Elder Dallon Smith in Chile: Fishers of Men

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Fishers of Men

Dallon received our Easter package early. It only took two weeks to get to him, which is surprising. He says he loves giving out the candy to the children. He also says it is starting to get cold and is asking that we send some winter supplies. He is happy and doing so well. This week he talks about fishing at the beach. We are beginning to believe that he is actually just on vacation.

"Six months in the field feels good! I love that I can understand almost everything and can have conversations on my own. I know that I am progressing and that the Lord is using me. I am becoming a better teacher and more effective with the discussions. It is crazy that my Spanish is as good as Elder Tialavea's. I hope by one year that I am able to be fluent or at least close to it."

"The ward has been having me direct all the hymns for church. They tell me that I have a good singing voice. I have been teaching Elder Tialavea to do harmonies with the hymns which has been fun. He says that he has learned more from me in 4 weeks than from any other of his companions. He really is a cool comp. He always shows his love by doing things for others. We really have been doing a lot."

"I am still getting a lot of comments about my looks. Sometimes it can be so distracting. This week we were teaching a man who had a hard time understanding my and Elder Tialavea's gringo accents. At one point, I really felt like he was grasping the restoration and the Book of Mormon. He was looking straight at me and seemed to understand. When I finished with what I was saying, I asked if he understood. He looks at me and says, "I'm sorry but you have green eyes." Well, that about summed up the lesson for us. It can sometimes be so awkward. Elder Tialavea is super funny about it. He always says, "Why thank you!" and "Yes, my eyes are beautiful!" Everyone then just laughs. It's weird, but everyone talks about how I look and how big Elder Tialavea is. I think we hear these comments more than we talk about the Book of Mormon. ha ha"

"There is this young couple in our ward named Luis and Ingrid who love us. They made an asado for their birthday last Saturday and invited us over. They are so funny and are always teasing us. Hermana Ingrid is on a diet, so to tease her, Elder Tialavea and I bought her a box of chocolates for her birthday. ha ha Oh man, it was fun. Anyway, we were helping get the fire ready for the asado, when Elder Tialavea bent down to blow on it and rrrriiiipppp!, his pants split right down the middle! ha ha It was so loud that Hermana Ingrid yelled from inside the house, "Que paso?" Elder Tialavea had to go sit in the bathroom while Hermana Ingrid sewed his pants. I really could not control my laughter. We sure have some great times! Afterwards, we went and made tacos for Hermana Berta and her kids, Claudio's family. Then on Sunday we messed up and had two lunch appointments. We ate first with the family that signed up to feed us and then we went to eat at Hermana Paty's. She loves us and we didn't want to disappoint her. She taught us how to cook. You won't believe how much I am eating. You would be so surprised!"

"I have a little bit of bad news. I think I broke my camera. Last p-day we went to the beach and just chilled. Our asado with a family fell through, so we ended up going to the beach. I think some sand must have gotten into it. After we took the picture I sent, the camera will turn on, but none of the buttons work. I'm going to have to find a camera shop and get it fixed. You won't believe it, but I caught some fish using just branches. ha ha They were so tiny, but I still felt cool. Today we went to Cartegena and played volleyball with all the elders from our zone. It was a blast! We played a little soccer too and then had asado. It was good although we didn't get to have very much and it was expensive. Elder Tialavea was not pleased! ha ha"

"On Thursday I had an interview with President King. It was really good. I didn't have much to tell him other than Elder Tialavea and I are doing great together. We have a few families that are coming to church and reading the Book of Mormon and so everything's good. President King told me that he looks for missionaries like me who are high yield and low maintenance. That made me feel good that he thought that about me."

"I've learned that revelation is awesome. I think that one of my favorite things about a mission is that answers come fast! It is evidence that this is the Lord's work. I liked the talk about specks of gold. Sometimes we just have to enjoy the small things, so that we can find, at the end, that we have had an extremely amazing experience. Thanks for everything. I'm grateful for all of you everyday. Focus on the good and love you a ton!"

Elder Dallon Smith

Fishers of men, Elders Tialavea and Smith

A "small" meal at the pension.

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."