Happy New Year 2016!

Old Williamsburg Colonial Christmas Eve Drum and Fife Performance/Event

Christmas Eve Candle Ceremony at Williamsburg 

YALL. TODAY. IS MY LAST. P-DAY!

I remember my first P-day at the MTC. What an incredible, crazy, whirlwind of an 18 months it has been. 

Yesterday before church I had my exit interview with my mission president. We talked a lot about the spiritual truths the Lord has taught me about the gospel, about myself and all the Christ-like attributes He has helped me develop. Basically my goblet of gratitude is over flowing. 

I was asked to bear my testimony in sacrament yesterday. Something that before my mission, I NEVER did. I don't know why...I think felt I a little inadequate, like I didn't know how to put my feelings into words or that I didn't know enough. Now I realize, I think we all feel like that.  

There are things that I still don't comprehend about the gospel. I do know that the gospel works!! I know that Jesus is the Christ; the Savior and Redeemer of the World. I know that He loves me. He wants what's best for me. And he is going to be there every step of the way with me. I know He suffered for not only my mistakes and sins, but my sorrows, my trials, my pains and afflictions. I know that because He loves us He has made it possible for us to have his authority on the earth and that that all began in the spring of 1820 when a young boy had a question and had the courage to say a prayer and ask our loving Heavenly Father. I know that Joseph Smith saw our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I know that he translated the Book of Mormon through the Power of God and that the accounts in the Book of Mormon are all true. I know that God answers prayers. I know that He wants us to be successful and eternally happy and He has given us every resource we need in order to reach our full potential. I know that faith and repentance change lives and that we can become better every day! 

I am living proof of imperfection but someone strengthened, uplifted, and forgiven through the atonement. I testify that because of Jesus Christ, there are no real endings. I love this gospel and I am so grateful for the time I have had to dedicate my life to the One who gave his life for mine.

Signing off for the last time,

Sister Camille Amber Carlson

It's Christmas Time!!!

       

 We wandered around the campus of CNU last week.  SURE a pretty campus! 

Exchanges with the Hermanas.  Sometimes members give us so much food, they can save it for leftovers!  These containers come in handy and we always have one in our purse, just in case!

 When retired less actives put this on their door when you were supposed to have a lesson with them.... :(

  Missionary Christmas Conference

President and Sister Baker

Sunrise on the Virginia Beach

We found a cute hide out spot! IT WAS FREEZING! but sooo pretty.

  A caroling we go...my fav!!!

Dear journal,

This week is Christmas. CHRISTMAS!!! 2015 is like over. Next week I go home from my mission. I'm going to be in STINKIN UTAH WITH MY STINKIN FAMILY. NEXT. STINKIN. WEEK.  WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAT??? So happy! 

These last few weeks of my mission have been loads of fun. The trio life is bueno. It's kind of weird to think about what it was like when I only had one companion to love and protect...now I get to have TWO! We are doin' work in the News! 

We set two of our investigators with a baptismal date for January 23rd. Then, the Dad of the two came to church and totally loved it. He wore a white shirt and everything. In Sunday school we were learning about Faith in Jesus Christ and the teacher asked him a question and he said that "Faith in Jesus Christ helps us change and do things that will make us a better person, and others will be able to see that change in us." Oh, hey, hi, future bishop! So cool. 

We went on exchanges with the Hermanas this last week and I accomplished one of my bucket list items called "eat at Abuelitas." Abuelita is this 86 year-old lady in the Spanish branch that feeds the missionaries every week. THE FOOD IS BOMB. It's like the thing to do when you serve in Newport News to go and just eat your weight in food...the portion sizes they give ya are like massive. So ya. Did that. Had to take like a 30 minute break after to pull ourselves together to go out and proselyte. Good times though. 

We have been caroling all the days. SO FUN!!! Seriously people like, cry. It's so cute. I've started doing this thing that returning missionaries are supposed do now.  It's called My Plan. It is a handbook to prepare missionaries for adjusting and their life after their mission. It's SWEET! I still don't feel like my mission is coming to an end. It's preeetttyyy surreal. My Plan walks the missionary nearing the end of the mission make...life goals and stuff. It also has you do things like sign up for Institute. HA, HA. So ya Wednesday nights...I'll be hittin' up the institute for "The Restored Gospel and World Religions" class. Yeah!  Anyone want to join me??? :) 

We had the Christmas conference this past week too. We watched the Muppets Christmas Carol....................................................................................that's a "one and done" movie. 

I'm exited to Skype my fambizzle this week. Haven't seen them in like...ever.

- XOXO, Sister C

Zone Meeting!

..OH Hello Hi!

It's the first week of my last transfer. FOUR WEEKS YALL.  We got our transfer call on Saturday and we are going to be staying here in Newport News and I'll be in a trio adding Sister Zander until I leave in 24 days.

 

This week was sawwweeeet.

First there was getting our car serviced......I'd rather have my dad take care of that.

Then there was some good lessons with our investigators. Who are probs getting baptized literally the day after I get home.

Then we went to MLC. where we talked about a lot of good stuff.

On Thursday we legit spent all day weekly planning, studying, and preparing trainings for zone meeting. and then a cute family had us over for dinner. Then we came home and planned more for Zone Meeting.

On Friday..we had zone meeting. Sister Johanson and I trained spiritual creations of baptisms and a case study that we read as a mission.

The new Christmas initiative is alive and well!

Lots of good videos on christmas.mormon.org....here's my favorite!

https://www.mormon.org/christmas/gardiner-sisters

XO, Sista C

Tomorrow is December 1st.......................WHAT???

A Nature Walk on Thanksgiving Day!

Beautiful Virginia!

Making Christmas Cookies

Sister's Christmas Tree

Ya, I have brown hair. 

Failed attempt at watching the sunrise!!!

Happy Christmas season!!

It has been a great week! I can't remember very much of what we did this last week because I left my planner back at our apartment...

We went on exchanges with the Hermanas! That is always a good time.

The night before Thanksgiving we found a Christmas tree in our apartment! Bonus!!!  

We put that up real quick.

Thanksgiving was good! Some sweet members took us out to this really nice restaurant in Williamsburg called Seafare. Yum!

On Friday night some members of our ward invited us over to make Christmas cookies to deliver to people (pictures above)...I LOVE CHRISTMAS---and the spirit of giving!

Saturday...I died my hair BROWN. Yep, I sure did.  I have gotten a lot braver on my mission so I thought I'd try it for now.

This morning we went to try and watch the sunrise in Poquoson for a sisters pday...but it was so rainy and cold...and there was no sun to rise, really.  We were all bundled up trying to stay warm, as you can see in the pics above. :)

This morning we went out to breakfast at this yummy delicious place called First Watch and the cutest little old couple paid for our meal!!!! Seriously made our day. 

HAPPY DECEMBER EVERYBODY!

-Xo Sister C