Elder Richard K. Melchin is the area authority here in alberta. He is such a wise man and gave us a number of opportunities to learn, ask questions and become enlightened by the wisdom with which he's been blessed.His ability to respond to the spirit has always been amazing to me. As we shook hands with him he held onto mine for a little longer than I expected. I had begun to walk away because I had said my thanks to him and as with the rest of the missionaries I anticipated that he would smile and let go.I stepped back to squarely face him. Still smiling he said to me "Elder you are a great missionary the light shines through your eyes." My heart felt nearly on fire. I anticipated nothing more than a simple hello and your welcome.Though my companion and others mocked me a little for the compliment it still pierced through my heart and made me feel like Heavenly Father spoke through him to me to help me know I'm doin alright.I love the experience a mission is. There is an unlimited supply of joy available to all who are willing to thrust their sickles in and with determination serve the lord to the end.Along with the Joy we have this week has also been amazing for having fun!On exchanges in Spruce Grove our first order of business was to go meet a man who is less active. We talked with him and he let me play his epiphone guitar. We felt a deep friendship and love for them and learned through course of conversation that his wife is not a member.They mentioned that missionaries in the past had visited them but never really taught her. We taught briefly the import of the Book of Mormon and testified the blessings it would bring. She consented to take the lessons and I am confident that she will progress! How great the miracles of our God.While there we also had played a short board game and while I lost horrible once I took the cake in round two! It was kind of like tic tac toe.We found a treadmill on its side in the church parking lot and decided to try and take it for a spin.My companion and I came up with a killer work-out so that we can be more in shape now than we ever have been!I've learned to play 2 new songs (partially) and am appauled at how quickly I'm learning!
I love you all and miss you! Take care
Elder McCarty
See new pictures below in the following post!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
This is me on the treadmill I told you about! It was actually in the parking lot of the stake center that shares a lot with the temple! Neat times! 
Another is me with a giant sombraro and an authentic mexican guitar. I did my best to tune it but the wooden keys were a little sketchy!
Here's one of myself and the new Fort Mcmurray Crew! There are again four Elders up there and we got to go on exchanges again. That was THE most beautiful day! It got warm enough to melt snow! Oh we were soaking up the sun and it was amazing.
Last picture is one of me with a sign entering a sweet town with a righteous name! The snow out there was literally knee deep and this day was not as warm.... The sacrifices I make to be a model! ha ha I own this town. They also have a huge mallard duck that I tried to migrate with but I have no time to add that picture too.I love you and miss you all! Enjoy!
Elder McCarty
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Heyo 01/21/09
Well today is a beautiful day! Four days this week we've been above 0 C! The sun feels amazing and helps with missionary work. Lots more people are out and about. It's such an amazing place out here.
It's tremendous how often things can eb and flow.
Last week we were driving home from a meeting and planned to go home and pack. Suddenly while we was driving we had a distinct thought about one of the potential investegators we had never met. Her name is Aminata so I knew I didn't come up with the name in my head on my own. We would shortly be home and her house was a 5 minute detour but we decided to go and see her.
We knocked on the door once and no answer came. Knowing we felt impressed to go to so we knocked once more, this time a little louder.
We heard a frightened voice on the other side of the door say "Who is it?!" We replied "The Missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ." She hesitated, asked again, and we replied the same way. She opened the door and invited us in.
She was on the telephone but there stood Aminata. We discussed religion with her briefly and she told us she was Muslim but also a little christian.
We bore testimony of the Book of Mormon and gave her a free copy. She told us she and her son would be willing to meet with us the following Sunday.
We returned and taught them. Near the end I felt impressed to extend a baptism committment. Aminata replied "I would like to set that goal to be baptized."
My heart jumped! What a tremendous miracle. I have lately been working to follow the spirit more fully and this experience was a testament to me that we were following the promptings from a higher source.
Since that meeting she has informed us that her husband who is in London told her not to believe the book. She replied to him "you don't know anything about the book of mormon!" Their verdict in discussing it was that when he comes here they will learn together.
Though the date for baptism will not work I have faith that they will accept the gospel at a future day!
I love the joy I feel when we see miracles like this!
I miss you all very much and apologize that once again there are no pictures but maybe I will just have to buy an SD card reader.
I love you!
Elder McCarty
It's tremendous how often things can eb and flow.
Last week we were driving home from a meeting and planned to go home and pack. Suddenly while we was driving we had a distinct thought about one of the potential investegators we had never met. Her name is Aminata so I knew I didn't come up with the name in my head on my own. We would shortly be home and her house was a 5 minute detour but we decided to go and see her.
We knocked on the door once and no answer came. Knowing we felt impressed to go to so we knocked once more, this time a little louder.
We heard a frightened voice on the other side of the door say "Who is it?!" We replied "The Missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ." She hesitated, asked again, and we replied the same way. She opened the door and invited us in.
She was on the telephone but there stood Aminata. We discussed religion with her briefly and she told us she was Muslim but also a little christian.
We bore testimony of the Book of Mormon and gave her a free copy. She told us she and her son would be willing to meet with us the following Sunday.
We returned and taught them. Near the end I felt impressed to extend a baptism committment. Aminata replied "I would like to set that goal to be baptized."
My heart jumped! What a tremendous miracle. I have lately been working to follow the spirit more fully and this experience was a testament to me that we were following the promptings from a higher source.
Since that meeting she has informed us that her husband who is in London told her not to believe the book. She replied to him "you don't know anything about the book of mormon!" Their verdict in discussing it was that when he comes here they will learn together.
Though the date for baptism will not work I have faith that they will accept the gospel at a future day!
I love the joy I feel when we see miracles like this!
I miss you all very much and apologize that once again there are no pictures but maybe I will just have to buy an SD card reader.
I love you!
Elder McCarty
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
No photos today. Sorry mates - 14 Jan 2009
The aussi in our district accidently forgot his SD card reader today so unfortunately the pictures I wanted to send are stuck in my camera and they can't get out. Tragic I know.
Do me a favor though and don't show up to his house with a pitchfork and torch because it was an honest mistake and I told him that he gets three strikes. I'll give you the signal when he messes up twice more!
Actually I love Elder Mckay! He's a stud muffin and is giving me the low down on music theory.
Honestly family and friends there are so many amazing people here! It's hard to believe that I'm as far gone in the mission as I am. I'm sure I don't need to explain the mix of emotions again but I feel it often.
The day is cold and snowy. There's been lots of snow lately actually! It's crazy I LITERALLY was up to my knees in snow yesterday. That's pretty funny because Kyler down in paraguay told me the Paraguayans love it when he tells them Utah had snow like that (even though it rarely does.) I'm living his tall tale up here!
I got some sweet pictures in a little town called ANDREW! ha ha yeah It's pretty neat. There's a picture of me trying to fly south for the winter (<- a joke that won't land until I can sent the picture) and some other sweet ones so look forward with anticipation to those!
President Rhodes spoke on Joy last week. I want to recapitulate some of his thoughts! (how many bonus points for the ridiculous word?) I actually am not sure if I used it correctly but I heard it on a talk by Truman G. Madsen so I hope it's good.
President Rhodes emphasized how important Joy is. Said he "I don't think the Plan of Happiness would be attractive to me were it a plan for anything else [but happiness.]"
This life as well as our eternal existence is calculated for eternal life which is a fulness of Joy. I feel now certain that Joy is what we ought to aim for. However we mustn't mistake Joy for satans imposter feeling of temporal pleasure or "fun." We find in Talmage's Jesus The Christ a reference and quote on happiness and inferior pleasure.
I know by the power of the spirit of our Almighty God that joy is available! We oft find that misery must be part of this life but one of that feelings objects is to sweeten our JOY!
Do you seek it? Do you desire it? I know if I had not been informed my question would be "How do I obtain it?" I will tell you, the straight and narrow way is our formula for joy. We must have faith, repent, be baptized (by water and the spirit,) recieve the priesthoods (if male,) be endowed with power from on high, and sealed for eternity in the covenant of marriage by choice and the holy spirit of promise. I tell you in testimony THIS is the straight and narrow way (matt 7:14) THIS is how we nourish with all diligence the seed which we plant within us (alma 32:41.) I bear sacred witness as a representative of our Savior if ye shall keep these sayings and do them "Ye SHALL have eternal life."
This is joy.
I love you. I miss you. I pray for you and I thank you for your prayers and your support.
If you can do one thing for me it would be this BE TRULY HAPPY. This is where I feel happy.
Love,
Elder McCarty
Do me a favor though and don't show up to his house with a pitchfork and torch because it was an honest mistake and I told him that he gets three strikes. I'll give you the signal when he messes up twice more!
Actually I love Elder Mckay! He's a stud muffin and is giving me the low down on music theory.
Honestly family and friends there are so many amazing people here! It's hard to believe that I'm as far gone in the mission as I am. I'm sure I don't need to explain the mix of emotions again but I feel it often.
The day is cold and snowy. There's been lots of snow lately actually! It's crazy I LITERALLY was up to my knees in snow yesterday. That's pretty funny because Kyler down in paraguay told me the Paraguayans love it when he tells them Utah had snow like that (even though it rarely does.) I'm living his tall tale up here!
I got some sweet pictures in a little town called ANDREW! ha ha yeah It's pretty neat. There's a picture of me trying to fly south for the winter (<- a joke that won't land until I can sent the picture) and some other sweet ones so look forward with anticipation to those!
President Rhodes spoke on Joy last week. I want to recapitulate some of his thoughts! (how many bonus points for the ridiculous word?) I actually am not sure if I used it correctly but I heard it on a talk by Truman G. Madsen so I hope it's good.
President Rhodes emphasized how important Joy is. Said he "I don't think the Plan of Happiness would be attractive to me were it a plan for anything else [but happiness.]"
This life as well as our eternal existence is calculated for eternal life which is a fulness of Joy. I feel now certain that Joy is what we ought to aim for. However we mustn't mistake Joy for satans imposter feeling of temporal pleasure or "fun." We find in Talmage's Jesus The Christ a reference and quote on happiness and inferior pleasure.
I know by the power of the spirit of our Almighty God that joy is available! We oft find that misery must be part of this life but one of that feelings objects is to sweeten our JOY!
Do you seek it? Do you desire it? I know if I had not been informed my question would be "How do I obtain it?" I will tell you, the straight and narrow way is our formula for joy. We must have faith, repent, be baptized (by water and the spirit,) recieve the priesthoods (if male,) be endowed with power from on high, and sealed for eternity in the covenant of marriage by choice and the holy spirit of promise. I tell you in testimony THIS is the straight and narrow way (matt 7:14) THIS is how we nourish with all diligence the seed which we plant within us (alma 32:41.) I bear sacred witness as a representative of our Savior if ye shall keep these sayings and do them "Ye SHALL have eternal life."
This is joy.
I love you. I miss you. I pray for you and I thank you for your prayers and your support.
If you can do one thing for me it would be this BE TRULY HAPPY. This is where I feel happy.
Love,
Elder McCarty
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Hi Hi! 1-07-08 with pictures!
Family and Friends! I love you.
Thank you for everything. After reading some of Kylers blog that my mom Emails to me I decided I needed to try harder to attach pictures and found out I CAN! I have tried in the past and failed but today it works. Yahoo!
525 Is a Picture with Julius Tago! The only way this man could have been more prepared is if we had found him already dressed in white and standing in a Font. He was baptized on the 27th and confirmed the following day!
524 Is of Myself and companion Elder Kipp at the Onzias home for christmas! They're an amazing family of recent converts.
533 This is on preparation day when the whole zone came to our
house and we made food for them. It was on New years eve day! We had a lot of fun.
520 Elder Kipp and I in our Christmas Card picture! We've been passing these out to all the members who had us over.
I realize that pictures make a big difference! I hope they'll make a big enough difference because they also take time.
This week I've been truly edified by charity and enlightened by the knowledge I've been given. We're still working hard to find teach baptize and retain and the Lord is blessing us tremendously.
I proclaim with my brother that God lives and loves us. Jesus Christ will succor (or run to in time of need) all of us if we turn to Him.
Joy is the object of our existance and this plan of salvation.
Keep your head high and your eyes fixed. May God be with you!
Love,
Elder McCarty
Thank you for everything. After reading some of Kylers blog that my mom Emails to me I decided I needed to try harder to attach pictures and found out I CAN! I have tried in the past and failed but today it works. Yahoo!
525 Is a Picture with Julius Tago! The only way this man could have been more prepared is if we had found him already dressed in white and standing in a Font. He was baptized on the 27th and confirmed the following day!
524 Is of Myself and companion Elder Kipp at the Onzias home for christmas! They're an amazing family of recent converts.533 This is on preparation day when the whole zone came to our
house and we made food for them. It was on New years eve day! We had a lot of fun.
520 Elder Kipp and I in our Christmas Card picture! We've been passing these out to all the members who had us over.
I realize that pictures make a big difference! I hope they'll make a big enough difference because they also take time.
This week I've been truly edified by charity and enlightened by the knowledge I've been given. We're still working hard to find teach baptize and retain and the Lord is blessing us tremendously.
I proclaim with my brother that God lives and loves us. Jesus Christ will succor (or run to in time of need) all of us if we turn to Him.
Joy is the object of our existance and this plan of salvation.
Keep your head high and your eyes fixed. May God be with you!
Love,
Elder McCarty
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Happy New Year 12-31-08
Good day my friends.
First of all MIRACLE! Julius Tago is a name that may be familiar for you! He is THE MAN. He is from Kenya originally and a referral we recieved from Patrick Keys (a member in central Edmonton.) WE recieved a phone call from Julius on Friday Dec 26th. His baptismal date was set for the 27th. He said, "Elder? We need to meet today I have to be baptized tomorrow." In reply we were nearly jumping up and down!
An hour later we taught Julius lessons 1-4. He had already attended church 2 times and was prepared by angels to recieve baptism! What an amazing weekend. He was confirmed in sacrament meeting and is going to be a strong member of the church.
It's experiences like these that make me feel like all we can do in this work is rely upon God. It is He who provided all that was necessary for this miracle. I love this area!
Transfer calls have come and gone again. Elder Kipp and I are staying but the zone and district in which we serve have changed dramatically. I see great things in the future!
It's odd to see missionaries leave. Elder Boulton is likely on a plan to Orange County right now. President Rhodes announced that as of yesterday, one third of our mission has been in the field under 7 weeks! That is a young mission.
Though we are all in all young President Rhodes said, "there is no missionary that has been in the field that is any more capable than you that are now coming in. Yes we appreciate and respect the wisdom and experience of those that have been serving for longer. However, you have each been called, commissioned, ordained, endowed and set apart. You are ready to succeed."
He went on to explain that Charity, the pure love of Christ is what will get us where we need to be so that we may accomplish the "perfect will of God."
There are big things ahead for us all. If we will but pray with all the energy of heart we may obtain this Love that will lift our burdens, strengthen our arms and raise us onward to eternal life.
I love this work and my Savior. I love you and I'm so grateful for you!
Thank you,
Love,
Elder McCarty
(in the cold white north)
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