Monday, August 25, 2014

Heavenly Father answers prayers!

Well.... I know my posts have been a little Debbie Downer-ish lately, but it's because when you are a missionary and literally no one ever wants to talk to you or come to church, or even cares about you, it can kinda get to you. BUT, our prayers have been answered. This week BOTH less active families that we have been working with non-stop for the past 4 weeks that I have been here, and BOTH of our investigators CAME TO CHURCHHHHHH. Ahhhhhhhh!! It's just crazy because these are such small things that I totally took for granted in my last area. I honestly have no idea why this area is so much harder, but in my last area people just made commitments and kept them! So it was like normal to me, you teach, them come to church, they accept the gospel, and get baptized! Nope. It is NOT that easy. I was just in like the most prepared area of all time apparently. I know this is the reason why we have to change areas, to not get too prideful and lazy, and keep working. And boy, have my eyes been opened! Anyway, they all come to church, it has taken a whole month, about 8 dozen batches of homemade chocolate chip cookies, banana bread, and serious stalking, but the point is, they all came!!! When I saw them walk through the doors, my eyes just filled with tears and my heart almost skipped a beat. It made me feel like we ARE making a difference, they ARE listening, and we ARE helping them make a change. So, yay!!! Please keep praying for our area so they will continue to come to church :)

Okay, so obviously yesterday was like the best day of my life, but that is not the only miracle that happened! Well, a little back story to this week, we had zone conference which was AMAZING, like seriously unreal, it was exactly what I needed :) But it was pretty far away, so we drove there and used a lot of miles, and we went to Marilyn's baptism on saturday!! Yeeeee! It was so so so so so good, but that was also SOOO far away, and basically used 90 miles in one day, and we are only allotted 275/week. So basically, yesterday we had 21.5 miles left for the day and our church is 8 miles both ways, so we were pretttttty stressed that we were literally going to have to walk the entire day. However, the Lord BLESSES His servants. He totally takes care of us :)

So, we went to church, everyone came, it was so rad, we arranged to have a lesson at the building after church so we didn't have to drive to their home, that was great. Then we had a lunch appt. that was kinda far away but we just planned on leaving our car there and walking the two miles to a trailer park to go contacting, so it was obviously going to be awful but I was mentally preparing myself for it. We had lunch, and the hermana's all, "hey have you guys ever tried the trailers next door?" "What trailers??" "The one's next door!" She walks us outside, and literally points to the trailers on the other side of her FENCE! I was like, what the heck?!?!?! That was my first time at this hermana's house, so I had no idea, but apparently my companion didn't know either!!!! So that was a freaking miracle. Instead of walking 4 miles in the 110 degree heat yesterday, we drove our car across the street to a trailer park no one has been to before #bendiciones. We prayed and began to contact. We knocked on like 6 trailers, no one was interested or even spoke spanish, so we were getting a little frustrated but then we found a trailer that seemed interesting. We went up to the door and knocked just once, and this huge guy covered in tats opens the door. I was like "uhhhh hi, we're missionaries.." "yeah, I know who you are..." "Oh good! well we're here to invite people to grow their faith in Christ." He pauses for a second and says, "is it okay if we sit down? Do you have time to talk?" (me in my head) I mean......YEAH!!!!! Duh! haha. So we sat outside on his porch and talked for two hours. We stated our purpose, and answered his questions on the purpose of life and bore witness of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, and of the Book of Mormon. It was incredible. Probably one of the best contacts of my whole mission. He was so intrigued and so curious and had so many good questions. He just got out of jail, and found an old Bible in his cell. He had never even opened a Bible before and he said he had a feeling like he needed to read it. He read it non-stop and since he's been out he has been looking for more. He says he believes God helped him get out of jail, so that he could serve Him. Welp, I mean, a miracle??? I'd say so. He is so precious and just wants to learn like crazy. We are coming back this week to start the lessons. He is amazing and we are excited to see what is going to happen :)

I know there are people that are prepared to listen in this area! It's been a little tricky finding them but they are out there! Please pray for this area so that we can find those people that are searching for more truth :) Transfers are this week already! This transfer is shortened by a week because of a Worldwide Mission President conference. I'm pretty sure we're getting our Ipad's after it X) pero vamos a ver!

I love you all so much and hope you all have a wonderful week full of love and service!!!

Les amo con todo mi corazon!!
Hermana Carbajal xoxoxo
 So I forgot to mention this in my email but...something else happened this week. On wednesday, I was suuuper sick with the flu and I just wanted to cry because it had been yet another day of rejection, when we walked up to our door and there are ton of little handprints all over it. I was like, what the heck? Yeah, don't worry that one of my BFFS was in Houston, in Spring (where I live) and was visiting and found me! Ahhhhh #bestdayofmylife #tendermercies #everyoneelsecomefindmetoo ;)

 MARILYN WAS BAPTIZEDDD. And I got to go "home". Houston10 feels like home at least :) AND i got to see my girls <3333

#lovemygirls #soulsistas #fairbanks4lyfe #ccc

Monday, August 18, 2014

Perseverar Hasta El Fin

Perseverar hasta el fin = Endure to the end. Enduring is not always easy, but knowing the gospel of Jesus Christ makes it possible. I have learned over and over again what "enduring" actually means as a missionary. There are so many times when you are just so tired and you just want to give up and go home, but you can't! Because enduring means to withstand; to overcome and to triumph. At least it does to me. Since coming to my new area, I have felt all those things. It has been a semi-difficult adjustment, due to the difference in area, less members, less success in finding, and in general, just less people willing to listen, or learn. Then adding in the elements and my health, it has made it almost impossible for me to feel the way I felt just a few weeks ago in the city. But here's the thing... all those feelings, and issues are controllable; and are all about me. I was focusing on myself, and what I wanted, and what I needed. And that is not why I am here. I am here on the Lord's errand and I promised to submit my will to Him. I am not here for myself, I am here to teach the gospel and serve my Savior.
In the past three weeks, I have received four Priesthood (authority/ power of God) blessings. To heal my body and for much needed comfort. The Savior knows me and He knows my heart. He knows I want to be here and that I want to love this area as much as my last, and that is why He has put people in my life to help me get there.

 In the end of the old testament, in the book of Isaiah, chapter 41 verse 10 states, "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." Fear not! He is with us! He will strengthen us and give us aid! He is aware of us and what we need and He will not leave us. My heart is so full whenever I read that scripture because I know for a fact that my Savior is with me and is also praying for me that I will have success. I am so grateful to have the knowledge that life isn't just about THIS life. That we have been promised blessings and everlasting happiness just as long as we endure to the end by following Christ and His example. I testify that through the hard times, is when we learn the most. We were put on this earth to learn of Him, and be molded perfectly in Him. My heart rejoices in knowing this truth. If you have also felt those same feelings of frustration, fear, loneliness, or sadness, remember that Christ suffered through those same things so that he may be able to help you through them (Alma 7:11-12) Pray to Him, learn of Him, and come to Him, and by doing so you will never be lost again :)

I love you all and am so grateful to be able to bear a little piece of my testimony. I hope you all know how loved you are by your Heavenly Father and by His son, Jesus Christ. We are all children of a King, and need to recognize it more often. I know I forget it sometimes, but that's why I'm here, to learn and to grow.

This week was pretty hard, but we found light in the middle of all the darkness. Please pray for my new area of The Woodlands, that we may be able to have success and find those that are prepared and are ready to accept the Lord and His Gospel. :)

We have Zone Conference coming up this week and I was asked to do the musical number! I'm excited and nervous. lol I also have a baptism on saturday for Marilyn, in my last area!! wooooo! I am sooooo excited I could actually cry! I was asked to do the baptismal talk, and sing. haha. I also have to prepare a talk to Zone Conference, just in case I get picked randomly (that's the way they choose the speakers). I was chosen last conference, but who knows :) It's definitely going to be a busy week, but such a good one! I hope you all have a great week and know how much I love you!!

Les amo con todo mi corazon,

Hermana Carbajal

#ETTE #Enduretotheend #SiSePuede ;)
 ​Well I mean, we all know how I feel about babies... #babiesofHouston
 ​My main man, Edgar. #babiesofHouston
 ​Arturo #babiesofHouston
​Love dem Texan skies #TheWoodlands #THM #TexasHoustonMission

Monday, August 11, 2014

Families are Forever

So my new area we visit A LOT of families :) Something verryyy different than my last area where we basically only taught people by themselves. So this dynamic has been different but so nice at the same time. We have two investigators that have a baptismal date for the end of this month, and they are both in part member families. Both of their families are members, but IN ACTIVE. Like way in active. But, its okay because we know through their children's decision to be baptized they will see the urgency to be an example to them and to once again begin living the gospel. On wednesday, we had a lesson with one of our investigators and we asked her dad to bring them to the church because we couldn't go to their house because their mom wasn't going to be home. We were kind of worried that he would flake out because "Jose" has done it a couple times, but at exactly 6 p.m. they rolled in. I almost started crying because I was so happy!!! He brought his two daughters, one which is our investigator. We taught our lesson on The Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the spirit was so strong I could see Jose's heart being softened right then and there. He is literally such a sweet man and we've had a few lessons with just him at his work, Chik Fil A. He told us his conversion story, and how he used to go out with the Hermanas all the time, and when he got the Priesthood, and gave a blessing to his sick mother. He was tearing up, and I could see he was remembering the sweet blessings of the spirit. It was such a great lesson and we ended up setting up a second lesson that week for saturday. So on saturday we went over, and taught Family History, which is the new next lesson after the first three. We taught FH, and the spirit was unreal. Their whole family was there and I could really feel the spirit working on the parents hearts. They didn't come to church on sunday but we aren't giving up on them! We spoke the Elders Quorum president yesterday, and we're going rescue status on them. President Mortensen, our new mish president, is all about in actives, and we are going to save them all! It makes me so happy to know that we have some support in this, because it can be very hard at times. With investigators, you teach you baptize. With less actives, they've already entered into the covenant of baptism, so we have to reawaken that fire of the spirit. I have a testimony that through fellowshipping of the members that we can bring them all back! Please pray for my families here :)

In other news, Marilyn is getting baptized this Thursday!!! woooooooohoooo! I am soooo excited! So I'm heading down to Fairbanks this week to speak/sing/ cry because let's be real, I always cry. Ahhh. Also, my other investigator from Honduras that was pregnant had her baby and is also prepping for baptism!! Ahh, it just warms my heart that all the work I did down there is coming into action!! I am so grateful for this work and for what it does for the people of Houston, and for what it does to me. My heart feels like its grown 5 billion times since I've been here. There are so many people that I love and care about and I know it couldn't have happened unless I was here doing what I'm doing!

I love you and all hope you know God loves you more ;)

Les amo con todo mi corazon!
Hermana Carbajal xoxoxo
 ​So many treeees
 ​its FREAKING HOT. #justonesummer #texanheat #thenaddHUMIDITY -__-
 ​COKE LIGHTTTTTT #notsoldinamerica #texasisntamerica #itsmexico #iknowilookcrazyhere
 ​My girls!!! #cccc #allmycompanionsareC's
 ​CCCC
​#soulmates #soulsistas #teamccc #fairbanks4lyfe

Monday, August 4, 2014

New Beginnings

Well Friends, I am in....THE WOODLANDS. woooot, woot. It's half forest half country. I am about 40 minutes away from my old area in Spring Branch, now I'm closer to an area called College Station. For all you college football fans, you probably know where that's at. It's so pretty up here. It's so green and the trees are HUGE. It's wayyyy different than my last area but it's all good. The ward is pretty small, we hardly get fed, the other missionaries lives miles away, and we cover three cities: the woodlands, spring, and conroe. Oh, and we walk A LOT. It's good though. Everyone says you learn to be a missionary differently in every place you go to. I'm for sure seeing that. I was so happy and comfortable in H-10, I'm not at all surprised Heavenly Father wanted to mix it up to give me a chance to keep growing :)

My new companion's name is Hermana Callie Clement. She's also from California (Poway), and she's super sweet. We have a semi-dead area, but we have been rustling it up this week!! Since tuesday, we have gotten three new investigators, three people to commit to baptism, and have had set appointments all week. We both know we are supposed to serve together in this area, and we are making the best of it! It's kinda tricky in this area because it's so big so all the members are spread out and we can't go to all the same places everyday so it makes it a little hard to get member presents, BUT luckily, the members are super awesome. and do their best to accommodate us and come along when they can :) On friday night we had an AMAZING lesson with our two new investies. They're 10 and 13 and they are so cute!! We watched The Restoration on tuesday and they had so many questions! It was so awesome, and we committed them to read the Intro to the Book of Mormon, and to do Moroni's challenge to read and pray if it were true. On friday, we came over with members that live on their street and we asked them if they had done their homework and they said yes! They had read and prayed and knew it was true!! wooo! So as we taught The Plan of Salvation, we kept referring to what they had felt when they prayed and by the end we committed them AND their mom to baptism!!! Yesssss!!! We are going to baptize a family!! I am so excited!! This area has so many that are prepared we just have to find them :)

I'm super excited to be here and see what The Lord has in store for me here in The Woodlands! We have Zone Meeting this week, and a HUGE activity my ward is doing for investigators, less actives, and recent converts! I am so excited to see all that's to come! I love you and hope you are all happy and enjoying the last bit of summer!

Les amo con todo mi corazon!

Hermana Carbajal

p.s.don't worry that my trainer Hermana Crandall came BACK to our area, and is now with my last companion Hermana Coe. My baby is killing off grandma.Who would have thought. haha

p.s.s. my new addy #writeme :)
        26325 Northgate Crossing Blvd #1621
        Spring, Tx 77373
​Araujo Family (H-10)
​Ew, i look so gross b.c it was so hot and i was sweating like a pig, but here's the three generations: grandma, mom, baby #ilovethem #whycantwebeatrio??
#fairbankstrio #ccc
​Again, super hot sweaty mess, but me and my new comp: Hermana Clement :)
​freaking cutest baby of my life #thewoodlands
​freaking cutest baby of my life #thewoodlands