And a happy new year

Hey y'all!
It was so good to see y'all this week! All your beautiful faces made
my week! It's been a good week in North Carolina! We had lots of fun
with the holiday! It was really fun. Christmas Day I got to see Y'ALL.
Which was the best.

But what a marvelous week to be a missionary! So often as missionaries
we tend to have an outlook that holidays are going to be the worst
days of our missions full of homesickness and heartache. When in
reality, it is one of the best experiences we get to have. Caroling on
Christmas Eve to the less active and part member families in our area
was a blast. We had such a good time and met many more people along
the way that were in the Christmas spirit and allowed us to share our
testimonies with them. It was incredible.

I was able to finish the Book of Mormon. I couldn't be more grateful
for the opportunity I had to read the Book of Mormon with the mission
and focus on the Doctrine of Christ and Christlike attributes. I don't
believe there is a way we could better understand the Doctrine of
Christ than to study it directly from the written words of Christ
Himself. Over the last six months I have come to understand what the
Atonement really is and how it can be a blessing for me. Through this
study, the quality of my personal prayers has increased as I've worked
to align myself with the will of The Father through the Atonement of
Jesus Christ. I'm becoming a new person. The Book of Mormon reading
has changed who I am for the better. Continual knowledge and
understanding comes as I pray for more light. I know our Father in
Heaven is aware of us. I know He loves us. I know this is His
everlasting gospel. I know that Jesus is the Christ. That His gospel
was restored through a prophet of God and that living prophets are on
the earth today to lead and guide us. I know that this is the Lord's
work, that He stands at the head of it and that we are at the front
lines of it's hastening. There is no better time to be a missionary.
Happy New Year!!
I love y'all. Keep being the best.  Keep the emails coming. :)
Love, Sister Webber

Merry Christmas

Two days until we all see each other! Harrah! Can't wait!
This won't be super long because we get to talk so soon but I'll send
pictures to make up for it.
How crazy is Katie's life right now? I can't even compete! Nothing
here this week was as exciting as Bulgaria, Germany, and Ukraine. You
live quite the missionary life, Kate!

We're going to have a good week here! I'm actually really excited.
we're having a combined Christmas activity with my beloved
Charlotte South zone down in Pineville so that will be the best thing
ever. Then tomorrow night we get to go out caroling with the two
companionships of Elders in our area to less active and part member
families. It'll be a good opportunity to build some relationships with
people we've never been able to get in with. Christmas Day, half the
ward is having us over so that'll be super fun. I'm all good to skype
at 11! So we can all see each other!!

To the best family in the world, I hope y'all have a wonderful
Christmas together and remember the true meaning of Christmas! We're
so very blessed to be together forever even though we're apart for
this short time. God bless. Y'all are the best people I know! Merry
Christmas! See you soon!!

Love always,
Sister Carolina Webber

Crazy Week

Hello my dears!

It has been a crazy crazy week. But so good.
Last Tuesday we went out to Gastonia to do trainings then in the
evening the Mission Leadership met there for a meeting with President
Donaldson. For those who aren't familiar with the well known "District
2" he was the mission president in the California San Diego mission a
few years ago. He was in town for observations on the iPad trainings
and our meeting with him that evening was incredible.
He read Matthew 24:14 and then asked what happened on June 23, 2013.
(World wide broadcast for hastening the work) he said, this is what
happened on that day. Everyone was waiting for China to open
before "the end will come" he pointed at our iPads and said, China is
open! The entire world has the opportunity to hear the gospel because
of the announcements made on that day.
He shared so many good insights on every subject known to a
missionary's mind. It was the best. The spirit was strong and we all
learned a lot. It was incredible.

 Wednesday we woke up early and drove to Gastonia again and trained the
Charlotte South zone on iPads then hopped in the car and drove all the
way to Winston Salem and trained there. It was so great, every
training was so different. People from Salt Lake were here observing
the whole time (no pressure) but the trainings were constantly
changing and getting better and better every time. Thursday we were in
training meetings all day and then drove back to Charlotte.
We went on exchange the next day and I don't think I've been more
brain dead in my life. But it was such a good exchange. Miracles all
around.
Last night President called and told us that Sister Nielson got her
visa so she is gone! She just left about 10 minutes ago! So that's
really exciting. It's just Sister Lewis and I for this transfer in
Reedy Creek. It'll be good!

Pray for Reedy Creek! I know many miracles are in the future for this
area. I sure love you all. I can't wait to see you in just a few days!

Here's a good quote for the week..."God will micro manage the details
of your life without interfering with your agency if you allow it."
-Elder Maxwell
Merry Christmas!!
Love always, Sister Webber

Yadira got baptized!

Birthdays, ipads, and Meetings

Family! I hope y'all are staying above all the snow. It looks treacherous.

It's been a wonderful week. This year's birthday was one to remember. I don't know if there will be a time ever in my life again that I'll experience 75 degree weather as a birthday present. It was beautiful and so so warm. But don't worry, the cold has come and the tights and gloves came out to play the next day. It's like Utah here when it comes to the back and forth weather.

Thank you for all the birthday wishes and cards and packages! Special thanks to the cute Miller family. Y'all are the best. Thank you so much! I love you!

We had MLC on Friday which was great. I got to spend the day with all my favorite people being tutored and taught by President and Sister Craven. It was a big week of birthdays in the mission and in our zone especially so that was fun. At MLC during one of the breaks, President Craven was talking to one of the Assistants, Elder Murdock and came over to me and said, Sister Webber! Did you know it was Elder Murdock's birthday yesterday!? And I just laughed and said yes. and E. Murdock started laughing and said, President Craven, did you know it's Sister Webber's birthday today? President whipped around and made a face and said, today's your birthday!? Well we're going to have a special minute for birthdays. When everyone came back in he said, stand up if you had a birthday this week or if your birthday is today. Me, E. Murdock, E. Osborne, E. Fowles, and E. Wilson all stood up. It was quite a crown. Birthdays all around. Hurray for being 21 to all of us!

We had dinner with new members that night and she fed us tacos. It was like I was at home. A tender mercy indeed:)

We had two meetings for ipad training this week and we all got new, updated ipads. They're pretty swanky. The rest of the mission gets them this week, so we're doing a lot of travelling and training all week. Pray for Reedy Creek because we won't be here for four days. We have the faith that good things will happen in the little time we have to spend in our area.

We had a lot of success this week and met a lot of wonderful people. The other night we taught these twins in their late 20s named Lamaar and Jamaar. They let us right in and even turned off their football game to listen to us. We taught them the restoration and they both said they wanted to read the Book of Mormon and said they would pray about it. We invited them to church and explained the importance of attending church and how it would help them to receive an answer to their prayers. Earlier that day we had received training on emphasizing the importance of Sacrament meeting and inviting others to church. It helped me to really ponder on why Sacrament meeting is important to me. I pondered on the fact that when we partake of the sacrament, we not only renew our baptismal covenants but the covenants we make in the temple. It truly is such a sacred ordinance and our Father in Heaven has blessed us with the opportunity to take part in it each and every week. It's such a happy thing.

I love y'all. Hope you have a wonderful week. You're in my prayers, always.

Love,

Sister Webber

The Farrell's from our ward are some of the best people you'll ever meet and they made me a birthday cake. One of a kind. They're the best. I'll send more pictures:)

Happy Week

Family, family!

What a week of emails from all of you!

First, BABIES!!!! Babies all around!! I'm so excited for Bryce and Kasumi!!!! And Carls and Aaron!!! I'M SO EXCITED. Congratulations all you future parents. I'm so happy for you all. I can't wait to come home and squeeze all those little cheeks to death. SO HAPPY about all that.

Second, Thank you for all the birthday wishes. I'm planning on having a real good 21st this Friday:) We have MLC and that's my favorite thing on earth so it'll be good:)

Two and a half: I got your thanksgiving card. and laughed real hard:) hahaha and that card that quincy's face was on was brilliant! I love that! Let me know how that Fireside goes! also, thank you so so much for the package mom. I cried happy tears when I opened it. Literally. It was the best. OH! Also, Jenna sent me a letter about Ryan Allen eating dinner at their house. Small world? Yes. Someone tell him I say hello and welcome home and that he's the best!

Thanksgiving sounds like it was wonderful for all of you. NC does it well. We ate and ate and it didn't even feel like Thanksgiving. Yes mom, we ate sweet potato pie. It's a real thing;) and deep fried turkey is a real thing too. It was all good but no one does it quite like Nonster. I will admit. I sure missed a classic thanksgiving at the Garner house. But it was all good. On Saturday night, we didn't have a dinner appointment and one of the senior couples that works in the office invited us over (the Andrus'--literally some of the best people on earth. i love them to death. I'm pretty sure mom and dad have talked to both of them before on the phone). Harrah for westerners thanksgiving food! It was a little piece of heaven and a tender mercy.

Random bit; the rest of our mission is getting ipads next week. Merry Christmas North Carolina Charlotte Mission. We have a meeting with Salt Lake today over skype. Apparently they're going to be teaching us how to teach the other missionaries how to use them. Yay technology.

This week we had interviews. They are the best thing to hit this planet. President Craven is the best and I cherish all the time I get to be around him and learn from him. We talked and discussed about all the things I ever wanted or needed to talk about all in the short time we had together. It was so great. I told him about Kate and he was amazed at the whole situation and how strong she is. He ended with a really sweet prayer and prayed specifically for Kate. My heart filled up with so much love. love for anyone and everyone. For my family, my mission president, my Father in Heaven, everyone. It literally was just going to burst.

On Saturday we had a sisters meeting. Four zones worth of sisters came to Charlotte and we were spiritually fed. It was incredible. Sidenote, President Craven has this joke about how when men get called to be in the bishopric and the first sunday they conduct...he says, Elders, you'll feel like you've never spoken the English language a day in your life. True fact my friends. He asked me to conduct and I don't think a word of English came out of my mouth the whole meeting. oh well..ya win some ya lose some. :) Their daughter who served a mission was in town and spoke at the conference. It was so wonderful. She talked about the highs and lows of a mission and how to deal with it all. She was bold about it all. She said, "Sisters. You have no right to complain. You signed up for this. You can't waste a minute." She also said, "Repentance makes good people better, and better people, the best." She talked about whole vs hole and how it applies to being a good missionary. Sister Craven talked about being a holy woman and President Craven talked about the Priesthood and the role of women in the Priesthood. It was incredible. I laughed, I cried, I decided I don't think I'll ever be able to not be a missionary. We'll have to go on a mission as a family, because I'm not going to let it end.

I love being a missionary. I'm not kidding about a family mission. It would be the best thing on earth. Y'all are the only reason why I would ever come home. But if we could do it all together?? YESSS. It'd be the best! I love each of you so very much. I know this gospel is true. I know the Book of Mormon is true. Living prophets walk the earth today. God lives! Jesus is the Christ. This knowledge brings such peace and happiness into my life.

I love y'all more than you know. Have a wonderful week. Eat Cafe Rio on Friday in my honor:)

Loves,

Sister Mad Webber

Fun terror of the week: We were driving home from an appointment last night. it was about 8:50..we were on the freeway. there were hardly any cars in sight. the car in front of my was a good distance ahead and it was putting on its breaks. I put mine on to avoid any sudden slams and then my night vision kicked into gear and I saw this DEER. Frantically running around on the freeway!!! In every direction! Just out of control. I hit the breaks and dodged that sucker but he was coming straight for us. It was a terror. Don't worry all my Utah kids, Deer kill people in North Carolina too. and I still hate them. Happy Holidays.

Give Thanks

FAMILY!

Y'all are the best. Sounds like it was quite a week in the Webber home and like another very eventful one is approaching. There is so much to be grateful for! What an exciting week it is. Don't be afraid, we already have two thanksgiving feasts lined up. I'm open for more if the members are offering. :) I accept the challenge to eat all day long.

This week was crazy! We're in a 5 week transfer and we have a million exchages to get done so we're all over the place. PLUS Elder Quentin L Cook came to our mission on Friday! I was going to tell you last week that he was coming but...I couldn't. But he came and the whole mission came to Charlotte and it was wonderful! He wasn't here for long because he had a stake conference to go to on the other side of the state but here's some of what he said, it's going to be scattered but I want to give you some of the notes I took because it was so great.

First of all, he was mission companions with Elder Holland...dynamic duo of I ever heard of one.

His mission president, Elder Marion D Hanks had all of his missionaries memorize this, "There is no chance, no fate, no destiny that can circumvent or hinder or control the firm resolve of a determined soul."

Spiritual experiences come not because we want them but because we need to bless somebody else.

Quoting President Hinckley, "Tell the missionaries if they have more faith, they will have more success."

Hearts can be softened as a result of missionaries' faith.

Never underestimate the power of the faith of a righteous missionary.

As missionaries, you are called to be warm and gracious and Christlike. People need to know that you love them.

When you're inviting people to make commitments, you're inviting them to get answers from heaven.

We underestimate the power of what The Lord can do for us.

The Atonement overcomes all that is terrible in this life including unfairness.

There's more but there are a few good one liners from it. He ended with an apostolic blessing on our mission and said, You're not only blessing those you teach and yourself, but you are blessing anyone who is close to you now as well as those who will be close to you in the future.

He is incredible. It was so great and his wife is the sweetest lady.

I hope y'all have a great week with all the family! Have a happy thanksgiving and eat all the best food until you can't breath.

We have so much to be grateful for. I can't express in words how thankful I am for this gospel. For the blessings it brings into my life each and everyday. I'm so grateful for this opportunity I have to devote all my time and attention to serving the Lord. It's such a blessing. How thankful I am for each of you and the wonderful examples you have been in my life. I'm thankful for the love and support each of you continually give to me. I am so thankful for my wonderful family. I don't know how I got so lucky to be eternally linked to each of you, but it makes me happier than you'd ever know.

You're in my prayers.

Love always,

Sister Mad Webber

The Week

Wooooo baby. Hello family.

Tell Bud I said congratulations on his play! Everyone had wonderful things to say about it! I'm excited to watch it! I can't watch the video you sent me...but one day I'll get to listen to your angelic voice. Why have you been hiding it all these years? Also, Happy Birthday Gramma Rue!!! I hope you had a great day!!

As for me and my house, I'm in a place called Reedy Creek. Still in the city just a different stake than Pineville. It's like I just got kicked over the fence. It's really, really close. It's a land for dreamers. Ha, but really. It's a good place! Sister Jameson, my last compadre served here at the very beginning of her mission so I had already heard a million good things about it. It's a really great ward. Sister Lewis and Sister Nielson are my companions. Sis Lewis is from Riverton. She came out a transfer after me. Sister Nielson is from Texas. She's here waiting for her visa to Brazil. 

Last week Sister Jameson and I got to pick up the new missionaries. When we got to President and Sister Craven's house, we walked in and he said, how is our dynamic duo?? Have you forgiven me yet? In my mind I thought, um, no. haha but he just laughed and moved on with the conversation. My heart broke a little inside. Sister Jameson is like family now. We were together for 100 years. But it's okay! We still will get to see each other all the time. It was a frantic day because we were running all over town so I could say goodbye to a few people before the day was over. It was insane. I'll send you some pictures if I can. In all the chaos, iIreceived my first cross necklace from one of our investigators. Sis Jameson and I would always talk about them because cross things are literally everywhere in this region of the country and harrah, I was gifted one. Two points: Sister Webber.

We had a lot of good teaching opportunities this week. It was weird coming into an area that already had things happening..it hasn't happened yet in my time as a missionary so that's been nice. Miracle: yesterday a member brought a friend to church and I sat with her in Gospel Principles and Relief Society. She's a superstar. We met with her last night. she's so prepared and open to the gospel and she's preparing for baptism on the 7th of December. Pray for Theresa. Also, pray for Tom, Jodi, and Jean. Jean looks just like Noni and I hug her so tight.

This is about all my little brain can muster. Sorry for the lack of excitement.

I love y'all! I hope you have a wonderful week. Read the Book of Mormon daily. Such power and strength come from the doctrine in that book. I know that it's true!!

Love always,

Sister Webber

Changes

Our companionship has come to a close. Six good months came and went just like that. My time in Pineville has been so good. I love this ward and I love this area and I will return quickly. I'm going to miss Sister Jameson like a fat kid misses Christmas candy in July. It's going to be an ugly separation.

It was a great week. Full of exchanges, meetings, trainings, and baptisms. 

We saw the Caldwells everyday this week in preparation for their baptisms. It was the best. They are the best people you'll ever meet. Saturday night we had their baptism. We had gotten them all church clothes that they could wear and they all rolled in looking so good. They got changed and we took a million pictures and they all turned out really bad so I'm sorry:) 

The Elders had an investigator getting baptized that night too. It was such a good baptism all together. Brother Murdock from the ward baptized and confirmed all of the Caldwells. He and his wife are THE BEST. they moved in like a month ago and have just been our best friends since.
The kids were giggly and excited and were on cloud nine all night. Laketa was all smiles and it was so fun to just sit back and watch her all evening. My heart hurt all evening knowing that my time was quickly coming to an end with all of these wonderful people. They are all the best. 

Sunday my heart was breaking a little more every time another person found out i was leaving. It was killer. This is such a good ward and I'll miss them. Sunday after church we had lunch with all 8 of our lovely Caldwells. A member of the ward, Ese had us over and it was such a great experience. 

I love being a missionary. All the blood, sweat, and tears are worth the pure joy that comes when God's children accept the gospel into their lives. 

I love this great work. and I love each of you. 

Love,
Sister Webber 

Come Unto Jesus

Mom, Dad, J, Kate, Quincy poo, Bud:
I am grateful for everyone of you. Thank you for all you do for me! 

The leaves are changing here and it is an incredible sight. I am in awe everywhere we drive because it is so beautiful. In the morning time there is a painful crisp chill in the air that scares me for the winter time here. But we'll all survive because when we're on the Lord's errand, we're entitled to the Lord's help and He will help me through the cold winter. (President Monson said that one. I take no credit) But I shouldn't complain because I'm seeing pictures of snow in Utah and it hasn't even thought about snowing here. So that's good. :)

At the beginning of my mission when I was having some big time struggles, I would constantly reassure myself that the struggles and difficulties would only last for the first little bit. It comforted me at the time and helped me to move forward. I wouldn't have ever imagined that ten months out, I would still have days that were so difficult and draining as the first of my mission. Yesterday I hit a wall. Head on. Out of no where. Homesickness, doubt, difficulty, discouragement, and exhaustion hit all in one day and I felt like I couldn't do it anymore. I sat in a meeting and cried because of how much I missed each one of you and how long it had been since I got to hug you. The last three weeks my studies have been focused on faith. I've been fascinated with the topic and pulled apart every aspect of having Faith in Jesus Christ. Through all these studies, my Father in Heaven was preparing me for the feelings that overcame me during the awful day. Amidst the difficulties, through constant prayer, I was able to remember all the things I've learned. I remembered the quote I had put on Facebook just a few days ago and realized that in times of difficulty and trial, it is our duty to turn to the Atonement and utilize it in our lives and "come unto Jesus" 

Woooo. But don't worry about me! I'm tough and I'm still alive and made it through. Thanks to your thoughts and prayers. I appreciate them more than you know. I couldn't do this without the six of you.

Things are going well in Pineville! Our investigators are being member missionaries without even being members yet. In addition to the six investigators we had at church yesterday, there were 4 others who just came with some of them. Laketah's kids are the most popular kids in their apartment complex so their friends come to church with them. Our row was hoppin yesterday. It was so great. Laketah's family is getting baptized on Saturday! We were over at their apartment on Halloween night so the Elders could give her a blessing because she got sick. We stayed after they left and had a lesson with her and after we were done, her kids came in from trick or treating. Terryonna was talking about dancing and before we knew it, Terry, Montario, and Q were all putting on a show for us. It was so funny. They whipped out the cat daddy, the dougie, stanky leg, and the gas pedal. These little kiddos know how to dance. it was hilarious. I tried to record it but they all started yellin at me when I did.  So i've got a nice video of that:)

I love y'all more than you know! This gospel is true! The worth of our souls is great. Your Father in Heaven is aware of you and loves you so much. I read a good talk this morning from President Eyring and he said this, "the more faithful service you give, the more the Lord asks of you" He was speaking to Priesthood holders but I think it applies to everyone. He's going to give us what we are capable of handling with the Lord's help. When Elder Zwick was here a few weeks ago he said, "Never limit yourself by what you think is your capacity. Allow the Lord to expand your capacity and He will." We all have great potential and we can reach it through applying the Doctrine of Christ in our lives. 

I love you! Hope you have a wonderful week!
Love,
Sister Carolina Webber

Great Week with Pictures

I'm going to keep this short so I can catch you up on some pictures:) It's been too long since I've sent any. 

It's been a great week!

We had a mission conference on Saturday and Elder Kopischke and Elder Parker of the Seventy both were here. It was incredible. Elder Kopischke started by explaining that he had learned two things in his life. That 1. we can only teach things we know and that 2. we can only receive things we are ready to receive. He talked about how he didn't know what we were all ready to receive but that if we were taught by the spirit and if we learned by the spirit that we'd receive what WE needed to receive. It was a Q&A meeting and they both answered questions from the missionaries. It was incredible. They were both really funny too which is the best. 

On Friday we helped a family move in from Hickory. It was a referral from the Zone leaders up there and they've been teaching the mom and son in this family. They are so wonderful. They came to the ward trunk or treat on Saturday and she came to church on Sunday. She's incredible but facing some challenges. She's a dream. 

The Caldwells are on fire. They all came to the ward party on Saturday and all at church yesterday. They're still shooting for the 9th! We're really excited for that!

Elder Parker was sharing his testimony at the end of the meeting on Saturday and said something that I loved... "Brother Joseph will forever be remembered for flooding the earth with the Book of Mormon. President Kimball will forever be remembered for flooding the earth with Priesthood holders. President Hinckley will forever be remembered for flooding the earth with temples and President Thomas Spencer Monson will forever be remembered for flooding the earth with missionaries. And everyone of you got to be apart of it." This is an incredible work we are involved in! And every one of us is a part of it. full time missionary or not, we are the noble and great ones who are here to proclaim the gospel and bring others unto Christ.

I love y'all. I hope you have a wonderful week. You're in my prayers. Keep being the best people I know. 
Love, 
Sister Webber