He's getting baptized!!!

Mission's are one of the best kept secret's in town...or in the LDS community. To really understand what I mean by that you kinda have to go on one. "It'll be hard" they tell you...Of course you realize and know this...but you don't really understand it until you are thrown into the mix of things. I mean, my cousin, Ryan, tried to tell me this and explain this to me...Ryan, I now understand. Looking in retrospect, thanks for the attempt to warn me. Like I said, I really didn't understand until I got here and got going like you told me I would.

On to this week!! 

I don't even remember what happened this week...

Monday...I know we had dinner at the Blackhursts...so far that's all I got. I also had to go to the bathroom...that's always an adventure. We tried like 5 houses until we found one with people home.  That was a relief. Yes, they were members. That's all I got for Monday.

Tuesday we had an awesome day at the temple. Because President Pingree goes home tomorrow (July 1) he did a specialized training in the temple. So we got to spend 5 hours in the temple. We did a session and then had the opportunity to talk with and ask questions to the temple president, Crane, and our mission president. It was such a wonderful experience.

 Sister Carling & Sister O at the Houston Temple!

"Most of our pictures end out this way...I love her though!!"

Special Training at the Temple

That night we had our lesson with JR. JR taught us the Plan of Salvation. He's so great!! He did such a great job! Nailed it right on the head (with lot's of construction analogies)! I was able to learn quite a lot. It's really quite awesome to have someone teach you the basics. It was a great reminder for some things I need to do in my life.

Wednesday we had dinner with Sister Pearson and Sister Garrison. Old people: I will, in a lot of ways, never understand them...but I LOVE THEM to pieces.

Thursday we returned Sis Wahlen's bike to mission office. After, I got to mail my BIG box of letters home...it's great that I don't have this big box...but it's hard because I can't go back and read them!! I guess I will just pray for more letters.

**Wink, wink**

**Nudge, nudge**

**PUNCH**

My bad...sorry there...went a little crazy.  (Sister O's humor is rubbing off on me...we just try to have fun.)

We had dinner at the Hammers. After that, we had ANOTHER lesson with JR. JR plans to be baptized by a close friend in Richfield Utah on August 16. I am so excited that he I going to do this...even if I don't get to be there. He's doing awesomely and will continue to do so.

Friday was exchanges, so I went up to Tomball 2 ward with Sis Jeppson. While I was there the A/C on the truck officially went out. Needless to say, we made an appointment for that. We also were able to meet someone who would possibly be interested...while standing there I got bit by a mosquito...NINE TIMES!!! Also, needless to say, I fought the desire to run away while being bit. Another thing we were able to do, was to visit a member who Sis J hasn't been able to meet yet. Miracles always happen on exchanges...lemme tell ya.

Saturday when I got back to Parkway, we scheduled a service opportunity. Dad...I got to lay pavers with sand and everything!! For a first time job with 5 people who have never done it...you'd be proud!! When we first started it was like a million degrees because of the humidity. but then we saw the clouds...and started working faster because these clouds were "don't-mess-with-us" kinda clouds. By the time we were almost done and the sand was in the grouts...it started to down-pour...but not a huge Texas down pour. I didn't know what it was like to sweat until all your hair was wet until that day. It was interesting. It's made me reconsider growing my hair out...Once there was a break in the storm, we headed home and got ready for the day. Sister Rushing picked us up and we went to her house and helped her out. I got to play the piano and I am getting better!! *happy dance* That night we went to the Rogers for dinner (cereal!) and somehow I found a bag of Nerf darts, Bro R and Sis O found Nerf guns and the kids picked sides in giving darts to each team. NERF FIGHT!!!! It was SOOO enjoyed. We laughed for a bit after that and had a good message for them about listening to the Lord.

Sunday we didn't have meetings so we were able to study before church. During the 3rd hour we had a good chat with Bishop and filled him in on things. After church we came home and prepared a couple things, stopped by Mary's for a quick visit and went to the Ure's for dinner. Being able to talk with her was quite refreshing. We ended out playing with Ethan and somehow he managed to pop my toes. I've gained a friend no other sister missionary has...Ethan. He is so funny and he asked if he could "pop my toes at church...privately." Sis Ure thinks someone might have a crush. We still laugh about that one.

Today we did shopping early. We went to Sprouts this morning, then over to the Ure's to play some games and now we are emailing. First thing Ethan Ure asked when I walked in the door was if he could pop my toes. He's adorable. I made him read me half a book before he could.

 Sister Carling w/ Ethan Ure--the Toe Popper

Our new mission president flies in like...right now. I am so excited!! We get to meet him on Friday, the Fourth of July!! I have such great feelings for this week. It's going to be awesome.

God bless from Texas y'all!!

--Sister Carling 

New 

Boots!!!!!!!!!!!!!!