Humbled and made bold 10-29-08‏

I read Elder McCarty's (Kyler's) letters and am thrilled with the messages he bares. I love the pictures he sends and I am going to be better at taking more to send with my weekly letter. I hope the spirit is with my email in the same way I feel the spirit when I read his.It's a beautiful week. Zone Conference always lifts me up. As an added bonus we are allowed to attend the temple. I get exhausted when I feel so much of the spirit. It's always amazing to me how much revelation is available to us. So many impressions have been made on my mind and my heart. I learned a lot about the covenant of our father. It's so concisely stated in Moroni 10:32-33. This is the Abrahamic Covenant. What a tremendous thought that through it we shall become holy! Could you imagine how that might feel? I think we get a taste of it each time we feel the peace the atonement offers us. That peace overpowers doubt, fear, inadequacy, sin, darkness, and all other weapons the adversary uses.While in Edmonton we were able to visit our investegator Ashley Oneil. She is in the Hospital and is a very sick girl. Her stomach is basically paralyzed. They have her living off an IV and pumps. We taught about priesthood blessings but she didn't ask for one. I want her to have the peace and strength that comes from it. She amazes me with the cheerful attitude she maintains and the way she conducts herself through such trying afflictions.I have thought much lately upon the subject of prayer. I have been reading through 1 nephi. Nephi's searching question to his elder brothers in Chapter 15:8 "Have ye inquired of the Lord?" penetrated my heart. I wonder if we can ever as mortals truly grasp and experience the true power prayer offers. As we do all we can to understand what God would have for us tremendous blessings pour out. The will of God is manifest and our souls are brought nearer to Him. Let us pray a little bit more, maybe a little more sincere, and perhaps with ever increasing conviction and understanding.So many great things are happening. Fort Mcmurray is progressing. I look forward to seeing all that God has in store for us!I love you all and am ever grateful for your prayers and support.Elder McCarty

Wonder of wonder MIRACLES of MIRACLES! 10-22-08

I borrow a line from the beloved (and long passed) Mr. Rogers, "It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood." Word on the street is back in Utah fluffy white came falling recently. We got a super slushy rain a little bit back but nothing stuck. I think Utah wins the race this year. Pretty impressive.We've been blessed so very much this week. I begin with the story of last Preparation day.As usual we left emails (taking more time than we planned... also as usual.) Lucky for us we don't have a limit on how long we email just as long as we have time for our other Preparation activities. We left to visit the greyhound. Elder Hill goes home in one month and wants to send a box home so his luggage is lighter and he can fly in peace. As we walked through the glass doors two African women looked at us and their eyes lit up! Surprised at such a reception we began talking with them. "That's our church!" They exclaimed pointing at our name tags. "We just bussed in from Montreal and tried to contact someone from the church but haven't been able to. We still have no place to sleep and we need a place to stay so that we can work and get a place of our own" Said Kereng.These two sisters in fact are not members. They are investegators who could find only minimal work in Montreal since they speak no french. They came to Fort Mcmurray looking for a better life but planned poorly and found themselves in a tight situation.We sought help from all sources we could and though many wished to help there was little that could be done. They have been staying in a shelter and are beginning work. Both Kereng and Jenet told us of their love for the Book of Mormon. They told us of the faith that has sustained them and the assurance they had that things would improve.What a marvelous miracle that God led us to them and that we now are able to teach them and bring them into the fold of God. I see them in white even though they have not yet committed to baptism.On sunday an unexpected visitor named Yvonne joined us. She is amazing! She accompanied the relief society president sister Sharlene Graves. We set up a time to meet with her.As we met last night we sought to teach with simplicity and to testify boldly concluding that we wished to challenge her to prepare for baptism. As we did these things I felt a powerful measure of the spirit. I know that she felt it also because she committed to it! Her uncle (an active member) bore testimony of the truth and how it had impacted his life since converting. Her Baptismal date is November 15th 2008. We are SO excited for her.I love this work. My hunger for others salvation is on the increase. My frustration pertaining to my inability is decreasing and the powers of God are being manifest on every hand. I KNOW that peace and comfort are available to us. I know that our loving Father in Heaven answers our prayers because I have been fervantly praying for someone with whom we could accomplish the purpose God has given us and they have truly come.I love you all. Thank you for your prayers and support. I'm forever in your debt for the blessings I receive.
Love,Elder McCarty

Holy Moley. October 15, 2008

Well everybody I'm out numbered. My companion is on his missions last leg, four Elders just returned from their missions into the wards we serve in, my Mom, my friends, even my sub conscious are all teamed up against me. I haven't found myself feeling "Trunky" as missionaries call it. Recently however I have been longing some for home. I miss all of you so much. It seems like only yesterday that I was receiving my call and it felt like forever away. I can't believe how long it's now been. Yes I admit, it's my 12 month mark on Friday.As I look back on the 12 months I've thus far had I see a lot of good experiences. I see many things that I've learned. I recognize a few people upon whom I feel my testimony has impacted. I know it has by no means been a waste. However, I also see the need for improvement. As President Monson has spoken of I recognize I must "learn from the past, prepare for the future and live in the present."Today is the day. Doctrine and Covenants 64:25 (23-25) talks about today. "Wherefore, if ye believe in [Christ,] ye will labor while it is called today." Well I do. So I am and will continue to. Step by step I will lay my foundation upon the rock of our Redeemer. In this section is one of my favorite scriptures. Verse 33 states "Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great."Brick by brick I'll lay the foundation. The mortar I will use will be of the finest blend. Held together by the atonement of a Superior Savior this foundation cannot fail.I have a living testimony of the living God, and His living Son. The Holy Spirit is offered to all willing to recieve it and I know first hand the blessings that come from so doing. The fruits far out weigh the labor required. There is no better return on an investment than to give that which is temporal, which entails fleeting pleasure for that which is eternal, bound to everlasting happiness. It's a small price for an infinite reward.I love you each and rejoice that some day we will again meet. See that you take good care of yourself. Let us labor while it is called today.
Elder McCarty

Transfers Yesterday! Any guesses? 10-08-08

Yep it's true calls came. The meeting was yesterday and new companions were assigned. Again starts the commotion of learning, loving, living and pressing on. I loved the way Elder McCarty (Kyler) explained the peruvian response to "How are you?" As they say, "I'm fighting."Truth be told No call came and no meeting was attended. I remain in Fort Mcmurray. Elder Hill has the big transfer in the sky in under 6 weeks. He's ready but I don't think he's quite steady. It's a frightening thing that the mission could come to an end. Luckily he remains sure and has the strong determination to continue in the work. We're working hard and the fruits of our labors are there. Not always are the fruits measured but the are always noticable.General Conference was amazing. I was blown away by the spirit in each session. Without a doubt I know that those great men speak by the power of the Holy Ghost.My personal favoritewas by Elder Andersen I believe. The man is in one of the seventy and he spoke on how we "know enough." The story of hadly who boldy bore testimony and took comfort in the atonement of Jesus Christ pierced my heart, The missionary who wanted to return home because he didn't think he knew God loved him, and the stern, loving reply "You do know God loves you," all to me brought whisperings from the holy spirit and peace to my soul.Well I apologize for the shortness of this email but I have to go. I love you all very much and miss you! I look forward to the day at which we will once again meet and rejoice that our love for each other has not been diminished by time. As was taught in the MTC to me, "absence is to love as wind is to fire. It diminishes the weak while enraging the strong." I have faith that it will so be.With strong love,Elder McCartyP.s. I will be making a more diligent effort to write hand letters to all that I can. If you want one the safest way to ensure it is by sending one to me! ha ha :
D116 Romar Street
Fort Mcmurray, AB
T9h 2V9 Canada

Muslim Witness and Catholic fever! 10-01-08

Wow! We've had some cool experiences this last week! I never thought I would know how much I now know about so many different churches. It always seems to draw me back and appreciate the blessings I and we recieve in and from the church.September 27th (last Saturday) we had an appointment with an investegator of ours. Badran is his name. He is from the middle east. You may have decided by now but he is Muslim. What a kind man he is. When we set the evening and time for our appointment he let us know that there would be two priests from the muslim faith at his home for supper. One of those priests came to Fort Mcmurray all the way from Jordan!In any case we anticipated it to be a quiet evening with just the 6 of us (we brought a member of the ward.) As we knocked on the door an unfamiliar man answered. He gestured for us to enter and we did. He walked down the stairs. We followed.Turning at the mid landing of the stairs in this townhouse I noticed 5 muslim men in my view sitting on the floor. We finally entered the unfinished basement and there were 13 men sitting in a large oval. Some looked muslim and some only dressed like they were muslim but all of them were muslim.They cleared some space on the floor and we sat. Badran then came down and explained to us the feast that lay before us. Lamb and rice, soups, salads, fruit, deserts all in traditional middle eastern fashion. He told us we MUST try some. We gladly consented even though we had all eaten previously.This evening was the end of Ramadan. Ramadan is the month long fast that muslims carry on each year. All hours of daylight are fasted but in the evenings they eat all they desire. In any case they were having the month end feast. None of it was super exotic but all of it was new for me. We ate our fill. Then we ate some more. Finally the time came that many of them had to go to the mosk to lead in the evening prayer they do each day. The priests each shook our hands and invited us to come to the mosk any time we want. Around half of the people left and we realized the time. It was almost 9:00 so we had to get moving along. Before leaving I asked if we could get a picture and here-in you'll have that attached.What a neat experience that I didn't ever quite anticipate having here in Fort Mcmurray canada. We had the opportunity that night to explain some of the basic doctrines of our religion and to clear misconception between their thoughts on the book of mormon.


As for the witness experience of the week it is less exciting. Bryan Barry our investegator informed us he was no longer interested in reading and praying about the book of mormon. He offered to continue meeting. We informed him that since we're not here to convince or persuade we could no longer meet with him unless he would read and pray. It was a hard decision to make and it felt like pulling out my heart but it had to happen. I will keep in touch with him because he is a really good man!

Finally the Catholic experience. Carla Saunders is a aboriginal woman who was victim to some of the unfortunate abuse that occurred in some of the catholic schools. She decided she would never again return to a church. We have talked a few times. She is busy as an electrician instructor at the college here.About a month ago she told us her office number and to stop by from time to time. While we were going about our business on monday we had some spare time. Once I realized this immediately there came into my mind the impression to visit Carla. She wasn't planned nor was she particularly on the way but we decided to follow it.Carla was excited to see us. She took us on a walk to return some equipment she had borrowed and we talked as we went. She explained she had read a talk we had given her on overcoming abuse. She said the story about the holocaust victim being able to forgive the criminal conduct against her family. Carla told us "It was a nice story and I'm glad she was able to forgive but it made me sad and angry because I don't feel like I CAN forgive." I shared with her some of my thoughts on weakness and a scripture in Ether 12:27. She read it and pondered on it. I bore her my witness that weak things truly shall become strong as we exercise faith and humility.She said she will be at church. There was no maybe about it.

It has been a good week. Lots of things are happening and I'm still learning rapidly. I love the work and the Lord.To each of you I express my love and appreciation for your support. Know that happiness is found in and through our Holy Redeemer. I know it.Press on.Elder McCarty



Here is the picture of Elder Hill and I with our Muslim buddies. Two of them are Mohammeds and one is Ali. You figure it out. Sounds like a dangerous boxing combination.
Badran is on the far left in the sweet pullover thing. Comfort has got to be one thing he's got going for him.