Week 19: I am LOVING it up here! Time is flying by way too quickly!

My smile is starting to catch on! haha

Been a great week once again!  November is over this week... Where does the time go???

This last Tuesday we were able to go to Temple Square with Lyndsey and have a private tour by the Sister Missionaries! It was awesome, and the Sisters do such a great job teaching. Sisters carry a unique spirit that the Elders could never compare with!

  

Lyndsey's baptism was this last Saturday and went so well! Elder Martin and I were able to stand as witnesses for her! This Gospel is so amazing. The joy that this knowledge brings is indescribable. Yesterday in her ward, I had the honor, privilege and blessing to confirm Lyndsey, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The Lord truly prepares people in his own way. I have absolutely no doubt that Heavenly Father's hand was in every step of where Lyndsey is today. I am so happy for her.

So some more direct notes that i have from Elder Bednars visit last week:

Before he started, the first thing he mentioned was to only write on small plates. He informed us to not write down the things that he was saying, but the things that the Holy Ghost was revealing to us.

One of my favorite points he made, was to pray as Agents. And not as objects. When we ask for all these blessing's in our prayers, then expect them to fall from Heaven, something is wrong. We need to get on our knees and pray like everything depends on Heavenly Father, then get on our feet and work like everything depends on us. Then will the blessings come.

Another thing that also stood out to me during the 4 hour meeting, is that humility is key. If we are prideful, we are in the way. In the way of the Holy Ghost being able to teach people. We must thank the Lord in literally every aspect of our lives.

When one returns from serving a mission, his life should never be the same. It should always feel weird. If you return from a mission and things seem normal, something is wrong. The mission should change me eternally. Become a missionary.. Don't just go on a mission.

This week has been super busy, we have been able to get in 32 lessons this week! The work is truly hastening. The member support here is awesome! The people of Fruit Heights are Kaysville are seriously amazing. I am so excited to see what the future has in store.

This last Monday we were able to meet with James once again! Great news!! His parents (Less-active and non-member) both gave him permission to be baptized! He is solid for January 1st, 2014! We are meeting with him again tonight! He is a great guy and has progressed so much since we first met with him in August!

Cari has accepted to start the "Stop-Smoking Program" and will be starting it tomorrow! It is a guaranteed way to stop smoking (taught by missionaries around the world with great success)! She has already accepted baptism and wants to be baptized, so hopefully after this next week we can set up the baptism!

We have been introduced to a young man, probably 23 years old. He name is Nathan and was raised in Utah and has a strong baptist background. He is very knowledgeable about the Bible and loves to discuss religion. We are planning on meeting with him again this Friday! 

We met with Autumn, the 10 year old girl again yesterday, and had a great lesson! She gave the closing prayer and holy crap, it the most spiritual and heartfelt prayer i have ever heard. It just reminded me of how we should all try to be as little children, and be meek and humble and submissive to the Lord's will.

Transfers are this next Tuesday Dec 3rd! I will most likely be moving houses, so my address will change. I will send out an email asap when i know where my new address is!

Ahhh this transfer came and went... These past 5 months have flown by!! It will be a sad day to leave this amazing area. I have grown to love the people here.. I hope they keep me here another 6 months!

I am LOVING it up here! Time is flying by way too quickly! I love my companions and the people we are teaching and the members in the area! But mostly, i love our Heavenly Father, and this amazing opportunity he has given me to serve him and his children in the great Work. I love every second of this amazing journey.

"To those who wish, time is long. 

     To those who work, time is short. 

     To those who LOVE, time is not." 

                                          - Unknown

Till next week, and much love,

Elder Carroll

My favorite scripture this week:  Alma 34:38 - "That ye contend no more against the Holy Ghost, but that ye receive it, and take upon you the name of Christ; that ye humble yourselves even to the dust, and worship God, in whatsoever place ye may be in, in spirit and in truth; and that ye live in thanksgiving daily, for the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you."

Week 18 Elder Carroll meets Elder Bednar!

Hey there everybodyyyy!

First off, I love this Gospel more than anything. The joy and happiness that it brings me is indescribable. It is such a tremendous blessing to be apart of this amazing and great Work. The people of the Utah SLC mission are just incredible. What a blessing to be called so close to home where I can visit these amazing people often. I love this Work!

This past week the SLC Mission had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be spoken directly to by an Apostle of the Lord. An Apostle that holds the same keys (authority) that the original 12 Apostles held! Crazy! Elder Bednar is truly a man called of God and is such an inspired teacher. I had the blessing and opportunity to speak to him one on one.  About 2 weeks prior to this meeting, we were given 3 talks by Elder Bednar and were told to study them. He asked us what we learned or got out of them. I was able to tell him something that I learned... We gain our testimonies, when we bear them. He then asked me why that particular part stood out to me at this time. I replied that it was because I realized how TRUE that statement really was.

Elder David A. Bednar

For the past few months, I have been able to bear my testimony, multiple times a day. And I've seen it strengthened each time I do so.  It is amazing. This Gospel is the true and living church of Christ.

It was a 4 hour meeting with Elder Bednar, and I took some notes, but I'll have to sort them out and write about everything that was said, next week!

This past week  we were able to take Reese and his mom, Joy to a "Missionary Fireside" at Temple Square! It was so awesome!! It was all of the sisters serving their missions on Temple Square. They sang songs and put on a great concert and the Spirit was so strong!  I ran into my past companion, Elder Katoa! And also Tamazine Peters from Heritage Academy! It was a great night!

Yesterday we were able to meet again with Alicia (The African American Women who was baptized, but doesn't have a testimony of the Book of Mormon)! We read 1 Nephi chapter 2 and had a great discussion. Her spirit is so strong and she is probably the most humble person I've ever met. She is so great at connecting the doctrine in the Book of Mormon, to her own life. We are planning on meeting with her again next Sunday! :)

Ireland had her baptismal interview this past week and now it's just a matter of her parents scheduling the baptism. Will keep you posted.

Chris is doing great, and we have continued to have scripture study. We are going to go over to his house tonight and see if he is interesting in taking the missionary discussions again. (He's had them before) So we'll see how it goes tonight!

We are going with Lindsey tomorrow to Temple Square! She is still solid for the 23rd of November, so she will be getting baptized this Saturday! We are super excited. It is amazing how the Lord prepares people.

This transfer is already more than half over so that means we only have about 2 weeks left! We currently cover 2 stakes (18 wards), but we have heard that they might split the area, so we will only cover 1 stake. I am anxious to see which stake I stay in, if they keep me in either of them at all. It will be hard to leave either one of them. I have grown so close to families in both areas, so transfers will be a hard day.

Well, I hope you guys are doing great. Thank you so much to everyone who emails/writes, it means the world to me! Stay safe, stay busy, you're in my prayers! Till next week!

-Elder Carroll

PS- D&C 59:7- "Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things."

Week 17 Amazing doesn't even begin to describe it!

Hi everyone!

Guess what i just found out!!!!!! We have had a "Mission Meeting" scheduled for the past 2 weeks and today we just found out the Apostle David A. Bednar will be coming to speak to us!!!!!!!!! So crazy. One of the many perks of being called to Utah ;)

This week has been an amazing one. Amazing doesn't even describe it. 

So the other night, Elder Martin and I were informed that some friends of my family (The Tingey's) own a house in Bountiful, (about 10 min south of us) and are renting out the top floor to someone who is really interested in the Church. We contacted the Tingey's and they invited us to come meet her this past Saturday. Her name is Lindsey, and she is what we call a "Golden Investigator". She is currently going through a divorce and has 2 small children. She has been going through a lot recently and had actually ran into a Bishop in Kaysville, in the elevator while she was leaving a therapy session. They talked for 3 hours out by their cars and he introduced the Gospel to her. He gave her a Book of Mormon (actually a quad) with her name imprinted on it. Soon after, she found out that the Tingey's were renting out part of their place. She told us that all these events lead her up to where she is now. She told us, and i quote "I'm missing something in my life.. And you guy's have it. And i want it." I was able to explain to her that she could have it. She said she could just feel it within the Bishop she had met, and within the Tingey's. After a great lesson first lesson, I was able ask her if she would like to follow the example of Jesus Christ by being baptized. She is getting baptized in 2 weeks, November 23rd.

This experience was such an amazing testimony builder for me. The Lord prepares people. We never know who is ready of willing to accept the truths taught in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are not to judge who is and who isn't willing to accept the Gospel. We must be willing to share it with all men.

We have started teaching a 10 year old girl name Autumn, as of yesterday!  Her father is less-active in the Church, but really wants to straighten out his life. So he invited us to teach his daughter. We had a great first lesson last night and had an amazing spiritual experience with both of them. We invited her to be baptized, but her father wants to talk to his wife first (they are separated, but not divorced yet). Will keep you updated.

We were able to speak in one of our wards sacrament meeting yesterday. I love being able to speak on "Hastening the Work of Salvation". It gets the ward members all pumped and they always come up to us with referrals after the meeting!

So get this.. The other night, I ran into a very closely related relative! Her name is Jeanette Esplin Hugh, and she is half-cousins with my Grandpa Charlie and my dad's side! (Half cousins meaning their mom's were half-sisters) She went to school with Grandpa Charlie and had lots of stories to tell about him! He seemed like an amazing man. She said all the girls loved him and that he was a real charmer! haha. So her mom's name is Amy Heaton and Charlies mom's name is Elsie Heaton. Crazy huh! She brought out this huge book, "The History of the Carroll Family" and let me borrow it! It was so awesome to hear her talk about all of my family. She asked specifically about Uncle Clarence, but i told her i didn't know him too well. It is so awesome to make these connections.

We are still meeting with James, Carrie, Reese, Ireland, and Chris regularly. Please pray for them and also for Lindsey.

I love this Gospel. I know this is the true and living Church of Jesus Christ. What an amazing blessing it is to be a part of such a marvelous Work. These past 4 months have blessed my life eternally and how grateful I am to be able to serve the Lord in His Work. I absolutely love it. 

Thank you everyone who has been keeping in contact via emails/letters, it means so much! I love you all and i hope you are having as much of an amazing time as i am up here! Stay safe, you're in my prayers!

Till next week!

-Elder Carroll

My favorite scripture this week:  Jacob 6:12 - "O be wise; What can i say more?"

P.S.- HAPPY BIRTHDAY NIQUE! :) The big 16!

Week 16- IT FINALLY SNOWED!!

Hey everyone!

So first off, it's already November?! Where did the time go..? It snowed yesterday for the first time! It didnt stay any longer than that afternoon, but it was still a good snow :) It's getting super chilly during the days, and people are saying in the next few weeks its gonna be sticking to the ground!

We were able to visit with Carrie last Tuesday and she accepted baptism! She is on date for Nov. 16th! Please pray for her! We actually just found out yesterday, that she has a smoking problem. We didn't know this before, because we had been meeting at her neighbors house. So tomorrow we are going to be talking about the Word of Wisdom.

We met with James last Monday as usually, he is doing great. He is having some struggles, but his faith is strong. He is planning on being baptized Jan. 1, 2014. Keep him in your prayers.

This past Friday was Davis High's first play-off game. (They went undefeated in the season) But unfortunately they lost! So they are out, so that was the last game we could go to! Something funny though.. We usually are talking to people the entire game so we just walk back and forth to each sets of bleachers on both sides. When we walked over to the opposing teams side (Pleasant Grove High), the entire student section starting singing "Called To Serve"! It was pretty hilarious. The people here are great.

Speaking of the football games, we met a girl named Gabby last week at the game and she told us that she wasn't a member, but she wanted to learn more. Her parents didnt want her to though. She gave us her contact info and we are set to go with her to Temple Square this Saturday! The Sister Missionaries at Temple Square are awesome, so it should be a good lesson!

This past week we visited the Seminary building at Davis, and gave them our contact info. We told them they could call us if they ever wanted us to come in to teach a lesson or something. They said they would call us. We have some dead time during the day's when everyone is at work/school, so we figured why not go to where the people are?

A few days ago, one of our Ward Mission Leaders informed us that we have a Potential Investigator! Guess how old she is? Shes 100 years old! ONE HUNDRED years old!! Apparently, she has had a friend for about 40 years (He's 85) who is LDS and he invited her to be baptized and she said yes! So we are planning on going just north to Layton, to teach her the discussion in the rest home she is in, then she will be baptized in our stake! Crazy huh? Her friend is supposed to contact us soon.

We were able to go to the Bountiful Temple last Thursday, and man is it beautiful. Such an experience.

I love being a part of this wonderful Work. I couldn't be more blessed. I love the area I am in, and i love the people. These 4 months have been the greatest and i cant wait to see what is yet to come. I love is Gospel and it is such an honor to be able to do the Lord's work in spreading it.

Hope all is well at home, Thank you for all the wonderful emails and letters! You are in my prayers! Till next week!

-Elder Carroll

My favorite scripture this week: Matthew 18:3 -"And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven."

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.