Miracles

June 22, 2015

 

Hi:

 

I will try to make up for the short letter I sent last week J

 

The temperature: the temperature here is freaking cold right now!!!!!! I didn’t know that it got this cold in Argentina but with the humidity, man it’s just a bone chilling cold. It makes if very hard to get up in the morning. The thing is that here, all the houses are built out of cement so when it is cold outside it is even colder on the inside and when it is hot outside it is even hotter inside. It’s hard getting used to it, but its Argentina. So I have been dressing warmer lately- scarf and jacket etc... I don’t know which I like better - working in the super-hot or bone chilling cold. Oh well, it doesn’t bother me that muchJ

 

The Food: the members here are really generous with the lunches. Some weeks we don’t have a lunch appointment every day, but on average, te members invite us over about 5 days a week. Occasionally, we’ll be invited for a dinner but it is not often, which is good because we waste time eating when we could be working. The lunches are so big that we are rarely hungry for dinner.  We usually eat noodles which are not my favorite, but we also eat a lot of meat and chicken, Meat is my favorite and empanadas “tambien” (also). I have been enjoying my breakfasts with Elder Bluth because he makes some breakfast burritos which are really yummy!!

 

Miracles: There have been lots of miracles, but one of my favorites happened one day when we did not have a lunch scheduled. So, we decided to call one of the “hermanas” (sisters) in the ward because they always say,” if you don’t have lunch, call me and we will make something up for you.” So I called her the night before and Elder Bluth and I prayerfully planned for a message to share with her. The next day we went over to the house for lunch: Lunch was delicious!! She had made soup and bread and meat and many other yummy things!  Well, this Hermana teaches seminary in the ward and has been having a tough time lately because you have to have a priesthood holder in the building at the same time and sadly, she is not receiving very much support from the ward. Anyways, it so happened that the message we had prepared for her was all about the importance of our efforts and doing our part for the Lord, regardless of anyone else. We just need to do all that we can. We do not need to worry about other things.  She started crying and explained that this message was just what she needed because she was feeling pretty discouraged and really didn’t want to do any more. It was so cool to be a part of Heavenly Father’s plan and the delivery people for His message to her!!  

 

Something I have realized on the mission is people don’t understand that there is an opposition to all things. When we invite them to do something, for example to go to church, they always say, “if God wants me to.” Well, of course God wants you to!!!!! They seem to think that if everything lines up perfectly and they are really feeling good and ready to head over to the church then God wants them to do it (and so do they). They don’t realize that Satan, the enemy, doesn’t want them to go, so he will do everything he can to prevent it. 

 

I have seen many miracles in my mission. For example, we had an investigator that was super awesome! He was going to get baptized because he had received an answer to his prayers. And then suddenly, he just went cold. Nothing. We couldn’t get in contact with him for 2 weeks. And man, this guy was awesome, super humble, and super willing. Anyways, we were praying a lot for him, that we would somehow be able to find him. Well guess what?  We found him on the street! We set up an appointment and then saw him another time before this appointment. He explained that his phone broke,  etc... So, we went to go to look for him for our appointment and and he canceled on us through a friend’s phone. We tried to set up another one and was not there. SO, this was a miracle that we found him, but he used his agency to give up the opportunity. We come upon a lot of situations like that here because a lot of people here don’t understand sacrifice or the blessings that come from it. 

 

Right now we are teaching two families that are super awesome and are for sure going to get baptized if everything goes well! The first one is the Familia Castellano. This is the family with the little girl who has Down syndrome. She is super awesome. Here you have to get married civilly first, a bishop can’t just marry you. So they have to do a bunch of paper work for this to go through. They have been to church more than 5 times and are basically members! They are super awesome and am very excited for their baptism which should be in the middle of July.

The second family is the Familia Bozac. They are pretty sweet too. They are an older couple that is super intelligent. The only problem is that he smokes a ton. We are trying to help him stop and he is almost there!!Their baptism is on July 4. He was smoking 40 cigarettes a day now it down to 9!! What a miracle! The goal is for him to stop before Wednesday!! Well at church they saw that the members feed us so they wanted to feed us too. AND MAN I ATE THE BEST LUNCH OF MY MISSION. For real though it was homemade bread, then some “empandas” for starters then we had some suuuuppper yummy meat with some good salsa then she brang out like 3 different kinds of desserts!! Older people that are retired are the best to teach! Always home and super nice!!

 

Well I am doing super well. My birthday was great! Just felt like a normal day but thanks a ton for the packages!!

 

I am trying to do my best and do my part for the Lord. I have a lot to improve on, but I know through prayer and hard work anything is possible!

 

Anways , I love you! I spent some more time on this letter so I hope you enjoy it! Sorry for last week!

 

Love

Elder Carter

 

Enjoying some birthday treats!!

Our fridge - before (notice the freezer)

Our fridge - after (pretty impressive, huh?)

Las Delicias Ward activity

My very worn out shoes! We work hard!!!

Downtown Rosario

Another transfer in Las Delicias

June 16, 2015

Hi!

First of all, Happy Father’s Day on Sunday, Dad!! You are an awesome dad and an awesome example for me to follow. Thank you for always wanting the best for me!!

We have had a great week! There were transfers, but Elder Bluth and I get to stay together for another transfer here is Rosario, Las Delicias, which I am so happy about!! We continue to work hard with our area, splits, and helping all the missionaries in our zone.

Yesterday was the official transfer day so Elder Bluth, I, and all the other zone leaders had to go to the “terminal” which is a massive bus station in Rosario. It is like a mini airport, except for buses. It is pretty cool!  It is where all the missionaries meet to change areas. We pretty much direct traffic, buy the bus tickets, and make sure everyone is okay. I actually find it super fun but also super stressful. It is a big responsibility to make sure that everyone gets to their new area safely.

The mission has pretty much been split and unless there is an emergency transfer, we are now in the mission that we will stay in. Pretty much everything above Rosario is now part of the Santa Fe mission. It feels crazy!! There are 40 new missionaries arriving in the next transfer and there are presently about 100 missionaries in each mission. So, there will be lots of new areas opening!

I got to see some of my old companions on transfer day, like Elder Salinas, who just got transferred to Rosario. It was super fun to catch up with him. I also got to see Elder Johnson, who is now a zone leader in Santa Fe. It is always great to see him!!

Hey mom, a member made a cake for me for my birthday! She tried to send you a picture on Facebook but for some reason, couldn’t. Just wanted you to know I was treated well on my birthday. Other than that, it was an ordinary day and I almost forgot it was my birthday. But we did buy some” alfajores” to celebrate, so that was good!!!

Our investigators are progressing. We are working really hard with them!! I don’t have tons of time, so I have to run. You are probably going to kill me mom, but I will do better next week!

I love you!!

Elder Carter

What would Jesus do?

June 8, 2015

Hey, what’s up?

All is going great! This week was busy. On Thursday, I had “tramites”, which means I had to do some visa paperwork. The great part was that I got to go to the mission home and Elder Johnson was there for his zone leader meeting. It was awesome to talk to him for a while ! It was nice to catch up! We had “consejo de lideres” (zone leader council), which was really sweet! There were 2 different meetings, one for the zone leaders in the Santa Fe mission and the other for the Rosario mission on different days. The mission will be officially split July 1^st. President Zanni sent a list of people he thinks will be on the Santa Fe side and the Rosario side to the apostles. He does not have te keys to make mission assignments. So, this week, the apostles will be reading my name and all of my assignments and decide if I stay or go. So, even though we are making assumptions, we don’t know for certain which mission we are in yet.

Our meeting was on Friday with all the zone leaders in Rosario, which was a total of 12 missionaries, 6 companionships. It felt so small compared to the last meeting where we doubled in size! It was pretty awesome to be part of this group. And as a bonus, we got free breakfast and lunch!! We learned lots but I think the part that stuck out to me most was when we started talking about divisions and how we can help our missionaries. The conversation turned to talking about what Jesus Christ would do to help. Then the president created different scenarios and asked one of the assistants to play the role of Jesus Christ, while the President played the role of the struggling missionary and tried to help him have greater desires to serve. It was great to watch! I was really enjoying it and taking it all in. Then President started calling on other missionaries to play the role of the Savior and I was learning from all the different approaches. Then, as my luck would have it, President called on me. And man, I was nervous!!! There in the room, were the best  missionaries and they were all watching and waiting for what I would do as I role played Jesus trying to help the President!!!!!! Well, I did it, but I did not do a very good job. I have been thinking about it all week. I think what really stuck with me was that our Savior, our older brother, has so much love for us!!! And all the missionaries that role played the Savior,  showed so much sincerity and love. The feeling in the room was pretty amazing. It has helped me a lot this week!

We discussed some other things and then took it back the missionaries in our zone. We had a zone meeting with them on Sunday after church and it went well. We did not have a ton of time to prepare, but it was alright. I learned tons from our missionaries too! I also realized that I enjoy zone conference so much more when I am not in charge of it!!

Today we got together as a zone and played soccer. It was pretty fun! But I also realized I enjoy activities like these when I don’t have to organize them. I am learning lots!! Thanks for the birthday wishes!!

I love you!

Elder Carter

Better than psychologists!!

June 1, 2015

 

Hey, what’s up? 

 

Things here are good! I finally bought some new shoes! They are really cool argentine ones and I am excited to wear them!! Good thing you have lots of new clients mom (and more money), I might need more shoes, again. I must admit, I bought these shoes based on looks and not durability! But I figured when you feel good, you teach well, baptize lots of people and run faster – so well worth the money J

 

I got my birthday package, and oh man – it was AWESOME!!!! Thanks a ton!! I know it was for my birthday, but I opened it anyways. The pants fit perfect, and I really needed new socks. The jump rope was sweet and there is a bunch of treats in there!!!! Thanks so much!!! But don’t worry – I saved the card for my birthdayJ

 

This week was good! We are working really hard and following the spirit! And we are having great experiences! The weather is really cooling down here. It’s like 5 degrees but its super humid, so it’s a very bone chilling cold. It’s weird! Our area is definitely not safe, but we are definitely protected!! Members tell us daily stories of thefts, but Heavenly Father blesses us and I don’t worry too much about it.  

M and S, the couple with the sweet daughter are so awesome!! We went and had dinner with them on Tuesday night and it was super sweet! It’s always awesome to eat with investigators! They shared with us that they have been having some major marital struggles. We had no idea, and actually thought everything was great with them. They told us that every time they were having a fight, we would show up on their doorstep. They said every time one of them was upset or feeling lonely, we would send them a message. They said it was a miracle that we came when we did sharing the message of the gospel. They shared that they have been seeing a psychologist to help them but that our lessons do more good for them than the psychologist. I’m catching up to you, mom!!! It is so awesome to be a part of their miracle! We pray and think hard about what we are going to share with them every visit and we are being guided. It is so sweet to see the results!!

 

We did divisions with the “asistentes” on Friday and that went well! I learned a lot and am now trying to apply it all!! The members here are super awesome! They  always willing to go the extra mile for us!

 

This week Elder Bluth and I had a meeting with the stake president and it went awesome!! He is a cool dude and I was able to learn a lot and am so excited to share it! That’s probably one of the things I like most about being zone leader - the opportunity to work with such great leaders in the church and to learn about how things work and how things should go!

 

Well, nothing else really happened this week! Everything is good! I am doing well! A little sick this week but I drank some of Bita’s magic potions and everything was good! 

 

The mission is about to divide, so presidente is doing a lot of changes this months! It’s cool!

 

I love you!

Elder Carter

 

(This is a sweet letter we got from Josh’s companion, Elder Bluth. It made my day and I felt so much love for this wonderful young man!!)

 

Hello Mama Carter!

 

It´s so nice to meet you! I am the companion of your son Elder Josh Carter! The wild one!

 

I have to say some things about your son... 

 

First of... He has been sleeping in and breaking some rules in the mission... Maybe you can write a firm letter and try to knock some sense into him....

 

 

NO I AM KIDDING. This kid is fantastic! Where ever did he come from?? Easily one of my best companions in the entire mission.  He always keep me laughing and even better he works efficiently to help Heavenly Fathers children here in Argentina.

 

Sincerely he is very humble and a very hard worker.

 

So I was thinking hmmm... His parents must have done something fantastic to raise this kid. 

 

Reminds me of the story of the stripling warriors and how the men in that story look up so much to their parents. 

 

But anyway. Thanks a ton!

 

Elder Bluth

 

 

He even lets me use his glasses when I can´t see anything!

Miracles!!!

May 25, 2015

 

Hey, how’s it going?

 

It’s been a good week!! On Tuesday I went and worked with another Elder who is in a different area who is from Peru! He is awesome! A little stubborn, but Latinos come that way, (huh, mom?)!! He has been out in the field 2 months and is a character!! Ha-ha!  He loves rice and we ate sooo much of it. His favorite food is rice and he loves talking about it. He was teaching me how to make it and everything!! He and his companion are working pretty well so that was good to see! I felt really bad for him, though. He comes from a humble home that doesn’t have a ton of money! His mom just recently lost her job and he is trying to sell his ties in order to send money back to his home. I felt pretty bad. It really helped me realized how blessed I am!

 

On Thursday I went and worked in another area again to help out an elder. He has been struggling in the mission and doesn’t really want to be here. I helped him the best I could! But he was really awesome and that night, we made bannana bread which was super yummy! And  I now  know how to make bannana bread! How’s that mom?! I really tried to focus on the positive that he is doing to help him build confidence!! I really hope it helped!!

 

Oh, and guess what mom? Our fridge was pretty gross- it had old food and stains and a ton of other gross stuff inside. It probably hadn’t been cleaned in years... if ever! Ha-ha, but last p-day we went and gave it a nice good clean!! I was pretty proud of myself! Ha-ha #themissionchangesyou

 

It’s been such a good week, full of miracles, like always! We worked a ton in my own area, trying to find new people to teach. We have the goal to baptize every week this coming transfer! It’s a pretty crazy goal, but I think it’s possible!!! We are really working hard so we can help people!! And we are seeing miracles!! The work with our investigators is awesome! We have a ton super good quality people we are teaching!! I am super excited about it!

 

We have been praying to find a family of 5 all week!! We talked with a woman on Wednesday and got an appointment to go back on Sunday night. During the week we didn’t think much of it. We were really praying and working hard to find a family of 5 that we could baptized. Well, as the week started to wind up we were a little disappointed cause had been pretty much doing everything we could to find this family. Well, Sunday night at 7:30 we went back to this lady’s house and started to teach her. AND GUESS WHAT?  SHE HAD A FAMILY OF 5!!!! We were so excited and gave them a baptismal date and everything!! They have to get married, but it was a pretty good experience!! The Lord truly does answer and hear our prayers!! 

 

She lives in an area that is pretty dangerous and luckily, we were with a member who helped us maneuver our way out of the area. At one point we had to run, ha-ha, but we made it out alive!!! Later that night, we saw the helicopter with the search light going around for a while!! Ha-ha -crazyy!!

 

As I have been getting to know this ward more, I have grown to love the people more. They are so awesome!!!!

 

I love you!

Elder Carter