Manti Temple

This past weekend Jan 19, 2013 I was able to go to the Manti Temple with my Mom and Joy (my other mom). The Manti Temple is gorgeous! I absolutely loved it. I was able to do all three ordinances there. The woodwork in the temple was incredible and the spirit was so strong. It was very neat to be able to go to a live session. I love the temple :] So grateful I can go inside!

-Sister Carson

My Endowment

On December 29, 2012 I was able to go to the St. George, Utah temple and take out my own Endowments. It was a beautiful and wonderful experience. I was blessed to have many family and friends there supporting me. The workers were so kind and took good care of me. The temple Matron Sister Hafen, counseled me. I felt so much peace and love in the temple. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are truly there.

-Sister Carson

2nd and Final Call (I hope)

I didn't have to wait that long this time only 10 days. My call came at about 3:30pm on December 20th, 2012. I was working, baking cookies. I had an opening party and wanted to make sure it was really here. I called my dad and had him check the mail. IT WAS HERE! I was so happy and nervous. I had planned to open it at 6:00. I worked as close to that as I could, because I knew I would go crazy just starring at it. A few friends came over and I tore it open and instantly saw February 20, 2013 (exactly 2 months). I was excited knowing I would leave soon. I finished pulling it out and read Minnesota, Minneapolis Mission. My first thought was Andrew Bilben. I knew without a doubt that there was a reason I was going there. The people of Minnesota have been prepared for me, Sister Carson to teach them.

To explain who Andrew is, let me give you some background. I grew up in Overton, Nevada. I had a band teacher named Kerri Bilben she was an investigator in my ward and investigated the church for 8 years before joining in my ward. She had three boys, Jake, Ryan and Nathan who I babysat a lot and became little brothers to me. I love the Bilbens. They moved to Minnesota in 2007. In 2010 they came out to California and picked me up and drove back to Minnesota with them. I spent the week with them. Andrew still isn't a member, but we have prayed and prayed that he would become a member. When I had told Kerri I was going on a mission she said I hope you come to Minnesota that'd be really cool. I said ya right Kerri I won't come to Minnesota. I guess she prayed lots and her prayer was answered. After opening my call I called Kerri and I think she said I am so excited like 500 times :] She said my family can finally be together. That right there gives me so much love and desire to serve. I can help families become eternal families. Kerri also told me in the 6 years they have lived there, sisters have never been in their area and they just got sisters. Andrew and I both struggle with depression and only recently have I found a way to conquer it instead of letting it conquer me. I can't wait to bring the light of the gospel to Andrew to help him with his. They can all be coincidences or they can be miracles. I see them as miracles. I can't wait to go and serve the Lord.

-Sister Carson

Lots of people joke that I may receive another call cause 3rd ones the charm, but I think I'll stick with the 2nd. :]

First Call

After WEEKS I mean WEEKS like 7 I got my first call. My stake president, President Anderson had his secretary contact me he said he wanted to meet with me tonight he had news for me. This of course sent me into a panic. I hurried and got work covered and we met that night. He told me to bring my parents, so I did. We meet and first pray, always start anything with a prayer. He read an email that the brethren (apostles) had sent him. The call said I was called to serve in the Las Vegas Nevada Mission. I would go straight to Las Vegas January 2, 2012. I wouldn't be endowed and I wouldn't go to the MTC. After 12 weeks (2 transfers) I would receive a new call and serve the other 15 months elsewhere with a shortened MTC experience. I will be honest. I was devastated. Las Vegas is only 2 hours away and includes my hometown where I grew up. I wanted to be like everyone else. I prayed and began to see the knowledge and goodness in this call. My Heavenly Father loves me and wants me to succeed and if he feels this is what I need to succeed I would do it. I promised him I would go wherever he wanted me to go and this was it, Las Vegas, Nevada. I accepted the call and 4 days later President Anderson had spoken with my mission president and he was ready to give me a call when an hour after talking to my mission president President Anderson received a call from the Apostles, spoke to 3 of them. He called me it's urgent we need to meet. I have good news for you. I said will I think it's good news? He's like I've been praying you do, I was worried if you have to pray for it to be good news it might not be. We meet and he tells me they had decided to issue me a new call. So the waiting began again.

Sister Carson

The Decision

I work at Swig and am able to meet incredible, amazing, kind people. One being my new best friend Bree. It was General Conference Weekend, also for St. George Marathon Weekend so we were busy as usual. Bree received a text from her dad. She said listen to this Lisa boys are now able to serve a mission at 18 and girls at 19. I was overwhelmed. I have never felt the spirit so strong than in that moment. I knew without a doubt that I was supposed to serve a mission and I needed to now. I just stood there and Bree said "Lisa are you ok?" I said Bree, "I'm going on a mission." I went and called Mom, who had also sent me a text regarding the new age. I told her amongst tears of joy and (a little fear) that I was going on a mission. She already knew, the spirit had testified to her at that moment that I was going on a mission. I text my bishop in my homeward, transferred my records back, got my application started online, Doctor visits and interviews. 10 days later my papers were submitted to Salt Lake.

Sister Carson