3 Weeks of Emails from Sister Carter

April 14: HEeeeeeeeeeeeeellllllllooooooooooooo!!!!! :D

Wow. It has been an awesome week! We had some crazy awesome success. We found 2 families this week, and had  at church, and had 7 baptismal extensions, which ALL accepted! Let me tell you, I feel so grateful and happy.This is the first time on my mission that I set HIGH goals and met and/or exceeded ALL of them.  Sometimes when we have success, I am prideful and attribute it to my own success and hard work. But this time, I can't even try to take credit. Heavenly Father has been good to us. I feel like Ammon in Alma 26 where he glories in the Lord and his brother tells him to stop, beacuse he's boasting ad he says, I'm not boasting! I'm glorifying God! Yep, that's how I feel. So grateful. So happy. 

AND THE BEST NEWS EVER: WE GET TO GO TO THE TEMPLE TOMORROW!!! I haven't been in almost 7 months now. And I'm dying to go. There's just this whole inside me that can't be filled anywhere except the temple. I'm so excited. 

One of the families we are teaching is from the Dominican Republic. You have NO idea how useful Spanish would be. I will be learning it when I get home. She speaks a little bit of English, and I speak a TINY bit of Spanish. I can say things like "Dios es tu Amoroso Padre Celestial" and "La Iglesia de JesuCristo de los Santos de los Ultimos Dias benedice tu familia." hahah. not much.. and a few other things that aren't real helpful. Luckily, we have Spanish speakers in our ward who are willing to help translate our lessons. :) 

OH. And we did LOTS of service this week. I love service. :D We helped with the Bishop's storehouse deliveries and gardening, and cleaning at a park, and at a farm. SOOOO fun. LOVE love love service!  

except... this week was awesome except... I just found out my uncle is in the hospital and not doing too well. Will you all please say a prayer for Rob Wood and his family? thank you. 

Love you all. Have a good week. Do something COURAGEOUS this week. Give someone a Book of Mormon. :)

April 21st: Okay. So let's just say this has been the crazies, busiest, longest, shortest week ever.

 So.. last Saturday, we got in a little fender bender. Someone backed into us.

Monday: Crazy Awesome Zone Fun day. Capture the Flag in the pouring rain, volleyball, BBQ. Awesome. 

Tuesday: Trip to Columbus for TEMPLE DAYY!!!! :D Best. day. ever! I missed the temple. And I was able to receive some needed inspiration while there. :) BUT opposition in all things: We had a rough evening resulting in ME backing into someone else's car. :( Fender Bender #2. 

Wednesday: We had interviews with our Mission President and received training from our Assistants to the President.  President Nilsen gave me a much needed Priesthood blessing. After being very uplifted and inspired, of course, came more opposition. We had to go to the Emergency Room. BUT It wasn't for ME this time! ha. We thought my companion's appendix were about to explode. But now she's fine. ish. I'm definitely keeping an eye on her. and Ibuprofen in her. 

Thursday, Friday, Saturday: Crazy busy. Completely jam packed full of things to do. We had some amazing, incredibly powerful lessons though. :) 

Sunday: EASTER! 

So, I think the craziest/hardest part of this week was finding out that my uncle passed away unexpectedly. I felt slightly helpless that I couldn't be there for my family and his. But I received a lot of strength and support from my companion and especially the Spirit. This has been the most meaningful Easter to me, because of what has happened. Because Christ lived again, my uncle will too. The link attached is a video we've been showing to everyone we teach. Take the 2 minutes to watch it. You won't regret it. HAPPY EASTER! Love you all. Hang in there. We can all do this, Because of Him. 

Sister Carter

http://easter.mormon.org/?cid=HPTU041514694

 

April 28th: Hellooooooooo Friends and family!

Well.. I was just about to write "well it has been a crazy week," but then I realized that I think I write that in EVERY weekly email. But it's true. Every week is crazy. Let's define crazy. Amazing things happen, unexpected things happen, more life lessons learned, we're insanely busy, and loving it!  

We had a great week. We had an exchange with our sister training leaders. It was awesome. I have learned so much from them. I love the way every person that is part of our lives is placed there for a specific reason. To teach us a specific lesson. Or many lessons. I LOVE my companion. She has shown me an example of Christ like love.  She is kind to me even if i don't necessarily deserve it. 

Anyways. We also had an emergency training this week. We've been having some complacency, so President had to crack down. But it was VERY inspiring. and out of Love. Some good quotes: "The only things worse than a problem is not realizing there is one." and "Once you've recognized the problem, the job is half way done." 

Do you realize that we can be whatever and whoever we want to be? It just takes work. See a problem in yourself and fix it. It's not comfortable, but "THERE'S NO GROWTH IN THE COMFORT ZONE." Sorry.. "no pain, no gain." Everything worth doing takes work. And becoming more like our Savior, so we can live with him again is worth every ounce of discomfort and pain. He thought so at least. Set a small goal to be better at. It's the best feeling to look back and see self improvement. It's worth it.

Love you all! 

Sister Carter

Two more weeks worth of emails from Sister Carter April 2nd and April 7th

 Getting to sit with Mark Twain.

 Sister Vance from Idaho Falls.

 

This is how they say Newark, Ohio in Ohio. She's got an accent now.

April 2nd:

Well.. we just found out... and the results of transfers are,....... drum roll please...... WE'RE BOTH STAYING! :D Sister Larsen and I will begin our 3rd transfer in Mound Builders this week. :)

BTW, TODAY IS MY 6 MONTH MARK. Not  big deal, or anything. Crazy.. My mission is 1/4 over. I can't believe it. Time is too fast. I'll  be home in a year. Woah. 

Crazy Awesome week. So the first part of the Week I was at "Missionary Boot Camp" where they send new and shy missionaries. haha. No, I definitely don't fit that description, but my companion does, and I asked if i could go to, because I thought it would be fun. AND I WAS RIGHT! I loved it. Every minute. My companion for two days, was Sister Vance from Idaho Falls! We had so much fun together and talked to near 100 people. We got 33 phone numbers for return appointments and handed out 80ish pass along cards? It was so fun. I was so tired. haha. But I loved it. Secretly, I hope I get transferred to OSU someday. haha. LOVED BOOT CAMP!

Then we had a pretty good week here in Moundies also. We went street contacting, and taught a drunk man. That was interesting. First his name was William, then it was Larry. He wants us to come teach him more. We'll see how much he retained when he's sober. ha. 

Then I got sick. Really sick. The first time on my mission I couldn't leave my apartment, because I was so sick. But let me tell you, the CHURCH IS TRUE, and Priesthood blessings work! I feel so much better today! 

The Work is progressing! We have some interesting investigators. We're now teaching a man named James who was a former Hell's Angel and Satanist. BUT he's changed, and he's accepting the gospel. :) 

oh, and.. I"M SO EXCITED FOR GENERAL CONFERENCE! Everyone, WATCH it! :) 

LOVE YOU ALL!

Sister Carter

 

April 7th:

 

CONFERENCE WAS GREAT! Wasn't it? I loved it. So remember that talk where it says to share with your missionary what you're learning in Preach My Gospel?  You ALL now have an assignment. I prefer letter form, but either way, I'll be waiting and I will and "follow up" and Elder Ballard said. ;) 

We had a good week. I was still pretty sick, but had some cool experiences. I was so weak and tired, but when we were teaching, and the Spirit was there, I felt completely healed. It was miraculous. We had some really good lessons. One with P.J. on the Law of Tithing, which we knew would be hard for him to accept. BUT the Spirit was very strong, and he committed to living the law of Tithing. 

I loved Uchtdorf's talk on Gratitude. I think we can all better live a Spirit of Gratitude in every situation. 

 I'm so GRATEFUL for all my wonderful friends and family. Love you all, have a GREAT week! 

Sista C!

P.S. Remember the Ohio accent I mentioned briefly? Well here in Newark, it's a whole new world... I had to take a picture of this sweatshirt. This is really how they pronounce Newark Ohio. Right Along with WaRshington and Idaheau. haha.

 

Two Weeks Worth - March 17th, 2014

Week 1: So.. I CUT MY hair. Yep. The truth is out. I felt a little like Sampson at first, but now, I LOVE it. Here's a picture. The other is me and my companion being crazy. I didn't have any super exciting pictures this week, so I had to improvise. ;)

We had a Good week! I got to sing at zone Conference. It was pretty cool. I sang "I love the Lord" to the tune of "Be Still My soul" and kinda made my own arrangement from 2 other arrangements and added Violin and Piano. :) It was fun to put together. 

We now have 2 investigators that we will be meeting with weekly to have our own addiction recovery meeting! I love that book, and have learned so much from it. I'm excited to help these people with their addictions. 

THE SUN HAS ACTUALLY SHINED (shone?) A FEW TIMES THIS WEEK! :D For the first time in 5 months. haha. Alright, that's an exaggeration, but I do miss the sunshine. We thank Heavenly Father every time it's sunny! Such a tender mercy. 

Something I've really been learning is to DREAM BIG! Set goals, plan, aim high! And you can do anything you put your mind to. I've really been learning that with all the planning we do as missionaries. Some of my favorite quotes: "Shoot for the moon. Then, if you miss, you'll still end up among stars." and "If your goals/dreams don't scare you, they're not big enough!" With Heavenly Father's help, and hard work, you really can achieve anything.  That's a challenge to everyone. Set a goal.  Achieve it! And Let me know how it goes. :) 

Sherry is doing well. Sidney will be baptized this Saturday, possibly next Saturday, P.J. will be on date soon! :) 

Love you all! Have a good week! :)

Week 2: Wow.. So exciting couple weeks. MY FIRST TWO official BAPTISMS! :D On Saturday, I got to go back to Worthington because Sia (someone I taught) got baptized! She asked me to sing at her Baptism, so I sang "Walk Tall, You're a daughter of God." She makes me look like a GIANT. She's probably 4'11'' and she's about 30 years old, but looks about 12. haha. I just love Sia.  It was such a glorious reunion with my last companion and one of my best friends, Tara, and some other people from the Worthington ward. 

Back to the Moundbuilders ward! SID is getting baptized this Saturday. He is so excited! 

P.J. told us this week that he IS going to get baptized. He has some word of wisdom issues to overcome, but he's making GREAT progress with them. I'm amazed at his progress. Hopefully, he will be baptized in April. 

Right now, we are seriously working on FINDING. We've been having some bad luck with that lately.

I also got to do a service project this week that mostly ended up with me brushing horses. BEST SERVICE EVER. My poor companion is very allergic, but i was in heaven. haha. 

We taught 2 different Addiction Recovery Program lessons. They went very well. I am using the 12 steps to overcome some flaws I have as well, and the investigators really like when we are part of the meeting to and openly discuss our challenges as well. Let me tell you what, I have been sufficiently humbled AGAIN. I have a lot to improve on to be more Christ-like. Just improve a little everyday. 

Well I love you all! Have a great week!

 Sia's Baptism

 Sister Carter's new haircut

 Companions being goofy

Service project brushing horses

The Atonement - March 3, 2014

Dear Family and Friends,

I learned something about the Atonement this week that I wanted to share.

Our investigator that quit smoking, relapsed after 5 days. She was so ashamed, that she ignored our calls and didn't want to talk to us. We had no idea until we showed up at her house. She said about 10 words and then didn't want to talked to us anymore. Among those 10 words were, "I failed." Of course we assured her she didn't, but seeing her suffering was too much for me. I broke into tears as soon as we left. I sobbed, not because she relapsed, because I care about her so much that it's hard to see her suffer. She suffers from addiction when she's smoking and she suffers from terrible withdrawals when she's not. I was so sad for her. This experience made me realize 2 things: 

1. How Heavenly Father must feel watching us suffer. It's so hard. He just has to watch it. He so badly wants us to "Cast on Him our every Care," and pray so he can help us. I KNOW i can help Sherry. There's only so much I can do, but I know that through Heavenly Father, I can help her get through this. But I can't until she comes to me and asks. 

2. How Christ felt. I understand more now about why He died for us. If I could take this away from Sherry and go through all of it FOR her, so she didn't have to, I WOULD. In a heartbeat. Sometimes, we're so ashamed after we sin, that we do what Sherry did. Ignore the calls, hide our face. But Christ is right there with us, just waiting and begging for us to let him heal us. 

It was a very special experience that has made me want to turn to God and Jesus Christ more for EVERYTHING. I hope you all got something out of it as well. Love you all! Have a great week! :) 

Sista C.

P.S. This is my new haircut....chopped it off short.

 

Today Is The Day - February 3rd, 2014

It has been an AWESOME WEEK! Seriously. Why?

#1. We got a NEW car. 2014 Toyota Corolla. Red. I love it. It had 90 miles on it when we got it. We are so spoiled. 

#2. SHERRY IS QUITTING SMOKING TODAY! :D She had set a date to stop smoking on March 8th, but had a very strong prompting to move it to today. She got a blessing from the Bishop last night, and we're fasting today for her. Everyone say a prayer for Sherry today! She turns 59 today, smoked since she was 11, and last time, she tried to quite, she literally had a mini heart attack. She is so powerful already, and will be even more so very soon. 

We made her spiritual cigarettes. We wrote motivating scriptures and quotes on paper and rolled them up and made them look like cigarettes for when she has the urge to smoke. She said it is the best gift she has ever received. When we left, she gave us her last pack of cigarettes. SHE CAN DO IT! 

#3. Sidney, the over enthusiastic 18 yr old came to church and he's now ON DATE for baptism for the 15 of March. He's awesome. We think he might have aspergers or something similar, but he's awesome and has a strong desire to follow God and Jesus Christ. 

#4. Today I read the Story in Alma 24 about where the Lamanites bury their weapons of war. It's my new favorite story. For right now. It's so inspiring, and of course, i thought of Sherry. Because she knows this Church is true, she is willing to give up something she is so completely dependent on, it literally endangered her life last time she tried to stop. What weapons of war do we have that are keeping us from being closer to God? 

#5. I'm a missionary! It's AWESOME! It makes it all the hard times worth it when I get to hear things like Sherry testifying of how she knows God will help her through this, or Sidney being so excited he can't contain himself, or looking back and seeing how much I myself have changed and improved. THIS IS GOD'S WORK!

love you all. Have a great week!

Devil Cats and Hill Billy Chili 2/3/14

Hello Everyone!

This last week is all kind of a blur.. It's been a pretty good week, not quite as productive as last week, BUT this coming week will be AMAZING. I can feel it. 

We had a ward party a "Hill billy chili cook off." I participated in the pig squealing contest. I didn't win though. :/  ha. 

Sherry, our lovely investigator CAME TO CHURCH! Now all she needs is to stop smoking. Pray for her. She's great. 

We had mission wide winter Olympics today! It was awesome! My competitiveness has not calmed down any.. ha. 

We also had New missionary training that I took  my trainee to! We got to proselyte on OSU campus! It was awesome! :) I did a musical number at the training and sang "I need Thee every Hour." and my companion played the violin. It was great! :) I LOVE it when people ask me to sing. Even if it's the night before. 

Picture #5: 3 generations! My "Mom" and my "Daughter." Yes, everyone. I am a mom now. She's about a month old now. So cute, huh? And.. not sure why my hair looks such a weird color in this picture. I miss sister Hunger SOOoooo bad. 

Picture #4: So... I don't know what it is, but ALL animals here LOVE me. Not my companions, always me. And those who know me know that.. I do NOT like cats. Well we knocked on this door, and had only been inside for a minute or two when this cat CRAWLED up my body and perched itself on my shoulders. It would walk back and forth and of course, I'm super ticklish and we were trying to teach about the gospel. ha. It was hilarious!! Brother Satterfield did always say that cats are from Satan. Now I see why. They distract me from teaching lessons. hahaha. 

Sorry for the short letter! I'm almost out of time! Have a great week!

 These are from The Great Ohio Columbus mission facebook page. Sister Carter is standing next to her mission president. He owns all of the Cafe Rios.

 At a training.

 Getting to sing "I need thee every hour" at the training while her companion plays her violin.

 Cats like her. She doesn't like cats.

 

Her new companion Sister Larsen, Sister Carter, her old companion Sister Hunger

We melt frozen hearts. With the gospel. 1/27/14

Well.. We had an AWESOME week. 5 new investigators. Maybe that doesn't sound like a ton, but each was a miracle.

So.. it has been snowing like CRAZY here. We were at a level 2 snow emergency and close to 3. At 3, everything shuts down. You aren't to leave your house. It's bad. haha. Tomorrow is supposed to be -17 degrees and -40 with wind chill. I'm really grateful I learned to drive in the snow.  :) BUT we helped a few people shovel their driveways and that's how we found one of our investigators. :D 

I also... HELD A 4 AND A HALF FOOT PYTHON! Pictures to come. haha. It was pretty sweet. 

So the other picture is of the SUNRISE when we were getting ready in the morning, just out of our apartment. 

We've seen so many answered prayers and miracles this week. It's been INCREDIBLE. I've never seen my prayers answered so quickly and evidently before. I feel so incredibly blessed. Prayer works. And not just for me, or for missionaries. For everyone. Try it, I dare you. :) 

Have a great week! Love you all!

 Outside their apartment at sunrise.

 

The snow right now in Heath, Ohio.