June 23, 2015 Returning members

Hello :)

What an exciting time to be a missionary!

I've unfortunately gotten to the point of my mission when people ask me how long I've been out and after my response of 9 months, they say one of two things. . . "You're almost there!" or "You're almost done!"  With the excitement on their faces, I know they mean it in the sincerest of ways but I can't help but to be a little taken back.  "Yes! You're right", I will reply, but what a terrible thing for me to apparently almost be done.  Not only do I disagree, I'm not almost done.  I really just got started and still have so much to do/learn!!

This week was full (typical for Sisters Triana and I), but, a success came from a returning member!  Remember we call less actives returning members in this mission.  She lives in East Palo Alto and since I got to Palo Alto has been pretty flaky with us missionaries until recently.

Sometimes we would knock on her door and she wouldn't answer regardless if we knew shew as home or even if she scheduled an appointment with us and told us to come over. 

". . . Sometimes we would knock on her door. . ."

 Every once in a while she would open the door and let us in telling us she is SO busy etc.

When we offered her service, her eyes lit up and she welcomed us back last week.  We have been going over regularly to help her fix up the guest home she has behind her house.

Through these efforts she has (at her own request) asked us to read the Book of Mormon to her.  So we read a chapter after every visit.  She then shares with us what she has learned from the chapter and we do as well.

"She asked us to read the Book of Mormon to her"

 http://www.mormon.org/free-book-of-mormon

Just this last visit her last words were, "Y'all going make me come back to church!" in her bold, forward way (that's how she is all the time).  We then, lit up and replied "Yes! We hope so."

Although I am not sharing much of this woman's story, who she is, where she came from, her conversion etc., I will say, it's easy to pass judgement on someone and reason within ourselves as to why or why not they are coming to church.  But what we as members must do our best to keep trying to help others come back.  We can't stop.  We can't be judgmental, but we have to love them.

This woman has a testimony of the gospel.  If she didn't, she wouldn't have asked us to read the Book of Mormon with her.

This was a humbling experience for Sister Triana and I.

Also, I finished the Book of Mormon this morning again!

I know it's true!

Sister Carter

May 4, 2015

Bishop Peery of the Palo Alto 1st ward is amazing. Absolutely amazing, and has reminded me of an important principle that is found in the Book of Mormon. 

Ammon from the Book of Mormon never forgot the smallest of details.

 ALMA 8:10: "Now when king Lamoni heard that Ammon was preparing his horses and his chariots he was more astonished, because of the faithfulness of Ammon, saying: Surely there has not been any servant among all my servants that has been so faithful as this man; for even he doth remember all my commandments to execute them."

I am thinking of the small and simple things that I participated in, and heard about this week that wrought mighty miracles. 

A wonderful mom in our ward during fast and testimony meeting Sunday shared with the ward of an experience how she felt God's love for her. Her day was crazy to say the least as a mother of 5 children under the age of 12 and she found herself stuck in a rut. When she opened her refrigerator she realized she had no milk to prepare the meal that she had so graciously signed up to make for an activity. With her day planned out literally to the T she had no time. Crying, she rushed to put shoes on, not only on herself, but on all of her children so she could run to the store, when she heard the doorbell ring. Too flustered to answer it, she avoided it. When her daughter asked for the 4th time why she wasn't getting the door she finally answered it. As she opened the door, right in front of her stood, a neighbor that she had only spoken to once with 2 gallons of milk in her hands. 

Sister Triana and I decided about 2 weeks ago to start visiting with our part member families. Going down the list we met with Sister Janzen. As we taught her Lesson 1, the Restoration, we realized we weren't even sure if was she who was the member or if it was her husband. We left the home with a return visit to help her around the house and do some service. We went back 2 more times the following week to do more service and learned that it was indeed Sister Janzen who was not a member. A week ago, Sister Triana and I got a call from a Sister Taylor whom we have never spoken to, who said that she had a referral for us. She said that she was visiting teaching someone who is ready to be baptized. It was none other than Sister Janzen. 

I tell just two of these stories because they are of great significance to me. That mom who felt Gods love through 2 gallons of milk experienced a miracle and certainly a tender mercy.

Sister Triana and I were blessed with the inspiration to visit with this part member family. We had the blessing of being able to serve them in their home and build a relationship.

Lets all do our best to be like Ammon. Do the smallest of things. Do the littlest of things. They are important. 

I love you all, 

Sister Carter

October 31, 2014

Another Pday is here!  Long days accompanied by short weeks, not to mention we just had a pday on Tuesday.  So this one did in fact come quicker.  My companion Sister Gregerson bought a miracle journal from Target where she writes a miracle a day.  I will do my best to include a miracle a week:  starting with this letter! 

Today per usual we went to Target but we also made an appearance at the Doughnut Wheel which is a Livermore staple!

It is SO good!  And trust me, I know my doughnuts (thanks Krispy Kream).  I of course, had to get more than one :)  We were greeted at the register to a picture of Christ, one that we did in fact give out.  We typically go contacting on main street where the Doughnut Wheel is located and contact to-go people (on a good night of course).  It was fun to see a picture of Christ, when he visited the Nephites after he was resurrected taped on the wall.


Sometimes I like to sit and eat my lunch or write letters in our balcony.  We live next to two cemetaries and one of them as a statue of Christ with his arms out.



It kind of reminds me of the Christus statue in our temple's visitor center in Washington D.C.
 

It's so wonderful being a part of this work.  So many people, Bishops, Stake Presidents, random people on the street really respect the mantle that missionaries have.  This is something that I need to prize, honor, get used to and be oh so grateful for.  I really am called by a prophet of God.  With so many Stake Presidents, Bishops etc. counting on us, our referrals have been increasing.  People trust us!  But I have also come to learn that it is not only the missionaries that are full time missionaries.  We NEED our members to offer their names for lessons.  We need members to share and bear witness of the Divinity of Christ.  We need members testimonies and examples. This work is not only for those wearing the tag for 18-24 months.  It is for all of us to take part in, just in different capacities.

I am so grateful for our ward mission leaders!  They are truly actively engaged.  They challenge us and certainly help us.  Today we were challenged to give our 23 copies of the Book of Mormon this week!  I know we will do it.  But only with the Lord's guidance.

Members matter SO much in missionary work.  I knew this to be true when I was younger but did not fully understand until being set apart and being a part of this marvelous work.

I think about when my mom, grandma and I joined the church and how much of an impact members in the Arlington Ward made.  Rides, examples, love, advice, support, visiting teaching, home teachers, testimonies.  Many members don't realize how strong and influential their impact can or will be so they don't bother.  Some are too busy.  Some just truly don't want to.  I can only say to those members who do not participate in missionary work, you should really reconsider your choices!

I can testify to you with every bone in my body, that members matter.  They are what helps with retention and activation.

I will not challenge you all to pass out 23 copies of the Book of Mormon, but I will challenge you to do a little better today, for the next 7 days, at missionary work than you maybe have been.  All you need to do is invite!  You will bless and change lives.

Hand out a picture (a pass-along card) of Christ.  Go do a quick act of service for your neighbor.  Hand out that copy of the Book of Mormon to your neighbor.  Invite someone to a Family HOme Evening.  Give your missionaries a name for a referral.  I promise if you do this, you will find greater happiness in your life simply by inviting than you would or could if you do not.

Try a little harder to be a little better,

Sister Carter

P.S.  Miracle of the day:  The washing machine did not eat my money!

P.P.S. Miracle of the week:  We have another baptismal date!