Elder Dallon Smith in Chile: Rocking in the New Year!

Monday, January 3, 2011

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

Alma 29: 1-3, 9

"Oh that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people!

Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption, that they should repent and come unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth.

But behold, I am a man, and do sin in my wish; for I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me.

I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it. I do not glory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hath commanded me; yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy."

ANSWERS by Elder Dallon Smith

The morning starts in a rush.
All I want to do is tell the alarm to shush!
I get out of bed and start my daily exercise.
Why is it so early when we have to arise?

I hurry to get ready
and then immediately start to study.
So many things that I need to learn.
Will I be able to answer a question when it's my turn?

Before I know it, my companion and I are off.
Our sector is so big, I hope we don't get lost!
Everyone is really busy running here and there.
Are you sure you don't have time for a two minute prayer?

Lunch time arrives and we're ready to eat.
We get to the table and quickly take a seat.
It's humbling to see how much they give us, though they are really poor.
Oh dear Sister, do you have to ask us if we want more?

The day then begins and we're ready to go.
We get to the first door and loudly yell, "Alo!"
A man answers and coldly tells us to go away!
If it was Jesus knocking, would you let him stay?

We continue to search 'til our voices grow thin.
Once in awhile, someone will actually let us in.
We start to teach about Joseph Smith and the things that he's seen.
When they ask us a question in Spanish, we think, "What does that mean?!"

The sun goes down and the night grows cold.
But we're still out walking, seeking for those of the Lord's fold.
We want to know where else to look.
Who else is waiting to receive the message from this book?

Finally, the time arrives to go back to our home.
We strategically run back, making sure to stay in our "safe" zone.
We silently travel in the light, our safety starts to become a doubt.
Are the Lord's angels really all about?

We reach the pension and start to plan.
We talk about everyone we teach, every woman and man.
We scramble to cook, eat and shower.
Are you sure it's already been an hour?

We crash on our beds, ready to relax in a dream.
Eight hours of rest sounds better than it may seem.
I remember to pray and offer up my humble supplication.
Oh Father, did I meet your expectation?

Sweetly and softly a response starts to echo in my head.
The words feel familiar as if I've already heard them said.
"My son," he begins in a voice that I know.
"Do you realize that I love you even more than I can show?"

"I'm aware of where you are and I know what's going on.
Always remember I've sent you right where you belong.
I have a plan, but you'll have to trust in me.
Do you have faith in the promise, My kindness shall not depart from thee?"

"Don't be nervous about the language, that will all come.
Just keep my spirit near to guide you and he will work your tongue.
Be strong and courageous, and teach with the authority you've been given.
Are you remembering, you represent he who was risen?"

"Reflect on his example and guard him in your heart.
His very words will give those you're teaching a brand new start.
Be obedient, follow in his footsteps, and don't go astray.
Can you feel his presence walking beside you day by day?"

"Go and rescue my children and fight with all your might.
Remember Christ said, "My yoke is easy and my burden is light."
He loves his missionaries and knows all that you can be,
so how will you serve to answer your brothers' question, "Do you love me?"

My conversation with my Father ends and I am left in a state of peace.
So many feelings rush inside me, a joy that I can not release.
My attitude changes and my love overflows.
How can I not be happy with all of the blessings God bestows?

I will change and do my best to do as the Lord commands.
I want to place myself completely in his hands.
No matter how many questions we have or how inadequate we might feel.
We can always find our answers when we are willing to kneel.

St. John 14: 26 - 29

"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the
Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father; for my Father is greater than I.

And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe."

Moroni 9: 3 - 5

"Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.

And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things."