Year 2, Week 37

In 1 Samuel 18, we learn about David, who was praised for his power, influence, and bravery. King Saul was envious of David’s reputation amongst the people of his kingdom, and was visited by that "evil spirit" which tempted him to kill David with a javelin. 

When we harbor feelings of envy, we become vulnerable to the same evil spirit that visited King Saul. We may not be tempted to kill, but we may gossip, slander, punish, ignore, and otherwise injure the person who we envy. 

I suggest the following to any person struggling with envy: METACOGNITION. THINK ABOUT YOUR THINKING. Analyze the time you spend comparing yourself with others. When you open your mouth, do you talk about others who aren’t present in the conversation? How can you change your focus? 

Kneel down. Pray for a witness that you are a precious son or daughter of God, and that He wouldn’t replace you with anyone. I testify that He will come to you and will say as he did to Ammon: "‘Be comforted.’ And they were comforted."

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Lots of fun happenings this week! We held the leadership conference, which was an incredible opportunity to hear the talents of our mission leaders. 

Elder Godina and I had our first week working together! These past days, we have been SPOILED with miracles - we have found three new families to teach, one of which is composed of Mom, Dad, and TEN CHILDREN. Talk about future Mormons... 

Our new Zone Leader gave a great presentation in which he datailed the goals and plans we have for this month to give more than last month!! Our goal is 212 baptisms, and if we have more than 107, we’ll break our record for the THIRD TIME IN A ROW! 

I’m so happy to be here in the field, even if I have less than three months left! Next week, we’ll be travelling to Felipe Carrillo Puerto to help out the missionaries. SO EXCITED!

Love you guys!

Elder Carson

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Saying goodbye to three of my companions now returning home!! Tears!!!!! X´)

Professional photography, as always.... NEW COMPANION, ELDER GODINA!!!

Leaving behind Elder Marquez in the mission offices... it´s your turn!!!!

Year 2, Week 36

HELLO MY FRIENDS!!

LECCIÓN DE LA SEMANA: The central theme of my studies during the last several days has been "the Lord’s promises". I searched through the standard works in order to discover more about the nature and the extent of His promises. 

The Lord has said, "Yo, el Señor, estoy obligado cuando hacéis lo que os digo; mas cuando no hacéis lo que os digo, ninguna promesa tenéis" (D&C 58:31-32). If we keep the commandments and live virtuous lives, the Lord will ALWAYS fulfill the promises He makes us, be it through the scriptures, through His holy prophets, or through a patriarchal blessing. 

I thank the Lord for sharing with me the precious promises He made with ancient prophets. I also thank Him for the personal consideration He has given me through my patriarchal blessing. It brings me peace to know that I can count on Him through the uncertainties of life. 

I invite all of you to BECOME FAMILIAR WITH the promises of the Lord through diligent scripture study. As you do, you will feel the same peace that I have felt, and you will be filled with a sense of purpose in your life. 

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This week has been nuts!!! Everything from bus-tickets to PowerPoint presentations has been the essence of our work. A lot of good erasers were spent in the logistical planning of the transfers. 

We had a few days before coming to Cancun to work in our area. We enjoyed Sacrament Meeting in Valladolid, and were blessed to find lots of new investigators that evening! Our dear district leader, knowing our situation, offered to do divisions to better take advantage of the time we had. We also found Fidel’s family! This good man has been busy - at about 40 years old, he already has 10 CHILLUNS. That’s a lot of diapers. They accepted baptismal dates, and referred us to their cousins (who happen to be their next door neighbors) - another large family that accepted a baptismal date. Our next lesson with them will probably have to be in the local auditorium (so that they all fit).

WE HAVE 102 BAPTISMS THIS MONTH, AND MORE TODAY!!! We’re all celebrating the new record, but we’re also conscious that the devil will be working hard to distract us from the coming month! Now that we broke the record, we’ve got to buckle down and focus in on July!!! President promised to buy pizzas for the Leadership Council next week as a book-end to the festivities. 

That’s all for this week! This next transfer, I’ll be working in Valladolid with Elder Godina! Expect photos next week!! 

Love, 

Elder Carson

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Surprise selfie with Elder Jensen in the offices!!!

A kind sister let us pick from her coin-collection! I liked this Mexican coin because it depicts Quetzalcoatl - a Mayan god.

The guayas are my new addiction... O.O But they´re healthy, don´t worry.

Year 2, Week 35

We went on tour again this week!

LECCIÓN DE LA SEMANA: Don’t get frustrated for things that are outside your control.

Yesterday, we travelled to Tulum to help out the sister missionaries, annnnnnd after two hours, nobody showed up like we had planned. Then, after returning to Carrillo Puerto, we ate quickly and went to see an investigator who was..... not home. Haha. THEN, after packing our things to go to Valladolid, we got to the bus station only to discover that the last van had already left! There was one taxi available, but there weren’t enough passengers to make a profit, so the driver politely declined service.

Sigh.

My companion and I had a conversation about how things sometimes don’t go as planned. We came to the conclusion that all these things would be for our good (D&C 122:7) and that we should look for the opportunity that God was giving to us.

I can promise you all that as you strive to have a good attitude about the unexpected changes in your plans, you will see the hand of the Lord protecting and guiding you. You may not always understand at first the nature or purpose of your trial, but you will enjoy life more DESPITE those trials.

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This week passed faster than a startled iguana. I somewhat remember ending up in Bacalar and almost entering a Menonite colony by accident. I remember finding a miracle in Jardines Ward (where i served before) with a young sister who desperately needed the Gospel in order to continue on as a mom of her infant children. I remember challenging a new missionary to give a District Meeting in the absence of the normal District Leader and being impressed by his confidence.

It is honestly a great blessing to be able to serve with these incredible missionaries. I am constantly blown away by there efforts and acheivement. It looks like we’re going to break last month’s record of baptisms.

This week’s going to be calmer - we’ll be in our area the first half, and then it’s off to Cancun to help the office-workers organize transfers.

I LOVE LIFE!!! :D

May you all have lots of good food and miracles this week!

Love,

Elder Carson

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My friend Isidrio from Jardines!!

Right now in the ciber-café. 

If I go into photography, food-photography will be my only option, because this sandwichón still looks delicious.

Year 2, Week 34

Howdy-doo, friends!!! 

LECCION DE LA SEMANA: I want to share with you some things I have learned throughout the course of my mission about REVELATION. For those who are scratching your heads because you’re not sure what that means, "revelation" is direct communication from God to YOU. You can begin receiving it TODAY, and you can receive it every day of your life.

To receive clearer/more frequent revelation, you can do the following things:

-          Pray and ask God for it.

-          Repent of your sins.

-          Place yourself in a calm and peaceful environment.

-          Ask God SPECIFIC QUESTIONS.

-          Have the habbit of recording the thoughts and feelings that come to mind as you seek revelation.

-          Present your decisions, goals, and plans to God so that He can help you fine-tune them.

-          READ THE SCRIPTURES.

-          Act on the revelation you receive WITHOUT HESITATION.

-          Understand the fruits of the Spirit as described in Galatians 5:22

-          Thank God for the blessings you receive as you follow the promptings of the Spirit.

My opinion is that you can never receive too much revelation. Learn to procure and act upon it, and you will live with the calm assurity that your life is in harmony with the will of the Lord.

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This week, Elder Marquez and I travelled to Felipe Carrillo Puerto, to José Maria Morelos, and to Chetumal. It was a crazy whirlwind and a blur, but it was also full of miracles and tender mercies. My favorite part was being with the missionaries with whom I have spoken on the phone and helping them resolve the difficulties of their investigators.

President was injured two weeks ago and wasn’t able to travel, so he asked me and my companion to give the Zone Conference in Chetumal. It was fun to put on aprons and pretend to be Sister Reynoso when it would have been her turn to present. The missionaries got a laugh out of it and ultimately learned a lot. The rain let up just long enough to let us do our unity-building relay-race with them!

With hard work, blood, sweat, and tears, it seems that we are going to achieve 100 baptisms for the SECOND TIME IN A ROW this month! We’re working hard to over-achieve and reach 125, because the velocity with which we move isn’t so important as the DIRECTION in which we’re moving.

Valladolid is home sweet home!! I’m happy to be here, even if only for the weekend. Next week, we’ll be in Chetumal again to work in the zone, finding new people to teach and baptize in JULY.

Love you guys!!  Check out the photo of our little convert!!! :)

- Elder Carson

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THERE HE IS!!!! 

Presenting...... *buhm, bumh, BAAAAAAAHHM*...... CHETUMAL!!!!