Re: Fast Sunday a Beautiful Day - We Love Our Handsome Elder Jesse Guy Carter OXO
Hey Famliy!!!!
Thank you so much for the email! It was so good to hear from you guys:) Here is the big news......................... I got TRANSFERED! Bye Bye San Pedro and Hello....... Yes, I am back in........................................................... DOWNEY! haha I am not in the same ward that I started the mission at which was downey 4th ward, but now I am in Downey 1st ward. I am really excited though because Lakewood zone (which is the zone that I am currently serving in) is known as the promised land in my mission haha. This is where baptisms flow like milk and honey! I have 2 baptisms coming up in the next couple of weeks! It was so awesome the very first lesson that My new comp and I (Elder Hoyt) had, we set a baptismal date for march 25th with this 21 year old girl by the name of Wendy! And just last night we found this awesome guy by the name of Tony that rescently had a death in the family and is looking for a church!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BOOOOOO YAAAA BABY! haha We are excited to meet with him and his wife and two sons on tuesday. They are a big time soccer family and I am going to be able to connect with them in that way. The downey 1st ward is super small however. I counted the attendance at church on sunday and it was stretching to a mighty 55 people! But Elder Hoyt and I are really excited to work our butts off and get some new families in the ward. I have been dry on baptisms since June, so I am really hungering them as well. Another crazy thing, is that the zone that I am now in had some issues with disobedience with the old missionaries that were here, and so our mission president basically flushed the whole zone! My comp and I are both brand new to the area along with around 15 of the 22 missionaries in the zone! haha My Mission President dropped 3 zone leaders, 4 or 5 district leaders to come in and clean up the zone and get some work going. So yes, sadly I am no longer a zone leader:( This is a sad thing and a happy thing, it will be nice to be able to focus completely on the work and really give my whole heart and soul to the downey 1st ward. We already have a really strong relationship with the Bishop. He is awesome! He has already served as a bishop, he was in the singles ward branch presidency and he served as a stake President councilor for 11 years! He is very qualifiied for the position of Bishop and it will be nice having someone that will work with us and help us. At first I was realy kinda bummed to not be serving as a zone leader, but I am begining to realize and see the reasoning behind this large change. The Lord is in control and I know that this is the right thing to do. I am officially sleeping ALOT better as well! I don't have so much to worry about, and I don't have to deal with my companion snoring! hahaha That is one of the hardest things about Elder Loli is that he snored hard core every single night. I have slept like a wee little baby almost every night in my new area though. We have already started a missionary movement in the ward. This last sunday with the permission of the bishop we have started what's called a missionary moment each week. When the Priesthood meet together at the beginning of 3rd hour and the Relief society meet together by way of volunteer someone volunteers to have a missionary experience that week. The missionary experience doesn't have to be anything real big like passing out a bom or bringing someone to church, but it could be something really small like talking to your neighbor about the church, or baking them cookies. They pray to have a missionary experience that week than at the beginning of the next week the experience is shared with everyone and than another volunteer is asked. To help remind them of their responsibility to have a missionary experience we give the volunteer a little item to remind them. For the Priesthood we gave them a little plastic sword (the sword of laban) to remind them and for the relief society we gave them a little shileld (shield of faith). When I did it in my last area alot of good things started to come from it. This area has been quite slow baptism wise the past couple of years, but the only way to turn that around is to get the members excited about missionary work. My goal for this area is to baptize 2 families into the ward before I leave. I know that is going to be very hard but it is possible. It is simply going to take ALOT of prayer, faith, and work! Dad you mentioned that I have 8 months left!!!!!!! That is absolutely crazy to me. Everything is going by so fast. I feel like i have so much to learn still and I hope I can magnify the time that I have left. Your so right though with the fact that the time I have left will be the best of my mission because of all the experience I have behind me now. I really hope that I can use that experience to better the area and get some baptisms. One personal goal I have in this area is to form a very strong relationship with the members and with the missionaries in the zone. If you guys could send me some tips and helps about ways to develope relationships with others. I would really like your adivce and anything that you can think of of good ways to develope relationships with other people. With me being in a brand new zone, new area, new companion, new everything I really want to form that solid foundation. I really feel like my last 6 months were like the refiners fire of my mission. That was the testing period for me. It really would have been so easy to just not work very hard, and give up. There were so many times that it would have been so nice to just have a nap and chill in the apartment haha, and E. Loli would have been totally down with it! He was an awesome companion and really chill, but sometimes too chill so it made it so I had to always be on top of things. I really learned alot and now looking back am really proud of myself for never backing down from working hard in the area, and in the zone as a zone leader. We didn't see any baptisms, but it wasn't because we weren't working hard. I really hope that We will be blessed in this area with some baptisms because of that hard work and diligence that I have shown the Lord. The only thing I can do is continue to work hard every single day and be obedient. I always remember and think back on one of the last things that you said to me Dad which was, "The key to finding happiness and success on your mission is to be obedient." I know that is so true and I am trying my best to do so! Oh another change that I didn't mention is that I am officially 100% bike! haha I no longer have a car. President Baker has been known to make drastic changes and this is definately not the exception! This is about as big of a change as it could be, but I am excited:) Attitude is the key:) Mom I Pray for you every single day..... I really know that you are going to start feeling better. You need to make sure you are giving yourself the attention that you need. You need to eat right, and do the things throughout the day that will not wear you out too much, than you MUST sleep. I have found that if I do not sleep, than the next day is going to be a disaster. Some things that have been helping me rescently is writing in my journal or reading the scriptures before I go to bed. Also meditation. The reason that so many people don't sleep well is that they have so many things on their minds as they go to sleep. Before I left my last area I was talking with this guy who has a PHD in human SLEEP. He said that we must not have thoughts and feelings stored up in our conscious or subconscious mind if we want to get a good nights sleep. Also you shouldn't do anything for about 1 hour before you go to sleep that would increase adrenaline in your body. So no working out, or running around, or getting aroused in any way. You must resolve all these things at least 1 hour before you plan on going to sleep. He also said if you have something on your mind right before you lay down, write it down so that your subconscious mind will not dwell on it which would lead to lack of sleep and trouble falling to sleep. So basically you need to make sure you are relaxed before you go to sleep. These tips have really helped me rescently, I consciously tell myself I did the best I could that day, and that's the best I can do. Don't allow yourself to feel sad or angry in any way, this is why prayer and the scriptures help. These two components will often push out negative thoughts and feelings that we might have. Anyways I hope these ideas will help you. Make sure you are drinking at least 3 bottles of water a day as well. It is really important that you are hydrated. Hydration is the first step to having a healthy body because our bodies are made up of 70 + percent of water! So it is only natural for our physical well being to desire water to push out and replace old cells. You are probably thinking I have been reading a doctor book or something, I haven't I promise! haha these are all things that I have just observed and learned over the past 16 months. Things are going really well though, I really want to gain the love and appreication for all those around me so just another reminder if you guys could send me some tips about relationships with others and how the best way to develope those are. I really am striving to develope charity. The mission has taught me that charity is definately one christlike attribute that I could improve on. I would also love your advice as to how to develope charity and have love for all those around me. I think I have finally figured out what my skin formula is for my face! aka what I must do to not have acne and issues with my skin. Kenny G I don't know if you are having or have had some of the same issues I had when I was your age which was I never quite felt like I was completely on top of my skin on my face, I felt like I could always get it a little bit better. These are some things that you might want to try to improve that. 1. HYDRATION! Drink at least 3 bottles a day every single day! This will help you to not be so oily which will lead to fewer acne breakouts and issues with zits. 2. EAT WELL! Eating well definately plays a factor in the quality of your skin. Your body is like a big factory, if one of the rooms in the factory isn't working correctly, it affects everything else. I have been eating alot of oatmeal, yogurt, eggs, chicken, rice, carrots and bananas. That is pretty much all I eat! haha and mom's bread of course:) 3. SLEEP! Sleep is crucial as well. sleep is where our skin rejuvinates and replaces itself, so if you are not sleeping well than something must change if you want to help your factory:) 4. SHAVING I found that If I shave with a razor blade it irritates my skin hard core which leads to alot of acne. It wasn't until I recieved my electric lazor that I realized that this is such a crucial factor to healthy skin. 5. DON'T TOUCH YOUR FACE! One of the major causes to acne is us touching our faces. It is only when we consciously tell ourselves, ok I am not going to touch my face will this desire become a reality. Every time you think to touch your face think to yourself, how is this going to adversly effect me in the long run. I often itch my nose with the inside of my shirt rather than my finger. 6. DON'T USE ACNE MEDICATION! Acne medication has a negative effect on me. My skin adventually rellizes upon it and it leads to an increase of oil in my face which leads to zits:(
I thought I would tell you guys these things just to get them written down at least haha. I hope it will help someone out there because it is very simple. Thank you for all that you do, I am out of time but I love you guys so much! Thank you for all that you do mom, I know that you are gonna start feeling better:)
Love, Elder Carter the 5th
On Sun, Mar 4, 2012 at 10:15 PM, Emily Jane Carter <emi_3_76@hotmail.com> wrote:
Dearest Handsome Elder Jesse,
I Love You!!!
Well this week has been extremely hard for Lindsey, Shawn and their family as her Father passed away unexpectedly of a massive heart attack at age 49. Please pray for them and their family as Lindsey really loved her Dad and Shawn was really close to him also.
Today I was given a Bishop's Blessing by Bishop Jones, Daddie and Brother Chamberlain also helped. The Blessing was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Beautiful and I know that Heavenly Father Loves me and will hear and answer our many prayers for my healing. I Love our new Bishop as I did Bishop Peterson and felt very Blessed today by Heavenly Father through the great power of the Priesthood. I know that Heavenly Father Loves each of us dearly and will help us through our difficulities here on earth if we but have faith and call upon Him.
I know that we need to rejoice for our many blessings, keeping our eyes on our ultimate goal of Celestial glory and Eternal life that will be in a state of perfectness. You truly motivate me to continue to push forward, I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Proud of You and the Amazing Missionary and Wonderful Handsome Son that You are. Were You transferred this last week? We are excited to hear. I am excited to prepare for Conference and remember the dream I had about You when we attended the last Conference. If You remember I looked over at the door and You were standing there SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO perfect and Handsome. You told me that You had been allowed to come home for a brief time so You could have Your tooth fixed as Your teeth are perfect. Right after that You were gone but the entire day I kept seeing You in my minds eye and felt You close to me throughout the Conference talks.
I loved the Hymns that we sang today. The opening Hymn was on page 284 and I loved verses 4 and 5.
I You Could Hie to Kolob
There is no end to virtue;
There is no end to might;
There is no end to wisdom;
There is no end to light.
There is no end to union;
There is no end to youth;
There is no end to priesthood;
There is no end to truth.
There is no end to glory;
There is no end to love;
There is no end to being;
There is no death above.
There is no end to glory;
There is no end to love;
There is no end to being;
There is no death above.
Our sacrament Hymn was on page 172 In Humility, Our Savior - I loved verse 2.
Fill our hearts with sweet forgiving, Teach us tolerance and love.
Let our prayers find access to Thee in Thy holy courts above.
Then, when we have proven worthy of Thy sacrifice divine,
Lord, let us regain Thy presence; let Thy glory round us shine.
Our closing Hymn was on page 63 Great King of Heaven verse 1.
Great King of heaven, our hearts we raise to Thee in prayer, to Thee in praise.
The vales exult, the hills acclaim, and all Thy works revere Thy name.
In Primary the children are learning the beautiful song Teach Me to Walk in the Light which is also in our Hymn book on page 304, I Love all the verses.
Teach me to walk in the light of his love;
Teach me to pray to my Father above;
Teach me to know of the things that are right;
Teach me, teach me to walk in the light.
Come, little child, and together we'll learn
Of his commandments, that we may return
Home to his presence, to live in his sight-
Always, always to walk in the light.
Father in Heaven, we thank thee this day
For loving guidance to show us the way.
Grateful, we praise thee with songs of delight!
Gladly, gladly we'll walk in the light.
The children learned to seek for knowledge and wisdom - Alma 37:35
O, remember, my son, and learn wisdom in thy youth; yea, learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God.
They learned to keep the commandments of God now to CTR.
Our temporal and spiritual are connected like a coin - it is different on each side.
Be a covenant keeper.
Forget the days troubles...
Remember the days blessings
Faith will light the way -
In the End, It's not the Years
In Your Life That matter.
But the Life in Your Years.
Abe Lincoln
Laugh Often, Love Much.
Mothers of
little boys
work from son up
til son down!
Together we make a Family*
Rise and Shine!
"Appreciate beauty, find the best in others.
And always strive to make the world a better place.
And know one life has breathed easier because of you."
Live in such a way that those who know you but don't know God, will come to know God because they know you.
Family* The love of a Family is Life's Greatest Blessing -
Our Handsome Elder is:
Conscientious
Heavenly
Ambitious
Dynamic
Energetic
Outgoing
Outstanding
Positive
Resourceful
Impressive
Noble
I have had fun this week finding little thoughts for You, I Love You with All my Heart.
We had a really nice Sunday dinner with Dustin, Hillary, Trevy, Libby, Ryan, Meagan, Daddie, Kenny and me, I absolutely loved Kenny's Amazing chocolate dessert as usual. Tomorrow we have a soccer game here with Parowan that will be fun and then the Carter dinner party at Aunt Jan's. This Friday we will be going up north to watch Kenny play soccer with Hillcrest and Timpview and we will be staying with Bryce and Shelynne. I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO excited and hope to be feeling even better.
Daddie, Kenny and I went to a Youth Fireside tonight at the stake center with the theme being: Increasing Your Spiritual Strength. It was a really good meeting and it was fun to be with Kenny and all the Youth.
Well my Darling Daddie is ready for bed, the babies are in bed and Kenny is in bed so I will say goodnight to our Handsome. I Love You with All my Heart and pray for You continually.
Your are the BEST!!
Amazing in every way.
With all my "sweet" and tender Love,
Mama Mee OXO
p.s. I Love You!!!
Jesse,
Did you get transferred? We have been wondering all week if you were transferred or not and to where you are going if you have been transferred. I'm sure what ever is going on with you is where you should be. Last week was another crazy weather week here . Some days were really quite nice and then the next day its like we were back into the middle of the coldest part of the winter. It has been hard on our work schedule at the apartments. This next week looks to be much better and I hope we are able to get a lot more done. We should have the framing including the trusses done on the 4-plex this week. We should be able to start the framing on the 8-plex next week. It is nice to see the buildings coming out of the ground and starting to look like buildings.
Can you believe you are down to just 8 months!! You will probably have only this transfer and maybe one more. With all you have learned since the beginning of your mission these last months will be the most effective of your whole mission. Keep working your hardest and I know that you will be the most successful of your mission.
Love, Dad
