Monday, April 21, 2014

Week 40: Easter & 7 things I've learned!



Hey Guys!

I would first like to say that this Easter Sunday has been a great one, and we have been able to spend it with some friends that I know i'll be friends with for a lifetime. I am so blessed to be serving in the Utah Salt Lake City Mission. I'll be able to come back and visit here without a problem :) The people i have met here are amazing and I love them!



Soooooo... 9 months already! Where in the world did the time go? It seems like yesterday, I was entering the MTC. With my mission almost half over (and that's sad to say and/or think about), i've come to realize a few things..

1.) You can always turn a discouraging situation into a learning experience.
2.) Our Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ love all of us with an incomprehensible love.
3.) There is not one person on this earth that is too far from our Lord's reach.
4.) When you can't stand any longer, get on your knees and pray.
5.) When you serve the Lord with all you have, you can feel true happiness.
6.) Sharing your testimony can be one of the most effective ways in bringing the Spirit into a situation.
7.) I love this Gospel more than anything.

This past week, we have met with an inactive member family to share a message and invite them to come to church with us this past Sunday. The father is a returned missionary. It breaks my heart when we come across someone who has given 2 years of their life to the Lord, in teaching his Gospel, testifying about it, and for some reason or another comes home and decides it's not for them. I just don't get it.. This unfortunately happens more than i would have ever thought. In the past 9 months, i've ran into a handful of other returned missionaries that are in the same situation. How does this happen? You can't just go through a mission.. you have to let the mission go through YOU! You have to internalize it! Your mission is the building block for the rest of your life! It will help you become a better Husband, Father, Son, Brother, Cousin, Friend, Priesthood Holder, Saint, and Disciple of Jesus Christ. That is, if you let it.

Conference Center downtown SLC


Yesterday we were able to attend 3 sacrament meetings (as usual). I never thought i would enjoy attending (on average) 9 hours of church every week! Haha it's a blessing.

The Work is going great! We are currently working with about 27 people. About 8 investigators and the rest being either Less-Active Members or Recent Converts. Their are 2 investigators we are working with that are close to baptism and i think could really benefit from being added to your prayers! Their names are Casey and Joe.

Casey (28) is married to a less-active member and is an honest truth seeker. He wants to know the truth. He is very receptive and is just praying now for an answer from our Heavenly Father.

Joe (32) is in a similar situation.. married to a less active member and wants to learn more. All of her family are active members, so they are a great support. He is also reading, praying, and coming to church! So he is doing all the right things. It is only a matter of time before he comes to know of the truth of the wonderful Gospel.

I know this is the Lord's true and living Kingdom on this earth. I wouldn't trade it for anything. I know without doubt that Joseph Smith truly did see God the Father and Jesus Christ. The Book of Mormon is a witness of that. If you have not asked God, in the name of Christ, if the book is true.. i invite you to do so. And even if you have, i invite you to ask again, and get that re-confirmation. Feeling that Spirit of the truth is truly amazing.

Thanks to everyone for the amazing letters and emails!

Stay busy, and stay safe! Love you all!

Much Love,
~Elder Carroll

My favorite scripture - Mosiah 29:20 - "..and thus doth the Lord work with his power in all cases among the children of men, extending the arm of mercy towards them that put their trust in him."

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