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.

Family friends and Whomever else! 05-28-08‏

Wow! This week has been an interesting one!Last night we got done with Exchanges with the Castledowns area. Apparently while I was in Castledowns there was an interesting scenario that occured. Bobby Lasseter (one of our investegators progressing to baptism) phoned to cancel an appointment. Usually an investegator has an excuse (sometimes real, sometimes fake) but usually they're not very good either way. He was phoning from Jail. He used his ONE phone call to call us, and cancel his appointment. He said to Elder Winn "I did something stupid." It's unfortunate and very sad to see someone with such good desires (at least when we are around) lose A LOT of potential from a slip up. I hope things shape up for him. He's had a rough life. That's a statement not an excuse. I've met many people who have had rough lives and overcame it. There's got to be something in his life that will turn him around into bursting the chains that bind him. We all have chains. If all of our shortcomings had repercussions like Bobby's we'd have a lot fewer people around. BUT there is great need for us to overcome the transgressions of Christ's higher law . These can only be done through the Atonement.Christ healed the lepers. Spiritual lepresy abounds all over the place in the form of selfishness, bitterness, uncleanliness and pride. THAT is exactly what is so amazing about the atonement. Mosiah 4 verses 6-8 talk a lot about the atonement. It is THE ONLY way whereby salvation cometh. Christ has paid the price. He's ransomed us. His hand is stretched out all the day long and He will not withdraw it. I am grateful for that. I'm learning each day how I can more become the person I desire to be. I don't have the power to change all that. I'm simply a man, but Christ is the Son of God. The power can be very real. I sound a little bitter. I'm not. I really love this gospel and it hurts me to see people who have the potential to be molded in Christs hands, turn away from it. The contrast is great between the purity and blessings we can recieve and the lack thereof.I didn't want to use my whole email for that! The work is going great. When one door is closed there are always others to open. We've been really enjoying the nice weather. It's beautiful out here!Elder Winn and I are working hard and the fruits are coming. They're not always fast, but they are exactly when we need them!I do love this gospel. I am SO grateful for all the blessings we have. Thank you for your support.
Love,Elder McCarty (JR.)
Soon Kyler will be Elder McCarty Sr. I may have to get used to it! :D

WHOO! Short time again. 5-21-08‏

The work is amazing! We're finding more and more that there are people everywhere who are being prepared. Lately we've had more opportunity to talk to EVERYONE in sight. It's not easy, and it's often a little awkward feeling BUT it's not without reward. We've had over 30 other lessons in the last two days. That's almost as many as we got all of last week! The potentials are piling up and we're finding many promising new investegators. Missionary work is hard. There's an awesome talk by Jeffery R. Holland that I want to get on CD somehow that talks about that. He asks the question... "Why isn't missionary work easier? Why aren't people flocking to the waters of baptism? Why isn't the only danger of missionary work that of pnemonia? Just baptizing all day and night!"Then he said something extremely powerful. He said "Missionary work is not easy, because salvation is NOT a cheap experience." Think on that. He then goes on to explain from the perspective think of our Savior. Why should we expect our work to be easy when His life was never, EVER easy. He speaks so poetically and powerfully. Look into it if you can! He says Surely we are privelaged to spend a few hours in gethsemane, a few steps on the path to calvary. Oh I wish I had memorized it. Look it up though! The only quote I'm sure of is the one about salvation is not a cheap experience. If you go to LDS.org I'm sure searching those words will find the talk I'm thinking of. You'll not regret it.I love the Lord. I love this work. I'm grateful for all of your kindness and support. I'm growing and learning and wouldn't trade these days for anything in the world. The world simply can't give the things I'm recieving from God. My testimony is sure. God lives. He's in my life, He's in your life. The more we let Him by our obedience, He is EAGER to bless us. It's our job to open the windows of heaven and God will not hesitate to pour out those blessings.Take care.
I hope all is well.
Elder McCarty

Hey all! Not tons of time. 05-14-08‏

Hi there family and friends! Life is going awesome. I'm finding increase in efficiency and a lot of pleasure in hard work. I've been sleeping better and finding more rest.Bobby Lasseter's baptismal date is May 31. He's a great guy. Grew up in a family of drugs, gangs and lots of other bad things. He's got John 3:16 tattooed on his arm from his first christian bout of interest. He has a good heart. He's working towards overcoming smoking! He officially quit on sunday! Three days are at his back. I'm happy for him.Andrew Legaspi is working towards MAy 24th. His family is still giving him trouble but we invited him to ask them to meet with us so they can ask us their questions rather than trying to tear down Andrews upcoming testimony. He's solid and once that block is down he'll be entirely prepared.WE tracted lots this week and have been finding people more receptive. A lot of our tracting has been in the Abbotsfield area. Often it's considered the slums. We've been told that we're crazy for going in that area dressed like we do. One investegator was surprised when our car was still there after our appointment! ha ha The people are humble and like to learn more.Fausten and Pamela are a couple from Africa. Kongo I believe is the country. They say that if the Book of Mormon goes right along with the bible they have no trouble believing it! They're great people and hard workers. I'm excited to see where they'll go!Juan Ignasio (I think is his last name) is a great man. He's from Nicaragua and very humble. He's a mechanic and we tracted into him. Elder Winn stopped randomly and said we need to tract here. We only knocked 4 houses and Juan was in number 2. The real surprise was on monday when the Morraz family informed us that THEY were the reason Juan cancelled our last appointment! He had told us he had family coming over! That's right. He'll be marrying into their family soon. What a miracle! The Lord inspired Elder Winn. Juan is on the path to where he needs to be and he's already got the support.Gods hand is everywhere! Recognize it and be grateful. The more we treat our blessings with gratitude and as the treasures they are, the more God will desire to give us.I love you all and hope you're doing amazing at the busy lives I know you have!
Take care.
Elder McCarty

Oh boy! 05-07-08‏

Family friends and wiggidy hip and happenin people! Yes it's me, Elder McCarty. The work is amazing. New investegators have been poppin up! Most aren't super promising but they're all seeds planted. I see their eyes soften and the flicker of the Light in their eyes when we talk with them. I want to talk about our blessed baptismal dates. Andrew Legaspi, Robert Lasseter, Cyrille Chwampka are our lucky three. They're in order of most promising to more difficult. We'll start with Cyrille. He's from Zimbabwe and a real stud. His friend back there who was a star rugby player never would play on sundays (because he's LDS.) Good ol' Cyrille never said anything to him but he always admired his friends faith. When he saw the add on the TV he phoned it. He's eager to learn and progress when we're in our meetings but very difficult to contact between them. We've been out of contact for a week and one half. We keep trying and exercising faith. The Lord will provide if it is His will. Robert (bobby as he prefers) Lasseter is a good man. He's had a rough life. Growing up in a family of gansters and dealers it's what he's always known. He's soft hearted and feels the need for change. His addictions hold him back mostly. He's eager to be baptized and we hope and pray that he will have the fortitude to prepare himself. Lastly Andrew (the rock) Legaspi. He's a member referral from Craig Nelson. Craig isn't in our ward but a stellar missionary. We have taught him four or five times. Every time we were impressed to commit him to baptism. He had held off. The time before last that we met with him he told us why. It's his family. They're good Catholic people but he was afraid of what they would say or do if he were to change religion. We consoled him explaining that as Nephi did a hard thing (getting the plates) he relied on the Lord and the spirit. He was successful and the Lord was pleased. We likened it to him. His date is currently the 24th of may but we hope to press it up slightly. He's solid. His testimony is growing and his comprehension is ascending.As for me, I'm growing tired. Not tired of the work. Not tired of seeing the mighty miracles wrought with faith. My exhaustion is physical. Yet through that, as I force myself to roll out of bed and pray for strength (even if it's semi-consciously) I recieve it. It's been and continues to be a miracle. The Lord qualifies whom he calls. It's a great opportunity to see his power when we are insufficient and yet in his service. Ammon did it with the lamanite servants of king Lamoni, I'm feeling the same power through my service. It's a tremendous blessing!OH! The family will mostly be interested in this one. Elder Smoot is out here. I don't know if it's Casey Smoot but he's got reddish hair. We talk whenever we see eachother. He recognizes me and I recognize him but I'm not sure which one he is! I thought that was pretty neat.OK all, I should be sending a CD with my pictures on it home. IT'll likely go to Mom and I think she'd be happy to send them to you via E-mail or something. I figure there will only be one or two of you who actually want them. There will be tons though!Ok I'm gonna roll on to other things. I'm loving life! It's grand. My missionary commision is amazing. Check it out it's by Bruce R. Mckonkie and it's labeled "My missionary Commission." He's so eloquent and inspired!LOVE YOU!
Elder McCarty