I have found Nirvana (6/13/16 email)

This week was AMAZING! I mean, I know I say that almost every week, but I promise you the weeks just get better and better. I honestly think that mission joy can be portrayed perfectly by an exponential graph. The first week was rough and I frequently thought, "What did I get myself into?" The second week was better and time just starts going faster and faster and you start loving the people more and more. I can't even explain it. But every month is better than the last!

We were in a meeting this morning called DLC for the Vancouver East Zone. There were six elders and Sister Okerlund and me. The Zone Leaders, two 20-year-old boys, set up the time and place of the meeting and what we would give trainings on. We all talked about how we can better love the missionaries around us and the people we meet every day. Some elders were talking about how they naturally don't show love as much as most people; how they really do feel love for people but don't know how to show it comfortably, and they felt bad about it. We talked about how you shouldn't try to be somebody you're not; but just to pray to know how to bring others happiness, and that as you do, your love will be apparent. Anyway, we opened and closed by singing a hymn (where everyone sings no matter how beautiful or not beautiful their voice is because we're praising God) and kneeling down together to pray. Some people cried. It felt completely normal to me - we've been to so many DLCs and they're all pretty similar - until the closing prayer. I just had this overwhelming feeling in the middle of the prayer and thought, "Look at where you are, Sister Carter! You're in a room with a bunch of 18 to 24-year-old boys and you're all praying together and discussing how you can better love people! This is not normal!!" Most people my age are probably partying and having a grand old time while we're here on a mission just eating, breathing, and sleeping missionary work. We pray to know how we can best be using our time each day to help other people learn about their potential and be as happy as they possibly can! This is just mind blowing to me, and I am so glad I'm a part of this wonderful adventure called a mission.

Anyway, sorry for all this. I am just so amazed with everything right now.

Here's a picture of Sister Taula serenading us. I just love that girl. 

We get to go on exchanges this week!

We got to have lunch with all the sisters in the Vancouver East stake. I LOVE THEM!!

Sister Twitchell and I found these huge dandelions and thought it'd be cute if we took pictures of us blowing them away, but they were a lot harder to break apart than either of us anticipated...major fail.

I just love you all and I cannot believe how enlightening it is to be on a mission. I've never learned so much in my life! I hope I just keep learning more and more and never hit a plateau or anything. Byeee!

Oh funny quote! This one Sister always says, "The real reason we gain weight on the mission isn't because of stress or anything - it's because our spirits grow so much and they need a vessel that can hold it all."