Here Ye, Here Ye Mortals of this Church

Friends! Family! People of my life that I love!

Hi. :)

I must say, each week I feel like I am getting better and better in learning the area and people and also in knowing how to help the work progress.  I am always thinking about what will help the members and people in the area.  We are trying to meet with the ward mission leaders and other ward leaders to find ways to motivate the members in assisting us with the work...We are useless without them!

For example, Bishop Root (he is a very young bishop of one of our family wards) and his wife helped us get a new investigator, Holly.  Holly's kids are in the same class as the Root kids.  Holly was telling Sister Root about some hard things happening in her life.  Sister Root suggested that she get a priesthood blessing and meet with the missionaries...So that's exactly what happened!! Holly is our new investigator! We taught her the message of the restoration and I am excited to continue to teach her.  She has met with the missionaries a little before, but didn't progress cause she wants to be a part of all religions and doesn't believe in just ONE true church.  Let's hope and pray that she will feel the Spirit testify of the truthfulness of this church.  But back to my original point, we would not have found Holly without the Roots!

Bishop Root's son, Bryce, is getting baptized next month and they requested that we teach him the lessons.  Bryce is just about as crazy as a 7 year-old can be, but I love that kid.  I love the whole Root family!! You can definitely feel the Spirit and see how the gospel blesses their home.

Lots of this week consisted of knocking on doors of less active members and no one answering, but there were also so many successful moments too!

On Wednesday there was a worldwide missionary broadcast...Man, some great things were said!!  We heard from Elder Anderson, Elder Bednar, Elder Oaks, Sister Oscarson, and some other general authorities.  The focus/topic of the broadcast was, "Teach Repentance, Baptize Converts."  If I could make you watch it, I would.  But I will just share one specific thing I learned.

Elder Oaks said, (Imagine him kinda pounding on the pulpit (sorta like Elder Holland, but not...like Elder Oaks. haha))

"Proclaiming the gospel is the most important thing work anyone can do in mortality."

THE MOST important work...for ANYONE!

This does not mean you have to serve a mission.

This does not mean you need to wear a name tag every day.

This means that if you are a mortal, proclaiming the gospel is a duty of EVERY member of this church.

I'm pretty sure all y'all are mortals, so this applies to you.

I just want to stress member missionary work...You must do the finding and teaching by example and word...You/We ALL are full-time missionaries for our entire life.

Without the gospel, our lives are nothing.  It is the center to everything we do.  Jesus Christ is the center.  We need to show and share this amazing gift with the people we interact with.  It can be easy... The Lord didn't say, "Open your mouth and you won't be scared." He said, "Open your mouths and they shall be filled." (D&C 33:10)  Share with someone how the gospel is helping you.  We have a promise that the Lord will help us if we only try.

There is my gospel rant...ha  I love it. I love Jesus.  And that is why I am here.

On Thursday we had more training by President Winder for the new missionaries.  There's so much to learn and apply! I love applying though.  It feels so good when you feel yourself improving by applying.

My favorite day this week was Saturday.  People were actually home and that means they answer their doors! haha We were successful in visiting with lots of less actives.  My favorite was when we pulled over to play basketball with some boys in the ward, who are in a part-member/semi-active family.  I challenged the boys to make sure to be at church and to be there on time to pass the sacrament.  See, sharing the gospel can be done in a fun setting too--even while playing basketball! :)

Everything else is going very well.  We have another YSA baptism coming up this Saturday!

Oh just so you know, I have had potatoes for dinner 14 times out of 27...That is more than half, people.  haha I decided to keep a tally now.  It's great.

This week I am ponderizing D&C 43:16.

And ye are to be taught from on high. Sanctify yourselves and ye shall be endowed with power, that ye may give even as I have spoken.

In order to receive teachings and power from the Lord we must sanctify, or make holy, our lives. Everyday we should try to think of something we can do to be more holy.  

The gospel is great! God is good! 

From Idaho to you,

XoXo

Sister Carling

Sister Eas is starting to teach me some Polynesian dancing. :)

 Sister Eas is also teaching me how to play the 4 string guitar, which is 

tuned like a ukulele...so pretty much a giant ukulele...haha

Sista B!!

Happy Birthday Dad!!

Dinner pic from Sister Gail Minor.

Bonker balls, Bingo, and Baptism!

Well hello!

This week was so busy, but at the same time, not as productive as last week.

Monday nights are family home evening....in the singles ward!  Have I mentioned that I love serving in the YSA ward?? Well I do.  We played soccer while in Bonker Balls.  Great excuse to change into jeans. :) haha I also wore my new pink camo shirt that I just bought at Cabela's. (My area pretty much has everything.  Even Cabela's:)

On Wednesday, after our district meeting, we served at an assisted living place to help them make Valentine's Day crafts and also play Bingo.  Made. my. week.  I just love them old folks!  We also visited Esther, our 103 year old investigator, and she told us she "will not become a Mormon." Ooooh well....Sadly, 103 year old ladies are pretty stubborn with their ways and thoughts.

On Thursday, my dear friend, young women's leader, and previous neighbor from Arizona, Terri Riggs, took Sister Eas and I to Outback Steakhouse! What a treat!  I love her! Thank you Sister Riggs!! 

We also had a special zone training by President Winder about faith.  You would think that someone who has grown up in the church and been taught it for 19 years would know all there is to know about faith, right? Wrong.  My perspective was changed!  Faith is like when Moses stepped into the water to part the sea.  He had to get his feet wet before the water would part.  It is ACTION.  As a missionary, I can show my faith by acting, hoping and knowing that the Lord will help me as I do all I can.

Friday, we served at Idaho Youth Ranch, which is a thrift store.  It is a fun lil' experience.

That night there was a YSA fireside, and because one of our YSA investigators went, we could go!  Get this though--there were FOUR general authorities there! 3 members of the 70 (Elder Martino, Elder Anderson, and Elder Alder) and 1 member of the presidency of a quorum of the 70 (Elder Swarez).  Elder Swarez walked in during the middle of the meeting so they changed who was presiding.  That was neat.

Saturday was Jezrael's baptism!  Jezrael is funny.  Let me say a few funny things he did.... When he changed into the white jumpsuit, he felt like a ninja.  Sister Eas and I did a musical number (she sang, I played).  When we finished Jezrael started clapping. No one else joined in clapping.  You'd think he would stop and feel awkward, right? Nope.  He kept clapping. haha  When he got into the font he waved to everyone in the mirror.  After he was dunked he told the Elder Dolan, who baptized him, "You're good at that."  Later, a high council member presented him a few things, one thing being a framed picture of Jesus.  Jezrael said, "I'm gonna have to get that signed." Ohhh my, Jezrael.....He is too funny....I'm so happy for him and I know that he is going to do some awesome things.  Sister Eas and her previous companion started a tradition to do a "Victory Swing" after every baptism.  So we did that at a park!

(It looks like his arms are around us, but they are just resting on the glass....haha Just thought I'd let ya know.)

After the baptism, a couple of our YSA friends parked in front and behind our car.....I was able to easily squeeze out of there though. #Skill

At the park!

Saturday night and Sunday morning there was black ice all over! It has been snowing, but not cold enough for it to stick around, so everything is just WET....wet + cold = black ice. We taught a lesson with some elders at a church building. Afterwards, when they hopped on their bikes and hit the asphalt, one elder totally biffed it.  We were all laughing, then my companion slipped.  It's crazy how slick the ground was!! I, myself, thankfully have not slipped and hit the ground....yet... (*Knock on wood*)

Sunday, we went to the assisted living "Twig" sacrament meeting.  (For those not in my home ward, a "Twig" is too small to be a branch, so it is called a "twig." ;)  Sister Eas and I did another musical number.  We didn't get an applause that time. haha

Every day, in the mix of all of these things, we are also making visits to less active members and recent converts.  Sometimes we get good visits, other times no one answers the door.  Either way, the work is moving along in Boise!

My ponderize scripture this week is D&C 123:17

Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed. 

We must be CHEERFUL and work to do everything in our own power!  It's amazing to see the hand of the Lord in each of our lives when we actually look for it.  He loves us!!!

From Idaho to you,

XoXo

Sister Carling

Seeing the Progress Begin...

I've officially been a missionary for ONE WHOLE MONTH!
One long month.
One FANTASTIC month.
One month of so much growth and learning.  17 more great months to go!!

This week has been full of progress and miracles!  Now that I'm getting more into the full swing of things.  I feel like I can help this area in being successful.  I know how cliche it is to hear missionaries talk about "miracles," but it really is awesome to see the Lord's hand in every aspect of everyone's lives! The miracles are little, but little bits add up! Our mission has a vision to "Pray for and expect miracles," and so that is what we do!

Because Sister Eas and I cover 3 wards, sometimes it is hard to keep track of the people and areas, and because I'm just learning it all, I get very scatter brained!  So....during our weekly planning we came up with great ideas, with help and inspiration from the Spirit.  We've started to focus on one ward per day.  As we focus on the people in each ward for the full day, we see success and progress!  Another inspired idea that helps us as missionaries is to use the members of the wards A LOT.  In my home ward, I have had some awesome examples of how to utilize the members. (Thanks Elder Lithgow and Foulger! Also, congrats to Taylor Lithgow on getting hitched! haha)  I know that we will see success as we do this.  I'm still meeting the people and trying hard to learn about all of them.  Meeting the people is my favorite part of it all! Every person is unique and I can learn from everyone.

We are having lots of success in our YSA ward! Our investigator, Jezrael, is getting baptized this Saturday! That kid is awesome.  He is , and has a desire to follow God and he knows that God has a plan for each of us.  It is great working with him.

Rossalyn--also in the YSA ward--is very willing to obey the commandments.  This week we taught her the word of wisdom.  We were worried that she would maybe struggle with drinking coffee.  She has a baptism date in a couple weeks, so it is important for her to stop asap.  After we taught the what the word of wisdom is, out of the blue she said, "I hate coffee."  Wow! One day she drank it and decided she hates it.  The Lord as been working through her!!

Chrys is an amazing progressing investigator.  The sad part is that she can't get baptized yet because she is on probation for a while.  Every time we teach her a lesson, she commits herself to living that principle or commandment before we even ask her to! Chrys has seen how the gospel blesses families and she wants to have that happiness for her and her kids...She sure is on the right path doing the right things, that is for sure!

Remember how last week I mentioned that we also cover an assisted living place? Yeah. 

Well we have an investigator, Esther, who is 103 years old.  AWESOME, RIGHT?!  Right now, she is mostly curious about the church and Book of Mormon, but I really hope to help Esther spark a realization of the importance and truthfulness of the gospel!  Her fellowshipper, Carolyn, is another old lady who lives there.  Imagine trying to teach to 2 (very) old ladies......Their eyes were closing and they would start to fall asleep. I couldn't help but laugh.  I love my old lady friends!!

Good news! I have had more than just potatoes this week! ha  The people are so good about taking care of my special gluten-free needs.  I haven't gotten sick..yet! #knockonwood  haha

Sister Eas and I are having lots of fun while the work moves forward.  We did some service and fed some calves! I love putting on my jeans and boots.  It makes me feel like myself! haha

The weather here has actually been pretty nice!  All of of the snow is melted and gone.  It got to about 45 degrees this week.....not bad for this Arizona girl in Idaho!

I am starting the habit of ponderizing (because I recently read that general conference talk).  I invite you to join with me! (Specifically you, family. Do it with me!)  The scripture I am ponderizing this week is Alma 26:22 

Yea, he that repenteth and exerciseth faith, and bringeth forth good works, and prayeth continually without ceasing—unto such it is given to know the mysteries of God; ...yea, and it shall be given unto such to bring thousands of souls to repentance, even as it has been given unto us to bring these our brethren to repentance. 

We can be great missionaries as we do these things! I know that as I create habits of repentance, faith, good works, and prayer, it will become a part of who I am, which will bring a greater lgiht to my life, which will help me be an example of JOY to those around me.  It's amazing how living like Jesus Christ makes us truly happy.

This missionary work is awesome! Miracles happen! And God is good ALL the time!!!

From Idaho to you,

XoXo

Sister Carling

 Baby cows!

 

We get free Dutch Bros!

(We get smoothies and hot chocolate....don't worry, no coffee;)

  1 month mark!

 

Sister Beauchamp and I are in the same zone so we get to see each other a lot! We've started working out in the mornings together. :)  We also decided to match at our zone meeting on Friday.

This Really Is the Land of Potatoes!!

First week in the field.  WHOA. I love it!  This week mostly consisted of knocking on doors of less active members and no one answering....  Because I am the designated driver I need to get to know the area.  It is super big because we cover a YSA ward which consists of 2 stakes.

All of the residential streets have ice on the sides and so I am constantly (purposefully) sliding on it, or trying to crack the ice.  I have not slipped......yet! I get really distracted with it. haha Even my companion (from Hawaii) finds it funny. 

This week in Idaho was apparently abnormally cold.  One night (the coldest night) we were driving by the temple and decided to get out and take a few pictures.  For some reason, I just had to pick up some snow......People. when it is 9 degrees, after you pick up the snow, your hands don't warm up right away. That was not smart of me.  Thaaankfully our car warms up pretty fast! Also this week it's supposed to warm up to the 40s...Boise really isn't that terrible!! 

Remember how I said my first meal in Idaho was potatoes??? Well so was every other meal for the rest of the week!  5 out of 5 of my first meals were POTATOES. I don't mind it, I just think it's hilarious, and that's what everyone's default meal is when they have to think of a gluten free meal.  I wrote a poem about it...maybe I will send it next week. 

I am SO excited and happy to be serving in a YSA ward! It's like home for me and we get to do a bunch of activities with them! :)  We also have 2 baptisms scheduled for YSA.  One of our wards also covers an assisted living community!!! YSA + old people = My favorite. haha Seriously though...I couldn't be happier. :)

I live in a lovely home with Brother and Sister Andres.  They are super nice and great at taking care of us missionaries.

New Years Eve was my Christmas! Brother and Sister Riggs who came from Arizona, had 4 boxes for me from home!!! What a happy night! Thank you family!!!!

Church yesterday was quite a long day.  I finally got to meet people in the wards and introduce myself and bear my testimony.  There is so much work to be done, but it can't be done without the help of the members!! I am anxious to work will all of the great people here.

Sorry this email is so scatterbrained.....I need to figure out how to manage my email time and figure out what I'm going to say. haha

A scripture that I have been ponderizing is Moroni 10:23. "If ye have faith ye can do all things which are expedient unto me."  We can do ALL things!! I am trying to develop the spiritual gift of exceedingly great faith.  As a missionary, this is so important. I can develop that faith by acting on all spiritual promptings I receive.  As each of us strive to show our faith by ACTION, the Lord will bring so many blessings and miracles to us!

Well I've used up all my time! I promise I will get better at this! 

From the Land of Potatoes to you,

xoxo

Sister Carling

 New Years Eve!!

Just received boxes from home brought by the Riggs.

Thanks Kent & Terri!!

Hello From the Land of Potatoes!!

First off.....You'll never guess what I had for my first meal here in Idaho.....

Yep. You probably guessed right.  A potato. I only had a potato because the sister that fed us never got a good heads up that I was gluten free... haha  I'm sure this will be a common occurrence!

Well I am here in Idaho now, and surprisingly enough, I'm not freezing cold! My jacket and layers of clothes are keeping me warm.  There is a bit of snow and ice on the roads.  Aaaaand right when I was assigned my companion, I was handed car keys.  They are trusting this Arizona girl to be driving??? Maybe not the smartest thing ever, but I am learning! Ha! My companion doesn't drive, so I am the designated driver!

Back track--Christmas in the MTC was......AWESOME!! We woke up to a wonderful white Christmas!!! That really started my day on a happy note. Elder Bednar spoke to us Christmas morning.  Love that man.  Then, there was a 2 person performance of the Christmas Carol. That was neat.  And that evening we had a surprise guest come sing for us....... David Archuleta!! Whoohoo! After his performance, we all watched Ephraim's Rescue.  Overall, Christmas really was fantastic and super special.

December 29th finally arrived and I am in Boise! I love my mission president and his wife.  We ate a lunch with all of the new missionaries and the trainers.  Then we were assigned our companions......My companion is Sister Eas from Hawaii!  We cover 3 wards--2 family wards and 1 YSA ward!!! I am WAY excited because the work is busy, there is so much to do, and so many people to meet! Like I said, I ate with a family that first evening and right after had our first appointment with an investigator. 

Today we had our district meeting, so I have been meeting lots of other missionaries.  We also had another appointment today and taught the lesson of the restoration.  It went amazing!! I LOVE teaching!

Well time is short, but I will be back on Monday, my regular P-Day!  I love you all!  

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

xoxo

Sister Carling

Sister B and I on Christmas!

My companion, Sister Eas

Sis. Carling with Pres. & Sis. Winder

Sis. Eas, Sis. Carling, Sis. Winder & Pres. Winder

First Dinner appt in Boise!

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas.... Hopefully...

Family! Friends! Hi!!

Another long week has come and gone and so much has happened, yet not much has changed. Our district has come so much closer together and it will be hard saying goodbyes when we part ways next week.

Each day is filled with lessons on how o each the gospel and there is great spiritual growth. Sister Beauchamp and I are best friends and have gotten along in every way.  We literally have had zero problems with each other and it's kind of great.  I'm surprised she's not annoyed of me! ha  When came out of the gym the other day, there was still snow on the ground, and being the Arizona girl that I am, couldn't resist touching it.  I soon discovered that it rolled into a ball so easily and it was the perfect time to build a snowman!

*Cue song!* ;)

Me: Do you want to build a snowmaaaan?
Sister B: No.
Me: Come on let's go and playyy!
Sister B: No.

I continued to roll the snow and I made a pretty darn cute "Snow-Sister." ;)

Whenever it's snowing pretty good I can't help but open my mouth, stick out my tongue and try to catch the snowflakes.  Yes, I look like a dog while doing it.

At the MTC, there are devotionals every Sunday and Tuesday night.  Our district/zone has chosen to participate in the choir.  Even though it is a 700 person missionary choir, I know that my (not amazing) voice makes any impact, but I  am so grateful to participate in it because there is a great power and Spirit that comes from music!  The choir director is AWESOME and makes the words so much more meaningful and personal for everyone singing it.  I love the power that comes from music.  I also try to volunteer my piano skills as much as I can.  I am the branch music coordinator which only consists of organizing the music for sacrament meeting, but I love offering my (rusty) piano talent as much as I can.

I have been blessed with some great people in my life to send me Christmas gifts and cards! I have a cute little Christmas corner up by my bed.  Thank you to family, cousins, those who are practically family, and friends!! I thank Heavenly Father every day  for the wonderful people in my life!  Christmas is going to be good. :)

I love feeling the power of the Atonement and Christ's grace work! As it is Christmas Eve today, and Christmas Day tomorrow, I hope we can all recognized that we have been given the greatest gift of all!! The Atonement is the key to happiness.  Be happy and USE IT because it's already been given to us! #HeIsTheGift #ASaviorIsBorn

I have 4 more days left until I am in the field! It's a crazy thought, but I am so ready to go!!!

I love this gospel! I love you! Until next time, when I am in Idaho!!

Merry Christmas!!!!!

XoXo
Sister Carling

 

My "Snow-Sister!" Isn't she cute? ;)

 

Elder Durfee!!!! I love having a high school friend around.  

And I see him at least 5 times a day....I love it! haha

 Sis. Beauchamp, Sis. Carling, Elder Durfee & Elder Steenblik

What a week!

What a week! I survived the first week at the MTC. One week? Probably the longest week of my life! Well... at least the first half of the week was.  To properly express my feelings I wrote a poem on Sunday night titled, "LONG."

Sitting in the MTC

It already feels like year 3.

The days are long. I do not know

How long before I'm in Idaho.

I love it here, don't get me wrong,

But why are these days just so long?!

-Sister Carling to Bryn Johnson

December 13, 2015

But! Each day gets better and better and am really enjoying it.  So much has happened since I walked away from my family, I don't even know where to start!  First off, walking away felt...empowering. I was doing it! I felt so ready. 

The first day at the MTC:

It was great.  No tears were shed, and I was all full of smiles and joy!  I found out I will be here for 3 weeks instead of 2....so yes, I will be here for Christmas.  That news was saddening, but I am getting excited to experience this once in a lifetime opportunity for Christmas. My district is so fun.  There are 5 elders, and 6 sisters. 4 of us sisters are going to Boise, and the others are going to Canada or California.  My companion, Sister Beauchamp (Bo-shamp) is the BEST! I have been so blessed to have her.  We are so similar, sometimes it's unreal.  We laugh a lot, she knows all of my movie or song references, we both love taking pictures, and we just have lots of fun. :) We are best friends, and we teach and learn well together.  I seriously couldn't have been blessed with someone more compatible with me.  

I have had some incredible learning experiences here.  Most of the learning and teaching at the MTC is roll-playing and teaching investigators, but also learning how to find their needs.  if there is anything I have learned, it is the importance of listening and teaching by the Spirit, rather than by my own knowledge.  It has been such a humbling experience.  Yesterday was the BEST  day yet.  Sister B. and I had our first discussion with an investigator, Erika.  Most of the "investigators" at the MTC are roll-playing, and you can usually tell that they are Mormon.  It feels like a real experience, though, but at the same time, not quite 100% real.  Erika really really was a real, legit investigator though! Once I realized that she was the real deal, and it wasn't a roll-play situation, I felt the strongest desire to help her! She has been investigating the church for 2 and a half years now, and working at the MTC for 2 months.  She hears from so many missionaries every week, so I knew that if I wanted to help her, I would need to be different.  She has a genuine desire to try to get answers bu she never feels that God has answered any of her prayers.  I wish I could tell you her whole story, but time isn't on my side now...so anyways, I knew the "normal" thing that most missionaries (especially MTC missionaries) would say to her: "Pray. Have real intent. Listen carefully..." yada yada...It's all good and true, but she's gotten those answers dozens of times.  What would I say differently to her that will help her?

People.  Let me tell you--this was the coolest thing of my LIFE! For some random reason, the attribute of service came to my mind.  Erika needs to serve.  This was the most different, random challenge she has ever been told, but I challenged her to serve.  We all know Mosiah 2:17: "When ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your God." But we usually neglect the first line, (myself included, until I opened it to read with Erika) "I tell you these things that YE MAY LEARN WISDOM!" Erika needs to serve and turn her heart outward, and she will learn wisdom!! I knew that the Spirit told me that is what Erika needs.  It was the most random thought, but I felt it was right.  After walking out of that discussion I felt on top of the world! The Spirit spoke to me and I was able to recognize it.  I literally cried tears of happiness because I new how right that was.  I could not wipe that huge grin off my face.  That joy that I felt was incredible.  I am learning great things here and cannot wait to teach people in Idaho!

It snowed here and I love it! Well....Granted, I'm only outside for a total of 1 minute at a time walking from building to building, but it's so fun and pretty. haha I'm always admiring it and eating it. (Me, eating ice? What else is new;)  My companion from Detroit, Michigan finds it entertaining.  (I actually tend to entertain her all the time because I'm so weird. ha)  

I would LOVE to get mail from anyone! DearElder.com is awesome because it's free for you, and I get the letter on the same day you send it.  Snail mail is wonderful too. ;)

Thank you for your love! I love you all and I would love to hear from you!

I am so grateful to the Lord and how He has blessed me.  I am crazy blessed!!

From the MTC to you,

Sister Carling

XoXo

I can't figure out how to attach pictures....so hopefully next week I will be able to send some!