Time is Flying By... (9/29/14)

Time is flying by! Well, time, that's what we all want more of. I guess we don't get it now, but after this life we will have all the time in the world...

Well I'm back in a family ward; the noise on Sunday is like sweet music to my ears! Being in a YSA ward just makes you forget that sacrament meeting can be loud sometimes. I mean, YSAs have their own set of problems, but that's a topic for another day... On to how much I love family wards!! They are so much Fun!!

As far as miracles for this week...they happened!! We were able to get into 3 gated and guarded communities with out having any actual appointments! Normally you have to have them call you in, but this time we just got in! Blessings! Also, while we were out we started talking to a lady that was a member of my ward and I didn't know her, and I was on exchanges so the sister I was with didn't know her, and she gave us some root beer! It was the kind that my mom gets, that come in the glass bottles! Yummy! Such a blessing!

Well, "Drop It Like It;s Hot" is back in action! It was dropped due to the sickness that Sister Jennings and I were in, but that's over now... so go team!!! In the mornings we get to run to the temple. It's only a mile away so that is so much fun!!! And Sister Ashton doesn't eat that much so I don't each as much as I used to, so that is helping as well! Ahhh, go team!

Okay, the General Women's Broadcast was Amazing! Such a good topic, talking about the TEMPLE!!! YEAH! I love the Temple! I get to do tours each week and I get to run to it each week! It helps me remember the promises I made with my Heavenly Father! I love the temple so much!


Well I love you and hope you are doing amazingly!! Keep up the great work!

Stay Classy and Sassy and a little Smart!


LOVE Sister Violette Carlson

Finding A Family! (9/22/14)

This week I was transferred to Newport Hills! I'm still in the same zone as Sister Jennings; go team!!! Sister Ashton is my companion now; she came out with me! So cool! But, she goes home a transfer after me. She is from Utah, has a Mom, Dad, brother, sister, dog, and a turtle that died (Tilly; may he rest in peace)! She is so much fun!! She is a dancer, so she loves dancing!

We have decided that we are going to find a family in the next two transfers! Yes! We only have 11 weeks left for that, but we are going to do it!!!

I don't really know what to tell you other than I have been meeting tons of people, teaching them like crazy, and just having a great time.

Quote of the week: "Have a great day and I hope you talk to lots of strangers." -Sister Nicholson Hahahahaha, yes, I will.

TEMPLE SISTER! What? Yes, me!!! I gave my very very first one to and investigator of the Elders of the Newport Beach 2nd ward! She is getting baptized Oct 12! She has been taking the lessons for 3 years! But she finally realized that she could get baptized even thought she is not perfect. It finally just clicked for her! Wow! I love being a Temple Sister!! It is so much Fun!


Well I love you hope you have a great day!!!
Stay Classy and Sassy and a little smart!

LOVE, Sister Violette Carlson!

Goodbye to Jennings! ...and YSA...Newport (9/15/13)

Well I would just like to start with a story about my dear sweet companion! Probably reason 5000 why she is FREAKING AWESOME!

Last week we decides that we would use our 6 dollars and 50 cents that we got from recycling and get our car washed! Go team! So we get our car washed and vacuumed out real nice and then we went to pick up our mail from the park where everyone in the zone went for a zone activity...Jennings and I are the less-actives of the zone...we don't like too much social interaction on P-days... So as we are walking to the car to leave, the truck-driving elders show up with our Distract Leader, Elder Bufton. We were so excited about our nice clean car that we hod told everyone about that...so Elder Bufton put his fat foot on our car! We don't put up with that crap!!! After our gasp of horror, Jennings spit on their truck!! YES, she is that cool!! I was in utter shock. Man, I had only thought of doing that, but she had just spit on their truck! I was struggling to make it to the car because I was laughing so hard, and Sister Jennings kept yelling, "GET IN THE CAR, CARLSON!!! GET IN THE CAR!!!" HAAHAH good times!!!

Also this week Jennings and I were walking down the hall in the Stake Center to go to the bathroom and for dramatic effect I hid behind a pillar with my hand like a gun, then Jennings opens a door and kicks it in! haahah It looked legit! Well, in the process of that she pretty much hurt her second toe on her foot and by the end of the week half of her foot is purple!! Hahaha, I'm going to miss this girl!!

So, we got transfer calls Saturday night! I will be transferred. It's weird, I only have a short time left so I thought I would spend the rest of my time here in Newport YSA ward, but I guess God needs me some where else! Cool beans!

We taught a man named Shawn...creepy man...he asked Jennings and I to bring back poloygamy right there in the Target...Awkward.... We said we were taken...total lie, but I don't feel bad at all for saying it! Jennings had to say..."I can't tell if he is being funny or a legit perv."

Also Quote of the week! "I'm not impatient, I'm a go-getter"

And a Miracle of the Week! The elders picked up an investigator because we asked a member to pass out a Book of Mormon!!! GO TEAM JESUS!!!!!!!

Well I love you!!!

Stay Classy, Sassy, and a little Smart!

Sister Violette Carlson

Did Someone Say Week 6? (9/8/14)

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Week 6 of the transfer!!! What!!! Only TWO more transfers after this week! hahaahaha, Crazy! Life is too short!!

What a week! So much fun!! I Love My YSA Ward!! As a ward activity we had a Senior Bingo Night...where everyone dressed up like they were 50 years older than they really are! Sister Jennings and I put on Blue eye shadow and red lipstick along with our clothes that we wore to make us look older! It was a blast!! The elder's investigator was there and he had a great time! The ward just loves him and fellowships the crap out of him! GO TEAM YSA!!!

Also, score for Sister Jennings and I! We got to wash 2 cars this week in the same day and then more service after that where we got a new bookshelf to put in our bathroom because it is so small. So we took the little bit bare book shelf out and now we have room when we go to the bathroom! Heavenly Father LOVES US!!! YEAH!! We also will be getting a couch and a love seat because of the service we did!! Oh yeah!! Service pays!!! GO, GO, POWER RANGERS!!!!

I have to report that last Monday I bought two stretch pencil skits and I am The Happiest Girl in the world!! I love those skirts so much!! They make me so happy! Just wanted to make you all aware that I have found happiness in my clothes again. GO TEAM!

Now, just to show how much God loves me and Sister Jennings, each Saturday we now get to take care of puppy's and walk them while people come and look at adopting them! Sister Jennings and I both LOVE Puppies! Hahaha, So cool!


Well its been real! LOVE you all! Stay Classy and Sassy and a little smart! Love you!

LOVE Sister Violette Carlson!!

Week of Miracles (9/2/14)

What!!! I can't believe things turned out the way they were that night! Sister Jennings and I had set aside time to go visit people, but a less active member said that she wanted to feed us dinner that night...at 7:30 (if you can, PLEASE feed the missionaries at 5!). So we stopped by her work to see if she still wanted to take us to dinner but she wasn't there. Weird, we thought, so we went to her house. She wasn't there. We called her, texted her, nothing....so we sat at her house waiting for her. While we waited we read the New Testament because we are reading it together as a mission and we had to catch up. While we waited there, Eli Showed up; he is the brother of this less-active that we're working with. He is not going to church at all but he let us share a scripture with him then said he would come to church on Sunday. He didn't...but that's okay, all in God's timing. But hey, cool thing, he told his sister that he thinks that we're cool and not the typical Sister missionaries- that we are funny and joke! So cool! That's what I have been trying to do my whole mission! Be a missionary but not coming off like a weird-o!! Go Team!!! So, as we get there this less-active shows up (we'll call her PL). We talked with her some then had to go to dinner. This dinner was with another less active member (I'll call her JC). So we took PL with us to dinner at JC's and the last time we talked with JC she was struggling with lots of things but when we walked into the door something was different about the feeling there. JC seemed happier! She told us that she had been doing good for a week and that she had been reading her scriptures and if she didn't read them she found herself hungering for them. So cool! She just decided to change her life!! The Atonement is the real deal!

Also an awesome quote of the week from Nica, a member in our ward, "People here spend money they don't have on things they don't need to impress people they don't like!" Hahhahahahaha So funny!

Okay I love being in a YSA ward. Why? Because it is so much fun!! And you make friends...like yesterday Sister Jennings and I went shopping with a few of the members in the YSA ward! How cool is that? P-Day shopping is the best!!

One of these people we went shopping with is named Lauren. We helped her clean her back yard last week and then she took us out to lunch at Coco's. What I learned there was So important! Pumpkin Pie Season Stars in Two Weeks!! #yum!

We went to the temple this last week and afterwards we always take pictures. Sister Jennings has fallen in love with family photos so we got the Elders to take a very awkward one!! Go GO Power Rangers!!! It was a great day!!!

Sister Jennings and I have been sick with a bad headache and sore throats and a fun cough for about 4 weeks now! We have no idea what is going on, but we get to got to the doctor tomorrow! WOW! We have really enjoyed this time being tired and thinking that its just because were old missionaries, and thinking, "How can we go on!?" hahaha Good times!!


Hey, I love you all!!

LOVE Sister Violette Carlson

Smart (8/25/14)

This week was a week of.....I don't know how to put it in to a couple of words, so I will just tell you all about it!

Line of the week:
So freaking Funny! Brother Day was talking to all of the missionaries in the Newport Stake and was saying how its so great that there are more Sisters out and and how nice it is that they get to wear their clothes now! Hahahahahahah, he didn't mean for it to come out like that, he just meant that we get to wear pretty colors and clothes that don't make us look like a sack of potato's! ...half of the time.. Hahaha, good times!

So being in Newport YSA we do a reach-out night on Tuesdays when we stop by to visit new people in the ward and people that haven't been to church in a while. So we go by to see Richy and hes not there, but his roommates are there and we were able to have a question and answer session. It was AWESOME!!! So many good questions! We should be meeting with them again this week! COOL!

So BIG news!! We are working with a less active woman but she is coming back slowly but surely!!! And this week she has an interview with Bishop and she is able to get her Patriarchal Blessing! Wow, wow!! She is also working towards getting her temple recommend! WOWOWOWOWOWOW ahhhh So exciting!!!! I love being a missionary!!

Service this week:
We got 10 hours!!! YES!!! PRAYERS answered!!! How cool is that? We have been trying SO hard to get service hours and we got it! Hopefully we will still get in some service this next week! This week we were able to do service to help set up for a reception! Oh yeah!! That was fun!!! Sister Jennings and I have decided the best way to go is elope!

Also, we got a full dose of Mexican Coke this week! Just one bottle!

Well I love you all!!! Keep up the great work you're doing!!!

LOVE, Sister Violette Carlson

Glamour Shots (8/18/14)

I just loved this week! It was so much fun!

Fat camp is going great! Never felt better....right! But that blessing I got because I felt tired...it really worked! Just like it said in a weeks time I would be able to see a difference! I DO!! I just love Heavenly Father, he really does love me!!!

This week was a knock out! I ate Cafe Rio for the first time! So freaking good! #yum!! We taught Angie this week and it was great! I like teaching Angie because she has lots of questions about what scriptures mean, and she asks them. Sometimes Sister Jennings just sits there thinking, "that was such a great question...we have no idea!" Also another reason why I love teaching her is because this time around I'm not a greenie; not knowing what the freak is going on with my trainers are teaching her the whole time! (Cool thing: I taught Angie in my first area!)

We LOVE the UCI campus! We go there a couple time a week because its summer time, but we will go there more when school is in session! We were able to teach 3 or 4 people this week and one of them was named David. He thought the idea to pray to God to get info from him was so cool. He had never thought of it to know if what we shared was true. I love asking God for info! If don't know what to do, I ask Him!

Okay, so I got to be a farm girl this week! Sister Jenning and I have been praying to do some service in the ward. It's a lot harder than one would think to find service opportunities in a YSA ward! But we got some service and were going back for more this week! We tore apart a back yard, just ripping weeds and chopping and digging roots up out of mother earth! It was so much fun...and I got to wear stretchy pants! GO GO POWER RANGERS! YEAH! We are doing this for Lauren, who we helped get ready for company the week before. We even moved a TV down stairs, and yes, we are sending that rumor around the ward! OH YEAH! This week we are moving a dyer! Just wait until the ward hears about that! People will just have to ask us to do service for them! Lauren is also an RSM (Returned Sister Missionary) so she has a bunch of music we can listen to...including Christmas music!! Yeah, she is FABULOUS!!!

We finally have friends that want to sit with us at Church! We might have to move up a row to get more seats for all the people that want to sit with us! GO SISTER J AND SISTER C #notyourtypicalsistermissionaries!

Okay, cool thing! NEWPORT TEMPLE TOURS! Oh yeah! We don't get to give them because they keep us out in the field but they are happening! AWESOME! They are doing a trial run for two weeks to see how it goes! So far it's going great!

Now, let's just take a moment to say thank you to the Sister Missionaries who found my Mom! How cool are they!? Twenty-five years ago they just knocked on her door sang her a song and asked if they could share a message with her! Go team! Sister Missionaries ROCK!

Also, God is good! I rolled my ankle on Friday. It hurt real bad, the worst it has ever felt rolling my ankle! I was for sure a goner! But ten minutes later I got up and walked! Oh yeah! It still hurts from time to time but I'm getting it checked out! Thank goodness I don't have to walk around in a Boot again! Hahahaha, I just love life!!

The funniest thing happened this week!
Uncle Bert takes pictures for the ward list and Sister Jennings wanted to get one and put it up on the all by Bishop's Office, to kinda just put our face out there. We thought it would be really fast but, nope, he wanted to have a full on photo shoot! Hahahahahah, it was so funny! So that whats up with those glamour shots! The last one is my favorite!

Well, I love you all! I hope you stay classy and sassy and a little smart!

LOVE, SISTER VIOLETTE CARLSON!

Drop It Like It's Hot (8/11/14)

This week has been crazy fun! It's sad that we lost Sister Jibas...we miss her so much! At random times we will just be driving along and think, "where is that girl! It's not as fun with out her!"

Moving apartments! I now live in the West Park area!! Hahahaha, I just drive by places and think, "So and so lives there!" I had to stop telling Sister Jennings where everyone lives; she might be going crazy! As far as getting everything to our apartment it only took two trips (with just enough room for Sister Jibas to sit in that back)! Go team! Sister Jennings and I love the new apartment so much!! It has a felling about it and sometimes it makes noises that sound like a rocket ship taking off so we get to have fun with lift off and landing training! Sometimes we feel like Power Rangers and get all ready for battle!!

Okay we had a The Best Two Years moment this week! Sister Jennings felt like she needed a bagel for breakfast the next day and we had forgotten them while we went shopping so she wanted to go get some. I said sure lets go...it was 9 at night...and we went and we were able to see an old friend, Mayra! And she wants to meet with us because (words out of her own mouth..) "were so cool!" Go, go, Power Rangers moment!!

In a Plan of Salvation lesson we were teaching how when we die our spirits are separated from there body and go to Spirit Paradise...and as soon as I said spirits are separated from there body...a 5 lb pine cone falls to the ground! BOOM!!! Almost smashing Sister Jennings or I in the head! So close...it definitely made Jessica remember that lesson! Who could forget that! 

Also, this week Sister Jennings and I started Fat Camp...we have gotten a few suggestions to change the name to make it more positive. like Drop It Like It's Hot...ahahahahaha, so funny!

 

Mom, cool thing: I can now make hash browns with out turning them into mush!! Oh yeah, you really do learn on your mission!

So this week Sister Jennings and I have felt really tired; like we have to pull over and talk a 20 minute cat nap so we can stay awake on the road. Are we going to bed on time? Yes. Getting upon time? Yes. We don't know what is going on, we even fell asleep in chairs while waiting for people to come and play basket ball on Thursdays! What!? So I asked for a blessing, as my zone leader laughed at me! Rightly he did, because its so freaking funny! Well I'm not as tried as I used to be, so it is AWESOME!!

 

Also, this week we were so lucky to get to take an RM out with us! And what blessings came! The Spirit was with us so strongly! We were able to find places that we have never been able to find!  It was so cool. We were looking for a place and we asked as guy where it might be and he said he didn't know but that we should just park and look for it on foot, so we did. We parked and as we got out of the car the place that we were looking for was right in front of our faces!!

 

Food for thought! 1 Peter 1:7 The hard times we have are worth more than gold!

 

Also, Funny Funny Funny! We ate dinner this week with a Marshallese family and they had a Marshallese party...and they ordered in Chinese food! Hahaha, so funny!

 

Well I love you!!!

 

LOVE Sister Violette Carlson

Sister Sister! (8/4/14)

Well this week was amazing! I love it up here in Newport!

Funny story! As part of being in the Marshallese group we go to a lot of parties some people probably say that it's not worth our time to go to, but it so is! I know that the parties we go to help strengthen relationships with people and get us in the eyes of people we are trying to get to know and start teaching! There was this party that was last Sunday and the Children of the Queen and King of the Marshall Island were there! Yeah, cool! So our companion Sister Jibas was staying there for the whole party while sister Jennings and I went to a fireside for the YSA ward. We had been going all day so by the time the food was served for the party we had to go. They had us take our food when we left and the best part was that they serve their food in to-go holders! We had been going and going since some early meetings that morning and we had yet to eat dinner...so we ate it at the fire side...hahahaha! It was so funny because afterwards we were thinking about it, and it looked like we bought food on Sunday and got it to go so we could eat it at the fire side! Hahahaha, Sister Jennings and I are foodies!

So this week we started teaching Angie! I taught her when I was I San Clemente! That was about a year ago! Crazy; she wants to keep learning and get through some of her concerns! Well, Angie is the best!! She is such a good person!

Sisters Conference! Say what!? Yes, all 60 sister missionaries were at the Mission President's home and spent the night! Hahaha, Yes!! What time did I go to sleep? Well, I tired to go to sleep at 11 but there were these two sisters that decided they would stay up until 12:30 talking. Let's just say I'm already NOT a morning person but they just helped that one out! Sister Orgill (the mission president's wife) said good morning to me and I just looked at her like, "what do you want form me?" and said, "Yeah, its a great morning!!" But then we all did morning work outs and Sister P invited Sister Jennings and I to help her teach everyone how to Hawaiian dance...lets just say I was okay!

Transfers: Sister Jibas is leaving us! Bitter sweet! So sad to leave her; but nice because we will only be covering one area so we can give it 100% of our time. It will get the attention it deserves. We are also moving apartments! YES! I love moving; it will be a new adventure! Sad part...moving ALL over our stuff! Sister Jennings and I are...hoarders! If you can be one of those on your mission. But lets be possitive...Sister Jennings and I did a little sweet talking (asking lost and lost of questions) and got out of the Assistants where we should be moving! Yes! Irvine, into the West Park area!! YES!! So exciting!! We will still be in the Newport YSA area, they just have us moving so they can put other sisters in our apartment and close to their area. For us it means we just get to drive more, YAY!!!!

Well I love you!!

Sister Violette Carlson

This Week Has Flown By! (7/21/14)

Busy Busy Busy!! I had no time to think this week, just running from appointment to appointment!! Forget lunch a few days this week!! Sister Jennings and I have been spending 100% of our time in YSA getting to know lots of people! We're texting like crazy! I never texted like this before my mission! WHAT!! CRAZY!! But I love it when its like that! We started teaching a guy named Zak. He is pretty cool and during the lesson I got to use the Dr. Seuss book Green Eggs and Ham!! hahahahaha He said I don't think I will read The Book of Mormon every day so we asked him why. His reply was, "I don't know if its holy scripture."

So I said, "Have you ever read Dr. Seuss's book Green Eggs and Ham?"
"Yes"
"Do you know what happens in it?"
"No, I haven't read it in a long time..."
I said to him, "a man named Sam will not try the green eggs and ham and says he doesn't like it but in the end Sam does try the green eggs and ham and likes them!" So Zak said he will try to read The Book of Mormon! YES!!! He has lots of questions but tries not to seem too interested. You know, he has to keep up is image! Were not 100% sure why he wants to meet with us but we shall find out this week!

So, I'm sure your thinking, "What happened to Sister Jibas!?" She was working on Marshallese work all week with another sister. This other Sister's mother had just passed away and was having trouble so the mission president thought it would be good for her to come up here and work with her people. They have started teaching one new person this week and got a referral from a member!! So cool! Hopefully the Marshallese group will soon be a branch! That has to be approved by the First Presidency! That's cool too!

I finally finished The Book of Mormon last week and now I have started the New Testament! I love it! Cover to cover it is awesome; you get the whole story line and things just make more sense. And I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God! How do I know that? I prayed about it...I asked GOD! That's what it is about: asking Heavenly Father and getting your answer and then acting on it!

...YSA (Young Single Adult) wards!!! Party on, they are crazy! This week we are getting ALL the info for all the party's for YSAs!! Non-members are like, "What, you can come to this?" and we say yes we can! We talk to them about what ever! The goal if this is that we are trying to let people know we're normal young adults just like them...we just talk about Jesus all day! No big deal!

Mom don't freak out....so a while back we had this FedEx truck in our apartment complex at like 8:45 at night...like two or three times a week...while serving in Marina Hills. Super Creepy! They shouldn't be delivering things that late...right? Well, now I make sure to spot all FedEx trucks and let everyone in the car know that one is around us. So Sister Jennings one day was making fun of me...and said, "Well FedEx is the devil and Hello Kitty is a gangster!"...Hahahaahah I think that's funny and so should you!

Cool Miracle this week! It's 9 at night we go to open our apartment door. Of course it is locked like every other night so Sister Jennings pulls out the key and tried to unlock the door, but the key is bent! So sister Jennings tried fixing it and putting it back in but no luck. Well, we're just stuck out there so I gave it a try and before I even think about it I'm saying a prayer that the key will bend back...and as I press it against the wall it bends back into place perfectly! We open the door and all is well! Heavenly father does love us!!

Well I love you all! Hope you enjoy your Christmas in July this week!

LOVE, Sister Violette Carlson

There Is Not Enough Coke In The World (7/14/14)

Flirt to convert

This week has been great!!! How I love the work hear in Newport! Sister Jibas is so freaking funny, she has started to pick up on little words that Sister Jennings and I say…For instance on Tuesday we ate at Carls Jr for lunch and Sister Jibas, being super tiny, looks at her burger she ordered having no idea that it would be so HUGE! She looks at it like, "How in the world will I be able to eat this?"…Sister Jennings tells her to just unhinge her jaw and she should be able to eat it. So Sister Jibas says "AMERICA!" then takes a bite out of her sandwich. Ahaha…Sister Jennings and I look at each other and laugh, we have done well!

Well, I don’t know if you know, but Thursday was my one year mark… holy crap it’s been that long! It feels like just yesterday I was telling my mom I was planning on going on a mission! Time really does fly by when your have as much fun as I am! BTW, Sister Jennings and I were in the MTC together, so what did we do to celebrate? We had so much fun at the Nashville Tribute Band (a band that missionaries and Mormons listen to! They came for a night in the park with music it was a great opportunity to invite friends and get people we are teaching to meet and see more Mormons in LIVE-ACTION!) concert!!! It didn't get done until 10:30. How does our mission pres feel about that?...he is total okay about it because we were getting people out and mixing and learning more, and that's part of the hastening of the work. It was so much fun! They played Crack That Whip off of their trek CD so Sister Jennings and I decided to dance out in front of everyone for fun. We did a Doe-C-Doe... it was a crowd pleaser!!! Hahaha, I love my mission!

Did you all know that you can go on Facebook and find my mission? The California Irvine mission, or something like that. They have videos and pictures out the wazoo! Hope you can find it and enjoy it as much as all the other people do! Some moms and family members go crazy and comment on everything! It’s the best! So funny! How do I know this? Do I get on Facebook?…no, but I'm good friends with the assistants and they let me see it!

Tuesday nights we have splits for YSA! They are awesome. I went with a girl named Megan; she is leaving for her mission in about a month…yes, that is cool! We were able to stop by a ton of people to try and teach and…NO LUCK! What!? But we were able to help each other out with stuff that we were dealing with, like how awful her day was and questions she had about her mission, and then I got to tell her how I wanted to punch an Elder in the face because he was being a jerk to my companion. In the end we both benefited from splits. We were not able to teach anyone that night but we were able to lift each other up and just feel the Spirit. I know that it was there and I felt God's love. Sometimes things don’t work out as they were planned but they work out how God has planned!


LOVE Sister Violette Carlson!!!

I Could Just Spit! (7/7/14)

What a Marshallese party! It was so much fun: lots of singing and a little dancing! We Sisters got to dance for everyone. Were there Elders there? Yes. Was it awkward? Yes! Was it good that we danced? ...yes. It was the first time Sister Jennings and I met everyone in that home so they got to see that we were white girls (we are so white!!) and that we could have fun!! Oh yeah!

Sister Jennings' birthday was the 1st of July so we partied like it was 1999! #partyon  We had cake and we went to panda express for lunch! Oh yeah!!! I love birthdays! Even on the mission you can have fun, do what you want....within the white hand book guide lines!

 

4th of July party!! It was awesome!!! Irvine Mission is the best!! We watched The Son of God that night and it was so cool and we were able to just sit and watch a movie and enjoy ourselves. It was so nice!

 

Well I have a testimony of the Plan of Salvation. Why? Because I just do. My life has helped me know that it is so true. Jim passed away Thursday (I taught him and he got baptized 8 weeks ago). All is well and he is in a better place now, teaching people about what he knows to be true! I will always be thankful for Jim and what a miracle he was for me in my life, and all that he has done for me! Just being so willing and honest with us as we taught him, and how much he helped my grow so I that I could deal with life and it's great challenges! I wish more people I meet could be like Jim!

 

YSA ward. It makes you want to get married soon... Why? So you don't end up like them....WHAT!!! Ahahahhaha. Sometimes we will be sitting in Church and there are people that are 28 and not married and have to go to mid-singles and they just are searching for a husband or wife and it is just crazy. And having to be in a singles ward for so long would just be awkward...no wonder why the Prophet and Apostles are talking about getting married at a young age rather than waiting until your 28 ...because YSA wards are just awkward! Sometimes I just cant deal with it! You need to heed the words of  the Prophets!!!

 

A cool thing happened last night! We were driving to go visit someone and we saw a guy at the bus stop so we parked the car and went to take to him. He was on the phone but after he saw that we wanted to talk to him about the Book of Mormon he got off the phone and talk with us. He is leaving the state but said he wanted to read and learn more...so we gave him a Book of Mormon and right there he started reading it! I love it when The Spirit tells us to do things and when people want to learn more! Then we get back to the car and Sister Jennings says, "Change of plans. We need to go see Jennifer." So we went and she was home and it ended up being the perfect timing. We were able to talk with her and get to know her so we could become friend so that she knows us. Now she knows us and hopefully she will start coming to church more regularly!

 

Well, I love you!!!

Be Good. Stay classy and be honest!

LOVE, Sister Violette Carlson!

Life Is Crazy! (6/30/14)

So, I shall begin in a place not too far from here; a place the call The Lake Building. This building holds the mission office! Transfer meetings are held here...or as I like to call them, the REAPING!! So freaking true!! Ahahaha. I was able to get most of my things to the Lake Building but I would have to go get ALL of my pillows from the apartment later that week while my comp was at choir! So, sitting at the reaping, Sister Jennings and I wanted to be companions so badly!! Like, reeeaaaaallll bad. We came from the MTC together and have been waiting for this day to come! We prayed really hard and made cookies for the president so that he would get his reward when we would become comps! We decided that we would sit on opposite sides of the chapel so that we could run to each other! I was also worried that I would be put into the YSA ward in Newport, because lets get real...I'm AWKWEIRD around people my age!!! Man it is rough! So Pres. calls out, "Newport YSA Marshallese branch" and says that Sister Jibas is serving there "and her new companions are Sister Jennings................."(and I swear the time it took him to say the next name was AT LEAST a lifetime) "......and Sister Carlson!!" I screamed I was so happy!! Sister Jennings and I ran so fast at each other that Sister Jennings name tag flew off and hit a poor sister in the face! Damage done: mild! It was so much fun! Then off to hug sister Jibas.. Then to show everyone how we got Pres to let us be together we run up and put cookies up by the podium. Everyone was laughing at us because this is so freaking funny. Who wouldn't think this was funny!? We are the funniest sisters out here!!

Well I'm out of time but until next time...

LOVE, Sister Violette Carlson

Life As It Is! (6/9/14)

So I think that I will start with: I am okay! I am doing well!

I knew that Brock's time on earth was coming to an end in a short time, so when I got an email last week it was not 100% a shock to me that he only had a few days to live. With the Lord's help I soon found myself telling my Mission President that I would need to be going home for a few days, that it was the right thing to do, so I got a flight out Thursday morning. I got in at 4-ish and was at the Hospital with my mom and 3 youngest brothers seeing Brock. We were there for a few hours then had to go due to the boys being ready to eat the whole hospital down....

While I was at the hospital I was able to show Brock some videos of me on my mission.. He enjoyed that, not being able to stay awake long enough to talk to people for too long, but he watched all of the videos so that was good! I didn't know that when I left that would be the last time I saw him. I don't know what I said to him but in the end, does that really matter? No... He passed away Thursday night.

While I was in Utah I was able to spend time with my family and that was the best part. I love my little brothers, they are the best!

So, I'm doing alright for the most part. It's when people (a lot of people) are around and talk to me I get all freaked out inside and I just can't deal with that. So that's weird but I'm sure I will be fine.

Hope you all have a great day!

I know that my Savior loves me and that we can all live again one day.

Love, Sister Violette Carlson!!!

Life Is Crazy When You're Me! (5/19/14)

Let's get you up to date, starting with Jim: he got baptized this week!!

It's pretty cool! He is the sweetest smart-mouthed 77 year old man I have ever met! I met him Tuesday may 6th (That's Davids Birthday!!! My Brother!!!)! He is the husband of Sister Tapp and she got baptized in November! Her daughter-in-law said on Sunday in her testimony that Jim wanted to be baptized so we went over there as soon as possible! And then taught him every day!!! Jim has cancer of the face, throat, and now in his lungs so he cant do much or get out much but he has been to church 3 times over the last 8 months before his health got to bad. He is the funniest guy; he has no teeth and can barely talk but he is still trying to crack jokes! He loves to play Scrabble so that's what we will be playing tonight before we teach him his lesson! So much fun! He got baptized May 15 at 7:30. He even showed up an hour early so that he wouldn't miss it! He was so frail that the Elders had to get in the font and help him in and out!

In other news: my health. I'm doing great! Dairy was the culprit! As long as I don't have dairy, I'm good! Well, along with tomatoes! But I'm in flying action!!! I love being here where I get to learn about food and what I can do with it! Like, my new favorite thing is taking Avocados, spinach, vanilla, and agave. You mix it up in the blender for a vita mix! Love those things!

I have recently decided that I'm going to change the world!! Just making some small goals for when I get home! I don't know how yet, but I have big plans!

So lets talk about Transfer calls! What!? Crazy! We get the call Saturday night that were leaving... both of us! What!? I left the room to go take a shower because I couldn't deal with that! Normally that means you were not doing a very good job in your area and that's just not good; it's called being white washed out! So I cant sleep! I packed everything I could! Yes, I was up until 1 then laid in bed until 3 before finally falling asleep! Sunday was rough but I had my Diet Coke to help me make it through (its a new thing, drinking Diet coke, because that's what members have. I drink it but I still prefer straight Coke)! So, while I was laying in bed I couldn't help but think of things I could tell president to let us stay...our numbers are good, the ward is amazing....what could be the reason? ....I couldn't think of anything so I thought of some thing real good! and in the morning I texted the President... "I know you're a busy man so I will keep this short...Sister Orgill tells us that when we save the loved ones of others, we have the right to petition the heavens for the rights of out loved ones...and the loved ones I petition for are the Marina Hills Ward. Can just one of us stay? We were told that there would be no Sisters replacing us," (thats what really hurt me), "What can I do to have one of us stay? I will go where ever you want me to go." And we got a text back saying, "Sisters, sometimes things just happen that we can't control." So we went to church and cried our eyes out! I had a member tell me that his son is a great guy and I should look him up when I move back to Provo (I didn't know I lived there before....Awkard, yes!). Then when we got a call during church so we called it back later. It was the AP's telling us that we would not be leaving the area but both of us would be staying!!!!! What!? I packed for nothing! Whatever. I'm staying!!! That's all that maters, but it was so awkward when the member that told me to look up his son saw me on Sunday and realized I hadn't left....oh yeah!

As far as Mothers Day goes it was awesome!!! I got to skype my family had a dance party with them as well. Who wouldn't love that!?! It was really fun seeing them all! They grow up so fast, you know!! I love my family and I'm so lucky to have them!!!

Quote of the week! While talking in the car at the end of the night, randomly Sister Hedrick says, "If I had facial hair, do you think it would be red?" Both of us: "Hahahahahahaha!"


LOVE, Sister Violette Carlson!

What???Huh!!!! I'm confused!!! (5/12/14)

Life is crazy....I got a call that I was being transfered saturday night then a call sunday saying that I wasn't than an email saying that ther could still be a chance of me leaving the area...not sure whats going on just that it's all in the lords hands! Also we have a baptism on Thursday! That should be interesting if we leave...

I Cleaned a Toilet (5/5/14)

I FREAKING LOVE SERVICE!!! I got to where jeans so much!!! Hahahaha, yes!! All day Thursday and Saturday, and Wednesday night! Jeans just make me feel so good because my butt comes back; otherwise I would have know idea if I had one! So, thank you for service!! It all started Wednesday: We decided to stop by the Ward mission leaders house. His wife was home so we ended talking to her about her neighbors who she said she just wanted to get them to meet us, just to be friends, so she could see that missionaries are alright (I thought about saying "not weird," but lets be real, we are so weird!). So we leave and get a phone call from that member saying her neighbors need help! We were able to do service for them AND we let them know how normal we are! AWESOME! Then the next morning we were able to do more service and Sister Hedrick and I got to clean a toilet together! It was awesome!

Quote of the week! "Okay lets slap each other with the spirit!" -Brother McBride

Also, that lovely day has come and gone this year. The day of April 25, when it's not too hot and its not too cold, all you need is a light jacket! Thought I would remind all of you!!!

So what did I do this week? Service!!! 22 hours of it! Holla!!! It was so much fun and because of it we should be able to start teaching a new family soon! We started off by folding shirts last week and helping them with a garage sale, then went to a party at a member's house last night! It was so much fun! Sister Hedrick is a violinist so she played for about an hour; then we had some dessert and socialized! It was so much fun! One of our other investigators, Kelley, came as well and she had a really nice time. She liked getting to know some of the people that were there! It was a really great way to end a Sunday night!

....Friday night was the TACO Challenge!!! I ate 13, however the two elders that beat me ate 20....gross! This event was held at the McBride's home in our ward..... it was awesome!!! Never in my life have I felt the desire to eat so much food. It was a party!

So I have been thinking a lot about what Elder Neil L Andersen said while he was here about how we need to know the scriptures more...So I started re-reading the Book of Mormon again for the 7999089896th time on my mission, and man it is an awesome read! I love it! It has got to be my favorite book! I want to be able to read it every 2 months for the rest of my mission (I like a challenge)! Its what Neil L. Andersen did while he was a Mission President with all of his missionaries!

A crazy thing is happening this week: my trainer (one of them) is going home! It's so weird to think that she will be home on Friday. She put up with me for the first 6 weeks of my life here in the mission field. Those were fun days! I was way crazy back then: I  did what I wanted how I wanted it and tried my best to please my trainers! Those days were good!

Well Family, Friends, and People that Stalk me,  I hope you all have a great week!!!

Stay Sassy!!!!
LOVE, Sister Violette Carlson

I Have A Live - A Missionary Life! (4/28/14)

Okay, okay, okay! So lets talk about my week:

Pretty much the best week!!! I have been off dairy for about two weeks now...but members love to try and give it to me for dinner...silly them!....I have also been running so much more in the morning! But good news, my stomach didn't have any problems last week!!! I have come so far!!!! It turns out that the Doctor over the missions suggested that I go home to get better then come back but after talking with my mission President....President Orgill talked Salt Lake down from sending me home....WHAT!!!! My Mission President is cooler than yours!!!! Because the mission doctor had suggested that I go home and it pretty much happens when she say that. Salt Lake is what we say to refer to head quarters...the scary guys! And my mission President talked them down! He Is So Cool!!!

Have I ever told you that I love exchanges!?! That's when missionaries switch companions for 24 hours! I love them so freaking much!! You just learn so much!!! Well, I got to go on one this week with Sister Andersen... and yes, this is the same Sister Andersen that was in the MTC with me! SO exciting, and it was so much fun!!! We talked to a guy named Wes and he wants to meet again!!! That's so exciting!!!
I also got to go on exchanges with her again on Sunday and Ed came to church!!! I was teaching him while I was in that ward!!! And he came in a Suit! Oh Ed ,I hope you get baptized! He is so cool; he loves action packed scriptures!

SO Elder Neil L Andersen came to our mission! So awesome! He pretty much said we are all going to die one day so embrace it now, its part of life! It made me think about a Mormon message (link here) a different Apostle shared about when he was in an air plane and the wing cough on fire, and when it was spiraling down to earth. He was at peace but there was a woman freaking out. This Apostle said she was not ready to meet her maker...are you? Am I? I have know idea! Its good perspective to think about...

He also talked about how we need to know our scriptures more!  We need to bring perhaps greater faith, then one day Baptism...Pretty much saying keep working with people!!! He also said something cool "You have been who you are for a very long time, its part of Eternal life." "When you testify you must be 100% honest!"

We had a zone training meeting... they said "Modest it Hottest....but you're missionaries...so you cant be hottest.... so be modest, but not too attractive..." Ya, it really got me pumped up!!!

I love my life its so AWESOME!!!!!!! I DONT WANT THIS TO EVER END!!!

Oh my I almost for got to tell you!!! I love the rule NO DATING!!!!!! Hahahahahahahahahahah, it makes telling guys no so much easier...."Sorr,y I'm a missionary and I have a companion that I have to have with me 24/7." So we talked to these guys and they were wanting to know more...about us.... but they didn't seen to act flirty at all (or I just don't pick up on those kind of things, it happens) but they ended up texting that night and asking for Sister Carlson! Oh boy....they wanted to learn more about our "faith" over lunch...not cool....they totally wanted to go on a date! That is awkward!!!


LOVE Sister Violette Carlson!!!

Hit the Top of the Hill!!! (4/14/14)

So this week I hit my nine month mark! Crazy now it is a short fall to the bottom!!! It is already going by so fast, I cant even deal with it! And they say it will go by faster!!! Ahahahah. So in honor of 9 month mark we took some pictures; I hope you enjoy them!

Okay people you have a job this week!!! Go to lds.org online and one of the first things you will see is a video is "Becasue of Him" it is an amazing, amazing video you got to watch!!!

Also, as a missionary, I have gotten weird!!! We knocked on a door of our members home (she was going to be giving me a hair cut) and she ended up not being home...but her husband open the door shirt-less....awkward....!! Me, I turned away from him and wouldn't even look at him. Freak, I acted like I have never seen that before... I made it so awkward!!!! Needless to say it didn't bother him at all! No awkwadness to it for him!! Hahaha. I'm so weird!

General conference was a knock out!!! Super cool!!! The main theme I got from it was "Where is your focus?...well it should be Jesus Christ!" So I was on Mormonchannel.com and I watch the new youth theme song....it was good and not even that cheesy!! Go team!!! Normally I struggle to like them, but this one is so good! You should to totally check it out!!! "Come Unto Christ:"

Sister Carlson is now off dairy so that makes it fun trying to find food that I want to eat. This week a member fed me ground turkey with grated cauliflower and zucchini on sour dough bread!!! yummmmmmmm!!! So good! I love food!

Also, cool thing: Elder Neil L Andersen is coming to talk top us on the 19!!! Great day!!! Have to look good!


LOVE, Sister Violette Carlson

Puking Chicken Is Not Cool (4/7/14)

This week our apartment was attacked with the flu!!! Sister Burningham (my roommate) and I didn't get sick until Friday nigh, while Sister Hurst and Hedrick (my comp) were just getting done being sick that day...but we still had to have dinner with a member that night because the last time we had them we had to cancel from some reason! So we went thinking it would be a nice easy meal on our stomach since she normally makes us her chicken noodle soup....nope, not tonight! She ordered out KFC! It was a hard dinner to eat and as I write this I'm getting sick again thinking about it.... I puked that chicken up as soon as we got home! Never in my life am I eating KFC again....ever!

With Sis Burningham on Friday

Sis Hurst and Sis Hedrick on Tuesday

This week I cleaned a lot and got rid of a bunch of junk that I have! My goal is to only have my 2 suitcases when I get transferred next. Oh, and all of my pillows, I cant part with those! I have 6!!! 3 of them might be body pillows... :)

Two words: General. Conference.
Amazing!!! I really feel like all of it was so stinkin' good! Parts that stuck out to me were, "Where is your focus? It should be Christ!" and reading the scriptures and praying everyday! Along with weekly family home evening, and testifying monthly to your children! It is so important that you do these things! Also, you need to grow your faith NOW!!! So that later you will have the faith to get through trials!

LOVE, Sister Violette Carlson!!

I'm So Grateful (3/21/14)

I an so grateful to have the Gospel of Jesus Christ in my life! The best part about it is that I get to share it with others!

My week has been filled with teaching people!! I love that! And I love sharing the story about how Jesus came back and brought back His Church for us on the earth! Because he love us!!

So this week was a party... I stood on a street corner for an hour... because God told me to. We did and we were able to teach someone!! So cool!!! They didn't want to meet with us again but took a Book of Mormon and was excited to read it! I love following the Spirit to guide me to teach people!

There was also a fun day of walking in the rain...(yes it rains here, prayers are answered!) We walked to a stop near our apartment to save miles on our car and it was only misting, and on our way back we walked with a woman to her home. We didn't teach her but you could tell we were supposed to talk to her. God need us to talk to her so she would know that she is loved; God answers prayers with other people! I'm so glad I was able to do that. So we walk like a mile up hill past our apartment while talking to this lady and on our way back it stares down pouring! By the time we got home we were soaking wet. I love my life as a missionary!!

Also, EARTHQUAKE!!!! I felt it shake our apartment! Way cool.

Love Sister Violette Carlson!!!!

Weeks Go By! (3/24/13)

Holy week 6!!!!! This transfer has been going by so fast! It makes me kind of sad that I have such a short time left! So this week I have been thinking about how much I love being a farm girl! I don't know why, but it has come up this week several times and just love it! I milked a cow (that is cool)!! I bailed hay (that's not as cool, but up there as well)!! Oh, and horse back ridding- that's awesome!!! I just LOVE being a farm girl!

This week was what I would call a great week! It started after emailing! Off to a zone activity where we did skits! Ahahahaahah, so funny! Thank goodness for me bringing my cheetah footy PJ'S!!! Hahahaha, I cant believe I wore those in front of all those people!! But then Monday night we went over to a family and did their FHE for them!!! It was awesome! All we did was share the new Mormon Message about bullying...Stop it! Then the family just started taking about how things really are and how they could help stop them. It was awesome!! The Spirit was there so strong! I love moments like that.

Lots of fun and really spiritual things happened this week, like a killer Book of Mormon Lesson, but my favorite thing this week was when I was sitting in church and a less active person that hasn't come to church in forever came in! I was just think how happy God was!! He and His angels are just having a party that this person came to Church; that he put forth the effort. God is so happy when you do small things like that! The small and simple things are the things God wants us to be doing! So every time you read your scriptures or say your prayers, it's a party in Heaven! And God is so proud of you when you do the things that he has asked you to do! So every time you do right, just think that God so proud of you!!

Love, Sister Violette Carlson!!
Give someone a complement this week in a new way :) Make it fun!! Pray for me to be able to say what the Lord would have me say, not to much or to little!

Well, I Just Love This Life! (3/17/14)

Monday: it was the first day of the week and it was long; we didn't get in until 10:45. So we get a phone call at about 9:15 when we're almost home It's been a long day, got lots of things done, and we're ready for bed. The call is from our ward mission leader. One of the Elders' investigators is Freaking Out (it's a women so they cant go over without a man there) so we were asked to go over and see how we could help. She was thinking about no longer going through with being baptized! We were there for some time, just chatting and helping her with some questions, but we got her all calmed down and she was doing well! So then we drive home but there no parking and we had to drive 20 billion miles away to find a place to park (about a quarter mile, but really if feels like 20 billion when you are half asleep)! It was a great night because we helped someone who was freaking out! And now she is baptized!!! It happened last night at 7! It was so awesome seeing someone go into the waters of baptism... that's why we're here, right?

On Saturday I was able to go back to my ward in Irvine and see someone I taught get baptized!! It has been a good weekend!!!!!! Getting to see the Lord's hand in not just my life but the lives of others as well!! I am truly blessed!

Also, this week has been filled with some intense teaching! Spirit filled and super powerful; like 15X the average lesson! Then a invitation to be baptized with an "I need to get a answer first"!!!! I was on exchanges with my STL at that time, so it was nice having my leader see that I can teach well :) always a plus!!!

Well, I just love life!!! It cant get better that this!!! You know, serving the Lord and teaching the people! And having a great time!!! What could be better? I don't know! I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ and all it has given me as I have stood by it and kept true to it!

Love, Sister Violette Carlson!!!

This week pray that I can learn a lot!!!

When In Doubt, Let God Work It Out! (3/10/14)

I FREAKING LOVE MY COMPANION!!!!!!!! She is so much cooler than I am! Let me star from the Beginning...

We were walking and my comp felt like we were supposed to walk down the hill then walk back up and go to our car and have just enough time to go do exchanges with our Sister Trainer Leaders. So, we walk down the hill and I, not knowing, almost crunch a huge mouse with my foot! But the mouse doesn't do anything.... its just sitting there... so it must be a pet of some one, or dying or something; not really sure at this point, but I'm freaking out! I might have been acting a bit like a psycho! But then my companion picks the mouse up and I have lost it at this point!! What are we doing with this mouse? Taking it to our car! Spirit of the Law at this point! So we put it in a box and left it in our apartment (in the other Sister's bathtub.........yeah). We ended up just letting it go, but man, oh man, is my companion cooler that me for picking that thing up! It freaked me out!

In other news we were able to teach 3 new people this week; one accepted a baptismal date for April 12th, so that's exciting! We taught one of these people through a fence! That was cool, just sharing the Restoration right there on the spot, it doesn't get better than that. I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ! It is so simple: Have faith, repent, be baptized by someone holding the Priesthood, receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, and Endure to the end! It is Simple, but not easy to follow. But it is so important that we live it!

So I also got a hair cut! A line....Sorry mom! I really do enjoy it!

I would also like to point out some thing weird.... today I am 8 mouths old in the mission! Wow!!! Time is flying by so fast!!! I'm just so thankful that I have changed so much over this time that I have been able to see some of what God wants for me! I still need to open my eyes more to all that God has for me to learn, so I'm working on that!

Love you so much!!!! Please pray that I will be able to be Humble this week as I teach....not to be Humbles but to be Humble.....much different! It's something that I am working on doing! I know that you can help me out even though your so far away :) Thanks so much!

LOVE, SISTER VIOLETTE CARLSON!

It Was the Best of Times; It Was the Worst of Times (3/4/14)

This week started off amazing! We had a killer Monday night! We taught 3 investigator lessons, 44 contacts, and picked up a new investigator... on a Monday night! That never happens!!! It was such a great feeling teaching so may people and talking to everyone we came into contact with! Tuesday was just as productive....then the night came and.... Sister Hedrick came down with something. Were thinking the flu but it was weird. So then I got it and we were stuck inside all week!

What!?! Life is crazy when you're a missionary!!! So then we were both sick but trying to feel better. Thinking that it would not last long, we went to an appointment that would only take us 20 mins to teach then we could go home and sleep....but it took about an hour and a half just trying to get ready to look half-way decent. So then our appointment fell through and we needed some Gatorade and Kleenex. We went into the store to get these items as fast as we can because we don't want to look like pile missionaries shopping on a non-pday... but then we ran into a member in our ward! so we had to explain that we are sick (remember we look like normal, not-sick missionaries because we just spent an hour and half getting ready)! We dad to explain that we were sick....Hahaha, I love my life! A lot of miracles happened to us on Monday and Tuesday!!! It was great! I love the Lord and his workings.

For example, one night in my last area we were walking near our complex (we had 10 mins until we had to go in) and all of a sudden I had to go t the bathroom. Like, I was going to pee my pants! So I said to my companion, "We have to go in, I'm going to pee my pants..." So we walk back and as we are almost in ths gate there is a man walking, and of course I talk to him not thinking that it will take too long...but then he wants to hear the lesson!!! What!? At this point I cant even remember that I'm going to pee my pants and thanks to some new training we can teach a lesson in about 10 mins! So, we taught the man on the sidewalk the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!!! But when we were done I still had to pee! Did I pee my pants for the second time on my mission? Yes...but it was worth it!! Who would have thought that my bladder would have directed me to teach someone!? So cool!

So, I have been reading The Fellowship of the Unashamed and I thinking about how my past zone leader said I could improve on was having more faith when I had asked what to work on. Everyone in the mission is being told to have more faith. I was thinking of ways to show my faith more to the Lord because faith is an action word. What did I need to do? While reading this it says that "I'm finished with dwarfed goals"...and it hit me like a rock flying out of as tornado on a spring morning! I was dwarfing my goals!! This week our goals are high but I know that the Lord will help me as I am obedient and if it be His will!

"I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The dye has been cast! I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made; I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won't look back, let up, slow down, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I'm finished and done with low living, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tainted visions, worldly talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals. I no longer need pre-eminence, positions, promotions, plaudits or popularity. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk with patience, am uplifted by prayer, and labor with power. My face is set, my gait is fast, and my goal is Heaven. My road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my guide is reliable, my mission is clear! I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, divided or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won't give up, shut up, or let up, until I have stayed up stored up, and paid up of the cause of Christ. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till I know, and work till He stops me. And when He returns for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me. My banner will be clear."

And I am sure you all want to know what I did while I was sick:
Slept
Unpacked
Washed my bedding, twice
Read the Book of Mormon
Ate
Slept
Watched The Testament
Caught up on journal writing

Well that was my week! This week in you family and personal prayers please pray for me and Sister Hedrick, that we will have the faith we need to do the Lord's will and that we will find those who are ready for the great message we have to share to all the world!

Also I'm not sure if I have told you yet or not but I'll say it twice: watch Earthy Father, Heavenly Father on MormonChannel.org! Do it!

I love you all!!!!!!
Sister Violette Carlson!

Old Apartment, New Roommates :) (2/24/14)

So this week has been crazy!!! I left West Park ward... yes I cried... but now I'm in Marina Hills! Life is awesome here! I'm in the same apartment I was in for my first transfer in Dana Point, so that's nice. It's the same smell when I go out in the morning; that's what I'm taking about!

My new companion is Sister Hedrick!!! She is boss!!! While talking with her something came out of my mouth that seemed to me something I needed to hear. "Sometimes we are taught a lesson but we don't learn a lesson." What lessons am I re-learning? Why is it that we don't listen the first time around with a trial? We would learn more and progress much faster, have a better life if we would just learn the lessons we are being taught.

Also, while reading my quotes today I was reading my favorite one "Have the courage to touch the Butt!" Finding Nemo.
Do I each day have that courage? How can I have that courage? I want to touch the Butt ...what does that even mean? I don't know, I guess I will have to find out this week what I'm supposed to learn:)

So there is an amazing sister in my new ward, and she is amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She has such a clear vision of the power missionaries have. Freak, I want to have that much understanding of the power I have as a missionary! She just inspires me!


Love, Sister Violette Carlson!
I love my life I'm so happy right now!!!

When In Doubt Mustaches It Out!! (2/18/2014)

Well this week was a productive week: Both of our investigators dropped us! It was great...one through text...very classy! And my favorite investo dropped us when we said goodbye to her. She didn't want to get close to anyone else then leave... what to do? I don't know!

So, I'm being transferred out of Westpark. So is Sister Lang, and they are not putting Sisters back in...sad face!!!

I'm going to miss West park....Westpark changed me! I have come to a better understanding of the Plan of Salvation. I know that it is God's plan for us and that through this great plan of happiness we can live with our families in the next life; together forever! That's why I'm on a mission; to help others understand that plan!! It is so important to understand that!!!

I have also come to a better understanding of my divine purpose. How great am I! I Am A Daughter of God!!! I'm a daughter of the most creative being there is! How cool is that?!!!

Well, Saturday Margaret got Baptized!!! Ayayyayayayayayay!! She is an 8 year old we have been teaching!!! So cool!! She was so cute!!

When you get that chance go to mormonchannel.org and watch Moments That Matter Most. It is a great message!!!

One night we were walking and saw the Elder's bikes so I had to get a picture with them :)

Question of the day: Where will I go? Who will be my next companion? I don't know!

LOVE, Sister Violette Carlson

When In Doubt Let's Jesus Peace It Out! (2/10/14)

I love saying "When in doubt....(What ever I'm doing) it out!" It's my favorite....But that one I just started saying has been the best one yet. And "When in doubt stalk them out!" That one is pretty much the story of my life!! I just stalk people until they let me in their house and share an up lifting message about Jesus :) This past week my companion that I was with on exchanges with might have climbed over a fence? Might have... it was so much fun :)

Last Monday our Zone went tidal pooling! So much fun! Our Mission President is so cool! He trusted us to not be stupid! That was awesome of him. In the pictures that were sent I'm with Sister Burgett. My companion and her companions went to another beach... my Zone is pretty much filled with Elders and not that many Sisters; so that's kinda lame! But transfers are on the 18th so we could get more Sisters :) YAYAYAAYAYAYAYAYYAYA that would be fun!!

Oh, great job Sister Lang and Sister Carlson!!!! We taught 26 lesson this week and normally we only do 11, so we are working hard!!! Yeah!!! Next week we'll hopefully get 30 :) aaahahahahah I would like to do that :)

BTW a 7 year old we have been teaching in our ward turns 8 on the 14th and is getting baptized on the 15th! Ahahahah, So exciting!!! Cant wait for that day :)

This past Thursday:
Thursdays are booked so tight for us that the only time slot we don't have used is 8...So its a crazy day! But on those days I'm with Sister Burgett while our companions go to choir and this week we went on a sand hunting adventure! We needed sand to make a Holy Ghost jar but we had to find a park on the way to out next appointment and we only had about 5 mins to spare. The only place we could get sand was at a school play ground....School was out so there weren't any kids around, so it was fine that we were there but it was still in the back of my mind "ahhaahh no proselyting on school grounds!!!!" So we ran to the sand, got some, and booked it out of there with no time to spare and without seeing a person! :)

I have been watching the Mormon Message "I Am a Child of God" all week and it is just the best thing! It makes your heart so warm; you should check it out! Will you do that?

LOVE Sister VIOLETTE Carlson!!!! I love food, laughing till I cry, and talking about Jesus! And I'm a Mormon :)

Sister Carlson At The Beach!!!

I Had A Great Week (2/3/14)

This week was filled with fun and not-so-fun stuff! So let's start with the not so fun stuff... F

For the last 4 weeks I have had some pain in my stomach area all the way up to my ribs! Crazy! I had to stay in a couple of days this week because the pain was so bad...I have gone to the doctors and am still trying to figure it all out...could be gallbladder, not sure...? But I did a blood test that came back normal and I got a blessing a couple of weeks ago for it. I didn't feel like getting one because I didn't want to be one of "those" Sisters, ya know? Anywho, so I humbled myself and asked for one. I got one from my Zone Leader but then right after the pain came in 10 fold!!! So I was balling my freaking eyes out. The Zone Leaders were staring at me like 'What should we do?' then the other Zone Leader said, "I feel prompted to give you another blessing." It was one of the most simple blessing I have ever had. (I only share these next details of the words with you because I gained a strong testimony of the priesthood because of this experience.) It said that the pain would go away depending on my faith, and that my pain and sickness would calm as I acted in faith.  ....Soon my pain was gone...With a pain here or their every once and a while but my faith is imperfect so it makes sense for there to be some pain every so often. But because of this I know that the Priesthood is given to men for the benefit of others! I know that the Priesthood is a gift from God to women and that it is a tool for all to use, not just those that hold it!

 

Also, got to go back to Dana Point for a day and I got to be with Sister Jennings! AAHAHAHAHAH I loved it so much!!!! I got to see my favorite lady that I have met in my mission; she is So amazing and Crazy! Just like me! I hope one day I will be more like her!

 

Question of the week!! What is your Divine Potential?

 

Love, Violette Carlson

My Best Friends At McDonalds (1/27/14)

Today I saw my Best Friends at McDonald's!!! What??!!?!?!?!?
SO, every Monday for the past 9 weeks I have gone and gotten a breakfast sandwich at McDonald's...Why? Because I was Hungry for one! SO GOOD! So to show my LOVE I gave one of them a Mormon.org card.... next week he said that her checked it out so I gave him a Book of Mormon....and now he is reading it! What!!! SO cool! That is so awesome! We are pretty tight, the McDonald's guy and I... But then I was thinking, "Why doesn't everyone do that?" It's so easy! Just give someone a Mormon.org card and ask them, (like it says in PMG- Preach My Gospel) "Will you" check it out? Will you questions are the best!

Our investo came to church this Sunday! Agaahahahahah it was awesome! She is an awesome lady!

Sunday I turned 20...I'm a new women; I feel different, like I can change the world! Very empowered! It also has to do with Bishop giving an amazing talk on the Plan of Salvation. It was so amazing, the Spirit was so strong! and it was so strong for all 3 hours of church!! Got to LOVE Sundays!

LOVE, Sister Violette Carlson!!!!

"Will you" invite someone to church this week? Or if you don't go to church on Sunday, check out the nearest Mormon church and tell me how it went!!!

It's Almost My Birthday!!! (1/21/14)

It's almost my birthday!!!

It's so weird, I'm going to be 20!!!! AHAAHAHAHAHAHA. But now it is my Birthday Week so we shall PARTY!!!! And when I say party I mean go out to eat. Once. This week :) It shall be AWESOME because I said so!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So had a pretty AWESOME week.......

Let's start with P-Day!!!!!!!!!! We played Volleyball and chair soccer!!! YEAH! So much Fun!

Tuesday was event full! Finally got into a less-active's home we have been trying to for the last 8 weeks! Awesmeness! She said she wants us to come back and teach her each week and she is panning on coming to church; even if she doesn't even care if there are people there who offended her! Also, at dinner my favorite girl said the funniest this in the world! She (who is 7 almost 8) said, "When I first saw Sister Carlson at church I thought she was pregnant!" hahaahahahaha, So funny! She thinks so many people are pregnant that are not so that she asked me makes it even funnier!!!!! She also has asked me where my husband is if I'm on a mission!?! Awkwierd!!!!! She was very confused by it all!

Nothing too eventful on Wednesday, but Thursday was fun! Choir is now on Thursdays and since I got kicked out I don't have to go :) But my comp does go so I go on exchanges with Sister Burgett!!! Sister Drinkwater went with us this week as well. We were driving to a service project where I noticed that a girl was struggling with her tire so I thought, "Oh, I will help her change her tire...or I will just call the Elders!" Turns out she just got a trash bag stuck in her rim so we took it out then set up an appointment with her and said a prayer right there! So cool.... Sister Drinkwater sat in the car the whole time due to the fact she was in pain and sickly, and when we got back in the car she said. "I thought I was watching the Distract!!" (Those are training videos for missionaries, you can watch them on byutv.com) Hahaahahah!

Friday: Weekly planning Day :)

Saturday: Choir in Mission Viejo for a stake conference! It was AWESOME!!!

Sunday: Stake conference in our own building! We talked about hastening the work and how our stake is to do it through less actives! It shall be AWESOME!!!

Also, met a new family in the ward! LOVE THEM!!! SO MUCH!!! They had us over for dinner last night and fed us Olive Garden!!! WHAT!?!? MY FAVORITE! YUMMMMMMMMMMMM!!! They also invited us to a Hockey game....but we have an appointment to pick up a new investigator tonight at the same time.....So maybe next time!

LOVE, VIOLETTE CARLSON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Stay Classy!!!!!!!!! Keep your first name in the name tag!!!

Sometimes I Just Want To Wear Pants (1/13/14)

Well this week I wanted to wear pants all week and that is why I titled this "Sometimes I Just Want to Wear Pants." Pants are just so nice! They are like love... I think that's what love is like!

The Reaping: The first transfer meeting that I had no idea who my companion was going to be! I thought I knew but I was wrong....

My new companion
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Sister Lang!!! What!? She is from my MTC District! YES!!! I know her!! She is an amazing missionary! She loves to work almost as much as I do and is really good at nightly planning and is just AWESOME!!! She is quiet so I find ways to make her not so quite or laugh at me. Once, I surprised her when I pulled out my microphone from underneath my seat to sing to her :) She did not see that coming!

Oh, so a fun miracle this week: we were going to see this family but it didn't feel right so I felt like I needed to go see someone we had not been able to stop by earlier that day. We knocked on her door and the door next to it opened with dogs running out attacking my companion! She was Scared!! So we're trying to get away from the dogs when the girl we came to see opens the door and closes it.... So, awkwardly, we knock on her door and she comes out being all weird with us but as soon as we say "missionaries" her eyes light up! She asks. "Do you have the Book?" I say, pulling it out of my pocket, "Yes, we have the book." and hand it to her. Then her phone rings and it's her mom! She is struggling to decide whether to talk to us or mom....that's awkward. Taking the book she says, "Can I have this?" We say, "Yes, it is yours for free!" (free is key!!!) and she takes it....saying please come back later I just have to talk to my mom.... hahahah So awesome!!! I Love missionary work!!!!!!

Also: Sadness! Said goodbye to Alexis and Mark!!!! I love them so much!!!

Also, I have this game I play with Sister Lang. I act like a child and say, "Mom, can we take that shopping cart home?" (because its in the middle of the street). She always tells me no. I just don't understand why she says I cant have it!! She tells me it's to much responsibility...What!? I don't think so!!

Well my last thought is...Who are you? Is that the same person God intended you to be?

LOVE, Sister Violette Carlson!!!!!!
Keeping the first name in the name tag :)

Keeping The First Name In the Name tag!! (1/6/14)

For my mission I have had this motto about remembering my first name. I finally have a catch phrase: "Keep your First Name in the Name Tag!" I love that! And I'm so excited that now I have a simple way to say it :) That brings me so much joy!

20 days until my BIRTHDAY!!!!!! What!? So exciting!!!! I will no longer be a teenager, weird!!!!!!!!!

Being the third wheel this week was so much fun! I got to hang out with Sister Anderson and Burgett for most of it. I'm in a companionship with them right now because I dropped my Companion off at the airport today!!! So weird, she is going home and will complete her mission as a service missionary! So cool! LOVE THAT Girl!!!! I get my new comp Tuesday night at transfers meeting!

So right now I have my own car and apartment.... it's so weird, I feel lost in some ways...but it's only for 30 hours so it's not that bad. All is well!

We got to spend the night at mission presidents house last night. That was awesome!!!! It was like being with Mom and Dad for a night... they just have so much love in their hearts!

This past week was New Years so that meant be in by 7...so our zone had a zone activity at 7! We played this game that Sister Anderson calls Feed The Magical Dragon. It's pretty much bean bag toss with two holes across from each other with teams...Elder Belnap got us hooked! We got crazy with that game!! Then we played Werewolf! Mafia to the max!!! Lots of contention; but we all loved each other!!

So sad day: Mark and Alexis are moving! Alexis investigator and mark the member!! They are my favorites! I LOVE them so much!

Also a shout out to Brain! Have a great week! Keep up the great work as a ward missionary!

LOVE Sister Violette Carlson!!!!!

The Week of Christmas! (12/30/13)

Well last week after emailing we got to go to Deseret Books...outside the mission...yeah...we got permission, don't worry!

I Skyped with me family on Christmas Eve; it just worked out better that way! It was a party! Then after that (we were at Bishop Yost's house) we had ginger bread wars!! We won, of course...AWESOMEnesss!!! Kicked some butt! That's right Elders! You lose! (Not like I wanted to win super badly or anything!)


Christmas Day!!!
7:00 Sister Anderson and Burgett show up with our planned breakfast: McDonald's! Best breakfast EVER!!!!
Then we partied for a time before sending them off to their breakfast with a member.

11:00 Brunch with the Izu's: crepes and harsh browns...YUM!!!!

12:30 Go to Sister Smith's after being lost for like 20 mins. She had us come with her to visit some people that live near her and give gifts with her!

1:30 At the Jenkins home the Elders were there too. I'm the only one that had Skyped already! So they Skyped while I hung out with the Jenkins family. MAN, I love this family, they are so awesome! Sister Jenkins is the one who gave me the body pillow!

4:00 Off to the Kimball's where we ate sloppy Joes. Not your traditional Christmas dinner, but thank goodness!! I must have gained too much weight to even say in an email this past week!

5:30 The Orgills! We played games and ate; I love our Mom and Dad of the mission! They are the best!!!

7:30 Zone Activity! We played the game they play in Harry Potter (Quidditch) on brooms and dustpans that are on a stick!!! Funnest game of my life...and not too many injuries...

9:00 go home....9:45...I was out cold!!!!

Oh, and this up coming week I get to be a third wheel! So exciting! My companion will be in the mission office from 9am to 5pm helping Pres. Lutz (one of the counselors in the mission presidency) with something so I will have to be the third wheel with a different companionship for a week!! Oh, and transfers will be coming up next Tuesday! We will both probably stay...but who knows, we could get a third companion!


LOVE Sister Violette Carlson!!!!