6/1/10

Dear fam,

Hows it goin? Things are going really well here! This week was pretty good. I feel like my spirituality has increased a lot this week. We have been fasting and praying a lot to find a family to teach and last night we found a miracle! On saturday we tracted into a 15 yr old boy from New York/Puerto Rico and he said his family wasnt home but that we could come back on sunday. So we came back last night and started teaching a lady at the door. She accepted a baptismal invitation and then older mom came out and invited us inside. There was at least 20 people inside a small apt. She said that God must have sent us because her sister has been in the hospital for the past 4 months and finally got out an hour before we showed up. She is terminally ill and they said she probably only has a few weeks to live. We all got in a circle and prayed for her and talked a bit to the family. There was a lot going on at once but we set up a time to come back on wed. They were all very sincere and very humbled i believe by the circumstances. We believe it was an answer to our prayers. There are at least 9 people baptismal age. Please pray for them that they will find comfort in and accept the restored gospel. Miracle! They were so grateful that we came by and prayed for her.

Well as far as my back goes...im not sure when ill start physical therapy. They have to get it approved from the insurance and last time it took 2 weeks. It is a place that is connected to them so the insurance should still cover it. Its called Heartland physical therapy. Theres one close to our apt. luckily. Its still pretty sore every morning. They said i could still run according to my pain. We just got signed up at a gym so im gonna start running every morning. Not too much else is new... Im at a members house because its memorial day. They are an awesome family! Oh yea and its dad's birthday! Happy Birthday! 50!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THAT IS OLD SCHOOL!!! Half a century! Holy cow! Can you still walk at that age? haha... jk! 50 years of wisdom and experience! Knowledge and skill! Gray hair and wrinkles! ...well maybe just the first ones. Cause i still have a studly lookin dad! Anyways, Happy Birthday!

Ill share with you some things ive learned recently. Desire seems to be the beginning of everything. If you desire something, you will receive it. That is a wonderful gift that our Heavenly Father has given us. It comes from our free agency, or ability to choose. We can actually have anything we desire. If we desire good, we shall receive blessings. If our hearts desire evil and sin, we will reap the same. If i really want something bad enough i know that i can reach it. It begins in the heart and shows in our actions. If your heart yearns for righteousness, it will show in your actions, depending on the ferocity of your desire.In other words, our actions show our level of desire within us. However if your heart wants good but still desires sin and things of the world, you simply will not have the motivation necesary to accomplish your righteous goal. I have been praying and fasting for the Lord to completely change my desires to only want to serve Him. I have felt a change of heart similar to the description in the scriptures. Although i still have a long ways to go, for there is so much temptation and distraction in the world, I feel no disposition to do evil. I have felt different levels of changes in my heart throughout my mission. I am beginning to abhor at the sight of evil. I have never felt such a great desire for good and the salvation of every human soul. I want to bring families into the church who can be sealed for all eternity. Desire is a powerful thing. If you want more desire, plead with the Lord day and night for Him to take away your desires for evil, fast for the strength (in this you will find discipline), search the scriptures (especially The Book of Mormon), and then go to work. Something else i have learned is that miracles cannot simply be wrought by belief and prayer alone, you must have the faith to act upon that belief. Faith is a principle of action. If you want to share the gospel and believe that God will place people on your path and are praying everyday for it but still arent seeing success, why can you do? You must act! You have to be looking for opportunities to share the gospel. You have to open your mouth and talk to people. Carry a book of mormon or pass-a-long card everywhere you go. Why would the Lord place people in your path or soften the hearts of your friends if He knows you arent going to open your mouth? Again it stems from desire. How much do you desire the will of the Lord? His whole desire is "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." Our goal is to align our will with His right? Therefore we must share the gospel. I heard a quote from a guy who just left here for his mission: "The heavens are closed to those who come alone." I believe that statement is true. This is what i believe our focus should be- first we should change ourselves and our desires, then share it with and strengthen our family, and then everyone else. We are starting a program we created with the hispanic members here that i want to challenge everyone to do. It is a prayer/scripture study chart for 30 days. You must create a list of people you know with whom you want to share the gospel. At least 5 names per person. Write them on your chart that i will send and pray for them by name in every prayer. We are sharing a message or a talk with them 2 nights a week and giving them a challenge each time. You can do one every monday night for family home evening or something. This week someone in the family should share the message of the restoration for the lesson. The challenge is to give out a pass-a-long card this week and share your testimony. Each family member must give one away. If you dont have any you better get some fast cause you must report to me next week. Ill commit you like i do my investigators, will you accept the challenge of studying the scriptures for 30 min each day, making a list of at least five names and praying for them each day, share the restoration in family home evening, and giving out a pass-a-long card with your testimony this week? Great! I promise you that by the end of the 30 days, if you dont miss a day, the Lord will prepare someone for you to teach and baptize. Have a great week!

Love,
Elder Carty