Goodbye Poquoson!

Pics of Colonial Williamsburg

Cami's Mission Mom in Poquoson!

This lady worked at the post office that Cami frequented in Poquoson.  She had some cute earrings on that Cami commented on.  The next thing Cami knew, this sweet lady took them off and gave them to Cami.  She told her that they belonged to her mother who had recently died and that she wanted Cami to have them because Cami had a special spirit about her!  Such a precious memory.  Cami had to go and tell her good-bye before she left Poquoson. 

Saying her final goodbyes to the great 

folks of Poquoson was hard.  

Hello Kempsville, Virginia!

Desk

Bedroom

Cami is loving her nice big closet!

And nice big bathroom!

Cami and her new companion, Sister Thornton!  

And this was their life yesterday along with 70% humidity!

Hello from Kempsville VA!!

Remember that one time when I got shotgunned into an area?........Because I do! (someone is snoring the library right now, its fine) Life is Good. Crazy. Fun. Wild. and Hilarious here :) I am loving it. Me and my comp are already having so much fun so there are definitely good things in store this transfer! It's so much bigger than Poquoson! All I have to say is that whoever invented GPS deserves to go to the Celestial Kingdom. Like WOW. Blessed. 

Last Monday was way good, Sister Fairchild took me and Sister Crawford to Colonial Williamsburg which was so cool!!!! When I come back and visit my mission, I want to devote like 2 full days just to Williamsburg because there is so much to see! It's huge! She took us to lunch at this restaurant called Food for Thought. Coolest place ever. It is full of US History. 

Tuesday was a day full of sadness and tears. Lots of "last lessons" with investigators and less actives that I love SO MUCH. I miss everyone from Poquoson like crazy.  

Wednesday was transfers. We went to breakfast with Sister Fairchild (yes she's the best) at a place in Suffolk called the Broken Egg. YUM. Then I got my new comp, we loaded our stuff into our car and headed off to Kempsville. I must point out how grateful I am to have a car full time and a washer and dryer in our apartment!!!!!!!!!!!! Ah my. It's the best thing that ever happened. And we've got the whole "2 bathroom 2 closet" thing goin' on! its the liiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiife. its been pretty interesting trying to get everything figured out on our own. But we're getting there. :) 

Yesterday we woke up to go to church, walk outside, and our car is gone. Um, what?! Come to find out it got towed because we didn't have a parking sticker on it that no one told us about. So then we had to go to this super sketchy place to get it back...ya. it was interesting. BUT ALL IS WELL! We are looking forward to a good week! Sweet is the work!

Your sister in the faith, Sister Carlson

May 11, 2015

Cami's Zone

Sister Carlson and Hermana Camps (Poquoson Elders Photo Bombing!)

Sister Jones and Sister Perrow-Cutest ladies in the ward!

District picture at the Brimhall's last night.  They are some of Cami's favorite people.  They were all there making posters for a Stake Luau they have coming up.

Cami with Sister Rawlinson

These are the girls at church anxiously anticipating their Skype's with their families for Mother's Day.  A member sent this to me while I was in church with a note that said T minus 4 hours and counting!

Cami and her shopping buddy-Sister Taryn Fairchild

If you can't see the labels on these Yankee Candles, they say Turkey and Stuffing and On Tap.  So one smells like Thanksgiving Dinner and the other smells like Beer! I wonder if these are big sellers? Might be good for a White Elephant Gift, I guess...???

This is the gals shopping TODAY in Williamsburg, Virginia.  

Looks like a cute little touristy town!

Cami and Sister Cutler who just returned from her mission

Happy Monday y'all.

It has been a week of highs and lows in the mission field! 

On Monday we spent all day with Sister Fairchild shopping- a good day full of Trader Joes, TJ Maxx, and Ulta. *Happy sister carlson* :)))))))))))))))))))) 

Tuesday we found out that the Relief Society's son took his life. That has been really hard on the ward and his family...and even us. We didn't really know him but our hearts go out to him and his family. We just kept thinking about it everyday. The funeral was on Saturday and there were SO many people there! It was amazing to see the support and the spirit was so strong! It is obvious that the Relief Society President and her family truly believes that families are forever and that they will see him again. There were heart broken- but calm at the same time knowing that everything would be made right! I am touched by their example. We spent the rest of the week with less actives and investigators- we had some good lessons and things are going so well here- 

On Saturday the Mission President called me and told me I am being transferred though! I am going to shotgun (open) Kempsville in Virginia beach. I am sad to leave this area! But at the same time I am looking forward to all the good things in store! The last time I left an area, I was convinced that I could not love the next area/people as much as my last area.....and I love the people here and this area so much- if not more than my last! I am just so amazed by my capacity to love as a missionary. It is so fulfilling. 

It was interesting/funny after I got my transfer call on Saturday, we taught the plan of salvation that night to an investigator and I was teaching the part about the Fall of Adam and Eve and I all the sudden had this revelatory moment- Adam and Eve, had to leave the happy and peaceful Garden of Eden in order to learn and progress in this life. It was all part of God's plan. If they would have stayed there forever, they would have never had the opportunity to become like Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. As cheesy as it sounds, I kind of feel like this area is kind of my own Garden of Eden. Things are going so well here, the work is busy, the ward is INCREDIBLE, I love my companion, and things are SO great. But sometimes, we have to leave our comfort zone in order to become better. and I really feel that way about getting transferred- if I were to stay here, I would enjoy it, but I wouldn't progress. Heavenly Father knows that. He knows what all of us need. He has a plan for all of us. And its rarely easy. But it is always worth it! 

Yesterday of course was Mothers Day so I got to see my beautiful mother and family! SOOO HAPPY. Ah. I just wanted to talk to them forever. I am so grateful for families. This morning I was reading L. Tom Perry's talk from Gen. Conf. about marriage and family. He talks about how he, Pres. Eyring and Elder Gerald Causse traveled to Vatican City and attended this thing with all these people from around the world, with different religions and beliefs and how everyone agreed on marriage and family. It got me thinking about how family relationships are important to everyone, no matter who you are. It is human nature-it is something that we all need. It feels good and familiar to us because we all lived together as brothers and sisters and family before we came to earth. It rings a bell because we have known and felt it in the pre-mortal existence. The gospel is the beeeeeeeeesssssssssst. If you don't hear from me next week its because I knocked so many doors that my hands fell off. and I don't know how to type with my toes. Have the best week ever!!!! :)

XOXOXOXO, Sista C

Last week in Poquoson, Virginia?

Happy May + Happy Monday! :)

The thought that this could potentially be my last week in Poquoson breaks my heart but I'm trying really hard not to think about it! Transfer calls are on Saturday and transfers are next week! I would love to stay here just one more transfer with Sister Crawford to see the fruits of our labors-but I know that if i get called somewhere else then that is where the Lord needs me! 

This week has been incredible though. We set 3 of our investigators with a baptismal date. This month our mission is doing "Miracle May" where every companionship has a baptism in May-so we are working really hard to make that happen and we are seeing so many miracles! I love it! last week we had interviews with our mission president, which is always a sacred time :) I am always so happy after interviews. 

Sometimes I don't really have much to say just because.....words don't do justice the great things I am experiencing- so i hope that's not a let down for anyone but i am just so grateful and happy- and the gospel of Jesus Christ is what makes that possible for me, for my beautiful family and everyone! Through the good times and the bad. I love the new "Because He Lives" video. http://www.mormon.org/easter. I have watched it so many times even though Easter has passed-I get chills every time I watch it and it really is so true that no matter who you are, where you have been, no matter what, He is there. He lives and loves you. There are NO lost causes! 

I hope everyone has the best week and remembers how loved and important they are!

Your sister in the faith, Sister Carlson

On the way to Women't Conf. in Virginia Beach!

Ladies Dinner at the Cheesecake Factory!

Tarryn Fairchild's daughter's photo opp with the missionaries!

Meeting up with old friends--

Anne Jacobson from the Nags Head area!

                               Peace out...until May!

The last week of April!

Hellooooooooooooooooooo :)

This week has been super good! Kinda long but good! 

On Tuesday it was fun we were able to take some of our investigators to the Family History center and it was cool to see them when they would find their family names! They would get so excited. The spirit of Elijah is real my friends! 

Wednesday was one of our investigators birthday so we decorated the inside of her trailer which was so funny! She had no idea. Yeah, we have a key....haha, jk. someone left it unlocked for us! On Wednesday night we had a really good scripture study class and its finally starting to get going! We've been doing it for a couple of months and are now starting to have solid turn out each week so that has been way fun to teach and be a part of! 

Friday & Saturday we were helping some members move which was great! We have also been working a lot with the other missionaries because at the end of May there is a huge Luau that is being put on by the Yorktown ward- there is expected to be a thousand people there, so obvi a huge missionary opportunity! With the other missionaries we have been making posters of all the missionary discussions for people to ask questions and look at while they wait in line for food. 

Saturday night we had a way cool opportunity to go to Virginia Beach for women's conference! Bonnie L. Oscarson and the General Young Women's Presidency came and spoke which was awesome! Sister Brimhall was so great to take us and one of our investigators there and out to dinner at the Cheesecake Factory :)))))))) this is why Heavenly Father sent me to the East Coast. He knows that I am high maintenance and I need the Cheesecake Factory in my life. Hahaha. 

The weather has been really nice so we have had the opportunity to do a lot of yard work for members of the ward-and we are doing lots more this week which I am looking forward to! This week we also have interviews with our mission president. I am planning to drop LOTS of hints that I DO NOT want to be transferred from Poquoson in 2 weeks. We'll see how that goes :)

All my love, Sister Carlson

Historic Yorktown, Virginia!

Riding the Trolley in Yorktown.

Ben and Jerry's

Havin fun on the battle grounds.

These things that stick out of the hill so that the enemy cant get up the hill! 

They are like cement....

That awkward moment when our door handle just falls off..........

Inchy the inch worm :)

Breakfast at Owen's

some more of the view.....

The windows were super cool and all coastal like!

Wow we are haulin through April!

Como estas. This week was greeeeeeeat. Wondaful. where to start...we had lots of good lessons which is always nice. the weather has been beautiful and its hilarious because all these inch worms just started coming out of nowhere! We got back from exercising one morning outside and there was just a little inch worm at the bottom of my pony tail...of course at first I freaked out and then i was like hey you're a pretty cute little guy! :) we aren't allowed to keep pets though...so i took some pics, waited for my comp to get out of the shower, and then tossed him outside. then the rest of the week they were all over our car, inside and outside hanging from trees..they will randomly just be on our skirt or one of the Elder's ties....bahahah we are like obsessed with them they are so cute! good times. we name all of them "inchy." Saturday we went on exchanges and it was way good! I went with Sister Romney. She is from Idaho. We stayed in Poquoson and Sister Crawford went to Newport News with Sis. Romney's companion. It was super fun on Saturday morning some members took us out to breakfast on the waterfront at a place called "Owen's Marina"- we went around like 730 and it was seriously the prettiest thing i have ever seen! The sun was still coming up and the water was just like glass. I just sat and stared. I am so grateful Heavenly Father called me to labor in such a beautiful place :) Throughout the rest of the exchange we tracted and met some great people! Mostly, :) haha! Sister Romney is way cool though- we tracted into a Hispanic family and she just busts out the Spanish and has this full on conversation with them....I was just like hi....................I'm super white...........hahaha! I tried to follow. It was a fun day though! We volunteered at the nursing home and played bingo, and then Sister Romney played the piano for a little while and the old ladies were just jammin' out to hymns! I was laughing so hard. Missionary work is de best. and so is the gospel. peace and blessings!!!!

-Sister Carlson

Lots of hard work this week..

and still loving every minute of it!  

 Planting!

 Painting!

Missin' Kenny!

Making some healthy food!

And the letters begin to get shorter... :)

Greetings.

Life is pretty good here. I am tired but good. This week was a week of growth for me. Sometimes ya have those :) I started keeping a little journal where I write down what I learn each day. The highlight this week was realizing that Alma baptized himself......ya I didn't know that, haha. I also have a journal where I write something every morning that I am grateful for.........and then I have my normal journal. 

As i have reflected on growth + learning + gratitude, I just feel so happy! 

One of my zone leaders shared John 8:29 in zone meeting on Friday which says "And he that sent me is with me; the father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please Him." I have seen proven true in my life that if I do always those things that are pleasing to Him, I am never alone and I am pleased with myself. :)

-Sister Carlson