Year 2, Week 3

I’m alive!!

That’s something to be very grateful for. I’m proud to say that I’ve put "calender-watching" behind me, and I’ve come to deeply appreciate every day of my mission. No two days are alike - when we follow the promptings of the Spirit, He guides us to new places and new people who need the light of the Gospel.

I liked this quote from Elder Holland:

I feel small, sometimes, when I think of what God and my Mission President expect of me, but I know that by doing everything I can and relying on the Savior, He will transform me and make me capable of the task at hand.

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Economic / cultural questions! :D

Q: How do most people live where you are? Is there much affluence? Poverty?

A: There are many people who can’t afford to put their kids in school. That’s the most notable thing for me, because it’s a destructive cycle - without an education, it will be much harder for the kids to put THEIR kids in school, and so on throughout the generations.

On the other hand, there are plenty of people who obviously have a lot more than I ever did, despite economic differences between America and Mexico. Where I live is like the "California" of Mexico - everyone comes to start their business and find their niche.

Q: How are homes different in Mexico versus Other places you have lived?

A: I feel "one" with the jungle in my home here. I have four walls, but I don’t feel insulated from nature like I do in the states. Everything is cement, there are cockroaches, and in a flood, the water would easily enter the house and bring garbage/dirt with it.

BUT if we think in terms of what really makes a home home, things are excellent. The members are loving and the family is everything to them.

Q: Have your "American" views changed in light of living outside of your own culture?

A: I have lost my appetite for "things", really. I don’t care much about having a big house or a big lawn anymore - I’ve seen how these people get along, and it makes me realize that humility brings out the best in people. My career will be more focused on what I want to learn and accomplish in the world rather than "making it big".

Love,

Elder Carson

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Hna. Amparo - she was doubting her baptismal date just one week before, but we had an excellent lesson with the her and the Ward Mission Leader that convinced her.

Lil´ Fernando. The kid´s smarter than I am.

Year 2, Week 2

Howdy yall!

Things are gettin WEIRD here! I had begun to think that I was Zone Leader of the Twilight Zone.

LECCIÓN DE LA SEMANA: Opposition is real, folks. That’s what I have to say. Allow me to list some strange occurrences that have (coincidentally?) preceded our six-person baptismal service today:

• Some elders saw demons in their house and we had to go rescue the two of them at 1:00am with President’s first councilor (who lives close to us).
• Yesterday morning, other elders woke up to find their house flooded to KNEE LEVEL.... it hardly even rained that day....
• Several elders and sisters suddenly got sick.
• Some loco started calling the sister missionaries and making threats.

The adversary works hard to make sure we don’t have success in this work, but I have a testimony that light ALWAYS conquers dark, and that when we stand with God, nothing can stop us from succeeding.

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More questions, because that was fun :D

Q: What have you learned about Mexican culture that you think is really interesting?

A: They don’t shy away from expressing their thoughts. It’s funny (and endearing) when they say things like, "not to brag, but I’m basically the best chef here in this neighborhood," or, "which one of your companions are we talking about, the chubby one or the one who looks like skin and bones?"  And nobody gets offended!

Q: What have you learned to live without?

A: Tech. The mission is the best Facebook there is, because we see more faces and read more books than ANYONE :D That, and the mountains. I always used them (and Siri) to help me with my terrible sense of direction.

Q: How have your social skills developed?

A: I’m not afraid of talking to people or expressing an opinion that might not be popular. I ENJOY being social. I’m more direct when something needs to be done. I’ve learned to be more humble and trust the judgment of others (when the situation is appropriate). I embrace the idea of making decisions based on correct principles. I talk openly with President and with my companions about problems. Among other little things. I’m still an awkward turtle with phone calls.

Q: What does a typical day as a zone leader look like?

A: It’s more improv! We do our planning as normal, but then the elders and sisters start calling us and we have to go on splits and do 3 things at once. Lots of technical problems come out of the woodwork (things I talked about above) and we have to communicate a lot of stuff to the assistents and to President. We end the day talking with the District Leaders about the challenges they’re facing and how we can help them, etc. In short: more craziness.

Q: What  do you do for fun or to just relax and destress on a daily basis?

A: I bought a giant new journal with blank pages (instead of lines). I’ve been combining my love for doodling with my somewhat-obsessive need to reflect in 4K-clarity the mission experience in a journal, and those 10-15 per day prove critical for my sanity. :)

Keep sending questions! I love knowing what you want to know!! There are so many things that happen in the field, it’s hard to keep track until someone reminds me!! I love you all and hope you have an excellent 9 days beating the adversary and achieving your goals.

Love,

Elder Carson

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Year 2, Week 1

Hey, Y'all!

This week, I feel like doing something different. I’ve gotten several requests to talk a little bit about daily items - things that compose my life here in the Misión México Cancún.

So, for some FAQs (which my parents kindly put in a list for me):

Q: What do you eat most of the time??

A: MEAT. The members are incredible and save money during the week so that they can give us the best food México has to offer. Some dishes to look up: Pozole Rojo, Tamales, Chile Relleno, Mole Dulce, Chicharrón con Chile Verde, Empanadas con salsa picante. They’re some of my favorites!

Q: Will you be able to live without Mexican food?

A: No.

Q: What’s the weather like?

A: It’s always hot and humid, with an occasional breeze (that’s a blessing when it comes). There’s sporadic rain showers on a weekly basis. I got used to it within a month and now it hardly bothers me.

Q: What are the people like?

A: Angels. Or drunkards. Sometimes both! It’s a very family-oriented, Christian culture here. Lots of people say "God bless you!" when we walk by. We can sit down and start talking with a stranger and he will happily engage in casual conversation with us.

They’re also very superstitious, which leads to some minor cases of apostasy which we lovingly correct.

Q: Do you get grumpy?

A: Like all people, yes. But ask a member what Elder Carson looks like and they’ll do a goofy grin (with double thumbs-up). I don’t think a grumpy missionary leaves a good image with the people.

Q: Do you get to play the piano?

A: Sometimes, while we’re waiting for a baptismal service to start, I play a little prelude. But that’s about it!

Q: How many miles do you walk per day?

A: What’s a "mile"? I think I walk some 15 kilometers per day. 

Q: Do you spend a lot of time in hot, crazy busses?

A: Ha! Yes, but that’s one of the best places to contact because the people have to listen to you for at least 5-10 minutes.... BWAHAHA

Q: How much of your time are you spending on exchanges?

A: I try to get to know the investigators of the zone. Depending how many the Elders and Sisters find in a given week, I may spend more or less time out of my area.

Q: Are your experiences making you rethink your work aspirations?

A: If by that you mean I may open up a small Mexican restaurant to compliment my other work, si. I think I’ve read the scriptures and my patriarchal blessing enough to know that I need to always prioritize my family and my calling in the church.

What did you think??? If you guys have more questions for me, I would love to answer them! These letters are for YOU, so tell me what you want to hear! :D I love you all. You have wonderful lives and wonderful experiences that you share with me each week. Thank you for uplifting me every Monday.

Love,

Elder Carson

Week 46 in the field!!!

REFLECCIÓN DE LA SEMANA: I remember reaching the Saddle on Mt. Timpanogos. As I came to the ridge, the rock face on my right hand side dropped away, and suddenly there was rushing air and a vast landscape to behold. Reaching that point of the mountain, I was rewarded with a fresh perspective of how far I had come and a reinforced vision of where I was going. I still wasn’t done with the climb – the summit lay ahead – but it would be a much shorter path.

As I reach the midpoint of my mission, it has become ever-clearer to me how the Lord has guided and directed me to reach new heights of achievement, look beyond small failures, and shape my destiny on this earth. I know that He is always by my side to mentor me in my weakness. He is my strength; I need only give what little I have to Him.

The second year will be much shorter, I know, but don’t go thinking that the climb will be over! I’ll search for other challenges, new heights, and thrills of spiritual development. Contrary to popular Mormon media, these will not be the Best Two Years. They’ll be the first.

I invite you all to join me (starting NOW) in making these next 52 weeks the best 52 weeks of your life.

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·         Our dear friend Orquidia brought her friend, Amparo, to church!! We set a baptismal date for the 21st of October, and she’s gone to EVERY church activity this week! MEMBER MISSIONARIES RULE!

·         I’m working with President to schedule a special interview for an investigaor who was involved in illegal drugs and robbing! Woohoo! Fun!

·         I visited a great family of investigators in one of our areas and felt the Lord’s hand in helping me extend a direct invitation regarding the Law of Chastity. We’re now organizing their baptismal service!!!

·         I gave a blessing to our favorite Italian, Giorgio, in the hospital! A big chunk of brick fell on his head and caused a lot of blood and stuff.... it was ugly, but he joked with us as if everything were normal. Great guy XD

·         We organized a last-minute meeting with the missionaries of our zone, President Reynoso, and the Stake Presidency at the request of the Stake President. it was a little stressful to get everything organized, but it turned out well. :)

·         We stayed last night in the house of some elders to help them move to their new house at 6:00am! Fun!!

Thanks for everything friends! I love the mission, I love life, and I love YOU ALL!!! I honestly feel incredibly lucky to have the friends I do. You guys have been a net of support in the hard moments, and I appreciate each and every one of your letters.

Love,

Elder Carson

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Geovana´s baptism. Honestly the most EPIC BAPTISMAL SERVICE EVER!!!

Weed 45 in the field!!!

I’m wet!!

That about sums it up.

Love,

Elder Carson

JUST KIDDING!!!

LECCIÓN DE LA SEMANA: I loved ALL the messages from General Conference this week, and I thought it was interesting how Elder Uchtdorf talked about our instinct to return home to our Father in Heaven. Later, Elder Holland said that we should offer our help to EVERYONE who walks the road home, even if they do so "drunkenly". I was reminded of the dogs we see in the street here in Mexico, always frail and abused by the people. Sometimes we’re like that - like Bobby the Wonder-Dog. As we try to take the road home, we will encounter failure and difficulties. But apart from these personal factors, the world will also turn against us. Remember what was said about the World? "Because ye are not of the world, the world hateth you."

The recurring theme in this General Conference tells me that the time is NOW. We have to accept that from NOW on (if we haven’t started already), we will be different from the world. Not for some hipster-philosophy, but because our values remain CONSTANT while those of the world shift. And we’ll only become more and more different with time. Let’s stand up for our values NOW, while it’s easiest, so that our foundation and testimony remain secure despite the coming storms.

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• Had to resolve a behavior problem with one of our District Leaders. I don’t like repremanding, but it was good to feel the trust of President Reynoso.

• We had our Zone Conference! Due to a schedule-shift, President cancelled our part of the teaching (...-_-) but that’s okay, because his part was super edifying!! :D

• GENERAL CONFERENCE WAS AWESOME. Just want to say that again. I watched in English with the turists.

• GEOVANA GOT BAPTIZED!!! It was the AWESOMEST service we’ve ever done! We coordinated with the whole stake to organize a viewing of "Meet the Mormons" for ALL the investigators of the zone. Immediately following the spirit of the movie, we invited EVERYONE interested to come and see a REAL baptism. The room was PACKED FULL!! Standing room only!! And they sang well, which was a tender mercy :)

• I finished my 8-month long journal! Annnnnd just started a new one that will probably last 500 years unless I can find a creative way to fill space.

That’s all!! Thanks for tuning in. I can’t believe this transfer is half-over!! ...Speaking of half over.... well, tune in next time :D

I LOVE YOU ALL!! And just because I would extend my mission 6 months doesn’t mean I love you any less XD Things are fantastic (and wet) here in paradise!!

Love,

Elder Carson

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(My camera literally got robbed while I was writing you guys last week... I have no idea how I didn’t notice, but fortunately I have my photos backed up on another SD card).