Back to Work

The fun is over and it is back to work for the missionaries.  It is amazing how Dallon is growing and learning so much.  Fear cannot exist when faith abounds!  His letters are a testimony of this.

"This week was one that didn't have a whole lot of action in it.  We just got to work...so we worked...and then we worked...and then worked some more!  It was quite enjoyable. haha  I think the highlights include that I officially navigated my way downtown Santiago by myself!  I am so horrible with directions, but by some luck, I was able to find everything like a pro.  Elder Izelo and I had to go to the MTC.  It was a really interesting experience.  We spoke with the mission psychiatrist.  Her name is Hermana Memmott and she speaks only English, so I had to translate everything for her.  It was a little difficult, but I think I did a pretty good job."

"Another highlight is that I went to a leadership meeting.  It was really fun because almost all of my friends are leaders in the mission.  I was with Elder Tialavea almost the whole day.  He only has about two changes left before he goes home.  The mission won't be the same without him.  Elder Fuhriman and I were pizza buddies! haha  He always talks to me about my sector.  He misses it so much.  Elder Fuhriman is a good friend.  We learned a lot about the order in the mission and how we are suppose to go about doing things.  It was good but really long.  It went from 9:30am to 4:00pm.  It made for a good day."

"We were asked to give talks in sacrament meeting legit 10 minutes before the meeting started.  It was crazy! haha  I think we did a pretty good job.  Elder Izelo talked about the obra missional and I spoke on how we show our love to the Lord.  I told the story of Pedro and Christ asking him if he loved him.  I then related it to the obra missional.  It was good and surprisingly took up the whole meeting.  My Spanish is getting better, but I need to work on my accent because I guess it is really gringo.  Maybe my comp will help me to get a Mexican accent.  The people here love people from Mexico.  Elder Izelo has been well accepted and we are having fun.  We have like 4 family home evenings planned to purely make tacos! haha  I'm good with that!  We had 6 investigators go to church yesterday, so that was exciting!  We found a family that are really cool and are reading the Book of Mormon as a family.  I am excited for them and praying that they will receive an answer that the Book of Mormon is true.  I would really like to bring a family to the gospel.  This is a young family and I know that the gospel would help them so much to find love and joy just by living it."

"There is a little girl named Sujey that loves me and goes to church with a friend.  Yesterday she told me that she wanted to be baptized and wanted me to do it, but was afraid to ask her mom.  I got up and we left to talk to her mom to ask for her permission to teach her.  The mom said yes and that she would also participate in the lessons!  I'm excited for them too.  Sujey is 11 and is always in the house of some members, so we've gotten to know her really well."

"I have really been learning how to be more powerful and strong with what I say.  I know how to help people realize that they are sinning and to say it with clarity.  I never would have been able to do that, but I have learned a lot this past year.  My classes for district meetings are getting better.  I'm learning how to teach and focus my lessons on what the district needs.  I like that I know what I am doing now and it makes it easier to accomplish what we need to do.  I think I've finally got my "sea legs". haha  I don't want to leave this sector next change because there is a lot of people with potential here and I know that we will have a lot of success."

"This week we had two consechones.  It was fun and we practiced doing contacts with the Book of Mormon.  Elder Izelo and I were really successful.  We found a new investigator in one and then were able to teach a lesson to a menos activo in the other.  We are a pretty good team.  We teach well together.  We can do great things together if the Lord helps us and the spirit testifies strongly.  We are working a lot and are having some really great lessons with investigators.  I am getting close to the members and we are having a lot of fun together.  I really like this ward."

"Some fun things coming up are divisions with my district, another trip to Santiago, and also a special meeting with Elder Zaballos, a general authority.  I actually talked to him once before but didn't know who he was.  It was so embarrassing, but made Hermana Dorius, one of the grandma missionaries, love me. haha"

"Today I got my district together and we are going to eat in the house of a sister.  She always wants to give the missionaries lunch and she is such a sweet little grandma.  I love her a lot.  Other than that, we will probably just hang out and relax a little.  I actually might have time to write some letters back."

"Ok choa mi querida familia.  Les amo tanto y solo quiero servir lo mejor que puedo para que el senor pueda bendicirnos y para que en el fin podamos tener una familia eterna.  Se que esta iglesia es verdadera y que estamos en la verdad.  Seamos fuertes y fieles.  Gracis por todo.  Siempre voy a guardarles adentro mi corazon.  Soy Smith!"

Con mucho amor, Elder Dallon Smith

50 Years Celebration!

Chile Mission's 50 Years Celebration was the highlight of this week.  We were fortunate to be able to watch it live via the internet on Saturday.  It was a beautiful program and lasted over two hours.  Dallon had a wonderful time meeting up with old friends and MTC buddies in neighboring missions.  What a great time to be a missionary!

"This week was so busy and we were able to enjoy a lot of great times.  We have some great missionaries training this change.  We all went to the temple and I was with Elder Fuhriman almost the whole day.  It was a lot of fun and yet I had a lot on my mind.  I was glad to be able to just go to the temple to recenter and refocus myself.  I did really well in the Spanish session and soaked up every minute that I had.  I stayed in the celestial room for a long time and it was a really great experience.  I just prayed and listened."

"Anyways, changes came and my new companion is Elder Izelo from Puebla, Mexico.  He is the middle child, likes soccer, likes classic rock, Dad was a bishop, and has a cute older sister. haha  He is cool."

"On Saturday, we got to go to the Celebration!  I was so excited because I wanted to see all the missionaries and sing and it was something that I had been looking forward to.  I was responsible for getting my district there.  We all met up at the metro and eventually made it down to the tunnels.  We all pulled together and made the journey.  It was quite the adventure and I am grateful for my district.  I love them so much!  We made it to the stadium and I got to see all my old friends!!  Elder Petersen, Mace, Barlow, etc. and of course, Elder Tialavea and his brother.  We all took a lot of pictures together and I had such a good time.  I was so happy to see them all.  We were in the section closest to the stage about 12 rows up.  After the event a lot of the members went looking for their missionaries.  The ward from Diagonal all came and found me!  It was funny when all the young women saw me they screamed and everyone was like, "Whoa that Elder better watch out!" haha  They were all girls from Diagonal and 2 of my converts.  They all participated and it was really good to see them.  The Barruetos waited and looked for me and cried again when they saw me. haha  It was soooo good to see them.  Then by a miracle, a member was able to drive my companion and I home and we arrived about midnight.  However, I had to stay up until around 1:00 am to make sure that all my district made it home safe.  It was such a great experience.  I loved every second of it and it turned out so well.  The spirit was strong.  Elder Tialavea found me and introduced me to his brother.  We took a picture together and I am so grateful for his friendship.  His brother was just like, "He talks about you all the time, man." haha  They are both so cool.  I am lucky to know them."

"We will probably baptize Ana on the 29th.  We had to move it back because she has had a busy schedule and it has been hard to find her.  We are looking for new investigators and I am praying that the Lord will bless us as we move forward with faith.  I hope that we keep up our animo and patience and that we can pull through and do the Lord's work.  Pray for me!!  I love you all.  Stay you and take care."

Elder Dallon Smith

Welcome Elder Izelo from Puebla, Mexico

 Great Trainers this change

MTC Elders Cummock, Smith, Petersen, Mace, Birch, & Mason

Elder Smith with the Tialavea Brothers

Elder Smith's sons, Elders Izelo and Gomez

Fun times at the celebration

The Diagonal Young Women with Elder Smith

The loving Barrueto family and old companions

Farewell Elder Opazo

Changes are happening.  Elder Wilcox is leaving and Dallon will be training again.  He will be joined by a new Latino companion and will have the opportunity to attend the temple again.  It is always a special treat to be able to go to the temple.  His letter was short this week because there is a lot to get done before changes.

"The biggest news came Saturday night when I found out that we would have changes!  I will be staying here as a District Leader and will be training another Latino companion.  This last change went by so fast.  It's hard to believe that it's already over.  Elder Opazo seems to be pretty proud of me though.  I guess I brought him great posterity. haha  I am really excited that I get to go to the temple again though.  I can't wait!  Tomorrow will be a great day because of that."

"This week we went to a 50 Years in Chile special conference directed by the Chilean Presidency.  I am excited for the Celebration.  Everyone seems to be freaking out because the stadium is small and people from all around Chile, as well as returned missionaries from the states, are all trying to go.  They're afraid that it's going to be a mad house. We get to be a part of the missionary choir and have reserved seats, thank heavens! haha  We will be singing, "I'll Go Where You Want Me To Go".  I think that it will be a great experience.  I'm glad that I get to go!  We have a rehearsal on Friday and then we will have the Celebration on Saturday.  It'll be a fun week."

"Elder Opazo is going home today.  We got to see him one last time and eat Chinese together.  I can't believe that he is going home.  He wrote me a really nice letter and I will definitely miss him.  He really wants to meet you all one day.  He really loves you.  I think that you are the first family that made him feel loved.  I learned so much from him and am grateful for all that he did for me."

"We are teaching a little girl named, Ana, and she has a baptismal date for the 23rd.  I am excited for her.  My next companion will have a baptism right away."

"Divisions with Elder Gonzalez went by fast because we had a cosechon.  That's where all the missionaries work in one sector to get a lot of work done really fast.  Afterwards we tried to visit an investigator with the hermanas, but she never showed up.  The division flew by and we were never able to teach a lesson together.  Half of my district got changes, so I'll be able to get to know a lot more people.  I am sending a picture of the whole district.  They are a great group of missionaries and I love them all."

"Thanks for all that you do.  Love you and will be thinking of you!"
 
Elder Dallon Smith

Gathered for Conference

Elders Wilcox, Smith, Silva & Opazo

Maipu Zone

Dallon's district

Conference and Divisions

It is always wonderful to know that we are doing something at the exact same time as Dallon in Chile.  It made this conference a little special and we felt a connection to our son.  The messages shared blessed all our lives.  It has been a great week.

"Hello!" haha  I thought I'd start out the same way that President Monson did.  Conference weekend was so fun and went by so fast.  Actually this whole change has just been flying by.  I loved conference.  It always makes me feel closer to you.  I loved all the messages and can never remember thinking that conference was too short, and yet this time, I did!  I didn't want it to end because I received so many answers and revelation to use and apply.  I always leave conference feeling motivated and realizing that each one of us has a limitless potential that the Lord wants to help us achieve.  It is really cool.  I loved a lot of the talks, but mostly the ones that talked about missions! haha  I also liked President Uchtdorf's talk on Saturday.  It was exactly what I wanted and needed to hear.  We matter to God and we will not be forgotten.  Our best is all that is required and that is good enough.  I love how conference reminds me of things I already knew but had forgotten.  I love being on a mission and it makes me sad to think I only have one conference left as a missionary.  You can truly feel the strength of the prayers given for missionaries and it makes you feel like you are part of the most worth while thing in the entire world.  I love my calling and the fact that I am serving the Lord."

"In between sessions, Elder Wilcox and I went and did some contacts in one of our district's sectors.  We ended up finding a really cool family.  We felt the spirit so strong and were able to find some great people to help out the other Elders in that sector.  Everyone makes fun of Elder Wilcox and I because we seem to get new contacts easily.  I don't know if it's how we look or that we have the spirit, either way, it's working! haha  A lot of people ask if we are brothers.  I don't think we look much alike, but regardless, it's been fun being two gringos out here in Chile.  Elder Wilcox is a great missionary and I am sure that he will do great things in the mission and in his life.  He is really cool and has a lot of talents.  I think that things come easily to him and he is very blessed."

"The highlight of my week was divisions with Elder Opazo! haha  We had such a good time together and I was once again reminded of how lucky  I was to have him train me.  He is still such a good friend and I can hardly wait for him to live in Utah.  He said he would go to my homecoming, so he better be there.  I can't believe he is going home next week.  Originally, Elder Silva wanted to go on divisions with me, but I knew it would be the last time that I would be able to be with Elder Opazo, so I got to go with him.  We went to his sector and he introduced me to a lot of people as his son on the mission.  We had a blast and at one point, we didn't have an appointment, so he took me up to a cool hill overlooking Maipu.  Then that night we talked with the other two elders in the pension until like 1:00 in the morning.  I am so grateful for the testimony of Elder Opazo and for the decisions that he made to come on a mission.  He will always be someone that I look up to.  It makes me emotional to think how blessed I am to know him.  I helped him tell his story, since I have heard it so many times and we really were like brothers.  I also found out that his step dad died recently.  After everyone was asleep, Elder Opazo looked down at me from the bunkbed and told me goodnight.  Then like 10 seconds after, he said, "I love you Elder Smith".  That just hit me.  It was so sincere and made me reflect on the friendship that I had gained.  I am so grateful for that gift.  In the morning, Elder Opazo made us sing one of my special songs in Spanish that I sing with people that I am leaving. haha  He knows me so well and remembers everything from my favorite scriptures to my birthday.  Sometimes when he is sharing, he will say, "This is one of Elder Smith's favorite scriptures."  Anyways at the end, I said a prayer for Elder Opazo and we both were able to thank eachother and be grateful for the time we had to know eachother.  It was a really cool experience."

"I also went on divisions with Elder Mackie from California.  He is such a stud and I love that kid.  He is one of the most humble, responsible, and all around good person that I know.  He is very kind and I learned a lot from him.  He is a twin and has always had a brother to have his back.  We spent the day together and had a lot of fun teaching in his sector.  He is a great missionary.  It has been hard for him to speak Spanish, but his heart and character are inspiring.  I would love to be his companion in the future.  We would kill it together! haha  It was also fun because Elder Tialavea had served in that sector for 7 months and I met some of the people that he had told me about while we were companions.  Tomorrow I have division with Elder Gonzalez."

"Now to answer your question about how has my opinion changed about a mission?  I know that I am suppose to be here and that this is the Lord's work.  It is not a responsibility to be here anymore, but has become a love and a passion that I have.  I don't want to think about going home because I know that I will miss the overflow of the spirit and the Lord's love that I feel every day.  The mission gives me the opportunity to serve and a position on the right hand of God.  It helps me to see my disabilities, but to find ways to work towards getting over them.  I do miss being alone sometimes to just think and of course I miss talking with my family, but I really like that I don't have enough time to dwell on things I lack.  Every lesson is a new opportunity to try and grow closer to the spirit and to the children of the Lord.  I thought that I would be the best missionary that everyone would love, but have found out that I am still just Dallon Smith, with the same personality and same challenges that I have always had.  Sometimes on the mission, you can get unfocused or let your hands hang down, but I feel like the Lord doesn't let you feel that way long.  I am grateful for that.  It comes through constant study of the Book of Mormon.  It is important that we let the spirit answer us through that channel in order to comfort an agitated soul.  I have come to find that my soul can be easily agitated and yet the scriptures always give me the peace that I need.  The Lord continues to take care of me and the work is moving on.  There are only a few things with no eternal significance that I let bother me every once in awhile, but I am learning that it is a part of life."

"It has been a fun couple of days.  I am hoping that we can find the people that are prepared for the gospel.  If you can please pray that the spirit will guide us to them and that we will be able to follow the promptings that he gives us, then that would be great!  Have a great week and know that I will be thinking of you.  I love you very much."

Elder Dallon Smith

Companions in the beginning.

Elder Opazo and Elder Smith

Companions in the end.

Sunset overlooking Maipu

Elder Smith and Elder Mackie