Nice and Cool

Hey there!

I'm trying to figure out what to write about. I didn't really have anything crazy or super cool happen this week. Good stuff happened. We had some lessons that went really well and I'm excited about their progress in the Gospel. I'm very hopeful for E. She has real intent and she really wants to know. She has done research on the church and she's liked what she's found. She's having trouble accepting or believing that Joseph Smith was a prophet. However, that's nothing that a study of the Book of Mormon and an earnest prayer can't handle. =)

We had zone conference on Thursday which was really cool. President Jensen talked about being a "celestial missionary" and what we can do to become better. It was really inspiring for me. Doctor Staelli came as well (I'm not sure how to spell his name). He's the doctor who oversees the missionaries in the mission here. He gave us all a little speak about eating healthy. I've been thinking about how I eat lately and what he said really matched some of the conclusions I came to, so that was neat. We had apartment and car inspections and so we cleaned and cleaned. We found this cool stuff called Armor-All. It sounded really intense and like a good idea. It told us to rub it on all plastics and rubber. It worked fantastic! We got a mango scented tree and we were all set for car inspections! We got our car inspection form on it and as far as evaluation was concerned, it only had one thing written on it: "your car smells and feels awesome". Elder O and I got a good laugh out of that.

I'm doing alright. I had a bit of a rough week this week but I think I'm through it. I did learn some good things because of it though. Everyone has trials. A good quote is "We're all like stamps. We can be licked, depressed, and thrown from post to post but if we will just stick to it, we'll get to our destination"

I know I've said I would try to take more pictures, but this week wasn't as good for pictures. There is this very sweet smelling flower that Elder O always stops and smells whenever we pass by it (see picture). I snapped a quick picture and then moved on. I think they might be called "sweet olive" but I'm not sure. Maybe someone who is more skilled in the ways of botany could figure it out.

This week has been one of personal growth for me. I'm pretty sure it's growth for the better, but we'll see.

It's really simple. The Book of Mormon is true. From knowing that, everything else falls into place. The Priesthood is the literal authority to act in God's name and it has been restored on the earth.

I miss you all!
-Elder Matthew Carlson

Spring time is here!

Spring time has come in Mobile, Alabama! (Not Georgia). It's very nice and we've had some gorgeous days. However, the locals here tell me that it will only last for about another week. =(

Things here are moving forward. We've been working on trying to find new people and have found some really cool investigators. We will be teaching two of them and both sound very enthusiastic and very excited about the Gospel. They are both students at USA and sound like they have a lot of potential!

This week was a busy one. I went on a trade-off with Elder L which was really fun. I always enjoy working with him. We went to the space station hospital that I talked about last time and this time I remembered to take a picture (first picture). It looks even more spacey at night when it lights up. It's a nice hospital though.

This week has been a good one for me as a person. I've really learned a lot about the difference attitudes make. I just need to apply what I learn.

We had ice cream the other day from a place called Marble Slab. It's a southern Coldstone.

This week I achieved culinary perfection. I made one of the most delicious soups I've ever made. It wasn't as good as Dad's artichoke bisque but it was up there (second picture). I really enjoyed it and it was really cheap as well. The whole pot cost about 2 bucks.

Thank you so much for the Easter things! I did hide Elder O's eggs and he wasn't too happy about that so he hid mine. He's found most of them but he's still looking for about 4. Hopefully he'll find them before I do. =) To be honest, I was sort of confused when I got Michael's Easter gift. And I'm still not sure what it was. I think it might be a porcupine, a dog, a beaver, or maybe something in between. I was playing with it and accidentally ripped a hole in the bottom and Elder O decided to make good use of broken toy. It is a very stretchy toy (third picture). He wore it on his head like a swim cap. It was pretty funny. The toy is fine if slightly larger.

Another fun time was were parking trying to figure out where to go next since our backup plans had fallen through. Elder O had his door open since it was getting hot in the car and a cat walked up. Elder O and the cat were instantly friends (fourth picture). He named the cat John I think. It was a nice cat.

Things are well and I'm still alive. I'm working hard and striving to become better as a person and as a missionary.

I'm kinda tired right now because I kept waking up many times last night for some reason. But I hope all is well back on the home front.

I love and miss you all. (notice I didn't say y'all)

Sincerely,
-Elder Matthew Carlson

It's Gonna Take Work

Hey family!

How's it going? Good? Good.

This week was a good one for me. It was hard but it was good. We didn't have very good numbers due to a few different factors but we did good work. We met some new people and really worked hard when we could. Elder O might have bronchitis =(. He's on medication and he's been getting better. We've also been walking a lot lately and that hasn't done him any favors.

I've appreciated all the letters this week. I do have a question though. Mom, you sent me a card and it said "expect lots of mail because we looked on the calendar and it is Matthew _____ week". Neither Elder O or I could figure out what the word was that filled the blank. I especially appreciated the Easter package (first picture). It was wonderful. The egg from Michael was the most interesting. I opened it up and brown jiggly things starting coming out and I said, "What is in here?". I opened up the egg and I still don't know what it is. Is it a dog or a beaver? Or neither. I do appreciate it and it made me laugh. Elder O enjoyed his slinky and played with it for many minutes.

On Saturdays every other week we go and help at bishop's storehouse with the M's. It's pretty amazing when we set up (second picture) to see how fast and quickly the tables fill up (third picture). It's a great service that really helps a lot of people who are struggling at the moment. We sometimes get a few of the extra things left over which is nice. We have lots of catsup and syrup now which is cool.

But I love you all and I'm sorry my letter is short this week. I have been learning a lot. My testimony has been strengthened much these past few weeks. I feel that it is becoming more solid and more deep down. I feel that my testimony is becoming an unshakable one which is really cool.

Take luck....when you get it.

Love,
Elder Matthew Carlson

Jellybeans, Volleyball, and the UPS Guy

This letter is entitled: The Jelly beans, volleyball, and the UPS guy. They're all related and I'll soon explain why.

This week has been good. It's been kind of crazy to think that I've already been in Mobile for 6 weeks! It's nuts. I still have Elder O and it's fun. I've been out for 5 months today! Pretty soon I'll be at 6. Then 12. Then 20. Then I'll be done. I'm going just one day at a time though.

People down here drive very fast and crazy. I have to always be on guard when driving. It's kind of tense. I do like the Ford Fusion though. It's a good car. It doesn't turn as sharp as the Corolla's but it does a good job at many other things. It's also is much nicer than the Corolla's.

We have been working and getting things done. Our numbers were a little down this week but I don't really feel too bad as we were still out working and doing things. General Conference ate into some of our time as well but it's not really an excuse.

Onto the three things. It was a Friday and we were inviting everyone to investigator volleyball. We tried to contact B but we didn't have his number. We got his number, called him, and invited him to volleyball. We talked to a lady who said she would give B the message. We then got a knock on the door from the UPS man who was dropping off a package of half delicious jellybeans (the other half are not so delicious). They were cool jellybeans and I was happy that Grandma and Grandpa had sent them (see picture #3). I was proceeding to unwrap said jellybeans when we received another knock on the door. It was the UPS guy again. He asked Elder O, who had answered the door previously, "Did you call my wife?". Elder O was really confused and said 'No. Not that I know of." He looked at Elder O and said "Your name is Elder O right?" Elder O nodded his head. "Well, some guy named Elder O just invited my wife to volleyball." It turned out the UPS guy's name was B and we had dialed the wrong number. It was crazy.

I was really happy to receive the other package of a really cool journal. I love it! (see picture #4) It's really cool and it came just in time.

As promised, I have more pictures this week.

The first picture (picture #1) is of our district. From left to right it is: Elder L, Elder W, me, Elder O, Elder H, and Elder N. I'm not sure what was with the sheep and flowers theme but it was fun. We took a couple pictures and they are all pretty goofy.

The next picture for your viewing pleasure (see picture #2) is of Elder O giving a massive strangle hug to both Elder W and Elder N. They had come over for lunch after district meeting before heading up to Saraland and a hug fight broke out. No one was hurt except for me because I was laughing so hard.

After one session of General Conference, we were walking out of the stake center to go visit some people when all the sudden Elder O shouted "LIZARD FRIEND!" He jumped down on the ground and attempted to scoop up a lizard. Elder W joined in and soon they had captured the lizard friend (see picture #5). After enjoying his company for a minute or two and naming it. Elder O let it go and it scurried off into the bushes. I don't remember what we named him and neither does Elder O so I'm just going to say we named it Larry.

It's been a fun week and I'm doing well. I love and miss you all and I really appreciate the letters and love I have gotten this week.

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Elder Matthew Carlson

Picture #1

Picture #2

Picture #3

Picture #4

Picture #5

Howdy!

Howdy.

It's been another crazy week. I can't believe how fast this week has gone. It seems like I just got to Mobile a few days ago and already transfer day is coming up in a week. President Jensen told us that we might be staying here in Mobile but we'll see if that changes. Hopefully I'll be the driver. Drivers here are crazy. We were almost in an accident twice because people tried to turn into us or merge into us. Luckily Elder O is a good driver and we swerved out of the way.

President Jensen has been here a lot. We had training with him the other day and he was here for stake conference. He and President Spencer (the Mobile stake president) just think we're doing fantastic. So that was pretty cool to get some of the compliments they gave.

I am doing very well. I am healthy have been sleeping better since I got ear plugs. It seems like about every hour there is half a dozen police cars that go by or someone starting up their 1960's Buick GS that sounds like a small train. Every morning at 5:30 I hear BROWOWOWOWOOOMMMMM!! VRAVRAVRA VrrrRRRRRRR chunk vvvVVVrrrRRRR! I have been enjoying the dinosaur vitamins you sent me and I think they are working. So far, I am the only one in my district that has not gotten sick yet. Everyone else has gotten some sort of sinus infection or this nasty throw-up-everything-you-eat virus.

I do have a favor to ask. My nice Cross pen has run out of black ink I believe I forgot the refills at home. I think they are in the box the pen came in. Could you please send them to me? Thank you!

I have included two pictures. The first is of a gecko/lizard type thing. They are tons of them down here. Some of them can change color which is really cool. Others are just geckos and some of them are just lizards of some kind. One gecko even tried to sell me car insurance. He was on a billboard.

The other night I decided to put my culinary skills to the test and I made my own corn chowder (second picture). It was really good and super cheap. It is composed of 1 potato, 1 can of cream corn, and 1 cup of milk. It was like $2.50 for the whole pot. It's about enough for two meals. I put some cheese and some chives on top. I think some bacon would be good too on top, but I'm too stingy.

I love and miss you all and wish you all the best.

With that mushy stuff we call love,
Elder Matthew Carlson

Things Just Keep Rolling Along

Hello to you all! (Notice I didn't say y'all)

It has been and interesting week here in Mobile. I'll see if I can go over the highlights of the week and as always, I don't have much time.

On Tuesday I was on an exchange with Elder L, our district leader. We did some really good stuff and we also did a lot of tracting since a large portion of our appointments fell through. We didn't mind and we made the best use of our time. I got pretty good scores on my little exchange report thing so that was good. Not perfect fives, but fours and fives. So I passed! (Are you proud of me Mom?) For dinner that night I made a really good corn chowder and it was ridiculously cheap. It was about $5 for the pot and that fed two missionaries. It was really good too.

Our day on Wednesday didn't turn out as expected. I made some scrambled eggs for Elder L but he had already eaten so I had a large plate of scrambled eggs. We traded back and our plan was to go to Prichard. We usually go with a member since missionaries have gotten mugged in that area before and it's apparently the "crib of the 'hood" whatever that means. The member cancelled since something came up so we were back to square one. We did do some good stuff. We taught C the restoration and that went fairly well.

I ate something I don't think I ever have before on Thursday. I ate a whole chicken. We went over to the C's house for dinner and they gave us whole cornish hens! It wasn't as big as a chicken but it was still about the size of a football. That's a lot of chicken. There's a fun restaurant down here called Zaxby's that we went to for lunch. They sell chicken fingers. That's pretty much it. They sell milkshakes and fries as well but their main focus is chicken fingers. Elder O and I talked about how well a Zaxby's franchise would do out in the west. I think it would do well. We managed to see the B's who we've been trying to talk to for several weeks. They kept rescheduling on us and finally we got in. They're a really nice family and we had a nice chat and invited them back to church.

I scrubbed some pretty nasty stuff on Friday. It was gross. We were cleaning up some stuff and found petrified... something underneath a burner on the stove. I think it was mostly grease at one point but I don't think it was anymore. It was about a quarter of any inch thick and was about the consistency of granite counter top. It ripped paper towels to shreds and all purpose cleaner just got it wet. Elder O and I then decided to break out the big guns. We found a large bottle under the sink called "mean green". It had green translucent liquid in it. We poured some it on the grease and slowly it began to break it up. It took about 30 minutes to clean it all up. I had to wear gloves because the mean green stuff told me to wear gloves when using this product. For dinner that night we were taken out by the B's who took us to this place called "the shed". When we arrived it looked like a shed. A large shed, but a shed. It had corrugated aluminum siding all over the walls and just junk affixed all over the place. It was just really interesting. They had some really good barbecue and it was actually a nice restaurant inside. I had pulled pork. I grabbed a menu which was printed to look like it was hand scribbled on a piece of cardboard. It was cool. We had some really good conversation with Sister B about some of the less actives that she's working with and what we can do to help.

We were up bright and early on Saturday so we could be at the stake center in Theodore at 7 o'clock. The M's picked us up and took us to the bishop's storehouse and we helped out with distributing things (Grandma and Grandpa I saw the canned peaches and thought of you). It took a few hours but we got everything done. We went out for Subway after with the M's. We had some good visits with some less active members as well as some investigators.

I had to give a talk in Sacrament meeting on Sunday. I actually completely forgot about it until the morning of. Luckily PEC was cancelled due to the time change and I had some time to prepare. The topic was "my purpose as a missionary". I think I did a pretty good job so it went well. I'm still working on my public speaking skills. We went over to the L's (Sister L grew up in Corvallis) and had dinner which was really good. They made us fried fish and uber potatoes. I actually enjoyed the fish which was strange because I usually don't like fish. We tried to visit several other people but most weren't home. We did manage to contact a less active member that we've been trying to catch for a few weeks now so that was really good.

The pictures are from lunch one day. We had a large bag of roasted peanuts that a member gave us since she owns a peanut shop. We shelled the large quantity of peanuts into a bowl (first picture). It took about 45 minutes to shell all the peanuts. Then Elder O tried to spell his name with the peanuts but he ran out of peanuts (second picture). It was pretty funny.

Sorry I don't have many pictures. I didn't take many this week.

I love and miss you all.
Elder Matthew Carlson

Chili Cook-Off

I don't have a whole lot of time left but I do have some. This week has been an interesting one. Elder O has been suffering from a condition called sinusitis which is inflammation of the sinuses. It's pretty much wiped him out and it makes him really tired since he can't sleep since he coughs so much. It's been rough but we talked to the doctor and he he prescribed some drugs and he's been getting better.

I forgot my camera at the apartment so I don't have any pictures but I do have a fun story. It was Friday night and we were back at our apartment and the zone leaders voluntold (volunteered + told) us for a service project. So the next morning at 5:30 we were up and getting dressed to head down town to help out the Red Cross or cancer society or something. We arrived and discovered that they were hosting a chili cook-off. We were slapped with volunteer stickers and sent to a corner to await further orders. We stood around for a few minutes and we had all worn short sleeve shirts so we were all very cold since it was windy. We talked about missionary stuff and talked to a few people but most people were very busy trying to get everything done so we didn't want to bother too many people.

We finally received a "boss" who told us what to do. She led us around the perimeter of the park and we adjusted the barricade that had been set up by the previous crew. We moved some signs and then were once again left our cold corner. An Indy 500 car was dropped off and it was shiny, red, and very very fast. I don't remember how but suddenly we were all standing by the Indy car and admiring it's features. I don't think anyone in our group knew a whole lot about Indy cars but we tried to discuss it's various features. "It's got tires." "Those are some nice tires." "Yeah." We stood and admired the shiny red card until the man in charge of the Indy car came up and talked to us about the car. That was fun to hear about the various models and makes of the engine and I learned that this particular model was an old one. 2007 to be precise. I didn't think 5 years was a long time for a race car but apparently it is. We set up some barricades to stop the large swarms of people who were somehow drawn to the shiny fastness. We were then left in our corner once again, standing by the Budweiser truck.

I was beginning to think that I would never hold down a steady job as a volunteer and was even considering changing careers when the golden job appeared. I was told to go the the gate on St. Joseph and Dauphin. I was to guard the gate and not let anyone in or out without a stamp, ticket, or wrist band. If they gave me a ticket, stamp them and take the ticket. I did that for about 2 maybe 3 hours with Elder K and Elder O. It was kinda fun if very cold.

The relief finally arrived around 11 am. We were relieved and sent to try the various kinds of chili's to warm up. I think I had about 2 dozen different kinds of chili. The little serving cups had about half a cup of chili in them so this was a large amount of chili. Whenever I burped afterwards I could still taste chili. There was some really good chili there and some mediocre chili as well. There was some really weird chili and some chili that I think was actually a vegetable soup. The best chili was by the Pirates of the Caribbean and by the aerospace guys. They were ironically right next to each other. The weirdest chili was actually white and tasted a lot like queso cheese dip. I later learned, after talking to the main chef, that the main ingredient was in fact, white queso cheese dip. The vegetable soup one was yellow, very watery, and didn't have any beans in it, so I don't think it was chili. There were several chili that used elk or deer meat instead of regular beef. There was another chili with hush puppies in it. I still know know why you would ever put a puppy in chili but they did.

We eventually left, full of chili and still dozens more left untried but I wanted to get back to the apartment.

I love and miss you all!