July 13, 2015 Member Missionaries are the best!

This week was wonderful! We had a a blast teaching and finding. Our numbers were higher than usual which is a huge blessing and all credit of course goes to the Lord. We as missionaries and even as people must admit our own shortcomings and give credit to the Lord when we succeed! 

We had 5 investigators at church yesterday!! Mitch and Rich came, as well as our new investigator Thomas, and an investigator family. We were really busy and excited to say the least.

The exciting news about our new investigator Thomas, is that he is a referral from one of my absolute favorite families the Talivacaolas. We invited the Talivacaolas a family to help us with missionary work. 

President Hinckley taught: “The full-time missionaries may do the actual teaching,but the member, wherever possible, will back up that teaching with the offering of his home to carry on this missionary service. He will bear sincere testimony of the divinity of the work. He will be there to answer questions when the missionaries are not around. He will be a friend to the convert who is making a big and often difficult change. … The process of bringing new people into the Church is not the responsibility alone of the missionaries. They succeed best when members become the source from which new investigators are found” (Ensign, May 1999, 105–6).

As Bednar said some of us need to stop praying for people to come to church and go out and get them!

The Talivacaolas stuck to their commitment and had not only Thomas over for dinner with us the other day, but even another neighbor who is not a member! It was a beautiful dinner full of the spirit and delicious food! We are so grateful to be able to teach Thomas, and now he has a perfect family to help fellowship him. They live nearby and are able to take him to church with them every Sunday. They even bought him a shirt for church because he did not have one. The Talivacaolas are not a rich family, but they decided to give. 

Jacob 2:17 "Think of your brethren like unto yourselves, and be familiar with all and free with your substance, that they may be rich like unto you."

We don't need to give away everything we have to be right in the eyes of the Lord but because we have been given much, we truly too must give. Especially when it comes to the gospel. We must share what we have and know to be true! 

I am grateful for the Talivacaolas and their example of charity and know they will be blessed. I am a perfect example of people giving. I am certain I would not be where I am today if it was not for people giving a whole lot to me! And I'm not talking monetary things or items. I was given Charity: "The highest, noblest, strongest kind of love, not merely affection; the pure love of Christ" and for that, I am so so so grateful.

As a mission we set monthly goals for what we are to do to push ourselves. For whatever reason the spirit promoted us to set a goal of two investigators baptized this month, which we were hopeful could happen but were unsure. Yesterday at church our bishop completely ecstatic, nearly tackled us to tell us that two of our investigators committed to being baptized on the 25th!!!!! Wahoooo. Horray for Bishop Peery who is a serious missionary and so dedicated to not only the ward as a whole, but supports the missionaries and their efforts. And of course thanks be to God for his goodness and mercy for allowing this goal to be reached. 

Transfers are soon and I feel like I'm going to get the boot from Palo Alto! I love it here, but just like I loved Livermore, I'm sure I'll love my next area. 

We will seeeeeee, I'll keep you all posted ;)

The Church is True!!!!!!

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!