Dear Family,
I always look forward to this time when I get to read emails from home. I can't believe it is still 103 degrees there! Its definietly turning into Fall here. You can hardly go outside without a jacket now... bummer.
Well this week was the week that I decided a mission is an emotional rollercoaster. You have extremely amazing highs and devastating lows. There was one day in particular where I saw Satan and the Lord's power... the best part about it is that the Lord's power is always the greatest. We got a call one morning, from our District leader, about our previous investigator, (who had a baptismal date in October, then he moved into the Pittsberg mission). Our District leader was told that his girlfriend was excommunicated from the church and that the missionaries are no longer allowed to go over there and teach him. What heartbreaking news! Sister Stone and I were completely devastated. While we were still on the phone with our District leader he promised us that that day, if we had the faith, we were going to find a "golden" investigator who would be baptized this transfer. So we decided to put our faith in that promise and press forward with a steadfastness in Christ. Later that night we went over to a member's house who has her granddaughter living with her. Her granddaughter is nine and such a sweet little girl. We taught her a lesson and at the end of the lesson we asked her if she wanted to be baptized and she said that she did!! She is so excited!! Her baptismal date is set for October 17th. YAY! Wow... I still can't even believe it. What an amazing blessing! The phrase "Faith precedes the miracle" keeps popping in my head. I can't even begin to explain the tender mercies that the Lord shows us everyday. I'm so blessed.
Well I don't have my scriptures with me today so I'm just going to leave you with my testimony. I know that this is God' work. I know that His hand guides us along every step of our path. I know that without the Savior we would have no reason for being. He brings us the hope of Salavation, and that through Him we will be able to see the Father of all of us, again. I know that Joseph Smith is a prophet. I was able to go to the sites again this week with our investigator Michelle, and what another amazing experience. He really did see what he said he saw, he really was called of God to bring this work forward again. I'm so indebted to the service he rendered on our behalf. I also know that President Monson is the mouthpiece of God today. I get the chills every time he begins to speak. He was called to share with us what we have to know and obey today to be happy. I love this Gospel. It makes everything that happens in life worth it.
I love you, my family. I was telling my companion about our cruise together yesterday and the wonderful things that we have always done together. Made me so happy for the memories that we have and the future that is to come. I hope your week goes well.
Love always, Sister Carter
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
Ordinary Weeks-September 20, 2010
Dear Family,
Sorry this email is going to be a little shorter because I had to spend most of my email time taking surveys... so not as fun. I loved getting your emails! Especially about Marcy's wedding. I just love my family. I loved seeing Grandma and Grandpa, Raylene, Raychel, Celsie, Lauren, Amy... oh! And of course Kyle's new girl! She's super cute! I totally approve! I can't believe how blessed I have been in my life to be surrounded by the best family and friends possible. It seems like every day I miss someone in particular, and the things that we would do together, but its so great to have a support system that is always there. It makes me want to work even harder.
Its funny that Mom would mention just having an ordinary week... because this week was pretty ordinary. I get use to the miracles that fall into our laps all the time that when things start to slow down I remember the hard parts about missionary work. Almost all of our investigators dropped us this week. We still have Michelle who is working towards baptism which is great but every one else kinda fell off the face of the Earth. It was a little sad but I guess they just weren't ready yet. So it gave us an opportunity to start brand new. The thing is that both Sister Stone and I's weak spot is tracking. It isn't very effective and it can get so discouraging when door after door gets slammed in your face. One morning, Sister Stone and I had a "godly sorrow" moment where we both realized that we HAD to do better. People cannot come unto Christ if we don't even INVITE them to do so. So we prayed with all our might to be strong and brave and the next morning we headed and tracked the entire day. And you know what? The Lord keeps his promises. I was able to see the fulfillment of the promise made in D&C 84:88: "I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up". Although in the world's eyes we were not successful because not much came from our hard work, but there is a feeling that comes over you when you lay your head on your pillow at night and know that our Heavenly Father is pleased with what you accomplished.
There was one cool thing that happened while tracking. We ran into a family that only speaks in Sign Language. Luckily my companion is fluent in sign. So she was able to talk with them and set up another time to come back to teach them. So we went over there yesterday and taught a little bit. It was a very interesting hour for me :) I had no idea what was going on, or if things were going well or not. At one point, Sister Stone asked me to bear my testimony. Since Sister Stone and I are together 24/7 she has been able to teach me some ASL and so I was able to bear my testimony to this family in sign langauge! It was so amazing! I loved it. Sadly, in the end, they weren't very interested but it is something that I will treasure for the rest of my mission.
Well I hope this email finds you all happy and well. I miss you all. We had transfers this week and I am staying! I get to be with Sister Stone and in Henrietta for another 6 weeks. I am really excited for that, there is so much work we can get done! I love this work and I am so excited for Conference to be coming up soon! We have been reading Conference Ensigns as we drive from place to place and I have been developing such a love for our Prophet and his Apostles. I am so excited to be able to hear their words in a couple weeks because I know that they come from God.
I love you all. Thank you for keeping me in your prayers and always loving me. I think of you often.
Love always, Sister Carter
Sorry this email is going to be a little shorter because I had to spend most of my email time taking surveys... so not as fun. I loved getting your emails! Especially about Marcy's wedding. I just love my family. I loved seeing Grandma and Grandpa, Raylene, Raychel, Celsie, Lauren, Amy... oh! And of course Kyle's new girl! She's super cute! I totally approve! I can't believe how blessed I have been in my life to be surrounded by the best family and friends possible. It seems like every day I miss someone in particular, and the things that we would do together, but its so great to have a support system that is always there. It makes me want to work even harder.
Its funny that Mom would mention just having an ordinary week... because this week was pretty ordinary. I get use to the miracles that fall into our laps all the time that when things start to slow down I remember the hard parts about missionary work. Almost all of our investigators dropped us this week. We still have Michelle who is working towards baptism which is great but every one else kinda fell off the face of the Earth. It was a little sad but I guess they just weren't ready yet. So it gave us an opportunity to start brand new. The thing is that both Sister Stone and I's weak spot is tracking. It isn't very effective and it can get so discouraging when door after door gets slammed in your face. One morning, Sister Stone and I had a "godly sorrow" moment where we both realized that we HAD to do better. People cannot come unto Christ if we don't even INVITE them to do so. So we prayed with all our might to be strong and brave and the next morning we headed and tracked the entire day. And you know what? The Lord keeps his promises. I was able to see the fulfillment of the promise made in D&C 84:88: "I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up". Although in the world's eyes we were not successful because not much came from our hard work, but there is a feeling that comes over you when you lay your head on your pillow at night and know that our Heavenly Father is pleased with what you accomplished.
There was one cool thing that happened while tracking. We ran into a family that only speaks in Sign Language. Luckily my companion is fluent in sign. So she was able to talk with them and set up another time to come back to teach them. So we went over there yesterday and taught a little bit. It was a very interesting hour for me :) I had no idea what was going on, or if things were going well or not. At one point, Sister Stone asked me to bear my testimony. Since Sister Stone and I are together 24/7 she has been able to teach me some ASL and so I was able to bear my testimony to this family in sign langauge! It was so amazing! I loved it. Sadly, in the end, they weren't very interested but it is something that I will treasure for the rest of my mission.
Well I hope this email finds you all happy and well. I miss you all. We had transfers this week and I am staying! I get to be with Sister Stone and in Henrietta for another 6 weeks. I am really excited for that, there is so much work we can get done! I love this work and I am so excited for Conference to be coming up soon! We have been reading Conference Ensigns as we drive from place to place and I have been developing such a love for our Prophet and his Apostles. I am so excited to be able to hear their words in a couple weeks because I know that they come from God.
I love you all. Thank you for keeping me in your prayers and always loving me. I think of you often.
Love always, Sister Carter
Monday, September 13, 2010
Holidays & Prayer-September 13, 2010
Dear Family,
Its always so good to get emails from you... totally the best part of my week. I love that you were able to go four-wheeling!! I miss that already. Especially when it rains here a lot. I really don't mind though. The weather is starting to change. I can tell Fall is coming on! I'm not really excited for the colder weather but I am very excited to see the leaves change! I'm heard that it is breath-taking here when the seasons change.
So some funny facts from my week: 1- We decided, in our apartment, that since all four of us Sisters wouldn't be together for the holidays we would celebrate a different holiday every day of the week! So we would find some way, throughout the day, to celebrate a different holiday. We had St Patrick's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine's Day, etc... We did different things like: Made Valentines for each other, wore green, ate a huge feast, made a Christmas tree out of a branch. Such fun stuff! ...Just because I'm a missionary doesn't mean that I'm not me :) The only sad thing is that the left side of my thumb is now completely numb from cutting out so many leaves on Thanksgiving! I must have pinched a nerve or something... oh well. Done for a good cause. :) 2- We haven't found an apartment yet, although we're still looking. Henrietta is a pretty high-class place with some expensive apartments. Hopefully the Lord will open up a way for us to go somewhere soon. We, probably actually won't ever live there because by the time they get it approved from Church Headquarters we'll probably be transfered out of the area. So we'll see what happens...
We set a baptismal date with someone else this week! Her name is Michelle. We've been teaching her since the very first week that I got here and last week when we came to our appointment she told us that she wanted to go to the Church of Christ. We were a little sad but we told her that that was completely her decision and that we just wanted her to make sure that that was what God wanted her to do. So we challenged her to pray again about the Book of Mormon and to know if Thomas S Monson was a true prophet and left her that night. The next morning we got a call from her and she was SO excited! She told us that she got an answer from God and that He told her that both of those things were true. She was so happy she asked us to come over right then and teach her more. So now she is on fire! She came to church yesterday and LOVED it... when Sunday School was over she shouted out "I love this class!" :) I never really felt that strongly about Sunday School before but I'm glad she loved it :). So she's quitting tobacco and coffee today, and Sister Stone and I are going to give up cake so we can know what it is like to give up something we love :) We can help each other through it! We love Michelle. She has an innocent mind, but is so sincere and genuine.
I know that this work is true. I'm so grateful for it. We had many more experiences this week where we were at the EXACT right place at the right time. Heavenly Father is so aware of each of His children. I pray every day to be able to feel that love, so I can know how to express it to others. In my own personal study I have been reading out of Alma. I love that book so much! Now that I'm reading it with "missionary eyes", these chapters are SO powerful and uplifting. I have especially come to love Chapter 26... Ammon sees the goodness of God in his life. He believes in His mercy and in His strength and exclaims "Yea I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strenth I can do all things..." I love Heavenly Father. I love my Savior. I know that with them apart of my life I am a something.
Well I hope everything else is going well for you this week. You should send me some pictures of things that are going on at home! I realized when I came out here that I really have no pictures of home, although now I do have the new family pictures which I love!
I love you more than words express. Sometimes I wonder why I'm out here doing this, but then I remember that I want people to grow up in a home like I did and that makes me want to teach everyone. My prayers are always with you...
Love, Sister Carter
Its always so good to get emails from you... totally the best part of my week. I love that you were able to go four-wheeling!! I miss that already. Especially when it rains here a lot. I really don't mind though. The weather is starting to change. I can tell Fall is coming on! I'm not really excited for the colder weather but I am very excited to see the leaves change! I'm heard that it is breath-taking here when the seasons change.
So some funny facts from my week: 1- We decided, in our apartment, that since all four of us Sisters wouldn't be together for the holidays we would celebrate a different holiday every day of the week! So we would find some way, throughout the day, to celebrate a different holiday. We had St Patrick's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine's Day, etc... We did different things like: Made Valentines for each other, wore green, ate a huge feast, made a Christmas tree out of a branch. Such fun stuff! ...Just because I'm a missionary doesn't mean that I'm not me :) The only sad thing is that the left side of my thumb is now completely numb from cutting out so many leaves on Thanksgiving! I must have pinched a nerve or something... oh well. Done for a good cause. :) 2- We haven't found an apartment yet, although we're still looking. Henrietta is a pretty high-class place with some expensive apartments. Hopefully the Lord will open up a way for us to go somewhere soon. We, probably actually won't ever live there because by the time they get it approved from Church Headquarters we'll probably be transfered out of the area. So we'll see what happens...
We set a baptismal date with someone else this week! Her name is Michelle. We've been teaching her since the very first week that I got here and last week when we came to our appointment she told us that she wanted to go to the Church of Christ. We were a little sad but we told her that that was completely her decision and that we just wanted her to make sure that that was what God wanted her to do. So we challenged her to pray again about the Book of Mormon and to know if Thomas S Monson was a true prophet and left her that night. The next morning we got a call from her and she was SO excited! She told us that she got an answer from God and that He told her that both of those things were true. She was so happy she asked us to come over right then and teach her more. So now she is on fire! She came to church yesterday and LOVED it... when Sunday School was over she shouted out "I love this class!" :) I never really felt that strongly about Sunday School before but I'm glad she loved it :). So she's quitting tobacco and coffee today, and Sister Stone and I are going to give up cake so we can know what it is like to give up something we love :) We can help each other through it! We love Michelle. She has an innocent mind, but is so sincere and genuine.
I know that this work is true. I'm so grateful for it. We had many more experiences this week where we were at the EXACT right place at the right time. Heavenly Father is so aware of each of His children. I pray every day to be able to feel that love, so I can know how to express it to others. In my own personal study I have been reading out of Alma. I love that book so much! Now that I'm reading it with "missionary eyes", these chapters are SO powerful and uplifting. I have especially come to love Chapter 26... Ammon sees the goodness of God in his life. He believes in His mercy and in His strength and exclaims "Yea I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strenth I can do all things..." I love Heavenly Father. I love my Savior. I know that with them apart of my life I am a something.
Well I hope everything else is going well for you this week. You should send me some pictures of things that are going on at home! I realized when I came out here that I really have no pictures of home, although now I do have the new family pictures which I love!
I love you more than words express. Sometimes I wonder why I'm out here doing this, but then I remember that I want people to grow up in a home like I did and that makes me want to teach everyone. My prayers are always with you...
Love, Sister Carter
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Another Miracle Week-September 7, 2010
Dear Family,
Sorry I wasn't able to email you yesterday. Since it was Labor Day all the libraries were closed so we weren't able to get ahold of any computers. Everything here is well! Thank you for the package! I loved it, I loved the CDs and all the candy. Thank you for sending it. A little piece of home is always nice.
This week was a good one. It seems like it has been a really long week... but our first transfer is almost over! I can't even believe it! I could be switching areas and companions in the next week and a half! I feel like I just got here! I'm thinking I'll get to stay in this area though. Sister Stone and I love it out here, we get along great, and since we were both just put into this brand new area there is still so much out here that we can do! This week we're looking for a new apartment because technically we should be living in out area but we're living in Brighton right now. Its a good and bad thing. Now we won't have to sleep in the kitchen anymore, but I really like living with the other Sisters that serve in Brighton.
There were lots of miracles again this week. We have a GOLDEN investigator that is completely amazing. We just stumbled across him. His name is Kris, and his girlfriend is a member in our ward that we go to visit often. He would come in and sit in our lessons with her but then started taking an interest in what we were talking about. So we started teaching him and he LOVES the gospel! He picks up on everything so quickly! He always says to us "This stuff just makes sense!" So this week we committed him to be baptized! Way exciting. We set his date for October 31st but then something sad happened... he's moving. He and his girlfriend are moving out of our mission! So bummed! But its okay, we've talked to the Elders that are in the area that he is moving to and they are ready to help him keep progressing and keep moving towards his date.
There were a couple awesome experiences that happened with Kris this week. One of the first ones was that we were able to take him to the Church Sites! It was so exciting because I still haven't been to the Hill Cumorah yet! So we left early in the morning, went to the Hill Cumorah Visitor Center and watched the Joseph Smith movie, which he loved. After we walked around for a little while we went and took a tour through the Smith log home and frame house. Then Sister Stone and I were able to sing "Joseph's First Prayer" to him and let him go spend time in the Sacred Grove by himself. OH MAN! I LOVE THIS PLACE! I'm sorry but I'm bragging a little bit right now... I love my mission. So much. I love being able to use these sites as a tool in teaching. There is a spirit there that is undeniable. When we met back up with Kris leaving the Grove he said "If this is how peaceful it feels to be baptized, I can't wait".
Another amazing experience that we had was the last lesson that we taught him. He is a smoker and a drinker so we decided that it was time to teach him about the Word of Wisdom. So we went over to his house and talked about what we need to abstain from and the blessings that come if we do. When we were talking he said to us "Yeah, you're right. Thats why I already quit." We were flabbergasted! After we muttered a few "What?"'s and "Why"'s Krist grabbed the Book of Mormon that was sitting next to him and said to us "This book makes me want to be better". WOW! I learned a huge lesson that night: that THIS GOSPEL IS SO TRUE! I already knew that... but it was so apparent to me that night. Even if I say the stupidest things in the world, this work WILL move forward. "The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing... the Truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear..." (Joseph Smith). The Book of Mormon is true. It has the power to change lives all on its own. I'm just honored enough to get to bear testimony of it.
So everything is happy. I love you all so much. I do get homesick sometimes... but President Christianson says that that is okay. Because he does too :) Our Ward mission leader is from Orderville area so he keeps me updated on everything that is going on at home! Its kinda fun to get to talk to him. Plus there is a lady in my ward who says she knows you Dad. I think her maiden name is Caselock, and her mother's name is Debbie? She said her mom use to work for you in Kanab. So it really is a small world after all.
I'm glad Kyle is having such a blast up in college and that Kreigh and Kris are able to get everything set in order for little Atreyu. When I think about him and the little "high-five" he gave me before I left I get all happy inside. I can't wait to meet him. I love you all. Thank you for always thinking and praying for me. Know that my prayers are with you always.
Love always,
Sister Carter
Sorry I wasn't able to email you yesterday. Since it was Labor Day all the libraries were closed so we weren't able to get ahold of any computers. Everything here is well! Thank you for the package! I loved it, I loved the CDs and all the candy. Thank you for sending it. A little piece of home is always nice.
This week was a good one. It seems like it has been a really long week... but our first transfer is almost over! I can't even believe it! I could be switching areas and companions in the next week and a half! I feel like I just got here! I'm thinking I'll get to stay in this area though. Sister Stone and I love it out here, we get along great, and since we were both just put into this brand new area there is still so much out here that we can do! This week we're looking for a new apartment because technically we should be living in out area but we're living in Brighton right now. Its a good and bad thing. Now we won't have to sleep in the kitchen anymore, but I really like living with the other Sisters that serve in Brighton.
There were lots of miracles again this week. We have a GOLDEN investigator that is completely amazing. We just stumbled across him. His name is Kris, and his girlfriend is a member in our ward that we go to visit often. He would come in and sit in our lessons with her but then started taking an interest in what we were talking about. So we started teaching him and he LOVES the gospel! He picks up on everything so quickly! He always says to us "This stuff just makes sense!" So this week we committed him to be baptized! Way exciting. We set his date for October 31st but then something sad happened... he's moving. He and his girlfriend are moving out of our mission! So bummed! But its okay, we've talked to the Elders that are in the area that he is moving to and they are ready to help him keep progressing and keep moving towards his date.
There were a couple awesome experiences that happened with Kris this week. One of the first ones was that we were able to take him to the Church Sites! It was so exciting because I still haven't been to the Hill Cumorah yet! So we left early in the morning, went to the Hill Cumorah Visitor Center and watched the Joseph Smith movie, which he loved. After we walked around for a little while we went and took a tour through the Smith log home and frame house. Then Sister Stone and I were able to sing "Joseph's First Prayer" to him and let him go spend time in the Sacred Grove by himself. OH MAN! I LOVE THIS PLACE! I'm sorry but I'm bragging a little bit right now... I love my mission. So much. I love being able to use these sites as a tool in teaching. There is a spirit there that is undeniable. When we met back up with Kris leaving the Grove he said "If this is how peaceful it feels to be baptized, I can't wait".
Another amazing experience that we had was the last lesson that we taught him. He is a smoker and a drinker so we decided that it was time to teach him about the Word of Wisdom. So we went over to his house and talked about what we need to abstain from and the blessings that come if we do. When we were talking he said to us "Yeah, you're right. Thats why I already quit." We were flabbergasted! After we muttered a few "What?"'s and "Why"'s Krist grabbed the Book of Mormon that was sitting next to him and said to us "This book makes me want to be better". WOW! I learned a huge lesson that night: that THIS GOSPEL IS SO TRUE! I already knew that... but it was so apparent to me that night. Even if I say the stupidest things in the world, this work WILL move forward. "The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing... the Truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear..." (Joseph Smith). The Book of Mormon is true. It has the power to change lives all on its own. I'm just honored enough to get to bear testimony of it.
So everything is happy. I love you all so much. I do get homesick sometimes... but President Christianson says that that is okay. Because he does too :) Our Ward mission leader is from Orderville area so he keeps me updated on everything that is going on at home! Its kinda fun to get to talk to him. Plus there is a lady in my ward who says she knows you Dad. I think her maiden name is Caselock, and her mother's name is Debbie? She said her mom use to work for you in Kanab. So it really is a small world after all.
I'm glad Kyle is having such a blast up in college and that Kreigh and Kris are able to get everything set in order for little Atreyu. When I think about him and the little "high-five" he gave me before I left I get all happy inside. I can't wait to meet him. I love you all. Thank you for always thinking and praying for me. Know that my prayers are with you always.
Love always,
Sister Carter
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