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!

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!