11-3-14

Hello!!

I am training officially!  Super CRAZY!  My new companion is Hermana Toone.  She is from Sandy, Utah and I just LOVE her!  She is wonderful.  We are soooo happy :)  She actually knows alot of Spanish already and can understand really well for a beginner!  I feel so lucky!  We are opening a new companionship of Hermanas here in Barrio 8 (Vallecas) so we are starting from SCRATCH!  We made a new area book and everything!  We´ve been doing alot of contacting and walking :)   We are also living with the other set of Hermanas who are both Natives!  Hermana Ferrari (she is from Argentina and was in my old Zone when I was in Torrejón).  She is an Argentinia princess...not really....but I LOVE her!  She talks with the double L....it is so cool!  She is training her native companion who is from Ecuador, Hermana Romero.  They are both super cute and fun.  I LOVE living with Natives!!!  Hermana Ferrari is hilarious and so patient and wonderful.  She actually reminds me of Clisserloo :)  I love her.  It has really been helping me with understanding Spanish.  It is incredible that we can function as 2 American girls living with 2 natives.  It is the coolest experience!  It is really an incredible experience to train a new missionary.  I just have had a rush of so many feelings that I felt at the beginning.  It´s hard, but I know that Hermana Toone is totally capable.  I am so grateful for her good attitude!  We are going to see miracles together, I know it.

Also.....real quick!  TIFFANY BROWN!!!!!!!  Oh my GOODNESS your cute little baby boy is so precious and beautiful!  I wish I could be there with you to visit you guys.  CONGRATULATIONS!  I hope you can forgive me, I have been meaning to write you forever now, but just haven´t until today.  I feel like I´ve been a terrible friend.  But know that I am SO happy for you guys.  You are going to be an incredible mother.  I love you!  Thank you for writing me and sending me pictures!

Also....Sarah!  Thank YOU for writing me too!!!  That is super exciting that Mike is getting all of these really great job offers.  The Lord is blessing you guys so much.  I loved your insight from Ether.  It´s so true.  When we do all that we can, to prepare ourselves, to do all that we can, showing the Lord that we are willing to do our part, He makes everything work out for us, for the better, always.  All he asks us to do is live according to the principles of the Gospel.  All of the small, and seemingly simple things, like studying our scriptures, praying, attending church, keeping the commandments, they really do make a difference in our lives.  The Lord´s hand is always extended to help us, we just have to take it and trust.  Thank you for writing me!  I promise I haven´t forgetten you either!  

So, here in Barrio 8, Hermana Toone and I have alot to adjust to.  We have been trying to figure out where we are (number 1 haha).  It´s been really exciting and it´s the best feeling when you finally start to connect everything.  It really is a miracle that we are just these 2 little American girls who can find our way around through the metros, trains and buses of Madrid!  When I think about it, it´s just a miracle.  I know the Lord is helping us.  

The other day we spent our whole afternoon and night contacting.  Wow...we´re learning alot.  There ARE so many wonderful open minded people here (but you have to find them), but everyone is in such a hurry or they work all the time.  I know that the Lord has been blessing us, we received so many references within our first few days and have now just been trying to set up appointments.  So far, so many of them have been real (not fake numbers), and they´ve been answering their phones to set up appointments!  So, that is exciting!  We´ll see how it goes now this week.  

Something I know that Heavenly Father wanted me to learn in the North was the importance of my attitude of faith.  I know as a missionary and just as a person everyday, there are many times where it´s easy to lack in faith....when you don´t see the results you are hoping for, or when things just don´t work out.  But, amidst all that happens, whatever happens, the Lord still expects us to have an attitude of faith.  Faith is the first principle of the Gospel for a reason, and we have to trust that the Lord is always providing the way for us, even though we can´t see the end from the beginning.  I know that the Lord has been blessing me and us here.  I know that He has been blessing all of you.  I know the Lord is trying to show us everyday, the blessings that He´s giving us, but sometimes we just can´t see them, or we don´t recognize them.  It´s easy to get caught up in everything in life.  I know that the Lord wants us to feel at peace, to feel calm, to feel joy and happiness.  I know that we find all of this happiness that we want, only through the Gospel, as we live according to the covenants we make when we are baptized and as we remain being a covenant keeper.  I am so grateful for the knowledge we have of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.  We have EVERY reason to rejoice and be happy with the knowledge that we have.  I know that the Lord loves us and wants to bless us tremendously.

Wow.....email time always flys by!  I love you all dearly.  Thank you for your love and your examples to me.  I hope you have the best week ever.

Con MUCHO Amor,

La Hermana Carroll

I can´t figure out the pictures on this new computer.....I´ll try sending pics next week!  Love ya!

Also...Grandpa Kartchner....yes, that is the exact book we use, "the green book" - I will definitely keep you posted with questions!  I am sorry I don´t have more time to write you back today!  I love you!  Thank you for your help always!