Arriving In The Mission Field

Hey everyone!

Well, I left the MTC Wednesday morning, but as it turns out, our Mission President was expecting us Monday, and he couldn't pick us up on Wednesday because he had to see off about 27 missionaries who are headed home. That will be me getting on that plane in 23 months time. So when we got there, we got to meet our Mission Pres. but then we were shuttled off to a hotel to spend the night, and traffic was horrible, mainly because of the G20 summit that's happening here.

So I've been out in the field now and today is my second day out here. I've been assigned to Hamilton Mountain, so that's where I currently reside. My new companion's name is Elder Tingey and he's from Utah. He's been out for over a year, so he doesn't have much time left out here. He's a good guy, and he really knows a lot about what we are teaching and how to teach it. So far, it's been great working with him, and we've given out one Book of Mormon (Arabic translation). It's been hard here, mainly because a lot of people aren't very nice, and I've already been yelled at, whether it was just rude or angry comments.

My Mission President is a really cool guy, and I'm going to enjoy working with him. Unfortunately, this is his last week here, then he gets released and gets to go home. Elder... Ballard's son-in-law (I think it's Elder Ballard. It's definitely one of the Apostles) is going to be our new Mission President, so that should be good. He's also allowing some of us to go to Niagra Falls sometime in the next... two weeks, I think, and I'm heading to the temple next Friday, so those two things should be good!

Ya, so that's about it for now. My P-day has been moved to Monday, so that's when I'll be able to write home, so it'll no longer be Wednesday. Also, I don't get mail directly. The main office in Brampton gets it, so I have to wait awhile until someone goes up there for any reason, or if someone comes down, so it might take a few weeks. I don't have much more to add, mainly because not a lot has happened yet, but I'm helping out at the Special Olympics tomorrow, so that will be fun and I'm looking forward to it. Anyways, that's all for now!

Elder Stubbs

P.S. Jet lag sucks.

Week 2: Still at the MTC

Hey, What's up?

So this week has been fairly good. Time is going and some times it just passes by, and other days are so long. I only have a week left in the MTC, then I head off to Ontario next Wednesday.

So you remember that Whatcott fellow I commented on last week? Turns out the guy suffers from depression (we don't know the severity of it) and he decide that since he's in the MTC, he doesn't need to take his meds anymore. Ya, I know, bad idea. It has caused so much stress for him and all of us, especially Elder Kilmer, since he's the district leader and has to deal with all the problems in the district. He's also managed to convice himself on about the third day in that he sprained his ankle really badly, but it only hurts on select days or when he wants to get out of class. Some days he was just running and jumping around amd his ankle was just fine. Then someone told him right in the middle of gym that his ankle isn't fully healed from a little sprain, so he freaked out and said he needed crutches, then he wanted a wheelchair, so his companion had to push him around in that. Poor Elder Suder. Finally, he started hyperventalating, had a little seizure and went to the hospital to talk to a doctor. He went back the next day to the hospital because he just wanted to be there and so Suder had to go with him. Suder has barely made it to any of his classes. The MTC then decided after all of this to give Whatcott a handler and Suder was placed with Kilmer and I. Kilmer then talked to Whatcott a few nights ago about all of this, and Whatcott agreed that he needed to tone it down. Then the next day (Monday) Whatcott went to the heads of the MTC and a counsler, and told them that all of his problems here were because of us, his district, because we aren't righteous enough. He got moved to a new district and building. So that's the reader's digest version of the story.

Other than the Whatcaott Saga, things have been pretty good here. Toy Story 3 came out today, so a lot of us are a little upset about that, but oh well. Oh! We did make this awesome execution today where Suder was exectuted, so I'll send that home in the next few weeks and hopefully it'll appear on facebook soon. Other than that, things here have been a little quiet, so I think I'll end it here for now. Have a great week!

Elder Stubbs

End of Week One: In the MTC

Hey! How's it going?

Brad! Congradulations on the Mission Call! Have fun in Costa Rica!

So the first week here has been really long. We have class pretty much all day, and sometimes class is 4-5 hours long. Sitting in class that long, with only a hour break most days (Sunday and Tuesday we don't get one) has kind of been torture. My teachers are awesome though and my companion Elder Kilmer and I got to teach our first investigators Monday, while the teacher watched us and told us we nailed both of them! Presidnet Hales came to talk to us last night, and that was pretty good.

I'll give you a run down on my district (I'll put companions together).

First, Elder Kilmer. He's from Morgan, Utah. He's pretty awesome and knows a lot of his stuff. He's threated to get a new companion sometimes, but I know he loves me!

Elder Tripp. He's from Salt Lake, and he has OCD, so us two in the same room wasn't the church's best idea, since we have a hard time getting stuff done. He's really fun though, and he always keeps us entertained.

Elder Bracha. He was born in Cardston, Ab and lived there until age 13 when he moved to Portland. He is a really cool cat (Tripp's words, not mine), and he doesn't let anything bother him.

Elder Suder. He went to BYU and was on the dive team. We think he might have ADD, so him, Tripp, and I together is not always the best thing, but always entertaining. He's pretty awesome.

Elder Whatcott is his companion and is very straight and serious.

Elder Maxwell. People call his Gomez since he looks mexican, but he has no latino in him. He's a pretty awesome kid, but I don't know too much about him.

Elder Fullmer. He was in a car crash about two years ago and was in a coma for about 2 months, but now he's in the mission field.

Sister Barton. We call her Momma Barton since she knew everything when we got to the MTC.

Sister Alger. From Idaho. Don't know much about her, but she's pretty cool.

Sister Brandley. Tallest person in our district. Pretty quiet.

Anyway's, that's our district. A lot of people. Most of us are going to Toronto West, but Suder, Maxwell, Fullmer and Whatcott are going to Seattle.Good luck to them.

Not much has been going on beyond that. I'm only allowed to check my email once a week for thirty minutes on Wednesday, so feel free to send letters! My mom should have my address, or you can head to dearelder.com. Write if you want!

Go Lakers!

Elder Stubbs.

June 02, Entering the MTC

Carson has just entered the Missionary Training Center and will be there for approximately 3 weeks. We will soon find out when he will be leaving for Toronto. We are very happy with his courage and dedication to the church and to the Lord but we will also miss him greatly. After all who else will show us all the new movie trailers, or go around messing Toni's hair! And I am sure everyone will miss his political insights and opinions. Please be sure to keep in contact with him. His new email is carson.stubbs@myldsmail.net. He will take turns responding to everyone since he only has a limited time to use his email. He will be thrilled to hear from you. Otherwise, tune in to this blog for it will be updated on a weekly basis.

Thanks to all who have supported, encouraged and befriended Carson. It has meant a great deal to him.

June 01, 2010 Leaving Home

Carson left Medicine Hat this morning and is on his way to Provo. He enters the MTC tomorrow afternoon. He is officially Elder Stubbs now and is on his way to becoming a fantastic missionary. We will know very soon when he will be sent from the MTC to his mission. We are anxiously awaiting to hear the Mission President's calm response to Carson's first question: "No Elder Stubbs. We do not have a Young Republican Missionary Club here." Focus Elder Stubbs. Focus!