We Wish You a Merry Christmas

Well isn't this a pleasant surprise, an email on a Wednesday from Sister Carter. Now I know it was unexpected but I'm glad I'm still full of surprises in my mission. The short version of it all is that my Mission President encouraged us to reach out to our friends and family today, Christmas Day, and share our testimony of Jesus Christ, which means my weekly email will be sent today.

SO

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE

This week was a difficult week for me, but full of amazing moments. The most touching was that I had an opportunity to sing in church. My companion and I had a special duet and we sang in front of everyone. I was shaking the entire time but by the end I looked across the congregation and saw many eyes filled with tears. So many people stopped us and talked about how touching it was. I know that in that moment, God made up the difference in my lack of musical skill and amplified it by a million. It's incredible how that works sometimes. Now I'm not saying I dont have musical talent but I learned that this week, as long as we are willing to share the little light be have, God can take that little light, and light a thousand candles.

Later in the week I lost my water bottle. Now those of you from my mission know that I have been attached to my water bottle for centuries, but those of you from home will realize that this was a recent development, either way you now both know that I TREASURE my water bottle. So when it was gone, I was devastated. I left it with a member and when I went to go get it, she couldn't find it... it was a long 3 weeks. Now this is important for later but I'm going to switch gears and hopefully it all makes sense in the end.

Also the next day I completely ran out of peanut butter which I put on my bananas every morning for breakfast. I had, almost jokingly, but admittedly really honestly, asked Heavenly Father to somehow make a way for me to get a jar of Peanut Butter that day. Now bear with me this will all connect, I promise.

So I went about my day, with and empty peanut butter jar, and no water bottle, knowing that the Lord would provide if it was part if the plan. Well as dinner approaches, I had my lack of water bottle heavily on my mind, and my hopes of peanut butter in my heart. I walked into a dinner appointment with a family in the ward. Half way through the topic of water bottle came up. I relayed my story of my lost water bottle to them and immediately they wanted to help. So the gave my an incredible black, tall, 40 oz water bottle, which in all honesty was better than me original water bottle. I was so grateful, like BEYOND grateful. I cried..... just a little, and really only when I was home. I immediately filled my new bottle up and I was content with my entire life. THEN later that night there was a knock at the door and a man delivered a package from Twin Falls Idaho, and you will never guess what my mom had sent up, another Water bottle. So to recap in a matter of 24 hours, I have received 2 water bottles. I know that this seems silly but to me, I knew that God was watching out for me in the small things that matter. He saw the quiet need I had and filled it. Then He provided a way for me to get my original water bottle back the next day. He was taking care of me.

I think that's sometimes how God works though. He takes away something we love because He has something better planned for us. Take me for example. I am on a mission which means He has taken away a lot of the things I love. He took away my music. He took away my movies, TV, Youtube and all that good stuff. He took me away from my family. He took away my solitude. He took away everything that made me... me. And He took it away because He has something better planned for me. He's waiting to give me a 40oz water bottle to replace my dented 32oz. Eventually He will give me all the old stuff, that 32 oz bottle, back again, I'll get my music, I'll get my Movies, I'll get my alone time. But after all of it, I'll still get both. I'll get the new me, the old me, and maybe a little piece of me my mom wants me to be too. I just have to wait for it, because it will come.

Now you might all be wondering, but what about the peanut butter? Well, to recap, I started off the day asking for a new jar of Peanut Butter, and instead I got a water bottle. God didnt just give me what I wanted simply because I asked for it, He gave me what I really truly needed. He knew me soo perfectly that instead of just respecting and granting my request. He knew what I wanted but couldnt ask for, without me having to mutter a single word.

So that's my testimony of Jesus Christ, and ultimately the testimony of my Heavenly Father. I've been struggling. Ive missed home, I miss my freedom, and I miss who I used to be, more than anything, but it's time now to trust that I will get the old me back, but God wants to give me a new me to work with as well, so He has to take the old stuff away for another 11 months until I get what I really wanted, even if I didn't ask for it. God will take care of me. He will take care of you. No matter how many dents, bumps, or bruises you might think you have, He will heal. He gave His literal Son, Jesus Christ, so that you could be saved. That you could become a new person. So that you could get your water bottle, even though you asked for a jar of peanut butter.

I will be eternally grateful for the sacrifice that Jesus made for me thousands of years ago. To quote President Hinkley, "There would be no Christmas if there had not been Easter. The babe Jesus of Bethlehem would be but another baby without the redeeming Christ of Gethsemane and Calvary, and the triumphant fact of the Resurrection."

Christmas is more than just celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, while it certainly is that, Christmas is celebrating the beginning of OUR beginning. Jesus Christ saved us from ourselves and made the end of our life the "beginning" of our eternal life.

He lived, suffered and died for me, on a very personal basis. He knew that around my 8 month mark in my mission I will feel so discouraged, sad, and distraught about my 10 month future ahead so He provide a way for me to learn through Peanut Butter and Water bottles because He also knew I was too closed hearted to get that answer any other way.

He did all of those things for me, but He also did them for you. He might not speak to you through quite so unique circumstances, but He will provide you with those ways to learn, even if you seem to be unteachable, love, even if you seem full of so much hate, and live, even if you are in the gall of bitterness because He is the best teacher, friend, and Savior this world will ever comprehend. He is my Brother, and loves me more than I can comprehend. Not only because He is my brother, but because He has taken upon Himself my life, so He could know how to walk with me and I endure it.

I cannot express the relief that comes through Christ. It's more than just a good day. It's an incredible eternity.8z

I leave learned more this week than other previous weeks, that we need to Remember God is in the details.

Sister Carter

Sing Sing Sing

Good day, good morning and goodnight all my faithful weekly email readers!! I'm so glad you tuned in to my once a week broadcast to those in the Sister Carter general area! Now I know you all were thinking, at this point Sister Carter has been in Casper Wyoming for a long time, isn't it about time for her to hit the road and peace out to a new and exciting adventure that awaits her in other areas in the mission. Well you are in absolute luck because *drumroll* I'M STAYING IN CASPER

Yes yes you heard that right, Sister Carter will be spending all of her mission in Casper Wyoming. I'm a legend if I've ever heard one. But with that said... spending half of my mission in the best ward in the Mission isn't too bad.  We will celebrate this momentous occasion with Christmas and candy canes, everyone enjoy.

But other than that, my week has been pretty relaxed. I had exchanges with the one and only Sister Lloyd. Let me just tell you... it was epic. We spent a lot of the time just laughing and making all sorts of jokes about our less than exciting life, all while teaching people the gospel. I got to share experiences about how I came to know why I needed to be on a mission and why I stay out on my mission. I also started to realize how much I could learn from people who have been out longer than I have. I need to soak up as much information from them as possible because before I know it I will be one of the people who have been out the longest and I'm already stressed.

Also here's the funniest story of the week. So it was a casual Thursday afternoon when Sister Morford and I were outside of the church building poaching their wifi so we could do some missionary work. While we were outside Sister Morford starts coughing. At first, I thought absolutely nothing of it. Then all of a sudden I hear a strange noise echo out of her throat. I then lean towards her and what do I see. She lifts her head to look up at me and she says, "I just threw up" in horror I ask, "did you get it in the car?" She just giggles to herself and says, "Nope! Just in my sleeve" then with a concern in her voice says, "So I'm going to have to go inside" I immediately just die laughing because it's just the funniest situation I've ever encountered in my entire life. So we walked inside and I let her go clean off her coat because I don't think I can handle throw up.... it's just not my vibe.

Christmas is coming right around the corner and your girl is singing a musical number in Sacrament meeting.... yea... for all of you that are friends with me on Facebook you know I just posted a signing video. Well a little background, just a few days before that someone made fun of me for posting on Facebook for light the world... so I was already terrified of posting it because well... if one person was making fun of me, what's to stop more people from doing the same right? Plus I'm the most vulnerable when singing because I have just an average voice and I know so many other people who are incredible!! But despite my best judgment, and my constant second guessing... I posted it anyway. I overcame my fear, at least a little and now... I'm singing in Church... a lot is to be said about doing what you fear most.

Anyway I hope you all are enjoying Light the World and soon Christmas!! Thank you all for being in my life and I can't believe I was blessed with so many amazing friends and family!!

Remember God is in the Details!!
Sister Carter

Also... sorry there's only one picture, if you want more just go stalk my Facebook!

Favorite Things

Hello everyone this has been jammed packed with some of my "favorite things". See my pictures to take part in the inside joke I just made. If you get it... you get it ;)

This week I had the best day of every transfer.... Zone Conference. Now for all of you that are just casual readers of the Sister Carter, you probably don't know that I am a super extrovert... and by extrovert I mean I'm an EXTROVERT. The more people the more energy I gain... so if you can imagine me in a crowd of 35 missionaries.... I THRIVE. And it was the Christmas Zone Conference so there were presents which means gift exchange which means.... I got the best gift out of everyone.... a superman robe... and if you were wondering... yes I did wear it the entire time... and yes.... everyone thought I was the coolest... 

Also at Zone Conference I gave the best gift and it went WAY under-appreciated but it's fine I understand Elders don't care as much as Sisters. 

I also had an incredible experience this week with the Bishop and his wife where we sat down and tried to play a video from light the world and after several seconds of the video I realized it was the wrong one but I let the video play out. By the end the Spirit was so strong and I knew this was the video we were supposed to show. We started talking about how light the world is something we can do in order to become and do as Christ did. Christ isn't here physically to help all of these people so we are His hands. He needs us to be there because He can't. It was powerful to see them realize that all these small things we do everyday, werent so small to Christ. He love these people the Light the World is the best way for us to help the people He loves. So remember, these dumb daily tasks are more than just dumb silly tasks, they are everything.

I love you all sorry this is a shorter email, but I have LOTS of pictures!! 

Keep Christ in your heart because He always keeps you in His :)

God is in the details!!

Sister Carter 

I Won't Say I'm in Love

So my dudes, it's been another miraculous week in the Tundra of Casper and I'm ready to dive on in and tell you about it, but before I do... everyone go right now and do the light the world activity for the day, if you can't donate blood, like me because someone somewhere thought it "wasn't a good idea" for missionaries to donate blood (don't worry I'm sad about it too), do something else just as creative! Maybe write someone aka your significant other a love letter, or donate clothes instead of blood, lots of ideas! Just GO light the world and stuff!!

SO this week was jammed packed with all sorts of goodies. Thanksgiving happened!! Honestly I will not lie to any of you, I think I had the best Thanksgiving in the world. It started off with the Sisters in Casper getting together to play and old fashioned game of football... senior companions versus junior companions. After a few good plays the Senior Comps, which we called ourselves the President, pulled out a W. What can I say, we are SeCos for a reason  don't worry it was all in good fun. We hardly knew the rules and instead of a Field Goal we just decided to shoot a free throw with my all time favorite Pink and Purple basket ball my dad sent me... it was a legendary game full of torn shoes and epic touchdown dances. 

After I won the football game for everyone we did the dreaded weekly planning before heading out to Lunch/Dinner with one of my favorite members homes. They made THE BEST stuffing in the entire world AND I even ate the pumpkin pie! (For those of you who don't know, I'm not a big pie person unless there is chocolate and caramel involved, but on Thanksgiving I make and exception) we even got to contact some nonmembers who were at the dinner and they said they were going to come to church either this coming Sunday or the next!! Shoot, it was a good moment. 

THEN comes my literal dream come true. We got to go to the Allen's house to watch a Disney movie. Yes yes, you heard that right, I, Sister Carter, watch a movie. It was all approved though, so don't go thinking I'm apostate! So we show up at their house, and they said they were out of town but they would leave the house open for us to watch the movie and they would tell their house sitter, their nephew, to leave for the day so we could watch it. Well we show up at their house and they had left a FULL SPREAD of stuff for us, including and not limited to, Martinellis, Ice Cream, Oreos, Popcorn, Waters, AND *DRUMROLL* these massive blanket hoodies. You might be asking yourself right about now what in the world a blanket hoodie is, well let me let you in on the secret. We have all heard of snuggies if you haven't, Google it or something. Well image a Sherpa Blanket inside of a hoodie.... just imagine it... if your aren't crying tears of joy yet, think harder. 

Backstory

About 2 months ago I screenshotted this picture of a girl in a giant blanket hoodie because I was determined to buy myself one when I got home from my mission but, for obvious reasons, I am not home yet so I was just patiently waiting for the day in November 2020 when I could get myself a Blanket Hoodie

End Backstory

Fast forward 2 months and BOOM the Allen's bought one for me without even knowing I had been wanting one for 2 months. It was truly a testimony to me that God works in mysterious ways. I'm currently lounging around in it and.... it's just the best thing in my entire life. I am so so SO appreciative of everything they gave us, just to make sure we had a great Thanksgiving.

Then we watched the movie.... it was incredible, I never knew how much I missed movies until I watch one and CRAVED watching another. It's alright though there will always be movies, but I won't always get to wear a missionary name tag.

Then just as we were packing up to leave the Allen's nephew pulled up, which was awkward in and of itself because well it just was. So he helped us carry our stuff to the car, remember I'm still wearing the Blanket Hoodie I affectionately named Jordon, and just as he was closing the door he said, and I quote, "Okay, bye, drive safe, love you" and that accidental phrase said by a 27 year old guy, was as close to a relationship as I get for the next year, my friends. 

We also had a Zone meeting this week where they said Elders and Sisters are now allowed to hang out every P-Day... which means.... I CAN ACTUALLY HAVE FRIENDS!! It's been a weird 6 months full of boring Tuesdays without any people because our distrust is all Elders and apparently the thought was that if we socialized with the opposite gender in missionary form we would fall in love with each other but now they trust us to not be stupid and we can see other people on P-days! It was a terrific moment in the history of the Colorado, Fort Collins mission. 

I also got to decorate for Christmas and I'm not going to lie... it's adorable and I'm obsessed with the decorations my mom sent me, Thanks mom!!

I hope everyone enjoyed their Turkey Day but now I hope everyone is starting to light the world with the light of Christ through the daily prompts I'm putting on Facebook! Sorry if you get sick of my cute face but hopefully you will just enjoy the view while you have it and do what you can to help those around you!! 

Love love LOVE you all!!

Remember God is in the Details!

Love Sister Carter