So this week was EXTREMELY slow. Especially because of transfers coming up but also because this transfer was a 7 week transfer so it felt like it dragged on forever. So as I am telling you all about my week, picture it all happening in slow motion. But in all reality, every single day Sister Morford and I looked at each other and said, why does today feel like 3 years. I am not complaining but *grumble grumble grumble* it took forever!!
On Wednesday we had the infamous Zone Meeting where we had some members of the high council come in and talk with us about the stake mission plan and what are something us as missionaries can do for the members. He told a story of how on his mission they were having 8-10 baptisms a month, then his mission president asked the missionaries to start asking our Heavenly Father for Baptisms and the next month they had 80 baptisms in the mission. It was inspiring, so guess what I'm doing every single time I pray (which is a lot, remember I'm a missionary). Yup, I'm praying to see baptisms in my area, who knows if anything will change but I'm trying to see the Lord's hand in everything.
Later that day I had mini exchanges with the STL's, which was AMAZING!! It was so good to switch things up. I was with Sister Jenkins and we had a blast and a half. We knocked on a few doors and met a couple people, but at one door we left a note saying how much we loved their dogs and left our phone number and they ACTUALLY texted us back *miracle* a few minutes earlier, I did a cartwheel in the snow nbd but I killed it.
Then we were trying to contact a few members and we saw these beautiful white dogs across the street so Sister Jenkins said we should go talk to the owners and find out what kind of dog they were. So we marched right over there and knocked a few times and a lady answered with the most GORGEOUS white dog in the world. We asked her what kind of dog it was and she launched into a huge shpeel about how she fosters Great Pyrenees dogs. We talked for a while and she said, you girls should come walking dogs with me (I almost started crying out of excitement) so long story short we decided on Saturday to walk the dogs *score*.
That started the best day ever. The morning of the dog walking, I was so excited about walking dogs I just started singing and kind of dancing around (those who have been around me know exactly what I'm talking about) we finally get all ready and we follow her to the dog park where I got to meet SO many dogs. Not even joking like 30 dogs were just roaming around being happy dogs and it was beautiful. I EVEN SAW A CORGI. Now for most of you a corgi seems like just another dog, but I don't think you understand, I cry when I see corgis because of how much I love them. So here I was minding my own business and a corgi walks around the corner, I almost died. I'm still shaking.
Later that day the Elders had a baptism for someone they were teaching and we tried to do everything in our power to get someone we were teaching to come to the baptism, but sadly it never seemed to work out, so we had to bite the bullet and not go support our Elders, and instead we contacted a house which was full of people literally watching us from the window, but didn't answer *ouch* but it worked our for our good because it turned out to be one of my favorite days, ok the mission, it just felt good.
So this is the moment you all have been waiting for. Sunday was Transfer Doc day which means we find out where we are getting transferred, if at all.
So backstory, on Transfer Doc days the AP's and our Mission President call all of the people who have special assignments such as being a trainer, District Leader, Zone Leader or Sister Training Leader. No one really knows when they make those calls or how that all works but the AP's call the trainers and District Leaders and President calls the STL's and Zone Leaders.
*end backstory*
So basically the entire day I was on edge because every single transfer except for two I had gotten a call from the AP's. Well sometime after dinner I still hadn't gotten a call and I had heard that a few other missionaries in my district had, so I assumed I wouldn't be getting an infamous call this transfer either. Well fast forward to 8 PM Sunday night, Sister Morford and I were at the church doing some studies when the phone starts ringing. I immediately go into shock and tell Sister Morford, who thinks I was joking. Then I show her the phone and we both just go silent.... it was our Mission President. So we answer the phone and soon enough he says, "Sister Carter, it's time" at this point I'm immediately in tears because I knew what was happening. He says, "You've been in your area for a long time, and you are being moved," more tears, "I also wanted to call because the Lord has asked you to be an STL," nervous sweating, "and you will be companions with Sister Robinson," anxious silence, "and you will be serving in Fort Collins."
So that's it ladies and gentleman, it actually happened, I'm being transferred for the first time in my entire mission. I talked with President for a little while longer before hanging up and crying with Sister Morford. I'm so sad to be leaving my home ward here in Casper but I know that it's time. It's a weird feeling to be in an area so long and then have to turn it over to someone else. I cared for this ward, I grew with this ward, I watched the ward struggled through deaths, and heartache, and I saw them come closer to Christ because of it. It's been a beautiful 9 months to be able to witness, and I have been so blessed to serve with the members of my ward as they took the challenge to invite others to come unto Christ. I'm going to miss my home.
I also have to be completely honest.... I don't know if I know how to be a missionary anywhere but Casper. Like, do the people in Colorado do missionary work the same? Do they even pray the same? Plus on top of having to learn how to be a missionary somewhere else, I also have to learn how to take care of the Sisters I'm now in charge of. A lot is happening all at once and I'm not sure I'm ready for it but I know that God is, so I'm going to have to lean on Him while I learn how to walk again.
So that's my week, it's been full of tears, love, and heartache. I'm having to say so many goodbyes to the people I love, plus pack up the life I created here for 9 months.
I'm excited for my new adventure!! Next time you hear from me I will be in Fort Collins, Colorado!
Sister Carter
