December 10, 2018

1-2) MLC this week!! There were so many humans that I love in that meeting <3

3) The district with Sister Parsons <3

4) Aesthetic wall + tired companion lol

5) So we had exchanges about 15 times this week (or at least it felt like it...in the best way!) and this is what happens when you put Foth, Carlson, and curlers together xD When we took out the curls in the morning I couldn't stop laughing, but I was also very concerned about what I was going to do since I had to go outside...ponytail was the final verdict!

6) In Mountain Home, they put on this little community thing called the Creche where everyone (okay, not everyone but you know what I mean) brings the different nativities that they have and they put on a display! I don't have a picture of the whole thing (it really was breath taking) but here's one of my favorites haha :)

7-9) We pranked the elders and blocked their door with snow... :) We got a very sassy reply back and it was kind of the greatest things ever! But maybe this just stays between the 8 of us...please.. :)

10) Thanks for the glasses, mama (and the whole package in general)!! :)

11) Hinckley???????? No, it's a doggo named Bailey! He looks exactly like him and I almost cried when I saw him (it had been a rough day tbh and this really was a tender mercy from the Lord!!)

December 3, 2018

Hey everyone!

What a week it's been! Similar to what Sister Eme Carlson has been experiencing this week, most of the people we're teaching have been unresponsive and it's been really really sad! I've been a little frustrated too, but God is so good! He knows all of His children individually. Amid the struggles, we had some of the sweetest miracles that I wouldn't change for the world! Here are just a couple of them.
We've been teaching Alyssa for the past month or so, but we finally got to have a lesson with her AND her husband David this week. They are the sweetest people in all of Mountain Home (and probably the whole world too) and they are so prepared for the gospel! Spending time in their home and teaching them has been one of the highest highlights of my mission!!

With Light the World starting (and approaching), Sister Bryan and I have been working hard to spread the word as far and as fast as we can! We have given our 311 cards since the day after Thanksgiving, but there is so much more to accomplish! So far, we've participated in lighting the world by caroling, shoveling snow, helping to decorate for Christmas, participating in a LtW family home evening, and other little acts of service along the way! And we've planned out what we're going to do this next week as a companionship, and I couldn't be more excited! Participating in Light the World has been invigorating so far, and if you haven't begun yet (and even if you have), I would invite you to do so!! When we received training from President Bartlett about LtW, he made us a promise that I'd like to make to you: if you participate fully in LtW, get your hands in there!), this will be the most memorable Christmas up to date! Let's get going and Light the World!!

I love this work, I love my Savior! During this special time of the year, we get to ponder on what He's done for us and we get to make plans on what we can do for Him! So I'd like to invite you to think about that: What will your gift to the Savior be?

Love you all so much!!

<3

Sister Carlson

PS - my companion has been saying something that I think is profound: "it's not Light the Church, it's Light the World" Let's reach out, branch out, and be like the Savior!

1-4) Last district activity was SO lit (in preparation for light the world hahaha) We went to this "cave" called Eurika but it's actually the pit of despair :D It was very fun and probably a lot dangerous (especially the picture with Sister Bryan and Elder Neilson...that was where we turned back around because the next hole was too small for us to crawl through) We were SO FAR under the ground!! I have so many more pictures, but this will do (for now hehe) 

5) There was a little (big) tree lighting at a park, so the sisters and we went and passed out a ton of light the world cards #spreadthelight #lighttheworld

1-3) IT SNOWED Y'ALL!!!!! IT WAS A MAGIC SNOW SUNDAY!! So we shoveled people's driveways and obviously made snowmen (my personal fave is the President Bartlett snowman!) 

4) Post shoveling...we both hurt our backs (#seniormissionaries) so we had to lay down for a second LOL!!

November 26, 2018

Hey fam-bam!

I hope you all had a happy Thanksgiving! Gratitude strengthens the heart! Ours was great, we had transfers all day :) Sister Stevenson left me (SO saaaaad!!) and went to Twin Falls with Sister Gossling (she's the happiest, most wholesome person I've ever met in my life) and my companion Sister Bryan just came from Twin! She is from Indiana and came out a transfer after me - we're both dying soon! It's crazy that we're both so close, and I don't think I like it very much...

The very most wonderful and exciting thing that happened this week is that Jenna was baptized!! She is my favorite 9 year old (she is SO sassy!) and I am so proud of her. Being here with her along this process and seeing her grow has been such a privilege, and I can't over state how proud I am of her!! The baptism was beautiful as was the confirmation.

Other than that, we've been eating, living, and breathing Light the World. I am SO excited for this initiative!! You guys,December 1st is THIS SATURDAY. We have no time to lose in preparing and planning how we'd like to participate in LtW this year! There is so much to do in so little time - get those calendars out (or downloaded), watch those videos, and get together with your family and plan how you are going to come together and light the world, light your community, light your family, and light your faith. Talk to the missionaries too, they may have some good ideas too!! Let's do this!!!

Love you all!!

<3

Sister Carlson

1) Jenna's baptism!!!!!!!

2-3) I need to preface my ugly picture with a cute one... :) The park next to our house is putting out all their Christmas decorations and we HAD to go take some pictures! I love Sister Stevenson SO much (she's my bean)

4) We were walking on Saturday because we're sharing the car with the other sisters, so here is Sister Bryan and me preparing to brave the cold (it was so so cold)

November 19, 2018

Hello beautiful family of mine! The internet in our library has been cut, so I'm currently writing to you from my smart cellular device :^)

The lesson I learned this week (and that I'm continuing to learn) is that Satan literally hates us and wants us to be miserable, he wants us to fail and doesn't want us to get back to our Heavenly home. Uplifting, I know. But I also know that our Father in Heaven loves us and that He wants us to return home to Him (changed and strengthened and improved). I know that Jesus Christ loves us too, and He's eager (definition: "having a strong or impatient wish to do something") to assist us in our journey back home. But He won't force us to take His hand. We need to reach for Him, trust Him, and let Him lift us back up so we can continue forward on the path back to God. This act (leap) of faith is the first step to healing and progression. No matter how scary it can seem, Jesus Christ is the most reliable friend in the whole world. He will ALWAYS catch you!!

I love you all so so many! I have a lot to be grateful for, having all of you 💕 Have a good week and Happy Thanksgiving!!

💕

Sister Carlson

PS - district picture this week (our last district council, saaad)! Sorry that's the only picture I have, I'm super lame ;)

November 12, 2018

Wow hello! What a week it's been! I'm still reeling from all the things, I'll outline just a few:

We had zone conference! Yay! And I saw some of my favorite people, Sister Holland and Sister Cook! Sister Cook updated me a little bit about my last area, and our friend Jason was baptized!! I am so excited for him! Now he's preparing to go to the temple this Saturday and I am so so happy for him :')

Then yesterday we had MLC! It was like drinking from a fire hydrant. I am so overwhelmed with all the things that we need to do! Speaking of that, I would like to invite all of you (if you have computer access) to go onto the website lighttheworld.org or https://www.mormon.org/christmas to start preparing for Light the World, which will be starting December 1st!! There is a calendar for themes of every week leading up to Christmas, lessons for Home Evening, videos, and just general excitement and happiness! There will be so many opportunities to serve, love, and Give as He Gave (which is our theme this year). There are so many amazing opportunities to reach out this Christmas season, friend to friend and neighbor to neighbor, and this campaign holds so many suggestions and ideas for you to #LighttheWorld this year! 🌟

Then (I'll finish up here), Sister Stevenson and I were blessed to meet 3 new people who are interested in the gospel. This happened through our amazing ward members and my observant and perceptive companion. The Lord has been blessing us so much, but I think this is one of the most poignant and obvious examples of it. I feel so blessed to be part of these people's eternal progression back to their Father in Heaven. I am grateful that God can use me, an imperfect vessel, to bring this message of peace and joy to His children in this part of the vineyard! What a privilege this is!

I love you all so much! I hope you have a great week and don't forget to fan your flame of faith so you can light up those around you 🌟

💞

Sister Avery Carlson

So idk what order these are all in, so this may be a little messed up...

1-4) A mix of zone conference and MLC pictures! You'll notice that 3/4 of these pictures have Sister Holland in them....I just love her a lot, okay??? Then the box collage is Sister Reisinger (another fave)...she is going home next week and isn't having it LOL!

5) My tiny companion's first icicle!! <333333

6) Funny Walmart sweater from this morning (my personal favorite was one that had a unicorn popping out and it said believe but the picture isn't saving, so I guess you'll just have to use your imagination lol)

November 5, 2018

Okay! Wow! We're already in November, time is flying by too too fast!

This week was fun. I am grateful for the wonderful members that we have the opportunity to work with here in these wards - they take care of us and nurture us and, more importantly, they are always looking for opportunities to serve and teach. They are eager to be involved. I love being here in this area, and I love these people (especially the amazing people we're teaching!). I love Sister Stevenson and my district and Sister Borgelthaus and Shadow. I love this opportunity I have to grow and be a missionary. I'm grateful that God has given me this opportunity to strengthen my testimony BY sharing it with others.

I love you all so much! Have a great week!

<3

Sister Carlson

PS - next preparation day is on Tuesday, so it will be a minute before I talk to you again. Love you!!

PPS - My actual favorite picture of the week <3

1) So this was Halloween night :) I saved this silly kitty face set thing from Christmas last year (thanks mom and dad!), so I thought this was the perfect opportunity to use it! I was trying to model with our house cat, Shadow, but she doesn't really want to be held...like ever :)

2) On Saturday, we helped rake some leaves (it was Sister Stevenson's first time!!) and Sister Noyce kindly took some pictures for us. This photo was taken right before a leaf fight ensued... :)

3-5) Last preparation day - we went to a corn maze and then carved pumpkins!

 6-7) This preparation day - we went onto the military base here in Mountain home and did some bowling and mini golf! Just for your information and entertainment, our names in bowling were Abish, Ruth, Eglon, Huzzab, Helawoman, and Lubim :D

October 29, 2018

Just pictures this week!

1-4) Exchanges this week! So fun, I love these sisters! <3

5) They had unicorn heads at service :)

6) Spooky!

7) I burned my finger with the flat iron :(

8) I fell asleep on the floor last night and my lovely companion took a picture <3

October 22, 2018

So surprise! I ran out of time to write anything about this week. Oops!

But the most important thing I think I can say about this week is that I am in love with Mountain Home. And I LOVE Sister Stevenson SO much!!! We have had such an amazing week - with the work and in our companionship - and I am so happy that the Lord put me here :)

Love you all! Have a great week!

Sister Carlson

1-3) We did comp study at the park with a ton of ponds and many many duckies :) I didn't get enough ducky pictures, but just trust me when I say there were SO MANY!

4) I had MLC (leadership meeting) on Tuesday, so Sister Stevenson was with our beautiful Sister Manuia and Sister Foth. In an unseen turn of events, Sister Stevenson and I were stranded in Glenns Ferry (45 minutes from Mountain Home), so for the remainder of the evening we spent time with the sisters! Their dinner appointment was very gracious about feeding 4 instead of 2 missionaries...

5) Shadow, Sister Borgelthaus's kitty :)

6) One of the girls we are teaching told me that I needed to come to our next lesson in jeans and a t-shirt, no glasses or name tag, with an afro and with my nose cut off (among other things). Instead of that, I drew a picture of the 2 of us together looking very silly! :D

7) We met a lady who wasn't really interested in hearing our message, but she gave us a tamale...woot! This picture goes no where else, though.....

8-9) Sister Stevenson and I found this wooden horse by the dumpster at out church building and we obviously had to take pictures with it.... :)

10-11) And last but CERTAINLY not least, our t-rex friend :) Watching her fun around the house was SO funny (all of us were busting up laughing) with the suit on, but as you can see she was not very happy about taking a picture with us... :/