A Peruvian Companion

Dallon tells us about having changes and a new companion from Peru.  He had a great time seeing old friends and spent a day with them at the Santiago temple.  He is excited about finally being fluent in Spanish and is looking forward to working with Elder Gomez. 

"Hola mi familia.  Les extrano much pero yo se que el senor esta bendiciendoles mucho y que el tiene un plan para nosotros.  Esta Semana recibi me greenie se llama Elder Gomez.  El es de Peru y tiene 22 anos.  El tambien tiene 11 dedos. ha ha  El es bakan!"

"I started training this week and it has been a roller coaster.  First, we did despididos or good-byes for Elder Balling.  The ward threw him a little party and it was fun.  I was glad that they did that for him.  Then on Wednesday, I got to go to the temple!!!  Whoo hoo!!!  It was incredible.  The temple is so pretty.  Inside it has a lot of gold and light blue.  The stone is a dark blue granite that is only found in Chile and is really rare.  It was beautiful.  The best part is that Elder Smart is training with me, so we got to stick together the whole time. ha ha  We have gone through the same things at the same times throughout our whole mission.  How tight is that?! ha ha  The temple workers loved me because I actually did really well going through the temple in Spanish.  I understand about everything and felt so good about how far I have come.  The celestial room was beautiful and a little small, but the feeling there was the same.  The church is true.  Afterwards, a bunch of us all went to eat at Subway.  There is about six of us from my group that are all training.  We received 15 latinos.  Oh yeah, in the morning I got to see Elder Tialavea and a whole bunch of my friends and it was glorious. ha ha  I missed them and I received a bunch of letters from Barrancas.  Guillermo and Norka are still active and I also helped activate Clara Pozo who is so happy and expressed her gratitude to me.  It was so cool!"

"We all talked and waited for three hours for our greenies to arrive.  We had to face our backs to them when they came in and they had to find us.  My greenie is Elder Gomez from Peru.  He is 22 years old...which at first was a little hard because he didn't like the fact that I was younger than him.  I got to know him and he's gone through some rough stuff.  His family is really poor and broke up because he came on the mission.  He is really smart and kinda wanted to take the lead because he could speak the language better.  I've been working on getting him to think in a more team friendly way.  It's also been hard because we don't have many people to teach, which means that we are contacting a lot, which isn't very fun.  We are just beginning to become better friends and have strong unity between the two of us.  I know he's a good guy.  I've just got to help him get the vision of the mission.  He is really excited and I like that he has a lot of excitement to work.  That's what I want! ha ha  It's been good and I'm just praying that the Lord will help me know what to do and where to go.  I know that when we are obedient, the spirit will be able to be a strong partner in our companionship."

"On Saturday, we did a service project with the whole zone.  We cleaned up the side of a freeway and also a Catholic church.  It was great to be out in the service of the Lord.  We also had a really cool miracle happen because there was a ton of work and a lot of junk.  People just dump stuff wherever they want.  However, the community supported us and came out to take pictures and everything.  It was really cool.  We didn't have a lot of time and there was a lot of work to do.  Then out of nowhere, a tractor, that was passing by, saw us and came and did a ton of work to help with the service.  It was sooo cool.  He got everything done in 10 minutes that would have taken us about 2 hours.  It was awesome.  I love it when the Lord blesses us."

"Oh yeah, President made me play the piano again in the trainer orientation after not playing for 3 months.  It's so embarrassing.  I messed up a bit, but got through it.  I should have gotten good before the mission. ha ha right?  Now I am living with Elder Hansen who is hilarious.  He is great and amazing at the violin.  He is writing songs and wants me to sing them.  It's gonna be fun!  All my companions have taught me a lot.  Elder Opazo is so proud that he is going to be a grandpa in the mission. ha ha  We took family photos during changes.  Elder Tialavea is just like the older brother that I would have loved to have.  He takes care of me and taught me to just relax and love the work.  Elder Balling taught me to have patience.  I'm not sure what I am suppose to learn now.  I hope that we will be able to have success here.  I feel like I've grown a lot.  I know I have a long ways to go, but I have faith that I'll be able to get through anything.  The Lord has blessed me so much.  I only want to do his will...even though some days are harder than others.  I love that I can communicate in Spanish and understand everything.  Elder Gomez is going to help me improve with that, so I'm excited.  It's cool that I can survive in Spanish now.  Who woulda thought?"

"Tell everyone "hi" for me and that I love them all soooo much!  I hope you are all happy.  I miss you a ton and am grateful for your support.  I miss just relaxing, but I'd rather be here.  Thanks for everything!"

Elder Dallon Smith

President and Sister King with Elder Smith and Elder Gomez

Elder Hansen and Elder Smith hard at work.

Fun with the Barrueto family

Helping Elder Smith feel right at home!

Training!

It was exciting for us to hear from Dallon this week.  He tells us that he is being made a trainer and will have a new companion tomorrow.  He is excited and humbled by the responsibility he's being given.  He also gets to attend the Santiago temple for the first time. 

"First of all, we had interviews with the Mission President.  It was really great.  He always makes me feel so much better and helps me find my base again.  Elder Balling went first and then I did.  I wasn't sure of what I was going to tell President or what he was going to ask me.  He began by telling me thank you for all the things that I had done with Elder Balling.  I don't know why but it really threw me off and I got all choked up.  It was hard for me to get the words out, but I got through it.  We talked about the ward and all the things that were going on.  After that the President told me that he wanted me training this next change and that he was going to keep me here.  He said that he received revelation and that the Lord needed me training.  I responded by saying that if the Lord said I could do it than I could.  He said he knew I was ready and that I have been ready for a long time.  I was a little surprised and the whole interview was such a mix of emotions for me that when I came out, I felt a little light headed.  President King is really cool.  Last night he called to officially notify me.  I get to go to the temple tomorrow!!  I'm also pretty sure that I will be training a latino companion.  We have 12 latinos and 3 gringos coming in.  We'll see what happens.  I'm excited and nervous and anxious...ha ha a little of everything.  Elder McDougal got changes too, so it looks like Elder Belmar and I will be holding down the pension.  I can't believe I'm going from jr. companion to training.  I'm going to really need your prayers this week! ha ha"

"Another fun thing that happened is Elder Opazo sent me a trophy! ha ha  It was so random, yet so thoughtful of him.  It is a helm of a ship or steering wheel and it has a lighter on the bottom that comes through a skeleton head.  When you push the button to make the fire come out, it plays the Titanic song that I attempted to teach Elder Opazo how to play on the piano. ha ha  My whole zone was going crazy and thought it was so cool.  He also had my name engraved on it.  It was really great of him to do that for me."

"We had lots of people to visit and a lot of time to go contacting.  My poor greenie is going to be knocking doors all day. ha ha  I know I gotta be super good, so that he can have a great mission.  I also know the Lord will help me.  I was asked to confirm Marilia, a grandpa in the ward asked me to give him a blessing, and I blessed the sacrament in someone's home.  I truly felt the priesthood power a lot that day.  I also gave a talk in sacrament meeting about forgiveness and shared a story by Boyd K. Packer about, "John Leave it Alone".  I talked a little about Grandma Capps.  She is such a great example and the ward loved it.  I also had splits with Brother Arroyo, the 1st counselor.  We went to talk to the High Priest leader and it was awesome.  He told me that he was grateful for the work that I was doing and he wants to do splits with me sometime too.  I am glad to be gaining the trust of the people and am beginning to do the Lord's work with authority.  I think we'll be able to accomplish much here now that things are starting to move.  We really want to get the home teachers out and working."

"Last night Chile lost to Uruguay in the American Copa, so there were a lot of crazy people out on the streets that were mad.  Lots of people were swearing at us and saying that they were going to beat us up.  It was a little intense and we had to go to a safe zone and home a little early.  But Estrella and Francisco made a barbeque for us that was delicious!"

"Anyways, I love you all and am excited to start something new.  Also, I get to go to the temple tomorrow!!  Yayaaaaa finally!!  Santiago temple, here I come!!  It's going to be awesome!!  I hope you are all happy."

Elder Dallon Smith

The Ochagavia Zone symbol

Mail this week

Elder Smith cleaning mold off the shower.

Elder "Barney" Smith

Baptisms and Barbeques

This week Dallon talks about the highs and lows of missionary work.  He also tells us that it is so cold that we would get a good laugh watching the elders try to do their morning exercises wrapped up in blankets.  He says he might look back one day and laugh about it, but right now it is more like suffering.  He is having a wonderful experience and his letter talks about some of them. 

"Yes, we had baptisms!  Whoo hooo!  The girls were all able to be baptized and it all went really well and smooth.  I am so happy for them.  It was a little crazy making sure everyone made it there and that there wasn't any extra stuff to take care of.  It was really cool because we got to have Francisca and Marilia's mom come and Leontina's father was also there.  It all went by so fast and nice and even the temperature of the font was perfect.  It was great!  Marilia gave me a high five before and after her baptism. ha ha  They are all so fun.  I know that they will be strong examples for eachother forever.  I am so grateful for their testimonies and their strength.  Also, Elder Balling and I sang at the baptism.  We sang, "I Need Thee Every Hour".  All the members were surprised that we could sing. ha ha  Leontina started crying and it was sad, but the spirit was really strong.  Then the girls bore their testimonies and it was over.  It was awesome.  Afterward, we were invited to a barbeque which was really fun.  All in all, my soul is extremely happy because the Lord let me share the gospel with them.  It is so incredible!"

"This week we have been focusing on fortifying the members.  I bought the dvd, "Only a Stonecutter", and have been sharing it with the families.  I love that movie so much and we have been having a lot of success with it.  It made me miss my dad, though. ha ha  I'm not sure why?"

"It has been really hard to find people to teach this week because of the American Cup.  Chile has been doing quite well, which has meant that no one will let us in and there are a lot of drunks out.  But at least it is better than when they lose because then there are more drunks out. ha ha  This week we are going to have to work really hard to find new investigators.  We don't have anyone to teach anymore because they all got baptized! ha ha"

"In church yesterday, Hmo Soto asked me to be a part of his daughter's confirmation.  It was cool that he picked me and it was totally unexpected.  He asked me and a returned missionary to participate and he called us out over the pulpit.  Also, a family from Barrancas sent me a letter this week that told me that they have started going back to church and wanted to thank me because I had really made the difference.  That made me feel so good.  I love the families down here."

"Friday was the hard part of the week.  Elder Nilson had divisions and when he was with us doing exercises, we started talking and wasted a lot of time.  So Elder Balling got mad at me and I had to get ready really fast.  Then we went to teach English classes, but no one had keys, so we had to teach in an investigator's home.  Then some of the investigators we have told us that they didn't want to listen to us anymore and tried to give us back the Book of Mormon.  Elder Balling and I were having a tough day getting along and that night a kid hit me with a rock.  It was a horrible day, but everything is better now.  We have entrevistas this week.  I'm just taking everything day by day.  I don't know what is going to happen next change.  I just try to be obedient, follow the spirit, and try not to get discouraged."

"Anyways, I love you all!  I hope you like the pictures.  The little girl wearing gray, in the picture with the bunny, will be in the Liahona next month.  I thought that was kind of cool.  The bunny's name is Moroni. ha ha  He is awesome!  The other two girls are Leontina's daughters.  I love them to death!  Their names are Martina and Sophia."

Elder Dallon Smith

Francisca, Marilia and Leontina's Baptism Day

The celebration begins!

Meet Moroni the bunny

Elder Smith with Martina and Sophia

Happy 4th of July!

The work is back in full swing and Dallon is so grateful.  He says that there is a lot of work that goes into preparing for baptisms and that he and Elder Balling have been really busy.  He also had a 3 zone BBQ that the mission president attended and told him that his hair was reeaally long.  Hopefully, now that his companion is better, he will be able to get it cut.  A fun fact that he shared is that he loves warm milk and sugar that the investigators often serve him. 

"We are going to have three baptisms next week!  I am so excited for them and am glad for the friendships we share.  They are great!  I'm sending some pics we took with them.  Marilia, the youngest, asked me to baptize her.  Elder Balling will do Francisca and, our mission leader, Hmo Barrueto will do Leontina.  I am glad that somehow we were able to make baptismal tunicas in 2 days.  Thank you to members who give service. "

"I have felt the love of the Lord so strongly this last week.  I can hardly express it.  Hma Barreuto (the Relief Society Pres.) and Hma Juanita gifted me a beautiful quilt that they crocheted.  It meant so much to me because I have seen them working on blankets and it takes them months to finish one.  Last year they only made 5 and they kept one for a special occasion.  They gave it to me and told me that they loved me and didn't want me to be cold.  I have never received a gift like this in my life.  They told me it was stitched with love.  I was speechless and there were just no words to say.  I just sat there in shock and tried to tell them that it was too much.  They told me to accept it and to remember them.  The blanket is incredible and really is a work of art.  I felt so loved and have no idea how I can adequately thank them. "

"I also got your two packages!  The blanket you sent is the softest thing I have felt and I use it every morning and night.  I don't deserve having such an incredible family.  So now I have two of the best gifts ever!  I slept in heaven this week!  The sheets are perfect and the goodies were sooooo good! ha ha  You make me feel guilty for having so many blessings.  The only thing I think I need more of is sweats.  I had to wash mine last week, so I had to wear shorts and it rained a lot.  It was so cold!  Everyone says we have the coldest pension in Chile.  However, Elder Balling fixed the shower so it is steaming hot.  I love it! ha ha "

"A cool thing that happened yesterday is that I gave the gift of the Holy Ghost to Estrella and Alexander.  They both asked me and I was really nervous.  It was hard because I had to do it in Sacrament meeting and I had never done that before.  I did great after the third time that I attempted to pronounce their full names. ha ha  They were so grateful.  Estrella always takes my hand and looks at me so sincerely when she says thank you.  Sometimes she'll just pat me on the head. ha ha  She is truly a wonderful lady. "

"In view of everything that has happened, I have found so much love and faith here.  My companion and I are so different, but we have become friends.  I am grateful that I am able to serve with him.  The Lord is blessing us so much and I feel overwhelmed as to how to thank everyone.  Just saying thank you doesn't seem enough.  I am grateful for the people who pray for me and think of me.  The power of prayer is real.  I know this church is true with all my being.  I know I am far from perfect, but I know that the Lord helps me do my best.  I don't always understand and many days it is hard and I can get negative, but it is those small moments of complete happiness that makes every day and every footstep worth it.  I am so grateful for the pioneers and Joseph Smith.  I have been remembering just what it means to be a Saint.  We can suffer all things and still be happy.  We can feel lonely and never be alone. "

Elder Dallon Smith

The Elders with Marilia and Francisca

A special quilt for Elder Smith

A Memorable Baptism

Dallon was excited to tell us about a special baptism he had this week.  Most of his letter was about the baptism, but he tells us that he is doing great and is learning so much.  He had two splits with Elder Nilson and Elder Silva and attended a zone conference.  His companion, Elder Balling, is finally getting better and they were able to go eat out at McDonald's this week.

"What a week!  I have so much to tell you.  I felt like I could hardly wait to talk to you all.  I have learned so much and I have been reminded once again that this church is true and that we truly are the saints in these latter days. "

"We had a baptism yesterday!  It was an experience that I will never forget and one of the happiest days of my life. Estrella lives really far away from the chapel.  Sacrament meeting started and she didn't show up.  She and Alex were suppose to be baptized and I thought it was strange.  Half way through the meeting, I told Elder Balling that we had to leave right away and go find Estrella.  We left in the middle of a talk, which was a little awkward, but we needed to do it.  When we finally turned onto the street, I saw her with the stroller and all her kids walking towards the church.  She laughed when she saw us and was so happy to see us.  She felt special that we went to find her.  We started talking to her and she asked if she could still be baptized today.  I told her of course, but felt that she was still a little hesitant.  We got to church and the mission leader gave a lesson that focused on baptism.  She felt the spirit and wanted to exercise her faith and be baptized.  The mission leader asked her who she would like to baptize her and she said the missionaries.  Then she was asked which one and she answered by touching my arm.  I felt sooooo... I can't explain it...warm I guess.  It was like I was being prepared for this as if I already knew that one day I would know her.  Elder Balling would baptize her son Alex.  It was one of the most spiritual experiences that I have had.  Estrella wanted it to happen so bad and knew that this was the true church.  She was first to be baptized and I will never be able to forget her face.  Everything went smoothly and the spirit was so strong.  I was a little nervous because I had never really done this with an adult and with someone who has a difficult time being submerged in water.  Estrella's face paralysis makes it so that she can't close her eyes or mouth.  She went under with her eyes open and... I just wish you all could have seen it.  It was something that I can't describe.  It was so incredible.  The ward was so supportive and did everything for them.  A sister dried Estrella's hair and gave her a sweater.  It was cool to see their love.  Another member donated a refreshment, which is rare here in Chile and someone else got a taxi for them to all ride home.  They were all so happy!  "

"Last night we passed by Estrella's house to see how they were doing and to give them a gift of a full set of scriptures and a hymn book.  The biggest lesson I learned this week is the strength of women.  I have no idea how Estrella defeated all odds to be baptized.  I truly would number her among the faithful and valiant pioneer women.  I have not seen such faith or strength in someone.  Estrella is someone I will never be able to forget.  She is humble and intelligent.  I want this to be the beginning of something wonderful for her and not something that will give her more trials and afflictions.  I have learned so much and am so grateful for her example ."
 
"Francisca and Marilia had their baptismal interviews and are going to be baptized next Sunday.  We are all so excited for them and they have become such good friends of mine.  They love to talk about Disney stuff and amusement parks. ha ha  Their testimonies are firm and they know exactly what they want.  I am so happy for them and can't wait for next Sunday!  "

"This week I had divisions with Elder Nilson from Hayley, Idaho and Elder Silva from Chile.  Two in one week! ha ha  It was really fun and I got a lot of work done here in my sector.  We did have a conference .  It always makes me feel horrible as a missionary.  I have so much that I can improve on.  That's funny what you told me, Mom.  Our ward here is doing Zumba for an activity every Friday night! ha ha  "

"Anyways, that's about it.  I love you all so much and I have learned so much.  The photos are of the baptism and when we went to eat at McDonald's last p-day.  I know my hair is long... ha ha  I had to put a hair cut on the back burner for Elder Balling.  I'm getting it cut after I leave today. ha ha  Be happy and thanks for everything!  "

Elder Dallon Smith

Elder Smith with Estrella and her children.

Estrella and Alex's baptism day with Elders Smith and Balling.

It looks like Elder Smith is really hungry.  Check out his order (: