April 15 Leaving the MTC - Finally!



My Branch Presidency: Bowers, Hansens, Merrills.  Love them!



Some things are too coincidental to be a coincidence.

So yesterday I got my reassignment, and I have been called to the Manchester, New Hampshire Mission! 

I was speaking to the MTC President about my friend who lives in that area.  After thorough additional consideration at Salt Lake City it was decided that this is the right mission for me, all agreed that this is  the place where I am to be reassigned.

I leave the MTC on Monday, and will have a good loooong talk with my mission president, and there will most likely be some very specific and strict rules for me in my mission.  I know that no matter what is to come, I will be blessed for being obedient to the rules and doing the things I am asked to do.  I am committed to being 100% obedient.

I have no doubt in my mind whatsoever that mission calls truly do come from the Lord, and he has an elaborate plan for me that will change my life forever.

I love you all!  Monday I'll be in NH!

Elder Dustin Carr

April 8 and still @ MTC

I'm going to serve the Lord, and NOTHING is going to stop me.

 

That's right.  I had an appointment with a doctor yesterday in order to clear up everything that's we've been trying to figure out with my digestive system.  He said they will probably send me home to figure it out there and get better before serving.  I sat in shock for a minute as he told me about going home, and then I looked him in the eye and said, "No.  You are not sending me home.  Going home is not an option.  I have a duty to fulfill.  I'm going to serve the Lord, and nothing is going to stop me."  With a great smile on his face, the Dr. replied, "Well then Elder Carr, that's the attitude we need!  now let's get to work."

 

We both decided that due to many different circumstances, it would be better for me, health-wise, to be in the states; so he recommended that I get reassigned.  Long-story-short, I'll be here another week.  Next Wednesday, the reassignment committee will meet and decide if I am to still go to Mexico, or if I am to be reassigned to the states, and where.  BTW, the reassignment committee is led by a member of the Quorum of the 12 at any time, so his decision will be wherever the Lord needs me the most, and I have so much faith and confidence in that.

Evolution of Missionary

 

I'm completely ok with being here longer and then being reassigned.  I love the MTC, and I do feel like a mission in the states would be best for me, it that is where the Lord needs me the most.  So please don't think this is anything negative; but rather see it as a great blessing and opportunity in my life.

 

Yesterday, I got a dearelder letter from Chelsie in which she said that it is quite possible that I was called to Mexico at this time so that I could be in this specific district and zone of Elders, so that I would have the opportunity to teach them something, and they would all have the opportunity to teach me something.  Already, I have seen how true this is, and how blessed I have been to be here even longer to be with these specific missionaries to learn so much from them and teach so much to them.  The Lord's hand is in this work; every bit of it.

 

Well I hope you all enjoyed conference this last weekend.  It sure was amazing!  I hope you all listened to President Monson's talk about temples.  I challenge everyone who reads this to take up on the opportunity and blessing that you have to have temples all over the world.  I challenge you to go to a temple at least once a month, and for those of you who are within walking distance, go every week!  I know that you, your family, and your relationship with your spouse will be greatly blessed.

 

I love you all! take care!

 

Elder Carr

 

p.s. thank you Derry seminary for your letters! I will be writing you all back this week! keep up the great work!

April 1 @ MTC (really, no foolin)

There is a purpose why I am still here.  A definite and clear purpose.

A lot of things have changed this week, but it has brought on some amazing days, and some of the greatest feelings.  First off, I've been delayed for 2 weeks for "medical hold" so the doctors have more time to figure out what's wrong with me before sending me to Mexico.  My district left this last Monday, and I am now in the district just below mine (I sent pics, so they should be up soon).  I just love this district, so it's a huge blessing to be with them. 



Missionary version of girls' shoe pic.



Also, Elder Grajeda, from the district before mine, has also been delayed for medical reasons, so he and I are now companions, and it is amazing!

Elder Grajeda is just so fun/funny, but he also knows how to work, teach, and speak Spanish really well.  He and I work really well together.  But we both realized something so much more important after we went to the Tuesday night devotional.

In the devotional, a member of the 70 told a story about 2 Elders that they watched come into a Taco Bell.  The Elder simply bought their food, ate it, and left, without uttering a single word to anyone there or to each other.  He stressed how the Elders were taking a "lunch break", and how there are no lunch breaks.  Elder Grajeda and I thought about this, and then something hit me;  I realized why I am still here.

With Elder Taylor Wasden,
 who apparently has
grown a foot or two.

I felt the Spirit very strong at the moment, and realized that by choosing to sit with Elder Grajeda in our room, reading the Book of Mormon, closed off from everyone else, that we were taking a "lunch break".  And I also realized that that is not why I am here, but for something so much more.  I am here for everyone else.  And while reading the Book of Mormon is a wonderful thing, it does nothing for the other Elders in my zone that could really use my help.  So Elder Grajeda and I  have both had some amazing experiences with the other Elders and we have helped them a lot.  Through all of this, I have found that there is a reason why I am still here, and it is not just for me, but it is for everyone else.  I have found so much happiness in this new found reason - true happiness.

Well, I gotta run, but as for now, my mailbox is switched to 274, so I'd love to still hear from you all! oh and I'm planing on heading out on the 11th, but I maybe be reassigned to the states.  I'll let you all know what happens in next weeks email!

I love you all! thank you so much for your support and prayers!  Enjoy conference!

Elder Dustin Carr

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