Week 64

April 24, 2017

"The highest challenge we have in mortality is to use our free agency well, making right choices in the interplay of time and talents."-Neal A Maxwell

Wow this week was awesome! 

I have done a lot of stuff. 

So we did some service at this food bank and it was actually not very fun, but it was good and helped people! 

We found several awesome new investigators this week, one who told us that he used to walk on campus and see the Elders teaching people and he wished they would stop him but they never did. So we taught him! He is so great. We have a return appointment with him tonight. 

We went to dinner with the STL's this week and got some delicious burgers! It looked really cool. And we had fun. 

I love seeing the STL's all the time. It is fun to hang out with them. 

Everyone here rides mopeds. Look Baymax!

This week a bunch of people went home for the summer, so we said goodbye to Christen! She is going on her mission to the Philippines. I knew them in Mandarin 2nd ward! 

Then we took a picture with our friend and less active member Colin. He is also leaving for the summer so we took some funny pictures. 

Well I am doing well here in the YSA! 

I hope y'all have a good week! 

Love,

Sister Caton

Week 63

April 17, 2017

"Every moment of [our lives] must be holiness to the Lord.”​​ -Brigham Young 

Wow this week was great! 

Last Monday I got to meet the Gainesville Zone and it is full of people I used to know in other zones! It's kind of awesome. I enjoy p days with the people I know. 

On Tuesday we had Zone Meeting and it was so nice to not have to prepare a training for that! But I do miss being an STL. It is an exciting and rewarding thing to be in Leadership. Sister Ridenour and I sang a song for it! I feel like we did a good job. 

Then the rest of the week, our car had to go to the shop so we biked everywhere! I love biking and we got super sweaty but it was a great way to find new investigators. This week wasn't a good one for finding on campus at the university because it's finals week. Who'd have thought that would impact missionaries huh? Haha 

Then we had a great experience where we got to go back and have a lesson with these two adorable Asian people we met from China. They both are learning English but they loved the Plan of Salvation and even took a picture! 

We taught some of my first skype and facetime lessons this week! It's neat how you can still feel the spirit in that environment, and we are safe and sound in the church building. The work of the Lord rolls forth! 

We had a good Easter also, it's weird being in the YSA because people don't really feed you but a nice recent convert of a few years had us over for burgers and biscuits! It was kind of weird to have dinner with young single men. But we were with the other sisters so it wasn't even. Then we went to an appointment where our investigator made us chocolate chip cookies and took a selfie with us! We forgot to ask her for it :( but she's amazing! We have more appointments with her this week. 

Then today we are playing sports and stuff. I am so glad to be a missionary! 

It's a great life! 

Have a great week! 

Love,

Sister Caton

Week 62

April 10, 2017

"Continuing revelation does not demean or discredit existing revelation."

Wow this week was a crazy whirlwind! 

Last P day I got to go to the crazy gas station that I love so much with the baby alligators and stuff. Then we had dinner with my favorite people in St Johns River, the Patches! 

I am going to miss them so much! 

Then on Wednesday it was the day! I drove like 2 hours down to Gainesville and we taught a lesson to T, who got baptized on Saturday! It was such a great baptism! He is so amazing and everything here has been great. We find so many new investigators every day! 

We go to this place called Turlington Square and talk to people on campus. It is kind of scary! But it is super exciting. We sometimes take out a giant Book of Mormon! 

So I am happy here. We work hard, play hard, and eat almost nothing good but I am having a great time! 

Here is T's baptism pictures 

I am doing well and I am happy and healthy! 

Hope y'all have a great week! 

Love,

Sister Caton

Week 61

April 3, 2017

"Grief is the natural by-product of love. One cannot selflessly love another person and not grieve at his suffering or eventual death. The only way to avoid the grief would be to not experience the love; and it is love that gives life its richness and meaning." -Lance B Wickman

Well, I am a bit sad this week, because I am being transferred. 

But I am excited for this new adventure I am about to embark on! 

Sister Tullis and I were not expecting this to happen haha and when we were on the transfer call, when my name was called we both were so surprised! 

This is Sister Tullis' last transfer so I am sad she is going home, but I'm happy for her, her new companion is awesome. 

I am going to the Gainesville YSA Ward, which is on the campus of the University of Florida! 

Go Gators! 

My new companion will be Sister Ridenour, who is great! She came out with my trainee Sister Harris. 

I am sad to leave this ward because I love it so much. I love the members here and all of our lovely investigators. They are doing well and I will miss them dearly. 

But sometimes it is time to move on! I never thought I would go to Gainesville or serve in a YSA so this is all new to me! 

I loved General Conference!!! It was so wonderful and I saw a huge theme of doing the little things, listening to the Holy Spirit, and trusting in God. I know that doing those things really does bring us happiness and peace and I love hearing the words of our prophets and apostles, who teach us how we can be happy in this life! I love my Savior Jesus Christ and I know that even when life is challenging or scary, we can always turn to him. 

This is my 11th transfer on my mission. I can't believe it has been so long! If it gives you any indication of how much I have left, Sisters have 13 transfers. Ahhhh! I am nervous but excited to learn even more and become a better person these last few. 

This week several of our investigators kept their commitments! A family we are teaching read the Book of Mormon and we had an amazing discussion about it, they also told us they were going to continue reading it every night as a family! Another one of our investigators has been reading the Book of Mormon every day before she goes to work, and before that she always told us she would next time. You can really see the spirit fill people's lives as they seriously read the Book of Mormon with real intent. I testify to President Monson's message yesterday! Read the Book of Mormon and it changes your life. 

I love y'all! I hope you have a blessed week! 

Love,

Sister Caton

Also, look I saw a snake! P.s. I didn't catch it. But I tried to. Bad idea haha