Mountains and Molehills

Howdy Ya'll.

Imagine a mountain. Up hill being good and down hill being bad. That was my week. It was a bit like the top of Caleb's head...rocky...I mean I guess that I could expound...I'll give you some of the highlights!

Monday afternoon we got together as a zone. YAY for talking with other missionaries!! That night we had dinner with the Hoff's and shared Alma 42:22-24. It talks all about justice and mercy. We had a wonderful discussion about trials and hardships. It was so wonderful to remember all that the Savior has done for us because of His love for us: The Atonement. After that we went over to the Sanford's and challenged each of them to share a copy of The Book of Mormon with someone they would pray about. I am so excited to hear of the experiences they get to have. That night Bishop and his wife took us home and then I got to leave for exchanges. Sister Schellhous, my companion for the next 24 hrs, served in Parkway as her first area. 

 Sister Carling and Sister Schellhous

Tuesday was Sister Wahlen's Birthday!! We had a little party that night. During the day we did service at a food bank. That afternoon we had an appt to go to with the YSA sisters. It was Meridan Morgan, the same sister I got to visit the LAST TIME of exchanges!!! Sister King and I both agreed that it was not at all coincidence. The spirit needed me to convey the message. Talk about an awesome experience. In the evening, We visited one of Magnolia's investigators who was baptized this past Saturday. He was so prepared. When we got back to Sis. Canfield's, she had a cake awaiting for Sis Wahlen. :) It was Super Fun!!

Wednesday we got to visit Rena. She loves the Book of Mormon. It's so wonderful to watch her grow. We extended a baptismal date, June 7, and she accepted!! We cannot wait to see her enter the waters of baptism. It will be wonderful.

Thursday we had interviews with President. Interviews are the best days (along with temple days). It's a day where you get to just talk to president about anything for 5 or so precious minutes. We got to write our new mission president who will come in late June/early July. It was great. That night we gave the Oakcrest Hermana's the Magarin family. It's been difficult with with things, but it's all for the progress and work of salvation. We also met with our new Relief Society president, Sister Blackhurst. I am so excited to work with her.

 Interview Day!

Friday was great. Michael and Sara Shelly and their girls were in town and they took Sis Wahlen and I out to lunch at Red Robin. Talk about awesome!! It was so great getting to know him and his family better! We came back and finished up weekly planning (moved to Friday because of interviews). On our way home from our appts that night, we ended out taking a different way home. We ended out meeting Crystal. She is 17 and has had a pretty rough life, but she's ready for the gospel. We gave her a Book of Mormon and she accepted it! We hope to be able to see her soon!

 Michael & Sarah Shelly & daughter with Sister Carling

Sister Carling & Sister Wahlen

Sister Wahlen, Sister Carling & The Michael Shelly Family

Sister Carling at Red Robin w/ the Shelly Family

Saturday we went over to Sugarberry/Cottage Gardens to visit our investigators and less active's. After many turns of events, we visited a few less actives that Sis Wahlen and I have come to love and see grow and change.That night we had dinner with Sis Canfield. She took us to Los Cucos, GOOD Mexican food. I miss Arizona-Mexican food...Tex-Mex is way different. That night we went over our lesson in Relief Society. We teach the "Teachings for Our Times" lesson. I have TRULY come to love teaching that. We taught from Elder Scott's talk in October 2013. I would invite all of you to read or listen to it here: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/10/personal-strength-through-the-atonement-of-jesus-christ?lang=eng

Sundays. The day we get to partake of the Sacrament and renew our covenants we made at baptism. It's always wonderful. In PEC, we learned of 3 characteristics of a priesthood holder: Prayer, Service, and Rock Hard Honesty. I hope that each of us can apply these principles into our lives. We were able to visit a sister that evening who is working on coming back to church. She has such a desire and is taking the steps in the right direction. As she has began this endeavor, she has also shared the gospel with her son. Such a wonderful thing to watch!!

This morning I cried. I cried because Satan is working hard. I cried because I feel the hurt the Savior feels when dealing with rejection. I cried at some of my mistakes.

But I also rejoiced.

I have the gospel. I can share it every day...and so can YOU. The Lord will lead and direct each of us to those who are ready and if they aren't...then we're just helping them for future missionaries. I rejoice in the fact that God loves each of us and watches over all of our worries.

Right now I am reading in Helaman. So much war and heartache is going on in the prior chapters. We have each been given the opportunity to fight a war no one will ever fight: our individual lives. No one will ever live your life. It is yours. No one will ever serve your mission. It is yours. No one can stop the Lord's work. It is His. 

The Lord truly is hastening His work...can you keep up with the wave?? We each will have to join at some point or another. Come join the ranks. The time is soon at hand.

Y'all have a blessed day.

Much love,

--Sister Carling