STILL Here In Wilmington!

Dear Family:

Hello from the Ohio! This is going to be a short one today, but there are two items of importance I have to address!

First of course, Happy 26th Anniversary to the best two people in the world!!! You both have been such a blessing! So I just have to tell you how much I love you and how grateful I am for the best parents in the world! I was thinking about you a lot yesterday since our Gospel Principles class was on Eternal Marriage and our Relief Society lesson was on Elder Ballard’s “Mothers and Daughters” talk. I think the Lord is reminding me how much I have to be grateful for! Like you two!

Second, transfers came and went and Sister Sunderland and I are STILL here in Wilmington! We really didn’t expect that since we both go home at the end of this transfer. Crazy huh! We’ll take it though! We are both really happy about it. Actually nobody in our district changed which was a first for all of us...ha ha. Good thing its one of the best districts ever! So it’s Sister Sunderland and I to the end!

This week we’ve been working with a lot of the less-actives in the area. There are so many wonderful people here who just need an extra push and lots of extra love. Honestly, I wasn’t the best visiting teacher before my mission but I have definitely repented and committed to be the most dedicated visiting teacher I can muster! There are so many people right now who are hurting and just need to feel the Spirit reassure them that Heavenly Father is still aware of them and loves them. I think the best part of having an official call as a representative of the Savior is to be able to so freely feel the love He has for His all of His children. That feeling has been the greatest experience of my whole mission… quite possibly of my whole life!

Thanks again Mom and Dad for emulating the Savior and striving to have that perfect love for everyone. I’ve had the best Christ-like examples right in my own home. How many kids can say that?

Lots and lots of love!
Sister Painter II

-ha ha… has Brittany told you how she signs all of her letters Sister Painter III?

Fall In Ohio. . .

Fall in Ohio is

BREATH-TAKING. . .

News from the Ohio!

Dear Family:

News from the Ohio:

Corn mazes, Outhouses, Dancing at the lake. . .





Cleanest Car Award in our zone (10+) and highest Miles per Gallon in the whole mission! Besides Pres. Jensen-you can see on the chart his is the highest, we're the next highest... wahoo! We worked hard for those... ha ha.




It's been a good week. Plus, the gospel is true! What is more glorious news than that?!?! (That is why we were dancing at the lake!)

It looks like you had a fun vacation.

Thanks for being so great. It’s a transfer week so anything you send probably ought to go to the mission office to be safe.

I love this mission, I love this work, and I love you!

Sister Painter

This week was one big tender mercy for me!

Dear Family:

Oh man! This week was one big tender mercy for me! It was amazing! We have a loving and merciful Heavenly Father! I love Him so much!

Earlier in week we had the neatest experience! We were headed down to Blanchester, a little town south of Wilmington, to contact some referrals we had received. On our way down there we decided we would try and knock on Sister Cunningham’s door. We hadn’t seen her since April so we knew that it was a long shot, but we thought we would anyway. We knocked… and she opened! It was a miracle. She invited us in and we started talking.

She really is the sweetest thing in the world! While we were there she told us that we had been talking to one of her friends. We asked who that was and she told us it was Tracy, well Tracy was one of the media referrals we were headed to contact! We explained that it was probably missionaries at the call center who had been talking to her and we just got the message that she wanted to see us and we were headed over there right after we saw Sister Cunningham. Who would have thought! So Sister Cunningham called Tracy and told her that she was bringing the Sister Missionaries over with her. How cool is that!

That’s not the end of the story! Sister Cunningham came to Ohio because she was engaged to a man; however, he passed away before they were married. The connection is that Tracy is his sister. Sister Cunningham had explained that to us and one of the first questions Tracy asked us when we got there was what happens to us after we die. We started from the beginning, that we lived with God before we came here, and as soon as she understood what we were reading from the scriptures she gasped and told us she had “no idea, but it made perfect sense.”

I wish I could describe to you the powerful spirit that was there while we answered her question. It was one of the most powerful lessons I have ever had! When we explained to her where her brother is and that God’s whole plan is for us to live with Him and with our families forever she burst into tears. She was so happy! She had known her whole life there were more answers than her mother and pastors had given her and these were it!

I love this gospel! I think so often we take for granted the beautiful truths that we know. I love the Plan of Salvation. I know that it really is the perfect plan! And I am so grateful for the Savior! He is, after all, the one who made the whole plan possible.

During our zone meeting this week, the zone leaders asked if each of us would answer the questions: 1) why we came on a mission and 2) how we want to feel when we go home. What a powerful activity! I was really grateful for the opportunity to reflect on those questions. I came on a mission out of gratitude for what the Savior did for me. With my experience with Major Depression I learned in much more depth the meaning and purpose of the Atonement. I had to come share that message. And when I return home and take off my tag I just want to be able to feel that I was a proper representative of my Savior. That although I’m not perfect I did my best doing what He would have done if He were here. And I want to set that goal for the rest of my life!

We had the best exchanges this week! Sister Sunderland went to Greenfield and Sister Cash came to work with me in Wilmington. It was super fun because Sister Cash has only been out for three weeks! (And she is already an amazing missionary!) I told her though that I would trade her places in a heartbeat! I wish I still had 18 months left in my mission! I really do! I love this work! I am so grateful to be apart of it!

Thanks for sending all the pictures of Florida! I’ve heard all about the new Harry Potter theme at Islands of Adventure! It looks like fun! Just remember, I get to be apart of the real magic! Ha ha!

Love you lots!
Sister Painter

Pictures: Exchanges! Sisters: Cash, Ferrin, Painter, Sunderland
Leaf fight with Lonnie and Morgan Watson!

I’m pretty sure General Conference was directed right to ME!

Dear Family:

I don’t know how they do it every time but I’m pretty sure General Conference was directed right to ME! (haha… and the rest of the world of course) It was AMAZING! We (my companion and I) needed those words so badly. It was a really tough week. Unfortunately Shawn has decided to trust the anti websites more than us and it’s really been heartbreaking. But I am SO grateful for the wisdom and counsel given to us by prophets, seers, and revelators! It brings so much comfort!

As for Shawn, Elder Anderson was right on when he said that “the road of discipleship is not for the spiritually weak in heart.” It really does require everything we are and everything we have to give. I am grateful how Elder Anderson reassured us that “the doubt of others does not have to impede the spiritual progress of the rest of us.” And how Elder Edgely taught, ‘If your testimony is insecure- CHOOSE to experiment… let faith bridge that gap.” My mission has really taught me that living the gospel takes everything you have. If at anytime I feel like it’s easy and I’m just getting it down I realize I’m not doing something right. :) I have also become very aware that there are always doubters and more often than not their doubts are logical. But we can “choose faith over doubt, faith over fear” and faith to try. When it comes right down to it (quoting Sister Gunderson… she would always say that) faith is a choice. So one day, I have complete confidence Shawn will realize that.

I love this gospel. I really, really, really do. I loved President Monson’s talk on gratitude and I loved how Elder Holland demonstrated that in his talk! Wasn’t that the sweetest thing in the world!

Mom and Dad… I am so grateful for your incredible support over the last few years. I am grateful Mom for your trust in the inspiration and revelation the Lord gives you. That example has meant so much to me! Thank you for always being there to encourage and uplift, not just me, but everyone I see you with. That is one quality I admire so much about you! Dad, thanks for putting up with me… ha ha… and for always pushing me to be the best I can AND reminding me to be patient and kind with myself. (I’ve had to do your spider graphs several times on my mission… ha ha) I couldn’t have been blessed with better parents! I am grateful for the sacrifices you’ve made to take care of our family, and I am especially grateful for the Christ-like examples you’ve set. I love you both dearly!

Have fun in Florida! Tell Riley I still love him even though we lost to Utah State! Lots of Love!

Sister Painter

The Spirit has been amazing!

Here is Carlee's current address! She only has two months left and would still love to hear from any of you.

Sister Carlee Painter
30 Farquhar Drive, #7
Wilmington, OH 45177

Have a GREAT DAY!

LaDawn

Hello Family!

It sounds like you had a busy week! Brandon, Mom sent the picture of your football game. You look so good in your uniform. You’re taller than everyone but Grandpa Jim! So unfair. I guess I have to find a new wrestling buddy. There is no way I’m going to try and wrestle you!

So the Wilmington update: The adversary makes me so mad sometimes. Grrrrrr. Shawn had a pretty tough week. We had to postpone their date, but sweet Judy is as optimistic as ever. She knows she received an answer from the Lord and no one can take that away. So we are still working and praying.

Although it’s been a tough week the Spirit has been amazing! We had an inspired zone conference with the three Cincinnati zones on Wednesday. I love gathering with other missionaries because the Spirit is always so powerful! And then the Relief Society Broadcast on Saturday was incredible! Were you able to go to that Mom? My very favorite line was when Sister Allred said, “All [the Lord] asks is your best. He needs every one of us.” That thought has stuck with me all through the weekend. One of my greatest struggles has been thinking my effort isn’t enough, but I’m starting to understand that the Lord really is happy with any effort we make to grow closer to Him and to serve His children. So your right Mom, all you have to do is try hard. :)

I am so excited for general conference this weekend! I can’t believe its time for it again! I know that what we hear from the speakers is what the Lord wants us, His children, to know right now so that we can prepare ourselves physically and spiritually. And I know that when will really study and follow the counsel given we are blessed! What an amazing time to be alive! I know Saturdays are busy but will you make it a point to listen to all of general conference this weekend! (Even if you have to record that Saturday sessions) And just think, I’ll be right here in Ohio watching it with you. :)

I love you! And I really, really, really love this gospel! Miracles happen when we live what we’ve been taught!

Sister Painter

P.S. Sister Sunderland and I are still watching for the mail. :)

I Am SO Happy To Be a Missionary!

Dear Family:

Transfers have come and gone and Sister Sunderland and I are still in our happy little country town of Wilmington, OH. Ha ha. I don’t know if you saw the picture Hermana Blackham sent of the view of Santiago… I showed Sister Sunderland and we both laughed. It is amazing the different places we are in the world! Santiago is huge and busy! Wilmington is small and quiet. The real amazing thing is that it’s the same gospel here as it is in Chile. I am SO grateful for the Restoration and for a gospel that is applicable to EVERYONE. Heavenly Father really does love us. (He especially loves me since he sent me to an English-speaking, American-eating, fun loving people!) ha ha.

Anyway, I am happy to be here and I am SO happy to be a missionary. I love it. Will you send me Taylor’s, I mean Elder Stephenson’s, mission office address. I wish I was in the MTC again. I love that place!

So the update. Shawn has pneumonia. Can you believe it. Right in time for their baptism on Sunday. I swear Satan stops at nothing. Sometimes I’d like to give the devil a swift kick in the pants. Grrrr. Pneumonia. I am so grateful for Shawn and Judy though, they have weathered a lot the last few weeks and I admire their example so much.

So what are some of the missionary experiences you’ve had lately? I want to know.  Sister Sunderland and I had a really neat experience just waiting outside for the library to open today. We decided to be a here early (because we always end up waiting forever for a computer) and we were able to strike up a conversation with the group of people that were waiting. We met a woman who met with the missionaries 15 years ago in Nebraska! How cool is that. We would have never known had we not just started talking to her. Often the hardest part is just opening our mouths. :) Mom, you are so friendly! Have you been able to have any gospel quality conversations lately? Will you try this week! Maybe even get a referral for the missionaries! I want to hear how it goes for the whole family! :) Pray for opportunities. You can even practice. Like Brandon… you could be talking to someone about your new trombone (which is awesome by the way!) and say:

“Yeah, I love playing the trombone because I’m learning to develop some of my talents Heavenly Father has given me. Did you know that Heavenly Father loves you and has given YOU talents too? You should meet with the missionaries and they could teach you how much Heavenly Father loves you!”

See! Easy huh! Ha ha. Brandon don’t roll your eyes. Will you all try this week? In family prayer, ask Heavenly Father to give you the courage. I don’t think Brittany will have a problem. There are so many people, even in Utah, that need the gospel! (And who need a friend!)

I love you family! Thanks for being so great! Remember not to let Satan stop you from doing the important things!

Sister Painter

Here is the picture's of Carlee's very good friend, Sister Blackham in Santiago, Chile. It is a large city, much different from the small area that Carlee is in.

Hello from the Ohio!

Hello from the Ohio!

GUESS WHAT! I have the BEST news! Ha ha. This week we got a letter from Sister Jensen that had the new requirements and pictures for the dress code put out by the Church (remember the pictures that came in my mission packet that were awful!). Well these new pictures were so cute and modern and even better… we aren’t required to wear nylons!!! *doing a little dance* ha ha. I was so excited I danced in our kitchen for ten minutes, Sister Sunderland as my witness. I just had to share my excitement!

Besides just no more nylons, what a wonderful time to be alive! Seriously! We have so many blessings! Sometimes I really can’t count them they are so many! Blessings like the Book of Mormon! I love the Book of Mormon! Every time I read it my testimony of the Restoration is strengthened.

And modern day prophet and apostles! Who we get to hear from in a few weeks! I am so excited! General Conference is my favorite time of the year. Can you believe it has almost been six months since the last conference? Times goes so fast! I’m just finally figuring out how to apply the last set of general conference talks! ha ha.

And the priesthood! I think one of the greatest experiences of my mission has been to really learn how the priesthood works and to watch the insider scoop of the priesthood leadership in each unit I serve in. It has been a wonderful learning experience.

And missions! This experience over the last year has blessed my life in so many ways. I can’t even count them! I am just so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who let me have this opportunity. Tell Anna to hang in there. From my experience it is WAY harder to send someone off then to be the one going. Ha ha. Leaving was a piece of cake (no offense). Taylor will be an amazing missionary! He’s got it in him. And this is one of the greatest times to serve a mission. What a lucky duck!

Sister Sunderland and I have had a really good week. We had a zone meeting and interviews with President Jensen that was wonderful… like always. Our meeting was about personal conversion and how we must be truly converted to our God. It was a really good opportunity to take a personal inventory of whether everything I do is done “with an eye single to the glory of God” or if sometimes I “aspire to the honors of men.” I would encourage you to do the same and then make appropriate goals to refocus on the Lord and His work. We can be doing the right things, but without the right intentions they mean nothing.

Can I share something I’ve been learning a lot about lately? Prayer. Pray is amazing! I know ya’ll know that, but what I’m learning is how powerful prayer can be! And we can have those powerful experiences on a regular basis!!! It’s so cool. What I’m finally starting to understand is the preparation that we should be putting into our prayers. It helps me a lot when I visualize the Lord sitting there with me, listening and talking with me. When the time comes that I go into the presence of the Lord physically I definitely want to be prepared! I want to be clean and pure and reverent and ready. So when I’m going into the Lord’s presence spiritually shouldn’t I do the same? I love prayer. I am so grateful for it. And I’m grateful for the answers that come. I got to give a last minute talk yesterday on the Holy Ghost at Anicka Taylor’s baptism (good thing I’ve had lots of practice with baptism talks… thanks Brandon and Brittany… haha) but I loved being able to testify of the power of the Holy Ghost! It truly is one of our greatest gifts! I know that God answers our prayers by the power of the Holy Ghost because I’ve felt it over and over again.

Anyway, just some thoughts for the week. I love you lots and lots and lots! You don’t even know how much I love you! Next time the mission office calls you should tell them that I actually want to fly into Russia, or France. Ha ha. Why not? You can meet me there!

Sister Painter

We Have Had The Most Amazing Week!

Hello family!

We have had the most amazing week! I don’t even know where to begin!

First off, I’m writing a little bit later because we were in Amish Country with Sister Taylor this morning (pictures included… don’t covet our treats from the bakery). The country out here is beautiful! We definitely need to come visit next summer! I’m glad Brother Taylor made it. He called for directions and I had to think for awhile and all I could say was, “Uh... I can’t remember anymore!” ha ha. So I’m glad he made it. The Taylors are wonderful!

So guess what! Shawn is getting baptized with Judy! Wahoo! We are so excited! He said he knew that it just felt right. Both of them have been nervous because they think they need to be perfect before their baptized. Not at all! Baptism is just the beginning. We just have to be willing to commit the rest of our lives to the Savior AND we have to be willing to make mistakes (something my perfectionist complex forgets sometimes). The Atonement works we just have to have faith in that. They are so amazing! I love these two so much!

Judy was telling us how badly she wishes she had the gospel earlier in her life (she’s in her 60s) but I remember hearing a friend quote one of the apostles saying some of us need the church early in our lives to help us “become,” but others will be able to “become” without the church and will eventually just need the ordinances of salvation. Judy and Shawn have definitely had lifetimes of becoming. They just need those saving ordinances available through the priesthood. (I, on the other hand, had to have the gospel from the very beginning!)

Oh! It has just been a great week. It was probably because we got to go to the temple on Tuesday. I know… temple, temple, temple. But I just can’t get enough of it! We went up with some of the sisters in the branch and it was wonderful. And then we got to hear from President Christensen (temple president) at Stake Conference this weekend. It was definitely a spiritual feast.

Besides the temple we’ve had tons of tender mercies this week. One quick story: Earlier in the week we had an appointment with the Fahey family who have been less-active since they moved here three years ago. They are the neatest family, they just weren’t coming to church. I happened to call Sister Geyer that morning and she was able to come with us last minute. During our time there we read the story of the First Vision and invited them to return to the temple. There was definitely a special spirit in their home and Sister Fahey told us how badly she wanted to but then admitted there was one thing she needed first and then broke into sobs. Sister Sunderland and I were super concerned, but in between sobs she explained that she has been in the branch for three years and she “just needed a friend.” My heart about broke in two. I was SO grateful for Sister Geyer who stood up, walked across the room, took Sister Fahey in her arms and reassured her that she would be that friend. Heavenly Father knew what Sister Fahey needed to return to the temple and he provided a way for her to accomplish it.

But in all honesty I have been dwelling on that experience all week. All she needed was a friend. How often have I over-looked people who needed the same? So family, I really want to encourage you to look around (not just at church) and befriend someone who needs you. I was so paranoid about it that before Stake Conference I invited one of the ladies who was sitting alone to come up and sit with us. We are all brothers and sisters and our goal isn’t just to return to our Father’s presence, but it is to get as many of our brothers and sisters there with us.

I love you so much! I am so grateful for the examples you have given me of reaching out and helping others. I think I have the #1 family for that!

Have a good week! We definitely will!

Sister Painter

I'm So Excited For All These Babies!

Dear Family:

I am so excited for all of these babies! Ha ha. Congrats Cindy and Kelly! He is a cute little thing! I so call him for the whole Christmas Party! Haha.

So I just read Hermana Blackhams letter to her family and she was mentioning the changes the First Presidency is making and the resulting changes in her mission. I have to agree 100% with her. There is a new spirit in this mission with the missions merging and with the changes the church is making. And just like she said, part of me wishes that these changes had been made earlier in my mission but the other part of me is grateful because of the perspective I have now. It’s just a testimony to me that we are always learning and growing and it really is amazing! I am really grateful that I have the opportunity to be here, now. I am learning so much! I love every day I have!

We have had so many miracles this week. My favorite thing about my missionary service has been watching how the Lord works in our lives. It is incredible! Have I told you about “Uncle Francis,” one of our investigators? He is Frank and Linda Craig’s uncle who is living with them now. We were slowly teaching him the lessons but he can’t hardly hear or see. We invited him to be baptized but he said he wanted to get all of his surgeries out of the way first. He had ten surgeries in the last week! Crazy huh! But we had the sweetest experience with him.

The day after he came home we went to visit; he sat down with us and said “Sisters. I’ve had a lot of time to think and pray lately. I really want to be baptized. It just feels good.” It was so tender. Here he was all bandaged up and all he wanted was to get baptized. I know he felt the comfort of the Lord during his surgeries and he just knew that baptism was the right thing to do. AND Frank Craig will have the priesthood by then and will be able to baptize him. Wahoo! Miracles.

Judy is coming along great. Shawn has still been a little standoffish about baptism because of his previous experience. But we strongly feel like he could be ready to be baptized with Judy. We invited him to pray about it and reassured him that we know he could be ready. He could use lots of prayers right now. They are an amazing couple. You have to meet them one day!

I love this gospel so much! It is the best thing ever! My body is a little sore from chopping wood for four hours on Saturday. Ha ha. But my spirit couldn’t be happier!

I love you lots!

Sister Painter