STeaLing Joy

Happy Thanksgiving!!! Remember to give thanks in all times and in all circumstances- that's a pretty difficult thing to do (but so worth it).

My new assignment as a Sister Training Leader isn't as scary as I thought it would be – mostly because my new companion Sister Lindmeir is really dedicated. She is the hardest working missionary I have ever met. She actually trained Sister Allred (remember how we got doubled into Yakima?) and she's pretty great. We have a blast. She's just really bold and loving – also we are both quick-to-offend, slow-to-be-offended kind of people – so nothing I say bothers her and nothing she does ever bothers me. That's the best.

My post was late this week because we had a conference. In our church we have a priesthood position called "Seventy" (see Numbers chapter 11). One of the Seventy came and visited our mission and P-Day had to be rescheduled (but it was SO worth it). I learned so much. I came away with a determination to work harder, be better, and love more. I also got to see Sister Donnelly and Sister Owens again. Sister Owens is at 7.5 months now and it's great to see her doing so well (still in Zillah). I put her name in my scriptures next to Alma 17:3. I felt it quite applicable to our situation. I don't think there is a missionary in the field who loves her greenie as much as I love Sister Owens. I just want her to have the best mission ever and spend her whole life so dedicated to Christ.

At this Thanksgiving season, I am so grateful for the friends and family who support me. I am grateful for my companion, and the scriptures. I am grateful for my Savior most of all, and for a loving Father in Heaven who loves me no matter what.

I also think about what I was doing this time last year. I was getting ready to come out here and serve. I remember how different I was and how nervous I was and I remember all of the silly things I cared about then. I am grateful for everything that has changed in my life and I am grateful for all that the Lord has done to take care of my family at home – He does a better job than I ever could anyway.

I want you all to check out this video at:

Christmas.mormon.org

​It's really great. It's there to remind us what all of this Christmas spirit is supposed to be about. I love the Christmas season. I love the decorations and the humble hearts.

Let's go work for Him.

Love,

Sister Caroline Faulkner

Transfers

This week we saw lots of great miracles. We had a bunch of people in church. Probably the best-attended sacrament meetings (as far as investigators go) that I've seen in the 11.5 months I've been out.

Then there were the great moments where the Lord led us exactly where we needed to go, and helped us find people who needed our message.

Another miracle is the fact that it didn't snow. Even though everyone said that it would.

It did snow in Tri-Cities – which is where I am going on Wednesday. I'm sad to be transferring away from Sister Donnelly. We were going to hit our year mark together, and then have Thanksgiving and Christmas here. I'm sure that my new area will be just as cool. I've been asked to be a Sister Training Leader – which just means that I go on exchanges with the other Sisters in Richland and Kennewick and I help take care of their emotional needs. I'm sad, because it means that I probably won't get to train a new missionary again, but the Lord knows what I need to do to grow. He knows better than me where I am needed.

Today as I studied I learned that the Lord can only give us answers as often as we are obedient. He waits for us to show that we are listening to the council that He has already given us before He gives us more. I think that's really important. We have to be willing to listen. I am praying for you. Let us be thankful for what our Father has already given us.

Be strong and of a good courage!

Love,

Sister Faulkner

Roots

Autumn is here like I've never seen it before. Last week almost all of the trees were bright orange, yellow and red. This week most of those leaves are now on the ground. The cold is starting to threaten us, and it's getting dark before 5 PM.

Many people have taken out their gardens, and now they are starting to talk about snow. This is what fall actually feels like, I guess. It's windier than I expected.

My companion, Sister Donnelly, had to go to the dentist this week. The poor thing narrowly avoided a root canal. That's why we don't let cavities go unchecked. She was a real trooper, though. She had more courage than I usually show when presented with Novocain shots and dentist's drills.

I am still on the lookout for relatives around here. I keep hearing about them, but I can't find them. Once again I really wish I knew my grandparent's conversion story. All I know is that they met missionaries in Toppenish and that my grandfather was a branch president in Zillah for a while. Then they moved to the other side of the state.

I think I really am going gray. I found another gray hair this week. Missionary work can be stressful- though maybe that means I am doing it wrong. I'm working on that. I know that I have to rely on Christ. He carries us through. I couldn't have gotten through the MTC without Him. I'm determining the Pros and cons of going gray at 22:

Pro- I'll look more mature/wise.

Con-I'm not really any more mature/wise.

Pro- I may be offered senior discounts by mistake.

Pro- It would look really cool to have a gray streak in my hair.

Con- It may one day seriously impede my dating life.

Pro- I won't have to worry about dating anymore. ;)

As you can see- this list is mostly positive. This is clearly going to be a good thing.

The most important thing to remember is to root our lives in Christ and His Atonement. If we repent every day we don't have to be afraid of what the world might throw at us. We will rise each time we fall. This week I did a really fun study where I found all 12 steps of the LDS Family Services Addiction Recovery Program in Mosiah 27-28, Alma 17, 26, and 36. That was a great study. It is so important that we truly have a change of heart each time we repent and that we replace our negative behaviors with positive ones. I know that Christ can help us.

Love,

Sister Caroline Faulkner

He Comes to You

I learned something this week about the Sacrament.

When you are in Sacrament meeting, you don't go up and get the bread and water from where it is being blessed, it is brought to you, and you have to take it individually. We pass the Sacrament one by one. In a similar way, we do not make it back to Heaven, or perfect ourselves and then ask for forgiveness for what we've done wrong. We aren't capable of making that trip by ourselves. When we make the effort to come to the building (ie ask for help, do our best, repent), Christ comes to us at whatever point we are at on the road and carries us the rest of the way.

He will not take our will away. He can help me only as long as I want to go His way. He won't carry me back to my Father in Heaven if I am determined to go the other way. But if I am trying, He will do whatever it takes to make the way possible for me.

Christ can heal hearts, lighten loads, carry sorrows, and forgive our sins because He experienced what we've experienced. When He suffered for us, He took my pains, weaknesses, and sins upon Himself. Because of that, He is able to rescue me wherever I am and no matter what I've done, because He has descended below all things.

Doctrine and Covenants 88:6

He that ascended up on high, as also he descended below all things, in that he comprehended all things, that he might be in all and through all things, the light of truth;

I am grateful to know that me Savior knows me so well, and that He doesn't wait for me to be good enough. He loves me where I am at and helps me to be better.

This week was Halloween, and we had to go in at 6 PM for safety reasons. We had fun though. We carved pumpkins, ate candy and treats, and planned our lessons.

Here are some pictures.

Angel Moroni Pumpkin:

My companion’s ghost:

Teaching "Speedy" the Turtle:

This crazy large fake spider in our apartment complex parking lot:

Displaying my love for spiders:

I hope that all of you had a great Halloween. Thanks for your love, your support, and your prayers.

Happy November.

Be strong.

Love,

Sister Caroline Faulkner