Two Months & Two Baptisms!

Dallon was truly excited this week.  He experienced his first convert baptism of a couple that is especially close to him.  He says it is hard to express the joy he feels.  Transfers will be happening soon and it will be difficult for him to leave the area and the people whom he has come to love and has worked so hard with.

"We finally had our first two baptisms with Guillermo and Norka!  It was such an absolutely amazing experience.  It was great to see two people enter the waters of baptism with "animo" and strong testimonies.  It was incredible.  I felt so close to the Lord when I watched Norka go under the water.  It is a feeling that I will never forget.  I feel so blessed that the Lord allowed me to be a part of the first steps in someones journey to salvation.  Even though it was really great, not everything went the way we planned.  We were suppose to have members speak and watch a movie.  However, the movie didn't work and one of the speakers never showed up.  Elder Opazo came and told me that I was going to have to speak.  I wasn't prepared for it and was a little stressed about doing it.  I wanted everything about the baptism to be perfect, so they would have a great experience.  Anyways, we also almost let the baptismal font overflow, so we had to bail out some water.  Elder Opazo grabbed a garbage can to start bailing and a non-member was there and I don't think he really liked that.  There wasn't much I could do, so I went to the custodial closet to get a bucket to help bail.  It was a little funny and I just had to laugh it off.  Luckily the ceremony went great.  Brother Wilchez did a great job with the first talk and I actually did ok on my talk about the spirit and enduring to the end.  I won't ever forget their faces while I was speaking.  They were so happy and had tears in their eyes.  I was glad that I got to be a part of the baptismal service and that the Lord helped me to say the things that I needed to.  All in all, it turned out pretty incredible."

"This week I finally was able to make brownies!  I made some for the Alfaro family.  They were really yummy, although I over-cooked it a little.  I'll eventually get it right.  They loved the brownies and some sweet popcorn from Christmas.  It is always so rewarding to serve the people here.  I love giving them treats that they don't have in Chile.  They were so grateful and I was so grateful for the brownies you sent me.  They definitely were put to good use."

"In weeks of great success, Satan was also working equally as hard too.  I ended up not having divisions with Elder DeLong because he had to do divisions with the zone leaders.  I kinda felt like I was just left out to dry.  I know it was my fault that I wasn't having a good day, but I am not perfect and sometimes it is hard to stay positive.  I still have so much to improve on.  Satan made me think negative and then it was hard to get out of the rut.  Anyways, we were walking that evening and ran into Norka.  She was with her friend and she called me her son and was saying look at how good looking he is. ha ha  It made me feel better though and reminded me that the Lord has blessed me so much.  I need to not let myself get down.  I know that Guillermo and Norka love me.  They are always concerned about how we are going to stay in contact.  They and the Alfaro family are nervous about the changes next week.  It's almost certain that I or Elder Opazo will get transferred.  I'm pretty sure I will be going to the city.  We will just have to see where the Lord has plans for me."

"We weren't able to talk to Elena Salinas this week.  I think she is on vacation.  That is what has been hard is vacations.  Almost the whole country is on vacation, so no one is home! ha ha  Everyone goes on vacation for like a month here.  They are so lucky.  I think we should have this tradition in the states!  It's been really hot and we haven't been able to contact a lot of people this week.  Some of the days have been a little long.  I know that the Lord has a purpose for me here, even though I am starting to realize more and more that he requires us to give every little bit of ourselves.  It is hard work, but it is so worth it.  I hope to continue working hard and finding the people the Lord has prepared.  I know that they are out there and are waiting for the gospel.  I really want to find a young family like Grandpa and Grandma Capps had when they were converted.  Look at how much good those missionaries did.  I hope that I'll be able to give that same opportunity to a family here in Chile.  I know that they are here...I just need to find them."

"I wish I could go to the temple.  I love learning more about temples on my mission.  We are so lucky that we have the opportunity to go to the temple whenever we want.  The people here have to sacrifice to go.  It's just cool when we use the blessings that we are given."

"Anyways, that was my week.  You are in my prayers and thoughts every day.  I love you.  Be good and have fun."

Elder Dallon Smith

Elder Smith, Guillermo, Norka, Elder Opazo

Guillermo and Norka's Baptism Jan. 23, 2011

Brownies with the Alfaro family

Climb Every Mountain

The pictures of Dallon this week surprised us at how much he's grown.  He is becoming a man right before our eyes.  Not only in the physical sense, but spiritually as well.  He loves his mission and talks a lot about his love for people in general.  As a family, we are so thankful for everyone in Chile who is caring for and loving our Elder.  We know that they are taking over where our ward family and friends have passed off.  We are truly blessed.  Dallon did give us his password to his email account, so that we can collect any missed emails without having to call the mission office.  He says that he doesn't want to be considered a "mama's boy", but we all know better.

"The first of the week we had our last "Greenie" meeting.  It was a lot of fun and I ate a ton of pizza!  I love being with all my friends.  Elder Cummock is always taking care of me and brought me an apple to eat. ha ha  He is such a stud.  We learned a lot about how to teach and use the spirit.  We were all sad that it was our last meeting as "Greenies".  It was so hot in Santiago.  I am so glad that I am in paradise on the coast! ha ha"

"The next day we traveled to Melipilla in a tiny little hippie van.  We had to squeeze the whole zone in and it was so crowded!  There are 15 elders and 2 sisters in our zone.  We still had a good time together.  We went to listen to Elder Corbridge of the Seventy speak at a special conference.  He taught about the most important gift that we are given in this life; the Holy Ghost.  He said that we should focus our lessons on it.  He is so smart and I learned so much.  He spoke for 4 hours straight.  It made for a long day, and then we had a small banquet afterwards.  Elder Birch was there and I loved being able to speak Spanish with him.  He spoke Spanish really well in the MTC and now I feel like I can speak it as well as he can. ha ha  It was cool to know how much I've improved.  Sometimes a weakness can be a strength.  I started talking so much more and had a lot of really fun conversations with members and investigators this week.  I want to improve faster, but I know that I am right where the Lord wants me with my Spanish.  I won't let myself get discouraged.  I am going to be fluent and I am going to be effective.  The Lord uses the spirit to talk to people, not necessarily the words.  I love being a missionary and wish that I could feel the spirit strong all the time, like when we are teaching.  It's when I am teaching others about God's love for them, that I realize just how much he loves me."

"Then I had divisions with Elder Thomas.  He is so much fun.  I love that he is always himself.  I like meeting people with different personalities and interests.  I did a lot on divisions with him and we had a really good house contact.  We had an 18 year old boy with us the whole day named Leo Luna.  He is so cool and has such a strong testimony.  A drunk came up to us on the street and kept telling us that we were Satan.  He was talking crap about Joseph Smith and said that we worship idols.  He ripped a card with the picture of Christ on it and the whole time I am thinking this is crazy.  He kept saying something like "mentiendome", which kind of means, "are you lying to me", and I thought he was saying, "entiendome", which means, "do you understand me", so I kept saying, "yes, yes". ha ha  Leo was like, "no! no!".  It was so funny, but then Leo bore a strong testimony about Joseph Smith right there on the street.  It made me think about how different it would have been to grow up in a different country.  I would like to think that I would be strong in faith like Leo, then at the same time, I could see how difficult it could be without the support of members like we have at home.  It was a great day, except for the flea bites I got again from staying over at the other pension!  I have divisions with Elder DeLong again this week, so that will be fun."

"One really cool thing I got to do this week is help a man build a house.  The landlord kicked his family out and they are super poor, so they are just going to build a house on an old abandoned lot next to the beach.  I'm not sure if it is even legal, but we went and dug holes with a big iron rod to put pillars in for the house.  It was so much work and we didn't have good tools.  The iron ripped off my and Elder Opazo's calluses, so our hands were bleeding and we still had to dig.  We had bloody dirt all over us.  Then there were a bajillion flies that came and were eating at the wounds.  It was crazy and miserable.  At the same time, it felt good.  He was so grateful and appreciated the help.  I definitely worked really hard and it was a great service activity.  I think we will be helping him throughout the month."

"It's sad to see how poor the people are and how alone they feel.  We had a really good lesson with a family this week.  The Bishop came with us and I know it made a difference.  It is amazing how a few minutes of a leader's time can have such a big impact on someone's life.  During the lesson they began to cry and said that they felt so alone and didn't understand why the Lord would put them in a situation where they had no where to go.  They didn't have a way of changing their circumstances.  They also said that they had no family and friends, except for the Lord and  these two Elders.  It was so sad, but I understood that the role of a missionary is so powerful.  You are a representative of Jesus Christ.  You are helping people to remember they are never alone and that we have a purpose and a plan here.  It's at times like this that I realize there is no where in the entire world I would rather be right now.  I love that you wrote me that it's not about the baptisms, but rather the lives that you touch.  I have truly taken that to heart and it has changed our focus and planning for the week.  I am here to help people; not just get baptisms.  Although, I do have good news!  Elena Salinas is committed to be baptized!  She is the lady from the red apartments.  We thought she was 35, but she has a daughter that is 21, so we don't really know how old she is.  If you could pray for her and the Alfaro family, it would really help.  Guillermo and Norka are going to be baptized this Saturday! Yay-aa!  While on divisions, Elders Opazo and DeLong convinced them to have members baptize them, instead of me.  I am so excited for them."

"Today we hiked up to a mountain that overlooks San Antonio.  I am sending you some pictures of the activity.  It was a lot of fun!  We also found a new part of our sector by the beach.  I was so happy! ha ha  But the closer you get to the beach, the poorer the people are.  I hope that we will be able to find lots of new investigators in this new part and make a difference in people's lives.  Oh, I also ate some intestines this week that was really good."

"I love you all so much.  Have a great week for me.  The missionary work is truly a work of miracles.  I hope you will all continue to be strong in the faith and remember the many blessings that we have."

Elder Dallon Smith

Conference with Elder Corbridge

King of the Mountain!

The District on top of the world

Looks like an early spring!

Great Missionaries, Great Friends

Taking a leap of faith!

It's Getting Hot!

A funny thing happened this week.  Dallon let us know that he was sending an email, but it never sent.  We couldn't go without hearing from him for a week, so we emailed the mission office and asked if they could contact Elder Smith and have him resend his email.  The office promptly took care of it and we got our letter.  We can't imagine what Dallon was thinking when he got the call from the office that his family needed him to send his email again.  Hopefully, he smiled.  

"First off this week, I had to go to Santiago.  My and Elder DeMeyer's visa papers came fast and early, so we had to go on divisions together and make a trip to the city.  It was a crazy adventure.  It was also funny because our trainers put us on a bus and we were on our own for the first time.  Half way to Santiago we realized that neither of us had a cell phone, so we were really flying solo!  Luckily, Elder DeMeyer's companion gave him good directions and, with a little miracle, we were able to navigate and find the mission office.  We arrived there at 10:00 at night and no one was around, so we just sat there in front of the gate to the church for like a half hour.  We thought they had forgotten about us and then, by chance, the APs happen to walk by and let us in.  They were a little mad at us for not telling our district or zone leaders that we were leaving our sectors, but then we had no idea that we were suppose to.  Elder DeMeyer and I really felt like we weren't suppose to be there.  It turned out that Elders DeLong and Thomas had to come to the mission office as well to do their visa work, so it turned out ok.  We all stayed the night at the assistants and office Elders' apartment and talked a lot about the mission and played UNO together.  We had a blast, but that night was bloody hot!!  Elder DeMeyer and I had to sleep on the bottom bunks in the assistants' room and I thought that I was being baked to death.  I am so glad I am not serving in Santiago right now.  It is so hot over here!  We woke up at 7:00, well actually more like got out of bed because I didn't sleep a wink all night in the pit of heck...ha ha...so I was tired the whole next day.  We ran all over Santiago and went into the North mission to do some paperwork.  We had to take many buses and metros to get there.  The metro is so hot and there are a bajillion people down there!  It was so funny, because we really had to push our way into the metro.  I was laughing so hard because I never thought I would have to push some old lady into the metro so that five missionaries could squash in.  All the missionaries in Santiago are pros with the metro, but I still think it's funny and am confused half the time.  I realize I am really bad at directions. ha ha  Anyways, when we got to the visa place we legit only had to sign two papers and it was back to the metro and busses again.  We had to go through all this just to sign two papers.  It was crazy!  There are many actors and performers here that perform on busses for money.  They are actually really talented.  One actor did a monologue as General O'higgins, who was the founder of Chile.  It was really good.  We got back and went to eat at this really good completo restaurant with the office missionaries.  It was a blast and we got to know the Elders really well.  They are Elders Martinez, Van Dyke, Wardell, Redhair, Cummings, Barlow, Acosta, and Stoddard.  It was fun having Elder DeMeyer as a companion for a day.  We were hoping that our trainers would be out working when we got back to our sectors, so that we could work together for the rest of the day, but they were both home.  Elder DeMeyer is really cool and I gave him that Tiger Balm a while back and he loves it.  He says he can't sleep without it. ha ha  It was a fun time."

"To answer your question, yes, I am still singing all the time.  I just wish I had more music to sing to.  Elder Opazo also loves to sing.  We are constantly singing different songs together. ha ha  It's so funny.  Elder Thomas has been teaching me about choir music.  He is a choir music pro. ha ha  Right when I was reading the email about talking to Elder Thomas's mom, he turns to me from the next computer and says, "yup...our moms are communicating!"  ha ha  It was funny."

"Every P-day we do something with all the Elders.  Today we played soccer and basketball and I killed it! ha ha  It's fun doing stuff with the other Elders.  I think it would be fun to live with four Elders.  The more the better. ha ha  All the Elders are becoming my close friends.  We have a lot of fun together.  Sometimes we get together and play board games.  We have been playing Risk at the pensions.  I hate playing Risk because by the end of the game, everyone is mad at eachother. ha ha  It's still great just spending time together."

"We don't have a Tsunami evacuation plan, but I guess we don't really have to worry too much.  Luckily here in Barrancas, it's not like a huge wave that hits at once.  It is more like the water just keeps climbing up towards the city.  I'm a little nervous though because Elder Opazo and I live the closest to the ocean in our zone.  I guess we had a Tsunami warning the other week, but none of us even knew about it. ha ha  Gotta love Chile!"

"This week was a definite success.  We worked with the Elders Quorum and one of the young men a lot.  We had a good time.  I also got to talk to the members a lot and found out so much about them.  Most of the members in the ward are all friends and grew up together, so they all dated eachother and fun things like that.  The members are the best and I love getting to know them.  It is also amazing how the investigators come to truly love us.  One couple always calls me, mi regalon...which means, my favorite or dear one.  They also learned how to say, I love you, in English and say it to me a lot.  It's times like that when I know I am here for a reason.  I will never forget it.  I think the Lord has plans for every one of his missionaries.  I love the mission work, even though some days are hard and some days are good.  It's all worth it."

"I got my packages just fine.  Everything was there, so that's a plus.  I haven't been able to bake anything because we don't have pans for brownies or cookies.  I'll look at the store today and try to buy some.  I have shared some of the caramel popcorn.  The Chilean people love sweets.  President and Hermana King was here when I got my packages because they were down to see how we were doing and were having a special zone meeting that day.  Tomorrow I am going to Santiago for another "greenie" meeting and then back again on Friday for a special orientation.  It'll be fun to see all my buds there again."  

"Sorry, I don't have many pictures to send.  I have pics with my companion and a few of my friends, but it was all on their cameras.  I'm sending one of me playing soccer today and one of Elder Opazo moving a cat that had died in our front yard. ha ha  Well, I'm doing my best and always trying to improve.  Tell everyone "hola" for me and thanks for everything!"

Elder Dallon Smith 

Soccer on P-day

Elder Opazo removing a dead cat!

Rocking in the New Year!

Although the New Year in Chile started off with a 7.1 magnitude earthquake, Dallon is doing well and prospering.  He said he didn't even feel it this time.  The epicenter was way south about 300 miles from his present location.  He was excited to finally receive his packages from family and friends.  President and Sister King was there when he got them and they laughed and teased him about how loved he was.  We also received an email from Elder Opazo which was a special treat for us.  He expressed his love for Elder Smith and told us how, although he is the trainer, he has learned so much about the importance of living the gospel and feeling the spirit from his companion.  He says that his mission has been the best time of his life.  We are so grateful for Elder Opazo.  Sounds like the Elders are off to a great start.

"The New Year here was so much fun!  We got to eat with the family Vejar.  They fed us bbq ribs, chicken and roast! ha ha  It was a little piece of heaven!  They made so much that they invited us over the next day for leftovers.  It was the best!  I really love their family.  We had to go back to our pension by 11:00pm so that no crazies would attack us with kisses or drunks...I'm not quite sure.  Elder Opazo and I broke the rules a little and stayed up until midnight just to watch the fireworks through our window. ha ha  It was fun and we made a quick video but the fireworks were so far away.  We loved it anyways."

"This week was about buckling down again and getting to work.  We had a few little miracles like finding inactive families that we have been looking for for the past month.  We also were able to get into a bunch of homes by wishing them a happy new year and asking if we could come in and offer a prayer to bless their home.  That was my idea and it worked really well.  Another idea I had was to make a schedule for the brethren in the ward Elder's quorum to come work with us as missionaries.  The new Bishop loved it and had everyone sign up.  We need to have members come teach lessons with us in order for them to count, so now next week we will have a member of the Elder's quorum with us almost every day!  Those two ideas made me really happy this week and I am so excited to work. ha ha  It's funny that those types of things make me happy.  I'm truly turning into a missionary!"

"One experience I had this week was with an older couple.  We have been teaching them a lot, especially about charity and I think it has been helping them.  I have never felt like what I say actually mattered to someone as much as it does now.  That is one cool thing about having the office of an Elder.  You can act in the Lord's name and truly help to better someones life.  We had just finished teaching a lesson to them and they gave Elder Opazo and I each a present. ha ha  They were so funny.  I got a Chilean flag that played the national anthem and Elder Opazo got shampoo.  But then the couple looked at us and asked if I would baptize them.  I felt so humbled and couldn't believe that they wanted me to do it.  We have gotten really close and I was honored to be asked.  We are going to try to convince them to be baptized by someone in the ward because it helps with fellowshipping, but I thought it was so cool."

"Another experience I had was awesome in a different way.  We were teaching a family and all of a sudden out of nowhere the ex boyfriend comes in.  They started full on fighting right in the middle of the lesson.  He came in because he wanted to take the tv, but the mom wouldn't let him because it's the only thing that keeps the kids occupied.  It was a little intense and the man kept pushing her a little.  The whole time I am thinking what are we going to do if things get crazy?  Oh man, it was insane!  Eventually he left and said that he would come back on Monday with the police.  The mom went into the back room and started sobbing.  It was so sad.  The family is so poor and has such a hard life.  I wish there was something more I could do to help them.  She soon came back out and we taught her a lot that really helped her.  We taught her that God has a plan for everyone to return to him and that we should be grateful for the things that we do have.  We told her that we are never alone and that God and his angels are always around us.  I shared that scripture D&C 84:88, about angels bearing us up from the card that you sent me.  Thanks mom.  She really felt comforted.  I love when I feel like we truly make a difference in peoples lives."

"I'm sending some pictures of the family that we spent Christmas with.  We were fed bbq with an assortment of meat.  It was so fun to be with them and I ate so much!  We stayed over at Elder DeLong and Thomas's apartment.  We all opened presents together and then played games until late.  It was a great Christmas.  One of the pictures is a little boy that I bought a blow up giraffe for. ha ha  It was for a white elephant game but he loved it.  I love this family.  They are so kind and truly are example members."

"So everything is good with me.  I loved the card you sent with my package.  I'd like to think that angels are around me and my family all the time.  The Lord has a plan for us and all we have to do is have faith and everything is going to work out in the best way for us.  Here are some of my New Year's resolutions...1- Find a way to enjoy every day of my mission, 2- Truly become a sharp tool in the Lord's hands that can bring many to salvation, 3- Learn Spanish, 4- Try my best to improve daily, 5- Be grateful for all that I have and count my blessings.  Develop an attitude of gratitude!  There is so much more that I would like to do, but I'll just start with these five for now. ha ha  Ok have a good week and know that you are always with me.  Les amo mucho!"

Elder Dallon Smith

Christmas Eve

Elders Opazo, Smith, DeLong, and Thomas being good...

...same Elders being goofy!

A Chilean Bar-b-que

Good company

 

A missionary Christmas sleepover

The Chile Santiago West Mission