Family friends and Whomever else! 05-28-08‏

Wow! This week has been an interesting one!Last night we got done with Exchanges with the Castledowns area. Apparently while I was in Castledowns there was an interesting scenario that occured. Bobby Lasseter (one of our investegators progressing to baptism) phoned to cancel an appointment. Usually an investegator has an excuse (sometimes real, sometimes fake) but usually they're not very good either way. He was phoning from Jail. He used his ONE phone call to call us, and cancel his appointment. He said to Elder Winn "I did something stupid." It's unfortunate and very sad to see someone with such good desires (at least when we are around) lose A LOT of potential from a slip up. I hope things shape up for him. He's had a rough life. That's a statement not an excuse. I've met many people who have had rough lives and overcame it. There's got to be something in his life that will turn him around into bursting the chains that bind him. We all have chains. If all of our shortcomings had repercussions like Bobby's we'd have a lot fewer people around. BUT there is great need for us to overcome the transgressions of Christ's higher law . These can only be done through the Atonement.Christ healed the lepers. Spiritual lepresy abounds all over the place in the form of selfishness, bitterness, uncleanliness and pride. THAT is exactly what is so amazing about the atonement. Mosiah 4 verses 6-8 talk a lot about the atonement. It is THE ONLY way whereby salvation cometh. Christ has paid the price. He's ransomed us. His hand is stretched out all the day long and He will not withdraw it. I am grateful for that. I'm learning each day how I can more become the person I desire to be. I don't have the power to change all that. I'm simply a man, but Christ is the Son of God. The power can be very real. I sound a little bitter. I'm not. I really love this gospel and it hurts me to see people who have the potential to be molded in Christs hands, turn away from it. The contrast is great between the purity and blessings we can recieve and the lack thereof.I didn't want to use my whole email for that! The work is going great. When one door is closed there are always others to open. We've been really enjoying the nice weather. It's beautiful out here!Elder Winn and I are working hard and the fruits are coming. They're not always fast, but they are exactly when we need them!I do love this gospel. I am SO grateful for all the blessings we have. Thank you for your support.
Love,Elder McCarty (JR.)
Soon Kyler will be Elder McCarty Sr. I may have to get used to it! :D

WHOO! Short time again. 5-21-08‏

The work is amazing! We're finding more and more that there are people everywhere who are being prepared. Lately we've had more opportunity to talk to EVERYONE in sight. It's not easy, and it's often a little awkward feeling BUT it's not without reward. We've had over 30 other lessons in the last two days. That's almost as many as we got all of last week! The potentials are piling up and we're finding many promising new investegators. Missionary work is hard. There's an awesome talk by Jeffery R. Holland that I want to get on CD somehow that talks about that. He asks the question... "Why isn't missionary work easier? Why aren't people flocking to the waters of baptism? Why isn't the only danger of missionary work that of pnemonia? Just baptizing all day and night!"Then he said something extremely powerful. He said "Missionary work is not easy, because salvation is NOT a cheap experience." Think on that. He then goes on to explain from the perspective think of our Savior. Why should we expect our work to be easy when His life was never, EVER easy. He speaks so poetically and powerfully. Look into it if you can! He says Surely we are privelaged to spend a few hours in gethsemane, a few steps on the path to calvary. Oh I wish I had memorized it. Look it up though! The only quote I'm sure of is the one about salvation is not a cheap experience. If you go to LDS.org I'm sure searching those words will find the talk I'm thinking of. You'll not regret it.I love the Lord. I love this work. I'm grateful for all of your kindness and support. I'm growing and learning and wouldn't trade these days for anything in the world. The world simply can't give the things I'm recieving from God. My testimony is sure. God lives. He's in my life, He's in your life. The more we let Him by our obedience, He is EAGER to bless us. It's our job to open the windows of heaven and God will not hesitate to pour out those blessings.Take care.
I hope all is well.
Elder McCarty

Hey all! Not tons of time. 05-14-08‏

Hi there family and friends! Life is going awesome. I'm finding increase in efficiency and a lot of pleasure in hard work. I've been sleeping better and finding more rest.Bobby Lasseter's baptismal date is May 31. He's a great guy. Grew up in a family of drugs, gangs and lots of other bad things. He's got John 3:16 tattooed on his arm from his first christian bout of interest. He has a good heart. He's working towards overcoming smoking! He officially quit on sunday! Three days are at his back. I'm happy for him.Andrew Legaspi is working towards MAy 24th. His family is still giving him trouble but we invited him to ask them to meet with us so they can ask us their questions rather than trying to tear down Andrews upcoming testimony. He's solid and once that block is down he'll be entirely prepared.WE tracted lots this week and have been finding people more receptive. A lot of our tracting has been in the Abbotsfield area. Often it's considered the slums. We've been told that we're crazy for going in that area dressed like we do. One investegator was surprised when our car was still there after our appointment! ha ha The people are humble and like to learn more.Fausten and Pamela are a couple from Africa. Kongo I believe is the country. They say that if the Book of Mormon goes right along with the bible they have no trouble believing it! They're great people and hard workers. I'm excited to see where they'll go!Juan Ignasio (I think is his last name) is a great man. He's from Nicaragua and very humble. He's a mechanic and we tracted into him. Elder Winn stopped randomly and said we need to tract here. We only knocked 4 houses and Juan was in number 2. The real surprise was on monday when the Morraz family informed us that THEY were the reason Juan cancelled our last appointment! He had told us he had family coming over! That's right. He'll be marrying into their family soon. What a miracle! The Lord inspired Elder Winn. Juan is on the path to where he needs to be and he's already got the support.Gods hand is everywhere! Recognize it and be grateful. The more we treat our blessings with gratitude and as the treasures they are, the more God will desire to give us.I love you all and hope you're doing amazing at the busy lives I know you have!
Take care.
Elder McCarty

Oh boy! 05-07-08‏

Family friends and wiggidy hip and happenin people! Yes it's me, Elder McCarty. The work is amazing. New investegators have been poppin up! Most aren't super promising but they're all seeds planted. I see their eyes soften and the flicker of the Light in their eyes when we talk with them. I want to talk about our blessed baptismal dates. Andrew Legaspi, Robert Lasseter, Cyrille Chwampka are our lucky three. They're in order of most promising to more difficult. We'll start with Cyrille. He's from Zimbabwe and a real stud. His friend back there who was a star rugby player never would play on sundays (because he's LDS.) Good ol' Cyrille never said anything to him but he always admired his friends faith. When he saw the add on the TV he phoned it. He's eager to learn and progress when we're in our meetings but very difficult to contact between them. We've been out of contact for a week and one half. We keep trying and exercising faith. The Lord will provide if it is His will. Robert (bobby as he prefers) Lasseter is a good man. He's had a rough life. Growing up in a family of gansters and dealers it's what he's always known. He's soft hearted and feels the need for change. His addictions hold him back mostly. He's eager to be baptized and we hope and pray that he will have the fortitude to prepare himself. Lastly Andrew (the rock) Legaspi. He's a member referral from Craig Nelson. Craig isn't in our ward but a stellar missionary. We have taught him four or five times. Every time we were impressed to commit him to baptism. He had held off. The time before last that we met with him he told us why. It's his family. They're good Catholic people but he was afraid of what they would say or do if he were to change religion. We consoled him explaining that as Nephi did a hard thing (getting the plates) he relied on the Lord and the spirit. He was successful and the Lord was pleased. We likened it to him. His date is currently the 24th of may but we hope to press it up slightly. He's solid. His testimony is growing and his comprehension is ascending.As for me, I'm growing tired. Not tired of the work. Not tired of seeing the mighty miracles wrought with faith. My exhaustion is physical. Yet through that, as I force myself to roll out of bed and pray for strength (even if it's semi-consciously) I recieve it. It's been and continues to be a miracle. The Lord qualifies whom he calls. It's a great opportunity to see his power when we are insufficient and yet in his service. Ammon did it with the lamanite servants of king Lamoni, I'm feeling the same power through my service. It's a tremendous blessing!OH! The family will mostly be interested in this one. Elder Smoot is out here. I don't know if it's Casey Smoot but he's got reddish hair. We talk whenever we see eachother. He recognizes me and I recognize him but I'm not sure which one he is! I thought that was pretty neat.OK all, I should be sending a CD with my pictures on it home. IT'll likely go to Mom and I think she'd be happy to send them to you via E-mail or something. I figure there will only be one or two of you who actually want them. There will be tons though!Ok I'm gonna roll on to other things. I'm loving life! It's grand. My missionary commision is amazing. Check it out it's by Bruce R. Mckonkie and it's labeled "My missionary Commission." He's so eloquent and inspired!LOVE YOU!
Elder McCarty