Love Elder Carter...

Last week there was a mishap in the email transmission... so we were glad to hear from Elder Carter this week! Here's a few words from the man himself...

aCK!! i'M so bummed you didn't get my e-mail! It was long and filled with all sorts of details that I don't remember... these computers are super slow so i sent it with 45 seconds left. Obviously it didn't send like it was supposed to. And I don't remember what I said either... Sorry... But other than that, i will send it with 2 minutes left today :) I'm glad that the house is almost brown! I think you should paint it sunset orange with seafoam green borders... or green and yellow. I saw a house like that here and it was so pretty! PS the houses here are so so cheep. We saw one for sale so we called in on it. 5 bedrooms 4 bathroom a movie room a pool plus it was huge. Guess how much? Just a little under 400,000. It would be at least 2 million in logan. But who would want to live in El Paso? (I would!!) the only thing is it isn't by anything. At all... But that's ok. I love it here so much! I'm so proud of your ward. That's so so awesome! I don't remember if i wrote you about it or if it was in the lost epistle... but I'm so proud of you and your ward. The obispo here made certificates for everyone in his ward. Calling them to full time member missionary service. Stake president signed and everything. And he expects them to report to him as well. It's awesome!
Sorry my last letter didn’t make it through. That stinks. El Paso is the best place to serve. I love it here  The members are so awesome. Sister Lee does our laundry, I said I could do it and I was scared for my life. haha This week has been an interesting week. We searched high. And we searched low. We found many new investigators, but we have dropped most of them. But, there is always at least one or two. We set a baptismal date for one lady on the 4th of July!!!! I’m so excited for her!! It’s difficult to find people more than once. But, yesterday we were able to teach another guy for a second time. And it was a long long lesson (2 hours YIKES) But the spirit was strong. He just had so many questions. And he seemed lost at the end of the lesson, because he thinks that everything he has learned in his life thusfar might be (well, most of it is) false. Like when we talked about baptism, how he wasn’t baptized by correct authority. But, if he is confused he’ll go to god. It wasn’t because of what we taught him, it’s because of the different views and feelings. For instance that God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are all separate beings. So, pray for him. Pray that he will go to God. I think that he will. He said that he would come to church with us on Sunday. I the thing is, sometimes you have to bring a building down before you can rebuild it. They did it with the Salt Lake Temple, when the foundation was cracking. Because we must be built on a sure foundation! So, I’m trying something new. Because the internet is so slow, I opened up a word document and started typing this letter to you. Then, while I wait for everything to load, I can tell you what happened this week! I think it sounds like a marvelous plan. I hope you all do too! Haha. So I feel like things are getting much better. Not that it was ever bad to begin with. I think that we are using our time more effectively. Finding people to teach and relying on the spirit. The members here are so helpful and kind. It’s a blessing to be serving with them. There is a kid who is preparing to go on his mission He has come and taught with us a bunch and it has been great for him and for us. He’s a convert to the church and the gospel really changed his life. Because that is what the restored gospel of Jesus Christ does. It heals, lifts, and inspires. It makes the darkest times in your life into learning experiences. It makes your family relations that much more important. It makes you treat everyone with love and a smile. Because we are all brothers and sisters. The people are so special and so loving. I am blessed to be here where I am, serving with those I am serving, and doing the things I am doing. Oh! I don’t think I told you, but I saw a Wind devil my first week here. It blew apart a sign of sheet metal. It was awesome  I have pictures on my memory card, which you may have as soon as I get another one ;) hahaha I should take more pictures while I am here, I’m really bad at it. Oh! And my Spanish Is coming along. I can almost always understand what people are saying. The other day this man was talking about a “fruit salad tree” It is one tree that grows plums, peaches, and apricots ( maybe nectorines) Apparently it blooms 3 different colors and has all three fruits. It sounds like an amazing tree! I bought a bunch of fruit at the store the other day and made a soy without soy for breakfast. It was delicious! I love healthy food. I wish there was more of it. I also have purchased too many ties… I have doubled my collection I brought here. I found a place that sells them for 3 bucks. And then another for 7. The seven are much nicer and thicker. But they are all awesome. I have grown addicted to ties. I am half tempted to buy them all, but I am not that silly. Oh, and I went to a burger place the other day for lunch. It made me miss Center Street Grill. We had some good food there. If you get a chance, or if you ever go there, tell Steph hi for me  And that they have the best burgers not only in UT but in Texas. Haha. I hear they have a 5 dollar special now too. Anyway, I gotta run! I love you all so much. Keep me in your prayers. You are in mine. I love being a missionary it is my favorite.  Love you so so so so much! And have such a blast this week!! Love, Elder Carter

Alive and well in...

Sorry, It's been so long since you have heard from me.. and you won't get any letters this week either, (I decided to clean my bathroom for my P-day activity) (It was almost alive...)
It was so good to talk to you on .. Was it tuesday? I have lost track already.
it sounds like everyone is doing so good and so happy!!
I'm half tempted not to tell you where I am.. though I will by the end of this
message. Pinky promise..
There is a temple 15 minutes away from here.. but it is across the border and we aren't allowed to go..
Did you know? That my mission is the HOTTEST mission in the world? This isn't
just my opinion either.. it is the HOTTEST mission in the world according to
church statistics. Also, whatever isn't dead wants you dead.. Like Cactus for
example. And pretty trees covered in spikes. And poisonous flowers. But it is
GORGEOUS!!! I love the desert. And that's mostly in Tucson area (there's a hint
where I'm not) Where i am is actually cooler than tucson. It's kind of like
logan but 20 degrees warmer.. and there are palm trees. I saw mexico while
driving here and it took 6 hours!! (long drive. I wanted to be out teaching..)
We are across the street from the most dangerous city in the world (on average
14 people are murdered each day) Though the city i am in is one of the safest in
america. The people are wonderful and kind!

Guess yet? I'll give you a hint...
In ticket to ride there is something that may or may not resemble a [behind]
stretching from LA to houstan.. in the middle of that is "the pass" or EL
PASO!!!!!

Yep Yep Yep. I'm in El Paso, Texas! And I love it. The people are amazing and
it is such a joy to be here. My companion is Elder Wiscombe from Salt lake
area. He's pretty much awesome.
The work here is moving along. It's really hard to tract though.. because
everyone is "devotedly catholic" So we work tons with the members and referals
(PS give the missionaries in Logan some good referals. There are always so many
people who need the gospel.
Anyway, we've tracted a couple times. We had a runin with a minister. She was
very nice, but didn't want to hear anything about the restored gospel. Then
there was a lot of people who don't answer..
Everyone needs this gospel. THey just do not know it yet. I'm always saddened
when people recognize but don't realize what we have.
The people here are so nice. They'll let us in, get us a drink and then refuse
to listen. Not everyone mind you. . . Because we have had the opportunity to
teach a lot. It's wonderful! I love teaching. Some people just don't get it.
And I pray and pray for them to pray. Because if they pray with real intent
then they will recieve and anser. So, pray more for the people. That there
hearts will be softened. It's a great work. And the spirit is so so strong all
the time.
If you invite someone to be taught by the missionaries,
do it in our house. The spirit of the Lord is so strong there! and if not, go
with the missionaries and share your testimony. Help them teach. By the mouth
of 2-3 whitnesses..
5 minutes left...
OH! There is an incredible family who are getting baptized
this saturday! i'M SO SO SO excited for them. They are so ready and they know
this gospel is true. God answers prayers. Other than that, we need to find
more people to teach.
Anyway, I love you all so much! THe sun is hot and I love it!

On his way...

We got a surprise call from Elder Carter today! He was in the airport waiting for his flight to Tucson! He sounds fabulous. He loves the work. He will do great things. We'll keep you posted when we hear from him again! He sends his love to all...

One last thought from Provo

Here is Elder Carter's last email from Provo. He heads to Tucson next week! Holy smokes...

Hey!

sounds like it was a crazy week this week! Tell everyone who knows me
hi :)
i didn't get a chance to listen to Elder Bednar.  We don't have the opportunity
of listening to the CES firesides... However, Elder Ballard came and spoke to us
yesterday!!!  Crazy huh?  We got three apostles in 8 weeks!!   People are lucky
if they get two.  Three is unheard of.  i had a friend who was in the mTC for 12
weeks and didn't get one... Anyway, He spoke of having a desire.  A desire to
serve, a desire for people to come into the church.  A desire for christ to
come.  A Desire is one of the strongest tools we hvae as missionaries.  I know
it is true!  You can tell who has a desire to be here, and who is here for
different reasons.  Desire radiates from a persons soul.  And that's good.  Our
desire has to be so strong in order to pierce the distractions that people have
of this age.  Because, it is very distracting this world that we live in.  Satan
has done a good (well, bad.. it is satan) job distracting people from what is
truly truly important.

Swine flue?  Hahaha they told us a little about it and then put up a picture of
a 6 year old boy licking a pigs snout.  It was funny.  We are not alowed to
shake hands at the MTC any more.  It's odd.... I have taken to bowing, for I
share a floor with mandrin and cantonese speakers.  That and bear hugging the
elders.  hehe I bet you can see me doing that.  (And the Branch Presidency
too... ) ah well.  Love is pretty much incredible.  NO doubt about that.
And I did get the chance to sing in church.  Well, cornered would be a better
way to put it.  i was being interviewed by the branch councelor ( I was
interviewed like every sunday, don't know why.  Probably because I was always in
the room of people being interviewed)  Anyway, bro. Peters said it was a shame
that I hadn't sung or played in church, and that there was only 2 weeeks left.
One of which was fast sunday, and the other my district was singing.  he asked
what I could do.  I said anything.  he called his daughter up during our
interview and asked what she had.  She's a composer.  composes most of the EFY
stuff.  So, I sung abide with me tis eventide.  And I got to put my own spin on
it as well.  The spirit is so strong through music.  I feel like I can much
better bear my testimony through it as a medium than my thoughts...
This is the last week at the MTC!!  I'm doing my dry-cleaning and just preparing
to go out into the field.  We have incredible instructors at the MTC.  They
pulled (a lot) of strings and arranged for true hispanic investigators to come
to the MTC in (ps, Elder Keeler says hi.  Mendenhall does too)  (they are pretty
much awesome.  And he lives in my mission) on our last day.  So basically we are
teaching real people on MONDAY!!! YIKES!!  But it is so awesome.  they are
amazing.  Some of these people haven't even started talking with the
missionaries so that we will be there first contact with it.  Plus, we can only
teach in spanish...  It will be a true test in faith.  But I have been praying
and praying that they will feel the spirit.
A week ago, I had the priveledge of teaching a Lady in the TE, we'll call her
jan.  Anyway, we went in with Jan, she is native peruvian and spoke no english.
We couldn't understand a single word she was saying.. but she said something
about ayunar (to fast) we asked our teacher to find out what she had been
saying.  Apparently, her nephew had almost committed suicide and she wanted us
to fast with her.  We went and prayed really really hard.  We prayed to be able
to understand.  And be able to touch her heart.
It was incredible.  I could understand everything she was saying, not so much
the words, but what she was trying to tell us.  We began fasting with her that
night, and it was a beautiful experience.  She wanted us to put her nephew's
name in the temple.  We had gone that morning, but I knew Elder Pauni was going
tomorrow.   I promised her we would find him and get the name in there.  I did
not know how we would find Joe.  i only see him at big meetings.  But I had
faith that the lord would fulfill his promises to his daughter.  That night, as
we were walking back home from class, I ran into Elder Pauni.  The lord answers
prayers and cares intenly of his children.


Anyway, I love you tons!!  Happy mothers day

Love, Elder Carter

PS, the worthingtons sent me a package.  With corn and rubarb bars!!!  i DIED
laughing!!  it was so funny
PPS Nina, I hear your ears are now Holey!  haha I bet they are cute
PPPS I LOVE YOU SO SO SO SO SO SO SO S OS OS much!!!!
:)

A sigh of relief!

Finals are DONE! Which means...

Stay tuned for pictures from the last few weeks.

Much love...

I'm thankful for…

Okay, john here..
Just to let the world know I'm thankful for many things. Good family, my wife, my mom, my brothers, a tall handsome future son in law, a wise daughter and for the delete key.

Go enjoy the sun!

Life is changing!

The Cantata went fantastically. It was a perfect year, yet again.

We will have pictures on here very soon...

I know I've been a slacker in the blog area the last few weeks,

but I've got good reason why:

I'm engaged!!!

So, as of Wednesday, I have a fiancé.

Crazy, eh?

Let's see... questions you might want answers to...

What's his name?

Larry Merket. He's from North Logan.

How did we meet?

Through a "mutual friend." Ha ha...

Translation: my ex-boyfriend was his old mission companion.

I wrote to him and ended our relationship in September.

Larry ran into him right before he came home in November.

Ex told Larry to look me up and see what had happened,

if there was another boy, yada yada yada, and we hit it off!

He's perfect for me!

How did he propose?

We went for a walk (like we do almost every night).

I knew it was coming.

Larry slowed down at a few significant spots in our relationship,

just to toy with my emotions.

We wound up at my favorite spot on the temple grounds.

As I was looking up at the temple he dropped to one knee,

popped out the ring and asked if I would marry him.

I said "Yes!!" about a million times.

And then we walked home.

When's the big day?

August 8. Mark the date!

-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-

A few side notes:

When Larry asked my Dad's permission,

my dad decided it would be fun to have

the conversation in the Bishop's office, not at home.

Ha ha ha...

Also, Larry picked out the ring

without any assistance from me.

He did a FABULOUS job if I do say so myself!

Also, we decided to do some preliminary wedding dress shopping today.

After 2 short hours of trying dresses on, we had found the dress!

You read that right:

Less than 2 hours and I found THE dress.

Thanks to Melinda at Avonlea Bridal for her wonderful assistance!

Stay tuned...