Trust in the Lord

It was another happy week for Dallon.  He is seeing the results of hard work with two baptisms.  He continues to learn and grow so much in his relationships with others and especially the Lord.  His zone had another p-day at a zoo and so the letter was another short one. We never did get the pictures that he was trying to send, but we did find some from Elder Holton and Elder Opazo.

"This email will be a quick one because we just got back from another zoo called Buin Zoo, which is one of the biggest zoos in South America.  It was such a blast, but I am pooped and feel like I am half falling asleep right now.  I wish I could tell you everything about a week that felt like a year itself.  I have never grown so much or so quickly.  It was a great week."

"We had two baptisms!  Alexis was baptized by Elder Salines on Saturday.  It was a beautiful baptism and I was so happy for Alexis and my companion.  The familia Barrueto came to the baptism and brought Elder Opazo!  It made it so fun for me.  They talked and showed me so much love.  It was one of the best days in the mission.  I will never forget it.  Then that night, Jose chose me to baptize him the following day on Sunday.  It was an incredible experience and I baptized two kids from that family.  The Dad also asked for an interview with the Bishop because he wants to be baptized now.  How incredible is that!  Aside from that, the familia Barrueto came to that baptism too. haha  They are such a great support to me."

"I had divisions with Elder Mackie again.  It was fun as usual and we had Tim Tam Slams again that night. We also had a zone conference where I got to hang with Elders Smart, Holton and Izelo.  I learned a lot and felt like the lessons were all aimed for me.  The zone leaders gave the classes and they would pick me to participate in almost every single one!  One of the classes was on companionship inventories and Elder Salines and I were the examples. haha  It was funny."

"Other than that, the week was just full of getting ready for the baptisms.  It was a lot of stress, but a great week.  I hope that we can continue working hard.  We are obedient and able to work together for good.  I'm so grateful for the many blessings I received this week.  I cannot thank the Lord enough.  Sometimes, I feel like Peter walking on water.  Sometimes I have doubts, but if I just close my eyes and walk forward, somehow I know that the Savior will always be there.  I know that everything is going to work out if I continue forward on his path.  Maybe it is the same for all of us.  We just need to learn to be obedient and trust in the Lord."

"Thank you for all your letters and support.  I know that they worked miracles this week.  I pray for you every morning and night.  I am trying to send some pics but this computer is having problems!  I'll do my best.  I took a lot this week. haha"

Elder Dallon Smith

Maipu Zone Conference (Dallon is 2nd row middle)

Elder Opazo's post mission visit

 Mission Son and Father

Staying the Course

Dallon's letter was mostly full of personal thoughts and responses to the family.  We feel it has been difficult for him to know that he will have changes next.  He is concerned about the members and converts that he will be leaving.  He has five people with baptismal dates that he knows he won't be there for.  He is trying to stay optimistic. 

"This week went pretty well.  I had divisions with Elder Sauceda.  We had a good time and it was a nice break for both of us.  We went and bought Chinese french fries to have for a snack.  They are weird, but delicious!  I also went on divisions with Elder Thomas again.  It was fun to see just how far we have come since the beginning of our missions.  There was a long leadership meeting in the morning, so we were kind of tired the rest of the day.  The leadership meeting was fun and I got to see a lot of good friends.  Elder Holton and Elder Hallstrom hung out with me.  We ate a ton of pizza and listened to how we were going to have a better mission."

"On Tuesday we had a crazy experience.  Elder Salines and I were walking to an appointment, when a member father pulled up beside us in his car and was yelling at us to get in.  We hurried and jumped in and his son was in the front seat just screaming and there was a lot of blood coming from his mouth.  The dad asked us to just please give him a blessing.  I got out the aceite and started the blessing, but it was out of control because the dad was driving like a mad man and yelling at everyone to get out of the way.  We were rolling around in the car trying to keep our hands on the boys head.  I tried to comfort him after the blessing, but he had lost 4 teeth and one was twerked around in his mouth.  He had an accident with his new bike that he got for Christmas.  I felt bad for him.  We got to the hospital and they rushed into the emergency room.  We were stranded, but soon found a colectivo and were able to make it back to our appointment.  It was crazy! haha"

"The familia Barrueto came to church with me again yesterday.  They want to move to my new sector.  I pray that the Lord will take care of them.  They gave me hugs and and told me to keep going strong.  I am so grateful for them.  They do so much for me."

"I like reflecting on the example of Christ.  He was always loving and self sacrificing.  He loved and still loves us so much.  The atonement truly is our greatest gift and we should think about it every day.  I am grateful to have a knowledge of the Savior.  He lives and he has provided the ways for us to be happy forever.  Have a great week!"

Elder Dallon Smith

Attitude of Gratitude

This week Dallon shared how grateful he is for the people in Rinconada.  He loves his mission and the people who have been put in his path.  He continues to grow and develop and says that he is still learning so much.  This has been a special area for him and the thought of leaving it soon has been constant on his mind.

"It was fun to read your letter today.  I was thinking a lot about you all too.  I think it's because of the cd you sent that has a song called, "Bless My Son", and it reminds me that I have a family at home that is routing for me.  It gives me a lot of energy to go out and work and make every moment count.  I feel like the Lord has taken good care of me and I have been really grateful for him.  I can feel that my attitude of gratitude is growing and it has helped me to look at the mission from a different point of view.  I have been learning a lot."

"I have also been so grateful for the friends that I have gained in this ward.  I feel so at home here.  I can seriously see myself living in this ward when I am older.  The people are so kind and I can feel their love for me.  We share a strong friendship.  The ward loves joking with me.  They do it in their classes and in their sacrament talks. haha  I guess I am easy to make fun of, but it is a fun relationship.  I have really learned how to open up and let people know that I love them.  I have been able to gain a lot of people's confidences.  I was reading a conference talk and there was a quote that I really liked.  It said that more than normal our prayers are answered through other people.  I have felt that a lot recently.  I had a cool experience yesterday in church.  There is a recent convert who is 22 years old.  He is so cool.  Anyways, I was sitting in priesthood and I had been laughing my head off because some of the members were joking around with me.  In the middle of class, this friend turns around and just smiled at me, so I smiled back.  Then he pulled out a note and wrote some stuff down.  He has been studying English and knows a lot.  He handed the note to me and had written down just an answer.  I don't have any idea why he wrote what he did, but somehow just by looking at me in that one moment he knew.  He wrote, "Elder Smith, sometimes life is hard, but you just have to stay quiet because everything's gonna be alright.  You're really nice and I'll always remember you."  Then he threw in some inside jokes that were really funny.  I wondered how he knew what was going on within me?  I felt that the Lord used him to answer my prayers.  He is just about ready to go on a mission.  I really feel that the Lord has picked him to do some incredible things.  I love people like that.  It was really cool."

"Right now we have three investigators with baptismal dates.  They are all doing really well.  I think it's funny that I have been teaching a lot of young kids here in Rinconada.  Teaching kids is so fun!  I would like to someday be able to help a family come into the gospel.  We have had a couple problems this week.  One family got in a huge fight and I was able to help by just listening and giving some advice.  I think all my years of talking to mom has paid off! haha  I guess that in the end, everybody has problems and all they really need is the opportunity to have someone that will listen to them.  Which makes me think of Bishops.  Our Bishop is an absolute stud.  His level of service is exceptional and I hope that I will be able to serve in the church like he does.  He sacrifices so much and a lot of the time all he is doing is just listening.  But those moments of listening changes lives and can be a big factor in whether people will reach eternal life or not.  Being a Bishop must be stressful, Dad.  I was thinking how weird it will be when I report home and you are the Bishop now.  Bishops have to put their own feelings aside and not be partial.  That would be hard.  I know that Dad is perfect for that, unless... you are fighting against your Mom and then Dad may seem a bit partial! haha jk"

"All our investigators have come from referrals, but we also have some that we have found.  We are contacting every day and have found a lot of cool people.  It's hard to get people to understand what exactly we are doing on a door contact, but it's those special miracles that eventually lead to converts.  Everyone is on vacation.  They have like full month vacations here and everyone goes to the coast.  All our numbers are falling because everyone is gone.  Everyone knows that I'm leaving, so they are planning around their vacations to take some pictures together. haha  I love this ward a lot."

"One embarrassing moment I had was when I was with the familia Boza.  We made pizza for the family and ate with them.  While we were talking, one of the kids asked me what "beat down" meant?  I decided to show him by punching my hand with my fist three times.  However, on the third time, my nose accidentally got in the way and I gave myself a bloody nose! hahahaha  Oh man, it was so funny and we could not stop laughing.  I can't believe I did that!  It was so stupid, but we got a good laugh out of it.  Now the whole ward knows and have been teasing me unrelentlessly."

"I am grateful for the many blessings that the Lord provides every day.  Things are fine here and I'm actually glad that I'm here rather than home right now.  It is hot and I am getting really dark. haha  We have a lot of people taking good care of us.  I'm doing just great and I can feel your prayers.  I hope that you are all well and that you are staying close to the Lord.  Find time to read the scriptures every day.  It is important that we do this.  Also, keep praying as a family.  I have seen a lot of blessings come from that.  The Lord loves us so much and we are so lucky to be a part of such a wonderful and complete gospel.  Have a great week!"

Elder Dallon Smith

A Time to Prepare

It was a short letter this week.  Dallon tells us about his new companion and is busy getting him acquainted with the area.  He feels that his time is coming to an end in Rinconada and is preparing for the change.  We are so grateful for Hermano Huenchur, the ward mission leader, who was kind enough to send us a picture of the new companionship.

"The biggest news is my companion.  His name is Elder Salines.  He is from Uruguay and is 23 years old.  His mom passed away when he was 5 and he lived in Spain for 3 years.  He has a funny accent and has been in the mission for 6 months.  He is doing great and has already had 9 baptisms.  He really is all about work and we have been getting along.  It is almost positive that we will only have this one change together.  Other changes are, we now have Elder Chavez in my district and Elders Lewis and Fearnley came to the zone.  Elder Thomas became a zone leader with Elder Silva and Elder Smart was called to the office.  They are all fun and really cool, so it should be a good change."

"This week I really don't have much to say.  I've been getting to know Elder Salines and he has been getting to know the ward.  We had a noche de hogar with a family and watched a video about a family of converts that lost a daughter and ended up getting baptized.  It was made in the 80s.  The movie really impacted me and made me a little emotional.  The little kids made fun of me. haha  It just reminded me how grateful I am for the gospel and that no matter what, I will always have my family.  There are so many people that don't know that.  It would be the hardest thing to not have one of you in my life.  The greatest blessings in my life is the gospel and my family.  If I can keep those, than I will always be happy.  It gave me more animo to go and spread the gospel."

"I do feel like I've accomplished a lot on the mission and yet there is so much more that I would like to do.  I have really been trying to study hard and get the spirit stronger.  Sometimes, you can get lost in not thinking enough about the Lord or the spirit.  You really have to work to focus on having the spirit close.  I just want to find peace in him and that is what I have been trying to do.  Elder Silva asked me to give another class at zone conference.  They are always assigning me to do it.  I am excited and getting pretty good at giving classes."

"There are 20 newbies coming in next change and President is going to open some sectors, so I hope that I'll train again.  That would be fun, but we will have to wait and see.  Pray for me to have patience and that we can continue to be successful.  I can't wait to finally hug you all again.  Have a great week and I will be carrying you around in my heart."

Elder Dallon Smith

Elder Salines and Elder Smith

Feliz Ano Nuevo!

Changes snuck up again already.  Elder Izelo is leaving and Dallon will receive a new companion.  The District had a few changes as well and it is bittersweet.  Dallon had fun welcoming in the New Year with great friends and companions.  He is setting goals and looking forward to continuing to serve in 2012.

"Oh man, this week threw me for a loop!  We worked hard and were able to also enjoy the time of year.  My new year's wish is that 2012 will truly be the best year of my mission!  I am excited to get going and take advantage of every moment I have this year.  I hope that everyone gets concerned about the world ending and come unto the waters of baptism...while finding out that really...the world's not ending. haha  How cool would that be...1000 baptisms!  I could be the modern day Alma!  Whoo hooo!"

"My favorite experience this week was on the dia de los innocentes, or also known as, April fools day in the states.  They call it the day of the innocents because that is when King Herod ordered all the innocent babies to be killed.  It is treated a lot like April fools day.  One of the families here, the familia Boza, are investigators and are absolutely incredible.  They are our neighbors in the apartments, so we see them everyday. They remind me a lot of our family.  Anyways, they have a son my age that was recently baptized named Alan.  He and his mom have been getting into some arguments about him being lazy and needing to get serious about his future.  We've been kind of helping her out with that.  Well, we went over to eat lunch with them and, as soon as we walk in, Hermana Boza takes us into her kitchen, which she never lets us into.  She asked us to talk to her son because they had gotten into a fight earlier and he was packing to go live with his Dad in the north.  She looked like she was about to cry and I was like, "Oh crap!  What am I going to say?"  I was praying for the right words and went back to Alan's room.  He was packing a bag and I asked him what he was doing.  He said he was leaving and was sick of his mom and the church.  He didn't even want to talk to us and left the room.  We walked back out and Hermana Boza comes up to me and says, "That's it!  If the church is only going to bring problems to my life, it's better that I just don't go!"  I was like, "Oh my gosh!  What is happening?!"  I figured I better do something, so I went back to talk to Alan by myself.  I told Alan that I just wanted to make sure he was ok and was about ready to pour my guts out, when Hermana Boza walks in to make it worse.  She sees my face and starts busting up laughing and told me it was the dia de los innocentes.  I'd never heard of it before, but understood it all too well in that moment!  I attacked Alan and was laughing due to joy, anger and embarrassment! haha  It was so funny.  They got me soooo good!  They told me that I was the most innocent person they could play a joke on. haha"

"After this we had divisions and Elder Mackie and Elder Camus were waiting for us at our pension.  I get there and was going to tell them about what happened, but then decided to play a joke on them.  I asked them if anything weird had happened to them this morning and they answered no and why.  I then said it has been a weird morning for us.  I told them that I had to tell them something really personal and that it was better coming from me than the mission.  They were really intrigued and got silent.  I told them that I was going home and that some things had happened in my family and I had to go.  Elder Izelo caught on fast and started to act all sad.  They really were believing it.  I then told them that this would be my last division with Elder Mackie and we left to his sector.  Now Elder Mackie is the most honest and good person ever.  When we got to the sector he asked me if I would tell him what happened.  I told him to not tell anyone, but the first presidency had to excommunicate my Dad because of some stuff he did.  Then he asked me about my Mom.  I told him that it was most likely that they would get a divorce.  He was really sorry and looked up at me and said, "You know what Elder Smith?  I'm going to make this the best division that you've ever had!"  He was so sincere and I was thinking this kid is so cool and has such a big heart...so I decided to take advantage of it a little more. haha  While we were walking, I told him that I really didn't even know if the church was true and that I've never received an answer about the Book of Mormon.  I could see him thinking really fast and he started sharing his testimony with me and really trying hard to help me out.  I then asked him if he ever felt like we were not in the truth?  He got really quiet, searching for the right words, and then I lost it and told him that it was all a joke!  It was soooo bad, and yet soooo good. haha  We had a really fun division.  Later that night he said, "Elder Smith, I was going to make you brownies.., but you lost it! haha  It was a fun day and I thoroughly enjoyed it."

"Yesterday, the familia Barrueto came to visit me again.  It was good to see them.  They are looking for houses out here.  They want to move and they really like the wards here.  The difference is a big one.  I told them to do whatever they had to to stay active and reach their goal of being sealed as a family in the temple.  We didn't have a lot of people at church because everyone is gone to the beach."

"Other big news is that I didn't have changes, but Elder Izelo did.  We were all really surprised.  My district disintegrated.  Elder Holton and the sisters are gone too.  The Hermanas started crying when they had to leave.  I'd like to think that we really did have the best district.  I'm glad that I get to stay in Maipu.  I would love to be here until the end of the mission! haha  I really love the people and feel so at home.  Maybe I'm getting too comfortable with everyone.  They love joking around with me all the time.  I think what's going to happen is that I will be here one more change with someone and then I will go to a new sector.  My next companion will probably be someone that I already know.  I'll find out tomorrow."

"For New Year's, Elder Izelo was sad about his change, but after we had a little talk, we went to the window and watched the fireworks in the distance.  We had Tim Tam slams and welcomed in the new year.  I jumped around in the window with the familia Boza. haha  We have fun together.  They are always teasing us with their laser pens! haha  My goals for 2012 is to just enjoy the mission and work hard.  I also want to take advantage of every opportunity I have to grow and fortify myself for my future.  I want to keep progressing and never stop.  I used to think that I couldn't change, but, here in the mission, I can see that it is more than possible and achievable.  I want it to never end.  We are busy getting Elder Izelo packed and ready to go.  He is saying good-bye to everyone.  I think I've taught him all that he needs to know.  The Lord will take care of him and help him progress even more.  He is nervous, but I know that he will be fine."

"I got a package from Hermana Blomquist!  She is such a wonderful lady.  I feel so blessed by the ways the Lord enriches my life through others.  I truly do not deserve it.  I'll be sending some pics of the week.  I love you all very much and I hope you had a great new year!  It will be a good one!  I sent you all New Year kisses, so they should be arriving soon! hahahaha  Love you!"

Elder Dallon Smith

The District hard at work

A District of  great friends

Viva Chile!

 

The familia Barrueto

Tim Tams for New Year's slam!