Week 15 NEW COMPANION!

Hi everyone!

Been a great and busy week! Transfers were this past Tuesday and I got a new companion! I have the great privilege and opportunity to train Elder Martin, from Riverton, UT (only about 40 min south of where we are)! He is a "Trial Missionary", meaning he has some medical problems--He actually has spinabifida, and should technically be paralyzed.  So the Church wants to keep him local for 3 months. And if he does well and can cope with missionary life, he will get his call at the end his 12 weeks of training! He also, just graduated from High School, but has just turned 19, so the age change didn't really affect him. He is a great missionary and we get along quite well.

So, this last Friday night we were able to go again to the local Davis High football game. They played Weber and won, so they are officially undefeated for the season! We talked to a lot of people at the game that night and walked away with 18 referrals! The students are so willing to help us out, and give us names and numbers of their non-member friends, and less active friends! 

This past Pday (Monday) our entire zone drove to the peak of the mountain in bountiful and celebrated one of the Elder's birthday with cupcakes! :)

Top of Wasatch Mountain

Our Zone!

So, yesterday we were introduced to a lady who has recently moved into one of our wards. She is an African American woman from Atlanta, Georgia! She was baptized a member of the Church in 1998 in California. She informed us that she didn't even know the Joseph Smith story.. So we knew something went wrong when she was being taught! She is one of the most humble people i have ever met. Her spirit is great and i loved visiting with her. Her name is Alicia James. We talked alot about the Book of Mormon and came to find out she didn't truly have a testimony about it. We have scheduled to come back next Sunday to read it with her. I am so excited. She is known for saying things like "praise the Lord" during sacrament meeting and other church meetings hahaha.

We were able to attend a baptism this week of one of the Spanish Elders' investigators. And can I just tell you, even though i couldn't hardly understand what was being said, i have never felt the Spirit so strong, just maybe a few other times in my life. It goes to show you that it doesn't matter if you cant understand what is being said, the Spirit testifies of TRUTH, no matter what.

So the father at the house we ate dinner at the other night, asked me an amazing question. He said, "So Elders, what can we do to help you in your work?" That really stood out to me, because it was probably the first time i had heard it from a family at dinner. If you ever come across the missionaries, please, ask them that exact question, and act on what they say. They will be so grateful.

Please continue to prayer for James, Ireland, Carrie, Reese, and Chris. We are meeting with them weekly and making slow progress.

How grateful I am to be a part of this great Work.. The Gospel truly blesses families. We have been meeting with several less-active families, who have been going through some hard times. It is amazing to see their progress. They have improved in so many aspects of their lives. I am just so thankful that i am able to witness these great miracles.

Thank you everyone, for the letters and email and pictures! I love knowing whats going on at home, so keep it up! :) Love you all, keep up the good work. You are in my prayers!

-Elder Carroll

PS We get to go to the Bountiful Temple this Thursday!

My favorite scripture this week:  Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten that the Lord is able to do all things according to his will, for the children of men, if it so be that they exercise faith in him? Wherefore, let us be faithful to him.

Some extra photos... 

My mom sent me a Halloween package!

Week 14 Transfers coming up and VIDEO!

Hey everyone!

It's been a busy week! Transfers got moved to tomorrow, instead of Wednesday! I'm getting a new companion, but staying in the same area. More info on him next week!

So this last Tuesday, we had a "Mission Tour". Which is basically when half of the mission comes and we are trained by a General Authority. Elder Clark of the 70 was able to train us this week. It was seriously amazing. He is a great speaker and just really motivated everyone. He gave us a promise. That if we do our best to help God's children receive His Gospel, God will send people to people in our lives that need it. What an amazing promise.

James is doing great still, we are meeting with him weekly. He is just an amazing young man and is still looking forward to being baptized in January. He has lots of interesting questions that keep us studying hard :)

Ireland has not set a date for baptism, but we have been meeting with her weekly. She has a hard time reading, so for the lessons, we are just reading the children's comic book Book of Mormon with her. She knows she wants to be baptized, so its just a matter of getting her parents to make it a priority and schedule it.

Chris Pratt is still doing well. We are meeting with him weekly also, still doing a Family Home Evening/Scripture study every Monday at the Stake Presidents house. He has lots of interesting and insightful comments. We are meeting again with him tonight.

So this past Friday, we went again to the Davis High Varsity football game. It's hilarious. The students freak when they see us. Always asking for pictures and everything hahaha :) It's such a great spirit there. We were able to get 7 referrals from the students that night! The team is undefeated  and the play offs are coming up soon, so there will be a few more home games for us to go to!

This week we had the opportunity to help out with a local haunted house! It's run out of someones home, and is put on for a charity. It was a great time :)

I love being able to do service. I think that is my most favorite thing about being a missionary. Besides being able to see people receive the Gospel for the first time, being able to serve all day everyday is just amazing. I have nothing more to worry about other than "Who will i serve today?" It's an amazing feeling to have.

I am so grateful for this opportunity I have to serve The Lord in His work. I've only been out 3 months, but it has seriously flown by. I try to make the best of every day I am here, because i know that before i know it, i'll be on a plane headed home. The miracles i have seen just in the past few months are such testimony builders. I've seen people literally raise there hands in the air and accept baptism. It is just amazing to be a part of. I love this work and this Gospel that we have.

Please pray for James, Ireland, and Chris. Please pray for opportunities to share the Gospel. The Lord wants to put people in our paths, it is just up to us to realize the countless opportunities he gives us to share it. Bare you testimony frequently. I've come to a realization that the reason I'm on a mission (for the right reason) is because someone back home bore their testimony to me. It hit me like nothing ever had before, and completely changed me. Take every opportunity you can to tell others how grateful you are for the wonderful Gospel you have in your life.

I hope all is well at home. Thanks again to everyone for the constant emails and letters i receive from you guys! Really means a lot to me :) Stay safe. you are in my prayers! :)

-Elder Carroll

VIDEO of me and my companions

My favorite scripture this week:D&C 97:8 Verily I say unto you, all among them who know their hearts are honest, and are broken, and their spirits contrite, and are willing to observe their covenants by sacrifice yea, every sacrifice which I, the Lord, 

shall command—they are accepted of me.

Week 13 Teaching and Eating good!

Hey everyone!

The Gospel is great. We were able to attend the Salt Lake Temple this morning! The Spirit felt there is amazing. Such a beautiful place too.

It's been an awesome week. The members here are awesome and are such a blessing to us as missionaries. Just to put it in perspective for you.. There is a great member we have gotten to know in one of our wards, Jon Asay (Linden and Kasey's great uncle), and he told us that if a dinner appointment ever fell through (we eat at a member families house literally every night), to give him a call and he would take care of us. So the other night that exact thing happened. For some reason or another, getting an appointment for dinner fell through so we sent Jon a text. He responded "Where is your favorite place to eat? Where have you been wanting to go? Anywhere." So we decided Red Lobster. Being the great guy he is (he was at work and couldn't get off), he called Red Lobster, and bought us a $100 gift card and set up a reservation for us. We ate good :)

We have been teaching a 10 year old boy named Reese, since I've been here. His mom is less active and has some hard feelings towards the Church, but still lets us come over. We took him to Temple Square this last Saturday and had a great tour by a couple Sister Missionaries. Reese has ADHD, so he has a hard time focusing. The tour was really good though and kept his attention. He is afraid of water, so baptism literally scares him. It's a work in progress.

James has a job at the SLC airport, so it has been harder to meet with him. We are scheduled to meet with him tonight. He is still set on a baptismal date of January 1st, 2014.

We have been meeting with Ireland weekly, and are supposed to have a baptismal date set this Wednesday. Her grandfather (an active member) has gotten involved and is helping things move along. Her parents still show minimal or no support on our teaching, but let us come every week still.

Carrie Magdiel has been sick, and canceled this past week, but we have another appointment set this Wednesday. She is great and is very receptive to what we teach. 

Chris Pratt was out of town this last week, so we weren't able to meet with him Monday night like normal, but we are planning on meeting tonight at the Stake Presidents house.

We had the opportunity to speak in one of our Stake President's wards yesterday. We are always asked to speak on "Hastening the Work of Salvation" which is a great topic..

I love this Gospel. The joy that is brings is undeniable and amazing. I have come to such a love for the doctrine found in the scriptures. They are seriously awesome.

One more thing... if you have 15 min, watch this video. I love it! The Gospel is absolutely amazing!

VIDEO: Come Join With Us

Regardless of your circumstances, your personal history, or the strength of your testimony, there is room for you in this Church.

I hope you are all well at home :) You are all in my prayers!

-Elder Carroll

My favorite Scripture this week:  Mormon 9:21 Behold, I say unto you that whoso believeth in Christ, doubting nothing, whatsoever he shall ask the Father in the name of Christ it shall be granted him; and this promise is unto all, even unto the ends of the earth.

BONUS MESSAGE! Hear Elder Carroll Sing!

Last week, we had the opportunity to visit some people in our area for dinner and dessert.  They sent this note to my mom along with a photo and audio clip.  My mom loves to make videos and decided to use it in a slideshow.

Hi Sister Carroll,

My name is Kim Tibbitts, and I wanted to let you know that your son was in our home last night.  We had a bar-b-que at our home yesterday afternoon for the Priesthood Brethren before the Priesthood Session. Elder Carroll and his companions came to the bar-b-que, and came back to our home after conference to pick up some leftovers. They sang a song for us, which I recorded on my phone.  I've attached the audio file for you to hear.  We love having the missionaries in our home, and sharing some homemade cinnamon rolls!  It helps us feel closer to our own missionary son who is serving in the South Africa, Durban mission.  He has been out for 3 month, and is currently in Mbabane, Swaziland.  Be assured that your boy is happy and healthy, and I am grateful for the Spirit that I felt while he and his companions were in our home!

Love, 

Kim

To hear Elder Carroll and his companions sing

click here...

Elders sing Nearer My God To Thee

Week 12 Conference Weekend!

Hey guys!

So it has been a great week, once again! September has already come and gone, I can tell these 2 years will also come and go so fast.

Ok, so yesterday I ate 3 dinners. A few appointments fell through and so we had some dead time. We visited some of our leaders and each one had another plate of food for us hahaha. I have already gained 15lbs since I've been here.. apparently the average wait gain is 60lbs..... we'll see how that goes haha. I feel like my stomach has stretched 3 times as big.. When we eat with older couples, they MAKE you eat.. especially this week in particular, they just keep handing you food!! haha I love it. The members are great and such a blessing to us.

It snowed a few days ago! The mountains were covered and there were certain places were it stuck to the ground! I dont think I'm ready for the cold!!

We have been meeting with Ireland regularly as normal, and have taught her everything, but still have not been able to pick a date for her baptism. Her parents' schedules are crazy and unfortunately, baptism doesn't seem like a priority right now. We are going over again tomorrow.

I'm not sure if I've mentioned her, but we've recently been meeting with a new investigator, Carrie Magdiel. She's married to a less-active member. They just got married a few months ago and just had their reception this past Friday. They invited us so we went and had a great time. Carrie has had 2 missionary discussions so far, and we have a set time every Wednesday to meet with her. She is very receptive to what we teach.

Chris Pratt was able to come with us to the Sunday AM session of conference!! It was the best session in my opinion, so i think it was the best one for him to be at. Conference overall was great. It is such a blessing to be so close to SLC.. I cant even express how grateful I am to be serving in such an amazing mission.

Hope you guys are doing great, you're always in my prayers. Thank you again for everyone sending letters and email, i am so grateful. Stay safe!

-Elder Carroll

My favorite scripture this week: Alma 32:16 Therefore, blessed are they who humble themselves without being compelled to be humble; or rather, in other words, blessed is he that believeth in the word of God, and is baptized without stubbornness of heart, yea, without being brought to know the word, or even compelled to know, before they will believe.

Week 11 We're getting a car today!

Hey!

Been a great week and it just got even better! We got a call about an hour ago from one the Assistant's to the President telling us that they have a car waiting for us in Salt Lake for us to pick up at 2pm today :) This will greatly help us in our efforts to cover 2 stakes (18 wards). So we are excited!! :)

This week were able to actually leave our mission boundaries and head up north to Huntsville with our Stake President, Kyle McKay, his family and Chris Pratt & his family! We had a scripture study up at their cabin and went over Mosiah 18, the baptismal covenant. Chris had a great response to it and agreed with it. So things are coming along. Chris and his wife & daughter are coming with us to Sunday morning General Conference this weekend!  While were up there, we found out that our Stake President is directly related to David O Mckay, and took us to the house where he was born and raised in Huntsville!

James is also progressing slowly. We had a lesson with him at one of the stake centers near our house this week. We opened the font up and literally had the lesson in the font. He brought up the point that he needed to choose someone to baptize him. So he's constantly thinking about it. He is still on date for January 1st, 2014. He is also planning on coming with us to General Conference this Saturday!

We have continued to meet with Ireland, and continue teaching her. Things still seem to be going straight over her head, but she is excited to be baptized. We are going to give the "potential drop talk" to her parents. He parents don't want to "force" her into anything, but in doing so, basically giving no support whatsoever. We are going to explain that if they don't help her progress, it is basically pointless for us to continue teaching. It's great that she wants to be baptized, but if she is baptized then doesn't have the support from her parents, it would be no good. We're going over tomorrow.

I've been going on splits the past 3 or 4 Sundays with an awesome member in one of our wards, Matt Landheim. He's a great guy. We've been visiting some less active families and been having some GREAT experiences. Last P-day, Matt invited us to come to his work, where he has a room that he turned into a Dojo for Jui-Jitsu. He's been doing it for about 10 years and showed us some basic moves. He's such a great guy. There are so many members here that are amazing! They are just such good people. I know I have already made friends here in Kaysville and Fruit Heights that I will be friends with for a lifetime. Such a blessing :)

We went to the Davis High School football game again, its so much fun! It was the Homecoming game and they crushed their rival team 35-0. They are ranked in the top 3 in the state! The football games are awesome because there are so many people to talk to. And everyone LOVES the missionaries. It's quite entertaining to see people's reaction when they see us walk by, especially the high school kids hahah :)

We were also able to help out in the Primary of one of our wards yesterday again!  The kids are great. Such amazing spirits. We always have a blast when we get to spend anytime with them :)

Hope all is well at home, you are all in my prayers! :)

-Elder Carroll

My favorite scripture this week:  1 Nephi 3:7 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.

Week 10 Teaching, teaching, teaching!

Hey everyone!

Week 9 (I think) was a great week! 

Both Linden and Kasey were baptized this past Saturday! What an amazing experience. They had some much support of family and friends there. These girls are amazing. Only 9 and 13, but they understand the importance and the meaning of baptism. They have such great spirits and I am so happy for them and their mom Kristy. Kristy is so proud of them and happy for them making this great leap of faith in their lives. They are a great family. I plan to keep in touch with them :)

We are continuing to teach Ireland, the other 9 year old girl. She is having a very difficult time comprehending everything we teach. We have taught her about 4 times and have gone through the first 3 lessons. During and after each visit, we are constantly asking her questions to see if she understands what we teach. She doesn't have a clue... well i shouldn't say that.. we are starting to think she is just super shy. We have invited a young lady in our stake (actually Linden and Kasey's cousin!) to come with us tomorrow to teach Ireland. We are thinking she might be more open to a girl. Scarlet (L&K's cousin) taught a great object lesson on the Holy Ghost at the baptism on Saturday, so we think she'll be able to get through to Ireland.

We haven't been able to meet with James recently but he actually just texted us about an hour ago, saying he wants to meet at 3pm today. We asked him earlier in the week if he wanted to go to General Conference with us, and he said he wanted to! 

We are still constantly meeting with Chris Pratt at our Stake Presidents home every Monday night, so we will be going again tonight for dinner and a Book of Mormon study. We are going to ask Chris tonight if he wants to go to General Conference also! He is a great guy. He goes to church, believes in God, and wants the best for his wife and children (all who are members). I'll keep you updated!

We have started meeting with a lady named Carrie this last week. She has gone though some very tough family problems in the past few years. She is married to an inactive member. He is a great guy, but works for Bountiful Police Force and has to work almost every Sunday. We taught her the Restoration of the Gospel and are planning on teaching her about the Plan of Salvation this week. Will think this will help her alot, because she has recently had a miscarriage and has had multiple families pass away recently. She is great and has been coming to church for the past few months. She is very receptive to the teaching.

We were able to speak in sacrament meeting again yesterday! That makes it 3 weeks in a row! We speak on Hastening the Work of Salvation, and remind the members how important their role is as a saint, in bringing others unto Christ. 

We also were able to see the Primary Program for one of the wards we cover yesterday! It was awesome. Children have so much spirit in them. It reminds me how we all need to be a little children.. Being humble and obedient. They did a great job :)

 Good news!! We will be at Temple Square October 5th and 6th for conference! We have tickets to the Saturday Afternoon (2pm) Oct 5th Session! If you're up here, look for me! :)

Thank you everyone, for the emails and letters! I can't even tell you how great it is to see a letter or email from back home! I love to hear how you guys are doing, and how the valley is! You can write me at:

1365 N 1670 W

Farmington, UT 84025

I hope all is well for you at home! You are all in my prayers! Please prayer for James, Chris, Carrie and Ireland. Thank you so much :)

Till next week, 

Elder Carroll

My favorite scripture this week: 

1 Nephi 2:20 And inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper, and shall be led to a land of promise; yea, even a land which I have prepared for you; yea, a land which is choice above all other lands.