinking why have I never done this before? Love it! She has a cat named Joe Joe. The thing about NY is everyone has cats. They love them!?!? There was one street this week I counted 7 cats. I started sneezing badly in her house, but consoled her that I'm only a little allergic.. .False!

This might be the fastest 6 weeks that ever hit us. Sister Eastman and I have laughed too much and loved serving together here in Scarsdale. Serving along with her has been a joy. She is an outstanding person and is going to do great things. We're going to start a business or something. Haha I don't know how I'm going to let her leave my side!!!!!! FAMILY- please take time to meet her and be friends with her.. I'll hold you all to it!! Our families have so much in common. We have some exciting things this week happening, like the ward chili cook-off. We are dressing up as twins with our matching dresses that I'm pretty sure all sister missionaries have. We will take some good pictures for ya. The Elders and us made it a goal to split up the whole ward directory and call every person and try to schedule a time to bring them a short message and invite them to bring a friend to the Halloween party. Well, we did this and on our list we were able to visit two families... Yep two.. That's OKAY!!! We have an awesome Ward, they are just busy people. 

We met with the Garcia family twice who showed up to church. They were unable to come this week because of the flu... That was a little bit of a bummer. We love them!!!! Their kids are the best, sooooo cute. We might be handing them off to the Yonker sisters so we are still figuring that one out, but they love when we come. 

Another really cool that happened is a girl that the elders met at WestChester Community College has a baptism date.  Miracles do happen from planting seeds at colleges. 

Today I am in the city, because the departing missionaries are going to the temple so I am with Sister Atkinson! Also, we will receive transfer calls this week so that should be fun. 

I love you guys! I love God! 

I love your emails, letters, and love. Thank you!! 

I appreciate every single one of them. 

Love, Sister McKell Vassau 

I Love Babies!

Hi family and friends!! 

I can't believe it's already p-day! Here is my week. Elder Arnold came to our mission and told us all to repent. Haha Ya...the day was filled with trainings that were so amazing. It would take forever to explain what he said and how he is going to change our mission. A huge one was members being apart of this work and how sacrifice cultivates dedication. I loved when he talked about planning, there is so much time spent on planning in missionary work. He called it a revelatory experience. No one, not one of the people we see from day to day sees how much time is spent planning, praying, and thinking about THEM. It's all for them. That is why this is selfless work. He had us make specific plans for each of our investigators and it makes all the difference. It's really not about us -it's about the Lord and his work

There was a throw down in the projects this week and we got a front row seat in our car!! Ah hahahaha We were going to go look up some people and then we definitely decided not to because girls were running around everywhere yelling at each other and a woman had a bat. We were like, "No, thank you!" Some major contention happenin!!!! 

I can't wait to tell you a couple really amazing things that happened this week. Big tender mercies from the Lord.  Having Sister Eastman here has been so awesome because, 1.  She is my best friend. 2. she has people come to mind that she used to visit. One of those being, the Martinez family. This is so good!! So we go see the Martinez family and find them on a perfect night. Karla and her sweet daughter Monica have us sit down and we just talk and catch up with them. She is from Sao Paola, Brazil and her husband is from Mexico. They have two kids, who each are so sweet. They tell us to come back so we go back this week after our day long conference and applied everything we learned from Elder Arnold to help the Martinez family. It was incredible. Please pray for this sweet family! We feel so good about them. We are having two members bring them dinner this week because Karla just had surgery. 

We recently got a new bishopric in the Westchester 1st Ward. Each incredible men. The new Bishop read a scripture that hasn't left my mind since. It is 3 Nephi 5:13 and it says:

13.  Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among His people, that they might have everlasting life.

I am a disciple of Christ. Lord, what would you have me do? When we love our Savior, when we know him, when we are truly His disciple, we will do whatever it is he wants us to do and we may have to give up some things, like our pride or fears. Give it all to Him! Sometimes it's to open my mouth and sometimes it's to go where I feel not where I want. I want to be a disciple of Him to the end so there may be a lot of things Sister Vassau may have to give up. 

After the wonderful Sacrament on Sunday we pointed out a family that didn't look like everyone because of their street clothes. This family had 5 kids under the age of 10. The husband spoke Spanish and the mom English. As we sat down by them and talked with them, we quickly found out that they are not from our ward and not members. They do live in the area. She said that they drove past and felt like they should come to this church so they came. They came in the middle of the meeting. She hasn't been to church in a long time. With tears in her eyes she said I just love how happy I feel here. Sister Eastman and I are just dying inside. Who just shows up to church randomly and wants to meet with missionaries??? No one does!! That's a sweet tender mercy. 

This is the scripture we read at Conference! 

"Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart."

This Gospel is so good. It's so true. I feel it as I share it. I know as we get it from our minds to our hearts it will become apart of who we are. I hope my family knows how I love this gospel and I love the promises of being with them for forever. That means everything to me and I am realizing more and more that is what matters most. Having that goal in my life has made all the difference to keep me on the path. Have a good week everyone and CTR! 

Love, Sister Vassau