Transfers!

So transfers are this week and I am staying!! This is by far the longest that I have been in an area! I am excited for the chance that I have to be here yet another transfer! I know we have so much work to do and I AM READY FOR IT!! Hna Thomas, my old roommate in my last area is my new companion!! :) I am excited to learn more and work with her :) 

This morning I was reading in Preach my Gospel about how we need to bear testimony frequently. And I know that that goes for missionaries and members. I had heard that over and over again before my mission but it was something that I never took much thought in. But now as a missionary I see the importance of it and how the spirit speaks so strongly through a sincere testimony. “Regarding one’s testimony, remember, that which one willingly shares he keeps, while that which he selfishly keeps he loses. … Teach and testify.There is no better combination.” –Elder Thomas S. Monson 

I thought that it was pretty ironic that I read that this morning because I just so happened to bear my testimony in sacrament yesterday. I don't tend to do it too often here because I figure the members and our investigators hear my testimony all of the time and plus speaking Spanish in front of a whole congregation of people is something that makes me so nervous haha. Well anyway, as I walked up to the pulpit yesterday with my heart pounding heavily in my chest. I bore a simple testimony, but as I did so I felt so strongly that the things that I bore witness of were true. My testimony was strengthened as I bore it. As a missionary it is so easy to bear testimony everyday, and not being a missionary I think sometimes we forget that we need to do it. In small and simple ways it can be done. Sharing a scripture or a quote by an apostle on the internet is an excellent way of doing it.  "And now I, Nephi, cannot write all the things which were taught among my people; neither am I mighty in writing, like unto speaking; for when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men." 2 Nephi 33:1

I know as we share short powerful testimony not only will those around us be strengthened but we will as well :) 

Sorry this isn't the best email that I have written, my mind is going a million miles per hour with all of the craziness that is happening!! 

I hope that you all have a great week :) 

Love you all! Devy baby finish up strong!!! I LOVE YOU!!

<3 Hermana McCartt

WARNING

WARNING: THIS IS A LONG ONE.

Well this was quite the week! It was definitely one of learning and growing. My already firm testimony of the Book of Mormon has been fortified and refined. I love the Book of Mormon. I know that anything we are going through we can receive peace and tranquility as we turn to the Book of Mormon. It is my rock! I know that the promise that is in it; that if we read it we will find more peace in this life than by reading any other book, is true. I know because I have done it over again, and each time my testimony of that truth grows :) Ahhh I love the Book of Mormon! I know that it is the reason that Benji wanted to get baptized. The Book of Mormon and pray is how he had a change of heart and literally beliefs!! He claimed that he was "atheist" But he now know that there is a God in Heaven who love him so much. With his permission I enclose a text message that he send to us the night of his baptism:

"The day of my baptism, I focused all my mind on all the positive outcomes. Thinking about change usually scares. So I knew this was only good. Though, I was aware this weren't gonna get any easier, deep down I knew Id be lent some strength, a more sustainable amount of strength to keep me going when life gets hard. Before the initiation, everything seemed so surreal. The nerves all the anxiety completely went away. To the point where it seemed as if I had blocked out, and I wasn't actually there. AS If I were an out of body experience. Reflecting upon all the drastic changes I had gone through in such a short period of time, the person I was, am and the person I want to become. How only a few months ago I had convinced my self that there was absolutely no God, as if I had figured it all out. I was extremely wrong and I am amazingly happy I was. Labeling myself as an atheist was something I had picked up to rebel against what I thought to be the norm. As I saw before, all the corruption and chaos in this world was now so ordinary. And so I saw it all with one name, and that was God. So I'd thought my intentions were always good, but in reality , I was only rebelling against positively, the main power source, God. AS I was submerged into water, I come back, and I felt so light when I emerged out breathe. I knew I was now part of something, something bigger than me. I feel like I have a purpose now. I know I did this one thing right and it feels great. There's thing feeling in me, like an everlasting fire that was once burning dim, and now it flame is burning stronger than ever before, and bright, like the phoenix rising, I felt the helping hand  if the holy spirit, bringing me out of darkness just as it was about to consume me whole. There's these emotions my heart can't forget, but there's  this new and somewhat irrational joy, that I know, can overshadow then, and so out of ll the ugliness in my life I can focus more on all the blessings I have. All the negativity was dragging me down, this experience is only once, and short lived, I want to live off God, I want to live right for everything seemingly, unfortunate event. I'll pick out spec by spec the beauty that will came from it. So i actually know, that that irrational sense of joy is God inside. I know this church is right for me, It was one of the best decisions I've made, and I'm actually excited about it. I know that perhaps I seem unappreciative  or even come of rude sometimes, but in reality I have somewhat of an extreme shyness, ha ha if that's even a thing, but I really distorts how I try to express my self, and it's always being an obstacle. But I'm stoked I met you guys, because I don't know if I would've kept squandering in denial still. seen just how strong your faith is, gave me hope, and made me realized just how weak I've been. So I really admire the both of you :) and my faith  is growing even stronger with each prayer." -Benjamin Vera 

Sorry for the huge email but I just wanted to share with you. This is why people go on missions. This is why we stay. This is why it's "the best two years" Or year and a half :) Because we have the amazing opportunity to be instruments in the hands of God in leading His children back to the fold of Christ!
Seeing hermano Vazquez and Benjamin receive the Holy Ghost this past week was amazing. I felt a difference come into the room when they received it. I am so grateful for Holy Ghost "a member of the Godhead, bears witness of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. He is the source of personal testimony and revelation. He can guide us in our decisions and protect us from physical and spiritual danger. He is known as the Comforter, and He can calm our fears and fill us with hope. Through His power, we are sanctified as we repent, receive saving ordinances, and keep our covenants. It is through the influence of the Holy Ghost that we receive knowledge of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and feel Their power, goodness, and love." We must always remain worthy of it's Divine power.One of our members bought Benji a white shirt and tie so he wore it!! He looks like he's been a member his whole life! They were both blessed with the ability to share the gospel with their families and those around them. I love the priesthood and am eternally grateful that we have been blessed by a loving Heavenly Father who loves us enough to allow us the blessing of having his gospel once again on this earth :) 

We are blessed!! I love you all! Thank you for your love and prayers sent on my behalf! I feel it! Devy, keep working hard and finish strong! I love you!! 

-Hermana Shea McCartt

Aka your favorite Californian missionary

My girls :)

Crazy dog that jumped the fence.

I AM A REPRESENTATIVE OF JESUS CHRIST

I am a witness of the statement that TIME FLIES! Time is truly is flying! Ohhh this past week was so good :) This work truly gives you true happiness!! 

Benjamin and Hno Vazquez were baptized!! The Lord truly helped and bless us this week to prepare them. 

Benjamin: He has always had doubts about life, who he is, who God is, does He even exist? BUT slowly but surely I have seen those doubts of Benji's wash away. Looking back at who he was almost 4 months ago I can hardly recognize him. He has a hard life, so different the one that I have lived. Benji comes from a part member family, he lives with his mom, who is a less active. She unfortunately has never been very supportive of him, especially when it came to his decision to be baptized. And not having the support of his mother made Benji doubt his decision to be baptized. An incident happened yesterday happened in sacrament that made him get upset and leave. 

Afterwards we went and found him and he broke down to us. He told us that he wants a family that the gospel promises us that we can have. We told him that if he lived the way that he knows that he should that he can one day have that family. I bore witness of how badly he needs this in his life, and how Satan is trying everything to stop him from going through with his decision to be baptized. Then I looked up and say Hna Duran coming through the door, aka my grandma and an angel in my eyes! I told Benji that this is his family here, that Hna Duran is his grandmother. She came over to us and was just smiling, she recently feel and really hurt her back and wrist. We started talking and she was holding on to her back, we told her that she probably has so much faith in the resurrection. The words she said afterward couldn't have been more perfect, they were an answer to mine, hna Martinez's and I know Benji's prayers. She bore a powerful witness, and just thinking about it right now brings tears to my eyes. She told all of us that we are here to be tested, that Satan tries to bring us down, tries to make us doubt what we know to be true, he wants us to be miserable like he is! She said, if we do everything that we keep all of the commandments, and do everything we need to in this life that we will be happy, not only in this life, but in the eternities. Then she looked and Benji and said, and your decision to be baptized is exactly what you need to do, I am so proud of you. 

I know for a fact that she was sent to us in the very moment that we needed her to testify to Benji. Only God could design that. He is perfect and what was said was exactly what Benji needed to hear. 2 hours later he was baptized. He couldn't stop smiling. I know that his mom's heart was softened as she say him baptized. He said, "I feel so happy". THIS IS HAPPINESS!! 

Hno Vazquez was so ready to get baptized!! He couldn't wait! His neighbor, a current bishop, gave us them as a referral. Bishop Rohm said he has been sending missionaries over to their house for 10 years, and we were finally able to teach them and help them see the truth. After their baptism, hno Vazquez stood up and shared how he always saw something different in his neighbor, bishop Rohm. Hno Vazquez said he wanted what Bishop Rohm had. He told us that he feels new, and that he is starting his new life in the gospel :) We know that his wife and children will quickly follow suite. 

I know that often times things happen in our lives that make us feel like giving up. That we cannot do what we know that we should. That it would just be easier to go back to who we were, what we were doing before. BUT WE CANNOT. There is too much on the line. Our eternal happiness depends on it. The decisions that we make everyday are vital to our salvation. This quote that one of my friends sent me goes perfect with this:

 "Just when all seems to be going right, challenges often come in multiple doses applied simultaneously. When those trials are not consequences of your disobedience, they are evidence that the Lord feels you are prepared to grow more (see Prov. 3:11–12). He therefore gives you experiences that stimulate growth, understanding, and compassion which polish you for your everlasting benefit. To get you from where you are to where He wants you to be requires a lot of stretching, and that generally entails discomfort and pain." -Elder Richard G. Scott

We can never ever take a day for granted. Our Savior is always here to help us through everything. We must rely on Him fully. "And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall." (Helaman 5:12) We never are alone when we walk with Jesus Christ :) Of these things I testify, in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ, Amen. 

Love you and miss you so much my family and friends! Stand strong and immovable. 

Hermana Shea McCartt

1. Benji was baptized!!

2. Hno Vazquez and his family and us :)

 Benji wanted Elder Holloway to baptize him. It was his first baptism ever!! He goes home in 2 weeks. You could say he was honored :) 

Benji is getting baptized

Hno and Obispo Rohm 

Sister Harper and I

My little Isabella and I

Photo shoot with Kendra

Benjamin!

Wow so time flew by this past week! Our roommate sisters left :( Sister Marsh had to go home because she hurt her arm and Sister Swan, aka my twin got transferred :( It's so crazy how close you can get to someone is just 6 weeks!! I am so grateful for the friendships that I have made on my mission :) I know they are friendships for eternity! I love my mission. 

So I have some really exciting news! Patty, one of our investigators we have been teaching for the last 3 months will be getting baptized this next Sunday :) She says she cannot wait to be baptized! She knows that Satan is working hard on her and is trying to stop her from doing what Heavenly Father wants and needs her to do! I am so excited for her to make covenants with God and continue on the path to a better and happier life! The gospel literally is the happy and best choice!! I will forever be grateful for it in my life. It truly is my life. 

Benjamin is still on date for the 10th!! He reads the Book of Mormon like no one else that I have ever taught. He has come such a long way from being "Atheist" to now acknowledging that there is a God in Heaven who loves Him so much. The Lord is truly blessing us right now. All of our hard work for the past 2 transfers is paying off!

We are teaching la familia Vazquez, I know I have mentioned them before. They are so incredible. Hno Vazquez is so ready to be baptized, he eats everything up that we teach him. Hna is a little more hesitant; they lost their son due to a murder years ago and her heart has been hardened ever since, but slowly but surely her heart is being softened :) We had an amazing lesson with them the other day on the Plan of Salvation. I saw a light come into her eyes that I had never seen before when I testified of the spirit world and how her son is learning the gospel right. We told them that their son is waiting for them to accept this gospel and preform their sacred ordinances in the temple. Oh how Hno loves the temple!! She looked at me and said with a smile on her face, "That would be nice if only I knew if it were true." I then told her that she could KNOW!! I know that the Father of all living is the one who answers our prayers, he gives us comfort and loves us unconditionally. 

I received one of the most beautiful blessings the other day. I received so many answers to my prayers and comfort. I know that the Elder who gave me the blessing was only the mouth piece for our Heavenly Father. I felt overwhelming love of our Heavenly Father during the whole blessing. I am so grateful for the power of the priesthood. I know that it was restored through a living prophet, Joesph Smith. I know that our Heavenly Father loves us so much and doesn't want us to lost in this world that is slowly dwindling more in more in unbelief. He wants us to know what HE wants for us, so He has given a guide who can help us to know what we as His children must do in order to return to live with him again :) I am so grateful to have a living profeta and to have the restored gospel of Jesus Christ on the earth again. 

I love all of you and hope you have a fantastic week!! :) 

Your favorite Californian,

Hermana Shea McCartt

Benjamin and His BOOK OF MORMON I don't know if you can see all of the little yellow stickies, but those are all the chapters he has read! He just started from the beginning

 Sister Swan and Marsh leaving me :(

Kathy and I.. She wants to serve a mission!

Our Elders

Happy Everything

I don't have much time today, but I just wanted to let all of you know how much I love and appreciate all of you!! I am staying in San Bernardino with Hermana Martinez for at least another transfer!! We are so excited!! We know that good things are to come!! 

We found an amazing new investigator named Lupe. She live right across the street from church and it is perfect! We are so excited to start teaching her the restored gospel :) She has had such a hard life and wants to find the truth, we are more than happy to help her find it! She has the cutest kids. 

There are so many people out there who are searching for the truth "...who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it."  Doctrine and Covenants 123:12 

Before coming on a mission I did not realize the role that I had to share the gospel and help bring others unto Christ. I took the knowledge of the gospel that I had for granted. I am so grateful for my mission. It has truly opened my eyes and taught me how to be a missionary!! Missionaries are not just the Elders or the Sisters. It is all of us. "The Lord has declared that missionary work is the responsibility of all who follow Him (see Matthew 28:19–20; D&C 88:81). Members of the Lord's Church can, by the goodness of their lives and the strength of their testimonies, share the gospel message and help prepare family members, friends, and other acquaintances who are not Latter-day Saints to be taught by the full-time missionaries." We are all called to invite everyone to come unto Christ! We are all missionaries forever and always :) I am so happy that my mission doesn't end when I take off my name-tag, this is only the begging!! 

My mission has taught me that we have success in so many different ways. There is success in the INVITE, whether they chose to accept it or not. When we are truly converted we will want to share this amazing message with everyone we see!!! 

My email is all over the place today!! Sorry about that!! Shelby and Daddy HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! I LOVE YOU BOTH SO MUCH!! Daddy you are not old because if you are then so am I :) 

Until next week! 

xoxo Hermana Shea McCartt

Mormon Road

Love these hermanas

HELLO!!

Hello my dear family and friends! I hope everyone's week was great :) 

This week has truly been a one of learning!! We had a zone-wide meeting with our President and it was so good. And we learned some crazy exciting  We learned how to teach even more simply than we have been in the past. There is such power in the Restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ!! There is such power in teaching simply and testifying of the Book of Mormon. Yesterday we had an experience where we starting talking to a man on the street and he all of a sudden started telling us how the Book of Mormon is false and how we have no idea what we are talking about... I looked him in the eye and testified of the divinity of the Book of Mormon. I told him that God loves all of His children and wants all of them to return to Him. I told him of the promise that is in the Book of Mormon, that if we read it truly desiring to know if it was true that we would come to know for ourselves that it is. He didn't say anything after that. We then wished him a good day and left. I know that there is no power on earth that compares to that of the Holy Ghost. I am so grateful for it. 

Yesterday we went to a baptism with one of our investigators named Juan Vazquez, it's the second one that he has been to in the past two weeks! He loved it. He said he can't wait until he gets baptized, but he wants his family to be as well. He loves coming to church and learning and feeling the spirit :) He even went out and bought a white shirt and a tie!!! ahhh I love how the gospel changes people and makes them want to be better. I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!!

The other day we had a great lesson with Benjamin. And he accepted a baptism date!!!! We brought out a calendar on his phone and told him to chose a date. For some reason it was highlighted on June 10th! My birthday!! Coincidence? I think not. He decided to go with the 10th!! :) That would be the best birthday ever!! He thinks he hasn't received his answer yet though. We told him he will after he is baptized. He reads everyday and he came to church all by himself yesterday!! He loves what we teach and we know he knows that it is true. 

I love being an instrument in the Lord's hands to help others to come unto to Christ. I love seeing the light of Christ that comes upon their countenance as the learn the truth!! 

"The following has been written about discipleship: “The word disciple comes from the Latin [meaning] a learner. A disciple of Christ is one who is learning to be like Christ—learning to think, to feel, and to act [like] he does. To be a true disciple, to fulfill that learning task, is the most demanding regimen known to man. No other discipline compares … in either requirements or rewards. It involves the total transformation of a person from the state of the natural man to that of [a] saint, one who loves the Lord and serves with all of his heart, might, mind, and strength” (Chauncey C. Riddle, “Becoming a Disciple,” Ensign, Sept. 1974, 81)."

We are all disciples of Christ as we learn His ways and follow them. I love being the Savior's representative here in San Bernardino! I am so grateful that He has given me this amazing privilege to learn to be more like Him little by little. 

I love all of you!! I am so excited for you Mary!! Richmond isn't even going to know what hit them!! Just go home and get to work on our stake and wards :) Thank you for the example you were to me your whole mission!! Can't believe it has already come to an end!! But truly it isn't the end though, you have the rest of forever to be a missionary :) it's just the beginning :) No te preocoupes :) te quiero mucho!

Nos vemos!! Until next week! 

I love you all

Hermana Shea McCartt

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to the most wonderful and beautiful mom in the world. I don't even think I told you that yesterday!!! But I did read you my poem! :) It was so great to see all of my family and have the chance to talk to you each individually for a second :) Including Amanda and Cailtin! :) I am so grateful for my big family who is so missionary minded! I love hearing about how y'all are sharing the gospel and helping the missionaries, you are all missionaries :) Wow I am just really smiley and happy! Can you tell!? :) 

We had a really funny experience yesterday. We have been teaching two little 8 year old girls whose families are members. Well anyway our Bishop was out of town this week and the parents and the rest of Bishopric thought that we were in charge of the baptism, but it was supposed to be the ward because they were not investigators. They had a dinner after church before the baptism and around 5 the baptism was supposed to start. We told the young man that was preforming the ordinance that he should get changed, he then went on to tell us that the dressing room was locked.. Hmmm well if the doors are locked then that means that the doors of the baptismal font are locked.... meaning that it hasn't been filled yet!!!!!!!!!!!!! Haha when that clicked we ran to find the 1st counselor and he said he didn't have the keys. So we called our Elder's and they said they had the keys but they were over at their apartment and so we ran to or car and drove over to get the keys! They told us that the font usually takes a hour to fill! We were both pretty stressed because there were 40 people waiting for this baptism, including 3 of our investigators and the font hadn't even been filled yet!! It was then that we decided to stop and say a prayer that the font would fill quickly and that we would be calm and relaxed :) Either way these cute girls would be baptized. We walked quickly into the church and down to the room where the baptismal font was and it was open and already 1/2 way filled!!! Hno somehow found the key and started filling the font. We had never seen a font fill so quickly! It only took half an hour! the power of prayer is real :) And plus I learned a real good lesson of not stressing the little things! Things will always work out when we have the Lord on our side :) I am grateful for the lessons that the Lord teaches me everyday. 

The baptism ended up being wonderful. Our investigators spoke about how he wanted to be baptized :) That made everything more than worth it :) 

If we have faith that all things are possible then they will be done. 

I love that the first principle of the gospel is faith because without faith we have nothing. Everything links back to that divine power. I'm reminded of a scripture in Mark 9:23, A father carrying his so who was possessed with a spirit. He desperately asks Jesus to heal his son. 

23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

 24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

I know that in our lives we may think that we aren't able to things, that we aren't strong enough or have enough faith to accomplish what needs to be done. That we aren't spiritual enough or that our testimonies aren't what they should be. I testify to you that you are!! If we have but even a tiny bit of faith that is enough!!! Jesus Christ will help fill in the rest. We need to rely on Him fully and put all of our confidence in Him! I promise that as we do that we will see miracles in our lives and our faith will increase along with our testimonies :) He is always there to fill in what we lack, there to help with our unbelief :) 

I love you all and pray for you daily :) 

Kyle I am so happy that you got into VCU! You have a very proud sissy :) I love you :) 

Thank you for everything. 

Another week gone by..

Wow another week has come and gone! It blows my mind how fast time seems to fly by seems like I was just on here writing you all! I feel like the Lord is truly speeding up time! I mean He did say that He would!! 

This week has been a blur, Itzel was not able to be baptized. We were sad, but we know that they Lord's timing is perfect, She is an amazing daughter of God who wants to do what is right, and I know that day will come that she is ready to make the scared covenant of being baptized :) 

The longer that I am out on my mission the more and more I come to realize that this is the Lord's work. I am merely an instrument in His hands. And because this is His work He is going to help me along every single step of the way! There have been times on my mission that I have physically felt my burdens lifted and made light. He gives me strength far beyond my capabilities. The chance that I have to serve a mission is a once in a life time opportunity and I am so grateful everyday for the decision that I made to serve.
I read a talk today called "The Miracle of a Mission" by Jeffery R Holland, It truly touched my heart. I wanted to share part of it with you, Holland said, 

"Remember above all, that this is a spiritual work. It's the most important thing you can remember all your life. You cannot have a mission and you will not succeed on this mission and you won't be happy and you won't lose your homesickness and you won't get the language and you won't be acclimatized to the culture until you give over to God and say, "This is Thy work and I'm only the instrument. I'm on the pencil, but you've got to do the writing."... You can't do it your own way. Don't even try. That's part of the worry- you don't have to do it, you can't do it, you shouldn't do it. Stop worrying that you have to do this. THis is God's work! He will watch you! He will answer your prayers! He has legions of angels and teams of chariots to run to your aid this very hour. He will bless you! This is His work, but you have to do it His way. That is the contract."
And I know that is true with all of my heart. We cannot do anything without the strength of the Lord. I am so glad that I have the mightiest being on my side :) I know that we cannot fail when we put all of our trust in the Lord.
I just wanted to end with this quote by Elder Bednar

 "There is no physical pain, no spiritual wound, no anguish of soul or heartache, no infirmity or weakness you or I ever confront in mortality that the Savior did not experience first. In a moment of weakness we may cry out, “No one knows what it is like. No one understands.” But the Son of God perfectly knows and understands, for He has felt and borne our individual burdens. And because of His infinite and eternal sacrifice (see Alma 34:14), He has perfect empathy and can extend to us His arm of mercy. He can reach out, touch, succor, heal, and strengthen us to be more than we could ever be and help us to do that which we could never do relying only upon our own power. Indeed, His yoke is easy and His burden is light.”
The Lord is my anchor, I am so grateful for His guidance everyday in my life. He is my rock. My Redeemer my all. I love everything about the atonement for it truly is everything! Without the atonement we are nothing and we have nothing!!! Rely on the Savior in all things, He will truly lift you! Of this is Testify.  Love you all. Thank you for your examples to me. 
-Hermana Shea McCartt

Hola mi familia y mis amigos!

I hope that everyone had a wonderful week! Things have been great here in Cali :) I love it here. It's strong. Sometimes I honestly forget that I had a life outside of this one. I love being a missionary so much. I love the transformation that the gospel makes. Yesterday, during sacrament something hit me that I had never thought about. I will try to explain it in the best way that I can, I hope that it makes sense to you. We celebrate the atonement of Jesus Christ. The fact that He lived and He died for us. The fact that HE LIVES. That is the amazing message of the Resurrection, He lives and because He lives, we will all live again. And then I connected that to the sacrament. Every week we go and we partake of the sacrament. The water represents His blood. The blood that He shed for you and I. For our sins, for our pains, for our heart aches, for our weaknesses! He suffered all of that for us so that He could take it away. Then we have the bread, which represents His body. He died just like all of us are going to do, but unlike all those who die here on earth, He rose from the dead! And by doing so, broke the bands of death. Because He lives we all will live :) We take the sacrament for several reasons, to be washed of our sins being one of them so we can be worthy of the Holy Ghost, another reason we take it is to show Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ that we will always remember Him. Showing Him that we love Him and want to follow Him, that we know He lives and that we love Him. So in a way we celebrate Easter every single week! It's not just a once a year thing, we have the chance to partake of the sacrament every week, therefore we are celebrating Easter every week!! Ahhh the church is so true!! :) 

I hope there is someone out there who needs to hear this. I just wanted to share my thoughts specifically on Christ's sufferings. Because Jesus Christ suffered for literally every little thing bad we have felt He can take it away. There have been times in my life where I have felt that no one could understand what I was going through, the pain that I felt was so deep. But by turning to my Heavenly Father I have felt my burdens be made light. Of course I have suffered but they pains have always been completely taken away by my Savior. He is always there to lift us when we need Him. We are never alone. There is never a load too heavy that He cannot carry for us. He will set you free :) I know with all my heart that this is true because I have witnessed it first hand. 

Itzel is finally getting baptized!!! She is so excited and so are we :) I will definitely be sending pictures home soon!!! 

I love all of you dearly!! Can't wait to see my amazing families faces in less than a month via skype!! I love you :)))))

<3 Hermana Shea McCartt

Us and Itzel :)

Greetings from California

Hello my friends and family!

This week has been a roller coaster ride. Long story shot Itzel didn't get baptized. It wasn't supposed to be that day, so she has a new date for the 27th of April, since Easter is this Sunday. She is so prepared and ready to enter the waters of baptism, it will happen soon enough :) 

So good news! Hermana Martinez and I have at least six more weeks together!! We are so excited and know that God is going to continue to pour out His blessings upon the people in Redlands as we continue to work diligently and are exactly obedient. There was a change in our Bishopric, we received a new Bishop and he is on fire! He is so ready to do missionary work! All of us in the Rancho ward are excited to work under his stewardship. 

We had another great experience with Anita this past week. She told us that she would often look out her window as we would park the car and she could see a difference in us than in any other person, she said we walked with a glow. I loved that. Shortly after we knocked on her door. It's like she was just waiting for us to knock on her door. She is so prepared. 

With the Easter Holiday being next week the church has urged us as missionaries and members of the church to share a message with our friends and family about missionary work. The celebration of Easter isn't in the Easter bunny, the candy or the eggs. It's the resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ! Because He lived and died, all of us will also!! How great is our God!

Watch this video and share it on facebook!  mormon.org

 21 And he cometh into the world that he may save all men if they will hearken unto his voice; for behold, he suffereth the pains of all men, yea, the pains of every living creature, both men, women, and children, who belong to the family of Adam.

 22 And he suffereth this that the resurrection might pass upon all men, that all might stand before him at the great and judgment day.

I know that He lives and He loves us. We shall all live again. I love you all! 

Sorry this email is so short and all over the place we have zone sports today so I have to run! Chair soccer! :) Love you!

Your happy missionary,

Hermana McCartt

Itzel is getting baptized!!!

This past week was great! Itzel, accepted a baptismal date about a month ago for the 13th of April, and guess what!? It's happening!! She is 16, and wonderful! She has accepted the gospel and it's teachings like no one else that I have seen. She truly has the desire to change and to come unto Christ. I am so excited for her and the incredible and life changing decision that she is making. 

I can't help but think on my wonderful mom when i look at her. Mama you were only 17 when you made the decision to be baptized. And because of that choice you will affect generations. I am so grateful for the virtuous and truth seeking young woman that you were, and for the virtuous woman and mother that you still are. Words cannot describe how grateful I am for you!! Thank you for your example to me. I cannot wait to see Itzel in 30 years and see her raising her family in the gospel. She her sending off her sons and daughters on missions and being eternally grateful for the decision that she made at such a young age. THE GOSPEL IS SO TRUE!! 

Speaking of gospel!! Oh how I love general conference. I am so amazed by how much our Heavenly Father loves us.  He has given us a way to be lead and guided throughout this crazy world! He speaks to his servants and then they speak to us!! I absolutely loved Elder Ballard's talk about following up and being persistent :) Any Return missionary and missionary I'm sure understands and finds that amusing. I loved that he promised us that if we invited someone to meet with the missionaries 4 times in the next year, that the church would increase by hundreds and thousands :) That is a promise from the Lord!! 

A truly touching experience happened this past week with one of our investigators. Her name is Anita, she is the aunt of Diana (the door that I felt prompted to know on). Anyway we were teaching them the plan of salvation and she was just eating it up! She loved it. At the end I asked her if she would pray, she said she didn't know how and that she would say the wrong thing. We assured that she wouldn't, that it was impossible because the is just talking to our Heavenly Father and that He just wants to hear things from our hearts. We reminded her how to pray and then she offered one of the most simple but heart felt prayers I have ever heard. As she looked up at me I could feel that love that our Heavenly Father has for her so powerfully. She started to cry and said that she felt that a huge weight and burden had been lifted off of her. She was so grateful that could speak and knew that someone was listening. A few days later we came by again and taught them. Anita said that her mother said we are from the devil. We then asked her how she felt when we came over. She said, peace, love and that she could do no wrong. She said that she feels that these things are true. I then felt inspired to tell her how much her Heavenly Father loves her, and that is why we were there. That is why we knocked on her door, because Heavenly Father knew that she needed her to know the truth because she is ready for it and because He loves her. Tears streamed down her face as I told her those words. I felt the spirit work through me and I knew that they came directly from our Heavenly Father. Our Heavenly Father is aware of us in all of our situations, in ever circumstance that we have and will encounter in this life. His love never changes, it is constant and immovable. I know that God sent us to that house because He love Anita and Diana and needed us to tell them that. I am so grateful that God lets me feel, even just a portion of that love that He has for each of His children. Of that love that He has for you. I promise you that if you want to know that our Heavenly Father is there, all you have to do is get down on your knees and ask Him. Pour out our heart to Him. He is always listening and will show you His love for you, either by the thoughts in your mind of the feelings in your heart. He will never leave us. Of these things I testify, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

I love you my incredible family and friends. I pray for you everyday. I am so grateful for your letters and emails of encouragement, you have no idea the impact they have on me and the strength that they give me. Until next week! 

Nos vemos,

Hermana Shea McCartt

The sisters that I live with!

Found the Liahona. Now I'll never get lost!

EARTHQUAKE!

So I experienced my first Californian earthquake. Just for your information family, the earthquakes we felt in VA were nothing! haha. When I was a little girl I remembered hearing about all of the earthquakes that happen in Californina, and thinking, 'I never want to live there, that sounds terrifying!' Hna Martinez and I were sitting and planning when all of a sudden the floor starting moving and the walls shook all around us! We were in shock haha. Good thing it was only a minor one, but it lasted about 5 or 6 seconds! We were both pretty scared which is pretty funny because it was only a little one compared to what they have had in the past. I now know what to do in case a big one ends up coming our way! Oh and Ps they have squirrels over her in San B, I never thought I would miss those little guys so much! Just another thing that I love about San B :) 

This week was so great. Hermana and I had 5 investigators at church yesterday! We fasted and prayed to have investigators at church, one in particular, Irma. And she was there along with 4 others! We were both sitting there surrounded by all of our investigators, and we looked at each other and couldn't help but smile. The Lord is truly blessing us! One of our investigators Itzel, is 16 and should be getting baptized here in the next couple weeks :) The Lord is preparing His people to enter into the waters of baptism! I love fast and testimony meeting and the spirit that it brings. There is something about hearing the testimony of my fellow hermanos y hermanas that really builds me up. It just proves to how much we need to go to church to be strengthened by each other's testimonies and love. Preach my Gospel says that there are 3 things that each investigator/new convert needs, a true friend in the church, nourished by the word of God and a responsibility. I testify that is true. We have out a list of our investigators to our members and asked them to pray for them. I have truly seen a difference with them praying!! The power of prayer makes all the difference in the world. I am so grateful for the members here in San Bernardino and the love that they show to their fellow men. They are true examples to me. 

We picked up two investigators this week, their last name is Vazquez and they were at church this past Sunday. They have a daughter who is handicapped and can I just tell you that she is amazing!?! Our first lesson over at their house we sang Soy un Hijo de Dios, (yes mom, I am still singing), and she was crying. I know that she felt the spirit. I truly feel that people with handicaps are closer to God than we can ever be on this earth. They are here to teach us how to be better people. They are perfect in every way. She came to church and loved it :) 

Well y'all I love you! Family, you are amazing. I love hearing about all the fun things you are doing and how you are sharing your talents with those around you. I love the covenants we made at baptism:  

8 And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light; (We all have talents that we have been given to help others bear their burdens) :) 

 9 Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life— (We promised to be witnesses of our Savior Jesus Christ in word and in deed)

 10 Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you? (We show our faith as we are faithful to our covenants!) 

Remember this always, We are a covenant people. As we make covenants, if we are worthy we are promised to always have the spirit with us to guide us where to go and tell us what to say. I don't know about you but I need his companionship! I love you all! Remember who you are :) You are sons and daughters of the most glorious Being, our Heavenly Father, and He know and love perfectly. 

I love you my wonderful, fun, crazy, loving family. Until next week! :) 

Hermana Shea McCartt

Taught these girls about the temple

We love trees!