Pictures from the MTC

The Sunday before Elder Maughan left for the MTC our family went to a baby blessing. In the meeting a Brother got up to bear his testimony and said how excited he was for his son to leave for the MTC that Wednesday. After the meeting was over Elder Maughan and his dad went over and talked to the Houck family. Turns out Elder Houck and Elder Maughan were in the same zone in the MTC!

Elder Baucom and Elder Maughan

Elder Stewart and Elder Maughan

Elder Maughan and Elder Miggin

Elder Maughan and his "roomies"

Elder Maughan and Elder Pingree

               

Weeks 2 & 3

Hello everyone!! SO this email will probably be long since I haven't gotten the chance to email in about two weeks!! So I made it to NEW ZEALAND!!! I didn't know if I'd be coming here until the morning I was suppose to leave. Pretty crazy stuff if you ask me really. I absolutely loved the MTC!! I made so many great connections and miss everyone there so much. I don't know if I could do it for more than 3 or 4 weeks but it was a blast. The MTC Nothing super crazy happened until my last night. Our zone of elders had a rap battle going and it was super sweet. But right as 10:15 hit we had to go to our rooms. But it was a really good night. So my roomies dropped me off at the travel place at about 11:30. Got all checked in and everything and got on a bus to the Provo FrontRunner Station. I was hanging out with Elder Hunter and he was the only other elder going to New Zealand. So we were kind of comforting one another. It was super harder again with lots of doubt doing this and how fast I could of gotten home. But I am staying with it no matter what!! At the airport we were just chilling and I saw Sister Nikki Flink!! She was just getting home and when she read my name tag she was in total shock to see me!! It was good to see someone from home, rough, but good!! In San Francisco I finally got some food and was able to just relax a little bit. On the plane it was super nice. I had an empty seat next to me and an old guy at the window. So we had room and we talked. The safety video was very strange.. It was like some All Blacks players doing something as Men In Black with that movie? Idk super weird, I was mostly talking to the dude next to me. For the first our I was messing around with the screen in front of me and watch the first part of Lord of the Rings. Then I wanted to sleep so I turned on Monsters U and was out very fast after dinner. They gave us like roast and potatoes, actually wasnt that bad. Then I was out. When I woke up I tried to go back to sleep but I wasn't overly comfortable. So I turned on Toy Story 1 and watched that whole thing all the way through! Just kind of relaxed for a while.

We get into Auckland at about 6:30 am on Wednesday. Major jet lag. Elder and Sister Reeves (Our mission secretaries) came and picked us up and took us to the MTC here. Being there I felt like I wouldn't have enjoyed it as much as Provo. Very very small and there's like no where to go, youre in a box. But there I met up with Elder Berger, Nakamura, and Kessinger! They are all from Utah so it was fun to see them. We left the MTC and went to One Tree Hill. It was this big hill with a monument on it and we could look out on basically our whole mission. So the AP's and Pres Balli talked to us there but it was really cold so we left fast. We went to the Mission office in Takapuna and had a little intro and interviewed with the President. There we got our debit card and some other info that we needed. They then took us to a Motel were I finally got to sleep for only an hour and a half but it was better than nothing!! After that we went to the mission home and kind of had a testimony meeting and dinner. 

The next day we went to the mission home at about 7:30 for breakfast. After a little instruction President Balli announced our companions and areas. My comps name is Elder Murdock from South Jordan Utah! We went to a stake center for a transfer meeting and that's when I first met him!! So we went through the whole meeting and blah blah stuff. Then we went to our flat. We have a car!! It's super nice like a 2014 Corolla. Our flat isn't anything special. Just one bedroom and small living room and a kitchen and bathroom. Nothing crazy. We kind of sat there and waited for the zone leaders to come by and they brought the whole herd! They raided our kitchen and just chilled with us. It was good to see other elders. Then right off the bat it was time for work! We didn't do much besides just talking with people on the streets and he was showing me the area. Then at night we met with a girl named Joe. She's Chinese and is here for work. But she was so interested! She wanted to know more and more and it was just her first lesson. We talked about the Restoration and she totally understood. we were talking and everything and I got to give her the Baptismal Invite!!!! and she said YES!! But shes moving like next week... so we can't help her there. But it was still so cool!! Any who, the rest of the week was super good. Just getting to know the area and talk with people. The work here is somewhat slow but needs to be done. I will inform more next week on anything crazy but I think I'd rambled enough!! 

I love you all and I will talk with you soon!!

Meeting President and Sister Bali

The new Sisters and Elders at One Tree Hill

Elder Maughan and Elder Berger

Meeting his new companion Elder Murdock

  

Made It Safe and Sound

Dear Brother and Sister Maughan,

We are writing a quick note to let you know that you son arrived safely into Auckland this morning.  We picked him up along with the other missionaries from the MTC coming into the mission and brought him into the mission office and mission home for training.  We will send a few photos with some information about his new area and companion in the next few days.

Thank you,

All is well.

Sister Balli

New Zealand Auckland Mission

Just a little story. As we were talking to Elder Maughan before he got on his plan to New Zealand he was telling us that one of the Elders he was with was a little sick and almost didn't travel to New Zealand with him. Anyone who knows Elder Maughan knows that it is in his nature to take care of others first. During the conversation my mom mentioned that she had changed his seat to an aisle seat and that nobody was sitting next to him. His reply was, "Oh good! Maybe Elder Hunter could switch seats and sit by me. I want to make sure he is okay."  

Elder Maughan is New Zealand Bound!!

Last Wednesday night we got an email from Elder Maughan saying he would be going to Knoxville, Tennessee because his visa hadn't come yet. After scrambling to figuring out where his visa was, and what the heck was going on we found his visa, and found out his flight plans and he was confirmed to go to New Zealand and he is on his way!! We got to talk to him for about an hour and heard all about his adventures at the MTC! He is doing very well and can't wait to get to New Zealand! While waiting for his flight to San Francisco Elder Maughan saw Sister Nikki Flink and her family returning from her mission from Independence, Missouri! Elder Maughan doesn't know when he will be able to email again; we are thinking next Monday (Sunday night for us) and he said he would send lots of pictures. Elder Maughan would love to hear from everyone, we will update his address for New Zealand when we get it from him. But you can fill up his email and he would love it! carson.maughan@mylds.mail

Week One!

Hello everyone!!! Today is my first P-day and it is absolutely wonderful! Our district has been going none stop and it is really tiring and I'm glad we finally have a break to just relax. I got put into a district where they are all going to Baltimore or North Carolina. They like to call me the strangler of the group but I couldn't be more thankful for this district. They are what is pushing me through and helping me adapted to the mission life. My comps name is Elder Baucom from Riverton Ut. we have bonded so well together and we already have the flow of teaching together down! In our room we have Elder Garcia(Fresno Cali) and Nielsen (Sandy Ut) and we probably have the best time ever in our room. Last night Baucom got a jar of salsa and we dinner have a place to put it so we all ate it in about 15 minutes before bed. 

So a little run down of the first week. Wednesday was tough saying goodbye until about 17 steps away from the curb and the tears were gone. I felt good but was always thinking about my family and having doubts. But I just pushed through it and we were right into class within the first 2 hours.

Thursday was tough also, some old thoughts throughout the day and it was hard for me. We met out Branch President that night and I had a good talk/cry with him and ever since then I haven't had any doubt or hard times! I'm super thankful for him and his leadership. After he interviewed the whole district he announced that he wanted me to be District Leader! Day 2 and I already had a calling! I have loved being the DL though so it's all good!

Friday, I'll be honest I can't remember what we did, but it went by fast so that's super good!! 

Saturday- we had more classes starting at 8:15 until 12:15. We taught this guy name Chad and he has been through some hard times but he is really progressing!! Then we had lunch and right back to the class room from 1:15 to 4;15. Then it was GYM TIME!! Our elders have started to go ride the bikes for 10 minutes and that gets pretty hard because we haven't done that like at all! then dinner and study from 5:45 to 9:30 which can get long.

Sunday, we had our first sacrament with the whole zone which was cool. It's scary tho because we never know if we are going to speak until after the sacrament has been passed and the speakers start. I didn't have to talk so that was good ;) We had a lot of meetings since we are in leadership so the morning kind of went by slow. But after lunch it was smooth sailing. We went to choir at 5;15 and sung Hurrah to Israel, a song wrote for Elder Grover from "The Other Side of Heaven". There was so much power behind it all and I loved it!! Then we stayed in the gym for the Sunday night Devo. It kinda felt like conference but live. And he had elders and sisters talk in mics and it was really cool.

Then we stayed in the some more to watch Elder Bednars MTC talk called "Characters of Christ" which is only shown here in the MTC so it was super cool. Then we went to bed which is honestly the best part of the day.

Monday- HOOOOOOLLLLLYYYYYY COW!! The best day so far!! We went through the regular day, but when we taught Chad he had a rough night last night. We went in with the Plan of Salvation ready to teach and we went a whole nother way thanks to the Spirit. And at the end of the lesson we got him to PRAY!! That was a super big step in him having more faith and coming closer to Christ. Then just another day all day long of learning and trying to improve. Then we came to district study. This was by far the greatest thing we have done as a district and easily one of the best meetings I've ever been in. The sisters in my district are Sister Skalla, Higbee, Johns and Anderson. I opened the meeting at 9 to anyone who just wanted to share their experience or studies and this is when the spirit came like none other. Sister Skalla sung us a song called "Savior Redeemer of my Soul" she's super talented might I add. And Elder Nielsen and Sister Higbee just lost it. We had everyone kind of share stories and it was super spiritual. Then I got up and told them all how much I love them all and that the reason I'm in the Provo MTC was so I could be with all of them. So they could teach me and love me and make me feel at home and strive in my mission. It was super hard for me, when I was up there talking and I saw Baucom crying and I almost lost it. Seeing my comp cry is super hard for me and I am so thankful for the bond he and I have made. I will never EVER forget this district and how great they all are and how they all make me feel. 

Well week 1 is up!! The computers are weird so I'll be sending some pictures in a couple minutes or so!! 

Please send letters and packages!!! They are golden here!! If you use Dear Elder .com I will get it the same day and it is awesome!! We need DRINKS!!! We get food all the time but no drinks!! To send packages and letters and stuff my address is

Elder Carson Scott Maughan

(Provo MTC address)

Sept 21 NZE-AUC

Branch 66 District 66A Box 69

I will double check that shortly and make sure that's correct!

Well this is my email for the week! Pictures coming soon!! Next time you hear from me I'll be in NEW ZEALAND!!!! I love you all and thank you for all the support!!!

Me and my roomies!! It goes me, Elder Baucom (Comp) Elder Garcia and Elder Nielsen

second picture is my wonderful district!!!

The Elders of the District!!

A picture of the salsa they ate in 15 minutes! 

First Email

Hello family!! How is it going back home!! I miss you guys so much! Not an hour goes by that I'm not thinking about you guys! The first night was good, until I found moms little care package for me and that was pretty rough but thank you very much for that!! The second day was VERY long! Sitting in class is pretty tough but very doable with the spirit! My companion is Elder Baucom from Riverton Ut! We are very similar and have hit it off really well!! It gets rough when I sit in my own thoughts alone (even in a crowded room) I'll start thinking about you guys and how much I miss you guys and love you! It felt super nice to let out all my emotion to my President and I feel super great now! It's all good! Our president asked/assigned me to be the DISTRICT LEADER!! The second day here!! It's crazy but I'm ready for the responsibility! 

This was suppose to be kind of short and just let you know I'm happy and alive!! I will write you guys again on Tuesday (my P-day) and hopefully talk to you soon!! 

Love you guys so much!!

-- Elder Maughan

From opening Elder Maughan's call to dropping him off at the MTC.

Today we dropped Elder Maughan off at the Provo MTC. We can't wait to hear all about his adventures! Elder Maughan would love to hear from everyone! His email address is carson.maughan@myldsmail.net. Or use DearElder.com to send him letters that he will get the same day in the MTC. His mission code is NZE-AUC and his unit number is 69. We will be posting all his emails and pictures he sends home here. Click on the link below to see pictures and videos from Elder Maughan's call opening to dropping him off at the MTC. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyT_QU9ER7I