Hey!
I am now in the Bountiful East Stake, in Bountiful! We
cover 7 wards. I love it. The members are great. My new companion is Elder
Smith, from New Zealand! He's been out just over a year. He has type 1 diabetes
and has told me that I might end up saving his life once or twice in the next
few months!! I don't know how I feel about that! haha. He lived in Texas for
his 4 years of high school, so his accent has kind of faded. But some words he
says, you can really tell he's a Kiwi!!
Great news! Autumn (the young girl I worked with in my
first area) was baptized on Saturday! It was an amazing experience. Her dad has
been less-active in the Church for most of his life, but has recently returned
in the past year or so. He has become worthy and was able to baptize her!! :)
It was seriously the most spiritual baptism I've ever been to. There were so
many people there to support her.
Along with
spiritual, it was a very on-the-edge-of-your-seat kind of baptism. Autumn is an
amazing 10-year-old girl with a condition of cerebral palsy. Her biggest
concern about baptism was that she didn't want to be dunked underwater. She was
terrified. But thankfully she gained the courage to go through with it. As her
father said the baptism prayer and put her down into the water, her feet came
right out from under her and came out of the water! Oh noooo!! She was almost
crying when she came back up and wasn't very happy to hear she had to be dunked
again. After about 5 minutes of her and her dad standing in the water, she
agreed to do it one more time. Her father proceeded quickly with the prayer and
put her under. Her feet came up again!!! From the back, it seemed as if her
feet came out of the water, but the 2 witnesses said they didn't! So she was
good! Whew, that was a close one!
I am so happy for Autumn and her Dad. I know that through
the Gospel of Jesus Christ, they can gain maximum happiness in this life, as we
all can.
Elder Smith and I were able to speak in one of our
sacrament meetings yesterday! I love to be able to feel the companionship of
the Holy Ghost as I speak. It is such a blessing to know that it really isn't
me speaking. If it was me speaking, I would never be able to get my message
across! (2 Nephi 33:1) It's truly amazing, how it works.
During Sacrament Meeting, we sung a certain hymn, and a
particular line stood out to me.
"I believe in Christ; so come what may,
With him I'll stand in that great day." - I Believe
In Christ, Hymn # 134
Let us stand with Christ. Let us build our foundation
upon him. When we do this, we don't need to worry. The Lord is on our side! So
how do we "build our foundation upon Christ"? Well there is something
we teach as missionaries called CPR! Church, Pray, Read! It works, trust me! If
you every feel your faith slipping… CPR! Make sure you are doing these things
daily, and weekly. I promise you that as you do so, you can come closer to our
Savior Jesus Christ.
Recently, some very sad news has been shared with me. I
have been informed that a young man in my first area, who was super stoked
about going on his mission, has recently returned home early. I took this young
man on splits maybe 4 or 5 times. He was on fire. His testimony was amazing.
Unfortunately, while on his mission in Hawaii and about 7 months out in the
field, he came across someone who shared some Anti-Mormon material with him. It
encouraged him doubt his faith. He decided he didn't believe anymore. He says
doesn't believe in God, or that he is Agnostic. It breaks my heart. He was so
ready to go out in the field, and baptize the world!
Satan is very cunning. He has a lot of experience. I have
unfortunately seen a big handful of returned missionaries that have returned
home and for some reason or another, decided this Gospel is not for them. I
don't understand it. Please keep your faith strong. Please CPR daily and
weekly. Please stay active in your church calling. Please do ALL that you can,
to stay aware of Satan's temptations! This Gospel is what brings happiness.
This Gospel is how we can gain salvation and exaltation. Please pray for this young
man that his heart might be softened by the Lord.
My mission has changed my life and strengthened my
testimony incredibly. I am so blessed by the Lord with the testimony he has
given me. I am so grateful for Him and his infinite atoning sacrifice.
Thanks to everyone for your constant love and support.
Hope you are having the time of your life where ever you may be! Love you all!!
Love,
Elder Carroll
My favorite quote this week: "The supreme reward of struggle is strength." - Ralph Parlette
My favorite scripture this week: - Helaman 5:12 - "And now, my sons, remember,
remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of
God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth
his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and
his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag
you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which
ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build
they cannot fall."
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