I Love Exchanges and Halloween!!

On Tuesday I got to go on exchanges with one of my Sister Training Leaders, Sister Patterson. She is also from North Carolina. It was such a good day, it was great to have a normal missionary day and not have to feel uncomfortable or worried about my companion for once. We talked about things these poor west coasters are deprived of, like Bojangles and cook-out. It was amazing.

Wednesday we had district meeting and we got to eat at this little burger joint that sells the most amazing cheeseburgers I've had so far out here. Holy cow I love burgers. Later we were going through lists of less actives, and we found this guy who lives in the middle of an orchard. We went to the door and knocked, and his wife answered. She was like a breath of fresh air. She is not a member but had a lot of questions about us Mormons. She told me I had a sweet spirit which made my whole day. She told sister Duncan she had a strong personality and she got offended. I just laughed cause it was true.

Thursday is probably our busiest days out of the week. We see like 6 people on Thursdays. I've come to found out that I love getting to know people and hearing their stories. It's one of my favorite things.

There's this lady we see every Thursday named Kathy who told me it's like the sister missionaries bring a light into her house that she hasn't seen in a while. I really needed to hear that. I also have come to realize how special members are. I love eating dinner with members and getting to know their stories. It's interesting to be here in Corning right now.

Friday we had dinner with the Thomas family and we carved pumpkins. It was so much fun dudes. I was so happy to be doing a family activity with a family even though I can't do stuff with my family. I got to touch the insides of the pumpkins. That was the best part.

Saturday was the trunk-or-treat, and though we couldn't stay since it was Halloween (lamesauce by the way) we did get some pictures and ate some free food. We went home at 6:30 and I went to bed at 8:30. Best nights sleep I've had in a while.

Sunday night was amazing too, we had a movie night with my ward mission leader and his wife, the Franklin's and sat around watching the cartoon Book of Mormon movies and ate peach cobbler. All our lessons had cancelled so it was nice to just do that. I have been praying for tender mercies this week and being with members have been my tender mercies.

Let me tell you all something. This isn't easy, at all. I'm struggling a bit with Sister Duncan. She is this robotic type missionary and I am so not. It is not easy being companions with some people. I have pretty much learned to rely on the lord at all times and in all things and in all places because I can't handle sister Duncan without him.

Things get better. Prayer works. I do love her, it's just hard to work with someone who doesn't want to work with you. I love you all and I appreciate all the things you do for me. I appreciate all the cards and love and prays you say on my behalf. You are all my favorite people in the entire universe and I would do anything for you guys.

Love,

Sister Caroline Elizabeth Ginn

First time trying Gelato.

New convert names LuLu

Cool Monk

Interesting Picture of Christ

Abby and I carved a pumpkin

Nicholas a great kid!

Brother McKintosh and his daughter. He is a policeman!

I Am Not A Morning Person

I wake up at 6:30, shower, and don't talk until companion study at 9.

That's how I roll in the mornings. My speaking hours are at 9.

So hello everyone, hope you are all doing well and good. This week was really long. It was not the best of weeks, but I'll focus on positive things so you don't get depressed reading this. You're welcome.

We have a lesson every Wednesday with a girl named Lulu. She is a recent convert and she is actually shorter than me. She's 19 and hilarious. I have really gotten to know her these last couple of weeks, and we have this great friendship already. I think that's one thing I like about meeting people, is the friendship you make with them can last on earth and into the eternities.

We had our first district meeting after transfers this week, and yeah I miss the elders and sisters back in Citrus Heights, but I love my new district. There's this bond you get with other missionaries that no one can understand unless you have served a mission. It's weird. I like it.

On Friday I went with the red bluff sisters to see this 102 year old woman. She has no memory at all and kept repeating everything she had already said. She thinks she's 200 and kept telling us so. We talked to her for an hour, she'll talk your ears off with stories. I love senior citizens.

Saturday was had another zone blitz. That's where all the missionaries go work in one ward al day long trying to contact people for the missionaries over the ward to go see. It actually went really well, it was for the red bluff ward and we all went on splits with the members of the ward. I got to know a couple members really well, and I got to pet a chicken. All in a day's work.

I am playing a special musical number on the 8th of November, which I am very excited about. The ward here adores me just because I can play the piano. Guess I'll only ever be known as the sister missionary who plays the piano. That's better than not being remembered at all, right?

Also I have discovered a pet peeve. I hate it when someone just calls me "Sister." No, my name is Sister Ginn. Get it right please <3 p="">

I do have a testimony of this gospel. I also know that I am never alone. Ever. This week was hard, I felt a bunch of emotions. I've prayed so many times to feel less alone and to have the strength to keep going. I'm still here, so far it's working. The lord knows we are all trying our best. I'm doing the best I can with the circumstances I've been given. Something I have learned is to not shove anything down people's throats. You can't make anyone believe the gospel, and you are not supposed to. That is their choice. Don't take away someone's free choice just because you want them to make the right decision. It is up to them, not you. My purpose here as a missionary is simply to invite others to come unto Christ. I'm not here to baptize people. If someone wants to be baptized, I am fine with that.

I am here to help others recognize that Christ is real and that he can take upon himself all our burdens and make them lighter to carry.

I love you all. Prayers are appreciated. I am struggling a bit right now, it's not easy to live with someone who likes to control everything and anything. Thank you for all you do. You are all the best human beings on the planet.

Love,

Sister Caroline Ginn

Sister Harvey is 102 years old!

Investigators daughter!

So I am In Corning Now and It is Dry and Brown

Caroline and Sister Duncan

Beautiful but dry!

Cool Investigator

If everyone can pray to send some rain to California, it would be much
appreciated.

Because holy cow, everything is so dead.

I moved to Corning Tuesday, I got a ride from a member, and an
investigator from Corning actually took me all the way there. It's
about 2 hours and 30 minutes from Citrus Heights. I loved Citrus
Heights  So much. The Tempo Park ward was the best ward to start in. I
loved my zone, I loved the members, and I loved Sister Hodge. I cried
when I left her. Greatest 12 weeks of my life with the best trainer in
the California Roseville mission. If you think otherwise, there's the
door. I'm not great at goodbyes, but I know I'll
see her and everyone else again which made it easier to cope with.

Corning is much like Benson. There's nothing here and there's lots of
cows and horses. It's actually really pretty if you can ignore the
fact that the fields are completely void of life and have this hideous
brown and black color. I live in a house that owns a lot of land and
there's a swing set on it. You can see all the stars at night because
there are no street lights. Plus there's silence. Enough said. My new
companion is Sister Duncan, who is also from Utah. I call her Duncan
Hines. She's been out four months and I've been out three. She's
really sweet. She likes to tease me that I'm still a greenie and she
isn't since she's been out longer, and it was funny maybe the first
few times. :)


We got a referral Wednesday, and we went and followed up on it Friday.
Turns out this referral was a woman named Brianna who moved here from
Alaska. She is so  sweet oh my gosh. She wants to learn more
about the church, apparently she has had tons of contact with the
church and she wants to have a connection with Jesus. She even already
had a Book of Mormon and had started reading it. THIS NEVER HAPPENS
PEOPLE, SHE IS SO READY FOR THE GOSPEL , GOD IS GOOD. I felt
like screaming.

I've already made some really good relationships with the members
here. It's a small ward, and there's only one ward in Corning. It's an
older ward, which is great because I adore senior citizens. I dyed my
hair red a few weeks ago and everyone thinks I'm a real ginger. A lot
of the Relief Society calls me "the cute red-head." I'm not telling
anyone it's fake. Everyone is somehow related and it's hilarious, they
all fight like a giant family and they are actually a giant family.
They think it's awesome that I'm from NC and not Utah. They about had
a cow when I told them I could play the piano and the organ. Yeah I'm
gonna like it here.

There was an actual thunderstorm Sunday night and it was awesome. We
were at a members house and the heavens just exploded. Oh it was
gorgeous. I miss storms so much.

I finished the book of Mormon and can I just say, it works, when you
read it you feel so much peace. Seriously you should try it. I started
reading the New Testament just cause it's gonna be Christmas soon so
why not? Plus I want to understand the life of Christ more. He is the
reason for everything we can do. The least I can do is follow him and
learn about his life and ministry.

I love you all so much. Your prayers are felt, when I'm having a rough
day and I don't even feel like standing anymore I feel a constant
strength coming from somewhere. I know it's all of you. So thanks. I
can promise you I'm doing the best I know how. You're prayers are not
being wasted.

With as much love as my tiny body can muster,
Sister Caroline Ginn

So I Am Getting Transfered To Corning California

Transfers are this week and guess who is leaving? Me. Sister Hodge is staying but is switching to the Citrus Heights Ward instead of Tempo Park.

The absolute raw emotion that comes with this is life-destroying, let me tell you. I have spent 12 weeks of my life in Citrus Heights forcing myself out of my comfort zone to talk to people and form relationships with people. Towards my last three weeks here I've finally felt some kind of family connection with the missionaries I am serving with. Now that all of that has finally happened I am leaving.

I've loved and lived with sister Hodge for 12 weeks, 24/7' day and night, and now I'm leaving. This will be her final six weeks before she goes home to Logan Utah. The chances of me seeing her again are pretty slim. When you get too comfortable with an area you leave.

That's life and it stinks. No doubt about it.

I had to say goodbye to a lot of members on Sunday which was just sad.

I cried a lot. I didn't realize the love I had for them until I said bye. I didn't realize a lot of things until I got the call I was leaving. I am leaving Tuesday to go up north to a place called Corning, and my new companion is Sister Duncan. I know no one where I'm going so I have to start all over again. Not looking forward to that, but whatever happens happens. I don't know anything about Sister Duncan and I don't want to. I prefer to go in blind so I don't have any assumptions.

Thursday I went on exchanges and passed out my very first Book of Mormon as a missionary to one of our investigators. Her name is Dominique and she hasn't been home for a while. I had sister Harper with me, my sister training leader, and I decided to go see her. We talked to her for over an hour about the gospel and I felt prompted to give her a Book of Mormon. So I did. As she held the book she said "I feel power in this. I feel like there's a hand on my shoulder telling me to read this book." Of course I'm dying internally because that NEVER HAPPENS so I just smiled and told her how it would bless her life. That happened.

I was sick earlier in the week, throwing up sick, and I asked my zone leaders to give me a blessing. I felt so much better the next day. I love the priesthood, I know it works, and I love my zone leaders. I'm gonna miss them dearly. Elder Shepherd and Elder Jensen were my first zone leaders and I seriously doubt anyone could compare to them.

I'm done with training. Now people can stop calling me a greenie :)

I love you all dearly. These last three days have been a roller coaster of a ride. I've been angry, sad, happy, and dead inside all at one time. Most of the people in my zone now have only been out about a year, so there's a good chance I will serve around them again. That's a comforting thought. Heavenly Father has been with me this whole time holding my hand. He has never left me once. I know I'm not alone. I'm sad, but I'm not alone. That's what makes the difference. I've learned how to make relationships with people and how to be a missionary so I think I can do this who knows I'll find out Tuesday.

Ok I'm done. I don't feel like typing anymore. I love you all so much and there is no way I could do this without the constant love I feel from you. Your prayers keep me up, otherwise I'd have quit and gone home probably.

With all the love I can possibly muster, Sister Caroline Ginn

Handmade quits

First District

Love the Reed Family

Sweet Sister Gesek

I Hate Blowing My Hair Dry and Shaving My Legs

Those are the two things I despise the most in life.

This week was really fast for some reason. As I approach my three month mark things seem to be going quicker. I like it.

It's October now. My favorite month out of the year. Our ward is already planning the trunk or treat thing. They call it a harvest festival. They make it sound like some kind of formal gathering with orderves  and finger sandwiches. It makes me think of last year when I was Morticia Addams for Halloween. Best costume I ever made. Anyway.

My week was a blur. The biggest highlight was conference. I loved all four sessions. Our mission president came to one session and watched it at the stake center with us. He prefers us to watch it at the church because he thinks we should take this time for ourself and not be distracted by families or small kids. I couldn't agree more. The thing I took from conference is to be more obedient and live worthy enough for temple marriage and to be a good mom. Only with a Christ centered life can I truly reach my eternal potential so I'm shooting for that. I'm down on myself and I shouldn't be. Baby steps. I need to stop focusing on the things I can't do and do the things I can. I can't control my trainer, I can't make her be obedient and I can't control how the missionaries act or if they don't talk to me. I can however choose to be happy, be myself, smile, talk kindly to others, and be nice even if people are not nice to me. I am trying to see people as Heavenly Father sees them. That's my biggest goal right now.

Focus on the things I can do. Trust the lord in all things. I can tell you all that it will work out. That's the comfort I've received this conference. And indeed, what a great comfort.

It made me sad to see president Monson and how much he was struggling.

I love him so much. He's such an inspiration to the millions of people on this planet. The new apostles are the bomb.com.

My mom shipped me some cinnamon rolls for conference and I brought them to church and ate them with everyone. There was enough for Saturday and Sunday. Thank you mommy! I love you! Jeffery R. Holland made me cry with his talk about moms. I miss my mom so much. I make a promise to all of you reading this, especially my mom, that I'm gonna be better when this whole thing is over. Pinkie promise with a cherry on top. I am so sorry for anything I've ever done that wasn't up to par with what was expected of me. I'm sorry I'm not good enough. I promise to be worthy to see you all again and look you dead in the eyes and tell you all that I did my best and not feel a twinge of regret saying that.

This week we had a good few visits. We have been visiting people who have illnesses and limitations that makes them not able to attend church. Many of these are widowed women. They are the sweetest people I've ever met. Their testimonies are so strong and their faith is unbreaking. What examples. One lady, Sister Meyers, had a massage chair and let us try it out. Holy cow that felt so good. I need probably 5 or 6, one for each room in my house.

I have not taught any lessons this week. I've shared my testimony and shared thoughts to less actives and members. We have not found any investigators. This has stopped discouraging me because I don't have control over this situation. It's all on the lords time. 20 years from now when I come to call on this area, I know that some of these people we see in homes and on the streets will be baptized and members of the church because of the seeds I've planted here. That's what matters.

I love you all so much. I am going to let the Lord mold me into the person I need to be.

With eternal love,

~Sister Caroline Ginn

Cool Cat Shirt for Fall

Our First General Conference As A Companionship

Someone made me a Link Key chain!!

Yummy Pumpkin Pie!

I Used A Bidet For the First Time In My Life!!!

I have reached the conclusion that I will have bidets installed on every toilet in my future house. If you don't know what a bidet is look it up and bask in its glory.

I had this really nice email typed up and ready to send out but my iPad deleted it without me knowing and I don't remember any of what I typed and I'm super ticked so here is a condensed version of my week.

I hate technology.

We saw a lot of less actives this week and one of the people we saw was named Dorothy. She just got rid of cancer for the second time and we got to talk to her a couple days after that happened, which was neat. She lost her husband a year and a half ago to a heart attack, so we talked about the plan of salvation I felt impressed to share that my grandpa had passed away last month and that it was super hard for me to be here and not be home, but I know I'll see him again. I felt the spirit strongly, so I know she felt something too.

I was sad about Richard G. Scott passing, I wasn't really expecting that. He was my favorite speaker and apostle. Some of his talks really helped me to come closer to Christ. I am so excited to meet him one day. He's a huge hero of mine. I know he is with his wife who he loved so much and that makes me happy. I love knowing what happens after we die.

I got to watch the General Women's Broadcast at our stake center, and it was marvelous. President Utchdorf spoke, and he said something that has helped me out these last few days. He said, "God did it create us to be sad. He created us to have joy." That one line helped me to instantly feel better. Cause yeah I am sad. I'm sad I'm left out and ignored. I'm sad I'm not with my family at this time of my grandpas passing. I'm sad about a lot of things. But I need to start having joy in what I am doing here in California. It's easy to be sad, but it's greater and far more rewarding to have joy in life.

I have had a better week. I can promise you all that I will not ever leave anyone out. Missionaries should feel like other missionaries are their family. I don't feel that. How annoying is that? I have always tried to include everyone I come in contact with throughout my life.

No reason why I should stop now. Even if I'm the only one doing it, I don't care.

Thursday I had lunch with the Beach's they are super close with my family and lived in North Carolina. They love in the Sacramento area.

What a small world. It was so nice to be able to talk to someone about nc and know what I was talking about. They are a great couple.

Everyone here knows about Utah, but no one knows about North Carolina.

I had a really good Sabbath. I am trying to make the sacrament more meaningful to me personally by imagining the savior at Gethsemane. It helps me to feel the spirit more as I picture him bleeding from every pore for every single one of my pains and sins. The atonement is real.

I feel such peace to know that. I have learned a lot, and I am already thinking of ways I can make my future home and family Christ centered.

My family in North Carolina is my eternal family and I would not have it any other way. I hope I can try to be a tool in the Fathers hands and help other people become eternal families. That's my biggest goal.

Families bring people together. It's something that unifies the world.

So real quick Saturday night sister hodge and I were praying and suddenly this huge helicopter with a big searchlight starts circling this house a few streets behind us and this guy starts telling into a megaphone "COME OUT OF YOUR HOUSE WITH YOUR HANDS UP". Every five minutes someone would say that. Sister Hodge started freaking out, but I was excited. Then someone yells out for everyone in the area to stay indoors because apparently this guy they had surrounded was crazy and had a gun. Sister Hodge thought we were gonna die and I was loving the whole atmosphere. We have such a stark contrast in our personalities, it's quite hilarious. So that was fun. I fell asleep to people yelling and sister hodge couldn't sleep at all.

Anyway I love you all. I pray for you all every single day. You are all my family in one way or another and I love you so freaking much.

Til next week,

Sister Caroline Ginn

Caroline with Wanda and Stewart Beach

Night of fugitive on the loose!!!!

California sunset

Don't Stop Believing in Jesus

Sometimes I seriously miss my rock music. It's a physical pain in my heart to not have Van Halen or Elvis playing when I've had a tough day. Hard life.

Ok so this email is gonna be short because to be honest I had a not so good week, mentally anyway. I was super homesick this week and it wasn't fun. I did get a blessing from my bishop which helped. People say that the members and missionaries you serve with become your family. Ok well that hasn't happened for me yet and I really need it to happen soon because I am already tired of being ignored all the time since I'm new.

Anyway let's focus on something positive. We helped a 94 year old woman clean her backyard on Tuesday. She fed us breakfast and we listened to all her stories she has. I absolutely adore senior citizens. Quite frankly, I get along with older people than I do with young adults my own age. They are so interesting, older folks, and most 19-21 year olds are so boring and immature. The spirit this woman had was incredible. I don't know how much longer she has here on earth, but I am so glad to have met her. When I see her again in the eternities I will hug her until her eyes bulge out. Her name is Leah Gesek. Ah, old people are my favorite. <3 p="">

We still have not been able to get new investigators, but we are working our tails off with less actives. It's just as important, and it's actually easier to teach less actives. We have one less active who we have been able to get to church for sacrament, which is great considering she hasn't been to church in years.

I hugged a 96 year old man. I went to give home a handshake but he said no, he's old enough to be my great grandfather, and he made me hug him. It was adorable, not gonna lie.

Sister Hodge's iPad broke this week, so I decided to get her a new one. She was super upset about hers not working but I managed to cheer her up. (Pictures below) I am so freaking creative oh my gosh.

Saturday was an emotional day. It was the month mark since my grandpa passed away. I got up and I was already done with the day. I didn't want to do anything. I didn't want to talk to anyone. I was so homesick that day, and I wanted to cry all day. I see the missionaries I serve with a lot, but I really don't feel included with them. I don't feel accepted. They have all served for so long already, and I kind of just sit and listen while they all carry on about where they have served together. I got tired of being ignored. I missed home. I miss my grandpa. So I kind of broke down in the middle of an elders birthday party. Sister Hodge was super understanding and helped me to feel better about my situation. I feel better today. I get better every day. I hope I am with sister hodge until she goes home in November.

You cry a lot on your mission. If you don't you must not have tear ducts.

I have come to understand the atonement better this week. Jesus Christ died for me personally. He suffered for everything I have been through. Because of what he did, I am atoned for. I can repent. I can retain a remission for my sins. There was never a greater sacrifice made for the people of this world. It's amazing to know this and to apply it in my life. I repent every day, and as I do that I feel closer to my father in heaven. I want to change for the better. I want to be a better person and missionary. I am doing my best, and I know that the lord knows this. He loves me for me no matter what. I am never alone though sometimes I feel like it. I love my Father in Heaven. I love my Savior Jesus Christ. I would not trade my relationship with them for anything in the world. The sacrament is so meaningful to me, I am working to make it the highlight of my week.

I love you all so much. The only reason I am still here is because of all of you. I am doing this for my God, myself, and for all of you.

Thank you for all the prayers on my behalf. I would never get anywhere without my friends and family. You are all my family. I love you. I will see you again before we even know it.

 

Caroline made Sister Hodge a new I Pad because her other one was broken.

Love,

Sister Caroline Ginn