Carlee's In CINCINNATI OHIO!

June 30, 2009

Hello! I'm in CINCINNATI!

"Welcome to the Ohio!" Or at least that is how President Robbins greeted us! I'm here! Finally made it! And I'm excited! We stayed at President and Sister Robbins house last night. They are wonderful people! Now I'm assigned to my first companion and first area.

Sister Thacker is my trainer. She is super sweet! She's only been out for a couple of months, plus she's new to this area as well. So it's going to be a good learning experience for both of us! But we'll get the hang of it! We've already made several contacts.

We're in Fairfield, OH! Outside of Cincinnati. To be honest, neither of us know anything about it. ha ha. But I'm sure we'll find out soon! At least we found Walmart and the library.

To quickly recap, this last week at the MTC was AMAZING! Since it was the mission presidents seminar we had all of the apostles and President Monson there throughout the week. The Spirit was tremendous! On Friday night, Elder Holland spoke at our devotional. It was INCREDIBLE! He spoke on Teaching with the Spirit! The most touching part was at the very end when he looked down at the pulpit for a moment, got a little emotional, looked up and said, "Welcome to the work of angels." Then explained how this is a great work done by angels on both sides of the veil. We get to be angels to those we teach! Wow.

It was sad to say good-bye to our district and all my new friends at the MTC. But we were all excited to get to work! I sure was blessed to get to know so many wonderful missionaries! I'm especially going to miss the crazy Russian sisters that lived next door. ha ha! They were a hoot!

I love you! And I love this work!

Sister Painter

Scripture of the Week:
1 Nephi 3:7
I will go and do the things which the Lord hath command!

New Friends. . .Old Friends. . .

Carlee is here with her good friend Ben (Elder Hoglund). It is nice they got to see each other before she left.

Tuesday. . Our 'P" Day!

Sister Carter and Sister Painter enjoyed a day at the Provo Temple. It is nice to have the Temple so close so they can attend.

More Life at the MTC. . .

Our DISTRICT. . .
The Elder's are going the Las Vegas West
The Sisters are going to Cleveland
Elder Johnston and I are going to Cincinnati




Our District at the R.C.

Life At the MTC. . .

Daily Planning. . .A Little Intense!




Sister Carter and Sister Painter at the R.C. (Referral Center)




Yea For Preach My Gospel!

Our Weekly Service. . .

The SISTERS cleaning the bathrooms. This is the weekly service. Amazing all the jobs being a missionary includes.

Week #2. . .Letter From Sister Painter!

June 23, 2009

I LOVE the MTC! And I love this work! I seriously could say that all day! Sure its difficult at times... okay... its really difficult! But I love it! I'm constantly getting pushed out of my comfort zone. I've realized the Lord qualifies who he calls, but there is a logical way he does it. He makes us grow! ha ha!

I've had so many incredible experiences this week I don't even know where to start!

We've been able to work at the R.C. almost everyday. It's usually a really great experience (between getting yelled at, hung up on, and commiting someone to be baptized over the phone)! Wow! Everytime we walk out of there we have plenty of stories to be shared! One of my calls that stands out this week was a woman I talked to for about a half hour. Her name is Dorothy. It was an incoming call (which is always nice because you know they are calling because they want to) and she wanted a Book of Mormon. What I quickly realized was that she had a severe speech impediment and I could hardly make out what she was saying, but she was trying so hard to communicate with me. So what did I do... prayed! Really hard! And you know what I learned: the Spirit truly does increase capacity. Finally about half way into our call I could better understand her and we had a wonderful discussion. She had lots of questions, especially about the Godhead. It was wonderful to be able to teachify (teach+testify) to her about God our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. After about a half hour we both needed to go but she let me send the missionaries to her to learn more (really just so she could ask the rest of her questions). Moral of the story: The Spirit increases capacities! And the Church is true!

Later this week, Sister Carter and I had a teaching appointment (the T.A. formally known as the T.R.C.). This was our second time teaching an "investigator" at the T.A. and we were a little nervous. Sister Carter and I have been learning a lot about how to meet needs and both of us felt completely inadequate. We did our best to prepare and prayed hard for the Spirit. Our purpose as missionaries is to invite all to come unto Christ, even fake investigators. We taught a small elderly woman named Caleen. As we taught the Spirit spoke. Just like my experience with Dorothy, the Spirit increases capacity! It really does. Both Sister Carter and I walked out of there shocked. We had no idea we could literally be used as tools like we just had been. The Spirit was so thick and all encompassing you could almost reach out and touch it. Sister Carter and I were touched, and we know that Caleen was too. Moral of the Story: You testify, the Spirit teaches!

One last story this week. This was a fun one for me. Yesterday I had a migraine. Sister Carter and I use a 1-10 scale for our headaches now. 1 means you have one, 10 means pending implosion. I was definitely at a 12. It was even more discouraging because we missed most of classes for the day and that is the worst feeling! Especially because Sister Carter had to stay with me. I struggled through most of the day, but it really wasn't a huge deal. Last night we went to explain to one of our teachers the circumstance and he turned to me and asked if I needed a blessing. (This was about the 5th offer that day.) I said I would be okay, but he gave me that look. I knew I was relying on myself and not on my Savior. Busted. And I knew it. So I was annointed and blessed. It was powerful. Each of the Elders in my district stood in the circle, and each of the Sisters sat and listened. I know that we were each taught a powerful lesson about the priesthood and about our Savior's atonement. "With his stripes we are healed." It's never occured to me like that before. I went back to bed and with a little sleep I was fine (something medication didn't even do). I had to ask myself, am I really trusting my Savior with everything? We know we should, but are we holding on when we should let go? (As a side note, I was promised that my migraines wouldn't effect my mission! But they are to humble me and help me rely on the Lord.) Moral of the Story: There is REAL power in the Priesthood.

Heavenly Father really does love each of us. And we need to remember that he has set us up to succeed, not to fail. I know that some of these are really personal experiences. So don't judge, and I hope you learn something just like I have.

I leave for CINCINNATI on June 29, next Monday! I'm thrilled! A little nervous, but extremely excited! Next time you'll hear from me will probably be from Ohio! I'm going to miss my District, Sisters, and Companion! I sure love them!Hmmm...

I sure hope there will be mail waiting for me when I get there! (Hint Hint)

I love this work! I really, really do!

Sister Painter!

Scripture of the Week:

2 Corinthians 12:9-10
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therfore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Therfore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

June 16, 2009

FAMILY!
Oh how I love, love, love you!

Thank You!! for all the letters! Seriously all the Elders are jealous cause I get so much mail from my family!

I just wrote you an email which I'm sure you got, but I ran out of time. . .

I just wanted to say how much I LOVE YOU! And to let you know how much I love this work!

It really is such a blessing in our lives!

Love,

Sister Painter

I'm A Missionary. . .

Here is Sister Painter with her new official missionary tag. She is elated to finally get to wear it. Also here is a photo of her and her new companion, Sister Carter. The Sister's as they are referred to are Sister Wright, Sister Carter, Sister Shumann & Sister Painter. They all look just as sweet as our own sweet Carlee. I think she is doing great and seems to be enjoying her time in the MTC so far.

Letter #2. . .She Is Doing Great!

June 16, 2009

Family!

I made it to my first P-day! Phew! I'm glad you got my last note. You can thank our merciful Branch President! ha ha! Well I only have a few minutes so this won't be very long. The MTC is amazing! I'm incredibly blessed to be here! I know that this is where I'm supposed to be! And everyday I look more and more forward to going out into the field. We have a wonderful district! The Sisters are incredible! There are four of us together, but the other three are going to the Cleveland/Kirtland Mission. The Elders in our district are pretty great too! I'm so grateful they are more mature than some of the other Elders out there.

I can't even describe to you my love for the MTC, and for my call to serve a mission. I've been overwhelmed on a daily basis, but the Lord has blessed me through it. Every night in my prayers I keep asking him if I can do this! But every day he helps me through! Although its been good, it's been so hard! I'm quickly learning that I have so many more weaknesses that I wasn't aware of before.

Shalyn shared a thought with me in a note she wrote to me this week. Look in the Bible Dictionary under Fear. It's wonderful! It talks about how as children of God we should feel confident and never afraid. That is why he wants us to follow Him, and trust Him. He knows the way, and I can have confidence in that. Even when it comes to teaching! We taught our first lesson yesterday. It was intense! But I'm so excited to teach more. And guess what! I have a new love: the RC. It's the Referral Center where the missionaries make and take calls from people, mostly non-members, about the church or to follow up on different things. I love it. Mom, I'm sure you're shocked. My phobia of calling people on the phone still exists! But I love sharing the gospel and my testimony! It's so rejuvinating and energizing!

I seriously love having this name tag on! I get to be the Lord's representative! Oh and Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! For all of the cards, mail, packages, etc. The elders have been so jealous!

I'm so grateful for the wonderful family and friends that I have! I can feel your love and support and I appreciate it so much!

I love you!
Remember D&C 123:17!

Sister Painter

P.S. Channel changer? You can't find it. Well that's crazy it would just disappear the same day I left. I have NO idea what happened to it... or do I?

Our 1st Letter. . .She's A Missionary!

June 11, 2009

Family:

Going on 27 hours here at the MTC! And it’s Wonderful! Last night our district president gave us the piece of paper and envelope and said, “Write your parents to let them know you are here.” So, I’m here being obedient. I couldn’t help but smile though, “So Mom & Dad just so you know . . . I’m here at the MTC!”

It’s been wonderful, probably the longest day of my life with all the orientations and things to remember, but like I said – it’s wonderful! It finally struck me today that I’m a Sister Missionary!

I have a wonderful companion, her name is Sister Carter. She’s from Bountiful; she’s full of life and enthusiasm. She and the other two sisters in our district are going to the Cleveland/Kirtland Historical Sites Mission. I’m the only one going to Cincinnati (except for one other Elder). The other two sisters are great too! Sister Shumann and Sister Wright (from Lehi, Utah & Laie, Hawaii respectively). We are also roommates, but they are just the sweetest missionaries.

I’m not shell shocked yet, I’m still so excited and grateful to be here! The Lord attends us here! The Spirit is strong and you can feel the determination of all the missionaries here! This gospel truly is “good news”. It fills me with so much joy and peace!

I’ve been made the coordinating Sister in our district – kind of like the Relief Society President. I sure love the sister’s here! (Especially in my district). I sure haven’t felt alone at all. Beside my district sisters, I’ve run into so many friends here. Some are missionaries, some are teachers. But it is so fun to see everyone’s growth. I saw Sean Jackson and Shawn Merrill today –both are teachers here. The first thing that Shawn M. said to me in front of his district/class was “Aren’t you suppose to be married?” Ha-Ha, Guess not cause I’m here! :}

By the way dad, thank you for that beautiful father’s blessing. It was wonderful and has helped a lot.

Mom, Danielle & Brittany I hope you’re not still crying! Ha-Ha! Every time you start to feel sad, just shout, “Hoorah for Israel!” That’s how I feel!

Give Ryan, Brandon and Kristi a big hug for me!

I sure love you family! I would have said, “I Love You Guys”, but we aren’t supposed to say Guys.

I look forward to many letters & packages and love!!!! Don’t forget!

Love, Sister Painter

Carlee's On Her Way. . .

MTC. . .HERE SHE COMES. . .

We got to say a short goodbye to our sweet little missionary. It was a sad moment, but an exciting one as well. We shed a few tears, but we are so proud of Carlee and excited for this big new adventure she is on. We have now turned her over to the care of the Lord and know that he will be watching over her.

Carlee finally got packed one hour before we left. She just wanted Grandpa Boyd to know that she did get everything in both of her suitcases. That made her excited that it all fit.

Carlee's friend, Emily, was going in the same day. So they met us at our home and followed us down to the MTC. It made Carlee feel a little better to be going with someone she new. I'm sure they didnt' get to stay together long once they got in the MTC.

Well we all said our goodbye's at home. We received a phone call and letter letting us know that we could only drop Carlee and her bags off at the curb and say a quick goodbye. So we took a few pictures at our home before we made our journey of 3.1 miles to the MTC.

Feeling the Love!

I'm so grateful for the wonderful people in my life! I've felt such an overwhelming arm of support this last year, and especially last weekend. I have to count my blessings often because I have so darn many of them! Thank you for being wonderful! -Sister Painter