Letter from Elder Carlson

Dear Family,

Well I have really enjoyed these past few months serving here in the Texas Houston Mission. This is definitely where the Lord wants me and where I have been able to grow the most. There are many diverse places here in Texas and I’d say I’ve served in some exciting areas. This mission has been without a doubt where I’ve needed to be at this time in my life.

I was formerly in the Katy area which is a great, well-off town in the outskirts of Houston. My time there seemed short because I enjoyed it so much. There were so many great members and people that I got to know and I miss it dearly. I learned so many lessons and had a blast being on a bike full time there. There were 5 wonderful people that were baptized while I was there and I feel blessed that I could be with them as they made changes in their lives and came unto Christ.

I was moved to where I am currently at now a month ago and have certainly found good experiences here. It is in the northern side of Houston’s downtown area, covering some fairly sketchy places. We are blessed with safety as missionaries luckily though. J In this Melbourne ward there are so many great people, humble seekers of Christ. There are so many fun exciting stories that I could probably fill a novel, sadly I haven’t been keeping up in my journal as well as I should have or writing letters. I apologize. I have learned and grown so much and I can promise that I’m more grown up than the way you knew me. I still know how to have fun though, like with trying to wrestle an alligator in Katy. I just turned 20 and time is going by fast, life is so great and I love it. Thank you all for your love and constant encouragement.

So many great stories and opportunities come from being a full-time missionary for this church, the Lord’s church. I recommend all who feel inspired to go on a mission to take that leap of faith and just do it. I have been blessed, my family has been blessed and I have seen the blessing of other’s lives as I have been able to share my testimony. I share my testimony with you now, that I know that God is our Eternal Father and he loves and cares for each of us as individuals. I know that his Son, Jesus Christ, was foreordained and came here to Earth to atone for the wrong choices that we each make in our lives. I know that there is a Plan of Happiness and that if we but follow it and the teachings given to us we can attain eternal life. I have received my personal witness from the Holy Ghost that the true church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, was restored through a prophet named Joseph Smith. I know that it is true and I know that we can all know as we read from the Book of Mormon and pray to our Heavenly Father to give or increase that testimony. I love and care for you. I love and care for these gospel truths and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Peace n Love,

Elder Carlson