This is it! 6/25/08

So... You see, this week has been enlightening. Some of you more than others, know that this transfer has been a bit difficult on me. I recognize it as a trial through which I grow but that doesn't make the light at the end any less sweet! I can see it. I'm not yet there but I catch glimpses of it here and there. I know there are more tunnels ahead and I'll prepare myself for them, but I must do as President Monson directs "Learn from the past, prepare for the future, LIVE IN THE PRESENT."Elder Asay and Elder Smith are Zone Leaders from Edmonton. I have experience with two particular Elders who have everlastingly impacted me. Elder Biesinger and Elder Asay are probably the top two. They're examples of the type of missionary I am seeking to become. Don't think I'm making small of Elder Smith or Elder Jones (who are Elder Asay and Elder Biesingers companions) they are great too, but I've had a very impressive connection with the two Sons of thunder! Oo I like that. I may have to keep that for them. That's the surname given to two of the apostles by Jesus in the New testament. I think the actual surname is Zebedee or something similar.Having Elder Asay here I've learned first hand SO much about how to lead and still have tons of fun! I am trying to learn all I can about the Elders who leave soon so that I can be a better person and missionary. I don't want the lessons they've learned to die with them (in the mission going home is sometimes called dying.)All in all my testimony is reinforced. I can without hesitation declare that this plain and pure gospel is truth. God Loves us. If we don't see it we may have to pray for our eyes to be opened. No person on this earth can be justified in the thought that Gods love for us is anything less than infinite. He loves you. He loves each random person walking, sitting, jogging, paragliding... the point is made! We are blessed to be the hands with which God shows that love. Go out today and answer someones prayers by following the spirit. Mine have been answered often by the works of the faithful.In conclusion I want to give credit to someone who I've unknowingly quoted in the past. I mentioned in one email that Elder Asay has written above his desk "if you're not happy you're not living the plan of happiness." I thought it was a quote he had recieved but in actuality it's a quote he concieved. It is true! Throw on a smile, cast of satans chains, and we will all become more strong and more Christlike.I love you all! Many of you have aided in bringing me to the point in which I stand. I thank you for it. I am grateful beyond my power to express that I am where I am, growing how I'm growing because of things you've done for me.With ever deepening love, respect and gratitude,Elder McCarty (JR)

Wow! 06-19-08

Yes it's true, Today is thursday! We were in Edmonton for Monday through Wednesday. It's about a 5 hour drive each way so our P-day is majorly absolved in travel. As such we're given permission to email the following thursday.Zone Conference was amazing! President Rhodes sat the district down and had a powerful discussion with us on obeying the prophets and apostles (including the White Handbook and Preach my Gospel.) I was impacted deeply by it. I hope that it's effects run deep within this district. I had marvelous experiences with interviews and the trainings we expereienced. I'm growing a lot day by day and learning how I can be a leader that LEADS. Too many leaders here choose to do otherwise. I'm finding greater charity and ability to approach all things in love and I'm becoming more like the leader I want to be.Still I haven't met the vast majority of our investegators and I wonder what more I can do. I'm striving to organize things in a way that we can really start picking up the work. Things are coming together and I'm recieving help from the spirit.I'm growing stronger. That means I'm also a bit in the furnace of difficulty. I see how those two are so often connected. It's a blessing that the Lord is helping me to rise to the occasion because I'm finding myself saying and doing things beyond my past experience.I am growing deepening love for God, Jesus Christ, and the sons and daughters of our Heavenly father. This charity is nothing short of a gift. It has an immense impact on the work and the fruit of my efforts.I don't have particular experiences to share this week but know that I'm having lots of spiritual ones and I continue to pray that you are too!LoveElder McCarty (Jr)

06-11-08 Time has come!‏

Well one more week has gone by. It's been fast and slow. Very few things feel that way but it makes sense to those who've experienced it!The work in Beacon hill (Fort Mcmurray) is coming along slowly. We're working to help it progress in the Lords time. I'm doing my very best to follow the spirit in all things.Soloman is the only investegator of ours I have met. We had a lesson with him and answered some of his questions. His sight is on material things so spiritual benefits from our afflictions took some explanation. We challenged him at the end to offer a prayer. He asked in that prayer if the Book of Mormon is true. We knelt as we had planned for a few minutes afterward. He said he didn't feel any different. The answer will come with time. Perhaps he has some molding and understanding to break through before his witness from the spirit. I don't know if he's prepared to act on any answer he will recieve, so that could be holding him back. God won't answer if we'll do nothing with the answer.The church is true. I've got a heart full of faith that Christ is our Savior. I have felt the spirit often. I have seen miracles great and small. I can say with certainty that I believe in Christ. This is his church.I love you all! Thanks for everything you do! I appreciate your prayers and I pray often that you'll have spiritual experiences! Let me know if you feel those prayers being answered, I'd be excited to hear about it!
Love
Elder McCarty (jr)

My head is still spinnin'! 06-04-08‏

Well Family! Transfer calls were supposed to come monday morning! I got NO call! I was excited to spend some more time with Elder Winn and to see Andrew Legaspi baptized this Friday. Bobby is out of jail and hitting church hard. He's working very diligently to overcome his problems and prepare for baptism! The Lord had some special plans for me though. I'm nervous and a bit overwhelmed but coming to see that the Lord does indeed qualify those whom he calls.
Let me tell you the story of when President phoned me. I was settling in to personal study, reading in Words of Mormon, when the phone rang. I thought to myself "It must be Frank again" (a very nice but also slightly mentally challenged less active member.) He frequently calls when we're studying. I decided to check the phone anyway. To my surprise it was 990-4711. A number that isn't programmed into our phone but is etched in my skull... President. Initially I was scared, then thought "today is transfer meeting, he probably wants us to shuttle luggage." I answered the phone.
Me: Hello this is Elder McCarty
President: Hello Elder McCarty... This is President Rhodes. How are you today?
Me: I'm doin' well thanks. How are you?
Presdident: Elder McCarty I'm doing just fine. I have a special assignment for you.
Me: What can I do for you president?
President: I've heard good things about you, are you obeying with exactness?
Me: President I do everything I can to make that true.
President: Good. I'll need you to pack your bags. You'll be transferring to Fort McMurray. You'll be replacing Elder Boulten as District Leader without any training. Will you accept this call?
Me: Well... If it's what you're feeling inspired to do, I will. <-- At this point my hands started shaking... a lot.
President: It is. You'll be taking a bus at 12:45.
The conversation continued and he breifed me on what he wanted from me.Through the shaky hands I packed all that I could into the two suitcases we're allowed on the greyhound. The 5 hour bus ride became a 6 hour bus ride which was delayed 1 hour before beginning! So we pulled into Fort Mcmurray at 8:00 last night.
Elder Ford is my companion and he's a nice guy. We've got some work to do as far as shaping the way the areas are run but I'm feeling a lot of direction as far as where to begin.
Elder Stewart and Elder Hill are living in our quarters as well and the four of us constitutes the Fort Mcmurray district. I'm still in the same zone but as far away as possible from the center of it.
I've met no investegators so far since today is day 1 and happens to be Preparation day.Our address is:116 Romar St.Fort McMurray, Alberta T9H 2V9CanadaWell not tons else to report. Clareview and Kingsway split so I would have been serving exclusively in the family ward. My head is still spinning.All that being said I have the utmost confidence that God knows the reason I'm here and will help me to come to the same understanding. I'm feeling new power and confidence. I'm becoming more of a leader and taking more charge. I'm excited to see what the Lord has in store.The gospel of Jesus Christ IS true. It's everything. Cling to it and you'll be truly happy. I am seeing that more and more each day.
I love you all and I appreciate the love, support and prayers I recieve from you! Take care
Elder McCarty
P.s. I drive a truck now! Chevy Colorado. Vroom.