Till We Meet Again

My heart has surely grown these past 18 months. I can hardly believe its all over. These are my people and Arizona has become my home.

Stepping off the plane a year and a half ago I had no idea. No idea what to expect, how the Lord could strengthen me, who I would meet, how I could love nor how I would change. My life felt like a blank canvas. 

I hated the desert at first. I would say prayer after prayer that my perspective would change and that the earth would come to life. Now, I can't stop talking about how green it is! It's like God threw some splashes of saguaro green and Arizona sunset onto that canvas. The desert is beautiful!! Just as my perspective of the desert has changed, so has that of the gospel. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is beautiful. It is the most precious thing to me. By living the gospel every day is how we find not only happiness but everlasting JOY. I recognize that the last 18 months have been heavens investment in me. I have been stretched and molded into someone I never imagined I could be. There is no more fulfilling struggle than understanding and aligning my will with His great plan. But it's not easy. A mission is not easy. However, it is beautiful when you step back and see the big picture. I can see now how God used me as an instrument, merely a paintbrush, to create something magnificent on that canvas that now represents my mission. That too is beautiful. 

I pray that I can remember this picture for the rest of my life. Remember the people, the happy, the sad, the miracles, the sweat, the exhaustion, the work, and the bad that makes the good better. This has not been about religion or numbers. It has been about helping my brothers and sister return home to the God who created us. I know that God is ever aware of each of his children. I want to always remember this. 

I know that when I step off the plane Wednesday I will be a very different person than the one who stood in that same airport 18 months ago. I am a far from perfect missionary, but I know I am more like my Savior than I was when I first put my name tag on

My gratitude for God can't be put into words, I owe every day of my mission to Him. I owe Him. And every day of my next journey.  

I am willing to die for this, but I know God is asking me to live for it. And that is my plan. To live every day of the rest of my life for this gospel. To live it, to share it, to fight for it. 

My life is changed forever and ever and ever. My testimony of this gospel is unshakable. 

This has all be so very worth it. 

I can't thank each of you enough for every ounce of support you have given me. I love you all more than you will ever know! 

See you soon, 

 Sister Carter

He lives, my kind, wise heav’nly Friend.

He lives and loves me to the end.

He lives, and while he lives, I’ll sing.

He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King!

Pictures: Saturday I was able to attend the baptism of little Kayla Hargreaves! Her family was baptized in my first area and she just turned 8. I am so lucky I was near this area and able to attend! Lots of goodbyes, our greatest investigator Josh, exchanges, and good memories. 

For all my missionary friends my new email is emilycarter04@gmail.com :)

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9 days

Hello hello!!

This week was a combination of tennis lessons, crazy old ladies singing to us, drawing chalk on side walks, shoveling lots of chicken poop, playing jumping frogs with a sick sister, the fire alarm going off in the middle of the night, attending MLC, hearing from incredible leaders, and seeing all my mission friends one last time. 

Josh is just doing great! We asked him to read D&C 89 in preparation for our lesson and he accidentally ready D&C 88... all 141 verses.... haha he is amazing. 

I got to talk to the greatest convert, Felissa Murphy from Thatcher. It made my day to hear from her for just a few minutes! Crazy to think a year ago I met her and her kids. They are forever part of my family now. 

We killed about 60 roaches in our apartment this week. 

Things here are just so so good. I could not love my mission more. It is bitter sweet to think I only have 9 days left. Its really funny because right when I think I have the hang of things, or know how to be a missionary, I learn something I new. At our conference on Friday Elder Wakolo taught me so much. One thing I loved was at the very beginning of his training he had President and Sister Browning stand up. He talked about their sacrifice to be here, the sacrifice of their 4 kids that live here, and the sacrifices they will make the next 2 years they are here. Elder Wakolo then told us that what is on President and Sister Browning's minds is not the 4 kids with them or the 4 kids at home, but all 150 of us missionaries serving in the Arizona Tucson Mission. Elder Wakolo asked us what we have learned from President and Sister Browning. I am so grateful for these leaders who have not only changed my life but helped this mission to grow so much. I am so so grateful. What a privileged it has been to serve as a full time missionary the last year and a half. I will never be able to express how much my mission means to me. 

Love you all and I hope you are all doing great!!

Love, 

Sister Carter 

Playing jumpy frogs with the sick sisters, MLC, seeing old friends again 

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I'm running out of pens, paper, and laundry detergent

HELLO!!!

I cant believe I only have 2 weeks left as a full-time missionary. Each week I continue to be amazed at how alive this gospel is. There are miracles around every corner. There are blessings that rain down as we live in obedience. There are hearts softening everywhere. I am so so so very grateful to see just a small part of all this in my little corner of the world. 

This week couldn't have ended better. Lemine was baptized!!... In UTAH... and Mom and Dad got to go!!! Such a special day. Lemine has taught me so much about love and serving others. I am so grateful to have met this man who has a heart of gold. A few weeks ago on splits, Sister Cooper and I met a man who wanted to meet at some tennis courts. Instead of meeting this man again we met Lemine who owns the courts. Since then its been a wild yet spiritual journey to help Lemine understand Gods path for him. Now he has made covenants with God, and you can see how alive the gospel is in him. 

I attended my very last zone conference this week. It amazes me how the answer is ALWAYS in the meeting if you come prepared to listen. I gave my departing testimony in front of 4 zones and 2 mission presidents.  I believe that was the most terrified I have been my whole mission. The feeling of wanting to throw up is finally gone though! After zone conference there was a bunch of watermelon left over so we decided to have a watermelon eating contest:)

Josh our miracle investigator is doing amazing. He has a baptism date set for June 15th, came to a baptism this week, made us breakfast at our lesson, and has the most fantastic questions. I feel so grateful to be able to teach him! 

Its been the greatest blessing to serve in this zone and work with the sisters here. I went on exchanges with Sister Cooper this week. She has the most pure heart and is always serving everyone we meet. I love learning from the other sisters because they are the best examples of Christ. 

We have mission leadership council this weekend. Elder Wakolo and Wilson of the 70 are coming to give a special training. I am excited to learn from them! Lots of exciting things these next 2 weeks. 

I hope each of you have a fantastic week! 

and I want to wish a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Aunt Eden, Cade, McKell, Tyler, and Rylee!!!!! Lots of fun birthdays to celebrate back home! 

Love, Sister Carter

pictures of the baptism, zone conference, east zone leadership and previous companions/ other sisters 

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Chalk the block

Hello hello! I hope everyone is doing great!

Its been a good and busy week this week. Full of exchanges, new schedules, and lots of miracles. 

One of the sweet sisters that I trained in Thatcher, Sister Church, has grandparents that are non members who live in Tucson in my area. About 2 months ago Sister Church gave me their address to stop by. On Tuesday we had back to back lessons all day. We had planned perfectly, then everything fell apart. Sounds like God had a better plan for the day! By night time we had time to go visit Sister Church's grandparents. When we knocked on the door they had just sat down to rest from a busy week. Her great grandma had just passed away. We were able to talk with them, share a scripture and pray with them. It was the neatest experience to see how perfectly God orchestrated everything. And how perfectly the Spirit guides. I am grateful for a Father in Heaven that knows what we need and has miracles in the making long before we are even aware of them. 

I was biking on exchanges with Sister Miller. She is such a powerhouse missionary! We had a great day talking to so many people. But let me tell you, biking in the city is VERY different from biking in Thatcher! I saw my life flash before my eyes multiple times haha. I miss being able to bike in the middle of the road. I also forgot how hot bike seats get here after being left outside during a lesson. ah.   

Because summer will be a toasty one our schedule changed. We now go proselyting at 8 in the morning. Since most YSA are either sleeping or going to work at that time we have been going to bus stops and drawing the Plan of Salvation! On Saturday some of the Elders joined with us and we drew this big calk 'masterpiece' (according to them hah). It was a great way to strike up lots of conversations. Someone who saw it after we left has been messaging us because they loved it so much! 

During studies this morning I read a quote from the talk "One More Day" it reads, "Regardless of the time the Lord, in His wisdom, determines to grant each of us, of one thing we can be sure: we all have a "today" to live, and the key to making our day successful is to be willing to sacrifice." I love this quote! Over the last year and a half I have truly learned that sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven. I hope each of you can find something today that you can sacrifice to bless others in behalf of the Lord. Thank you for all the sacrifices you have made for me!! I really am the luckiest sister missionary in the world. 

I love you all so much and hope you have a wonderful week!!

Love, 

Sister Carter 

Its getting hot over here!

Hello!!

Happy Mothers Day yesterday to all the wonderful mothers I know!!! I am forever grateful for you!!

Skyping home yesterday was the best thing ever. I keep being reminded over and over again how lucky I am to have the most lovely family. I could never have asked for better!  

To shorten a really great long story.. last Monday we were all upset because the Elders didn't tell us we needed special cards to do our laundry at our new apartment. After putting soap all over our clothes in the washer a man in the laundry room of our complex informed us that we were out of luck. If you have ever served a mission or are on a mission you know how p-days go by and if anything gets behind it throws everything off. We had lots of grand plans for this day and were in a bad mood because we had no way to do our laundry. This nice man ended up talking with us for a while. We send him the Elders number that cover this area so he could come to church and left it at that. 

... Come Tuesday morning we get a text from Laundry Guy saying that he thought about some of the things we talked about and would like a copy of the Book of Mormon!!!! Some things got complicated with getting him the book but in the ended we started the lesson giving him the book and the Elders finished it when we had to leave. Turns out he investigated the church 5 years ago but wasn't ready. He recognized that he was ready to accept the teachings of Jesus Christ now and knew he could get over some of his little hang-ups. At that lesson, the Elders were able to set a baptism date with him!!! God really does have a beautiful plan for each of us! Even if it takes some humbling of some sister missionaries doing their laundry to help someone receive the gospel! 

Our cute Russian friends are doing better than ever! Crazy story... One of the sisters actually grew up in Virginia and went to girls camp. Her best friend that introduced her to the church knows and loves the Madsens! 

At our booth on campus this week it reached 113....😓 

Last week a member of another YSA ward was challenged to bring a friend to the devotional. The friend felt the spirit so strong and wanted to know more. We met with him this week and had an incredible lesson. He also came to church and LOVED it! Member missionary work is the best!! 

Words can't explain how grateful I am for the last almost year and a half. My mission has been the best thing of my life and the best thing for my life. I have grown and stretched in ways I didn't know I could. I am thankful for every hard day, and every good day that made them worth it:) Everything these past months have been possible because of my Savior and His love. It is the greatest privilege to share this message. I love my mission and I am so grateful for these experiences.

I love all of you and I hope you all have a great week! 

Love, 

Sister Carter 

knocking on doors of all shapes and sizes

hello!!

This has been a crazy week! It was the worst thing to have to say good bye to Sister Hammond on Tuesday. I picked up my new companion after dropping her off. My new companion is Sister Williamson from Huntington Beach California. She has been out a little over 7 months. She went to BYU-H before this and is part Polynesian! 

We taught our Russian friends a few times this week. One of the girls even came to our ward Cinco de Mayo Fiesta! It is so exciting to teach them. They are full of the greatest questions. 

On Friday we had mission leadership council and it was so fun to see mission friends. We had amazing trainings given on light and truth, ministering, testifying, purpose, and what it means to be anxiously engaged. I love when my spiritual bucket gets filled at meetings like these!

On Sunday we watched the YSA Broadcast at the U of A institute. We went with a recently reactivated convert and it was so amazing to hear her testimony as we drove in the car. Some of the things said during the broadcast she felt like were meant for her. Many moments of revelation and inspiration this week. One of my favorite things I heard this week was, "service is the highest, best, and most tangible way to follow our Savior". I am certain there is someone you can serve this week, I hope you can all find who that is! 

Love you all very much! 

Love, 

Sister Carter

6 Weeks

Hello family and friends I hope you are doing great!! 

On Saturday I recieved my last transfer call!! I will be staying in YSA 2nd and training a new STL. Her name is Sister Williamson and this will be her second area. I dont know much about her but I hope to know more by next week:) 

This week was a crazy one. It Sister Hammonds last week which made for lots of good byes. Because of everything that happened last weekend we now have to move apartments which has made everything that much crazier! We are moving to the Elders nasty nasty apartment, and they get our luxurious 2 bathroom apartment😓We have been furiously cleaning and packing and trying to get everything done. To welcome them to their new home we pranked the whole apartment and put odd little things up. We even had a bouquet of fake flowers and a welcome basket with face masks and nail stuff haha hopefully they enjoy it

We set up a booth on U of A campus with the other YSA missionaries. We were handing out otter pops and talking with lots of people. It was such a fun time! 

On Friday we met Natalie and Yelana. They are sisters who were adopted from Russia into different families here in America. They just met each other about a year ago and now live together. They are the greatest! Natalie actually went to girls camp in Virginia with one of her best friends. Because she knows a bit about the church she has a bunch of brilliant questions! I am so excited to be teaching them!! 

In district meeting we were told a really neat story about 1% improvement. A cycling team riding in the Tour de France started making 1% improvements to each area of their lives and equipment. All of these small improvements lead to the team winning the race. We talked about all the little improvements we can make in our lives. Even just telling the Lord one more thing you are grateful for. Over time this accumulation of things builds and helps us succeed. We talked about how success is a few simple disciplines practiced every day. Failure is errors in judgement repeated every day. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is so perfect because it helps us to practice these simple disciplines every day. And living the Gospel of Jesus Christ every day is what brings us happiness. I hope each of you can find ways you can improve by 1% today! 

It feels very surreal to be beginning my very last transfer as a missionary.  I still feel like there are so many things I need to do/ learn/ become in the next 6 week. I know God still has a lot of growing and stretching prepared for me. I really love it here. I love the people we work with. The sisters we work with. I love the feeling I get every opportunity I have to testify of Christ. I know with all my heart the Gospel of Jesus Christ is good. And all good things come from God! Life is just so so good right now! 

Love you all!

Love, Sister Carter 

Snoop, SnUggle, WOofs

Snoople, snuggle, wuffs..... so this is the text our former investigators sent the elders... which pretty much describes our week. safe to say it was an odd week!

To start off on a good note... WE GOT TO EAT DINNER WITH THE ALDERS AND GEORGE! they drove from Thatcher to take Sister Hammond and I to dinner last Monday. It was the happiest night to see them again!

Earlier this week I was feeling so bad because I had an awful migraine that caused us to stay inside. This eventually caused us to go on splits with some of the other sisters that night. Sister Cooper and I were parking to do some finding when she parked in the wrong place. I jumped out to back her and a man was walking on sidewalk. After quickly saying Hi we started talking. He wanted to meet again to talk about our church and asked if we could meet the following day at the park next to the tennis courts. The next day we sat next to the tennis courts for about 20 minutes and no sight of this man....We sat on the table for a few minutes longer and watched the sunset. While sitting one of the tennis coaches came up to us. Wow wowo wow he is just an incredible man!!! He came from Africa to New York when he was a boy to go to a tennis academy. Now he teaches tennis here at the park. He is the most generous kind man. He bought us Ethiopian food and taught us some tennis. He asked us to 'convince him to be a Mormon' because he thinks it would be quite nice! While hitting the tennis ball back and forth a man came and sat down. The coach explained how he was homeless and worked for him sometimes. Turns out this man was the man who we were supposed to meet for a lesson. It was amazing to see how God is in the details!! 

Last night we had a really crazy and scary experience that shook Sister Hammond and I.  We ended up not being able to stay at our apartment and the zone leaders came to get us. Around 10 at night all 4 of us were sitting in the church building before they went home and we went to sleep at some other sisters apartment. We asked the Elders to give us blessings. I will never forget how specific the words were which came straight from God. I was promised that because of the prayers of those back home we were kept safe last night. I can't thank each of you enough for your constant support and prayers. I truly do have the greatest family in the world and I know our Father in Heaven hears every prayer. This week has been a great example to me that it really is the small and simple things that lead to great things. (Alma 37:6) This is a lesson I have learned on my mission that I can never forget! 

Know that I love you all very much!  

Love, 

Sister Carter 

oh and we get transfer calls this weekend, it will be exciting to see who my last companion will be! I am so sad for Sister Hammond to leave but we have lots of fun plans for her last week!!

Real Life Mormon Missionaries

Hello hello!!

This was a great last few weeks full of General Conference, Mission Leadership Council, AIDANS BAPTISM, climbing fences, trainings, catching lambs, ping pong at the institute, lots of contacting, mysterious phone calls, got invited to an Italian pool party, the Book of Mormon play and other really great great things!!

A Baptism 

Aidan was baptized on Saturday!!! It was the happiest day! Aidan's boss referred her to the missionaries. After a few months of teaching her the Sisters decided to drop her because she wasn't progressing. Right before I got here she realized what she wanted, who she wanted to become, and who she wanted to follow. When I got here we started teaching her again! Not only is she the funniest person I have ever met, but she also has the biggest heart. She has taught me so much about Faith in Christ and love towards everyone. Benny, our recent convert, baptized her which made the day even more special. 

A Play

The Book of Mormon Play- Right now on the U of A campus the Book of Mormon play is being performed. Several times this week we went with all the YSA Elders to contact. There we so many people to talk to, and so many people who had crazy ideas about our Church. It was funny to answer questions. One man could not believe it when we told him we were not actors, but real life Mormon Missionaries!!

These past few weeks have been full of lots of happy moments. One of the happiest was sitting on the floor of a recent converts with Aidan eating dino chicken nuggets from costco & laughing our heads off while vicariously having the most spiritual lesson. That pretty much sums up our life in YSA. I really love it here and am doing great! We are busy busy busy with a million things but I have the greatest companion who makes everything a million times funnier. I hope you are all doing great and know that I love you!

A quote i love from conference is by Elder Benar, "As we come unto and follow the Savior, we increasingly and incrementally are enabled to become more like Him. We are empowered by the Spirit with disciplined self-restraint and a settled and calm demeanor. Thus, meek is what we become as disciples of the Master and not just something we do." 

I am terrible for being so behind, but I wanted to wish a Happy Birthday to Bode, Tripp, Aunt JoAnne, Aunt Rose, and Benson!!

Sending much love, 

Sister Carter  

I am in Disneyland.

Hello!!

I am literally serving in Disneyland. The missionary version. We have had the funnest/ busiest/ wildest week of my mission. The city is just crazy. There are people everywhere. So many people to teach. I have the greatest companion in the world, Sister Hammond. She is from grantsville utah loves volleyball and basketball and keeps us laughing 93.5% of the time. We are both STL's and the sisters in our zone are really great as well.  YSA is just crazy. I feel like I am hanging out with my friends most of the time. I have my own bathroom. We get to teach lessons and other things on the U of A campus and see all our other YSA missionary friends. Life is just busy busy busy! 

The greatest part of our week was dinner last night with our investigator, Aiden who gets baptized in 2 weeks, and a soon to be missionary, Baylee. They were going to drive up to see the temple after church but were hungry and home was too far away. We were going home to eat but couldnt have them in our apartment, instead they ended up sitting on our back porch as we were making food. Some of the other sisters came over and we had a picnic outside with the sisters, Baylee and Aiden. We just had the happiest time laughing and talking about super spiritual things. I love it here and am so grateful to be serving here right now! 

I hope you all have a great week!!

Love, 

Sister Carter 

Headed to the motherland!!

Hello wonderful family and friends!!

Sorry its been a while since I emailed just wanted to give a quick update, 

TRANSFERS- I will be leaving Sierra Vista. I am headed up to Tucson YSA 2nd ward!!! It will be the first time I actually get to serve in Tucson! My companion is Sister Hammond, one of the greatest sisters in our mission. She served in Thatcher right before I did<3 She goes home next transfer so I will most likely finish off in YSA. I AM SO EXCITED.

A few weeks ago we had an incredible Mission Leader Council about repentance. We started off this month with a mission wide fast asking for forgivness and rededicating ourselves to this great work.  Since then we have been doing what we call a "More Holiness' study to prepare for this Easter. I am learning so much about our Savior and his Infinite Atonement. 

Several weeks ago the Zone Leaders and us went on a road trip to go on exchanges with everyone in our zone. Because all the missionaries are so spread out in this zone this saved us miles. And it was so fun! I got to be on a bike for one day with the most incredible Hermana, we had so much fun waving and talking and what not. I especially had fun smiling like crazy as she spoke in spanish:)) 

Greatest of all was our lesson with Erin. Last week was one of the hardest weeks for both Sister Kennach and I. Everything was going wrong. And the adversary was working so hard to pull us down as individuals and as a companionship. I have never wanted to give up so badly. Sunday came around and we had our lesson with the elders investigator, Erin, that we teach up on the military base. She is just incredible. So strong. So willing. And so ready to change her life because she knows this is true. She has been praying and decided that she wants to be baptized April 14th!!!! I feel like Erin has helped me more than I could ever help her. She will forever remind me of the blessings we have from understanding that this is Jesus Christ Church restored to the earth. God is SO good. 

The past months has been a time for much personal growth.I have never had to stretch and grow in such a sort time. I will forever be grateful for this area helping me to develop a stronger relationship with my Heavenly Father and Savior.  In a talk Elder Holland said: In striving for some peace and understanding in these difficult matters, it is crucial to remember that we are living—and chose to live—in a fallen world where for divine purposes our pursuit of godliness will be tested and tried again and again. Of greatest assurance in God’s plan is that a Savior was promised, a Redeemer, who through our faith in Him would lift us triumphantly over those tests and trials, even though the cost to do so would be unfathomable for both the Father who sent Him and the Son who came. It is only an appreciation of this divine love that will make our own lesser suffering first bearable, then understandable, and finally redemptive.

After the last 3 months I can say that I now know that our own lesser sufferings are bearable, understandable, and redemptive though Christ. As a disciple of Jesus Christ I testify that He lives. He loves. And He will never leave us alone. I love being a missionary and helping others to feel of this same love. I hope these next 2 transfers I can be the disciple the Lord needs me to be. I love you all so much, thank you for every bit of encouragement you give me. Another testament that God is SO good.

I hope you each have the best week!

Love,

Sister Carter 

A week in England

Hello!!

This week was most wonderful because it rained for 3 days straight. I had never heard of such a thing in Arizona until now! It felt like we were living in England. We also met many people from England this week. About 30 minutes away from our area is an army base, which brings in lots of foreigners. The often have choice things to say to us:)

Speaking of the army base... The elders who cover that area have an investigator who wants to be taught by sisters, since we are the only sisters anywhere near by we get to teach her!!! Her name is Erin and she is absoutley incredible. She is spiritually seeking and could not be more ready to accept the gospel. She asks the best questions, has the deepest thoughts, and is super funny. On Sundays we get to go on base to teach her and then eat lunch with all the members who are in training. These lunches are some of the funniest things I have experienced! Most people there are recently returned missionaries and they just bash eachother back and forth about missions/ areas of the military they are serving, and we just sit in the middle of it all trying to keep the peace! 

On Valentines day we decided to make a bunch of cards with scriptures to give out to as many people as we could through out the day. It was so neat to see some people light up as we gave them a little heart and testified of God's love! At the end of the night we were at Walmart contacting and giving away cards. We are normally home at exactly 9. The clock hit 9 and we though 'oh we will just try and give a few more cards out'. Well right after this Sister Kennach and I both had some of the worst conversations we have had our entire missions! A favorite scripture of mine reminds us that to obey is better than to sacrifice (1 Sam 15:22). The evidence of the importance of exact obedience this night was quite clear! We decided never again will we be late for curfew!! 

A missionary from my mission and MTC district is an incredibly talented artist and has been using his gift to spread the gospel, you should all watch this video! 

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/youth-media?cid=HP_TH_15-2-2018_dPFD_fMLIB_xLIDyL1-A_&lang=eng

I love you each very much and hope you are enjoying the snow back home!

Love, 

Sister Carter 

  

1. when the people wont accept a copy of the Book of Mormon there is always the neighborhood duck?

2. just 2 sisters

3/4. A neat little Catholic monastery 

your not Ghana believe what happened this week?

Hello!! 

I can't remember if I ever said anything about this or not, but my companion was a dancer at the Polynesian Cultural Center before her mission. I have learned lots of really great Tongan/ Samoan things from her. She loves to dance and as a result has dragged me at 5:45 to do zumba with her in the mornings... all of my limbs are falling off I am so sore!

We had an experience this week that was quite shaking. After a conversation contacting we had been told some really terrible things and that we were going to hell we were left with our hearts feeling depressed. And over an hour late to our dinner appointment. The sweet family we were eating with waited for us, filled us full with their African couscous and brought smiles to our faces of stories of their life growing up in Africa. Following dinner the Brother gave us each a blessing. It was one of the most spiritual experiences of my mission. This night we said a prayer asking Heavenly Father for a miracle in our area... Sunday a lady came to church with her friend and told us she wants to be baptized! This is the first investigator this area has had in about 3 months. Miracles!!! 

The gas stations are practically our miracle hubs. Every time we go there we find more people to talk to then anywhere else in our area. On Thursday Sister Kennach felt like we need to go to this one Circle K. After a few minutes of being there we found ourselves talking to people left and right. A man suddenly burst into the room, he was just full of so much life. After talking to him we found out he is from Ghana, knew we were LDS right off the bat, and loves Christ! He is here selling hand woven baskets. So excited he said "SISTERS COME COME!!" As he lead us to his car to see all of his baskets. THEN HE GAVE ME A BASKET. I am the proudest owner of an African basket. In return, he is the proudest owner of a copy of the Book of Mormon!!

I love the example both of these men set. Completley filled with love and life. They have a firm knowledge that thier Father in Heaven loves them and is constantly blessing them.  I love this thought from Elder Oaks,

 "The eternal truth that our Heavenly Father loves all his children is an immensely powerful idea. It is especially powerful when children can visualize it through the love and sacrifice of their earthly parents. Love is the most powerful force in the world. Arthur Henry King has said, “Love is not just an ecstasy, not just an intense feeling. It is a driving force. It is something that carries us through our life of joyful duty”

I hope this same feeling can carry you through this week. Happy Valentines Day! I love you each very much!! 

Love, 

Sister Carter

1. Our friend at the gas station & my new basket!

2. We got our truck switched out for a little car a while ago. The poor guy doesnt do too well on all the dirt roads in our area. We have enjoyed walking around in the nice warm sun this week 

21

Hello!

Thank you for all the birthday wishes!! I am so grateful for each of you and love you so very much!! Of all my 21 birthdays this was the best yet! (Not just because it was 85 degrees) We took an hour and a half road trip to do splits with some of our sisters in our zone, then took another two hour road trip into Tucson to attend the temple!! I hadnt been back inside the Tucson temple since we helped at the open house last summer, it was even more beautiful than I remeber! Truly the best birthday!!

We attended Mission Leader Council in Tucson this weekend as well, got to see all my mission besties, and we got SMART PHONES. Except now I feel anything but smart.. We have no idea how to work thsse things. 

About 2 months ago our ward mission leader asked us to pray for a friend of his and to base our prayer off of the scripture in Ether 3:4 where the Brother of Jared prays for God to touch the stones that they may shine forth and light the vessels. For the past 2 months in our prayers we have said "Touch (the mans name) heart, O Lord, with thy finger and prepare it that it may shine forth with a testimony of the Book of Mormon". This week our ward mission leader was talking to his friend and told him he was praying for him. The friend responded to our ward mission leader by telling him he could feel his prayers. The power of prayer is incredible!! 

President Monson once said that a man never stands taller than when he is on his knees. I know there is a mighty power in prayer. As we communicate with Father in Heaven in sincere, faithful, humble prayer he will build us up, bless us, and send angles to surround us. Do not ever be afraid to get on your knees and talk to the very being who created you, He loves you!

Love you each, make this week a great one:)

Love, 

Sister Carter 

temple & mlc

Birthday!!

Hello!! 

First and foremost.... 

HAPPY 16TH BIRTHDAY ON THURSDAY TO THE GREATEST SISTER IN THE WORLD!!!!!! I hope it is the best day Madison:)

Not too much happened this week. We did meet Tony Stark's doppleganger. And the best part is that he is less active and has been thinking about coming to church because he wants to raise his kids in a good religion. He also taught us 9 million and 1 ways to prank other missionaries. Aparently he terrorized all the missionaries in his stake growing up... He is plotting to have us get copies of the Elders apartment keys...

In my personal study this week I found an incredible thought I wanted to share, 

 "The Lord instructs His servants to be humble because the process of being made whole spiritually begins with a broken heart. Think of the good that comes from broken things: Soil is broken to plant wheat. Wheat is broken to make bread. Bread is broken to become the emblems of the sacrament. When one who is repentant partakes of the sacrament with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, he or she becomes whole. As we repent and become whole through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we have much more to offer the Savior as we serve Him. “Yea, come unto him, and offer your whole souls as an offering unto him.”(Omni 1:26)"

-Elder Randy D Funk

A few weeks ago we sat with our investigator who finally came to church. Eagerly we waited to hear her thoughts as she attend sacrament meeting. As the sacrament prayers were said and the sacred emblems were passed she sat in shock. She could not believe the sacrament is passed each week, the respectful demeanour of the deacons, nor the reverence which takes place. It is incredible to think that the very ordinance that can heal those who are broken is available each week to those who humbly come. I can't believe how dependant I have become on taking the bread and water each week. I depend on the promise at the end of the sacrament prayers that we may have His spirit to be with us. I am dependent on being made whole through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I know that partaking of the sacrament is one of the most important things we do each week. As we are made whole we really do have more to offer as we serve our Savior. I know the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ is infinite. I know He lives. I know he loves each of us. And I know with out a shadow of a doubt this is His work. 

I love you each and hope you all have a great week!

Love, 

Sister Carter 

Picture, we went on a fun little hike today 

Packets of Light

Hello everyone! 

I hope you are all doing well! Things here in Hereford are going slowly but surely. Each day that is the hardest I meet someone that has ties to my last area, Thatcher, and it just lifts my spirits so much! This has been such a testament to me that Heavenly Father loves us and wants to bless us.

We had the most intriguing debate this week about yard crossing etiquette in Arizona. Everyone has rocks in their front yard which is the common choice of landscape. At home we wouldn't just walk across someones lawn, but at what point to you cross the rocks? We are still trying to decide. 

I went on exchanges with Sister Lewis to her area in St. David/ Tombstone. They are these tiny little towns. St. Dave (as it is affectionately known) is the cutest farm town with SO many trees!! I hear its the greenest place in our mission (though its not so green this time of year). Tombstone is the wild wild west. It was such a fun exchange! 

Our mission has a new standard to have 50 quality gospel conversations a week. This means having a conversation, teaching a point of the gospel, and inviting them to do so. It has been quite a struggle in our respective area but we are trying to hard to have as many as we can. Because Sister Lewis's areas is so small they had a goal to get 12 quality gospel conversations this week. And we were able to have 4 just on our exchange!! It was incredible to see the Lord place people in out path throughout the day! 

some other things

-And elder got his brand new bike stolen. It was involved in a cop chase, left in a ditch and he now has it back! 

-I shattered a members glass pitcher while doing an object lesson

-It rained!! 

Something I have really relied on lately is my personal study and taking the time to really ponder during my scripture reading. I have felt such a strength and power through out the day because of this. This precious hour is really what has kept me going each day these past weeks. 

I love what Elder Scott said,

 "Scriptures are like packets of light that illuminate our minds and give place to guidance and inspiration from on high. They can become the key to open the channel to communion with our Father in Heaven and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ."

I promise that as each of you strive to spend time in your scriptures this week you will feel guidance and inspiration. God loves you and he wants to communicate with you! 

Love you all and I hope you have a wonderful week!

Love always, 

Sister Carter

1. Exchanges with Sister Lewis

2. Scripture Power 

hello hello!!

Another week has breezed by. We met a woman who hand makes dolls. She introduced us to her doll collection...incredible! She does everything from sculpting, painting features, to sewing clothing. We went on some exchanges with our sisters. It rained! Just as we got to the horse ranch for service the dark sky began to drizzle. It was a wonderful few hours spent outside scooping manure! Watching President Monson's funeral on Friday was such a sweet experience I wish to never forget nor the things he has taught us. One goal I have set it to come home each day and be able to say "I believe I have done some good in the world today". Never stop looking for opportunities to do good! 

So I never said much about this but at the beginning of the transfer an investigator fell in love with my companion. Its been the craziest messiest mess as we have sorted through everything with President and the Zone Leaders. Yet it has all been so spirit inspired and this man is somone who is spiritually seeking and has been lead to the Gospel at this time. 

Fast forward to last week... 

We were driving and saw a woman standing on the side of the road. We kept driving and I felt the spirit so strongly tell me over and over again that we needed to talk to her. 5 minutes down the road I got the courage to say something, after we turned around to go find her. Well our area is 90% dirt roads and she had gone off the main road down this bumpy dirt road. Now it's Sister Kennach and I chasing this lady down on a bumpy dusty road. Once we got to her we rolled down the window and began talking about the church which lead to giving her a Book of Mormon! hah it has got to be one of the more awkward situations I been in this past year!! 

Fast forward a few days... 

We find out this woman in the mans daughter!!! Heavenly Father has the most wonderful plan for this family! 

A quote I love by Elder Ballard says, "Our beloved Heavenly Father’s plan includes giving us a growing, stretching, learning, physical mortality through which we can become more like Him. Clothing our eternal spirits in physical bodies; living by the teachings and commandments of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ; and forming eternal families allows us, through the Savior’s Atonement, to fulfill God’s goal of immortality and eternal life for His children with Him in His celestial kingdom."

A variety of situations this week have caused me to turn my thoughts and heart to the great Plan of our God. Oh how thankful I am that this life is not the end. Merely a begining. I keep realizing over and over again how loving our Heavenly Father is. He gave us this perfect plan, his perfect Son so we can one day be perfected thorugh him and live a perfect life for eternity. I love being able to share this perfect message each and every day! 

I hope you each have a wonderful week!

Love,

Sister Carter  

We Thank Thee O God!

Happy Monday!

I have officially past my YEAR mark!! I can't even begin to sum up the pure joy I have felt these last 370 days of serving our Lord. It has been the happiest, hardest, hottest, most stretching experience of my life, and I am grateful for every minute of it. 

This week was a busy one. We had Zone Conference, trainings to give, splits with some sisters and exchanges with another set of sisters. Half of the week I was spanish speaking because of aforementioned splits and exchanges. I can't say my spanish vocabulary has necessarily grown too much.... but I can say my appreiciation for the food sure has:) (Though I am still a firm believer that the Gila Valley has the best mexican food) 

Wednesday morning we got a text informing us President Monson had passed away. Sister Kennach and I went to the church to sing some hymns with the accompaniment of the piano. This brought such a peaceful spirit I will remember forever. I am so grateful for President Monson who has lead and guided us these last 10 years! I realized that A line that really hit me as we sang from Praise to the Man proclaims:

Great is his glory and endless his priesthood.

Ever and ever the keys he will hold.

Faithful and true, he will enter his kingdom,

Crowned in the midst of the prophets of old. 

Though this song is talking about Joseph Smith, I can picture the heavens rejoicing as President Monson returned to our heavenly home to greet his sweet wife and those awaiting. I am forever grateful for our beloved Prophet. Because of him and the inspiration he received I am where I am today. The day he announced the lowering of the mission age he also announced the building of the Tucson Temple. Never would I have thought that these announcements could effect me so directly and so uniquely. I know I am where I need to be and I hope I can serve as diligently as a disciple of Jesus Christ just as President Monson did. 

"Unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose to our own lives." President Monson 

To honor our Prophet I hope you can each find a way to serve and lift someone this week!

Thank you for all your love and support this last year, I am forever grateful for each of you!

Love, 

Sister Carter 

one year celebratory fried ice cream, zone conference