Hello Family!!
Well Merry Christmas once again! It was so good to hear all of your voices on Saturday! I thought it would be weird since I haven't heard you all in so long but it was just like normal. Although hearing Dad as "Grandpa" was a little weird, and hearing a little baby in the background was different, I felt like I was back home again for a hour and that was the best Christmas present.
Everything this week was amazing. We had so many wonderful experiences that I will always keep tucked away in my memories.This whole last week I have been praying earnestly to be able to come to know the Savior more. To make this Christmas, as a missionary, a sacred one. The Lord sure opens up ways to answer our prayers. After I got off the phone with all of you, Sister Christensen and I got dressed and went out to visit the members in our ward that we had appointments with. Well we drove into Rochester and everyone that we were going to meet with either didn't answer their door or they called and canceled on us. So, to try and fight back our discouragement we went to a local Nursing Home to sing to all the old people, the only problem was... well... that they're old. All of them were either asleep or they were already with some of their family members. So that was kind of a bust. So we tried to find things to kill time before we were going to meet at the church to watch a Christmas movie with some of the other missionaries. I was so excited, and about a hour before everyone was going to meet our District Leader called and told us that President had approved that we watch a Christmas movie on Christmas day, BUT it had to be with a MEMBER, not with each other. What a bummer! Seriously! The one thing that I had looked forward to all day. We had no idea was to do at that point so we just drove home. I bawled the entire way home, feeling sorry for myself, feeling like it was the worst Christmas ever, feeling like there was no where to go and no one wanted us, when a scripture came to my mind... "and there was no room in the inn". In that one instant I was completely humbled. Over 2000 years ago, on a Christmas night, there was a man and a very pregnant woman who were searching for somewhere to go to bring their baby into the world. No one let them in. No one wanted them. They had no where to go. The baby who came to save all mankind was born in a stable, and placed in a manager. In some fraction of a way we were able to feel a little of what that must have felt like. So we went home, sat down, sang hymns, told stories, read scriptures, and shared our testimonies of the Savior and what He really means to each of us, and you know what? It was one of the best Christmas' I've ever had. Our Heavenly Father truly answers our prayers and He is always ever mindful of us.
I hope that this week goes well for all of you! I hope that you have an amazing New Years! I love the chance we have to reevaluate our year and make goals to become better. The Savior provides a way for us to change and I am so grateful for Him. I love you all! Happy New Year!
Love always, Sister Carter
Monday, December 27, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
Merry Christmas! December 20, 2010
Dear Family!!!
WOW!! ITS CHRISTMAS TIME! I can't even believe it! I get to hear all of your voices in 5 days! Woot Woot!!! I don't think it really has hit me yet. I'm going to try and call you at around 9- 10 o'clock your time. So I can hear what everyone got for their presents and how your morning has been! We're not really sure what we're doing for Christmas yet but I'm sure its going to be great. Everything has been so busy with a new companion and lots of training meetings for the sites. There's been so much new stuff that I learned this last week. Heavenly Father is going to really stretch me this transfer, I can already tell. So, right now I have my new companion, Sister Christensen. She's pretty cool. She's about 100% different then Sister Stone was, so its something different to get use to. I technically wouldn't count myself as the Senior companion because she's been out about the exact same time frame that I have, I just know the area better than she does. I can already tell I have a lot to learn from her, she's pretty patient with me. I have a lot of changing to do, though, which sometimes can get discouraging.
So this week was my first week at the church historic sites! Since we live so far away from the sites we will only be going to one of the sites once every other week. So this week was our time in the Grandin Building. What an amazing place!! To walk the floors where Joseph walked, Oliver, Hyrum, E.B. Grandin, Martin.... so cool! Plus as a site sister we get to touch and sneak into places that you can't go into if you're just on a regular tour :) I feel like I have a backstage pass to everything! It was a pretty slow day but we were able to give a tour to a group of 9 people which was a neat experience. I love being able to stand in the place where the Book of Mormon was printed and testify that I know its true. There is a unique spirit in that place. Next week, on New Years Day, we're going to spend the day at the Peter Whitmer Farm, giving tours there. I pretty much have the coolest mission ever.
So my thought today is about a story from the Book of Mormon.... one of my favorites to tell actually. So it begins with a Lamanite prophet by the name of Samuel. Samuel was told my God, to go to the Nephite people, stand on a wall, and proclaim the time and signs of the Savior's birth, Who was going to come in 5 years. So Samuel did as he was instructed and just like with many of the prophets some believed him and some did not. The unbelievers shot arrows at Samuel while the faithful found the prophet Nephi, were baptized, and prepared for the Savior to come. As the 5 year deadline began to draw near, the believers were persecuted more and more, until there was a date set that if the signs of the Savior's coming didn't come, all the believers would be put to death.
As I read this story I try to think about what it was like for these believers. They had a testimony of the words of the prophet, they believed that He would come, but now its all on the line. I'm sure there were some that fell away from their faith at this point, but there were those who hung on to the belief that the Messiah would come. They trusted in that promise.
So the day came, and so did the sign. There was a day a night and a day where there was no darkness. When I think about what the believers must have felt when the sun went down and the sky was still light I think of the song "Oh Holy Night": ".... A thrill of hope. The weary world rejoices. For yonder breaks, the new and glorious morn..." The Savior of the world came just how He said He would. In a manager, in Bethlehem, halfway around the world. He came to save everyone of us. I really love Him. I know He's real, and I truly know that He is the light of the world. He is here to lead us out of darkness.
So I hope this Christmas week finds you all happy and well. I am so blessed and grateful to have every one of you in my life. I cried the entire video clip you sent me because I know that we're all forever. The Savior came to offer us eternity. So I hope that you have a wonderful Christmas. I hope you get make homemade pizzas, open up pajamas, and watch "A Muppet's Christmas Carol", and know that I will be thinking of you all on the other side of the country. I love you all! Merry Christmas!
Love always, Sister Carter
- Show quoted text -
WOW!! ITS CHRISTMAS TIME! I can't even believe it! I get to hear all of your voices in 5 days! Woot Woot!!! I don't think it really has hit me yet. I'm going to try and call you at around 9- 10 o'clock your time. So I can hear what everyone got for their presents and how your morning has been! We're not really sure what we're doing for Christmas yet but I'm sure its going to be great. Everything has been so busy with a new companion and lots of training meetings for the sites. There's been so much new stuff that I learned this last week. Heavenly Father is going to really stretch me this transfer, I can already tell. So, right now I have my new companion, Sister Christensen. She's pretty cool. She's about 100% different then Sister Stone was, so its something different to get use to. I technically wouldn't count myself as the Senior companion because she's been out about the exact same time frame that I have, I just know the area better than she does. I can already tell I have a lot to learn from her, she's pretty patient with me. I have a lot of changing to do, though, which sometimes can get discouraging.
So this week was my first week at the church historic sites! Since we live so far away from the sites we will only be going to one of the sites once every other week. So this week was our time in the Grandin Building. What an amazing place!! To walk the floors where Joseph walked, Oliver, Hyrum, E.B. Grandin, Martin.... so cool! Plus as a site sister we get to touch and sneak into places that you can't go into if you're just on a regular tour :) I feel like I have a backstage pass to everything! It was a pretty slow day but we were able to give a tour to a group of 9 people which was a neat experience. I love being able to stand in the place where the Book of Mormon was printed and testify that I know its true. There is a unique spirit in that place. Next week, on New Years Day, we're going to spend the day at the Peter Whitmer Farm, giving tours there. I pretty much have the coolest mission ever.
So my thought today is about a story from the Book of Mormon.... one of my favorites to tell actually. So it begins with a Lamanite prophet by the name of Samuel. Samuel was told my God, to go to the Nephite people, stand on a wall, and proclaim the time and signs of the Savior's birth, Who was going to come in 5 years. So Samuel did as he was instructed and just like with many of the prophets some believed him and some did not. The unbelievers shot arrows at Samuel while the faithful found the prophet Nephi, were baptized, and prepared for the Savior to come. As the 5 year deadline began to draw near, the believers were persecuted more and more, until there was a date set that if the signs of the Savior's coming didn't come, all the believers would be put to death.
As I read this story I try to think about what it was like for these believers. They had a testimony of the words of the prophet, they believed that He would come, but now its all on the line. I'm sure there were some that fell away from their faith at this point, but there were those who hung on to the belief that the Messiah would come. They trusted in that promise.
So the day came, and so did the sign. There was a day a night and a day where there was no darkness. When I think about what the believers must have felt when the sun went down and the sky was still light I think of the song "Oh Holy Night": ".... A thrill of hope. The weary world rejoices. For yonder breaks, the new and glorious morn..." The Savior of the world came just how He said He would. In a manager, in Bethlehem, halfway around the world. He came to save everyone of us. I really love Him. I know He's real, and I truly know that He is the light of the world. He is here to lead us out of darkness.
So I hope this Christmas week finds you all happy and well. I am so blessed and grateful to have every one of you in my life. I cried the entire video clip you sent me because I know that we're all forever. The Savior came to offer us eternity. So I hope that you have a wonderful Christmas. I hope you get make homemade pizzas, open up pajamas, and watch "A Muppet's Christmas Carol", and know that I will be thinking of you all on the other side of the country. I love you all! Merry Christmas!
Love always, Sister Carter
- Show quoted text -
Monday, December 13, 2010
Assignment to the sites
So I just had to write really fast and tell you that I just got a call from one of the sister site trainers and President called her to tell her that Henrietta is now a site area!! I'M GOING TO THE SITES!!! AHHHHHH!!! What the what!? I can't believe it! I was sure I wasn't going to be going to the sites until Spring. So crazy! The thing is that the sisters only go there like once every two weeks in the winter so it really doesn't make too much of a difference but I'm going to be giving tours now! Fulfilling my full calling. A little nervous but pretty excited at the same time. Anyway, I love you all!!
Transfers
Dear Family,
Greetings from snowy New York! We've had quite the storms lately which helps us get into the Christmas spirit :) It really doesn't feel like Christmas is coming because it is so different than any other Christmas' I've had. Its rewarding in its own way though. Lots of opportunities to serve, and I think Sister Stone and I have helped put up and decorate 5 or 6 Christmas trees. So we still get to keep up with the normal traditions.
We had our ward Christmas party this last Friday. It was such a blast! Ally, Sister Stone, and I went to WalMart and bought nasty ugly Christmas sweaters to wear to the party. It must be a West thing because no one really understood that it was suppose to be a joke. People would come up and say how cute our sweaters and vests were... they were hideous! Believe me! It was such a miracle night because we had SO many less-active members of the ward come. Sister Stone and I always joke around that our calling here in Henrietta is to bring less-actives to church, since that is all we've ever been successful at, but it was so good to see them where they belong. It was good to see them being happy and having the ward members there to take them under their wing. We really live in an awesome ward. They do so much to help the missionary effort.
So we found out about transfers last night. They don't really make a difference to any of you at home because no matter what happens I'm still gone away from home :) but we found out that Sister Stone is leaving and I am staying in Henrietta. Sister Stone is going to southern part of the mission in Penn Yan, which is a couple hours away from Henrietta so I probably won't get to see her the rest of her mission. I'm staying in Henrietta and my new companion's name is Sister Christensen. I've never met her before and don't know much about her, but that is good because then we can just have a fresh new start. I hear she's a hard worker so that will be really awesome. I'm a little nervous to be the Sr. Companion though. I have to tell her everything she needs to know about the area, and I have TO DRIVE! I haven't driven in 5 months... so weird. Especially in the snow :) I think I just realized last night, though, that the Lord takes care of me. He always has. He knows me better than I know myself and I just need to fear not. I will miss Sister Stone. She's my best friend.
So I've been thinking a lot this week about Charity. Sister Stone and I had to give a training on it in District Meeting last week and it is something I really love to think about, especially around this Christmas season. While we were planning the training we read the story of the Good Samaritan. How a man was beaten up on the side of the road and left for dead. Two men, a Priest and a Levite, saw him and passed right by when another, a Samaritan, stopped to help him and gave him all that he could. I read something I loved in Jesus the Christ that says "The Priest and the Levite tried to salve their conscience with ample excuse for his inhumane conduct; Excuses are easy to find; they spring up as readily and plentifully as weeds by the wayside. When the Samaritan came along and saw the wretched state of the wounded man, he had no excuse for he wanted none." If we want an excuse not to serve someone there will always be ones to find. I love that it says that the Samaritan "wanted none". He didn't want an excuse. He wanted to love in true and pure charity. So he did. No excuses.
Well I love all of you. I pray for all of you continually. I hit 5 months this week! A whole China trip away! I hope you have the best week.
Love always, Sister A. Carter
Greetings from snowy New York! We've had quite the storms lately which helps us get into the Christmas spirit :) It really doesn't feel like Christmas is coming because it is so different than any other Christmas' I've had. Its rewarding in its own way though. Lots of opportunities to serve, and I think Sister Stone and I have helped put up and decorate 5 or 6 Christmas trees. So we still get to keep up with the normal traditions.
We had our ward Christmas party this last Friday. It was such a blast! Ally, Sister Stone, and I went to WalMart and bought nasty ugly Christmas sweaters to wear to the party. It must be a West thing because no one really understood that it was suppose to be a joke. People would come up and say how cute our sweaters and vests were... they were hideous! Believe me! It was such a miracle night because we had SO many less-active members of the ward come. Sister Stone and I always joke around that our calling here in Henrietta is to bring less-actives to church, since that is all we've ever been successful at, but it was so good to see them where they belong. It was good to see them being happy and having the ward members there to take them under their wing. We really live in an awesome ward. They do so much to help the missionary effort.
So we found out about transfers last night. They don't really make a difference to any of you at home because no matter what happens I'm still gone away from home :) but we found out that Sister Stone is leaving and I am staying in Henrietta. Sister Stone is going to southern part of the mission in Penn Yan, which is a couple hours away from Henrietta so I probably won't get to see her the rest of her mission. I'm staying in Henrietta and my new companion's name is Sister Christensen. I've never met her before and don't know much about her, but that is good because then we can just have a fresh new start. I hear she's a hard worker so that will be really awesome. I'm a little nervous to be the Sr. Companion though. I have to tell her everything she needs to know about the area, and I have TO DRIVE! I haven't driven in 5 months... so weird. Especially in the snow :) I think I just realized last night, though, that the Lord takes care of me. He always has. He knows me better than I know myself and I just need to fear not. I will miss Sister Stone. She's my best friend.
So I've been thinking a lot this week about Charity. Sister Stone and I had to give a training on it in District Meeting last week and it is something I really love to think about, especially around this Christmas season. While we were planning the training we read the story of the Good Samaritan. How a man was beaten up on the side of the road and left for dead. Two men, a Priest and a Levite, saw him and passed right by when another, a Samaritan, stopped to help him and gave him all that he could. I read something I loved in Jesus the Christ that says "The Priest and the Levite tried to salve their conscience with ample excuse for his inhumane conduct; Excuses are easy to find; they spring up as readily and plentifully as weeds by the wayside. When the Samaritan came along and saw the wretched state of the wounded man, he had no excuse for he wanted none." If we want an excuse not to serve someone there will always be ones to find. I love that it says that the Samaritan "wanted none". He didn't want an excuse. He wanted to love in true and pure charity. So he did. No excuses.
Well I love all of you. I pray for all of you continually. I hit 5 months this week! A whole China trip away! I hope you have the best week.
Love always, Sister A. Carter
Monday, December 6, 2010
December 6, 2010
Dear Family,
Well there isn't much to report this week. It has been snowing here A LOT! I now have a new outlook on tracting. As we go from house to house we actually carrying a golf ball in our pocket. Since we have our gloves on, and its too cold to take them off, we take out our golf ball and knock on doors with that. They know how to do things here in New York. I'm glad I learned how to deal with the snow in Logan or this might be quite a shock coming from St George. We're going to make the most of it though and have a snowball fight today for P-day.
Well... I would like to report that this week was a lot better than last week but it wasn't really. Sister Stone and I joke around that it feels like a bad breakup happened with us and L. Every time we bring up his name or read it in our journal we turn away in disgust :). The Atonement has definitely taken place in our hearts though and every day I feel more peace about the situation. President Christianson told me once that just as important as the Lord's will is the Lord's timing. So I will trust in that. We also moved forward with a baptismal date with S. He came to church these last couple weeks and so we decided to set a baptism date again with him. So it was for.... yesterday. So all week we went to his house, taught him lessons, watched uplifting church movies, played church games to keep him excited. President even went over and interviewed him and gave him a blessing. Well, yesterday rolled around, the programs were made, the font was being filled and there was no Scott. We waited, we called, we went over to his house.... nothing. N. O. T. H. I. N. G. We tried all day with no avail. He still hasn't gotten a hold of us, we don't even know what is going on.
*Sigh*. Man, Satan's a beast.
Sister Stone and I have taught so many people that have, literally, stepped their toes into the baptismal font and run away. So today, I find my hope in this quote by President Monson:
" I testify to you that our promised blessings are beyond measure. Though the storm clouds may gather, though the rains may pour down upon us, our knowledge of the gospel and our love of our Heavenly Father and of our Savior will comfort and sustain us and bring joy to our hearts as we walk uprightly and keep the commandments. There will be nothing in this world that can defeat us."
Thank you for the 12 days of Christmas package! I'm so excited to get started. This will Sister Stone and I's last week together which is super sad... it will be interesting to see what happens next week. I think of you all every day. I hope you are all doing well. I love you and hope you have an amazing week.
Love always, Sister Carter
Well there isn't much to report this week. It has been snowing here A LOT! I now have a new outlook on tracting. As we go from house to house we actually carrying a golf ball in our pocket. Since we have our gloves on, and its too cold to take them off, we take out our golf ball and knock on doors with that. They know how to do things here in New York. I'm glad I learned how to deal with the snow in Logan or this might be quite a shock coming from St George. We're going to make the most of it though and have a snowball fight today for P-day.
Well... I would like to report that this week was a lot better than last week but it wasn't really. Sister Stone and I joke around that it feels like a bad breakup happened with us and L. Every time we bring up his name or read it in our journal we turn away in disgust :). The Atonement has definitely taken place in our hearts though and every day I feel more peace about the situation. President Christianson told me once that just as important as the Lord's will is the Lord's timing. So I will trust in that. We also moved forward with a baptismal date with S. He came to church these last couple weeks and so we decided to set a baptism date again with him. So it was for.... yesterday. So all week we went to his house, taught him lessons, watched uplifting church movies, played church games to keep him excited. President even went over and interviewed him and gave him a blessing. Well, yesterday rolled around, the programs were made, the font was being filled and there was no Scott. We waited, we called, we went over to his house.... nothing. N. O. T. H. I. N. G. We tried all day with no avail. He still hasn't gotten a hold of us, we don't even know what is going on.
*Sigh*. Man, Satan's a beast.
Sister Stone and I have taught so many people that have, literally, stepped their toes into the baptismal font and run away. So today, I find my hope in this quote by President Monson:
" I testify to you that our promised blessings are beyond measure. Though the storm clouds may gather, though the rains may pour down upon us, our knowledge of the gospel and our love of our Heavenly Father and of our Savior will comfort and sustain us and bring joy to our hearts as we walk uprightly and keep the commandments. There will be nothing in this world that can defeat us."
Thank you for the 12 days of Christmas package! I'm so excited to get started. This will Sister Stone and I's last week together which is super sad... it will be interesting to see what happens next week. I think of you all every day. I hope you are all doing well. I love you and hope you have an amazing week.
Love always, Sister Carter
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