Happy Skype (Mother's) Day!!!

One of the best gifts I received this Mother's Day was being able to skype with our two daughters.  We set the laptop out on the table, logged into skype and waited eagerly for our first call.

Finally, the laptop buzzed and our lovely Hermana Carr's face popped up on the screen! She was sitting in her bishop's office with her companion and about ten other church members.  Not one of them spoke a word of English, but they were excited to watch Hermana Carr speak to her family in English.  They asked us questions while Sarah translated our answers back into to Spanish for them. They giggled and laughed when our daughter Katie (Sarah's twin sister) came on the screen because they thought it was very cool that Hermana Carr had a sister that looks JUST like her. Haha!!

Sarah says the work is going well there in Mexico. The people are wonderful and she has developed some lasting relationships in just the six short months she's been there.  During our conversation she was anxiously waiting for a call from her district leader who would let her and her companion know if one or both of them would be transferred to a new area.
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Herman Carr and her companion enjoying a delicious lunch.

Hermana Carr and the missionaries from her zone

Hermana Carr and Hermana V.  this was the sister that trained Sarah when she first got to Mexico.

Hermana Carr and her new companion Hermana W.  Sarah's previous companion was transferred to a new area.  Hermana W. is fresh from the MTC and Sarah is her first companion in the mission field, which means Sarah will be training her.  Sarah says Hermana W. is a very sweet girl and excited to be in Mexico. 

Getting to skype with Hermana Carr was such a wonderful blessing.  We miss her sweet spirit here in our home every day, but are so proud of the work she is doing. And as you can see, she is loving her mission!

This is Hermana Carr and her companion Hermana Mejia.  She loves her so much and Sarah says they make a great team. Sarah  had to really become proficient with her Spanish because Hermana Mejia doesn't speak any English.

 Sarah introduced us to her Bishop and his wife.  They didn't speak English so Sarah had to translate for us.  We thanked them for being so warm and welcoming to our daughter.  They said that they loved having her there with them in their ward. One of the many wonderful things about the gospel of Jesus Christ is that no matter where you go in the world there are people who love the gospel just as much as you do.  We truly are His children and he loves us all!

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From the Pines

 Sister Carr and some Relief Society women from her ward in the Philippines

 Ward Activity

 Sisters and their ward Bishop

 Sisters and the Bishop's wife

 Sister Carr and her fellow sisters enjoying dinner with her Bishop and his wife at their home in the Philippines.

The Rosales Zone missionaries 2014

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                       

 

Pictures!!!!

I've been slacking on keeping up with my posting. Life tends to get busy and I lose track of everything.  Our missionaries are doing well.  They are loving their missions. We will get to talk to them in a few weeks and are so excited to hear their voices.

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From the "Pines" 

Sister Carr wrote that they had a wonderful conference at the mission home at the beginning of April. 

Sister Carr and fellow sister missionaries enjoying a nice lunch at the mission home.

Sister Carr absolutely loves the families she has met and served while in the Philippines. These will be lifelong memories and relationships. She especially loves the children.

Missionary transportation?? haha!

Sis. C and Sis. S  companions and friends

Happy Birthday!!!! Our daughter celebrated her 22nd birthday in the mission field.  She said it was a great way to celebrate by serving the Lord and others.

These are all the missionaries serving with Sister Carr in her zone. These are only a few of the hundreds of missionaries serving in the Philippines

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From Mexico
 
Hermana Carr celebrated her 20th Birthday in Mexico! She was excited that she didn't get transferred to another area and was able to stay in her area and have a birthday fiesta with the church members and friends she's made in her current area.
We missed her so much on her birthday and her twin sister missed her even more.  This was the first time since they were born that they haven't celebrated their birthdays together.  They both say they can't wait until next year when they can "party it up" for their 21st birthday together.  

Hermana Carr sending birthday wishes to her Dad.

Flower shaped Mangos on a stick.  Mangos happen to be Hermana Carr's favorite fruit.

YUM!! She loves Mangos

Ewwww.....Bugs!!!  She reassures us that she's careful and that she never touches them, only takes pictures.   

Hermana Carr and Hermana M. and a member of the church from their area.

Hermana Carr and her companion with some youth from the church.

Livin and Lovin the Life of a Missionary!

It's been quite a while since I've updated the blog.  It seems I blink and a month has gone by. We've been enjoying the emails we receive each week from our missionaries.  The time is going by so quickly and yet not quick enough...if that makes any sense. 

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From the Pines:

 Magundang Umaga my beautiful family,

I am glad to hear that all of you are doing well and have survived that earthquake!!! Heavenly Father answers prayers.

So here is the weekly update and news...IT IS SO FLIPPIN HOTTTTT

Monday: we went to a street dancing competition. It was awesome. It was native dancing of the Pines so it was really cool to watch!! At first we were just hanging out watching...but then the mayor of Sto. Tomas saw us and he invited us down to sit in the front with him. So now we are friends with the mayor haha! This is only place were it pays off to be white haha.

Tuesday: not much really happened. we had district meeting and of course went to our teaching appointments!!!

Wednesday: Sister S. and I worked our butts off that day. We had 6 lessons which was awesome considering that it was the last night of the fiesta and everyone was drinking and partying!

Thursday: We had weekly planning and sadly found out that a recent convert, like really recent, her baptism was on March 1 passed away due to a stroke. She was the sweetest lady. Sister Salatan was her name. So on Wed all the sister missionaries are singing at her funeral.

Friday: Was a HOTT day but a really good one! We contacted a lot of less actives and prepared for a baptism that we had on Saturday!!!

Saturday: Brother Jesus, who is in Sis T's area got baptized. He is so funny. He is about 60 years old and just about the happiest guy. Also we extended 3 IBDs to mac-mac, his gma and his uncle and they ALL accepted and their baptism date is set for April 26!!!!!! we are so excited but we know that we have a lot of opposition ahead.

Sunday: ALL of our IBDs came to church and a couple of our LAs that we have been working with!!!

So ya...this is my week!! OH and I found out today that BRO M. GOT BAPTIZED ON THE 15!!!!!!!!!!! I am so thrilled and excited!!!!!!!! their family is amazing and his wife just had their 4th child!!!!!! Sister Ter. is doing really well and we are now teaching her daughter too who is really interested!!! they both accepted a soft invitation to be baptized so I will keep you posted (:

Yes mom, I bought a USB last week so I can save and then print the pics you send me (:

Well I am doing really well!!!! I am just shocked that tomorrow is April...I never thought it would be april. I hit 10 months on Sat. whaaaa???? that is crazy!!!! And I get to go watch the Woman's Broadcast...we see it a week later cause of the time change, it will be like that for conference too.

Well family I love you all so so so so much!!!! Please continue to share the gospel anyway you can!! I know it is true!!! I am so grateful to be a missionary, for my time to serve,learn and grow!!

Please be safe in all that you do and I will do the same!!! Mahal ko kayo. I'll be home for christmas and I will write next week.

Mahal,

 Sister Carr 

Look at that beautiful smile!!

Sis. C. and her companion Sis. S.

Sis. C and one of her favorite sisters...Sis. T. 

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From Mexico:


Another week has come and gone! This week was good. We had changes and Hermana M. and I will be staying in our area for 6 more weeks! I´m happy that I´ll be able to have my birthday fiesta here with this ward! They are amazing and I love them all so much! 

However, our district leader left for another area and that was hard... He is awesome and we´re all going to miss him! His name is Elder V. and he´s from Hidalgo Mexico. He was so patient with me as I learned to be a trainer haha! Changes are always hard because we come to love people so quickly here in the mission, but I know that the Lord has a plan for each of us and we have to have the faith and confidence to accept His will and love His work. 

We had 3 investigators and 5 less actives come to church on Sunday! Which is wonderful, but we still want more! We are happy that we will be working hard here in our area still! We have a baptism planned for the 12 of April and we are praying that everything goes well and the Lord helps us! This investigator has a really tough life and we hope that we can help her receive all the blessings of the gospel! We are happy because the members are continuing to help us so much!

Oh my goodness are you all so stoked for conference! I can´t wait! I just hope I can understand the majority! haha! But I´m happy because at least I´ll get to hear the MoTab sing in English, hehe. I am seriously so excited to hear the prophet and the apostles! I love reading their talks! 

Really, not too much to report. I´m happy to know that you all are doing well and staying safe! I know the Lord is watching over you all! Thank you for your testimonies mom and dad! It really means a lot to know that you have strong faith in the Lord and His gospel. It helps me to keep serving! I love you all so much and thank you for all that you do for me! Please continue loving each other and loving the Lord! I will talk to you all soon! 

Mucho Amor! 

Sarahbeara :)

Yep, this little guy was hanging out on the laundry!! EEEK!!

Hermana Carr and her companion Hermana M. with some of the ward youth.

It's fun to see our daughter enjoying the people there in Mexico.

All smiles

Hermana's C. & M.

We miss that gorgeous smile!!

Hermana Bee Keeper

Hermana C. and her little friend she named Snow. She really loves this puppy!

A delicious lunch!  She says she is being well fed.

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We love it when our girls send us pictures from their countries.  We miss their smiling faces so much here at home, but seeing how happy they are in their pictures makes our separation from them so much more bearable. We are so proud of the work that they are doing.  

Here at home, our daughter Kate has also been doing some missionary work. Just recently her friend  was baptized into the church.  We are so proud of Kate for being such a great example to her friend. We are thrilled for her friend and the choice she has made, she is an exceptional young lady.

Beautiful ladies inside and out!!

One missionary hits her half-way mark and the other becomes a Mommy!!

 This weeks emails were short, but that's okay because our girls sent pictures!!!

AJ has hit her ninth month in the mission field, with nine more to go and is doing well.  Her health has improved and she's continuing the Lord's work.  She survived the latest transfer and is staying in her area with her companion for at least another six weeks. She reports that the work is going well and she is happy, safe and healthy.  Music to this mom's ears!!
 
Sarah finished her training and has now been called to be a Trainer.  A few weeks ago we got an email from Sarah letting us know that she was going to be a Mommy.  Well, needless to say we were a little confused.
We have come to learn that in the mission field when you become a trainer, your first trainee is referred to as your child and you are the parent.  It's your job to teach them and help them learn about life in the field during their first 12 weeks.  Sarah was overwhelmed with the idea of training a new missionary, but she says all is well and she is learning even more to put her trust in the Lord.
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From the Pines

 Hello there family! Well first things first... yup I'm still in the same area with Sis. S.!!! We are so so excited!! It is going to be a good transfer!!!! Plus Sis. T. has moved into my apartment with me so it is just a party all day everyday!!!!! 

Before I forget I want to express more thanks for my package!!!!! THANK YOU SO SO SO SO MUCH!!!!! really everything was perfect! especially the shirts you sent me. I bought some shirts here pero they are all too big for me now. ughghhh 

Please know that I am happy and healthy! My eating is going really well! 

Our investigators are doing really well and we have a couple baptisms planned for this transfer!!! Yaayyyyy so excited!!!!!!!!! 

Grabe! I cant believe that I have hit my halfway mark!!! Never thought it would come. By the time this transfer ends I will be over 10 months!!! ano ba yan????

Well I am sending pictures now!!!!

I love you family so so so much!! Please be safe, obedient and happy in all that you do. 

I love this gospel! I love my mission! It is hard everyday pero the Lord gives me strength. His strength is real and it has the power to lift us to where He needs us to be. 

Mahal Ko Kayo. I will be home for Christmas and I will write you next week.

Be safe and rely on the Lord and we will all be blessed and protected.

Mahal,

 Sister Carr

 

 

 

The missionaries in her zone surprised Sis. Carr for her birthday.

Carr Day !!

Our baby girl turns 22 in the Philippines

Cheese Ice Cream?

Sis. Carr with her companion and local family

Sis. Carr and Sis. S. and some sisters wearing the Bday hats we sent to our missionary

I love the Philippines!!!!

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From Mexico

Hello my wonderful family! 

This week was good! We continue to work hard and try our best. Sometimes I have trouble being too hard on myself still. For example, I think about how we need to have more lessons, more investigators, etc. And finally our sister trainer (Hna Villatoro) told me: Hermana Carr! You´re going to have a baptism this week! You´re doing fine! Stop thinking about what you need and think of the people you´re serving! 

Needless to say she helped me see that there are blessings everyday and I need to quit thinking about numbers and goals and start thinking about souls! 

Sometimes it´s hard, but it´s true. We are here to save the children of God. We aren´t here to report lessons or numbers of investigators. We are here because we love the Lord and want to help others receive the blessings of the true gospel of Christ. One reason I love being a trainer is because of what the Lord is helping me learn. He is constantly giving me trials and obstacles to overcome, but through these, I am growing, I am learning, I am becoming the person He needs me to be. And although it´s super difficult, I give thanks to my God for breaking me down in order to build me up! 

This work is magnificent, and it is true! The Lord has given us the truth and I promise to cherish this blessing everyday! I will give thanks for how He has blessed me with such an incredible family! And how He continues to watch over you all! I love you all more than I could possibly explain! Continue loving each other and loving the Lord! 

Con todo mi amor SIEMPRE! 

Sarahbeara

Eating pizza under the watchful eye of Presidente Garcia

Hermana Carr and her new trainee (aka, her baby)

Hermana Minion!!

An underground natural pool

I'll be she wishes she could jump right in and swim!

Baptism day

Hermana Carr and her new little friend, she named her Snow

A beautiful Mexico sunset