Year 2, Week 43

This week was a BLUR! We weren’t even home until yesterday night. 

LECCIÓN DE LA SEMANA: The most effective way to minister is one by one. Have you ever noticed that people respond differently when you give them your time and care? That is how Jesus served. 

Having been taught this important lesson by our mission president, Elder Godina and I took a different approach to our monthly trip to Chetumal. Instead of zipping from area to area trying to secure baptisms and raise the zone’s stats, we implemented three new ideas: 

• A special council meeting just for the district leaders.
• Companionship trainings (arriving at the house of one companionship to study together a specific topic and strengthen them with practices)
• One on one interviews with the missionaries who haven’t seen much progress in their missions.

Doing this, we felt a renewed strength and energy in the zone and even saw some miracles with the investigators. 

I know that when we choose to focus on the INDIVIDUALS around us, we open up channels through which the Spirit can strengthen and bless them. I saw this principle in action! I hope this week we can all commit to be instruments in the hands of the Lord to minister to the ONE!

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We had another arrival of new missionaries! This time, it was our turn to go to the airport. We made arrangements so as to enter the parking lot with the shuttle-van and not have to pass security, but after waiting for the missionaries a while, we discovered that they left the airport on the OTHER side of the fence, where we normally go... Sigh.

After giving the new missionaries a big welcome conference that lasted all morning, we headed off to the mission home with the departing missionaries to have a farewell dinner. MAMÁ REYNOSO MAKES THE BEST MEXICAN FOOD EVER!!

It’s honestly a little crazy to go from place to place without seeing home-sweet-home in Valladolid! I love it, and at the same time I miss my member friends in Yucatán! Every month, the mission gives us a travel budget, which also serves for food and taxis throughout our trips. In order to save on long-distance travel, we go in combi instead of bus. It’s a little more cramped, but... I’m still young. X) 

We got home last night because of a little miracle - normally we travel from Chetumal to Carrillo Puerto and then to Valladolid, but when we got to Carrillo, there were no trips to Valladolid! The vans normally don’t leave very late, and it was already 6:30pm. By providence, we were able to find one van on the other side of town that still hadn’t left for Valladolid and had space for the two of us. 

That’s all, folks! Thanks for tuning in! I hope you all have a wonderful week!

Love, 

Elder Carson

Year 2, Week 42

The answer to life, the universe and everything.... It’s week 42!!!! 

LECCIÒN DE LA SEMANA: Don’t steady the ark!! I was talking with Elder Jensen yesterday, and we had a very enlightening, doctrinal conversation about how we sometimes step outside our stewardship as missionaries. It’s a similitude of the ark of the covenant in 1 Chronicles 13:

9 And when they came unto the threshingfloor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled.

10 And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzza, and he smote him, because he put his hand to the ark: and there he died before God.

Sometimes, we, too, want to fulfill responsabilites that aren’t ours to fulfill, and we end up impeding the spiritual growth of others. Some examples: 

• We want to reprimand fellow members of the church when really that is the bishop’s responsability.
• We want to council someone who should really be seeking the advice of his quorum leaders.
• We want to discipline other children so that they behave better when that job belongs to his parents.
• We judge others when the only one capable of understanding them perfectly is God Himself.

Don’t steady the ark. Magnify YOUR CALLING in the church and in the community. Demonstrate trust and let others do their job, even when they have weaknesses. If you do, I promise that you will see progress and unity in your wards and stakes. The Lord’s work advances when we all pitch in.

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This week was half and half - half in Valladolid and half in Cancun. We spent the first few days finding in our area, and we saw lots of miracles. The people in Yucatàn are very humble and willing to listen to the teachings of Jesus Christ. We committed the father of our recent convert, Romel, to go to church and accept a baptismal date - now it’s only a matter of his choices to follow through. 

We had a Zone Party for baptizing more than the other zones!!! (pride is bad, people). President showed us some fun Family-Home-Evening-style games and he took us out to eat smoked meat tacos. Elder Del Toro ate the most (about three entire plates of pure meat) and I came in second with ten tacos. 

ANGEL GOT BAPTIZED LAST WEEK! He was happy to be cleaned of sin and overcome his fear of water. 

Now in Cancùn, we’ve been busy doing the planning for transfers. Turns out, I´ll be staying in Valladolid with Elder Godina for my last transfer!!!! Together, Elder Marquez, Jensen, Godina, and I came up with a Henry Ford assembly-line-style system to finish the logistics in half the time. We planned, wrote, corrected, and typed about 50 movements in less than 4 hours!! WOOHOO!!! What´s gonna work? TEAMWORK!!!

Now, we´re enjoying PDay in the mission offices. Great stuff.

Hope you enjoy the photos :) 

Elder Carson

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ANGEL!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SISTER SANTIAGO!!!! (her companion is behind the camera :) )

20 BAPTISMS IN TIZIMIN!!!! (hashtag zone pride)

Year 2, Week 41

LECCIÓN DE LA SEMANA: Your companionship is an invaluable investment. The other day, I had a sit-down talk with a dear friend of mine in the mission. He counciled me to think less about myself and "invest" more in my companion. I thought, "what could that mean? We’re working hard, aren’t we? We’re baptizing, aren’t we?"

Here are some things I WASN’T doing very well before:

• Taking time to talk with my companionship and get to know him beyond superficial missionary-work things.
• Paying attention to make sure his needs (physical, emotional, spiritual) are fulfilled.
• Making sure there was a positive (not just neutral) spirit between us BEFORE leaving the house to work.

It’s very easy to obsess over good things. Every virtue, when taken to an extreme, can become a vice (Deiter F. Uchtdorf). Being a great teacher of the Gospel is ineffective if the spirit does not exist between companions.

My invitation for all of the friends, brothers, sons, daughters, friends, spouses, and parents out there is to take time to MINISTER to those close to you. Don’t take their company for granted. Even a good relationship can become better when you add time and heart. And that investment has a VERY good interest rate.

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This week was another week planning and executing the leadership council. Elder Marquez, Jensen, Godina, and I all focused on OBEDIENCE, because President has been worried about the observance of the mission rules lately. It was a stay-up-late-making-powerpoints-and-practicing-the-activity type adventure X) The great part is that Elder Jensen is always very generous with the food in their house (and cooks a mean breakfast)!

Elder Godina and I have been rushing to find the "chosen ones" for August in the little time we have in our area. MIRACLES ARE REAL! We found the friend of one member who has gone to church a lot and who’s willing to be baptized THIS WEEK! WOOHOO!! Yesterday he had his baptismal interview and passed with flying colors!

This next week, we’ll be finalizing transfers with President Reynoso - always a delightful process. It just hit me - after this next week, I will be on my LAST TRANSFER... :O

Several of you have commented your excitement for this FACT-THAT-SHALL-NOT-BE-NAMED; let me remind you that six weeks is practically a lifetime and that I can sleep sound at night knowing that I am a natural-born Yucateco Mexican boy... (right?)

Love you all! Have a wonderful week!

Elder Carson

Year 2, Week 40

ANOTHER DIEZ WEEKS CUMPLIDAS!! How rápido the tiempo flies (spanglish level experto).

LECCIÓN DE LA SEMANA: Our faith is a part of everything we do. This week, we had an EXCELLENT show in Chetumal by the American Rhythm Folk Ensemble. As they sang and danced traditional american numbers, they also shared an important message: that whether we are worshipping, working, or having fun, we reflect our faith. It’s true! I remember many times in my high-school years when others said, "there goes the mormon!" or "show us your mormon super-powers!!" People observed me (and are observing you, too) to determine what to believe about the church. I invite you all to consider this fact, and then take advantage of the many opportunities to share a positive message about Jesus Christ in the way you live. If you do, I can assure you that God will make you instruments in His hands to bring this message to other people.

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We were in Chetumal almost all week. It was such a great experience being with the missionaries, learning from them, seeking miracles and finding them! I also got to see some of my old friends from Jardines Ward.

The show was a blast - we were zipping from place to place trying to invite all of Chetumal, and it was a success! We filled the stake center with spectators, about 70 of which were investigators, and 30 of which were new referrals!! What a boost of missionary energy!!!

We got home yesterday evening just in time to eat and rush over to the chapel. Our investigator, José Cruz, was baptized that day at 7:30. Because he’s a little bit older, my friend Jorgito and I both got in the baptismal font to help him perform the ordinance. Today, we’ll also be having Mari’s baptism!! We’re so happy for her and her willingness to follow the Lord Jesus Christ!

In other news, I’m trying to learn how to make rice in a microwave and have already mastered the art of french toast.

That’s it for today!! LOVE YOU GUYS!!!

Elder Carson

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Chichen-Itza: one of the wonders of the world.

The other wonder of the world (but the eye-roll, "I WONDER why he took that goofy selfie" type of wonder XD)

HERMANO CRUZ!!!! READY FOR ACTION!!!

Imel and Kerona had their baptismal interviews!!! They´re from Belize, so I had to speak in English with them! Very cool!! And the Will Smith look-alike is also a hip-hop dancer.

Year 2, Week 39

Hey, amigos! What a great week we had!!

LECCIÓN DE LA SEMANA: Don’t be afraid of admitting you don’t know something!!! 

In these tumultuous times, members of the LDS church will face a growing force of criticism and antagonism towards their faith. We have already seen it in the world - rumors about church history, open condemning of church practices, and even synical references in TV shows.

While we can feel attacked by this type of language, retaliation only makes things worse. If you face a question that you cannot immediately answer, don’t fight - say "I don’t know" and share your testimony of what you DO know! That doesn’t make you foolish - it makes you faithful. Then, later, search for answers through fasting, prayer, and diligent scripture study. I can promise you that when you apply this simple principle of peacemaking and sincerity, you will be an example for those around you. Others will take notice and desire the strength of faith that you possess. I can also promise that through your diligent study and prayer, you will discover many of the mysteries of God and will have the answers to many common questions about the LDS church. 

https://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/series/gospel-solutions-for-families/how-to-answer-questions-about-church-history

SHOUT-OUT TO BROTHER HARPER!!! WAY TO REPRESENT!! 

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We were in Cancun for the first two days of the week. There was a great and present need to train the District Leaders of the mission, so we brought them to home base and taught them principles of leadership. It was a lot of fun! We used dynamics and practicing to strengthen their ability to hold a baptismal interview, delegate, communicate, and "forge new leaders" of the missionaries in their districts. 

We had a frightening experience in which a missionary transformed into a Korihor! I’ll leave it to you as homework. But we resolved it with love and patience.  

We’re preparing for a dance-event that will bring investigators to church! An American Folk dance team (headed by a returned sister-missionary from our mission) will be coming to Cancun, Carrillo Puerto, and Chetumal this next week to perform!! FUN!

SHAROMA GOT BAPTIZED!!! 

That’s it for now!! LOVE YOU ALL!!

Elder Carson

Year 2, Week 38

Hola, mis compatriotas!!

LECCIÓN DE LA SEMANA: The most effective teaching always occurs in the home.

During a companionship study, Elder Godina and I were memorizing some scriptures, and I realized something: despite all the efforts I’ve made to learn, study, memorize, and recite scriptures in my mission, the scriptures that I have engraved most deeply in my mind are the following:

·         Mosíah 3:19

·         Matthew 5:14-16

·         Matthew 6:24

·         John 14:15

·         Helaman 5:12

What makes these scriptures special, you might ask?? These are the scriptures that I learned, studied, memorized, and recited with my family during Family Home Evening (even when I didn’t want to). PARENTS: don’t take your supernatural powers for granted. Teach what should be taught. Drill your kids with truth so that they develop a resistance to falsehood. If you do, I promise that the day will come in which they thank you and acknowledge the blessings they have received for your efforts.

Thanks, Mom and Dad :D

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In church, we were blessed to see new faces. Our investigators, Mari and Leidy, accompanied us and enjoyed everything but the air-conditioning (it was pretty cold). We were also thrilled to see that Fredi, a recently-baptized member, brought his non-member father, Cruz, to enjoy Sacrament Meeting. All three are progressing towards their baptism at the end of this month!!! Lots of prayers for them!!!

This was the trip we took:

Day 1: We went travelling to Carrillo Puerto (again), and we worked with the missionaries to find and teach new investigators.

Day 2: We travelled to Puerto Aventuras to help the missionaries keep strong despite the difficulties that they face in their area. We worked with members to find referrals, and even enjoyed chinese food from the plaza!

During a branch-home-evening, the branch president (who I knew since I worked in Playa) called his sister-in-law (my convert) and handed me the phone. It was so special to hear how Rubí has progressed since I last saw her!!

Day 3: Lots of time in bus and combi getting back to hax-Valladolid.

Well, that’s it for now. I’m a happy elder. I hope you can all see the miracles that occur when we’re engaged in the work of the Lord. Find ways to be anxiously engaged in the work wherever you are, and you, too, will see miracles!!!

Love you guys,

Elder Carson

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Cenote Za´ci - a natural beauty!!!

​The view from the cave on the other side...