Two More Weeks in Carlsbad

Hello people of the world!

I am going to crank this out because today is transfers.

M - Our old investigator Caroline came to our YSA party which was so fun and we were able to help her with some things she’s been struggling with. It was a blast. Then we went contacting by the pier. I just love talking to people.

T - We went to district meeting - which was awesome - I love district meeting. I love my people. I know it probably gets annoying how much I say I love everyone but the thing is I absolutely love everybody. I see how much God loves everyone and I tend to feel the same way. I pray for that daily, to be able to feel God’s love for each person I meet. That way I quickly connect with them and more firmly can testify of the truths I know. The down side of that is when people reject God and Jesus Christ and reject the gospel, it kind of breaks my heart and I feel so sad for them.

W - Nothing went according to plan. We played volleyball with the other sisters for exercise. Sister Miles had a migraine so I cleaned while she slept. Then we went to dinner with the Gundersons who are a huge blessing to our YSA ward. They are super missionary focused and help those in our YSA ward come to Christ and help them want to share the gospel with others.

Th - We took cookies to Jasmine who is a less active member of our ward. We are trying to  help her come back by being her friend. We went to Carlsbad village contacting and went and tried a couple of people. Then we went to play chair soccer for sports night which was so much fun. Everyone should try chair soccer.

I just want to make sure you know -

I kind of breeze over contacting and going to try certain people. I want you to know how much we actually work. I feel like I tell you all the fun side of things that we do but we work and we work really hard. We contact for hours on end. That is what we do most of the time, we are out talking to people sharing this gospel. We are testifying of the Book of Mormon and Jesus Christ and we see miracles, little tender mercies every day. Even though we are not teaching on anyone right now and aren't necessarily focused on certain investigators, I guarantee this is not a vacation, even though this is a beautiful vacation spot. It is hard work and we love it. I live in the most beautiful place on planet earth but it is also a very wealthy spot and people are very content and not ready for change. So they are not progressing. They need Jesus Christ because without Him we have no hope.

F - We played basketball for exercise with the other sisters in the morning and then cam home, got ready and did our studies. Little tender mercy, without planning - Sister Miles and I both studied Mosiah 24 which was awesome - more on that later.

We messaged a whole bunch of people and contacted all day which was fun. We ate dinner with Andi who was on our should be YSA list but now is coming to YSA, woot woot hard work pays off. We played a game and shared a thought with them.

We shared a scripture we had read that morning with them.

13 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage.

14 And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.

15 And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.

I love that verse. While we shared that with the Butner family, it was awesome - both Brother and Sister Butner had tears in their eyes. We were able to testify that God loves them  - which is awesome. He is mindful of us as missionaries and the struggles and trials we face, that he loves the Butner’s and the things they face.They shared us that that is exactly what they needed. They testified that he knew we were there to teach him for a reason and even though we are not teaching an investigator we were able to teach them.

God knows our needs. Jesus Christ knows how we feel and can help us. It is so beautiful how much we are so loved. It was a good moment. It helped us out and them out. I love this work and the guidance we receive.

Sa - Basketball again for exercise and then Transfer calls. Lots of changes but we are staying together and staying in Carlsbad YSA. We went to service at base - a food drive - we were there just to help people treat themselves. This reminded me of my Ema and Papa who work at the Bishop’s storehouse. These people come in with their heads down and on their last edge and we are able to help them. Love it! They gave us the leftover carrots to go up to the horse stables on base. The marines that work with the horses let us feed them. We loved it, it was really fun. We got cleaned up and then went to work contacting people talking about God and Jesus Christ.

Su - Happy Father’s Day! Our should be YSA efforts paid off at church. There were more people there than ever. We had a great Sunday. A couple of our less active members and should be YSAs were there. Our hard work is paying off. As a district we had a goal of passing out 46 copies of the Book of Mormon for our transfer. We were at 44 and we had 1 ½ hours to pass out the last two and we were able to do it. That is why we set goals.

M - We went on a little hike with our district and a recent convert. It was a sad day, all of our besties are leaving us. Sister Miles and me are the only companionship that is staying the same. At FHE we played a bunch of games.

T - We worked and visited less actives and then did service. We helped a deaf man, Josh, move.

W - Zone greet - which was so fun. We went to lunch with the APs and the Gunderson’s at the cheesecake factory. We correlated about the names on our ward directory and our new shepherding program to improve YSA attendance. We helped Josh again, painting baseboards. We tried to bring others closer to Christ through visits and contacting.

Th - We went to service. We help an older man unpack all of his boxes from moving. He was so sweet and told us stories while we worked. We got ready for the day and worked.

F - We had a lesson with Lauren, a less active member being bold with love. We helped Josh again and he asked for a copy of the Book of Mormon all because we served him.

Su - I know I say it over and over again but I love Sunday. While studying I had a good experience. I was kind of anger praying, now one should do it, not a good idea. I was like ‘hey, I am working hard, I am being obedient and I am trying to remain positive, Where is the success? Why can’t I find anyone to teach?” I tried to study but kept getting the urge to pray again. I read a phrase in my studies. It made me think, “God knows all his children. He knows where they are. He knows we would be obedient if he told us where they were. But what good would that do you?” It made me think of the story of the guy who was asked to push against the rock and the rock never moved but the man became stronger. I realized I have grown through struggling to move this rock. I prayed again and cried tears of gratitude and joy. I promised to keep pushing.

President and Sister Thomas came to our sacrament meeting so we got to say hi. Then we went to work trying to bring people to this gospel and trying to bring this gospel to these people.  

I hope you know how much I absolutely love all of you. I hope you know how much I absolutely love this gospel and this work. Have a fantastic week cuz I know I will.

Love you, love you, bye!