Elder Dallon Smith in Chile: Happy 4th of July!

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

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

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."