Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Sister SanDiego

Why poop n' paint you ask?
Because yesterday we painted someone's house then went to the goat farm to scoop poop. It was a good day.
Got milk? Feed those baby goats. feed um.
Quite the week and we're in store for another one. WOOOOO! Sister Wilson once said that a mission is like a pressure cooker for growth. I conquer. So much stress it's fantastic! (She actually just said that today so... wait till the end of this email.)
Milagros!

Sister SanDiego

"hmmm where to start... I've been here a week yet it's felt like a
month but at the same time everyday feels like 30 minutes. When ya'll
dropped me off that cute Polynesian sister showed me around and sent
me into a few rooms where I received a TON of paper work, keys, tags,
books etc. I felt so shell shocked I just smiled and responded to
everyone that said "WELCOME TO THE MTC!" They give you a little bright
orange dork dot to put on your tag the first day so everyone knows
your lost and that they need to talk to you... At the end of my little
tour my host dropped me off at my class room and that's where I met
sister Cortello. She's like this bright been of sunshine that's super
spunky and can't stop giggling (from salt lake, going to San Diego).
We both watched orientation videos, laughed, then where escorted back
to class where I met my companion! SISTER WHITCOMB!!!! I thought she
looked a lot like Jenny when I first saw her! I thought "dang.. I just
left my family and here lies my new best friend" and she really is! We
both hit it right off :) she's the best. I'm so thankful no joke. We
have so much in common and we both have the same sense of humor, It's
great! (she's from Massachusetts, going to Sand Diego with me)  The
last sister in our district (room) is sister Parker! She's soooo
sweet. And she knows ASL! :D (from... Oregon, going to Washington DC
North Mission)"
My first words home ;)
Hmmmm, the love for my MTC sisters is never ending, it keeps growing.
Love, LOVE them.
Sorry time!

Saturday, April 16, 2016

Memoir from Mar C

6th Ward Talent Fair

Cupcake Wars
My cupcake recipe was a combination of carrot cake and applesauce. The best part was the cream cheese filling in the middle of the cupcake, and the cream cheese frosting on top. Of course I had to drizzle carmel and sprinkle sugar pecans on top of the frosting. Yum!
(Next time I think I'll add some kind of pudding instead of applesauce)

Crowd favorite!

These cupcakes won 1st in the Vintage category. They are called Pina Colada Cupcakes. 
Made by Betsy Croft.

Rock collection display by Jim Robertson


 These two darling sisters were one of my favorites that participated in the talent program!



Sister San Diego

MLC! Fantastic, as always. They just keep getting better. We discussed
a lot about Leadership, love, obedience, and what we can take from
General conference!
Some thoughts from MLC and my studies:
Obedience is everything. If we didn't have obedient missionaries, we
wouldn't have a mission. Exact obedience is where miracles stem from
(conversion being one of those miracles) and as long as we are trying
our very best to be our very best, God will help us. This is his work,
not ours. I Loved what President Utchdorf said about obedience! Some
items that came to mind from Uchtdorf's talk:
As you increase in faith, you must also increase your faithfulness.
There is nothing Good, unless you do it.  if our faith does not change
the way we live, our religion is vain. Obedience is the life blood of
faith. Commandments. Not bending twisting and pounding us into
something we are not, but to Discover what we truly are made of. We
are created by our mighty God. We are literally his spirit children.
Obedience is a liberating path to home. He will carry us home. We just
have to catch the wave! And I recognize that as a leader I am standing
at the front of this vision. A culture of obedience. I will do
everything in my power to set the example and lift the other sisters
around me, not only in preparation for Jeffery R Holland, but for
setting this standard to continue year round.
God is Good. God is always Good :)
After MLC, Sister E and I taught more on Love during our Zone meeting.
The spirit was even stronger the second time around. Maybe because I'm
the one testifying of God's character instead of just listening. "In
learning you will teach, and in teaching you will learn". Oh Tarzan.
A BABY GOAT DIED! We had a funeral. Hermana Hansen was literally on
the verge of tears. All is well though, the siblings survived.
Speaking of Hermana Hansen she's a hoot n' a half! New to the zone and
I love her. She's part Japanese so I'll always start speaking to her
in Japanese and she actually knows quite a bit. Party!
Went on an exchange with Sister Sanputhorn!
Sister Sanputhorn and I had a great time here in Mt. Woodson and of
course the best part about an exchange is when you can help a sister
see and be a part of a busy, successful day! We added an investigator
named Fernando and explained to him truly what baptism was and after
the explanation, he wanted nothing more than to learn more :)
Our Power hour (with a member present ha!) was full of great contacts!
We gave out many copies of the BoM and invited everyone to be
baptized! We gave out many referrals and continue to hear positive
feedback from the other missionaries about everyone's progression!
Sister Sanputhorn is awesome. She's actually best friends with one of
my trainer's Sister Saedan! The day was full of Thai speaking and
strolling down memory lane. I loved it and I love her. Sister Saedan,
yes. We talked about you a lot ;)
My Birthday was incredible. One I shall never forget! It was spent
with Sister E whom I love! We were able to go to the temple. One of
the most spiritual experience of my mission. Let's just say President
is amazing and I thank him.
Random memory from the day:
Sis Wilson texted us in the middle of weekly planning Wilson: welcome
to the old ladies club ;) life is great 20+
Sister E response? "yes, welcome on board my friend! Take a seat, pick
up an oar, and start rowing to your 21st century."
Didn't make too much sense but I couldn't stop laughing for a few minutes.
Thank you for all the birthday wishes and for the gifts. I feel the
love and am grateful! Thanks Sis Stew for the cake! Family for the
package. It was just a great day!
Interviews were this week with President. That man. Him and his wife
are two of the greatest people to have walked the earth. Sister
Schmitt and I had a lengthy discussion as well. I LOVE THEM SO MUCH MY
HEART MAY BURST! Huh... I think i've said this before.. Repetition
brings conviction! Get it. Got it. Good.
Today, we went to the institute yet again for music auditions. I'll be
singing again at this next Mission President's Devotional in Santee!
It means I was able to hang with Sis Purcell and Whitcomb for a bit
this morning.... Love. Love love love.
Jeffery R Holland coming. I've never been more excited for anything in
my entire life. He is MY missionary. Where MY personal conversion
story began. At a time in my life when I wasn't too sure about things,
I KNEW that he was truly a man called of God. I still to this day know
that he knows without a fiver of doubt that God lives. While I no
longer depend on his testimony like I once did, he has still literally
answered every soul searching question I have ever had, through every
General conference. My love for him is unmeasurable. I. Cannot. Wait.
Again, thank you for all of your support! I feel your prayers.
-Sister Carlson
                                                                    New Birthday Outfit

                                                             Twenty is old, new dentures.

Poway San Diego, California



MLC
Missionary Leadership Conference



Thursday, April 7, 2016

Sister San Diego

We're teaching everyone's significant other.
Where love is.... There God is also.
#YSA
From everyone's emails to me this week, sounds like General Conference
was just as much of a revelatory experience for y'all as it was for
me.
BUT! Before I get into the gold, let's talk the work:
W  (Dating one of our members: S) He's still excited and
prepared as ever for his baptism this month! I've spoken of him in the
past. He's our Spock. He knew that Joseph Smith was a true prophet but
still had a few questions about him translating the Book of Mormon, so
we took him to the Mormon Battalion! We watched the 60 minute Joseph
Smith movie with him and bore powerful testimony of Joseph Smith at
the end. He doesn't have questions anymore.
At least about that... Everyday, he'll text us another really random
doctrinal thing. Not that he's bothered by it, he just goes deep. So
we answer simply. Ha!
We're preparing him for the temple! So! We took him to the temple and
talked about missionary work happening on this side of the veil, and
the other. He can't wait to perform baptisms for his deceased family
members :)

Sunday, April 3, 2016

April Weekend

Jen at her Missionary Reunion with some of her Florida Sisters. 

Julz and Jen at the new "Saturday's Warrior" Movie.