Cultures galore! 20 May 2009‏

Reflecting on this last week I have learned SO many things about this world we live in. Cultures I've experienced: Middle east, East Indian, North American Indian, Ethiopian, Sudanese (dinka and neur), Ghana, Mediteranean, Mexican, Japanese, Tongan, Samoan, and of course ALBERTAN.

President Brigham Young said "If you go on your mission with lightness and frivolity looking for this and that and to learn the things of the world you will go and return in vain." I can assure you family and friends I've not served with lightness and frivolity. I WILL not return in vain. Yet as I've thrusted in my sickle I now realize that I have become more, EVEN SECULARLY, than I would have in two years without my mission. AND IT DOES NOT END THERE. That is perhaps the least of what I have learned and become. My conversion and gospel knowledge is SO much more advanced than it would be. I can testify the Jesus IS the Christ.

He is the annointed Savior of the world. Can money buy such? No. This is the best experience and group of experiences I could have. Thank you for supporting me (even if all you do is read my words.) I'm grateful for the prayers! I'm forever in debt to our Father in Heaven and as I seek to serve Him for that debt it will only increase. Thus is His plan of happiness. Eternal life in exchange for our feible struggle to do the small things he asks. Life is amazing.

The investigators are progressing and God is building us.

Love,

Eldre McCarty

Dun dun dun DUN! This is Elder Williamsen and I! Yes it's true most days we're bus jockeys. It's good to learn the bus systems. He's a good man and I'm learning from him!

19 Ye ol' District! The Londonderry district of the Ed north Zone! I miss them but I'm glad to be where I am! My noggin almost blocked Elder Kilifi. This is my last day with those missionaries and we all gathered to say our goodbyes during lunch.

20 Elder Richards and I skipping along with Tin man. He's friendly and apparently wanted to join us to our appointment. Elder Richards is amazing and we will be friends long after the mission. He's still up in the neighbor to my last area. YAY mission!

Wednesday 13 May, 2009‏

Today I'm inclined to proclaim that I feel as did Lehi when he partook of the fruit of the Tree of Life which is the Love of God. As that man must have traveled by the Iron Rod that is God's word through the narrowness and straitness of that possibly treacherous path he arrived as we may also at the glorious Tree of Life. Partaking of the fruit he discovered that it FILLED his soul.

By the Love of God MY soul is filled. My dear brother in Paraguay has artfully written a masterpiece on our Mom. Though I may not write as beautifully I am also forever indebted to the Angel that is our Mom. In a world where the attack upon the family is ever more severe, our mother has been strong. Perhaps as with Christmas, Easter, and many other reverenced Holidays, the spirit of Mothers day ought to be carried through the year. The spirit of Thanks for these tremendous Gifts. First of course is our Savior, "for God so loved the world that he GAVE his only begotten Son." I believe that God so loves each of us that he has blessed us with mothers. The hand that rocks the cradle does SO MUCH MORE than rule the world. I love and miss you Mom. Each person to whom I write, YOU deserve praise also but lets be certain that we don't forget our mothers.

This week has been a tremendous one! We've met with many investigators. The work is picking up substantially. With a little more organization our planning is better. The Lord is bringing to us the understanding of how we ought to represent him better here in River Valley.Elder Preston Williamsen is my companion and one I'm glad to serve with. As he testifies I KNOW the spirit bears witness because this very morning in words plainly spoken that I have heard countless times, I LEARNED a principle of the gospel that has stared me in the face for YEARS. Though he didn't teach it, the spirit did and that is FAR more important than if he had taught me all things!

Delaina Nowlan in Londonderry will be baptized on Sunday. She and Valentia are doing amazing! I've been asked to baptize Delaina. I'm so pleased with her and excited for her! Andrea is our mexican investigator. She is reading from El Libro De Mormon. She is drawn to it and is looking to know why. How marvelous that the spirit is making up for our language barrier by helping her see the importance of this book that is the keystone of our religion.

Preston and Cinderita are a couple with two children. Though they are busy we were able to catch them breifly last night. As we continue to teach them I feel strongly that shortly they will set the goal to be baptized and confirmed members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. As we focus on these covenants we are more able to BLESS those we serve.I love you! Miss you all. Don't forget to pray!Pictures follow next week.

Eldre McCarty

Transfer day! 6 May 2009‏

Yes indeed it's true my dear ones. I'm now serving in River Valley! THAT is the temple area. How cool. I get to see the temple all the time. It also makes giving people directions to church super easy. All I have to say is the word whitemud, and temple. It's THE BOMB.

My personal studies are already reaping the benefits of not worrying about a lot of the things I have been.The truth will remain that I miss Londonderry and the people there. NEVERTHELESS I know I am called to labor here. I will hopefully be able to go to the baptisms of our investigators in Londonderry. Delaina is STILL awesome. She will be baptized a week from saturday. We've had to push it back a few times due to illness and other obstacles but she is set and determined to make it happen. She's an extremely choice daughter of God. I'm grateful to get to know her.
The Aquinos are the Phillipino family we were teaching. They have as a family decided that they will be able to each attend church 3 times by June 20 and therefore that is the date they will be baptized. It's tricky because they all work so much but they're FABULOUS. The daughter bore testimony to help the Mom decide to be baptized.
I'm now serving with Elder Preston Williamsen. He hails from.... get this, Kaysville Utah. We're seeing a lot of ways we crossed paths but it never so happened that we actually knew each other. He's a great Elder. His confidence level is down a little bit but I can see it increasing.

The area of River Valley seems to be a great one. President Rhodes told me the two things he wants me to do here are to help Elder Williamsen develop, and to be a tool to bring to pass a standard of monthly baptisms in River Valley. I'm humbled at the call and EXCITED about the opportunity. I can feel Gods help already. We're on buss and foot here for now. We're pulling some strings to see if we can't get some combustion and wheels. My money is on getting us Vespa scooters! ha ha I'd settle for a standard Malibu. :D

I love and miss you all. I want you to know how important my mission has been for me. All those that have helped me be who I am and be placed where I am Thank You kindly. I'm forever in Gods debt.
Love,Eldre McCarty
I love the work of God.