The Miracles of Planning

There are miracles on every corner over here, and it is all because of planning. We have discovered that if we want to teach more lessons, we need to plan for more lessons. If we want to talk to more people, we need to plan to talk to more people. As we have planned for these things that Lord has literally paved ways for us to find the people who are ready. The other day Sister Harper and I made a goal to contact at least 20 people, to teach at least 3 lessons, and to invite at least 1 person to baptism. One of the standards of excellence to hit the 20-3-1 every day. Well, for so long my companions and I have mostly hoped to be able to get it if we just worked hard enough. sometimes we would, but it was more of a rare occasion. This transfer as we have planned ways to accomplish that goal every day, and we have been able to reach it day after day. What is incredible is that often times our lessons have fallen through but somehow the lord prepares other people to place in our path knowing that we have planned to reach our goals.

The other night it was about 8:30 in the evening and we were still about 10 contacts and 1 lesson short of reaching our goal. Sister Harper was so excited and said, "We can do it! We have to get the 20 3 1 today!" I was so grateful for her faith and enthusiasm so off we went in search of more people to talk to and someone to teach. We knocked on one door and we got nothing. Then we knocked on the next door and an adorable young mom answered the door with a baby in her arms. as we got talking we asked if she wouldn't mind us sharing a quick message with her in her home. She surprisingly said yes and welcomed us in. As we were sitting with her in her living room we asked if she has prayed before. She answered by saying, "Actually, it's so weird that you are here because my husband is in jail and I have been thinking about how I can get closer to God and then you showed up." She knew it wasn't a coincidence. She had no idea how to pray so we were able to teach her how. It was a miracle. We taught a lesson, picked up a new investigator, were able to get the rest of our contacts in and got to our apartment in time. It was so cool how the Lord was able to use us to teach one of His precious daughters because we were willing to do what it took to reach our goals.

The funny part of the whole lesson with her was that she was absolutely golden. She asked every perfect question you could possibly ask and sister Harper and I felt like we felt flat on our faces trying to get the right words out. It was one of those moments where if the Church wasn't true then the missionaries would have ruined it a long time ago. We laughed and laughed the whole way home and were so grateful that Heavenly Father was able to use what he could of us. She set a returned appointment with us to go back and see her tonight. I'm so excited!

This is probably the last time I will see my trainer, Sister Van Wie.
She has about 4 weeks left. I LOVE HER dearly!

Moment of the week:
Okay this was actually several weeks ago but I was laughing about it last night and decided I had to record it.

It was fast Sunday and I was sitting in sacrament meeting with Sister Buckner up in Eureka. All I could think about was how hungry I was I couldn't even pay attention to the talk. So I write a note to Sister Buckner, "My stomach feels like it's eating itself." She wrote something on it and passed it back with a scripture on it. 3 Nephi 13:16

16 Moreover, when ye fast be not as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance, for they disfigure their faces that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward.

Sister Buckner is such a funny missionary and had such a way of putting me back in my place when I need it.

Well, love you all!
Sister Carter 

Gotta love living in wine country!