Para siempre Dios este con Vos...

Well, the time has come. I am officially leaving my baby area. Fairbanks has been the greatest area ever. I am so grateful I had the opportunity to start my mission here. It has literally been the best six months ever. I have met people that I never would have met any other way, if I hadn't decided to serve, and be sent here :) The Lord works in mysterious ways, and He definately knows what He's doing! I am super excited to meet new people, and get to know a new area, but my heart is also aching because this area has become like home. All the members are amazing and are so good to us. They are so loving, and welcoming, and are great member missionaries. We have had so much success in our ward due to the constant referrals given and fellowshipping demonstrated by the members of the Houston 10th ward. This ward is seriously AMAZING. I love everyone and am so grateful I had a chance to serve and get to know everyone.

This week was kind of sad because I didn't know for sure until 11pm last night, if I was going to be transferred, but I had a pretty big hunch. So just in case, I said goodbye to all my favorite people and it literally felt like saying goodbye to my family all over again. Saying goodbye to my recent converts and investigators was the hardest. I have gone through so many life changing experiences with them, knowing I might never see them again, was SO hard. But it will be okay :) I still have 11 more months here in the THM (Texas Houston Mission), and I know the Lord is doing what He thinks best. It is time for me to serve another area, and get to know MORE people, I was sent here to meet.

The Lord knows what He's doing. He will guide me and help me to love all my areas, wards, and companions. They might not be easy, but I know He will help me get through it :) Well, my time is short today because I still have a lot of packing to do, and some more members to see. I love you all and pray for me that I won't be sent to the country. And if I am, that I'll live through it! haha

Les amo con todo mi corazon!!!!

Hermana Carbajal

​Our cute new investie, Angel and her little sis J

​My homeboy, Elvis. He's a member in our ward.

#notcountrymaterial

So, this week we did companionship exchanges and I went to W A L L E R. -___-  So, Waller is the little country town I went to on my very first exchange as a missionary. It's about 40 minutes northwest from where we are and it is COUNTRY. Oh my. So first of all, I'm really not that girly. Like, I'm sure some of you are laughing because you think I'm very girly, but in reality, I'm not! I will kill the spider in the bathroom and I'm not afraid of (all) lizards and stuff. haha But Waller may be a little more than I can handle. Oh man, I literally could cry just thinking about it. hahaha. So, Waller consists of trailers, horses/goats tied to mailboxes doubling as a lawnmower, chickens thinking they're dogs and coming up to you and rubbing their wings and HEAD on you. (For those of you that don't know i have a HUGE fear of birds, especially CHICKENS, so this was actually my nightmare), and huge, dirty mangey dogs with spotted tongues because I'm certain they have maleria. Oh, and one last thing....BUGSSSSS. Like some bugs that you've never seen in real life except in movies where they are super-sized and terrorize a city!! Except they're actually that big and I almost had an anxiety attack. Ahhhhh, oh my gosh, I almost can't breathe thinking about it right now. hahahahaha. So anyways, that's Waller. And because I have no desire to serve there, like at all...I'm almost certain that I will be serving there for six months starting next week #smh #karma #saveme hahaha There are a couple cool things about Waller though! They do a lot of service about there because they have a verrrry small branch, and there are literally more cows in Waller than people, so they spend a lot of time working with less actives and trying to find the few but chosen there. Whatever happens, happens. Heavenly Father knows more than me and if He thinks I need to literally live in my nightmare, I will try to be brave and get to work :) haha

Down in my area, we did a little service of our own. Our investigator Marilyn is literally amazing. She's been to church three times but hasn't attended our ward because she has to work. She has begged and pleaded but her boss is mean and won't budge, so she has been attending the english ward at 9 am, which means we also attend the english ward at 9 am :) #7hoursofchurch #masbendiciones We were pretty worried at first because we were bringing OUR investigator to a different ward, and the english bishop isn't the nicest, but I prayed reallll hard that it would all go well, and that she would understand (because she doesn't speak very much english), or at least feel the spirit strong enough that it would help her understand. Welp, prayers were answered!! She understood EVERYTHING! And she had so many good questions, and just really took everything to heart. It has literally been a miracle, and I am so grateful for her. She is honestly the sweetest woman and has genuinely been looking for the "true church" for years. She has been to hundreds of different churches and never felt like they were right, and she said that when we had our first lesson with her, that she felt something different. Something new, and something true!! So rad. She has been reading the Book of Mormon for a month, and is progressing beautifully. She has a baptismal date, and we are so excited! We did service for her on thursday and cleaned her whole house! She had a surgery almost 10 years ago that almost killed her and has almost become disabled since then, so she can't do a lot. We offered to do it like 3 weeks ago, but the time didn't work out until this past thursday. It was a hard job. Like, I've never cleaned anything like that before, but all I kept thinking was, what else can we do for her?? It's so true what they say that you love those you serve. You grow a love that you didn't think was possible, and I am so grateful for learning that as a missionary. Please keep her in your prayers that she will be able to attend our ward soon and be baptized on time! :)

So this might be my last week in Fairbanks (Spring branch district). I'm actually kind of freaking out. We won't find out until sunday night and then I have literally 24 hours to pack and move the next morning -__-  It's basically the worst ever. I am pretty sure I am leaving though. I have been here for six months and I can feel that my companion is ready to take over the area. It makes me sad though because I know there is still so much work to do here!! I love this ward and this area so much and it's my baby area, and feels like home!! Ahhh, it's going to be sad but it will also be so good. I know Heavenly Father will send me wherever He needs me and I will love my new area/ companion just as much as now :)

I hope you are all doing well and enjoying your summer. I miss and love you all so much!!! Have a great week!!! xoxox

Con todo mi corazon,
Hermana Carbajal

Waller is gross but is sure is prettttay. Also, they play a lot of soccer there so that's pretty fun.

I hadn't received a letter in a month and then I got this from my brother :) haha #icoloreditin #yesiknowimtalented haha

hahahahahaha this literally killed me. #irememberwheniusedtorun #aintnomissionarygottimeforthat #imonthenoruneatalldaydiet #wahhhhh

​#leopardshoesunday #gottasassitupsomehow :)

Some more from two weeks ago at The Galleria..

​We all know I LOVE jumping pictures :) #ialmostatecrapbecauseitwassuperslippery haha

A scooter parked in a Handicap spot #nailedit #freakingtexas #texanlyfe

Tender Mercies

So, I'm emailing a little late this week because I just got back from the Chiropracter. So, I know I haven't really said anything but I have been having a few health problems since I've been in good old Tejas. Like, I never sleep. Like, literally. I sleep probably about 3 to maybe 4, or 5 hours a night. I have had Chronic Migraines for over three months, and lose sight in my right eye at least once a week, and a just a ton of other random things that seriously just make me laugh because I rather laugh than cry. haha. Anyway, I am not sharing these things to complain, I am sharing them to tell you that my Heavenly Father loves me. At first, I was like okay, whatever, things happen, this is a mission! It's not meant to be easy, things happen but Heavenly Father is aware of me and will take care of me if I do my best. But, I was doing my best, and it only progressed and became worse. One morning, I woke up with such a severe migraine, that I became instantly sick and lost sight out of both my eyes, That was new. lol. So, we called the Elders to come over and give me a blessing, but they couldn't because its a new mission rule. It was 6:30 on a sunday morning, and I just didn't know what to do. I just started crying and got down on my knees and begged Heavenly Father to give me the strength to be strong and to overcome the pain. So through the nausea, and pain, we got ready, and went to church, and there was where I received a Priesthood blessing for my health. I knew that through my faith, and diligence, I would be healed. I have received a couple blessings over this issue, and I know my Heavenly Father is speaking to me through His worthy priesthood holders. I will be blessed with health, it may not be now, it may not be tomorrow, but it will happen!!! Today, my companion felt impressed to see a chiropracter in our area who is LDS, and he just really took care of us. He worked on my neck and my head and said he would see us any time free of charge! I was so overcome with gratitude, I almost started to cry. People are so kind to us, and show us so much charity, it humbles my heart every day. The point of all this is that Heavenly Father truly knows us and knows what we NEED. I needed that kindess today and that extra support to get me through another day. He was my tender mercy today and I am so grateful that the Lord blesses me in so many different ways :)

Another tender mercy we had, happened yesterday. So remember my RECENT convert, Daniella? Yeah, well, she was baptized, confirmed, and then never came back to church. -_- Yeah. So, that's been pretty hard on me. She is someone that I knew I was meant to meet. I know I came to Texas for her. So, her basically becoming less active like the day she got confirmed broke my heart in two. But don't worry, we stalked her. Like everyday. And she usually at least had a semi-good excuse on why she couldn't make it, so we were sad, but at least we were still in contact with her. But one day, we never got a response back, and it went on for TWO WEEKS. So don't you worry that we literally went to her house EVERYDAY for two weeks. Every.single.day. We called, text, left notes, heart-attacked her door several times. We did whatever it took, but we knew we couldn't give up. It was starting to become scary because Daniella is just genuinely not that kind of person. She loves us and we love her!! We just didn't know why she wouldn't answer the door, or contact us back? I was starting to get really upset, and we fasted that we would be able to find her, or at least know that she's okay! We felt like we needed to just keep stalking her, so that's just what we did :) On sunday after church, we went to our dinner appointment, and felt really strongly like we needed to go straight to Daniella's. So we drove over, and I was on the phone with someone else, so we were just sitting in the car minding our own business when a truck pulls in right next to us. Guess who's driving? DANIELLA! I was like, I'm sorry, we have an emergency we have to go, bye!! haha. I literally just almost started crying, I was SO overwhelmed with gratitude to my Savior, I couldn't even handle it. Turns out that her cell phone was stolen, and her car was impounded so she's been borrowing her sister's car, and literally hasn't been home, or had a phone to contact us! She's been having this super hard time, and she needed us but something kept pulling us away, but in the end God brought us back together :) We had a really great lesson with her, and hope to have one on the temple grounds tonight. Her driving up right NEXT to us, was seriously an unreal tender mercy. We are blessed so much, and I am so, so grateful :)

I know my Heavenly Father and Savior are constantly watching over me, and cheering me on in this battle. Because, I am in a battle. In a constant battle with the adversary, the elements, and sometimes even myself! But as I am doing His work, He will never fail me. I am so grateful to learn more about myself, and how to grow my faith every day. I know I was sent here, at this time for a specific reason. I will fight to bring His Children home. I hope you know, I pray for each of you everyday, and constantly feel your prayers! Thank you for always loving me and never giving up on me. May God bless you forever and ever.

Les amo con todo mi corazon,

Hermana Carbajal <3

 Last monday we went to the Galleria!! They had a Nordstrom and Hna Coe and I almost fainted <3 haha They had a ton of random stuff but our favorite part was this rad Waterfall Wall, that stood in front of the mall.

My Main Girls (Tui, me, Coe Coe Bean)

​This bebe turtle tho XD

This is Christopher and He's my best friend.

So, these are my new glasses.#awkardcarselfies #hopefullymymigraineswilldisappear

Happy Cuarto de Julio!

So, first off... hispanics don't celebrate 4th of July. Wahhh. And if you know me, you know the 4th is literally my FAVORITE holiday next to Christmas. I could actually cry about it right now, I love it so much. Anyway, Hispanics don't celebrate this grand American holiday, thus meaning we didn't really get to celebrate it. And for the people that do celebrate it, don't want the missionaries over because literally everyone hates the missionaries on holidays. haha. Not really, but kind of. #iknowimhavingapityparty Our dinner appointment had us over for breakfast because she was going downtown all day, and the two BBQ's we were invited to, cancelled... and so did every other appointment we had that day. So, to not lose my freaking mind, we just contacted allll day and then had our own bbq to make ourselves feel better :) It actually ended up being great. Also, we live in the ONLY place in Texas that doesn't allow fireworks, and since we're not allowed to leave our areas except with permission, we just ate ice cream and cried (jk. haha okay maybe a little) wore the most bomb outfits ever, and played games with the Elders until it was bedtime :) So all in all, it was pretty good. Next year, I will be home so... its allll good :)

This week started off great. We got to meet our new mission president! President Mortensen and his family. They are sooooooo great!!! They literally made me feel like I was at home. They are so pumped and are so excited to be here and get to work. I think it will be really great for the mission and I can't wait to see all the exciting things that will happen in the next few months. One being....IPADSSSSSSS. Ahhhhhh, i've literally been waiting for six months. Oh my gosh, I am so excited. We're supposed to be getting them soon, and they are literally going to be sooo great for the work! There is so much more things we can do with technology, so I am really excited about that :)

On friday, we called our investigator Marilyn, and set up another appointment for this next week and she told us that she had been praying and had FINALLY picked a date!! Yayyy. She will be baptized July 27th!! Wooot woot. Well, hopefully. lol She has only been to church once because of work, so we're praying real hard that she'll be able to come to church so she can be baptized!! Please keep her and our other investigators in your prayers :)

Today, I am going downtown for the first time and we're going to a place called The Galleria. It's like the South Coast of Texas. I mean, I think at least? I am soooooo excited!! I have been wanting to go for so long and we only get to leave our mission once a transfer soooo I am stoked! I promise to send lots of pics!!

I hope you all had an amazing fourth of july and an even better week!! I love you all and am so grateful for each and every one of you! I constantly feel your prayers <3

Les amo con todo mi corazon!

Hermana Carbajal

So, I found some flower crowns. #weallknowiloveflowercrowns #californiadreamin

Our 4th of July Feast :)

Dressed up and ready to party #inourapartment #holidays #missionlyfe

It's not a goodbye, it's a see ya later...

So, this was it. The last week of President Pingree's mission as the Mission President of the Texas Houston Mission. I cannot express the heartache I felt at the temple when we had to say goodbye. It LITERALLY felt like I was saying goodbye to my family... all over again! UGHHH. It was awful. But also really happy because we had an amazing day. We had a special session with him at 6:30 am (which meant we were up at 4 am #nbd), and when he greeted us in the last room, he grabbed each of us, one by one, and told us how much he loved us and how proud he was of us. That's what I imagine heaven is like. Entering the gates and being greeted by our Savior, and He stands there and embraces you and tells you how much He loves you, and how proud He is of you. It was a very special experience. Afterwards we all had the opportunity to have specialized training with the Temple President and we got to ask ANY question we had. It was unreal. I learned so much about the temple and covenants I have made. It was definitely a once in a lifetime kinda deal, and I will never forget it :) After the training, we all had a chance to say good bye, and hug president and sister pingree for the LAST time. Holy cow. I honestly haven't cried that hard since I was dropped off at the MTC. President and Sister Pingree are like our mission parents, so it truly hurt our hearts to say goodbye. But it's okay, because we will see them again :)

We have a NEW president coming TODAY! President Mortensen from Irvine, California! woot woot! He's from home, so he can't be that bad :) haha I've heard so many great things about him so I am really excited to meet him on wednesday. I know I was meant to serve under President Pingree for the first six months of my mission, but I also know I was meant to serve under President Mortensen for the last year. Nothing is a coincidence. God plans out everything, so I can't wait to see the miracles he will do for this mission :)

On wednesday, Hermana Coe and I had an AWESOME teaching day. We literally taught 10 lessons in one day!!! Just fyi.com that's like alot. Like a lot, a lot. haha We began proselyting at 11 am and literally had lessons until 9:30 pm. We came home and passssed out. haha It was so great though because those are the kinda days that make you feel so good and make you feel like you're really making a difference. We are out usually from 12-9 everyday, but we don't usually have lessons all day because things ALWAYS fall through, and things happens, and blah blah blah... but on wednesday, everything we planned for happened! It was amazing. In that, we also had a few miracles. We went to visit this sweet little man named, Hermano Calderon. We go see him once a week just because he needs to be visited and we are the only people that come see him. We always have our lessons outside because he lives alone, so we can't go inside his house, and he lives in a verrrrry poor area. There are ALWAYS bugs, and trash, and just crazy stuff all over the ground, and it was super hot that day and Hermana and I were already so tired and just didn't even want to go, but we knew we had to be diligent, so we went anyway. As we were sitting outside talking to hermano, this woman calls my name "Hermana Carbajal??" I was like what the?? I turn around and who is it...Dianna! Our sweet friend that was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer in may. We hadn't seen her in a while because she hadn't been returning our calls, and every time we had an appointment she wasn't home, so it's been kinda tricky, but I hadn't forgotten about her because she really touched my heart. When I saw her I literally jumped out of my chair and gave her a huge hug. Turns out, she was going to start her chemo treatments the next day and she said she had been praying that she'd see us! I mean... okay, Heavenly Father. Miracle? I'd say yes. If we hadn't followed the prompting to be go see Hermano, even though we REALLY didn't want to because it was sooooo hot, and we were soooo tired, we wouldn't have randomly found her walking around a random complex visiting a friend. The Lord is always aware of us and when He knows that someone is in need He will always put people in your path. So cool. Anyway, it was a tender mercy, and we were able to come visit her the next day. She is doing well and we are praying for her that she will stay strong through this rough journey.

It's been another great week and I am so grateful to be serving in such a wonderful place. I hope you all have a great fourth of july, and to all my california friends enjoy the beach for me :)

Les amo con todo mi corazon!!!

Hermana Carbajal

So while hermana practiced the piano, I worked on my chalk skills... haha #canyoutellimisstheocean?

Me and my soul sista Hermana Tu'ikolovatu

Angelito was baptized!! (His family are members, but we taught him just because his mom wanted us too. lol)

​The group photo after the temple :)

Me, Hermana Tu'i, and Hermana Coe at El Templo

Me with President and Sister Pingree