Jasper National 30 April 2009‏

WOW! Sorry this is a day late but I hope it's not figuratively a buck short!

Yesterday was a very full day for us. Mid way through last week our district decided that we were going to Jasper which is a national park with lots of animals and MOUNTAINS. It had been roughly 14 months since I saw anything close to being called a mountain and as a result I was super excited to see the first one we saw! (see picture 378 for proof)

We woke up at 3:30 in the morning to pile into the suburban and GO. I don't think I've ever been awake for a longer period of time! We drove for 4 hours to get to Jasper. While we were there we saw caribou, elk, coyote, and wild jumping missionaries (Picture 376.)The trip was a ton of fun! The bishop of Clareview drove us. What a kind man he is. We eventually got to a river with a neat water fall. All the pictures of the waterfall don't have anyone in them because apparently jumping tarzan style from the rocks into the waterfall pool is discouraged. Luckily I have Elder Kilifi to hold me back.

But picture 375 is of us just above the fall! It's so beautiful to be in the majesty of the peaks and rivers.Lastly after visiting a giant glacier we went on a tram ride to the top of Whistlers mountain. It was a thrilling view. I now have a deeper appreciation for the rockies and how amazing they are.

Picture 379 is a picture at the top in the lodge where they sell 9 dollar rubberband guns and 3 dollar rubberbands. I didn't buy any souvineers there.

The trip was amazing and I indeed stand all amazed and the things the Lord has done for us!This week as far as missionary work has been the bomb. Delaina Nowlan is sharing the gospel almost full time. Her baptism is May 9, 2009. She is super converted and excited to help others be. What a strong woman she is to go through what she's been through and have such a fixed determination to choose the right.

The Aquinos family is progressing a little. The father and his youngest came to stake conference last week. They also watched the baptism after and said they really liked it. We're meeting with them tonight to hopefully set a baptismal date with their mother and help them all understand the importance of church attendance.

We had 2 moves to juggle this week and in a few hours they'll both be done. The Lord has lined several people up that are soon to commit to be baptized. He's working mighty works here.I love the gospel.

I love you all!

God bless and prosper you.

Elder McCarty

Good day! 22 april 2009‏

Life here in the nice Canadian spring is heavenly. The missions transformation from little faith to a little more faith has been extremely evident. It hit me as I spoke with some younger missionaries today that in fact the mission has turned into a purpose driven baptizing and retaining mission. The Lord is working a mighty change in our hearts and progressively the mission is turning to His will. I want to more fully trust Him so that I can serve Him better.We visited the beautiful city of Fort Mcmurray Alberta last week. I love that place. I felt the great attitude of the missionaries there and I am excited for the fruits of their labors to follow them.



While visiting the Galenzoski family was kind enough to invite us for supper. What an amazing family they are! Along with that family we were able to enjoy the company of one Ashley O'neil. She is the one recent convert in Fort Mcmurray and Elder Hill and I discovered she had been found by one of the Galenzoski boys and hounded him until we got to teach her. She is phenomenal and I wish I could write to her but as a missionary I've been told it's best if I don't. I'm so excited that the seeds we plant WILL bear fruit. Ashley is evidence of it. The gospel is a good seed. On those whos hearts are fair soil there will be plentiful buds springing up to eternally sweet fruits of life everlasting! Thrilling to be a small part of it.

Although we were in Fort Mac the Lord blessed us that He was able to accomplish His purposes in the first few days of the week. There are several children of our Father in Heaven who are preparing for baptism.Delaina Nowland and Valentia her daughter are two that I feel a great love for. They are seeing improvement in their lives and feeling the happiness God promises. Despite financial crisis their hearts are being cheered by the good news we're blessed to bear.The mexican recent converts have moved into a new home that is far more suitable for habitation! They say they're going to have us over for Cinqo de Mayo. (I don't spell in spanish if you couldn't tell.)I have indeed realized this week that the Lord commissions all His servants for success and He backs them to grant success in the Labors he expects.

The reason it came to mind is that a young missionary on exchanges dispensed great wisdom to me. I found myself burdened with stress and he reminded me and taught me, exhorting me as we might an investigator, to rise up and trust in God.How great and glorious! I testify that God lives. I know it.I love and miss you all!

til next week,

Eldre McCarty

85 This is lil ol me atop our driving range in abasand Fort Mcmurray. That place is extra beautiful in summer time!

84 Perhaps THE most ridiculous spoiler ever? That's Fort Mac

83 This is a Fort Mac picture with Elder Rowley and I. He's from St. George and is a good man. We're very different but I like to be with him and learn with him.

82 Fort Mcmurray! this is an outlook where we used to drive Golf balls on preparation day! What an amazing place it is. It'll get greener and be even more beatiful. One of the neat things is that there are 3 cars that have been driven off the ledge somehow! Oh Fort Mcmurray!

Life is good. 15 April 2009‏

This week has been a enjoyable mix of hysterical fun and reverencing miracles. We'll start with the former!

HYSTERICAL FUN

On monday of this week a mini-missionary (someone not set apart but that serves as a missionary for a short time) named sister Keunzli went back down to red deer. While speaking on the phone with her for the last time Elder Kilifi gave her his email address because she wants to write him. We're both pretty certain that she thinks they'll get married. As they talked the phone was on speaker. I heard her go on a random tangent for about ten minutes and Elder Kilifi got the look on his face that says "I'm bored and no longer listening." Then he put his thumb over the reciever and screamed high pitched, shrilling and a little bit frightening. He didn't say any words he just screamed.As soon as he did the ridiculousness of the situation immediately hit me and I was on the floor ROLLING with laughter. I had suspected that rolling on the floor with laughter was always a figure of speech but it turns out it happens! To my added joy their conversation went on as Sister Keunzli laughed hysterically and asked "what was that." Despite covering the reciever she very much heard him scream.It was a funny time and my ribs hurt, my eyes watered and I had a great laugh!

Last night Elder Kilifi and I went on splits with some members of the ward. Despite both of the members that had initially volunteered to go not showing up, we found two brethren to take along. Elder Kilifi left to go to Gregorsh our polish investigator and the Brother I was to go with went to the washroom. (that's like restroom or bathroom in the states.) When He came back we headed to Gregorsh as well! Unfortunately my brain escaped me and even though we parked NEXT to their car we buzzed into the apartment and didn't realize why Gregorsh sounded so confused until we appeared at his door!There sat Elder Kilifi and Brother Hoag and Gregorsh welcomed us in anyhow (though he was still perplexed.) I'm sure my face turned red as I confessed to Gregorsh that my mind was elsewhere and that we actually couldn't stay! Oy... Sometimes I feel like my mind is at maximum capacity.

REVERINCING MIRACLES

Yesterday afternoon we recieved a phone call. Delaina Nolan is an amazing woman whom we are teaching. She explained to us that she was feeling ill and would need to cancel our 3:00 appointment. We offered our help and asked if we could re-schedule. She said she might be feeling better that evening so we planned to put her in the slot at 8:00 since our other appointment for our splits had cancelled. She agreed and hung up the phone.Roughly five minutes later she called back, this time in tears. She said "Elder McCarty... I need to ask you for... This is so hard. We don't have enough food do you know where we can get some groceries?"My heart nearly broke. This incredibly strong woman who is used to providing as a single mother for her two sweet girls found a way to humble herself and ask for help. We called our ward secretary and set up a time for her to meet with the bishop so he could assist. We than called the missionaries in the surrounding wards. We asked them if they had any food that we could donate to her. They all gathered food. It was missionary food but that's better than nothing at all. To add to their generousity they gave candy from packages Mothers had sent, cookies, and a slew of random foods. We had about 8 grocery bags full and we brought them to her.Tears swelling in her eyes she invited us in. We placed the food on her table and she thanked us a thousand times or so. We told her we are eager to help and that we appreciated her asking because we know it's not easy. She gave us each hugs. I know that as missionaries we ought not but I saw a daughter of God that needed a hug and so I wasn't about to throw a stiff arm to keep her back.As we taught her last night she told us about how thirsty she is for the gospel and how nothing in her life has quenched that thirst since she was a little girl. We told her she would have that again.

She is to be baptized on May 2, 2009. Her motives are pure and her heart sincere. She is a wonderful example of the elect Doctrine and Covenants 29:7 speaks of. I love that we get to help God in this work.Meanwhile Elder Kilifi met with a Philipino family of 6. This was our second lesson with them and they told him how true the Plan of Salvation is. They ALL committed to be baptized and confirmed on May 23, 2009.The good Lord is SO merciful and is plentifully blessing us!

This mission is transforming from the attitude of "maybe you'll see a baptism or two" (something my trainer told me at my missions start) to the attitude of "The field is white already to harvest." The Lords promises are fulfilled and I am humbled to be a servant in the vineyard gathering in the Children of God.

Love,Eldre McCarty

Pictures:

60 This is our district having a last district meal at Pancakes N Steaks. Good times!

61 Here's Elder McCarty's first Sushi! Made by Sister Klein who is from Japan and her cooking proves it! Delicious.

62 This is while we were teaching our Mexican friends at their home. They are all amazing and I love them even though all I can communicate is Hola!

63 The three amigos at their baptism. I was blessed with the privelage of being a part of it! I baptized Elisabeth who is always willing to give me a smile and a compassionate look that speaks "You have no idea what is going on but that's ok."

April 8, 2009

Oh my brothers and sisters. Today is a wonderful day! The sun is starting to break through the clouds again and the snow is all but gone (nearly.) I'm enjoying the blessings from God. I've truly felt His aid as we in the mission have sought to establish Zion within us to invoke the powers of heaven.

This week I went on Exchanges with Elder Michael Price. He went to Northridge high school (but theres still forgiveness) and is an amazing missionary. He was trained by one of the best. Now he is carrying forward the great work of the Lord in the "black hole" of the mission. I have been taught that the success God expects in this work is going to happen. When we commit ourselves to doing His work in His way we are bound to see His desired results. It's so simple and the application so powerful. Travis and Shvonne are a couple from Newfoundland. They're extremely kind and have been clearly prepared by God. We contacted them two weeks ago and Shvonnes questions began. Since that time they've been unceasing. It's been wonderful! One of her questions was " do you do baby blessings? I don't want Avery (their daughter) baptized until she can make that decision."We explained the priesthood blessing that is available for infants. When we told her about the restoration of the priesthood and that we can trace our authority back to Jesus Christ she said "I have goosebumps but... it's good." and "I want her blessed by that authority."Since then they have invited us for a traditional Jigs dinner which was an enjoyable time.I'm so excited to meet with them.

There are SO very many children that angels truly have prepared!I love you all. God bless and prosper you.

Eldre McCarty

Here's the pictures Explanations:

Good Brother Fernando. I decided to give the tie to him since he was already so close to looking like a missionary!

Walters Cafe! Est. 1908! This is in a tiny town called Legal. We were meeting to go on exchanges and decided to stop at Walters for a quick bite.

I've never shot from this part of the basketball court. You'll be pleased to know that I made it!

53 Elder Kilifi is THE MAN! He's my current companion and this is Zoey palmer. She and Elder Kilifi had a bit of a debate as to who's got the real ballerina skills. Though she ran I think the pink dress and tiara let her win!

Brother Warnakoulasooria Johan Fernando conducting the music at his own baptism!! What an amazing man. He's the one from Sri Lanka.