Christmas Eve Caroling!

The 5 Sisters in Nags Head, No. Carolina

                                               
                                             Sister Carlson and Sister Johnson-

(one of the Hermanas that lives in their beach house!)

Cami and her companion Sister McDonald deliver a 

cake to one of their favorite recent converts.  

 

Christmas Eve at the Jacobson's Home.  
A special thank you to them for taking such good care of our 
sisters out there in No. Carolina!

Cami and her Companion, Sister McDonald

Christmas Eve-the girls drug their mattresses to the living room and had a 

Christmas Sleepover--Trying to spot Santa, no doubt!

Here she is, your favorite sister missionary and mine!

Sister Carlson on Christmas Morning!  

All the way from the Spencer's home in North Carolina!

Thanks to them also! Best present EVER! 

There's that SMILE!!! New Screensaver photo!

Our family Skyping Cami on Christmas Morning! 

Jenn shows Cami Baby Aiden, the newest addition to our family!

He was just chillin'!

Amy, Justyn & Tay

Karlee, Michael & Cooper say hi with Haven trying to get in on the action!  

Christy, Rommel, Baby Lilly & Rome, the twins, now 6 months old! 

Cami saw them the day after they were born, so they have grown a LOT!

Sister Time!

Matt, Kylee & Rome takin' a selfie while Skyping with Cami!

Haven and Alexa in their Elsa (from the Disney Movie, Frozen) Hats! 

I made these in my 'spare' time. 

 Grandpa and Cooper on his new bike!

Heyo!

This week has been super fun! 

We started out the week on Tuesday volunteering at the food pantry which I always love doing! We also went around and visited some less-actives in the ward, took them a loaf of bread and introduced them to the new relief society president. Over the span of Tuesday night and Wednesday, we did lots of caroling :) Tuesday night we went to Manteo and caroled/took treats to members of the ward and then on Wednesday we caroled in Kill Devil Hills and it was pouring rain but it was so much fun! We went to the dollar store and bought ourselves some ponchos and sang in the rain! :) it was definitely an unforgettable Christmas Eve Day! 

At night on Christmas Eve we went over to the Jacobson's which was great! President Jacobson served his mission in Taiwan so he makes this huge Taiwanese dinner which was cool! There were a lot of people from the ward there and we gave a lesson after dinner about giving gifts. 

Thursday was of course Christmas....AKA the best day of my liiiiiiife. I got to talk to my beautiful amazing loving wonderful sweet eternal family over Skype and that is the best gift I could have received! In the morning on Christmas we went over to the Buchanan's, opened presents, had breakfast and played games. Then we went over to the Spencer's to Skype. After that, we went over to a recent converts house for dinner with him and his family which was way fun! Lots of good food but after that day I never wanted to eat again, ha,ha. 

On Friday and Saturday we went to Surfin Spoon because they are closed for the season now so thats pretty sad! Good thing I'm comin back to visit this place after the mish. On Saturday we went to the taco trailer in Manteo with the Hermanas which is probably my favorite thing ever. I ordered in Spanish....AYOOOO!!! "Yo quiero tres tacos de bistek porfavor"  heheee :))))) Yummiest food around. Just realized half my email is about food. AWWWKKKKward. Anyway. Life is good. 

This week is 2015. In case anyone was wondering, 2014 will be forever know as the fastest year of my life. 

Happy New Year!!!!!

Much love, Sista C

 Merry Christmas!

Cami and sister Hoffman with a fruit basket she made them.

This is a cute quote that Cami found at Sister Jacobsen's House.

 This is Cami learning to Weave at Endless Possibilities.  

This is the place she talks about in her letter below.

One of the Elders in my district's Mom made us all these Christmas hats!! :) 

This is their tree.  Simple and Cute!

One of the Spencer's Yachts.  

They own the company of the house Cami will be skyping from on Christmas Day.

In contrast, this is where James is in South Africa.  

This is their cute church. It's been 112 there this week.

    

I had to include this one, for anyone who wonders what James is up to.  

Apparently he is playing with Tigers! Yikes!

Merry Christmas!

I hope it is merry and bright wherever you are :) 

This past week has been a good one. Last Monday we went caroling with the bishop and his family and I think that is the first time that I can remember that I have ever been caroling and I seriously loved it! It was so funny to see people's expressions change from "who are these people standing on my porch in the dark?!" to "Merry Christmas! Thank you so much for thinking of me!" The Christmas season truly touches hearts and changes people..and that's exactly what Jesus Christ can do for us all year long if we allow him to :) There was one lady in particular that seriously was the cutest thing ever- after we got done caroling she just stood there for a second and then she choked up and said "you made my Christmas!"....which obviously made my Christmas :) 

On Tuesday, me and my comp went to this really cool place in downtown Manteo called Endless Possibilities. This place works with a Thrift Store here called hotline and endless possibilities takes the clothes that don't get sold and cuts them up into little strips of fabric and then they use the fabric to to weave rugs and bags and tons of other stuff and i got to learn how to do that which was super cool! 

On Friday we had a Christmas Conference in Chesapeake and we watched the Polar Express..and if we're 100% being honest it was a little weird to just sit down and watch a movie. The whole time I was just relating it to the gospel haha..so that's my awkward missionary life. 

Feliz Navidad!!!!!!

Xoxo, 

Sister Carlson

The World War II Candy Bomber!

 This is Cami with Gail Halverson, the Candy Bomber from World War II.  He's 95 and came to speak in their area.  If you've seen the movie 'Meet the Mormon's', he mentioned Elizabeth City in his story.  That's the area where Cami is serving! The Sister Missionaries saw it as an opportunity to share the gospel so they organized at Pot Luck Dinner to go along with his devotional. Story below.

The sisters in Nags Head, (OBX) North Carolina!

The one next to Cami is Sister McDonald, her actual companion and the other 3 are the Hermanas that she talks about lots.  They all live in the same house in Nags Head.

The planning committee, The sisters and a couple of Santa's Elves!

This was their Pancakes and coordination meeting for the 

Candy Bomber Event on Satruday. 

The Hermanas.  The one on the right is from Taylorsville 

and Cami is excited to be friends with her after the mish!

Cami and Hermana Gray

Hello hello!

Sometimes I can feel changes coming over me...and it's kind of weird. Today is one of those days though! I can't really describe it, other than I know that it is the gospel turning me into a better person :) This week was super good! 

On Monday we had a Family Home Evening at Brother Kelly's house with some investigators and members of the ward. We read the Christmas story, did a white elephant game/exchange, made hot chocolate, and then went to see a house on Ocean Acres that does Clark Griswold lights X100000. *Not an exaggeration* 

On Thursday we had a zone conference in Virginia and Elder Snow and his wife from the quorum of the 70 came and spoke to us and it was so good! He talked about a few different things in the conference but my favorite thing he said was "Save your fork, the best is yet to come" I thought that was cute :) that's going to be my life motto of 2015. 

Saturday was probably one of the coolest days of my life because the Candy Bomber from the Meet the Mormons movie came to our ward and did a devotional! And anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE cute little old guys and he was like the most amazing person I have ever met! He is 95 and is so active- mentally spiritually, and physically. He is so selfless and loving towards others and is definitely not ashamed in his testimony of the gospel. In everything he said, he attributed to the gospel in helping him become who is he is today. I know without a doubt that the gospel changes lives and I am so grateful for the way it has changed my life and the opportunity I have to help others let the gospel change their lives! 

Love you all- Have a great week!

-Sister Carlson

This girl DOES lover her Yorkie!  I think she misses Sophie most of all! 

Last week one found her on the boardwalk during 'walk and talk' 

and she was chasing after it to get a Yorkie love!

Cami's new flash drive! HA!

She loves Minnions and Olaf almost as much!  

Sunset over the Sound, which what they call the water between Manteo and Nags Head.  

How did I not know about this beautiful place!

Cami and Hermana Johnson at the Christmas Tree lighting in Manteo.

Cami in front of one of the boats at the boat parade.  Rough duty! 

 

Sister Valez taught them how to make Home made Enchiladas.  Yum!

Cami, Hermana Valdez and Hermana Gray the Tree Lighting in Manteo

Their table at the Christmas Tree Lighting in Manteo, No. Carolina

The ward Christmas Party last Saturday Night.  

These pictures were texted to me by a dear member who watches out for the Sisters closely.  

This was the tree Lighting Friday night.  

Thanksgiving dinner last week.  

Picking up their new companions last week.

Who knew yard work could be so much fun!

Here's our baby girl Friday Night right before the tree lighting. 

She looks so great!!!!  Precious girl!  LOVE HER!!!

Hello Hello!

This week has been a good one! I have learned A LOT. It's funny when you go on a mission and you learn all sorts of spiritual things, but you also learn SOOO many other things that I didn't even realize. Like how much I love and absolutely need Jesus Christ. Or how to clean up after myself. Or that I need to make my bed everyday. Or that I'm not right all the time. Or that I'm not perfect and its OK. Or that Ether is actually in the Book of Mormon and not in the Bible (blonde moments). Or that I don't need to eat every dessert at the ward Christmas party. Or what kind of people I like to be around. Or what kind of qualities I want in a husband, ETC. 

A few highlights of the week would definitely be learning how to make homemade Enchiladas from Hermana Valdez (YUM), some reeeeally good lessons with our investigators, dinner at Owens Restaurant with our Ward Mission Leader Brother Paul Spencer, and Zone Meeting. There was a quote shared in Zone Meeting that I have heard before, but needed to hear again and it says:

"Do you want to be happy? Forget yourself and get lost in this great cause. Lend your efforts to help people! Stand higher. Lift those with feeble knees, hold up the arms of those that hang down. Live the gospel of Jesus Christ." -Gordon B. Hinckley

There were a few times this week where I was kinda strugglin' and feeling pretty selfish. It wasn't made known unto me when I got to Zone Meeting and saw that quote. I then realized that I need to get over myself and invest fully in the work that I am here to do. I am here not only as a missionary but as a daughter of God on the earth to love others and help them through this mortal journey just as I have been helped. 

In my patriarchal blessing I am told that there will be many times in my life where I will be called to lead those who are weak and the faith and I am so grateful for that opportunity. I love people. I am so grateful for loving compassionate service that helps me to see the eternal perspective and get outside of myself. It is really one of the biggest blessings. Another favorite part of the week was going to the Christmas Tree Lighting in down town Manteo-We had the genius idea (us and the Hermanas) to set up a table, give out Apple Cider, and have the "He is the Gift" video that the church just put out playing on laptops. Let's just talk about how easy missionary work is when you have people coming up to you and asking you what you believe. It was seriously one of the coolest experiences on my mission so far. The He is the Gift initiative that the church is doing right now makes it so easy to share with others what we believe. We were given a ton of the He is the Gift pass along cards that are included in the December Ensign and we gave out most of them. 

It was super awesome. Hope ya'll have a most cheerful and joyous week! 

"The work is not finished until Jesus Christ can see his reflection in us." XOXOXOX! :)

-Sister Carlson

Happy December 1st from Nags Head!

Cami and the Hermanas were taking her companion to the mission home to drop off Sister Bassett and they got to go to a Target and she was in heaven! 

5 months without setting foot in a Target!  

She saw this cute Olaf hat and had to try it on.  This is the 2nd week in a row of an Olaf pic. She's a goof!

 Cami got this cute coat, some cute neice and nephew 

pics and a favorite Utah treat from her Sis, Christy!   

 Dinner at Sam and Omies with the Bryants and the Hermanas

 On her way to pick up our new companions with the Hermanas.  This is Sister Johnson. They got to add 2 new ones to their house.  Sister Valez and Sister McDonald.  Now there are 5 girls in their house.  

Cami, Hermana Valdez and Hermana Johnson at the Turkey Bowl on Thanksgiving :) Details below.

Cami is showing her love for Hermana Valdez :) 

She already served in Nags Head before Cami got there and earlier 

in her mission so its kinda funny that she got sent back- especially 

because this is her last transfer! 

Happy December 1st!!! :)

Well....this week has been interesting. We dropped another companion off at the mission home last Monday. It was amazing though because we got to Chesapeake like an hour early, so the member that drove us took us to Chick Fil A (YESSSS) and then,...wait for it....we WENT TO TARGET!!!!! First time at Target in 5 months.. you can say I was happy. It pretty much was the best day ever because after we got home from Chesapeake, I came home to 2 packages-one from my sister Christy and my Mama!!! Talk about a good day. Being in a trio with the Hermanas again was so great-I love Hermana Johnson and Hermana Gray SO MUCH. We went to a member in the ward's house for dinner that night and they fed us crab legs, shrimp, clams-the whole Enchilada. Well technically ocean, but anyway it was so delicious. We all gave them "the best meal of our missions" award :) 

On Tuesday we were also in a trio and we went and had a lesson with a Hispanic less active in the ward that the Hermanas have been working with, and then we cleaned up and got the house ready for the new sisters coming to nags head! The Hermanas are now in a trio with Hermana Valdez who has actually already served in nags head and then I got a new companion as well so we had to do a little adjusting to make room for 5 sisters but things are workin out well! On Tuesday night some members took us out to dinner at a local place called Sam and Omies and it was soooo delicious. I got flounder that had been caught that day. YUM. She bought us all dinner, dessert and t shirts! SOOooo kind. We had a good lesson with 2 of our investigators after dinner and they committed to read the book of Mormon and pray to know if its true so we are looking forward to our lesson with them this week to see how that is going. Next on the agenda is getting them to come to church :) we are planning to commit them to a baptismal date this week. 

Wednesday was transfers, we got to Elizabeth City and the transfer van was like 2 hours late so the member that drove us took us out to lunch at Panera bread ha, ha. I got to see my MTC companion sister fife and I just stinkin' love and miss her! I hope we get to be comps again someday. When we got to our area, we went grocery shopping and my comp forgot her card at the house, so we called Brother Kelly to ask him to ask her mom to put money in the account of another card, and we got on the highway to come home after getting the groceries and all the sudden we see brother kellys son Patrick and Kyle driving next to us trying to hand us a credit card through the window! HAHA it was so dang funny! We had already paid for her food and everything but I thought it was so nice of them to go to all that trouble! The ward members are just so loving and willing to do anything for us! 

Thursday was Thanksgiving and it was seriously so much fun! We played in the ward Turkey Bowl and I never realized how much i like to play touch football! Haha. Hermana Valdez and I were the star players ;) For Thanksgiving Dinner, we went over to the Bishops house and ate with him and his family and it was soo yummy. I ate wayy to much dessert but all is well :) YOSO. (you only serve once). 

Saturday was so great-The Hermanas had a baptism!!! :) It was 2 of their investigators that got baptized and i just love to see the glow of someone who has just recently been baptized, and then when they are confirmed its like angels singing. SOOO cool. The church is true. Me and Sister McDonald sang Nearer My God To Thee in Spanish for the baptism-that was a first but Sister McDonald has the most beautiful singing voice! She is a good addition to the ward choir. :) On Sunday I spoke in church on missionary work. Haha. Of course I shed a few tears... or a few 100 :) I wouldn't be Sister Carlson if I didn't cry. Ha, ha! We had choir after church and this week I am so grateful for music and for the way the spirit speaks through powerful, beautiful music. 

I am looking forward to a great month full of the pure love of Christ and happiness joy and love! 

Everyone should look up the video "He is the Gift" that the church has just put out, and #ShareTheGift this month to remember the true meaning of Christmas now and throughout the coming year :) I hope ya'll had a great Thanksgiving and have a great first week of December! :)

Xoxo,

Sister Carlson