Home sick but Happy at Christmas

So this week was a week filled with Christmas and things of that sort.

First off can I just tell you all that my mission president is the bomb diggity. I write him every p-day and I told him straight up how I was feeling last Monday: homesick as all get out. So what does he do?

HE RESPONDS AND MAKES ME FEEL TEN TIMES BETTER. So he is just as homesick as I am, if not more, cause he has all these grandbabies and kids back home in Utah that he can't go spend Christmas with. SO HE KNOWS. HE UNDERSTANDS. Yeah that made a big difference in my week.

Anyway, so this week we have been trying our hardest to use the Christmas initiative. We have given out a lot of pass along cards and did our best to show the new Christmas video, A Savior is Born. If you haven't seen it yet, go watch it. It's only 2 minutes long so it won't take up forever of your life. We honestly haven't had too much success with it. Either people are not home for the holidays or they don't care about Jesus. Ok. That's fine. The point is I feel good at the end of the day cause I tried. So there.

So Friday was a great day, we saw this recent convert named Marisela who has the cutest little boy in the world named Calvin. We played with him mostly, it almost made me like children haha. Later on that day we had the Ward Christmas party (pictures below) and woah it was a blast. I ate so much food guys. Holy heck. They had a Christmas nativity scene and I was asked to play the piano for it, so I did.

Everyone enjoyed and since it wasn't in the chapel people could clap.

So there's that. It makes me feel good that I can spread some Christmas cheer through my talent of playing the piano. That night we saw another recent convert who has yet another absolutely adorable son named Erik who is three and I want ten of him when I have kids oh wow, I normally don't like children but Friday was a day full of me actually liking kids.

Okay so here's something I have learned as a missionary: I will never, EVER, cancel an evening appointment on the missionaries unless someone in my family has died. Because let me tell you, trying to find someone to talk to at 8:30 at night SUCKS. these last few nights we have been trying to talk to people but they actually get angry at us because it's so late at night. Ok well you know what any time is a good time to talk about Jesus. Sometimes I forget that people actually have lives and do things that are normal, like sleep at 8:30 at night.

Can't wait until I can do that again <3 13="" months="" more="" p="" people="">

Not too much has happened this week. We found a couple of investigators, but we aren't sure they are emotionally stable so I don't know if we're going back to see them again or not.

We had exchanges Saturday, I went to redbluff with sister Wall and sister Mackay stayed in Corning. Exchanges are pretty much just normal missionary days. No huge miracles happen on exchanges. I prefer leaving the area I'm over so I don't have to worry about anything.

Sister Wall has only been out in the mission for two months. All of the people I've been companions with have been out way longer than me so it was kind of nice to have been out longer than someone.

Sunday was a good/emotional day. I think Sunday's are the days I miss home the most. Sister Mackay and I were asked to speak, and next Sunday I am playing a musical number. Fun right? Well, we both decided to speak on Christmas. During my talk I of course started to cry, haaaa not ok, and then I couldn't stop crying pretty much all day. I miss home. There's nothing else for it. But I feel like I am closer to my savior this time of year because I can't be close to my family.

Also we set up more Christmas trees this week. Heck yeah baby. We're setting up some more this coming week. On a roll man. Woo!

I love you all so very much. I hope you're all doing well, and merry Christmas to all of us. Jesus is the Christ, and without him there is no Christmas. I know that of a surety.  I know my savior lives. I know he loves me. I know he loves you too.

LOVE YOU GUYS OK

with all my heart and organs,

Sista G.

My Favorite Christmas Picture!!

Scary but Hilarious!

I Was A Wise Man For About Three Hours

Corning does this cute little Christmas event called Hometown Christmas. Some members of our ward put together a live nativity and we volunteered to be two of the wise men. Some nonmembers were apart of it too and we got to talk to them the whole time. They were hilarious and we sat together on bales of hay for a long time making Hebrew jokes and saying Merry Christmas to everyone who passed by us.

It was great. It was nice to be apart of something that helps everyone be reminded of the real reason for Christmas.

This week was filled with visiting a lot of older people. That is fine by me. They have some of the greatest stories to tell, it's amazing.

We picked up a new investigator who is like 70 and is slightly crazy but she wants to learn more about the church. Cool with me lady.

One day while we were waiting for an appointment we decided to go walking around this trailer park to try to talk to some people. We started talking with this old woman named Angela and she invited us to walk with her. We found out she knew everyone in the trailer park and that she was hilarious and super nice. We told her we were missionaries and asked if we could come back to see her. She said she didn't care, because we should all believe in God anyway so it's nice to talk about that. Freaking sweet.

We got to decorate several members trees this week, which kind of helps with the homesickness for me. Decorating my tree at home is one of my highlights at Christmas. I got to decorate three trees this week, which was great. People let us put up decorations and lots of people let us go to town with them. I love all the lights and stuff for Christmas. Its just a cozy holiday.

Friday was a day of service for is basically, we did a bunch of service for some members and I ended up slicing open my finger which exploded in blood and wouldn't stop bleeding for ten minutes but hey, I was serving so if I lost a finger in the process, more blessings for me cause it was in the lords time. (Good news: I didn't lose my finger and the members patched it up for me)

Saturday I got the chance to play for someone's funeral. I realized while I was playing that though I didn't get to play the piano for my grandpas funeral, I could still do it for other people. I still hate funerals, but I'm glad I can share my talent in any way possible.  I got emotional of course, but that's the spirit for ya.

I have been out five months everyone. Five. That's basically almost 6.

Which turns into 7. And eventually makes its way to 8 and 9. So I'm pretty much halfway done technically when you really do the math.

These five months have easily been the longest of my life. I'll be glad when Christmas and New Years are over. Then I can go back to not being as homesick and jealous of everyone who is spending time with their families. I am so excited to skype my family for Christmas btw.

Just saying.

Brianna has decided she no longer wants to meet with us. She is gonna be looking at other churches. She doesn't like ours. Yes that is probably the saddest thing in the world for me right now. Jeez. I guess it's her own salvation.

Sister Mackay is such a great person. She is quiet but she's actually really sassy on the inside. She's got feisty sass. Don't get on her bad side, she doesn't tolerate any nonsense and will eat you alive if you try. It's great. This whole week was fast but great.

I hope you all have seen the new Christmas video by now, if not go to lds.org and watch it. I've got it memorized, I've shown it to so many people now holy cow. I am grateful for the birth of the savior and all he has to offer with the atonement. I'm grateful the atonement is real. I love Christmas. I love all of you. You are all my favorite people and I wouldn't want that any other way. I wish you all good tidings. Merry Christmas indeed. Shout out to my mom this week, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMY, I LOVE YOU SO MUCH, YOU ARE THE GREATEST MOM IN THE WORLD.

Talk to you all soon!

Love,

Sister Caroline Elizabeth Ginn

Well This Week Went By Fast!!

Ok so my new companion is Sister Mackay who is super chill, relaxed, and quiet and we get along great if your are wondering. We have been trying to contact a lot of less actives all week and so far we've gotten two return appointments out of all the less actives we've been visiting. Score one for sister Ginn and Sister Mackay. I'm the driver and for like the first four days I got lost every place I went to.

Sister Mackay would make fun of me which is great because I made fun of myself too. It's so much easier to laugh than to get angry about getting lost in the middle of nowhere, let me tell you.

Thursday was a good thanksgiving. We did a huge service project building a fence for an old lady with all the Anderson zone, and afterwards we went to a huge missionary thanksgiving party for all of us. We ended the day by going to a members house called the Mackintoshes. They are great and have six kids and both parents served missions. I was homesick, not gonna lie, but I felt better being around other people. Sister Mackay doesn't nitpick which makes this so much easier, oh wow. I love her.

Friday was an interesting day. We weekly plan on Friday, so while we were planning a person called us and asked us to come over right away.

Her name was Wynette. So we drove over to her house immediately. She told us she wants to change her life around and come back to church.

We are going to be meeting with her every Saturday to read the Book of Mormon with her. I've never had that happen before. I've never had a less active tell me they want to come back to church. It was a nice experience, and I'm glad I can be a part of her coming back to church.

She came on Sunday and plans on coming back for the next few Sundays.

It's the small stuff like that that makes it worth being a missionary.

I'm excited to be out here for Christmas, we have that new Christmas video that we will be showing everyone and their grandma this entire month. Hopefully we can pick up some new investigators. I am so pumped for Christmas you don't even know dudes and dudets. We decorated our apartment the best we could using cheap decorations from the dollar tree. I bought Christmas lights and put them over my study desk. They make me happy.

I love you all very much ok? You are all my favorite people in the whole world.

It's actually getting really cold here, like the lowest it gets is 27 degrees. It's COLD. But it's pretty. All the Christmas lights are up now and I like it.

I am trying to memorize the living Christ and to be honest I suck at it but I'm working on it. I appreciate everything Jesus Christ has done for me. I love my savior.

That's all for this week. I love you all. I will talk to you all soon!!!

Love,

Sister Caroline Elizabeth Ginn

New Companion Sister MacKay

Thanksgiving with everyone in the district! 

Transfers on Tuesday and I Am Staying In Corning

Yep, Duncan Hines is leaving tomorrow. She is going to Rocklin which is two hours away from us. We have to arrange rides with the members, plus I have to pick up my new companion which means probably about 6 hours in a car tomorrow hahahaha kill me

No but it's nice to not be going anywhere. This week was really long.

I think the week leading up to transfers is always long. My new companions name is Sister Mackay. I actually already know her and she is a sweetie, so I feel better than going in blind.

Now that this transfer is over it almost seems like it was a week but in reality it felt like ten years. We ended up going in to have emergency interviews with President Marston this week due to Sister Duncan and her breakdowns. That was awkward for me as you can imagine.

This entire week has been a roller coaster for me trying not to step on her toes. Luckily Rocklin is the exact ward President Marston goes to. He definitely did that on purpose. I grew a lot being companions with her, that is for sure.

What did I do this week... Oh yeah I picked up a new investigator which was a neat experience. We went over to a members house to have a lesson with a recent convert and her daughter in law was there. The members are called the Finefrocks and they are one of my favorite families in Corning. We were having a lesson with a recent convert named Emily there, and Sister Finefrocks daughter in law seemed interested in what we were talking about. Long story short we are going to her house next Saturday to talk to her about Jesus. That's what's up.

This week on Thanksgiving we have three meals signed up at three awesome members houses. So I will probably either die from eating too much turkey or have a heart attack from eating too much pie. We aren't really going to do a lot of missionary work, mostly we're just hanging out with families. It'll be nice, as much as I am missing home right now. I've been homesick thanks to this time of the year, stupid holidays. But I know Heavenly Father will take care of me, at least.

We have this amazing investigator named Brianna, I think I've mentioned her before. She is so into what we are teaching her, it's amazing. She's hilarious and has a little boy with autism named Alex.

She wants to get baptized which NEVER HAPPENS so we're working with her to get her baptized soon. GUYS SHE COULD BE MY FORST BAPTISM EVER, I SO HOPE SO CAUSE I FOUND HER AND TAUGHT HER AND NOW I WANNA GET HER BAPTIZED. That missionary fire tho. Amirite or amirite?

One more thing, I GOT TO DO SERVICE THIS WEEK. OUTSIDE. AND DO MANLY THINGS. LIKE HAUL WOOD. Our ward did a service project for the stake where they went into this orchard and chopped a bunch of wood. We went and helped all day which was great, it was so nice to be outside and do service and haul wood from one trailer to another. We also cooked lunch for everyone. I miss doing that kind of stuff, I miss yard work so much you have no idea. No one ever lets sister missionaries do stuff. WE HAVE MUSCLES JUST LIKE MEN DO DONT YOU DARE PAMPER US. Moral of the story, LET SISTER MISSIONARIES HELP YOU PLEASE. WE LOVE IT.

THANKS. Also the weather in California is gorgeous, it's like 50-60 degrees every day and all the leaves on the orchards are changing colors. There's always a slight breeze and the sun is always out.

We're supposed to get a thunderstorm on Tuesday, we'll see how that turns out.

I am learning a lot about myself out here in California. I am learning that I actually love being with people. Shocker right? I love getting to know people and their passions. That's the best part of getting to know a person. I am also learning a lot of my Savior. He is my Savior.

I know he is. And as much as I miss home right now, I'm glad I am here learning more about my savior. He is eternal. His love is eternal. I am grateful for that. I'm grateful for the atonement. It covers EVERYTHING guys, literally anything you could thing of, he's got your back 10000% of the time. It's great. Use it.

I love you all. HAPPY THANKSGIVING, GET FOOD COMAS. I'm excited to be able to serve in this area for thanksgiving and Christmas. It'll be just oodles of fun, that is for sure. I love you all so much ok.

Caroline loves you.

Love,

Sister Caroline Elizabeth Ginn

Galaxy jacket and matching tie

Love Maxine! 

Elder Bergener

Anderson Squad Yes a little cooky!

Finefrock Family

My district in pyramid form

We bought district shirts!

Zone Conference Was the Bomb and So Is My Mission President

Tuesday was Zone Conference which was amazing because I got to see some missionaries who I served with in Citrus Heights and it's felt like 10 freaking years since I've seen them so it was possibly one of the greatest reunions ever. The feeling you get when you see a missionary that you served with for 12 weeks is basically like the second coming of Christ, just saying. Our zone conference was great, I played the piano and I screwed up MONUMENTALLY on playing our mission song but it's ok because no one heard it since everyone was singing.

The talks and devotionals were great. We talked about planning and how we can make daily and weekly planning a better experience. I hate planning. I hate it. So of course this conference was directed towards my attitude on planning. I'm gonna try my best to not hate planning at least. There's one thing to work on.

I saw the elders and sisters every day this week, which really helped me through the week. I simply love other missionaries. It's just great. I especially love elders. Guys are pretty cool, just saying.

Especially guys with the priesthood.

This week was a rough week. My companion had an emotional breakdown so I was kind of thrown up in the air for a while. But I've learned a lot. I've learned how to bite my tongue when it's not necessary to speak. I've learned just how much the atonement covers in our every day lives. I will never underestimate the power of Jesus Christ and his atonement again after this experience. Sister Duncan is leaving next Tuesday. My mission president has been a huge help through this.

I can tell you that if you ever go on a mission, not every companion you have will be your best friend. That's not the point in missionary work anyway. You learn from each companion. I feel a lot like a babysitter for a 10 year old sometimes. And my mission president knows that. I think I've realized what I was supposed to learn these last six weeks. One more week. There is a possibility I could train which is terrifying.

I like Corning. The people here are incredibly nice. Yeah the ward is small but by small things are great things brought to pass (alma 36:7 in case you want a motivational scripture for your day). The members are really converted. Plus its the middle of nowhere so it's nice to be able to go to a members house when an appointment falls through and talk to them and get to know them better. They are so welcoming of the missionaries. It's unheard of.

I just wanna give a b-day shout out to my dad and my sister Mel. Happy womb exiting day to both of you, daddy you're the best man in my life and you're gonna be 50 in three years, Mel you are one of my best friends and I adore ya, thanks for the encouragement and treating me like a human instead of like I'm some angel since I'm a missionary.

 Side note, missionaries are people too. So treat us like actual people please. Thanks <3 p="">

I went on exchanges with Sister Myers on Saturday which was fabulous.

We had a normal day which was fabulous. I wasn't uncomfortable at all and it was a good day. I love my sister training leader. She is a saint.

I love being a missionary just so you know. I might not know how to deal with an emotionally unstable companion, but I'm figuring out how to be a missionary.

I love you all so very much. Thank you for all the support. I could not do this without you. All of you.

I.

Love.

You.

Please keep praying for me. This week is gonna be hard.

Love,

Sister Ginn

Caroline adores the Elders because they are like brothers she has never had!

Interesting sign!

Wonderful reunion!!

Forever friends!

I Tried Tracting Once and it Was Actually Pretty Sucessful

So Thursday we had four appointments and all of them fell through. I had the idea to go tracting, so we did, and it was actually pretty successful. We tried everything to set up these appointments, yet they still all fell through. The lord provided us with two people out of the 12 does we knocked on who were interested. One let us in, and we talked to her for a long time. I know Heavenly Father was blessing us because we were trying. It was a good experience for me to have.

Tracting is one of the last minute things our mission president has asked us to do. But, if we have to do it, we will do it. To everyone reading this, PLEASE GIVE MISSIONARIES REFERRALS. THEN THEY DONT HAVE TO TRACT. k that's out of the way. Love you all.

Tuesday we had a lesson with this investigator named Brianna that we've been meeting with regularly. Ok so I've never had an investigator ever so having someone who actually WANTS to know more about the church is completely mind blowing. She camE to church on Sunday and enjoyed it thoroughly. She's keeping the commitments we've been asking her to keep. Dudes and dudets I've got a golden investigator on my hands. I never thought this would happen to me holy cow thank the lord and all his tender mercies.

We found a new investigator named Evelyn this week. We taught her the whole Restoration and the entire time her eyes were lit up. She agreed with everything we were saying and wants to meet with us again. We're seeing her this Sunday. I am dying and screaming internally. This is actually happening people. The lord puts people in our path who are ready to hear the gospel for sure. So that's two investigators we are teaching. We have in total 6 investigators who are so nice and sweet and interested in baptism. What the freak. Whatever I did in the life previous to this to deserve this many blessings was apparently huge.

Ok so there's this recent convert named Pete Dagorret. He is officially my favorite person I've met on my mission. He's older but he is so funny. I hang out with him every Sunday and we sit and make jokes and just talk. I adore older people.

I got a priesthood blessing from my district leader and his companion on Friday. I am struggling with Sister Duncan (Hines) and her nazi-like attitude, but after that blessing I felt such a comfort. It was amazing. The priesthood is real and I support it 100%. If you ever need a blessing, get one.

The members here in Corning are literally the sweetest people to exist holy crap. They are so kind and nice to me it's ridiculous. I played a special musical number on Sunday, The Restoration Medley, and they ate it up. I don't think I've been in such a grateful ward. Goodness. I'm signing up to do a special musical number in Christmas, because I know for sure I will still be here in Christmas.

The members here sure can cook. Holy cow they are master chefs. We are already signed up to be in two families homes on thanksgiving. Two thanksgiving dinners. Oh that's gonna be amazing.

The missionaries I am serving with are some of the best people. I think that's probably my favorite part of the mission, is getting to be friends with all these missionaries who I never would have met otherwise. These people are my life right now. I love them.

I love you all. This is all I feel like writing today. You are all my favorites. I freaking love you all so much. Pray for me, two more weeks until transfers. I can do this. I think.

Love,

Sister Caroline Ginn

It is raining!!!!!!!

Recent converts Emily and Lulu.

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!