Glorious

God's work and His Glory is to bring to pass the Immortality and eternal life of man (Moses 1:39). To me this means that glory lies in the salvation of God's children. Some things that are therefore extremely glorious are:

Repentance,

The temple,

Humility,

Missionary work,

Family prayer and scripture study,

Ordinances of salvation (like baptism),

A life spent in humble service of God

I love this. To find glory we can't be seeking our own power or influence. We have to be trying to serve and lift others. We have to call repentance. Sometimes people talk about the glory of the world. That's not the kind of glory that we want. That's fake cheap glory that is found in:

Acceptance,

Affluence,

Fame,

Positions,

Promotions,

Recognition,

Ability,

The list goes on.

I am grateful for a Father in Heaven who is able to remind us of what is really important.

I am really trying to work on charity right now. I need to feel more love for people and feel an urgent need to help them come unto Christ. I think that it's impossible to do this work without love, and that is something that we can all improve on. I need to remember how very much Heavenly Father values every single one of His children. Doctrine and Covenants18:10 reminds us "The worth of souls is great in the sight of God.". He weeps with us when we are sad. He rejoices with us when we are happy. We matter to Him. That is why we need to cry repentance unto every person. It's glorious.

Love,

Sister Faulkner

Charity Never Faileth

We got to go to the temple again today. I told you that Sister Allred and I are companions again. I didn't tell you that Sister Donnelly is in Richland now, so I am her Sister Training Leader- so we get to see each other quite a bit. I love all of my companions and all of the sisters that are serving here in the Richland stake. It is fun to get to see them at the temple. 

We have been grateful to see the love that the members have shown us and our investigators. It makes a big difference. It is very difficult to come to church for the first time. It helps a lot when you know that someone there loves you. We have seen amazing service and compassion on the part of the members toward the people that we have been teaching. I will be forever grateful to the members that continue to help the people I have taught after I am gone.

I am grateful to our Father in Heaven. He loves all of His children. I can testify to that. It is amazing that He can lead us to the people who are prepared for our message and who have lost hope. We knock on strangers' doors and we find people who are ready to learn. It's pretty amazing.

This is a picture of Sister Allred and Sister Lindmeir a little less than a week before Sister Lindmeir went home.

The members we live with "heart attacked” our apartment. They left us brownies and flowers. It was so sweet!

This is some of the sisters in our zone at the temple. Some of them were gone by the time we came outside, but we got pictures with the ones who were left.

Have a lovely month!!

Love,

Sister Faulkner

De Ja Vu

Transfer calls same a couple of days ago. Of course we knew that Sister Lindmeir would be headed home (she goes to the mission home today). I get to stay in Richland. My new companion is an old companion. I am getting Sister Allred again. The area won't suffer too much for losing Sister Lindmeir since Sister Allred has all of the devotion, diligence, obedience, and enthusiasm that Sister Lindmeir has. Remember that Sister Lindmeir trained Sister Allred. I now know where she got some of that zeal for the work of salvation.

Speaking of trainers- Sister Owens is training a new missionary this transfer!!

Sister Allred and I will be tearing it up here in Richland for at least six weeks. We are pretty excited about this coming transfer. We saw a couple really cool miracles this week. Last night we were referred to a family that has been meeting with missioonaries in Kennewick, and they are so excited to be married and to be baptized. They have already shown significant faith and repentance. I love the light in people's eyes as people show faith and repentance. When people feel the Spirit testify of truth and they feel God's love a change comes into their countenance. They look different. They talk differently. The spirit causes a person's countenance to reflect Christ's image and His light.

Some of the members gave us live violets this week. It made me think of my grandmother, Violet Faulkner. So I named the violets Johnny. I'll post a picture next week.

I would love to write more, but we have to take Sister Lindmeir to the mission home, so I have to go. Have a wonderful week!!!

  

Love,

Sister Caroline Faulkner

February Already

Our recent convert received the priesthood this Sunday. He is preparing to go to the temple and perform baptisms on behalf of the dead this month.  The branch is really reaching out to him. I am so grateful for members who are helpful to recent converts, and I know that Christ is more thankful than I am. I am also grateful that we have a temple so close- because the spirit of the temple is powerful and it helps people to keep their testimony strong.

One of the recent converts in our branch received his mission call this week. We like to joke that we are his trainers because we take him tracting with us and we take him to lessons. We are so excited for him. I know the missionaries who taught him. They are still out, and they may be able to be there when he goes to the temple in a couple of months in preparation for his mission. That will be a great blessing to him and to them. I know they care about him a lot. Missionaries love all of the people they teach. We love watching them grow in their faith, and we love watching their lives change as they grow closer to Christ. We pray for them. If you are a convert- know that somewhere there is a missionary praying for you.

We have really been enjoying a new weekly service project at a nursing home here in town. We read the Bible and do Arts and Crafts with these sweet elderly people. They have great stories and amazing spirits and we have been spiritually filled as we've been able to work with them. If you have the opportunity to do something like that- take it. These wonderful people love visits even from strangers. They have much more to offer us than we give them.

I'm grateful for the members who have wrapped their arms around the people that we have been teaching. It makes a difference in their lives. It is our responsibility as disciples of Christ to "lift up the hands that hang down and strengthen the feeble knees" We also promised at baptism that we would "mourn with those that mourn and comfort those that stand in need of comfort" and that we would "stand as a witness of God at all times and in all things and in all places" (Mosiah 18). I know that when we do this, we are acting as the Lord's hands. We are helping Him reach out and embrace those around us. Thanks to all those who help others feel loved and welcome at church and in the community.

Transfers are next week, but I am probably staying. Sister Lindmeir is going home, though she would fight tooth and nail to stay if it would do her any good. She is one of the most converted missionaries I have ever met and it has been my privilege to serve with her. I know that she will do so well as a returned missionary. I know that she will continue to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I am thankful for the opportunity I've had to serve with her in this area.

Love,

Sister Caroline Faulkner

One Big Awkward Moment

My trainer told me a long time ago that a mission was like one big awkward moment that lasts for 18 months. I believe that. It isn't a bad thing – It's just a thing. Sometimes it's really funny.

Somebody who didn't want to keep his appointment left us this note last week. It was the best drop I have ever received. It's not the only drop note I've ever received, but it is the only one that came with candy taped to it.

Missions are a big awkward moment because people break social norms when they talk to missionaries, and missionaries break social norms to talk to people.

Example:

When you and your companion pull over so that you can talk to a person walking down the street.

Or when you walk up to a person in a car and knock on their window to talk to them about their faith.

We have a blast…

Another thing missionaries have to get used to is silence. Sometimes people need a minute to think, or to feel the spirit. Sometimes we need a minute to let the spirit tell us what question to ask, or what scripture to use to meet a person's need. It's only an awkward silence if you're not a missionary.

We also get really bad at talking to people about things that don't have to do with the scriptures. Most of us start avoiding people of the opposite gender unless we think they need a message about Jesus Christ. That's why you get a returned missionary in your school or your place of work and they are difficult to talk to. I've heard it wears off. I haven't really experienced too much of that, but my poor companion has got it really bad. It's a good thing.

We have a hard time being alone too. You lose sight of your companion and it's like the end of the world. We get really awkward really quickly.

We got to show someone the temple this week before he got baptized on Saturday. That was a joyous occasion. We walked him around the grounds and talked about all that is ahead of him. The spirit of the temple is powerful, even on the outside.

I love this work. I love the spirit that we feel. Every day is a new adventure. Crazy things happen each day and it's the best.

This is a pre-baptism picture of some people's feet. Since I didn't ask permission to put up a picture of his face.

Have a great week!

Love,

Sister Caroline Faulkner

The Miracle of the Book of Mormon

This week was full of Miracles. I am really grateful to our members for coming with us to lessons so often because it makes a big difference. People need to have support. We have a couple people planning on being baptized in the coming weeks – both young adults with very little family support. It's stressful for them because they want to serve God and can't deny their testimonies, but their families don't seem to understand. Admittedly, I've heard the things people say about us and if they were true I'd be worried too. I understand how these families feel. I just feel bad for these poor young pioneers trying their best to follow Christ.

I told one young man this week "You know, your family really can't say anything until they have read the Book of Mormon and prayed to know if it's true. They can have an opinion – just not a very educated opinion until they have asked God for themselves." He agreed that that was how he got his answer, and it was the only way they would ever know for sure.

Sometimes people ask me if I've prayed to know if their faith is right – the answer is probably yes. I've prayed to know about a lot of truths. I was taught from a young age that if you want to know the truth it's best to ask a question, and that the best person to ask questions about faith and lost toys is always God. He is the only one who knows the answers to those questions for sure. So I've asked a lot of questions about a lot of doctrines and a lot of books.

I've learned something recently. It really matters very little what we say or do. People feel the Spirit when they read the scriptures and pray. When people read the Book of Mormon with an open heart and mind and humbly pray to know the truth, they will eventually get an answer. I've seen it again and again. I have watched countenances change. Sometimes it is slow and subtle, other times it is quick. I know it will always come. That's the miracle. The Book of Mormon a book of scripture written for our day. It was prepared by God to help people know that His church is restored in its fullness. The Heavens are open! God speaks! It's pretty exciting, and it makes sense to me that the Lord would deal with us in the same way that He dealt with His children so long ago (as recorded in the scriptures) with prophets, apostles, and priesthood authority like Moses gave to Aaron and Christ gave to Peter, James, and John. As we learn that the Book of Mormon is true we also learn that all of these things have been brought back to the Earth today, because the Book of Mormon was translated by one of these living prophets – Joseph Smith.

I all this is true, it's pretty important to know about. I really recommend this book.

But even with all of this, it can still be hard for new people if they do not have emotional support. Sometimes I wish that I could buy a house down the street from the people I've taught so I could be there for them for the rest of their lives, but I can't. I am eternally grateful to members and nonmembers who support people as they make this change in their lives. It's hard to do – like everything the Lord asks us to do. And it's not fun to have to do it without a good friend by your side. Luckily for those who find themselves alone. Our Father in Heaven plus one other person can make up a family (I got that from John Bytheway).  I know that our Father in Heaven is also eternally grateful when we support His children as they take steps in faith. Because the nature of our life on Earth requires that He cannot always stand physically in our presence and hold our hand, Our Father in Heaven inspires others to stand in His place and show some of His love to those who feel that hope is beyond them.

I am so grateful for the work. I love it. I love Richland. I am glad to be so near the temple.

The sun came out yesterday and it filled our souls with joy. That's a big change for me – coming from Arizona. I used to be so bored with sunshine. You never know what you have until it's gone.

Make every day count!

Love,

Sister Caroline Faulkner

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Thanks so much to all who sent cards, letters, and goodies to us this Christmas. We truly experienced an outpouring of love from the members here and at home, our families, and especially our Father in Heaven.

We had many miracles this week as we found several people who have truly been prepared by the Lord to accept our message. We have come across so many humble, soft-hearted people.

Exciting things are happening in our mission this year as we open up more Spanish branches and the first two all-Spanish zones in the mission. We still don't have a Spanish group in Richland, and we got a referral for a Spanish speaking family last week (we have an appointment with them today). So today I used my personal study to learn to teach a very simple restoration lesson in Spanish. This will help me a lot tracting anyway. Luckily, one of our Spanish speaking sisters is finishing her mission this week, so we are going to have her companion with us for the next couple of days. We will have a grand time teaching the family in Spanish. If they want to come to church, we will have to invite someone to translate for them.

I am so excited for a new transfer. Sister Lindmeir and I are staying here together for another 6 weeks. We have great plans, and we know that The Lord has great things in store for us.

Christmas was super fun. We had some really great experiences where people who had never let us in before let us in (the power of cookies and carols is amazing) and we met great people as well, like I said.

I know that Jesus Christ lives. He is our Savior. He leads and guides the church today. His Spirit is real and it testifies of truth to all those who honestly seek answers. I love watching people find answers by the spirit as they read the scriptures and receive a spiritual witness that they are true. I love watching the Spirit fill hearts and lives and homes as people embrace the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and live His gospel by faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end. I am so humbled to be His missionary at this time of year when so many people are ready to learn and listen.

Thanks for all of the prayers and support. I love you all. Keep marching forward.

Love,

Sister Caroline Faulkner

Side Note from Caroline's sister Lisa:

We had a great visit with Caroline on Christmas. She is very busy. This is Sister Lindmeir's last transfer, so she will get a new companion for sure in 6 weeks.We hope you all are praying for the people she's teaching, and for her in general.

Thank you all and Happy New Year.