Learning About Obedience March 14,2011

Dear Family,

Well hello from the somewhat-warmer New York. The snow has finally melted here! It still snows but it usually will melt within a couple hours which is incredible! The birds are out, the squirrels are running around, and the road construction is starting again. New York at its finest! I'm glad to hear that it was a good week for everyone. I've heard brief bits about what is happening in Japan. How sad! Sometimes it can be hard to undestand why these sort of things happen. One of the most common questions we get as missionaries is "Why do bad things happen to good people?" I think we've all sort of asked ourselves that before but the answer lies in what is going on right now in Japan. When the trials come, and you're stripped from everything you deemed as important before, in that moment you see what is really important. You rely on the Being who knows all and who can heal all. In those moments when all seems the darkest you can finally see the light. Our Savior has promised us that He will never leave us alone and I believe in that promise.

We had another good week this week! Lots of little tiny miracles going on...
-We recieved a new investigator this week, E, who was the Elder's investigator but she lives in our ward boundries so they gave her to us. She is a really neat woman, a lot of enthusiasm, quite a chatter, and excited to move forward and learn what God wants her to do.
-We were also able to set a baptismal date with B! The lesson we had with her was so directed by the spirit, she completely opened up and it was one of the most tender experiences I've had on my mission. She has been so prepared from the Lord. She's had an eye-opening experience that this is right and she can now see her future in the church, and she wants it. Yay for April 9th!
- Met a woman this week, while we were street contacting, who thinks that Jesus is an alien. That Mary was artifically inseminated and someday all the aliens will come down to earth and we're going to question all of our beliefs. Hmm.... they need to prepare you more for these kind of situations in the MTC.
- A was baptized this week!!!!! YAY! She is the nine year old little girl that I had been teaching for the six months when I was in Henrietta. Since I live so close to my old area I was able to go down there and be at her baptism (they even asked me to play the piano.... AHHHHHH... So scary). Its taken a lot for this day to happen. A lot of obstacles were put her way but she pushed through them, always keeping her eye on the goal, and she made it. I'm so proud of her!

So many many miracles. I've been thinking a lot this week about obedience. How nothing can substitute for just being obedient to those commandments that God has given us. When we are obedient our personal righteousness increases, and when our personal righteousness increases Heavenly Father can bestow us with a greater abundance of faith. And just as the ring that I wear every day says, "Every thing is possible when you have faith". Miracles happen. You can do ANYTHING that is thrown at you because you believe in the arm and the strength of the great Jehovah. It all comes down to being obedient to those things you know are right and good. I'll just end with this quote that I love from C.S. Lewis (the Master of quotes :)):
"Every time you make a choice you are turning the central part of you, the part of you that chooses, into something a little different from what it was before. All your life long you are slowly turning this central thing into a heavenly creature, a creature that is in harmony with God, and with other creatures, and with itself. Choose to obey, and be in harmony with God."

I love you all so much. I plead on your behalf every day. In the words of a famous song, "You are my sunshine... you make me happy when skies are grey..." Have a wonderful week!

Love always, Sister Carter