Change=Progress!

Seeing people change and grow in this gospel step by step is probably the most rewarding part of serving a mission.

Our new investigator Sam is progressing so well!!  His friend, Doug, has been an example to him for 8 or 9 years and now Sam is willing to listen!  Sam is a 57 year old air force veteran with a pretty sweet beard.  (Maybe I'll get a picture on day:)  Sam is a good listener.  He likes to listen and observe more than talk.  I can tell he understands as we teach and I hope he can feel the Spirit testifying.  He came to church and everything about it went perfectly.  I felt the Spirit during the sacrament talks and I think it's exactly what he needed to hear.  It's cool how the Lord does that, huh?

On Saturday, we went to the temple with Rosselyn for he first time to do baptisms for the dead!!! Aaaaah!!!! Yay!!!  And on Sunday, Jezrael was ordained a priest!!!!! Seeing these people who I have come so close to and build wonderful friendships with progress AMAZING!!!! I LOVE THEM!!!

The weather in Boise is beautiful.  I've acclimated pretty well.  Most of the time I don't even have a jacket and it's in the 50s and now it's been in the 60s...not bad!!

Thank you family for the packages from home and thank you to the William's family for getting it transported up here to Boise!!

Ponderize: D&C 42:14

  

And the Spirit shall be given unto you by the prayer of faith; and if ye receive not the Spirit ye shall not teach.

I am trying my best at teaching by the Spirit and recognize what He wants said, instead of my own thoughts.  My greatest desire right now is to recognize and act on promptings, revelation, and inspiration from the Holy Ghost.

From Idaho to you,

XoXo

Sister Carling

 Temple with Rosselyn

Miracles Upon Miracles

Hey family and friends!!

You know those times when someone asks you to describe your favorite person/place
/book/movie/vacation/etc....... and there are too many words to even begin to describe it?? Well that's what my past week was like.  Too many wonderful things have happened (especially since it's been a week and a half, not just one week).  I would have have to say, last week was definitely the best week of my mission so far.  God provides miracles when we ask for them and are obedient!

I'm gonna keep these as short as I can, but I want to share a few of the special experiences that have happened.

Miracle #1:  Sister Eas and I were praying to find a new investigator specifically within the week.  On Tuesday morning we got a referral from a lady in the ward.  Two hours later we contacted that referral and got a new investigator!!! Her name is Alexis. (just like me! :)

Miracle #2:  When we meet with Jezrael and Elliot, the house is CRAZY and sometimes it's hard to feel the Spirit.  We prayed that there would be no distractions.  We've also worried if Jezrael (our recent convert) even understands anything and has a testimony...We shared the restoration video with them.  We started to explain to Elliot (investigator/Jezrael's cousin) about the Book of Mormon and how he can know that it is true.  Out of no where, Jezrael started sharing his testimony!!!  It was the most amazing and beautiful thing....Probably the most rewarding experience on my mission so far....

Thursday we had zone conference and I was asked to give a talk.  I shared these two experiences because I know that they came because we prayed with faith for and expected miracles under the condition of our obedience and diligence.

Miracle #3: Saturday we received another referral for a guy named Sam.  His co-worker has been an example to him for 8 years, and Sam is finally ready to listen to the missionaries!  (It takes time, people....!)  We drove out to Meridian for the lesson.  It went so well.  Sam is very open to understanding the gospel, but it is because his co-worker, Doug has been a continuous example to him.

Miracle #4: Bailey and Mackenzie are less-active YSA sisters.  We stopped by their house when their parents happened to be in town and at their house! They wanted us to start teaching the lessons to Bailey and Mackenzie to help refresh their minds and rekindle their testimonies (because they know it's true, but they've stopped coming to church).  We set up a return appointment.  When we came back, Mackenzie's boyfriend, Blake, wants to start taking the discussions!!

Miracles people, miracles....

These are just a few highlights of my week.  The Lord provides miracles when we ask and obey.  I know it.  This is relevant to any aspect of the gospel.  The Lord wants to bless us and if we recognized how easily He is willing to provide things for us we would be doing everything we can to serve Him to receive those blessings.

Today we went to the temple, which makes the whole day P-day.  I am beyond grateful for the temple!!!!! I miss being able to go all of the time.  Oh well.....I'm grateful to have a temple in my mission (soon to be 2 temples!:)

And I love the satisfying feeling that sharing the gospel brings.  It's awesome!

From Idaho to you,

XoXo

Sister Carling

Happy Happy Happy Days!

Everyday this week seemed to be so happy.  I love serving and teaching.  People are just awesome too.  My life is very blessed!

This week we went to Holly's house twice.  She has a lot of yard work that needed done, so we recruited 4 elders along with us to help out!  She was so impressed with it and with our whole church organization. Later in the week we taught her the plan of salvation....An exciting thing happened to me for my first time....I extended a baptismal invitation!!! Holly is just ready and has been prepared to be a part of this church.  She is going to think and pray about it this week, so hopefully by next week, we can set a baptism date!!! :D

Thursday was Sister Eas's birthday!  I put up some decorations when she went to bed, and before she got up, I made some pancakes.  She woke up to a special surprise.  :)  we had a birthday lunch with an investigator, a potential investigator, and a lady in our ward, who I happens to be a distant relative of mine.  We then went to an assisted living place to help with their Valentine's Day party.  We did some karaoke and the elders danced with the old ladies....made me happy! haha

Our dinner was with some of our favorite YSA people who really made her birthday top notch.  They decked the house out with Hawaiian decorations, balloons, cake, presents, and everything.

We had a lesson with Rosselyn at the temple because we talked about family history and temples.  She is preparing to meet with the bishop for her temple recommend, and she is SO ready!!

I spoke in the YSA ward (on Valentine's Day. So appropriate, right? haha!)  Ironically enough, I spoke on Love--the love of Jesus Christ and his Atonement.  I enjoy speaking a lot--especially on the Atonement!

Valentine's Day has never been anything special to me.  It's always just another day, but this year was wonderful!!  Shout out to Sheryl and the whole Hineman family (along with a few more friends) who signed and sent a giant card, as well as my mom and the Park Center relief society for sending me some lovely Valentine's Day notes!  I feel so much love and am very blessed.

I wish I could send everyone a personal note to tell you that I love you!! I am so grateful for my many many blessings and the phenomenal people in my life.  I love you all!!!!

Ponderize Alma 17:2-3:  "...They had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God.

But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God.".

Like Alma, if I want to be a good missionary to teach with power and authority, I'm going to need to gain a sound understanding through prayer, diligent study, and even fasting...

From Idaho to you,

XoXo

Sister Carling

 Happy Valentine's Day!!

 

 Birthday Celebration for Sis. Ray & Sis. Eas at the Spjute Home on P-day

 Gluten-free cookies!! YUM!

Milkshake for Sabrina's birthday!

One Transfer Down, Lots More to Go!

A week full of the Spirit is a week of success.  I love teaching and feeling the Spirit and knowing that the person I am teaching is being touched.  That happened several times this week, I think. 

Wednesday was awesome.  One of our appointments was cancelled, so we went to Bishop Root's house because we knew that she mentioned she would be cleaning all day to prep for family coming in town for Bryce's baptism.  We helped her clean and do whatever needed done. I really enjoy being in their home.  We had another meeting with Jezrael and his dad and cousin (his brother was there too, but he's a crazy kid who ain't willing to do anything to change his life right now...ha).  Sometimes it's hard for them to be super serious during a lesson, but we decided to incorporate primary songs and hymns!  It was nice to add that little fun into the lesson, and when it was time to really settle down, we (or at least I) could feel the Spirit.

Friday was one of my favorites!  Our investigator Holly is in need of some service so we really helped her out. We did dishes, folded laundry, and raked her backyard.  She was visiting with us and expressed lots of hard things that she has gone through in her life.  We shared a message about Joseph Smith that I think she can really relate to.  (D&C 121) "Thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment..."  I know that the gospel blesses our lives, especially in our trials, because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  I could feel the Spirit testifying of the truth.

Bryce Root (Bishop's kid) had his 8th birthday and party on Friday.  He's a cool kid and we love him, so we brought him a milkshake for him at his party!

Saturday was transfer calls!  Both Sister Eas and I are staying for another transfer. :)

It was stake baptisms, but it was extra special for us.  We have been teaching Ashton (9 years old) and be was baptized! Bryce was baptized too!

On Sunday, we were able to spend time at all 3 wards.  (Lots-o-church)  Sister Eas and I taught the Elders Quorum lesson about home teaching.  That was my first time ever going to Priesthood! haha  I feel like it was a successful lesson--we will find out next month to see if they did their home teaching...haha

So many more things happened this week and I continue to grow every day.  My mission is changing me.  The gospel is embedded in my heart and is my life.  It is so very very good.  

My ponderize scripture this week is 2 Nephi 32:9.

But behold, I say unto you that ye must pray always, and not faint; that ye must not perform any thing unto the Lord save in the first place ye shall pray unto the Father in the name of Christ, that he will consecrate thy performance unto thee, that thy performance may be for the welfare of thy soul. 

In order to consecrate, I must also learn obedience and sacrifice first.  I want to do all I can so I can consecrate this time that I have to the Lord, 100%.

From Idaho to you,

XoXo

Sister Carling

Service at Holly's

We brought a milkshake to Bryce!

 Bryce's baptism

Ashton's baptism

One Week Older and Wiser Too...

Missions can be fun.

Missions can be successful.

Missions can be fun and not successful if you don't do it right.  

We, as missionaries, are supposed to have a purpose to everything that we do.  I'm going to admit right now that it is easy to have fun as a missionary and not be successful, if you are not fulfilling your purpose in everything you do.  I'll be honest, this week was sorta one of those weeks for us, I think.  I am still learning how to properly manage our time so we can be effective in all of our efforts.

Last Monday, P-day, our district went ice skating! This was my 3rd time ever ice-skating, but it was a really fun activity.  Our district is pretty cool, and Arizona is well represented. haha (5 out of 10 missionaries).  

On Tuesday at our district meeting we had interviews with President Winder. I really love him and am excited to come even closer to him over the next few months.  After district meeting, the four of us sisters went to an assisted living place to help (again) make some Valentines Day crafts. Woohoo!

On Wednesday, our recent convert (the last baptism), Jezrael fed us dinner.  His dad and cousin were there too, which is the PERFECT teaching opportunity! (His dad also made us some Elk meat:)  I could feel the Spirit there as we taught and discussed.  Jezrael's dad is super awesome and is already a very spiritual dude.  We set up another appointment to begin teaching them the lessons!! How awesome would it be if his dad and cousin accepted the gospel too?!  The only way for it to happen is if the Spirit is the teacher and touches their hearts--teaching by the Spirit is a great skill I am learning to continue to develop.

On Thursday, I went on exchanges and got to go to Meridian for the day with Sister Anandan. Highlight of my day/week:  After doing some service, we got to play SkipBo with Brother Dietrich, a funny old man.  Old men make me laugh!!!  He is hilarious.  I just wish I could share some of his silliness with everyone.  The rest of the day with Sister Anandan was great.  I think we both learned some great lessons from each other to become better missionaries.

On Friday, we served at Idaho Youth Ranch (thrift store).  I met a lady who was shopping at there who heard about me from my neighbor, Norma Riggs!! It's so fun to find connections with people.  One of our old lady friends (so many old people this week! haha) had a birthday, so we got her a couple gifts and visited her.  #ThriftShopGifts #Cheap #MissionaryBudget

Our YSA bishop took us out to dinner at Red Robin (Yum!) (my favorite!:) along with Rosselyn, who got baptized the next day!  Rosselyn's baptism was so beautiful and my heart was filled with the Spirit as she was immersed into the water.  She is 23, from Venezuela.  She is an amazing girl and so in tune with the Spirit and ready to live the gospel! 

Sunday is always the busiest day because we go to church/meetings from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM.  I don't mind it too much though.  After church we met with Holly.  We taught Holly more about the Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon.  As we watch the Joseph Smith video and taught her, I could literally feel my heart swollen with the Spirit.  It's the best feeling ever.  I could feel the truthfulness.  I could feel power.  That is why I am here--to share that feeling with others.  I am loving it. 

The weather here has been a little different for me.  This week, I experienced a little snow, a bit of rain, some sleet, hail, fog, and frost.  It's great fun!!

This week I am ponderizing a scripture that has always impressed upon my heart. 

Alma 5:14

14 And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?

I remember when I could say that I felt this mighty change in my heart--it came when I learned, studied, and began to understand the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  In everything that I do as a missionary, I want to testify of the Atonement and what it can do for us.  When we use the Atonement we can spiritually be born of God and experience this mighty change in our hearts!

From Idaho to you,

XoXo

Sister Carling

 

 

  Making crafts at the assisted living place!

 

Exchanges with Sister Anandan

 Ice skating with the district!

Our old lady friend, Carolyn's birthday!

Rosselyn's baptism!! <3
Sis. Eas, Rosselyn, Sis. Carling, Sis. Ray


 

Sis. Carling, Rosselyn, Sis. Eas