“We thank thee for a wonderful life”

So much has changed in the past 6 months. It’s been a whirlwind of emotions: Frustration, sadness, but also joy and love.

My Family has now located back to Jasper and it’s been very tough to find a proper assignment for me. the good news is that my sister, Emmalee came home due to the virus, since she struggles with severe asthma.

Both Emmalee and Julianna have found love. If you ask me, I think there are two viruses going around; the second one, I like to call “corona love.“ I’m super happy for the both of them.

When it comes to my mission. everything is closed. And when I say everything, I mean EVERYTHING. No one is taking volunteers. I have been trying to come up with service opportunities, even if the opportunities are not on a consistent/regular basis. Here are a few opportunities I’ve had the chance to help with:

Emmalee and I delivered cinnamon rolls to ward members and friends before April General Conference!

My family and I surprised my uncle by Cleaning and mowing his rent house yard For his birthday!

Here‘s a photo of me helping with hurricane cleanup A little ways down the road from our family’s house. Peter and my dad have become good friends, so on Sunday after church, we worked for a while. I think I’m still sore! 🤪🤣

Here recently I had the prompting to teach seminary! How crazy is that?! 🤪 It is a stake calling, so even after my mission I will continue to serve. I just love it! i’m not going to lie though...I have a DEEP respect for those who teach seminary and have a full-time job as well. I teach my lesson, and then spend the rest of my day preparing for the next day’s lesson! I just love my boys. I teach my brother Logan, and Mr. Brett Allen. They are both very smart In the gospel of Jesus Christ and are deep thinkers at times! other times, they struggle to keep their eyes open. I remember those days, so I try to cut them a little bit of slack *sometimes*😜.

This is what Oliver thinks of early morning seminary. I’ve come to the conclusion that he thinks that have officially gone bonkers!🤣🤣 (and maybe I have😜).

These kids have had a rough start at the beginning of the school year; first there’s corona, then there was the hurricane, and then the electricity went out for a while as well! mind you, that at this point They were only about 2 weeks in. I told them at one point, “have a good third First day of school!” Mercy!!! 🤣🤪

a couple days ago, Mr. Brett said one of the prayers in seminary. Something he said struck me: “and we thank thee for a wonderful life.” My perspective changed.

I testify that through the the midst and the turbulences of life, there is always sunshine, if we would only look for it. I pray that we can continue to Do just that.

-Sister Carter

Things I’m grateful for:

seminary, a humble prayer, a call from Sister Kemsley, Our home was unharmed from the storm, the Allens now live close by, Lo’s sense of humor, “Jonthen“, Youtube church videos, Emmalee is home!!! , Mason’s big heart, parties on the lake, Beasley wasn’t pup-napped, late night talks with Kali, agency, God’s mercy. I believe. 💗

“God be With You”

These past two weeks have been full of emotion. Missions are hard; service and proselyting. I have come to love those whom I serve and serve alongside.

Today was a very hard day, but also a wonderful one. I lost someone (Brother “Bob” Kemsley) that I have come to love through sacrifice and service. I learned more of his mortal life during today’s funeral service and felt the love everyone has for him and I felt mine grow. Sister Kemsley insisted I stay and go with the family to the grave site and to attend the family dinner. I met friends and family (members, inactivates, and nonmembers). Yvonne and Bob are blessed with a legacy. I’m grateful to have felt a part of it today. ❤️

Things I’m grateful for: “faith over fear”, Sleepovers with Yvonne Kemsley, ”All in” Podcast, small miracles, fat pockets, sesame chicken, diversity, emergency phone calls to Mimi, toilet paper, Dollar General, Jasper/Rayburn home, caring parents, the resurrection, “Christ still rolls stones”

With love,

Sister Carter ❤️

“Goats, Bunny ears, and rollercoasters: Called to Serve”

Hey y’all! Sister Carter here🙂

Over 15 years ago, my grandparents on my Mama’s side, Nana (Nancy) and Grandpa (Bernie) were called to service as mission presidents of the Kentucky, Louisville Mission. My 2 sisters and I would visit them once or twice a year during their 3 year mission. The Experiences and warm feelings I felt while visiting transformed my heart and I knew, from a very young age, that I wanted to serve God and his people with all my might, mind, and strength.

I distinctly remember the first time I had the feeling of the spirit testifying this to me-though I didn’t know what it was at the time-I was probably around 9 years old. I remember going to what I now know as zone and district conferences, where we would always start out by Nana passing out natural valley granola bars, water bottles, and bananas. Then, Grandpa would get serious and talk church stuff.

This particular time (zone conference I believe it was), I remember gathering in the church gym and singing loudly and proclaiming “Called to Serve.” I think I even cried. I felt amazing and warm Inside and I just knew I wanted to feel that way every moment for the rest of my life. As I said earlier, now I know it was the spirit testifying to me of God’s love and that his work is going forth boldly to all the nations. I wanted to be a part of that.

And now I am. ❤️

These last two weeks have been a blast! Sometimes I feel like I don’t have enough photos for a post, but this time, I’ve got plenty to post! 👏🏼

Monday (10th and 17th) : The Kemsleys canceled. I really miss them and hope to see them next Monday.

Tuesday (16th): Assisted living! Orange essential oil, Valentine’s trivia, and Dr. Dolittle 2 Movie!

Wednesday (12th): Assisted Living! We celebrates Abraham Lincoln’s birthday! We did trivia, read the Gettysburg address, and watched a Documentary.

Wednesday (17th): Assisted Living! Mardi gras masks for next week’s party!

Thursday (13th): Wunderlich Farms! I started my new assignment and I looooove it!! I decided to start out this assignment with goats. Y’all, I love the goats. they’re actually pretty fascinating! So, Basically I now know a lot of random facts about goats, so if you wanna know, just ask.😜

But seriously! I will never forget my first day. Sister Ellis wanted to come up on my first day to take some pictures. (she’s such a mama 🐦 ) I was so excited when I saw her, but I stayed in character. Anyway

So, at a certain point in the tour, I always invite students into the pen, but before letting them in, I warn them that if they are scared, do NOT come in! Well, I guess on this particular tour, a few girls didn’t understand what I said. Instead of deciding BEFORE they got to the gate, they waited until they were halfway inside to start contemplating whether they should go all the way in, or go back. Wellllllll, while they were trying to decide to go in or go back out, William the goat, decided that he was going out!! Of course, William is the largest goat. He’s about the height of a Great Dane...but fatter😆. Anyways, so here I am trying to wrangle a goat and kids are laughing and going all nutzo (You know, like when the lights go out at school). Until all of a sudden, I feel someone helping me! I think, ‘thank goodness’ and look up and low and behold, if it wasn’t President Ellis himself!!😆 I flashed a big grin and thought, ‘well, this assignment sure was fun while it lasted!’ Haha! We talked on the phone later that day, and we were all just laughing! It’s a mission story we will alll remember! 🤪🤣

So, in case you’re wondering, I do get to continue at Wunderlich, yay!!

Here’s a few pictures with my fellow ‘kids’.

Holly (back left), Ivy (front left), William (big one), and Flynn Ryder (chocolate- he reminds me of Oliver☺️).

Martha (crescent moon fur) and Sandy...literally photobombing🤦🏼‍♀️

Ohhhhh Sandy (name that tune;)

Thursday (18th): canceled due to weather :(

Friday (14th) : Distribution Center! Boy, do I need to learn Spanish! S.O.S. Duolingo, I’m coming for yah!

The Carter Family members that could make it went to the temple that night on Valentine’s! ❤️❤️

“...and I am encircled about eternally in the arms of his love.”- 2Nephi 1:15

We had 3 special guests at this month’s gathering! Elder Douglas (Area 70), Elder Aulliad (member of 70), and Elder Stevenson (apostle). The spirit was so strong as we listened to these 3 men testify of Jesus Christ and God’s love for us.

Elder Stevenson and Elder Douglas. (Elder Alliaud didn’t make it in time for photos.)

HTSM and East

p.s. I almost gave the apostle bunny ears, but decided against it😆.

President and Sister Ellis, and Mimi

While it was very special to have members of the General Presidency join us, Mimi was my favorite guest❤️. Things I’m grateful for: smuggled bananas and chocolate kisses, wrangling goat escapees, free firewood, cookie cake shenanigans with Lo, companion studies with Sister. Marchese at Kroger, power of prayers and understanding, cha cha slide, bunny ears, apostolic blessings, hogs and kisses, “Called to Serve”, and Mimi Carter❤️.

Hogs and kisses, Sister Carter🥰