One is transferred and the other finishes her first week in the MTC!

Time to update the blog..Whew!! It's hard keeping up with the happenings of two missionaries.

 First, Sister Carr in the Philippines has been transferred to a new area. For our non-member friends and family, a mission transfer happens every six weeks.  Not every missionary leaves their area that they are in it just depends on the need of the mission, how long that missionary has been in their area and of course lots of prayer on behalf of the mission president regarding that specific missionary.

While AJ hated to leave her companion Sis. M, they became great friends over the 12 weeks they were together, and she loved the area she was in she says she knows that the Lord has work for her to do in another area. Her new companion is a native Filipino and speaks little English so Sister Carr is going to be getting a lot of opportunity to speak Tagalog. 

She let us know that her camera is still broken and she hasn't been able to get it repaired so again another week without pictures. She did however give us her Christmas list and a new camera was at the top of the list.

She says her new area is more of a beach community, so we are assuming she will feel right at home. She's excited to be in a new area and looks forward to the experiences she will have. 

 

 

This is the most recent picture of Sis. Carr with the other missionaries in her zone. I had to swipe this picture from another source.

 

Hermana Carr has completed her first week in the MTC. She is learning tons and loves her companion and the other missionaries in her MTC district, she wrote that "homesickness slapped her hard in the face this week". 
She is missing everyone and everything about home. We knew that being away from home for the first time during the holidays would be rough for her.
She said she is not the only missionary that struggles with homesickness so it's nice to not feel alone, but that she is relying on the Lord to get her through and she assured us that she will be fine.

She writes that while the language is coming, it's coming slowly. The amazing thing is sometimes when she is writing things down the words come to her mind in Spanish before English. That's a good indication that the language is sinking in.

She is loving Utah in the Fall and was able to send some photos to us this week of the scenery and some of her fellow missionaries.

View from the classroom

Hermana Carr points to her mission

This California girl is loving the Fall

Seeing the world through a missionaries eyes

Our home is a little quieter these days, but our other two children  are doing well and keeping us busy. Katie and Matt miss their sisters terribly, but love to hear about the experiences they are having on their missions and love to keep their sisters updated on things going on at home and the latest episodes of their favorite TV shows.

Hermana Carr departs for her mission to Mexico

Vaya Con Dios Hermana!!

Sent our beautiful daughter off on her mission today.  She will be in the MTC in Provo for 6 weeks then off to Mexico for the remainder of her mission. 

 

The Twin-kies saying goodbye at the airport this morning. These two are going to miss each other so much! We love our twin girls and hate to see them apart for 18 months, but they will both be doing great things with their lives and will no doubt enjoy sharing their experiences with each other.

If you would like to write to Sarah over the next 6 weeks while she's in the Mission Training Center here is her address:

Sister Sarah E. Carr

MEX-MER Unit#152

2009 North 900 East

Provo, Utah 84602

Email Address:

sarah.carr@myldsmail.net

Sarah would love to hear from you all!!!

Airport good-byes

7 days & counting !!!

Our lovely daughter Sarah has 7 days until she leaves for her mission in Mexico. She and I had the opportunity to spend some Mom & daughter time in the LA Temple last night. We have been busy these last few months buying the things she will need to take with her.  She received her mission letter in July letting her know where she would be serving. She was told that her departure date would be in October and at the time that seemed so far away.  Boy!! we can't believe how quickly the time passed.  With her older sister currently serving a mission in the Philippines, and Sarah leaving for Mexico, our house will be a little emptier, but our hearts will be full of love and our family will receive twice the blessings.

We will miss this sweet girl. She is such a blessing to our family, but we know that she has been called of God to go and serve the people of Mexico in the Yucatan. She will have so many wonderful experiences and we will look forward to her sharing her adventures with us through pictures and letters.

It was a beautiful evening at the LA Temple. We enjoyed the beautiful spirit inside the temple and the wonderful California Fall evening as we walked around the temple grounds.

With two children serving missions in foreign lands and two children at home, one in college and one in high school, there will be lots to write about and share with all of you!!  Please Stay tuned!

Hello my beautiful family!!

Teaching, Preaching, Serving and..........more culinary adventures!!

Sister Carr continues her work in the Philippines.  She is learning that things don't always go the way we would like them to, but that you just have to keep going and have faith.

She still isn't able to send photos, but we enjoyed her email this week.

 

 

 

Hello there my beautiful family!!! How are all of you?? I am doing very well...a lot better than last week.  Sister Merrill and I have had time to process and calm down, and we received blessings so yup we are well. 

Also sad news, we aren't allowed to chat anymore.  It's bawal to do ): 

But anyway, your hamburger lovin, pizza lovin just all around american food lovin daughter/sister in the past 2 weeks has eaten Aso (dog), Dinuguan ( pigs blood and other intestines) and Bobis ( Liver and Lung) and I am still alive!!! Success haha!! They were all foul, just horrible, but I did it!

 

If there is one thing that I have learned this past 2 months in the Pines it's that we have been extremely blessed to have what we have.  I will come back from the Pines a much more grateful person.  The other night Sister Merrill and I taught our first lesson with only the light from our cell phone. The family was only available in the evening, but they also don't have electricity so we had to use what we had.  We went to a families house and the floor of their house was pebbles, they had no glass on there windows, and there front door was a curtain. 

Sister Merrill and I are really struggling to get our investigators to church.  Brother Rodel, our investigator who was taught by missionaries 10 years ago, knows he needs to come and has a great testimony of the church but doesn't act. Also. we are teaching a family named the Manuel family who also had a bap date a couple years ago but backed out cause of fear. Yesterday, their fellowshipper drove to get them and they said that they couldn't go after they told us that they would! ughh Its always the same "Sorry po Sisters susunod Linggo" Sister Merrill and I are at a loss. We have no idea. 

I think I told you about our less active Brother Cadimus. He was a police officer in California a couple of years ago, but came back to the Pines to take care of family but sadly he got addicted to drugs and alcohol, lost all his money and now can't get back to his own family in Cali.  His story is so heart breaking and Sister Merrill and I meet with him weekly and he is always telling us that he wants to stop drinking, stop smoking but again...no action. We were walking home one night and found him totally drunk. uggghh, we love him but he tries both of our patience. He told us he would come to church yesterday, but he didn't show. 

This week will be a busy one! Tomorrow sister merrill and I have to teach a workshop, I am leading exchanges, we have zone Interviews with President, and we get to finally see conference!! We have to wait a week to watch it cause we are a day ahead of the states!!! 

 

Ok, now it's my question time:

Sarah!!!! How are you? what are feeling? getting ready?? eee so exciting!!! Oh and who sings the song cool down...that Hawaiian song?  send me yo email...your lds one!

Kate!!!!!!!!! how are my clothes and shoes??...I miss them. Oh and how are you?? I am excited I miss you a lot. what have you been up to?? 

Matt!!! How is school and football?? I love you buddy

Mama!!!! I love you and miss you...but how is Vamp Diaries? has it started yet?? How is the Zech family doing? How is work? Are you and Dad finding time to go to the temple?? I hope you are (:

Dadd!!! I love you and miss you more than you can know.  How are your classes?? How is America?? We heard there was a shut down or something? HKA But How is your Phd coming along?? Are you finding time for everything? Did you guys all renew your Dland passes?? haha just wondering...

Anyway,  I want to tell you all again how much I truly miss and love you all. I love you all so much and think about guys everyday...to be honest probably too much. I worry for your safety...even though I shouldn't. I know you all will be safe and blessed. Continue family to draw closer to Heavenly Father. Keep His commandments... all of them.  I challenge all of you to not work on Sundays!!! Keep it Holy and spend time together. 

Sarah, I know I keep saying this but next week I promise I will send an email only to you about missions and what I have learned. Spend as much time as possible with the family before you leave. You will miss them greatly!!

Well again Mom, Dad, Sarah, Katie, Matt and Gpa I LOVE YOU!!!!! Please Be safe and be obedient.  Appreciate all that you have. Don;t waste a day, repent everyday, pray everyday and always remember the Gospel is True. The Atonement is Real. I love you I love you I love you.

Mahal,

Sister Carr

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 A BOX OF LOVE FROM HOME! 


I'm a little behind on posting updates from Sister Carr. It's been a little busy around our house as we help prepare another daughter to leave on her mission.  
We did manage to get our first care package sent out to AJ in the Philippines. It was a large box stuffed with all of her favorite things from home.  In her letter she wrote that she loved the package, but could we send more!!!   Really??  The package we sent weighed 31lbs!!   But, of course I'm working on another package.
Below is the letter we received from AJ on 9/22/13.



Hello there family!! I am doing really well and I am happy to hear you are too!

I have a lot to tell you so here it goes:

 

So first sad story...I only got to enjoy one bowl of my cereal cause it got knocked over and all of spilt all over the floor...I was so sad. ): 

Also, you know how I told you about our investigator Gilbert...well Gilbert isn't his name.  Tha'ts what happens when two foreigners try to remember Filipino names. Haha! We are just hoping that somewhere out there there is a man named Gilbert who is ready to receive the gospel, haha. His name is actually Rodel.  

Dad I loved that you and Bro. Day went and gave a priesthood blessing. We could surely use your priesthood here cause we have a less active member with a word of wisdom problem too. Ughhh Filipinos drive me crazy...but I am trying to just love them, and see them for their potential and the way heavenly Father would.

Sister Merrill and I got added a new area. We now have San Vicente W, Mabanogbog, Isla-leet, and Camantilles.  It's hard having to open new areas but it is never boring. 

I remember in your last email you told me if I needed anything else I could tell you...the truth is I do but I feel bad asking for another package. But I don't know if I will be staying in Urdaneta for another transfer and if I don't then it would take a long time for me to get my packages. So here are some things I would like pero I will let you decide what and when to send it:

 

 Melaluca oil

-the largest bottle of Cetaphil facewash you can find at Walmart

-Bath and Body works hand sanitizer or just a large thing of Germx

-SNACK FOODS!!!!

 

It hasn't been the easiest thing to find snack foods. They don't have anything gluten free. I am living off of rice, eggs, potatoes, corn, apples and bananas...and what you sent me in your package of love...also, I am almost out of  Peanut m&ms (: 

-a stain pen

-thermometer

 

 I think that is it...I trust you guys....your box you sent was INCREDIBLE !!

 

THIS WEEK SISTER MERRILL TOLD ME I WAS ONE BLESSED CHILD, NO WORDS HAVE EVER BEEN MORE TRUE. THANK YOU SO MUCH...SINCERELY. YOU AND DAD ARE AMAZING AND I LOVE YOU SO MUCH. I REALLY APPRECIATE EVERYTHING. I HOPE YOU KNOW THAT.

OH AND ALSO, MY CAMERA ISN'T WORKING RIGHT. THE LENS IS ALL WEIRD. I WAS GOING TO SEND IT HOME TO YOU TO GET FIXED BUT THE PEOPLE AT LBC SAID I COULDN'T CAUSE IT WAS TOO RISKY.  SO RIGHT NOW I AM NOT ABLE TO TAKE PICTURES. ): I AM HOPING I CAN GET IT FIXED. 

OH ALSO THIS JUST CAME TO ME. CAN YOU SEND ME TORTILLA CHIPS? THEY HAVE SALSA...JUST NO CHIPS HERE...): 

OH AND ALSO...RECORD (AUDIO) SARAH'S SETTING APART BLESSING AND TYPE IT OUT FOR HER SO SHE CAN HAVE IT AND SO I CAN READ IT. I WISH WE HAD DONE THAT FOR ME PERO IT'S OK. 

ALSO YOU GUYS I LOVE THE SCRIPTURES!! NOW I KNOW WHAT YOU MEANT MOM WHEN YOU SAID YOU COULD READ THEM ALL DAY!!! SO GOOD!

 

I ALSO WANT TO TELL YOU GUYS HOW PROUD I AM OF YOU ALL FOR WORKING WITH THE MISSIONARIES!! CONTINUE TO DO IT. THAT IS SOMETHING THEY DON'T DO HERE AND IT'S A TRIAL SISTER MERRILL AND I ARE BATTLING.  

 

 I PRINT OUT ALL MY EMAILS YOU SEND ME AND READ THEM LATER SO MAKE THEM AS LONG AS YOU WANT (: 

WELL MY EMAIL TIME IS DRAWING TO A CLOSE. BUT FIRST HERE ARE SOME THINGS SARAH NEEDS TO BUY.

 

 - BABY WIPES, THERMOMETER, ACE BANDAGES, HAND SANITIZER, COTTON BALLS/ Q TIPS, BUG SPRAY WITH LITTLE DEET- THE DEET HAS BEEN BURNING MY SKIN SO I HAVE BEEN USING THE MELALUCA OIL TO HEAL BUG BITES. THAT IS ALL I CAN THINK OF NOW...NEXT WEEK I WILL SEND MORE. 

MOM AND DAD- FAMILY I SEND MY LOVE TO YOU EVERYDAY NUMEROUS TIMES. I HOPE IN SOME WAY YOU CAN FEEL IT. I LOVE ALL OF YOU GUYS MORE THAN YOU CAN COMPREHEND. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING. 

OH, AND IS MEGAN ON HER MISSION?? AND RJ??? CAN SOMEONE TELL ME??

 

ANYWAY, I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU!!!

MAHAL,

SISTER CARR

 

 

More Missionary Challenges 9/29/13

Our letter this week from Sister Carr was troublesome to say the least.  Her letter began by her stating that she wasn't doing very well.  She and her companion were walking back to their apartment one night last week and they came upon a husband beating his wife up in the street.  AJ said the the husband had his wife on the ground and was kicking her, pulling her across the street by her hair and hitting her with a rock.  There were other people out watching the incident, but no one was stepping in to help the lady.  AJ and her companion yelled at the man to stop and they called the police for help.  

Our daughter was very disturbed by what she saw, and the fact that no one was even trying to help the woman.  She wrote that she wasn't sure if the lady was alive or not. 

Not only did our daughter and her companion report what they saw to the police, but they called their mission president and he was able to counsel them on what to do and made sure they were safe. 

This incident has shaken our daughters faith in people. She just didn't understand how people could watch such an awful thing taking place and do nothing about it.  The response she got from some on-lookers was that the couple had been drinking, the husband was drunk and this happens all the time. 

We wrote her back and tried to comfort her and remind her that while there are some people whose behavior is confusing and disappointing there are also many many good people out there and she can't let one isolated incident tarnish her view on everyone.  If she looks for the good in people, she will find it. 

She is trying very hard to love and serve the people of the Philippines. The culture is very different and she struggles with some things, but we keep reminding her of the work she is there to do and that regardless of the cultural differences they are children of God and He loves them and he has sent her there to serve them in any capacity she can. 

As a parent I HATE to hear that my daughter is facing these challenges, but I believe that the experiences she will have on her mission will help mold her into the person, wife, mother, friend that God needs her to be. 

Her camera still isn't working so no pictures again this week, but we were able to get this picture of Sister Carr and her companion from another source.  We are always happy to see her smiling face!!

Not sure who they are wishing a Happy Birthday too, but we just love to see pics of Sis C. and her companion Sis.M

 

My next post will include missionary prep updates on our daughter Sarah who will be leaving in 2 1/2 weeks to serve her mission in Mexico!