Year 2, Week 47

Hey, friends!!! How are you guys?? 

LECCIÓN DE LA SEMANA: A leader projects his qualities and attributes upon his stewardship. During a visit to a certain branch of the church pertaining to the mission, I found myself speaking with several members of the church with a seemingly negative outlook for the future of the branch. I thought, "How strange! Why does this line of thinking so commonly exist in a branch that is growing steadily? I would be celebrating!" 

I discovered the answer a few hours later in a branch council meeting. Unfortunately, the presiding leader possessed the same attitude I had witnessed in the members. Now, it all made sense. President Reynoso’s voice rang in my head: "I look at you and I already know how your zone is." The truth is, our stewardship gradually takes the form we give it. That’s called example. Is it any wonder that God, who is steward over our universe, must be perfect in order to lead us to that same perfection? 

While you strive to lead in your own spheres, be worthy. Cultivate the same traits that characterize the Savior. Repent of any and all wanderings from the straight and narrow path. I promise that the blessings will come, and they will be much greater than we can now comprehend.  

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This week, we travelled to Chetumal and Carrillo Puerto (again). Seems like we’re always going down there, right? BUT it was even more fun this time, because we didn’t stay in any one place for more than a day at a time! It was a lot of fast-paced action and LOTS of miracles to tell of. 

When we returned to Valladolid, we went directly to work and prepared for one of our investigators (named Honorio) to be baptized. What a cool experience it was to seem him be baptized with his son!! I’ll send you guys photos when I can because I forgot my camara that day and a sister missionary had to help us out with her camara. 

We also held our second embroidery class with the sisters of the ward. We didn’t have a TON of turn-out, but there were plenty of sisters excited to learn, so we gave them fabric, needles, and string to practice with! Next week we’ll have even MORE participation (and we hope to bring investigators, too!!). 

That’s all, folks!! Thanks for your words of excitement, frequent updates, and memes!!! haha. 

Love, 

Elder Carson

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Buddies in Carrillo Puerto!

Dramatic look off into the middle-distance... we're explorers, what can I say??

Looking out on ancient Mayan cityscapes.

Year 2, Week 46

LECCIÓN DE LA SEMANA: Work with your head, not just your feet. 

It’s something that President Reynoso always tells us. Why walk around all day in the sun if there’s a more intelligent way to find people to teach? 

Turns out, the same applies to moving fallen ceder trees. The bishop called us two days ago at 8:00pm and asked us to come to his house and lend a hand. We arrived, only to discover that he had toppled a giant ceder with a hand-axe, knocking out his rock fence and that of his neighbor. His goal was to move giant chunks of wood onto his property between the three of us. I was a little bit like Laman, thinking "how do you plan to do that, genius?" Well the bishop showed me. He took out a giant wooden pole and applied the principles of newtonian physics to relocate the trunk of that giant tree. I was impressed by the faith and the smarts that he demonstrated. 

I hereby commit myself to (1) work with my head more than my feet, and (2) not doubt when there’s work to do. I invite you all to do the same. 

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Not much time today, but here’s a photo of life in Tizimin X)

Love you all!!!

Elder Carson

Year 2, Week 45

LECCIÓN DE LA SEMANA:

In a talk given to BYU students some ten years ago, Elder Bednar touched on spiritual gifts, and one in particular - the gift of being quick to observe. As it describes in Mormon 1:2, the prophet Mormon was considered "quick to observe" from a young age. This gift enabled him to compile the Book of Mormon in an impactful harmony of doctrine, principles, and history.

So what is the gift of being quick to observe? As Elder Bednar states, it is noticing or discerning, and then acting. As we seek to extract eternal lessons from everyday experiences, we are noticing. Then, as we apply those observed principles to our own lives, obeying the promptings of the spirit, we gain a testimony of their truthfulness and enable ourselves to receive more knowledge in the future.

Just imagine using this formula over and over again during a lifetime - how many truths could you discover? How many mysteries of God could you understand? How would your life change? I invite all of you to look for meaning in the everyday things. Listen closely to the Spirit to hear God’s will for you. Then, study 1 Nephi 11-14 to learn better how the Spirit teaches us. 

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• I got a new companion this week! He looks a little familiar to me! (see photo) 
• We visited missionaries in Tulum and Puerto Aventuras, who surprised us with their many talents. It’s a great privilege to learn from them!!Arriving from our two-day trip, we were blessed to find a new family to teach in Kanchoc - a small village about 20 minutes driving distance from Valladolid. David, Daniel, Arsenio, Aurely, and her two daughters who didn’t want to tell us their name, were so willing to accept the baptismal invitation, following the example of Jesus Christ. We are hoping to see them tomorrow at church!!!
• Another miracle - the Zone Leaders helped us cover an appointment while we were out. Our objective: obtain the parent-signature so that Pablo, our 15-year-old investigator. They arrived and nobody was home, so they promptly left. They were just about to get in a taxi when they noticed Pablo’s mom enter and went to contact her. SIGNATURE OBTAINED!!!! :D 

That’s all for now, folks. Thanks for your encouraging words!!!!

Love, Elder Carson

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THE BUDDIES ARE BACK TOGETHER!!! 

Year 2, Week 44

LECCIÓN DE LA SEMANA: Don’t count your chickens until they hatch!!! 

Now, I’m not trunky. But it definitely changes the mentality and perspective of a man when he knows the two best years to-date are a month from their finish. One ponders his goals, plans, and hopes for what lies ahead, even as he fulfills the responsibility at hand. A rush of emotions - SADNESS, fear, and even a little excitement begin to gnaw at the fabric of consciousness. 

BUT. The Lord has the last word. And sometimes, as I learned on Monday night, His will differs from our plans. 

I am pleased to announce that the Lord has reconsidered my return date, and now, instead of returning the 25th of September, I will now be getting home on the 6th of November. 

I love you all, and will greatly enjoy seeing you when I return. For now, however, it’s time for WORK, WORK, WORK, and I could not be happier!!! :) 

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This week, Elder Godina and I went on exchanges with Tizimin Zone. That involved a lot of taxi-rides to little villages, speaking Maya (bix a beel, sucuum?) and one-on-one time with lots of different elders. It’s honestly my favorite kind of service. 

I discovered that the Mayan people are very talented with embroidery! There’s a sister in our ward who’s going to embroider a tie of mine for only $100mx. i’ll be sure to show you guys as soon as she finishes!! 

We had our Zone Conference this week with President Reynoso. The only thing that didn’t go well was President’s hotel reservation - after we went to make the reservation, they CHANGED the room to another located on the THIRD floor WITHOUT an elevator... sigh. Everything else was EXCELLENT, and I left super inspired!!! :D

Tomorrow is Stake Conference in Tizimin. We’re going to take our investigators on a bus trip!! Woohoo!!! Hope you all have as much fun as we will! 

Love, 

Elder Carson

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DAVID GOT BAPTIZED!!! The kid´s a future mission president - real story.