President Nelson in the EMM

Hiya yallright??

This week has literally flown by, I blinked and here I am again... It is so bazare, time is just so crazy.

So yes, Elder Nelson came to our mission!!! He was accompanied by Bishop Causee, Elder Hallstrom, and Elder Johnsonof the 70. It was INCREDIBLE!! We all went in prepared and ready, with questions in our hearts and an open mind. I felt literally like every speaker had seen a sign above my head with my questions written out on them, because everything they said was EXACTLY what I needed to hear. It was just like they were speaking directly to me. But I know I wasn't the only one who felt that way. Each missionary got to shake them and their wives hands, and I was overwhelmed with a sense of familiarity. I have never met these men before, but the spirit helped me understand that I truly did know them. I knew them since before this life, and the spirit they have within them is the same spirit that is in me, the Holy Ghost. Their words were so inspiring. We can find true joy and happiness even amid afflictions, as we learn to repent and become truly converted to the Lord. As our focus is on the Savior, everything else falls into place. I know that this is true. Obedience comes naturally when we love the Savior with all of our hearts. Faith is increased as we study and apply His Atonement into our daily lives.

Otherwise, I got to have an interview with President Ulrich, which was SO exciting, and got some uhmazing guidance on how to progress on this journey. I also was able to speak with sweet Sister Ulrich, who is literally like you mom! She is the best ;) 

Exchanges back in YSA was so weird... haha too soon? no it was good though, and I know that I am in a great place now to help those missionaries to continue to work hard and learn. I know that God places us where He needs us, when He needs us there to fulfill His purposes. 

I am trying to think of a story... OHHHH! ok, so Halloween is coming up, Yay! It makes things exciting always. But the thing is it gets dark super early here in England. So we are out in a neighborhood over really close to the airport.. details. So we are actually walking back to catch our bus home, and we look over, and see this van. The light is shining just right that we could see the bench and in the middle there is this mask, or manikin head..... SO CREEEPYYY!!! so we ran. haha dahhhhh we died.

Harvey is still doing well! Pray for him though! He came to church yesterday and loved it, so that was amazing, and we plan to have a family home evening with members and teach him tonight again, so exciting!!! But yes, keep him in your prayers!

I love you all! Keep doing what your doing, way to be the amazing missionaries that you are!

xx

Sister Carter

How far is that plane sister?? ...Which way? It's Equidistant in both directions!

I am over the HILL y'all!!! I seriously can't believe it!!! What do

you think we did to celebrate my half way day Friday?? Chippy!!! Fish

and chips and mushy peas is where it is at!! Yous need to try it,

dahhhh!

But whaaaaat a week!!! We started off so well, our district is super

close, and we all went to Piccadilly together for pday, and I was

like... Hmmm seems I never left! Haha no jokes, but it was good times,

cuz Elder nepamacema from Brazil got us some super good Brazilian

food, cochinha, yuuum! And guarana, also yum. But yes, diversity of

manchester is astounding!

After a brill district meeting, we went out and had a lesson win Ian,

on his doorstep, and we dated him for baptism!!! He is so prepared,

and we were both on top of the world!! Basically Tuesday and Wednesday

we were smashing it, teaching and finding and finding and teaching. So

good, and MLC Thursday was once again one of the most spiritual

meetings I've been in to date. But that's when Satan will get you.

We were both so excited and happy, and two realllllly tough days were

thrown at us. Literally every lesson fell through.... And the people

were not very polite towards us either. I know that it's the times we

feel super close to our Heavenly Father is the time when Satan

increases his pressure on us too. And wow, what a trial of our faith!

Yikes. But we powered through, and kept diligent, and wow am I so glad

we did.

Sunday though. Yes. I LOVE yesterday!! I came to church just ready to

go! Ready to meet every person, and excited! Also, I didn't realise

how much I'd missed taking the sacrament. But yeah, this ward is so

good! It was hard trying to survive two weeks before meeting the ward,

I didn't know who could fellowship or who we could go see, so

blessings, church, yay! So basically yeah, I talked to as many people

that I could and set up some great appointments, which is so exciting,

best thing is stress is much lower,yes. After church, we had a tea

appointment, and got to the area early to do some finding, we knocked

on a door, and Harvey opened up. HE IS UHMAZING. So good!! And we

shared a Book of Mormon with him, along with a great intro to the

church slash gospel. And invited him to the missionary fireside which

was in 2 hours, and he said yes!!! So after an amazing feast ( bless

the dicksons) we went with Harvey to the fireside!! And it was super

fab, but the best part was after, we introduced him to President, who

dated him for baptism on the spot!!!!!!!! Literally died.

I have seen literal miracles this week, including knocking on the door

of June, an inactive member who the Lord has been preparing so much to

come back. She has been reading the BoM a lot lately and when we came

to her home, she knew it was time. She came to the fireside last night

as well, and had words spoken directly to her. So incredible.

Ether 12:6 has been a theme throughout my whole mission, but I know

that Heavenly Father has to keep reminding me.. My memory. Rubbish.

But this week, it was so apparent and so real. I am incredibly

thankful for this short time at I have to serve the Lord, and for the

miracles and tender mercies He continuously gives to me.

So sorry these emails are always so longggg!!!! Just I have so many

thoughts!!! Also, yay Michigan falllll, hearttttt!!! It is so good to

hear everything is going good back home, and I can't wait to see the

bathroom when I get back!! Woo hoo!

Any ways, take it easy, and have some cider and donuts for me

Love you all!!

Xoxo

Sister Carter

Week # 35 Saved by the mission tour

This week has been crazy and amazing!
We exchanged with the other sisters here in YSA on Tuesday, and it was
a blast. I am so blessed to get to serve with such crazy good sisters.
They help me improve every day! Blessings. But yeah, we had fun doing
a street display outside the central library just up the street. I
literally still can't even believe that I serve here, I'm seriously
just like... what?!
But we had a mission tour, basically a big fireside with elder and
sister leimer from the 70. It was such a powerful meeting. The best
part was when sister leimer told us all to allow the Lord to take the
burdens that He is already carrying. Just let the atonement to lift
that load. But yes, I feel like I learned so much, and mostly from the
spirit, not even from the words actually spoken. Powerful!
 And then MLC. Basically this week was a spiritual feast, packed with
it! I have never been in a meeting so full of the spirit. I could
literally feel it, it was tangible. So many brilliant ideas about
including the members in our work. Using our coordination meetings for
making goals amend plans, not reviewing the week. The Members are so
key, and i can see that you are already being such great member
missionaries! Help the ward to get on board, we'll work on it
together!! Haha
I have never been so tired in my life, but one of my fellow
missionaries said it just right, I will never be less tired, I will
just learn to live with it. Adjustments are brutal haha
Acer gets back in town this week, along with the rest of the
university students and heir moms!! It's going to get insane up in
here! Freshers week is what they call it, and wow, I am so excited!!
Oxford road will be packed, a full field, a whole ton of fish, and we
need to b that net, just catch them ALL!!! Woohoo!!!
I love falllllll!!!!!! And I love you all!!!
Love
Sister Carter
Ps. take tons of pictures of Ethan's games and of everything, I mean
everything!!!!!!! Xoxo
Pps......
Sorry I forgot to talk about this!
Saturday was elder fan and wings first baptism!! Her na,e is Muriel
and she is the sweetest Chinese girl! I love her so much. She bore the
strongest testimony after. She is going to be a leader here and in
China! <33

Week #34 words

Hi my people,

Wow, so i am literally sitting here saying to sweet Sister Haruyama... What do I even write to my family?? and she just laughed! haha true.

Thank you so much for the pictures and updates. I wish I could have been there, but as I was able to talk to President Ulrich for a bit about Grandpa's passing, he gave me some incredible and heartfelt words. I am now closer to Grandpa than I ever have been in my whole life. He is now an active part of my life and mission, and of all of our lives. He is happy. There is a reason for all of God's timing, and this is where I am meant to be, now. There is a reason that I am on my mission when he stepped from this life into the next part of the plan. One of which I testify every day, and understand more now than I ever have before in my life. A plan of happiness, eternal and unending happiness, where we can and will see every one of our loved ones again. The ones who surround us each and every day of our lives, who cheer for us, and cry with us. The ones who love us the most and are seriously invested in our lives. To them I owe my successes, my life, and my happiness. family is what it is all about.

Not very much happened this week, except WE MOVED INTO OUR OWN NEW FLAT!!! YESS. seriously, such a blessing, it's insane how much such a small thing can increase companionship unity, exponentially!! haha We have been laughing, talking, supporting, and loving each other SO much more than before. I know though, that once again, the Lord had a hand in the timing of this. He knows. He knows.

Acer is not quite ready to be baptised, we are still working with him. He is worthy, but just needs to really feel the spirit and answers to his prayers. Please pray for him! he is so close, but since he is homeless for the next two weeks (#uniproblems... i remember those days ;) he is traveling, and won't get back till the 14th... PRAY HARD!! daily contact has never been so real.

We have met some incredible people this week though, and it is so exciting that everyone is coming back! School starts soon, and oxford road is about to explode. I am bracing myself! haha

I am loving being an STL, and getting to be such an active part of the sisters lives. They are SO powerful, I am seriously so inspired by them. Each call in, and each exchange I have, I am so amazed at how truly noble and courageous these sisters are. It strengthens my testimony so much that God has saved us all to come forth at this time, and that we are the royal generation. But that also means that we have to work hard, He is counting on us! 

I have been reminded lately of the importance of faith. Faith is that driving force that keeps us going in the good and bad times. It is what gives us the drive to repent to change, to keep going. I LOVE Elder Eyring's talk from april 2012, mountains to climb. So good! Keep up the faith!

Also, its September... what is going on...???? Basically go to erwins and send me donuts and cider and APPLES!!! IT'S FALLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!! I love falllllll <333 haha but as Sister Lou just said, "its always fall in England" haha also true, but not Michigan fall. Sorry uk. Sorry. 

I LOVE YOU ALL SO STINKING MUCH!! good luck with school starting and work and everything!

Cheers,

Sister Carter

Week # 37 It's just like trick or treating!!!

Hey hi hello my amazing and beautiful family!!!! I love you all so

very very much!! I thought about how we were all doing the same thing

this weekend, how fun, we were all sitting there watching general

conference! Even though ours is at 5:00, it's still crazy that in

another part of the world, my fam is doing the same thing! Heart! Haha

but what a powerful set of meetings those were, wow!! I think

conference meant a lot to me while at home, but it is WAY more

valuable to me now! It is seriously like Christmas, like feasting,

literally. And I love it! My favourite talk was probably Elder

Bassett's talk, about how we need to quit comparing ourselves to

others and recognise where our true value lies. How does God see me or

you? I love that as we repent and strive each day to become better, we

can truly receive all that the Father hath. Also, I loved the talk

that mentioned how we will be overwhelmed with the beauty and majesty

of the kingdom we will inherit one day, but even more so, we will be

overwhelmed with the grace and mercy and love God extends towards us.

I know He loves us. He wants us to by happy eternally.

But in other news, YES I AM IN MAN SOUTH!!! Literally the central hub

of the mission, and it's insane!!! I love it here though! I will

definitely miss YSA, but it's good to miss your past areas, it means

you did something right (hopefully) haha In the sense that I loved it

;) and I will miss sister Ho, and speaking mandarin all the time,

buuuut sister stapel is bomb, so we are totally fine!! Haha I actually

got to go on exchange with her a few weeks ago, and it was so fun, and

the same is true for this past week.

It is so good to be back in a family ward, yay for tea appointments!!!

Haha and yay for tracting!! Woohoo yay!! Seriously though, the field

is soooo White and ready to harvest here, it's i tense. I know that

the Lord prepared me and helped me learn a lot from the fast pace of

YSA to implement here in man south, it's super exciting! There are 5

companion ships in our district, aka 10 missionaries in one

ward!!!!!!!!!!!!! Aaa. Haha not counting President Ulrich and Sister

Ulrich (who are also in our ward)!!!!! Haha needless to say our

coordination meetings take some time... But the ward mission leader is

on point! He remembered me from all the way back in July when o came

on exchange here! Crazy! It's cuz he lived in Westland, and we totally

made a connection, plus he says I have an easy name to remember

compared to all the other crazy ones here... Which is true haha so

it's exciting times!!

Sister Stapel is gorgeous, and just finished her first 6 weeks, so

back into training mode, woooooo!!!! Haha literally the best kind of

mode, I love it so much! The excite,met and enthusiasm is up and we

are smashing it! Plus we get to run in the morning, so thank

goodness.... Yeah... Haha I am still the STL, and I am relieved from a

lot of stress that came from being in YSA with so much going on plus

that responsibility. Now I get to really focus on what I need to do!

So great!

It gets so dark so early now, and while we were tracting two nights

ago, I just go, "hey don't worry sister stapel, we will just knock the

houses with lights on.... ITS JUST LIKE TRICK OR TREATING!!!  Only

kinda backwards!! Haha"

Another funny but sad thing was the sisters in the stake all came here

to watch the women's session, and we are some great food before,

including some really good Costco pizza and cakes. So naturally I am

over at the sweets table, and of course I have too much in my hands,

including a drink of pop... So I'm grabbing a brownie (again, no

surprise), and then.. Yep. Spill my pop all over someone's yummy

looking sponge cake..... NOOOOOOO no.noooo. Haha ah man, why do those

things always happen? It's like a really annoying dream or a really

funny comedy. Entertaining to watch, but when it's you, you just want

to... Not be there. Haha yes. Life is good. I love it here! We are

just having lots of fun and working hard.

One miracle happened though on Wednesday night. We were trying to

catch a bus to the church and got on one that we thought went there,

but it took a turn we did not think it would. We end up way on the

other end of town in the bus station (I don't know this area at all,

and I was talking to a man about the BOM, so oops) but we are like..

Ok change of plans, nice! Let's just get the bus that will get us home

as its getting late. But it's fine, we can definitely get back by

nine. No problem. Waiting, waiting... Waiting.. No number 19, even

when it says it should get there. We ask a lady by us, and she tells

us, oh yeah that one never comes! Whatttt?!!! How do we get home, the

next one isn't until 9:45!! Ok... But then this same sweet lady goes,

but if you take the 18, you can get to the tesco too! Really?!! Oh

please yes please! So we jump on with her, it's quarter to nine at

this point. We ride along, both of us talking to this lady saying

yeah, we have no idea where we are, can you help us get to the tesco?

And she is soooo so so good, she was an angel and told us where to get

off <3 bless her, and we get off at 8:59, right outside our flat. Wow.

What a tender mercy!!! I truly do know that God is directing us here.

He has placed elect people in our path his whole week, and I know He

loves them as much as He loves me.

It was hard to say bye to my sweet and beautiful sister Ho. We have

become best of friends, sisters, but I know that that friendship will

last forever. I know that these people I m meeting and serving

alongside are my friends and treasured sisters and brothers. I knew

them before, and love them here as well. Change is hard, but change is

SO good. I am happy and excited :)))))

I love you all so stinking much!!!

Happy Birthday MOM!!! You are finally 50, the age you have waited so

long to be!!!!! Yayayyyy!! I love you!!!

With that, tah rah!!

Sister Carter Xoxo

Week #36 Fall is here, hear the yell!!

Literally every email I send now will have how excited I am about fall
written in it, I'll just apologise in advance haha BUT I am not ready
for the cold... Oh no oh no..
This week has been seriously seriously insane.
Sister Ho and I gave a train at zone meeting, it actually went
surprisingly well. We taught about how to prepare for lessons and keep
them under 45 minutes. I loved it because we taught about time
management and how successful teaching comes from successful planning.
Both are seriously my favourite things, yessss, so I was just a bit
excited up there haha but it's so true. It goes for anything in life
though. If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear. In any case. Apply it
friends! And cute sister Ho is so good, she added so much to the
inspired guidance and teaching we were able to give, love her!
Then right after zone meeting, I got to go on exchange with a brand
new missionary, no pressure! Haha I had forgotten what it was like to
serve with someone so new, it was good fun! And it really made me
realise how fast time has gone... So crazy! I say I feel like I just
got here, but really... It has been a while. And we found out at we
are very similar, her desires for being out and her taste in music,
etc. But the best thing was the first day of freshers, like real deal
freshers, aka street displays on Oxford road with 2 districts of
missionaries and tours of the YSA buildings all dayyyy! Yay! It was
quite unorganised though the first few days, but got better each day,
no worries.
So that was good, and then yep, all week street displays.
And then I can't remember anything else that happened until we had our
first tea appointment I've had in YSA hahahaha no but seriously, the
poor ward members, they will come and eat with us, but this was the
first time they fed us, at their home- bless Megan! Haha it was really
good :)
And then we taught the lesson in relief society, and it was a success
except we only had like 20 min to teach a lesson that could have
lasted at least 40 haha but there are so many people in our ward now,
which is seriously so exciting!
But I have an exciting thing to say! Last pday we went to LYME PARK
#prideandprejudice #yay!!!! It was so fun, and we got to dress up in
the clothes from the eduardian period, so great! But sorry I couldn't
find my camera this morning, so I will send you the pictures next week
:) Peak District is beautiful :))
We went to the northern quarter of Manchester today with Ruth, just my
favourite person, and we ate at this very quite and hipster cafe
called home sweet home <3 yes. It's been a great day :) and we have
lots of new friends!! The displays have been a success, lets goooo!!!
Love you all my lovelies!
Xx
Sister Carter

Email #33 All is well

Thank you so much for your lovely emails. I am so grateful for the temple. I got to go this morning, and it made getting this news a whole lot easier for me. I hope that the family is doing well. Please give Grandma an extra hug for me. I know that now I have another angel to watch over me. To watch over us all. And what comfort and peace comes from those special and eternal covenants made in the temple. It will be a glorious day when we see Grandpa Austin again. What an amazing example he has set to us all.

Not very much has happened this week, in answer to your question Dad, yes, as an STL we get to go to Mission leadership council with all of the zone leaders, but unlike zone leaders, we have stewardship over all of the sisters in the zone, alone... only one stl per zone! But it's really fun times. And in Manchester especially- we have the most sisters, which means exchanges every week! What what!! haha This week I got to go to stockport, which I love! With sweet Sister Larson. Sis. Walker, ya did well- she is doing amazing! And we found like 7 new investigators for them- a miracle that ive never seen before! Her faith is so incredible! I love this calling though, i just get to turn outwards all of the time, and there is so much comfort in that!

We are kinda pushing to the finish of summer right now. It's so quiet around here, the students are either not here or super busy writing dissertations. But it's just the quiet before the storm. In like 2 weeks fresher's week begins... Basically everyone comes back! and it's going to be madness! I'm very excited.

We had an amazing experience with one of my favorite members, Ruth. She is seriously the bees knees, i love her! We had a lesson with her on Wednesday where we taught her about faith. We asked her to bare her testimony about faith, and as she did, the spirit was so strong. We asked her who she knew that could benefit from hearing that testimony. Immediately she said her friend Ruby! It was crazy because she told us how whenever missionaries have asked for referrals before, Ruby's name will usually come to mind, but this time she hadn't been thinking about it at all, but the spirit just told her Ruby! So come Thursday after institute, I was chatting with her and she goes,"oh my goodness! I talked to ruby! and she is coming to church next sunday when she gets back from scottland!!" It was such an amazing moment, and I am so proud of her. She is the BEST! and I can't wait to meet Ruby! This work is so true. 

I know that life can kinda stink sometimes, and all, but I know that Heavenly Father is SO aware of us every single day every single minute. I was so inspired and received so much peace and answers while at the temple today. Not only that, but right before I went into the session, I bumped into my good friend Emma Pierce, from Wrexham! it was so sweet to see her again, and we hugged and chatted for a bit. Love her! and then as we got in the car to head back, this car pulls up next to us. I recognize someone getting out from Chester ward, and then all of a sudden someone goes, I KNOW YOU! and there is Nic Fisher- and she gives me a big old hug! I could not help but cry tears of immense joy, She was such a comfort to me in wrexham, and it was a witness to me of just how aware God truly is of me. She just hugged me and told me how things are back there, gave me her email and told me to let her know whenever I need anything. I am just so grateful for every miracle! there are too many to even count, but they are so real. 

I love you family. I know that we can be together forever. I know that there is reasoning behind the timing of things in our lives. You are where you are meant to be right now. I know that we will all see Grandpa Austin again one day, along with all of our loving family. You are all in my prayers every day. 

Love you all

Sister Carter

ps someone left these bouquets behind, we didn't steal them