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!

Everywhere I look I see Milagros!!

Miracles! That's how I want to start off this weekly letter. Wow I have seen so many incredible miracles this week. The Lord is truly blessing us. We have been really working on building up our area, on finding and teaching and eventually baptizing! We have been walking A LOT, well compared to what we were used to, and we are being blessed for doing so! One thing that I love, that my incredible trainer taught me, is talking to EVERYONE. People are put into your path for a reason and it is our job to find out why! So we were walking down the street in Muscoy, (which by the way is a place where they don't walk their dogs, they walk their horses, or rather ride their horses down the street) anyway, we saw a woman out washing her car. We approached her and asked her if we could help her, she kindly declined and said that she had just finished, (seems like we are always too late!) But we chatted for a few moments, told her who we were and who we represent. We asked if we could share a message with her and she invited us to come over in a couple hours. We returned and taught her and her two kids and niece about the plan that God has for us. The mother Elvira, expressed how she has been wanting to go to church and wants to teach and raise her kids about Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father. They are excited and eager to learn and invited us to come back on Tuesday.

Miracle numero dos: We were visiting Jennifer, one of our recent converts the other day, but she wasn't home. We got to the car and were about to leave but I felt that we couldn't yet, and I wasn't sure why, we then decided that we should leave a note, we did but I still felt uneasy about leaving there was some other reason we were supposed to be there. I was staring at a house and I said, "Hna, we need to knock on that door", and so for a third time we got out of the car and walked to the house. I had NO idea what we were going to say when they came to the door (for those of you who don't know, we don't tract, we are told only to knock on a door if we felt impressed) But this was an impression alright, so we knocked. About 5 of 6 kids came to the door with a woman and a teenage girl. We started talking to them about their neighbor (our recent convert) and then introduced who we were. They had never heard of our church, so we asked if they had ever heard of Mormons, they hadn't either. We told them that that was our nickname, based on a book that we believe, The Book of Mormon. (This is a great way to introduce the Book of Mormon to anyone by the way) I pulled my blue copy and flipped to the front pages where the pictures are and started describing what they Book of Mormon is based off of the pictures. Thy kids were all engaged and quite during it all, which I was so surprised! When I finished the teen-aged girl, named Diana, said, "fresh". I couldn't help but laugh haha. Long story short we started teaching her and she loves it! :) 

I know that as we are obedient and follow the promptings of the spirit we will see miracles everyday. I am so grateful for the hand of the Lord in all things :) 

I love you all a miss you! 

Hna McCartt

1. We took Book of Mormon pictures :) I testify that this book is true! And Look!! TREES!

6 months???

Time is going by way too fast! 6 months ago on the mark I flew to the Mexico MTC. I thought I knew what I was getting myself into, but I had no idea. This has been the best 6 months has been full of the happiest and most remarkable memories and miracles in my life. More than I ever even dreamed of having. These past 6 months has changed me in ways I never imagined. It's amazing to me to see and meet all the people that I have and to love them all so incredibly much!! That is the best thing about a mission, the people. They are everything to me. I have said it before and I will just keep saying it! I am so grateful that the Lord trusts me enough to be His servant and to represent Him here in California! Every single day I get to go out and find people and invite them to come unto Christ, by helping them receive the restored gospel of Jesus Christ!! How great is my calling!! :) I love the power of the spirit has. I love testifying of my Savior Jesus Christ and seeing the light come into the eyes of those who let it in and feel it. The spirit is the teacher not me. Without the converting power of the spirit I am nothing. 

We had the amazing opportunity to be instructed and edified by an Apostle of the Lord, Elder Neil L. Andersen. Can I just say it was incredible?? We were also able to hear from Elder Perkins and Elder Higham from the Quorum of the 70, all 3 of which are inspired men. Elder Andersen instructed us on the atonement. I love that he chose this subject because by doing so he was even more so fulfilling His calling as an Apostle of the Lord, one of the things that they do is testify of Jesus Christ! The spirit in the room was indescribable. There were over 400 missionaries present. We actually left the mission to go and hear from him, went went to Rancho Cucamungo... Hopefully I didn't butcher that spelling haha. We were ALL able to shake each of their hands. Elder Andersen later explained why he did this. Although he didn't have time to to talk to each of us, he was able to look into out eyes. He told me that is was nice to meet me, which Hna said that he said to everyone, BUT HE DID NOT! hahaha. Anyway, he said that he did it because he teaches to a congregation of ones, of individuals. Just like our Savior did. 

Funny thing happened this week, they cut down our miles for each month, so we are going to be a lot more walking, which I am way excited to do. Well anyway, we walked for about 5 hours the other day and lets just say I got fried, (I'm sorry mom, I didn't have sunscreen, poor missionary problems). Anyway we went over to a members house and she grabbed an aloe vera plant and rubbed it all over the back of my next and the burned part of my back and face it was so funny. Only on my mission. Hna was dying of laughter and documented a bit of it. 

I wanted to leave you with my testimony of the converting power of the atonement. It is what transforms bad men into good and makes good men better. Because Jesus Christ suffered and died for each and every single one of us individually. The description that Alma gives of the atonement in Alma 7 11-13 has been one of my favorite descriptions of the atonement. 

 11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

 12 And he will take upon him adeath, that he may bloose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according tothe flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to csuccor his people according to their infirmities.

 13 Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.

It is my favorite for serveral reasons, but the main one being that it shows that He suffered everything for us, not just out sins. Every pain ever injury sickness is covered but it. All of our  weaknesses! This is how the the atonement is so transforming! 

I actually am short on time! I love you all and hope that you are doing well! Write me!

Love Hna McCartt

San Bernardino!! aka San B!

Hello! So I figured out how to put all my contacts on the email list so let me know if you want me to take you off let me know! Otherwise you're going to be getting emails from me once a week for the next year! :) So speak now or forever hold your peace! 

It was hard to leave my little San Jacinto Branch. I love all of my little people and they will always have such a huge place in my heart. I am already planning a visit back :)

I am now in San Bernardino, and I love it! there are mountains and hills surrounding us. It is gorgeous. I have been pondering on the worth of the soul a lot this week. There is a lot of poverty here and I have seen things within the last 6 days that have broken my heart. I so badly wish that everyone understood who they are. They are sons and daughters of a God and have the potential to become Kings and Queens.Our Father sent us here with the hope that we would all return to live with Him again. I can't imagine how He feels when He looks down and sees how His children are. Moses 7 helps me grasp a little of that understanding. 

 28 And it came to pass that the God of heaven looked upon the residue of the people, and he wept; and Enoch bore record of it, saying: How is it that the heavens weep, and shed forth their tears as the rain upon the mountains?

 29 And Enoch said unto the Lord: How is it that thou canst weep, seeing thou art holy, and from all eternity to all eternity?

 32 The Lord said unto Enoch: Behold these thy brethren; they are the workmanship of mine own hands, and I gave unto them their knowledge, in the day I created them; and in the Garden of Eden, gave I unto man his agency;

 33 And unto thy brethren have I said, and also given commandment, that they should love one another, and that they should choose me, their Father; but behold, they are without affection, and they hate their own blood.

Our Heavenly Father weeps when He sees His children suffering and breaking the commandments. He has entrusted us, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, to help bring His children back to the true and full knowledge of the gospel. I know that I am here in San Bernardino to help strengthen the Ward and members so that we can all labor together to find the lost sheep. 

I love my new companion Hna Martinez, she is from Puerto Rico originally, she is 4 9 and such a hard worker. Our Bishop calls us "the secret weapon" He specially requested Hnas to help bring back the Less-actives. So that is where we spend most of our time, in the less-actives homes. We have to help them remember why they were baptized, what it is that they want for their families and for the rest of the eternities.

Hna and I have already seen miracles. We were able to put a mother of 4 baptized children on date, she is amazing and has such great potential. 

I am so excited to see what this transfer has in store for Hna Martinez and I! Until next week!!! :) 

Hna McCartt

1. Hna and I :)

Twins!

We make cookies with out members

Beautiful sign

San B

Inspiring Quote

"Many young women are serving missions. Many are preparing to serve, not because they aren't married or have nothing else to do; but because they have a desire to serve, therefore they are being called to the work. The reason so many are going is because in the next generation Heavenly Father will be sending His priesthood army to the earth and wants to send them to mother who have been properly trained and taught in the gospel. What better training can a young woman have than that of serving a mission."

-Gordon B. Hinkley.

Transfers!

"Many young women are serving missions. Many are preparing to serve, not because they aren't married or have nothing else to do; but because they have a desire to serve, therefore they are being called to the work. The reason so many are going is because in the next generation Heavenly Father will be sending His priesthood army to the earth and wants to send them to mother who have been properly trained and taught in the gospel. What better training can a young woman have than that of serving a mission."

-Gordon B. Hinkley.