May 23, 2016 -- Check That Off My Bucket List

This week has been pretty great. Spring had taken its full effect in the beautiful country of upstate New York. I thought Utah got green in the spring... I was dead wrong. You can look out and see all the rolling hills in Oneida. Don't get me wrong, it still doesn't beat the mountains in Utah, but I sure do enjoy it.

Berla and Steve took Elder Smith and I out to dinner as the Turning Stone buffet. Boy let me just say the food was wonderful. They had everything from meat to Chinese to seafood and so much more. Elder Smith and I didn't eat all day in preparation for this. It was a dinner full of tasty food and good company.

Elder Smith and I were able to meet with Tasha. We were not able to meet with her at all last week because she was sick with a nasty flu. We are glad she is over it now though. We had planned on going and teaching more about the plan of salvation with her but during the lesson the Spirit took over. She opened up and shared her mourning about a child that had passed on very young. Elder Smith and I felt that we should turn to Moroni 8 talking about the salvation of little children. As we read the scriptures the Spirit filled the room. Tasha said she got the chills and instantly recognized that it was the Spirit comforting her. I am grateful that I was able to be a part of the Lord's comforting Tasha in that very moment. It's a most worthwhile feeling when one of God's children sees the truth of this gospel.

On a different note, Elder Smith and I were trying some former investigators one day when we pulled up at this house on the outskirts of Oneida that had tons of different animals. As we were walking up to the door, this peacock started following us.  We walked to the door where the guy let us. We talked for a little bit and as we were leaving a he told us to watch out for that peacock because he's not to friendly. As we started walking out to our car, the peacock continued to follow us. It would get closer when we turned away from it and then back off when we turned around. It followed us to out car in the road. I was standing by my car door and the peacock was right next to me. I needed the peacock to move so that I could get in the car door so I kicked at it, didn't actually hit it, to scare it.  It puffed up and jumped like three feet in the air using it's wings making an angry peacock sound. I hurried in the car door and then drove off quickly. The peacock started trying to chase us. Elder Smith and I started busting up laughing as we thought about what had just happened. Now I can check getting attacked by a peacock off my bucket list.

Anyway the sky is blue, the church is true, and life is good.

 

Until next week,

Elder Carlile

 

 

May 16, 2016 -- I Can't "Express" How Grateful I Was to Have "Panda"

This week got off to a great start with our Zone training meeting in Utica. As a joke, Elder Smith and I both bought a fake pair of glasses and wore them the whole meeting and then the rest of the day because we wanted to look smarter:)  

On Wednesday we had to make a trip out to Albany for some mission busyness. When we found out that we were going to go to Albany, Elder Smith and I instantly knew what that meant............... LUNCH AT PANDA EXPRESS!!!!!!!  I haven't had Panda in over 8 months so let's just say it was about time to get my Panda fill. I was so excited that I took like five pictures of all of us eating there.

Teaching Wayne had been amazing. He is super logical with a sincere desire to find truth. Sometimes he ask questions that I don't think that most members of the church have thought to ask yet.  I love it though because that means that Elder Smith and I really have to be know our doctrine. He always keep the commitments we give him like reading in the Book of Mormon, reading a conference talk, or praying. We are really just trying to focus on building his faith.

Elder Oaks said something this past general conference that really stuck out to me.  He said, "Our efforts to improve our observance of the Sabbath day pose a less stressful example of opposition."

I have tried to improve my observance of the Sabbath the past two Sundays and noticed a tremendous difference.  In doing this, I have been able to focus on the positive and more spiritual side of things, and the number of spiritual experiences I have had has increased greatly.  I know that the opposition is there but yet I still feel happy.  I know that it all starts with giving your best effort to improve the Sabbath day.

Love, Elder Carlile

 

 



Zone Training May 2016



Looking "Smart" at Panda Express

 

 

 

May 9, 2016 -- Mother's Day for Missionaries

Boy has it been an exciting week for Elder Smith and me -- Mother's Day, Elder Smith's birthday and we picked up a new investigator.

 

There is this man named Wayne. He met with missionaries over a year ago and has expressed interest in meeting with missionaries again. He is an older man that is intuitive and very friendly. The missionary that met with him a year ago got special permission to come up with his companion and meet with Wayne and us so he could "pass the torch on to us." The lesson went super well. Wayne has a lot of good questions about the gospel. He accepts the Book of Mormon and loves it when we us the scriptures to answer his question. The Spirit was strong during the lesson as we turned to the scriptures and testified of what we read.

 

Later that day Elder Smith and I went to Berla and Steve's to celebrate his birthday with a wonderful steak dinner with really yummy sweet potatoes, corn on the cob, and strawberry shortcake for dessert. The company was wonderful as well as the food.  Elder Smith and I were sure thankful for the hospitality of Berla and Steve.

Mother's Day was greatly anticipated. The Elders in our branch decided to throw a surprise lunch after church. We had sandwiches and lots of desserts. We went to Berla and Steve's house to call home. I was so excited to see my family again. I enjoyed talking to Katie now that she is home from her mission. I was only a little jealous of their trip to California. I miss being around them but I know that I am meant to be in Oneida, NY right here right now in the Lords service. Being able to skype with them makes them not seem so far away. It's weird to think that I've already made 2 of the 4 calls home in my mission. Time flies when your busy.

The sky is blue, the Church is true, and life is good.

Love, Elder Carlile

 

 

 

April 25, 2016 -- A Week of Unexpected Events

As I look back on the week I can hardly remember what I was doing at the beginning of the week.  I think that's a good thing... Anyway Elder Sonny Smith had a really cool experience this week.

One day, after we had finished online time, I had the idea to go the this small clothing store called The Merry Go Round to volunteer for service. We went in and started talking to the owners. Their names are Merry and Keith. At first we talked about random stuff like NBA teams and other things like that but then the conversation turned to religion. We all started talking about our love for Jesus Christ and then, in the middle of the conversation, Elder Smith shared a story called Pushups for Donuts. They loved the story so much that we gave them the copy. After about an hour of talking about Jesus Christ and what we do as missionaries, they invited us to come over to their house some time to have dinner with them and talk more about religion. I am looking forward to meeting with them. As we were leaving, I was talking to Keith.  He is a doctor, by the way, and he said, "I know that we were meant to meet today. I really needed it." It just so happened that this was the first time in months that Keith and Merry were able to come work in the store due to health problems that Merry has been having. We said a prayer with them and went on our way.  I know that meeting them was not a coincidence. The Lord sends his missionaries to help his children in need and I am grateful to have this opportunity to be on the Lord's errand full time.

On Sunday morning Elder Sonny Smith and I got a call from President Rogers. He informed us that an Emergency Transfer was going to take place. Elder Sonny Smith was going to a new area and Elder Tyler Smith was going to be coming to Oneida with me. Elder Tyler Smith has been going through a bit of a rough time and so hopefully this will bring a good change for him.

 

After we got off the phone, Elder Smith and I were shocked. We went to church where he said his goodbyes to members in the Oneida branch and then we went to say goodbye to some more people. After that, we went and he packed. We drove and met the other set of elders halfway and exchanged Elder Smith for Elder Smith. Yes they do have the same last name. No they are not related and yes this does mean that we don't have to make new pass along cards. It was weird to say goodbye to Elder S. Smith. It feels like he just got here. These past five weeks have flown by but the good times we had will always be remembered. 

 

I can't wait to get to work with Elder Tyler Smith. I have gotten to know him pretty well on exchanges and other things. I love the kid and we get along super well. He's been out for three months and is from Idaho. He loves potatoes and is proud of it! We started off this companionship right with a game of PIG this morning for our workout. I can't wait to see what new adventures lay in store.

 

Till next week, the sky is blue the church is true and life is good.

 

Love,

Elder Carlile

 

 

April 18, 2016 -- Spring Cleaning Is A Great Time For Service

The past week it has been warming up in Oneida. It has been getting to the 60's and 70's so more people have been out to talk to and everyone is more friendly. Elder Smith and I have been looking for new ways to find people so we were brainstorming ideas one day and we came up with this one. We decided we would go service tracting. This is where we go knocking on people's doors and offered to rake their lawns. The people seem very surprised when we tell them that we will do this for free. It really opens up the hearts of people and provides a great opportunity to strike up some good conversations.

Elder Smith and I had the opportunity to speak in church this week. He gave a wonderful talk on the history of the Bible and I was asked to speak on self improvement. I was surprised that Brother Neshimoto asked me to speak as I was getting out of his car coming back from Utica on Monday. It was a little short notice but I was glad to accept. We were coming back from playing basketball with a bunch of other missionaries by the way, so that was fun.

I'm looking forward to the pinewood derby this week. The pinewood derby here is as competitive as church ball in Utah. A member in our branch is building Elder Smith and me a car to race so that should be exciting.

The sky is blue, the church is true and life is good

Love,

Elder Carlile

 

 

April 10, 2016 -- Just Another Week in Oneida

This past week has been pretty normal for a missionary.  By normal I mean it had the good, the bad, and the ugly; but looking back on it I can definitely see the Lord's hand.

Elder Smith and I have been spending some more time finding this past week. On Friday night, we had two appointments fall through but that was alright because our backup plans never fail us!!  It was 8:10 at night and we were sitting in our car preparing to go tract, so we said a prayer asking the Lord where he would have us go so we could find one of his children who was ready to hear the true message. After the prayer, we started driving not knowing where we should go.  We then felt like we should stop in this one neighborhood.  So we got out and started tracting. The people at the first two doors were not interested, but the person at the third door invited us in to have a drink of water. We gladly accepted. We started talking about religion and Jesus Christ. The guy's name is Kevin and he is non-denominational Christian. The conversation continued to roll and he eventually said that he liked talking to us because we had good hearts. We continued talking about the stories of Jesus Christ in the Bible. My favorite thing he said was "don't try to convert me, I only do what God tells me to do"..... I'll take my chances with that. We left him with a Book of Mormon and are going to meet up with him tonight so hopefully that goes well.

The branch is doing well. We may be small in number but we are mighty in spirit. We have not been able to meet the past two weeks because of General Conference and Stake Conference.  I can't wait to meet back up with them this Sunday.  The First Councilor just asked me to speak this Sunday after we got done playing some basketball in Utica. That means Elder Smith and I will both be speaking this week.

Until next week, the sky is blue, the church is true, and life is good.

Love,
Elder Carlile

P.S. The picture is from a couple of weeks ago before the snow hit.

 

April 4, 2016 -- Spring Has Brought Me Such a Nice -- Oh Wait!

This whole week Elder Smith and I have been anticipating General Conference. To start it off right, we got up and made a huge breakfast. All day Friday I was saying "and in the mornin I'm makin waffles."  We had waffles, eggs, and a pork red pepper onion potato mix. Let's just say we had leftovers.

 

It randomly dropped 40 degrees and snowed Saturday morning, but that didn't dim Elder Smith's and my conference spirit!  We did a competition to see who could stick their legs out in the snow the longest.... Fortunately I won but we both had to run to the bathroom so we could run our feet under warm water (see picture).

General Conference was amazing. I was grateful that our prophet's stamina allowed him to share a short but powerful message about striving to be worthy for the Priesthood in all places. Some of the impressions I got from the whole thing are that the promise that the Lord will put the words in our mind in the very hour that we will need them come when we are bearing are testimonies. This was a great reminder to me that I needed to bear my testimony not only when I am teaching people but when I am tracting and street contacting. 

After conference ended on Sunday, Elder Smith and I went out to street contact people. There weren't very many people out because it was cold but we ran into this one man named Buddy... Don't worry I was thinking about the movie Elf too. Anyway I shared a brief summary of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and then testified of it. To my surprise he wanted to learn more about our message so Elder Smith and I got his contact info and set up a time to meet with him.

I know that the Lord speaks directly to us through his servants.  In fact, the Lord is always trying to speak to us. If we will look for his hand in our lives, then we will see that he never truly leaves us alone. He will answer our questions, give us strength to endure, and most importantly, bring an overwhelming scene of peace in our lives.

Until next week

Elder Carlile