"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
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| The District hard at work |
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| A District of great friends |
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| Viva Chile! |
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| The familia Barrueto |
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| Tim Tams for New Year's slam! |