Another baptism!

Dear Family,


We had a great week this week! Tanya was BAPTIZED!!! YAY!!!!!! We were so happy for her. We all weren't sure if this day would come because of some of the things that she has been going through but it came, and how ever grateful we were. The font was filled, the programs made, the desserts brought in, and the members came. It actually ended up being one of the most spiritual meetings I've ever been to. Sister Chatterton and I were able to perform "Never a better Hero" (who knew that listening to all of that 80s church music would come in handy someday parents :)), and President Christianson actually came to perform the baptism. It was such a special experience because President's Dad actually passed away that morning, but at the end of the meeting he got up and just declared that he would rather be no where else then with Tanya on her baptism day. That this is our purpose, and no matter what, everything is in the hands of the Lord. It was such a great day. I feel so privileged to be a missionary and to get to see some of God's children enter into the strait and narrow gate to start their journey back to our Heavenly Father again.

It has been a little more discouraging in our new area. I find it hard sometimes to be serving RIGHT next to my old area, Irondequoit. Serving in the same ward even, and seeing all of the success that the Irondequoit sisters have in an area that I tried to work so hard in. Its just hard when the area we serve in now is having a hard time getting up and moving. I've had some very tender experiences with the spirit these last couple of days, though, that have taught me that Sister Chatterton and I are in the exact place that we are needed. Yesterday, we were dropped off in our area (11 miles away from our apartment), on foot when it began to POUR with rain. Both of us, being the geniuses that we are (and not having our mothers to remind us), didn't bring any kind of waterproof anything or any umbrella. So we took cover under a tree and got stuck underneath it for quite some time. The only thing we had to keep us dry was a waterproof map. So we sat under this tree with a laminated map on top of our head :). We looked great. As the rain continued to poor my sweet companion decided it was time to activate our faith and ask the Lord to stop the storm so that we could continue on in His work. So as we prayed under this tree, as the storm blew around us, we just asked simply to let His will be done but we were going to press forward to do all that we could to help invite others to come to Christ. When we were done we stood up and walked out into the storm. Not two minutes later (just enough to get us soaked to the bone :)), the rains stopped. And they didn't start again for the rest of the day. Wow!! I keep telling my little "baby" that she cast away a storm!!! We had miracles the rest of the day, we weren't able to get any new investigators but we were able to tell many people the truth. One man in particular that we talked to, had a question about why he was here and when we shared a scripture about it, from the Book of Mormon, his heart was touched. So... I'm slowly learning that numbers don't matter. At the end of the day, if you looked at our numbers we wouldn't have been successful, but when we laid down to sleep last night I knew our Heavenly Father was so proud of us and so happy that He could answer the prayer of two of His daughters.

So all, things are slow but good (story of my life every day). I'm glad that you all are doing well at home. I miss you all every day! You mean everything to me. I hope to report back next week and the many more miracles that we are going to be able to witness. Love you all!!

Love always, Sister Carter