Note: After reading Whitney's blog today, I realized I had left a few months out.  
I can't figure out how to insert this in the right spot on the blog so I guess the posts
won't be in chronological order for the next few posts.
Sorry Whitney, maybe you can fix it when you get home.


December 30, 2013

First off thank you so much for the package it was a good surprise ;)  I totally didn't even notice that CalDon was training an Elder Martinez!  Way weird!  But I love the package and the earrings are WAY cute!  Sister Martinez loves owls and they totally match her pajama pants :)  I also got some mail from Ange!  She is amazing!  I will get some pictures of the skirts once I tract them down from UPS :)  We are never home when they come so I have to go to the store and get them tonight.  But I probably wont be able to send the pictures until next week.  

Second I forgot about my letter to you!  If I still had it I would add something to it.  Sister Martinez realized something really cool.  She said when she was home and had trials she would turn to her parents, siblings, or friends.  But for the first time in her life none of them were available.  She had me and  other missionaries, but that wasn't the same.  She pointed out that for the first time in her life she has relied SOLELY upon the Savior to help her through her trials.  That was exactly what I was trying to say in my letter :)  I know you wish you could have helped me through trials.  Really you have.  By raising me in the church you have helped me more than you could ever imagine.  You have taught me to rely on the one person who always knows exactly what to say and exactly what I need.  You have taught me to rely on the Savior mom and that is the greatest gift anyone could ever give me :)  

So all these other Missionaries write a general letter about their week and I know you want to hear some of my stories so I guess I can do the general type everything up :0

Monday was PDay which is always fun.  Tuesday was Christmas Eve!!  That was the day we accidentally got to talk for a minute :)  We visited a couple of Less Active Ward members and took them Christmas Cards.  One lady is Sister Ward who is kinda old and sickly.  We accidentally woke her up and we felt really bad, but she told us to come in and we talked for a little while.  She looked so depressed when we got there, but by the time we left I know she was happier and she had a light in her eyes.  There is no greater calling than a missionary.  I know that the spirit works through us to help lift people's spirits.  She is a confirmation to me that it doesn't matter if we accidentally interrupt people, because the message of this gospel is greater than anything they are doing at that moment :)  Same sort of thing happened with Sister Gardener.  She was sad, but by the time we left she was laughing and smiling.  That is the true spirit of Christmas.

Then Christmas came and went SO fast!  It was weird talking to you guys, because it was like nothing changed :)  I feel like you all are such a big part of my mission already and I can still imagine your voices and see your faces everyday.  You don't know how many trials you have all helped me through :)  We played Quelf with a family that night and completely embarrassed ourselves.  We were at the Betzolds home who are AMAZING.  They have a daughter that is going to the Ogden Utah mission in March and she is awesome :)  

So another cool thing that happened this week was we went tracting ;)  Sister Martinez said we should knock on this random door that had a stroller outside and so we did.  There was a cute family that had about 6 kids who all look under the age of 10.  Reminded me of us!!  We were talking to her for a minute, but she didn't want to hear anything about the BOM and promised us she wouldn't read it because it is a sin to add to the bible. (a common thing that people say out here).  We left saddened.  But the next day we totally wrapped up a Book of Mormon and a Restoration DVD and wrote our testimony in a card.  We dropped it off at their door and we hope and pray that they will soften their hearts.  

We have been trying to get in contact with a Potential investigator named Donald and were finally able to see him last night!!  He had the same question that the lady did about the Book of Mormon being something that is added to the bible.  We talked to him and explained how they support each other and both are word from God.  He invited us to come back and talk with his family this week!!  I am so excited!  He has the most adorable 9 year old daughter!

So that is a short note of what we did this week.  A lot of ups and downs.  A lot of scriptures read.  and TONS of prayers were said.  Oh on the note of prayers... I love my companion.  One time I was praying and heard her moving so I peeked to she what she was doing.  Well her eyes were open too!!  It was silent for a couple of seconds and it was the most awkward thing that ever has happened haha.  We died laughing though and had to redo our prayer :)  I love Sister Martinez!

Also we do a lot of practice teaching and we got tired of teaching invisible people so we made a pillow investigator :)  and I give you Raffael!!  :)  I am loving this work and Having so much fun and feeling the spirit more than ever in my life!  Thank you for everything!!  Love you all!

June 2, 2014

So lots happening here.... Transfers have come and well I am going to force myself to be happy about it because there is good news and bad news.  I am staying in Decatur!!!! the bad news is Sister Montgomery is leaving :(  Good thing I know that Heavenly Father knows what he is doing cause I sure don't :)  My new companion is Sister Auble and I know very little about her except that she came out with Sister Montgomery.  We are going to have a blast :)  But I can't even explain how much I am going to miss Sister Montgomery.

Besides that we have a lot of other things going on.  We have two amazing friends named “R” that I told you about.  The one that is homeless has been homeless most of his life cause his family is crazy and he just had a rough upbringing.  He is almost 30 now, but is soaking up everything!!  “RG” is our atheist investigator, but has changed SOO much!!  I can't even explain him!  But it is SO amazing to see when people come to church and read how quickly they change their nature!!  I am amazed by that!  it reminds me of a quote 

"True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior.  The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior."

-Boyd K. Packer

The greatest miracle was when “RG” wanted to bear his testimony!!  He had us help him write some things down.  He wrote how Mormons are the nicest people on the earth.  He has been told A LOT of crazy things about Mormons (cult, nuts, robots, they brain wash you, etc. etc.)  And so he came up with something and said that Mormons don't brain wash you they body wash you.  Your heart and soul is cleansed :0  When he got up emotions came over him and he just said that he was glad to be there and that he couldn't speak but he said thank you and then sat down. It was the so amazing!  His courage and desire to want to know God is nothing I have ever seen in my life!  It is amazing to see him change SO much!!  And he is loving the members.  He is the one that said the joke "Do you know why Mormons don't drink? Because it interrupts suffering." Well he decided that that isn't why anymore and he said that instead it interrupts happiness :0 He tells me I am simple in a good way and we joke with him all the time.  He has had a really rough time accepting that Sister Montgomery is leaving, but she knows its best so he can realized the feelings that he gets are not because of her, but because of the spirit.  This gospel really is AMAZING!!  I love being a missionary even though there are hard times.  I know that is how I am being shaped into the instrument that our Heavenly Father needs for me to be!! 

I love you all and hope you have a good summer break :)  Keep the faith and keep moving forward!!

Sister Calton 

May 26, 2014 Monday Holiday Again

I don't really like having to email on Tuesday!  It kinda messes with the whole routine of things!  But I am grateful that I get to share some amazing experiences with you guys!  But first we find out about transfers on Saturday and we have no clue what is going to happen.  Things are really starting to pick up great here and I do not want to leave, but I know if Heavenly Father has a better place for me to be, I will trust him, it’s funny how this happens every time transfers come around.  I think the thing that kills me most is that I will leave behind dear, dear friends.  But I will let you know next week about where I am going and with whom and all that jazz.

So home sounds fun :0  How is the kitchen and roof and everything?  Still chaotic?  I am glad that you are getting a nice long break from everything this summer :)  And I can't believe how fast time is all flying!!  I miss you guys dearly, but I am having a blast doing missionary work!  They have been talking a lot about change lately.  We had an Elder that finished his mission come back to "tour" the mission after 2 months of being home.  President was sad because the kid had grown out a beard and well really hadn't maintained the change that happened on his mission.  So well needless to say a lot of things lately have been focused on changing our nature and retaining that change.  Not just for us but for our investigators as well.  

So this past week we had a blast!  We have met so many people it is hard to stay in contact with all of them :0 But we have been fasting as a district a different missionary everyday!  Last Wednesday Both Sister Montgomery and I fasted and it brought SO many miracles!!  We resolved concerns and had some of the most spiritual lessons we have ever had!!  It was miraculous!  Lately I have been quick to anger and I couldn't figure out why.  Sister Montgomery one night after I apologized for snapping at her said it’s okay "You love me like a sister so you'll fight with me like a sister."  It made me smile.  But I have been learning to control my anger A LOT better and just having to be patient.  Last Saturday was amazing as well.  We got to help our ward out with a huge yard sale!  So we woke up at 5:00 (so early for us!) and then helped from like 6 to 7 putting stuff out and then went down the street and did some yard work and then met a lady and mowed her lawn.  The best part was that we had an investigator come and help and he roller bladed 5 miles to come and help us.  Proved a little bit of commitment : 0  And well this man Randy F. is going to get baptized.  The greatest miracle of the week was getting people at church FINALLY!!!  That has been our biggest struggle!  But Sunday we had 4 people at church!  You know what it took?  Sister Montgomery singing so we bribed them to come and support her.  Even our downstairs neighbor came and he isn't even interested in learning!!  But It was just a day of miracles!  It is so amazing the difference that church makes in people's lives.  We are teaching 2 Randy's and both of them have changed SO much just from coming to church!  It was the greatest miracle to see them there. Randy F. just after sacrament asked what he had to do to go on a mission!  Someone told him he has to become a member first :)  So he is totally ready to jump into the font :0  He is homeless, but SO humble and SO ready!!  It truly is amazing!  

Anyway so many great things happening!  We love being here and meeting everyone.  If I do get transferred I pray that I am in a city still because it is so much easier to meet people!  Haha, but I know the Lord's hand is in everything.  I will miss Sister Montgomery so much!  She has changed my life forever and I can't even begin to explain the wonderful person that she is.  I love being a missionary and am so humbled to know that the Lord is working with us!!  This is the best work ever!!  So yes Amy learning how to juggle two jobs will be perfect preparation for her.  Tell her I am sending a list of what to and what not to buy soon so don't buy a lot :)  Thanks for all that you do!  You are amazing examples to me I love you all and miss you!  

This picture is of the saddest road kill that we have seen :)  

California, Sacramento Mission

I think I got another ulcer waiting for the stupid video to load :)  It took FOREVER!!  okay only like 20 minutes, but it felt like forever :)  I am so excited for her though!  A couple of the Elders I am currently serving with are actually from that mission.  It would be funny if she ran into them, or their families :)  Now for the waiting game though... I swear the months leading up to leaving are the longest!  Maybe because I worked like 12 hours a day sitting on the phone, but that is besides the point :)  I am just stoked!!  We will be on our missions at the same time and I will get to write her and all that cool stuff... Then I remember that she won’t be there when I come home ;(  But I know what she will be doing and that makes me SO happy!!  Did she open it before she opened it with you guys?  She didn't seem too shocked plus she knew right where to read it :)  I am pretty sure that my favorite part was at the end when she asked where is that :)  We drove through there last year when we went to California on Spring Break!  But I am SO glad we don't have a beach in our mission cause they are just too tempting!  But she will have fun ;)  

Anyway I am way excited for her and everything :)  Christin sent me a picture of her and Reed and it was my big surprise for last week :)  I teased her all about it cause she has been trying to help him out in high school and then again in college... Guess she hasn't done her job just yet :)  Funny the people that Heavenly Father puts in our path. 

I don't even know what to tell you about this past week.  I have been so excited to hear where Amy was going!  I think that overshadows a lot of what is going on here.  But I love being a missionary.  This transfer is wrapping up and I am nervous.  We had exchanges last week so I got to go to Springfield for the day with Sister Woodward.  I share a ward with her my first two transfers and we decided that she is kinda my Godmother because she helped train me a lot ;)  She is my role model as a missionary and I was so excited to be with her. But it was so nice to be with sister Montgomery again.  Its funny how every companion just gets better :0  I never want to leave this place!  I love the people (even though they are extremely stubborn).  I love the members and just Decatur in general....except the humidity and the smell maybe, but you get used to those. We had a lot of lessons and met a lot of people too.  I think my favorite was when Randy (the atheist) said we have ruined him.  He says since meeting with us he just wants to be nice all the time and help people.  The only hard thing is that he will not talk to Mormon's about the religion!  He gets a lot of anti and we have to explain a lot of random things to him.  We told him he is looking all over the house for ice cream.  In the oven in the garage, but he refuses to check the freezer :)  But God has a great plan for him.

Anyway I hope you guys have fun with the end of school.  I love you all and pray for you daily!  Th

ank you for being awesome examples and loving me :)  I am looking forward to the packages but don't worry too much about it.  I just need some summer shirts because right now I only really have winter ones.  But everything will work out it always does ;)  Good quote for the day.

"When I choose to be disobedient I shouldn't ask God to bless me or my family and expect it to happen."

And for some pictures...

We painted a house this week.  I got on the ladder and it looked a lot higher than that I promise :)

And the sign is something that every guy should read and take precautions for :)  

I wrote you a poem in like two minutes because you said you wanted one.... I was trying to explain that whole thing like when you are young you think you mom knows everything.  Then as a teenager she just doesn't understand! But then it is amazing how almost immediately as I turned 18 and as I get older and older I realize that you do know everything!  I am SOO grateful for what you have done and what you have taught me!!  I reflect a lot on the many things that you did especially corralling everyone for FHE or prayer or scriptures.  You influenced me for good and I can promise you all of it was worth it :)  

Oh but here is the poem :)  

It's funny how you can look back 

And you can see

The person that your mother 

Taught you to be

As a child she was EVERYTHING

From a waitress to a dragon

A Queen, a villain, a friend

And everything in between

As the years passed by 

Everything changed

As she came to

Every sports game

In those teenage years 

I thought I was right

Everything seemed to turn

Into a fight

Oh how I wish I would have

Listened to her then

Just like I did

When I was ten

I know now

That she knows a lot

For she is the person

From whom I was taught

It is actually pretty funny

How years go by

And I continue to see

My side she was always by

I discover new truths

And make mistakes

she sits there with a smile

no comment she makes 

Oh how i wish she were here

Right by my side

To help me through the hard times

And to be my guide

As an adult

I sit here and stew

For way too often 

I don't know what to do

There are countless times

I didn't listen to her advice 

And now I regret it as

I go through a new life

She is my angel

And my mother dear

The one I want to be like

Isn't that clear

I want to be a mom 

Just like mine

She's the perfect example 

She is so kind

That day is far off

But yet you see

Mommy will be there

ALWAYS next to me!

Whew there we go that was pretty cheesy :)  Hope you enjoy!!  Matt did seem pretty happy!!!  That is good!  It was really cool to see everyone home.. well kinda, but really I think that was the happiest I have seen everyone in a long time when we were all sorta together!  Sister Montgomery says it’s because babies change families :)  I am so grateful for that :)  And the house is starting to look pretty cool!  Now you have Matt to help out too!

I had to send you a picture of the cake we made ;)  It was for one of our elders and it was cheesy so we made it into Decatur's temple :)  Even has a Moroni on it!!  The other picture is of my hair ;)  I am grateful for a companion that is a hairdresser :)  We have lots of fun.  Besides that we get to pie our elders in the face today so I will send some pictures of that next week haha 

Besides all of that I am so grateful and humbled to be a missionary!  There is no better work to be involved in!  My testimony has grown so much and I have been able to rely completely on my Savior more than I ever have.  I have learned what hope is and how it can grow everyday as we walk hand in hand with the Savior.  I have learned of my destiny as a daughter of God and I will not let anything get in the way of me achieving it!!  There are a million and a half wonderful things I have learned about the scriptures and about living prophets and so many other things.  I have never spent my time as wisely as I do now.  It is all because of the Savior and our Father in Heaven!  I know they are real and I am eternally grateful for the many things that they have done for me!  I love you so much mom for teaching me ALL of these things!!  I love you for everything you do for me :)  I love dad and Zach and Josh and Meagan and Bryden and Maci and Matt and Emily and Nick and Liam and Amy and Michael and.... uh....Tiger...and ....Annie haha but all of you and Grandma and Grandpa both Calton and Stoker and the Salina 1st ward and everyone in Salina and lets just make it easier and say that I love everyone :)   I hope you have a good last couple of weeks of school!!  Keep smiling and keep being patient :)  

May 5, 2014 Halfway!!

Seriously I don't know where time has gone!!    I realized I only have 9 months left!!  My perspective is that is so short of a time!!  I can look back on everything that has happened in the past nine months and I don't regret a single moment.  I would re-live all of it if I had the chance.  I know that every moment has made me into the person I am today!  Sister Montgomery keeps saying she wishes she could be the person at the end of her mission right now.  But I know that isn't how it works.  I am grateful for who I am and for the stark contrast that I can see from nine months ago until now!  I have changed SO much!  And I love it ;)  I have never been happier in my life!

I want to thank you SO much for the package!!  I love the cards and pens they will surely come in handy as well as the stickers.  I love getting the news even though I don't have time to read all of it.  I love the stories that are printed on the back.  Thanks for the clay we have been doing mud masks and we look ridiculous but it is fun.  I included a picture of what we did with the cheese its :)  They made eating them fun.  As for mother's day can you send me a list of everyone's skype account info.  We are going to be skyping at a member’s house.  Their last name is Sister Dewey. We have church at 1 so we don't get done until 4 :)  So it will be in the evening like 5 or 6.  

This past week has been good except that nobody wants to come to church :(  But Heavenly Father gave us our agency for a reason! Hopefully we can influence them to use it wisely!  We had something interesting and kinda scary happen.  We were doing some service at a food pantry and it was in the ghetto.  We only parked there for like an hour, but guess what got stolen.....a windshield wiper ;)  So really not scary, but who just steals one? Plus it was the driver’s side and it was pouring rain that day... go figure ;)  But really it’s not bad here at all we love it!  

We have been doing a lot of work with less actives and have seen some of them really progress!  We are also teaching some great people, they just are kinda lazy when it comes to the gospel. We decided that Satan has a strong hold on this city, but that is why god sent us here ;)  We are lucky though because we have the cheats (scriptures) to know how to help these people!  Andrea (The one that got married like a month ago) Is going to get baptized June 21!!!  But we have to wait for her baby to be born and her to recover.  The thing I think that makes me the saddest is that I probably won’t be here :(  Just my luck haha I am just a professional seed planter!!  

Not too much else is happening.  I am loving the work and am glad that I get to enjoy every day here.  I love serving with Sister Montgomery and we have lots of good fun.  I am getting out of my comfort zone more and more and I have realized that sharing the gospel with literally everyone is so much fun!!  Anyway I can't wait to see you guys on Sunday!!  I totally feel like I saw you yesterday though!  Time just keeps flying by!!  I love you!  Have a good week!

P.S. this other picture is an octopus that was eating my book of Mormon :)  

April 28, 2014

This week has been full of crazy awesomeness ;) , plus bad and everything in between.  We are lucky to be away from the crazy weather.  I think Heavenly Father is giving us a break because every Monday for the past 4 weeks has been raining.  So today since it is well sort of sunny we might actually get to do something fun!!  I will give you the details next week :) 

Okay so Amy's thing with her papers is making me laugh :)  I remember going through the same process!  I was so frustrated that they didn't get turned in sooner because of my dental records.  It’s funny how that was really about a year ago. Just think next year this time Amy will have been out a while and it will be Michael going through the same process :) 

Saturday and Sunday was stake conference.  It was REALLY GOOD!!  It was funny because the talks were all General Conference worthy :) , so much that I kept thinking that all of the talks would be in the next Ensign.  One thing I wanted to mention from it was about our personal study.  Dad sent me the picture of a guy reading his scriptures and angels standing around him.  It was a neat picture!  I KNOW that study protects us!  The way our Stake President described it was like brushing your teeth.  It takes about five minutes every day to brush your teeth.  But what if you didn't want to do it.  What if instead of taking that time everyday you waited for 5 months until you had to go to the dentist again.  Then the night before you spend 5 hours brushing your teeth. Haha it does not have the same effect.  To keep our teeth clean and well, we have to brush them EVERYDAY!!  Sporadic moments will not suffice. The same with our studies.  We need to be studying the gospel everyday so that we don't "rot".  I KNOW that studying everyday is extremely important!  It is the protection given to us so that Satan can't get to our hearts!  So this leads to my challenge to all of you!  Our stake is challenged to study 30 minutes a day.  I want to extend that same invitation to you!  Take time every day to listen, watch, or read the gospel.  Whether it be the words of living prophets or those who have come before it matters not, just fill your life each day with the light the gospel brings!  I can promise that more patience, hope, and happiness will come into your lives!  I can promise that your perspective and strength will increase so much!!  Don't worry I will be doing it too :)

Besides that we had a good week of finding people and we are now teaching a kid named Andrew that is so excited to learn!!  It really helps to have a pretty companion that stands out, but even more so that she is friendly.  It doesn't matter why someone stopped to talk to us, what matters is that now we have the chance to share the gospel with them :) 

I feel like my time here is going by WAY too fast!!  I was talking to Sister Morgan (Mission Mom) and she was mentioning how long I have been out.  I said too long and she interpreted it as I was ready for it to be over. But that’s not what I meant.  I explained that I am hurting inside because I love this work and I love these people!  I can still remember entering the MTC like it was yesterday!  I have learned so much and come so far.  There is no greater work than that which we do for God :)  I miss you all, but I love it here :)  Keep smiling and keep striving to come closer to God.  His hand is in everything :)  I love you all and pray that you have a good week!!

Love, Sister Calton