On the ground in Taiwan

Well. I have no idea how to start. I've been thinking all week about what I could say to start this letter. The truth is, there is no way to do that. I don't know where I am, what anyone is saying, where anything is... If I didn't have a senior companion who'd been here for 9 months, I'd be a tad bit LOST. Although, I could probably find the mission office.

The plane ride was long, but beautiful. The ocean was covered by clouds the whole time, so maybe I'll get better views on the way home. We flew over Alaska on our way home. Some "seek" (don't know how to spell it) religious guys sat behind me. They had turbans and robes on and everything. They looked out the window and saw snowy mountains. They were so confused. It was funny. I had just looked at the plane compass on our tv screen, so I knew where we were, but they didn't. "Are we over Hawaii? Does Hawaii have snow capped mountains?" No! silies, look out a little farther than down, and can you see an ocean? No... so it must not be an island. When I told them it wasn't Hawaii, they were all weirded out. "So where are they taking us?!! Ahhh!!" I calmed them down, laughing the whole time :P, and told them we were over Alaska. Going that direction was the fastest way to Taipei. It was funny, and gave me a chance to ask about their religion, which, in turn, they asked about ours. It was great! They were impressed with 2 years, since they were out for 3 weeks to Singapore. I don't remember exactly what they were doing, but they were great people anywho. They even had the beards.

Anyway, we get to the airport, we had a friendly escort from UVU(Utah Valley University) who was a friend of one of our teachers at the MTC. He spoke Chinese with us and helped us find where we needed to go at the airport. It was dark when we got there, as well. You could feel the humidity getting stronger and stronger as you progressed through the airport towards the bus stops. Customs was simple, and quick. That made me happy.

When we walked into the lobby, President and Sister Hoer (pronounced HUR) were waiting with the Assistants. Elders Prier and Taylor welcomed us, as did the President and his wife. WOW. He's crazy. He's done SO much with his life. He has been everywhere. He's found lost tribes in Tibet, dived 300 times looking for a rare whale, slept overnight with his wife on an erupting volcano... and pictures to prove it. I wouldn't believe it, but you have to when you see the pictures. He's only like early-50s? So how, in the world, could you do all the things he's done in that short of a lifetime?

Anyway, they welcomed us warmly, and we had a 2 hour devotional all the way down to the Taizhong mission office. It was dark and rainy the whole way (I'm loving the humidity, by the way) so we couldn't see anything. :( So we didn't get to see Taipei 101(This is the tallest building in Taiwan and was the tallest in the world for a time). Oh well.

We went to the Mission Home for training the next day, and it was BEAUTIFUL. Big and beautiful. Sister Hoer is amazing, as is President Hoer. They both are so in love, and so in love with the mission. President Hoer served in Taiwan, and actually opened up a couple areas when he was serving. They're great. And their family is great. Their son was graduating from a high school in Taiwan on Friday, so they weren't there that morning. Whatev :P. President and Sister Hoer served us Youtiao ("oil stick"- fried, dipped in hot soy milk) some kind of onion sandwich (good), and fresh fruit. Watermelon, and pineapple. Love the pineapple. SO good. Not one word of Chinese yet, by the way...

We sat in their family room and watched a couple videos about them, and the mission. It was great!!! Lunch was... uh.... I don't remember right now. :) OH, don't forget the wonderful run we took that first morning. 4 hours of sleep, and a beautiful 30 minute run through Taizhong city in the morning. It's quiet, it's beautiful, and nothing could feel better. Running in the humidity was fantastic! It reminded me of the Naval Academy.

Just tons of training on Thursday (wednesday for you guys). And after dinner the first night we were there was Dan Jones night. Holy cow. Carazy!!! Tons of people everywhere! And we sang a Chinese hymn in the middle of the market together, with a whole ton of older missionaries watching, with Taiwanese people watching, too. Then, one by one, we stood on top of the Dan Jones boxes (Dan Jones was one of the first successful missionaries to England and had great success. In his honor, the missionaries stand on a box in the market and bear their testimonies).

Elder Rostedt took forever! Sister Hoer said he took the longest they've ever had. (three years of being mission president and wife, and Elder Rostedt takes the longest? He never talks that much. So cool). Then I got up. Weird, how you're nervous, you don't know what you're gonna say, and then you just take the faith, take the breath, take the step and jump on the box. Open your mouth to say something- ANYTHING- and the Lord filled it. It came to me. It was easy. I wasn't nervous anymore. I said what I needed to say, and then I jumped down. It wasn't an amazing detailed testimony, but it was full of the Spirit, 'cause I don't remember exactly what I said. And it made me feel great.

As soon as I stepped down, I was taken by an older missionary and we went around contacting. EVERYBODY. We stopped couples, fathers, teenagers, single men (we couldn't talk to women as Elders unless they self-contact us first). It was great! My companion and I, at the time, committed 8 people to baptism. Right there. In the market. Wow. And they understood me!!! You will get to see this in a DVD the mission home is sending. I love it. I got to see it the next morning. Please please keep it. I need to watch it again when I get home.

The stats that night were huge. We went back to the mission office (the Senior couple there is great, by the way) and reported numbers--somewhere around 130 commitments to baptism. President Hoer says about 4 or 5 will make it to baptism out of that. I know crazy percentage, but that's what it's like here.

So the next day we ate an interesting breakfast, that I didn't like super well. It was alright. I don't know what I ate, but it was alright. I hate soy milk, by the way. It seems that's all they've got. Milk by itself is expensive.

My first companion is Elder Krantz from Salt Lake City. I've got pictures. This first Move call (transfer) will be with him. I am serving in Zhongming. It's in Taizhongshi. I am still in Taizhong, in other words. For, at least, the next 6 weeks. I was handed a red envelope with Elder Krantz's name in it and our area. When you accept a red envelope, you hand it out with both hands, and the receiver takes it with both hands, bows, says thank you (xie xie) and takes it. Usually there is kuai in it ($) but this time was better.

We then ate at TGI Friday's for lunch (not my choice, we were forced to eat American Food :) But it was nice to have a big burger for once since Five Guys with Dad. MTC burgers, don't count.

Then, I grabbed my big beautiful new bike, and we went to my apartment. The bike worked out fine. I got the money out of an ATM, and it was great. It's pretty. Won't be for long. But it's pretty. :) I like it. It's pretty.

I got a new helmet, too. Finally, a real helmet! I've never had a modern day, real helmet before. :P Mom and Dad's don't count. That's like 70s helmet. Whatev. :P jk

Elder Krantz is awesome. Couldn't've had a better trainer. I'm overwhelmed, and scared to death. But we've taught several lessons already, and, YES, we already had a baptism. Wang Dixiong (Brother Wang) is our age and super friendly. He seemed like he was already a member when I met him. He got baptized Saturday with a Sister. It was beautiful. And being in the church with all members, made me feel right at home.

Our teachers were right. You do contact and commit to baptism on the street. So weird! If you don't, we don't follow up with those people for awhile. Crazy! That's how many commitments we get off the street. These people are ready. Although I've been rejected by about 18 million people already, they seem like they want to hear about it. My first lesson was with a recent convert who was less active. He was funny, but he just would not come to church anymore. And he's started smoking again. It's sad. But we're working with him.

Contacting is scary, but fun. You literally stop traffic. NOT kidding. We talk to every scooter that stops at an intersection (unless it's a woman) and we pull up by cars and trash trucks, and all sorts of EVERYBODY. No one understands what I mean. EVERYBODY. Except single women. I love it. But I hate contacting at the same time. I've gotten very discouraged already, and don't quite know how I'm going to keep it up for 2 years. But I'm gonna keep pushing forward. The work is real. God is out there. Even in Taiwan. I can feel it. I just hope I can continue to find it. 

-Elder Carter

ps- You'll never guess. My first dinner appointment was Sunday night. Last night. We were being served something special. Yes, my first dinner appointment, my first real actual DINNER was..... Japanese Curry (On Elder Carter's short list of all-time favorite foods). No joke. I smelled it when I walked in, and was never happier. I didn't understand a word that night, but all is well. I talked to President Kim who is in Hawaii right now. He is an old Mission President, I guess. That was good. But it was in English. The ward here is great, and they are all really helpful. Expecially Brother Huang, 24, who is a recent convert. He is the Ward Mission Leader, and a good friend. I can barely talk to him, but it's coming, I guess. :) Love you all!!! Write again next week.

Last Notes from the MTC

From the Editor: Elder Carter left as planned on Tuesday, June 1 from the MTC. We got an email late the next day saying they arrived in the airport okay. This email is long this week, but so full of neat stuff I couldn't figure out anything to edit...so I hope you all enjoy.

On to Elder Carter

So- Everything is going as planned- so far. It seems things are fitting in my bags and the weight is pretty alright. Got a couple things to flip around, but all should be well. I tried getting all the stuff I'm sending home in one box, but that didn't work. It's two. Sorry.

Wo ai ni- means I love you--- wo ai nimen- means I love you ALL. :D No, it doesn't mean turnips. Lol. Love you Mom. (I tried my hand at a little bit of Chinese and I was sure I was saying I love turnips) A little nervous for the calling situation, considering I've never called from a payphone before. But God will help me. Somehow....

YES! Keep going to the temple! Especially since today was Memorial Day and I didn't get to go, you gotta go once more for me! For all else, try to get to the temple every other week! It's my challenge! I know it may be hard for some, because of distance, but at least try, k? Make it once a month according to the 4x4 plan, right? Keep it up! Thanks Mom, Dad, for trying. I wish I could go to Oquirrh and Draper! We'll have to go the day I get back, k? Sounds great!

No worries Shelbs, I still love you. Sorry I haven't been able to get a letter to you anytime lately... But I'll write you my first P-day in Taiwan, k? Love ya!

Tell Sister Byers I will write her soon, and that I'm super grateful for her kind words :D I like the Momma Carter name... it fits :P

Elder Gibson(new companion for the last week) is also in the other district. So I switched environments completely this week. That means I went from inexperienced Chinese learners(Elder Carter's previous district) to advanced-already had 3 years- learners(in the other district). Yikes. But I kept up and my Chinese is increasing daily, when I SYL(Speak Your Language). Elder Gibson is a wild, short, fiery, weird Elder. lol, but he is a joy to be around. Always brightens my day and makes me laugh. He is from Mesa, Arizona, and is very active, very spiritual, and reminds me of Peter from the New Testament. Remember how Joseph Smith described him? The short one, with fire in his eyes? That's Elder Gibson- but maybe a little more hyper, who knows. :P I love it, though. We get along great. It was hard to transition however. From district to district. But it's good to prepare me for the transition to Taiwan. I guess transfers are kinda hard sometimes... I miss my old district. But I've been 100% welcomed into the new one. Elder Gibson goes to Vancouver Canada, Mandarin and is sick of waiting. He leaves in a week. He teams up with Elders Near and Faulkner from my old district for the next week. Elders Near and Faulkner leave in a week for New York, as well.

Just so you know, I really want to start back up in some kind of soccer when I get back. I love that sport. Why did I ever quit? It is so fun! I get a little too competitive though (pride) still, and I gotta get over that soon... stinkin' Spanish Elders.... :) Love 'em.

(Last week, when I heard Elder Carter's voice, I wasn't sure what he had said)On the phone at the MTC clinic the other day. I just said "Hey Mom" lol, I was laughing, so it was prob hard to hear. Yes, I got a wave of homesickness for about two seconds, but I'm happy to report that I was back to work in the next 5 minutes. :D So no worries.

I have no fears coming to leave the MTC tomorrow. I am a bit nervous, but am ready to do some work. Elder Gibson and I, while at the Podiatrist's office, walked outside and contacted everyone we saw in the parking lot. A couple old people, the lady had broken her hip and it felt SO good to help her from her car to the sidewalk. And to help the man find the sidewalk... ;) Elder Gibson held the door, and asked them if they were members. We're in the middle of Provo, so of course they were. :P But it still felt good to talk to real people outside of Mormon boot camp.

The next man we contacted was an oldy who had been to "Formosa"(Taiwan used to be called Formosa) on his mission. some 44 years ago. He was working construction "too long" he said, and it was really a joy to talk to him. It was so cool! When we came up to him, he didn't look very happy or excited to be awake that day. But we shook his hand and talked until our shuttle came. By the time we left, he was smiling, laughing, and a light I hadn't caught before shone from his eyes. It was a marvel to see. Elder Gibson and I were unfailingly happy the rest of the day, because we knew that we had helped the Spirit make someone's day a tad brighter. That's our job. Tell people who they are, remind them of Christ and bring them closer to Him. I think we did that. It felt good. Especially since we were outside of the MTC for the first time in 2 and a half months. Hoo-rah!

Mine and Elder Gibson's TA last week went allright. I didn't speak much and got chastised for it, but I did good when I did speak. It's fantastic to see progress and know, right before I leave, EXACTLY what I need to work on. I like knowing that when I enter the field, so I can focus on those things and immediately get where I need to be, or at least closer to it, the week I get in the field. I don't have specific goals yet, but one. I want to see an entire family from baptism through the temple while on my mission. Which means I need to baptize a family in the first 9 months in the field. Yahoo! Can't wait! This work is golden! I've never been so excited to do anything like this before! I love it! Why do we have to come home at the end? Meh. I don't want to.

I love you all! Wo ai nimen!!! Keep it real! Keep it strong! Keep the faith! (I'm talking to everyone, not just members)

May God be with you, and May the Lord bless you, I pray for you every night and morning and meal.

I'll be on the other side of the planet in a couple days, and I can't wait to be there. I've been prepared for it for thousands of years, I have no doubt.

The Church is true. Joseph Smith is a good friend, a strong man, and mighty prophet, don't let anyone tell you different. Stand firm in your testimonies, and let the world hear them. Zai Jian! Jia you!

-Elder Carter

-Kong Zhanglao

New Pictures added to Flickr

See updated Mission pics on Flickr.

The final MTC pics have been added to the "Missionary Training Center" set.
Go to the URL below:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevin_g_carter/

A Week Left

Notes from the editor: This email is from Elder Carter's P-Day on May 24...sorry again for the delay. It's gotten so easy to wait until the next Sunday to send this stuff. Anyway, we got a call this week on Thursday, May 27, from the Medical Clinic at the MTC that he needs to see a podiatrist to get a wart removed from his foot. (I'm sure you can all imagine, knowing our Elder Carter, how relieved we were that he didn't have a broken leg or something.) And Momma Carter got to hear Elder Carter's voice! It was GREAT! Anyway, apparently they take these warts on their feet pretty seriously, because when we asked the nurse if this was going to affect Elder Carter's departure to Taiwan this week, she jumped into high gear(apparently she didn't yet know how soon he was due to leave) and said she would get him in with a podiatrist the next day. Depending on how deep it is, there can be follow ups needed, so in short, we are waiting to get Elder Carter's email today to find out if this has had any affect on his departure plans.

Also, some of you have been asking how to go about sending letters and packages to Elder Carter in Taiwan. We have been told by the Taichung Mission Office to ONLY SEND PACKAGES THROUGH USMAIL, not UPS or any of the others. The least expensive way BY FAR will be to ship with the preprinted Priority Mail packaging. The small box is $13, the medium is $27 and the large is $56. Regular letters are way less expensive. As far as I can tell, you can still use www.dearelder.com except now you will have to pay postage and it will be I think $.92 for a letter. You can also send the letters straight through the post office and I'm pretty sure it is the same postage. We'll send the mission home address again in the email later today. Pray for Elder Carter to be on that plane! Or those planes, I guess. :-)

Best wishes to all and on to Elder Carter...

Heya!!! 你好!!!

Wow, it's already five o' clock. Crazy! And only one more week left in the MTC! Finally!! Lol, I love it here, and I will miss it, but I am getting super trunkie for the field. In fact, Pres Baker told us over the pulpit on Sunday about how to handle trunkiness, because he got a sense of it through our letters every week.

(We’ve been having lots of ward changes in callings, in just about every organization)Good to know about all the changes! It's fantastic to see the ward continue to change. I miss everyone! I try every week to maybe pull a letter out and send it to someone in the ward, but I find the importance of letters is becoming all family, and almost no one else. It takes forever to get stuff done on P-day!!!

Info: So, i have a new companion this week. Elder Gibson. Sure to be some pictures coming in soon with him, so keep an eye out. He's short, fiery, and super weird. But I love him. His companion Elder Herlin left for England this morning and since I am in a trio at his same level, I get to be his companion for my last week. I already miss Elders Nelson and Wheeler, but it's still unsure if I am teaching with them or not on Saturday. Lol

Hope you got my flight plans when I sent them. If not....

June 1: Delta Airlines Flight 2441. I leave the MTC at 8 AM for the Airport. The flight leaves at 11:15 headed for LAX. I get into LAX at 12:15 Pacific Time, and leave for Taiwan at 5:10 PM Pacific. I arrive in Taiwan, Taibei at 10PM on June 2, and a three hour drive south to Taizhong. I spend 2 or 3 days at the mission home for orientation, then I head out. The flight to Taiwan is on EVA Airways flight # 11.

I do have a huge layover at LAX, but I don't think it's a good idea to see family, just to make sure that I get on the flight. It's a little more important to get on that flight, since I will see my family again, and it's a lot harder to see the people in Taiwan again :D.

I can't wait to leave!!! I love you all. Don't worry about me, all is well, and it just keeps getting better. I'm finally learning how to handle myself in this environment, and then I'm thrown into another one (completely different). ;) I can send this box home, but it is heavy, and I will try for that box to be the only one. I'll keep an eye out for your mail, since I got about two sentences from Mom this last time... ;P I'll be sending another letter soon.

I sang in Sacrament Meeting on Sunday. A song called "Olive Tree". I loved it! I sang bass and had a solo, and it was great! I am using my talents :D I just wish I could use a Trombone instead... :P

I've sent letters to Nana, and Tersta. I will hopefully get one to Grandpa Carter and Lee, and the Guads today or this week. It might have to be next week. Just remember to transfer my contact info over to Taiwan address (mission home) with instructions for the best and cheapest ways to get me mail or packages.

(Elder Carter challenged his family to bear our testimonies more often to each other and others and “let the world see what a strong family looks like.”)This challenge goes for everyone who reads this. Testify of what you know. You are being selfish if you don't share your knowledge with people who don't have it. They should in return share their own knowledge, because a true testimony digs at others Spirits and makes them want to speak words of truth.

Anyone who wants to, if you have a doctrinal question or any kind of gospel related worry or inquiry, please ask me! With all of my increased resources out here, I have a lot I can get to help answer questions (including directly asking apostles, themselves, for answers).

I love all of you!! I'll know better what times I can call at the airports as the week goes on, I think, so I'll keep you updated. Next Monday is my last P-day :D.

Remember, that when there are lows, you know the highs are coming fast. Love ya

-Elder Carter

 孔长老

我爱你们!!!

Short Timer...Taiwan is Calling

Greetings to all...more great stories from Elder Carter...

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Ni Hao!!!

One of the best weeks ever. I loved it this week!! It was SO hard. I broke down at least 2 or 3 times. But you know me. That's what I do. I break down. All the time. ;)

So Friday I got beat up in soccer. I got my first black eye ever from Elder Westfall in the Spanish districts, who backhanded me (on accident) as I stormed him from behind. My fault. Then, I chased Elder Nelson all the way to the street from the field for that stinkin' ball and we ended up tripping over each other. I have a reputation as a fantastic goalie (not true), and I let in about one (or two, let's be honest) on average per game. And this time I had missed about 5, and Elder Nelson scored on me, and he can't shoot worth beans :P. So I was pretty upset, and switched to midfield. We tripped over each other and I landed right on my shoulder. Pulled some sort of tendon and it hurt for the rest of the day and into the next morning. I also messed up my left knee a little in trying to dribble past a scholarshipped, BYU Soccer defender (I'll have you know, I did get the ball past him). Then about 5 minutes before gym was over I ran at Elder Westfall from behind and he jumped to stop the ball right when I came on him (that was the plan, this next part? not so much). When he jumped his arms came up and my right eye met his right hand. You'll see the effect in my pics soon (I took the pic a day and a half later, so not as tough looking). But the broken blood vessel still shows today. And I'm proud of it, actually. It almost ruined my mood that day. Oh well.

TA. I taught a new convert this weekend with Elders Nelson and Jensen. It went well. We introduced priesthood blessings to him, and taught the second lesson. I shared Shelby's priesthood miracle in Chinese, and it was fantastic! In her letter, I asked her if it was alright that I did that. I sure hope so!! That story brought the Spirit so strong and it stayed the rest of the lesson. The man we taught had a HEAVY Taiwan accent, and, unbelievably, I understood him. And now that we can ask people to repeat what they said, it was easy to understand him when we couldn't quite catch it. It was always the accent that messed us up, but we only had to ask to repeat twice! :D

We have two TAs left, and after that we'll have a million a day in Taiwan. Two weeks from today, I will be packing to get on the plane the next morning. So weird!!! It'll be here before I know it, and I don't want to go yet, either! I'm so excited, but now that I really do love my companions and the people I serve with, I don't want to leave right when relationships start getting solidified. :(

I was asked to teach on Book of Mormon in District Meeting yesterday, which was great! I have never felt like anyone really enjoyed a lesson I taught except for yesterday. I felt so good about it, knowing it wasn't perfect, and I definitely could have involved people more, but they did come up to me and tell me that it was a good lesson after.

Also a big hug and a thank you to the Watters, and the Blackburns! Thanks so much! I may be gaining weight everyday (I think I finally broke 200, but I'm not gonna check ;), but I love getting packages with treats, it makes me feel great!!! So I have now, a drawer full of taffy, and three boxes full of cookies and chocolate (no joke, no exaggeration). It prob won't get all eaten. :D

No worries about plane stuff, I should get info this week, along with my visa and passport next week. I don't know. But I will let you know right away.

I will try to see if I can get out of ticketed areas with enough time to get back, to see family. But I don't even know if that's allowed yet. I will ask President Baker. Keep your ears open for info. I love you all!!

This church is true. God loves all of us, and really is with us and watches over us 24/7 for eternity. We just sometimes forget it. And it's at those times that we need to pray.

Sorry this is rushed, but I have 2 minutes left ;D !!! Love you all, stay strong, love the pictures! Don't EVER forget who you are. Keep going to the temple. All the time!!

-Elder Carter

Prayers of Faith

Note from the editor: Just a reminder that we have created a flicker account to show whatever pictures we receive from Elder Carter. You can find them at http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevin_g_carter/

On to this week's adventures...

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Heya!

This week has been yet another tough week, but it was full of blessings as well. I have been switched around companions for a couple weeks lately, and that's been hard on my success, but it's inspired of God through my teachers and all is well. I look for the blessings in their decisions everyday. This last TA was successful, but I wasn't teaching with (my companions). Our investigator last week had just lost his wife in a car accident recently and turned to drinking to get away from the pain. So, we taught the second lesson which is the Plan of Salvation. It went well, and I've never understood Chinese so well. It's all thanks to tinglihuodongs. Gotta love listening activities.

Our investigator this week is a recent convert and just got baptized a week ago. We are teaching the Second lesson again as an "after baptism" lesson. So (my teaching companions and I have decided to have them teach us. So all we will be doing is asking questions, and maybe sharing scriptures. No baptismal commitments to mess up this week (I messed it up last week... :P) because this week is a recent convert. So no worries.

Do you remember the Prayer of Faith? I want you guys to study that... Well, not last Friday, but the Friday before that, I learned about a Prayer of Faith from (my teacher). So I tried it out. It consists of telling God what the desires of your heart are, acknowledging your weaknesses and understanding why he may not grant the particular blessing, then converse with the Lord about it. Literally discuss with Him why you think you qualify for the blessing and why you think it is a good thing, and understand from Him why He thinks it is good or not good or maybe why it's not something you need right now, or even at all.

After conversing with Him and coming to a knowledge of His mind and will, you mention how you qualify for the blessing and what you will do to qualify for it. I did this because I really wanted to Host for Elder Leyva. (Hosting is what the missionaries do on Wednesday when new missionaries come in. They wait at the curb for families to pull up and then they help the missionary get his luggage and say goodbye to family. Our hosts were awesome!)

It wasn't something amazing that I needed, and if it didn't happen I was gonna be fine. But I knelt down and told God just how I was going to qualify for this blessing. Through my conversation with Him (Them, actually) I realized God's mind and will and knew exactly what I needed to do. The blessing was promised to me on conditions of Faith (hence, Prayer of Faith). I wanted to see if my faith was strong enough for a Prayer of Faith to work and bind God to His promises.

Out of 400 new missionaries and about the same amount of Hosts on Wednesday this week, the chances were pretty low that I would actually see Elder Leyva and catch him. I hosted one Polynesian Elder from Alaska headed to Texas, then two sisters (one in Elder Leyva's district, the other, Spanish speaking) and finally got back to the street to host for others. I waited and waited. I had told Heavenly Father that I would go where I was assigned, and if I wasn't assigned I would stand at station 7. That's what I did. No more cars came, and I was worried that I missed him. I wasn't too depressed, because I knew the reasons why I might not have been able to claim the blessing of hosting for one of my best friends.

So, knowing where his classroom was, I ran up to that floor (it's only 5 or 6 doors down from my classroom) and he wasn't there, and no one knew if he was coming. Before I went to his classroom though, I had a prompting outside to wait for a few minutes. So I stood there, all the other Elders had gone in and the traffic Elders were cleaning up. You are allowed to be alone when hosting, so I was. Then I went to the classroom- not there, and I decided, since my companions had not returned yet, to try one more thing. I was getting worried that he wasn't even coming in.

I went to look for his bag of materials in the bookstore, and found it. I decided to just write a note, slip it in his bag, and hope I found him at some point, accepting that I might not see him, and that my faith wasn't strong enough. I said a quick prayer of thanks for the learning opportunity, and turned around to leave.

A split second later, Elder Leyva walks through the bookstore doors. I take over his hosting and was never happier for the rest of the day. so cool!!! My prayer was answered! Not in the way I expected, but I listened to the promptings of the Spirit and I was able to claim the blessing. It may have been a small thing, but it affected me for life.

I am so happy that I have a Heavenly Father who loves me. And even more happy just to know that. So I want everyone else to know that, too. It kills me that not everyone knows that. That's my mission. To help people know that.

If I hadn't have waited like the Spirit directed me, I would not have claimed that blessing. I would have seen him later, of course, considering he is down the hall, but still. I was on a super spiritual high that day. 

I love you all!

More Pics added to Flickr

Updated pics from  Elder Carter on "Flickr"

Click HERE

or go to the URL below

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevin_g_carter/

I will update here and Facebook every time there are new pics.

Enjoy!

Only a month left in MTC

Only a month left in the MTC! We can hardly believe it! If you haven't written to Elder Carter yet, be sure you do! You can email us and we will forward your emails or you can go to dearelder.com and type up a letter. They will print it and send it to him in the mail. After he leaves the MTC it will cost just regular postage to send a letter that way, but before then it's free! Well on to the note...

Email from Elder Carter Dated May 3rd 2010

Well, here I am again!! Love you all! Sorry it's taken so long today. We decided to wait until laundry time to do email (bad idea) so I got on as soon as I could.

A few things real quick.

Like I said, treats are fine!!! Just not too much. Actually, I don't care anymore. It's impossible to lose weight here. I might just see how much weight I can gain, and maybe beat the record. jk The licorice was great, I brought it to the classroom and the class devoured it. They're gone. Best thing I ever did. Thanks so much! I did eat a lot of them, so don't worry, I appreciated it! I had one of the rice crispy treats and loved it! The problem was that they get hard real quick, so I couldn't eat the rest of them... sorry!!!

I save the fiber bars like I did at home, which I ate one every morning. I still have a cliff bar, and don't know when I'm going to eat it, because I love them, and I don't want to not see a cliff bar on my desk anymore and not get excited that I still have one to eat :D.

Oh, and if you guys do anything that you think I won't find out about? ... ahem.... I have my sources.... lol

I won't mention what happened recently that might throw me for a loop when I get home. I just might have to look up Brother Brady a little more often though... (Apparently someone leaked to Elder Carter that we sold our piano to the Bradys. Ahem, could it be Kendall? It’s all good. We should have told him anyway)

I have a list of things to mention, so here goes..

Last Sunday, not yesterday, I performed (through the priesthood of God) a saving ordinance in another language!! So cool! I gave the sacrament prayers in Chinese with Elder Nelson. So cool! And I was called to pray that day as well.

I have been able to catch the people I wanted to here at the MTC before they headed out. An answer to prayer. Remember Justin Crandall? Headed to Hungary, I caught his district at the mailroom and ran to his building to find him. He was leaving in an hour for Hungary. I barely caught him and got a pic. So, hopefully soon, I can send that home. I also caught Neils Hazen from my floor at BYU, two days before he headed out and got a big hug from him. So cool to see them all heading out in the Spirit. The difference in demeanor is fantastic. I can almost not believe it.

I sent Shelby's characters in the mail! Love you sis! Keep writing! I promise I'm trying to get letters to you as much as possible.

I would love to be able to keep up on the goings on in the world. I've heard of several things that have happened that I otherwise had no idea except for my teachers. So, like you did on your mission, Dad, could I get news every now and then? I would like to keep up.

My journaling is an unbelievable success. Although I write really fast, so I may not ever be able to read it, but that's ok. It's the thought that counts :P But I have only missed two days. The two hardest days I've had here. No worries, I wrote about it the next night. I love journaling. It helps so much. I don't know if I'll be able to keep it up after, but I definitely will while I'm here on my mission, serving the Lord. I never want to forget the feelings I'm having, and the closeness I feel with my Savior. I hate the idea of not having this privilege. I don't want to take my nametag off in two years.

Ok. On to a couple other things.

It seems that serving your companion works, when you can find ways to serve them. But what happens when they don't return the favor? Grrr.... It's all good, I know, and I will continue to do it, because it helps us all realize that we really do care for each other and want each other to succeed, and NEED each other to succeed. I think we're lucky to have three people. Because with three, you have a fourth (the Spirit). And it's good to learn how to teach with three, because in the field you have to learn how to make sure the Spirit is involved.

This last weekends TA experience was BU HAO (According to Dad, this means “very bad”). The Spirit left 3 quarters of the way through and we just struggled through our last few memorized lines. Elder *** barely got to speak, and was frustrated. I blew it out of proportion and sunk deep in a bad mood under Satan's influence. It obviously affected the district and the zone, as there was contention the rest of the day. When I figured out what I was doing, swallowed my pride and apologized then repented, everything went back to normal.

We are so immersed in the Spirit here, we take it for granted. When we get to the field, and back in the real world, it's gonna be weird.

Have you ever heard about a "Prayer of Faith"? It's an actual thing, and I explain it a little in my letter to Mom. sorry, I will write again with more info, cause it's COOL. Check out Ether 20 somethin, Nephi, Enos... etc, they all offer these types of prayers (Brother of Jared), and I offered one myself on Friday. I hope to be able to host for Alexx when he comes in Wednesday, and I conversed with my God about my desire. I acknowledged my weaknesses, related my desires, discussed with Him why I should be blessed with this and why I shouldn't, I qualified myself to receive the blessing, then asked for it. I was told several things to do from Friday til Wednesday that I feel I have done, and hopefully my faith is enough. But If it doesn't happen, at least I know why, 'cause He told me that too.

I'll write again soon. I love you! Study Prayers of Faith, and keep going to the Temple!!! I miss y'all!!!

Zai Jian!

-Elder Carter

Elder Letters

Email from Elder Carter dated April 26th 2010

Hey everyone!!

So good to finally be back on the computer. It feels like last week took forever, but here I am! Yes, last week was definitely one of the hardest weeks I've had on my mission so far, so I can't wait to see what the rest of my mission has in store... yikes! lol, jk

Yes, there were times when I wanted so bad for someone I knew to talk to. Last night's fireside with Brother and Sister Seamons from a branch presidency here at the MTC, had a lot of good points. They mentioned that a missionary is in a place he/she doesn't know, a companion he's never met, a language he doesn't understand and has never spoken, a whole new ward full of people you don't know and probably won't see again, a people that you have no experience with and no understanding of, and a purpose that you've never equaled the responsibility, dedication, work, and knowledge it requires. It's true, I have to open up to complete strangers for this to work properly. I'm not as trusting as I thought I was, but I find that I, for the first time, have actually dug down to the core of the matter, and know exactly what I need to improve on and what to do about it.

The last week hit me from every side with trial after trial after trial. Add on to that that I had to speak Chinese for an hour straight Saturday morning with the vocabulary of a Chinese adult, after only 5 and a half weeks of learning it. But here I am, still at the MTC on Monday morning, typing away to my far away family (yes, you are far away), and I continue to push forward with the work. After sweating, grumbling, breaking down, sighs, frustrated noises coming out of my mouth that I've never heard before, and after 100% nonstop study, I made it. Past another week. I understand why missionaries put down the MTC a lot. Like I said before, the field is 100% better, because after working on you for 3 to 12 weeks, you finally get to help other people. And for me I get to help them know who Christ is. 'Cause they don't even know.

I am starting to feel the anxiety of wanting to get out in the field. It rips at me every time we talk about Taiwan in any case of the word. Especially when we talk about the food. Every returned missionary and every teacher I have sighs, their mouths water, and their eyes roll back towards heaven in daydreams about the food. Not exaggerating. Ugh. The food looks SO good, too! And after eating MTC food (worse than Cannon Center, if I haven't made that clear) for 6 weeks, I'm getting trunkie- for Taiwan.

The week started with initiatories at the Temple and a long P-day where I didn't have enough time to write all the letters I wanted to write. All week I studied 8 principles out of PMG and translated questions, statements, scriptures, and other things into Chinese. I can find scriptures in the Bible and Book of Mormon now! It's easy! I can recognize several different characters now, even though we haven't been studying them. My favorite words are still Zai Jian! (see ya later), Ni Hao (hello), shenme (what?), ting bu dong (hear no understand), and weishenme? (why?) Lol. Love it!

Our teachers now speak to us 100% Chinese, and we get the gist of all of it. 24 new missionaries come in on Wednesday. 3 Sisters and 21 Elders. That's 4 new districts, and it's going to be very hard not to show off. :P

At our mealtimes, we sit together as a branch and it's interesting to see. All of the Chinese Elders and Sisters sit together and we are surrounded by the Japanese. SO many natives, and I never thought it would be so easy to tell the difference in Asians whether they are from Hong Kong, Mainland, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Mongolia... etc. I can recognize all of those! Plus, Cantonese and Chinese are COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. I do not like how Cantonese sounds, but Mandarin has a certain flow to it, that can't be explained unless you are learning it. Korean and Japanese are similar, but thanks to Dad, I can tell the difference! :D

Not much to say, except that on Saturday, our TA went all right. We were successful, and felt good about it, but we weren't anywhere near where we had wanted to be. I was able to get to the First Vision, and FINALLY I felt like I wasn't focusing on speaking, but on teaching with the Spirit. We taught a real investigator again this week, and found out that he comes here a lot. Howard knows the church is true, but he just won't take the leap of faith and get baptized. It's a family problem. He's not sure what his parents will do. It was super interesting to hear him speak Chinese with us (he's a native Taiwanese). I can totally hear the accent now, and am excited to take it on. I think it's funny :P Even though the mainland speakers think it sounds feminine. Whatever. I think it sounds cool, (but I can see where they're coming from... :P)

Thanks Dad for the Dear Elder this week. You have no idea how much I needed that. It hit me so hard, and turned me right back onto the right path. It was powerful, what you told me. God is with me, and I can feel your prayers. Mom, thanks for yours too, as they both helped me realize that if there is a peaceful Spirit in my home, then I must be doing something right. Even Raquel commented on it.

Sorry to those people that I couldn't get on the letters last week! I tried, I really did! But I needed to write my family first and make sure I figured the things out I needed to this week.

James Harris wants me to give you his email, but I forgot his letter, so I will write it to you. Make sure he gets on the email list. Also, I need Guads, Cathryn and Dave's, Tersta, and Grandpa Carter's addresses so I can write them. And I would love to hear from any and all of them! Especially Mike and CJ and the fam in Cali. I'm missin' them a bunch, and working so hard for the Lord out here just makes me think of them.

I found out that we are most likely going to be flying through LAX in June, and then on a straight 14 hour flight to Taipei with a 2 to 3 hour drive to Taizhong. So, if Mike and Nise and them want to come say hey (if possible) that would be fun!

My branch president has told us that we can call as many people as we want at the airport, as long as we make the flight. He also told us not to study, and just to relax until we get there. I can't wait!!

The church is true. I've never been pushed so hard in my life, and I'm sure it's harder than it was in the Pre-mortal one, too. I even wrote in my journal last night after a companionship problem, that it's IMPOSSIBLE!!! It's hard to be working so hard, and also having a hard time seeing the blessings. I know they're there, I just am not recognizing them as well as I'd like.

I have a lot more respect for people who get married and stay married now. After learning to deal with a companion for just six weeks? I had no idea I am and was so unprepared for that kind of commitment. So I'm just glad that I can serve the Lord and learn how to do it right. :D

I love you all!! And look forward to my letter. It's a little crazy 'cause I wrote like three different ones all week and they all say different things according to my Spiritual progress last week. Shelby, your name is coming in the mail, and I will send the characters soon. Kong Yu Lan, is your name. Love you all! And I loved the Peter Pan picture-- Keep 'em comin'!!! 

-Elder Carter

Catching Up

Catching up on a few new letters from Elder Carter:

Email dated April 12

Heya!!!

This week was fantastic, and really hard. Like Mom said, there will be the downs. I love it here! It's blesses me so much and it is so easy to see all of the different blessings I get and can get from the work I do here. Some people may believe that you don't really do much in the MTC, but that's false. You do a ton! And I think they mean that you don't do much in terms of actual investigators, but that's false too. Everything we do here revolves around the people we are going out to find. I'm not learning this language as fast as I am because I want to for my future career. No one learns a language this fast, unless it's with the Spirit. In five weeks of work at the MTC, I am going to be able to teach Eternity saving principles in a completely different language. It's nowhere close to English. I don't feel ready to do that in two weeks though! :P I'm nervous, but not worried. God is with us and makes it easier for us when we need it to be, and the words come to our minds when we need them most. I believe I've started to find the true spirit of preaching. When we teach the Spirit is there like I've never known it could be!

The first and second lessons we've got down, and could teach them on the street if we needed to. Any principle! My part so far seems to be that I ask really good questions and really get to the bottom of investigators' concerns. I teach a principle here or there, but I really make sure that people's questions are answered and they understand the doctrine. I kind of retrace steps and question their understanding while my companions teach the principles first. I take my turn teaching, but I live with the questions and concerns.

I find it hard not to watch the investigator. They push that so hard and it makes sense. I don't understand how missionaries aren't super focused on the reactions of their investigators. It makes sense now, why so many people reject the missionaries. The TA on Saturday went smoothly and we committed him to baptism!!! (We aren’t sure what TA means, maybe Teaching Appointment? Regardless, he is referring to Saturdays when they role play teaching discussions with volunteer investigators. People from the area volunteer to come in and role play being interested in the church.) So exciting!

We're also making progress with our progressive investigator, and he seems to still be very curious, but starting to believe what we're teaching him. James is very engrossed with his bible though, and it’s hard to teach him out of that rut. But he's coming. We teach him the second lesson the next time we see him on Wednesday. 

Working with my companions this week has been tough. I think I finally found my zone of focus however, and seem to not cause so many problems with everyone now... ;) It's been hard with my companions, but we've worked things out and if I just focus on how to be one with my companions then everything comes easier, as it promises in my Patriarchal Blessing.

(We asked KJ if he was getting any packages, and this was his response) I have only received those two care packages, and I would love packages, and letters all the time while its cheap and while I can, cause other missionaries get like 10 a week, no joke. I won't eat a lot of junk food, but it will get eaten somehow. I've been pigging out on one of my companion's stuff, because he feels the same as me. We now have two week old cinnamon buns cause it takes forever to eat when we're all focused on not gaining weight. (I guess we’ve been falling down on the package sending…who knew?)

Sorry about the mix up! Oh, can you dig out my pocket watch? It needs new batteries, but I'm getting sick of not having the time on me...(Aunt Raquel sent him a watch)

Love you!

More soon...

-Elder Carter

Email sent 4/19

(Note from the editor: This week it appears Elder Carter has been thinking a lot about whether he is well enough prepared to be on his mission. We are thinking this is pretty common among all the missionaries. We considered not really sending this letter out, but figured it is fair to show that there are ups and downs. Please note that we received his letter in the mail the day after this email and we really are sure that he is okay. Fascinating to see how much you can grow and stretch in such a short time.)

It's been hard. I've been worried a lot about things I don't need to, and not forgiving myself for things I've done before. I don't know, Dad, if you had problems with that, but considering you were the "perfect teenager", my guess is you didn't, and that you'd just tell me to forget myself and get to work. Well, that's what I'm going to do.

(More companion conflict)-This week came to an apex with my companions and we were getting pretty hot in the face. We couldn't figure out how to plan the week out in preparation for our investigators this last Saturday. We had differing veiwpoints, and neither would work for the other, and compromise could not be found. It's hard being in a threesome companionship, I don't know how many times I've said it. (Summary from the editor: I got pretty stressed and really needed to get the stress and anger out.) But one of my companions came up to me and gave me a huge hug and we both realized we needed to be unselfish and try to help each other.

Saturday's TA was probably the best TA we've been here. When you honestly seek to be one with your companion(s), you find that everything goes smoothly. Stop thinking about yourself, and move on. I was senior companion last week, too. ;) I've been humbled beyond belief, and I had no idea I was so unbelievably prideful before. How did anyone tolerate me? I learned this week from Brother Rice (who was Lone Peak Student Body President when I was a freshman, who went to Taizhong) that pride is the language of sin, and humility is the language of the Spirit. That is what it literally boils down to. When you sin, it's cause you think you're better than God, and when you listen to the Spirit, it's cause you are subjecting yourself to the will of someone else, God Himself.

We teach the first lesson this Saturday completely in Mandarin. So for an hour on Saturday morning, we can't speak one word of English. Yikes! We try to do that every day, but obviously that isn't as consistent as we would hope. Our district is behind in Chinese learning, because we don't SYL like we should. It's hard, and we just want to get to the field, where we KNOW we are going to HAVE to SYL. Speak Your Language. Dad, how did you do it? It's hard to write down EVERY word you don't know in a day and learn that along with the vocab for the weekly investigator situations, and learning the entire first lesson in Chinese. I urge all of you to obtain a copy of Preach My Gospel, and study it so you know what I am doing out there, and share some insights you might have with me. :D Hope the temple stuff is holding up, and sorry I'm not there to mow the lawn, or clip the trees... :P

(Then Elder Carter spent some time bonding with and giving advice to his sister. He ended his email with this note) As a representative of Jesus Christ, I can tell you right now, that if you do what your parents teach you, and if you continue to do this everytime you feel bad about something you did, He will tell you He loves you. And You will feel His hands hold yours and turn you around to wrap your sweet, beautiful spirit in HIs love. Remember that.

I love you all, more soon.

Loves!!

-Elder Carter

Mission Pics

See Elder Carter's Mission pics on "Flickr"

Click HERE

or go to the URL below

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevin_g_carter/

I will update here and Facebook every time there are new pics.

Enjoy!

The First Vision

Well, Ni Hao!!!

 It's back to the keyboard once again! I loved it this week! Lots of hard, hard work, and a great break with General Conference. Never thought General Conference would be a "break" persay. Anywho, I know you've been conversing with Sister Brownell's Mom, she sent Sister Brownell a letter telling her about it, and Sister Brownell (Bei Jie Mei) showed me :P, I was a little worried.... jk!!!

It's all good, as long as you are good about it :P jk, kai wan xiao!

This week I memorized the first vision in Chinese and it was tough! Only half of our class got it, and the other half are supposed to have it by tonight or tomorrow night. The english translation is unbelievably complex and does NOT make sense. So, if you find me, with Chinese grammar, writing and typing English, then you'll know why :P here's a sampling of Chinese Grammar and how it would sound using English as a base:

I saw to the point of clarity one lighted pillar directly at my head on top, compared sun type light still bright gradually to descend down come until to rest at my body on top. Light stopped at my body on top at that time I saw to the point of clarity a pair beings stand at my on top direction type openness middle whose brightness and glory without a method to describe among which one being towards me spoke words called my name point other being said: This is my Beloved Son, Hear Him Speak.

Interesting, huh? Now try speaking all of that in Chinese with tonal exchanges between words. It's hard to come up with that kind of speech on the spot, but I gotta do it sometime, so houtian (yesterday) is the best time to start. I have never, in my entire life, been more organized than I am right now. Crazy!!! I love it. My scriptures have become entirely colorful, and so has my Preach My Gospel.

We taught another "investigator" on Friday (Friday, not Saturday because of Conference), and for the first time, we committed her to baptism!! The Spirit was so strong in that room, there was no way we weren't going to. No one else got to that point, and a lot of the results of practice teaching depend on who the investigator is. Some people don't act the way they were told to act, so it messes up the game plan, but I think that's good practice anyway, so bring it on!

I've never been more impressed, prompted, or immersed with and in the Spirit. I guess that goes without saying, but I'm tellin' ya, NO ONE has ever given it justice. It is unbelievably powerful, and IT IS THERE!!! :D So true! I saw through God's eyes today when I went through the temple this morning, and as my eyes wandered over the faces of those around me, and as I strive to understand God's love for me and as I strive to receive and claim the gift of Charity, I saw those people as God sees them. They are His children, EVERY SINGLE ONE. And He loves them infinitely, and it is incomprehendible and outside of our ability to think and imagine. Mom, Dad, Shelby... my family, Mike, Nise, CJ, Katie... Nana, Grandpa Lee, Tersta, Sherman, Austin, Jared... Just know that He loves you, and knows you, individually. It's true! And you know it's true! Don't you ever doubt that.

I miss Bailey now. I love you all, and Bailey? Stop running away! I'll come home someday, I promise! You're freakin' the parents out runnin' that far... ;) Love you! I promise Mom, if you tell her that, she'll know where it's coming from. That goes for you, too Shelb. And everyone that is supporting me out here. Thanks so much! I love all of you, and so does your Heavenly Father. I promise. Don't doubt me. It's true.

Zhen Shi de. Zhen shi de, zhen shi de, zhen shi de. Wo ai nimen!!!

-till next time...

-Elder Carter

Missing the Dog?

Here is the latest email from Elder Carter.

Hey guys!!
And it's Pday again. hooray!! Man, it's been so busy. And we have triple the work this week. Blech. But I love it! So let me start by telling you that this week I had to do a couple more things for my visa.

Moving on...
I got that belt, I'm writing about 7 letters today to thank people and reply to other letters. I did get Shelby's letter, but I didn't get it until after I got Mom's. Weird, huh?
It's been a rollercoaster this week. Learning more Chinese all the time, and can keep up a conversation and understand most of what people say (at least other Elders). My teacher and I converse frequently, but I always have a hard time hearing it. This language is actually a beautiful language. I know almost every elder must say that about there language, but it's true! I forgot just how much I appreciate it.

Through prayer, faith, service, and hard study and work, we've been able to come out of contention, for a time. The firesides, and devotionals are fantastic, and I've never been more immersed in the Spirit. It's amazing how the Spirit brings people together. Next time I write I will bring my notes with me to share with you what I've learned through the devotionals, firesides, meetings, and conferences. Right now, I've just been focused on getting an entire email out. I have hardly anytime to write, and will probably soon start taking breaks. But not from the email. I just don't know if I can manage writing everyone right when they write me. If I do that today, I have 7 to write.

I get my haircut today! :D I was parting it for the first little while, but I figure I'm more confident if I do it Cali-style duck tail, and I was the ONLY Elder who even parted his hair in our zone. I'm not exaggerating. When I get out in the field, things will change, but I do things better when I don't feel like a dork. :P Not like it really matters, duck tailing is also faster and easier to do, considering we have no time in the mornings for anything.

We are so unbelievably blessed to have sisters in our district. They keep us in check and help bring the Spirit so much faster.

(I had some trouble this week with contention, so) I knelt down and begged for forgiveness and for humility. I asked, "Lord, Is it I?" Which came from my teacher from his missionary stories. Yes, I got rebuked. But not too badly, because I already knew that it was my fault. As soon as I asked the question, I got the answer, and I immediately got up and acted on it. And I am glad I did. I'm not very good at following Spiritiual promptings, but I recognize them a lot more here, and am working to be 100%.

Got to go soon, so just lettin' you know I love you. Tell Bailey! (Bailey is our dog) Started missing her this morning :( lol, it's all good. I love it here, and things can only get better. We have to have the first vision memorized in Chinese by the end of the week, and we have to wallsit until everyone recites it correctly. Yikes! It's good to hear from my Missionary buddies, and it's okay for you to send me their emails. Thanks for the support, I can feel the prayers, keep praying!!! Heaven knows I need it. :P The temple today was fantastic as I went through again. And we get to watch church approved movies every sunday night. It's a nice relief.

One more thing. Saturday was our first TA (Teaching Appointment) and we got to contact random people in Chinese for 15 minutes. Absolutely NO English allowed. Then we got to teach a 35 minute lesson in English. I feel pretty good about my contacting abilities (at least here) and our lesson went well. There are five companionships in my district, and each one taught a different investigator and two of the investigators we were teaching were REAL investigators!! AHHHH!!! Scary!!!

I'll write more about it in letter form later... talk to you next week! Love you!!

-Elder Carter