March 25 @ MTC

A woozy Elder Carr coming to after a medical
procedure, assisted by Elder Stevenson

Everything happens for a reason.  EVERYTHING.

I sure have had an interesting and quite different week here at the MTC.  Not sure how much you all have heard yet from Mom or Dad, but I'll break it all down for ya real quick.

I've been having a lot of digestive problems since I got to the MTC (well, it's been off and on for the past 2 years or so, but it's been constant since entering the MTC), so I went to a doctor about it.  He had me go so a Gastroenterologist.  On Tuesday, I met with that doctor and he had me get blood work, other tests, and a colonoscopy....ya, it's been an interesting week.  Well, so far everything has come back negative and they say that I look fine, but that doesn't solve the issue, and we still have yet to see what the results are from the biopsies from the colonoscopy (which I'll find out on Tuesday).  [Note from Dad: You are supposed to get sick to your stomach AFTER getting to Mexico, not before!] I met with the District President (presiding over my branch and 5 others) to discuss the issue, and he has decided that I should stay longer to see if the issue can be fixed.  So basically, I'll be here at the MTC for another 2 weeks on medical stay, and at the end of 2 weeks, if it has gotten better then I go to Mexico, if not then my case goes to the reassignment committee (which is led by a member of the Quorum of the 12) to be reassigned to a state-side mission.

So ya, it's been an interesting week, quite a bit of change, especially since I was planning on going to Mexico in 3 days, but I've learned a lot already.  As I wrote a friend last week about the upcoming tests, I was pretty down about it at the time, and she shared with me some things that she has learned that really helped me this week.  She told me about a talk from Elder Johnson (I think from the 70) and he had been a little rough on a certain missionary when he was a mission president, all for the sake of helping him and blessing his life in the long run.  The missionary one day asked his Mission President, "why do you hate me so much?"  and President Johnson quickly replied, "I don't hate you! I love you! and I'm willing to let you suffer for a little while to be blessed later on". 
                                                                                    This story was an answer to
my prayers and needs, and I have read it daily.  I know that God has the power to place or take away any certain trial at any time in someone's life, but often times He doesn't take them away in the moment we ask for it.  God doesn't hate us, but he loves us; in fact, he loves us so much that he is willing to let us suffer for a little while in order to bless us (or through us, bless others) later on.

I am living by this now, and I am not angry or sad or anything else but grateful for the OPPORTUNITY and PRIVELEGE to be here for 2 extra weeks.  I know that what ever happens, my life will be blessed if I endure this trial well.  My friend also reminded me of her favorite scripture this week: D&C 122:7 "all these things shall give thee experience and shall be for thy good".

I hope you can all turn to God at this time and at anytime when you are struggling with a difficult trial.  Know that God loves you, and you will be bless for enduring your trial well (D&C 121:7-8).

Thank you for all of your prayers and letters of support.  Know that I am doing well, and my faith will never fail!

I love you all!

Elder Dustin Carr

March 18 from MTC

ELDER DUSTIN CARR IS REALLY GOING TO MEXICO!!!

Yep, that's right, this last week my name was called over the intercom along with Elder Gulbransen and Elder Stevenson (who are in my district and are going to Tampico, Mexico).  We took a trip up to Salt Lake to the Mexican Consulate, signed our visa papers, took our picture, and did our finger prints - we're all set for Mexico!  I'm way excited for Mexico, but it's kinda freaking me out that I leave in just 10 days!  so crazy! and I barely even know Spanish!  haha, I'm excited though, and I know that if I put all my faith and trust in the Lord that he will uplift me and help me through all the rough times. 




Frozen graven image. 



It would be best to send letters a.s.a.p. or through Dear Elder so that I can get them by the time I leave.  Basically, for sending mail to Mexico, I've been told the pouch mail system is the best. 
Pouch letters are free and fast thru Dear Elder @ http://www.dearelder.com/
  Otherwise, you can send to Mexico at the mission home address:

Elder Dustin Carr

Mexico Tampico Mission

Apartado Postal 241

89460 Ciudad Mexico, Tamaulipas Mexico

Won't be making many of these in Tampico.

So this week has been another amazing one.  We had an incredibly successful practice teaching experience.  I am so grateful for the opportunity that I have to share with people some things that I have learned that can help them as well.

Something else I'm grateful for this week is my growing knowledge of communication techniques.  I am just realizing so many times how grateful I am for taking that communications class last spring semster.  I learned so much from it about how to deal with issues in a happy way and how to not let emotions rage out of control.  I'm also so grateful that I learned so much about this in my friendships. 

Well I gotta run, I love you all so much!!!

Elder Carr

March 11 from MTC

Hey, everyone! I first off have gotta tell you, I have had an amazing week!  I was blessed to have some wonderful experiences this week that really uplifed me.  I am finding true happiness here as I serve faithfully as the Lord's servant.

I know that the Lord puts people in certain places for a reason, and if we dilligently pray and seek for those opportunities, we can have the opportunity to be a blessing in someone else's life.

 

PDay in Provo



On Tuesday we had an awesome devotional.  I learned a lot about trials and hardships.  The woman who spoke said, "Everything is for your happiness...no matter how hard things get, it is all for your joy."  This is a concept that I have been working to understand over the past year or so.  It's such a great principle that we all need to realize in life, and I am so blessed to have a Best Friend who has taught it to me, and then a devotional at the MTC that has reitterated that same principle.  I know that things will get tough over the next 2 years, but no matter how hard things get, it will all be for my joy.



So I look forward to the trials that are to come.  I can't wait for all the hardships that I will endure over the next two years.  I know that EVERYTHING will be for my joy, so I say, "BRING IT ON!" cause I'm ready to show the Lord that I am worthy of any trial or test in my life, and I am ready to serve him.  I know that the Lord's hand is in this work; every bit of it.  I am eternally grateful for the opportunity that I have to serve him.

 

Well, I hope you are all doing well.  Please know that if you don't get a letter back, it is simply because I do not have enough time to write back to everyone, but I will do my best to do so.  Thank you for all your letters and support, they help me so much and mean a lot to me.  I love you all!  Trust in God with all your heart and know that no matter what you are enduring in life, it is all for your joy.  Turn to Christ when you are in need, and he will raise you up to be more than you ever thought you could be.

Elder Dustin Carr

March 4 from MTC

I made it past the hump!

That's right, this last week was hump week here at the MTC.  Everyone brought out all the treats and we had our own little fiesta.  It's quite a celebration cause it means we survived half of the MTC, and in 4 weeks, will be working on surviving Mexico! haha!

Speaking of surviving foreign countries, Elder Cochrane from our district left 3 weeks ago for the Peru MTC.  This week, we got a letter from him sent through dearelder.com.  Apparently in Peru MTC, they let you go out on the streets and go tracting.  Within 48 hours of being there, Elder Cochrane says he got mugged and one of the guys smashed his hand with a baseball bat.  They took x-rays and had to send him back to the US for surgery.  So he's at home, but in 3 weeks he'll be back out in Peru.  So ya, I guess some crazy stuff really does happen....but don't worry, that was in Peru, and I'm going to Mexico ; ) 

Our teacher, Hermano Harper, was transfered into a new district this week.  It was really sad cause we all love him so much.  He's such an amazing teacher and even more than that, he was our friend.  But everything happens for a reason, and I know he will be blessed for willingly leaving us. 

Elders Schomburg, Gulbrandson, Carr & Stevenson 

So we met with Glen a few times this week, he is Baptist and very firm in his beliefs, but this last wednesday was very interesting/amazing.  Glen had a neighbor give him a book about Joseph Smith, he got interested so he called up some local missionaries to tell him more.  Long story short, he chose to be baptized, and one morning he woke up and had a very spiritual experience that confirmed that it was the right choice.  It was so amazing to see this change in this man's life.  It was so wonderful to see him turning his life towards Christ.  I felt so much love for him, it was truly amazing; unlike anything else.

So this is what people talk about when they say that a mission can bring so much joy.  This is what they mean by loving someone as Christ would.  And this is what they meant when they said that I will see people change, and it will be the most beautiful thing.

I love serving.  I love helping people.  I love helping bring God's children - my brothers and sisters - back to him.  I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!!!

Elder Carr