A Time of Change

Transfers

The time has finally come...my reign as longest biking sister in the mission is finally over. I am being transferd to the Sierra Vista Zone (also the boonies of our mission.. once a boonie missionary, always a boonie missionary:)) and am very excited!! I will be serving as a sister training leader with one of the greatest sisters, Sister Kennach. She is Polynesian, supper fun, and has been out a little longer than me. The people here in Thatcher have become by family, the last few days have been so hard to say goodbye to the people who have helped me be the Sister Carter I am today. It is bitter sweet to be leaving Thatcher but I know the area is in good hands with Sister Church and I can come back and visit in a short 6 months!  

Referrals 

This week we also were able to help our recent convert, Felissa Murphy, send a referral to the missionaries in California where her middle sister lives. When Felissa got baptized her youngest sister lived with her and was so against the church. We were able to teach her a few times before she left and now she is meeting with missionaries in Coolidge, AZ. She loves what she is learning and feeling!! This middle sister in California has had great heart softening as well and can't wait to meet the Sister missionaries there. The Sisters there even have the same exact first names as Sister Church and I! (not sister, Emily & Sabrina) 

This experience was such a testament to me of why we as missionaries are here- to help families be eternal. I am filled with so much joy knowing more of the Murphy family is coming to feel and know the truths that have changed Felissa's life.

I love this time of year. We have many opportunitues to reflect on our Savior and how we are striving to be like Him. Espically this year for me as I also look back on my time in Thatcher I am in awe at the number of changed hearts I have seen. This truly is HIS work. I know I am merely and instrument in His hands. I also know am not the same Sister Carter I was 7 1/2 months ago when I first got to this area. I can feel the Saviors love more in my life and I have a firm testimony that this church is the only church which contains the fullness of the Gospel. I know that by living the Gospel of Jesus Christ everyday I am a happier person, and a much better one than I would be with out it. I know that He never stops performing miracles. My time in the Gila Valley has been the biggest testament of that. I know that Love is the source of everything we do. If we can love like the Savior, and like the people here do, others can't help but be drawn to the church. I will forever love the people here and pray the work will continue with the sweet sisters serving here. 

President Monson said, 

 "If the Savior were among us today, we would find Him where He always was—ministering to the meek, the downcast, the humble, the distressed, and the poor in spirit. During this Christmas season and always, may we give to Him by loving as He loves. May we remember the humble dignity of His birth, gifts, and life. And may we, through simple acts of kindness, charity, and compassion, fill the world with the light of His love and healing power."

 A few lines from the favorite musical The Sound of Music suggest a course of action all might well follow:

A bell is no bell till you ring it,

A song is no song till you sing it,

And love in your heart wasn’t put there to stay—

Love isn’t love till you give it away.

1 Corinthians 16:14 "Do everything in love"

I love you each very much and wish you a Merry Christmas! 

Love, 

Sister Carter 

Pictures: we had a 1/2  mission conference! To give at the conference Sister Church and I thought it would be a grad idea to put together a 12 days of Christmas for 21 championships haha this is the first week we can finally walk in our apartment! 

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Sister Emily Carter