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