Esta empezando el calor...‏5/16/2011

Wow, it is starting to get hot down here! It's over 100 degrees most days and being on nothing but bike makes it that much more exciting! We've actually been experimenting with our shirts - somebody told us that long-sleeve shirts are actually cooler in the heat so we're trying it out. Haven't come to a solid conclusion yet.

But this week's been good, a learning one. We're still doing our best and working hard, but there's not too much to talk about. We did go to the visitor's center with an investigator this last Saturday and she's now progressing and totally came to church! So I've been battling sickness this week, but haven't stopped working (I have seen that the Lord makes it possible for you to always do His work) and have thus been pretty ridiculously exhausted. So we took Nelly Ramirez to the visitors center with her fellowship and we were watching Joseph Smith - Prophet of the Restoration. So it was of course dark in this theater and there were super comfy chairs... So I knew I was nodding off quite a bit, but apparently just straight up fell asleep. Elder Johnson said he saw me and didn't think too much of it because he knew how tired I was. But since I've been pretty congested, breathing through my nose has been difficult and he said I was starting to snore! So he woke me up and I snapped out of it and everything turned out good. I'm pretty sure nobody really noticed but it was just humorous to me. By the way, I'm doing a whole lot better now and should be over the cold soon.

And it was interesting - for some reason it was incredibly difficult to get lessons with a member present this week. Crazy things came up out of nowhere and solid people canceled on us, but I think we're mostly over it now. We're just trying to get motivated and pumped up to get everyone excited! The work continues on!

And it was funny because we were struggling at the beginning of the week to get lessons, and then Wednesday I went on exchanges (district leaders go on exchanges with all the missionaries in their district) and brought an English missionary into my area. So no joke, we went from lesson to lesson ALL day long, and every single place we went people were home. Last week when I did the same thing with a different english elder the same thing happened so I don't know what it is but I like it. It was weird going from place to place just knowing that they would be there. Kind of crazy but sweet!

And it was sweet - we had a mission president fireside last night and Juan bore his testimony at it (Elder Burgos had to translate for him). He is just the most amazing person, and we were so lucky to be able to teach him and see him baptized. They're talking to all of their friends right now and inviting them to come, and we'll see what happens - they're already great missionaries.

So we'll see what happens...there's two more weeks this transfer, hard to believe how fast they go by!

Love you all and will talk to you more next week!

Happy Mother's Day! 5/09/2011

Thanks for the email mom! My health's alright - I decided to get a little sick a couple days ago, and so I'm just getting over a little coughing and throat stuff, but nothing too serious. I caught it pretty early and have been taking vitamins and such. I think I'm in general doing good though.

We definitely thanked the family a lot for using their computer - the skype was sweet and I got to see all of you but it was tough to hear everything because there was so much commotion and noises. I'm glad I got to at least talk to everyone a little bit one-on-one!

That is an incredible amount of stuff to move around and to worry about with the shops and fishing property...I wish them the best and wish I could help out!

And Dallin, good luck with your running! What important is that you work your hardest and do your best, regardless of what happens.

That's sweet that there's going to be a big court of honor though, and I hope everything goes good in Hawaii with Danielle and Danny - that is pretty exciting.

It was good to talk to you all - love you tons!

~ Elder Carlson

Siempre hay mas trabajo! 05/02.2011

I thought Jared would enjoy this one.....

April Leadership Conference Picture....

Wow this has been quite the week...We have had a ridiculous amount of proselyting time this week, since there was basically nothing to interrupt it (compared to last week), and I'm still trying to decide if I like Monday P-days. It definitely seems like we have a whole lot more time during the week to do missionary work, but the week doesn't seem to go by as fast. Hey, I think it'll be good though.

Well, all I have to say is that Juan and Maria are the most awesome recent converts ever! We're teaching their family (3 of them are getting baptized this Saturday) and now they're starting to invite all of their friends as well! When Juan found out that he was going to get the priesthood, he got the priesthood manual and devoured it - he read almost half of it in 1 day! They are studying like crazy in the scriptures and are teaching their kids basically on their own. I've never seen such a complete change in such a short amount of time. They just blow my mind... They've already gone to the temple to do baptisms and are going to continue going every single week, as well as going to every single ward activity. The Lord is really blessing us and blessing them and it's amazing to see the potential that they have.

So yep, yesterday was a way good Sunday - lots of people at church and people are really progressing. We're noticing how much more effective we are when we keep things simple, focused on the doctrine of Jesus Christ, and simply testify about Him and about the redeeming power of His atonement. When we do this people are able to see why it's important and they just want it in their life! Goodness, being a missionary is sweet.

Well, I don't want to say too much so I still have something to talk about on Mother's Day :) So life is good, we're doing lots of work, and can't wait to talk to everyone on Sunday!