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