Week #23 Dead bodies, Apostles, and everything in between

It has obviously been one heck of a week!!! Thank you for all of your wonderful emails, and Ethan, thank you very much, I LOLed quite a bit at that. Dad, thank you so much for all of that advice. Maddie- you think you can defeat me?!!! hahahaha ;) and Mom, thank you so so so much for the stories!

Ok so, I'm just gunna jump on in!

So i know that last week I had been saying how things about not baptizing yet had been hard on me, well the Lord has immaculate timing. ELDER OAKS came and spoke to our mission on Saturday! It is so amazing to be a missionary, to be teaching people who have never heard of the gospel, about these powerful and crucial leaders, and then to sit at the feet of one. It was the most amazing thing I'd say that has happened to me to date. I went prepared, with questions in my mind, ready to feast on every word he spoke. And wow!! I honestly felt like he'd been sent to us specifically for me. that that meeting was meant just for me. Elder Johnson, who is on the european area presidency was there as well with his wife. She opened the meeting with something that really impacted me. She said, "I don't know what you all did in the pre mortal life to be here in this mission, serving with President Ulrich, and to have this opportunity to hear from Elder Oaks, but it must have been something incredible!" And it hit me. That I truly had such a former greatness. That we all did. All of us here on the earth at this time have been saved to come now. We all fought for Jesus Christ, and we were valient. WOW! yeah, and Sister Oaks- love her!! She is so wise, and hilarious. She is a huge example of a powerful woman. And then Elder Oaks gave his address. It was SO GOOD. He spoke basically to me- i was, after all, centered on the second row ;) haha no, but it was amazing. He spoke about how as we are teaching repentance, bringing others closer to Christ and Heavenly Father, we are truly fulfilling our missions. That our success isn't measured by numbers and statistics, but by the effort with which we serve- our commitment to bring others unto repentance. It was a powerful witness to me that Heavenly Father not only loves me, but is fully aware of me here in Wrexham. That he knows exactly what I am going through, and is aware of all of my efforts. I am so grateful for all of the guidance, council, and inspired thoughts that were shared with us by this Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ.

So that was basically the highlight of my life!!

But I must say, other than that, my future husband must have gotten a whole lot more attractive, because we spent many MANY hours trackting in the chucking rain!! sooooo NO COMPLAINTS THERE!!!!! hahaha

We have had some incredible success with the Siri family- the ones that are from Sri Lanka! Last night we went to teach them, and the father was asking us about the benefits of being baptized. it was the perfect segway into a powerful lesson on the gospel of Jesus Christ, addressing his concerns and questions through the spirit. Wow!

SO SOMETHING AMAZING HAPPENED YESTERDAY!!! DAHHHH it was so fantastic!! Ok, so my favorite family, the Nicholsons, told us that they were having a couple from the temple stay with them for the weekend. They live in this beautiful place, out in the middle of nowheres in the mountains of wales, a place called Cffygliog (idk if that's even how its spelled, but yeah, so fun to say ;). Anyways, this couple, the Spencers, came to church in our ward, and were so very sweet! I could tell from their accent that they were from Utah, but since I had to play the Prelude music before Sacrament metting, I didn't get a chance to chat too long. After church however, the Nicholsons had us for lunch here at the church. The Spencers were there as well, and it was such a fun time. They are from Sandy! but i didn't think much of it because there's probably millions of wards there. So after lunch, we're all washing up, and I'm talking to Sis Spencer. I asked her where in sandy they were from. She mentioned the canyon, and I nodded acting like I knew exactly what she was talking about. Then I told her "well my grandparents live in granite!" "we're from granite!!! What's their names?!!" "the Austins!!" "You're Becky's daughter! I knew you looked like her!! They are in our ward!!!" W.O.W!!!!!!!!!! I know. That was sooooooo sososoooo amazing. I am so very grateful for my Heavenly Father. He let this tender mercy happen just for me. They went on and on about how they love Grandma and Grandpa, it meant so much to me. It was another testament to me of just how aware He is of me. That the Nicholsons needed to be willing to have them, I needed to be here right now, we needed to have lunch at the church this week, etc. Everything was just perfectly put together, couldn't have planned it better myself :) Pretty Crazy huh?!!

So about the title, we were calling by a potential investigator in this rougher part of our area earlier this week. We were knocking on this door, and I look over and my heart drops. I see two legs sticking out from behind this wall... I freeze, thinking someone either died or is drunk in this person's yard. I gasp and say oh my heck so that sister S knows something is up before we slowly inched out of the yard to look around the corner at what it was. My fear increased as we saw an arm covered in tape, the body looking strange and mangled. This terror was only released when i saw there was no head attatched to the corpse...or sculpture I should say. But what the heck!! why was it in their yard in the first place?!! Art people... But yeah, it even had jeans and shoes on it! SO WEIRD!!!!!!!!!!!!Hah!

Anyways, a sister from our ward took us to Conway castle today and to a beautiful victorian style seaside town called llandudno!! LOVED THEM BOTH SO MUCHHHH!!!! had fish and chips on the seaside- classic!!

I'm happy and good, and hope that things are going well for you all! Glad to hear you got my post! YAYAYAYYY!!!

Mom, could you keep those postcards safe, please?!! I'd like to do something with them later ;)

LOVE YOU ALL SO STINKING MUCH!!!

cheers, stay classy, tah-rah!

Sister Carter

Week # 22 gets better and better

WOWZAA!! So President Ulrich keeps saying how there is an explosion that is coming in the mission- he is SO right!! This week is proof of that.

So after writing last weeks email, we went out and began our work for the day. We were tracting a bit down just outside of town. We knock on this door, and a lady opens up. She looks indian, and since I WILL have an indian investigator, I was quite excited and enthused, ya know. She tells us that she IS interested and wants us to tell her more about our unique message. Well hello! We begin teaching her the restoration right there, and her husband comes down the stairs to the door. It's Sam!! A man who Sister Harp and I had run into street contacting, and the Sister Steele and I had again a few weeks ago. For whatever reason we hadn't gotten solid return appointments when we'd met him before- now I know why, cuz this time, the timing was perfect! We were so excited!!! They are amazing, and invited us in right away! We taught them the first lesson, and have been back 2 times since teaching the plan of salvation, WITH MEMBERS!! I know!! I am so excited, and I hope and pray that they will continue to progress!! Pray for them- Sam, Diane, and Tahami!! I have a really good feeling, and hope they can be baptised before this transfer is over, or just at least before I leave this area! oh and they are from Sri Lanka, not india, but hey, no problemo!

So that was Uhhhmazing!

We also got a new ward mission leader yesterday, another proof of the explosion, because he is so bomb! We got to meet with him after church, and he expressed to us his goals for the ward, and we got to express ours, just like how it's suppose to be done! YAY! and we have a call-in night apart from our weekly coordination meeting! He just really wants to be kept in the loop! I really want Elders to be put into Wrexham next transfer, so I'm just ready to work my bum off!! And I can tell that this is game changer for us!! We've needed this support so much! I think I needed to endure a time of n

ot having someone so involved before so that I could really learn to appreciate the ward mission leader better. They are so important!!

Life is good :)

We've been working working working. I don't think I have ever been this tired in my whole life, but it's so worth it. I go to bed at night knowing that I've put in the effort, and there's nothing to match that.

I have learned a lot this week. I think that something that has been especially important to me came from my reading in Helaman. On Saturday, I was reading in Chapter 10, and it is where the Lord is speaking to Nephi. Verses 3-5 just hit me so hard. Nephi was cast down, pondering upon the wickedness of the people. Then he hears the Lord say to him, "blessed art thou Nephi... for I have beheld how thou hast with unwearyingness declared the word... Thou has not feared them.. nor sought thy own life, but hast sought my will... Because thou has done this... I will bless thee forever... I will make thee mighty in word and deed, in faith, and in works..." Those words gave me so much comfort. I felt as if the Lord were saying them to me. I had this overwhelming sense of peace, hope, and love come over me. I know that I am not perfect, I know that I have not seen any baptisms so far on my mission, but I know that God loves me and is proud of me. I don't know the reason for all things, but I know that I can trust in His promises. It gave me so much strength and a greater conviction to continue on, with unwearyingness. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Phill 4:13). I know that this is true.

I had to add some of the funny stuff from last week too.

- we met this lady on the bus whose eyes literally glowed... they were the color of that green glow in the dark.... the WHITE PART OF HER EYE!!!

-Sis S was saying that the bus we were going to take is the punctual one, and I thought she said "punk chill one", so NOW if anything funny or crazy happens, we say- PUNK, chill. hahaha

Love being here! Love life! Love the Gospel! Love you all!!!!

Sister Carter

Week #21 "Four Transfers, First Visit to A castle and 7 New investigators!"

FOURTH TRANSFER IN WREXHAM BAYBAYYY!!! life is so good in Wrexham, and wales is just the best. I am so excited to be staying here for at least the next 5 weeks (short transfer, weird!)

Sadly I have very little time to write today because... I GOT TO GO TO A CASTLE IN ANGLESEY TODAY!!! haha it was amazing, shout out to the Prices for taking us- love them! So that was on of the huge highlights of the week- this place was soooo pretty- Snowdonia is just across the bay, and it is seriously the most beautiful place. And I love the Prices- they feel like my mission grandparents :)))

So some funny stuff happened this week, hang on let me grab my planner... my memory is literally out the window.

-First 5 Weeks!! Sister Steele had her first five weeks training this Wednesday (even though she has been out 6 weeks.. but ya know) and of course I got to go cuz Im her traynurrr yuss. It was so good!! Man, I am so grateful for these incredible meetings we get to attend as missionaries. I really realized that I can change. That it is me who chooses to be happy, and that I have the ability to become so much more than I know. I know that the Lord expects much of me, but for today, I can choose to change. To be better than I was yesterday. To thrust in my sickle with ALL of my might, not just some of it.

- On Tuesday we had our final district meeting of the transfer outside in the SUNNN!

- Also on Tuesday, at the street display, I was stopping these people, and noticed they had an American accent- EXCITEMENT! haha so I asked them where they were from! Michigan :) NO WAYYY IM FROM MICHIGAN TOO!!!! DAH WHAT PART!!! Turns out this sweeter than sweet couple are from BRIGHTON!!! I know.... I was just like... whhhattttt! It was such a huge tender mercy for me. They were so excited and took a picture with me immediately and talked to me for a bit. I seriously fell in love with them right away. I have never met such nice people!! They came back and said can we do any thing fro you when we go back?

Week #20 Church History Tour: President Hinkley's Flat

Seriously though, life is so good in Wrexham, and in the EMM! This week has been so bomb, and I have loved it so much! The blessings are pouring out, I feel so incredibly grateful!

 Like I said in my last email, our pday was shortened because of the historical tour. So that was, ya know, "fun" ;) hahaha No, it was TOTALLY worth it! I didn't realize before coming out here, but wow does the EMM have such an amazing history. It is the cradle of the restoration. We got to go up to Preston where President Hinckley served his mission, and even got to see the flat where he stayed. We saw the sights where the churches were that thousands of people flocked to to hear these powerful missionaries speak. We saw the River Ribble, where the first saints in England literally raced to be baptized. We also got to see the Chatburn river by Downham, the most beautiful and sacred places I've ever been. Downham is a tiny town where hundreds of saints were baptized. There is a reverence as you walk the roads of this special place. Prophets ancient and modern walked those streets, and as they have kept it looking as close to how it looked back then as possible, you can feel the power of the spirit that still resides in this village. There is a tree there that Elder Holland goes to there to ponder and receive personal revelation. I just felt so privileged to see these sacred places. I felt the presence of angels as we stood by the waters edge at Chatburn. I feel such incredible strength, trust, and duty knowing that I walk these same streets that powerful missionaries and prophets have walked. WOW!

That was the highlight, but there have been other amazing things happening this week along with that! We found a young woman, Hannah, who is so prepared! Her faith in God and Jesus Christ are inspiring! And she asked us to mark our favourite passages in the Book of Mormon for her to read after we taught her about the Restoration.

We met another woman, from.... INDIA!!! Mumbai!! I know!!! I was so excited when she expressed to us that she wants to learn more about Jesus Christ, and wants a bible and Book of Mormon of her own! #blessings

We got to teach our friend, John, about the Word of Wisdom. We go to take some members with us, and he even got a blessing. It was such a powerful blessing, and it really strengthened my testimony of the power of the priesthood! He's incredible, and we're gunna get him to the temple!

I've been getting this feeling lately like the work here in Wrexham is hastening, that things are really picking up, and there's so much I need to and want to do, but that I'm gunna leave before it gets done! DAHH!! I should be here for another transfer though... knock on wood.. haha

I just feel really happy and excited about things!

Yesterday I may or may not have almost been kissed by a 43 year old ginger with a bushy mustache too.... terrifying.. but Sister Steele and I decided that we need to eat more chocolate... more insurance ;))) haha there isn't really a good story to go with it, just we were walking, and I started talking to him, about the gospel- faith. and then he kept getting closer to me, so id back up, and my poor young companion didn't know what to do.. soooo he asks, do you have a fella luv? no... how old are you luv? 20.... he goes, im 43!! im like, ohhhhh my heck , well we have to go!! GOOD THING WE WERE IN WIDE OPEN PUBLIC!! that coulda ended badly... FOR HIM!!!! haha I learned a bit of kung fu on exchanges, so watch out ;) no but it was legit terrifying...and disgusting... I don't think anything would have happened, but it was a good reminder to be street smart!! GROSS!!!!! And it added a few more years to Sis steele's life from the amount of laughing she got out of it ;) haha

But even with crazy people, life is still good :)

I said this to Elise already, but D&C 31:5 has been on my mind a lot lately. It is amazing how as I forget myself, and serve- I like how one missionary said it in his departing testimony, to sacrifice the things I want that will bring temporary happiness for what will bring eternal happiness- my family will live. And not just live like be alive, but really live. I love getting your emails and seeing how the Lord is blessing us all. This work is so important, and I wouldn't be here without all of your amazing examples. Let's all thrust in our sickles, shall we? ;)

I love you all!!!

Stay Classy!

Sister Carter

Ps mom, I didn't get the stories about any ancestors... maddie said it was there, maybe I missed it...

Week # 19 Who's having a Street Display?

Heya friends and fam!

Wow, so it sounds like you are all doing well in the 248, which is so good! I love hearing about all the crazy and fun things you all do. also, the faces in the pics from cedar point- classic. hahaha!!

Oh man, this week felt really reallllly long, probably because we had stake conference last Sunday, so there was no sacrament meeting to break up the week, but I'm all out of wack, can't figure out what day it is! plus today our pday is only until 2 pm because we have our MISSION TOUR on Wednesday, can I get a WHOOP WHOOP!!??? haha I'm just a bit excited ;)

Highlights of the week... let me see.... hahaha

- Service opportunities!! I love giving service! There is a big warehouse in Wrexham full of donations for the refugees in Syria that we got to go and help sort and pack. So fun! also, we got to go and work in a sweet member's garden, Shuetyee, and Wow am I glad I have experience with that ;) haha I'm only kind of kidding! But service just always makes ya feel good!

- teaching our new investigators!! We have two ones! One whose name is Siros, and he came to church yesterday!! And another, Whitney. Love her! She loves the Book of Mormon, can't put it down infact! We taught her the first two lessons yesterday, and she is so brill!

- the members. President instructed us to be in the members homes every day and teach them from the PMG lessons. WOW is he inspired! We have received so many new referrals, and not only that, I had one of the most powerful spiritual experiences in one of the members homes. I know that God is truly aware of each one of His children. I know that we can be answers to other's prayers if we can listen to the spirit. I know that if we are trying our best, even if we feel we are failing at times, we aren't. That we may never know the true impact that we make. It is the moments though that we can see the impact that help me to realize that I am making an impact.

-Harriot!! We tracted into her on Saturday. She shared with us that her father had passed away recently and it was quite hard on her. I asked if we could share a scripture with her, and she said of course. I read Alma 40:11-12 and the spirit was so strong. She had tears in her eyes and she hugged and thanked us multiple times. I am SO excited to go back and see her!!

two stories though for you to go along with this super exciting email;) haha We were tracting and this lady opens the door and starts speaking to us in Welsh. We apologized that we couldn't speak welsh, but asked if she spoke English. She said that she refused to speak it in her own country, but proceeded to tell us (in English) that we were racist!! haha!! It was such a funny moment though, idk. it's moments like that that really keep the humor alive, keep us going ;)

We had a street display on Saturday that was really really good! We all met some amazing people! Down the street there was a festival going on, and the music was super loud. We could hear it clearly and quite loudly from where our display was. The music was super distracting, as it was metal and skreamo, and one of the Elders goes, "oh hey look, Satan's having a street display today too!" HAAHAHA too good!!

Anyways! That was my week! Pretty DANG exciting! I know! haha no, it's been a really good week! My testimony in the love that God has for me has been strengthened so much. I know that He really is aware of me and us here in Wrexham. He knows of my efforts, and even though it may not seem it all the time, they do make a difference.

I love you all!!!!

Love,

Sister Carter

Week #18 Mother's Day Call!

Hello again my lovely family!

Wow it was so good to talk to you all yesterday! the end.

haha jk! No but Mom, happy mother's day, you are the most amazing and fun and crazy mom ever! It was so weird but good to hear your voice on the phone yesterday!! Wow, I will never forget that moment! Thank you for all of the encouragement and advice you gave me!

Once again, I don't have a ton of time to write again, but this week has been so great! I went on exchange with this amazing german sister, Sister Kretschmann, and she taught me SO much about hope and faith, Wow what a powerful missionary! She also taught me kung fu, so ya know, SHE IS THE BEST PERSON EVER. haha but my Sister Training leader and her played a prank on us, and it was so funny!! Ill tell you what it was AFTER I play it on some other companions in the future heheheee

I have been forgetting stuff a lot lately, like I said yesterday. the hard thing is, I am stressed in general, then I forget stuff and it stresses me more, and then I forget MORE! So thanks Austin for telling me about the sticky notes. But I got chewed out for it by an LA member, and Dang, that was rough. I didn't think I could do this. I was crazy stressed, and hurt. But guess what, I learned SO MUCH about how Philipians 4 13 means. I truly can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me. That is basically the scripture of my mission so far. He is who allows these things to be possible. He is who picks me up and says, yes sister carter, you have this weakness, but what are you going to learn from this? I love you and will help you through this. I only let you go through these things because I know how much you can grow from them. Your potential is so great, and this small trial will help you achieve it.

By the end of the week though, and after some AMAZING SUNSHINY DAYS!!! ( that never happens here!!!!! it's been SO nice!!!!!) we had the best stake conference ever. I learned so much about truly Knowing Christ, and doing what He would do. Not just being acquainted with him. And then speaking with President Ulrich. We got to ask him about our specific investigators, and it just meant so much that he'd take that time to just listen to Sis S and I and give us inspired cousel. ANd then talking to YOU ALL!!! Dah, it was so good! I wanted to talk forever!! But ya know, I have to sacrifice. But just know I love you all! Wrexham is so fun and crazy, and I'm glad you got a little glimpse of what my life is like out here ;) and yes cadburry is different and amazing here ;) haha sadly..??

Hope you are all happy and good!! Ta-rah!!

Love,

Sister Carter

Email #17: Ups and Downs

Well hello there my fam and friends!!

Man oh man, what a week! So many ups and downs, but mostly ups actually, let's be honest! Haha

Ok so I'll just lay it out day by day for ya.

Monday: excellent pday, we got to go to Chester, and got all of the things done we needed to! This hardly ever happens, and I was pretty excited to say the least!! We even had enough time to go buy chocolate and air fresheners so basically brill, all the way. We went tracting in the evening and woohoo was it great. This is why. So the first road was super prepared, we found several new investigators and some super sweet people. One of my favourite experiences on this road though was when we knocked on this door. The lady opens it, and exclaims, "Sister Carter!!" I recognised her face, but as we meet SO MANY people every day, I couldn't quite remember who she was. Turns out she was a lady who I'd had a long and very good conversation with on a bus back from Chester a few months back. Her son works for Goldman Saccs in India, and we'd talked about how Christian also works for them, how I desperately wanted to go to India, and how her son should move to salt lake... And get baptised, but that's a given;) her name is kris, and our conversation on the bus had such an impact on her that she'd told her son all about me on her trip to India, and he is considering

working out in salt lake! But she remembered my name!!! Ahhh so sweet :)) love her! Mkay so the next road though was tough. Door after door being slammed... Yeah. Literally nobody was listening to us. It got to he point where sis s was like... Why are we on this road. I told her that it was a trial of our faith. And it was. The very next door, which was also our last door of the night, Ruth opened up and excitedly accepted the Book of Mormon and became a new investigator!!And there was he witness #Ether 12:16

Tuesday: had an amazing lesson with a lady named Mars, she is so prepared. She knows her important role as a mother and is totally golden. But she is super pregnant, so she wants us to teach her in July... I May or may not be here then, but hey, she was uhhmazing.

Wednesday: we went down to chirk, this really cute little town south of Wrexham, and called by an investigator down there that we hadn't been able to see in a long time. It's quite far away. But she is amazing too!! She loved the first lesson, and said that if she gets her answer that his is true she will be baptised!!! Ahhhh miracles!! I love her though, her name is Jane, and I half thought she'd forgotten about me, but sure enough, she remembered! I guess you never know the impact you have.

Thursday: zone conference!!! Suuuuper good trainings, and man is President Ulrich inspired!! He talked about how important members are in this work, how we need to use the Book of Mormon more in our work. But what hit me the hardest was when he said, there are angels in this room. There are angels with me always. My ancestors walk with me, teach with me, protect and guide me in this work. I know it's true. There are some of my ancestors that I researched before coming out, reading their stories and coming closer to them there are so many times when I can feel the, right there beside me. Amazing. We had a powerful lesson where sister Steele was just teaching by the spirit to this less active young man. Wow! She is such a powerful missionary. She is basically training me.

Friday: I honestly can't remember what happened that day.... Sorry.

Saturday: really really tough. I was feeling quite down that I haven't been able to really see the results from the effort that I put in. I haven't seen any people baptised, and we had no progressing investigators. It is hard to have that when I have been working super hard, being obedient, and trying my very hardest. Basically it was a hard day. Didn't help that all of our plans fell through, including our tea (dinner) appointment. But I've realised that you just have those days.

Sunday: soooo obviously Saturday was a trial of my faith, cuz WOW!!!!!!!!! I'd Ben fasting and praying that I would see the fruits of my labours, that I'd be able to see people be baptised, have some progressing investigators. After an amazing fast Sunday, where I decided to bare my own about the happiness that the gospel brings, and the sweet nicholsons said hey could take us to the temple, we saw the miracles, the witnesses. So her name is Lisa, and she is the BEsT!!! We met her last Sunday tracting while calling by a referral that didn't live where the member said they did, so we tracted instead and found her. She'd read the introduction and the witnesses testimonies before we got there!!! And we had a powerful lesson, one in which I felt the spirit speak through me, words were out in my mouth. we invited her to be baptised, and she said yes! She even pulled out her diary (planner) to make sure that the 21st of May works!! And it does! Man, I just love her, what an answer to prayer! She is serious about it too, which excites me the most. She isn't just like, yeah sure I'll read the BoM, sure uhuh. Like when we asked if she would pray, she told us, let me practice this week and I promise I'll pray next time ;) haha but she was totally sincere. Miracle!!! Monday (today): we got to go to the temple!!!!!!! I love the nicholsons so much!! Another huge answer to prayer. I feel so blessed to be in a mission with a temple! And we had time to get groceries and type this essay;) haha yay!

I just know this church is true with all my heart. I know that the
Lord is so aware of me, and of all of his children, I am so amazed
that I can be so inspired in others behalf. I am so grateful to be a
part of this great work. I am so happy.

I love you all so very much and miss you all!
~Sister Carter