Dallon is getting close to one year on the mission. He is still excited about doing missionary work and truly loves the people that he is serving. His letters recently have been full of concern and gratitude for the members and investigators in his sector. He is anxious about the changes that are coming in the near future.
"Oh Wow! That is so weird to think that you are all starting school again! I can't believe how fast time is flying by. That is so great that things are starting up again. The good news is now that your summer is ending, you can give it to me! ha ha No more freezing cold days and nights. However, I have a feeling that I will like the winters here more than the summers...It's going to be sooooo hot! I am not looking forward to it."
"Another week in the mission field has come and gone. We had three investigators that all went to church and are progressing. We should be seeing more people in the chapel, if Elder Gomez and I are allowed to stay the next change together. President is going to talk with us next Friday. I really don't want him to take us out of this sector."
"We also went to get Elder Gomez's patriarchal blessing. The Patriarch spoke with us and I actually learned a lot about patriarchal blessings. My blessing is soooo cool! Lots of people have been sharing their blessings with me and I just love how the Lord knows each and every one of us so well. Our patriarchal blessing is given to us for the eternities. Mine has so many blessings in it...while some have many warnings and counsels. I guess I'm just learning to love my blessing even more. Elder Gomez really loved his blessing."
"A lot of members have been giving me gifts. I am grateful for them, but at the same time, I don't know how to thank them. Hermano Pallauta made me a big leather burned picture of Christ. It is really awesome. Another family, that is getting sealed in the temple, bought me a whole bunch of incense. ha ha It was cool. They want to invite me to their sealing and always make me feel special. They are really excited to go to the temple."
"We are teaching a lot of investigators right now. We have about five that are really progressing, but only three that are going to church. Hopefully, they will continue strong in spite of all that is going on here. My stomach gets tight thinking that we will be taken out and that they won't be able to be baptized. The Bishop will get back the middle of September. Church has been really good. I gave a talk yesterday about the Restoration. I thought it was good for the investigators. Oh, a really cool thing happened too. We shared with a menos activo and the spirit was sooooo strong! She cried and we sat there listening to the spirit testify for five minutes! Elder Gomez said that he never felt the spirit so strong in his life. This lady came to church yesterday and it was awesome."
"Elder Smart is doing well, and Elder Adair, Hollister, and Mahoni, as well. I almost never eat fruit or veggies unless the members give them to me. We have markets, but we aren't allowed to go to them, so it will be hard for me to get a picture for you. ha ha The weather has been clearing up and it's been warmer, so for that reason I am happy."
"Anyway, that was my week. I hope it will be more bright and happy this week. ha ha You are always in my heart."
Elder Dallon Smith
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Comfort in the Atonement
Dallon was given some sad news from home and his letter reflected his feelings and concern for those who are suffering at this time. It has also been a difficult and emotional week in Chile and he is trying to stay focused on the work and continue forging ahead. Despite some difficulties, he and Elder Gomez are finding success and are optimistic about their new investigators.
"Oh that is so sad. I can't believe it! It is so crazy when things like that happen and we realize just how fragile life really is. One day everything is fine and the next, we are thrown through a furnace and our faith is tested. I know that things will be fine and that the Lord has a purpose on the other side of the veil. She is a really good and talented girl and will be waiting for her family in the Celestial Kingdom. I am sad for the family and am thankful for all the help they're getting. Our ward has more unity than we realize."
"This week has been a roller coaster of emotions. I went on divisions with Elder Wheelright and it was really nice to work in a new sector for the day. Elder Wheelright is from Utah and it was fun getting to know him. I think I made him talk more than he's ever talked before. ha ha It was nice to get my mind off other things. We also went to a "greenie" meeting on Friday and we learned a lot about the doctrine of Christ and about our purpose as missionaries. It was like a big review, but it was still good."
"President said that if things don't change here, we're going to be moved out of the sector and placed in wards that want missionaries. A lot of the members spoke to me a lot and some cried because we might have changes. It was also strange because I had a dream that I was fighting with someone and I was left alone in a place that I did not recognize and I was lost. Then a woman with blond hair came and helped me. Two days later, Hermana Barrueto came and talked to us and I think maybe she is the lady from my dream. I felt a lot better after that and decided to just work and forget about the problems that we have had. I have faith that everything is going to clear up and that I and Elder Gomez are going to remain in this sector and have a lot of success together. We have found a lot of investigators that want to be baptized and are progressing really fast. I feel like they will all be able to make covenants with the Lord soon, if we continue to be obedient and try harder to be humble and patient. I am excited for them and am grateful for the blessings of the Lord here."
"The week was long and intense but good. I'm grateful that the Lord has been blessing me and teaching me to be stronger. Sometimes I feel a little lost and like I'm just blindly moving forward, but I know that the Lord will take care of me. I'm grateful that you are all safe and happy. I love you so so so much. I hope you enjoy the pics!
Elder Dallon Smith
"Oh that is so sad. I can't believe it! It is so crazy when things like that happen and we realize just how fragile life really is. One day everything is fine and the next, we are thrown through a furnace and our faith is tested. I know that things will be fine and that the Lord has a purpose on the other side of the veil. She is a really good and talented girl and will be waiting for her family in the Celestial Kingdom. I am sad for the family and am thankful for all the help they're getting. Our ward has more unity than we realize."
"This week has been a roller coaster of emotions. I went on divisions with Elder Wheelright and it was really nice to work in a new sector for the day. Elder Wheelright is from Utah and it was fun getting to know him. I think I made him talk more than he's ever talked before. ha ha It was nice to get my mind off other things. We also went to a "greenie" meeting on Friday and we learned a lot about the doctrine of Christ and about our purpose as missionaries. It was like a big review, but it was still good."
"President said that if things don't change here, we're going to be moved out of the sector and placed in wards that want missionaries. A lot of the members spoke to me a lot and some cried because we might have changes. It was also strange because I had a dream that I was fighting with someone and I was left alone in a place that I did not recognize and I was lost. Then a woman with blond hair came and helped me. Two days later, Hermana Barrueto came and talked to us and I think maybe she is the lady from my dream. I felt a lot better after that and decided to just work and forget about the problems that we have had. I have faith that everything is going to clear up and that I and Elder Gomez are going to remain in this sector and have a lot of success together. We have found a lot of investigators that want to be baptized and are progressing really fast. I feel like they will all be able to make covenants with the Lord soon, if we continue to be obedient and try harder to be humble and patient. I am excited for them and am grateful for the blessings of the Lord here."
"The week was long and intense but good. I'm grateful that the Lord has been blessing me and teaching me to be stronger. Sometimes I feel a little lost and like I'm just blindly moving forward, but I know that the Lord will take care of me. I'm grateful that you are all safe and happy. I love you so so so much. I hope you enjoy the pics!
Elder Dallon Smith
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| Hard at work feeding the "sheep"? |
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| The Ochagavia Missionary Team |
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| Elder Smith showing off some skills! |
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| Teammates! Elder Smith and Elder Gomez |
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Little Things Count
The week just flew by for Dallon and Elder Gomez. They are excited to be teaching some new families and placed another baptismal date. In this letter, Dallon expresses his love for the ward members. He hasn't been able to send any pictures for a couple weeks due to computer problems.
"This week we were able to go to the temple, however, Francisca was the only one able to go with us. I was happy and we had a lot of fun. The temple was really cool and it is just a completely different experience here. They make it a lot more personal and spiritual. I love it. You can tell they take care of the people that make sacrifices to go to the temple. Instead of feeling like one of the kids in a line, you feel like every person that you are being baptized for is special and have been waiting just for you. It was fun doing everything in Spanish. I did like 150 confirmations! It was great and I was glad I got to go with my kid, Elder Gomez. ha ha He is so lucky. We also had a lot of fun riding in the vans! Oh good times."
"Yesterday our Ward Mission Leader was released and called to be Elders Quorum President. I had mentioned to him the day before that I thought that was going to happen. I am sad, but also glad that he accepted the call. He will do great. We also had a birthday party with the Relief Society and they gave us a whole bunch of food. The sisters here love us. The Relief Society President is awesome and always does a lot for us."
"The new converts are all incredible. Estrella has been so kind to us. She is such a good humble person and I love seeing how her family is being formed into the ward. She doesn't let little problems bug her and she is always willing to help. She has a place where she belongs and she always thanks me for giving her life meaning again. She is awesome! We went to her house the other day and took some pictures of sheep that they bought. ha ha I wish I could send them, but this computer is a lame one...blah. Oh, and Guillermo and Norka wrote me and said how much they loved me and that I will be considered their son forever. It was good to hear from them and a great support to me. I also received Debbie's letter! I showed the picture she sent to a lot of the members and had them find my family in it. ha ha It was funny because almost everyone said, "Just look for the happy people with big smiles." I think that is a good thing to be remembered for. It was a good picture and made me miss you all!"
"We found some new families to teach and were able to place another baptismal date with another young woman named Vanessa. I am hoping she will do it and be able to be baptized in September. We also have activated an Elder. We randomly found him even though I have been looking for him for three months and we made an appointment for Thursday in the chapel. He has memory issues because he had a tumor removed, but he promised to be there. Then by some miracle...on Wednesday night, Elder Gomez and I had to go drop off some primary kids at the chapel and we were there about 5 minutes and he showed up thinking it was Thursday. ha ha Hey at least he came and we were there, so we taught him a message that was really cool about enduring to the end and the Holy Ghost. He felt the spirit so strong and I saw a 360 degree change in him. He went from saying he excommunicated himself and then three days later saying he wanted to go and rescue more people that are less active! He came to sacerdocio the next day and came to church yesterday. It was really cool and I am hoping we will be able to activate a couple more families, as well as, find more people to be baptized."
"Elder Gomez and I are becoming great friends. He is a really good missionary and a great support to me. I like being with him. Today we went to play soccer and Elder Barrett kicked the ball right in my face and gave me a bloody nose and apparently a black eye...ha ha It was awesome! We have a lot of fun together when we all get together. We all bought jerseys that say, "We are Ochagavia" and played soccer against another zone. It was fun...no goals today though...however, my defense was legit! ha ha"
"Chile is great. The members are awesome! They feed us really well and do a lot for us. I feel close to them. They all know that I like french fries and have been making me a lot. They also know that I am tired of rice and so they have been making me deliciousness! Yesterday, we were fed so much that I almost threw up. ha ha They are all really kind. An inactive family also gave me a present and expressed their tearful thanks to me because they felt my love through my actions and diligence. That was so cool. It made me feel like even the small things we do count."
"I know the Lord is taking care of me. I am grateful for having such a great family and I know that no matter what, we will have bright futures and accomplish a lot. I put all your names in the temple, so I hope you are all looking for blessings. I think it is kind of cool that your names are in the Santiago Temple. Thanks for all you do and have a great week! The work of the Lord will always move forward."
Elder Dallon Smith
"This week we were able to go to the temple, however, Francisca was the only one able to go with us. I was happy and we had a lot of fun. The temple was really cool and it is just a completely different experience here. They make it a lot more personal and spiritual. I love it. You can tell they take care of the people that make sacrifices to go to the temple. Instead of feeling like one of the kids in a line, you feel like every person that you are being baptized for is special and have been waiting just for you. It was fun doing everything in Spanish. I did like 150 confirmations! It was great and I was glad I got to go with my kid, Elder Gomez. ha ha He is so lucky. We also had a lot of fun riding in the vans! Oh good times."
"Yesterday our Ward Mission Leader was released and called to be Elders Quorum President. I had mentioned to him the day before that I thought that was going to happen. I am sad, but also glad that he accepted the call. He will do great. We also had a birthday party with the Relief Society and they gave us a whole bunch of food. The sisters here love us. The Relief Society President is awesome and always does a lot for us."
"The new converts are all incredible. Estrella has been so kind to us. She is such a good humble person and I love seeing how her family is being formed into the ward. She doesn't let little problems bug her and she is always willing to help. She has a place where she belongs and she always thanks me for giving her life meaning again. She is awesome! We went to her house the other day and took some pictures of sheep that they bought. ha ha I wish I could send them, but this computer is a lame one...blah. Oh, and Guillermo and Norka wrote me and said how much they loved me and that I will be considered their son forever. It was good to hear from them and a great support to me. I also received Debbie's letter! I showed the picture she sent to a lot of the members and had them find my family in it. ha ha It was funny because almost everyone said, "Just look for the happy people with big smiles." I think that is a good thing to be remembered for. It was a good picture and made me miss you all!"
"We found some new families to teach and were able to place another baptismal date with another young woman named Vanessa. I am hoping she will do it and be able to be baptized in September. We also have activated an Elder. We randomly found him even though I have been looking for him for three months and we made an appointment for Thursday in the chapel. He has memory issues because he had a tumor removed, but he promised to be there. Then by some miracle...on Wednesday night, Elder Gomez and I had to go drop off some primary kids at the chapel and we were there about 5 minutes and he showed up thinking it was Thursday. ha ha Hey at least he came and we were there, so we taught him a message that was really cool about enduring to the end and the Holy Ghost. He felt the spirit so strong and I saw a 360 degree change in him. He went from saying he excommunicated himself and then three days later saying he wanted to go and rescue more people that are less active! He came to sacerdocio the next day and came to church yesterday. It was really cool and I am hoping we will be able to activate a couple more families, as well as, find more people to be baptized."
"Elder Gomez and I are becoming great friends. He is a really good missionary and a great support to me. I like being with him. Today we went to play soccer and Elder Barrett kicked the ball right in my face and gave me a bloody nose and apparently a black eye...ha ha It was awesome! We have a lot of fun together when we all get together. We all bought jerseys that say, "We are Ochagavia" and played soccer against another zone. It was fun...no goals today though...however, my defense was legit! ha ha"
"Chile is great. The members are awesome! They feed us really well and do a lot for us. I feel close to them. They all know that I like french fries and have been making me a lot. They also know that I am tired of rice and so they have been making me deliciousness! Yesterday, we were fed so much that I almost threw up. ha ha They are all really kind. An inactive family also gave me a present and expressed their tearful thanks to me because they felt my love through my actions and diligence. That was so cool. It made me feel like even the small things we do count."
"I know the Lord is taking care of me. I am grateful for having such a great family and I know that no matter what, we will have bright futures and accomplish a lot. I put all your names in the temple, so I hope you are all looking for blessings. I think it is kind of cool that your names are in the Santiago Temple. Thanks for all you do and have a great week! The work of the Lord will always move forward."
Elder Dallon Smith
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| The Elders with Youth at the Santiago Temple |
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Facing Challenges
Dallon's letter was short this week. He had to write a report to the mission president which took up some of his time. He says that times are challenging and that the ward is dealing with some difficulties, but it was still a successful week for contacting. He and Elder Gomez taught 24 lessons and have the opportunity to attend the temple again with some of their new converts.
"We have been teaching a lot of members and have found a few new people to teach. I am excited about the progress that we are having. We taught 24 lessons this week which is really good. We also had a noche de talentos that was awesome! Lots of people went and we were able to bring a lot of less active people. It was so fun and exciting! I recorded it all for you. It was a little miracle."
"Also, one night we were late so we ran home and I lost my name tag. In the morning I said a prayer in my heart and, out of nowhere, I spotted it in the mud. I don't know how I would have found it. It was amazing! It is really cold here and it has been raining really hard and we are all freezing! Sadly, I lost one of the gloves you sent me too...I'm sad."
"Elder Gomez is great! His first name is Alfredo and he is from Tacna, Peru. It is in the south. His mom and brother are members, but his dad is not. He is having some nightmares that I am trying to comfort him about. He is a little nervous and his testimony needs some strengthening. Sometimes he says he feels like he needs to go home. I'm helping him out and he has already come a long way. Elder Gomez has great faith and is progressing really fast. I am trying my best to fortify him and teach him. He respects me and helps me out too. We make a good team together."
"I was also able to get Estrella, Francisca, and Cynthia interviewed to take them to the temple this week! Now Elder Gomez and I get to go to the temple again on Tuesday! I'm so excited!"
"Anyways, we are doing fine. There are a few things that are making me stress, but I know the Lord is with me and will help me out. Sounds like everyone is still in the summer business. That's fun and I'm jealous of you all...ha ha.., but not that much. Thanks for everything. I love you all and you are always in my heart. Have a great week and talk to you soon."
Elder Dallon Smith
"We have been teaching a lot of members and have found a few new people to teach. I am excited about the progress that we are having. We taught 24 lessons this week which is really good. We also had a noche de talentos that was awesome! Lots of people went and we were able to bring a lot of less active people. It was so fun and exciting! I recorded it all for you. It was a little miracle."
"Also, one night we were late so we ran home and I lost my name tag. In the morning I said a prayer in my heart and, out of nowhere, I spotted it in the mud. I don't know how I would have found it. It was amazing! It is really cold here and it has been raining really hard and we are all freezing! Sadly, I lost one of the gloves you sent me too...I'm sad."
"Elder Gomez is great! His first name is Alfredo and he is from Tacna, Peru. It is in the south. His mom and brother are members, but his dad is not. He is having some nightmares that I am trying to comfort him about. He is a little nervous and his testimony needs some strengthening. Sometimes he says he feels like he needs to go home. I'm helping him out and he has already come a long way. Elder Gomez has great faith and is progressing really fast. I am trying my best to fortify him and teach him. He respects me and helps me out too. We make a good team together."
"I was also able to get Estrella, Francisca, and Cynthia interviewed to take them to the temple this week! Now Elder Gomez and I get to go to the temple again on Tuesday! I'm so excited!"
"Anyways, we are doing fine. There are a few things that are making me stress, but I know the Lord is with me and will help me out. Sounds like everyone is still in the summer business. That's fun and I'm jealous of you all...ha ha.., but not that much. Thanks for everything. I love you all and you are always in my heart. Have a great week and talk to you soon."
Elder Dallon Smith
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