“Remember, Remember”

Hey y’all! I’m at my 4 month mark!! only ...14 more to go! :P

As you know, I work at the assisted living on Tuesdays and Wednesdays to assist Nikki Thomas. But as I’ve been there, I have developed friendships and close connections with several other patients. I have mentioned some of them before...several of the patients have some form of Dementia or Alzheimer’s, and even so, several remember me. They may not remember my name, but they know who I am. I don’t think I‘m allowed to mention names when it comes to disability, due to a law, so I’ll just call her Grace. Grace is one of the reasons I look forward to going to the assisted living assignment. She always makes me laugh. (she laughs at my jokes too, so of course I like her. ;) Last Wednesday , Grace said she had forgotten something and I told her that I forget things too. Then, she corrected me and said it was different. She has Dementia. We discussed it a little bit, and something she told me really touched me. She told me that she could never forget me. On the way home, I couldn‘t stop thinking about it. Wednesday night, as I opened up my scriptures and studied, I came read Mosiah 27:30~

“...he remembereth every creature of his creating..”

While Grace and I may try to remember things such as keys, what we ate for lunch, or the gift we received for Christmas, Christ remembers all. He will never forget us; even when we mess up. He is always there.

“That love never changes. … It is there for you when you are sad or happy, discouraged or hopeful. God’s love is there for you whether or not you feel you deserve [it]. It is simply always there.” (President Thomas S. Monson)

I just had my second transfer! My schedule will be a little bit different on Thursdays from now on. Instead of a scheduled day set aside for the temple, I will need to prioritize and go during my own time that I am not on assignment. Instead, I will be serving at a place called, ”Wunderlich Farms” and I’m suuuuuuper excited!!! Wunderlich farms is owned by Klein ISD. It teaches of the first settlers of Klein. (Did you know they were German?!) They had the original houses, school, and many artifacts moved over to Wunderlich. They also have animals such as goats, pigs, Rabbits, chickens, honey bees, and even horses!! It’s a super neat place. Tours are given to elementary students on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and it is open to the public on the last Saturday of each month-and have vendors come on that day. My mission assignment on Thursdays will be to dress up, give tours, and even act a few things out. I’m pretty excited about it! :)

Monday: Bob broke his hip and has been in rehab. :/ I visited with Yvonne and Lucy. I learned just how spoiled that dog really is. She is so picky!!! and only eats when she is fed to!! I think we’ve about got her potty trained though, so that’s good. It’s a good thing she’s cute :)

Tuesday: HORSE RACING at the assisted living! It was suuuper fun! So, basically, they have those stick horses, but weighed down in cans. There are numbers on the cans, and the patients would bet on a horse to win. Then, they took turns rolling the dice, and the number that was rolled on, that horse moved forward on the grass turf mat and the button on its ear is pressed to make a horsy noise. The winners got to pick a prize. I think it may be my new favorite game. :))

Wednesday: We had an Elvis Presley day at the assisted living. There was trivia and music, and the ladies had stories of rushing home to turn on the television. It was the cutest thing.

Thursday: Sister Ellis and I were finally able to take the grand tour of Wunderlich Farms! The last few times we went, it had rained that day or the day before and it ended up being too muddy. it was soooo cold! But it was super cool too. Sister Ellis and I became friends with the outside kitchen mom’s station. It was only by convenience that she was located at the fire pit ;).

Friday: Distribution center! I did lots of training, but it’d okay because I bought Cheetos from the vending machine to munch on while reading the material, So it wasn’t so bad. ;)

Saturday: Katherine Ratcliff came for a visit! We were able to catch up and I took her mission photos at the Houston, Texas temple. She is going to California!

Lo decided he likes rock climbing. He’s 15 now, y’all. I held him in my arms for the first time last week, so I’m not sure how that adds up.

Christmas present from Julianna- rock climbing shoes!!!

Carter Family Home Evening

Things I’m grateful for/quotes: MLK “got milk?” mustaches, Horse races, ”If iiiii was a bettin’ woman..”, selfies, Black History month, Alexa, FaceTime videos, adopted grandparents, “Who wouldn’t want to be extra?!” (Shelby), not my birthday cards, elbow high-fives, “stop talking to me!” (Mary) “I’m not talking to you, I’m talking to the atmosphere!”(Pat) , Logie, French braids, gummy bears are fruit snacks.

“...Blessed are the people who are willing to bear my name...”- Mosiah 26:18

With Love, Sister Carter <3

“The World Revolves Around You”

During Fast Sunday this month, a guy bore his testimony about how the Earth revolves around the sun. He compared it to how how we should revolve OUR lives around the son; the son of God. I just love that comparison.

Y’all!!! I hit my 3 month mark! I can’t believe it! Only 15 more months to go! 🎉😉

It seems like I was set apart just yesterday! Well...kind of🤪. Here’s a photo of me with my first companion😉.

Christmas was extra special this year! Uncle Dean and his family came all the way from Japan! we haven’t seen them in years and it was a joy to have them home this Christmas. The only thing missing was Emmalee. We were able to visit with her over video call, but it still wasn’t the same without her. I was kind of bummed to have only been home for two days in Jasper with the rest of the family, but I feel very blessed to have had those two days.

Christmas Jammies!!

Sushi suckers! What?!!

Little Lizzie! I remember carrying this girl on my shoulders.

”Are those directions in Japanese?!”- me

“No, it’s just a warning about a choking hazard.” (Millie)

Scrunchies from Japan! 😊

My sweet Nana💗

Emmalee and her companion on Christmas Eve

20’s theme New Years Party!!

Julianna decided to get endowed while she was home. It was very special and I am proud of her for choosing to make more sacred covenants. ❤️

She’s got the glow!

Jared and Kali decided to “seal the deal!”

This year has started out Great! I am grateful that many of my family members are making good choices and following God’s plan. It makes me so happy and I feel special to be a Carter and a part of an eternal unit. It’s been a bit since I last posted. I believe some of that is because of the holidays. Now that things are settling down. I’m happy to continue sharing with you about my mission!

Monday: The Kemsleys are doing well. Bob has had several doctors appointments lately, so I haven’t had the chance to see them quite as often as I would like. I visited this past Monday, and Sister Kemsley and I caught each other up on recent life events. She is such a good person. She told me to send her a wedding invite when I get married. I told her I would if “I do”😉🤪.

Tuesday: There was one day where my alarm clock did NOT go off, so I was running very late to my assignment at the Assisted living home. I was super embarrassed, and I thought about not even going, but I decided to go anyway. It was hard, but I know it was right. It turns out that they were a little short handed that afternoon, so it was a good time to show up late. I testify that the Lord truly does know us and our needs! He knew that I was needed more that afternoon, than that morning. We cannnot help that we have trials or that our circumstances may not be perfect, but we CAN help how we will react to them.

Wednesday: I also get to go to the assisted living on Wednesdays, and I just love helping out there, and feel very blessed that I get to serve there twice a week. Today, we invited the clients to do memory watercolor paintings! We had them pick out pictures, and then paint their own version of the picture, like ducks for example. Then, Mrs. Lorrie and I went around and asked the clients about their paintings and if they brought back any memories! Like, for example, Mrs. Mary chose the picture of ducklings And she said, “I used to take my children to the park and they would feed the ducks, and squirrels, and anything else they could get their hands on! They fed them peanuts. I’m not sure if ducks can have peanuts, but that’s what they gave them!” Haha, I just love helping there!

After they dry, we put them in the client’s file. I decided to do my own watercolor painting after I helped everyone with their memories. I decided to paint flowers! it’s not the best painting ever, but I still think it’s a nice keepsake! 😊

That’s another thing that I like about serving here; keepsakes. Clients will sometimes write you cards or give you gifts and you can also participate sometimes as well. I get to have keepsakes to remind me of my mission.

Here’s a picture of me with my finished product! 🎨

Thursday: I go to the temple for an hour or two on Thursdays. The week before last, Julianna’s endowment was on that Friday, so I decided that would count since I wouldn’t be able to make it to the distribution center on Friday.

Friday: This last Friday after Kali’s wedding that morning, I helped stock clothing, break down boxes, and shredded paper. I’ve been working on shredding the paper for a long time and I FINALLY finished! It feels good, but I feel like I’m also going to miss doing it, haha! 🤪

There was a Service mission conference for all of the service missions within the Texas mission boundaries. The weather was supposed to get super bad. So, after the distribution center, (I rode with Sister Marchese and her Mom because my parents couldn’t make it), we decided to book it to the hotel in San Antonio. It was a pretty smooth ride up until almost the end...and then it got BAD! Terribly bad. I’ve never seen weather as bad as it was. It got to where the rain was pouring and you couldn’t even see the road! It was dark out, so the lightning would literally light up the entire sky. Then it started to hail! Sister Marchese and I were clinging onto our sides of the car for dear life, and praying like crazy. Thankfully, we made it safe and sound.

Saturday: Saturday was the conference! I’m so grateful that Sister Marchese invited me to ride with her and her mom so that I could go. I really wish that my parents could have made it, but sometimes events just don’t line up the way you want it to, so maybe next time! The conference was soooooo good! It was mainly to inform leaders and parents about service missions, but I still feel like I got a lot out of it. The speaker from Salt Lake headquarters said something that really struck me; he said that, teaching of Christ and serving like Christ are both equal in the eyes of God. It was my favorite part and I needed to hear that. My mission, the HTSM (Houston Texas Service Mission) sang “Gethsemane“ as a choir at the beginning of the conference to set the tone. I’m so grateful to be in my mission! I know a lot of people think they have the best mission, but mine is DEFINITELY the best!! It’s a fact. 😊😉

HTSM missionaries from left to right: Elder Chadwick, Elder Slay, Elder Beus, Elder Menna, Elder Pierce, Sister Carter (me!), Sister Marchese, Sister Bush (now an RM, but she was asked to speak at the conference), Sister George, and Elder Carroll. The first 4 leaders on the front row are region leaders, I think. Finally, it’s Sister Ellis and President Ellis. ❤️

I bare my testimony that Jesus is the Christ. He was born in a manger, in humble circumstances, and suffered for our sins in the garden of Gethsemane, and completed the atonement by dying on the cross to save us from sin. He rose from the dead, and by doing so, we will rise also. Jesus came to us and will soon return to us.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Things I’m grateful for/quotes: matching jammies, Japanese scrunches, sushi suckers, Mrs. Mary and Mrs Pat, the power of good words, our Savior’s birth, “This orange doesn’t look yummy.“ (Mrs. Norma) “yes, it does! I would eat it!”(me) ”Well I wouldn’t!!” (Mrs. Norma), mug “hook” handles, that I grew up in a family that taught me to laugh when I make a mistake.

Love, Sister Carter💗

Eyes to See

This week has been a one for the books! I don’t want to forget it! I can’t believe the service for the week is already over. My schedule has been recently changed a little bit due to some circumstances, but I still work with most of the same assignments as before. Some more of, and some a little less of. My mission leaders compared it to a transfer to a new area. :)

Monday-Tuesday were the same schedule. The complete new schedule will be as follows:

Monday: I will Still visit with the Kemsleys, but rather than visiting on Tuesdays, I will visit the couple on Monday.

Tuesday: I will continue to see Nikki Thomas and others at the Assisted living home and help with the fun activities

Wednesday: this day I will visit Nikki and the crew as well. I’m excited! :)

Thursday: i will go to the temple

Friday: I will continue my work at the distribution center.

I started the new schedule on Wednesday, and I think I am really liking it. Mainly, my assignments are more spread out so that I will have a little something every day. Now let’s catch up on the week!

Monday: iI visited with Sister Hadnot and we talked and visited For a bit. We had planned to go on a walk, but it was storming outside when I arrived! We exchanged gifts and then wished each other a Merry Christmas. I hope things will get better for her soon.

Tuesday: I visited Nikki and the crew as usual. We worked out with little wands. they were very pretty and fun to wave around! I felt like a fairy! They were very impressed by how chipper I was and how much morning energy i had. I was surprised too. I’m NOT a morning person! They was alllll God! Haha:)

I wasn’t able to visit with the Kemsleys because both Yvonne and Bob were sick, so that made me sad. I decided to visit them on Wednesday when I had some extra time. I love them both. Bob reminds me of Papaw. I met their granddaughter, Savannah and she seems nice. Sister Kemsley went to the doctor on Friday, so I hope she feels better soon and I can visit on Monday.

Wednesday: I visited with Nikki and the crew again! We colored ornaments with markers. It was fun! We jammed out to Christmas music and everyone was happy when the snack cart came around! haha! I just love working with the people at the assisted living home. They bring such joy to my life annnd they laugh at my jokes. So that’s a plus;)

Thursday: I went to the temple and Julianna tagged along with me! We did baptisms together, and If I remember correctly, we did 13 baptisms total! That is quite an accomplishment for one day. The Holy Ghost and the spirits of those we proxy baptized for were present. it was a very special experience :) After we went to the temple, Julianna and I went rock climbing and got thai food. It was a very good day.

Friday: I LOST MY GLASSES!!! Ya’ll....so, normally I wear contacts and have glasses for back-up. As you probably know, contacts last about a month. Well, I am completely out. I haven’t made getting a contact refill a priority during my off time, and BOY I paid for it! I could not find them annnnywhere!! I prayed, and searched, and cleaned, and cried. I thought about risking it, and driving to my assignment without glasses on, but I knew that was not a good solution. My family was headed home and everyone else I knew was busy. I was stuck. i wasn’t able to go to my assignment today, but the good news is that I found my glasses.

As I searched for my glasses, a scripture came to my mind- Deuteronomy 29:4 “Yet the Lord hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day.” I am very blind, physically, without my glasses. It made me think-especially afterwards, how sometimes we can be so set on what we want and need in the moment (Especially this time of year). Do we search with our eyes for ways to serve diligently more than our own personal gain? Are Our hearts sensitive enough to perceive those crying for our help- rather physically, socially, or spiritually? This Christmas, Let us ponder and pray to be more sensitive to the spirit and be able to hear and see the cries of the Lord and his people. May we be motivated to serve others in the way that Jesus Christ did while upon the earth, and continues to do so today.

Merry Christmas. Sister Carter <3

Things I am grateful for and quotes: Teddy bears are actually owls, Dorothy’s teddy bears, “Chicken” and “Toe,” ribbon wands, Julianna is home!!! “Failures are not always failures. Failing an exam doesn’t mean failing in life we shouldn’t just celebrate Christmas just for his birth, but also his life and his death/sacrifice.”-Bishop Causse. ”you never get grapes!” Nikki’s Christmas letter, backup keys, dairy free egnogg, private twitter accounts, free granola handouts, trials and God’s will, #LighttheWorld texts, imperfect people, the power of forgiveness, and the gift of writing.