Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Sister San Diego

ANYONG!!! GUTEN TAG!!!!
We have two new roomies! Sister Seo ("Saw") from Korea and Sister
Weidmann ("Vide-min") from Switzerland!
Sister Saedan and I were studying Wednesday morning when we received a
phone call from the AP's. They wanted sister Saedan to play the
mission song for Transfer Meeting. We told them we weren't being
transferred... but they told us to come anyway! SO WE DID! Turns out
the two new sisters both didn't have a Tiwi card (to drive). Sister
Weidmann had JUST arrived here from the Temple Square mission, and had
a few driving papers to fill out. SO! We were their wheels for the day.
These Sister's are amazing! I can't imagine White Washing an area! But
they are doing great! Sister Seo reminds me a lot of Heidi haha! She's
super nice, funny, and will laugh at pretty much anything. She is the
kindest person I have ever met...

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Sister San Diego

Ohio family!

So much to type, so little time! It's transfer calling day! A few minutes ago, we learned that Sister Saedan and I will be the same for this next transfer (I GET TO KILL HER!!! YAY) BUT! Our YSA sisters are being white washed! Sister Smith will be going home tomorrow (she's our mini missionary) and sister Cava doesn't know where she's going! SO! We don't know if we're getting new roomates.. or a new appartment... or WHAT! It's exciting! But sad too... I'm going to miss those two like ya'll wouldn't believe! I will probably be crying tonight..

HAHA! I forgot to mention that the first time I busted out the GPS, I changed the voice setting to the my little pony "flutter shy" option... SISTER SAEDAN COULD NOT STOP LAUGHING. It was the best :)

Emmm, let's start with yesterday! We had lunch with Elvis! We met Brother P at the Asian market and lo n' behold.. He was in full costume!!! I could not quit smiling haha! After I said a blessing on the food, he looked straight at me and said "you are REAL! That prayer was from your soul!" The lunch itself was really good Chinese food, but the fun part was him wanting to share with us what WE could share with other people from the New Testament. I might have mentioned him in one of my earlier emails (the fact the he's a scriptural genius). It was so funny! At the end of the meal/lesson I asked him if we could leave him with a prayer and BAM! He clapped his hands, bowed his head and started his prayer with "Heavenly father, Master of the universe!"  aaaahhh man.. made my entire week! XD


Yesterday we also had my first FHE since I've been on my mission. The Vargas' (EHEM! They're on the District!! ;) haha!) hold it weekly for less active/ single people in le ward. The Vargas' have been out of town since I first arrived to the area but now they're back and in business! I've met a few other people that I've seen on thee District but not much. It's still super fun though! Brother Vargas is just like he is in the video's "That's the spirit Ming! You're starting to recognize the spirit!" We had a lesson 2 weeks ago at their home with one of our investigators and he pretty much said the same thing and I was like... wooooooooooow ;)

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Sister San Diego

Hola! This week was crazy! (I think I'm coming to accept that every
week is going to be crazy...) haha :)
I'll start with MTE's! (Missionary Training Exchange) Guess who was my
companion for the day?!? SISTER STARR!!!! Haha she came back with me
to our area while Sister Saedan went with Sister Wilson to Pawee. So
many cool things happened that day! It started off with the actual
meeting where testimonies were shared, lessons were given, and all the
missionaries practiced!! Sister Starr and I were able to teach a less
active woman who no one has ever seen before, invite another one of
our investigators to be baptized, and sing to a woman in our ward
struggling with depression. The singing was my favorite part..
everyone felt the spirit so strongly and we even got her husband to
start crying (not a member). She never came down the stairs to see
us.. But when Roger (her husband) was about to close the door on us
again, I felt impressed to ask him if we could sing a hymn to her just
at the door step.


Sister Pilkington replaced Sister Smith for the day in the YSA ward so
that night, we had a party getting to know her ;)
TRANSFERS ARE NEXT WEEK! I have a feeling that I'm going to kill
Sister Saedan! HIYA! But we shall see. We might be picking up a sister
to form another trio. I didn't think too much about it, but sister
Saedan was like.. "are you excited to lead this area
now?"......................................................... I guess
I am. Just kind of have to go with the floooooow. Really glad I have
that GPS now! I would have been so lost haaaa!
This week at church Sister Saedan and I gave a little mini talk in
sacrament meeting about the upcoming Mission President's Fireside! It
will finally be in our area so I'll know some of the people that
come!! We also taught YW's that day... AND I REALLY ENJOYED IT! I
realized how much I missed mutual etc. Today we were at the institute
for a loooong time auditioning for musical numbers.. We only sang one
song but Sister Saedan was asked to play for everyone else pretty
much. I sort of felt bad for her because she ever got a break but she
was totally willing to help.
I don't have too much time today again!!! AAAAHHH! But I love you all
:) I can't believe school is starting up soon for you allll ya'llllll.
I feel like it just got out here! Keep sending all the fun stories and
pictures!
-Sister Carlson

Sunday, August 9, 2015

A Year Later

Jen had a wonderful opportunity to go through the temple with a friend who she met in Florida last year! 


Sister Carlson and Tara

Friday, August 7, 2015

Memories from the Past

Jess and Hanna

Mia Shilom
Provo West Stake Trek 2011

Where were you during the storm of 2013

Provo, Utah Written September 2013
I finally have something to write about.  Yesterday I was out dress shopping for an up coming high school dance.  I take these adventures seriously since the dress needed to be modest and under $50.00.  While I was on my way to the University Mall I noticed two things.  BYU football traffic and dark clouds.  The clouds were not only dark they were moving faster than usual which meant only one thing, Micro Burst!

Lots of thoughts were rushing through my mind.  The first was GW and the girls were up in the mountains some where target shooting with GW’s brother.  I forgot to get details on where they were going so I started worrying.  The next thought was my lane of traffic wasn’t moving nearly as fast as the dark clouds so I knew I needed to take cover fast!  Finally my mind started remembering past micro burst storms not only in Provo but the first one I experienced as a girl hiking in the mountains in Bountiful Utah.

My brothers and I loved to spend time on the mountain right by our home when I was young.  My mom would let us spend an afternoon during the summer playing near a creek about an hours hike from our home.  This particular day the clouds were very dark and moving fast.  I remember my brother commenting that we should hurry so we could beat the clouds that were about to catch up with us.  The winds was very fast and the dirt was flying all around us getting in our eyes.  We tried to huddle down together since there was no place for refuge. The next thing I remember is my mom’s voice calling out our names.  At first we couldn’t see her but as she continued to call out our names we could see our car through all the chaos.  We ran to the car and was thankful for the rescue!

As we drove back down the hill through the rain and strong winds we noticed the roof to a new church flying in all directions.  Big trees had been up rooted and sirens could be heard through out our neighborhood.
Twas the week before Christmas,
and all through the city
every creature was scurrying
especially missionaries!
Check that out! I just made that up on the spot! One of the senior missionaries read a spoof of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" - missionary style - that she had written to all of us at our Christmas party. You could hear the audible gasp of breath when she described the "Grouch" breaking into missionary apartments and erasing their white boards! Our Mission-wide Christmas Party was Thursday. It was so good to see everyone!!! Just warmed the cockles of my heart :). Everyone got to the Orange Park Stake Center about 2pm (we had to be there early because Sister Heckel was in the Christmas Devotional) and I got to hug just about every sister who came through the door. The party consisted of four major events: the talent show, dinner, the Devotional, and the distribution of presents. The talent show was... interesting. I think Sister Craig was going to pass out when Elders started doing back flips off the stage. There were hand standing contests, push up contests (which President Craig won), missionary jokes, singing, and snowman dancing. The Assistants tried to do a Gladys Knight impression of "I am a Child of God" (remember right before I came out there was a Gladys Knight concert that missionaries tried to get investigators to). My favorite was my former GV ZL's doing the first lesson in one minute in rap. I liked this one so much because I remember role-playing with them doing the pamphlet lessons under three minutes. They had a really hard time getting all they wanted to say in a short amount of time. It's great to see people progress!
I'd like y'all to know that I've discovered something called "The Forgotten Carols". Sister Martinez and the other two Normandy Sisters love listening to it, and now so do I! Several people sung songs from it in the Devotional. This particular song didn't get sung, but while President was talking about volunteering at the homeless shelter in SLC the "Homeless" song was on repeat in my mind :). I'm so glad I was introduced to them before the Devotional. I had a much better time appreciating the songs!
The JAX West Stake got presents for the missionaries in their stake! I got a nice bracelet, a Christmas CD and some soap. I also got the packages you sent me!! Oh my goodness, hit the spot! Sister Martinez was very grateful for the yummies :)

Hey y'all!
Today for p-day had a JAX West Sisters day, so we went to a park and
had a little nature walk. We jammed everything in the morning so we
could be done before we got there. It's really hot today. Broke the
triple digits. Doesn't bode well for the rest of the summer. Last year
at the same time it was really nice. It's April for crying out loud!
Tuesday we saw our cop friend N again! Don't remember if I told
y'all about him. He is a less active guy who lives in Mandarin
(central Jacksonville) but works in our area. He flagged us down with
his lights and said hi. We sent him the "Because of Him Easter" video
(which now has more than five million views if I understand
correctly). He said when he was watching it, his radio didn't go off
once! Little miracle there.

Hey y'all!
Sorry I'm getting this to you late. We did bowling today.
Happy Mother's Day!!! We'll probably be doing calls at 7pm next Sunday
(our time). So...4pm for y'all? Yay!!! I wanna see Jessie's story
telling skills. This will be the last time I'll see you before coming
home. Just a reminder that next week is transfer week so emails and
stuff will be Tuesday. I got your letter dad!! Thanks! I love you!! :D
Favor from Jessie: I finished the one journal, do you remember our
conversation on that? If you could send me the "next one" (you pick)
that'd be great! In the meantime I'll write in my study journal. This
next one I'll try to finish quicker.

Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Sister San Diego

Like most P-days, this one was a million miles per second! AH! Mission life is crazy ;)

Some fun tidbits about my everyday life:

EHEM! Every night we hear fireworks going off at 8:55. It didn't occur to me until Saturday last week that it was Sea World! Our ward mission leader pointed it out and up until then... I thought there was a war going on or something... haha juuust kidding. I honestly thought people were still celebrating 4th of July though!

We live a few miles away from a military base! Or something to that nature haha. We always hear load fighter jets passing by, and big, mean looking helicopters. It's really cool! Once we were driving down the freeway, and I saw this jet flying parallel to our car when all the sudden it curved it's nose up, became perpendicular to the ground in just a few seconds, then shot right up! It was so strange yet amazing!

Our household is always a fun household :) we are constantly laughing when we are all together. It makes things bitter-sweet with Sister Smith leaving in a week. She's done serving her mini mission and it makes me so sad! She's such a fun gal! Even though she's from Orange County, she's the very opposite of someone who would normally think to have grown up in California. I love her and will miss her. Hopefully I'll get to see her soon after I return though! She will be attending BYU Provo! :D

CAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMMMMIIIIIIILLLLLLLLLAAAAAAAA SSSSSHHHHHAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWW!!!! Have her write me this instant!!!! 

hmmm nothing too exciting this week.. at least with lack of time i'll just go over some fun things we'll be doing THIS week! MTE's are this week! (Missionary Training Experience) So far from what I understand.. We'll be going to a morning side basically, learning things, the exchanging companions for a day haha. And guess who will be with me?!?! SISTER STARR!!!!! Haaaaaaa It's going to be fun!

My testimony of the atonement has grown soooo much over such a small period of time. While a mission is hard, and rightfully should be (if your putting in your all for other peoples salvation), it's totally worth it. I'm falling down a rocky mountain, but by the time I near the end, I hope to be a smooth, polished stone. Put your weaknesses and fears on the alter of sacrifice and let God work through you. BROKEN HEART AND A CONTRITE SPIRIT! That's all he asks of us ;)

I LOVE YOU ALL!
Let me know if there is anything I can do for anyone of you :)

-Sister Carlson

P.S. I JUST GOT YOUR PACKAGES! Thank you SOOOO much :) Such a blessing
I'm going to send a few more pics then i'm off!

Sunday, August 2, 2015

Memoir from Me

I can't believe it's August already. I've so enjoyed sitting under my big shady trees this season. I say they are mine even though our former neighbor Bruce across the fence planted them long ago. The poplar trees have gotten really big. My recent neighbor Lee, claims half of the trees are mine. I tell him I appreciate how cool the trees keep half of my house during the heat of the day. Plus, I mow lot's of leaves every fall.. If the wind is blowing, I open my kitchen and living room window so I can hear the beautiful rustling sound.. I'm looking forward to my new Norway Maple giving shade to our back yard someday. I love trees!

I think summer has been my least favorite season until I went back to work full time. When I was young the heat didn't bother me as much. I loved going swimming, sleeping in the back yard at night, and playing in the mountains. Now I either stay under the shade, or spend most of my time where there's air condition.  Lately I seem to pay more attention to the birds singing, the kids playing outside, and eating fresh veggies from my garden. I also like staying up till midnight (listening to beautiful music) and waking up around 8:00 in the morning.  Also, Jewels and Jen don't seem so stressed out as much, school can be very demanding at times. Speaking of school, it starts again in seventeen days. Jewels actually starts band camp early tomorrow morning and doesn't come home until four pm. This camp last for two weeks, which is a first for us.

On the whole I feel very blessed.  Every Saturday GW and I have been getting closer to finishing the bathroom.  It's looking so nice. Yesterday he patched up the big hole in the ceiling from all the water damage.  Last night we lied in bed talking about all the other projects we would like to finish throughout the year. Whats nice about it is that we are in no hurry, and we are saving a lot of money by doing things ourself.

Jake mentioned he might come over for dinner tonight. I think he's helping his new roommate move in. His old roommate from Washington got married, which is a good thing. I would like it if he would come every Sunday but his visits seem to average about every two weeks, so I won't complain. Now I think I'll write a letter to Jess. Sunday's are the best!