Dallon seemed really happy this week. He said that this week was, "not too interesting...full of work...and for that reason...full of happiness." He is completely lost in the work and loving it. Next week will be changes again.
"This week was definitely not a slow one. It went by faster than I can even wrap my head around. I am happy about how things are going and we have had a lot of success. It's weird to think about having a slow day back home. That seems like such a different world to me. The day when I have nothing to do will be the death of me. The mission is definitely where I am suppose to be right now. The mission makes me feel a lot different. I know that we are protected and that I won't feel the same after the mission. This time is going by too fast."
"A lot of people around here are getting sick too. I luckily am feeling better and we've been well. A funny story is I've been teasing a member that she is the one that got me sick because she gave us yogurt and cereal the night before. She was mad at me for saying that, but it was fun to tease her. Now her glands have swollen up and she is the sickest she's ever been! haha It's horrible, but kinda funny. I told her that the Lord always protects his missionaries or at least gets back at the person who got them sick! haha"
"It's been hot but nothing more than I can handle. Lots of people give me Coca Cola every day. haha It's a good thing I'm here because the members take really good care of us. I am starting to tan a bit and get my raccoon eyes. This ward is so attentive to me. I'm serious, any little thing I have going on is a subject for these people. This last week was over my elbows being too dry. haha They bought me some lotion and made me exfoliate them with lemon and sugar...it actually worked, but at the same time, I hate having to worry about how I look. I also started combing my hair to the side and parting it. haha I like it because it makes me feel like such a goody goody missionary. It's great and I've inspired a lot of missionaries to change theirs too. haha"
"My week went by really well. I went on divisions with Elder Sauceda and we contacted a lot. Elder Sauceda is really funny. He made me laugh so hard. We yelled "alo" at a house and a little boy came to the window. We waved at him, but then Elder Sauceda got all dramatic and began waving like a crazy and blowing kisses and stuff. It was so funny and I didn't expect it from him. He is a really cool missionary. He grew up without a dad. They are a family of five and he had to drop out of school to take care of his siblings while his mom worked. They have always had strong testimonies and he was able to come serve a mission! I love the incredible people that I get to meet. It makes me grateful for all the blessings in my life. Some of these missionaries have gone through hell to be here. I love them a lot."
"This week we taught Ana. She was ready for her baptism interview and passed with flying colors. She is so excited for next week! Rosa is doing wonderful and I love her family. Yesterday, I called her in the morning for church and she said that she was on the way, but almost the whole meeting she didn't show up. I was nervous because I was worried that something had happened. I was praying and thinking of her the whole meeting. At the last three minutes, I looked back and saw her sitting at the very back row. She smiled and looked at me. Afterwards, she told me that she tried her best but only made it for the end. The members really helped us to help her feel comfortable. I don't ever want to leave this ward. I want all my converts to live here because I know that they will be taken cared of. We have a family home evening tonight with a family that is also progressing. It is with our new leader missional, Hermano Huenchur. He is a stud! He and his wife are young and returned missionaries. I love getting to work with them."
"Today we had a district activity where we made pizza for Elder Mackie and Elder Gonzales's birthdays. It was fun. I also gave a class in zone meeting. I am getting better at giving classes. I spoke about obedience and just drove it in. haha It makes me feel good when people like my classes. I also felt good when my district met their goal of 70 contacts this week. I'm so proud of them and glad that they are all doing their part to have success. It was a really good week!"
"Go enjoy everything during these holidays. Make it special for me by looking for opportunities to serve. I'm everything I am because of you. I want you to know that whatever happens, that I love you with all my heart and am grateful for you every day. I am proud to be a part of our family and think about it every time I put on my nametag. I'm me because of you. Have a great week family!"
Elder Dallon Smith
Monday, November 14, 2011
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
P-day at the Zoo
We didn't receive Dallon's letter until Tuesday afternoon. The Maipu Zone got permission to go to the zoo for p-day. The zoo is closed on Mondays, so they changed p-day to Tuesday. He said that they all had a great time, but were exhausted after all the fun. It is getting really hot in Chile and the missionaries have been informed to make sure to wear sunblock.
"It is good to finally have time to write to you. Our p-day was switched because we went to the zoo for a zone activity and it is closed on Mondays. It was so much fun and I am exhausted, but I will still try to send a good letter home."
"This week went by really fast. I can hardly believe that it is already over. It was a good week. We went to work and everything just kinda worked out. I am excited because we have a lot of people that are progressing and that are really close to a baptismal date. I fasted for them this last Sunday. The Lord works in mysterious ways. It is interesting because we started to teach another one of Paula's friends. She came to church last Sunday and the Alarcon family already asked for permission for her to be baptized. So we are starting to teach her. Her name is Veronica and she is 11 years old."
"We also are teaching a man named Felipe. He is progressing but it has been an interesting challenge. We are doing our best to help him stop smoking. I have been studying a lot about addictions and how the gospel can help us to be free from them. He loves having us over. He feels he has no hope without us. I am praying that he will pull through."
"Elder Izelo and I teach really well together. He lets me lead and always adds something special. I like teaching with him because the spirit is always so strong. We have been having a ton of success."
"I got sick this week. We went to a members house whose kid had the stomach flu or something and I got it. It was HORRIBLE!! Francisco went with me to visit them and he got sick too. I didn't stay in the pension, but worked through 3 days of doom! haha Elder Izelo and I had to go to Independencia this week and we always take the metro. It is about an hour ride. Elder Izelo fell asleep and at first I was sitting next to him, but then I gave up my seat to a lady. I had to stand behind Elder Izelo's seat and my stomach was not happy with me. I started reading the Book of Mormon and all of a sudden everything starts turning black and I got a cold sweat. I was trying to keep my knees bent and everything but it wasn't working. I had to sit right then or I knew that I would pass out. By the way, it is illegal to sit on the floor of the metro. Everyone is looking at me like a crazy person and all I could think about was not throwing up. I had a mini panic attack at that thought and eventually was able to gain my composure. I sat for a long time and Elder Izelo finally woke up. I was down behind his seat so he didn't see me. He thought I had ditched him and he had a mini panic attack. Again the people around were looking at him like a big crazy. haha He finally found me on the floor and it was actually a funny experience, but at the time, it wasn't really. We finally made it to our stop and got off. My legs were asleep and I was walking like a drunk. haha I was not the best representative of Christ in that moment. On the way back, I ended up sitting on the floor again. It was not a fun day, but a fun memory. haha"
"A really cool spiritual experience happened yesterday. There is a woman that I found earlier with Elder Wilcox my first day in Rinconada. Her name is Rosa and she is a tough lady, but really cool and funny. She always loved us from the beginning and calls us her elders. We were able to teach her and invite her to church. She said she would go and she did! I was excited to see her there. Well yesterday, we had a couple unplanned hours so we decided to pass by her house. By some miracle, she was with her husband, so we were able to teach her. We started talking about the church because she had some questions about fast and testimony meeting. We shared more about the Book of Mormon because that was what everyone was talking about. Then we started teaching purely by the spirit and talked about faith and repentance. The spirit was so strong. Rosa started to cry at one point. In the end, I was able to invite her to be baptized and she said yes! She said that she wanted to change her life and that she wanted to do it now. We placed a date with her for December 3rd. It's been cool to see the change in her already. She told me that I am a special elder with something special. She and I have become good friends. She also has a gangsta son that has become one of my pals. I call him Flaco, which means skinny. haha Rosa will bring a lot of people to the truth and I am excited for her."
"We also had a huge mission conference with Elder Snow from the Seventy. I loved that he spoke about being good missionaries and he was truly inspiring and fun to listen to. I also got to see all my friends again. It was so packed that we were dying because the bench we were sitting on was so full that not all of us could sit back at the same time. We had to take turns going forwards and backwards. haha It was hot too. The missionaries from the Chile MTC were there too. We had a good time though and we all got to greet Elder Snow. I got to see Elder Gomez and he's doing great. I found out that three of the people that I had taught have baptismal dates! That is great news and I am so happy for them!"
"Anyways, all is good. It's all up hill from here! I am excited and I like working. We've been getting a lot done and I love how fast the weeks fly by. I can't believe that the end of another change is already coming. It goes by far too fast. Oh, one last miracle. We are teaching a really cool family that is reading the Book of Mormon together. The other day we went to teach them and the mom said that she received an answer that she needs to listen to us. She had prayed about it and then in the morning when she turned on the tv, a lady was talking about how being a mormon had blessed her. We have a cita with them tonight and I am hoping for the best! Please pray for my investigators. They all need miracles. I hope you like the zoo pics!"
Elder Dallon Smith
"It is good to finally have time to write to you. Our p-day was switched because we went to the zoo for a zone activity and it is closed on Mondays. It was so much fun and I am exhausted, but I will still try to send a good letter home."
"This week went by really fast. I can hardly believe that it is already over. It was a good week. We went to work and everything just kinda worked out. I am excited because we have a lot of people that are progressing and that are really close to a baptismal date. I fasted for them this last Sunday. The Lord works in mysterious ways. It is interesting because we started to teach another one of Paula's friends. She came to church last Sunday and the Alarcon family already asked for permission for her to be baptized. So we are starting to teach her. Her name is Veronica and she is 11 years old."
"We also are teaching a man named Felipe. He is progressing but it has been an interesting challenge. We are doing our best to help him stop smoking. I have been studying a lot about addictions and how the gospel can help us to be free from them. He loves having us over. He feels he has no hope without us. I am praying that he will pull through."
"Elder Izelo and I teach really well together. He lets me lead and always adds something special. I like teaching with him because the spirit is always so strong. We have been having a ton of success."
"I got sick this week. We went to a members house whose kid had the stomach flu or something and I got it. It was HORRIBLE!! Francisco went with me to visit them and he got sick too. I didn't stay in the pension, but worked through 3 days of doom! haha Elder Izelo and I had to go to Independencia this week and we always take the metro. It is about an hour ride. Elder Izelo fell asleep and at first I was sitting next to him, but then I gave up my seat to a lady. I had to stand behind Elder Izelo's seat and my stomach was not happy with me. I started reading the Book of Mormon and all of a sudden everything starts turning black and I got a cold sweat. I was trying to keep my knees bent and everything but it wasn't working. I had to sit right then or I knew that I would pass out. By the way, it is illegal to sit on the floor of the metro. Everyone is looking at me like a crazy person and all I could think about was not throwing up. I had a mini panic attack at that thought and eventually was able to gain my composure. I sat for a long time and Elder Izelo finally woke up. I was down behind his seat so he didn't see me. He thought I had ditched him and he had a mini panic attack. Again the people around were looking at him like a big crazy. haha He finally found me on the floor and it was actually a funny experience, but at the time, it wasn't really. We finally made it to our stop and got off. My legs were asleep and I was walking like a drunk. haha I was not the best representative of Christ in that moment. On the way back, I ended up sitting on the floor again. It was not a fun day, but a fun memory. haha"
"A really cool spiritual experience happened yesterday. There is a woman that I found earlier with Elder Wilcox my first day in Rinconada. Her name is Rosa and she is a tough lady, but really cool and funny. She always loved us from the beginning and calls us her elders. We were able to teach her and invite her to church. She said she would go and she did! I was excited to see her there. Well yesterday, we had a couple unplanned hours so we decided to pass by her house. By some miracle, she was with her husband, so we were able to teach her. We started talking about the church because she had some questions about fast and testimony meeting. We shared more about the Book of Mormon because that was what everyone was talking about. Then we started teaching purely by the spirit and talked about faith and repentance. The spirit was so strong. Rosa started to cry at one point. In the end, I was able to invite her to be baptized and she said yes! She said that she wanted to change her life and that she wanted to do it now. We placed a date with her for December 3rd. It's been cool to see the change in her already. She told me that I am a special elder with something special. She and I have become good friends. She also has a gangsta son that has become one of my pals. I call him Flaco, which means skinny. haha Rosa will bring a lot of people to the truth and I am excited for her."
"We also had a huge mission conference with Elder Snow from the Seventy. I loved that he spoke about being good missionaries and he was truly inspiring and fun to listen to. I also got to see all my friends again. It was so packed that we were dying because the bench we were sitting on was so full that not all of us could sit back at the same time. We had to take turns going forwards and backwards. haha It was hot too. The missionaries from the Chile MTC were there too. We had a good time though and we all got to greet Elder Snow. I got to see Elder Gomez and he's doing great. I found out that three of the people that I had taught have baptismal dates! That is great news and I am so happy for them!"
"Anyways, all is good. It's all up hill from here! I am excited and I like working. We've been getting a lot done and I love how fast the weeks fly by. I can't believe that the end of another change is already coming. It goes by far too fast. Oh, one last miracle. We are teaching a really cool family that is reading the Book of Mormon together. The other day we went to teach them and the mom said that she received an answer that she needs to listen to us. She had prayed about it and then in the morning when she turned on the tv, a lady was talking about how being a mormon had blessed her. We have a cita with them tonight and I am hoping for the best! Please pray for my investigators. They all need miracles. I hope you like the zoo pics!"
Elder Dallon Smith
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| The Maipu Zone at the Zoo |
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| A Zoo attraction! |
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| Elder Smith and Elder Mackie |
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| The District just monkeying around |
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| Elder Smith and Elder Izelo |
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| "Do not feed the animals!" |
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Dulce O Truco!
The mission had a visit from President and Sister Zaballos this week. Dallon was asked to conduct the choir of Elders from Maipu for this event. He shared some funny moments he had with us. In our last letter to him, we talked about some missionaries from the MTC that came and did a presentation at our ward combined meeting last Sunday. They are serving online missions. They were a group of exceptional missionaries and all had some kind of handicap that prevented them from serving a regular proselyting mission. We were so touched and impressed by them. Dallon responds about them at the end of his letter."
"Happy Halloween! Time is going by so fast. Elder Zaballos from the Presiencia area de Chile came to do a mission tour and I guess it was a big deal. Our zone was asked to form a choir and Elder Silva asked me to sing a solo. I sang "Divina Luz" or "Lead Kindly Light". I sang the first part, then Elder Holton joined in and made it a duet. The Hermanas sang the next part and then we all sang the last verse. It sounded pretty good for having only one day to practice. That happened at zone meeting and then Elder Holton and I had divisions. We were able to teach Sujey, the little girl that wanted me to baptize her. The lesson was really good and the mom listened and was so excited to go to church and support Sujey. After that we went to comfort a hermana who's sister had just passed away. We gave her a comfort blessing and she has been calling to thank us ever since."
"The assistants called me to direct all the music at zone conference for President Zaballos. I was happy to do it, but it was a little nerve racking. I was suppose to have the choir begin to sing right when President Zaballos walked in. It worked out pretty well. I was the first Elder to greet the President and we have this thing where when we are asked where we are from, we are suppose to say, "Santiago Mission Best!" It's something that keeps us united instead of dividing us by where we are from. So I am there and it was a little awkward because Hermana Zaballos started telling me that her daughter went to Jordan High School on an exchange program and I was like, "oh really, that's great when?" She said, "A looooong time ago". haha Then I greeted President Zaballos and he asks me where I am from, and I get all nervous because President King is right next to him. My thoughts are flying and I'm thinking what do I say, Mission Best or Sandy, Utah? Now this was like the third conference that they've been to and they were getting tired of all the missionaries saying Mission Best and really wanted to know where we were from. I had a mini panic attack and said, "Santiago Mission Besteee". I don't know why I threw in the "e". It was so weird. haha I started laughing and President Zaballos said, "Are you happy to be here?" I said, "Ya", and he responded, "I can tell". haha Then President King told me thanks and made fun of me for my own version of Mission Best. I think it was because we usually say, "oeste", so I said, "beste". It was so embarrassing!"
"It actually gets even better. We go through the whole morning and I'm thinking that at some point we are going to sing, but the hours pass and then we go to lunch. I hate eating before I sing. Then right after, President King says, "And now we will hear from the Maipu Choir!" I get up there and everything is rearranged so that we are on the side without the microphone. Everyone is still talking and Elder Silva tells me to goooo! I start singing half flabbergasted and luckily I didn't mess up, but it wasn't my best. Then Elder Holton comes in and he messes up! haha The rest of the choir did alright, but overall, it wasn't very good. I did a good job leading the music though. I've come a long way since Seminary graduation. haha"
"Today we threw a really cool birthday party as a district for Hermana Moya. We got together and made german pancakes, french toast, coffee cake, and a weird fried banana thing that tastes like french fries. We decorated a room and had a really good time. Hermana Moya loved it and I could tell that she was really grateful. We have such an awesome district with a lot of unity. While we were there, the office was having a little lunch party, so we grabbed a picture with President King and his family in their Halloween costumes. haha It was a fun morning."
"This week we made brownies for a family, got locked out of our pension and had to climb through a balcony to get our keys, had an investigator find a whole bunch of anti-mormon literature and tried to prove that the Book of Mormon was not true, laid some pavement for service, made tacos with a family for a noche de hogar, reactivated a family, set a baptismal date with Ana for November 13th, and went to Santiago. Halloween is celebrated here but it is not a huge holiday."
"Those handicapped missionaries...I know some of them! I met them in the MTC. One night they did a special musical number. It was really cool. I actually talked about them the other night because an investigator was looking at the church's website. They are all really cool and I love that they are still able to serve missions. Technology is great! They are an inspiration to us all."
"Anyways, I love you all! I will be thinking of you tonight trick-o-treatin. I hope you have a great Halloween! Enjoy your chili! haha I hope you made chili Mom. It's a tradition! Have a great week!"
Elder Dallon Smith
"Happy Halloween! Time is going by so fast. Elder Zaballos from the Presiencia area de Chile came to do a mission tour and I guess it was a big deal. Our zone was asked to form a choir and Elder Silva asked me to sing a solo. I sang "Divina Luz" or "Lead Kindly Light". I sang the first part, then Elder Holton joined in and made it a duet. The Hermanas sang the next part and then we all sang the last verse. It sounded pretty good for having only one day to practice. That happened at zone meeting and then Elder Holton and I had divisions. We were able to teach Sujey, the little girl that wanted me to baptize her. The lesson was really good and the mom listened and was so excited to go to church and support Sujey. After that we went to comfort a hermana who's sister had just passed away. We gave her a comfort blessing and she has been calling to thank us ever since."
"The assistants called me to direct all the music at zone conference for President Zaballos. I was happy to do it, but it was a little nerve racking. I was suppose to have the choir begin to sing right when President Zaballos walked in. It worked out pretty well. I was the first Elder to greet the President and we have this thing where when we are asked where we are from, we are suppose to say, "Santiago Mission Best!" It's something that keeps us united instead of dividing us by where we are from. So I am there and it was a little awkward because Hermana Zaballos started telling me that her daughter went to Jordan High School on an exchange program and I was like, "oh really, that's great when?" She said, "A looooong time ago". haha Then I greeted President Zaballos and he asks me where I am from, and I get all nervous because President King is right next to him. My thoughts are flying and I'm thinking what do I say, Mission Best or Sandy, Utah? Now this was like the third conference that they've been to and they were getting tired of all the missionaries saying Mission Best and really wanted to know where we were from. I had a mini panic attack and said, "Santiago Mission Besteee". I don't know why I threw in the "e". It was so weird. haha I started laughing and President Zaballos said, "Are you happy to be here?" I said, "Ya", and he responded, "I can tell". haha Then President King told me thanks and made fun of me for my own version of Mission Best. I think it was because we usually say, "oeste", so I said, "beste". It was so embarrassing!"
"It actually gets even better. We go through the whole morning and I'm thinking that at some point we are going to sing, but the hours pass and then we go to lunch. I hate eating before I sing. Then right after, President King says, "And now we will hear from the Maipu Choir!" I get up there and everything is rearranged so that we are on the side without the microphone. Everyone is still talking and Elder Silva tells me to goooo! I start singing half flabbergasted and luckily I didn't mess up, but it wasn't my best. Then Elder Holton comes in and he messes up! haha The rest of the choir did alright, but overall, it wasn't very good. I did a good job leading the music though. I've come a long way since Seminary graduation. haha"
"Today we threw a really cool birthday party as a district for Hermana Moya. We got together and made german pancakes, french toast, coffee cake, and a weird fried banana thing that tastes like french fries. We decorated a room and had a really good time. Hermana Moya loved it and I could tell that she was really grateful. We have such an awesome district with a lot of unity. While we were there, the office was having a little lunch party, so we grabbed a picture with President King and his family in their Halloween costumes. haha It was a fun morning."
"This week we made brownies for a family, got locked out of our pension and had to climb through a balcony to get our keys, had an investigator find a whole bunch of anti-mormon literature and tried to prove that the Book of Mormon was not true, laid some pavement for service, made tacos with a family for a noche de hogar, reactivated a family, set a baptismal date with Ana for November 13th, and went to Santiago. Halloween is celebrated here but it is not a huge holiday."
"Those handicapped missionaries...I know some of them! I met them in the MTC. One night they did a special musical number. It was really cool. I actually talked about them the other night because an investigator was looking at the church's website. They are all really cool and I love that they are still able to serve missions. Technology is great! They are an inspiration to us all."
"Anyways, I love you all! I will be thinking of you tonight trick-o-treatin. I hope you have a great Halloween! Enjoy your chili! haha I hope you made chili Mom. It's a tradition! Have a great week!"
Elder Dallon Smith
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| Halloween with President King's family |
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| The District cooking up a storm! |
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| Happy Birthday Hermana Moya! |
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| Maipu Zone Conference with President Zaballos |
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
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
"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
Monday, October 17, 2011
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
"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
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| Welcome Elder Izelo from Puebla, Mexico |
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| Great Trainers this change |
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| MTC Elders Cummock, Smith, Petersen, Mace, Birch, & Mason |
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| Elder Smith with the Tialavea Brothers |
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| Elder Smith's sons, Elders Izelo and Gomez |
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| Fun times at the celebration |
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| The Diagonal Young Women with Elder Smith |
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| The loving Barrueto family and old companions |
Monday, October 10, 2011
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
"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
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| Gathered for Conference |
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| Elders Wilcox, Smith, Silva & Opazo |
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| Maipu Zone |
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| 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
"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
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| Companions in the beginning. |
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| Elder Opazo and Elder Smith |
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| Companions in the end. |
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| Sunset overlooking Maipu |
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| Elder Smith and Elder Mackie |
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